INDIANS. —General Howard testified the other day, as the result of his personal observation among the Indians, that “wherever there has been faithful teaching of the Scriptures, there have been most abundant and remunerative results in civilization.” —The representatives of the Five Nations, in the Indian Territory, in their memorial to Congress, opposing the transfer of the Indian Bureau to the War Department, appeal to the history of the more than half century in which that department had complete control of the Indian affairs. After setting forth the evils connected with that period, they say, “May God spare us, and our race, from even the possibility of ever again witnessing the recurrence of such scenes.” * * * * * THE PRESS. * * * * * CONSECRATION OF CONTRIBUTIONS. BY REV. JAMES POWELL. Not long since, I spent a Sabbath in a well-known Ohio town, where are two of the largest Congregational Churches in the State. In one, the annual offering to the work of the American Missionary Association was made that day. But, before the contribution was taken, the pastor offered a prayer that both impressed and instructed me. It was a prayer of special consecration of the offerings that were about to be made. He prayed that the people might give thoughtfully and intelligently; that God’s blessing might rest upon the gifts, accompany them to the treasury, and out upon the mission field of the society. No mere formality was this petition, but a glowing, heartfelt prayer for the object in view. I am quite prepared to hear that many other pastors are equally thoughtful to publicly consecrate the benevolent contributions of their congregations, although my observation leads me to believe that such fidelity is exceptional. But why should it not be the rule? Indeed, when one comes to think of it, the wonder is that it is not. So large and important are the interests involved—interests connected with the extension of Christ’s kingdom; so sacred are many of the gifts—the devising of generous hearts and the fruits of self-denial—surely very tender should be the spirit of the occasion when the offering is made.