davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-16
The Narrative.

Na,ratite Of the State Of Religion ooittin M'
bounds of the General assembly of the PfesJyte
rian Church IN the United States.
In surveying the vast field occupied by oul
Church, we find abundant occasion for gratitude
or humiliation, as our eyes are directed to the
pleasing or the forbidding features of the scene
presented. In every department of Christian
life, we behold animating signs Of progress, check
cred here and there, however, by mournful eyi
dences of declension. While there is much in
view of which we are challenged to ''thank God
and take courage" there are facts which painfully
admonish us that the body of Christ is still marred
| the Church advanced more rapidly, during the
past year than in the work of completing its organ
ization.
The return of peace, it is we'll known, found oul
distinctive conception of ecclesiastical order only
partially realized. Severed from ancient associa:
lions and relationships it was not to be expected
that we should enter at once completely equipped
and appointed, upon our new and independent
career. How, within the prescribed limits OF oul
organic law, to exercise our powers most wisely
and usefuly, was problem not easy to be solved
the requisite wisdom was vouchsafed. The re
ports submitted for inspection show that, never
before in our history, has the work of organization
been so highly appreciated and thoroughly done
Churches, of which the temporal and monetary
interests had been entrusted to unauthorized Gus.
todians, have returned to the Scriptural order Of
the Diaconate. The Office of evangelist, that had
we'll nigh dropped out of our SYSTEM is in process
of general reinstatement as an integral feature Of
complete Presb yterial constitution One after an
other, the Presbyteries have cemented their rela
tions with the Central Committees, until only here
and there is left Presbytery whose persistent in
dependence mars the almost unbroken uniformity
The practise of making weekly offerings in behaI
such rapidity as to warrant the belief that it viii
soon become universal. In the spiritual life of the
Church, it is believed, that an encouraging pro
gress has been made. While it is true that piety
is screened from observation, it is not less true
that, by the law of its nature, it seeks and must
have fitting outward expression. by their fruit:
shall ye know them such was the rule proposed
by the greatest of teachers. Proved by this test
the spiritual state of the Church, as reflected in
the narratives Of the Presbyteries exhibits marks
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-16

l. That separate colored churches my be estab-
lished, the same to be united with adjacent white
churches under common pastor, the pastor to be
assisted by such persons as the session may select
until they are sufficiently educated to war;
rant their becoming independent to which indepen-
dence this arrangement is intended to look in the
future.
DR.. Bright wish to vote for the minority
report. think it is the only one which we can
adopt. The political changes have not in the least
weakened our obligation to the negro. To show
that the moral relations of the two races are not
changed, let us ask what we we're formerly doing
for that people. We had Sabbath Schools and
personallabors. Remember the labors Of DR.. Jones.
Then as now we were bound to do all that we could
for them Ii we adopt this plan, think it will be
the entering wedge to the admission of colored
people to our church-courts. Now, oursocial con-
dtion is not and cannot be one OF equality All
that we can do is to preach to them. This we are
doing, and We can do no more.
The first speaker would have conveyed the i'm
preston that unless We do this, we are lacking in
sympathy with them. But do we not show them
the same sympathy Or greater by our present
care? Would not the proposed organization place
them in position more readily to be drawn from
us in body. Are we prepared for such changes
as this is proposed to be? The minority report
urges the ministers to 90 to the churches and labor
faithfully You cannot do more. Do not let us
repudiate our notions Of duty as given to that peo'
pie before
The motion to adopt the minority report was
withdrawn
The report of the committee was amended by
making it optional instead OF imperative on the
Presbyteries.
DR.. Bright wish to see thereport so amended
as to avoid the future separation of the races
Mr.. Girardeau. The complaint is that this may
fetter other Presbyteres- defeat would fettel
us, and cause complete separation between the
races.
DR.. Bright-Cannot your Presbytery form such
plan and act upon it? Is this plan desired BY
your Presbytery.
DR.. Girardeau- The Presbytery does not desire
to initiate plan but rather to follow the sugges
tons of the General Assembly.
DR.. Waddel.-The chairman of the committee
has thrown the report into the form Of a permis
sive decree. Why can we not let him have the
permission? 1t binds no one who does not wish tC
adopt it
Mr.. Baxter amendment was lost.
Mr. Gresham prefer to vote for the minority
report, with the addition Of resolutions and o.
the majority report make that motion. Lost
| The majority report vas adopted.
| motion to reconsider was lost.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-16

that hand pierced by the nails, and let us
put our finger upon the print of the nails,
and not faithless but believing, say to him,
"lead on and we will follow thee.
But why despair of success? Surely there
is pO1oer enough to guarantee it. All power
is given to me in heaven and in earth, go ye
therefore and teach all nations, There are
two sorts of power, an iatra ecclesiastical
power, and and extra ecclesiastical power
Christ has not only power over the Church,
but has power over heaven and earth and
hell for the sake of the Church. And even
if His power be temporary, or be granted
for specific purpose, let it suffice TOR us
that He holds it. And let US trust Him and
let US 90 forward relying upon Him, and
cheerfully obey His command.
And we have a Divine promise as guar
antee of success. Until the millennial dawn
we cannot expect full success. This Cos
pei of the Kingdom shall be preached unto
all nations for witaess unto them. 1t is
not our business whether it be successfully
or unsuccessfully, whether a nation shall be
born in day or not. After all it is the
elect who shall be saved-a little hock-and
if we succeed in calling them, we have &C
complished our work.
After all there is one great thing which
we need When the Greek orator was asked
for the secret of his success, he replied thai
three things were necessary. First, action:
secondly. action: thirdly, action. Here the
first thing neededis faith, the second is faith
the third is faith. When Napoleon was al
the bridge at Lodi, he saw his column faltel
and fall back. He grasped the cOlOrs anc
rushed forward upon the bridge; and thu
soldiers seeing him ahead rushed over, ant
the battle was won. In this battle Christ i
our leader and has gone before US. Faitl
in him will make an infants sinews stron:
as steel Let us have faith in Christ and IL
his power, and in this reliance let us go for
ward
There is another thing to attach us to tn
mission work. tits the fact that the laborerl
in it are our own flesh and blood. 1t is nj
time to stop to count dollars. There ii
hardly a man that gives as much as he vii
wish he had given, when he looks at it from
the point of view of the Judgmen Day.
Two things urge us specially to activity
in this matter. One is the salvation of thu
millions whose tramp we can hear as the!
90 down to destruction. The other is thu
glory of our suffering Christ and Saviour.
Let our beloved young brethren 60 forth
and they shall have our profoundest sympa
thy and heartiest prayers.
Adjourned with doxology and benedietion
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-16
"The Dead of the SYNOD of Georgia.

NEUROLOGY or Memorials of Deceased Ministers
who have died during the first twenty years after
its organization Prepared in obedience to the
order of the Synod. With Historical intro
duction. By John S. Wilson, d; d., pastor o
the First Presbyterian church, Atlanta, Ga.
The above work will be issued in five or six part
of Ga to so pages The price of each part will b.
fifty cents-or to any one forwagd;ug $3.50, eacl
number will be sent by mail, - paid, as sOor
as issued. The first number will be ready by tn
25th inst.
The author earnestly solicits the patronage o
the public and especially Presbyterians, that h
may be able to pay for the work Of publication
atlanta, Ga, June 10th, 1869.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-16
From Greenland's icy mountains.
ADDRESS OF DIR. G1RARDEAU.

Men often object to the work of missions
because, it is sometimes alleged, the success
has been ridiculOusly insignificant. The
opulenee of the means is compared with
the smallness of the result. And where
partial success has been achieved, and a
church of some promise has been started,
these churches already show signs of back
sliding. Such is the objection.
In this matter let US take the advice of
the Duke Of Wellington. Some one asked
his opinion of Foreign Missions, What,
sir. are your marching orders p was his re-
NV. What have we to do with our orders !
These marching orders have been alluded to
tonight. They sound in our ears like the
command, "Forward, march" The order
is g Go-gO geo We into all the world,
and preach the Gospel to every creature. p"
And so long as we hear these orders in our
hearts. how is it possible for US to speculate
concerning success? Can you doubt that
the success shall be all that is right? If, in
order to redeem His Church, Christ came
down across the almost infinite chasm be-
tween his glorious state in heaven. as King
of Kings, and the state of an humbled, suf-
ferinq man, can we doubt that he viii secure
an proper success? And when we have be-
fore us the spectacle of Christ fasting in the
wilderness, spending whole nights on the
mountain side, and in Gethsemane crying in
anguish to God, how can We make a ques-
ton of mere results 3? Can We not feel
ready to make a sacrifice of ourselves for
the sake of the command of Christ, without
raising the question of success ! Rather let
US put our hand upon the hand Of Christ
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-16

Facts Worthy of Notice.-There are three
facts connected with our Assembly at Mobile which
have not been referred to, but which are worthy
OF remark
l. There was no judicial business before it.
This indicates that the churches are in state Of
harmony, and that where cases of discipline and
controversy arise they are satisfactorily settled in
the lower courts.
.. The Committee on Leave of Absence had no
report to make. This is an admirable example,
and we hope it may grow into precedent. That
there are providences of God sometimes calling
members away before the adjournment, none will
deny. But in most cases they go away because
they did not make their arrangements to stay be-
yond very limited time and that the shortest
they could fix in their own minds. This is all
wrong and should be corrected. It's generally re.
garded as great privilege to be appointed del.
egate to these meetings. and Presbyteries should
understand in comforting it, that the person elected
is to remain till the close of the sessions Often
the most important questions are not determined
till about the last day. And we take occasion to
say, after good opportunities for observation, that
meeting of seven days is commonly too short a
time for the most udicous transaction of its bust
ness. There ought to be not less than ten. -Four
hours daily for the Assembly, until the latter
part of the meeting,) and plenty of time for the
committees, would probably carry the business
along to the greatest advantage. matter well
considered by good committee, will, in nine cases
out of ten, stand as the judgment of the whole
house. We hope the next Assembly will come to-
gether with public understanding that it is not
to compress its business into one week
9. This was the largest Assembly we have ever
had. The one at Augusta, Ca, in 1861, 1.-THE
time of our Organization,) was composed of SO
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-16
L27

1t will be seen that there is good proportion
Of church members attending lectures this session.
We are strong believers in personal effort
Christians may hold public meetings, private
prayer meetings, and use all means of grace for
the advancement of Gods kingdom; but we hold
that private personal effort has better influence
on the young than all other efforts. Now suppose
each one of the present church members connected
with the University, should select some friend as
a subject for prayer and conversation; is it not
safe to say that our membership would be doubled
in a short time?
Will not our Christian Students and friends
make an effort, even at this late day in the session,
to double the number of Christ's followers?
Virginia Uaiuersitu Maqazine, May.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-16

B~ No REsPoNsE.-From very many
delinquent subscribers to whom bills have
been sent, no response whatever has been
received. These sums are due and are
needed, and surely, after so long an indul-
gence, they ought to be paid. Shall we not
have the satisfaction of hearing from this
large class of subscribers very soon?
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-16
FROM THE NORTHERN STATES.

Rev. S. B. MCpheeters, D. D., is making short
visit to his brother in this city His general health
is quite good, but he is still obliged to remain in
recumbent position. We need not say that a
great P b people 1 mere d dT be- been happier to ws
And we are sure that brethren throughout the
State will be glad to learn of the present compare
lively comfortable condition of one whom they SO
love for his labors and his sufferings. Missouri
Presbyterian.
Lay Dolegates.-The vote now in progress in the
Methodist Church North, indicates that the voice
of the members will be in favor of it by an over
whelming majority. The controversy in the pa
pers, and in the Conferences, has been long and
exciting one,
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-16

To Correspondents number of commune
cations have been on hand for some weeks, but
owing to the pressure of matter from the Presby
teries and the General Assembly it has been ne
cessary to defer them. AS we are now getting
through with these proceedings, there will be room
for that variety of topics which is most acceptable
to our readers.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-16
RECENT PUBLICATIONS.

The PoETICAL Works AND REMAINS OF HENRY
KIRKE WHITE, with life by Robert Southey
New York: d. Appleton q Co.
Those who have passed the meridian Of life car
we'll remember the sympathy excited in younger
years, by reading Henry Kirke White. Hi
pensiye piety, amiabe spirit, and early trials, to
gether with his delicate health, all awaken oul
love and tender interest His poetry is that OF al
immature mind, for he died at the age of 81, bu
he had true poetic fire, and the volume edited BY
his kind friend and patrons Robert Southey, Ii
worthy to live in the memory of the world.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-16

May Christians Dance.-Rev JAS II. Brookes,
D. d., of St. Louis, published series of letters
last winter, addressed to young lady, member
of his church, in which this question was fully
considered. We regarded it as the best discussion
of the subject that had ever fallen into our hands
1t will be published Immediately in volume by
J. W. Mcintyre, of st. Louis. 1t will constitute
judicious, impressive and timely book, and its
circulation will do much good
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-16

FIVE ACRES TOO MUCH A truthful elucidation
of the attractions of the country, and a careful
consideration of the question of profit and loss
as involved in amateur farming, with much
valuable advice and instruction to those about
purchasing large or small places in the rural
district. By Robert B. Roosevelt, author OF
Game Fish of North America, &C. New
York: Harper & Brothers.
The "poetical production" called "Ten Acres
Enough" seems to have suggested the course Of
this volume. 1t is intended to show up in hum
orous way the mistakes, and follies, and losses Of
those who have filed the public ear with marvel
lous accounts of their amateur farming and gard
ening.
All the above volumes are received through A.
H. Christian & Co., Richmond, Va
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-16

THREE SEASONS IN EUROPEAN VINEYARDS. =
Treating of Vine Culture Vine Disease and its
Cure; Wine-Making and Wines Red and
White Wine Drinking as Ehecting Health and
Morals. By William j. Hagg. New York
Harper & Brothers.
This volume presents mass Of important infor.
nation on subject which is engrossing no small
share of public attention. Some of the most i'm
portant conclusions to which the author comes are
these:
l. That long pruning, as practised in America,
has been an efficient cause Of the decay of our vines.
2. The want of drainage is equally so.
g. There is great advantage in growing vines
upon plains, except where the quality obtained
from hill-gro vines is such as will compensate
fer their larger cost, and smaller yield.
4. We should train the vines low and without
stakes, as probably better adapted to our warm
summers, than the expensive methods initiated
from countries where peaches can only be ripened
on trees fattened and fastened to the South sides
of high walls.
5. Red wine is preferable to white, for bever
age.
g. The sulphur-cure is entirely efficacious against
the disease of the vine in all its many forms, if
only well applied.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-16

Rev. DR.. Moore.-Recent information gives
the gratifying assurance that the health of DIR.
Moore is very much improved. There is reason
to hope that rest and travel will again enable him
to resume his usual ministerial work.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-16

by mere suasion. The money we need cannot be
worried out of the Church. 1t must be sponta-
neous, free-will offering of grateful hearts For
the Lord oveth cheerful giver.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-16
Central QresbgtnIalr.
Richmond, Va, Wednesday, June l6, 1869.
REV. WILLIAM BROWN, D. D., Editor

BSy REMovAL-The office of the Central Pres
byterian has been removed to No 10l5 Main Street,
over the Banking house of Thomas Branch, Esq.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-16

APpLEToN's JOURNAL OF LITERATURE, SCIENCE
AND ART. Parts lst and I'd.
This Journal is published weekly, and these two
include the numbers from / to g. or from April
lst to May 10Th. The price OF the Journal is 10
cents single number, so cents for each monthly
part, 81 year, in advance
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-16
ECCLESIASTICAL AND ORGANIC
UNION.

The Rev. Dr. E. S. Porter, President of the
General Synod of the Reformed (Dutch) Church
in America, preached an able sermon at the open
ing of the Synod in Philadelphia on the End inst.
He presents some very discriminating and appro-
pirate remarks. After showing that the true
,uiy of the Church does not consist in outward
ecclesiastical uniformity, and that the latter,
which is now called organic unity, is impossible, he
remarks
"Yet, while holding to the impossibiIity of re-
alizing these dreams, am confident that the sew.
eral branches of the Evangelical Catholic Church
are every day coming nearer toward one another.
And they are coming in virtue of the aSsimilating
force that is deeper than creeds, and deeper far
than mere preferences for special forms, whether
of worship or of government. Thatforce is defined
in Holy Scripture as the unity Of the Spirit. u
And this, maintain, is the only organic unity fol
which we are to pray, labor and egislate. Eccle
siastica combinations must be its product.
"Rome, the great anti Christian power, has
been fighting on thousand battle-felds, to compel
an external, mechanical unity; but human nature,
tortured, prosecuted, and inundated by her fierce
prosecutions is incapble of submitting to an out
rage that would expel freedom from the world
She has met with as much success as though
she had passed decree that all the earth should
be fiat, all rivers of the same DEPTH and all flow
ers of the like color, and then had armed her
champions to go forth and enforce it.
No organic unity, as an ecclesiastical device,
is but as dream that glides off from the opening
eyelids, when the sweet dawn chases away the fan
tastes of night Alexander, who conquered the
world, was the forerunner of ages of national
chaos, and so the visible head of the Church, in
Rome, is convicted in the tribunal of history OF
being the leader of a most seditious rabble OF
hereses, divisions strifes and enormous schisms,
that will be healed never until his mitre has rused
in that crowded sepulchre where he has caused to
be inferred the rights Of humanity as the founda-
tons of his throne.
Compare and estimate what this divided and
disjointed Professionalism has accomplished, with
what the organized unity Of Rome has done in the
portions of the earth over which they have exerted
control. Compare England with Spain, Prussia
with Austria, Switzerland with Italy, the United
States with Mexico, and to what conclusion must
every man of sense come? The real power has
been with the Protestant denominations, whose
reliance has rested on the sacred word.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-16

CommissiOners-viz SO ministers and 3S elders
The late Assembly contained JOG Commissioners
of whom 81 we're minister's and 40 were elders.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-16

He KNEW He WAS RIGHT. By Anthony Troll
lope. With illustrations by Marcus Stone
Price so cents. N. York: Harper & Brothers
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-16

THE SAcRIsTAN's HOUSEHOLD. A story of Lippe
Detmod BY the author Of 'Mabel's Progress,
&c. New York: Harper & Brothers.
Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1869-09-16
THE MAINE ELECTION.

Maine follows Vermont and goes
Republican. Democrats that have
taken such solid comfort with those
celebrated "fgurcs that don't lie''
have again come to grief, and the
Republican banner once more
waves over a triumphant party
The victory this year is the more
gratifying that it was won against
unusual odds Last year Gov.
Chamberlain ran against Pillsbury,
and in a total vote of 1871 ,762, had
a majority of l9,26S. This year
the Republicans nominated Govern
or Chamberlain for reelection, the
Democrats put up Franklin Smith,
and the temperance man N. G,
HiuchJorn. Our latest dispatches
state that the total vote polled will
probably come up to $4,000. OF
this number Governor Chamber,
lain has $4,000, Smith, $4,000, and
Hinchborn, 5000, giving Governor
Chamberlain a majority Of 5000,
Reckoning Hinchborn's vote, as
made up equally of Republicans
and Democrats, a calculation tbat
is more favorable to the lattestlan
the facts would justify, the Repub-
lican majority is over 13,000.-
This, in proportion to the total
vote polled, is considerably larger
than the majority of last year,
The Legislature is overwhelming
ly Republican, and thus the election
Of a Republican Senator in place
Of Mr., Fessenden is insured.
Not a single candidate Of the
Temperance Radicals is eIecteas-
1t would be well for the temper
ance men Of this State to make a
note Of this fact.
Gas goes Maine, so goes the
Union" used to be the old rallying
cry, The times have surely not so
entirely changed that this gegin-
ming is inauspicious.-- Gin. Gaz,