one Roman Catholic, one Protestant Episcopal, one Universalist, one Baptist, one Presbyterian, one Congregational, two Methodist Episcopal, and two African Methodist. The new court-house, which stands on a beautiful elevation near the center of the town, is a chaste and striking structure. Taken all together, embracing outward appearance and inward arrangement, it is probably superior to everything of the kind in the state. Here too are the residences of two well-known citizens of the empire state, the Hon. Daniel S. Dickinson, and the Hon. John A. Collier. The traveler, going west on the New York and Erie railroad, will see the dwelling of the latter gentleman just north of the Binghamton depot, and that of the former on the right, in the midst of a beautiful garden, immediately after passing the bridge over the Chenango. As an inland town, Binghamton has admirable commercial facilities. Besides having the use of the railroad just mention ed, which enters our valley at Lanesboro, and threads it to Waverly, a distance of near seventy miles, it communicates with the north through the Syracuse and Binghamton railroad, and the Chenango Canal; and soon will communicate with the east, through the Albany and Susquehanna railroad. It is, in an important sense, the emporium of the upper Susquehanna Valley, and is destined to be, though its growth may be gradual, a considerable inland city. Its present population is about ten thousand. Our account of this valley would be capitally defective, were we not to add, that Churches of the different denominations have been planted "in the length of it, and in the breath of it." Numerically, the Methodist Episcopal Church holds a decided preponderance; and here several of her ablest and most distinugished ministers, some of whom still live, commenced their public career. The recent 66 revival" has swept along the Susquehanna, as it has elsewhere, adding largely to the strength of Zion, and bringing many a wanderer to the fold of the Heavenly Shepherd. great Editorial Notes and Gleanings. THE RELIGIOUS WORLD. CHURCH STATISTICS.-No religious denomination publishes a more carefully compiled series of statistics than is issued annually in the "Minutes of the Methodist Episcopal Church." That document for the present year is now before us in a large and somewhat unwieldy pamphlet. We condense from it a few items which will be of interest to our readers, not only of that connection, but of other branches of the Church of Christ. The total membership is 956,555, of whom 188,555 are probationers. The increase over last year is 136,036, being by far the greatest annual increase since the Southern secession, and exceeded in the history of the Church only by the increase reported for the year 1842-3, which was 154,626. With one exception (Kentucky, where there was a decrease of 38) every conference reports, for the last year, an increase, the greatest being in Pittsburgh, 7,241. Then follow New York East, 5,790; Erie, 5,728; New York, 5,298. The largest increase per sent. was in Kansas and Nebraska, where they counted last year 1,182; this year 2,610, being an increase of 1,428, or something more than a hundred and twenty per cent. The increase in each of the following conferences has exceeded 4,000, to wit, Cincinnati, Newark, Troy, Northwestern Indiana, Michigan, Detroit, Illinois, Peoria, Indiana, and Rock River. The total number of effective ministers is 5,707, which is one for every 168 members. The supernumeraries are 243; the superannuated 552. The local exceed the itinerant preachers by more than a thousand, being in the aggregate 7,530. If both classes be added together we have, of clergymen, 14,032, or one for every 68 members. Of ministers received during the year there were 547, the largest number being in the Illinois Conference (34); Peoria (26); Wisconsin (22); Upper Iowa (20); Pittsburgh (20); and Missouri (18). This last is worthy of note, there being but 65 ministers of all ages in that conference. During the year fifty-two ministers died, of In the number of parsonages the Troy Conference holds the highest rank, having 111; the next in number is Erie, 94; and then New York, 88. The aggregate and average value of parsonages in the eleven conferences which have the greatest number is as follows: Conferences. Erie. New York.. Rock River. Oneida.. Black River. East Genesee.. New York East. whom one fourth (13) were in the two New The number of churches in the connection is 9,063; their estimated value $17,560,494, which is a trifle less than two thousand dollars each. The parsonages are 2,407, not quite half the number of effective traveling preachers; their value $2,350,992, which is somewhat less than one thousand dollars each. In value of churches three conferences, Philadelphia, New York East, and New York, each exceed one million of dollars. New England, Cincinnati, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh, in this order, exceed seven hundred thousand dollars. And the churches within the bounds of the following conferences are estimated at more than half a million each: Newark, Rock River, Troy, Providence, East Baltimore, New Jersey, East Genesee. There is, however, a great difference in the average value of the churches in different sections. Take for instance the seven which stand highest on the list: The total amount raised for the Missionary Society during the year is reported to have been $229,145, which is an average of a little less than 24 cents for each member. In 1857 the average exceeded 27 cents; in 1856 it was 25 1-10; in 1855 it was about the same, and in 1854 it was 29 2-10 cents. Six conferences contributed more than ten thousand dollars each, to wit: Conferences. Philadelphia... The conferences which contributed for missions more than five and less than ten thousand dollars each, were the following,. and in this order, to-wit: East Baltimore, Ohio, Troy, North Ohio, Erie, New England, Illinois, East Genesee, Rock River, New Jersey, and Newark. In contributions for the Tract Society Philadelphia takes the lead as she does also for the Sunday School Union. New York Conference made the largest donation to the American Bible Society. The greatest number of Sunday Schools is reported to be within the bounds of the Ohio Conference, but Philadelphia has a larger number of teachers and scholars. A UNIVERSAL REVIVAL.-The London Christian Times has shown a great deal of anxiety to keep its readers posted up with reference to what has been called the American Revival, and copies very extensively from our religious papers from week to week. In a late number the editor indulges in some glowing anticipations as to the future, and asks: What is there, after all, unreasonable in the anticipation that we are on the eve of a period when a great forward stride in religious faith and practice is about to be made throughout Christendom? That such an advance would be out of the beaten track of events is surely no argument against it. The analogy of things is all in favor of such an expectation. An earnest religious revival would be extraordinary, no doubt; that is to say, it has not before happened on a large scale in our time; but this is an age of extraordinary events. Everywhere else we see discoveries which surpass the wildest of the old fables. The earth has disclosed secrets to man in a way that even our immediate fathers never dreamed of. The discoveries of science have been upon a scale before unknown. The mechanical arts have been brought to a pitch of perfection which, till now, was deemed impossible. Now all history testifies to this fact, that great social and political changes are succeeded by spiritual movements. Whenever society is stirred to its depths, it matters not what may have originated the movement, the outcome is sure to be an intense devotional spirit. The earnestness that marks the distinction between the present day and the easy infidelity of the days of Hume and Gibbon, dates from the convulsions attending on the first French Revolution. The stirrings of society created by the invention of printing and the discovery of America were among the causes which contributed to the great revival we call Protestantism; a revival which surely is not to be numbered among those transient phenomena that mark the reaction from long fits of worldliness, profligacy, or superstition. But we doubt whether the era of the French Revolution, or the era of Protestantism, or any other of the great birth-throes of humanity, was more deep and important, though they may have been more agonizing and convulsive, than that through which we are now passing. There appears to us, therefore, no presumption, but a sober anticipation justified not more by the "promise of God's word than presaged by the events of God's providence, that these awakenings, which have been most conspicuous in America, but which, as we have more than once remarked, are not confined to that country, are but the first drops of a shower of spiritual blessings which shall refresh and fructify the arid and thirsty world. THE FIRST RELIGIOUS NEWSPAPER.-So numerous are now the weekly papers devoted to the interests of Christianity, that it becomes a matter of some importance to settle the question, who was the first religious journalist? It will surprise many of the readers of this generation to learn that it is but little more than forty years since the prospectus of the first of this now numerous and increasing class of publications was is sued, and that the man who first conceived the idea, and carried it into execution is still living. The Boston Recorder was the name of the paper, and NATHANIEL WILLIS was its projector, publisher, and editor. As has been the case with many other successful undertakings, the claim has been set up in behalf of others; but we find in a late number of that paper, for it is still published weekly, so clear and circumstantial an account of the whole matter, from the pen of the veteran himself, that this question may be considered settled. Mr. Willis, now in his seventyninth year, gives a sketch of his early life, his career as editor of a political paper, and of his conversion under the ministry of Dr. Payson. We shall gratify our readers by making a few extracts from this interesting piece of autobiography: In May, 1808, I was admitted a member of the second Church, of which Rev. Mr. Payson was the junior pastor. I had been some time thinking of the practicability of setting up a religious newspaper in Portland. I conversed with Mr. Payson, Dea. Coe, Dea. Lincoln, Dr. Mitchell, of North Yarmouth, an influential Christian, and many others. They all thought it a good thing, but the times were so hard that it could not succeed now. Rev. Dr. Jenks has written to me, that at a meeting of the Maine Missionary Society in Bath, in 1810, where he then resided, “I well recollect then and there you mentioned the subject of a religious newspaper to the ministers and others assembled, and asked their advice and approbation." In 1812 I removed to Boston. The subject of a religious newspaper still rested heavily on my mind. I talked with Christians in Boston often about it. Many, though they liked the plan, objected to it as impracticable, especially in the hard times occasioned by the war. Deacon Jeremiah Evarts at one time agreed to aid in it, but finally withdrew. Dr. Griffin said he never heard of such a thing as religion in a newspaper; it would do in a magazine. I said I had some experience in newspaper publishing, and believed such a thing could be done, if Christians would encourage it. In 1814 I had an interview with Dr. Morse on the subject of a religious newspaper. He encouraged it and said he had a son pursuing his studies in Connecticut, who would make a good editor. He was very sanguine that a large subscription could be obtained. He declined any pecuniary responsibility, but said that the subscribers would pay in advance, if his son was editor. I suppose, like any other kind father, he was desirous of securing a competent support for his son, without risk of loss. In 1815 the prospectus of the Recorder was written. I printed it, and we circulated them and got what subscribers we could. Mr. Sidney Morse refused any pecuniary responsibility, and no contract was entered into which could bind him. The first number of the Recorder was dated January 3, 1816. Mr. Morse's name was not in it, but mine stands as publisher at my office in State street, Boston. ious newspaper in the world. The simple question is: Where was it founded? who did the work and paid the expenses? who would have been responsible in case of a lawsuit for libel or debt? The first number of the paper answers these questions: "The Recorder, published by Nathaniel Willis, at No. 76 State street, Boston." Thus much for the first weekly religious paper. Recently, the propriety and feasibility of issuing a daily sheet to be a vehicle of news, and to be Christian in its aim and tendency, have been discussed. Just as it was with the first weekly, Christians and Christian ministers see difficulties in the way. Like the good Dr. Griffin, they "never heard of such a thing as religion in a (daily) newspaper." Our children will hear of it, if we do not, and on this page we place the prediction that half a century will not have passed when there will not only be religious dailies all over the land, but when none others will find their way into the houses of respectable people. PULPIT COQUETRY.-Most of our readers, we suppose, do not know the meaning of this phrase. We never heard of it until recently. In a Congregational paper, a few weeks since, the thing was described and denounced. It is a practice, it seems, that prevails somewhat extensively among those denominations which enjoy what they esteem the high privilege of calling their own pastors. The clerical coquette is an ordained minister of Christ, vain of his talents, as women are sometimes vain of their beauty, and who, like some of the softer sex, throws out his lures to beguile and deceive. The lady seeks to provoke a declaration of love, with no intention of making her victim happy by cords matrimonial. The clergyman fishes for "a call," with not the most remote idea of being wedded to the people whose affections he seeks to win, or of becoming the shepherd of the silly sheep he has beguiled. The female coquette is desirous of having in her train a multitude of professed admirers. The clerical coquette is ambitious of securing a number of " calls," but he goes a step further than custom permits the softer sex, who do not, as a general thing, publish the letters received from their enamored swains, or cause editorial paragraphs to be written in which their successive triumphs are announced to the world. But to the clercial coquette the "call" is nothing unless it finds its way into the papers. The approved form runs in this fashion: "We learn that the Rev. Augustus Jonquille has received a call to the first church in Poppyopolis. We have VOL. XIII.-39 not heard whether he will accept it or not. His removal thither would be a sad calamity to the people among whom he now labors with such devotedness, and by whom he is so ardently beloved." We see similar announcements frequently. They are not always, we are bound to believe, the result of coquetry on the part of ministers of the gospel, than which we can think of nothing more contemptible, or less susceptible of excuse or palliation. THEOLOGICAL CREEDS.-We suppose it to be the general sentiment among all who love the Lord Jesus that there will be no sectarian fences separating the mansions of the saved in our Father's house. The sentiment was happily illustrated by one of the speakers at the last commencement of Yale College. Much had been said in reference to Dr. Taylor and Dr. Tyler, who had been in their lifetime the leaders and champions of two opposite schools of theology in New-England. The Rev. Dr. Rufus W. Clark, alluding to the difference in the theological views of these eminent divines, and the insignificance of these differences to them now, said that while Dr. Tyler may have entered heaven through a gate on whose portal was written the inscription, "Whom he did predestinate, them he also called;" and Dr. Taylor, through a gate above which was written these words, "Whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely;" yet, after they had passed through, looking back they would each see, in a broad line of living light, stretching across the inner wall above both portals, the blessed text, "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." A HOLY LIFE.-The following thoughts on the influence of a holy life are from the pen of the late Dr. Chalmers: There is an energy of moral suasion in a good man's life, passing the highest efforts of the holiness speaks more eloquently of God and orator's genius. The seen but silent beauty of duty than the tongues of men and angels. Let parents remember this. The best inheritance a parent can bequeath to a child is a virtuous example, a legacy of hallowed remembrances and associations. The beauty of holiness beamis more effectual to strengthen such as do stand ing through the life of a loved relative or friend, in virtue's ways, and raise up those that are bowed down, than precept, command, entreaty, by far the greater part of its moral power, not or warning. Christianity itself, I believe, owes to the precepts or parables of Christ, but to His own character. The beauty of that holiness which is enshrined in the four brief biographies of the Man of Nazareth has done more, and will do more, to regenerate the world and bring in everlasting righteousness, than all the other agencies put together. It has done more to spread his religion in the world, than all that has ever been preached or written on the evidences of Christianity. THE USEFUL AND BEAUTIFUL.-The tomb of Moses is unknown; but the traveler slakes his thirst at the well of Jacob. The gorgeous palace of the wealthiest and wisest of monarchs, with the cedar, and gold, and ivory, and even the great Temple of Jerusalem, hallowed by the visible glory of the Deity himself, are gone; but Solomon's reservoirs are as perfect as ever. Of the ancient architectuary of the Holy City, not one stone is left upon another; but the Pool of Bethesda commands the pilgrim's reverence at the present day. The columns of Persepolis are moldering into dust; but its cisterns and aqueducts remain to challenge our admiration. The golden house of Nero is a mass of ruins; but the Aquis Claudia still pours into Rome its limpid stream. The Temple of the Sun, at Tadmor in the wilderness, has fallen; but its fountains sparkle as freshly in his rays as when thousands of worshipers thronged its lofty colonnades. It may be that London will share the fate of Babylon, and nothing be left to mark its site save mounds of crumb ling brick-work. The Thames will continue to flow as it does now. And if any work of art should still rise over the deep ocean of time, we may well believe that it will be neither a palace nor a temple, but some vast aqueduct or reservoir; and if any name should flash through the midst of antiquity, it will probably be that of a man who in his day sought the happiness of his fellow-men rather than their glory, and linked his name to some great work of national utility and benevolence. This is the true glory, which outlives all other, and shines with undying luster from generation to generation; imparting to works some of its immortality, and in some degree rescuing them from the ruin which overtakes the ordinary monuments of historical tradition or mere magnificence, THE RELATION WHICH HUMAN TEACHING BEARS TO SCRIPTURE.-Archbishop Whately, in his "Cautions for the Times," remarks: Human teaching bears the same relation to Scripture that what is called "Paper Currency" does to the precious metals. Bank notes and bills of exchange, though of no intrinsic value, are very convenient circulating mediums, as long as they really represent gold and silver, and are payable in coin on demand of the holder. But if these notes be made a legal tender, and are required to be received in payment by the decree of the very government which issues them, and on its bare word, without being convertible into gold and silver, the result is, that those metals soon disappear, and men are cheated of their goods in exchange for worthless bits of paper. Even so, as long as human teaching is really a representative of Scripture, and Scripture proof is always ready to be given-paid on demand, as it were-of whatever is taught, then and then only we are secured against the danger of having God's word superseded by "doctrines which are the commandments of men." BIGOTRY.-The editor of the Tennessee Baptist, who is also a book publisher, says: We have thoroughly revolved this subject, and have resolved that we will henceforth issue no book, nor allow to pass through our hands to the people, any book written by a Baptist in the North, or in the South, that admits that gelical, gospel or Christian Churches or organiPedobaptist or Campbellite societies are evanzations. If we are called upon to send out such a book, we will publish our protest against its pernicious teaching on a fly leaf. Every book that admits that Pedobaptist societies are evangelical, gospel or Christian Churches is to be proscribed, even though it be a Baptist book! The editor of the Christian Index, Ga., goes with his "brother Graves" so far as to deny Churches-indeed, he says they that Pedobaptist organizations are Christian churches at all." He denies that "Methodist ministers are ministers of Jesus Christ." And he would take the same position in regard to the Presbyterian ministers. We commend these and all such men to the prayers of the Churches. WORLDLY AMUSEMENTS.-Dr. Chalmers once said: There is an admirable naïveté in many of the sayings of John Newton, and his answer to Scott (author of the "Force of Truth") is quite in accordance with our position. Seeing that his young friend was moving aright in those great principles which would infallibly land him in decided Christianity, to the question whether he should now continue to go to the theater, he replied he might go "as long as he could." It was better that he should thus be left to find his own way to that lofty vantage-ground of turning from the now tasteless amusements of the world to higher and nobler gratifications. How many illustrations are continually given of the great truth here announced! As soon as a soul awakes to the importance of spiritual things, the hollowness of fashionable amusements becomes apparent. Persons may continue to frequent their old haunts, but it is with a growing sense of their unsuitableness and insufficiency, until at length they refuse to trifle with them |