Texas Presbyterian. (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 19, Ed. 1, Saturday, July 24, 1847 Page: 1 of 4
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VTERIi.
A FAMILY NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO RELIGION
N. TO AGRICULTURE AND TO THE NEWS OF THE DAY.
fEXAS SAT
VOL. I.
HOUS
1847.
NO. 19.
TEXAS
I.E
TO MORALITY. IfaBl
imrniAM
Stras 3rcsfijttv(atr.
A Family Nexpapcr deroicd lo Chn-mnltr ic
Morality lo Education lo Scirocr lo Agricnl
tnre and 10 Ihe diffusion of awful Knowledge.
Rev. Andrew J. McGow.v
Editor & Proprietor.
The Tcxsa Pkebttcuin m til be pablishfd on
a lart e fiae impel tal sheet with new and beautiful
Ijrpr ai ? per annum in aa sauce vs 9s tac cs-
titration of Ihe rear.
Subscriptions receded at anf lime and the pap-
er forwarded until the subscriber orders its discon-
tinuance and pars up arrearages except al the op-
tion o! the Editor.
Letters through the Post-office must be postpaid
otherwise ther will not De atienaeo 10.
X2rAdrertiement3 inserted at the usual prices
th ditor resernne- the ricbt to reiect all adrer-
tisemeau not deemed compatible wuh the charac
ter enne publication.
NEWSPAPER SUBSCRIPTION ThePostmas-
tn General has ordered the fjltowing regulations:
Money lor bevrsaper su'jscnpt-ons not exceeding
1 ten d 1U in each case may be paid to a Postmaster
for the purpose of being paid 10 the publisher of a news-
paper al any otheromce. Tao Posimsster is in ruch
case to gire to th per in paring the money a receipt
therelor and advise forthwith the Postmaster who is
to pay said amount of such deposit ; and upon presen
tatiou of this receipt the amount is to bepaidurer.
The Postmaster receiving the amount 1 to debit him
elf therewith in his account and the Posimsster pay-
ing that amount is 10 credit himself therewith in his
account of contingent expenes "
Agents for the Presbyterian.
IS TEXAS.
Jjs M Baler Eq Cuero DeWia CO.
A. Jonw Cleik. Gonzales
Thos. H. DJJgan and Andrew Neill Seguin.
R-r Mr. McCullough Bexar.
John F. McKtnnev Goliad.
Benjamin li Stribling. Stribling'a Mill.
Post Master Matagorda.
iS.nvjel B'vthe Peach Creek.
. V.n.J. E 'Heard Egvpt
t SSl George W. Gardner Columbus.
i'2vj- Robert Hjrris. Chrisman'a settlement
'?' Elder J is II S rtblmg Independence.
P A M Lewis Uienham
Hon R. E. B Baylor upper Brazos country.
I)r. Thos. i. Heard Washington.
Mr Muager ClerL.San Felipe
I'jjchsl P. Bord n Richmond.
James Burke Brazoria.
J3 FloyJ Famhorpc's Grimes county.
Sam'I McGoivn Huntsville Wulkcr county.
Ret. Mr. Nertl. Ciocictt.
James Sh-irpp. Doughs:
Isaac le and Gen T.J. (tusk Nacogdoches
Her. Finis E Foster San AugusLne
Rer. John BitrneU Sabine county.
Charles Stewart and Iter. Mr. Henderson
Galveston
im'l Corley nnd S F Donne!! Kid Riser.
Dirid Lore Robertson county.
Judge Grig?. Burleson county.
Dr. .Manly La Gunge.
SHv'Tcpcs "-
T. M. Baghy. J
Tbaddens C Bell Columbia.
Rer. Henry Uenick. city of Austin.
James Plant New Yoik.
W. D Smith
From the Aictra.)
IIorsTCV July 7lh 1847.
Dear Sir: Your polite note of the 1st in
stant- reauc-timr mv opinion of the examina
tion and exhibition of the Public Schools of
Galreston has been received and merits a
.candid response. I regret that my numerous
engagements will not allow me time to saj
Jill that is in m heart respecting your Public
School". The" brief visit which I made to
them in January last in company v. ith Or.
Ashbel Smith and others gratiticti me much
and inspired me with high expectations ofthe
success of the grand experiment of Public
Schools in Texas. I have teh the deepest
solicitude for the success ofthe Galveston edu-
cational enterprize and now rejoice ith its
numerous friends in the signal triumph it has
achieved. .
With the examination and exhibition ofthe
Public Schools which it was my good fortune
to witness I was more than pleased I was
delighted. Both reflected high credit alike
upon the students and upon their teachers. I
was fully satisfied of the thoroughness ofthe
course of instruction and the excellency ofthe
discipline.
My interviews with the lion. Mr. Sydnor
the Mayor ofthe city and other distinguished
gentlemen and devoted friends ofthe Public
ikhools convinced me that " excelsior" is the
beautiful motto of ihe island city and this noble
idea she will fulhl by sustaining her Public
Schools which are her ic wels her nurseries
f intelligence and virtue and her armories of
power.
Let the State adopt the same motto and
fulfil the grand conception by establishing and
sustaining a system of Public Schools. The
Slate is rich in natural resources in the ex-
lent ofher domain in mineral u calth in the
fertility ofher soil in the salubrity and mild-
ness of her climate in the variety abundance
and value of her products and in her commer-
cial advantages but a good system of educa-
tion adapted to the wants ofthe country; and
carried into successfi! operation would be of
higher value to Texas than all her other ad-
vantages combined. Such a system in its
jiracUcal operations would be the true "alchy-
jny" converting worldly and material resour-
ces into intellectual and moral improvement
changing corporeal riches into mental trea-
annea transmuting the perishable things of
earth and time into celestial and immortal
capacities with the same certainty that the
processes of nature convert the dark mould of I
the earth into flowers and fruits.
Galreston deserres well of the Slate of
ttuich she is the commercial emporium and
pride lor setting Ihe educational ball in mo
tion and Cstahli-hinc Public Schi
Mr. McNair tbo able and accomplisl
penntcntleut ofthe Public schools
well 01 uaiveston lor the ability untiring in-1
uusirr ami unutncuing energy waica ne nas
diplaed in organizing and superintending
those School and securing their enviable
pre-eminence. Success to the Galveston
Public Schools.
Most repcctmlly yours
C. RICHARDSON.
V. Riciiaidsox Esq.
CuroKMA.-The difficulty between Com.
Stockton and Gen. Kearney relative to rank
seems to nave been settled in favor ofthe lat-
ter as Gen. K. has assumed the government
of the territory. The following extracts
are from the proclamation addressed to the
Calilbrnians. It first appeared in the Diario
Del Gobierno and has been copied into the
New Orleans papers :
" It u the deaif and intimation ofthe Uuited States
to procure for California as speedily as possible a free
Government like that of their owu territories and they
will very soon tuvite the inhabitants lo exercise the
rights of free citizens in the choice of their own repre-
sentatives who may enact such laws as they deem
best adapted to their interests and well beiug. Hut
mud this takes place the laws actually in existence
which are not repugnant to the Constitution of Ihe U.
Stales wdl continue m force untd ther are revoked
bj competent authority; and persons in the exercise of
public employments will for the present remain in them
provided they m ear to maintain the said Constitution
and faithfully to discharge their duties.
The undemgneu b tbene presents absolves all
the lubabilants of California of any further allegiance
to the Itepubbc of Mexico aud regards them as cit-zens
of the United Mates. Those who remain quiet and
peaceable will be respected and protected in their rights;
but should any oue t Ae up amis against the Govern-
ment of this te'mton . o- torn such as do so or instigate
others to do so all these he wUI regard as enemies
and they will be treated as such
Americans and Califomians t from henceforth one
people. Let us then uidulge oue dewre one hope ; let
that bo for the peace and tranquillity of our countr .
Lt us un.te like krolitcrs ana mmuaiiy suive lor uie
improvement and adranceinent of tins our beautiful
country which within a short period cannot fad lo be
not only beautiful but also prosperous and happy.
Given at Moutcrej capital of Cahforaia tins 1st dav of
March 01 the )earoiour xsuu ie-t ana 01 we in-
Independence of the United States the 71st-
S. W. KERNEY. Bng. Gen. U.S. A.
and Governor of California.
Tobasto takes. Com. Perry has lieen
more successful in his second than his ilrst ex-
pedition a2aint Tobasco. This town was
taken on the Iblh ull. The squadron consist
ing of some dozen vcs-cl ol war steamers
bomb-Ketches ic entered the river on the
1-Jth. As the fleet pascd tie town ot can
Juan Bautista 75 miles from the moulh ofthe
riier a hcaiy lire was received from the ene-
my behind strong breast-w orks at the "Dev-
il's Turn." The enemy were speedily re-
pulsed and the place taken without loss.
rrom thence licten tiundrca seamen anu ma-
rines with ten fiold-pieces marched bv land
the short distance to Tobasce which stood
but one fire the enemy then retreating and
our troops taking possession of ihe town.
Lieut. May is said to have had his arm brok-
en and another officer was wounded. A few
privates w ere also wounded but not a man
was killed. A sufficient garrison was left in
the town and Com. Perry returned to his sta-
tion off Anton Lizardo. This is reported as
a most brilliant achievement. About 1000
seamen completely whipped 2500 eif the Ta.
bascan commanded b) Gen. Bruno who is
reported to be a brave and able general.
The obstacles which our seamen oiercame in
the landing and march through swamps and
thickets are said to have been very formidable.
Great advantages are anticipated tromtbis con
quest. AeiM.
Mr. Kendall's letters from PueUacame down on
the 30th ulL We cannot serve our readers better than
by girmgafewcfthemost important extracts. We
remark that Mr. Kendall lias bJt little confidence in
the reported prospects of peace.
rrcsLs Juno 23th 1847.
Our latest nancrs from the capital are to the &!nd
inst; from AUixco we have 47 Aartoaal of the ltb.
Santa Anna is striking bold! J at the liberty of the press
and hence we are unable through the papers to come
to the true state of arTurs at the city of Mexico. Senor
Sojothe printer of the Bulletin of Democracy (Duletiu
de la llemocracia) Jias been sent to Acapulco whilst
Senor Eufrmio lEouiero the principal writer for La
Calalvera has been packed olf to han Luis at a mo
ment s warning lurres tne E4Mor 01 u .uouuor
U-publicauo has bn repeatedly threatened bj the
authorities with imprisonment but notwrthstauding
these threats keeps up a constant fire at Santa Auna
and bis ministers. hy be too ss not seut off it is
bard to say.
Ibarra has been appointed Minister of Foreign Itela-
tious and Vicente Kuuiero of Justice. Both are said
to be ultra l'uros and with little or no character It
is uMerted that no houett roan Wll tako odice under
the present CoTernment and a dishonest one does not
appear to retain it more inau lony-cigni nouis.
ThM nnlr article I bare seen in anr ofthe Mexican
jojroals relating particularly to the Congress on the
question of peace ts the following m El Monitor Rcpub-
licano of the !d lust The Edxoraays:
MA communication has been addressed to our Gor-
erument from Gen. r-cott at Puebla in which the arri-
val there of a comnussioner from the United fetates
fully empoa ered for the adjustment of a peace is an-
nounced; but it has been sent to Ihe Congress fcr that
body to deliberate on so important an affair. We think
that a sufficient number 01 deputies will not assemble ;
and should this be the case tbo absentees will appear
in our columns in order that the puhlv being made
acquainted with them may never return them again."
This is the English of tho entire article but what
the Editor dnnngat in the last clause it difficult
to make out It may bo that he threatens to'expose
the absent members because bo wniesthem to appear
and rote against listening to any proposdMus of peace
.-a . . h Tsi4ltf the reraise lie must be a
shrewd observer who can tell from what a Mexican
Editor says oue day what rial leeliagswui r tne next.
Pitbia June 30 1947.
all ir. talk now is of peace immediate
.-- with th. preat Mexican nation and
those who talked but a short week since of
rovollinir in iha halls ofthe Montezumas. now
appear to think they are just about as near the
aforesaid halls as they ever win De. i uaruiy
know what to think ofthe matter. The arri
nlnf the heavy reinforcements known to be
' on the way for (Jen. Scott combined with the
loss of confidence tho Mexican leaders have
in themselves and their followers bare turned
their feelings to a degree and the most belli.
gercnt among them may now really be in fa
or of coming to terms. Santa Anna him.clij
although he will be very far from starting the
ball mil doubtless help to keep it in motion
when it is once under way. His very salva-
tion depends upon it. He knows that he will
lc defeated and Ioso all if he makes another
stand ; by making cat's-paws of some ot the
members of Congress and getting them to
look w ith an eye of favor upon propos it ions fur
peace he thinks that he may be able to second
their movements if every thing looks fa. ora-
ble and finally himself reap all the benefits
that may grow out of it. What the proposi-
tions arc that have been mado to the Mexican
Government few here know; but what with
ltritish interference and the timidity ofthe
Mexican leaders they have evidently been
listened to.
Three days since and hardly a man in Gen.
Scott's army thought that there was a hope ol
coining to terms uith the enemy; now the
tune has changed and many of the officers
arc even talking of the chances of avoiding
ami e sea nine the romtio on their war home.
With all tho cry of peace 1 am nut one of
tboc who think that our attain witb .Mexico
arc yet settled. A great deal depends upon
circumstance".
There is some reason to suppose that Gen.
Tat lor is advancing upon San Luis although
there is no positive intormation to that tHxt
Let me conclude this hasty scrawl. The
talk as I said at the outset is now of peace ;
but it will all end in Santa Anna's advance-
ment or his utter downfall. In all his diplo-
matic arrangements whenever he has been
allowed to argue hi point he has been inva-
riably a winner; at this game some how or
other he always turns every thing to his own
advantage or at least aluas has so far.
By pr.vate letter net ived at Vera. Crux on the
eTenmg of the ilith ulL from Jalapa the editor of the
iMin lesnietl th&taoug body of Mexican gueml
lenw had taken posset " of that towu which w. left
vithoatgarntH.it by CJLt. CadwaJUder who had pro-
ceeded ith all thu troop to reinforce Gen. Scott ; but
on hearing of the approach of American troops from
era Cruz the Mexican chief evacuated the place mi-
mediate!) .
1'adik JtaACTaVr The Mexican Governor of Vera
Cruz now at Uuatiwro uininoued before him the
famous guerrilla chief I'adre Jarauta. to answer certain
charge made agaiivt Into. The l.idre wa severer
wounded by two of liu men who attempted to murder
lum.
Cattle ef San Jaan Je Ulna.' A correfpondent tf
the era Cruz Htgle My:
There ha been hut a few deaths since onr occupa-
tion of the Castle aroony them three of Co. G M
Infantry stationed there; nx ofthe Louwiana volun-
teers (now discharged.) and one prisoner confined on
a charge of drtaeition from Co. II Nt Infantry. At
preeeut the health is good a great care utakeu ofthe
troops and pruoners by the commanding officer Maj
Clarke and the fortress is kept as clean as any pnvato
residence by being coustaatl v swept and the filth ear-
ned away b j the prisoners. The heat is not as severe-
ly felt as in the city fur there w more or less of a sea
breeze all day in the mornings and evenings the weath-
er t quite coot.
The gamxou consisU of Co. G 1st Infantry which
numbers about seventy men. There are twenty-three
pnsoners mostly on charges of desertion; three Mexi-
cans were also late.) brought in on siuptcou of being
connected with some rascality in the city. Fre-Ji
meat ts famished to the soldiers and prisoners three
tunes a week.
Offences of a grave character committed in the
city of Vera Cruz are punished by impru-onment 111 the
Cattle for a time not exceeding three mouths at the
discretion ofthe officer who hold a police court at the
Palace every morning.
From the Picayune ofthe 9th insL
In Mr. Kendall's luers mention ts made of two or
ders of General Taylor the nuthorty of which was
doubted by our ufficers. We translate the orders as
w e find th'etn in the Mexican papers. The nioUve for
inventing suurh order is not obvious :
General oroVrs A. 564.
Ututxii.LaTSaU' Atvr or OcciTvrroY
Monterey iVayS 1847. $
The first division of the army which is now at baltil-
lo wdl be ready to march for the town of Catorce ou
the lywoi tfte coming monusot j one. r.very soiuier
in the interim wdl prepare himself for marching
By order of Mai Gen Z. Taylor:
AV. AV. BLISS. A. A. G-
To Maj Smcxi.Siiutt. A.G.blUlo.
The second order is as follow :
General Order -So. 4K5.
IICAUQIAKTERS AMV OF OcClfATlOX )
(o date) S
The second division of the army which m now on
the field of battle will be ready to march on the 23d of
the coming month of June for San Luis agreeable to
previous orders.
By order of Mai. Gen. Z. Tatlor:
AA. V. BLISS A. A. G.
The battery ofCapt. Washington will accompany
vw OlVlSlOtt.
To Mai SamctlJ. Siictt. S&hillo.
AVe give the above as we find them. It the Crrt
time we ever heara that lien. Taylor nan tsroea pm-
tive order for a march opon San Lnis ; therefore we
doubt tneir genuine.
The Monitor of the 22d nit. say that our army at
i'ueb'a naa lost iron. u to 3U0 men oy sican ur
and desertion. It mentions too that four or five
tnoatbV pay was due lo onr troops and that in conse-
nutM of llii Ih th f nfantrv had r 'fused OH the 18th
ulL to turn ont when ordered for drill This n all
gammon of couree.
The American army is twitted with having boasted
mat uey wonid spend tne 4Utotjaiyinuio taj-""
while the truth h. .tar the Mfucans. that their rein
forcements mstead of reaching Puebla have got stock
in th mud upon the route.
An Apposition paper say that when the Americans
teamed that Canalixo had been appointed to the com-
mand in the Slate of PueUa Gen- Scott was highly
delighted; and that AVorth and old Twigg (thu ir-
reverently are tney named) declared that if these 8000
cavalry were und-r Am command they were safer than
in their own houses.
An eScial letter is puMwhed dated the 4th of June
from San Juan da los Uanos announcing that an Amen-
can trun had Lwrn stlnked above Cerro Gordo and
forty wagons were taken. Th probably refers to the
attack upon the train under CoL Mclntosb which ts
often alluded to.
In Mr.KendtlTslettejalliwonismadetoaloanral.
ImI far tw Rnt Ann. 'TludeefM referred to dat
ed the l.lh of Jan and impose a eontribatioa ofonP
titan upon the Federal UisLnct and the
id Territories not occupied ky the enemy. The
appuniouraent ofthe amount among the difterens Slate
v ould not interet our readers. The contribution ts to
In enfoxed by the anthontie ofthe ditfrreot Mates
etc respectively no one to be compelled to pay over
$000 or lew than $25. Ten days are allowed to
apportion the contnbutionsanioiigiiidivri
equitable manner. Inditidualsare allowed just three
dj8 to pay their refprctive qnotas: if they make de-
fault they are condemned to pay twice the amount.
The " hip-wrecked affectious of the wife and mo
ther though no where else referred to in Mr. Butler
" A ear of Couaolataon iu Ital) find impassioned u
terauce in the occasional verve With which the pagra
of lite Diary are iutenersed rising incsdeutally out
of some uicadeut in the text. I have seen to-day
he wnles the first blossom ofthe spring" and bene
arises to her deaolsta recollection this affecting mater-
bat sceue :
A MOTHER'S MEMORIES.
The hloMotns hang again npon the tree
As when with Uieir sweet urealn tney greeted me
Agaiut my casement on that sunn) morn
H hen Ihou r4 blossom of my pnur wai born.
And as I la) pauting from the fierce strife
With death and agony that won thy life
Their suow rluters hung on their brow n bough
Kcu upon my breast tuy Maj -bud thou.
They eem to be th) suiters. Oh my child !
Aud now the air full of their fragrance mild
Recall that hour: a tenfold agouy
Pulls at mj heart ptniij as I think of thee.
Was it in vaiu ! Oh was it all in vain I
That night of hope of terror and of pain.
lieu irom the cliaUow boundaries ol dcaut
I brought thee safrl breathing living breath
Upon my heart it was a holy shrine
i ull of Oou's prune they laid thee treasure m ne !
And from its tender depths the blue heaven snuled.
And the ulute Uoouu bowed to thee nij child.
An 1 solemn joy of a new luo was spread.
laike a mj ntnoiw halo round that bed.
And now how is it ruice eleven jears
Have Meeprd that memory in bttterest tears ?
Alone heart-broken on a distant riiore.
Tliy cluldlens mother s.ts lamenting o'er
Flow ens which the spring calls from this foreign earth
Th) twins that erowned the morning of thy birth.
1 low li it with tbee lost loot precious one :
In th) freJi spnng-time growing up alone?
A1iat warmth unfolds thee? what sweet dew are
hhed.
I.ike love aud pat ence over thy ) onng head ?
VA hat hoi) npnugs freJ thy deep mur life !
Wliat i-hellersthee from pjiou s dead!) strife?
W hat guard ihy growth straight strong and full and
free
I sovely and glomus oil my fair ) oung tree ;
Gon FATiira---Thou who b) this awful fate
Hast lopp'd andstnpp'd and left medewlalo!
In the dark bitter tloods that o'er my soul.
The r bHIows of despair tnump'ianl roll.
Let ine not be o erwhelm d;
I
From the Christian Iatelligeacer.
RELIGION IN FKAXCE.
Churches of Frnncc Church KiUficrs
Ministers Onler of Jltligious lZrcr- l
ciscs Admission to Membership Jr. I
Paris March 11817. I
There was. (luring the Iat iiitrr a'
new Protestant church opened in the
old quarter of Paris. It is the hest fin-
ished most comfortable building in Par
is. On the inside it presents the appear
ance of a cro a large organ at the
upper end ocr th" pulpit an J seats
extending on cither side and in front.
The centre is surmounted With a large
dome in four alcocs of which are re
corded the names ot the lour evangel-
ists. Unfortunately the hearing and
in some respects the seeing arc sacrifi-
ced to the architecture for the echo is
painfully loud. France as well as En-
gland needs a few lessons from Ameri-
ca in the science af church building
for commodiousness and adaptedncss to
hearing and seeing. In this respect we
are decidedly sujwrior. Antiquity and
the latter J ears ofthe church were sat-
isfied with the external architecture ;
the inside was comparath ely nothing.
Among the heathen internal arrange-
ment was of no use and under Chris-
tian heathenism enlargement was only
for display. The holy dimness of sa-
cred light is more poetical than useful
or praiseworthy ; jet perhaps in our
internal concnicnccs we neglect too
much externally the taste and science
of ancient order.
Goto which church jou may among
the Protestants in Paris) you know who
is the preacher (or whose turn it is.)
The days of each one's service are pub-
lished for ilie whole j ear; also the dajs
of particular scrwecs and collections
and sometimes the subjects and texts.
The duties of attending funerals per-
forming marriages and administering
baptisms are dhided among them in
the German church locallv ; in the lie-
formed temporally ; and the parishion-
ers hae a choice yet they do not often
deviate from the person having the
charge of the particular sen ice for the
time being. The residences of miniv
ters arc published with the hours ofthe
day they can be called on generally
two hours. All deny themselves Satur-
da vs and Sabbaths and some three days
in the week. As the churches with one
exception are Collegiate five ministers
in the Reformed church and five in the
Lutheran Church this can easily be
accomplished; and perhaps it might
gie a hint to jour Collegiate ministers
who often have more than double duty
and whose rotation of service the faith-
ful cannot readily retain.
Perhaps it may not be uninteresting
to know that the order of services in
the Reformed churches is that of the
Dutch churches in New York as they
used to be. Tho reading of a portion
ofthe scriptures and the decalogue and
giving out of the first hymn by the clerk.
During the singing the minister enters;
he reads a short prayer and gives out a
hymn makes a shsrt exordium and'
prays; then commences his sermon
which is di ided into tu o orthree parts ;
at the close of each part he pauses
takes his seat and gives the audience
the opportunity to cough and blow their
noses which they certainly do with
grrnt effect. After sermon he gives out
an hymn and reads an intercessory
prayer and dismisses. It is quite a re-
lief in a long sermon. I o hae these pau-
ses and the sermons are generally an
hour in length. The first time I witnes-
sed it it reminded mc of the farmer
pausing to shake his bag that he may
add more grain to its contents. The
writing: of Saurin and Masillon show us
that these pauses were known to them.
The same practice exists with Catholic
preachers who address their audiences
for any length of time.
There exists nmong all the Protect-
ant churches a rite ciy similar to that
of confirmation in the English churches.
It i called the "first communion." The
Cat holicchurchesgicthe corresponding
rite the same name. It takes place at
Easter and is imposing. The j oung
persons females are habited in white
and cot ered with w bite cits and their
processions in the streets are ery at-
tracts e. Among the Catholics it is a
great day of ceremony and the J oung
people are treated with marled respitt
and special care is extended oxer them
for a season at least prcious to their
partaking of this communion. It is an
important day among the Protestants'.
also though di ested of the unmeaning
ceremony of the Romish church jet it
has too much ofthe feeling which sets
such peculiar stress upon this period of
life. In both communionsthe joung peo-
ple undergo a course of instruction for
two ears previous andasthej'approtch
its close it is more frequent and close.
This is especiallj- true in the Romish
communion and w hat its character U
I need not here saj-. The pastors of the
Protestant church hacfor catechumens
those children whose parents choose to
send them to each pastor respecthelv.
The instruction is not simplj- lor young
children as in our catechetical classes
but for older ones and it does not rise
up to the fulness and arietj- of our Bi-
ble classes. It gives elemental know-
ledge in doctrine embracing the memo-
rath e repetil ion of the creed Lord's praj -r
and Ten Commandments. When
this course is finished no hindrance is
presented to an approach to the Lord's
Supper. And it is notorious that among
the Catholic and I fear among Protest-
ants also the season o!" careful instruc-
tion and walk is gladly terminated and
the parties persuade themselves that
having obejed a requisition thej-may
rest at ease and experience more liber-
ty in acting out their own thoughts and
w ords. This time of first communion
is the ordinary season of admission to
full communion and is the o:ily mode
the French churches know. There is
no further examination no necesarj-
effort to find out the state ofthe indi i j-
ual's mind upon religious matters.
That charity which hopeth all things
trusteth that once partaker ofthe tii-
hle sign and a participationinthc things
signified wilt be insured. Indeed thoso
isible signs are w hen partaken of an
important means of grace a something
all-important beforehand to be regard-
ed for ultimate result. You can discov-
er here a sentiment which has its origin
and more full devclopemcnt in another
communion the notion ofthe opus opc-
rutum. The efficacy of the mechanical
act is not ) et rooted out of Protestant
minds. e may not too hastily cen-
sure such n mode of proceeding. It can-
not be easily changed being esteemed
bj' many truly proper and retaining its
hold oxer most by the power of long
standing nnd custom inrooted into the
religious habits and feelings ofthe com-
munily. It is evident in this state of
things the value of a first communion
will depend very much upon the pietj"
and fidelity and skill of the individual
pastor the admissions under lax erro-
neous and unfaithful teacher cannot
fail to tarnish the beauty of religion
and impede the free and easy moe-
ment ofthe pure Gospel of Christ. Hap-
py the people who have a moral and
spiritual atmosphere purified by the
free action of a free and sound gospel
nnd who can feel and rejoice in this
blessing. God has highly favored our
land in the elevation and action of true
Christian principle. May our churches
prize their blessing and see they come
not under any j-oke of bondage and un-
der any rudiments of this world. I would
that our people Christian people as
they moved through Europe could bear
the influence of home blessings with
them and as they sec the ills which ma-
ny worthy Christians suffer in Europe
they would bear testimon- by action
and word to the freedom wherewith
God has made us free in the bounds of
our habitation.
EVERY DAY PIETY.
There is generally more of true piety
fr J'
-ty-f "ff- r-
&..
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McGown, Andrew J. Texas Presbyterian. (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 19, Ed. 1, Saturday, July 24, 1847, newspaper, July 24, 1847; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth80400/m1/1/: accessed May 1, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.