Lind and Dobbin, of the Reformed, and the Rev. Messrs. Marshall, Clarkson, Rodgers, Logan, Smith and Murray, of the Associate Presbytery, were present.

It is probable that there were ruling elders present at all the meetings for conference; but their names are not given in Mr. Cuthbertson's diary, and the particular business transacted, and as to their agreement or disagreement, is not often referred to. I would refer those who may desire to see a fuller account of these conferences for union, to Miller's Sketches.

On the 9th of June, 1779, the conference was held at Pequa-Mr. Proudfoot's meeting house. The persons that were present at that time were most probably as given on page 26 of Miller's Sketches. This conference adjourned to meet at Deep Run meeting house, Nottingham, November 24th, 1779. Mr. Cuthbertson was there at the appointed time, but says nothing about the conference, and we are informed by Miller that it was a failure.

March 21st, 1871, the Reformed Presbytery met at Pequa, and also joined in conference with the Associate brethren.

August 15th, 1781, the Reformed Presbytery met, as I suppose, at Octoraro. The Rev. Messrs. Cuthbertson, Lind, Dobbin and Telfair were present.

At this time, it would appear that the Presbytery had before it the paper from the Associate Presbytery concerning the proposed union. It is probable, as stated by Miller, that this paper (probably the paper of April, 1781, from the Associate Presbytery) was rejected by the Reformed Presbytery; and notice of the same given the Associate Presbytery, in a paper signed by the moderator of the Reformed Presbytery. November 28th, 1781, the Reformed Presbytery met at Paxton, and on the 29th there was a meeting for conference at Donegal.

(To be continued.)

IS THIS A CHRISTIAN NATION?

"Is this a christian nation?" is an inquiry that is pushing itself for ward demanding solution. It was answered in the negative by our church, when, about the beginning of this century, she took the position of dissent from the civil constitution of the country. The answer was repeated and emphasized when, in 1833, maintaining this position of dissent, she refused to be led by a large minority into a recognition of the nation's christianity. This position she holds still, and if she is faithful, will continue to hold it until the nation becomes christian by subjecting itself, in its constitution, to the authority of Christ.

If the nation is christian, what hinders Covenanters from incorporating with it and exercising political rights? Nothing. If the nation is christian and has been so from its rise, then our church made a mistake at the first, and has been acting on the mistake ever since.

Can the line of distinction be drawn between the religious character of a nation and its constitution? In other words, is a nation in regard

to religion any thing but what its constitution declares it to be? How is it with respect to a nation's political character? Were France now, by another coup d'etat, to adopt the imperial form of government, would it still be a republican nation because its people were largely republican and because it had in various ways declared sentiments in favor of republicanism? The idea of the American nation constituted into a government having a character, either political or religious, different from that which is expressed in its constitution. is a delusion. Nor is it a harmless delusion. Its direct tendency is to soften and to smooth the rugged features of the constitution, and to prepare the way for an easy passage into the domain of politics. Let the sentiment under consideration be generally accepted and believed in our church, then the breaking up of our distinct organization and our incorporation with the state and amalgamation with some other of the Presbyterian bodies is but a question of time, and of a very short time. The lines of the poet contain true philosophy:

Vice is a monster of such frightful mien
That to be hated needs but to be seen;
But seen too oft, familiar with her face,
We first endure, then pity, then embrace.

T. S.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN CANADA.

THE following statistics are taken from the report of "The Acts and Proceedings of the Third General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada," held at Halifax, June, 1877. The discrepancies between the sum of items and the totals probably come from Presbyterial Reports.

4 synods, 33 Presbyteries, 1,042 churches, 93,788 communicants, 11,195 added during the year, 9,244 baptisms, 72,867 Sabbath school scholars, 7,405 teachers. 158,003 volumes in Sabbath school libraries.

Contributions; salaries paid to ministers, $451,550; expended on church buildings, $171,494; expended on manses, $48,609; on all other congregational expenditures, $178,023; total for congregational purposes, $847,590. College fund, $15,789; home missions, $31,804; foreign missions, $18,819; aged and infirm ministers, and widows' and orphans' fund, $6,935; Assembly fund, $3,895; French evangelization, $15.235; total for schemes, $93,059. Sabbath school contributions for missions, $20.801; contributions to benevolent objects not included in the above, $45,402; total contributions for all purposes, $986,115.

If we compare this showing with that of our own church, we shall find that the members of the Presbyterian Church in Canada pay on an average for minister's salary, a little over $4.81 each; while Reformed Presbyterians average for the same purpose over $7.88. The average of the total contributions of the Presbyterian Church in Canada is $10.51 per member; and the members of our church average nearly $15.97.

Application: "And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

R. S.

SABBATH SCHOOL REPORTS.

CENTRAL ALLEGHENY SABBATH SCHOOL.

At the annual meeting of the Sabbath School of the Central R. P. congregation of Allegheny, Dec. 31, 1877, the following report was read and ordered to be published: Enumerating what we have done; what progress we have made; we do it with humility, remembering that it is from the Father of Lights every good gift, every power and talent proceeds; we therefore, first thankfully acknowledge our indebtedness to him who has permitted us as officers and teachers to labor even in this obscure corner of his vineyard. We would also thankfully acknowledge that through the whole year we have been preserved in health and comfort, not one has been called away from these pleasant labors; and among our children, though epidemics and contagious diseases have been around us, our little band has been wonderfully preserved. One dear little boy was called home, and though regretting that we no longer see his bright little face among us, we rejoice that he had been (though so young) associated with us, that he had learned to love the Sabbath School, to love the ordinances, to reverence God's holy day, and that he had endeavored to impress on other boys that they also must respect the Sabbath. We think these are tokens of God's love to us, of his acceptance of our work, as they also evidence the faithfulness of his word that "to you and to your seed after you are the promises." During the whole year the school has regularly and greatly increased. We approach its close with much regret. At its commencement our pastor, Rev. J. W. Sproull, at the urgent request of the teachers, consented to be superintendent for one year, on condition that they would not ask him to continue in the office for more than the year. Very pleasantly and successfully have we passed through the twelve months, and I know that my fellow teachers join me in thanking him for the past, and in regretting his absence in the future. We greet with the hand of welcome his successor in the office, W. O. Sproull, Ph. D., and have no doubt that the coming year will be equally pleasant and profitable. We have organized a Saturday sewing school for the little girls of our Sabbath School. We teach them to sew, and give the garments when finished to those among our Sabbath scholars who are most needy. A lady, a member of the congregation, gave us a handsome donation, with which to commence; this, with some smaller ones from the teachers themselves, is all we have yet needed or thus far received. What we need now more than anything else is a good sewing machine. We have in contemplation to organize a meeting for boys, on Saturday afternoons.

Our children have manifested considerable diligence, many of them having (in the one year) studied through the whole of the Shorter Catechism; in one class alone nine Bibles have been thus earned, and several Bibles in other classes. The teachers, aided by members of the congregation, have secured a reasonably good library. Owing to the large increase in scholars, it is not sufficient for our present needs. A lady member of the congregation gave a donation of large Bibles, and another of a dozen of Testaments, which have been faithfully used. The Scriptures have been an important part of daily study. Several of the scholars have committed the first part of Proverbs, the beatitudes, the parable of the prodigal son, and many texts from the New Testament. A spirit of liberality and missionary enterprise has been taught and encouraged; the classes being rewarded for their contributions by a framed motto expressive of the spirit of christian love. While thus the children's highest interests have been constantly kept in view, the teachers have had their opportunities for improvement. At the monthly meetings, which, with but one exception, have been well attended, the teachers have (in their turn) given addresses to the association, calculated to improve both hearers and speaker; they have also been organized into a class for the study of the German language, under the care of Dr. W. O. Sproull, lately returned from Germany. In accordance with our custom arrangements have been made in connection with our annual meeting to give a treat to our children. We also gave the children a very pleasant pic-nic in July—a long day's enjoyment in the woods.

In conclusion, while acknowledging our defects and failures, that "we have left undone many of those things we should have done, and have done those we should not have done," yet we think that the "band of our God has been upon us for good," and the work of the year 1877, like all the past work of our lives, is now beyond our recall; we leave it with its errors and failures to the merciful forgiveness of our Saviour God. MRS. S. S. INGLES,

December 31st, 1877.

Secretary

SABBATH SCHOOL OF 2D, R. P. CHURCH, 17TH STREET, PHILADELPHIA,

The anniversary exercises of this school were held with a crowded audience, in the basement room of the church, on the evening of December 28th. The devotional exercises were conducted by the pastor, Rev. S. O. Wylie and Rev. Joseph Beatrie. The superintendent, Mr J. B. Stewart, in a verbal report, made a number of interesting statements in regard to the school. It is larger than at any previous period, having a regular attendance of about 235 scholars, and shows increased activity and prosperity. Prizes were distributed for reciting the Shorter Catechism without making more than six mistakes, for attendance, and for bringing scholars. A part of the evening was spent in recitations by some of the scholars and in other exercises for the entertainment of the audience, and at the close refreshments were given to the children.

One object kept constantly in view, in this school, beside the mere instruction of the scholars, is their training and discipline in regard to the duties of religion. It is impressed upon them, that while receiving good themselves they should be doing good to others, and the endeavor is made to establish this as the habit of the life. One of the regular exercises of the school is giving in aid of sending the gospel to those who are without its priceless blessings, and the treasurer's report, printed below, will show with what success the effort has been attended, and it shows further what results might be reached if the plan of regular and systematic giving was adopted throughout the church. The contributions of the little children, encouraged and assisted by their teachers, for missionary work in heathen lands exceed, in the course of the year, the amount given by the congregation for the same purpose, and with less than half a dozen exceptions, is a larger sum than is contributed by any of the congregations of the church. Several years ago the school undertook the support of five children in the mission school at Latakia, and every year it has more than redeemed its pledge.

AMOUNT Contributed by the Sabbath school of the 2d R. P. church, Philadelphia, Rev. S. O. Wylie, D. D., pastor: Mrs. S. O. Wylie's class

.$41.44
38.04
27 30

8.70

8.26

8.35

7.56

6.50

...

5.41

5.36

Miss Mary Sterrett's class... Mr. Thos. Walker's class.. Miss Tillie Stewart's class.... Miss Jeannie W. Wylie's class... Miss Maggie Trimble's class... Miss M. A. Torrey's (infant) class ..24.69 Miss Mary Stewart's class.. Miss Marion R. Wylie's class...... .19.74 Miss Jennie Trimble's class. Miss Maggie Walker's class. .16.24 Mr. Hugh Henry's class...... Mr. Thos. H. Walker's class.. .13.91 Mr. Robert J. Ritchie's class.......... Miss Hannah Walker's class.. .13.69 Miss Beckie McConnell's class........ 4.94 Miss R. Anderson's class..... .11.52 Miss Lizzie Snodgrass' class......... 4.28 Miss S. Cornelia Wylie's class .11.42 Miss T. J. Bell's (lately organized).. Mr. David Lowry's class....... Miss Aggie Patterson's class.. Mr. James G. Key's class...... Miss Kate Caldwell's class...... Miss Maggie Caldwell's class

10.95

..10.24

79

328 17

9.97 9 52 9.35

Interest..

3.60

$331.77

S. O. WYLIE, JR., Treasurer.

MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.

In the Station at Stillwater, Nebraska, are forty-nine members, and more are expected. Before long an organization will be effected. Parties desiring in the Spring to remove to a good locality, and to get lands at low rates, should visit this place, and soon, as the land is selling very fast. The crops have been very good the last two or three years, wheat averaging from thirteen to thirty bushels per acre, and corn from thirty-five to ninety. All kinds of crops grow luxuriantly. Persons desiring information, please address James R. Allen, Eckley, Webster county, Nebraska, formerly Stillwater.

AT the request of members of Fairgrove mission, I call the attention of the church to its location. It is situated in Tuscola county, Michigan, between Saginaw bay and Lake Huron, which ensures such mildness of winter that peaches ripen. The soil is good and water pure and sufficiently abundant. Good crops of wheat, corn, oats and hay are easily raised. The proximity of the settlement (about sixteen to twenty miles) to the great salt and lumber works of Saginaw City insures good markets for all farm products. Unimproved land is worth from $10 to $16 per acre, improved farms from $20 to $40. The country is settling rapidly with its permanent population. The school houses are first-class, and numerous. The railroad town, Valsac, is ten miles from the heart of the Covenanter settlement, but another station, six or seven miles distant, will soon be accessible. There are twenty-two members of the Covenanter church in the mission, and a good attendance of adherents at preaching. The people are anxious and in earnest to obtain the regular and constant preaching of the word. Address, Mr Thos. Mitchell, Watrousville, or Mr. James McQuarter, Denmark, or Mr. John Rish, Fairgrove, all of Tuscola county, Michigan. J. MCCRACKEN.

(Banner, please copy.)

EDITORIAL NOTE.

WE record with feelings of sincere sorrow the death of Mr. William Wills, in the 48th year of his age. The sad event took place on Wednesday, January 16th, 1878. In our next number will appear an obituary notice prepared by one who from his early childhood knew him, and is well qualified to testify to his excellence of character. We sympathize deeply with the bereaved wife and family, with the congregation of Wilkinsburg, of which he was so long an active member, and with the entire church, in whose welfare he was so deeply interested, and which he so faithfully served in the many positions of trust he occupied.

ECCLESIASTICAL.

INSTALLATION OF REV. J. R. HILL AS PASTOR OF ST. LOUIS CONGREGATION.

THE Commission met at the R. P. Church in St. Louis, September 28th, 1877, at 7 P M., and was constituted with prayer by the chairman. Rev. P. P. Boyd, absent. Elder H. Patterson appointed Clerk, and Silas Smith, ruling elder, invited to a seat as a consultative member. The edict was read the third time. A sermon on Jer. 3: 15, was preached by Rev. W. F. George, who also propounded the queries, led in the installation prayer, and gave the charge to the pastor and to the people. The congregation was generally in attendance, and the pastor was heartily greeted by the officers and members. There was a pleasant representation of brethren from other churches, and the meeting was certainly not without evidence of the presence of the Master.

W. F. GEORGE, Chairman.
H. PATTERSON, Clerk.

MEETINGS OF PRESBYTERIES.

THE Ohio Presbytery met in the Muskingum church, December 5, 1877. The ministerial members were all present except A. McFarland, who is still laboring under severe affliction. The congregations were all represented by ruling elders except Middle Wheeling, Brownsville, and Londonderry and North Salem.