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alone, ia responsible foi her views, as wellL a* for her acts. Hat, it may be said.'ther niinistei, it is lobe presumed, is Acquainted* with the views of tiie church and would p faithfully represent them. This is to as- J some what is not always found to he trne. I There would, at least, be two uncertainties] in the case; for, first, the minister might; not be acquainted with the views of the| church—a case that not unfrequently oc- j curs—and, secondly, if he weie, he might willfully misrepresent them—a case that also sometimes happens. It yvould not ex- ! culpate an individual, when arraigned end convicted of holding pernicious doctrines, ] to plead, that your minister had represent ed that your views were of the same caste with his own. !X. The argument may be summed up lints:—lt is a duty, which a church owes to her God and herself, to preserve peace xvithin her borders; but in order to preserve peace, it is necessary to preserve unity of sentiments; and in order to preserve unity of sentiments, there must be an interchange of views between the chtirdi and individu als applying for incorporation with it; and in order to edict such an interchange, the church must make a public declaration <>l her faith. By a similar train of reason ing the same tiling may be proved from the injunctions to preserve the purity of the tflwrrJi- It may further he shown, that the church owes it, not only to herself, but to those who may. from time to time, desire to unite with her, to make such a declaration. For the. Christian Index. Brother linker —A friend, a reader of the Index, in a private letter, expresses a desire to know your views as to the course to be pursued by a church, whose decorum requires its members to attend every con ference whether stated or occasional, mulct the following cireumslances : A member, without apprising the church of hi? inten tion, offers for some petty office which he knows will require his attention on his reg ular conference days. When some time has elapsed after his election he sends the church word that he is in office and cannot attend. Please give your views through the Index, if you think the subject of suffi cient importance. Remarks. —We are not prepared to an swer definitely the query of our corres pondent. The case supposed is one that must be affected by circumstances. We must ennsidet. 1. The character of the office. Is the of fice of such a character as to tender it desira ble that it should bo filled by’ a Christian? If its duties cannot he as well performed by others, then we should give up, for a time at least, our claims upon a member for the public goorl. 2. Do lire duties ol the office necessari ly require the attention of the one who ‘boras it at till: pMfffcdlnr seasons at which the meetings of the church are field? If so, a church member should reflect and pny much before lie seeks that office, and should he fully persuaded in his own mind that God calls him to (ill it; or, that lie can better glorify God, bv attending to the du ties of such civil office, than by attention to those of a church member. The scrip tnres expressly teach that, in all our under takings, wo are to inquire the will of God and be influenced by a regard for hi ft g/ 0 - r ,V, *'*•] toil by a view of our own secuhii interests or worldly Jhonor, To sacrifice t!ie interests of the church and our own spiritual welfare, for the sake of the emolu ments of any office, is to act the part of j Judas—it is to sell our Lord for sordid gain. 3; The circumstances of the individual who Imids the office should be considered. It he can by no other lawful means obtain support for himself or family, we should think he was perfectly justifiable in seeking the office. God certainly designs that his children shall be fed and clothed, whiiejihey are kept on eaitli. If, therefore, he de prives them, by his providence, of every means of support but one, he certainly thereby indicates, with sufficient clearness, die path of duty; ond no one could fora moment think of censuring the individual, who availed himself of the only means within his reach ol providing things ‘.hon est in the sight of all men.” Hut rarely, if ever, is un honest man reduced to such a strait that he can provide honestly for himself only in one way. A Christian should not aspire to civil of fices unnecessarily, for the following rea sons. 1. Thev'nccessarily throw him into ev il company ami expose him to many and stiona: temptations. If he voluntarily, (i. c. without a necessity for it.) enters upon the duties of a civil oflice, we cannot see bow it is possible for him to pray, in the sincerity of liis heart, “Lead me'uot into temptation.” 2. U o never knew one who had much to do with civil offices, who did not suffer thereby a serious loss in spiritual things-—i We have known good brethren— brethren tn whose Christian character the religions | portion of the community had great confi dence— engage in civil offices, but ue nev er knew one such that did not acknowledge nnd ileplofb the unfavorable influence which his civil office exerted on his spiritual en joyment. Wc have often heard such ex press (hep regret foi the necessity which compelled Hu m to seek and hold their of .flee. aiuMieiml them pleading the burden of eU ; u S for their ‘•Veiigious tliffiJL {} 1 <f their; then, that I the holding civil offices is unfavorable to spiritual mindedness and reflect on the dee h|rafh>flj! in Ilom. 8. 6, “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually mind ed is life and peace.” 3. The holding civil offices unnecessary-1 ly diminishes one’s influence over the un godly, Christians may excuse him, and continue to repose confidence in his chris -1 tUn character; blit the world at large, if j they admit him to be a Christian, will view him as a worldly minded one, and will pay | but little regard to his admonitions. His example will he pleaded to justify their in ordinate attention to the things of this world. Many of them will view him as a mere hypocrite, who makes a profession of reli gion only to secure wot Idly ends. 4. Attention to the duties of a civil office must necessarily engross much ofone’s time and thoughts, and, consequently, lessen the time allowed him for the discharge of his domestic and closet duties, and for prepar ing for eternity. This consideration should have great weight with the Christian. Ap proach, iri his dying hour, the Christian who has preserved himself most free Ironi the encumbrances of the world, and you will hear the voice of complaint mingled with his expressions of holy aspiration and his exclamations of praise. Hut of what does he complaint ? Is it that lie did not aspire to worldly offices more ? O no—it is shat lie suffered the world, with its cares, to oc cupy so much of his time and attention and leave so little for God. Many have regret ted, in their dying hour, that they have de voted so mueh of their lime to civil matters; but we never yet heard of a dying Christian, who regiettcd that he had not aspired more after worldly offices—-that he had held so few in life. 5. The oracles of God hold out much encouragement to those who give up all for Christ, and devote all their lime and en ergies to his cause ; but none to those who aspire sifter worldly preferment. It is true, a voice speaks too to them ; but it is not a voice of encouragement; it is a voice of warning. “My kingdom,” says the Sa viour, “ is not of this world.” Jno. 18: 36. ‘‘Noman can serve two masters. ’’ Mall. 0: 24. “Ilow can ye believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the hon or that comctli from God only.” Jno. 5 : 44. “Yo know that they which are ac counted to rule over the Gentiles, exercise lordship over them ; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not bo among you,” &r. Mark x. 42, 43. ** Let the dead bury their dead.” Matt. 8 : 22. The Christian is taught to “ keep him self unspotted fiom the world.” Jas. 1: 27, la “4uvu . juit tko Avutltf, neither the things that am in the world.” I J„o. 3: 15—that ” dm Iriendsliip of the world is enmity with God,” and “the friend of tiie world is the enemy ol’ God.” James 4: 4. Can a man secure office without seeking that which God declares to be enmity with him—“the friemlsh p of the world,” and placing hint self m the attitude of an enemy of God ? Again, let the aspirant for worldly offices reflect on those passages ofSeripture, which represent the Christian as being dead to the world, and on the conduct of the early dis ciples, who gave up all for Christ, aban doned their civil offices and their worldly avocations, and followed Inin “The Spir it of Christ,” which il'a man has not he is “ none of Iris,” and which the word of God teaches us to cherish, will never lead one unnecessarily to usptre uncivil oflico. Our observation of lhe%effects of civil office on Christian character have not been very limited, We have enjoyed pecu liarly lavorable opportunities for making them, and the conclusion at which we have arrived is, that nine tenths— three fourths at least, of those who manifest an ambition lor civil office, are a reproach to the cause of Christ; and that fully., one half of those who follow long where their ambition leads litem tall into evil and subject themselves to the censures of the church. Satan led the Saviour to the summit ol a mountain, and again placed him on a lofty pinnacle of the temple, that lie might present his temp tations before him in the most alluring loini: for the same end does lie, in the sent day, conduct the disciples ol tliat Sa viour lo the high places of the earth, where the scriptures represent that “wickedness” abounds. Beware, professing Christian, j l,ow y° u B >'rt'cr yourself to he led there, ; lest you be east thence down to bottomless I perdition. Have we slated one fact that is not true? Not one; yet many will reject our views. Win ! Because they conflict with their practice. Let such read and reflect seri ously oil Jno. 3. 19, 20. From the Christian Secretary. Dialogue respecting oiir Minister. Mr. A. Good morning brother B I am glad to see you. Dea. E. lias just told ine that our minister thinks lie must leave ,us when his time, is out. I am heartily sorry we cannot fcwep him: he is rejtainlv j a worthy man, aiurprenobes well, and l do i ttol think we shall do heller than to secure Ins labors another year’ Mr. 0. Hut what is the matter with our pastor now? 1 thought he did not like these frequent removals. Keally, it sui prises me, that lie should talk of leaving us. He certainly cannot expect! to find a better place, and you know it cost£ eonsid erable to pull up stakes and move every two or three years. ‘’lt looks to measj though luTditWieei very thankful f pr the ! jgfiSSHßSSßgßSggSßSggggjSgggM.nstant many good things the people afe am j n t his ly g v ing him here, for him to aim jßikintZ Mr. D. I perceive you it is bout, our minister’s leaving. right j just as I expected. He never was* are not man for us. exactly. His tlentS|!rl the at the right stamp. IJe does not irfbt-st able tendon of that class wht* are tht* too plain to help in supporting him. He i& church j a man to take the charge of tlßre he will ; | and congregation. I wonder whtß here. 1 j find another place, if lie leavesßpult, j should think he would find it diffKso mueh j Mr. A. After all, lam as lam concerned about his finding a I fear, I how we shall get anotherlninistijEm he na if he leaves us lor the good to till signs, it will be difficult to get MXiyrr small, his place. You know we are r; Jto men of and cannot hold out indiieenienlsL. 1 think the first rate talents. For my tal our present minister is a man o to cuts and consistent piety, and is..B ly can. live on as small a salary as he possiSninctu -1 understand he has not been very V sign ally paid even the small sum we llavMtr less ed for him. And surely thal~is !■: can iliart most ministers receive. If wwve, or not |iay this small sum, he must le would del into debt, and that, you knov^r' 1 be wiong. :()T1 sure Mr. U. But how is this? Killing for ihe people are always doing somßer signed him. I know Mr. Tight lias neJn sundry ; anything, bu* lie says hr does ■)Mr. and ways as much as five dollars a fiption last Bro. Hardy fell off on hissuhgcrftg<*< s more year ten dollars: but I expect he Bow of.— than he is willing to let uhers ktß donation There were a large number at hisßonght in. party, and probably a greit deal bKpensive, The truth is, his family aie too eol when and he keeps his children in schtß support they ought to be at work helpingßvould do themselves. Br. Hardy says he Hso large, more for him if his family was nolftilie min- Mr. D. 1 have nothing against* lur mail ister, although 1 think a torc popißr, but 1 would get a larger society togetlußand his do think lie has too large l family, Sold visit wife and children do not dress B which and attend those fashionable cirdMtl sociu is necessary to he respenid in gofßs Proud ty. 1 frequently see ihe pretty Miliughleis cast a smile of contempt When his dB course, come into the gallery. This, hurts the influence of ihe rniniitciJßdo not Mr. J. 1 understand lie says Well do not give him enough. For my 1 nev beheve in these hireling preacher** if 1 feel er will sign a cent for a lUtnistMA give it, disposed to give anything, I v jUßnan for ■ hut Ido not believe in paying- \ doing Ins duty. If he is called jpwdo it.— | that is his business, and lie mus t*g. It is Besides, Ido not like Ins preacftJfwhips so ] all law and darkness, and then’ ffEvt preach mucli in the pulpit; one SundalHihave not ed the whole sermon to me, {not been to hear him much |, do any tiling for him to stay. IQ'.!. ( °”r mints - .er•for a- wo have I‘ailed in raising the ino^B* 1 nother year, I gee no way ■ let him go, and do without the o- Mr. E. It is strange to uie^^B’P I ' oll9 ’ ciety hang back so about their to sign, , Lhere ate many who are any and yet all know that we one one who will do as well for to who is here, and I do think it the let him go. If all would do ffiJP'‘t I see sum could be raised very easy.Kin 1 preach- I how it is; they will soon go wiffßld to send , ing awhile, and pray for’ the rJBB*.h round j them a minister, then they — and get enough signed to get to pay Alter he is here, they will ncJ^B'tt 111 him. what they have signed, and been the and then let him go. This luß| had. - wav with every minister we liitß®ntl I fear Dea. C. This is too at ministers will soon get tired oHI all, at this rate. Hive can do Mis. F. Ido not see how If 0 now. i any b tier than we are trying and the certainly pay all that I am atflj minister church js poor. I think if ofl.|e can, the leaves now while we do all Hg®|L. says Lord will send us another. than some people think he is better blow he lie was when he came here. l 0 get was poor llijm, and he cannot rich by preaching anywhere. off for ; Mrs. B. As to being any h i his_cpmiiig here, 1 know to’ th of j IJis family have had but feu since j clothing, and those of the cheat eloaks j coming here. ‘1 heir bonnets m^B 1s when are tlio same, with a little fixit I real tliey came here three years ago ai^B' es ! hut ly think they ought to have ne to he says he has already eotitfS* the amount of seventy or eighty he will Mrs. F. Well, Ido not tit nntl go away, after all. He dreads t Hhat of his 1 think with his own efforts an<^Bl ,as done, family, he will live as well as more, if Mrs. J. His family would 88 1 they do they were more thankfiil for wiflß'k all we receive. But they seem to owe to give them as only paying a not long them. The minister said pay since in the pulpit, that people did the their minisiei as punctually as part, mechanic and merchant. ’ PoBB a Present what I do for him, I give him to sell Mr. G. 1 wonder how lie it certain- his cow last fall. I should ly very necessary in his family Hardy Mr. A. Thejreason is, b>r pas charged him ten or twelve doll^H^ 1111 was turing it for him a season, be only ten cents pei pound, coubl not get barn room any wfl iently to keep a cow. of ask- Mr. Ci. Why, I never very ing more than half that food was best of pasture, and you know c,nv was very short where the nMihster%^B‘‘ r ‘but he kept last season. Ido not thinks es going away, at ibis bis sub- Mr. E No j nor I either, for^K ear as be scriptjon was not as large last ‘lßf|hi' n they ftire; but the committee told ||B as much ; thought he might expect quite t 0 be 1 would be paid, and that they inte^H j more punctual in collecting it. But he said | ! the other day they had not been as much I ] so. This slack way of dealing with inin-j ] isters is not as it should he. But cannot! : something be done immediately to letain i our pastor? Mr. A. I fear not. lam sensible we shall be- greatly the losers by neglecting to do our duty. lam sorry that so little iii j terest is man Test on this subject, but I have | said all that is profitable, to prevent his leav ! ing. We must take the consequences. Mrs. J. We may as well live without ■ any minister, unless we can get one that j suits the whole congr gation. If our pas : tor did not preach so much about temper ; mice and missions, and such like things, and preached more gospel, it would suit the more wealthy portion of community better. There is old Mr. Tight, who is able to sup port him himself, and yet he was so offend ed with him for preaching against usury and in favor of giving money to convert the heathen, that he says he will not go to hear him preach. You know’ his wife and datighiers belong to the church. Mrs. B. A good minister will not suit such pefiple as Mr. Tight, and I fear Br. Hardy does not relish all that is said about temperance, and giving to tile missionary cause. Ol late, lie hardly evei does any thing for benevolent objects. 11 e is cer- 1 tainly able to do much more for the minis ter than he now does. For my part, 1 want | a minister who will preach the plain truth, j even il it does not suit those who are not doing right, ll we wait to get a minister who will suit every hotly, 1 hope we slial always do without so long as there are such people as Mr. Tight and Mr. Loose in the society. Mrs. J. But you know anew minister gets more out to hear, than an old one.— When our minister first came here, lie was, in general, thought to be the best preachei we ever had ; but somp have got tired of the same old story, and l think if we had anew gilt, many would come in who do not now attend. And who knows but they might lie converted ? Mr. L. 1 wonder you can inlimale that we have the same old story every Sabbath, lor 1 certainly neverheard any minister who always hail some new and interesting ideas connected with every subject, so much as our present pastor. I certainly think no one will get tired ol hearing him preach who loves to hear the truth in every subject discussed from the pulpit. Mr. J. 1 think he docs not understand the gospel doctrine of holiness. And he certainly is not a revival preacher. I think if we had the right man we could support him easy enough. Mr. L. According to your remarks be fore, 1 think no minister could expect much temporal,hid from you, and as to being suit ed, 1 hare never known of a minister we have had, that did suit you. You and sis ter Peevksh are always the first to rake up something against the minister, and then you exojuse yourself from paying because tHb niinistei. or because Tn cannot say in truth that our pastor is not a sound man. I know he lets out the plain truth, let it hit where il will, and I do not wonder that such as do not relish such plain truth, should sometimes feel to cringe un der it, but ceitajnly lie treats every person kindly, and is very tender in preaching. Mr. A. Well, if anything is done to prevent his going away, it is time to be about it. I wonder how much has been subscribed ? Mr. E. Only about half the necessarv sum, and 1 do not think it is possible to get enough to enable him to stay. It is too bad, too bad ! A Wonderful Conversion. There were some years ago, not far from this place, a very gifted preacher, who fur several years preached with great earnest ness and success the doctrine of the cross ; but who, on that very account was violent ly opposed. One of his opponents, a well inhumed person, who had for a long time absented himself from the church, thought, one Sunday morning, that he would go and hear the gloomy mail once more, to see whether Ins preaching might be more toler able to him than it had been heretofore.— He went; and that morning the preacher was speaking of the narrow way, which he did not make either narrower or broader than the word ol God describes it. *■ A new creature in Chris', or eternal condem nation,” was the theme of his discouise, and he spoke with power, and not as a mere learned Veasoner. During the ser mon, the question forced itself upon this hearer’s conscience. “How is it with my self? Does this mail declare the real truth? ll lie does, wlial must inevitably follow from it ?” ‘J Ins thought look such a hold upon him, that he could not get ritl of it amidst any of his engagements or amusements.— But it became from day to day more trou blesome ; more and more penetrating ; and threatened to enibitt r cveiy joy of ins life; so that at last he thought lie would go to the preacher himself and ask him, upon Ins conscience, if he were convinced of the truth of that which he had lately preached. He fulfilled his intention, and went to the preacher. “Sir,” said he to him, with gjeat earnestness, “I was one of your hear ers when you spoke, a short lime since, of the only way of salvation- 1 confess tn you that you have disturbed my peace of mind, and I cannot refrain from askingjvou solemnly before God, and upon your con science, if you can prove what you assert ed, or whether it was unfounded alarm.” | The preacher, not a little surprised at this address, replied with convincing certainly, i that he had spoken the word of God, and I consequently infallible truth. “What then | is to become of us.'” replied the visitor.— 11 is last word, us, startled tire preacher; but be rallied his thoughts, and began to ex plain the plan of salvation to the inquirer, and io exhort him to repent and believe But the latter as though he had not heard one syllable of what the preacher said, in- j terrupted him in the midst of it, and re-! | pealed, with increasing emotion, and anx-1 ! iotis exclamation, “If it be true, sir, I be ; seech you. what are we to do?” Terrified I the preacher staggers back. “We!” thinks Ire, “what means this toe?” and, endeav ! oring to stifle his inward uneasiness and I embarrassment, he resumed his exhorta ! lions and advice. Tears came into the eyes of ihe visiter; he smote his ‘hands together like one in despair, and exclaimed in an ac cent which might have moved a heart of stone, “Sir, if it be truth, we qyc lost and undone!” The preacher stood pale, trem bling and speechless. Then overwhelm ed with astonishment, with downcast eyes and convulsive sobbings he exclaimed, “Friend, down on your knees, let us pray and cry for mercy!” They knelt down, and prayed; and shortly afterwards the visiter took his leave. The preacher shut himself up in his closet. Next Sunday, word was sent that the minister was unwell, and cotdd not appear. The same thing happened the Sunday following. On the third Suuday the preacher made his appear ance before his congregation, worn with his inward conflict and pals, but his eyes beaming with joy, and commenced his dis course with the surprising and affecting de claration, that he had now, for the first time, passed through the strait gate. You will ask what had occurred to him in his chamhei during the interval which had e lapsed. A storm passed over before him— but the Lord ivas not in the storm; an earth quake—but the Lord was not the earth quake; a fire—hut the Lord was not in the fire. Then came a still small voice; on which the man enveloped his face in his mantle, and from that time knew what was the Gospel and what was grace,—Krum macher. Humanity is Concerned in the Spread of the Gospel. One should have imagined dial the gos pel of Jesus could have no enemies. It breathes only peace. It has but one sub ject—to promote the felicity of mankind. It sweetens every connection of human life. It strengthens the cause of philan thropy. The only favor it entreats is, that men would love themselves: and while it pours a thousand blessings on the present transient existence, and lightens all the trials of the way, it shows wretched, er ring man, “the path of life.” And yet ev eiy man’s hand is lifted up against it!— From its birth to the present hour, every age has blended all its wisdom and all its force, to crush Christianity. Had it re quired the man to sacrifice “his first-born for his tninsgrcssidr?, the fruit of his body for the sin of his soul”—who would have wondered that nature should rise up against it? Yet, strange to say, the horrible reli gion ol the Gentiles, which actually did require this unnatural offering was suppor ted, and defended against Chiwiiauity, with vehement obslinuey. J lie rage of man, on the one side, exhausted itself in defence ol altars on which their children had been immolated; anti on the other, was directed against a religion which hastened to over- to come unto me, and foibid them not; lor of such is the kingdom of heaven!” Ilad it destroyed the peace and existence of society; had it scattered war ami blood-shed over the earth: had it trampled on the dearest rights of hu man natuie—why then, some reason might be given for the wrath of man against il.— But U disseminates “peace and good will to man,” abroad upon earth, while it brings in a revenue of “glory to God.” We. can tike its most furious persecutor by the hand, when he raves, “Away with it from the earth!” and say, “Why? What evil hath it done?” And he shall he nnaole to assign a single reason for his conduct: un able to lay one sin to its charge: unable to prove what in any one instance it is injuri ous to society: unable to deny that it has been produciive of the most beneficial ef fects—that it has removed all the clouds of heathenism—that it has extinguished the fires through which wretched parents mus ed their children to pass, and in which the fruit of their body was consumed—that it has given to the world anew and perfect code of morality—that it has thrown open the gates of ino-alitv—that it has removed the bitterness of death—ami that it has es tablished. solely and unaided, the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead: he shall he compelled to admit all this, and yet, with out a single reason, merely from his natural enmity to il, he will continue to despise, to reject, and to persecute it! Humanity is concerned in the progress of this religion: Humanity raises hei voice in favor of rev elation, and entreats, “Risa up, Lord, let! thine enemies nPscattered; and let them that hate thee, flee before thee!” G'oli.yer. Divine Plans in harmony with Divine Per fections. In the operations of Diety all is order, beauty, anti consistency. In the works of creation element balances element: the pre pnnderalion of one is counteiacted by the pressure of its opptmite, and tints an equi librium is maintained among the whole.— Equally harmonious and consistent are the mysterious plans of providence. To us they are like chaos, “without form and void”—dark, profound, unfathomable.— Does it follow that they are so in them selves? To the eye of superstition the com et carries in its luminous train war, and fa mine, and pestilence, and whatever scourge can afflict guilty nations: while, perhaps, it is the messenger of peace to distant worlds, rolling fat beyond the extent of our vision, through the immensity of space, To the eye of ignorance the starry heavens pre sent a mingled, confused display of trem bling lights, To the eye of the philoso pher, they wear an appearance far different. Yonder spark he discovers to he a sun, and conceives it the centre of another system. That cluster of glittering specks is to him what the finger-post or the mile-stone is to the traveller; it is a fnark of measuiemeni j between one quarter of the heavens and a : nother. Those wandering lamps, he per- I ceives, describe a regular orbit; and he pre i diets, to an hour, their arrival at such and i such a point of heaven—or their passage through a given constellation. Such ate • the plans of providence now to us, a majes tic. hut confused and boundless piece of i machinery: and such shall they become in ; die world oflight. when we shall see them | all reduced to order. So in religion—dis pensation answers dispensation— and anti type is exactly delineated'in the type—the shades of coloring melt into each other and, from the present confused masses, the matchless skill of the divine Ariist shall produce and perfect his own grand design. In the mean time, let us wait the issue, and in inspecting the progression of the work let us not decide as though it were already aecomplished, nor pronounce our judg ment, as though we were masters in the science, while we are only allowed to be spectators, or at most scholars. Colly kr. Presbyterianism and the American Tract So ciety. During the session of the Presbytery of South Alabama, last week, an Agent of the Society above named, himself a Presbyteri an minister, presented before that body, the Col portage system, and requested the co operation of the Presbytery, in endeavoring to circulate tracts and religious books, in this Stale. Dr. Hamilton introduced and supported a resolution favoring the propo sition, but it was rejected ! This result is as painful and humiliating, as it must have been unexpected. VVliat did the Agent ask ? Nothing, save that the Presbytery should express its approbation ol an enterprise by which standard work* of practical piety, devoid of sectarian pecu liarities—works, in the spirit of heaven which they breathe, and in their power to do good, are second only to the Bihle itself —works written by Baxter, and Oaen, and Leigh Richmond, and Wiiberfbrce; by Nevins and Alexander, themselves distin guished Presbyterians—the Agent only asked that these works might be introduced into every family, in South Alabama, un der the sanction of the Presbytery. But that sanction was refused ! In opposition lo the resolution, it was urged, that the Presbyterians ought to circulate the publi cations of their own Board, and not favor the distribution of books, issued by other societies. To this it was answered, that the Board had pul forth few woiks adapted to general circuljHpi—that the Presbytery was doing nothing to distribute even these few, and, it was added, by one of the hest ministers in the body, if they re fused to aid in the plan proposed, they would act the part of the dog in the manger —doing nothing themselves, and not suffer ing others to do any thing ! Whether this withering rebuke was keenly felt, we can not say, but its effect was not potent enough to break the spell of sectarianism, which doomed the majority of the m mbers lo in difference and inaction, where nothing more than the salvation of souls was to lit without reference to denominational fits. —Btatama Baptist. B .dm}" uT^gnoran ce. —“The following ‘ frightliil statement, of the spiritual ignor ance and woe now existing in Liverpool, was lately made at a meeting of the town mission there. There are 65,000 adults • who never enter a place of worship, ex cept at a marriage or a funeral; 12.000 adults cannot read, 14,000 families have not a solitary fiagnient of the Word of God, and 25,000 go to no school whatever.” The above we cut from an eastern paper. Having heard a few days since of an inci dent, which, if true, (and we dare not doubt it,) brings the frightful reality to our very door, we subjoin it:—A benevolent lady of this city, who is in the habit of vis iting the poor, and reading the sacred Scriptures to such persons as are unable to read for themselves, was shocked not long since by the remarks of an old woman, who expressed much surprise at that pait of the Scriptures re.ating to our Lord’s death; said she had never heard of his death; and, indeed, she had never heard there was such a man as Jesus Christ before! 1 We make no comments; but beg that through your columns you will make this fact known to the friends of missions.— Alton Telegiaph. H. Intense Application of the most Ac complished Authors. —Among the wiser precepts of learning nothing can be more useful, than to recall vagrant genius lo the course ot industry, by examples of intense application in the most accomplished schol ars. Nothing can he more false or fatal io learning, than the common opinion, that whatever is easy oi excellent in composi tion must be, struckjml at a heat. Horace wiote ol the limce lubor et mora the labor and delay ol Lite file, and Terence, the best master o! Roman composition, complained that the last touch ol the file was wanting to his writings. Sir Wm. Jones declares that he ‘labored’ lor excellence and renown, i and the immortal work ol Gibbon, was the i beloved occupation of seven years. Hume l being complimented by a noble Marquis on the beauty of his History, responded that “it was owing to the care he took in the execution of the work, as he wrote it over three limes before he sent il to the press.” Dr. Blair gave a week lo his shortest sermon, and, to say nothing of Pope, whose manuscripts were so blotted to be often unintelligible, even the prodigal By ron confessed that his most vivacious pas sages were slowly and painfully elaborated. Cowper says he never accomplished more Ilian thirteen hues at a silting.— Newark Sentinel. A Rich Prize. —An old building, about to be pulled down, in the Bowery, was sold for S3O to two Irishmen, on condition they would remove it. They went to work at it, and in tearing open some of the wain scoating, found a jug. which on examina tion proved to he a money jug, containing, . it is said, $9,C00 in old coin. This is the old budding where the Avenue boys used to stop and discuss the merits of their fast trotters. *