in the Northern and Eastern States.

Before tion, and harmony, until they were parted like he made this tour, he had fears that he was the two Prophets, Elijah and Elisha, by the declining into pulmonary consumption: sea- ascension of one to his reward and joy, in the sonable respite enabled him to recover health inonth of January 1850. and strength, and a long life of usefulness was saved to the church and world.

"About forty years have passed since Dr. Alexander came to Princeton. In the calmness "In the midst of the forest, on the old post- of his well-balanced mind, and the beauty of a road that leads off froin the Eastern counties character more symmetrically developed than to the Blue Ridge, stands a weather-beaten we often are permitted to look on, he there building, in which a blind 'old man eloquent' spent the noon and autumn of his life, in the was wont to melt his hearers with his words bosom of his family, and surrounded by the of tenderness and power. His name was young men who regarded him always as their Waddell, and William Wirt has drawn his father and personal friend. Without robust portrait, and told us of his wondrous eloquence health, he has ever enjoyed such a measure of in his graceful sketches under the name of strength as to enable him to perform without 'The British Spy.' That 'old man's daughter,' interruption all the duties of his office, and at (he was then not so old,) became the wife of the same time to maintain an extensive corthe young President, is now his mourning respondence, and to contribute largely and widow, the mother of one daughter and six honorably to the religious literature of the age. sons, all living, her pride and solace in her sorrow, and the support of her declining age. What a life is crowded in that brief record! Her father's name is perpetuated in her son, James Waddell Alexander, D. D., pastor of the Duane Street Church; Joseph Addison forts for others were made through this line of Alexander, D. D., Professor and Commentator, is another eminent divine: Samuel Miller Alexander, is a young pastor at Freehold, N. J.; two are in the Legal and one in the Medical profession; inheriting by father and mother's side, the genius of their sires.

Few men placed so high an estimate on the press as an engine of usefulness. The welcome signature 'A. A,' assured the reader that these letters would guide him to something worth reading, and they never misled. His last ef

doing good. A few months ago he told us in private conversation that he was doing the same amount of labor in the Seminary, and in his study, that he had always done. The weight of eighty years he bore with his harness on, and when the Master came he was found 'so doing.'"

"In 1806, Dr. Alexander accepted a call to the pastoral charge of the Third Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, corner of Pine and Fourth street. Here he was an eminently useful preacher and pastor, and here he might have stood till he died, an able, learned and persuasive minister of Jesus. But the Presbyterian Church had felt the need of a Seminary for the systematic instruction of her sons in the Word of God, preparing them for the ministry of reconciliation. She looked around among all her pastors and men of learning and wisdom, for the man to be a guide to her youth, to mould their minds and form their views in the great science of divine truth. There were giants in those days, and among them all, the "In the year 1811, the General Assembly, mantle was thrown on the shoulders of Arch- then in session in the city of Philadelphia, reibald Alexander. Single handed and alone he solved to go into the election of a Professor. was sent to Princeton in 1812, to lay the found- The Rev. Mr. Flinn, of Charleston, S. C., ation of that School of the Prophets from which was Moderator. It was unanimously resolved has now been taken its 'master and head.' In to spend some time in prayer previously to the 1813, he was joined by Dr. Miller, who was election, and that not a single remark should called to the Seminary from the First Presby- be made by any member with reference to any terian Church, New York; together they la- candidate, before or after the balloting. Sibored, with mutual respect, confidence, affec-lently and prayerfully these guardians of the

When this great and good man lay on his death-bed, he gave to the world the sum of his Theology. Though he had studied Theollogy more than sixty years, yet he could say, when dying, and it will be long before the remark shall cease to be repeated after him, yet, on his death-bed he could say: "All my Theo1ogy is reduced to this narrow compass: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.”

The election of Dr. Alexander as the first Professor in the Princeton Seminary is thus described by one who was present, and is now nearing his four score. It was an occasion of thrilling interest.

Church began to prepare their votes. They every good impression made upon the tender felt the solemnity of the occasion, the import- mind, gives moral power to both parent and ance of their trust. Not a word was spoken, child to do more. As we bend the twig, so not a whisper heard, as the teller passed will the tree be. The world may deface, or around to collect the result. The votes were deepen, or so change and alter, that when counted, the result declared, and the Rev. Dr. the tender shoot becomes an oak, the early Alexander was pronounced elected. A ven- fireside impressions will hardly be recognised erable elder of the church in Philadelphia of by us who made them, yet they are therewhich Dr. Alexander was pastor, arose to clear, distinct and powerful, and will remain speak. But his feelings choked utterance. through an immortal existence for good or How could he part with his beloved pastor? evil.

His tears flowed until he sat down in silence. It is said that when Apelles, the famous The Rev. Dr. Miller arose and said that he Greek painter, was asked how he had been hoped the brother elected would not decline, enabled to accomplish so much for art, that however reluctant he might feel in accepting; he replied: "By the observance of one rulethat if he had been elected by the voice of the no day without a line”. Hence we may learn, Church, however great the sacrifice, he that what diligent study and perseverance can would not dare refuse. Little did he do for the canvass, the parent may do for the dream that on the following year he would child. And moreover, it has been truly said, be called by the same voice to give up that what sculpture can do for the marble, the attractions of the city, to devote his life to right moral training will do for the immortal the labors of an instructor. The Rev. Mr. mind. And this was the marvel of Socrates, Flinn called on the Rev. D. Woodhull, of a heathen philosopher, "that people should Monmouth, to follow in prayer. He declined. give so much for turning a stone into a man, Two others were called on, and they declined, and so little to prevent a man's turning into a remarking that it was the Moderator's duty. stone." He then addressed the throne of grace in such If first principles are correct, these results a manner, with such a strain of elevated devo- follow with the certainty of cause and effect. tion, that the members of the Assembly all But then it takes constant teaching-line upon remarked that he seemed almost inspired; line-to fix those principles in the mind. Neweeping and sobbing were heard throughout vertheless, it is the parent's duty. And it the house." should be done, even for the temporal good

Amid the tears and prayers of the Church, of posterity, if there were no higher motive, Dr. Alexander was elected to the office. Amid for this land of ours, with all its wealth and the prayers and tears of the Church, he was woe-with all its mines and mountains, oceans, laid in the tomb. But three of the members of that Assembly, it is believed, are now living. Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children.

From the Presbyterian Witness.
EARLY TRAINING.

DEDICATED TO MY WIFE.

"Just as the twig is bent the tree's inclined".

seas, and rivers-its shipping, steamboats, rail roads, and magnetic telegraphs-with all its millions of grouping beings, and all the science and progress of ages, will soon be given over to the children we are training. On them will devolve the important task of commencing where we leave off, and carrying out still greater improvements in all that pertains to the wisdom of this world. Therefore, in this respect, it is very important that SURELY, then, what we do is for eternity. right moral and religious truths be fixed in As we sow, we shall reap. The buds of im- the young mind, that those who are to be our mortality entrusted to our care, may be pre-future presidents, governors, statesmen, phipared to flourish in the garden of God, or losophers and teachers may act well the part wither in despair. Let us think of this-aye, that will necessarily devolve upon them. pray over it, and try to realize its full force. But, above all, let us remember, that as we But the giant oak of the forest did not be- sow, will the gathering be, when angels are come a mighty tree in a day; neither can the reapers. When the scroll of time shall be children be trained for God in a day. It is a rolled up, and the sun shall slumber in the work for life—an invaluable privilege. And cloud, forgetful of he voice of the morning, as constant dropping wears away rock, so parents will meet their children, perhaps to

part again! perhaps to reign with God. O, men take such unwarrantable liberties in botchthen, let us renewedly dedicate them to God. ing our sacred poetry. It would be a treasure for of a truth, to us is committed the care of could we have a collection of hymns published choice perennial plants to be cultivated until as they were written.-Boston Reflector. transplanted to the paradise above. It depends “The hymn was first published, so far as I very much upon us whether these sweet flow- can ascertain, not in one of the numerous ers shall gather freshness and beauty under hymn books of the Wesleys, but in the Gosour culture, and finally be prepared to adorn pel Magazine for March, 1776, with the sigthe courts of heaven, or whether they shall nature ‘A. T.' (Augustus Toplady), of which wander still further upon the dark mountains magazine Mr. Toplady was at that very time of sin, until the sword of justice cuts them off the editor. It appears, moreover, not in the to be bound in bundles for destruction. department of 'Poetry", but at the close of an editorial article, in which Mr. Toplady presents, in the form of a dialogue, the absolute impossibility of a sinner's paying the immense debt of sin with which he is charged before God. As a suitable conclusion to the article, and as an embodiment of its grand truth, he then adds the following:

R.

OUR PORTRAIT GALLERY.
We have determined to have a Portrait

Gallery in the Casket, in which to place the
likenesses of a few of the living clergy, as a
sort of introduction to those who read their
sermons in the Casket, and who may desire to
have a little acquaintance with them.

Mr. Anderson, whose likeness is presented in this number, is the pastor of the Central Presbyterian Church in this city, late from Norfolk, Va. We put him down as among the most popular preachers now in the West. His sermons are all well prepared, and exhibit in their composition, a high degree of finish, as will be seen by the specimen we present. Mr. A. may be about 35 years of age, of slender form a little above the medium heightof a mild countenance, with sandy complexion, and wears glasses. His voice is not very powerful or deep-toned, yet it is clear and distinct, musical, and at times a little tremulous, and perfectly under the command of the speaker.

Mr. Anderson is an animated speaker-his descriptive powers are excellent. His cnurch is now the most thronged of the protestant churches in the city. He occupies an important post, and will have to labor hard in order to keep up the interest which he has already created. Few men have a more prominent field of usefulness opened before them.

"ROCK OF AGES, CLEFT FOR ME."

A LIVING AND DYING PRAYER FOR THE HO

LIEST BELIEVER IN THE WORLD.

I.

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee!
Let the water and the blood,
From thy riven side which tlowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Cleanse me from its guilt and power.

II.

Not the laborsof my hands
Can fulfill thy law's demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.
III.

Nothing in my hand I bring;
Simply to thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to thy fountain fly;
Wash me, Saviour, or I die!

IV.

A. T.

Whilst I draw this fleeting breath, When my eye-strings break in death, When I soar through tracts unknown, See Thee on thy judgment throne, THIS favorite hymn has always been attri- Rock of Ages, cleft for me, buted to Toplady, till the learned Richard Let me hide myself in Thee. Watson claimed the authorship for Charles "The hymn has every appearance of havWesley. A correspondent of the New York ing been written at the time, and for the exObserver sets the question at rest, and gives press purpose of controverting the Arminian also a copy of the hymn as origina ly published tendencies of the Wesleyan sermons and hymns by the author. What a pity that unpoetical of that day."

"At the close of the same year he published | little woman, with a smile, for she could be a collection of Psalms and Hymns, the pre- good-natured even on Monday, while at work face to which bears date, London, July 26, over the wash-tub. Think of that, ye Xan1776." In this collection the hymn is printed tippes, who fret, pout, scold, and thump away as above, with the exception, that in the third at such times and under such circumline of the fourth stanza, the words 'through stances. tracts' are changed to the more usual words, 'to worlds'. "Independent.

JACK OF ALL TRADES, OR THE MAN
FOR A NEW SETTLEMENT.

"If he is at home, I must see him a few moments."

"He left positive orders with me to allow no one to disturb him."

"I won't detain him from his studies but a short time."

"He is at work in the garden-"

unpardonable sins.

PARSON TRUMAN was a modest, unassuming person, who disliked mere outside display. of what she said, but unceremoniously walkThe man did not stop to hear the conclusion He was a plain, practical man, a profound lo-ed through the gateway, and found the old gician, and an earnest preacher. His know- man pulling up weeds, as though they were ledge was not bound by the limits of his library; his labors were not confined to the pulpit; his influence extended beyond the parish in which be expounded the Scriptures. For he often had to serve as a lawyer, physician, teacher, priest, and confidential friend, in new settlements where professional gentlemen are few and far between.

a

At the time of which I write, he lived in log house. When at home he spent a part of his leisure time in cultivating a little patch of ground which belonged to the parsonage. Sometimes his farm, as he called it, would be over-run with weeds, for his circuit extended several miles, and frequently kept him from home more than a week at a time.

One day he returned and saw the weeds standing among the vegetables, like Philistines among the Israelites, and he determined to uproot them and remove them from the

land.

"Wife," said he, "I must go to work in the garden to-day. If any person calls to see me, tell them I am engaged. No person can see me while I am weeding behind that regiment of corn-stalks."

He pulled off his best coat, which had been black, rolled up his sleeves, and commenced the task before him. Spear-grass, pig-weed, sour-plant, and the whole tribe of weeds, had taken possession of the little strip of land, and looked down contemptuously upon the stunted plants below them.

It was washing day, and Mrs. Truman was hanging her clothes upon the linen line, when a sun-browned wood-man, with an honest face, inquired if Brother Truman was at home.

"Yes, but he is engaged," replied the dear

My horse is lame, and as you are something "Well, brother, I have found you at last. of a doctor, I thought I would ask your advice."

"Is he unable to walk or work," inquired the dominie.

wish you would step up to our place and see "He limps about on three legs a little. I him."

"Well, I have agreed to marry a couple a short distance beyond your house, and I will call on my way to the wedding."

In order to make up lost time, the minister worked harder than he did before he had been interrupted.

The first caller had not got out of sight till a woman in dishabille, with her dishevelled hair streaming over her white face, came to the door, and asked if the Rev. Mr. Truman was at home.

"He is at home, but his engagements are such that he cannot be interrupted just now," observed his wife.

"Oh, dear me, what shall I do?" exclaimed the woman, wringing her hands, and weeping as though her suffering was immense, and the minister was the only one who could relieve them.

"Wait a moment," said Mrs. Truman, "I
will ask him if he can be seen."
"Husband!"

"Well, my dear, what do you want now?"
"Here is a woman-"
"I cannot help it."

"Hear what I have to say. Here is a woman in great distress; she is anxious to see you immediately."

The parson threw down a handful of wick

ed weeds so suddenly, a stranger might have supposed he was angry; but he was only a little excited. Perhaps he thought the transgressors he was driving from his piece of land, ought to be cast into outer darkness, where they would be burned.

with the onions that stood unweeded there; but he resolved to be angry and sin not.

The door was opened, and there stood the classleader's son, anxious to see Mr. Truman. Mr. Truman was called into the house. "What do you want, my son?" inquired

"What do you want, my good woman?" the minister. he asked, somewhat impatiently.

"Father wants to borrow the Commentary on Luke, and the last newspaper."

"Oh, sir! we have had such a row in our settlement! Mrs. Jenkins' child threw a stone, "Wife, get them," said he, and then turnwhich broke Mrs. Sparkins' window, and ing to the boy, he remarked: "The next time Mrs. Sparkins told the child to clear out; and you want anything of that nature, ask Mrs. when Mrs. Jenkins heard of it, she came Truman; she can get the books for you as well to Mrs. Sparkins' house, and told her she was as I can."

no better than she ought to be; and Mrs. Spar- It was now twelve o'clock; so the minister kins declared she was; and then Mrs. Jenkins thought it best to take a "bite" of victuals. He said she was a liar; then Mrs. Sparkins spat- sat down with his wife and child to a "picked in her face; and then Mrs. Jenkins pulled her up dinner." Before he rose from dinner an hair; and then Mrs. Sparkins tore the dress off Irishman made his appearance, and modestly her back; and Mrs. Jenkins cried murder, and asked if the preacher lived there. I ran after you!

"What were they doing when you came away?"

"Pulling hair, sir, and screaming murder!" "What do you expect I can do in such a case?"

"Why, preach to then., and bleed them, sir, and stop them from going to law," said the frightened woman," who evidently had more faith in the minister than she had in the gospel.

"Yes," was the answer.

"Will yer be so kind as to write a letther for me to the ould counthry?"

"By-and-by."

"May the blessed Virgin protict ye!"
"Take a chair."

"Will ye be afther doing it soon?"
"Right away after dinner."

The writing of the letter occupied at least an hour, and before he concluded it, a pretty little boy came to the house and asked for that

"How far is your settlement from where "shot" he (the preacher) had recommended to

the wedding is to be this evening?"

"About a mile, sir."

"I will call about seven o'clock." The good man returned to his garden where he had made but little progress; but as soon as he had got hold of the enemy, a teamster climbed over the fence, and asked him if he would be so kind as to put his shoulder to the wheel, and give him a lift through a mud-hole at the foot of the hill.

He could not put that off until he went to the wedding, so he went to work, and while they were jerking and pulling the load about, the wagon broke.

Mr. Truman had a box of tools and knew how to use them. The wagon was soon repaired, and the teamster went whistling and singing on his way, and the minister returned to his garden once more.

.

his sick mother.

"Powder, you mean," said Mr. Truman, with a smile.

"Yes, sir, I meant to say powder," replied the lad, blushing to his temples.

"Now, husband," said the good-natured wife, "let me persuade you not to go into the garden again this afternoon. Stay in the house and mend the children's shoes, so that they can go to school to-morrow."

He finally made up his mind that it was better to sit there in the shade, than to stood outdoors in the sun; so the shoes were repaired and the weeds left undisturbed.

When that job was finished it was time to prepare for the wedding. After performing the duties of barber and boot-black, he turned hostler, and saddled his pony, departed in peace, and went on his way rejoicing. He Just as he kneeled down before a bed of on- halted at Blake's barn, and examined the ions, as though he intended to copy the ex-"lame mare.” ample of the Egyptians, and worship them, a "She has a nail in her foot," said he; "hand loud rap was heard at the door. The minis-me a pair of nippers, and I will remove the ter could have wept without rubbing his eyes shoe. "Now," continued the preacher, while