brethren deserve, and I herewith tender them, my sincere thanks. I would also express my sincere gratitude to Brother Nitterauer and his very amiable lady, for the marked kindness with which they treated me. Having finished my labors in Bro. N.'s charge, Brother Jos. Brandt brought me to Mechanicsburg to Brother Stoever, who received me very kindly, and bid me to feel myself perfectly at home in his house. Here I also found Bro. Stoever's father-in-law, old Father J. H. Van Hoff, and his aged lady. Both are over eighty years of age, yet Father Van Hoff still possesses much vigor of body and mind; and I must say that I spent some hours in conversation with him very delightfully. On Sunday, the 23d inst., I preached in Peace Church at 10 o'clock A.M., in Trendel's Spring Church at 3 o'clock P.M., and at candlelight at Mechanicsburg. On the following Monday I commenced calling on the members of Peace Church, being piloted around by Mr. Peter Gantz, to whom I owe many thanks for his kindness. The result of my labors in this congregation is as follows, namely: Revs. J. H. Van Hoff and C. F. Stoever, $30; Peter Gantz and H. G. Moser, each $20; J. Boyer, J. Eichelberger, J. Sheely, J. Bricker, F. Mumma, J. K. Heck, and J. Eichelberger, each $10; J. L. Boyer, W. R. Gorgas, D. G. Eyster, and J. Eichelberger, each $5; F. Sheely, $3; George Schaeffer and J. Kuster, each $2 50; D. Eichelberger, each $2; Barbara Eichelberger, $1. Amount subscribed, total, $171; paid, $106. Having finished in this congregation, I started out on Wednesday morning with a view to take up subscriptions in Trendel's Spring congregation, being accompanied by my worthy friend Lehn; but I had scarcely commenced operations here, before I was met by Brother Stoever, who handed me a telegraphic despatch, in which I was informed of the sudden yet happy death of Mrs. M. Houpt, a near and highly esteemed relative, inviting me to attend her funeral the next day. I at once shut my subscription book, and immediately proceeded, with Bro. Stoever, to Mechanicsburg, where I took the car, in which I reached Philadelphia between 12 and 1 o'clock that same night. The unexpected intelligence of this sudden death of Mrs. M. Houpt reminded me very sensibly of the Saviour's injunction: "Therefore be ye also ready for in such an hour as ye think not, the son of man cometh." Matt. 24: 44. Before I close this letter I would make the following statement, which may not be uninteresting to your readers : The Lutheran Board of Publication having rented a large and commodious storeroom in Arch Street, below Eighth, No. 732, and having resolved at their last meeting, held on Tuesday the 2d inst., to open our store or depository about the middle of September, they imposed upon the local agent, Mr. H. W. Knauff, and myself, the duty of selecting books and stationery to stock the store in some small degree. In the discharge of this important duty we were assisted by a committee appointed by the Board, consisting of the Rev. Drs. J. C. Baker, C. W. Schaeffer, W. J. Mann, T. Stork, and the brethren, E. W. Hutter and G. A. Wenzel, and J. L. Frederick, Esq. The selection having been judiciously made, as we think, the store was opened on Monday the 14th of September, to the gratification and delight of all, who have, on that day and since, visited the same. Thus we are now ready for the publication and sale of Lutheran and other standard Theological, Religious, and Miscellaneous works. And having no other object in view but the glory of God and the salvation of souls, we bespeak for this noble establishment the co-operation and patronage of all our ministers and lay members throughout our beloved Church. On next Monday morning I purpose (God willing) leaving home to attend the Synod of West Pennsylvania, which is to convene in Brother Jacob Fry's church in Carlisle, Pa. I shall stop on my way thither to finish my collections in and about Mechanicsburg, the result of which I will communicate in my next, provided life and health are continued to me. Yours in the Lord, BENJAMIN Keller. ACCEPTANCE OF REV. DR. REYNOLDS.We are truly happy in being able to communicate to our readers the intelligence that Dr. Reynolds has accepted the call to the Presidency of Illinois State University. It is needless for us to say anything in regard to the Doctor's qualifications for this important post. The Church has already expressed itself in many ways on this point, and he will go to his Western home, carrying with him, in a large degree, the confidence and co-operation of the brotherhood. We congratulate the friends of the Institution upon the successful result of their negotiations, and cannot but express the conviction that the hand of God has guided them in their choice. The Scandinavians in the Northwest may well rejoice over his acceptance, for none of our American ministers so fully understand their language, literature, and religious wants, or have exerted themselves more vigorously and successfully for their spiritual welfare. May the blessing of the Highest rest upon this new connection, and the future realize the largest hopes which have been excited by his coming.—Missionary. LUTHERVILLE FEMALE SEMINARY. - The Annual Catalogue of this flourishing Institution has been received and is gratefully acknow. ledged. The number of students in attendance during the past year has been larger than ever before, reaching a total of eighty-four, all but three or four of whom are from a distance. It is truly gratifying to witness the success which has attended the establishment of this Seminary, and the worthy Principal and his associate teachers, as well as the Board of Trustees, and especially its honored founder, Rev. Dr. Morris, must be greatly encouraged. May it continue to flourish, and be a centre of light and love to the whole land. Persons wishing information concerning the school are referred to the Rev. Dr. Martin, Lutherville Post-office, Baltimore Co., Md. Dear Brethren: The undersigned, Executive Committee of the Lutheran Church Extension Society, were instructed, by a resolution, passed at the Biennial Meeting, held at Reading (Pa.), May 19, 1857, to issue a CIRCULAR, directing your attention to an annual collection to be taken up in the different churches, in behalf of the objects of the Society, on the 31st of October, the Anniversary of the Reformation, or the Sunday nearest that day, in such manner as you may deem most expedient. We were instructed, also, to embody an abstract of the past operations of the Society. In the execution of this duty, we respectfully communicate, that there have been received by the Treasurer, from all sources, up This entire to the present date, $10,000. has CALLS ACCEPTED AND REMOVALS.-The Rev. M. Sheeleigh, late of Valatie, N. Y., accepted a call from the Minersville charge. His address is Minersville, Schuylkill County, Pa. The Rev. A. Buerkle, who was recently ordained by the North Dist. Synod of Ohio, has accepted a call from the Ger. Lutheran church in Lansing, Mich. The Rev. F. Berkemeyer, late of Friesburg, N. J., has removed to Allentown, Pa., in the vicinity of which he will probably take charge of congregations. The Rev. J. Wampole, late of the Theol. Seminary, has received a call from the Shamokin pastorate. His address will be Shamokin, Pa. The Rev. W. M. Gilbraith, late of Mt. Vernon, O., has accepted a call from the Brookfield pastorate, and desires to be addressed at Navarre, Stark Co, Ohio. CALL DECLINED.-We learn that the Rev. G. F. Krotel, of Lancaster, has declined the call to the pastorship of Trinity Lutheran Church, in Reading, which was tendered him by the unanimous vote of the congregation a few weeks ago. CHURCH EXTENSION.-The Executive Committee of the Lutheran Church Extension Society, have issued the following important circular: PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 22, 1857. To the Pastors and Councils of Lutheran Churches in the United States: amount has been loaned in sums varying from one hundred and fifty to five hundred dollars, to TWENTY-SIX needy congregations, to assist in the erection of suitable houses of public worship. There are still urgent and meritorious applications pending, which the Executive Committee would gladly grant, if the necessary funds were in the Treasury. The Treasury, however, is now EMPTY, and unless replenished by further collections, no additional loans can be made. Despite every obstacle, under the Divine blessing, the Lutheran Church Extension Society has proved an instrumentality of great good, and with proper efforts, we think the sum originally contemplated ($50,000) may yet be raised. We express the hope, therefore, that your church will contribute its proportionate share, as God has given you the ability, to prosper this most excellent and praiseworthy society, with whose success the welfare of the Lutheran Church in the United States is so intimately identified. Collections, when taken, are to be forwarded to WILLIAM M. HEYL, Treasurer, No. 325 Franklin Street, above Wood. MARTIN BUEHLER, Editorial Miscellany. LUTHERAN BOOK DEPOSITORY.-We copy from the Philadelphia North American the following kindly notice of the new Depository of the Board of Publication. Such a Depository in Philadelphia will be a great convenience, and the friends who have labored so perseveringly and successfully in carrying out the plans of the Board, deserve the thanks of the whole Church. THE LUTHERAN PUBLICATION SOCIETY. We take pleasure in calling attention to the advertisement in another column of "the Lutheran Publication Society." This Church seems of late years to be arising to a sense of the important position it holds in the galaxy of kindred denominations; and its efforts now to establish and disseminate a Church Literature of its own, are perfectly worthy of commendation. The vast emigration continually pouring into this country from Germany, seems to demand special exertions from this branch of the Church of Christ, as the great majority of the German people are so wedded to the church of their fathers and the doctrines of Luther and Melancthon, that they cannot be reached by any other instrumentality than the Lutheran Church. Much has already been done throughout the West and Southwest, to educate and collect the scattered members of the Church, so that even upon the outward verge of civilization in the native wilds, the humble churches of self-denying Christians gather the hardy immigrants together for the worship of God on the Sabbath. The Collegiate and Theological Institutions of the Lutheran Church are now established everywhere, from New York and Pennsylvania to distant Iowa and South Carolina-Amongst the most prominent are Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, Pa.; Hartwick Seminary, New York; Wittenberg College, Springfield, O.; Illinois State University, Springfield, Ill.; Newberry College and Theological Seminary at Lexington, S. C.; Roanoke College, Va.; Central College of Iowa, at Des Moines, Iowa; Capital University, Columbus, O. The Synods embrace an area of country as extensive as the Union itself, and a higher course of usefulness seems opening before this church, of which the establishment of its Publication House is but the harbinger, giving promise of a glorious future. The Church should everywhere awake to support this new enterprise and the wants of the people, the great importance of the work, together with the zeal and energy displayed by the Board of Publication should receive, as they certainly demand, the co operation of the whole Church. THE CHRISTIAN'S BIRTHRIGHT.-This is a sermon delivered by the Rev. Dr. Baugher before the recent Graduating Class of Pennsylvania College, on the evening of Sept. 13th, and is published by the Class. It abounds with valuable counsel and timely suggestions to the young men, and like all other productions from Dr. Baugher's pen, is distinguished by strong common sense and evangelical piety. FREE ABSOLUTION.-A Catholic paper in Canada East says that a priest who was within sight of the steamer Montreal, lately burned a few miles below Quebec, gave a free absolution to all the persons on board before a single soul perished! This was certainly a very considerate priest. But, then, as there are multitudes perishing around him constantly, would it not be well for him to extend his absolving kindness far enough to take the whole? Why should we be deprived of his saving power, because we did not happen to be in that unfortunate steamer? MODESTY. It is said that a lady once asked Lord Brougham, the great English orator and author, who was the best debater in the House of Lords. His Lordship modestly replied, "Lord Stanley is the second, madam." The modesty of his lordship is equal to that of a distinguished lecturer on phrenology. He told his audience there were three remarkable heads in the United States; one was that of Daniel Webster, another, John C. Calhoun; "the third, ladies and gentlemen," said the lecturer, " modesty forbids me to mention." THE HARD TIMES do not yet affect much the places of amusement. Fifteen places of public amusement in New York, open on Saturday night, had receipts estimated at $10,000, and this is said to be a fair average of the nightly expenditures. In Philadelphia there are now more theatres open than any former year. The attendance at some of them is, however, not very promising of managerial fortunes, though others are well supported. WHERE IT WENT.-The London Times declares May, June, July, and August, to have been the hottest months ever experienced in England. If we did not get our average of summer heat this side of the globe, it was because the other side robbed us of it, and got more than its fair share. DAVID PAUL BROWN, Esq., of Philadelphia, had a narrow escape at Charlotte, Va., last week. In attempting to get upon a train he fell beneath the step of the car, and so near the track that the wheels passed over his hat. A PASTOR OWNED BY HIS CONGREGATION. -The Rev. Kelly Lowe, pastor of the African Church in Augusta, Georgia, was originally a slave, but his congregation bought him some years since, and now allows him a salary of from $800 to $1000 a year, so that he is their servant in a pecuniary, as well as a spiritual sense. REV. C. F. HEYER, an aged Lutheran minister, who has been laboring as a missionary among the Telugoos, in India, has lately returned to this country, on a visit to his children and grandchildren. THE Lutheran Home Journal. NOVEMBER, 1857. THE CRISIS IN INDIA. 1. Selections from the Papers of Lord Metcalf, late Governor-General of India, etc. etc. Edited by J. W. KAYE, Author of the "Life of Lord Metcalf," etc. London: 1855. 2. Allen's Indian Mail; or, Register of Intelligence from British and Foreign India, etc. etc. July, 1857. 3. The Homeward Mail, from India, China, and the East. July, 1857. THE 4. The Mutinies in the East Indies. Papers presented to both Houses of Parliament by command of Her Majesty. July, 1857. HE prophets of evil are always unpopular. The howlings of Cassandra are answered with a howl. If this does not silence the ill-omened cry, it is bellowed down by a chorus of the nation. Neither states nor individuals can bear to be aroused from sleep, and to be reminded of danger. The intrusion upon our tranquillity is sure to be resented. We call the alarmist a fool, and betake ourselves again to our slumbers. The next time we wake up, we find our houses in a blaze. This has, unhappily, been the case with respect to our Indian possessions. For many years there have been prophets of evil, announcing, with more or less distinctness, that mighty dangers were casting their shadows before. Considering the nature of our tenure of India, it was really not a hazardous prophecy. We have been accustomed to contemplate, with quiet and level VOL. II. NO. 11. 21 The eyes, the most wonderful political phenomenon that the world has ever seen. from a remote island in the western seas, spectacle of a handful of white-faced men, holding in thrall an immense oriental continent numbering a hundred and fifty milliar to our sight, that it has ceased to lift lions of inhabitants, has long been so famiour eyebrows or to raise our hands with a look or gesture of astonishment. And yet it was altogether so strange and exceptional a in the nature of things that such an anomaly case, that if any one declared that it was not should last forever, he uttered a mere truexpected to yield assent. ism to which every one might have been Looking at this whole question of Indian government, or endeavoring to look at it, political phenomenon for the first time, the as though we were regarding the great feeling uppermost in the mind is one of wonder, not that a great disaster should structure we have reared should have lasted befall us at the end of a century, but that the half that time, with even a semblance of stability about it. But this marvellous edifice of our Indian Empire had become a mere matter of course. Content with its wonderful present, people troubled themselves little about either its past or its future. Practically they seemed to doubt whether it had ever had a beginning; and they felt assured that it could never have an end. It was enough for the multitude, that the Anglo-Indian Empire, like Topsy in Mrs. Stowe's fiction, had "growed." The fact is, that we have been too successful. From generation to generation, through one reign after another, we have floated down the stream of prosperity, basking in the summer sunshine, and falling asleep with the rudder in our hand. From this pleasant drowse we have now been awakened by a terrible collision; and have therefore begun to condemn ourselves, or more properly, to condemn one another, for the want of ordinary prudence and caution, which has led us to disregard the rocks and whirlpools lying in our way. And yet nothing is more true than that disaffection may be prevalent without any actual mismanagement on the part of the Indian Government at home or abroad. That cartridges greased with bullock's fat should be served out to Hindoo Sepoys, appears prima facie to constitute a case of mismanagement. But we know so little about the history of these cartridges, that we are not prepared either to fix the extent to which this alleged grievance may have contributed to the great military outburst, or how it happened that anything so inflammable was placed in the Sepoys' hands. All, indeed, that we know with any certainty is, that there has been a terrible disaster. Whole regiments of Sepoys, in different parts of the Bengal presidency, have broken out into revolt. They have not only raised the standard of rebellion, but have turned against their European officers, and murdered them without a pang of remorse. In many places, the mutineers have struck indiscriminately at white life; massacring, often with a refinement of cruelty impossible to describe, man, woman, and child; burning and pillaging in every direction; sweeping away the civil government like chaff; and openly declaring the rule of the Feringhee usurper at an end. And this storm, it may be said, has burst suddenly on the land. It is true that we heard, some months ago, distant murmurings, indicating a troubled state of the political atmosphere. We knew that one or two regiments near the capital had exhibited symptoms of disaffection; but it was believed that the feeling was local, that it had been suppressed, and that it would not break out in other places. In this country it had excited no alarm, and scarcely any attention, until, on the morning of the 27th of June-four days after the centenary of the great battle of Plassy, which, in the stereotyped historical phrase, "laid the foundation of our Indian Empire"-the pregnant sentences of the telegraph announced as tragic a story as has ever yet been embodied in a few terrible words. People knowing something about the matter, are loudly and angrily accusing and condemning, and people knowing nothing about it are, in accordance with the usual scale of inverse proportion, louder and angrier still. It is natural that there should be an outcry against some one. Some one ought to have known better; some one ought to have foreseen all this; some one ought to have prevented it. But, after all, it is the great Outis, or No one, who has done all the mischief. Outis has put out the giant's eye, and left him to grope in the darkness. We say it not ironically, but seriously, truthfully, that no one is to blame for the false security in which the nation has long been lapped. It was the necessary result of progressive success. Indeed, we are by no means sure that it has not been also the cause of our progressive success. A more cautious and suspicious policy might not have been so successful. We have raised, step by step, during the last century, an army consisting of two hundred thousand natives of India-men of different nations and different castes, all differing from our selves in color, creed, institutions, language, habits, everything that can separate one people from another. Over this immense mass of Indian humanity, a handful of English gentlemen has held undisputed sway. The thousands and tens of thousands have obeyed the word of the dominant tens. And not only have these thousands and tens of thousands obeyed the dominant tens, but millions and tens of millions have followed the same straight line of obedience. Hireling troops-foreign mercenaries are to be found everywhere, ready to fight and to kill any one for pay. In India, the English pay has been paid with a regularity |