The New York Herald Newspaper, January 3, 1844, Page 2

NEW YORK HERALD. New York, W sday, Janwary 3, 1844, ‘The Scottith Church Deputation to America —Dr, Cunningham and the “ Voluntary Principle’—Tne Real Question at Issue. A good deal of interest has been excited among the religious circles here, in consequence of the arrival of Dr. Cunningham, a distinguished minis- ter of the Scottish Free Church. At the meeting held last evening, in the Wall street church, Dr. Cunningham made a lengthened statement ef the | object of his mission, and entered into an explana- tion of the cireumstences which produced the dis- ruption ofthe Scottish Church establishment. The Doctor might, we think, have made himself a little more intelligible. As it is, however, hisstatement is interesting in a variety of aspects, and we have therefore taken the pains to present it fully before our readers, In order to make it more easily un- derstood by our readers, and in order, also, that Dr. Cunningham’s position, as well as that of the body which he represents, may be better and more accurately defined than he has thought proper to represent them, we shall overselves give a very short chapter of ecclesiastical history. The origin of the Church of Scotland was es sentially popular. A wide difference can be traced between the results of the reformation in Scotland and England. In the former, the people erected their church on purely democratic principles, with « Presbyterian form of church government, secur- alwaysto the people a large share in the admi- nistration of all ecclesiastical affairs. In England, on the contrary, under Henry the Eighth and Elizabeth, the state took hold of the great moves ment which then possessed the popular mind, and constructed the national church on principles which secured to the state the supremacy in the manage- iment of its concerns—converted it, indeed, into an important engine of state policy, a useful part of the great machinery by which the people were retained Jn subjection to the crown and aristocracy. In the earlier periods of the history of the kirk of Scotland, the exclusive right of the people to choose their pastors, was held sacred and indispu- table. Gradually, however, considerable encroach- ments were made in the exercise of this privilege, und the firstjact acknowledging the right of “ pa- ‘rons’ to present ministers was passed in the year 1567, and in 1592 another act ordaining that “ pres- byteries be bound and astricted to receive and admit whatsomever qualified minister, presented by her Majesty, a laick patroness.” The subse- quent encroachments of the civil power went still further, till they were checked by the General Assembly of the Church in the year 1638, which conferred on the “elders,” or representatives of the people, the right to nominate the minister, leaving to the body of the people the Tight of assent or dissent. In 1690, the power of “‘patrons” to present ministers was formally abo lished by act of Parliament, and thus stood the law at the time of the union of Scotland and England. 1n 1712, however, patronage was revived by an act repealing that just mentioned. i It has only been of comparatively recent date that mach opposition has been made by the clergy to the exercise of the powers conferred on the “patrons.” It was only when the clergy found that they were losing their influence and power in nominating ministers, and providing comfortable set- tlements for relatives, friends and favorites, that they raised the hue and cry against the aristoc 'y, who found their ecclesiastical privileges exceedingly use- ful in providing for their relatives and dependents. And the contest thus waged for the “livings,” was, as is now generally known, carried on with great acrimony for several years before the recent revolt. To many instances, on every Sunday, the parish- oners, instead of quietly worshipping their Maker, engaged in regular battles for the possession of the Church. At length the Clergy, who generally man- age in these struggles for supremacy and the “tem- poralities,” tomake a decent outcry about princi- ple and the interests of religion, assumed, as the ground of controversy in this case, the supremacy of Jesus Christ, as the Head of the Church, in opposition to the alleged claims of the State. But the real question at issue has been whether the right of patronage should be exercised by the aris, tocracy or by the priesthood. This has been the bone of contention. Religion and principle have had nothing to do with it. As for the appeal of Dr. Cunningham to “ the free churches of America,” we do not regard it as at all consistent with his own professed principles, or ‘with justice. The Doctor now proposes to go on the voluntary principle—that is, that every church support its own religious ordinances ; and he is cer- tainly not consistent in thus soliciting alms from us, a6 the people of Scotland are quite able to act up to their principles—that they are willing appears to be not so clear. But the injustice of con- tributing funds for this purpose, when there are 50 many widows and orphans in Great Britain and France who have been robbed and plundered of all they posseased, and righteously calling on this country to discharge its solemn oblige- tions, is, we think, very manifest. [f any money be raised, let it be applied to this purpose. Let us remember the good old saying—“Be just before you are generous.” Let the rich merchants, and bankers, and brokers, and farmers, who are anxious to see their names shining as munificeat almoners to the “free church of Scotland,” think of this. Let them, if they can, shut their ears to the loud, indignant, remonstrances and appeals of starving widows and orphans, whilst they pour thousands in the lap of a supplicating clergy. It won't be our fault if the voice of justice and na tional honor be not heard, as well as that of the Rey. Doctor Cunningham. Mestiva or Gas Consvmers.—When is the meeting of gas consumers to take place to state their grievances and memorialize the Legislature in relation to the misconduct of the Gas Company? We trust it will be called for on an early day. Sup- pose it should be named for Saturday night in this week at the Shakspeare Hotel?’ Thatplace we be- lieve will be given by the proprietor gratis. Rerorting.—The Courier & Enquirer and the Express have both replied to our statement, and propositions and articles aboutereporting, but such replies!~—we never saw the like unless we were to descend into the lowest haunts of the Corlear’s Hook. We have already stated, and we reiterate our statement, that the internal evidence tas satisfied us that the report of the Courier & En- quirer was borrowed from the report first published in the Herald of Mr, Webster’s speech, and that Mr. Webster revised it afterwards. All the vulgar ubuse of the Courier will never beat this out of our heads because we have evidence sufficient to satie- ty ourselves. However, they will both have ample opportunities hereafter of testing the different pow- ersand qualities of their several offices; though they would have shown more regard to gentleman- Jy feeling and professional propriety if they had at once accepted our proposition than by giving abuse ve Points or Prooress of rue TranscenpENtaL Partosorny. —We see by a report inthe Tribune, the organ of the Fourier system of philosophy and society, that » has been a great convention in Boston, in which Brisbane, Collins, (the famous man ‘keneateles Lake,) and various other Transcen- dentalists were present, in which they discussed the present defective organization of society; that they have commenced a comprehensive sys- tem of revolutionizing the whole scheme of reli. a, polities, and morals of the present age. In ir movements and resolutions we do notsce any jiusion made to the inprovements which the Founerites seem to have made in their language, and nd in their modes of calling other persons hard names, Possibly that may be an exclusive privilege of the Tribune, the Pourierite organ, here, but at no distant day we shall give a full account of this extraordinary Convention Boston, whieh will vito throw light « nthe Fourier movement and tation in connsetion with the Pre idential election of Tue Vacant Jupcxsmir. Breat many rumors in relation to this Judgeship, and the candidates who are seeking the place ; but we have heard one of a remarkable character, which may turn out to be as true as any—that is, the appointment of Daniel Webster to this-vacant seat upon the United States Supreme Court bench; Mr. Webster spent a few days here last week, sub- sequent to the celebration of the New England Festival, and immediately thereafter proceeded to two months. {t ix also said in some quarters, that Mr. Webster, or some of his friends for him, have | purchased the Weehawken House, upon the Jersey shore, near Hoboken, and that he intends here- after to make that beautiful place his permanent | residence, If this be correctly stated, it would j seem to imply that Mr. Webster intends hereafter | to make New York or its vicinity his residence, whatever his engagements in public life or in poli- ticsmay be ; and it would not surprise us at all, if, looking upon the uncertainties of political and pro- fessional affairs, of which Mr. Webster has had enough in the course of his life, he were to seek and sigh for some permanent place of repose, where there would be ample opportunity to em- ploy his great judicial talent, such as alone can | be furnished by the bench of the Supreme Court. [tis true, indeed, that the vacancy is only that of an Associate Judge, and not in the office of Chief Judge ; but the mind of Mr. Webster, wherever it placed, must always be chief and first, the lead: ing mind, the prominent intellect. Were Mr. Webster to be only attorney of the United States’ bench, Mr. Taney, would still be under the magic power of that magnificent intellect which Mr. Webster enjoys. Indeed, looking upon the whole field of operations, we are not sure the President would not make the best selection by sending in Mr. Webster’s name to the United States Senate, it Mr Webster would accept it—which, we think, looking upon the whole field of uncertainty, he ought todo. The rumors which have been in cir enlation in relation to the transfer of Mr. Henshaw tothe Treasury, and Mr. Wise to the Navy, can- not be correct, Wedo not suppose that Mr. Ty- ler would select two of his cabinet officers from one State, as the case would be if Mr. Wise were selected for the Navy, Mr. Upshur being already from Virginia, and in the State Department. Upon the whole, we believe that Mr. Tyler, up to the termination of last week, had not ,fully made up his mind who he would appoint to the vacant Judgeship, and itis just as good a chance as any that Mr. Webster may be his man, provided Mr. Webster can accept it under all the other circum- ances. Apropos—Why does Mr. Webster advo vate the confirmation of Mr. Henshaw as the Se= cretary of the Navy? Morar Progress 1x PanXsytvania.—The Le- gislature of this highly moral, interesting, and wealthy State, opens its session this week. We have made arrangements to procure information of the various movements made in this honorable body, such as may be of a public nature, for indeed there is great expectation throughout the civilized world that some action should be taken by this Legislature in relation to the payment of their debts due to foreign countries. From appearances, however, we have very little to hope from the Le- gislature of Pennsylvania convened in Ii because, according to a critical and chemical an- alysis of the elements of justice and morality, we do think that if the Eastern Penitentiary, in Phila- delphia, were converted into a legislature, they would exhibit a higher degree of moral honesty in their dealings than do the body designated by that name which meet at Harrisburg. Indeed, the highly respectable inmates in the tern Peni tiary, who occupy seats in that respectable institu- tion, have been compelled by necessity to a themselves of the property of others, in st amounts, and in small parcels; but in doing this they never deceived or told falsehoods. If they stole, they admitted they stole; if they plundered, they admitted they plundered; if they picked pockets, they called it by its right name, Bat their highly respectable rivals in the same line of business in Harrisburg would plunder by thousands and mil- lions, and then, after having had the benefit of the monies of the widows and orphans thronghont the civilized world, they pass resolutions that they owe these amounts, say they have the money, and they are a rich and wealthy State, but they cannot think of parting with it to pay their debts at pre- sent. We should like to know, upon comparing the two institutions together—the Legislature of Penn- sylvania and the Eastern Penitentiary at Philade!- phia—in which the principles of honesty and integ- rity most prevail? We merely put this problem forth to the people of Philadelphia, and of the State of Pennsylvania, to ascertain if they can solve it. To the man who solves it the most aceu- rately we shall make a present of ten shares of Pennsylvania stock, besides the very first shad that comes to market risburg; Marat Proaress in Mississtrrt.—Our accounts from the State of Mississippi are highly interesting. It is already well-known that that rich and respect- able State has repudiated a large amount of her public debt, and given a name to that system of morals throughout the civilized world. By recent accounts from Mississippi, we perceive that there is also another system of repudiation going on there. The people of that interesting State are very rapidly repudiating sin and wickedness. Ac- cording to the most recent accounts and by the returns of the great Mississippi Conference upon religion, which was convened at Woodville, upon the 29th of November, and adjourned on the 8th of December, we find there is a net increase of the saints in that State, over the number of last year, of 2212, making now, in all, 2506 saints or mem- bers, 120 local preachers, 54 local deacons, 54 local elders, and 100 travelling preachers, besides volun- taries round about the plantations and in the suburbs of the various cities. So we can now say, if Mississippi does not pay her debts to blustering John Bull, she pays her debts to heaven. If she does not pay her debts to her European creditors, she has a large surplus upon the credit side of the books of the kingdom of Heaven. This is something. Exrenstve Frre.—The machine and finishing shop of the.extensive establishment of the Messrs. Hoe, manufacturers of printing presses and im plements, was discovered to be on fire last evening about ten o'clock. The flames were kept within the precincts of the single building, without ex- tending to any other part of their extensive works. ‘The loss must be considerable, as the inside of the building, with its contents, were totally consumed. The tire originated in the lower part of the build- ing, and is supposed to have been communicated trom the boiler attached to the engine. Musical and Theatrical. ‘The English versionsof Norma, Cenerentola, La Gazza Ladra and several other favorite Italian ope- ras are being played in the AmericanTheatre, New Orleans, with fair success. Mr. Still the vocalist of the South is giving con certs in Barbadoes. Madame Cinti Damoreau and Artot, were to ap- pear at the Hibernian Hallin Charleston last night (Monday.) It was announced that this would be their only appearance. Mr. Jim Crow Rice is performing at Boston Placide is playing with great success at Mobile ‘The Virginia Minstrels are at New Urleans, ——_——. Navan.—Steam frigate Princeton arrived yester day from Philadelphia. Hopson Kiven.—Itis open to Rhinebeck—per haps to Hadson—no further. New Yoru Lecisiatone.—This body met yes- terday. On Saturday, Albany was crowded with members. Jt was anticipated that the attendance would be fall Washington, where we understand he will retain | Court, behind the bar, the Chief Justice of that | We have heard »|'The Pree Church of Scatiand—A Call upon | Jaw, oF of any Church whatever, the Free Churches of America. The Rev. Dr. Cunningham, one of the leaders in_the late fiery discussions in Scotland, which have issued in the separation of a large body of the clergy and the people of that country from the church thereof, as established by law, is now in this country endeavoring to procure pecuniary aid towards erecting a number of churches. He made his first appearance last evening before a large con- gregution, in the Presbyterian Church, Wall street, to whom he stated the objects of his mission, and the grounds upon which he is delegated to ask for assistance, Dr. Cusyivanam commenced by remarking that he felt the circumatances under which he was called upon to ad- dress the meeting were somewhat interesting and pecu- liar, somewhat solemn and impressive, He had the honor to bea delegate from, und represeutative of the Free Church of Scotland, and he had come to solicitthe sym: pathy and the prayers, the udvice and the assistance of the Free Churches of America. The Church of Scotland —the Free Church of Scotland—was sow in God’s prov: dence placed in circumstances somewhat similar in many respects, to those occupied by the Free Churches of this country, depending entirely upon the free will offerings of her members for the maintenance of gospel ordinan- ces, tor the erection of places of worship, for the educa. tion and training of young men fer the ministry, and the support of ministers, for the administration of divine or- dinanees throughout her borders. Scotland had, in God’s providence, a great and arduous work before her. The circumstances in which she was placed, and the work she was called upon to perform, were, to a large extent, new to her, but those circumstances in substance, and that work in its general character wus not new to thechurches jn this laud. It Was a work, in fact, similar to that in which this country had been long engaged; and since we had been long engaged in it, he expected to derive important assistance from examining the plans and schemes we had adopted for the accomplish- ment ofan end substantially the same as that which God, in his gracious providence, had now laid upon the shoul dereofthe people of Scotland. From the great cordiality and kindness with which he had been received here by the ministers of every denomination, and especially b all the branches of the great Presbyterian family, he felt a 4 boy be either an = ligion system long complained of by the Church as @ yoke and a griev: = ved, that whalet the & Theky cal 'Y, besaid, Gould notihemsclve repael the law hr high not thamesty vs repeal the which these med, they would, at take care should ever be settled and @ congregation, if the congi ceiving him as their pastor. Surely that was a reasonable resolution, andja principle of the truth, which no man who had the slightest idea of what the Church of Christ was, or who hid the fragment of a notion of the rights of conscience, and the liberty of private judgment, who was not thoroughly in heart and principle and spirit a alave, couldentertain a doubt. It was, beyond all question, an act of gross tyranny and oppression for any pres what. ever, whether patron or proprietor, whether a civil court or achurch court, to ultempt to form the pastoral rela- tion between the person represented and a Christian con- gregation. Surely they had a right to say, “we will not enter into the pastoral relation with him,” and not sub- Ject themselves to him in the Lord. The American ‘churches would agree with him in thinking that when the Free Church of Scotland adopted this resolution, she was ae, although she might not go the whole length of what the word of God required, Yet it was j! of the adoption of that resolution that she been volved in all her recent ditficultiesr-and subjected to all her present trials and hardships. This matter then was brought unser the consideration: of the civil courts; and the civil courts gave judgment to this effect: that it was the law of the Jand that Presbyters in Church Courts had no right to refuse to thrust a minister upon acongre- gation which was unwilling to receive him—that they were bound to intrude ministers upon congregations against their will ; also that the civil courts were entitled to exercise a general control or superintendence over all the church courts, and more especially that they were en- titled to judge of the legality of their constitution, aud to quash ali their proceedings. When these decisions were pronounced, the evangelical perty were led by a fuller Ronciderstinn of aud more enfanged gud comprabensive views of the sole headship of Christ, to exalt the supre macy of his word, to claim sole control and juris iction in §the affair of conscience, and inthe business of the Church of Christ, and the exclusive juris- diction of ecclesiastical office bearers in the transaction of honse, and the obligation thority to have respect to the interests of religion. Upon these grounds they refused to intrude mi- nisters upon congregations against their will, © the civil courts said the law of the land required it. juite sure and confident of aie abundant access to all the sources of information and advice in taeir power, and in obtaining the co-operation of the best and wisest men inthe American churches ; he, therefore, need not oc- cnpy their time and attention with adverting further to this subject, but take the liberty of ‘at once stating the grounds upon which he invited their sympathy , their prayers and their assistance in the difficulties in which the Free Church of Scotland was involved forthe accomplishment of the work to which she had been called. Hs felt he had so much matter to de. tail before the meeting, connected with the exposition o! their principles and with the views and doctrines they en- tertained, the circumstances in which they were placed, and with’ the encouragement God was affording them in the difculties and perplexities in which they were in- volved, that he had really no time for adverting to man: collateral topics that might be interesting, therefore, proceed without preface or apology, to @ plain statement of the great circumstances which he wished to lay before the American churches, ‘The substance of the leading truths, which he was anxious te impress upon their attention and sympathy was just these :—First. The Free Church of Scotland had been called upon, under frovidence to contend for the same true and great principles for which our Covenanting ancestors fuffered, principally and directly affecting the woe head. ship of ‘Christ and the inalienable rights and liberties of his church and people. Second—That as the undeniable result of her honest contendings for these principles she has been driven from her connection with the State, and forced, for conscience sake, to abandon all the civil priviliges, emoluments and endowments which she enjoy ed in virtue of that connection, and is now in a condition which she is fairly entitled to the name she has assumed of the Free Church of Scotland, or the Church of Scotland free. Third—In her present position andin consequence of what she has done and suffered, she has the most advanta- ous and most encouraging facilities for promoting the Exterests of true religion and the cause of evangelical truth and righteousness over the length and breadth of Seotland Fourth—That she had to struggle with great di ry in the commencement of her enterprise in erecting so many churches at once, and providing for the education and training of ministers; and that these difficulties are great- iy aggravated by the hostility and perseoutions to which she in exposed, especially upon the part of the aristocracy, the patrons and the landowners. These were the great lea: ¢ truths, he was anxious to press pon public attention ere,and he thought he might confidently entertain the ex. pectations, if he could succeed in convincing the meeting of the truth of these various positions, and in bringing them home to their understanding, hearts.and consciences, they would feel called upon to give him the benefit of their sympathies and their prayers, with such assistance as_ the ircumstances of the Free Chnrch of Scotland required, and as their circumstances enabled them to render. He felt, however, very much at a loss how to proceed in the exposition of these views, because he could, without any difficulty except that which arose from mere physical and corporeal exertion, spend at least an hour upon the exposition of any one of the fonr positions he had enumer- ated. Upon the whole, under existing circumstances, it would not be very needful or desirable to spend much time in the way of explaining and illustrating the princi- ples which the Free Church of Scotland held, and by the honest practical declaration of which they had been dri- ven from the State connection, and forced, for conscience sake, to abandon all the civil privileges and emoluments which a connection with the State involved, bec! resumed, with these principles we were already familiar. he only difticulty he met with upon this point was, not He should, reverend gentleman here reviewed, at some length, the ground upon which the civil courts founded their deci- Sion, which was that the law ofthe land must be obeyed. ‘This principle, he said, was equivalent to asserting that Jesus Christ was not the only King and Head of the tp because | Church, but that Cesar was also entitled to exercise juris. diction over it—that the word of God was not the only rule and standard by which the Church of Christ was to be regulated, but that what was called the law of the land was the proper standard whereby to regulate its affairs, and that ecclesiastical oftice bearers, who had received gifts from tibet at the command of Christ, were not the only parties who were to transact the ordinary business of Christ’s house, but that the civil functionari acting in the Queen’s name, were enti ise ju- risdiction in those matters, He next reviewed the decision of the House of Lords, in its appellate jurisdiction, which was also against the claims of the Free Church ; and also the proceedings of the House of Commons. which resolv- ed to support the government in their determination to maintain the view taken by the civil courts, observing that all the argnment in thet assembly was upon the side ofthe church. The result of that debate was the disrup- tion of the church, and his appearance before the churches of America for their prayers, their sympathy and their aid Dr, C. then proceeded to speak of the present position and prospects of the Free Church of Scotland. ‘The sym- pathies of the people had been effectually awakened.— They were firmly convinced that the principles for which he (Dr. C.) and his associates contended, and for which they had made no small sacrifices, were identical with those of the martyrs on whose tombstones were graven the memorable motto—Christ’s crown and covenant.” It would not haps be becoming in him to dwell much on the conduct of the Ministers in these trying circum- stances, That might sound like boasting of their own firmness, sincerity and steadfastness—of their own faith and their own trust in Gog. He would not therefore dwell on that point. But, said Dr. C., I’:must really call on you to realize what it was we did—that we forsook the churches wherewe had met with our people,many of them for many years, and had held sweet fellowship with our flocks—we forsook the manses where our children had clustered around us—where we had anloyed much comfort and huppiness—we forsook the fixed State provisions—and not only did we sacrifice those temporal advantages, but we sacrificed many strong feelings and hallowed associa: broke through many Jong formed habits,and in ma ny cases, to all human appearance, at fit ight, at least sacrificed what might have been ‘i ek it_ opportunities ‘These we were called on in the providence of God to sacrifice, and these we did sacrifice. Thus we at least have done enough to give evidence of our honesty, our sincerity, our firm conviction that our principles were based on the word of God, and our reliance on the faithful- ness of God’s pledge that he would honor them who honored him. Well. these things have called forth, as have said, great sympathy. ‘They have gained for us access to the hearts o people, and afford- ed us new and important opportunities of usefulness. Ma- ny indications of the divine blessing are accompanying our labors, We have had several revivals of religion, similar in some respects to those visitations with which the free churches of America have been so eminently {a vored by the great head of the church. We have also beon brought into a state of friendly co-operation with other evangelical bodies from whom formerly we were separated. We find that a multitude of people of all parts of the fand are most anxious to have the means of grace administered to them in connexion with us, and indeed reat deal more work is pressing on us than we can pos- ibly be able to discharge. Free, now, from all trammels as to the trath of the substantial and fundamental princi ples of the Free Church, but simply as to the question whether she had curried out those principles in all their extent and in all the fulness of their application. Hag he might at least take it for granted, that when ‘ree Church of Scotland told ue she had been led, under Providence, to contend for the right of Christian congre- gations to areal and effective voice in the choice and set tlement of their own pastors, and their own office bearers, that she had been led to contend for the still wider and more comprehensive privilege of the sole Headship of the Lord Jesus Christ—for His exclusive right to reign in his own kingdom and rule in his own house—a truth involv. ing, when pee at these two important positions: That the word of God is the only sta tute book of Christ's Church or Kingdom, and the only standard by which the affairs of the Church of Christ, in every one of its branches, are reg- ulated, and next, that ecclesiastical office bearers are chosen by the people, and onlained to their. respective offices by the people, and not by civil functionaries, as well as the superintending authority which is necessary to the tran: n of the ordinary bu of Christ's ¥ ble church and kingdom upon earth—When, he said, the Free Church of Scotland told us these had been the prin- ciples for which she har been called upon to contend, we should at once see that they were the true principles— principles based upon the standard of God, and such the Church of Christ "was bound to assert and maintain— rinciples which no Church of Christ could ever be at iberty to compromise or abandon. And if it were in- vidence, been placed in cit alternative presented to her was, cither to abandon and promise those principles or to abandon their connec. tion with the State with allits civil rights, privileges, and emoluments—then, beyond all question, they were right in adhearing to the former, and in abandoning all State connection and emoluments—therefore we were constrain- cd, by the same principles, fully carried out among our- rove of tl p which the Free Church of n,to bid her “God speed” in the course had entered, and to give her the benefit , and as far practicable, of our assist. rting to the first position, that the members of the Free Church of Scotland had been called upon under Providence, to contend for those great prin- ciples for which their forefathers — suffered-— it might be right he should take the liberty of impre: npon the meeting one general consideration of no sma importance. It was this—that the circumstance of the controversy in which for some years past they (the Free Church) had been engaged in Scotland, and which ended in the entire disruption of the establishment, and in the secession of a large number of its ministers, and of a still larger number of its elders and people, was just this—that after a long and melancholy period of fall and declension. of unsteadiness in doctrine, and ungodliness and insince- rity in character; which during the last century, (especi- ally the latter half of it,) had to alarge extent overspread the established church of Scotland—a system which they were there accustomed to call by the name of moderatio; After a long period, characterised by every thing which a Christian church ought to want, and by the ab sence of every thing which a Christian church ought to possess, God in his mercy was pleased to grant of true religion and evangelical _princi- At length, through the prevalence of sonnder of Chi istian doctrine and a higher stand ard of Christian character, leavening to a considerable ex- tent the community, and even influencing to some degree the patrons or those who were entitled by law to nomi- nate and present ministers ; the result was that the evan- elical clergy and elders gai the ascendency the GeneralAssembly and having gained the ascende the resolved, in consisten. had possessed, to app) to the transaction of the business of the Chi Courts the same scriptural and evangelical principles which they had learned from the word of God, and which they had long manifested in their preachings from pulpit, and in the general discharge of their ministerial duties. All this was done fairly honestly, It was now nine years ago since ithe Evangelical party first gained the ascendancy in the Church Courts; and the sum and substanceof the whole controversy in which they had since been engaged, whatever forms and ts it assumed, under whatever pretence cloaked, was just this —that the civil authorities, the patrons, the pein i an ungodly and ixreligious world, would not endure the honest and faithful application of Scriptural and Evange- lical_ principles to the actual regulation of the affairs of the Church. This was, in truth, the substance and es- sence of the whole matter. The enmity of the world rebelled against the views which the Evangelical party propounded, and the measures whieh they in consequence Adopted: hostility was therefore excited, and they were cast off. The speaker here paid a tribute of respect to the conduct of Dr. Chalmers be gc! this question, whose name, he observed, was in all the churches of Christ throt and who had been eminently hon- bred of God as a Jewling instrument in bringing about this important change, For preaching sound doctrine and asserting Evangelical principle, the Doctor had been driven from the very ¢ hment which h@had done so uch to purify and glorify. Now while he (Dr. Cunning: m) could not doubt the general concurrence of the Ame rican charches in the great fundam”..tal principles upon which the Free Church of Scotlar, . had acted, they would perhaps wish for a little more information (though he would not go into much detail) as to the more immediate causes which led to the recent disruption of the established Church and to the position which the Free Church occupied. The controversy, ashe had remarked, com- menced with t ermination ofthe Evangelical party, whereever they gained the ascendancy, that ate iin name! t single feed by Inheritance from his fathers, or which might be ed to him by a friend, or purchased in the mar qualification whatever was required | who need not be a member of the Charch established by in which formerly we had been enthralled, and with li this sympathy and all these encouraging tokens of future extended cheerfulness and prosperity, we now appeal to you for aid in our present _cir- cumstances. About two-fifths of the ministers of the establishment sacrificed their stipends and _emolu- mepts, and a far larger proportion of the elders and of the ople, There is still a good deal of confusion and tur- moil in Scotland; ry ofthe churches have not yet been ifted, and so we can hardly state with precision the ex- act number of the people who adhere to us. But I think I can assert, that about two-thirds of the elders and the people, who were once connected with the establishment, ave left it. This, then, is the extent of the secession. Now this forms a large body, and without saying any thing at all of the ministers—I think 1 rid of the: people, that they were the very best of the church—men most thoroughly acquainted with the Scriptures—most deeply convinced of the importance of religion, and most zealous for the welfare of Christ's chureh— they, too, rifices ;} they — have cheerfully sacrificed their share of the State provision for their clergy, and are of course prepared to make pecunia- ry sacrifices’ which they would otherwise not have been required to make, being now called on to contribute to wards the erection of churches and the support of the ministry. But they have manifested the greatest liberali ty, although, as isimportant for you to know, we have very few of the wealthy or the noble. Almost toa man with a few honorable exceptions, the aristocracy are op posed to us—bitterly opposed, and exercise all the tyran ny and opprestion in their power in the eflort to put down the Free Church of Scotland. Well, then, 470 ministers and 800 congregations have “come out,” and declared their determination to connect themselves with the Free church, and they now stretch out their hands to the other Free Churches of our land, and to you, the Free Churches of America, to aid them in their present difficulties. Notwithstanding our present dificulties we have determined to continue our jonary eperations in India, amongst the Jews, and at home, None of these enterprises will be abandoned. But we don’t ask you te aid us in this, nor do we solicit aid in supporting our min- isters. But webave, you perceive, seven or eight hundred churches to erect at once. This is the grand difficulty. Until we have these churches our position is notsafelyfestablished. Until then we have a full and adequate provision for preserving the vitality of those reat principles, and of effectually securing the interests of Christ's Kingdom. Many of our congregations are able to build churches; but the great majority of them are utterly unable. Ax ample provision was made for their support, the ministers of the Church were settled without any reference to the means of the ple to aup rt a miniater amongst them. And the consequence has heen, that in many parishes the people are quite unable ‘o contribute adequate means, and for many years cannot bx expected to be able to support a minister. “But we had de- termined, and every reasonable and just mind will see the propriety of the determination, that all the ministers who came oat with us should have the means of existence pro: vided for them. A decent provision of the necessaries of ife is all that is required and all that we seek. To obtain n accumulation of the contributions of the richer ter churches, is necessary; and entral Fund” has been estab- me- misconception respecting this fund prevails in some quarters, I find it may not be amiss to tefer to the matter for 3 momer Some suppose that we intend to collect a sum, the interest of which will be sufficient forour purposes, Well, J think [need hanily inform this assemblage that amid all our most san- guine expectations and most ambitious aspirings, we ne ver expected or aspired to any thing liké that. The sim- ple object of the “Central Fund” is to make the contribu tions of the richer congregations available to securini the necessaries of life to the ministers of poor congrey tions, and provide for the extension of churches in the orer districts, Before I conclude these remarks, which fave, [ fear, already been too much extended; | must say something with respect to the necessity of the, “ Central Fund” in the erection of churches, bec we invoke aid in that work, When a minister ‘came out” and brought with him the great body of the people, we hold that lee is entitled to a decent maintenance, and that that congregation is entitled to retain its minister even though not able to support him, and that therefore they should be assisted by the annual contributions of richer congrega- tions, In‘like manner we believe that such a minister and people are entitled to a decent church in which to wor ship, even though not able to e: one for themselves, ‘This jn'a view 40. justand reasonable in iteelf-—40 suited to our existing circumstances—so well fitted to maintain and uphold a firm and permanent testimony tor the great Pain hs for which we are called on to contend—that we warmly appeal for aid in carrying it out to christi churches of other names and denominationa—to the fre: churches of other lands; and think especially tha! we can boldly and confidently appeal for as sistance in this work to the free Presbyteriar churches of America—churches ali more or Jess directly descended from the Church of Scotland, of which we arc the free representatives—I mean as ‘residuary establishment anecdotes illustrative of the liberality of indi jetestable tyranny exercised by noblemen anc patrons ofthe aristocracy for tl ® prirpote of putting dow: the free Church of Scotland—to force their tenantry inte dependance. {could tell you of large tracts of countr with tens of thousands of people who have left the esta blishment, and only a few scores of adherents to it ; bu nce of the inveterate oot ofthe: landed proprietors, it is imps je to procure a site for» church, or even in some cases ground on which to erect : camp tent. I could tell you of these things, and muc! more, and hope that | may have an opportunity of doing so at some of the other meetings whicl e been called ion do this. 1 shall peony Has fer toone incident which probably some of you may have heard of. A venerable minister, 80 years old,and who for halfa century had labored in the service of th at Hea) of the Church with great zeal ani fideli ‘us amongat the number of those who joined the secession. He had» will find on our first page, the fullest—the most | authentic, and the very latest information of this most revolting and unnatural murder. citement at the Island is very great, in consequence of the proceedings before Commissioner Phelps being kept strictly private. The examination of the witnesses, it is expected, will close to-day. Hewitt, willleave Liverpool to-morrow for Halifax and Boston. she will bring one month later inteli)zence. ton last Monday for Liverpool, with »»out fifty passengers, and 25,000 letters, 1 u cent correspondence between the Executive of Ma- ryland and Captain Webster, of the revenue ser- vice, relative to a magnficent sword that has been presented by that State to Captain W. forhis brave- ry in the defence of Baltimore in the last war. We understand that the article is one of richnees and rarity. The handle is of gold, splendidly chased, emblematic of the deeds done which it commemorates. miniature view of the battle of September, and on the other is the following inscription :— Presented by To Cart. Joun A. WenstEn :— of Maryland to have made and presented to you, has been forwarded, Customs for the Port of Baltimore. an opportunity, us I desired, to present you this testimo- nial of the coufidence and gratitude of the land, in the presence of their Representatives, at the ep- proaching session of the Legislature. beer de my sym the Legislat my admiration of the gallantry displayed by you in the tener cor the City Sword is designed to commemorate, and my belief, that you will, by your future life, make it appear that the con- fidence in your patriotism and bravery, thus manifested, is properly estimated end fully deserved. To His Exceriency Francis THomas. your letter of the 12th instant, whi ed, notifying me of a sword voted by the Staie of Mary- land, anc lector of the port of Baltimore for my marks gift anc eat sensations of gratitude for a reward bestowed on h from the source it comes from, my native State. but at the same time fre! duty in many perilous battles Great Britain. my native State, supposin, rewarded, if warm hearted citizens of Baltimore, soon and trust it will stimulate my sons to faithfull; and do their duty in time of peril and danger, in aer, should their country be invaded by a reckless foe P hate way, ins Ge eotonbe b ho’ are Episcoy men who are have themselves done t w not allow us todo—that is, separate ment, The Duke of Sutherland is the most extensive landed Hy throu ter hi theshelter of a roof, fearful to evoke on any of his parish- | ioners the vengeance which weuld have followed the ex- | board of his cot into pieces. tension to him of the rites of hospitality. ing to dispense gospel ordinances, he had him three orfour days provision, refusing, during the | whole time the shelter of a roof from any of his tenanta. to which he and teen minutes Jonger in explaining what he might | have said, but wouldn’t say, as he had already oc- | cupied so much time, and concluded by stating that | the arrangements would be made so as to enable | city, “ The Five Points,” was all who chose to contribute. | meeting dispersed States Court this morning. o’clock. Justice Kirtland of the First, Secoud and Third Ward Courts, will be re-appointed, and per- haps his clerk. Alderman Tillou will also present his famous police report. from New York went in her, however. Scotland. thi P ith being | turned out of their situations—the whole influence of the | viduals who were injured, Janded popeeten: of the county, with a few exceptions, | brought to us in order to protect the’ the most unscrupulous and | ut down the free church of | hi sing bhiok tae fronts | e very tl which they would | te from the extablish- | rietor in Scotland—his estates are populated by about le, and he refuses to grant a spot of land out all this property. In one case an aged minis- totravel seventy miles from his mansion to find | ‘And on return: | he had to bring with | Grace’s | here read an extract from a letter by | detailing the hardships | subjected.) In a vast | in the open air, (Dr. C. Rev. Mr. Findlater, of Dourne his family had number of places the people worshippe: even at this inclement season of the year,shelterad only by | canvass tents d thing but honoring Christ, and maintaining their princ! And all this for no crime—for doing no- | rence tothe word of God. These are some of les of ud! ips and trials to which we are subjected—such | the hards! are the circumstances in which we invoke your sympa- thy ond prayers, and such aid as you may deem our ne- comian require, and your means will enable you to be- stow. Dr. Cunningham then occupied some ten or fil | After singing a hymn, and the doxology, the Bang, the pirate, will be sentenced in the United | ‘Tue Common Counc. meet this evening at five Tue Sraven Istanp Mvrvers.—Our readers | \ The ex- News rrom Evrore.—The steam ship Britannia, Should no packet ar ‘ive meanwhile, Sream Smp Hirvernia, Capt. Judkin left Bos- In consequenctof he late arrival of the mail from this city, a por- ion of the letters had to be sent out in bulk. . All Bravery anp 1Ts Rewarps.—We annex a re- On one side of the blade is a the State of Marylad to Capt. John A. Webster, for his gallant defence of the Battery commit- ted to his charge during the memorable seige of the city of Baltimore, Sept. 12, 1814. Stare Drrantment, Axnovouis, Dec. 12th, 1843. ‘The Sword, which Lwes directed by the Legislature |, according to your request, to the Collector of [regret very much indeed that you could not afford me ple of Mary- I cannot, however, permit the occasion to pass without thy with the feelings that prompted ure to direct the presentation of this Sword, during the attack of Sept. 1814, whic ‘inst mmitted to your charge ou the 13th the of Baltimore on the With high respect, I am your ob't serv't, FRANCIS THOMAS, New Yorx, 30th Bec., 1841, Sin—Having been absent from oe since the date of ic hI have just receiv- that you had forwarded it to the care of the Col- reception, Permit me, sir, to offer up my thanks for the kind re- ou make in thus making me acquainted with the Jiaura, that no man could avoid feeling the eS im. ‘Truly, | cannot for a moment suppose I am worthy of so greut a reward, never supposing | could have merited it ; conscious of having done my during the late war wit! I feel proud to accept of so honorable a testimonial from ie cia ens ute man- merit was Rely on it, sir, could it have been in my power to have received it from your hands, it would have still added to the exulted feelings of gratitude I have felt on the occa- sion ; but fate has decreed that | must be on duty at a dis- tance from you and the honorable body that has so nobly awarded me the gift. I trust something may yet turn up to enable me to give you my thanke in person. I tender ‘ou, and the united members of the Legislature personal- ly, my warmest thanks for their noble gift. ‘accept sir, my feelings of gratitude and friendship for ‘our health and future happiness, and also to the honora- bie members of the Legial Your most ob’t. serv’t. ure of Maryland. JA. WEBSTER. Commerce or New Yorx.—We are indebted to Mr. Thorne, the chief boarding officer of the Cus- tom House for the following, showing the number of vessels that had arrived at New York from fo- reign ports during the year 1843: juary establishment—and all | and | usual black e | bed | in hia body and breast, while in a drunken quarrel. But- | ler was taken to the hospital, where he lies dangerously | nent receivers of stolen property, are City Intelligence. ‘uesday, Jan. 2.—The spirit of it in —_ parts of our city New Year's Eve—and the principal actors in young men, n full grown in size, but that sense and progam that more mature years will inculcate. The neighborhood of 476 Grand street was the scene of a riot that came near the lives of several indi- the consequent arrest ef a baker’s dozen of the assails St originated among some of the runners of engine No. 33, who had been by others running with Nos. 10 and 3, on Christmas wight, who, apprehending, {rom threats, that it would be re- peated on New Year's Eve, prepared themselves in a por- ter house at 475 Grand street, for their reception. Hear- ing a noise in the street, made by some persons whom they supposed were their assailants, they hastened to the top of the porter house and showered an indiscriminate yolley of stones among the persons below, and one of the indiscreet of the party fired a musket, the shot of which through the window of a dwelling opposite, wounding a man who was in bed and severing the head The watch were instantly assem! |, and the following named persons were arrested and committed for the rint:—William Murdock, Aaron Howes, Isaac Jarvis, William Doyle, Edward Lantrey, Jam lohn Law, George Sea- me fart, Isaac Primrose, and Avoruen Rior.—A number of runners with No. 5 were also engaged in riotous conduct at the corner of Grand and Centre, when finally they and their assailants resort- ed tothe use of stones and brick bats to carry on the hameful outrage. The police were called to the spot, and the following named boys were arrested and commit- ted to prison :—Thomas Cochrane, Patrick Rodgers, Ro- bert Roach, John Berry, Thomas Doyle and James Riley. Aanp ver Avoree—Three young men, named Michael Johnston, Walter Barney, and Patrick Wycombs were also arrested and committed for creating a riot in Chat- ham street, andfknocking down almost every person who approached them. Clement Robins, a citytmarshal, who attempted to prevent their outrages, was shamefully beat- en by the party. Artemrrep Murper.—That Police dyivm was very iappcieus blotch upon our the scene of riot and ‘accompanied with the ves and bloody notes, came off during th and final) blackifeliow named John Willett, stab- other of his color named John Butler, with a knife, disorder. Several street fight da: ill, and Willett was lodged in prison to await trial. More Comrzaints against tur Youna Heppens— ‘Twin brothers, John and ‘Thomas Hedgen, late grocer | corner of Orange and Leonard, and more recently at 108 ted as promi- likely to obtain their just deserts by a jury of theirjeountry. In addition to Roosevelt street, who have long been sus; | the three previous charges of grand and petit larceny and Darglaryy two other complaints of rane larceny were preferred against them yesterday, and we now advise all ons who have purchiased any kind of property of them for the past two years, to come forward before the police and rs immediate information to officer Scally—as full disclosures have been made, and should stolen property be found in their ee ion, they will be held as ‘'Re- ceivers,” should it not be immediately restored in a legal manner. Through the energetic exertions of officer Scally of the Sixth Ward, three half chests of young hyson tea, valued at about $90, were found in the store of William Howe, 397 Bowery, which had been sto- len from the store of Isaac P. and Richard M. Jessup, 178 South street, and the re of Thomas Morrill, 290 at street, on the night of the 26th of November, and which Mr. Howe bad purchased of these notorious receivers of stolen goods for thirty cents per pound, being aboat half actual value. ‘The teahaving been fully identified, on account of its being a particular importation, the Hed- dens were fully committed on the charge of receiving sto- Jen goods knowing them to be such. . Tux Knirr.—The use of this instrument as a means of resenting wrong or committing an gression, is becom: ing so commonin our city that we shall soon be styled the Venice of America. A boy named Dykes stabbed @iother named Edward Donnelly, on New Year's Day, with a knife, om the thigh, inficting o large and severe wound, which, although not endangering life, will disa- ble the wounded boy for mony weeke. slight quarrel prompted this act, which might have caused the death of one of the parties and the consequent incarceration in the State prison of the other. Larp.—Staser Tarey Docs ano Orricen Jo.— Officer iat of the Fourth Ward, who has been recent- ly attached to the Lower Police, is well known to be a8 keen asa briar—quick as a Jew, and sharp as a pawnbro- ker, when business requires it. One Sam Phillips, ver: slily stole a keg of lard, yesterday morning, weighing 1 ‘orth $6, from the front of the store of James Scott, corner of South and James strects—hired a cartman to convey it to his door in Cross street, where officer Joseph tracked him, and as he was about paying the cartman eighteen pence for his trouble, slapped the thief on the shoulder, told the cartman to 1 up , and then landed the thief and the lard in the Tombs, for further or- ders, He also arrested two well-known rogues, named Joseph Hagan and Thomas Gillen, with two beaver cloth overcoats in their possession, which were soon afterwards claime Charles Stephenson, of 17 Chatham street who stated that they had been stolen from the hall of hi house but a short time previous, In addition to the above cases for a morning's work, officer Jo arrested and secured two dogs—one an elegant, spotted Newfoundland, and the other a white Poodle, that may have been stolen or coaxed from their masters. Officer Jo is a perfect non- descript in his versatility of police talent. He knows a thief by the first look—he can tell a stolen cout by the smell, and a lost dog by the wag of his tail, as this morn- ing’s business, here described, fully illustrates. “Srannino Ir.”—This is a term that, although theatri- cally technical, is also a flash term among thieves and burglars. The fancy store of Pelegrino F. Franchesi, of 299) Broadway, was “starred” on New Year's night by burglars, who cut out a pane of glass with a diamond, anc thus obtained entrance, from whence they stole a fan work box, two fancy china bottles, an opera glass, ani other articles, valued at $29. A boy named Thomas Hines was arrested, witha poran of the goods in his pos- session, and fully committed to answer the offence. Coroner's Office, Janu. 2.—Dr. Rawson, the coroner elect, was sworn into office on Mon and commenced the performance of his duties. We are pr pote rtia that he has engaged the services of Abner Milliken, the late Deputy Coroner, whose attention to the duties of the office, and courtesy to all whose business have brought him in connexion with it, has ever been a@ source of pubdlic remark. sn fact his assistance for the first year would be almost indispensable to any person assuming the duties of this arduous office, as Dr. ‘Rawson by expe- rience will soon learn. The unanimous wish of all the reporters of the public press of this city has been tendered to Dr, Rawson, in support of Mr. Milliken ; and we are happy tobe enabled to state that such an expression has received the attention it deserves. The principsl office of Dr, Rawson will be at the Halls of Justice in Centre street, although notices of cases for his attention, transpi- ring in the upper part of the city, may be Jeft at his resi- dence, at 961 Third ayenue, near Twenty-first street. On New Years’ , the reporters attached to the pub- lic press of this city, met atthe house of Dr. Archer, the recent incumbent of the office of coroner, and prevented a letter, tendering their respect and satisfaction at the courteous treatment received by them during the three years of his performance of the duties of coroner. He replied in a neat speech replete with grai fication for the compliment. Bunny 10 Dearu—During Monday morning Coroner Rawson was called to investigate the causes leading to the sudden death of two children, who were burned the night previous The first was that of the male infant child of James McGuire, of 192 M cece thaabpe named Thomas, aged eight months, whose clothes took fire during the temporary absence of the mother, whereby he was #o se- verely burned as to cause his death shortly afterwards. Verdict of Jury—'Death from accidental burning.” The second was that ofa female infant of SamuelP.Spies, 136 Division street, named Susan Amanda, aged sixteen months, who was also burned on the same Regy,, un ee circumstances, and the result was a similar verdict. ; Drowsep.—The body of a man, whose name is un- known, but from papers found in his pocket is supposed to be Bernard Carolan, late of Port Jervis, P. O., —— county, in this State, was found floating in the East Ri- ver,near BellevueHospital. A jetter was found in one of his pockets, addressed to the above name, and a memoranda containing the names of six of his children, named Catha- tine, aged 18—Jean 16—James 15—Ann 12—Peter 10, and Mary He was very comfortably dressed, the clothes being nearly new. On examination of the body no marks of injury were discovered, and the jury returned a verdict of “drowned from causes unknown.” Late From Haytt.—We learn by the Gardiner H. Wright, from Port au Prince, that when she sailed a fleet of fourteen or fifteen French vessels of war were lying in that harbor awaiting the pay- ment of the indemnity due France. Such a large Flag Ships Brks Brige Schs Stm’rs Gal'ts Sips Totat American 402 183 515 2881 3 1362 British 3 18 18) 3% - m7 French 438 4 —- = = = uw Bremen Cr 53 Norwegian — 5 6 Lo — = — R Swedisl 6B MW 2 - mm 4 Sicilian a 6 Hamburg 4 6 2-- - - n Danish —-- 6—-—- — = 6 Russian ee 2 Outch --- --=- 6 = 6 Belgian oe ae ie eon foc 4 Columbian — — 3 2 — = = 6 Napoitan — 2 2 = — — — 3 Prassian - 26 t—- — = 18 Texian -- =- 1- = = 1 Sardinian - = s-- -- 2 Ttalian es 2 Genoa -—-—- 1's ee = 1 Venezuela — - 2 —-—- = = 2 Spanish -_ = 3 t— - =— 4 fanoverian — 1 2 -—- = t1— 4 Mexican _ - 1- -_ = 1 Total 1843 439 232 789 355 8 3 1892 Total 1842 1960 Lens this year 198 Passengers arrived in— 1343 46,302 1842 74,989 Leas this year 28,647 ‘This exhibits some curious results. It was seen afew days ago that the number of passengers ar- rived in Canada from abroad, has fallen off this year on the same ratio, and this great decrease in emigration has been caused mainly by the repea) movements in Ireland, ‘leading the poor classes to auppose that a Paradise was opening at home, thereby staving off the necessity of finding one in this country. ‘ Exrenstve Fire.—The dry goods store of Wil- lett Denike, 245 Spring street, was consumed by fire yesterday morning about three o’clock. The fire was communinated by an incendiary, and the whole stock of goods, valued at $18,000, were destroyed Insurance about one third the amount. The build- ing belonged to T, G. Sellew, and was covered by widowed daughter who resided in the same parish, and | Wax saved. fleet indicated a determination to compel payment should the black philosophers at Hayti refuse to pay over the specie quietly, withont grumbling. More Particutars or tHe Murver.—The gold chain belonging to the watch of Captain Houseman, whose wife and child were murdered by his sister Polly Bodine, has been found in this city at a pawn broker's where she left it; also two sets of silver spoons taken from the house, and a breast pin. here is no doubt that she is the murderess. Amusement: Broapway Circus, at Ninto’s.—Here the rash continues, with undiminished anxiety to visit and revisit this splendid, unique, and, it must be generally ad- mitted, unrivalled exhibi oo of Pong ve! Je my ir Sor spective capacities possessing a charm of perfection that cannot be xcelled Mr. North’s re-engagement imme- diately expires, and we cannot too forcibly encourage all to avail themselves of the best opportunity of witnessing his graceful exertionsfin his various equestrian and panto- mimic displays. The bill for this evening is eminently attractive, Cuatnan Tueatre.—The Virginia Serenaders, the chief of whom is a Mr. Myers, eclipse all pre- decessors, and unite all the beauties of vocal and instru- mental harmonious melody with the dance. Mr. Myers, besides being a capital singer, ix a most exquisite perform- er on the violin, and in the course of his performavces gives a most extatic imitation of Ole Bull, as that great maestro exhibited himself at the Chestnut street theatre, Philadelphia. His performance at the Chatham theatre resulted in his completely electrifying the audience.— ‘The Serenaders will appear in to-night. % addition, the beautiful drama of the Jewess will al all its gorgeous parapher hich Miss Reynolds will appear as Clarissa, in, the Barrack Room. R. will to-morrow appear in the comedetta of “A, ‘on for Ladies.” Day Pervormances av rie Musrum.—General Tom Thumb remains a few days longer at the American Museum, and ali the attractions of the holidays are retained There will be splendid performances at three o'clock this afternoons + beg other Loe a i ppe in the living statues—one of his Uttle Thumb oppertes. ‘the Ladies’ Someritan Society Le insurance. The books of Mr. Denike were also | very best perforyances. “the Latiex Samaritan Society ; Hig nak a% the Museu | destroyed in the flames Not a vestige of anything | Ste holding 4 Faire a veen declared a week hs that the Staten island murder was committed by a female.