time they were on the road. We want to thank the kind sisters who have remembered to stretch out a helping hand to us in our loneliness. What can we say to let them know how much we appreciate their thoughtfulness? May their own souls be blessed abundantly, may the blessing of him that is ready to perish come upon them. We have acknowledged the Elkorn boxes and the Philadelphia First Congregation goods, but there was another containing ten quilts and a quantity of girls' clothing, which we have no clue to the donors of; and to whom we would fain tender our warm thanks, and can only do so through you. Will you please present them on our behalf?

We would like to say to any ladies who may wish to do us a like favor in the future, that we will send them patterns if they wish. As there is a very small amount of clothing worn, some of the garments had to be reconstructed before using. Dresses are better, for a like reason, to be made with a waist and skirt, gored dresses not suitable. We can make use of them all, but it would be less trouble to them, the ladies, to make plainer

ones.

Everything is quiet at present. We do not yet know whether the "Conference" will bring about any change or not. It would seem as though the old order of things was to remain in force a while longer. We had hoped that a war would be the result, and bring about a better state of things, but "God reigns," and in his own time he will let his kingdom come. It is hard to be patient, however.

We are hoping to have a communion very soon. We have been awaiting the finishing of the new chapel, but there is no hurry in this sleepy land. Dr. Metheny and Mr. Easson have been bending all their ener gies to its completion, but even their Yankee energy only wears themselves away, and does not produce the desired result. It will be finished sometime, and the first service held in it will be in commemoration of our Lord's death.

How much better a monument this will be to our dear sister, Mrs. Metheny, than a pile of storied marble. Here will be proclaimed daily the word of truth to perishing souls; week days through teaching, and on Sabbaths through preaching.

Through her consistent Christian life, and the systematic giving of the tenth of her substance to the Lord," she being dead, yet speaketh." How many, many times during the last few months of her life, she remarked in her earnest manner," Would that I had the ear of all Christians at home; how I would urge them to try the giving of the tenth' to the Lord, for a few years at least, and see if it would not pay in return blessings on their lives, spiritual and temporal. How they hiuder the coming of Christ's kingdom by refusing to give." What a loss her departure is to us and our work.

We have had seven applications for admission to membership to our church, five of them from our school. They have not been formally examined yet, but their cases are under consideration. Mr. Easson and Dr. Metheny have been attending to family visitation recently.

Our schools, though fewer than usual, are in a flourishing condition, and our Sabbath audiences unusually large. Accept our thanks, individually, for your kindness in attending to the shipping of our boxes. All join in kind regards to you and Mrs. Miller. BECKIE CRAWFORD.

Yours in Jesus,

EDITORIAL NOTES.

THE following extracts, among others, taken from the story of the life of Dr. John Todd, and sent to the Presbyterian, of Philadelphia, by a correspondent for publication, will be read by many a pastor with a great deal of interest. Although a very able, a very shrewd and a very pious man, the Dr., after a four years' pastorate in Philadelphia, was compelled to abandon that field, and, as the result, the congregation ceased to exist. The extracts are valuable, as showing that only by the most cordial cooperation between pastor and people can success be obtained, and that care should be taken not to make unreasonable demands of the former. Many an able and willing pastor, because of his willingness to labor, is expected do all the work, and for any failure is sure to receive all the blame. This should not be.

As early as the first year of his settlement he writes: "If people see that they can nettle a minister, it at once gives them power and importance which they are sure to exercise. . . I have enough every week to throw

me into the scarlet fever."

.

Again, the second year: "My people think that I am to fill the church with people, pay for it all at once, support the concern itself; this is the first great work, and subsidiary to this, I am to carry them to heaven, while they live entirely to the world, and am to convert the congregation also. They are jealous of each other, are afraid that one or another will have too much notice, or they too little, and then they wonder why the minister does not accomplish more."

To another, the third year: "The secret of all the difficulty, and the apparent cause of my want of success among this people, is the jealousy of a few of them. . . It seems sometimes as if I should sink under it."

.

On his return from a vacation: "On coming back to my flock I found almost everything wrong and out of order, and God only knows whether it will ever be otherwise."

Still later: "I have been driven almost to madness by the conduct of some of my people. I do not believe that Edwards ever had so bad things said of him; such wholesale lies told."

Again: "I am insulted daily in the house of God, and everywhere else. Mrs. Todd too comes in for her share of reproach and contumely, and it sometimes seems as if we must sink under it."

-We take the following from the Independent. It forms part of its comment on the Bible Lesson of April, first Sabbath, 2 Kings 4: 1–7. The importance of the lesson for Christian people in these financially troublous times ought to lead to its careful study, and an earnest following out of its principles:

Instruction. While godliness is the most important thing, yet there are other important things such as cleanliness and prudence. The woman's husband was a good man; but he had not kept out of debt. Possibly he was driven into debt during the famine. Good men do sometimes get into financial difficulties without being to blame. But business prudence may

be an aid to godliness. Debt should be avoided with the utmost care, and never incurred unless one sees just how he will pay it. Children should be taught to pay as they go. It is an admirable plan for them to get in the habit of laying up a little money regularly, even if it be very little. It is better to put six cents into the savings bank than to spend it for a passing pleasure. The child who has a savings bank account and steadily increases it may not be a Christian, but he is doing something that is in a measure akin to religion. He is thoughtful of the future. He is rather more likely to become a Christian than another one, and, when a Christian, is likely to be a more useful one.

Debts must be paid. The obligation to pay them never lapses until they are entirely paid. Elisha did not tell the widow to compromise for as small an amount as possible; but to pay it in full first. It may be right now, with our laws, for a man who fails to compromise by paying a certain portion, and to be legally released from the rest; but he cannot be morally released until he has paid the uttermost farthing. When he fails he has no moral right to retain anything for his own use and comfort, except by permission of the creditors, so that he may be helped to begin again and acquire means to pay by and by what he cannot pay now. In these days, when so many individuals and corporations, and even states, have failed to pay their debts, it is well to teach the obligations of common honesty. There was a rough sense of justice in the old law by which a man who did not pay what he owed was compelled to work it out, and to give the labor of his family until the debt was paid. If the young were taught in the Sabbath school and at home economy and to keep a savings account, there would not be such hard times.

-The article entitled "Harvest Men Wanted" is well worthy of a careful perusal. "Necessity is laid upon me," wrote Paul; "yea, woe is me if I preach not the gospel." The men that would be successful in doing the work of the Lord are not those who in order to enter upon it must be coaxed, and to continue in it must be flattered; not those who perform their duties as if they were a perfunctory service; not those whose secret motive is to obtain the "piece of silver and the morsel of bread," but men that are consumed by a burning desire for the conversion of immortal souls. More laborers are not so much needed as new consecration of those already in the field. New truth is not what is wanted, but a firm belief in the old truth and greater earnestness in its presentation. It is all a mistake to imagine that permanent success can be obtained where there is an unwillingness to present the great doctrines of the Bible in their plainness, such as election, total depravity, &c. Mr. Spurgeon's career is an illustration of the very opposite. It is the faithful presentation of God's truth accompanied by the effectual working of God's Spirit, that is accompanied with the divine blessing.

-For the information of members, we make a brief mention of such items of business as will likely occupy the attention of Synod at the coming meeting.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS.-1. Report of Committee on best method of reducing expenses of Annual Meeting. Reformed Presbyterian and Covenanter, 1876, pp. 201 and 208.

7. Report of Delegate to brethren in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, p. 232, and Delegates to General Assembly of the U. P. Church and General Synod of R. P. Church, p. 250.

NEW BUSINESS.-1. Finance. There was a deficit in more than one fund last year. This year the collections have been less liberal than formerly. Something must be done, or Synod must prepare to curtail some of her enterprises. The debt of the Seminary building has not been decreased any for some time. The endowing of Geneva College, recommended at the last meeting, p. 210, will be presented this year.

2. Missions. Brother Johnston has been so successful in his work at San Francisco that Synod will be called on to take definite action respecting the propriety of establishing a mission among the Chinese in that city. The question of a mission among the Indians, for the establishing of which at least one contribution has already been made, will also very probably be introduced.

3. As stated in the minutes of Pittsburgh Presbytery, published in this number, the question whether a Theological Professor can, while occupying that position, be a pastor, will be brought to the attention of Synod.

4. Supplies. On account of the large number of laborers in the field, and the comparatively small number of vacancies and mission stations, the question as to the wisest and best distribution of the former will require ⚫ careful consideration. Presbyteries should be prepared to ask for as much time as possible, in order that all may be employed.

-From the report of the Committee on Presbyterial Reports, we make the following extracts for the benefit of clerks of presbyteries and sessions: As many of the statistical tables were incorrect in their statements of the aggregate amounts of columns and of congregations-giving the committee no little trouble—we would therefore recommend:

1st. That clerks of sessions and presbyteries be directed to be more careful in making out accurate tables.

2d. That the "Miscellaneous" and "For all other objects" be included in one, and that clerks of presbyteries be directed to omit the columns of cents in their financial reports.

-Last year only three Presbyteries paid their quota to the Travelling Fund. That this fund may succeed, care should be taken that the full quota of each Presbytery be raised.

-No Rail Road Committee was appointed at last Synod, so that delegates must act for themselves, and make the best arrangements they can.

-As will be seen by reference to the article entitled "A Suggestion," a number of the members of Synod intend to stop at hotels during the coming meeting. To the members of the Allegheny and Pittsburgh congregations this will be a surprise, as they calculate on providing for delegates as has been the custom heretofore, and are not only willing, but also desirous so to do. We hope the proposition made will not have the effect of keeping away from this meeting any of the ministers or elders. Important business is to be attended to, and all who can should arrange to be present.

For the benefit of those who are resolved to inaugurate the new movement, and expect to be prepared to give Synod the benefit of their experience, we would say, it is not necessary for them to stop at the hotels. Boarding at cheaper rates can be obtained in private families, and convenient to the church. Arrangements can be easily made for their entertainment. Those who have had much experience in hotel life on the Sabbath day, know that it is not very desirable; a boarding house kept by a Christian family is altogether preferable.

-The Synod meets this year in the Central R. P. church, Sandusky street, south of Ohio, Allegheny, on Tuesday, May 22d, at 7 P. M., and will be opened with a sermon by the retiring moderator, Rev. James Kennedy, of New York. For arrangements for entertainment of members, see

cover.

-The mission stations under care of the Central Board are reminded that only when an amount equal to $7.30 per member per annum has been secured, will assistance be given.

ECCLESIASTICAL.

CLOSING EXERCISES OF THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. THE Board of Superintendents of the Theological Seminary met in Seminary Hall, Tuesday, March 27, 1877, and was opened with prayer by the chairman, Dr. S. O. Wylie. The members present were Dr. Wylie and Rev. R. J. George. R. J. George, in the absence of the secretary, was appointed secretary pro tem. The Professors presented a joint report, and each of them a report of the work done in his department. An order of exercises was arranged, after which the Board took a recess until 7.30 P. M.

Tuesday, 7.30 P. M.

The Board met, and discourses were delivered by first year students, as follows: W. R. Laird, Heb. 2:18; R. C. Allen, Matt. 16: 26; F. M. Foster, Gen. 5: 24; R. H. Abraham, Matt. 10:32, 33; and T. McFall, Job 5:26. The Board then adjourned to meet in Seminary Hall to-morrow, at 9 A. M. Closed with prayer by Prof. Willson. Wednesday, 9 A. M.

Board met in Seminary Hall and was opened with prayer by R. J. George. The Professors reported that W. R. Laird would not be present at examination, having been necessarily called home. The discourses of last evening were criticised, and the students were examined in Hebrew Exegesis and Biblical Criticism by Prof. Willson, and in Theology by Prof. Sloane. The Board then took a recess until 2.30 P. M. Wednesday, 2.30 P. M. Board met in Allegheny church, and heard discourses from first and second year stu