The New York Herald Newspaper, June 20, 1869, Page 5

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE, | ‘The Attempt to Christiauize the Constitu’ of the United StateeA Congregr View, nn) {From the New York Independer’ There is a class of persons in this ec —* tm number as compared with the w" — ae se 7 ah people, and, as we think, very far oan nting the view generally held by th represe! who denounce the constitut’ © Ce as athebstical and irene 98 Of the Uni st assert) 4/08 Decause it dees not pr eranit wrA c *"" gn of ‘some of the elementary doctrine of God —-“#M8Uan religion, especially the ‘The Reforme” and the Lordship of Jesus Christ. 4 Prex>yterians, who recently met at psig "gm tots State, illustrate the truth of this tion” of, a8 shown by their speeches and resolu- » ‘Wo them and all others of like faith we wish may one or two words, 4 The only passages in the constitution which make any reference to religion, directly or indi- rectly, are those in which the President, the mem- vers of both houses of Congress, the members of State legislatures and all executive and judicial ofMf- cers of the Uniled States and of the several States are required to be sworn into office by oath or aflirmation; which deny to Cougress all power to pass any laws “respecting an estaolishment 01 reli- gion or prohibitmy the free exercise thereof;? and which declare that ‘no religious test shall ever be Teguired as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United states.” ‘fhe oath or amMrim- ation ioferentially iivolves the doctrine of a Supreme Being. The restriction of the power of Congress and the exciusion of all religious tests guarantee religious liberty a3 against any encroachments by the national government and make unpossible the enactment of any law by Con- gress for the establisnment of religion, So the mat- ter stands as left in the constitution. ‘The impugn- ers of Unis instrument, as we understand ihem, find fault with it not on account of what it contains, but on account of What it does not contain. ‘They insist that at least some of the dogmas of the Christian re- ligion, especially two, should be formally announced as part of the fandamental law of the land; and to gain this end they propose an amendment of the constitution, In response to this theory, which we regard as es- senually false, we take the ltberty of saying that whe constitution of the United States 1s not, and is not in- tended to be, a religious creed to express the faith or deine the policy of the Chmisilan Church or any sect thereof. It 1s an ‘mstrument for the creation of civil government, designed vo “establish justice, insure domestic tran- uillity, provide, for the common defence, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of ho- erty” to the American people. This civil govern- ment exists in the name of the people, and derives all its just powers from their legally expressed con- sent, It is, moreover, not @ theocracy, created by any special intervention of God, and of which He is the civil head. It has no appointment of form, pre: Yogatives or powers, by the Author of Nature, be- yond those which inhere in the very constitution and necessities of civil society, It is just whab it professes to be—a civil government, and nothing More. It isnot a Church, w propound, propagate or enforce religious creeds; but a civil government to define and protect the rights of men im their Telations to euch other, considered as subjects and cilzens of the State. To say tnat the consti- tution under witch this government exists is atheistic and irreligious because it does not contain @ religious creed, either in whole or in part, would, im principle, be equivalent to saying that chemistry is atheistic and irreiigious because it does not in- elude in its analyses and syntheses the doctrine of God and the Lordship of Jesus Christ. A bank cor- Poxation or a raliroad company would be atheistic and irreligious for the same reason. We take it that finance is one taing and theology another, And so we hold that civil government is one thing and re- Ngion quite another. We hence confront the primary principle of these gentlemen with a square and positive denial. We aeny that it is the province of any civil govern- ment, unicss it cun make good its clan to the plenary attributes of a theocracy, to pre- scribe or eniorce any system of religious faith. It deals with men in the relations of time, and not those of eternity. So far as it enters tae feid of moral virtues, it contemplates them in their civic relations. ‘This, and this only, is the jegitimate province of civil government. The Moment it passes this boundary it becomes a usur- oer im theory, and almost always such in fact, Donsidercd philosophicaily it becomes an ubsurdity, ‘since no legal regulation or prescription can ever govern one’s religious faith, It may repress its ex- pression by the arm of persecution; but human law an never reach the thing iiseif, It ought not to reach it. The question involved is one that lies be- tween the individual soul and the God ot the soul, and got between the soul and the State, The civil power ts bound Lo protect the individual against all infrac- tion of his rigits, and then leave lim to adjust his own faith upon his responsibility to the God who made him, This is the only principle that can be reconciled with the inalienable rights of a personal conscience in application to religion. Reject it and bl aah doctrine of religious liberty is at once in rit. Perne sad experience of the world proves, as a ques- tion of consequences, that itis best for religion and best for the State that civil government should let religion alone, and leave its history to be determined by other influences. Hypocrisy, corraption, ambi- ton and persecution in both State and Church are the usual fruits of crowding religious creeds inio the constitution of the Siate, and extending the powers of the State into the bosom of the Church. here may possibly be some world in which the thing can be done with safety; but, if there be any truth in his- tory, this 18 not that world, All the advantages that have ever been gained by the process are more than a thousand-fold overbatanced by the evils resulting from it. We protest against the whoie idea in thesi, and we equally protest against it in the light of history. ‘There 18 no deeper plot of Satan than that which undertakes to commit the definition and regulation of religious faith to the civil power. ‘ihe further we keep from this idea the wafer for the whole people. We want no approaches to it. We accept no proposition which is the inci- tent stage of it. We like the constitution of the nied States, because it utterly absolves itself from all direct connection with the religion of the land ‘and ali the sects who profess it. There are, moreover, several grave questions that uv would arise in reducing the theory of these gentle- men to practice. How much theology would they have put inco the constitution? Precisely what are the theological dogmas to be incorporated in this governmental instrument? What use shall be made of them as integral parts of the supreme civil law of the land? Shall they be tests of qualification for office? What laws shall be enacted to give them a living expression? Shall they be merely ornamental beliefs, with no practical character; or shall they be officered by @ judicial and executive agency? We anticipate no little dificulty in the solution of these problems when we look at the composition of the American mind, the multiplictty and diversity of Chrisuan sects, and the large number of ple— some of whom are religionists—that belong to none Of these sects. ‘The people can agree—as we think by an overwhelming majority they do agree—that é constitution shall leave the question of reiepon. untouched. This 1s fair and just to all. But, if Le) were to undertake the work of a religious amend- ment, they could never come to any common under- standing as to the nature and contents of that amendment. The practice of the nation in regard to religion Ought to be sufficient to satisfy even the most zeal- ous Christians. While the government tolerates all religious beliefs, and authoritatively enforces Rone, it nevertheless points Christian the army and navy. The two houses of Congress elect chaplains to open their sessions with prayer. Governmental business is for the most part suspended on the Sabbath day. The Bible is used in the administration of a civil oath, The Ange rd of religious bodies are protected. In _ these the like ways Christianity, as the prevalent religion of the id, is recognized and Tespected, without any legal declaration. ratification or enforcement of its dogmas. Its influence upon the government ts felt through its influence upon the i] and, a8 we believe, better felt than it woul be it it were legal engralted upon the con- are —~ State. a AA be sumMcient, sie and a it can safe Teceive atthe of | nina ze genera) a8 @ part jon commend the soul to God,fand Which as the equities and philanthropies of earth benetit the State, is, after all, the best offering which a nation Can present to the God of nations, be Views of a Catholic Bishop. ‘The Catholic, of Pittsburg, publishes # lengthy pas- toral letter from the Bishop of Erie. The Presbyte- Mans come in for a good share of denunciation from the Catnotic, in a notice of the constitutional amend- Ment proposed to secure a recognition of the Deity in the organic law of the land. We quote a single extract that shows the spirit of the article:— bristianize our ony! to Ohristianize our fa are ata Caan aa orga Which the united eorts of Presoytert . ot fonghen antac Sh fs le of the land taat Pag conscience the f 8 if [i ga a2 7 i E 3 E 23 ae ae Ea i il 232 NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, JUNE 20, 1869.—TRIPLE SHEET. be @ the Cincianats Commy, cia’ gives this account of we services at the Friends’ meeting:— The very ati re of this congregation is re- dolent of neaven, as one of thelr speakers observed a few evenings ago, and the conversions are truly remarkable, Here aon and order reign. Charles F. Coftin takes the chair at three o'clock P. M., reads a chapter from the Bible, a few minutes are devoted to silent or oral prayer, as the case may be, when he informs the congregation that ‘sliort, concise statements will be heard from any person that de- sires to speak,” the young converts given prece- dence, and woe betide the old Soldier of the Cross who extends his remarks beyond the allotied time, or dligresses too tar from the subject before the meet- ing. On several occasions they have been reminded, 1m terms more emphatic than polite, that time was precious and the meeting must not be diverted trom the original! purpose—*winning souls to Curist.” Any person familtar with the peculiar manner of worship ludulged in by Frieuds would be asionisied to see the amount of excitement this outpourmg of God's holy spirit has caused in the membership, Nigot alter night old and young meet for the purpose of converting sinners, spend their time in prayer, sing- ing hymns and oiher devotional exercises, that a few short years ago would have been Gecmed impos sible within the walls of a Friends’ meeting house; but times are changed, and with them customs once held sacred are fast tosing vitality, soon to be num- bered with the dead, Their testimony against a “howling ministry” has faded out; cress and address have been reconstructed on a modern basis. In the Place of silent worship we have the mourner’s bench, the singing of hymns and the organization of class meetings. Ali these imnovatious have been blessed in a most remarkable mauner, fully justafying those that are inaugurating them to perse- vere, and silencing all opposition from the more con- servative element of the society, lest they should be “found tighting against God.” A Mrs, Frame is probably the most remarkable outgrowth of this ex- citement yet developed, Tall, graceful and com- manding in appearance, with a voice full of music, she canenchain and melt into tears an audience sooner than any person it bas ever been my pleasure to hear, Origimaily a Methodist. she joined the So- ciety of Friends because she conceived she liad 9 mission to perform in the mimstry that could be more successiully accomplished tn membership with that society than any other. Her success bas been remarkable. Presbyterians and Methodists are now vying with each other for the privilege of having her services to preach to their different congregations, The Methodist Episcopal Church, Sonth. The Nashville (Tenn.) Advocate gives the following statistical summaries of the above mentioned Chureh:— Total. White Cold. = Mine Conferences. Mems. Mems, Baltumore.. 19,873 Virginia.» 37,187 Western Virginia. 8,999 North Carolina... 186 34,117 South Carolina. 45,108 North Georgia 46 South Georgia Florida. Montgo! Mobile Louisiana. Mississippi . Memphis... Columbia. Pacitic Ilinois. Total in 1568. Total in 1869. Increase. . Decrease, . ‘There are 4,413 local preachers—an increase of 461. The total ministry, traveiliag and local, including also the nme bishops, number 6,917—ap increase during the year of 543, “Ritanlism Among Baptists.” Under this heading a correspondent of the Rich- mond Religious Herald speaks of what he saw and heard on the occasion of a visit at ‘one of the most elegant churches of that denomination in the great metropolis.” He says:— The services were introduced by an anthem, fol- lowed by a brief invocation. Then came a hymn and the “first lesson” from the Scriptures, followed by the reading of a psalm, after the Episcopal fashion— averse by the mtister and one by the congrega- ton, and so on alternately to the end of the psalm. Next came the prayer, at the conclusion of which we had a flourish on the organ. The collection was next taken, notices read and the sermon deiivered, concluding with a hymn and the doxology. The pastor of the church did not preside, so the regular order, we were informed, was violated, as it is the custom, we think, to read two “lessons’’ besides the “Pgalter.” Views of Episcopal Bishops on the Proposed Change in the Prayer Book. Bishop Bedell has published letters from six bishops of the Protestant Episcopal Church on the subject of Ritualism and a change in tne Prayer Book, suggested by Bishop Mclivaine’s recent letter in the Standard of the Cross. Bishop Henry W. Lee, of Iowa, says that “from the first the Ricualistic innovations have filled him with pain and apprehen- sion, and he has done what he could for their dis- couragement aud prevention. fe believes that they have a most erroneous tendency, and that they have done unspeakable injury to our beloved Church, and that the real teaching of the Prayer Kk, as well as its whole history, is against them.” He thinks, however, that the present seaaon of strife and controversy 18 a poor time for a calm and wise and deliberate revision of such a book as that pf Common Prayer. Bishop Albert Lee, of Delaware, heartily concurs in Bishop MclIivaine’s low church sentiments and advocates as a question of expediency an alteration in the Prayer Book, al- lowing the liberty of using aiternate forms, He thinks the discussion on these subjects has been harsh, captions and un: Bishop Manton East- burn, of Massachusetts, is still more cordial in ex- pressing his sympathy with Bishop McIlvaine, He also thinks the time unpropitious for a change of the Praver Book. Bishop Thomas H. Vail, of Kansas, thinks there need be no explanatory revisal oi the Ritual or Liturgy. Bishop Thomas M. Clark, of Khode Island, concurs heartily with Bishop Mcli- vaine, as do also Bishop Johns, of Virginia, and Bishop Wm. Bacon Stevens, of Pennsylvania, and Bishop Cummins. Evangelical Charch Dedications. {From the New York Observer.) ‘We have noticed accounts of dedications by the following Evangelical churches since publishing a similar list two months ago:— » PRESBYTERIAN. Town, Town. Oneonta, N. Y Roselle, N. J Cranford, N. J Nicholson, West Okaw, Li Franklin, Pa. + 60,000 Tunkhannock, Pa. 12,000 Winchester, Ohio.. 4,000 Nevada, Ohio..... —_ Lafayette, Ind.... 5,000 BAPTIST. lion, N, Y.. $7,000 Farmington, Mich Buffalo (Cedar st.), 29,000 Williamston, Mich Jami Le Teo eee _ + 60,000 ( poe) Mich. Lakeland, Minn... 2,600 Oakland, Cai.. Cedar Rapids, lowa 17,505 EPISCOPAL, New york city Cmmeinnatl, 0, (St. (Holy Gas James)... Columbus, = Ohi Fonda, N. Y. (Trinity) . Kalamatoo, Se as ese 0 — Stockton, Cal Kingston, Mo..... $2,800 The Anti-Secret Society Convention at Chi- cago. (From the Chicago Christian Freeman, June 17.) ‘The national convention opposed to secret socte- ties, and organized last yearat Pittsburg, met in this city on che 8th inst., and continued in session three days. The number in attendance was quite large, and embraced representatives for several diferent See, ey hae, a Dae pees jon. condenining in strong. terms all secret Ga. $26,000 orders for whatever purpose, and calling on Christiana every. ‘where to co: from ara, were Presented, waa present on W ty ne fore the convention in ‘terme nye for the comang year were isting: ofa lent, quite @ number of vice presidents, ar amin he anise eet other business attent bewween this and the annual ee Eory very notiveavie feature of the gathering was the great preponderance of gray. he: men, having an unmistakable ministerial look. The convention adjourned to ineet at Cincin- nati next year. Religious Notes, ‘The present numerical sirength of the Baptist de Homination im the United States, according to the Year Book, is 1,121,988, ‘T's shows an increase over last year of 12,062, The Chicago Theological Seminary has just con- ferred the degree of D, D. fof the tgst time giving it to Professor Timothy Dwight, of Yale College Di- vinity School. An Episcopal minister at Lafayette, Ind., has been publicly censured by his assistant bishop for attead- ing the “Black Crook.” His church, the wealthiest in the State, sustains him, It is stated that the Chief of the Cherokee Nation. Silas Wright, is @ Presbyterian preacher; the Chief of the Choctaw Nation. Lewis Downing, is a Baptist preacher. and the Chief of the Creek Nation, Samuel Chinote, is a Methodist preacher, The Rev, Dr. Thomas De Witt, the venerable se- nior pastor of the Collegiate Reformed (Dutch) chureh, has been chosen president of the New York Tistorte: oclety, He sneceeds the Hon, Hamilton Fish, who resigned on accepting the post of Secre- tary of State tn President Grant’s Cabipet. The Methodist Protestant has a leader repelling the assertion, 80 frequently made, that the Church Whose name it bears originated In a voluntary se- cession. The oryanizers of the Chureh, it says, were exvetied from the Methodist Episcopal Church for exercising the liberty of speaking and writing, and, Neing refused readmissiou, were compelled to form a Church for themselves, THE SWEDENBORGIANS IN COUNCIL, Fi‘tieth Anneral Convention—Fourth and Last Day—A Slight Breeze Between the Clergy and Laity—Election of Officers—Southern “Unionists” versus ‘*Rebels=—Finel Adjourns ment, The Convention assembled yesterday morning at ten o'clock, and after roll call morning service was had and then the journal of the previous session was read and approved. Rev. T1omAS WORCESTER desired the Convention to elect another person in his stead as president, and he asked it as a personal favor to himsel. ‘The report of the Michigan and Northern Indiana Association was received as to the condition and progress of Swedenborgianism in that diocese, read and placed on file. Subsequently some doubts were expressed as to the correctness of some of its state- ments, particularly in regard to the “society” of Swedenborgians at Laporte, in Indiana, and it was moved to have the report referred back to the Michigan delegation for correction, which was agreed to. Rey. Mr. BENADE, of Pittsburg, from the Commit- tee on the Manuscripts of Swedenborg, read a lengthy report detailing the arduous duties of Profes- sor Tafel, of St. Louis, in Sweden and England, ex- amining the manuscripts of Swedenborg, translating them into English, !arge portions of which had been published in the New Jerusalem Messenger of this city. The researches embraced:—I. Manuscript works, unpublished, the originals of which are still extant; A, Theological works; B, Scienunc works. II. Manuscript works, publisned, the origi- nals of which are still extant; 1, from the original manuscripts—A, Theological works; B, Scientific works; 2, from copies, of which the originals are still in existence—A, Theological works; B, Scientific works, III. Manuscript works, lost; 1, those of which copies have been preserved; 2, those of which no copies have been preserved. ‘The investigation into the manuscripts of Sweden- borg commenced in the end of September, 1868, in Stockholm, and finished in February, 1869, in Lon- don. The manuscripts are at present in four dif- ferent places. Some are in the keeping of the Swedenborg Society=borrowed in 1857 and 1859 by the society for the use of the late Dr. Immanuel Ta- fel, and after his death removed to London. <A por- tion is in the University Library at Upsala, one in the library in Linkoping and the remaining manu- scripts are in the Library of the Academy of Sciences in Stockholm, The history of the various manuscripts was obtained partly from the records of the Academy of Sciences in Stockholm, the archives of the Swedenborg Society in London and the papers of the Nordenskjéld family, preserved by the meiabers of the family in Berlin. It is farther proposed to procure photo-litho- graphic copies of a selected nuinper of these manu- scripts, at an expense of £500 for one hundred copies, to which seventeen subscriptions have al- ready been received. The trustees of the Rotch legacy fund have promised to contribute $3,500 to that object. The hope is expressed that turther search at the library of the Royal Academy at Stock- holm, Sweden, may suce in discovering the manuscript of Swedenborg’s great work on “Conju- gal Love,”? consisting of over 2,000 numbers, of which only the index is at present Known. The itlee was given as fol- lows:—Keceipts, $5,240; expenditures, $2,425 62; leaving a balance of $804 38, which, however, was diminished by the cost of foreign exchange, mak- ing a net balance on hand of $530, The Cuark (Mr, J, Young Scamman) stated that it bemg the last day of the convention the usual rule will be enforced, limiting the speeches to tive minutes. Soime remarks were made by Professor THrornt- LUS PARSONS against publishing photo-lythographice copies of such manuscripts of Swedenborg already in print. Mr. Benade exhibited such a copy of one of the manuscripts, consisting of a number of t graphical corrections, entitled, rrores Typographict und Lrrata Typographica, in Swedenborg’s own handwriting, of his works De Ultimo Judicio and Doctrina Nova Hiero Solyma, and also photo-lytho graphic copies of letters, and even of a@ whole work in the Swedish language. Some debate sprang up, during which Rev. Mr, BEAMAN stated that this was coming down to a mere literary ana wild scheme for wasting money, He was sorry that od money was ever expended on thissubject, Let the rich men who fancy this thing these. manuscripts, but the convention should employ its funds to better uses. The time having arrived—eleven A. M.—to proceed with the election of officers for the coming year, the ballots were received and the result announced in the course of the afternoon as follows:— President--Rev. Thomas Worcester. Vice Presitent—Mr. J. Young Scammon. Secretary Rev. T. B. Hayward. Second Secretary—Mr. Thomas Hitchcock. Treasurer—Mr. Robert L, Smith. Executive Committee—Rev. J. R. Hibbard, Iilinois; Oliver Gerrish, Maine; D. L. Webster, Massachusetts: Sampson Reed, Massachusetts; Rev. W.'H. Hinkley, Maryland; E. Laible, Michigan; Rey. J. P. Stuart, Missouri; Rey. New York in 8. Burnham, New York; Milo Hams, Oni W. H. Henade, Pennsylvania; B. F. Glenn, john Hitz, Washington, D. ©.; Glendy Burke, C. T. Dugham, South Carolina; Jacob L. New Urieans; Wayne, of Ohio. During the progress of the election it was per- ceived that trom the printed ballots, as distributed, the name of Herschel V. Johnson, of Georgia, nomi- nated for a member of the Executive Commi was left out and that of Glendy Burke, of New Orleans, substitated. ‘The cause for this was pri- vately rumored to have been that Herschel V. John- son, known as the Vice Presidential candidate on the Douglas ticket in 1860, was @ “rebel,’’ while Ga Burke was voucued for as a Union man, and though this was not stated publicly Johnson's stand: ing in the Church was cal arraigned, To overcome the .dimficulty, Rev. Mr. Hibbard, of Chicago, movea to increase the number of the Executive Committee tw twenty-one, which was adopted, yet Jonnson only received tweive votes out of seventy-eight. While the tellers were collecting the ballots, Mr. ISAIAH T. WILLIAMS, of New York, submitted the report of the New Church Tract Society, which was received and placed on file without being read. The poet numbers sixty-eight members, expended $605 during the year and retains a balance in the hands of its treasurer of $748. It has published and circulated three tracts in 19,000 copies each. A new constitution for the Tract Soctety was also submit- ted, explained by the committee and debated, and, On a vote, approved by the Convention; but before reaching the final vote a proposition to strike out so much as compels the Tract to withdraw any tract the doctrines of which are condemned by the Convention, was made by Kev. Dr. AGER, and de- bated, but lost, and instead of it, on m or Mr. Witiiams, the pi grant of power to the Convention was made still more positive and sweeping. During the debate on this subject, in which Messrs. Parsons, Perry, Ager, Hit Williams and others took part, it was claimed that the Convention should not form itself into an ecclesiastical council and sit in judgment on — of doctrine, but this view as siated, did not prevail. Mr. CYPHas Tompson, of New York, offered a resolution, which was carried, that it be recom. mended to the Tract Society to select tracts from the ES works of Swedenborg and publish them as c Mr. Josern PETTee, Of Massachusetts, by ave of the House, defended the minisiry inst some of the charges made against it during the de- me on parishes and dioceses, and offered the follow- ng — Whereas the office of the min! is a high one, solely be- canse Hexite forthe aake of me eth sus Important {eel weerens we Enow trom tbe Scriptures a8 explained Ay of the Ohureh that tn order properly office of the bean | ‘Ministers must hace a sincere hope of forming spiritual uses, must love euch uses for their own fake, and whereas coming into such love involves great self- denial, ‘and successful coniiicts with sel ‘and con- sequent! Can’ and sore en as we know from soe ous feelarattoy james ai Church, “Ye shal Iiodeed drink of my d be baptized witht m that I am baptized with,” therefore Resolved, That this Convention exten: cordial i that it recognizes with high duties and severe trials, and that it reyo! Soe aclen ee cee to on trom lhe Seem ane leord an aster, wi ta be ministered un! 10 min mer and to'give lis ife a ransom for many, nbd. who was at among us, not as one ‘meat, but as one that served, Professor PARSONS aime? all intention of bur the feeli of ‘mi niaters, and reagh eg hig sense their holy calitt Rev. Mr. HisBARD and other gentlemen @ out against thi Maniiested about “a” or “the’’ “priest! ee" and “dioceses,” 4c, s roe ia : concluded, Mr, Dea jew Yor! it gave Way I not near Mr, Hibbard aimed the Parsons, Who said he could not say that the ministers have to bear not only their own sins, but also the sing of the people, without en- tering is most solemn protest agatnst it. If that be the doctrine of the New Charch. he (Mr. Parsons) was not & member of that Church, which declaration, from its substance, a8 weil as the earnestness o| Protessor, created profoind sensation. Mr. DYkR said that this ia exactly what he himself wished to say, and surrendered the Noor. Mr. J. YOUNG SCAMMON, of Chicago, peiprieg him. self to be particularly atmed at py Rev. J. settee in bis rewarks and resolutions, made a reciation in Silver advocated the resolution and Rev. Dr. Giles protested against it as equally unjust as the remirks about the clergy had been, and becaase It appltes to to the whole ministry the characienstics of one or two men. Aiter some remarks by Rev. Mr. Rodman Rev, Mr. Hibbard explained his meening by the use of the sentence excepted to by dlessrs, Dyer and Parsons. The debate on the side of the clergymen, as weil as ly en, Was Very earnest, im matter as well a8 manner, and indicate] a decp-seated feeling on the subject, the outbreak of wien had but scarcely been sinothered, Though bidden, it woula not down, It broke forth, and threatens, when the matter }s to come before the Convention again in the coming year, io show quite a determined re istance of the laity to the suspected ambitious desires of the clergy. The vote was taken by rising, and the pre- amle and resolutious of Rey. Mr. Pettee were adopted unanimously, A recess was then taken of one hour for junch, Afternoon Session. The first business transacted after recess was’a resolution authorizing the Execative Committee to appoint an Assistant ‘Treasurer to act in the contin- geney of the continued iliness of the ‘treasurer. After some further routine business Dr, THAYER, of Richmond, Indiana, made a statement, by leave of the House, of the extent of his missionary labors in thatState. At Richmond he organized a congresa- tion and paid for a minister, and had the preaching in his own house, giving one-tenth of his income to the cause. They are now buildmg a churen, but thev needed further aid. Rev. Mr. JORDAN, of Salem, Mass., made asimilar appeal to the Convention in betialf of the “society” in that city. While he was speakng a collection was taken up for the fund of the Sabouth School Society, which yielded a handsome amount. On motion of Rev, Mr. HINCKLEY, of Delaware, the application of the Georgia Association for aid for mussionary purposes was referred to the Board of Missious. He also moved that the next meeting of ‘he convention be heid at Chicago, Friday, June 17, 1870, Mr. B. F. Glenn, of bt paige on proposed to substitute Philadelphia in piace of Chicago, whicn was agreed to. Another mouon, to change we day to Wednesday, June 15, 1870, was made, but after- ward withdrawn for a motion to insert the 3d of June, which, by 31 noes aainst 29 ayes, was voted down. Another motion to insert the 10th was also voted down, and the resolution, as originally pro- posed and amended, was passed. Rev. Mr. HINCKLEY aiso offered the following, as coming from tlfe Executive Committee:— ® Resolved, That the following by-laws be added to the by- Jaws and numbered section 1:— There shall be a Board of Mission, to be composed of one member from each association represented in the convention, ‘and to be chosen in the same manner as the Executive Com: mittee, whose duty it be to provide for the missionary wants of the Church in such places as are not provided by the several associations, The proposition was laid aside for fature action. The question of the photo-lithographic manuscripts of Swedenborg was again taken up, and Colonel Jaines, of Ohio, spoke in favor of obtaining them. Mr. SAFFORD, of Chicago, offered resoluuons of thanks 1n the following terms:— Resolved, That the thanks of the General Convention be communicated to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for numerous courtesies extended by that body to Professor R. L, Tafel and assistance in the mission witn which Pro- fessor Tafel has been charged by this Convention. Resolved, That the General Convention thank Messrs. Kleming. Royal Librarian at Stockholm, and Ablstrand, Assistant Librarian in the Royal Library'and Librarian of the Academy of Science, for the great personal interest which they have taken in the mission of Professor R. L. Tafel, ana the numerous courtesi¢s and great help they have extended to him. Resolved, That the Convention present to the Royal Library of Stockholm a complete copy of all its publications. These resolutions were agreed to and the report made in the morning on the subject was adopted and the committee continued. The several standing committees which served last year, with but few changes, were reappointea for the present, the members of the Committee on Ecclesiastical Affairs being nominated by the deie- gations of the several associations. Rev. Dr. GiLus, of New York, submitted the fol- lowing proposition from the Executive Commit es — Resolved, That a board of six managers, of which the pre- sident fof the theological achool shail be ex-ollicio a member in addition, shall be appointed by the general convention, to which board shall be entrusted the care and conduct of the theological schoo. Resolved, That when the Board is elected, the six members shall divide themselves into three classes by lot, numbere 1, 2 and 3, the first ot which shall serve one year, the second two and the third three years, and that hereafter two new mem- Dera be elected annually to serve for three years. The resolutions were adopted, a committee of three was appointed to nominaic candidates for memoers of this poard and also for the Board of Missions. Resotutions of thanks to the Swedenborgians of New York for the generous welcome and hospitality with which the members of the Convention from a distance were so cordially entertained, were unani. mousiy passed, . A proposition to Fg coon: three hundred dol- lars to assist Rev. A. 0, Brickmann, of Baitimore, in continuing his German pubiications, was referred to the Executive Committee for action, and the same course was had with a number of other resolutions. A motion to prohibit the suspension of a minister, except on written charges, copies of which should -be communicated to the accused, introduced by Mr Thomas Hitchcock, was referred to the Executive Comulttee, Rev. Dr. THOMAS WoRcESTER, from the special Committee on Nominations, reported the following candidates:— Board of Missions.—The Rey. Samuel F. Dike, Bath, Me.; the Rev. Chauneey Giles, New York; the Rev. Willard G. Day, Baltimore; the Rev. J. R. Hib- bard, of Chicago; the Rev. James P. Stuart, of St. Louis, Mo., and A. O. Brickman, of Baltimore, Ma, Managers af Theological School.—Rev. Messrs. Chauncey Giles, James P, Stuart and Wm. B, Hay- den; and Messrs. J. Young Scammon, Sampson Reed and Milo G. Williams, On motion of Dr. GiLEs the resolution for the elec- tion of a Board of Missions was reconsidered and amended, making it to consist of five members and striking out the provision for their election in the same way as the Executive Commuttce, namely, by ballot, and thus amended it was passed, and the nominations recommiited to the Special Committee. The nominouons for managers of the Theological School were agreed to unanimously, and President Worcester appoiated the same genulemen on the Board of Missions as nominated by the committee, except the last named, the Rev. A. 0. Brickmann. Rev. Mr. Day offered resolutions of condolence on the “removal to the spiritual worid” of Rev. Dr. Fonerden, of Baltimore, which were adopted unani- ae a rising vote. The Board of Missions asked for an appropriation Of $3,000, of which $1,000 was Wanted immediately, and Rev. Dr. GILEs explained the use 1t is proposed to make of this aye lor wpe mores purposes. A new standing order was adopted, that hereafter no change of the constitution or bylaws shail be made unless the proposed change shall have been first referred to the Executive Committee. A committee of two was appointed to ratse fands immediately for missionary purposes. The Com- mittee on Foreign Correspondence were granted leave to report to the Executive Committee instead of tothe Convention. A number of subjects referred to the Ecclesiastical Committee last year were again so referred, with instructions to the committee to report to the next Convention. ‘here being no further business before the Con- vention, the assistant secretary, Mr. Thomas Hiteh- cock, read the journal of the day’s proceedings, which was approved, and, after appropriate devo- tignal exercises, the convention adjourned sine due. Evening Proceedings. In the evening there was a general meeting at the temple on Thirty-fiith street, near Lexington ave- nue, to take into consideration the general state of the Church of the New Jerusalem. Mr. lsatah T. Williams, of this city, occupied the chair. Short, but very effective, addresses were made by Join Westall, of Massachusetts; Oliver Dyer, of New York; Rev. W. H. limnckiey, of Delaware; Professor Theophilus Parsons, of Neetage F. A. Dusen, of Massachusetts; Rev. Chauncey Giles, of New York; William W. Niles, of New York; Rev. John C. Chat- terton, of New Jersey, and Rev, T. P. Rodman, of Philadelphia. Mr. George F. Root, the author of the well known war song, ‘‘Raliy Round the Flag, Boys," assisted at the organ. TERRIBLE FIGHT WITH A HORSE. From the Eaton Rapids (Mich.) Journal.) rge Hamlin, of this place, bad a very nar- row escape from death on Sunday morning last. It seems that: the |: black stallion owned by Hamlin & Wellman had become unruly on Saturday afternoon, but after a conflict with him Mr. Hamiin had considered him subdued. On Sunday airy 3 however, while he was being fed and taken care of, watched’ an nity, and rushed at Mr. Hamlin, catching him by the head with his month, aud tn- flicting a severe bite, tearing the scalp loose from the skull, and rupturi the temporal artery which runs over the head. 18 go stunned Mr. Hamlin that he had begun to fall, when the horse would no doubt have ge him to deat at moment, when the horse w: the hostier ran into the stall not however, before he had again bitten Mr. Hamlin several times on the arm and shoulder. The blow grea the horse partlally stunned him, and enabled ir. Hamim to out of lis reach. Mr. Wellman, pene ot the , Undertook to punish the horse, when the animal made tor him, and seized him by the waistband of the pants, reared Na with him, not letting go nis hold until clubs, and then completety Wellman. Again in the afternoon of Sunday last he got loose and out into the barnyard, when it be- came necessary to actually choke him down by means of a slip noose befure he woul Fey any one to get within reach of nim, pering. choking rocess his irenzy was fearful to witness, as he sled to get hold of those nearest to him. Mr. $ Coat IN THE Pactric States.—The Ava oe twelve dollars in currency. sold at Omaha at for twenty-seven and one-haif dol- larayper ton, but the mines, it red, will A BOARDING HOUSE AFLOAT. How the Harber Police are Fed—Stariling Revelations-Tke Men Starved—One Dollar and a Half per Pound for Butter—‘Sea Pie? and “Lobscouse”—Uicerated Ham Served Up=Examination Before the Police Bonrd. In the HERALD of Friday there appeared an ex- clusive report of one or the most amusing and important examinations that has ever been held at the Central Police Office, For @ long time Captain’ Hartt has been in charge of the Harbor Police, whose headquarters are afloat on the old shell that passes for a police boat under the name of the “Metropolitan,” and whose duties are Supposea to be to patrol the river and harbor, pre- vent the robbing of vessels at the docks, arrest river thieves, and in case of fire at the docks render assistance to the Metro- politan Fire Department in saving property and life. For mavy months complaints of the mal-ad- ministration of the Harbor Police have poured in upon the Commissioners from various quarters—cit- izens, members of the force and oMicers of the Fire Department, Among these were the charges that a recent fire on the Jersey shore, Captain Hartt, com- mander of the Metropolitan, got his vessel under steam, passed the scene of the fire on his way up the river, rendered no assistance, ordered the vessel to Fort Washington, where he disembarked, and then instructed a subordinate to return and assist in quenching, the fire. It is alleged that in consequence of the delay caused in escorting the Captain to his home at Fort Washington the vessel was unable to render necessary assistance at the fire, and conse- quently serious losses were sustained. The second complaint is that at a recent fire on the Brookiyn shore the vyessei and its force were promptly on duty, and rendered signal service. The captain bemg absent a handsome present was sent to the Harbor Police to be divided pro rata among those who assisted in saving property. The Com- missioners allowed the present to be received, but by some means the Captain compelled his share to be quietly deposited upon his table. fhe other and more serious charges are that for a long time tne captain, who bas been the contractor for providing the messes of the vessel, has fed the members thereof on rotten potatoes, diseased meat and in- terior food generally, charging from $1» to $20 per month fog this inferior fare, tat others offer to im- prove upon it for $14 per month per man, and give the best of fare. On Thursday last, at the preliminary examination, ten or twelve members of Captain Hartt’s command were examined, nearly all of whom sustained the allegations regarding the character of the larder. Sergeant voyle’s evidence has already been given in the HERALD as above recorded, On Friday, at ten o’clock, a final exam!nation was had as to the food, when the first witness called was Sergeant Kelly, who, on being sworn, stated, in answer to queries by Commissioners Manierre and Brennan—t have been on the boat about three years; on Monday the fare is for breakfast beef- steak of avery inferior quailty; for dinner corned beef bash, which is hashed up cold for supper; on Tuesday tmorning we someumes have ham and eggs, ch man having avout half an egg pounded out flat to cover @ great deal of space and make ashow. On fuesday we get beet- steak and potatoes; sometimes, but very rarely, they are good. The hash is made of beefsteak aud ages On Wednesday we have stews, very tough, for breakfast; for dinuer sea ple made of potatoes, dumplings, water and onions; for supper sea pie warmed up. On Thursday for breakfast beefsteak and potatoes; for dinner we get soup that is very poor; day before yesterday 1t was very good. Fri day we get mackerel for breaktast, also potatoe: for dinner cold hash and bread, and pudding occa- sionally; for supper anything that is left over, On Saturday we receive beeisteak and potatoes, and bad ham and potatoes for dianer; for supper coid ham and molasses. On Sunday our fare is beeisteak and potatoes for breakfast, for dinner roastbeef and daft, Brennan—What is duff? A. It is made out of flour and raisins, but very seldom raisins are put im. T have very often heard she men complain of aa in- sufficiency of food and its inferior quality. I have never complained to the captain for the reason that it 18 understood he will order ail complainants to be transferre: Captain Hartt took the witness and succeeded in eliciting the tact that his relations with the crew had always been friendiy, and that other parties bad offered to supply the mess at $14 per month with better fare. Thé sergeant swore that hams filled with ulcers had been served tothe men, and tnat frequentiy they had refused to touch it and iad gone out to get some food to appease their hunger. Roundsman Jeffrey gave similar testimony, de- claring that most of the ume the food had been of a very inferior quality, and sometimes served in such small quantities that the men went out hungry. tte had failed to complain to the captain, as it was weil understood that all men compiaiaing would be transferred ashore. Several times the cravings of his stomach had compelled him to go out vo resiaur- aunts and buy food. Patrolman James Hogey also gave similar testi- mony. He had heard the men complain of an m- sufictency of food and its bad quality. His evidence confirmed previous witnesses, that rotten potatoes, diseased hams and bad sea pie had been served up. The sveward of the vessel, Charlies Magemeo, was next called. His evidence, given in a very lucid manner, showed that the supplies for the boat were turnisued by a grocer who had a private arrange- ment with Harct. Jt was his custow, by order of the captain, to give the er an order three times week for supplies. Frequently he would order four dozen eggs and the grocer would supply two and a half dozen, charging te messes full rates for the same. He had weighed beefsteak alter giving an order to the grocer, and it was not unfrequentiy five or six uads short in weight. He had reported these discrepances to Captain Hartt, who ordered him to economize as much a8 possible and keep the cost of the messes at a low figure. On one occasion he ordered from the grocer six pouads of butter, for which he charged $1 50 per pound, and it was entered on the book, ior the information of the messes, ‘butter, nine dollars.’ The steward gave otner amusing evidence showing up the schemes and tricks resorted to to deceive the men, which were very damaging to the landlord of the Metropolitan steamboat. Patrolman Patrick Kelly, brother of it Kelly, gave very damaging evidence, in which he susiained the charge that tne men were fed on dis- eased meats, rottea potatoes, aud in quantities in- suMicient to allay hanger. Patrolman W. E. Eastwood's evidence was equally emphatic im sustaining the complaints. The quality e food was horrible and the quantity greatiy in- sufficient. Those who came to the secund tabie often secured nothing. Patrolman John J. Doyle’s testimony was ‘Time and again the food was uniit to eat, and he had gone on @ six hours’ detail so faint that he was unit for duty in consequence. men Henry Shaw, Kelly and others gave siurilar testimony, all ow that the to sh men were starved, but all admitting, on cross examination, that they believed the captain was nest man. One of the witnesses prosecution, all Falned the mata charge a8 to the “Police in Hartt called for the defence three mem- versot the force, who months Sf0 were detailed for hore duty, all whom Probable Attempts Release Yerger by Force—Arrival of a Reinforcement Troope—The Trial. (Jackson, Miss. (June 17), © nati Commercial. A report was in circulation here Corhoods whose su) poset o object im the Teleage and some Ro woo are in confinement tween rears re R. Bisler, Chief of Pollce, testified to getting the Gitk frou Jonn K. Yerger, encte of B. Me Foceee the ‘The cane carried by Colonel Urane was introduced identified. It is @ light, elastic rattan, less than half an inch in diameter. W. 8. Freeman testified to finding the following in Colonel Crane’s coat pocket Bis death:— joonrn G. On. Te ou mle tn'larobe by AN | all military baer aT me instanter on the It was on letter paper, plainly ve Sxetabiy written, and the words “military protection” “imetanter” were heavily Med, 5 LITERATURE. Reviews of New Books. HAND Book or THe River PLaTrz, By M. G. & E.T. Mulhall, New York: Collins & Bros. 1869, To those who purpose emigrating to the countries lying on the river Platte this book will be found of great value, It is the work of a citizen of Buenos Ayres, and appears to be quite full and trustworthy. The Argentine Republic, Republic of Uruguay and Paraguay are described, their chief cities, agricul- tural and other resources stated and the chances for immigrants fairly told. The book throughout con- tains much imformation of importance. In spite of domestic and foreign wars it is pleasant to Jearn that the number of immigrants into the Argentine Confederation increased from 4,658 in 1858 to 23,600: in 1867, ‘The materia! wealth of the countries is also. Mmecreasing with rapidity, except, probably, in Para- guay, where the war is waging. Altogether this ok gives us @ better idea of the river Platte re- publics than any other recent publication does. TRow’s New York Crry Dirgcrory, compiled by A, Wilson. Vol. LXXXIIL, for the year ending May 1, 1870. New York: John F. Trow, publisher. Tue BROOKLYN Crry AND Business Drrecrory for the year ending May 1, 1870, contaiing also a street and avenue directory and an appendix. Compiled by George ¥, Lam. New York and Brooklyn: Lain & Co. HOLBROOK’s NEWARK City Direcrory for the year ending April 1, 1870. Newark: A. Stephen Hol- brook, publisher. The value of these annuals to the citizens of New York, Brooklyn and Newark, a8 well as to strangers visiting those cities, has been recognized during the period of time they have been published, It could scarcely be expected that they would be free from errors of all kinds, but every year the tom- pilers approach nearer to perfection. The New York Directory contains 199,443 names, being an in- crease of 3,692 names over the number in last year’s directory. This fact shows the growth of the city im a single year, rather imperfectly, it will be admitted, out sufliciently cor- rect to satisfy those who claim for the metropolis a steady progression in population. ‘ne Brooklyn Directory contains 79,243 names, an increase of 4,291 names over last year. It is admirably compiled and contains several new features. which greatly add to its value. The inc number of names in the Newark Directory is 2,000, As usual, each volume contains everything of importance re- garding the municipal governments of the three cities, and will, on the whole, be found a valuable compendiom of information. Tuey are all neatly printed and bound. OFFICIAL RAILWAY MANUAL OF THE RAILROADS OF NortH AMERICA for 1869-’70. By James H. Lyles. New York: Lindsay, Walton & Co., publishers. This Manual is admirably compiled. It contains the official reports of all the railroads on the Con- tinent, “showing their fnancial condition, mileage, cost, earnings, expenses and organization, together with a list of the railroads of the world.” There are 62,917 miles of railroad in the United States, of which 42,272 are open and in operation. The total cost of the roads and their equipment has, so far, been $1,853,704,041. The book 1s excellently printed on tunted paper and is neatly bound in blue. Miscellaneous. We have received from Messrs. D. Appleton & Co. “The Dead Guest; a Mysterious Story,” by Heinrich Zschokke, translated from the German by George C. McWhorter, M. A. The book really contains two stories, of which “The Dead Guest’ is one and “The Eccentric” is the other. Both are tolerably interest- ing, but are scarcely worthy of a piace in the Messrs, Appleton’s “Library of Choice Reading.” From Harper & Brothers we have received a copy of their paper cover edition of ‘The Newcomes,”” by ‘Yhackeray. The book is profusely illustrated, ana is admirably printed. The price of the edition is almost ludicrously small, and this fact will doubtless give lt a large circulation. Both volumes of the work are i the book before us. The July Magazine. The Galaxvy.—This magazine is unusually good. “Pat Yourself in His Place’ is continued and grows more interesting with each new chapter. ‘Our Im- pending Chinese Problem,” “A Ligut Man,’’ “Our Great Farmers,” “The Practical View of Spiders’ Suk,” and “The Last Chapter in the History of the War” are papers of more than ordinary merit. The Galaxy miscellany contains two good pa pers, “Wno Discovered the Hudéon” and “The Gastronomical Almanac—July.”” Mr. John 8. C. Abbott continues to write about Louis Ph ilippe. We do not suppose there is a magazine In the United States for whica he has not wrilten something on the same subject. In “Literature and Art” there is an articie on the authorship of ‘Beautiful Snow,” in which the writer claims that Wm. Andrew Sigourney wrote it, We are assured that it was written by William EB. Mc- Masters in 1864, and the same vear first published in the Syracuse Republican, Who ts the real author? Putnam’s Monthly is above the average, and is probably the best number that has been published during the past six months, An article entitled “Our Established Church” is well written and quite entertaining, but exaggerates facts and gives to them an importance they do not possess. The writer is an evident Know Nothing. “Anchored Of Bing- hamton,” “Victor Hugo aud the Constables,” “The Lim Ee! Nature” and “Shy Friends,”’ are very re le papers. ‘The stories are dull, and the poe- try of of ary merit. Packard's Monthly contains a spicy article by Miss Olive Logan on ‘The Nude Woman Question,’’ some interesting “Reminisceaces of the Drama,” and a capital article on “The Philoiogical Quack,” by Jasper Hazen Johnson. The last named ts the best paper in the magazine. ‘Can Woman Keep a Secret?” is a question asked by Emily L. Bissell, and answered by the author. The other papers are short and interesting. ‘Courtship and Wedding of General Tom Thumb and Lavinia Warren” is unworthy @ place in any magazine of respectability. Lippincow’s Magazine opens with the first chap- ters of Trollope’s new novel, “The Vicar of Bull- hampton,” bat we cannot judge whether it will prove an interesting story. ‘The Annexation of Nova Scotia” is a well written paper, as {8 also “Inside a Chinese Gambling Hell."’ “The Philosophy of Absurdity” is quite entertaining. “The Devil's Cave,” ge eel samen aie “Our Relations With England” ai Art of Sleep” are the remaining contributions of note. ether Lippin- cott's Magazine for July is an admirable number. Our Young Folks.—This charming monthly for the young 1s, as usual, most entertaining. “The Story of A Bad Boy” is continued. “Lawrence ina Coal Mine,” “In the Happy Family,” “The Unsoci- Colt,” “Navigation and Discovery Before Co- Tamban’ and “The Witham Henry Letters™are sae mirable papers. The remainder of its contents com- prise several otner articies of interest, ‘The Charleston Nevns of the 16th: has an article ot. We quote the divided, some having im in 1807-88 should. however, bo necessary. Will, it ts believed, be raised than ever be- of the State will more likely of 18689. The in- ad the iberal. tse. of fertil. K. ON re, in the abdo- hip, the ball passing through rings the viscera, Oxford aud varrish likely to recover, the former being put ia 1 - By. ee ‘omnis founds on Suad: sc Lowtsvile Journal June 1 7