The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1872-02-09
RELIGIOUS ITEMS.

Hsf-4t ~
The three States in which Presby-
is strongest are New Jersey,
New York and Pennsylvania.
There are IS, 800 Baptists in Penn
sylvania. This is gain of 2, 218 since
the last report.
During the past year there was an
increase of 9, 900 colored persons to
the congregations in the North Caro-
lima Conference.
1t is announced that the Pope will
shortly send an ultimatum to the Bish-
ops who have not accepted the doctrine
of infallibility.
Rev. DR.. Hugh Miller Thompson, of
Chicago, has accepted the Rectorship
of Christ Church, New York, rendered
him by the Vestrymen as the successor
of Rev. DR.. Ever.
A valuable library has been purchas-
ed in New York City, to be presented
to the city of Omaha, as gift from
Mr.. Pattee, an early pioneer and citi-
zen of that place.
During the progress of a meeting at
GAINESVILLE, Tenn, which lasted about
two months, there was a powerful
awakening of sinners. Number OF pro-
fessions, 112; acce sions, rs.
The Hon. P. T. Scrdggs, who has
been for many years prominent law
yer in West Tennessee, and Judge
in Mississippi years ago, has returned
to the ministry of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church South
Sir Moses Montefore, now in his 88th
year, telegraphed to the chief rabbi of
Jerusalem, soliciting him to order
prayers in Jerusalem, and in ali the
synagogues of the several holy cities
for the recovery of the Prince Of
Wales.
Texas is to be divided into three
dioceses, as provided for by the late
Episcopal General Convention. The
southeasternly portion of the State out
lying the Gulf line, is to remain under
the charge of Bishop Gregg. The 9TH
er portion will be in charge of two
Missionary Bishops to be chosen.
Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, N. Y,
Rev. 81. W. Beecher, pastor, has q
membership of 2,116, of whom 206
were received during the year ending
December 10, 1871. The receipts Of
the church during the year were $751;.
778, of which $55, 774 were from pew
rents, and S29, 004 for charitable pur-
poses.
The New York Evangelist, taking
into consideration the geographical po-
sition, numbers, wealth and intelli-
gence of the Presbyterian Church,
claims that it is the most powerful re-
ligious body in the United States. 1t
has a membership of nearly half a
million. In respect to wealth it is
second only to the Episcopalians.
Speaking of ancient churches, the
Christian Union wants to know ''if
there is one in this country that can
show better record than the First
Presbyterian Church at Elizabeth, N.
J.? It was organized in 1864, and for
two hundred and seven years it has not
missed a service. Age however, has
not impaired its vitality and capacity
for growth. Within the last ten years
395 persons have been added to the
membership"
3 The proceedings of the House of
Representatives, on the 10th instant,
were opened by prayer from He
brew clergyman, Professor Abraham
de Sola, LII. D., of McGil College,
Montreal. The popularity of his
wearing his hat during the delivery of
the prayer, which is the prevailing
custom among all orthodox Jews, was
the subject of comment by those not
familiar whit. The prayer was an ex-
cellent one.
The Cumberland Presbyterians, of
Nebraska City, have a neat and COM
modious brick edifice, eligibly located.
There about one hundred and fifty
members some of them very promi-
nent and influential citizens. The
State of Nebraska is an open and in
viting field for the Cumberland Pres
byterians. No better one in the West.
The energetic and noble ministers that
are there are doing good work. If
the Board of Missions could employ
two strong and experienced ministers
to travel together as evangelists, Ne
braska would largely contribute to pay
their way.-Cumberland Presbyterian.
One of the Italian clerical journals,
the Unita Cdtotico, makes an an
which seems to indicate
that the departure of The Pope from
Rene is an event that may happen at
any moment. 1t says, in fact, that it
holds itself in readiness to change the
place of its publication and to follow
the Pope wherever he may go. Sand
perhaps adds the clerical journal,
''the very patient Plus may be COM
PEELED to leave Rome sooner than is
expected.
The Baptist Union objects to the
custom of baptizing persons back
wards. 1t says that sit certainly is
not the most convenient mode. 1t
was adopted for the purpose of mixing
the rite conform to our ideas of burial,
but the mode of burial has not in all
ages been uniform. Baptism was for
merly administered by having the can
didate kneel and then pushing the
head forward until immersion was COM
plete. Many object to immersion sole
" on account of the mode of admins
tration. There is a very thoughtful
and sensible article in the Baptist Mag
azine in favor of changing the mode
from backward to forward move
ment. The subject deserves careful
We know of but one
serious objection to change, namely,
or tenacity for mere acct
dents which do not in any manner af-
fect the substance or Significance of