had so safe a deliverance from one of the perils to which every voyager on Mont Blanc is necessarily liable. south of Monte Rosa, I made the ascent of the "Cramont," a peak about 8000 feet high, and lying directly south of the Mont Blanc range. From this summit I had a good opportunity to verify the theory I had formed when lost on the top of Mont Blanc, that the dark line along which we had groped, seeking to cross it as our guide desired, was the edge of that enormous precipice which fell almost perpendicularly to the Allee Blanche, a distance of many thousand this track was our next effort, but it failed: we got too far from the rocks, and saw no trace of it, being compelled to cut a new footing nearly all the way down on a surface of ice or hard About the middle of October, after a delightsnow, steep enough for a glissade, but having a ful trip among the valleys on either side of the huge crevasse at its foot, large enough to engulph Rhone and around Monte Rosa, across the an army. As the labor of cutting was consid-Monte More Pass, over the passes lying to the erable, it became necessary for one guide to relieve the other; and when this change had been effected two or three times, and we had care fully picked our way step by step in the little notches made by the axe, we reached the Grand Plateau in safety. Our descent was made along the upper edge, around and then below a huge crevasse opening on the side of this incline. As we got to the more level ice, the clouds broke away; the setting sun tinged the peaks with its red light and cheered us on our way. Our dis-feet: such was my belief at the time, and this tance from the Mulets taught the necessity of view fully confirmed my previous impression. haste, and we sped rapidly over the smooth ice, glistening under the evening light: a hard coating of snow, with occasional patches of ice, gave us a firm footing, and we moved merrily Onward, reached the descent to the little plateau, crossed it, descended the snow-fields, and just before dark reached the Grand Mulets. Our arrival there was most grateful: sixteen hours of such a life on the snow and ice, at an elevation of from ten to fifteen thousand feet, The German States that form the Northern Conwas quite enough for one trip. The rough fare federation have all accepted the new commercial and rude accommodations were as grateful as union proposed by Prussia. A conference between the most sumptuous banquet and softest the King of Prussia and the South German Sovercouches. After being thawed out of the coat-eigns has been arranged, and will take place at an ing of ice and snow which decorated our exterior, and being regaled with the warm supper DR. LIVINGSTONE, after all the contradictory reports which our host had provided, we sought our as to his fate, may even now be safe. The following humble beds, and were not long in finding that letter, published at Bombay and written by the offrest and sleep so grateful to the weary. On rising the next morning we found that a heavy fall of snow had taken place during the night, covering everything to a depth of eighteen inches, and finishing, for several days at least, further attempts at the ascent. Both my guides were suffering much from inflammation of the eyes; C was quite unable to open his to the light. Making an application of the white of egg, he bound it over his face, and by noon was able to start for Chamouni, with the help of a guide. G- by the use of colored glasses, was able to bear the bril liant light on the newly fallen-snow, and went down with me: my own eyes were less affected, but were weak for several days. The necessity of removing the glasses which we wore the previous day, to prevent them being coated with ice, and thereby made quite opaque, exposed our eyes to the driving storm and cold, and caused this new and unexpected trouble. By three o'clock next day, (a bright and warm day,) we reached Chamouni, wiser if not better for the lessons learned in the experience of the two previous days, and well contented to have ITEMS. J. The two Houses of Congress passed the Supplemental Reconstruction bills, which were sent for signature to the President. On the 18th be returned them with his veto message, which was received, and the Reconstruction bills passed in both Houses over the objections by the constitutional majority. The Reform bill has finally passed the House of Commons, and has gone to the House of Lords. early day. cer commanding one of the English Sepoy regiments in India, is said to contain the latest authentic intelligence on the subject. The letter was written to the editor of the Times of India, and was at once published: "Sir: One of the missing Sepoys, 21st regiment native infantry, or marine battalion, who accompanied Dr. Livingstone's expedition, returned this day from Zanzibar. News has been received from the Doctor. He was alive and well, and the havildar, 21st regiment native infantry, or marine battalion, and the Nassick boys, were with him. S. Thacker, commanding 21st regiment native infantry, Bombay, May 14, 1867." A NEW ASTEROID has been discovered at the Hamilton College Observatory, New York. The discovery was made on July 7th, and the position of the new asteroid was twenty-one hours and twenty-one minutes right ascension, and twenty-one degrees and thirty-one minutes of southern declination. On the morning of the 8th it was found to have moved in twenty-four hours about twenty-five seconds to the west and six minutes to the south. Being of the eleventh magnitude, and still about one month before opposition with the sun, the observer reports that the planet promises to be a very bright one. AN EXCHANGE says that it is a safe rule to wet the wrists before drinking cold water, if at all heated. The effect is immediate and grateful, and the danger of fatal results may be warded off by this simple precaution. FRIENDS' INTELLIGENCER. "TAKE FAST HOLD OF INSTRUCTION; LET HER NOT GO; KEEP HER; FOR SHE IS THY LIFE." TERMS: PAYABLE IN ADVANCE The Paper is issued every Seventh-day, at Three Dollars per annum. $2.50 for Clubs; or, four copies for $10. Agents for Clubs will be expected to pay for the entire Club. CONTENTS. Presbyterian Separations and Reunions... Extermination of the Indians.. What Working Men may Become. Scene in Palestine... Was it Chance..................... An Oriental Night.. 337 339 339 341 341 342 342 First Anti-Slavery Movements in America.. ........ 343 Friends Amongst the Freedmen.. it is received, in any part of the United States, is 20 cents a year. The Power of Kindness.. AGENTS-Joseph S. Cohu, New York. It has often been asserted by Roman Catho lic writers and speakers that the tendency of Protestantism is towards dissension and division, resulting from the want of that strong bond of union which is found in Papal supremacy. In proof of this they point to the numerous sects in Protestant countries, each contending for its creed and form of worship, often casting upon one another the imputation of heresy, and all endeavoring to make proselytes. Garden Work..... A House Sinks into the Ground- may safely be tolerated, because religious dogmas are of far less importance than practical righteousness. Secondly, the works of philanthropy in which all are, more or less, engaged, have brought the different Protestant churches into contact, and their joint labors have produced mutual esteem and sympathy. The labors of the Sanitary Commission and the Christian Association during the late war had this beneficial result, in addition to the immense amount of good that was done in affording relief and consolation to the sick and wounded. In like manner, the unparalleled efforts now being made to educate and improve the condition of the colored people in this country, will, like all disinterested charities, redound to the benefit of both parties, conferring a blessing on those who give, as well as those who receive. To this charge we may answer, that our diversity is better for human progress and happiness than their enforced uniformity, which is, indeed, more apparent than real. The deadening effect of their coercive system is shown by its fruits in those countries where its authority is These remarks have been suggested by read. absolute. Wherever ecclesiastical domination ing in the public journals several articles relatis most complete, there is religious life most de-ing to the efforts now being made by the Prespressed, and freedom of thought most restricted. byterians to reconcile their differences and to Whatever grounds there may have been in become again united as one body. On referring former times for the charge of dissension among to Rupp's History of the Religious DenominaProtestants, it is believed by many, that the tendency now is towards reconciliation and reunion. There is less disposition among the various sects to enter into doctrinal controversies, and more sympathy with each other in their religious movements. tions of the United States, I find historical accounts emanating from each of the bodies known as the old aud the new school Presbyterians, which furnish information that I deem interesting. It appears that since the settlement of this This charge has probably resulted chiefly country there have been two separations in that from two causes: First, the growing conviction church: the first of which continued about in the public mind that doctrinal differences thirteen years, and then a reunion took place.. The second schism has now existed about thirty [union was in 1706, when the Presbytery of years, and there seems to be almost a certainty Philadelphia was organized. Ten years later it of a reconciliation. In order to give a clear view of these transactions, a brief explanation of their form of church government is deemed appropriate. The title Presbyterian is derived from a Greek word signifying senior or elder, intimating that the government of the church mentioned in the New Testament was by Presbyters, that is, by ministers and ruling elders possessed of equal powers. The Pres byteriaus affirm that, with the exception of the Apostles, there was no order in the primitive church superior to that of Presbyters, and that Bishops and Presbyters were titles having the same import. The officers in the Presbyterian church are bishops or pastors, ruling elders, and deacons. The pastoral office is first in dignity. Ruling elders are elected by the people as their representatives. Deacons are chosen by the people; their of ficial duty is the care of the poor, and the reception and disbursement of the charities of the congregation. The church session consists of the pastor and the ruling elders of a congregation, and is the primary judiciary of the church. The pastor is its presiding officer, called the moderator. Its functions are similar to those of a monthly meeting of Friends. The presbytery consists of all the ministers and one ruling elder from each church within a certain district. It has power to decide appeals from the church sessions, to examine and license candidates for the ministry, to ordain, instal, remove, and judge ministers. The synod is a convocation of the bishops or presbyters, with one elder from each church in a larger district, consisting of at least three presbyteries. It has power to decide appeals brought up from the presbyteries. The General Assembly represents in one body all the churches of this denomination, and consists of delegations of bishops and elders from each presbytery. It is the highest judiciary of the Presbyterian church. had increased so much that it was divided into four presbyteries which constituted the Synod of Philadelphia. In 1738, the Synod resolved that every candidate for the ministry should have a diploma from a college in Europe or New England, or a certificate of competent scholarship from a committee of the Synod. This measure being unsatisfactory to many, they protested against it, stating that a Presbytery or the smallest association of ministers has power to ordain and to judge of the qualifications of ministers. This difference of sentiment, and a diversity of practice founded on it, led to the formation of two parties in the church, and the strife continued until 1745, when it was terminated by a separation and the organization of the Presbytery of New York. In 1758, being thirteen years after the separation, the Synods of Philadelphia and New York were united and the breach healed. It is said "no cause of disunion had been removed, except that greatest cause of disunion, ambitious men and evil tempers; for when the reunion took place, they agreed to adopt the confession of Faith, Catechisms and Directory, as they had been adopted in 1729." The Synod of Philadelphia agreed that "all differences and disputes should be laid aside and buried. without future inquiry." In 1788, the General Assembly was organized, and two years later, it invited the congregational churches of New England to renew their annual convention with the clergy of the Presbyterian church. This led to the adoption of a plan of correspondence between the Presbyterians and those Congregational churches which nearly agreed with them in doctrine, but differed in church government. Among the Congregationalists, each church or congregation is independent of all others in the formation and exercise of its discipline. They have associations and conventions composed of delegates from the churches, but these are merely advisory bodies, without power to enforce their decisions. The "plan of union" thus adopted was remarkably successful, and bad the effect of extending the Presbyterian government, inasmuch as the clergy generally favored that system. For nearly eighty years, the Denomination continued to extend its border, increasing in numbers and wealth, but the seeds of dissension which produced the separation of 1745 were still Among the distinguishing doctrines of the Presbyterians are these: The doctrine of Sovereign unconditional election to eternal life, the doctrine that Christ died in a special sense for his elect people, the doctrine of justification by the imputed righteousness of Christ alone, of sanctification by the special and invincible power of the Holy Spirit, and of the persever-in ance of the saints in holiness." In these respects, "they differ very materially from many who bear the Christian name." The founders of this church in the British colonies of America were principally Scotch and Irish Presbyterians. Their first ecclesiastical existence. They began to germinate in 1830, and a few years afterward resulted in another separation. It has been remarked that the "disruption of the American Presbyterians, which occurred in 1838, is one of the most interesting occurences in the religious annals of the western continent." Its causes and results will be noticed in another number. Like most other schisms in the various churches of Christendom, the dissension which led to it originated among the ministers, and from them extended to the body at large; but unlike most other cases of separation, there is now a strong probability of reunion, and measures are in progress for that purpose which are regarded with deep interest by reflecting mi_ds throughout the country. (To be continued.) MORAL INFLUENCE OF FARMING. There is a decided moral tendency in the direct and close dealing, if we may so speak, between the farmer and his God. They work to gether. God has ground this realm (so geologists tell us) into a somewhat hard and thin soil. "He has sent the springs into valleys, which run among the hills, and caused the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man." These gifts are in the rough. These gifts are in the rough. The condition of their true enjoyment is useful and health-giving labor. The gold must be gathered or mined, the diamond polished; so the soil must be patiently wrought and duly enrich ed; the tree, the clay, the stone converted into dwellings, the air and sunshine into corn and wine-the annual covering of the sheep, and the life garment of the kine, into blankets and sandals. In short, labor and reward are inscribed on every gift of God, and none so generally receive them right from the giver as those who till the ground. There is less intervention of varioloid scrip and poisonous nickels. The vine holds out his clusters, the rich purple all undisturbed. The apple, the pear, the pcach bend their branches to the gathering, as only God can make them. The harvest field nods to the reaper, that it may become sheaves in his bosom and bread to the hungry. The broad bosom of the meadow undulates and throbs with every breeze until shorn of its trophies. Even the forests toss their giant branches for shades. Is there not a sense of great nearness to God amidst these blessings ?- -a feeling of satisfaction and comfort closely allied to thanksgiving, praise and love?-Farm and Fireside. We shall never be so instrumental to the good of others, as when we are most diligent about our own souls. If saints would spend more time about their hearts, there would quickly be such a divine lustre upon their lives, that men would account it no small privilege to be with or near them. Whence is it that they are so rigid and uncharitable towards those who differ from them? These things have so often spoiled Christian fellowship and made it become a dry and sapless thing, that many Christians are even weary of it, and are ready to say with the Prophet, Oh that I might leave my people and go from them! Jer. 9: 2.-Flavel. For Friends' Intelligencer. EXTERMINATION OF THE INDIANS. The appeal of our friend Sidney Averill, published recently in the Intelligencer, on behalf of the Indians, is worthy of the attentive consideration of Friends. Can it be doubted that if these far western Indians had been treated justly, they would have been as friendly as those were who so kindly greeted the arrival of the Penn Colony. Neither the British Canadian government, nor the French, which preceded it, ever had any serious difficulty with the Indian tribes, from the earliest settlement of their country. But the question now is, Can anything be done to prevent the wholesale slaughter of women and children which is threatened? The emergency is great, and the question involves a responsibility, which Friends especially should not feel themselves relieved from, until they have performed what lies in their power towards composing the present difficulties. The allegations against these western tribes are, that they perpetrate atrocious barbarities without provocation. But who is to decide the truth or falsity of this charge? The outrages inflicted by the Indians are telegraphed with lightning speed; but when the whites are the aggressors, and Indians are massacred, with women and children, what opportunity do the latter have to publish to the Christian world the sufferings they endure? Limited as are the opportunities to learn the outrages perpetrated by the whites upon the Indians, the disclosures are sufficient to show that they scarcely have a parallel in the history of the human race. Senator Nesmith charges Indian agents and contractors with being guilty of the most out. rageous and systematic robbery and swindling; and after particularizing the respects in which the Indians are cheated out of their government annuities, by agents and contractors, adds, "This cruel and disgraceful treatment is the fruitful cause of the Indian Wars." General Pope says, "The benevolent purposes of government have failed, and will continue to fail, so long as the encroachments of the whites upon the hunting grounds of the red men are permitted, and agents and traders fill their pockets with the money belonging to the Indians." He adds, "To pursue the present system in regard to Indian affairs, is unbecming a human people." The Governor of Idaho, in a letter to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, informing of the massacre of some sixteen friendly indians on the 11th of 3d month last, says: "There were but two grown up men, the others women and children. That the immediate settlers testified that these Indians were peaceable and defenceless;" and adds, "If anything will bring on a general war, it will be such acts as these. In down like dogs, their old men turned out to no case, he says, that I have examined, have I freeze or starve, their maidens worse than murfound the red man the aggressor, but undoubt-dered by a licentious soldiery, their children edly the trouble springs from the fiendish outrages of bad white men." murdered or enslaved, the bodies of mothers mutilated, and their unborn babes scalped." The latter part of this recital would be incredible, but for the fact that the inhabitants of Ruby City offered a reward of twenty-five dollars for every thing in the shape of an Indian under ten years of age. Each scalp should have the curl of the head, and the man claim "Upon the trial of Capt Hill for taking an Indian child from the breast of its dead mother, and ordering it to be killed, it was proven that it had been the custom of our troops to kill Indian children, under such circumstances; and the president of the court martial which tried Hill admitted that he himself, while in coming the reward was required to make oath that mand in Arizona last winter, ordered his men to kill an Indian child, by shooting it four times." Garret, an officer in the Western army, testifies, that "frequently along the route, Indians, their women and frightened little children, were shot down by the soldiers for mere fun; and that foragers would boast of the scalps they had taken, and the number of redskins they had put out of the way. These tribes were all peaceable; some of them raised stock, cultivated fields of wheat, and a great variety of fruit." the scalp was taken by the company." A reward of fifty dollars for the scalp of an Indian woman, and one hundred for that of a man, was offered at the same time. In order to carry out the purpose for which these rewards were offered, "Three men were appointed to select twenty-five others to go Indian hunting." When the reports of the Commissioners on Indian Affairs were under consideration in the Senate, objections were made to their being published; one Senator averring "that if they were published, they would disgrace us in the It appears in the evidence of Gens. Canby and Sully, "That they overtook and surround-eyes of all civilized nations." ed an encampment numbering about two thousaud, including women and children; that one of their regiments approached within thirty yards of this conglomerate mass of human life, and fired volley after volley upon them until night; that those who were able fled during the darkness, through fear of a renewal of the massacre next morning, leaving three hundred killed, besides a vast number of wounded and dying scattered along the route." It would ap pear that these Indians were peaceable; they made no resistance, and the presence of their women and children shows they were not on the war path. The foregoing recitals are sufficient to show that if the Indians have perpetrated great barbarities, their provocations have been also great. Capt. Locklen, of the U. S. Cavalry, after a fruitless attempt to conquer the Indians in Viern River country, "Invited the chiefs to have a big peace talk; forty of them attended, smoked the pipe of peace, surrendered their arms according to stipulation, and being thus defence less, he told them to run for their lives, and ordering his troops to fire upon them, all but one were deliberately massacred." In allusion to the inflictions of every form endured by these Western Indians, Senator Nesmith, of Oregon, before quoted, further says: "The Indians are constantly represented as aggressors, whereas the facts will show, that un less they were the most abject beings on the earth, they could not endure the constant abuse received from our authorities through accredited agents. A writer who professes to have had much acquaintance with these far western Indians, and with their historical incidents, says, "Bounties are this day offered in Nevada for Indian scalps; their warriors have been shot From the earliest acquaintance of Friends with the Indian race, we have held that they are faithful and kind to those who treat them justly, but the current of public opinion is now setting so strongly in an opposite direction, that it may be well for us to pouder upon the foregoing, lest we should be erroneously biased by a corrupted popular feeling. General Sherman says, "We must act with vindictive earnestness against the Sioux, even to their extermination, and commands from subordinate officers read, "Give no quarters to either men, women, or children." Are these horrible butcheries to be perpetrated? Is this nation's history to be stained with the blood of slaughtered women and children, and shall the Society of Friends offer no interposition,-not even a protest? There are Friends not a few, scattered through the several Yearly Meetings, whose experience in this line of benevolence may enable them to offer counsel. New York Yearly Meeting at the present time has no standing committee upon Indian affairs; but some other Yearly Meetings may have; and though their appointment had no reference to the present difficulties, still what more benevolent concern could the Friends composing those committees be engaged in than in an effort (of course unofficial) to stay the uplifted sword, which now threatens the indiscriminate slaughter of the aged and the infirm, of unoffending women and helpless children. GIDEON FRost. Martinecock, Long Island, 7th mo. 16, 1867. |