Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1866-02-15
Ths 8utlana 3erala.
SATURDAY. FEBRUARY 10, 1866
Religious moveMents.

nations OF the United States. lhe aa-
yeue of peace a1.cr four years OF civil
war and the changed condition In the
socisl and pol ical relations In nearly !
one half OF tl, country, have induced |
unprec dented ttorts on the part OF sew
ersl denominations TO enlarge their
sphere Of usefulness by extending their
boundaries and multiplying their church
organizations. The COngregstlonalists,
az our readers know, held national
council is Boston, last year, at which
they resolved to raise $4,000 for the
year 1865, to be appropriated for home
missionary work, church extension, &C.
The Unitsrlans, at national conVen-
ton in New York, voted to rase $780,
900 a year, for five years, for similar pur'
poses, both Of these denominations thus
attempting for the first time to effect
national organization, and both looking
towards the Southern States as a field
whereon to reap a no unimportant share
of the fruits Of these efforts, Already,
most liberal contributions have been
made, with fair prospect Of fully real
izing the amounts Of money contenl-
plated. And these vast sums, If we re-
member correctly, are in addition to the
contributions for ordinary missionary
work.
The Methodist Episcopal church, TAX
inq advantage OF the fact that 1866 is
the hundredth year OF the denomina-
TONS existence in this Countrywide
first society having been organized in
the CITY Of New York, in the year 1855,
by Capt. Webb OF the English army-is
making preparations on the grandest
scale known in modern church history.
This determination, through lis mission
ary board has appropriated 100000 for
the regular missionary work Of thocur-
rent wear, ard in addition to this unprc'
csdented missionary appropriation, i,
isproposl ( . raise several millions more
a. mcuu..> : jubilee fund with
which 10 br celebrais the CEN
teuarv of AyaeI $50 AethedisE. This
large fund IL to Re dlvGted - church cx-
tension, the csdes nens - literary in
stitutions-sucn ns colleges, the higher
seminaries, and theological schools
and for aiding feeble churches and build
ing up waste places, In inrtherance Of
this enterprise, the centenary committed
recently called q public meeting in New
York, which was presided over by Sec
retarv Harlan OF the Interior Depart
ment, and which was designed to be the
first Of a series to be held throughout
the country. One wealthy Methodist
Daniel Drew OF New York, has Contri
buted quarter Of million OF dollars
to the general fund. and in addition K
this proposes to give half q million NOR
for the endowment 0: a theological
school ON the banks OF the Hudson.
The other denominations are less de
monstrative, but are unusually active IL
efforts to raise funds. 1t now only re
mains for the clergymen who are lead
ing in these gigantic movements to Sc
that efforts for the moral and religion
improvements OF the people at large, ar
commensurate with those put forth fO
the raising Of money. All wars are d.
noralizing in their tendency, and th
great struggle through which we sav
Just passed and which by its grand resu
Pa. mas filed all patriotic hearts with th
livelieet gratitude, has yet opened innum
cradle eluices Of evil which will requir
the combined Influences OF all the III
selfish and devoted among Christian
and phiiapthropists TO close. 1t will /
interesting to note the progress made
behalf Of these grand movements, an
this we shall endeavor to do from tim
to time, as events transpire under then
KIDNAPPING NEqRoEs. THE New Yor
Commercial has authentic inf0rmatlo
that for many weeks parties from til
North, as well as the Bouth. have bee
engaged along the coast and inland riV
ers in employing blacks for the pretenc
I'd purpose Of l&borlng at distanc
but really TO be forced into Cuban bono
sgc. This has been especially the cas-
ATS. Marks and at Mobile. Freedme
are engaged in the latter city and up ii
Alabama and Tombigbee rivers to wor
at New Orleans and elsewhere by bae
wretches who, having secured and take
them down the bay in small vessels fc
their pretended destinations, then hu
o., .ied them out TO sea and thence to Dub
The attention Of the government az
shoritieg has been called TO the matte
- Gen. Grsnt politely invited Gle
Butler to his house-wsrming the 9TH
night. Butler declined the invitation ar
wrote note in reply. This note hs
been published as follows: -.....
Ell have the honor to receive your car
of invitation. beg to decline 1t as p
l,sely as may; and | would forth'
state that Ia no e-ent would be will
lag to hold personal intercourse viii
$50 -.->.otg ~. onv yoeaah prL NJ vnuY far