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

Missionary Departed.-Departed this life on
the 9th day of January, at twenty minutes past
twelve clock A. NJ, at bis late residence in Mon
rovia Liberia, West Coast of Africa, Benjamin
Van Rensselaer, James, who was born at Elizabeth
town. Essex county, New York, aged ffty-fo
years eight months and eighteen days. He lived
and died in the hope of blessed Immortality
through the atoning merits of our Saviour Jesus
Christ He was a missionary of the American
Board of Foreign Missions from 1882 to 1874 on
the western coast of Africa and from 1874 to 1869
of the Board Of Foreign Missions of the Presby-
terian Church. He was ruling elder of the Pres.
byterian church at Monrovia and other places on
the coast thirty two years. He has held no less
prominent positions in the service of his country
He was successfully Representative, and at his
death the Treasurer OF the Republic of Liberia.
He was man universally loved, honored, and re.
spected by all who knew him, both at home and
abroad, as faithful. earnest, and devoted Chris
tian, a kind and affectionate husband loving and
tender father, good neighbor, and a true lover
of his country and its best interests.
Presbyterian Conventional Convention of
Old School, and United Presbvterians-f the
States of Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky, were in
session. during three days Of last week, in Cincin.
natl, Ohio. The Convention was called for prayer
and conference concerning the condition of the
churches. Two hundred cergymen and elders
were present, and various subjects of great inter.
est to the churches were discussed. Much prayer
was made continually for the descent of the Holy
Spirit upon the churches, and there was great
glow and fervency in the speeches of the brethren
Though it was confined to Presbyterians, members
of other churches were present One who way
taken to be Methodist, was asked, jocularly,
why, what are you doing here?" replied, well,
when | get to heaven | expect to find so many
Presbyterians there, that want to get little &C.
| - I'll Al LIZ
ton issued address to the churches and sepa-
rated after meeting of much interest and hearts
enjoyment. Presbyterian
Bishops in a Muddle.-Bshop Cummings, of the
Diocese of Kentucky, was invited to preach in
Chicago, Illinois, the place Of his former labors.
The Bishop is q Low churchman, and Bishop
Whitehouse is High churchman. so that the
latter inhibited the former. But Bishop Cum.
mings went in spite of the protest of bis brother
diocesan, and preached in Chicago last Sunday,
denouncing Rituasm with vehement and just in
dignation, What the men of Illinois will do, re.
mains to he seen. Kentucky is just now a little
ahead, and we hope he may continue so.
The Rev. T. Dewitt Talmage, of the Second Re-
formed church of Philadelphia, has received a
unanimous call to the Central Presbyterian church
of Brooklyn, Long Island.
Letters or "reminiscences of the late DR.. John
will be gratefully received by the Rev. DR.. j. B.
Waterbury, at l03 Fulton street, New York
Rev. Frederick Marsh now in the seth year of
his age, has lived to see the Goth anniversary of
his settlement in Winchester Centre, Ct The
cav, Feb. lst, was observed by visit from his
friends and former Pensioners, with liberal gifts
His first and only pastorate was at Winchester
where he ministered to the people for about forty
years.
We learn, with great pleasure, that deep revi.
val interest has pervaded Lafayette College for
some weeks past. and that quite large number
of the students have recently begun to hope in
Christ. The first special religious influence was
manifested in the daily prayer meeting, which
until it embraced nearly all in the College The
work has been quiet, and no effort having been
made to give it the character of an excitement, it
has steadily progressed and is It'll progressing
We bespeak for this and for other colleges earnest
prayer at this season of special supplication for
such Institutions. ~ Y Observer.
Power of Conscience-In collection taken up
for Foreign Missions in the Beach street Presby-
terian church. Boston. Massachusetts,, few Sab.
baths ago, there was found piece of paper
pinned to SIS. The following is an exact copy of
what was written on the paper; it speaks for it.
self:
"BosToN January l6, 1869.
Rev Mr. Dunn In Scotland, when | was a
young and foolish boy. we had fast day in the
parish, and there was collection taken up for
Foreign Missions. My mother. and two of the
neighbors, sent me to church with one shilling
and sixpence and as | wanted sixpence for some
use. and [ could not get it, | took this chance and
made use Of the sxpence, and put the shilling in
the plate at the door. [ was to pay that sxpcnce,
but never got the chance, SO last Sabbath when
you mentioned Foreign Missions as being the
object for which collection would be taken up to-
morrow | saw this was chance to pay the six
pence between me and my spirit. send you this
$40 for that sixpence, and the rest for this day,
and pray that the power of the Father, Son, and
Holy Ghost shall follow this Sl0 and every cent
of it will save soul from SIM
Yours truly, A ScoTcHMAN."
Rev. S. s. Mitchell, of Harrisburg, Penn, has
accepted call to the pastorate of the New York
Avenue church, Washington City, which was made
vacant by the death of Dr. Gurley.
All Methodsts whether male or female, are to
vote on the question of lay representation, which
comes up this year.