davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-24
DOMESTIC MISCELLANY.

The Cabinet-Mr. Washburne has resigned the
Secretaryship of State and goes as Minister to
France He is succeeded by Ex-Governor Fish, of
New York Gen. Schofeld leaves the War Office,
and is succeeded by Gen. Rawlings Mr. Stewart
retires from the Treasury and Mr. Boutwell,, of
Mass. takes his pace-giving that State two Cabi.
net officers.
The Generals -Gen. Sherman has taken Grants
place as "Generaof the army" and Sheridan has
succeeded Sherman as Lieutenant General and
Scho6eld succeeds to Sheridan vacant Major
Generaship.
The Hon James Guthrie, late United States Seua-
tor from Kentucky, died at his residence in Louis
vile, KY, on Saturday, March 18th.
Rev. Dr. ]. G. Butler of the Lutheran church in
Washington city, has been elected Chaplain of the
House of Representatives, and Rev. DIR. j. P.
Newman, Methodist of Massachusetts, has been
elected Chaplain of the Senate and he also has
been appointed pastor of the metropolitan church
in the Baltimore Conference which held its annual
session during the past week.
What il Costs to Publish a Newspaper.-An Expen-
sive Business.-COl. Hodges, the experienced pub
Usher of the Frankfort Kentucky Commonwealth,
having been solicited to commence the publication
of Republican daily in louisville, declined unless
a cash capital OF $780, 900 was secured 20 commence
with. The money was not raised, and Col. Hodges
continues at Frankfort. Referring to the PROPOSE
ton of Col. Hodges, the Courier 4oarnai says
first class daily cannot be established in that city
and supported till it reaches paying point on less
than Sl50000 Il takes brains, patience, untir-
ing industry add money, to make the newspaper
business q profitable one,
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-24
English Estates and American Heirs.

The Hon. j. P Benjamin, late Secretary of
State for our Confederate Government, is practis-
ing the profession of law in London. He has
written very sensible and appropriate letter to
the New Orleans Times, warning people in this
country against the swindling practised upon them
in relation to vast estates in England unclaimed,
the heirs to which are supposed to be in the United
States He shows very clearly how utterly vain
are such expectations and that people here had
better save their money than be looking after heir
ship to the Jennings Estate, and such like.
The closing part of the letter is as follows
"Most of the persons who are duped are igno-
rant on two points, which, in nearly every instance,
would satisfy them at once Of the utter folly OF
the hopes they indulge. The first is, that an alien
cannot be an heir in England when there is DO
will, and that he cannot take real estate even II
left to him by will. The second is, that in Eng.
land, estates devolve upon the oldest alone and
on his eldest son in succession, and are not divided
in shares among all the children, as in Louisiana
and other States. Yet nothing is more common
than for persons to assert heirshp to the supposed
shares of younger brothers and sisters, to claim,
as natives of the United States, heirship to Eng
lishmen who had left no wills.
In the hope that this exposure will be OF some
use to my fellow. citizens, in whose welfare retain
the deepest interest, and may protect them to some
extent from the sharpers who are plundering
them, remain, very respectfully, your obedient
servant j. P. BENJAMIN.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-24
From the Christian Observer.
The Late Rev. James McChain.
He being dead, yet speaketh.

These words may be appropriately pre6xed to
the following memorial of the pastorate Of the
Rev. James McChain, which we abridge from the
Abingdon Virginian of March 9th. 1--WE know
not says the Editor that we have ever chronicled
the death of any citizen of deeper sadness than
we record that of the Rev. James McChain for
twenty-five years the pastor OF the Presbyterian
church of this place. And yet our sadness is re-
lieved of its melancholy, with the assured conf
dence that this laborious servant of Christ has en-
into his reward on high. He departed this life at
his residence near Abingdon on the morning Of
Monday, March LIST, at half past o'clock.
For the last few years, Mr.. McChain has labor
ed under continued declining health; but still
faithfully he adhered to his congregation, and APP
parenty, as it became evident he would soon ex-
change the labors of the Church militant for the
rest Of the Church triumphant, he became more
attached to his flock than in his early conservation
to the pastorate. During the few months pastit be-
came evident that his abors were drawing to close,
and it was only when forced to yield to the APP
preaching summons to rest, that he left his pull
pit.
The quarter Of century that he has labored in
this community have been years of varied expert
ence, and of large usefulness and, possibly, no
minister has ever filled larger place in the hearts
of an entire people of all Churches than did Mr..
McChain.
The services at the funeral of this beloved pas
tor were attended at the Presbyterian Church of
Abingdon on Tuesday evening, conducted by the
Rev. H. NJ. White, pastor of Glade Spring church,
assisted by Rev. Messrs. Brown and Stuart
The 18th chapter LIST Corinthians, selected by
Mr.. McChain himself was read as part of the ser
vices connected with his funeral. After the read
ing of the chapter referred to, most affecting let
ter dictated by him day or two before his death,
to be read to his congregation, was read by MIR.
White. 1t was as voice from the grave, and we
have never witnessed more profound impression
made upon congregation than the reading of this
letter produced.
All the stores and business houses of the place
were closed and our whole people came together
to show their respect for the memory Of one that
all loved.
We have been kindly furnished with the letter
above alluded to, and give it place in connection
with the preceding notice, with the earnest hope
that it NAV prove the most effective of all Mr. Nc
Chain abors. 1t is the dying charge of dying
man to a dying people;
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-24
NOTICE.
To ALL THE PREsBYTERIEs IN CONNECTION

To ALL THE PREsBYTERIEs IN CONNECTION
WITH OUR GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
COMMISSIONER Fund, Statistical Reports,
and Reports from all the churches on Sys-
tenaatic Benevolenee and Sabbath Schools
will be called for at the spring meetings, in
order to send up Presbyterial reports to the
General Assembly in May.
The Presbyteries in the Synod Of Virginia
will make reports of Congregational action
to secure Church property.
Presbytery Of Roanoke expects reports
as to the regularity of the representations OF
the churches in Synod and Presbytery'
The Churches of the Presbytery of Nash
vile will make reports, on Stuart College
The Presbytery Of Knoxville expects the
names of the elders sent up with the other
reports from the churches. Their assess
ments for Commissioner Fund, are as fol-
lows:
Chattanooga church. Sl2; Knoxville LIST, 10;
Sweet Water, 10; MadiSonville, 10; Mars Hill 81;
Cleveland. 6; Lebanon, 6; Cedar Spring, 6; Pleas
ant Forest, s; New Bethel 6; Monmouth, Of;
Shiloh, 6; Mt Bethel, 8 Rockford, O.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-24
THE SESSION AND THE BOARD OF
DEACONS.

At the close of the article last week on Re
moving to Meo Charge" rs. L. C." asks,
do you know, or does the editor of the Central
Presbyterian know, or has our General Assembly
declared, what is the precise relation between the
Session and the Board Of Deacons?" To which
he appropriately adds-"This is a difficult and an
important subject.
1t is to be regretted that in regard to the pre-
else point referred to- there is no specific declara
ton in our Form of Government; and this, it must
be owned, is defect In the Book of Church
Order, which was adopted by the General Assem-
bly, at Memphis, but was not approved by the
Presbyteries, the whole matter pertaining to the
office of Deacon is presented with greater fitness
than in any Presbyterian church we remember to
have SEEM See chapter 4, section 4. There we
find the following The pastor of the congrega-
ton is er o6icio moderator Of the board Of dea-
cons A complete account of all col
lections and distributions and full record of all
proceedings, must be kept and submitted to the
session for examination 1t least once year, at
meeting previous to the stated meeting OF the
General Assembly" And in section 3, article 6,
of the same chapter, it is laid down among the
duties of the session, Ito examine and approve or
censure the records OF the board of deacons.
The only action of any General Assembly beam
ing upon the inquiry of IS L. G, was 1857, in
answer to three questions; and is as follows
l. "Has,a church session any original or direct
control over the management and distribution of
the fund collected and in the hands Of the deacons
for the benefit of the poor Of the church?
2. "Or does the management of this fund be-
long exclusively to the deacons?
8. eft the session has any control over this
fund, what is the nature and extent Of that con-
troll ?"
The Committee recommended that the first in
uuiry be answered in the negative; the second in
the affirmative; and that the third be answered
as follows: "They may advise respecting the use
of funds" (Adopted.) See Baird's Digest,
page 65.
1t must be admitted that this matter is in an
unsatisfactory condition and needs more complete
adjustment
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-24
REPORT of THE PROCEEDINGS OF OUR
NEXT GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
The General Assembly of last year adopt
ed the following resolution:

The General Assembly of last year adopt
ed the following resolution:
Resolred That the Stated aud Permanent
Clerks be Standing Committee authorised TO
make such arrangements as they may deem proper
for securing, for the future, full and correct re-
port of the proceedings and deliberations OF the
General Assembly; provided the expense to the
Assembly shall not exceed the sum OF sou Tor any
one meeting.
The Importance of securing in the most
satisfactory way full report of the pro,
ceedings of the supreme judica:Ory of our
Church, has been deeply felt. Facts of
great interest presented in reports and other
forms-arguments aud appeals presented IN
debates, when received fresh from the meet
ing, are read with ten-fold interest, are most
likely to produce their deepest impression
and therefore to be exceedingly useful IL,
the Church.
The undersigned in making arrangements
for carrying out the order of the last Assem-
bly, beg leave to state that it is their pur
pose to issue daily paper during the SEES
sions of the next meeting, in Mobile, to be
called " The Assembgs Record. 1t will
be about the size of the Children's Friend
but double sheet, and therefore containing
eight pages 1t will be carefully prepared
by competent reporters, under our super
vision.
Under the best advised estimates of ex
penses. it is not thought safe to make the
price less than so cents copy. This we
believe, is quite as low as any similar repo'
has been furnished. We are specially anx
ious to make this experiment completely
successful. To do so will require the promp
and energetic cooperation of our people, aud
in particular of our brethren IN the minist y,
We appeal to them, then, to secure for US
i. As many subscribers as practicable;
payment always in advance.
2. See that the names of subscribers are
written very plainl-alsO the post office,
county, and State.
3. If the list is arranged at the meeting
of the Presbytery this spring, let commit
tee see that it is made out carefully, and
with the money, placed in the hands of
delegate to the Assembly.
Any person may obtain copy by al
dressing either of us at Mobile, aud enclos-
ing so cents, together with name, and post
Office.
no. VIII our brethren throughout the
Church remember how much success in tn
matter depends simply upon each one doir
what he can
JOSEPH R. WILSON, eo,a,nittse
WILLIAM BROWN,
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-24
A MODEL CHURCH.

Through the kindness of J. B. Dantorth, Esq,
of this city, we have had an opportunity to exam
inc the complete and elegant drawings he has made
for the Presbyterian church to be erected at Giles
Court House, in place of the one destroyed by lire.
The United Presbyterian Church DR. Read Sd is
indebted to Col. Danforth for the much admired
plan of their new edifce, and he contributes this
also as labor Of love to the enterprise OF erecting
house Of worship among the mountains. 10 our
eye this is model of such neat, substantial
building, as it is desirable to provide, and which
can be erected at very moderate cost.
We refer to this case chiefly for the purpose OF
grounding upon it suggestion which it Is hoped
may be useful. Would it not help the work OF
church extension if our Committee of Sustenta-
ton could procure from competent hands series
of plans and specifications for churches, especially
those which must be built without heavy expen-
diture? They might be engraved in cheap style,
and sold so as to cover the expense. Several
good ends would be thus accomplished
1t would diffuse through the land better taste
in church.erection. How many of our houses OF
worship are a complete eye-sore-leavlng the be-
holder to wonder whether, by possibility the
builders could ever have found pattern from any
thing known in the heavens above, or on the earth
beneath, or in the waters under the earth.
Again this would really save expense. 1t is
always cheaper to build house that is well
planned, than one that is i'll contrived and botched
One thing is impressed more and more deeply
upon our mind. That is, that until our people
have time to improve their circumstances so as to
build more costly and enduring, if not tasteful
houses of worship they ought, in general to hz
upon cheap plans, and work accordingly. Ii we
are not ready to build temples, let US be content
with tabernaces, if not such as Abraham dwelt In,
with Isaac and Jacob, at least such as DR.. Stuart
Robinson, of Louisville, KY, has built there, and
of which he has published an account in the news
papers There are no doubt good reasons why,
here and there, more costly edi6ces should be pro-
vided, and this by the help Of the churches al
large. We mean no criticism upon any body, oil
upon anything that has been done. All honor to
those-and we know such--who have sacrificed
time, and ease, and feeling, to sustain then
church and to provide liberal things. All that IL
meant is to say, and to insist that we shall, wher
ever it can be helped do with as little outside ale
as possible, and that it is due to ourselves and tt
the Church-that it is wisest and best every way
to cultivate the spirit cf selfreiance, in the work
of Sustentation, in all its length and breadth.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-24
Writing for Newspapers. Would that it were

Writing for Newspapers. Would that it were
in our power to enforce the view presented concern
inga buried talent, on the first page this paper.
When it is considered that we'll written article
passes under the eye of thousands of readers, 1.-THE
number reading the Central Presbyterian, for ex
ample, cannot be less than fifteen thousand and
that upon every one OF these some impression for
good may be left what Christian is there who
ought not to cove such an opportunity for the use
of his pen? Other papers too are on the watch
for selections, and an article of striking thought
and style in one journal-especially if short and
terse-will sometimes go the rounds of the country,
counting its readers by the hundred thousand.
DR.. Alexander, busy as his old age was with other
labors, had no such silly notion as that the news
paper was a sphere beneath the notice of his
genius. His sagacious mind was, if we remember,
the first on this continental suggest the idea of
starting religious weekly journal, and he rejoiced
to the last in using its columns to promote piety
and truth in the earth.
Are there not many brethren in our Church,
whose education and endowments qualify them
highly to edify the Church with their pens but of
whom it must be said that, as to this matter, they
are most carefully keeping their Masters talent
"la;d up IN napA1n" We earnestly solicit care
fully prepared articles, especially upon all subjects
of practical piety.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-24
Rev. Henry M. Smith, D. D.-The Third Pres

Rev. Henry NJ. Smith, D. D.-The Third Pres
byterian Church in New Orleans have, at the re-
quest of DR.. Smith, concurred with him in asking
of the Presbytery dissolution of the pastoral re-
lation which has existed between them for twelve
years, with view TO his devoting his whole time
to the editorial department of the Southeastern
Presbyterian recently started in that city,
The unanimous action of the congregation shows
that their consent is given with extreme reluc
tance," and is ''based solely on his own clear con-
viction that duty calls him to wider field of
labor" Declarations are made, and facts stated,
abundantly showing with what extraordinary self
denial, and how successfully DR.. Smith has labored
for the upbuilding of that church, and how warmly
he is cherished in the best affections of the people.
When pastoral relations close how beautiful and
blessed thing it is to see them end thus.
May Dr. Smith efforts in his new and duous
work as editor be crowned with as much success
as his work in the pastoral office.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-24
THE DYING MESSAGE OF YOUR PASTOR TO THE

THE DYING MESSAGE OF YOUR PASTOR TO THE
DEAR PEOPLE OF HIS CHARGE.
have tried faithfully, to serve you in the Cos.
pei of Christ, for the last twenty-five years, and
though [ have often come far short Of my duty,
yet feel that have served you with good de-
gree OF earnestness
have always loved you most deeply. and felt
that you thus loved me, but the manifestation of
that love now during my sickness, has most deep
y touched me, and enshrined you all in the inmost
recesses of my heart-ALI. ALL of you and L
would now beseech YOU all classes, from the young
labor for souls, be faithful unto death, and win the
crown of life.
And to my dear brethren and friends of other
denominations, and to the community generally. L
would say that have always loved you, and felt
that you loved me but the outburst Of this afec,
ton in my last illness has completely overwhelmed
me.
God bless you, my dear brethren and friends;
with the richest blessing of his providence and
grace.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-24

Calamity by Fire-The distressing intelligence
is received. when this paper is almost full thai
BeDewood Female Seminary, near Louisville, Ky
was entirely consumed by FIRE, on Friday morning
the 2Oth inst. This Seminary was built up ano
sustained by its efficient Principal and proprietor
Rev VIM. W. Hill, D. D. 1t has been conducted
with great success, ana It's destruction is ealami
" to the whole community and to the Presbyteri,
an Church in the State. In such an affective
event DR.. Hill viii reeeiYe-hOwever Intellectual Ii
may be-the sincere sympathy OF all who know him
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-24
Reliaions 9ntelliaente.
FROM THE SOUTHERN STATES.

New Presbyterian church.-The Presbyterian
congregations Rev Mr. Browns, at Georgetown,
Ky., are about to erect a new church building IN
this Mace. Having sold their old house of wor-
shin 70 the Catholics, they propose to build new
and more commodious one, to cost from $4,000
to $4,000. T
Rev. John L. Giradeau, D. D., of Charleston. ). u.
has accented an invitation given by the Faculty of
Washington College, to deliver the Baccalaureate
Sermon at the Commencement in June next.
Rev. l. J. Daniels Post office address has been
changed from Raymond to Edwards Depot.
Seventy thousand dollars have been raised in
New Orleans since the war. to build one Presbyte'
ran church and relieve the Indebtedness OF two
others
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-24
RECENT PUBLICATIONS.

The SOUTHERN PRESBYTERIAN REVIEW The
first number of Vol. Xxx. Of this Review has now
been issued. This is the fourteenth number pub
shed since July l, 1866; hence the numbers have
been issued at intervals of little more than two
months. The design in publishing more frequently
than quarterly was to fill up in part the gap occa-
stoned by the events connected with the close OF
the war. Three volumes and half have been
in about two years and half; and the
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-24

ACCOUNTS WITH SUBsCRIBERs.-Havlng
given a very long indulgence to many who
are in arrears for the Central Presbyterian,
we begin this week, upon systematic plan,
the work of sending bills and making col
leetiOns. Let it be hoped that the effort will
be successful one.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-24
nFFERs FOR 1s6s.

i. For spery fire names of new subscrib-
ers deemed responsible, the agent shall be
entitled to copy of the Central Presbyterian
for one year.
2. Any person sending the names of new
subscribers, together with payment for one
vea-, may retain for compensation sepenty.fve
cents upon each.
Or, if preferred, for every three such pad
subscriptions, the agent shall receive copy
of the Central Presbyterian without charge
for one year.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-24
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF the PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH in THE UNITED STATES,

VIII meet in the Government Street Presbyterian
Church. in the City Of Mobile, on the third Thurs
day 1.-THE 2Oth,) of May, 1869, at II o'clock, A. NJ
The opening sermon will be preached by the Rev,
John N. Waddel D. D., the Moderator Of the last
Assembly.
The undersigned, Committee on Commissions,
will meet in the Lecture Room Of the above named
church, on Wednesday the 10Th of May, at s
o'clock, P. NJ, for the purpose of enrolling Com
misSiOners
The Presbyteries viii please remit, by the hands
of their Commissioners, the amount OF their re-
spectve assessments, in accordance with the sehe-
dule printed on page 1S6 of the minutes of 1867.
JOSEPH r. WILSON, Stated Clerk.
WILLIAM BROWN, Permanent Clerk.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-24

THE OLD OAKEN BUCKET. Canon & Protzman,
Publishers, l64 East Washington street, India
napolis A new Temperance magazine
LEISURE HoURs--March number monthly
magazine, published by O'Dwyer & Co., Pitts
burg Pa
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-24

PETERS MUSICAL MONTHLY J. L. Peters, pub
Usher No. 1913, Broadway, N. Y. Price, So
per annum.
The March number contains Left Ali Alone, y
by j. S. Cox 1.-THE Lord will Provide" sacred
song by George Leach, and good variety of songs
and instrumental pieces.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-24

"Assembly's Record. The special attention
of our brethren is called to the announcement
made by the Committee on this subject. A little
care 5y all will be sure to carry the matter through
in good style whereas little neglect By all can
alwavs do wonders
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-24

"APPLEToNs JOURNAL" it seems, cannot APP
pear until April, in consequence of delays, in Par.
is, in the publication of Victor Hugo's new ro-
nance 1.-THE Man who Laughs; or, By the King s
Command"
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-24

Saint Louis Mutual Life Insurance Com
pany.-We invite attention to the advertisement
of this company Our information is that it is
founded upon the most approved scheme of such
companies, and is worthy of public confidence. Mr..
John N. Moore, of this city, it will be seen. is