HISTORICAL NOTICES OF SYNODS AND PRESBYTERIES. 18. Lake Presbytery was organized by the Synod of Indiana out of the Presbytery of Logansport, on the 8th of September, 1842, and held its first meeting at South Bend, the 10th of January, 1843. The original members were Rev. Benjamin Ogden, W. K. Marshall, Alfred Briant, and J. C. Brown, with the churches of La Porte, South Bend, Valparaiso, Constantine, Sumption's Prairie, Benton, Haw Patch, and Plymouth. Its territory embraced Lake, Porter, La Porte, Stark, St. Joseph's, Marshall, Elkbart, La Grange, and Steuben counties, in Indiana, and all the State of Michigan lying west of a line running north from the termination of the boundary line between Ohio and Indiana. 19. The Presbytery of Eastern Texas was formed by the Synod of Mississippi, out of the Presbytery of Brazos, in November, 1850. It held its first meeting at Marshall, the fourth Tuesday in January, 1851. It consisted of four ministers, Rev. P. W. Warriner, Rev. John M. Becton, Rev. Wm. H. Singeltary, and Rev. M. W. Staples. 20. The Presbytery of Rock River was set off from the Presbytery of Schuyler by the Synod of Illinois, consisting of seven ministers, and having under its care ten churches. Held its first meeting at Galena, April 1st, 1847, at 7 o'clock, P. M. Was opened with a sermon by the Rev. George Stebbins, and was moderated by Rev. Samuel Clelland. THE PASTORAL RELATION HAS BEEN DISSOLVED BETWEEN Rev. E. F. Chester has resigned the charge of the Rock Run and Yellow Creek churches, near Freeport, Ill. Rev. J. E. Davidson has resigned the pastoral charge at Minden, La., on account of ill health. August 18th, Rev. J. Harrison, D. D., and the Aberdeen church, Miss. Rev. Charles Thayer and Upper Sandusky, Ohio. Rev. M. W. Staples has resigned the pastoral charge of the Marshall and Golden Rule churches, Texas, on account of ill health. Rev. William Finney has resigned his charge at Churchville, Md. Rev. John Dickey has resigned his charge of the churches of Landisburg, Buffalo, and Bloomfield, on account of ill health. Rev. R. Curran and the church at Manor Hill, Pa. CALLS HAVE BEEN OFFERED TO CALLS HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED BY Rev. Benjamin M. Hobson, late of Louisville, Ky, to the church of Lexington, Mo. Rev. Henry Mandeville, D. D., of Albany, to the Government street church, Mobile, Alabama. Rev. J. Franklin Ford to the church of Shrevesport, La. (for all his time, having formerly served that church half his time.) Mr. W. G. Marsh to the congregations of Canfield and Rehoboth, New Lisbon Presbytery. Mr. Robert T. Drake to the Lebanon church, Ohio. Rev. F. H. L. Laird, to the Bloomington church, Ind. Rev. J. G. Fackler, to the church of Liberty City, Mo. Mr. Edward Yeomans, to the Warrior Run church, Pa. Rev. N. O. Patterson, from the Washington church, Pa. Rev. B. H. Williams, to the church of Vicksburg, Miss. Rev. S. T. Wilson to the First Presbyterian Church of Rock Island, Ill. ORDINATIONS AND INSTALLATIONS. September 4, the Rev. F. A. Shearer was installed pastor of the Presbyterian church, Iowa City. September 9, Mr. Samuel Hodge was ordained as an Evangelist by the Presbytery of Montgomery. September 17, Rev. Nathaniel West, Jr., was installed pastor of the Central Church, Cincinnati, by the Presbyby tery of Cincinnati. September 1, Mr. J. H. Burns was ordained by the Oxford Presbytery, with a view to his service as a missionary among the Western Indians. June 22, Rev. J. J. Carrell was installed pastor of the Groveland church by the Presbytery of Genesee River. September 28, Mr. Wm. M. Blackburn was ordained to the work of the ministry by the Presbytery of Lake. October 4, Mr. James W. Haund was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry, and installed at Canal Fulton, Ohio. October 4, Mr. Wm. H. Lester was installed pastor of the church of West Alexander, by the Presbytery of Washington. They also ordained Mr. C. Braddock as an Evangelist. POST-OFFICE ADDRESS CHANGED. Rev. E. F. Chester, from Freeport, Ill., to Spring Arbour, Mich. Rev. Edward Kennedy, from Brentsville, Va., to Visalia, Tulasee county, California. Rev. H. M. Parsons, from McEwensville, Pa., to Glen's Falls, N. Y. Rev. A. A. James, from Spartanburg, S. C., to Jonesville, S. C. Rev. J. G. Reaser, from Canfield, O., to Danville, Ky. Rev. T. T. Smith, from Zanesfield, O., to Hennipen, Ill. Rev. C. K. Thompson, from Crawfordsville to Darlington, Ind. Rev. Samuel Hodge, from Pattensburg to Abingdon, Va. Rev. S. W. Watkins, from New Store to Farmville, Va. Rev. J. R. Ramsay, from Chestnut Level to Slate Hill, Rev. B. H. Williams, Pine Ridge, Miss., by the church York county, Pa. in Vicksburg. Mr. Joseph G. Symmes, late of Princeton Seminary, by the church at Madison, Indiana. Rev. J. P. Carter, from Sweetair to Shawsville, Md. Rev. J. T. Hempstead, late of Princeton Seminary, by Miss. the church of Minden, La. Rev. Robert Davidson, D. D., of New Brunswick, N. J., by the Central Presbyterian Church, Allegheny City. Rev. J. M. Kirkpatrick, of Powhatan, Va., by the Danville church, Va. Rev. M. A. Sackett, by the church of Walnut Hills, near Cincinnati. Rev. W. L. McCalla to the Assembly Church, St. Louis, Missouri. Rev. A. B. Clark, from Ligonier, Pa., to Altoona, Pa. Rev. Robert Cruikshank, from Bellport, L. I., to Stillwater, N. Y. Rev. H. M. Blackburn, from Valparaiso, Ind., to Three Rivers, Michigan.. Rev. W. W. Colmery, from Hayesville, Ohio, to New Albany, Ind. Rev. H. R. Wilson, D. D., from Bridgeton, N. J., to Sewickly, Pa. Rev. J. W. Hall, D. D., from Dayton, Ohio, to Miami secretaries of the Derby and Derbyshire Bible Society.— University. Patriot. Rev. S. T. Wilson, from Camden Mills to Rock Island, Ill. Rev. B. Phillips, from Juneau to Mineral Point, Wis. Rev. B. M. Smith, from Philadelphia to Hampden Sidney, Va. DEATHS. August 31st, the Rev. John Wright, at Delphi, Indiana, in the 79th year of his age. Rev. Benjamin Burroughs, of the Presbytery of Georgia. 'Rev. Jehiel Talinage, of the Presbytery of Newton, at the house of his son, Rev. P. S. Talmage, on Tuesday. September 26th, aged 69 years. Darieties. THE REV. DR. DUFF.-It is with unfeigned regret that we have to intimate the serious illness of this devoted missionary. It is well known that he was purposing to return to Calcutta in the course of this season, and had retired for a li to Great Malvern, in the hope of recruiting his strength before returning to the East. It appears, however, that the result of a thorough medical examination has been the detection of very serious ailments. Congestion on the brain, inflammation in some of the membranes, and other affections, have been detected-the result of long continued and exhausting labours, and rendering it unsafe or impossible for Dr. Duff to return to India in less than a year or eighteen months. In the meantime, his medical advisers give it as their opinion, that he must seek a more genial climate than ours for the approaching winter; and we presume that in the course of a few weeks at farthest, he will proceed to some mild, sanitary station abroad. It has not been our lot as journalists to convey more sad intelligence than this to the churches. The serious illness of one so honoured, so devoted, and blessed in his labours, brings a solemn warning to all; and yet the whole has not been told. We understand that another of the devoted missionaries of the Free Church, now in this country, is placed in similar circumstances. Mr. Braidwood, from Madras, was making arrangements to proceed in November once more to the scene of his labours. He had gone to Arran to re-invigorate his health as far as possible, prior to his departure, but was seized by fever about a month ago; and, though convalescent, little hope is entertained that he will be able to return this season to Madras. Warning thus added to warning, may well fix men's thoughts upon the great field, as well as the afflicted, exhausted labourers, and draw forth the prayer, "Help, Lord, for the godly man faileth."-Edinburgh Witness. DEATH OF REV. J. G. PIKE.-Rev. J. G. Pike expired suddenly on Monday afternoon, at his residence in Derby, where, for forty-four years, he was the devoted and successful pastor of the Baptist church meeting in St. Mary's Gate Chapel. His hand was arrested, apparently in the gentlest possible manner, by the resistless hand of death. He was found seated at his library-table, his head resting upon the desk, his spectacles undisturbed, and the pen still in his hand. Both the position and the occupation were in singular conformity to the habits of this laborious minister of Christ. His writings, especially his invaluable "Persuasives to Early Piety," have had a very extensive circulation, both in England and in America, and have been useful almost beyond precedent. In addition to the exemplary discharge of the duties of the pastorate, in connection with one of the largest Nonconformist churches in the midland counties, Mr. Pike had acted as the zealous secretary of the General Baptist Missionary Society from its formation. He was also, in later years, one of the PROTESTANT CHAPEL AT ROME.-Rev. E. D. G. Prime was among the passengers in the Collins steamer" Pacific," last Saturday, for Liverpool. Mr. Prime goes out to proceed to Rome, to take charge of the American Protestant Chapel in that city, which is connected with the American Legation, Mr. Cass being the Minister Resident. This chapel has been su-tained for some years by the American and Foreign Christian Union, and has been the means of great usefulness and enjoyment to our countrymen who visit the "Eternal City." During the last winter and spring, the chapel was sometimes so crowded that people were obliged to go away for want of room. The sacra ments of the Church are frequently administered, and opportunities offered for free and delightful interchange of sentiment among Protestant Christians.-Observer. Our subscribers who are in arrears are respectfully requested to send on their subscriptions, by mail or other wise, before the close of the year. THE HOME AND FOREIGN RECORD OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Is the organ of the Boards of Missions, Education, Foreign Missions, and Publication, and is issued monthly in newspaper form at Fifty Cents a year for a single copy, and in pamphlet form at One Dollar. Fifty copies or more to one address, at 25 cents a year; and all Churches of less than fifty families, at the same price, provided not less than twenty copies to one address are ordered. Payment in ad vance. Address, post paid," Home and Foreign Record, 265 Chestnut St., Philadelphia." POSTAGE, in Pennsylvania, 3 cents per annum, and all other States 6 cents, paid in advance. Packages of the Home and Foreign Record are delivered free of charge in New York, Baltimore, Charleston, Louisville, Cincinnati, Wheeling, and Pittsburgh. CONTENTS. - BOARD OF DOMESTIC MISSIONS.Receipts and Payments of the Board, p. 323. Church at St. Paul, Minnesota, p. 323. A Successful Mission, p. 324. Dr. Spring's Ser mon, p. 325. Missionary Trials, p. 325. From a Me sionary in North Carolina, p. 326. Progress, p. 327. Receipts, p. 327. BOARD OF EDUCATION.-I. Ministerial Education: The Field of the World, p. 329. Materials for Preachers, p. 329. Resisting a Call to the Gospel Ministry, p. 329. Pray, p. 330. II. Christian Education in Schools and Colleges: Parochial Schools, p. 331. The Children of the Church, p. 332. Right of the Church to Educau, p. 333. Receipts, p. 334. BOARD OF FOREIGN MISSIONS.—Recent Intelligence, p. 33i The Presbyterian Church and Foreign Missions, p. 32 China Shanghai Mission: Narrative of a Visit to the Insurgents at Nanking, by the Rev. M. S. Culbertsse, p. 337. India: Lodiana Mision: Journal of the Ret C. W. Forman, p. 340. Allahabad Mission: Report of the Out-Station at Futtehpore, p. 343. Receipts, p. 345. BOARD OF PUBLICATION.-Resignation of the Correspon ing Secretary, p. 347. New Corresponding Secretary, p. 347. A good old Book, p. 348. Need of Sabbat School Libraries, p. 349. Congregational Libraries, p. 349. Our Doctrinal Books Valued, p. 350. Men and Religious Anecdotes, p. 350. Receipts, p. 350. MISCELLANEOUS. To our Friends, p. 321. The Shining Path, p. 321. Hints to a Young Minister, p. 322. He torical Notices of Presbyteries and Synods, p. 351. Ec clesiastical Record, p. 351. Varieties, p. 352. For the Home and Foreign Record. We take the following from the Presbyterian Herald, published at Louisville, Kentucky. It contains much important and seasonable truth, admirably expressed. We hope it will be read attentively, and its suggestions carefully laid to heart. No. 12. sidering. The affliction, for the present, is not joyous but grievous, nevertheless afterwards it shall yield the fruits of righteousness to those who may be properly exercised by it. What, then, are some of the blessings which we may hope will flow from this state of things? One is, that the excessive greed of gain will receive a check in the hearts of the people, and they It is an old adage, that "it is an ill wind which will be brought to feel that there are other interests blows nobody any good." It is the part of true than those which relate to dollars and cents, which wisdom to extract as much good as possible out of ought to be looked after. "The love of money is the ills which surround us. The busy bee, like a the root of all evil," said an inspired writer. He wise philosopher, not unfrequently draws his sweet- did not mean to assert that it was the germenant est stores from that which poisons other animals. principle of all the sin that is committed in our The cry of "hard times" reaches our ears on every world, for that would not be true, but that all kinds side. It is the topic of conversation, the theme of of sin grow out of it. It leads men to break all the discussion, and the subject of lamentation, in almost commands of God. It is a passion which can never every circle that we enter. To a people like ours, be satisfied. "He that loveth silver shall not be many of whom regard money as the chief good in satisfied with silver." The more a man gets, the this life, the soother of all its sorrows, and the more he wants. As his possessions expand, his healer of all its maladies, the present state of affairs desires expand along with them. The only way to appears a sad one indeed. They can say with one cure the passion for gold in his heart, is to cease to of old, "Ye have taken away our gods, and what feed it. It was upon this principle that the Saviour have we left?" But those who believe that there said, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye are higher interests of society to be looked after of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingand cared for, than those which relate simply to dom of heaven." By a rich man he meant, not dollars and dimes, will not regard the present con- simply one who had riches, but one who loved them. dition of this country as one of unmixed evil. The Such an one, continuing to be rich, could not be tightening up of the money market will cause many saved, because the passion in his beart could only a heart to ache, and many a head to lie upon a be cured by taking his riches from him. As a poor sleepless pillow, and will bring distress and sadness man, he might be saved, because the taking his into many a worthy family, and so far it will be a riches from him would extinguish the love of them real evil; but it does not necessarily follow that it in his heart, but as a rich man, he never could. will be succeeded by no real blessings, to even Whilst men who love money inordinately are sucthose who are thus caused to suffer by it. There cessful in securing it, it is almost an absolute imare hearts which can only be made better by sad- possibility to turn their attention to other and higher ness, and heads which can only be made wiser by interests. Almost the only argument that can then such an experience as that which we are now con- be brought to bear upon their hearts to induce them VOL.V.-23 to seek heaven, is that its streets are paved with wants of the poor and the necessities of these begold, and its harps made of the same precious metal. nevolent institutions increase. As good men's means But let the tide turn against them, and their pos- of giving are cut off, the calls upon them to give, sessions be swept away from them, and let them begin to agitate the question, not how shall we become rich, but how shall we make a living for ourselves and families, and then come to them with the hopes and promises of the gospel, and they will listen to your message with a different ear from that which they gave you before. Genuine revivals of religion are few and far between when the world goes prosperously with every one. The love of money and the love of God cannot reign in the same heart as its master-passion. One or the other will be driven out. Another benefit of "the hard times" will be, that they will test the characters of men, and develope the principles by which they are actuated. Many a man is honest, in the world's esteem, and even in his own, until the hour of trial comes, and he finds himself besieged by powerful temptations to be otherwise. "My brethren," said the apostle James, "count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations, knowing that the trying of your faith worketh patience." There is but small credit due to a man for being honest, when he has little temptation to be otherwise, or for paying his debts, when he makes no sacrifice of personal comfort in so doing; but let him be brought into narrow straits, where his own comfort and that of his family must be sacrificed or his debts remain unpaid, and advantage be taken of the technicalities of the law to prevent force being employed to secure the payment, and then will be the time for the exhibition of the prinprinciples upon which he acts. If he is honest and fair in his dealings under such circumstances, his character shines forth with a double splendour, and he is truly the "noblest work of God"-an honest What are called "tight times," usually make many revelations that astonish the community, and even sometimes astonish the men themselves who are unmasked by them. Virtue, like gold, is worth but little until it has been thrown into the crucible, and passed the ordeal of trial which tests its value. We remark further, that the recurrence of such times is important to develope the benevolence of the community. God has, for wise purposes, left many great and important interests to be taken care of by the benevolence of his people. The poor, we are told, are always to dwell in the land. We are always to have them with us. The great schemes which have been devised for the amelioration of the moral and spiritual maladies of our race, have been left to be executed by the spontaneous charities of Christian men and women. In proportion as the amount of money in the community lessens, do the man. multiply. They frequently become restive under these multiplied calls, and reject them with almost a spirit of bitterness towards those who make them, but it is unwise and unchristian in them to do so. God is thereby testing their grace of benevolence, and giving them an opportunity to cultivate it which they could not have had under other circumstances. There is but little credit due to giving when it costs the donor no sacrifice. The widow's mite was a greater and more acceptable gift in the sight of God than the costly treasures of the rich, because it was all her living, whilst their donations were made from their superfluous possessions. He who gave to the poor and to the spread of the gospel one year ago, out of his abundance, and received but little blessing for it, because it was from his abundance, may this year draw down a far richer blessing upon his head, by giving to these causes out of his poverty, and by making personal sacrifices to enable him to do it. The only other benefit we notice as growing out of the present state of things, is the wholesome check which it may be expected to give to the habits of reckless extravagance and costly living, which were growing up with such fearful rapidity all over the country. Splendid equipages, costly furniture, and elegant apparel, were the things which were most eagerly sought after and worshipped by the masses of people who were able, or fancied themselves able, to afford them. To procure these, they would rack their brains, incur debts, and spend many sleepless nights, that they might outshine their neighbours, and rival them in their splendour. The adornment of the mind, and the cultivation of the soul, were often wholly lost sight of in the effort to set off to the best advantage the casket which contained it. They found themselves and their families estimated in the community, not by the amount of intellectual and moral worth which they possessed, but by the splendour of the houses in which they lived, the elegance of the dresses which they wore, and the costliness of the carriages in which they rode. But the revulsion has come. plexed to know how to pay the debts contracted for these things, and to procure the substantial comforts of life for themselves and families. Necessity will compel them to curtail many extravagances in which they have hitherto indulged. When they have been cut off from these, it is to be hoped that at least the more sensible part of the community will see and be cured of the folly of seeking their happiness in them, and return to the good old republican simplicity of our fathers. They are now per sence of our Lord Jesus Christ, at his coming? for ye are our glory and joy." What tenderness, what BOARD OF DOMESTIC MISSIONS. love, what confidence, what deference, too, are J. D. WILLIAMS, Pittsburgh, Pa. breathed from his very heart in these expressions! They bring to view the delightful and exalted fellowship that this faithful minister of Christ had with Christ's people; they also demonstrate the hope which he entertained that this fellowship would be continued in the world of glory; they assure us that he not only rejoiced in seeing them partakers of divine grace, but also anticipated a higher joy and glory with them in heaven. As a good husbandman, he takes pleasure in looking over his golden fields, and in looking forward to his well filled garners. Such elevated sentiments are accessible to every WILLIAM RANKIN, JR. Mission House, 23 Centre street, minister of Jesus Christ, and in some measure, to New York. NEBRASKA AND KANSAS. We are obliged to our correspondent for the suggestions contained in the following communication. It is very desirable that suitable men should speedily enter those new Territories, and' the Board would gladly aid in sending such, if their services can be secured. Will not some of our ministers turn their attention to those destitute but highly important fields? Let them read the following, and then prayerfully ask, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" Rev. G. W. MUSGRAVE, D. D. 66 every Christian. They are attained by the cultiva- This is a healthful stimulus to exertion for the ingathering of souls. This affords encouragement in the work of missions. By the divine blessing, many are, through this instrumentality, added to the Church, of such as shall be saved; and they will be crowns of rejoicing to those who have laboured, and prayed, and contributed for this precious interest of the Redeemer's cause. Yes, many whom they never had the opportunity of addressing as their "dearly beloved," will be their "crowns of rejoicing" in the day of the Lord Jesus. He who, from love to Christ, gives his prayers and exertions to this work of saving sinners, is laying up, at the same time, "glory and joy" for himself; and when he meets in heaven those who are saved by his means, he can greet them with a livelier and purer pleasure than he can who coldly shakes his head, when solicited to co-operate in the same benevolent work. Let me call your attention to another subject. Is the Board making any effort to extend the gospel to Nebraska and Kansas? It seems to me, our Church is called to the work of planting the gospel in those Territories; especially in the latter. Kansas is destined to be among the greatest States in the Union. The tide of immigration now flows into it with unprecedented rapidity. Many of our people will go thither from the South and West, and it seems to me, the Board ought to have faithful, experienced, and conservative men in the field, to gather them into churches at the outset. More good can be done by such men within the next year than in the three years following. I spent sixteen years of my life "Crowns!" "Crowns of rejoicing!" What attracas a missionary in the new settlements of the West, tions, of more than magnet power, to draw young and know from experience that it is a vast advan- men into the ministry! Rich reversions, to stimutage to be first in preaching and laying the founda-late the zeal, to reward the toil, to offset the sacrition of churches among the settlers. Positions and fices and sorrows of the labourer in Christ's cause! influences can be gained in the beginning of a town or settlement, that never can be secured at a subsequent time. You will excuse me for throwing before your mind these suggestions. I have been strongly November 1st, 1854. impressed, during the past season, with the importance of this subject, and am desirous to know your Rev. and Dear Brother—The time has again rolled views upon it. If the pecuniary means can be sup-around when it becomes me to give some account of plied, I have no doubt but that men of the right stamp could be found to engage in the enterprise. A. T. R. REVIVAL PROGRESSING. Rev. G. W. MUSGRAVE, D. D. J. F. M. my labours. In the all-abounding goodness of God, my health has been preserved; and it is my privilege to say, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped me." My labours have been continued without interruption at the several points embraced in my field, and the encouraging state of things which it was my privilege to report three months since still continues. Our church at S has been greatly revived and strengthened. The season of revival that commenced in July still continues, and cases of awakening and conversion continue to occur almost daily. During the prevalence of this state of things, our meetings have been characterized by the most per |