The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-10
FROM THE NORTHERN STATES.

FROM THE NORTHERN STATES.
The Day of Prayer for Colleges was very generally
observed, and with great interest IN behalf OF the
literary institutions OF the land.
Rev Ia Benton, one of the editors Of the Pacific,
has asked dismiSSiOn from the Second COngre-
gatonal church Of San Francisco, In order that be
may accept the ProeSsOrshlp offered him IN the
Pacific Theological Seminary.
Rev. Dr. Hoffman, rector of Grace church, on
Brooklyn Heights, has rendered his resignation,
TO take effect on the first Of next month.
An Example for Protestants-The Society for the
Propagation of the Faith-One Of the most Jealous
and active of all the institutions OF the Church OF
Rome-received during the year 1865 the large
sum of one million of dollars, of which nine hun
dred thousand dollars were from subscriptions or
contributions Of one penny per lTeek
Novelty in Congregational Church service has
been introduced into the exercises of the South
church of New Britain, CT, on Sunday afternoon.
The service is opened with psalm, of which the
pastor reads and the choir sings alternate verses.
Prof. Robert Kidd has Just concluded a course of
lectures on EOeutOn before the students OF Prince
ton Theological Seminary, 1t is said that he is to
be rendered the regular ProteSsorship OF ElOcution
in that institution.
has been elected successor to the late Rev, Joseph
II. Jones, d. D., as Secretary Of the y. ). Fund
for Disabled Ministers.
Rev DR.. Charles Gilett, agent of the Protestant
Episcopal American Board of Missions, died sud
denly in Baltimore, March 9th.
Christian Ordinances Among the Chinese. The
American Plcifc says: An important move
ment that deserves to be noticed has been begun
in the NJ. E. church at Santa Clara. One week
ago last Sunday service for Cinnamon was in
troduced in the church, and twenty six were pre-
sent. When the services closed each Chinaman
made respectful bow as be retired from the lee
ture room" The teachers report that Cinnamon
are interested and learn rapidly.
Good News from Bout Church.-Away in the in
terror of Franklin County, Mo-, Is little band of
Christians bearing the French name B9Uf Church,
so called from the Beut Beef Greek which
runs through the neghborhoOd. Tney are so
isolated and had become so few in number and so
feeble that all they could venture to hope for in
the way of preaching, was an occasional sermon
BY some passing minister or by brother sent there
for a Sabbath by the Presbytery. Nevertheless,
they did not "tOrsake the assembling of themselves
together as the manner Of some Is, but they have
kept up the PRAYER MEETING, g" exhortng one
another.
God has honOred them for hOuOring Him. He
has answered their prayers and rewarded their
faith
Rev. w. A Shaw, Nj. D., has been holding a
protracted meeting in the Beuf Church. He
writes: 1.-The Lord has visited his little remnant
people at Beuf Church, with gracious outpour-
ing of His Holy Spirit They had been reduced
by emigration, and the war, to about ten persons
We have had preaching for about twenty days to
large congregations. | have preached about forty
sermons, and held inquiry meetings, aud We have
i IL cDrnll Wa
trust In our God real sound converts to God
"Some of our widowed mothers here have re-
eeived every child above twelve years old, alive
from the dead in Adam to the spiritual life eter-
nal in our ever living, ever loving, ever reignlng
Saviour The covenant taithfulneSs OF God has
been again demonstrated here, in the conversion
of the grown up children sons and daughters, of
our beloved Ruling Elders. Every other night
and Lords days We continue the meetings, for
expoStory preaching which our Lord and His
apostles furnish to US, as our example.
Ordained two deaeOns yesterday. Received
two more by profession and baptism. There are
seven or eight more ready TO be admitted by cove
nant and baptism. Still large and attentive cen
gregatiOns and deep sOemnity,
Revivals-A contemporary says that the reports
of the past week show twelve thousand three hun
dred and forty aeceSslOnS to churches, or CONVEX
within the truth, for in the reports OF revlval'
among the PresbyterianS and COngregatlonallsts
no estimates of the number of conversions art
given.
Special interest has been excited BY the preach
ing of Mr. Hammond. In Rochester, where, on q
single evening, as many as one hundred and nifty
have risen to ask for prayer.
saeramsnts and ordinances--The Protestant
Ckuuehnaan, in an editorial recently, makes the
following distinction between sacraments' and
Ordinances:
1.-THE former were instituted by Christ himself
The latter were Developments of the Apostles anC
those who came after them, suited TO the varying
necessities of the Church. Perhaps this would be
enough to decide the position Of the ceremony Of
layipg on of hands But besides this, there mus
be in the sacrament something both vital and yer
hal as well as visible-an inward and Splrltua
grace which is symbOlized in the outward aud vlSl
bic sign, and formula of words to be used by
Divine appointment at the time of celebration
These three required elements are all found IN Bap
tism and the Lords Supper. They are nowhere
in the Scriptures declared to belong to Confession
The Watchr0R and Reflector thinks that the
"Prayer fer Colleges should occupy week, IN
stead of day.
The New Testament in the Mandarin Colloquil
the language of the entire northern portion o.
China, on which Mr. Blodgett with others have
been abOring for some time past, will soon bt
ready for printing. Mr. Hunt is getting his pres
in order at Peking to take it IN hand, aud Mr.
Gilbert T Hoconbe left by the last steamer to b.
in readiness to distribute it. Another good earn
est Christian ayman Is needed to join him IN scat
teripg the word of life amid the perlShing millions
Naive agents will be employed under their direc
ton - CoHgregatioNahst