The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-01-08

the Evangelical Alliance, there is such ten
dency in the human heart TO substitute the
commandments of men for the ordinances OF
God, thereby making these of none effect,
that we cannot be too careful in resisting its
beginnings. 1t is undoubtedly good thing
20 set apart days for special devotion; and yet
the days so set apart by men for holy purposes
are regarded by all Roman Catholics and many
PrOtestants as more sacred than God holy
day, Meetings for prayer are eminenty ben
eicial; but In Fulton Street Prayer meeting,
now a sort of Christian Mecca or Protestant
LOretto chapel we have an illustration Of the
dangerous tendency Of which we speak.
If, therefore, we take part in this concert,
let US be on our guard against spaSmOdlc re-
.igion--substituting this week prayer during
The rest of the year. Let us then, and not less
during the rest of the year, continue instant
ia prayer.
Deaths in 1s67.---Whatever other expecta-
tious respecting the product of the years may
fail, the harvest Of death is always sure
Among the gathered Sheaves of that harvest
in 1867, we recall the names of the historian,
Archibald Allison; of Lord Ross and PROBES
sOr Bache from the walks of science; 1.-THE re-
port OF the.death of Dr. Livingstone, it's now
hoped may prove immature y Of Sir Erede-
rick Bruce from the diplomatic circle IN Wash
ington; OF John Granville Penn, the last de-
seendant Of the founder of our Commonwealth
bearing the patronymic name; of ex-governors,
Joseph A. Wright, David r. Porter, and
Andrews Of Massachusetts,; of distinguish
ed Educators jeremiah L. Day, Chester
Dewey, Mrs. Marietta Ingram, Henry Mills
and Charles p. Krauth Of large-hearted
Christians John Henderson, Of Park, Scot
land and Hon. Vim. H. Brown, OF Chicago;
of ministers not included above, John Camp
bell and James Hamilton, both of the old
world au0 from the 'raU9s of the American
clergy, Nathaniel Hewitt, Gavin NJ MILAN,
Milo j. Hickok, Joel Halves John NJ. Krebs,
n Y. Monroe and VIM. NJ. EngleS; of the
ministry Of our own Church, 1.-THE n. ST.
Frederick Starr, Jr., George Foot, j. w. Da-
Wis, Thornton A. Mills, Thomas Lounsbury,
and within the last few days, the hOnored pa
triarch Of our Pennsylvania Synod, VIM. r.
Dewitt. Who shall fill the like space in the
next annual review, is one of those divine Sc
cretS which to us mortals are unlocked only by
the warder, Time
Rev. Dr. H. Harbaugh's death is announced
just as We close this list. He was distinguish
ed pastor and writer of the German Reformed
Church. Presbyterian.
The Scotch in Chicago.-A correspondent of
the An,ericaR Presbyterian from Chicago does
not seem to like the conservative notions Of
the Scotch he found there, at least he endeav-
ors to explain it:
THE Canadian Scotch are here in great
numbers, and bring with them the careful
thrift and busy industry of the Land o
cakes" Their residence in Canada seems to
make them more warmly attached to the Brit
iSh rule, more jealous of America, and by
consequence less open in their sympathy with
progressive American ideas than those of their
nation who come directly from Scotland At
least | am told that Of those who become citi,
ZenS "a very large proportion vote the Demo
cratic ticket A church of this mixed nation
atty under DR. Robert BurnS has been organ
lied here in connection with the Canada Pres
byterian Church, and is prospecting The DR..
is strongly favorable to Presbyterian union, al
though the ~ w. Presbyterian has drawn out
his venerable father, Prof Burns, of Toronto,
in defense of the most rigid subscription to
the Confession Of Faith
Lutherans.-The General Synod, in sympathy
with the evangelical denominations, numbers
p SynOdS, with $4,000 communicates. The
General Council, formed the present year,
and considering all nOn-LUtherans Gas here
tics, whom it excludes from participation in
the Lord S Supper, and from an exchange of
pulpitS,' numbers II Synods, with l4O, 600
COMMITMENTS The Joint Synod of Ohio and
the Missouri Synod with 10, 000cOmmunicants,
Will unite with the Council when their views
of "SOund Lutheranism, which are still more
stringent than those thus far protested by the
new General Council, tbaH have been sane
toned S0Htherr-Fz'9tr,eranS report Synods.
100 ministers, pa churches, and 1900 com
municants.
THE remarks about the tone of the General
Council are from an unfriendly source.-CEN.
Prs.
Rev. DR.. Newton, of the Epiphany, Philadel
phia, preached sermon to a full house, Nov
q. in which he sought to show that the Low
church views respecting the ministry were in
harmony with the Bible. Prayer-book and eau
onS In the course of it, he declared, that while
Gods Spirit helps non-Episcopal ministers
and bleSSeS the Word as preached by them, 1t
Is most arrogant assumption for one of the
smallest Protestant bodies on earth to deny the
validity of their ministry.
The appetite for female pastors appears to be
growing among the SectS who arrOgate TO them
selves the title of Liberal Christians. A
UniverSalist paper announces the acceptance
of a paStorate at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, by
hiss A. J. Chaplin, and Unitarian paper the
acceptance Of a paStorate at Cavendish, VT,
by Hiss Ruth A. Damon.
Celebration of Christmas.---St Adams, in New
York, sets the fashions for Ritualistic observ-
ances and priestly millinery in general On
the Christmas just past, the celebration was
somewhat advanced, compared with the cere-
monial of the year before. We are told that
the whole "octave of this great festival was
observed at this church. VeSpers commenced
on Christmas eve at nine o clock At the morn
ing service on Christmas day;
1.-The sermon was preached by the Rev.
Oliver ). Prescott, who put ON a white stole
with black border before commencing, and
crossed himself thrice on the forehead and
breast, according to the custom of the Roman
and holy Eastern churches.
After the sermon there was a celebration of
the Holy Eucharist.
''The larger candles on the altar were now
lighted by an acOlyte vested IN short surphce
and long caSSock-the ordinary vestmentS of
the Roman clergy when not celebrating. The
ringing of the bell was also noticeable rs not
being usual in Anglican churches. The cele'
brant was vested in a chasuble; the deacon
wore dalmatie, and the sub deacon tuniele.
Each wore a mauiple, whioh is like d short
stole, over the left arm. A laced alb was also
worn both by the celebrant and the Deacon
The celebration was musical, and the fine mu-
sic added to its aesthetic effect The celebrant
sang the Communion Office, after the Roman
manner. instead of the usual intoning in mono
tone. The majority Of the congregation were
apparently Anglo. Catholic and Ritualistic in
principle; some, however, had evidently paid
a visit of curiosity.
The reporter from whom we have gathered