tween freedom and slavery, and that national unity was necessary to national freedom. And we shall evermore regret that, in our darkest days, when we were in travail in the throes of a new birth, and when sympathy would most have cheered our hearts, we had, with few exceptions, such slight encourment from those so nearly allied to us in faith and in the fundamental principles of civil and religious liberty. But these dark hours are past, never more, we trust, to return; and we are glad that the clouds are dispersing, and the mists vanishing away, and that we are coming to see eye to eye, and to know better each other's heart and mind.

You allude to the interest with which you "shall watch the future history of the negro race within our borders.' The views of this Assembly on some of the points herein involved are set forth in a declaration just adopted on the State of the Country, a copy of which will be sent to you. The freedom of that unhappy and long-suffering race has been bought at a great price of blood and treasure. Slavery is now prohibited by an amendment to the Constitution. The civil rights of the freedmen have been secured by law. Other guarantees will doubtless follow in due time. This nation is under the most solemn responsibility as to the future destiny of this class of its citizens. Meanwhile, our chief reliance must be on those social, moral and religious influences which alone can make men fit for freedom and truly free, and which alone can fully restore the union of the States and bind us together in a common brotherhood.

In these troubled times, even when the horrors of war were upon us, the Great Head of the Church has given us fresh occasion to magnify his faithfulness. Our American Churches, no less than our republic, have emerged from this conflict still strong in their faith and order. The principles of our American Christianity have received a new vindication. Our benevolent contributions have been constantly increasing. And we are now girding ourselves for the great task that is laid upon us, especially in our Southern and Western States, among our freedmen and our emigrant population, and against the progress of Romanism, of materialism and of a false rationalism, in humble reliance, as we trust, upon the grace and wisdom of Him who will not leave us if we lean upon his mighty arm and follow the guidance of his all-wise providence. An increased desire for Christian union too has been kindled throughout our land. Many of our churches also have been visited with fresh outpourings of the Spirit of grace, showing that the Lord is at work amongst us as of old.

We, too, desire with you, in a special manner, a closer fellowship between the Presbyterian Churches in our own and other lands. We are glad to see the movements in this direction in England and Scotland and in your colonial dependencies. The same spirit is at work among ourselves. The two great branches of the Presbyterian Church in this country are drawing nearer together; this year they have touched each other, and each of our Assemblies has appointed a Committee of Conference on reunion. Our deputies will inform you of the progress of this desirable object. And we fervently hope that here, as never before, all Christian Churches may forget their lesser differences, and unite together, as far as possible, in the great work of the Lord.

Dear brethren, beloved in the Lord, we send to you these our Christian salutations, beseeching you to pray for us. We commend you unto God and to the word of his grace. May the one great Head of the Church bless you with all spiritual blessings! May our Churches and our lands live in amity and unity! May we all live for the glory of God in the kingdom of his Son our Lord, to whom be praise evermore. Amen.

THE PRESYTERIAN HISTORICAL ALMANAC. EDWIN F. HATFIELD, D.D., Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, offered the following preamble and resolution, which were adopted:

WHEREAS, JOSEPH M. WILSON, of Philadelphia, has for some time been engaged in collecting information regarding the history of Presbyterian Churches, to be published in his Presbyterian Historical Almanac; therefore, Resolved, That the ministers and elders of the churches under the care of this General Assembly be earnestly requested to co-operate with Mr. Wilson in his valuable labors on behalf of the Church.

MANSES-BEING COMFORTABLE HOMES FOR PRESBYTERIAN MINISTERS FREE OF RENT.-The Special Committee, J. GLENTWORTH BUTLER, D.D., Chairman, on MANSES and Ministers' Libraries, presented its report, which was adopted, and is as follows:

That in the autumn of last year a Circular of Inquiry was prepared and sent to seven hundred pastors and stated supplies, and also published in our religious journals. To these circulars one hundred replies have been received. From these replies it appears that one-fifth of the churches have Manses, and one-tenth have Libraries for the use of their ministers.

These replies convey a strong impression of the great importance of the subject-matter of the circular, and express the hope that the General Assembly will use every means in its power to bring the subject before and urge it upon the attention and practical regard of the churches. They also suggest the idea of creating a general fund for the erection of Manses.

Without expressing any opinion upon the expediency of the latter suggestion, your committee deem it both advisable and practicable to bring the matter definitely before the churches through the action of the Presbyteries. They, therefore, recommend the adoption of the following resolutions:

Resolved, 1. That this General Assembly direct its Presbyteries to send to the churches under their care a pastoral letter of inquiry and suggestion, with reference to the provision of a Manse and a Library for the use of the minister in charge of each congregation.

Resolved, 2. That the Presbyteries be requested to embody, in a report to the next General Assembly, any information that may be obtained in the answers to the proposed inquiry, with their judgment concerning the creation of a Manse Fund, and also any practical suggestions appertaining to the subject-matter of Manses and Ministers' Libraries.

Previous to the adoption of the report, Dr. BUTLER moved that JOSEPH M. WILSON, of Philadelphia, who has labored in this matter at his own cost for many years, out of simple interest in this great subject, be invited to address the Assembly, which was adopted. Mr. Wilson thanked the Assembly for the privilege of speaking in behalf of MANSES and Ministers' Libraries He issued a Circular of Inquiry in 1859, calling for information on the subject, and in 1862 introduced the matter to the General Assembly of this Church, which met in Cincinnati, Ohio. The support of the ministry, the sustentation of the various plans of benevolence which characterize the Church, the comfort and happiness of the minister's family, are all involved in the question of THE MANSE; and there are few subjects more worthy of the thoughtful and earnest consideration of the Church than that of securing a comfortable home for every Presbyterian pastor free of rent.

It was, Resolved, That this General Assembly be dissolved, and another be required to meet in the Brick Church, Rochester, N. Y., May 16, 1867. EDWIN F. HATFIELD, D.D., J. G. BUTLER, D.D., S. M. Hopkin, d.d. Stated Clerk. Permanent Clerk. Moderator.

TABLE GIVING THE NAMES OF THOSE WHO HAVE DIED DURING THE YEAR. P. STANDS FOR PASTOR; S. S., STATED SUPPLY; F. M., FOREIGN MIS

SIONARY; T., TEACHER; PRF., PROFESSOR; PRS., PRESIDENT; MISS., MISSIONARY; L., LICENTIATE; W. C., WITHOUT CHARGE.

In Memoriam.

"PRECIOUS IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD IS THE DEATH OF HIS SAINTS."— Psalm cxvi. 15.

A. D. Axlett.

AXTELL, ANTHONY DEY.-The son of Rev. Daniel C. and Maria (Laidlie) Axtell, was born in Geneva, N. Y., March 5, 1834. He was educated in Williams College, Williamstown, Mass., and studied divinity in the Theological Seminary, Auburn, N. Y. He was licensed by Geneva Presbytery and ordained by Troy Presbytery in 1864. He commenced his labors in Olean, N. Y., and thence to Olivet Church, Lansingburg, N. Y.

While providential circumstances forbade his acceptance of calls from several churches, and though never installed as pastor, he gave his time and strength to the work which was first in his affections. His health was delicate, and he visited Olean, N. Y., but not improving there as rapidly as he had hoped, he was advised without delay to visit St. Paul, Minnesota. He at once did so, and for a short time he seemed to be much benefited by the invigorating atmosphere of that region, but very soon he became worse, and was advised by his physician to hasten home. He speedily returned to Olean, N. Y., in rapidly failing health. After a few weeks of most patient suffering, his disease making very rapid progress, he died Oct. 17, 1866, of consumption. He married Miss Almena, daughter of the late S. W. Bradley, Esq., of Olean, N. Y., who survives him.

Mr. Axtell was the son of a Presbyterian minister, and he was a descendant by his mother's side of the distinguished Archibald Laidlie, D. D., pastor in 1764 of the Middle Reformed Protestant Dutch Church, New York City, by whom the first sermon in English was preached in that church, and on account of his love of liberty during the Revolution the British offered a large sum for his head. His uncles, the late Henry Axtell, D. D., of Geneva, was, and Charles Axtell, of Bellevue, Iowa, is, a Presbyterian minister.

A friend writes as follows: "My estimate of his character is of the most exalted nature, knowing in him such a combination of excellencies and rare virtues. It has been well said of him, 'It would be less difficult to delineate his character if it had not been so symmetrical, such a completeness of heart and intellect.' His labors as a pastor were marked with a peculiar faithfulness and zeal, his work was characterized by such earnestness, and his life shone with such truth and simplicity, that in every heart he seemed to inspire rest and confidence. In his style of preaching there was no apparent effort or display, but a simplicity which, united with strength and at times true eloquence, made his pulpit efforts most acceptable and an avenue of greatest good. As an extempore speaker he excelled, and was rapidly growing in mind and heart-power when God called him up higher.

Mr. Axtell possessed, naturally, a most genial, gentle and affectionate nature, great delicacy and refinement of feeling, combined with true nobility, a self-sacrificing spirit for the good of others, a cultivated mind and promising talents, but his chief delight was in being instrumental in winning souls to Christ. He possessed a nice sense of the beautiful in nature, literature and character. His sensibilities were as delicate as a woman's, yet under

manly self-control. Kindness was a law of his nature, winning many friends, while he never made an enemy.

"Conscientiouness was one of our brother's strongest characteristics. This extreme sensitiveness of conscience was possibly mistaken at times for indecision, but, when after close questioning the conviction was reached, the will moved and held its position with true courage. He had not the bravery of fervid impulses, which come and go with occasion, but beneath a gentleness so uncommon was that true courage which springs out of unyielding faith in truth and love of right. There was that openness in his character to conviction, that promptness to believe when convinced, and the outspoken confession, which are the elements of a true character. To be honest, clear, thorough, before the eye of Omniscience, seemed to be the ruling desire of Mr. Axtell's soul. This transparency of heart was naturally associated with remarkable unselfishness and a beautiful Christian charity. So far as it can be said of almost any disciple not glorified, his charity illustrated Paul's description, Charity suffereth long, and is kind, charity envieth not, charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly; seeketh not her own; is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.'

"All who are conversant with his ministry to the Olivet Presbyterian Church of Lansingburg, N. Y., know how faithfully he watched for souls. There was a devotion to his work which a physical frame, never robust, could not endure. While his body was yielding the mind expanded. His preaching was observed to improve rapidly as to vigor of thought, plainness and pungency of style, and was blessed with immediate fruits. Suddenly and mysteriously has death cut short a ministry which proved its usefulness and promised eminence."

ABBEY, DAVID A.-The son of David and Nancy (Varnham) Abbey, was born at Olive, Ulster county, New York, April 6, 1813, where, with the exception of one winter attending the academy and part of one season in the store of General James S. Smith, at Kingston, N. Y., the first seventeen years of his life were spent in labors on the farm. In the spring of 1831 his father and family removed to Reading, Steuben (now Schuyler) county. In the autumn preceding this removal he was among the first subjects of quite an extensive revival, and united with the Reformed Dutch Church of his native town. By this removal he came under the pastoral care of Rev. Linus L. Billington, through whose influence, in a measure at least, his attention was turned to a preparation for the ministry. He pursued his preparatory studies mostly at Geneva Lyceum, entered the sophomore class in Yale College, where he graduated in 1838; immediately entered the Theological Seminary, Auburn, N. Y., and finished his course in 1841, and was licensed by Cayuga Presbytery during the spring and summer, and previous to his graduation he supplied the church in Lawrenceville, Pa., and he removed to St. Catharine's, Canada West, where he was ordained. He subsequently preached in the region of Niagara Falls, Monterey, N. Y. In 1851 he was stated supply at Meads' Creek; in 1853 at Rondout; and in 1854 at West Dresden, N. Y. He next preached at New Milford, Pa., and then at Apalachin, N. Y., where he died of typhoid fever. Dec. 6, 1865.

He married in 1843 Miss Blendina M., a daughter of Conrad Broadhead, Esq., of Olive, N. Y., who, with a daughter, survives him.

Rev. GEORGE A. BOARDMAN, of Binghamton, N. Y., writes as follows: "He was a man of well-trained mind, of clear views, of great accuracy both in his literary compositions and in business. He was a faithful pastor, but