davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-10
geligiuns gntelligenfe.
FROM THE SOUTHERN STATES.
Recent Intelligence from :" The Missionary" Of March
MISSION Rooms, COLUMBIA, S. c.,
February IT, 1869

We have letters from the Rev Messrs. lnslee
and Houston, of the China Mission, the latter OF
Nov. lSth-Dec 5th, and the former of Dec 5th
The missionaries at the date Of tie last mentioned
letter. were all in good health. and were prosecu-
ting their work in quietness and peace. The newly
arrived brethren were settled in their own house,
and were busily engaged in the study of the Ian
guage 1t would be difficult to find any where. in
brief compass. more satisfactory account Of the
character and condition of the japanese than is to
be found in Mr.. Houston letter, and we have no
hesitation in asking for it careful perusal from
our readers Some delay has been experienced in
putting the schools into full operation. One Of
them, however, has been begun and promises well.
The other will be commenced as soon as suitable
room can be procured.
We have a letter from Miss Ronzone as late as
January Goth. She had succeeded, after consid
cradle trouble, in procuring suitable house Tor
the accommodation OF her proposed school, and
was about to enter upon her duties as the chief
manager of her school. The school will be sup
ported mainly by lady in Scotland, but Miss
Ronzone will look to our Committee as heretofore
for her personal support.
A letter from the Rev. Mr.. Copeland. of the
Choctaw Mission shows that the Spirit of God is
still among the Choctaws, bringing many Of them
back to that fold from which they strayed because
they had no shepherds to watch over them, and
preparing them for the heavenly kingdom. OF
seven white missionaries who occupied this field
at the close of the war, only three remain, aud
one of these very feeble and aged. Surely this
mission ought to be the subject of earnest prayer
on the part of all who love the kingdom of our
Lord Jesus Christ
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-10
FOR THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
DR.. smyth's Ecclesiastical Catechism

Mr.. Editor,-It may be well for me as the au.
thor of the above work. to make at this time a
few statements which may relieve the minds of all
in reference to it, and prevent further controversy
|. This Catechsm was written at the suggestion
of the venerable DR.. Miller, under whom | had
recently studied at Princeton, and to whose views
which we're then my own, | designed perfectly to
conform.
2. When finished, submitted it in MSS to
DR.. Miller, and requested him to revise and cor
rect it. still have in my possession two foolscap
sheets of his suggested alterations, all of which
cordially adopted.
3. When published, it was received very favora'
bly, as 1 can show from numerous notices from
various papers and reviews.
4. When the present publication OF this Cate
chism was proposed by our Committee in Rich
mond, it was my desire to have the 9Th edition
made conformable to DR.. Miller's views. To this
end avaied myself substantially of every sugges.
ton made by the Committee. and authorized them
to make any other alterations they thought desira
bic or necessary. l did this, not because aban-
doned my own personally preferred opinions but
to render the work as generally useful to the cause
of Presbyteranism as possible.
5. 1t may be well to say, that these personal
opinions are nothing more nor less than those OF
the Standards OF the Church of Scotland during
more than two hundred and fifty years, including
their second Book of Discipline
6. 1t would be agreeable to me to have the an
swers to which exception has been taken, made
comfortable to the words of our present Form of
Government, and the answers in reference to the
ordination of eldors and deacons made to conform
to each other.
7. The answers to which exception has been
taken were made in accordance with DR.. Miller s
explicit language and teachings.
I. In answer to the question, How is the
preaching Presbyter ordained?" The Catechism
answers, "He is admitted to his office by the vote
of the whole Presbytery, and is set apart by the
LAYING on of hands of the ministers belonging to
the Presbytery" This answer is based upon the
present and Fast tnvariabe practice of the Church
of Scotland, as clearly stated and defined by Cal
derwood, and in substantially his words by Dr.
Miller. On the Christian Ministry, p. IA, and see
also D. 70. Dr. Miller says, " 1t is we'll known
that all our Presbyteries are made up of both
clerical and lay elders, and that we do not permit
the latter to impose hands at all in the ordination
of ministers. . We deny the right of an infe
ror officer to lay on hands in the ordination of a
superior, and act accordingly. The Presbytery
lays on hands when all its teaching members do
1.-THE italics are his)-although those who are rulers
do not
This opinion of DR.. Miller, who was one Of the
trainers of our Book in its present form, was sus-
tanned by the General Assembly, composed of the
ablest men of our Church at the time, not merely
during the session Of one year. but after prolonged
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-10
Interesting to Writers.

The offer of $l65O in prizes for manuscripts, by
the Presbyterian Publication Committee, New
School, will interest those able to WELD the pen.
The Committee desire to draw to their aid the
best talent for the most effective prosecution Of
their work, and therefore offer the following series
of prizes for books for the Sunday School, and
for practical Christian work:
$500 for the Best Book, of large size, for the
Sunday School library.
$500 for the Second Book of the same size and
class.
$3.50 for the Best Book Of medium size, for the
Sunday School library.
$3.50 for the Second Book of the same size ant
class.
$3.50 for the Best Book, small in size, to arouse
the impenitent.
$3.50 for the Best Book, also to be small, tc
guide the inquirer.
$3.50 for the Best Book for the instruction o.
the young convert.
The manuscripts for the smaller Sunday Schoo
Book must be sent in by July LIST, those tor the
larger Sunday School Book by August lst, those
for the other Books by September lst, 1869. The
names of authors to be in sealed envelopes. Full
details as to the size of the books, &C., may bt
had by addressing the Committee s Secretary, Rev
John w. Dulles, 1884 Chestnut street, Philadelphia
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-10

And we feel sure that our brethren in the min
istry will not regard as presumlng. wneh we Ia
reference to this matter, stir up their pure minds
too in the way of remembrance: Occupying the
position we do, we are enabled to look over the
whole field Of our Church's operations and dein'
quencies, through medium OF sight clearer thaa
that which crculates perhaps, about the persons OF
our co-laborers in the common cause. WIN re-
ference to many things they are doubtless better
Informed than we can possibly be But not being
called to contemplate with the same consistency
AMI care as we are compelled to DO, the causes
that interfere with the prosperity OF our oeoVed
Church, they cannot always discern as we may Tue
hDdrances which stand IN the way OF our progress
as due to that one potent cause Vi couhpar i'Ve
failure dscoverable in the simple fact over which
there ought to he so much mournng-uWty ~
tended Resbyteries Here is the rusty huge whica
keeps the door from opening, through winch we
are invited to enter upon the speedy conquest vi
the world Nothing can be well or pleasantly
done whilst this hinge is deprived OF the oil OF
ministerial fidelity. Our benevolent enterprises
anguish our sustentation cause continues crippled
our foreign missions are enfeebled, our education
and publication interests are neglected, our theo-
logical seminaries are left t. needless struggngs,
when the ever-fresh impulse OF judlclous and one
minded Presbyterial action Is withheld or oh'y
impaired by the weak handedfew. We daily have
evidence Of this, standing where we do at one OF
the centres where the pulse of the Church Is most
easily felt in the irregular beatlngs OF Its common
heart
At the spring meetings of our Presbyteries, that
important duty is to be performed. the choice OF
suitable men to attend the coming General Assem-
bly,. That Mis duty may be discharged Alright
every session and each minister ought to feel Will
ling to make unusual sacrifices of time apd money
for insuring their attendance without fail The
Assembly ought to be manned by the very best
material which the Presbyteries possess, and, In
order to this none can afford to be ont of his plaG
But many other matters OF great ecclesiastical and
public interest will he presented, consultations
with respect to which require the wisdom Of a
united al
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-10
Our Presbyterial Meetings.

The Southern Presbyterian has "a word in sea.
son in regard to these approaching meetings.
Let ministers and elders read and profit by it
GAS the period approaches for Presbyteries to
hold their spring meetings, we are prompted to
say kind but earnest word or two for the purpose
of urging all who ought to attend to 60. 1t is no
slight excuse which can justify church session in
its neglect to send one of its number to represent
it, in the most important ecclesiastical court known
to our PRESBYTERIAN system. Yet how often with
almost no excuse.at all, ruling elders feel content
to remain at home, at their business, whilst a
few faithful men of their order from other church
es and residing farther from the place of the meet
ing perhaps than these economical home .stayers
are endeavoring, under the ANNOUNCEMENTS of
their brethreu's absence, to perform the Master S
work. Attendance on Presbyterial meetings ought
to be matter of conscience and not matter of
convenience. The farmer should leave his plough
the merchant his desk, the lawyer his BRIEFS the
mechanic his shop, the man of leisure his slippered
ease, when duty commands with the tongue of an
authority that speaks from heaven. And how au
thoritative is the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ
when he bids those to whom he has officially
committed am the interests of his kingdom to sacr
fee whatever is necessary to be given up, for the
sake of bringing their prayers and counsels to-
gether in Presbyeria concert, seeing that without
without this concert of heart and mind on the part
of the rulers in his house, his cause must necessa
rily languish The elders cannot safely, or if
safely, cannot righteousy, lay that whole burden
of responsibility upon the ministry which must be
equally shared by the men who rule well and the
men who preach well. They cannot safely do this i;
for alas how many pastors and stated supplies
there are who are as uegectfu! of obligation in this
matter, as many of themselves have hitherto
proved! They cannot righteously do so; for no
others can discharge duty that belongs to them
by virtue of their own ordination. Will sessions
pardon us, therefore, if we respectfully but sol,
EMMY urge them to make conscience of being re-
presented in the approaching meetings Of their re-.
spective Presbyteries? We do not plead the ar
gument of advantage to themselves and their
churches, by their sending commissioners to these
high courts of Zion-athough the plea on this
ground is as strong as need be- But we place the
matter in the light of service they owe to him
whose spiritual workmen they are, which should
be discharged whether its discharge be accompa-
MED by profit or be followed by loss
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-10

discussions revived Turing three successive Assem-
blies with almost entire unanimity; so as to be
considered as final Interpretation OF our Stan
pdards on this point.
IL In answer to the question, "Why is this
officer called ruling elder?" The Catechism re
plies Because he is appointed to assist the pas.
tor, who is the teaching elder in the government
of the Church; and from whom he is in this way
distinguished by being called ruling elder
Now in his work on Ruling Elders, pp % and
90 DR.. Miller says, In every church completely
organized, that is, furnished with all the officers
which Christ has instituted, and which are neces
<ary for carrying into full effect the laws of his
Kingdom, there ought to be three classes Of
officers, viz: at least one Teaching Elder, Bishop
or Pastor; bench of Ruling Elders and Deacons
The first to minister in the Word and Doctrines
and to dispense the Sacraments; the second to
assist in the inspection and government of the
church
would be perfectly satisfied with the definition
given in our present Form of Government, chap.
V, Ruling elders are properly the representatives
of the people, chosen by them for the purpose Of
exercising government and discip pine in conjunc
ton with pastors or ministers.
THOMAS SMYTH.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-10
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
The Printing-press for our Chinese Mission.

Mr.. Editor,-I desire through the columns Of
your paper to call the attention OF our various pas
tors to what | believe, if adopted, will be Il feast.
bic plan for raising the money that Is so much
needed in order to buy printing press for our
Chinese Mission. | see from your last paper, that
the sch me suggested in the Southern Presbyterian
is meeting with some success; and while | would
do nothing to interfere with the subscriptions of
those who feel able and willing, without diminish.
ing their contributions to other objects of Chris
tan benevolence, to give $40 to this important
object, the plan which propose will reach larger
number of cases than that proposed in the South
ern Presbyterian. and will gather in many small
sums that would otherwise be lost.
will just tell you then what | did in the church
to which preach On Sabbath before last,
stated from the pulpit that our mission work in
China would be greatly crippled, if we did not get
a press; that Rev. DR.. j. L. Wilson deeply ap
preciated the Importance of our having one but
had abstained from making special appeal to our
churches, lest their regular contributions to the
cause Of Foreign Missions, which we're so much
neeQeu, Ue auu uudiiy
after few words in regard to the claims of the
Lord Jesus upon US, stated that did not intend
70 take up a%..sction,. but-would very gladly
forward, with scontribulion Of my own, any sum
they might put in my hands for this purpose. As
result OF this easy effort, have an offering from
my congregation of some S24,5 SO.
In this simple statement OF what | have done,
you have in full the whole of the plan that | re-
commend A notice from the pulpitwith sufficient
time for those who have not the money by them,
to get it and hand it in, and the work is done.
And if more money should be raised than is actu-
ally necessary for the end in view, don't suppose
the contributors will object to turning it over to be
expended in the cause of missions by our beloved
Secretary, Brethren, try it. PASTOR.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-10
Letter from Rev. N. II. Houston.

We have room this week for only the latter part
of Mr.. Houstons letter, as published in the Mis-
sionary. His views of Japan must be given next
week.
HANCHow, December 9Th, 1863
close this to send it by the mail boat to Shang-
hal for the next steamer We arrived here on the
llth of last month and have been engaged since
that time in getting ready some rooms in the front
part of Mr.. Inslee's house for our occupation,
(which, as our Chinese carpenters are poor work
men, has proved slow work, and in learning the
language. We are studying the Mandarin dialect
Mr. Inslee and the other missionaries here agree
that this will give us the most extended sphere of
labor in these regions. The Hanchow dialect is
much like the Mandarin, and there is Partially
among the Hanchow people for the Mandarin:
and whether we go north or west, this dialect is
better than any other we could carry from here.
We are studying under native teacher, who is a
native of Hanchow, but has resided in the north
where the Mandarin is spoil Ken. He has passed
one Of the literary examinations, and has served
as an official. His name is Ting. He tells US that
he lost his whole family in the sacking of this city
by the Taipings, and is now in reduced ciTcum
stances l need hardly tell you that Mr.. lnslee
has been of great service to us in our first steps in
acquiring the language, and in getting ready our
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-10

rooms for US Indeed if it were not for the work
he has done for Us with his own hands. we would
scarcely have got into our rooms this year Asst
is. we expect to take possession to dav, when Mr.
Stuart. Helm and | will begin housekeeping for
ourselves. Thus far do not think any OF US have
found the study of Chinese wearsome: and we are
encouraged The condition of this people IS truly
pitiable: and may the Lord, who is full OF COM
nassion. prepare many to make known to them
the glad tidings of our Saviour! The Chinese
still have their national coDceit and their aversion
to foreigners You have heard already sup
nose. of the difficulty in the city Of Yangchow,
whore some English missionaries we're mobbed by
the people. Yangchow is city where number
of literary men and ex officials reside. and these
melted the people to series OF insults and inJu-
ries 20 the missionaries which eliminated in their
mobbing the missionaries house The first at
tempt of the English consul at Shanghai, Nr.
Medhurst, to obtain redress was unsuccessful; and
il was only when Mr. Medhurst took tour vessels
of war to Nankin and seized the Chinese war
steamer that was lying there that the Chinese
gave in. They consented to punish those who
had instigated the riot, to make pecunlary redress
to the missionaries and to the English government,
and to erect tablets commemoratlng the offence
and the disgrace A body Of English soldiers was
sent to Yangchow tp ensure the execution OF the
agreement So again, we hear Of the American
Chinese government on account OF a native Chris
tian connected with one Of the American missions,
who was driven not long since out OF Kaushin,
walled city between this place and Shanghai, where
he was attempting to plant church. All the
foreigners that have heard express themselves on
the subject since we came here agree that it is
only the fear of foreign guns which induces the
Chinese to tolerate the presence of any foreigner
ia the land With regard to Mr.. Burllngame' 8
statements about the readiness of the Chinese to
welcome the heralds of the cross from abroad
see 4 stared e5ya writer in one OF the Shanghai
papers that he made speech 10 that city just be.
fore he sailed for America in which he expressed
opinions Numerically opposite We see and
hear the evidences of the i'll feeling towards tor
eigners not unfrequently in passing through the
city here though we are, general thing, treated
with politeness.
But fear that | have already made my letter
TOO long for you. enclose some cards with Mr..
Stuart's, Mr.. Helm $. and my own Chinese name.
written by Ting. My own name is Woo instead
of Hoo, because Ting says the character for Hoo,
which represents tiger, has been very much out
of favor with the people since the TAPPING rebel
lion. The character for Woo, MIR. lnslee tells me,
means the mouth of heaven, which | trust is a
more descriptive name than the other would have
BEEN"
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-10
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY Of the PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES,

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 (the 2Osh,) of May 1869, at IL 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 18th Of May, at s
o'clock P. NJ, for the purpose of enrolling Com
missioners.
The Presbyteries will please remit, by the hands
of their Commissioners, the amount of their re-
spective assessments, in accordance with the sche
dule printed on page lS6 of the minutes of 1867
JOSEPH R. WILSON, Stated Clerk.
WILLIAM BROWN. Permanent Clerk.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-10
NOTICE.

TO ALL THE PREsBYTERIES IN CONNECTION
WITH OUR GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
Commissioner FHnd, Statistical Reports,
and Reports from all the churches on Sys-
tematic Benevolence 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.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-10

PRESBYTERIAL NouCEs.-To save space, need
ed for other religious news, We have arranged a
tabular statement of the sprin&meetings OF all our
Presbyteries, and keep it standing on the third
page. Stated Clerks are invited to make any cor
rections if they find it necessary. general notice
Of the requirements from the churches Is also
kept in editorial type on the second page, and any
thing deemed important by the Stated Clerks will
be added from time to time. In this way we hope
to serve all our Prestyteries, and occupy less room
in our columns.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-10

ACCOUNTS WITH SUBsCRIBERs.-HaVng
given 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
lectiOns. Let it be hoped that the effort will
be a successful one.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-10

American Edition of DR., William Smiths Dc
TIoNARY OF THE BIBLE Revised and Edited by
Professor H. B. Hackett, D. D., with the cooper,
alton of Ezra Abbot, A. NJ, A A S, assistant
Librarian of Harvard University. New York :
Published by Hurd & Houghton. Price rs cents
Received through A H. Christian & Co., Rich
mond. Nos. XII, XIII, XIV, XIV, XVI.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-10
OFFERS FOR 1859.

1. For spery fus names of new subscriO-
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
year, may retain for compensation twenty-five
cents upon each.
Or, if preferred, for every three such pad
subscriptions, the agent shall receive a copy
Of the Central Presbyterian without charge
for one year.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-10

Death of Rev. Mr. McChain. -Through a
secular paper we learn that this excellent minister
the pastor of the Presbyterian church in Abing-
don, Va, died in that place few days since No
particulars are given. An extended obituary no.
tice will no doubt be given by some member of the
Presbytery.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-10

Rev DR.. Smyth.-The communication from
the distinguished author of the Ecclesiastical Cat
echsm, so excellent in its spirit and so satisfactory
in its statements in defence of his book, will be
read with interest by all.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-10

HowE's MUSICAL MONTHLY. No. l. lO3 Court
St., Boston. So cents number, ostage paid.
The first number augurs well for the success of
the enterprise. 1t contains II pieces of instru-
mental music from Strauss, Faust, &C., and 10
songs with Accomplishments.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-10

Montgomery Presbytery. Stated Clerk,
Presbytery that the necessary blanks for reports
Rev. James P Smith, notifies the churches of this
have been sent to each church by mail.