The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-12-25
FROM THE NORTHERN STATES.

FROM THE NORTHERN STATES.
Prssbyterianism in Brazil---The Old SchOo
Presbyterian Synod of Baltimore, at its recent
meeting, received the following very encOur
aging report from the Missionary Presbytery
of Rio de Janeiro, which was recognized but
one year ago as part of the Synod:
1.-The PreSbytery of Rio de Janeiro, respect
fully reports TO the Synod of Baltimore, that
1t consists Of five ordained ministers Rev.
MeSSrS A. g. SimOnton, A. Il. BlacktOrd, +.
j. c. Schneider, Jose Manuel da COnceieaO,
and George w. Chamberlaine. In addition to
these, the Rev. f. n PlreS labOrs within our
bounds by appointment Of the Board OF For
eign Missions also, MIR. William d. Pitt, APP
pointed by authority OF the same Board, Is en-
plOyed a. assistant missionary. The Presby-
terry has under Its care three churches, Rio de
JaneirO, San PaulO, and BrOtaS. loving TO
the recent formation of these churches, aud
the special circumstances of the case, they
have not, as yet, the complete organization re-
Ouired. This matter will be duly attended TO
as soon as practicable and expedient
To the church of Rio de JaneirO were added
last year thirteen by profession, aud one by
certificate. Its actual membership is sixty
seven.
To the church Of San Paulo were added
last year seven by profession, and one by Ger
ti6eate Its actual membership is twenty-five
To the church of BrOtas were added last yeaI
forty three BY profession. Its actual member
ship is Sixty-One.
The number of additions to our Church du-
ring the year, on profession of faith, Is hence
sixty three; and the actual aggregate mem
bership is one hundred and fiity-three.
The New York Observers Concord Presbytery
NC.-A correspondent of the ~ g. Presbyte
riaR gives an account Of the recent attempt Of
this PreSbytery to hold meeting at the church
of Swannanoa:
1.-The elders and trustees of that church be-
ing apprzed (by whispered rumOr) OF their
intention, bad taken the precaution to taSteu
\ securely the doors of the building, and to be
present upon che ground When they arrived
AT the appointed hour the imposing PreSby-
terry hove in sight, consisting of three depOsed
ministers and one ruling elder. As they neared
the church. they were met, and quietly but
firmly forbidden, in the name of the church
and Of the law, to enter. This seemed to dis
concert them considerably. Taking counsel of
their fears, they concluded not to venture fur
Their; whereupOn their Moderator, l.. Il. Stew
art, dofing his hat and waving it to his con-
frereS behind Kim, in true military style, spoke
10 this effect: Inasmuch as we are prevented
from converting In our own church, by armed
hostility. | adjourn the body to meet at my
house, &c. Now the fun of the thing was,
that the armed hostility consisted of only
four persons, three OF whom we're past the
three-ScOre anil fe aud leaning upon the StGCeS
Of age, and tie n confirmed Hrdhd =
Truly tits coasc,e makes towards of us all.
The wicked flee whom no man purSueth!
Prospects for ReuniOn.-A correspondent Of
the Ne,o York EraRgeiist writes from Indi-
ana
"Had been asked two months ago to state
my impression as to the deSirabeneSS and fea-
sibihty of the proposed union with the
Other Branch" | would have said it is not
hattering. My own belief then was that thus
far the talk on the matter had been diSad-
vantage to us rather than otherwise, and that
the sooner we settled the question so as to
maintain the most fraternal relations with the
Other Branch" and yet work for Christ
through our own incompatible agencies, the
better it would be for us and our brethren.
But recently there is very marked change
In this vicinity The reports of the Philadel-
phia Convention have been extensively read
and talked about; they have been referred to
In the pulpit and social meetings; they have
been discussed in private and in public. The
conviction of both Old and New School Pres
byterians evidently is growing that the union
is not merely feasible but is in the rapid pro-
cess of accomplishment, so that the popular
union is proceeding, as it ought, the formal
and organic union. 1t it take place in hearty
earnest and love, it will be a glorious event for
Presbyterianism in Indiana The two united
will make a powerful wing of the Christian
Church in this region. Ii Is very commonly
said by the skeptical conservatives among us,
swell, since DR.. Breckinridge was so thor
oughly Squelched, and Dr. Hodge so hand
somely hauled down his flag at Philadelphia,
the union will surely come to pass
Discouraging Prospect -COngregatiOnalism
does not seem to flourish in the Queen City.
1t is said that Rev. DR.. Ii. NJ StorrS, recently
installed pastor of one of the Brooklyn
churches, urged upon the attention Of the cOun
Gil at Cincinnati which dismissed him, as a rea
son for transferring his paStOrate, that Cincln
natl was rapidly lOoSing Its "SOlid men, anC
that his church was likely, ere long to become
too feeble TO sustain him. | tOreSee this,
said he, land l am not willing to stay here
and see the process 90 on, and find myself ter
years from now too old 70 work elsewhere, un
dermined, with nothing beneath me for sup
pDTL ~ bAlAo pACd IL - cdtO htS NNuiNu S0A n
estly responded I've all painfully feel tina
in the city of Cincinnati the commercial Spiri
rules supreme, almost OvershadOwing all else
But is this an excuse for a tried soldier leaving
this outpost of Zion? Shall he, because tn,
battle RACES iereely, leave the vanguard anC
seek the rearY'
The Basis ApprOved-The Presbytery of New
York at meeting held on Monday of las
week adopted a minute expressing Its cOrdia
approval of the basis of re- union recommend
ed by the Philadelphia Convention for the or
ganic union of Presbyterian churches, and alSC
Its belief that such a union is demanded b.
the prayer of the Redeemer, and now eSpe
cially taught God people by his Spirit, ant
pressed upon their consideration by his Prov
idence.
Rev. Dr. Chester Dewey, Professor of Chem
istry in the University, and distinguished II
scientific circles, died December 18th, in RO
chester, New York, aged eighty-tOur years