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UNITED  PRESBYTERIAN 
MAGAZINE. 


NEW  SERIES. -VOL.  XXII. 


EDINBURGH: 
WILLIAM     OLIPHANT    AND     CO. 

LONDON;  HOULSTON  AND  SONS.      GLASGOW;  DAVID  ROBERTSON. 
MDCCCLXXVIII. 


,:.:!;.;  Google 


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PREFACE. 


rr^HE  present  may  be  called  the  i^e  of  periodicala.  In  staadiug  iu  certi^n 
-'-  booksellers'  shops  aboat  the  beginning  of  any  month,  one  is  almost 
bewildered  with  the  namber  and  Tariety  of  the  jonrnala  that  are  offered  for 
sale.  Even  the  reqairements  of  infancy  are  not  neglected;  and  the  child  of 
a  year  old,  as  well  as  the  patriarch  of  seventy,  may  find  something  in  which 
to  be  interested.  The  skill  of  the  noveliflt  and  the  art  of  the  limner  are 
called  into  diligent  requisition,  and,  by  appeals  to  the  eye  and  the  imagina< 
tion,  interest  is  song ht  to  be  excited.  In  this  respect  how  wonderfolly 
things  have  changed  since  The  United  Pretbyterian  Magaiine  was  com- 
menced! 

It  is  to  be  expected  that  new  inflnences  will  produce  new  effects,  and  that 
what  at  one  time  was  deemed  satisfactory  in  a  magazine  may  cease  to  be 
approved ;  and  the  question  of  considering  the  situation  may  become 
imperative,  for  not  only  is  excellence  bnt  adaptation  to  be  aimed  at. 

This,  in  the  conduct  of  the  Magoiine,  will,  aa  heretofore,  be  taken  into 
accoant.  At  the  same  time  it  will  not  lead  to  any  radical  change.  It  has 
never  been  our  object  to  snpply  onr  readers  with  aenaational  tales  or 
pictorial  illaBtrations,  and  we  cannot  see  that  it  lies  within  onr  province 
to  do  so.  The  adaptation  which  ne  would  geek  hes  in  the  presentation  of 
Imtb,  important  in  itself,  and  having  a  special  bearing  on  our  own  Church, 
in  sach  a  way  as  to  interest  and  instruct.  There  are  three  closes  besides 
the  general  reader  whose  sympathy  and  co-operation  we  earnestly  desire  to 
maintain  and  increase— these  are  onr  miniaters,  elders,  and  Sabbath-school 
teachers.  These  may  be  said  to  tie  the  most  important  factors  in  the  work 
and  Ufe  of  the  Church.  And  what  they  seriously  and  ananimODsIy  take  up 
moat  prosper.  Papers  specialty  bearing  on  the  work  of  the  Christian 
minister  and  elder  have  from  time  to  time  appeared  in  our  pages,  and  will 
coDtmne  to  do  so.  Daring  the  coming  year,  a  series  designed  to  be  of 
interest  and  nse  to  Sabbath-school  teachers  will  appear  monthly,  whilst  the 
word  for  '  the  Home '  mil  also  continue  to  be  spoken. 


These  are  great  and  worthy  objects,  and  they  may  well  engage  the  best 
pens  amongst  ns.  The  United  Presbyterian  Chnrch  cao  boast  of  men  of 
:alent  second  to  none  in  any  denomination,  and  its  membership  is  so 
namerons  and  influential  that  it  has  only  to  will  it  to  make  the  Magazine 
^hat  bears  its  name  eqna!  in  point  of  circnlalion  to  any  of  its  class. 

We  have  very  cordially  to  thank  coDtribators  for  their  able  papers,  and 
;o  express  the  pleasure  we  have  derived  from  the  kindly  interconrse  to  which 
hey  hare  given  rise.  On  entering  on  another  year,  we  look  to  them  for  a 
continoance  of  their  valued  aasistance. 

We  would  also  express  gratification  at  the  reception  of  excellent  papers 
'rom  some  of  our  younger  brethren.  The  commingling  of  the  hopeful  aspira- 
aons  of  youth  with  the  sage  reflections  of  age  is  necessary  to  the  life  of 
every  Chnrch,  and  should  find  fit  and  proportionate  expression  in  the  journal 
:hat  is  its  recognised  organ.  Indeed,  in  the  case  of  a  denominational 
magazine,  the  endeavour  should  ever  be  to  have  the  area,  alike  of  those  who 
write  for  it  and  those  who  read,  aa  large  as  the  capabihties  of  the  denomina- 
itself. 


Edikburgh,  2d  Decemher  1878. 


D.n.iized  by  Google 


CNITED  PRESBYTERIAN   MAGAZINE. 


JANUARY    1,    1878 


tBxiQinul   ^xtUlta. 


THE  LATE  DR.  JAMES  BRTCB. 
Dr.  Jakk  Brtce,  whose  death  by  an  accident  while  he  was  geologizing  on 
the  shorea  of  Loch  Ness  last  summer,  mast  be  fresh  in  the  recollection  of 
man;  in  Scotland,  was  born  at  Killeagne,  near  Coleraine,  in  the  north  of 
Ireland,  on  22d  October  1806.  He  was  the  third  son  and  fourth  child  of 
the  Rev.  James  Bryce,  a  Presbyterian  minister  of  the  Secession  body,  and 
of  what  was  then  known  as  its  Antiburgher  section,  a  native  of  Lanarkshire, 
who  had  settled  in  Ireland  five  years  previonsly.  His  father  was  a  remark- 
able man,  morally  as  well  as  intellectaally, — a  man  whose  geniality  of  mamier 
and  simplicity  of  character  were  nnited  with  a  sensitive  conscience  and  great 
firmness  of  purpose,  as  appeared  in  the  resistance  which  he  alone  of  all  his 
brother  clergymen  in  the  north  of  Ireland  maintained  to  the  hnmiliating 
conditions  on  which  the  endowment  called  Reginm  Donnm  was  bestowed. 
When  all  the  rest  had,  one  after  another,  submitted,  in  spite  of  complaints 
and  protestations,  he  stood  stedfast  and  faithfnl  in  refusing  to  accept  what 
he  beld  to  be  dishonoaring  to  his  ofGce  as  a  minister  of  Christ  Thns  he 
became  the  founder  of  a  Yolantary  Chnrch  in  Ireland,  which  nltimately  (in 
1858)  became  incorporated  with  the  United  Presbyterian  Chnrch  of  Scot- 
land. Dr.  Bryce's  mother,  whom  he  greatly  resembled  in  face  (she  had 
been  Miss  Catherine  Annan,  of  Abernethy,  in  Fife),  was  a  person  not  less 
remarkable,  thongh  in  a  somewhat  different  way,  gifted  with  a  strong  ima- 
gination, keen  literary  tastes,  and  an  amoant  of  literary  cakiration  both  in 
English  and  in  the  aacient  classics  which  was  rare  in  those  days,  and  wonld 
be  DDcommon  even  now.  It  was  from  these  two  instructors  that  nearly  all 
his  book  education  was  received ;  and  indeed  he  could  have  desired  none 
better,  for  his  father  was  an  excellent  teacher  as  well  as  an  accarate  scholar. 
Meantime  he  was  receiving  ont  of  doors  an  education  of  another  sort,  which 
largely  contribnted  to  form  in  him  those  mental  qualities  and  tastes  which 

'  were  conspicnons  in  his  after  life.  While  his  father  was  occupied  by  the 
ecclesiastical  work  which  his  refusal  of  It^^um  Donum  had  thrown  upon 
bim,  visiting  and  preaching  to  smalt  congregations  in  various  parts  of  the 

•  conntry,  and  preparing  young  men  for  the  work  of  the  ministry,  James  was 
often  free  to  rove  in  the  company  of  Robert,  a  brother  three  years  his  senior, 
to  whom  he  was  through  life  profoundly  attached,  over  the  surrounding 
country,  making  himself  familiar  with  all  kinds  of .  natural  objects  and 
natural  creatures.     In  these  rambles  there  was  acquired  not  only  an  ardent 

HO.  I.  TOL.  XXII.  FKVT  BEKIES.— 


2  THE  LATE  DE.  JAHEB  BETCE.  J^'iVierB""^ 

love  of  nature  and  of  ont-door  life,  bnt  that  keen  perceptive  power  which  . 
was  so  Etrikirjg  ad  attribute  of  his  intellect,  and  contributed  bo  largol/  to  his 
scientific  eminence.  His  mind,  however,  was  always  at  work,  and  always 
easily  roused  to  interest  by  a  new  subject.  Two  incidents  of  boyhood  which 
illastrate  this  are  worth  recording.  In  his  father's  honsehold  there  was  a 
Komao' Catholic  serrant,  who  coald  not  read.  The  little  fellow,  then  lesa 
than  ten  years  old,  was  horrified  at  the  idea  of  a  grown-np  woman  so  ^no- 
rant,  and  asked  permission  himself  to  teach  her.  This  was  wilEngly  granted. 
He  persevered  with  his  self-imposed  task,  and  in  a  few  months  was  rewarded 
by  seeing  poor  Jane  sealed  among  the  others  at  family  worship,  able  to 
follow  the  reading  of  the  Scriptures  and  join  in  the  psalm.  Not  long  after, 
when  he  was  abont  ten  years  old,  his  father  decided  'that  lessons  mnst  be 
more  regular,  and  told  him  one  morning  that  he  was  now  to  begin  Latin. 
This  encroachment  on  his  freedom  was  at  first  very  unwelcome ;  and  his 
eldest  brother  well  remembers  how,  starting  from  the  honse  at  half-past  nine 
o'clock  in  the  rborniag,  he  left  the  boy  drying  his  eyes,  and  tnmtng  into  the 
school-room  at  his  mother's  persnasion,  with  a  look  which  showed  he  telt  it 
was  right,  thongh  not  pleasant,  to  sabmit.  Returning  early  in  the  after- 
noon, he  fdnnd  a  face  fall  of  delight  at  the  new  study,  which  was  pnrsned 
thenceforward  with  an  ardour  that  only  slackened  when  Greek — a  language 
that  had  for  him  an  even  greater  fascination — was  entered  on. 

At  the  age  of  fourteen  he  was  sent  to  Glasgow  "University,  where  his 
father  and  his  eldest  brother  bad  been  before  him,  and  enrolled  in  the  senior 
Greek  class.  That  brother  was  then  begioning  the  medical  coarse,  which  he 
afterwards  abandoned  to  become  a  clei^yman,  and  under  his  charge  the 
yoong  stndent  lived,  protected  by  him  from  the  sense  of  solitude  and  the 
temptations  which  might  press  on  -a  boy  sent  so  early  from  a  quiet  home  into 
a  large  city.  The  two  following  years  were  spent  in  Ireland ;  and  in  1823 
he  again  returned  to  Glasgow,  entered  the  logic  class,  and  gained  what 
then  was  and  remains  Etill  one  of  the  highest  University  distinctions  there,  the 
Greek  Blackstone  Prize,  awarded  to  the  stndent  who  passes  the  best  examina- 
tion in  a  number  of  Greek  authors  chosen  by  himself,  which  he  is  said  to 
'profess,'  and  in  determining  which,  regard  is  had  both  to  the  qoantjty  of 
the  profession  and  to  the  Eiccnracy  of  the  knowledge  shown  in  the  passages 
which  the  examiner  selects  Sir  D.  K.  Sandford  was  then  Professor  of  Greek  ; 
and  of  the  stimulating  teaching  and  coarteons  manners  of  this  eminent  man 
Dr.  Bryce  retained  throngh  life  a  warm  memory.  He  had  not  completed  his 
conrse  at  Glasgow  when  the  place  of  mathematical  master  in  the  Belfast' 
Academy,  at  that  time  one  of  the  most  important  endowed  foundations  in 
Ireland,  was  offered  to  him  by  his  eldest  brother,  who  bad  been  appointed 
to  the  principalship  of  the  same  institution.  He  accepted  it  in  1826,  bnt 
was  obliged  during  a  succeeding  year  to  discharge  his  duties  by  deputy,  in 
order  to  take  the  classes  of  natural  philosophy  and  chemistry  at  Gla^ow, 
and  to  obtain  his  B.A.  degree,  which  he  did  in  183S-  Betnrniug  then  to 
Belfast,  he  devoted  the  rest  of  his  life  to  the  labours  of  his  profession, — labonrs 
which  became  pleosnres  to  him,  so  great  was  his  interest,  not  only  in  the 
intellectaal  process  of  teaching,  but  in  the  minds  and  characters  of  bis  indi- 
vidual pupils.  As  he  was  an  excellent  mathematician  and  a  singularly  clear 
expositor,  his  teaching  of  arithmetic,  geometry,  and  algebra  was  always 
SQccessfuL  But  these  did  not  prove  to  be  the  studies  for  which  be  had  most 
affection.  Geography  was  one  of  the  subjects  allotted  to  the  mathematical 
department.  He  at  once  perceived  what  may  seem  obvious  enoagh  now-a- 
days,  but  must  have  then  been  thought  a  fantastic  novelty, — that  the  physical 


"'IJ^iMi'^'  TBB  LATE  DB.  JAME3  BBTCV.  5 

side  of  geography  in  its  most  importast  side,  and  that  on  vbicb  fill  the  rest 
depends ;  and  that  some  acquamtance  with  geology  js  needed  as  a  basis  for 

the  study  of  the  physical  strnctnre  of  the  earth.  With  this  view,  he  began 
to  give  the  geography  class  two  lessons  every  week  in  mineralogy  and  geology, 
— sabjects  of  which  he  had  learned  the  ontlines  from  the  lectnree  of  Dr. 
Thomas  Thomson  (the  famons  chemiBt)  at  Glasgow.  Finding  that  to  pnrsne 
geology  be  mnst  know  botany  and  zoology,  he  set  himself,  with  the  prompt 
energy  that  was  so  characteristic  of  him,  to  master  both  sabjects,  and  before 
long  iotrodnced  them  also  into  his  classes.  Mineralogy,  geology,  and  zoology 
he  taught  in  the  school  honrs  as  part  of  the  regular  work,  wtule  for  botany 
he  opened  each  April  a  voluntary  and  gratnitona  class,  which  met  at  7  AJd. 
on  several  days  in  the  week,  inviting  his  pnpils  to  bring  with  them  snch  of 
their  ststeia  and  elder  brothers  as  might  be  willing  to  attend.  Many  of  his 
friends  in  the  town  asked  permission  to  send  their  sons  also,  and  thus  a  large 
band  of  zealous  young  naturalists  was  formed,  some  of  vvhom  used,  to  accom- 
pany him  on  Saturday  afternoons,  or  at  sunrise  on  other  days  of  the  week,  in 
rambles  over  the  romantic  hiils  and  shores  that  lie  near  Belfast,  gaining  from  his 
companionship  and  example  not  only  a  knowledge  of  the  science,  bat  a  love 
for  natural  beauty  which  elevated  and  refined  their  whole  character.  The 
spirit  thus  awakened  led  the  boys  to  form  among  themselves  ^natural  history 
society,  of  which  they  insisted  on  making  him  the  president,  and  which  soon 
acquired,  by  the  exertions  of  its  members,  a  valuable  mnaenm.  Meanwhile, 
the  study  of  natural  philosophy,  which  his  brother  the  principal  had  desired 
to  see  introdnced  into  the  school  conrse,  was  not  neglected.  Dr.  Bryce 
connected  it  with  mathematics,  as  he  had  connected  natural  history  with, 
geography,  teaching  the  elements  of  mechanics,  pneumatics,  and  hydrostatics 
both  experimentally  and  mathematically,  and  carrying  his  papils  on  tO 
cheuustry  and  electricity.  It  was  only  the  elements  and  general  principles 
of  these  sciences  that  he  had  time  to  give,  but  elementary  knowledge  is  a 
very  different  thing  from  superficial  knowledge.  Like  all  great  teachers,  he 
aimed  at  making  the  leading  troths  and  doctrines  thoroaghly  apprehended, 
knowing  that  when  this  .hag  been  effected,  the  learner  may  be  left  to  fill  np 
the  details  for  himself. 

In  all  that  has  been  described,  there  would  at  the  present  day  be  nothing 
remarkable,  except  indeed  the  quality  uid  style  of  his  teaching,  for  it  is  now 
pretty  generally  admitted  that  natnral  history  and  physics  onght  to  be  tanght 
in  every  considerable  school.  But  fifty  years  ^o  such  a  view  bad  scarcely 
been  heard  of;  and  that  it  should  not  only  have  been  formed  byayoung  and 
inexperienced  man  fresh  from  college,  but  carried  out  with  such  admirable 
SQCcess  and  popniarity,  would  of  itself  have  stamped  him  as  possessed  of 
original  power,  and  given  him  a  place  in  the  front  rank  of  educational 
reformers.  Throughout  the  rest  of  his  professional  career  in  Beltast,  and 
afterwards  in  Glasgow,  he  adhered  steadily  to  the  same  practice,  and  in  this 
way  was  the  means  of  forming  an  immense  number  of  naturalists.  With 
some  of  his  pupils  the  study  of  nature  remained  merely  an  enjoyable  taste, 
with  others  it  became  an  absorbing  pursnit  But  many  in  both  classes  have 
attributed  to  the  stimnlna  which  they  received  from  Dr.  Bryce,  no  small  part 
of  the  pleasure  and  the  usefulness  of  their  lives. 

Meanwhile,  Dr.  Bryce  was  no  less  earnest  as  an  investigator  than  as  a 
teacher.  He  had  resumed,  on  his  retnrn  from  Glasgow,  his  own  geological 
studies,  and  soon  began  to  explore  the  very  interesting  and  then  imperfectly 
known  phenomena  of  the  rocks  of  Antrim  and  Down.  His  first  important 
discovery  was  of  the  remains  of  the  Flesiosaurns  in  the  lias  formatian,- an 


4  THE  LATE  DB.  JAMES  BHTOB.  '     jb.  mbi"" 

Occoimt  of  which  he  contribated  to  the  Philosophical  Magazine  in  1834, 
thereb;  establishing  the  identity  of  the  liasetrata  of  Antrim  with  tfaoBe  of 
England.  He  was  elected  a  fellow  of  the  Geological  Societies  of  Dahlia 
and  London;  and  at  the  meetings  of  the  British  Association,  of  which  he 
was  one  of  the  earliest  memberB,  was  soon  recognised  by  Morchison,  Sedg- 
wick, Lyell,  and  other  leaders  of  geological  science,  as  one  of  the  most 
enei^etic  and  able  of  its  devotees.  In  Belfast  itself  he  joined  with  several 
friends  in  establishing  a  Natural  History  Society,  which  stiU  continues  to 
flourish,  and  which,  during  the  period  of  his  residence  in  Ireland,  owed  its 
success  mainly  to  the  activity  with  which  he  discharged  the  duties  of  secre- 
tary, keeping  up  the  interest  of  his  fellow- workers,  and  always  ready  to 
prepare  a  paper  himself  when  no  one  else  conld  be  found  to  do  so,  or 
when  the  appointed  lectnrer  had  failed.  Although  in  those  days  a  place  of 
far  smaller  papnlation  and  commercial  importauce  than  it  has  now  become, 
Belfast  was,  after  Dublin,  the  chief  centre  of  intellectual  life  in  Irdand,  and 
numbered  among  its  citizens  many  men  of  lai^e  scientific  and  literary  culture. 
In  the  society  of  these  men, — several  of  whom  were  his  intimate  friends, — he 
passed  eighteen  happy  years,  prosecuting  every  summer  his  geological 
researches,  till  he  became  known  as  the  highest  authority  on  the  geology  of 
north-eastern  Ireland,  neariy  every  part  of  which  he  had  visited,  and  maiaj 
of  whose  most  interesting  districts — as,  for  instance,  that  of  the  Giant's 
Causeway — he  had  described  in  papers  contributed  to  the  Transactions  of 
the  great  scientific  societies.  In  1837  he  married  ;  and  the  happiness  of  his 
domestic  life  was  never  clouded  except  in  18i2,  by  the  death  of  his  second 
child  at  an  early  age. 

In  1846  he  was  appointed  to  the  mastership  of  the  mathematical  depart- 
ment in  the  High  School  of  Glasgow, — the  largest,  and  in  some  respects  the 
most  important,  of  the  great  pnblic  schools  of  Scotland.  Its  arrangements, 
which  have  within  the  last  year  been  altered,  were  then  somewhat  peculiar. 
-  There  was  no  rector ;  each  department  was  practically  an  independent 
school,  managed  by  its  head  in  the  way  he  judged  best.  In  the  mathema- 
tical department,  which  comprised  geography  and  arithmetic,  the  classes  were 
so  large  that  Dr.  Bryce  was  always  obliged  to  have  two  or  three  assistants. 
He  organized  it  according  to  his  own  views,  introduced  improved  methods 
of  teaching  and  various  plans  for  stimulating  the  activity  of  the  pupils  ;  and 
though  it  proved  impossible  to  find  room  in  the  too  crowded  day  for  a  class 
expressly  for  the  teaching  of  natural  science  or  natural  history,  he  gave 
occasional  lectures  to  the  geography  classes  on  those  subjects,  and  lost  no 
means  of  awakening  the  interest  of  the  boys  in  them.  He  had  four  great 
gifts  as  a  teacher,^lncidity,  ingenuity,  vivacity,  geniality.  No  one  under- 
stood better  that  in  all  instruction  tbe  essential  thing  is  to  make  the  first 
principles  of  a  subject  thoroughly  well  understood  j  and  it  was  a  real  intel- 
lectual pleasure  to  hear  him  explaining  to  a  large  class  the  theory  of  one  of 
the  rules  of  arithmetic,  such  as  compound  proportion,  or  the  doctrine  of 
decimals, — to  watch  tbe  eager  faces  of  the  listeners  as  they  followed  step  by 
step  the  explanation  of  the  process  and  the  apt  illustrations  which  he  inter- 
posed, till,  when  all  was  clear,  they  seized  their  slates  to  work  out  tbe  sums 
which  he  propounded  as  examples  of  the  principle  they  had  now  made  their 
own.  Arithmetic  is  sometimes  spoken  of  as  a  vulgar  subject,  because  it  is 
commonly  taught  in  a  mechanical  and  rule-of-thumb  way ;  in  his  hands  it 
became  as  beautiful  an  instrument  of  mental  discipline  as  geometry  or  logic. 
Of  the  fertility  with  which  he  devised  new  and  shorter  methods  of  working 
the  ordinary  rules,  the  liveliness  with  which  be  roused  the  attention  of  a  class 


lin'iST-'  THB  LATE  DR.  JAMEB  BRTOB.  5 

wbeo  it  bad  b^nn  to  flag  in  the  hands  of  a  less  skilful  assistant,  the  firm 
kindliness  hy  which  he  kept  perfect  order  in  classes  of  eighty  or  ninety  boys 
withoat  appealing  to  exercise  any  anthority  bnt  that  of  a  friend  who  was 
interest«d  in  their  progress, — of  all  these  there  is  no  space  here  to  speak, 
bnt  tbey  are  deeply  fixed  in  the  recollection  of  thousands  of  his  former 
pupils.  He  often  regretted  >that  the  nnmbers  at  the  school,  the  size  of 
Glasgow,  and  the  distance  at  which  the  boya  lived  from  the  school  and  from 
his  own  residence,  made  it  impossible  for  him  to  have  as  mnch  personal 
teowledge  of  them  as  he  had  bad  in  Belfast.  Bat  he  neTertiieless  took  a 
great  interest  in  their  welfare ;  was  constantly  occupied  in  finding  sitaations 
for  them  in  mercantile  bonses,  advising  them  after  tbey  left  school,  giving 
testimonials  to  those  who  songbt  for  edacational  appointments,  aometimee 
corresponding  with  those  who  had  gone,  as  so  many  yonng  Scotchmen  go, 
to  the  colonies  or  India.  !No  man  was  more  willing  to  spend  and  be  spent 
in  the  service  of  others,  and  that  in  ways  which  the  world,  and  often  even 
his  own  family,  knew  nothing  of. 

Absorbed  as  he  was  during  the  day  by  tiie  duties  of  his  profession,  Dr. 
Bryce  was  an  indefatigable  worker  in  the  evening  bonrg.  While  at  Belfast, 
he  had  published,  in  conjunction  with  a  mercantile  friend,  a  practical  treatise 
on  Book-keeping,  and  afterwards  a  treatise  on  Algebra,  both  of  which  have 
gone  through  several  editions.  While  at  Glasgow,  he  also  wrote  an  Intro- 
duction to  Mathematical  Geography  and  Agtronomy,  a  book  on  the  Decimal 
System,  for  whose  general  introduction  into  our  coins,  weights,  and  measnres 
he  was  a  zealous  advocate,  aud  a  Cyclopedia  of  Geography.  Thia  last  was  a 
work  of  great  labour,  which  occupied  his  leisure  during  many  years.  Such 
intervals  of  time  as  he  could  spare  from  these  literary  undertakings  be  filled 
up  with  the  study  of  Italian,  Gaelic,  and  Hebrew  (for  be  always  had  a  great 
taste  for  languages,  and  made  himself,  while  still  a  youth,  an  excellent 
Qerman  and  a  tolerable  Irish  scholar),  and  with  the  reading  of  books  of  travel, 
h<m  which  he  took  copious  notes,  to  be  afterwards  used  in  his  class- teaching 
of  geography,  and  in  tie  preparation  of  the  Cycloptedia  just  mentioned. 

While  this  furnished  ample  occupatiou  for  the  workmg  part  of  the  year, 
he  devoted  some  weeks  in  every  summer  to  geological  excursions,  generally  in 
the  company  of  his  two  sons,  whom  he  loved  to  associate  in  his  own  pursuits. 
In  the  years  1850  and  1853  he  visited  the  lake  country  of  Cnmberland,  and 
wrote  papers  on  the  evidences  of  glacial  action  there,  and  on  other  geological 
phenomena  of  that  beautiful  district.  Other  summers  were  spent  iu  the 
Scottish  Highlands, — several  being  devoted  to  a  thorongh  examination  of  the 
geology  of  the  island  of  Arran,  which  resulted  in  the  composition  of  a  book 
in  which  he  presented  a  very  complete  account  of  all  that  is  most  interestiug 
in  it,  including  not  only  its  fauna  and  flora,  bat  its  pre-bistoric  antiquities. 
Still  later,  he  turned  his  attention  to  the  Isles  of  Skye  and  B.Ba8ay ;  and  last 
of  all  to  those  remarkable  strata  in  the  extreme  north-western  Highlands 
which  have  of  late  years  excited  so  much  discussion  among  geologists.  The 
results  of  these  inquiries  were  embodied  in  a  long  series  of  scientific  papers, 
wbich  may  be  found  in  the  Transactions  of  the  British  Association,  of  the 
Qeolc^cal  Societies  of  London  and  Edinburgh,  and  of  tbe  Philosophical 
Society  of  Glasgow.  Of  this  last  he  had  become  a  member  on  his  settling 
in  that  city ;  afid  during  his  residence  there  he  was  one  of  its  most  active 
members,  serving  always  on  its  council,  and  for  three  years  as  its  president. 
Tike  annual  addresses  which  he  delivered  as  president  are  perhaps  the  most 
complete  evidence  now  remaining  of  the  gr«at  range  and  variety  of  his 
scientific  attiunments,  which  extended  over  nearly  alt  of  the  chief  depart- 


6  THE  LATE  DB.  JAUES  BBTCE.  '      jm.i.M'l'^ 

ments  into  which  scientific  Inqnirf  faae  extended  itself.  In  them  he  renewed 
the  work  of  the  past  year,  and  discussed  some  of  the  chief  problems  now 
presented  to  stadents  of  natnre,  with  &  fahiess  of  knowledge  and  a  sonoduess 
of  judgment  which  wonid  have  been  admirable  in  any  one,  but  were  doably 
remarkable  as  possessed  by  one  who  had  only  the  fragments  of  his  leisure 
to  devote  to  these  difficult  subjects. 

In  April  1873,  Dr.  Bryce  met  with  a  serious  accident,  the  rnptnre  of  one 
of  the  tendons  of  the  knee,  which  confined  him  to  bed  for  many  weeks, 
and  at  one  time  endangered  his  general  health.  This  led  to  his  resigning  his 
o£Gce  iu  the  Glasgow  High  School ;  and  iu  the  antumn  of  1874  his  resigna- 
tion took  eETect,  and  be  came  to  live  in  Edinbni^h,  where  two  of  his  younger 
brothers  already  resided.  There  he  speedily  became  a  member  of  the  Boyal 
Society  and  the  Geological  Society,  and  enjoyed  the  greater  opportunities  that 
were  now  open  to  him  of  literary  and  scientific  work,  while  continuing  to 
interest  himself  actively  in  whatever  concerned  the  welfare  of  his  old  pro- 
fession and  of  Scottish  education  generally.  Convinced  of  the  importance  of 
-organizing  the  profession  in  a  body  which  shonld  exert  some  control  over  its 
members,  and  be  able  to  guarantee  their  fitness,  he  had  oa  far  back  as 
1847,  taken  part  in  fonnding  the  Educational  Instttnte  of  Scotland ;  had 
been  one  of  its  earliest  presidents;  and  a  warm  advocate  for  the  establish- 
ment of  an  UDsectarian,  though  religious,  system  of  national  education. 
Partly  through  the  obstinacy  or  ignorance  of  the  Goverament,  partly  from 
the  apathy  of  the  educational  profession  itself,  which  was  too  much  divided 
by  ecclesiastical  partisanship  to  unite  for  a  common  purpose,  the  Institute, 
althongh  it  continues  to  exist,  has  not  obtained  the  full  official  recognition 
,  which  it  claimed ;  and  Dr.  Bryce,  who  was  himself  very  free  from  party 
passions,  had  latterly  begun  to  feel  that  in  the  present  state  of  parties  there 
'was  little  likelihood  of  its  success.  He  had,  however,  not  relaxed  in  hia 
zeal  for  the  preservation  of  the  distinctive  merits  of  Scottish  education,  which 
he  regarded  as  having  suffered  grievously  from  the  EngUsh  Privy  Council 
system.  Wheo  the  Edinburgh  Education  Board  van  threaitened  with 
extinction  last  winter,  he  was  one  of  the  first  to  set  on  foot  an  agitation  for 
its  maintenance,  as  offering  some  security  that  Scottish  schools  should  not 
be  wholly  assimilated  to  the  inferior  type  of  elementary  school  which  exists 
south  of  the  Tweed ;  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  be  was  actively  at  work 
as  one  of  the  honorary  secretaries  of  the  association  formed  for  that  purpose. 
Himself  a  graduate  of  Glasgow  University  in  days  when  graduation  was 
mnch  less  freqnent  there  than  it  has  now  become  (he  took  his  M.A.  degree 
in  1832,  and  received  the  honorary  degree  of  LL.D.  in  1857),  he  had  always 
been  anxious  to  see  the  rights  of  the  graduates  to  a  voice  in  the  management 
of  University  affairs  recognised,  and  their  influence  used  to  popularize  the 
constitution  of  our  Scottish  Universities,  and  introduce  vaiions  reforms  there. 
With  this  view  he  formed  the  Glasgow  Graduates  Association  in  1862, — the 
first  of  the  kind,  if  we  are  not  mistaken,  that  existed  in  Scotland, — and,  with 
the  aid  of  a  few  like-minded  friends,  he  kept  the  question  before  the  public, 
until,  by  the  University  Act  of  1858,  the  principle  he  had  been  contending  for 
was  admitted,  though,  as  he  thought,  in  too  small  a  measure  to  produce  all 
the  desired  results.  He  therefore  continued  to  urge  the  claims  of  the 
graduates  at  the  meetings  of  the  General  Council  in  Glasgow,  in  conjunction 
with  his  eldest  brother.  Dr.  R.  J.  Bryce,  and  his  valned  friend  Mr.  Cleland 
Burns,  and  last  spring  gave  evidence  before  the  University  CommissioDers 
upon  the  subject. 
Sprung  from  an  old  Covenanting  stock,  brought  np  in  a  pious  home,  and 


jl^ioS"*^^  THE  LATE  DR.  JAHE8  BETCE.  7 

by  hJB  own  matured  confictioDs  &  firm  Preabyteriaa  and  a  siDcere  Yoliuitarf, 
Dr.  Bryce  was  throughout  his  life  an  active  and  earneBt  member  in  Ireland 
of  the  Charch  fonnded  by  hia  father,  and,  after  he  came  to  Scotland,  of  the 
ITnited  Presbyterian  Church.  While  in  QlaEgow,  he  was  for  many  years  an 
elder  in  the  Shamrock  Street  Chnrch,  of  which  he  had  been  one  (A  the 
fonuders ;  and  in  Edihbargh  he  was  i^ain  elected  to  tbo  olderehip  in  the 
church  at  Morningside,  of  which  Dr.  Mair  is  pastor.  Xo  one  conid  be  more 
zealous  or  faithful  in  the  discbai^e  of  his  presbyterial  duties.  In  Glasgow, 
fatig^oed  as  be  was  by  the  labours  of  the  week,  he  andwtook  the  manage- 
ment of  t^e  Shamrock  Street  Chnrch  Sabbath  school,  organized  it  from  the 
firet,  and  taught  in  it  two  hours  erery  Sabbath,  even  when  his  family,  who 
feared  the  effect  on  his  health,  eudearonred  to  persuade  him  to  leave  this 
work  to  younger  men.  The  supposed  difficulties  of  reconciling  the  con- 
clasions  of  science  with  tlie  truths  of  Christianity  cast  no  shadow  upon  his 
pnre  and  truthfnl  spirit.  Although  a  thorough  man  of  science,  accepting 
everything  which  geology  has  proved,  and  never  hesitating  to  defend  it  when 
assailed,  he  was  none  the  less  a  simple  and  pions  Christiuu.  Nature  and 
revelatioQ  were  to  him  only  two  different  modes  in  which  the  wisdom  and 
goodness  of  the  Most  High  were  set  forth  to  men,  and  be  never  admitted 
'  that  there  conld  be  any  contradiction  between  them.  Indeed,  his  love  of 
nature  and  delight  in  her  study  were  intensified  by  the  clearness  with  which 
be  saw  God  manifested  in  the  beauty  of  the  world  and  the  skill  of  its  work- 
mambip. 

After  his  settlement  in  Edinbm^h,  a  happy  and  peaceful  old  age  seemed 
to  be  opening  np  before  him.  He  was  in  the  midst  of  friends  who  valued 
him,  with  leisure  both  for  his  scientific  stndies,  and  for  the  church  work, 
wluch  be  had  gladly  resumed  under  a  pastor  to  whom  he  was  attached ; 
and  though  he  was  over  seventy  years  of  age,  his  strength  and  vigonr 
seemed  unimpaired.  Many  years  of  honour  and  usefulness  might  still  have 
been  predicted  for  him.  But  hnman  predictions  are  rain.  On  the  10th  of 
July  last,  he  left  Edinburgh  for  a  geological  expedition  to  Sutherlaodbhire, 
where  he  wished  to  investigate  once  more  the  fossiliferons  strata  of  Assynt 
and  Durness.  On  his  way  north  he  spent  a  night  at  Inverness,  and  started  early 
OD  the  morning  of  the  1 1th  for  Foyers  on  Loch  Xess,  Landing  there  from  the 
Steamer,  he  walked  two  miles  along  the  loch  to  the  pass  of  Inverfarigaig, 
a  romantic  little  glen  coming  down  to  the  loch  on  its  south-east  side,  where 
there  occurs  an  outburst  of  granite  which  he  was  anxious  to  examine. 
Rambling  up  the  glen,  he  came  to  a  spot  where  there  has  fallen  from  the 
gruiite  clifi  above  a  ranas  of  loose  rocks,  which  hung,  so  to  speak,  on  the 
steep  slope  that  descends  from  the  base  of  the  cliff  to  the  murmuring  brook 
below.  He  halted  under  this  mass,  in  whose  appearance  there  was  nothing 
to  indicate  danger,  and  tried  one  of  the  blocks  with  his  hammer  to  see  what 
the  rock  was.  The  stroke  loosened  the  cohesion  of  the  pile.  Several 
blocks  fell,  struck  him,  and  carried  him  six  or  seven  yards  dovra  towards  the 
stream.  All  mnst  have  been  over  in  a  moment ;  so  that  there  can  have  been 
DO  suffering,  and.  probably  not  even  the  knowledge  of  what  was  happening. 
Terribly  sudden  as  such  a  death  seems,  it  was  in  reality  more  mercifal  than 
terrible ;  for  he  was  spared  the  weakness  and  decay  of  age,  and  the  bitter- 
ness of  parting  from  those  he  loved.  He  had  so  lived  as  to  be  always 
ready  to  die;  and  he  died  in  the  pursuit  to  which  so  many  of  his  beat  and 
happiest  hours  hud  beeeu  given,  a  true  martyr  of  science,  wrestling  with 
the  secrets  of  nature  like  a  soldier  on  the  battle-field,  under  the  shadow  of 
the  everlasting  mountains  which  be  loved  so  welL 


8  THE  tATB  DB.  JAMBB  BSTCE.  ^'^'iTS^'^ 

This  Is  an  imperfect  record  of  a  life  which,  though  iu  ooe  seose  calm  and 
nneveotfol,  was  fnll  of  constant  labonra-and  efforte  of  maoy  kinds, — a  life 
whose  reealtB  onght  not  to  be  estimated  merely  with  reference  to  the  respeot 
and  honour  which  they  won  for  him  ;  for  the  reanlts  of  any  noble  life,  and 
most  conspicnonsly  of  a  great  teacher's,  throngh  whose  hands  tbonsauds  of 
boys  of  the  middle  and  upper  class  hare  passed,  perpetaate  themselres 
among  people  and  in  places  where  his  name  has  never  been  heard<  The 
tastes  and  interests  which  snch  a  man  implants  in  his  pnpils,  the  elevation 
be  gives  to  their  thonghts  and  purposes,  the  example  of  devotion  to  duty, 
truthfalaess,  kindliness,  which  he  sets  before  them, — all  these  are  ae  mncb  a 
part  of  bis  contribution  to  God's  work  in  the  world,  as  any  books  he  writes 
or  any  institutions  he  founds.  And  few  teacbera  have  had  snch  oppor- 
tanities  of  doing  that  work  as  were  his,  or  have  used  them  so  well.  Of  his 
scientific  attainments  and  powers,  especially  his  wonderfully  keen  observa- 
tion, something  has  already  been  said,  as  well  as  of  the  physical  raergy  which 
made  him  in  bis  yonnger  days  the  best  walker  in  Belfast,  thinking  nothii^ 
of  thirty-five  or  forty  miles  in  a  day,  and  enabled  him  to  the  end  of  his  life 
to  scramble  up  the  rngged  peaks  of  oar  Highland  moantains.  There  was 
nothing  he  enjoyed  so  much  as  a  monntain  excursion,— the  plants,  the  birds, 
the  roclcs,  were  all  known  to  him  and  dear  to  hiiu ;  and  bow  great  bis  delight, 
when  from  the  sammit  a  grand  prospect  disclosed  itself,  and  he  pointed  out, 
far  away  on  the  horizon,  other  pinnacles  which  in  former  years  he  had  scaled 
and  studied  I  It  was,  one  may  suppose,  the  same  imagmative  quality  in  his 
intellect  which  made  him  so  fond  of  poetry  and  history,  that  gave  lum  tfiis 
intense  pleasure  in  natnral  beanty,  for  ha  had  no  turn  for  drawing,  and  com- 
paratively little  interest  in  any  form  of  art. 

Higher  and  rarer  than  all  his  intellectual  gifts,  were  those  qualities  of 
character  and  heart  by  which,  most  of  all,  he  lives  in  the  loving  memory  of 
his  friends.  In  him  a  perfect  simplicity  and  hnmility  and  refinement  were 
□nited  with  a  brightness  and  gaiety  of  manner  which  brought  cbeerfnl- 
ness  into  every  company  he  entered.  His  temper  had  originally  been  warm, 
according  to  the  report  of  those  who  knew  him  aa  a  boy ;  bnt  in  middle 
life  no  one  could  have  discovered  this,  and  it  was  always  sweet  and 
equable.  Constantly  disposed  to  think  the  best  of  othera,  and  to  find 
excQses  for  their  faults  or  weaknesses,  he  was  aingnlarly  indifferent  to  per- 
sonal gossip,  so  that  friends  sometimes  laughingly  complained  that  it  was 
no  nse  talldng  to  him  abont  his  neighbours'  concerns.  Bat  when  either 
sympathy  or  active  help  was  to  be  given  to  another,  no  one  gave  it  more 
promptly  or  more  delicately;  and  many  instances  have  come  to  light,  even 
since  his  death,  in  which  his  active  benevolence  had  been  at  work,  cheering 
and  aiding  and  enconraging  persons  of  whom  his  family  had  never  heard, 
and  who  had  no  claim  on  him  except  that  which  was  to  him  more  than 
enough — that  thdy  were  God's  weak  or  unhappy  children.  Under  the  cordial 
frankness  of  manner  which  made  him  so  popniar  in  society,  there  lay  con- 
cealed an  unbending  rectitude  of  porpose,  and  the  utmost  constancy  in  his 
attachment  both  to  those  whom  he  had  once  made  his  friends  and  to  the 
principles  in  wbicb  he  bad  been  brought  np.  Although  life  "had  its  disap- 
pointments for  him  as  for  most  of  ns,  no  experience  of  the  world,  no  morose- 
ness  of  advancing  age,  ever  dulled  that  genial  heartiness,  or  soured  the  perfect 
sweetness  of  bis  temper ;  for  it  was  a  sweetness  that  came  not  only  from 
nature,  but  from  grace  also, — the  fruit  of  long  years  spent  in  unselfish  service 
to  his  fellow-men,  from  his  youth  upwards  looking  to  God  and  walking  with 
God  in  tmstfal  dependence  on  His  promises. 


"■'^J^i'WiT''     PROrESaOE  FLIKX  AKD  THE  LOGIC  OF  THEI8K. 


PROFESSOR  FLINT  AND  THE  LOGIC  OF  THEISM* 

BT  THE  RET.  JAUKB  WARDROP. 

Is  the  pnrsait  of  trnth,  when  we  come  to  the  doctriDe  of  the  existence  and 
character  of  God,  we  reach  the  loftiest  range  of  natural  knowledge.  From 
this  knowledge  being  the  loftiest,  two  tbiogs  are  the  resolt  Iq  reference  to  it. 
On  the  one  hand,  the  reward  of  attainlQg  it  is  ybtj  great, — great  both  specn- 
latirely  and  practically, — to  the  mind,  for  the  benefit  of  itself  acd  all  its  other 
knowledge ;  and  to  the  heart,  for  the  training  of  its  affections,  and  for  the  satis- 
faction of  its  longings.  On  the  other  hand,  the  difficnlty  of  attainiDg  a  tbeietic 
doctrine  in  a  reasoned  or  philosophical  form  is  as  great  as  ia  its  reword. 

A  cnrsory  acqaaintance  with  the  specalatioDS  of  the  great  theists,  from 
before  Flato  till  after  Pale;,  will  bring  this  difficnltjinto  full  viewj  and  the 
view  will  be  deq>ened  as  that  acqaaiotance  enlarges.  Hitherto,  the  diEQcnlty 
has  been  too  great  to  be  well  surmonnted,  so  far,  at  least,  as  the  eridence  of 
the  divine  existence  ia  concerned. 

There  is  an  observation  which  cannot  fail  to  be  made  by  all  who  attend  to ' 
the  paet  progress  of  theistic  iuTestigation,  and  which,  in  connection  with  a 
certain  direction  of  thought  that  has  grown  exceedingly  strong  in  the  present 
day,  may  snggest  a  reasonable  hope  of  some  great  adyance  speedily  to  be 
taken  by  such  investigation  in  the  time  to  come.  The  result  of  any  attempt 
made  at  the  attainment  of  any  kind  of  truth,  depends  on  the  degree  of  per- 
fection with  which  the  true  method  of  knowledge  generally,  and  the  true 
method  of  the  apecial  department  in  hand,  have  been  observed.  Our  faculties 
of  knowledge  have  been  made  subject  to  laws ;  and  if,  by  our  processes  of 
knowing,  we  are  to  get  upsides  with  reality  and  have  certain  truth  deposited 
in  the  mind,  it  is  imperative  that  these  laws  be  detected  and  obeyed.  They 
are  the  method  of  knowledge,  and  method  is  the  way  to  success  in  knowing. 
Now,  the  obBervation  is,  that  all  through  the  line  of  theiatic  inquiry  the 
methods  of  the  inquirers  have  varied  fundamentally  from  one  another.  Not 
only  has  one  inquirer  employed  a  fundamentally  different  method  from'  another, 
bnt  the  same  inqnirer  has  employed  fnudamentally  different  methods  in 
succession, — nay,  methods  incompatible  wilh  each  other,  when  employed'  in 
the  same  field.  This  may  indicate  that  the  true  method  of  Theism  has  not 
been,  as  yet,  ascertained  at  all,  or  at  leeist  not  distinctly  enough  to,  be  held 
with  snfBcient  steadiness.  And  this  may  be  the  secret  of  what  failnre  there 
has  been  in  attaining  a  true  speculative  doctrine.  '  Bnt  if  so,  then  there  is  a 
most  notable  current  of  thonght  and  progress  in  the  present  day,  that  at  once 
hobls  out  hopefnl  anticipations  as  to  coming  progress  in  the  knowledge  of  this 
high  subject.  It  is  the  method  of  knowledge  that  may  be  said  to  be  the  charac- 
teristic object  of  pursuit  to  the  thinkers  of  the  past  generation  and  the  present. 

There  is  a  deeper  and  broader  logic  than  the  formal  science  of  consist- 
ency between  assumptions  and  inferences, — between  the  starting-points  of 
knowledge  and  its  further  advances.  There  is  the  logic  that  deals,  on  the  . 
one  hand,  with  those  primary  constitaents  and  conditions  of  all  knowledge, 
and,  on  the  other  hand,  with  those  laws  regulative  of  the  processes  of  knowing, 
our  observance  of  which  guarantees  the  tr|ith  and  certainty  of  science.  It  is 
the  mastery  of  this  logic  or  method  of  knowledge  that  constitutes  perhaps  the 
most  energetic  attempt  of  modem  philosophical  thought.  Taking  up  afresh 
the  line  which  had  been  held  in  some  firm  huids,  both  in  antiquity  and  in 
y  Bobert  Flint,  D.D.,  LL.D.    flUckwood  A 


10  PKOFESSOB  FLINT  AND  THE  LOGIC  OP  THEISM,     '""'■hi.tw^ 

the  later  Chrietian  centnriea,  whicli  had  been  grasped  especially  by  the  hands 
of  Des  Cartes  and  Bacon',  never  more  it  wonld  seem  to  be  let  go,  modem 
.  philosophers  haTe  turned  from  the  objects  by  which  the  material  and 
spiritual  fforids  attracted  them  to  the  direct  efforts  of  knowledge  back  on 
the  knowing  agent  itself  to  detect  the  modes  and  laws  of  its  procedure,  so 
as  that,  in  the  pnrgnit  of  truth,  efforts  of  will  might  aid  spontaneity  and 
deliberate  trial  and  sagacions  application  of  method  might  carry  the  logic 
of  nature  more  speedily  aod  more  effectually  to  the  goal  of  discovery. 

This  torn  in  the  direction  of  thonght  has  told  with  wonderfnl  effect  on  re- 
snltsbothin  science  and  practice  in  several  Gelds.  A  reciprocal  mo  vemevlt  and 
■  iuflaence  have  been  going  on.  Every  new  discovery  of  trnth  or  fact  turned 
the  philosophical  eye  afresh,  and  with  enhanced  opportunities,  back  on  the 
natnre  of  the  process  by  which  it  had  been  reached ;  while  mutnally  every  look 
back  on  the  organ  of  knowledge  and  its  procednre  gave  new  impetns,  surer 
guidance,  and  added  triumphs  to  the  renewed  attempts  in  direct  science. 

It  might  be  expected  that  philosbphy  and  theology,  being  the  highest 
efforts  of  speculation,  wonld  be  the  last  to  catch  their  proper  share  of 
advantage  from  this  happy  direction  of  things.  And  so  it  has  been.  Physical 
science  and  Biological  science  have  had  their  Bacon  and  Whewell  and  Mill 
and  Jevon'a,  as  formal  logic  formerly  its  Aristotle.  Theological  methodic— 
the  method  of  speculative  theology  and  of  Christian  evidence  and  truth — still 
waits.  It  awaits  its  modern  epoch,  and  the  man  who  is  to  make  it.  But  it 
is  the  fact  that  we  are  waiting  for  them,^the  fact  that  theologians  are 
taking  a  reflex  direction,  and  are  turning  back  to  consider  the  method  of 
their  own  science,  and  are  labouring  to  make  progress  only  through  the 
traer  detection  and  the  surer  application  of  all  the  elements  of  that  method 
that  is  the  promise  of  the  present  time  for  Theism."  And  somewhat  above 
a  tweheraonth  ago,  an  annooncenieot  was  made  to  the  public  that  might  ahnost 
have  suggested  a  question  whether,  if  not  the  coming  prophet  of  this  scieoce,  at 
least  his  forerunner,  were  not  now  at  hand.  It  was  the  announcement  of  * 
new  discussion  of  the  subject  by  a  distinguished  Scottish  philosopher  and 
theologian.  From  the  moment  that  it  was  known  that  the  present  Professor 
of  Divinity  in  the  University  of  Edinburgh  was  to  deliver  a  '  Baird  Lecture,' 
and  that  he  had  chosen  '  Theism '  for  bis  subject,  all  who  knew  Dr.  Flint,  and 
had  interest  in  theistie  inquiry,  looked  forward  to  the  man  and  the  occasion 
with  unusual  interest. 

Dr.  Flint's  name  was  famous — famons  all  over  the  learned  world,  for 
speculation  on  matters  of  great  profundity  'and  much  complication.  Hia 
book,  able  in  itself,  and  somewhat  original  to  the  English  language,  on 
Philosophy  and  History  in  France  and  Germany,  had  been  translated  into 
the  languages  of  the  most  learned  continental  nations.  It  hud  arrested  the 
attention  of  all  competent  critics.  It  was  but  a  fragment  of  what  was  to  be; 
but  the  attention  which  it  drew  almosf  invariably  rose  into  admiration  of 
the  writer's  unusual  genins  tor  acutely  threading  a  way  through  most 
intricate  regions  of  inquiry,  and  hia  equally  conspion on s  power  of  construc- 
tion and  system.  He  seemed  able  to  defy  any  amount  ^f  manifoldness  or 
perplexity  in  the  details  submitted  to  hia  handling.  These  accomplishments 
of  the  author  seemed  the  very  perfection  of  qualification  for  the  new 
endeavours  of  the  '  Lecture,'      Tlic  simple  facts  and  faiths  in  the  religious  life 

■  Mr.  Percy  Strntt's  ladwtUt  Mtthod  of  Chrislian  Jhobiit/  (Hodde'r  &  StonebloB, 
1B77)  i»  an  intereating  and  BuggestivB  book,  and  a  eiga  of  ido  time.  Mr.  JoBiah  Mille" 
CArMiidnmn  Organam,  or  the  Indvctive  Mtthod  in  Saiplure  and  Science,  with  its  intro- 
duotory  noUoa  bj  Dr.  Gladstone,  tbo  well-known  chemist  and  r.E.8.  (Longmans,  1870),  ■»• 
an  ekrlier  eigD- 


'"^TTibw'"'    PEorEseoB  flint  and  the  logic  of  theism.        11 

of  men,  of  which  Theism  JB'  the  designatioo,  are  like  other  eimple  tbiDgs. 
When  yoa  look  along  tbem.  to  their  borders,  or  their  foundatioDs,  op  their 
gnarantees,  or  thdr  relatioDB  to  other  things,  they  have  a  tendency  to  ran 
iDto  mazes  of  difflcnity  or  mystery ;  and  it  requires  aagacions  insight,  aonnd- 
ness  of  judgment,  and  broad  and  sympathetic  views,  to  keep  their  simplicity 
and  their  truth  from  prejudice.  But  it  was  a  combination  of  these  very 
powers,  in  a  degree  not  generally  enrpassed  amongst  the  learned,  that  was 
on  the  anticipated  occasion  to  be  brought  to  bear  on  the  snbject.  No 
wonder  that  keen  interest  ipread  far  and  wide,  and  hailed  the  lectnrer  forward 
to  his  task.  Theism  was  now  at  last  to  have  a  favonrable  opportunity  for 
getting  into  the  right  way.  There  was  only  one  thing  imaginable  that 
conld  check  ardonr,  or  give  a  moment's  hesitation  to  the  most  sanguine 
anticipations.  The  occasion  was  a  '  Lectore,' — a  '  Lecture '  on  a  foundation 
of  some  hundreds  of  pounds,  and  one  annually  resuscitated.  That  it  was 
'The  Baird  Lecture'  was  a  matter  of  no  consequence  for  the  point  alluded 
to.  The  word  '  Baird '  has  to  do  only  with  the  pounds.  It  was  the 
'  Lecture'  that  brought  with  it  the  cause  of  hesitancy;  and  all  lectures,  of  what- 
ever name,  on  a  like  foundation,  are  liable  to  the  snspicio  us  concomitant.  It  was 
a  '  Lecture,'  though,  with  the  pomp  and  circumstance  of  a  rich  and  legalized 
foundation,  yet,  both  for  the  anthor  and  for  the  subject,  an  occasional  'Lecture.' 
The  possible  suspense  and  surmise,  therefore,  could  not  be  avoided  :  Had  the 
coming  lectnrer  Etodied  his  subject  only  for  the  nonce  t  Was  be  an  expert 
of  previous  and  long  standing  in  the  field  of  knowledge  which  he  was  now  to 
deal  with,  as  he  had  been  iu  other  fields  in  which  he  had  won  famef  Had 
the  mind,  competent  as  it  was,  and  worthy  of  the  great  adventnre,  had  time 
to  be  thrown  out,  and  familiarly,  over  the  broad  details,  and  back  on  the 
deep  principles,  by  which  the  subject  to  be  discussed  was,  more  than  most, 
characterized  1  Was  this  great  occasion,  after  all,  in  danger  of  turning  out 
just  such  a  business  as  has  been  often  enough  before  witnessed  in  the  hands 
of  even  the  very  greatest  of  specialists,  when  they  transcended  their  special 
field, — as,  for  instance,  when  Charles  Darwin  or  Thomas  Huxley  went  in  for 
metaphysic  and  theology,  or  Charles  Hodge  went  in  for  Darvriuism  and 
natural  science, — was  this  great  occasion  to  turn  out  a  case  of  cram  T  That 
was  the  one  hesitation  that  the  circumstances  of  the  case  inevitably  occasioned 
to  the  most  confident  believer  in  Dr.  Flint's  genius.  But,  after  all,  if  the 
worst  came  to  the  worst, — if '  cram '  it  was  to  be, — all  the  world  had  the  refuge 
of  remembering  that  it  was  in  Dr.  Flint's  hand  it  was  to  be.  If  ever  '  cram  ' 
conld  surpass  itself,  renounce  its  cmdeness,  and  do  the  work  of  leisure  and 
maturity,  it  would  be  now.  The  recent  examples  specified  need  not  darken 
the  prospect.  Besides,  had  not  Dr.  Flint's  predecessor  in  the  professorial 
chair  produced  perhaps  his  very  best  book  on  the  occasion  of  the  andden 
call  of  the  very  same  'Lecture'!  And,  moreover,  so  far  as  the  standing 
bterests  of  Theism  are  concerned,  such  a  man  as  Dr.  Flint  having  once  in 
BDch  circumstances  committed  himself  to  the  great  subject,  might  be 
eipected  to  retain  bis  hold  of  it,  and  by  future  elaboration  to  atone  for  the 
insufficiency  of  a  hasty  effort,  if  for  such  atonement  there  should  be  left  room. 
What,  then,  was  the  result  1  When  the  lecturer  came  to  hie  post,  the  eager 
interest  that  had  spread  through  town  and  country,  and  had  followed  him 
from  city  to  city  (for  the '  Baird  Lecture '  is  peripatetic),  at  last  filled  St. 
George's  Church,  Edinburgh,  to  overflowing,  and  greeted  Dr.  Ffint  with  the 
sight  of  an  audience,  one  of  the  largest,  most  intelligent,  and  enthusiastic 
tlwit  ever  listened  to  lectures  in  the  Scottish  metropolis.  As  it  was  on  the 
first  night,  so  it  continued  throughout  the  course.    Neither  the  audiences  nor 


12  PBOFESSOB  FLIHT  AKD  THE  LOGIC  OP  THEISM,     '""li^i^'^ 

the  interest,  nor,  it  m&f  be  added,  the  power  of  the  speaker,  waned  till  the 
task  was  finished.  It  may  almost  be  said  of  Dr.  Flint's  Inminoas  prelectionB 
on  the  abstruse  snbject,  what  has  been  said  of  another  celebrated  conree  of 
lectures  given  by  a  French  philosopher  in  the  French  capital, — '  Two 
thoaaand  auditors  listened,  all  with  admiratioD,  many  with  ODthnsiosm,  to  the 
eloquent  exposition  of  doctrines  iatfilligible  only  to  tihe  few.' 

Bnt  the  result  was  not  complete  when  Dr.  Flint  ceased  to  speak.  We  hare 
a  book, — for  the  '  Baird '  foundation  secures  the  permanence  of  its  lectures 
in  printed  form  ;  and  the  book,  if  it  brings  Dr.  Flint's  disqnisilion  on  Theism 
before  a  wider,  and  we  may  even  say  a  world-wide  audience,  will  also  laj 
them  under  the  ordeal  of  a  steadier  and  more  searching  criticism.  Bat 
upon  the  whole,  the  general  verdict  may  be  anticipated.  The  book  will  b« 
regarded  as  one  of  the  best  books,  perhaps  the  very  best  book  of  its  genera- 
tion on  its  snbject, — a  prediction,  however,  that  need  not  in  any  one  r^se 
conceptions  of  too  exaggerated  praise.  The  language  is  pure  and  vigorous. 
These  lectures  are  in  the  best  of  the  'Queen's  Enghsh.'  The  srraage- 
ment  of  the  subjects,  and  the  delineations,  historical  and  dogmatical,  are 
very  clear,  and  such  as  to  give  luminons  views.  All  is  light  round  Dr.  Flint's 
path.  So  far  as  he  sees  clearly  himself,  the  reader  always  sees  the  mattw 
which  he  sets  down  in  writing  with  exceeding  ease  and  visibility.  The 
points  of  thought  that  lie  within  the  writer's  reach  are  grasped  with  firm  and 
conscious  mastery.  The  ordinarily  intelligent  reader  will  have  such  a  sense 
of  intellectual  gratification  and  benefit,  that  he  will  follow  the  author  all 
through  just  as  eagerly  as  the  listeners  hung  on  his  spoken  words.  As  for 
the  interests  of  the  more  rigorous  student,  it  is  plain  that  Dr.  Flint  carries 
even  into  these  lectnres,  with  their  voluminous  notes,  a  professor's  cares  and 
onsieties,  as  well  as  a  professor's  experience  and  accomplishments.  There 
is  much  suggestiveness,  and  many  various  features  throughout,  that  are  not 
a  little  stimulating.  The  remarks  and  references  in  the  notes  give  the 
Tolome  much  of  the  character  of  a  student's  handbook.  Altogether,  and 
but  for  one  reservation,  which  however  is  a  serious  one,  and  must  be  taken 
np  and  dealt  with  immediately,  no  bett»  manual  on  Theism  could  be'pnt 
into  the  student's  hand. 

Such,  then,  has  been  the  result  of  this  '  Lecture,'  and  such  the  gain  for 
the  popular  ear  and  for  literature.  But  what  now  has  been  the  resnlt  for 
Theism  t  Does  this  book  make  an  epoch  for  its  snbject?  or,  does  it  at 
least  put  Theism  into  the  way  most  fiavourable  for  farther  advance  T  It 
must  be  owned  that  at  this  qnestion  unqnalified  approbation  most  cease, — 
nay,  it  must  give  place  not  only  to  criticism,  but  to  disappomtment  and 
complaint.  Dr.  Flint's  '  Theispa '  is  not  an  epoch-making  book.  In  truth, 
even  with  respect  to  putting  theistic  investigation  into  a  way  favourable  for 
progress,  the  book  may  become  the  occasion  of  some  other  book  doing  that, 
but  no  one  can  say  it  has  done  it  itself.  Nay,  this  book  cauuot  even 
liecome  the  occasion  of  snch  a  better  book,  except  by  the  future  author 
diverging  somewhat  radically  from  Dr.  Flint's  Imes,  and  rearing  not  only  s 
new  building,  bnt  on  a  new  foundation. 

The  supreme  question  for  Theism  is  the  following :  Is  the  fact  of  God's 
existence  intuitional  or  inferential  T  Is  it  a  fact  before  and  above  logic,  or 
is  it  a  fact  made  out  by  logical  reasonings  T  In  other  words,  is  the  fact  of 
the  divine  existence  a  fact  which  a  critical  and  speculative  analysis  of  the 
processes  of  the  mind  shows  to  be  a  knowledge  native  to  the  mind,  or  is  it 
one  which  the  miud  concludes  to  through  syllogistic  reasoning  1  Or,  in 
other  words  still,  is  the  existence  of  God  an  existence  which  experience  is 


"■'jIZT'ibS'^'     PEOrSSBOB  FLINT  AND  THB  LOGIC  OF  THBIWi  13 

merely  the  occasion  of  revealing  to  qb,  as  one  which  we  spontftneonsly  recog- 
nise, or  is  it  an  existence  onr  knowledge  of  which  is  etrictl;  a  product  ot 
experience  itself  T  This  is  the  critical  qaestion  for  Theism,  ^d  all  the 
hopes  of  an  adequate  and  true  epecnktive  doctrine  os  the  snbject  centre  on 
the  affirojation  firmly  made,  and  rigoronsly  acted  on,  of  the  fonner  of  the 
altematires  thns  variouely  expressed,  and  on  the  denial  equally  strong  and 
consistent  of  the  latter  of  these  alternatives.  It  is  to  be  observed  that  a 
tnte  logic  of  Theism  depends  on  both  the  affirmation  and  the  denial  specified, 
because  neither  the  one  nor  the  other  of  the  two  alleged  modes  in  which  we 
may  become  cognisant  of  God's  existence  is,  in  the  opinion  of  some,  exhanst- 
ive  of  the  possible  modes  in  which  the  fact  may  be  known.  Dr.  M'Cosh — 
and  here  we  shall  find  Dr.  Flint  follows  him^aubstantiates  the  existence  of 
God  by  a  mongrel  evidence,  that  consists  in  a  fusion  of  the  intuitional  and 
mferential  together ;  while  Principal  Tnlloch  and  Mr.  Jackson  hold  that  the 
snbject  is  sasceptible  of  both  modes  of  evidence,  not  in  fnsion  but  sncces- 
sion.  Id  opposition  to  all.  this,  however,  it  must  be  held,  for  it  is  true,  that 
intnition  is  a  witness  that  will  give  its  evidence  in  company  with  no  other 
witness  whatever.  It  will  stand  alone,  for  it  is  all-sufficient  when  its  testi- 
mony can  be  adduced ;  or  it  will  refuse  to  stand  at  all,  and  throw  yon  for 
yonr  evidence  wholly  on  other  sources.  It  will  not  come  with,  before,  or 
after  any  other  witness  in  the  canse.  The  first-born  of  reason  will  not  share 
its  birthright  with  another.  Therefore,  if  theiatic  evidence  be  intuitional,  it  is 
iutnitional  alone ;  if  inferential,  inferential  alone.  And,  let  it  be  repeated,  the 
coming  prophet  of  Theism  must  be  an  intuitionalist.  He  must  have  con- 
fidence in  intuition,  and  stake  his  all  on  its  strength.  When  will  men  make 
adequate  and  timeons  resort  to  the  place  of  principlee,  and  bnild  on  the 
divinely-laid  foundation  there,  all  that  temple  of  science  which  God  has  laid 
h  to  uphold  T  When  will  they  cease  to  suspect  the  very  pillars  of  truth, 
and  learn  to  love  and  trust  them  more  than  that  frail  refuge  of  knowledge — 
their  own  reasonings  T  When,  above  all,  will  they  cease  to  rely  on  their  own 
demonstrations  even  for  the  fundamental  facts  of  existence, — nay,  even  for 
the  chiefest  fact  of  existence,  the  existence  of  the  infinite  One  T  Immediate 
knowledge— the  uuproven  but  accepted  and  indefeasible  assertions  of  the 
mind,  are  the  only  and  sole  witness  for  all  the  facts  of  existence,  and  among 
the  rest  for  the  existence  of  Qod.  This  evidence  once  given  is  final.  It 
supersedes  and  makes  inept — even  it  may  be  delusive — all  other  modes  and 
processes  that  would  pretend  to  a  strict  eatabhshment  of  the  fact.  Our 
knowledge  of  the  fact  of  God's  existence  is  not  any  of  the  following  kinds 
of  knowledge.  It  is  not  an  inference,  either  deductive  or  inductive.  It  is 
not  a  hjfpothtait  merely,^'  the  prehmiuary  admission  of  an  nncertain  premiss,'  * 
— that  kind  of  assnmption  or  presupposition  which,  if  you  consent  to  take  it 
with  yon,  will  be  fonnd  able  to  give  you  an  explanation  of  things,  and  which 
for  its  services  in  that  way  you  are  to  reward  with  the  position  of  established 
truth.  It  is  not  properly  a  postulate  which  you  need  or  demand  for  the  same 
task  of  unriddling  the  nuiverse,  and  to  which,  again,  you  give  place  only 
because  it  enables  you  to  do  this,  and  so  saves  yon  from  the  misery  of  stand- 
iag  before  the  unveiled  Sphinx.  The  fact  of  God's  existence  is  no  one  of  all 
these.  It  is  properly  called  a  datum.  It  is  something  given  in  and  to  thought, 
and  for  the  conscious  possession  of  which  the  mind  has  to  do  not  one  whit 
else  or  more  than  to  look  critically  into  itself,  analyse  its  own  contents,  and 
speculate  on  them.    The  fact  of  God's  existence  is  not  what  men's  interpre- 

Q  able  dJBciiBaion  in  the  Briiiih  and  Fifieign 


14  PROFESSOE  FLINT  AND  THE  LOGIC  OF  THEISM.     '""li'tK^'*^ 

tatioD  of  tt^iDgs  is  properlj  said  to  demand,  in  order  to  be  posBible  and 
rational;  it  is  what  is  ready  given  in  the  mind  to  be  the  life  and  reason  of 
all  their  rational  interpretation  a.  It  is  not  what  will  do  much  or  everything 
for  the  understanding  of  the  nniverse,  it  only  yon  are  permitted  to  assume  it ; 
it  is  an  element  ot  knowledge  which  the  mind  does  not  need  to  assume  on 
safferance,  but  most  take  from  itself,  and  own  or  deny  itself.  It  is^in  a  word, 
not  what  can  be  logically'  demonstrated  or  inductively  established  even  if 
you  would,  and  that  becanse  it  lias  at  the  deepest  roots  of  all  possible  dedac- 
tion  and  induction  both.  Our  knowledge  of  God  is  often  called  a  postulate ; 
and  other  forms  of  expression  are  commonly  used  of  a  similar  character,  but 
similarly  inadeqnate,  if  the  exact  point  of  truth  is  to  be  expressed.  For 
instance,  we  are  said  to  '  need  God  to  account  for  the  world,'  or  '  to  make 
it  iotelligible ; '  •  we  are  '  under  the  necessity  of  assuming  God ; '  '  the  prin- 
ciples of  onr  nature  demand  God ; '  '  belief  in  the  divine  existence  harmonises 
with  the  religious  instincts  of  our  nature.'  Now,  all  these  forms  of  expres- 
sion may  be  quite  appropriate  occurring  in  a  certain  line  of  remark,  bQt 
tbey  do  not  express  the  exact  truth ;  and  some  at  least  of  those  who  have 
used  them  would  be  the  first  to  say  so — Calderwood,  for  instauce.  They  go 
no  further  than  representing  God  as  a  hypothesis,  or  a  craving,  or  a  simple 
necessity.  But  we  may  need  and  not  have,  seek  and-  not  get,  crave  and  not 
be  satisfied.  Hamilton'swordsinreterencetoKant  point  out  clearly  what  are 
awanting  in  such  expressions.  '  In  the  character  he  ascribes  to  this  feeling 
or  belief '  (intuitive  of  God),  '  Rant,'  says  Hamilton,  '  erred.  For  he  onght 
to  have  regarded  it  not  as  a  mere  spiritual  craving,  but  as  an  immediate 
manifestation  of  intelligence ;  not  as  a  postulate,  bnt  as  a  datum ;  not  as  an 
interest  in  certain  truths,  or  an  inclination  towards  them,  but  as  the  fact,  the 
principle,  the  warrant  of  their  cognition  and  reality.'  \  We  have,  besides, 
more  given  than  we  need.  But  the  point  here  to  be'  noticed  is,  that  what 
we  are  said  to  need  is  given  so  aa  to  anticipate  the  need.  The  datum  may 
not  be  detected  aa  such, — few  data  are,  and  by  few.  The  true  source  ot 
the  fact  may  be  nnobserved ;  but  it  is  as  a  datura,  or  possession  of  the  miod 
nnderived  throngh  inference  or  throngb  anything  else  from  anything  else, 
that  the  fact  of  God's  existence  meets  the  mind  of  the  thinker  on  God.  It 
is  not  a  truth  which  yon  reach  only  'in  a  syllogiatica!  way,  deducing  and 
collecting  one  thing  out  of  another,'  and  which  therefore  never  places  thnt 
one  truth  directly  before  your  eyes  without  the  mediation  ot  the  other ;  it  is 
that  kind  ot  trnth  which  brings  you  directly  face  to  face  with  the  object, 
and  which  you  know  by  its  own  self-revelation,  not  by  the  help  of  anything 
rtearer  to  you  or  clearer  to  yon.  '  Angels  are  above  syllogisms,'  says  Culver- 
well.  '  Even  amongst  men,'  he  adds,  '  first  principles  are  above  dispntings, 
above  demonstrations.'  The  fact  of  the  divine  existence  is  to  men  like  one 
of  these  principles.  You  do  not  reason  yourself  into  a  conviction  of  God's 
.  existence.  God  is  given  before  He  is  songlit.  With  Him  yon  may  seek  all 
else;  from  anything  else,  except  only  as  famishing  occasions  and  opportuni- 
ties, yon  cannot  get  Him,  It  is  with  the  reasoner  who  would  bring  God 
within  the  arms  of  bis  thought  by  his  logical  processes,  as  it  is  with  the 
spiritually  awakened  soul  who  would  embrace  God  through  the  cry  of 

■'We  need  God  lo  nmko  (he  world  intelligible; 
(Fairbwrn'B  Stadiet').  We  lie»r  alao  of  a  'proponsi 
laithMnOod,  etc 

I  Betd'B  Worki,  p.  793,  The  dt«p1y  true  and  tkcute  remnrka  ol  Coldervood  (JIandiooi  of 
iforal  PhiUaophy,  p,  87),  and  in  contrast  those  of  Hermes  oited  by  Hftinilton  (Beid,  SpO-l). 
may  be  conaidered  In  relstioa  to  the  matter  ia  hand.  la  the  remarks  in  the  text  it  id  nut 
meant  to  refuse  a  plate  to  iuBtiact  in  the  method  of  knowledge. 


""^"^u:*"'  MACBETH;   OK  GROWTH  IN  EV1I«  15 

prayer.  The  real  gift  of  Him  has  anticipated  the  efforts  of  both  alike. 
The  awakened  sonl  ia  sore  to  find,  wiih  a  ravishing  sarprise  at  lost,  that  while 
he  has  been  imagining  himself  seeking,  he  was  all  the  while  being  songht  by 
the  object  of  his  search,  already  his.  And  if  the  tbeistic  logician  does  not 
recei?e  a  similarly  glad  surprise,  it  is  hecaase  his  eyes  are  not  yet  sufficiently 
open  to  the  troth  of  the  case.  Hastening,  as  he  aopposes,  toward  the  f  Act  of 
God's  existence  by  his  reaBoninga,  he  ia  liable  at  any  moment  to  have  the  dia- 
coTery  bnrst  on  bia  eyes  that  bis  logical  appliances  already  involve  an,d  rest  od 
the  fact  which  he  is  seeking  to  make  rest  on  them.  The  inevitable  reality  and 
presence  are  already  there.  The  thought  of  the  thinker,  like  bis  practic^  life, 
cut  only  live,  move,  and  have  its  being  in  the  God  whom  he  is  feeling  after. 
All  this  is  bnt  simple  assertion, — simple  affirmation  of  one  sole  mode  of 
evidencing  the  fact  of  God'a  existence, — simple  negation  of  all  others.  Qnes- 
lioDB  radical  and  immense  remain, — questions  not  always  dealt  with,  or  even 
always  acknowledged  as  pending,  when  snch  asaertions  are  made.  It  fs  not 
enough  to  assert  that  Ood  is  an  intuition.  If  tlie  fact  of  God's  existence  be 
intuitively  known,  we  must  be  able  to  lay  our  hand  palpably  on  the  divine 
intoiliou  in  the  mind.  We  must  detect  the  mind  in  the  act  of  intaitirely 
knowing  God.  Such  an  analyais  must  be  made  as  shall  show  in  what  pro- 
cess or  processes  it  acts  on  the  presupposition  that  God  exists, — acts  in  soch 
a  manner  that  the  recognition  by  it  of  His  existence  ia  seen  to  be  the  very 
condition  of  its  action.  By  this  the  question  put  to  the  intnitional  tbeist  by 
Dr.  Fb'nt  and  Dr.  M'Coah,  whether  he  can  point  ont  a  separate  definite  in- 
tnition  of  Ood,  wiU  at  the  same  time  be  disposed  of.  It  may  be  also  asked, — if 
it  be  foand  that  we  get  God  in  multiplied  mental  data,  how  are  these  many 
and  varied  voices  of  intuition  unified  into  an  intnitive  recognition  of  one 
Reing?  Then,  too,  as  to  those  many,  grand,  and  far-gatbered  facta  of  the 
muTerBe,  and  those  sublime  truths  and  thoughts  of  the  mind,  out  of  which 
thoBtieal  demonstratora  have  been  wont  to  draw  their  a  posteriori  and 
a  priori  argnments,  what  is  the  real  relation  in  which  that  material  stands 
to  the  fact  of  God's  existence? — what  is  its  fnnction  with  respect  to  our 
tnowledge  of  that  fact,  since  we  assert  it  is  not  that  of  logically  proving  itT 
These  are  questions  which  he,  who  asserts  an  intuitional  and  denies  an 
iofereutial  Theism,  must  couaider  himself  bound  clearly  and  aatisfactorily  to 
answer.  Meanwhile,  the  one  regret  in  reference  to  the  '  Baird  Lecture' 
on  Theism  is,  that  its  author  did  not  make  the  assertion  and  denial  thus 
signalised,  and  baild  the  system  of  theistic  evidence  on  the  altered  lines  which 
should  thus  have  been  laid  for  it.  The  damaging  element  in  the  whole 
discussion  ia  that  there  is  faltering  at  this  critical  point.  So  far  as  the  stern 
necessity  for  a  choice  between  the  inevitable  logical  alternatives  has  been 
discerned,  the  wrong  choice  has  been  made.  Dr.  Flint  is  professedly  an 
inferential  tbeist. 

(To  be  continued.) 


MACBETH ;  OR  GROWTH  IN  EVIL. 

m  BEV.' WILLIAM  TOBNEK,  SDINBURGH. 

A  GOOD  drama  is  a  tme  Christian  parable,  full  of  sptrttnal  meanings  and 
holy  lessons.  Like  the  parables  of  Scriptnre,  it  is  a  fragment  taken  from 
the  qnarry  of  ordinary  secnlsr  history,  and  so  polished  and  set  as  to  show 
the  reins  of  divine  order  and  moral  law  whereby  all  human  history  is  per- 
meated.   By  the  clear  exhibition  of  these,  rather  than  by  the  pity  and 


16  ,  MACBETH ;   OB  OBOWTH  IN  EVIL.  '""Sl^^^!'^ 

terror  it  ezdtes,  does  tri^edy  'purge  thesoal.'  Tbedramas  of  Shakespeare, 
inasmach  as  they  are  pre-ecniDeut  in  their  truth  to  catore  and  in  the  power  of 
their  delineatioDS,  yield  themaelveB  with  pecaliar  facility  to  paraliolic  uses ; 
and  I  make  no  4>*>'0S7  '^^  l-Ixia  attempting  to  torn  to  acconot,  for  the 
purposes  9^  moral  inatrnction^  the  great  poem  of '  Macbeth.' 
.  That  there  is  a  process  of  growth  in  hnman  life  and  history  is  a  trnth 
iUnstrated  in  sereral  of  the  parables  of  Jesns  Christ,  specially  in  those 
recorded  in  the  ISth  chapter  of  Matlhew.  Id  these,  as  also  in  Bnnyaa's 
well-known  allegory,  it  is  growth  iu  goodness  which  occupies  the  fore- 
ground. Bnt  there  is  growth  in  evil  as  well  as  in  good.  In  the  one  moral 
condition  as  in  the  other,  there  is '  first  the  blade,  then  the  ear^  then  the  fall 
com  in  the  ear.'  In  the  career  of  the  wicked  as  well  as  of  the  righteoos, '  it 
doth  not'  at  first  *  appear  what  they  shall  be  ; '  and  many,  like  Kazael,  have 
in  the  comparative  innocence  of  their  earlier  days  spamed  from  them  with 
indignation  the  picture  of  that  which  thay  have  at  last  become.  It  is  this 
growth  in  evil  which  I  wish  now  to  contemplate.  For  my  sermon  I  find  a 
text  altogether  saitable  in  James  i.  18-15 : '  Let  no  man  say  when  he  is 
tempted,  I  am  tempted  of  Qod ;  for  God  cannot  b>e  tempted  with  evil,  neither 
tempteth  he  any  man  ;  bnt  every  man  is  tempted,  when  heis  drawn  away  of 
his  own  Inst,  and  enticed.  Then,  when  lost  hath  conceived,  it  bringeth  forth 
Bin  ;  and  sin,  when  it  is  finished,  bringeth  forth  death.'  '  Macbeth '  shall 
famial)  the  commentary  on  this  text,  and  it  is  hoped  that  theuatural  darkness 
and  repulsiveness  of  the  theme  will  be  in  no  small  measure  relieved  by  the 
force  and  beanty  of  the  poetical  illnstration. 

In  '  Macbeth,'  as  in  the  corresponding  prose  poem  of  Bnnyan,  we  have  one 
principal  character,  the  growth  of  whose  moral  nature  is  set  off  by  jaxta- 
position  with  various  other  sabordinate  characters.  Macbeth  is  one  of  the  most 
distinguished  and  trusted  of  the  generals  of  Duncan,  who  is  king  of  Scotland 
at  a  period  when  the  country  is  exposed  to  the  assaults  of  Norwegians, 
Danes,  and  other  invaders.  He  has  approved  himself  not  only  a  valiant 
soldier  and  skilfu!  leader  but  also  a  toyal  snbject,  and  he  bears  throughout 
the  kingdom  an  honoured  name  as  the  bravest  of  the  thanes  and  the  best 
support  of  the  throne.  We  first  meet  Macbeth  as  he  marches  at  the  head 
of  his  troops,  in  company  with  another  distinguished  captain,  Banquo,  on 
their  return  from  victorions  fight  with  the  Norwegians.  The  country  over 
which  they  are  travelling  is  a  '  blasted  heath,'  and  a  tempest  is  shaking  the 
heavens.  '  So  foal  and  fair  a  day,'  remarks  Macbetli,  referring  at  once  to 
the  victory  and  to  the  storm, '  I  have  not  seen,'  On  such  a  day,  '  a  baim 
might  understand,'  according  to  Bums,  that '  the  prince  of  the  power  of  the 
air '  was  abroad ;  and  so  it  proved  for  the  two  generais.  As  they  struggle 
on  through  the  fierce  wind  and  rain,  separated  by  the  darkness  from  their 
army,  a  strange  apparition  presents  iteelf.  Three  frightful  hags  stand  before 
them, — the  famous  witches  which,  like  so  many  other  marvelloas  beings,  owe 
their  existence  in  the  world  of  fancy  to  the  genioa  of  Shakespeare.  These 
witches  do  not  belong  to  the  class  of  the  weak  and  much-abused  creatnres 
who  currently  bear  this  name;  on  the  contrary,  they  are  beings  potent  and 
dreadful,  veritable  ministers  of  darkness  and  denizens  of  the  pit,  armed  with 
might  to  raise  storms,  to  inflict  diseases,  to  foretell  the  future,' and  to  tempt 
men  to  ruin.  Accordmg  to  the  Bible,  temptations  to  sin  come  not  from 
above  bnt  from  beneath.  It  is  '  an  enemy  ' — th^  adversary  and  destroyer — 
who  sows  tares  in  God's  field,  Infemalagencies,  we  are  given  to  understand. 
are  constantly  at  work, — 'principalitiee,  powers,  the  miere  of  the  darkness  ot 
this  world,'  under  the  command  of '  the  god  of  this  world,  the  prince  of  the 


■^jiniSwI'*'  MACBETH;  OB'GBOWTH  IN  BTH..  17 

power  of  thB  sir,  the  spirit  that  now  worketli  Id  the  cbildrea  of  disobediaioe,* 
who  *  goeth  about  aa  a  roaring  lion,  aeekioK  whom  he  may  deronr,'— and  by 
these  jn&nj  of  the  childm  of  men  ore  blinded,  infatuated,  wdnced,  and  '  led 
oaptire'  to' detraction.  '0  foolish  Oalatians,'  aaja  Panl  in  bis  espoetala- 
tion  with  the  erring,  *  who  hath  bewitched  joQ  T '  As  it  was  with  Ere  in  the 
garden  in  Eden,  with  Job  amid  his  abundance  in  the  land  of  Vz,  with  Darid 
on  the  throne  m  JemBalem,  with  Jeeni  Christ  in  the  wilderness  of  Jndea,  the 
BtepB  of  the  Scottish  chieftun  are  now  waylaid  by  infernal  ^ency,  preeentecl 
in  a  form  each  as  it  suits  oar  poet  to  call  into  hang  oat  of  the  *  vasty  deep' 
of  his  imagination, 

'  Speak,  if  70a  can,'  says  Macbeth  to  the  '  weird  sisters,'  '  what  are 
je  t ' — to  which  in  snccesdon  they  reply,  — 

'  All  bail,  HubethI  hdl  (a  thee,  thuie  of  Glunb ! 
All  hail,  Uuibeth  I  h>U  to  thee,  thue  of  Cawdor  I  . 
All  bail,  Haobeth  i  that  ihall  be  klag hereafter!' 

Now  this  tlureefold  salatation  is  a  '  prophetic  greeting ; '  —  for  in  all 
temptation  prophecy  or  at  least  promise  is  involved.  '  Ye  shaU  be  as  Ood,' 
sud  the  serpent  to  Ere, '  knowing  good  and  eril.'  '  All  the  kingdoms  of  the 
world,  and  the  glory  of  them,'  said  the  tempter  to  Christ, '  I  will  give  Thee, 
it  Thon  wilt  fall  down  and  worship  me.'  Macbeth  had  learned,  bnt  a  little 
time  before,  that  by  the  death  of  a  relative  he  had  become  thane  of  Ql&mia; 
bnt  the  thane  of  Cawdor  lived,  and  the  king  Uved,  and  yet  by  these  h^h 
titles  is  he  now  sainted  I  The  manner  in  which  oar  hero  is  affected  by  this 
prophecy  gives  as  a  deep  insight  into  the  secrets  of  his  heart,  and  demands 
special  notice.  Says  Banqao  to  hia  friend,  as  the  sonnd  of  the  witches' 
salatation  dies  npon  the  air, — 

<  Good  air,  why  do  yon  etart,  and  aeem  to  few 
Thinga  that  do  aaoDd  H)  fair?     J'ttae  nuns  of  trntlk,' 

be  (wntinaes  to  the  hags, 

*  Are  yB  faotaeUcel,  or  thatindeed 

™, , -lyn.  .., 

id  greftt  predict!  ani 
Tba.1  he'saemV  rapt  wi'thaC' 

This  starting  and  raptness  of  demeanoor  discernible  in  Macbeth  are  tell-tale. 
It  is  plain  that  the  witches'  salatation  has  touched  him  on  the  qnick,  and 
that  the  prospects  which  it  opens  up  exactly  meet  the  ideas  on  which  hi» 
thoughts  are  secretly  brooding.  He  is  startled,  alarmed,  amased,  gratified, 
to  find  the  wishes  that  have  been  nestling  in  the  very  home  of  hia  sonl  thus 
procl^med  aload,  so  nnexpectedly  and  so  anthoritatively,  by  snpemataral 
visitants, ' 

In  the  heart  of  Macbeth,  as  of  all  men,  there  eziab'  the  instinctive  desire 
of  greatness, — a  desire  whiiji,  like  all  oar  natural  principles  of  action,  in  eo  far 
as  it  is  instinctive,  is  of  coarse  not  criminal.  These  natural  desires,  however, 
require  the  jealons  oversight  and  firm  control  of  reason  and  of  conscience,  leet 
they  transgress  their  dne  bounds  and  hasten  with  blind  force  to  seize  their 
objects.  To  these  desires  outward  things  appeal,  and  to  them  the  god  of  the 
world  addresses  his  temptations.  Bat  the  appeal  is  vain  unless  tha  desire  be 
in  an  active  and  excited  state.  The  soil  is  fertile  only  when  it  is  prepared  for 
the  seed.  The -last  conceives  only  when  it  is  eagerly  ahve  and  ready  to 
embrace  the  ofTered  good.  So  long  as  onr  natural  ambitlonsness  is  curbed 
with  a  firm  rein  and  held  in  check  by  the  dominance  in  the  soul  of  the 
principlefi  of  righteousness  and  the  affections  of   brotherly  sympathy,  it 

MO.  I.  VOL.  XXH.  tnCW  8KEIES.— JANUABI  1S7S.  B 


Which  outwardly  ye  ahow  ?    My  noble  partner 
..andgr    "         


18  MACBETH ;  OE  QBOWTH  IN  EVIL.  '""'Sl'^^j?'^ 

presenta  no  hold  to  oatw&rd  temptation.  It  is  when  this  priDcipIe,  instead  of 
being  mortified  and  controlled,  is  cberiahed  and  pampered,  and  especially 
when  the  imaginatjon  becomes  its  minister  and  it  is  aUovred  to  conjnre  np 
and  to  revel  among  the  images  of  the  possible  and  the  probable  in  the  v^j  of 
selfish  attainmeot,  that  it  becomes  a  soil  prepared  fortheentertainmentof  the 
temptation.  Ifow,  snch,  I  conceive,  was  at  the  time  the  morpl  state  of 
Macbeth.  His  Datnral  ambitionsneas,  instead  of  being  repressed,  had  been 
inflamed  bj  his  owd  brooding  thonghts,  and  was  in  an  eager  and  snsceptible 
condition.  The  greatness  be  had  already  achieved  had  inspired  the  notiou  of 
higher  greatness  as  noir  within  bis  reach,  and  his  mind  was  prepared  to 
receive  confirmation  of  its  own  secret  desires  and  snggestions  as  to  the 
methods  by  which  they  might  be  gratified.  His  Inst  had  been  warmed  into 
actire  life,  and  the  greeting  of  the  witches  comes  npon  it  to  aid  the  conception 
and  to  give  it  definite  form.  Hitherto  his  ambition  had  groped  in  the  dark ; 
now  it  has  eyes  given  to  it,  and  assumes  the  shape  of  a  determinate  purpose. 
This  picture  of  the  quickening  into  an  evil  purpose  by  means  of  external 
evil  suggestion  of  a  desire  naturally  innocent,  when  that  desire  has  been  in- 
flamed and  fostered  in  secret,  which  is  here  given,  is  as  true  to  Scripture  as 
it  is  to  nature  and  experience.  In  every  case  of  transgression,  the  lapse  into 
Bin  has  its  real  origin  in  the  sinner's  own  soul.  The  course  consaoimated 
in  mg  act  takes  its  rise  in  my  heart.  '  We  are  tempted  when  we  are  drawn 
away  of  our  own  lust.'  External  agency  may  be,  and  has  constantly  been, 
appealed  to  by  transgressors  in  the  way  of  excuse  or  palliation, — the  agency 
of  God,  or  of  the  devil,  of  our  parents,  or  of  our  circnmstances, — but  the  . 
appeal  is  vain.  Kothing  external  to  ourselves  could  act  upon  us  as  an 
effective  temptation,  unless  the  desire  to  which  it  is  addressed  were  quickened 
by  our  own  indulgent  thoughts  into  active  life.  Shakespeare  elsewhere  shows 
that  he  had  a  deep  discernment  of  this  truth.  We  are,  he  says, '  merely  oar 
own  traitors.' 

'  We  are  devils  to  onraelves. 
When  we  will  Wtnpt  the  frajltj  of  our  powera, 
Preeumiug  on  tbeii  chtngeful  potene;. 

In  the  history  of  the  first  sin,  the  woman,  we  are  told,  gazed  npon  the 
forbidden  object ;  and '  when  she  saw  that  the  tree  was  good  for  food,  and 
that  it  was  pleasant  to  the  eyes,  and  a  tree  to  be  desired  to  make  one  wise, 
she  took  of  the  fruit  thereof,  and  did  eat.'  There  has  appeared  during  the 
coarse  of  the  world's  history  only  one  man  who  was  guiltless  of  tempting 
himself,  and  who  in  reference  to  all  evil  suggestion  was  able  to  say,  '  The 
prince  of  this  world  cometh,  and  bath  nothing  in  me.'  It  is  instructive  to 
mark  the  contrast  drawn  by  the  poet  between  Macbeth  and  Bauquo.  It  is 
the  contrast  bettveea  the  man  who  under  temptation  falls,  and  the  man  who 
nnder  teiAptation  stands  upright.  Banqno,  too,  like  all  men,  is '  not  witfaont 
ambition,'  and  when  the  witches  address  their  words  of  promise  to  his 
companion,  he  is  cnrion^  to  understand  if  they  have  no  promise  for  him  : 

'  If  ;oQ  ciQ  look  Into  the  Beads  of  time. 

And  taj  which  grun  will  grow  and  which  will  not, 

8pe»k  than  to  me  who  neither  beg  nor  fear 

Tour  faToura  nor  your  hate.' 

He,  too,  has  temptation  addressed  to  him  by  the  hags : 

'  Thou  ahalt  get  klogs,  thoi^b  tfaon  be  none.* 
And  afterwards  Macbeth  also  becomes  his  tempter,  intimating  to  him  a  wish 
to  speak  with  him  in  regard  to  the  witches'  prophecy,  with  ibe  hint  that  if 
he  will  follow  his  counsel, '  it  shall  make  honour  for  yon.'    But  the  heart  of 


"^J^aST^  MACBETH ;  OK  GROWTH  IS  EVIL.  19 

Buiqno  is  a  garden  better  kept  than  that  of  his  fdlow-captain,  in  which  the 
rank  growth  of  sin  is  carefollj  watched  aod  restrained.  We  learn  that  he 
habitaally  wrestles  against  the  dominion  of  evil  thoughts,  and  we  bear  Mm 
by  nigbt  offering  np  the  eameet  prayer, — 

*  Heroifnl  powers, 
BeeCnin  In  me  the  onned  thoughls  th4t  nature 
Oirea  way  to  in  repose  J ' 

Hence  to  Macbeth'a  hint  aliont  receiving  increase  of  honour,  be  rejoins,— 

'SoIloienODe 
Td  aeskiDg  to  augment  It,  bot  atitl  keap 
Hf  bosom  fruicblsed  and  •llegiaace  cuar, 
I  shall  be  oonnselled.' 
Thus  does  our  poet,  in  his  parable,  teach  us  that  everything  pertaining  to 
character  and  life  depends  on  whether  ne  hate  or  whether  we  choose  '  the 
tbongbts  of  vanity.'    It  is  the  entertainment  given  to  those  desires  which 
nature  has  implanted  in  db,  especially  when  stimulated  and  appealed  to  by 
outward  temptation,  that  determines  oar  career  and-our  destiny. 

As  the  story  nnlolda,  Macbeth  gives  more  and  more  evidence  of  the  pre- 
dominance which  the  ambitious  last  has  obtained  in  his  spuit.  Banqno  sees 
the  witches  vanish  from  sight  with  no  feeling  save  that  of  natural  astonish- 
ment, remarking  simply  but  finely, — 

'Tbe  earth  hslk  bubbles  se  the  water  hai. 
And  these  aro  ot  them.     Whither  are  they  vaniahed  f ' 

.Macbeth,  on  the  contrary,  seeks  to  detain  them,  and  is  eager  to  hear  more 
regarding  the  dignities  they  have  predicted  for  him :  '  Stay,  you  imperfect 
speakers,  tell  me  more.'  Evidently  he  is  greatly  interested  and  moved.  The 
Imgs  may  be  bubbles  or  not,  but  he  is  fully  possessed  with  the  idea  that  there 
ia  something  sabstantial  and  imponaut  in  their  words.  Recalling  with 
indpieDt  envy  that  a  royal  progeny  had  been  promised  to  his  companion,  be 
says, '  Your  children  shall  be  kings ; '  to  which,  when  Banqno  replies, '  You 
shall  be  king,'  he  rejoins,  <  And  thane  of  Cawdor  too  I  Went  it  not  so  T ' 
Thna  anzioQsly  does  he  brood  upon  the  '  cockatrice'  egg '  which  his  lust  has 
conceived,  and  we  may  fully  expect  that  it  will  break  forth  into  a  viper. 

It  is  noticeable  that  often  events  fall  ont  so  as  to  blind  those  who  are 
irilling  to  be  blinded.  When  men's  hearts  are  fnll  of  some  favourite  last 
and  are  eager  to  be  confirmed  in  the  thought  which  it  prompts,  God  m  the 
arrangements  of  His  providence  often  gives  the  occasion  for  the  hardening 
they  seek.  Thns,  in  the  language  of  Scripture,  He  '  sends  them  strong 
delnsion  that  they  shonid  believe  a  lie.'  Thus  did  he  harden  the  heart  of 
Pharaoh,  and  thns  also  is  it  now  with  Macbeth.  While  his  mind  is  yet  in  a 
state  of  ef^er  excitement  about  bis  great  prospects,  the  thanes  of  Rosse  and 
Angns  appear  as  messengers  from  the  king,  conveying  the  royal  thanks  and 
congratulations  upon  the  victory  that  had  been  achieved ;  and  says  Rosse, — 

'  For  an  earnest  of  a  greater  honour 
He  bade  me  from  him  oaU  thee  thane  of  Cawdor, 
Id  which  addltloD  halt,  most  worthy  tbAie! 
For  it  is  thine.' 
•■  Wbatr  says  Banquo  in    honest  sarprise,  'can  the  devil  speak  trae?' 
This  unexpected  and  epeedy  verification  of  the  prophecy  is  so  mach  new 
leaven  poiued  into  onr  hero's  fermenting  spirit : 
*  Gtamis  and  thane  of  Cawdor  1 — 
Tbe  greatest  la  yet  behind.— Thanks  for  your  piins^~> 
Do  yon  not  hope  your  children  shall  be  kings, 
When  thosa  who  gave  the  thane  of  Cawdor  to  me 
Fromi»ed  m  lass  to  thee? '  CioOQ  [c 


so  MACBETH ;  OB  GEOWTH  IN  EVIL.    -       ^^KllMSMf^ 

To  which  Bays  Buqno, — 

'That  tnuM  horoa 
HtEfet  J«l  aiikliidl«  ]Pca  Into  lbs  Uinnis 
BediUB  tba  tbkne  of  Ciwdor.    Bnt  '(Ib  itnoee,' 


*  And  ofMadmM  to  wtn  ni  to  our  harm 
The  luntrumeata  of  darkness  t«ll  dh  truths, 
Win  na  -with  honest  triilsB,  to  totny  n* 
In  deepest  conseqnenoe.' 

Tbis  is  a  wise  saying,  and  inrites  remark.  The  devil,  it  is  true,  is '  a  liar  aod 
the  father  of  it,'  bnt  it  would  be  a  great  mistake  to  think  that  be  ntters 
nothing  bat  falsehood.  Lyii^  wonld  lose  its  power  to  deceive  were  it  not 
mixed  with  tmth.  '  Ye  shall  be  as  God,  knowing  good  and  evil,'  said  the 
serpent  to  onr  first  parents,  and  certainly  their  transgression  brought 
mlargement  of  their  knowledge.  The  tempter  is  too  skilful  in  his  profession 
to  deceive  always.  The  fishes  for  which  he  angles  are  allowed  to  taste  the 
bait.  In  the  gambfing-hoiise  of  sin,  the  hnman  players  always  win  the  first 
stakes.  It  will  not  do  to  base  onr  morality  on  the  maxims  of  Belfisbneas,  as, 
'  Honesty  is  always  the  beat  policy,'  or  'Deceit  is  always  a  losing  game.'  . 
Of  conrse  it  is  so  in  the  end,  but  it  is  never  so  in  the  beginning ;  and  the 
end,  when  at  last '  the  wheel  comes  fnll  circle,'  is  beyond  the  range  of  present 
vision.  Macbeth  is  '  won  to  his  harm '  by  the  'hoaest  trifle'  that  the  propbecy 
of  the  witches  had  so  far  come  true.  And  so  does  it  happen  continually. 
The  youth  is  tempted  to  one  deed  of  licentious  indulgence,  and  no  disgrace 
^isnes ;  and  the  next  opportunity  finds  him  ready  to  be  more  easily  enticed, 
till  his  sonl  ia  fettered  by  inextricable  bonds.  The  servant  is  prevailed  on  to 
appropriate  a  little  of  his  employer's  property,  and  no  discloHnre  follows  for 
a  while,  till  at  last  principle  is  overthrown,  character  is  blasted,  and  prospects 
are  mined.  By  some  trifling  gains — a  few  ponnds,  an  hour  or  two's  in- 
dulgence, a  little  advance  in  position — are  men  blinded  and  bewitched  so  as 
to  hire  themselves  to  Satan's  service,  and  acquire  the  right  to  his  wages. 

Here  is  also  to  be  noticed  the  power  which  a  prophecy  believed  in  exercises 
over  the  spirit.  It  used  to  be  said  that  the  late  Emperor  of  the  French  was 
sustained  under  his  repeated  unsuccessful  attempts  to  reach  the  goal  he 
sought,  by  some  prophetic  annonncement  that  he  should  reign  over  France. 
It  might  appear  as  if  such  an  assurance  wonld  lead  those  possessed  by  it  to 
commit  their  future  to  the  absolute  control  of  the  power  from  whom  the  pre- 
diction comes,  and  render  them  careless  in  putting  forth  effort  to  win  the 
destined  prize.  The  objection  has  been  oft«n  brought  against  the  doctrines 
of  the  saints'  perseverance  and  assurance,  that  they  lend  to  repress  moral 
endeavour  and  to  encoarage  indifference  and  sloth.  But  tbis  is  an  idea 
altogether  groundless.  Universal  experience  proves  that  if  the  prize  pre- 
dicted is  really  interesting  to  the  heart  and  earnestly  desired,  the  prediction 
stminlatee  rather  than  represses  effort.  Jacob,  who  had  the  promise  that 
be  should  inherit  the  birthright,  was  not  the  less  vigilant  that  he  shonid  not 
be  supplanted  by  his  brother.  Haza«I,  immediately  on  hearing  from  the 
prophet  that  he  shonid  be  king  over  Syria,  set  himself  to  make  the  promise  Bnr« 
by  the  mnrder  of  his  master.  Macbeth  is  strongly  mclined  to  beUeve  that, 
having  obtained  a  part,  he  is  certain  to  obtain  the  whole  of  that  which  the 
weird  sisters  promised,  and  he  is  thereby  stirred  to  most  strennons  endeavour 
to  realize  the  -atmoBt  of  his  ambitious  desires.  Nor  is  this  all.  A  prophecy 
beUeved  in  often  so  acta  upon  the  spirit  as  to  weaken  or  annihilate  the 
obligations  of  morality,  and  to  lead  the  person  in  whose  favour  it  runs  to 


""taTTlm*^'  UAOBBTH ;  OR  GBOWTH  IX  XVUm  %l 

hum  recourse  to  %dj  meus,  howerer  unlawful,  in  order  to  gaia  the  predicted 
prize.  Sach  a  prophec;  is  ofteo  dealt  With  as  if  it  left  a  maa  free  to  practise — 
nay,  as  if  it  oSered  a  dirine  sanction  to — whatever  mucrnpnlaas  <w  onbol/ 
methods  he  ma^  choose  to  adopt.  Thos  in  part  is  to  be  explained  the  decwt 
practised  apon  the  blind  Isaac  bj  Jacob  add  his  mother.  And  in  view  of 
this  deprared  tendency  of  the  hoinan  spirit,  the  law  was  laid  down  for  the 
Israelites :  *  If  there  arise  among  yon  a  prophet,  or  a  dreamer  of  dreams,  and 
giveth  thee  a  sign  in  a  wonder,  and  the  sign  in  the  wondw  come  to  pass 
whereof  he  spake  nsto  thee,  earring,  Let  ns  go  after  other  gods  which  thon 
hast  not  knowo,  and  let  ns  seWe  them,  thou  shalt  not  heai^en  nnto  the 
words  of  that  prophet  or  tlut  dreamer  of  dresmB  [  for  the  Lord  your  God 
proreth  yoa  to  know  whether  je  ]on  the  Lord  yonr  Ood  with  all  yonr  heart 
and  with  all  joar  souL'  That  can  be  no  prophet  of  God  who  tempts  as 
away  from  Qod.  That  can  be  no  heavenly  InflaeDce  which  inflames  unholy 
deaire  and  prompts  to  gnilty  deeds.  '  Prove  all  things ;  hold  fast  that  which 
is  good.'  By  the  one  iuf alUble  rale  of  righteoasneaa  let  as  *  tiy  the  spirits 
whether  they  are  of  Glod,  beoaose  many  false  prophets  are  gone  Oat  into  the 
world.'  Mactwtb  forgot,  if  he  knew,  that  the  working  of  Satan  is  '  with 
all  power  and  signs  and  lying  wonders,  and  with  ^1  deceivableness  of 
uDrigfateonsness  in  them  that  perish.'    Thns  he  mmea : 


m  truth  f     T  im  thane  of  C&vdor. 
If  good,  <i*hj  do  I  field  to  that  eaggeatlon 
WhoM  horrid  image  doth  qd&i  my  hair, 
And  DuJca  m;  »ated  heart  kuook  at  my  ribs, 
Againat  the  bbb  of  natursP' 

Ahl  Macbeth,  verily  that  ^cannot  be  good'  which  thns  even  in  taotaey 
reroltH  thy  conscience  and  appals  thy  heart  I  Recognise  in  this  pertnrbation 
withia,  the  warniag  of  a  mercifal  God  against  thy  '  fell  purpose.' 

The  words  jast  quoted  show  that  in  oar  hero's  soul  bis  Inst  had  already 
conceived,  aa  the  meong  of  gratification,  a  fearfal  crime — the  murder  of  the 
kii^.  True,  he  maintwna  as  yet  a  certain  struggle  against  the  horrid  sug- 
geetion.  The  balance  is  still  oscillating  in  his  spirit.  On  the  ooe  hand,  the 
appearance  of  serious  obatacles  to  the  accomplishment  of  the  deed  may  turn 
him  from  the  path  of  crime,  but,  on  the  other  hand,  the  presentation  of 
faciKties  will  certainly  harry  him  on  in  the  way  of  evil.  Now,  I  have  already 
remarked  how  frequently  circnmstances  occur  to  favour  wicked  desire,  and 
to  furnish  occasion  to  those  who  seek  occasion.  We  are  sometimes  ted  to 
ask.  Has  the  devil  power  over  providence  as  well  as  over  prophecy  t  Are  the 
glimpses  which  Scripture  allows  us  of  the  activity  of  Satan,  in  the  trying  of 
Job,  io  the  sifting  of  Peter,  and  in  the  hindering  of  Paul,  to  be  understood 
as  reveaUng  constant  facts  and  laws  of  the  unseen  world  t  It  is  certain  that 
in  Has  evil  world  circumstances  are  seldom  fonnd  uusoitable  for  sin.  We 
remember  the  scene  of  temptatiou  in  the  Book  of  Proverbs : '  Behold,  there  met 
hima  woman,'  etc.,  audamong  the  other  inducements  presented  to  her  victim  was 
this : '  The  goodman  is  not  at  home,  he  is  gone  a  long  journey ;  he  hath  taken 
a  bag  of  money  with  him,  and  will  come  home  at  the  day  appointed ; ' — as  if 
she  had  said.  Bee  how  we  are  favoured  by  providence  I  It  is  trne  that  only 
the '  simple  ones '  find  in  such  providences  an  incentive  to  transgression. 
Those  who,  like  Joseph,  are  wise  and  strong,  however  favourable  the  circnm- 
Btancee,  flee  from  the  temptation  as  from  a  serpent.  Macbeth  has  hatched 
the  serpent  in  his  own  bosom,  and  he  has  nnrsed  it  there  too  kindly  to  cast 


J2  Kfia  or  MT  13irRB88I01J8  OF  A  "ji  viS*^ 

it  from  bim  when  !t  begins  to  rear  its  head  and  show  its  frags.  He  ha« 
prepared  himself  to  yield  to  the  sohcitatioD  of  opportooitf,  and  b;  this  he 
is  immediately  addressed.  The  king  himself  meets  him,  and  with  many 
ezpreseions  of  gratitude  and  admiration  annonnceB  that  he  ia  about  to  lodge 
wUh  him  that  night  in  his  castle.  Here  at  once  is  promise  enongh  of 
opportunity.  But  inasmnth  as  in  tbe  heart  of  every  man,  and  in  a  high 
d^ree  in  that  of  Macbeth,  there  are  elements  of  goodneae,  principles  of 
gratitude,  hospitality,  loyalty,  mnch  of '  the  milk  of  human  kindness '  and  of 
nature  nobleness,  which  efen  in  the  midst  of  favonnng  circumstaacea  might 
binder  him  from  '  catching  the  nearest  way '  at  the  destined  prize,  there  is 
provided  for  bim,  by  tbe  enemy  to  whom  he  ia  selKng  his  sonl,  an  abettor  and 
helpmeet  in  his  perilons  path.  This  is  his  own  wife,  who  acts  towards  our  hero 
the  part  that  Jezebel  did  to  Ahab,  and  who  differs  from  her  husband  at  this 
stage  of  their  career  in  this,  that  while  he  '  dares  do  anything  that  may 
become  a  nan,'  she  dares  do  wbaterer  is  necessary  to  gain  at  once  her  end. 
I  do  not  dwdl  upon  the  magnificently  powerful  scenes,  which  most  be 
femitiar  to  most  readers,  in  which  the  poet  represents  this  formidable 
coadjutor  acting  upon  the  spirit  of  her  husband,  stimulating  the  ardour  of 
his  ambition,  repressing  the  rise  of  better  feelings,  strengthening  his  wavering 
courage,  planning  the  method,  providing  the  necessary  explanations,  and 
guiding  in  tbe  execntion  of  the  deed.  In  the  case  before  ua,  as  in  that  of  the 
irat  fall,  the  stronger  ia  overcome  and  governed  by  the  weaker.  Macbeth  is 
a  man,  and  one  not  only  marked  by  ability  and  force  of  character,  but  ooe  also 
in  whom  reason,  conscience,  aud  other  high  principles  have  large,  though  not 
large  enoagb,  control  Lady  Macbeth  ia  b  woman  marked  by  all  a  woman's 
eagerness  and  fire,  in  whose  heart  ambition,  once  appealed  to  and  roused  into 
activity,  leaps  up  with  a.  resistless  bound  to  catch  the  offered  prize,  and  whose 
sonl  seems  altogether  void  of  any  elements  of  counterpoise,  unless  it  be  some-' 
thing,  perhaps  not  a  little,  of  a  woman's  tenderness.  She  goes  and  makes' 
all  things  ready  for  the  commission  of  the  crime  in  the  king's  chamber,  gazef 
calmly  on  the  sleeping  victo,  and  says  when  she  comes  out,-^ 

'  H&d  be  not  reHsinbled 
M;  tatbar  u  he  slapt,  I  had  dooet.' 

In  that  tsrrible  hour,  she  is  reminded  by  the  aspect  of  the  aged  Duncan  of 
her  father's  grey  hab^,  and  her  hand  is  stayed.  At  the  same  time,  she  is 
aware  of  this  element  of  weakness,  and  preeciently  fortifies  herself  against 
bdng  overcome  by  the  horror  of  the  occasion.  Amoi^  her  preparations, 
she  not  only  saturates  with  wine  the  king's  attendants, — she  is  also  careful 
to  stimulate  ber  own  nerves  with  the  same  potent  Influence ; 


And  thus  between  them  the  deed  is  done.  The  ambitions  lust  concdves,  and 
in  different  ways,  according  to  their  natural  differences  of  temperament  and 
constitution,  it '  brings  forth  sin.' 

(To  he  continued^ 


SOUE  OF  UT  IMPRESSIONS  OF  A  TRIP  TO  JAMAICA  AND  BACK. 

(Conttnued.) 

Mt  two  hOTSes  are  out  of  the  buggy,  and  have  struck  work ;  tiiey  will  proceed  ii<j 

farther  without  a  day  or  two's  rest    I  cannot  afford  that  time,  and  hire  two  fresh 

honee  to  cany  me  fourteen  milee  along  the  shore  to  Flint  River,  whwe  I  expect  « 


""toTr^nf*''  JRIP  TO  JAMAICA  A»D  BACK.  23 

riding-borBe  to  be  awaiting  me  for  the  remaimng  nine  milce  ap-hill  inlaad  to 
BrownBTille. 

The  two  freah  hones  ore  in  the  bngg7 ;  we  have  got  down  the  steep  rough  track 
hoot  the  hoDse  to  the  road  without  breaking  any  one's  legs  or  neck,  aod  are  career- 
ing throiiKh  the  town  about  twelve  o'clock.  It  eeems  a  veij  busj  place,  aud  haa 
a  large  solemn-looking  courthouse  in  the  oeutre  of  it ;  fruits  of  all  tropical  kinds 
exposed  for  sale  wherever  vou  torn  your  eje ;  a  great  many  bread  shops ;  drapery 
aiKl  general  store  establienmenta  great  and  small;  and  rum  shops,  alaa!  not  a 
few.  People  of  all  descriptions  ate  rife  in  the  streets ;  every  pair  of  black-framed 
eyes,  in  shop  or  thoroughfare,  eagerly  turned  on  ns,  and  looking  after  us,  wouder- 
ingwhat  bockra  that  is. 

(Te  i>aS8  along  a  level  straight  road  for  a  while,  then  zig-zag  round  capes  pro- 
trading  into  the  sea,  with  great  rocks  on  either  hand,  and  the  deep  sea  dashing 
heavy  billows  at  ns,  well  aimed,  but  falling  a  few  feet  short,  and  wetting  ua  with 
the  spray  only. 

Flmt  River  is  st  hand  about  three  o'clock.  Looking  along  the  road  in  front,  I 
aee  a  young  man  apparently  waiting  for  something  or  somebody.  '  I  gaess  it  is 
your  brother-in-law?'  You  are  quite  right.  He  has  been  waiting  for  me  for 
Bome  time,  two  horses  with  him,  and  two  coloured  lads, — the  hoTses  to  carry  the 
two  buckraa,  and  the  lads  on  foot  to  carry  the  baggage. 

There  is  no  town  or  village  at  Flint  River,  simply  a  wajsidestore.  By  the  lonely 
Beaude  1  bid  farewell  to  the  negro  youth  who  bu  been  my  companion  and  guide 
all  fheee  fatiguing  days,  and  has  driven  me  safely  over  a  long  and  dangerous  road, 
where  accidenta  happen  almost  ss  often  as  a  buggy  is  driven  on  it.     I  felt  sorry  to 

Ert  with  him.  He  will  rest  his  horses  two  days  at  Montego  Bay,  and  then  make 
.  way  home  with  them  and  the  vehicle  to  Spanish  Town. 

At  this^me  and  place  I  sit  on  a  hone's  back  for  the  fir«t  time  in  my  life.  Tbe 
hoise,  like  most  of  its  Jamaica  kindred,  is  small,  for  which  my  bones,  expecting 
soon  to  feel  the  ground,  are  thankful.  The  horse  is  very  quiet,  I  understand,  and 
sore-footed  ;  and  with, the  reins  in  my  wrong  hand,  holding  my  white  umbrella  in 
the  other,  and  my  feet  dangling  out  of  the  stirrups,  very  unlike  a  Scota  Grey, 
except  in  the  tint  of  mytwe«d  clothing,  I  begin  to  ascend  the  mountain  track. 

On  leaving  Montego  Bay,  Mr.  Thomson  warned  me  against  getting  wet  if  it 
slHjnld  rain,  as  was  not  unlikely  from  the  appearance  of  the  sky  above  the  weetern 
hills.    That  is  the  great  danger  to  which  new-comersare  exposed.    Ihadnowater- 

eroof,  and  be  kindly  lent  me  an  old  Eigbland  cloak,  which  he  said  was  the  next 
est  thing  to  that.  We  have  nine  mites  to  ride  up  and  round  about  tbe  hills ;  not 
ten  minutea  on  onr  way,  however,  till  I  hear  thunder  in  the  distance.  '  I  wager 
anything  you  like  you  are  going  to  have  a  deluge  of  rain.'  I  wager  nothing,  for  I 
would  iMe,  as  sorely  as  you  speak  the  truth.  Tbe  thunder  comes  near  in  great  haste 
lest  I  should  escape,  bringing  forked  lightning  with  it,  and  rain  such  as  no  mortal 
out  of  the  tropica  ever  saw.  Hapless  rider !  No,  not  altogether  haptesa  ;  tor  I 
drew  on  the  Highland  cloak  with  all  possible  despatch,  and  held  my  umbrella  as 
steadily  as  I  could  over  my  head.  '  I  guess  you  are  under  skelterin  two  minutes?' 
Nay,  there  you  are  mistaken  ;  there  is  no  shelter  nearer  than  four  miles  on,  and 
although  there  are  trees  everywhere  around  us,  they  are  themselves  like  clouds 
pomiDg  down  rivers  of  waters  on  tbe  ground  under  tbem.  Did  I  wish  then  that  I 
had  never  left  Edinburgh,  or  that  Jamaica  had  never  risen  above  the  level  of  tbe 
■ea  ?  Not  exactly ;  but  I  must  say  that  I  felt  somewhat  anxious.  Not  a  drop  of 
run  I  had  had  all  the  way  till  now,  and  it  was  rather  bard  to  think  of  being 
drowned  wbeo  so  near  the  desired  end  of  my  pilgrimage.  We  have  some  rivers,  or 
the  some  river,  several  times  to  cross ;  and  if  this  rain  continue,  we  must  ^ther 
Bwiin  acToee  or  dnk  to  the  bottom.  At  present  we  ore  not  near  the  riven, — high 
above  where  their  courses  could  possibly  be,  and  either  ascending  higher  or  winding 
lonnd  the  breasts  of  the  hills  on  a  high  level.  I  cannot  see  tbe  landscape  now  for 
tbe  rain ;  but  before  it  come  on  I  noticed  that  the  country  all  round  was  a  succea- 
sioQ  of  high  hills  and  deep  valleys,  thicket  or  jungle  everywhere  from  hill-top 
downwuda.  It  is  tJie  wildest  distnct  I  have  yet  seen,  aud  the  storm  very  mucn 
deepens  that  impression  in  my  mind.  Although  a  little  perplexed  as  to  how  I  was 
to  protect  mys^  from  a  wet  skin  and  subsequent  fever,  yet  I  did  really  enjoy  the 


^4  SOME  OF  MX  IMPEEB8I01T8  OF  A  '■'"^'CmH^ 

vrild  grandeur  of  nfttDre  u  it  appeared  to  me  then,  in  a  fwdive  state  in  the  hilla 
'  &iid  vales  and  woods  on  the  earth,  and  in  on  active  atate  in  the  thunderclouds  in 
the  heavens  above.  Thunder,  oomparatiTely  speaking,  oaij  whispen  in  Scotland ; 
in  Jamaica  it  roan  indeed,  And  to  hear  it,  aa  I  did,  reverberated  amongst  thorn 
hillB,  was  trul;  awfuL  The  lightning,  too,  was  such  as  I  had  never  before  seen, — 
a  red-hot  vividQeas  abont  it  most  appalling,  and  reoarring  so  frequently  it  seemed 
aa  if  tlie  clouda  had  too  many  flaahea  on  hajid,  and  wished  to  get  the  fire  oat  of 
their  fingers  as  soon  as  poafdble. 

It  is  said  that  the  Prinoeea  of  Wales,  when  ahe  flret  bore  that  title,  had  very 
little  experience  in  riding,  and  was  heud  to  remark  once,  while  riding  with  the 
Prince  in  or  about  London, — '  Oh,  Bertj,  Berty  I  don't  go  on  de  trot,  or  I  ivill 
fall.'  I  confess  that  I  Lad  often  to  plead  in  a  aimilar  fashion  witli  my  companion 
on  horseback,  for,  as  the  storm  increased,  ha  felt  it  advisable  to  get  on  qmcklv,  and 
ao  lUd  I ;  but  when  he  went  atnartly  on  '  de  trot,'  it  was  both  ridiculous  and  diS- 
onlt  for  me,  holding  my  umbrella  up,  my  hat  hanging  by  the  elastic  at  the  back 
of  my  neck,  and  my  feet  constantly  ^pping  out  of  the  atirrup(i,-~it  was  both  ridi- 
culous and  extremely  difficult  for  ma  to  follow  him-  He  gave  me  little  consolation, 
too,  when  he  said  that  the  rain,  coming  on  at  that  time,  did  not  usually  cease  till 
after  nightfall 

Scripture  repeatedly  speaks  of  the  '  sound  of  many  waters.'  You  never  can  enter 
into  the  meaning  of  that  expression  until  you  have  heard  thunder-rain  fall  through 
the  wildemees  of  trees,  snd  in  a  thousand  streamlets  down  the  hill-sides  ^d 
over  the  rocky  precipices,  in  such  a  wild  tropical  district  as  I  waa  then  poaaing 
through. 

After  making  slow  progress  over  five  milea  through  run,  we  reach  a  place 
called  '  Great  Valley,'  which  appears  like  a  great  basin  made  up  of  large  patches 
of  green  pastnres.  In  the  midiUe  of  tliia  valley  is  the  house  of  its  proprietor,  only 
the  distance  of  a  gonahot  from  our  road.  We  call  there  for  a  short  while's  rest 
and  shelter,  and  are  very  graciously  received  and  hospitably  entertained.  On 
taking  oS  my  cloak,  I  find  it  has  been  a  most  complete  protection  from  the  rain.  I 
am  not  at  all  wet,  except  from  the  knees  downwarda,  but  that  part  is  aa  wet  as 
water  could  make  it  We  get  a  light  dinner  here  and  dry  stockinge.  The  rain 
has  ceased,  and  the  thunder  ;  the  blua  sky  appears  here  and  there  through  the 
broken  clouds,  and  we  are  on  our  borsea  again,  with  four  miles  before  us  to 
Brownsville,  and  barely  time  enough  to  reach  it  before  dark. 

The  proprietor  of  Great  Valley  estate  is  a  friend  of  the  CarlUe  family  ;  bnt  even 
though  wa  had  been  entire  stiangers,  it  would  have  been  reckoned  no  breach  ol 
propriety  f or  ns  to  come  and  refresh  ourselves  at  the  house.  The  hospitable  cus- 
toms of  the  island  warrant  any  stranger  to  enter  and  take  rest  and  refreshment  by 
day  or  night  in  any  house  on  the  wayaide  that  may  be  convenient  f<a  him.  And 
I  never  heard  that  any  dne'a  generoeity,  so  free^  offered  in  this  way,  waa  ever 
abused. 

The  path  from  Great  Valley  to  Brownsville  is  very  mgged,  and  seems  to  get 
more  ao  as  you  go  on.'  I '  had  often  heard  of  the  tad  roada  out.  here,  but  never 
imagined  them  to  be  half  so  bad  as  they  really  are ;  but  this  evening,  after  the 
raina,  they  are  perhaps  in  a  worse  state  uian  usual.  If  you  have  not  deep  mud 
you  have  loose  stones  in  the  path,  such  aa  you  find  in  the  forsaken  bed  of  a  moun- 
tain torrent,  and  the  course  of  the  path  so  far  from  level,  that  every  five  minutes 
an  inexperienced  rider  is  at  his  wits'  end  how  to  keep  himself  from  being  an  out- 
cast, now  by  the  front  door  of  his  horse's  ears,  and  then  by  the  back  door  of  tiie 
tail  I  .  At  one  time  you  are  in  an  open  place,  and  can  see  the  country  round  ;  »t 
another,  you  are  in  the  mirkiness  of  thick  jangle,  the  wet  branches  and  brood 
leaves  giving  you  a  cq>ioug  shower,  or,  like  little  roonkeya,  lifting  the  hat  bxnn 
your  head. 

Coming  near  Brownsville,  we  pass  through  a  deep  ravine,  and  have  to  cross  & 
flooded  stream  aeveral  times.  This  feat  of  horsemanship  I  manage  succeBafalif , 
or  ratOier  to  the  credit  of  the  nobler  animal  under  me  be  it  apoken,  f(»'  it  senna  to 
know  perfectly  well  what  to  do  and  where  to  go,  and,  I  think,  gives  me  aside  look 
Bometimes,  as  if  to  say,  '  What  an  awkward  fool  you  are  I ' 

We  pnah  on  aa  rapidly  ac  the  de^  mod  and  other  hindranoee  will  allow,  for  tbe 


*i!irail^^  TBIP  TO  JAJUIOA.  ABD  BACK.  25 

ann  hu  set,  and  the  da^iiBai  is  fut  thiekening  aroimd  na,  Tb«n  ii  littlo  or  do 
Iwili^t  ia  thia  00011177,  "^  '^  i"  nnirholeaonia  to  be  oat  after  MUwet,  eepecuUf 
after  heavj  nun,  when  CTeiTtliiDg  ia  dripping,  and  tlie  wet  tniata  are  waoderiug 
about  here  and  there  aeeking  for  aontetluiig  dtj  to  reat  on. 

Old  BrowneTiUe  come*  at  lack  I  do  not  yet  we  the  hooae,  for  then  ia  no  Tillage, 
— only  the  church  and  manae,  the  negioea'  caluna  neatUng  among  the  thicketa,  iad 
icattered  orae  the  hiUa  and  Tallejra.  M7  guide  oalla  my  atteotian  to  the  apire  of 
the  church,  which  appears  at  soine  distance  high  abore  ui,  ahooting  abore  the 
trees,  and  athwart  the  evenmg  Aj.  A  ateep  climb,  then  round  a  corner,  and  we 
are  at  it.  But  where  is  the  maose  ?  There  it  ia,  no  more  than  riaible  up  on  the 
JuU  on  your  right  hand,  two  or  three  hundred  yards  off.  Up  thia  hill  our  htnaes 
aJmoat  skip  for  joy  at  getting  home  again ;  and  halfway  up,  a  slender,  actire- 
looking  man  meets  me,  whoae  face  I  am  aore  I  nerer  saw  before,  and  yet  I  feel  as 
if  1  knew  it  well.  It  is  the  face  of  a  good  man,  whom  having  not  seen  1  have 
leamt  to  lore  nerertheless,  through  a  Tery  happy  medium  that  stood  like  a  clear 
crystal,  or  rather  like  a  bright  lamp  of  lore  between  us, — a  most  simple-minded, 
self-aacrifioiiig,  unworldly  man,  whom  1  honour  and  lore  none  the  len,  but  rather 
more,  because  he  haa  an  old-foahioned  twallow-tailed  ooat  on,  and  on  his  grey 
head  a  hat  that  seems  to  have  passed  through  and  suffered  much  in  several  Irish 
rebellions. 

In  a  few  seconds  I  stand  under  the  portico  at  the  door  of  the  house.  From  the 
time  I  set  foot  on  the  island  till  the  time  I  left  it  was  about  seven  weeks.  Four  of 
these  were  q>ent  at  BrowosviUe,  one  was  spent  at  Kingston  waiting  for  the  sail- 
ing of  the  return  steamer,  and  the  remaining  two  were  apedt  moatly  in  the  over- 
land journey  from  Kingston  to  Brownsville  and  back. 

Now  that  I  had  arrived  at  my  deatination,  1  had  oompoeare  to  look  around  me 
with  an  undisturbed  and  ateady  eT&  1  found  myself  nested  in  a  paradise  of  ver- 
dant hilla.  It  seemed  as  if  tbe  land  had  at  one  time  been  in  a  liquid  state,  and 
boiling  mountains  high,  and  the  Almighty  had  commanded  it  to  be  itiit,  and  it 
ttood  ttilL  There  it  stood  fast,— great  heaving  billows  keeping  their  beads  up  firm 
dm  the  deep-sunk  narrow  valea  between  them,  ever  threatening  to  roll  over  as 
raves  do  into  the  intervening  deep  places,  but  nerer  moving  from  the  spot,  and 
never  changing  their  andent  forms.  The  rioheat  of  all  soft,  velvety,  many-shaded 
green  mantlea  covered  them,  feet,  head,  and  shoulders  ;  and  this  mantle,  I  under- 
stood, was  always  there,  changing,  except  in  hue,  about  as  little  as  the  hills  did, 
from  month  to  month  and  from  year  to  year. 

There  is  no  plain  surface  seen  from  Brownsville,  except  the  sea,  which  oocuines  a 
smaU  section  A  the  north-eaat  horizon.  Over  this  blue  surface,  open  to  view  by 
a  depreaeion  of  the  distant  hills,  you  see  a  tiny  white  Bail  pass  occasionally.  It  is 
a  drogher,  or  coasting  vessel,  gomg  tif  or  from  the  harbour  of  Lucea,  not  far 
distant. 

I  was  I  .  . 

town  or  village  is  to  be  seen,  for  none  ia  in  eziatenoe  n 
human  toil  whatever, — not  even  the  noise  of  waggon  or  carriage  wheels,  for  there 
ia  no  road  near  wide  enough  or  amooth  enough  for  them  to  move  on.  There  is 
neither  bleating  of  sheep  iior  lowing  of  oxen  ;  no  singing  bird  among  the  brancbea, 
nor  graaahopper  chirruping  beneath  your  feet  The  only  sound  you  hear  ia  the 
crowing  of  the-  cock,  or  the  sighing  of  tbe  wind  tiiroDgh  Uie  treea  when  it  blows 
freddy,  as  it  Dsually  begins  to  do  every  day  early  in  the  forenoon. 

If  it  happen  to  be  the  rainy  season,  the  morning  breeae  becomea  a  gale  abQUt 
two  o'clock,  when  the  rain  comes  on,  and  then  yon  have  a  mighty  chorus  rising 
from  thousands  of  nature's  wind  and  water  instruments. 

There  ia  a  sweet  ainging-biid  called  the  nightingale,  I  believe,  and  plenty  of 
grasshopper  too,  but  I  did  not  see  or  hear  one  td  them.  Animal  life  is  everywhere ;  • 
but  for  the  most  part  it  aeems  mute,  except  when  evening  comee,  and  tbe  cricket 
begins  to  make  a  noise  similar  to  the  whirring  of  a  great  many  little  wheels  in 
rapid  motion  in  everv  comer  of  the  room.  At  the  same  time  the  fire-flies  begin 
to  dance  outside,  and  ^le  blinkies  to  give  an  intermittent  glare,  like  modeet  little 
fairies  that  do  not  like  to  be  seen  too  much. 

Here  on  the  hill  is  the  manse,  a  wooden  building  of  two  storeya,  resting  on  tsick 


26        IMPHESSIONB  OF  A.  THIP  TO  JAMAICA  AND  BiCK.    ""JSL'Cim'**" 

SiUanafew  f<et  firomlhe  gionnd;  thraeiatlie  chnrch,  two  or  tbree bandied  yirda 
own  tibe  hill ;  beuda  it  is  the  sdioolmttster'a  house ;  and  farther  down  and  sloping 
to  the  right  ii  a  deep  glen,  the  home  of  many  noiey  streams  and  waterfalls.  On 
the  high  ridgea  of  the  billowy  landscape  beyond  you  can  see  a  cabin  here  and  there 
peeping  from  a  grove  of  bambooH  or  cocoa-nut  treu.  The  negroes,  I  am  told, 
uBnolly  baild  their  cabins  as  far  retired  from  view  as  ponible,  and  near  some  of 
those  trees  whose  high  and  Bharp-pointed  leaves  are  supposed  to  be  an  attraction 
to  the  lightning  and  a  protectiou  n«ra  it. 

Hearing  of  my  arrival,  many  of  the  black  and  brown  people  come  to  see  me  at 
the  manse.  They  think  it  incmnbent  on  them  to  pay  visits  of  ceremony  to  the 
Stranger, — not  mere  ceremony,  for  there  are  t«acs  <u  kindness  in  their  eyes,  and 
many  sincere  benedictions  i<x  me  on  their  tongnes. 

They  seemed  to  be  very  simple  in  their  manneis,  and  to  have  jjenty  of  time  on 
their  hands.  They  would  come  up  and  tit  in  some  comet  under  the  portico,  not 
expecting  to  be  spoken  to  for  houn,  and  rather  taking  it  sa  a  pleasure  if  they 
shonld  have  the  hononr  of  waiting  half  a  day,  or  even  a  whole  one,  on  the  minister  s 
convenience.  I  speak  of  their  expectations  and  babite  rather  than  their  expe- 
rience, for  I  never  kept  tbem  waiting  a  minute  if  I  could  help  it.  I  did  not  think 
they  were  indolent  more  than  the  average  of  men,  but  they  felt  do  pressure  to 
haste,  or  much  activity.  With  a  little  labour  they  could  get  a  living  for  them- 
selves and  their  families,  and  they  had  not  much  concern  for  means  beyond  that 
Ketired  amongst  the  hills,  apart  from  the  centres  of  population  and  trade,  the  panic 
of  mercantile  fever  had  not  stricken  them;  aud  if  the  lost  of  money-making  existed, 
it  was  only  in  a  half-hnngry  state.  Generally  they  have  a  small  plot  of  ground  at 
a  trifle  of  rent,  and  by  a  little  bodily  exercise  on  that,  the  generous  earth  yields 
them  food  convenient,  in  the  shape  of  potatoes  much  larger  than  their  heads. 
Their  potato  is  a  plant  Called  yam,  the  root  of  which  is  the  staple  article  of  diet. 

Stone  people  call  these  negroes  Uiy,  because  they  do  not  bustle  about  like  your 
business  men  of  Glasgow  and  Liverpool.  This  is  not  fair.  Such  a  busy-ness  is 
not  desirable.  Industry  amongst  us  has  become  frantic,  and  we  should  not  blama 
the  tranquillivesof  negroes  because  theyare  not  Btuned  with  our  vices.  If  fattier 
Sam  would  w(wk  harder,  and  bring  his  surplus  produce  to  market,  and  drive  a 
trade  after  the  European  fashion,  he  might  grow  rich  and  (at,  sit  in  his  arm-obaii, 
lie  on  his  sofa,  wear  his  gold  eye-glasa,  and  read  his  TVniei  every  morning,  and 
aft«r  all  have  mnch  less  humanity  in  him  than  he  has  at  present.  I  do  not  think 
you  could  take  the  existing  quietude  oat  of  his  life  without  introducing  something 
bnrtful  to  him  as  a  moral  and  religious  being.  It  is  quite  certain  that  in  Jamaica 
at  least,  those  town  negroes  who  have  fallen  iuto  Uie  white  man's  ways  of  in- 
dustry are  much  inferior  in  character  to  those  who  live  quiet  lives  of  rural 
simplicity. 

My  fiiBt  Sabbath  evening  was  spent  in  Kingston ;  the  next  I  was  at  Browns- 
ville, and  preached  in  the  former  part  of  the  day.  Here  you  see  a  negro  congr«- 
gation  proper.  In  Kingston  congregation  there  are  veiy  few  blacks ;  most  are 
brown,  and  to  an  unskilled  eye  a  good  many  are  whi1«.  Tbey  are  nearly  iH  black 
at  Brownsville,  and  you  see  no  fans  waving  there.  The  only  thing  like  it  is  sin 
occasional  slap  on  the  face  with  a  pure  white  handkerchief.  The  dresses  of  both 
men  and  women  are  generally  very  simple,  neat,  and  clean.  The  congregation 
stand  at  singing,  and  such  singing  I  never  heard  matched  anywhere, — very  big 
heart  in  it,  bat  very  little  music.  They  have  not  been  truned  to  sing  either  in 
time  or  in-  tune ;  and,  having  usually  very  shrill  voices,  tbey  sing  or  yell  with  all 
their  might,  before  the  Lord,  in  a  method  <A  their  own,  which  a  stranger  will  take 
a  long  time  to  make  out.  It  is  hardly  piMible  for  him  at  first  to  know  what  the 
words  are  which  they  sing,  or  what  me  tune  is.  They  will  sometimes  rest  cm  one 
•  syllable  as  if  it  were  a  whole  line,  or  will  creep  along  a  line  a  third  too  slowty,  and 
when  done  go  over  it  twice  i^ain.  However,  it  did  one's  heart  good  to  hear  the 
big  black  organ,  of  600  or  700  pipes,  play  at  all  in  the  Lord's  prtuses,  though  it 
was  sadly  out  of  tune,  and  a  sorrow  to  one's  flesh. 

The  Brownsville  church  is  in  the  form  of  a  cross,  the  pulpit  in  the  cenb«  of  the 
broad  end.  In  that  pulpit,  looking  down  on  the  crowd  of  black  faces  before 
and  on  utibet  side  of  me,  I  felt  my  heart  moved  as  I  never  did  anywhere  else.    1 


""llJtw!'^'     THE  LATE  BET.  TATID  FOBBBBT,  OLASOOW.  27 

remonbercd  the  wnmgi  of  tbaw  poor  people, — >1I  except  tlie  jomig  people  and 
ehCdren  having  once  been  slnVea,  treated  then  u  mere  cattle  or  mere  maounea,  and 
little  better  since  tben  by  moat  wbite  people, — edticatioii  too  good  tor  tbem, — almoot 
a  crime  to  apeak  Undly  tothem.  Somehow  I  felt  full  of  companion  and  brotherly 
kindneaa  towards  them ;  they  looked  up  with  m  much  intemt  and  intelligenoe  in 
tbeir  eyes  and  faces.  It  ia  true  they  had  often  heard  of  me,  and  I  of  tbem,  and 
we  were  objeeta  of  great  interest  to  one  another.  But,  beaidea  that,  I  thongbt  I 
could  aee  qiut«  well  that  Tery  many  of  them  had  geuoine  and  very  deep  inteicat  in 
the  tnilh  concerning  Chriat.'  They  aeemed  to  me  evidently  lovera  of  J esua.  I  oonld 
aee  the  eye  grow  wet  at  the  mention  of  Hia  name,  and  one  and  another  wonld  nod 
his  head  approvingly  when  the  trath  waa  spoken,  and  aay,  '  Yts,  maaaa ;  quite 
r^t,  roaaaa,'  in  church  or  prayer  meeting. 

Aft«r  a  aerrice  of  the  niual  length,  there  ii  an  interval  of  five  or  ten  minntca. 
Thai  the  Sunday  echool  meets ;  opened  with  prayer  by  some  black  elder  or  teadier, 
and  composed  of  nearly  the  whole  congregation,  old  and  young,— aclaaa  of  old 
men  here,  and  of  old  women  there.  The  vonng  people  are  all  able  to  read,  more 
or  lew.  I  qneetiooed  some  of  them  as  to  Uieir  Biue  knowledge,  and  they  answered 
ae  well  aa  children  of  any  eougregalional  achoot  might  be  expected  to  do  in  this 
country.  When  the  class  teachiug  is  over,  the  minuter  addrenes  and  catechiaea 
them  on  the  lenon  of  the  day,  and  the  Scripture  text  for  i^e  day  is  repeated  by 
individual  elaaaee  collectively  in  turn.  It  strikes  the  ear  of  a  stranger  very  much 
to  he»  a  class  of  children  repeat  the  text  all  at  once,  fallowed  perhaps  by  a  claaa 
of  grown-Qp  men,  with  their  deep  rongh  voioea.  The  whole  services  last  from 
abont  eleven  till  three  o'clock,  when  tfae  Sabbath  school  breaks  up.  Then  the  men 
mount  their  horaee, — for  many  come  on  horseback, — and  the  women  and  children 
retire  on  foot.  A  n^ro  woman's  experience  on  hotseback  uanally  begins  and  enda 
with  the  ride  to  the  minister's  bouse  and  back  on  her  wedding  day. 
(To  be  continued.^ 


THE  LATE  REV.  DAVID  FORREST,  GLASGOW. 

Ur.  Forrest  was  bom  on  6lbJnne  1807,  it  above  all  gifts  of  earth.     'Oh  for 

intheviUageofBroxbam.inLinlithgow-  my  father's   aerotedness ! '  was  one  of 

ehire,  and  was  the  aizth  child  of  a  large  his  laat  breathings  on  hia  deathbed, 

family.      Bis  father,  John  Forrest,  was  It  is  not  difficult,  indeed,  to  aee  how  a 

a  cooper  there, — a  poor  man,  bat  of  a  nature  so  suaceptible  of  all  strong  marks 

detennined  cast  of  character.     No  lurd  of  personality  should  have  been  moulded 

or  farmer  ia  all  the  neighbourhood  waa  l^  one  thua  near  tnd  dear,  '  without 

more  respected.    He  was  at  the  head  of  whose  life  it  had  not  been.'    In  after 

every  public  movement      Bat  his  chief  yeara,Mr.  Forreatfoundnokeenerdelight 

joy  waa    religion.      More   '  fervent  in  than  in  spending  his  holidays  at  Brox- 

apirit '  than  diligent  in  business,'  necea-  burn.      At  sach  times  he  made  diligent 

si^  seemed  to  be  laid  upon  him  to  con-  rounds     among    the     aborigines,— ^the 

secrate  himself  to  God.      He  numbered  people  of  other  days.    That  which  many 

among  his  friends  John  Brown  of  Long-  wouldbavereckonedatoil,  hefelttobea 

ridge,  and  Ebeneier  Brown  of  Inver-  recreation.  Withoutdonbthewasmoved 

keithing,  who  in   those'  days  of  foot-  thereto  by  the  memoriea  of   childhood 

travelling  used  to  call  in  passing  that  and  voati,  that  to  him  were  '  silver'd  all 

be  might  convOT  them  apart  of  the  way.  o'er   vith  the  thought  of  God, 

Hard  pressed  by  the  world,  he    rose  The  only  school  which  Mr,   Forrest 

above  It.      Such  a  man  could  afford  his  ertx  attended  was  the  village  school. 

■on  few  external   advantages,    partly  Fortunately  there  was  then  a  capable 

becanae   they  were  beyond  his  power,  teacher    in   Broxburn  named  Bell,  to 

partly  becanse  he  did  not  realiae  their  whom  children  c^e  fnnn  a  wide  cir- 

trne  meaning.     But  he  bequeathed  one  onit.     Yonng  David  naturally  became 

legaqr, — liob  for  all  highest  purposes  a  favourite  with  Mr.  Bell,  and  derived 

of  man,  and  for  ever  Jnalieoame,— the  from  him  much   more  than  the  usnal 

legacy  of  a  devout  and  eameat  qiirit.  ratio  of  benefit.     But,  after   all  de- 

And  ne  who  inherited  that  lega<7  priced  dacttona  are  made,  the  bnlk  lA  Hr. 


28  THE  LATE  EEV.  DAVID  TOBBBST,  OI^SGOW.     '■"    liJl^SiSr^ 

Forrat's  education  wu  in  &  pecuUnr  that  flows  tnm  idtmla.    In  dveUiug-on 

sense  self-edocfttiou.     With    beftDtif  nl  the  sony  haroo  alt  Mound  as,  we  ftn^et 

euthoaiBsm  we  find  him  iX  bis  books  to  lift  ap  oar  ejea  ta   the  hiUs.     It 

before  the  summer  snii  h&d  riaen,  and  mjif  indeed  be  questioned  if  the  aub- 

readj,  when  the  hour  ft^  farm-labour  ject  of  our  sketch  did  not  suffer  thus. 

came,  to  take  his  place  with  the   rest  Mr.  Forrest's  fflinisterial  life  divides 

For  seTeral  years  Ike  acted  m  sohooU  ilself  iato  two  sectbnfi,--his  ministry 

master  at  Avoobridge,  neu  Bathgate,  at  Tnxiu,  and  his  ministry  in  Glasgow, 

carrying  on  at  the  same  time  his  own  Licensed  in  1839,  be  reoeired  a  call 

prirata  work  as  a  student.     Only  by  from  the  congregation   of  Troon,  ia 

extra  toil,  both  manual  and  mental,  was  Ayrshire,  and  wu  ordained  there  in 

he  enabled  to  attain  his  desire  for  the  1840.    The  congregation  had  jost  beea 

mimstry.  Thus  early  was  he  Introduced  constituted,  and,  like  every  new  under- 

to   all   those  anxieties  and  disappoint-  taking,    required    more  than  ordinary 

inents  which  deprive  youth  of  its  elas-  effort  and  vigilance.     Having,  by  dint 

tJoity  and  write  the  wrinkles  of    age-  of    such    applicatian    and    self-denial. 

When  his  years   were   tender   and  his  fitted  himself  for  his   sacred    office,  it 

spirit  was  fresh,  he  was  bowed  under  may  well  be  believed  he  was  not  listleas 

tie  weight  of  a  daily  opprewon.    Not  in  the  performance  of  its  duties.     The 

that  he  ever  dreamed  of  wavering  in  services  on  Sabbath,  and  the  special 

allegiance  to  the  one  fixed  aim.     But  calls  of  illness  and  death,  give  out  a 

Uie  scars  of  that  conflict  remained  with  meagre  representation  of  his  real  work. 

him  to  the  last.      If   the   man  cannot  Very  much  of   his  time  was   spent  in 

tetum  to  the  sweet  umplicity  of  the  private  intercourse.     He  was  all  the 

child, — if  the  thinker  cannot  see  with  better  a  pastor,  that  he  was  little  felt 

the  eyes  of  the  illiterate  ploughman, —  to  be  one.     The  source  of  his  influence 

iUithercsnhe  who  hss  heard  t£e  groans  was  that  marvellous  charm  of  pmson- 

Df  the  dying,  and  whose  soul  has  been  ali^  which    after  ages  cannot  biing 

wrought  wiih  many  woes,  know  the  old  to  the  test.     We  have  often  thought  it 

lightness  of  heart  ^ain.     Such  expe-  etrsngetfaat  the  one  agent  which  during 

rience  comes,  but  goes  not.  life  contributes  most  effectually  to  com- 

Af  ter  finishing  Ins  coiriculumat  £din-  fort  and  happiness,  should  of  all  others 

burgh  University,  Mr.  Forrest  entered  most  surely  die  with  death.     But  bo  it 

the  United  Secession  HalL      No  hint  is  is.  .  There  are  men  who  cannot  be  de- 

giveu  of  any  precise  point  at  which  he  scribed — who  must  be  seen  and  knows 

dedicated  himself  to  God.     Vfith  such  ip  order  to  be  understood.     Of  these 

a  training,  it  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  was  Mr.   Forrest.     Hot  eloquent,  or 

that  he  grew  into  grace.     Hi.  Forrest  learned,  or  acute,  he  yet  attracted  ithoee 

now    became    missionary  to  Dr.  John  about  him  with  a  subtle  and  irresiBt- 

£rown,   of  Broughton  Place,  who  no  ible  force.     'The  style   is  the  mao,' 

doubt  took  to  hint  more  kindly  on  ac-  says   BufFon ;  and  we   may  adopt   tiw 

count  of  the  friendship  of  their  fathers,  phrase  with  a  wider  range  of  meaniag. 

In  this  position  he'  was  introduced  to  It  was  his  whole  'style 'that  drew  one 

all  the  sad  world  which  lives  unheeded  to  Mr.  ForresL    You  saw  in  him  not 

in  the  lanes  and  hovels  of  our  cities,  only   breadth  of  balanced  judgment. 

The  sight  of  these  gives  the  lie  direct  but    a    certain    rare  tendemees,  sod 

to  all  empty  ideaUsms.   We  are  brought  modesty  still  rarer.     But  all  attempts 

back  from  the  f ictnres  of  fancy's  own  to  describe  character  are  failures.   Ton 

painting,  to  reolitdee  dark  and  deformed,  oannot  communicate  the  incommuni- 

Nothing  is  more  necessary  for  young  cable.    There   is  the   same  diffeceoce 

pceacbera  than  some  slight  mitiation  between  the  reality  and  the  descriptioi), 

into  the  knowledge  of  man's  degrada-  as  there  is  between  the  flexible  features 

tion.    It    gives   the   requisite    toning  of  the  Uving  and  the  rigid  face  of  death, 

down  to  the  glaring  and  flashing  coloura  Mr.  Forrest  adhered  to  no  special  times 

of  hope.    It  brings  us  face  to  face  with  in  visiting.    He  went  in  ana  out  among 

the  true  problem  of  life,  and  the  nature  his  people  with  the  utmost  freediMn. 

of  the  Christian  solution.    But,  on  the  Nor  did  the  secret  of  his  power  lie  ia 

other  hand,  too  much  familiarity  with  making  things  '  pleasant  allround.'    He 

the  grossest  foims  of  wickedness  damps  [emeiul>ered  warning  as  well  as  praise ; 

our  courage,  and  destroys  the  elevation  Imt  social  life  looks  not  ao  much  to  ^a 


•"ilT™?^'     THE  LATB  REV.  DAVID  TOEBEBT,  OLABGOW.  29 

doing  of  ft  tiiiiig  u  to  the  way  in  whioli  inenee  vdaaaotirj  opentioiH  in  the  dii- 

it  is  done.      l%ere  ii  a  nreetnen  of  trict  of  St.  Rollox,  QIm^^ow.    It  moat 

manatx  whidi  oan  bcMitifyeTenrebnko.  tutTO  been  trying  to  patieooe  to  begin 

What  in  m&nj  men  wonld  bare  been  life  orer  »fidn  to  oompletelj.    Hia  ten 

leBeated,  waa  received  humbly  from  bim.  yean'  Mirioe  at   Tiooa   girM  bim  no 

Hia  natnre  flowed  ont  apoo  cbildran.  adrantage.     Here,  aa  before,  he  moat 

In  the  houHe  or  on  the  street  they  never  act  tbe  pioneer,  and  under  much  leM 

^led  of  a  kind  word  from  him.     He  faTOniable  oircomataneea.  The  adherents 

loved  them  for  their  (n)en-hearted  inno-  of  the  deninninatioD  at  Troon  bad  been 

eenoe,  and  they  loved  hinf  for  hia  gentle-  already  erected  into  a  oongr^ation,  and 

Ben.     Ferhapa,  however,  it  waa  at  the  chiefly  reqalred  oonBolidation ;  but  the 

aick-bed  that  Mr.    Forreat  waa   moat  nncleiu  of  the  Olaegow  congregation  had 

priied.     There  bis  character  wu  seen  in  yet  to  be  fonnd.     Not  only  lo ;  they  had 

'    ita  et>«ngeet  and  faireat  light.    He  waa  to  be  found  in  what  waa  without  eioep- 

a  pastor,  not  a  preacher,  and  above  all  tion  the  nioet  nniroprearionable  dietnot 

tUnga  ebe — a  Barnabas.    Hii  depth  of  of  the  city.     The  mam  at  the  inhabitantB 

hnmanity  and  wealtii  of  Christian  ex-  were  proleasedly  Roman  Catholics,  bnt 

p^euce  fitted  him  pre-eminHitly  to  be  really  snnk  so  low  as  to  have  Uttle  more 

the  comforter  of  the  dying  and  the  eon-  tlian   Bomiab    licence   and   intolerance, 

aoler  (rf  the  bereaved.    Few  who  have  The  Froteatant  section  in  tiie  neighboui- 

liatened  to  hia  prayers  can  have  for-  hood  not  being  of  the  olaaa  who  bear 

gotten  how  tme  to  the  heart  they  were,  an  active  part  in  religions  work,  shrank 

— how  brimfnl  of  what  the  old  divines  froAi  the  difficulty  of  eetablishmg  and 

called  'holy  unction.'  maintaining    a    regular    charch.      At 

InDecember  1848,Mr.Forreatniarried  length,   in   1856,  a    congregation    was 

Elizabeth  Weir, — one  who,  in  the  bean-  formed,  and  Hr.  Forreet  inducted  paet«r. 

tifol  language  of  Scripture,  did   him  Up  to  this  time  the  meetings  had  been 

*  good  and  not  evil  all  the  days  of  her  held  in  a  rather  ungainly  hall.    It  waa 

life.'  now   determined    to   erect  a    soitable 

For  ten  jears  he  laboured  in  Troon,  building.     This  determination,  however, 

till  his  health  failed.    The  coneregation  was  not  realized  till  1861.     In  that  year, 

to  whom  in  his  stiength  he  nadbeen  the  present  9t  Rollox  United  Fresby- 

faitlifnl,  were  in  his  weakness  faithful  teriau  Church  was  opened,  and  it  waa 

to  bim.     They  persuaded  bim  to  try  the  etnphatically  the  erection  of  Hr,  Forreet 

e^eot  of  a   sea-voyage;  so  in  August  Seeing  that  the  idea  of  reeMmiibility  in 

1851,  Mr.  Forreat  set  sul  for  Amerioa.  connection  with  the  bnilding    preeaed 

Be  T«tarned  aft«r  a  few  months  none  heavily  on  the  minds  of  some  of  the 

the  better  for  the  change.    The  general  members,  and    might    even   have  the 

d^reasion  both  of  mind  and  body  from  disastrous  effect  of  driving  them  where 

which  he  snffered  at  this  period,  may  be  such  demands  would  not  be  made,  he 

traead  almoat  directly  to  the  excessive  gave  it  plainly  to  be  nnderatood  that  he 

■train  of  his  stodent  course.     Moreover,  idone  was  aocouutable  for  the  expenses 

hie  constitution  did  not  seem  suited  to  incnired.     Andloyallyhekepthis  word. 

the  bitter  air  and  boisterous  winds  of  No  bazaar  eame  to  his  aasietanoe.    Daily, 

Tioon.     Hia  duty,  therefore,  waa  plans,  weekly,  monthly,  he  pled  thegood  cause 

In  18fi2  he  resigned  his  charge.    Une  personally  with  gentlemen.    Nor  did  he 

may  anderstand  with  what  mixture  of  plead  in  vain.    With  the  generous  help 

fe^ngs  ench  a  step  would  be  taken,  of  tiie  late  Hr.  John  Henderson  of  Faik, 

Gladnesa  there  would  be  at  the  relief  about  £1200  were  collected, — asumwhich 

from  all  sense  of  responmlHlity  which  fully  defrayed  the  coat, — and  the  church 

lays  leaden  hands  upon  ns  in  our  moody  was  entered  on  free  of  debt, 

moments ;  but  surely  sorrow — deep.dull  From    1861    till    1876,  Mr.  Forrest 

ganow — in  beitig  thus  deprived,  to  all  ministered   in    the    chureh    which     he 

appearance  for  ever,  of  that  which  had  could,    but  would  not,  call  his  own. 

been  tiie  long  dream  of  youth  and  the  The  same  pastoral  faitbfulnees,  the  same 

■onroe  of  infinite  self-sacrifice.  direct  and  individual  interest,  which  had 

Yet  this  sickneaa  was  not  unto  dea^.  characterized  his  Troon  ministry  were 

Beoovery  came,  slow  bnt  real;  and  with  manifest  stilL     The  first  part  of  the 

recovery  the  question  of  his  future  work,  week  was  devoted  to  visitation;  and 

After  mnch  wavering,  he  decided  to  com-  what  visitaticw  I    Stura  narrow,  long. 


30  .THE  I-ATB  EEV.  DAVID  FOEBE8T,  GLASGOW,     ^"^tt^"^ 

and  filthy,  led  to  bonaee  email  sod  bftdlj  ADxtetjr ;  and  she  who  bad  been  his  stay 
aired.  Nothing  here  to  tonpt  the  Aoa-  was  goae.  Still  he  laboured  on,  but 
sand  nataral  paaaions  of  man ;  and  if  nature  gave  vay  &t  length.  Earif  in 
there  was  nothing  attracUve  as  looked  1876.  ha  applied  to  the  pn8l^i«r7  for 
at  from  an;  earthly  standpoint,  in  the  aancFtance.  luid  in  Angiut  of  the  nme 
nature  of  the  labour,  neither  were  there  rear  the  Kev.  James  H.  Cruickahank,  of 
any  external  in duoements.  Hevhohad  Weatrajr,  Orkney,  waa  appinted  col- 
laid  the  foundation*  of  the  Lord's  hoiwe,  league  and  Buccewor.  AlthoDgh  Mr, 
had  himself  only  the  minimiun  stipend  Forrest  still  continued  senior  pastor,  be 
from  aU  church  sonrcea ;  nor  had  he  any  was  totally  relieved  from  active  duty, 
assistant  in  his  toil.'  Now-a-daya,  when  During  the  two  years  of  his  retire' 
all  the  denominations  are  so  fully  alive  ment,  Mr.  Forrest  exerted  himself,  d!t«n 
to  the  neoeasity  of  the  strong  helping  when  little  able,  to  attond  St.  Rolloz. 
the  weak,  when  the  labourers  aremulti-  He  would  totter  past  many  a  church 
plied  in  proportion  to  the  largeness  of  that  he  might  worship  once  more  there ; 
the  sphere,  one  cannot  comprehend  at  for  though  he  lored  Troon,  I  think  St. 
first  the  obstacles'  which  Mr.  Fonest  Rollox  lay  nearest  to  hie  affections.  It 
had  to  face.  For  twenty  years,  single-  was  the  child  of  his  old  age.  These 
banded  and  with  stinted  supplies,  he  final  years  must  have  brought  with  tbem 
struggled  against  the  fearful  odds.  Never  a  strange  experience.  He  had  wrooght 
was  a  better  opportunity  for  any  denomi-  while  strength  remained ;  and  now,  with 
nation  to  root  itself  permanently  among  the  full  consdousness  of  a  well-spent 
the  people.  But  it  was  impossible  for  life,  he  was  resting  from  his  labours. 
Mr.  Forrest  or  for  an^  man  to  perform  But  such  enforced  leisure  has  a  painful 
satisfactorily  both  missionary  and  minis-  element.  Nothing  is  so  galling  to  a  busy 
t«rial  work ;  and  it  was  especially  im-  man  as  to  be  compelled  to  retire  and  let 
possible  for  one  borne  down  ^  physical  another  take  his  place.  He  feels  as  if 
weakness.  Gradoally  the  Established  there  were  no  need  for  him  In  the  world 
and  Free  Chorches  wakened  np  to  a  at  all.  That  is  a  large  word,  and  difficult 
sense  of  the  capacities  of  the  Strict,  to  learn, — 

and    each    has    now    several     regular  ,™,   _   ,       „        ,         ,      .     a      j       -. , 

.         I      1,        i_  ,_i-,     ci   n  11  'They  also  Berve  who  only  stand  and  wait. 
atcenciea.     In  all  probabdity,  St.  Rollox  '  '  ^ 

United  Presbyterian  Church  would  have         The  end  came  slowly.     Most  of  the 

been  greatly  increased  had  it  received  past    summer  he  was  confined   to  the 

sufficient  attention   and  support  when  hoose-     This,  with  his  Strong  love  for 

the  field  wss  unoccupied.    And  this  has  the  open  air, — and  never  was  that  love 

not  only  its  ecclesiastical,  but  ita  higher  stronger  than  in  these  closing  days, — 

religious  bearings.     As  thinfiis  were,  Mr.  wss   felt  to  be   a  great  restraint.      It 

Forrest  was  no  niggard  of  efiort.     With  saddened  one  to  see  him  turning  agun 

noblest   perseverance   he   stood   to   his  and  agiun  to  the  window  with  a  lace 

poet,   knowing   that   the   question    for  fnll  of  longing,  hut  a  longing  not  to  be 

him  was  not  the  ultimate  fate  of  St.  fulfilled.    As  is  always  the  case,  plain 

Rollox  Chturch,  but  whether  ha  himself  as  the  symptoms  appear  in  retrospect, 

was  filliug  up  his  shore  of  duty.     Hard  they  did  not  rouse  in  those  about  him 

though,  the  duty  was,  it  had  ita  sunny  any  immediate  sense  of  danger.     He  had 

side.     This    work,   too — as    all    honest  been  for  years  subject  to  severe  attacks 

work  does — bronght  its  reward.     If  the  of  bronchitis ;  and  not  even  the  doctor 

rooms  were  close  and  unpleasant,  the  thought  that  the  trouble  was  in  ite  last 

inmates   welcomed   him   with   a   ready  stage.     Mr.   Forrest  always  spoke  him- 

fcreeting.     They  felt  him  to  be  one  like  self  as  if  he  expected  temporary  recovery. 

themselves,  and  he  lifted  them  by  this  '  I  hope  to  have  my  feet  on  the  grasa 

lever  of  sympathy.  yet,'saidhetoafiiendwhohadsuggeeted 

From  the  death  of  his  wife  in  1870,  that  this  illness  would  pass  like  others 

Mr.    Forrest's    health   drooped.     More,  previous.      But  with   September  came 

perhaps,  than  be  realized  at  the  time,  undoubted    evid^ice    of    approaidung 

she  had  sustained  him  amid  ooantlass  deatL      The   prostration    increased    to 

disappointments.    The  difficulties  of  the  qoiekly,  that  the  moet  tinwiUlng  mtist 

work  were  as  great  as  ever ;  age  was  have  been  convinced  of  the  issue.    Still 

coming  fast   over   him,   and  that  tm-  all  was  reserve  and  reticence  on  the  part 

natural  decrepitude  that  springs  from  of  the  sufferer.    Till  within  thtee  oays 


TiTwrr*"^  COBKESPONDEKCE.  81 

of  his  death,  lie  gave  no  hint  of  any  ap-  to  hioi.    '  Ko  fear,'  was  hia  replj ;  '  but 

prehensioiiB  in  bia  own  mbd.    Probably  no  great  joy  either,'    Hia  mind  ran  on 

the  sabject  was  too  painfal,   and  be  the  apparent  failure  of  hia  work,  and  oa 

avoided  it  not  bo  much  for  hie  own  aake,  bis    own    persona]    shortcomings.      No 

aa  for  the  eake  of  thoee  who  would  find  boaat  wros  uttered  for  one  of  all  his  good 

all  too  Boon  tbe  want  of  a  gniding  bond,  deeda  rendered  up  to  God.    Gentle  thua 

But  he  did  not  pan  without  giving  to  the  last,  as  became  that  gentle  soul. 
his  frienda  to  know  bow  in  the  Bupremeat        He  died  on  the  12th  September.  On  the 

ot  mmnents  it  went  with  htm.     Calling  16th  he  was  laid  in  Signthill  Cemetery, 

his  son  and  dnnghter  to  bis  bedside,  and  by  the  aide  of  his  wife.     Few  have  gone 

donbtleaa  with  Bad  remembrance  that  to  the  grave  wearier,  none  more  worthy 

their  mother  was  gone  before,  he  said,  of  its  rest.     He  aleepewithin  sight  of  the 

*Iave  one  another,    I  commend  you  to  people  for  whom  he  laboured,    Ab  one 

God  and  the  word  of  His  grace.'     Hia  stands  by  his  tomb,  and  lieteni  to  the 

only  sister  waa  constantly  with  him,  din  ot  the  district,  it  is  hard  to  realixe 

and   he   seemed   to   gather  np   all   bis  that  this  man's  work  shall  outlive  it  all. 

brotherly    affection    for    the     departed  ■  A  common  life,  you  will  say.     Ay, 

members  of  the  family  and  lavish  it  on  verily,  in  one  aeuae  Uie  commoeeet,  but 

her.     On  the  day  of  his  death,  he  fient  in  another  the  moat  uncommon.    Not 

for  the  doct<>r  to  come  quickly  that  he  great  aa  men  couut  great,  yet  certain, 

migfattbaukhim — human  hand  in  human  it  but  known,  of  the  tribute  of  homage 

hand — befoN  he  died.     If  any  unkind-  from  all.     Here  was  patience  and  love 

neaa  had  at   any  time  larked  in  his  and  the  hope  that  makea  strong,— a 

bosom,  it  was  now  pu^ed  away.    He  spirit  full  of  faith,  and  a  heart  kept  pure 

who  looked  humbly  to  God  for  forgive-  and  humble.     Silence— sacred  silence — 

ness,  would  not  enter  his  Father's  pre-  claims  a  life  like  this  for  its  own.     Let 

senee  unforgiving.      He  waa  ready  to  us  not  think  there  are  none  such,  be- 

depart.     '  I  hope  jt  won't  be  long  now  ;  causa  we  hear  not  of  them.     Many  there 

bnt  God  knows  beat.'     There  was  no  are,   and  well  for  us  that  it  is  so;  for 

saint-like  ecstaay,- — rather  the  reverse,  they  are  the  lives  that  '  make  rich  the 

'  You  have  no  fear,  have  you  ? '  said  one  blood  of  the  world.' 


Corrtspon&fin«. 

NEGATIVE  PREACHING. 

TO  THE  EDITOR  OF  THE  UNITED  PRESByTERlAK  HAOAZIHE. 

Sitt, — Tu  our  day  of  what   ia   deemed  Presbyterian  Church.      I  have  through 

progress,  there   is  what   many  right-  circntngtancea  bad  occasion  to  hear  a 

minded    individnala  would  consider  a  considerable    numb»  of  our  ordained 

backward  tendency  in  regard  to  goepel  ministers  during  the  past  twelvemonth, 

preaching, — the  great  desideratum  beioK  and,  to  the  honour  of  our  Chureb,  there 

that  DO  certain  Bound  is  given  in  regard  wasin^eneralnouncerfatnsounif:  Christ 

to  some  of  the  vital   doctrines  of  the  and  His  work  were  set  forth  in  all  its 

croA ;    more  especially  is  this  the  case  fulness, — the    sure    foundation,    Christ 

in  regard  to  the  substdtutionary  work  of  and  Him  crucified,  being  fully  spread 

the  blessed  Redeemer.  out   before   t.he  hearers,      I   may  note 

Such   preachers   speak   of   Christ  as  particularly  two  of  the  fathers  of   the 

&e  Saviour.     They  tell  us  of  His  blame-  Church  who  came  out  in  bold  relief  aa 

less  life,  they  extol  His  exemplary  death ;  the  advocates  of  the  good  old  way. 

bnt  they  omit  to  tell  us  that  the  death  One  of  them  told  us  that  the  Bible 

of  Christ  was  a  tuhstituCianary  death,—  was  full  of  the  doctrine,  and  that,  If  Bub- 

that  He  (the  eternal  Son  of  God)  died  for  Btitution  was  not  in  the  Bible,  then  it  was 

onr  ains,  waa  made  Bin  for  us,  and  that  empty. 

without  this  substitutionary  work  we  'The  other  one  told  us  of  the  divinity 

are  nndooe,  of  Chriat,  of  His  manhood,  of  His  exem- 

I  am  glad  to  tbmk  that  so  little  of  plary  life,  of  Bis  being  onr  infallible 

thtBvaguepreacbingexiaMintbeUpited  feadier;  but  he  held  np  also  in  bt^ 


82  EELIGIODS  INTEIXICKICB.  ""jIT^?* 

relief  the  ftrnduDeatal  doctzina  of  tiw        I  caruMtlj  hope  Uwt  oar  own  Chotiji 

atoniDg  death  which  Jenu  died.  will  contiutu  to  hoU  forth  in  plaio  tenni 

It  ii  refreetung  to  hear  anch  preMhing.  the  glorioni  work  of  Chiist  m  our  «ab- 

But  it  is  a  ud  thov^t  to  know  th«t  itftnte,  and  that  whatever  divergence 

there  ia  any  other  sort;  for  it  is  a  fact  ma;  have  crwit  in  wili  be  apeediij  re- 

that  even  among  onrselveii  there  are  moved,  and  that  all  our  ministen  will 

•ome  who  ful  to  give  that  certain  eonnd  be  readj  to  adopt  the  langnage  of  Fan! 

BO  neoenaiy  in  addreeeing  thoee  whoee  when  he  H^  '  God  fortod  that  I  Btwald 

onlj  refuge  is  the  blood  of  Christ, — that  glor;  aave  in  the  croea  <rf  oar  IdxA  Jesot 

blood  which  )■  the  hope,  and  the  only  Cbriat.' 
hope,  of  aoj  sinner.  Sekei. 


JfnMigoic*. — Wixvdttt  ^resbBicrian  fi^^rc^. 


_  undtt. — Tbii  pre 

4th  December — the  S                           . .  „           .               . 

moderator,      Mr.   Oribam  rsponed  that  on  the  lams  mbject  in  March.    The  anb- 

Mr.  Campbell,  late  miuioDaiy,  Jamaica,  jeet  of  Sabbath  tchoola  and  the  nperia- 

had  all  bat  agreed  to  labour  for  a  time  ai  tendence  orjoaDg  peiaons  were  alio  nndet 

miMionarj  in  Newtjle.     It  was  agreed  to  diacnsiion.    Id  regard  to  the  former,  ike 

anthoriiB  the  committee  to  complete  ar-  Babbath  School  Committee  wai  iniiructtii 

rangemeoti   with   Hr.  Campbell,  labject  to  visit   the  varioai  ichooli  within  ilia 

to  the  approval  or  the  congrcfcalioD.    Mr.  bonods ;   and  in  regnld  to   the  latter,  a 

Rose   reported    that    Dn.    MacOitI  and  naodinR    committee   was    appointed   to 

Mair  had  consented  to  be  present  at  the  attend  to  the  mailer,  and  to  report  co  tbe 

Cooferenco  on  Miaaiona,  which  wai  agreed  preabjter?  from  vear  to  jear. 

to  be  held  on  the  Tneada;  arter  the  third  EditAwgh. — A  meeting  of  thil  preibf- 

Sabbath  of  January  next.     It  wai  agreed  tery  waa  held  on  4tb  December,  in  the  ball 

to  remit  to  the  committee  to  make  ar-  of  the  Tonng  Men's  Christian  Auociitioi 

rangementg  for  holding  a  pnblic  million-  — Mr.  Einlocb,  of  Weit  Linton,  taodc- 

arj  meeting  on  the  evening  of  the  lame  rator.     Apelition  waa  presented  from  ihe 

da/,  and  to  procure  ipeakert  to  addreii  congiegaiioQ  of  West  Calder,  craving  Iba 

the  meeting.    Took  op  the  Synod's  remit  preab/tery  to  appoint  one  of  their  nnmber 

on  Sabbath  schools.     After  a  tengtbened  to  moderate  in  a  call.    It  was  atatedibat 

conveiaation    on    Sabbath    ichoola    and  the  memberehip  of  the  congregation  was 

ehildren'a  eerrices,  it  was  agreed  that  a  3B0,  and  that  it  was  propoied  to  pi;  i 

committee  be  appointed,  consiatinB  of  the  stipend  of  £!60  to  ihe'minister,  in  addi^iin 

members  of  preebnerj  within  the  boonds  to  the  tiM  of  the  manse,  whieb  i 

of  Dnndee,  and  that  they  be  empowered  present  In  conrse  of  erection.     The  1 


le  of  erection.     The  praiier 

lo  noia  a  cunieience  oi  aii  ihb  mpariu*  m  ine  petition  wai  granted,  and  the  nib 

tendenta    of    Babbath    schools    and    the  Inst,  fixed  for  tbe  moderation.    A  letter 

presidBQts  of  children's  services,  to  oon-  was  read  from  the  Eev.  James  Eobeittoa, 

aider  the  whole  snbject  of  Babbath  ichools  Newington,  intimating  that  the  ttite  of 

and  children's  lervices,  and  to  report  to  his  heart's  action  had  been  lo  leriosily 

the  presbytery  at  ita  nest  meeting.    The  affected  by  four  anccesaive  bereaTemenU, 

conference  was  fixed  to  be  held  on  tbe  and  by  his  attempting  to  reanme  seiiltd 

2ath  imi.,  in  the  ball  of  Dndbope  Road  reaidence  in  tbe  scene  of  them,  that  inch 

Chnrcb.    Took  np  the  Synod's  remit  with  residence  had  been  at  present  nediciUy 

reference  lo  the  diffasion  of  information  Interdicted.     Warm  testimony  was  borne 

on  the  distinctive  principle*  and  >ebeinei  to  the  valne  and  incceis  of  Mr.  BotMrt- 

of  the  denomination.    After  consideration,  son's  ministry,  and  the  airangemenl  oC 

it  was  agreed  to  appoint  a  committee  to  the  eongregatlon  agreed  to.    Under  the 

consider  bow  the  recommendation*  of  the  arrangement  which  bas  been  made,  Mr. 

Synod    may   be  carried    ont   with  most  Robertioa  is   to  retain    his    position  a) 

efficiency.    Meairs.  Miller,  Hay,  Taylor,  senior  pastor,  bnt  the  whole  TespansibiliiJ 

and  the  olerk  were  appointed  a  oommitlee  of   the    congregation   is  to    rest  on  the 

— the  clerk  convener.  junior  minister.      Mr.   Bobertion  ia   lo 

i>iai/'ertn line.— This  presbytery  met  on  receive  a  stipend  of  £SO0,  and  Mr.  Tonn; 

l^eadaj  the  4th  December— the  Rev.  Mr.  £500.     A  call  waa  laid  on  the  table  of 

M'Leao,  moderator.     It  was  agreed  to  the  presbytery  from  Infirmary  Street  eon- 


"■XTu^"''  RELIGIODS  tNTELLIOBNCB.  33 

gregation,  in  fiiToar  of  tbe  appointmiiit  of  oectiioD  of  tbe  obterrasee  of  tbe  Lord'i 

Hr.   Bobeit   Follock  Watt,   probationer,  iDpper,  it  was  nnaaimonilj  asreed  thai 

(9aB(toi*i  >■  colIeagD*  and   incoeuor  to  tbe  proteit  and  appeal,  with  ouiei  papen 

tbe  Rdy.  Dr.  Brace.    The  call  wai  nu-  in  conaeciloD  with  tbe  matter  to  which  it 

lained.     Mr.  White-Millar  and  the  Hct.  relate*,  lie  on  the  table  till  next  meeting, 

Wm.  Gilliei  were,  on  a  diTiiion,  appointed  and   that   a   deputation    of   pretbrterj, 

to  rcpreaent  the  preabjterj  at  tbe  Miuion  coniialing  of  Rst.  Meain.  Liad,  Wbjte, 

Board.     It   wai   ap^ed   to  iocreaiie   the  and  Robaon,   with  Mr.   MoniaoD,  elder 

■alarr  of  tho  clerk  from  £S5  to  £bO,  that  (Mr.   Bobwn,  eonTener),   meet  with  the 

of  the  treaanrer  from  £7,  lOi.  to  £10,  and  MMion  of  Forree,  and  otbera  connected 

that  of  the  officer  from  £7  to  £13.    Mr.  with  the  eonfiregatioD,  on  an  earl;  da;, 

Knox  Crawford  (elder)  indnuited  that  the  with  the  view  of  endeaToaring  to  bring 

eongiegaiion  of   St.   James'    Place    had  abont  a  deairabU  itate  of  reeling  in  the 

iucreaied  the  salary   of  Dr.  Morton  to  oonKTegatioo  with  reference  to  tbe  matter 

£700,  ineipeciive  of  the  payment  of  hii  in  diipata.    A  circular  havinK  been  read 

hfe  aasiirancB  policy.    A  report  waa  read  from   the   S^od'i    Foreign    Committee, 

bj  Hr.  Moffial  aa  to  the  private  conference  Teeommending    that,    with    the    view   of 

held  recently  with  reference  to  miaiioni.  imprcHing  npon  the  mrndt  of  eongrega* 

It   itated   tbat    there    teemed    to    be   a  tioni    the    claimi    of   foreign    miiiiont, 

general  agreement  in  the  conference  that  exchange*  of  pulpili,  ai  nearly  nnlranal 

(he   inhject   ihonld   oecnpy  a  prominent  aa    poeaibte,    thonld    be    made,    nndar 

place  in  the  stated  miniiiraiiona  of  the  preabyterial  arrangement,  by  the  minitlert 

unctuai;:  that  every  coDgregation  shonld  of  each  presbytery,  it  waa  nnanimontlj 

be  regarded  aa  ipso  facU>  a  miiaionary  agreed  to  adopt  the  propoied  meainre  M 

society,  whose    contnbntioni    ihoold,   if  soon    at    mattert    can    be    eonreiiientlj 

posiiUe,  be  co-exiensiTe  with  its  members,  arranged  with  ihii  Ttew.    Next  meeting 

the  coDtiibntiont    being   collected    each  was  appointed  to   he  held  at  Haira  on 

month   by  book;  and   tbat  in  order  to  Tuesday    after   the    tecond    Sabbath    of 

sustain  and  dcTclope  the  missionarj  spirit  Jannary  18IB. 

of  the  chorchcs,  a  general  interchange  of         FtUiirh. — This  presbytaijinetOB  Tnea- 

pelpita  should  take  place  on  some  con-  day,  4th  December  last—the  Rct.  George 

lenient  Sabbath  as  the  presbytery  might  Wade,     moderator.       The    Rer.    Hush 

decide, wtaendiscoursesshoaldbepreached  Baird    tendered   his    resignation   of   the 

dinetiy  besrin'K  on  miuionar;  work.     On  office  of  clerk,  which  he  had  held  for  35^ 

tbe  motion  of  Dr.  Mair,  seconded  by  Hr.  years ;  and  Mestrs.  Lambie,  Dr.  Ogilrie, 

Junes,  tbe    presbytery  receiTed  the  re-  and   William   Wilson   (elder),   were  ap- 

port,   thanked   the  committee   who  had  pointed  to  prepare  a  miimte  expreBsiva 

charge  of  the  arrangementt,  and  approved  of  tbe  presbytery's  sentitneDta  in   refkr. 

at    tbe    Tecommendstions,  —  tbe     third  ence   Eo   Mr.   Baird's  long   and  faithfiit 

Sabbath  of  January   being  fixed  at  the  serrices,      Tbe    Rer.     Charles    Jordan, 

date  for  tbe  interebange  of  pnlpitt.      A  LL.B.,   of   Denny loaobead,  was   elected 

moderation    waa  granted   to   the    Sontb  clerk  in  room  of  Mr.  Baird.    Bead  and 

Side  Church,  to  take  place  on  the  erening  considered     rarions     proposals     of    the 

of  17th  December — Mr.  Robertson,  Bread  Foreign  Mission   Committee,   baring  for 

Street,   to  moderate.      The  stipend  pro-  their  object  tbe  stirring  ap  of  greater  in> 

mited  is  £300.  terett  in  tbe  missions  of  tbe  Church.    Laid 

£lgia  and  Inveraeu. — This  presbytery  on  the  table  copy  of  report  of  entrance 

met  at  S'orres  on  the  11th  December —  examination  for  admission  to  tbe  Hall, 

ReT.  John  Wbyte,  moderator.     A  com-  from  which  it  apneared  that  Mr.  George 

manication   waa  read  from  tbe  Kstion-  Wm.  Ure,  a  slndent  within  the  bounds, 

clerk   of  tbe  congregation  of  Nairn,  in<  had  been  admi  tted  as  a  first  year  student. 

timating   that   at  a  meeting  of  the  con-  Rct.  Mr.  Wade  and  Mr.  Bay,  Qlenbo, 

gregation   held  on   tbe   list   November,  were  heard  in   relation  to   tbe  visits  of 

with  referenee  to  the  pecnniary  affairs  of  ex-Prorost    Morton,     of    Greenock,    to 

the  congregation  in  their  present  circum-  various  districts  in  the  presbytery,  with 

stances,  in  accordance  with  a  lecommen.  the  view  of  widening  the  area  of  contri- 

dation  of  the  presbytery  at  last  meeting,  bntion    to    the    Surplus    Augmentation 

it  was  resolved  to  delay  taking  any  steps  Fund ;  and  Ibanks  were  recorded  to  Mr. 

in  tba  matter  in  the  meantime.    A  com-  Morton    for    his    kind    services.      Re*, 

munidttion    having    been    read    from   a  Messrs.   Lambie,   Allchiton,  and  Leckie 

member  of  the  Forres  session,  intimating  were  appointed  to  prepare  the  presbytery'* 

that  he  waa  prepared   to  withdraw   his  overture  to  the  Synod  on  the  Imposition 

protest  and  appeal  againat  a  finding  of  of  Hands.     Appointed  next  meeting  to 

the    seasion   with   referenee   to   tbe   use  be  held  on  Tueiday,  Bth  Febniarjr  1878, 

of  fermented   or   nnfermented   wine   on  at  11  ^.>. 


WO.  I.  VOL.  ZZn.  NET  BBRIEB. — JANTIABT  11 


:lv.C00l^lc 


84  BBLIGIOnS  IKTELLIGBSOE.  ^"Il.twa'^ 

Olatgow,  —  Tb{«    pncbjtei;    held    its  mended  minUlen  and  elden  to  embrace 

moDihW     meetine     oa     Tuesday,     11th  t-aj  ^ToarablB    opponnnitj   vhich   took 

December,  when  Mr.  Stark  ocenpied  the  place  of  taking  part  in  special  eerTices  in 

moderatoi^i  chair.    Dr.  Leckie  laid  chat  eoDoection  with  tbeir  onn  congregations, 

the  committee  appointed   to  confer  with  or  in  concert  vilh  other  congregations  in 

Mr.  F,  Fergmon  were  not  jet  prepared  to  their  own  licinit?.    Thaj  further  recom- 

presenC  a  report.     Mr.  Thomas  Wbitelaw,  mended  ministers  to  hold  cottage  meetings 

Cathedral  Street  Chnrcb,  intimated  accept-  either  in  town  or  country   aa   often   aa 

aocB  of  ft  call  to  King  Street  Churcb,  Kil-  opportunity  offered  in  the  conrse  of  their 

marnock.      Dr.  Scott  intimated  tbat  the  ordinary  work.    The  speaker,  in  tbeconrie 

Aogmentation  Fund  wa^  at  present  £500  of  a  short  speech,  strongly  advocated  tbe 

higher  than  it  was  at  the  lame  date  last  recammendationi  of  the  committee  to  the 

year.     Mr.  Corhett  made  an  appeal  for  consideration    of   the    members    of    the 

funds  towards  tbe  proposed  scholarship  presbytery.      The    report    was    adopted, 

in  their  Theological  Hall  tocommeinorBte  Mr.    Bogers  having    intimated    that    on 

the  name  of  Dr.  Eadie.     Dr.  Scott  and  acconnt  of  the  state  of  his  health  he  had 

Hr.  B.  T.  Middleton  urged  the  claims  of  to  spend  the  winter  in  a  warmer  climate^ 

the  Church  Flanting  Board,  tbe  operations  muoh  sympathy  was  expressed  with  bim 

''  '         -e  being  impeded  by  want  of  in  the  circumstances.     Arrangements  w~~~ 


money.    The  presbytery  agreed  tu  express  made  for  tbe  supply  of  tbe  pulpit,  and 

anew  tbeir  sense  of  l^e  importance  of  the  Mr.  Cairns  appointed  tnieriia  moderator  of 

scheme,  and  to  appeU  to  tbe  members  for  sesBion. 

fnbicriptions  to  complete  the  capital  fund,  Xi^mamocit.— This  presbyteiy  met  on 

while  they  urged  on  congregations  the  1 1th  December — Rer.  Alexander  M'Dan- 

need  for  their  making  an  annual  contribn-  aid,  moderator.    Appointed  further  sick 

Uon  to  the  funds.  aapply  to  Saltcoats,  West.     Mr.  George 

Ktlto. — This  pieebytery  .met  on  Tne*-  Copland  reported  that  tbe  Augmentation 

day,  SOth  NoTember— Rev.  Mr.   Fringle,  Conmittee  had  held  gstiEractorr  meetings 

Jedburgh,  moderator.    A  report  in  refer-  in    several  congregations,   and   arrange- 

ence  to  tbe  fonnation  of  an  elders'  aseocia-  ments  had  been  made  for  more  at  an  early 

tioD  hsTiilg  been  read,  it  was  agreed: —  date.      Mr.  Copland   asked   tbe   presby- 

*In  the   spirit  of   the   report    from   the  lery's  sanction,  which  was  cordially  given, 

sessions,    the    presbytery    reoommend    a  to  obtain  a  report  from  congregations  by 

conference  of  elders  to  -be  held,  and  they  February,  showing  tbe  efforts  they  had 

appoint  the  elders  present   to  make  the  made    to    support     the     Augmentation 

necessary  arrangements.'    The  committee  Scheme,  in  order  that  a  full  report  may 

appointed  on  the  gronnds  of  tbis  motion  be  given  to  the  presbytery  in  ApriL    The 

consisted  of  Messrs.  Moirhead-fconveQer),  clerk  read   the  report  of  Committee  on 

Fairgrieve^    Purres,   £rooni£eld,     Scott,  Formation  of  Elders' Associations  to  pro- 

Porteoos,  and  Clark.    In  reference  to  the  mote  tbe  Principles  and  Progress  of  the 

report  on  prest^pfrial  visitation  of  con-  Church,  which   suggested  the  formation 

gregationi,   it  wjas   resolvedr— '  That   the  of  four  associations  wilhin   tbe   bounds, 

presbytery,  having  taken  into  considera-  with  Ayr,  Kilmarnock,  Kilwinning   and 

tion   tbe   Synod's  .recoBimendation  as  to  Mancbline  respectively  ss  centres.    The 

presbylerial  vigiiraiion  of  tbe  various  ooi  '    "         ^     .  j   -i..   . 

gregations  witbin  its   bounds,' recognist  ,,                                         „                      - 

the  importance  of  (hat  recotnmendation  associations.     Found  that  the  congrega- 

beiog  carried  oat,   and    tbey  appoint   a  tions  within  the  bounds  had  generally  paid 

committee  to  consider  how  the  end  con-  their  oontiibutions   to  tbe  Synod  Fond, 

templated    can    be    best    secured.'      A  Agreed  to  request  the  few  defaulters  to  do 

committee,  consisting  of  tbe  Bev.  Messrs  tbeir  duty  in  this  matter  witboat  delay, 

poison,   Jarvie,  Inglis,   and  HiUer,    and  Bead  letter  from  Mr.  Cuthbertson,  stating 

Mr.  Soott,  Whitton,  was  then  appointed,  that  tbe  Holm  congregation  withdrew  the 

The  Bev.  Mr.  Poison  reported   that  the  application  recently  made  for  change  of 

Evangelistic    Committee    liad    met    tbat  site.    As  agreed  upon  at  last  meeting,  the 

morning,    and    tbey    bad    drawn    up    a  presbytery   then  entered  into   a  private 

small  report.    Tbeie    was  present  al   the  conference   on   tbe   subject  of  missions. 

committee  —  Messrs.    Inglis  and    Poison  At  the  close  of  the  conference,  the  presby- 

(miniaters),  and  Messrs.  Scatt  and  Broom-  tery  resolved  to  strongly  recommend  the 

field    (elders).      Tbe    report   was    to    the  formation  of  missionary  associations,  with 

effect  that  the  committee  resolved  to  ask  an  organized  staff  of  eollectois  in  all  con- 

the  presbytery  to   record  anew  its  sense  gregations  within  the  bounds;  and  that, 

of   the    needfulness  and    importance   of  as    far    as    practicable,   tbe    JHUaiottarif 

special  services  for  awakening  a  deepening  Seeord  be  circulated  monthly,  and  eub- 

iaterest  in  spiritual  things  j  and  it  tecom-  scriptions  for  mission  purposes  taken  at 


BELIQIOUS  INTELLI6EN0E. 


the  wme  ^me.  Agreed  fnribeT  to  remit 
■U  other  points  on  the  mbject  brottght 
berore  the  conrerence  to  the  committee, 
with  innnictiaiis  to  consider  tbe-ing- 
geilionB  that  htiTe  been  msde,  and  bring 
up  ■  report  wilb  practical  reeommendi- 
lioni  to  the  meeting  of  preabyterj  ia 
Febraarj.  BeceiTed  a  telegram  itating 
that  the  Rev.  Thomaa  Whileiaw  bad 
accepted  the  call  from  King  Street.  Ap- 
pointed his  indnetion  to  take  place  in 
Kilnianiock,ODTharBdaj  ths  3d  January 
IST8.  Bemitted  eircolar  from  the  Com- 
mitlea  on  Saperintendence  of  Toung 
Ppnona  to  a  committee  of  preebjtery, 
with  instraciiooa  to  take  sCcpg  to  carrj 
DDt  lecommendaliOQB  of  Sjnod.  Ap- 
pointed nest  meeting  to  be  beld  on  the 
Beeond  Tnesdaj  of  Febroajr. 

Faitks  and  QreeiKxk. — Tbit  preabytery 
metaiGreenockoiiTueadaj,4thD6ceinl>er. 
Read  extract  minute  of  Home  Board, 
ibac  an  annnitj  of  £50  had  been  granted 
to  Mr.  Monteith.  Read  letter  from  Mr. 
Borland,  declining  the  call  to  Renfrew. 
Appointed  the  indnetion  of  Mr.  Alex- 
ander Dnncau,  in  Roxburgh  Street,  on 
the  ISth.  A  calL  to  Mr.  Alison,  Cnpar, 
from  Alexandria,  was  EOBlained.  Took 
op  qaeadoDa  of  which  Mr.  Uaccae  gave 
notice.  It  was  carried  bj  a  majoritj 
that  the  whole  matter  be  taken  np  in 
a  committee  of  the  whole  bonse.  Whan 
the  preabytcTy  resnined,  the  finding  was 
thit  in  point  of  procednre  the  pres- 
brteiy  do  not  admit  the  right  of  Mr. 
Macrae  as  a  member  of  Conrt  to  move  the 
probjtery  in  the  form  of  qnestions,  and 
ibcj  therefore  refnae  to  entertain  the 
qnestionB.  Also,  stronglj'  disapprove  the 
tune  of  the  queitiona,  aa  well  as  the  failing 
to  obtemper  the  decisions  of  preabyteij 
in  March  last.  Recall  bia  attention  lo 
thii  deliverance,  and  again  enjoin  him  to 
give  heed  to  the  exhortations  therein  con- 
tuned  ;  and  that  be  be  admonished  to 
this  effect  from  the  chair. 


-  SetUrk  (£^t).~Mr.  George  M'Callum, 
A.M.,  Glasgow,  called  28th  November. 

Edtuburgh  (Smith  Side).— Bet.  3.  Kay, 
Free  Chnrch,  Coatbridge,  called  17th  Dec. 

Wat  Colder.— RtT.  James  Wardrop, 
Crsigend,  called  11th  December. 

Kirkcaldy  (Beiftei>W).— EeY.  Isaac  E. 
Harwiek,  Ireland,  called  17lh  December. 

£eruHCk  (Wallaee  Green,  £.P.)— Mr. 
George  M'Callam,  preacher,  Glasgow, 
called  18ch  December. 


Died,  at  Homdean,  on  the  ISth  Decem- 
ber, Rev.  Tohn  Stark,  In  the  53d  year  of 
his  age,  and  the  a9th  of  his  ministry. 


Services  in  connection  with  the  cente- 
nary of  this  congregation  were  held  on 
Sabbath,  11th  November,  when  Dr.  Logaa 
Aikman,  Glasgow,  preached  in  the  fore- 
floOD  and  evening.  Oo  Monday  evening 
a  service  was  held,  the  attendance  being 
very  large.  Among  the  speakers  were 
Prineipal  Brown  and'  Profesior  Balmood 
of  the  Free  Church. 

In  connection  with  these  servicei,  Hr. 
Reatt,  pastor  of  the  congregation,  read 
an  interesting  Mcount  of  its  history. 
Having  adverted  to  the  origin  of  the 
Secession  Chnrch,  be  said  in  reference  to  the 
beffinning  of  the  Belmont  Street  cause  : — 

There  were  only  'seven,'  it  is  said,  to 
commence  the  canse — the  sacred  number. 
They  were  associated  together  as  a  'pray- 
ing society,' — an  institniion  which  was 
peculiar  to  these  times,  and  had  been  so 
for  a  hundred  years  previously.  Over  the 
whole  of.  Scotland  snch  societies  had 
existed,  and  rellgioas  life  had  been  cher- 
ished and  strengthened,  sometimes  actually 
preserved,  by  them  through  the  parishes 
of  the  land.  These  seven  met  in  a  hired 
room   in   the  city  during  the  week  for 

r  and  Christ 
laving  membership  i 
^regation,  eighteen  miles  dutaet,  they 
joined  there  at  least  at  the  seasons  of 
communion.  Their  increase  was  very 
slow,  for  'Seoeder'  was  *  name  of  re- 
proach then,  and  those  who  bore  it  had  to 
endnre  a  measure  of  persecution.  There 
is  a  tnulition  that  the  Burgher  Secedera 
required  the  presence  of  a  town's  officer  at 
one  period  at  their  church-door  to  prevent 
disturbance,  and  that  the  Burgher  minister 
could  not  appear  on  the  streets  even, 
without  some  Seceder  of  standing  in  the 
town  with  him.  This  'praying  society' 
may  never  have  been  thus  disturbed,  bnt 
the  public  feeling  being  such  mast  hare 
hindered  its  growth.    However,  ther 


Qrtmoct  (Bosinirgk  Street).  —  ReV. 
Alexander  Dnocan,  Mnirkirk,  inducted 
18lh  December. 


which,  as  far  as  audience  v 
have  been  regularly  crowded.  In  1773, 
there  is  tbe  first  mention  of  this  Frajlog 
Society  in  the  records  of  the  presbytery, 
and  the  mention  occurs  in  connection  with 
a  petition  for  a  supply  of  sermon,  which 
was  granted. 

Twice  in  1776,  and  once  in  the  April  of 
1777,  thesociety  petitioned  the  presbytery, 
through  the   session    of  Craigdam,   and 


36                                 KOTICE8  OF  NEW  PDBLIOATIOKB.  '"'1i.'I«Si£*^ 

1  be  congregated,  Broirit,  in  tbo  Spital  Kiifc,  declared  that 
PS  the  reqneib  wai  to  be  a  ne<r  congref  ation  of  the  Secedun 
lirtuallj  refused.  The  power  of  impocta-  in  and  about  AbertUen.' 
nitr,  however,  wai  kaowa  to  theae  people.  For  two  yean  ihereafler  wonhip  wu 
and  beroie  the  latter  year  wai  out  thej  continned  in  the  Spital,  and  tben  the  eon- 
were  again  before  the  preabjter;.  From  gregatJon  proceedel  to  bnild  a  charcfa. 
the  recorde  we  make  the  following  tnte-  On  rh«  2d  April  1TT9,  part  of  Caber- 
roting  extract  ah  owing  their  sDccesa: —  stone  Croft  in  Belmont  Street  was  taken 
'Ktilli,  12tk  Novtmbtrl'm. — Entered  in  fen.  Before  the  lame  month  waa 
upon  the  consideration  of  ibe  reference  ended  the  bnilding  was  in  progresa,  and 
from  Craigdam  and  petition  from  Abei^  bj  the  first  Sabbath  of  NorembeT  it  was 
deeo,  and,  after  a  considerable  time  waa  opened  for  pablic  worsbip,— an  expedition 
ipent  upon  the  subject,  a  motion  was  which  shows  there  was  energy  among 
made  and  agreed  to,  Damely,  That,  as  the  theae  people.  No  particalarv  eziat  as  to 
people  in  Aberdeen  have  been  for  aome  the  coat  of  this  church ;  but  thongli  it 
time  past,  and  preaentlj  are,  inaisting  could  not  bave  been  great,  eontideriQg  the 
npon  being  diajomed  from  the  congregar  homely  plainness  of  the  atrncture,  atill, 
tion  of  Craigdam,  and  erected  into  a  rem embcring  the  fewneas  of  their  nnmhers, 
congregation  by  themMlves,  to  be  anpplied  such  escriGce*  were  neceaaarity  required 
with  sermon  by  the  presbytery  ;  and  as  B«  witness  to  the  love  these  (atbera  had 
the  aet«ion  of  Craigdam  in  their  reference  for  the  ordinancea  of  the  sanctnary.  The 
declared  that  they  are  all  agreed  in  the  first  minister  of  the  cbnrch  was  Michael 
eipediency  of  said  di^jooction,  the  que*-  Arthur,  inducted  asth  Jane  IT81.  The 
tion  now  be  put.  Disjoin  the  people  in  minister  anceeeding  him  was  •  William 
Aberdeen  who  are  presently  under  tbo  M'Call,  ordained  8th  April  IT89.  The 
lospectionof  the  session  of  Craigdam  from  minister  following  him  waa  John  C. 
said  session  and  congregation,  and  erect  Brown,  LL.D.,  indacted  Stih  April  IBSO. 
them  into  a  congregation  by  themaeWea,  As  grandson  of  Brown  of  Haddington, 
to  be  supplied  by  sermon  by  the  preaby-  be  came  of  good  Secession  lineage.  After 
terj  aa  they  can  overtake  it,  or  not?  This  thirteen  yean  in  Belmont  Street  coogre- 
qnestion  being  accordingly  put  aa  above,  it  gation,  ha  returned  to  the  Cape,  on  Ms 
waa  carried  nemmt  coatradicailt.  Disjoin  appointment  as  a  profeasor  of  botsny. 
and  erect.  Wherefore  the  presbytery  did.  He  has  aince  been  minister  of  a  eangregs- 
and  hereby  do,  disjoin  the  people  in  and  tion  in  Berwick-on -Tweed,  and  now,  u 
about  Aberdeen  that  are  under  the  inspcc-  witfaont  a  charge,  he  lives  in  Haddington. 
tion  of  the  session  of  Craigdam,  from  said  The  present  minister,  David  Beatt,  was 
sesaion  and  eotigregation,  and  erect  them  ordained  on  ISth  April  1865.  The  old 
into  a  congregation  by  themselves,  to  be  building  wa4  taken  down  in  September 
supplied  with  sermon  bj  the  preebyter;  a*  1S6T,  and  a  new  church  waa  opened  in 
they  oan  overtake  it.'  Jannary  1869,  on  the  same  site.  The 
To  complete  this  part  of  the  history,  we  coat  was  over  £3000,  which  alresdj  has 
quote  from  a  xa.  diaiy  kept  by  Jamea  been  nearly  all  defrayed.  Considerable 
Aiken,  shoemaker,  who  waa  a  mambei  increaae  in  the  memberibip  hat  taken 
and  afterwarda  an  elder  of  the  church,  place  in  recent  years,  and,  with  several 
Thii  diary  baa  been  kindly  lent  me  by  Br.  other  marka  indicating  progress  which 
Maitlaud  Moir.  Jamea  Aiken  notes : —  need  not  he  here  enumerated,  the  eotigre- 
' Nowmbtr  3Sd,   17T7. — Mr.  William  gationmaybedeacribedaaveryproaperoos. 


lEoticcs  \af  ^bi  publications. 

Piute's     Qdeshon,    ■  Whence    art    tbat  the  man  who  wu  the  moat  noted 

Thoi]?'    An  Esaaj  on  the  Feraonal    saA    determined    persecDtor    of     the 

CUima  aaaeil^d  hj  Jeaua  Chriat,  and  _  Chriatjaua  attddenly  became  one  of  tbe 

how  to  aocount  tor  them.    By  Jobm  '  moat  distinguished   and    aelf-denying 

Kbmkbdt,  M.A.,  D-D.,  etc.  advocates  of  the  new  faith.    The  little 

Gdintmrgh ;  Dsild  Doojiai    ISTT.  work  before  US  has  also  a  pecnliar  value 

LoBD  Lyttelton's  fsmona  tract&te  '  On     arising  from  the  same  clTcumstance.    It 

the  Couvemion  of  St.  Paul,'  has  done     contains   an   argament  limitMl  to  one 

good  service  to  the  cause  of  Christian     point     The  author  laya  hold   on  one 

truth ;  and  its  peculiar  value  cooaiats    indisputable   fact, — the    fact,   namely, 

mainly  in  ita  concentrating  attention  on     that  Jebub  Cbrist  put  forth  claima  of  a 

one  indiapuuble  fact,— the  fact,  oamelj,     aapematural  and  tnuuaendental  cadar, 

I  .  -...CooqIc 


""jiTrli**^'            NOTIOES  OP  NEW  PDBLlCATIONfl.  37 

And^owB,  byftbrief  boteompreheiuiiTe  both  hypotheses,  he  comes  to  the  only 

and  ezbaasUve  line  of  argament,  Ihat  other,  tiz.  thntwhiehdeclsTestheclBhna 

this  fActatampe  with  equal  indisputable-  asserted  by  Christ  to  be  oiipnal  and 

ness  th«  truth  of  the  olaims  which  He  true,    Hid  in    an  elaborate  diadusion 

tfaoB  asserted.  shows  how  this  supposition  meets  and 

It  has  been  very  often  remarked  in  an  accoanls  for  all  the  pecnliaril^  of  the 

inddental  way  by  ChriBtian  apologiHtB,  caae.     The  argument  is  conducted  with 

that  the  high  admiration  of  the  cbaracter  all  Dr.  Kennedy's  well-known  learning, 

of  Jesus  Christ,  and  of  the  morality  eloqnenoe,  and  It^csl  precision,  and  ws 

taaght  by   Him,  which  is  frequently,  ^hm  be  disappointed  if  tjie  book  doe* 

indeed  usually,  profeaaed  by  diabelievers  not    speedily   take   rank    among    the 

in  tbe  divine  origin  and  supernatural  standsH  works  in  Christian  apoL'tjetic*. 

charactcz  of  Cbriatianity,  is  really  on  

their  part  a  flagrant  self-contradiction ;  „              ,                                              „ 

/or  j4us  Christ  did  more  than  incnloat*  St.  Johk  b  Gospel  Dmommd  and  Ex- 

and  exemplify  a  singularly  high  and  PwntKD  AocosDixa  to  its  fecdluk 

pnre    morality.     Along  with    this,  He  Charactbr.      By    0.  E,  LlrrHARDT, 

claimed    for    Himself    obedience    and  Profeaaor   of   Theology   at  Leipag. 

homage  as  divine,  aserted  eqnaUtj  and  TransUted  by  C.  R.  Gkkqobt,  Ph.D., 

onenesa    with    God    His    Father,    and  Leipiig.    Vol.11, 

amomed  the  place  and  titles  of  the  Old  Couhehtabt  ON  THE    QoaPEL   or  Sr. 

Testament  Uessiah ;  and  it  is  obvious  John  ;     with    a    CBmoAi'    Ihtko- 

that  to  disallow  the  trnth  of  these  claiviB  DUCnON.     Translated  from  the  second 

is   to   reduce   this  man  of  unblameable  French  Edition  of  F.  Oodet,   D.D., 

morality  to  the  low  level  of  a  fauatio  Professor  of  Theology,  Nenchatel,  by 

or  impostor,  chargeable  with  manifest  S-TiTLoaandM.  D.  CusiN.    Tol.  IIL 

nntmthfnlness  in   one   or  other   of  its  Edteburgti :  t.  *  t.  (Smrk.   ibtt. 

Tarioua  forms.     In  tbe  hands  of  Parker,  These  two  new  volumes  of  the  Messn. 

Renan,  and  many  others  of  the  same  Clark's    Foreign    Theological    Library 

general  type  of  belief,  the  character  of  form  a  welcome  Christmas  boon  to  the 

Jesos  CbJiat    become*  an   inextricable  students  of  the  Apostle  John  and  of  the 

enigma,— a  man  of  theporest  character,  'New    Testament     The    work    of   Dr. 

whocoostantly  mingles  with  tbe  loftiest  Godet  is  now  complete  in  its  English 

monl  teaching  the  assertion  of  falsehood,  dreag;  and  this  second  volume  of  Pro- 

— a  man  most  devout  and  reverential,  feasor  Luthardt'  extends  from   chapter 

who  doily  utters  profanity  and  bias-  ii.  ver.  12,  to  the  end  of  chapter  xi. 

phemy, — a  man  most  humble  and  un-  Both  works  are  admirable,  and  may  be 

selfish,  who  indulges  habitually  in  the  said  to  be  equally  valuable.    Both  are 

language  of  vain  assumption  and  self-  thorough  in  investigation,   resolute  In 

^orification,   only   to   be    saved    from  encountering  difficulties,  and  honest  and 

being  stamped  as  daringly  impious  by  earnest  in  tracking  out  the  truth.   Both, 

being  relegated  to  the  region  of  tbe  likewise,  are  characterized  by  reverent 

absurd  and  the  nonsensical.  treatment  of  the  divine  word,  by  evan- 

This    is    the    argument    which    Dr.  gelical    principle    and    spirituality    of 

Kennedy  developea.  His  treatise  consists  sentiment.     But    though    much   alike. 


:  two  parts,  the  one  eontaininE  an  they  are  at  the  same  time  quite  inde- 
ixpotition  of  what  it  was  that  Christ  pendent,  and  in  some  respects  very 
daimed,  the  other  the  argument  based  .  unlike;  and  the  difference  between  them 
on  this  foundation.  The  latter,  which  is  perhaps  sufficiently  indicat«d  by 
natnrallv  occnpies  the  larger  portion  of  saying  that  the  one  is  German  and  the 
the  won,  takes  account  ^  the  various  other  is  French.  Godet  is  probably 
methods  which  may  be  or  have  been  calculated  to  be  the  more  popular.  The 
reported  to  by  way  of  explaining  these  style  is  more  lively  and  interesting,  the 
extoiwrdinary  claims.  Two  main  hypo-  translation  is  couched  in  more  easy  and 
theses  are  tajtenup  and  disposed  of, — 1.  '  flowing  English,  and  doubtless  also  bis 
Thatwhichassumesconsciousdishonesty  work  is  in  a  pre-eminent  degree  sug- 
in  a  greater  or  lest  degree;  2.  That  gestive  and  original  At  the  same  time, 
which  assumes  that  the  claims  put  into  tbe  author  has  his  special  weakness,  and 
the  mou^  of  Christ  originated  in  a  later  it  is  neaily  related  to  this  point  of  pie- 
age.    Having  tried  and  found  wanting  eminence.    In  the  straining  after  ori- 


38 


NOTIOEB  OF  NEW  PUBLICATIONS. 


^tUtUtV'  he  not  unfreqaently  '  foils  on 
the  otlier  side,'  and  deeenenles  into 
BZftggention  &nd  artificiality.  We  find 
iDstaDCea  of  this  in  the  Tolame  before 
HB,  at  u  20,  in  the  «spUnUioii  of 
Christ's  indignation  or  '  Bhnddering '  at 
the  grave  of  Lazarus;  at  p.  275,  in 
reference  to  the  blood  and  water  from 
the  Saviour's  aide ;  and  at  p.  357,  where 
is  reproduced,  though  hesit&tingly,  his 
•bwige  idea  that  the  Apoatle  Jolu)  has 
been  exempted  from  death,  and  sorrives 
in  the  body  in  an  inconceivable  manner, 
after  the  example  of  Enoch  and  Elias. 
This  over-Btraining  Lnthardt  avoids ; 
and  hence,  if  more  arid  and  lesa  inte- 
resting, his  work  is  on  the  whole  more 
sound,  jndioiouB,  and  reliable.  We 
turned  with  interest  to  bia  explanation 
of  Christ's  words  (chap.  v.  17),  'My 
Father  norketh  biuierto,  and  1  work,' 
of  wiiich  the  ordinary  view,  as  found, 
e.g.,  in  Trench  and  Alford,  has  long 
appeared  to  us  inadequate  and  erroneous. 
We  were  pleased  tA  find  that  what  seems 
to  US  the  tme  significance  of  the  lan- 
guage is  here  clearly  set  forth.  'AH 
the  action  of  God  since  the  creation,  or 
rather  since  the  Sabbath  of  God  which 
concluded  the  creation,  is  essentially 
related  only  to  Christ  and  His  work ; 
therefore  it  ia  of  a  salvation -bringing, 
a  redeeming  kind.  In  tius  Hense,  then, 
Jesus  spe^  these  words.  The  re- 
demptive working  and  executing  God'a 
saving  will  still  continues,  and  is  not  yet 
at  an  end.  Its  Sabbath  has  not  yet 
come.'  In  Godet'a  exposition  of  the 
verse  we  find  another  example  of  his 
besetting  ran  as  a  commentator, — of 
straining  after  novelty,  which  leads  him, 
after  objecting  to  Luthordt's  explana- 
tion, and  by  a  very  roundabout  process, 
to  an  almost  identical  reeult :  — '  The 
subject  in  question  here  is  the  work  of 
salvation  and  the  moral  edacation  of 
the  human  race.  This  divine  work  baa 
for  ita  basis  the  very  cessation  of  God 
from  His  creative  work  in  nature.' 

We  regard  both  books  aaindiapensable 
to  thorough  students  of  the  Bible ;  and 
when  the  next  and  concluding  volume 
of  Lnthardt  is  published,  English 
readers  will  have  in  tlieir  posseasion  a 
very  complete  tkesauru*  on  the  Fourtb 
Go^l. 


MESSRS.  OLIPHAHT  &  CO.'S 
CHRISTMAS  PUBUCATI0H3  FOR 

THE  YOUNG.     1877. 
(1.)  Heboes  or   Discovert:   Living- 
stone, Franklin,  Park,  Cook,  Magel- 
lan.    By    Saudel   Mossuan.    New- 
Edition,  wiUi  Portraits. 
This  is  a  very  handsome  volume ;  and 
as  it  reconnts  in  a  clear,  vigorous,  and 
interesting   manner   the    chief    adven- 
tures of  those  great  heroes  of  discovery 
whose  names  are  given,  it  is  sore  to  be 
very  popnlar  with  young  men, 
(2.)    Polly    Wtatt;    or,    Virtno    it« 
own  Reward. 
A  pleasantly-told  story,  illnstrating 
the  truth  that  life  is  a  discipline,  and 
consists  in  something   bett«r   than  the 
abundance  of  temporal  possesaionB. 
(3.)  The  Little  Sand  Bot  ;  or.  Who  is 
best  off?    A  Tme  Story,  from  the 
German  of  Othlie  Wildernuth. 
This  story  is  a  fresh  and  vigorous  deli- 
neation of  character,  and  shows  how  s 
boy  possessing  mental  power  and  moral 
purpose,  even  though  bora  in  unfortu- 
nate circumstances,  is  sure  to  excel. 
(4.)    Fked    the    Appbentice,    trans- 
lated and  adapted  by  Hrs.  Ca»fbell 

OVEHKHD, 

Is  also  a  book  for  boys,  and  urges  to 
habits  of  self-restraint,  induatiy,  and 
integrity. 

(5.)  The  First  Prhtter's  Eablt  DaY3 
Gives  an  interesting  glimpse  in  connec- 
tion with  t^e  life  of  Gutenberg,  of  the 
origin  and  early  history  of  the  art  of 
printing,  and  will  prove  informatory  as 
well  as  attractive. 
(6.)    Mias  Troi:ble  -  the  -  House  amd 

HER  Adventures,  by  Sarah  M.  S. 

Clarke, 
Is  a  very  lively  and  racy  story,  full  of 
innocent  merriment,  and,_  with  a  tme 
appreciation  of  child-ltfe,'  shows  what 
even  a  child  may  do  in  making  or  mar- 
ring the  happiness  of  others. 
(7.)  Gideon  Brown  :  A  Tme  Story  of 

the  Covenant,  and  of  the  Persecution 

in   Scotland,    as  related  by  himself. 

Edited  by  Chakles  Mackay,  LL.D. 

Dr.  Mackay,  in  his  prefatory  remailcB 
to  this  stwy,  which  originally  appeared 
in  the  pages  of  a  well-known  magazine, 
says:  'It  attracted  much  attention  ol 
the  time  for  its  truthful  pictures  of  ■ 


NOTICES  OF  KBW  F  UBLIOATIOKB. 


89 


Bbormy  period  in  Scottiah  huitor^.'  The 
tjm«a  <^  the  GoTenaat  still  pomom  a 
peculiar  charm  for  the  people  of  Scot' 
land ;  and  while  this  namtare  will  en- 
list the  intereet  of  boys,  it  irUt  &lso  be 
read  with  profit  by  their  Kmots. 
(8.)  Black  Harkt  ;  or,  Loat  in  the 
Biiah.     By  RoBEirr  Ricbardsoh. 

A  book  after  a  boy'a  own  heart.  In  a 
simple  and  natural  way  Mr.  Richardson 
deatribes  the  advonturea  of  two  boys 
who  were  lost  in  the  bush,  and  who 
were  recovered  through  the  sagacity  and 
perseverance  of  a  noble-hearted  negro, 
whom,  with  youthful  love  of  mischief, 
they  had  often  taken  pleasure  in  teasing, 
but  wboee  worth  they  came  thoroughly 
to  appreciate.  To  tnis  is  appended  a 
little  story,  —  '  Joe  Wilmot,'  —  which 
shows  that  even  a  boy's  life  can  be 
happy,  only  when  it  is  in  baimony  with 
the  word  of  God. 

These  eig^t  volumes,  with  their  beau- 
tjfol  illustrations  and  admirable  teach- 
ing, form  a  small  Ubrary  which  yonng 
people  vrill  greatly  prize,  and  from  the 
penisal  of  which  thej  may  derive  much 
profit  as  well  as  pleasure. 

The  Presbtteeias  Montelt  ;  A  Eeview 
of  Biblical  Literature  and  the  Church 
Aspects  of  Public  Questions.  No.  I. 
November  1877. 

Bdlabnrgb  :  PnbUshed  sltbeolBsaof  7ni/Vf(i|>- 

If  a  joarnal  were  to  call  itself  The 
Brititk  Empire,  tind  were  only  to  repre- 
sent the  views  of  a  very  iDfiuitesimal 
part  of  the  population  residing  in  an 
obscure  comer  of  said  empire,  it  would 
ioBtly  be  thought  to  have  erred  in  choos- 
ing its  title.  Into  an  error  of  this  kind 
The  Presbylerian  Monthly  evidently  has 
fallen,  for,  in  so  far  as  it  has  a  speci- 
al^, it  represents  only  the  opinions  of 
a  narrow  section  of  the  great  Preeby- 
terian  Church. 

Its  animus  and  porpose  may  be 
gathered  from  the  following  extract 
from  a  paper  entitled  '  At  Sea  :' — '  The 
learned  men  to  whom  the  Free  Church 
was  entitled  .to  look  for  guidance  in 
dark  and  cloudy  days  have  given  her 
none.  We  assume  that  the  days  have  a 
dark  and  cloudy  look.  "  Not  at  all," 
they  say,  "  we  are  only  '  at  sea.' "  Pos- 
ubly  they  and  we  mean  much  the  same 
thing ;  but  whether  it  be  -so  or  not, 


every  one  knows  that  the  Chnioh  gave 
them  places  and  honoara  and  power ; 
she  put  them  in  offices  of  trust,  expect- 
ing that  they  would  keep  a  good  look- 
out for  storms  and  rocks,  and  all  dangen. 
With  truetful  simplicity  she  allowed 
them  to  go  their  own  way,  and  to  do 
their  own  liking,  teaching  as  they  listed, 
without  fear  or  suspicion  from  her.  But 
when  she  is  in  the  midst  of  danger,  or 
thinks  she  is,  where  are  these  trusted 
guides!  With  the  utmost  frankness 
they  tell  ne  thay  are  "  in  perplexity,  and 
want  time  to  make  up  their  minds." ' 

Bob  :  Soue  CiAPTERa  op  his  Earlt 
Life.  By  Uev.  ALEXutsBR  Magleod, 
D.D.,  Birkenhead. 

0]Xfri>v :  ScottMi  Tnmpflnnce  Laajpie. 

Da  MACutoD  is  well  known  to  be  • 
master  of  the  art  of  addretaing  children. 
Having  intense  sympathv  with  them, 
and  a  deep  and  true  Imowledge  of  their 
nature,  he  irresistibly  endiains  thor  at- 
tention when  he  speaks  of  them  or  to 

This  little  story  is  in  his  happiest 
manner.  It  has  a  pathos  of  its  own, 
but,  Bs  told  by  Dr.  Uadeod,  it  is  ex- 
ceedingly touclung.  It  tells  of  the  trials 
and  trinraohs,  ay,  and  of  the  sins  too, 
of  a  gifted  and  nqble  youth,  who,  by 
the  force  of  his  chwacter  and  the  exer- 
cise of  his  art,  rose  from  the  humblest 
positbn  to  one  ot  honour.  Whilst  it  ie 
written  in  the  interests  of  temperanoe,  it 
enforces  other  virtues  also,  and  should 
be  circulated  by  thousands. 

Tito  Sooa  :  A  Page  of  South  African 
Mission  Work,  By  Rev.  JoHK  Chal- 
mers, of  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church,  Caftraria. 
BdlMnnvh  :  Aiidni'  ElJlot.  LondoD :  Hodder  A 
StOBghUin,     IBTT. 

Not  a  few  <A  the  ministers  of  our 
Church  who  were  in  its  Divinity  Hall 
nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century  ago,  re- 
member their  sable  fellow-student  of 
that  time,  Tiyo  So^.  Mr.  S(«a  would 
have  been  interestmg  on  account  of  bis 
high  character  and  excellent  gifts  had 
he  been  as  one  of  ourselves,  but  the  fact 
that  he  was  of  a  coloured  and  heathen 
race  invested  him  with  peculiar  interest. 
Great  things  were  expected  of  him  aa 
a  missionary  amongst  his  countrymen, 
and  these  expeetatioDs  were  reahzed 
during  his  too  brief  but  bright  career. 
It  brought  sorrow  to  many  a  heart  whei) 


40                                 MOTIOES  OP  NEW  PUBLIOATIOHB.            '""fcl'^Sj"""' 

tidings  reached  Uiia  conntrj'  of  the  da&th  them.    The  atjle  ia  simple  uid  Tigmoiw, 

of  Tiyo  Soga  in  the  prime  of  intnbood  and  the  tone   kindly  aiid  affectionate, 

and  in  the  midst  of  grenl  and  inoiewing  The  book  aiso  abounds   in   anecdotes, 

usefulness.  whicJi  are  aptly  introduced,   and  nai- 

The  story  of  bis  life  is  told  by  Hr.  rated  in  a  vivid  and  pointed  manner. 

Chalmers  in    a   most  interesting    and  It  is  attractively  got  up,  and  adorned 

graphic  manner.     It  cannot  be  ssid,  in-  with  appropriate  illustrations,  and  will 

deed,  that  Mr.  Cbalmera'  taste  is  always  find,  .we  doubt  not,  a  cordial  welcome 

immaculate,  and  that  tbe  style  may  not  in  many  a  Cfariatiau   home,  and  asaist 

oocaaionally  be  snaceptible  of  improve-  many  a  Christian  parent  to  make  the 

meat;  but  these  are  small  mattets,  and  evenings  of  the  Sabbath  what  it  is  so 

are  easily  overlooked  amidst  so  much  desiraUe  yet  so  difficult  to  do, — inte- 

of  gennine  interest  and  excellence.    Hr.  reettog  and  profitable  to  the  children  as 

Cholmera  has  a  sincere  affection  for  and  well  as  to  those  of  larger  growth. 

admiration  of  bis  subject,  and  he  ia  en-'  

tirely  familiar  with  the  scenes  which  he  A  Brief  Histort  op  Methodisk  and  or 

depicts ;  and  this  has  given  a  point  and  Hbthodist  MISSIONS  IM  South  Afbica. 

power  to  bis  narrative,  wbicn  cause  it  With  an  Appendix  on  tbe  Living- 

to  take  hold  of  the  reader  and  draw  stonia   Mission.      By   the   Rev.  W. 

him  irresistibly    along.    Foe  we  have  Cuffobd   Holder.     With  Ulustro- 

uot  only  the  bii^rapby  of  Mr.  Sogo,  tions. 

but  much  about  his  country   and   his  Londcm^  PabUshedforliie  AnthorHtUuWealaTu 

countrymen,   and  what  has  been  done  conferanoe  Offlct   istt. 

for  them, — tbe   book  being  very  truly  This  goodly  volume  of  upwards  of  dOO 

what  it  calls  itaelf,  '  a  page  in  South  pages  may  be  said  to  condst  of  two 

African  mission  wc^.'  books.    The   first  part  treats   histori- 

It  would  be  verj  easy  to  quote  many  colly    of    Methodism;    the    second,    of 

passages  of  great  iulerest,  but  our  limiu  Methodist    missions    in    South   Africa, 

meanwhile  forbid.    We  give  the  book,  Wa  ore  somewhat  at  a  loas  to  see  why 

however,  our    cordial  commendation,  Mr.  Holden  thought  it  necessary  to  enter 

and  assure  our  readers  that  ia  its  per-  on  such  a  lengthened  account  of  Mediod- 

nsol  they  will  not  (Hily  make  or  renew  ism  in  such  a  volume.     It  wonid  have 

acquaintance  with  a  truly  noble   man  beenbetter,wetbink,tohavewrittaktwo 

and  missionary,  but  acquire    a    great  Beparatebooks,and tbiswouldbavegiven 

deal  of  information  of  a  very  interesting  greater  unity.    But  whilst  we  scarcely 

kind  in    regard   to   misHionary  labours  approve  of  Mr.  Holden's  plan,  we  have 

and  scenes,  in  an  important  part  of  a  only  [a^tse  to  give  to  his  performance. 

continent  which  is  continiiing  incicas-  He  is  well  acquainted  with  the  subject 

ingly  to  attract  the  attention  and  en-  of  which  he  treats,  both  in  the  first  aJod 

gage  the  efforts  of  the  inhabitants  of  second  port,  and  sate  forth  a  great  deal 

this  and  other  civilised  and   Cliristian  of    valuable    infonnataon    in    a    clear, 

lands.  vigorous,  and  interesting  manner.    Hnch 

may  iK  here  learned  of  mission  irork  in. 

BibleEchoes:  Addresses  to  the  Yonng.  SonthAfrioa;  whilst  the  appendix  on  tiia 

By  Bev.  Jaubs  Wells,  A.M.,  Qlasgow.  LivingstcHiia  Mission  gives  a  detailed 

Landon :  JunM  IHitwt.    187T.  account  of  one  of  tbe  most  recent  and 

Ih  a   prefatory  note  it  is  said :  '  The  most  interesting  efforts  in  the  direcUoD 

following  addiosnas  were    delivered  at  of  African  regeneration.     ■ 

the  monthly  Babbath  afternoon  service  The  account  given  of  the  degraded 

for  children.     The  special  aim  was  to  state  of  mon^  of  the  tribes  is  affecting 

interest  the  young,  and  also  to  be  useful  and  humiliating.    Mr.  Holden,  however, 

to  their  parents  and  teachers  who  at-  shows  that  men  even  of  the  lowest  type 

tended  tbe  sarvioe.'  of  humanity — men  whom  some  onthro- 

'   We  have  to  congratulate  the  author  pologists  would  clam  with  the  ape  and 

on  the  success  which  has  attended  his  the  baboon — have  been  converted  aiid 

efforts.    He  has  tnvdnced  one  of  tbe  wonderfully  elevated.    He  takes  a  hope- 

Tery  best  books  for  tbe  young  which  ful  view  of  mission  work  even  unoBgBt 

we    have   seen.    Parents  and  Sabbath  such,  and  tbe  success  which  attended  hn 

school  teachers  may  find  much  in  the  own  labours  justify  him  in  doing  so. 

nlume  tbat  will  be  greatly  helpful  to  The  volume  ia  ad«ned  bj  some  veil- 


noncES  or  hew  publications. 


exeentedeugrftvingB,  which  halp  to  nuke 
the  namtiTe  all  the  more  intelligible 
and  impremye.  Altogetlier,  the  book 
ia  one  ca  greU  intereBt,  and  will  find,  wa 
doubt  not,  msnj  appraoiatiTa  naden. 

Thi  Jews  in  belation  to  the  Church 
AND  TSE  WoBLD.  A  Couna  of  I.ee- 
tores  by  Bey.  Profewor  Cairns,  D.D,, 
Rer.  Canon  Cook,  D.D.,  iter.  Pro- 
feeaor  Lbathes,  A.M.,  Right  Rbt. 
Bishop  CijiuoHTON,D.D.,  Re».  Donald 
Phaser,  D.D.,  Eer.  Profeeaor  Beatts, 
A.H.  With  a  Preface  bj  the  Kiicht 
Ber.  Bishop  PiinaCLAQGHTOH,  D.D.   ' 


The  conversion  of  Israel  is  an  object 
which  miut  be  yeiy  dear  to  orery 
Christian  heart,  and  all  wise  and  well- 
directed  efforts  for  its  attainment  trill 
be  hailed  with  Batiafaction  and  gratitude. 

The  little  Tolnme  before  ns  is  an 
attempt  in'this  direction.  The  lectures 
are  six  in  nomber,  on  subjects  deeply 
iatereflting  in  themselTcs,  and  bearing 
directly  on  the  attdtude  of  the  Jews  to 
Christianity.  The  names  of  the  writers 
■re  a  guarantee  for  the  great  ability  and 
thoroughness  with  wbich  the  work  is 
done,  tor  all  are  men  who  have  de- 
■erredly  won  for  thanselvas  a  place  of 
povei  in  the  Christian  Church. 

f)ar  readen,  howeTer,  will  naturally 
tan  most  readily  and  delightedly  to 
tie  first  lecture  by  our  own  Professor 
Gainu.  His  subject  is,  '  The  greateeC 
historical  marvel,  and  how  to  ancoant  for 
it.'  In  tjisconrstag  on  this  subject,  Dr. 
Gaims  says,  '  It  falls  to  me,  therefore, 
in  tbe  place  of  these  lectnrea,  to  consider 
Christianity,  including  Christ  Himself, 
as  a  sign  and  a  wonder  in  history  npon 
any  theory  of  explanation  whatai>eTer ; 
and  especially  to  examine  the  theory  to 
which  a  Jew  is  shut  up  so  long  as  be 
disowns  Christianity,  and  regards  it 
either  as  deloaion  or  impoetore.' 

Th«  order  followed  is  thus  aet  forth : — 
'I  shall,  in  condocting  this  argument, 
tbeo,  ask  three  queetioDS.  FirsI,  How 
came  GbriHliuiity  as  a  distinctive  doc- 
trinal and  moral  system?  Secondly, 
How  came  the  historical  character  and 
future  of  Jems  Christ?  and  thirdly, 
How  came  the  historical  success,  preva- 
lence, and  influence  of  Christtanity,  with 
itsproBpectasndtendendea,aacontraBtod 
with  tfae  present  state  of  Judaism?' 

On  these  the  author  diKCOuiBcB  with 
great  earnestness  and  in  a  most  sympa- 


thetio  I 

cogency 

thonght.     The  entire  vcdume  will  be 

welcomed  by  many  as  a  help  towards 

bringing   to   the   M«eaah  the   peode 

who  have  such  a  deep  interest  m  His 

Scripture  Illustrations  frou  tee 
Ddvgstig  Life  of  the  Jews  and 
OTHER  Eastern  Nations.  By  the 
late  John  Eadik,  D.D,,  LL.D. 
Edited  by  John  C.  Jackson,  Minister 
of  Elgin  Street  United  Presbyterian 
Church,  Glasgow. 
[oofton  i  Qliuov:  WllUun  CoUint,  Sou, 
*Co.    1877. 

Mr.  Jackson  in  his  preface  says,  ■  The 
distingnishing  feature  of  this  book  is 
the  abundant  illustrative  extracts  from 
the  works  of  travellers,  historians,  and 
other  writers  which  are  appended  to  the 
several  articles.  The  interest  and  value 
of  these  extracta  will  be  acknowledged 
by  readers  for  personal  im{»wemeDt,  and 
by  tliose  who  may  have  occasion  to  use 
them  in  the  teaching  of  others.  Such 
appropriate  extracts  from  a  very  wide 
range  of  ancient  and  modem  writers, 
as  an  unusual  amount  of  learning  has 
furnished,  form  a  peculiarity  which 
gives  great  and  permanent  value  to  the 
work.  For  many  years  it  was  ^e 
author'a  habit  to  note  such  passages  in 
his  reading  as  seemed  suitable  for  the 
illustration  of  Scripture ;  and  these 
quotations  are  fruits  of  his  reseauvh. 

*  The  Tolnme,  which  was  designed  by 
the  author  to  be  the  first  part  of  a  large 
work  on  Scripture  illustfation  from 
different  sources,  is  a  complete  work  in 
itself,  and  by  far  the  Larger  part  of  it 
received  the  author's  final  revision.  To- 
wards the  latter  part  of  the  volume, 
materials  the  author  had  provided  have 
been  incorporated  by  the  editor,  who  has 
also  added  one  or  two  chapters  of  his 
own  to  complete  the  work.' 

The  utility  of  such  a  work  wiU  at  once 
be  acknowledged;  and  of  Dr.  Eadie's  un- 
equalled qnaUlicationa  for  its  perf orman  oe 
there  con  be  only  one  opinion.  The 
editor  has  done  his  port  corefallT  and 
well;  and  as  it  is  got  up  in  a  handy  and 
compact  form,  it  may  be  a  kind  of  vade 
meeum  with  teachers  of  Bible  classes  and 
Sabbath  schools.  Thojr  will  find  in  it  a 
mineof  wealth,  by  digging  in  which  th^ 
may  easily  find  much  wherewith  to  enrich 
their  tAauiing  and  interest  their  scholars. 


42  NOTICES  OF  MEW  PUBUOATIOIfB.  '""Sl^SiJI'"^ 

A  YoDNa  Hah's  Difficulties  with  his  libte  gaide?    If  so,  then  the  diniiit;  of 

BiBLf.  B7  the  Ber.  W.  France,  D.D.,  Chriat  ig  clevl?  and  triumphanllf  estab- 

Author  <M    '  The  ChiiatiaD   in   the  lished.    Bnt  if  the  loose  uotimiB  which 

World.'    Third  Thonsaad.  ftlmoet  all  SociiuuiB  and  Arione  enter- 

LoDdoDt  HodderkStongliloii.   IBTT.  tainreBpectingtheHnUiorityof  theScrip- 

1  „,^ .._  .„.  ...   „it„„n„. iii*t»  *°™8  ^  admitted,  then  the  cause  of 

A  FEW  months  ag»,  this  attractive  little  „j.i,„i„.„ :.  ,.,^^  '    j   .„  o^^r.^^  „  „* 

TnlumB  was  fnvmimhlv  nntiMd  in  these  orthodoxy  IB  gone,  and  our  Sftvionr  moat 

^«™     r„^      !^™      1^  Tr^.  tw  be  regarded  aa  merely  s  creature.     We 

^^tt'   ^^.-    \      v,^        ,^^         ?I  cordiSly  welcome,  therefore,  aU   able, 

another  edition  1«b  been  called  for.    It  i^^^f^^  j„dicioua  elucidation  of  th^ 

la  ,ery  well  fitted  to  be  of  een^ce  to  ^^^^^'^t  ^^^  ^^„  conflideation. 

young  men  of  anin^Lmng  tura  of  nund  The  anthor^n  hie  preface  wyu  he '  cUima 

who  may  be  beset  Vdifficultiee  which  ^^^^      ^^^^^^    The    ^    topice, 

are  set  "  array  now  in  nrnch  of  our  ^      ^  bo  fir  aa  he  knows,  not  in  the 
^"ISfv^^r*  W^^-h^JlT.     '"-nie^rier.   have  been  diecn«ed  ebe- 

^'Tn^uS^la^J^th:;  where  n,ore  thoroughly   -d  by.  abler 

™o  lu  i»>  uKiui  uu~»u  .Ml.  u  V  hands.    He  haa  merelj  collected  into  » 

It  may  contmii,  incnMingly  to  d.epel  ,„jic„„p,„„,ti„dii,ibnt«ithrot»h 

;■  .'?  JT,  T'l  °.   T  'T*  ""J  loSr.bich  «,Uom  come  nnte 

men  to  the  bdiet  of    tie  tnith  u  ,t  a  ^,  »p„^,  „,  „„„„^  „^^^    ,^„ 

treatise  is  intended  tor  such  readers, 

and  not  for  the  learned.'     In  this  he 
A    Treatise  oh   the   Inspiration  of  forms,    we    think,    a    rather  modest 
THB  Holt  Scriptures.    By  Charles  estimate  of  hia  own  performance.     But 
Elliott,  D.D.,  Professor  of  Biblical  the   book   is   no  doubt   of   a   popular. 
Literature  and  Ezegeek  in  the  Pres-  rather  than  an  erudite  character. 
byterian  Theological  Seminary  of  the         The  work  is  divided  into  three  parts. 
North-West,   Chicago,  Illinois.     8»o,  The    first,    consisting   of  six   cbapteie, 
pp.  295.  treats    of    mattera    somewhat    general 
Edinbnrgiii  T.  ind  T.  ci«rk.  B8  Qmrge  StaMt.  ^^d  preliminary.     The  Second,  entitled 
1^7'-  '  Proofs  of  the  Inspiration  of  tiie  Bible,' 
This   is  not   directly   a  book    on    the  contains  seven  chapters.    And  the  third, 
evidences  of  Christtiani^,  but  is  closely  in  which  there  are  four  chapters,  treats 
allied  thereto.    The  author  at  oaee  re-  of  '  Definitions,  Theories,  Distinetions, 
pndiates  all  idea  of  Atheism  and  Pan-  Nature  and  Extent  of  the  Inspinttion  <d 
theism,    and   holds  that  there  is    one  the  Holy  Scriptures.'     A  wide  field  is 
living    intelligent    moral    Agent,    who  thus  presented,  and  a  multitude  of  topia 
created,    preserves,    and    governs   the  are  brought  nnder  consideration.     The 
world.     He   also  assumes    that  Chris-  author  is  a  Theological  Professor,  and  it 
tianity  is  essentially  a  true,  or  rather  seems   to   us  that  his  treatise  is   well 
the  true,  religion ;  and  finding  that  there  adapted  as  a  first  book  for  students, — 
is  a  certain  book,  called  the  Bible,  which  not  by  any  means  for  settling  tbeii  viewi 
claims  to  be  inspired  of  God,  he  proceeds  on  the  all-important  subject  of  inspira- 
to  handle   the  subject  of  inspiration,  tdon,  bnt  for  opening  up  to  them  the 
which  he  does  with    a  good  deal  of  regions  they  have  to  traverse,  for  direct- 
minuteness  and  fulness.    No  competent  ingtheir  attention  to  the  difficnltiesvrith 
judge  will  doubt  that  it  is  of  paramount  which  they  will  hare  to  struggle,  and 
importance  to  have  clear,  correct,  de-  for  guiding  tliem  to  quarters  from  which 
oided,  satisfactory  views  on  that  much-  assistance  may  be  expected.     A  great 
agitated   topic ;    for   in  truth  many  of  number  of  writers,  ancient  and  modem, 
our  theological  controversies,  even  in  and  those  of  gre&t  celebrity,  are  ijuoted ; 
the  highest  departments,  binge  mainly  and  to  Dr.  Elliott's  credit  be  it  said, 
on  the  question,  Are  the  Scriptures  the  his  quotations  and  references  are  made 
word  of  God,  and  of  supreme  authority?  with  singular  exactness, — generally  not 
For  example,  the  inquiry  as  to  the  doc-  only  the  volume,  but  the  page  he  has  in 
trine weoughttoholdrespectingtheper-  view   being  indicated.      Students    will 
son  of  Christ,  Is  He,  or  is  He  not,  truly  know  how  to  appreciate  this  precisenesa. 
God?  resolves  itself  at  once  into  this        The  book  is  thoroughly  sound  accord- 
other.   Are  the   Scriptures  a  divinely-  ing  to  what  is  now  fashionably  c&Ued 
Bunctioned  and  an  abatdute  and  infal-  the  traditional  scheme.    Indeed,  it  will 


'    jlTuiw*""^            NOTICES  OP  NEW  PHBLICATIOKS.  43 

be  proDoimced  nltnt-ortbocloz  bj  maoy  dered  that  the  'Wegtminrtw  Confeedon, 

who  are  themselvea  regarded  as  not  on-  which  jb  usually  more  prone  to  excess 

bearably  wide  of  the  truth.    The  author  than  to  defect,  inskes  (cbap.  I.  sect, 
inaista  etroDgly  not  only  on  the  poasi-  .  5)  no  reference  to  miraclea  among  the 

bility,  bnt  the  leaJity  and  the  necessity,  grounds  for  our  accepting  the  Scriptarea 

of  mirsclee.      '  On  the  eapposition,'  says  as  the  word  of  God.     Might  we  venture, 

he,  'that  a  revelation  baa  been  given,  the  in  these  days  of  reTision,  to  enggest  that 

'  only  method  of  attesting  it,  so  far  as  we  it  might  be  worth  while  to  consider 

know,  ia  by  miracles.     Belonging  to  the  whether  certain  texts  of  the  New  Tes- 

sapernatural,    it   requires   supernatural  lament,  such  as  John  t.  36,  x.  37,  38, 

confirmation.    Hence  a  history  of  reve-  xiv.  10,  11,  xt.  24,  etc.  etc.,  would  not 

Istjon  most  be  expected  to  contain  nai-  jostify  a  clause  referring  to  the  mighty 

ratives    of  supernatural  events.''     Now  works  of  Gbnst,  and  of   many  of  His 

it  seems  to  ns  that  there  are  two  oppo-  servants  in  the  apostolic  age,  as  proving 

site   extremes   on   this  point,   both    of  that  their  words  were  the  words  of  God? 

which  ought  to  be  avoided.    There  are  A  false  miracle  clearly  proves  nothing 

many,  called  advanced  thinkerg,   who,  except  that  the  person  who  attempts  to 

though  they  do  not  deny  the  reality  of  palm  it  on  us  is  an  impostor.    A  ques- 

miracles,  but  give  them  a  sort  of  quasi-  tionable  miracle  can  scarcely  be  regarded 

admiseion,   nevertheless   hold   them   to  as  furnishing  evidence.     But  independ- 

be  of  no  authority  as  evidences  of  oni  entlv  of  the  teetimony  of  Jesus  Christ 

religion.     The  only   ground  on   which  on  -Uiis  point,  and  following  merely  the 

they  believe  the  gospd  is,  that  it  speaks  light  of  nature,  we  cannot  but  think 

to  their  inward  consciousness,  furnishes  a  that  if  we  are  constrained  to  admit  that 

transcript  of  what  thev  find  written  on  a  real  miracle  haa  been  wrought,  con- 

the  fleshly  tables  of  their  hearts,  and  sistency   requires   ns   to    recognise   the 

tells  them,  as  Christ  told  the  woman  of  penon   who  wrought   it   as  holding   a 

Samaria,  all  things  whatsoever  they  did.  commission  from  on  high.      We  agree 

There  are  others  whoselineof  argument  with  the  late  celebrated  John  Foster, 

is  altogether  different.    They  can  place  that  God  will  not  cause  the  great  bell  of 

no   dependence     on    these    intuitional  the  anivene  to  be  rang  for  one  who  has 

notions.      They  look  entirely  to  the  out-  merely  an  ordiuary  sermon  to  deliver. 

ward  tokens  and  indications  God   has  We  concur  with  our  author,  then,  in 

given  that  certain  persons  have  a  mes-  attaching  importance   to   the   evidence 

sage  from  Him  to  deliver.     It  is  well  from  miracles. 

knowa  that  this  was  the  view  held  by  Dr.  Elliott  has  undertaken  a  work 

Dr.  Chalmers,  when,  in  1813,  he  wrote  much  called  for  by  the  (nrcamstances  of 

his  celebrated  article  '  Christianity'  in  the   times ;    for  infidelity,  or  what  we 

the  £dinburgh  Eneyciopadia,  and  when  consider    as    little    better,    has    made 

the  great  change  took  place  in  his  theo-  lamentable  progress  among  persons  who 

logy  and  in  his  professional  career.     He  are  anxious  still  to  bear  the  Christian 

tiius  laid  himself  open  to  an  ill-natured  name,  to  be  ranked  among  the  disciples 

but  Bubetaatially  just  criticism  by  Dr.  of  the  Saviour,   to  hold  offlcee  in  the 

Meanw  of  Aberdeen ;  and  had  the  can-  Church,  and  to  eat  the  bread  provided 

door    and    good    sense    afterwards   to  tor  its  servants,  but  who,  nnder  the  name 

acbiowledge  that  he  hod  erred  by  under-  of    the    'higher    criticism,'    evisc^ate 

valoing  and  excluding  the  internal  evi-  Christianity  of  its  vitals,   and   leave  it 

deuces.     Surely  we  should  be  thankful  a   mere   lifeless   trunk.     Such  persons, 

for  ail  the  kinds  of  evidenoe  which  are  however,    are    generally    among    '  the 

presented  to  us ;  and  let  every  one  avail  learned,'  for  whom  our  anthor  telle  us 

himself  of  the  sort  that  chiefly  carries  that  he  does  not  write.    There  can  be 

conviction  to  his  own  mind.    Proceeding  no  doubt,  at  the  same  time,  that  among 

on  this  principle,  we  seem  to  take  mode-  '  common  readeis,'  for  whom   he  says 

rate  groond  when  we  say  that  if  miracles  he  does  write,  there   prevails  a  sort 

be  not  necessary,  they  are  at  all  events  of  shakiness  in  the   reUgious  belief  of 

more  tban  harmless.     They  are,  in  fact,  numbers,   who,   though   they   are    not 

to  say  the  lesst,  highly  useful ;  and  as  altogether  moved  away  from  the  hojw 

mnch  may  be  nnderstood  to  be  implied  of  the  gospel,  are  afflicted  with  a  hesi- 

in  the  fact  that  God  has  furnished  them  tancy  which  disturbs  their  peace  and 

tons.     Indeed,  we  have  sometimes  won-  hinden  their  progress    in   the   divine 


44   ,                              NOTICES  OP  SEW  PDBLI0ATI0K8.  '""Stl'n^'* 

life.     Sucli,  we  fear,  ia  &  ch&racteTiBtio  HOMB  LIFE  IN  ANCIENT  PALESTINE  ;  or, 

of  *  this  more  learned,  but  not  wiser  nor  Studies  on  the   Book  of   Ruth.     Bj 

better  age.'    It  ia  proper  to  recollect,  Rar.  Andkew  Thomson,  D.D.,  E^- 

bowever,  that  this  unsettJedneBs  in  the  burgh. 

eoDvictioiis  of  the  unlearned  does  not  Luidon:  ThotDuNai»n«Soaa. 
result  wholly  or  chiefly  from  facts  We  heartily  commend  tbia  beautiful 
ascertained,  nor  from  trains  of  thought  little  volume  to  oai  readers,  satisfied 
prosecuted  by  themselves.  It  is  to  be  that  none  will  lay  it  aside  till  it  is 
traced  munly  to  certain  sceptical  or  finished,  and,  judging  from  our  own 
infidel  specmationB  indulged  in  by  feelings,  that  there  awaits  it  a  wide 
peraons  of  education,  posmbTy  of  talent,  and  cordial  welcome.  It  requires  many 
and  eagerly  promulgated  in  speeches,  gifts  and  qualities  to  make  a  success- 
newspapers,  magazines,  and  other  ful  expositor  of  a  book  like  Bath ; 
periodicals.  It  is  in  this  way  that  a  but  Dr.  Thomson  here  shows  that  he 
noziousleaTenisdiffused  throughout  the  possesses  them;  and  notie  of  hia  works 
community.  Now,  let  a  book,  however  will,  we  think,  have  a  ^eat«r  popolaiity 
well  fitted  to  pat  to  silence  and  to  shame  oratrueruBefulnees.  Without  attcmpt- 
theae  perrerters  of  the  public  mind,  be  ing  to  re-«iite  the  incomparable  natrs- 
prodnced,  and  such  a  book  ia  juat  totally  tive,  which  would  be  as  great  a  breach  of 
useless,  indeed  unintelligible,  to  people  taste  as  to  reproduce  the  story  of  Joseph 
of  common  education,  — people  not  and  hia  brethren,  Dr,  Thomson  throws 
truned  to  such  inquiries.  On  the  other  in  many  interesting  elucidations, — not » 
hand,  let  a  book  somewhat  like  the  few  of  them  drawn  from  his  own  eiperi- 
Tolune  before  us, — a  book  avowedly  enoes  of  Eastern  travel, — aodshowsevrai 
*int«ndedforcommonreadeiB,' — bepre-  more  than  his  usual  felicily  in  setting 
sented,  then,  admirably  adapted  as  it  forth  the  numberless  applications  of  the 
may  be  for  the  purpose  specially  con-  eiquiaito  Bible  picture  to  the  religion  of 
templated,  it  is  pounced  on  by  the  other  everyday  life,  especially  on  its  domestic 
class,  and  held  up  to  contempt  and  and  social  side.  The  strength  of  the 
ridicule,  all  which  being  duly  assemi-  book  lies  in  the  genuine  and  healthful 
nated  through  their  organs,  only  affords  avmpatby  with  the  living  human  heart 
them  an  additional  triampb.  that  palpitates  in  every  line  of  the 
The  task  here  undertt^en  is  really  a  wonderful  original,  and  also  with  the 
diScultoue.  We  are  humbly  of  opinion,  deep  remedial  working  of  grace,  even 
however,  that  the  most  wise  and  ex-  amidat  the  shadows  of  Old  Testament 
pedient  method  ia  to  go  directiy  to  the  history.  No  mere  tourist  or  litersry 
root  of  the  matter.  Let  the  defendeis  artist,  however  accomplished,  conld  have 
>  ot  the  faith  be  fully  equipped  with  all  written  this  work,  which  is  the  fruit  ol 
manner  of  true  learning.  If  anything  manifold  Chriatian  and  paatoral  ezperi- 
which  will  not  atand  the  meet  stnct  and  ence,  and  which  divines  the  past,  from 
rigorous  investigation  be  found  to  have  graveandlovingcontactwiththerealitiei 
crept  into  any  doctrinal  system,  let  it  ofthepresentaHkeinnatureandin grace. 
at  once  be  expelled  as  no  article  of  He  attraction  of  true  godliness,  and  its 
religion,  and  then  let  all  the  vital  truths  power  to  sustain,  comfort,  and  bleea 
of  the  goBpel  be  shown  to  stand  on  amidst  the  floods  of  sorrow  and  the 
pedestals  of  adamant.  From  the  nature  alternations  of  shade  and  annshine,  is 
of  the  case,  moral  considerations  must  the  great  moral  which,  with  graceful 
be  largely  taken  into  account;  and  there  and  skilful  handling  of  the  Old  Testa- 
is  a  world  of  moral  argument  on  otir  meet  materials,  runs  through  the  work 
^e.  Conscience  strongly  beais  testi-  with  an  ever-rising  earnestness,  and  a 
mony  to  the  truth  of  Christiaaity.  But  special  affectionateness  of  appeal  to  the 
we  cordially  thank  Dr.  Elliott  for  his  young;  and  no  painting  of  scenery,  or 
well-meant  and  really,  able  production,  analyaiaof  feeling,  or  diacussion  of  moral 
and  hope  that,  under  God's  blessing,  it  right  or  wrong,  or  presentation  of 
will  contribute  largely  to  the  object  be  gospel  truth,  stopsshort  of  this  practical 
has  in  view.  issue.  It  is  here  that  Dr.  Thomson 
ia  most  true  to  the  use  of  Scripture, 

which  is  to  leave  more  than  the  chann 

e  of  the  most  perfect  art, — 
3,  to  persuade,  and  to  maka 


""jiTrwnl"''            NOTICES  OF  NBW  PUBLICATIONS.  45 

wiaennto  BalTation.    II  tbe  Bible  were  to  tho  faith  uidwonbip  of  Naomi's  God. 

not  in  itself  in  every  part  a  sermoD,  we  Her  fhith  had,  tw  it  were,  been  bom  of 

ooold  not  make  it  so  ;■  and  Dr.  Thomson,  ber  love.    More  might;  than  a  thonaand 

hmng  at  eTerj  torn  Bummoned,  aa  it  arguments  had  been  the  datlj  ipectaole 

were,  the  actOTH  in  this  lovely  narrative  of  a  holy  life.    What  a  beaatifnl  teati* 

utccwelvely  to  preach  to  old  and  young,  mony  to  the  attraotive  and  wioning 

hta   reached    ita    deepest    spirit,    and  VP'"^'  '>^  >  consistent  religion*  conrse  I 

^Sosed  its  richest  bleasiiig.      Amidst  The  young  Moabiteas  bad  been  "  won 

ita  many  and  varied  merita  in  ioterpre-  by  her  holy  convenation,  coupled  witli 

talioD,  desdiptioD,  colouring,  and  style,  fear."      Naomi  had  not  only  kept  her 

we  account  this  pracUcal  aide  of  the  own  futh  pure  ia  the  midst  of  a  nation 

volomo  the  crowning  one,  and  believe  of  pollutM.  idolatera,  —  her  soul,  .like 

that  thoB  it  will  make  ita  moat  lasting  Gideon'a  fleece,  was  wet  with  the  dew 

mark,  and  realize  ita  meet  abnndant  of  beareo,  while  all  aroondwaaparcbed 

(rnitfnlneaa.  and  desolate, — bat  her  faith  had  been 

We  anbjoin  one  or  two  qwumens  of  reprodaced  in  this  beautiful  proselyte, 

thia  attractive  Bible  atndy : —  who  had  resolved  to  go  with  her  "  tmat 

The  Asylum  in    Moab.  —  'Measured  beneath   Jehovah's   wings."' — Fp.  fig, 

according  to  oar  modern  notions  of  dis-  59. 

tance,  the  land  of  their  migration  was  Tie  Social  Probltm  and  iti  Curt. — '  It 

not  far   oB;    tor   we   onnelves,   when  ia  indeed  one  of  the  worst  symptoms  in 

standing  and  looking  eastWBfd  from  the  our   modern  social  state,  that  the  two 

neigbbonrbood  of  Bethlehem,  have  seen  grealclasseaoftheemployersaudtheem- 

the  blue  mountains  of  Moah  riaing  in  played,  especially  in  out  manufacturing 

ragged  and  lofty  grandeot  beyond  the  cities  and  villages,  have  come  to  be  so 

aaphaJtite  lake.     But  one' of  the  first  widelyseparatedithatthereiBsolittlefelt 

things  we  have  to  do  in  endeavouring  to  reciprocity  of  interest  and  motnal  oon- 

realiio  events  which  occurred  in  those  fidence  and  regard,  that  theaervant  has 

countries  three  thousand  years  ago,  is  come  to  be  looked  upon  too  much  as  an 

to  sweep    from    onr   imaginations    all  hireling,  and  the  maeterasanoppreesor; 

thonghta  of  macadamiiied  roads,   rail-  and  the  whole  relation  between  the  two 

ways,    and    bridges   spanning    ravines  to  be  estimated  and  summed  up  by  so 

and  deep   rivers,  and  to  bring   up   in  much  labour  on  tbe  one  hand,  and  so 

their  stead   rugged   paths,    dangerous  much  wages  on  the  other;  in  short,  tiiat 

fords,  and  alow  movements  by  means  there  is  too  little  of  that  spirit  at  work 

of  the  aaa  or  the  mule.    Thus  it  was  that  now-a-days,    which  drew  forth  those 

Moab,  though  geographically  near,  was  seemly  aatutations  between  Boai  aodhia 

jet  practicaUj   a    far-off  wid    foreign  reapers  on  the  harvest-field  at  Bethle- 

land,  and  stood  quite  out  of  the  common  hem.  The  machine  of  modem  society,  at 

route  of  travellers  from  tbe  north,  south,  least  in  the  relation  of  which  we  are  now 

and  ^vest  of   ancient  Palestine.      And  speaking,  moves  with  harsh  and  grating 

there  waa  another  kind  of  distance  pro-  sound.     Now  we  do  not  stop  to  inquire 

duced  by  the  recollection  of  feuds  and  how  this  Btat«  of  things  has  been  bronght 

ammoailies  between  the  two  countries,  about, — whether  by   false   theories  of 

oentoriea  old,  and  by  the  fact  that  the  society,  or  by  mutual  wrongs, — but  most 

people  of  Hoab  were  'wholly  given  to  certainly  it  is  only  by  the  more  universal 

idolatiy,' exercised vrith  theuaualaccom-  presence  and   power    of    true   religion 

poninieDtaof  impurity  and  cmeltr  in  the  amongbothnUaater  and  servant,  that  the 

temples  of  their  idol  god  ChemoeL    Bat  evil  can  be  effectiutlly  remedied.    It  is 

men  may  not  too  nicely  cbooee  their  not  mere  political  economy  that  can  heal 

harbotir  in  a  storm.' — Pp.  26,  27.  and  sweeten  these  bitter  waters.     It  is 

Soiil-Hittory  of  Ruth. — '  In  the  tent  not  Jeremy  Bentham,  but  Jesus  Christ' 

of  her  mother-in-law,  in  the  land  of  —Pp.  101,  102. 

Moab,  she  had  vritnessed  the  silent  and  Hebrew  Faith  in  Imnuirialily.  — '  "  He 

beneficent  influence  of  her  religion  upon  hath  not  left  off  His  kindness   to  the 

her   disposition   and  conduct ;  she  had  liviae  and  to  the  dead.''     Her  meaning 

become  impresBed  with  its  beauty,  and  plainly  is,  that  kindness  to  her  and  Ruth 

even  convinced  of  ita  divinity ;  and  now  waa  kindness  also  to  Elimelech  and  to 

gmdnally  to  the  knowledge  of  heareuly  Mahlon,  for  "  true  love  in  good  men  dies 

Stings  had  risen  from  the  love  of  Naomi  not  with  the  dead."     Thia  is  one  of 


46  MOHTHLT  BBTKOSPeCT.  ""'Sl.tTMj?'^ 

maoj  panageB  in  the  older  reveUtion,  qnationable  m^ans  to  compass  t,  good 

whidi    indicate    the   belief   of    devout  end,   and  nmniog  the  hazard  of  sacri- 

laneUtea    in    the    soqI'b    immortality,  fii^g  a   good   name  in   the  nee  (rf   a 

Those  who  have  died  in  faitii  are  linng,  too  bold  aind  pnilooa  artifice.    We  may 

eonicioiB,  and  blesed.     If  fiaa    truth  generally  siupect  the  fxodenee,  if  not 

does  not  gleam  through  Mich  words  as  the  virtue,   of  an  act  when  it  needs  to 

those  of  Naomi,  what  do  they  mean?  be  concealed;  and  in  the  trembling  c^ 

It  is  a  parti  of  that  essential  theology  Boaz,    when   he   became   aware   of  his 

which    underlay    the   whole    Levitical  poeition,asweIlasinthechargeof8ecrecy 

system  of  temporal  rewards,  and  was  to  which  he  gave  to  Satb,  we  perceive  that 

BOTvive  it.     Kad  the  delightful  thought  this  was  his  judgment  as  well  as  onis. 

groTS  out  of  it,  and  rests  upon  it,  that  In  the  light  of  these  explanations,  we  en- 

we  can  still  reach  the  dead  through  the  tirely  cononr  in  the  sa^cious  remark  of 

Uving.' — P.  132.  the  eicellent  Bishop  Hall:    "-If  every 

Naom'*    Error. —  '  Bat     here    our  act  of  an  holy  person  should  be  onr  mle, 

defence  ceases,   at  lesst  in  respect  to  we  shonld  have  crooked  lives.     Every 

NsMui.     While  we  vindicate  her  inten-  action  thatisreportedianotstfughtways 

tioDS,  we  are  constrained  to  censnre  her  allowed.     OurconAes  were  very  ancer- 

measores ;     while    we    acquit    her    of  tain,   if   God   had   not  -  given   ne  rales 

designing  evil,  we  most  blame  her  for  whereby  we  may  examine  the  examples 

not  "  abstaining  from  all  appearance  of  of  the  beat  sainte,  and  as  well  censure  as 

evil."     There  was  too  much  of  conning  follow  them.'" — Pp.  147,  148. 
and  stratagem  about  the  ^pearance  of         Gotpel  in  Ruth.—  '  Especially  in  the 

the  whole  transaction,      l^ere  was  a  Ooel  or  kinsman  redeemer  we  may  be 

forcing  of  providence  whrai  there  should  vividly  remijided  of  Christ,  "  that  ever- 

have  been  a  trustful  wailing  on  it ;  a  lasting  lover  of  our  uuworthy  race,"  who 

cutting  of  a  short  wayto  a  desired  issue,  became  "bone  of  onr  bone,  and  flesh  of 

instead  of  moving  in  the  way  which  God  our  fiesh,"  wrought  ont  our  salvation, 

might  open  for  her.     There  was,  indeed,  and,  at  the  vast   expense   of   Ris  own 

the  entire  absence  of  such  falsehood  death,  redeemed  for  ns  the  heavenly  in- 

and  cruel  deception  as  stained  with  a  heritance  which  by   our  sins  we  had 

crimson  mark  the  conduct  of  Rebekah  forfdtedinto  the  handsofdivine  justice, 

and  Jacob  when  they  stole  the  blessing  and  which,  but  for  His  interposition, 

from  the  dim-idghted  and  unsuspecting  must  haveremainedforfeitedforever.' — 

Isaac,    but    there    was  the  using  S  Pp.  211,212. 


CLERICALISM. 


At  a  meeting  held  with  our  students  by  members  of  the  Synod's  Committee  Mi 

Diseetsblishment,  Dr.  Ker  used  the  word  '  clericalism,'  and  pointed  to  France  as  an 
instance  of  the  struggle  which  was  going  on  against  this  terrible  domination.  Hr. 
Rogers,  who  eo  ably  represented  our  English  Dissenting  brethren  at  the  great 
meetings  held  in  Edinburgh  and  Glasgow,  took  up  the  same  thonght,  and  pursued 
the  same  line  of  observation  thus,  aa  reported  in  the  newspapers : — 

'  Mr.  Rogers  went  on  to  express  the  belief  that  they  were  on  the  eve,  if  they 
were  not  already  in  the  midst,  of  one  of  the  most  terrible  conflicts  between  clerical- 
ism and  human  liberty  that  the  world  had  ever  witnessed.  In  France,  they  saw 
a  great  and  noble  people — a  pec^le  who  had  proved  their  right  to  be  free  by  the 
patience  with  which  they  had  endured  the  petty  meanness  and  oppreesion  to  which 
they  bad  been  subjected — harassedand  vexed  at  every  point,  their  mdustrycrippl^ 
their  commerce  hindered,  their  political  progress  checked,  for  the  purpose  of  grati- 
fying priestly  ambition.  If  they  asked  what  was  the  cause  of  French  evils,  he  did 
not  find  it  iu  the  subtle  intrigue  of  the  Due  de  Broglie  or  the  rough  brutality  of 
M.  Fourtou, — he  did  not  find  it  in  the  ambitious  speculations  of  pret4:nders  to  the 
throne, — he  did  not  find  it  in  the  duU-headed,  dogged  stupidity  of  the  man  who  by 
ft  fluke  won  his  presidency,  as  by  a  fluke  he  won  his  (mly  batUe.  If  he  went  into 
tiie  Marshal's  cabinet,  he  might  find  i\  in  Madame ;  and  if  he  found  it  iu  her,  he 


""jiDTTrwS"^'  MOHTHLr  EBTaOBPEOT.  47 

could  trace  it  back  to  tlie  inapiration  of  her  confeasar,  acting  nnder  the  diredion 
of  tlie  Ystican.  What,  he  aaked,  was  the  lewon  they  had  to  leani  from  what  was 
to  be  seen  in  France,  Belgium,  and  elsewhere  ?  It  woa  einpl;  this, — that  the  oaij 
possible  hope  for  haman  freedom  was  to  teach  the  State  to  have  nothing  to  do 
with  the  government  of  the  ChurcL  What  was  going  on  upon  the  Continent  was 
going  on  to  a  Terf  large  extent,  though  iu  a  different  degree,  in  England.' 

These  statements  have  given  great  oSence  in  certain  quarters,  and  it  has  been 
affirmed  tbat  they  discover  both  ignorance  and  ill-feeling.  Clericalism  and  State- 
dmrchiam  mean,  it  is  said,  entirely  different  things.  Let  it  be  asked,  however, 
whut  is  meant  by  '  clericalism,'  and  it  will  be  seen  that  the  difference  is  one  simply 
of  accident  or  degree.  '  Clericalism '  means  the  domination  of  the  dergy.  la 
Bomao  Catholic  countries,  this  domination  is  certainly  more  pronounced  and  mis- 
ehievona  than  in  Protestant  countries;  hut  it  exists  in  Protestant  countries  where 
there  is  a  Chnrch  by  law  esUblished.  This  gives  the  clergy  a  power  which  without 
it  they  could  never  posgess.  Hence  one  of  the  great  objects  of  Popish  priests  is 
always  to  get  the  cinl  power  placed  at  their  service  or  under  their  control.  How 
thin  is  often  done,  and  how  it  works,  is  witheringly  exposed  by  Hichelet,  in  his 
book  entitled,  Priests,  Women,  and  Families.  The  process  described  is  something 
like  the  syllogism  that  used  to  improve  and  amuse  youthful  students  of  logic,  be- 
ginning and  ending  with,  '  My  little  son  rules  the  world.' 

It  is  certainly  not  pleasant  to  be  placed  in  such  company ;  butitisto  be  observed 
that  in  this  connection  it  is  a  principle  that  is  affirmed,  not  particulai  deeds  that 
are  charged ;  and  the  principle  is,  that  wherever  a  religion  is  supported  and  enforced 
by  iegal  enactment,  you  have  in  a  greater  or  leas  degree  tlie  evil  of  clerical 
Dsuipation  and  domination. 

THE  POPE  AND  THE  QUEEN. 
Fob  some  time  past,  the  people  of  thia  eonntry  have  been  called  on  to  witness  an 
nnwonted  and  unexpectea  spectacle, — the  Pope  rejoicing  in  the  goodness  of  tiiis 
ooontry,  and  writing,  it  is  said,  an  autograph  letter  to  Her  Majesty,  eipressive  of 
gratitude  for  kindneaeeH  past  and  expected.  Those  who  believe  that  Her  Majesty 
is  'Defender  of  the  Faith,'  and  that  the  Church  of  England  is  the  bulwark  of  Pro- 
testantum,  are  a  little  or  not  a  little  distressed  at  this,  and  think  that  a  kind  of 
hvooT  is  ehown  to  Papists  which  they  do  not  deserve,  and  which  may  be  fruitful 
of  evil  reaotts. 

These  feacB,  however,  are  groundless.  It  is  true  that  Popery  is  a  subtle  system, 
and  tbat  Jesuits  are  not  to  be  trusted,  even  when  bearing  gifts  and  speaking  fair 
words.  But  still  let  justice  be  done  to  ei^ ;  and  if  we  treat  Papists  in  amanner 
which  excites  their  astonishment,  and  in  which  they  woald  not,  were  they  in  our 
circumstanees,  treat  us,  this  only  shows  that  we  are  true  followers  of  Him  who  baa 
taught  us  not  to  bring  out  adveraary  to  the  flames,  but,  by  returning  good  for  evil, 
'  to  heap  coals  of  fire  on  his  head.' 

It  seema  that  the  Pontiff  is  very  desirous,  »e  yet  his  work  is  done,  to  establish 
a  Papal  hierarchy  in  Britain.  A  quarter  of  a  century  ago,  something  of  the  kind 
now  proposed  was  attempted.  At  tbat  time  meetings  were  held  aB  over  the 
country,  and  a  strong  '  No  Popery '  feeling  ezcit«d.  It  was  thought  at  the  time 
that  some  good  Voluntaries  had  almost  lost  their  Voluntaryism,  and  in  their  horror 
of  Rome  were  willing  to  call  in  the  aid  of  Ocesar  as  a  defenca  Those,  however,  of 
clearer  and  cooler  heads  saw  the  folly  of  this,  and,  whilst  as  strongly  anti-Popish 
as  their  brethren,  were  not  thrown  into  a  state  of  unnecessary  alarm.  Notably 
among  these  was  the  late  sagacious  Dr.  Johnston  Of  Limekilns.  At  a  great  meet- 
ing in  the  Music  Hall,  Edinburgh,  he  defined  the  situation  admirably  and  calmly, 
and  caused  great  and  uproarious  mirth  by  styling  the  proposed  bishops  '  Tulchan 
Bishops,'  and  explaining  what  that  meant, 

la  these  days  there  is  little  excitement.  We  do  not  hear  now~a'days  of  pre- 
cocioas  and  apprehensive,  children  looking  into  dark  pools,  and  suggesting  that 
they  are  '  fine  places  to  drown  Papists  in,'  as  we  did  then. 

And  is  this  because  we  imagine  tbat  Popery  has  <^anged  its  nature?  We  know 
it  has  not.    But  many  things  have  happened  unce  then ;  and  we  see  forces  at  work 


48  MONTHLY  BBTROSPECT.  '     ii. ow**' 

ogainBt  which  Popeiy  U  striving  in  tuu,  aod  baTe  learned  to  canmder  the  decrew 
of  the  Vatican,  however  impodng,  aa  potBeaaed  more  Urgelj  of  the  shadow  than 
the  subatauoe  of  power. 

THE  WAR. 
It  waa  anppoaed  that  if  nothing  else  pnt  an  end,  tor  a  seasoD,  to  thia  deplorable 
Rueso-Turkisb  war,  the  rigour  of  winter  woald  intervene  and  compel  the  com- 
batants to  rest  for  a  while  from  their  dreadful  work.  Such,  however,  has  not 
been  the  csae.  The  carnage  has  never  Bta7ed ;  and  how  great  tiiat  haa  been,  may 
be  estimated  from  the  fact  that  even  before  the  fall  of  Plevna  the  Ruauans  alone 
had  lost  upwards  of  75,000  men.  When  that  atrongbold  fell,  it  was  anppoaed  that 
the  Turks  most  neceaaarily  yield  and  terms  of  peace  be  proposed ;  but  even  amidst 
appalling  and  unparalleled  aufleringa,  thej  refused  to  accept  a  fate  that  seemed 
inevitable. 

It  was  evident,  however,  after  thia  tbat  all  hopes  of  Turkej  ultimately  triumph- 
ing— s  hope  iudalged  and  expressed  by  many  in  this  country — was  at  an  end,  and 
preparation  a  muat  be  made  for  peace  on  Bussiaii  terms. 

Whilat  it  is  cause  for  thankfutneas  that  our  own  country  has  been  prevented 
from  engaging  in  thia  terrible  war,  the  action  of  a  sectum  of  tlie  people  and  td 
Government  itself  cannot  be  approved.  It  has  in  some  qnarters  brought  ns  into 
disgrace,  and  mayhap  also  into  danger  greater  than  we  imagined.  It  now  remains 
to  be  seen  what  honour  is  to  be  rendered  us  by  the  nations  of  Korope,  and  what 
part  wiU  be  taken  by  ua  in  the  negotiations  that  must  soon  ensue. 

THEOLOGICAL  LEARNING  IN  SCOTLAND. 

Professob  Flikt,  in  an  address  delivered  to  the  students  attending  the  Theological 
Society  connected  with  the  University  of  Edinburgh,  took  for  his  sabject  the  state 
of  theological  learning  in  Scotland.  He  regarded  that  atate  aa  not  at  all  satisfac- 
tory, affinned  that  we  were  dependent  on  the  men  of  other  conntdes  for  really 
learned  bot^s,  and  that  we  had  prodoced  no  worthy  commentary  on  Soriptiiie  far 
200  years. 

Professor  Blackie,  in  two  lengthened  and  very  characteriatao  epiatlea,  directed 
attention  to  the  utterances  of  '  £e  erudite  divine,'  and  emphasiied  hia  remarks. 

Concerning  thia  matter  we  have  aome  reaaon  for  congratulating  onrselves.  Our 
Church  in  its  early  days  had  other  work  to  do  than  to  train  learned  divinea,  and 
yet  it  always  honoured  learning,  and  out  of  its  poverty  made  moat  praiaewortiiy 
attempts  to  secure  an  intelligent  ministry  ;  and  it  succeeded  to  an  extent  that  ia 
cause  for  gratitude.  Just  look  at  the  very  kind  of  books  in  which  Dr.  Flint  says 
we  are  so  poor— learned  commentariee.  This  is  a  branch  of  learning  whick  some 
of  our  profeHOTB  have  cultivated  with  marked  enccem.  The  commentaries  of  Dr. 
John  Brown  and  Dr.  Eadie  are  well  known,  and  t«Btify  to  an  amount  of  learned 
and  successful  labour  which  would  have  been  remarkable  in  any  circumBtanoaa,  fant 
certainly  is  to  be  much  admired  when  it  is  remembered  that  it  formed  only  a  part 
of  the  duties  of  these  distinguished  men. 

Profeaaor  Flint  observes  that  the  fault  of  our  ignorant  o(Hidition  lies  not  with 
the  men  who  have  occupied  our  theological  cbairs,  but  with  the  ^stem, — neither 
time  nor  means  having  been  given  tiiem  worthily  to  pursue  their  stodies.  Thia 
may  be  brought  as  a  reproach  against  our  State-endowed  UniversititB,  but  it  can- 
not apply  to  US  ;  for  in  the  paat  we  were  constrained  by  circumstances  to  unite 
the  duties  of  the  pastor  and  the  professor,  but  as  soon  as  it  was  possible  the  sepa- 
ration, which  had  always  been  felt  to  be  desitable,  waa  made.  And  now  we  h&va 
reason  to  be  grateful  for  a  theological  inatitntion  nobly  equipped  with  tmly  able 
and  learned  men,  by  some  of  whom  valuable  contributions  have  been  made  to 
theological  literatiire  in  the  paat,  and  from  all  of  whom  much  may  be  expected  in 
the  future. 

Printed  by  HuitRaT  aw  Oibb,  II  Queen  Street,  and  Pabliabed  by  Wiluah 
OurKAXt  AMD  Co.,  24  St.  Qilet  Street,  Edinbnigb,  on  the  Ut  of  January 
1W8. 


miTEJ)  PRESBYTERIAN   MA&AZINB. 


FEBRUARY    1,    1878 


(i^riginal   Articles. 


PROFESSOR  FLINT  AND  THE  LOGIC  OP  THEISM. 

BT  THE  KEY.   JAMES  WABDEOP, 

{Continatd  from  page  15.) 
How  completely  Dr.  Flint  binds  himaelf  to  an  inferential  Theism  is  apparent 
from  the  following  sentences : — '  No  man  can  jndge  fairly  as  to  whether  or 
not  there  is  a  God,  who  makes  the  question  tnm  on  what  is  the  sigDificance 
of  a  few  particular  facts,  who  is  mcapable  of  gathering  np  into  one  general 
finding  the  reanlts  of  innmneralile  indications.'*  '  The  entire  argument  for  the 
dinne  existence,  which  ia  at  present  under  consideration,  can  be  no  stronger 
than  the  strength  of  the  proof  which  we  can  adduce  in  favour  of  its  (the 
world's)  having  had  a  beginning ;  and  the  only  valid  proof  of  that  which 
reason  can  hope  to  find  most  be  derived  from  the  esamination  of  the  universe 
itseE'  t  It  is  unfortunate,  I  repeat,  that  Dr.  Flint  is  an  inferential  Theist, 
otherwise  Theicm  might  have  owed  as  much  to  him  as  some  other  subjects 
do.  Final  defeat  is  assuredly  in  store  for  all  attempts  at  a  speculative  Theism 
made  along  the  road  of  inference.  Though  inferential  Theism  has  produced 
works  of  genius  and  stored  the  world  with  what  shall  be  a  possession  for 
ever,  it  h^  hitherto  been  something  like  a  logical  disaster.  Attempts  from 
intuitional  ground  hare  not  been  numerous,  systematic,  or  protracted  enough 
to  permit  the  same  being  said  of  them,  even  thongh  their  success  may  not  yet 
be  fiual.  Bnt  that  must  be  said  of  the  inferential  system,  if  a  long  and 
arduous  past  is  to  be  allowed  to  speak  on  the  point.  The  failure  of  that 
system  seems  confessed  by  the  very  course  which  it  has  more  lately  been  fain 
to  take.  Once  on  a  time  the  a-priorisls  aud  the  a-posteriorists  formed  very 
mncbttwo  separate  camps,  as  if  either  party  were  by  itself  competent  for  the 
task  6i  theistic  proof.  The  attempt  now  is  in  some  way  or  other  to  amass 
all  conceivable  proofs  into  one  vast  and  imposing  cumulus  of  evidence.^  A- 
jiosUriorist,  a-priorist,  and  intnitionalist,  are  now  sought  to  be  amalgamated. 

•  P.  63.  t  P.  101. 

t  'luitbwd  of  BaverU  proofs  of  ths  existence  of  God,  oali/ one  proof  it  paiiibU,ot  wMchthe 
diHarent  Bttcailed  proda  are  porlious.'— CArM(ia»  Titiim.  tBnrnetc  Prize  Easfty.)  By 
R-  A,  ThompBon,  M.A.  KiTingtoDB.  1855.  Vol.  i.  pp,  292-3.  Tha  proof  is  givan  m  ono 
Mntonca,  but  a,  BenteDCO  a  p»ge  ■nd  >  hali  long,  pp.  296-7.  Dr.  Flint  speaks  simikrly, 
I'P-  S3-5- 

HO.  II.  VOL.  XXII.  SEW  SBBIES. FEBRUARY  187B.  ,  -      D      . 


50  PKOPESSOa  FLINT  AND  THE  LOGIC  OF  THEISM.     '""^'TTure!'*^ 

The  combination,  however,  is  doomed  to  give  way.  Inferential  Theism, 
whetber  it  found  on  a  posteriori  or  a  priori  argnmente,  mnst  stand  or  faU 
alone ;  and  fall  it  does  by  the  trial  of  history ;  and  fall  it  must  by  inherent 
necessity.  Logically,  it  is  incompetent.  Metaphysically,  what  else  conld 
be  expected  of  it?  When  the  qaestion  is  odc  of  metaphysic  or  of  facts 
of  existence,  tlte  instrument  of  knowledge  is  an  analysis  of  the  given,  not  a 
syllogism  from  the  given.* 

It  were  to  have  been  wished  that  Dr.  Flint,  in  professedly  taking  the  posi- 
tion of  an  inferential  Theist,  had  thought  it  worth  his  while  to  give  a  moment's 
attention  in  a  preliminary  way  to  an  explicit  statement  of  what  inference  in 
this  subject  is,  and  what  iTituition  is..  Deliberately  to  have  faced  the  task  of 
sacb  an  explicit  statement  on  the  two  sides  might  have  helped  the  reader  at 
certain  tamsintbediscassion,  and  possibly  even  the  writer;  and  besides,  of  the 
two  positions,  the  mferential  one,  when  it  was  set  more  in  its  naked  trntb,  might 
have  presented  the  prerogative  claimed  for  it  in  a  more  challengeable  light; 
while  the  intuitional,  by  being  more  definitely  conceived,  might  have  sustained 
less  prejudice  at  the  author's  hands,— if  not,  vice  versd,  the  aathor  at  its 
hands,  Bnt  even  before  both  these  points,  the  meaning  of  the  word  '  proof 
would  need  to  have  been  clearly  settled.  Dr.  Flint  says,  'The  grounds  or 
reasons  which  we  have  for  our  beUef  (that  there  is  one  God;  etc.)  must  be  to 
us  proofs  of  God's  existence.'  And  he  quotes  Ulrici  to  the  same  effect; 
'  The  proofs  for  the  existence  of  (lod  coincide  with  the  grounds  for  the  belief 
in  Ood.  They  are  simply  the  real  grounds  of  the  belief  established  and  ez- 
ponnded  in  a  scientific  manner.  If  there  be  no  snch  proofs,  there  are  also 
no  snch  grounds,'  etc.  '  Those  who  affirm,'  Dr.  Flint  adds, '  that  God  exists, 
and  yet  deny  that  His  existence  can  be  proved,  mnst  either  maintain  a  posi- 
tion obvionsly  erroneous,  or  nse  the  term  proof  in  some  extraordinary  sense, 
fitted  only  to  perplex  and  mislead.'  +  All  this  shows  the  need  of  settling  the 
meaning  of '  proof.'  It  is  only  when  proof  means — what  it  does  not  mean  in 
these  quotations — inferential  or  strictly  logical  proof,  that  the  intuitioaalist 
denies  that  God's  existence  either  can  or  needs  to  be  proved.  If '  proofs ' 
are  equivalent  to  grounds  of  belief,  as  they  are  here  taken  to  be,  no  in- 
tnitionalist  denies  that  God's  existence  can  be  proved.  The  intuitionalist 
equally  with  Dr.  Flint  has  grounds  of  belief.  An  immediate  knowledge  of 
the  fact — that,  'estabhshed  and  expounded  in  a  scientific  manner,'  is  his 
ground.  But  this  meaning  of  proof,  though  Dr.  Flint's,  is  not  the  ordinary 
or  logical  sense  of  the  term.  '  Proof  is  the  deduction  of  the  material  tmtii 
of  one  judgment  from  the  material  truth  of  other  judgments.'^  Who,  then, 
nses  the  term  in  '  some  extraordinary  sense,  fitted  only  to  perplex  and  mis- 
lead,' is  apparent. 

It  is  somewhat  similar  with  the  other  words  specified,  inference  and  mtui- 
t'um.  More  definition  is  desiderated.  That  it  is  so  as  to  the  former,  the 
'  note '  on  pp.  424^5  will  show.     In  that '  note '  Dr.  Flint  breaks  a  lance 

"  'No  mattBT  of  fact  can  be  a  niBllfr  of  demonatratioQ  in  the  liighest  se.eae  of  fhe  term.' 
'  Etality  must  be  tested,  not  by  tboueht,  but  by  intuition.' — Maoasl,  Miiaphytica,  ed.  1860, 
pp.  278  ftnd  373.  '  Demonstration  in  MetaphyaicB,  in  any  proper  sense  of  the  term,  is  a  Tain 
dream.'— Prof.  Yeitch  in  Mind,  No.  G,  p.  222.  '  The  application  of  tlie  mathematical  tuethod 
to  philosophy  fixes  for  ever  an  impasiiable  gulf  between  knowing  and  being,  beuaiise  it  elimi- 
nates from  knowing  those  menial  atterliont  or  necenari/  beiiefi  in  regard  to  facta,  on  tehich 
oar  only  crmclusiom  at  to  Being  can  eoer  rrit.'  '  The  foundation  trnttis  of  eiistenco  can  only- 
rest  on  intuitiTe  belief. '^.In  ExasHnatioa  of  Prof.  Fei-rier's  Thtoiy  of  Knomng  and  Bona. 
By  Bev.  John  Cairns,  A.M.    Edin.  1856.     Pp.  8  and  12, 

+  Pp.  53-60. 

t  Ueberw^,  Loffie,  sec.  135.  'From  the  nature  of  Probation,  it  is  evident  that  Probation 
without  inf erenoe  la  impossible.' — Hamillon,  Lectures,  vol.  iv.  p.  38. 


^"f.\TuK^'    PEOFBSSOK  FLINT  AND  THE  LOGIC  OF  THEISM.  51 

with  Aristotle.  It  is  not  needfal  here  to  enter  into  the  subtleties  of  the  logic 
of  ioference  *  It  is  eaoagh  iu  the  cause  of  Theism  to  say  that  in  any  infer- 
ence, immediate  or  mediate,  the  inferred  knowledge  is  always  in  thonght 
second  to  some  other  knowledge.  The  latter  is  acqnired  firat,  and  is  indi»' 
peaeabiy  to  be  acquired  first,  if  the  other  ia  to  be  acquired  at  all ;  for  thia 
other  is,  by  some  longer  or  shorter  process,  to  be  derired  from  it.f  In  on 
inferential  system  of  theistic  evideoee,  accordingly,  the  fact  of  God's  existence 
is  not  a  first  knowledge  of  the  mind,  self-evident  and  underived.  It  is  logic- 
all;  BecoQd  to  some  other  knowledge,  and  gets  its  gnarantee  or  substantiating 
endeace  from  that  other.  It  is  true,  if  that  other  is  true.  "Now,  when  it  ia 
J  said,  we  know  where  we  are ;  we  know  what  is  meant,  and  what 

i  be  meant,  when  Dr.  Flint  professes  himself  an  inferential  Theist  To 
mm,  the  fact  of  God's  existence  is  not  a  fact  self-evident  and  given  intuitively 
to  the  mind.  There  are  other  facts  logically,  and  not  merely  chronologically, 
before  it,  from  which  it  is  a  derived  consequence. 

As  to  the  definition  of  the  other  term — intuition.  Dr.  Flint  omits  a 
deliberate  statement  of  what  it  is  also.  And  not  only  so,  but  while  his  re- 
jection of  intuitive  Theism  is  not  made  to  follow  on  any  criticism  of  it  that 
can  be  called  either,  systematic  or  adequate,  he  exhibits  in  occasional  expres- 
sions which  he  employs  an  appreciation  of  it  that  is  certainly  not  ample, 
hardly  even  accurate.  In  fact,  considering  the  importance  ot  the  question,  . 
Wb&t  is  the  true  logic  of  Theism? — considering  what  is  the  character  of  the 
constructions  and  defences  of  an  intuitional  Theism  that  are  already  raised, 
and  what,  therefore,  was  necessary  to  cover  Dr.  Flint's  advance  to  his  own 
position,j  —  considering,  too,  the  aims  and  tendencies  of  thought  on  this 
whole  subject,  both  in  theistic  and  antitheistic  ranks,  the  student  will  certainly 
require  at  this  point  something  very  different  from  what  this  book  gives,  not 
merdy  in  amonnt  of  attention,  bnt  ia  rigour  of  thinking. 

What  gays  Dr.  Flint  in  bis  scanty  and  scattered  criticism  of  the  intni- 
tioial  system  f  It  may  be  well  to  look  at  some  of  his  remarks  on  the  system 
which  he  rejects,  before  taking  our  stand  finally  to  see  the  author  build  np 
hia  own  system  and  to  scrntinize  his  work. 

He  begins  with  a  statement  that  seems,  indeed,  to  take  the  question  out  of 
the  bands  of  both  the  inferential  and  intuitional  inquirer  alike.  '  The  proofs 
ot  God's  existence,'  he  says,  '  must  be  simply  His  own  manifestations.  They 
can  neither  be,  properly  speaking,  onr  reasonings,  nor  the  analyses  of  the 
principles  involved  in  our  reasonings.'J  What  are  called  Gfod's  manifesta- 
tions of  Himself  are  so  to  us  only  as  being  thought  by  us.  God's  works  and 
ways,  apart  from  being  thought,  are  not  manifestations  ot  Hfe  existence  to 
any  ijeing.  And  they  are  thonght  as  such  manifestations  either  in  the  form 
of  reasonings  or  of  principles  involved  in  reasonings.  Speculative  Theism  is 
inevitably  either  inferential  or  intuitional.  Dr.  Flint's  statement  would  de- 
stroy the  question  altogether,  by  leaving  no  functions  for  man's  mind  at  all 
in  gathering  the  evidence  of  God's  existence. 

In  the  one  passage  that  deals  in  any  connected  way  with  an  intnitive 
Theism,  Dr.  Flint  makes  the  following  statements.    Speaking  of  those  Tbeists 

f  ib..  vol.  i.  p.  59.  UeTjerweg'H  Lonic,  BCCB.  74,  82,  99.  Bhnto,  A  IHacoarie  an  Tivlh. 
King  &  Co.    Lond.  18T7.     Ch.  vi.     A  efanrp  disoueaion. 

t  It  ia  UDgular  that  neithtir  Hr.  Noah  Porter  (_Elemtnli  of  InttUetttud  Scienee,  part  iv.)  nor 
Prof.  Henry  Calderwood  (Phil,  of  ihe  /n/6n*(e,  3d  ed.)  Ib  rolerred  to  or  met.    Audialur  et 


.:f:i.v,  Google 


52  PROFESSOR  FLINT  AND  THE  LOGIC  OF  THEISM.     ^"'siJu'mS^'' 

who '  join  with  Atheists  in  deDjing  that  God's  existence  can  be  proved,'  he  saya,* 
'  I  confess  I  deem  this  a  most  erroneous  and  dangei'ons  proeednre.  Snch 
Theists  seem  to  me  not  only  the  best  allies  of  Atheists,  but  even  moreeffective 
labonrers  in  the  cause  of  unbelief  than  Atheists  themselves.  They  shake 
men's  confidence  to  a  far  greater  extent  in  the  reasonable  grounds  of  faith  in 
God's  existence,  and  substitute  for  these  gronnds  others  as  weak  and  arbi- 
trary as  any  Atheist  conld  possibly  wish.  They  prononnce  illegitimate  and 
invalid  the  arguments  from  effect  to  cause,  from  order  and  arrangement  to 
intelligence,  from  history  to  providence,  from  conscience  to  a  moral  governor, 
— an  assertion  which,  if  true,  infallibly  implies  that  the  heavens  do  not  declare 
the  glory  of  God,  Then,  in  place  of  a  universe  revealing  God,  and  a  son! 
made  in  His  image,  and  a  humanity  overmled  and  guided  by  Him,  they  pre- 
sent to  na  as  something  stronger  and  surer,  an  intuition,  or  a  feeling,  or  an 
exercise  of  mere  faith.'  Now,  as  to  the  alleged  atheistical  tendency  of  intui- 
.  tional  procedure,  which  is. almost  the  familiar  cry, '  the  Church  is  in  danger,' 
the  tables  may  be  turned.  Is  it  not  possible  that  one's  original  certainty  as  to 
God's  existence  may  be  shaken  for  the  first  time  only  when  it  is  discovered  that 
we  mnst  necessarily  lead  proof  for  it  ?  '  Early  dogmatic  instructions,'  says 
Professor  Calderwood,t  giving  personal  reminiscences,'  made  a  due  impression, 
and  found  a  response  in  onr  mind ;  bnt  these  arguments  (to  prove  the  exist- 
ence of  God)  for  the  first  time  startled  ns  with  the  suspicion  that  the  con- 
clnsion  might  be  false.  Left  to  ourselves,  there  was  no  difficulty ;  steering 
through  these  arguments,  there  was  doubt  and  uncertainty.'  '  The  very  fact,' 
says  Christlieb,  '  that  a  direct  certainty  of  God  exists  in  onr  minds  per  se,  is 
the  most  simple  refutation  of  Atheism.'J  To  tell  the  Atheist,  as  the  intni- 
tionalist  can  do,  that  he  is  unnatural  and  self- contradictory,  is  more  effec- 
tive than  only  to  tell  him,  as  the  inferential  Theist  can  do,  that  he  reasons 
badly. 

Dr.  Flint's  next  sentence,  in  the  passage  above,  planges  into  absolute 
scepticism  by  calling  intuitions  '  weak  and  arbitrary.'  'fhe  analysis  that 
eliminates  these  first  principles  of  knowledge  may  be  weak  and  arbitrary,  but 
let  intuitions  once,  by  a  competent  process,  be  eliminated  from  the  composite 
of  human  thinking  and  acting,  and  the  props  of  heaven  are  not  more  settled 
or  sure.  They  bear  up  the  heaven  of  knowledge.  Intoitions  are  from  the 
Creator's  own  hands  direct.    God  made  iutnitions ;  man  made  reasonings. 

As  to  the  arguments  from  effect  to  cause,  etc.,  the  intnitionahst  certainly 
does  pronounce  snch  arguments  illegitimate  and  invahd.  And  both  Dr. 
Flint  and  he  must  do  so  or  be  condemned  of  logic.  Fach  of  the  pairs  of 
terms  mentioned  gives  the  two  terms  of  a  relation  in  thought,  and  between 
the  two  terms  of  a  relation  there  is  no  argument  legitimate  or  possible. 
Will  Dr.  Flint  say  there  is,  and  break  a  lance  here  with  Hume  and  Sir  W. 
Hamilton  too,  as  he  did  lately  with  the  Father  of  Logic  ?  What  remains 
of  the  quotation  is  surely  quite  inept. 

It  is  said  on  the  page  foUowicg  the  last  quotation, '  An  intuition,  a  feeling, 
and  a  belief,  are  very  different  things ;  and  not  much  dependence  is  to  be 
put  on  the  psychology  which  is  unable  to  distinguish  between  them.'  That 
is  trne ;  but  it  looks  as  if  Dr.  Flint,  had  he  himself  duly  remembered  the 
distinction  he  so  signalizes,  conld  hardly  have  made  some  of  the  statements 
which  he  has  made  on  the  previous  ill-fated  page  which  has  been  quoted. 

Dr.  Flint  further  says,  'Theism  is  perfectly  explicable  without  intnition, 

as  the  evidences  for  it  are  nnmerons,  obvious,  and  strong.' S    Now,  not  to 

speak  of  the  fact  which  Dr.  M'Cosh — Dr.  Flint's  predecessor  in  argument — 

•  P,  80.        t  ««.  of  iht  Iffinit^  1st  «d.  p.  70.         t  ifo-fen,  Doubt,  p.  141.         g  F.  S3. 


'""^^fwnl"'     THE  POPIBH  HIEKAECHY  IN  SCOTLAND.  63 

remembers  so  well,  that  there  is  not  aDjtbiiig  that  is  explicable  perfectly  or 
at  &11  withont  intoitiou,  aod  keeping  to  the  sense  in  which  Dr.  Flint  nsee  the 
expression,  the  qaeation,  in  the  first  place,  what  we  need  or  do  not  need  as 
evidence,  is  irrelevant, — the  scientific  question  is ;  What  is  the  evidence  which 
ne  have  ?  In  the  second  place,  Dr.  Flint  himself  in  uiother  place  says, 
^  The  a  posteriori  arguments  fail  to  satisfy  either  mind  or  heart  nntit  they 
are  connected  with,  and  supplemented  by,  this  intuition  of  the  reason — 
inEmty,'  * 

Dr.  Flint  speaks  also  of  the  necessity  of  provii^  that  the  snpposed  intni- 
b'on  of  God  is  an  intuition ;  and  he  asks, '  Is  that  proof  likely  to  be  easier, 
or  more  concliuive,  than  the  proof  of  the  divine  existence  T '  How  the  im- 
mediate perception  of  God,  he  adds,  is  to  lie  '  vindicated  and  verified,' 
'  especially  if  ihexB  be  no  other  reasons  for  t>elieviDg  in  God  than  itaelf,  it  Is 
difficult  to  conceive.' t  Bat  the  relevant  qnestion,  again,  is  as  to  the  natore 
and  validity  of  onr  evidence,  not  a,s  to  its  facility.  And  with  reference  to 
*  other  reasons'  for  God's  existence  needed  to  supplement  the  intuitive,  it 
will  be  time  enough  to  examine  the  statement  when  once  Dr.  Flint  has  ex- 
plicitly made  it,  that  what  has  intnitive  evidence  needs  or  admits  any  other. 

Another  objection  to  intaitive  Theism  is  thus  stated :  '  The  history  of 
religion,  which  is  what  onght  to  yield  the  clearest  confirmation  of  the  alleged 
mtnitioa,  appears  to  be  from  beginning  to  end  a  conspicnons  contradiction 
of  it.'  'If  all  men  have  the  spiritual  power  of  directly  beholding  their 
Creator,  have  an  immediate  vision  of  God,  how  happens  it  that  whole  nations 
believe  in  the  most  absurd  and  monstrous  gods  f '  '  The  various  phases  of 
polytheism  and  pantheism,'  it  is  addod,  ^  are  inexplicable,  if  an  intuition  of 
God  be  universally  inherent  in  human  nature.'  %  If  Dr.  Flint  could  have 
Kud  that  there  had  been  no  God  at  all,  absurd  or  rational,  monstrous  or 
heantiful, — no  polytheism  or  pantheism  or  other  theism  among  the  nations 
or  some  of  them, — he  would  have  said  what  was  to  his  purpose.  What  he 
bs£  said  is  clearly  all  that  the  mtuitioual  Theist  needs  for  his  purpose.  The 
'appearance  of  contradiction,'  therefore,  between  intuitional  Theism  and  the 
'  tustory  of  religion,'  must  be  a  deceitful  appearance.  All  men  have  a  rehgion 
and  a  God.  §  To  adapt  the  language  of  Culverwell, '  I  never  heard  of  a 
nation  apostatizing  from  these  common  notions,  from  these  first  principles.'  || 
^Moreover,  how  would  Dr.  Flint  ai^ue  from  the  moral  phenomena  of  the 
world  as  to  fundamental  moral  principles,  if  he  followed  the  line  he  takes 
here  in  reference  to  Theism  1  As  to  ^  an  immediate  vision  of  Qod,' '  face  to 
face,  witbont  any  medium,'  f  and  so  on,  it  may  hurt  all  accurate  notions  in 
the  case,  it  cannot  help  them,  to  use  such  phrases. 
(To  be  continued.) 


REVIVAL  OF  THE  POPISH  HIERARCHY  IN  SCOTLAND. 

BY   REV.   JOHN   BOYD,   D.D. 

Fob  some  time  past  there  have  been  frequent  intimations  in  the  newspapers 
that  the  Pope  was  intending  soon  to  complete  bis  long  cherished  purpose  of 
bringing  again  the  whole  of  Great  Britain  under  his  pontifical  sway.  He 
would  have  done  this  in  1850,  when  he  issued  his  celebrated  '  Edict  from 
the  Plaminian  Gate,'  ia  which  he  declared  that  he  annexed  England  to  the 
See  of  Rome  as  an  integral  part  of  his  ecclesiastical  empire ;  but  the  exclu- 
sion of  Scotland  then,  from  that  scheme  for  extending  Papal  authority  and 

'P.  291.  tP-82.  tP.  83.  STylor,  P;-inai*».C^<flure,vol.  Lp.  377. 

11  A  DiKOurie,  etc.,  p.  117.  "f  Pp.  81,  TG,  sad  335. 


54  EBVIVAI.  OP  THE  ''"ftk'?^?^ 

dominatJOD,  was  not  the  result  of  accident,  bat  of  design.  The  Coart  of 
Rome  was  only  feeling  ita  way ;  it  was  jnst  trying  the  experiment  how  far  it 
conld  Ycntnre  to  push  its  pretensions,  without  exciting  the  indignant  hostility 
of  the  Protestant  people  of  Britain,  To  have  extended  the  measure  to 
Scotland,  would  have  been  to  endanger  its  success.  A  full  dose  of  pontificaJ 
presumption  might  be  too  much  for  pnbUc  endurance.  By  attempting  too 
mach  they  might  peril  all  i  and  knowing  well  how  far  the  Ritualistic  party 
had  lowered  the  tone  of  Protestant  feeling  of  England,  and  familiarized  the 
minds  of  a  lai^e  portion  of  the  people  with  Popish  dogmas  and  ceremonies, 
the  Pope  and  his  advisers  conclnded  that  the  attempt  was  more  likely  to  be 
saccessf  ai  if,  in  the  meantime,  it  was  restricted  to  the  southern  portion  of  oar 
island.  The  extension,  however,  of  the  scheme  to  Scotland  was  never  aban- 
doned or  lost  sight  of;  as  soon  as  it  conld  be  done  safely,  and  withont 
arousing  against  it  the  well-known  Protestantism  of  Scotland,  there  was  no 
doubt  bnt  it  woold  be  attempted.  And,  as  is  now  well  known,  the  Scottish 
Roman  Catholic  bishops  have  been  most  anxious  to  get  their  present  gvati 
relation  to  their  Church  altered ;  so  that  they  also  might,  hke  their  ED<;liBh 
brethren,  be  members  of  an  episcopal  hierarchy  created  by  express  pontifical 
anthority,  and  conferring  on  them  full  diocesan  anthority  over  their  respec- 
tive sees.  Moreover,  if  pnblic  report  is  to  be  believed,  Cardinal  Manning  hu 
been  labouring  most  zealously  to  effect  this  object,  with  a  view,  donbtleas,  to 
extend  the  area  of  his  own  authority,  and  rule  as  head  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
community  over  onr  whole  island,  as  well  as  to  elevate  the  Scottish  portion 
of  the  Church  into  more  direct  relationship  to  Rome  than  it  has  enjoyed  since 
the  Reformation. 

With  her  usual  astnteneas,  Rome  has  been  gradually  and  sedulously  pre- 
paring the  way  for  the  full  and  complete  development  of  her  plans,  and  to  fanu- 
Uarize  the  Scottish  people  with  Romish  titles  and  hierarchical  pretensions,  so 
thattheissningof  thecomingEdictmay  not  take  tbem  altogether  by  surprise. 
His  Holiness,  a  few  years  ago,  created  Dr.  Eyre  of  Glasgow  an  archbishop,  and 
conferred  upon  him  metropolitan  dignity  and  anthority ;  and  althongh  his  title 
is  altogether  illegal,  it  is  to  be  regretted  that  it  has  been  so  quietly  ac^niesced 
in  by  a  large  portion  of  the  people  of  Glasgow  ;*  and  as,  like  his  brother 
Archbishop  Manning,  he  has,  since  his  elevation  to  archiepis copal  position, 
been  somewhat  freqnent  in  his  attendance  at  and  taking  ptu^  in  public  meet- 
ings, Papal  dignitaries  are  no  strange  things  among  us  now,  and  when  the 
Pope  establishes  the  new  hierarciiy  we  shall  soon  become  familiar  with  the 
irhole  rank  and  file  of  the  episcopal  fraternity. 

It  is,  we  think,  very  mnch  to  be  regretted,  that  so  many  of  the  Protestants 
of  this  country  feel  very  little  concern  abont  the  doings  of  the  Pope  and  his 
Court  in  relation  to  this  matter.  They  admit  that  it  is  both  impudent  and 
presnmptaouB  for  Pope  Pins  ix.  to  send  his  Bulls  into  our  land,  and  map  ont 
oar  country  into  as  many  episcopal  dioceses  as  he  thinks  fit.  But  why,  they 
say,  trouble  ourselves,  or  make  any  outcry  on  the  sabject.  They  are  only 
his  own  subjects,  the  members  of  his  own  Church,  that  are  affected  by  it ;  it 
touches  neith.er  our  civil  nor  religions  liberties  as  Protestants ;  and  if  he 

'  YeiyUtel;  we  imetalkinf;  with  a  friend  on  this  aubjeut ;  he  Informed  as  that  he  bw,  on 
mote  ociwcions  thaa  one,  met  Dr.  Ejro  in  the  houses  of  Proteatunt  fneode,  sad  that  he  had 
heard  him  addreesBd  liy  ihera  ae  •  jour  Gracp,'  se  if  his  Papal  appointment  had  actually 

gven  bim  the  fltatus  of  a  peer  of  the  realm.  8ucb  toadyism  la  not  onlj  lamenUbly  went 
It  niterlj  unwarrantable.  An  English  archbishop  being  by  ruj»l  appDlntnieDt  »  peer  of 
eq^al  titniidiitg  to  a  dube,  he  is  entitled  to  bo  addressed  aa  'your  Grace;'  but  as  a  Romish 
•tchbUhup  Dr.  Eyre  bae  no  rmht  whateTer  to  be  so  designated  in  Pioteetant  Scotland.  The 
title  BO  applied  to  bim  is  an  ntter  and  on  warranted  misnomer. 


^"JTiitt'^-'  POPISH  HIEEABOHY  IN  SCOTLAND.  55 

chooses  to  alter  the  ecclesiastical  relations  of  his  own  people,  why  need  m 
interfere  in  the  matter.  Bnt  soch  views  we  regard  as  very  greatly  mietaken, 
and  betray  only  the  ignorance  of  those  who  express  them  of  the  policy  of  the 
Chorch  of  Rome,  and  the  ^ect  which  this  act  of  the  Pope  will  most  sssoredly 
have  on  the  religions  and  political  standing  of  erery  Roman  Catholic  in 
Scotlsod.  For  it  will,  to  a  certainty,  change  the  relation  in  which  the  Roman 
CathoUc  GommnDity  will  stand  to  the  ciTil  goTemment  and  laws  of  the  coan- 
tr;,  and  modify  the  allegiance  which  they  will  in  fntnre  give  to  them.  To 
Bee  this  clearly,  we  may  state  that  since  the  R«formati(H),  Scotiand  hae  bees 
r^rded  as  a  missionary  district  only  of  the  Roman  Chnrcb,  and  not  an  n^ 
tepA  portion  of  the  Pope's  ecclesiastical  empire.  And  although  its  bishops 
hiTe  in  later  times  been  styled ''  Vicars  Apostolic,'  still  they  are  no  more  than 
missionary  bishops,  with  titles  not  territorial,  bnt  taken  from  extinct  Seea — I'w 
partibas  in/ideUum  =  Castabsla,  Etruria,  Anazarba,  and  snch  like,  are  the 
tities  borne  by  them.  But  the  moment  the  Pope's  threatened  Bull  comes  into 
<^ratioD  these  titles  will  be  dropped,  and  others  of  a  territorial  kind,  each 
as  Glasgow,  Edinbni^h,  St.  Andrews,  et«.,  will  be  asEnmed  by  them,  and 
the  jnrisdictioB  which  they  shall  be  empowered  to  exercise  mil  be  according 
to  the  common  or  canon  law  of  the  Church  of  Rome. 

That  we  are  right  in  this  description  of  the  operation  and  effects  of  tji« 
rawtion  of  the  Papal  Hierarchy  in  Scotland,  is  proved  by  a  reference  to  the 
Bull  of  1850,  by  which  the  Pope  created  the  English  Hierarchy.  And  as 
the  proposed  pontifical  invasion  of  Scotland  is  a  mere  extension  of  that  of 
England,  there  is  no  donbt  bat  it  wilt  be  effected  in  the  same  way,  and  ths 
'Brief  for  its  erection  will,  in  snbstance  at  least,  be  a  mere  copy  of  the 
former.  If,  therefore,  we  examine  the  wording  of  the  English  Boll,  and  look 
at  its  purpose  and  design,  we  cannot  be  far  mistaken  as  to  what  the  forth- 
CDnuBg  one  for  Scotland  will  be.  The  English  Ball  was  brought  by  Cardinal 
Wiseman  from  Rome,  and  was  in  lofty  and  magniloquent  phraseology  en- 
titled, '  Edict  from  the  riaminian  Gat«.'  In  this  document  the  Pope  dfr 
dared  that  he  annexed  England  to  the  See  of  Rome  as  an  integral  part  of  his 
ecclesiastical  empire.  He  also  divided  the  whole  country  into  twelve  dioceses, 
over  which  he  placed  as  many  prelates,  with  Cardinal  Wiseman  as  their 
Metropolitan,  by  whom  they  were  henceforth  to  bo  ruled  '  according  to  the 
laws  o!  the  Church  of  Rome.'  The  main  design,  however,  of  the  Ball  was  as 
usual  stated  in  lofty  and  imposing  terms ;  for  while  it  professes  to  seek  only 
the  '  spiritual  good  of  the  flock  of  the  Lord  in  England,'  its  nnmistakeable 
object  was  to  extend  the  Papal  aothority  and  dommation  in  Great  Britain. 
In  this  memorable  document  the  Pope  tells  us,  that '  having  besought  the 
assistance  of  the  Blessed  Yirgiu  Mary,  Mother  of  God,  and  of  the  saints, 
whose  virtues  had  made  England  illustrious,'  be  now, '  in  virtue  of  that  am- 
plitode  of  apostolical  power  entra8t«d  to  him  by  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
through  the  person  of  St.  Peter  the  Prince  of  the  Apostles,'  'decreed  the  re- 
establishment  in  the  kingdom  of  England,  and  according  to  the  common  laws 
of  the  Church,  of  a  hierarchy  of  bishops,  deriving  their  titles  from  their  own 
Sees.'  The  Bull  then  went  on  to  partition  England  into  territorial  dioceses, 
and  appointed  bishops  over  them,  '  with  full  episcopal  jurisdictioD,'  the  same 
as  that  which  prelates  exercise  in  Roman  Catholic  coontries.  Along  with 
the  pablication  of  this  'Edict,'  Cardinal  Wiseman  issued  a  'Pastoral  Letter;' 
ukd  aa  we  are  likely  to  have  something  of  the  same  sort  issued  to  as  in  Scot- 
land,  it  may  not  be  amiss  to  look  at  the  terms  in  which  the  new  Cardinal 
Archbishop  set  forth  his  official  dignity  and  functions.  '  We  govern,'  he 
says, '  and  shall  continne  to  govern,  the  counties  of  Middlesex,  Hertford,  and 


56  BEVITAL  OP  THE  '^"H.^Tife?'^ 

Essex  as  ordinary  thereof,  and  those  of  Surrey,  Sossez,  Berkshire,  and 
Hampshire,  with  the  islande  uinexed,  as  administrator  with  ordinary  jariB- 
diction.'  We  solicit  special  attention  to  the  lofty  tema  in  which  ^e  new 
Popish  Metropolitan  enunciates  the  extent  of  his  anthority  and  role.  '  We 
goreru,'  says  he,  not  the  Roman  Catholic  members  of  bis  owa  chnrch  only, 
residing  in  the  coDnties  specified,  bnt  he  governs  these  counties  themselres; 
in  other  words,  he  claimB  to  mle  over  all  the  inhabitants  of  these  counties, 
DO  matter  what  their  creed,  or  the  ecclesiastical  denomination  to  which  they 
m^ht  heloDg.  That  this  was  the  real  meaniog  of  his  language  is  clearly 
proTed  by  the  cardinal's  own  newspaper,  the  Tabla  of  the  day.  '  The  Pope,' 
it  said, '  has  made  Westminster  an  archiepiscopal  See,  and  has  given  to  Dr. 
Wiseman,  now  a  cardinal,  jurisdiction  over  the  souls  of  all  men  living  within 
the  limits  of  Ms  See,  except  Jews,  Quakers,  and  nnbaptized  Protestants.' " 

Of  the  intrusive  and  presnmptnons  charact«r  of  tiiis  act  of  the  Yattcan 
there  can  scarcely  be  two  opinions  amoi^  consistent  and  well-iostmcted 
Protestants.  It  was  the  first  time  since  the  Reformation  that  any  pope  had 
dared  to  send  bis  edicts  and  briefs  directly  to  this  country  to  any  large 
portion  of  oar  people.  This  was  a  liberty  which  onr  forefathers,  who  had 
learned  from  bitter  experience  what  Popery  was,  were  obliged  to  restrain  and 
forbid.  Even  so  early  as  the  time  of  Richard  ii.,  in  1392,  and  Henry  iv., 
in  1405,  the  English  Governments  of  these  periods  were  so  pestered  bj 
persons  procuring  Bulls  from  the  Pope,  which  interfered  with,  and,  in  some 
instances,  superseded  the  operation  or  the  common  laws  of  the  land,  that 
several  statutes  were  enacted  by  Parliament  in  order  to  pnt  down  tiie  evil; 
and  all  persons  were  prohibited,  nnder  the  severest  penalties,  from  bringing 
any  Papal  Bulls  into  the  realm ;  and  that  this  was  a  moat  necessary  and 
wholesome  restriction,  must  be  obvious  to  any  one  who  calmly  and  intelli- 
gently looks  into  the  matter.  The  inliibition  of  such  Bulls  was  no  iuvasion 
of  freedom  of  conscience,  bnt  a  defence  of  public  liberty  and  law  gainst 
foreign  aggression,  '  A  Papal  Bull,'  as  Dr.  Wylie  well  observes,  f  '  is  not 
a  matter  of  religions  profession,  bnt  of  civil  obedience.  The  question  it 
raises  is  not  whether  a  Church  shall  have  the  right  to  commnnicate  with  its 
members  on  matters  of  doctrine,  bnt  whether  a  foreign  prince  shall  be  at 
liberty  to  send  his  edicts  into  this  country  and  enjoin  them  upon  the  con- 
sciences of  his  adherents  under  the  highest  penalties.'  This  was  a  liberty 
which,  taught  by  long  and  painfal  experience,  no  Roman  Catholic  Govern- 
ment allowed  to  its  priestly  subjects.  In  France,  Spain,  Austria,  Sardinia, 
"Naples,  and  even  the  States  of  Italy,  no  BuU  or  rescript  from  Itome  could 
be  recdved  and  published  by  the  bishops,  without  being  first  submitted  to 
the  civil  Government  for  consideraliou  and  sanction.}    In  Great  Britain  and 

*  Wby  'Jem,  Qu^keiB,  and  nnbspttzed  ProleaUntB' aro  excepted  may  not  be  ver; 
ertdcut  to  thoaa  ol  our  readers  who  are  nnacqualDted  with  the  peoaliar  phiaaaologT  of 
Popery.  Ths  Pope  as  bead  ol  the  Charch  claima  to  have  authority  aad  rule  over  all  bu- 
tiled  perflonB,  no  matter  to  what  sect  they  may  belong.  Protestant  baptism  is  perfectly 
valid  in  the  Chnroh  of  Borne.  Even  that  by  a  servant  girl  is  so,  proTided  that  she  in 
doiiiB:  it  uses  the  formola  of  words  wbich  ths  Chnrch  has  appointed,  and  in  the  aame  sense 
in  which  the  Ohnrch  ii»eB  them.  As  explained  by  PrnfoBSor  SleTm  of  Hajnootb,  on  hb 
examination  before  the  Parliamentary  Committee  in  1826,  the  following  ie  the  aspect  in 
whloh  Iha  Ghuroh  looks  at  the  matter.  All  baptized  pecsoDB  belong  to  the  Church  of  Christ 
The  Pope  is  the  supreme  head  and  ruler  of  the  Christian  Church.  Ergo,  all  baptized  per- 
sons are  subject  to  his  anthority.  This  was  the  ground  of  the  claim  which,  in  Ai^at  187S, 
the  Pope  made  on  the  Emperor  William  of  Clermany.  But  the  Emperor  as  a  Proteetant  re- 
fused in  his  reply  to  acknowledge  it,  and  gave  anah  excellent  reasons  for  his  nfosal,  that 
the  Pope  had  caost  assuredly  the  vorst  of  the  correspondence. 

t  WyTia'a  Borne  and  Civit  LxberUi.  o.  89. 

jBer.J 


""'fttT^'lB^'*^^  POPISH  HIEBABOHT  IN  SCOl'LAllD.  57 

Ireland  alone,  sioce  the  passing  of  the  Catholic  Emancipation  Act,  has  the 
Pope  the  fullest  Uberty  of  sending  what  Boils  he  pleases  into  the  coontrf, 
and  commanding  the  obedience  of  all  Romanists  to  whatever  he  enjoins. 

At  the  time  when  the  Roman  Pontiff  was  thns  invading  onr  Protestant 
land,  and  setting  np  his  claim  to  rnle  anpremely  over  onO'Sixtb  oE  the  entire 
popniation  of  England,  Ms  abettors  and  defenders  att«mpted  to  mitigate  and 
ezcnse  his  impertineuce  bj  affirming  that  he  had  done  no  more  than  had 
be^  done  hy  the  Episcopal  Chnrch  m  Scotland,  which  has  parcelled  ont 
Scotland  into  what  it  calls  dioceses,  and  to  the  bishops  of  these  dioceses 
has  given  territorial  titles,  taken  from  the  chief  cities  or  towns  of  the  districts 
orer  which  they  preside.  And  as  this  plea  has  within  the  last  week  or  two 
l>een  revived  and  nsed  by  two  of  onr  leading  Scotch  newspapers  to  justify 
tlie  Pope,  shonld  he  carry  his  threatened  purpose  of  reviring  the  Scottish 
hierarchy  into  effect,  and  as  we  shall  in  all  likelihood  have  it  repeated  to  as, 
it  may  be  as  well  that  we  look  at  it.  And,  in  reply,  we  wonld  only  say  that, 
however  plausible  this  defence  is,  we  have  no  hesitation  m  declaring  that  the 
two  cases  are  not  at  all  analogons,  but  are  widely  and  altogether  dissimilar. 
The  Scottish  Episcopal  body,  like  all  the  Dissenting  denominations,  is  a 
purely  spiritual  society.  Its  organization  is  wholly  spiritoal,  and  any  power 
it  ctui  exercise  over  its  members  is  spiritual  also  ;  and  although  its  bishops 
have  assumed  territorial  titles,  these  titles  neither  carry  nor  involve  civil  or 
temporal  jurisdiction.  They  are,  in  fact,  mere  titles  of  courtesy,  and  beyond 
gratifying  the  episcopal  conceit  of  the  wearers,  and  imparting  to  them  a 
sort  of  nominal  and  fictitious  lordliness  and  dignity,  they  have  no  civil 
iofloence  upon  either  the  members  of  their  own  flock  or  the  community  in 
general.*  But  with  the  Chnrch  of  Rome  the  case  is  perfectly  different :  she 
is  not  a  purely  spiritual  society.  Her  constitution  is  of  a  very  mized  kind, 
80  that  the  secular  element  mingles  as  largely  in  it  as  does  the  spiritual. 
Hh  pontifical  head  is  not  only  an  ecclesiastical  bishop,  bnt  a  temporal 
prince,  and  in  both  characters  he  claims  a  primary  and  supreme  authority 
ever  all  his  subjects,  and  possesses  a  divine  and  infallible  right  not  only  to 
dictate  to  their  faith,  but  to  direct  tmd  control  them  in  every  department  of 
th^  conduct,  and  that,  too,  in  all  things,  whether  as  it  respects  private  or 
domestic  life,  or  the  exercise  of  their  political  duties  and  obligations. 

meat,  entitled  'B«port  from  the  Select  Committee  appointed  to  Keport  the  Nature  and 
StibMuice  ot  the  Laws  oud  Ordinances  existing  in  Foreign  Slates  tespecting  the  regulalian 
of  their  Bomui  Catholic  gubjecta  on  Eoclesieetical  Matters,  and  their  Intercouiee  with  the 
jBeeofRoina,'onlflred  to  bo  printed  by  the  HouBO  of  Commons,  28th  Juno  1816. 

•  A  most  IndierouB  Instance  of  Boottieh  Episcopal  bumptiousness  was  given  hy  the  BO- 
«tl)ed  Bishop  of  Brechin,  Dr.  Forbes,  amidst  the  excitement  occasioned  by  tbe  Fipal 
invasion  of  1S50.  This  prelate  emitted  a  solemn  protest  against  the  erection  of  the  English 
hierarchy,  on  the  ground  of  its  being  'an  unbrotherly  act'  for  one  bishop  to  invade  the 
province  of  another !  His  special  veiatiDn  was  that  the  Bishop  of  Rome  had  intruded  into 
the  dioce«e  of  his  brother  bishop,  the  Bight  Rev.  Fither  in  Qod,  William,  Lord  Bishop  of 
Brechin,  as  he  magnificontij  styied  himself!  These  Scottish  bishops  seem  specially  to 
delig;hl  in  the  title  of  'Uy  Lord/ while  the  late  Dean  Bamsay,  who  knew  the  true  ecde- 
siutical  styles  of  Bcatlatid  better  than  any  of  them,  always  afflimed  that  the  title  bishop 
WIS  the  01^7  one  tbey  had  an;  right  to.  A  recent  case  ooourred  only  a  few  months  ico 
which,  to  outsiders,  seemed  not  a  little  amusing.  It  was  a  correspondence  betwoen  the 
Scottish  Episcopal  Bishop  of  Edinburgh  and  Bishop  Becklea,  Bishop  of  the  English  £pis- 
CDpal  Churches  in  Scotland.  Tbe  complaint  of  the  Ediubni^h  prelate  was  that  his  Episcopal 
brother  had  intruded  most  uncanonioolly  into  his  diocese,  whereas  he  had  no  such  thing  aa 
a  diocese  in  the  proper  sense  of  that  term.  His  diocese  does  not  extend  beyond  his  own  and 
the  other  congregations  who  acknowledge  hia  prelatic  authority,  and  submitted  to  it. 
Bishop  Beokles  was  as  free  to  preach  and  epiacopise  in  Edinburgh  and  neighbourhood  as  he 
was:  and  the  way  in  which  in  their  letters  they  addressed  each  other  as  ^My  Lord,^  was 
■musing.  Neither  of  them  had  tbe  sligbtest  right  to  such  an  appellation,  and  their  be- 
lonung  each  other  woe  a  manifestation  of  a  Diotr^ihedan  orarlag  after  prs-emineQce,  which 
k...  .....    .„  ]j^  liettet  have  avoided. 


58  MACBETH ;   OE,  GKOWTH  IH  EVIL.  """"uTms^ 

Besides,  the  re-establishment  of  the  Boman  hierarchies  in  England  and 
Scotland  cannot  possibly  be  regarded  as  a  purely  spiritnal  act  on  the  part 
of  the  Pope,  or  as  designed  merely  to  enable  the  Roman  Catholics  of  Great 
Britain  to  enjoy  more  fully  the  spiritual  benefits  which  a  closer  and  more 
direct  relation  with  the  Vatican  will  secnre  for  them.  Snch  reasons  are 
mere  pretests,  and  are  only  blinds  to  conceal  the  real  parpose  which  the 
Pope  and  Court  of  Kome  have  in  view. 

{To  be  concluded  in.  next.) 


MACBETH;  OR,  GROWTH  IN  EVIL. 

BY  KEV.  ■WTLUAM  TURNKB,  EDINBintOn. 

( Contimied.) 
Sin,  the  progeny  of  last,  is  the  mother  of  death.  With  exceHent  propriety, 
in  the  apostolic  description  of  the  fatal  process,  is  the  deed  of  transgression 
distinctly  marked  as  the  pregnant  middle  point.  The  act  of  sin  forms  a 
crisis  in  the  progress  of  the  soal  in  evil.  At  that  point  the  sinner  commits 
himself  to  unrighteousness.  Having  for  a  while  dallied  with  temptation,  be 
then  yields  to  its  sway,  and  declares  himself  an  enemy  of  God  and  a  rebd 
against  His  government.  There  may  have  been  before,  as  there  always  is, 
more  or  less  of  traitorons  desire  and  guilty  scheming ;  bnt  then  the  seal  is 
set  to  the  deed  of  treason,  and  the  standard  of  revolt  is  raised.  By  fhff  act 
of  sin  a  man  is  jndged.  Upon  that  his  own  conscience  fastens,  by  that  his 
character  before  the  world  is  determined ;  and  in  the  day  of  final  account 
God  will  try  every  man  '  according  to  his  works.'  Doubtless,  as  already 
indicated,  there  is  an  element  of  evil  in  the  disordered  affection,  and  the  root 
of  the  whole  deadly  growth  is  to  be  sought  in  the  hidden  Inst.  But  if  the 
plant  has  its  root  in  the  conceived  desire,  it  has  its  flower  in  the  outward 
act.  In  the  act  is  embodied  the  whole  vital  enei^y  of  the  man  with  all  that 
is  morally  distinctive  in  his  previous  history ;  it  is  the  oatcome  and  con- 
summation of  that  hfe  which  has  theretofore  been  growing  in  secret.  As 
plants  are  discriminated  and  classified  by  their  flowers,  so  by  their  works  is 
the  position  of  men  among  the  subjects  of  God  determined  ;  and  as  by  the 
flower  the  seed  is  formed  and  brought  forth,  so  likewise  does  sin  give  birth 
tp  a  progeny  of  its  own.  At  that  point  retribution  commences;  the  wages 
of  sin  there  begin  to  be  realized,  thongh  for  a  season  they  may  be  redQced 
and  modified  in  character  and  amount  by  the  forbearance  and  mercy  tA 
God.    '  Sin,  when  it  is  finished,  bringeth  forth  death.' 

This  crisis  is  very  clearly  marked  by  Shakespeare  in  his  parable.  Every 
drama,  according  to  the  old  canon,  mnst  have  a  beginning,  a  middle,  and 
an  end,  and  Macbeth  has  its  middle  in  the  murder  of  the  king.  This  is 
the  turning-point  alike  in  the  development  of  the  plot  and  in  the  growth  of 
the  character  of  the  leading  actor.  In  view  of  this  he  excladmB,  when  at 
last  temptation  has  fully  prevailed, — 

*  I  UD  settled,  ind  bead  np 
Each  corporal  agent  to  this  torible  feat.' 

It  is  a  weak  and  superficial  exegesis  which  seeks  to  limit  the  significance  of 
the  death  spoken  of  in  the  Bible  as  the  natural  issue  of  sin  to  one  particnW 
result, — snch  as  the  dissolution  of  the  body,  or  that  extdnctipn  of  personal 
existence  of  which  some  dream.  Sin  is  a  pregnant  blossom,  and  the  froits 
which  it  prodaces  are  manifold  as  they  are  deadly.    It  enters  the  sonl  like 


""FATima^'  MACBETH ;    OS,  GROWTH  IN  ETIL,  59 

one  of  those  poieoD  germs  of  which  phjsicisnB  tell  ns,  which,  entoriog  the 
body,  peaetr^tes  into  the  btood,  and  there  forthwith  developea  into  a  myriad 
deadly  spores,  scatteriog  fever,  exhaustion,  and  pain  thronghont  the  t^jBtem. 
The  death  of  which  the  nataral  completion  is  death  eternal  at  once  bef^iDs 
to  opa^t«.  *  His  own  iniqnities  shall  talie  the  wiclied  himself,  and  be  shall 
be  holden  with  the  cords  of  his  sioa.'  He  is  '  dead  while  he  lives.'  In  the 
words  of  Canon  Farrar, — '  The  penalty  ...  is  a  geonine  child  of  the  trans- 
gresNon.  We  receive  the  things  that  we  have  done.  There  is  a  dreadfal 
coercion  in  oar  own  iniqaities.  There  is  an  inevitable  congmity  between 
the  deed  and  its  conseqnences.  There  is  an  awfnl  germ  of  identity  in  the 
seed  and  in  the  fruit.  We  recognise  the  sown  vrind  when  we  are  reaping 
the  harvest  whirlwind.'  The  immediateness  of  the  penahy  is  inimitably 
expressed  by  Macbeth  himself  in  his  monologne  as  he  broods  donbtfnlly  and 
hesitatingly  on  the  contemplated  crime ; — 

'If  it  were  don^  when'lU  done,  then  'twere  well 

Could  trammel  up  the  conEeqneuce,  nud  catch 
With  his  BurceBus  socoess. — lb*t  but  tbis  blow 
Might  be  the  be-all,  and  tiie  end-all  here, — 
But  here,  upon  this  bsnk  and  ahool  #f  time, — 
We'd  jump  the  life  to  come.    Bot  JD  this  case. 
We  at'll  have  judgment  herp,  that  wfi  but  teach 
Bloodj  iaBtructions,  which  being  taught  return 
To  plague  the  iavcnter.     TbuB  even-bandeil  juntfcs 
Commends  the  ingredieDts  of  our  puisoned  cbalioe 
To  our  own  lips.' 

This  immediate  retribution  is  the  immediate  reaction  of  the  fixed  laws  and 
imbetiding  principles  of  the  nniverse  of  Qod  apon  the  creature  who  daringly 
becomes  a  transgressor ;  and  as  this  reaction  touches  the  transgressor  at 
vBiions  points,  so  the  retribatioo  assnmes  various  forms.  The  death,  while 
ont  in  principle  and  essence,  appears  in  different  modes  of  manifestation, 
j'ost  as  those  malarions  spores  of  which  I  spoke,  while  all  sprang  from  the 
same  germ,  operate  in  different  ways  according  to  the  medium  in  which  they 
are  developed  and  the  organ  which  they  affeci.  Some  of  the  more  marked 
of  these  forms  of  manifestation,  as  here  depicted  by  our  poet,  let  us  now 
contemplate. 

They  may  be  ronghly  classified  into  the  objective  and  the  su^ective.  In 
r^ard  to  the  former,  it  is  to  be  remembered  that  in  the  system  of  the  world, 
even  according  to  those  who  disavow  belief  in  a  personal  Qod,  there  is  a 
power  that  '  makes  for  righteonsness.'  Even  on  this  sin-disturbed  earth, 
where  '  all  is  vanity,'  the  transgressor  of  the  laws  of  righteousness  is  not 
permitted  to  have  everything  his  own  way.  For  example,  he  finds  imposed 
upon  him,  as  by  flseil  law,  a  terrible  necessity  to  go  on  in  sin.  Very 
speedily  he  is  forced  to  recognise  the  fact  that  without  renouncing  the  very 
prize  by  which  he  has  been  seduced,  there  is  no  retracement  possible  for 
hnn.  Macbeth,  indeed,  by  his  daring  crime,  secures  his  immediate  object. 
Things  at  first  appear  to  proceed  altogether  in  his  favour.  Duncan's  two 
B0D9,  Malcolm  and  Donalbain,  fearing  for  their  ovrn  safety,  slip  ont  of  the  castle 
as  soon  as  the  murder  comes  to  light,  and  flee — the  one  to  England,  the  other 
to  Ireland  j  and  it  is  concladed  (hat  they  have  been  the  instigators  of  the 
crime.  Macbeth,  as  the  most  eminent  among  the  nobility,  is  acknowledged 
as  king,  and  crowned  at  Scone.  And  yet  even  to  reach  this  his  immediate 
end  he  discovers  that  the  one  terrible  crime  is  not  sufficient.  To  the  murder 
of  the  king  be  finds  it  indispensable  to  add  the  murder  of  the  two  attendants. 
In  addition  to  this  '  double  murder,'  be  is  necessitated,  even  upon  the  spot. 


60  MACBETH ;   OB,  QBOWTH  IN  EVIL.  '"'"'i^'mw&^ 

to  act  the  part  of  a  dissembler  and  deceiver,  and  to  preteod  great  grief  and 
infinite  rt^e  at  tbe  sight  of  his  own  act.  Forthwim  he  mnst  addreea  him- 
self to  yet  more  desperate  crimes  in  order  to  secure  to  himself  and  to  his 
posterity  the  prize  for  which  he  has  played  so  deep  a  stake.  He  remembers 
that  the  witches  have  promised  to  his  friend  Banqno  a  race  of  kings,  and 
Banqno  therefore,  with  his  son  Fleance,  is  doomed  to  die.  As  these  and 
other  similar  deeds  begin  to  father  themselves  npon  their  trne  anthor  and 
the  suspicions  of  his  snbjects  become  more  and  more  openly  expressed,  be  ig 
driven  farther  and  farther  oa  in  the  career  of  crime,  till  murder  becomes  Us 
daily  employment,  and  he  is  continually  occupied  in  planning  new  schemes 
to  rid  himself  of  the  new  occasions  of  anxiety  and  fear  which  arise  aroond 
him.  He  finds  that,  save  at  a  cost  which  be  cannot  contemplate, — tbe  cost 
of  utter  temporal  disgrace  and  rain, — he  mnst  go  forward  on  the  path  he 
has  entered.  He  recognises  and  faces  the  dreadful  necessity,  and  girds 
himself  to  meet  it, — 

'  Come,  fsM,  Into  tbs  list, 
And  chunpion  me  to  tho  uttannce.' 

It  is  one  of  the  most  common  and  most  prevailing  of  the  argoments 
addressed  by  the  tempter  to  thf  young  and  the  unwary, — Just  this  oace,aQd 
all  will  be  well ;  only  this  one  dishonest  act,  and  your  fortune  will  be  made 
for  life  ;  only  this  one  taste  of  illicit  indulgence,  and  your  cravii^  wilt  be 
satisfied.  He  who  yields  to  tbe  temptation  will  infallibly  find  himself 
deceived.  AfasaJom,  when  he  became  a  rebel  against  his  father's  authoritj 
and  grasped  at  his  crown,  had  imposed  on  him  the  degradation  of  obeying 
the  vile  and  crafty  counsel  of  Ahithophel  in  regard  to  the  women  of  his 
fatb^'s  palace  '  in  the  sight  of  all  Israel.'  Gehazi,  after  be  had  by  lying 
to  the  Syrian  captain  obtained  the  gold  and  raiment  he  coveted,  behoved  ta 
lie  again  to  his  master  in  order  to  secure  the  spoil.  Deeds  of  dissimalation 
and  of  dishonesty,  of  oppression  and  of  cruelty,  inevitably  bring  other  like 
deeds  in  their  train.  No  important  object  can  be  gained  by  a  single  act, 
nnd  if  unrighteousness  is  the  path  that  leads  to  the  object  we  seek,  then  we 
must  go  through  with  it,  and  mnst  tread  the  path  faithfully  and  persever- 
ingly.  Not  only  so,  it  is  for  the  evil-doer  a  dire  necessity  that  to  all  nn- 
righteonsness  falsehood  mnst  be  added.  It  is  not  merely  that  falsehood  is 
needful  to  shield  from  disgrace, — even  where  the  sinner  has  become  in- 
different to  disgrace,  he  must,  if  it  be  possible,  disguise  himself  to  gain  the 
good  he  desires.  For  in  this  world  there  are  certain  principles, — principles 
of  mutual  justice,  trust,  aETection,— which  form  the  cement  of  society,  the 
open  and  proclaimed  violation  of  which  renders  him  who  is  guilty  of  it  an 
outlaw.  Hence,  even  those  most  r^ardless  of  righteousness  must  pat  on 
the  appearance  of  righteonsness  and  '  feign  themselves  just  men,'  if  they  are 
candidates  for  any  of  the  forms  of  good  which  society  offers.  By  the  stern 
decree  of  Heaven  hypocrisy  is  a  vice  which  waits  like  a  shadow  on  every 
other  crime  that  men  commit.  All  wrong-doers  are  doomed  to  live  nnder  the 
cloud  of  conscious  falsehood.  Evidentiy  he  can  have  pursued  but  for  a 
short  time  the  career  of  the  transgressor  whose  lite  is  not,  even  in  so  far  as 
ontward  success  and  comfort  are  concerned,  a  conspicnons  failure.  There 
is  nothing  so  difficult  to  maintain  as  consistency  in  falsehood,  and  the  more 
sins  we  commit,  the  more  lies  we  tell,  so  much  the  more  ardnous  is  it  to 
retain  hold  on  the  confidence  of  those  aroond  us  whose  help  is  indispensable. 
Very  speedily  the  men  who  say, '  We  have  made  lies  our  refuge,  and  undff 
falsehood  have  we  hid  ourselves,'  are  doomed  to  see  their  '  refuges  ofiies' 
swept  away.    If  they  are  not  prepared  forthwith  to  forfeit  their  selfish  gains 


'fttiTis^''  MACBETH;   OB,  QBOWTU  IK  EVIL.  lil 

snd  to  throw  up  tbe  game  of  traDsgresaioii  and  deceit, — if  they  cannot  make 
up  Uieir  mind  to  say,  like  the  prodigal, '  I  will  arise  and  go  to  ray  father, 
and  will  say  nnto  biin,  Father  I  have  sinDed,'  and,  like  Zacchens,  to  re- 
Dotmce  the  wages  of  nnrighteonsDeBa  and  to  restore  fourfold,  their  career 
can  eod  in  nothing  bat  disaster  and  defeat. 

I  have  jnst  adverted  to  the  impoaaibility  of  retaining  the  confidence  of 
men  while  parsning  a  course  of  wrong-doing,  and  consequently  of  secorely 
enjoying  any  of  those  forms  of  good  which  depend  on  the  help  and  sympathy 
oi  our  fellows.  The  loss  of  reputation,  of  esteem,  of  affection,  the  enconn- 
teriDg  of  general  aversion  and  suspicion,  the  doom  of  Cain, — to  be  driven 
forth  as  '  a  fngitire  and  a  vagabond,'  with  the  fear  '  every  one  that  findeth 
me  shall  slay  me,' — this  in  itself  is  a  bitter  element  in  the  retribntive  con- 
seqaences  of  transgression.  This  Macbeth  in  fnll  measnre  realizes.  Not- 
withstanding bis  efforts  to  avert  suspicion  from  himself,  and  to  direct  -it 
towards  tbe  two  sons  of  his  victim,  the  truth  is  speedily  sarmiaed,  and  secret 
whisperings  begin  to  circulate.     Says  Banqno  : 

<  Thou  bait  it  now,  King,  Caffdor,  Olamis, 
Ab  the  weird  sisters  promlaed,  and  I  fear 
Thou  pltty'dst  most  louU y  for  't' 

The  thanes  also  hint  to  one  another  in  guarded  language  their  common 
suspicions : 

'  How  it  did  grieve  Macbeth !  did  lie  not  straight 
In  pious  r»ge  the  two  dfllinqu«iila  tear 
That  wero  ths  elsvea  of  driok,  tbe  thralls  of  sleep  ? 
Was  not  that  nobl;  done  ?    Ay,  and  wisely  too ; 
For  twould  hftvo  tmgered  suy  man  alive  '     '' 

To  hear  the  mail  deny  it.     Bo  that  I  say 
He  baa  home  all  things  well ;  and  I  do  think 
That  had  be  Duncan's  sons  under  hia  key, 
As  an't,  please  HoavEn,  he  shall  not,  they  should  find 
What  'tis  to  kill  a  father.' 

As  the  usurper  advances  tn  his  career  of  blood,  the  disaffection  towards 
liim  becomes  mor«  and  more  universal  and  pronounced.  A  widespread 
revolt  springs  up  i^ainst  his  authority,  and  a  formidable  opposition, 
gatherii^  round  one  of  the  king's  sons,  is  oi^anized.  All  honest  men  begin 
to  exalt  in  the  increasing  embarrassments  by  which  the  tyrant,  as  he  has 
come  to  be  called,  is  being  hemmed  in.    Says  Angus: 

'  Now  does  he  teel 
Hia  secret  murders  sticking  on  his  hands. 
Now  minately  revolts  upbraid  his  faith-breach. 
Those  he  commands  move  only  In  commaDd, 
Nothing  in  love ;  now  does  he  feel  his  titlo 
Hang  loose  about  him  like  a  giant's  roba 
Upon  a  dwarfish  tliief.' 

The  criminal  himself  experiences  the  intense  misery  of  .knowing  that  he  is 
nniversally  hated,  and  that  his  death  vrill  be  hailed  with  general  joy ; 
<  I  have  hved  long  enough,  my  way  of  life 

Is  fall'u  Intu  the  seal',  tbe  yellow  leaf; 

And  that  vihich  should  accompauy  old  age, 

As  honour,  love,  obedience,  troope  of  friends, 

1  must  not  took  to  have,  but  in  their  stead 

Curses  not  laud  but  deep,  mouth-honour,  breath 

The  man  who  engages  in  a  course  of  transgression  may  lay  his  account  wilh 
having  his  misdeeds,  even  in  this  world,  chained  home  upon  him.  It  is  a 
<;omiQon  saying,  'Mnrder  will  out;'  but  the  same  irrepressiblenesa  characterizes 


62  MACBETH;   OB,  OEOWTH  IN  EVIL,  ^   ""si.  i^IS?^* 

all  wickedDeSB.  Dishonesty,  licentions  indulgence,  secret  tippling,  covetous- 
ness,  inconsistency  of  condact  in  every  form,  will  come  to  light,  £0  as  to  be 
recognisable  more  or  less  certainly  and  thron);hout  a.  larger  or  smaller 
circle,  throogh  every  veil,  however  plauaible,  of  orthodox  profesMon  and 
pharisaic  scrupnlosity.  As  man  has  been  made  for  and  lives  in  society,  so 
every  breach  of  that  law  of  righteousness  and  love  which  is  society's  proper 
bond  becomes  known  to  others,  and  calls  forth  their  resentment  and  mis- 
trust. Those  only  who  respect  the  interests  of  their  fellows  and  seek  thrar 
good  receive  at  their  hands  honour  and  affection,  '  Scarcely '  even  '  for  a 
righteous  man  will  one  die;  peradventnre  for  a  good  man  some  would  even 
dare  to  die.'  The  principle  enounced  by  Jesus  Christ  is  of  universal 
application, — true  for  this  world  as  for  that  to  come:  '  With  what  measure 
ye  mete,  it  shall  be  measured  to  you  again.'  And  there  is  profound  and 
universal  trnth  in  tbe  words  of  the  Hebrew  psalmist :  '  With  the  merciful 
thou  wilt  show  thyself  merciful;  with  an  npright  man  thon  wilt  show 
thyself  upright ;  with  the  pure  thou  wilt  show  thyself  pure ;  and  with  the 
froward  thou  wilt  show  thyself  froward.' 

It  is  a  still  more  painful  experience  for  the  criminal  to  find  himself 
deceived  in  his  expectations  of  worldly  hononr  and  happiness,  mocked  by 
the  infernal  powers  that  tempted  him  to  transgress,  and  disappointed  ia 
relation  to  the  very  prize  for  the  sake  of  which  he  has  defiled  his  conscience 
and  destroyed  his  peace.  Not  unseldom,  even  on  earth,  is  such  disappoint- 
ment realized ;  not  unseldom  are  sinners  doomed  to  feel  that  the  objects  foe 
which  they  have  bartered  away  their  soula  are  eluding  their  grasp,  and  that 
they  have  '  sold  themselves  foi'  nouj^ht.'  It  was  a  bitter  thing  for  a  clever 
man  like  Ahilhophel  to  discover  that  his  boasted  wisdom  was  being  turned 
to  foolishness,  that  his  able  counsels  were  bursting  like  bubbles  upon  the 
Etream,  and  that  there  remained  for  him  nothing  in  this  world  but  to  go 
home  and  hang  himself.  It  was  a  dark  day  for  the  proud,  energetic,  self- 
reliant  Saul  when  at  last  he  was  forced  to  have  recourse  to  the  help  of  the 
poor  witch  who  had  contrived  to  elude  his  own  pious  zeal,  and  when  ftom 
this  quarter  also  there  came  only  threatenings  of  disaster.  Macbeth,  too,  is 
made  to  feel  that  the  prize  he  has  aimed  at  is  escaping  from  him.  The 
assassins  who  are  hired  by  him  to  murder  Banqno  and  his  eon  Fleance 
bungle  their  work ;  Fleance  escapes,  and  the  murderer  puts  new  '  rancours 
in  the  vessels  of  his  peace'  for  an  unaccomplished  purpose.  Thus  one  aftflr 
the  other  his  plans  fail,  and  he  discovers  that  the  master  to  whom  he  has 
sold  himself  has  deceived  and  is  mocking  him.  Under  the  gloom  of  his 
thickening  troubles  he  betakes  himself  to  those  '  weird  sisters '  who  had  at 
first  allured  him  into  the  way  of  crime.  The  interview  is  not  of  a 
tranquillizing  kind,  as  we  may  judge  from  the  words  uttered  by  him  as  they 


Where  ate  thej  ?     Gone  ? 

Let  this  pemicic 

Sland  aye  nccnraed  in  th 

Galendu; 

iDfected  be  the  air  where 

oa  thej  ride, 

And  doonf  d  all  those  th 

t  trust  them.' 

Yet  does  be  obtain  from  the  consultaljon  with  the  hags 
One  d'iclares : 

'  Kone  ot  woman  born  sliall  horm  Macbeth ; ' 
anotiier : 

'  Macbeth  shall  never  vaaqnished  be,  until 
Great  Biraam  wood  to  high  Duneinane  hill 
Shall  come  agaioet  him.' 


woogic 


"""KiTi""^''     THE  END  OP  THE  CHBI8TIAN  MINI3TRT.  63 

First  the  one  st&j,  bowerer,  and  then  the  other,  disappoiote  his  hope.  The 
fresh  promises  are  fuuud  in  the  tiial  to  be  only  fresh  enticemeDta  Iniing  him 

on  to  his  fate.  Kept  in  the  letter,  the;  are  broken  in  the  spirit,  and  at  last 
he  is  forced  to  own  that  he  is  being  made  the  sport  of  hellish  deception. 
Seeii^  the  inevitable  doom  drawing  nigh,  he  exclaims,^ 

'1  pull  is  nuolation,  ■.mi  begin 
To  doubt  the  equIvgoSitiiui  of  tbe  Seed 
That  lies  like  truth.' 

'  Bo  tboae  juggling  fiendfl  no  more  belioved 
That  pslter  niih  ua  in  n  daublo  sense, 
Th»t  keep  tba  word  of  promiie  to  the  ear, 
And  bfsak  it  to  onr  hope.' 

Like  BjTon'g  Manfred  he  has  to  complain : 

'  Tbo  spirits  I  have  raised  abandon  me, 
The  spells  that  I  have  studied  baffle  me, 
The  remedy  I  recked  of  torturea  me.' 

His  nndannted  courage  degenerates  into  desperate  and  brutal  fierceness: 

'TheyliBvetiedraotoaBtftke;  I  cwnot  fly, 
Bat,  bear-like,  I  maat  flgbt  Ibe  ooureo;' 

and  he  dies  in  tbtf  fall  conacioneness  that  he  has  been  cheated  in  regard  to 
everything  yalnable  and  desirable  in  the  hope  by  which  he  had  been  indnced 
to  swerre  from  the  path  of  virtnc.  '  So  are  the  paths  of  all  that  forget 
God,  and  the  hypocrite's  hope  shall  perish ;  whose  hope  shall  be  cnt  off,  and 
whose  trust  shall  be  a  spider's  web.  He  shall  lean  npon  his  house,  bnt  it 
shall  not  stand ;  he  shall  hold  it  fast,  but  it  shall  not  endure.' 
(To  be  continued.) 


LTER  BBowN,  A.M.,  soorn  csukch, 

Yoir  are  this  day  set  apart  to  the  ministry  of  the  gospel  over  this  infant  cocgre- 
gatJon.  If  time  had  permitted,  I  might  haTe  referred  somewhat  in  detail  to 
the  circnauianccs,  so  peculiarly  interesting,  attending  your  entrance  upon  this 
pitstot&te.  It  surely  augurs  well  for  the  success  of  your  ministry  here,  as  well  as 
mdicatea  the  self-sacrifieing  eovnt  in  which  you  give  yourself  to  this  work,  that 
while  other  and  most  invitjng  fields  of  labour  were  at  your  command, — rich  gardens 
of  tbe  Lord,  already  well  enclosed,  and  well  cultivated  by  the  hands  of  previous 
husbandmen, — you  yet  preferred,  in  association  with  a  tew  earnest  spirits,  now  the 
members  of  this  congregation,  to  strLke  your  plough  into  the  open  common.  You 
lutre  come  here  not  to  build  npon  another  man's  foundatjon,  but  first  rather 
to  lay  the  foundation,  and  thereupon  to  build.  The  cousiderations  that  have 
prompted  yon  to  this  choice  must  surely  have  been  such  as  could  only  have  place 
in  a  mind  largely  possessed  with  the  mind  and  will  of  Christ.  You  have  addressed 
foOTself  to  a  task  moat  difficult  and  arduous  ;  but  you  have  this  for  warrant  and 
hope,  that  you  are  moving  along  the  line  of  the  divine  commission,  and  He  who 
has  marked  out  your  work  for  you  will  bless  and  prosper  it. 

In  altering  upon  any  important  work,  it  is  of  the  utmost  importance  that  we 
farm  to  ooreelvea  a  clear  and  definite  conception  as  to  what  the  work  is,  and  that 
«e  keep  its  high  airoa  ever  before  us.     This  is  especially  true  of  the  work  of  the 

■  This  Ehoich  IB  the  result  of  efforts  of  friends  of  Church  ££tenaIon  in  MelroM  Presbytery, 
*ho  have  done  Ihelr  work  admirably.  Tbe  new  cause,  under  its  lealous  and  able  young 
KuiUtar,  is  full  of  promise.  The  ordination,  which  took  place  on  iZlii  November  last,  was 
P*!ciiliBilj>  interesting. 


64  THE  END  OP  THE  CHHISTIAN  MINISTRY,      ""ri'ruie!'*^ 

Christian  miniatry,  which  may  be  made  to  sccompliBli  nmch  good,  in  a  lover 
sphere,  in  the  way  of  educating  men's  morals  and  manners,  and  yet  fails  entirely 
of  its  proper  purpose  if  it  fails  to  bring  umiera  to  Christ.  A  vague  ministry — 
a  ministry  that  deals  in  loose  and  colourless  doctrine,  or  that  wastes  its  energies 
from  day  to  day  in  a  sort  of  miBcellaneous  do-nothingism — is  not  only  a  UBeless 
ministry,  but  a  positive  iDJory  to  the  cause  of  truth  ;  and  this,  too,  especially 
at  a  time  when  the  failures  and  shorteomings  of  Christian  ministers  are  made 
the  most  of,  and  are  oft£n  studiously  spoken  of  as  if  they  did  not  belong  to  the 
individnab  simply,  but  were  inherent  in  the  system  wUch  they  so  unworthily 
represented.  Let  me  ask  you,  then,  ta  set  clearly  before  you  what  you  have 
got  to  do.  Yonr  object  is  to  faring  sinners  to  Christ  and  to  salvatioD.  As 
a  saved  man  yourself,  you  can  sorely  hare  no  lower  aiia  than  that — certainly  you 
can  have  no  higher  ;  for  it  is  this  high  aim  that  brings  you  into  direct  sympathy 
with  Christ,  and  with  all  that  He  has  already  accomplished  or  is  now  achieriug 
in  His  mediatorial  character.  Yon  have  thus  a  high  work,  a  definite  one  work  to 
do,  which  1  trust  you  will  ever  keep  before  yoo,  and  pursue  with  a  holy  and 
undeviatiug  pertinacity.  The  advantage  of  such  a  lofty  and  definite  object  aa  this 
wiU  be  to  nni^,  as  well  as  consecrate,  your  labours  as  a  nuDister  of  uie  gospel 
They  will  no  longe'  have  a  fragmentary  and  deeoltory  character,  when  per- 
formed at  the  call  of  so  lofty  and  definite  a  purpose.  Besides,  to  bring  sinners 
to  Christ  and  to  salvation,  in  the  condition  which  Paul  proposed  to  himself,  when 
he  Bfud  that  his  aim  was  to  present  every  man  perfect  in  Christ  Jesus, — to  do  thi& 
will  be  found  sufhciently  exhaustive  of  your  energies,  and  sufficieatly  com^sehen- 
tdve  of  the  various  portions  of  your  work,  whatever  form  almost  they  may  assume, 
I  think  it  is  the  late  Mr.  Jameson  of  Methven  who,  aft«r  remarking  on  uie  multi- 
tude of  men  and  processes  involved  in  fashioning  a  pin,  goes  on  to  dilate,  in  hia 
own  charming  way,  on  the  complexity  and  elaborateness  of  the  operation  by  which 
a  Boul  is  perfected  for  Christ.  In  order  to  achieve  this  result,  all  the  miniatrationB 
are  necessary  which  you  can  supply  in  the  pulpit  and  in  pastoral  visitation,  in  the 
Sabbath  school  and  Bible  class,  at  the  sick-bed  and  in  the  house  of  mourning, 
as  well  as  in  performing  other  details  of  ministerial  work  which  cannot  here  be 
partioulariied.  And  braides,  the  effort  to  accomplish  thia  great  end  of  your 
ministry  will  not  leave  you  much  time  for  trifling  occupations  or  faahionable 
indulgences,  even  though  such  things  were  becoming  in  a  minister  of  tbe  go^l, 
or  it  could  be  conceived  possible  that  you  had  any  taste  for  them,  when  fnm  day 
to  day  having  resting  on  you  the  care  of  immortal  souls. 

Such,  then,  is  the  end  and  aim  of  your  work  as  a  minister  of  Jesos  ChrisL 
For  the  accomplishment  of  this  end,  you  have  a  divinely  contrived  instroment, 
which  this  day  is  pat  into  your  hands,  and  which,  like  all  other  of  the  divine 
contrivances,  is  perfect  in  its  adaptations,  and,  unless  deceitfully  handled  by 
speaker  or  hearer,  unfailing  in  its  resnlto.  The  gospel  is  declared  to  be  the 
power  of  God  unto  salvation ;  and  the  preaching  of  the  gospel  is  the  agency  by 
which  this  power  takes  effect.  If,  therefore,  the  power  of  God  would  operate 
through  your  ministry,  and  accomplish  its  grand  saving  results,  the  following 
things  mnst  be  attended  to  :— 

And  first,  as  God's  method  of  bringing  salvation  is  by  a  message,  so  the  message 
must  be  faithfully  reported.  In  plain  language,  preach  the  gospel.  In  the 
present  day,  the  cry  has  been  raised  from  varioos  quarters  that  the  pulpit  is  losing 
iXa  power ;  and  the  remedy  suggested  by  many  who  are  loudest  in  the  ray,  or 
rather  oatcry,  is  one  that,  instead  of  remedying,  would  vastly  aggravate  the  evils 
complained  of.  The  proposed  cure  for  mbisterial  incapacity,  in  so  far  as  it  does 
condescend  on  something  definite  and  positive,  would  seem  to  lie  in  the  direction 
of  displacing  the  old  gospel  by  something  new, — the  newness  consisting  for  tbft 
most  part  in  this,  that  what  is  most  distinctive  of  evangelical  truth  is  to  be  left 
out.  The  remedy  proposed  is  thus  worse  than  the  disease,  granting  that  such  a 
thing  eiists.  How,  indeed,  can  it  be  otherwise,  when  we  consider  that  it  comes 
from  men  who,,  openly  or  covertly,  are  hostile  to  evangelical  religion,  who,  it 
may  be,  have  lost  faith  in  the  supernatural,  and  with  whom  nothing  is  more 
common  than  to  ignore  those  facts  concerning  human  nature  on  which  the 
entire  gospel,  as  a  remedial  system,  is  built?    Happily  for  the  gospel,  and  for 


oMMp™*j««^]  ^jjp  g(j^  jp  jg  jQ  gg  ATTAMED.  65 

laan's  nndjin^  interest  therem,  theee  great  faots  of  hnmui  natore  an  too  rtrong 
for  modem  cnticiam.  While  Dien  lire  sod  labour,  and  sin  and  BoSer,  tkey  wiS 
eagerly  cr»ve  and  welcome  that  old  gcspel,  which,  I  tniat,  it  will  erer  be  joat 
^ght,  as  it  is  your  eallins,'  to  proclaim  within  theae  walls.  Whatever  be  new  in 
the  lona  of  yooi  teaching,  let  the  maUer  of  it  be  old.  '  And  rememberiuK  that  not 
only  d<Ka  the  gospel  disclose  the  one  dirine  remedy,  but  is  also  itself  the  best 
nmolder  of  its  own  plan,  see  that  you  model  your  preaching  after  tlie  Bible  ideal, 
beginning  where  the  Bible  begins,  and  ending  where  it  enda  ;  making  that  central 
wtich  it  makes  centeal,  and  enbordinating  aU  else  to  that ;  laying  well  the  ground 
of  your  teaching  in  the  sad  facta  of  human  guUt,  depravity,  and  inability,  and 
baiidisg  thereupon  the  bleaaed  doctrines  of  grace  ;  preaenting  the  truth  in  its  own 
fine  pn^rtians,  and  in  its  various  and  perfect  adaptation  to  human  need ;  showing 
bow  it  coven  the  whole  facts  of  human  life  and  ezperience,  and  how  it  sapplies 
the  requisites  and  the  guarantees  for  a  ateady  and  progressive  advancement  in 
the  divine  life ;  blending  in  your  prelections  the  doctrinS  with  the  practical,  the 
general  with  me  particular,  and  showing  how  the  goapel,  while  a  liberal  dis- 
penaer  to  all,  has  nis  own  portion  to  each  individoal  soul ;  in  fine,  canjiiig  on 
your  hearers,  step  by  step,  and  frcan  stage  to  stage,  of  their  Christian  eooiee, 
and,  as  ^on  do  so,  ever  noldiug  up  tlie  cross  as  tlie  governing  power  in  die 
whole  Bpiritaal  movement,  like  the  pole-star,  which,  wherever  men  sail,  and 
whithersoever  they  traffic,  holda  the  commerce  of  the  world  in  its  eye. 

Need  I  aay,  secondly,  tltat  not  only  must  you  faitUully  report  the  messase 
entmsted  to  you,  bat  yon  must  seek  to  enforce  it, — more  especially  by  we 
power  that  resides  in  you  as  a  man  and  Christian.  Of  course  the  mesaage 
itself  will  carry  ita  own  testimony  to  an  eager  and  susceptible  listener  ;  but 
God  iiaa  so  tied  together  tlie  messenger  and  the  message  m  the  moral  effects 
produced  by  preaching,  that  the  two  cannot  be  separated  without  producing 
results  that  are  eith^  impotent  or  injurious.  Speaking  generally,  1  might 
obBerre  that  all  that  you  are  in  yourself  and  in  your  attainments  ought  to 
^ve  effect  to  your  preacMng.  Your  Bcholarahip,  your  wide  reading,  your 
cnltore,  your  mental  force,  your  knowledge  of  biunan  nature,  your  sympathy 
with  modem  thought,  etc,— all  these  will  have  their  place  in  the  cumulative 
moral  effect,  as  tending  to  give  freshneaa,  preciMon,  livingness  to  yonr  thought, 
ju  Tell  as  that  mod^n  tone  and  colouring  aud  direct  practic^  force  com- 
petent to  one  who  makes  daily  use  of  eyes  and  ears, — who  is  &  modem  among 
oia  books,  and  a  living  man  among  living  men.  But,  passing  by  those  elements 
of  effectiveness,  or  ratiier  umply  taking  them  for  granted,  let  me  remind  yon 
in  a  sentence  how  immensely,  now  iuciuculaUy,  the  force  of  your  message  is 
multiplied  by  personal  example  and  influence.  When  a  Christian  man  speaks 
Chri^ian  truth  from  a  pulpit,  being  what  he  is,  he  speaks  it  with  a  power 
that  ia  quite  nnique.  It  is  not  merely  that  he  commands  the  force  derived 
from  the  undoubted  earnestness  of  the  moment,  which,  as  it  comes  from  con- 
victioa  iu  the  speaker,  is  likely  to  produce  conviction  in  die  hearer,  hut 
behind  this  there  is  all  the  momentum  produced  by  that  energetic  thing 
called  personal  godliness.  This,  when  it  becomes  the  seconder  of  the  speaker^ 
appeals,  sometimes  gives  the  force  of  arrows  or  cannon-balls  to  feeble  utter- 
ances,— ^yea,  more  frequently  it  resolves  itself  into  that  power  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  by  which  the  word  spoken  is  felt  to  be  not  the  word  of  man,  but  the 
word  of  the  living  God.  And  this  power  of  personal  godliness  not  only  ever 
stands  behind  the  speaker  to  give  force  and  efficacy  to  what  he  says,  but  it 
becomes  a  ctmstant  sermon,  preaching  for  him  at  all  times,  silent  or  speaking ; 
becomes  the  geoerativo  force  by  which  he  moves  otliers  to  good, — a  sort  of 
standing  testimony,  or  living  body  of  Christian  evidences,  which,  while  Hie 
good  man  lives  and  labours,  lifts  up  its  protesting  voice  against  prevailing 
ungodhnesB,  and  gives  the  lie  to  the  sneer  or  the  scoff  of  the  infidel.  And 
this  it  does  not  the  lees  effectually,  that  the  influence  of  the  godly  minister's 
character  is  often  not  so  much  obtruded  upon  public  uotjce,  being  rather 
.olently  diffused  through  the  general  life  of  the  community,  like  the  purity  of  the 
atmosphere,  or  the  fragrance  of  flowers. 

All  this  leads  up  to  my  third  and  last  remark,  which  I  shall  do  little  more  than 

HO.  II.  VOL.  ZXn.  NEW  SERIEa.— Fi 


66  THE  END  OF  THE  CHBI8TIAN  MIHISTBT,     '■     rHi^toK'*^ 

announce, — this,  riz.,  that  if  you  wonld  do  real  work  for  G!od, — effectiTB  work, — 
you  must  be  a  inaj3  of  piayer.  It  is  only  under  this  omdition  that  the  goepel  cm 
become  the  power  of  Gfi)d  to  your  hearers — the  power  of  God  iinto  galvstioa.  The 
WTinK  power  of  God  operates  in  and  by  your  message;  but  how?  Only  through 
Qod  Himself  giving  testimony  to  the  word  of  His  ^race.  And  as  this  testimony  ig 
iiio  result  oi  a  divine  operation  that  takes  place  m  the  mind  of  both  speaker  and 
hearer,  in  the  one  case  giving  utterance  to  the  truth,  and  in  tlie  other  givtug  it 
entrance,  bo  the  preacher's  first  and  last  appeal  must  be  to  tlutt  divine  Spirit  wb» 
at  first  inspired  the  saving  message,  and  whoee  office  it  now  is  to  make  it  spiritually 
intelligible  and  convincing.  Without  prayer,  yon  are  powerleffl  as  a  preacher,  for  aU 
your  success  is  drawn  frtm  the  region  of  the  divine  energy ;  and  indeed,  when  you 
conaideT  your  work  as  a  whole,  and  the  podtion  in  wMcb  that  work  places  you  as 
standing  between  the  living  God  and  the  souls  of  sinfnl  men, — that  God  in  you 
and  by  you  may  accomplish  in  them  His  saving  power,— it  will  more  and  mare 
appear  that  prayer  must  be  the  very  atmosphere  in  which  you  live  your  life  sod 
jKrfonn  your  mmistfy.  The  more  you  realize  the  import^ce  and  magnitude  of 
the  task  set  before  you,  the  more  will  yon  feel  your  need  of  divine  wisdom  and 
divine  support,  and  the  more  earnestly  will  you  seek  them.  Tou  will  not  be 
deterred  from  your  work  bj  Uie  greatuesa  of  it,  or  by  the  formidable  character  of 
poBSible  or  conceivable  difficulties.  These  difficulties  are  there  to  be  overcome. 
If  they  were  less  than  they  are,  you  would  in  all  probability  be  less  able  to  master 
them,  for  you  might  then  be  tempted  to  lean  upon  an  arm  of  flesh  for  tliat  which, 
lightly  measured,  can  only  be  accomplished  by  the  omnipotent  grace  of  God. 
TMs  day,  in  view  of  the  future  aud  of  the  duties  that  lie  before  you,  yon  may  he 
tempted  to  aay,  'Who  is  sufficient  for  these  things?'  But  it  is  good  for  you  to 
take  this  measure  of  your  work  and  of  yourself  in  relation  to  it,  for  it  is  when 
you  most  dislmst  yourself  that  you  are  led  to  repme  the  deepest  confidence  in 
God.  In  this  deep  confidence  I  trust  you  will  begin  your  work  and  cany  tt  aa 
from  day  today.  Andif,  in  the  outset  of  your  ministry,  or  at  any  time  in  tbecomse 
of  it,  you  should  feel  discouraged  by  difficnlties  or  borne  down  by  the  sense  of 
weakness,  let  this  thought  come  to  you  for  comfort,  that  such  painful  eiperiencet 
ate  the  price  we  have  to  pay  for  the  blessed  discovery  of  God's  grace  as  being  tiut 
which  is  always  sufficient,  and  which,  when  perfected  in  ns,  is  only  made  perfect 
in  our  weakness. 

And  now,  in  addresslDg  a  few  words  to  the  congregation,  I  trust  I  shall  not  be 
misunderetood  if  I  should  err  on  the  side  of  brevity,  as  if  that  implied  that  the 
eounsels  and  encouragements  that  might  be  addressed  to  yon  were  fewer  or  less 
full  than  those  that  have  been  addressed  to  your  minister.  It  is  precisely  because 
your  duties  and  privileges  mn  parallel  to  his,  that  1  do  not  again  traverse  the 
ground  I  have  already  gone  over,  but  trust  rather  to  your  power  of  self-reflection 
and  self -application  to  give  to  the  remarks  already  made,  that  turn  that  wiU  mak» 
them  profitable  to  yon  as  well  as  to  your  minister. 

This  remark  being  made  by  way  ^  explanation,  I  shall  now  content  myself  with, 
three  observations. 

Audfirst,  having  called  your  minister  to  do  very  special  work  in  this  town, — the 
work  of  extending  and  bunding  up  God's  cause  in  this  place, — I  trast  you  will  give 
him  all  maimer  of  encouragement  and  help  in  this  work.  If  be  is  to  succeed  with 
any  measure  of  success,  and  with  such  measure  of  success  as  we  from  his  chaisctec 
and  gifts  anticipate,  it  must  be  mainly  through  the  power  which  he  is  enabled  to 
wield  tduxiugh  his  pulpit  ministrations.  I  trust,  therefore,  that  you  will  not  depend 
upon  him  doing,  or  doing  more  than  is  needful,  that  work  whidi  belongs  to  you  as 
much  as  to  him,  and  which,  when  your  hearts  and  hands  are  united,  you  will  be 
able  to  accomplish  so  well,  if  not  without  his  personal  co-operation,  at  least  with 
only  so  much  of  it  as  is  necessary  to  make  you  feel  his  hand  in  all  your  ^iritual 
movements,  and  with  bo  little  of  it  as  will  still  make  him  feel  that  the  best  of  hib 
time  and  strength  ia  still  reserved  for  his  stmly.  What  I  mean  is,  that  it  is  impoa- 
sible  for  him,  both  to  preach  well  every  Sabbath,  and  at  the  same  time  to  be 
found  itinerating  those  streets  so  many  hours  almost  every  day,  in  the  effort  to  lay 
bold  of  and  bring  under  the  means  of  grace  the  careless  and  ignorant  round  aboat 


■^  MiTSfeS^^  -AND  HOW  IT  IS  TO  BE  ATTAINED.  67 

TonrdooiB,  Both  miniater  and  people  moat  do  thrar  best  to  flQ  tliia  honse  of  Ood ; 
bat  this  will  be  best  done  b^  each  takiiiR  UieiT  own  mj, — joar  nunister  by  tbe 
powerful  advocacy  of  Cfaristian  troth  which  yoa  bare  permitted  him  to  excogitate 
Ktd  elaborate  in  l£e  Becret  proceaeea  of  silent  meditation,  and  joa  t:^  ohar^^ng 
youraelf  with  the  du^  of  seeinK  to  it  that,  as  jonr  miniater  haa  found  for  jaa  a 
aermcHL,  bo  joxx  have  foond  for  him  an  audience. 

Secondly,  in  proeecntjng  tJie  woA  of  Church  Elxtension  in  tbia  place,  I  troat  yon 
-will  do  BO  in  a  right  aprit,  eapecially  in  a  spirit  of  brotherly  goodwill  to  neigh- 
bonring  congregatioDa  and  Churches.  I  tbiok  I  ma^  aa^  for  yon  that  yonr  great 
object  in  amociating  together  aa  a  distinct  congregation  u  to  advance  the  came  of 
Christ  in  Galashiels,  and  this  in  anch  a  way  that  yoor  growth  aa  a  congr^iation 
will  not  affect  injnrioiiBly,  bat  otherwise,  the  interests  of  other  Churchea.  in  doing 
this,  joa  are  not  forbidden  to  cbeiiah  a  denominational  apirit.  I  trust  yon  will  be 
loyal  to  yoor  djatmetiTe  prinatdea  aa  a  portion  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Choni, 
and  faithful  in  maintaining  and  extending  them  in  go  far  as  yon  are  able.  Nor  are 
jon  forbidden  to  cnltirate  tboee  feeling  and  aympathiea  that  will  prompt  yon  to 
have  a  very  special  regard  for  eveirthmg  that  concerns  your  welfare  aa  a  congre- 
gation. AH  thia,  however,  mnst  be  kept  in  strict  anbordination  to  that  whit^ 
ongbt  to  be  the  aim  of  aU  the  Ghnrches  and  of  all  the  denominations,  aa  they 
attempt,  each  one  of  them  in  its  ownway,  bnt  all  together  in  Mendly  aympaUiy  and 
co-operation,  to  accomplish  the  work  of  onr  common  Lord.  There  is  a  riralry 
that  is  admisiible  into  Church  life,  bnt  it  is  not  Uie  riralry  that  is  begotten  A 
eelfiahneas  or  of  the  desire  to  prosper  at  the  expense  of  othms.  It  ia  anch  rival^ 
aa  oo-exiata  with  mutnal  esteem,  as  it  provokes  to  emulation  in  a  cause  in  which 
the  servicee  done  by  each  are  a  common  ^ood  to  all.  In  giving  utterance  to  these 
sentimenta,  I  am  eare  I  am  only  expressing  the  mind  of  the  presbytery,  both  in 
lespeet  of  the  spirit  that  animated  them  in  iuangurating  thia  Church  Extension 
movement,  and  also  in  respect  of  the  spirit  in  which  they  would  have  you  carry  it  on. 

I  would  only  Bay,  in  conduaion,  that  if  yon  would  grow  as  a  congregation, — in 
munbera  and  in  apiritoal  force  and  influence, — it  must  be  as  the  result  of  a  growth 
that  ia  inwud.  Your  own  apiritutd.  life,  therefore,  must  not  be  neglected  under 
the  ministrations  of  the  aanctnary  and  other  means  of  grace  enjoyed  by  yon  of  a 
more  prirate  kind.  It  is  only  on  the  condition  of  there  being  life  in  yonr  souls, — 
eameat,  energetic,  growing  life, — Uiat  yon  can  become  the  spring  of  life  and  heiding 
to  others.  Where  there  is  vitiil  godliness  welling  np  from  the  heart  of  a  Christian 
people,  it  operates,  and  cannot  but  operate  beneficidly.  diffuaing  sweet  and  whole- 
some inflnencee  all  around,  like  unto  what  yon  aometimea  see  in  traversiDg  the 
country,  where,  in  the  midst  of  aome  barren  waste,  you  come  upou  a  spot  of 
deUdonB  greenneea,  and  leam  that  tbe  creator  of  this  verdure  is  some  pnre  and 
living  spnng  that  bubbles  up  from  beneath.  And  if  spring  of  piety  can  thus 
make  thenuelvea  felt  when  welling  forth  in  this  quiet  and  unstudied  way,  what 
may  we  not  ezpeot  from  you,  when  you  oranbine  and  organize  your  spiritnal 
reeonrcea, — when  yon  take  the  spiritnal  life  and  energy  that  God  has  given  yon, 
and  torn  it  into  channels  where  it  will  become  serviceable  and  powetful,  like 
unto  the  flowing  river,  which,  mark  you,  ia  not  only  living  but  moving, — Uvea 
becaoae  it  moves,  and  because  it  moves  it  makes  tite  most  of  its  vivifyii^  energy, 
turning  mill-wheels  in  its  progress,  and  oreating  a  firoitful  and  smiling  vaUey 
wherever  it  flows? 

I  close  these  remarks  by  congratolating  you 
stances  under  which,  as  pastor  and  people,  you 
have  many  well-wishers  who  bid  you  Gcd-speedon  your  heavenly  errand;  yon  are 
united  among  yonrselves,  and  full  of  hope  and  courage ;  and,  over  all,  yon  have 
tbe  benediction  of  a  Master  who  ia  wise  and  atrong  and  kiiid.  As  yet  yon  are  but 
a  tittle  flock  ;  bnt  if  so,  yon  have  all  the  protection  and  encouragement  that  belong 
to  feeble  things  and  small  beginnings.  I  will  ju>t  speak  of  you,  however,  as  few 
or  feeble,  lest  I  might  misrepresent  you.  Were  this  your  actual  condition,  I  think 
1  might  conatmct  a  very  fair  prophecy  out  of  it,  aa  I  called  to  mind'the  nnmber  of 
grand  reanlts  that  have  ahaped  themaelves  ont  of  raiall  beginnings, — called  to  mind 
that  all  great  growths  are  bnt  mustard-aeeds  at  the  starting.  I  mi^ht  even  have 
reminded  yon  that  God  seems  to  have  a  speraal  delight  in  beginning  Hia  gieaA 


68  SOME  or  MT  IMPBEBBIONB  OP  A  ^""'Sl't^raf^ 

enterprises  in  a  feeble  way,  or  at  least  in  a  mj  tiiat  aeema  utterly  inoommen- 
nmte  vith  the  gnnd  reeolta  tiiat  are  to  follov.  Bat  I  will  not  offer  j^on  the  sym- 
pathy that  would  better  find  its  justification  were  we  here  to-daj  to  inBognrate  a 
much  smaller  and  feebler  movement  than  yon  represent.  Altboogh  an  infant  con- 
gremtion,  yon  have  nerer  known  the  feebleness  of  infancy.  Yon  start  to-day  a 
go<xlIy  compaay, — not  numerous,  certainly,  bnt  strong  in  that  in  which  ntuntxn 
are  often  weak, — strong  in  union,  in  heartmen,  and  in  seal  for  the  c&nse  of  Ohiifit^ 
together  with  no  email  measure  of  ability  for  carrying  it  on ;  and  I  trust,  too,  strong 
in  all  those  higher  elements  of  spiritual  force,  whidt  ere  the  guarantee  that  yon  will 
grow  both  Tiaibly  and  spiritually, — that  the  history  yon  b^in  to-day  will  be  a  his- 
tory honourable  and  endnring, — a  portion  of  God's  everlasting  memorial  when  Ee 
wiitee  up  tie  people, — that  the  tree,  as  yet  only  a  sapling,  which  this  day  we 
water  with  our  prayers  and  benedictions,  and  invoke  the  blessing  of  God  to  rest 
upon,  it,  will  become  as  a  tree  of  life  to  many,  and  onder  its  bro&demng  shadow  will 
afford  rest  and  refreshment  to  very  many  souls  for  generations  to  come. 


SOME  OF  MY  IMPRESSIONS  OF  A  TRIP  TO  JAMAICA  AND  BACK. 
(^Continued.') 
I  HAPPENED  to  witness  a  Presbyterial  viaitatiMt  at  Brownsville.  It  was  the  fint  of 
t&e  kind  that  had  taken  |dace,  and  it  took  place  iHi  a  week'dsy.  The  congregation 
was  summoned  to  church  at  a  certain  hour.  They  turned  oat  well,  men,  women, 
and  children,  the  elders  occnpying  a  long  seat  nearest  the  platform  in  frcmt  of  the 
pulpit  This  was  what  woold  be  called  in  Calabar  language  a  palaeer  day.  Ihe 
object  was  to  inquire  into  the  state  of  the  congregation  financially  and  otherwise, 
and  to  stir  up  to  more  liberality  in  giving  for  the  cause  of  Christiaiuty,  and  greata 
zeal  in  other  branches  of  Christian  duty.  The  Presbytery  met ;  the  proceedings  in 
church  were  opened  with  the  usual  sernces,  and  a  discourse  by  the  late  Hr.  Hums, 
whose  brief  mmislry  was  full  of  vigour  and  full  of  promise.  Then,  after  varions 
questions  had  been  put  and  answered  respecting  congregational  affairs,  the  elden 
were  called  up,  one  by  one,  and  asked  such  questions  as  these :  Have  yoa  been 
regular  in  visiting  the  members  of  your  district,  the  sick  especially  ?  Have  you 
held  any  meetings  with  your  people  ?  Have  yon  talked  with  any  anzioos  ones  ? 
Have  you  had  to  deal  with  any  backshdere  ?  and  so  on.  Then  each  one  in  turn 
would  stand  up  unhedtatingly,  and  make  a  speech  longer  or  shorter.  One  would 
say  he  had  done  what  he  could,{though  sensible  of  many  shortcomings  and  sins; 
another  would  frankly  confess  he  had  been  very  remisa,  bntiif  God  spared  him, 
would  be  more  careful  in  future ;  one  said  he  would  hold  prayer  meetings  ofteoer  if 
the  people  would  make  better  roads  to  their  houses,  there  was  no  getting  at  them. 
Iliis,  I  noticed,  produced  a  good  deal  of  half-uttered  indignation  in  some  of  the 
congregation.  It  was  wpitHing  to  see  how  their  feelings  changed  as  a  popular  or 
unpopmar  elder  rose  to  give  an  acconnt  of  his  stcwardshu).  I  wonder  what  tJie 
effect  would  beif  ccdling  the  elders  to  account  in  presence  of  their  people  was  made 
the  practice  at  home?  The  tneeting  proved  very  successful.  There  was  an 
improvement  noticed  in  the  collections  on  Sundays  afterwards;  and  one  interesting 
result  was  that  at  a  fixed  hour  every  evening  the  church  bell  was  rung,  calling  all 
within  BOnnd  of  it  to  family  worship  in  their  houses. 

I  may  say  here  that  I  thmk  verynighly  of  these  poor  negroes.  They  have  never 
yet  had  a  fair  chance  of  showing  what  they  are  capable  of.  Religion  is  congenial 
to  them.  They  do  love  their  spiritual  teachers.  Their  devout  men  have  a  twoA- 
able  power  of  ezpreffiing  themselves  well  in  {irayer  or  otherwise.  They  are  fond  of 
religious  talk,  and  quote  Scripture  with  correctness  and  propriety.  Is  it  wonderful 
that  they  have  many  sinful  infirmities — thatltiiey  may  be  found  sometimes  cunning, 
false,  thievish  ?  The  wonder  lather  is  that  so  many  of  the  good  qualities  of  a  msn 
and  a  Christian  are  shown  by  a  race  tiiat  have  beau  treated  for  generati<xiB  like 
dogs.  For  take  the  noblest  race  on  earth,  treat  them  ai  despicable,  and  they  will 
become  so.  How  does  God  treat  us  ?  He  treats  us  as  most  valuable  creatures,  «nd 
it  is  only  when  we  begin  to  feel  that  that  we  begin  to  be  ashamed  of  sin.  Let  ga 
treat  the  negroes  as  God  treats  us,  and  they  will  soon  advance  to  tiie  front  rank  of 
human  races. 


MTirimi*^'  TEIP  TO  JAMAICA  AND  BACK.  69 

Owing  to  the  extreme  he&t  and  the  rain,  I  woa  not  aUe  to  go  Abost  aniMiffat  tite 
people  so  nmch  as  I  could  hsTe  wished.  Itwaa  the  hottett  time  oi  an  ezcqituintdlf 
Dot  jear ;  it  irsB  tbe  lainy  Beason  abo ;  and  as  I  wished  very  deron^'  to  disappoint 
tlie  eniectatiDiia]of  frienda  at  home,  who  were  qnite  sure  that  I  would  get  smiBtroke 
or  yellow  ferer,  I  exposed  myself  as  little  an  poeaifale.  But  there  were  few  men  in  - 
the  congregation  or.district  whom,  in  one  way  and  at  one  time  or  other,  1  did  not 
meet  and  convnse  with.  Generally  they  seemed  inttdligent,  sober-misded,  waim- 
Iwaited.  In  that  district  dmnkenness  scarcely  erists,  and  the  immoralilT'  common 
inmost  other  plaoes  has  almost  bem  turned  oat  of  ooimt«nance.  Vitiiin  sndina 
of  five  miles  from  Brownsville  Chnreh  there  are  four  otbeis,  Baptists  or  HethodSsta: 
bnt  a  good  many  people  living  retired  in  the  jungle  attend  no  plaoe  of  wonlup.  I 
hare  been  told  that  none  are  so  well  instructed  in  religions  ttoMg  as  those  oon- 
neeted  with  our  Pimbyterian  congregations.  The  Baptists  md  Methodists  are 
more  anxiona  to  excite  emotion  than  to  impart  knowledge.  In  truth,  their  ministeiB 
generally  may  be  excused  for  not  imparting  much  uiowledge,  for  they  poneu 
scaicdjr  any.  Yeir  many  of  them  are  black  men  of  poor  education  and  high 
excitability ;  and  the  few  who  are  genoinely  good  nmam  so  briefly  in  one  place, 
that  in  general  the  impreesion  they  make  soon  passes  away.  Few  BpiBoopalian; 
seem  to  hare  a  care  for  giving  either  impulse  or  instruction  in  religions  thmgs  to 
th^  black  brethren.  Th^  would  seem  to  be  in  doubt  whether  negroes  have  souls 
woitii  wmng,  or  any  souls  at  aU.  Onr  Presbyterian  miMionaries  aim  at  raising 
religioua  feeUng  on  the  baaiH  of  sonnd  Bible  knowledge.  In  pnrauing  this  aim  th^ 
have  tMjed  moat  laboriously,  and  they  hare  not  laboured  m  vain.  Some  blame 
them  tor  not  producing  greater  results  in  so  many  years'  time  ;  but  their  accnsers 
do  not  seem  to  know  the  kind  of  work  they  had  to  do,  and  the  amount  of  work 
th^  have  done.  By  merely  working  on  the  feelings  of  the  people  they  might 
easilj  have  formed  large  congregations,  built  large  spiritnal  houses  without  any 
fonndation,  and  prodni^  a  black  ministry  of  a  Tery  zealous  and  inefficient  Idud. 
But  they  preferred  to  act  on  the  safe  principle  of  rearing  nothing  except  on  the 
Bohd  rock.  Consequently  their  work  baa  not  Deen  noisy,  but  it  hra  been  genuine ; 
the  reeolta  are  not  showy,  but  they  are  satiefactory  to  all  who  know  anything  abont 
them.  Some  would  have  you  leave  these  black  people  to  aonihilatioD,  and  call  your 
worit  of  saving  them  as  foolish  and  hopelees  as  Qie  attempt  to  make  ropes  of  sand. 
OUiwB,  again,  tell  yon  that  yon  have  done  enough  for  them ;  that  a  Khite  ministry 
is  too  expenaiTe  for  them  to  have  it,  and  they  must  provide  cheaper  material  for 
thenaaelveB  or  want~Done  speaking  so  who  have  had  tme  information  or  personal 
experience  in  the  matter.  The  negro  is  capable  of  as  hi^  things  as  the  white  man 
haa  reached;  bot  ^  black  ministry  befiH«  it  can  be  trusted  would  be  an  unspeakable 
disaster  to  the  Church. 

Biownsvilte  Station  was  founded  by  Hr.  Watson,  a  veteran  in  the  mission  service 
irbose  praise  I  heard  sounded  wherever  I  went  in  Jamaica.  In  Kingston,  in  Lucea, 
at  Brownsville,  not  a  few  made  kind  inquiries  after  him,  and  recced  with  much 
gmtitude  the  eminent  serviced  he  had  rendered  them  in  bygone  years.  Especially 
m  the  country  districts,  where  his  earlier  eSorts  were  made  in  times  of  slavery,  I 
found  his  memory  most  fondly  cherished  by  the  old,  and  his  name,  in  the  eyee  of 
the  young,  illuminated  with  something  like  the  glory  of  romance.  I  met  old  men 
and  women  who  told  me  how  nobly  he  advocated  their  cause,  and  imperilled  himsdf 
for  tbeir  sakee  in  times  of  political  tribulation. 

At  Brownsville  there  is  a  veteran  miBsbnary  etill.  His  hair  has  grown  grey  in  a 
serrice  of  about  36  years ;  bat  his  eye  is  not  yet  dim,  nor  his  natuml  force  almted. 
His  piety — not  lees  than  his  yean,  81 — makes  him  revered  by  all  in  the  district,  as 
the  patriarch  Abraham  must  have  been  by  hia  numerous  hoiuehold.  He  is  a  seer 
among  them  ;  and  they  repair  to  him  for  eonnael  in  difficulties  of  all  kinds,  as  they 
did  of  old  to  the  Loin's  prophet,  saying,  '  Let  us  go  up  to  the  hill  to  the  man  of 
Qbd.'  He  is  a  remarkable  man  in  many  respects — for  his  activity  and  eneig;^  of 
body  and  mind,  being  so  old — for  hia  indomitable  perseverance — hia  mechamoal 
inventivenesB  and  skill — hia  learning — and  if  I  put  it  last,  not  least,  his  Christlike 
simphcity  and  generosity.  He  wovSd  set  himself  to  rebuild  the  church  aa  readily 
as  he  would  preach  in  it,  if  it  should  be  destroyed  by  fire,  earthquake,  or  hurricane. 
He  visits  the  sick,  holds  prayer  meetings,  mends  nrnds,  builds  bridgeB,  makes  sun- 


70        IMPEBSBIONS  OF  A  TKIP  TO  JAMAICA  ASD  BACiK.     '°   SVtwtf^ 

dUla  of  manifold  BhApes  and  neu ;  tiao  makes  dictioiiaries  of  the  Hebrew,  Syriae, 
aod  Ghttldee  tongoea,  bcgitui  both  to  learn  and  to  teach  Spaoish  at  ihe  same 
moment,  traaalatee  the  l^k  of  Job,  bone  into  the  Fynuoiog,  and  occawonally 
makea  amah  with  his  pen  at  European  her«ai«fl.  I  ahonld  not  meudoa  his  fulings ; 
bat  tbia  is  one  of  them,  that  in  calcolatiiig  the  price  of  any  work  or  thing  he 
almost  always  does  it  so  that  he  himself  snail  be  a  loner.  He  pays  the  monef 
unaprudgiDgly,  and  turns  round  to  fall  into  the  same  mistake  again.  Eternal  hope 
spnngs  exnltinglj  in  his  bosom,  even  when  his  purse  is  empty  and  the  black 
workmen  are  at  his  door  on  Btrike  for  their  wages.  His  great  failing — and  one  lea 
which  I  do  not  blame  him — is,  that  he  cannot,  or  will  not,  underBtand  that  all  moi 
are  not  as  willing  to  work  for  Christ,  and  ^>eiid  all  for  Christ,  as  he  is  himsell 

He  had  begun  to  build  a  schoolhouBe  when  1  arrived.  Hitherto  the  church  had 
been  used  for  school  pniposes.  A  schoolroom  wag  needed,  and  it  most  needs  be 
provided.  The  Hieaion  Board  would  giant  some  money  for  it ;  what  more  was 
needed  he  would  give  himself,  or  get  readilj  from  generous  friends.  The  achod- 
house  is  now  finished,  1  believe,  at  about  fliiee  times  the  coat  he  calculated  on ; 
and  though  he  has  to  hold  out  his  empty  hands  to  the  four  winds,  he  is  quite  happy 
over  the  completion  of  the  work,  and  at  the  sight  of  the  great  dial  on  like  top  of  die 
house — an  instrument  of  his  own  invention,  lUkd  intended  to  act  as  a  public  dock. 
He  is  a  rare,  and  long  may  he  continue  to  be  a  living,  monument  of  human 
perseverance  and  divine  hope. 

Connected  with  Brownsville  Church  there  are  two  schools,  one  beside  the  chnidi, 
the  other  at  Fondside,  abont  two  miles  off.  One  of  the  teachers  is  black,  the  other 
brown ;  both  men  of  intelligence  and  piety,  and  well  qualified  for  their  professional 
duties.  All  the  schools  la  Jamaica  are  now  under  Government  inspection, — this, 
and  a  system  of  competitive  examination  lately  introduced,  have  made  an  immense 
improvement  on  education.  Every  child  at  school  there  is  being  educated  as  well 
as  children  commonly  are,  or  are  abont  to  be,  in  thin  country.  Amoogsl  the 
n^roes,  the  learned  and  literan-  classes  are  the  boys  and  girls.  Father  Sam  is 
h^lessly  old,  and  big  brother  Joe  carea  for  none  of  these  things. 

It  has  been  remarked  that  the  negro  reaches  his  mental  and^ednoational  maturilj 
in  bc^hood.  He  makes  eztraordinaij  progreas  till  the  verge  of  manhood,  then. 
makes  a  stand,  and  sticks  there  for  ever  mer.  I  believe  the  reason  is,  that  afta 
boyhood  he  gets  little  or  no  encouragement  in  the  way  of  education,  and  there  are 
no  public  means  provided.  He  falls  to  work  tlien,  and  the  whit«  people  are  not 
very  anxious  for  his  development  as  a  thinking  being,  for  they  suspect  it  would 
on^  make  him  work  leaa  and  seek  higher  wagea. 

In  that  land  aristocracy  does  not  go  by  Mood,  but  by  colour.  As  you  proceed 
from  iet  black  towards  pure  whito  you  get  into  the  upper  classes  of  society.  Here, 
too,  tlie  extremes  meet,  for  white  and  black  are  more  friendly  than  any  <^  the 
intermediate  ranks.    The  distinction  is  too  broad  there  to  admit  of  envyings  and 


It  is  the  joy  of  all  varieties  of  colour  to  admire  and  imitate  the  whites.  Far 
more  hcmourable.  Sambo  thinks,  to  copy  a  whito  man's  vices  than  a  black  man's 
Tirtoes.  Sometimes  the  imitations,  b^g  made  without  understanding,  are  very 
ludicrous.  One  day  Mr.  Carlile  noticed  a  red  shirt  or  petticoat  hung  out  oon^- 
caoQsly  on  the  top  of  a  pole  at  a  cabin  door.  On  inquiring  what  it  meant  he  was 
told  that  EMkiel'a  wife  had  jnst  died,  and  it  was  a  flag  of  distreaa  I 

The  negroes  are  fond  of  giving  their  children  Scripture  names.  There  is  scarcely 
any  n^ne,  good  or  bad,  in  the  Tocahnlaiy  of  prophets,  priests,  and  kings,  that  you 
do  not  find  some  of  tlwie  children  of  Ham  rejoiemg  in,  A  good  woman,  after  she 
bad  exhausted  the  patriarchs  and  the  twelve  apostles,  turned  np  the  Bible  for  a 
Christian  name  to  her  next  bom  son,  and,  without  knowing  it,  fixed  on  Beelzebub! 
How  could  her  innocent,  with  such  a  name,  be  admitted  by  baptism  or  any  other 
rite  to  the  visible  church  ?  I  hare  been  told  that  it  is  the  habit  of  some,  in  seeking 
immea  for  their  children,  to  turn  np  the  Bible  and  fix  on  the  first  one  they  see. 

I  have  alluded  to  the  simple  manners  of  the  people.  I  may  here  give  an  instance 
which  shows  also  how  reai^  some  of  them  are  to  forgive  mjnries.  A  woman  of 
strong  mind  and  muscle  had  a  provision  ground  bnide  her  house,  and  into  tioB  plot 
an  mihappy  man,  cd  smaller  dimensionB  than  she,  one  day  came  creeping  irith  the 


fi. Tuwr^  AK  APOSTOLIC  PBATBa-IJJ>DEK.  71 

nefarioQa  intent  of  talUDg  what  was  not  his  own.  Sbe  saw  the  culprit  and  seized 
him,  and  tben,  instead  of  rabinittiiig  bim  to  the  cruelty  of  public  joEitice,  and  the 
miaerj  of  fine  or  impriaonmeat,  thia  fair  Judith,  for  his  good,  dragged  Holofcrnee 
bj  the  hair  (£  the  head  oi  otherwise — some  aa.j  carried  him  on  her  nhoulderB — to 
her  own  honse,  g&ve  him  a  good  beating,  and  married  him  1  This  maj,  after  all, 
hare  been  done  by  way  of  further  punminent,  for  I  am  sorry  I  cannot  add,  what 
the  romance  nsnally  eaii  with,  that  'thev  lived  happily  ever  after.' 

Ton  will  not  be  snrpriBed  to  hear  that  tlie  negroes  do  not  always  live  in  peace  and 
aunty.  And  there  is  tma  good  effect  of  a  pare  atmosphere,  that  people  can  scold  each 
other  eatisfactorily  at  great  diatances,  where  it  would  be  tedious  to  come  to  blows. 
The  tongnea  of  angry  women  in  Jam^ca  ore  half  a  mile  long  at  least, — I  mean  that 
women  oan  stand  at  their  own  doois,  on  opposite  hills,  so  far  apart,  fire  angij 
speeches  at  one  another,  and  fight  it  out  quite  conveniently  without  straining  their 
■voices  or  uaing  their  nails.  1  have  heard  of  a  place  named  Harmony  Hall,  where 
military  music  of  this  kind  was  almost  constantly  made  by  two  black  Amaions, 
inamed  Hary  Gentle  and  Mrs.  Iiove.  It  is  a  sad  state  of  things  when  love  and 
sentleueaB,  to  prevent  fighting,  most  lire  on  separate  hills,  and  even  then  turn 

~iuony  Hall,  their  native  glen,  into  a  valley  of  discord  with  their  ill-regulated 

«  several  marriages  at  Brownsville  while  I  was  there.  The  happy  pair 
Mid  th^  friends  all  come  on  horseback.  Ton  will  scarcely  find  a  woman  rioing 
on  any  other  occasion.  Horses  and  muJes  are  cheap,  and  every  householder  has 
-one  at  least,  which  he  must  ride  to  church,  be  it  ever  so  near.  The  wedding  part; 
.are  liandsamely  dressed ;  Che  colours  not  bo  glaring  or  so  nntasteful  in  their  com- 
binations as  I  had  expected.  Very  few  of  the  young  people  are  unable  to  sign 
their  names.  If  you  officiate,  you  have  to  pay  particular  attention  to  names  and 
persons,  or  you  may  chance  to  find  the  wrong  parties  with  hands  joined,  and  taking 
solemnly,  but  unintentionally,  the  vows  upon  themselves.  One  case  I  have  heard  (A 
where  the  parties  somehow  got  disarranged  and  the  knot  was  almost  tied  round  the 
wrong  couple.  Man  and  woman  stood  beside  each  other,  the  ring  had  been  put  tm, 
the  man  had  answered  affirmatively  to  all  the  vows  pat  to  him,  and  now  the  vows 
vae  being  put  to  the  woman,  when  suddenly  a  tight  flashed  upon  her  darkened 
^inderBtanding  and  ahe  cried  out,  '  Stop,  stop,  parson,  this  is  the  wrong  man  ! ' 

Sometimes  a  bridegroom,  who  has  really  no  objections  to  the  yoke,  will  be  too 
ignorant  to  know  how  to  give  his  assent,  or  too  confused  to  know  when  to  give  it, 
and  iJie  bride  herself  has  been  seen  putting  her  hand  to  the  back  of  his  bead  and 
making  it  bob  down  mechanically  at  the  proper  times.  If  not  exactly  according  to 
law,  I  do  not  tiiink  this  mode  of  assisting  the  ceremony  could  reasonably  be 
objected  to. 

I  witnessed  no  negro  funeral  I  understand  that  on  such  occasions  both  men 
and  women  attend,  and  engage  in  religious  services,  singing  especially,  over  the 
grave.  There  are  no  graveyards  in  the  country  districts.  Th^  bnry  their  dead 
where  they  will,  or  can,  and  mark  the  spot  by  a  plant,  called  Dragon's  Blood,  with 
dark  red  leavee. 

There  are  still  lingering  some  vestiges  of  old  African  superstition.  Not  long 
since,  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Brownsville,  when  the  body  of  a  murdered  man  was 
dog  up  for  inquest,  a  knife  was  found  beside  him  in  his  coffin,  put  there  in  case  he 
might  find  it  useful  in  punishing  his  muiderer  in  the  other  world.  Their  main 
superstition  is  called  Obeahism,  something  like  witchcraft.  It  is  supposed  that 
Hnne  persons  have  a  secret  power  of  inflicting  evil,  or  of  counteracting  it.  They 
are  called  Oheah-men,  and  are  in  secret  dreaded  by  nearly  aU,  though  most  people 
-openly  make  light  of  them. 

{To  he  concluded  in  next.) 


AN  APOSTOLIC  PEATER-LADDER. 

Eph.  iii.  16-19. 

See  Apostle  Paul,  as  eveij  godly  man  thoroughly  believed  i 
must  be,  as  every  gospel  ambassador  value  and  Ihe  power  < 
should  be,  was  a  man  of  prayer.    He     accordingly  for  himself  a 


72                                 AN  APOBTOLIO  PEAYEB-IJLDDBE.  '""Si.^fc?'^ 

the  prayers  of  others,  atwl  gsve  to  others  Step  lit  of  tUs  apostolic  ladder  of 

K  large  place  in  lusown  sapf^catioiiB.  prafer:  'That  He  would  grant  you  l« 

His  epiBUes  contain  some  fine  niecimenB  be  strengthened  with  might  bg  Hi*  Spirit 

ot  Bnch  intercesnon,  on  behalf  of  Ihose  in  the  inner  man'     Here,  aa  all  throagb, 

to  vhom.  he  was  writdng,  or  among  each  eipre»ioa  has  its  wealth,  of  sng- 

■whom  he  bod  laboured;    and  nothing  gestiTeneH.    Three  points  present  them- 

conld   be  finer  than  that  which  is  in  selves:   What!  Hovit  Wieret     ' 

these  verses  for  pattern  to  ns.     It  is  1.  That  Ha  would  gi«nt  yoa — mhatf  • 

indeed  so  grand  in  scope,  and  has  such  '  To  be  strengthened  icilh  might.'    And 

a  weight  and  wealth'  of  idea  in  every  bo  ha  who  preys  reckoned  them  to  be 

clause,  that  we  can  now  only  essay  to  in  themselves  Htreogthlees,  to  have  no 

catch  up  a  few  surface  snatchea  of  the  inborn  or  self-^oouraUe  resourcea  ot 

treasure.  might ;  and  so  it  behoves  ug  to  rei^on 
in  regard  to  ourselves.    Apt  enoogh  we 

There  is  a  Jirst  elauie,  which  may  be  are  io  think  onrselvee  inherently  strongs, 

said  to  cover  and  qualify — to  cast  its  self-sufficient, — perhape  jost  when  there 

glow  of  supernal  snn-lmghtneSB  over —  may  be  the  most  reason  to  know  oor- 

all  that  follows :  '  That  He  would  grant  selves  feeble  and  nnstable.    And  then 

Siu,  accordingto  tie  riehet  of  His  ghry.'  how  some  eword-point  of  temptation  iw 

ere  is  the  measure  of  the  apostle's  tribulation  can  be  made  to  pierce  the 

asking    and    desire   on  behalf   of  'the  wind-bag  of  onr  self-delusion,  and  turn 

saints '  and  '  faithf nl '  at  Ephesus.    And  oui  pride  to  shame  J    But,  as  this  same 

what  a  measure  this  was  to  fashion  his  apostle  in  beautiful  paradox  elsewhere 

petition  by  1  what  a  fountain  for  mortal  expresses  it,  '  When  I  am  weak,  then 

man,  for  creature  of  any  degree,  to  draw  am  I  strong : '   when  most  oompietelj 

upon !    We   recall  the  word  of  king  emptied  of  self-trust  and  self-bMsliiig, 

AJiasueruB  to  hte  queen,  when  he  had  then  am  I  free  to  be  filled  with  'power 

reached  toward  her  the  golden  sceptre ;  from  on  hi^'    '  He  giveth  power  to 

'  What  is  thy  petition,  queen  Eether?  the  faint;  and  to  them  tliat  cave  no 

and  it  shall  be  granted  thee ;  and  vhat  might  He  incresaeth  strength.    £vm 

is  thy  request?  and  it  shall  be  per-  the  youths  shall  faint  and  be  varj, 

totmeA,  even  to  the  half  of  the  king-  and  the  yoong  men  shall  utterly  M: 

dom.'    The  half  of  AbaBoeros's  kingdom  but  they  that  wait  upon  the  Xxiid  ahall 

of  '  a  hundred  and  seven  and  twenty  renew  their  strength  ;  they  shall  monnt 

Cvinces,'  was  a  mighty  range  to  draw  up  with  wings  as  eagles ;  they  shall  mn 

n,  as   things   are  measured   on  the  and  not  be  weary,  and  tJiey  shall  walk, 

earth.     Bat  what  was  it  in  comparison  and  not  faint.' 

with  that  which  the  pleader's  plea  here  2.  To  be  strengthened  with  mighW 
takes  hold  of?  "Ihe  riches  of  His  hoiaf  ' Sy  His  Spirit.'  That  is,  Iha 
glory,'  who  has  heaven  for  His  throne,  Holy  Ghost,  the  third  Person  of  the 
and  the  earth  for  Hie  footatool,  and  the  ever-blessed  Trinity,  on  whom  it  de- 
universe  of  worlds  for  tiie  range  of  His  volvee,  according  to  connsel  and  anange- 
dominion  I  There,  0  believer,  is  a  bank  ment  among  the  divine  Three,  to  be 
to  transact  with  j  there  is  a  fountain  to  the  immediate  source,  the  directly  effi' 
have  recourse  to  I  Yon  sun  in  the  dent  author  and  Bustuner,  of  life  and 
firmament  may  pour  itself  forth,  may  energy  and  goodness  in  man.  Cbriet 
.bum  itself  out,  to  blacknese ;  but '  the  the  Son,  by  His  '  obadieuee  unto  death,' 
lichee  of  His  glory '  who  kindled  it  into  is  the  procurer  of  all  that  makes  up  the 
splendour  are  unreckonable  and  in-  word  salvation.  The  Holy  Spirit,  by 
exhauslable — for  ever.  immediate  influence  and  operation,  is 
Under  the  golden  glow  of  this  initial  the  applier  to  the  individaal  soul  and  to 
measuring  clause,  let  ue  take  survey  of  the  collective  Church  of  that  which  was 
the  several  petitions.  Together  they  once  for  all  procured.  And  therefore 
roa^  remind  us  somewhat  of  the  ladder  this  third  Person,  equally  with  the 
which  Jacob  saw, — itn  foot  resting  on  second  and  the  first,  shall  be  included 
the  earth,  its  top  hiding  itself  in  the  in  the  everlasting  dozologies  of  the  lan- 
inflnite  depths  of  the  radiant  heaven,  eomed. 

Some  four  or  five  steps  of  a  sublime  3.  Strengthened  with  might  liy  Bis 

prayer-ladder  are  here,  each  introduced  Smrit — where  .'      '  In   the  inner    man.' 

by  a  '  that '  or  its  equivalent.  '  The  inner  man '  aa  contrasted  with  tbe 


"•"JJ^^Tiwf"*^'           AU  AP08T0U0  PBATBE-LADDBB.  73 

ont^.     "The  inner  man,'  our  taie  mU,  indeed  bo  th&t  'tbe  game  mind'  which 

which  pmperlj  detennineB  and  rapre-  was  in  Him  is  Inminoos  in  iu — that 

senta  what  we  are,  and  what  we  atall  menfoan  reoogniM  in  na  verj  '  epistlea ' 

be ;  which  renden  va  capable  of  fellow-  of  Him  ? 
ship  with  God,  of  beanng  ^e  likenen 

of  God,  of  poeseHing  '  Ute  power  of  an  SUpSd:  *That  ye,  behtg  rooted  and 

oidleBB  li£&'    '  Might  in  the  inner  man '  groanded  in  loot,  mag  he  able  to  eompre- 

ia  Bomething  far  other  and  nobler  tiian  kend  with  aU  taiatt  lehat  U  the  breadth 

ini^t  in  ue  onter.    The  latt^  mav  and  length  and  dtptk  and  height.'    Faitii 

coiuiatwith^emoet  abject  and  thtnoogh  and  lore  are  twin  tiateiB,  are  inceparable 

and  hdplcRB  enalarement,  aa  witneea  matea  in  the  hotuehold  of  the  graces ; 

the  sbrajg  man  Samion  laid  to  Bleep  on  and  hence  the  close  following  of  tiie  one 

the  Uep  of  Delilah ;  the  former,  which  npon  the  oUier  here.    What  God  hath 

the  E^MBtle  makes  the  matter  of  hia  thos  joined  together,  let  none  presume 

intereoBion,   oanies  ils  pooetaor  into  to  Bonder. 

tiie  experience,  the  eniorment  of  'the  The  'for  this  canse'  of  ver.  14  re- 

glonom  liberty  of  the  cMdren  of  God.'  snmed  the  'for  this  caose'  of  Ter.  1 ; 

Lord,  howsoever  it  maj  be  in  respect  of  and  the  proper  connection  and  spring 

oar  fleahhf  frame,  grant  onto  na  '  to  be  of  thia  prajei  accoidinglT  is    in   the 

strengthened  with  might  bj  Thj  Spirit  doaing  reraea  of  the  pre^ding  chapter, 

in  the  inner  man ! '  Throa^  that    cloee  of  the   preceding 
chapt^  tite  fignre  of  a  bniloing  pre- 

Step  2d  of  this  apoatolic  ladder  of  vails, — a  hoi;  temple,  whereof  every 

prayer:  '  That  Christ  nay  dweU  in  govr  believer    is    a    living  stone.      And  in 

hearu  by  /aitk.'    GhriBt  in  Hie  visible  beantifol    correepondeuce    thereto,    in 

peraon  is  not  now  near  bat  far.    The  thia  stage  of  the  sapplioation,  tiie  fignro 

neavHia  have  received  Him  '  until  the  of  a  building,  in  somewhat  different 

times  of  the  restdtntdon  of  aU  thinga.'  manner  of  r^erence  and  relation,  be- 

Bnt '  might  in  the  inner  man '  bringmg  comes  evident  and  conspicnoos.    The 

iarOi  fruit  of  faith,  becoming  vigour  of  words  '  rooted  and  gronnded '  already 

faith,  what  marvels  it  is  capable  of  ac-  bring  up  the  idea  of  a  bnflding ;  and 

WDaplishing  I    Yea,  aa  Jeans    Himself  then  there  are  these  fonr  express  terms 

nid, '  Nothing  shall  be  impoadble '  to  of  measurement, 

it    'Faith,'  ve  read  in  another  epistle,  '  Breadth  and  length  and  depth  and 

'is  the  substance  of  things  hop^  for,  height  '—it  ie  not  said  of  what.    How 

the  evidence  of  things  not  seen.'    It  is  the  elHpsis  to  be  gapplied?    What, 

makes   the   unaeeu  as  if  visible,    the  in  using  snch  termB,  had  the  apostle 

distant  B8  if  near.    It  can  in  a  maimer  directly  in  his  eve  7    Some  understand 

lift  the  Bonl  into  heaven  before  the  time,  'the  love  of  Christ'  by    anticipation 

or  bring  heaven  with  its  best  things  &om  the  following  claose.    Others  think 

down  intothesool.    Heaven's  beet  tres'  of  the  smiitnal  temple  whereof  thepre- 

sore  to  the  apprehension  of  the  renewed  vious  chapter  had  spoken, — the  wide 

nature  is  Gbnst;  and  divinely  infused  embrace    of  'the    whole    family,'    the 

ene^y  of  faith  can  cause  the  heart  to  Christian  brotherhood,  in  its  imity  of 

know  Christ  as  a  very  dweller  wiUiin  it.  love.    Otiieis  suggest  tiie  divine  nsdnire 

Christ  a  '  dweller  in  the  heart  of  faith : '  and  character,  pointing  to  the  sublime 

what  establiahment  and  sense  of  security  utterance  of  Zophar  the  Naamathit«  is 

in  that !  what  peace  and  j(^  and  hope  the    Book    of    Job  :   '  Canst  thou    by 

in  that  —  earnest  and  f metasta  of  the  searching  find  out  Ood  ?  canst  thon  find 

coming  glory  I     Most  worthy  aspiration,  out  the  Almighty  unto  perfection?     It 

truly;  most  covetablc  posseBaion  1     How  is  as  high  aa  heaven;  what  oanst  thou 

far  are  we  giving  evitusee  that  it  is  so  do  ?  deeper  than  hell ;  what  canst  thou 

with  us  ?    U  Christ  be  within,  then  He  know  ?    The  measure  thereof  is  longer 

will  and  must  betray  His    presence ;  than  the  earth,  and  broader  than  the 

will  and  must  cast  forth  gome  radiance  sea.'.   On  the  whole,  the  best   int«r- 

and  aparkle  of  His  beauty  throngb  look  pretation  seems  to  be  the  divine  pnrpoge 

and  word  and  deed ;    will  and  must  of  grace,  which  is  the  apostle's  central 

leave  the  trail  of  His  own  purity  and  theme  in  the  epistle ;   the  scheme  of 

gentUneas  and  goodness  and  devoutuess  redemption,  whitm  it  is  the  grand  design 

over  Uie  footprints  of  our  goings.    la  it  of  the  gospel  to  reveal. 


74                                 AN  APOSTOLIC  PBATBE-LADDBB.  '""SiTC^f'^ 

In  reg&rd  to  thiB  bnildiiig,  there  is  to  and  jomble.    How  difFereut  when,  ve 

be  noticed — the  toxoAittioa  of  it,  tbe  haTe  entered  within,  uid  have  got  onr 

compua  of  it,  and  what  ia  said  and  enp-  foot  planted  on  tbe  dirine  pavement  of 

plicated  aa  to  the  Ephesian  belieTere  in  love  I    Then,  ae  from  a  gloilouB  vantage 

relation  tiiereto.      1.  "The  foundation,  gronnd,  the  eje  can  take  in  proportions, 

or,  as  we  ma.j  rather  say,  the  flooring  and  range  over  dimensionB,  and  trace 

of  it :  '  Kooted  and  grounded  in  love.'  oat   ever   more    and  more   marvel    tA 

Ton  can  understand  God's  love  to  as,  wisdom,  and  righteooaness  and  mercy, 

or  our  love  to  Him,  oi  love  that  flows  '  Shall  be  aUe  to  comprehend  with  all 

from  heart  to  heart  upon  the  earth.  Bunta.'   Yet  we  are  here  already  brooght 

SaOier,  perhaps,  in  such  coanection  we  in  mind  that  the  full  dimensions  are  tn- 

need  not  distmgaiBh  tiiese,  but  tMnk  comprtliensibk,  immeasurable,  even  » 

of  tiiem  as  blending  into  one  complete  God's  own  etemily  and  infinity.     The 

idea,  <Hie  inseparaUe  whole,  somewhat '  stractoie,  as  we  mnse,    expands    and 

as  in  that  sublime  saying  of  another  expands,  till  the  ontermost  bonndaiies 

apostle :    '  Crod  is  love ;    and  he  that  on  all  aides  have  widened  ont  and  away 

dwelleth  in  love,  dwells  in  God,  and  beyond  the  utmost  range  of   our  ken, 

God  in  him.'    2.  The  eon^xin  of  'Uie  and  room  is  left  for  no  leas  than  an 

building,    particularized   in    the    fonr  eternity  of  exploration.    But  jost  as  we 

measurementB  of  '  breadth  and  length  begin  now  our  survey  of  God's  pnipne 

and   depth    and  height.'    The    divine  of  grace  from  this  inner  paving  <A  lore, 

purpose  of  grace — in  its  '  breadth,' taotd  are   we    preparing    to    join    with  'aU 

as  tbe  necessity  of  man,  and  the  ex-  aainta'  and  angels  in  the  grander  le- 

nanse  of  the  world's  nations ;    in  its  searches,  the  vaster  and  all-ravishing 

'  knglh,'  long  as  the  two  eteniitJes,^  discoveries,  in  the  Jerusalem  above. 
the  eternity  of  tie  past,  in  which  it  was 

deriaed,  and  the  eternity  of  the  future,  Sltp  ith :  '  And  Co  know  the  lone  of 
through  which  it  shall  stretch  onward  Christ,  which  passeik  knowledge.'  Here 
in  bleaaed  fruition j  in  its  'depth,'  deep  still  tie  image  of  a  bnilding  ma^  be 
even  to  the  uttermost  of  human  sin  and  present  to  our  thought ;  bat  now  it  is 
-woe ;  and  in  its  '  height,'  high  as  the  love  altogether,  as  one  complete  en- 
^tudes  of  the  everlasting  glory.  S.  closure — around,  above,  beneatlL  It  is 
What  is  said  and  supplicated  tn  relation  the  same  biulding  as  before,  but  urn- 
thereto:  'That  ye,  being  rooted  and  plifled,  sublimated,  glorified' in  the  con- 
grounded  in  love,  may  be  able  to  cwn-  ception  of  it,  till  all  around  us  tiere 
prehend  with  ail  sainla.'  First,  the  shows  tbe  one  golden  splendour  of 
'  rooted  and  pounded,'  as  preparatory  '  love.'  And  more  eipressly  than  be- 
to  more.  This  implies  being  within,  in  fore,  the  thought  of  vaatnees,  incom- 
eontraat  with  them  that  are  without;  prehensibilitrf,  infinity  is  present, — 'the 
being  fixed,  settled,  planted  within.  lo'veotCbiwt  which patsethlknowhdge;' 
And  settled  and  planted  in  what  ?  '  In  which  the  utmost  research  of  tbe  hignest 
love.'  How  expressive,  how  instructive,  created  intelUgence,  of  all  created  io- 
how  admonitory,  tbisl  There  is  no  telligences  combined,  will  fail  to  erobnkce 
Bach  thing  as  being  within  God's  circle  and  range  through.  No  contradictioa, 
of  grace  and  salvation,  and  being  in  a  however,  it  is,  but  only  a  characteristic 
holdfast  position  there,  except  as  oeing  and  beautiful  paradox,  when  the  apostle 
in  the  fixture  and  embrace  of  love,  prays  for  tbese  Ephesian  Christians,  and 
except  as  shedding  around  yon  a  very  for  ug  in  aud  through  them,  to  be  '  en- 
mnsu;  and  fragrance  of  love.  And  abled  to  know  this  love  which  pissetb 
then,  as  following  on  this,  springing  knowledge;'  to  know  it  in  part,  though 
from  this  rooting  and  grounding  in  love,  ^ey  could  not  grasp  it  in  whole;  to 
— 'able  to  comprehend  with  alt  tainti  know  it  as  a  Bwoet,  rich,  ravishing 
what  is  the  breadth,'  etc.  Love  is  that  reality  to  the  heart,  though  the  under- 
beyond  aU  to  give  steadiness  and  clear-  standing  could  let  down  no  pltunmet 
neas  and  penetrating  power  of  vision,  adequate  to  fathom  it,  could  give  fwth 
as  well  as  firmness  of  footing,  in  the  no  measuring-line  that  would  compass 
tilings  of  God.  To  '  them  that  are  with-  it  around, 
out,'  the  schema  of  grace,  the  mystery 

"iness,  is  a  mysteiy  indeed,— a  Step  5th  and  last  of  tliia  laddor  ef 


le,  too  much  a  tdiapeless  confusion    prayer:  '  FAof  ye  mit/ht  befitledKithall 


^"mtTult^'                              THE  GLEANEB.  75 

the'Julneti  of  God.''    This  last  we  tnaj  whole  work  and  warfare  of  tius  etxtiHj 

well  take  for  a  climax  of  intaroeMioii, —  pilgriiuage.    Let  na  plead  for  tLe  '  in- 

a  ladder-top  piendug  and  hiding  iteelf  awelling  of  Christ  in  our  hearta  by 

away  in  a  firmament  of  impenetrable  faith,'  for  more  and  more  liTelf  ex- 

gloiy.     '  Filled  witb  all  die  folneM  of  perienoe  and  realiiation  of  it ;  Uiat  so, 

<^od.'     In  Ute  literal  and  prosaic  genae,  whaterer  of  darkncaa  and  tempest  Uteve 

anch  petition  might  be  characterized  umj  be  witiiont,  aummer's  calm  and 

aa  a  climax  of  abe^dit?.    As  well  think  bri^tnees  may  powess  the  aonl'a  inward 

to  gather  the  fulneaB  of  the  ocean  wateia  habitation.    iLet  ns  seek  and  strive  tor 

into  the   hollow  of  a  shdl, — as    well  the  '  rooting  and  groonding  in  lore,' 

imigine  to  focns  the  entire  expanse  of  that  tkoM,  from  God's  chosen  point  of 

sdv  light  and  splendour  into  a  human  beholding,  and  with  the  clearness  and 

C7e,— astosappOBeamortalcreatnre,  or  sharpness   of   vision  which   love   and 

all  creatnrea  mortal  and  immortal,  be-  nought  else  can  give,  we  ma^  begin  to 

coming  in  anj  strict  sense  '  filled  with  aurvey  the  proportions  and  dunenmona, 

all  the  fulness  of  God.'    But  what  can  and  search  out  tike  marvels,  of  God's 

be  and  is  petitioned  for  is,  to  have  the  purpose  of  grace,  and  become  braced 

divine  fulness  in  ita  manifoldneas  and  for  those  grander   explorations  which 

untold  licfaneas  and  exhaustlessnesB  of  are  to  be  me  work  and  the  jor  of  the 

bleanng,  for   a  free,  open,  unstinted  ransomed  on  the  other  side  of  death. 

weU~spring  near  at  hand,  ponring  itaelf  Let  us    entreat  to  have  *  liie  love  of 

forth,  BO  to  apeak,  runnmg  iteelf  in,  Christ '  in  its  vastnees,  and  richness,  and 


t  c^)acitv',    of    the   he^ia  that  nees  of  self-expenditure,  more  and  more 

'tviuiii,-  becoming  an  all-saffidng,  all-  nnveiled  to  our  minds,  more  and  more 

Ba,tiBfyiag  portion  throngh  the  life  that  for  an  influence  and  power  upon  onr 

now   is,   and  then  merging  into   tbe  hearta ;  consuming  from  within  us  all 

'  folnesa  of  joj '  in  Ood's  onTsiled  pre-  eelfishoees  and  sin,  and  turning  our  life 

srace  for  evermore.  "E'"'  ^^  earth  into  one  '  whole  burnt- 
onering '  of  loyal  service  and  gratefnl 

Thus  have  we  sought  to  climb  stop  praise.    And  let  as  beseech,  finally,  as 

by  ctep   this  apostolic  ladder  of  inter-  the  crown  and  enm  of  all  aapplioatioa 

eeutify  Bopplication.    A  stody  it  is  in  and  desire,  that '  the  fulness  of  God  ' 

itwli,  equal  and  worthy  to  engage  the  may  be  to  us  the  ever-ready  fountain  of 

beet  powers  of  our  undeistanding ;  bat  supply  in  all  our  need ;  yea,  may  be  tn 

A  model,   at  the  same  time,  for  oni  ns,  '  acoocding   to   the    riches   of  Hia 

liearta  to  take  hold  of,  and  torn  to  glory,'  '  a  well  of  water  springing  up 

account,  and  offer  np  in  the  fellowahip  into  everlasting  lite.' 

of  the  E0I5  Ghost,  each  for  himself.  And  'now  unto  Him  that  is  able  to 

and  all  tat  one  anotiier.    Let  ns  entreat  do  exceeding  abundantly  above  all  that 

for   the  inward  '  Btreugthening    with  we  ask  or  think,  accordingto  the  power 

might  by  the  Spiri.t,'  that  so  we  may  that  worketh  in  ns,  nnto  Him  be  gloiy 

become   firm    as    a   rock   against   ^  in  the  Church  by  Christ  Jesus,  through- 

presErure    of    evil,    and    vigorous   and  out  alt  ages,  wrald  without  end.    Amen.' 

buoyant  and  l^ve  for  fulfilment  of  the  D.  M'L. 


C|^*  ^leaner. 

dos't  be  too  CI 


Wbatever  you  do,  never  set  up  for  a  cridc  We  don't  mean  a  newspaper  one, 
bat  in  privato  life,  in  the  domestic  cirde,  in  eodety.  It  will  not  do  any  one  good, 
and  it  will  do  yon  harm-— if  yon  mind  being  called  disagreeable.  If  you  don't  like 
any  one's  nose,  or  object  to  any  one's  chm,  don't  put  your  feelings  into  words. 
If  any  one's  manners  don't  pletee  you,  remember  your  own.  Feo^  are  not  all 
made  to  anit  one  taste,  recoUsct  that.  Take  things  as  you  find  them,  unless  yon 
can  alter  tbem.  Even  a  dinner  after  it  is  swallowed  cannot  be  made  any  better. 
Continoed  fault-finding — continnal  criticiBm  of  the  conduct  of  tikis  one  and  the 
apeech  <k  that  one,  the  dress  of  the  other  and  the  opinions  of  t'otiker — will  make 

C;oo>;lc 


76  THE  OLEAITER.  '^''TXI'iSii!'^- 

home  the  anhappieet  place  under  the  eiui.  If  jonore  never  pleased  with  anyone, 
no  one  will  be  pleased  irith  yon.  And  if  it  is  known  yon  are  h&rd  to  anit,  few  will 
take  pwna  to  anit  you. — SeUeUd. 

LET  aol  OB,  HOW  A  SOUL  IN  DABEHESS  FOumt  CHRIST. 

Dr.  Spencer,  in  conTermng  with  a  lady  who  had  s  long  while  been  seeking  tilie 
SaTioat  weftrisomely,  asked  how  it  was  that  at  lengtb  ^e  found  Him.  He  thtu 
narrates  tiie  seqtiel : — ^Hany  moDths  after,  I  had  an  opportoniiy  for  oonTenataon 
with  my  ptBaeTcring  friend.  I  made  aootiier  attempt  to  learn  (as  I  had  some- 
timaa  tned  to^leam  before)  what  it  was  that  kept  her  ih  her  nnbdief  for  so  long  a 
time  in  those  dark  days  of  her  wearisome  seeking. 

'Yon  have  aded  me  that,'  she  said,  'more  than  onoe  befwe,  and  I  nerer  oonld 
tell  you.  I  have  often  thought  of  it,  but  it  always  seemed  mysterious  to  me.  I 
beliered  the  Spirit  had  led  me,  bat  I  did  not  know  how.  Bat  a  while  ago,  in  one 
of  v^  backalidings,  I  thonght  t  found  ont  something  about  it.* 

'Well,  how  was  it?" 

'  I  was  in  a  cold  state,'  said  Bhe ;  '  I  had  lost  all  the  little  light  I  ever  had.  I 
knew  I  had  done  wrong.  I  had  too  much  neglected  payer ;  my  heart  had  beoome 
worldly ;  and  for  a  good  many  weeks  I  'nas  in  tronue  and  fear,  for  I  knew  I  had 
wandered  far  Srota  QoA.  Then  I  thought  I  felt  jnst  as  I  used  to  before  T  had  aoy 
Iiope,  when  I  was  coming  to  your  house  so  much.  And  tiien  I  tried  to  reooUeet 
wlut  I  did  to  come  to  tlw  light  at  that  tjme,  so  as  to  do  the  same  tMng  now.  But 
I  couldn't  remember  anything  about  it.  However,  while  I  was  trying,  one  thing 
oame  to  my  mind  which  did  me  some  good.  Tou  know  your  sermon  that  ycm 
preached  just  b«f  ore  I  came  to  have  any  hope, — I  don't  remember  the  tort,— but  it 
Tsa  aboat  wandering  sinnen  lost  on  the  mountains  ? ' 

'  No,  indeed,  madam,  I  have  no  recotlectaon  of  it.' 

'  Well,  I  cant  tell  ;on  what  it  was ;  I  cant  repeat  it.  Maybe  I  can  tell  enoogli 
to  make  you  remember.  I  know  you  lepreeentod  us  in  that  sermon  as  kst  sinnos, 
lost  in  the  woods,  wandering  over  mounts  after  moimtain,  in  dark  and  dsngnoos 
places  among  the  rocks  and  precipices,  not  knowing  where  we  were  going.  It 
grew  darker  and  darker  aa  we  were  groping  along,  sometimes  on  the  brink  of  a 
dreadful  precipice,  and  didn't  know  it.  Then  some  of  ns  began  to  fall  down  tbe 
steep  mountains,  and  thou^t  we  shonld  be  dashed  to  pieces — I  know  /  thondit 
BO.  Bat  we  caught  hold  ot  the  bushes  to  hold  onreelTes  up  by  them ;  some  bnuieB 
would  give  way,  and  then  we  would  oatch  others,  and  hold  on  till  they  gave  way, 
brote,  or  tore  up  by  the  roots,  and  then  we  would  catch  others,  and  othera.  Dwit 
you  remember  it,  sir? ' 

'  Partly ;  bnt  go  on.' 

'  Well,  you  said  our  friends  were  calling  to  us,  as  we  hung  taf  the  boshes  on 
the  brink,  and  we  called  to  one  another,  "Hold  tm — hold  an."  Then  you  said  this 
cry,  "  Hold  on — hold  on,''  might  be  a  very  natural  one  for  anybody  to  make,  if  he 
should  see  a  poor  creature  hanging  over  the  edge  of  a  precipice,  clinging  to  a  littJe 
bnsh  with  all  his  might — if  the  man  didn't  see  anything  else.  Bat  you  said  there 
was  another  thing  to  be  seen,  which  these  "  hold  on  "  people  didnt  seem  to  know 
aoytliing  about.  Yoa  said  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  was  down  at  the  bottom  of  the 
precipice,  lifting  up  both  His  hands  to  catch  us,  if  we  would  consent  to  fall  into 
His  arms,  and  was  crying  out  to  us,  "  Let  go — let  go — let  go."  Up  above,  all 
around  where  we  were,  you  said  they  were  erymg  out  "  Hold  on^-iold on."  Down 
below,  yon  swd,  Jesus  Christ  kept  crying  out  "  Let  go— let  go ; "  and  if  we  only 
knew  who  He  was,  and  would  let  go  of  the  bushes  of  sin  and  self-righteouHneas, 
and  fall  into  the  arms  of  Christ,  we  should  be  saved.  And  you  said  we  had  bett^ 
stop  our  noise,  and  liilen,  and  hear  His  voice,  and  lake  Hie  advice — and  "  let  go." 
Dont  you  recollect  that  sermon,  sir  ? ' 

'  Yes ;  only  you  have  preached  it  better  than  I  did.' 

'  Well,  when  I  remembered  that  sermon  last  spring,  in  my  dai^  backslidden 
state,  I  tried  to  obey  it.  I  "  let  go  "  of  everything,  and  trusted  myself  to  Christ ; 
and  in  a  little  while  my  heart  was  comforted — my  hope  oame  back  again.  And 
afterwards,  when  T  was  wondering  at  it,  I  thoaght  perhaps  it  was  just  so  when 
you  preached  that  sermon  a  great  while  ago,  when  I  was  first  led  to  hare  a  hope 


^"'Slialirt^^  HOME  OIBOLH.  77 

of  BslvatioD.  But  I  nerer  thonght  of  it  before ;  I  don't  know  how  I  foond  pekoa 
and  hope  the  first  time,  if  this  was  not  the  wvf.  I  suppoae  ve  iukve  to  make  our 
dioice  whether  to  "hold on"  to  iomething  which  cant  aaTe  qb,  or  "let  go"  and 
fail  into  Ihe  hand*  of  the  Lord.'' 

The  eSorte  of  a  t^al  apirit  are  diiectlr  the  o]E^K>Bite  of  «u  eraagelieal  faith. 
Bt  natare,  every  unner  lewrta  to  the  law.  It  cannot  Bare  him.  He  most  let  oo 
of  that,  and  fal]  into  the  anna  of  Christ  FoitAnvea,  and  Jeiua  Christ  iadiewde 
object  of  f«ith. 


I" 


fams  €xxdt. 

'  Give  hb  thii  dky  our  dkUy'bra&d.' — Hatt.  t 


'TfE  must  piaf  to  those  we  live  hjl'  shrivelled  tree,  wiiich  he  hoped  was  a 

The  drcnmstances  in  which  these  woidi  piece  of  bread  which  a  previous  traveller 

wraeutteied  were  the  following: — There  had  left;  hastening  forward,  he  eagerly 

had  been  an  election  of  a  member  of  seized  it,  bn( .  on  doing  so  exclaimed  in 

Fatliament,  and  the  contest  had  been  bitter    disappointment,    '  It   is   only   a 

very  keen,  and  it  was  supposed  that  pearl  1'    Pearls  ma^  be  for  ornament, 

some  things  not  of  a  very  nononiable  bat  bread  is  a  great  necessity. 

Und  bad  been  done  to  induce  people  to  It  will  be  observed  that  we  are  here 

vote  contrary  to   their   principles,  and  not  taught  to  pray  for  'great   things' 

even  in  violstioa  of  their  promise.    A  — the  luxuries  of  life.    If  these  cone  to 

poor  man  against  whom  a  charge  of  ns  legitimately,  they  are  to  be  used,  as 

unfaithfulness  wfts  brought  answered  the  all  else  is,  for  the  glory  of  God  and  our 

charge  by  astog  these  words,  which,  it  own  highest  good ;  but  we  are  not  to 

seems,  are   occasionally  quoted  as  an  setoarheartonthesethinga.    Andifany 

excuse  or  palliation  of  wrong-doing  tor  think  that  the  petition  is  too  humble  in 

the  sake    of    promoting    our   worldly  its  nature  and  limited  in  its  range,  let 

interest.  them  remember  that,   whilst  frugality 

'The  phrase,  however,  expresses,  when  has  been  an  honour  and  a  source  of 

li^tiy  understood  and  need,  a  great  blessinc  to  individuals  and  to  nations, 

truth.     We  must  and  oufht  to  pray  to  luxury  has  been  the  sure  precnrsor  and 

Him  we  live  by.    In  God  '  we  live  and  procuring  cause  of  their  decline  and 

jooYt  and  have  our  being,'  and  to  Him  deetmction. 

io  prayer  all  flesh  should  come,  in  order  It  is,  however,  not  '  bread,'  but '  our 

that  they  may  receive  the  blessings  that  bread, '  for  which  we  are  taught  to  pray. 

relate  to  the  life  that  now  is,  as  well  as  In  the  word  of  God  we  are  dearly  and 

those  tiiat  relate  to  that  which  is  to  unmistakeably  told  that  God  appoints  the 

came.  bounds  of  our  habitation,  and  assigns  to 

'Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread,' is  each  his  lot.  The  conditions  and  posses* 
one  of  tlie  petitions  which  form  part  of  aions  of  men  are  various;  but  it  is  not 
the  prayer  which  our  Lord  taught  His  for  the  Ghrisbian  to  envy  thtwe  who  may 
disciples;  and  thus  wears  emboldened  to  in  comparison  with  him  be  rich  and  in- 
come  to  God  as  supplicants  for  the  supply  creased  in  goods.  The  spirit  of  envy  is 
of  wants  wliieh,  indeed,  are  often  alike  not  only  unchristian,  it  is  insatiable, 
pressing  and  distressing,  and  which,  An  indolent,  discontented,  envioos  man 
nevertheless,  we  are  apt  to  imagine  as  was  in  the  habit  of  going  to  a  hill  from. 
things  beneath  the  notice  of  the  Almighty  which  he  surveyed  the  goodly  posses- 
One,  aions  of  a  neighbouring  squire,  and  on 

in  meditating  on  these  words,  we  ask  looking  around  turn  he  would  exclaim, 

you  to  consider  these  three  points: —  'Why  wasnot  Ibornheir  tothisestate?' 

I.  Tbe  Subject  of   the   Petition —  Suppose,  however,  that  this  man  bad 

'  Our  daily  bread.' — Here  every  word  is  been  born  heir  to  the  British  throne,  he 

ugnificant.      '  Bread '  has  been  called  would  have  asked,  '  Why  was  not  I  bom 

'  tiie  BtaS  of  life. '     It  is  necessary  not  heir  to  the  whole  world  ? '  and  even  had 

only  for  the  satisfying  of  hunger,  but  he  possessed  it,  like  another  Alexander, 

for  -Uie  support  of  our  existence.     A  would  have  wept  because  there  was  not 

hungry  Arab  traversing  the  desert  saw  another  world  to  be  pcssessed.    It  hu 

before  him   something   underneath   a  been  said, 


...Ck>(^i;5lc 


78  HOME  OIBOM!.  '""Sl^rS?^ 

>  Who  UvM  to  nature  cuely  vlU  be  poor,  ezelaimod  tbftt  it  had  been  built  by  his 

Who  Uvu  to  iMcy  arety  mil  be  rich.'  power,  and  for  hia  glory.     Very  apeedily 

Indeed,  the  man  who  'liTGS  to  fancy'  and  Tsry  completely,  however,  was  he 

will  always  be  pooi,  whatever  his  ma-  shown  his  error.    He  was  burled  from 

terial  poesesdoDS, — ^poor  in  contentment  his  proud  elevation,  and  reduced  to  the 

and  submisBion  to  the  will  of  God.  level  of  the  beasts  of  the  field,  until  be 

It  is  not  only  '  oar  bread,'  but  '  our  was  made  to  know  that  he,  in  common 

daili/  bread,'  for  which  we  are  permitted  with  all  the  kings  of  the  earth,  was  la 

to  pray.    The  children  of  Isnd  had  the  dependent  on  the  King  of  Ungs  as  the 

manna  given  them  day  by  day  continn-  meanest  of  his  snbjects. 
ally.    They  who  gathered  only  a  day's        That  was  a  wise  as  well  aa  pioog 

snpply    lacked    nothing;    those    who  inscription    which     Queen     Elizabeth 

gathered    more   had   nothing  over,   or  caused  to  be  put  on  the   medals  tiiat 

^nd  it  tarn  only  to  rottenness.    Now  were  struck  in  honour   of    -^e  great 

surely  in  this,  as  weU  as  in  such  ezhor'  victory  achieved  by  the  fleet  of  England 

tations  as,  'Take  no  thought  for  the  over theself-styled'inTincible Aimada' 

morrow,'  '  Sufficient  onto  the  day  is  the  — '  He  blew  uritk  His  winds,  and  th^  atre 

evil  thereof,'  we  are  taught  that  there  tcatured,' 

may  be  an  evil  in  hoarding  np  wealtb        This  year  we  have  been  very  sttikiii^y 

for  the  time  to  come.    It  is  tme  that  in  taught  how  dependent  we  are  on  the 

dependence  on  God  for  the  future,  as  power  of  Ood.      The  farmer,  in  the 

well  as  the  present,  a  prudent  provision  sesson  of  Bpring,  cast  the  seed  into  the 

may  be  made  for  days  to  come,  but  this  smI,  bnt  the  snn  withheld   its  shining, 

is  very  different  frota  heaping  np  riches,  and  the  clouds  poured  forth  their  rain, 

as  if  tiieir  possession  rendeKd  us  inde-  and  it  was  made  clearly  manifest  tbst 

pendent  of  the  daily  care  of  God.  and  there  is  a  power  greater  than  that  of 

made  us  no  longer  the  recipients  of  Hit  man's,  and  which  is  necessaiy  to  make 

bounties.  the  work   of    man    effectual.     'Thotr 

JI.  The  Petition  itself — '  Give  ns.'  openest  Thy  hand,'  says  the  Fnhniit, 

— Here  we  are  taught  that  whatever  we  '  and  sappliest  the  wants  of  all  hving.* 
receive  from  God  comes  not  on  account         8.  0/  GraHlitde. — No  spirit  is  mow 

ol  any  merit  on  our  part,  but  solely  on  hatefol  than  that  of  ingratitade.    To 

account  (^  mercy  on  His.    Many  lessons,  rec^ve  mauy  and  precious  and  mott 

therefore,  are  t&ught  us  by  this  con-  necessary    ptts,    and  yet    to   mnrmoi 

aideration.     Thus —  ^  <....,  i  .  ,.   ,  . 


1.  A  Letaon  of  Hmaiiily. — What  have 
wethatwehavenotreceived?  Thepride  to  the  common  affairs  of  life,  deemed 
of  birth  is  one  of  the  meat  common  and  utterly  detestable.     And  yet  how  prone 

Eotent  forms  of  pride.    It  is  supposed  we  are  to  feel  and  act  in  this  manner  in 

y  not  a  few  that  the  world  ia  divided  regard  to  God !     '  From  Him  cometh 

into  two  classes, — men  of  birth,  as  the  dowli  every  good  and  perfect  gift.*    Bat 

phrase    is,    and   men  bom  of  parents  whilst  swift  to  perceive  what  is  supposed' 

humble  and  obscure.  And 'men  of  birth'  to  be  lacking,  we  are  slowto  note  the 

{dume  themselves  on  the  circumstances  abundant  and  suitable  snpply. 
of  their  nativity,  as  if  there  were  any        On  one  occasion  a  person  said  to  a 

merit  in  being  Inm  the  son  of  a  king,  friend,  '  I  experienced  a  great  mercy  this 

or  demerit  in  being  bom  the  son  of  a  day.    I  was  riding  over  a  bridge,  and 

beggar.    And  as  to  wealth,  that  fmit-  my  horse  stumbled,  but  fortmiat^  re- 

fnl  source  of  pride,  whether  it  comes  by  covered  itself,  and  so  we  were  saved 

hereditary  possession  or  is  acquired  t^  from  falling   over  into  the  river.'     'I 

our  own  efforts,  it  equally  is  the  gift  of  also,' was  the  reply — 'lalsoexperienceda 

God ;  and  in  the  contemplation  of  richee,  great  meT<^  to-day.    1  passed  over  tiiat 

however  great,  the  feeling  ought  ever  to  bridge,  and  my  horse  did  not  stumble.' 

be  not  that  of  seU-eUtion,  but  humility.  We  note  tha  one  stumble,  but  forget  the 

for  therein  is  seen  not  the  result  of  our  hundred  times  when  there  was  no  atnm- 

labour,  bnt  the  beneficence  of  God.  bling.     The  moments  of  miaenr  and 

2.  Of  Dependence.  —  When  Nebu-  days  of  sicknesB  are  keenly  felt  and 
cbadnezzar  surveyed  Babylon,  with  its  long  remembered,  but  the  hours  ol 
marvellDus  hanging  gardens-and  magni-  happiness  and  years  of  health  find  no 
ficent  palaces,  he  was  greatly  elated,  and  place  in  our  memory.     But  this  m  not  as 


""nZtluST-'                              HOME  OIBOLE.  79 

it  ought  to  be ;  and  in  the  review  of  the  the  verj  poor  and  feeble.    Urns  we  an 

bDoatiea  of  Cjod's  proTidence  as  well  aa  taught  that,  whilat  the  rich  are  to  rive 

the  bleflBings  of  His  ffrace,  we  ahonld  call  out  of  their  abundance,  and  aoooKung 

npoa  our  RonlB  and  all  that  ia  within  to  their  abondance,  the  poor  are  to  giro 

OH  to  bo  Btdrredupto  praise  and  magnify  ont  of  their  poTertr,  and  according  to 

His  name.  their  pOTerty.     Wliile  the  poaseaaor  of 

4.  Of  FespomibiHty.—Tb»  Lord  be-  five  talents  is  to  lay  them  out  to  watj, 

stows  gifta  upon  ug  that  they  may  be  bo  that  he  may  gire  a  good  acconut  oi 

ri^tly  osed,  and  for  the  use  we  make  of  them  at  laat,  the  pfrnsninr  of  only  one 

them  we  ahall  be  called  to  acconnt.  talent  is  not  to  wrap  it  in  a  napkin  and 

The  gifts  of  providence  are  meant  by  bury  it  in  the  earth.     '  Talents  one  or 

God  to  bo  ao  uaed  se  to  promote  our  many '  are  equally  the  gift  of  Qod,  and 

health  and  increaae  our  strength,  and  for  their  nae  we  are  «qnally  reaponmble. 

fit  us  in  these  lespecta  for  the  work  of  III.     The    Spibit    in    which    this 

life.      They  are  not   to  be  employed  PETITION  is  to  BE  fssssstsd. — In  re- 

fflmply  to  pamper  a  carnal  appetite,  or  ligion  it  ia  the  ipirit  that  qnickenelh ; 

in  the  way  of   laznrious  inanlgence.  the  fieah  profiteth  nothing. 

Wo  mmt  eat  to  Utb  ;  bat  to  lire  only  to  It  ia  of  great  importance  not  only 

eat  is  despicable.      Of   old  a  Soman  that  prayer  be  made  to  Qod  contanuaUy, 

satirist  described  the  men  of  his  genera-  but  that  it  be  made  aright.    Now,  m 

tion.  aa   '  bom  aimply  to  ccaisnme  the  reference  to  the  manner  in  which  this 

fcoilaof  the  earth, '—utterly  oblirioos  of  prayer  ahoold  be  offered,  these  three 

the  end  of  life,  and  failing  to  devote  it  pouitB  are  to  be  earefolly  noted : — 

to  B  noble  purpose.    And  when  such  is  1.  A  Spirit  of  Haly  Boldneu. — We  are 

tbo  case,  the  day  of  destroction  is  nigh.  a|tt  to  imagine  that  there  is  something 

Bat  we  do  not  make  the  nae  God  dignified    about    prayers  for  apirifual 

means  ostodo  of  His  gifts,  if  we  keep  blesBings,andthatweinaybeencoaraged 

them  to  oorselTes,  even  though  they  to  come  boldly  to  a  throne  of  grace 

are  not  spent  after  the  fashion  of  the  with  them,   whilst  temporal  bleannga, 

glutton  and  dronkard.    God  means  ua  b^g  of  inferior  value,  are  to  be  men- 

to  be   His   ahnonen — stewards   of   Eia  tioned,  if  at  all,  only  with  bated  breath. 

bountdes,  and  it  is  required  of  a  steward  Bnt  the  folly  of  thia  is  shown  by  various 

that  he  be  futhful.    Trom  the  whole  considerations.    Thus  our  Loid  speaks 

spirit  of  the  gospel, — from  many  of  its  of  temporal  blessings  as  in  their  ^aco 

moat  urgent  precepts,  and  from    the  absolutely  necessary,  and  worthy  alike 

example  of  Him  whom  we  call  Lord  and  of  our  honest  efforts  and  earnest  prayers. 

Master, — wo  learn  that  it  ia  onr  duty,  '  Our  heavenly  Father  knoweth  we  have 

and  ought  to  be  felt  to  be  a  delight,  to  need  of  these  things.'    And  as  if  to 

miiiiHt«T  Co  the  poor  and  needy.  assure  us  that  we  cannot  be  too  miunte. 

When  Sir  FMlip  Sydney  was  sorely  and  should  not  regard  any  temporal 

wounded  at  the  battle  of  Zutphen,  he  gift  aa  too  trifling  to  be  made  a  subject 

reqnealed  a  draught  of  water,  and  just  of  snpplication.  He  save,  'The  hairs  of 

as  no  was  putting  it  to  his  lips  a  poor  your  head  are  i^  numbered.' 

dying  soldier  was    carried    past,  and  Again,  what  important  influence  on 

looked  wistfully  up.     The  gallant  com-  our  spiritual  condition  have  not  oar 

mander,  noting  this,  at  once  took  the  temporal  circumatancea  1      How  many 

vessel  from  his  lips,  and,  handing  it  to  are  there  who  even  at  the  time  of  their 

his  fellow-sufferer,  said,  '  Thy  necefimties  devotions  have  their  minda  utterly  dis- 

are  yet  greater  than  mine.     This  was  liactfid  by  corroding  care  about  ways 

atmlynobleandChriat-likedeedjandon  and  means!   They  cannot  tell  how  they 

the  great  day  of  account  it  is  men  who  themselves  and  those  dependent  on  than 

have  done  deeds  like  this  that  are  to  are  '  to  eat  and  drink,  and  wherewithal 

be  held  io  honour.    For  '  he  that  gireth  they  shall  be  clothed.'    And  anxiety 

a  cap  of  cold  water  to  a  disciple  in  the  about  these  things—caUed  emphatically 

name  of  a  diadple,  shall  not  lose  his  the   necessaries    of    life — is   oft«n    so 

reward.'  baraamog  as  to  drive  away  the  spirit  of 

And  observe  here,  how  it  is  not  said  piety,  and  unfit  the  soul  for  communion 

that  only  great  deeds  are  to  be  held  in  with  Qod.     Is  it  not  well,  then,  to  make 

remembrance,  but  the  giving  of  a  cup  earthly  care  a  means  of  heaven^r  dis- 

of  cold  water,— a  gift  poesible  even  for  cipUne,  by  coming  directly  to  God  with 


80                                                     HOMEdBOLE.  ""S.^w;'^ 

wtuLt  HO  dntreaaefl  lu,  and  aak  Hia  aid?  things '  ibtb  woe  working  t<«etiier  tot 

And  we  are  emboldened  thiu  to  come,  hit   eood.    The    lartketttee    thon^t  it 

for  it  is  said,  '  How  ihall  He  who  spared  would  be  well  with  them  if  the^^ad  a 

not  His  own  Son,  butg&Te  Him  up  unto  king  like  the  snirounding  nations  ;   bat 

the  de&th  for  us  All,  not  wit^  Him  also  though  God  declared  it  waa  not  Hia  will 

freely  gire  jon  aD  t^ungs? '  that  thej  should  have  one,  and  it  would 

2.  IinpUeit  Faith, — It  is  said  that  'he  hetac  their  hurt,  jet  they  continiied  to 

that  Cometh  to  God  must  believe  that  chunonr  Tmtil  God  permitted  titeaa  to 

He  is,  and  that  He  is  the  rewazder  of  follow  Uieir  own  devices,  and  soon  the; 

those  that  diligently  seek  Him.'  diseoveiad  that  God  is  wiser  and  moie 

We  readilj  acknowledge  the  reoaon-  mercifiil  than  man. 

ableness  and  neoeAitjr  of  this  in  t-Mord  '  Get   money,'    it    has    been    said, 

to  things  epiritnal,  bnt  we  have  di£-  '  honestly  if  yoa  can,  but  get  mcaiey.' 

eulty  in    realizing   it  in  reference  to  How  many,  acting  on  this  advice,  have 

tilings  tempoToL    But  the  promise  of  found  to  their  cost  that  tbur  wealth 

God  extends  to  the  latter  as  well  as  to  broughtwith  it  only  a  corse!     '  Havine 

the  former.    Indeed,  His  children  have  a  food  and  raiment,  therewith  be  content^ 


which  the  men  of  the  world  have  not,  from  hombiwt  dicomstonces  to  a  posi- 

even  when  their  com  and  wine  do  most  tion  of  afSuence  and  bonooi,  tel&  ns 

abound.  God  hath  entered  into  covenant  that  he  had  been  at  the  table-of  tKinces, 

with  them,  and  assured  them  that  they  and  shored  the  meal  of  the  day-Mbonrex 

that  fear  Ihe  Lord  shall  lack  no  good  by  the  roadside,  and   he  found  tbat 

thing.     '  My  God,'  says  the  apoetle  of  haziness  was  very  equally  divided, — 

the   Gentiles,    '  shall    supply   all    your  that  the  rich  bad  their  Borrows  and  the 

needs,  according  to  the  riches  of  His  glory  poor  had  their  joys. 

in  Christ  Jesus.'     'The  Lord  God  is  a         Bat  apart  nom  this,  how   true  and 

sun    and    shield,'    says   the    Fsalmist  touching  the  reason  urged  in  Holy  Writ : 

David.     '  He  will  give  grace  and  glory ;  '  It  u  cwtun  that  as  we  brought  Dothing 

He  will  withhold  no  good  thing  &om  into  the  world,  so  we  shall  t^  nothing 

them  that  walk  uprightly.'    God  is  a  out'    Surely,  then, 
covenant-keeping  God.      For,  says  the  '  Ha  builds  loo  low, 

PBolmist,  '  I  have  been  yonng,  and  now  Who  boilda  beoeath  the  skioa.' 

am  old,  yet  have    I   never  seen   the  And  it  ought  to  lead  ns  to  be  submis- 

righteous  foiBaken ,  uor  his  seed  begging  sive  to  the  will  of  God  in  all  things,  that 

bread.'      Thus    faith    has    the     sorest  it  is  to  meeten  us  for  '  mansions  in  the 

ground  on  which  to  rest,  even  when  oni  skies '  that  He  gives  or  withh<dds ;  for 

prayer  relates  to  '  the  life  that  now  is.'  assuredly  giving  doth  not  impoveri^, 

S.  Devout  Submasion, — Christ  in  all  and  withh<3ding  doth  not  ennch  Him, 

things  left  ns  an  example  that  we  should  and  were  it  for  onr  real  good  He  could 

follow  in  His  atepa ;  and  the  one  thing  as  easily  give  us  storehouses  replenished 

which  He  most  brightly  and  conspicu-  with  abundance  as  a  crust  of  bread. 
ously  exemplified  was  a  spirit  of  devout        From  this  petition,  then,  we  see  how 

submission  to  His  Father's  will.     With  wide  the  range  of  prayer.     It  embraces 

Himitcverwaa,  '  Not  my  will  but  Thine  the  temporal  as  well  as  the  spiritual — 

be  done.'  'the  common  round,  the    djulr  ta^,' 

And  surely,  when  we  conuder  how  as  well  as  the  observance  of  rehgion — 

wise  as  well  as  loving  God  is,  how  short-  the  body  as  well  as  the  soul — 'dailj 

sighted  we  are,  we  may  see  reason  for  bread '    as  well   as    '  the    riches  that 

Bubmisdon  even  in  the  most  trying  cir-  endure  for  ever.*    Snrely,  then,  we  laxj 

cnmstances.     For  God  is  good —  be   'careful  for  nothing,  bnt  in  every- 

'  Good  whan  Ha  gives  thing,  b^  prayer  and  supplication  with 

Not  IssB  when  Ha  denies;  tliauksgiving,  Id)  our  requests  be  made 

E*Bn  croe«e»from  His  Bovoraign  Land  known  to  God.'     And  if  we  do  so  amid 

ArebtoBsii^siiidiBgaisB.'  ^   ^   trials   and  tribulation   of    ow 

Jacob,  as  he  was  about  to  go  down  to  present  earthly  lot,  '  the  peace  of  God, 

Egypt  in  his  days  of  trouble,  said,  '  All  which  passeth  all  understanding,  shall 

these  things  are  against  me,'  but  soon  keep    our  heart   and   minds    through 

discovered  that  they  were  among  'the  all  Ciinsl  Jesus.'  BaI£BHO. 


ftiiTwni^'                          COERESPONDENCE.  81 

CorrespirniJtnn. 

VOLUNTARYISM. 

TO  THE  EDITOR  OK  THE  DNITGD  FRE3BTTERIAH  MAGAZINE. 

Sm,— I  am  one  of  mimj  who  fondlf  followed  out,  tenda  directly  to  the  aop- 
flittered  onrBelfee  that  the  cause  of  Vol-  port  o(  these  institutions.  Indeed,  many, 
untaipsm  bad  got  a  considerable  lift  vithoutanycallbeingaddreHedtothem, 
while  Lord  Hartington  wbh  here.  But  Toluateer  snch  suicidal  arguments.  It 
things,  especially  in  Edinburgh,  seem  would  be  tedious  and  otbOTwise  iuoon- 
noff  to  wear  a  rather  sombre  aspect.*  Tenient  to  notice  such  arguments  in  de- 
The  trouble  arises  partly,  I  believe,  from  tail ;  but  I  beg  tA  be  excused  for  oSer- 
our  bcbg  twitted  and  taunts  for  ^eged  iug  a  simple  and  obvious  remark,  namely, 
ID  cODsistencieH  and  fallacies,  practical  and  tbat  this  is  one  of  many  subjects  on  which 
(heoreticAl,  by  certain  persons,  some  of  it  is  inexpedient  for  very  many  people  to 
whom  candidly  avow  hostility  to  Volun-  theorize.  There  is,  in  foot,  no  need  for 
toryism ;  and  others,  we  sespect,  equally  discussiou.  Let  us  base  our  demand  for 
fasting  it  in  their  hearts,  who  profess  abolition  on  the  plain,  palpable  fact  that 
great  admiration  for  it  in  a  higher  and  a  decided  majority  of  toe  peo^e  of  Scot- 
more  transcendental  form  than  we  have  land  do  not  belong  to  tho  Established 
yet  attained  to.  It  would  surely  be  of  Church,  and  are  presumably  unfavour- 
importance  tocntofE  occasion  from  those  able  to  it.  For  pouticians  (tmd  it  is  with 
who  thos  discourage  our  friends  and  fur-  them  alone  that  we  have  to  do}  that 
nish  welcome  aid  to  our  opponents.  Mere  ought  to  be  perfectly  sufficient, 
cavils  deserve  no  attention.  But  I  may  Our  American  brethren,  though  vastly 
advert  to  a  few  points  which  seem  to  acute,  seem  to  me  to  have  missed  the 
claim  consideration.  mark  a  little.  They  have  exceedingly 
And  first  of  all,  a  loud  cry  is  raised  improved  the  notonons  23d  chapter  of 
agaiast  those  who  demand  the  aboli-  the  Confession  of  Faith ;  but  they  have 
^n  of  ecclesiastical  Establishmcnta  and  not  brought  it  up  to  any  standard.  They 
yet  plead  for  teaching  religion  in  State-  contend  that  '  it  is  the  duty  of  the  civil 
supported  schools.  The  Right  Rev.  Dr.  magistrate  to  protect  the  Chnrch  of  our 
FtuQ  is  reported  to  have  said,  on  a  late  commonIiord,without  giving  the  prefer- 
public  occasion,  that  those  who  abject  ence  to  any  denomination  of  Christians 
to  the  teaching  of  religion  to  adults  in  above  the  reat,  in  such  a  manner  that  all 
churches  maintained  by  the  State,  and  eoclesisstical  persons  whatsoever  shall 
yet  plead  for  teaching  religion  to  the  enjoy  the  full,  free,  and  unquestioned 
young  in  schools  supported  by  public  liberty  of  discharging  every  part  of  their 
rates,aieiustiychargeBbJewithstraiDing  sacred  functions  without  violence  or 
at  a  gnat  and  swallowing  a  camel.  Num-  danger.'  Now,  provided  these  eccleaiaa- 
beisof  our  party  concur  with  him  in  this,  tical  persons  keep  within  the  four  comers 
How  desirable  is  it,  then,  that  this  stum-  of  the  law,  th^  are  certainly  entitled  to 
bling-block  were  taken  out  of  the  way,  this  liberty.  But  all  other  persons  are 
either  by  abandoning  the  practice  com-  entitled  to  a  similar  liberty  on  the  same 
plained  of,  or  by  showing  simply  and  condition.  The  reason  why  persons  en- 
«learly  to  public  apprehension  that  it  is  gaged  in  religious  worship  are  not  to  be 
perfectly  defensible  on  principles  of  the  molested  is  not  that  tiiey  are  diachargiug 
purest  Voluntaryism  !  a  most  solemn  and  momentous  duty ;  but 
Again,  wo  are  told  that  numbers  who  the  reason  is  that  they  arc  assembled  in 
clamour  for  the  abolition  of  Establish-  their  own  premises,  or  in  premises  of 
ments  have  only  to  be  asked  on  what  which  they  have  legal  possession  for  the 
ground  they  maEe  that  demand,  in  order  time  being,  and  that  tbey  are  engaged  in 
to  their  being  found  assigning  some  rca-  a  lawful  occupation.  And  exactly  the 
son  which  is  not  only  altogether  futile,  same  privilege  belongs  to  persons  trans- 
but  which,  when  fairly  and  logically  acting  the  business  of  a  bank  or  of  a 
railway  company,  or  even  in  acting  or 
■  At  the  sumo  time,  it  ja  oncDnraging  to  _;t„™,!_„  ufavB. 
i-l«er»e  that  ««  Liberal  candidates  for  "'Sf^UK  PJf.yS-  «„„„„■-  i.tj„ 
Parliameniaiv  seata  throughout  the  country  The  Rev.  Sir  Henry  Moncreiff  lately 
generally  declare  for  DiBestabUahment.  propounded  a  scheme  which  Mr.  iaylor 
BO.  II.  VOL.  XXII.  MEW  SEIUE3. FEBRUARY  1ST8.  F 


82  COERE8PONDEN0E.  '■     iSL™nSr^- 

luues  eeema  to  have  in  sabiitance  adopt-  that  a  deputation  from  IJiese,  inclDding 

«d,   to  the   effect   tliat   the  Church   of  Dr.  Begg,  Dr.  Kennedy  of  Dingwall,  and 

Scotland  should  be  disendowed,  and  that  Buodry  others,  have  had  an  uttcrriew 

no  other  sect  should  he  endowed;  but  with  the  Lord  Advocate,  and  have  re- 

that  several  sects,  including,  I  suppose,  preaeuted  to  him  'that  whilst  spproving 

all  evangelical  Frosbfterians,  should  be  of  the  abolition  of  patronage,  they  hold 

ettablUhed,  or,  as  it  is  Hometintes  ex-  it  to  be  the  dutj  of  the  rulers  of  the 

pressed,  recognised.     Nov,  lamnotsillj  nation  to  ascertain  and  remove  all  re- 

enaagh  to  trouble  you  with  tile  informa-  maioing  obstacles  which  prevent  a  right- 

tioQ  that  I  do  not  nnderatand  what  is  eous  adjuHtment  of  BxistiDg  difficnlties, 

meant ;  bab  many,  looked  np  to  as  leaders  in  accordance  with  the  claims  and  prin- 

of  public  opinion,  have  prononnced  the  ciples  of  the  Free  Church ;  and  tfaey  are 

whole  scheme  imintelligible,  and  others  persuaded  that  any  additional  delay  ia 

have   used   stronger  language.     Every  aacertaining  and  removing  these  causes 

peraOQ  in  die  realm  is  recognised.     The  of  evil  may  result  in  veiy  serious  and 

moat  abject  pauper  is  recogniaed  as  hav-  irreparable  ooasequenoes.'     Witli  people 

ing   a   right  to  ^e  poor's-house.     The  of  lliiH  stamp  we  need  to  keep  no  terms, 

humblest  artist  is  recognised  as  entitled  They  avow  uiemselves  opponents.    Tiiey 

to  eat  hia  own  bread,  to  wear  his  own  told  his  Lordship,  '  that  whUst  entirely 

dotbes,  to  rest  under  hia  own  roof,  and,  opposed  to  the  theory  of  YolantaryiEn], 

moreover,  to  grow  rich  by  honest  means  — or  a  denial  of  the  duty  of  nations  and 

if  ha  can;  and  if  any  one  make  an  assault  their  rulers,   as  such,  towards  true  re- 

on  him,  or  on  anything  that  is  his,  the  ligion  and  the  Church  of  Christ, — this 

scoundrel,  if  he  can  be  found,  is  recog-  being  inconsistent  with  the  word  of  God, 

niaed  by  being  apprehended  and  brought  the  principles  of   the  Free  Church  of 

to   trial,    and  it   convicted,   fined,   im-  Scotland,  and  inferring  the  moat  dmger- 

piisoned,  or  bamshed,  or  in  an  extreme  ous  coosequeneefi,   they   alw  repadiat« 

case  subjeeted  to   capital  punishment,  all  proposals  to  devote  to  secnkr  purposes 

That  is  civil  recognition,  and  to  what  theecclesiasticalrevenueeofthecountiy, 

otlier  kind  of  reoognitioa  is  any  citizen  which  they  regard,  both  on  the  ground  of 

Sititled  ?     No    doubt,    if    the    endow-  reason,  hiatory,  the  treaW  of  Union  with 

menta  were  taken  away,  all  that  would  England,  and  the  Free  Chtnch  Claim  of 

remain  woald  be  of   very  small  im-  Bights,  as  belonging,  for  religious  pur- 

portance.      But    it   is    manifest    that  poses,  to  the  people  of  Scotland.'    All 

pemons  holding  this  reco^tion-theory  t^  is  nothing  new,  and  does  not  sor- 

are   precluded   from  signmg   Diseetab-  prise  us.     But  it  is  well  to  keep  in  miud 

lishment  petitions,  or  taking  any  part  the  movement  that  is  being  made, 
in   true   utd   proper   Voluntary   move-         A  report  has  been  in  circulation  lor 

menta.    If  t^  Free  Church  be  induced  some  time  that  the  Lord  Advocate  has  it 

to  adopt  this  notable  theory,  their  con-  in  his  heart  to  propose  some  nteaaura  for 

sistency,  so  far  as  words  are  concerned,  opening  still  wider  the  door  of  entraoce 

may  be  preserved,  but  for  all  practical  to  the   Establishment,    and  presenting 

purposes  they  are  no  more  on  our  side  certain  baits  from  within.     But  I  must 

than  when   Dr.  Chalmers  proposed   to  not  lengthen  this  already  too  ItKig  letter 

vmte  '  No  Voluntaryism '  on  their  foun-  by  further  referring  to  this  scheme.     It 

dation-stone.  will  be  time  enough  for  us  to  oonsidec 

Conferences  of  a  certain  section  of  the  device  should  it  actually  be  brought 

Free   Churchmen   were   lately  held  at  forward. — I  am,  etc., 
Glasgow  and  Inverness,  and  it  appears  EFFtsrcs. 


AN  IMPORTANT  CRISIS. 

TO  THE  EDITOR  OF  THE  DNITED  PHESBTTEBIAN  X 

Sir, — The  Chnrcb  in  this  countiy  is  in  much  less  occasioD.    Ferlu^  the  reason 

the   midst  of    a  great    crisis,   and   no  of  no  notice  being  taken,  comes  from  the 

Ghmchman  seems   to   he   noticing   the  very  element  that  gives  to  the  occasion 

fact,  or  at  least  no  one  is  giving  any  its  specialty  both  of  character  and  of 

sign.    Certainly  an  alarm  has  often  been  danger ;  for  the  crisis  J  speak  of  arises  { 

aoimded  far  and  near  when  there  wa«  from  nothing  more  noisy  or  perceptible,  , 


COBEBSPONDEMOE.  M 

yet  nothing  less  f onutdable,   than  the  anbtln",  more  iireristible  power  for  good 

ethereal  Q)eoulationB  of  certain  influen'  or  evil  on  hnTnon  life,  direct  from  hnmBa 

tial  leaders  in  philoeophj  amongst  «..  sonrceB,  thui  what    comes  from   tlie 

It  is  made  manifest  what  this  crieiB  is,  philosophy  of  the  pfailosopben.     And, 

by   these   tliTee    notable   phenomena:  let  it  be  obseired,  it  ia  the  highest 

Jinl,  that  Ut.   Green  has  written  ^e  philoBopby  that   hsa  this   inflnenoe  in 

'  Introdnctkm '  which  he  hae  written  to  the  highest  degree, — riz.  met«phj«ic  or 

Hume's    Treatwe    on    HtiTnan    X'atKre,  ontology, — the  scienoe  of  the  ezisteneee 

and  ie    ooneeqneiitly   the    philosopher  that  conatitnte  or  control  the  oniTerse. 

irhidi  that  pOTfonnance  showa  him  to  The  course  and  channel  of  this  inflnenee 

be;  mcond,  that  Profeseor  Gaird,  of  iBobvious«nddirect,howeveTleogthened 

Giaagow   University,  has  written    the  it  may  be.     The  abstract  doctrines  of 

ndendid  work  which  he  has  WTitt«u  on  the  metaphysician  fiist  shape  scientific 

£aiit,   and   is   tiierefore    the    kind   of  theology  into  a  chaiseter  eoiresponding 

philosopber    and    teacher    which    that  to  themselves,   and  then  the   scientific 

work  implies ;  and  third,  that  a  yonng  tbeology  of  the  learned  works  thronsfa 

theok^cal   professor,  in   one    of    the  two  paths  downward  on  the  life  of  me 

colleges  of  one  of  the  most  orthodox  general  mass.     It  moulds,  on  the  one 

Chnrohee  in  Ghriatendom,  has  written  hand,  the  religious  doctrines  expounded 

as  he  hae  done  in  the  corrent  number  of  to  the  people  by  the  teachers  of  the 

jtftnd on tbeothertwomentioned  works,  Chnrch;   on  the  other  hand,  it  deter- 

and  is  therefore  a  theologian   of  such,  mines  the  opinions  of  the  fourth  estate 

type  as  4^  pbilosophy  of  that  criticisin  in  the  land,— theUterateniewhofashion 

would  require  and  determine  him  to  be.  into  their  own  likeness  all  such  of  onr 

These   phenomena,  and  one  or  two  fellow-men  (and  they  are  not  few)  se 

things  lessobtrasive,  or  perhaps  I  should  take  them  for  guides,  philosophers,  and 

say  less  transparent,  make  the  crins  friends.    Thus  the  ontological  schemes 

grave  enongh.     In  fact,  its  gravity,  I  of  the  phtloaophers,  exprnsed  in  what 

conceiTB,  can  hardly  be  exaggerated.    A  seemannintelligiblejaT^ntotheartissn, 

great  noise  is  being  made  about  certain  nevertheless  reach  even  hie  lowly  path 

'oses,' — the  Smith  Case,  the  Fergnson  at  last,  and  by  an  insidioiis  inflnenoe 

Cue,  the  Dods  Case,  the  Hocrae  Case,  determine  his  thought  and  life  according 

The  thing  eesentjal  ta  be  looked  to  is  a  to  their  own  character.    ItisawMiderfiu 

current  «b  strong  as  it  is  deep  that  has  manifestatioii  of  the  solidarity  of  thought 

sot  into  our  national  thought  in  philo-  and  truth,  that  metaphysical  doctrines 

Sophy,  and  of  which  these  eonunotions  — doctrines  that  deal  only  with  what 

we  bat  ripples  on  the  surface,— all  and  seems  farthest    removed  from   vulgar 

except  the  laat-mentJoned  case,  which,  capacity  and  concern  —  should  never 

though  the  noise  of  it  be  reverberatang  exhaust  their  influence  tiU  thw  have 

from  the  Clyde  to  Taymouth,  is  too  penetrated  through  sU  the  intellectual 

much  on  the  surface  to  have  felt  the  strata  that  lie  between,  and  reached  and 

force  of  any  undercurrent  of  thon^t  moulded  the  details  of  the  whole  indi- 

If  it  were  true  that  the  highest  in-  vidnal  life  of  tbe  nation.     Bat  so  it  is ; 

tereste  of  a  nation's  life  depended  not  at  and  because  it  is  so,  it  is  high  time  that 

all,  or  bnt  little,  on  the  prevalent  philo-  the  Church   and  the  world  holh  were 

Bophyof  the  day, — that  those  influences,  looking  to  themselves  in  GrealrBriUun. 

mtellectual  and  moral,  which  lie  nearest  The  philosophers  are  upon  them.    If  one 

the  sources  of  nationtd  welfare,  had  but  of  our  UniversitJes  in  Uie  east  sounds  a 

a  remote  connection  with  the  specula-  retreat  to  Berkeley,  and  another  in  the 

tiona  of  the  philosophers, — the  fact  that  west  finds  in  Berkeley  an  advantageous 

Hegelianism  had  burst  somewhat  sud-  base  from  which  to  hasten  the  army  of 

denly  and  with  such  imposing  force  over  his  students  by  forced  marches  to  Hegel, 

Great  Britain  would  be  a  fact  of  no  what  is  to  be  the  result  in  onr  Theo- 

mornent,  and  there  would  be  no  call  on  logical  Halls,  in  the  pioos   homesteads 

moralieta,  politicians,  philanthropists,  or  from  which  our  stndents  are  drafted, 

theologians  tarabling  tbemaelves  about  and  in  the  pulpits  of  our  churches? 

it     But  wherever  the  idea  spreads  that  Philosophers    like    Green,    Caird,   and 

idulosophy  is  indifierent    to  practical  Lindsay  do  not  teach  and  write  in  vain, 

interests,  it  spreads  a  great  and  mis-  Few  professors  can  inspire  such    en- 

chievona  delusion.     There  is  no  surer,  thusiasm   into  all  competent  students 


84  OOHEESPONDKNCE.  ^""'Si.'irSi'^ 

tiiat  come  under  th^  inflaence.  And  clwore  vill  be  made  all  the  aooner, 
if  our  Btudenta  &t  national  Uuiveisities  through  the  practical  bent  of  the  British 
are  to  have  laid  in  their  minda,  and  laid  tnind.  And  the  fall  ma;  be  as  sudden 
amid  circometances  nod  infloences  of  as  the  me.  But  the  fall  into  -what? 
attraction  and  persaaeioa  never  to  be  Kiie  however  htgli  Hegeliuiiam  maj, 
forgottea  or  lost,  a  foundation  of  philo-  and  fall  however  hooq,  in  proportion  to 
SDi^y  whoUj  incompatible  with  the  tlie  extent  in  which  it  baa  leavened 
orthodox  theology  of  our  Halla,  are  not  learning  and  opinion,  its  fall  will  be  a 
the  hopes  and  results  of  orthodox  proportionately  extensive  lapse  into  that 
teaching,  and  with  these,  thoee  of  onr  abyss  from  which  so  spiritoal  a  pbilo- 
pulpits,  and  with  these  again,  those  of  sophj  might  seem  the  farthest  ranoved, 
our  national  character  and  institutions,  — the  dirt-philosophy. 
tremendouslf  endangered  ?  If  the  Such  is  the  crisiB.  And  now  what 
professors  are  Hegelian,  the  stadents  conise  shoald  the  friends  of  a  diSerent 
will  be  Hegelian;  if  the  students  are  and  better-fated  philosophy— what  course 
Hegelian,  me  ministers  of  the  Church  should  the  cbceen  guides  of  theological 
are  in  danger  of  being  bo;  and  if  the  education  and  of  the  Church  adopt? 
ministeiB  of  the  Church,  then  largely,  Sometimes,  when  the  Hegelianism  of  a 
too,  the  people — so  far,  that  is,  as  the  theological  professor  is  mentioaed  to 
thing  is  within  their  reach  —  will  be  those  whom  it  most  concerns,  they  but 
B^elian  too.  And  what  does  a  Hegelian  shake  their  heads,  admit  the  giarit;  of 
theology,  literatnre,  and  people  mean  ?  the  juncture,  and  piteoaaly  complun, 
Hegel  had  two  wings  wherewith  he  did  '  Who  is  to  answer  him  ? '  Mr.  Editor, 
£y.  There  is  a  left  wing  to  his  body  I  have  actually  seen  and  heard  it  so. 
andaright, — awingthat  coveredFeuer-  Now,  certainly  it  is  an  'answer'  that  is 
bach  and  Strauss,  as  well  as  that  which  needed,  and  one  of  power;  and  it  were 
gave  shelter  to  less  formidable  men, —  well  it  came  quickly.  But  arc  we  in  so 
less  formidable,  perhaps,  because  of  sad  a  way  in  Scotland,  is  tlie  crisis  so 
less  logically  consistent  development,  inevitably  fatal,  is  Scottish  philosophy 
Whether  it  be  the  right  wing  of  Hegel-  so  fallen ,  that  there  are  no  means  of  pro- 
ianism  that  is  concerned  in  the  British  viding  this  indispensable  answer?  Aboat 
invasion,  or  the  centre,  it  is  to  be  re-  twenty  years  ago,  such  an  answer, 
membered  that  that  philosophy,  in  swift,  sare,  and  strong  as  a  thunderbolt, 
throwing  out  its  expansions,  and  especi-  warded  off  from  the  chur  of  Sir  W. 
ally  as  meeting  in  these  days  a  favour-  Hamilton  a  philosophy  kindred  to 
ing  influence  from  natural  science,  has  Hegel's, thatwasabouttotakepossesdon 
always  given  disproportionate  strength  of  that  pre-eminent  seat  of  philosophical 
to  the  left  wing.  If  Hegelianism  is  education.  Much  about  the  same  time 
destined  to  run  its  course  in  these  lands,  another  hand  was  laid  in  arrest  on  cer- 
the  result  elsewhere  will  he  repeated  tain  tendencies  of  Sir  W.  Hamilton's 
here ;  and  eventually  we  must  no  doubt  own  philosophy  that  were  held  to  re- 
look  to  having  amongst  usmanymore  quirere-direction,  anditwasfoundcom- 
of  the  Feuerbach  and  Strauss  type  than  petent  for  the  task.  Now,  in  the  presence 
ofthetypelesB formidable.  The  attrac-  of  a  crisis  more  momentous  than  any 
tive  subtlety  of  Hegel's  dialectic, — the  of  the  kind  ever  known  in  Scotlaad, 
gorgeous  pageantry  of  his  world-build-  might  we  not  naturally  look  to  the  same 
ing, — the  commanding  spectacle  of  in-  quarters  for  defence  ?  Oh  for  a  touch  of 
tellectual  power,  harmony,  and  beauty  tbeeebanda! — they  are  not  yet  vanished, 
which  the  whole  fabric  of  bis  system  Oh  for  the  sound  of  these  voices! — they 
seems  to  exhibit, — even  the  faculty  for  are  not  yet  still.  !Piey  are  on  ocoaaions 
ecouomical  construction  in  all  the  of  need  heard  sounding  like  trumpets, 
practical  arts  of  human  life  so  charac-  There  was  never  such  need  as  now.  Is 
teristic  experimentally  of  so  abstruse  a  a  false  philaswhy  to  flood  the  land  and 
'philosophy, — all  these  tend  for  a  while  swamp  the  old  philosophy,  theology, 
to  bedame  and  betray  the  minds  of  and  religion  too,  and  no  effort  be  macU 
both  good  and  great  men.  But  the  to  stem  its  advance?  Are  the  young 
whole  is  a  dream.  Its  unsubstantial  men,  whom  the  strange  exotic  allures,  to 
characterbyandbvdiscloeesitaelf ;  and  be  left  to  suppose  that  it  contains  bat 
the  rocket  ifalls  naked,  (Aiom,  and  light-  tratii,  since  those  who  know  truth  are 
leas  to  the  ground.    With  ns  this  dis-  offering  no  opposition  ?    The  philosophy 


»••] 


RELIGIOUS  INTELLIGENCE. 


85 


of  Heget  has  not  hitherto  been  trana-  such  philosophy  is  ullowed  to  t«te  root 

planted  to  our  shores,  or  at  least  taken  and  flourish  at  last  amongst  ns,  it  will 

'  root  in  the  ScotUah  character.'     It  be  bnt  small  satisfaction  to  men  com- 

coald  '  floorisb  only  by  disintegrating  patent   to   prevent    the   calamity,  —  if 

and   destrimng    tlie    qualities    of   our  preventod   it  could   possibly  be, — that 

native  mind,'  and  those  institutions  and  they  did  not  malce  the  most  limeoos  and 

systems  of  religion   and  tmth  'whick  the  most  streauous  efforts  in  their  power 

reciprocally  have  nursed  and  been  noned  to  defend  the  old  truth  and  to  expel  the 

by  these  -national    idiosynctades.      If  new  error.  "~ 


^rdtUx^mct.—Wimitla  ^ttsbstcrian  €^X(^. 


1.  fboceehinos. 
Banfftlare.  —  Tbii    presbyteij   met    at 
Banff  on  the  4th  December.    The  Rev. 


Mr.  Eogerson,  coBreDeT  of  presbytery' 
Commutes  on  Hissioni,  gave  in  a  report 
contuning  a  nriea  of  recommendalioni. 
Theie  were  diieasaed,  aloag  wilb  allied 
gnbjects  broDghi  before  the  pr.esfajtery 
from  convener  o(  Synod's  Committee  on 
Sabbath  Schools,  and  from  the  Foreign 
Secretaiy.  A  decision  wai  deferred  till 
next  meeting. — This  preibyteiy  met  at 
Eclih  on  the  Bth  Jannary.  A  calk  from 
Tsrkastad,  Caffraris,  was  presented  to  tha 
Bev.  Alexander  Miller,  Cabracb.  Meiir). 
Wall  and  Taylor,  commissioners  from 
Csbrech,  nrged  the  eaineat  desire  of  the 
congregation  for  Mr.  Miller  to  stay 
snieagtt  them.  Thereafter,  Mr.  Miller 
istimated  his  deciaion  to  decline  the  call, 
snd  it  was  set  aside.  Aathorit;  wss 
Itranieil  for  the  election  of  four  elders  st 
Findochty.  Besnnted  coniideration  of 
recommendations  by  Mission  Committee, 
which  -were  adopted  in  the  following 
fonn-. — 1.  Tbst  s  misiionaiy  ssiocistion 
be  fonned  in  every  congregation.  2. 
That  the  aystem  of  moDtblr  collections 
be  adopted  where  praoticabte.  S.  That 
psrtiea  deairieg  the  JKitnonary  Seeord 
■honld  be  supplied  bj  the  collectors,  the 
upenaes  to  be  defrayed  in  aocb  manner 
u  each  assoclstion  may  determine.  4. 
^t  reqaescs  for  prayer  made  by  mis- 
■iDaaries  be  attendsd  to  at  the  prayer 
meeting  or  during  pnblie  worahip.  6, 
That  ministers,  at  least  once  annually, 
exchange  pulpita  for  the  pnrpoae  of  having 
the  claims  of  foreign  misuons  preseoted 
to  their  congregations  by  other  roieea  as 
wall  aa  their  own.  S.  That  a  brief  atate- 
ment  be  printed  and  diatiibnied  among 
nembsrs  giving  acconnts  of  misaionary 
Gelds  and  those  who  cnltirate  tbem.  T. 
That,  if  practicable,  a  presbyterial  con- 
feienee  be  held  in  connection  with  the 
Usui  meetings  of  the  misiionaiy  aa- 


II  was  Bgreed  that  dspnta- 
tions  from  the  presbytery  visit  the 
chnrchea  and  deliver  addreasea  on  Sab- 
bath schools,  miasiona,  the  schemes  and 
principles  of  the  Chnrch,  and  finance. 
Heasra.  Maefarlane,  Simmers,  snd 
M'BaiA  were  appointed  a  committee  for 
csrrying  out  these  visits.  Kexi  mea^ng 
to  be  hsU  at  Portsoy,  on  let  Tneaday  of 
March. 

Bemnek. — It  having  pleated  Qod  in  Hie 
providence  to  remove  by  death  the  Kev. 
John  Stark  of  Homdean,  on  the  14th  of 
December,  in  the  53d  year  of  his  age,  and 
the  39th  of  his  ministry,  the  preabytery 
met  at  Homdean  on  the  19th  December, 
on  the  occasion  of  hla   faneral — Che  Rev. 

A.  B.  Bobertson,  moderator.  The  Rev, 
Gilbert  Heikte,  of  the  preabytery  of 
Paisley  and  Greenock,  and  the  Bevs.  W. 
Limoni,  J.  Batherford,  O.  H.  Main,  and 

B.  Brodie,  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of 
England,  being  present,  were  ssaocisted 
with  the  preabytery.  Mr.  Stsrk'a  name 
was  taken  from  the  roll ;  and  the  Bev.  Q. 
Kerr  was  appointed  Co  condact  -  the 
devotional  exerciie*  in  the  chnrch,  and  to 
give  the  funeral  address.  The  Bev.  Dr. 
Bitch  ie  was  appointed  to  preach  the 
funernl  sermon  on  the  Sabbath  following, 
and  declare  the  charge  vacant.  The 
Bev.  F.  Ueams  was  appointed  moderator 
of  session  during  the  vscaney ;  and  the 
supply  of  probationera  was  fixed  to  begin 
on  the  second  Sabbath  of  Jannsiy.  After 
the  impreasive  aeivices  in  the  church,  the 
fnneral,  which  was  a  very  large  one,  left 
for  the  burial-place  ofthe  family  at  Chim- 
side, — The  presbyteir  met  ag&in  on  the 
athof  Jsnnary— theBev.  A.  B.  Robert- 
Bon,  moderator.  Dr.  Ritchie  reported 
that  he  had  preached  at  HomdeHn,  as 
appointed  by  Uie  presbytery,  and  declnred 
the  charge  vacant.  The  lata  Rev.  John 
Stark  having  been  appointed  at  last 
ordinary  meeting  to  represent  the  Presby- 
tery at  the  Hisalon  Board  of  the  Synod, 
the  Rev.  P.  Meanis  wss  chosen  in  his 
room,  and  intimated  hia  acceptance  of  the 
office.     The-  Rev.  A.  B.  Roberuon  was 


86 


BBLIQIOnS  IHTELLIOENCE. 


^p^nUd  to  diipenM  the  commnnioii  at 
BomdDMi  oa  the  luM  S&bb&th  of  Peb- 
Tuuj.  Collections  for  the  Sjnod  Fund 
were  reported.  The  committee  id  corre- 
spondence with  congregations  in  [he  lonih 
iMTing  Dot  yet  Bnished  their  hnainen,  Dr. 
Bitcbie'i  name  waa  labBtitated  foi  that  of 
tke  late  Ber.  John  8t>^  and  the  Be*.  D. 
Ken  WM  made  eoDTener  of  ihii  eom- 
mittae.  The  Her.  B.  C.  Inglie  was  cfaoaen 
treaiojei  of  the  preabTterj,  in  room  of  the 
Ule  Ber.  John  Scark.  A  petition  wai 
read  froa  Middleaboiough  congregation 
praying  for  diqanction  from  this  presby* 
tery,  with  the  view  of  their  joining  ihe, 
Darlington  preebytery  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  of  England.  After  Eome  coneidera~ 
tioB  of  the  proper  mode  in  vhleh  thii 
petition  ihoold  he  granted,  it  i»a«  agreed 
to  comply  with  the  prayer  of  the  petiuoo, 
Wd  report  thia  fact  to  the  Synod.  The 
B«r.  A.  B.  Bobertion,  eonveoer,  gne  a 
npoit  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Misaion 
Committee,  from  wbieh  it  appeared  that 
11  majority  of  the  congregations  of  the 
preit^tny  eontribnte  monthly,  throngh 
drilectora,  for  miiiionary  purpogeg.  Ar- 
ntngementa  were  made  for  a  conference 
OD  miiBlons,  at  Ayton,  on  the  Bth  of 
April ;  and  it  was  agreed  to  invite  all  the 
«lden  to  be  preient.  The  Bet.  W. 
Wilson'*  name  waa  added  to  the  com- 
mittee, io  room  of  that  of  the  late  Rev. 
John  Stark.  Arrangeneats  were  made 
for  further  snpply  of  the  Bct.  Jomei 
Hmower'i  pulpit  at  Eyenonih,  u  be  is 
■till  reonlring  relief. 

Sduaurgh A  meeting  of  this  preeby- 
tery was  held  on  Tuesday,  8lh  Jannary, 
in  the  hall  of  the  Youuk  Men's  Christian 
Aiaociation.  Mr.  Datid  Marshall,  Eas^- 
Calder,  waa  appointed  moderator  for 
the  enining  six  months,  and  took  the 
duir.  Mr.  Watt,  prubatioaer,  Eilmaura, 
to  whom  a  call  bad  been  addressed  by  the 
oongregation  of  Infirmary  Street  to  be- 
come colleague  and  auccaswr  to  Dr. 
Bnice,  intimated  his  acceptance  of  it,  and 
the  induction  waa  fixed  to  take  ptaee  on 
t^e  13th  February,  at  iwelre  o'clock — 
Mr.  Anutrang  Black  to  preach.  Dr. 
Bmce  to  preside,  and  Mr.  Gardiner  to 
■ddreas  paator  and  people.  Mr.  Boben- 
mM  (Bread  Street)  reported  that  at  a 
meeting  of  the  new  South  Side  Coogrega- 
tioo,  it  had  been  agieed  to  call  the  ReT. 
John  Eay,  Free  Charch,  Coatbridge,  to 
the  pastorate  of  the  chnreb.  The  call 
wai  signed  by  thirty-four  memhen  and 
eight  adherents.  It  waa  sustained.  Mr. 
Bi^aldsoQ  laid  on  the  table  a  call  from 
the  congregation  of  Wesl-Calder  to  the 
Bev.  Jamea  Wardrop,  Craigend,  Perth. 
Xhe  call  was  sustained.  Mr.  Dewar  re- 
qsMttd  the  pnsbyterj  to  giro  iia  appiOTal 


to  an  application  to  the  Home  UiMion 
Board  (or  aid  towards  the  support  of  a 
missionary  at  Musselburgh,  stating  that 
the  popnlatiun  in  and  around  it  waa  some 
lO.OUO,  and  that  there  were  only  about 
SODO  chnrch-goera.  The  presbytery  ap. 
proTed  of  the  application. 

QIaigoie.  —  This  presbytery  met  on 
Tueaday,  8th  Jannary—BeT.  Dr.  Black, 
moderator.  Dr.  Edwards  gave  in  an 
interim  report  in  reference  to  Mr.  Fergn- 
son's  case,  and  stated  that  correapondence 
bad  been  held  with  Mr.  Ferguson  in  re- 
fersnce  to  the  basia  of  the  proposed  con- 
ference; nod  this  having  been  agreed  ou, 
it  was  expected  aaid  conference  woold 
be  held  in  a  day  or  two.  The  report  wM 
approved.  Dr.  Seott  made  a  statement  in 
reference  to  the  financial  position  of  the 
Church.  The  total  income  of  the  Ctanrc^ 
he  said,  for  missionary  and  beaevolaat 
purposes,  waa  in  1876,  £104,011,  St.  Sd., 
and  in  1BT7,  £91,833,  Ui.  ad.,  showing  a 
deficiency  of  £12,179,  3a.  3d.;  which  wu 
accounted  for  in  this  way,  that  while  in 
lB7e,  £17,954  bad  been  received  for  the 
Hall  Capital  Fnnd,  in  1877  only  £3014  had 
been  received,  showing  a  decrease  of 
£14,940;  and  as  that  exceeded  the  defi- 
ciency on  alt  the  others  pnt  together,  ihey 
would  nnderatand  that  the  fanda  were,  on 
the  whole,  in  a  prosperous  stale.  The 
income  for  foreign  misaions  last  yeu  wu 
£3S,aS2,  2s.,  and  the  expenditure  £38,401, 
18«.  3d.  ;  but  there  moat  be  carried  over 
from  the  reserve  fund  created  by  the  lata 
Mr.  Alexander  Paton,  according  to  the 
terms  of  his  trust-deed,  £30SS,  ao  that 
there  was  a  snrplua  of  £S974;  and  diia 
was  independent  of  the  sum  of  £2766 
contributed  for  the  lodian  Famine  Fund, 
of  which  only  £44  had  oa  yet  been  ex- 

anded;  so  that  altogether  the   Foreign 
lesion  Fnnd  bad  a  balance  at  its  creffit 
at  the  present  time  exceeding  that  of  the 

Ereriou*  year  by  somewhere  abont  £5700. 
n  relation  to  the  Augmentation  Fund, 
the  balance  at  lat  Jannary  1877  wai 
£6125,  10s.  tod.,  the  ineome  for  1677  was 
£16,236,  18s.  3d.,  the  intereat  on  the  fond 
was  £300,  and  there  most  be  carried  from 
the  reserve  fund  £7B8,  15s.,  so  that  tho 
total  income  was  £24,031,  6s.  Id.  for  the 

Ssar.  The  expenditure  waa  as  follows : — 
npplemwl  to  stipends,  £7657,  6s.  9d.; 
granla  to  oongregationa,  £457,  13a  lld.l 
subsidy  to  England,  £1214,  2b.  Sd.;  BX- 
penSBB,  £876,  I  la.  5d.— in  all,  £10,SOG^ 
14a.  5d.,  leaving  a  balance  of  £13,825,  9a. 
6d. ;  from,  which  had  to  be  deducted  £6500 
for  the  working  balance  of  1878,  and  con- 
sequently tbe  amount  available  waa  £7315, 
98.  6d.,  or  £144,  18a.  Id.  leas  than  last 
year.  Only,  aa  that  deficiency  coold  b« 
fully   made  up  by  the  proponioit  of  % 


OO 


BGLIQI0U8  INTELLIGENCE. 


87 


leKfbc^  let  ft)Mrt  daring  the  jeu  u  an 
addition  to  the  reierre  fund,  there  nsi  no 
doubt  a,  valiie  of  a  share  in  the  tarplni 
fand  -TCoold  be  u  before  £40,  and  conie- 
qneotlj  the  minimnm  gtipeod  £S00,  with 
manse,  or  allowance  of  £30  for  house  rem, 
would  bo  made  up  as  in  former  j'eare. 
The  Cborch  owed  a  deep  debt  of  gratitude 
to  Mr.  ;UorioD,  of  Greeaock,  for  hl«  matt 
generoDB  and  untiring  servicsB  in  this 
matter.  Of  the  ETangelistic  Fund,  Che 
income  had  been  £596S,  and  the  expendi- 
ture XSS06.  TheAgedMinialers' Annnitj 
Fund  bad  an  expendicnre  of  £S313,  and 
an  income  of  £2038.  The  Tbeologicat 
Hall  Fond  had  had  an  expenditme  of 
£3745,  and  an  iDCoae  of  £3413,  69.  9d., 
the  expenditure  baring  been  increaied 
by  the  changes  effected  on  the  hall.  The 
presbyter;  awarded  Br.  Scott  a.  special 
vote  of  thanls  for  hia  Btalemert.  The 
clerk  (Dr.  Greorge  Jeffrey)  intimated  that 
on  the  ra-arrangemcnt  of  the  preabyEery 
thirty-three  lessioni  had  reported^fonr- 
teen  in  faTOoi  of  a  divisiaD  of  the  city, 
eleven  in  faroor  of  maiacaiuing  the  in- 
tegrity of  the  presbytery,  six  in  favour  of 
remaining  nnchanged  so  far  as  they  them- 
selveg  were  conceraed,  and  two  in  faTonr 
of  a  presbytery  of  Dumbarton,  in  the 
erent  of  a  re-arrangement  being  con- 
sidered expedient.  The  above  claasifica' 
tion  being  objected  to  by  leveral  members 
■s  inadequately  11; presenting  Che  BCBsional 
relama,  a  committee  was  appointed,  with 
Mr.  Roberts  as  convener,  to  prepare  a 
report  on  the  subject,  ll  waa  agreed  to 
ask  the  Synod  Committee  for  an  ei- 
tenrion  of  the  time  within  which  the  re- 
turns lanst  be  lodged.  The  prtabytery 
agreed  to  moderate  in  a  call  loan  assistant 
and  sncceaaor  to  Dr.  Edwards  in  Green- 
head  Chnrch  on  21st  inat.  The  Kev,  Mr. 
CaistaiTS  intimated  his  reaignation  of  the 
convenership  0!  the  Sunday  Schools  Com- 
mittee, an  office  to  which  Mr.  Corbett  was 
elected.  The  committee  on  Stornoway 
and  the  Isles,  stated  that  the  palpit  of 
Stornoway  had  been  supplied  during  the 
summer  montfaa,  and  that  the  congrega- 
tion of  Portree  was  ready  to  moderate  in 
a  call.  Mr.  Andrew  Moniaon  was  also 
recommended  for  appoiutmeut  as  calecbisl 
for  Lismore.  The  clerk  afterwards  read 
Tcqueatu  for  moderation  from  the  congre- 
gation of  Stornoway  and  Portree,  which 
were  agreed  to  be  laid  before  the  Mission 
Board.     The  report  of  the  committee  was 

XinbcoHy. —This  presbytery  met  at 
Kirkcaldy  on  thef4th  December— Rev, 
R.  Dick,  moderator.  Intimation  having 
been  made  that  the  Rev.  A.  F.  Forrest, 
Stirling,  had  declined  the  call  addressed 
to  him  by  the  congregatioa  of  Bethel- 


fisld,  the  call  was  accordingly  set  asido. 
A  petition  from  the  congregatiou  rf 
Bethelfield  for  a  moderation  was  granted, 
spd  the  Rev.  Hr.  Thomson  was  appointed 
to  preach  and  moderate  in  a  call  un  the 
evening  of  Monday  the  17th  December, 
worship  to  begin  at  balf-past  seven  o'clock. 
Agreed  to  recommend  the  proposal  of  an 
exchange  of  pnlpits  for  the  purpose  of 
advocating;  the  claims  of  missions.  The 
remit  of  Synod  regarding  the  formation 
of  elders'  associations  waa  taken  up,  and 
the  scheme  approved  of. — This  presbyteij 
again  met  alLeven  on  11th  December. 
A  petition  from  Crail  for  a  moderation 
was  granted,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Smith  ap- 
pointed to  preach  and  moderate  iu  a  call 
on  the  evening  of  Monday,  1 7  th  December, 
worship  to  begin  at  seven  o'clock. ^Th« 
presbytery  met  again  at  Kirkcaldy  on  tke 
3lh  Jannary.  Mr.  Thomson  reported 
that  he  had  preached  and  moderated  in  a 
call  in  BethelGeld  Chnrch  on  the  night 
appointed,  and  gave  an  account  of  hia 
procedure,  which  was  approved  of.  The 
call,  which  was  addressed  to  the  Ber. 
Isaac  E.  Marwick,  Loanends,  Ireland, 
wM  subscribed  by  368  membera  in  full 
commnnion,  and  60  adherents.  The  pret- 
bytery  agreed  to  sustain  the  call,  and  to 
forward  it  to  the  presbytery  of  Ireland, 
along  with  the  reasons  for  tranBlation. 
Mr.  Smith  reported  that  he  had  preached 
and  moderated  in  a  call  at  Crail.  The 
call  was  addressed  to  the  Rev.  J.  C. 
Jackson,  Elgin  Street  Chnrch,  QIaegow, 
and  snbscribed  by  92  members.  Mr. 
Smith's  conduct  was  approved  of,  and  the 
call  suatained.  It  waa  aleo  agreed  to  for- 
ward the  call  and  relative  documents  to 
the  presbytery  of  Glasgow. 

OribKj.— This  presbytery  met  at  Kirk- 
wall on  the  7th  jannary — Mr.  Allardice, 
moderator.  The  clerk  read  a  letter  Irom 
the  Hume  MisBion  Board  aoaonncing  that 
a  grant  of  £30  had  been  made  to  the 
Shapioshay  congregation  in  aid  of  ex- 
penses incurred  daring  the  vacancy.  The 
receipt  from  the  Shapinahay  treasurer  for 
the  amoont  was  also  laid  on  the  table.  A 
petition  was  read  from  the  Shapinshay 
congregation  asking  for  a  moderation  in 
a  call,  and  stating  that  the  congregation 
were  prepared  to  give  £100  of  stipend, 
with  a  manse  and  garden,  and  four  weeks' 
holidays.  It  was  unanimonaly  agreed  to 
grant  the  prayer  of  the  petition.  Mr. 
Webster  was  appointed  to  preside  at 
the  meeting  to  be  held  on  Tuesday,  the 
2Sd,  at  12  o'clock  noon,  or  the  Brat 
favourable  day  thereafter.  The  presby- 
tery unanimously  agreed  to  the  following 
petition  10  Parliament:  — 'That,  taking 
into  consideration  the  present  position 
of  the   Eastern   Question,   the   despotie 


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BELIOIOUS  INIELUGBNCE. 


chvacl«Tof  Tarkiih  nilr,  sod  the  diui- 
trooB  cliarBCIer  of  lach  govecnnieoL  oa 
the  CBiueB  of  ciTil  and  rBligioDS  libertj, 
no  stepe  be  taken  in  tbe  vtj  of  giving 
eilhei  moral  or  maceii*!  gnpport  Eo  ibe 
Tnrkiah  Government.'  The  petition  tu 
ligned  bj  the  moderator  and  clerk,  and 
lent  to  iif.  Lung  for  presentatioa  to 
Parliament.  Mr.  Kirk  wood  then  aab- 
mitted  a  icheme.of  cvangeliitic  meetingi 
to  be  held  within  the  bounda  of  tbe  prei- 
bvtery  during  the  next  three  weeks.  He 
alio  reported  that  the  Home  Minion 
Board  had  appointed  two  etangeliati — 
Heian.  linddouki  and  Mandle — to  co- 
operate with  the  presbTtery  in  ihii  work. 
The  scheme  was  cordiall;  approved  of, 
and  the  thanks  of  the  pteabycery  were 
Riven  Co  Mr.  Eirkwood  for  preparing  it. 
The  pieabyterj'  then  met  in  private. 

Perth.  —  Thia  preabjiery  met  on  the 
IBth  December — Mr.  Lyon,  moderator. 
Beceived  from  Bolbeggie  a  petition  for  a 
moderation,  with  a  reqneat  that  tbe  prea- 
byierj  applj,  on  behalf  of  Ihe  congrega- 
tion, for  H  second  hearing  of  Measia. 
Bobenson  and  I/aarie,  probatlonan,  be- 
fore the  moderation  took  place.  Ap- 
pointed Mr.  M'Neil  to  moderate  in  a  call 
at  Balbeggie  on  Monday  the  S8th  January 
1878,  pi^ic  worEhip  to  begin  at  two 
o'clock  afternoon.  Inatracted  the  clerk 
to  correapond  with  the  Diatribntion 
Committee  about  a  rehearing  of  the 
piobationen  named.  The  preibytery'a 
Committee  on  Misaioni  reported  on  tbe 
paper  on  foreign  miaaiona  handed  to  it 
at  last  meeting,  recommending,  lat,  the 
adoption  of  the  Synod's  suggeaiiona  as  to 
an  exchange  of  pulpits  when  the  cauae  of 
wid  miaiians  ia  pleaded;  and  3d,  a  pres- 
byterial  conference  on  foreign  misaiana, 
to  which  all  lbs  elders  within  the  bounds 
of  the  piesbyteiy  shall  be  invited,  as  also 
the  offlce-bearera  of  congregational  mia- 
sionary  committeea.  Agreed  to  wait  for 
a  report  from  this  committee  on  the 
matters  of  Church  extenaioQ,  etc.,  re- 
mitted to  it ;  and,  ou  the  request  of  (be 
convener,  aaaociaced  the  committee  on 
the  state  of  religion  with  thia  committee 
in  the  buiineis  remitted.  Mr.  Wardrop 
was  nominated  to  serve  on  the  Synod's 
Hiatlon  Committee  for  the  four  years 
ending  May  1883.  Appointed  next 
meeting  to  be  held  on  tbe  12th  Febmary 
187S. 


nmucTioRi. 

KUnua-Ttods      (King      Streti).  —  Ber. 

Thoma*  WbiteUv,  A.H.,  of  Cathedral 


Street  Church,  Glaagow,  inducted  Juiiun 
3d. 

Alexandria.— ReT.  Jame«  Aliaen,  of 
Boston  Cbnrcb,  Cupar -Fife,  indnctid 
January  8tb. 


Died,  at  Brooklyn,  New  Tork,  on  15ib 
December  1877,  Bev.  David  Inglia,  D.D,, 
LL,D.,  formerly  of  Peuriib,  Englud, 
latterly  pastor  of  the  Befoimed  Cbotcb, 
Brooklyn  Heighla.  Dr.  Incilis  was  ' 
in  Greenlaw,  Berwickshire,  in 
entered  the  University  of  Ediobnrgli 
in  1837,  waa  licensed  as  a,  preicber 
in  1B4A,  and  after  a  abort  ministry  in 
Penrith,  went  to  America,  and  there  bad 
a  distinguished  and  successful  career  u 
a  faithful  and  eloquent  preacher  of  the 
goapel.  Mr.  Parker.  Sunderland,  ia  as 
interealing  biographical  sketch  of  Dr. 
Inglis,  given  in  a  sermon  preached  on  liie 
occasion  of  bis  death,  says  : — 'Hevunne 
of  seven  preachers  brought  np  in  till 
father's  Chorch.  Only  three  aurviie,IlT. 
Taylor,  aecretary  of  the  Scottish  Boani  of 
Education,  Bet.  P.  Landreth,  and  mj- 
seir.  Tbe  late  Ber.  John  Biddel,  o[ 
Moffat,  an  aioiable  and  accomplished 
minister  J  Mr.  Alexander  I-ockie,  who 
lived  and  died  a  preacher ;  bis  brolber 
James,  and  now  Dr.  Inglja  loo,  have 
passed  away.' 


Tai  annual  meeting  of  this  society  was 
held  in  Wellington  Street  Church,  Glas- 
gow, on  SBth  December  1877.  The  Bev. 
FrofessorDuff,  LL.D.,  honorary  president, 
occupied  the  chair. 

Kr.  William  Watson,  secretaiy,  anb- 
mitled  the  annaal  report,  which  stated 
that  tbe  schemes  of  effort  adopted  by  tha 
society  for  the  pait  year— namely,  ths 
Presbyterian  Mission  at  OsionI,  Upper 
Egyp^  and  tbe  Home  Mission  in  Arthnr 
Street,  Edinburgh — had  been  attended 
with  great  success.  There  had,  however, 
been  a  alight  deerease  in  the  collectiont. 
The  aum  collected  during  tbe  year  187S- 
76  amoonted  to  £16G6,  6a.  Sid.,  while 
thia  year  there  had  been  raised£1374,  Us. 
Id.— «  decrease  of  £391,  13s.  7id.  The 
report  further  stated  that  the  schemes  of 
effort  for  1877-78  were— (1)  The  Bom« 
Mission  in  Edinburgh ;  and  (a)  The 
American  Freedmen'sMitiion,  with  special 
reference  to  the  training  of  a  native 
itty  for  Africa. 

the  ... 

In  reference  to  foreign  n 


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BELIQI0D8  INTEIXI6EKCE. 


that  tfae  ialerest  tnien  in  ibete,  tbe  liber' 
alii}'  nith  nhich  ihej  were  inpported,  the 
number  and  abilitj,  and  the  leal  and  piety 
of  tbe  meo  wbo  nndertoolc  the  work,  and, 
above  alt,  tbe  great  sncceBi  wbicb  had 
been  acbieved,  were  amongst  tbe  most 
bopefal    and    encouraging   signs   of  the 


nbich  had  a 


Ailer    poin; 


mded  m 


i  tbe  neigh bonring  islands, 
and  alio  in  Madagascar,  India,  China,  and 
elsewhere,  he  went  on  to  say  thai,  noiwith- 
iCandiog  the  work  done,  they  were  still  in 
the  da;  of  small  things,  and  they  mnst  not 
forget  tbe  sacred  obligations  under  which 
they  lay  to  make  known  tbe  goapel  to 
every  creature.  In  regard  to  home 
miision  work,  be  was  glad  to  say  that  as 
diTiDitT  students  tbe  members  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Theological  HaU 
engaged  in  this  work  themseWes.  Having 
given  a  short  account  of  the  miision  in 
Anbnr  Street,  Edinburgh,  he  stated  that 
it  had  been  resolved  to  devote  towards  that 
object  a  som  of  between  £100  and  £1S0 
every  year;  and  when  they  next  came 
before  tbe  Cbnrcb  to  advocate  the  claims  of 
Biddle  Onirersity,  North  Carolina,  with  a 
view  to  provide  a  native  ministry  for 
Africa,  he  hoped  the  liberality  of  tbe 
people  would  BUow  the  interest  taken  by 
them  in  the  home  operations  carried  on 
bj  the  itndentE. 

Tbe  meeting  was  afterwards  addressed 
byBer.  Dr.  M'Ewan,  London,  Rev.  Wm. 
Graham,  Liverpool,  Rev.  Mr.  Campbell, 
Geelong,  and  Professor  Cairns. 

As  this  was  tbe  first  meeting  of  this 
society  held  in  Glasgow,  a  special  interest 
attached  to  it.  The  audience  was  large, 
and  listened  with  marked  attention  to  the 
addteuei  of  the  various  speakers. 


non   or   accoiosodatioii  to  bi 

VTOEO  FOB  IHB  OKI 

CHDBCH      IN      TBE      KBW      FBEMISBB, 

CUnX  TBSKACB,  BDtaBtlXOa. 

I^Tbeologieal  Bail. 

1.  nve  class-rooms  for  ttadents. 

3.  Five  professors'  rooms. 

One  of  the  class-rooms  to  bo  large 
eoougb  to  bold  ISO  siadenta;  and  the 
other  four  class-rooms  to  accommodate  50 
nudents  each. 

Oue  of  the  professors'  rooms  to  be  large 
enoDih  for  the  meetings  of  tbe  Senatus. 

3.  In  addition  to  the  above,  a  room  is 
to  be  provided  for  an  Elocntion  class,  large 
cnangh  to  hold  aboni  iso. 
H — Library. 

At  prcMnt,  the  librat;  in  S  Qneen  Street, 


Edinburgh,  contains  npwards  of  19,000 
volumes,  and  il  accommodated  in  three 
rooms,— one  5S  feet  by  16,  another  SOJ 
feet  by  13i,  and  the  third  16}  by  14}. 

In  addition  to  the  present  library,  the 
library  of  the  late  Professor  Eadie  has  to 
be  accommodated  in  tbe  new  premises.  It 
consists  of  9000  volumes,  and  would  re- 
quire a  separate  room  for  ilielf,  Olher 
additions  are  likely  to  be  made  to  the 
hbrary,  and  provliion  mnst  be  made  for 

Tbe  whole  front  of  the  first  floor  of  the 
present  building  towards  Casile  Terrace 
will  be  sec  apart  for  the  library,  and  a 
room  on  each  side  in  case  of  further  ex- 
tension, which  meanwhile  may  be  made 
available    for   olher    purposes,    such    as 


Ul.~Synod  Hall. 

1.  A  new  Hall,  to  be  seated  for  £000. 
The  court  reserved  for  members  will  be 
seated  for  750,  the  pnblic  to  be  accommo- 
dated in  B  gallery  or  galleries.  Tbe  seats 
will  be  something  like  those  in  the  Free 
Assembly  Hall,  but  to  be  ■  little  wider 
and  more  comfortable.  Connected  with 
the  Synod  Hall  will  be  provided — 

2.  A  room  forthe  Moderator  ofSynod  ;. 

3.  A  Synod  Clerk's  room  ;  and 

4.  A  voting  clerk's  room — all  on  tbe 
and 


5.  Three  or  four  committee  rooms. 

There  will  be  accommodation  for<voiing 
by  division  lobbies,  at  least  a«  conieniem 
w  that  in  the  Free  Assembly  Hall. 

IV.— Synod' a  Trautarer. 
I.  A  public  office  will  be  provided  for 
the  Treasurer  of  the  Chnrch  on  the  ground 
fiooT,  in  which  his  clerks  will  be  accommo- 
dated ;  and 

3.  A  private  room  connected  therewith 
for  tbe  treasurer. 

V. — Jfission  Board. 

1.  A  Board  Room,  Bufficieiit  to  aceom- 

modaie  50  members. 

2.  A  room  for  the  Foreign  Secretary. 
a.  A  room  for  the  Home  Secretary. 

4.  A  room  for  the  Foreign  Secretary's 

VI. — Refreehmmi  Rooms  and  LavatoTim. 

VII.— J  Fire-Proof  Safe  Hoom. 
yDl.—Svff,ciaU    atxommodalioi 


D.n.iized  by  Google 


90  NOTICES  OF  NEW  PUBLICATIONS.  '     nl  iTini^ 

The  Pope, The  KiHGS.  AND  The  People:  gation  of  Itites  held  in  the  Vatican  on 

A  Hiatorf  of  tiie  Hovement  to  make  the   6th   of   December  1864.  at  whiclt 

the  Pope  Governor  of  the  TVorld,  hy  a  PioB  u.  broached  the  Infallibility  pro- 

UmTereal  ReconHtmctiou  of  Society;  poaal;  andthea  heprocecds  todetail  the 

from  the  Issue  of  the  Syllabus  to  the  consequenceB   of    ibe    movaraenta    and 

Close  of  the  YaUcan  CouDciL      By  mauiBaviea   connected  with   it   daring 

WiLLIAH  Arthur-     2  vols.,  pp.  952.  the  succeeding  years. 

London  iuulBetcut:WimBiDi[Diieii9&  Bon.  1x77.         It  is  impossible  to  speiA  too  highly 

Hr.  ARTHtJB,  ia  his  preface,  obserres :  of  the  diligence  of  out  author.     He  has 

'  Nothing    but  a   conviction    that    Gie  spared  no  pains  in  getting  information 

movement  here  traced  is  of  an  import-  of  a  reliable  kind  from  every  available 

ance  for  which  ordinary  terms  are  not  aonrce — Popish  and   Protestant.     Only 

imadeqaateespreasion  would  have  justi-  one  wholly  in  earnest  could  have  under- 

fied  me,  in  my  own  view,  in  giving  to  gone  the  enormous  atnoont  of  l&bonr  ia- 

tiie  study  of  it  years  of  a  life  now  far  volvcd  in  gathering  and  reproducing  the 

advanced.     If  the  authors  of  the  move-  facts  here   recorded.     And  these  facts 

ment  are  not  deceived,  the  generation  are  set  forth  with  a  deamett,  vigour, 

that  will  come  up  after  I  am  no  more  and  impressive aess  which  caaaot  fail  to 

will  witness  a  struggle  on  the  widest  tell  powerfully  on  the  mind   of   the 

acale  and  of  very  long  duration,  during  reader. 

which  will  disappear  all  that  to  us  is        The  book,  indeed,  may  be  regarded 

known  as  modem  liberties,  all  that  to  rather  as  one  for  the  Ihoagfatfal  and  in- 

Bonie  is  known  as  the  modern  state,  and  telligent  student  of  contemporary  events 

at  the  close  of  which  the  ecclesiastical  than  for  the  greatmajoritj;  but  through 

power  will  atand  alone,  presiding  over  the  former  its  teachings  donbtlesa  will 

the  destinies  of  a  reconstituted  world,  reach  the  latter,  and  domuch  at  once  to 

Not  at  all  believing  in  the  possibility  of  enlighten  and  to  stir  them  up  to  practical 

this  issue,  I  do  not  disbelieve  in  the  pos-  concern  in   a  matter  whicn  relates  to 

sibilitj  of  the  struggle.     To  avert  any  their  dearest  interests, 
such  repetition  of  past  horrors,  to  turn  ■ — — 

the  war  into  a  war  of  thought,— a  war  Crkistiah  Sdhsets;  or,  The  Last  Honn 
with  the  sword  of  the  writer  and  orator,  of  Beliereis.  By  Jambs  Fleuihc, 
instead  of  that  of  the  Zouave  and  the        D.D. 

dragoon, — is  an  object  in  attempting  to  London:  Hodder  ft  Stongliton.    I87T- 

serve  which,  however  hnmbly,  a  good  The  author  of  this  book  very  justly  ob- 

man  might  be  content  to  die.'  serves  in  his  preface,  that  many  even  of 

In  this  pasB^e  we  have  the  keynote  God's  true  people  are  through  fear  of. 

to  the  whole  work.     Mr.  Arthur  is  pro-  death  all  their  lifetime  subject  to  bond- 

foundly  impressed  with  the  belief  that  a  age,  and  that  this  is  as  undesirable  as  it 

r it  struggle  is  before  us  J  and  though  is  unnecessary.      One  way   of   meeting 

Bontem^tes  ultimate  defeat  to  die  this  is  to  show  the  entire  adaptation  of 

Papal  power,  yet  he  fears  there  will  be  the  gospel  to  overcome  that  fear  by  in- 

?'eaTS  of  trial,  as  Popery  will,  in  the  spiring  us  with  glorious  hope ;  anuther 

uture  as  in  the  past,  leave  no  stone  un-  is  to  show  how  this  hope  has  proved  effi- 

turned  in  seeking  tiie  object  on  which  it  caoioos  in  the  experience  of  multitudes, 

has  set  its  heart.    Perhaps  there  are  and  enabled  them  to  triumph.     TJie 

those  who  may  imagine  that  Mr.  Arthur  lBtt«r  is  the  plan  pursued  by  Dr.  Fleming, 

mt^ifies  the  danger  and   thinks  too  It  has  been  said  one  fact  is  worth,  a 

highly  of  tiie  power  of  Rome,  and  forgets  tbouaand  arguments ;  and  here  we  havv 

the  operation  of  other  powers  that  are  many     facts,    carefully    and    skilfullj 

hostile  to  it.    But  all  will  agree  that  a  selected,  and  set  forth  in  a  clear  and 

grave  crisis  is  before  us ;  and  as  fore-  interesting    manner.      We    have    brief 

warned  is  forearmed,  it  is  well  that  we  accounts  of   the    deathbed  scenes  and 

have  the  information  which  is  contained  sayings  of  Christians  in  every  rank  and 

in  these  elaborate  volumes.  of  every  age— all  of  them  of  a  peacrful, 

Mr.  Arthur  begins  his  narrative  with  not  a  few  of  them  of  a  jubilant,  kind. 
an  account  of  a  meeting  of  the  Congre-        The  volume  is  beautifully  got  Op;  and 


"■"pSbrus^"^            H0TI0B8  OP  NEW  PUBLICATIONS.  91 

as  the  type  ia  large  and  l^ble,  it  will  be  attempt;  and  aa  it  is,  these  Bermona 

found  very  suitable  for  peraons  who  are  prove  that  be  was  a  pre»clier  of  no  mean 

nettfing  lie  dark  Tallej,  and  who  there-  order,  and  entirely  worth;  of  the  high 

iwe  ba.ve  a  special  interest  in  its  in-  ojnnion  entertained  of  him  by  the  flock 

stfuctive  and  consolatory  contents.  to  whom  he  ho  faithfully  and  loTJngly 

miniitered,  as  well  as  bj  those  who  in 

Faitb  in  God.    Sermons  by  the  late  wider  spheres  were  occasionalljfaToured 

Rer.  Jame3  Hamilton,  M.A.,Cockpen.  with  his  serricea. 

Edited  by  the  Eev.  William  Scrym-  

geoar,  Glaagow.  The  Mount  :  Speech  from  its  Engliah 

Edinbargii:  T.  AT.ciKk.  1877,  Heights.    By  Thomas  SiNCL*JB,M.A., 

Ms.  ScRTMGEOnR  has  succeeded  in  writ-  author    of    '  Lore's    Tnlogy,'    '  The 

lag  aa  esceptioaally  excelleat  biograpbi-  Mesaenger,'  etc. 

ml  t&ebch  of  his  friend.    It  is  linely  London :  Trubnci  &  Co.    ibts. 

sympathetic  »id  appreciative  in  spirit.  This  is  a  book  which  will  meet  with  a 

sJiA  vigorous  and  graceful  in  ezpression,  very  different   kind  of   reception  from 

Mr.  Hamilton's  gifts  and  graces  aa  a  different  kinds  of  people.     Some  will 

man  aud  a  minister  are  graphically  de-  tesa  it  aside  at  once,  and  deolare.it  to  be 

picted,  and  the  story  of  struggle  with  unintelligible,  or  egotistical  nonsense ; 

native  debility  and  ever-recurring  illnesa  others  wtU  see  in  it  much  depth  of  wis- 

is  touching!;  told.     Within  brief  space  dom.     Aristotle's  definition  of  virtue  is 

the  experience  and  environments  of  Mr.  of  wide  appUcation,   and   perhaps   the 

Hamilton  aie  set  forth  so  as  to  enable  right  opinion  is  the  one  that  lies  midway 

one  to  form  a  very  intelligent  opinion  as  between  these  two  extremes, 

to  tbe  kind  of  man  he  was,  and  the  work  Mr.  Sinclair  uDderstands  by  the  Mount 

which  he  aeoomptished.  the  height  from  which  oar  great  oi 

The  sermons,  preached  in  the  ordinary  greatest  writers  apeak,  and  in  this  volume 
course  of  Mr.  Hamilton's  ministry,  here  he  essays  to  weigh  their  speech  and 
given  are  of  superior  merit.  They  are  ahow  its  value.  This  he  tells  us  he 
freeb  and  vigorous,  highly  evangelical  means  to  do  in  a  frank  and  fearlcfls 
is  sentiment,  and  pervaded  by  a  rich  manner,  and  he  hsa  kept  his  word.  One 
unction  which  must  have  made  tbem  feels  a  little  startled  at  first  by  the 
very  impressive  in  their  delivery.  We  familiar  and  confident  way  in  which  the 
confess,  however,  to  a  feeling  of  dis-  (real  or  supposed)  weaknesses  and  limi- 
appointment  in  reading  them  in  certain  tatious  of  such  liii  majore^  as  tShoke- 
r«^>ects.  Mr.  Hamilton,  we  are  told,  speare,Goethe,Carlyle,etc,axeeiposed. 
had  been  severdy  exercised  by  the  This  doabtless  will  be  fdt  to  be  offensive 
deeper  problems  of  life  and  religion,  by  some  of  the  admirers  of  these  great 
and^  alter  sore  travail,  reached  an  as-  writers ;  whilst  the  frequent  obscurity  <d 
snredfutii.  He  was,  it  is  said,  a  thinker  thought  and  speech  in  which  Mr.  Sin- 
first  and  then  a  preacher.  Now  we  do  clair  pleases  to  indulge  in  this  as  well 
not  oftm  find  him  disooursing  on  fltst  as  in  his  poems,  will  prove  a  hindrance 
principlw,  or  grappling  with  those  diffi-  te  the  comfort  and  ei^cation  of  others. 

cullies  which  specially  beset  the  thought-  

fnl  mind.    Indeed,  the  sermons  are,  ss  Home  to  God  :  A  Guide  on  the  Way. 

perhaps  was  to  be  expected  from  the  By  Saxuel  P£AIt30N,  M.A.,  of  Liver- 

cjrcnmstanoee  of  their  delivery,  quite  pooL 

popular  in  their  cast  of  thought  and  way  London:  Tha  RcJigums  Tract  Boolety. 

of  putting  tilings.     Thus   in  the  first,  This  little  volume  is  somewhat  similar 

which  gives  its  name  to  the  volume,  we  in  purpose  te  the  well-known  and  mueh 

find  only  a  little  said  at  its  cloee  about  appreciated  volumes  of  Doddridge  and 

f^th  being  the  condition  of  successful  Angel  James — '  The  Rise  and  Progress 

Ctmstianlifeandlabour,  but  no  attempt  of    Religion    in  the    Soul,'   and   'The 

is  made  to  show  bow  faith  works  and  Anxious  Inquirer.'    Mr.  Pearson  begins 

becomes  the  mighty  power  which  Christ  by  pointing  out  the  soul's  need,  and 

affirms  and  experience  proves  it  to  be.  how  this  can  be  met  by  Christ.    It  is 

We  have  no  donbt,  however,  that  it  very   affectionate  in   spirit,   oleor   and 

WIS  in  Mr.  Hannlton's  power  to  have  single  in  langoage,  and  comprehensive, 

produced  disconmes  of  a  more  intellectual  considering  its  brevity,  in  the  range  of 

kind,  bad  he  felt  justified  in  making  the  topics  tooched.    It  cannot  fail  to  be 


98 


MONTHLT  BETROSFECT. 


both  attractiTe  and  nsoful  to  the  deeply 
int«TeBtuig  claBs  to  whidi  it  is  addressed. 
It  might,  however,  have  been  improved, 
in  view  of  its  purpose,  by  introdncing 
some  well-cboBeQ  and  well-told  examplea 
of  those  who  diligently  and  Buccesefully 
have  Bonght  the  wh;  to  Zion. 


An  Exposure  of  Popery,  With  Special 
Reference  to  Penance  and  tJie  Mass. 

L  By  the  Ute  William  ANDERSOti.LL.D., 
Glasgow.  With  an  Introdaction  by 
EeT,  John  Oaicns,  D.D.  New  and 
lievised  Edition. 

Londnn  ■  Bwider  ll  e(«nghlon. 
Elilnbutgh  :  W.  OUphBQt  &  Co.     13TS. 

It  waH  our  privilege  to  hear  Dr.  Ander- 
son deliver  several  of  the  lectures  con- 
tained in  this  volume,  and  over  a  consi' 
derable  number  of  years  our  recoJloction 
of  the  enjoyment  we  derived  is  very 
vivid.  The  audiences  were  completely 
taken  by  storm,  and  roused  at  once  in  a 
high  degree  alike  to  indignation  and 
contempt.  Dr.  Andeison's  was  such  a 
powertol  personality,  and  he  bad  snch 
strongly  marked  individoality  and  so 
much  intensity  of  conviction,  that  his 
Utterances  gained  much  by  his  mere 
presence  and  manner  of  delivery. 

Tlieee  lectnres,  however,  have  proved 
full  of  interest  and  instmction  in  their 
printed  form.  Tbey  have  a  nnmber  of 
eicellencea  not  to  be  found  in  the  writ- 
ings of  any  other  mau.  It  would  be 
easy  to  point  to  some  who  argue  as  con- 
clusively, and  whose  knowledge  of  the 
subject  is  as  extensive  and  correct;  it 
would  be  impossible  to  point  to  any  one 
who  has  the  same  power  of  invention 
and  scornful  delineation,  and  especially 
who  has  the  power  of  blending  tQl  these 
elements  into  a  consistent  whole.  The 
book  is  notmore  fitted  to  impart  informs' 
tion  and  beget  conviction,  than  it  is  now 
to  ronse  to  wrath  and  now  to  excito 
contempt  for  the  miserable  mummeries 
HO  scathingly  expressed,  and  for  those 
who  could  perform  and  promote  them. 


The  time  for  their  republication  in  a 
compact  and  attractive  form  is  oppor- 
tune. We  see  Gitoalism,  which  w  eim- 
ply  Popery  without  the  Pope,  making 
rapid  progress,  and  eiert^g  a  migb^ 

Kwer,  in  the  Church  of  Enghtnd.  Wc 
BT  of  attempts  being  m^e  for  the 
establishment  of  a  Papal  Hierarchy  in 
Scotland;  and  we  aretoldbymtmfwlii) 
profess  to  be  specially  charitable  uid 
enlightoned,  that  Popery  is  qaite  blame- 
less now-a-days,  and  worthy  of  lU 
manner  of  toleration.  Now  it  ie  of  im- 
portance to  know  what  Popeiy  really  ii, 
and  to  remember  that  thoagh  it  has  a 
Protene-like  power  of  changing  itsfoim, 
it  is  ever  and  unalterably  the  same. 

Dr.  Cairns,  in  his  very  able  and  appu- 
priate  introduction,  emphaticolljpciDU 
out  the  dangers  to  which  we  are  eipofcd 
in  this  direction. 

The  volume  is  enriched  with  a  terj 
excellent  portrait  of  Dr.  Andenon,  and 
an  auh^raph  letter.  It  is  dedicated  to 
that  powenuUy  rioquent  Italian  eipoeer 
of  Popish  errors,  Alexandra  Givam. 
who  says :  '  It  shall  be  a  pleasure  and 
an  honour  to  me,  the  dedication  of  the 
book  of  dear  Dr.  Anderson,  who  waemy 
helping  hand,  and  one  of  my  best  MO 
most  prominent  supporters,  when  1  te' 
tured  in  Glasgow,  August  1851.  He 
waa  ever  since  alway  friendly  to  mfl  and 
my  mission.  His  memory  is  sweet  W 
my  heart,  and  will  be  lasting  with  mf 
life." 

As  the  sole  object  of  Uie  present  re- 
issne  of  these  admirable  lectures  is  M 
assist  in  the  battle  in  which  we  are  en- 
gaged with  a  foe  which  is  gathering 
its  strength  for  a  conflict,  subtle  in  jH 
mode,  but  of  supreme  eameatness  in  ils 
spirit,  it  is  highly  desirable  that  it  sbonld 
be  scattered  broadcast  over  the  length 
and  breadth  of  the  land;  and  we  ue 
grateful  to  learn  that  special  fscilitiei 
are  offered  for  its  getting  inte  the  h*3ii> 
of  ministers  of  the  gospel  and  tlwe 
whose  position  makes  them  inSnenlisl 
in  forming  and  guiding  pablic  opinioii, 


^mi^llS  Ittraspeci. 

THE  DUKE  OF  AROrLL  ON  DISESTABLISHMENT. 
In  the  January  number  of  the  Contemporary  Sevieia,  the  Duke  of  Argyll  discovne* 
on  t^  subject  of  Disestablishment  to  the  extent  of  forty-eight  pages.    The  pro- 
feesed  object  of  his  Grace  is  to  enlighten  the  people  of  England  on  a  sabject  c^- 
ceming  which,  according  to  him,  they  are  much  m  the  dark,  and  cot  very  {spM'^ 


MOHTHtT  BETBOSPEOT.  98 

D  be  to  set  forth  the 

^ M  present  state.    The  repeal  of  what  he  eaUs 

'  the  great  Jticoblte  Act  of  Patrons^ '  has  dooe  eTerjthing  that  waa  neceasair  to 
make  the  Chiuch  a  model  of  perfection  and  the  home  of  liberty ;  and  waxing  rery 
vann  in  his  adminUoa  of  this,  he  becomes  confideat  in  lus  eipectationa  and 
cordial  in  his  solicitatioos.  Thus,  near  the  dose  of  his  length/  paper,  he  exclaims, 
'It  is  the  whole  people  of  Scotlaod  who  have  gained  the  day.  It  is  for  them,  or 
lor  as  many  of  them  as  choose  to  do  ao,  to  enter  in  and  take  poasession.  They 
may  do  so  if  they  like,  with  drums  beating  and  banneis  flying.  Or,  if  they  do  not 
formally  join,  they  can  work  alongside  in  peace,  for  there  is  room  for  all.  What 
diTided  them  is  gone.  What  haa  always  united  them  alone  remuns.  Or  if 
there  be  any  step  which  can  be  taken,  or  any  other  measure  which  can  be  adopted, 
to  make  this  plainer  than  it  now  is,  I  can  only  say  that  no  one  would  be  more 
ready  than  myself  to  lend  it  a  helping  hand.' 

To  tlie  same  effect,  in  speaking  of  certain  Episcopalians  who  think  Presby- 
ttrianism  miworthy  of  being  established,  and  who,  therefore,  would  have  no 
objection  to  see  the  connection  at  present  existing  between  Church  and  State  in 
Smtland  abolished,  he  says  :  '  It  is  for  Presbyterians  of  Scotland  generally  to  say 
whether  this  is  a  result  which  Uiey  dedre  to  see  accomplished.  To  seek  for  it  is 
no  doubt  a  consistent  course  for  those  who  have  adopted  the  opinion  that  all 
Church  Establifihments  are  in  themselves  necesaarUy  evil.     They  may  safely  count 

Jn  the  natural  result,  that  when  the  Scottish  Church  has  been  disestablished, 
Presbyterians  would  nnite  with  the  opponente  of  the  Church  of  England.  No 
doabt  this  would  be  the  inevitable  result  But  not  holding  that  Established 
Churches  are  nnjust  to  those  who  have  seceded,  and  not  desiring  to  see  these  re- 
sults attained,  I  am  in  favour  of  the  policy  whidi  historically  haa  been  the  policy 
of  all  Liberal  politicians  in  Scotland,  namely,  that  of  adapting  the  Church  Estab- 
lishment as  completely  as  possible  to  the  hereditary  traditions  and  opinions  of  the 

Ic  is,  of  coQtse,  quit«  out  of  our  power,  in  the  brief  space  at  our  command  in  a 
mere  retrospect,  to  enter  into  minute  and  exhaustive  criticism  of  the  various  im- 
portant points  touched,  and  opinions  expressed,  in  this  elaborate  ducal  manifesto. 
It  has  recdved,  and  will  receive,  attention  on  the  part  of  those  who  feel  their  posi- 
tion assailed  or  misinterpreted.  Our  friends,  alike  of  the  Free  Church  and  the 
Liberation  Society,  will  do  well  to  set  his  Grace  right  as  to  several  matters  in 
■hich  they  are  specially  concerned. 

We  may,  however,  note  one  or  two  points  in  reference  to  which  this  earnest 
champion  of  the  Church  of  Scotland  has  errod. 

Heavers  that  everything  that  caused  secession  oi  disunion  has  been  removed. 
Now,  it  ought  to  have  been  known  to  him,  and  fully  acknowledged,  that  the  Free 
Chnich  assert  that  something  more  than  the  removal  of  Patronage  is  necessary  to 
make  the  Church  really  free.  And  that  they  are  right  in  this  is  proved  by  a  refer- 
ence made  by  the  Duke  himself.  He  descants  on  the  Westminster  Confession  of 
Faith,  and  goes  somewhat  out  of  his  way  to  show  how  its  authors  have  misinter- 
preted the  teaching  of  Paul.  Bat  the  point  in  question  is :  Has  the  Church  of 
bcotland  the  power  to  alter  its  Creed  without*  the  sanction  of  the  State  ?  The 
Bnke  is  constrained  to  acknowledge  that  it  has  not.  And  seeing  this  is  the  case, 
why  talk  of  the  freedom  of  the  Church,  when  it  cannot  and  dare  not  do  that  which 
is  of  vital  importance,  and  necessary  to  its  very  existence  as  a  Church  enjoying 
that  liberty  wherewith  Christ  makes  His  people  free  ? 

Then  as  to  Voluntaries,  the  plea  that  everything  is  made  right  is  still  more  futile. 
The  noble  writer  seems  to  find  it  difGdnlt  to  believe  that  Voluntaryism  is  a  prin- 
ciple conscientioualy  held  by  many  in  these  lands,  and  that  their  efforts  are  mo- 
tived, not  by  any  ill-will  to,  or  envy  of,  the  Eatablished  Church,  but  by  a  strenuous 
sense  of  duty.  And  if  his  Grace,  and  those  who  think  with  him,  could  only  believe 
this,  then  they  might  understand  how  the  efforts  of  Voluntaries  in  behalf  of  Dis- 
establishment  are  worthy  of  quite  another  name  than  attempts  at  spoliation. 

Altogether,  the  paper  bears  mark  of  hast*  and  uncertainty.  Its  ststemenle  are 
often  contradictory,  and  its  argumentation  inconclusive.  It  will  not  induce  the 
Liberal  party  to  assume  the  role  which  has  been  assumed  by  the  Tories,  namely, 


94  MONTHLY  EKTH08PECT.  ^"""Jt™!^ 

that  of  the  coDBetratoTS  of  tbe  Charcb  as  by  law  ettabliah«d.  OKtendbl;  it  has 
been  'writt«ii  in  the  interestB  of  conciUatioa,  bat  it  will  be  acoept&ble  only  to  tbtm 
who  do  not  need  to  be  coaciliated,  and  it  is  qaertionable  if  it  will  be  acceptable 
even  to  them  ;  for  the  men  whose  placeof  congregatiiift  is  22  Qneeo  Street,  bale  in 
politics  strODg  CooBerratiTe  proclivitiefl,  and  hare  more  faith  in  the  frieDdship  of 
&  Tory  than  a  Whig  Goremment ;  and  we  believe  in  tbie  matter  the  B^^  par^ 
in  tbe  Free  Ohorch  agrees  with  them.  It  will  not  then,  eren  in  these  diieeboie, 
prore  oonciliatoty,  whilst  in  otbers  it  will  provoke  mingled  feelings  of  diaappoint- 
ment  and  diBsatisfaction. 

PRESBYTERIES  AND  CALLS. 

A  KiTTEa  of  great  iroportatice  in  connection  with  all  our  congregations  is  to  get 
the  right  man  into  the  right  place.  Obviously  this  is  not  only  a  matter  of  imporlr 
ance,  but  difficulty.  We  Bee  that  it  is  not  always  secured ;  the  spectacle  of  the 
square  man  in  the  round  bole  is  not  of  infrequent  occurrence  in  the  Church  tx  well 
as  in  the  world. 

How,  then,  is  this  evil  to  be  rectified  7  We  oleerve  that  of  late  a  comidKible 
number  of  ministers  under  call  in  the  Free  Church  have  left  the  matter  is  tie 
hands  of  the  Presbytery,  and  been  ruled  by  the  fresbyterial  deciaon ;  tad  ipiDEt 
this  there  is  and  ought  to  be  no  law. 

We  observe,  however,  occasionally  cases  of  another  desdiption,  and  notably  ow 
lately,  in  which  the  minister  strongly  expressed  his  wish  to  change  his  qthersDl 
labour,  and  the  Presbytery  refused  to  give  effect  to  his  wishes.  Nalunlly  the 
commisaioners  from  the  disappointed  congregatjon  were  dissatisfied,  and  sppeded 
from  the  Presbytery  to  the  Synod.  We  trust  the  Synod  will  reverse  tie  dedaon 
of  the  Presbytery,  and  allow  in  this  matter  liberty  of  individual  action. 

Our  reasiHis  for  this,  briefly,  are  these — 

1.  A  man's  own  right  to  himself.  It  may  be  said  that  when  a  man  cooDeete 
himself  with  a  Church  he  promises  obedience  to  the  powers  that  be  in  that  Church. 
Quite  true  ;  but  these  powers  may  be  exercised  ultra  aires  of  any  society,  and  b 
seekmg  to  benefit  the  Church  a  wrong  and  injury  may  be  done  to  the  indivJdnaL 
And  this,  we  believe,  is  so  in  the  case  under  consideration. 

2.  A  man's  knowledge  of  himself  and  his  surroundings.  It  is  true,  indeed,  (hat 
self-knowledge  is  one  of  the  kinds  of  knowledge  that  is  moat  difficult  of  attiin- 
ment,  and  our  neighbours  may  see  in  us  symptoms  of  strength  or  weaknen  oC 
which  we  ourselves  are  unconscious.  Bot,  at  the  same  time,  a  man  may  hare  a 
knowledge  of  himself  which  he  cannot  eomnmnicate  to  another,  and  this  knowkdp  ' 
may  wisely  lead  him  to  action ;  and  if  that  action  be  legitimate  in  itself,  it  is  cot 
for  another,  even  though  that  other  be  official,  to  step  in  and  say,  I  am  wiaetthan 

3.  The  ^il  results  to  the  man  in  connection  with  the  sphere  of  labour  to  irhich 
he  has  relnctantly  been  sent  back.  A  congregation  is  not  likely  to  welcoice  a 
minister  whom  they  know  to  be  with  them  by  constraint,  and  not  of  a  williiig 
mind.  The  true  bond  between  minister  and  people  is  the  bond  of  love,  and  this 
bond  is  sure  to  be  seriously  affected  by  a  declaration  on  the  part  of  the  mioeta 
that  he  would  prefer  to  labour  elsewhere.  It  is  not  pleasant  tor  himself,  and  it  ii 
not  for  the  good  of  the  cause,  that  be  should  be  placed  in  circumstanceB  in  which 
there  is  the  possibility,  at  least,  of  altered  countenances  and  alienated  atfectioni- 

Our  Church,  therrfore,  we  think,  acta  wisely  in  leaving  tiie  respondbilitj  of 
decision  in  such  cases  with  the  minister  himself ;  and  if  occasionally  the  Presbytery, 
bad  it  been  called  upon  to  decide,  might  have  given  a  judgment  to  be  prefeiied  to 
that  arrived  at,  there  is  this  to  say,  that  imperfection  attaches  to  all  human  f^- 
ceduie,  and  there  is  at  least  this  consolation,  that  the  rights  of  tlie  Cbristiu 
minister,  as  well  as  those  of  the  Christian  people,  have  been  conserved. 

AMONG  THE  MASSES  IN  EDINBURGH. 
Theks  fies  before  us  a  little  pamphlet  jnet  issued,  entitled  '  History  aikd  Freseit 
Portion  of  Sydney  Hall  Congregatiooal  Charch,'  which  is  replete  witti  intew^ 
It  is  written  in  a  very  graphic  and  impressive  manner,  and  vividly  sets  fcstb  the 


""XTr^"^^  MOBTHLT  BETBO8PE0T.  95 

work  in  which  the  Chnrch  ia  engaced,  uid  ita  BarronndiagB.  Ite  pastor  ia  Mr.  .A. 
D.  Bobertoon,  and  its  place  of  wonhip  is  that  which  was  fonnerl;  occupied  by  the 
Free  Tron  oongiegatioD,  High  Street.  Ita  agenciea  are  mch  as  we  find  in  coimectioii 
■with  all  churchefi  of  a  limilar  character;  but  in  none  do  we  meet  with  a  more  esinest 

fiorpose,  and  a  closer  hand-to-hand  fight  with  evil  in  ita  nio«t  loathsome  forma, 
ts  work  ia  among  the  lapied  mastet.  There  are,  it  ia  aaid,  50,000  who  neglect 
the  meana  of  entce  ia  Edinburgh,  and  the  ignonnoe  of  aome  of  than  is  incredible. 
ThDB,  it  is  said,  '  A  poor  girl,  dying  of  consumption,  being  aaked  if  she  knew  Jesoa, 
said,  "Isn't  that  a  bad  man?"  When  aaked  what  made  her  think  ao?  aherepUed, 
"  I  nevei  hear  it  except  when  men  and  women  are  cursing  one  another."  It  ia  a 
miatake,  however,  to  Buppoee  that  these  aweltering,  aeeihing  masses  are  composed 
only  of  the  ignorant,  or  thoas  who  have  been  always  near  their  bordera.  Thus,  it 
ia  said,  *  We  have  found  the  man  of  letters,  showing  that  echolarahip  and  education 
is  not  alwaya  a  safeguard;  the  lawyer,  the  phyaician,  the  poet, — ay,  thoae  who 
had  been  aet  apart  with  holy  hands  for  God's  service  in  Hia  CJnnrch  on  earth.  We 
hOiTe  met  men,  who  in  their  day  bade  fair  to  rival  the  worid  with  tiieir  genins, 
caught  np  in  the  teeth  of  ainfnl  luat,  and  tMaed  back  into  the  dena  of  the  city ; 
-workmen  with  rare  power  and  skill,  who  amoog  thfii  fellowa  were  eonaideied 
chiefs  to  lead, — good  fellows, — dashed  by  ain  down  among  the  worthleas.  Add  to 
these,  thoae  of  t£e  gentler  aei, — the  fur  and  beautiful,  the  graceful  and  aocom- 
pliahed,  the  tender  and  delicate,---now  blasted  and  blighted,  destroyed  almoat 
beyond  hope, — in  Satan's  workshop,  these  acqairements  giving  them  more  power 
for  evil.  Then  there  are  the  children,  the  innocent,  helpleaa  infanta,  as  they  grow 
Dp  in  the  midat  of  thia  hotbed  of  ain.  The  qoeation  of  aaving  them  from  falling 
ia  a  qnestion  an  archangel  might  well  ponder  and  consider.  How  to  save  the 
children  I ' 

The  chief  cause  of  all  thia  is  just  the  same  sad  tale,  drunkenneea !  And  there 
»re  in  such  localitjea  ae  theee  in  which  Hr.  Robertson  laboura  aoch  facihlaea  for 
getting  drink,  ae  makes  them  a  very  famace  of  temptation.  On  this  point  the 
report  thns  speake :  '  Dninkennese  has  a  strong  hold  in  our  district,  perhaps  greater 
than  in  any  othra  place  in  the  city.  Before  you  can  reach  the  honaea  in  one  of  the 
wynda,  you  have  to  pass  between  two  public  honaea ;  having  passed  these  anarea, 
yon  come  to  a  house  of  ill-fame ;  the  next  ia  a  hard-ale  shop  or  ahebeen.  When 
showing  one  of  the  magistrates  the  people  and  their  homes,  on  seeing  their  wretch- 
ednesa,  he  aaked  why  they  drank  so  much  7  The  poor  women  thus  qneationed 
looked  at  him  in  wonder,  and  aaid,  "  Did  you  see  the  twa  pnblic-honaee  our  anthori'- 
tieB  aet  down  on  the  richt  and  left  hand  aide  at  the  close  month  1  Did  ye  aee  that 
awf  n'  house  as  ye  entered  the  close  ?  and  did  ye  see  that  hard-ale  shop  at  the  foot 
of  the  st^r?  And  if  ye  have  seen  these,  surely  I  dinna  need  to  tell  ye  why  we 
drink  aae  much.  It'a  no  fair  -o'  the  bailies  to  surround  ua  puir  folk  wi'  aae  mony 
temptations."  She  did  not  know  at  the  time  she  was  speaking  to  a  magistrate, 
anxious  to  relieve  her  of  the  temptation  to  ain.  In  the  next  stair,  asking  a  man 
why  he  did  not  atop  drinking,  he  replied,  "  Ah,  air,  it  has  got  sic  a  grip  o'  me ;  it's 
no  easy ! "  ' 

But  whilst  there  is  much  to  sadden,  there  is  also  not  a  little  to  gladden  in  the 
account  of  the  work  prosecuted  amidst  scenes  so  trying  and  unfavourable.  Here 
is  an  example :  '  Before  closing  tlua  report,  let  me  relate  one  case  of  a  soul  depart' 
ing  in  peace  after  a  bng  dark  struggle.  Not  long  ago  1  was  asked  to  go  and  see  a 
young  woman.  I  found  her  very  weak,  and  there  was  every  appearance  of  death 
being  near.  Consumption  had  been  doing  ita  work,  and  had  nearly  finished  it. 
On  getting  into  conversation,  I  found  she  knew  her  Bible  very  well,  though  abe 
did  not  know  Jeaus  as  her  Savioor.  Her  prayers  seemed  of  no  use ;  she  was  heart- 
sick in  her  anxiety  to  be  saved,  and  no  rehef  had  come.  Her  mother  spoke  of  her 
being  always  a  good  child ;  but  that  was  no  aatiafaction.  Such  was  her  atato 
when  I  saw  her.  On  learning  the  above,  I  told  her  she  did  not  believe  the  Bible 
to  be  the  word  of  QodI  She  looked  hard  at  me,  and  asked  me  to  explain  what  I 
meant.  I  told  her  she  did  not  believe  it  to  be  true ;  for  if  she  did,  then  she  would 
need  to  toll  me  how  she  was  so  very  anxiona,  if  it  waa  God's  word,  and  if  it  was  all 
Imth.  This  made  her  only  the  more  anxious  to  know  what  waa  my  meaning.  I 
then  began  by  showing  her  that  if  she  really  did  believe  this  Bible  to  be  God's 


96  MONTHLY  RETB08PECT.  '      pliiTwa  **■■ 

word,  and  aU  tme — true  that  God  so  loved  the  world ;  true  that  Jeans  came  to 
flave  the  lost ;  true  tiiat  He  died  for  oar  buib  eccordiDg  to  the  Scriptures ;  true  that 
He  came  not  to  call  the  righteoua,  but  Hinaers — all  that  true,  and  you  sav  you 
believe  it  ?  do  you  believe  it,  aud  have  no  peace  ?  Wait  a  moment,  she  said ;  let  me 
see '.  Oh,  I  see  it  all  now  !  Jesus  has  done  all  for  me  I  Yes ;  that  is  true !  Hov 
fltrauge  I  never  saw  it  before!  Bless  the  Lord,  0  my  soul!  She  lived  eight  days, 
and  died  rejoiciDg  in  Jesus  her  Saviour.' 

Surely  those  who  are  engaged  in  such  work  richly  deserve,  as  they  greatly  need, 
the  warmest  sympathy  and  most  liberal  support  of  all  to  whom  the  cause  of  Christ 
and  the  salvation  of  perishing  souls  is  dear. 

ENTERPRISE  SALES  AND  BAZAARS. 
Fob  some  months  the  attention  of  the  citizens  of  Glasgow  has  been  strongly  turned 
to  a  kind  of  commercial  activity  which  goes  by  the  enphuiatic  name  of  '  Enterprise 
Sales.'     It  is  affirmed,  however,  that  they  ought  to  be  called  simply  '  Lotteries.' 

Tbe  evils  resulting  in  many  ways  from  these  Bales  led  to  an  opinion  as  to  their 
legality  being  asked  of  the  Lord  Advocate.  His  decision  was  certainly  oufavonr- 
^ble  to  them,  and  yet  it  is  contended  by  some  that  it  is  not  easy  to  bring  them  under 
the  sweep  of  legal  action ;  and  we  believe,  though  the  nuisance  is  abated,  it  is  not 
entirely  removed. 

A  special  and,  as  we  think,  painful  interest  attaches  to  this  subject  from  its  too 
«loee  relationship  to  bazaars  held  for  religious  and  benevolent  purposes.  It  is  an 
undeniable  fact  that  the  lottery  system  prevails  in  coonectioa  with  many  of  them, 
and  is  defended  on  the  groond  that  but  for  this  many  articles  would  never  be  sold, 
and  the  bazaar  prove  altogether  a  pecuniary  failure. 

It  will  be  observed  that  those  who  speak  after  this  fashion  do  not  attempt  to  de- 
fend or  vindicate  their  action  on  the  ground  of  principle.  With  them  the  question 
is  simply  one  of  profit  and  loss,  and  lotteries  are  practised  because  they  are  profit- 
able. But  surely  it  does  not  need  to  be  argued  that  mere  material  profit  may  be  a 
great  spiritual  loss ;  and  if  this  can  be  proved  to  be  the  case  in  this  connection,  then 
in  consistency  the  practice  ought  to  be  abandoned.  And  that  there  is  spiritual  loss 
is  emphaUcsIly  affirmed  by  many  who  have  witnessed  the  proceedings  now  animad- 
verted on  and  mourned  over  them. 

Bazaars  conducted  on  ordinary  business  prieciples  may  be  easily  defended.  We 
saw  lately,  in  connection  with  an  advertisement  announcing  a  bazaar,  an  aceurance 
given  that  '  it  was  for  the  honest  sale  of  honest  work.'  Now,  there  may  be  '  a  more 
excellent  way '  of  obtaining  money  for  religious  purposes  than  even  a  bazaar  of  this 
description.  Still,  it  all  were  so,  much  of  the  reproach  that  now  attaches  to  them 
would  be  wiped  away. 

THE  STATE  OF  THE  COUNTRY. 
For  some  time  past,  confessedly,  this  country  bos  been  passing  throngh  a  serious 
ordeal.  The  late  harvest  was  disastrons,  specially  to  the  agricultural  classes,  bnt 
involved  many  others  in  distress.  Trade,  m  almost  every  department,  has  been 
deeply  depressed,  and  over  all  there  has  been  *  the  shadow  of  a  fear-'  The  Eastern 
Question,  with  its  possibilities  of  a  terrible  and  extended  war,  has  been  occupying 
men's  minds  and  oppressing  their  hearts.  Meetings  of  an  earnest  and  impres- 
sive kind  have  been  held  all  over  the  country,  with  the  view  of  leading  or  keeping 
the  Government  in  the  paths  of  peace.  Amidst  circumstances  of  unusual  excite- 
ment Parliament  met  by  special  command.  The  Speech  from  the  throne,  whilst 
speaking  of  peace,  made  also  allowance  for  the  contingency  of  war,  and  asked  for 
conditional  preparation.  How  necessary,  then,  not  only  the  exercise  of  utmost 
vigilance  by  all  lovers  of  peace,  but  earnest  prayer  to  Him  in  whose  hands  are  the 
hearts  of  men,  that  so  dire  a  calamity  may  be  averted ! 


UNITED  PRESBYTERIAN   MAGAZINE. 


MARCH    1.    1878 


<$ri0inal   %,ti'uUs, 


RELATION  OP  STUDENTS'  MISSIONARY  ASSOCIATIONS  TO 
THE  STUDENTS  THEMSELVES. 

AKADDBB3BDEL1YSRBD  ATTHE  ANNUAL  UBBTIKa  OF  THE  ffTtTDBHTB'  HIS8I0K- 
ABT  ABSOCIATIOK  ID  OX-ASflOW,  26tH  DRCBKBER,  BT  RET.  WILLUH 
GRAHAM,  LITEBFOOI.. 

I  COULD  eaeily  indulge  in  expressing  tlie  joy  of  comiDg,  at  tbe  reqneat  of  the 
MissioDary  ABsociatioa,  into  tlie  heart  of  our.  young  atndent  life, — a  joy 
springing  from  remembrances  of  more  than  thirty  years  since,  and  from  tli^ 
sense  of  being  more  than  ever  a  student  still. 


-  'OL,  I  ff  qI  tha  cresoent  promise  of  my  spirit  hath  not  set! 
Ancient  founts  of  Jnepiretion  well  through  all  my  fmoy 


I  shall  come  straight  to  the  work  of  the  evening  ;  and  though  I  know  I  am 
addreasing  not  so  much  an  audience  of  students  of  theology  as  one  of  a  more 
mixed  character,  I  shall  yet  keep  to  my  original  intention  of  saying  some- 
thing specially  adapted  to  students.  I  know,  moreover,  that  if  my  words 
reach  the  hearts  of  Christian  students,  they  wQl  not  fall  far  short  of  all 
Chiistian  hearts. 

My  subject,  then,  is  the  relation  which  a  Theological  Missionary  Associa- 
tion uatnrally  has  to  the  studies  and  character  of  the  students  themselyes. 

I.  Let  ns  look  at  the  relation  which  such  interest  in  missions  bears  to 
Christianity  as  a  system  of  divine  truth.-  There  are  two  ways,  as  you  are 
aware,  of  looking  broadly  at  Christian  truth.  The  first  is,  that  it  is  not 
diiine  truth  at  all, — for  the  very  sufficient  reason  that  there  is  no  Qod,orno 
God  that  is  known  by  men,  or  no  Qod  that  can  reveal  Himself  to  men. 
This,  of  course,  we  dismiss  at  once.  Enough  that  the  gospel  has  to  face 
such  a  system,  and  carrying,  as  it  does,  the  great  spiritual  ttuths  of  God, 
redemption  and  immortality,  in  its  bosom,  its  very  attitude  arrests  the  atten- 
tion J  its  very  first  truths,  when  contrasted  with  this  miserable  irreligion,  or 
rather  superstition,  look  the  more  noble  in  the  sight  of  every  true  soul,  and 
especially  of  every  young  and  earnest  spirit.  But  there  is  another  view  of 
Christian  troth,  namely,  that  though  divine,  it  is  no  more  divine  thaa  other 
religions  systems  are,  or  if  so,  is  only  the  highest  form  of  the  natural  and 

iro.  ni.  TOL.  xxn,  hew  sbbies. — ^makch  isjs.  g 


98  students'  missiouaet  associatioks.   ■^"'IK. mk^"^ 

etractnral  deTelopmeot  of  religion.  Miseions  bridg  the  stadent  rigbt  in 
front  of  the  world-BystemB  of  religion,  and  put  the  ipmsima  corpora,  the 
elemeutttry  spiritaal  qnestions,  before  hia  mind.  Well,  here  it  ia  something 
—it  ia  mnch — that  Christianity  ia  felt  and  acknowledged  to  be  the  highest 
religion  knowD,  that  it  has  the  noblest  conceptions  of  Qod,  and  has  done 
noblest  work  for  man-  -And  on  the  ground  of  comparative  rehgions — anew 
and  most  snggestive  atady — I  think  missions  look  well  again ;  for  if  men  like 
Goethe,  Hegel,  Schelling,  Carlyle,  and  eren  John  Stnart  Mill,  prononnca 
Christianity  to  be  far  beyond  every  present  position,  and  hkely  to  remain 
ever  so,  then  it  follows  that  studenta  engaged  in  miasions  have  before  them, 
alike  for  study  and  for  spreading,  religion  as  well  as  Christianity  iu 
its  grandest  aspect.  But  it  is  more  so  when  we  come  to  the  claim  that 
Christianity  rises  not  only  aloft,  but  ia  alone  in  its  origin  and  truth  among 
all  religions. 

Putting  both  of  these  views  together,  I  think  it  is  plain  that  aa  intense 
interest  in  missions  becomes  a  most  lominoas  and  quickening  stndy  of  the 
theological  system  of  Christian  troth.  It  becomes  so  in  three  ways, — it 
broadens,  intensifies,  and  vitalizes  the  Christian  system,  and  in  doing  so 
gives  the  atndent  a  hold  of  Christian  truth  which,  always  invalaable,  will 
calm  and  gnard  him  amidst  the  roaring  storms  and  changeful  eddies  that  at 
thia  time  trouble  the  river  of  hfe,  as,  through  all  and  in  spite  of  all,  it  makes 
glad  the  city  of  God. 

First,  it  broadens  tbe  ChristiJlQ  system,  and  so  makes  it  wide  as  well  as 
deep,  like  the  Atlantic.  It  rescues  it  from  the  conflicts,  some  of  tbem  very 
important  in  their  place,  of  denominations.  I  do  not  speak  merely  of  Scottish 
sects,  nor  even  Protestant  sects.  I  shall  add,  it  broadens  outside  of  the 
Popish  and  ProtestaDt  controversies,  and  it  sets  Chiistianity,  however  cor- 
mpted,faceto  face  with  heaths  systems  of  all  sorts  at  home  and  abroad, — 
whether  the  heathenism  of  a  British  man  of  science  who  worships  no  Ood,  or 
o!  a  Calabar  savage  who  worships  the  devil  It  seta  Christianity  broadly, 
where  it  was  set  of  old  in  the  Acts  of  the  Apoatlea,  over  agaiost  philosophic 
Pantheism  or  Positivism,  aa  well  as  the  varied  natioDal  polytheisms.  Kever, 
I  hold,  does  Chriatian  truth  look  so.  well  as  when  so  confronted;  and  it  is  so 
to  the  student  in  missions.  You  can  see  at  a  glance  how  its  divinenese,  its 
humanity,  its  noble  simplicity,  its  matchless  love,  its  supernatural  holiness — 
in  one  word,  its  celestial  quality— proclaim  it  queen — incessu  paluit  dea. 
Are  we  to  prefer  the  Brahminism  or  Buddhism  of  the  East,  the  Pantheism 
or  Materialism  of  the  West,  to  snch  a  aystem !  One  steady  look  instructs 
and  demonstrates  as  no  esposition  can.  For  Christianity  has  priuciples 
without  which  men  neither  have  grown  nor  can  grow  up  to  their  fuU  stature. 
It  brings  a  God  who  is  at  once  Creator,  Redeemer,  and  Sanctifier.  It  t^te 
man  up  in  bis  deepest  wants,'and  puts  a,  complete  remedy  within  him  and  an 
immortality  of  perfection  before  him.  Missions  bring  both  testimonies 
together, — '  the  testimony  of  man's  soul  naturally  Christian,'  as  TertulUan 
with  deep  wisdom,  and  with  words  that  have  become  classical,  calls  it,  as 
well  as  the  testimony  of  the  Divine  Spirit,  with  its  self -evidencing  divinity  of 
the  truth.  The  statne  of  Minerva,  aa  it  was  shaped  in  the  studio  of  Phidias, 
and  surrounded  by  captions  microscopic  eyes,  was  reviled  and  rejected. 
This  was  too  mncb,  that  too  little;  in  fact,  it  was  no  goddess  at  all.  But 
Phidias  knew  better.  He  knew  that  when  placed  aloft  in  ttie  sunny  Greek 
sky,  all  would  pronounce  her,  in  her  m^estic  breadth  and  beauty,  as  she 
blessed  tbe  city,  to  be  divine.  So  with  the  gospel,  Kemove  it  from  the 
pitiful  sqnabbles^of  word-critics  and  sectarian  microscopiats,  lift  it  in  the 


ito.TiiM'^       BTtJDBHTS    MISSIONAHT  A8800IATIOS8.  99 

light  of  heaven  from  which  it  came,  in  the  attitade  of  blessing  the  whole 
world,  then  it  looks  divine, — then  we  know  and  adore  ita  Bopreme  symmetry 
and  greatnesB. 

Second,  while  it  broadens,  it  intensifies  the  Christian  system.  Call  it 
narrow  if  yon  will.  Well,  then,  it  is  narrow  as  truth,  as  right,  as  God  and 
man.  It  is  felt  to  be  not  only  supreme,  bnt  sole.  For  missions,  as  well  as 
all  spiritoal  work,  bring  oat  this  fact,  that  what  are  called  the  peculiar 
trnths  of  the  gospel — peealiar  as  his  crown  to  a  king,  His  divinity  to 
Christ,  and  His  atonemei^  to  His  death — are  not  only  the  great  spiritual 
princ^Ies,  bat  the  great  spiritual  working  forces. 

Third,  Christian  missions  add  to  these  two  points  a  third,  and  one  most 
needed,  especially  by  students.  The  mommt  I  see  a  great  Christian  doctrine 
coming  back  upon  me  from  the  passionate  intellectual  and  spiritual  straggles 
of  a  great  Papist  like  Pascal,  or,  on  the  other  extreme,  reflected  from  the 
new-quickened  glow  of  a  poor  nnidea'd  savage,  yet  now  haying  but  one  vital 
Christian  truth,  no  longer  a  slave,  but,  likg  Onesimns,  'abrother  beloved'  in  the 
Lord,  that  moment  the  doctrine,  so  dry  and  dead  on  the  pages  of  the  system, 
starts  into  life  and  thrills  me  when  flashed  in  its  divine  power  and  splendonr 
from  souls  so  different.  Doctrines  thus  seeu  march  before  us  like  victorious 
soldiers,  with  their  breadth  of  shield,  sluup  edge  of  sword,  and  life  of  Christ 
Himself. 

II.  Bnt  Christian  nussions  do  more  than  explain,  and  so  instruct, — ^they 
also  prove  the  Christian  system.  The  best  apologetics  for  the  gospel  or  the 
Qospcds  are  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles.  Christ  on  the  cross  ia  the  system 
itself,  but  Christ  on  the  cross  drawing  all  men  to  Himself  ia  more  than  the 
systrai — it  is  its  demonstration.  Plato  was  once  asked  by  a  disciple, '  What 
is  motion  T'  and,  unable  to  reply,  he  rose  up,  and  walking  before  him,  said, 
'  That  is  motion.'  '  What  brings  to  God  must  have  come  from  God,'  is  a 
true  maxim  of  the  great  Christian  apologist  Alezcmder  Yinet;  aud  so  we 
feel  that  the  great  demonstration  of  Christianity — its  standing  and  con- 
stantly-repeated miracle — is  Christendom.  Take  last  centory,  for  example. 
Bishop  Bntler  made  his  apology  for  Christianity  in  his  most  thoughtful 
book,  The  Anaiogy.  But  Wesley  and  Whitfield  made  one  far  better,  by 
showing  the  power  of  the  gospel  in  causing  men  to  rise  up  and  walk  in  new- 
ness of  life.  Better,  too,  one  Calabar  saint  than  all  the  evidences  of  Faley. 
Give  us  again  the  old  lives  of  the  early  Christians,  who  exclaimed,  '  We  do 
not  speak  great  thii^s,  we  live  them,'  and  Christianity  would  bo  felt  to  be  as 
divine  as  it  was  at  the  first.  The  apostolic  fathers  wrote  their  defences  of 
the  gospel,  but  their  martyrdoms  were  better  than  their  ^writings.  As  Dr. 
John  Duncan  said, '  They  homed  batter  than  they  wrote.'  It  ia  the  necessity, 
and  it  is  a  wise  necessity,  of  theological  atndents,  that  they  mnst  deal  for 
the  most  part  with  thonghta  and  books ;  bat  here  is  the  needed  corrective. 
Yoor  systems  of  medicine  are  well  in  their  place,  they  cannot  be  dispensed 
with ;  but  ehnical  surgery  expfeins  and  proves  by  applying.  So  in  the 
great  world-hospital  it  is  Jesus  going  about  and  healing  all  manner  of 
diseases  that  stamps  Him  with  the  great  name  of  God  onr  Healer.  '  There- 
ioK'  says  Professor  Gairdner,  of  your  Glasgow  University,  in  an  address  to 
students,  '  therefore  I  can  aee  in  your  Missionary  Association  not  only  an 
additional  means  for  good  among  the  poor,  bnt,  rightly  employed,  an  import- 
ant adjunct  to  the  trtaning  of  the  young  divine  in  the  University.' 

III.  Christian  missions  impress  the  imi^ination  by  placing  Christianity  in 
new  forms  of  noble  hvee.  After  all,  men's  'hearts  throb  moat  loyally,  and 
with  an  uncontrollable  euthnsiasm,  before  heroic  and  transcendent  virtues. 


100  students'  MIS8IOHAET  ASSOCIATIOlfS.     '^""X^bJI* 

It  is  not  yonr  ordiaaiy  danba  iq  painting,  but  your  divine  Raphaels,  that  kee]> 
art  alive,  and  awaken  a  generona  and  glorions  enthnsiasai.  A  Dante  or  & 
Milton  is  worth  more  than  a  hondred  or  «  thonsand  minor  poets.  So 
ffliaaions  send  out  from  their  large  moulds  the  noblest  shapes  of  ChristiBD 
character,  and  thereby,  among  other  things,  keep  quick  the  pnlses  of  yonng 
Btndent  eonls.  Two  things  in  my  life  I  shall  never  forget.  How  cau  It 
They  are  a  cherished  memory,  and  belong  to  the  most  uplifting  parts  and 
powers  in  it.  It  is  now  more  than  thirty  years  since  I  used  to  meet-  the 
yonng  founder  of  yonr  Missionary  Asaociation,  Andrew  Shoolbred.  Stricfen 
'  with  consumption,  he  nursed,  in  his  lonely  Dunfermline  sick-room,  year  by 
year,  the  thought  that  has  summoned  us  here  to-night.  His  genins,  of  an 
ever-refining  and  unselGsh  character,  invented  this  society  in  his  dying  honis, 
and,  as  he  could  not  speak  his  thoughts,  he  committed  it  to  the  care  of  his 
and  onr  noble  friend  Dr.  Cairns  and  myself  to  propo§e  in  his  name. 
Shoolbred  is  dead  long  ago,  but  he  lives  still.  His  body  moulders  b  the 
grave,  but  in  yonr  society  his  sonl  is  marching  on.  And  even  earlier,  when 
I  was  a  student  in  Glasgow  College,  and  as  I  attended. the  Missionaty 
Society,  Wilham  Burns,  the  president,  used  to  speak  kindly  to  me,  and  pnt 
into  my  hands  the  Life  of  Henry  Martyn.  The  Cambridge  student,  riESog 
from  science  and  classics  into  the  consecration,  and  higher  than  the  poet's, 
the  saint's  dream,  and  giving  himself  in  India  to  years  of  self-sacrifice  aod 
at  last  a  death  that  recalls  a  martyr's,  the  life  of  that  Cambridge  studoit 
revealed  to  me  a  glory  and  beauty  in  a  Christian  life  that  stamped  itself  [on 
my  yonng  imagination,  and  made  tears  and  yearnings  of  a  sacred  love  and 
pity  to  start  forth.  And  the  man  WiUiam  Bums,  who  gave  me  Marljrfs 
Life, — what  a  painting  of  supreme  nobility  lies  spread  on  the  canvas  of  his 
own  exalted  and  homble  life  I  Yonng  Themistocles  conld  not  sleep  when  he 
heard  of  the  deeds  of  Miltiades ;  and  I  pity  the  student  who  is  not  roused  to 
a  moral  energy  and  spiritual  elevation  by  the  great  masterpieces  of  grace 
which  the  canvas  of  missions  holds.  The  poet  says  of  the  boundless  magni- 
ficence and  wonders  of  the  landscape,  and  much  more  may  we  say  of  tbo 
sublime  and  attractive  heroes  of  Christian  missions, — 

'Ob,  fbo  can  these  renounce,  nndhope  to  be  forgiven!' 
Lives  such  as  those  of  Martyn  and  Bnrns, — lives  also  as  those  of  JndsoD, 
going  alone  into  the  jungle  of  Buddhism,  and  that  fine  Englistunfm  from 
Oxford,  Bishop  Patteson,  making  himself  the  menial  servant  of  poor  savage 
lads,  and  John  Williams  and  David  Livingstone,  and  that'  grand  chief 
among  men,  Moffat, — hves  such  as  these  lift  np  the  standard  of  heroic 
thought  and  action  in  the  Church,  are  sovereign  over  the  kindling  aspira- 
tions and  breaking  dawn  of  yonng  generous  souls,  and  keep  Christian  effort 
from  sinking  down  to  poor  copies  of  past  deeds  and  gifts,  or  cowardly  sab- 
servience  to  an  unconverted  world.  Chalmers  in  your  Tron  Church,  in  bia 
mightiest  swoop  of  passionate  eloquence  among  the  remotest  stars,  moves  ns 
less  than  Chalmers  in  the  West  Fort  of  Edinburgh,  more  passion&tely 
eloquent  among  degraded  sonls  at  our  doors. 

rV.  Missions  also  make  ns  feel  the  oneness  of  the  Church.  What  care  I, 
when  souls  are  saved,  that  Martyn  was  an  Episcopalian,  or  Jndson  aBaptiEl* 
or  Bums  a  Presbyterian!  These  minor  divisions  are,  in  the  light  of  the 
immense  truths  and  claims  which  tower  aloft  in  missions,  no  more  seen  than 
the  little  glen  that  divides  two  great  mountain  ranges.  I  think  the  knowledge 
that  other  Christians  than  ourselves  save  souls,  is  a  dearer  and  more  glorious 
thought  than  that  our  little  body  did  so.    You  do  not  place  your  telegraphic 


"""SirumJI^'     students'  MISBIONABT  AS800IATIOW8.  101 

wiree  on  the  surface  or  amidst  the  wsves  of  the  Atlantic.  The  law  is,  that 
the  deeper  the  wire  is  laid,  the  more  it  ia  insnlated  from  distarbing  winds 
and  dividing  waves, — the  clearer  and  swifter  shall  be  the  electric  throb  and 
speech.  And  ao  in  miaaions:  the  great  Eapreme  troths  with  which  they  deal 
cannot  be  spoken  on  the  surface  or  through  waves — can  only  f«8s  swiftly 
and  clearly  from  God  to  man,  away  down  where  diviaiona  are  loat  in  the 
calm  and  mighty  depths  of  common  Christian  truth,  A  dying  man,  a 
heathen  sonl,  does  not  need  a  large  creed — would  only  be  perplesed  by  a 
sectarian  testimcmy ;  and  atndents  feeling  this,  rise  from  the  denominational 
into  the  nniveraal  Chnrch.  Enough  j  the  trnths  that  unite  the  sonl  to  Qod, 
unite  Bonla  to  each  other. 

T.  Of  coarse  misaioDS  keep  before  the  stadent's  mind  the  needs  of  the 
world ;  and  the  constantly  present  senae  of  a  real  sinful  world  craves  for  and 
quickens  the  aense  of  a  real  redeeming  love.  Hence  it  ia  in  colleges  and  halts 
that  missions  have  been  chiefly  fed.  Students  of  Zona  under  Colnmba,  and  of 
Jarrow  under  Bede,  daring  the  splendid,  almost  pentecostal,  era  of  missions 
in  the  seventh  century, — students  of  America,  like  Judson  and  Pliny  Fish, — 
Scottish  students,  like  Alexander  Duff  and  William  Bums, — these  and  many 
more  have  maintained  the  staff  of  missionaries,  kept  alive  the  zeal  of  the 
Church,  and  brightened  the  dark  face  of  heathenism  all  over  the  world  with 
the  light  of  Cbriatiauity.  A  Theological  Missionary  Society  becomes,  if  not 
a  special  chair  in  the  Hall,  yet  a  breath  of  life  for  all  the  chairs.  It 
burnish^  the  weapons  they  supply,  and  keeps  straight  before  the  quickened 
heart  the  battle-fields  to  which  they  point. 

In  fine,  missions  keep  the  hearts  of  students,  and  indeed  of  the  whole 
Chnrch,  near  to  God,  and  in  doing  so  they  crown  and  transfigure  all  the 
benefits  we  hare  already  pointed  out.  Said  Niebuhr,  as  quoted  by  Neander, 
'  Again  and  again  have  I  said,  I  know  not  what  to  do  with  a  metaphysical 
God,  and  that  I  will  have  no  other  bat  the  God  of  the  Bible,  who  is  heart 
to  heart.'  Never  are  we  so  compelled  to  draw  near  to  the  depths  of  God's 
love  and  power,  as  when  in  fullest  yearning,  but  in  utjter  weakness,  we 
seek  to  draw  other  sonls  to  Christ.  Then  the  watchword  of  John  Wesley 
becomes  our  refuge  and  strength, — '  The  best  of  all  is,  God  is  with  us.'  In 
mission  work  we  must  fall  back  on  onr  resonrces — on  onr  onmipotent 
Savionr  God,  with  His  promises  ringing  clear  and  victorious  over  all  the  din 
and  defeat  that  thicken  around,  with  His  inexhaustible  might  of  spiritual 
influence,  above  all,  with  His  infinite  love,  that  makes  Him  both  gospel  and 
missionary  of  the  gospel.  '  The  Chnrch,'  said  the  great  French  preacher 
Lacordaiie,  '  sprang  out  of  the  broken  heart  of  Christ  on  the  cross  j '  and 
thither  it  must  ever  retreat  for  refreshment  and  power.  The  divine  beat  of 
ttut  heart  will  send  life  and  movement  into  i^i.  True  for  all  others,  this  is 
snpremely  true  for  our  students  and  those  of  the  Church  Universal, — the 
hopes  of  the  present  generation,  the  leaders  of  that  which  is  to  come, — that 
in  all  theory  and  practice  of  Christian  tmth,  in  all  work  on  other  souls  at 
home  or  abroad,  as  well  as  in  all  high,  devoted  thonght  on  the  problems  of 
hnm&nity  and  revelations  of  God,  they  may  learn  the  inezhanstible  meaning 
of  the  few  and  simple  words  of  Lnther,  which  he  himself  had  proved  in  his 
double  task  of  thonght  and  deed :  Sene  preccaae  at  bene  studviKe — the  good 
student  must  be  great  in  prayer. 


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102        PB0FES80R  FLINT  AND  THE  LOGIC  OF  THEISM.     ^"Xm'Ci^'"' 
PEOPESSOR  FLINT  AND  THE  LOGIC  OP  THEISM. 

BT  THE  REV.  JAU£S  WABDROF. 

{Continued from,  page  53.) 
As  bearing  on  Dr.  Flint's  notiona  of  what  an  iDtaitional  Theism  ia,  may  be 
quoted  the  remark  which  be  mokea  on  a  statement  of  Dr.  Hodge.  Dr.  Hodge 
supports  the  'innate  and  intnitiTe  knowledge  of  the  exiBtence  of  Qod  by  an 
appeal  to  the  fact,' '  that  a  sense  of  dependence  and  accooutability  to  a  being 
higher  than  themselves  exists  in  all  minds.'*  'This,' Dr.  Flint  remarks, 'is 
far  from  being  equivalent  to  the  eonclnsion  that  God  is  intoitivelj  known.'! 
So  far  as  Dr.  Hodge's  statement  goes,  it  bears  conclDsively  on  the  intmtive 
knowledge  of  God.  In  general,  if  a  sense  of  dependence  reigns,  as  it  do«e, 
within  every  sphere  of  man's  existence,  physical,  intellectnal,  moral,  and 
religions,— if  it  can  be  shown  by  analysis  that  in  the  contents  of  these  and 
allied  states  of  consciousness  there  are  implied  and  revealed  to  knowledge 
both  the  existence  and  character  of  an  Infiiiite  and  Supreme  Being, — doei  it 
not  follow  that  the  fact  of  God's  existence  is  an  immediate  assertion  of  the 
mind,  that  an  intuition  of  God  is  established,  and  Theism  is  a  datnm,  not 
an  inference  1 

This  remark  on  Dr.  Hodge  recalls  another  sentence  of  our  author,  in 
which  he  says, '  I  more  than  question  if  we  have  a  right  even  to  ascribe  to 
conscience  an  immediate  intoition  of  God.'^  This  is  req)ect  for  intoitioD — 
almost  a  faltering  in  its  favonr.  But  there  is  a  rally  on  the  following  page, 
'  Morahty  is  the  direct  object  of  conscience.  God  can  therefore  only  be  the 
presupposition  or  postulate  of  conscience, — can  only  be  given  iu  conscience 
as  implied  in  morality.  This,  1  say,'  says  Dr.  PKnt, '  is  an  obvions  objec- 
tion to  the  assertion  that  God  is  immediately  known  in  conscience.  It  is  an 
objection  which  has  not  been  got  over,  and  which,  I  believe,  cannot  be  got 
over.'  Bat  this  is  rallying  only  in  manner.  A  '  postulate '  is  not  an  inference. 
If,  however,  God  be  the  presupposition  or  postalate  of  conscience,  Dr.  Flint 
might  easily  get  over  what  objection  there  can  remain  to  the  immediate 
knowledge  of  God's  existence  in  conscience.  If  the  hnman  mind  spontane- 
ously places  itself  immediatdy  under  an  objective  law  and  lawgiver,  is  not 
that  immediately  to  know  the  supreme  moral  roler  T  '  That  we  know  the 
Supreme  Being  as  moral  Governor,'  says  Calderwood, '  we  consider  no  lees 
clear  than  that  we  believe  in  His  existence.'  '  These  two,  the  knowledge  of 
moral  principles,  and  the  knowledge  of  a  supreme  moral  Governor,  are  the 
two  inseparable  terms  of  a  relation.' § 

Another  pass^e  of  onr  anthor  must  be  noticed.  He  says, '  The  infer- 
ences'  which  'the  theistic  process  involves  are,  like  those  which  Weber, 
Helmholtz,  and  Zolber  have  shown  to  be  implied  in  the  perceptions  of  sense, 
mvolantary  and  nnconsclons.  If  not  perfectly  instantaneous,  they  are  bo 
rapid  and  spontaueons  as  to  have  seem^  to  many  intuitive.  And  in  a  loose 
sense,  perhaps,  they  may  be  considered  so.  Not,  however,  strictly  and  pro- 
perly, since  the  idea  of  Deity  is  no  simple,  bnt  the  most  complex  of  ideas.' || 
Here,  as  to  the  analogies  of  sensitive  perception,  it  wonld  require  to  be  much 
more  definitively  settled  than  it  yet  is  what  are  perceptions  primary  and 
direct,  and  what  are  perceptions  so  'second'  as  to  be  'inferred,'  ere  we 
could  bnild  securely  on  them  in  theistic  inquiry.  Besides,  if  the  inferences 
claimed  by  the  inferential  Theist  are  not  only  '  rapid  and  spontaneoiis,'  but 
■  Smt.  Theologv.  Part  I.  oh»p.  L  *  F,  3i5.  t  P-  21G. 

§  Phil.i'/tU  InfinUe,  pp.  SOO  and  201,  ial.  cd.  _  ||  p.  TO. 


""TKJrr&r^    PHOFB8SOH  rUHT  AND  THE  LOOM  OP  THEISM.         103 

*  in?oli]ntai7  ajid  nncooBcions,'  the  intnitional  TheiBt;  is  not  pnt  to  much 
diflScnlty  by  them.  Their  rapidity  and  spoDtondty  indicate  rather  the  ui> 
BtinctiTe  realization  of  Qod  by  the  mind  along  with  iteelf  cmd  natnre  tbm 
a  logical  transition.  This  latter  accounts  for  the  '  rapidity,'  and  better 
interprets  the  '  spontaneity.'  As  to  a '  loose  intnitioii,'  there  is  no  each  thing 
Id  the  hnman  misd  any  more  than  r  '  weak '  or  an  '  arbitrary '  one.  Men 
may  hare  a  loose  idea  of  what  on  intnition  is,  bat  there  is  aothii^  which  God 
hascreated  that  weare  left  to  interpret  bysach  an  nnheerd-of  agent^as  a  'loose  ' 
intuition.'  A  '  loose  intuition '  is  niiat  an  erring  (xmsdence  was  to  Kant—' 
'  a  chtmara.'  The  last  statement  in  this  citation,  that  a  complex  idea  jost  Yij 
being  complex  cannot  be  intnitire,  is  a  statement  repeated  (p.  61)  by  Dr.  Flint. 
If  the  fact  be  bo,  then  certainly  the  idea  of  God  cannot  be  iatnitive.  But, 
on  the  same  supposition,  what  of  snch  ideas  as  self  and  the  external  world  T 
No  fact  of  existence  conid,  on  that  ground,  be  intnitively  known.  All 
sxistmce  mnst  be  inferential, — an  a  priori  decision  too  premature  and  riolent. 

As  a  last  iUostration  of  how  Dr.  Flint  deals,  with  an  intnitional  Theiun, 
he  is  foand  repeatedly  and  in  varied  forms  making  the  representation  that 

*  onr  idea  of  God  is  no  more  or  otherwise  intnitire  than  onr  idea  of  a 
fellow-maa'  ^  We  have  no  direct  or  immediate  knowledge,  no  intoitiTe  or  a 
priori  knowledge,  of  the  intelligence  of  onr  fellow -creatures,  any  more  than 
of  the  intelhgence  of  onr  Creator;  bnt  we  hare  a  direct  personal  con- 
Bcionsness  of  intelligence  in  onrselres  which  enables  os  confidently  to  infer 
that  the  works  both  of  God  and  of  men  can  only  hare  originated  in  intelli- 
gwices.'*  If  Dr.  Flint,  mstead  of  appealing  to  the  uialogy  of  onr  know- 
ledge- of  each  other's  existence,  had  appealed  to  either  or  both  of  two  other 
andogies, — onr  knowledge  of  onr  own  existence,  and  onr  knowledge  of  the 
existeace  of  the  material  world, — and  if  he  had  ^hown  in  these  cases  that 
they  are  inferential,  he  wonld  have  brought  before  ns  what  lay  at  first  sight 
at  Icoet  closer  as  an  analogy  to  the  caee  in  hand  thsfn  does  onr  knowledge 
of  each  other's  esist^ce.  Self,  the  world,  and  God,  are  the  three  great 
metaphysical  spheres ;  and  to  have  shown  the  knowledge  of  any  one  of  them 
to  rest  on  inference  would  certainly  have  been  to  addace  a  plausible,  if  not 
even  an  exact,  analogy  for  the  other  two.  But  Dr.  Flint  pasaeB  by  these 
two,  the  knowledge  of  self  and  of  the  world,  and  selects  onr  knowledge  of 
onr  fellow-men's  existence  in  order  to  parallel  therewith  onr  knowledge  of 
God's  existence.  To  do  this  ia  to  introdnce  two  elements  of  difficulty  that 
serionsly  stand  in  the  way  of  the  argoment  being  helped  by  the  analogy, 
and  that,  besides,  tend  nnnecessarily  to  complicate  the  whole  matter  in  hand. 
The  first  difficulty  is— although  our  knowledge  of  each  other's  existence 
were  shown  to  be  inferential,  is  that  snch  a  knowledge  as  bears  any  helpful 
analogy  to  our  knowledge  of  God  t  If  it  were  held  to  do  so,  what  would 
be  made  of  the  knowledge  of  self,  and  the  knowledge  of  the  nnirerse, 
as  analogies  f  They  could  not  be  denied  to  be  analogous,  bnt  they  are 
both— aibnittedly,  I  suppose — ^intuitive,  not  inferential.  There  wonld 
thus  arise  a  complete  contradiction  among  the  analogons  knowledges. 
Two  analogies  there  would  be  of  intuitive  knowledge,  one  of  inferential. 

The  second  difficulty  occurs  in  reference  to  onr  knowledge  of  each  other's 
existence  being  taken  to  be  inferentiaL  It  is  certainly  somewhat  startling 
to  be  told  that  we  only  infer  each  other's  existence  as  living  and  intethgent 
beii^s — we  do  not  directly  know  it.  It  is  cnrious  to  think  that  it  needs 
some  reasoning  to  convince  Dr.  Flint  of  the  equally  indubitable  and  redoubt- 
able fact  of  the  existence  of  Dr.  Phin.  Yet  it  wonld  seem  there  must  be 
■Pp.»l,T9,77  I  CnOOolc 


101         PBOPESSOB  rUNT  AND  THB  LOOIO  OF  THEISM,    '"^i.!;^** 

difficnlt;.  Dr.  Beid  seemB  to  wavKT.  He  first  aays :  '  This  belief '  (that 
one's  '  neighbour  is  a  living  creature ")  '  stands  apon  another  foundation  tban 
that  of  reasonuig.'  Bnt  then,  inimediatelf, '  setting  aside  this  natural  con- 
viction,' he  reasons  for  the  concloaion  just  as  Dr.  Flint  does,  and  even  draws 
the  analogy,  as  the  other  does,  between  this  knowledge  and  that  of  the 
existence  of  Ctod.  The  ratiocinatire  process  by  which  this  '  natnnd  convic- 
tion '  of  one's  '  neighbour  being  a  living  creatnre'  becomes  a  logical  conse- 
quence, is  in  Dr.  Flint  apparently  this.  Where  there  are  '  signs,' '  marks,' 
or '  effects '  of  mind,  there  mind  exists :  bnt  there  are  snch  in  the  beings 
we  call  onr  fellow-men :  therefore  they  are  intelligent  beings.  This  is  pre- 
ciBely  the  argument  from  causality,  employed  to  establish  men's  existence  to 
each  other,  that  ia  employed  to  substantiate  God's  existence  to  alL  The 
argument  is  illogical  in  both  cases  ahlte.  The  first  proposition  in  each  is 
not  a  generalization  from  experience,  but  a  mental  assertion  which  we  make 
on  all  pertinent  occasions,  equally  of  those  cases  that  are  to  be  inferred,  as 
well  as  of  those  from  which  we  think  to  infer  them.  We  cannot,  therefore, 
logically  found  on  the  one  proposition  the  existence  of-our  fellow-men,  or 
on  the  other  the  causation  of  the  world  and  the  existence  of  Ood.  We 
necessarily  and  consciouBly  possess  at  the  beginning  of  the  process  the 
knowledge  which  we  pretend  to  get  as  its  result,  for  the  two  terms  of  each 
proposition  are  one  in  knowledge.  Men  thus  do  not  live  to  each  other  on 
syllogisms.  Another  man's  mental  existence  is  to  me  as  immediate  a  percep- 
tion as  his  bodily  existence.  I  know  my  fellow  as  a  whole  directly  aa  I 
know  myself.  And  as,  when  I  realize  myself  or  anght  else  in  thought,  I  find 
myself  and  all  else  living  and  moving  and  having  bcang  in  an  infinite  suprrane 
existence  and  presence;  so,  snbordinately,  in  thinking  the  external  world, 
I  think  myself  living  and  moving  in  it  as  in  a  finite  and  dependent  system, 
while  on  the  presentation  to  me  and  the  perception  by  me  of  other  beings  like 
myself,  the  thought  of  hmnanity  straightway  enfolds  me,  and  I  realize  myself 
living  and  moving  in  the  bosom  of  a  common  brotherhood  of  men.  Logical 
process  of  inference  towards  any  one  of  these  facts  of  existence — there  is 
none. 

Dr.  Flint's  destructive  criiici^  thns  reqnires  reconsideration.  It  is 
almost  worse  with  his  couBtrnctive  system, — at  least  in  its  main  and  dis- 
tinctive featiire.    To  that  system  we  now  turn. 

Dr.  Flint's  system  of  theistic  evidence  as  a  whole  seems  to  be  peculiar  to 
lumself,  and  to  Dr.  M'Cosb,  who  has,  indeed,  the  greater  responsibility  in 
connection  with  it,  as  being  the  first  to  proponnd  it.  The  cluef  peculiarity 
of  the  system,  which  will  be  signalized  in  due  time,  will  be  found  not  so  pro- 
nounced in  the  other  author  with  whom  Dr.  Flint  claims  affiliation.*  Dr. 
Flint  begins  with  the  statement  that '  the  real  evidences  of  God's  existoice 
are  His  works  and  ways — all  those  facts  which  cannot  be  reasonably  con- 
ceived of  as  other  than  the  mEuufestations  of  Ood.'  'According  to  this 
view,  the  evidences  of  God's  existence  are  countless,'  '  At  the  same  time 
they  concur  and  coalesce  into  a  single  all-comprehensive  argument,  which  ia 
just  the  Bom  of  the  indications  of  God  given  by  the  physical  nniverse,  the 
minds  of  men,  and  human  history.' f  After  these  statements  he  gives  a 
concise  vidimus  of  the  complex  proof,}  and  then  prosecutes  it  in  detail, 
devoting  five  lectnres  to  what  are  ordinarily  called  the  cosmological,  the 
teleological,  and  the  moral  arguments, — stating  them  and  answering  objec- 
tions.   All  this  is  done  fully,  eloquently,  and  interestii^ly.    £ut  after  the 


''■'5u?1^^8^'"^    PROFBSSOB  TXIHT  AHD  THE  LOGIC  OF  THEIBM,         105 

ai^nments  are  all  in  .ordw,  marBhalled  in  full  force,  the  author,  looking 
critically  at  hie  own  work,  owns  that '  although  perfectly  conclnsire  so  far 
as  they  go,'  these  argoments  '  do  not  even  in  combination  yield  ns  the  fall 
idea  of  God ; '  '  they  do  not  prove  Him  to  be  infinite,  eternal,  absolute  in 
being  and  perfection.'  Bnt '  we  are  coneciona  tliat  we  have  these  ideas  of 
infinity,'  etc.  '  We  may  be  doabtfnl  as  to  whence  we  get  these  ideas,'  '  bnt 
we  cannot  question  or  deny  that  we  have  them ; '  and  '  they  must  be  pre- 
dicable  of  some  being.'  What  remains  to  be  done,  therefore,  for  the  perfect- 
ing of  the  argmnent,  is  to  inquire, '  Are  we  rationally  warranted  to  assign  to 
Ood  those  attribntes  which  are  called  absolute  or  incommnnicable  1 '  This 
question, '  what  has  been  already  proven'  is  said  to  '  make  it  comparatively 
easy  to  answer.'  And  '  reason,'  it  is  added, '  after  it  has  reached  a  certain 
Bt^e  of  cnlture,  has  never  found  this  a  difQcnlt  qaestion.'  *  It  is  noder- 
stood  by  the  reader  that  Dr.  Flint  then  proceeds  to  show,  what  it  is  thus  so 
easy  to  show,  that  these  ideas  of  infinity,  etc.,  mnst  apply  to  the  Being  of  ' 
his  inference.  But  how  he  does  this  is  not  qnite  clear.  He  turns  at  once 
to  the  celebrated  a  priori  arguments  for  the  existence  of  Ood.  He  states  a 
number  of  them,  from  Plato's  to  those  of  Clarke,  Lowman,  Kamsay,|  and 
thrai  sums  np  with  the  assertiOQ  that  they  constitate  a  reductio  ad  aisurdum, 
so  that  >  disbehef  in  an  infinite,  self -existent,  eternal  Being,  necessarUy  implies 
belief  in  the  untmstworthiness  of  all  our  mental  processes,'  i.e.  implies 
absolute  scepticism.  Yet  this  result  cannot  be  the  warrant  we  tve  wfuting 
for  J  for,  irrespective  of  the  fact  that  the  a  priori  arguments  conclude  to  one 
sort  of  being,  while  Dr.  Flint's  a  posteriori  ai^uments  conclude  to  another, 
he  had  alrcEidy,  before  he  entered  on  these  a  priori  argmnents,  said  that 
'  Theism,  according  to  his  view  of  it,  was  not  vitally  interested  in  their  fate-t 
'  I  am  not  prepared,'  he  also  says,  '  to  maintain-  that  any  one  of  them  is 
conclusive  thronghout,'§  Where,  then,  is  our  warrant  ?  Where  is  the 
link  that  is  to  join  on  the  necessary  supplement  of  infinity  to  the  finite  issue 
of  Dr.  Flint's  argumait  for  the  existence  of  the  infinite  God?  It  is  perhaps 
most  directly  given  in  this  sentence  -,  '  The  first  and  ultimate  Being,  and  not 
asij  derived  and  dependent  being,  must  obviously  be  the  infinite,  eternal, 
and  perfect  Being.' |  Aad  witi  this  Dr.  Flint's  evidence  for  the  fact  of  the  ' 
existence  of  God  infinite,  eternal,  perfect,  is  completed. 

It  must  be  maintained  that  this  argmnent,  with  all  the  eminent  ability  of 
tlie  discussions  m'  which  it  is  developed,  is,  in  result,  wholly  null;  in  ita 
essential  and  distinctive  feature,  little  lees  than  vnphilosophicai. 

Snch  an  ai^oment  is,  indeed,  an  amazing  attempt.  What  does  it  pretend 
to  do  but  this :  to  find  the  fact  of  the  existence  of  Qod  in  one  class  of 
phenomena  by  one  process  of  knowledge — an  inference,  and  the  attributes  of 
Qod  in  another  class  of  phenomena,  through  a  totally  different  process  of 
knowledge — an  intuition  ?  Look  at  that  process.  In  the  former  part  of 
the  argument  you  have  the  Bdng  inferred  without  the  distinctive  attributes 
that  qualify  Him ;  in  the  latter  part,  the  attribntea  given  without  the  Being 
whom  they  qualify.  That  is  the  essence  of  the  argument;  and  donbtless  it 
is  its  condemnation.  Is  such  a  process  a  psychological,  or  is  it  a  logical, 
or  is  it  any  possible  account  of  the  genesis  of  the  notion  of  God  ?  I  venture 
to  say  that  among  all  the  vagaries  of  philosophical  effort,  there  is  not  much 
to  match  this  one.  Dr.  Flmt  has  hardly  a  true  conceplJon  of  what  actually 
takes  place  in  bis  hands,  under  his  manipulation  of  either  part  of  the  pro- 

•  Pp.  264-6,  290-1,  +  Pp.  2G9-2B8.  t  V.  267.  5  P.  289. 

IIP.  266.  SoH'Coalii/nAiaiMJ,  p.199:  ^We  believe  tLat  He  who  mBdeall  things,  and 
who  is  thus  powerful,  ttins  iMuevolent,  thus  I10I7,  is,  and  miut  be,  Uie  Inflnile,  the  Perfect.' 


106        PHOFESSOB  FLINT  AND  THE  LOGIC  OF  THEIBJI.    '■""^'i.t^^'^ 

ceas.  On  the  one  hand,  the  Being  whose  existence  is  said  to  be  inferrecl 
from  the  facts  of  natnre  is  not  the  Ood  of  oar  ideal  at  alL  Dr.  Flint  sboold 
have  averred,  not  merely  tUat  the  a  posteriori  aEgomenU  did  '  not  yield  ns 
the  fall  idea  of  Qod,'  bat  that,  their  shortconunga  being  vrhat.they  wre, 
tbey  did  aot  give  na  Qod  at  aU.  On  the  other  band,  the  ideas  of  the  mind 
nhich  it  is  sought  to  attnbute  to  the  Being  inferred,  so  sb  to  elevate  Him  to 
the  perfection  of  our  ideal,  and  which  are  looked  apon  as  abstractions 
waiting  to  '  fasten  on '  *  this  being  when  once  the  process  of  inference  is 
completed,  are  not  free  for  snch  treatment  or  sneh  fnnctions.  They  are 
not  waiting  as  abatractiocs — a  snpposition  little  lesa  th&n  absurd.  They  Are 
already,  tu  they  mnet  be,  inherent  in  another  Being,— the  Bang  with  whose 
existence  they  were  first  and  are  always  revealed  to  the  mind,  and  who  ia  no 
other  than  the  Being  Himself — the  infinite,  eternal,  perfect  God,  for  whom 
Dr.  Flint  is  making  so  strange  and  annecessary  a  search. 

Bnt  before  further  remark  on  Dr.  Flint's  argument,  it  is  requisite  to 
notice  one  or  two  points  of  detail  in  the  conception  and  statement  of  the 
a  posteriori  portions  of  the  process,  and  in  his  dealing  with  the  a  priori 
ai^uments.     ' 

Dr.  Flint  has  not  thrown  the  a  posteriori  arguments  rigorously  into  the 
form  of  syllogisms,  as  Dr.  Tnlloch  has  done,  at  least  in  what  that  writer 
calls  the  inductive  evidence,  i.e.  in  the  case  of  the  cosmological  and  teleo- 
logica,l  arguments.  The  process,  however,  in  respect  of  these  arguments,  is 
as  really  syllogistic  in  the  one  writer  as  in  the  other.  And  when  a  process 
is  really  of  an  inferential  nature,  or  held  to  be  so,  there  are  advantages  in 
making  it  formally  syllogistic.  The  thinking  is  by  this  ipeuia  both  expUcated 
jiud  tested  the  better. 

As  to  the  ai^oment  from  conscience,  taking  it  in  the  terms  in  which  Dr. 
Flint  has  stated  it,  it  is  clearly  to  be  held  to  be,  aa  already  indicated,  what 
Dr.  Tulloch  in  his  treatment  of  it  has  called  it,  a  'moral  intuitive  argument,' 
.  that  is  to  say,  whilst  it  is  most  vahd  evidence  of  the  fact  of  God's  existence, 
it  is  rather  an  aasertion  of  that  existence  than  a  demonstration  of  it.  Fasring 
to  it  from  the  other  arguments.  Dr.  Flint  might  well  have  joined  Dr.  Tnlloch 
in  Baying, '  We  are  no  longer  merely  to  be  concerned  with  facts  from  which 
we  are  warranted  to  infer  divine  wisdom  and  goodness,  but  with  facts  which 
in  a  peeuhar  sense  reveal  to  us  God,  which  bring  Ood  before  ns  intnitively 
rather  than  in  the  ordinary  indnctive  way.  We  enter  among  those  prime 
elements  of  our  spiritual  constitntion  which  are  the  appropriate  organs  of 

■  the  theistic  conception.'  f 

Of  Dr.  Flint's  other  two  a  posteriori  argnments,  that  founded  on  cansality 
is  tantamount  to  this : — Every  event  has  a  canse^  the  world  is  an  event, 
therefore  the  world  has  a  cause.  N'ow,  besides  the  admitted  fact  that  this 
argument  does  not  conclude  to  the  Being  whom  we  caU  and  worship  as  God, 
it  has  logical  characteriatics  that  make  it  invalid  otherwise.  The  first  pro- 
position is  a  fundamental  principle  of  thought,  awakened  into  consciousness 
on  the  presHitation  to  the  mmd  of  any  finite  object  whatever.    The  first 

■  object  that  awakened  it  could  not  obviously  be  concluded  from  it  to  have  a 

•  Dr,  M'CoBh'g  eipreasion,  /ii(«i(ioiij,  p.  199, 

t  Thritm,  p.  262.  Hod  Br.  TuUocb,  jiiatead  of  first  Betting  forth  a  peiteriori  iodacUvB 
argumeiila,  >t  once  begun  with  an  iHielUcliial  intuitive  argument  (to  use  bU  Own  mode  of 
speech),  hsd  ha  then  pat  his  'monl  intuitive  ergumeat'  second,  end  Uet  oi  all  fallowed  up 
with  B,  religiinu  intuitive  argument,  and  had  ho  then  shewn  that  he  bad  been  working  all 
liie  while  iinder  the  shadow  of  an  aU-embraaing  intuition  of  Ood,  and  that  when  intuitive 
revelation  was  available,  logical  Inference  was  «qnall7  inadmiesible  and  euperflaoos — had 
he  done  this  he  would  have  been  a  different  and  a  ver;  much  better  theiet  than  what  ho 
actuallj  has  done  will  allow  oB  lo  call  htoi. 


^ILTi^tT'^     PBOrBSSOB  FLINT  AHD  THE  LOGIC  Or  THEISM.         107 

cause.  Bat  the  worid  might  be  that  object.  Wh;,  then,  should  the  world's 
haring  a  canae  be  made  an  inference  depending  on  itt  All  EimiJar  prin- 
ciples of  mind  are  eimilarly  incapable  of  being  made  tbe  premises  of 
inferential  knowledge.*  As  to  tbe  second  proposition,  Dr.  Flmt  says  we 
have  no  right  to  asenme  the  world  to  be  an  event,  and  he  makes  the  stress  of 
the  causality  argnment  to  rest  on  the  j»w)f  from  observation  and  experience, 
that  it  is  a  matter  of  fact  that  the  world  had  a  beginning.  The  growth  of 
scieoce  is  bnt  the  drawing  out  of  this  proof,  he  says.  Now,  not  speaking  of 
what  right  we  may  have  or  not  hare  in  the  matter,  it  is  at  all  events  certaia 
that  the  mind  does  assome  and  cannot  bat  assume  the  world  to  be  on  event, 
does  so  aboTe  and  before  all  indnctive  inquiry  and  reasoning  whatever.  Tlis 
■mod  thinks  all  its  objects  of  existence  within  the  relation  of  finite  and 
mfinite,  dependent  and  snpreme,  finite  cansed  and  infinite  canse,  bodies  re- 
strtcted  and  apace  immense,  things  endaring  and  time  and  God  eternal.  It 
thinks  thns,  and  it  realizes  self  and  its  contents  and  tbe  world  and  all  tilings 
therein  under  the  finite  term,  at  once  and  immediately,  spontaneonsly  and 
necessarily.  Prove  by  logic  the  world  an  event  I  Prove  also  by  logic  self 
SQ  event,  and  expose  the  preposterousnees  of  the  whole  thing.  We  get  both, 
self  and  the  world,  as  having  eventuated  in  getting  both  as  having  existence. 
la  so  far  as  we  set  aside  the  conception  of  the  world's  being  an  nnbegmning 
thing,  or  of  its  being  an  infinitely  regressive  and  unbeginning  sncceasion  of 
things,  and  in  so  far  as  we  place  it  before  our  conceptions  as  a  creature  that 
has  passed  into  space  and  time  from  an  infinite  will  and  power,  we  do  it  all 
by  immediate  mental  assertion.  Then,  the  world  being  accepted  as  an  event, 
the  notion — event,  cannot  be  conceived  any  more  than  the  notion — effect, 
can,  except  along  with  its  correlate  canse;  and  once  more  logical  argument 
13  precluded,  unless  it  be  that  yonr  mind  cannot  get  from  one  end  of  a  stick 
to  the  other  vrithout  a  reasoning. 

In  passing  from  the  cause  ai^nment  to  that  from  design.  Dr.  Flint  makes 
11  Etatement  of  a  singnlar  charact«r.  After  speaking  of  onr  knowledge  of 
onrselves  as  canses  'accompanying  reason  in  its  upward  search,  nntil 
it  rests  in  the  cognition  of  an  ultimate  cause,  and  enabUi^  us  to  think  of 
that  cause  as  the  primary  all-originating  will,'  be  proceeds, '  but  the  prin- 
ciple of  causality  alone,  or  by  itself,  is  qnite  insuf&cient  to  lead  tbe  mind  np 
to  the  apprehension  of  Deity.'  '  The  evidences  of  intelligence  must  be  com- 
bined with  the  evidences  of  power,  before  we  can  be  warranted  to  infer  more 
from  the  facta  of  the  universe  than  the  existence  of  an  ultimate  force.' f 
What  f  a  will,  and  that  the  primary  all-originating  will,  but  no  intelligence ! 
We  have  indeed  heard  of  a  nisas  or  incipient  will  in  the  nniverse.}  Bnt 
then  it  did  not  do  the  work  of  the  will  developed  and  perfect.  Here,  how- 
ever, is  will,  even  a  causative  will,  that  is  yet  mere  force.  Dr.  TnHoch,  with 
truer  philosophical  instinct,  says :  '  We  recognise  mind  as  already  implicitly 
given  in  force — the  higher,  aa  already  contained  in  the  lower,  phase  of  the 
theistic  conception."  'Wot  only  does  adaptation  as  a  fact  give  mind,  but 
force  (canse)  already  in  onr  view,  however  obscurely,  gives  it.  The  study 
of  design  in  creation  does  not,  as  we  hold,  add  intelfigence  for  the  first  time 
to  onr  original  causal  belief.' §  Philosophers  may  be  allowed  to  doubt 
vhether  the  idea  of  cause  can  be  construed  withont  the  element  of  intelli- 
gence. II    But  they  must  not  be  allowed  the  same  liberty  in  reference  to  will. 

■Porter,  7B(rftertBB:&«oee,eeo.  248.  f  P.  66. 

t  Ea,  HarlesB,  SaM.  of  Chr.  Eihict,  seo.  5 ;  eomp.  Bchopenbaner's  PAUok^s  ;  Deberneg, 
niA^HU.,  iL  255. 

S  raei™,p.68. 

S  Frauds  Bowen,  Lovtll  Ledui-u,  1848— First  Oonree,  LeotuKi  f-7i  Mai^^^^^l^ 


108         PBOPBSSOR  FLINT  AND  THE  LOGIC  OP  THEISM,    '"jto.  iTSl^ 

WiU  necessarily  implies  mtelligence,  nay  personal  iotelUgence.  '  Will  con- 
BOt«s  intelligence,'  saya  Lewes. 

When  Dr.  Flint  comee  to  the  design  argument  itself,  he  deals  with  it 
exactly  after  the  type  of  his  treatment  oE  the  one  from  canse.  He  saya, '  the 
ai^nment  is  aoi  frtm  hnt  to  design.  To  assume  design,  and  then  to  aflSrm 
that  every  design  mnst  have  a  designer,  is  manifestly  not  seriona  reasonii^, 
bat  a  play  npon  words.  To  assume  design  at  all,  is  to  assume  precisely 
what  one  is  most  bonnd  to  prove.  .  .  .  Design  has  no  existence  except  in 
mind.  There  is  no  design  in  the  sky,  or  the  sea,  or  the  land ;  there  are  only 
law,  order,  and  arrangement  therein,  and  these  things  are  not  designs, 
althongh  they  imply  designs.'*  Dr.  Flint  thns,  exactly  like  Dr.  Tnlloch,t 
seeka  to  correct  the  error  of  the  design  reaaoners,  and  to  re-establish  the 
argoment  by  snbstituting  the  word  '  order,'  or '  adaptation,'  for  the  word 
deaign ;  so  that  the  argument  would  stand  thns,  in  Dr.  TQlloch's  words : — 
'  Order  nniversally  proves  mind,  the  works  of  natore  discover  order ;  there- 
fore the  works  of  nature  prove  mind.'  It  is  not  apparent  how  this  is  more 
'  serious  reasoning,'  or  less  '  a  play  npon  worda,'  than  the  syllogism  it  is  to 
anperaede.  The  '  order'  or  '  adjustment'  of  thia  argument  is  still  such  as  is 
the  correlate  of  mind.  Therefore  all  the  mere  play  upon  words  of  the  old  form 
remains.  As  with  the  causal  argument,  that  the  world  comes  nnder  the  law 
of  a  parposive  adjnstment  in  the  whole  and  in  the  parts  is  what  does  not  need 
proof-t  And  when  purposive  order  ia  accepted  Aa  an  attribute  of  things, 
the  existence  of  the  pnrposer  is  no  inference.  He  is  already  in  possession  of 
thought.  In  fact,  he  was  brought  by  thought  to  make  the  world  to  that 
effect  an  intelligible  world.  After  speaking  of  the  order  and  adaptation, 
proportion  and  co-ordination,  that  prevail  everywhere  in  the  physical  and 
moral  worlds,  Dr.  Flint  himself  asks,  'Is  thia  state  of  things  intelligible  on 
any  other  supposition  than  that  of  a  designing  mind  T '  S  Thia,  and  not  a 
few  similar  modea  of  8pe<Bch  throughout  the  diacusaions  in  these  lectures,!] 
are  conformed  to  a  totally  different  method  of  aettling'the  evidence  of  Qod'a 
existence  from  that  professed  by  Dr.  Flint.  The  materials  which  the  a 
posteriori  ai^um^ta  employ  whereby  to  reason  ont  the  fact  of  God's  exist- 
ence,  have  indeed  a  close  connection  with  the  knowledge  of  that  fsict.  But 
the  connection  ia  not  a  syllogistic  one.  That  knowledge  ia  not  an  extract 
from  these  phenomena.    The  sonls  of  men  do  not  come  to  the  dehberate  and 

temp.  Remetr,  July  1870;  CoJderwood,  Conlemp.  Rentm,  Sept.  1870,  and  Handbook,  p.  166; 
HoisolieU,  Aitronomi/,.e)\a.^.  vii. ;  Veitoh,  Lucreiim  and  the  Atomic  Thtory,  1876,  pp.  77-Sa; 
Hamilton's  Reid,  pp.  66,  76,  78 ;  Comp.  Lewee'  Froblenu  oflAfe  and  ifind,  Prob.  v.  ToL  ii, 
pp.  344-412 ;  Irons,  Tht  Whole  Dootrint  of  Final  Catua,  Lond.  1836,  pp.  61  tqq. ;  A,  a. 
WeJlace,  Natarai  SeUi^on,  2d  ed.  pp.  e6&~e ;  Murphv,  Sd.  Batei  o/Failh,  pp.  201  tg. 

*  P.  154.  f  namn,  pp.  12  el  leq. 

i  '  This  Idea  of  Seal  cause  is  not  deduced  from  the  phenomena  b;  tessoiiing',  but  ia 
nsBumed  as  lbs  only  cbsditioii  nnder  which  we  c&n  reason  on  such  snbjecta  at  ilL  .  .  .  The 
fnnduneDtal  ideas  (space,  time,  forco)  are  not  generated  bnt  unfolded,  not  extracted  from 
the  external  irorld  bat  evolved  from  the  world  within.  In  like  macnar  this  idea  of  an  end, 
this  notion  of  adaptation,  may  become  much  more  clear  and  impressive,  by  seeing  it  exem- 
plified in  parliEuIar  caset.  But  still,  thongh  su^eated  and  evoked  by  special  oasea,  it  ia 
not  furnished  by  them.  If  it  be  not  anpplied  by  the  mind  itself,  it  can  never  bo  lomoaJly 
deduced  from  the  phenomena.  It  !a  not  a  portion  of  l^a  facta  which  we  study,  bnt  it  is  a 
principle  which  connects,  includes,  and  renders  them  intelligible.'— (Wha well,  PhUasoplm  of 
the  Induclite  Sciencea,  VoL  i.  p.  620  etteq.)  'Is  there  not  another  law  of  the  human  mind  aa 
deeply  implanted,  as  full  of  necessitv,  as  the  other  '  (that  of  cause)  F  'Does  not  the  homaa 
mind  ask  incessantly  and  inevitably  for  what  purpose?'  'The  laws  of  intelligenca  aa 
known  to  us  in  thehaman  mind,  bear  aa  deal  a  testimony  to  purpose  as  to  cause.'— -<lTanu;li 
in  B.  and  F.  Ev.  Rtvitv,  No.  94,  pp.  667-8.)  Among  hia  four  oauaes,  Aristotie  gave  Ifae 
hleheat  pre-emiaencojo  the  what  fort— (^Sae  Porter,  tc.  sees.  298-800.) 

H  Pp.  1^,  166-7, 187.  Is  it  light  to  say,  one  thing  impliet,  involva,  ai  n^pOM*  another, 
whenltiameant  that  that  other  u  ft  logical  inlereDcelromit? 


""itoTt^Bw"'     THE  POPISH  HIBBABCHY  IN  SCOTLAND.  109 

scientific  ctmtemplation,  of  nature,  empty  of  the  tbonght  of  Ood.  God  t 
that  supreme  word  had  nerer  been  intelli^ble  to  the  ear,  had  the  seose  and 
content^  of  it  not  lain  originally  in  the  booI.  '  All  heaven  lies  about  as  in 
onr  infancy.'  *  And  the  thought  of  the  Lord  of  Heaven  lies  nithin  the  sool 
ready  to  be  awakened  on  the  fii^t  awakeni[^  of  conscions  mind.  Like  the 
thoDght  of  self  and  of  the  nniverBe,  that  thought  accompanies  the  action  of 
onr  mwtal  life  all  through,  and  it  comes  of  the  spontaneities  of  thought,  not 
,  through  the  enforcementB  of  logict 

(7b  be  eontiniied.') 


REVIVAL  OP  THE  FOFISH  HIERARCHY  IN  SCOTLAJID. 
bt  the  ret.  john  botd,  d.d. 
Pabt  Second. 
The  whole  history  of  the  Papacy,  in  this  country,  for  the  last  half  centnry, 
clearly  proTCs  that  the  great  object  which  the  Romanists  of  the  present  day 
have  set  themselres  to  achieve,  is  the  anbTcrsion  of  our  Protestant  laws  and 
institations,  and  the  substitution  in  their  room  of  Papal  mle  and  domination. 
Cardinal  Mauumg  himself,  One  of  the  ringleaders  in  tbis  nefarious  and  un- 
principled conspiracy,  has  distinctly  admitted  the  truth  of  these  averments. 
Writing  in  the  TiAlet  of  date  6th  August  1859,  he  says:  'If  ever  there 
was  a  land  in  which  work  is  to  be  done,  and  perhaps  much  to  suffer,  it  is 
Iiere.  I  shall  not  say  too  much,  if  I  say  that  to  subjugate  and  subdue,  to 
coDqaer  and  rale,  an  imperial  race,  we  haVe  to  do  with  a  will  which  reigns 
tbroughout  the  world  as  the  will  of  old  Rome  reigned  once;  we  have  to 
bend  and  break  that  will,  which  nations  and  kingdoms  have  fonnd  invincible 
and  inflexible.  Were  heresy  (by  which  he  means  Protestantism)  conqnered 
in  England,  it  would  be  conquered  thronghout  the  world.  AH  its  lines  meet 
here,  and  therefore  in  England  the  Church  of  God  must  be  gathered  m  its 
strength.'  '  Surely  a  soldier's  eye  and  a  soldier's  heart  would  choose,  by 
intnilion,  the  field  of  England.  It  is  the  head  of  Protestanttem,  the 
centre  of  its  movements,  and  the  stronghold  of  its  power.  Weakened  in 
England,  it  is  conquered  throughout  the  world,'  This  is  certainly  plain 
speaking,  and,  however  great  its  audacity,  no  one  can  doubt  the  -sincerity 
and  earnestness  of  the  writer.  He  opens,  as  it  were,  his  heart  to  us,  and 
lets  us  see  what  the  real  aims  and  objects  are  which  he,  and  the  party 
with  whom  he  is  now  allied,  have  set  themselves  to  accomplish.  In  the  exn- 
berance  of  his  expectations,  he  clearly  lets  us  see  that  in  all  the  dealings  of 
the  Papacy  with  Britain,  its  one  grand  object  is  to  quench  the  light  of  Scrip- 
tural truth  and  freedom  now  enjoyed  by  us,  and  bring  back  heretic  Britain 
once  more  to  the  faith  of  Rome,  and  to  entire  snbniiBsion  and  subjection  to 
its  Pontiff,  These  are  Uie  auns  which  Rome  has  in  view  in  resuscitating  the 
olden  hierarchies  of  England  and  Scotland,  and,  disguise  it  as  she  may,  these 
are  the  ends  she  is  determined,  at  all  hazards,  and  in  spit«  of  all  opposition, 
to  accomplish.  Long  and  untiringly  has  she  laboured  and  conspired  to 
achieve  these  ends.  Every  means  that  can  help  them  forward  she  employs ; 
and  she  is  not  at  all  scrupulous  as  to  their  nature  or  character,  if  they  can 
only  aid  her  in  attaining  that  universal  domination  over  the  kingdoms  and 

*  Comp.  EetUngeT,  Aptlogit  Ja  ChrutanlhuBU,  Bd.  i.  p.  106. 

f  Horpby,  apeakiDK  o[  the  apotltriori  arguments,  rayi,  'It  ll  only  In  »  teatniotl  unEA 
that  Ihen  on  be  c«U«d  uvumsota.  They  ars  properly  means  whereby  lAowledgo  Sowa 
on  the  mind.'    fn.  AxH  o/^otlA,  pp.  321-2. 


110  BBVIVAL  OP  THE  '""K.^ifeJ"^ 

peoples  of  the  world,  on  which  her  whole  heart  ia  set,  ^'o  one  sees  thk  more 
clearly  thaa  Mr.  Gladstone,  and  no  one  has  denounced  it  in  stronger  or  more 
fitting  terms  than  he  has  done.  In  his  Vatican  Decttes  he  says, '  The  language 
of  the  authorized  and  faronred  Papa!  organs  in  the  press,  and  of  the  Ultra- 
montanes  (now  the  sole  legithnate  party  of  the  Latin  Chorch)  thronghont 
Europe,  leads  me  to  the  painfn!  and  revolting  conclnsion,  that  there  is  a  fixed 
purpose  among  the  secret  inspirers  of  Roman  policy  to  pnrsne,  by  the  road 
of  force,  apon  the  arrival  of  any  favoorable  opportonity,  the  favoarite  project  . 
of  re-erecting  the  terrestrial  throne  of  the  Popedom,  even  if  it  can  only  be  re- 
erected  npon  the  ashes  of  a  city,  and  amidst  the  whitening  bones  of  the 
people.' " 

The  correctness  of  these  views  ia  fnlly  confirmed  by  the  very  terms  of  the 
Papal  BdH  of  1850.  In  the  conclnsion  of  that  document,  the  Pope  Bete  all  the 
regnlarly-constitnted  lawful  authorities  of  the  empire  at  defiance,  for  he  de- 
sl&res  his  new  law  to  be  in  force  in  spite  of  any  denunciation  or  repudiation 
of  it  by  the  civil  power.  Nay,  he  very  coolly  decrees  that  any  opposition 
given  to  it,  no  matter  by  what  authority,  would  be  without  any  force  what- 
ever. In  other  words,  he  affirms  that  his  decree  was  to  override,  set  .aside, 
and  take  precedence  of  the  very  statute  law  of  the  realm.  His  words  were, 
— and  they  are  well  deserving  of  the  closest  attention  and  study, — '  We 
likewise  decree  that  all  which  may  be  done  to  the  contrary  by  any  one,  who- 
soever he  be,  knowing  or  ignorant,  in  name  of  any  authority  whatever,  sfaaU 
be  without  force.'  And  that  this  new  law  of  the  Pope  was  regarded  as  hav- 
ing actually  overridden  and  nullified  the  statute  law  of  the  land,  as  far  at 
least  OS  Roman  Catholics  were  concerned,  was  broadly  asserted  by  the  lead- 
ing  Popish  organs  in  Great  Britain  and  the  Continent.  As  a  specimen,  we 
may  quote  from  Cardinal  Wiseman's  own  organ,  the  TabUt,  of  26th  July 
1851.  Speaking  of  the  Ecclesiastical  Titles  Bill  which  had  just  been  enacted, 
it  says :— ■ 

'  Neither  in  England  nor  in  Ireland  will  the  Roman  Catholics  obey  the  law, 
that  is,  the  new  law  of  the  Imperial  Farliameut.  They  have,  or  are  likely  (d 
have,  before  them  two  things  called  law,  which  unhappily  (or  rather  happily) 
contradict  each  other.  Both  cannot  be  obeyed,  and  both  cannot  be  dis- 
obeyed. One  of  them  is  the  law  of  God,  the  other  ia  no  law  at  all  It  pre- 
tends to  .be  an  Act  of  Parliament,  but  in  the  ethics  of  legislation  it  has  no 
more  force  than  a  solemn  enactment  that  the  moon  ia  made  of  green  cheese. 
It  is  not  a  law,  but  a  lie,  a  parliamentary  lie,  which  the  very  ntterers  know 
to  be  false.  ...  Of  these  two  things,  we  need  hardly  say  which  shall  be 
obeyed  and  which  disobeyed.  The  law  of  God,  that  is,  the  Pope's  command, 
will  be,  or  rather  has  been,  and  is  being,  carried  into  effect.  'The  parliamen- 
tary lie  will  be  spit  upon  and  trampled  under  foot,  and  treated  as  all  honest 
men  treat  a  lie, — that  is,  that  it  be  vigorously  disobeyed.' 

Not  was  this  a  solitary  outburst  of  a  fierce  and  frenzied  TJltramontaae 
bigot,  whose  entire  submission  to  Papal  aothority  had  led  him  so  utterly  to 
ignore  his  loyalty  and  duty  as  a  subject ;  it  was,  we  r^ret  to  say,  a  fair 
sample  of  the  utterances  of  a  large  portion  of  the  Popish  press  both  in  Eng- 
land and  Ireland.  The  Catholic  Vindicator  was  even  still  more  reckless  and 
disloyal.    The  following  quotations  are  proofs  of  it : — 

'  Rather  than  that  our  loyalty  to  the  Holy  Apostolic  See  should  be  in  the 

least  d^ree  taruished,  let  ten  thousand  kings  and  queens  (and  Queen  Victoria 

included)  perish  as  guch, — that  is,  be  deposed  from  th«r  thrones  and  become 

mere  individuals,  as  we  have  lately  seen  in  the  case  of  a  Catholic  sorerdgs. 

■  VMiaan  Deerrti,  p.  SO. 


.    liiTw"'**"'  POPISH  HIBBABOHY  IN  SCOTLAND.  Ill 

We  shoald  not,  of  coqrse,  have  epoken  bo  Etrongly  aa  this  nnder  ordinary  cir- 
cmnstaitceB ;  bnt  when  the  Pope  and  the  Qneen  are  placed  in  antagonism  to 
each  other,  as  has  been  done  lately,  and  it  is  intimated  that  Her  Majesty  will 
DOt  accept  a  dirided  allegiance,  we  are  compelled  to  say  plainly  which  allegiance 
ife  consider  the  mast  iTnportant ;  and  we  would  not  hesitate  to  tell  the  Qneen 
to  her  face  that  she  must  either  be  content  with  this  divided  allegiance 
or  none  at  all  (ao  far  as  Catholics  are  concerned),  for  it  is  perfectly  certain 
that,  come  what  may  (the  rack  and  the  tortnre,  the  instrnment  nsed  by  Her 
Majesty's  predecessors  in  their  conflict  with  Popery),  we  shall  never  do  other- 
wise than  strictly  obey  the  sovereign  PontilT,  whoever  may  presume  to  forbid 
it,  and  in  their  puny  insignificance  pronounce  the  Acts  of  the  Tiear  of  Christ 
unll  and  void.'  • 

One  other  extract  we  will  give  from  this  same  CaihoUc  Vindicator.  It  is 
defending  the  conduct  of  Cardinal  Wiseman,  who,  almost  immediately  after 
hiB  retm^  from  Rome  as  bead  of  the  revived  hierarchy,  actually  removed  from 
the  canon  of  the  mass  the  prayer  for  Qneen  Victoria  which  had  hitherto  been 
in  it ;  and  he  caused  the  obnoxious  passage  to  be  expunged  from  all  the 
DUEsals  in  use  throughout  bis  diocese.  As  might  have  been  expected,  this 
most  significant  and  startling  act  on  the  part  of  the  Pope's  representative  in 
EDgland,  could  not  but  provoke  unfavonrable  comments  in  the  constitutional 
organs  of  the  day.  The  Vindicator  came  Iwldly  forth  in  defence  of  the  Car- 
dinal's conduct,  and  thus  writes : — 

'  Eoff  does  ike  Church  regard  Qneen  Victoria  uid  other  heretical  sove- 
rc^Bst  Has  her  name  much  prominence  in  its  services  T  Nay,  is  it  there  at 
M  Did  not  the  Cardinal  Archbishop  of  Westminster  omit  the  prayer  for 
ilie  eovereiga  (which  is  only  intended  for  a  Catholic  sovereign)  at  Sonthwark 
Cathedral  on  Good  Friday  t  Of  conreehe  did,  for  the  simple  and  very  ob- 
vious reason  that  Queen  Victoria  is  not  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church, — 
of  that  Church  which,  if  we  refuse  to  "hear"  and  obey,  we  are  at  once 
classed  with  heaiJiens  and  publicans  (these  are  the  words  of  Almighty  God)  ; 
and  hence  Qneen  Victoria  is  only  prayed  for  generally  (in  the  prayer  for 
"heretics  and  schismatics")  with  other  Protestant  unbelievers.  .  ,  .  Let 
na  never  forget  that,  whatever  her  boast«d  anthority  may  be,  it  is  as  MAing, , 
md  las  than,  nothing,  compared  to  that  of  the  Vicar  of  Christ,' 

It  may,  however,  be  said  that  these  were  only  the  ravings  of  some  disloyal 
ficebrande,  who  had  no  proper  idea  of  the  respect  and  allegiance  due  t«  rulers, 
or  of  the  obedirace  which  subjects  owe  to  the  laws  of  the  land  in  which  they 
live.  The  more  respectable  and  better  instructed  Catholics  never,  snrety, 
could  have  indorsed,  or  in  any  way  sanctioned,  such  insane  and  treasonable 
ntterances.  But  truth  compels  us  to  reply  that  the  statements  of  Cardinal 
Hanning,  thoi^h  perhaps  less  riietorical,  were  equally  decided  in  exalting  the 
elms  of  the  Pope  above  all  civil  laws  whatever,  and  demanding  from  all 
Romanists  obedience  to  his  commands  in  preference  to  the  statute  laws  of 
their  own  country.  In  his  reply  to  Mr.  Gladstone's  .Sbposiuiod'on,  when 
speaking  of  the  Decrees  of  the  Vatican  Council,  he  says,  in  plain  terms  :— 
'  Once  published,  these  Acts  enter  into  the  domain  of  faith  and  conscience, 
and  no  human  legislation,  no  civil  authority,  can  efface  them.  The  two 
hundred  milliona  of  Catholics  will  know  the  Decrees  of  the  Vatican  ConnciJ, 
and  to  know  them  is  to  obey.'t  And  in  writing  these  words  Dr.  Manning 
was  only  repeating  over  again  the  substance  of  what,  on  Sunday,  October  3, 

■  Pot  thia  snd  the  enoooeding  eitract  we  are  indebted  to  Dr.  Wjiie,  Rent  and  Civil 
■    iMtr^  pp.  isz,  163. 

t  MamSng's  Vatican  Dtcna,  p.  21. 


1 12  REVIVAL  OF  THE  ""Si'i^l^ 

18G9,  he  had,  by  the  Pope's  commaad,  read  in  the  pro-cathedral  of  Eenshig- 
ton,  to  the  coDgregatioii  there  and  then  assembled.  The  words  were  not  hia 
own,  bat  the  Pope's,  who,  in  the  Lnciferiao  and  God-forgetting  pride  and 
presumption  of  Ms  heart,  thus  enanciated  his  claims  ; — '  I  acknowledge  no 
civil  power,  I  am  the  sabject  of  no  prince;  and  I  claim  more  than  this,  I 
clMm  to  be  the  supreme  jndge  and  director  of  the  conaciences  of  men, — of 
the  peasant  that  ^Is  the  field,  and  the  prince  that  sits  upon  the  throne,  of 
the  honsehold  that  Uves  in  the  shade  of  priracy,  and  tiie  legislator  that 
makes  laws  for  kingdoms;  I  am  the  sole,  last,  supreme  jadge  of  what  is 
right  and  wrong,'  • 

Insolent,  dai'ing,  and  even  blasphemous  as  these  claims  are,  the  Romaa 
Catholics  of  this  country  seem  now  not  only  to  accept  of  them,  bnt  are 
ready  to  act  apon  them.  Since  the  revival  of  the  English  hierarchy  in  1850, 
there  has  beeu  a  great  and  marked  chaise  in  the  feelings  and  language  of 
Roman  Catholics  in  reference  to  the  laws  of  this  land,  and  in  the  all^iance 
which  they  are  willing  to  give  to  its  sovereign.  Before  that  event,  they 
were  like  other  British  subjects,  ready  and  willing  to  avow,  on  all  proper 
occasions,  their  respect  for  the  laws  and  their  loyalty  to  the  Crown,  Bat 
since  that  period,  a  great,  if  not  a  complete,  change  has  come  over  them. 
As  Mr.  Glladstone  asserts,  they  have  '  placed  their  civil  allegiance  at  the 
mercy  of  the  Pope.'t  In  other  words,  their  loyalty  to  the  sovereign  of  this 
realm  is  depending  entirely  o:i  the  pleasure  of  the  Roman  Pontiff.  As  long 
as  he  allows  them  to  be  loyal  to  the  laws  and  the  Crown  they  will  be  so ;  bat 
whenever  he  pleases  to  demand  it,  allegiance  to  him  most  precede  and 
supersede  all  othei'  allegiance.  At  the  opening  of  the  premises  attached  to 
the  pro-cathedral,  Clifton,  Lord  Clifford,  who  presided,  and  in  the  presence 
of  a  number  of  Popish  bishops  and  other  ecclesiastics,  proposed  as  the  first 
toast,  '  Our  sovereign  Pontiff,  the  Pope.'  The  health  of  the  Queen  followed, 
bat  evidently  as  occupying  a  lower  place,  and  being  less  importaut  than  the 
former.^  In  the  great  meeting  held  in  St.  James'  Hall,  some  few  years  ago, 
onder  the  presidency  of  Dr.  Manning,  among  other  noble  and  reverend 
speakers.  Lord  Denbigh  boldly  and  unqualifiedly  declared  that  the  Catholic 
Church  had  higher  claims  on  him  than  his  country.  Twice  in  the  course  of 
his  speech  he  characterized  a  sentence  in  the  Queen's  Speech  as '  a  down- 
right lie ; '  and  he  concluded  his  speech  in  these  words :  '  I  utterly  repudiate 
such  a  thing  as  nationality.  I  am  nothing  but  a  CathoKc ;  an  Englishman, 
if  you  please,  but  a  Catholic  first.'  This  disloyal  utterance  from  a  man  who 
thus  publicly  ignored  his  British  citizenship,  Cardinal  Manning  at  the 
Clifton  dinner  adopted,  and  said  that '  it  clearly  defined  the  position  of 
Roman  Catholics,  and  that  Lord  Clifford,  in  holding  the  sovereignty  of  the 
Pope  as  superior  to  the  authority  of  the  Crown,  was  only  avowing  the  fealty 
due  by  himself  and  his  co-religionists  to  the  Pope  of  Rome.'  § 

Other  proofs  of  a  similar  kind,  as  to  the  change  that  has  taken  place  in 
the  loyalty  of  the  Roman  Catholics  to  the  laws  and  Oovemment  of  Britain, 
we  could  easily  adduce,  for  they  are  legion,  but  our  space  will  not  allow, 
and  those  we  have  advanced  are,  we  think,  sufficient  for  the  purpose. 

The  question,  then,  which  now  presents  itself  to  our  conrideration  is  this, 
whether  it  is  right  or  safe,  as  it  regards  our  civil  and  religions  freedom,  to 
allow  the  Pope  to  revive  the  Romj^  hierarchy  in  Scotland,  as  we  may  rest 
assured  that  its  unhappy  fruits  will  be  similar  to  those  which  the  Bull  of 
1850  has  produced  in  England.     God  forbid  that  we  ^onld  refuse  to  our 

■  QladBtone'i  Valicaa D<ciia,v.  10». 
t  Tbe  TaMet.  9tli  December  187$. 


ii.«p«fc^M.O  POPISH  HIERAKCia' IN  8C0TLAKD.  113 

Soman  Catiiolic  coontrfmeD  the  same  religions  liberty  that  we  onrselvefl 
{losaess.  We  at  once  acknowledge  their  indefeasible  right  to  hold,  teach, 
And  prop^ate  their  religions  opinions.  Bnt  we  are  fully  satisfied  that, 
since  the  issuing  by  the  Pope  of  the  Syllabus  and  the  Dogmatic  Decrees  of 
the  Vatican  Council,  and  the  requiring  implicit  obedience  to  tliem  as 
esseotial  to  salration,  the  Roman  Catholic  religion  has  been  radically 
changed,  and  eo  also  has  been  the  relation  in  which  Romanists  now  stand  to 
the  laws  and  crown  of  Qreat  Britain.  The  Pope  is  now  their  liege  lord. 
His  commands  to  them  are  supreme,  and  obedience  to  him  precedes  all  other 
civil  allegiance.  In  this  aspect  of  it  the  Roman  Catholic  religion  has  de- 
generated into  sheer  UltramontaniBm,  or,  in  other  words,  Jesuitism;  and  that 
ia  not  a  rehgion  at  all,  bnt  a  foul  conspiracy  against  the  civil  and  religious 
liberties  of  the  hnman  race.  Its  aim  is  to  exalt  Papal  rule  and  domination 
above  all  civil  aathority  and  law.  As  described  by  themselves,  their  design 
is  to  subvert  both  our  civil  and  rehgions  freedom — take  from  ng  onr  Bibles 
and  oar  evangelical  privileges,  and  bring  back  onr  land  again  to  the  mental 
darkness  and  thraldom  of  Rome.  Nothing  will  satisfy  the  Pope  bat 
absolnte  and  universal,  snpremacy.  '  Modem  progress,  liberalism,  and 
civilisation,'  he  denonnces,  and  declares  his  determination  to  '  arrest  and 
crush;'*  the  light  and  science  of  the  nineteenth  century  he  is  resolved  to 
quench ;  and  all  that  knowledge  and  education  which  have  made  onr  northern 
home  the  admiration  of  the  world,  and  the  name  of  Scotchmen  to  be 
esteemed  and  respected  in  all  lands,  he  is  determined  to  restrict,  and  dole 
ont  only  as  he  and  his  fmestly  agents  shall  think  fit.  These  are  bnt  a  few 
«f  the  ends  which  the  Pope  has  in  view  in  resuscitating  among  as  his 
hierarchy,  and  it  is  for  the  people  of  Scotland  to  say  if  they  will  sit  calmly 
£ti]],  and  allow  their  dearest  and  most  valuable  hberties  to  be  threatened 
with  invasion  and  overthrow  by  a  foreign  despot.  Shall  we  quietly  permit 
a  body  of  conspirators,  who  make  no  secret  of  their  designs,  to  settle  down 
in  onr  midst,  begin  to  dig  their  mines,  and  plant  their  batteries,  in  order  to 
blow  ap  our  Protestant'  constitution,  put  a  stop  to  onr  worship,  and  violate 
the  sanctity  and  parity  of  onr  domestic  circles  as  soon  as  they  think  them- 
selves strong  enoagh  to  do  so,  or  can  find  a  favourable  opportunity.  Rome, 
we  all  know,  has 'most  skilful  and  insidious  sappers  and  miners  to  do  her 
work — men  who  have  no  scruples  of  conscience  whatever  when  the  interests 
of  their  Chnrch  are  to  be  served,  or  the  will  of  their  pontifical  master  is  to 
be  obeyed — men  who,  in  defiance  of  the  provisions  of  the  Catholic  ReUef 
Bill,  are  gathering  in  ominous  numbers  in  oar  land,  and  whose  only  principle 
of  action  is  to  advance,  no  matter  at  what  cost  or  sacrifice,  the  universal 
domination  of-  their  Chnrch.  These  men  must  be  watched,  and  they  must  be 
told  that  there  is  a  point,  even  in  the  endurance  of  Scottish  Protestantism, 
beyoDd  which  they  will  not  be  allowed  to  go;  and  that  the  public  safety,  and 
the  civil  and  religious  liberties  of  the  laud,  are  not  to  be  endaogered  or 
overthrown  by  their  plots  and  machinations.  Scotland  has  too  long  en- 
joyed the  blessings  of  civil  and  religions  freedom,  she  knows  too  well  their 
iaeetimable  valae,  and  the  noble  sacrifices  made  by  our  forefathers  to  secure 
them,  willingly  or  easily  to  part  with  them.  We  all  love  and  cherish  them 
too  highly  to  allow  Rome  to  rob  us  of  them  without  resistiug  her,  if  need 
be,  even  to  the  death.  A  crisis  of  no  common  kind  is  plainly  approaching, 
and  it  becomes  the  Protestants  of  this  land  especially  to  gird  on  their 
armour  and  prepare  for  it.  The  Papacy  has  once  more  declared  war 
against  all  that  trae  freemen  hold  dear  to  their  henrts,  and  Cardinal 

^  ■  The  SylUbus,  80th  paragrapb. 

KO.  III.  VOL.  XXH.  KEW  SKRIES. — -HABCH  1878.  n 


114  PRESBYTERIAN  CHUECH  OF  VICTOKIA.      '"°X.''"!^'"" 

HaDDing  has  shown  ns  that  BritaiD  bas  been  selected  as  the  principal 
.  battle-field.  Let  us  then  prepare,  in  a  right  and  proper  spirit,  for- the  defence 
of  our  most  valued  liberties  and  privileges.  Let  na  not  listen  to,  nor  be 
influenced  by,  those  journalists,  who,  wilfnlly  ignorant  of  the  true  nature  and 
wilea  of  the  Papacy,  try  to  laugh  us  out  of  our  anxieties  and  apprehensions 
They  cry  '  Peace,  peace,'  while  the  enemy  is  knocking  for  admission  at  our 
gates ;  and,  like  the  silly  Trojans  of  old,  would  counsel  us  to  admit  into  our 
very  citadel  the  Popish  horse  with  its  cargo  of  unscmpnloas  conspirators 
and  traitors,  to  impose  on  us  a  bondage  to  which  that  of  Egypt  or 
Babylon  is  not  to  be  compared.  What  we  do  most  need  just  now  in 
this  land  is  a  true  Protestant  at  the  head  of  our  Government — one  who 
knows  what  Popery  is,  and  who  has  the  manliness  and  the  principle  to 
grapple  with  the  many-headed  hydra,  and  arrest  its  insidious  efforts  to 
subvert  and  destroy  our  best  and  noblest  liberties,  God  in  His  all-wise  and 
merciful  providence  will,  we  trust,  raise  up,  and  call  forward  to  the  front,  the 
men  suited  for  the  times,  and  fitted  for  the  work  which  onr  nation  is  re- 
quiring, lie  has  done  this  before  in  times  of  perplexity  and  peril,  and  we 
may  rest  assured  that  lie  will  do  so  again.  At  ail  events,  it  is  the  duty  of 
all  Scotchmen  to  be  up  and  doing  in  the  coming  crisis.  We  have  Acts  of 
Parliament  still  unrepealed  in  our  Scottish  Statute  Book  which  are  most 
explicit  on  this  subject,  and  we  can  demand  that  they  be  not  allowed  to  lie 
,  dormant  and  inoperative.  By  the  Act  of  15G0,  the  Pope's  jurisdiction  aod 
hierarchy  in  Scotland  were  aboUshed  in  all  time  coming,  '  on  the  pain  of 
.  banishment,  and  that  the  contraveners  hereof  may  be  called  before  the 
Justices  or  Lords  of  Session,  and  punished  therefor,'  The  Act  of  20th 
December  1587  ratified  and  confirmed  the  aforesaid  Act.  These  two  Acts 
form  the  principal  fonndation  of  the- Claim  of  Right  of  1680,  and  the 
Revolution  Settlement  ot  1688.  From  the  oath  of  allegiance  fixed  by  this 
last  Act,  we  would  only  quote  one  paragraph,  which  expresses  what,  at  that 
period,  was  regarded  as  the  national  sentiment  on  this  subject: — 'I,  A,  B., 
do  swear  that  I  do  from  my  heart  abhor,  detest,  and  abjure,  as  injurious  and 
heretical,  that  damnable  doctrine  and  pt^ition  that  princes  excommunicated 
or  deprived  by  the  Pope,  or  any  authority  of  the  See  .of  Rome,  may  be 
deposed  or  murdered  by  their  subjects,  or  any  other  whatsoever ;  and  I  do 
declare  that  no  foreign  prince,  person,  prelate,  state,  or  potentate  hath,  or 
ought  to  have,  any  jurisdiction,  power,  superiority,  pre-eminence,  or  autho- 
rity, ecclesiastical  or  spiritual,  within  this  realm.    So  help  me,  God.'  -   ' 

Such  are  at  this  moment  the  unrepealed  statute  laws  of  onr  land,  and  we 
would  earnesHy  hope  that  our  Government  will  not,  as  was  done  in  England, 
allow  them  to  be  violated  and  outraged  with  impunity  by  that  insolrat  and 
aggressive  system,  which,  in  all  ages  since  its  rise,  has  proved,  itself  to  be 
the  antichrist  of  God,  the  sworn  foe  o(  civil  and  religions  freedom,  and  the 
very  curse  of  mankind, 

PBESBTTERrAN  CHURCH  OF  VICTORIA, 

BY  AK  AUSTRALIAN  mKISTER. 


Fon  many  years  there  has  been,  on  every  occasion  of  the  sitting  of  the  AaseUiblT, 
a  heavy  thunderstonn,  accompanied  1^  a  great  deal  of  rain.    On  this  ocoasioii  the 


weather  has  continued  unseasonably  dry,  uneveiitful,  and  cold.  So  also  for  some 
years  there  bas  been  always  before  t£e  Aseembly  some  burning  question,  the 
diflcussion.of  which  caused  both  noise  and  beat  This  year  there  has  been  nothing- 
in  the  slightest  degree  sensational, — nothing  but  dry  bnainees  gone  about  in  the 
cooleat  manner  imaginable. 


""'it^.'i^m.'"'      PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  OP  VICTORIA.  115 

The  Hodenttor^  openmg  address,  indeed,  yi&B  full  of  fervour.    He  dwelt  on  tbe 

anbj'ect  of  union,  and  spoke  of  the  bene&cUl  effect  whicli  tbe  example  of  diia 
Cborsh  had  on  onion  movements  in  Scotland,  and  imeisted  on  the  dutj  and 
necwsitir  of  union  among  all  Churches  of  similar  creed  and  fonn  of  government,  in 
Tiev  of  the  powerful  and  subtle  infidelitT  with  which  religion  had  at  preseot  to 
contend.  He  concluded  by  referring  to  the  gratifjdng  results  of  recent  eyangelistie 
effoita,  and  niging.the  ne^  for  thorough  CDnaecration  to  the  great  work  to  whi^ 
the  Christian  Chnroh  is  called. 

In  the  course  of  the  debate  and  business  tiansaations  which  followed,  however, 
the  onl?  electric  spark  produced  was  sent  forth  when  Dr.  Cairns  gave  the 
GcTemor'H  back  a  heavy  mb  in  the  wrong  direction,  in  oonsequence  of  his  occa- 
tioiudlj  travelling  1^  rail  on  Sunday, — a  kind  of  transgr«Hion  of  the  Fourth 
GonDumdmeDt  very  coounon  among  Presbyterian  churofa-goen  in  and  around 
Melbonme;  but  the  learned  Doctor,  justly,  admired  for  his  fearleas  conaoientioiit- 
ne«s,  cannot  bring  the  Governor  before  any  session  or  presbytery.  He  has  sounded 
tiie  vaming  trompet  not  only  in  reference  to  tJie  Qovernor's  failings,  but  also  in 
regard  to  a  more  important  matter, — the  heterodoxy  of  memben  (or  a  member 
esch)  of  two  pTegbyteries  of  the  Ghnrch.  To  an  unprejudiced  bystander  it  seems 
scarcely  fair  for  a  man  in  the  Doctor's  powtion  to  blow,  even  by  a  ude  wind,  out- 
side of  a  Church  conrt,  on  the  ecclenastical  reputation  of  gentlemen  who  have 
eimilar  credentials  to  his  own ;  if  he  has  anything  to  say  of  &em,  he  ahoold  aay 
it  There  his  oharge  can  be  met.     His  little  brochure  has  brought  oat  another, 

C'  "shed  by  a  gentleman,  who  is  said  to  be  the  only  minister  in  the  Synod  of  tbe 
Chnrdi  of  Victoria,  justifying  his  conduct  in  keepmg  i^art  from'  tJie  United 
Chnrcb,  seeing  that  now,  twenty  yeaiq  after  the  union,  there  is  this  rumour  about. 
me  of  its  miniaten,  who  in  ScotUnd  was  a  member  of  the  Established  Churdi. 
Thns  it  will  be  seen  that  the  demooi«tic  and  levelling  instttutions  of  this  colony  . 
do  not  always  destroy  eictaaivKietiB  and  narrow- mindedneee. 

But  to  retom  to  the  Assembly.  Perhaps  tjie  moat  importantofitadoiiigs  was  the- 
resolution  toappointaprincipal  in  its  Theological  Hall.  A  considerable  sum  of  money 
vu  raised  for  the  Hall,  on  tue  uDderstandbg  that  so  soon  as  possible  an  eminent 
scholar  should  bo  brought  from  Scotland  to  fill  its  principal  chair.  In  pnnuance 
of  this  nnderstanding,  the  present  moveme^  has  been  made ;  and  although  many 
members  of  {he  Assembly  seemed  to  think  that  the  present  profecsois  were  quite 
up  to  the  standard  to  be  desired,  it  is  probable  that  such  a  proposal  would  have 
been  made  even  tfaongh  there  had  been  no  previous  understanding  of  this  kind, 
for  this  reason  among  others,  that  the  reputation  of  such  a  principal  may  be 
^pected  to  draw  students  from  the  other  colonies.  This  will  likely  be  t^o  case  if 
the  gentleman  fixed  upon  (Dr.  Goold)  accept  the  invitation;  and  it  is  most 
desirable  tiiat  it  should  be  so,  as  a  scholu'  of  bis  reputation  might  otherwise  fret 
at  the  small  nomber  of  his  pupils.  The  salary  affixed  to  the  office  is  not  certainly 
>ery  attractive,  it  being  but  £800  a  year.  A  honse  is,  however,  to  be  built  for- 
his  residence,  wid  a  college  is  proposed  to  be  erected  for  the  use  of  the  students,  on 
ten  acres  irf  Kionnd  ia  the  immediate  neighbourhood  of  Melbourne  Univeiaity. 
The  Episcopalwn  Church  has  had  a  college  on  their  ground  in  the  same  neigh- 
booihood  for  some 'years,  and  a  canvas  for  £10,000  for  this  pUiTKMe  is  immediately 
to  be  made  among  the  wealthy  Presbyteriaos  in  the  colony.  Meanwhile  theis  is  a 
aifrital  of  £14,500,  the  interest  of  which  is  available  for  the  expenses  of  the 
Theological  Hall,  besides  wliat  gubscriptions  may  be  received  from  year  to  year. 
tJoder  the  present  arrangement  the  expenditure  reaches  about  £S00,  and  the  four 
professors  make  the  most  of  the  short  session  they  have  to  work  in.  Mr.  Stobbs 
seemed  to  hrt  the  nail  on  \iie  head  when  he  said,  in  the  course  of  the  ooDversation 
on  this  subieot,  that  what  was  most  wanted  was  a  more  thorough  literary  trainiag 
for  the  students,  the  present  professors  being,  in  Fiis  opinion,  amply  sufficient  for 
the  woii  to  be  done.  This  may  be  so  just  now  ;  but  a  nrofessor  like  Dr.  Goold 
might  so<»i  doable  or  treble  the  number  of  students  (which  was  sixteen  last  year), 
and  might  be  expected,  by  his  advice  and  supervision,  to  stimulate  those  preparing 
for  entnnce  into  the  Hall  to  the  attainment  of  a  higher  literary  standard. 

No  one  in  the  Church  eam  be  more  anxious  for  the  success  of  this  proposal  than 
Dr.  M'Donidd,  the  convener  of  the  Home  Mission  Committee,  who  is  indefatigable 


llli  PBE3BTTEEIAN  CUURCII  Or  VICTOEIA.      """iiJ'Ctsit"*'' 

in  bis  appeals  to  the  home  Churches  for  able  men  to  till  up  the  vacancies  in  this 
Chnrch,  In  response  partly  to  these  reqiuets,  there  have  been  during  the  past' year 
tiro.arrivals  from  the  United  Pret^tytenan  Church,  One  from  the  Free  Choroh,  and 
one  from  the  Established  Church  of  Scotland,  while  there  have  been  eight  accessions 
from  other  qnarters ;  but,  as  the  couTeoer  complains,  '  several  of  tiie  preachen 
dedare  themselves  unable  to  goawaj  to  any  coneiderabledistancefrom Melbourne  j 
Bome  of  them  are  in  feeble  health  ;  some  of  them  make  their,  own  arrangementa 
with  ministers  in  charges  to  supply  during  a  temporarj'  absence ; '  in  short,  not  a 
few  of  the  preachers  must  have  come  to  this  colony  under  a  misapprehension  of 
what  they  might  expect,  and  seem  not  to  be  of  the  mettle  required  for  the  bush. 
And  then  the  city  coogregatioiu  require  very  great  guns  indeed !  There  are  now 
five  <A  these  Melbourne  charges  vacant,  and  tweuty-four  id  the  country,  some  of 
the  latter  being  huge  enough  for  Episcopalian  dioceses,  and  seven  of  them  not  vet 
organized.  Dr.  M'Donald  has  only  nineteen  preachers  for  these  vacaudes.  No 
wonder  that  he  says  that  '  it  is  mainly  the  success '  (of  the  committee  in  opening 
new  preaching  stations)  '  which  is  embarrassing.'  The  troth  is,  however,  whatever 
may  be  the  reason  for  it,  that  Qie  preachers  who  are  sent  to  these  preaching 
Btations  would  in  many  cases  require  an  independent  income,  and  that  witJiout 
this  i(  must  be  sometimee  embarraBsing  for  them  also  to  make  the  two  ends  meet. 
Wherever  chBrges  are  formed,  and  able  to  give  a  stipend  of  £200  a.  year,  the 
Sustentation  Fund  comes  to  their  aasistauce  with  £60  a  year. 

This  fund  has  proved  a  great  boon  to  struggling  country  congregaliona,  which  it 
•  has  in  some  instances  stimulated  to  increased  efiort,  and  in  none  diminished  tie 
endeavour  to  act  conscientiously.  Of  141  charges  in  Uie  Church,  thirty-six  receive 
tins  assistance ;  last  year,  thirty-eight  congregalians  were  on  the  list,  the  difference 
'  arising  from  there  being  more  of  these  congregations  vacant  just  now.  The 
receipts  have  been  smaller  this  year,  but  a  larger  amount  has  come  from  coDgr^»- 
tions.  There  are,  however,  only  seventy-six  congTeeations  in  connection  with  the 
scheme,— a  ^ct  wliich  was  adverted  to  in  a  very  teUtng  speech  by  Mr.  M'Bain,  the 
convener,  who  is  one  of  the  few  wealthy  elders  ,of  the  Church  who  take  an  active 
public  interest  in  its  affairs.  The  income  of  this  fund  was  £1890,  and  its  ex- 
penditure £1805. 

Two  of  the  present  vacancies  have  been  occasioned  by  death,  and  consequently 
there  has  been  an  increased  charge  on  the  Widows  and  Orphans'  Fund,  which  has 
now  twenty-three  widows  and  forty  children  on  its  list,  to  whom  it  p^s  £1411  in 
the  year.  Notwithstanding,  the  capital  sum  shows  an  increase  of  £860  during  the 
ye«r. 

.  The  Tnflrm  Minist«rB'  Fiind  has  now  five  names  on  the  list  of  its  annuitants,  but 
has  also  grown  by  £360,  after  paying  all  demands. 

The  Heathen  Missions  seem  at  last  to  be  growing  in  favour  wilb  the  Church, 
nearly  £3000  having  been  raised  for  them  dnring  the  year.  About  £600  is  owing 
to  the  extraordinary  effort  made  by  Mr.  Paton,  referred  to  last  year,  and  £200  to 
four  subscriptions  not  promised  regularly ;  still  there  is  an  advance  of  about  £400 
above  the  previous  ordinary  collections.  This  improvement  is  no  doubt  partly 
owing  to  Uie  assiduity  of  a  new  convener  (the  Rev.  M.  Macdmald,  late  of  Nairn), 
and,  it  is  to  be  hoped,  partly  to  the  increased  interest  in  religion  excited  by  the 
evangelistic  services  that  have  been  held  in  this  colony  during  the  past  year. 
NoF  can  it  be  supposed  but  that  the  effective  appeals  of  Mr.  Paton  awakened  an 
interest  ip  mission  effort  which  is  not  to  be  ganged  by  the  amount  of  money 
collected  by  himself.  That  the  last  has  perhaps  be^  tJie  chief  moving  power,  is 
indicated  by  the  increase  having  been  confined  to  the  New  Hebrides  Missions, 
which  show  £2309  of  receipts.  Part  of  this  is  for  a  third  missionary,  who  is 
expected  to  he  obtuned  fioin  the  Theolomcal  HaU  in  about  a  year.  "There  has 
been  S  snggesUon  made  by  the  New  Hebrides  missionaries,  that  laym^  might  he 
employed  successfully  in  the  work,  which  may  be  fruitfnL  Meanwhile  the  fear  of 
these  islands  being  annexed  by  Trance  to  ber  convict  colony  of  New  Caledonia, 
has  drawn  forth  ui  anxious  appeal  to  the  home  Government  U  antJcipaM  France 
in  this  movement.  The  120,(KK)  natives  would  greatly  prefer  a  Britdsh  protectorate, 
and  the  missionaries  are  afraid  of  the  events  of  Tahiti  being  repeated.  A  few 
years  ago  they  deprecated  the  idea  of  British  coffee  planters  settling  on  these 


"""M^m^^    THE  LATE  REV.  JOHN  8TABK,  HOBNDBAK.  117 

islandfl,  in  ease  of  their  injuring  the  monJilj  of  the  B&tirM.  Nov  the?  ue 
tbrekteDed  with  a  real  danger  to  their  progrsBS,  and  even  to  their  eiiBteDoe.  A 
petition  was  adopted  by  the  Awemblf  to  the  Queen,  asking  for  her  interpoaltion. 
A.  edmilar  petdtion  hu  been  wnt  br  the  PreabTtnian  Ohurch  of  New  Booth  Walei. 
Both  prajen  are  backed  hj  the  Qovemtnenta  of  the  reepective  colonies,  an>)  it  ia 
most  oeairable  that  meoibera  of  Parliament,  deeiroiu  of  protecting  the  mercantile 
or  misBtoiuuy  enten>riee  of  the  country,  abouid  call  the  attention  of  the  Lenalatore 
to  the  Bobject.  No  doubt  the  propoul  of  Dr.  Dnff  to  make  the  New  Helirides 
Miaaion  a  common  field  for  all  Presbyterian  Chnrchea,  will  canae  ipecial  interest 
to  be  manifeated  in  this  matter  by  thoe  Churches  both  in  America  and  the  United 
Kingdom.  The  Beuior  miadosB^  (Ur.  Inglit),  now  on  a  visit  to  Britain,  will  no 
donbt  make  hia  voice  heard  ;  and  it  will  be  the  more  telling,  inaimuch  as  he  haa 
token  with  him  £700,  collected  by  the  natives  of  Aneiteyum,  for  the  puipose  of 

Cing  an  edition  of  the  Bible  in  their  language,— that  book  which  the  advent  of 
iah  misaionariee,  with  a  State  power  at  their  back,  would  at  once  bnnith. 
The  Miesion  among  the  Aborigines  at  Ramah  Yuck  continues  to  proaper ;  and  the 
Bev.  A.  Msckie  has  been  appointed  to  preach  as  often  aa  possible  at  a  Qovem- 
ment  station  not  far  from  Malboume,  where  he  has  an  audience  of  eiity  or  seven^ 
black  people.  At  Ramah  Yuck  there  have  been  several  deaths,  all  of  than 
hopeful,— one  of  them  triumph SDt,^aFter  a  consistent  Christian  course  of  seventeen 
years.  The  Chief  Justice  of  the  colony.  Sir  William  Stawell,  visited  Uie  station, 
and  addressed  tiie  Sunday  scholars  '  in  very  encouraging  terms.'  The  Chinese 
Hisrion  contiimes  aa  before  its  unobtrurive  labours,  having  bad  four  evangelists 
mider  tiie  instmctioirof  the  convener  (Rev.  R.  Hamilton)  daring  half  of  the  year, 
and  employed  in  evaBgdistio  work  among  their  oountrymen  during  the  other  halt 
There  baa  rattier  been  a  falling  off  in  the  contribations  thia  year,  which  the  con- 
vener attributes  to  the  efforts  made  for  the  New  Hebrides  Hiiuion,  but  tbew 
shonld  rather  have  had  aa  enoouragiug  influence. 

This  session  of  the  AaaemUy  has  been  an  easy  one  for  the  Moderator,  the  Rev. 
R.  Hamilton,  of  Helbonme.  The  quiet  flow  of  business  talk  went  on  without  a 
rqtple  to  diitorb  the  eqnanimity  of  the  president,  who  was  thus  deprived  (perhaps 
not  mach  to  his  chagrin)  of  the  opportunity  of  showing  his  abUity  to  steer  through 
eddies  and  rapids.  On  the  other  hand,  his  moderatorship  will  be  memorafate  for 
deration,  harmony,  progress,  and  cheerful  hope. 


THE  LATE  REV.  JOHN  STARK,  HORNDEAN. 
The  Bev.  John  Staik  was  bom  at  Ayton,  Berwickshire,  on  the  30th  January  1835. 
His  father,  the  Rev.  James  Stark,  was  a  much -respected  minister  there  for  fully 
half  a  centnry.  He  was  thus  a  son  of  tbe  manse  ;  and  he  enjoyed  in  early  life  the 
tneetiinable  advanta^  of  the  truning  of  eminently  pious  parents.  When  the  writer 
of  this  Botice  first  visited  this  home  he  was  channed  with  the  great  intelligence, 
wiadom,  and  modesty  of  the  head  of  tiie  family,  who  had  become  venerable  in 
veara,  and  ripe  in  Christian  experience.  He  was  fortunate,  too,  in  his  partner  io 
fife,  who  not  only  made  his  home  happy  to  himself  and  his  children,  but  who  wag 
ever  ready  to  wdcome  strangers  with  those  kindly  tones  which  bespoke  a  warm  and 
loving  h«ut,  Mr,  J(fhu  Stark  owed  much  to  his  parents ;  and  the  excellent 
qualities  of  both  reappeared  in  theb  son.  It  must  have  been  extremely  gratifying 
to  both  parents  to  find  their  son  afterwards  settled  in  the  ministry  in  the  same 
presbytery  with  his  father,  and  within  a  few  miles  of  the  home  of  his  early  days. 
When  his  mooter  became  a  widow,  she  found  a  home  in  the  manse  at  Horndean, 
where  he  had  the  honour  and  happiness  of  cheering  th'e  calm  and  sweet  evening  of 
life  to  a  mother  whom  he  had  so  much  reason  to  lore  with  a  grateful  and  fond 
afTeetion,  He  had  not  long  to  cherish  the  memory  of  his  parents  after  they  had 
both  g<Bie  to  glory ;  but  ho  could  truly  say  of  them, — 


The  SOD  of  parents  passed  bito  the  skies.' 


il8  THE  LATE  BET.  JOHN  8TABK,  HOENDEAN.     '■""St^m!^ 

He  bore  an  honoured  niuae,  and  hud  a  pious  anoestry.  HU  grandfather  and  Uiiee 
d  his  father's  unoles  gave  each  a  aon  to  the  miniatrf  of  the  gon>el.  His  faUier's 
cousiDH  were  the  Bbt.  Dr.  Jamee  Stark  of  Dennyloanhead,  the  Ber.'Thomu  Staric 
of  FotreB,  and  the  Rar.  Dr.  Andrew  8tuk  of  New  York, — all  esunent  preaoheTshnd 
paatora  in  their  varioue  spberea. 

In  hut  boyhood  Mr.  Stsrk  was  quiet,  thou^htfnl,  and  much  given  to  reading.  He 
attended  the  parochial  school  oi  his  native  village,  and  there  laid  the  foundation  of 
thoae  nperioT  classioal  attainmenta  he  afterwarda  reached.  In  eari;  yoath  be 
fiHined  tl>e  purpoee  to  devote  his  life  to  the  work  of  the  Christian  ministrj  ;  aad 
in  proeecutioa  of  this  purpose  be  entered  the  Edinbut^h  UniverBity  in  his  fifteenth 
year, — an  age  too  early,  as  he  afterwards  confaBed,  to  obtAm  the  full  benefit  of  his 
oolle^  onrricalum.  Be  attended  fire  setsions,  however,  which  ia  one  more  than  is 
naual ;  and  he  pasiied  through  his  classee  with  much  credit. 

It  ia  not  known  at  what  period  he  experienced  the  great  change  by  -whioh 
believers  in  Christ  pass  from  death  to  life.  Probably  it  waa  at  ao  early  a  period 
thkt  he  could  not  remember  when  the  leva  of  Christ  became  the  ruling  prindple  t>t 
'  his  life.  He  was  reeerved  on  the  subject  of  his  inner  religious  experience ;  but  HO 
ane  who  knew  him  after  he  became  a  student  could  fail  to  see  the  moat  unqueetion- 
aHe  evidence  that  he  was  really  a  child  of  God.  Dr.  Ritchie  of  Dunse,  in  the  funeral 
sramon  preached  at  Homdean,  and  afterwards  published,  sa^ :  '  It  was  betweoi 
his  first  and  seoond  sesaiona  at  oollego  that  I  first  became  acquainted  wiUi  hira.  I 
waa  than  a  gueet  in  his  father's  house  for  a  fortnight,  just  before  my  ordination  to 
Ule  Christian  ministry,  and  had  full  opportunity  cd  seeing  him  in  daily  hmne  life.  I 
WAS  greatly  struck,  even  at  that  early  period,  with  his  modesty,  Kffeotiouatencaa, 
and  youtbful  intelligence ;  and  from  that  day  to  this,  I  have  been  attracted  to  him 
with  a  growing  admiration  and  love.  He  has  been  to  me  a  choice  link  of  coimac' 
tion  with  many  cherished  memories  of  beloved  friends  and  brethren,  wtlit  wh<»u  I 
have  held  sweet  counsel  in  his  early  home,  in  the  days  of  othm  years.' 

Mr.  Stark  entered  the  Diviaity-Eall  of  the  United  -  Seceesion  Ghnroh  in  1842. 
The  Junior  Hall  met  in  Glasgow  that  year,  and,  as  censor  of  the  Hall  for  the  year, 
I  had  a  good  deal  of  intercourse  with  the  students,  a  circumstance  which  brought 
me  first  into  aoquaintonoe  witb  Mr.  Stark  ;  but  with  none  of  my  iellow-Mudents 
has  the  aoqoaintance  tiken  formed  ripened  into  a  hiendsbip  bo  close  and  endearing 
as  with  him.  At  that  time  there  were  six  sons  of  miniatera  of  the  f^rasbyCery  <tt 
Berwick  who  were  students  at  the  Hall,  including  Mr.  Stark, ^namely,  David  Inglis, 
aon  of  the  Her.  David  Ingli!)  of  Greenlaw ;  Alexander  Bobertson,  son  of  the  Rev. 
James  Roberlaon  of  Wooler ;  William  Faxton  Young,  son  of  the  Rev.  William  Young 
of  Berwick;  William  Inglis,  son  of  the  Rev.  David  M.  Inglia  of  Stockhridge  ;  ana 
William  Diekson,  sou  of  the  Bev.  George  Dickson  of  North  Suuderiaud.  In  four  of 
t^&e  families  there  were  more  sons  than  one  that  devoted  themselvee  to  the  work  of 
the  minis&y.  tliere  were  other  students  from  Berwiokshire  who  were  not  sons  of 
the  manse,  of  whom  Frofessor  Gaims  ia  one.  During  Mr.  Stark's  first  »»eioit  Or. 
Eadie  oonducted  the  class  of  Biblical  Literature,  but  he  was  not  app<»nted  to  the 
chair  tiU  next  Synod,  when  Dr.  Mitchell  resigned  from  age  and  infirmity.  The 
other  profesBora  under  whom  he  studied  divinity  were  Professors  Brown  and 
Harper.  He  entertiuned  a  profound  respect  for  his  distinguished  tcaohera,  and  they 
had  not  a  more  faithful  and  diligent  student  under  their  care.  Dr.  Brown's  father 
and  grandfather  were  both  ministers,  and  he  always  manifested  great  interest  in 
those  of  his  students  who  bad  chosen  their  father's  urotesfiion.  He  seemed  particn- 
larly  pleased  with  Messra.  -Stark  and  Young  from  the  Presbytery  of  Berwick.  Me. 
Stark's  singular  modesty  rendered  him  superior  to  any  feeliog  of  pride  from  any 
attention  or  approbation  he  raoetved.  He  took  much  interest  in  the  private 
devotional  meetings  which  were  held  among  the  students.  The  annual  sesaiMia  of 
6he  Hall  at  that  time  were  of  only  eight  weeks'  duration,  and  he  spent  the  int«TvalB 
between  his  five  sessions  in  teaching.  When  acting  as  tutor  in  a  private  family  in 
Perth,  he  suffered  from  a  severe  rbeumatic  fever,  whioh  left  eEFeota  that  continued 
with  him  throughout  life,  and  led  to  hia  too  early  death.  He  enjoyed  the  esteem 
and  confidence  of  his  fellow-students,  of  which  he  received  a  decided  proof  when 
chosen  lo  be  censor  of  the  Senior  Hall  during  his  last  session. 

Having  completed  his  course  of  study,  he  waa  taken  on  trials  for  licence  by  the 


o.t«j^F«*^.]    jgg  i^jj,  jjgy^  JOHM  STAKE,  HOENDEAH.  119 

FresbjteiT  of  Berwick  on  tbe  26th  of  October  1847,  tuuJ  ftfter  delirering  &11  hii 
tiiale  to  the  satUfactiou  of  the  preabytery,  he  was  licemed  to  preach  tbe  fiospel  od 
the  18tb  of  Janiur;  1348.  On  the  Sabbath  following  he  pteachod  id  his  father's 
pulpit,  chooBing  for  oae  of  his  texts,  '  To'day,  if  je  wUl  be&i  His  voice,  harden  not 
your  hearts.'  His  prabationer's  course  was  <^  comparativelj  short  doration.  In 
Amdl  1849  he  occupied  the  pulpit  at  Homdeon  with  such  acceptance,  that  be  was 
called  on  the  18th  of  Jane  following  to  be  colleague  sud  succcaaor  to  the  Rev. 
ViUiam  Lee,  who  was  l^en  in  the  forty-second  year  of  bis  ministry,  snd  who  had 
become  unfit  for  pulpit  duty  on  account  of  age  and  infiimity.  'Mr.  Stark  cordially 
accepted  this  call,  and  was  ordained  at  Horndean  on  the  10^  of  October  foUoVring, 
Jiia  Tenerable  colleague  bsTing  offered  the  ordination  pr&yer. 

Tim  Qongregalioo  of  Horndean  was  organized  in  1785,  tmd  Mr.  8tArk  was  only  its 
third  minister.  Tbe  village  of  Horndean  belongs  to  theparishof  I.Ad;kirk,  and  the 
4iCHigregation  is  drawn  from  this  and-theneighbonring  parishes  of  Hutton,  Swinton, 
and  WhiUome.  Ministers  were  violently  intzuded  into  the  parishes  of  I^ykirk 
and  HuttOD  in  the  course  of  eighteen  months  preceding  the  secession  of  '  Tbe  Four 
Brethren  '  from  liie  Established  Church.  A  similar  intrusion  took  place  at  Duuae 
in  1738  -,  and  the  seecders  in  Ladykirk  unit«d  with  those  of  Dunse  in  obtainiog 
suKily  of  sermon, — the  first  preachers  sent  to  them  being  Ralph  and  Ebenezer 
BnikiiM  in  1739.  As  Hie  ministers  of  I<adykirk  and  Hutton  proved  to  be  unaccept- 
able, botJi  on  account  of  their  life  and  doctrine,  the  seceoers  in  these  parishes 
incTea«ed  in  number,  and,  presuming  that  tliey  were  able  t«  support  public 
ordinances  among  themselves,  they  ap^ed  for  ana.  obtained  supply  of  sennon  from 
the  Afisoeiate  (Burgher)  Presbytery  of  Eeko.in  1784.  Their  first  church  waa 
built  in  1786,  and  t£e  Bev.  Alexander  Galderhead,  their  first  minister,  was  ordained 
in  tbe  following  year.  In  the  beginning  of  the  present  century  preachers  were 
very  scarce  in  the  United  States  of  North  America,  and  appeals  sent  to  this  country 
for  help  m^  with  but  partial  success,  until  the  celebrated  Dr.  Hason  of  New  York 
was  aent  as  a  deputy  to  Scotland  to  procure  a  supply  of  paston  for  pressing 
vacanciee.  Hr.  Calderhead  was  one  of  those  who  responded  to  the  earnest  and 
cJoqueat  appe^  of  Dr.  Hason,  and  acoompanied  him  to  America  in  1802.  Thus 
were  the  congr^ation  deprived  of  tbe  rained  services  of  theii  first  minister;  and 
th^  had  also  to  suffer  a  long  vacancy  of  five  years,  for  it  was  only  after  four  uu- 
socceesful  calls  to  other  preachers  that  tbey  obtained  a  much -esteemed  pastor  in  tbe 
Bev.  William  Lee,  who  was  ordained  on  the  25th  of  August  1807.  From  tiiattime 
fgr  iiM»«  than  seventy  years  th^  were  never  vacant. 

The  eoene  of  labour  that  fell  to  the  lot  of  Mr.  Stark  as  minister  of  Horndean  ia 
ranuttkably  beautiful.  The  parish  of  Ladykirk  haa  an  area  of  3300  acres,  one- 
fonrth  of  which  is  in  perennial  pasture  of  the  richest  quality, — by  a  deed  of  entail 
e^Ksited  by  the  grandfather  at  the  present  proprietress  this  portion  cumot  be 
{toughed  up.  Tbe  parish  stretchee  along  the  l^uks  of  the  Tweed,  which  are 
nowhwe  more  lovely  than  here;  on  theopposite  side  rises  '  Norham's  castled  Steep,' 
and  '  Cbeviot's_meuntains  lone '  present  a  majestic  background-  The  neighbour- 
hood »  rich,  too,  in  historical  associations. 

In  hia  first  sermon  after  his  ordination  Hr.  Stark  Struck  tlie  keynote  of  hia  whole 
ministry,  when  he  preached  from  Eph.  ill,  8 — 'Tbe  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ.' 
Compftring  this  wiUi  hia  last  discourse  to  his  people  on  Dec  2,  1877,  we  find  that 
heclMed  his  ministry  that  day  with  a  lecture  on  John  xii.  29-33,  which  led  him  to 
ape«k  otUie  attractive  glories  of  tbe  cross  of  Christ ;  and  he  dosed  the  discourse 
with  a  description  of  the  glory  and  song  of  heaven.  His  aged  colleague  was 
iwrdly  able  to  render  him  any  assistance  in  public  duty ;  but  during  the  five  years 
of  tke  coU^(iate  charge  their  harmony  was  cordial  and  complete,  and  they  were 
like-minded  in  moet  things.  There  was  a  remarkable  similarity  of  character 
'    '        n  them,  and  no  room  for  that  jealousy  which  is  often  the  curse  of  collegiate 


e  who  knew  Mr.  Stark  in  private  life  could  fail  to  see  that  he  was  a  man 
M  sincere  and  deep  piety.  As  be  entered  the  Theological  Hall  the  year  after  me, 
and  the  whole  of  hia  ministerial  life  nas  spent  in  my  immediate  neighbourhood,  I 
WM  intimately  acquainted  with  him  for  many  years,  and  entertained  for  hiro  'Uie 
most  cordial  affection.    To  know  him  was  to  love  bim,  and  his  more  intimate 


1:J0  THE  LATE  EEV.  JOHK  STABS,  HORNDEAN.     ""'ai.^iM?'"^ 

friends  vill  never  forget  him.  At  the  Hall  he  appeared  to  be  singularly  modeatj 
vith  an  eaTDeat  piety  and  mature  judgment  quite  beyond  bia  years.  Tboee  who 
knew  his  cjcellent  father  were  wont  to  say  that  tie  son  owed  much  to  paternal 
influence,  and  the  remarkable  resemblance  between  father  and  son  grew  with  years. 
At  Synod  and  Preshytefy  they  were  always  seen  together.  After  his  father's 
death,  however,  he  took  a  more  activo  inter^t  in  the  business  of  the  Presbytery, 
and  expressed  his  opinion  more  freely  on  the  subject  under  consideration.  Obe  of 
his  most  intimate  companions  at  the  Hall  vae  Mr.  David  Inglis,  son  of  the  minister 
of  Greenlaw.  Mr.  Inglis  emigrated  to  Oonada,  and  became  a  prominent  and  popu- 
lar preacher  there ;  he  was  afterwards  theological  professor,  and  at  the  time  of  bis 
death  be  was  pastor  of  a  church  in  Brooklyn,  New  York.  Dr.  Inglis  visited  hiB 
early  and  ronch-eeteemed  friend  last  summeratHomdean,  and hissomewhat  sudden 
death  took  place  the  day  after  Mr.  Stark's.  Nothing  ever  occorred  to  cause  me  to 
lower  the  high  opinion  I  formed  of  Mr.  Stark  when  a  Ktudent,  but  everytiiing' 
tended  to  confirm  and  heighten  it.  His  life  was  a  sermon  which  all  men  coald 
read,  and  his  high-toned  spirituality  in  private  life  vastly  augmented  the  infloence 
of  his  public  inslructionB.  Some  men  unfortunately  neutralize  the  effect  of  their 
pulpit  ministrations  by  the  inconsistenoies  of  their  private  life-;  but  with  him  there 
was  a  weight  of  character  that  prevailed  more  than  words.  Bis  constant  sim  iraa 
to  imitate  the  Master  whom  he  served,  in  whoee  holy  and  devoted  life  every  day 
was  a  Sabbath,  every  scene  a  sanctuary,  and  every  journey  an  occasion  of  tiAefnl- 
nees.  Amiability  was  the  most  prominent  feature  of  his  charact^,  and  it  was  so 
marked  as  to  draw  all  bearte  towwds  him.  He  was  for  many  years  associated  with 
the  late  Bev.  James  Anderson  of  Norham,  bis  nearest  neighbourin  the  ministry, — 
a  noble  pair  of  brothers,  singularly  alike  in  almost  every  respect,  both  of  them 
possessed  of  such  warm  and  loving  hearts  that  any  coldness  or  nismiderstandiiig 
between  them  yna  absolutely  impossible.  Both  appreciated  the  affection  in  the  other, 
which  in  reality  was  mntnal;  and  either  might  have  said  of  the  Other,  asDaridsaid 
of  Jonathan,  '  Thy  love  to  me  was  wonderful,  parsing  the  love  of  women.'  It  wu 
one  of  the  greatest  privileges  of  my  ministerial  life  to  be  intimately  tosociated  with 
both  as  near  neighboun,  and  to  observe  the  strength  of  their  mutual  affection, 
which  seemed  so  warm  and  cordial  that  other  men  could  only  imitate  where  ft 
appeared  impossible  to  equal.  Every  visit  to  them  was  a  teeaon  in  Chriiituw 
lore. 

Mr,  Stark  was  in  failing  healtb  for  some  years,  and,  like  his  dear  friend,  Dr. 
Inglis,  whoee  feeble  step  I  noticed  last  summer,  he  appeared  to  be  Betting  prenut- 
tnrely  old.  He  presided  over  the  congregation  at  Homdean  for  rather  more  than 
twenty-eight  years.  This  was  a  comparatively  long  period  of  ministerial  serrioe  in 
a  world  snch  aa  ours,  where  life  is  so  fleeting ;  bat  as  he  had  not  completed  hia 
fifty-third  year  at  the'  time  of  hie  death,  we  might  have  hoped  for  many  years  yet 
to  come  of  faithful  and  efficient  service  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord.  As  the  Bev. 
D.  Kerr  remarked,  in  his  touching  address  at  the  luneml  :  *  The  spring-time  noA 
snmmer  of  youth  bad  just  softened  into  the  mellow  richness  of  antumn,  when  the 
fvU. fruits  of  his  ministry  were  about  to  display  themselves  in  a  lovely  harvest,  to 
the  joy  and  comfort  of  his  people.  But  just  then,  when  their  and  our  hopes  were 
at  their  height,  did  it  seem  meet  to  his  heavenly  Master,  in  the  exercise  of  Uja 
infinite  and  adorable  wisdom,  to  call  him  away  from  the  loved  scene  of  bis  labonr 
here  to  his  rest  and  bis  rewaid,  from  the  service  of  the  Chorch  below  to  the  glory- 
of  the  Church  above,  from  his  family  and  friends  on  earth  to  the  more  (^OTioos 
company  of  the  redeemed  on  high,  in  the  house  not  made  with  h3ndB.'  His  deatii 
eame  on  all  his  friends  as  a  painful  surprise.  On  the  last  Sabbath  on  wbioh  he 
appeared  in  the  pulpit  hia  people  saw  that  he  was  imwell,  but  he  seemed  only  to  ban 
caught  a  severe  cold,  and  no  serions  results  were  antidpated.  He  was  unable  to 
deliver  the  second  of  the  two  discourses  which  formed  the  double  service.  Thefar> 
mer  of  these  discourses  has  already  been  referred  to,  for  the  purpose  of  oomparinif 
Ilia  first  with  his  last  discourse  in  the  Horndean  pulpit.  Faithful  to  duty,  he  was 
found  at  hia  post  when  the  harbingers  of  death  were  hovering  around  him.  Thoorit 
seriously  unwell  during  the  previous  week,  he  fully  prepared  two  discourses  for. 
what  proved  to  be  his  last  service  in  the  pulpit.  The  text  of  hia  undelivered  discourse 
is  Romans  i.  14,  '  I  am  debtor  both  to  the  Greeks  and  to  the  Barbarians,  both  to 


'^^•'J^Tilmr"'     THE  LATB  BEV.  JOHM  8TABK,  HOHKDEAN.  121 

the  wise  and  to  the  tinwise ; '  snd  the  general  divisions  are — (1)  The  debt  vhich  the 
apostle  BcknowledgM ;  (^)  The  waj  ho  acknowledges  himself  a  debtor ;  (3)  The 
mumer  in  wbicb  he  became  a  debtor.  The  will  was  present  bnt  the  deed  was  not 
performed.  He  probablj  hoped  ere  long  ta  have  the  privilege  of  delivering  to  hit 
people  tbe  meeeiige  he  had  prepared  for  them  ;  bnt,  all  unlnoifn  to  himself,  the 
service  of  earth  wbh  ended,  and  the  song  of  heaven  was  soon  to  begin.  On  the 
following  Sabbath  bis  place  was  supplied  b;  another,  and  it  was  known  that  he  was 
Berioue);  ill.  He  suffered  from  a  complicated  bronchial  attack  from  which  he  par- 
tial!; recovered,  bnt  disease  of  *he  heart  prevented  his  full  recovery,  and  was  the 
Cximate  canse  of  his  death.  From  the  time  he  left  the  pulpit  he  woe  confined  to 
,  and  was  able  to  spetA  but  little.  On  Friday  the  14th  of  December,  his  son, 
&t  hie  dictation,  wrote  a  letter  to  the  clerk  of  the  preebyterj  req'neBting  bim  to 
make  arrangemente  for  the  supply  of  his  pulpit  hy  the  presbytery.  With  his  nnial 
amiability  and  cousideratioD  for  others,  he  added  that  he  waa  sorry  to  trouble  the 
{HVabytery  about  supply  when  there  was  already  one  pulpit  to  provide  for  (referring 
to  Eyemoutl)) ;  but  in  Ae  state  in  which  he  then  was  he  felt  that  it  conld  not  be 
aTOided.  -He  added  that  he  was  prepared  to  acquiesce  in  a  proposal  made  at  the 
previous  meeting  of  presbytery.  His  miud  was  tbns  occupied  with  the  affairs  of 
the  Church  militant  up  to  the  honr  when  his  Lord  saddealy  called  him  away  to  the 
Cburch  triamphant.  In  the  afternoon  of  that  Friday  his  breathing  became  very 
oppreosive ;  a  fatal  issue  was  then  for  the  first  time  anticipated  by  himself  and  his 
t»Buij,  and  about  half-past  nine  o'clot^  his  spirit  paased  peacefully  away  to  iti 
home  in  heaven. 

'  Tbe  voice  dmt  mldntght  oame, 
He  atsrled  up  to  heir ; 
A  morUl  aiTOw  pierced  his  frune, 

Ha  fall,  but  felt  DO  ten. 

Tbe  p^DS  of  death  u«  past, 

Labour  and  aorrow  ctaee ; 

And  life's  loDg  varfiire  closed  it  last. 

His  soul  is  iQutid  in  peace. 

-  Soldier  of  Chriat,  wril  doue ! 

Praise  be  (hy  new  employ  ; 

And  while  eternal  sgee  ruD, 

Kaet  in  thy  Saviour's  joj.' 

The  parting  scene  is  too  sacred  for  deeeription ;  and  tbe  change  came  too  snd- 
dsnly  at  last  to  allow  many  parting  words  to  be  spoken.  But  there  waa  time  to 
te^e  an  affectionate  farewell  of  hia  partner  in  life,  and  tbe  two  members  of  his 
family,  who  were  present  to  witness  the  closing  scene ;  after  which  he  was  too 
weak  to  say  much  of  bis  younger  sons,  who  were  from  home  at  school,  and  he 
oonld  only  utter  the  request,  '  Send  them  my  love.'  The  word  love  waa  the  last 
on  his  lips,  as  it  had  been  deep  in  his  heart  during  all  bis  life  on  earth ;  and,  after 
uttering  it,  he  passed  away  to  his  home  flbore,  where  all  is  love,  and  joy,  and 
peace,  where  there  is  no  more  parting,  and  no  more  tears.  It  is  profoundly 
Vftddetiine  to  think  of  the  irreparable  loss  which  his  death  has  brought  to  tbe 
h<fti>e,  which  was  so  lately  blessed  with  the  preemce  of  such  a  husband  and 
father.  But  the  God  of  the  widow  and  tbe  fatherless  will  be  with  them.  Hay  the 
God  of  all  consolation  comfort  their  sorrowing  hearts!  Bis  eldest  son  complete! 
his  course  of  stndy  for  the  ministry  with  the  present  Bession  of  the  Hall.  May  his 
father's  mantle  hi\  on  bim,  and  then  the  father  will  live  again  and  speak  in  the 
miniatry  (d  his  son.  '  He  sleeps  a  holy  sleep  ;  saynot  that  good  men  die.'  It  is 
Maaonable  to  entertain  high  hopes  of  a  family  that  have  received  the  precious 
heritage  of  the  example  and  payers  of  so  excellent  a  father. 

In  the  acts  of  his  public  life  Mr.  Stark  commanded  the  respect  of  sU  who  knew 
him.  His  great  modesty  prevented  his  taking  a  prominent  part  in  public  meet- 
h)gs,  bat  he  felt  much  interest  in  pablie  questions,  and  bis  accurate  information 
on  public  matters  was  freely  oommanicated  in  his  intercourse  with  his  people 
and  the  public  generally.  He  wsa  not  much  of  a  party  man,  bat  he  bad  the 
courage  of  his  convictions ;  and  he  not  only  held  them  firmly,  but  also  eiprened 
them  ^eely,  yet  be  did  so  with  a  coondneas  of  judgment  aiKl  candid  considera- 


122  THE  LATE  BEV.  JOHK  BTAEK,  UOBSDEAK.     ^"h^'i^?™- 

tioii  of  ih»  vieiwB  and  feelings  <d  others  which  Beonied  tlie  ceapeot  even  of  his 
opponents.  He  was  streDnonaly  oppoaed  to  the  introdtictioD  of  political  maUere 
into  Cburck  Coorts,  even  when  these  mattera  had  an  ecctesBstitial  bearing ;  and 
when  his  biathreD  in  Synod  or  Freebftery  occasionally  iotrodueed  such  queedmis, 
and  thus  took  a  difEeient  oonne  from  that  which  he  approved,  he  sabtfied  hie 
coDBcientioas  coaTicttons  by  recording  his  dissent  in  the  minQtos.  His  amiability 
was  not  allowed  to  relax  the  firmness  with  which  he  followed  what  he  believed 
to  bo  the  path  of  duty.  He  regarded  the  fmoclufle  as  a  sacred  trust,  and  he 
therefore  faithfully  re<x>rded  his  vote  on  every  eleotioa  of  a  member,  of  Failia- 
ment  for  his  county.  Tbe  profound  respect  in  which  he  was  held  by  the  public 
was  manifest  in  the  unusually  -larce  attendanoa  at  his  funeral.  *  Deront  men 
carried '  him  to  his  tomb,  'ajid  made  p^at  lamentation  over  him.' 

As  a  member  of  Pr^hyttr^  be  was  much  eeteemed  by  all  his  bratfaien.  He 
attended  the  meetinss  with  great  regularity,  and  took  an  active  and  intelligent 
int«rest  in  all  the  deliberations.  W-e  were  accustomed  to  list^U'With  much  defwenoe 
to  his  remarks,  without  perhaps  considering  how  mueh  we  were  indebted  to  him  ; 
but  strangers  invariably  noticed  the  wisdom  of  his  counsels.  For  a  number  of 
years  he  discharged  the  duties  of  treasurer  of  the  i^^abytecy,  and,  after  bbe 
death  of  the  late  Bev.  J<dm  Peden  of  Berwick,  be  was  pivpoBed  amoDg  otben 
for  the  vacant  office  of  the  clerkship,  the  duties  of  which  had  been  mMt  effi- 
ciently discharged  by  Mr.  Feden  ;  but  his  came  was  witlidrawn  at  hie  own 
urgent  request,  though  we  all  knew  that  be  would  have  made  a  most  efficient  oIoIe 
had  he  been  appointed  to  the  office.  His  father  had  held  that  office  at  a  fortaec 
period,  and  he  was  equal  to  his  father  in  soundness  of  judgment,  and  even 
superior  to  him  in  suavity  of  manner.  At  the  meeting  immediately  preceding 
his  dcatb,  he  was  appointed  to  represent  the  Fresbjtery  for  four  years  in  the 
Miaaion  Board  of  the  Synod ;  ana,  a  few  weeks  before,  he  had  been  selected, 
along  with  the  father  of  the  Presbytery,  to  visit  a  congregation  in  the  soutli ; 
as  these  two  brethren  were  considered  the  most  suitable  men  to  manage  a  businees 
there  which  required  very  delicate  handling.  The  correepondence  in  this  case 
was  most  judicioualy  conducted  by  Mr.  Stark  ;  and  when  the  report'of  the  depu- 
tation was  sent  to  toe  Home  Hission  Committee,  the  committee  expressed  '  tneir 
Batiafaction  with  tlie  csrefnl  and  thorough  maimer  in  which  the  deputation  frran 
the  Presbyteiy  of  Berwick  had  fulfilled  their  commisaion.'  The  difficult  task 
was  performed  to  the  entire  satdsfaction  of  both  the  Freabytcry  and  tbe  Miamon 
Board.  When  the  Presbytery  proceeded  to  appoint  otben  to  supply  the  places 
his  death  had  left  vacant  in  committees  and  otlierwise,  they  became  more  fully 
sensible  how  much  they  were  indebted  to  him.  It  Was  a  great  sa^action  to 
me  Ui  be  associated  in  the  same  Presbytery  with  him  and  several  other  fellnw- 
students,  who,  however,  are  all  away  from  it  now,  with  one  exception.  WbUe 
I  mooEnhis  loss,  I  cherish  tbe  sweet  remembranoeof  anuulwokea  friendship,  which 
death  ham  only  interrupted  for  a  time,  to  be  renewed,  I  truM,  in  the  sanotoaiy 
abova  I  had  engaged  before  his  illness  to  preadi  for  him  on  tbe  18tii  i% 
December  at  Wbitsome,  where  a  monthly  servioe  was  kept  np  by  him.  in  eMilial 
co-operation  with  the  Free  Church  minister  of  Allanton,  both  during  the  miniatiy 
of  the  Uie  liev.  Mr.  Fairbaim  and  that  of  tbe  Bev.  Mr.  Maclean,  the  preMnt 
miniater.  Hewasto  accompany  me  to  Whitaome,but  his  iUnesa  intervfflied  after  ha 
had  made  all  the  necessary  airangements,  and  his  deatJi  had  taken  place  ere  tba 
evening  of  tJie  meeting  arrived.  I  conducted  tiie  service  alcue,  and  endeavoured 
to  improve  the  sad  event  by  preaching  from  the  text,  '  The  memoty  of  the  just 
■B  blessed.'  During  tbe  service  I  observed  that  the  people  were  muoh  aSeoted 
by  the  thought  t^atthey  should  see  his  face  and  hear  bis  voice  no  miH«.  Uis 
evident  that  he  was  mudi  loved,  not  only  by  Jus  own  people,  but  by  all  who 
were  in  the  hi^t  of  attending  these  and  other  meetings  withm  tbe  bounda  of  }iis 
congregation. 

Those  who  enjoyed  tbe  benefit  of  bis  ptatoral  labours  are  better  qualified  to 
speak  of  them  than  I  ap,  but  I  know-from  tite  testimony  of  oth»B  that  he  faith- 
mlly  taught  the  people  '  publicly  and  from  bouse  to  house,'  declaring  '  tbe  wbola 
coimael  of  God,'  and  '  rigbUy  (Svidiug  the  word  of  truth.'  Thia  merely  agrees 
with  my  own  experience  in  occasionally  bearing  himi    HJapteaohingwaaeminsBflfr 


•"^■fiMi^'       THE  GLASGOW  BLDEBS'  A680CIATION.  123 

lublical  and  practical.  He  waa  ever  ready  to  pEeach.  at  viUagea  or  farma,  for  the 
pnrpoee  of  reaching  those  who  ware  unable  or  unwilling  to  attend  the  oanotaaiy. 
All  thst  remains  to  his  people  now  is  the  remembrance  of  precioua  inatruction  and 
a  holj  example. 

I  hare  thna  referred  to  Mr.  Stack  in  hig  Tsrioiu  relations, — [oirate,  public, 
preebyterial,  and  paatoral.    His  sodden  and  unexpected  death  was  notioed  in  many 

Eilpita  in  the  neigbbourhood,  and  tribntes  were  paid  to  his  loved  mcnmiy.  The  fol- 
wmg  jost  taribttte  is  from  a  prirate  letter  by  tne  Rev.  Dr.  Gaima  : — '  I  share  tjie 
onivcaaal  r^ret  sod  sorrow  caiaed  by  the  removal  of  our  dear  and  belored  friend, 
I  bad  known  him. from  hia  boyhood,  and  ever  shared  hia  conGdenc^.  He  was  one 
of  Ae  purest,  most  unselfish,  and  genuine  characters  I  have  ever  known,  and  his 
inteRiTty  and  Btrai^tforwardness  wen  as  admirable  as  his  kindness  and  affection. 
Id  dl  t^  nlatens  of  life  he  was  moat  exemplary,  and  1  con  understand  what 
a  teirible  blank  hia  removal  will  be  to  his  own  loving  family.  I  had  .many 
(^innrtunitiGB  of  seeing  how  faithful  fae  waa  as  a  minister,  and  how  fully  his  people 
retamedhiaaffeddon.  In  the  I^esbyteiy,  yon  know  how  thoronghiy  honest  he  was, 
and  how  much  we  all  relied  on  hia  ind^nent.  He  had  great  publio  spirit,  and  naa 
SB  stedfast  in  his  attendance  on  puoUc  duties  ae  if  he  had  not  lived  so  much,  in 
one  sense,  out  of  the  world.  The  root  of  all  hia  noble  qualities  was  his  genuine 
religion,  hia  faith  in  his  Saviour,  and  love  to  His  cause,  which  were  the  same  aa  far 
as  I  can  go  beck  in  remembering  him.  Indeed,  he  had  the  excellences  botii  of 
his  father  and  of  his  mother — the  strength  of  the  one  and  the  gentleness  of  the 
otiier.  May  God  comfort,  aa  He  aioae  can,  hia  bereaved  fami^  and  floc^,  and 
give  us  all  with  right  feeling  to  say,  ' '  Mark  the  perfect,  and  behold  tl>e  npngfat ; 
tor  the  end  of  that  n>an  is  peace." ' 

Tlte  death  of  Mr.  Stark  in  the  very  midst  of  hia  activity  and  usefulnete  hsa  a 
loud  voice  to  all  preachers  of  the  gospel,  sa  well  aa  hearers.  The  period  of  service 
on  the  one  hand,  and  of  privilege  on  tJie  other,  ia  short.  The  death  of  others 
a^noniahes  as  to  watoh,  and  work,  and  wait  for  the  coming  of  the  Lord  to  call 
as  awi^.  We  must  work  diligently  while  it  is  day,  '  foe  the  night  Cometh  wheB 
no  msa  can  Vork.'  P.M. 

THE  '  GLASGOW  UNITED  PRESBYTERIAN  ELDERS'  ASSOCUTION.' 

As  showing  an  example  to  the  elders  are  valuable  in  encouraging  the  elders 

of    oar   Church   in   the   energetic   and  to   a  more   general  attendimce  cm  our 

able  manner  in  wliich  they  are  con-  higher   coarta  than   hitiierto — a  more 

ducting  their  meetings,  there  have  been  energetic  and  active  tntereet  in  all  that 

printed   in   these   pages   papers  which  pertains  to  the  welfare  of  the  United 

ttavB  been  read  befoK  tbia  Aasociatiou  Presbyterian  Church.     Might  there  not 

on  subjects  int«reeting  and  instructive  to  be  ■among  the  eldership  of  our  Ohnroh 

all  who  fill  the  hoDourable  office  of  a  an    associaticm    repreeentativB    in    its 

'  ruling   elder.'      It   has  long  been   aa  charaet^r,   having   its   headquArten   in 

ackaowledged  want  that  there  was  a  Glasgow  or,  Edinburgh,  where  repreoen- 

lack  of  union  among  the  elders  of  our  tatives  from  all  the  sessions  or  preaby- 

Chuich,     DO     united    co-operation    on  teries  mwht  meet  at  stated  intervale  and 

matters   connected   with    their   ofhce,  discuss  those  subjects  which  are  more 

whereby  they  might  be  stimulated  to  a  immediately  interesting  to  the  eldera, 

olearer  and  more  efficient  knowledge  and  where  tliey  might  originate  matters 

of  tiior  duties.     By  the  interchange  of  whereby  the  ^cienoy  and  influence  of 

brotherly  greetings  a  chosen   bond   of  the  eldera  might  be  greatly  increased? 

Doion  might  be  encouraged  and  atimu-  With  this  end  in  view,  the  Ghogow 

bted,  so  that  their  weight  and  power  United   Presbyterian    Kldera'    Aasocia^ 

mi^t  be  more- felt  in  Ae  courts  of  our  tion  have  remodelled  their  Constitution,  ' 

Ohnich.    We  have  no  desire  to  under-  and  during  the  acBsion  of    1876  and 

estimate  the  influence  of  our  cldeis  in  1877  Ihey  have  discussed  such  eubjects 

onr  higher  Cbarch  Courts,  yet  we  must  as  the  fi^owing: — 
admit  that  they  do  not  attend  so  faith- 
fully to  their  duty  in  this  respect  as        The  elder  in  relation  to  disc^line  and 
they  might  do ;   and  such  associations  church  courts.  i 


124                                                  THE  GLEANEB.  '"ISi  vwi**' 

The  prindples  of  the  United  Preaby-  the   dirtincdve  prinrajdes  of  out 

terUn    ChnTch  :    wberein  do   they  Church. 

differ    from    other     Presbfteritui  How  may  apiritiul  life  be  moBt  pro* 

Churches?  moted  in  oar  eongregatioiie? 

The  elder  in  rdation  to  hia  district.  And  how  ni&y  elders  best  promote  a 

The  eldw  in  relstiou  to  the  admvx-  wise  difltribution  of  Chiutiaa  work 

meot  of  our  Church.  in  the  congregation  ? 

,    .  .     .        ., .        ^     i  _,'  i      iL  ■  We  call  the  attontion  of  the  eldCTS 

And  dunog  th.8  DKsent  w.Dter  their  t^^„^(,„t  our  Ohnreh  to  this  Aswii- 

attention  hw  been  directed  to-  ^^_  Ind  tiie  good  work  they  are  doing 

Elden'  BSSOci&tioDS,   and   bow  may  in  Glasgow ;  and  feel  eatisGed  that  help 

elders  best  co-opeiste  in  Mcnring  or  advice  required  for  the'f<ff)ustJon  oi 

effidency  in  Chnrch  goremment.    .  kindred    aaaooiationa    tbronghont    the 

B^eeentation   of   elders  in    higher  country  will  be  readily  given  by  com- 

Ohnrch  Conrta.  ■  municating  with  the  preddeut  m  seerft- 

The  eMers'  inflaeuce  in  disseminating  tary  in  Qla^w. 


C^e  (gleaner. 

A  KIND  WORD :  WHAT  IT  MAT  DO, 

In  one  of  the  excimions  which  Dr.  Judaon  made  while  in  Bnnsab,  he  Btopp^  i> 
B  Tillage  on  the  rirer  Solwyn. 

As  he  stepped  on  shore,  he  noticed  a  tall,  fine-looking  woman  standing  new  IIk 

D'  e  of  bmoing.  He  approached  her,-  offering  his  hand  and  inqniiing  for  kr 
th. 

'  Well,  my  lord,'  ahe  replied. 

He  had  time  for  bnt  a  few  words  more  when  he  waa  called  back  to  the  bokt, 
and  left  her  with  hia  blesmng.  The  woman  gazed  aftw  him  in  mnbe  amaxement 
Never  before  had  ahe  received  such  courtesy  from  any  man.  Thongh  a  prioNH, 
fluch  was  the  degradation  of  woman  in  her  country,  abe  had  been  btated  as  a 
slave. 

Soon  her  brothers  came,  and  ahe  said  to  them  '  I  have  seen  one  of  the  soqb  « 
Qod.' 

'Did  he  speak?' 

*  Yea,  and  he  gave  me  his  hand.' 

'Did  you  take  the  hand  of  a  foreigner?' 

'  Yea,  for  he  looked  like  an  angel. 

The  brothers  took  her  home  to  her  husband,  who  was  the  chief  of  the  provioM' 
He  was  very  angry  with  her,  and  beat  her. 

That  night  she  was  called  to  att«nd  a  heathen  ceremony,  but  ahe  said,  '  No,  no. 
Ever  since  I  was  a  child  I  have  aerved  Satan  and  Guabama,  and  they  have  nerw 
prevented  my  husband  from  beating  me.  This  man  ^oke  to  me  kindly,  and  gare 
me  his  hand.     His  God  muat  be  Ihe  God.     Hereafter  I  worship  Him.' 

True  to  her  pnrpoae,  she  began  that  night  to  pray  to  the  unknown  God  of  tie 
white  foreigner.     Her  prayer  was  this : — 

'Mighty  Judge,  Father  God,  Lord  God,  Honourable  God,  the  Kighteoos  One! 
In  the  heaveua,  in  the  earth,  in  the  mountains,  in  the  seas,  in  the  north,  in  tlK 
east,  in  the  weat,  pitg  me,  1  pray.  Show  me  Thy  glory,  that  1  may  know  TliN 
who  Thou  art' 

Thia  prayer  she  offered  for  five  years,  never  again  making  offerioga  to  idota  c 
demons.  At  length  a  misaionary  came  to  diat  boiighted  village.  '  She  nn  to 
him,'  the  narratiTe  aaya,  'tuid  aat  at  hia  feet  for  nine  days.'  What  days  those 
were  to  her !  9he  had  been  gropmg  in  darkneas,  and  now  light  beamed  upon  ber. 
She  waa  hungering  and  thiiating,  and  now  bread  from  heaven  and  the  water  of 
life  were  offered  to  her.  She  had  laboured  and  was  heavy  laden,  and  novA* 
could  come  to  Christ  and  find  resL  She  did  come,  and  oh  bow  gladly  1  Tba 
SaviooF  revealed  to  her  was  just  the  Saviour  she  needed.  He  was  infinite  in 
compasffion,  and  had  power  to  save  to  the  nttennost.    She  cast  herself  at  the  foot 


'1u.!i^i™.""'  RELIGIOUS  INXKLLIOEKCE.  125 

of  the  cross,  and  found  pesM  in  belieTing.  Henceforth  ghe  was  not  bet  ovn. 
Rfae  lived  for  tbe  precious  SsvioDr  vlio  hod  died  for  her. 

When,  fwxm  after,  a  female  missionaiy  came  to  laboar  for  that  people,  she  took 
her  to  her  own  home  and  aided  her  in  every  possible  way.  Very  soon  there  was 
n  teformation  in  the  Tillage.  Tbe  men,  from  being  bocehanalians,  became  a  Ood- 
fearing  people. 

Guapung — for  that  waa  the  name  of  this  remarkable  woman — was  the  means, 
with  the  help  of  the  female  miiaionary,  of  tbe  establishment  of  a  Christian  church 
in  Dong  Yhan,  from  wbioh  two  other  chnrches  soon  proceeded.  This  church  waa 
the  first  ta  build  its  own  chapel  and  support  its  own  pastor.  Guapung  establisbed 
the  first  district  school  in  the  prorince,  and  supported  it.  She  laboured  much 
tiith  the  motheiB  to  teach  them  humane  ways  of  training  their  children,  and  all 
ehe  came  in  contact  with  she  sought  to  win  to  Christ  She  had  great  power  with 
every  one,  for  she  heraelf  llred  on  tite  word  of  God,  and  seemed  to  catch  the 
tones  of  the  '  better  land.' 

Trace  back  this  useful  Christian  life, 'and  you  will  find  ita  beginning  in  a  l-'md 
Christian  word. — The  Christian  Bevittr. 

DECISION  IK  RELIOIOK. 

It  is  said  that  Huth  was' Btedfastly  minded' to  go  with  her  mother- iu'lav,  and  there 
is  much  significance  in  tbe  well-qhosen  language.  Ibmeans  that  ehe  set  her  face  like 
a  flint  to  her  noble  puipose ;  that  there  was  no  division  in  her  mind,  or  lialancing 
of  motives ;  4jiat  what  she  sud  carried  with  it  the  full  consent  of  her  whole  sonl. 
There  was  no  saying,  like  the  man  spoken  of  in  the  Gospel  history,  '  Lord,  suffer 
me  first  to  g6  and  bury  my  father,'  in.  which  the  omniscient  eye  detected  a  heart 
not  rig^t  with  God.  It  waa  her  deliberate  choice,  from  which  all  the  riches  and 
honoius  of  the  world,  if  they  bad  been  laid  at  her  feet  at  that  moment,  would  have 
been  impotent  to  move  her.  Wecannot  imagine  a  happier  representation  of  decision 
in  religion  than  this.     .     .     . 

And  this  thorough  decision  saved  Ruth  from  much  veza^n  and  trouble.  Those 
who  appear  half-hearted  in  their  consecration  expose  themselves  to  a  legion  of 
tempters.  Lingering  within  the  border-land,  they  keep  within  the  arrow-mark  of 
Satan.  Keeping  in  tbe  suburbs  of  Sodom,  they  are  in  dasger  of  coming  within 
the  sweep  of  ite  consuming  fires. — From  fiome  Life  m  Paltetine ;  or,  Studies  in  the 
Book  of  Ruth,  by  the  Bev.  Andrew  Thomson,  D.D. 

THOMAS  CARLTLE. 

In  a  private  letter,  i  portion  of  which  was  recently  published,  Carlyle  thus  ei- 
ptessw  himself  about  Darwin : — A  good  sort  of  a  man  is  this  Darwin,  and  well 
meaning,  but  with  very  little  intellect.  Ab,  it's  a  sad,  a  terrible  thing  to  see  nigh 
a  whole  generation  of  men  and  women,  professing  to  be  cultivated,  looking  around 
in  a  purblind  fashion,  and  finding  no  Qod  in  this  universe !  1  suppose  it  is  a 
reaction  from  the  reign  of  cant  and  hollow  pretence,  proteBsing  to  believe  what  in 
fact  they  do  not  believe.  And  this  is  what  we  have  got  to!  All  things  from  frog 
spawn ;  the  gospel  of  dirt  is  the  order  of  the  day.  The  older  I  grow,  and  I  now 
stand  on  the  brink  of  eternity,'  the  mOre  comes  back  to  me  the  sentence  of  the 
Catechism  which  I  learned  when  a  child,  and  fuUer  and  deeper  its  meaning 
becomes,  '  What  is  the  chief  end  of  man  ?  To  glorify  God,  and  to  enjoy  Him  for 
No  gospel  of  ^rt,  teaching  that  men  have,  descended  from  frogs  through 
1  ever  set  ttiat  aside. 


conference  on  missions,  to  be  followed  by 

FBESnrTBBiAL  PBOCBEniKCB.  g  pnblic  meeting  in  the  evening,  and  that 

vlfp(nf«eH.— This  presbytery  met  on  2d     tbiBbedoneontfaadayormeeiingin  April, 

Ociober,  iihen  it  was  agreed  to  hold  a     .the  Mission  Commiitee  to  attand  to  the 


120                                           BELIGIOUa  INTELLIQENCE.  '     MK.LW& 

necenary  acr&DgementB.  Tbe  call  rrom  Dutiuga  eoosiderablepart  oF  theiedeniat 
Mordannt  Street  Charch,  GImkow,  to  the  presbTterj  held  a. conference  on  the 
Bev.  B.Hall,Old  Meldrum,  wAjt^en  Dp;  subject  of  foreig a  miiiaiaiis,  with  ths  view 
and  all  parlies  being  pieaent  anil  beiae  ,  of  aicertaining  in  what  manner  the  con- 
fully  heard,  Ur.  Hall  accepted  the  call,  gcegationi  were  fulGUicg  their  datj  ia 
and  was  loosed  from  his  charge  at  Old  that  important  matler,  and  also  what 
Meldram.  Mr.  Dancan  was  appointed'  means  might  be  beit  for  stimulating  their 
10  preach  the  church  racint,  and  Mr.  zeal  and  liberalitj.  After  a  free  and  fall 
Aachterlonie  was  appointed  moderator  of  interdhange  of  sentiments,  the  MiMioa 
Bession  during  the  tbcadcj.  —  On  13th  Committee  were  instmated  to  draw  np  a 
NoTeieberthepreabyler;iiietpror«na(cE,  statement  ofthe  pisctical  snggestiona  that 
when  a  petitionfrom43  persons  at  Wood-  had  been  throirn  oat,  and  to  lay  them  on 
side  in  fall  aoinmanicin,  and  3i  adherents,  the  table  at  next  meeting. .  The  remit  of 


was  presented,  requesting  lo  be  formed  Synod  anent  the  laperiDtendeace  of yonng 
into  a  congregation  under  the  soperia-  persons  changing  (heir  places  of  residence 
tendence  of  tbe  presbytery.  .Agreed  to  was  considered,  and  all  sessions  were  re- 
intimate  tbU  petition  to  the  vaiioas  ses-  commended  to  use  diligence  in  carrying 
sions  likely  to  be  alfected.  Intimation  oat  the  •instractions  contained  in  the 
was  made  of  the  steps  taken  to  secare  a  icheme.  After  some  routine  business,  tbe 
station  in  Banchory,  by  pnrehasing  the  preshytei;  agreed  to  hold  their  next 
chapel,  manse,  and  garden  lately  held  by  meeting  at  Arbroatb  on  tbe  51b  day  of 
tbe  Congregationaliate. — On  lltbDecem-  Marcb.    . 

ber  tbe  presbytery  again  met,  and,  in  ao-  Cupar.— This    presbytery    met   in    the 

cordauce  with  the  reparts  from  sessions,  classroom    of   Bonnygatfl    Church,    llth 

agreed  10  grant  tbe  petition  of  tbe  parties  Becamber  1877 — Mr.  Uaco wan, moderator 

at  Woodside,  and  Br.   Bobson  was  ap'  pro   lem.     The  clerk   reported   that   he 

pointed   to  preach    there    on   the   181b,  had  received  a  call,  with  relatire  papers, 

and  congregate  them,  appointing  also  tbe  addressed  to  the  Rer,  James  Alison,  of 

sub-committee  of  the  Mission  Committee  Boston  Church,   by  the  congregation   of 

"  "  '  Alexandria.  He  mentiooed  at  the  same 
time  tbal  as  he  was  under  an  engagement 
to  go  from  home  on  the  Sabbath  imme> 
Qiately  after  rsceiTing  the  call,  he  had 
requested  Mr.  Anderson,  of  Ceiea,  to 
preach  at  his  mbstilnte  in  Boslop  Cbt^ch, 

.0  manage  this  matter.    It  was  and  give  notice  of  this  call,  according  to 

agreed   to   insert    the   following    in    the  .  the  rules  of  the  Church.     It  was  agreed 

minaces  in  reference  to  the  suddeu  death  to  hold  a  meeting,  at  which  to  receive  Mr. 

of   Bailie    Urqobart:— 'The   presbytery  Alison's  decision,  on  the  25th  December,    . 

desire  with  sorrow  to  record  ibe  death  of  intimation  of  said  meeting  to  be  given  to 

Robert   Urquhart,   one  of  its  members,  all  conaemed.     Agreed  at  next  ordinary 

&nd  Co  acknowledge  their  sense  ofloss  in  meeting  to  nominate  a  minister  beloc^ng 

bis  remoTaL     IdCDliSed   all  his  lifetime  to  the  presbytery  to  lerre  on  the  Missioa 

with  the  United  Presbyterian  Church,  be  Board  for  tlie   four  years  ending   18S2. 

took  a  deep  interest  in  all  that  tended  to  Several  remits  of  Synod  were  considered 

its  well-being  and  progress,  and  was  ever  and  disposed  of. — This  presbytery  again 

ready    lo    t^e    bis    full    share    in    the  met  on  25th  December  in  the  same  place 

management  of  its  affairs.    The  presbj-  — Mr.   Hair,   moderator.     Mr.  Anderson 

tery  would  express  gratjtade  to  Qod  for  reported   his   conduct    lo   regard  to  tbe 

theyesraof  service  their  deceased  brother  call  to  Mr.  Alison,  which  was  approved 

was  enabled  to  render,  and  they  would  of.     Commissioners  from  tbe  Presbytery 

seek  lo  lay  to  heart  the  lessons  borne  home  of  Greenock   and  Paisley,  and  fhim  the 

to  them  by  his  sudden  death.'  congregations  of  Alexandria  and  Boston 

Arbroath.  —  This    presbytery',   met    at  Chnrch,  Cnpar,were  present;  and  the  call 

Brechin  on  the  15th  January — the  Rev.  having  been  pat  into  Mr.  jUison's  hands 

Alexander  Campbell,  moderator.     A  re-  by   the  moderator,  he  (Mr.   Alison),  in- 

Cwas  given  in  from  the  presbytery's  timated  his  acceptance  of  it,  and  it  was 
ion  Committee,  stating  that  arrange-  agreed  to  dissolve  the  connection  between 
menishsd  been' made  for  holding  apnblic  him  and  the  Boston  congregation.  The 
meeting  in  Arbroath  on  the  2Ist  ibst.,  in  members  present  expressed  their  regret 
connection  with'  tbe  general  movement  at  parting  with  Mr.  Alison,  and  their  de- 
over  the  Church  for  imparting  a.  freih  sire  for  his  success  in  his  new  charge,  and 
interest  in  regard  to  onr  foreigu  missions,  after  prayer  tbe  decision  was  formally 
at  which  meeting  the  Kev.  Drs.  UacGill  announced  to  the  parties  by  tbe  moderator. 
and  Mair  were  expected  lo  be  present.  Appointed  the  next  meeting  to  be  held 


mJ^'i^"'              helioious  intbixigbncb.  127 

in  th«  Bftme  ]>lace  on  the  Tuenla?  after  addrssMd  bj  the  depuCiu  of  the  Forci^' 

the  aecond  S>bb«tb  ot^abmij  1BT8.  Hiuion  Committee  uid  oihen. 

i>utv2ei!.— Tbii  preibytery  met  on  Tnoi-  Sim/erTnUne.—Tha  pregbTterr  met  on 

d»y,  sad  Jsnunry— the  Ker.  J.  A.  Mnrrsy,  Tneiday  tbe  a2d  Jannwy— the  Bbt.  Mr. 

moderstor.     The   Kav.    Jemei    Qraham  Duobar,  moderator  pro  (em.     The  clerk 
reported  tfast  Hr.  B.  Smellie,  iCndent  in 

dlrinity,  had  been  cboien  bs  miiaionaiy  

bj  the  Newtylo  oongrepilion,   and  that  supply  wai   granted  for    the    oezc   foor 

the  committee  waa  waiting  Mr.  Smellie'a  weeki.    Arrangemenls  were  made  for  an 

acceptance,  which  had  not  yet  been  re-  exohange  of  pulpits  in  February,  to  bring 

ceired.    Tbe  interim  report  waa  Tecei»Bd.  before  the   congregationa    the  claimi  of 

Commiisionere/rom  the  Weat  FortMisrion  foreign  miniona,  and  for  a  conferenoe  on 

Chnrch   compeared,  who   intimated  that  the  aame  in  l^rch.     It  wai  agreed  to 

the  cburch  in  Hawkfaill,  lately  occnpied  petition  Parliament  for  the  total  repeal 

by  Martyra'  Bree   Charcb  congreiation,  of    the   Caotagioai    DJaeaaea  Acta.      A 

bod  been  aecnred  for  the  Weal  Port  Chnreh  circular  from  Dr.  Hntton   on    Diaeltsb- 

eoDgregatlDn.     The  commisaionen  asked  Itshment  waa  read,  and  allowed  to  lie  on 

that  the  name  of  the  Weat  Port  Miaaion  the  table  till  next  meeting  of  presbytery, 

Chnrch  be  changed  to  Hawkhill  Cburoh.  which  takes  place  on  Taeaday  the  13th 

The  preabytoiy  cordially  agreed  to  grwit  March. 

the  reqaest.     The  clerk,  on  behalf  of  the  EdMntrgh. — A  meeting  of  this  preiby- 

Conmlttee  on  the  Diatinctire  Principlea  tery  was  held  on  Gtb  February — Ber.  Mr. 

of  the  Cboreh,  reported  that  the  committea  Barlas,    Mnuelburgh,     moderator.      Dr. 

agreed  to  recommend,  that  an  exchange  Brace  read   a  circular,  which  had  been 

ofputpita  take  place  among  the  miniateri  reoeired  from  Dr.  Huiton,  chairman  or 

of  the  presbjteiV,  with  the  riew  of  bring-  the  Synod's  Committee  on  Diaeatabliah- 

ing  the  diatinctire  principlea  and  schemes  ment,  asking  tbe  presbytery,  in  the  present 

of  the   denomioation  before  the   rarious  favonrable  state  of  the  pnblic  mind,  to 

congregariona.     The  presbytery  received  take   atepa  (o   adranco  the  qneation    of 

and  adopted  the  report,   and  inatracted  Disestahtiabment,Hnd toadoptsuchmeans 

the  committee  to  arrange  for  carrying  ont  aa  were  best  suited  to  promote  an  intel- 

the  excbsTige.    It  waa  agreed  to  appoint  ligent  intereat  in  the  principles  and  iaaoes 

Heaars.     Millar,      Connel,      Dmmmond,  inrolTod  aa  these  were  regarded  by  tbe 

miniiters,  aod  Logic  and  Willox,  elders,  Church.     The  circular  was  remitted  to 

a  committee— Mr.    Logie,    convener — to  the  Committee  on  DisestabUahment.     Mr. 

consider    the  whole    labjeot    of  Chnrch  Robertaon,   Bread  Street,  in  accordance 

extanaion,  and  to  report.   Bead  a  note  from  with  notice  giten  at  the  beginning  of  the 

tbe  convener  of  the  Sjnod's  Committee  meeting,  moved—''  That  thii   preibyterj, 

on   DiaMtablishment,   calling  the   atten-  baTingtakeninlocousiderationthepresent 

tiqn  of  tbe  presbytelj  to  the  importance  important  crisis  in  the  aETairs  of  Eastern 

or  taking  advantage   of  thr  present  fa.  Europe,  and  seeing  that  there  is  a  hope 

Tonrable  state  of  the  public  mind.      It  of  the  termination  of  the  war  which  has 

was   agreed  to  appoint  Mesare.  RotuU,  been  desolating  that  r^on,  hnmhly  peti- 

MillBr,GBotvB,  mintstera,  and  Mr.  Thomas  tioo  Barliamaot  to  adhere  to  the  prin- 

Mitchell,  elder,  a  Committee  on  Disestah-  ciplea  of  strict  neutrality,  and  to  use  all 

Ushment,— Mr.  Mitchell,  convener, — and  legitimate  influence  for  the  secnring  of  a 

to  remit  B«v.  Dr.   Hntten's  note  to  tbe  speedy  and  righteous  peace.'   The  motion 

committee.     According  to   previoua  ap'  was  agreed  to. — At  a  meeting  afierwarda 

Sintment,  the    presbytery   heUl   a    con-  held  in  private,  it  was  agreed  to  sanction 

'ence   on   foreign  miasions.    The  Rev.  the  opening  of  a  new  station  for  preaching 

Dra.  Joseph  Brown,  HacGilt,  and  Mair,  in  Fortobello^ in  Regent  Street  Halt,  idndly 

irero  present   as   a  depntalion  ^m  the  given  to  the  presbyterf  by  Mr.  Thomson 

Foreign  Miaaion  Committee.     The  Rev.  of  the  Free   Chnrch  for    that    purpose. 

Alexander  Miller  introduced  the  subject  Also  at  tbia  meeting,  the  Rev.  William 

by  reading  a  paper  on  the  topic  of  con-  Boberison,  D,D.,  of  New  Greyfriars,  Bav. 

ference.    The  deputies  next  addressed  the  Mr.   Fraser,  of  Free  St.  Bernard's,  and 

presbytei;,  enforcing  the  claims  of  foreign  Charles    Guthrie,  Esq.,   Advocate,    gave 

missions.     Several  members  of  preabyteij  addreaaes  on  the  aocial  state  of  the  city. 

afterwards  addressed  the  meeting,  and  at  — This  presbytery  again  met  in  Inflrmaiy 

tbe  close   a  hearty  vole  of  thanks  was  Street  Church,  on  the  I3th  Fcbmary,  for 

accorded  to  the  depntieefor  their  addresses,  the    purpose    of    ordaining    Mr.    B.   P. 

— A  public  social  aeeting  was  held  in  the  Watt  as  colleague  to  the  Ear.  Dr.  Bruce. 

evening  in  the  Hall  of  the  Toung  Men's  The  Rev.  John  Young,  A.M.,  Newington, 

Christian  Assoeiation.    Mr.  Jamea  Logic  preached;   Rev.    William   Bmce,   D.D., 

occupied  the  chair.     The  meeting  was  presided  at  tbe  ordination ;  and   Rev. 


128 


RELIGIOUS  INTELLIQENCE. 


[naiMPiwb.iiim. 


Andiew  Gardiner,  D.D^  addretwd  tbe 
nenly-ordainsd  miniiCer  and  the  eangre- 
KBtion.  Tbe  fact  of  the  death  of  Est. 
Dr.  Duff,  the  eminent  miiiionar;,  having 
been  brought  before  the  presbjiterf,  it 
waa  agreed  that  the  preabytefT,  a*  inch, 
ihonid  bo  present  at  his  fpnerd,  irhich 
wM  to  take  place  on  the  folloiriag  Monday. 
i%in  and  /nuerneM.— This  preabyterj 
met  at  Nairn  oD  ttie  15th  January.  Mr. 
Morrison,  elder,  ai  conTsner  oF  tbe  Prei- 
byteiy'g  Aagmcntation  Fond  Comaiittee, 
gare  in  a  report  itating.  the  anmi  con- 
ciibnted  by  the  raiioni  congregations  in 
the  presbytery  daring  tbe  put  year  in  aid 
of  the  Angmentation  Fand,  from  which  it 
appeared  that  there  bad  been  an  increus 
ID  the  amonnt  raised.  The  prejbytery 
tendered  their  tbanka  lo  the  committee  for 
the  ironble  they  bad  taken  in  the  matter, 
and  more  eipecially  to  Mr.  Morrieon  for 
his  exertions  in  behalf  of  the  scheme,  and 
their  satisfaction  in  the  progress  that  had 
been  made  dnring  the  pait  year.  It  wai 
agreed  that  the  ooumlttee  be  continued, 
And  that  it  be  recommended  to  them  to 
hold  on  an  early  day  their  annual  con- 
ference on  the  subject  of  augmentation, 
inTiting  to  the  said  conference  repreien- 
■       "  '  'a  congregations 


n  from  the  \i 


been  read  from  the  congregation  of  Camp- 
beltown (Ardersier)  requesting  the  mode- 
ration ^of  a  call  on  an  early  day,  Mr. 
Aobion  was  appointed  to  preside  in  tbe 
moderation  of  a  call  on  Tuesday  the  SSth 
Jannaij,  at  T  f.k.  Mr.  Baitlie,  Itndent, 
baTing  deliiered  to  the  satisfaction  of  the 
preabyteiy  tbe  remaining  parti  of  bis  trial 
exercise  for  licence,  be  was  licensed  to 
preach  the  gospel.  Mr.  Waisoa,  in  name 
of  tfae  commitlee  appointed  at  last  meet- 
ing to  arrange  matters  for  exchange  of 
piupits  by  the  ministers  of  the  precbyterj, 
with  tbe  Tiew  of  impressing  on  the  minds 
of  oongregations  the  claim*  of  foreign 
missions,  propoied  a  Bcbeme  of  arrange- 
metits,  which  was  approved  of  by  the 
presbytery.  Mr.  Macdonald  having  stated 
that  his  congregation  had  nnanimoosly 
resolved  on  tbe  bnilding  of  a  new  church, 
to  be  erected  in  Branderburgh,  as  being 
a  more  eligible  site  for  the  congregation 
senarally,  and  had  entered  cordially  into 
the  measure  in  the  way  of  liberal  sub- 
scriptions, it  was  unanimously  agreed  to 
eanction  tbe  proposed  movement,  and  to 
recommend  the  case  to  the  favoorable 
'  oonsideration  of  Christian  friends  wbo 
may  have  it  in  their  power  lo  aid  tbe 
congregation  in  their  commendable  efforts. 
Mr.  Kobson,  as  convener  of  the  com- 
mittee appointed  at  last  meeting  to  meet 
wiib  the  ForrM  session  .and  others  con- 
nected with  die  congregalioa,  with  refer- 


ence (o  the  oie  of  fermented  or  unferinin  ted 
wine  on  occasion  of  the  observance  of  the 
Lord's  Supper,  intimated  that  the  com- 
mittee were  not  prepared  to  report  at  this 
meeting,  bat  will  do  lo  at  next  meeting, 
which  was  appointed  to  take  place  at 
Forres  on  Tuesday' after  the  second  i}ab- 
batb  ofFebrnarv. 

OaJiowas.  —  This  presbytery  met  at 
Newton- Stewart,  8  th  January,  and  was  con- 
stituted by  Rev.  B.  Hogarth,  moderatorpro 
(em.  Mr.  Thomas  M'C.  Fleming,  M.A., 
Whithorn,  delivered  a  homily,  and  was 
examined  ia  divinity.  These  were  cor- 
dially sustained  as  parti  of  trials  for  licence; 
and  Mr.  Fleming  having'now  given  in  all  - 
his  trials,  he  was  licensed  to  preach  the 
Rospel  as  a  probationer  in  the  Dnited 
Fresbyterian  Church.  A  letter  was  read 
from  Dr.  Mair  auent  superintendence  of 
joang  persons  changing  their  reiideacet. 
It  was  agreed  that  ^e  clerk  should  com- 
manicate  with  Dr.  Mair  on  tbe  subject, 
and  that  the  ministers  be  requested  to  eall 
tbe  attention  of  their  congregations  to  it. 
Next  meeting  was  appointed  to  he  held  at 
Newton -Stewart  on  Tuesday  after  the  first 
Sabbath  of  April. 

Qlaagoa. — The  monthly  meeting  of  this 
presbytery  was  held,  12th  Pabmary — Dr. 
Black,  moderator.  A  nnanimoos  oall 
from  Qreonhead  Church  Co  tbe  Eev.  Jobn 
Steel,  Free  Chnrch,  Eirkintiliocb,  was 
suBlained  by  the  presbytery.  A  o^  was 
laid  on  the  table  from  tbe  Crail  congre- 

Sition,  in  favour  of  tfae  Eev.  John  C. 
ackson,  at  present  eolleatrua  to  the  Aev. 
David  Macrae,  Elgin  Street  Chnrcb, 
Glasgow.  Ur.  Jackson  intimated  bia 
acceptance  of  the  call,  and  the  preabytery 
agreed  to  release  him  from  his  present 
charge.  Mr.  Thomson,  of  Plantation, 
was  appointed  moderator  for  the  next  six 
months,  and  took  the  chair.  Mr.  BobeitE 
gave  in  retains  regarding  the  propmed 
tearrangamenl  of  the  presbytery.  From 
the  returns,  t3  congrega^ons  were  ia 
favonr  of  the  proposal,  and  II  against. 
On  tbe  question  of  the  division  of  the 
city,  S9  sessions  were  in.  favour,  and  S3 
against.  As  Co  the  proposal  to  have  > 
Soath  Presbytery  for  cbe  city,  S6  sessions 
were  in  favour  of  the  •change,  and  S3 
against;  but  of  the  IS  congregations  on 
the  south  side  of  the  city,  13  were  in 
favour,  and  only  2  against.  A  niajoiigr 
objected  to  the  esiablishment  of  a  Dum- 
barton Presbytery,  and  the  other  conntry 
congregations  at  present  under  the  Glat- 
gow  Presbytery  did  not  acquiesce  intho 
prosposal  to  be  severed  from  the  presby- 
tery and  attached  to  Hamilton  or  Paisley. 
It  n '  *     ■■  ■  ■ 


KELIGIOUS  IKTELUQBNOfi. 


129 


of  presbTterr.  It  wu  agraed,  at  th« 
reqnett  of  forij'isTen  meroben  of  the 
mifnon  at  HoDDt  Florid*,  that  thej  alionld 
be  ei«at«d  into  a  congregation.  Hr. 
Boehanan  reported  that,  notvitbitanding 
the  depreuioii  of  trade,  there  bad  odIj 
been  a  ralliDE  off  in  the  amoant  receiTcd 
in  bebalf  of  As  Angmeatation  Scheme  to 
the  extent  of  £100,  and  that  decrease  wa> 
largely  due  to  the  diminiihed  coutribn- 
dosi  from  the  Glasgow  Fre<b;teij.  The 
miniinum  stipend  throaghont  the  Church 
would  remain  at  £200  per  annum,  with  a 
manse.  The  Est.  Dr.  Leckis  havins 
^Ten  in  the  report  of  the  procesdingi  of 
the  committee  in  the  caae  of  H«v.  Fergn* 
Fergmon,  and  B£r.  Fergnion  having  been 
hewd  in  connection  with  it,  the  folTowiDg 
iMolalion  waa  agreed  to  b;  a  majorit;  :— 
That  tfae  preabjter;  initmct  Dr.  Jeffrey, 
the  clerk,  to  prepare  a  libel  agaiatt  Mr. 
Fergtuon,  and  lay  it  on  the  table  on  the 
36th  of  this  month. 

Irdand  (summary  of  Mwnil  m/tt^gs). 
—This  presbjteiy  met  at  Belfait  on  19th 
Jannarf,  and  waa  conitltnted.  Hr.  Mar- 
wick'a  proposal  to  publish  annaally  all 
financial  details  of  the  congregations  was 
agreed  to,  and  the  Sthtieiicsl  Committee 
was  instrncted  to  deriie  efficient  means  for 
iti execution.  Apetitionon theCootagions 
Diieaaea  Aot  hod  been  sent.  Mr.  M'Lay 
had  moderated  in  a  call  to  BailyfVenis  on 
Iba  11th  June,  to  Mr.  Thos.  EddiagtOD, 
H.A.,  which  was  laid  on  the  table.  Mr. 
U'Lay'a  conduct  was  approred,  and  peti- 
tion by  GommisBioDer  to  stutain  was 
nnanimoosly  granted,  and  trials  preBcribed. 
The  presbytery  agreed  to  hold  id  next 
meeting  at  Cnlly backer,  to  aid  Mr. 
Fleming  in  meeting  difficnUies  felt  by 
some  abODt  receiving  baptism ;  and  they 
agreed  to  bold  an  eranglistic  meeting  in 
the  evening,  to  be  presided  orer  by  Hr. 
Sniythe,  and  addressed  by  Hr.  M'Lay  and 
Mr.  Mnrray.  —  This  presbytery  met  at 
Callybackey  on  14tb  An^st.  Circnlars 
were  read  from  Qlasgow  Freibytery  and 
Dr.  Tonng.  Dr.  MacOill's  circular  anent 
for«gn  millions  was  remitted  to  Mission- 
ary Committee.  The  members  of  -  the 
Hiarionary  Finance  and  Augmentation 
Comnittees  were  readjosted.  Hr.  Sd- 
dington  read  a  thesis  on  Election,  and 
waa  examined  on  theology.  Both  were 
cordially  snstained.  His  ordination  was 
fixed  for  Toesday,  the  4lb  September,  at 
Ballyfi^ttis,  and  brethren  appointed  to 
condaet.  Mr.  Duulop,  elder,  Colly- 
backey,  stated  fully  the  origin  and  nature 
of  the  difficulties  felt  aboiit  baptism.  After 
a  full  sxpreaiion  of  opinion  on  the  points 
raiaed,  it  was  tinauimonsly  carried  to 
adhere  strictly  to  the  rule  of  the  Chnrcb, 
ttaM  baptism  is  not  to  be  given  to  a  cbitd 

KO.  ni.  VOL.  XXII.  NEW  gElllEB. — 1 


nnless  one  of  tbe  parents  be  a  member  in 
full  communion  ;  and  two  brethren  were 
appointed  to  confer  with  those  who  had 
difficnltiea,  in  terms  of  the  motion,  and 
report.  —  The  presbytery  met  at  Bally- 
frenis  on  4th  September,  and  was  con> 
stituted.  Mr.  Hnirhead,  Stranraer,  and 
Ur.  Elarrower,  Eyemonth,  being  presenr, 
weTB  inrited  to  correspond.  The  edict 
for  ordinalidn  of  Hr.  Eddington,  properly 
certified,  was  again  served,  no  objection 
being  taken.  Mr.  M'Lay  preaebed  on 
Matt.  r.  T,  and  Dr.  Bryce,  Hr.  Fitapatriek, 
and  Mr.  Marwlck  took  part  in  tbt  ordina- 
tion serrlees,  Hr.  Eddingtott  waa  cor- 
dially welcomed,  and  his  n ->-•-'  ■- 


gation  of  Dublin  should  be  invited  to  join 
the  presbytery,  in  the  event  of  a  redistri- 
bution of  presbyteries  at  next  Synod. — 
The  presbytery  met  at  Belfast  on  4tb 
December,  and  was  constituted,  The 
report  about  Collybackey  was  reserved. 
It  was  resolved  officially  to  invite  tbe 
Dublin  session  to  nnite  with  the  preaby- 
lery,  and  Mr,  H'Lsy  was  requested  to 
represent  tbe  presbytery.  Circnlars  anent 
examination  to  the  Hall,  Sabbath  schools, 
transmission  of  Synod's  general  fund  and 
foreign  missions,  were  read.  All  were 
being  attended  (o.  Dr.  W.  Speers,  elder, 
Belfast,  oF  fiO  Old  Lodge  Koad,  was 
appointed  convener  of  Committee  on 
Superintendence  of  Young  People.  The 
committees  in  August  were  continned 
Ibroagfa  IST8,  and  Mr.  Eddington  ap- 
pointed moderator,  nho  took  the  chair. 
The  Missionary  Committee  reported  that, 
with  the  exception  of  one  congregation 
that  was  taking  a  mode  of  its  own, 
missionary  associations,  monthly  colleC' 
tioni,  a  deputation  of  two  ministers  to 
each  congregation,  a  sermon  on  missions, 
and  a  conference  on  misaioos,  had  been 
arranged  for.  Mr.  Eddington  was  author' 
i zed,  with  the  remanent  members  of  Bally- 
frenis  session,  to  proceed  with  the  election 
and  ordination  of  elders,  according  to  the 
laws  of  the  Cborcb.  Mr.  M'Lay  produced 
petition  to  Home  Board,  and  ptinted 
clrcnlar  anent  the  erection  of  a  larger  and 
more  suitable  church  in  Belfast.  The  pre«- 
bytc^  expreued  gratification  with  tbe  pro- 
posed erection  and  tbe  Bubscriptions  of  tbe 
congregation,  and  hoped  that  the  prospect 
ultimately  of  a  second  congregation  in 
Belfast  could  be  kept  io  view  in  connec- 
tion with  their  existing  premises;  and 
empowered  the  moderator  acd  clerk,  in 
'    '  recommendations  to 


IbeMission  Boardi 
lie. — A  pro  rt  nata 
was  held  at  Belfast 
to  consider  a  call  ( 


1  the  Christian  pnb- 
aeeiing  of  presbytery 
n  SStb  Januan  ISIS, 
I  Mr.  Marwick  from 


130  BBLKMOUS  INTELWaEKCE.  "^     it^iwi^ 

BethelfiaU,  Eirkeildy,  and  was  daly  oba'  pointed  to  viait  saoh  congreeation,   and 

•tttnied.      Tha   Rer.    J.    U.    Thomwn,  bring  the  dobjects    commended    bj  the 

EinghoK),  being  preMitt,  was  invited  to  Sjnod  before  Cbe  oborcbes — thii  for  one 

correspoad.    The  condaot  of  the  Tuodera-  year ;  and  that  conferences  wiih  the  offioa- 

tor  in  calling  the  meeting  waa  approved,  bearers  might  be  held  before  or  ailtor  the 

Font  eemntuwioBcn  ^om  each  congrega-  addreieei.     Ii  wm  moved,  leeonded,  and 

tioD   beiag  preisnt,   the    extrapt  minnte  agreed  to,  that  the  leporC  be  received,  and 

from  Kirkekldy  Pretbjteir  was  read ;  the  allowed  to  lie  on  the  table  nntil  the  report 

■tepi   taken   to   inform  the  congregation  of  the   Miiiionarr  Committee  had  lieen 

ef  Loanendi,  inmtnon   a  congregational  beard.     Mr.  Cairnt,  convener,  inbmittod 

nesting    to    prepare    replies    to   reuons  the  report  of  the  Committee  on  Uiisims. 

of  translation,  &Bd  name  commiaaionere,  It  stated  that  the  committee  had  taken 

ware  narrated.     Reaeons  and  replies  hav-  np  and   considered  the  followiag  poiotf 

iog  been  -read,   and    Ibe    commianonera  in  the  Synod's  minnte  of  Tilaj  last — riz., 

liaviog    answered    qnettions    and    made  1.  The  instroctiona  to  the  Presbytery  Mi»- 

ilfttements,    Ur.   MarwiA    declared    his  aionary  Committee  to  examine  as  to  how 

Bcoeptance  of  the  call.     The  presbytery  miasionat;  contribntionB  were  eolleet^  Is 

warmly   expressed   their  appreciation   of  the  different  congregations,  with  the  re- 

him  as  a  miniaCer  and  a  co-presbyter,  to-  commendation  to  have  monthly  eotttribn- 

geliier  with  tlieir  regrets  at  parting  and  tiona  by  means  of  collectors ;  S.  To  hare 

hopes  of  his  continued  success,     aa  was  the  schemes  of  foreign  loiisiona  broaght 

then  loosed  from  the  pastorate  of  Loan-  before  the  people  annually  by  interchange 

«ndB,  a  moderator  of  session  appointed,  ofpnlpits;  and  3.  The  importance  of  har- 

and  the  clerk  iastmcted  to  adc  aopply  of  ing  an  annttal  report  of  the  presbytei^  on 

preachers.  foreign  missions.    Discnssions  t<vik  plaea 

£eIfo. — Thispreshyter^metonTuesday,  as  to  whether  the  objects  songht  by  thii 

16th  January — Rev.  Mr.  Pringle,  mode-  committee  and  tha  Visitation  Committea 

rater.     The  following  report  by  the  Com-  conld  not  be  combined.    It  was  nUimatelj 

mittee    on    the    Elders'   Conference  was  agreed  by  a  majority  that  they  conld,  and 

Bubnitled  by  Mr.  Muirbead,  the  convener:  that,   instead'  of   separate  visitation 


-'  I'have  to  report  that  the  elders  have  fast  days,   the  objects  sought  night  be 

met,  considered  the  matter  remitted  to  ns  attained  by  the  interchange  of  pnlpita  bj 

At  last  meetingof  presbytery, — namely,  an  members  of  presbytery  on  a  fixed  Sabbadi, 

elden'  conference, — and  have  decided  that  the  second  Sabbath  in  March  being  pr».. 

a  conference  will  be  held  in  Kelso.    The  ferred.    The  members  were  left  to  maJu 

foUotring  gentlemen  have  been  appointed  their  own  arrangements  for  the  ezereiMC 

At  the  meeting  to  make  all  the  necessary  Motions  .regarding  British   nentrality  in 

arrangements  as  to  the  way  and  time  for  connection  with  the  war  in  the  Boat,  and 


the  carrying  oat  of  this  conference  :  of  the  continonDce  of  the  Scottish  Ednca- 
John  Hogg,  B.  Porteous,  George  Melrose,  tion  Board,  were  negatived,  on  the  groni;  '' 
Thomas  iScott,  William  Parres,  and  Alex-     that,   as  a   presbytery,   they   shonld  ni 


ander  Mnirbead,  convener.'    Mr.  Jaryie  intermeddle  with  such  matters.  Theatten* 

moved  the  reception  of  thia  report,  aud  tion  of  the  members  was  called   to  (he 

the  expression  of  the  presbytery's  satis-  necessity  of  the  annual  statistical  reUimB 

faction  with  the  result  of  the  committee's  being  made  by  the  Slst  instant.    A  letter 

conference.    The  motion  waa  nnanimonalj  was  read  from  the  Bev.  George  Hnttoo, 

carried.     Mr.  Jarvie  submitted  the  report  convener   to  the   Synod's  Committea   on 

by  theCommitteeontheVisitationofCon-  Disestablishment,   kmongst]  other  thing! 

Eregations.    It  stated  that  the  presbytery  requesting  the  name  of  the  convener  of 

ad  recogniaed  the    importance    of   the  the  presbytery's  committee  on  that  nnb-. 

Bynod's  recommendations   being   carried  ject.      The    foTlowiog  were   appointed  a   * 

ont,  and  instructed  the  committee  to  con-  committee ; — The  Bev.  Heasrs.  Poison  suid 

sider  how  the  end  contemplated  could  be  Pringle,  minietera  ;  and  Mr.  Clark,  elder; 

best  secured.     Tbe  remit  from  the  Synod  Mr.  Pringle,  convener. 

for  presbyteries  contained  three  topics  for  PaUlej/  arid  Qremoclc. — This  presbytery 

'  enforcement  on  the  congregations — 1,  The  met  at  Paisley  on  Tuesday,  16tb  Jannary 

denominational  principles  of  the  Church;  — Hr.    Hialop,   Helenebn^h,   moderator. 

2,TbeBChemes«ftheChureh;and3.  Vital  Read    letter    from    Mr.     Campbell,    Bt. 

godlineas.    Having  considered  the  whole  Andrew  Square,  Greenock,  rengning  the 

snbiect  and  tbe  action  of  this  presbytery  paatoral     charge     of    the    congregation. 

aa  long  ago  as  1843-49,  when  all  tbe  con>  Appoicted  intimation  1     '           '     -      ' 


I  long  ago  as  1843-49,  when  ^I  tbe  con>  Appoicted  i  .    _ 

gregations  were   visited,   the    committee  congregation,  and  to  hold  a  apecial  meeting 

were  of  opinion  that   fast  days  now,  as  on  the  39th.    It  was  reported  that  aboat 

theo,  beat  answered  aa  the  time  of  viaita-  60  mBmbers  of  the  congregation  had  witfa- 

tion ;  that   two  members  shonld  be  ap-  drawn.    Read  reasons  of  dissent  by  Ur. 


NOTIOEa  or  HEW  PUBLICATIONS. 


Macrae.  Agreed  that  thejba  not  inserted 
in  the  minntea,  od  aoeonnt  of  the  toDs 
and  Ungoage  of  the  Kaaoa*.  O-imnted  a 
modeMtioQ  to  tbe  congMgation  of  Locb- 
winnoch.  Ap]x»nted  committees  to  tx- 
tmat  Gsitain  diitdeu  with  tbe  Tiaw  of 
ttaitiDK  new  eanfragatians  or  ttatioiM. 
ThirtT-  p^nooi  were  formed  into  a  new 
eonen^ation,  noder  the  name  of  Ciane 
Park  congrej^tian,  Port-Olaagow. 

Siiriinff.— Thio  presbytery  met  on  the 
4th  December  1B77  —  Rev,  VT.  Scot!, 
mi>deraior.  A  great  part  of  the  diet  n'Bs 
taken  np  in  conference  on  miBaionarf 
snd  eTan&aliitie  work,  and  a  committee 
was  appointed  to  carry  out  the  objects 
of  the  confraence.  Mr.  George  Arnold, 
ftaduM  of  diTinity,  gare  Ifae  remain- 
ing puti  of  his  tniiite  fca  licence,  ithieh 
were  anitained.  After  prayer  by  Bev. 
W.  MAcUren,  the  moderator  declared 
Mr.  Arnold  duly  licensed  to  preaeb 
the  gospel,  and  addressed  the  young 
licentiate  ia  a  sinoalarly  beaatifnl  and 
appropriate  form.  The  Ker.  A.  F.  For- 
rest, Stirling,  was  elected  moderator  for 
neit  'year.— The  presbytery  met  again  in 
Airae  gfeeftim  at  Bridge  of  Allan,  on  a4ih 
DecemtieT— Bev.  W.  Maelaren,  modarator. 
Ur,  Charles  Christie,  M.A.,  DnnbUne, 
stndeot  of  divinity,  was  examined  by  Mr. 
Unir,  Nid  uoaaimonely  certified  to  the 
Theological  ComniitBee.  NaU  meeting 
to  be  iKid  on  the  6th  Febrnary. 

Campbeltm  (ilnferaer).  — Bfr.  A.  B. 
Boberuon,  praacher,  called  January  39tli. 

&lanoui(&r«a»A«ui).— Bev.  John  Steele, 
Free  Chnnch,  Eickintilloch,  called  to  be 
colleagne  to  Bbt.  Dr.  Edwards,  Janoary 
Slat. 

ShapinAag  {Orkney).  — Mr.  John  Brown, 
prescber,  called. 

-  Mr,    A.     B.    Robertson, 
?,' called. 


Altint  {SavA).—iij.  George  Haoallam, 
A.  U.,  ordained  February  96th. 


The  University  of  Si.  Andrews  has  con- 
ferred the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Diviniiy  ou 
tho  Kev.  Andrew  Gardiner,  A.M.,  of  Dean 
Street  Church,  Edinburgh. 


Died    at 
Robert  Ferri 

Died  at  Jappa,  January  I9Ui,  Rev.  A. 
C.  Ealberfard,  senior  minister  of  Nortb 
Richmond  Street  Cbareb,  Edinburgh. 


Edinbargh  (In/trman/  Siiwi).— Mr.  R. 
P.  Watt,  preacher,  ordained  as  colleagne 
to  Ber.  Dr.  Bruce,  Febmary  13tb. 


Febmarr    flih,    Bar. 


Avery  interesting  meeting  in  connection 
with  this  congregation  was  held  in  the 
Corn  Exchange,  on  the  evening  of  Toes- 
day,  a  Sd  Jannary.  TbecbairwasoccDpied 
by  Bev.  Mr,  Pringle,  the  janior  pastor; 
and  addresses   of  a  saitable  kind   were 

S'lVenby  Bev.Mc.  Anderson,  Free  Church, 
railing,  Bev.  Hr.  Poison,  Blaekfrian 
Chureb,  and  B«t.  Dr.  Morton,  Edin- 
burgh. As  the  senior  pastor,  Rev.  Mr. 
Barr,  had  completed  the  rorty-foartb  year 
of  his  ministry,  the  congregation  and 
friends  of  Mr.  Barr  testified  their  high  ap- 
preciation of  his  character  and  services,  by 
presenting  him,  in  very  ealogistic  terms, 
with  an  excellent  likeness  of  himself. 
Mr.  Barr,  in  acknowledging  the  gif^ 
espretsed  gratitude  for  &e  Bpontaneity, 
cordiality,  and  nnanimity  wbicb  it  repre- 
sented. Se  spoke-  of  the  past  hisCoij 
of  the  congregation,  and  rejoiced  in  its 
present  prosperity ;  and  congratulated 
them  on  the  cordial  relations  between  the 
pastors,  as  well  as  between  the  pastors  and 
people.  Tbe  meeting,  which  vae  attended 
by  S50  persons,  was  of  the  most  agreeable 
kind,  and  was  composed  not  only  of  mem- 
bers of  the  congregation,  but  of  sister  con- 
gregations in  the  town  and  neighbonriiood. 


|toti«s  n£  Itcto  publications. 

Tbe  Hear  and  the  Far  Yiew,  ajto     from  a  liring  preacher  of  marked  indi- 

^OTHEE   Sermons.     By    Rev.    A,    L.     viduality    of    intellect,   of  as    marked 

Simpson,  D.t).,  Derby.  calture,  and  beat  of  all,  of  marked  and 

Bdinlmigli :  Douglas.    1878,    Vf.  viii.  2*8.  almMt   pathetic  consecration  of  aU   he 

IS  and  baa  to  his  function  as  a  miniater 
This  is  one  of  a  rery  race  tjye  of  gift  of  tbe  gospel.  It  has  nothing  of  the 
to  the  ChnrcheB-~a  volume  of  Sermona     ineritably  unfinished  and  fragmentary 


132                               NOTICES  OF  NEW  PDBLICATIONS.  '"lEi.Ttfe?'^' 

character  of  poethumoDa  books, — not  deal  more  than  'good  wotcIb'  on  'pn- 
exceptinK  even  such  bb  Bobertaon  of  aent  duties  &nd  fatnre  proapectB  in 
Brightons  or  EdmoDd  L.  Hull's, — still  these  SermoDS.  They  intermeddle 
leas  has  it  aught  of  the  weary  looseness  wisely,  gravely,  tenderly,  often  with 
of 'reported' aermoDSgintowmchtheso'  a  sweet,  soft  winningness  and  persoa-' 
called  short-hand  writer  imports  himself  siveneas,  with  the  profoandest  fkcta 
rather  than  reports.  It  bears  throagh-  and  problbne  of  nature  and  human 
oat  evidence  of  elect  choice  from  the  nature  and  destiny.  For  its  metaphyaic 
preacher's  matarest  and  hest,  not  a  alone,  aud  irrespective  of  its  wdghty 
mere  collection  of  what  lay  readiest,  teaching.  '  Success  in  Sin ;  how  it 
As  a  result,  the  sermons  are  few —  comes,  and  what  it  is,'  ia  worthy 
fifteen  only — and  the  bulk  of  the  of  special  note ;  and  kindred  with  it 
Tolnnie  slender  ;  but  in  this,  aa  in  are  '  Striving  against  Sin '  uid  '  Hao'e 
minority-votes  in  times  anch  aa  these.  Obligation  to  receive  the  Teaching  of 
one  has  to  weigh  and  not  merely  count.  Christ'  These  three  snoceed  each  other, 
It  is  altogether  ao  modest,  unpretentious  and  vindicate  the  author's  statement 
«  book — not  even  taking  the  form  of  an  that  the  motif  ot  the  order  waa  'variety 
octavo — and  has  slipped  so  quietly  ont,  of  theme,  together  with  a  certun  feeling 
that  tiiere  ia  a  danger  ot  its  being  of  fitness  in  sequence'  [^c(]  'too  dim.' 
overlooked.  If  our  voice  might  reach  The  '  Near  and  the  Far  View '  has  not  n 
our  brethren,  our  counsel  should  be  few  beautiful  things  beautifully  worded. 
—  get  these  Sermons,  study  them,  Indeed,  there  are  in  it  and  othera  ex- 
incorporate  them  into  head  and  heart  quisitely -wrought,  almost  jewelled  illua- 
and  conscience,  keep  them  as  an  ideal  (rations.  'Christian  Stewardship'  is 
to  be  reached,  and  see  how  high  tiiink-  infinitely  preferable  to  prevalent  hard- 
ing  is  combined  with  simple  wording,  and- fast-line  advocacy  of  (so-called) 
simple  vrording  with  deepest  feeling.  Christian  proportionate  giving;  '  The 
deepest  feeling  with  unmistakable  evan-  Sackcloth  Int«rdicted,'  if  it  rest  on  a 
geiicalism,  and  unmistakable  evangeli-  somewhat  unreal  text,  is  a  bright  and 
calism  with  ainewy  strength,  and  wistful  brightening  present-day  topic  ;  for  to~ 
appeal  with  no  viugar  damorousnees.  It  day  men  need  to  leom  that  the  'm/  of 
is  gladdening  to  find  Dr.  Simpson  walk-  salvation '  ia  an  uMmate  force,  as  light 
ing  in  the. 'ancient  pathways,'  giving  to  lightning.  'A  Bruised  Reed,  and 
forth  no  '  uncertain  sound,'  true  to  the  Christ's  Treatment  of  it,'  is  detightfuUy 
creed  of  his  Church,  and  his  Church's  tender  and  soothing.  Aiid  so  one  might 
creed  the  everlaatong  truth  to  him,  aud  go  over  all.  Snffice  it  to  invite  special 
neither  afraid  nor  ashamed  to  affirm  attention  to  other  two  truly  greit 
and  reiterate  uncompromisingly  and  sermons,  'The  Triumph  of  Christ's  Caosft 
onmutilated  the  'old,  old  atory,'  that  a  Necessity,'  aud  'No  Chriat  if  not 
places  the  DEATH  of  Chriat  supreme  Jeaua.'  Well  may  the  United  Fresbyte- 
over  even  His  life.  There  is  an  in-  rian  Church  feel  pcond  of  such  a  volume 
gennity  that  is  ingenuous  in  the  per-  as  that  of  Dr.  John  Eer,  and  eqnallj. 
vading  'Near  and  Far  View '—the  may  the  Preabyterian  Church  of  £^g- 
terrestrial  and  the  celestial,  the  human  land  rejoice  that  among  her  miniatera  is 
aud  the  superhuman,  the  earthly  need  Dr.  Adam  L.  Simpson  of  Derby.  Em- 
aod  the  heavenly  provision,  the  mortal  phatically,  and  without  reserve,  we 
emptiness  and  the  divine  and  gracious  commend  this  book  as  one  of  the  most 
fulness,  mingling  and  intermingling  in  notable  additions  to  our  aermon  litera- 
every  aeparate  sermon ;  so  that  to  na  ture  of  recent  years.  It  will  live, 
the  author's  explanation  is  no  subtlety,  A.  B.  G. 

but  simple  matter-of-fact,  whan  be  teiUs  

j«;    'The  tiUe  gtan  to  the  rolome  t,b L«vmo»i Pn.isis.    A  Costri.u- 

hu  ten  .0  Biv.a  not  «mply  b.»™.  „„  „  „,  CniiciaH  of  thi  Pim<- 

,t  u  tilt  of  the  ilnl  reraoo,  but  ata  3     g^„^    ,y„  CmTins, 

tac.™,  It  »emr.  dacnpliv.  m  ngeur.l  j     Pb.D.,  L«p.ig.     Witk  ■  Pretax 

,.jol  .  work  ,el.tmg  to™ent  dotiu  j  'p^,  lJiiA!<il)li.insCB,  D.D. 

imd  future  proepecta,  B  phrase  which  in  „.,  .     ^„^^„,., 

ita  meaalog  dinSa  little'  il  at  all,  from  MaiiTOb :  T.  a  T.  citI.    i.». 

that  ot  "The  Near  and  the  Far  View.'"  Tins  little  hookwe  very  earnestly  recom- 

Vcry  lowlily  put!   bat  there  is  a  vast  mend  to  the  attention  of  onr  scholarly 


""  liiTi'iS."*'             NOTICES  OF  NEW  PUBLICATIOHS.  133 

readen,  &nd  especially  of  thoae  of  tbem  Numben  are  of  pott-exilic  origin,  due, 
who  may  be  inclined  to  regard  wiLh  it  may  be,  (o  Etra  as  the  author ;  and 
favour  the  vievrs  of  that  Bohool  of  inter-  are  to  be  regarded  as  partiMQ  wrltiiiga, 
preters  represeoted  by  Oraf,  Kareer,  compoaed  in  the  interest  of  tbe  priestly 
Euenen,  etc.  It  is  well  fitted  to  ahow,  family  then  in  the  uceodant  '  They 
byway  of  aample,  how  feeble  are  tbe  are  "documents,"'  says  Kueoen  RKain, 
gronnOB  on  which  the  main  positions  of  '  'oflegialatiTe  and  historical  tenor,  which 
theseinterpretersrest,  andhow  arbitrary  were  written  in  a  priestly  spirit  and 
is  their  method  of  procedure.  in  the  priestly  interest,  and  therefore 
Dr.  Cnrtifls  coufioee  himself  to  one  probably  by  priests,  as  they  treat  of 
p(»nt,  viz.  tbe  statements  found  in  tbe  what  directly  concerns  them  and  belongs 
Old  Testament  regarding  the  Leritical  to  the  sphere  of  their,  labours.' 
priesthood.  The  point  may  appear  a  This  is  a  sample  of  the  higher  oriti- 
ssiTow  one,  but  by  the  investigatioDB  cism  and  of  the  scientific  treatment  of 
and  theorizinga  of  the  critics  referred  the  books  and  history  of  the  Old  Testa- 
te, it  has  b6en  made  to  assame  a  poei-  ment,  or  of  Darwinism  in  theology.  It 
(ion  of  very  considerable,  if  not  of  first-  is  obvious  to  remark  that  this  fuller 
rate,  importance.    Ooe  of  their  chief  developroent  of  the  higher  criticism  has 

C'ltions,  as  is  well  known,  is  that  the  struck  tbe  feet  from  beneath  one  of  the 

k  of  Deuteronomy  was  composed,  not  mun  arguments,  employed  by  the  same 

by  Hoses,  but  by  on  uokoown  author  criticism  at  an  earner  stage,  to  prore 

who  made  use  of  the  name  of  Hoses,  tbe    post-Uosiuc    and   late    origm    of 

and  who  lived  in  the  days  of  Josiah,  Denteronomy.    It  nsed  to  be  alleged 

king  of  Jndah.    'WepoBsessinDeuterO'  that  the  style  of  this  book  was  onUkc 

nomy,'  says  Knenen,  '  tbe  prDcramme  the  style  of  Hoses  in  the  other  books 

of  the  Mosaic  party  of  that  day.     Now  ascribed  to  him,  being  more  rhetorical, 

it  is  oUeged  that  this  book  is  not  only  ornate,  and  modern  in  character.     But 

different   in  style  from   the   preceding  now  it  has  been  determined  that  nothing 

Pentateacbal  books,  but  also  gives  a  in  Hebrew  literature  is  certduly  known 

very  different  representation  regarding  to  belong  to  Moses  or  his  age,  except 

the  Levitical  ordinances  and  arrange-  perhaps  the  Decalogue  and  one  or  two 

ments.     In  the  words  of  Professor  R.  lyrical  compositions ;  and  since  we  have 

Smith,  '  The  Levitical  laws  6'.e.  tbe  laws  thus  no  means   left  us  of  judging  of 

contained  in  the  three  middle  books  of  Moses'    style,    there    is    evidently    no 

the  Pentateuch)  give  a  graduated  hier-  ground,  so  far  as  style  goes,  of  refusiog 

archy  of  priests  and  Levites.    Deutero'  to  accept  the  testimony  of  Deuteronomy 

nomy  re^rda  all  Levites  as  at  least  itself  to  its  Mosaic  origin.  .Thegenuine- 

possible  priests.'   Having  satisfiedthem-  ness  of  Deuteronomy  is  not  the  subject 

selves  that  'Deuteronomy  regards  all  of  Dr.  Curtiss'  treatise,  and  is  not  sub- 

themembersof  the  tribe  of  Levi  as  com-  mitted  to  special  discusnon.    His  object 

patent  for  the  priesthood,'  these  critics  is  to  ^ow  uiat,  accepting  the  traditional 

next    propose   the  alternative, — '  This  views  regarding  tbe  dates  of  the  Fento- 

Soolity  la  title  is  either  the  abolition  teuchal  and  historical  books,  there  is 

the  former  privilege  of  tbe  sons  of  nothing  in  their  statements  in  reference 

Aaron,  or  the  endowment  of  the  eons  of  to  the  priestly  arrangements  that  can 

Aaron  with  tbe  privilege  is  tbe  abolition  fairly  be  held  as  inconsistent  with  these 

of  tiie  former  equality ; '  and  the  latter  -views,     Tbe   discussion   is    conducted 

of  dttfe  suppositions  is  the  conclusion  with  much,  scholarly  ability,  with  great 

at  which  they  have  arrived.     With  this  care  and  candour,  and,  we  think,  on  the 

conclusion  there  is  necessarily  associated  whole  with  perfect  sQccess.     There   is 

a  very  startling   displacement   in   the  certainly  discernible  a  want  in  point  of 

received  traditional  chronology  of  tbe  literary  finish,  and  an  occasion^  iudis- 

HoBoicbookK  Finding  that  the  Deutero-  tinctneas    and    ooufuscdness    of    st^le 

nomic  sacerdotal  arrangements  are  Nm-  which  is  somewhat  damaging  to  luad- 

pte  than  those  of  the  middle  portions  ness  of    argument.    But '  the  author's 

of  the  Pentateuch,  they   condnde,  in  investigations  into  the  subject-matter 

rirtne  of  the  theory  of  evolution,  that  have  been  thorough,  and  iu  some  depart' 

they  are  also  earlier, — thus  reaching  the  ments  very  painstaking;    and  as  the 

■orprising  critical  resnlt  that  a  part  of  result  of  bis  calm  and  diligent  inqmr;^! 

Exodus,    ^    Leviticus,    and   most  of  he  states  the  following: — '(1)  That  it 


134  NOTIOBS  OP  NEW  PUBLICATI0H8.  '""hIIJ'mitk'^' 

was  neither  the  intention  of  tie  Deutero-  reaaonable  eiplftnation  of  a  diffiealty 

nomiat  to  confer  the  privilege  of  the  ia  snSdant  to  avert  the  attack  on  an 

priesthood  opon  all  LeTites,  nor  to  ez-  eetabliBhed  position ;  and  howeverdeair- 

clude  all  other  penoDB  from  it ;  (2)  That  able  it  may  be  to  be  able  to  go  further 

theterm  "prieflt8-Levites''ianfledwhen  and  to  demonBtrate  the  tmth,  yet   in 

erideDttv  o^  descendantaof  AaroQ  are  many  cases,  eepecially  in  queationa  of 

intended.     Hence  we  have  no  right  to  ancienthiBtOiTandcriticiBm,  this  logical 

claim  that  every  Levite  might  become  a  defence  is  all  to  nhich  the  candid  in- 

priest.     While    the   regulationa    nbout  quirer  is  able  to  attain. 

tithes   and   firstlinga   are   not    easy   of  

explanation,  yet  they  admit  of  adjoat-  „  „  „ 

m^t.'  Cbitigal  and  ExBOCTiCAt.  Handbooi 
Of  conwe  there  are  other  and  deeper  to  "«  GospeL'  op  Matthew.  By  H. 
qneationa,  queations  such  as  these :—  f-  V^-,  Meter,  Th.D.,  etc  Trann- 
fa  the  derelopment  theory  applicable  as  '»*«  &<"»  ^e  Suth  Edition  of  the 
a  guiding  principle  in  the  interpretatioo  GenMn  by  Rer.  Pttek  Christie: 
oftheBiblicalwritings?  Arethefindinga  The  Tranala^n  revised  and  edited  by 
of  the  higher  criticMra  cooiOBtent  with  Fbedkrick  Crombib,  D.D.,  Profeasar 
beliefinamiracnlooa  revelation  and  a  "  Biblical  Cntjciam,  St  AndrOTra. 
line  inspiration, — wljich  lie  behind  the         ''"-  ^• 

disoussiona  in  the  volume  before  us?  Critical  and  Eieqeticai  Handbook 
Here  we  have  only  some  Airmishing  to  the  Acts  of  the  Apostleh.  By 
at  the  ontpoats;  the  main  battle  lies  H.  A.  W.  Meier,  Th.D.,  etc.  Trana- 
elsewhere.  This  Dr.  CurtiBa  is  fully  lated  from  the  Fourth  Edition  of  the 
aware  of;  he  acknowledges  that  it  is  not  German  by  Rev.  Paton  J.  Gloaq, 
by  SQch  guerilla  warfare  that  the  great  D.D.  The  Translation  revised  and 
controTeray  is  to  be  settled.  But  to  edited  by  W.  P.  Dickson,  D.D.,  Pio- 
waive  aside  this  detail  of  argamenta  as  fessor  of  Divinity,  Glasgow.  Vol  IL 
not  touching  the  heart  of  the  question,  ^       _ 

1     ,       J  ■  .J         -         t  V  Edinbomh ;  T.  *  T.  Cl«ik,    1ST7. 

aa  only  ' a  disconnected  senes  of  hypo-  uti  .    .»  .v    ..   «ii. 

thetical  solutions,'  as  mere  '  catch  solu-  It  ia  not  neceasaiy  to  do  more  th«n 

tions,'  is  to  mistake   and   misrepresent  signalize  the  fact  of  the  appearance  of 

the  whole  matter.     The  assanlt  on  the  these  two  new  volames  in  the  series  of 

traditional  position,  in  so  tar  as  it  is  not  Meyer's  New  Testament  CommentarieB. 

openly  based  on  metaphysical  and  philo-  The    comment   on   the    Acts    of    the 

sophieal  gronnds,  is  really  made  np  of  a  Apostles  is  now  complete,  and  we  haW 

detail  of  difficulties— an  array  of  objec-  here  also  the  first  volume  of  that  on  the 

tions,  based  on  apparent  ducrepancies  gospel  of  Matthew  reaching  to  the  close 

of  statement  and  representation— in  the  of  the  seventeenth  chapter.     In   botil 

Scriptural  books.     Evidently   the   con-  volumes,  as  in  those  that  have  preceded 

servative   critic  renders   an    important  them,  the  translating  aad  editing  an  M 

service  to  his  cause  when  he  follows  the  carefully  done  aa  to  put  the  EngUab  per- 

attack    into    these    particular     details,  feetly  on  a  level  with  the  German  reader^ 

showing  that  the  contradictions  alleged  and  to  reflect  the  highest  credit  on  ttte 

are    no   contradictions,  and   furnishing  accurate   acbolar^ip  of   the   gentlemen 

reasonable  sclotions  of  the  alleged  diffl-  concerned,     Meyer's   Handbo^   is    for 

cnltira.     Logically  this  is  all   that   re-  scholars,  and  to  them  it  ia  invahiablet 

qnirea  to  be  done  in  order  to  the  main-  specially*  for  its  strietnes*  of  mettiodt 

tenanceof  the  traditional  position,     "fhe  ita  expgetical  acumen,  and  its  wealth  of 

received  doctrine  is  in  poascBsion  of  the  reference   and    of    citation.    For  trae 

field,  and  reata  on  independent  evidence,  scholars  it  is  not  neceanry  to  add  tiiat 

made  op  of  a  large  consenaua  of  testi-  it  needs,  in  the  nse  of  it,  the  eoaatiBt 

mony — human    and    divine.     That  evi-  exerciseof eircnmepectionandconndeift- 

dence  must  be  fairly  met  and  disposed  tion,  —  these  always  think  and  jodgt 

of   before  the  doctrines  of  the  critical  for  themselves,  calling  no  man  mnatw 

school  can  be  established  ;  and  Uiis  ia  not  Beaders  will  find,  for  eiampls,  is  ths 

to  be  done  by  any  array,  however  for-  beginning  of   the  volume  on  HattliM^ 

midable,  of  objections  and  diffiooltiea,  in  the  author's  treatment  of  the  seoond 

unless  they  reach  the  length  of  evincing  chapter,   what  is  very  qneaUonable  in 

atsolute  contradiction.    Lc^cally,  any  ground  and  in  tendency;   and  not* 


NOTICBS  OF  HSW  PUBLlOATIONa.  135 

•B  throughout    vould  have  uid  lea  than  tiiey  did  aaj 

about  the  preaching  of  the  word,  and 

more  about  baptism  in  niation  togalra- 

o     ™  D    ^      T   ™^1?°   ^'^    difficult  to  resUt  the  force  of  tie  follow 

SCKIFTDRE.    Bj  Key.  Jaues  M'Ker-    ^^  :_Speaking  of  Petet  oommandin^ 
GomeliuH  and  his  friends  to  be  baptixet^ 


i«abi>t.  London.  _'  They  did  not  reoeiTe  the  Holy  Qhort 

The  able  niiniater  of  CamiAiU  Chmch,     in  baptisiu ;  but  because  thef  nad  nr 
BinninghaiD,  has  done  well  to  pitbliah    ceivea    tbe   Holf    GhoBt,    the^    wen 


It  is  the  merit  of  the  advanced  BitualiatB  battle  between  the  High  and  ETangelicil 

thst  iiurj  have  the  coniage  of  their  con-  parties   baa    to    be    fought    otm    the 

Tictionfi.     In  En^and  thej  do  not  mince  doctrine   of   the   Lord's   Supper.     It  is 

the  Btatement  of  their  news.    Their  etr-  trae  the  puaages  ai  the  woid  on  which 

poaitioD  and  arovala  are  as  explicit  aa  the  High  Church  tcachera  relj  appeal 

language  can  make  them.    And  what  to  lean  to  their  tide  only  when  th^  an 

the]' azpound  and  avow — inpriac^kat  greatly  strained  ;  but  bymeaiuof  it«rtt> 

least — is  notdistingaishable,  byaoumoo  tion  and  boldtie«  in  Itarating,  it  » 

people,   from  Popery.     The  author  of  certain  tiiat  they  hare  canMdth^  news 

these  lectures  can  see  no  distinction  ia  to   strike   a   deep   root   in  the  Engliih 

tbata.  from  Popery,  and  he  judges  their  Episcopal  Ghurcn.    And  they  are  sin- 

fiewB  by  their  own  statements.  cerely  l"*M      Ht.  U'Kervow  therefore 

Taking  the  fonr  litualiatic  doctrines,  does  well  to  be  as  earnest  as  he  is  in  his 
—Me  Chruliaii  Miniitry,  Baptitm,  ikt  repudiation  of  their  news.  He  haa  joit 
LorcPs  Table,  Confasioit  and  Abtottt-  idened  to  Dr.  Puaey  :  '  However  ma- 
lum,— Mr.  M'Eerrow  in  each  caae  first  oerely  and  devoutly  that  system  of 
■ddnces  a  body  of  ritualistic  state-  doctrine  may  be  held  to  whidi  hia  name 
menta,  and  by  this  be  makes  plain  haa  given  one  of  the  modem  deaigoa- 
what  doctrine  the  High  Churchman  tioos,  Presbyterians  unite  with  othor 
latches.  Then  he  {troooeds  to  test  the  EvaugeUoal  Christians,  both  within  and 
doebine  by  So^tore.  We  greatly  ad-  without  the  Churcb  of  England,  in  pro- 
mire  the  fainieaa  with  which  the  tasting  againet  the  idea  of  aaacnunenlal 
doetrinea  are  marshalled  and  set  forth  \  salvation  ;  in  denying  the  power  ef 
and  we  still  more  admire  the  thorough  "  priesta  "  to  present  upoo  au  earthlj' 
iifting  they  receive  by  the  free  breath  altar  the  sacrifice  of  the  body  and  blood 
of  SoiptDie;  We  would  gladly  quote  of  the  Redeemer,  whosaglorifiedbodviB 
laigety  fr<Hn  the  lectures,  but  the  ^laee  in  heaven,  and  whom  the  heavM  ue 
at  our  di^>oaal  makes  it  impossible  to  do  received  until  the  Idmea  of  the  rentatution 
this  except  in  a  fragmeutatr  mannw.  of  all  things  ;  in  condemning  the  snper- 
nie  first  lecture  com^tely  (usposes  of  stitious  importance  attached  to  the 
tfaa  doctrine  of  Apostolical  SucoeosioD.  elements  of  the  eucbarist,  and  tbe  pos- ' 
tha  aooatles  wote  men  set  apart  tor  a  turing,  and  muttering,  and  aspeot  of 
wedal  tsak,  via.  to  witness  of  the  mycteiiouanees,  and  pretence  of  miracle- 
BeaoiTeetiaa  of  Chijst,  and  they  could,  warkiog  with  which  the  "  Sacrament  of 
in  the  ve^  nature  of  things,  have  no  the  Altar,''  aa  they  term  it,  is  observed: 
■ncccwoM  in  thia  task.  The  only  snccet-  in  repudiating  those  claims  on  behalf 
■ion  concedvable  is  that  of  faith  and-  of  a  sacrificing  priesthood,  falsely  so 
life ;  but  in  tlus  there  is  nothing  of  the  called,  who  imfSy  that  there  is,  and  odn 
UBseriptunl  priestly  element,  and  there-  be,  no  tme  obeervaiuie  of  the  great 
fore  it  will  not  serve  tiie  ends  of  Hi^  ChrtBtian  rit«  eauept  wheu  they  preaide ; 
Gkniefa  teachers^  in  waning  against  the  inevitabla  taa- 

It  seems  difficult  for  any  one  to  renit  denoy  of  High  Church  doctrines  and 

Uw  fwQe  of    Idle   remaA  which  Hr.  practices  to  create  iilusion  as  to  our  per- 

M'Knraw  makes  in  hie  second  lectare :  sonal  niritual  state  and  onr  relatioa  to 

*  If  the  doctrine  of  baptismal  regeneia-  God,  who  has  never  eaid  tbat  tbe  sacn- 

tiion  w^  true,  baptism  would  oocnpy  a  ments,  although  of  His  own  appointment, 

much  mora  prcmiinent  [daee  in  the  Hew  'ai«  essential  to  salvation,  but  who  haa 

Teatameutthanitdoes, and  the  apostles  said:    "  He  that  believeth  on  the  Son 


136  NOTICES  OP  NBW  POBLICATIONS.  ""u^^m'*^ 

bath  evetlaatiDg  life,  aad  he  that  be-  Hamilton'B  'Hieorr  of  Knowledge,' 
lieveth  not  the  Son  aluUl  not  aee  life,  Draper's  '  latelloctuol  DevelopmeDt  of 
bat  the  -wrath  of  God  abideth  on  him."  '  Europe,'  Wheedon  '  On  the  Will,' 
Biaiag  in  eamestneBS,  Hr.  H'Kerrow  Renan'a  'Life  of  Christ,'  "The  New 
reaches  his  greateet  ferrour  in  tiie  admir-  Faith  of  StrancB.' 
able  closing  lecture  on  Absolution  and  It  will  thus  be  seen  that  while  there 
ForgiTeness.  But  we  moBt  content  onr-  is  a  considerable  diversitv  of  topics,  yet 
selves  b;  giving  a  mere  fiwnent  from  thej  have  all  a  real  and  intimate  rela- 
tiie  verj  close : — '  Ood  makes  throngh  tion.  It  will  also  be  ooufeesed  that,  for 
men  the  offer  of  forgiTenesa,  although  their  adequate  treatment,  abilities  and 
He  never  makes  through  men  the  appli-  leaming  of  no  ordinaij  kind  are  re- 
cation  of  foigivenees.  He  tommisaiona  quired, 
those  who  know  the  method  of  salvation        Dr.    Frentias,    in    his    Introduction, 


to  speak  of  it  t^i  others,  to  inatnict  them  sajs  :    '  A  conviction  of    the '  superior 

in  what  Jesus  Ghriat  has  done,  and  to  quality    and   permanent  valne   <n   I^. 

nrg«  them  to  receive  the  offered  and  Smith's  writings  has  led  to  the  present 

inestimable  blessings  of  the  gospel  of  His  selectjon.    It  is  called  Faith  and  PMla- 

graee.     lie  Holy  Spirit  will  accompany  tophy,  because  that  title  fitly  indicates 

the  faithful  and  prayerful  preaching  ot  its  general  character.    Almost  every- 

the  word.    When  "  repentance  toward  thing  in  it  belongs  to  the  one  or  Qit 

God,  and  faith  toward  our  Lord  Jesus  other  of  these  two  noblest  spheres  of 

Christ,"  are  acknowledged  to  conetitut«  human  thought.    And  Dr.  Smith  wsE 

the  substance  of  the  sacred  commission,  entirely  at  home   in   them   both.     He 

that  commiceion,  thongh  exercised    in  delighted  to  grapple  with  the   hardest 

weakness,   may  yet  be  discharged  in  problems  of  speculative  scieaice,  and  be 

humblehope  tbatit  willbeusefultomaD  did  so  with  an  ease  that  showed  how 

ftnd  acceptable  to  God.  But  when  fallible  congenial  they  were  to  the  native  bent 

and  ernng  mortals  presume  to  claim  and  temper  of  his  mind.    He  delisted 

divine  prerogatives,  God  will  not  bless  still  more  to  discuss  the  moat  d^cnlt 

them  iu  their  "attempted  usurpation  of  questions  of  the  Christian  faith,  and  he 

that  which  He  has  never  giveu  ;  and  the  did  so  with  a  spiritual  insight,  a  breadth 

day  which  shall  declare  every  man's  work  and  vigour  of  thought,  a  wise  diacrimi- 

mil  make  manifest  their  gross  pres'ump-  nation,  and  a  zeal  for  truth  that  showed 

tion  and  sad  delusion ;   and  then  the  him  to  possess  the  genius  as  well  as  the 

wood  and  hay  and  stubble  of  ritualistic  culture  and  learning  of  a  finished  theo- 

doctrince  and  observance  will  perish  in  logian.     The  following  pages  bear  wit- 

tiie  fire  that  shall  try  every  man's  work  ness  to  all  this,  and  no  lesa  to  the  fine 

erf  what  sort  it  is ;  and  if  there  has  been,  hterary  skill,  logical  acumen,  and  ad- 

thongh  mixed  with  grievous  errors,  a  mirable  sense  with  which  he  was  w(Hit 

chihuke  faith  in  Jesus,  that  will  abide,  to  eoforce  hia  opinions  on  these  high 

and^that  alone.'  themes.' 

This  testimony  is  true,  and  will  be 

endorsed  by  the  carefol  and  competent 

Faith  AND  Philosopht;  Discourses  and  student   of    these    pages.    We  notice. 

Essays.    Br  Henrt  B.  Smith,  D.D.,  however,  considerable  diversitr  in  the 

LL.D.    Edited,  with  the  Introductory  manner  in  which  Dr.  Smith  treats  his 

-    Notice,  by  Geobge  J.  Prentiss,  D.D.  BubJecU.    Sometimes  he  is  copious  and 

nj.  V      u.n..m™^       ,      .^^  eloquent;    sometimes,   and   more   fre- 

».u.»„i.,T.*T.a„i.   «..   P,.m.  ,„%,  condensed  ind    «!To,.     Hi. 

The  snbjectadiscQBsed  in  thisiimKtrtant  address  which   gives  ita  name  to  the 

rolume  are  as  follows : — '  The  Relation  volume  is  a  specinien  of  the  one ;  his 

of  Faith  and  Philosophy,'  'Nature  and  paper    on    Sic     William     Hamilton's 

Work  of  the  Science  ot  Church  History,'  '  Theory  of  Knowledge '  is  a  specimen 

^  The  Ueformed  Cburchea  of  Europe  and  of  the  other.     We  confess  we  feel  mncb 

America  in  relation  to  General  Church  more  satisfied  with  him  when  he  ad^fa 

History,'  '  The  Idea  of  Christian  Theo-  the  latter  mode,  and  think  be  iqipears 

logy  as  a  System,'  '  The  New  Latitudi-  to  far  greater  advantage. 

narians  of  England,'  'The  Theological  It  is  quite  impossihle  for  ns  within 

System  of  Emmons,'  '  Christian  Uoion  our  limited  space  to  enter  into  minute 

and  Ecclesiastical 'Beunion,' Sic  William  criticism  ol  a  volume  so  large  in  its 


NOTICES  OP  MEW  PUBLICATIOKfl. 


dimesuoDB  and  extensive  in  its  range  fire  wide  divergences  amoDS  men  of 
of  eabjects.  Suffice  it  to  saj,  it  is  Bcienoe  on  vital  qaeations.  Tlie  views 
thonraghlf  evangelicaJin  sentiment  and    which  suit  the  knowledse  of   to-day 


finely  spiritul  in  tone.     Dr.  Smith  has  might  be  uraet  b^  fieah  discoveries  I 

the  pow^  of  making  hiimtlf  felt  in  morrow.      No  theory  at  the    present 

the  printed  page,  and  the  rouler  feels  hour  can  be  reckoned  final.    Meanwhile 

that  the  testimony  of  his  friends  is  true  ws  can  wait  with  confidence  the  resulU 

when  they  describe  him  as  a  man  of  of  fresh  investigations,  iu  the  annranoe 

mre  exaltation  of  nature  as  well  as  of  that  the  word  of  God  and  His  works 

mind.    The    work,    therefore,    is   one  are  in  perfect  harmony.' 

which  ia  every  way  is  eminently  fitted  

to  be  uaefol.     It  is  at  once  in  a  high 

degree  iotellectnally  invigorating  and  Heathen  Enqland,  and  what  to  do 

morally  elevating.    It  should,  speaally  ™B  rr.    By  William  Booth. 

in  these  days  of  eameit  sjid  all-search-  London :  a.  v.  Pirtrtdg*  ft  co.    istt. 

ins  ioquiry,   be   iu   tiie    hands   of   all  «...         n                             11.1 

•.»UiJ«l  riekm.  ^U,  Ima,  ud  find  J"".!""';  '°'f'^,  ~  *  ""'•■"Mr 

.tudoitoftfcologr.  wh,ohlaj«otj.t.ufflo»itly.mpr«»rf 

°'  IU,  VIZ.  tliftt  there  are  tens  of  tboiiaands 

in  England  who  at«  eatianged    from 

Notes  on  the  Book  of  Genesis  :  Ei-  religion,  and   live  as  grtwalj   as   the 

planatoiy,  ExpceitoiT,  and  Practical,  heatheoa  in    foreign  lands.    There    is 

By  Ber.  James  Inolis,  Anthor  of  the  siso  set  forth  what  Mr.  Booth  conceives 

•BibleltEtCjc]onedia,'the'Sahhath  *«  '«'    ^^  remedy.    It  consista  in  a 

School '  etc.  system  of  evangelistic  effort  which,  it  is 
ajlinned,  has  been  successful  in  the  case 

Edlnboigh  and  London  ;O.U&lngUB.  of  moltitudes.       Now,   in    Speaking    on 

Tsu  attractive  little  volume  hears  cvi-  ""  "''f?  °'fi"  ""''  j'  "mns  to  lie 

dense   of    being  the  result   of   much  enplcjed  in  this  eonnectKin,  due  allow- 

csnifnl  and  snSessfnl  study.     WiUiin  "f  "°'?  >»  msdo  alio  for  natuiJ 

Wef  space  Uieio  is  condeniod  a  great  "''    !>"»»•    ,*"™?  °'    '''"    "?> 

ded  ollmatter    of   an  •  eiphmatory,  ope™l>ons,.  and    swift   and  wbolesJe 

.xp«ilory,  and  practical '  kSnd.    Tii  condonation    of    mean,    not  ei.ctlj 

esjtoatiois  are  Jways  ludd,  the  prac-  f"'^  ?  "J'.  V!"          .■  "         S-^ 

ticSriiltations    just   and    perliient,  "J'^'^    At  the  «mo  time  we  tlink 

while  in    the    eijositor,    dement  'f  Mr.  Booth's  method  were  le«  es.cl- 

diilenlties  are  fuilj  faid  aiS  solved  >"'  ,|»J  ""f",  mtelligenl,  the  icult. 

where  wlution  is  poanbl.,  snd  when  '"'^  f«  "•'  1|~  »'"'""»'7.  "  "» 

this  Is  not  lb.  eaae,^ne.tlr  «iknow-  f  <>•  ,•*?."  specmien  of  bow  things  sre 

lodged.     The  volnm.  is  enriched    by  done  by  him  we  give  the  followmg  from 

vslHsble  quotations  from  th.  writing  PWlOO:   Aaanmmpl.oflhor.pidity 

of  author;  of  eminenc  and  anUioriij,  ,""'  "''•I'  P"?" .         °i.' ."i^  i, 

and  altogether  may  b«  profitably  mild  '»"  T^'  '°  ''"""'  "Si     ""^  .f" 

either  ^  the  privil.  cEristisn  or  the  *•"  '»'  *«"•  "  T''         •,»"";« 

pshhc  tiicber  ^'^  described  by  the  evangehat  who 

In   conn«alon    with    lb.   Book   of  conducledit.    Sijly-.ii  men  and  women 

Geneais,  one  of  the  difiieultie.  that  baa  K'"  '.  ^  '"K  *"■  "f  "J,  °"  fT 

been  iSgdy  eanvused  U  the  '  sii  days '  "  %''.•  "«  "»""  '""^  i.  "*  '>■• 

olereatfcn.    Mr.  Inglia  summarise,  the  hencdiction  wu  pronounced  in  siity- 

vsrious  argumenta  Sr  eipluiatiom,  by  ■•™    "»»f".    "i    ""    "'»'   '«'»" 

which  these  difficnities  have  been  at-  P^'^'^K  i-od. 

tempted  to  he  met,  and  thus  judidotuly  

ctnidndes;    '  All  these  interpretations  The  Messenoer  for  CHn.DREN.    Yearly 

are  burdened  with  obiectionB,  scriptnnl  Volume,  1877. 

or  scientific,  of  whicn  it  i.  impoBsibl.  ' .  „ 

to  giv.  a  satisfactory  smamaiy  ii  this  ■«"«"'  »«""  »  »»"«i.»"- 

plscft     Th.y  may  be  foimd  m  works  To  condnot  a  monthly  periodical  in  such 

which  treat  on  the  anbjeot  at  lengtli.  a  manner  aa  really  to  interest  children 

^kigy  is  an  advancing  acimice.    Thwe  ia  no  Msy  malter,  and  is  indMd  a 


138 


HOTICBS  OSt  MEW  PUBLICATIONS. 


fe&t  of  rare  accompliBhment.  We  hare 
therefoie  to  congntuUte  the  conductorB 

of  the  MesMnger  on  th6  lacccflB  which 
hBB&ttended their effoTta.  Initsmonthl; 
form  this  little  nmga.inc  has  its  attrac- 
tioDS  for  the  Toung,  aoil  now,  in  the 
■hape  of  a  beautifoUy  got  up  Tolnme,  it 
vill  he  welcomed  by  ta^aj.  It  ii  pro- 
foBely  illostrated,  and  has  a&  excellent 
vanietj  of  norratife  and  didactic  matter, 
aud  intereatiDg  accounta  of  Chiiatian 
wock  both  at  home  and  abroad.' 


welcomed  by  a  large  circle  of  readers ; 
aud  we  have  no  doabt  it  will  be  tha 
means  of  doing  much  good  both  in  tha 
way  of  Btimulating  and  guiding  mnlti- 
tndes  of  joung  men  iu  a  coiuse  which, 
whilst  it  is  full  of  peiils,  is  jet,  as  in 
the  case  of  Sir  Titus  Salt,  shown  to  ba 
one  which  may  be  pursued  with  un- 
blemished integrity,  as  well  as  most 
desirable  iwolta. 


Sir  Titus  Salt,  Babonet:  His  Life 
and  its  LesBona.  By  Rev.  R.  Bal-  , 
OABNiE,  Minister  of  the  South  Cliff 
Church,  Scarborough.  With  Por- 
trait and  Photographic  tlluBtration. 

Londun :  Hodder  &  Stougbtoi.    1017. 

Thekg  are  several  indiTiduals  ambitious 
of  writing  a  great  poem,  and  sereral 
also  who  woiud  gladly  paint  a  grand, 
enduring  picture,  or  execute  some 
supreme  work  of  art.  But  it  m'UBt  be 
allowed  that  such  aspinitiona  are  con- 
fined to  comparatiTely  few,  A  much 
more  common  object  of  ambition  is  that 
of  amassing  a  large  fortune  by  means  of 
sacceesful  enterprise,  and  living  and  even 
dying  with  the  reputation  of  possessing 
great  wealth.  Seeing  that  in  this  com- 
mercial age,  and  in  this  money-loving, 
money-mt^ing  country,  this  is  large^ 
BO,  it  is  well  that  men  striving  ^ter 
wealth  should  strive  after  a  noble 
fosbion,  end  after  the  manner  of  the 
best  eiamples.  TVe,  therefore,  very 
mnch  rejoice  in  the  publication  of  the 
life  of  Sir  Titus  Salt.  He  prospered  in 
his  way  as  few  have  done,  and  acquired 
riches  to  a  degree  that  entirely  distanced 
many  strong  runners  in  the  race  for 
riches.  Bat  it  is  moat  satisfactory  to 
know  that  he  was  ever  actuated  by  the 
highest  principles  of  honour,  and  that 
be  expended  with  a  wise  and  princely 
generosity  the  wealth  he  hod  so  indus- 
triously acquired. 

The  boolc  is  specially  addressed  to 
young  men.  For  the  writing  of  it  Mr. 
Balgarnie  hss  special  qosMcations — an 
intimate  knowledge  of  its  subject,  and 
-  -     ^■---  --        ■        .ebe- 

a  precious  and  a  pregnant 
one,  and  the  lessons  wliich  he  inoiiU»Ies 
are  otthehi^MBt  value.  Wa  ctaifidently 
aatidpate  that  the  book  will  b»  warmly 


The  object  of  the  editor  of  this  serial  is 
to  furnish  information  of  a  kind  that  is 
not  generally  known  respecting  Scrip- 
ture teita,  places  and  customs,  etc.  As 
a  specimen  of  the  object  of  the  publica- 
titm  and  the  kind  of  infonnation  su^ 
plied,  we  give  the  following : — 

'  A  Tbadition  AccouNTiHa  for  Moses' 
SLOwmas  of  Sfkech  (Ex.  iv.  10). — The 
way  in  which  the- Jews  account  for  the 
defective  oratorical  poweis  of  Hosea  is 
ingenious.  Th^  say  Uiat  when  Moses 
was  on  infant  m  the  court  of  Egypt, 
Pharaoh  was  one  day  carrying  him  in  | 
his  arms,  when  the  child  suddeolv  laid 
hold  of  the  king's  beard,  and  plncked  it 
veryroaghly.  At  this  Pharaoh  was  very 
angry,  and  ordered  tlie  child  to  be 
killed.  The  queen,  however,  interfered, 
representing  to  the  king  that  the  child 
was  BO  young,  he  could  not  have  known 
what  he  was  doin^^ — that,  indeed,  he 
could  not  distinguish  a  burning  cool 
from,  a  ruby.  Pharaoh  ordered  the  ex- 
periment to  be  tried,  and  when  the  ruby 
and  the  burning  coal  were  plaoed  before 
him,  Moses  took  up  the  coal,  and,  child- 
like, placed  it  in  his  mouth,  and  burnt 
his  tongue.  This  procured  his  pard(Mt, 
but  it  caused  the  impediment  in  his 
speech  in  after  years.' 


'  THE  Tkbth  Scottuh 

Sabbath  School  Cohventioit.     Bdd 

in  Glasgow  on  the  11th  aud  l^tb 

October  1877. 

OlMgow :  UsuBd  br  Oa  QlMgow  Babtiath  ai]lM«I 

The  Sabbath  Sckoid  Conrentian,  hdd  in 
October  last,  was  fait  to  ba  one  of  the 
most  satisfaatory  and  saoeaHfut  of  ito 
gathninga.  An  aoooont  of  ita  proassd- 
ings  has  now  been  pobliahcd,  and  it  wis 


'"H^m"'  NOTICES  OF  SEW  PUBLICATIONS.  139 

be  found  to  be  Yttj  naeful,  not  only  to  of  indifference  to  him.    He  feels  how 

the  loathful  and  inexperienced  teachen,  strongly  man  p&nta  for  btesaedneH,  how 

but  to  those  ako  of  nuttarer  years.     A.  capable  of  it  he  Ib,  and  yet  how  seldom 

great  many  excellent  sugg^tions  are  it  is  roalized  ;  but  withal,  he  ie  hopeful, 

thrown  out,  and  plans  and  principles  of  and  the  '  Days  of  HeaTen  upon  Earth ' 

action  given,  by  those  whose   position  which  we  now  enjoy  an  the  earnest  and 

entitles  tliem  to  speak  with  fuithority,  the  foretaste  of  what  is  in  store  for  tho 

and  whose  warm   interest  in  Sabbath  race  in  the  better  days  to  come, — the 

Bchools  hsB  been  proved   by   yeaiB  of  golden  age   that  lies,  not  behind,  but 

Kdf-sacrificing  laboaiB  in  their  behalf.  before  us.     Pursuing  yonr  inquiry,  yon 

An  intereating  featora  of  the  publi-  find  that  the  preacber  is  poseened  of 

catioo  is  a  series  of  diagrams  of  places  intellect  of  a  high  order,  and  that  allied 

for  holding   meetings  for   the   purpOHe  to  this  are  powers  of  imagination  which 

of  Sabbatb -school   inHtruction,  oy  Mr.  bespeak  die  trae  poet.     And  so,  with 

Charles  Inglis.     lu  this  matter  we  are  these  various   faculties  combined,  we 

only  in  the  day  of  small  things,  and  have,  what  Dr.   Macleod  undoubtedly 

Endly  behind   our  American  brethren;  is,  a  preacber  of  very  prooonoced  indi- 

but  the  Bobjeot  ia  now  being  seriously  vidu^ty,  having  for  his  hearers  a  won- 

laken  up,  and  Mr.  Inglia'  efforts  in  this  derful  cbarm.    The  charm  we  believe 

as  nell   as   ui   kindred  directions  will  to  be  that  of  genius, — a  gift  indefinable 

prove  eiceedingly  helpful.  and  indescHl^ble,  but  whose  presence 

is  uomistaieably  and  delightfully  felt. 

Dr.  Macleod's  manner  is   worthy  of 

Dats  of   Heaven   upon    Eabth,   and  BpeciaJ  notice.     It  is  chaiacterised  ~bj 

OTHEB    Sermons.      By    Alexander  great  versatility.    His  style  ranges  from 

Uacleod,  D.D.,  Author  of  'Christua  the  homely  and  familiar  to  the  eloquent 

Consolator  Talking  to  the  Children.'  and  impassioned.    He  has  rwd  widely, 

,    ,  J    ,  V, .     .. ,.       ~,  *^<J  looked  around  on  every  side  with  a 

London.  Daidy.iBi,i»i*r,  SCO.   18T8.  j^^j^g    ^j    observant   eye;    and   the 

Wbeh  Dr.  Macleod's  sermons  were  put  stores  of  knowledge  which  he  has  thug 

into  our  hands  we  happened  to  be  per-  accumulated  he  uses  with  much  felicity. 

iisingthose  of  a  very  popular  preacner.  The  incidents  he  records,  and  the  pictures 

As  we   read    the    discourses    of   said  he  gives  of  nature  and  human  nature, 

preacher,  we  found  ourselves  wondering  impart    a   delightful   freahneas   to   his 

at  the  various  kinds  of  popularity,  aod  work.     In  reading  it  you  feel  you  are 

asking  what  is  the  secret  of  it  in  such  a  not   moving   amongst  empty  shadows, 

man  as  this.     He  might  have  lived  in  but  amongst  living  realities.    Men  and 

any  age,  or  boen  placed  in  any  circum-  women  whom  you  know  speak  to  yoa 

Btuices.     He  speaks  neither  to  tbe  head  from   his   p^e,   and   tell   of   joys   and 

nor  to  tbe  heart.     Here  we  have  only  sorrows   which   you  yourself  have  ex- 

vspid  generalitjee   expressed   in  turgid  perienced. 

language, — mere  '  souud  aod  fury,'  sig-  We  had  mwked  several  passages  for 
lifytDg  nothing.  quotation,  specially  a  juat  and  thought- 
la  passing  on  to  the  pages  of  Dr.  fnl  stslenient  on  the  great  question  of 
Uacleod,  we  felt  as  if  we  had  quitted  a  the  divine  sovereignty  and  a  highly 
nuTow  enelomra,  in  which  there  was  poetic  description  of  the  glorious  »wak- 
profmnon  of  dry  and  withered  grass,  for  ing  of  the  earUi  onder  the  magic  touch 
the  gresu  flelda,  inwhich  everything  was  of  spring,  as  iUustrative  of  Dr.  Macleod's 
redolent  of  life  uid  clothed  with  b^nty.  powers  in  ditfereut  spheres;  butthe^aoe 
In  itading  these  aemums,  yon  feel  meanwhile  at  oni  conunand  oomp^  a> 
HrtiRlj  interested,  and  are  insensibly  reluctantly  to  forbear. 
drawn  on  from  page  to  page,  without  Dr.  Macjeod  has  already  won  for  him* 
Hopping  to  inqiure  tbe  reason  or  caring.  seH  an  honourable  place  among  the  best 
to  oritidK.  Bnt  when  yon  ask  wherein  religions  mithors  of  the  day.  This 
hes  the  great  stMngth  of  the  preacher,  volune  will  enhance  his  reputatimi. 
yon  And  the  answer  at  hand.  The  first  '  It  will  rank  with  the  prodactions  of 
thing  Hut  strikes  yoa  i»his  intensity  of  oor  most  diatioguished  preachers,  sad 
feelitig.  Ha  is  in  deepest  sympathy  give  to  him  a  yet  more  cherished  plaoe 
vith  every  varying  phase  of  human  life,  in  many  a  Christian  home  and  Gtuutiaii 
—nothing  that  oonocnis  man  is  ao  object  heart. 


140 


HONTHLT  BBTBOSPECT. 


Our  HouEBiiTOMD,  ftnd  Kindred  Poems. 
Compiled  by  Ellen  E.  Miles, 

Olaj^w :  Itevid  Biyce  ft  Son.    1878. 

Tills  Terr  tasteful  little  Tolnme  cODBistii 
ol  a  collection  of  poems  whose  theme 
is  '  Out  Home  Bey oud.'  The  poems 
dwell  on  tbe  unsatisfactory  state  of  our 
earthly  abode,  and  of  ouraelTea  whilst 
liere  below,  and  in  contraBt  sins  of  the 
perfect  blessedness  of  beaven.  They  are 
all  Bcriptural  in  seDtiment,  and  some  of 
them  display  no  littie  poetic  power.  It 
is  a  booK  ia  which  the  weary  eonl  will 
find  much  to  solace  it,  and  at  once  dis- 
pose and  enable  it  to  sing  with  gladness 
M  it  trsTelB  to  the  land  of  rest. 

The  MoNOOBAFn  Gospel:  Being  the 
Four  Gospels  arranged  in  One' Con- 
tinuous Narrative  in  the  Records  of 
Scnptnre,  without  Omission  of  Fact 
or  Repetition  of  Statement.  By  G. 
IVashinoton  Moon,  F.R.S.E. 

London :  Hatcturd.    ISTB. 

Mr.  Moon  begins  this  version  of  'the 
■weet  story  of  old '  with  Luke's  account 
and  concludes  with  John's,  tbe  inter- 
vening narrative  bei: 
in  form ;  but  whetbe: 
ceeded  in  securing  the  true  chronological 
order,  will  of  course  be  questioned. 
ConsiderinK  that  the  whole  nairatjve  is 
•  a  combined  and  recouHtructed  gospel  of 
the  four  evangelists,  the  last  sentence 
Btrikea  one  as  ^ng  not  quite  in  Keeping 


with  the  facta  of  the  case.  It  is — 'This 
is  the  disciple  which  testifietii  of  these 
things,  and  wrote  these  things ;  and  we 
know  that  his  testimoay  is  trae.'  Of 
course  John  is  the  writer  here,  and  he 
refers  only  to  bis  own  narrative. 

Mr.  Moon,  however,  has  shown  great 
diligence  in  the  work  of  compilation,  and 
as  the  record  is  quite  consecntive,  and  has 
all  the  interest  attaching  to  tbe  life  of 
the  Divine  One,  we  luTe  no  doubt  this 
beautiful  Utile  volume  will  be  a  favour- 
ite with  many. 


I :  S.  W.  Routledgs  &  C> 

TuESE  publications  in  their  monthly 
form  find  a  large  /:lasB  of  appreciative 
readers,  and  as  here  collected  afford  a 
kind  of  reading  that  u  at  once  arousing 
and  instructive. 


Light  ik  Darkness;    or,  The  Miuer's 
Tale.  A  True  History.  Third  Edition. 

Edlnbnrgli :  Johostone,  HDulai,  &  Co. 

This  is  an  account  of  how  some  miners 
employed  themeelvcs  while  subjected  to 
terrible  and  enforced  confinement  by 
reason  of  an  accident  which  happened  in 
tbe  pit  in  which  they  were  worKmg,  and 
shows  how,  even  in  such  darkness,  the 
light  of  the  gospel  may  shine  so  as  to 
cheer  and  sustain. 


CHURCH  PLANTING  IN  GLASGOW. 

The  ihird  annual  meeting  of  the  Association  formed  for  this  impOTtant  purpose, 
waa  held  on  the  ITth  December  last,  and  the  published  report  of  its  proceedings 
now  lies  before  ua.  We  regret  to  observe  that  the  Association  is  still  hampered  in 
its  acljon  by  reason  of  the  sum  originally  aimed  at,  and  which  is  necessary  for  its 
tiiorougbly  satisfactory  working,  not  having  yet  been  realized.  That  sum  is  £20,000. 
Of  this  a  little  over  £11,000  has  been  raised.  This  deficiency  is  to  be  regretted. 
It  is  true  that  the  past  year  has  been  a  trying  one,  and  that  trade  has  been  alike 
unsettled  and  depressed;  still  it  is  wonderful  what  can  be  done  by  vigorooa  and 
self-sacrificing  effort.  Our  friends  in  the  Free  Church  are  engaged  at  present  in 
making  a  laudable  attempt  to  raise  £100,000  for  Church  Extension  purposes.  We 
observe  Dr.  Adams,  at  the  last  ordinary  meeting  of  tbe  Glasgow  rresbTtery, 
Tc^rtB  that  towards  this  £56,000  have  already  been  raised.  This  speaks  well 
tiAa  for  the  spirit  and  resources  of  that  Church,  and  must  be  regarded  by  ns  'with 
pectiliar  satisfaction,  as  evincing  the  practical  power  of  Voluntaryism.  This  iLoble 
example  may  therefore  exert  onus  a  stimulating  influence ;  and  it  is  well  that  the 


■^teJLii^  MONTHLY  BETEOBPEOT.  141 

ttro  ChnrcheB,  h&ving  laid  aside  the  proTocatjon  that  was  wont  to  be  felt  oonceraing 
volontarjism,  shonld  noite  under  tia  lieoltiifal  and  eKpanrire  influence '  to  provoke 
oDe  another  to  Ioto  and  ^ood  worka.' 

Speaking  on  the  peculiar  ol&imB  of  Olae^w  on  iia  as  a  denomination,  and  ^TJng 
reaaoM  why  we  aboald  apeei&llf  exert  ourselves  in  behalf  of  this  Aasociation,  Hr, 
Dobbie  of  Lansdowne  Church  thus  spoke,  and  his  word  ia  rerilf  a  word  in 

'Ko  Christian  can  think  earneatlj  upon  tliis  matter  of  Churcli  Extension  out) 
evangelistic  effort  witlioul  recognising  that  there  are  circumstances  which  are 
fitted  to  press  home  the  obligation  to  engage  in  it  aa  a  veiy  solemn  one.  Allow 
me  in  a  word  to  refer  to  tmo  of  these.  The  Arst  is  the  position  of  Glasgow  as  » 
citf ,  alresdj'  bo  popnloug,  and  which  is  growing  so  rapidlj.  ft  is  true  we  hare 
almoet  innmneraole  churches,  and  that  a  great  deal  of  evangelistic  effort  ia  being 
pot  forth ;  bat  no  one  who  knows  the  city  can  doubt  that,  even  with  the  present 
population,  these  are  inadequate.  New  churches  require  to  be  bnilt  in  new 
localities,  while  in  the  old  parta  of  the  city,  which  are  deTisely  crowded  by  the 
poor,  evsngeliatic  agency  on  a  much  more  extensive  scale  than  we  have  at  present 
is  nrgently  needed.  And  then,  when  we  remember  that  a  population  equal  to  that 
of  a  considerable  town  is  annually  added  to  the  city,  it  will  be  apparent  iJiat  there 
19  constant  demand  for  energy  and  liberality  on  the  part  of  the  chnrches  to  meet 
the  spiritual  wants  which  are  growing  all  around  them. 

'  Tne  other  conmderation  to  which  fhave  referred  is  not  a  local  one — not  peculiar 
to  Glasgow — and  ia  of  enormous  practical  importance  in  reference  ia  centres  of 
large  and  increasing  population.  It  is,  that  whatever  money  is  required  in  the 
effort  to  extend  the  Church  of  Christ  in  tbia  land,  must  be  supplied  volvnlanly  by 
those  to  whom  that  cause  is  dear.  All  are  agreed  that  this  is  a  fact  in  our  time 
ind  country.  However  it  may  have  come  about,  whether  one  regards  it  with  com- 
placency or  regret,  the  time  is  past  when  national  funds  can  be  looked  to  as  a 
aomcefnmi  which  the  Church  can  draw  for  ita  purposee.  In  the  mattor  of  rxleri' 
lion,  our  own  and  other  voluntary  Churches  have  only  anticipated  what  all  Churcher 
are  required,  willingly  or  unwillingly,  to  practise  now  and  henceforth.  This, 
tben,  being  the  state  of  the  caae — the  work  which  this  Board  has  on  baud  beiog  so 
much  required,  and  the  material  means  of  prosecuting  it  beiuK  to  be  looked  for 
odIv  from  the  willinghood  of  Christian  people — surely  the  memners  of  our  Churcii 
Till  not  be  appealed  to  in  vain ;  surely  they  will  endeavour  to  give  to  others  the 
gospel  which  they  feel  to  be  so  precious  to  themselves,  and  -n'hich,  by  its  widest 
diffnsioD,  will  not  make  t)ieir  share  the  less,  but  more ;  surely,  since  God  has  put 
honour  upon  our  Voluntaryism  in  the  past,  and  enabled  us  by  it  to  do  so  much  in 
the  way  Of  maintaining  and  extending  evangelical  religion  at  home  and  abroad, 
they  will,  out  of  gratitude  and  loyalty,  resolve  that  now,  when  in  the  progresa  of 
tluBgs  that  principle  falia  to  be  so  widely  applied,  and  to  issues  so  momentous,  it 
ehtdl  in  their  hands  saffer  no  injuslice.' 


THE  CHURCH  SESSIOK. 

■  The  Session  '  is  one  of  the  most  distinctive  institutions  of  Presbyterian  ism.  It 
is  one  which  we  believe  to  be  not  only  eminently  scriptural  in  its  character,  but 
one  which  is  admirably  fitted  to  be  useful,  and  which  in  a  high  degree  has  been 
useful  in  the  history  m  the  Church.  Naturally  the  Seawon  represents  the  best  men 
ia  the  congregation,  and  may  be  supposed  to  comprehend  them ;  for  they  have 
been  elected  by  the  free  suffrages  of  their  fellow-members  to  their  office,  on  the 
ground  of  proved  excellence  of  character.  A  good  Session  is  one  of  tbe  greatest 
bleadngs  which  a  congregation  and  a  uiinieter  can  possess.  Suppose  the  minister 
liimself  to  be  full  of  zeat,  if  all  his  eiforte  after  evangelization  at  home,  and  the 
diffusion  of  tbe  gospel  abroad,  are  coldly  regarded  by  his  Session,  what  a  depressing 
effect  this  has  upon  liim,  and  what  a  counteractive  influence  they  exert !  But  if, 
lite  Bamabaa,  they  are  '  good  men,  full  of  faith  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost,'  and  ready 
for  every  good  work,  how  it  cheers  their  pastor's  heart,  and  holds  up  his  hands ! 
TbcTC  are  many  ways  in  which  members  of  Session  may  be  useful  in  a  congreja- 


142  MONXHI-T  BETROSPBCT.  '    mS,  jTwa"^ 

tion,  which  are  not  opeo  to  the  nuDUter.  Non-offidftlly  aa  well  u  officially,  th^ 
io&y  exert  a  uightj  power  for  good  ia  Bpheree  into  which  the  minister  may  never 
be  called  to  enter. 

The  qnesUon  then  ocean,  and  deaerree  to  be  carefully  conaidered.  What  are  the 
powen  that  are  vested  in  the  Sesaion,  and  with  what  part  of  congregational  w<aik 
and  arrangemeut  may  they  intermeddle  or  superintend  ? 

We  observe  the  Rev.  Dr.  Fatten  has  a  word  on  this  subject  in  the  laat  noinber 
«f  Ths  Preibylerian  Messenger.  Some  indeed  may  tdiink  that  he  ascribes  to 
Sesmons  too  ext«nure  powers,  but  a  careful  examiuation  will  lead  such  to  see  that 
the  lines  indicated  by  him  are  those  that  must  be  observed  if  confusion  and 
disorder  are  to  be  avoided.    He  says ; — 

'  Everything  in  the  management  of  a  Presbyterian  church,  so  far  as  worship  is  oon- 
cemed,  is  in  tbe  hands  of  the  Seaaion.  Unnecesasry  questions  are  sometimes  aaked 
as  to  the  extent  of  the  Seesion's  Jurisdictiou.  Some  seem  to  favour  the  idea  <rf 
putting  some  interegts  out  of  the  Session's  reach,  and  of  appointing  extra  com- 
mittees to  share  the  Session's  responsibilities.  Some  are  disposed  to  regard  the 
Sabbath  school  aa  a  separate  institution.  Some  think  the  cboii:  gallery  is  meant 
to  hold  another  select  committee,  with  powers  which  place  them  teyond  aeauonal 
jurisdiction.  Now  the  truth  is,  that  the  men  whom  the  people  elect  to  amHolt  for 
the  interest  of  the  church,  and  who  ara  solemnly  set  apart  for  the  office  of  mliiig 
elder,  are  the  men  who  should  manage  the  church's  affaurs.  Everything  pertaining 
to  spiritual  affairs  that  can  in  any  way  be  mfcde  a  matter  of  legialation  belongs, 
according  to  our  ^tem,  to  the  Session.  Whether  membecs  shall  be  leooived  into 
or  dismissed  from  the  church ;  whether  a  certain  mode  of  instruction  shall  be 
adopted  in  the  Sabbath  school ;  whether  tbe  pastor  or  a  subatitate  shall  superin- 
tena  the  school,  and  if  a  substitute,  whether  he  shall  be  appointed  by  the  ^eaion 
or  elected  by  the  school ;  what  coUecticms  for  benevolent  purposes  shall  be  taken 
up ;  whether  the  church  building  shall  be  osed  for  other  than  religions  pnrpoaea, — ■ 
all  these  are  gnastionB  of  which  the  Session  haa  the  right  ta  take  oognizauoe.  And 
inasmuch  as  the  people  in  all  other  matters  speak  through  their  repreaentatires,  it 
is  of  great  importance  that  the  right  men  ahould  fill  the  office  of  ruling  elder,  and 
that,  when  elected  and  ordiuned,  they  should  have  th«  respect  and  confidence  of 


POPERT. 
At  this  time  this  subject  is  engaging  special  attention,  for  two  reasons.  One  is 
the  death  of  the  Pope  at  tbe  ripe  age  of  eighty-six.  His  name  is  indistolobly 
•  connected  with  tbe  now  ootorious  Syllabus,  and  the  utterly  unacriptural  and  in- 
credible dogma  of  Infallibility.  And  ao,  though  personally  a  man  of  peace,  anA, 
accordiog  to  Cardinal  Manning  (aa  we  have  aaen  it  atated),  even  somewhat  wesk, 
it  happened  to  him  to  be  the  centre,  if  not  the  source,  of  very  important  under- 

The  other  reason  to  which  we  refer  is  the  propoaed  establishment  of  the  Papal 
Hierarchy  iu  this  country.  A  portion,  of  the  community  have  been  roused  to 
wrath  in  connection  with  this  event,  and  call  for  very  stern  measures  to  prevent  it. 
The  great  majority  of  the  country  do  not  quite  sympathize  with  them,  and  posseM 
their  souls  in  peace.  This,  in  the  case  of  many,  arises  from  no  indiSerenoe  to  tbe 
evils  of  Popery,  or  any  conviction  that  it  has  changed  its  nature ;  they  believe  that 
were  circumstances  to  favour,  the  evil  deeds  of  bygone  days  would  be  repeated. 
But  they  are  convinced  tbat  the  times  are  changed,  and  so  changed  that  whatever 
Popery  may  do  aa  a  spiritual,  the  day  of  its  temporal  power  is  over  and  gone,  at 
least  in  these  lands. 

And  not  in  these  lands  only,  hut  in  others  where  it  is  supposed  to  reign  supreme, 
influencea  are  at  work,  of  a  silent  but  sore  and  powerful  kind,  which  are  sapping 
ita  strength.  One  of  these  is  the  spread  of  Protestant  truth  in  many  parts  of^the 
Continent,  We  observe,  for  example,  a  very  interesting  account  of  a  Protestant 
movement  in  Haute-Mame,  in  France,  given  in  a  recent  number  of  L'EiKmgeiiste, 
the  organ  of  the  French  Wesleyans.  And  while  this  account  is  interesting  in  itself, 
it  is  still  mwe  so  when  it  is  remembei^d  that  it  indicates  a  spirit  which  ia  widely 


'■'fcTTiiS"''  MOHTHLT  BETSOBPBOT.  143 

prevideBt,  and  Epeska  of  a  state  of  tbiogR  which  is  likely  aooo  to  obtain  on  a  Inrgen 
■c»le. 

'  Some  mODt^  ago,  L'Svangelittt  briefly  annannoed  that  a  commiuie  of  Hbt:!^- 
Mbius  had  jnit  pasBed  over  almoBti  entirely  to  Proteetantism.  Thonsh  it  tooic 
place  qoiBtly,  the  fact  deeerved  to  ba  more  fully  related.  The  fear  of  ^cing  the 
munic^al  eonncil  in  diSonlCies,  leeiiig  it  is  at  the  head  of  the  moTemeut,  and  of 
baying  onr  eairicee,  which  are  not  yet  autiiorized,  interdidwl,  are  the  sole  cstiaet 
of  D^  deky  in  transmitting  a  fuller  acoonnt  to  yonr  readers. 

'  Crenay  ia  a  little  oommnne  of  from  three  to  fonr  hundred  inhabitants.  It  is 
edtaatcd  between  Chaamont  and  Langraa,  and  flfty-tbree  kilometres  from  Join- 
TiQe.  For  a  voiy  long  time  past,  Mons.  the  Gnr^  had  only  a  few  persona  at  hia 
services.  There  was  not  one  single  Protestant  in  the  village  ;  it  wag  known  only 
&ii  a  Protestant  service  was  observed  at  Chanraont  every  second  Sabbath  of  the 
month. 

'  On  the  13th  of  May,  two  leading  men  of  Crenay  went  to  Cbaumont,  to  ask  of 
the  pastor,  in  tho  name  of  the  great  majority  of  the  villagers,  the  services  of  his 
nuciatTy.  Some  days  afterwards,  I  made  my  first  visit  to  our  uew  cO'religioniats. 
It  was  a  week-day.  To  avMd  all  subjeot  of  complaint,  and  in  order  to  keep  to  the 
Btrict  letter  of  the  law,  it  was  agreed  that  whilst  waiting  for  the  authoiizatioii 
vhich  was  necessary  for  our  assembling,  our  services  should  be  limited  to  twenty 
petsonH.  Let  our  readers  remember  that  thia  was  on  the  second  day  after  tbe 
16di  of  May.  At  the  hour  appointed,  the  large  room  where  we  were  to  assemble 
Iras  literally  invaded  by  a  large  number  of  auditors.  I  was  then  obliged  to 
pcoceed  to  a  painful  operation,  i.e.  to  count  twenty  peTBonB>  and  to  promise  to 
tiiose  who  withdrew  that  their  turn  would  come  soon.  After  prayer,  Igave,  first 
ol  all,  pretty  full  explaaatjons  of  the  principles  of  Frotestantisni,  and  the  manner 
in  which  onr  religious  services  were  conducted.  I  read  afterwards  the  Confenion 
of  Faith  of  tJie  Methodist  Church,  then  preached,  and  concluded  by  prayer. 
Three  aervicefi  of  tliis  Itind  were. held  successively,  lasting  from  two  to  two  and 
a  ludf  honrs,  without  any  interruptiou  than  was  caused  by  the  coming  and  going 
of  the  listeners.  Not  being  able  for  more,  I  took  leave  of  our  friends  at  the  iii£ 
of  displeasing  those  who  were  waiting  the  fourth  and  £fth  turn.  I  may  remark, 
that  Qie  hearers  of  the  first  divisions  who  withdrew,  passed  into  a  neighbonring 
loom,  where  they  could  hear  everything  through  a  half-open  door.  My  second 
Tifflt  was  toliave  taken  place  a  fortnight  after,  but  two  members  of  counml  having  - 
come  expressly  to  JoiaviUe  to  beg  of  me  to  come  the  following  Sabbath  to  Crenay, 
I  did  mA  hesitate,  in  order  to  comply,  with  their  request,  to  comitermand  the 
service  at  which  I  was  to  preside  at  Joinville.  It  was  a  holiday.  At  half-past 
ten,  211  persons,  nearly  the  half  of  whom  were  men  er  young  people,  had 
usembled  to  hear  the  word  of  God.  This  service  will  never  be  esacetj  from  my 
remembrance.  Scarcely  had  the  words,  "  Let  us  pray,"  been  pronounced,  than 
the  whole  aasembly  as  one  man  fell  on  their  knees.  I  never  remember  to  have 
seen  more  devout  attention.  We  were  not  this  time  separated  into  groups  of 
twenly  persons.  It  would  have  been  very  difficult,  not  to  say  very  cruel,  to  <ivide 
thus  these  200  auditiffs,!  so  anxious  to  worship  together.  Thanks  to  circum- 
Btsnces,  into  the  details  of  which  I  shall  not  enter  here,  we  were  able,  not  without 
some  threats,  but  without  any  serious  trammels,  to  assemble  ever  since  twice  a. 
month.  As  there  are  entire  families  who  come  to  these  services,  the  greater 
Dumber  of  the  houses  ia  the  village  ore  closed  during  worship.  All  these 
fimiUes  have  entirely  renounced  Catholiciam.  I  may  add,  that  not  only  have  we 
not  had  to  lament  one  single  defection  during  ^gbt  months,  but  that  ihe  move- 
ment b^pna  to  extend  to  the  neighbouring  villages. 

'I  cannot  finish  this  letter,  already  rather  long,  without  saying. some  words 
about  an  exceptionally  good  day  that  I  spent  at  Crenay  a  short  time  ago.  As 
this  movement  was  being  pretty  severely  judged  in  the  neighbourhood,  our  friends 
wished  to  show  that  they  nad  not  renounced  truth  for  error,  but  on  the  contrary 
they  had  renounced  error  to  embrace  truth,  A  favourable  opportunity  pre- 
sented itself,  and  they  aeized  it  with  eagemesa.  There  wns  to  be  a  holiday  inthe 
Tillage,  and  on  this  occasion  each  family  was  to  have  visitors  from  the  surrounding 
villages.     Onr  friends  said  to  each  other,  "Let  us  have  a  service,  even  two  if 


144  MOKTHLT  RETROSPECT.  Jri'iTlK?""' 

poeuble,  on  our  holiilAj,  uid  let  ua  bring  oar  gaeiia  witb  as  to  it."  It  w«  tlidi 
manner  of  Bajing,  m  Philip  to  NatLanEiel,  "  Come  and  see."  The  hoKda^  took 
place,  bat  it  vaa  of  a  thoroughly  rdigiooa  nature,  for  tlie  dajs  being  ehort,  tiic 
morning  and  afternoon  services  filled  np  nearly  the  whole  da;.  After  the  after- 
noon service,  at  vrliich  there  were  apwarda  of  260  persons,  several  Btrangers  cam« 
and  ihook  me  warmly  bj  the  hand,  and  said,  "  We  eiiall  see  each  other  again." 

'  At  the  other  extreme  division  of  t^e  Department,  in  the  section  of  St  Dizier, 
my  excellent  colleague,  M.  Maraeille,  baa  had  the-joy  of  Beeing  nnmeroDB  listeners 
gathering  around  Mm  in  difFerent  localities  to  hear  the  wora  of  God.  Oh  may 
Qie  Lord,  by  His  powerful  grace,  make  of  these  new-comers  true  dtsciplea  of 
Jesus  Christ,  and  that,  like  their  Divine  Master,  ih&y  may  be  eoabled  to  say,  "  The 
zeal  of  thine  house  bath  eaten  me  up." ' 

OBITUARY. 
There  have  passed  away  lately,  at  not  a  very  advanced  period  of  life,  two  men 
whose  names  were  very  familiar  within,  and  also  to  some  extent  b^ond,  the 
bordffis  of  tiie  Free  Church — Dr.  John  Nelson  and  Dr.  Andrew  Cameron.  They 
were,  in  many  respects,  very  snlike  ;  bat  both  were  men  of  mark.  Dr.  Nelson 
was  remariuble,  perhape,  for  what  he  was,  ratber  than  for  what  he  did.  He  was 
a  man  of  high  iotellectaal  power  and  great  attainmeats.  These  he  never  pat  to 
use,  as  might  have  been  wished,  in  the  way  of  anthorahip.  Bat  they  gave  weight 
and  dignity  to  his  character,  and  made  his  inQuence  powerfol  for  good  in  the 
boay,  l£rivmg  town  in  which,  for  about  tweaty-aix  years,  he  faithfully  discharged 
the  duties  both  of  the  preacher  and  the  pastor.  He  was  one  of  those  men  whom 
a  chorch  delights  to  know  it  pogseaaefl,  and  to  whom  it  turns  its  eye  with  unobtru- 
sive but  very  real  admiration. 

Dr.  Cameron's  name  is  intimately  associated  with  periodical  literature.  He  vaa 
the  editor  of  the  Christian  Treasury,  and  afterwaras  of  the  Family  Treaturi/,  as 
well  as  for  a  time  of  Tie  British  and  Foreign  Evangelical  Seview.  Mr.  Spurgeou  - 
calls  him  '  The  prince  of  editois.'  This  refers  more  especially  to  his  coanection 
with  the  first- mentioned  joomals — ina/orle  lyingja  catering  for  the  general  pnblic, 
rather  than  for  scholars  by  profession.  The  success,  however,  which  he  achiered 
in  his  own  peculiar  walk,  not  only  made  his  own  periodicals  very  popular,  but 
'  gave  a  stimulns  to  that  claaa  of  uteratnre.  Wbat  be  sought  to  provide  for  his 
.readen  was  papers  of  a  kind  that  would  be  felt  to  be  really  iaterestiog  withoat 
fewng  sensational,  and  every  one  who  looks  into  the  past  volumes  of  the  Trtaaunet 
alMve  named  will  see  how  well  he  ancceedod.  He  seems  to  have  been  bom  as 
well  as  made  an  editor ;  for  in  Australia  he  engaged  in  the  same  work  in  which 
he  was  so  largely  oconnied  at  home — The  Southern  Cross  being,  we  believe, 
originated  as  well  as  cosdoctcd  by  him. 

In  reference  to  the  death  of  Dr.  Doff,  the  veteran  missionaiTi  it  may  very  tnily 
be  said,  '  A  prince  and  a  great  man  in  Israel  hath  fallen.'  Wbea  the  news  of  bis 
death  reached  the  city  in  which  for  some  years  past  he  lias  lived,  and  as  hit 
strength  permitted  him  laboured,  all  the  sections  of  the  Chorch  at  once  united  ia 
expresaiog  their  sense  of  a  common  loss,  and  in  their  accord  to  pay  a  tribute  of 
respect  to  his  memory  by  following  his  remains  to  the  grave. 

Dr.  Duff,  at  a  tune  when  missiona  did  not  occupy  the  place  of  boaour  in  onr 
land  which  th^  now  do,  devoted  himself  with  entire  coosecration  to  the  advance- 
ment of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom  abroad,  and  gave  to  it  powers  which  would  have 
placed  him  in  Uie  foremost  rank  in  the  Church  at  home.  It  would  be  difficult  to 
speak  too  highly  of  the  impulse  which  he  gSve,  both  by  his  example  and  appeals. 
to  the  canse  of  missions ;  and  the  story  of  his  life,  which,  doubtless,  will  yet  be 
fittingly  told,  will  form  one  of  the  most  interesting,  instructive,  and  striking 
chapters  in  their  history. 

Printed  by  Udbbat  anD  Gibb,  II  Qneen  Street,  and  Fnblished  by  WitLMV 
Oliphart  Ant>  Co.,  24  St.  Giles  Street,  Edinburgh,  on  the  Ist  of  Mtrcb 
1878. 


UNITED  PRESBYTERIAN   MAGAZINE. 


APRIL    1,    187  8.  - 


^tisxnul  %xi'tcU». 


PROFESSOR  FLINT  AND  THE  LOGIC  OF  THEISM. 

BY  THX  BSr.  JAHES  WARDBOP. 

(Concluded  from  page  109.) 
So  far  we  have  found  that,  in  respect  of  the  a  posteriori  Brgomeats,  neither 
ia  the  inferential  process  valid,  nor,  though  the  inference  were  valid,  is  the 
inferred  being  God.    We  tnm  now  to  Dr.  Flint's  dealing  with  the  other 
class  of  ai^nmentB. 

Tbe  a  priori  arganientB  for  the  existence  of  God  have  given  occnpation  to 
the  greatest  minda  of  all  ages.  To  these  minds  that  kind  of  evidence  haa 
be«],  aa  a  tbeme  of  thoaght,  irresistible.  The  loftiness  of  the  flue's  spirit 
found  a  point  of  attraction  in  the  native  sublimity  of  the  subject.  Bnt 
though  philoBophj'  might  give  much  of  the  impetns  that  nrged  oontemplative 
men  to  Boch  forms  of  iuqniry, — thongh  it  seemed  to  be  an  inevitable  ten- 
dency for  meditation  in  tbe  higher  regions  of  philosophy  to  culminate  at  this 
infinite  altitude, — there  were  not  wanting  practical  elements  to  aid  in  giving 
wing  to  pure  speculation.  The  limitations  and  restrictions  that  attach  to  the 
state  of  man  in  this  world, — the  derangemmt,  not  to  say  rnin  and  helpless- 
ness,  of  his  moral  nature, — his  physical  evils, — and  withal  not  the  necessities 
only,  but  the  potentialities  of  his  being, — all  these  have  given  motive  power 
to  these  profonnd  eearchings  after  God.  The  best  and  most  thonghtfal  of 
men,  reaUzing  aa  they  did  most  the  world's,  distress,  and  best  able  as  they 
were  to  rise  to  the  idea  of  a  refuge,  seemed  instinctively  to  turn  for  that 
refnge  to  the  thought  of  God.  This  thought  they  felt  that  they  carried  in 
their  own  minds,  and  it  seemed  implanted  there,  not  only  to  beckon  upward 
the  seeker  of  truth,  bnt  to  be  a  hiding-place  against  life's  despair. 

So  far  as  there  was  error  in  this  line  of  investigation, — and  that  error  has 
been  neither  of  the  kind  nor  of  the  degree  which  has  been  frequently  repre- 
sented,— it  lay  not  in  directing  inquiry  to  such  a  qaarter  for  the  fact  of  the 
existence  of  God,  bnt  in  the  form  which  the  inquiry  took.  The  Geld  for 
speculation  was  open  and  legitimate.  It  was  the  form  of  speculation  that 
too  often  was  mistaken  and  faulty.  Yet  who  is  it,  looking  from  tbe  platform 
of  an  adequately-reasoned  intuitional  philosophy,  such  as  modern  advantages 
easily  enable  bim  to  occnpy, — who  is  it  who  does  not  feel,  in  trying  to  think 
himself  into  sympathy  with  the  lofty  speculations  on  this  subject  of  anch  men 

KO.  IT.  VOL.  XXIL  NEW  9EBIZ8. — AFRII,  137B.  K 


.  146         PEOFE880B  FLINT  AND  THB  LOGIO  OF  THEIBM.     ^""i^rrTim;'^ 

as  Plato,  AngasUne,  Anselm,  Descartes,  Cadwortb,  John  Howe,  and  Samnel 
Ctarbe,  that  if  the  philosoph;  of  this  generation  had  been  at  hand  in  the  days 
of  those  giants,  the  world  would  have  heard  perhaps  of  a  priori  thoaghts  of 
Ood,  but  never  ot  a  priori  argomenta  for  God's  existence  T 

It  may  be  that  it  is  utterly  unreasonable  to  expect,  under  the  conditions 
of  the  '  Baird  Lecture,'  or  indeed  of  any  other  '  Lecture,'  an  adequate  treat- 
meiit  of  the  a  priori  arguments.  What  has  tasked  the  subtlety  of  the 
subtlest,  and  well  tried  the  patience  of  the  patienteat  of  thinkers,  cannot 
admit  of  4he  resalts  being  competently  exhibited  either  on  short  notice  or  in 
short  space.  The  difficulties  of  the  subject  are  manifold,  intricate,  and 
extreme.  No  little  time  is  needed  to  mature  thought  on  the  subject,  and  to 
lead  to  intelligent  and  assured  conriction.  It  is  only  the  intimate  knowledge 
which  comes  of  long  and  leisurely  rumination  that  can  raise  the  reviewer  or 
critic  here  above  mere  generalities  of  statement  that  are  both  haphazard  and 
vague,  pithless  and  profitless.  That  kind  of  electric  touch  of  thought  and 
statement  that  can  send  a  penetrating  light  through  the  most  inward  mazes 
of  a  subtle  body  of  thot^ht,  and  make  its  dsxk  places  luminous,  and  facili- 
tate an  nnderstanding  of  the  whole  by  a  true  guidance  at  the  critical  turns, 
can  be  given  only  by  the  hand  of  one  who  has  himself  been  enabled  to  thread 
every  recess,  and  who  knows  by  experience  at  what  points  the  guiding  light 
is  needed,  and  what  kind  of  light  it  must  be  to  make  the  way  sure  and  easy. 

However  competent  the  author  of  this  '  Lecture '  may  be  to  deal  with  tbe 
subject  of  tbe  a  priori  arguments  onder  such  conditions  as  would  give  fair 
play  to  gennine  ability,  it  is  quite  clear  that  in  the  present  attempt  he  has 
not  been  working  nnder  these  conditions.  The  opportunities  that  faroor 
genius  have  been  awanting.  Hence  the  critical  judgments  expressed  in 
reference  to  the  logical  value  of  the  a  priori  arguments  are  very  hesitating, 
ill  conceived,  and  unsteady.*  Dr.  Flint's  very  conception  of  what  an  a 
priori  argument  is,  is  far  from  being  unchallengeable.  '  A  priori  proof,'  he 
says,  '  is  proof  which  proceeds  from  primary  and  necessary  principlea  of 
thoQght.'  t  Is  it  ?  He  further  says : '  A  priori  proof  ia  based  on  the  prin- 
ciples that  underlie  and  govern  all  intellectual  activity.'  Again,  is  it  so  T 
If  proceeding  from,  or  beii^  based  on,  such  principles  means  employing 
them  as  media  of  proof,  as  supplying  middle  terms,  the  definition  is  certainly 
not  accorate.  Try  it  1  Try  it  by  Anselm's  argument ;  try  it  by  Descartes'. 
The  former  is :  We  have  the  idea  of  a  Being  than  which  none  can  be 
greater ;  snch  a  Being  cannot  exist  solely  in  the  nund,— He  mnst  exist  also 
iu  outward  reality  j  otherwise  we  should  have  the  idea  of  a  being  greater 
than  the  supposed  greatest,  viz.  tbe  Being  conceived  as  existing  both  in  the 
inward  and  outward  world.  The  latter  is :  God  is  the  absolutely  perfect 
Being;  but  existence  is  a  perfection;  hence  existence  is  inseparable  from 
God's  eesoice,  and  hence  God  exists.  It  is  plain  that  neither  of  these 
arguments  is  conducted  in  a  manner  corresponding  to  Dr.  Flint's  definition. 
We  mnst  not  be  led  astray-as  to  what  an  a  priori  reasoning  is  from  a  con- 
sideration of  what  a  priori  thought  is.  A  priori  reasoning  does  not  fonnd 
on  the  fundamental  laws  of  thought  any  otherwise  than  a  posteriori  reaeaaiog 
does,  or,  indeed,  than  any  other  process  of  thought  whatever. 

It  IS  impossible  to  form  or  to  impart  an  adequately  discriminative  and 
appreciative  view  of  the  real  tendencies  and  the  true  place  in  the  history  of 
liteiBm  of  the  a-priorieu,  without  attending  well  to  a  distinction  that  is  all 
too  little  above-hoard  with  Dr,  Fhnt, — the  distinction  between  dealing  ivith 
the  conceptions  of  the  mind  in  the  way  of  determining  their  contents  by 
■  Fp.  267,  Ses,  S80,  281,  286,  286.  t  P.  69. 


''■'!:;«rw»*'^   phofbssoe  sxint  and  the  logic  op  theism.      147 

analjsis,  and  dealing  with  them  in  the  war  of  .detenniniii^  their  consequences 
b;  inference.  From  Plato  to  Clarke  there  nave  been  two  tendencies  of  thonght 
amoi^at  the  a~prioristt.  The  one  tendency  waa  to  find  the  existence  of  God 
aa  a  fact  given  intuitively  to  the  mind ;  the  other  was,  to  find  in  the  mind  od\j 
BQch  ideas  as  seire  to  show  syllogiatically  that  God  mnat  esist.  These  two 
tendencies  are  not  always  strictly  diBtinctive  respectirely  of  different  thinkers 
or  of  different  epochs  of  thought  The  same  thinker  often,  the  same  epoch 
perhaps  always,  has  felt  both  influences  together,  and  has  conseqaently 
oscillated  between  intuition  and  inference  as  the  method  of  theistic  evidence. 
It  is  becanse  these  great  students  of  the  snblimer  conceptions  of  the  hnman 
mind  did  not  steadily  keep  in  view  the  distinction  between  an  intuitional  and 
inferential  Theism,  that  it  is  so  incnmbent  on  their  critics  and  historians  to 
do  80,  if  tbey  are  to  present  aright  the  trne  character  and  progress  of  the 
course  of  thonght  with  which  they  are  dealing.  Dr.  FUnt,  in  passing  from 
those  theists  whom  he  represents  as  having  followed  the '  Platonic  argument 
from  necessary  ideas,'  and  the  list  of  whom  he  concludes  not  merely  with 
Leibnitz,  Bossnet,  F^nelon,  and  Cousin,  but  with  Ulrici,  Hettingen  and 
Lnthardt,  Saisset  uid  Simon,  Thompson  and  Tulloch, — in  passing  from 
these  to  the  arguments  of  the  stricter  ontologists,  Anselm  and  the  rest, 
Br.  FUnt  says  he  is  passing  to  '  arguments  of  a  much  more  format  natnre.' 
In  this  expression  the  reader  may  feel  that  there  is. touched  on  something 
which  deserves  more  fnll  and  explicit  mention,  bat  which  only  an  intnition- 
aUst,  perhaps,  might  be  expected  to  signalize.  There  is  a  line  of  thought  on 
theistic  evideDce,  well  marked  by  an  intoildonal  tmdency,  running  from 
Plato,  throngh  Augustine,  Anselm  in  hli  earUer  views,  Descartes  in  one*  of 
his  arguments  (not  the  one  given  above).  Lord  Herbert  with  his  ^nnirersal 
notions'  as  '  revelations  of  God,' Cousin,  Porter,  Calderwood,!  which  even 
from  the  first  sdzed  with  a  more  or  less  conscious  grasp  the  true  principles 
of  theistic  evidence,  which  has  undergone  well  enough  defined  stages  of 
development,  and  on  the  maintenance  and  perfection  of  which  depends,  it  is 
not  too  much  to  say,  the  ultimate  accomplishment  of  this  task  of  ages. 
Ilie  whole  is  thinking  of  a  Platonic  type.  Bnt,  at  the  commencement  with 
Plato  himself,  and  onward  to  Herbert,  if  it  is  to  be  called,  as  Dr.  Flint 
implies,  informal  bi^umentation,  it  most  be  distinguished  farther  as  Theism 
of  an  informally  intuitional  character.  Dr.  FUnt  says  Plato  was  '  analytic 
and  inductive.'  The  first  epithet  is  to  be  accepted.  That  mastermind,  who 
initiated  in  a  pre-Christian  age  a  type  of  theological  thii&ing  that  Christian 
ages  shall  never  abandon,- but  only,  with  the  help  of  supernatural  light,  shall 
pnrify  and  perfect,  dealt  with  intuitions,  not  syllogistic  inferences.  His 
dialectic  was  a  metaphysic.  % 

In  the  speculations  on  the  natural  revelation  of  the  being  and  attr^iutea 
of  God,  with  which  we  meet  in  this  line  of  Platonic  thinking,  there  are  some 
of  the  grandest  triumphs  that  have  crowned  the  efforts  of  the  human  roind. 
And  meanwhile  the  coorse  of  these  speculations  ends  in  not  unworthy  hands, 
as  names  already  mentioned  show.  It  lies  now,  too,  under  the  clearer  and 
more  discriminative  light  of  modem  philosophy.  An  intuitional  Theism  is  no 
longer  informal  in  its  efforts,  or  unconscious  of  itself,  as  it  has  been.  And 
having  come  to  selt-couscioosnees  and  self-control  and  self- direction,  it  will 
the  sooner  claim  its  prerogative  and  perfect  its  office  in  the  scientific  estab- 
lishment of  the  fact  of  the  divine  existence. 

'  *  Jn  the  third  MedUation. 

t  On  CUrke  In  this  oonneotloii,  see  Oolslon,  Baiii  of  if  oral  A»'M£«,  Edin.  1854,  pp.  106, 
comp.  p.  128. 

t  Botlw,  £«rt«rM  on  tht  But.  of  AncxeiU  Pkihtophg,  2d  ad.  1874,  pp.  42,  SSB,  312,  844  Mg. 


148         PBOPESSOE  FLINT  AND  THE  LOQIO  OF  THEISM.    '"1,*;^''™'^?'^ 

The  odI;  other  matter  io  the  treatment  of  the  a  priori  ai^nments  needf  ol 
to  be  noticed,  is  what  ia  said  in  reference  to  the  real  Talne  ol  these  argumentB. 
Dr.  Flint  eaya :  *  '  The  a  priori  argnments  have  a  value  independent  of  their 
tmth  and  of  their  power  to  prodace  couTiction.  Tme  or  false,  persoasiTe 
OF  merely  perple:fiiig,  thej  are  admirable  means  of  diaciplining  the  mind  dis- 
tinctly to  apprehend  certfun  ideas  which  experience  cannot  yield,  yet  which 
muHt  bo  comprehended  in  any  worthy  view  taken  of  God.'  It  is  well  to 
signalize  this  diecipline.  It  ia  ralaable.  Bnt  it  is  to  be  observed  that  it  is 
dne  entirely  to  the  kind  of  material  with  which  the  argnments  deal,  not  to 
the  logical  form  in  which  they  deal  with  it.  Nay,  the  discipline  that  resnits 
would  be  purer  of  all  damaging  accompaniments  and  more  effectual,  if  that 
material  were  dealt  with  in  simply  analytic  processes  that  had  no  thonght 
of  reaching  the  fact  of  Q^6'b  existence  by  inferential' reasoning  at  all 

But  the  special  value  of  the  a  priori  ai^nments,  according  to  Dr.  Flint, 
IB  of  another  kind  than  that  jnst  mentioned.  He  lays  the  emphasis  of  strong 
and  reiterated  statement  on  the  following  view.  Whilst  he  admits  that  the 
principles  on  which  these  argnmmts  rest  do  not  directly  involve  the  existence 
of  Qod,— that  they  may  be  faulty  as  logical  evolutions  of  the  trnth  of  the 
divine  existfiuce  from  ultimate  and  necessary  conceptiona, — yet  he  holds 
that  they  so  imply  God's  existence,  ^that  whoever  denies  it  is  rationally 
bound  to  set  aside  the  fundamental  conditions  of  thought,  and  to  deem  con- 
scioasnesB  essentially  delusive ; '  that '  they  concur  in  manifesting  that  if  God 
be  not,  the  human  mind  is  of  its  very  natnre  self-contradictory ;  that  Ood 
can  only  be  disbelieved  in  at.the  coat  of  reducing  the  world  of  thought  to  a 
chaoB.'  He  admits  ^  that  the  argumrats  iu  question  do  not  amount  to  a 
direct  positive  proof ; '  bnt  he  says  '  they  constitute  a  rtductio  ad  abiurdwn, 
which  is  JQSt  as  good.'  f 

Now  there  ia  aomething  hei-e  not  made  quite  plun.  Let  it  be  admitted 
that  the  a  priori  argumenta '  do  not  amount  to  a  direct  positive  proof.'  Yet 
they  were  constracted  as  direct  proofs ;  and  if  as  direct  proob,  in  what  way 
is  it  that  they  come  to  constitute  a  rtductio  ad  absardian  f  The  fact  of 
the  divine  existence,  when  made  to  rest,  where  alone  it  can  rest  safely 
and  firmly,  on  mental  assertion  and  assumption,  is,  just  as  all  first  principles 
are,  susceptible  of  what  logicians  call  apagogic  or  indirect  proof.  Every 
form  of  the  denial  of  God's  existence  may  be  taken  and  abown  to  be  absnrd, 
— shown  to  be,  as  Dr.  Flint  says,  tantamount  to  a  denial  of  the  trustworthi- 
nesB  of  the  ultimate  mental  processes,  and  therefore  of  ultimate  truth.^  Bnt 
the  indirect  proof  of  a  thing  by  the  direct  proof  of  the  absurdity  of  the 
opposite,  amounta  to  an  eetablisbment  of  the  real  truth  and  existence  of  that 
thing  onlf  when  it  ia  either  already  given  as  real  in  some  direct  process,  or 
at  least  by  hypothesis  assumed  to  be  so  given.  The  a  priori  arguments 
accordingly  could  only  have  the  value  which  Dr.  Flint  ascribes  to  them,  if 
theistic  evidence  had  that  value  which  he  denies  to  it,  the  value  of  ultimate 
truth  and  fact. 

How  far  is  Dr.  Flint  himself  from  this  position,  in,  for  instance,  tvro  remark- 
able passages  cited  below  T  3 

In  short,  the  old  a-priorists  were  retained  within  a  round  of  syllogistic 
reasonings  on  Theism,  for  want  of  an  adequate  intuitional  philosophy  to  lead 
them  out.  Dr.  Flint  persists  in  remaioing  somewhere  and  somehow  iu  that 
round,  in  spite  Of  the  ready  escape  which  such  a  philc^ophy  has  now  laid  to 
his  hand. 

P-  288.  t  PP-  267,  S68,  B86-8& 


ITj^iMi    '    PBOPE88BOR  FLINT  AMD  THE  LOGIC  OF  THEISM.       149 

It  onJ;  remains  now  to  Bay  a  very  little  in  extenBioQ  and  sapport  of  the 
general  criticisin  already  given  of  Dr.  flint's  own  syetem  of  theiatic  evidence. 

While  Dr.  Flint  frankly  concedes  that  the  a  poiuriori  ai^nments,  even  in 
combination,  do  not  'yield  as  the  fall  idea  of  6od,'  he  does  not  appreciate 
the  magnitade  of  that  failure,  or  what  it  entails.  The  failare  is  nothiag  less 
than  the  final  defeat  of  the  attempt  to  demonstrate  a  posteriori  Qod's  exist- 
ence. Since  these  argnmenta,  manipnlate  them  as  you  vrill,  cannot  be  made 
to  yield  a  being  who  has  the  distinctive  attributes  of  God,  that  is  as  mach 
as  to  say  that  any  being  whom  they  may  yield  is  not  God  at  all.  Dr.  Flint 
Bays  '  the  ai^nments  which  we  have  been  considering  are  not  merely  proof 
that  God  is,  bnt  indications  of  what  He  is.'  ■  It  is  a  true  principle  that  the 
that  Qod  is  and  the  what  God  is  ^re  revealed  t(^etber,  bnt  it  is  a  principle 
that  bears  disastronsly  on  Dr.  Flint's  main  procedure.  It  is  bef^nse  his 
system  of  theistic  evidence  violates  this  principle  that  it  is  condemned.  And 
it  violates  it  twice;  for  it  Grst,  by  a  posteriori  argoment,  finds  the  being 
without  the  distinctive  attributes,  and  then,  in  intnitions  of  infinity,  etc., 
finds  the  distinctive  attributes  withont  the  being. 

Thns  the  a  posteriori  argaments  are  not  proofs  that  God  is,  becanse  they 
arenot  indications  of  what  distinctively  God  is.  We  are  in  search  of  a 
being  who  is  infinite  and  eternal,  and  of  snch  a  being  these  armaments  know 
nothing.  That  is  the  natnre  and  extent  of  the  failore  of  the  a  posteriori 
arguments. 

Now,  what  does  this  result  entail?  What  should  it  have  entailed  in  Dr. 
Flint's  handsT  Plainly,  when  the  attempt  to  demonstrate  God's  existence, 
from  what  are  called  His  works  and  ways  in  creation,  had  broken  down, ' 
only  one  thing  conid  be  done  either  hopefully  or  legitimately.  Inquiry 
most  change  front.  Having  failed  in  the  object  of  its  search  in  the  line  on 
which  it  was  moving,  it  most  begin  anew.  That  object  it  mnst  now  seek  in 
a  new  quarter  by  a  different  method.  Or  at  least,  if  Dr.  Flint,  with  his 
strongly  inferential  proclivities,  might  not  be  expected  to  change  his  method, 
he  might  at  least  have  been  expected  to  seek,  with  the  out-and-out  a-priorists, 
both  the  being  of  God  and  His  attribntes,  by  ai^oiag  from  the  ideas  of  the 
human  mind.  One  or  other  of  these  courses  was  the  only  conrse  philo- 
sophically open.  But  neither  of  them  has  Dr.  Flint  chosen  to  follow.  He 
takes  a  new  conrse,  but  in  snch  a  direction  that  he  moves  without  the 
warrant  of  philosophy,  and  from  under  the  defence  of  logic  altogether.  He 
does  not  regard  his  previous  result  as  invalid.  He  confesses  only  its  insuffi- 
ciency; and  all  he  has  to  do,  bethinks,  is4o  make  ap  its  defects  from  another 
qoarter.  He' maintains  that  he  has  got  the  fact  of  the  divine  existence  by 
nia  a  posteriori  reasoning ;  all  he  wants  is  the  distinctive  attributes  of  that 
existence,  and  these  attributes  it  is  the  object  of  his  further  efforts  to  supply. 
That  is  to  say,  having  fonnd  the  being  one  where  without  His  distinctive 
qaalities,  he  is  now  to  find  the  distinctive  qualities  another  where  without  the 
being.  Such  a  result  on  theone  hand,  such  a  qu^t  on  the  other,  was  nev«a' 
heard  of  within  the  borders  of  philosophy  before. 

Dr,  Flint  has  this  amount  of  common  ground  with  the  (tpriorists,  that  he 
has  recourse,  like  them,  to  those  ideas  ot  infinity,  eternity,  perfection,  etc, 
that  are  found  to  form  part  of  the  contents  of  the  human  miud.  But  he 
differs  from  them  wholly  in  the  manner  in  which  he  makes  those  ideas  sub- 
servient to  the  demonstration  of  the  being  Euid  attributes  of  God,  Tbey 
r^arded  these  ideas  as  bringing  along  with  them  (inferentially  at  least)  the 
real  emteuce  of  which  they  were  the  attributes:  he  regards  them  as  not . 

•  P.  264. 


150        PROFESSOtt  FLINT  AND  THE  LOGIC  OP  THEISM,     ^'"i^'i^tn^ 

bringiDg  with  them  theu'  sabject  at  all,  bat  only  as  '  fasteniog  on '  Him  when 
broaght  to  them  from  elsewhere.  They  regarded  these  ^stract  ideas  as 
occupied  in  qnaUfyisg  the  real  exiatence  to  which  the;  belong,  and  sepu-ated 
ther^rom  only  by  mental  analysis :  be  regards  them  as  not  found  bo  occupied, 
bat  as  pore  abstractioos  waiting  for  employment, — pore  predicables,  whence 
originating  he  says  it  does  not  matter,  awaiting  the  opportunity  of  predi- 
cating the  attributes  of  their  subject  when  somehow  He  shall  be  discovered. 
With  the  a-prioritta  there  is  no  violation  of  the  principle  that  the  being 
and  the  attribates  of  6od  most  be  found  together, — that  entity  and  quid- 
dity must  not  be  divorced ;  with  Dr.  Flint,  the  violation  is  notorioas  and 
the  divorce  complete.  With  the  a-prioriits,  it  ia  the  inherence  of  the 
ideas  concerned  as  attributes  directly  in  the  subject  which  they  qualify 
that  is  considered  to  give  cogency  to  the  argoment :  Dr.  Flint's  argn- 
ment  requires  that  they  be  found  nninherent  in  any  l>dng  tilt  the  inTeren- 
tial  being  of  the  a  posteriori  argoments  is  presented  to  them  to  '  fasten  on.' 
The  a-priorist»  get  from  the  ideal  to  the  real  by  a  method  which  Dr.  Flint 
.says  '  may  be  impossible,  certainly  is  dif&calt ' :  but  Dr.  Flint  himself,  reversing 
the  process,  gets  from  the  real  to  tbe  ideal  by  a  method  which  all  the  world 
will  say  is  certunly  impossible.  Once  more,  as  to  the  qaestion  of  the  origin 
of  the  ideas  of  inGuity,  etc.,  the  a-prioritts  dealt  too  little  with  that  question. 
If  they  had  dealt  nitli  it  more  deliberately  and  strennonsly  and  in  a  psycho- 
logical manner,  the  tendency  in  their  speculations  to  an  intnitional  form  of 
evidence  might  have  been  greatly  strengthened.  There  was,  aa  in  Descartes, 
an  incliiiation  merely  to  regard  the  qaestion  in  a  metaphysical  manner,  and 
ask  whence  could  snch  ideas  come  bnt  from  a  being  who  was  iofimte  1  And 
eo  far  as  this  was  argumentatively  urged  for  the  fact  of  the  existence  of 
such  a  being,  the  argument  was  as  really  a  posleriori  as  any  drawn  from  tbe 
causation  of  the  world,  or  of  any  abject  in  it.  What  should  be  done  in  this 
matter  is  to  inquire  closely  into  the  psychological  origin  of  these  ideas. 
The  way  in  which  Dr.  Flint  deliberately  and  persistently  treats  this  question 
is  one  of  the  most  singular  elanents  of  his  whole  procedure.  He  not  only 
declines  to  enter  on  the  inquiry  as  to  the  origin  of  these  ideas,  bnt  he  asserts 
and  reiterates  the  assertion  that  the  question  of  their  origin  is  of  no  w«ght 
in  the  case.*  Is  it  sof  On  the  contrary,  that  qaestion  settled  setties  the 
case.  What  is  the  psychological  origm  of  the  ideas  of  infinity,  eternity,  etc  T 
They  are  abstractions.  How  do  abstractions  come  into  the  mindT  By  one 
mode  of  origin  alone, — by  mental  analysis  of  concrete  being.  They  do  not 
make  their  apparition  in  tbe  mmd,  no  one  knows  hoWj  and  then  are  stored 
up  tbere  like  ghosts  in  limbo  waiting  for  a  body.  The  mind  is  a  laboratory 
for  tbe  formation  of  abstractions  and  the  retention  of  them  too,  but  its 
process  of  formation  is  simply  finding  them  as 'given  qnaUties  of  given 
existence,  looking  at  th«n  when  it  chooses  by  itc|  abstracting  faculty  apart 
from  the  ezistfiuce,  apart  from  which,  however,  they  neither  arise  nor 
eiist.  If  then,  they  arise  in  this  way  with  concrete  existence,  from  what 
concrete  being  is  it  from  which  these  abstract  ideas  have  been  ab- 
stracted f  The  intnitionalist  replies  in  one  word — God,  And  Dr.  Flint 
is  actually  found  unclothing  the  infinite  God  natnrally  given  to  the  hnmaa 
mind  of  His  characteristic  attribates,  in  order  to  make  into  a  God  tbe 
imperfect  finite  being  of  his  a  posteriori  logic.  Moreover,  how  can  any 
man  go  through  that  whole  circuit  of  subjects  that,  farnish  the  argn- 
menta  of  Dr.  Flint's  a  posteriori  chapters,  and  yet  never  come  into  the 
presence  of  the  iaSnite  and  eternal  Onet  How  can  he  even  enter  on 
•  Fp.  2B5, 290,  800, 


'^^'lAm*^^    PH0FE8S0E  FLINT  AND  THE  LOOIC  OP  THEISM.         151 

sncb  a  ronnd  of  contemplatioD,  withont  feeliog  bimsolf  orershadowed  and 
embraced  by  the  very  presence  wfaich  it  is  held  shall  be  accessible  only  at 
the  close  T  Are  meo  left  to  search  for  the  infinite  God  far  and  wide  throngh 
nature,  and  not  find  Him  t — to  call  for  the  absolute  Being  to  the  heights 
above  and  to  the  depths  beneath,  and  yet  hew  no  answcnng  voice  till  they 
come  to  the  dim  and  placelesa  land  of  abstractions  T  The  theory  of  know- 
ledge of  the  Baird  Lectnre  on  Theism  is  not  of  a  kind  to  serve  for  true 
guidance  in  theistic  evidence.  It  is  not  tbas  that  men  know,  nor  after  this 
fashion  that  we  know  Qod.  Qod  is  immediately  known,  and  He  b  imme- 
diately known  in  the  standing  relations,  cognitive,  moral,  and  religions, 
which  He  has  established  between  Himself  and  us.  He  and  we  are  cor- 
related, and  correlated  through  many  lines ;  and  it  is  along  these  Bnes  of 
correlatian  that  our  immediate  knowledge  of  Him  finds  its  spnere  and  takes 
effect 

But  to  work  out  the  theistic  evidence  constrnetively  along  this  path  wilt 
be  more  fitly  reeerved  for  an  occasion  other  than  that  of  a  criticism  of  the 
Baird  Lectnie.  What  was  to  be  done  principally  in  these  papers,  was  to 
take  advantage  of  a  new  experimeut  in  inferential  Theism,  which  has  aacceeded 
no  better  in  the  essential  attempt  than  any  made  before  it,  in  order  to  bear 
a  new  testimony  against  wasting  time  longer  in  a  profitless  direction,  and  in 
favoar  of  concentrating  effort  where  the  way  is  more  practicable  and  hope 
shines  brighter. 

In  Gonclnsion,  let  ns  finally  discard  k^ical  demonstrations  of  the  existence 
of  God  from  the  field  of  philoaophical  effort.  Henceforth,  let  neither  the 
possibility  nor  the  desirability  of  such  demonstrations  even  colour  onr 
speech.  Certainly  it  makes  one  feel  as  if  the  foundations  were  in  peril  or 
already  destroyed,  to  bear  about  establishing,  by  processes  of  reasoning, 
what  Dr.  Flint  himself  calls  'the  principle  of  principles,'  the  causal  grotmd 
of  tiie  universe,  the  existence  of  the  moral  mier  of  men  and  of  the  object  of 
the  world's  religions  worship — God.  There  is  something  better  than  demon- 
strations to  be  the  basis  of  onr  belief.  Clarify  and  deepen  the  knowledge 
of  God's  existence,  and  illustrate  the  attributes  of  His  natnre  from  Hia 
works  and  ways  as  far  as  may  be, — bring,  in  addition,  the  heavenly  light  of 
the  enpemaliiral  revelation,  and  bring  the  homefelt  spiritnal  experience  and 
conecions  divine  fellowship  of  God's  saints,  to  bear  in  drawing  ont  and 
setting  forth  in  open  day  the  recognition  in  the  human  mind  of  God, — let 
that  recognition  by  all  available  means  be  illuminated  and  intensified ,^bnt, 
for  the-  knowledge  of  His  existence,  let  that  rest  on  ite  true  ground,  on 
which  it  is  as  indemonstrable  as  it  is  indubitable,  and  as  indubitable  as  is 
onr  own  existence.  We  have  only  to  discover  God,  not  demonstrate  Him. 
As  Bosanet  says,  here  we  mast  find  the  trnth,  not  make  it.  By  the  ultimate 
relations  of  thought  already  alluded  to,  we  conqoer  in  knowledge  a  saper- 
sensible  world, — we  are  introduced  into  God's  presence.  The  terms  in  each 
relation — God  and  man — belong  to  differeut  and  contrasted  spheres  of  being, 
which  the  relation  that  holds  betweoi  them  serves  immediately  to  connect. 
The  transcendent  sphere  of  being  openly  discloses  its  existence  by  casting 
through  those  known  relations  its  shadow  over  the  empirical;  and  the 
empirical  sphere,  through  the  same  relations,  lays  hold  on  the  reabty  of  the 
transcendent.  The  two  are  brought  into  indissoluble  onion  and  conscions 
communion  by  a  bond  of  many  strands.  Looldng  along  the  lines,  we  do  not 
see,  beyond  sensible  things,  an  empty  void,  nor,  where  we  gaze  for  the 
ruling  centre,  do  we  find  an  eyeless  socket.  The  infinite  Being,  as  nniveraal 
canse  and  ruler,  is  known.    These  pregnant  relatjens,  to  the  practised  eye  not 


152  MACBETH ;  OB,  GBOWTH  IK  EVIL.  ^"a^iTw?"* 

dimly  descried  Ijiag  along  tbongbt's  upper  bordei«,  aod  poinUog  still  onward, 
are  the  eager  hands  which  the  sodI  stretches  ont  into  the  farther  world  of 
being,  and  which  are  clasped  there  bj  the  hands  of  an  uuwering  absolntfi 
tTQth  that  no  eye  hath  seen  nor  heart  conceited  otherwise.  SaCfa  natire 
apprehensions — convictions  spontaneona,  homefelt,  and  irresistible — are 


Sach  is  onr  first  contact  with  Qod  in  conacioas  knowledge.  It  does, 
however,  little  for  ns,  if  it  be  both  first  and  last.  It  can  do  little  even  for 
itself.  It  is  a  knowledge  that  can  hardly  bring  itself  to  open  day,  or 
maintain  existence,  mnch  less  make  God  a  practical  power  in  human  life. 
For  that,  other  contact  with  Ood  through  the  medium  of  other  knowledge 
is  indispenaable.  This  natnral  revelation  finds  its  highest  worth  in  rendering 
ns  capable  of  a  revelation  supematDraJ,  and  hastening  us  towards  it.  This 
having  come,  in  i(  and  in  the  effects  of  accepting  it  in  fall  faith  and  sympathy, 
we  have  a  contact  with  Ood  that  at  last  salves  all  riddles  in  clear  divine 
light,  and  meets  all  wants  in  the  communion  of  divine  love. — 'Mere  Theism 
Inenfficient,'  is  the  title  of  Dr.  Flint's  excellent  and  beantifnl  cloaing 
chapter. 


MACBETH;  OR,  QROWtH  IN  EVIL. 

BY  BET,  WILLIAU  TURHER,  EDraBUBGB. 

{Continved.) 

The  subjective,  or  spiritnal,  consequences  of  transgression,  to  which  we  now 
turn,  are  still  more  important  than  the  objective  or  externaL  The  nature  of 
man,  like  the  system  of  the  world,  has  been  fashioned  in  correspondence 
with  the  laws  of  righteonsnees ;  and  as  the  violation  of  these  laws  provokes 
a  reaction  from  the  potencies  of  the  one,  so  also  does  it  from  those  of  the 
other.  In  the  spiritnal  sphere,  and  that  with  an  inunediateness  and  inevit- 
ableness  even  more  marked  than  in  the  external,  ain  '  worketh  wrath'  and 
'  bringing  forth  death,'  acting  as  an  element  of  disturbance  and  destmction, 
and  iixing  in  the  sensitive  organism  of  the  soul  envenomed  and  deadly 
arrows.  It  is  the  word  of  the  divine  wisdom — '  He  that  sinneth  against 
me  wrongeth  his  own  soul.' 

In  the  sodI  the  seat  of  snpreme  aathority  is  held  by  conscience,  the  power 
that  Epeaks  of  duty  and  says:  Thon  onghtest  to  do  this,  and  onghtest  not 
to  do  that, — the  representative  in  each  man's  bosom  of  the  law  of  Hin)  who 
mieth  over  all  Now  conscience,  while  it  may  be  disobeyed,  is  not  by  dis- 
obedience dethroned  or  even  on  the  instaut  silenced;  rather  occasion  is 
thereby  given  for  a  fresh  and  load  assertion  of  its  authority.  Therenpon 
the  prescription  of  the  right  is  replaced  by  aecusati'ou  and  denunciation,-^ 
Thon  hast  done  what  thon  onghtest  not  to  have  done ;  thou  art  a  guilty 
creature,  and  deserves!  pnnishment.  This  self-accusing  and  self-condemning, 
this  sense  of  gnilt,  ia  for  the  sinner  the  first-bom  of  his  sin,  the  first  instal- 
ment of  his  woe.  Henceforth,  till  satisfaction  is  rendered,  '  all  darkness  is 
hid  in  his  secret  places,'  and  '  the  arrows  of  God  drink  Dp  the  spirit.'  Of 
all  the  subjective  fruits  of  transgression,  the  feeling  of  guilt  is  the  chief. 
It  is  the  destruction  of  peace ;  It  is  the  mother  of  mistrust  and  fear ;  it  stops 
intercoarse  with  God,  and  shuts,  the  lips  of  prayer  i  it  distorts  the  mind's 


"XSriBi"'  MACBETH;  OB,  6BOWTH  IN  EVIL.  153 

apprehension  of  the  Aiviae  character,  and  eclipses  all  joy  and  confidence  in 
Ibe  divine  goodness;  it  often  calls  np  spectral  fonna  heton  the  terrified 
imaginatioD,  '  scares  with  dreams,  and  terrifies  with  visiona ;'  it  gives  birtii 
to  superstition  and  all  its  miserable  and  odions  progeny;  it  beclouds  the 
intellect,  debases  the  affectioDS,  perverts  the  will,  qaenchlDg  the  light,  and 
sappiDg  the  strength  of  the  soal.  The  deed  of  sin  may  trnly  be  called  a 
soicidsl  act,  and  the  sense  of  guilt  is  the  pain  of  the  gash  which  the  self- 
raorderer  inflicts. 

This  primal  and  palmary  reaalt  of  sin  is  very  conspicnonsly  set  forth  in 
the  parable  of  onr  poet.  Of  coarse  it  is  not  to  be  expected  that  in  one 
drama  the  whole  of  transgression's  eyil  brood  can  be  delineated,  bnt  in  no 
adequate  representation  of  a  sinner's  progress  can  the  feeling  of  gnilt  fail  to 
occnpf  the  pre-eminent  place.  Jndas  foand  that  in  selling  his  Master,  he 
iiad  sold  hie  own  son! ;  and  Macbeth  likewise  discovers  that  in  slaying  the 
libg,  he  has  slain  bis  own  spiritnal  peace.  His  natnre,  as  we  have  ^een 
ah^y,  is  one  cast  in  a  noble  monld,  with  heart  kind  and  with  conscience 
clear  and  sensitive;  moreover,  this  marder  ia  for  him  the  first  great  trans- 
gresBioD,  and  to  this  high-handed  style  of  sin  his  nature  is  as  yet  nninared. 
Hence  the  inevitable  reaction  within  is  in  his  case  pecnliarly  vehement  and 
terrible.  Even  before  the  act,  and  as  he  addressee  himself  to  the  horrid 
task  he  has  nndertaken,  he  finds  his  steps  beset  by  phantom  teirors  and 
str&Ege  alarms.  His  fancy  deceives  hhn  with  the  image  of  a  dagger  point- 
ing the  way, '  the  handle,  towards  my  hand,'  and  he  knows  at  the  same  tune 
tiat  he  is  deceived, — 

'  There's  no  BDch  thing : 
It  is  the  bloody  bQBiuens  which  informt  * 

Thus  to  mine  eyes.' 

Already  he  is  filled  with  an  nnwonted  mistrust  and  fear,— 

•Thoo  sure  md  firm-set  eartbj 

ray  Ihay  walk,  for  few 
ly  wliere-Aibout' 

As  he  comes  forth  from  the  chamber  '  the  deed ' — his  deed,  his  own  sin — ^is 
'before  him,'  filling  his'  thonghts,  hannting  his  steps,  meeting  his  ear  in 
(Tery  sonnd,  ereD  in  the  '  owl's  scream  and  the  cricket's  cry,' — 

'IVs  done  the  deed:     Didst  thoa  not  heir  s  noise  P' 

On  the  instant,  like  the  first  transgressors,  he  feels  himself  barred  from 
uterconrse  with  Ood. 

>  There's  one  did  liagh  in  his  slesp,  and  one  cried,  Unrder  > 

That  tfaay  did  wake  each  other.     I  stood  and  heard  thsm, 

But  they  did  say  their  prajfers,  and  addressed  them 

Again  to  aleep.' 
^  One  cried,  God  hlesB  ni 

Aalt--'--' 

LisU „ 

When  they  did  say  Qod  hleas  ubT 
'But  wherelore  ootjd  1  not  proDOnnoe  Amenf 

I  had-moet  need  of  blessingf  and  Amen 

Stack  in  my  thioal.' 

Voices  in  the  air  haant  his  fancy,  proclaiming  his  horrible  gnilt.  He  nnder- 
Blands  that  in  his  crime  he  has  done  more  than  destroy  a  human  life,— that 
(be  stab  inflicted  on  his  sleeping  king  and  gnest  is  a  stab  on  '  the  innoceiit 
sleep,'  uid  on  everything  in  the  world  that  is  holy,  peaceful,  and  happy, — a 


154  MACBETH;   OR,  OaOWTH  IN  EVIL,  '^    ^^iTtnt!^ 

mUcrcant  blow  aimed  at  the  order  uid  eerenity  of  Qod's  uniTeree  j  and  he 
knows  that  the  whole  system  of  natnre  reseDtB  tbe  deed,  and  is  risea  np 
agaiost  tbe  man  who  has  thus  dared  to  inrade  its  Banctities  and  to  break  its 
peace. 

'  Metbouglt  I  howd  ■  voles  fl»y,  Sleep  no  more  1 

Mubeth  b>tb  moHered  sleep,  the  innooent  sleep, 

Bleep  that  knits  up  the  ravelled  sleeve  of  «re,'  etc 
'Btillit  cried,  Sleepno-more!— to  ill  the  house,— 

Qluoia  hath  murderad  sleep,  mnd  therefore  Cavdor 

Shall  Bleep  no  more!  Macbeth  Hhall  sleep  oo  more  I ' 

He  cannot  bear  to  look  upon  or  think  of  his  own  work, —  , 


'  Thas  conscience  doth  make  cowards  of  ns  all.'  In  the  words  of  Scripture, 
'  The  wicked  flee  when  no  man  punmetb.'  Macbeth,  in  virtne  of  what  be  has 
done,  has  on  the  instant  become,  and  feels  himself  to  hare  become,  atterty 
another  man;  all  hie  natural  courage,  strei^th,  and  manliness  gone,  the 
vision  of  gnilt  erer  before  his  ejes,  tbe  "•  fear  that  bath  torment '  ever  gnawing 
at  bis  heart, — 

■  Whenoe  is  that  knocking  I 
How  i*t  with  mo  th»t  every  noise  sppals  mo?    ' 
What  bands  are  these?     Ha!  theyplnck  out  mine  eyes. 
Will  all  great  Neptune's  ocean  wash  this  blood 
Clean  from  mj  bsadP     Hal  this  m;  hand  will  rather 
Tbe  mnltitndmous  seas  incarnadiue, 
1      Making  tbe  green  one  red.' 

We  are  r^niaded  by  this  pictnre  of  the  old  6reek  fable  regardiog  the  hero 
who,  after  slaymg  many,  at  lost  slew  himself  by  putting  on  the  robe  dyed 
with  blood  which  he  himself  had  shed,  and  which  the  wife  who  lored  him 
presented  to  him.  The  blood  of  the  king  becomes  to  Macbeth  like  Deisnira's 
robe  to  Hercales, — it  cleaves  to  his  s[»rit,  and  bnrns  as  it  cleaves,  and  the 
writhings  and  twistings  of  bis  agony  only  make  it  cleave  and  bum  the  more 
firmly  and  fiercely. 

Macbeth  thns  learns  tbe  trath, '  The  sonl  that  simteth  dies.'  '  Oh,  fall  of 
BcorpiooB,'  says  be,  '  is  my  miod.'  Of  little  acconnt,  I  fancy,  with  him  in 
bis  mental  angm'sh  woald  have  been  that  philosophy,  now  somewhat  preva- 
lent in  certain  circles,  which  teaches  that  man  is  a  machine,  that  circnm- 
stances  determine  conduct,  that  the  will  is  a  fettered  slave,  and  that  all 
feelings  of  obhgation  and  of  gnilt  are  illnsory.  And  to  all  men  is  this  a 
vain  philosophy, — at  least  when  they  are  not  speculating  but  acting,  not 
spinning  theories  in  their  closets,  bat  serionalj  occapied  out  in  the  world 
with  its  affairs.  Bushnell  has  well  observed  that  the  whole  interest  of 
human  life,  whether  contemplated  in  reality  or  in  representation,  whether  in 
history  or  in  the  drama,  depends  upon  a  belief  in  human  freedom.  Children 
may  gather  round  puppet-shows,  bat  grown  men  will  not  linger  beside  anch 
gpectactes.  If  it  were  possible  for  as  to  believe  that  we  and  all  our  fellows 
are  so  many  machines  whose  acts  are  controlled  by  strings  held  fay  some 
great  exhibitor,  it  is  obvious  that  the  emotions  naturally  awakened  by  tbe 
spectacle  of  hfe  would  at  once  vanish.  On  that  understanding  the  excite* 
ment  of  Macbeth  as  he  exclaims '  I've  done  the  deed,'  the  remorse  of  Jndas 
when  he  said  '  I  have  sinned  iu  that  I  have  betrayed  the  innocent  blood,'  the 
penitence  of  David  when  he  owned  '  I  have  sinned  against  the  Lord,'  and  of 
Peter  when  '  he  went  out  and  wept  bitt^ly,'  must  at  once  a^ipear  utterly 


"''!riu"'i'w"'^ '  MACBETH ;   OB  GKOWTH  IN  ETIL.  155 

preposterons.  If  one  man,  Mr,  Jobs  Stoart  Mill,  deliberately  declares  in  a 
book  of  philosophy  that  he  has  do  consciousness  of  being  a  free  agent,  at 
least  David,  Pet«r,  Jndos,  and  Macbeth — or  Shakespeare,  to  whom  the 
Macbeth  of  whom  we  speak  owes  his  existence — with  all  who  are  interested 
in  their  acts,  and  feel  in  sympathy  with  their  sentiments,  have  a  dUferent 
coDBCioasnesa.  And  for  Mr.  Mill  himself,— did  he  never  resent  an  injosticef 
did  he  nerer  blame  a  calpriti  had  he  no  indignation  for  snch  characters  as 
that  of  Macbeth,  and  for  such  acts  as  those  of  David,  of  Peter,  and  of  JadasT 
We  know  the  contrary.  And  if  so,  then  in  the  face  of  his  own  philosophy 
be  really  proclaimed  himself  free,  undn  believer  in  freedom.  The  reasoning 
of  Panl  is  incontrovertible — 'Therefore  thou  art  inexcusable,  0  man,  who- 
soever thou  art  that  jndgest;  for  nhereia  thon  jndgest  another,  thoa 
RODdemnest  thyself.' 

The  intense  emotional  excitement  accompanying  the  commission  of  great 
crime  is,  like  all  other  strong  emotions,  essentially  transient,  and  so  it  appears 
in  the  representation  of  onr  poet.  The  first  keen  smart  of  a  woand  does 
not  last, — even  when  the  hnrt  is  not  healed  the  character  of  the  saffering 
changes.  The  injary  which  sin  inflicts  npon  the  spirit  may  not  be  cared, 
and  gangrene  and  mortification  may  be  doing  their  work,  while  the  pain  of 
the  wonnd  may  have  almost  or  altogether  ceased.  In  attempting  to  trace 
the  sinner's  progress,  we  find  that  at  tiiis  point  more  than  one  possibility 
present  themselves.  One  issue  from  evil,  and  the  only  happy  one,  is  opened 
np  to  every  transgressor  throngh  the  revelation  of  divine  mercy  in  Christ 
JesQs.  All  wilfnl  sinners  are  symbolized  by  the  prophet  who  fled  away 
from  the  presence  and  from  the  land  of  Jehovah  in  the  ship  of  Tarshish. 
They  desert,  like  him,  the  firm  land  of  submission  and  obedience,  they 
commit  themselves  to  the  nostable  and  perHoos  deep  of  self-will  and  rebellion. 
A  mighty  tempeet  suddenly  falls  upon  them,  the  winds  of  God's  wrath  howl 
aronnd  them,  and  the  billows  of  His  avenging  judgments  leap  up  to  engulf 
them.  Tbeir  sky  is  darkened  with  the  murky  clouds  of  remorse  and  fear 
that  roil  np  from  beneath  the  itorizon  as  from  an  infernal  pit.  The  tempest 
is  Qod'a  messenger, '  the  elands  are  the  dust  of  His  feet.'  *  He  rides  upoii 
the  whirlwind  and  directs  the  storm,'  and  the  noise  of  the  winds  and  waves 
is  re^ly  proclaiming  in  the  sioner's  ear,  '  Thon  art  the  man.'  If  nnder  the 
suffering  and  trouble  that  have  come  npon  him  the  wayward  child  '  comes 
to  himself,'  and  says,  ^  I  will  arise,  and  go  to  my  Father,'  then  there  is  pardon 
for  all  the  past,  and  a  glad  welcome  to  the  home  and  heart  which  he  hod 
forsaken.  It  is  a  real  esperience  which  is  described  in  the  32d  Psalm — 
'  When  I  kept  silence,  my  bones  waxed  old  throngh  my  roaring  all  the  day 
bag.  For  day  and  night  Thy  hand  was  heavy  npon  me :  my  moisture  is 
turned  into  4be  drought  of  summer.  1  acknowledged  my  sin  unto  Thee,  and 
mine  iniqnity  have  I  not  hid.  1  said,  I  will  confess  my  trangressions  nnto 
the  Lord ;  and  Thon  forgavest  the  iniquity  of  my  sin.'  For  Ood  '  delighteth 
m  mercy  i'  and  says  our  poet : 


It  is  growth  in  un,  however,  not  salvation  from  sin,  which  forms  onr  snb- 
ject.  Setting  ande  this  possible  issue,  open  on  earth  even  to  the  greatest 
sinner,  there  yet  remains  to  be  considered  certain  diff'erent  modes  in  which 
the  deaXh  accompanying  sin  derelopes  itself  in  the  sinner's  spiritnal  coustita- 
tion.   One  is  that  in  wluch  the  crimiiul  is  qnickly  driven  to  self-destruction. 


156  MACBETH ;   6E,  GEOWTH  IN  EVIL.  ^    U^^riTriw""^ 

Of  this  we  have  a  conspicaons  example  in  Judas  Iscariot,  and  Shakespeare 
famishes  another  in  Othello, — 

'  One,  whose  lumd, 
Liks  the  bftBe  JudeiiB,  threw  &  pearl  away 
Bicher  thou  all  hia  tribe.' 

However  the  deed  of  suicide  under  the  preesnre  of  remorse  is  to  be  con- 
strued, it  certainly  famishes  a  most  impressive  demonstration  of  the  potency 
of  conscience  in  the  baman  soal.  Even  though  it  be  nnderstood  to  mean 
only  the  seeking  in  death  of  escape  from  the  anguish  of  self-tormenting 
blame,  (his  angnish  mnst  be  traly  intense  and  intolerable  when  it  drives  a 
man  to  cast  away  Kfe,  and  to  rnah  into  the  darknsss  of  the  hereafter  in  order 
to  be  '  anywhere,  anywhere,  oat  of  the  world.'  But  this,  I  am  persuaded,  is 
not  the  trae  interpretation  of  the  act.  Jndas  when,  by  hanging  himself,  be 
'  went  to  his  own  place,*  can  hardly  be  supposed  to  have  anticipated  there  a 
welcome  relief  from  mental  agony.  It  would,  indeed,  be  m  intolerable 
reproach  to  the  government  of  the  Eternal,  to  say  that  it  is  so  slack  and 
feeble  as  that  nnder  it  criminals  have  in  their  own  hands  the  power,  by  a 
single  bibw  directed  at  their  own  oi^anism,  to  defy  its  sanctions  and  to 
escape  from  the  punishment  which  they  feel  themselves  to  deserve.  It  is 
certain  that  the  act  was  not  thns  interpreted  by  Shakespeare.  Othello,  - 
speaking  to  his  mnrdered  wife,  and  just  before  his  self-murder,  exclaims  : 
'  When  ws  ahall  meet  at  oompi, 

This  look  of  tbiue  will  hurl  m;  aonl  from  heaven, 

And  fiends  will  snatoh  at  it ; ' 

and  forthwith  he  bursts  out  in  a  lava-torrent  of  fi^ce  self-jndging ; 

'  Whip  me,  ;e  devili, 

From  the  posseseios  of  tbis  heavenly  eight ! 

Blow  me  about  in  winds!  roast  me  in  eulphar  1 

Wash  me  in  steep-down  galls  of  llqnid  Are.' 

Thus  if,  as  we  know  there  are,  there  be  certain  natures  and  certwn  mental 
states  in  which  conscience  leads  men  to  shrink  from  death,  and  makes  them 
rather  '  fardels  bear,  to  grunt  and  sweat  under  this  weary  life,'  than  face  the 
terrors  of '  that  undiscovered  country  from  whose  bourne  no  traveller  returns,' 
there  are  other  natures  and  other  mental  states  in  which  the  operation  of  this 
great  spiritnal  power  is  exactly  the  opposite.  In  these  it  drives  to  death  ;  it 
prompts  the  criminal  to  court  destruction ;  it  inspires  him  with  a  yearning 
for  the  punishment  which  is  his  due.  The  criminal,  conscieuce-smitten, 
is  a  house  divided  against  itself,  as  he  is  represented  by  our  poet  in  bis 
Bickard  iiLi — 

'  Is  there  a  mnrderer  here  ?     No ;— Tee ;  I  nd  : 
Then  fly,— what,  from  myflell  ?     Qreat  reason  i  why  f 
Last  I  rorange.    What?  myself  on  myseUf 
1  love  myself.     Wherefore?  for  any  good, 
That  I  myself  have  done  unto  myself? 
Ob,  ho  ;  ^as,  I  rather  hate  myself, 
For  hateful  deeds  committed  by  myself.' 

Thus  hating  himself,  he  feels  that  earth  is  not  his  place ;  that  its  comforts 
and  its  bounties,  the  warm  air  and  the  sweet  light,  the  greenness  of  fields  and 
the  joys  of  social  life,  are  not  for  him ;  and  he  hastens  away  lo  anticipated 
judgment,  that  he  may  taste  the  one  only  satisfaction  still  possible  to  him, — 
the  satisfaction  of  renderii^  satisfaction  to  the  outraged  law  of  God's 
universe.  His  self-morder  is  like  the  despairing  cry  of  the  dying  unbeliever, 
'  Thon  hast  conquered,  0  Galilean !' — it  is  the  looking  eternal  jnstice  in  the 
face,  and  crying  out,  I  yield  myself  to  thee. 

(2*0  he  conti/iiied.) 


l^iin.'  '    THE  LATE  EEV.  JAMES  KIRKWOOD,  A.M.  157 

THE  LATE  REV.  JAMES  KIRKWOOD,  A.M.« 

Mr.  Eirswood  was  so  long  laid  aside  from  the  discharge  of  ministerial 
duty,  that  it  may  almost  be  said  that  a  generation  grew  np  that  knew  him 
not.  Bnt,  notwithstanding  this,  traditions  of  hiseloqneDceas  a  preacher,  and 
power  as  a  prominent  though  nDoatentationa  ecclesiastical  leader,  were  to  be 
found  in  abandonee,  especially  in  that  section  of  the  church  to  which  he 
beloi^ed.  We  do  not  wonder  at  a  wish  being  expressed  for  the  publication 
of  some  of  the  disconrsea  which  had  been  deliveral  to  large  and  delighted 
aadieaces.  They  amply  justify  the  high  estimation  in  which  Mr.  Kirkwood 
was  held,  and  their  present  publication.  It  has  often  happened,  when  the 
discoarses  of  a  popular  preacher  were  published,  that  much  disappoint- 
ment was  the  result.  When  they  had  not  the  advantages  of  the  rich  and 
commaading  voice,  the  effective  sympathy  of  the  a}>eaker,  and  the  ezcite-v 
ment  cans^  by  these,  they  were  found  to  be  commonplace  in  thoaght  and 
tame  in  expression.  Bnt  such  emphatically  is  not  the  case  with  the  sermons 
before  us.  Most  effective  when  delivered,  they  are  felt  to  be  interesting  and 
iDstroctive  in  no  ordinary  degree  when  read  quietly  by  the  fireside.  They 
were  composed  ere  the  present  tnrmoil  of  religious  thoi^ht  had  begun;  and 
yoa  are  not,  as  in  many  modem  discourses,  continually  brought  face  to  face 
with  the  theories  of  Darwin  and  Huxley,  or  of  Atfgnate  Oomte  and  Matthew 
Arnold.  But  they  deal  with  the  eternal  verities  of  onr  holy  faith,  and  may 
be  read  with  profit  in  any  age,  whatever  may  be  the  special  aspects  of 
religion  which  it  seeks  to  emphasise. 

The  doctrines  set  forth  are  eminently  evangelical.  Mr.  Eirkwood  might 
have  made  his  motto  that  of  Paul,  '  God  forbid  that  I  should  glory  save  in 
the  cross  of  our  Lord  Jesua  Christ.'  His  manner,  whilst  entirely  faithful,  ia 
winning  and  pleading  rather  than  denanciatory  and  stera  His  was  a  large, 
genial,  and  tolerant  nature;  and  it  was  more  congenial  to  him  to  be  a 
Barnabas  than  a  Boanerges.  At  the  same  time  he  is  eminently  practical, 
and  if  he  preaches  the  cross  he  onmistaheably  and  powerfally  proclc^ms  that 
'  when  once  seen  it  ia  death  to  every  rice.' 

One  is  struck  by  the  frequent  and  feUcitons  nse  which  Mr.  Kirkwood 
makes  of  Scripture.    A  beautiful  text,  aptly  quoted,  comes  in  often  aa  the 
close  and  the  culmination  of  an  eloquent  poss^e,  and  makes  it  wonderfnlly    - 
effective  and  impressive. 

Mr.  Eirkwood  b^an  his  career  as  a  preacher  when  the  fame  of  Robert 
Hall  was  at  its  height,  and  his  sermons  were  deemed  modeb  of  pulpit 
eloquence.  We  think  we  can  trace  the  inBnence  of  that  great  master  on 
him  in  the  formation  of  a  style  at  once  elevated  and  simple,  terse  and 
eloquent.  When  one  thinks  of  the  many  years  during  which  Mr.  Kirkwood 
exercised  the  ofQce  of  the  ministry,  and  the  large  audiences  which  it  was  his 
privilege  to  address,  it  is  with  feelings  of  gratitude  that  one  notes  the  varied 
excellences  and  sterling  worth  of  his  discourses — discburses  so  eminently 
fitted  to  bring  men  to  Christ  and  induce  them  to  lead  Christlike  lives.  By 
their  publication,  he  being  dead  yet  speaketh ;  and  they  will  be  pemsed,  we 
donbt  not,  by  many  with  pleasure  and  profit — perused  also  with  moistening 
eye  by  the  survivors  of  a  former  generation  as  they  vividly  recall  to  them  the 
form  of '  the  old  man  eloquent,'  whose  voice  they  will  hear  on  e&rth  no  more. 

Although  Mr.  Eirkwood  was  a  power  In  his  day  in  his  own  chnrch,  and  in 

•  8«nnonB  hj  the  late  Hev.  Juinas  Kirkwood,  A.M.,  St.  James'  Place  TTnited  Freflbytoriin 
Chnrch,  Edinbnixll.  Published  at  the  renoest  of  the  Session.  Edinburgh :  Andrew  Elliot. 
1878. 


158  THE  LATE  EEV.  JAMES  KiaKWOOD,  A.M.     "^"i^liri^"'"" 

wider  circles,  yet '  he  courted  the  shade;'  aod  therefore  the  ontetandiog  facta 
of  his  life  were  few,  bnt  these  have  been  loringly  aad  gracefally  set  forth  by 
Dr.  Douglas,  and  are  as  follows  : — 

'  '  The  Rev.  James  Kirkvood  was  bom  at  Strathaven,  about  sixteen  nules  south- 
east of  Glasgow,  I2th  November  1788.  His  father  was  miniBter  of  the  Relief 
Cbarch  there,  and  was  well  known  for  his  seholarl;  attainments,  his  excellent 
boBinesB  habitk,  his  soand  Cbristian  principles,  and  his  sincere  love  of  evangelical 
trulb.  His  mother  having  died  within  a  year  or  two  after  his  birth,  hia  early 
training  devolved  apon  his  father.  He  was  ihoa  brought  ap  imder  religioos  in- 
fluences of  the  purest  kind ;  and,  being  his  tether's  ^most  constant  oompanion,  in 
consequence  of  there  beiug  no  other  children,  it  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  that,  at  a 
very  early  age,  he  devoted  himself  to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  or  that,  with  the 
stimnlating  intellectual  example  of  a  father  so  distingnisbed,  he  soon  gave  promise 
of  a  brilliant  career. 

'  His  early  education  was  received  in  his  native  town.  At  school  he  wsb  dis- 
tinguished for  his  diligence  and  proficiency,  while  out  of  school  he  was  always 
ready  for  a  game.  His  home  studies  were  superintended  by  his  father,  who,  in 
addition  to  his  school  work,  du]j[  assigned  him  a  portion  of  Scriptnie  to  be  com- 
mitted to  memory,  and  repeated  in  the  evening.  This  lesson  for  his  father  never 
was  neglected.  .  One  of  bia  playmates  nsed  to  tell,  that  every  evening,  as  the  bell 
rang  eight,  young  Eirkwood  disappeared.  It  did  not  matter  wbeVa  he  was,  or  at 
what  stage  the  game  might  be.  The  appointment  in  his  father's  study  to  recite 
his  Bible  verses  for  the  day  was  puamount  to  alL  When  he  bad  made  anch  pro- 
gress at  the  StratJiaven  school  as  warranted  his  entering  college,  he  matricolated 
at  the  Ifniversity  of  Glasgow.  Here  he  was  on  terms  of  intimate  fri^idship  with 
many  who  afterwards  occupied  prominent  positions,  both  in  the  church  and  m  the 
world;  but,  so  far  as  we  know,  all  these  faaveprecedodhim  to  the  grave,  and,  with 
■  them,  all  reminiflcences  of  his  student  life  have  also  gone.  At  the  dose  of  his  Arts 
cnrricniom  he  obtained  the  degree  of  H.A.,  an  honour  which  was  then  of  mudi 
less  frequent  attainment  than  now ;  and  that  he  obtained  it  with  distinction,  is  con- 
clusive of  the  success  with  which  his  studies  had  been  prosecuted,  seeing  he  wss 
then  only  in  his  eighteenth  year. 

'  It  was  not  till  ^e  year  182^t:  that  a  Divinity  Hall  was  instituted  in  connection 
with  the  Relief  Synod.  Till  then,  her  students  were  necessitated  to  receive  their 
theological  training  at  one  of  the  National  TTniveisities.  Accordingly,  Ur.  Kirkwood 
returned  to  hia  Alma  Mater,  and  in  1806  entered  on  those  stndies  which  were 
more  directly  to  fit  him  for  the  work  of  the  mmistry.  In  the  Divinity  Hall 
be  distingoished  himself  as  ho  had  done  in  the  1it«raTy  classes.  Indeed,  on  the 
authority  of  one  of  his  compeers,  who  rose-  to  great  eminence  in  the  church  witii 
which  he  was  connected,  we  can  assert  that  he  was  one  of  the  ablest  students  of  his 
time.  Tlioagh  Geology  was  now  his  chief,  it  was  by  no  means  his  only  study.  Mr. 
Kirkwood  well  knew  that,  to  be  a  successful  expounder  of  divine  trutli,  knowledge 
of  all  kinds  is  indispensable.  Ev»'y  subject,  therefore,  that  had  a  baring,  direct 
or  indirect,  on  the  great  end  and  aim  of  hia  life,  had  its  due  share  of  his  attention. 
Thus  bis  mind  became  stored  with  a  fund  of  general  information  such  as  few 
pOBsessed,  and  which  be  turned  to  good  account  through  all  his  after  life. 

'  On  completmg  his  theological  course,  and  eitw  the  usual  eiaminationa  by  the 
Relief  Presbytery  of  Glasgow,  he  was  licensed  to  preach  the  gospel  6th  No^mber 
'  1810.  The  promise  of  his  early  boyhood  was  soon  realized  in  his  refined  bete,  his 
clasfdc  style,  his  intellectual  power,  his  thorough  eameetness,  and  the  other  qualities 
that  ever  afterwards  characterised  him  as  a  preai;her.  With  such  qualifications,  the 
unsettled  life  of  a  probationer  was  to  him  of  short  duration.  Within  five  months 
be  received  aoall&om  the  Relief  Church  at  Riccartoo,  a  village  near,  but  separated 
from,  Silmamock  by  the  river  Irvine.  To  this  charge  he  was  oidained  25th  July 
1811,  not  then  having  attained  his  twenty-third  year.  Riccairton  eongregation 
had  been  formed  in  consequence  of  a  secession  from  the  Estabbsbed  Churdi, 
caused  by  the  patron's  having  refused,  on  the  occasion,  of  a  vacancy  in  1800,  to 
give  the  people  their  choice  of  a  minister,  as  he  had  previously  promised.  Tlw 
original  seceders  had  been  joined  by  others  holding  like  principles,  and  the  congre- 


iirtTHM.""    TUE  lATE  EEV.  JAMES  KIBKWOOD,  A.M.  159 

gstion  WBB  now  lafge  atid  inflDential.    No  boodct  had  the  young  miuister  been 
settled  among  them,  than  his  style  of  preaching  attracted  large  numbers  from  the 

neighhouring  town,  and  tlte  conntr;  cocgregation  became  one  of  the  moat  important 
in  Uie  provinoes,  connected  with  the  denomination  to  which  it  belonged. 

'  Thongh  the  Riccarton  chnroh  was  oonTeniently  situated  for  the  ran]  popolation, 
it  was  fouod  to  be  too  far  distaot  for  the  townapeople,  who  now  formea  a  large 
part  of  its  membership.  In  1814  or  1815,  it  was  therefore  taken  down,  and  re- 
built in  King  Street,  Kilmarnock,  which  waa  considered  a  more  eligible  site.  Here, 
in  the  midat  of  a  large  population,  a  wider  sphere  of  aaefulueM  was  opened  up. 
Pastoral  duties  were  increased,  but  the  fidelity  and  seal  with  which  tnej  were 
discharged,  brought  their  reward  in  the  still  greater  infliienoe  of  both  the  minister 
and  the  congr^ation.  King  Street  Belief  Church  then  attained  apofiitiou  of  which 
any  minister  might  Justly  have  been  proud.  Referring  to  Mr.  EirVwood's  ministry 
tliere,  one  of  his  successors  writes :  "  Hia  fine  taste,  sound  judgment,  eloquence, 
and  weight  of  character,  gave  onr  church  a  standing  which  commanded  for  it  the 
respect  of  aU  classes  of  Sit  oommunity."  The  same  eoirespondent  adds,  "  I  bad 
inany  opportunities  of  hearing  bis  name  mentioned,  and  always  with  admiralion 
and  respect,  by  the  moat  intelligent  and  moat  judicious  of  the  people.  Competent 
judgefl  BDolte  of  his  lecture*  as  unequalled  by  tbe  lectures  of  any  preacher  in  the 
west  of  Scotland."  Such  teatimoDT,  after  a  lapse  of  fifty-nine  years,  sbowe  how 
deep  was  theimpreedonhehadmade,  while  an^  occaaional  visit  toliis  former  flock, 
during  these  years,  was  alwan  boiled  with  latisfsction  and  del^ht 

'When  in  Riccarton,  Mr.  Kirkwood  married  Elizabeth  Currie,  the  daughter  of 
William  Currie,  Esq.  of  Trynlaw,  cue  who  proved  herself  to  be  an  amiable  and 
prudent  wife,  an  affectionate  mothv,  and  a  true  friend.  Of  the  marriage  there 
were  eight  children,  fire  of  whom  still  survive.     Mrs.  Kirkwood  died  6tb  June  1851. 

'  WiSi  the  year  1818  commenced  a  new  epoch  in  Hr.  Kirkwood's  life.  On  the 
5th  &f  January  his  father  died.  By  his  death  the  Strathaveu  congregatiou  were 
deprived  of  a  faithful  and  beloved  pastor,  and,  naturally  feeling  anxious  to  obtain 
another  with  like  gifts  and  qualifications,  they  directed  thotr  attention  to  Kil- 
mamock,  and,  by  a  unanimous  call,  endeavoured  to  secure  the  son  as  successor  to 
the  fstiier.  About  the  same  time  Mr.  Kirkwood  was  also  called  to  St.  James' Place 
B^et  Church,  Edinburgh,  to  be  colle^ue  and  successor  to  the  Rer.  Thomas  Thom- 
eon,  its  first  minister,  whom  illness  had  laid  aside  from  active  work.  Mr.  Kirkwood 
accepted  the  call  to  St.  James'  Place,  and  was  transkted  on  the  17th  December  ift 
the  same  year.  St.  James'  Place  Church,  though  now  completely  surrounded  by 
houses,  and  approached  only  by  narrow  lanee  and  steep  streets,  was  then  iu  an  open 
Htuatkin,  staaiUiig  on  a  gentle  eminence,  known  as  St  Ann's  Mount,  whose  grassy 
sbpea  have  long  since  disappeared.  The  congregation  ui)der  Mr.  Thomson  had  been 
largeand flonnshing.  But  during  his  long  illness,  its  numbeta  liad  oonsiderably  ' 
decreased,  ajnd  the  necessity  for  a  successor  was  therefore  urgent.  Tery  bodd,  the 
nevij  inducted  minister  from  the  wept  realized  the  highest  en>ectations  of  those 
by  whom  he  had  been  called  ;  and  the  church,  whitji  is  one  of  the  largest  in  Bdin- 
burgh,  was  again  crowded,  Sabbath  after  ijabbath,  by  highly  intelligent  and 
appreciative  audiences. 

'Mr.  Kirkwood's  popularity  as  a  preacher  waa<d  no  ephemraal  kind.  Early 
promise  was  fully  sustamei^by  his  oontinued  weekly  ministrations.  The  following 
senntma  will  show  with  what  care  he  prepared  for  the  Pulpit^  <uid  how  far  he  was 
fnnn  "serving  God  with  dist  which  cost  him  nought."  Though  none  of  his  lecturM 
have  been  preserved,  those  who  were  privileged  to  hear  them,  as  the  writer  was, 
will  readilr  bear  testimony  to  their  equally  careful  [n«paiation,  their  profound 
research,  tneir  interesting  and  instructive  character,  their  unique  complet«neefi,  and 
'th^  never-failing  practical  utility.  Mr.  Kirkwood  did  not  profess  or  pretend  to 
be  deeply  skilled  in  ezegeds.  Consequently  his  lectures  did  not  partake  much  of 
this  nature.  Be  took  the  common  translation  as  the  people  read  it,  and  founded 
his  expositions  on  the  version  which  his  hearers  had  lying  before  them.  A  marked 
feature  of  his  preaching  was  his  thorough  uumistakeablenees  of  meaning.  His 
diction  was  always  elegant,  terse,  and  graceful,  and  he  bad  *'  the  rare  art  of  being 
understood  and  relish^  by.  the  lesa  intellectual  part  of  an  audience,  as  well  as  by 
the  more  cnltirated  and  r^ned."    If  he  argued,  ne  argued  logically ;  if  he  osed  an 


160  THE  LATB  EEV.  JAMES  KIEKWOOD,  AJH.     ""-^Tiat^ 

illiutntion,  It  waa  never  far-fetched  or  inappropriate ;  if  he  reproved,  he  reproved 
iritii  firniiie<M,  never  with  sererity ;  if  he  warned,  it  was  vith  ufeotdoa  and  conceni. 
The  great  Tichneu  of  scriptand  language  in  hii  eennons,  and  particularly  in  his 

E'  rayers,  is  also  noteworthy,  and  may  be  acconnted  for  from  the  manner  in  which 
is  mind  was  imbued  with  the  Word  of  God  in  early  life.  His  clear  and  powerful 
voice  commanded  the  attention  of  the  largest  audienceg,  and  his  sfciU  in  modulating 
it  was  such  that,  however  large  was  the  church  in  which  he  preached,  all  could 
hear  with  ease  and  pleasure.  His  manner  of  preaching  was  never  lapturoua,  far 
less  was  it  ever  dull,  or  devoid  of  animation ;  and  the  effect  which  it  produced  was 
deep  and  lasting.  One  who  had  been  connected  with  St.  James'  Place  Cbnrch 
in  early  life  writes :  "  Though  it  is  over  thirty  jeare  sioce  I  heard  Mr.  Kirkwood 
preadi,  some  of  his  sermons  made  such  an  impression  on  my  mind  then,  that  I 
remember  them  to  this  day  ■ "  and,  doubtless,  tnere  are  many  more,  both  in  this 
land  and  elsewhere,  to  whom  his  memory  is  bleAsed. 

'  In  1812,  Mr.  Kirkwood  delivered  a  aeries  of  diacouraee  on  the  "  Christian 
Armour,"  founded  on  Paul's  words  to  tbe  Epheaians, . "  Wherefore  take  unto  yon 
the  whde  armour  of  God,"  etc  (Eph.  vL  13-18).  Never  did  diacoursee  give  more 
general  satisfacticm,  and  the  congregation  unanimously  requested  their  publication. 
Mr.  Kirkwood  waa  gratified  by  &e  kind  wiah  expressed  by  his  people,  but,  with  an 
aversion  to  publicity  which  was  characteristic  of  him  sJl  his  life  through,  he  could 
not  be  induced  to  accede  to  ^e  request.  A  few  years  afterwards,  he  re-delivered 
the  same  series,  and  again  the  demand  was  made  for  publication,  but  with  the  same 
result.  To  those  who  may  miss  these  sermons  from  the  present  volume,  it  will  be 
sufficient  to  explain  that  some  of  them  were  not  preserved.  Two  of  them,  hoW' 
ever,  on  "  The  Sword  of  the  Sjiirit,"  will  be  found  at  pages  216  and  230. 

'  Mr.  Cirkwood  took  a  warm  interest  in  all  matters  of  public  importance,  and  was 
a  rec<^nised  leader  in  the  counsels  of  the  Church.  The  Relief  Synod  was  not  a 
large  one ;  but  in  Hr.  Kirkwood's  time,  it  comprised  in  its  membership  men  who 
would  have  come  to  the  front  and  teen  looked  up  to  in  any  church.  It  was  an 
honour  to  be  associated,  in  the  condnct  of  affairs,  with  such  men  as  Mr.  Thomson 
of  Eutchesontown,  robust,  shrewd,  practical ;  Dr.  Thomson  of  Paisley,  singnlarly 
prudent  and  judicious ;  Dr.  Struthers  of  Anderston,  sagacious,  observant,  expert  in 
forms  of  procedure ;  andothers,  scarcely  lessableandinflnential.  A  denomination, 
with  such  leaders,  had  no  reason  to  be  ashamed  to  lift  its  head  among  the  churches. 
It  has  served  its  day,  and  .passed  away,  but  the  names  of  its  leading  miuistera  are 
still  household  words  in  the  families  that  were  connected  with  it,  ana  snrvivora  yet 
linger  among  us^  who  recall  theae  names  with  fond  admiratioa. 

'  In  1820,  in  consequence  of  certain  regulations  made  in  the  Divinity  Halls  of  the 
Univeiaitiee,  which  affected  the  religious  freedom  of  the  students  who  were  DiS' 
senters,  Mr.  Kirkwood  overtured  the  Synod  for  the  appointment  of  a  professor  of 
divinity  from  among  its  own  members.  This  overture,  after  having  been  rab- 
mitted  to  the  consideration  of  preabyteries  and  seasions,  was,  with  a  slight  modifica- 
tion, adopted  without  a  vote  in  1823,  and  in  1S21  the  Rer.  James  Thomson  of 
Paidey  was  elected  profeesor.  Mr.  Kirkwood  also  took  an  active  part  in  bringing 
about  the  union  of  the  Secession  and  Relief  Churches,  and,  although  unable,  from 
the  infirmities  of  age,  to  contribute  towards  the  negotiations  for  t£e  union  of  the 
Free  and  United  Presbyterian  Churches,  he  was  a  w'arm  friend  to  that  proponed 
union,  and  regretted  that  it  was  not  carried  out.  He  was  a  staunch  YoluntaiT, 
and  an  ardent  advocate  for  tlie  liberties  of  the  Christian  Church ;  at  the  same  time, 
in  any  good  or  philanthropic  work,  he  was  always  ready  to  co-operate  with  minis- 
terial brethren  of  all  denominations.  In  the  Church  courts  he  spoke  seldom,  and 
never  very  long ;  but,  as  Dr.  Chalmers  would  have  expressed  it,  he  was  a  man  of 
weight;  and  when  he  spoke,  his  word  was  with  power.  His  fine  judicial  insight 
led  him  te  seize  the  salient  points  of  a  question,  aiid  his  rare  power  of  ludd  ex- 
position presented  these  in  a  light  which  generally  carried  the  court  with  him  in 
the  motion  with  whii^  he  concluded.  Twice  he  was  honoured  with  the  highest 
distinction  whidi  the  Church  has  it  in  her  power  to  beetow.  He  was  chosen 
Moderator  of  the  Belief  Synod  in  1S29,  and,  after  the  union  of  the  Secession  and 
Relief  Chtuchea,  was  elected  to  be  the  second  Moderator  of  the  United  Presbyteriaa 
Church  in  October  1847. 


:I.V.C001^|C 


""'SJST^'^'  MEM0BIZ8.  161 

'  As  Mr.  Eirkwood'i  hwlth  bad  been  for  some  time  in  a  veiy  infirm  state,  the 
congregation  thongbt  it  pmdent  thnt  he  ohonld  be  relieved  of  part  of  the  datiea  of 

the  poatOTate,  and,  aocordjngly ,  the  Bev.  J.  Logan  Aikman  (now  Dr.  IiOgau  Aifcmnn 
of  (jloBgow)  waB  i»dained  aa  hia  colleague,  12th  November  1845.  ¥ot  some  years 
after  Mr.  Alkman'e  oidination,  Mi.  Eirkwood  waa  generally  aUe  to  preadi  once  on 
the  Sabbath,  and  engage  in  oUier  ministerial  work  tbrooghont  the  week.  In  1666, 
the  etate  of  his  health  demanded  comfdete  rest.  It  was  therefore  arranged  that  ho 
ehonld  hepceforth  be  freed  from  all  active  duty  in  connection  with  the  congregatioD, 
bat  that  ue  shonld  still  retain  his  status  aa  senior  pastor.  Dr.  Aikman  removed  to 
Glasgow  in  1856,  and  the  Rer.  Dr.  Drummoud  (now  of  London)  was  inducted  as 
his  snccessor  in  1858.  During  the  incumbency  of  Dr.  Driunmond,  and  also  during 
the  earlier  years  of  that  of  his  successor,  Dr.  Morton,  Mr.  Kirkwood  was  able  to 
wait  upon  divine  ordinances  with  wonderful  rega'arity ;  but  a  tew  years  before  hi« 
death,  this  exertion  wasloo  great  for  him,  and  then,  within  the  house  of  God,  his 

'  On  tho  occasion  of  his  Jubilee  in  1861,  a  large  congratulatory  meeting  was  held 
in  tbe  church.  Many  ministers  conneoted  with  the  city,  and  also  man^  from  a 
distance,  were  present,  and  bora  testimony  to  the  high  respect  and  admuation  in 
which  he  was  held,  while  the  congregation,  by  a  suitable  address  and  a  gift,  teetilied 
their  continued  affection  and  esteem.  On  hia  attaining  the  eiity-aecond  year  of  his 
ministtT,  being  then  the  father  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church,  his  portrait 
was  presented  to  the  Synod,  and  now  adorns  the  walls  of  the  Edinburgh  Presbytery 
Hall, 

'  Mr.  Eirkwood  was  an  enthusiastic  admirer  of  natural  scenery,  and  was  conse- 
quently fond  of  outdoor  exercise.  A  walk  in  the  conntry,  or  a  da;  at  a  river-aide, 
rod  in  hand,  was  to  him  a  source  of  true  pleasure.  He  continued  to  takejin  early 
morning  walk  till  far  advanced  in  life ;  and  it  was  a  sad  proof  of  his  declining 
strength,  when  he  was  forced  to  give  it  up.  For  nearly  tnree  years  before  his 
death,  he  was  almost  entirely  confined  to  me  house,  but  he  was  cheerful,  happy, 
and  contented.  He  was  pleased  to  see  an  old  friend,  but  desired  more  to  be  aloae, 
and  spoke  oft«n  of  l(is  approaching  death,  repeating  the  words,  "'I  ana  ^oing  the 
way  of  ail  the  earth."  About  the  middle  of  July  1877,  he  was  seiied  with 
hnuichitis,  and  to  this  disease,  in  his  eofeebled  stat«,  he  very  Boon  succumbed. 
The  day  before  he  died,  he  did  not  appear  to  be  worse  than  he  had  been,  nor  did 
hehimself  saythat  he  wasBO.  Ontheeveningofthatday,  the  26th  July,  when  seated 
with  hia  daughters  for  tea,  he  most  affectionately  thanked  them  for  the  great  kindness 
they  had  always  shown  to  him.  He  made  no  allusion  to  bis  approaching  end,  but, 
instead  of  asking  the  usual  blessing  on  the  meal,  offered  up  a  most  fervent  prayer, 
commending  them  to  the  care  of  their  heavenly  Father,  which  led  them  afterwards 
to  anppose  he  must  have  felt  that  death  was  drawing  near.  He  retired  to  rest 
about  bis  usual  hour,  but  still  did  not  complain.  Early  the  nest  morning,  a  slight 
change  in  bis  appearance  was  observed,  and  his  daugbtors  were  summoned  to  nis 
bedside.  He  never  spoke,  but  appeared  to  fall  asleep,  and  at  six  o'clock,  without 
a  pang,  or  without  a  sigb,  hie  spirit  departed,  and  ne  entered  into  rest.  Thua 
catnly,  on  the  27th  July  1877,  did  Mr.  Kirkwood  pass  away  in  the  89th  year  of 
bis  age.  Of  li'm  how  justly  may  it  be  said,  "  Mark  the  perfect  man,  and  l^hold 
tilt  nprigbt,  for  the  end  of  that  man  is  peace  ! "  ' 


MEMORIES.' 


The  favourable  reception  which  Dr.  Brace's  little  volume,  entitled  Hebrew  Odes, 
received  when  it  appeared  a  few  years  ago,  has  induced  him  to  come  forward  again 
in  poetic  gnise.  Tlie  subjects  dealt  with  in  the  former  volume,  aa  its  name  implies, 
were  chiefly  taken  from  or  relating  to  Scripture  themes.  In  the  present  instance 
he  treats  of  other  subjects,  and  the  first  poem  is  one  of  considerable  lengtAi,  and 
tells  a  story  of  touching  and  romantic  intareet. 
'iha  gentle  and  studious  inmate  of  the  Manse,  it  tells  us,  brings  bis  aged  father 

■  Xemorif :  A  Tale  and  Oilier  Fotmt.     By  Williun  Bnicf ,  D.O.,  Aothor  of  Stbitw  Ode; 
etc    Edinburgh:  David  DongUs.    1878. 

MO.  IV.  VOL.  XXII.  VW.W  BSKIES. — APBIL  1878.  I. 


162  MBMOHIES.  "^Ijan?^ 

to  spend  Ida  declining  yean  irith  him.  Thd  fatlier  lutd  tivo  relstires,  a  brothei 
and  BJBter,  to  whom  he  was  tonderlT  attached.  The  broker,  however,  liad  .gcaie 
to  a  foreign  ^re,  and  diaappmntea  the  ineitangni^iaUe  hope  of  the  old  man  that 
he  would  yet  letom.  The  auter  paid  an  aiintiid  visit  to  the  Muse,  and  1»0Qght 
with  her  her  dangbtec  Amf.  The  miniater  lovefl  Amy,  bat  aeee  no  ajmptom  of 
recognitJoQ  or  retarn  on  her  part ;  and  at  last  they  were  all  atartled  oy  her 
iaforming'tiiem  of  her  marriage,  and  deeply  grieved  by  her  refusal  to  diacloae  bet 
hnsband's  name.  In  the  coniee  of  time  she  droopa  and  dies,  and  leaven  behind 
her  a  lovely  and  happy  child,  who  came  again  to  cheer  the  Bolitnde  of  the  Manse. 
This  child  becomea  a  favoarite  with  all,  and  spedaUy  with  an  old  aeaman,  named 
Daniel  Grieve,  with  whom  she  takes  freqnent  and  ha^y  walks  by  the  sea-shore, — 
her  love  of  the  sea  b^aa  a,  perfect  paaaion.  On  one  occasion,  on  their  walk  Uieir 
attention  is  called  to  a  ship  in  the  distance,  which  Daoiel  av^red  to  have  been  in 
the  same  place  Bome  five  years  ago.  A  severe  tempest  wi^cka  the  vessel  near  the 
shore.  When  Daniel  is  abont  to  die,  he  sends  for  the  minister,  t«lle  htm  of  a  box 
which  had  been  saved  from  the  wreck,  which  he  judged  onoe  bebnged  to  a  gallant 
and  high-spirited  yonth  who  was  with  him  in  the  same  vessel  for  a  year.  The  old 
man  paaaes  peaotfully  away ;  the  box  is  opened,  not  without  a  certain  shrinldng 
from  the  task,  and  is  foond  to  contain  the  certificate  of  Amy's  marriage  with  the 
jronth  to  whom  Daniel  had  referred,  who  followed  the  occupation  of  a  sea-rover, 
and  was  no  other  than  the  son  of  the  old  man^  brother,  who  was  away  in  foreign 
lands,  and  thns  also  Amy's  own  cottsin.  TJnfortnnately,  owing,  we  suppose,  to  Us 
occupation,  he  extracted  a  promise  from  Amy  not  to  disclose  his  name  till  he 
returned,  as  he  hoped,  with  ample  means  to  enable  them  to  live  together  in  peace 
and  plenty.  The  marriage  certificate,  however,  briogB  great  reUef  to  her  former 
lover;  aad  he  regrets  ever  having  permitted  himself  to  mtertain  other  than 
.  qvroving  thonghta  of  her. 

Meanwhile  Eva,  Amy's  attractive  daughter,  grows  into  womanhood,  and  is 
h^pily  married  to  the  youthful  and  exoellept  laird  of  Aeton  Grange,  a  place  in 
the  immediate  neighbourhood  of  the  Hanse,  which  thus  a^in  becomes  the  abode 
of  the  minister  alone, — now  a  solitary  old  man,  with  pensive  thon^ts  of  the  past, 
bat  hwpy  hopes  of  the  changeless  home  above. 

Such  is  an  outline  of  the  tale,  and  even  from  it,  brief  though  it  be,  it  will  be 
seen  that  it  has  deep  interest  and  power  to  eirate  the  reader's  sympathy. 

In  the  oouisB  of  the  narrative,  which  is  riven  in  a  very  sweet  and  simple  and 
nnaifected  manner,  there  ever  and  anon  nscdi  out  figures  of  much  beauty,  and 
occur  thoughts  and  reflectJODS  which  bespeak  at  once  a  mind  of  much  elevaUon 
and  a  loving  hearts 

Having  given  a  brief  account  of  the  subject  <rf  the  principal  poem,  we  may  coD, 
Cor  the  sake  of  our  readers,  eome  of  the  pasuges  with  which  the  narrative  is 
adorned. 

The  Hanse  round  whidi  these  Memoriei  cluster  ia  situate  bj  the  sea,  and  its 
varied  upeets  are  keenly  noted  and  vividly  described.  Of  the  Manse  itself  it  is 
said: 

<  Ths  widemue  slope  of  the  headluid  ends 

At  the  brink  of  the  brattling  rill, 
Where  ila  seiword  ourrant  snirply  bands, 
Oomiug  down  from  the  pasturs  hill ; 
And  m7  M&ubs  is  built,  where  its  guden-pale 
Leavee  a  narrow  ^atii  by  th*  streun. 
I  look  from  mj  window  adown  Uie  vals. 
To  the  b*7  where  the  flsherman'i  shallop  and  sail 
.  O'er  the  sunlit  waters  gleam. 
Tis  a  beautiful  scene,  when  the  sommer's  crown 

On  the  lap  of  ftutuniTi  fallff ; —  ■ 
Thevale;  mnd  the  old  mill  balfwaydown, 
Wltli  Its  gre;  nnganuahed  wkUi  ; 
And  Ibe  fishars'  town,  with  their  botts  aiid  geu' 
On  the  shelving  beach  where  the  rada  Btoua  pier 


Buns  out  Irom  the  level  land  ^ 
And  (be  tide-BtrsBin  ripplisg,  bine  and  cleai 
On  the  long  white  carve  of  sand. 


C  tOO^'Ic 


0[  in  wintar  tiiiM,  vheii  the  itonn-vriDd  avm; 

And  rooaee  the  lem  Iron  lt«  «laep, 

I  vatoh  the  oonne  at  Uie  pntt  mvea 

Thftt  oome  rolUng  ia  from  the  dsae  ; 

Eoir  the;  rush  am  the  iketriei  that  piud  tbs  b>f , 

And  orer  the  burier  bomtd, 
Then  huten  ihors-wud  ia  spraT  ud  foam. 
Like  Bt«adB  of  tho  wUdemeas  gaUopiitg  home 

From  their  diaUct  pastor*  srousd.' 

One  of  QiB  uotdceable  featores  of  the  poem  ia  iU  deep  iympathr  with  tlie  poor 
in  tbeii  stnigeleB  and  trials,  but  ibe  aotlior  takes  no  pesaimiat  Tieir  of  ^ieir 
dtnatioD.  In  tiie  Word  of  Troth  it  ie  'the  rich  and  the  poor  who  meet  together; 
UeLoid  b  the  tnaker  of  them  alL'  And  here  it  in  finelf  recognised,  that  not  onlf 
the  ^OOT  have  tho  heTitag&  of  a  common  nature  with  Uie  rich,  but  hare  also 
sources  of  coDBoIation  under  the  tfitJs  of  life  vhich  ora  Hie  lot  of  nuui.  Thna  he 
wys: 

'  The  Btr&ggliag  oottagee,  ten  in  all, 

Lie  inland  a  rood  or  more. 
With  the  moBB  on  the  ohink  of  tlie  rongh-built  wall, 

And  the  brown  tiiatoh  orer  tho  door. 
Can  evan  the  poor  be  at  rest  In  homes 

So  aBiraw  and  comfortleas? 
All  I  hearts  may  be  sad  under  gUttaring  doBKS, 

When  these  have  tbdr  mirtMnlnsas.  : 

The  daily  toil  and  tha  oommon  oare 

Will  lighten  tha  bonds  of  loTe, 
The  bnrden  nnitelh  the  hands  that  bear. 
And  Uie  lowly  are  promised  a  plentiful  share 
Of  the  peace  daws  that  drop  from  abore.' 

In  connection  with  tbii  manly  and  in(«lligeiit  sympathy  with  the  poor,  Ve  find 
afond  clinging  to  the  joya  of  domestic  life.  The  idea  of  home,  as  portisTed  in 
tliese  pages,  is  a  high  one,  and  aa  when  realized  it  satisfies  one  of  the  deepest 
wants  of  the  heart,  bo  when  there  is  disappointment  it  is  cruelly  felt.  Of  this  onr 
author  thus  speaks : 

'Harhome!  ah!  homel  ia  that' the  word 

By  which  sncb  pleasant  thoughts  are  stirred, 

Whioh  [alls  upon  the  ear  like  note 

Of  mosic  from  the  Unnefs  throat, 

What  time  the  Boft'ning  gleam  of  day 

Qives  softer  cndence  to  ita  lay; 

Which  falls  iy>on  the  heart  like  smile 

W  snmmer  on  some  happy  isle, 

Where  trampling  strife  has  nev^  mirred 

The  golden  flower-cnpa  on  the  sward, 

Wbera  loved  and  loving  imea  are  blest 

With  safety,  oheerfolness,  and  rest  ? 

Tlie  lonely  sorrowers  who  see 

Ho  friend  where  friends  were  wont  to  bo, 

Who  hear  no  foot-fall  on  the  stair, 

^D  rnatle  in  the  old  arm-chair, 

May  dw^  where  they  have  dwelt  before, — 

Bat  ahl  'tis  home  to  them  no  more. 

Where  there  are  none  to  love  and  tend. 

No  face  of  kin,  no  voice  of  friend, 

To  comfort  os  when  we  are  sad,  ' 

To  share  our  mirth  if  we  are  glad. 

To  watch  ua  as  we  go  and  come, — 

We  oalt  it,  bat  it  is  not,  borne.' 

It  is  a  familiar  Bay ing,  that '  extremes  meet.'  This  ia  trae  in  refweoce  to  age  bm 
Tell  u  other  things.  It  has  oft«n  been  noticed  how  tenderly  attached  the  aged 
ue  to  their  grandchildren, — finding  in  tihem  wonderful  gifts,  and  granting  tliem 
iadolgeneea  which  tJiey  never  thought  of  allowing  to  their  own  aond  and  daughters, 
ud  rejoicing  over  them  with  a  great  and  even  toaching  kind  of  joy.  In  connec- 
tion with  the  veteran  saaman,  Daniel  Grieve,  and  the  playful  Eva,  this  mutual 
relation  of  age  and  childhood  is  thus  truthfully  and  oharmingly  described : 


'  OUldhood  ukd  iga — 'tis  atruige  to  aee 
How  near  they  axe  in  BTinpithy. 
The  mciTT  yoaiigst«TB  Iotb  bo  well 
To  heeir  tiie  tatas  that  old  mm  tell, 
'Sor  iratb  their  glee  in  doubt  uid  feu 
Because  the  silvery  burs  ktb  near. 
The  old  ao  fondly  itoop  to  ruide 
The  pattering  footsteps  at  their  aide; 
And  weary  hearts  that  seek  tepoee 

Wnold  lany  hara  awhile, 
If  gladdened  In  their  jonmey's  dose 

Sy  obildhood'H  numy  smile. 
To  theB«^  life's  busy  toils  are  done; 
To  thosa  Ihej  Hbtb  not  yet  begoQ ; 
And  baply,  when  the  din  and  strife 
That  T8I  the  stirring  noon  of  life, 
Have  passed  and  left  the  failing  foroe 
To  mnse  along  a  calmer  course, 
In  kind  old  hearts  tbere  best  remain 
What  feelinge  make  them  young  again  ; 
While,  in  the  child's  unripened  thought 
An  instinct  of  imprssMon,— wrought 
Wa  know  not  how.  we  art:  not  whanca,— 
A  glaam  of  trustful  innocence. 
Bids  It  believe  that  toys  and  playa. 
And  fairy  tales  and  holidays, 
An  interest  from  age  may  share. 
Which  toiling  manhood  cannot  epare.' 

'  W«  hare  aftid  thftt '  tbe  Hanae '  etood  near  the  Bea.  This  tact  given  colour  and 
complexion  to  the  poera,  tud  ia  ioterworeti  with  the  whole  story.  It  ia  in  some 
impotent  leepeots  a  T&le  oE  the  Sea  as  well  ae  of  the  Manse,  and  it  thne  fittingly 
cloaea: 

'I  took  upon  thee  now,  0  sea, 
Bending  thy  waves,  io  melody. 
To  bfu  the  golden  fringery 
Of  eve's  robe  in  the  West. 
Beantj  and  power  are  given  to  thea ;' 
But  changing  aye,  so  fitfully, 
Thou  art  too  changeable  to  be 
The  emblem  of  blemitj,— 

For  that  Is  rest. 
Rest,  but  not  sombre  night, 
Nor  Blambrous  idleneea ; 
Life  rest,  all  pare  and  bright,      ' 
And  etrong  and  weariless. 
For  aye  the  beat 
Of  baey  feet 
Ib  heard  upon  the  golden  elreel. 
And  aye  the  tone 
01  praise  alone 
la  eehoing  round  the  Bapphir*  throne. 
Beat  there  ie  life  replete  with  thought, 
That  soars  far  ranging,  undistraugbt, 
And  Btrong  to  search  the  bfdden  springs 
Of  >U  unutterable  things. 
Beet  there  is  life  untiring  aye, 
,    At  work  in  everlasting  day, 

Where  earnest  labour  asks  no  ease. 
And  mighty  atforts  only  pleaee. 
In  that  bright,  busy  land  shall  be 
No  shadow,  no  nncertainly, 
No  night,  no  sea.' 

Several  of  the  smaller  pieces,  anch  aa  '  Hetty  Leighton,'  and  '  Pleaaant 
Thoughto,'  ahow  not  only  much  power  of  rersification,  but  are  rendered  with 
great  spirit  and  energy.  We,  however,  prefer  to  eonclade  with  the  one  entitled 
'  Welcome  Viaitora,'  aa  exhibiting  a  mood  which  ia  a  freqnent  one  with  our  anthor, 
and  which  be  happily  haa  by  nature,  and  also  has  wiaefy  learned  by  sage  experi- 
ence, viz.  that  of  appreciating  the  higher  and  rarer  pleasures  of  life,  but  resting 


^X^CmlT-^   IMPBBSeiONS  OP  A  TBIP  TO  JAMAICA  AND  BACK.      165 


'When  the  o»k  from  ita  wftilar  alaep  Kw*k>i^ 
And  the  cheitnut  bough  Into  (oll^a  brwike, 
When  the  primroM  doiu  iU  crawn  of  bloom, 
And  the  alu-efad  dklay  deoka  tfae  tamb^ 
The  Bwmllow  oomsB  o'ar  the  glUteriog  mun 
To  her  neat  bene&th  the  earcB  ligaiii. 

'I  lore  to  be&r  her  twitterlag  song, 
In  the  quiet  honr,  when  the  daya  srs  long; 
Though  it  has  not  the  vkijing  faill  of  the  lay, 
Whioh  the  linnet  pipes  on  the  bnmble  eprar, 
Nor  the  gaab  of  the  Isrk'a  glad  stralD  on  high, 
Twixt  the  green  of  the  esith  and  the  blue  of  the  Aj. 


'  That  chirmpiug  note,  eo  eSortleu, 
Seenu  bom  of  a  genue  happineaa  ; 

»  the  song  vhich  a  mother's  lOTlng  heart, 


Takidr  no  thooeht  about  sfcill  or  art, 
Will  chant  by  the  norsery  fire,  to  pleaM 
Ths  childiea  oInsleriDg  roond  her  knees. 


Will  chant  by  the  norsery  fire,  to 
Ths  childiea  oInsleriDg  roond  bo 

When  the  harebell  fades  on  the  dark'oing  hill, 


And  the  fruit  is  reddening  npon  the  thorn ; 
The  bird  of  the  swift  wing  knowa  her  time,  . 
And  speeds  avay  to  a  warmer  clime. 

'  But  the  redbreast  oomss  from  the  pathleaa  irood, 


'  There  ara  joys  that  belong  to  the  snnuner  day. 
Let  na  grat^nlly  um  them  while  still  we  may ; 
It  they  pass  when  the  SDnbeama  no  longer  ahloe, 
We  need  not  regret  them,  we  ahoald  not  repine  j 
For  the  dnrker  ssason  f  n  tarn  will  bring 
Some  friends  tUat  are  welcom?,  some  TOlcea  that  elng.' 


SOME  OF  MT  IMPRESSIONS  OF  A  TBIP  TO  JAMAICA  AND  BACK. 
(CmelaSed.) 
I  fOUHD  some  good  (raits  of  the  rerivol  which  happened  there  eleven  or  twelve 
jtm  igo, — meu  uid  nomen  who  had  been  awakened  then,  and  remained  bo.  It 
imtn  that  at  that  time  almoet  aver;  one  was  ia  a  fever  heat  of  excitement,  and 
w  most  extiaordinary  tbiogs  were  done  and  said.  For  aboot  a  week  the  people 
mmmed  the  church,  and  would  not  leave  it  night  or  day.  Bagsfnl  of  bread  had 
to  be  lent  for  io  keep  them  alive.  The;  woold  have  died  sooner  than  go  for  food 
IfaraKlvce.  Moat  of  their  time  was  spent  in  walking  and  singing  in  procession 
mud  the  inside  of  the  church.  The  religious  frenzy  felt  bj  a  great  many  was 
liHle  better  than  a  bodily  distemper,  and  they  were  soon  found  worse,  religiously, 
tliui  before.  Bnt  much  permanent  good  was  done.  The  net  bad  a  great  haul  of 
ttd  fish  in  it,  bnt  the  good  were  numerous  enough  to  characterize  the  work  as  a 
good  irork,  and  a  work  of  God.  Not  a  few  of  the  best  in  Brownsville  congregation 
■m  pointed  oiit  to  me  as  God's  children  bom  in  revival  tiroes. 


166  BOMB  or  MT  IMPMB8IOS8  OF  A  '    j!Snti^* 

I  bad  some  further  pnclice  in  honemambip  &t  Biownsnlle.  My  frienda  thae 
were  good  and  fearless  riders,  and  my  hoiae  nufortniiatelT  was  more  willing  tiun 
I  to  £l1ow  them,  as  thej  dashed  on  through  miry  slougha,  by  tiie  edge  of  preci- 
pices, or  np  the  side  of  steep  and  rugged  bilk.  To  give  mytielf  due  credit,  I  never 
did  fall  OB,  nor  faU  far  behind  the  tail  of  their  hoiBes,  nor  keep  very  far  forwaid 
from  the  tail  of  my  own.  It  would  have  done  good  to  ray  anxious  friends  at  home 
to  SM  me  flying  on,  my  white  umbrella  and  white  hat  in  faithful  attachment  to 
me,  but  in  very  useless  positions,  my  bruised  fingers  holding  on  by  the  front  of 
tlte  saddle,  my  feet  I  don  t  know  where,  and  jny  too  eameat  eyee  looking  for  a  soft 
plaoe  to  fall  on. 

'  Lucea,  where  tbe  nearest  mission  station  of  the  United  PTeabyterian  Church  is, 
lies  at  the  sea-idde  aboat  nine  miles  from  Brownsville.  Several  ttmee  1  rode  dom, 
Btarting  eaily  and  arriving  about  nine,  very  much  exhausted  by  the  heat,  which 
grows  more  intense,  whilst  yon  grow  more  tired,  aa  the  day  advances  and  yon  get 
mto  the  low-lying  regions.  Coming  down  from  the  bills,  at  a  turn  of  the  i^ 
Lucea  buista  on  your  view  magniflcently, — a  wide  bay,  shaped  like  a  horse-shoe,  on 
the  weetddeof  which  lies  the  town  in  a  groveof  cocoa-nut  trees;  Ibe  houses,  moedy 
white,  but  some  red  and  yellow,  peeping  out  very  jw^ttily  from  Hie  green  foha^ 
on  the  hill-side,  or  standing  in  lines  ot  cluBtere  on  the  seashore.  Mr.  'Wafeon  is 
revered  by  the  old  in  this  place ;  and  Mr.  Campbell,  k,tely  retired  from  the  missioii, 
ia  most  highly  esteemed  by  all.  He  was  long  a  laborious  and  snccee^nl  missionaiy 
here ;  organized  and  .conducted  the  Sunday  school  to  perfectiwi,  and  baa  left  an 
impression  that  will  be  distinctly  felt  tor  generations  to  come.  Mr.  BaiUie,  in  the 
station  at  preeent,  is  also  an  admirable  missionary  and  an  accomplished  man.  I 
believe  he  could  draw  a  tooth,  amputate  a  limb,  manage  a  cattle  pen  or  sngu 
factory,  or  work  the  telegraph,  as  well  aa  he  can  preach  the  goepel,  and  that  ia  ' 
Kiying  a  great  deal.  He  is  a  moat  devoted  servant  of  Christ,  and  as  euch  HOitB 
b^de  all  waters,  scarcely  ever  meeting  a  person  on  the  road  without  an  eStat  to 
commnnicate  a  gospel  word  in  season.  Never  did  I  feel  brotherly  kindness  Under 
than  his  to  me.  It  was  in  hie  bouse  I  met  the  late  Mr,  Hanna,  and  since  1  left 
Jamaica  the  shadow  has  fallen  on  himself  by  Mrs.  Baillie's  death.  His  house  ia 
beautiful,  commanding  a  fine  view  of  the  distuit  Brownsville  bills,  and  overlookiiig 
the  sweetly  embowered  town,  the  ample  bay,  and  the  open  sea.  BAniiful !  but 
desolate  I  for  the  desire  of  his  eyes  is  gone  horn  it.  I  preached  twice  in  Mr. 
Baillie's  church,  which  is  a  commodious  bmlding,  and  quite  fiUed  at  the  Sabbath 
services.     Our  mission  cause  there  seems  in  a  very  patwperoua  condition. 

I  found  the  return  journey  from  Lucea  to  Brownsville  much  more  pteaaant.  Ton 
leave  earlir  in  the  morning,  and  though  the  heaf  increases  as  you  go  on,  you  are 
getting  higher  into  the  freah  air  and  cool  breezes  ot  the  hills.  If  possible,  no  one 
starts  on  a  journey  in  the  late  aft«moon,  or  travels  in  the  evening,  in  Jamaica. 
Sunset  invariably  happens  about  six  o'clock,  and  with  sunset  almost  immediately 
darknesB  falls.  There  is  no  twilight  to  speak  of.  In  a  cemetEOy  the  other  day  1 
read  this  announcement  on  a  bowl :  '  The  gates  are  open  at  daylight,  and  closed 
exnctly  at  dusk.'  I  was  amused  with  the  phrase  '  exactly  at  dusk.'  I  thought  it 
might  do  for  Jamaica,  where  sunset,  dusk,  and  darkness  are  almost  one ;  but  in  a 
land  of  lengthened  tvriKghts  such  as  this,  to  say  '  exactly  at  dusk '  seemed  to  me 
as  odd  and  indefinite  aa  to  say,  '  exactly  somewhere  between  John  o'  Groat's  and 
.  London.' 

Bearding  the  white  population  of  Jamaica  generally,  there  is  not  much  to  be 
said,  if  one  must  speak  farourably.  Their  distinguishing  Christian  feature  is  that 
they  are  given  to  hospitality, — if  Christian  it  can  be  called,  for  it  does  not  aeon  to 
be  associated  with  any  other  fruits  of  the  Spirit.  If  professedly  njigioiie  at  all, 
they  seem  to  be  mere  formalists.  Their  manners  ar«  very  highly  cultured ;  the 
ladies  especially  are  proverbial  for  the  queenllness  of  their  style,  b^g  p<rfiiAied  to 
a  very  high  degree, — a  remarkable  grace  in  all  their  movements,  muiie  in  their 
iQ>eech,  good  taste  in  tlieir  dress,  and  in  their  minds,  apparently,  the  delicacy  tA 
good  feding  that  culture  ^ves  to  a  true  woman.     But,  after  all,  uie  only  thorangh 

S:inciple  -Uie  whit«s  have,  commonly,  is  what  they  have  learned  from  him  whom 
nnyaii  calls  Mr.  Civilitv.  There  is  not  much  humanity,  and  there  is  ksaeo^lineM 
in  their  inward  parts.    Moat  of  them  g^e  ^e  cold  shoulder  even  to  Hot&Xj,  and 


"■"SJ^TiwiT"'  TBIP  TO  JAKAIOA  ASD  BACK.  167 

Ui^faate  Iiegftlitj.  "^y  we  proud, — I  think  eelfiah,— and  their  highest  um  would 
■eem  to  be  to  make  life  u  eaty  &ud  enjOTsble  m  poeaible,  and  to  be  M  as  littie 
tioable  and  exp&aa  as  poasibla  for  the  goad  of  otheie.  The  white  ma%  together 
with  slareiy  and  nun,  na^  been  the  bane  of  the  ialand.  It  ia  aaid  the  estates  an 
dens  of  immorality.  Go  t^i  them,  and  jaa  hear  the  white  man  cnne  the  negroes 
sod  detail  their  sins,  which  are  i^ia-gij  the  offspring  and  image  of  his  own,  in  a 
different  c<doiir. 

There  is  a  book  written  by  Horace  Bnshnell,  D.D.,  America,  and  entiS^  The 
Sierai  Usa  o/aotM  Dark  Thing*.  1  do  not  know  that  he  had  the  Jaiaaica  negroes  in 
viewwhoihe  framed  that  title,  but  I  know  that  he  could  not  derote  a  chapter  to  a 
more  appropriate  subject,  the  Jamaica  white  people  being  judges.  The  African 
n^io,  the  Cuboa  negro,  the  American  negro,  Uiey  aaj,  are  all  bad,  but  the 
Jamaica  negro  is  worst  of  all.  That  man  or  woman  of  th^  should  be  fit  for  anv 
aaral  nae  whaterer,  is  to  the  Creole  white  mind  incouceiTable,  and,  if  held  at  al^ 
to  be  hdd  among  the  number  of  iDScratable  mjEteries. 

What -could  yon  eipect  of  a  race  thus  judged  and  thus  treated?  The  white 
peofde  speak  to  them  as  heartlessly  as  they  speak  to  hated  dogs,  and  if  a  Uaek 
man  of  ajHiit  shows  only  a  little  tncijgnatiou  at  the  insults  heaped  upon  him,  ke  is 
condemned  for  insufferable  pride.  You  can  easily  uDdecBtand,  from  tjus  state  of 
things,  what  and  how  great  difficulties  our  missionaries  have  to  oontend  with  in 
seekii)^  to  lead  and  keep  these  people  in  the  way  of  righteousness  and  both,  foe 
the  imitative  tendency  of  the  negro  leads  him  to  copy  the  very  rices  from  which 
in  his  white  superior  he  suffers  most  indignity  and  crusty. 

In  most  districta  it  is  almost  hopeless  for  a  bkck,  however  righteous  his  cause, 
to  go  to  law  with  a  white  ;  and  yet  the  negroes  are  very  fond  of  going  to  law, 
be  tiie  colour  of  their  opponents  what  it  may.  Judging  from  their  contributions, 
they  are  much  more  in  lore  with  law  than  with  gospel.  Obadiah  the  carpenter, 
who  gives  three -ha'pence  oi  a  threepenny-piece  once  a  month  to  the  church 
Gcllector,  will  luit  grudge  the  saving  of  many  years  to  have  the  satisfaction  simply 
of  going  to  court  with  his  ndghboar  Ahab  the  taior.  It  matteiv  little  whether 
or  not  there  is  a  fair  prospect  of  success.  The  pleasure  is  not  so  much  in  the 
desired  result  as-  in  the  law  piooess.  The  matt^  about  which  these  two  good 
mm  plea  is  the  ownership  of  a  miserable  hen  or  a  few  inches  of  unprofitaUe 
ground;  and  you  may  sometimes  find  two  brothers,  Moses  and  Aaron,  carryine 
on  an  expensive  case  at  law  as  to  which  of  them  is  to  have  an  article  that  both 
know  quite  well  belongs  to  neither. 

The  record  of  what  I  saw-  and  heard  and  experienced  in  Jamaica  mnst  soon 
dose,  or  mn  on  for  ever.  Gulliver's  travels  are  not  altogether  to  be  depended 
on,  and  if  I  tell  you  much  more  you  will  have  the  same  opinion  regarding  mine. 

The  tioM  soon  came  when  I  had  to  tie  up  my  straps  for  the  home  jonniey. 
Gcsng,  I  was  alone ;  returning  across  the  water,  like  Jacob,  I  became  two  bands. 

Onr  last  Sabbath  at  BrownsvUIe  was  a  day  of  much  weeping  amongst  the  people. 
Ou^be  week-day  previous  to  our  d^arture,  they  came  up  to  the  house  ia  great 
nmubers  to  ^ve  and  reeeire  ^ew^  presents,  and  some  lingered  long  about  the 
open  door  with  benedictionB  on  their  lips.    It  was  a  sore  parting  for  us  all. 

It  was  arrauKed  that  we  shonld  leave  Brownsville  on  Monday  morning,  to  reach 
Kingston  for  ia6  home  steamer  on  tite  Saturday  following.  At  an  early  hour 
there  are  fire  bota»  ready  at  the  door,  as  the  misaionarv  and  his  wile  intend  to 
accompany  us  as  far  as  Luces.  We  are  mounted,  and  slowly  descend  the  '  dear 
old  hill'  in  sileoce,  and  where  the  road  turns  wet  eyes  look — perhaps  their  last — 
at  the  dear  dd  bouse  on  the  top  of  it.  There  are  other  wet  eyes  at  many  of  the 
caliin  doors  beside  our  path,  and  many  kind  hands  ware  farewell  to  us. 

On  Wednesday  morning,  at  the  head  of  Lucea  Bay,  at  the  bridge  over  the  rirer 
that  flows  into  it,  our  party  of  five  breaks  up.  Two  ride  up  that  same  road  we 
came  down  lately,  and  three  are  carried  off  in  the  direction  of  England  as  fast  ae 
two  fresh  hocses  can  draw  tbem. 

That  erwing,  by  way  of  Montcgo  Bsy,  we  arrived  at  Hampden,  another  of  onr 
missicm  statkws.  Mr.  Downie  is  brother  of  one  of  a  well-known  firm  of  seedsmen 
and  florists  in  Edinburgh.  He  received  ua  very  kindly,  showed  us  the  church 
(vhiiih  is  a  large,  weU-fumished  biUUing),  and  next  day  drove  us  another  stage 


168  liUfllKeS  At  A  EAILWAT  STATION.  ^"'^'i^im^- 

on  tmr  way— down  to  Fatmontii.  I  remember,  in  the  early  tnotning,  when  I 
looked  out  of  my  bednxnn  window  in  Mr.  Downie's  hooee,  which  U  atnated  on  a 
hill,  1  woB  unazed  bejond  meaEoie  to  find,  if  I  oonld  believe  laj  eyes,  that  we 
hod  drifted  ont  into  the  Atlantic  Ocean  daring  the  night.  It  seemed  bo,  and 
there  were  little  green  ialands  dotting  here  and  there  the  wide  expanee  of  sea.  It 
was  not  sea,  however,  bat  migt,  maUng  at  a  high  level  a  dear  plain  enrfaoe  like 
calm  water,  and  covering  everything  below  that  line.  The  Bun  soon  folded  up 
tliat  mist  like  a  garment,  and  laid  it  past  for  the  day. 

From  Falmouth  onr  conrse  to  Kingaton  wae  the  lame  ae  titat  which  I  took 
coming  in  an  opposite  direction.  Leaving  Falmonth  rather  late  in  the  day,  night 
overtwk  ns ;  but  it  happened  to  be  Stir  weather  and  moonlight,  and  at  length  we 
reached  and  put  np  at  a  wretched  little  inn  at  St.  Ann's  Bay,  where  everybody 
was  asleep  except  a  litUe  idiotic  girl,  who  told  ns  there  was  no  bread  in  the  house. 

Starting  early  next  morning,  we  came  to  Chalk  Hill,  which  was  ascended  with 
difficolty,  and  by  and  by  reached  Annandale,  whore  we  reated  for  the  day. 
Another  day's  journey  past  the  Monea^e,  over  Mount  Dlabolo,  and  throng^  the 
Bog  Walk,  brings  us  to  the  railway  station  at  Sptuiish  Town  late  in  the  afternoon, 
— Oiankful  that  no  trace  or  spring  has  broken,  or  screw  loosed,  iJl  the  rough  way. 
By  train  we  reach  Kingston  in  tiie  evenine,  stay  there  (as  in  a  fiery  fnmace,  tlie 
weather  being  intensely  hot)  a  whole  week  w^ting  for  the  steamer,  and  at  last, 
on  Saturday,  find  ourselves  on  board  the  Venezuelan,  and  the  '  land  of  springa* 
fading  from  view  on  the  horizon  behind  na. 

The  voyage  was  as  pleasant  and  disagreeable  as  osnal.  Gitenially  we  had  strong 
winds,  heavy  seas,  waterspouts,  and  B&ipwrecka ;  internally  wo  had  good  and  bad 
company,  seS'Sickness,  and  not  a  little  home-sicknees  toa  We  were  glad  to  get 
landed,  as  all  people  at  sea  are,  s^ors  among  tjie  resL  The  same  day,  from  onr 
railway  carriage  wmdow,  we  saw  the  English  meadows  in  the  setting  sunlight,  and 
the  Scotch  hills  in  the  light  of  a  moon  not  so  bright  as  the  West  Indian,  but  to  me 
fuier,  because  more  homely  and  familiar. 

On  reaching  home  that  night,  I  thanked  God  for  taking  me  away  and  bringing 
me  back  again, — standing,  with  a  better  heart  and  an  e:qMuided  mind,  in  the  same 
room  where  before  leaving  I  stood  and  took  a  silent  /arewell  of  the  few  eartlity 
things  I  could  call  my  own.  I  still,  and  ahall  always,  I  believe,  bok  back  on  that 
journey  of  mine  with  the  wonder  of  one  who  has  just  awaked  from  a  very  happy 
and' enchanting  dream. 


MUSINGS  AT  A  RAILWAY  STATION. 

Gould  travellers,  meeting  accidentally  tion,  it  is  a  trifle  hardly  worth  the  name. 

at  a  railway  station,  throw  down  their  He  finds  he  will  arrive  later  than  he  had 

unseen  joys  and  sorrows  as  easily  as  they  expected.     His  self-eateem  is  n^ded,  as 

do  their  cloaks  and  bags  on  the  waiting-  he  cannot  keep  some  appointment  ;<kend 

room  table,  what  a  mingled  confused  this    one    disooncorting    circumstance 

mass  shoold  we  seel    How  unlike  our  blinds  his  eyes  to  his  otherwise  haipgj 

expectations  would  be  some  of  the  bur-  lot.  That  weary  load  of  real  cares,  bwne 

dens  I  how  light  would  some  seem,  that  by  the  young  indow  close  by, — a  family 

had  quite  oppressed  their  owners  1  and  dependent  upon    her  exertions, — must 

with'  what  wonderful  ease  would  we  sorely  reveal  itself  in  her  conntenance ; 

acknowledge  others  had  been  borne,  as  but,  as  we  lookup  at  her  cheerful,  patient 

we  glanced  from  the  load  laid  down  expression,  we  can  see  tiie  bravery  of 

before  us,  to  the  calm,  cheerful  face  of  her  heart  and  the  strength  given  her  to 

the  bearer  I    That  traveller,  now  walk-  endure. 

ing  towards  us,  we  should  expect  to  see  But  without  any  such  disdosnres,  and 
depositing  some  very  ponderous  harden,  well  aware  that  '  the  heart  knowe^  its 
to  account  for  his  croaa-grained  look,  own  bittemea,'  while  with  ita  joy  no 
He  seems  sununoniug  all  around  him  stranger  can  intermeddle,  a  sympattietic 
to  witness  to  his  being  a  moat  ill-nsed  heart  can  enter  not  a  little  into  the  feel- 
member  of  the  community,  when,  lo!  ings  of  the  various  groups  around.  There 
as  he  lays  down  his  case  for  onr  inspec-  is  a  sort  of  meemeriam  attnobi  ns,  oa 


'■'i^ETliST''          MU81HG8  AT  A  BAILWAT  STATION.  169 

tndi  occasions  as  tluilwe  ace  aappoaine,  stream  for  swne  coreted  flower  on  the 

to  one  or  two  parties  of  tvaTelleia.    We  other   side,  and    the   merriMt  .in  tiie 

lee,  or  fancy  we  do,  the  lights  and  joamer  basoB  as  the  joys  ol  the  day 

■hadowB   cTOBSiDK  their  pa^  for  the  were  Miog  recDontsd.     Bat  it  is  alt 

time,  and  cnu  find  something  higher  orer,  aod  he  knows  it    He  is  not  tuny- 

than  mere  amnsemeat  in  watching  ueii  iug  those  anmnd  him ;  he  is  even  to 

moranenls  with  no  unkind,  prying  eye.  the  moment  entering  into  the  welcome 

Pleasurable  excitement  is  always  the  kitbd  to  the  last  arrival,  boA  is  filming 

most  easily  detected.     While  *  sorrow  his  conjectures  as  to  the  retstions  of  the 

bfsds  hesTiIy  upon  the  sands  of  life,'  varioQB  friends  to  each  other.    Has  the 

the  maik  imprinted  on  the    outward  gradually  dawning  consciousness,  now 

mien  is  longer  of  being  recognised.    We  ripening  into  certainty,  that  his  life's 

can  more  eauly  trace  the  light  foot-  journey  is  drawing  to  a  close,  led  him 

prints  of  joy,  as  it  passes  over  some  to  set  his  heart  on  more   permanent 

TDtuig  life,  brightening  it  for  the  moment,  joys, — on  aland  where  tliey  nerer  say, 

bat  £tting  rapidly  away.    That  happy  '  I  am  sick '  ? 

gnnip  of  young  people,  always  horering  As  he  turns  his  eyes  wesrily  away 

near  one  spot,  tiie  appointed  meeting-  from  the  merry  party,  he  feels  ss  if  Qod 

place  for  a  pleasure  party,  tells  its  own  Himself  had  sent  an  answer  to  his  nn- 

ttle  in  the  eager,  bright  look  with  which  uttered  prayer  for  strength,  in  the  silent 

BBW  -  coiners    are    welcomed,    and   in  sympathy  of  the  little  fair-haired  child 

sniions  glances  for  late  arrirats.    The  standing  by.    She  has  stopped  her  glee- 

occa^n  has  been  long  anticipated,  and  ful  run  up  and  down  the  platform,  has 

on  this  bright  aammer  day   all  seeniB  laid  her  soft  hand  upon  his  knee,  and  is 

promising.    Care  about  weather,  in  this  gazing  up  into  hia  laoe  as  if  she  would 

changing  clinnate  of  ours,  has  been  laid  fainfind  out  the  secretwhich  her  childish 

aside,    and     confident    eipectation    of  instinct  tells  her  is  weighing  him  down, 

pleasure  has  taken  its  place, — not  quite  Often  hare  the  little  ones  been  made 

in  every  heart,  however.    That  young  ministering  angels  to  earth's  pilgrims, 

girl,  who  is  standing  a  little  apart  from  making  them  forget  self,  leading  them 

Uie  rest,  has  founded  her  hopes  of  the  to  think  of  the  home  where  there  are  so 

day's  hsppineSB  on   the  fulfilment   of  many  children.      With  something  like 

certain  day-dreams  she  baa  of  late  been  reverence  we  torn  aside  from  that  father 

fomiing,  and,  from  the  state  of  matter*  and  son,  who   are  evidently  soon  to 

at  this  early  stage,  she  is   not  quite  separate.     There  is  the  bright,  eager 

certain  of  their  combg  true.    She  has  glance  of  hope  in  the  boy's  face,  sobered 

made  the  burden  for  nerself,  and  she  by  the  last  moments  through  which  he 

mast  bear  it ;  she  is  lookiug'on  this  day  is  passing,  as  he  is  about  to  leave  home 

as  a  not  unimportant  link  in  along  and  set  out  on  life's  journey  alone.    The 

chain  of   events  which  she  fancies  are  father  has  an  anxious  though  resigned 

eseaitial  to  her  life's  happiness.     How  look,  which  tells  that  the  bittemess  of 

different  will  it  all  seem  long  years  after,  parting  is  already  well-nigh  past.    He 

when,  perhaps,  in  some  seldom  ransacked  has  given  his  last  counsel,  offered  up  the 

diairer  she  finds  a  memento  of  this  day  last  family  prayer  in  the  hearing  of  his 

in  the  dried  little  wild-flower  given  her  boy,  and  left  him  in  charge  of  a  love 

on  the  hill-side,  and  which  she  priced  so  greater  than  his  own.    The  time  seems 

moch  then !  short,  indeed,  between  his  child's  first 

Could  she  enter  into  the  feelings  of  journey  across  the  parionr  floor,  and 

that  youth  who  sits  at  a  little  di^nce  this  the  beginning  of  one  that  is  to 

wiatfully  eyeing  the  pleasare  -  seekers,  carry  bim  far  beyond  the  view  of  those 

she  would  see  even  now  how  li^t  in  who  watohed  his  childish  progress.  Will 

comparison  was  her  care.     His  sunken  they  meet  again,  and  how  ? 

Eand  hollow  cheek  show  too  plainly  Surely  that  young  bride,  in  hefelegant 

advance  of  disease.    He  is  remem-  travelling  dress,  with  her  hnsband  by 

^^^^g  bright  days  like  this,  when,  in  her  side,  can  hardly  have  a  burden  at 

such  a  party  as  he  sees  meeting  near  all, — her  life  is  so  sunny,  so  full  of  love  I 

bim,  he  was  forentbst  in  the  expeditioii,  Occamonally    the    thought   of   untried 

the  first  at  the  top  of  tiie  mountain  duties  and  new  responsibilities  brings  s 

wMcb  others  were  still  weuily  cUmbing,  thoughtful  look  orer  her  brow,  but  the 

the  most  daring  in  leaping  atsoea  the  ahade  is  like  that  thrown  by  the  young 


levrefl  in  apiine  m  thej  twitter  in  the  she  ctm  lejwc*  fsata  after  for  having 

Bnniiglit, — the  disdow  seenm  bnt  to  pw  been  choaen.  to  eodore  all  this  Borrav 

orer  her  tud  ia  gone.    Perhaps  ehe  ie  and  enjoy  the  mt  it  bringik 

vithin  a  few  atagei  of  her  new  hcane,  But  conjecturee  conceining  the  tn- 

tmd  full  as  she  is  of  joffol  antidpatioiu,  TelluB  mart  cnieo,  ae  st  the  eoond  of 

Uiooghts  of  reUtdvea  aa  yet  unseen,  and  Uie  railwi^  b^  there  in  a  scattering  and 

regaling  whom    she    haa    Bometimee  arushtothe^inHWchingtraiii.  Bnrdena 

timid  fean,  will  obtrude    tliemKlTes.  li^t  or  heavy  nnut  be  lifted  and  carried. 

Her  companion  has  no  anch  ai^rehen-  Perhaps  SMne  of  the  most  weary-looking 

sods;  he seenNthorooghly satined  wHh  bearen  woold  not  after  all  exohange 

himaelf,  his  fail  choice,  and  all  besides.  tiieirhaaTiertoraligliterload,aethTon^ 

The  safety  of  certun  feme  and  other  long  wearing  h  has  so  adapted  itadf  to 

C:a,  mementoes  of  their  toor,  haa  them  that  anothw  woold  be  lesa  eaailj 
carefully  proTided  for,  and  a  bome ;  while  others,  looking  ba^  io 
pleasing  picture  of  the  h<»ne  he  haa  manenta  of  quiet  reflection  on  their 
prepared  is  filling  hia  mind.  He  paasee  Ufe's  pilgrimage,  ceioice  with  a  sober 
with  a  kindly  glance  that  young  w^unan,  joy  that  Qtey  l^ve  not  b«en  left  withont 
who,  with  her  mother,  ia>waitinguiait  a  harden  to  bear.  Their  nature  haa 
bom  all  the  rest  of  llie  traTdleis.  Poor  been  aoftcned,  their  wills  aabdned,  and 
girl  I  her  greateat  sorrow  is  the  thought  their  affeetitma  diawn,  or  aometinKS 
tlkat  soon  her  borden,  heavy  as  it  is,  will  driven,  upward  by  that  which,  bat  for  a 
be  removed.  As  she  loo^  at  that  pale  power  beyond  themselves,  would  have 
face,  or  presses  the  thin  hand  she  holds  soared  or  stupefied- 
io  her  own,  how  thankfully  woold  she  A  od  what  is  life  bat  one  vast  waiting- 
receive  the  aasurance  that  the  mother  room,  whence  all  the  travelleia  will  be 
whom  ahe  ia  so  anzionsly  tending  waa  sominoiied,  not  collectively  by  one 
to  remain  with  her  and  be  still  her  care,  general  call,  but  individually,  as  the  life's 
Bat  the  troth  has  long  impreaaed  itaelf  journey  of  each  gradually  or  atmqttiy 
on  her  very  tool,  that  partdng  cannot  be  ends  ?  How  ah^  we  meet  the  .sum- 
far  off,  and  she  looka  forward  to  the  ntons?  Shall  it  bo  with  the  ahnr, 
time  when  all  thia  watching  will  be  past  dogged  steps  of  the  criminal,  who  knows 
and  her  taak  at  an  end.  They  have  that  at  the  end  of  his  journey  he  diall 
talked  orer  many  a  mutual  sonow,  and  be  farced  along  by  the  strong  arm  ot 
it  has  been  lightened  by  being  shared ;  the  law  to  meet  his  fate  ?  with  the  tardty 
but  the  dark  cload  gathering  over  them  rdnctant  face  of  the  stranger,  wlu 
now  will  bunt,  and  one  will  be  left  alone,  would  fain  delay  his  anival,  not  certain 
On  earth  they  will  never  ioiA  bock  of  the  receptum  U^t  awaits  him  qt  his 
blether  on  the  aaddeat  scene^  of  all.  destination  J  of  with  the  jovful  bound 
H^  she  be  aUe,  even  through  tears,  of  a  beloved  child,  who,  oner  a  long 
to  give  thanks-  for  strength  as  each  day^'s  abeence,  nirings  into  his  father's  arms^ 
burden  is  laid  before.her,  and  bome,  till  and  finds  himKlf  for  evv  at  home  ? 


'  A  CO^'ENANX  OF  SALT. 
'Son.  xriii.  19. 
'  A  COVSNANT  of  salt '  was  intended  to  he  perpetual  and  inviolabte ;  and  the  term 
refers  to  an  extremely  ancient  Easteni  custonk,  which  must  have  been  obaored 
over  a  very  large  portion  of  the  old  world.  Baron  da  Tott,  who  traveled  in 
Torkey  in  the  last  century,  gives  an  accoant  of  a  *  covenant  of  salt,'  in  wfakh  be 
was  one  of  the  parties.  He  relates,  Moldovanji  Pacha  '  was  dosirous  ot  an 
aoqnaintance  with  me,  and,  seeming  to  regret  that  his  business  would  not  permit 
him  to  stay  long  (when  he  called  to  see  me),  he  departed,  prmniaing  in  a  d  ~' 


'"iSffltw**^  THE  QLEAMER.  171 

putting  it  with  a  mjtteiiooa  air  od  a  bit  of  tite  broad,  be  ate  it  with  a  deront 
giati^,  aasQTing^  me  th&t  I  might  now  re^  on  him.'  Cnfortnaatdj  the  aame 
pacha  Tiolated  hia  '  corenant  of  Bott,'  thongb  the  Turks  think  it  the  bUdutt  in- 
gntitnde  to  forget  the  man  from  irham  you  have  receired  food. 

Aitother  Btorr  ia  toid  of  Jacomh  Beu  Luith,  foonder  of  a  dynaitj  of  Franan 
iicgB.  He  iraB  of  low  extractitxi,  and  made  himaelf  nolorioui  as  the  fearlew  leader 
<d  a  large  band  of  robbera.  Among  other  daring  ezploita,  he  entered  tiie  pnlaco 
of  tlie  prince,  and  collected  a  large  quantity  of  booty ;  but  before  ramoTing  it,  hia 
foot  strock  against  some  Hubatanca  in  hia  path,  which  he  imagined  to  be  sojnethine 
of  Tolue.  The  better  to  ascertain  it«  character,  he  put  it  to  his  monUi,  and  found 
to  Ma  chagrin  that  it  was  salt.  He  had  tasted  the  prince's  salt,  and,  howbrer 
uddentallj  it  might  hare  been  done,  Bupeistition  tbld  him  that  he  had  now 
entered  into  a  '  covenant  of  salt '  with  the  prince.  He  refused  to  Temove  tiia 
booty,  though  at  the  risk  of  offending  iiifl  comradea.  Some  time  after  he  told  the 
piince  the  whole  stoir,  and  in  consequence  he  was  appointed  to  a  oommand  in  th« 
umj,  eventually  making  bis  way  even  to  the  throne. — From  BibUcal  Thiagt  not 


a  IN  EARNEST. 

It  was  a  curioua  conceit  of  old  Selden,  in  his  Tahlt  Talk,  that  prayer  should 
be  short,  without  pving  God  Almighty  reasona  why  He  should  grant  this  or  that, 
Heing  that  He  knows  what  la  beat  for  ua.  It  ia  stninge  that  the  learned  man  did 
not  see  that  this  reason  would  be  ei^ually  good  for  not  prying  at  all,  since  it  ia 
quite  certain  that  the  Lord  needs  no  information  from  us.  But  in  truth  the  heart 
iust^nctiTely  lebnts  all  such  plausible  but  really  crude  sophistries.  When  the  ship- 
mast«i  telia  hia  pasaengera  that  unless  the  gale  abatea  they  will  all  be  at  tw 
bottom  of  the  sea  m  two  hours,  no  man  stops  to  consider  the  extent  of  the  divine 
onmiadence,  but  each  one  cries  lustily  to  Ood  for  help.  They  plead,  they  wieatle, 
tli^  present  arguments,  they  to^verse  the  whole  case  as  if  it  were  before  an 
esrthly  arbiter.  They  believe  in  prayer  then,  if  they  never  did  before.  They  are 
terribly  in  eameat.  And  often  their  wild  outcry  will  be  heard  above  the  din  of 
&6  tempest,  the  rattling  of  ropes  and  sails,  and  the  noise  of  the  straining  vemel. — 
Stkclaf. 

HOW  MR.  BUNNELL  WAS  TAUGHT  A  VERT  NEEDFUL  LESSON, 
BT  DK.  TODD. 

Old  Hr.  Bunnell  was  a  peculiar  man.  When  a  little  child,  he  was  peculiar.  He 
didn't  want  to  rock,  or  creep,  or  walk  like  other  children.  He  seemrf  to  prefer  to 
creep  ridewaya  or  baokward  rather  than  forward.  And  when  a  boy,  no  play 
suited  him,  no  plan  was  exactly  right.  When  other  boyfti  wanted  toakate,  he 
wanted  to  slide.  When  they  wanted  to  slide  down  hill,  he  wanted  to  run  on  the 
ice.  When  they  learned  to  read  in  the  usual  way,  he  tamed  his  book  bottom 
upwards,  and  learned  to  read  in  that  way.  Not  that  he  waa  cross  or  morose,  bat 
jieouliar.  He  wanted  everything  done  his  own  way.  When  he  became  a  maa, 
and  rode  bare-backed  when  othem  used  the  saddle,  and  milked  hia  cow  on  the  left 
side  instead  of  the  right,  and  used  an  ox  hameesed  with  the  old  hoise,  why,  people 
said, '  Hr.  Bunnell  ia  a  peculiar  man,'  and  let  it  ail  pass. 

But  there  were  places  where  he  found  it  hard  -to  travel  with  other  people. 
Egped^y  waa  this  ao  on  tlie  Sabbath.  He  never  could  enjoy  the  singing  in  the 
choich,  because  the  chorister  always  got  liold  of  the  wrong  tunes ;  and  he  could 
not  aijoy  the  prayers,  because  they  were  too  long' or  too  ^orb,  too  abstract  or  too 
crauncm.  They,  were  always  out  of  jdnt.  If  tiie  heathen  were  prayed  for,  he 
tboQght  that  the  heathen  at  home  might  as  well  be  remembered.  If  the  nati<ms 
were  mentioned,  he  thought  the  Jews  ought  to  be  mentioned  by  name.  In  all 
wses,  somebody  waa  left  out  or  put  into  the  prayers  that  ought  not  to  ha  He 
didn't '  mean  to  scold  or  find  fault.'  he  said,  but  he  did  '  love  to  hare  things  done  < 
nght,'    Poor  man  I  he  never  had  them  done  right  1 

But  a  greater  trouble  waa  the  preaching.  He  professed  to  like  his  minister,  and 
did  iike  him  aa  well  as  he  could  like  anybody ;  but  there  were  awful  mistakea  m. 
Ui  preaching.    Sometimes  a  most  important  point,  as  he  thought,  was  left  oat> 


172  HOMBciRcue.  ■":         "■:5i^:Tfei^ 

Sometimea  things  were  pnt  in  whij^  uobodj  could  imdentaDd.  Sometimea  thingg 
almoat  heretical  were  broached.  Whkt  oonld  he  do?  He  gt.je  hiula  and  pro- 
ponnded  qneiks  to  hia  miuiater,  and  hia  minister  so  gealdy  and  kindly  passed  ttkem 
off  that  it  seemed  like  ponriiig  water  <m  a  dock's  back. 

At  leaigth,  when  patience  seemed  about  to  give  ont,  and  vhen  he  could  Stand  it 
oa  longer,  he  went  orer  to  hia  oeighboar,  Deacon  Wright,  and  poured  his  tnniblea 
into  hia  ear.  Now,  Deacon  Wright  waa  a  qoiet  man,  aud  but  little,  bnt  thoiwht 
more.  When  he  did  apeak,  it  was  always  to  the  point.  He  knew  all  about  Hr. 
Bunnell,  had  great  patience  with  him,  and  a  great  r^iaid  for  him.  He  uaed  to 
say,  '  Mr.  Bunnell  lores  to  growl,  but  he  never  realty  bitee.' 

The  deacon  waa  jast  going  out  to  the  barn  to  fodder  bia  catUe,  when  Mr. 
Bnnneli  came  ap  and  bid  him  '  Good  morning—if  I  can  call  anch.  a  cold  morning 
good.' 

'  Now,  deacon,  I've  juat  one  word  to  bst.  .  I  can't  bear  our  preaching  I  I  get 
DO  good  Tbere'a  bo  modi  in  it  that  I  doa't  want,  that  I  grow  lean  on  it  1  losa 
my  time  and  paina.* 

'  Hr.  Bannell,  come  in  here.  That's  my  cow  "  Thankful" — she'  can  teach  you 
theology  I ' 

'  A  cow  teach  theology  !    What  do  you  mean  ? ' 

'  Now  see  1  1  have  juat  thrown  her  a  forkful  of  hay.  Jnat  watch  her.  There 
now  !  She  faaa  fonnd  a  stick — you  know  sticka  will  get  in  the  hay — and  see 
bow  ahe  toaaes  it  one  aide  and  leaves  it,  and  goea  on  to  eat  what  ia  good.  Then 
a^aln  I  She  hoa  fonnd  a  burdock,  and  she  throws  it  one  side,  and  goes  on  eating. 
And  there  I  She  does  not  reiish  that  bunch  of  daisies,  and  she  leaves  them,  and 
— goes  on  eating.  Before  morning  ahe  will  clear  the  manger  of  all,  save  a  few 
sticks  and  weeds,  and  ahe  will  give  milk.  There's  milk  in  that  hay,  and  she  kaowa 
bow  to  get  it  out,  albeit  there  may  be  now  and  then  a  stick  or  weed  which  she 
leaves.  But  if  ahe  refused  to  eat,  ^d  spent  the  time  in  scolding  about  the  foddar, 
she  too  would  "  grow  lean,"  and  my  milk  would  be  dried  up.  Just  ao  with  oni 
preaching.  Let  the  old  cow  teach  you.  Get  all  the  good  yon  can  out  of  it,  and 
leave  the  rest.    You  will  find  a  great  deal  of  nouriabment  in  it.' 

Mr.  BnnneU  stood  silent  a  moment,  tbea  tamed  away,  saying,  '  Neighbour,  that 
old  cow  ia  no  fod,  at  any  rate.* 


^omt  €ixtU. 

UNCLE  JAMES'S  LETTER 


We  had  juat  returned  from  the  annual  over  tbe  stones,  and,  aa  the  children  were 
holiday.  For  one  whole  delightful  helped  out,  their  feet  tonched  the  hard, 
month,  each  morning  had  broogbt  a  re-  unaympathetic  pavement  instead  of  the 
awaking  to  the  delightfol  sounds  and  soft  turf  aver  which  tbey  had  so  de- 
scents of  country  life.  The  early  crow-  lighted  to  wander. 
ing  of  the  cock,  as  it  seemed  to  announce  That  night  our  party  was  rather  low- 
with  triumph  the  return  of  day,  waa  fol-  spirited,  but  by  breakf sat  -  time  next 
lowed  by  the  soft,  sleepy -like  lowing  of  morning,  with  the  elaatidty  and  impnl- 
the  cows  going  forth  to  ruminate  in  the  aiveneaa  of  youth,  a  reactjon  had  t^en 

tieasant  fields ;  the  sweet  emell  of  the  place ;  the  paat  was  left  behind,  and  all 

onejsuckle,  as  it  floated  in  at  the  win-  manner  of  plans  were  being  laid  out  for 

dow  on  the  balmy  breath  of  the  mom-  the  coming  winter's  work  and  leaacma. 

ing, — ^had    all  woven  themselves  with  Muy,theeldeet,anenterprinngyonng 

wonderful  power  to  charm  into  the  life  lady  of  thirteen,  declared  that  ahe  meant 

of  that  month.    And  one  did  not  like  to  when  she  grew  up  to  travel  ev«  aD 

think  that  the  little  stream,  now  rushing  much,  and  so  she  waa  determined  to 

with  wild  ^ace  over  the  steep  rocks,  and  leant  '  heaps '  of  German  and  French 

now  sleeping  in  quiet  tranquillity  on  that  winter.    Jamet,  who  had  a  marked 

ibe  shining  pebbles,  had  to  be  enjoyed  taste  for  working  among  machinery,  and 

through  memory  and  not  by  sight.  waa  constantly  screwing  and  nnsciflwing 

But  ao  it  was.     The  carnage  rumbled  every  posaible  article  in  the  house,  from 


""f^iift*^^                               HOME  CIBCLE.                                                  173 

the  baby'a  coral  imd  bells  up'  to  his  to  TonnslreB  and  olhen,  and  lo  ccuii* 

ffttbei'H  fiddls,  -which  had  more  than  preneaure,  that  1  moai  tell  jaa  aome- 

ODce  come  to  grief  in  his  bands,  Baid  lie  thing  abont  it. 

ute  going  to  ask  bis  papa  to  let  him  '  Harj  aajs  she  is  going  to  leam  a 
kara  drawing.  Lizsie  declared  for  great  man^  languages,  but  if  she  learns 
moeic  and  music  alone  —  that  iraa  her  my  leaaon,  she  will  be  able  to  speak  a 
paaaion  and  forte ;  while  Jenny  boldly  language  tiiat  every  one  will  nndentand 
umonnced  sfaewasgoingtoIearneTery-  and  be  charmed  with.  James  wiahu 
thing;  and  the  baby,  sharing  in  the  lo  leant  drawing,  but  myleaaon  would 
enthuBiasm  of  the  moment,  and  animated  make  him  understand  the  proportions  i4 
\ij  its  spirit,  began  to  i^p  his  hands  things,  and  keep  him  from  making  any 
laatily, — that  b^ng  the  accoii:^>liBhment  miabiikee  in  petspective.  lliea  Lizzie, 
he  understood  it  was  hia  part  to  acquire,  who  thinks  she  mil  one  day  be  a  grand 
'  While  the  conversation  was  going  on,  mnaician,  wtfuld  find  that  this  wonder- 
sod  the  ezdtement  was  at  ita  height,  fnl  leasou  woold  make  all  her  pnrauils 
Uncle  Jamea  had  slipped  quietly  in,  and  fall  into  perfect  harmony,  and  life  itself 
stood  Burreying  the  scene  intently.  I  one  sweet  melody. 
BW  a  pensire  smile  glide  over  Ma  face,  *  Now,  what  do  yon  think  thia  lesson 
but  he  said  nothing.  Next  forenoon,  can  be?  It  is  long  unce  it  was  given 
boirerer,  I  recognised  his  handwriting  out,  and  many  have  tried  carefQ%  to 
on  a  letter  which  waa  banded  in,  ad-  learn  it,  all  of  vhom  have  been  nohly 
dre«aed  '  To  the  children  at  No.  5.'  rewarded,  while  all  who  have  neglected 
It  was  Sabbath,  and  as  we  were  jnat  it  have  in  conaoquence  anffered  great 
Ktting  out  for  church,  the  letter  had  to  damage  and  loss.  It  is  to  be  fotmd 
be  laid  past  till  the  evening,  when,  after  where  so  many  other  beantifnl  leaaons 
chnrch  and  Sabbath  aohool,  we  were  all  are  written  out — the  Bible  ;  and  thia.  ia  ' 
assembled  for  what  the  very  little  ones  it,  "  Learn  firat  to  show  piety  at  home.'' 
always  felt  to  be  tiie  nicest  hour  of  all  Now  you  see  this  is  a  lesson  that  needs 
the  day.  At  church  they  tried  hard  to  to  be  teamed.  It  would  appear  that  we 
fall  in  with  something  they  could  auder-  do  not  come  into  the  world  able  and 
stand,  bat  for  the  most  part  all  they  ready  to  ahow  piety  at  home, — indeed,  it 
could  do  waa  to  get  hold  of  a  word  here  ia  the  very  reverse, — and  before  we  can 
and  there,  that  they  could  remember  do  so  we  have  to  make  many  eameet 
and  Bsk  the  meaning  of  after;  then  at  endeavoura.  You  all  see,  when  baby 
theSabbath  school  they  had  theirlessons  begins  to  walk,  how  difficult  it  is  for 
ontheirminds,  andafeeliogofresponsi-  him  at  first.  Your  mamma  aets  him 
bility  connected  with  this.  But  here,  at  up  with  hia  back  to  the  wall,  and 
home,  in  the  bright  little  parlour,  with  moves  back  a  few  steps,  then,  holding 
their  papa  and  mamma  to  talk  over  oat  her  arms,  shecoazeahimtocomeon, 
everything  with,  and  ask  any  amount  o£  and  you  see  what  an  effort  he  makes  to 

Snealiong,  and  tell  them  pleasant  Sun-  reach  her, — an  effort  he  would   never 

ly  stories,  and  apeak  to  them  of  their  make  but  for  the  goal  before  him.    And 

Father  in  heaven,  wboae  love  for  them  then,  laat  winter,  when  Johnnie  began  to 

was  but  dimly  shadowed  forth  by  that  learn  writing,  you  remember  how  amused 

of  their  earthly  parents,  this  everang  we  all  were  at  the  determined  way  in 

hour  seemed  fnU  of  joy  and  sweet  repole.  which  he  grasped  his  .pen,  and,  with  his 

So  at  thia  time,  Willie,  who  had  taken  tongue  out,  set  himself    to  copy  the 

charge  of  Uncle  James's  letter,  produced  letters  before  him.    Now,  to  learn  my 

it,  and  read  aloud  as  followB  : —  leaaon  you  must  be  as  energetic  and 

'Mr  DEAR  Children,— When  Hooked  determined  as  baby  or  Johnnie.    But, 

in  npon  you  this  morning,  and  found  beddes,  you  must  remember  that  there 

yon  all  BO  bright  and  happy,  I  waa  is  help  always  near.    Just  look  at  baby 

very  glad  indeed.    Then,  as  1  neardyou  when  he  ia  at  one  of  those  walking 

arrangingyonratudiee  for  the  winter, —  leaaona.    He  staggers  to  one  side  and 

allthat  yonare^Dg  todoandleani, —  tumbles.    But  does  be  lie  atiil  and  give 

I  thought  all  this  ia  very  nice.    Iliketo  up  the  attempt?    Perhaps  he  would; 

see  yonng  people  anxious  to  leam  every-  but  you  see  your  mother  is  there,  sod 

thing  they  can,  but  there  was  one  thing  she  stoops  down  and  picks  him  up,  and, 

that  occurred  to  me  which'  yon  did  not  setting  him  on  hia  feet,  takea  hold  of  hia 

'  menUon,  and  which  is  so  important  both  hand  and  with  firm  grasp  leada  him  on. 


174                                                  HOME  CIRCLE.  ""Slu^l!^ 

till  with  retnnung  ooonge  he  sets,  out  usten  and  coinpaDUMiB  what  a  beuitiM 

anew.    Indeed,  were  it  not'  for  help  thing  the  Christian  life  is.    A  litti^-boj 

beyond  ourBehea,  no  one  would  erer  was  one  day  learning  the  text,  "Kke 

.  learn  this  lesaon,  but  then  this  help  is  up  before  the  grey  hairs."    Some  one 

giren  to  every  one  who  asks  it.  explained  to  him  that  it  meant,  tbst  if 

'Bntyoneay,  "Is  tlielea««warthso  he  were  sitting  in  the  eosy-ch^,  aodaa 

mTich  tronble  ?    What  is  it  we  are  to  old  man  were  to  come  into  the  room,  he 

leani?    What  do  yon  mean  by  showing  sKonld  rise  up  and  give  him  his  seal 

piety  at  home?"    Well,  yon  now  piety  "  Ahl"  Bud  me  little  boy,  "Idoa'tlike 

means  lore  and  duty  to  a  father,  and  in  that  text,  1  would  rather  learn  another." 

itshigfaeet  and  widest  smse  it  means  the  Yousee  he  had  not  leamed^isttoshow 

lore  and  duty  we  owe  to  our  Father  in  pie^  at  home.    So  a  great  deal  is  is- 

heaven.    So  you  see  this  includes  every-  clnoed  in  this  leasop. 

thing  of  any  value.    For  "what  doth  'And  is  it  not  worUt  learning?    In' 

theLoidregnirepf  thee, buttodo  justice,  some  of .  the  dingiest  Isjkb  in  Londtai, 

io  lore  mercy,  and  to  walk  humbly  with  there  are  many  dark  littte  houses  that 

thy  God?"  Whatsoever  Ihin^ are  lovely  are  brightened  and  beautified  by  a  few 

and  of  good  report  are  oompreheiid^  hnmble  flowers  in  very  commoajdace 

hwe.  earthttn  pots.   But  how  infinitely  more  ii 

'  C  was  latdy  living  in  a  hoose  where  that  home  beaatifled  where  the  cliildra 

one  of  tiie  servants  was  ilL    She  was  bring  forth  the  fmits  oi   the  ^piriL- 

far   from    home,  and  felt  Iwely  and  which  are   me^neeB,  gentl^ea,  ana 

strange.    Well,  one  of  tlie  children  in  love.    In  such  a  dwelUng  snrdy  the 

the  fiunily,  a  little  girl,  used  to  go  away  prayer  is  answered  which  I  saw  lately 

beaide  this  young  woman  when  her  fel-  over  (me  of  the  dooia  in  a  boose  in 

Iow-eerv*j)t  was  ont  and  she  was  left  all  which  a  German  family  lived,   "  God 

akme,  and  sometimes  she  read  to  hei,  and  bless  this  home." 

EometJmee  she  chatted  about  anything  'But  we  must  not  forget  the  little 

she  thought  would  be  interesting,  and  word   "first"  in  my  lesson.     "Why 

cheered  up  the  hearii  of   the    lonely  should  we  learn  it  first?"    Barely  the 

stranger,  so  that  some  time  after,  when  A  B  C  is  the  first  thing  to  learn,  yon 

^e  had  got  quite  well  again,  die  said  to  s^.    No,  my  lesson  comes  long  Won 

hermistress,  "  Yonwere.all  kiudtome;  that    A  child — ^most  an  infect — was 

but  Miss  Hary  I  used  to  think  a  little  playing  with  a  kitten,  when  soddenly, 

angel,  the  way  she  would  leave  her  play  looking  up  in  his  mother's  face,  he  s^d, 

or  whatever  she  was  doing,  and  come  "But,   mamma,   wilt  kitty  like  this?" 

and  sit  beside  me."  You  see  he  had  be^on  evrai  then  toleam 
this  great  lesson.     Like  so  niaiiy  other 

"Litae  deeds  of  Undnesi,  lUUe  words  of  lessons,  it  is  fu  easieet  when   Wned 

lUtT'tbis  earth  an  Eden,  like  U-Bhoayen  °^-     I  r^nembw  once  trying  to  teach 

above."  B  woman  advanced  m  life  to  read.    Bot 
oh,  the  trouble  it  was  I    After  die  and 

'We  are  apt  to  overlook  small  present  I  both  thought  we  had  got  some  letters 

opprattmities.    A  missionaty,  who  had  firmly  fixed  in  her  mind,  by  nest  day 

been  many  years  in  the  formgn  field,  even  traoe  of  them  was  goike,  and  the 

was  visiting,  when  honie  once,   at  a  wliole  thing  had  to  ,be  began  agiin, 

honse  where  there  lived  a  little  girl  who  and  that,  too,  with  a  feeling  of  disa^ 

was  much  int«reeted  in  the  wonderful  pointment  and  hopelessnese  not  easUy 

st<mea  he  had  to  tell.     One  day  she  battled  against ;  and  so  it  is  with  this 

oame,  aad,  standing  close  beside  liiiii|  lesson, — you  can  never  leam  it  so  easily 

asked  if  he  would  not  take  her  with  him  as  tdien  you  are  yonng. 

when  he  went  away  again, — she  wordd  '  Ilieo,  be^es,  if  yon  are  not  kan- 

lika  BO  mmcb  to  be  a  missionary.    He  ing  what  is  good,  yon  are  iMTning  wh*t 

had  to    tell    ber    that   she    was   too  is  bad.    Tiie  mind  does  not  stajido^it;- 

little  to'  go  abroad,  bnt  that  still  she  Just  try  a  piece  of  gioiuid  in  tiiis  «sy. 

might  be  a  missimary.    She  looked  at  Sow  nothi^  oa   it.     Do   yon  think 

htm  in  wonder.    How  could  she  be  a  nothing  will  giow?     I  once  thou^t  so, 

minicHiaTy  ?    He  told  ber  she  might  be  How  foolish  I    In  the  gai^  tben  vh 

ft  Aome  missionary.    By  her  everyday  a  piece  of  Very  bad  BoiL     It  tox*  w* 

life  she  might  tell   bet  hrothetB  and  eoa  of  labour  to  get  bnt  a  pow  crop 


....jb  left  to  stand  empty. ___.     _.     , 

imniediatelr  it  grew  weedB  enoBgh  to  htil  would  stop  ont  of  pnre  aluwie. 

Ehwk  tlie  whole  ndghboariiood.    And  *  Bat  beyond  tliie,  then  U  uiother 

n  it  is  with  onnelres.     If  tiiis  lewon  thing  abont  thia  leMon  tlut  makes  it 

d  showing  pie^  at  borne  is  not  leamod  important  beyond  all  othen,  and  tiiat 

fint,  a  great  many  other  tUnga  have  to  ie,  that  it  is  not  odIt  ezoeedinglj  nsf- 

be  imleHned  afterwards.  fal  to  ns  in  this  woild,  bnt  it  u  the 

'Then  what   a  bkasmg  to   othma,  great  acoomplishmeat  or  aoqiiiremcnt, 

ctiiMren  who  have  learned  this  lesson  or  whatever  yon  like  to  oul  it,  that 

an  I    Ah  !  tou  do  not  know  how  much  we   can  [carry  with  m  to  the  worid 

yonr  father^  and  mother's  hearta  are  beyond. 

get  on  yon.     A  gentleman  was  speak-  '  You  remember  how  yonr  coosin  Tom 

ing  to  mo  lately  of  his  son,  and  in  tones  took  afancytoleamskatuiglaBtwinter, 

of  deep  disappointment  mentioned  that  bow  he  had  great  difficulty  in  permad- 

lie  had  pud  £60  for  his  ednoation  in  ing  his  mother  to  get  Aatea  for  him, 

mmic  atone,  and  he  had  narer  heard  bow  it  was  found  they  were  not  to 

him  play  a  note  but  <Kice.    I  hare  read,  be  had  in  the  village,  and  how  at  last 

too,  of  an  old  Soman   matron  called  they  got  them  after  aending  all  the  way  - 

Cornelia  being  visited  by  a  lady  who  to  town  for  them.    Well,  jngt  that  night 

entertained  her  hostess  with  a  deacrip-  they  were  got  a  thaw  set  in,  and  then 

lion  and  sight  of  a  great  many  jewels  was  no  more  weather  for  skating  all 

die  wore.    At  last  she  said,  "  Bat  have  that  winter.    He  felt  he  was  not  r^aid 

yon  no  jewdj  yon  oonld  show  me?"  for   his  trouble,  tiie  <^portnnitieB  (or 

Thsi  Cornelia,  calling  in  her  three  eons,  skating  being  so  few  and  uncertain, 

no  donbt  with  mnch  pleasure,  and  per-  Bnt  this  lesson,  when  learned,  is  nse- 

haps  a  little  pardonabla  pride,  said,  fnl  every  day  we  live,  indeed,  is  neoes- 

"See,  these  are  my  jewels.      What  so  sarv  to  the  right  living  of  every  day, 

predons  in  the  eyes  of  yonr  parents  as  sna  forms  the  great  preparation  toi 

yonnelveM,  and  what  can  Afford  them  eternity  itself,  when  onr  lessons  will  be 

snch  pleasure  aa  seeing  jou.  learning  learned  with  esse  and  alacrity,  nnmixed 

this  groat  lesson,  and  eobeug  fitted  fw  with  patnfnl   effort  or  baffling  disap- 

becoming  Jew^  in  tiie  <;r6wn  of  the  ptnntment,  andpractiaed  only  with  jot 

Redeemer  Himi^!  and  delight— TTith  all  good  wishes,  I 

h  'But  to  others  besidee  thnr  parents  am,  yonr  aSeotionate 

sndi  children  may  be  a  great  bleesing.  '  Uncle  Jahes.' 

Jnst  snppoee  that  all  the  children  in  That  night  none  of  the  children  fwgot 

yonr  street,  or,  better  sMIl,  all  over  the  to  pray  that  they  mi^ht  be  enabled  to 

town,  had  learned  this  lesson,  what  a  '  learn  first  to  show  piety  at  home.' 

levolotiDn  it  would  make  I    Half  the  I.  S. 


€axvt^an)3ttict. 

THE  TENDENCY  OF-  MODERN  PHILOSOPHY. 

TO  THE  EDITOK  OF  THE  UNITED  PRESBTTEEIiN  MAGAZINE. 

Sis, — I    have  read  in    the   February  and  leaving  behind  them  no  perceptible 

Magaans,  a] letter  entitled  'An  Im-  effect.     But  this  is  a  mistake.     The 

portant  CrisiB, '  under  the  signature  of  speonlations   of   the    higher  order  of 

'  Fertitensis.'    It  may  be  that  the  crios  mii^   find    their  way,    e^>eciall^   in 

of  which  the  writer  ^>eaka  is  deemed  these  days  of  abnndant  publicauons, 

by  «nie  to^  be  more  imaginary  than  from  month  to  mouth,  and  the  theories 

real,  and  that  what  'Perthenais'  refers  of  our  greatest  thinkers  are  canvaased, 

to  is  rathw  a  matter  <^  mere  specnla-  not  only  within  academic  walls,  bnt  in 

tion  ^an  of  practacal  utility.  the*wotkBhop,  and  even,  as  I  can  testify. 

It  is  the  habit  of  aome  to  look  on  in  the  stone  qnarry. 
all  t^oBOi^o   theories  as    so    many        It  is  well,  therefore,  that  attention 

▼aaitieB,  mtsabetantial  and  evanescent,  shoald  be  earnestly  called  to  what  is  - 


176  OOEBHflPOHDBNCE.  ^    Sai^SI.'*^ 

being  Bftid  by  oar  modeni  a&ges,  md  embalmed,  uid  which    on   that  very 

the    tendencies   of   theoriea   wlTajiced  accoont  is  the  nniqne  woDder  &nd  the 

and  advocated  ^7  them  examlDed  ud  reiy   marrel    of    all    literature,    and 

declared.  demands  that  it  shall  be  interpreted 

In  the  present  day,  it  is  ^oerallf  just  like  any  other  book,  not  merely  in 

supposed  that  mere  materialism  pes-  its  words,  bnt  in  its  inmost  sense;  that 

seeses  the  field  of  speculation  as  well  its  histories,  its  prophecies,  its  miracles, 

as  of  science.     But    this   is   not    so.  its  sacred  truths,  shall  be  sabjected  to 

Materialism   ia    utterljr    repugnant    to  the  standard  by  which  we  try  the  words 

minds  of  an  imaginatiTe  as  well  as  in-  and  explain  the  sense  of  HerodotOB  and 

tellectual  cast :  it  affords  no  play  to  the  Plato,  of  Yiigil  and  Tacitus,  of  Dante 

fancy,-aDd  seta  forth  no  worthy  object  and  Bacon.     All  in  it  that  is  super- 

of  aamration.     It  is  therefore  in 'the  natural—all  that  discriminateH  it  as  a 

direction  of  Pantheism  Uiat  they  work,  specific  reTelation — is  to  be  adjudicated 

It  has  a  chann  for  them  by  reason  of  by  natural  laws  and  reason.    And  the 

ite  very  vagueness  and  mystery,  and  philoaophioal  unbelierer  knows  full  well 

assumes  shapes    of    dreamy   grandeur  that  if  this  radical  point  is  gained,  he 

which  strongly  impreas  them.     It  ia  has   gained    his  caose ;    that    be  has 

itot  Darwin  that  inapires  the  poetry  resolved  specific  Christian   truth  into 

and  guides  the  thougnt  of  the  loftier  aomethmg  else — into  hia  own  system ; 

minds  of  the  day,  but  from  the  distant  and  that  it  is  that  system  which  is  left, 

past,  Spinoza.  while  Christianity  has  been  sublimated 

In  iUostr&tion  of   thia,  I    quote  a  in  the  process ;  for  no  one  can  resolve 

passage  from  an  admirable  volume  by  these  specific  truths  and  facts  of  Chria- 

the    bte  Dr>  W.  B.    Smith,  entitled  tianity  into  mere  general  ideas  or  ideal- 

Faiih    and    Philosophy,  recently  pub-  izing  formulas,  without  annullinK  their 

lished  in   this  country   by  the  Messrs.  nature  and  robbing  them  of  their  for- 

Glark.      The    passage    ocouis    in    a  mative  principle,  just  as  a  plant  or 

thoughtful  and  learned  paper  on  'The  animal   loses    its  specific    vital    force 

New  Latitudinarians  of  England,'  and  when  decgmposed   into   its   inorgajiic 

is  as  foUowB : —  elements.     Especially    has   the  whole 

'  A  philosophic  unbeliever  resolves  form  and  pressure  of  modem  unbelief 
revelation  into  intuition,  miracles  into  run  in  this  direction.  It  haa  come  to 
the  course  of  nature  plus  myths,  in-  its  most  distinct  expression  in  the  con- 
spiration into  genius,  prophecy  into  flict  between  Christianity  and  Pui- 
sagadons  historic  conjectures,  r^emp-  theism.  It  has  come  to  conscious- 
taon  into  the  victory  of  mind  over  nesainthts  contest;  for  to  absorb  the 
matter,  the  incarnation  into  an  ideal  concrete  in  the  abstract,  to  deny  reij 
anion  of  humanity  with  divinity  real-  being  to  anything  individual  and  per- 
ized  in  no  one  person,  the  Trinity  into  sonal,  to  resolve  specific  truth  into 
a  world  process,  and  immortal  life  into  spiritaal  ideas  as  its  last  expression,  is 
the  pe^tuit^  of  spirit  bereft  of  the  whole  method  and  art  of  Pan- 
peraonal  subsistence.  He  takes  the  theism;  and  hence  all  thia  anti- 
wondrous  volume  in  which  all  these  Christiati  movement  runs  into  it  by  a 
truths    and   facts    are    embodied   and  kind  of  logical  necessity.'— I  am,  etc., 

Obsebvkr. 

A  MINISTERIAL  WANT. 

TO  THE  EDITOR  OF  THE  UKITED  PRESBTTERIAN  UAGAZIHE. 

Sir, — It  is  with  much  pleasure  that  I  in  the  same  quarter !    On  the  shelves  of 

note  the  presentation  to  each  of  the  pro-  my  own  library  stand  several  Tolnmes 

fessora  and  students  of  the  Theological  obtained  in  the  happy  Hall  days  in  like 

Hall  of  a  copy  of  the  late  lamented  Pro-  manner,  through  the  kindness  of  friends 

feasor  Eadie  s  valuable '  Commentary  on  of  the  students.    But  the  announcement 

Thessalonians.'    Mr.  Bigcart  of  Dairy  is  in  the  newspapers  of  Mr.  Biggart's  gift 

DnlvgivingtheOburchaiiiTtherinstance  has  anew  brought  to  mymindthe^ct 

of  his  Christian  munificence  in  such  an  that  there  are  many  'fathers  and  twe- 

^piopriate  gift.    All  honour  to  him  and  thre'n '  to  whom  such  a  boon  woold  be 

'  such  aa  he  is,  for  former  similar  favours  invsluable ;  and  who,  fioanc^sUy,  are  aa 


BELiaiOUB  INIBIXIQENOB. 


mnch  in  need  of  the  beat  theological 
books  u  the  'bods  of  the  prophets.' 
Bemg  a '  supplemented '  minister  m^lf , 
I  can  Epeu  of  the  aigh  irith  vhich  I 
view  the  publication  of  anch  large  and 
costly  works  Sn  Dr.  Eadie's  volomea  on 
'The  English  Bible,'  Stanlej'a  'Jewish 
Chnrch,' Spurgeon's '  Treasury  of  David,' 
tbe  '  Congregational  Lectures,'  etc.,  re- 
membering that  '  they  are  so  near  and 
jrel  BO  /ar.'  The  ret  angnstx  domi  of 
BQpplemeuted  ministera  forbid  indulgence 
to  any  great  extent  in  anch  works  as  I 
h»Te  named ;  and  by  reason  of  anch  ab- 
Btention  many  of  us,  I  am  sure,  so  far  as 
modem  theological  and  biblical  thought 
is  concerned,  can  cry  out '  My  leanness, 
my  lesncess ! '  The 'Ministers'  Library' 
8dieme  in  our  Church  seems  to  have 
become  defanct ;  at  least  I  have  never 
hend  of  its  exieteuce  since  I  became  a 
minister.  If  it  still  lives,  it  is  '  bom  to 
bloih  unseen-'  Such  schemes  aa  that  of 
Ur.  Spurgeon  in  behalf  of  the  poorer 
fiBptiat  minieters,  and  that  of  the  Chrit- 
lian  World  in  periodically  supplying  new 
Bud  important  theological  works  at  a  re- 
daced  rate  to  Congregational  ministers 
'hoae  stipends  are  small,  do  not  seem  to 
take  root  in  the  colder  soil  of  Scotch 
Freshyteriauiam.  I  understand  that  in 
the  Free  Church  there  isaaystemwhereby 


published  price.  Mutual  eligibility  here, 
however,  is  not  to  be  expected,  as  on  our 
side  we  have  no  such  advantages  to  offer. 
Now  and  then,  it  is  but  fair  to  say,  a 
straj  volume,  anch  as  'The  Lord's  Offer- 
ing,''  or  Dr.  Taylor's  'Ministry  of  theWord,' 
is  dropped  in  our  way:  bat,  generally, 
the  books  thus  obtained,  are  anch  as  can 
be  got  without  much  sacrifice.  Can 
nothing  be  done  to  bring  within  reach  of 
the  younger,  poorer,  and  more  remote 
ministers  of  the  Church  an  occasional 
qwta  of  new  theological  literature?  I 
would  commend  the  idea  to  the  richer  lay 
members  connected  with  the  denomina- 
tion, and  hope  to  see  it  put  into  form, 
either  in  a  revival  of  the  Ministeis 
Library  Scheme,  or  the  adoption  of  the 
Free  Church  eystem  of  reduced  rates  to 
ministera  whose  stipends  are  £300,  or 
under.  The  benefit  of  sach  a  scheme 
would  be  incalculable,  especially  to  thoae 
who,  like  myself,  are  at  a  distance  from 
the  libraries  in  Glasgow  and  Edinburgh, 
and  whotfe  acquaintance  with  the  most 
valuable  works  in  theological  and  biblical 
literature  ia  confined  to  a  perusal  of  the 
booksellers'  catalogues,  or  a  criticism  in 
the  pages  of  the  Magazine  or  the  Daily 


Hem, 


-la 


A  YOUNO  Minister. 


JfttliUi0fR«.— JKnittb  ||nsbyterian  (Jtfeurc^. 


TBESBETEBllL 

Aberd^M, — This  presbytery  met  on  the 
I2ih  Febroary,  when  it  was  reported  by 
the  Committee  on  Nelson  Street  Congre- 
iruioD  that  Mr.  Brown  had  Intimated  to 
Dr.  Scott  bis  desire  lo  resign  his  charge 
OB  condition  of  being  admitted  as  an  an- 
smluit  on  the  Aged  Ministers'  Fund. 
Dr.  Scott  being  present,  recommended  to 
llie  cosgrEgBtion  the  propriety  of  making 
B  money  presentation  Co  Mr.  Brown,  in 
recogaiiion  of  his  faithfulnesi  as  a  pastor 
among  them,  stating  that  something  of 
lliij  kind  was  necesspt?  to  meet  the  le- 
qoiremensa  of  Ih<-  Home  Board.  Mr. 
orown  then  formally  laid  hig  resignation 
OB  tbe  table.  The  presbytery  agreed  to 
tnnimon  the  congregation  Yor  its  interests, 
and  to  take  np  this  matlor  at  their  meeting 
IB  April.  A  petition  from  Oldmeldmm 
congregation  was  presented  requesting  a 
noderatioD  for  a  fixed  pastor.  Tbe  peti- 
tion was  granted,  and  the  Rev.  James 
KO.  IV.  VOL.  XXII.  NEW  BBRIES. — i 


Ireland  appointed  to  preside  on  S5th 
FebrauT,  A  draft  connittttion  from 
Woodaide  congregation  was  presenled, 
and,  with  a  few  slight  alterations,  was  ap- 
proved.—This  presbylerj  again  met  on 
Ibe  5th  March,  when  Mr.  Ireland  reported 
his  proceedings  in  moderating  at  Old- 
meldmm, which  were  approved  of.  It  was 
found  that  the  call  was  given  nnanimouBly 
to  Ur.  William  Lawrie,  preacher.  The 
presbytery  sustained  tbe  call  as  a  regular 
gospel  call,  and  instr acted  the  clerk  to 
reqacst  from  Mr.  Lawrie  an  answer  within 
the  timespeciSed  Ln  the  inleaof  theCbttreb. 
Dr.  Frew  of  St.  Ninian's  na«  chosen  to 
represent  the  presbytery  on  the  Mission 
Board.  It  was  agreed  that  next  meeting 
be  held  on  tbe  9lh  April. 

AnTuindale. — This  presbytery  met  at 
Annan  on  tbe  IStb  alt.— Kev.  Archibald 
.  Smith,  moderator.  Mr.  Eonald,  as  con- 
vener of  Committee  on  MiBsiong,  reported 
that,  according  to  instroctioUB,  the  pres- 
bjterlaL    paper    oa    miuions    bad    been 


178                                     BBLiaiOUS  DtTELLieENCE.  i^^ITm^" 

printed  and  ctrcalBtBd;  uid,  on  inqoiry,  Dueuu  Acta.    Next  ordiiun  meetiiig 

it  wu  found  th&t   tbe   urangement  foi  was  appointed  ta  be  held  at  Brechin  on 

exchange  of  polpita  had  been  geneiall;  the  4th  da;  of  Jnne. 
carried  ooi.  Mr,  Wat»on  reported'  hii  Baiiffthire. —Tbia  pteibjteir  met  at 
farther  procedora  in  reference  to  Wanj-  Porlsoy  on  5lh  Miircii — the  Ebt.  Mr. 
phra;  anpply,  aod  ww  ioatracted  to  com-  Bogeraon,  moderator.  Mr.  Kair,  member 
piste  the  arrangement  in  regard  to  the  of  preebjterj'a  Misaion  Committee,  mb- 
appointment  oF  a  miuionarr,  Mr.  Baltan-  mitted  a  brief  statement  on  missioD  fields 
tjne  to  be  aiaociated  with  him  in  the  and  thoae  who  cnliivate  them,  intended 
matter.  Mr.  Watson  alao  reported  that,  for  drcnlBlion  smong  the  membere  of  the 
in  term!  of  appointmeDt,  he  hail  moderated  chnrchea.  It.  was  approred,  and  Hr.  Mnir 
in  a  call  at  Holywell,  and  that  Mr.  John  was  iaetracted  to  mbmit  it  to  Dr.  Scott 
BrowD,  M.A.,  preacher,  b»d  been  nnani-  for  aDggeitiont,aDd  to  report  to  next  meet- 
monslj  elected.  The  preabjtery  having  ing.  A{;reed  also  to  hold  a  missionaiy 
attended  to  the  nsnal  steps,  nnauimoiMly  conference  at  Grange,  on  Monday,  81h 
snatsioed  the  call;  and  m  the  event  of  Jaly.  Mr.  Alexander  Donaldson,  elder, 
Mr.  Brown  accepting  it,  prescribed  to  him  was  appointed  member  of  Committee  on 
subjects  of  thesis  and  examination  in  BilU  and  Overtnrcs  at  the  coming  meeting 
theology.  Read  correspondences  from  the  of  Synod.  The  presbytery  agreed  nnani- 
Synod's  Committees  on  Sabbath  Schools,  monsly  to  petition  Parliament  for  the  re- 
Soperin  ten  dene  e  of  Toung  Persona  peal  of  the  Contagions  IMieaeei  Acts. 
Changing  their  Place  of  Beaidence,  and  It  was  resolved  that  henceforth  the  .stated 
Diaeatabliahment.  In  terma  of  reqnaat  meetings  of  presbytery  be  held  at  Banff, 
by  the  Bdinbargh  Ladies'  Committee  on  Berwick. — This  presbytery  met  on  die 
the  Contagions  Diaeues  Acts,  the  pfes-  I9th  of  February — the  Bev.  A.  B.  BobcH- 
bytery  agreed  to  petition  Parliament,  son,  moderator.  It  was  reported  that  the 
Next  meeting  of  presbyiery  to  be  held  at  Synod  collection  for  Cbnrch  Sxtenaion, 
Annan,  of  the  Tuesday  after  tbe  fourth  doe  on  the  second  Sabbatb  of  February, 
Sabbath  of  March,  at  11.45  i^u.  had  been  made  in  the  congregation*  tit 
Arbroath. — -This  presbytery  met  at  Coldstream  West  and  Homdean.  Acom- 
Arbroath  on  the  Sth  day  of  March — (he  munication  from  the  Synod's  Committee 
Rev.  Alexander  Campbell,  moderator,  on  the  Superintendence  of  Toung  Per- 
Appointed  the  Kev.  Jobn  M'Nab  to  re-  sons  was  read,  and  the  whole  subject  was 
present  the  preabytery  as  a  member  of  carefully  considered  by  the  presbytery, 
the  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures  at  Becogniaing  the  great  importance  of  this 
the  enaning  meeting'of  Synod.  Elecleil  anbject,  the;  agreed  to  remit  to  the  prea- 
Mr.  Alexander  Clark,  elder,  to  eerve  aa  a  byterial  Committee  on  Statistics  to  ascer- 
member  of  the  Misaion  Board  for  the  tain  to  what  extent  the  recommendations 
next  four  yeara.  Certain  snggeationa  laid  of  Synod  are  attended  to  by  sessions,  and 
on  the  table  by  the  Mission  Committee  to  take  what  farther  steps  may  be  neces- 
were,  after  discusaion,  adopted  to  the  sary  to  keep  the  subject  before  the  minds 
e£tct :— That  it  is  desirable  that  one  or  of  eesaions.  The  remit  of  Synod  anent 
more  foreign  missionaries,  conversant  with  the  Contagious  Dieeaaes  Acts  was  con- 
the  mission  field,  be  asked  by  the  Cbnrch  sidered,  after  which  it  was  resolved  to 
to  visit  this  country  from  time  to  time  petition  Parliament  for  the  total  and 
to  stir  np  the  congregation  a  to  an  increase  immediate  repeal  of  these  immoral  Acts.' 
of  prayerful  sympathy  with,  and  liberal  Arraogementa  wereniade  foraConferenee 
snpporl  of,  tbe  missionary  anterprisea  of  on  Missions,  to  be  held  in  Springbank 
the  Church.  That  it  is  important  to  have  Church,  AyCon,  on  Monday  the  8th  of 
monthly  sabseriptions  towards  missionary  April,  to  which  a  deputy  is  to  bo  invited 
objects  made  in  all  the  eongregations,  and  from  the  I'oreign  Mission  Committee, 
to  bring  nnder  their  notice  from  time  to  BucAan. — Thispi^sbyterymet  at  ^art- 
time  the  catuo  of  miiaioDS  by  every  avail-  field  on  13th  February — Bev.  John  Smith, 
able  means.  That  the  circulation  of  the  Praserbargh.moderatorjn'oi^  TheBer. 
Miaiionary  Seeord  and  of  the  JteeenUe  Mr.  Crawford,  fromtbeprosbyteryofQlas- 
Jfiaiionar^  Magacaae  aboold  be  exten-  gow,  being  present,  was  invited  to  act  aa 
aively  increased;  and' in  connection  with  a  corresponding  member.  Beceived  tho 
this,  it  was  agfeed  to  aoggest  that  notices  report  of  the  Conference  of  the  presbyteiy 
should  be  inserted  in  these  periodicals  on  Miaaions  at  Eosehearty,  and  agreed 
of  the  progress  of  tbe  goapel  outside  the  to  engross  the  same  in  toe  pfes^'Ia7's 
sphere  of  our  own  Cbnrcb's  laboois,  with-  record.  Appointed  next  half-yeariy  eon- 
ont  cortailing  any  necessary  information  ference  to  be  held  at  Peterhead,  on  tha 
regarding  oor  own  missionary  schemes.  ISth  June.  Took  up  the  following  qnefl' 
It  was  agreed  to  send  a  petition  to  Farlia-  tion,  which  had  been  given  notice  M  bj 
ment  far  the  repeal  of  the  Contagious  Messrs. WbillasandSmithUlastmeeting: 


"AiJai^iBSr^  EBI.IOIOU8  IHTELLIQBKOB.  179 

<  We  wi»h  to  call  the  atlenlioa  of  the  meeting  for  the  levird  of  religion  la  be 

presbjterf  to  the  fact  that  a  pampblet,  by  held  in  Cke  laiue  place,  on  the  Tnmday 

a  Buuiater  of  oht  aim  Choich,  advene  to  after  the  second  Sabbath  of  April,  all  tlia 

the  C<wfeiaioa  of  Faith,  both  in  its  (ab-  clden  being  invited  to  attend  tlii<  meet' 

■tance  and  form,  haa  been  indnatriODilj  lag,   and   Mr.   Uorriaon   to   deliver   the 

circnlated  in.  our  congiegationi,  and  to  addreu, 

Bik  the  advice  of  brethren  u  to  nbftt  h^d         Datufria. — Thi*  preibvlerj  met  on  4th 

beat  be  doQO  to  elicit,  in  oppoiition  to  inch  December— Rey.  D.  L.Scott,  moderator, 

nutnireatoet,  the  Chnrch'i  unshaken  faith  The  aiaal  sick  anppljr  wu  appointed  for 

in  tbe  system  of  tmth  taught  in  her  lab-  Daliy.      A  conferaace  on  miHioni   was 

ordisate   etaBdarda.'    In  consequence  of  held,  in  vrhich  the  members  of  preebjterj 

the  imporuuice  ^  this  matter,   and  the  took  part;  and  Mr.  Snasell,  Danf^nnluie, 

iaahility  ol  the  presbytery  to  do  justice  depoty  fi-pm   the  Foreign  Mission  Com- 

to   it   on    the    present    occasion,  it   ivaa  miiiee,  gave  an  excellent  address  on  the 

nnanimODsly  agreed  to  postpone  the  con-  missioiis  of  oar  Chnrch.  The  presbytery  re- 

tideration  u  it  ontil  next  ordinary  meet-  commended  ministers  and  sessions  to  take 

isg.      Received  with    mnch    satisfaction  the  inggestions  offered  into  their  serioos 

notice  from  the  congregatien  of  Fraser-  consideration,  and   embrace  the  best  o|>> 

bnrgh    that    tbey    had    increased    their  portanitiei  for  fosteringamiBsioiiaryspirit 

miniater's  stipend  by  £10.'     Agreed    to  amoag  the  people  of  their  charge.    The 

petition  Farlumeat  for  the  abolition   ni  report  on   Sabbath   schools  to  be  consi- 

the  Contagions  Diseases  Acts.     Called  for  dered  at  next  meeting,  to  be  held  on  the 

the  edict  for  the  ordination  of  Mr.  Hngh  first  Tuesday  of  Febmary   1878.  — This 

Qles,  Mul   fonnd   it  had   been  rEgnlarly  presbytery  again  met  on  5th  Febmary 

served.    The  presbyte^  accoK^gly  aa-  Bev.  D.L.Scott,  moderator.  Supply  for  the 

joanied  to  the  chnrch  for  the  paipose  of  palpit  of  Dairy  was  continued.    The  report 

ordaining  Mr.  Qien  to  the  ministryand  on  Sabbath  schools  was  considered,  and  a 

pastorate  of  die  congregation  of  Stnartfield.  committee  appointed  to  consider  what  can 

The  moderator   preached  on  Alatl.   liii.  be  done  to  enanre  their  efficiency.     Ur. 

81,  32,  and  wdained  ;  Rev.  Gieorge  Blair  Clark,  Barrhead,  depnty  from   the  Com- 

addreaaed   the  minister,   and  Rev.   T.  F,  mittee  on  the  Superintendence  of  Toang 

WhiUas    tlie   congregation.     Mr.   Qlen's  Persons  Changing  their  Placet  of  Resi- 

nsue  was  afterwards  added  to  the  pre*-  dence,  was  heard  on  the  sabjecl.  Ifr.  Ciatk 

byteiy's  tiAl.     The  aoBnal  statement  of  wasthankedfothiEexcellentaddress,andit 

Wood'*   Bequest  wb»  submitted  by  the  was  agreed  to  commend  the  schema  to  the 

ecmgregation  of  Peterhead,  and  the  fnnds  earnest  attention  of  ministers  and  elders. 

fonnd  to  have  been  expended  in  (ermi  of  Next  meeting  will  be  held  at  Dumfries,  on 

the  deed.  the  first  Tuesday  of  ApriL 

Cltpar. — This  preabytery  met   in    the         DunfiTTiiiint.~.Tbii  presbytery  met  on 

daai-room  of  Bonnygate  Cbnteb  on  ISth  the  13tb  March—the  liev.  Mi.  M'Lean, 

February   1878  —  Hr,    Bair,    moderator,  moderator.  *  The  Rev.  Br.  Ritchie,  being 

Agreed  to  petition  Parliament  in  favour  present  as  a  deputy   from    the   Mission 

of  the  immediate  and  total  repeal  of  the  Board,  was  invited  to  correspond.    Tlie 

Contagions   Biaeases   Acts   of   lS£6-fi9.  derk  reported  that  the  visitation  of  the 

Sever^  congregations  reported  that  since  several  congregations  in  the  presbytery 

last  meeting  they  bad  made  the  annual  by  the   deputations  appointed  bad   now 

coliectiononbehalfof  Che  Synod's  General  been  completed,  and  that,  generally  epeak- 

Fnnd ;  and  the  attention  of  the  members  iug,  ha  bad  to  report  favourably.    The 

was  called  to  the  other  collections  to  be  attendanae,  though  small  in  most  cases, 

made   during    the    current    year.     Some  hod  been  largely  representative;  Che  ad- 

Biotters  sent   down  by   the   Synod  were  dresses  had  been  listened  to  with  marked 

considered  and  disposed  of.     Mr.   Tait,  attention  ;  the  deputations  bad  met  with 

secretary  of  the  Scottish  Council  of  the  the  ofSce-besrcrs  and  workers  at  the  (dose 

Liberation    Society,   being   present,   ad-  of  tiie  public  meeting,  and  spoken  to  them 

dressed  the  presbytery  on  the  objects  and  words  of  counsel  and  enconrSigemeDt ;  and 

prospects  of  that  association.    After  some  there  was  reason   to  believe  that  much 

convursatieo,  in  which  the  members  took  ^"^  woatd    result   from   the  visitation. 

part,  it  was  nnanimously  agreed  to  thank  The  presbytery  expressed  satisfaction  with 


KT-' 


_    ',  Tait  for  his  interestiog  statement,  to  the  report.    Mr.  Cook,  student  of  divinity, 

-record  the  continued  interest  of  the  pres-  was    transferred    to    the    presbyteiy    of 

byteiT  in  the  quettion  of  religions  equality,  Dundee.     Mr.   Brown,   convener   of   the 

and  their  readiness  to   avail  themielves  Statistical  Committee,  gave  in  his  annual 

of  any  oppwtttnity  that  may  preaent  itself  report,  which  in  almost  every ,item  showed 

for   tninging  the  present  agitation  to  a  an  encouraging  increase.     The  presbytery 

snccestful  itaue.    Appointed  the  annual  expressed  much  satisfaciioa  with  the  re- 


BELIOIonS  IKTBLLIOENOE. 


180 

tiorl,  and  thanked  Hr.  BrowD  for  tha 
ibonr  he  had  butovred  upon  it,  and  the 
admirable  waj  in  which  he  bad  presented 
it.  He  was  inilTDcted  to  get  it  printed 
*nd  drctilated  in  the  nsnal  nay.  Mr. 
Oraham  in^mated  that  at  next  meeting 
be  iTOuld  more  that  the  presbjlerj  over- 
tnrs  the  Sjnod  on  tbe  subject  of  Disestab- 
liahment.  It  wag  agreed  to  petition  Farlia- 
meoC  in  favour  of  Mr.  M'Lareu's  Church 
Bates  Bill,  and  the  moderator  and  clerk 
were  appointed  to  prepare  and  transmit 
tlia  petition.  The  hour  appointed  for 
beginning  the  conference  on  missions 
haring  now  arrived,  the  presbjtery  pro- 
ceeded to  the  same.  Mr.  Brown  opened 
tlie  conference  with  an  admirable  address, 
clear  and  practical,  and  was  followed  by 
Dr.  Bitcbie,  deputy  from  the  Missioo 
Board,  who  read  a  valuable  paper  on  tha 
subject,  full  of  practical  suggestions,  and 
breathing  a  devout,  earnest  spirit.  The 
conference  was  then  thrown  open,  when 
several  of  the  brethren  and  of  the  elders 
present  entered  into  the  conversation,  and 
threw  OQt  suggestions  on  the  general  sab- 
ject.    After  prolonged  consideration,  the 

Beshyterjuaauimously  agreed  to  accord  to 
r.  Batchie  a  cordial  vote  of  thanks  for 
bis  able  and  stirring  address.  They  also 
agreed  to  record  their  deep  sense  of  the 
importance  of  the  subject,  and  to  urge  the 
brethren,  and  especially  the  Mission  Com- 
mittee, to  give  all  due  attention  to  it,  and, 
as  far  as  possible,  to  carr;  into  practical 
operation  the  suggestioDS  made.  The 
clerk  was  instrncled  to  send  an  extract  of 
the  above  to  Dr.  MacGill.  Mr.  Grabam 
stated  that  Dr.  Bttchie  would  address 
meetings  at  £iocbgelly  on  Wednesday 
evening,  at  Alloa  on  Thursday  evening, 
and  in  Gillespie  Chnrch,  Dunfermline,  on 
Sabbath  evening.'  The  next  meeting  to 
be  held  on  Tuesday  the  23d  April. 

Edinburgh. — This  presbytery  met  on  Sth 
March  —  Kev.  James  Robertson,  Bread 
Street,  Edinbnrgh,  moderator.  It  w'as 
agreed  to  meet  ou  lltfa  April,  to  induct 
Mr.  James  Wardrop,  of  Craigend,  to  (be 
charge  at  West  Calder;  and  on  21st  March, 
to  induct  Mr.  John  Kay,  of  Free  Church, 
Coatbridge,  to  the  new  Argyll  Place  con- 
gregation. Mr.  Rutherford  moved^' That 
the  presbytery  overture  the  Synod  to  con- 
sider the  propriety  of  printing  yearly  in 
the  Missioaary  Jtfcord  of  the  Chnroh.  an 
abstract  of  the  statistical  returns  from  each 
of  the  financially  unaided  congregations 
tinder  its  care,  similar  to  that  published 
every  year  of  the  returns  from  each  of  the 
congregations  receiving  aid.'  After  some 
remarks,  the  motion  was  agreed  to.  Mr. 
James  Robertson,  Bread  Street,  was  elected 
convener  of  the  Disestablishment  Com- 
mittee, and  Mr.  Croom  gave  notice  of  the 


following  motion  for  next  meeting;— 
■  That  this  meeting  overture  the  Synod  to 
take  such  action  for  the  disendowment 
and  disestablishment  of  the  Church  of 
Scotland  as  they  may  see  fit.'  Mr.  Gem- 
mell  gave  notice  that  at  nest  meeting  he 
would  mo  ve-^'  Thatihepresbytery  overture 
the  Synod  to  the  following  effect: — That 
the  threatened  setting  up  of  a  Papal  hiet- 
arcby  in  Scotland  is  fraught  with  danger 
to  our  civil  and  religious  liberties,  and  U 
a  loud  call  to  Protestants  of  all  denomina- 
tions to  oppose,  by  all  moral  and  scriptural 
means,  (he  errors  and  aggressinnB  of  Ro- 

Elgm  and  Invemeti. — This  presbytery 
met  at  Forres  on  the  12tb  Sebniary — Rev. 
Mr.  Whyte,  moderator.  The  presbytery 
learned  with  deep  concern  that  the  Bev. 
Mr.  Ferrier,  Tain,  departed  this  life  on 
Saturday  the  Sth  February,  and  appointed 
Rev.  Mr.  Watson,  Forres,  to  condnct  the 
services  at  Tain  on  Sabbath  first.  The  Bev. 
Mr.  Robson,  as  convener  of  the  committee 
appointed  to  meet  with  the  Forres  session, 
and  others  connected  with  the  congrega- 
tion, with  regard  to  the  use  of  fermented  or 
unfermented  wine  in  the  Communion,  gave 
in  a  report  to  the  following  effect: — 'The 
deputation  visited  Forres  on  Tnesday  the 
IStb  December  last,  and  held  meetings 
both  with  the  session  and  with  the  eldera 
who  had  resigned  office,  as  representing 
the  members  desirous  of  observing  the 
Lord's  Supper  in  the  unfermented  jaice  of 
the  grape.  As  a  result  oF  this  conference, 
the  depntatioa  unanimoosly  agreed  to  re- 
commend to  the  session  that  they  shonld 
arrange  for  tha  holding  on  each  Com- 
manion  Sdbbatli,  and  immediately  npon 
the  close  of  the  forenoon  service,  of  a 
second  service,  at  which  the  lord's  Snpper 
shonld  ba  dispensed  with  unfermented 
wine  10  those  who  express  a  desire  on  the 
ground  of  conscience  foe  this  mode  of  ob- 
serving the  ordinance.  In  making  this 
recommendation,  the  members  ofthedepn- 
tation  are  not  to  be  held  as  expressing  any 
opinion  whatever  as  (o  the  proper  element 
to  be  used  in  the  observance  of  the  Lord's 
Supper,  nor  as  expressing  any  opinion 
regarding  the  coarse  of  conduct  to  be  pur- 
sued in  other  cases  whero  similar  convic- 
tions have  to  be  dealt  with.  Tliey  simply 
pointed  out  the  plan  which,  after  inquiry 
into  the  present  state  of  parties  in  the  con- 
gregation, appeared  to  them  most  likely  to 
meet  the  requirements  of  the  parlicnlar 
case  before  them,  and  recommended  thai 
plan  for  adoption.  At  their  meeting  on 
the  20th  of  December,  the  session  unani- 
mously and  cordially  acquiesced  in  the 
recommendation  of  the  depntation,  as  a 
possible,  and  the  only  possible,  melboil  of 
compromise  in  the  present  state  of  parties 


'"iiSj^JM*"*'                 RELIGIOUS  IKTBLLiaBHOB.  181 

in  the  congngBlion.      On  reeeiTiiig  in-  FalUrk. — Ttiii   presbftei?  met  on  Gib 

timation  of  thi*  deciiion,   the  convener  Febrnuj — the  !Rev.   George  Wade,  mo- 

enlared    uito    cooiDlilDication    with    the  derator.     The  Bbt.   J.  M.  Lunbis  pre- 

ninoritj,  when  it  appeon  that  tome  mil-  lented  the  miaale  wbicb  the  committee  ap- 

ftppreheniiona  had  aiiaen  reapecting  the  pointed  at  Isat  meeting  lied  prepared  with 

intendon  and  groandi  of  the  recommends-  regard  to  the  Rev.  EaKh  Baiid  b  reiigaa- 

tion  madB  bj  the  deputation.    Then  mii.  tion  of  (he  presbjterj  clerkahip,  ai  follow* : 

Kpprebenaioaa,    however,    were    happily  ■  The  prcBbjterr,  in  accepting  the  realgna* 

nmoTBd;  andat  a  meeting  of  the  minoritj,  tion  of  Mr.  Baird,  deiire  to  eipreu  and 

held  on  the  17th  Jannarj  1878,  the  mem-  to  leaTe  on  record  their  aenae  of  the  tbIbo 

hen  present,  although  they  considered  the  to  the  preibjterj  of  hia  lone- con  tinned 

propoeai  eDbmitled  to  them  in  aome  re-  aervice — upwarda  of  twenty-fiVe  yeart — 

Bpects  QnaatisfaGtory,  yet  agreed  lo  accept  ai  their  clerk ;   their  appreciation  of  the 

it,  "aa  it  recognised  the  right  of  conscience,  fidelity,  diligence,  and  propriety  which  he 

and  conaerred  the  principlea  for  which  they  diaplaysd  in  the  diicbarge  of  hia  official 

had  been  contending."     The  depntation  dntiea;   and  the  hope  that,  altbongh  not 

(mat  that  the  meaaore  wbicb  has  tbna  been  now  holding  the  office  of  clerk,  they  may 

adopted  will  hare  the  desired  eSect  of  re-  atill  be  faroured  with  Che  benefit  of  hie 

eatabliabiag  harmoey  io  the  congregation,  matnred  eiperience  and  fatherly  coantel 

and  of  miniatering  to  its  fnlare  proaperity.  la  the  traaaaction  of  the  baaioesa  of  the 

They  hare  only  to  state  further,  that  at  preabyterj.'    Thia  minute  the  preabjtery 

their  first   meeting  with  the  lesiion,  Mr.  unanimonsly  adopted.    Bead   minute  of 

Giltan,  elder,  made  a  statement  respecting  neeiing  of   Combernanid    congregation, 

hi«  letter,  withdrawing  his  appeal,  which  trauamitted    by   the    aeaaion,    requesting 

satisfied  them  that  there  was  no  intention  anpply  of  probationers,  with  the  dew  of 

to  use  any  improper  laugaage,  or  impute  electing  a  eolleBgne  and  anccesaor  to  the 

an^  improper  moCires  in  respect  of  the  Bev.  Ungb  Baird.    The  presbytery  unani- 

ftction  taken  by  the  session.'    Thepreibr-  moaaly  granted  this  request.    RcsolTed  to 

teiy,  in  reviewing  the  report,  and  tbank-  petition  Parliament  fur  the  total  and  im- 

ing  the  depntation  for  their  aervicea,  did  mediate  repeal  of  the  Contagiona  Diaeasea 

so  nnder  tbs  »ame  reaervation  jj  is  ex-  Acta  of  1866   and  1869.    Bead   eirentat 

pressed  in  the  report  with  reference  to  the  from  the  Synod's  Committee  on  Diaestab- 

Maeral  questions  involved  ;  and  in  view  of  lishment,  and  the  presbytery  at  once  held 

Uie  remit  recorded  in  the  report,  agreed  to  a  private  conference  on  the  anbject.     At 

allow  the  protest  and  appeal  by  Ur.  Oiltan  the  cloae  of  the  conference  it  waa  agreed 

to  be  withdrawn,  and  so   terminate   the  to  remit  the  matter  to  the  presbytery's 

present  case.    The  Bev.  Mr.  Bobson  re-  Committee  on  Disestabliahment.   Beiolved 

pmtei  that  be  had,  accotding  to  appoint-  alao  to  remit  to  the  Committee  oo  Hisaioas 

meat,   presided  in   the  moderation  of  a  and  Evangelistic  Work   to   consider  the 

Gail  at  CampbeltovFQ  (Arderaier)  on  the  qneatioo  of  church  estenaion  within  the 

29th    Jannaiy,   when   a  aDanimoua    and  bonnda.     Appointed  next  meeting  to  be 

most  cordial  call  was  given  to  Mr.  Alex-  held  on  Tuesday,  the  2d  of  April,  at  II 

ander  A.   Robertson,   probationer.     The  a-h. 

call  was  imauiinoatly  stutained  ;  and  Mr.  Oloigoui. — This   presbytery  held   their 

Bobertson,  being  present,  intimated   ac-  monthly  meeting  on  Tuesday,  12th  March, 

Ceptanceoflhec^!.   Hr.Bobertson  having  nben  the  Bev.  William  Thomson  oconpied 

given  in  trial  exercises  to  the  entire  satis-  tbe    moderator's    chair.     The    Bev.    Dr. 

UHition  of  the  presbytery,  hia  ordination  Joseph  Brown  wished  to  know  wbetber  s 

waa  appointed  to  take  place  on  Wcdces-  document  against  rafflingat  bazaart,lodged 

day  the  29th  March— the  Kev;  Mr.  Watt,  by  bis  session,  waa  in  order.    The  Bev.  J. 

Burghead,  to  preach  ;  the  Rev.  Mr.  Mac-  Stark  suggested  that  sa  the  matter  con- 

donald,  Lossiemonth,  to  ordain  and  addieas  cemed  a  great  many  of  their  members,  a 

the  newly  ordained  pastor;  and  Rev.  Mr.  formal  memorial,   with   reasons,    should 

Wbyte,  Moyneis,  the  people.     Tbe  Rev.  be  laid  on  tlie  table.     The  clerk  was  of 

Mr.  Fringle  stated  that  a  movement  is  at  opinion  that  the  course  suggested  wss  the 

present  on  foot  in  Elgin  for  the  disuse  of  best  under  the  circam stances,  end  be  te- 

mtoxioadng  liquors   on  the   occasion   of  commended   that   tbe   extract   from   tbe 

fanerals,'  »a  well  aa  during  the  interval  minutes  sent  should  be  retained  nntil  the 

between   death  and  interment,  and  gave  memorial  wss  lodged.    This  was  agreed 

notioe  that  he  will  at  next  meeting  nKfre  to  uaauimously.    The   Rev.  J.  Mitchell 

that  the  presbytery  take  steps  for  the  like  introduced  the  subject  of  tbe  re-arran^- 

movement  being  mode  in  the  other  dia-  ment  of  the  presbytery.    By  a  maioritr 

triets  of  the  presbytery.      The  Rev.  Mr.  it  was  agreed  that  Ibe  presbytery  anonld 

Hacdonald  was  appointed  moderator  dur*  highly  disapprove  the  proposed  division, 

ing  the  next  twelve  months.  tiiongh  Dot  adverse  to  autiying  cbarchei 


BELISIOnS  IKTELUGENCB. 


beioK  Attached  to  prMb]rt«riei  more  con- 
Tenientlr  ntnated. 

ffamStan. — Thia  presbjlerr  met  on  the 
SRth  Jannuy— Ber.  Mr.  Bbemrer,  node- 
mtor.  The  preibjteij  tendered  their 
'  cordial  thaaki  to  Rer.  Mr.  PatBraon  for 
bii  Talnable  lerricea  &i  their  reprefenta- 
tire  M  the  Miaiion  Board  for  the  liat  four 
jaaTi.  An  &ppl  icatioo  waa  made  by  the 
■eaiion  of  SaSronhall  coDErention  for 
power  to  diapente  the  Lord's  Sapper  to 
th«  qualified  persona  worabipping  in  the 
Wasuin  Station  at  Bambauk,  vhich  ia 
tinder  their  aaperiatendesoe,  and  the  pre*- 
bjterj  granted  the  lame.  A  cumber  of 
docmnent*  from  the  aeation  of  Motherwell 
Chnreh  were  laid  oo  the  table  in  the 
Hotherwetl  wine  ease,  amon^  which  were 
a  pr«teat  and  appeal  to  the  prubyien  bj 
c^tain  partiu  azatnit  a  dedaion  of  the 
aewion  of  11th  December,  granting;  to 
■ixty  petilioncTf  the  use  of  nDfermented 
wine  at  the  table  of  the  I/ord,  andanawers 
to  the  wxme  bj  the  leaslon.  The  doca- 
menti  were  read,  and  Meaara.  Buaael  and 
Griere  were  heard  in  anpport  of  the  pro- 
teat  and  appeal,  and  Mesera.  ColTille  and 
Hanhatl  were  heard  in  replj.  Qnestiona 
were  next  pot  bj  aereral  members  of  conrl, 
after  which  the  parties  were  removed. 
HaTing  long  deliberated  on  the  caae,  the 
pretbjterj  ananimonalj  agreed  that  tbej 
■honld  meet  with  the  aeasion  and  congre- 
gation at  Uothcrwell  on  the  ayening  of 
Tnesdaj  the  I2tb  of  Pebraarf,  at  half-past 
leven  o'clock,  with  the  view,  if  puasible, 
of  restoring  barmonj  in  regard  to  tbe 
commnnion  wine  qaegiion.— Thia  preabj- 
tery  met  again  in  the  church  at  Motherwell, 
on  the  evening  of  the  I2tb  February — the 
BeT.  Jobn  Wilson,  moderator  pro  iem. 
Ur.  Robert  Cairns,  elder,  Cambaalang, 
was  ananimoaslj  nominated  to  serve  in 
the  Miaeion  Board  for  four  jtut  ending 
in  Maj  isea.  Mr.  Anderson,  convener 
of  the  Committee  on  the  Miigion  Statioos 
■t  Stonefleld  and  Bnrnbamk,  gave  in  a 
lengthened  report  regarding  the  faigtorv 
and  past  position  of  Aese  Etations,  wbicn 
the  presbytery  received,  end  thanked  the 
committee  for  [heir  diligence  in  this  mat- 
ter. The  preabjterj,  ae  agreed  upon  at 
Isjt  meeting,  met  with  the  congregation 
of  Motherw^I,  at  half-past  seven  o'clock, 
forfnrther  conaideration  of  the  eommonton 
wine  caae.  The  moderator  engaged  in 
prayer,  and^eportiOQ  of  (heminntea  of  last 
meeting 'bearing  npon  the  ease  was  read. 
The  preabytery  having  inirlted  and  re- 
ceived a  foil  eitpreasion  of  opinion  oa  the 
part  of  the  congregation,  it  waa  proposed 
and  seconded,  and  agreed  to,  that  a  vote 
should  be  taken  with  a  view  of  asoerti^niDg 
the  mind  of  the  coagregation  in  the  mattn 
nndar  cooiideration.     A  vote  was  then 


taken  at  between  nse  and  wont  and  a  de- 
pBTtnre  from  use  and  wont  in  die  elemeot 
of  wine  in  the  observanoe  of  the  Lord's 
Simwr,  when  it  was  fonnd  that  IIT  wars 
in  faroBT  of  ixe  and  wont,  and  48  in  favoat 
of  a  departure  from  nse  and  wo>t.  It  was 
afterwards  agreed  to  ascolain  how  man; 
of  tlie  117  monben  voting  iii  the  msjodty 
were  willing  to  graat  to  the  48  members 
voting  in  tbe  minority  the  change  in  the 
matter  of  commnnion  wine  which  they 
desired.  On  a  vote  being  taken,  it  wai 
foaud  tliat  ODljr  two  weve  «o  willing.  Tbe 
preabyteiy  Uien  withdrew  to  die  rtabrj  to 
deliberate  ia  the  case,  when  tbe  f<dlowin> 
motion  was  proposed  and  eeconded,  ana 
a|^ed  to — Mr.  Wilson,  elder,  Motherwell, 
dissenting: — 'Tbe  presbytery,  whils  fully 
aoknowledf^g  the  liberty  if  tka  aesaion 
of  Motherwell  congregation  to  provide  fra 
tbe  observance  of  the  Lord's  Snpper,  and 
believing  tbat  their  action  in  the  cireiun- 
stancea  nnder  review  was  prompted  by  a 
de«c4  for  the  good  of  the  congregation, 
eameatlr  recommend  them,  in  considera- 
tion of  the  prevailing  convictions  and  peoos 
of  the  congregation,  to  abide  by  nse  and 
wont  in  tbe  matter  of  conmanion  eleuMnti^ 
and  to  make  no  change  withoat  an  be< 
pressed  desire  by  a  majority  of  the  con- 
gregation.' Thepre»byt*ryhaTingtetamed 
to  itie  church,  tbe  above  finding  waa  read 
to  the  oongiegation.  Next  meeting  is  to 
be  held  od  the  last  Tuesday  a(  Man±. 

Eibnomodt.  —  Thia  presfayleiy  met  on 
8d  Janaary — Rev.  John  Oarriek,  mode- 
rator, Remined  an  applioatioa  from  Kx. 
David  Gray,  probatit»er  in  connection 
with  the  Original  Secession  Church,  to  lie 
admitted  to  the  Macns  of  a  preacher  in  the 
United  Presbyterian  Chnreh,  with  relativs 
docnmeats,'  to  a  committee  to  exanuM 
and  report.  Indncted  tbe  Bev.  Tbomai 
Whitelaw  to  the  pastorate  of  King  Street 
congregation,  Eitmarnoek. — Tii«  Pl'Mbr- 
tery  met  again  on  lath  Febmary — Eev.  J. 
Vorrest,  moderator.  Agreed  to  print  and 
circulate  amotig  the  members  the  report 
of  Committee  on  Uiaatona,  and  t«ke  the 
subject  into  conaideration  at  twelve  o'clock 
at  next  meeting.  Rev.  John  Forrest  wM 
appointed  treaaorer  of  the  presbytery,  ia 
jJoce  of  Rev.  George  Copland,  resigned. 
Agreed  to  recommend  the  Synod  to  admit 
Mr.  David  Oray  to  the  status  of  a  preacher 
Id  tbe  United  Presbyterian  Chardi.  It 
was  reported  that  elders'  associations  bad 
been  formed  in  Ayr,  Kilwinning,  aad 
Hanchline,  and  that  a  fonrth  one  would 
shordy  be  formed  in  Kilmaraoek,  -7%a 
COD  vener  of  the  Committee  on  Snperintead- 
ence  of  Toung  Persona  resorted  tbaA  rtsps, 
had  been  taken  to  brine  the  wholn  subject 
before  tbe  four  elders  assoeiatioas,  and 
thus  before  each  of  the  sessioDi  in  eoffl' 


^hTmST"'  RBLIGI0U3  INTBLLIGBHOE.  183 

nertioo  with  the  presbflerf.  B6-ap|H)iiit«d  th«  arenl  of  hia  becoming  «lifiU«.  The 
and  enlarged  the  Committae  am  DioeiUb-  report  of.the  DiMfUblUhmwtCominUtea 
liihment,  to  contider  cfai«  inject  in  ths  inn  adopted,  recommandiog  tbat  mini- 
light  of  the  present  fkrotiraUe  state  of  the  aten  t&ke  aa  eatl;  opporlnoitj  of  bring* 
pnhlie  miad,  and  take  adiaotage  of  anf  ing  before  their  people  ia  their  reapectiTa 
ehaa^  that  ma;  emerge  with  a  view  to  coogregadoni  ihe  teaching  of  Scripture  ■■ 
practicalactioBbylhepreabjter;.  Agreed  reference  to  the  independence  and  ipiritn* 
to  petition  the  Hoan  of  CommonB  for  the  alitj  of  the  Church  of  Christ  in  her  ad- 
repeal  of  the  Contagiou  Diseasej  Acts,  ministration  and  lupport,  and  that  Jetni 
Initivcted  the  Aagmentalion  Committee  Christ,  ai  eole  King  and  Head  of  Hii 
to  tame  a  eircnlar  itronglj  tecommendine  Church,  hat  enjoined  Hii  people  to  proride 
the  ebumi  of  the  AngmaaCation  Fund  for  maintaiaiog  and  extending  it  bj  free- 
upon  all  the  congregations  in  the  boondi,     will  offerings. 

raise  aalMcriptions  from  ministen  and  Perth. — Tbiipreih/Ceiymetonthe  12th 
others,  and  append  a  list  of  subscriptions  Febmsrj — Mr.  Ljon,  nodarator.  Mr. 
to  the  circular.  M'Neill    reported,    his    conduct    in    the 

Mdroie. — This  pTesbfler/  met  on  4th  moderation  at  Balbeggie  on  the  ,28th 
December— Mr.  Pollock,  moderator.  Mr.  Janoar]',  and  laid  on  the  table  the  call 
Steren^on  reported  that  be  had  moderated  addre«ed  to  Mr,  Alexander  A.  Bobertson, 
in  a  call  in  the  West  Chnrcb,  Sellcirk,  probationer.  Mr.  U'NelU's  conduct  was  ap- 
which  iassed  unanimou^lj  in  favour  of  proTed.aod  tbec^lsnitained;  aodiaview 
Hr.  George  M'Coltnm,  preacher,  Glasgow,  of  Ur,  Boberlson's  accepting  it,  subjects 
The  call,  which  was  eigocd  by  SIT  metn- '  of  trial  for  ordination  were  assigned  him. 
bertandTaordinarjliearerB,  wassuBtoined.  The  clerk  reported  that  be  had  i;eceived, 
Mr.  WilsoD,  elder,  gave  notice  of  motion  since  laat  meeting,  a  call,  with  relative 
for  next  meeting  coacemiog  the  pajmeat  docaroeuls,  from  the  congregation  of  West 
of  the  travelling  expenses  of  members  of  Calder,  addressed  to  Mr.  Wardiop,  Craig- 
conrt  to  preibfterf  and  s^nod.  Mr.  Mair  end,  and  that  ha  had  tsken  the  necessary 
introduced  the  coasidoration  of  the  Bevi-  steps  to  prepare  for  said  call  being  now 
sion  of  the  Confession  of  Faith  in  an  able     disposed  of.    Papers  baTing  been  read  and 

Eaper,  and  a  spirited  diacuBsion  followed,  commissionera  heard  from  both  cougrega- 
;  was  generally  felt,  eipeclally  amongthe  Uons,  and  Mr.  Wardrop  baring  intimated 
eldera^  that  an  alteration  was  desirable;  t)iathefeltittobahisdut;toacceptthecall, 
bnt  as  the  object  aimed  at  was  simply  the  it  was  agreed  to  dissolve  his  pastoral  rela- 
ventilation    of   the   anbject,   no    definite     tion  to  Craigond,  and  to  transfer  him  to 

I  come  to.— Met  '  '  "" -    ■ 

-Mr.  Pollock  i 
Inm  accented  th 
tron  Selkirk  West  Church,  and  gave  his  to  be  interim  moderator  of  the  i 
trials  for  ordination,  which  was  fixed  to  there.  The  convener  of  the  presbytery's 
take  place  on  the  26th  —  Mr.  Fatersou  Missioa  Committee  reported  on  Cbarch 
to  preach,  and  Hr.  Stevenson  to  ordain  Extension,  and  other  matters  remitted  to 
and  deliver  the  addresses.  The  subject  of  Ms  committee  in  conjunction  with  the 
the  payment  of  members'  travelliag  ex-  Committee  on  the  Sute  of  Beligion.  Tha 
ponaea  was  introduced  by  Mr.  Wilson ;  report  was  approved  of  generally,  and  the 
and,  after  deliberation,  it  was  ananimoaslj  clerk  was  inatruetsd  to  engross  it  in  the 
agreed  to  recommend  the  matter  to  set-  minsies.  A  Slaeatablishment  Committee 
sioas  and  manager*  for  their  consideration  for  the  presbytery  was  appointed — -Mr. 
— the  r^orts  therefiom  to  be  taken  up  by  Inglik  convener ;  and  a  eircnlar  from  the 
the  presbyt^y  at  their  meeting  in  April.  Synod's  Disestablishment  Committee  wag 
It  was  resolved  to  arrange,  at  the  meeting  remitted  to  it.  Read  application  from  Hr. 
in  Selkirk,  for  au  exchange  of  pnlpits  for  Robert  EotcbiaoQ,  Dunning,  a  proba> 
tbe  ndvocacy  of  missions.  The  varioos  tioner  of  tbe  Original  Secession  Chnrch, 
aynodieat  remits  were  also  disposed  of.  to  be  received  as  a  licentiate  into  tbe  fel- 

PdMej/aad  Oreatoci.— This  presbytery  lowshipoftbe  United  Presbyterian  Church. 
met  at  Greenock  on  the  29th  January,  Appointed  Messrs.  Stirling,  Jocqne,  and 
when  it  mi  agreed  to  accept  of  tbe  Dickson  a  committee — Mr.  Stirling,  con- 
resignation  of  the  EfiT.  J.  K.  Campbell,  vener— to  consider  this  application,  and  to 
St.  Andrew  Square,  Qreeuock.  At  report  to  next  meeting.  Agreed  to  peti- 
Greenock,  Slh  hurch,  a  call  from  Loch-  tion  Parliament  for  the  abolition  of  the 
winnoch  to  Mr.  John  Black  was  sustained.  Contagioaa  Diseases  Acts ;  aod  appointed 
A  oommouicotion  from  tbe  congregation  the  moderator  and  clerk  to  draft  and  sign 
of  Renfrew  was  received  expressing  their  the  petition,  and  to  forward  it  to  Mr. 
dcaire  to  call  Ber.  Wm.  J.  Thomson,  of  Farker,M.P.forPertIi,for  presentationto 
the  Irish  Presbyterian  Chntcb,  Armoy,  in     the  House  of  Comtnons,    Agreed  tA  noml- 


184 


NOTICEB  OF  KEW  PI]  BLICATIOKB. 


HUB  at  next  mMtiag  a  mealMr  to  MtTje 
on  the  Miiaion  Board  in  place  of  Mr. 
Wardrop,  wbo  U  no  longer  a  member  of 
tbiB  prubjterf.  The  rescvf  tbe  btuioeM 
was  priYste.  Next  meeting  to  he  held 
on  the  12lh  March.— Thia  preabytair  met 
■gain  on  the  ISth  March — Mr.  L;on, 
moderator.  The  clerk  read  letter  from 
Mr.  A.  A.  RoberttOD,  probationer,  stating 
that  he  had  accepted  the  call  addreued  to 
him  b;  the  congregation  of  Arderiier,  and 
decUoing  Ui«  call  addreaud  to  him  b;  the 
congregation  of  Balbeiigie.  Tbe  presbj- 
terj'  let  aiide  the  call  from  Balbeggie. 
As  arranged  at  the  prerioiiB  meeting,  at 
11.30  the  presbyter;  entered  into  a  con- 
fereDce,  for  two  honrs,  on  the  Friaciples 
and  9c!iemeB  of  the  Denaminatioii ;  the 
Interests  of  Vital  Religion  and  Oodli' 
ness ;  and  Miasiona  to  tbe  Heathen.  Mr. 
Thomas  MiUer  read  a  paper  on  the  first 
■nbject;  Mr.  Alexander  Fairbairn,  elder, 
on  tba  second ;  and  Mr.  Sutherland  on 
the  third  ;  and  the  brethren  present  en- 
gaged  in  a  free  and  earnest  coaTETBHtion 
on  these  snbjecti,  apecial  prayer  being 
offered  far  tbe  dirioe  guidance  and  bless- 
ing.  The  committee  on  the  case  of  Mr. 
Halehiaon,  probatiooer  of  the  Onginal 
Seceasion  Chnrch,  applying  for  admiasion 
as  a  licentiate  into  the  fellowship  of  this 
Chnrch,  reported  alrongly  in  favonr  of  the 
application,  and  the  presbytery  ajtreed 
cordially  to  recommena  it  to  the  faroar- 
able  consideration  of  the  Synod.  Mr, 
Sutherland  reported  on  the  difflcttlties  and 
disconragements  of  the  congregation  of 
Craigend.  After  can  aiders  ti  on,  it  wan 
agreed  to  defer  till  next  meetiog  deciding 


on  Ihflconrsewhicbit  may  be  bait  foi  this 
congregation  to  take.  Mr.  Satherlsnd  tu 
nominated  to  serre  on  the  Sfnod'e  MUnon 
Board,  in  place  of  Mr.  Wardrop.  The 
rest  of  the  bnsiness  was  prifsta.  Next 
meeting  appointed  to  be  held  on  the  16Ui 
of  April. 


CarluJee. — Rer.  Andrew  Alslon,  Cstb- 
cart  Road,  Qlasgow,  called  a6th  Stbnuj. 

Lochaimoch. — Mr.  John  Blsck,  probi- 
lioner,  Glasgow,  called. 

Ilohnetll. — Mr.  John  Brown,  prescber, 
called. 


Kirlcaldy  (Bethelfield), —Rev.  line 
Mnrwick,  Townends,  IrelaQd,  indncted 
SGlh  Febrnaiy. 

Mlnburgh  (ArgyU  Place).— ReT.  Jobs 
Kay,  Free  Charch,  Coatbridge,  inincwd 
Slst  March. 


The  Union  Unirersity,  New  Tork,  con- 
feried  the  Degree  of  Doctor  of  Diiinity 
on  Rev.  W.  M.  Halley,  of  High  Street 
Chnrch,  Dumbarton,  on  2Zd  Jannsi;. 


Died  at  Bournemontfa,  on  the  liih 
Harcb,  Ber.  John  Biuett,  Nairn,  ia  the 
Ihirty'fifih  year  of  hii  ministry. 


itoiicts  of  lleto  ^uWicattUttS. 

Tbe  Basis  of  Faith:  A  Critical  Surrey  CoogregatioDal  denDmination  is  to  lie 

of  tbe  Gronnds  of  Christian  Theism,  congratulated  on  the  pogeesHion  of  men 

The  Congregational  Union  Lecture  tor  who  would  adorn  the  classes  of  ont  most 

1877.     By  EoSTACE  R.  Condeb,  M.A.  faroured  uniTereitieB.     The namesof  lift 

.J      IT  Hj    lo.-    1..™    nxi  lateHenryRogera,  of  Mr.  Dale,  andDtfl. 

London;  tlodaer 4  Stouf uton.    ISJS.  „  ,,  ■'      ,^,  ,J  ,,\      ... 

^  Heynoida  and  Mellor,  are  well  known  sa 

Lectitreshifs    od     various     important  those   of   men   of   commanding  ability, 

topics    are    becoming    gradually    more  Mr.  Conder  is  not  unworthy  to  follow  in 

numeroos,  and  are  aaamuiug  a  place  of  their  footsteps. 

power.     And  it  must  be  confessed  in        Tbe  subject  which  he  baa  selected  for 

connection  with  them,  that  men  of  con-  ''         -      - 
spicuoua  ability  and  learning  have  en- 

gaged  in  the  discuBsion  of  the  weightiest  Christian   Theism. 

snbjecfa,  and  given  us  the  ripe  resnlta  of  that  the  age  in  which  we  live  if 

prolonged  thought  and  careful  investi-  great  nnrcet  and  turmoil  as  to  religion 

gatiou.  — the  foundations  are  being  moved,  and 

Those  who  have  had  the  appointment  the  fact  of  the  divine  existence- is  tha 

of  the  lecturers  in  connection  with  the  very  centre  round  which  the  conflict  if 

Congregational  Union  series  have  been  waged  most  fiercely.    Mr.  Conder  tben- 

ftatnnate  in  theii  choice,  and  the  entire  fore  did  well,  we  think,  to  mtdie  this  the 


of  supreme  importance 
and  present  and  pressing  interest — 
"'   '  ■'       ""   '  It  is  acknowledged 


'"ti-aCwST'^           M0TI0E8  OF  KEW  POBLIOATIONB.  185 

theme  of  biadiicoime.    Toitsdiscnraion  ^cal,  grouudB^,  John  Stuart  Mill,  and 

be  hai  bnmght  maDv  excellent  qualitieB.  Darwin. 

Ee  ii  dal7  infoeeBed  nith  a  Bense  of  the  Two  queetioiiB,  however,  require  to 
momentoDH nattireof  the eubjecl;  hehae  be  considered  in  this  connectjon.  One 
e,  mind  that  has  endentlf  been  exercised  is,  Can  we  from  a  finite  effect  conclude 
much  concerning  such  sabjects;  he  has  to  an  infinite  cause?  and,  in  view  of  the 
made  himself  well  acquainted  with  the  moral  disorders  of  the  world.  Can  we 
Bihistion  as  it  at  present  ia  In  these  beUeve  in  the  existence  of  a  being  at 
lands — cipreBEes  himself  clearly,  forcibly',  once  all-powerful  and  sll-toTine? 
Bnd  often  eloquently  ;  he  is  eridentlf  a  In  reference  to  the  first  of  tbese,  Mr. 
man  of  high  intellectual  power  and  no  Conder  thinks  that  it  cannot  be  seriously 
iEconsidorable  attainments.  The  earlier  put  Bat  he  will  find  it  very  seriously 
lectmea  of  the  Tolume  were,  in  the  main,  put  by  that  acute  critic,  Leelie  Stephens, 
written, heteUanSitwenty-fiveyearsago,  in  bis  History  of  Engiish  Thought  in  the 
and  eecured  the  cordial  approval  of  his  EighieenCh  Century,  and  will  see  in  Per- 
thes distinguished  teacher,  Mr.  Bogers.  using. that  history  that  it  is  the  difficulty 

The  lectures  are  nine  in  number,  and  which  cornea  up  all  along  the  line  of  the 

the  topics  treated  are  as  follows : — '  Ke-  Deistic  controTersy,  and  was  always  one 

Ugion,'  '  The  Knowledge  of  Qod,'  '  The  of  tbe  weak  points  in  the  position  of  the 

fialote  of  Providence,'  '  Knowledge,  its  inferential  Tbeist.    John  Foster  says,  in 

Ksture  and  Validity,'  'The  Architect  refutation  of  the  Atheist,  that  to  deny 

of  bke  Universe,'  '  Joxshitective  Design,'  the  existence  of  God  ia  to  arrogate  the 

'The    Voice    from    Heaven,'    '  Jesus,'  attributes  of  Deity,  for  in  some  part  of 

'The  Voice  Within.'    To  these  there  is  the  oniverse  there  might  be  proofe  of 

added  an  Appendix,  which  contains  some  design  which  would  convince  even  the 

notes,  which  are,  as  notes  often  are,  not  stoutest  doubter.  But  the  Agnostic  affirms 

the  least  valuable  part  of  the  volume.  that  as  logically  we  cannot  infer  more 

Mr.  Conder  rightly  states  that  the  line  from  the  effect  than  it  warrants,  and  as 
of  argument  in  support  of  his  thesis  is  we  have  not  an  infinite  effect  before  us, 
twofud — that  withm  and  that  without  so  we  cannot  conclude  to  an  infinite 
hb.  In  other  words,  it  is  intuitional  pnd  canse.  Hence  such  an  one  would  not 
inferential.  He  allows  some  weight  be  convinced  by  the  following  statement 
to  the  former,  but  places  bis  reliance  and  argument  of  our  author's: — 'Know- 
chiefly  on  the  latter.  In  speaking  of  the  ledge,'  says  Mr.  Conder  (page  141),  'im- 
fonner,  he  says  there  are  primary  or  plies  mind,  as  motion  implies  force  and 
necewaiy  beliefs,  such  as  in  the  distinc-  apace.  Universal  knowledge,  therefore, 
tioD  between  right  and  wrong ;  that  such  as  comes  forth  from  every  pore  of 
behd  in  the  existence  of  God  lies  near  to  nature,  must  Lave  its  abode  in  a  ifiHD 
these,  hut  is  not  one  of  them.  Our  own  which  comprehends  the  universe.  And 
coEviction  is,  that  it  is  one  of  them^-ooe  if  all  nature  is  built — aa  it  is — on  such 
of  the  deepest  and  moat  potent  of  them  knowledge,  one  all-comprehending  mind 
all;  that  which  gives  to  our  belief  in  mnat  be  the  author  of  the  universe.' 
moral  distinctions  its  cogency  and  sig-  Now  our  supposed  opponent,  who,  how- 
nificance.  The  belief  in  a  power  higher  ever,  is  a  very  real  one,  would  dmply 
than  ourselves  is  as  prevalent  as  that  in  say  he  did  not  allow  that  '  untKeraal 
right  and  wrong ;  and  anything  that  can  knowledge  came  from  every  pore  of 
be  advanced  against  this  as  an  argument,  nature,'  and  therefore  he  denied  the  de- 
can  nith  equal  force  be  advanced  against  ductlon  from  it. 
the  immutability  of  moral  distinctions.  In  discoursing  on  the  qaestion  of  moral 

Mr.  Conder  leaving,  almost  without  evil,  Mr.  Conder  is  led  to  speak  of  Mr. 
euterieg  on,  this  line  of  thought,  gives  Mill's  diatribe  against  nature ;  and  to- 
kis  whole  strength  to  the  latter.  He  wards  the  close  of  the  volume,  in  con- 
avows  himself  an  inferential  Theiat,  and  nection  with  the  sufferings  of  multitndes, 
affirms  that  the  proof  is'  cumulative,  of  wliich  apparently  they  were  not 
Having,  aa  was  meet,  said  a  word  in  themselves  tbe  cause.  After  pointing 
farour  of  Faley  and  his  method,  he  out  the  many  ameliorating  circumstances 
teveb  over  the  wide  field  of  the  external  of  even  unhappy  lives,  and  the  great 
evidence,  and  wages  war  valiantly  and  amount  of  happiness  experienced, — the 
aUy  with  auch  wponents  as  Sir  W.  obviens  tendency  of  all  God's  laws  to 
Bainilton  (on  philoBOphic,  not  tbeolo-  promote  human  welfare,  and  the  nature 


NOTICES  OF  KBW  PUBUOATIONS.  '^     ttSiTSat^^ 

BpintioD,  he  expronra  his  bdief  that 

,       .      .  ...  HiBpii»tion  extflodad  genenUy,  bnt  not 

tliis  ig  one  oi  thoae   mysteriea  wHcli  always,  to  tii«  words  as  wdl    as  tbe 

transcend  our  comprehensioa.  thoaghta  of.  the  sacred  writer.     In  thii 

Part  of  the  cumulatiT«  evidence  is  the  he  will  find  himself  in.  harmony   witb 

Bible  itself  and  the  character  of  Jesos.  general  ordiodox  opinion.     As  to  t^ 

.   On  these  iaa<ii  that  is  of  high  excellence  natiire  of  inspiration  itself,  in  what  it 

is  set  forth ;  and,  ho  far  as  argument  goes,  really  consist!  lies  a  difficulty  which  has 

we  se^n  to  be  walking  on  ff  mer  ground  not  yet  beea  made  plain ;  and  all  such 

when  we  infer  the  divine  existence  from  explanations  as  that  the  Spirit's  infia- 

the  character  of  God   which  the   Bible  ence  is  like  that  which  a  loving  motha 

rOTeals,    than  when  inqniriog  in   the  exerts  over  a  loring  daughter,  in  dis- 

regiona  of  physice  andmetapbyaies.    But  posng    her   correcSy   to    convey    hex 

after  all,  the  question  returns.  Where  lies  mother's  thonghta  to  others,  ia  liable  to 

the  great  strength  of  tbe  argument  for  the  objection  of  being  inadequate,  and 

the  edstfl&ce  of  God?    It  seems  to  us  only  a  naturalistic    illnstration    of    a 

not  to  lie  inaignmentat  all;  and  we  fear  sapematoral  process. 

no  amount  ot  eEternal  evidence  will  be  

of  much  value  to  the  man — ifsuchaman  (1)  Alpine  Advehtdbb;  or.  Narrate 
there  be — who  can  say  in  his  heart  there  of  Travd  and  Research  in  the  Alps, 
is  no  God.  We  have  beard  of  a  rath^  By  the  Author  of  The  Medilerramaa 
unlearned  individu^ — being  present  at  a         lUugtraled,  The  Arctic  World,  etc 

diacoume  in  which  the  arguments  from.  (S)  Lessons  FROU  Life  :  Storiea  and 
design,  etc.,  in  support  ot  Theism  were  Tending,  For  the  Young.  By  the  late 
set  forth — being  asked,  as  he  retired        Rev.  William  Arnot. 

from '  the  service,    what  he  thought  of  London :  Thonu  Nslaon  A  SiHu ;  BdiiAuigk  mi 

what  had  been  advanced,  quietly  re-  Se»-york.  iS7a. 
plying,  '  I  beheve  in  God  for  all  that.'  These  hooks  are  specially  meant  for  the 
Yes,  that  faith  might  perchance  be  ex-  young,  and  they  are  admirably  adapted 
Anguished  by  the  strife  of  tongues  and  for  their  purpose.  They  are  yeiy  beaiU' 
the  confusion  of  argument,  if  it  rested  on  tifully  got  up  ;  the  paper,  printing, 
Bomething  external;  but  as  part  of  onr-  letterpress,  engravings,  and  external 
selves  it  is  indestructible,  and,  however  decorations  being  all  in  a  hi^  degree 
ignorantly  or  inconsistently  it  may  be  excellent  aud  attractive. 
held,  must  abide  for  ever.  (1)  The  first  recounts  stories  of  ad- 
We  regret,  therefore,  that  Mr,  Conder  venture  among  the  Alps,  describes 
has  given  himself  aimost  wholly  to  the  Alpine  scenery,  aud  tells  of  scientjfic 
line  of  argument  which  he  has  adopted  reseatchea  made  by  Tyndall  aiui  otdioH 
.  as  most  conclusive.  In  thisrespect,  how-  into  the  ice  foroiatjons  of  thoae 
ever,  he  hut  follows  in  the  footsteps  of  wondrous  r^ions.  It  is  a  book  which 
many  able  and  learned  apologists  who  an  intelligent  boy  will  read  with  delight, 
have  gone  before  him ;  and  if  Ms  treatise  ^i^d  from  which  he  will  receive  moch 
does  not  mark  a  new  departure  in  Chris-  information.  It  is  written  in  a  ^m|de, 
tian  apoh^etics,  it  will  at  least  occupy  forcible,  and  interestjug  manner. 
an  honourable  place  amongst  the  prodoc-  (3)  Those  who  have  read  Mr.  Amotfa 
tione  of  those  who  have,  with  earnest  delightful  autobiograjihy  will  pemH 
purpose  and  roarked  ability,  addressed  this  book  with  special  pleaaare  and 
themselves  to  the  discussion  of  the  great-  intelligence.  To  a  large  extent  it  is 
eat  of  themes.  autobiographic^  Hr.  Amot  rejno- 
duces  in  it  the  scenes  of  bis  early  dkys, 

IHSPIRATIOM    OF   THB    BiBLE.      By   Hev.  f^.*'^'''^^?^  "^t^"^'^-^?,''™!^ 

James  GsAHAii,  United  Presbyterian  *"?''  P^    ^'^aJ*'*''  ""  'J"^  P***^ 

ChuTcb,  Brooghty  Feny.         "  colouring  and    stoing  moral    purpoBe, 

'  "    ■'         ■'  makes  it  a  book  which  is  enunontlT 

Erooettjr>!rry:  A]«.  Bownum,    ]878.  flj^^  ^j  ^^^  tO  ddight  Bad  edify  tt^ 

In  this  sennon,  which  bears  the  mark  of  youthful  reader. 

careful  preparation  and  earnest  purpose.         One  lesson  which  the  author  incol- 

Mr.  Graham  discourses  ably  on  the  great  cates  with  the  utmost  fervour,  is  tlie 

and  dif&cultsubject  of  inspiration.    Dis-  evil  results  of  that  thonghtleaB  eru^^ 

tingoiabiug  between  revelatioD  and  in-  in  which  young  peo^e  ara  so  apt  ia 


V~JJ7yt*"           NOTICM  OF  HEW  rUBLIOATIONS.  187 

mdolge.      Tbe  etoej  of  tka  woimded  eoBYJctdnn  Heotng  to  ba  thii,  'If  yon  wk 

dore Mi^mdt many  heartt,beHdei that  not,  I  bioir,'  Imt  'if  roa  aak,  I  dont,* 

ct  tbe  perpetrator's,  sod  deter  from  The  poet,  howerar,  it  u   amrerullf 

tliat  amd  roort  whicK  i*  death  to  its  allowed,  i*  one  vho  has  ^ropathj  abore 

inBooeiit  and  defencdeaa  ricliBs,  how-  othen  with  'nattute  and  life,'  and  who 

erernnich  grstifioatitHi  it  may  nnhaj^j  has  .tlie  power  of  ropmsautjug  theM  ta 

be  to  U&  actor.  mdodions  nnmbtca  and  attractive  fom. 

Altogether  these  two  little  volumes  Tho  dej|ree  in  which  this  sympathy  and 

bave  our  warmest  commeDdation,  and  power  is  poaseased  is  very  different  in 

will  be  found  worthy  of  all  aooeptsnoe,  different  penona,  whilst  it  may  be  Terj 

''"''■  "n  Bcconnt  of  their  external  beanlf  real  within  its  owa  limits.    That  these 


and  thmr  intrinsic  woitlL                            are  to  be  found  very  unmistakeaUy  iu 
.. ..       .....        ...    ^  (j^J^ 


A 'Young  Man's  Safeguard  in  the 


lupMtending  liUle  Tohune  1 
ounot   be   donbted.     Its    author 

SF.G.a^              By^n-^  IndTC  abo '^e  ««<K*««^ 

LoAm-.BoiitiiiStoa^ibm.   WB.  TJii  word  of  God  as  weU  as  the  works 

Tsa  is  ^^e-amiBantly  a  book  for  the  of  Qodi  and  the  works  as  {Qostrating 

times.    The  SQb)ed  ia  one  ttt  vast  im-  the  word,  have  for  h«  a  pacoliar  ttibrta- 

nortanee,  hot  it  la  difficult  of  tieatmeot.  lion.    Slie  sees  Arerywhcre  '  a  preeent 

We  fear  Hr.  Qneat's  method  may  ^ate  Dtiij,'  and  'from  nature  rises  np  to 

OD  snpet£ne  esis,  bat  the  biave  and  native's  Ood.'    Henoe  her  poeoia  will 

boDnt  word   ii   the  otily   ons  wtnrth  find   spedal  favour   with    those   who 

speaking,  and  the  only  one  that  will  be  delight  in    sacred  truth  set  forth  in 

effectoaC    He  brings  to  the  dtsonuion  poetic  form.    Such  will  find  very  real 

of  his  aubject    admiiaUe   qnalities,—  pleHnre,  aa  well  sa  edifioation,  iu  Lyriet 

thoroQ^  knowledgs,  a  loving  heart,  of  Nature  and  Life. 

thepowerof  dear,  pointed,  and  vigorous  

The  topics  disooBsed  are  the  Bblmont  Street  Untted  Peesbttbiuah 


exrocHon. 
foUowing: — 


_ .   .  ^ .   -<  Tho  Moral  Dangers  of  the  Chubch  Gentekabt  MofOBiAL.    Part 

Age :  How  to  eocape  them ; '  '  Tbe  Op-  I.  —  Historical   Sketch    ot    Bebnont 

portimidea  of  tbe  Age :  Howtoprqiare  Street  Congregation.    By  tha  Ber. 

for  them; '  '  The  ScepUeal  Doubts  of  Davis  Beatt.    Fart  II.~— Serm(mB  in 

&e  Age:  How  to  so^e  them ; '    '  The  connection  willi  the  Centenary  ot  tbe 

GhrittiMi  Tonng  Man's  Place  in  the  Congrention,  preached  by  Bev.  Pro- 

A^:  How  to  M  it'    It  will  thus  be  feasor   Bihkie,    D.D.,    Bev.    Datid 

uen  that  the  field  traversed  is  wide  and.  Bsatt,  Bev.  J.  Logak  Aieuaji,  D.D. 

varied;  and  it  is  made  exeeedin^y  in-  Fart  IlL — The  Social  Meeting,  held 

tacttiiig   tw    well    aa    useful   by    apt  on  the  Centenary  Ere.    Pabliidied  by 

illastiatimH,  drawn  friMn  a  wide  range  request. 

d  reaifing  and  obeerrsticm.  Abmd« :  a.  Bnnrn  &  Cs.    1878. 

As  the  anther  obaervea,  there  ia  a  Ween  a  congregatioa  has  attained  the 


dan  of  yonnff  men  who  will  not  read    hundredth  year  of  its  eziatence,  it  is 
""  "^    '      They  are  too  fargonefor    tm7  natorat  that  it  i^onld  seek  tc 


this  book. 


„        ,  Aber- 

wfaa  m^hap  long  for  a  bei^iing  hand  to  doen,  has   be«i  enabled,  to  do  so  m 

enable  titeia  to  return.    To  all  such  we  happy  drcomstoncee,  the  present  bdng 

ocnunend  tbk  book  Tery  esmeetly.  an  advance  on  the  past,  aa  it  is  desirable 

it  always  ehonld  bo, 

Lteics  «ro  PoMts  ofKatube  and  Life.        Tho  account  of  the  proeee^gs  of  ^e 

By  Janet  Kelso  Muib.  oMitenary  colobrabon,  now  pubbsbed, 

ma^:3.  4B.  IVri«M.    London:  Hotflrton  '"U  have  Special  interest  for  tbe  cro- 

ksoat.  it7A.  gre^ation  more  immediately  conoerned, 

It  hm  hem  freqnentiy  aAed,  what  ts  bntithasawiderintereit,    TheesTnons 

nnios,  and  wherein  oonmsta  poetry?  and  speechee  on  the  oooawon_  are  all 

Birt  Avrase  and    oonflicting   answers  marked  by  ability  and  ^ipropriatenew. 

hare  beat  returned,  and  ^  general  A  short  notice  of  the  proceedings  ap 


HONIHLT  KBTBOBPEOT. 


ministeTB  of  the  congieg&tion  were  then  knd  impreaalTe  preacher ;  *  whilst  of  the 

omitted,  TIE.  UiOBe^  Rev.  Mr.  Temple-  latter  it   is  iaid,  'He  waa  a  man  of 

ton,  ordaioed  in  1801,  and  Rer.  Hr.  robust  mind,  and  of  great  Tigonr  aa  a 

Sei^wick,  ordained  in  1836.     In  refer-  preacher.'     Dr.  Sodgewick  laboais -with 

ence  to  the  former,  it  is  said  '  he  was  great  acceptance  in  Nora  Scotia. 

DISESTABLISHMENT. 
In  the  General  Aasembly  of  1870,  Dr.  Biseet  of  Bonrtje,  while  conscioos  tbat  the 
Church  waa  nuhing  on  toward  the  breakers,  ottered  the  memorable  prediclii»: 
'  The  time  that  will  elapse  between  the  abrogation  of  patronage  and  the  diaendow- 
ment  of  the  Ohoroh  will  not  be  a  lioman  loatrum.'  Within  two  yeara  from  thig 
date,  therefore,  the  disendowment  of  tbe  Scottish  Chnrch  is  due,  if  Dr.  Bieset  is  to 
be  accepted  aa  a  true  prophet.  Without  anticipating  any  such  sudden  coUapse  of 
the  Eatabliahment  principle,  we  maj  freelf  say  that  the  time  has  now  arrived  wh«n 
'something  must  be  done.'  The  different  parties  intereated  are  preparing  for  a 
desperate  struggle,  and  two  memherB  of  Farliament  hare  given  notice  that  they 
will  call  attention  to  the  matter.  Sir  Alexander  Gordon,  member  for  East  Alter, 
deenshire,  has  intimated  his  intention  to  more  that  'aroyal  Commission  be  appointed 
to  inquire  into  the  causes  which  have  kept  asunder  the  FreBbyterians  of  ScotUnd, 
with  a  view  to  the  removal  of  any  impediments  which  mav  exiat  to  their  reunion 
in  a  National  Ghnrch,  as  establish^  at  the  Reformation,  and  ratified  b;  the  Revolo-  . 
tiou  Settlement  and  the  Act  of  Union.'  This  notice  of  motion  most  be  viewed  in 
relation  to  other  incidents  and  utterances.  On  the  20th  of  December  1877,  Dr.  fiegg 
and  seventeen  other  ministers,  but  no  lajmen,  met  in  secret  conclave  at  Inverness, 
and  the  result  of  the  meeting  was  exhibited  in  three  resolutiona  commonicated  to 
the  newspapers.  There  was,  of  course,  a  condemnation  of  Voluntaryiam,  whitih 
was  defined  aa  '  a  denial  of  the  duty  of  nations  and  rulers,  as  such,  towarda  trae 
religion  and  the  Church  of  Christ.'  There  was  likewise  a  repudiation  of  '  aU  pio- 
poaaU  to  devote  to  secular  purposes  the  eccleaiaaldcal  revenues  of  the  country, 
which  they  regard,  both  on  the  ground  of  reason,  history,  the  Treaty  of  Union 
with  England,  and  the  Free  Church  Claifli  of  Bight,  aa  belonging  for  religiaiu 
purposes  to  the  people  of  Scotland ;  and  they  hold  this  view  to  be  specially  im- 
porCaot  in  the  caae  t)f  the  Highlands  and  Islands,  where  the  great  mass  <^  the 
people  are  connected  with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  and  continue  strongly 
attached  to  the  principle  of  national  religion.'  The  practical  part  follows,  and  the 
phraaeology  sounds  very  like  the  terms  of  Sir  Alexander  Gordon's  notice  of  motion; 
for  the  eighteen  miuistera  resolved  further,  '  that,  whilst  approving  of  the  abolition 
of  patronage,  they  hold  it  to  be  the  duty  of  the  rulers  of  the  nation  to  remove  alt 
remaining  olistacles  which  prevent  a  righteous  adjustment  of  existing  difficulties,  in 
accordance  with  the  claims  and  principles  of  the  Free  Church ;  and  they  are  per- 
suaded that  any  additional  delay  in  ascertaining  and  removing  these  csoses  of  evil 
may  result  in  very  serious  and  irreparable  consequences.'  It  was  resolved,  finally, 
'  that,  in  accordance  with  the  above  resolutions,  the  attention  of  the  Lord  Advo- 
cate and  the  Government  be  seriously  called  to  this  matter,  with  a  view  to  the 
adoption  of  such  measures  as  are  manifeetly  necessary.' 

Another  fact  to  be  noticed  in  connection  witli  these  movements  of  Dr.  Begg  and 
Sir  Alexander  Gordon,  is  the  earnest  desire  of  the  Established  Church  leaidera  to 
reclaim  the  Highlanders  who  have  joined  the  Free  Church.  These  aspirations 
were  uttered  by  Dr,  Fhin  at  a  conversazione  in  32  Queen  Street  on  the  13tb  of 
December,  in  language  strangely  similar  to  that  of  Dr.  Begg  and  Sir  Alexander 
Gordon,  Ha  said :  '  Let  every  effort  be  put  forth  that  could  be  put  forth,  to  take 
away  from  their  ecclesiastical  conatitution  anything  which  coidd  be  tlie  means  d 
separating  from  the  Church  those  who  held  the  great  leading  trutha  which  the 
Church  waa  appointed  to  teach,  and  who  adhered  to  the  principle  of  national 
religion,— let  some  scheme  of  that  kind  be  devised,  and  be  for  himBelf,  and  he  VU 


'^^a^m^^  MOSTHLt  KETBOSPEOT.  189 

inire  the  Church,  voald  rejoica  if  anv  gncb  Bcheme  were  devised,  and  would  do 
what  thej  could  to  m&ke  it  sncceiBful.  Warming  under  the  influence  of  a  iympa- 
thetic  Midience,  Dr.  Phin  became  more  explicit,  and  aaid,  '  Would  to  God  they 
could  bring  within  the  limits  of  the  Church  their  brethrea  in  tha  Highlandi !  .  .  . 
There  was  no  aacrifice  abort  of  principla  which  he  was  not  prepared  to  make  to  ■ 
obtain  that  great  end.'  It  would  '  make  the  Church  of  Scotland  what  he  desired 
to  Bee  it, — the  gloij  and  beautv  of  the  whole  earth  ;  for  he  believed  if  thej  had 
the  Highlandfl  with  them,  the  Church  would  be  impregnable,  and  would  hold  a 
position  to  the  naUon  which  was  not  BurpasBed  by  the  position  of  any  other 
nstional  Church.'  It  will  be  observed  that  the  great  object  of  Dr.  Phin  is  to  make 
the  Established  Church  'impregnable,'  and  that  is  to  be  accomplished  by  bringing 
'within  the  limits  of  the  Church  their  brethren  in  the  Highlands.'  There  is  no 
idea  of  justice,  or  fairness,  or  reclamation  of  the  lapsed  manes,  but  only  to  make 
the  Eetablished  Church  'impregnable,'  and  'the  glory  and  beanty  of  the  whole 
earth.'  Will  the  free  Church  pastors  in  the  Highlands  not  resent  this  as  a  threat- 
ened spoliation  of  their  flocks  ?  and  should  Dr.  Phin  not  feel  ashamed  of  having 
so  plainly  avowed  his  intention  to  decimate  the  Free  Church  ? 

We  further  wish  to  observe  that  Dr.  Begg  and  hia  friends  had  an  interview  with 
tiie  Lord  Advocate,  the  result  of  which  did  not  transpire,  but  it  seemed  not  alto- 
gether diapteasing  to  the  deputies.  Farther,  there  have  been  private  consultationa 
in  the  offices  of  the  Established  Church  at  S3  Queen  Street,  one  result  of  which  has 
been  some  apparent  reconciliation  between  opposing  pardea  in  the  Church,  as  is 
manifest  from  tiie  fact  that  Principal  Tolloah  is  to  succeed  Dr.  Phin  in  the 
moderator's  ciiair.  Till  this  date  there  is  no  evidence  tiiat  the  Government  has 
been  induced  to  take  up  the  qnestion  ;  and  the  notice  of  motion  by  Sir  Alexander 
Gcrdon  is  rather  a  proof  that  meanwhile  the  Ijord  Advocate  doea  not  see  his 
way  t«  take  any  action.  Still,  the  position  of  affairs  is  such  aa  to  require  earnest 
watching. 

The  sum  of  the  whole  matter  is,  that  a  vigorous  and  sustained  effort  is  in  pro- 
gress to  carry  over  the  HighlandeTS  to  the  Established  Church,  and  so  gain  for 
that  denomtDatJon  a  great  numerical  accession  of  strength  at  the  expense  of  the 
Free  Church.  That  was  one  object  of  the  Established  Church  leaders  in  pasmng 
the  Patronage  Act ;  but  as  that  effort  failed,  something  else  must  be  tried.  It  is 
a  desperate  game,  and  the  chief  actors  may  live  to  regret  that  they  permitted 
statesmen  to  tamper  with  the  Church.  Meanwhile  the  ministers  and  members  of 
the  Free  Church  are  alive  to  the  dangers  which  beset  them.  They  are  involved  in 
a  hand-tO'baud  struggle  in  which  almost  the  existence  of  their  Church  is  at  stake ; 
and  we  hope  they  have  resolved  to  adopt  the  best  policy  in  the  circumstances, 
whicl^  is  to  pronounce  unequivocally  for  Diaestablishment.  But  they  should  not 
be  allowed  to  fight  the  battle  alone.  The  avowed  object  of  the  aggreasivo  party  is- 
to  make  the  Church  '  impregnable '  by  getting  back  '  their  brethren  iu  the  High- 
lands.' It  would  be  unpardonable  were  other  Nonconformists  to  stand  aaide  and 
witness  a  successful  raid  on  the  Free  Church  in  the  Highlands,  even  were  it  certain 
that  the  marauders  would  stop  there.  But  it  is  certain  they  would  not.  Their 
object  is  to  make  the  Church  '  impregnable.'  Then  the  Established  clergy  wouhl 
snap  their  fingers  at  all  efforts  toward  Disestablishment,  and  the  cold  reign  of 
Uoderatism  would  return.  It  is  not  a  time  for  apathy,  but  for  hearty  and  united 
action  among  all  Nonconformists.  We  observe  with  pleasure  that  there  is  a 
mnatering  of  the  different  divisioDS  of  the  Nonconformist  army.  The  Liberation 
Society  ia  completing  its  organization  in  Scotland.  The  Scottish  Disestabliahment 
Association  has  been  reoi^nized,  and  ia  now  in  a  position  to  do  gOod  service.  In 
many  preabyterieB  of  the  United  Presbyterian  and  Free  Churches  the  subject  has 
been  discussed,  and  iu  others  there  have  been  notices  of  motion  which  will  bear 
fmtt  at  subsequent  meetings.  On  the  24th  of  this  month,  the  Congregational 
Union  of  Scotland  will  have  the  subject  under  consideration,  and  we  may  expect 
they  will  utter  no  uncertain  sound.  -  It  ia  well  to  discuss  principles,  but  it  is  a 
tine  also  for  practicaL  measures.  A  general  election  cannot  be  far  dtatant,  and  it 
should  be  a  matter  of  conscience  wiUi  Nonoonformieta  of  ev^  section  to  use  all 
legitimate  and  judicious  means  to  give  their  distinctive  principles  in  this  connec- 
tion the  proioinence  they  deserve. 


190  MWrrHLT  EEVBOBFSOT.  ^'ttRfmiT' 

CHDBOH  EXTENSION. 
This  mbject  ia  being  vei^r  Tigorondy  diacuBRed  in  all  our  Clmidtn  at  piennt,  and, 
in  the  F^  Chuieh  efpoatUj,  efforts  on  &  la^e  Male  are  being  made  toiwuds  iti 
wortlij  tealinUion. 

In  apeakiDg  of  it  lately  to  um  wbo,  onfortanatelj,  ^th  ample  meauo,  had  no 
synipntlij  irith  auj  moremoit  that  icqaired  him  to  part  with  any  fraction  of  than, 
he  ob«erred  that  '  in  hia  opinion  Church  cotitnotMm  vaa  more  neceBUT.'  We 
abo  have  been  warned  against  '  Chturch  extinction '  in  oar  efforta  at  Ohoicli 
extenaioa.  Now,  in  replj  to  those  who  offer  objections  of  this  kind,  we  hftre  to 
aay  that  pertiapa  they  would  not  object  to  the  pluaae  '  Chnrch  adaptatiwi-' 

It  is  evident  to  the  most  saperficial  obeerrer  that  great  changes Iutb  come  over 
the  countTT'  a«  to  the  arrangemBnt  of  the  populatdoa,  sad  oonseqaently  there  is 
need  for  the  Church  adapting  iteelf  to  ehangea,  and,  what  is  more  difflAolt,  era 
changing  circamatancea.  Speaking  on  this  snbject  at  the  anonal  meeting  of  the 
Gla^ow  Church  Planting  firard,  one  of  the  Ixetbren,  who  has  bad  expeoience  at 
both  rural  and  orban  life,  ssts  : — 

'  Planting  !  There  is  Tery  httle  need  for  tliat  kind  of  work  in  some  «f  our 
conntty  towns  and  Tillages.  Uprooting  would,  in  a  few  eases,  be  more  appro- 
priate. It  woflld,  I  am  nue,  tend  greatly  to  the  advantage  of  all  partiea  ecm- 
cemed,  and  tA  the  promotion  of  the  canae  of  religion  generally,  if  two  or  three 
chnrcheH  struggling  for  existence  were  rolled  into  one.  If  we  could  only  trans- 
plant some  of  our  ministers — able  and  earnest  men — from  places  where  tJiey  aie 
wasting  their  energies,  to  other  and  more  needful  fielda  of  Labour,  it  would  he  a 
UeflBJng.  And  the  reason  of  this  nnsatisfacfany  state  of  things  in  many  tUobdcts 
of  the  conntry,  ia  not  the  inefficiency  of  the  ministers,  but  the  decrease  of  the 
p(q)nlBtion.  Where,  then,  are  the  people  going  to  ?  The  question  is  yeiy  eavly 
answered.  I  hare  been  afmost  amnsed,  in  visiting  the  membeis  of  my  congr^ia- 
taon,  to  find  how  few  of  them  have  been  bom  and  brought  np  in  the  city,  aod  how 
many  of  them  have  come  from  the  country.  I  have  been  amaied,  unce  I  came  to 
OISBgow,  to  see  the  signs  of  rapid  extension  in  all  directions,  so  different  from  whst 
is  to  be  seen  in  our  stationary  country  towns  and  cmmbling  Tillages.  But  iriiile 
the  process  of  immigration  from  the  country  into  the  town  is  going  on,  there  is  at 
the  same  time  a  process  of  emigration  from  the  town  into  the  country,  or,  at  least, 
as  near  to  it  aa  possible.  There  is  a  twofold  tendency  from  the  outAurts  into  the 
centres,  as  fax  as  the  whole  land  is  concerned,  and  from  the  oentres  to  the  oat- 
skirts  as  far  as  the  cities  are  concerned.' 

Now,  it  must  at  once  be  allowed  that  in  certain  districts  the  Chnrch  accom- 
modation, which  at  one  time  might  be  entirely  necessary,  much  exceeds  the 
wants  of  the  population,  and  in  such  iiiat«.-nnjff  '  Churdt  contxaetion,'  sa  our 
economical  friend  put  it,  is  desirable.  But  how  is  tlds  to  be  accomrdished  ?  As 
thinn  at  present  are,  anion  between  any  section  of  the  disendowed  Chorchcs  and 
the  GstabHsbed  in  any  locslity  is  not  to  be  thonght  of ;  but  surely  where  there  ue 
trwo  churches  of  the  same  denomination,  or  even  one  belonging  to  the  Free 
Church  and  one  to  our  own,  as  a  Tacancy  occarred  a  onion  might  be  effected, 
and  thus  one  strong  or  tolerably  strong  church  might  be  formed  instwd  of  two 
struggling  ouea  kept  up  to  each  other's  hurt. 

But  at  the  same  time  it  is  to  be  remembered  that  there  are  many  small  eoi^re- 
gations  in  isolated  places  where  union  with  any  other  diDrch  is  impOMibl&  Sodi 
churches  in  the  past  have  contributed  their  quota  to  our  flourishing  city  charges, 
and  do  so  still,  as  was  testified  to  by  the  spet^r  referred  to.  The  Uttle  rills  help 
to  HweU  the  mighty  river,  and  if  they  were  cut  off  even  its  diannel  would  soon  be 
dry.  Such  churches,  then,  deserve  support  even  from  conaidentions  of  self* 
interest,  whilst  their  ministers,  need  generous  sympathy  in  their  efforta  after 
oilarging  their  borders,  which  are  froitiess  only  because  the  ground  ia  altogether 


THE  SCOTTISH  COAST  MISSION. 
The  kive  erf  the  sea  ia  very  powerful  in  many  a  youthful  breast    This  ought  not 
seem  strange  in  the  case  <d  those  who  Uve  by  the  sea-diore,  and  are  accustomed  to 
the  sight  of  seafaring  life ;  but  it  does  seem  strange  that  ^ten  it  is  to  be  feond  in 


'■"SSr.ySr'^  momthlt  sbtbosfeot.  191 

eqptl  force  in  those  wko  bsye  Keard  of  the  lea  oidj  bj  report,  or  who  h>Ta  r«ad 
of  it  in  the  pages  of  the  novelist. 

It  is  well  known  tlut  whilst  the  aaikit  hss  msny  good  qiulitiee,  he  is,  Msmle,. 
Bidl;  wesk  in  many  respects.  The  meaej  he  braval^  sna  honesUj  eanis  at  ses  he 
too  often  aqnanders  foolishly  tuid  hortfnlly  on  shore.  It  is  well,  tberefoce,  thst 
amid  the  maaj  societies  which  hap[Hly  now  exist  for  the  benefit  of  the  wesk  or 
goffering,  Jsck-sahore  shoDldnot  be  neglceted. 

There  lies  before  us  the  Annm.1  Beport  of  the  Scottish  Coast  Migsioa,  and  a  rerf 
interatiDg  and  encouragiDg  one  it  is.  '  This  minion,  it  is  said,  with  which  the 
Union  Coast  Minion  was  happily  amalgamiited  two  years  ago,  now  occnpies  the 
extensiTe  line  of  coast  which  stretoheB  bom  Berwick- on- Tweed  northwards,  aloog 
the  Bhorea  of  the  Firth  of  Forth  and  the  Firth  of  Tay,  to  Arbroath  and  Aiich- 
mithie  in  Forfarshire.  It  has  also  had,  fot  uxCeen  yesis  past,  an  outtying  station 
at  Thorso  and  Scrabster,  in  CaithnesK,  It  has  amaUy  fourteen  iniaBi<«iariei  ' 
occQpjing  this  field,  all  of  whom  deTote  their  whole  time  and  ene^y  to  tlie 
qiiritoal  intiereets  of  the  seamen  and  fiahermen  within  thmr  respective  qiheres  of 

The  mission,  we  perceive,  has  the  support  not  only  of  manj  in  the  Metr^iolis 
and  alonK  tiie  coast,  hnt  sko  in  the  more  inlsnd  districte.  It  is  altogether  wotQij 
of  it ;  aod  amongst  the  nany  cktimB  now  presaing,  its  very  strong  ones  idioakl 

QQt  be  forgotten. 

LECTUKEaHIPS. 

is  the  dty  of  Bdiabuigh  during  the  past  month  no  fewer  than  three  special  courses 
of  lectures  on  theological  subjects  have  been  given.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Laidlaw  of 
Aberdeen,  in  connection  with  the  Free  Church,  has  delivered  the  Cunningham 
Lectures  for  the  year,~acoiir8e  on  'The  Bible  Theory  of  Man;'  Prof essor  Fluit,  in 
connection  with  the  Bsird  Trust,  has  been  giving  lectures,  on  the  Sabbath  evenings, 
b  St  George's  Char<!h,  on  '  Anti-TheislJc  Theories ; '  and  Principal  Caird  of  Ouis- 
gow  University  has  been  lecturing  in  Qneen  Street  Hall  on  '  The  Relation  between 
Philosophy  and  Religion.' 

The  large,  intelligent,  and  deeply  interested  audiences  which  have  regularly 
assembled  to  hear  tlKse  lecturen  may  in  part  be  drawn  together  by  the  distinguishea 
reputation  of  the  lecturers  \ ,  but,  at  the  same  time,  it  shows  the  interest  that  is  bring 
incresaingly  taken  in  the  discussion  of  theological  subjects  in  a  scientific  and  philo- 
sophic manner.  It  is  indeed  very  gratifying  to  see  such  an  immense  church  ai 
St.  Gieoige's  crowded  evening  after  evening  by  audiences  desiring  to  hear  diBcosaed 
such  an  unportant  subject. 

One  of  the  lectures,  bearing  very  closely  on  one  of  the  strongest  and  most 
injurions  pbUoeophies  of  the  day,  is  that  on  Materialism.  In  this  lecture  Dr.  Flint 
clearly  dejines  what  materiaUsm  is,  and  with  that  wealth  of  learning  which  he  so 
eignafly  poHsesses,  shows  that  those  who  imagine  they  are  '  advanced  thinkers ' 
because  uiey  hold  materialistic  doctrines,  are  completely,  though  self -complacently, 
mistaken.  He  says  the  term  materialism,  instead  of  being  a  snre  and  definite  term, 
is  of  the  moat  general  nature,  and  has  many  and  discordant  applications.  There  is 
one  nniversal  characteristic  it  has,  however  r  it  aupposea  matter  to  be  more  than 
it  is  known  to  be,  and  endows  it  with  qualities  which  neither  sense  nor  science 
warrant,— «uch  as  eternity  and  self- existence.  The  general  teaching  of  the  system 
of  Dtfnocritus,  and  even  his  method  of  statement,  ore  identical  witb  what  hod 
been  given  oat  as  the  latest  and  most  important  product  of  modem  science. 

In  connection  with  this  sobiect  of  Lec^iresbips,  we  observe  an  announcement  of 
no  little  interest.    It  is  as  follows : — 

'  HiBBZBT  Lectueeship  on  the  Theory,  Development,  and  Histort  of  Ee- 
LiaiON,— By  a  deed  dated  19th  July  1847,  the  late  Mr.  Robert  Hibbert  established 
a  trust  fund  for  the  promotion  of  comprehensive  learning  and  thorough  research 
in  relation  to  religion,  as  it  appears  to  the  eye  of  the  scholar  and  philosopher,  and 
wholly  apart  from  the  interest  of  any  particular  church  or  system.  It  was  pointed 
ont  to  t£e  trustees  that  endowed  lectnrsshipe,  even  under  the  restrwnts  of  an 
apologetic  deugn,  have  enriched  theological  literature  with  some  valoable  oon- 


'  192  MOSTHLT  EKTEOSPECT.  ^™iSiTiB5'^ 

tiibutioaB,  &nii  tluit  an  analogonB  bnt  higher  result  might  be  expected  if  b;  a 
nmilor  institution  scope  were  aJforded  for  lecturers  exceptionallf  competent  freelr 
to  present  the  results  of  their  ipe^  studies  without  Etny  obligation  to  work  towsrda 
a  settled  concluaiou.  This  suggestion  was  embodied  in  a  memorial,  «gued  amoDg 
oOiera  by  Mr.  James  Martineau,  Dean  Stanley,  Dr.  W.  B.  Carpenter,  Mr.  Mm 
Miiller,  Dr.  J.  Muir,  Principal  TuUoch,  Professor  Campbell,  Principal  Oaird,  elc. 
In  compliiLnce  with  the  prayer  of  this  memorial,  the  Hiboert  Trustees  have  resolved 
to  institute  n  lectureship.  The  first  series  of  seven  lectures  will  be  ddivered  hj 
F,  Mai  Miiller,  M.A.,  Professor  of  OomparatiYe  Philology  in  the  UniTereity  of 
Oxford,  on  the  "  Origin  and  Growth  of  Religion,  as  illostrated  by  the  Reli|^oas  of 
India."  The  lectures  will  be  delivered  at  the  Chapter  House,  Westminster  AUiey, 
during  April  and  May  next.' 

Here  Max  Utiller  is  to  come  before  ns  as  a  lecturer  at  large,  fettered  by  no 
reatrainta,  and  free  to  roam  at  will  orer  the  field  of  inquiry  before  him.  In  pass- 
ing, we  may  remark  that  tbia  allusion,  which  is  a  frequent  one  in  certain  quarten, 
to  men  working  onder  restraint  is  a  mistake  as  to  matter  of  fact,  and  more  m 
as  a  matter  of  charity.  The  men  who  undertake  to  lecture  in  the  way  alluded  to, 
do  so  bec&uae  they  are  convinced  that  it  is  within  certain  limits  and  towards  t, 
oertain  end  they  should  travel.  At  the  same  time,  such  will  welcome  light  froin 
whatever  source  it  comes.  No  one  of  the  least  intelligence  will  be  afraid  of 
reverent  and  scholarly  inquiry.  Such  inquiry  may  indeed  prove  that  we  have 
been,  in  important  respects,  iu  error,  but  it  can  only  in  the  end  tend  to  tiie  eipo- 
sition  and  establishment  of  the  truth.  The  qualifications  of  Max  Miiller  for  tbe 
task  which  he  haa  undertaken  are  well  known,  and  the  pnbhc  will  look  forward 
with  interest  to  the  publication  of  the  results  of  his  learned  laboors. 

PEACE. 
Tee  tenuoQ  in  which  the  country  was  so  long  held  is  now  relaxed,  and  the  word 
'  peace '  is  pronounced  with  a  feeling  of  grateful  reliel 

There  are  many  questions  in  connection  with  this  subject  wUch  are  keenly  dis- 
cussed by  the  secular  press,  but  which  also  have  their  religious  bearings,  sncb 
as — Has  the  object  for  which  the  war  was  undertaken  been  accomplished?  Are 
the  Russian  terms  reasonable  and  attainable?  and,  Is  this  peace  likely  to  be  cod- 
tinued  when  the  approaching  Congress  meets,  and  the  whole  subject  is  again 
submitted  to  discussion?  In  reference  to  some  of  these,  time  only  can  give  the 
required  information.  But  unless  things  take  a  very  different  course  from  that  in 
which  they  at  present  are,  it  may  be  safely  said  that  Turkish  power  in  Enrope  is 
utterly  broken,  and  that  war  in  connection  with  any  of  the  questions  to  be  adjusted 
is  an  iBBue  that  is  In  a  high  degree  improbable. 

It  is  with  feelings  of  grief  and  indignation  that  one  thinks  on  the  conduct  of  s 
certain  section  of  the  community  in  tbis  ceuuection.  The  war  spirit  has  posseaeed 
them  very  thoroughly,  along  with  a  kind  of  blind  insanity.  They  have  wished  to 
fight,  apparently,  merely  for  fighting's  sake;  or  rather  they  have  sought  to  stir  op 
strife  that  they  might  gloat  over  it.  It  seemed  to  matter  not  whether  it  «fte 
.with  Russia  or  Turkey,  or  both  combined,  we  engaged  in  the  deadly  game,  so  tiiiA 
we  were  only  engaged, — jnat  as  the  baser  spirits  on  a  pubh'c  occasion  ran  to  s 
fray  and  urge  it  on  and  rejoice  over  it,  whoever  may  be  the  actors  in  ifi  Happily 
their  counsels  have  been  brought  to  nought,  and  so  may  it  ever  be  with  those  vho 
come  into  the  asBemhly  of  such  enemies  of  manklDd.  And  may  the  Ciiristian  not 
flee  in  this  an,  answer  to  the  prayer  which,  during  these  recent  trying  months,  hie 
gone  up frwn  so  many  earnest  hearts,  'Scatter  Thou  the  people  that  delight m 


Printed  by  MimBAV  and  Oibb,  II  Qae en  Street,  and  Fobliabed  by  WiLLim  . 
Oliprant  AMD  Co.,  24  St.  Giles  Street,  Edinburgh,  on  the  1st  of  Apn' 
1878. 


D.q.t,zed  by  Google. 


UNITED  PRESBYTERIAN   MAGAZINE. 


MAY    1,    1878 


(©riginal  %.xiUU», 


PASTORAL  WORK.'  .    . 

BY  THE  REV.  ANDREW  TDOMSON,  D.D.,  EDINBrnGn. 

Ih  this  lecture  I  wish  to  present  yon  with  a  few  snggeations  on  some  [ni- 
portant  parts  of  yonr  ministerial  work,  to  which  I  haye  not  as  yet  had  an 
opportnnity  of  making  any  reference. 

I. 

Let  me  begin  by  tonching  for  a  moment  on  the  subject  of  Bible 
clmesfor  aduUs.  Whatever  be  the  size  of  hia  congregation,  the  minieter 
OQght,  even  at  the  expense  of  much  inconvenience  and  toil,  to  have  sneh 
classes,  and,  for  many  atrong  reasons,  to  conduct  them  himself.  In  the  SabbaUi 
school,  even  when  the  minister  is  a  frequent  visitor  and  takes  part  in  its 
services,  the  work  is  necessarllj  shared  with  many  teachers.  But  when 
those  who  were  Sabbath  scholars  have  reached  an  age  in  which  the  Sabbath 
school  mast  be  left  and  they  are  budding  into  manhood  and  womanhood, 
it  is  time  that  the  miniater  were  brought  into  direct  individual  contact  with 
their  rapidly  opening  minds.  By  means  of  catechizing,  or  conversational 
teaching,  or  otherwise,  he  will  learn  what  are  their  di£Scn!tiea  or  mistakes, 
and  on  what  particular  subjects  more  light  is  especially  needed;  and 
altogeth^,  those  few  passing  years  afford  an  opportunity  which  neither 
the  pastor  nor  his  catechumens  can  afford  to  lose. 

One  very  useful  arrangement  that  has  already  been  introduced  into  many, 
of  our  eoogi'egations  ivith  the  best  effect,  and  which  it  is  desirable  were 
introduced  into  every  one  of  them,  is  the  Juvenile  roll,  which  contains  a  list 
of  all  the  baptized  children  connected  with  the  ohnrch  who  are  not  yet  com- 
mQQtcanta  or  full  members.  These  namea  are  enrolled  on  occasion  of  the 
child's  baptism,  or  with  a  reference  to  that  date,  so  that  the  minister  can 
ascertain  for  himself  at  any  time,  and  with  comparatjvely  little  tronble, 
who  are  the  persons  that  ought  to  be  in  attendance  on  his  adnlt  class  or 
classes.    That  is  a  roll  which,  if  we  are  vvise,  we  shall  frequently  be  found 

*  This  lecture  ia  iba  closing  one  of  an  odmiralile  eeries  wUch  Dr.  ThomBon  delivered  (a 
Uu  doss  oi  Pnotieal  Training  daring  ptirt  of  last  aesaioii  of  the  HilL  It  was  tltonglit  to 
contain  valuable  anggeBtions  on  enbjecla  of  great  practical  importanoe,  which  might  be  nse- 
lullo  othere  besides  those  who  heard  it.  Oo  this  account,  Dr.  Thomson  was  requested  to 
pennit  it  to  be  pnbliabed,  and  to  this  he  kindl;  consented.— Ed. 

KO.  T.  TOI..  XXII.  NEW  SEIIIES. — MAT  19T8.  N 


194  PASTORAL  WORK.  '""S^'^^il^ 

manipnlating,  with  the  intention  of  having  the  names  of  allwho  are  qnalified 
by  age  for  attendance  on  onr  c!asB  transferred  to  onr  claaa  list.  Tk 
principle  on  which  all  this  proceeds  is  that  the  haptiied  children  of  our  church 
— i»  other  words,  the  children  of  our  members — are  apart  of  our  pastoral  care ; 
that  we  are  under  obligation  to  '  watch  for  their  souls,'  yearning  to  see  them  con- 
verted,  and  folded  in  the  bosom  of  the  church  as  full  church  menders;  and  that 
if  ever  the  link  between  them  and  tw  is  severed,  it  shall  be  by  their  htnd  and 

In  regard  to  the  conrses  of  instruction  through  which  it  will  be 
expedient  and  proStable  to  conduct  onr  yonng  people  in  attendance  on  onr 
adnlt  classes,  every  rninister  will  jndge  for  himself.  But  I  would  name  the 
following  as  both  important  and  editing,  and  likely  to  be  interesting  during 
those  momentons  years : — 

I.  A  course  on  the  evidences  of  Christianity, — one  of  the  best  text- 
books for  which  is  that  by  the  late  Dr.  Alexander  of  New  York,  iu 
its  abridged  form  adapted  for  classes. 

II.  A  popular  course  on  the  doctrines,  duii?s,  and  institutions  of  the 
Christian  religion. 

III.  A  brief  analysis  of  the  books  of  the  Bible,  in  which,  among  other 
things,  yon  shall  point  out  the  special  design  and  uses  of  the  book, 
indicate  the  circumstances  in  which  it  w^  written,  the  order  accord- 
ing to  which  it  may  be  moat  profitably  read  and  studied,  and  esplaiu 
passives  of  special  difficulty. 

IV.  A  course  on  Eastern  manners  and  custome,  iUaatrated,  if  possible, 
:  by  diagrams  and  pictures,  has  usually  been  foond  to  be  very  attrac- 
tive, while  affording  opportunities  for  explainbg  hundreds  of  passages 
of  the  word  of  God. 

V.  A  course  illvslrative  of  Christian  experimee  has  ottrai  proved  to  be 
very  useful  and  even  fascinating,  especially  when  Bunyui's  Pilgriv^f 
Progress  h&s  been  taken  as  the  text-book. 

VI.  And,  at  interva1s,*a  brief  course  of  a  few  evenings  on  our  denomi- 
national  history  and  distinctive  principles,  would  be  expedient,  answering 
the  question,  '  Why  am  I  a  tJnited  Presby teriwi  T ' 

I  wonld  only  further  throw  out  the  suggeetion  in  connection  with  thi^ 
first  matter,  that  an  earnest  minbter  and  watchfnl  pastor  will  sometimes 
find  it  useful  to  send  for  the  members  of  his  class,  one  by  one,  and  converse 
with  them  individaally  and  alone  ou  the  supreme  subject  of  their  personal 
salvation.  When  this  is  well  timed,  and  done  with  afiectionate  wisdom,  and 
with  evident  singleness  of  eye,  it  is  often  followed  with  the  most  giatifyii^ 
results.  Words  spoken  by  the  minister  at  such  a  time  are  not  likely  to  be 
ever  afterwards  forgotten.  They  are  painted  in  ondyiog  colours,  h  ofim 
tumt  out  thtd  the  youth  has  had  serious  moments,  and  seasons  of  anxious  thought, 
and  purposes  of  good,  which  even  his  nearest  friends  had  little  dreamed  of,  and 
the  minister's  study  has  become  his  '  Vallei/  of  decision.' 

II. 
The  second  subject  on  which  I  desire  to  make  ar  few  sagi^estiaos, 
is  scarcely  second  in  importance  to  any  on  which  I  have  addresswl  yon. 
I  refer  to  the  admission  of  persons  into  the  fall  membership  of  the  Ckrislim 
Church;  in  other  words,  to  onr  deaUng  with  applicants  for  church  fdlowsl^). 
In  onr  Presbyterian  congregations,  the  responsibility  of  this  momentous 
part  of  dntj  rests,  in  the  last  instance,  with  the  Session,  or  entire  body  of 
elders.    It  is  they  that  receive  or  reject  the  applicant.    But  osnally  the 


lyTm"^'  PABTOKAL  woaK.  195 

iDJtiatire  liee  witL  the  mioister.  That  is,  be  ia  expected  to  couTerse  with 
the  individnal,  to  become  i^sqaainted  with  the  measure  of  his  religious 
knowledge,  uid  with  his  state  of  mind  generally,  while  the  elder  of  his 
district,  or  one  appointed  for  the  purpose,  makes  inqniriee  respecting  his 
general  character;  and  it  is  on  the  united  report  or  testimony  of  the 
mloister  and  dder  that  the  Session  usually  acts.  We  have  only  t«  state  this 
in  (B^er  to  see  what  a  weight  of  responsibility  rests  on  the  minister  of  the 
dinreh  in  respect  to  this  class  of  duties ;  how  burdensome  a  conscientious 
man  is  likely  to  feel  it  to  be ;  and  how  necessary  it  is  that  he  should  hare 
before  his  mind  definite  scriptural  principles  and  rales  which  shall  be  his 
gnidiug  hghts  in  the  discharge  of  a  service  in  which  to  err  may  often  be  to 
inflict  serions  injury  on  interests  that  are  of  supreme  moment  to  every  faithful 
minister's  heart. 

The  question  is  therefore  one  of  surpassing  moment:  Who  are  thejii  permits 
to  be  reaaved  into  the  fellowship  of  the  Christian  Charch?  In  other  words, 
What  is  the  materia!  of  which  the  Church  of  Gtod  ought  to  be- built?  The 
answer  of  all  inspired  teaching,  as  I  read  the  Is'ew  Testament,  is,  'con- 
•if^i\xA  men,' '  true  believers.'  The  words  in  the  Thirty-nine  Articles  of  the 
Chorch  of  England  are  unexceptionable  on  thie  matter :  ^A  church  ia  an 
asteably  of  faUhfid,'  i.e.  of  believing  men.  Mark  the  divinely  prescribed 
order.  'Kepent  and  be  baptized.'  'Believe  and  be  baptized.'  'Selieve 
mth  the  heart,  and  then  confess  with  the  month.'  In  other  words,  we  must 
ftrst  have  the  religion  before  we  profess  to  have  it.  We  must  be  a  Christian 
btfore  we  join  oorselves  to  the  fellowship  or  society  of  Chrisiians  which  we 
are  accustomed  to  call  a  church.  The  varioue  desigoations  that  are  given 
in  Bcripture  to  the  members  of  the  early  churches,  confirm  tbefie  representa- 
lioDB.  They  are  called  '  saints,'  or  holy  ones,  i.e.  persons  who  have  separated 
tbemselves  from  sin  to  hdiness,  from  the  service  of  Satan  to  the  service  of 
God;  'disciples,'  'bdievera,'  'Christians;'  the  'saved  ones.'  AJl  these  ^escrip- 
tire  names  have  folded  op  in  them  the  same  central  thought  of '  persons  who 
have  been  renewed  in  the  spirit  of  their  minds.'  We  do  not  join  the  church 
in  order  to  be  made  Christians ;  but,  having  become  Christians  by  the  power 
of  the  Holy  Spirit  and  through  the  belief  of  the  truth,  we  join  the  church  in 
order  that,  in  the  use  of  6od's' appointed  ordinances,  and  by  means  of 
Christian  fellowship,  onr  Christian  life  may  be  snatained,  incieaeed,  and 
perfected,  and  we  may  .unite  with  those  who  are  likeminded  with  ourselves 
in  iabeure  and  ministries  of  Christian  usefulness,  and  may  both  give  bless- 
ings and  reoetre  them. 

Two  condnsiimB  follow  from  this  representation.  Fjrat,  that  evei? 
believer  in  Christ  is  under  obligation  to  unite  himself  to  the  membership 
of  some  Christian  church.  'They  that  believed  were  together.'  We 
do  not  meet  with  a  single  instance  in  the  history  of  tlie  apostolic  Churob 
in  which  a  Cfarietim  dieciple  remauied  in  a  state  of  isolation  from  bis 
Christian  brethren.  Their  Christian  affinitieB  and  instincts,  as  well  as  the 
rule  of  1^  inspired  founders  of  the  Churdi,  drew  them  as  brethren  into 
fellowship  wUfa  one  another,  led  them  to  form  themselves  into  ocguiiEed 
societice  or  oongfegationB.  And  secondly,  that  none  but  tho«e  who  are 
trne  Christians,  the  sheep  of  Christ,  have  right  of  entrance  into  theiChristiaa 
fold;  and  pei^ons  who  have  the  charge  of  testii^  the  character  and  quaUties 
of  those  who  apply  for  jnembership,  are  bound  anxiously  to  guard  the  purity 
of  their  commoDJon,'  receiving  none  but  those  whom  they  oonacientiously 
believe  that  Chrrat  Idis  recced.  Bunyan  is  trne  to  the  inspired  rule  on  this 
object,  when  he  represents  his  pilgrim  as  passing  through  the  wicket-gate 


196  PASTOKAL  WOSK.  '     Si  iTiw^ 

and  dropping  his  burden  at  the  cross  before  he  was  introduced  into  the 
palace  Beaatifnl  and  arrayed  in  his  new  robes.  Paul,  in  writing  to  the 
Corinthians,  nees  very  strong  language  when  he  apeaka  of  those  who, 
through  sinfnl  facility  of  temper  or  ignorance  of  the  dirine  rale,  bnild  np 
the  Church  with  nnregenerate  men,  mingling,  as  he  expresses  it,  in  the  same 
building,  '  wood,  hay,  and  stubble,  with  gold,  and  silver,  and  precious 
stones.'  *  Every,  man's  work,'  he  declares, '  shall  be  made  manifrat :  for  the 
day  shall  declare  it,  because  it  shall  be  revealed  by  fire ;  and  the  fire  shall  trj 
every  man's  work  of  what  sort  it  is.  If  any  man's  work  abide  which  be 
hath  built  thereupon,  he  shall  receive  a  reward.  If  any  man's  work  be 
bufDed,  he  shall  suffer  loss :  but  he  hunself  shall  be  saved ;  yet  so  as  by  fire,' 
Apart  altogether  from  these  future  consequences  of  unfaithfulness  in  thie 
great  duty,  there  is  present  chaatieement  to  the  careless  pastor.  '  Every  tree 
bears  frnit  after  its  kind ; '  and  where  a  congregation  is  in  any  great  degree 
composed  of  mere  men  of  the  world  and  who  belong  to  the  world,  they  will 
"be  a  sonrce  of  weakness,  discouragement,  and  probably  of  present  sorroff 
to  a  minister,  A  mere  incrtaae  of  nnmbere,  where  it  u  not  also  an  inoaau 
o/spiritval  men,  is  not  an  increase  of  strength  hut  of  swelliTig.  They  resemble 
the  camp-followers  in  the  native  Indian  armies,  who  eat  up  the  resonrceB 
of  the  regular  army,  and  are  sure  to  be  a  source  of  confusion  and  disorder 
in  the  day  of  dangw  and  of  battle. 

I  can  suppose  some  one  to  meet  ns  here  with  a  difficnity.  'ReUgioD,' 
it  maybe  said, 'is  in  its  essence  an  inward  life;  and  while  we  admit  that 
regenerated  persons  are  the  only  fit  material  with  which  to  build  np  a 
Christian  church,  how  is  it  possible  for  a  fallible  man  to  pronounce  in- 
fallibly upon  the  religious  state  of  another^  "  Man  fooketh  on  the  outward 
appearance,  God  looketh  on  the  heart."  We  are  not  required  to  read  the 
heart,  or  directly  to  judge  it/  This  is  true.  But  there  is  sncb  a  thing  as 
credibk  Christian  profession  which  we  ought  to  require  in  every  applicant 
for  church  fellowship ;  by  which  I  mean  such  a  state  of  character  on  (he 
part  of  the  individual  as  is  not  incoDsietent  with  the  supposition  that  he  is 
a  true  Christian  disciple, — such  a  disposition  and  conduct  as  favour  this 
supposition.  And  when  men  of  Christian  intelligence,  experience,  and  con- 
scientious fidelity  apply  this  test,  I  do  not  say  that  they  will  never  err,  but  I 
do  say  that  they  wiU  do  much  to  keep  the  church  pure. 

There  are  two  extremes  against  which  we  need  anxiously  to  gnard.  One 
of  these  is  requiring  that  the  person  shall  display  a  maturity  of  knowledge 
and  gracious  attainment  which  is  only,  in  common  circumstances,  to  be 
looked  for  in  older  Christians.  There  is  a  possibility  of  unduly  and  un- 
kindly delaying  the  admission  of  a  young  applicant  into  the  fellowship  of 
the  church.  Sobie  say  in  defence  of  this  practice,  '  The  delay  will  put  him 
to  the  test,  and  if  he  be  a  real  Christian  he  will  stand  the  test.'  But  what 
right  has  any  man  to  create  penances  in  the  Chnrcb  of  Christ,  and  to  m^e 
the  door  of  entrance  one  hair's-breadth  narrower  than  Christ  and  His  aposUes 
made  it?.  'Take  heed  that  ye  oSend  not  one  of  these  little  ones.'  How 
different  is  all  this  from  the  spirit  of  Him  of  whom  it  was  foretold  that  'the 
bruised  reed  He  would  not  break,  and  the  smolring  flax  He  would  not 
quench ' ! 

But  there  is  the  far  more  dangerous  extreme  of  being  satisfied  with 
our  being  able  to  say  of  an  applicant  that  'nothing  positively  bad  can  be 
charged  against  him, — ^no  open  vice,  no  Sagrant  inconsistency.'  SomeUiing 
greatly  more  than  this  must  be  sought  in,a  candidate,  in  order  to  our  rec^ 
Hon  of  him  into  the  fellowship  of  a  Christian  church,  if  we  would  guard  the 


""XttKa^'  PASTOHAL  WOBK.  197 

choTch  from  a  grievous  wrong,  and  would  be  kept  from  iuflictiDg  a  eerioas 
injnry  npon  the  man  himself  by  sealing  him  np  in  self-deception. 

One  'or  two  simple  rules  Timy  help  to  guide  ut  in  this  imporlant  part  of  ouv 
dtth/.  1.  Ignorance  of  Christian  truth  ahouid  exclude  a  man  from  the  com- 
mnnion  of  the  chnrch.  We  cannot  be  Christiana  without  beliering  the 
troth  about  Christ,  for  this  ie  the  incormptible  seed  of  the  new  Hfe,  and  we 
caimot  be  believing  what  we  do  not  know.  2.  If  a  man  is  living  in  the 
commission  of  any  known  sin,  or  in  the  neglect  of  any  known  duty,  this 
should  be  snf&cient  of  itself  to  form  a  ground  of  exclusion.  A  man  na; 
be  ontwardly  moral,  and  jet  not  be  a  Christian ;  bnt  assnredlj  if  he  be  not 
oatwardly  moral,  he  is  not  a  Christian.  '  The  tree  is  known  hj  its  fruits.' 
3.  Bnt  suppose  that  we  are  satisfied  on  these  two  former  points,  we  Kce 
bound,  in  addition,  anxiously  to  look  for  the  ugns  of  spiritnal  affections  and 
toetes  in  tlie  man,  snch  as,  if  really  there,  afford  certain  evidwce  of  the 
itev  and  heavenly  life.  Does  he  delight  in  secret  prayer?  Does  be  own 
Ibe  attraction  of  the  Christian  ordinances  T  Is  he  a  companion  of  them 
that  fear  God,  a  lover  of  good  men?  If  he  be  a  parent,  has  he  yearning 
desires  for  the  spiritnal  good  of  his  children  ?  Does  he  take  a  deep  and 
practical  interest  in  the  progress  of  the  kingdom  of  God  in  the  world}  Or, 
to  pnt  Ihe  whole  in  a  sentence,— a  compet«it  knowledge  at  least  of  the 
great  elementary  and  saving  truths  of  the  gospel,  a  blameless  life,  and,  so 
far  as  can  be  judged,  true  spirituality  in  bis  affections  and  tastes, — these 
are  qualities  which  we  should  seek  to  find  united  in  every  one  whom  we 
vdcome  into  the  flock  and  fold  of  Christ. 

Statements  like  these  addressed  to  a  young  minister,  or  to  one  standing, 
D9  many  of  yoa  are  doing,  on  the  verge  of  the  Christian  pastorate,  would 
not  be  nnseaaouable  in  any  circumstances.  Bnt  there  are  features  of  our 
own  times  that  render  them  specially  seasonable.  The  very  system  of  chnrch 
statistics,  although  serving  many  important  purposes  and  in  fact  having 
hecome  indispensable  as  a  part  of  onr  chnrch  organization,  and  even. the 
tnnltiplication  of  denominations,  may  sometimes  tempt  good  men,  nncon- 
Gdonsly  to  themselves,  to  an  undne  facility  in  the  reception  of  members  into. 
Ibe  fellowship  of  the  chnrch.  We  need  to  watch  over  onr  hearts  in  this 
matter,  and  at  the  beginning  of  our  ministry,  and  all  through  it,  to  be 
schooling  ourselves  into  harmony  with  the  divine  standard.  Nothing  can  be 
more  suitable  to  our  character  as  ministers  than  a  sacred  passion  for  the 
^>alioB  of  souls ;  it  is  even  legitimate  in  its  own  place  and  degree  to  wish 
to  have  a  large  membership,  hut  never  at  the  expense  of  relaxed  terms  of  com- 
Jwnuon.  And  we  shoold  even  be  willing,  if  the  providence  of  God  so  places 
Buy  of  ns,  to  minister  to  a  comparatively  little  flock,  as  may  somelJmes  be 
the  experience  of  able  and  earnest  pastors  where  the  population  is  diminish- 
">!  ud  the  chnrch  accommodation  of  the  district  is  far  in  excess  of  the 
^tnal  wants  of  the  commnmty.  This  has  occasionally  been  the  lot  of 
niHi  whose  names  continue  to  be  fragrant  in  the  Church  after  the  lapse  of 
many  generations.  It  is  recorded  of  Philip  Henry,  in  his  little  country 
congregation  at  Broad  Oak,  that  he  never  had  more  than  eighty  com- 
iDiniicaDts.  His  son  Matthew,  the  great  commentator,  thongh  labonring 
ind  preaching  with  great  power  in  the  city  of  Chester,  never  reached  a 
member^ip  of  more  than  400.  I  believe  the  same  might  be  said  of  the 
famous  Samuel  Rntherford  of  Anwoth,  whose  letters  mingle  in  a  manner 
BO  wonderful,  genius  and  sanctity.  Our  own  John  Brown  of  Haddington 
^ce  replied  to  one  who  was  fretting  and  complaining  at  the  smallness  of 
to  flock, '  Perhaps  yon  may  find  that  your  congregation  was  large  enough 


198  PA9T0BAL  WORK.  '"^^ifti"^ 

when  yon  are  called  to  give  an  ncconnt  of  yonr  Btewardship."  Let  ma 
only  add  on  this  momentons  subject  of  oonrersing  and  deaiing  with  candi- 
dates for  admission  to  yonr  chnrch  fellowship,  ttwt  yon  will  find  it  to  be  a 
kind  of  service  in  which  yon  can  accomplish  much  good.  But  no  mattef 
what  the  nnmber  of  anch  applicants  may  be,  let  me  exhort  yon  to  take  them 
singly  and  alone.  Y^ou  wiU  have  an  opportnnity  of  dealing  with  indiTidnal 
minds  at  a  Grisia  in  their  lives  in  which  they  are  pecnlisrly  Bneceplible  and 
impresfflve.  Then  it  ia  likely  the  yonng  heart  will  be  laid  open  to  yon,  and 
yon  will  have  it  in  your  power  to  remove  difficnlties,  to  unravel  pwplentieB, 
to  correct  mistakes,  to  deepen  good  impressions,  and  to  give  seasonable 
connaels  to  an  extent  that  may  never  be  afforded  to  yon  again.  It  is 
seldom  that  a  yonng  person  ever  forgets  hfe  interview  with  his  minister  when 
seeking  to  make  a  pnblic  profesdon  of  his  faith.  /  btteech  you,  dojietim 
thU  tide  in  the  affairs  oftotds. 

nr. 

I  now  wish  to  speak  to  yon,  with  mnch  brevity,  on  the  su^jtct  of 
pastoral  visitation.  There  are  several  very  distinct  notices  in  the  New 
Testament  Scriptures  which  make  it  evident  that  the  first  ministers  of 
Christ's  Chnrch  practised  this.  Memorably,  in  that  parage  in  Paul's 
address  to  the  elders  of  Ephesns,  in  which  he  reminds  them  tint  'for  the 
space  of  three  whole  years,  he  had  not  only  tanght  the  members  of  the 
Chnrch  of  Epheena  pnblicly,  bnt  also  from  house  to  house.'  This  langnaj^ 
briefly  and  very  inteUigibly  describes  what  is  meant  by  pastoral  Tisitation. 

I  advocate  this,  and  urge  yon  strongly  to  make  it  a  regular  part  of  ;otir 
ministerial  work  from  the  beginning.  I  am  not  of  those  who  would  place  it 
first  ia  importance  in  yonr  dnties  as  ministers.  For  many  things  make  it 
eridHit  that  yonr  pnlpit  work  ought  to  stand  supreme  above  evMy  other, 
and  to  receive  your  chief  attention.  The  puipit  is  the  pastor's  throne, 
'  Hoe  AGB.'  Do  this,  and  do  it  well,  whatever  else  you  may  leave  undone. 
But  I  would  give  pastoral  visitation  the  second  place ;  and  when  I  make  it 
second,  I  mean  that  it  should  stand  next  to  the  first,  and  is  essential  to  yonr 
'  making  full  proof  of  yonr  ministry.' 

It  may  interest  some  of  yon  to  know  what  a  place  of  importance  wss 
|;iven  to  this,  and  more  particularly  to  the  pastorai  visitation  of  the  sick,  ^J 
the  Scottish  Chnrch  in  earlier  times.  The  following  are  the  words  of  an 
'Act  of  Assembly'  which  dates  so  far  back  as  1668,  ».e.  twenty  yeM:8  before 
the  Revolntion.  Yariona  other  dntiea  are  referred  to,  bnt  this  is  one  of 
them.  The  whole  sentence  is  worth  quoting :  '  It  is  ordained  that  auch 
(ministers)  as  Aall  be  found  not  given  to  Aeir  book,  and  to  the  study  of 
the  Scriptures,  nor  given  to  sanctificatiOn  and  prayer;  such  as  stndy  not  to 
be  powerful  and  spiritnal ;  such  as  are  cold  and  wanting  in  apiritnal  Eeal, 
negligent  in  visiting  the  sick  aitd  caring  far  the  poor,  be  censured  according  to 
the  degree  oF  their  faults,  and,  continuing  therein,  he  deposed.' 

The  advantages  which  arise  from  the  practice  of  pastoral  visitation  '  from 
house  to  house'  are  various  and  great.  There  is  the  immediate  benrft 
which  is  likely  to  he  derived  from  the  familiar  statement  of  divine  troth  in 
the  little  '  church  in  the  house,'  and  from  exhortation  and  prayer.  It  is 
indispensable  to  yonr  becoming  acquainted  with  your  people  and  keeping 
np  this  acquaintance,  to  yonr  knowing  the  salient  facts  in  th^  funily 
history,  and  to  their  being  brought  to  look  on  yon  as  thrir  personal  friend, 
adviser,  and  comforter ;  and  when  this  is  done,  you  may  dt^end  npou  it 
that  a  greatly  inoreosed  power  will  be  given  to  your  pulpit  miniatratitHiB- 


"■"Jij'u^'"'  PASTORAL  ^VORK.  199 

AcqnaiotaDce  with  tbe  individnal  and  family  history  of  yonr  people  will  also 
enable  you  both  to  adapt  yoar  diaconrses  to  their  condition,  and  to  speak 
to  them  with  a  tendenieas  and  a  pathoa  that'  wonld  be  impoaaible  to  a 
stranger. 

Then  is  an  inferioF  bnt  not  QDimportant  sense  in  which  it  should  be 
possible  to  say  of  the  onder-ahepherd,  that  'fie,  htovsetk  kia  oarn  gheep  by 

Practical  wisdom,  however,  is  needed  in  order  to  the  right  management 
of  jonr  pastoral  visit ;  and  I  know  that  yon  will  bear  with  me  when  I  lay 
before  yon  one  or  two  saggestions. 

I.  Let  it  he  a  true  pastoral  visit.  Don't  let  yonr  time  be  frittered  away 
in  conveisatioD  abont  common  matters  of  the  world,  except  in  so  far  as 
yOR  oan  turn  these  to  higher  nses,  as  we  find  our  Lord  doing  when  men 
sometiroea  tried  to  draw  Him  into  couTersation  about  secular  affairs.  Intro- 
duce the  subject  of  religion  earlyj  almost  at  once.  Sometimes  it  may  be  in 
a  brief  exhortation  of  a  few  miantes.  And,  for  this  end,  always  hare  a  few 
tests  ready,  on  one  or  other  of  which  yon  can  dilate  withont  effort. 
■  2,  Inquire  regarding  the  attendance  of  the  younger  members  of  the  famity 
m  one  or  other  of  the  classes  of  the  congregation,  and  make  it  appear  that  yon 
regard  yonr  ministerial  duty  and  responsibility  as  including  them. 

8.  Neetr  leave  a  house  in  which  you  have  been  visiting  pastorally,  mthout 
prater.  ■ 

4.  Eudearour  so  to  conduct  your  pastoral  visit,  that  it  shall  be  remem- 
Ixred  by  tbe  family  with  gratitude  and  deepened  impressioDB  of  what  is 
good,  and  all  shall  haTO  felt  that  their  minister  S'ad  bronght  a  blessing  with 
him,  because  he  had  abont  him  '  a  sweet  savour  of  Christ.' 

5.  The  aged  and  the  incurable  should  receive  a  double  measnre  of  your 
attention;  and  if  they  are  not  able  to  come  to  public  ordinances,  yon  must 
trj  to  carry  ordinances  to  them. 

The  remarks  which  I  have  hitherto  made  refer  to  yonr  pastoral  visitation 
of  tbfamilleaof  your  congregation  in  common  circumstances';  but  your  work 
becomes  all  the  more  important  when  any  member  of  a  family  is  sick,  or 
when  the  whole  family  is  suffering  under  some  heavy  affliction  or  great 
sorrow.  Then  is  the  time  for  the  faithful  pastor  to  strike  in  with  his 
sympathy  and  Christian. oonnsel.  In  such  circumstances,  persons  are 
peculiarly  susceptible  to  good  impressions.  God  has  '  made  their  hearts 
^oft;'  and,  moreover,  they  are  specially  alive  at  such  seasons  to  kindness, 
acid  E^ieciaty  sensitive  under  neglect.  A  pastor  has  now  an  opportunity  of 
secnring  a  place  in  the  confidence  and  affections  of  that  household,  which 
)ie  may  not  have  to  the  same  extent  in  times  of  prosperity  and  health. 
And  he  is  a  wise  minister  who  seizes  the  opportunity.  Your  woi'k  is  to 
rilrect  the  thongbtsof  the  sufferer,  to  suggest  consolatory  views  of  his  trial, 
'0  interpret  it  to  him,  and  not  least,  especially  if  '  death  seems  in  the  cup,' 
'0  assore  yourself,  as  far  as  you  can,  that  he  is  believing  in  Him  withont 
wbom  it  is  not  safe -to  die.    Here,  also,  let  me  make  a  suggestion  or  two : — 

1.  If  you  hear  of  sOme  sickness  or  heavy  affliction  having. come  upon  a 
jawber  of  a  family,  don't  wait  until  yon  are  sent  for  and  your  visit  invited. 
It  ia  euongh  that  you  know  that  yonr  member  is  in  sickness  or  grief,  to 
carry  you  on  the  vrings  of  sympathy  to  his  home.  We  should  be  able  to 
s»y  with  PanI, '  Who  is  weak,  and  I  am  not  weak  t  Who  is  offended,  and 
I  bnm  not  I '  It  may  sometimes  happen  in  a  large  eity,  that  yon  have  not 
"Wd  of  the  distress  ot  some  of  your  members  until  they  have  been  under 
it  lor  many  weeks.    In  this  case,  when  yon  do  hear  of  it,  you  will  do  well 


200  MACBETH;   OB,  QKOWTU  IN  EVIL.  '■""'^^"iiS'^ 

to  indicate  your  disappointment  and  regret  at  not  having  been  iaformed,  and 
tenderly  to  call  tbeir  attention  to  the  injnnction  of  the  Apostle  James, '  ir 
any  of  yon  be  sick,  let  hira  w/irf  for  tiie  elders  of  the  ehorch.' 

2.  In  common  circuvislances,  a  lengthened  exhortation  at  a  sick-btd  mould 
not  be  semoiiable.  Yoa  must  suggest  trains  of  thonght  in  few  words.  Try 
to  hold  np  the  gospel  in  a  sentence.  The  snfferer  cannot  bear  more.  A  look 
^of  sympathy  will  often  do  mnch.  Sometimes  a  question  or  tivo  itill 
acquaint  yon  with  the  state  of  mind  of  the  snfferer,  and  then  it  will  be  your 
duty,  praying  inwardly  for  the  help  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  to  gather  up  and 
endeavour  to  express  his  thoughts  in  prayer. 

When  a  bereavement  has  befallen  the  family,  I  would  rather  advise  yon,  in 
like  manner,  to  avoid  fen^fAmetf  exhortation.  True  sympathy,  the  seasonable 
suggestions  of  holy  and  comforting  thoughts,  with  a  prayer  that  is  breathed 
in  nnlson  with  the  sorrow,  are  what  you  should  aim  at  in  the  house  of 
mourning.  In  a  word,  let  your  people  be  brought  to  have  go  mnch  con- 
fidence in  your  affection,  that  in  all  the  sorrowful  times  in  their  family 
history,  they  will,  naturally  and  at  once,  turn  to  you  as  their  first  earthly 
comforter. 

And  now,  my  young  brethren,  in  drawing  to  a  close  my  work  among 
you,  I  have  to  express  to  you  the  pleaanre  I  have  had  in  my  mtereoorte 
with  yon.  I  have  been  pleased  with  the  frequently  marked  attention  wilii 
which  yon  have  hstened  to  my  instructions  and  advices,  and  with  the  spirit 
in  which  yon  have  uniformly  received  my  criticisms  on  the  exercises  whicb 
you  have  read  or  delivered,  and  which  you  have  prepared  with  so  great 
willingness.  Let  me  exhort  you  to  make  anxious  use  of  yonr  years  in  the 
Theological  Hall.  They  have  not  only  a  high  intrinsic  value,  but  thi^i 
farther  importance,  that,  if  not  improved,  they  can  never  be  recalled,  1 
shall  follow  your  future  career  with  affectionate  interest,  delighting  to  see 
one  after  another  called  to  scenes  of  pastoral  nsefnlness,  and  all  proving  as 
arrows  in  the  hands  of  the  mighty, — polished  shafts  in  Christ's  own  qniTer; 
men  who  love  the  ministry  because  they  love  the  Master,  and  delight  in  tie 
message ;  '  workmen  that  do  not  need  to  be  ashamed,  rightly  dividing  the 
word  of  life.' 


MACBETH;  OR,  GROWTH  IN  EVIL. 

BY  REV.  WILLIAM  TURNER,  EDINBUROH. 

{Concluded.) 
Tuis  form  of  the  issues  of  sin — this  saying  to  justice,  I  am  the  man,  ami 
hastening  to  punishment — js  presented  to  us  also  in  the  drama  before  us.    It 
is  this  which  is  unambiguously  indicated  at  the  close  of  the  drama  as  tbe 
real  explanation  of  the  sudden  decease  of  Lady  Macbeth, — 


The  poet,  as  we  have  seen,  has,  with  great  truth  to  natnre,  represented  Lady 
Macbeth  as  of  a  nature  more  ardent,  eager,  and  impressible  than  her  lord, 
more  excited  by  the  promise  of  greatness,  more  prompt  and  determined  to 
seize  the  prize,  more  daring  and  seif-poasessed  in  the  execution  of  the  deed 
of  crime.  With  equal  trnth  to  nature,  he  represents  her  as  less  able  to 
sustain  the  terrible  reaction.  Her  strength  proves  to  be  only  spasmodic, 
relaxing  aa  soon  as  the  occasion  is  past,  and  her  energy  and  determination, 
her  lofty  radowmente,  mental  and  physical,  are  suddenly  prostrated  in  a 


"""ST""'""''  WACUETU;   OK,  GROM'TU  IN  KVII..  201 

horrible  collapse.  And  before  ber  nnBtriing  spirit  the  dreadful  facts,  on 
wbich  in  tbeir  reality  she  had  gazed  nnmoTed,  rise  np  from  the  chambers  of 
memorj  in  spectral  array,  and  torment  her  with  visionary  horrors.  '  How 
does  yonr  patient,  doctor  t '  asks  Macbeth,  in  reference  to  his  wife,— to  which 
the  physician  answers : 

'  Not  BO  Bick,  my  lord, 
Ab  she  la  troubled  with  tbick-aomlDg  [uicies 
That  keep  her  from  her  rest.' 

Of  anch  trouble  Macbeth  knows  the  secret, — 

'CnrDherof  that: 
Canst  thou  not  miniitBt  to  a,  mind  diKaseil, 
Flack  [rom  the  memoiy  a,  rooted  aorrow, 
Baze  out  the  written  troubles  of  the  brain, 
And  with  some  sweet  oblivious  ■.utidote 
Cleanse  the  stnSad  boaom  oF  that  perilous  stuff 
Which  weighs  upon  Iha  heart  f ' 

ThoQgh  her  physical  prostration  necesutates  sleep,  yet  ber  sleep  does  not  rid 
her  spirit  of  its  BeU-tormeots.  In  a  well-known  scene,  too  familiar  to  qnote, 
we  stand  by,  with  the  doctor  and  an  attendant,  and  look  on  while  she  walks 
in  her  sleep,  and  in  her  anconscioas  raringB  divalges  the  dreadful  secrets  of 
her  Bonl.  We  see  her  trying  in  vain  to  wash  from  her  hands  the  spots  of 
blood,  '  Oat,  damned  spot,  ont,  I  say.'  '  What,  will  these  hands  ne'er  be 
clean*'  'Here's  the  smell  of  blood  still  I  All  the  perfumes  of  Arabia 
vill  not  sweeten  this  little  hand.  Oh !  oh  I  oh  ! '  And  at  last  she  hastens 
away  with  the  reflection  of  despair, '  What's  done  cannot  be  nndone.' 

It  will  not,  I  preanme,  be  alleg&i  by  any  that  this  picture  is  overcharged 
with  gloom.  The  things  described  are  facts,  paralleled  in  actoal  hnman 
experience.  We  are  reminded  of  similar  representations  in  the  writings  of 
another  poet,  Byron,  who  has  a  pecuUar  right  to  the  title  of  the  Poet  of 
Remorse.  One  of  these  is  specially  powecfnl  and  appropriate,— 
'Though  tbj  slDmbor  miy  be  deopi 

Tet  th;  spirit  shall  cot  sleep. 

There  are  shades  which  will  not  vaelsb, 

Tbere  are  thoughts  thou  canst  not  bsnisli. 

ii;  a  power  to  thee  unkaown, 

ThoD  eSDBt  never  be  aluue ; 

Thou  art  wrapt  as  with  a  shroud. 

Thou  art  gathered  iu  a  clcurt ; 

ADd  (or  ever  shall  thou  dwtU 

In  the  spirit  of  IhU  spell. 

'  By  thy  cold  breast  and  aerpent  smile, 

By  thj  nnfathomed  gnlla  ot  gnlle, 

By  that  most  eeemlog  virtuous  eye, 

By  thy  abut  soul's  hypocrisy ; 

^r  the  perfection  of  thine  art, 

which  paaa'd  (or  hnman  thine  own  htsrt ; 

By  thy  aellght  in  other's  pain, 

And  bj  thyTirolherhood  of  Cain,— 

I  call  upon  thee,  and  compel 

Thyself  to  be  thy  proper  Hell  t ' 
'The  wicked,'  says  Isaiah, '  are  like  the  troubled  sea  when  it  cannot  rest, 
ffbose  wata^B  cast  up  mire  and  dirt.  There  is  no  peace,  saith  my  God,  to 
the  wicked.'  By  fixed  law  their  unrighteous  deeds  recoil  npon  themselves, 
uid '  into  the  pit  which  they  digged,  they  themselves  falL'  '  They  eat  the 
fruit  of  their  own  way,  and  are  filled  with  their  own  devices.'  We  are  not 
allowed,  as  we  are  in  the  case  of  Othello,  to  see  the  end  of  Lady  Macbeth, 
and  to  bear  from  ber  own  lips  the  meaning  of  her  suicidal  act.  But  we  can 
look  at  the  act  itself,  and  from  it  we  shall  have  no  difficolty  in  gathering  the 


202  MACBETH ;   OB,  QEOWTH  IN  EVIL.  '     Si i7m^ 

same  truth  as  that  conveyed  in  Othello's  words.  Id  her  remorse  Lady 
Macbeth  destroys  herself;  that  is  to  say,  by  an  act  of  her  own  will  she 
kills  her  coi^ore&l  life,  redncing  her  body  to  nnconacionsuesB  sad  dissolution. 
And  never  snrely  does  the  soul  so  assert  its  supremacy  over  the  body  aa 
when  it  slays  the  body,  sternly  casting  it  off  Hke  '  a  broken  fetter,'  and  say- 
ing to  it,  Be  thon  my  orf^an  no  more.  Is,  then,  the  soul  pnt  ont  of  existence 
in  the  very  act  in  wUch  it  thus  rises  supreme,  and  asserts  its  freedom  and  its 
power  T  Does  the  body,  when  killed  by  the  spirit,  at  the  same  instant  kill 
the  spirit  T  '  The  sun,  when  settiug,'  said  Goethe,  '  is  still  the  same  bqd.' 
The  sonl  may  set  beneath  our  horizon,  but  it  remaias  the  same  sonl.  Its 
self- consciousness,  its  thonghts,  its  peace,  its  remorse,  go  with  it  to  the  here- 
after. '  Son,  remember,'  said  Abraham  to  the  rich  man  in  the  place  of  the 
dead, — for  memory  bridges  the  gulf  between  this  world  and  the  next.  And 
it  it  is  a  hell  now  to  feel  '  my  sin  is  ever  before  me,'  even  though  that  sin  be 
nnderstood  but  dimly  and  imperfectly,  what  must  be  the  intolerable  anguish 
to  be  compelled  to  gaze  on  the  same  sin  when  set  in  the  clear  light  of  the 
divine  righteoDSnesB,  and  discerned  in  all  its  wide  relations  and  in  its  full 
enormity  T  Shakespeare  elsewhere  impressively  represents  what  the  aw^raed 
conscience,  when  brooding  upon  the  future,  anticipates : — 

■  TUere  is  no  sbuffling,  thrre  the  action  lies 
la  hi»  trne  nfttnre ;  and  wa  ourselveB  oompellsa, 
Bren  to  the  teelh  and  forehewi  of  olir  itmW, 
To  give  in  evidence.' 

Most  will  remember  the  dream  of  Clarence  in  Sickard  iii, — 


There  first  one  spirit  meets  bim  with  a  salutation  of  horror,  «aA  then 

another, — 

'  And  ha  Bhriek'd  alond,— 
Clarence  is  come, — false,  fleeting,  perjur'd  Clarence, — 
That  Btabb'd  me  in  the  field  by  TewkflBbnry ;— 
Seize  on  him,  furies,  t&ke  him  to  year  torments  I 
With  that,  metlionghl,  n  legion  of  foul  fiends 
Environ'd  me,  andlioirled  in  mine  ears 
Sucb  hideous  erf ea,  that,  with,  the  vbfj  noife, 
I  trembling  wak'd,  and,  for  a  aeason  after, 
Could'oot  believe  but  that  1  was  in  hell.' 

In  the  case  of  Macbeth,  the  death  which  sin  works  appeai-s  in  another 
form,  offering  a  certain  contrast  with  the  end  of  Lady  Macbeth.  His 
stroller  nature  proves  elastic  enough  to  recover  in  some  degree  from  the 
self-inflicted  blow,  and  to  accommodate  itself  to  the  altered  condition  of 
things.  Crime  becomes  his  work,  almost  his  pastime,  and,  as  1  ar  as  possible, 
his  delight;  he  grows  familiar  with  its  conceptions  and  its  deeds,  while 
necessarily  the  nobler  prmciples  and  more  generons  impulses  of  his  sonl  are 
starved  and  withered ;  the  milk  of  human  kindness  in  him  is  changed  to  the 
venom  of  the  serpent ;  his  nature,  '  like  the  dyer's  hand,'  becomes  '  subdued 
to  what  it  works  in ;'  and  he  is  changed  to  one  of  those  children  of  the  wicked 
one  whose  '  sins  are  open  beforehand,  going  before  to  judgment.'  The  poet 
enables  us  to  mark  some  of  the  leading  stages  and  signs  of  this  increadng 
subjection  to  evil.  Macbeth  is  at  flrst,  as  we  saw,  horroT-strickea  at  the 
spectacle  of  his  own  deed.  As  his  conscience  is  more  sensitive  than  that  of 
Lady  Macbeth,  his  remorse  ia  at  first  more  marked  and  overwbelmiiig.    He 


"■^T^""  MACBETH ;   OB,  QROWTH  IN  EVIL.  203 

is  ftt  once  visited  with  great  peitDrbatlon  of  soul,  and  his  sleep  is  broken 
irith  '  terrible  dreams,'  which  make  him  enrioDs  of  the  sweet  rest  of  the 
murdered  king.  These  troables,  hOwoyet,  iuBte&d  of  leading  him  to  seek  for 
mercy,  drive  him  to  other  and  even  worse  crimes,  by  way  of  couqaering  for 
himself  happiness  and  peace,— 

'  Wo  have  Hootch'd  tta  snuks,  not  kUl'd  it; 
Bhsll  cloee,  and  be  herself :   whilst  our  poor  mnlice 
BemunB  in  danger  of  het  former  tjxith. 
Bat  let  the  frame  of  thiDgs  disjoint,  both  the  worlds  auffiT, 
Ere  we  will  eat  our  meal  in  fear,  and  sleep 
In  the  affliction  of  those  tairibts  dieams 
That  Ehike  us  nightly :  better  be  with  the  dead 
Whom  we,  to  gain  our  place,  have  sent  to  peace, 
Than  on  the  torture  of  the  miad  to  He 
111  teatless  eosla^.     Dudcbd  ia  in  bis  grave ; 
After  life's  Stfal  fever,  he  sleeps  well; 
Treason  hath  done  his  worst;  nor  steel,  nor  poison, 
Ualice  domestio,  foreign  levy,  nothing, 
Cwi  tonch  him  fnrtter.' 

For  a  time  the  fresh  crimes,  to  which  in  bis  det^nnination  to  secure  his  prize 
he  has  recoorae,  come  back  .npon  him  with  vengeful  recoil,  and  his  nature 
nearly  gives  way  under  the  strain.  At  supper,  in  the  midst  of  his  lords,  the 
ghost  of  the  murdered  Banquo  riseB  before  hia  sight,  and  his  strange  looks 
and  words  caase  the  company  tiT  break  up  in  '  most  admired  disorder,'  By 
and  by,  howvrer,  he  girds  himself  to  his  chosen  task, — 

'  I  will  to-morrow 
Betimes  I  will,  unto  tba  weiril  aialerB : 
More  shall  thsj  speak ;  for  now  I  am  beat  to  know, 
By  the  worst  meass,  the  worst ;  for  mine  own  good 
All  oaniMshaU  give  w«7;  I  am  in  blood 
Btept  in  so  fur  that,  should  I  wada  no  more, 
Bstorning  were  as  tedious  ss  go  o'er. 
Strange  things  I  have  in  head  that  will  to  hand, 
Wliioh  must  be-aotad  ere  tbej  ma;  be  scann'd.' 

Thns  he  sella  himself  to  do  evil,  Hia  sin  acquires  the  darkest  hne  of 
presumptaousneBS.  With  clear  nnderatanding  and  deliberate  purpose,  he 
sets  his  '  own  good '  above  all  other  interesta,  bracing  himself  to  trample 
upon  the  laws  of  Qod  and  the  lives  of  men  to  gain  his  selfish  ends,  and  say- 
ing to  evil.  Be  thou  my  gpod.  Conscioualy  and  detCTminedly  he  becomes  a 
rebel  against  the  good  order  of  the  universe : — 

'  Come,  sealing  night. 
Scarf  np  the  tender  eyo  of  pitiinl  day ; 
And  with  tbj  bloody  and  mvisible  hand, 
Cancel  and  lear  in  pieces  that  great  bond 
Which  keeps  me  pale,' 

That  is  a  significant  prayer  oifered  by  the  psalmist,  '  Keep  back  Thy  servant 
alsofrompresomptnonaBins;  let  them  not  have  dominion  over  me;  then  shaJl 
I  he  upright,  and  I  shall  be  umocent  from  the  great  transgreaaion.'  '  For  if 
we  sin  wilfully  after  that  we  have  received  the  knowledge  of  the  truth,  {here 
retoaineth  no  more  sacrifice  for  sina,  but  a  certain  fearfnl  looking  for  of  judg- 
ment and  fiery  indignation  to  devour  the  adversaries.' 

Those  who  set  themselves  to  do  evil  have  '  the  stars  in  their  courses  fight- 
ing against'  them.  They  are  engaged  in  the  devil's  work,  the  devil's  example 
inngt  be  their  guide,  aud  the  devil's  counsel  given  by  the  witches  to  Macbeth 
is  their  suitable  motto,T- 


On  this  counsel  Macbeth  acts.    He  resolves,  by  killing  the  Thane  of  Fife,  to 


204  MACBETH ;   OB,  GK01VTH  IN  EVIL.  ?'X''irtfeJ'^ 

'Uabe  assurance  double  Bure,  I 

And  take  tk  boud  of  fate  ...  I 

Th&t  I  miy  tell  pale-heai-t^d  Fear  It  lies,  1 

ADd  sleep  in  spite  of  thunder.'  I 

The  escape  of  bis  destined  victim,  urges  him  to  increased  energy  and  swift- 
ness in  his  career  of  blood, — 

'Time,  thou  antioipat'et  my  dreid  eiploile; 
The  flighty  pnrpoee  naTer  is  o'ertook. 
Unless  the  deed  go  with  it ;  from  this  moment 
1?he  very  ErsUings  ol  my  hoRii  ehill  be 
The  fintlings  ol  my  band.' 

By  this  enei^;  ia  wickedness  he  gains,  to  a  certain  extent,  his  end.  He 
secures  for  hia  spirit  a  certain  peace.  He  dreams  no  more  aEBictire  dreams, 
and  be  sees  no  more  ghosts.  Conscience  is  silenced,  and  its  attendant  fear 
is  extingQJsbed.  He  recognises  the  difference,  and  contrasts,  with  a  kipd  of 
satisfactioD,  his  actual  with  his  previons  state, — 

'  1  have  almcBt  forgot  the  taste  of  fears. 
The  lime  has  been  my  senses  would  have  cooled 
To  hear  a  nigbt-sbriek ;  and  my  fell  of  bair 
Would  at  ft  dismal  treatise  rouse  and  stir 
As  life  were  in't.    I  have  sopped  full  of  horrors ; 
DireLeBS,  familiar  to  my  elaught'rooB  thought, 
Cannot  onc«  start  mc.^ 

We  read  in  Scripture  of  those  who  '  are  joined  to  their  idols,'  and  whom 
God  '  lets  alone.'  There  is  reasonable  hope  ffir  the  man  who  is  at  conflict 
with  himself — in  whom  still  the  '  Spirit  strives.'  It  is  to  our  sense  of  right 
and  to  onr  perception  of  danger, — to  conscience  and  to  fear, — that  the 
gospel  of  God's  grace  makes  its  first  appeals ;  and  woe  to  the  man  in  whom 
these  aentimenta  are  qnite  obliterated  by  continaons  and  energetic  sin ! 

There  is  yet  another  sign-post  to  be  passed  in  this  downward  progress, 
Joteliect  is  darkened  in  proportion  as  the  son!  is  hardened  in  evil.  Error  is 
embraced  for  tnith  by  him  who  wars  against  the  trnth.  Aa  there  is  'an 
nnction  from  the  Holy  One  whereby  we  know  all  things,'  so  also,  in  Shake- 
speare's incomparable' language, — 

'  Wbeo  we  ia  our  TicioaBness  grow  bard, 

Oh,  misery  on't,  the  wise  goi£  seal  our  eye?, 

In  uur  OWD  Qlth  drop  our  clear  juc^mentB,  make  us 

Adore  our  errors,  langh  at  us,  while  we  strut 

To  our  ooD fusion.' 

The  queen  of  those  ministers  of  darkness,  by  whom  Macbeth  had  been  sedaced 
into  evil,  prophesies  in  regard  to  him  that,  as  the  resalt  of  their  spells, — 

'  He  ehall  apum  fata,  scorn  death,  and  bear 
Bis  hopea  'bore  wisdom,  grace,  and  fear.'  _ 

So  in  truth  it  proves.  His  practical  common  sense  utterly  forsakes  him, 
He  bnilds  his  confidence  on  promises  transparently  fallacious.  He  ntterlj 
forgets  all  that  he  himself  knew  and  had  himself  wisely  expressed  abont  the 
consequences  of  transgression,  and  abont  the  '  vaaltiog  ambition  which  over- 
leaps itself,  and  falls  on  the  other  aide.'  Naturally  his  views  of  hnman  destiny 
also  change.  He  speaks  no  more  of  '  the  life  to  come.'  He  ie  led  to  seek 
relief  and  comfort  in  the  biank  negations  of  a  mocking  materialism, — 
'  All  oar 

The  way  to 
-     Life's  but  a 

That  BtnitB    _    

And  then  is  heard  no  m 

Told  by  an  idiot,  fall  of  sound  and  lui^, 

Bfgnlf^ng  nothing.'  ,  .        ,     , 

CtOO^Ic 


■""i^w!"*-  THE  elder's  influence.  205 

Fanl  speaka  of  pereons  '  hafing  the  iinderstiiiidiDg  darkened,  beiDg 
alienated  from  the  life  of  Ood  through  the  ignorance  that  is  in  them  because 
of  tlte  hlindness  of  their  hearts.'  Even  the  heathen  had  the  proverb, '  The 
deity  dements  those  whom  he  destinea  to  deatruction; '  and  no  form  of  that 
intellectnal  blindness  resnlting  from  high-handed  wickedness  is  more  com- 
mon than  the  nnderraiuing  of  hnman  life,  the  lowering  oE  the  dignity  of 
bnmaD.natnre,  the  embracing  of  the  principles  of  materialism,  and  the  adop- 
tion of  the  practical  motto, '  Let  na  eat  and  driok,  for  to-morrow  we  die.' 

The  leading  moral  of  the  great  poem  we  have  been  considering — the  lead- 
ii^  moral  of  Shakespeare's  writings — cannot  be  better  expressed  than  in  the 
words  of  Scriptnre, '  Verily  there  is  a  God  that  judgeth  in  the  earth.'  And 
the  government  of  the  Most  High  is  not  marked  by  the  embarrassments  and 
the  feebleness  of  hnman  govemments.  In  the  words  of  Dr.  B.  W.  Hamilton, 
'Itseeka  and  needa  no  badge  and  ontward  observance.  It  disdains  ministry 
and  instmmeut.  Its  sword  is  "  bathed  in  heaven."  Its  balance  is  that  in 
which  the  hills  are  weighed.  It  is  noiseless  and  nnseen  in  its  mechanism. . . . 
To  canae  the  crime  to  pimish  itself, — to  work  a  retribntion  ont  of  ourselves,  to 
secnre  it  by  fixed  natnre,  to  inflict  it  by  inflexible  necessity,  to  convert  the 
capadty  of  ain  into  the  instmment  of  suffering,— is  the  prerogative  of  divine 
mle.  It  is  in  the  infinite  ease  and  repose  and  omnipresence  of  "  the  kingdom 
which  ruleth  over  all,"  that  we  learn  its  unparalleled  and  inimitable  excellence.' 


THE  ELDER'S  INFLTTENCE  IN  DISSEMINATING  THE 
DISTINCTIVE  PRINCIPLES  OP  OUR  CHURCH. 


OuaChnrch  is  a  Christian  Church,  evangelical  in  its  doctrine,  Presbyterianin 
ite  government,  free  from  the  control  of  the  civil  power  in  apiritnal  matten, 
leuiing  on  the  support  of  its  own  members  and  adherents,  and  cherishing 
a  brotherly  feeling  towards  other  Christian  denominations.  It  is  to  the 
principles  implied  in  this  outline,  and  the  elder's  influence  in  disseminating 
them,  that  my  finbseqnent  remarks  will  be  directed. 

I.  The  most  aathoritative  and  impressive  counsels  ever  given  to  Christian 
oMce-bearers  were  those  addressed  by  Fanl  to  the  elders  of  Epheaas,  when, 
tooching  at  the  port  of  Miletus,  and  hastening  on  to  Jerasalem,  he  sent  for 
the  elders  of  the  Church  that  he  might  speak  to  them  concerning  their  office 
and  its  duties.  In  that  address  he  thas  exhorta  them :  '  Take  heed,  therefore, 
onto  yoarselves,  and  to  all  the  flock  over  the  which  the  Holy  Ohost  hath  made 
fOQ  overseers,  to  feed  the  Church  of  God,  which  He  hath  purchased  with  His 
own  blood.'  In  this  is  implied  the  deep  personal  piety  of  the  men  who  had  been 
ordained  to  the  ofBce  of  the  eldership,  and  the  necessity  under  which  they  lay 
to  take  heed  both  to  their  own  Christian  character  and  to  the  work  to  which 
they  had  been  act  apart.  The  most  important  part  of  that  work  was  to 
feed  the  Church  of  God,  which  He  had  purchased  with  His  own  blood. 
Their  influence  was  to  be  exerted  in  instructing  the  members  of  the  Church 
in  those  evangelical  doctrines,  the  central  point  of  which  is  the  death  of 
Christ  and  the  redemption  thereby  effected.  Doubtless  this  injunction,  from 
ita  very  nature,  was  more  particularly  addressed  to  those  elders  who  were 
invested  with  the  pastoral  office;  but  none  were  excepted  from  it  in  so  far  as 
their  position  and  opportunities  allowed.  The  pablic  teaching  of  reUgion  is 
properly  as  well  as  scripturally  assigned  to  pastors,  but  the  more  private 


206  THE  ELDEB'8  influence  is  DIsaESlINATIKO  " 

sphere  in  wbich  an  elder  moTes,  has,  even  in  tbis  reapect,  its  special  ii 
also.  If,  therefore,  elders  are  to  rise  to  the  scriptnral  idea  of  their  office, 
they  will  not  neglect  the  duties  implied  in  the  apostolic  ezhoitstion.  When 
jroung  men  begin  to  exercise  their  own  powers  of  thonght,  luid  when  thej 
come  in  contact,  through  hooks  or  companions,  with  specnla^ioiia  of  wliich 
thoy  had  formerly  heard  nothing,  a  well-informed  elder  may  often  be  able  to 
satisfy  a  candid  and  inquirini;  mmd.  Scottish  Dissent  took  its  rise  in  the 
midst  of  sceptical  opinions  which  were  extenaively  prevailing.  The '  Ifarrow 
Controversy,'  which  arose  from  an  attempt  to  comiteraet  snch  sceptiocJ  views, 
had  a  close  bearmg  upon  the  Secession  which  afterwards  took  place.  And 
although  all  hnman  espression  of  Opinion  is  necessarily  {allible  and  imperfect, 
and  liable  to  alteration  and  correction  from  time  to  time,  yet  onr  Church  has 
ever  finuly  held  by  the  cardinal  doctrines,  that  Christ  is  the  incarnate  Son  of 
God ;  that  He  '  died  for  onr  sins  according  to  the  Scriptures ;'  that  we  are 
justified  by  faith  in  His  blood,  and  renewed  by  the  grace  of  the  Holy  Spuit ; 
and  that  we  entet  npon  a  new  life  of  obedience  from  love  to  a  Uving  Saviour. 
It  cannot  but  be  that  by  precept  and  example  a  faithful  eldeitihip  will  do 
much  to  confirm  the  wavering  faith  of  many,  especially  among  the  yanog, 
who  may  be  troubled  and  pefplesed  by  that  state  of  uncertainty  into  which 
prevailing  speculations  have  thrown  some  of  those  doctrines  which  were  wont 
to  be  'most  sorely  believed  among  us.'  Another  sphere  in  wbich  the  elder 
may  exert  a  beneficial  influence  in  relation  to  Christian  doctrine,  is  the  Sabbath 
school.  This  institution  is  now  so  thoroughly  planted  in  all  churches,  that 
it  becomes  of  great  importance  that  the  best  instruments  be  used  in  connection 
with  it.  The  special  duties  of  the  eldership  may  indeed  in  many  cases 
absorb  all  the  time  which  an  elder  has  to  spare,  but  in  many  other  instances 
elders  could  take  part  either  in  the  teaching  or  superintending  of  a  Sabbath 
school.  Under  such  management,  parents  would  feel  encouraged  to  send 
their  children  to  Sabbath  claasee.  Elders  who  devoted  a  portion  of  time  to 
such  labours,  would  find  the  results  amply  to  reward  and  gratify  them.  A 
great  want  which  has  always  been  felt  is  how  to  retain  a  hold  on  senior 
scholars  just  before  the  time  comes  when  they  should  be  tliinking  of  joining 
the  Church.  At  this  sti^e  the  influence  of  a  faithfnl  elder  may  be  expected 
to  be  very  telling  and  powerful.  There  is  no  doubt  that  the  weak  point  in 
the  8abbath  school  system,  as  conducted  in  the  midst  of  ne,  is  the  crudity 
and  inexperience  of  many  of  our  teachers,  who  are  mostly  young ;  and  this  is 
just  what  a  devoted  eldership,  having,  like  Tunothy,  unfeigned  faith,  and 
the  spirit  of  power,  of  love,  and  of  asonnd  mind,  and  taking  a  keen  interest 
In  the  welfare  of  the  rising  generation,  would  be  well  calculated  -to  correct 

There  is  another  sphere  of  Inflnence  as  regards  doctrine  which  the  elder 
possesses  by  virtue  of  his  office,  and  that  is  his  position  in  the  higheriChurch 
courts.  I  do  not  say  that,  if  unlearned  in  the  original  languages  of  ■Scrip- 
ture, or  in  the  technical  points  of  chronology  and  history,  he  coald  be  exp«cted 
to  take  part  in  controversies  turnmg  on  those  studies,  but  he  can  ja^ge  of 
general  reenlts  and  tendencies;  he  can  see  where  divergmce  takes  phu» 
between  opinions  for  which  tolerance  may  be  fairly  claimed,  and  opinions 
essentially  at  variance  with  the  faith  of  the  Church,  and  with  the  soleras 
professions  which  have  been  previously  made.  A  sbori)  tune  (^o,  after  a  vote 
in  the  Free  Church  Presbytery  of  Glasgow  in  the  case  of  Dr.  Mareua  Dods, 
the  Glasgow  Herald  called  attention  somewhat  scornfully  to  t^e  fact  that  the 
majority  of  elders  was  on  one  side,  and  the  majority  of  ministers  on  another 
—the  latter  being  on  tbis  occasion  on  the  more  lenient  aide.  But  we  can  all 
recollect  other  occasions  in  which  journals  and  public  writers  of  siipilar 


jiJuiro""  TOE  D18TIN01IVB  PHINCIPLBS  OF  OUB  CUUKCH.       207 

sympatliieB  have  appealed  from  the  enpposed  oarrowDess  of  miiaaters  to  the 
calmer  judgment  of  '  intelligent  laymeD.'  Balancing  such  contradictory 
testimonies  agaii^  each  other,  there  is  nothing  to  hinder  ng  from  believing 
that,  even  in  the  sphere  of  Clinrch  conrts,  the  elder'e  inflaence  in  doctrinal 
discnsaioDS  may  be  most  nseful.  Knowing  that  a  revelation  from  Ood  mnst 
be  tnie,  and  in  its  main  features  intelligible  to  the  unlearned  as  well  as  to  the 
letuned,  be  will  sympathize  with  Mr.  Spargeon  when  he  thus  expressed 
hutuelf  i '  There  mnst  be  something  true,  and  Christ  mnst  have  come  into  the 
world  to  teach  ns  something  saving  and  reliable.  He  cannot  mean  that  wo 
gbftll  always  be  mshing.  through  bogs  and  into  morasses  after  the  will-o'-the- 
wbp  of  intellectual  religion.  There  is  aaauredly  some  ascertainable,  infallible 
rerealed  truth  for  common  people — there  must  be  something  sure  to  rest 
upon.  A  man's  mind  must  come  to  a  settlement  ,npon  eternal  trntba  by  the 
teaching  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  or  else  he  cannot  know  what  peace  is.' 

JI.  I  will  now  look  at  the  fonn  of  government  adopted  by  our  Ohurch, 
and  at  the  elder's  influence  in  promoting  an  intelligent  appreciation  of,  and 
acquiescence  in  it. 

On  the  queation  of  the  best  form  of  government  for  the  Christian  Church,' 
it  may  well  be  expected  that  those  who  are  ofBce-bearers  have  formed  some* 
what  definite  opinions,  not  periiaps  on  the  minutiae  of  any  system,  bnt  at  least 
on  the  leadmg  outlmee  of  it.  He  will  not  adopt  any  plan,  the  essential 
features  of  wluch  traverse  any  plain  maxim  or  principle  clearly  Itud  down  in 
Scripture.  This  being  so,  it  mnst  be  inferred  that  an  elder  in  a  Presbyterian 
Church  is  satisfied  as  to  the  scriptural  warrant  for  his  own  office,  as  well  as 
vith  the  consistency  of  the  system  generally  with  apostolic  teachings.  In 
the  last  General  Assembly  of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  however.  Principal 
Talloch,  Clerk  of  Assembly,  and  who  is  at  this  present  time  Moderator-designate 
of  the  next  Glen^'al  Assembly,  made  this  remark :  '  I  am  a  Christian  first,  a 
Churchman  second,  and  a  Presbyterian  third.'  Kow,  the  Church  of  Scotland 
claims  to  inherit  the  traditions  of  the  Church  of  Knox,  Henderson,  and 
Melville ;  of  the  Ghorch  which  held  her  distinctive  principles  sacred  alike  in 
tha  cold  shade  of  neglect  and  in  the  hot  fires  of  persecution.  She  beasts  of 
her  Confession  being  secured  by  incorporation  in  an  Act  of  Parliament.  Yet 
in  her  high  places  and  by  her  most  honoured  sons,  the  accident  of  her  connec- 
tiou  with  the  State  is  elevated  above  her  essential  and  distinctive  principle 
of  Presbyterian  government.  Dr.  Tulloch's  theory,  if  carried  to  an  extreme, 
vonid  constrain  him  to  prefer  Popery  to  Presbytery  in  France  and  Spain, 
Episcopacy  to  Presbytery  in  England,  This  latter  is  probably  what  he 
meau^  and  this  supposition  is  confirmed  by  a  remark  lately  made  by  Dr. 
MacGregor  of  JBdmbnrgh,  .to  the  effect  that,  if  the  Church  of  Scotland  were 
disestablished,  many  of  its  ministers  would  become  Episcopalians.  From  such 
indications,  it  would  appear  that  if  the  essentia!  doctrine  of  Presbyterian 
government  is  to  find  defenders,  they  are  to  be  looked  for  not  so  much  among 
the  ruiks  of  those  who  are  expressly  appointed  and  maintained  for  that 
purpose,  as  among  those  whose  minds  aud  consciences  are  satisfied  with  the 
scriptural  aathority  for  the  system  to  which  they  have  given  their  assent. 
This  is  not  a  matter  of  trifiii^  importance,  bnt  affects  deeply  the  welfare  of 
the  Christiaii  'Church,  which,  being  a  spiritual  kingdom,  should  be  spiritually 
administered.  We  are  informed,  in  the  beginning  of  the  '  Acts  of  the 
Apostles,'  that  Jesus  was  taken  up  '  after  that,  through  the  Holy  Ghost,  He 
had  given  commandments  to  the  apostles  whom  He  had  dtosen,  being  seen 
of  them  forty  days,  and  speaking  of  the  things  pertaining  to  the  kingdom  of 
God.'     The  government  and  laws  of  this  kmgdom,  its  outward  form  as  well 


208  THE  ELDBa'S  INFLUENCE  IN  DISSEMINATING    ^"  'iS,i7i»t^ 

as  its  progrcEs  and  extension,  wonld  naturally  form  the  sabject  ot  these 
conversations  and  '  commandments.'  The  apostles,  being  thns  dirinelf 
instructed,  are  to  na  a  perfect  role  of  duty.  Although  they  may  not  have 
given  minnte  regalations,  yet  we  have  in  their  own  procedore,  and  in  the 
epistles  addressed  by  them  to  the  Cbnrches,  indications  of  the  mind  of  Christ 
GuEGciently  clear  to  guide  us  in  the  path  of  dnty.  Without  going  minntely 
into  the  arguments  adducible  from  the Xew Testament  on  this  subject,  for  which 
there  is  not  time  in  such  a  paper  as  this,  it  is  enough  to  say,  on  the  one 
hand,  that  the  word  '  Church '  is  applied  to  bodies  of  people  so  large  that 
they  could  not  have  been  included  in  one  congregation  or  synagogue ;  and, 
on  the  other  hand,  that  there  is  no  proof  of  any  official  superiority  of  any 
one  pastor  over  another,  except  indeed  on  the  part  of  the  inspired  apostles 
themselres,  who,  as  persons  who  had  'seen  the  Lord,'  and  were  gifted  with 
divine  inspiration,  have  no  legitimate  successors.  The  equality  of  pastors, 
the  virtual  identity  of  the  tenna '  bishop '  and  '  elder,'  and  the  appointment  of 
*  deacons'  to  see  to  the  temporal  affairs  of  the  Clmrch,  are  points  which  are 
apparently  incontrovertible.  Presbyterian  government  recognises  snbstan- 
"  tially  all  these  points.  The  Congregational  form  only  requires  "a  proper 
organization  of  a  multiplicity  of  congregations  to  come  closely  to  the  theory 
of  Presbytery ;  and  it  is  not  improbable  that  in  future  years  the 
Congregational  and  Presbyterian  systems  will  approach  nearer  to  each 
other.  As  a  recent  writer  has  well  said,  'The  unit  in  the  system  of 
government  of  the  Scottiah  Church  is  simply  the  congregation  rnliDg 
itself  by  its  own  elected  members.  Above  this  unit  in  the  government 
of  the  Chnrch,  the  higher  courts  and  tribunals  rise  in  regular  order, 
founded  on  the  same  representative  system.'  There  is  a  mnch  wider 
divergence  from  the  Preabyterian  theory  in  the  case  of  Episcopal  Chnrches, 
especially  the  EngUsh  Chnrch,  with  which  we  are  brought  more  closely  into 
contact.  _  This  divergence  does  not  arise  solely  from  the  fact  that  a  diocesan 
bishop  is'  appointed  to  have  authority  over  all  the  pastors  in  a  particular 
district,  but  from  the  additional  tact  that  the  bishops  claim  to  be  successors 
of  the  apostles,  and  thns  to  be  the  only  channels  through  which  the  grace 
of  Christ  to  Hia  Church  can  flow, — theonly  medium,  therefore,throngh  which 
ordination  to  the  ministry  can  be  conferred,  along  with  the  right  to  administer 
the  sacraments.  There  is  thns  set  up  a  clium  to  '  lord  it  over  God's  herit- 
age,'— a  claim  to  an  ezclueive  possession  of  spiritual  grace,  which  is  the 
very  essence  of  the  Papal  system.  As  office-bearers  in  a  pnrer,  mora  scrip' 
tnral  communion,  it  ia  incumbent  ou  us,  wherever  our  influence  extends,  to 
connteract  errors  of  so  pernicioua  a  tendency ;"  to  ahow,  by  reference  to 
Scripture,  to  esperience,  and  to  the  teachings  of  history  and  reason,  that 
the  constitution  of  Presbyterian  Churches,  in  its  essential  features,  has  at  once 
the  highest  sanction,  and  is  most  conducive  to  the  spirituahty  and  to  the 
liberties  of  the  Chnrch. 

One  practical  point  to  which,  in  this  connection,  elders  should  call  the 
attention  of  the  people  is,  that  they  should  take  an  increased  int«rest  in  elec- 
tions to  the  eldership.  The  influence  and  usefulDesa  of  the  office  depaid 
largely  on  this.  If  a  spirit  of  indifference  pervades  a  congregation  as  to  who 
shall  be  invited  to  take  the  oversight  of  them,  their  respect  for.  their  office- 
bearers will  be  proportionately  limited.  In  this  view,  the  custom  which,  I 
believe,  prevails  in  the  Church  of  Scotland,  ot  making  the  session  a  self- 
electing  body, — simply  a  committee  with  power  to  add  to  its  nnmber, — 
cannot  be  too  much  deprecated.  A  session  so  constituted  can  neither  hare 
the  confidence  nor  the  affection  of  the  congregation.    Nor,  on  the  other 


iiir^i'^  ■■  THE  DISTINCTIVE  PHINOIPLES  OP  OUB  OHUBCH.       209 

hand,  shonld  an  esisting  session  altogether  abstain  from  taking  part  id  tbe 
nomination  of  additions  to  their  nombei'.  Their  knowledge  of  the  coiigrega< 
tion  is  likely  to  be  more  complete  than  that  of  any  others  of  its  members, 
and,  while  refraioing  from  any  approach  to  dictation,  they  should  at  least 
make  sure  that  the  beet  men  whom  they  know  are  not  orertooked.  And 
earnest  counsel  shonld  be  given  by  each  elder  to  all  the  members  in  his 
district,  to  take  an  active  part  in  the  filling  np  of  vacancies  in  the  seseion. 
This  conid  not  fail  to  have  a  beneficial  effect,  both  directly  and  indirectly. 
Fnrther,  it  would  tend  to  strengthen  the  people  in  their  attachment  to  our 
principles  of  church  government,  if  they  followed  with  lively  interest  all  the 
public  proceedings  of  their  onn  kirk- sessions,  as  well  as  of  presbyteries, 
sjoeds,  and  assemblies.  The  sympathy  and  support  of  the  entire  member- 
ship is  the  very  life  of  Presbyterian  Cbarches.  Therefore  the  more  interest 
[he  people  take  in  the  affaii-s  of  the  representative  courts  of  the  Charch,  the 
better  will  it  be.  To  this  end  it  were  well  that  elders  employed  all  the  influ- 
ence that  belongs  to  them ; — honestly  fulfilling  their  ovm  duties  when 
appointed  to  sit  in  the  higher  courts,  and  in  every  way  encouraging  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Church  to  take  a  lively  interest  in  what  is  gomg  on.  The 
stability  of  our  national  constitntion  would  become  very  doubtfnl  if  the 
people  ceased  to  concern  themselves  with  the  proceedings  of  Parliament ;  and 
in  like  manner  the  attachment  of  our  people  .to  theif  Presbyterian  principles 
most  necessarily  be  weakened,  shonld  the  proceedings  of  our  ecclesiastical 
eonDcils  cease  to  engage  their  attention,  or  come  to  be  regarded  by  them  as 
matters  for  which  they  have  no  persona!  responsibility.  It  may  be  added 
that,  unless  a  lively  interest  in  sessional  affairs  is  promoted  in  congregations, 
ve  cannot  expect  vacancies  in  the  eldership  to  be  suitably  filled  np  as  they 
occnr.  Therefore,  without  going  in  any  Way  out  of  their  plaee,  it  were  well 
that  the  elders  in  every  congregation  shonld  let  the  [>eopie  feel  that  they  have 
their  interests  at  heart,  and  are  seeking  to  do  for  them  thoroughly  good  and 
eBeient  work. 

III.  A  third  and  very  important  group  of  the  principles  of  our  Church,  in 
which  the  influence  of  the  eldership  may  be  very  beneficial,  has  to  do  with 
our  freedoni  in  spiritual  matters  from  the  control  of  the  civil  power,  and  the 
dependence  of  the  Church  upon  its  own  members  for  the  means  of  its 
support  and  extension.  In  other  words,  the  Christian  Church  should  be 
administered  by  Christians,  and  supported  and  extended  by  Christians.  As 
regards  the  United  Presbyterian  Chnreh,  these  principles  may  be  more 
einphatacally  called  '  distinctive'  than  those  we  have  heretofore  considered. 
They  have  not  been  learned  in  a  day,  but  have  been  gradually  reached  after 
rjiueh  experience  and  mnch  discussion  during  a  lengthened  history.  At  a 
very  early  stage  in  the  history  of  Secession  in  Scotland,  the  question  of  the 
power  of  civil  rulers  in  religion  came  to  be  keenly  debated,  and  within  a  score 
of  years  declarations  were  emitted  involving  ultimately  what  have  come  in 
modem  times  to  be  known  as  Voluntary  principles.  These  views  became 
more  pronoudced  by  the  time  of  the  union  of  the  Burgher  and  Antiburgher 
Synods  in  1820.  A  quarter  of  a  century  later,  when  the  Relief  and 
Secession  Synods  became  one,  the  testimony  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church  was  still  more  emphatic.  Between  those  two  suspicions  events, 
this  qoestion  had  greatly  agitated  the  public  mind.  The" Voluntary  Con- 
troversy had  arisen,  and  had  been  vigorously  sustained.  Shortly  aftewards, 
the '  Ten  Years'  Conflict '  of  the  Chnreh  of  Scotland  had  its  origin.  These 
excitii^  movements  were  closely  connected  with  each  other,  not  only  in  point 
o!  time,  but  in  no  small  degree  as  cause  aud  effect, — the  culminating  point 

no.  T.  VOL.  XXII.  HEW  SERIES. — MAY  1878,  O 


210  THE  ELDEB's  IMFLUBNOE.  ibiCun^ 

being  the  DisraptioD  ol  1843.  That  great  er^t,  which  Scottish  DiBsent^s 
looked  npou  as  a  crownii^  triumph  of  their  principles,  brought  about  a 
soBpemon  o!  the  Yolantary  ControTerey.  For  a  cODBido'able  time  after 
this,  the  poettion  and  prc^resa  of  the  Free  Church  attraet«d  the  varmest 
sympathy  and  moat  absorbmg  interest.  QneetioDS  of  ChrietiaB  Unioii  bare 
since  occnpi^  the  minds  of  memb^^  of  the  Free  Chnrdi  and  cJ  oar  own ; 
end  while  the  priuciplea  of  Yolantaryiam  have  been  carried  out  in  practice  do 
a  scale  which  neyer  entered  into  the  wildest  dreams  of  its  eariieT  advocatcf, 
yet  the  diacussioD  of  those  priiiciples  themselree  has  been  allowed  to  fall  too 
much  into  abeyance.  As  a  kmg  arose  in  Egypt  who  knew  not  Jos^  go 
a  generation  has  arisen  in  Scotland  which  is  not  sufficiently  acqaainted  witb 
the  root  principles  from  which  Free  and  Established  Chnrchea  respeetiTelf 
spring.  And  it  is  for  tins  reason  that  at  the  present  time  the  inflneBoe  of 
elders  in  diffusing  hght  on  sncfa  subjects  as  this  may  be  spemlly  ueefDl. 
There  is  danger  lest  the  rising  generation,  just  from  want  of  thonght  sod 
kuowledge,  may  not  see  what  is  bound  up  in  those,  principles  viacii  ieep 
US  apart  from  Chorches  established  by  law.  Dr.  Candlish  used  to  say, '  I<ot 
only  should  a  man  master  his  principkB,  bat  his  principles  should  tuster  tiie 
man.'  From  lack  of  this  mastery  by  principle,  many  may  traosfa-  that 
allegiance  from  Free  to  Established  Churches  from  very  triidal  motiTBs  « 
canses.  That  close  attention  is  needed  to  this  question,  even  by  those  wfac«e 
minda  are  made  up  in  regard  to  its  general  beoriugs,  is  erident  bom  the  &et 
tihat  supporters  of  Establishments  hare  greatly  shifted  thdr  i^onnd.  Li 
some  respects  their  argnmeots  are  oxactly  the  reverse  of  what  th^  used  to 
bfl.  Those  who  rem^nber  the  a^umenta  of  Chalmers  and  Ooiiino,  and  the 
other  great  pre-Di^uption  adrocatee  of  Establishments,  will  hare  no  difficulty 
in  underBtanding  this.  Tien,  the  great  principle  was,  that  the  Nation  should 
establish  the  '  true  Religion '  and  provide  religious  ordinances  for  the  whole 
people,  regardless  of  what  the  people  in  separate  Donupunions  mi^t  be 
doing  for  themselves.  Now,  the  Duke  of  Argyll,  a  moat  powerful  champion 
of  the  caose,  says  that '  Chnrch  Establishments  cannot  be  detomined  by  any 
abstract  principle  whatever.'  Tim,  the  great  (S'y  was  that  the  creed  of  the 
Church,  being  ratihed  by  Act  of  Farliament,  was  secure  against  heretical 
changes.  Now,  the  contoition  of  the  Duke  of  Argyll  and  other  Church 
defenders  is  that '  every  mm  is  perfectly  entitled  to  sign  the  ConfeisioQ  with 
those  reservations  of  opmion  which  ore  inseparable  from  any  ass«kt  to  doco* 
meuts  of  anch  a  character ' — that  is,  apparently,  with  any  mental  reseiTatioD 
be  pleases.  The  old  'heroic'  arguments  have  dis^peared.  The  principle 
of  extending  the  Established  Chnrch  by  public  endowmeats  is  unheard  of. 
It  is  now  very  much  a  question  of  majorities,  a  question  of  retaining  privi- 
leges presently  eqjoyed ;  suggestions  of  difficulty  as  regards  any  new  dispoaal 
of  endowments,  and  other  points  of  a  similar  character,  having  more  the 
aspect  of  expediency -than  principle.  The  parliam^itary  electors  of  tins  and 
the  coming  generation  have  need  to  understand  these  matters,  for  tfa^  viem 
and  feelings  will  no  doubt  shB{)e  the  ecclesiastical  future  of  the  oonntiy. 
This,  however,  belongs  rather  to  the  pohtical  sphere,  which  I  re&aiu  from 
further  touching.  It  is  with  the  religions  aq>ect3  of  the  question  that  the 
elders  of  the  Chnrch  have  specially  to  do,  calhng  to  mind,  as  did  the  apostle 
in  his  memorable  address,  tiie  '  words  of  th»  Lord  Jesus  whoi  He  stud.  It  is 
more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive ; '  and  seeking  to  impress  the  people  with 
the  fact,  as  a  fact  by  which  to  regulate  alike  their  convictims  and  their 
conduct,  that '  the  Lord  hath  ordained  that  they  which  preach  the  gospel 
should  live  of  the  gospel.' 


lliriml  THE  U.TE  BEV.  EOBEHT  rEERIEB  OF  XAIM.  211 

latere  ie  an  obvious  and  natural  conoectJOD  betireen  the  aabject  just 
adverted  to,  and  another  matter  which  vitally  concerns  the  Christian  Church 
in  all  its  portions — I  mean  the  matter  of  TTnion.  It  is  not  merely  that 
Christian  Union  is  a  desirable  thing ;  it  is  a  positive  duty  unless  good 
cause  for  separation  con  be  showD.  I  rather  think  the  great,  though,  for 
the  presfflit,  abwrtive  owveviait  for  Union  with  the  Free  Church  began  io  a 
meeting  of  elders.  It  has  always  appeared  to  me  a  heavy  responsibility 
whioti  thoae  persons  took  npon  tbemselTes  who  made  snch  efforts  to  fnis- 
trate  so  hopefal  an  eadeavonr.  It  is  snrely  to  the  hononr  of  onr  Church 
that  she  did  not  encourage  an  obstructive  policy,  bnt  made  every  effort 
then,  and  has  made  sacrifices  since,  in  the  caaae  of  Christian  Union.  Is  it 
not  also  an  hononr.to  oar  Church,  that  the  basis  of  her  eonstitntion  is 
sufficient,  without  any  change,  to  admit  ministers  and  members  of  the  Free 
Chnrch,  with  full  freedom  to  hold  their  own  theoriee  on  the  qoeatioii  of  the 
dvil  magistrate  1  Such  facta  as  these  shonld  be  studied  by  all  the  office- 
bearers of  our  Chnrch.  Let  it  be  oura,  in  onr  intercoarse  with  the  people, 
to  allay  feelings  of  sectarian  jealousy,  and,  so  far  aa  in  us  lies,  to  promote 
lie  union,  the  purity,  and  the  freedom  of  the  Church  of  Christ. 

The  career  of  the  Chnrch  to  which  we  belong  is  historically  most  iu- 
strnctiTe  :  she  maintains  the  vital  doctrines  of  evangelical  Christianity ;  her 
constitntian  is  comprehensive  and  scriptural ;  itae  reliance  tor  support  and 
eztennon  lies  in  her  conviction  that  Christirait;  is  not  a  dmd  letter,  bnt  a 
living  spirit.  This  being  so,  and  we  as  elders  of  the  Chnrch  bdng  in  a  more 
special  manner  responsible  for  its  welfare  and  interested  in  its  prosperity,  let 
DB  more  than  ever  realize  onr  trust,  and  seek  to  support  and  spreEtd,  in 
evay  way  open  to  ns,  those  principles  to  which  I  have,  in  too  cnrsory  a 
mannn',  referred. 

The  obscorations  which  have  ■  been  made  have  been  an  endeavour  to 
answer  the  qnestions-^1 .)  What  are  the  more  charact^istic  or  distmctive 
principles  of  onrChnrchf  (2.)  What  are  the  [K^vailing  obstacles  to  the 
diffusion  of  themt  And  (3.)  What  inflnenee  can  elders  nse  for  their  dis- 
semination T  I  have  not  desired  to  set  forth  these  points  in  any  exaggerated 
fono,  bnt  they  are  of  much  importance,  and  there  is  much  in  regard  to  them 
on  which  an  {elder's  inffuence  may  be  beneficially  exercised.  The  intercourse 
of  elders  with  the  pe^le  is  of  a  more  free  and  unconstrained  descriptitui 
than  that  of  mmiatepa.  They  are  more  likely  to  learn  how  currents  of 
thought  and  feeling  are  moving.  Whm  a  Oallio-like  spirit  of  indifference 
is  seen  in  regard  to  important  principtes  and  opinions,  the  elders  may  be  able 
to  mstil  a  higher  sense  of  duty  and  higher  motives  of  action.  They  may 
be  able  to  originate  or  to  sopport  movements  for  the  instruction  of  the 
people.  It  will  probably  occur  to  most  of  us,  that  in  the  pressure  of  other 
engagements  we  both  stody  our  principles  less  and  exert  onrselvea  to  Efiread 
them  less  thMi  we  ought  to  do  and  might  do,  whether  in  Chnrch  courts  or 
more  private  sphere.  One  of  the  objects  of  this  Association  is.  to  aid 
in  stimulating  its  members  to  keep  np  sncb  studies  and  undertake  snch 
efforts;  and  if  snch  an  object  shall  in  any  degree  be  promoted  by  the 
present  paper,  the  pleasant  trouble  of  preparing  it  will  receive  an  ample 
compensation. 

THE  LATE  KEY.  ROBERT  FERRIEE,  OF  TAIN. 
Hb.  Ferrieb's  ministiT  in  Tain  lasted  from  hia  ordinatioD,  in  July  1841,  till  hia 
resgnstion  in  September  1877.    Aa  he  waa  the  first  and  only  minister,  as  well  as  a 

niMi  of  decision,  independent  bearing,  and  high  Christian  character,  hia  mini- 


212  THE  LATE  EEV.  EGBERT  FERBIER  OP  TAIN.     '""X'Tiw""* 

-  Bterml  course  aod  the  histoiy  of  the  congregation  are  closely  identified.  It  is- 
readil^  admitted  on  all  bauds,  that  for  that  little  congregation,  standing  all  bnt 
alone  in  the  midst  of  the  Highlands,  a  more  suitable  pastor  conid  not  possibly 
hare  been  found.  Striking  examples  of  the  prudence  and  self-denial  wiljiwhidi  he 
accommodated  hia  moTemeutB  t<i  the  views  and  feelingB  with  which  he  was  sur- 
rotinded,  might  easily  be  given.  Not  that  he  was  the  man  to  sacrifice  one  iota  of 
truth  or  duty  for  the  sake  of  bringiug  favour  to  himself  or  bra  denomiD&tioo. 
Indeed,  the  uncompromising  element  in  his  life  and  mimstry  had  as  much  to  do 
with  his  moral  influence  as  anything  that  could  he  named.  It  was  in  matters  of 
secondary,  or  even  lower  than  secondary,  importance  that  he  exhibited  the  wisdom 
and  watchfulness  to  which  we  refer.  It  ia  conceivable  that  a  minister  might  have 
been  got  for  Taia  who  would  have  done  more  to  enlarge  the  ixingregation,  but  it 
would  not  have  been  possible  to  find  one  who  wonld  have  done  more  to  establish 
United  Fresbyterianism  in  the  confidence  and  goodwill  of  the  surrounding  popula- 
tion ;  and  th^  was  perhaps  the  best  service  that  could  have  been  renderea  to  the 
Church  and  its  Head  in  the  circumstances. 

The  points  of  connection  between  the  congregation  of  Tain  and  that  of  Bristo 
Street,  Edinburgh,  may  not  be  generally  known  ;  and  it  is  certain  that  they  are 
more  numerous  and  vital  than  even  those  who  know  the  facts  are  aware  of.  Tain 
congregation  was  formed  in  the  end  of  1836  or  beginning  of  1837  in  the  following 
manner  :  A  Secader  from  Forres,  and  two  or  three  sympathisers,  had  taken  up 
their  residence  in  the  town.  They  preferred  their  Own  Church  to  the  only  other 
one  within  their  reach.  A  member  of  Bristo  Street  Church,  who  was  in  the  habit 
of  visiting  Boas-shiie  for  business  ptirposes,  entered  into  the  feelings  of  the  Taia 
Seceders,  and  succeeded  in  interesting  the  Edinburgh  congregation  in  their  posi- 
tion. The  consequence  of  this  was,  that  the  Mission  Committee  of  firieto  Street 
congregation  gave  Uberal  aid  to  the  infant  cause  in  the  building  of  their  church 
and  the  support  of  reli^ous  ordinances.  Of  the  £42i  required  for  the  church's 
erection,  the  friends  in  Edinburgh  subscribed  £317.  When  all  this  is  kept  in 
remembrance,  it  will  sppear  somewhat  remarkable  that  the  first  minister  of  Tun 
should  have  been  a  Bristo  Street  man,  aod  I  may  add,  a  Bristo  Street  man — a 
son  of  this  congregation— in  the  beet  and  fuUest  sense.  For,  as  appears  from  a 
deeply  interesting  auUibiographicat  document,  written  in  1826,  it  was  in  the  late 
Dr  James  Feddie  s  Bible  class  for  young  men  that  the  subject  of  this  sketch  began 
to  nondei  his  relation  to  God  and  the  Saviour.  Fart  of  the  work  of  this  class  was 
voluntary  essays  on  Bible  topics.  In  this  work  the  lad  Robert  Ferrier,  then  sii- 
t«eQ  or  seventeen  years  of  age,  took  a  share  and  earned  commendation.  The 
thought  and  investigation  provoked  by  these  early  efforts  in  CJiristian  literature 
were,  under  God,  the  means  of  bringing  his  earnest  nature  into  contact  with  his 
more  enduring  interests.  Between  this  simple  beginning  and  the  glorions  end, 
however,  there  come  in,  as  the  document  touchingly  shows,  a  spiritual  conflict — a 
conflict  between  the  power  of  evil  and  the  power  of  righteousness — which  tor  depth 
and  intensity  has  rarely  been  surpassed.  In  this  struggle,  where  the  might  of 
conaqjence  was  tremendous,  Doddridge's  Rise  and  Progress  played  3.  vigorous  part. 

'  Again  and  again  the  dark  cloud  returned  after  it  appeared  to  be  dispelled.  The 
phyMcal  frame  underwent  a  strwn  which  at  times  threatened  to  be  too  powerful  for 
it.  If,  however,  the  agony  was  great,  the  victory,  as  in  the  case  of  the  Great 
Example,  was  commensurate.  The  triumph  of  truth  and  righteousness  was  com- 
plete. The  wrestler  came  oat  of  the  thick  darkness  with  an  unfading  prize  in  his 
right  hand.     He  was  more  than  conqnerer  through  Him  that  loved  us. 

We  shall  now  look  for  a  little  at  the  past  and  iuture — the  causes  and  conse- 
quences—of this  spiritual  transformation.  It  took  place,  or,  to  speak  with  more 
eiaotnesB,  it  took  visible  shape,  when  he  was  between  sixteen  and  eighteen  years  of 
age,  but  in  all  hkelihood  the  process  had  been  going  on  from  childhood.  A  spring  of 
water  cannot  be  said  to  begin  when  it  first  pours  its  Ufe-giving  element  over  the 
surface  of  the  ground  ;  for  hundreds  of  years  before  it  may  have  been  cutting  fer 
itself  a  channel  between  the  top  of  a  distant  mountain  and  the  place  where  it  first 
becomes  visible  to  the  eye  of  man.  The  formation  of  the  bnd  is  not  the  first  stage 
in  the  fruit -producing  process.  TVe  assign  dates  to  conversion,  and  we  speak  of  . 
it  as  being  in  some  cases  gradual  and  in  otlien  sudden.     Nor  is  there  any  occasion 


e 


ir.iUd_ri.ivM.it]  ^.gg  LATE  EEV.  BOBBRT  FERRIES  OP  TAIN.       213 

to  condemn  thia  waj  of  reprcseiitiiig  tbe  matter,  if  only  wc  are  c&reful  to  re- 
member that  it  is  the  reaalt  of  the  lirait&tioQB  of  our  knowledge.  Saving  in- 
fluences were  nt  work  on  Robert  Ferrier  from  iofaDcy  ;  the  chief  of  these  WBS  the 
ballowed  influence  of  a  Chriation  mother.  His  mother  muathave  been  do  ordiDary 
woiaan.  The  respect  in  which  beheld  hermemorywaa  peculiarly  great  She  was  a 
conainof  Mr.  GladatAUe's,  and  with  her  son  clojely  resembled  in  face  and  feature  that 
illustriooB  and  patriotic  BtAteBman.  But  hereditary  Btrength  of  character  without 
the  grace  of  Christ  would  have  been  comparatiTely  worthleaa.  As  it  was,  !iow- 
eTer,  the  teaching,  example,  and  prayers  of  this  God-fearing  mother  followed  the 
boy,  and  made  the  ways  of  sin  anything  but  pleasant,  and  intimately  impelled  him 
to  seek  satisfaction  in  the  favour  and  service  of  the  Most  High. 

Pwsing  from  the  cauites,  what  is  to  be  said  regarding  the  consequences  of  Mr, 
Ferrier's  spiritual  transformation  1  They  gave  tone  and  direction  to  his  whole 
future  life,  and  invested  his  ministry  with  the  moral  and  spiritual  power  which 
vras  its  principal  distinction.  The  value  and  stability  of  the  results  were  aoawer- 
able  to  the  length  and  depth  of  the  struggle  bj  which  they  were  preceded.  Nor 
TSs  tbe  nature  of  the  conflict  of  less,  hut  rather  of  greater,  importance  than  its 
inteiAity  and  continuance.  Tbe  law,  holiness,  Borereignt;,  and  mercy  of  Qod 
were  the  graud  transforming  E^ocies.  Judgment,  heart,  conscience,  will,  partici- 
pated in  the  change.  Conviction,  impression,  resolution,  were  all  profound  and 
~'^rmanent.    If  modern  conversions  were  more  of  this  description,  they  would  not 

I  to  often  disappointing. 

Excellent  natural  ability,  joined  to  diligence  and  conscientiousness,  was  carried 
by  him  into  all  the  work  of  his  after  life.  He  entered  upon  his  University  studies 
in  1S31.  His  whole  course  was  taken  at  Edinburgh  ;  and  every  professor  com- 
metid^  bis  diligence  and  success,  la  junior  and  senior  Latin,  and  in  the  depart- 
ni«at  of  Logic,  he  gained  prizes.  At  the  Divinity  HaU,  too,  he  was  highly  esteemed 
for  his  character  and  attainments.  And  be  did  not  cease  to  study  diligently  after  be 
became  the  pastor  of  a  congregation.  To  the  last  he  regularly  wrote  his  discoursea 
from  beginning  to  end,  and  committed  them  to  memory.  And  his  determination 
to  dowhat  he  deemed  his  duty  in  this  respect  cost  him  many  a  painful  effort  after 
health  began  to  fail.  His  voice  and  enunciation  were  remarkably  good,  and  bis 
manner  and  delivery  unusually  spirited.  By  his  own  people,  who  heard  him 
veekly  from  year  to  year,  he  was  esteemed  an  able  and  earnest  preacher  of  the  gospel. 

At  the  close  of  a  funeral  sermon,  preached  by  the  Rev,  William  Watsoa  of  Forres, 
irom  Rev.  liv,  13,, the  following  sentences  were  nttcred  in  th^  ears  of  a  sub- 
dued and  sorrowing  congregation  : —  . 

'Tour  late  friend  and  pastor  resigned  his  chai^  into  the  hands  of  tbe  pres- 
bytery on  the  11th  day  of  September,  and  departed  this  life  on  Saturday  last,  the  9th 
of  February.  The  cause  of  bis  resignation  wns  a  gradual  decay  of  physical  strength, 
'ivbich  had  been  going  on  for  more  than  a  year.  But  thongh  there  was  reason  to 
iiii  that  the  enfeebling  process  would  continue,  no  one  expected  his  end  to  come  so 
early.  To  friends  and  acqauntancea  at  a  distance,  the  intimation  of  his  removal 
wme  with  the  effect  j>f  a  surprise.  Yet  the  surprise  was  not  painful,  for  every  one 
looked  upon  him  as  a  shock  of  com  fully  ripe  and  ready  to  be  gathered.  His 
public  work  was  finished ;  and  yet  we  of  tbe  presbytery  held  fast  the  hope  that  the 
little  congregation  of  Tain  might  for  two  or  three  years  at  least  enjoy  the  benefit 
of  his  symyathy  and  counsel.  God's  way  in  this  matter,  however,  was  not  either 
joun  or  ours,  and  we  must  try  to  boiv  to  the  sovenngn  decree  with  the  ready 
ocqutescence  of  tmst. 

'I  come  amongst  you  torday,  as  the  Presbytery's  representative,  to  assure  you 
liow  thoTO)ighly  we  are  at  one  with  you  in  admiration  of  our  departed  brother,  and 
in  the  sense  of  loss  which  his  removal  has  occasioned.  Most  willingly  would  we 
have  retained  a  little  longer  his  brotherly  counsel  and  saintly  influence.  But  with 
yon  we  will  try  to  persuade  ourselves  that  the  wisdom  and  mercy  of  a  covenant  God 
are  in  the  time  and  manner  as  well  as  in  the  fact  of  his  removal.  With  you  we 
vitl  also  endeavour  to  be  thankful  to  the  God  of  all  grace  for  what  he  was,  and 
^Iiat  be  was  enabled  to  do,  and  that  he  was  spared  so  long.  And  withyou  wewill 
etrivetotum  to  the  best  possible  account  the  legacy  of  a  holy  life  and  earnest 
ministry  which  he  baa  left  behind. 


214  THE  LA.XS  SEV.  BOBBBT  FEBBIEE  OF  TAIN.     '""j^^^Bf^ 

'  A  meE^re,  a  far  too  meagre  aketch  of  Mr.  Fenin's  life  and  mimeby,  is  all  that  1 
can  offer  oa  Uie  present  occasion.  The  eateem  and  affection  I  bore  to  him  causes 
UDCere  regret  tiiat  I  have  not  something  more  adequate  to  lay  before  70a.  I  trust, 
howerer,  that  what  is  now  to  be  said  will  be  acknowledged  b^  all  to  hare  the  merit 
of  strict  and  ongamiahed  truthfulness. 

'  Let  me  say  a  word  first  on  his  doctrine.  The  preaching  of  yoor  late  minister 
was  eounentlv  doctrinal.  Verr  few  miitisters  of  tlie  word  ehow  eTangelical  truth 
as  a  fifstem  better  than  he  did.  His  acquaintance  with  the  theologiaus  and 
preachers  of  the  Puritan  age  was  aingularly  fuU,  and  hia  admiratioii  of  theii  works 
was  not  one  whit  behind  his  knowledge.  He  studied  and  Teconunended  Pnritoo 
divinity  with  an  ardour  which  is  btst  explained  by  the  sappo^don  that  it  had  met 
hia  own  spiritual  requirements,  and  led  hiin  ont  of  darkneaa  into  God's  marvellous 
light.  Indeed,  I  always  felt  that  our  late  brother  participated  large);  in  the  ^lit 
of  the  old  Puritans.  Like  them,  be  held  the  doctrines  of  grace  with  an  unfaltering 
gnsp.  like  them,  too,  he  regarded  with  tiie  stnmgest  suspicion  BTerj  religions 
teacher  with  rationalistic  tendencies.  In  the  department  of  theology  he  waa  less  « 
seeker  after  truth  than  an  uncompromising'  witness  for  principles  tiwt  were  to  his 
mind  sure  and  certain.  At  the  eame  time,  it  would  be  a  mistake  in  any  one  to 
Euppose  that  he  waa  hyper- Calvinistic,  or  that  he  clung,  to  sjatematic  divinity  to  the 
exciusiou  of  exegesia.  His  view  of  tlie  doctrine  of  election  was  the  same  as  we 
find  the  leading  ministers  of  his  own  Church  proclaiming  at  the  present  daj.  And 
the  graveat  ch^ge  that  he  had  to  bring  against  his  favourite  Jonn  Owen  waa  that 
in  certain  of  his  works  he  applied  too  stem  a  logic  to  the  principles  of  divine 
revdation.  Nor  was  the  doctrine  which  he  proclaimed  dry  and  medianical.  His 
heart  was  in  the  truth,  and  he  preached  it  with  a  fervqur  and  earnestnen  that 
have  seldom  been  surpassed. 

'  The  second  thing  to  be  considered  ie  bis  rninulry.  The  sphere  and  inflaence  of 
his  ministry  were  greatly  wider  than  one  at  a  distance  and  acquainted  with  the 
use  of  hia  congregation  would  be  ready  to  suppose.  For  one  thing,  in  the  fore- 
noon, when  services  in  Gaelic  were  being  conducted  in  the  Free  and  Eatablisbed 
Churchcfl,  he  had  many  hearera  besides  bis  own  proper  congregation,  while  a 
considerable  proportion  of  those  who  came  were  as  regular  in  thdr  attendance  as 
if  they  had  belonged  to  the  United  Presbyterian  Church.  A  second  thing  tJut 
had  to  do  with  the  extent  of  his  usefulness  was  the  fact  that  he  waa  always  the 
miniater.  He  nniformly  exhibited  the  meekneaa,  gravity,  and  self-control  that 
were  suitable  b>  his  office.  He  never  missed  an  (n^rtnnitj  in  any  company  1^ 
speaking  a  word  for  the  Uaster  that  be  served ;  and  it  never  E^peared  in  the  least 
degree  out  of  place  for  him  to  address  the  word  of  Christian  counsel  or  wanung 
to  those  with  whom  he  met.  A  third  circnmitanoe  that  tended  to  widen  the 
sphere  of  his  mfluence,  waa  the  friendly  relations  that  naturally  grew  up  between 
hun  and  all  classes  in  the  town.  Aa  he  hioiself  expressed  it  on  a  recent  giati^dng 
.  occasion,  "  During  my  residence  in  Tain,  my  desire  has  been  to  do  service  to  Christ 
and  souls  according  to  my  opportunity.  I  have  had  no  taste  for  extending  the 
boundaries  of  a  sect  or  making  op  a  church  ont  of  churches."  Being  an  intelligent 
and  interesting  companion,  as  well  as  a  man  of  friendly  dispositions,  he  came  by 
and  by  to  exert  a  beneflciaL  ioSuence  on  the  life  and  society  of  the  entire  neigh- 
bourhood. Enjoying  thus  the  esteem  of  his  neighbours,  carrying  about  with  mm 
continually  the  spirit  of  his  sacred  calling,  and  being  ^ways  ready  to  speak  a 
word  in  season  in  the  best  of  causes,  bis  life  and  ministry  were  more  profitable  (o, 
Tiun  and  its  neighbourhood  than  a  curaory  observer  would  have  been  ready  to 
suppose. 

'  Any  notice  of  Mr.  Ferrier  thst  did  not  refer  to  Ms  literary  atlainmejtU  would 
be  very  imperfect.  He  waa  a  great  reader,  and  had  the  faculty  of  remembering 
what  he  read,  and  in  this  way  attained  to  an  extensive  acquaintance  with  the 
literature  of  his  native  land.  His  reading  waa  far  from  being  confined  to  tbeo-  ' 
logical  and  ecclesiastical  subjects.  It  ranged  over  the  fields  of  history,  poetry, 
philosophy,  and  criticiaoi.  In  the  last-named  department  especially  did  ha  mind 
enjoy  a  congenial  sphere.  Indeed,  Mr.  Ferrier's  intellect  was  pre-eminently 
cntical.  He  sat  in  judgment  on  everything  that  came  before  him.  Whatever 
mi(|^t  be  the  subject  of  the  book,  he  could  not  overlook  the  way  in  which  the 


'"bJHuw^'         the  I^TB  bet.  me.  BIBflET,  NAIBK.  215 

autiior  had  done  iuB  work,  or  the  school  of  opinion  to  which  be  belonged.  In 
coimectJ(»  with  a  diligeat  and  critical  stady  of  high  literuf  modeb,  he  had 
cultivated  and  itaproved  liia  jndgmeDt  and  taste.  One  man  nacbea  coltore 
(hroogh  &6.  Btodf  of  art,  another  through  the  contraapUtion  of  nature,  and  t, 
tliiitl  by  aaBociatkn  with  le&tad  wciety.  Mr.  Feirier  fonnd  a  meana  of  eoltsn 
and  a  ^ere  of  ridi  enjoyment  in  tlie  higher  proae  and  poeby  of  the  EnglMi 
tongue.  Except  a  nympathetic  conversation  on  the  higher  themea  of  ^vin* 
rerelatibn,  nothing  aSoided  him  richer  deUght  than  to  Bpeud  an  hoar  in  oouTene 
with  ons  who,  tike  himself,'  conld  enter  heartily  and  intelligently  into  tlie  beantiai 
ot  literature. 

'These  and  other  proper(i«g  of  your  late  pastor'  bring  home  to  oar  minda  the 
thought  of  what  we  nave  lost,  and  of  how  imperfectly  we  imj«oved  the  excellent 
gift  while  he  was  yet  with  ns ;  and  yet  it  wiU  Dot  do  to  think  of  him  as  lost  He 
hu  left  behind  a  blesfled  example  and  influence.  "  Being  dead,  be  yet  roeaketh ;  " 
and  his  words  are  oot  thoae  of  reproach,  but  of  soleinu,  earntst,  o&ectionate 
entreaty.' 

On  ute  Sabbath  sncceeding  the  funeral,  Mr.  Grant,  tiie  respected  minister  of 
tke  la^  and  influential  Free  Church  congregation  of  Tain,  apoke  of  Mr.  Ferrier, 
and  p^  a  warm  tribute  to  his  m«nory,  referring  in  affectionate  and  admiiing 
l«nm  to  his  high  dutraoter  and  the  great  tnflaence  for  good  which  he  had  so  Icmg 
exercised  in  the  town  and  neighbourhood. 

The  dieaolving  of  the  pastoral  tie  was  to  Mr.  Ferrier  no  ordinary  trial.  He 
dozig  to  his  people  and  hia  work  aa  long  as  there  remained  the  faint«Bt  hope  of 
reoiming  hia  pulpit  miniitrationa.  When  all  such  hope  was  taken  away,  he  gave 
in  a  ba^  and  full  demission,  and  that  without  any  prospect  of  retiring  allowance 
except  what  the  denomination  at  large  proridee.  Immediately  there^ter  ha  wai 
vsiled  upon  by  two  depntabions,  and  received  two  presentatiooB.  His  own  people 
[resented  him  with  a  moet  fraternal  address  and  a  purse  of  sovereigns.  The 
aeeond  presentation,  which  was  of  the  same  descriptign,  was  made  in  name  of  the 
Free  Cburch  cffiigregation,  and  a  few  other  friends,  by  a  deputation  headed  by  the 
Kev.  Thomas  Gruit'aDd  Provost  Yaas,  a  leading  ofice-bearer  in  Mr.  Grant's  eon- 
giegatitHt.  Theie  marks  of  respect  were  truly  kind,  and  afforded  lively  satdsfactioD 
to  the  enfeebled  minister  to  wbW  they  were  made. 

Mr.  Ferrier's  attachment  to  the  United  Presbyterian  Church  has  found  expreMion 
in  hk  last  will  and  testament.  A  snm  to  found  a  schokiahip,  and  snudler  legadea 
lo  other  objecta,  amounting  in  all  to  about  £1500,  wiU  in  due  time  find  their  wa; 
to  the  Church's  treasury.  A  large  and  well'selected  bbranr,  too,  baa  been  left  tat 
the  use  of  the  denomination  that  he  served  so  well.  The  career  of  this  good 
lainister  of  Jceoa  Chriat  hath  many  volcee  to  his  Hnrviving  brethren,  but  the 
clearest  and  flrmest  of  them  all  is,  '  Hold  fast,  and  earnestly  contend  fen'  tbe  fai^ 
*hidi  was  once  delivered  unto  the  wunts.' 


THE  LATE  REV.  MR.  BISSET,  NAIRN. 

A  fdssbJJi  sermon  for  Mr.  Bisset  was  result  of  conanltatioB  was  that  nothJDg 

preached  on  Sabbath,  24th  March  last,  could  be  done  for  his  recovery,  and 

in   the    United    Presbyterian    Church,  that  all  that   conld  be  prescribed  WM 

Xaim,  by  the  Rev.  Adam  lind,  Elgin,  the  death-like  advice  to  have  recomne 

fron  fiev.  zxi.  4 :  '  And  there  shall  be  to  the  free  use  of  sedativea  to  snbdue 

no  more  death.'    At  the  conclusion  of  the  violence  of  pain.     Bravely  did  he 

the  sermon  l^e  preacher  made  the  fol-  struggle  for  years  wiih  terrible  aufEer- 

lotriog  reference  to  Mr.  Biaset ; —  ings,  animated  by  the  ardent  desire  for 

Mr.  Biseet  died  on  Saturday  the  Ifith  life  in  order  to  preach  Chriat  and  serve 

current,    at    Bournemonlh,    south    of  His  Church,  which  had  always  been  the 

England.     In  the  beginning  of  winter  very  life  of  hia  life ;  but  the  sovereign 

be  went  there  for  the  sake  of    Mrs.  Lord    had    ordained    differently.     No 

Bisaet's  health,  aiud  idso  with  the  view  sooner,  however,  did  he  hear  the  voice 

of  consulting  Bir  Henry  ThoroBon  in  from  heaven,  through  events  and  ap- 

reterence    to    his    own    disease.      The  pearauces,     than,     with     prompt    and 


216  .  THE  LITE  BET.  MS.  BISSET,  KAIRN.         ^""^^C^^' 

ttSatiag  acquiescence,  bis  mind  and  will  aimpleat   hearer.     He   was    b,   mail   of 

Fcsponaed    Amen ;    and    though    his  light,  and  whatever  be  touched  became 

vhole  heart  had  been  bent  on  resuming  luminous. 

his  favourite  work, — indeed,  he  had  DuriiighisBtndeiitda;e,theVoIantiiry 
composed,  even  in  bis  illness,  two  dU-  controversy  bad  become  a  public  quea- 
couraea,  t<>  be  ready  for  the  realisation  tion,  and  engroBsed  genera]  attention, 
of  that  fond  hope, — yet  he  yielded  at  — Churchmen  and  DisBentera  measuring 
once,  and  triumphed  over  the  supreme  swords  throughout  the  land,  with  both 
difficulty  of  life,  which  ia  to  say  from  sides  claiming  the  victory.  In  these 
the  heart,  '  Thy  will  be  done.'  circumstances.  Sir.  Biflset's  attention  was 
Death,  which  usnally  takes  Horvivors  naturally  turned  to  the  great  qnestion, 
by  surprise,  did  ho  in  his  ca^e.  For  and,  after  studying  it  with  his  chaiac- 
eeveral  day$  previously  he  Imd  been  teriatic  acutenesa,  he  became  convinced 
suffering  less  pain,  and  on  Saturday,  that  the  Yoluntary  principle  was  the 
the  day  of  his  death,  he  said  he  was  only  scriptural  foundation  of  tJie  Church 
feeling  better,  and  was  half-dressed  to  Of  Christ,  and,  in  loyalty  to  this  con- 
go  into  Hrs.  Bisset's  room,  when  he  was  viction,  he  left  the  Cnnrch  of  ScoUand, 
suddenly  seized  with  spasm  of  tbe  heart,  in  which  he  had  been  brought  up,  and 
He  sent  for  Mrs.  Bisset,  and  recognised  joined  the  Secession  Church  with  a  vieir 
her,  but  was  not  able  to  apeak ;  gently  to  the  ministry.  After  finishing  his 
breathed,  and  all  was  over, — so  gently  course  of  study  at  the  Divinity  Hall,  be 
that  one  ooald  scarcely  believe  that  be  was  licenBed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Ai- 
■was  gone.  Mr.  Charles  Corsar,  his  broatli  on  the  3d  day  of  January  1843. 
brother-in-law,  visit«d  him  about  the  In  the  course  of  a  few  montlu!  he  vsa 
end  of  January,  and  found  him  perfectly  appointed,  as  a  probationer,  to  snpi^y 
composed — readyand  willitig  to  go  home,  for  some  Sabbaths  the  vacancy  at 
Among  other  things  he  said,  'When  Nairn,  occasioned  by  the  death  of  the 
my  suffering  is  severest,  my  faith  is  Rev.  James  Mein,  still  remembered  with 
strongest.  I  have  found  Jesus  the  same  feelings  of  respect  and  affection.  The 
yesterday,  to-day,  and  for  ever.'  He  result  of  Mr.  Bisset's  preaching  in  the 
.said  he  would  not  like  to  be  left  at  Nairn  congregation  was,  that,  he  received 
Bournemouth,  and  expressed  a  wish  to  a  very  unanimous  call  to  .  be  their 
be  taken  to  Arbroath  and  buried  there,  minister,  which  he  accepted,  and  tras 
Mr,  Bisset  was  bom  in  the  parish  of  ordained  to  the  charge  by  the  Fresby- 
Cluny,  Perthshire,  of  very  respectable  tery  of  EImn  on  the  27th  of  September 
.parents,  whose  memory  be  continued  1843.  After  having  been  settled  for  s 
to  revere  and  love  through  life.  He  number  of  years  at  Nairn,  he  recdved 
etudiedatthe  University  of  St.  Andrews,  a  unanimous  call  from  a  congregation 
where  he  took  a  good  place  as  a  classical  in  the  south,  but  resolved  to  remain 
scholar,  but  especiallv  as  a  mathemati-  with  his  first  charge, 
eian,  a  study  for  which  he  retained  a  Mr.  Bisset's  ministry  has  been  an 
life-long  partiality.  This  mental  cba-  acknowledged  success  in  the  different 
racteristic  showed  itself  in  a  striking  respects  in  which  the  Christian  mmistry 
manner  in  bis  faculty  of  close  thinking  may  be  estimated.  Under  him  the  con- 
and  determination  to  reach  certainty  in  gregation  has  increased  in  numerical 
his  conclusions.  DiiBculty  seemed  to  and  material  strength.  They  have  built 
have  a  charm  for  him,  and  he  had  a  a  handsome  church  and  a  good  manse, 
restlessenjoymentinreaohing theproper  and  the  valuable  property  is  tree  of 
.  solution,  and  removing  the  intellectual  debt.  But  ^hat  is  incomparably  higher 
difficulty.  This  quality  of  mind  became  than  any  degree  of  outwud  proeperily, 
doubly  valuable  when  consecrated  ti3  the  Mr.  Bisset's  ministry  has  been  honoured 
study  of  sacred  things ;  hence  his  power  as  instrumental,  in  the  hand  of  the  Holy 
of  analysis  in  dealing  with  the  word  of  Spirit,  of  adding  to  the  Church  of  such 
Ood,  especially  in  his  lectures,  where  he  as  shall  be  saved.  The  success  of  euch 
never  fiuled  to  throw  a  flood  of  light  on  a  ministry  might  have  been  confidently 
the  passage  under  eiamiuation.  With  predicated  in  so  tar  as  the  efficacy  of 
tare  inmght  he  could  find  out  tecondite  mstrumentality  is  concerned.  He  had 
beauties  in  the  wonderful  Word,  and  a  happy  combination  of  qualitats  .for 
-esbibit  them  to  the  admiration  of  the  making  a  powerful  impression  on  n 
intelligent  and   the  edification  of  the  populiir  assembly.    A  commanding  pre- 


HOME  CIRCLE. 


217 


seace  sni  fine  voice,  which  never  pnlled 
00  the  ear,  whose  lowest  cadencea  and 
loftiest  tones  were  equall;  audible  and 
pleaaant,  were  his,  with  the  aft  of 
BpwJtiDg  very  perfect,  and,  above  all, 
a  pow^ul  grasp  ictellectuallf  of  the 
grand  truths  of  tbe  gospel,  and  eloquent 
appeals  to  the  hearts  and  coDBdences  of 
bis  hesrera,  unfolding  to  their  admira- 
tioD,  and  preaging  on  their  acceptance, 
Hxe  nDsearchable  riches  of  Christ  Such 
a  miniatry  mnst  needs  succeed  in 
ucompliafaing  the  highest  ends  of 
mtDJstjy,  inasmuch  aa  it  fnlfilled  the 
cCHiditions,  instmmentsJly,  of  success, — 
a  holy,  Donseeiated  life,  and  superior 
gitW. 

Uoreover,  Mr.  Bisset's  miiid  was  die— 
tiDguiehed  by  originality  of  conception 
and  strength  of  imagination,  well  tem- 
pered, and  wUch  enabled  him  occa- 
eioDsUy  to  soar  high  in  realization  of  ,the 
aublimer  aspects  of  the  truth  under  con- 
templation. Sometimes  ho  delivered 
eereraldiBCouTsee  from  one  text,  hut  not 
according  to  the  old  plan  of  building  up 
a  whole  body  of  systematic  theology 
upon  one  text,  but  with  strict  adherence 
to  the  text  in  hand,  with  nothing  diffuse, 
and  no  straining  for  effect,  but  an  easy 
natoral  flow  of  fine  thought  in  simple 
dimee  diction;  and  with  such  fulness- 
and  fertility  of  illustratian  and  apt 
quotation  from  Scripture,  that  the  atteo- 
tioa  of  the  hearer  never  Sagged  during 
tbe  extended  treatment  of  the  subject. 
Although  he  was  bj  no  means  defective  ' 
in  the  ^owledge  of  dogmatic  theology, 
j^  the  chief  ch^cteristio  of  his  preach- 
ing was  escgeticaJ,  and  always  with 
a  feeling  of  profound  reverence 
snd  love  for  the  truth  as  inspired  by 
the  Holy  Spirit,  He  was  mighty  in 
the  Scriptures.  And  along  with  these 
rare  qualifications  ns  a  pr^icher,  there 
was  a  quiet  impressive  solemnity  and 
ardent  unction  abont  hid  spirit  which 
never  failed  to  command  the  concurreot 


sympathy  of  tbe  people,  itnd  leave  the 
impression  on  their  minds  that  they  had 
been  listening  to  a  master  in  pulpit 
power  and  efllcieney. 

Besides,  there  was  a  nobleness  and 
amiableneas  and  manly  simplicity 
about  Mr.  Bisset's  nature  which  en- 
deared him  to  others,  snd  imparted 
great  weight  to  his  character  in  th^ 
eyes ;  and  withal,  the  moral  beauty  of 
self -forget  fulness  rested  upon  him.  He 
shone,  but  did  not  know  that  he  was 
shining.  By  his  brethren  in  tbe  ministry 
he  was  anoDJect  of  admiration,  affectitm, 
and  confidence,  and  the  presbytery  has 
sustained  no  ordmory  bereavement  by 
his  death.  Next  to  the  reputation  of 
the  late  Mr.  Stark  of  Forres,  the  name 
of  Mr.  Bisaet  was  a  tower  of  strength  in 
the  presbytery  and  beyond  it.  In  the 
community  of  Kaim,  where  he  was 
universally  esteemed  and  beloved,  he 
was  a  power  for  good;  and  strangers, 
during  the  visiting  aeasou,  were  drawn 
to  his  miniatry,  some  of  whom  expressed 
theirthankfulnesstobimforhiavaluable  ■ 
services.  By  bis  own  congregation  he 
WB£  regarded  with  unbounded  admira- 
tion and  affection ;  by  bis  kiadoeas, 
humility,  geuerosiCy,  and  genuine  piety, 
he  lived  in  their  hearts,  and  will  hve 
in  their  memories.  They  nra  deeply  to 
be  felt  for.  On  tbe  27tb  September 
187G,  the  late  Eev.  Henry  Turnbull  was 
ordained  as  Mr.  Bisset's  colleague  and 
Bucoessor,  but,  after  a  few  months  of 
earnest  and  devoted  ministry,  he  was 
suddenly  cut  off,  and  the  congregation 
again  deprived  of  tbe  advantages  of  a 
stated  miniatry.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that 
the  Bll-wisB  and  gracious  Head  of  tbe 
Church,  who  walks  in  the  midst  of  the 
golden  candlesticks,  and  holds  the  stars 
in  His  right  hand,  wilt  in  due  tune 


prepare  another  minister  tor  them,  who 
shall  be  found  worthy  to  occupy  the 
place  of  one  who  was  pre-eminently  a 


pome  €ixch. 

B  A  R  U  C  H. 

'  Seeliest  tliou  great  things  for  thysolf  ?  seek  them  uot.' — Jeb.  xIv.  6. 
Baroch    belonged  to  a    distinguished    charged  by  the  prophet  to  read  what 
Jewish  family,  was  amanuensis  to  the     he  had  written  to  the  princes  and  people 
prupheb   Jeremisih,  uid    committed  to     of  Judah  '  in  tbe  house  of  tbe  Lora.' 
wridng  the  book  of  his  prophecy.    On     Having  executed  this  < 
completing  the  prophetic  roll,  he  was     princes  and  tbe  people  w 


alarmed  be- 


218                                                  HOME  CIBCLB.  f"*X^^"*' 

cause  of  tbe  impakding  calamitMS  which  gmted  eelimate  of  the  groat  kdA  good 

the  atterances  (rf   the    prophet   fore-  thiage  tliat  IVovidenoe  may  tune  in 

shadowed  audfocetold.   Haviug  satisfied  store  tor  them  in  the  yeus  to  come.  Th^ 

themselTes    that    Baruch   hftd    written  are  disposed  to  look  at  the  bright  side  u 

merely  to  the  dictation  of    Jeremiah,  thlngn,  and  to  attov  their  imi^inatioDi 

knowing  that  Jehoiakim  the  king  woald  hopefnlly  torerelamongthebowenofa 

be  displeased  at  the  message ,,  and  fear-  fancied  earthly  Paradise.   AllthisisTer; 

ing  that  he  might  put  to   death  the .  natoral  in  the  case  of  Uie  young  and  in- 

prophet  who  had  dictated  and  the  scribe  experienced ;  and  it  seems  to  hare  been 

who  had  written  it,  they  tendered  the  bo  with  the  yoathful  Bszach.    He  aa- 

odvicQ  tiiat  Baruch  and  Jeremiah  should  ticipated  and  sought '  great  thingt  for 

meanwhUe  betake  themseWeB  to  'some  himself.'     He  was  entranced   t^  the 

place  of  ciwcealment     The  result  was  brightness  of  the  morning  sun,  and  hit 

as  the  iniDces  had  anticipated.     Having  heart  glowed  with  eKpectaacy  ai  vinoni 

heard  Jehudi  read  two  or  ttiiee  pages  of  of  earSily  greatness  and  d  earthly  re- 

the  roll,  the  king  took  a  penknife  and  nown  were  iHcturedin  strong  eoiows  on 

cut  it,   'and  cast  it  into  the  fire  that  his  yonthful  fancy.     Jubilant  with  high 

was  on  the  hearth,  until  fJl  t^  roll  was  hopes,  and  glowing  witii  yoo^fd  ei- 

eonsamed  in  the  fire  that  was  on  the  pectancy,  '  he  songht  great  things  fi» 

hearth.'       Thereafter    the    king    com-  himself '  in  the  careeroT an«arthly  life, 

manded   Bamch   and   Jeremiah   to   be  2.  Baruch  aas  a  young  maa  of  tataU 

seized,  but  their  place  of  coQcealment  and  Uarning,  and  eager  to  excel — His 

could  not  be  discovered,  '  for  the  Lord  learning,  combined  with  saperioT  talent, 

hid  them.'  secured  for  bim  the  honourable  and  le- 

While  under  biding,  and  sou^t  for  sponsible  poeition  of  smauuenais  to  the 

b^  the  king's  messengers,  Baiuch  was  prophet  Jeremiah.     Naturally  proud  ot 

disconsolate,  and  said, '  Woe  is  me  now  I  his  learning  and  talents,  he  was  eager  to 

tor  the  Lord  balb   added  grief  to  my  make  the  most  of  them  in  the  battle  of 

sorrow  ;    I   faint   in   my   sighing,    and  life.     He  was  bent  on  the  jmrsait  of  the 

I  find  no  rest.'      Under  Ma  depression  earthly  distinction  to  which  his  learning 

and  grief,  Jeremiah  was  commiaaioned  and  talents  might  fairly  entitle  him  to 

to  instrnct  and  to  comfort  him,  and  the  aspire-    He  perhaps  expected  mors  than 

words,  '  Seektst  thou  great  thingi  for  thy-  hewaawarrmited  to  looktor,  fMSTenm 

til/T  seek  them  not,'  form  part  of  the  the  matter  ot  learning  and  talent,  'the 

message  addressed  to  him  by  tiie  prophet  race  is  not  (always)  to  the  swift  nor  the 

Baruch    was    ambitious.      He    sought  battle  to  tlie  stroog.'    It  was  the  fact, 

'  great    things   for   himself.'      He    is  '  however,  that  he  cherished  hq;h  hopes 

counselled  not  to  do  so.      '  Seek  them  and  entertained  high  expectalims  <i 

not.'  reactiing  a  position  of  eminence  and 

In  illostratioD  of  the  pertiDwice  and  influence.     He  was  eager  to  excel,  to 

purport  of  the  [Htipbets  advice,  the  outstrip  his  competitors  —  to   become 

following  particnlart  may  be  noted : —  famons  in  the  world — to  secure  tor  him- 

1.  Bai-uch  was  a  young  man  inspired  self  a  pre-eminent  position  among  the 

by  the  flowing  anticipations  of  youth. —  thoosands  of  Judah.     He  'sought  great 

The  sprmg-time  of  life,  like  the  spring-  things  for  himself.' 

time  lU  the  year,  has  all  the  freshness  and  3.  Bamch  was  a  good  mail,  but  kit 

attraction  i  novelty.     The  hearts  ot  the  goodnas  vat  marred  by  inmrdinate  aorldk 

young  are  naturally  big  and  buoyant  ambition: — He  was  a  faithfBl  disciple  ct, 

with  hope  and  expectaucj.    Viaioos  of  anda  constautattendanton,  theprophet 

greatness  or  of  happiness  in  the  future  Jeremiah.    The  Lord  was  deeply  mte- 

Sit  and  flicker  before  their  eyes,  and  rested  in  his  welfare,  and  sent  a  special 

dazzle  and  bewilder  their  iniaginatiou.  message   to    him    by   the   prophet,    in 

They  have  glowing  expectations  of  joys  which  He  assured  him  that  though  his 

to  come  in  the  pilgrimage  of  life.     Their  hopes  of  earthly  aggrandizement  would 

inexperience  of  the  ways  of  the  world,  be  blasted,  and  that,  though  histrials  and 

and  ot    the  cares    and  anxieties  and  troubles  would  be  many  and  multiform, 

sorrows  of  the  flesh,  makes  them  ovw-  his  life  would  be  preserved.     Evil  would 

look  and  ignore  all  that  is  shadowy  and  come  upon  others,  '  upon  all  flesfi,'  bat 

Bombre  and  repulsive,  and  leads  them  to  evil  would  not  be  permitted  to  befall 

form  a  bright  and  blooming  aod  exag-  bim.    We  have  no  reason  to  doubt  Ibat 


""X'S^WR^"''                                UOMB  OIKOOl.  219 

Bivacli  Taa  a  msn  of  God — tiiat  ttiare  '  great  things,' — he  would  not  have  been 

was '  Bome  Kood  'tiling '  in  hie  heart  to-  reproved  but  commended  for  his  motive, 

wud  the  Lord    God  of  Israel     But  and  £or  the  efforts  and  struggles    to 

thonch  a  friend  of  God,   he  was  not  which  it  had  given  birth.     It  was  not 

faultless.     Though  his  personal  piety  so,  however,  with  the  prophet's  Hervant. 

vias  real,  it  wasnot  UQBuIlied.    Though  He  waa  a  good  man,  out  his  goodness 

bis  character  was  good,  it  was  not  un-  was   marred   bj  inordinate  ambition. 

blemished.    He  was  far  from  b^g  an  This  waa  the  sin  which  '  eaailj  beset* 

absolutely  'perfect  man."   His  b«et-  him,  and  which  he  is  exhorted  to  re- 

tiDg  sin  was  ambition.    He  was  eager  nonnce    and    abjure,      '  Seekest  thou 

to  be  'great'     'Great  things'  are  not  great  things  for  thyaelf?  eeektiieninot.' 

always    or    neoeaaarily  'good  things.'  They  are  not  worthy  of  youi  regard — not 

'Better  is  a  little  with  righteousness,  worthy  of  your  ambition— not  worthy 

than  great  revenues  without  right,'  of  your  aims,  aspirations,  and  efforts  as 

The  great  things  of  earth  arc  not  to  the  heir  of  '  a  better  and  more  enduring 

be  despised  or  abjured,  nor  are  they  substance,'  and  of  the  higher  imperiah- 

to  be  worshipped  or  idolized.     A  good  able  honours  of  the  teavenly  world, 

mania  not  authorised'toseek  them 'for  4.  Baruch   waa  a   duijppoinUd  nia«, 

biiKself ' — for  his  own  personal  gratifi-  and  hia  ambition  icas  the  occasion  of  kU 

'XiHoa   OT.  glorification.    This  is  what  trouble.— The  bright  visions  and  anti- 

Baruch  seems  to  have  done,  and  to  have  cipations  of  his  earlier  youth  had  come 

beau   doing.     Had    he    sought   '  great  to  nought.     Instead  of  being  honoured, 

things' — not  '  for  himself ' — but  for  the  he  was  in  disgrace ;  instead  of  joy,  he 

honour  and  glory  of  God,  and  for  the  had     sottow  ;    instead    of    being    ap- 

lemporal  and  spiritual  good  of  his  fellow-  plauded  and  idolized  by  his  king  and 

men,  the  object  of  bis  ambition  might  by  the  princes  and  people  of  Judab,  he 

have  been  commended,  and  would  have  was    now  a  fugitive  and  an  outcast, 

been  commended  by. tie  God  of  Israel.  The  uesBengoT  of'  the  king  were  seek^ 

Of  itself,  seeking  after  '  great  things '  ing   his  person,    and   seekuig  his  hfe. 

is  not  wrong  or  einfol,  or  at  variance  The  brightneea  of  youthful  hope  and  of 

with  the  principles   and    j>recepta   of  glowing  expectancy  bad  given  plaoe  to 

Christiauity.     We  can  imagine  a  good  the  chill  of  disappointment,  and  to  ths 

man  seeking  to  azcel  in  his  profession,  chafings  of  despondency.     All  proq>ect 

and  to  obtain  the  honours  and  rewards  of  earthiy  greatness  -^  of  civil  or  eocle- 

that  arepromised  to  dihgeace  in  busi-  siaatical    preferment — had   been 


I   imagine    a    good   man  shadowed  as  he  lay  with  the  prophet 

seeking  to  become  '  rich  and  increased  Jeremiah  in  his  hiding-place,  and  as  hs 

with  goods' — seeking  to   rise  from  a  gave  vent  to  his  feelings  in  the  words, 

lower  to  a  higher  grade  in  tbe  social  '  Woe  is  me  now  I  for  the  Lord  hath 

scale — seeking  to    rise    to    a   position  added  grief  to  my  sorrow :  1  faint  in  my 

of  iuSuence  and  power,  or  even  to  the  sighing,  and  I  find  no  rest.'    Such  was 

pinnaole  of  earthly  greatness— without  tbe  haplem  condition  to  which  Baruch 

uecessaiily  exposing  himself  to  challenge  had  been  redoced.     He  mnmmred  and 

or  to  rebuke  for  his  ambitious  views  and  rejoned  at  his  lot.    Bis  intwdioate  am- 

eiferts.     The  propriety  or  impropriety  bition  was  the  occasion  and  the  cause 

of  tbe  comae  he  pursues  depends  on  the  of  bis  tronble— of  the  dis^ipointment 

inoti.ves  by  which  he  is  actuated.     If,  he.  had  experienced— of  the  grief  and 

like  Baruch,  he  seeks    earthly    ^reat  sorrow  he  endured.    He  was  enduring 

tMogs  '  for  himself,'  for  the  glonfioa-  '  the  chastening  of  the  Lord ;'  bnt  the 

tion 'of  himselt,  or  for  the  temporal  chastening,  waa   accompanied  by  the 

.  a^randizement  of  his  family,  his  con-  reproof  aiid  instruction  which,  in  the 

duct  is   to    be  reprobated    and   con-  circumstaaces,   ho   needed.       'Meekest 

demned;  but  if   hie  amlution   has   for  thou  great  things  for  thyself  ?.seekt^en) 

its  nltioiati}  object  and  urn  the  glor^r  not.'      Let  your  ambitious  prospects 

of  God  and  the  good  of  man,  his  con-  and  projects  be  renounced  and  aban- 

duct  is  to  be  commended  and  approved,  donea.      Seek  '  good    things '    rather 

Had  the  latter  been  tbe  motdve  by  which  than  'great  things;' and  if  you  seek 

Baruch  waa    actuated, —hod  this   been  '  great  things,'  seek  them  not  for  your-  - 

the  generous  and  beniguant  object  on  self,  bnt  for  the  honour  and  glory  of 

which,  iiis    heart   was  set  in  seeking  God,  and  for  the  temporal  and  spiritual 


220  CORRESPONDEKXE.  "°  tuyi.ieh."^ 

good  of  your  '  bretliren  and  ktDBmen  the  kingdom  of  Zion.     Instead  of  ei- 

according  to  tiie  fleah.'  hauating  our  energies,  and  disturbing 

The  words  of  Jeremiah   to   Baruoh,  and  destroying  our  peace,  by  graBping  at 

■  fts    susceptible   of    being    applied   and  objects  of  mere  carnal  ambition,  which 

as  applicable  to  the  children  of  God  ili  entail  disappointment  and  sorrow  and 

general,  counsel  them  not  to  seek  their  grief,    let     us   set    our    affection    '  on 

own  personal  aggrandizement ;— to  Beck  diings    above,    not   on    thuiga  on  the 

'  good     things  '    rather     than     '  great  earth,' — on  the  glorious  riches  of  that 

things '  for  themselveB  and  for   others  inheritance  which  is  '  incorruptible  and 

in  the  pilgrimage  ot  life ;  for  the  greatest  undefiled,  and  that  fadeth  not  away.' 

of  the  great  thingfi  of  earth  dwindle        .  „       .  i  ^i  i  k:  .t 

.   .     .     -°    .J.  "  <  J  _^ii_         '  Born  by  a  new  celeBtisl  birth, 

into  insignificance  when  compared  with  ■,y^    ^^^^^  „g  g^^Tel  here  on  e»rtli? 

the  greatness  and  grandeur  and  glory  of  wby  grasp  at  transitory  toys, 

the  things  which  '  touch  the  King  '  and  So  near  to  heaven's  eternal  jojel' 


Torres  ponJjtnct. 

MISSION  PRESBYTERIES. 

TO  THE  EDITOR  OK  THE  UNITED  PUESBVTEKIAN  UAGAZINE, 

Sir,— It  seems  to  me  that  a  few  thoughts  America  has  to  do  is  to  ctauu  Britain's 
on  this  subject  would  be  ot  use  at  pre-  past  and  present  as  her  own.  America 
sent,  OB  foreign  missions  must  more  and  muat  write  her  own  history,  and  gain, 
more  engage  the  mind  oF  the  Church,  through  her  own  peculiar  difficulties, 
New  features  will  arise  as  this  interest-  that  perfection  to  which  Britain  in  bet 
ing  work  developes  itself ;  and  it  is  our  own  way  ie  strnggUng. 
duty  to  note  them,  and  ts  make  full  use  Approving,  as  we  well  may,  of  the 
of  tUl  the  experience  of  the  past.  So  far  elevation  to  which  Christianity  has  er- 
as I  am  aware,  the  relation  of  the  Church  alted  us  as  a  nation,  we  never  aiupect 
athometoher difiercntraissionChurches  that  by  our  missionaries  we  are  intra- 
— her  infant  Churches  in  India  or  else-  ducing,  along  with  our  Christianity,  all 
where— has  not  received  flufficient  atten-  the  elements  that  ever  distracted  a  Chorch 
tion.  In  the  attention  beatowed,  the  in  regard  to  her  polity.  A  few  ot  the 
(dm  seems  to  have  been  to  make,  the  eimjilest  facts  wiU  show  this. 
children  assume  the  habits  of  the  parent  The  elevating  power  of  Cfaristiamtv 
AT  ONCE ;  aud  the  difference  of  age  and  has  nused  a  grand  distinction  between  a 
experience  has  been  lost  sight  of.  Great  Christian  people  and  the  heathen  world- 
care  ought  to  be  taken  in  the  attitude  The  missionary  breathing  in  this  clear 
the  Church  assumes  towards  these  her  intellectnal  and  moral  atmosphere,  goei 
children ;  for  all  sorts  ot  error  in  polity  into  a  land  of  spiritual  death.  He 
may  arise,  should  a  false  step  be  taken  carries  this  atmosphere  with  him  aa  he 
here.  The  infancy  of  Churches  is  much  does  his  Scotch  name  and  birth,  andhe 
like  the  infancy  of  individuals,  in  that  cannot  separate  himself  from  it.  He  is, 
the  lessons  and  impressions  of  youth  are  from  the  nature  ot  the  case,  above  Ihosi' 
tho  most  permanent,  and  the  results  the  he  has  to  convert  and  elevate.  ITiia  ii 
most  lasting.  Iiis  chair  (calftecfro),  in  which  he  sits. 
The  Church  at  home  wishes  to  see  her  while  the  native  si^uats  on  the  gronnd. 
mission  Churches  self-supporting  as  soon  He  works  in  his  mission  field,  Mid  is  re- 
as  possible,  so  that  they  may  be  left  for  cognised  as '  msster.'  Through  his  intel- 
the  'regions  beyond,'  She  wishes  also  lectthcHolySpiritconqnerstheinteliect 
to  see  them  rise  to  the  activity  ot  life  of  his  converts.  Through  his  heart  the 
enjoyed  at  home.  It  seems  easy  at  first  Holy  Spirit  touches  their  hearts.  He  is 
sightjusttotransplantdirectlyourforms  Christianity  itself  to  them — -'a  living 
of  pohty  to  India  or  elsewhere,  and  look  epistle.' 

for  immediate  reaulta.     It  is  imposmble.  Suppose  he  has  made  a  few  converts, 

however,  to  do  this.     We  may  as  well  He   feels  tliat   the   heathenism  aronnd 

say  that  as  the  history  of  Britain  goes  cannot  be  overtaken  withont  assistance. 

with  each  emigrant  to  America,  all  that  He  knows  also,  that  if  the  conntiy  evet 


u^im.'"''                          COBRBSPONDBNCE.  221 

be  converted,  it  must  be  through  tbo-  could  not  get  on.  Encli  miBaloa  station 
rongbljr  trnbed  and  approved  native  in  Rajpootana  is  surrounded  by  many 
agents,  who  know  tbedimcultieaso  much  villages  and  towne^  and,  were  they  occu- 
betiec  than  a  stranger,  and  can  present  pied  Dy  churches,  they  would  require  to 
the  truihmth  its  Bide  to  those  diflicalties,  bo  formed  into  separate  presbyteries, 
and  who  sIbo  know  the  language  so  well.  These,  asiun,  must  be nnitedintoa  synod, 
and  the  entire  life  in  the  field  where  the  so  that  the  opinion  of  all  mieht  be  had 
work  is  to  be  done.  Knowing  all  this,  onany  important  point.  All  fliis  is  new, 
the  misnonary  selects  bis  Bssistants  from  and  cannot  be  aocomplished  by  the  na- 
among  his  converts,  and  leads  them  still  lives  alone.  The  European  missionair, 
further  int«  the  Btorea  of  sacred  know-  then,  from  the  nature  of  the  case,  is  the 
ledge.  The  Conference  in  India  has  a  bveraeer— the  superintendent — the  epis- 
prescribed  course  for  the  training  of  copopos  of  the  district  where  he  laboure. 
Datiie  agents,  involving  at  least  four  This  simple  relation,  however,  in  which 
years'  hari  study  of  the  Bible,  of  Apolo-  the  miseionary  stands,  and  must  stand, 
getics,  and  of  Systematic  Theology.  The  to  the  uative  Church,  if  developed  and 
mieeioiiBry  has  to  prepare  these  agents,  projected  into  the  future,  would  become 
Ij  going  over  again  and  again  tul  the  episcopacy  as  we  know  it  in  England, 
gmimd.  They  arp  then  examined  by  the  It  is  indeed  true  that  the  missionary 
appointed  subject  examiners,  and  passed  must  oversee  the  planting  of  the  Chris- 
ty the  Conference  into  the  grade  for  tian  Church  until  it  be  an  established 
which  they  have  been  studying,  or  sent  fact.  When  it  has  been  gradually  estab- 
hack  to  go  over  the  work  again.  The  lished  in  all  its  det^,  the  mother 
agents  have  also  preached  alongside  the  Church  needs  no  longer  send  out  men, 
missionaTy  in  the  bazaar  and  villages,  for  her  work  is  finished.  The  last  mls- 
as^inghim,  and  bein^  trdned  by  him.  sionaries,  however,  would  commit  agreat 
Ab  the  number  of  converts  increases  in  mistake  were  they  to  say  to  the  native 


e  station,  and  should  the  agents  Church,  '  We  are  to  leave  you,  and  ii 
(Xmmend  themselves  as  worthy,  tliey  are  our  separate  stations  we  select  from 
sent  to  ODl-stationB  in  the  near  villages  or  among  yourselves  favourite  or  trusted 
tOKng.  A  missionary  ought  to  have  a.  men  to  five  in  our  houses,  and  superin- 
gixid  many  of  these  out-stations.  Itiner-  tend  the  work  as  we  did.'  The  mission- 
Mies  are  valuable  in  opening  up  the  aries  must  all  along  let  the  native 
mantiy;  but  to  have  permanent  results.  Church  know  that  the  state  of  things 
men  must  be  stationed  in  .places  to  give  necessary  in  planting  a  Church  must  pass 
'  line  upon  line.'  At  stated  times  the  away  when  it  has  taken  root  in  the  soil. 
puaaionaryviBits  these  out-stations,  spend-  Tbey  must  treat  them  always  with  this 
ingsome  time  in  examining  the  sonools,  in  view.  When  the  time  comes  that  the 
pleaching,  inspecting  the  work,  meeting  missionaries  must  lesve,  they  will  only 
with  inquirers  if  any,  and  baptiang  have  to  say,  '  Now,  mthojit  lu,  you  are 
Item  if  ready.  If  tberebeasmallChris-  to  bring  your  own  united  wisdom  and 
tian  community,  he  dispenses  the  Loid's  experience  to  bear  on  the  work  in  hand. 
Supper.  He  also  has  to  take  charge  of  Wc  have  been  teaching  you  to  depend 
all  pecuniary  matters,  and  generally  to  on  yourselves,  and  now  yon  are  ready  to 
wange  for  the  carrying  forward  ot  the  meet  on  a  common  platform,  aod  consult 
work.  for  the  future  of  the  Church  in  your 
Of  coarse  this  system  is  not  complete  land,'  Presbytcrianism  is  the  perfect — 
until  these  out-stations  be  constituted  into  the  permanent  state  of  things.  It  is  the 
Bati?e  churches,  with  pastors  i>nd  elders,  fruit,  while  the  overeeeing  needfulfora 
This  consideration  gives  more  force  to  the  time  was  but  the  blossom,  without  which, 
foregoing  remarks ;  tor  the  mjafdonary  of  course,  the  fruit  could  not  have  been, 
miiat  take  the  native  pastor  by  the  hand,  Other  elements  are  introduced  by  the 
ud  lead  him  stiU  further  into  the  un-  missionaries  from  the  very  nature  of  the 
known  land  of  forming  a  church  and  a  case.  They  ore  sent  out  to  a  special  field 
stsaion.  They  know  nothing  of  the  rules  or  station  by  the  Foreign  Mission  Board; 
for  conducting  business,  nor  of  that  and  even  where  there  is  a  native  Church 
decency  and  order  which  are  the  patrj-  it  is  not  consulted,  and  were  it  consulted 
mony  of  the  Church  at  home.  Dimcul-  its  opmion  would  not  be  worth  anything, 
ties  must  necessarily  arise  ;  and  without  Were  this  state  of  thmgs  continued  in  the 
any  one  to  appeal  to  aa  an  authority,  they  Church,  would  we  not  have  patronage? 


222  CORHESPONDENCE.  '""XMrns"^ 

The  natire  Churches  must  be  educated  to  for  the  heathen  around  her,  her  cbadren 

choose  their  orn  paston.  in  tnra. 

Again,  the  miaaionary  ia  paid  on  the  Suppose  a  preabytety  compoged  ol 
principle  of*  the  strong  supporting  the  European  miisbnaries,  with  native  eldera, 
weai,'  by  a  body  of  men  ontaide,  and  and  of  native  paators  and  their  elderg, 
independent  of  the  church  to  which  be  There  could  neither  be  parity  in  JDiig- 
minJsters.  Now,  were  tbia  continued  as  ment,  experience,  or  membere;  for  the 
the  only  mode  of  paying  the  miniatry,  native,  being  the  earnest  got,  wodd  soon 
andweretbemoney respomdbilityunder-  outnumber  the  European  miaBionanes. 
taken  by  any  or  all  of  the  native  princes  What  would  be  the  value  of  a  Vote  on 
in  India  on  tneir  becotnbgChriatiaua,  we  any  question  by  those  who  stood  m  Uie 
would  have  the  very  duBenlties  intro-  relation  of  parent  and  child,  or  of  pro- 
duced aa between  Chnrch  and  State  with  feasor  and  student?  A  majority  might 
which  WQ  onrselvee  have  to  contend.  A  show  the  following  each  missionaTy  bad, 
forthw  fact  ia  this : — A  great  part  of  the  or  were  it  a  majority  of  natives  against 
land  of  Jeypore,  and  of  all  the  native  the  few  Europeans,  it  would  ahow  a  slate 
Btatee  of  India,  goes  to  endow  the  heathen  of  rebellion  in  the  migaon  field.  To 
templea.  Ko  prince,  on  beooming  a  allow  attidenta  to  dictate  tjie  number  of 
Christian,  would  continue  this  endow-  examinations  to  be  held,  or  the  numbs 
ment  of  days  they  were  to  attend  the  Divinil^r 

From  these  facta,  it  is  evident  that  Hall,  would  lead,  even  in  this  conntir, 

there  are  certain  modes  of  action  necea-  with  aU  our  Christian  progresi,  to  the 

sary  in  the  first  stages  of  mission  work,  utmost  confusion.     To  what   confosion  ■ 

and  others  as  necessary  in  a  more  ad--  would  it  not  lead  with  natives  who  sK 

vonced  atage.     Now,  the    Church    at  just  beginning  to  walk  in  tiie  before  im- 

bonie  wishes  to  get  these  modee  of  action  trodden  paths  of  (^ristian  nior^ly  and 

appliedatttiepropertimeof constituting  order?    Suppose  some   of   tlie  native 

...!__. !._..__  ijjg^gj_^ggjj^    ipj^  paators  were  to  bring  up  an  overtore  for 


we  hold  to  be  tie  only  solution ;  but  the  the  Home  Synod  or  Board  to  doable 

question  remains.  What  is  Ikis  preabyttry  their  salaries,  or  to  build  chuiches  all 

fu  6e  T     Wham  u  it  to  embrace .'     Is  it  to  over  Rajpootana.     The  Europeans  aU  see 

be  made   wide  ertough   to   embrace   both  the  absurdity  of  this;  but  the  natives 

European  and  natiee  alike  f     Or  are  the  unit*,  and  carry  it  witi  a  sweeping  nia- 

faetsof  the  case  to  be  taken  into  account,  iority,  of  aay  four  to  one.    It  comes 

and  the  European  mitnonarUs  to  be  con-  home  in  this  form ;  but  would  it  really 

atitated  into  a  standing  commitlee  of  Synod,  be  a  majority  with  all  the  Europeans 

with  Jiill  powers  to  organize  a  Church  in  against  it  ?     Clevly  the  vote  of  auch  a 

India,  viith  presbyteries,  synod,  etc.  *  preebyteiy  would  not  be  of  any  value. 

.  At  first  Bight,  the  proposal  first  made  It  is  also  clear  that  it  would  demoralize 

may  appear  the  more  natural;  but  if  tiiom  to  have' to~ consider  money  and 

carefully  looked  at,  it  will  be  found  un-  other  matten  outside  themselves.    There 

workable.    To  establish  Fresbyterianiam,  could  not  be  equality  of  atipends,  for  the 

you  must  have  the  material — mentraiaed  native  could  live  on  one-t«nth  of  what 

in  similar 'circtunstances;  but  the  Euro-  ia  necessary  to  support  a  foreigner.  Were 

peans  and  natives  are  not  so.     Kecall  the  the  salaries  of  the  native  pastors  fiz«d 

position inwhicbthemisaionaryfonndthe  high,  the  Church  in  India  could  not  pay 

native,  and  hia  relation  to  hirn  after  con-  them,  and  money  would  have  to  be  sent 

version.     For  a  long  time  to  come  they  out  from  this  country  for  many  a  long 

must  stand  in  the  relation  of  parent  and  rear.     Again,  if  the  European  element 

child  ;  and  to  destroy  this  would  simply  be  tbe  proper  thing  to  incoiponte,  t^ien 

spoil  the  child,  and  render  the  parent  s  the  Churcii  at  home  must  contanoe  to 

presence  with  him  uselees.     The  parent  send  out  men  long  after  the  Chnrch  ii 

muBt  oversee  bis  child,  and  lead  him  up  eatablished.     This  would  involve  a  great 

fay  proper  education  to  manhood.     And  and  unnecessary  expense,  and  it  would 

when  the  child  seta  lip  bouse  for  himself,  hinder  the   production    of    the   proper 

he  ought  not  to  be  burdened  by  making  agency — a  natire pastorate.   Therewould 

it  laree  enough  both  for  hia  parent  and  be,  in  fact,  but  one  end  to  mieaion  woil 

himseU,    The  Church  in  this  country  in  any  one  given  field,  and  that  wotdd 

wishes  to  see  tiie  Church  in  India  able  to  be  the  beginning.    If  so,  vre  must  give 

care  for  hMBelt  first,  and  then,  working  up  several  of  the  mission  Aelda  already 


"X'u^*^^                           CORRllSPONDEKCE.  223 

occBpied,  an  the  fut  increasiiig  coBt  of  of  their  office.     They  bIbo  could  h&ve 

one  or  two  would  require  all  the  money  matiageis  elected,  and  trAineil  to  the 

tbe  United  PresbTterian  Cborch  could  orerdght  of  all  the  temporal  concemB  of 

raiu.    These  one  or  tiro  miaaonchardtw  the  Church;  and  all  this  with  the  Tiew 

vould  juat  be  all  the  more  feeble,  ac-  of  placing  native  pastors  over  them  as 

eonliDg  to  Uie  amonnt  of  ud  from  the  lOon  as  poiaible.    After  that,  the  pastors 

oalmde.    In  thin  atrange  componod  we  muat  b«  taken  by  the  hand  and  led 

could  point  out  many  more  iooompatible  through  all  their  new  work  again  and 

elenKote ;  but  eoongh.  AK*"!!,  tjll  it  became  natm'at  to  thetn. 

¥hat,  th^   is   to   be   done?      lite  The  individual  miedonary  wo&M  not 

auwer  k  eaey.    Let  the  Church  recog-  only  hare  this  church  to  look  after,  but 

DiBe  the  fact  Uuit  there  are  two  disliuet  also  all  the  neighbourhood,  where,  as 

danents  in  the  migEioa  field,  and  let  her  ChriatiBnity   Bpreads,   there  would   re- 

gire  powets  to  each  aecordinKly-     Let  mure  to  be  native  pairton!  settled.    Thoae 

ifr  cwetitute  the  prtgent  Can/ereTux  of  cliiirche80oaldbeB8nctioced,Uiep»ator8 

Ordained aad  Medical  European  MiuioH'  ordained,   and   the   supplement    deter- 

arit!  into  a  CtmaidtUe  of  St/nod,  lehoM  mined  by  the  cojnmittee,  acting  accord- 

SKrk  tiall  be  to  organise  a  (^urct  in  iog  to  the  general  laws  laid  down  for 

india.    Let  the  Church  send  ont  her  their  gnidsnce  by  the  Board  at  home, 

best  and  most  tnuted  men,  as  OUT  nation  The  individu^  misstonaiy  would,  in 

Hnds  out   ber    re{T«wntatiTes  to  the  hia  own  locality,  be  the  guide  and  coun- 

connsls  of  nations,  with  full  powers  to  eellor,  not  only  of  the  pastors,  bat  of  the 

do  a  Dotain  work  subject  to  the  sending  churches.      Should  any  qnesdos  arise 

paver,  and  wiieii  the  work  is  done  to  which  he  ooold  not  settle,  the  matter 

.  letnra  home.    A  t«mpcffary  measure  is  could  be  brought  before  the  committee, 

required,  and  this  is  a  temporary  ar-  By  it  aU  rulw  affecting  tiie  whole  field 

nngemsoL      It   keepe  cleariy  in  view  could  be  framed,  and  receive  the  aanelion 

tlie  work  to  be  done — planting  a  Chwch.  of  the  home  Church  if  need  be.     To  the 

in  India ;  and  it  allows  nothing  to  enter  home  Church,  also,  any  member  could 

into  the  scheme  which  has  afterwards  to  faring  any  overture  or  appeal    The  Con- 

be  wilkdrawn.     It  maintains  the  preaeDt  ferenoe  have  come   olr^dy,  in  an  in- 

nlation  between  the  Fcredgn  Mission  f^mal  way,  no  doubt,  and  asted  for 

Board  and  the  mism<xiarieB..   Itjjrovidee  subordinate  standards  for  India.     The 

that  the  missicmaries    may  tmng  any  Church  at  home  wonld  do  well  to  give 

orerture  or  appeal  before  the  Synod ;  them  a  nmplc  form  like  that  found  from 

and  it  removes  the  strange  anomaly  of  page  9  to  page  16  of  our  admirable '  Som- 

men  ordained  over  ohnrcbee  having  no  mury  of  rrinciplee.'    This  would  suit  at 

mice  ia  the  Cfaorch  eoorCa.    The  com-  the  ordination  of  eldem  and  ministers. 

ntittea  Ume  constitated  would  just  bear  But  to  return. 

tiie  game  relation  to  the  Synod  and  After  the  separate  congregations  could 
I'oieign  Mission  Board,  as  a  non-self-  manage  their  own  internal  aSairs,  much 
wpptwtfng  presbytery  in  this  oonntry  would  still  require  to  be  done.  Each 
voold  b^  to  the  Synod  utd  Home  minion  district  is  so  large  that  it  would 
tliuion  Board.  It  is,  in  fact,  the  right  require  to  be  formed  into  one  or  two 
the  Chsi^  gives  to  any  of  hw  commit-  presbytOTes,  composed  of  native  pastors 
tees  formed  for  any  work.  They  all  and  their  ^dera.  This  would  require 
have  a  vi^ce'  in  the  Synod,  and  tlicir  still  further  effort ;  and  the  European 
Tcsk  is  the  work  of  the  Synod.  miseicmariee  could  give  them  all  the  rules 
If  we  take  into  account  what  the  and  all  the  as^stance  necessary  in  the 
miesioaaries  alone  can  do  for  the  Church  entirely  new  work.  Again,  all  Bajpoot- 
in  India,  this  will  more  clearly  appear.  .  ana  would  require  to  be  united  into  one 
Besidee,  being  the  mioBspring  in  the  synod.  Tius  tiie  committee  of  Euro- 
work  of  preaching,  of  education,  of  col-  pans  must  do ;  but  if  they  find  a  place 
portage,  and  ot  the  orphanage,  the  in  it  for  themselves,  they  disturb  the 
European  missionaries  must  be  the  tern-  .  expression  of  the  opinion  of  the  native 
porary  pastors  of  the  churches  at  the  pastors  and  elders.  They  must  form  it, 
fltefions  where  liey  live.  They  (iould  and  act  as  counsellora  and  guides  till 
tuive  elders  elected  in  the  proper  way,  precedents  be  established  by  which  the 
and  train  them  to  admit  converts,  and  Church  could  guide  ilseU.  All  this 
otherwise  esercise  the  spiritual  functions  would  require  a  long  time ;   and  the 


224  COBKESPONDEKCE.  '      M.,i7iSa** 

tnomeot  any  imtive  Cburch  could  maa-  peans  could  attend  to  the  ever-vtrjing 

age  taiy  part  of  ita  own  aftairs,  that  teaturea  of  the  field.    It  could  eee  what 

moment  itought  to  be  truat^d  to  do  so,  new  statioaa  require. to  be  opened,  and 

under  tie  general  oversight  of  the  mia-  how  manf  men  are  required  for  each. 

aionaTT.  It    could    petition  the   Board  for  tlie 

While  this  organizing  of  the  Church  needed  men  and  means  for  the  field.    It 

IB  going  on,  the  training  of  agenta  as  could  appoint  the  fit  men  for  the  new 

erangeUate  and  paatora  mnat  not  be  for-  stations,  aa  the  men  and  the  require- 

gotten.    I  have  already  deEcribed  the  menta  are  both  known  to  it    It  could 

present  aaactioned  mode  of  training  see  what  men  were  l^uired  ta^  each  of 
evangelists.     It  works  admirably;  and  ■  the  old  stations.    It  could  determine  the 

all  timt  is  required  is  to  make  it  embrace  departments  of  work  to  he  taken  up  hy 

the  training  of  pastors  also.    Take  some  each  of  two  colleagoes,  and  coold  hold 

of  the  evangelists  who  have  completed  a  them  responsible  only  to  it  alone.    If  a 

four  years'  course,  and  ask  tlietn  to  study  colleague  saw  anything  wrong,  or  what 

a  litUe  longer  before  they  are  ordained,  he  supposed  to  be  wrong,  he  could  appl; 

If  needful,  revise  the  present  books,  add  for  a  committee  of  investigation.    If  a 

newsubjects,  and re-deterpiiae  the quali-  case  were  made  out,  it  should  be.judged 

ficatioDB  neoessary  for  eot^ring  on  this  and  settled  if  possible  in  the  atmosphere 

course.    Let  them  meanwhile  be  trained  where  it  arose.   If  it  conldnot  be  settled, 

in  the  active  work  of  the  field,  where  then,  according  to  its  nature,  in  a  pre- 

they  can  make  use  of  their  knowledge  ^red   form,    it  could  be   sent   to  tin 

aa  tliey  acquire  it.      I.,ct  their  Divinity  Board  at  borne,  or  brought  before  the 

Hail  be  that  of  the  successoiH  of  the  Synod.    Each  missionary  would  thus  be 

nposttes,  and  that  of  all  the  first  mini^  protected  from  personal  attacks,  and  the 

sters  of  any  Church.    Let  tbeir  moral  Board  saved  from  long  cases,  r^arding 

worth,    their  conaistent  life,   their  ac-  which  it  cannot  have  ul  the  facta  or  dr- 

ceptability,  their  wisdom,  their  natural  cumstances  on  which  a  decision  shoiitd 

powers,  and  their  success — the  evidences  depend. 

of  the  Spirit's  call — modify  if  you  will        Alany    other    advantages    could  be 

the  course  of  study  required  at  first.     It  pointed  out;  but  from  what  has  been 

ought  to  be  the  aim  to  have  the  ministi7  written,  it  must  be  abundantly  evident 

as  highly  educated  as  possible.    This  that  there  would  be  great  advantage  in 

only,  however,  means  that  the  ministi?  the  Churdi  at  the  coming  Synod  con- 

are  to  exceed  the  people  in  all  know-  stitnting  the  Conference  of  Eoiq>eRn 

ledge  and  education,  especially  in  divine  Miasibnaries  into  a  committee  to  Oi^anize 

things ;  and  of  courae  it  varies  as  the  a  Church  in  India.    All  that  is  to  be 

standing  of  the  Church.  done  is  to  give  the  Conference  the  powers 

Gradually  the  different  departments  above  described.  Their  work  would  be 
of  work  wOl  come  to  be  managed  by  the  the  work  of  missionaries  aa.  described 
native  Cliurch  itself,  so  that  the  Euro-  in  tbe  Acta  of  the  Apostles  and  in  the 
pean  missionaries  could  confine  them-  Epistles:  '  They  ordained  them  elders  ia 
selves  to  the  training  oF  pastors  and  every  church,'  and  '  delivered  them  the 
evangelists.  Then  probably  one  Divinity  decrees  for  to  keep,  which  were  ordaiaed 
Hall  could  be  for  all.  Halls,  however,  of  the  apostles  and  elders  which  were  at 
are  more  after  the  genius  of  the  Western     Jerusalem.' 

mind  than  the  Eastern.  This,  moreover.  In  the  foregoing  remarks,  I  have  net 
lies  so  fat  in  the  future  that  it  needs  not  brought  forward  anytldng  new ;  but  I 
disturb  the  present.  The  training  of  the  have  tried  to  look  at  the  facts  is  the 
ministry  must  evidently  be  the  last  point  mission  field  as  they  were  looked  at  in 
left,  and  it  cannot  be  given  np  for  a  New  Testament  times,  feeling  sore  that 
good  few  generations.  Still,  where  men  the  more  we  conform  to  New  Testament 
are  found  in  India  fit  to  train  the  yottng  precept  and  example,  the  more  likely  are 
ministry,  their  services  ought  to  be  se-  we  to  have  New  Teatament  success.— 
ciured.  YourB,  etc.. 

Still  further,  this  columitlee  of  Euro-  John  Tiuili.- 


D.n.iized  by  Google 


SELIQIOnS  IKIELLIOBNOE. 


HYMN  BOOKS  FOR  MISSION  STATIONS. 

TO  THE  EDITOR  OF  TH£  UNITED  PRESBTTEBIAN  HAOAZINE. 

SiH,— Now  th&t  the  new  Hymnal  hu  act  m  reoeiTets,  and  forn-ard  the  Hymn 

■Imost  entirely  displaced  the  lonner  one,  Booka  to  the  offices  of  the  Church,  where 

tbere  most  be  many  tboaund  copi«e  of  some  one  would  no  doubt  be  willing  to 

tilt  latter  of  oofurUiernBe  to  theowneia  take  charge  of  them,  and  to  lecelTeap- 

of  them.  plioationa  for  grants. 

It  baa  occoired  to  me  that  the  greater        It  ia  hardly  neceesary  to  point  ont 

part  of  these  might  be  got  for  the  aak-  what  a  boon  theae  wonld  be  \o  miauon- 

ing,  and  might  be  held  at  the  diapoaal  ariea,  providing  them  with  a  '  service  of 

of  our  mtBsionariee  at  home  and  abroad,  praise    which  haa  for  a  quarter  of  a 

who  would  be  entitled  to  a  grant  of  the  centory  been  a  Bonrce  of  oleaeing  and 

number  of  copies  they  required,  in  the  delight  to  our  own  people. — I  am,  yours 

order  of  their  application.  respectfully, 

Hiniatera  coatd,  with  little  trouble,  A  Fresbttebiaii  Elder. 

EDINBURGH  LADIES'  ASSOCIATION. 

TO  THE  EDITOIt  OF  THE  UNITED  PRE3BTTEBIAN  UAOAZIKE. 

Deae  81S, — Will  you  allow  me  through  tbem,  and  to  help  them  to  reach  their 

jour  pages  to  inform  country  miniatera  destination  in  safety. 
BD1I  other  friends,  of  the  existence  of  an        Any  one  commuuicating  with  Mrs. 

Awodation  of  Ladies  in  Edinburgh  for  Dr.  Thomson,  6S  Northumberland  Street, 

the  protection   of    yonns  womrai  who  or  Mrs.  Nairn,  Hermitage,  Murrayfield, 

may  Dome  to  the  oity,  either  in  quest  of  vrill  receive  further  information, 
ntuatiooe,  or  to  enter  on  engagements        The  writer  is  authorized  to  say  that 

tlmdymade?     Theladieanndertake  to  arrangements  of  a  similar  kind  are  being 

wait  the  arrival  of  trains  at  our  railway  made  in  Qlaagow,  and  any  one  com- 

Btations  for  a  day.  or  tico  at  the  old  rounicating    there    with    the    Matron, 

tnd  new  terma,  on  purpose  to  receive  Young  Women's  Christian  AjBOCtation, 

BtnngeiB  on  their  amvaf,  to  wain  them  59  Union  Street,  will  be  attended  to.— 

of  the  temptations  which  may  assail  I  am,  etc., 

A  Heuber  of  the  Associatiok. 


SYNODICAL  ATTENDANCE. 

TO  THE  EDITOR  OY  THE  UNITED  PRESBrTERIAN  MAGAZINE. 

SiK,— It  should  be  generally  known,  and  present  along  with  few  oUiers  when  ,the 

Dioit  be  BO  partially,  that  a  great  bar  to  Synod  was  cToeed  at  a  late  hour  of  night 

Borne  of  OUT   Church   elders   attending  hj  Dr.  Harper.     I  have  read  your  Maga- 

ihe  meeting  of  Synod  is  that  the  fiiac  zine,  page  1^3,  on  this  matter  of  attend- 

week  ot  it  always  inclndea  Widtaonday,  ance. — Yours  respectfully, 
15th  May.    It  haa  always  prevented  me  r,    .^  ir^r.^.,.... 

when  elLted,  excepting  onoe,  whe'n  I  I**™  HEPBURN. 

attended  at  the  tecond  week,  and  was  Perth,  18(A  March  1878. 


Wednesday,  lat  of  May — Mr.  Aochterlonie 

PSBSBrraaiiL  proceed  wo  s.  ^^  preaide  and  addrpis  the  mmiatBr,  Dr. 

Aberdeea.^Tbit  presbytery  met  on  the     Eobaon  to  preach,   and  Mr.  Duncan   to 

3i)i  April,  wben  it  was  intimated  that  Mr.     addresa  the  people.     Mr.   R.  G.  Wilson 

LtwriB  hsd  accepted  Ihe  call  from  the     was  appointed  to  act  on  the  Committee  of 

coDgregation    of     Old    Meldrnm.      Mr.      Billi  and  Oveiturea.    The  preibytery  took 

^wde,  being  pnsent,  delivered  all  his      up  the  resignation  of  the  Bev.   Thomas 

Uiili  for  ordination,  which  was  fixed  for     Brown,    of   NeUon   Street  congregation. 

80.  V.  TOL.  IXII.  HEW  8EBIES.^1IAI  1678.  P 


226  BBLI010C8 INTELLIOENCB.  '"'X*?!*?*' 

Mr.  Broirn  adhered  to  hia  reBignsUon  of  elder,  v»»   appointed  &  member  of  the 

the  charge,  and  t)ie  commisRionerB  from  Sjnod'tCommitteeoii  Bills  and  Orertiirea, 

the  congriEatioD    aeanieseed,    regretiine  and  Hr.  Scatt  wsi  appointed  moderator 

that    Mr,    Brown'a    failing   health    had  of  presbytery  for  the  next  twalre  moniln. 

neceiaiiated  hii  taking  this  step.    It  wit  Mr.  Wa(»on  presented  a  report  on  the 

mored   and  teconded  that  Mr.   Brown's  congregational  atatiaCica  of   the   pruby- 

resignation  be  accepted,   and  he  loosed  tery,  when,  after  remarlu,  it  was  mored, 

from  his   charge.     After  prsTor,  he  was  seconded,  and  aaanimoasl/  agreed,  tlisi 

■attabl;  addressed  b;  the  moderator,  and  the  thanks  of  the  presbytery  be  given  lo 

his  name  taken  from  the  roll  of  presbytery.  Mr.  Watson  for  his  excellent  paper,  and 


:■  applied  for  a  sapply  of    that  Che  farther  consideraCion  of  the  sab- 

Ereachers.     A  circolar  anent  Tbeologieal     ject,  with  remit  of  Synod  on  annnal  risita- 
[all  collection  was  read,  and  the  clerk     tion  of  eongregalions,   be  delayed  nniil 


itrncted  to  communicate  with  tfae  next  ordinary  meeting  of  tho   Synod.— 

sessions  in  the  boonds,  ioqniring  whether  The  presbytery  met  at  Holywell  on  the 

the  collection  had  been  made,  and  report.  II  th  April,  in  terms  of  appointment  The 

According  to  agreement,  the  presbyteiy  H«v.    Archibald    Bmith,   moderator  prv , 

entered  on  a  conference  anent    foreign  Umpore,  read  a  letter  from  Mr.  Lamhen, 

missions.       Afler    dero^onal    exercises,  intimating  his  inability  to  disobai^  the 

the  subject  was  introdnced  by    stirring  duty  appointed  him  at  last   meeting  (^ 

addresses     from     Uessrs.     Young    and.  presbytery,     in     gonseqaence    of    ochet 

Ancbterlonie.      ScTeral  of  the  brethren  engagements,    and    the    presbyten  re- 

And  of  the  ofBce-bearers  present  having  qaesled   Mr.   Walson   to  officiate  in  bii 

expressed  their  views,  the  conference  was  stead,  with   which  request   Mr.   Watson 

closed   with   singing    and    prayer.      Mr.  complied,  and  took  the  chair  accordingly, 

Rankina  read  report  of  statistics  for  year  The  edict  prepared   and  aerved  on  the 

1S77,  showing  an  Increase  of  membership,  congregation  ot  Holywell  was  presented, 

of   incoine  for  ordinary    purposes,    and  and  found  to  be  doty  attested.    The  edict 

specially  of  income  for  missionary  pur-  was  again  read  three  times,  according  to 

poses,  over  the   whole  presbytery.    The  rule,    and   the  ordination  services   were 

report  was  considered  highly  satisfactory,  proceeded  with.     Mr.  Scott,  after  prsjer 

and  an   abstract  was    appointed    to    be  and  praise,  preached  a  sermon  from  Hstt, 

printed  for  circulation  among  the  con-  v.  S:  'Blessed  are  the  pare  in  heart,  for 

(iregBtions. — A  public  meeting  in  connec-  they  shsU  see  God.'    The  clerk  narrated 

tion  with  (he  conference  on  missions  was  the  steps.    Mr.  Watson  put  the  questions 

held  in  Belmont   Street   Charcb   in   the  of  the  formula  to  Mr.  Brown,  condncted 

evening,   presided  over  by  Dr.  Bobson,  in  the  ordination  prayer,  and  afterwards 

when  the  large  audience  was  addressed  addressed  the   minister    and    people   on 

by  Kev.  Mr.  Smith  of  Fraserburgh,  Rev.  their  respective  dnties.    The  ordinatioD 

Dr.  Andrew  Thomson  of  Edinbargh,  Rev.  services  were  closed  w^th  praise,  prayer, 

Andrew  Hopg  from  Jamaica,  and  Bailie  and  the  benediclion.     Mr.  Ballaniyne  wis 

Esslemont  of   Aberdeen.      The   meeting  appointed  to  introduce  Mr.  Brown  to  the 

was   felt  to  be  so  instructive  and  stfmu-  Holywell  session.    The  presbytery  agreed 

latin^  as  to  suggest  the  desirability  of  tike  to  thank  Mr.  WaUon  for  readily  agreeing 

.meetings  being  held  in  the  future.  to  undertake  the  duty  to  which  he  wss 

Annandale. — This  presbytery  met   at  appointed  in  room  of  Mr,  Lambert.    Mr. 

Annan  on  the  26th  March  last — the  Bev.  Hutton  was,  in  terms  of  request,  appointed 

Archibald  Smith,  moderator.    IL  was  re-  toarrangeforthediapensationoftheLord's 

Eorted  that  Mr.  Peter  H.  Laird,  student,  Snitper  at  Wamphray.    Next  meeting  of 

ad    been    engaged    as    missionary    at  presbytery  is  to  be  held  at  Annan  on  the 

Wamphray    for    one   year.      Mr.   John  Tnesday  after  the  fourth  Sabbatb  of  Jnoe. 

Brown,  M.A.,  preacher,  was  present,  and,  Berwiel:, — This  presbytery  net  at  Ayton 

having  accepted  the  call  of  Holywell  con-  on  the  8th  of  April,  for  ordinary  hnsinees 

gregalion,  he  delivered  trials  for  ordina-  and   for  a  conference  on   missions — the 

tion,  including  a  thesis  on  'Does  Saving  Bev.  A.  B.  Bobertson,  moderator.    The 

Faith   consist   simply    in    accepting   the  elders  of  the  varions  confp-^^iions  were 

statements  of  the  Gospel  as  True  ? '  and  invited  to  the  conference.    A  report  of  the 

an  examination  on  theology,  specially  on  distrihniion  of  the  Surptaa  Fund  in  the 

the  atonement ;    which    exercises    being  presbytery  was   laid    on   the   table,  and 

nnanimoasly     sustained,     Mr.     Brown's  attention  was  called  to  a  few  of  the  items 

ordination  was  appointed  to  take  place  in  it     The  aggregate  membership  in  the 

at  Eolywelt,  on  Thursday,  1 1th  April—  congregations  receiving  anlplus  had  in- 

Mr.  Scott  to  preach,  and  Mr.  Lambert  to  creased  dnrine  the  past  year.      Two  of 

preside  in  the  ordination,  and  address  the  Ae  congregations  previously  below   the 

*"'""''"   and    people.      Mr.    Hamilton,  minimum  stipend  of  £300  bad  risen  to  it 


BELIQIODS  INTBLUOEKCB. 


thii  jesr.  A  commaDieaUon  wm  read 
mpcctlDg  ODG  of  the  congregaiioD*  nt 
pmeut  receiring  inpplement,  but  which 

the  pretbj'terir  thinki  ought  to  ba  lelf- 
BoiiidDiag  OD  icconnt  or  ii^  namben  and 
resonrcea.  It  vai  altimaMlj  agreed  to 
BDggeiC  that  the  Home  Miuion  Board 
taaa  ft  depntalian  to  the  congregation 
befora  coming  to  a  decision  in  the  matter. 
Tbs  Bar.  A.  B.  Kobertton,  convener, 
gave  Id  tha  annaal  report  on  itatiBtica, 
from  wbicb  it  appeared  that  the  member- 
ibip  of  the  different  congregaCiona  has 
been  muntaiiied,  and  thai  the  degree  of 
liberaJit;  in  the  aopport  of  ordinancei 
and  for  miiaionary  and  benevolent  pnr- 
poKB  haa  been  coniiderabij  inareaacd 
during  (he  jear.  The  committee  re- 
ceiTed  the  thanW  of  the  preabjtBr]^,  and 
II  agreed  to  '         "'"  '     ' 


in  the  second  Sabbath  of  Jul;.  The  prea- 
bjtcry  proceeded  to  bold  ft  conferenee  oa 
miuioni,  aa  previouslT  agreed  od.  Papers 
on  misiiQns  were  read  bj  the  Bey.  Meiaia. 
Wilson  and  Inglis.  After  the  reading  of 
tbesa  excellent  and  exhanatire  paperi, 
rarioni  Buggeationi  were  thrown  ant  in 
conference  aa  to  the  beat  meana  of  pro- 
moving  an  interest  in  Christian  miaaiona. 
Beiides  the  ministers  and  elders  ot  ibe 
presbjlerj,  a  number  of  elders,  not  mem- 
bers of  coart,  took  part  in  the  conference, 
which  was  felt  to  be  exceedingly  interest' 
ing  and  profitable.  The  Bei.  James 
Han'Ower  waa  'appointed  moderator  for 
tbe  next  six  months,  and  took  the  chair. 
Inqnirj  waa  made  as  lo  the  collection  for 
theTbeological  Hall  Fond,  and  tbe  clerk 
wss  Instracted  to  write  to  the  two  coa- 
gragslions  from  which  no  report  hod  been 
reeeiTcd.  The  roll  waa  adjusted  for  the 
Synod;  and  the  Ber.  R.  C.  Inglia  was 
a|ip(Hnted  a  member  of  the  SjDod's  Corn- 
laittee  on  Bills  and  Overt  urea. 

ftipar. — This  preabf  tarj  met  ia  Bonay- 
gtta  Church  elasi-room  on  the  l«th 
of  April — Mr,  Moriaon,  moderator  pro 
laa.  An  application  was  made  for  a 
moderation  by  Boston  .Charch  (Cnpai), 
which  was  giSinted,  and  Mr.  Anderson 
WM  appointed  to  preside  in  said  modera- 
tion on  the  ii9th  April.  Commissionera 
from.  Bonnygate  Church  (Cupar)  ap- 
peared, and  intimated  that  their  minister, 
the  Bev.  Mr.  Bankine,  had  ezpreaaed  a 
desire  that  a  eoUeagae  might  be  appointed 
to  assist  him  in  the  discharge  of  his  minis- 
terial work,  and  that  his  congregation  had 
cordially  agreed  to  accede  to  his  request. 
The  presbytery  sanctioned  the  orrBiige- 
meats  that  had  been  made,  and  graoted 
supply  of  sermon  as  requested  by  the  com- 
niissioners.    Mr,  Lees  ivos  appointed  to 


Comm: 

porta  were  received  from  congregationi 
that  had  made  the  colleclioa  for  the 
Theological  Hall  for  tbe  current  year. 
Trial  diacouises  were  appointed  to  Hr. 
Lawrence,  student  of  the  third  year,  and 
an  exercise  waa  astigned  to  Mr.  Barron,  of 
the  second  year.  Owing  to  an  unexpected 
preisureof  buaineas,  it  was  agreed  to  delay 


inference  oi 


e  of  religion  ti 


linCed  a  meeting  to  \ 
bnrgh  on  the  mominE  of  Wednesday,  the 
ISih  May,  at  ten  o'clock,  and  the  next 
ordinary  meeting  in  Boston  Church,  on 
the  Tuesday  after  the  second  Sabbath  of 


, of  the  Commiltee  on 

Babbath  Schools  and  Children's  Services, 
repotted  that  a  conference  of  Sabbath 
school  teachers  and  the  snperintandents 
of  childrsn'i  services  had  been  held,  and 
that  it  was  well  attended.  The  presby- 
tery received  tbe  report  and  reappointed 
ihe  committee,  and,  in  view  of  the  great 
importance  of  tbe  subject,  ineirnctea  the 
committee  to  correapend  with  the  mem- 
bers oF  other  evangelical  denominaliona 
in  Dundee,  and  lo  confer  with  them  on 
the  whole  question  of  the  relationship  of 
cbildren'a  aervicea  and  Sabbath  schools  to 
each  other  and  the  Church.  A  letter 
was  read  from  the  Bev.  Dr.  M'Qavio,  in- 
forming the  preabjtery  that  he  had  in- 
limated  to  hii  congregation  bis  wish  to 
he  relieved  oF  all  official  duties,  and  to 
retain  the  status  and  designation  of  their 
senior  minister.  A  letter  from  Tay 
Sqnara  congregation  was  read,  stating 
that  at  ft  meeting  of  the  congr^ation  it 
waa  agreed,  in  terms  of  bis  own  request, 
to  relieve  Br.  M'GavIn  of  all  official 
4laiies  in  connection  with  the  congrega- 
tion ;  also  that  be  ehonid  possess  the 
status  and  deaignation  of  aenior  minister ; 
and  further,  that  aa  senior  minister  he 
ahoald  receive  the  sum  of  £250  per 
annam  as  a  retiring  allowanie.  On  the 
motion  of  the  Ber.  Mr.  Rnssell,  seconded 
bj  the  Bev.  A.  .Miller,  the  presbytery 
acquiesced  in  the  above  arrangementa, 
expressed  their  deep  sympftthy  with  Br. 
M'Oavin  in  his  coQlinued  affliction,  and 
hoped  be  might  yet  be  enabled  to  take 
hia  aeat  at  their  meetings.  It  was  agreed 
to  remit  to  tbe  preebytery'a  Committee 
on  Bisestabliahment  a  circular  from  tbe 
secretary  of  the  Scottish  Council  of  the 
Liberation  Society,  requeeting  Ihe  presby- 


228                                     MJLIQIOnS  INTELLIGENCE.  '""i^'mS?^ 

sent  fsToarable   oppdrtDniEr.     The  Bev.  Bev.     Mr.    Baironr,    RoMheutj,   tmdn 

Mr.  Onham,  conrener  of  the  Augmenta-  irhose  niaistry  Mr.  RobsrUon  wm  tr^Dfd 

tion    of   Stipenda    Committee,    ispoTted  np,  wai  preient,  and  took  part  in  tbs  aet- 

that  tbe  amoant  eoUecied  I'ut  year   in  rices.    The  Ber.  Mr,  Wall  preached  from 

the  praibjterj  waa  £3i3,  beio);  £S0  less  Rom.  xi>.  8:  'We  are  the  Lord'a.'    Tht 

than  tbe  snin  raised  in  1876.     The  report  Her.  Mr.  Macdonald  condncted  the  ordi' 

conclnded  by  luggeiting  that  an  aonual  natioD  aerrice,  and  afcerwardi  addreaeed 

anbicription  for  tbe  Augmentatton  Fund  the  newly-ordained  pattor,  and  the  Set. 

abanld  be  made  in  every  congregation,  Hr.  Wbyte  the  people,  on  their  reipeeare 

and  when  that  waa  not  practicable,  that  dniiea.    There   waa  a' large  attendance, 

there  ahonld  be  an  annual  collection.     It  and   a  'deep  intereaC  waa   abown  in  the 

waa  reported  that  Mr.  R.  Smellie,  Btadent,  aerTicei,  which  were  moat  appropriate  and 

had  agreed   to  labonr  as  nuMionary   at  impteaaire.    At  the  cloM  of  the  public 

Newiyle.  serrices.  the  preabytery  met  for  the  trans- 

MdhAurgh, — This    presbytery    met   in  action   of  ordinary   bnaineas,   when   Mr. 

the  Tonni;  Men'a  Christian  Inatltntion,  Bobertson's  name  waa  added  to  the  roll  of 

It  St..  Andrew  Street,  on  Tnesday  the  Sd  presbytery.     The  attention  of  tbe  pret- 

April — BeT.  Mr.   Marshall,  Bast  Calder,  bytery  haTing  been  called  to  the  drcnm- 

moderator.  OntfaemotionofMr,  Groom,  it  stance   tbat    the    Rev.  Mr.   Bisset   bad 

was  agreed — That,  as  recommended  by  the  departed  this  life  at  Bonmemouth  on  tbe 

presbytery's  Disestablishment  Committee,  IGth  March,  hia  name  waa  taken  from  the 

this  conrt  oTertnre  the   Synod  to   lake  roll  of  the  preabyterj.     Messrs.  Pringle 

sDch  actioa   for  tbe  diaendowment   aud  and  Lind  were  appointed   to  prepare  ■ 

diiestabliabment  of  the  Chnrch  of  Scot-,  minnts  for  inaertion   in  the   record*  ef 

land   as    tbe   Synod  may  see   Gt,      Dr.  presbytery  with  reference  to  the  lamented 

Reid  asked   and   obtained  leaTe  for  the  death   of  Mr.  Biaaet.    The.d^k  stated 

Committee  on  the  Social  State  of  the  City  .  that  tbe  Rev.  Dr.  Gardiner,   Edinbnrgh, 

to  commnnicate  with   the  other  preabj-  had,  in  answer  to  a  letter  that  he  had 

terial  committees  on  the  aubjec),  so  that  written  to  him  aince  last  meeting,  inti' 

they  might  bring  np  a  report  in  n  more  mated  hia  williogneaa  that  the  presbjteiy 

complete  form.    ProfeKaor  Johnston  was  ahonld  nominate  bim  as  their  represen- 

anpoinied  to  form   tbe  members  of  the  tatire  in  the  Misaion  BDBrd.(D.T.)  dnring 

church    worahipping    in     the     reoently  the  foor  years  ending  in  May  ISBa.   Next 

erected   station    at    Portobello,    into    a  meeting  was   appointed   to    be    held  at 

regular  congregation  j  an  interim  session  Forres,  on  Tneiday  after  the  second  Sab- 

alao    was    appointed.  -.Thia   presbytery  bath  of  April  (16lh  April). — The  presby- 

met,   9tb  April,  in   St.   Andrew's  Place  tery  met  at  Forrea— Ber.  William  Hac- 

Chnrch,  Leiih;  for  the  purpose  of  ordain-  donald,  moderator.     The  Rots.  Messn. 

ing  Mr.   David  S.   Henderson,  preacher,  Fringle  and  Lind   having,  m  appointed 

who  ia  about  to  proceed  to  San  Fernando,  at  last  meeting,  prepared  a   minnte  for 

Trinidadj  aa  a  miasionary  of  the  Chnrch,  insertion  in  the  records  of  presbytery  wiib 

The  Rev.  John  Yonn;;,  Newington,  Edin-  regard  to    the  lunented   death    oF  Hr. 

bnrgh,  preached  ;  the  Rev.  Wm.  Morrison,  Bisaet,  the  presbytery  nnanimoiisly  agreed 

St.  Ajidrew's  Place  Chnrch,  presided  at  to  adopt  it,  and  record  it  in  their  minetes 

the    ordination;    and    the  Rer.    George  as  follows; — 'The  presbytery  deeply  feel 

Lambert,  Gretna  (formerly  of  Trinidad),  the  loss  sustained  by  them  in  the  removal 

In  addreaatng  the  yonng  miniater,  kave  an  by  death  of  the  Eev.  John  Bisset,  after 

intereslingacconnt  ofthrsphere  of  Ubonr  a  protracted  affliction,  endured  with  nn-    ■ 

upon  which  he  ia  about  to  enter.     There  murmuring  patience.     He  was  endowed 

was  a  large   attendance  of  members   of  with  rare  intellectnal  talents,  which  were 

Ereabytery,  as  alao  of  others  interested  in  conaecrated  by  him  to  bis  divine  Heater. 
Ir.  Henderson's  career.— This  presbj-  His  preaching  was  of  a  high  order, 
tety  met,  nth  April,  at  West  Calder,  for  thoroughly  evangelical,  showing  a  large 
tbe  iodaction  of  Rev.  James  Wardrop,  acquaintance  with  Scripture  truth,  and 
late  of  Craigend.  The  Bev.  Mr.  Suther-  richly  endowed  with  nnetion  and  imprea- 
lacd,  Dunbar,  preached,  and  the  Rev.  siveness;  while  hia  conduct  was  miiformly 
Andrew  Duncan,  Mid  -  Calder,  presided  such  aa  becomes  a  Christian  and  a  Chris- 
and  addressed  the  congregation  and  the  tian  minister;  and  hia  anassuming  man- 
newly  inducted  minister,  .  ners  served  greatly  to  endear  him  to  his 
Elgin  and  /mjeme**.— This  presbyterv  brethren.'  An  overture  to  the  Synod  by 
met  St  Campbelton  (Ardersier)  on  the  Mr.  J.  H.  Gill,  Forres,  transmitted  by  the 
29tb  March;  for  the  ordination  of  Mr.  session  of  Forres,  with  reference  to  tbe 
Alexander  A.  Robertson,  probationer,  use  of  fermented  or  nnfermented  wins  in 
"  ""  "'  '  '  the  communion,  having  been  read,  il  was 
agreed  to.trauunit  it  to  the  Synod  »t  iu 


'^'^^KtT^                 EELIGIOUS  INIELLIOKSCE.  -  229 

ippraacbiag  neetins.    Mr.  Pringle  haiing  meeting  lo  bs  held  od  "lauitj,  4lb  Jnoe, 

iDoicd,   agrceabtf  to  a  noCioe  girea  by  atll^K. 

Mai  t(  *  foriuer  meeting,  that  tbe  prei-  Oallincay. — TbiBpreibyterjrmetatB'eiT- 
b;tei7  take  Btepa  for  a  mofement  similar  lon-Sieirart  on  9ih  April— Mr.   Walun, 
10  vbu  bag   been   recently  carried  into  modeiator  pro  I«m.     DeTOtional  exercites 
iSect  in  Elgin  witb  deiitable  reiulta,  in  the  were  conducted  hj  Mr.  Sqnair.    A  letter 
dihir  districtB  of  tbe  preebytery,  for  the  from  Dr.  Mairanent  joDngperaonichBDg' 
imie  of  intoxicating  liqnore  on  occasion  ing  their  residence  was  read  and  approred. 
of  funerals,  ts  well  m  during  tbe  interval  Tbe  clerk  laid  upon  tbe  uble  transferonce 
bstmten  death  and  Inlerment,  tbe  motion  from  the  PresbjterT   of  Glatgow  to  thia 
■u  naaaimoasly   agreed   to.      A   com-  presbytery  of  Mr.  John  M.  Waliou,  »u- 
mimicBtiDn  having  been   read  from  the  dent,  who  baa  finisbed  bis  coursb  at  the 
Monjshire  Farmers'  Clob  with  regard  to  Hal!.     Subjects  as  trials  for  licence  were 
^      iBcnmenial  fast  days,  a  committee  was  assigned  him.     The  atlentian  of  the  pres- 
sppoiated,  consisting  of  Bev.  Messn.  Lind  bytery  was  called  to  the  collection  for  tbe 
and    Robson,    with     Messrs.    Raff   and  Theological  Hall,  which  ongbt  to    have 
Cmickshanks,  elders,  to  consider  the  mat-  been  made  in  all  the  congregations  during 
UT  sod  report  at  a  future  meeting.     Mr.  the  month  of  March,     The  clerk  laid  apon 
Wb;i«  WW  appointed   a  member   of  tbe  the  table  the  eiaiieiics  of  tbe  presbytery 
Spod't  Committee  on   Bills  and   Uref  for  the  j ear  ending  31st  December  1877, 
imes  at  llie  ensuing  meeting.   Mr.  Sobsan  from  which  it  appeared  that  the  member- 
liimg  mored  that  an  orertars  be  pre-  ship  was  I73B,  being  an  increase  on  tha 
senied  in  ibe  Synod   at  its  approaching  year  of  S4.    The  income  fur  ordinary  pur- 
meeting  in  faronr  of  Disestablishment,  the  poees  andrepairi,  £gOS3,  19l.  Sd., being  an 
moiioQ  vas  ananimously  agreed  to.    Next  increase  of  £58,  19s.  S^d. ;  for  missionarj 
mtenng  wai   appointed    to  be    held   at  and  beneToleut  purposes,  iGieS,  8s.  G^., 
Naim,    on    Taeaday    after   the    second  being  an  increasa  of  £41,  5s.  Gd.  ;  and  for 
Bibbathof  June.  all  purposes,   jCSSSO,   Ts.  TJd.,  being  an 
Faliiri. — This  presbytery  met   on  ad  average  per  member  for  ordinary  purpose* 
April  —  Uev.   George  Wade,  moderator,  of  £1,  3s.  Sfd.;  formisslonary  purposes,  of 
Tbe  Rev.  Charles  Jerdan,  LL.B.  (clerk),  Si.  IJd. ;  and  for  all  pmposes,  £1,  9s.  Id, 
■>■  appointed  to  moderate,  on  the  ISih  Besides  the  above,  tbe  sum  of  £MS5,  IBs. 
insunt,  in  a  call  ton  colleague  to  tbe  bos  been  raised  for  the   new  church   at 
RiT.  Hugh  Baird,  Cumbernanld.     It  was  Newton-Stewart.     Next  meeting  of  pres- 
Eisied  tbat  the  Cnmbemanld  congregation  bytery  lo  be  held  at  Newton -Stewart  on. 
cSer£5D  per  annum  as  a  retiring  allowance  Tuesday  after  the  first  Sabbath  of  June, 
to  the  senior  minister,  with  manse  and  OlatgoW. — This    presbytery    met    on 
pnlen,  and   propose   to   give  £80  from  Monday,  8th  April— Rer.  Mr.  Thomson, 
iheirourn  resources  to  the  junior  minister.  Plantation,   moderator.      The  Ber.   Mr. 
is  tbe  bope  that  big  stipend  may  be  sup-  Ferguson's  case  was  under  consideration, 
pigmented  from  the  fun^  of  the  Church  Mr.    Ferguson    having    spoken  at    con- 
iDd  otherwise  to  the  minimum  of  £200  siderable  length  on  the  form  and  nature 
perinnnm.    Tbe  presbytery  unanimously  of  the  libel  which  had  been  served  on 
igreed  to  petition  Parliament  in  reference  him,   it   was   agreed,   on   the  motion  of 
la  Sir  Alexander  Gordon's  notion  for  in-  Dr.    Black,  to  adjoam   farther   prosecn- 
qsirj  regardiug  the  Presbyterian  Churches  tion  of  the  case  tilL  Monday  tbe  ISih. — 
ofScotlnud.to theefiect that nonewlegia-  This  presbyteiy  met,  9th  Ap.ril.     It  was 
UUon  will  be  satisfactory  to  this  Chnrcb  agreed    to    loose    Mr.   Alston,   Cathcan 
or  to  the  nation  which  does  not  involve  Rosd,    frota-  bis    present    charge,    and 
ibe  complete   disestablishment  and   dis-  translate  him  to  tha  charge  at  Carluke. 
endowment  of  the  existing  State  Church.  Calls  from  the  congregations  of  Storno- 
TheBev.  John  L.Mnnro,B.D., submitted  way  and  Fortreb  in  favour  of  Mr.  Roberl 
ihe  annual  report  of  the  Committee  on  M'MasCer,  M.A.,  probationer,  Edinburgh, 
Statistic*,  iVom  which  it  appeared   tbat  were    unanimously  sustained.      A  com- 
doring  tbepaet  year  most  or  the  congre-  municatiou   was   read   from  the  trnstecE 
ptioni  in   the  presbytery  hod  made  a  and  managers  of  tlie  Qreyfriars  Church, 
gratifying  adTance  in  liberality.    Agreed  with  reference  to  tbe  occapation  of  that 
ID  transmit  a  petition  to  the  Synod  from  church  by  the  presbytery  for  its  meetings, 
(be  congregation    of  Bo'ness,   presented  and  calling  attention  to  the  fact  that  the 
bj  the  Rev.  Samuel  Sleath,  praying  the  presbytery  had  on  several  occasions  re- 
Supreme  Court  to  revise  the  Buboroinata  ccntly  adjourned  to  the  cburch  without 
ilsQdard)    of    the    Chnrcb.      Appointed  receiving  their  sanctiou,  or  without  ae- 
Rev.  Jame*   Aitchison   lo  represent  tbe  kuowledgiug    that    they   had    done    so. 
prubytery   on. the  Committee   on    Bills  They  proposed   that- the  presbytery   get 
and  Overtares,    Appointed  next  ordinary  .  tbe  use  of  the  pretest  place  of  meeting, 


230  ■  KELIOIOtrS  INTELLIGEKCE.  '     JfcjTO""^ 

with  the  ■mailer  rooms,  for  £35  per  Tsar,  ils  inipeGtioQ  to  diacoDtinae  them,  u  iba 

bat  that  the*  have  no  power  to  adjoam  presbytery  'rej^arded  them  ai  tending  id 

to  the  chnrch.      The  offer  wm   Rccepted  foster  e  spirit  of  gambling,  and  were  in- 

io  the  meantime,  and  a  committee  was  jnrione  to  the  beat  interests  of  sodeij. 

appointed  to  take  the  vhole  inbject   of  It  iraa  also  agreed  to  intimate  this  deeUion 

accommodation    for    meetings  iulo  con-  to  the  rarioiu  lestions  in  the  presbjterj. 
sidaration,   and  to  report.      Dr.   Brown         HanuUoit.  —  This    preabjlerj   met  on 

then  moTed,  with   reference   to  the  dis-  the  SGth  Harcb — the  Est.  Mr,  8beanr, 

cnssion  on  the  prerions  daj,  that  a  com-  caoderator.    There  was  laid  on  the  libls 

mittee  be  appointed  to  look  onl  for  larger  reaaoni  of  dissent  bj  Mr.  Andrew  Wilson, 

-accommodation  during  tbe  farther  prose-  representatirs    elder,    Motherwell,   from 

cation  of  the    Bct.   Fergu*    FergnMn't  the    finding   of   the    presbjteij   in   the 

cue.     He  thonght  it  would  be  a  pit;  to  Motherwell    Wine    Case,    on    the   I2tK 

limit  the  accommodation   to    that   ball,  Febmarj  last,  and  tbe  clerk  was  instmcteit 

when   Mr.  Fergus  Fergoson's  congrega-  to  place  them  on  the  record.      Read  t 

tion  and  the  whole  United  Pretbjterian  reference  from  the  session  of  Motbenrcll 

commaoity    were    so    mocb    interested  Chnrch,   for  advice  as   to   their   hiving 

in    the    proceedings.      Bev.    Mr.   Welsh  agreed,  bj  a  majoritj,  to  make  proTision 

•econded.      Dr.   Logan   AikEaan   moved  for  those  who  had  applied  for  nnfermented 

that  the  presbjtery  eontinne  its  deHbera-  wine  at  the  aaerament,  at  a  meeting  of 

tionsintiie  present  ball,  and  Dr.  Bobert  leaaion  on  the   Iftth  Febrnarj,   and  the 

JeCTrej  seconded.     Several  members  ob-  rnling  of  lbs  moderator  of  leasion  tliat 

jected  to  meeting  in*  larger  place,  on  the  this  motion  was  incompetent,  and  cocld 

groand  that  their  delibemtions  wosld  be  not    therefore    be   pnt    to   the  meetioi;. 

intermpted    bj    the    aedienee,   and    the  Two  of  the  msjoritj  ■of  tbe  sessioD,  and 

motion  made  by  Dr.  I>ogan  Aikman  wag  atao  tbe  moderator,  were  heard  on  tlie 

carried  bj  thirty -six  Io  thirteen.     The  subject.      After    long  deliberation,  Ur. 

clerk  read  a  letter  frooi  the  presbytery  of  Morton  moved,  and  Mr.  Trench  seconded, 

Orkney,    calling    attention    to    circnlara  that  the  presbytery,  witboat  pronoondng 

■aid  to  be  sent   to   Ike  varions  United  any  opinioa  on  the  question  raised  in  the 

Presbyterian  congjegatioQs  by  the  Queen's  reference,  now  declare  ite  recommenda- 

Pork  (Olasgow)  congregation,  asking  them  tion,  at. the  meeting  with  the  congregation 

to  petition  the  Synod  for  the  reviaion  of  at  Motherwellon  the  lath  Febmary.tobe 

the  atandarda.     The  circular  referred  to  an  iDJnnccion.     It  was  alao  moved  by  Hr. 

in  the  letter  did  not  beartbat  it  waj  istued  Brace,  and  seconded  by  Mr.  Donaldson, 

by  the  Qneen'i   Park  congregation,  and  that  with  reference  to  the  request  for  in- 

tbe  prAbyteiy  in  tbe  cirenmstancea  agreed  formation  as  to  the  eompetency  of  tbe 

to  ask  the  Qaeen's  Park  congregation  for  motion  referred  to,  the  presbytery  do  not 

an  explanation.     A  memorial  respecting  feel  called  upon  to  give  any  formal  de- 

rafBas  or  lotteries   at   baiaats  was  read  liierance  in  the  matter.      The  vote  was 

from    the   Kent    Road    aession.      Tbe  taken  between  tbe  two  motions,  when  it 

memorial  aet  fordi   that   their  attention  waa  found  that  six  voted  for  the  one,  and 

having  been  called  to  the  practice,  which  six  for  tbe  other.    Tbe  moderator  then 

was  or  questionable  legality,  and  exercised  gave  hii  castrng  vote  in  favour  of  tbe  fint 

a  bad  inflnence  upon  those  taking  pan  in  motion,  which   wai   accordingly  coiried. 

them,   they    memorialised    the  conrt   to  Agaioat  this  decision,  Hr.  WilMn,  repre- 

istue  a  recommendation  to  the  effect  that  aentatiie  elder  from  Molbetwell,  protested, 

when  congregations  feel  It  e^ipedient  to  and  appealed  to  the  Synod.     The  clerk 

resort  to  baiaars,  lotteriea  orraffles  ahonid  laid  on  the  table  protest  and  appeal  by 

not  be  allowed.     Dr.  Bobert  Jeffrey  said  Mr.  John  Colville,  a  member  of  aeaaion 

thalinl867,  tbepresbytery,aitheioatance  (rf  Motherwell  congregation,  against  tbe 


Society,  declared  that  lotteries  tended  to  vegaA  to  the  comrnQoion  wine  qneation,  at 
foster  a  spirit  of  gambling,  were  injurions  a  meeting  on  ISih  February.  The  protest 
to  the  beat  inlereata  of  aociety,  and  were  and  appeal  waa  read,  and  Mr.  Colville 
opposed  to  the  law  of  (be  land,  and  re-  beard  in  aupport  of  the  same.  After  de- 
commended  tbe  diacontinoanee  of  them.  liberation,  the   preabytery  diamiaied  the 


He  thonght  that  recommendation  covered  proieat  and  apoeal,  because,  in  acconlance 

the  preaent  caae,  and  moved  accordingly,  with  their  decision  of  ISCh  February,  the 

Dr.  Logan  Aikman  eeconded.   Dr.  Tonng,  moderator    of    Motherwell    session    was 

Dr.    Brown,    Dr..   George   Jeffrey,    Mr.  quite   eotitled  to  rule  a  motion  Incom- 

Welsh,  and  others  expressed  themselves  potent   which  wonld   have   raised  anew 

thoroughly  against  the  practice  of  haTiitg  the   agitation,  before  the  session  bad  an 

ratBes  or  lotteries  at  bazaars,  and  it  was  expresaed  wiab  of  a  majority  oT  tbe  cc 

■greed  to  recommend  to  the  people  under  gregation  for  a  change  in  the  cc— —""' 


^""M^iim"'^  EEUQIOCB  INTELLIOEKOE.  231 

elemBBts.     Agiinit   thU    dacuioD    Mr.  Uiuion  Boird.    2d.  Tb«  rBEiiUtion  and 

Colnlte  protettcd,  and  appealed  to  tha  control  of  the  annDal  ezpenditiin,  and,  if 

Sjiftod,  and  orared  eitracta,  wbicb  were  neceiaaiy,   the  praeiieabilitj  of  limiting 

graatad.      K«vs.   Measn,   Andenon  and  the  number  of   oar   miHiona.     Si.  The 

Morton  were  appointed  to  support   the  appointmeiit  of  periodical  deputation*  to 

iboTs  declBioDi  at  the  approachioK  meet-  iisit  dtemiwioD  fields.   4th.  Thesmnge* 

ing  of  Bjnod.     Tbe  presbjter;  thanked  menta  made  with  medical  miMionariea 

the  einnmittee  who  hare  had  the  charge  6th.  The  wider  eircnUtion  of  tha  minntci 

of  tha  atitions  at  Bumbank  and  Btotie-  of  the  Board.    6tb.  The  coDdaotina  and 

field  for  their  attention   to   the  matters  circulating  of  the  miuionary  periodicalt. 

connected  with  them  ;  and  at  tha. former  Tbe  Bar.  Qeorge  Morria  reported  od  be- 

ii  now  under  the   cbarge  of  Baffronhall  half  of  the  Evangeliitie  CommlttMu  that 

leuion,  and  the  latter  under  the  charge  ten  congregations  within  the  boanda  had 

of  Cimbuslang   eeBsion,   tbe    committee  taken   part   in    special  crangaliatic  and 

wta  ditcharged.      Mr,   Dnncanson,  con-  mission  work  during  the  pati  year.    Tbe 

tener  of  the  Committee  on  Statistics,  laid  preshjterj  ezpreaseo  conliDued  interest  in 

ui  tha  table  two  abstracts  of  the  statistics  such  work,  and  instructed  their  committee 

within  the  bounds  of  the  pteibjteij  for  on  thie  snbject   to  ascertain  the  tbHooi 

Isiljesr,  and  the  thankaof  thepreabjterir  districts  within  the  bounds  where  special 

were  tendered  to  him  for  hia  attention  to  effbrta  maj  be  adTantageousW  made  dnr- 

Ais  matter.     The  preabTtery  agreed  to  ing  the  summer  months,  and  put  them- 

bold  their  annnal  missionary  and  prayer  lelres  in  commnnicatian  with  the  profes- 

■neetingon  the  S3d  of  April,  and  appointed  sors  charged  with  making  arrangemeott 

Uetsn.  Suncanson  and   Cowan  to  lead  for  evangelistic  work  by-  the  theological 

their  derotions  on  that  occotion.  stodenis  during  the  recess,  with  tbs  view 

Kilmamoek.- — This  presbytery   met   on  oF  employing  one  or  more  alndenta  aa  cir- 

Blh  April^Ber.  John  Forrest,  moderator,  cumstances  require.     Hr,  George  Copland 

Gnnied  a  moderation  in  a  cell   to  the  reported  that  tbe  Augmentation  Commit- 

ungregalion  of  MairXirk,  and  appointed  tee    had     visited  several    congregations, 

Mr.  H'Donald  to  preach  and  preside  on  and  held   special  meetinga  with  SEsaions 

the  ereningorUonday,  6ch  Hay.  ARreed  and  managers,  that  meetings  with  oiber 

to  recommend  petition  to  tbe  Home  Board  congregslions  will  yet  be  held,  and  that, 

for  lupplement  to  tbe  stipend.    Receired  as  a  resalt,  a  liiger  contribution  to  the 

irsniference    of    Hr.    Itobert    Peterson,  Aagmentation  Fund  may  be  expected  this 

Blndeut,    from   the   Presbytery  of  Edin-  year.   Tbe  presbytery  recommended  mem- 

bnrgh.    Agreed    to    recommend    to    tbe  bers  of  court^to  gire  all  facilities  to  the 

Sjnod  the  petition  of  Mr.  David   Gray,  committee  to  advocate  the  claims  of  the 

pieecberoftbeOriginal  SecessionChnrcfa,  fund  before  the  office-bearers  and  mem- 

10  be  received  to  the  status  of  a  preacher  hers  of  tha  congregations  in  the  bounds, 

of   the    United     Presbyterian    Cbnrch.  Agreed   to    consider   reaolntiona  of   the 

Agreed  also  to  recommend  the  petition  of  presbytery's   Committee  on   Diseatabtish- 

Mr.  William  H.  Wright,  stndent  of  the  ment  at  tbe  Jane  meeting  of  presbytery. 

third  year  at  tbe  TheolDgical  Uall,  to  be  Read   circular  anent  Surplus  Aogmenta- 

meiTed  hy  tha  Synod  as  a  student  pre-  tion  Qranl.    Agreed  to  express  satiifacti on 

pired  for  licence  as   a  preacher  of   the  with  tbe  results  of  that  tchetae  during  the 

tJcited  Presbyterian  Cbnrch,  with  a  view  past  year,  in  raising  so  many  stipends  to  a 

lo  ha  placed  on  tbe  list  of  probationers,  minimum  of  £200,  with  a  manse.    Cor- 

Hesrd  the    annnal  report  on    statistics,  diillytbankUr.  Morton  and  his  commit- 

from  which  it  appeared  that  whilst  there  tee  for  their  personal  liberality  and  active 

was  a  slight  decrease  of  membership  in  efforts    to   promote    the    success  of  the 

the  congregations  within  the  bounds,  there  scheme,  and  recommend  congregations  in 

wu  a  decided  increase  in  tbe  attendance  the  district  to  give  liberal  support  to  the 

on   ordinances,   prayer    meetings,    Bible  fond.  Appointed  tbe  clerk  and  Mr.  Robert 

elssKs,  Sabbath  schools,  and  in  contribu-  Mackie,   elder,  members  of  the   Synod's 

■ions  for  all  purposes.     Took  up  commit-  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures.    Read 

tee's  report   on  foreign   missions.     After  circular  from  Finance  Committee  anent 

discuuion,  the  presbytery  agreed,   bj  a  collection  for  Theological  Hall  Fond,  and 

majority  of  36  to  3,  to  overture  the  Synod  instructed  congregations  who  had  not  yet 

to  take  into  coDoideration  the  propriety  made  their  annual  collection  for  this  fand 

of  appointing  a  committee  to  inqnire  into  to  do  so  as  soon  as  possible.     Agreed  to 

the  working  of  the  foreign  missions  con-  give  cordial  thanks  to  Thos.  Bi^ari,  Esq. 

nected  with  the  Church,   and   that  said  of  Dairy,  for  bis  gift  of  acopy  of  the  pub- 

comnittee  should  be  instructed  to  consider  lication  entitled  Tht  Orace  of  Qivmg   to 

■nch  points  as  the   following: — 1st.  Tbe  every  family  in   the  membership   of  ihe 

constiiution  and  working  of  the  Foreign  chniches  of  tbe  presbytery.     Mr.  Murray 


232                         EELiaions  xntelliqemce.  "'Xumi 

reported  that  a  fourth  elden'  utodation  of  the  Commtttee   on  Dijeatabliahnient, 

wiibin  the  boandi  bed  b«en  formed  for  inhmiited  a  aeries  of  resolnLioni  nconi- 

the  EUmarnock  district.    Appointed  next  mended    by  the    committee,    wbicb   ilie 

meeting  lo  be  brid  on  the  leeondTnesila;  preibjterj  agreed  to  adopt.   It  woa  agreed 

of  Jnne.  to  OTerliire  tbe  STiiod  on  the  sabjecl,  and 

Kirkeaidy, — This    presbyteir  met    at  Meaira.  Uartin  and  Qalhrie  were  appoiDted 

Kirkcaldy,  Bib  Jan.— Rer.  Bobert  Dick,  to  rapport  tbe  OTertnre.    Mr.  Train,  con- 

moderator.     Mr.  Thomson  reported  that  reaeroflheCommitteeonSabbaibSchoolj, 

he  had  preached  and  moderated  in  a  call  save  ia  the  report  of  the  committee  on  ths 

in  BetbelSeld  Chnicb,  on  the  eTening  of  Synod's  remit.      It  was  agreed  to  adopt 

Monday,  ITth  December.     The  call  «ai  tbereport,  and  transmit  it  to  thecpUTener 

Bddre«sed  to  the  BeV.  Isaac  E.  Marwick,  of  the  Synod's  Commiicee.  The  deik  laid 

Loaaead9,IreUind,sabBcribedby  363  mem-  on  the  table  of  tbe  presbytery  a  statement 

hers  and   60   adherents.      The  call   waa  relating  to  the  congregal  ions  niihia  the 

sustained,  and  tbe  clerk  instructed  to  Tor-  bounds  whose  mJDisten  are  included  iu 

ward  it,  with   the  reasons   for   tranila-  the  present   distribution  of  the  Sarples 

lion,  to  the  Fretbytery  of  Ireland.    Mr.  f  ana.    Tbe  presbytery  agreed  to  ezpreta 

Smith  reported  that  he  had-  preached  and  their    satiifBciion   with    the  meaiore  oF 

moderated  in  a  call  at  Crail.     The  call  success  by  which  this  important  seheuiB 

was  addressed  to  the  Rct.  J.  C.  Jackson,  has  beeh  attended ;  their  gratitude  lo  the 

Elgin  Street  Church,  OlMgow,  snbicribed  friends  whose  great  liberality  has  contii-* 

by  92  members.    The  caU  was  sustained,  baled  to  this  snccess;   and  eepecialty  to 

and  the  clerk  inttracted  10  forward  it,  with  record  their   thanks   to   Mr.    Morten  of 

reasons  for  translatioa,  to  the  Preabytery  Greenock,  who«e  eSbrte  on  behalf  o!  the 

of  Glasgow.    A  petition,  subscribed  by  41  scheme  have  been  so  great  and  to  signally 

Crsons  residing  in  the  neighbourhood  of  blessed, 
inghborough  Boad,  Kirkcaldy,  for  sup-  Mttrote. — This  presbjtery  met  on  ih« 
ply  of  sermon  in  the  new  place  of  worship  seth  of  February,  in  Selkirk,  for  the  ordi- 
sooQ  to  he  opened  there,  was  preiented,  nation  of  Mr,  M'Callum  to  the  pattont 
which  the  presbytery  nnanimouslf  agreed  charge  of  the  West  Church  there.  Mr. 
to  grant. — This  presbytery  met  at  Leren,  Faterson  preached  the  sermon,  and  Ur. 
5ih  Febroaiy.  The  Rev.  Isaac  E.  Mar-  Sterenson  presided  and  gave  tbn  addresses. 
wick  haling  aceepled  of  the  call  addressed  Thereafter  about  a  hundred  gentlemen  sjt 
to  bim.by  toe  congregation  of  BethelBeld,  dowa  to  dinner  in  the  Union  Hail.  A 
his  induction  waa  appointed  to  take  place  most  delighifol  soiree  was,  held  in  the 
on  Tuesday  the  !6[h  February.  Agreed  charch  in  tbe  eTentng.  A  timepiece  wu 
to  ped^on  Parliament  asunat  tbe  Con-  presented  to  Mr.  Sterenson,  who  aeeu' 
tagious  Diseases  Aot«.~rTbia  presbytery  pied  the  chair,  for  bis  servicee  as  mode- 
met,  S6th  Febraary.  Mr.  Jackson  baring  rator  daring  the  Tacaiicy,  and  a  pulpit 
accepted  the  call  to  Crail,  hi*  induction  gown  to  the  yoeng  minister,  and  a  sitrer 
was  appointed  to  take  place  on  Tuesday,  tea  service  to  Mrs.  M'dallum.  Messrs. 
I9Ih  March,  Tbe  presbytery  then  pro-  Bobson{Laader),Wilson(SiowX Cameron 
ceeded  with  the  induction  of  the  Rev.  E.  (Glasgow),  Taylor  (Kilwinning),  Burnt 
Marwick  to  the  pastoral  charge  of  Bethel-  (Linlithgow),  LawBon  (Selki^),  and 
field  congregation.  The  Rev.  John  Clark  others  were  present,  and  took  part  in  the 
preacbed,  the  Rev.  B.  Fisher,  moderator  proceedings,  Tbe  presbytery  appointed 
•pro  fern.,  inducted  and  addressed  the  supply  to  Mr.  Yonng'spoliiitBt  Newtown, 
minister,  and  the  Rev.  James  Pittendrigh  owing  to  his  being  laid  aside  by  ill  health, 
addressed  the  congregation.— The  preshy-  Mr.  Orr  gave  notice  for  next  meeting  of 
-It  Crail  for  the  induction  of  the  an  orennre  to  the  Synod  as  follows  :- 


'£ 


Rer.  John  C.  Jackson,  19th  March.    The  'That  tbe  Presbytery  of  Melrose  humbly 

sermon  was  preacbed  by  tbe  Rer.  Iiaac  overture  tbe  Synod  to  take  into  considen- 

E,  Marwick,  the  Rer.  James  Pittendrigh,  tion  (he  desirability  of  an  alteration  in  the 

moderatorprotem.,indaeted  and  addressed  law  regarding  libel  for  heresy  at  the  in- 

Ihe  minister,  and  the  Rev.  W.   Guthrie  stance  of  presbyteries,  so  far  as  that  re> 

addretsed  the  congregation. — ^Tbis   pres-  qairev    sospenBion     from    office    of   the 

'  'tety  met  again  at  Kirkcaldy,  9d  April —  scented  partv  before  the  libel  hat  been 

er.  Daniel  Douglas,   moderator.     Mr.  drawn  up  and  itB  relevancy  snstunvd,  and 

Pittendrigh  gave  in  the  annual  report  on  so  far  as  it  makes  such  suspension  obliga- 

Btatistics,  from  which  it  appears  that  thcro  tor;  instead  of  diseretioDary  on  the  part 

bad  been  encouraging  progress  in  various  of  tbe  presbytery.' — Met  again  on  itiu  Sd 

particulars   during  the   past  year.     The  ofApnL — Mr.  Pollock,  moderator.     Inti- 

reportwasreceiiea,  the  committee  thanked  mation  was  given  from  Mr.  Young,  New- 

for  their  labours  and  re-appointed — Rev.  town,  of  the  resignation  of  bis  cbarae  on 

R.  Dick,  convener.    Mr.  Martin,  convener  accoont  of  continited  inditposition.  Much 

D3t.z.d^yGOOg[C 


SEUQIOUS  INTELLIGEIfCE. 


fjmpatb]r  wu  expruted  for  bim  in  hit 
*ffliciion,  and  bii  congreguioD,  who  an 
Terj  griKtly  AiUched  to  their  faithful 
_,_! —     Me«nliine,  further  mpply  wa» 


SleienlOD,  Finlajaon,  miDiiten, 
Dann  and  Tniubnll,  olden,  to  confer  wiih 
Mr.  YoDDg  end  the  coDRregation  ■(  incli 
lime  u  ahall  be  conrenient  for  both.  Hr. 
WiliDii,  convener  of  Btetistics,  Babmitted 
ibe  report  thereon  for  taai  year,  which 
give  on  the  wbole  very  satiifaeloiy  atate- 
mcnta  on  the  matter  condesceaded  upon. 
Hiiing  obtained  cordial  tbanki  for  bii 
»oik  herein.  Hi.  Wilson  resigned  the 
coDienerebip,  to  which  Ur.  Patenon  wm 
elected.  Mr.  Orr  gpoke  in  eupport  of  bit 
oTennre  of  laat  meeting,  wfaicb  wai 
seconded  hj  Mr.  Finlajion.  Mr.  Wilaon 
DiDTedu  «a  omendmeiit,  'That  it  wa>  io- 
ejipcdient  at  the  present  time  to  tranemit 
Inch  an  OTertore,'  nbich  was  leconded  bj 
Mr.  Cockbnm,  and  which,  on  the  vote 
being  taken,  waf  carried  over  ibe  motion 
by  ■  majority  of  one,  Mr.  Orr  declined 
10  tike  himself  the  responsibility  of  lend' 
ing  on  tbe  overture,  but  promised  to  bring 
it  np  at  tome  fntore  time. 

O™^.— Tbie  preabjter;  met  at  Kirk- 
wall on  the  Ift  April— Mr.  Allardice, 
moderator.  The  clerk  stated  that  be  had 
receiTed  a  letter  from  Mr.  Brown,  declin' 
icg  the  call  addreMcd  to  bim  by  tbe  Shap- 
iusbay  coojcregatioo.  The  call  was  set 
aiide  accordingly.  A  letter  was  read  from 
Mr.  Laing,  M.F.,  annooneing  chat  be  bad 
received  Lhe  petition  by  the  presbytery  for 
the  repeal  of  the  Contagious  Bisetset 
Acit,  which  he  would  hare  pleasure  in 
pietenting  to  Parliament.  Mr.  Reid,  as 
coDTBner  of  the  Committee  on  StatiBtics, 
iDbmiiied  the  annual  ttatemenl*  from 
which  it  appeared  that  on  most  of  tbe 
ilemi  there  was  an  increase.  The  report 
WIS  adopted,  and  the  convener  of  the  com- 
Bittee  thanked  for  his  trouble  in  preparing 
ll.   Ur.  Kirkwood  and  otber  membert  of 

of  the  Qneen'i  Park  congregation,  Qla*- 
eow,  in  reference  to  the  case  of  lier. 
Fergus  Fei^oson  and  the  revision  of  the 
■landardB,  thej  having  sent  forma  of 
peiitions  to  the  preses  of  the  congrega- 
liins,  requesting  them  to  get  these  signed 
and  forwarded  to  W,  B.  Crawford,  Esq. 
Afur  full  discussion,  Mr.  Webster  pru- 
poied  tbe  following  motion,  which  was 
unBDimouely  agreed  to :  >Tbat  the  atten- 
tion of  tbe  preebyteiy  having  been  called 
■o-certain  forms  of  petition  aent  oat  by 
Qaeen's  Park  congregation,  Glasgow,  10 
the  preaes  of  eongregationi  in  this  presby- 
■^i?,  agree  to  recommend  that  no  attention 
^  given  to  them,  and  also  to  call  [be 


!33 

attention  of  tbe  Glasgow  Presbytery  to  the 
fact  that  tbe  procednre  of  tbe  said  congre- 
gation under  its  jurisdiction,  in  respect  to 
the  sending  forth  of  Ifaesa  forms  of  peti- 
tion, is  calculated  to  produce  strife  and 
dlTision  in  the  congregations  of  tbe 
Church.'  The  presbytery  then  met  in 
private.  The  next  meeting  to  be  held  at 
Kirkwall  on  the  Qrst  Tuesday  of  July. 

Pauley  and  Oreenoci. — This  presbytery 
met  at  Paisley,  .16lh  April.  Appointed 
the  ordination  of  Mr.  James  Black  at 
Lncbwinnoch,  6th  May.  Granted  modera- 
tion to  St.  Andrew  Square,  Greenock, 
on  30th  April,  and  cordially  recomtnend 
a  petition  .  for  aid  in  liquidating  debt. 
Granted  moderation!  i9th  April,  for  the 
new  congretcation  of  Clune  Park,  Port- 
Glasgow.  The  memberahip  is  50.  The 
stipend  offered  is  X400,  with  £20  for  ex- 
penacB.  Agreed  to  transmit  a  petition 
from  Mr.  Macrae,  asking  tbe  Synod  to  ex- 
plain its  decision  on  tbe  Gourock  orer- 
ture  last  May.  Agreed  to  transmit  an 
overtnra  from  Mr.  Davidaon  anent  mar- 
riage with  deceased  wife's  liater.  Ad- 
ijiorixedtbe  Clynder  Committee  to  take 
all  necessary  steps  for  opening  a  preach- 
ing station  there  ibia  summer.  .Mr.  Wn. 
Dickie  gave  all  bis  trials  for  Ucence. 

Siorru»eay.—1iir.  Bobt.  M 'Master,  M.A., 
preacher,  Edinburgh,  called  March  S2d. 

Portree.— ^r.  Robert  M'Master,  M.Ai 
preacher,  Edinburgh,  called. 

Cumbemauld. — Mr.  Alexander  Bor- 
land, preacher,  Glasgow,  called  to  be  col- 
league 10  Bev.  Hugh  Baird,  April  IKth. 


At  St.  Andrew's  Place  Church,  Leith, 
on  9lh  April,  Mr.  David  8.  Henderson, 
preacher,  ordained  as  missionary  to  Sua 
Fernanda,  Trinidad. 


Sreenlaw. — lier.  J.  Milne,  April  IGtb. 


D  PREiBTTBBUH  CHDBCB  — 


Tbib  church,  which  has  been  undergoing 
extensive  repairs,  was  reopened  on  Sab- 
bath, lOlb  March.  The  services  were 
conducted  in  the  morning  and  afternoon 
by  tbe  Bev.  James  Brown,  Paisley  ;  and 
in  the  evening  by  the  Bev.  W.  H.  Mac- 
farlane,  pastor  of  the  congregation.  Spe- 
cial collections  were  mode  at  all  the  diets 
of  worship,  which  (with  the  gift  of  £100 
from  the  f  ergoson  Truateei,  and  the  pro- 


■  £34  NOTICES  or  new  publioatioks.         '""XI"™'"" 

ceeili  of  1  recent    btiz:iar)  enabled   the  &ndnieceMfaladTantageoraUtheft<:ilitlei 

baildiDg  to  ba  entered  free  of  debL     Oa  offered  for  stndj.      The  Synod  and  ths 

the   eveuing    following  the    reopeoiag  a  Chnrch  wonld  be  glad  to  hear  of  tbii. 

reij  saccesafnl  aoiree  waa   held    in    the  Afier  offering  advice  ai  to  the  manner  in 

chnrch,  when  addresses  were  delivered  by  which  the  gtndentB  ebonld  pnrane  their 

the  Rev.   Messrs.  Brown,  Paislej;  Wat-  work,  lajiag   special    emphasi)   on  tbe 

son,  Forres;    Simmers,  Fortsoj:    Grant,  necessity  for  their  reading  daily  a  portion 

Free   Cbarch,    Botripbnie ;    and    Smith,  of  the  Hebrew  aiid  Greek  Scriptnres,  he 

Fraserbnrgh.    The  alterations,  which  haie  exhorted  them  to  be  faithfnl  to  the  Church 

— .   »-.„    I..-.    .5   ._!   —  fijj  wjiieii  their  presence  there  dwlared 

tbeir  preference.  Dr.  Hntebiran  hiring 
mode  some  announcements  as  to  scholtr- 
sbipi,  the  proceedings  were  closed  by  the 
Moderator  prononncing  Ibe  benediction. 
Each  ofthe  scndenta  attending  tlie  Hill 

.  r  -,    dnring  the  past  session  received  a  copy  of 

Bcv.  Wm.  France,  ftisley,  Moderator  of  the  followiog  works;— (1)  Memorialiofa 

Synod.     Princip^  Harper  occupied  the  Mmiatrj/  on    the    Clyde,    being  Sennoni 

chair;  and  among  the  professors  and  mem-  preached  in  Qoarock  Free  Cbarch  by  the 

bers  of  the  Synod's  Theological  CommiUee  late  Bev.  E.  Macclear— the  gift  of  an  nn. 

S resent  were  Dr.   Cairns,  Dr.   Dnff,  Dr.  knowafriend;  (2)  ^n£);pDsur«o/Pap07, 

obnstone.  Dr.  Young,  Rev.  Mr.  Paterson,  vMh  ^eaal  r^'ermee  to  Pertance  and  W( 

Dr.  Andrew   Gardiner,   Rev.  A.  Brown,  JIfass,  by  Ibe  late  Kei.  Wm,  Anderson, 

Paisley;  Dr.  Peddle,  Dr.  Hutchison,  etc.  LL  J).,  Glasgow — presented  by  Ur.Thomai 

The  Principal,  in  introducing  the  modera-  Biggart,  Dairy;  (Z)  For  the  Wort  o/At 

lor  of  Synod,  urged  the  siudents  to  let  Ministry,  by  Kev,  Professor  Bliikie,  DJ). 

their  study  of   divine   truth  be    always  —the  gift  of   Mr.   Patoo,    Tilliconlirj ; 

viewed  in  connection  with  tbeir  own  per-  (!)   CoTnmeniary   on     Themdordiaa,   by 

■onal  improvement  in   holiness   not  Jess  'lie    late    Rev.    Professor    Eadie  — from 

than  in  knowledge.  '  Mr.  France,  who  was  Mr.-  Biggart ;    (5)  ComtnenlarKa  on  St. 

received  with   applause,  tendered  to  the  Lute  a?^  St.  John,  S  volumes,  by  Fro- 

stadents    hearty   congratulations  on  the  feasor  Godet,  D.D.,  Neuchatel — from  in 

aaecessfal  completion  of  the  work  of  the  anonytnons  donor,  per  Professor  Caldtr- 

aecond  session  under  tbe  new  ftnange-  wood;    and  (6)  Meigiah's   Kingdom,  by 

uent.      He   had   the  best  authority  for  Rev.  Benjamin  Martin, -M.A.,  Le -lie.  Fib 

saying  that  tbe  stndents  had  takeo  fall  — also  given  anonymonsly. 


HofiMS  of  Itcia  ||oblicationB. 

(1)  The  Clouds  of  the  Bible.  'Bj  ordinarj  course  of  his  ministry.  We 
Alexander  Wallace,  D.D.  find  ii^them  tbe  leadiag  characteriBlica 

(2)  Heroes  of  Faith,  ae  deliiieated  in  of  hig  preaching, — graphic  descriptioD, 
Hebrews.  By  Jo^s  Guthrie,  M.A.,  strong  emotion,  and  earDest  appeal 
D.D.  Dr.  WiiUace  looks  out  on  lutiire  and 

(3)  Three  Street  Orphans.  B7  the  human  nature  with  the  poet's  eye,  and 
Author  <^  '  The  Clouds,'  '  Hope :  Ita  gathers  in  a  rich  barveet  of  apt  uA 
Lights  aod  Shadows,'  etc.  instructive  iliustrations.      The  vaijint: 

Ql.ig<;w:JolmB.ManftSon«.    1878.  Mpecta  of  the  heavens  alwTe  and  the 
earth  beneath,  and   the  ever-changing 

(1)  Dr.  Wallace  has  ahready  intro-  world  of   man's   life,  are   lovingly  and 

duced   himself  very  favonrably   to  the  glowingly  depicted,  and  made  to  stand 

reading  public  bj  previous  publications,  out  in  colonrs  very  real  and  impresnve; 

wbich   have    been    vreU  received  and  but  at  the  same  time  he  never  fails  to 

widely  circulated.      His  Life  of  James  set  '  Jesus  in  the  midst,'   and  all  lua 

Stilling  is  a  work  of  great  interest,  and  teaching  is  in  the  highest  degree  evan- 

in  Taiioua  forma  has  found  a  place  aa  gelical.      He   reioicea  to   lay  all  the 

an  ornament  on  the  drawing-room  table  treasures  which  be  gathers  at  the  feet 

of  the  wealthy,  and  as  a  pnzed  treasure  of  Jeeus,  and  uses  them  to  commend 

in  the  cottage  of  the  poor.  Him  as  the  world's  great  SaTiour  and 

In  the  volume  before  us  Dr.  Wallace  only  hope- 

givee  us  diaoourses  with  which  hisown  (2)  IntumingtoDr.Guthrie'srohimc, 

congregation  were  favoured  duriDg  the  we  are  called  oq  to  admire  the  divHsitj 


''°X'""'t-f''''           K0TI0E8  OF  NEW  PCBL10AT10X8.  235 

of  gifts.     He  is  not  bo  rich  in  gifts  of  heard  of  bis  worth.  '  Intelligent  readers,' 

tha  iraaginatiTe  and  emotional  kind  as  he  Bays,  'of  theae  Lecturae  cannot  fail 

bis  friend  Dr.  Wallace,  .but  be  has  an  to  be  struck  with  the  orig^al  tliinkiDg 

intellect  of  a  high  order.    These  dis-  disoovered  Ha  them,  the  author's  know- 

CDOreea  on  the  characteis  described  in  ledge  of  hnmau  nature,  and  his  aingnlar 

the  lemarkable  elerenth  chapter  of  the  talent  for  generaliziDg  moral  ioBtniC' 

Hebrews,    called  'Heroes    of    Faith,'  tion.    Mr.  Spurgeon  has  said  of  him: 

erince   careful    and   thoughtful    stmlf.  "'  Dr.  Xawboq  had  a  fertile  mind,  and  a 

Not  oaiy  are  the  characters  welt  de-  heart  alire  both  to  the    human    and 

jineated,  but  the  topics  introduced  in  dirine  side  of  truth.    He  writes  with 

connection  with  them   presented   in  a  a   pleasing   simplicity   of   styie."      The 

Terr  able  and  lucid  manner.    What  the  history  of  Joseph  being  so  favourite  a 

anULor  says  of  faith  is  of  itself  sufficient  subject  both  for  lectures  from  the  pulpit 

to  show  uiat  he  is  no  novice  in  the  field  and    for    exercises    in    Bible    (passes, 

of  abstract   Bpeculation,   but    has    the  mioisters   and   teachers  will    find   this 

power  of  dealmg  in  an  intelligent  and  Volume  a  valuable  aid  in  their  work.' 

competent  manner   with   the  primary  

elements  of  thought  »■  well  as  with  the  „                       i,r          ■          i       _ 

faOtB  of  religion  ^d  hfe.  HlSTOET  OF  THE  WeSTOISSTER  ASSEMBLT 

(3)  The  author  of  '  The  Clouds '  has  0^  Divines.    By  W.  M.  Hethrbikg- 

pr^Yed  himself  capable  of  soaring  into '  J™^'  ^■^■i  ^^^■'  .-^'»*^o'  <>*„  ^he 

Jhe  higher  regions  of  poetry,  and  Siorn-  Ch"^''  '^Scotland,'  etc.      Fourth 

iug,  when  he  choos^^the  subject  of  f^"""-     Edited   by    Rev..  RoBiJiT 

which  he  treats  with  the  hues  of  a  fine  Williamson,  Aaoog,  Rothesay. 

poetic   mind.       In    this    little    book    he.  Edtnbuigh :  JamM  GenmwU.    wis. 

keeps  tJiese  gifts  in  restraint,  and  con-  In  connection  with  recent  discussions, 

flues  himself  cbiefiy  to  simple  narrative,  this  edition  of  Dr.  Hetherington's  work 

But   though    it    is    simple,   it    is    not  must  be  regarded   aa    (^portune.      It 

prosaic.    It  is  full  of  ibtereac ;  and  many  oontaiiia  a  vast  amount  u  information, 

will  peruse  with  heartfelt  emotion  the  ■  set  forth  with  all  that  vigour  of  thought 

account  which   is  given   of   the   trials  and  style  by  which  he  was  distingaiahed. 

and  triumphs  of  toese  '  Three  Street  The  fact  that  a  fourth  edition  has  been 

Orphans.'  called  for  proves  that  the  book  ia  ona 

of  no  small  interest  aa  well  as  v^ue. 

Li^CTDBES  ON  THE  History  or  Joseph.  Its  careful  periisalwill  enable  the  reader 

By  George  Lawson,  D.D.,  late  Pro-  to  form  an  intelligent  opmion  on  sub- 

feuor  of  Divinity  to  the  Associate  jects   concerning    which   many   speak 

SeceeeiOD  Cburcb.     With  Prefatory  according  to  their  own  notions  of  what 

Note  by  Bev.  Williau  Peddie,  D.D.,  might,  could,  would,   or  shoold  have 

Senior     MiniBt«r    of    Bristo    Street  been,  rather  than  any  correct  acquaint- 

tJnited  Presbyterian  Church.     New  ance  with  the  facta  of  histotT. 

Edition.  The  following  are  some  of  the  special 

Edinboigh  :  Ogle  &  Mnmy,  imd  Otiverb  Baid.  features  of  this  new  edition  : — 

18''^'  '  (1)  Con^derableadditionsliavebeea 

1h  a  brief   prefatory  note,  Dr.  Peddie  made,  rendered  necesaary  by  the  new 

slates  dearly  and  succinctly  the  prin-  .  light  shed  upon  the  subject  through  the 

dpal  facte   in  Dr.   lAwaons  life,    the  pubUcation  of  a  part  ot  the  "Original 

featores  of  his  character,  and  the  es-  Minutes,"  which  Dr.  Hetheriogtou,  in 

eellences  of  his  writings.    The  preeent  common  with  many  others,  believed  had 

pablicaiion  has  been  out  ot  print  for  been  irrecoverably  lost, 

a  time,  and  this  new  edition,  we  doubt  *(2)  Alphabetical  indices  to  names 

not,  will  be  warmly  welcomed  by  many  and  aubjects  have  been  prepared.    A 

who  have  long  regarded  Dr.  Lawson  aa  list  of   the  original  Scottish  members, 

at  once  one  of  the  saintliest  and  moat  and  the  dates  of  their  reception  by  the 

schohffly  of  men,  .  Assembly,  have  been  supplied,  as  also 

We  very    cordially  agree  with  Dr.  notes  relating  to  the  committeee  ap- 

Peddie  in  what  he  says  of  the  volume  pointed  to  draw  up  the  flret  draught 

which  he    so   well    introduces   to   the  of    the   "  Confefision    of    FMth"    and 

readeiB  of  a  generation  that,  knew  not  Catechisms. 

Dr.  Lawson  personally,  but  who  'haYe  *  (3)  Correct  fae-simile  title-pages  of 


n9 


MONTHLY  BEIBOSPECT. 


bookB  relating  to  the  WestmioBter 
eembly,  ud  m>iii  origiaals  i 
of  the  editor.  In  SchtE'a'Book  of 
Creed*  tliere  are  fac-similes  of  thoee 
titles,  but  they  are  not  accurate. 

'  It  will'  be  seen  tliat  in  this  edition  of 
Eetheringtoo'B  work  there  Eiie  a  great 
man;  adcUtions  and  impTovements  which 
t^od  to  euhancQ  ita  v^ue.' 

The  Book  of  Esthek,  illustrative  of 
Charact«t  and  PrOTidence.  B7  the 
lier.  Thomas  M'Ewaii,  Hope  Park 
Uaited  Prsebfteriac  Cburcb,  Edin- 

Edioborgli :  Andnw  ElUat.    ISTT. 

Ik  thia  volunie  we  harQ  a  comse  of 
lectures  on  the  Book  of  Esther,  which 
the  author  delivered  to  his  people  iu  the 
ordinary  course  of  hie  nunistratione. 
Thia  rendered  it  unsuitable  for  him  to 
diecuBB  at  length  those  questions  which 
modem  criticism  has  xaiaed  concerning 
this  book.  Taking  it  for  granted,  aa  he 
was  entitled  to  do,  that  it  forme  an 
integral  part  of  the  inspired  record,  Mr. 
M'Ewan  sets  himself  to  learn  the  leeaona 
which  it  teaches.  There  is  ample  scope, 
in  discouraing  on  this  book,  for  interest- 
ing historical  narratiTe  and  graphic 
descriptiou,  aa  well  aa  for  setting  forth 
spiritual  teaching  of  the  most  important 
kind.  Of  this  Mr.  M'Ewan  haa  been 
fallf  aware,  and  consequently  haa  pro- 
duced  a  volume  which  maj  be  read 
alike  with  pleasare  and  profit. 

The  Incomparable  Preacheh.  A  Ber- 
mon  hy  Rot.  J.  G.  Scoir,  Kenfield 
Street  United   Presbyterian   Church, 

Glasgow:  Frank Slmpaon.    ISTS. 

A  THOUGHTFUL  and  eloquent  aermon  on 
a  great  subject. 


A  Bmef  Odtlink  op  the  Meetings  os 
THE  Presbttebiam  ConNGiL,  held  in 
Edinburgh  in  July  1877,  as  tbej 
appeared  to  a  Spectator. 


This  little  work  fulfils  ita  modest  title, 
and  more,  as  it  is  a  very  intelligent  and 

graceful  narrative  of  the  wonderfull)' 
intereating  meetings  which  formed  «ii 
epoch  in  the  history  of  the  Presbyteriizi 
Church.  The  BpectatOT,  we  nnderstuul, 
ia  a  lady  who  has  studied  Christianity  «t, 
home  and  abroad ;  and  there  ia  a  large- 
ness of  view  and  sympathy  in  tiie  sketches 
which  does  justice  to  the  catholicity  of 
ttie  new  Preenyterian  organization.  Tbe 
selection  made  from  so  vast  a  body  of 
materials  ia  judicious  \  and  all  who  had 
the  privilege  of  being  at  the  Cooncd 
meetings  will  acknowledge  that  the  mo«t 
striking  points  have  been  seized.  This  - 
work  niay  be  very  cordially  recom- 
mended aa  from  ita  cheapness  fitted  to 
go  into  regions  where  the  large  volume 
of  TrajisactiDnB  of  the  Council  cannot  be 
expected  to  penetrate. 

The  Ship  '  Ttrcs  '  r  A  Phopectic 
Allegory.  A  Disoourse  delivered 
31st  March  1878,  the  Sabbath  after 
the  Foan4firing  of  the  '  Eurydice.' 
By  the  Rev.  Daniel  M'Lean,  Author 
01  '  The  Gospel  in  the  Psalms.' 

GlugoT:  JuDMllKletiDsa.  ISIS. 
In  this  discourse  Mr.  M'Lean  'improves' 
an  event  which  was  universally  felt  to 
be  of  a  most  striking  and  meUncholy 
kind.  In  doin'^,  so  he  baa  effectively, 
bat  not  obtrnaively,  used  bis  stores  of 
Hebraistic  learning,  and  set  forth  the 
lesBons  of  the  text  at  once  in  a  pictorial 
and  practical  manner. 


PRESBYTERIES  AND  THE  DISESTABLISHMENT  QUESTION. 
The  question  of  Diaestablishment  bas  been  discussed  in  moat,  if  not  in  all,  the 
prcBbyteries  of  our  Church  during  recent  mondia.  Perhape  the  term  'diacnssed 
ought  not  to  be  used  in  connection  with  a  subject  concerning  which  there  was 
almost  entire  unanimity.  .If  Voluntaryism  ia  not  a  term  of  coounnnion  with  us,  it 
is  evidently  a  principle  of  action. 

The  subject  is  one  which  our  country  presbyteries  may  well  take  up  as  one  in 
COimectiou  with  which  they  have  a  very  real  and  pressing  grievance.  In  the 
country  '  the  parish  miniater '  is  still  a  somebody  m  vfficio^  and  the  parish  church 
a  resort  to  those  who  cannot  bring  themaelvee  to  act  on  Christ's  law  iu  reference 
to  '  hint  who  ministers  at  tbe  altar.'    In  tliis  way  our  country  ministen  labour  at  a 


'^"Jirulre*''  MONTHLY  KETEOflPEOT.  237 

grieronB  disadTKDtage, — a  disadvantage,  indeed,  to  great,  tliat  did  it  obtain  a»  to 
aDf  oUier  thing  Ihan  religion,  it  would  be  htti. 
imong  our  nual  preBbTteriea,  tbat  of  Kirkcaldf  has  proved  itaeU  specially  in 

pinint,  and  has  drawn  up  a  series  of  reeolationa  which  we  doubt  not  will  obtain 
general  approTal.     Thejr  are  aa  foIlowB : — 
'(1)  That,  while  it  is  the  dutf  of  the  Church  to  hold  itwU  aloof  aa  f ar  aa 

pDUibls  from  purely  political  work,  jet,  aa  the  proper  relation  of  the  Church  to 
the  Stale  ia  of  vital  importance  to  its  prosperit;,  the  Church  ia  not  going  beyond 
Itj  promce  when  it  aeeka  bj  political  action  ao  to  liberate  the  Chun^  from  the 
coutiol  of  tiie  State,  that  in  time  to  come  it  ma;  be  left  nadistorbed  to  proaecute 
iU  purely  spiritoftl  work. 

■  (2)  That  the  Chnrch  can  neven  atand  in  its  right  relation  to  the  State  so  long 
u  its  omrts  are  not  free  to  regulate  all  their  work  according  to  their  own  iuler- 
preta^on  of  the  word  of  God ;  to  amend  its  creed  in  conformity  with  any  new 
light  that  may  ba  shed  on  the  Scriptures ;  and  to  conveoe  and  diamiaa  ita  Aasembliee 
KtChoat  the  sanction  of  the  civil  power. 

'  (3)  That  the  Church  of  Scotland,  as  neither  resting,  in  so  far  as  it  is  a  State 
Clrarii,  on  a  scriptural  basis,  nor  possessing  the  confidence  of  a  majority  of  the 
Cbrietian  people  in  thia  country,  ou^t  to  be  disestablished  and  disendowed. 

'  (4)  Tnat,  in  view  of  a  not  remote  dlsaolution  of  Parliament,  the  present  is  a 
favoutable  opportunity  for  preparing  the  minds  of  the  people  for  a  wise  exercise 
of  their  inflaence  in  returning  membera  favourable  to  religious  equality.' 

The  diacnssiOQ  in  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  Church  is  expected  this  year  to  have 
nniigual  interest,  owing  to  the  fact  tbat  the  subject  has  plainly  become  one  of 
pnutical  politics.  In  Farliament  there  has  not  yet  been  any  discussion  of  the 
qaeation ;  bnt,  in  addition  to  the  notices  of  motion  hr  Mr.  Holms  and  Sir  Alexander 
Gordon,  another  has  been  placed  on  the  books  by  Mr.  Parker,  H.P.  for  Perth,  to 
the  following  effect: — 'That  a  select  committee  be  appointed  to  inqaire  into  the 
present  relations  of  the  Established  Church  with  the  other  Churches  in  Scotland, 
wd  with  the  people  at  large ;  and  in  particular  to  inquire  how  far  the  Church 
Fatmnage  Act  of  1874  has  tended  to  remove  the  causes  of  disunion  and  dissatisfac- 
tios  among  tlie  Presbyterians  of  Scotland,  and  what  further  legislation  would  most 
condnce  to  that  end,' 
This  notice  of  motion  is  in  fulfilment  of  a  pledge  to  the  Perth  electors,  that  he 


voaM  immediately  on  taking  his  seat  move  for  a  select  committ«e  to  inquire  into 
the  ecclesiaBtical  condition  of  Scotland,  but  if  such  a  committee  were  not  granted, 
he  would  vote  for  DiseBtablishment.  The  great  majority  of  the  Scottish  people 
see  DO  need  for  inquiry ;  but  if  in  that  way  &a  known  facta  can  be  officially  placed 
on  record,  eome  good  result  may  be  expected. 

All  other  ecclesiastical  events,  however,  have  been  of  minor  importance  to  the 
coQlroversy  of  the  Free  Church  with  the  self-styled  '  constitutional  party '  among 
iliown  members.  From  nearly  all  the  presbyteries  of  the  Church,  and  from  some 
of  the  synods,  overtures  have  been  transmitted  to  the  General  Assembly,  asking 
ths  Supreme  Court  to  declare  that  the 'conBtitutionaliBta'  do  not  represent  the 
opinions  of  the  Church.  The  Synod  of  Glenelg  is  an  exception,  and  has  pro- 
QooDced  almost  unanimously  for  the  '  constitutioDal '  party. 

Connected  with  this  movement  there  has  been  discovered  something  like  an 
intrigue  with  a  view  to  carry  the  Highlanders  in  a  body  in  favour  of  Sir  Alexander 
Gordon's  motion. 

Though  the  scheme  has  ignominiously  colluMied,  and  ia  now  only  a  matter  of 
history,  it  ia  worthy  of  a  passing  notJce,  The  first  intimation  of  the  coming  event 
appeared  in  a  letter  to  the  Daily  Newt  published  on  the  last  day  of  Febmary. 
Toe  letter  waa  oonspicuons  for  bombastic  and  misleading  statements  regarding  the 
Free  Chnrcb  ;  and  with  regard  to  Sir  Alexander  Gordon-'s  notice  of  motion  the 
wriier  vid:  'On  this  point,  i.e.  promoting  Sir  Alexander  Gordon's  excellent 
efforts,  the  peo[de  of  the  Highlands  are  uDaDimons,  and  petitions  will  be  sent  lo 
St  Stephen's  as  numerously  sgned  as  the  shdrtness  of  the  time  will  permit.'  It 
wss  fortlier  said :  '  A  simple  declaration  by  the  Legislature  that  the  National 
Chnreh  stands  on  the  bases  named  in  General  Gordon's  admirable  motion,  will 
satisfy  dncere  Free  Churchmen,  cauae  them  to  rejoin  the  Church  of  their  fathers, 


838  MONTHLT  BETBOSPECT.  '     Xi^i 

and  make  it  a  bulwark  against  tba  attacks  of  Volontaries  and  LiberatioiiiBte ;  and 
vhile  it  vill  not  injure  any  other  Beet  in  purse  ot  conscience,  it  will  muke  a 
woTwiini  for  the  wants  of  the  pocweat  c^  Her  Hajeet;^  Bubjeots  in  Sootlaitd,  which 
'  VohutarTtmi  sever  can  or  will  make.' 

Id  the  same  etjle  and  spirit  was  framed  an  appeal  '  to  the  poo^o  ot  llie  Hi^- 
lands,'  wbicb  waa  brought  to  light  in  the  last  week  of  March,  in  it  ais  alleged 
reaeoDS  were  given  why  *  the  people  of  the  Highlands '  should  '  sign  the  petition ' 
in  tavoar  of  Sir  Alexander  Gordon's  motion.  They  were  encouraged  to  sign  tie 
petition,  tjecause  '  the  object  in  view  is  to  bring  the  Eatablished  Church  into  a 
scriptaral  alliance  with  the  Stat« ; '  becanse  they  would  '  help  to  prevent  ^e 
Volontaries  and  RationalistSi  within  and  without  the  Free  Church  from  cairying 
a  motion  tending  to  the  disestablishment  of  the  Church ;  '  and,  beudes  other 
reaaoDS,  because  '  in  agning  the  petition  you  pave  the  way  for  going  forward  into 
Canaan.'  The  '  address '  has  been  diBavowed  by  most  of  the  '  const! tntionalista,' 
and  appears  to  carry  no  weight  of  itself ;  but  the  writer  of  it  has  obviously  some 
fellow- woikers,  and  the  intrigue  fits  in  with  other  parte  of  the  scheme  to  weaken 
the  Free  Church  and  strengthen  its  rival  in  the  Highlands.  The  strength  of  the 
*  constitutionalists '  seems  to  tie  in  the  Synod  of  Glenelg,  whit^  inclndea  the  islands 
of  Skye,  Hist,  and  Lewis,  with  adjacent  parts  of  the  mainland.  lu  that  Synod,  an 
overture  which  embodied  the  sentiments  that  '  such  movement  does  not  represent 
this  Church,  and  that  no  arrangement  as  to  the  relation  of  Church  and  State  in 
Scotland,  made  with  the  present  Established  Church,  can  be  satisfactory  to  the 
Free  Church,'  was  rejected  by  18  to  3, — 2  declining  to  vote. 

THE  ESTABLISHMENT  OF  THE  PAPAL  HIERARCHY  IS  SCOTLAND. 
The  Tablet  contains  the  text  of  the  Pope's  '  Apostolic  Letter,'  in  which  die 
establish  men  t  of  the  Scottish  Hierarchy  is  decreed  and  describeid.  The  heading 
of  the  document  will  show  how  arrogant  still  are  Papal  pretensions,  and  how 
uoscriptural  the  mode  of  Papal  progress.  The  Pope  identifies  himself  with  God ; 
and  if  he  cannot  wield  the  temporal  sword  to  enforce  his  purpose,  he  can  Uireaten 
enemies  with  the  wrath  of  the  Almighty.  The  saints,  also,  after  a  manner  onknown 
to  scriptural  practice,  and  forbidden  by  scriptural  precept,  are  invoked  in  aid  of 
those  who  are  engaged  in  the  enterprise.  We  quote  a  sentence  or  two  which  wilt 
show  what  manner  of  spirit  the  Papacy  is  of,  even  three  hundred  years  after  the 
Reformation.  Reference  having  been  made  to  the  nnfulSUed  wish  of  Pins  IZ.,  it  is 
said :  '  Wherefore,  lifting  up  oui  eyes  to  the  Father  of  light,  from  whom  comes 
every  good  and  perfect  ^ft,  we  have  invoked  the  protection  of  divine  grace, 
having  at  the  same  time  implored  the  aid  of  the  blessed  Virgin  Mary,  conodved 
without  NO ;  of  the  blessea  Joseph,  her  Spouse,  and  Patron  of  the  Universal 
Chnrch ;  of  the  blessed  Apostles  Peter  and  Paul,  of  St.  Andrew,  and  of  the  other 
saints  whom  l^e  Scots  venerate  as  protectors,  that  by  their  prayen  to  God  they 
may  asdst  ns  to  arrive  at  a  happy  accomplishment  of  this  undertaking.  There- 
fore, for  these  cocsideralions,  of  om*  own  motion  (mofii  propHo),  with  certain 
knowledge,  and  by  tbat  apostolic  aathority  which  we  exercise  over  the  Universal 
Church,  to  the  greater  glory  of  God  and  the  exaltation  of  the  Catholic  faith,  we' 
n)^int  and  decree  that  the  Hierarchy  of  ordinary  bishops  shall  be  revived  in  the 
Kingdom  of  Scotland  according  to  the  prescriptions  c^f  the  canonical  laws,  and 
that  they  shall  take  their  titles  from  the  sees  which  we  erect  by  this  our  constitn- 
tion,  and  constitute  into  an  ecclesiastical  province.  Moreover,  it  is  our  wiU  lliat 
wx.  sees  shall  be  at  once  established,  and  they  are  from  this  time  established, 
namely,  St  Andrews,  with  the  titular  adjunct  of  Edinburgh,  Glasgow,  Aberdeen, 
Donkeld,  'Whithorn  or  Galloway,  and  Argyll  and  the  Isles.'  And  then,  after  the 
old-accustomed  terroristic  fashion,  it  thus  concludes :  '  Let  not,  therefore,  any  man 
whatever  infringe  liiis  record  of  our  erection,  conatitntion,  reetitaiion,  institutioD. 
assignation,  adjection,  attribution,  decree,  mandate,  and  will,  or  rashly  dare  to 
oppose  it.  But  if  any  one  shall  attempt  to  do  so,  let  him  know  that  be  will  incur 
the  anger  of  Almighty  God  and  of  His  blessed  Apostles  Peter  and  PanL' 

There  was  a  time  when  words  like  these  commanded  the  assent  c^  Eniope,  and 
even  made  kings  tremble  on  th^  thrones.    That  time  has  passed  away,  and,  we 


""iLTirfm!*^  MOHTHLT  KETKOSFECT.  239 

believe,  never  will  retorn.  Sat  whilst  we  have  no  craren  fear  of  Pop«^,  end 
wonlil  deprecate  any  appeal  to  deHar  agunet  its  foliuiiiBtioiui,  we  tliink  tna  action 
that  has  been  taken  by  it  in  thia  matter  calls  for  eameat  effort  at  once  in  the  way 
of  eipodng  Popish  error,  and  imparting  to  the  inhabitante  of  theae  landa  intdligent 
Tiews  of  Bcriptural  tmth. 

It  will  be  well  ai»o  to  instruct  oor  youth  in  the  hiatorj  of  onr  own  coontrr,  lo 
that  they  may  not  be  misled  by  daring  miHTepresentadoDS  of  the  facta  of  the  case. 
One  of  Rome's  maxims  is  that '  ignorance  ia  the  mother  of  derotion.'  It  is  cer- 
bun!^  the  mother  of  credulity ;  and  Idle  ignorance  and  credulity  of  those  addremed 
in  tluB  TCmarkable  '  Letter'  must  have  been  largely  counted  on  when  a  Btatement 
fmch  as  this  oould  be  Biade  to  them  :  '  The  Chorch  of  Scotland,  constitated  in  this 
naoner,  waa  in  a  flonriabing  condition,  when  it  was  miBarabl;r  i^uced  to  utt«r 
ruin' tyf  the  oatlveak  of  the  heresy  of  the  uzteenUi  century' — in  other  words,  of 
(he  iEteformation.  ' 

THE  GLASGOW  PRESBYTERY  AND  RAFFLING  AT  BAZAARS. 
The  deliverance  which  the  Presbytery  of  Glasgow  gave  at  its  recent  meeting  on 
thig  subject  ia  one  which  will  meet  with  general  a^prova].  Something  may  be 
tud  not  only  plausibly,  but  in  a  measure  aatisfactonlT,  in  favour  of  bazaars  as 
originally  held  and  contemplated.  They  afford,  it  has  been  argned,  the  means  of 
CDHtding  persons  to  aseist  m  a  good  work  who  could  not  otherwise  aid  itL  Time ' 
mi  skill  may  be  devoted  where  money  has  been  denied;  and  if  the  articles 
PTfseiited  for  sale  are  really  what  they  are  given  out  to  be,  and  sold  in  a  fair  and  open 
ijTiEiDeag  way,  no  wrong  has  been  done.  But  with  raffling  it  is  a  different  thing. 
Into  it  neceasarily  enters  an  element  of  a  hurtful  and  illegitimate  kind  :  it  panders 
to  some  of  the  worst  paasions  of  our  nature.  We  believe  the  attention  of  the 
Giugow  Presbytery  has  been  strongly  turned  to  this  subject  on  account  of  the 
ptavalence  of  what  have  been  called  '  enterprise  sales.'  The  demoralizing  effects 
of  these  sales  have  been  shown  to  be  Tery  great ;  and  though  meanwhile  there  is  a 
difficulty  in  dealing  with  them  by  statute  law,  yet  Christians  are  to  walk  by  a 
higher  standard.  Many  things  are  denied  to  Christians  by  tiieir  sovereign  Lord 
vhich  may  not  be  condemned  or  pnniahed  by  Coesar;  aud  it  is  by  the  law  of 
Christ,  not  simply  by  the  law  of  the  land,  that  the  Church  has  to  order  its 
afflduct 

Tbti  lottery  business  is  plied  very  diligently  by  a  Chnrch  whose  tactics  we 
^lonld  be  slow  to  imitate — the  Churiji  of  Rome.  There  lies  before  as  a  bundle  of 
idverlisementa  of '  Grand  Drawing  of  Prizes '  in  a  lottery  at  Dablin  in  behalf  of 
SL  George's  '  Orphanage  and  Poor  Schools.'  The  tickets  are  dxpence  each,  and 
the  principal  prizes  are  a  service  of  plate  or  £100,  two  ponies  or  £20,  and  a  case 
of  champagne.  And  tbe  consctentiolis  and  benevolent  public  are  told  that  there 
is  thus  preseDtcd  to  t^em  a  golden  opportanity  of  advancing  their  own  interesta 
wA  helpmg  a  deserving  cause.  We  have  heard  the  same  sort  of  argumenta  and 
WesU  in  other  than  Roman  Catholic  ciidee.  It  ia  really  humiliating  that  such' 
tamgg  should  be  thus  defended  in  connection  with  Prc^tant  Churchee  in  this 
year  of  grace  1878 1 

Surely  there  is  a  more  excellent  way.  If  all  ChrialianB  would  jnat  conscientiously 
store  for  Christ  as  the  Lord  prospers  them,  the  treasury  of  the  liord  would  be  foU 
lo  overflowing.  Giving  after  this  fashion  elevates  the  ^ver  and  brings  a  blessing 
wth  it,  whereas  money  extorted  by  force  or  secured  by  appeals  to  the  lowest  kind 
of  eelf-interest,  degrades  those  from  whom  it  is  extracted,  and  cannot  secure  the 
hvon  of  Him  who  loveB  *  a  cheerful  giver.' 

THE  NIGHT  SIDE  OF  EDINBURGH. 

A  GEHERATIOK  has  grown  np  since  the  eloquent  and  Isree-hearted  Dr.  Guthrie 
began  his  '  Ba^ed  ^lools.'  Other  institntionB  similar  in  kind  and  aim  have  also 
tieen  founded,  and  much  good  among  the  young  has  confessedly  been  accom- 
plished ;  and  yet  how  dark  the  picture  of  certain  aspects  of  city  life !  '  The  sins 
snd  Borrows  of  the  city '  seem  to  multiply  despite  of  all  endeavours  to  enppresa  or 
mitigate  them. 


240  MONTHLT  EETEOBPECT.  ^"'■'S!,'ui»&^ 

This  is  brooght  Tividlj  before  m  in  the  umuid  Tepoit  of  the  Citjr  Hisnon  jitgt 
pabliahed.  There  are  seTenteeo  ageote  connected  witb  tbejnisdoD  proper,  wd 
ten  aonnected  vitb  indiridual  congregatione  or  other  BodeCiw.  Thie  ^vee  na 
twenty-seren  labomen  apeoially  devoted  to  work  in  our  closes  and  Una  and 
hannta  of  rice- 

The  report  presents  manj  fentarcs  of  interest  both  of  b.  obeerf  id  and  saddening 
kind,    llimi  it  is  said : — 

'la  Tiow  introdnoing  the  reports  of  the  tniMionarieB,  the  directors  feel  cdd- 
Btruned  to  rerert  in  a  sentence  or  two  to  the  subject  of  oqt  Bodal  erils.  Ther 
have  to  repeat  what  ther  have  often  s^d  before,  that  notwithstanding  all  the  gtiod 
seed  continnallj  sown  bj  miniaters,  evangelists,  and  mifisionaries,  and  notwitlj- 
atanding  all  the  manj  cases  of  individnal  conversion  and  of  peTmanent  ameodmest, 
the  rank  growths  of  nDgodlineBS  and  vice  stttl  flonriah  in  the  ci^  to  a  very 
formidable  extent.  Certain  forms  of  evil  are  speciallj  obtrosive.  One,  ami  llie 
most  conspicoooa  of  all,  is  drunkenness ;  another  is  licentiousness  ;  a  third  ia  (te 
desecration  of  the  Sabbath,  especiallj  hj  shopkeeping  and  cab'-driving ;  and  anotfaer 
the  relaiatioD  of  the  ftunilj  bond,  and  the  apparent  lock  of  lererence  of  childicn 
towards  their  parents,  and  of  authority  of  parents  over  their  children.' 

In  reference  to  '  the  field,'  the  following  qielancholf  pioture  of  part  of  it  is 

*  One  of  the  lands  of  the  city  ia  thus  described ;  "  On  the  ground  floor  we  have 
a  person  who  keeps  a  small  shop,  whose  fatiier  and  mother  stay  with  her.  She 
has  had  three  husbands ;  the  third  baa  left  her,  and.  another  man  lives  witli  hei 
who  is  not  her  husband.  Immediately  above  there  live  a  couple  unmarried,  who 
'  have  two  children.  Next  door  we  have  a  family  where  the  fatier  is  notorioua  for 
his  drunkenness.  On  the  opposite  aide  of  the  passage  a  young  woman  keeps 
bouse,  only  seventeen  years  of  age,  the  mother  of  an  infant  three  months  old. 
To  this  dwelling  comes  every  Saturday,  and  stays  till  Monday,  a  man  above  fifij 
years  of  age,  who  is  known  to  earn  good  wagea,  and  who  haa  lodgings  in  another 

n:t  of  the  city.  Next  door  to  thia  girl  live  a  coaple  very  much  given  to  drink. 
tely  the  husband  got  thirty  days  for  striking  bis  wife.  Inunediately  above  lives 
a  woman  mhowasawidow  with  six  children.  Shesome  time  ago  married  a  widower 
with  seven  children,  so  that  there  are  now  fifteen  in  all  living  there,  in  a  very 
small  hooBe.  On  the  opposite  side  lives  a  widow  with  two  sons.  The  hoose  is  in 
an  excessively  filthy  state,  and  almost  eveiything  that  will  sell  goes  for-  drink. 
Above  lives  a  woman  separated  from  her  husband.  Next  door  lives  a  man  with  two 
little  girls,  separated  from  his  wife,  who  lives  witb  another  man  in  uiother  part  of 
the  ci&." ' 
Cheering  instances  of  success,  however,  are  also  given,' e.^.  :— 
'  One  man  visited  to-day  is  a  tradesman,  and  was  lately  much  given  to  drink. 
His  wife  has  described  him  as  on  bia  way  to  the  devil  Now  he  is  a  lounged  man , 
who  may  be  fitly  described  as  "  clothed  and  in  his  right  mind,  dttiog  at  the  feet  of 
Jesus.''  He  is  now  a  member  of  a  Christian  church,  and  regularly  employed  aa  a 
tract  distributor.  Another  was  met,  a  woman,  who  is  a^  a  trophy  of  divine 
grace.  She  was  fonnd  some  yeara  ago  in  a  wretched  garret,  having  forsaken  her 
husband,  who  was  an  inveterate  £unkard.  She  was  assisted  temporally  and 
Spiritually,  was  got  into  the  Training  Home  for  Nurses,  and  now  she  naa  ahonse 
in  the  New  Town,  and  is  in  regular  employment  aa  a  aick -nurse.' 

Surely  there  is  a  loud  call  on  the  Church  of  Christ  to  bestir  itself  I  This  sore 
disease  of  sin  and  crime  that  is  so  palpably  at  its  own  door,  is  also  doing  deadly 
.work  within  its  borders.  A  life  of  self-indufgence  is  not  one  which  ia  permitted  to 
the  Chrisdan.    He  must  follow  in  the  footsteps  of  Him  who  '  went  aboal  doing 

Printed  bj  Musbat  xsd  Gibs,  II  Qneen  Street,  and  Pnblighed  by  Wiluaji 
OuPKAHT  1.HD  Co.,  2i  St.  Giles  Street,  Edinhnrgh,  on  the  lit  of  May 
1878. 


.:?:!.;  Google 


UNITED  PRESBYTERIAN   MAGAZINE. 


JUNE    1.    187  8. 


Original   ^.tt'ulte. 


A  CHOICE  or  CONTRASTS. 

'Behold,  I  set  before  you  this  day  a  blMsing  and  >  onrse;  a  blMaing,  U  ye  obey  Uiaconi- 
lusdmsBts  ol  the  Lord  your  Qod,  wbicli  I  comiouid  yon  this  day :  and  a  oniBa,  if  ye  i^ill 
cot  obey  the  oommandmenls  of  the  Lord  yoar  Qvd,  but  turn  aside  out  of  the  way  which  I 
commud  jou  this  day,  to  go  after  other  gods,  which  ye  have  not  kDOWO.'— Dbct.  zl  26-28. 

In  connection  with  the  religion  which  God  Himself  has  rerealed,  bnmsa 
reason  occapira  an  important  place.  There  is  nothing  aboat  the  former  which 
requires  that  the  latter  shoald  be  either  superseded  or  ignored.  There  are 
indeed  many  things  within  the  circle  of  religions  thought  abont  whit3h  we 
iDDBt  walk  by  faith  and  not  by  s^bt,  and  in  dealing  with  which  faith  in  a 
ler;  high  degree  mast  be  exercised.  E,eligion  has  to  do  with  things  divine, 
vitji  things  nuseen,  with  thii^s  eternal.  It  has  to  do  with  the  deep  tilings 
of  Qod;  and  as  His  ways  and  thoughts  are  higher  than  the  ways  and 
tbonghta  of  man,  even  as  the  heavens  are  higher  than  the  earth,  so  in  deal- 
ii^  properly  with  these  things,  implicit  faith  is  indispensable.  In  many  things 
cloadfl  and  darkness  are  round  about  Him.  His  own  natore  is  incomprehen- 
Bible;  His  essential  and  pec'aliar  attribates  are  unfathomable ;  and  many  of 
His  providential  arrangements  are  involved  in  the  deepest  mystery.  In 
reference  to  all  these  thmgs,  however,  the  exercise  of  faith  is  an  imperative 
duty,  and  the  command,  '  Be  not  faithless  bnt  believing,'  mnst  be  recognised 
and  obeyed.  Faith  is  needed,  and  must  be  exercised  in  reference  to  an  un- 
Been  world  and  the  eternal  abode  of  the  righteons.  '  We  know  that  If  oar 
earthly  bouse  of  this  tabernacle  were  dissolved,  we  have  a  building  of  Qod, 
BQ  hoose  not  made  with  bands,  eternal  in  the  heavens,'  but  it  is  only  by  faith 
that  this  can  be  known.  There  is  no- other  way  in  which  ve  can  advance  a 
smgle  step  beyond  the-  things  that  are  seen  and  temporal,  or  obtain  the 
shghteat  glimpse  of  things  unseen.  Bnt  while,  in  dealhig  with  these  great 
regies,  there  mnst  be  faith,  the  demand  for  the  exercise  of  reason  is  equally 
imperative,  and  for  this  ample  provision  has  been  made.  We  can  believe  in 
the  deepest  of.  the  divine  mysteries  on  God's  own  testimony.  Faith  is  in 
sccordaoce  with  reason  when  it  rests  on  the  foundation  of  God's  own  in- 
fallible word.  The  mere  thoughts  of  any  hnman  mind  about  divine  things, 
however  ingenious  or  sagacions,  are  worthless  as  objects  of  faith,  and  it  is 
irrational  to  believe  them.  The  thoughts  of  men  aboat  thmgs  unseen  are 
merely  guesses,  and  many  of  them  very  fanciful ;  while  faitb,  to  be  in  accord- 

»0.  VI,  VOL.  XXII.  KBW  SERIES. — JDNE  ISTS.  Q 


242  A  CHOICE  OP  CONTBASTS.  '"'KiMlra^ 

ance  with  re&aoD,  mast  hare  facts  on  which  to  rest,  and  in  reTealed'religitin 
this  want  .is  supplied. 

In  conDectiOQ  with  religion,  also,  hiunan  reason  is  often  permitted  to  occupf 
even  a  higher  place.  It  is  not  only  recognised^  and  provision  made  far  iis 
exercise, — it  is  frequently  appealed  to  as  a  judge  and  a  goide.  The  claima 
which  Qod  has  on  man  are  absolnte  and  unchallengeable.  He  might  have 
spoken  to  as  ouly  in  the  language  of  command,  but  instead  of  this  He  ofteo 
condescends  to  reason  with  us.  It  is  our  duty  to  believe  the  doctrines  He  has 
revealed,  to  obey  the  precepts  He  has  enjoined,  and  to  submit  to  the  reatrainla 
He  has  imposed;  and  yet  these  duties  are  pressed  on  ns  not  on  the  gronndof 
authority  alone,  but  sometimes  also  in  tt^ir  bearing  on  our  own  interests. 
He  might  hare  spoken  to  ns  only  as  a  rnler,  a  lawgiver,  or  a  teacher;  hot 
while  He  does  so,  He  sometimes  also  speaks  as  a  friend,  and  in  words  of 
earnest  expostulation  and  waruiug.  In  every  instance  in  which  He  speaks 
in  any  such  mode,  there  is  virtually  an  appeal  to  human  reason.  The 
strongrat  reasons  are  given  why  the  course  pointed  out  should  be  pursued. 

We  have  an  example  of  this  in  the  words  here  addressed  to  ancient  Israel. 
Moses  speaks  by  divine  authority,  and  his  words  mnst  'be  regarded  as  pro- 
ceeding from  God  Himself.  Having  spoken  to  the  people  at  considerable 
length,  and  in  the  words  of  exhortation,  he  follows  np  his  exhortation  by  aa 
appeal  to  their  own  judgment.  He  calls  on  them  to  make  a  choice  between 
things  diametrically  opposed  to  each  other — between  obe^ng  the  cammsDd- 
ments  of  God  and  turning  aside  from  them.  The. same  choice  requires tobe 
made  now  as  well  as  in  the  days  of  old ;  and  let  as  look  at  the  demand  for  it,. 
in  its  application  to  ourselves.  The  choice  presented  is  a  choice  of  contrasts, 
and  this  circumstance  is  favourable  to  resolute  and  prompt  decision.  In 
making  a  choice,  the  mind  is  sometimes  perplexed  by  opposing  claims  so  nicely 
balanced  that  it  is  v^y  difGcolt  to  decide  between  them ;  but  there  is  no  room 
for  snch  perplexity  here.  The  objects  of  choice  stand  on  opposite  sides,  aad 
reason  can  hare  no  hesitation  about  her  verdict.  It  is  a  choice  between  right 
and  wrong,  between  truth  and  falsehood,  between  knowledge  and  ignorance, 
between  happiness  and  misery. 

I,  It  is,  in  the  first  place,  a  choice  between  right  and  wrong.  The  choice 
set  before  Israel  was  one  in  relation  to  which  they  could  by  no  possibilitj* 
occupy  neutral  ground.  It  was  equally  impossible  for  them  both  to  go  after 
other  gods  and  to  continue  in  any  way  to  serve  the  God  of  their  fathers. 
He  must  either  have  all  or  nothing.  His  daims  admit  of  no  rival.  He  ii 
God,  and  besides  Him  there  is  none  else.  His  nnequivocal  demand  is  this : 
Thou  sbalt  have  no  other  gods  before  me.  The  people  of  Israel  were 
required  to  choose  between  the  greatest  of  possible  contrasts, — between 
Jehovah  and  other  gods.  In  going  after  tliem,  they  rejected  Him.  Bis 
claims  on  them  were  many  and  nnchallengeable,  and  here  again  the  contrast 
eomes  oat.  In  choosing,  therefore,  between  Him  and  them,  the  Israelites 
were  choosing  between  right  and  wrong. 

This  is  true  about  obedience  and  disobedience  stilL  It  is  right  to  obey 
God.  It  is  a  matter  of  simple  justice  to  do  so  ;  while  to  turn  aside  from  His 
commandments  is  to  rob  Him  of  what  is  His.  There  are  other  gods  now  as 
well  as  in  the  days  of  old,  and  to  go  after  them  is  to  depart  from  Him.  Here, 
too,  there  can  be  no  neutral  ground.  We  mast  either  be  friends  or  foes ;  we 
must  either  be  on  His  side  or  the  side  of  the  adversary.  There  are  some  who 
make  the  world  and  the  things  that  are  in  it  a  god,  and  not-only  worship  it, 
bnt  love  it  with  all  their  heart,  with  all  their  soul,  with  all  tb^  strengtb, 
and  with  all  their  mind.    The  world,  with  its  customs,  its  modes  of  thouglit, 


■■"jirr^'* '  A  CHOICE  OP  OONTBASTS.  2i3 

tmd  its  priaciples  of  action,  exercises  Bnpretite  dominion  over  them.  There  &re 
others  nho  s&y  in  their  hearts  there  is  no  Ood,  and  make  an  idol  of  their 
unbelief  1  and  there  are  not  a  few  who  make  a  god  of  sinful  pleasure,  and 
glory  in  their  shame. 

Objects  of  worship  such  as  these  haTe  no  claim  on  ns.  We  are  in  no 
respect  bo  indebted  to  any  of  them  as  to  give  them  a  right  to  oar  obedience ; 
ud  some  of  them,  such  as  unbelief  and  sinfnl  iudnlgence,  are  man's  worst 
enemies.  The  present  world  may  snpply  onr  present  wants,  and  provide  for 
ns  those  things  that  perish  with  the  using,  bnt  it  can  do  nothing  to  sopply 
onr  higher  necessities  as  beings  destined  to  live  for  ever.  Unbelief  leaves  as 
groping  in  the  dark  about  the  most  momentous  qaestions  with  yrliich  the 
human  mind  can  be  occupied,  and  sinful  indulgence  has  sooner  or  later  a 
heavy  penalty  to  pay. 

These  are  the  gods  which  men  go  after  when  they  tnrn  aside  from  the 
commandments  of  the  Lord.  The  objects  of  their  homage  have  no  claim  on. 
them.  Bnt  bow  different  is  it  with  Him  whose  commandments  they  disobey  I 
He  has  claims  on  nsAS  onr  sole  proprietor.  He  has  made  ns  what  we  are, 
sod  given  ns  all  wo  have,  and  on  these  grounds  we  are  bound  to  render  to 
Him  supreme  obedience.  It  is  right  to  do  so,  and  it  is  wrong  to  do  other- 
wise. On  our  part  there  muA  be  obedience  in  eome  form  or  other.  We 
most  either  obey  Qod,  or  some  authority  in  opposition  to  His.  The  one  is 
clearly  right  becanse  of  God's  claims  on  us,  and  the  other  is  just  as  clearly 
wrong.  What,  thai,  are  we  to  do  T  We  cannot  do  both.  We  cannot  go 
both  upwards  and  downwards ;  we  cannot  turn  both  to  the  right  hand  and' 
to  the  left.  What  course,  then,  as  rational  beings,  are  we  to  adopt!  We 
have  a  choice  to  make,  and  it  is  a  choice  of  contrasts,— a  choice  between  - 
obeying  God  and  rebelling  against  Him — between  right  and  wrong ;  and  if 
weallow  reason  to  guide  us,  we  cannot  hesitate  for  a  moment  about  the  deci- 
fnon  to  which  we  ought  to  come.  We  must  at  all  hazards  do  what  is  right 
and  avoid  what  is  wrong,  and  therefore  obey  the  commandments  of  the  Lord 
onr  God. 

II.  The  choice  of  contrasts  here  presented  is,  in  the  second  place,  a  choice 
between  tmth  and  falsehood.  It  was  the  living  and  true  God  whom  the 
Israelites  were  commanded  to  obey,  while  the  other  gods  whom  they  might 
be  tempted  to  follow  were  false ;  and  a  choice  of  these  contrasts  is  set  before 
tbem.  The  choice  they  required  to  make  was  a  choice  between  the  service 
of  Him  who  made  the  heavens  and  the  earth,  the  sea,  and  the  fountains  of 
water,  and  of  wh(»e  eternal  power  and  Godhead  the  most  abundant  evidence 
had  been  set  before  them  ;  and  the  service  of  gods  who  were  no  gods, — of 
bemgs  who  exited  only  in  the  imagination  of  their  worshippers,  or  were  in 
reality  nothing  more  than  dnmb,  bUnd,  and  helpless  idols. 

In  connection  with  religion  this  choice  must  still  be  made.  In  choosing 
between  allegiance  to  God  and  rebellion  against  Him,  we  hare  a  choice  to 
make  between  truth  and  falsehood.  On  the  subject  of  human  duty,  truth, 
speaking  through  the  divine  law,  reminds  us  of  our  shortcomings.  It  tells 
ns  that  the  law  is  exceeding  broad ;  that  it  is  holy,  just,  and  good ;  that  we 
daily  offend  in  thought,  word,  and  deed :  and  the  natural  effect  of  such 
teaching  is  progress  in  holiness.  We  are  constrained  to  leave  the  things 
that  are  behind,  and  press  on  to  those  that  are  before;  to  lay  aside  every 
weight,  and  the  sin  that  doth  most  easily  beset  ns^  and  run  with  patience  the 
race  set  before  ns, 

In  direct  contrast  to  this,  falsehood,  by  various  mjdes  of  speech  and 
through  many  different  agencies,  mcourages  a  eelf-righteous  spirit.    False 


244  ■      A  CHOICE  OF  COHTBASTB,  '""J^.Timl"' 

pbilosopby,  false  theology,  false  morality,  and  a  literatare  poisoned  with  the 
falsehood  of  scepticism  or  indifference,  all  contribate  to  the  BccompliehiDecit 
of  this  result.  Every  form  of  false  teaCluDg  flatters  hnman  pride,  and  tends 
to  destroy  in  its  disciples  and  victims  the  seose  of  responsibility.  Such 
teaching  is  naturally  very  acceptable  to  the  hnipan  heart  Mnltitades  are 
ready  to  believe  in  it ;  and  this  ia  not  at  all  surprising,  seeing  that  there  is 
nothing  easier  than  to  convince  erring  mortals  of  thcdr  own  good  and  meri- 
toriona  qnalities.-.  Bnt  while  troth  stimnlates  and  is  condncive  to  moral 
progress  by  a  faithfnl  exhibition  of  defects,  f^ehood,  by  enconraging  a  self- 
rigbteons  spirit,  prevents  it,  and  even  leads  to  d^eneracy.  If  we  yield  to  its 
inflaence,  we  nwy  persnade  ourselves  that  we  are  already  so  near  perfectioa 
tiiat  we  may  give  onrselves  no  concern  about  progress.  There  will  be  no 
striving  after  higher  attaiamente,  no  longing  after  a  higher  degree  of  holi- 
ness, and  no  effort  to  reach  it.  Onr  relation  to  Bpiritaal  things  will  be 
marred  by  idleness,  and  sloth  and  moral  weakness  will  be  the  inevitable 
result. 

In  connection  with  the  claims  of  dnty,  truth  reminds  us  of  our  belplesaoess. 
It  tells  ns  at  the  very  outlet  that  we  must  enter  a  strait  gate  and  pnreae 
our  journey  along  a  narrow  way.  Truth  tells  us  that  we  have  work  to  do; 
that  this  work  is  arduous,  and  not  to  be  trifled  with.  It  tells  us  that  we  have 
a  warfare  to  maintain  with  powerful  foes,  and  leaves  ua  in  no  doubt  abont 
who  they  are.  It  warns  na  eapecially  of  the  lurking  enemy  within.  It  brings 
before  ns  our  duties  and  our  dangers  in  terms  so  plain  and  ao  explicit,  as  to 
call  forth  the  exclamation,  'Who  is  aufScient  for  these  things?'  and  the 
natural  result  of  all  this  is  distrust  of  ourselves,  and  reliance  on  promised 
■grace,  along  with  active  effort  and  constant  vigilance.  . 

Ou  thia  point  the  teaching  of  falsehood  is  very  different.  Life  is  too 
often  represented  aa  a  flowery  path.  Through  a  certain  class  of  books  and 
periodicals,  both  very  numerous  and  very  popular,  from  many  platforms  and 
from  Bome  pulpits,  falsehood  lifts  her  voice,  and  the  whole  tenor  of  her 
teaching  is  to  prodnce  self-confidence  by  giving  false  views  of  life.  There  is 
nothing  about  either  serious  work  or  dangeroua  warfare.  BeHeve  the  words 
of  falsdiood,  and  you  will  be  satisfied  that  the  great  hnsineas  of  life  ia  to 
seek  enjoyment,  and  not  only  to  seek  it  in  light  and  frivolous  parsuits,  bnt 
even  in  connection  with  the  very  aervices  of  religion.  The  moral  result  of 
'  this  false  view  of  l^e  is  disastrous  in  the  extreme.  The  man  who  beheves 
that  be  may  live  entirely  for  bis  own  enjoyment,  and  that  the  present  life  ia 
thstt  with  which  he  otigbt  to  be  chiefly  cooceroed,  will  never  feel  hia  own 
helplessness  and  his  need  of  divine  aid.  Instead  of  that  distmst  of  himself  and 
that  reUsnce  on  6od  which  the  teaching  of  the  troth  inspires,  he  has  perfect 
confldeQce  in  his  own  stability ;  and  instead,  therefore,  of  being  active  and 
watchful,  he  becomes  the  victim  of  that  pride  which  cometh  before  destrnc* 
tion  and  the  haughty  spirit  that  is  before  a  fall 

In  connection  with  the  divine  law,  truth  speaks  to  us  of  our  accountability. 
It  tells  ns  that  we  mnst  give  an  account  of  the  deeds  done  in  the  body, 
whether  they  have  been  good  or  bad.  Truth  deckires  that  a  holy  God  will 
not  fail  to  punish  sin,  end  that  the  penalty  of  breaking  the  law  mnst  be  paid 
by  all  who  incur  it.  The  moral  result  of  this  is  to  lead  the  sinner  to  the 
Saviour.  A  conscionsnesa  of  the  fact  that  we  have  sinned,  and  that  we 
cannot  answer  for  one  of  a  thoosand  of  our  transgressions,  ia  well  fitted  to 
make  us  cry  out,  'What  must  I  do  to  be  aavedl'  and  to  receive  with  glad- 
ness the  precious  truth  that  God  is  in  Christ  recraiciliug  Uie  wtH-ld  unto 
Himself,  not  imputing  their  trespasses  unto  them. 


A  CHOtO£  OF  COHTKASTS.  245 

Bnt  here,  agaio,  we  h&ve  a  cootrast  to  tlits  In  the  teaching  of  fali^ood. 
Betie?e  the  words  of  falsehood  as  they  are  sometimes  spoken  even  in  the 
name  of  religion,  and  yon  will  not  feel  yonr  acconntability  resting  on  yon 
as  a  very  h^Yj  borden.  Yoa  will  feel  eaconraged  to  make  light  of  ^u, — 
perb^)9  even  to  make  a  mock  of  it.  Yoq  will  not  feel  that  tbere  is  such  a 
thing  as  the  wrath  to  come,  or  be  persnaded  by  the  terrora  of  the  Lord  to 
flee  from  it  and  seek  the  refoge  set  before  yoa  in  the  gospeL  Believe  the 
voice  of  falsehood,  and  yon  may  betake  yoorselves  to  the  forlorn  hope  that 
everlasting  may  aot  mean  everlasting,  and  that  eternal  may  not  mean  eternal, 
and  that  for  ever  may  not  mean  for  ever.  The  moral  resnlt  of  such  f^se 
teaching  is  to  make  men  trnst  to  themselves  for  salvation;  and  we  can 
inugine  no  foDy  equal  to  this.  We  do  not  trnst  onrBelves  when  onr  own 
temporal  interests  are  at  stake.  '  The  man  who  is  hi^  own  lawyer  has  a  fool 
for  his  client.'  The  moet  skilful  physician  never  trasts  to  his  own  skill  when 
eerioQS  illness  overtakes  him;  and  as  no  man,  however  skilfal,  can  venture  to 
be  his  own  physician,  what  folly  must  it  be  for  any  man  to  follow  the  voice 
of  falsehood,  and  attempt  to  become  his  own  savionr  I 

Looking,  then,  at  those  facts,  we  can  have  no  hesitation  abont  the  choice 
we  have  to  make;  the  distinction  between  the  objects  of  choice  is  clear  and 
definite.  It  is  a  choice  of  contrasts, — not  only  a  choice  between  right  and 
wrong,  bnt  a  choice  between  truth  and  falsehood.  We  most  either  choose 
the  tmth,  which  tells  ns  of  oar  sbortcomiogs,  and  urges  ns  to  advance  in 
holmess;  which  tells  us  of  oar  helplessness,  and  nrgee  to  be  active  and 
watchful,  and  trust  in  God ;  which  reminds  ns  of  onr  accountability  and  the 
dreadful  penalty  of  sin,  and  draws  as  to  Him  who  is  mighty  to  save:  or 
we  must  choose  falsehood,  which  may  lead  ns  to  be  self-satis&ed  in  spite  of 
many  moral  defects;  which  may  produce  self-confidence,  and  pave  the  way 
for  our  destruction;  which  blinds  as  to  our  responsibility,  as  well  as  the  con- 
sequences of  sin,  and  leads  ns  to  trust  to  onrselrea  when  brought  to  the 
tribunal  of  the  rigbteons  Judge.  With  these  things  before  ns,  then,  let  reason 
give  her  verdict.  With  the  tmth  so  plainly  laid  down,  we  cannot  surely  be 
BO  wayward  and  so  foolish  as  to  give  onrs^ves  up  to  strong  delnslon  and 
believe  a  lie. 

in.  In  this  choice  of  contrasts,  thsre  is,  in  the  third  place,  a  choice  between 
knowledge  and  ignorance.  The  obedience  required  of  Uie  Israetitee  was 
obedience  to  Jehovab,  the  God  of  tbeir  fathers,  and  the  God  whom  they  had 
themselves  known,  wMle  the  gods  whom  they  might  be  tempted  to  go  aiter 
were  gods  whom  they  bad  not  known.  The  Ood  whose  commandments  they 
had  bem  called  upon  to  obey  had  in  mxaj  ways  -made  Himself  known  to 
theoL  He  had  done  so  by  many  signs  and  wondws  and  miraculous  inter- 
podtlons  on  their  behalf.  In  Egypt,  at  Sinai,  and  in  Canaan  He  had  made 
Himself  known  in  such  a  way  as  to  leave  no  doubt  about  His  presence  and 
Hiii  perfections.  On  the  other  hand,  they  knew  nothing  at  all  about  the 
gods  tbey  mast  obey  if  they  forsook  Him.  All  that  they  knew  abont  them 
wBg,  that  they  were  the  gods  of  the  nations  aronnd  them  :  they  were  there- 
fore in  danger  of  blindly  following  a  multitude  to  do  evil. 

This  is  true  stUl  in  making  a  (£oice  between  serving  Qod  and  departjug 
from.  Him.  Here,  again,  we  have  a  choice  of  contrasts.  There  is,  on  the 
OM  hand,  a  God  we  know.  We  do  not,  indeed,  know  all  about  Him,  but 
Btill  He  is  not  to  us  u  unknown  God.  We  know  alt  that  we  need  to  know. 
Ve  know  Hun  m  the  Creator  of  all  things,  as  the  Buler  of  the  universe, 
who  governs  all  His  creatures  and  all  their  actions ;  as  the  great  Lawgiver, 
who  ezeontes  and  can  suspend  His  oini  laws  at  wiH    We  kuo.w  Hun  as  the 


246  fliB Tixns  SALT, BAET.  ""JS.ina**'' 

dwelling-place  of  His  people  in  ill  g^erstionB;  as  the  God  of  our  fading; 
the  Qod  in  whom  the;  trusted,  and  were  not  pnt  to  ahame.  We  know  Him 
as  a  JDBt  God,  and  yet  the  jostifier  of  tiie  ungodly  who  believe  in  JesuBi  as 
the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  tmd  onr  God  and  Fatha  in 
Him. 

In  contrast  to  all  this,  the  gods  who  present  themselves  as  rivals  to  Eim 
are  gods  we  do  not  know.  Some  invite  ns  to  follow  a  god  who  has  no  per- 
sonal  existence,  and  who  is  merely  another  name  for  natore  herself;  others 
tell  ns  of  a  Supreme  Being  to  whose  ezisteoce  the  voice  of  nature  bearg 
testimony ;  otbers  speak  of  a  god  whose  only  relation  to  his  c'reatores  is 
that  of  a  father,  aad  whose  only  attribote  is  mercy ;  and  there  are  eroi 
some  who  can  ask  as  to  confide  in  a  god  in  whose  eyes  sin  is  of  no  account 
at  alL  Bnt  these  are  gods  we  know  nothing  about.  Neither  reasoD  nor 
revelation  has  told  anything  abont  such  gods  as  these,  and  the  Ood  we 
know  is  utterly  unlike  tbem.  The  only  God  we  know  is  distinct  from  His 
works,  and  far  above  and  beyond  them  slL  The  God  vre  know  is  just  and 
holy,  as  well  as  mercif  nl  and  good ;  a  jndge  and  &  soreregn,  as  well  aa  a 
father  and  a.frieod.  If,  then,  we  tnm  aside  from  Him,  we  find  ourselves  in 
the  midst  of  darkness  and  perplexity,  following  gods  we  have  not  known. 
Here,  again,  we  have  a  choice  of  contrasts, — a  choice  between  knowledge  and 
ignorance  on  the  most  solemn  and  important  of  qnestions;  and  if  we  lisba 
to  reason  we  caonot  hesitate  which  to  choose. 

lY.  The  choice  of  contrasts  here  presented  is  a  choice  betweoi  happiness 
and  misery.  '  Behold,  I  set  before  yon  this  day  a  blessing  and  a  curse:  a 
blessing  if  ye  obey,  a  corse  if  ye  do  not  ob^.  This  is  not  less  tme  new 
than  it  was  in  the  days  of  Moses.  Obedience  brings  a  blessing ;  in  the  ke^ 
ing  of  Ood'a  commandments  there  is  a  great  reward,  even  peace  here  and 
eternal  glory  hereafter. 

Disobedience  brings  a  cnrse.  God  is  angry  with  the  wicked  every  day. 
The  corse  of  a  broken  law  rests  on  the  head  of  the  impenitent,  and  in  the 
fallest  extent  it  shall  at  length  be  poured  oat  in  the  execution  of  the  senteDce, 
'  Depart  from  me,  ye  carsed,  into  everlasting  fire,  prepared  for  the  devil  and 
his  angels.'  Here,  also,  we  have  a  choice  of  contrasts,  and  a  choice  in  which 
we  are  personally  concerned.  In  serving  God  we  promote  onr  own  hsppi- 
ness,  bnt  in  departing  from  Him  we  ensure  our  own  misery ;  and  let  na  see 
that  in  a  matter  so  important  we  make  a  rational  and  a  proper  choice.  In 
this  matter  let  us  trust  in  God,  and  not  ia  onr  own  understanding.  Let  as 
not  be  so  wicked  as  to  do  what  is  wrong  when  we  might  do  what  is  right. 
Let  us  not  be  so  d^raded  as  to  embrace  what  is  false  when  we  have  troth 
within  our  reach.  Let  ns  not  be  so  perverse  as  to  love  tlie  darkness  rather 
than  the  light.  And  let  ns  not  be  so  foolish  as  to  choose  endless  misery  when 
we  might  have  a  place  in  God's  presence,  where  there  is  f  olness  of  joy,  and  at 
His  right  hand,  where  there  are  pleasures  for  evermore.  B.  B. 


SIR  TITUS  SALT,  BABT. 

Sot  TiTDB  Salt  was  one  of  the  merchant  princes  of  the  land.  His  life, 
as  given  by  Mr.  Ba^amie,  is  a  remarkably  intereating  one  from  many  points 
of  view,  and  specially  so  to  the  student  of  hnman  natare — for  what  he 
acquired  and  what  he  missed ;  for  what  he  bestowed  on  others,  and  what  he 
failed  (at  least  till  a  late  period)  in  securing  for  himself.  He  certainly  was 
a  remarkable  persoa  ;  and  the  story  of  hie  life  aa  a  boBinesa  man  ia  wel( 


""iHkm^^  8IE  TITDS  SALT,  BART.  247 

north  the  telling,  while  as  a  philanthropiHt  it  deserves'  the  ftdmiratjon  of  all, 
and  their  imitation  as  far  as  lies  in  their  power. 

TitDs  Salt  was  bom  at  the  village,  now  the  town,  of  Morley,  in  the 
DHghbonrhood  of  Leeds  and  Bradford,  on  the  20th  of  September  1803. 
The  Salt  family  had  occupied  a  respectable  position  in  the  middle  class  for 
some  generations,  and  the  father  and  mother  of  Titus  were  both  peraoos 
of  saperior  character.  Mr.  Balgaraie  tella  na  that  '  Mr.  Baoiel  Salt,  his 
father,  was  a  plun,  blnnt  Yorksbireman  both  in  manner  and  speech.  He 
was  tall  in  size,  strong  in  bone  and  rnnacle,  with  an  impediment  in  his 
ntterance.  He  is  still  remembered  for  his  energy  and  indnstry  in  bnsiness, 
and  for  many  quaint  and  original  sayings  that  fell  from  his  lips.  Mrs. 
Daniel  Salt  was  a  woman  of  delicate  constitution,  retiring  in  her  disposition, 
Bveet  and  gentle  in  her  ways,  sometimes  snbject  to  mental  depression,  an 
earnest  Christian,  and  a  stannch  Nonconformist.'  Snch  cbaracterisUcs  could 
not  ful  to  be  impressed  both  by  nature  and  through  education  on  the 
Bon. 

The  moral  atmosphere  of  the  district,  too,  was  veiy  favourable.  We  are 
told,  '  The  people  of  Horley  had  mach  of  the  old  Puritan  spirit  among 
them.  TTie  Sabbath  was  strictly  observed.  Family  worship  was  common 
in  many  a  home.  The  Bible  and  Bnnyan's  Pilgrm's  Progrea  were  the 
books  most  frequently  read.  Good  Friday  was  not  in  their  calendar,  and 
the  many  fast-days  which  human  authority  originated  they  did  not  recog- 
nise. Nor  need  we  wonder  at  this.  Apart  from  the  Puritan  memories 
that  clostered  round  the  place,  there  was  no  Established  Church  m  it  till 
1830,  so  that  Nonconformity  then  occupied  the  unique  position  of  having 
no  national  Church  in  the  town.  .  .  .  John  Wesley  often  yisitedMorley  and 
preached  tbe  gospel  to  the  people.  By  these  visits  of  this  eminent  man,  a 
spirit  of  religions  earnestness  was  awakened,  which  continues  until  now.' 

Thus  we  see  that  Titus  Salt  had  very  mach  to  be  thankful  for  in  the 
goodly  herit^e  he  had  both  as  regards  his  parents  and  his  birthplace. 
Peopte  may  become  good  and  great  in  spite  of  early  drawbacks,  but  it 
giTee  a  vast  vantage-gronnd  to  begin  life  under  favonrable  circumstances 

Whm  Titos  was  about  ten  years  old,  the  Salts  removed  to  a  farm  called 
Crofton,  adjoining  a  village  of  the  same  name,  where  lived  a  Miss  Mangnall 
who  conducted  a  boarding-school,  it  was  thonght  with  great  snccess,  and 
also  published  a  book  called  Mangnaffs  Quettiona,  aronnd  which-  cluster  in 
the  minds  of  not  a  few  many  dreary  memories,  due  no  donbt  partly  to 
tbemselvee,  and  partly  to  the  way  in  which  some  of  Miss  Mangnall's  sister- 
teachers  used  it.  Whether  the  present  system  of  payment  by  results  may 
Dot  tend  to  bring  back  the  medianical  plui  of  teaching,  is  a  questiou  worth 


Titus  bad  by  this  time  been  at  two  schools,  and  here  he  changed  to  a  third, 
which,  along  with  a  sister,  he  attended — at  Wakefield,  a  considerable 
distance  from  their  home,  and  to  which  they  travelled  by  tbe  help  of  a 
donkey.  A  Mr.  Harrisoa  was  the  teach^  daring  the  greater  part  of  Titus 
Salt's  attendance,  and  to  him  he,  along  with  many  others,  owed  a  life-long 
debt  of  grB,tjtnd&  There  is  an  ancient  saying  that  '  the  world  subsists  ou 
the  breath  of  school  children ; '  and  we  all  know  what  untold  influmce  the 
Echoolmaeter  has  in  his  hands,  and  can  therefore  see  how  fortunate  Mr. 
Harrison's  pupils  vrere  in  having  a  teacher  of  whom  it  could  be  said  that 
'  his  teaching  was  eminently  enbetuiti^ ;  his  pupils  were  grounded  in  the 
sevwal  branches  of  learning  to  which  their  attention  was  directed,  and  all 
that  was  undertaken  was  thoroughly  done  and  severely  tested.' 


248  BIE  TITUS  SALT,  BAKT.  *    jtL'ttw* 

At  Wakefield,  eiso,  was  the  nearest  place  of  worship,  bnt  the  distaoce 
was  too  great  for  Mrs.  Salt,  whoee  health  was  bat  feeble,  to  attead 
regolarljr.  Od  this  acconnt  divine  aerrice  waa  often  held  at  home,  bnt  for 
thia  a  licence  had  to  be  got  from  the  civil  aathoritiea,  snch  a  meeting  boog 
illegal  among  Dissenters.  A  ^rent  deal  has  yet  to  be  done  in  the  direction 
of  religioas  liberty,  but,  comparing  the  present  state  of  tbtogs  witli  this,  it 
may  surely  thank  Ood  and  take  courage. 

When  Titos  Salt  was  seventeen,  he  had  to  decide  what  was  to  be  his 
trade  or  profession.  Tlus  is  often  a  most  embarrassing  qnestiou.  When  & 
lad  has  a  strong  bent  in  a  particnlar  direction,  the  matter  is  easily  settled, 
or  when  outward  circnmstances  point  in  one  way  only ;  bat  often  this  is 
not  the  case,  and  then  the  difficulty  is  grent.  At  one  time  Titns  thonght 
of  b^g  a  doctor,  bnt  he  happened  to  cat  his  hand  one  day  aud  faint«d  at 
the  sight  of  the  blood.  From  this  his  father  thought  that  such  a  choice 
would  never  do,  and  in  the  end  he  turned  his  attention  to  the  wool  trade  in 
its  various  departments,  whi^h  was  the  main  isccupation  of  the  wbgle 
district. 

How  far  this  choice  affected  his  success  in  life  it  is  impossible  to  say. 
With  his  unwearying  application,  indomitable  will,  and  great  concentration 
of  purpose,  any  walk  of  hfe,  we  may  almost  soppose,  would  have  led  to  a 
desirable  result ;  but,  be  that  as  it  may,  his  choice  certainly,  in  the  tben 
existing  state  of  the  locality,  was  a  happy  on&  We  know  that  there  is  a 
tide  in  the  affairs  of  men,  that,  taken  at  its  flood,  leads  on  to  fortnne;  aod 
at  this  time,  all  round  Bradford,  to  which  town  the  Baits  ronoved,  com- 
mercial prosperity  seemed  to  be  in  the  air.  The  manufacturing  indostries 
had  received  an  immense  impulse  from  Arkwright's  inventions  and  the  intrO' 
dnction  of  the  nse  of  steam  power ;  and  when,  after  a  period  of  service  spent 
in  acquiring  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  various  departments  of  trade, 
rntus  Salt,  along  with  his  father,  began  business  as  a  wool-stapler,  his 
career  was  one  of  unintermpted  prosperity. 

The  first  milestone,  bo  to  speak,  in  his  journey  of  money-making,  was 
the  poflsession  of  £1000.  This  he  signalized  by  buying  himself  a  gold 
watch,  which  he  nsed  all  his  after  life,  and  used  to  good  purpose  too,  for 
punctuality  was  one  of  his  specialties ;  and  we  can  imagine  how  it  told  bin) 
not  only  .the  present  time,  bat  recalled  vividly  to  hie  mind  the  achievements 
of  his  early  days,  when  custom  hod  not  staled  the  flavour  of  success  Can 
we  imagine  how  he  felt,  when,  at  the  close  of  his  long  and  prosperous  lifs, 
his  feeble  hand,  no  longer  able  to  wind  it  op,  had  to  commit  it  to  the  care 
of  others  T  So  doubt  a  strange,  sharp  pang  would  ehoot  through  hie  heart, 
when  thoB,  on  the  verge  of  that  land  where  '  time  shall  be  no  more,'  he  had 
to  part  company  with  this  lon^-tried  servant  and  familiar  friend,  which  had 
measured  out  to  him  the  many  precious  opportunities  of  life,  andadmoni^ed 
him  BO  often  that,  like  all  earthly  things,  time  was  swiftly  passing  on. 

Bnt,  white  making  money,  Mr.  Salt  did  not  fot^et  that  this,  like  time,  was 
a  talent  for  whieh  he  was  accountable,  and  so  he  conscientionsly  devoted 
part  of  his  gains  to  benevolent  and  religions  porposes;  and,  like  many 
others,  be  found  that  the  more  he  gave  tlie  more  he  gained,  and  all  bis  life 
through  his  benevolence  kept  pace  with  his  prosperity.  We  mnst  not 
suppose,  however,  that  wealth  and  worldly  prosperity  were  aU  he  set  his 
mind  oa'  Rumour  had  whispered  in  his  ear  the  chMms  of  a  Misa  Whitboro, 
the  danghter  of  a  Lincolnshire  farmer,  and  he  thought  he  conid  not  do 
better  than  inquire  and  inspect  for  himself.  This  looks  a  eool  procedure, 
and  no  donbt  4t  was  ao-    But  Providence  InterpoBed,  and  when  he  arrived  at 


"■'jiTijlnil*''  SIB  TITUB  SALT,  BART.  249 

Orimbsj  Haoor,  aoother  diraghter  of  the  faoiily,  whom  be  happened  to  see 
Gnt,  cast  the  magic  glamonr  over  him,  and  there  and  then  he  fell  in  lore, 
and  theK  k  good  reason  to  believe  that  he  nerer  gathered  himself  ap  again. 
The;  vere  married  in  Angaat  18S0. 

Shortly,  after  this,  the  great  enterprise  that  was  the  crown  and  gloty  of 
Mr.  Salt  in  tlie  way  of  bnsineaa  was  undertaken,  which  was  the  inrention  of 
the  cloth  called  alpaca.  This  is  the  prodact  of  the  wool  of  an  animal 
called  the  paca.  Hitherto  it  had  been  regarded  as  of  little  or  no  ^ 
worth,  bat  Mr.  Salt's  eje  detected  in  it  valaabte  properties,  and,  after  a ' 
series  of  anxions  experiments,  with  no  enconragemeDt,  and  indeed  many 
dJBCoaragementB  from  others,  and  much  money  expended,  for  he  had  to  bnitd 
mills  with  machinery  adapted  to  the  mannfactnre  of  the  article,  he  produced 
this  cloth  so  mnch  prized  and  worn  by  all  classes,  and  from  which  he 
derived  princely  revennes.  How  different  now  his  sarroandings  from  the 
time  when,  before  he  set  oS  to  school, -he  nsed  to  go  ont  in  the  early 
momiDg  and  draw  from  the  cow  his  daily  supply  of  milk ! 

But  it  mnst  not  be  thoaght  that  iir.  Salt's  snccess  in  life  was  owing  to 
one  happy  hit — for  from  it.  TTi"  diligence  and  pnnctnality  and  devoted- 
ness  to  bnsineae  were  unceasing.  No  efforts  on  hia  part  were  wanting  to 
ensore  the  sncceas  of  erery  nndotaking ;  and  in  no  narrow  or  selfish  way 
were  his  arrangements  carried  ont,  for  a  spirit  of  enlightened  philanthropy 
characterized  his  dealings  with  his  work-people.  One  of  them  testified, 
'Whenever  he  saw  tme  dis:ti^8S,  he  was  always  ready  with  his  heart  and 
hands  to  hdp.'  Another  said,  'He  was  a  )dnd  master  to  me.'  In  this 
GODQection  Mr.  Balgamie  t«lls  this  interesting  anecdote.  '  On  entering  his 
works  one  day,  he  discovered  some  of  the  yarn  had  been  spoiled  in  the 
epioauig  process.  He  immediately  inquired  who  had  done  the  mischief. 
A  workman  stepped  forward,  and  said,  "  It  is  of  no  use,  sir,  accnsii^;  any- 
body else,  I  am  the  man  who  did  It."  Of  course  he  expected  nothing  but 
Bommaiy  diemissal  for  bis  n^ligence,  and  anxionsly  waited  the  verdict. 
"What  do  yon  mean  to  do  T  "asked  Mr.  Salt,  "Do  better,  sir,"  was  the 
reply.  "Then,"  sud  his  master,  with  a  smile,  "jo  and  do  it."'  Snch  a 
character  was  spedally  valuable  when  differences  arose  between  him  and  his 
workmen,  as  even  among  thenf  strikes  were  not  unknown.  At  a  time  of  this 
kind,  '  when  a  deputation  of  the  work-people  waited  upon  him  to  discuss 
the  point  in  dispute,  ^at  was  their  surprise  when  he  calmly  yet  Ermly 
answered  them  thus !  '*  You  are  not  in  my  service  now ;  yon  have  of  yonr 
own  accord  1^  me.  Return  to  your  work,  and  then  I  shall  consider  your 
proposals.''  The  reqneet  was  reasonable,  the  argument  unanswerable ; 
■nd  BQch  was  their  confidence  in  the  rectitude  of  their  master,  that  they  at 
once  reeumed  work,  and  the  point  in  dispute  was  very  soon  afterwards 
satisfactorily  settled.' 

In  such  a  busy  life  one  conld  ahnost  have  excused  Mr,  Salt  from  taking 
ptit  in  mOTe  public  affairs.  This,  however,  he  did  not  do  himself.  Speak- 
ing was  not  in  this,  or  any  other  department,  his  fortt.  As  far  as  his 
ntterances  vrere  concerned,  future  generations  would  have  had  no  need  to 
r^ret  had  such  an  inatnunent  as  the  phonogram  never  been  inTent«d ;  bat 
quietly  he  worked  away,  gathering  together  men  of  Uke  mind  with  himself, 
and  when  the  business  of  the  day  was  over,  they  would  meet  and  concert 
snch  measures  as  they  thoaght  likely  to  advance  the  welfare  of  the  country, 
and  thus  to  no  inconsiderable  extent  helped  to  swell  the  rising  tide  of  en- 
lightened pnblic  feeling  which  swept  over  the  coWntry,  and  brought  about 
snch  mighty  and  beneficent  measarea  as  t&e  passing  of  the  Reform  BUI,  the 


250  SIB  TITCS  SALT,  BAET,  ^""luL'^Tm^ 

abolition  of  slavery,  tbe  repeal  of  the  Coni  Laws,  and  the  Gatiiolic 
EmaDcipation  Act,  aod  which,  we  hope,  shall  rise  still  higher  and  spread 
still  wider,  titl  all  those  abases  dictated  and  upheld  by  short-sighted  selfisb- 
ness  shall  be  numbered  among  the  things  that  were. 

He  took  an  active  interest  in  the  municipal  affairs  of  the  town  of  Bradford, 
too,  of  which  he  was  for  some  time  Mayor,  and  devised  many  schemes  foe 
the  eleralion  and  improvement  of  his  fellow-citizens ;  aad  it  was  in  no  far- 
away sort  of  manner  that  he  showed  his  kindly  feelmgs.  When  driving  to 
and  from  his  house  in  the  conntry,  he  would  take  up  a  tired  pedestrian  on  tbe 
road,  and  thns  help  bim  on  his  way ;  and  when  cholera  was  ravaging  the 
town,  he  personally  visited  many  of  the  sufferers,  and  otherwise  aided  them. 

But  althoagh  as  a  business  man  Mr.  Salfs  career  was  so  prosperooii, 
crosses  came  to  him  in  another  form,  when  death  ratered  his  home  and  re- 
moved  two  of  his  children.  This  he  felt  deeply.  Busy  man  as  he  was,  he 
refreshed  himself  and  delighted  his  children  by  bis  intercourse  with  them 
after  the  labours  of  the  day;  and  when  they  were  from  home,  be  followed 
them  with  wise  and  kindly  coonseh 

Mr.  Salt,  as  any  one  may  suppose,  was  a  man  of  method.  His  plans  bsd 
embraced  not  only  the  condact  of  his  business,  but  also  his  retirement  from 
it,  which  he  had  fixed  to  do  when  he  arrived  at  the  age  of  fifty.  His  idea 
was  then  to  bay  an  estate,  and  became  a  landed  gentleman.  This  at  Erst 
sight  looks  very  judicious  and  promising,  but  on  second  thoughts  one  begins 
to  ask.  What  could  a  man  whose  whole  life  had  been  spent  among  wool  and 
machinery  do  when  set  mto  an  entirely  different  kind  of  snrroondingB,  with 
ample  leisure,  and  no  habits  of  reading  or  other  ways  of  occupying  his  time 
pleasantly  and  profitably,  as  a  man  of  quiet,  studious  habits  knows  so  well 
how  to  doT  Indeed,  when  asked  one  day  what  book  he  was  reading,  be  - 
answered, '  Al[mca ;'  and  then  qaietly  added, '  Jf  you  hod  four  or  five 
thoosand  people  to  provide  for  every  day,  yon  would  not  have  much  time 
for  reading.'  Something  of  this  kind  probably  occurred  to  him.  Besides,  be 
b^an  to  think  that  he  could  do  more  both  for  his  family  and  for  others  by 
eontioning  in  the  old  line.  At  all  events  he  chained  his  plans,  and  inste&d 
of  retirii^,  made  up  his  mind  to  concentrate  all  his  concerns  into  one  place, 
away  from  the  crowded  thorongbfares  of  Bradford,  and  erect  a  kind  of  model 
estabhshment,  where  business  would  be  conducted  with  every  advantage  both 
to  the  employer  and  employed.  Tbe  result  of  this  was,  in  the  course  of  time, 
the  growth  of  the  town  called  Saltaire, — so  named  from  its  fonnder  and  tb« 
'  river  on  which  it  stands. 

This  Saltaire  is  a  moat  remarkable  place.  We  can  give  bnt  sparse  extracts 
from  Mr.  Ba^amie's  description  of  it.  *  In  alt  there  are  twenty-two  streets, 
besides  places,  terraces,  and  roads,  which  contain  850  houses  and  45-ehns- 
honaes,  making  a  total  of  895  dwelUngs,  covering  an  area  of  25  acree.  Let 
na  enter  one  of  the  dwellings,  and  examine  its-  internal  arr&ngementa 
From  the  sample  the  whole  balk  may  be  judged.  It  is  bnilt  of  tbe  same 
stone  as  the  mill,  and  lined  with  brick-work.  It  contams  parlour,  kitcheD, 
pantry,  and  three  bed-rooms.  Some  of  the  houses  are  designed  for  lai^ 
families,  and  some  for  boarding-houses.  These  dwellings  are  fitted  np  with 
all  the  modem  appliances  necessaiy  to  comfort  and  health.  They  are  well 
ventilated,  and  have  each  a  back  guden,  walled  in  and  Bagged.  The  rents  ut 
moderate,  and  tbe  booses  are  in  much  request.  Part  of  Victoria  Boad  is 
occupied  by  tradesmen's  shops,  the  post-ofllce,  the  savings  bank,  and  the 
oCGce  of  TA«  Shipla/  and  Saltaire  Times.  The  whole  cost  of  these  dwelling; 
in  1867  amoonted  to  £106,562,  exclosiTe  of  the  land.'     Agajn,  'The 


""SitiBST'  8ia  TITUS  SALT,  BAET.  251 

coIcnJatiotiB  for  theweaviDg  efaed  were  that  it  ahoald  hold  1200  looms,  pro- 
dociDg  each  day  80,000  yards  of  alpaca  cloth  or  muted  gooda,  eqaal  to 
nearly  16  miles  of  fabric.  This  wonld  give  a  length  of  5688  miles  in  one 
jear,  which,  in  the  graphic  words  of  Mr,  W.  Falrbaini,  would,  "  as  the  crow 
Sies,  reach  over  land  and  sea  to  Fern,  the  native  monn^ns  of  the  alpaca." 
Of  cODrse  all  the  other  departmente  are  on  the  same  gigantic  scale.  Every 
possible  ezigency  aeems  to  have  been  thonght  of  and  provided  for.  Churches, 
Echools,  an  infirmary,  a  pnbhc  park,  library  and  concert  rooms,  are  all  in- 
cloded  in  the  arrangementa, — pablic-honaea  being  conspicnOQS  by  their 
entire  abseQCe.  What  wonld  the  perplexed  mother  of  a  large  family  think 
of  vBEJiing-honseB  constructed  so  that  "  clothes  carried  to  them  in  a  soiled 
coDditioD,  can  be,  in  the  course  of  an  hour,  washed,  dried,  mangled,  and 
folded? "  Indeed,  it  is  altogether  mon  like  the  work  of  a  magician  than  a 
man  of  business.' 

Perhaps,  if  there  is  a  weakness  in  the  conception  of  the  plan,  it  is  that  Mr. 
Salt  was  its  providence  j  and,  unlike  that  etenial  Providence  in  whom  we 
lire  and  move  and  have  onr  being,  he  has  passed  away,  and,  however  com- 
plete end  praiseworthy  his  arrangements  may  have  been,  they  may  not  have 
exactly  fitted  the  recipients  to  depend  on  their  own  innate  powers,  jtist  as  a 
cbild,  when  it  has  everything  done  for  it,  forgets  to  leun  to  help  itself. 

The  other  most  ontstan^ng  events  in  Mr.  Salt's  life  were  his  being  re- 
tnriied  to  Parliament  as  member  for  Bradford,  which  office,  however,  he  had 
lo  resign  on  account  of  b&d  health.  The  tate  honrs  and  heated  atmosphere 
of  the  House  of  Commons  (perhaps,  too,  advancing  years)  did  what  hard 
work  had  failed  to  do.  Then  he  had  the  honour  of  a  baronetcy  conferred 
on  him  by  the  Queen,  on  account,  it  was  said,  of  hia  '  station,  character,  And 
swriees.'  He  had  various  gratifying  ovations,  too,  from  hia  work-people  and 
fellow-citizens,  who  held  him  in  high  honour  for  his  work's  sake. 

Iq  the  midst  of  a  life  of  snch  activity  and  prosperity,  one  is  inclioed  to  ask. 
What  of  the  inner  lifet  did  all  this  prosperity  satisfy  the  cravings  of  the  heart? 
Seventeen  years  before  his  death,  when  in  bad  health,  his  own  acoount  of 
liifflself  was, '  I'm  a  weary  man ;'  which,  as  it  turned  ont,  applied  not  to  the 
body  alone,  for  on  his  biographer  preaching  in  hia  hearing  a  sermon  from  the 
words,  'The  Lord  Ood  hath  given  me  the  tongue  of  the  learned,  that  I  may 
^oow  how  to  speak  a  word  in  seaeon  to  him  that  is  weary,'  he  said  next 
liay,  'That  was  a  word  in  season  to  me  yesterday ;  I  am  one  of  the  weary  in 
want  of  rest.'  '  Thus,'  says  his  biographer, '  the  door  waa  opened  for  nn- 
teaerved  commuuication  on  spiritual  matters.  Surely  the  Spirit  of  God  was 
to  be  recognised  in  this  ]  It  is  His  work  to  quicken  the  conscience,  to  break 
the  false  peace  of  the  heart,  discoveringtoamonhisown  true  character  in  the 
ligbt  of  etemity,  and  thus  impelliiig  him  to  put  the. momentous  question — 
"  What  must  I  do  to  be  saved  1"  We  do  hot  say  this  anxionB  inquirer  had 
no  diffioulties  to  be  overcome,  or  doubts  to  be  met,  or  fallacious  conceptions 
of  the  method  of  salvation  to  be  removed.  Of  these  he  had  many ;  but  he 
was  willing  to  become  as  a  little  child,  that  he  might  enter  the  kingdom  of 
heaven.  In  short,  it  was  evident  that  such  an  earnest  seeker  after  rest  and 
tmth  wonld  ere  long  be  a  happy  finder;  for,  as  we  have  somewhere  read, 
"  When  a  soul  seeketb  after  salvation,  there  is  another  seeker,  even  the  Qood 
Shepherd,  who  goeth  after  the  lost  sheep,  and  never  gives  up  until  He  finds  it 
and  carries  it  home  on  His  shonlders  rejoicing."  Still  the  light  did  not  burst 
OD  hia  mind  at  once.  It  came  npou  him  gradually  like  the  dawn.  Perfect 
rest  did  not  at  once  take  possession  of  the  troubled  breast,  bat  at  occasional 
intervolB.he  had  some  experience  of  it,    After  this  interview  we  h&d  no. 


^53  THE  WAJt  fiPISIT.  ^'S.^Twf*- 

difficnlt;  in  free1;r  conrerBing  with  him  on  religions  themes.  He  seemed 
always  readj  to  be  inatrncted  in  the  way  of  life.'  The  illness  and  death  of 
B  beloved  daughter  at  this  time  was  also  instnimeDt&l  in  making  him  feel 
tnore  deeply  that  it  can  profit  a  man  DOthing  to  gain  the  whole  world  if  he 
]o8d  his  own  soul.  .Of  this  Mr.  Balgaraie  says  ;  '  He  had  long  been  in  the 
twilight,  as  it  were,  beeitating  and  halting  between  Christ  and  the  world. 
Blessed  tronble,  that  had  broaght  him  to  see  that  full  decision  for  God  ia 
the  only  way  of  peace  and  safety !  It  was  therefore  aa  a  declaration  of  Ida 
futb  in  Christ  that  he  went  to  Saltaire,  that  with  other  commnnicanta  In 
might  partake  of  the  Lord's  Sapper  for  the  first  time.  It  was  a  day  nem 
to  be  forgotten.  Early  on  Sunday  morning  we  set  out  from  MetUey  in  tbe 
family  omnibns,  his  wife  and  dai^hters  being  with  him.  On  the  waytliither, 
hnndreds  of  tracts  were  given  away  or  dropped  for  the  villagers  to  gather. 
The  chnrch  at  Saltaire  was  then  ondei^oing  alterations,  bo  that  diriu 
service  had  to  be  conducted  in  the  schoolroom.  The  visit,  of  conrse,  . 
awakened  mnch  interest  among  the  worshippers,  who  bad  rarely  before  sera 
the  family  among  them  on  the  Sunday ;  but  to  himself  the  OGcaaioD  wta 
invested  with  greater  interest  than  it  coi^d  be  to  any  one  else.  Tb««  was 
to  them  nothing  outwardly  to  distingiiiBh  it  from  other  Sundays,  save  that 
Mr.  Salt  remained  with  the  membws  of  tbe  chnrch,  and  took  his  place  at 
the  table  of  the  Lord.  How  be  seemed  to  enjoy  that  service !  .  .  . . 
His  thankfulness,  simplicity,  and  tenderness  on  this  occasion  woe 
most  tonching.  Snrronuded  as  he  was  by  the  colbssal  buildings  which 
his  own  hand  bad  reared,  it  was  trnly  beaatjfal  to  behold  hun  now, 
ae  a  little  child,  at  tbe  feet  of  Jesus.  That  hallowed  scene  stands 
vividly  before  onr  imagination,  and  we  still  seem  to  hear  him  aay,  "This is 
the  day  I  have  long  desire)}  to  see,  when  I  should  come  and  meet  my  people 
at  the  communion  table  1"' 

Like  Cornelias  of  old,  his  prayer  was  heard  and  his  alms  were  liad  io 
remembrance  in  tbe  sight  of  God ;  and  it  was  granted  to  him  to  see  that 
whosoever  believeth  in  the  name  of  Jesns  of  Nazareth  shall  receive  remissicn 
of  sins.  Thus  he  became  possessed  of  the  pearl  of  great  price,  in  compari«n 
with  which  all  his  other  possessions  were  but  as  the  dust  in  the  balance. 
After  this,  he  became,  in  a  deeper,  truer  sense  than  ever  before,  a  atew^  of 
tbe  riches  Ood  hod  given  him.  He  devised  liberal  things,  as  witness  £10,000 
to  the  Lancaster  Asylum  and  Bradford  Infirmary,  £5000  to  the  Sailon' 
Orphanage,  £6000  to  the  Liberation  Society,  etc.  etc  It  was  computed  that 
in  the  conrse  of  his  life  he  gave  away  a  qnarter  of  a  million  of  money ;  and  his 
last  public  act  was  tbe  opening  of  a  building  he  had  erected,  at  a  cost  of 
£10,000,  for  tbe  Sunday  schools  at  Saltaire.  But,  like  St.  Pan],  he  f^  that 
though  he  gave  all  his  goods  to  feed  the  poor,  it  was  nothing ;  and  his 
dying  testimony  was, '  He  is  tbe  only  foundation  on  which  I  rest.  Nothing 
else  I  nothing  else  I ' 

Before  his  death,  a-statae  woe  erected  in  Bradford  by  his  frioids  and  ad- 
mirers, as  a  testimony  of  the  esteem  in  which  he  was  held  for  his  cbarsctn 
and  work.  -  I.  S. 


■    THE  WAR  SPIRIT. 

BT  RRV.   DAVID  JOXa,  LL.D. 

What  is  a  war  spirit  T  Certiunly  not  tbe  love  of  one's  country,  or  a 
dauntless  resolntion  to  defend  it  if  it  be  wutoidy  attacked.  That  is  Oe 
definition  of  true  patriotism,  and  is  compatible  with  tbe  tnieet  pi«^. 


""JltwS*^'  THE  WAE  8PIBIT.  253 

In  prirato  life,  a  war  spirit  is  on  irascible  spirit — a  selGsh,  nngeneruna,  and 
combatiTe  temperameof.  It  eeea  in  some  triTial  inattention  an  egregioas 
slight,  and  wards  oC  ezpIanatiOD  or  apologj  by  abrupt  and  embittered 
accusation.  AU  conciliatory  approaches  it  regards  with  easpicion,  and 
maj  find  in  the  sincerest  proSers  of  friendship  fresh  fnel  to  its  vindictivenesa, 
Thng  intercoorBe  is  broken  up,  and  reciprocal  injnriea  ancceed  to  mutnal 
kind  offices;  and  neatral  parties,  if.  appealed  to,  may  be  drawn  into  the 
qnurel,  and  there  may  be  no  assignable  limits  to  the  evil  of  sach  miserable 
discord.  What  misunderstand inga  are  thus  introduced  into  family  relatton- 
shipsl  and  how  many  peacefn]  churches  hare  been  split  into  belligerent 
factions  by  the  nuprineipled  instigation  of  some  contentions  individual ! 

On  the  international  scale,  a  war  spirit  is  an  aggressive  spirit  —  a 
jealoos  intermeddling  propensity  to  diSer  with  foreign  powers,  and  hold 
one's  own  conntty  np  by  putting  or  keeping  other  countries  down.  This 
war  spirit  may  originate  with  statesmen  who  ore  immediately  charged 
nth  diplomatic  daties.  They  may  get  into  disputes  with  diplomatiats 
abroad.  The  honour  or  safety  of  the  country  is  alleged  by  them  to  be  at 
Btabe  in  the  jarring  negotiations.  With  any  specionsness  in  their  allegO' 
tioDs  they  readily  find  adherents  to  their  views,  and  all  adopting  them  are 
fired  with  their  displeaEnre.  The  conflagration  spreads.  A  War  Secretary 
may  gain  over  the  Cabinet,  and  the  Cabinet  the  Parliament,  and  the  Par- 
Usment  all  in  the  commnnity  who  are  most  excitable  and  vociferous,  till 
Uie  more  peaceably  disposed  people  can  scarcely  get  a  hearing  amid  the 
isfitriated  clamonr  for  an  appeal  to  arms. 

Bnt  the  war  spirit  does  not  always  originate  with  stateBmen.  An  idle 
army  is  a  dangerous  organization.  The  ennui  of  inaction  may  be  intolerable 
to  its  martial  aspirations  for  victory  and  promotioD ;  nod  even  a  despotic 
Napoleon  may  yield  to  this  formidable  impatience  of  uncontrollable  hosts. 
Bat  when  the  army  has  constrained  the  Emperor,  they  unite  in  persuading 
the  people,  and  the  cry,  '  To  Berlin !  to  Berlin ! '  rises  from  sympathizing 
and  enthusiastic  multitudes. 

His  conSdence  reposed  by  France  in  its  implements  of  war  contributed 
not  a  little  to  its  disastrous  boldness  in  attacking  Germany.  When 
negotiations  failed,  it  was  deSantly  said  that  the  chossepdt  would  decide  the 
qoestios  at  issne,  and  large  dependence  was  placed  on  the  mitraiUense  for 
iofiicting  on  the  enemy  a  devastatmg  destruction.  Briton  is  much  more 
tempted,  to  rely  on  ita  means  of  attack.  Am<mg  competitive  rifles  it  has 
lad  the  fullest  opportunity  for  choosing  the  best.  By  the  system  of  reserve . 
forces,  it  is  understood  to  have  placed  our  army  on  a  very  effective  footing. 
It  onr  r^atars  are  sent  abroad,  we  have  numerous  Volunteera  to  replace 
tiem  at  home.  Then  we  have  a  great  ironclad  navy,  which  has  never  yet 
beeo  brought  into  action  to  test  the  comparative  merits  of  modem  ship- 
baildiog.  Our  guns,  too,  exhibit  a  like  nnproved  amendment ;  and  as  one 
s«t  of  them  has  -succeeded  to  another,  they  have  grown  in  huge  dimensions 
and  terrific  power.  Are  all  these  preparations  (or  onset  to  be  of  no  nset 
^at  expert  rider  would  purchase  a  noble  horse  to  keep  bim  in  the  stable, 
■ad  make  no  trial  of  hia  speedt  Or  what  skilful  agriculturist  would  order 
plongbs,  harrows,  ahd  threshing-machines  of  novel  and  admirable  construc- 
tion to  look  at  and  play  with,  but  do  no  workT 

Possession  of  resources  is  a  temptation  tonse  tbem.  The  newer  and  the 
greater  they  are,  an  avidity  to  know  to  what  they  are  equal  becomes  naturally 
luore  intense.  But  iu  all  such  tendency  there  may  be  uureckonable  peril ; 
and  an  awful  impression  perrading  the  enl-disposed  in  other  countries  of 


254  THE  WAE  BPIBIT.  '^'i™  Mmf"^ 

what  we  might  do  by  sach  means,  may  far  transcend  the  doing  of  it  in 
beneGcent  effect. 

Society  has  been  agitated  of  late  by  oar  danger  of  b«ng  drawn  iato  tbe 
Eastern  war.  It  cannot  reasonably  be  expected  that  RoBsis  ehoald  at  great 
cost  obtain  great  anccesGes  and  rest  in  small  resnits ;  or  that  it  shoald  be 
contented  with  concessions  now  which  it  wonld  have  gladly  accepted  before 
the  war  had  commenced.  The  more  extraTagant  some  of  its  demands  ore 
considered  to  be  by  other  countries,  it  ia  the  more  likely  to  yield  to  tbrar 
dissoasion  if  a  Congress  can  be  convened.  And  if  the  reduced  ultimatnm  on 
which  it  may  insist  sbonld  still  contain  unpalatable  articles,  we  may  well  ask 
onrselves — Do  they  really  imperil  the  sarety  of  onr  conntry,  or  can  any 
danger  they  involve  ontweigb  the  certain  calamitousness  of  plangiug  into  it 
war  of  which  we  cannot  foresee  either  the  extent  or  tbe  daration,  while  the 
barden  of  taxation  mnst  be  indefinitely  angmented,  a  prosperons  conne  of 
industry  seriously  deranged,  our  men  of  strength  perish  by  tens  of  thonsands 
on  a  foreign  soil,  and  in  every  town  and  coontry-side  their  vrivea  and  cfaildren 
become  widows  and  orphans,  bemoaning  bereavement  and  penury,  with  none 
to  comfort  them ! 

A.  review  of  past  wars  presents  little  encouragement  to  renew  their  hazards. 
In  former  times  prodigioos  efforts  were  made  by  England  to  subdue  Fraaee, 
with  direful  expenditure  while  they  lasted,  and  the  nndesirable  resale,  had 
they  sncceeded,  of  makmg  England  a  dependency,  with  Paris  for  its  capital 

The  protracted  and  obstinate  attempt  to  retain  the  United  States  to- 
minated  in  fiulnre,  and  has  created  permanent  difficulty  in  maintaining 
amicable  relatione  with  an  important  power. 

The  endeavours  we  made  to  extinguish  the  fires  of  tbe  first  French 
Revolution  only  set  Europe  in  flames.  We  contributed  powerfully  by  our 
interference  to  the  elevation  of  the  first  Napoleon,  and  to  all  the  calamities 
with  which  the  countries  be  conquered  were  long  visited  and  aflSicted. 

The  Crimean  war  brought  us  mneb  stmggle  and  little  honour.  Some  of 
our  feats  of  arms  were  no  donbt  brilliant,  but  the  conflict  was  arduous  and 
lengthened  beyond  all  expectation,  and  resulted  in  gaining  credit  for  the 
French,  in  which  we  very  partially  shared.  The  dread  which  then  existed 
of  ceding  to  Rnssia  a  preponderating  power  in  Europe  has  not  ttie  same 
speciousness  now.  Germany  has  become  a  great  neutralizing  antidote  to  any 
such  apprehensions ;  and  even  Italy  by  its  union  is  a  breakwater  to  ambition. 

Several  of  our  tMSt  statesmen  have  spoken  despondingly  of  tbe  attempts 
'  which  may  be  made  to  prevent  a  war  spirit  from  being  fomented  under  great 
temptations  to  it,  or  set  to  sleep  when  once  awakened.  But  there  are 
elements  of  hope.  Even  our  modem  wars  hflve  promissory  attribntee  on  the 
side  of  pacification.  We  speak  of  war  parties.  Let  it  be  remembered  tiiere 
was  no  peace  party  in  ancient  pagan  states.  We  have  much  retaliation; 
they  knew  not  of  mercy.  Under  their  conditions,  Paris  would  have  been 
razed  to  tbe  ground  by  the  Germans,  as  were  Troy,  Carthage,  Kineveh,  and 
Babylon  by  victorious  assailants. 

The  best  time  for'  sowing  the  principles  of  peace  is  in  seasons  oT  tranquillity. 
Then  can  those  views  be  most  effectively  promulgated  which  aETord  the  best 
guarantee  against  profuse  and  detestable  blood-shedding. 

In  tbe  meantime,  every  individual  may  be  a  peacemaker  in  bis  own  sphnf 
of  life.  Has  he  enemies?  Let  him  foi^ve  tbem  and  do  them  good.  So 
shall  he  heap  coals  of  fire  on  their  beads — coals  of  burning  shame  for  their 
Dukinduess,  to  consume  their  animosity.  Is  he  the  member  of  a  divided 
family  T    Let  him  watch  the  occasion  of  closing  its  chasms.    Successful 


^it^m."^'      THE  LATE  DB.  WILLIAM  C.  THOMSON.  255 

inedifltion  between  eoaflictiag  relatives  ahoald  never  be  despaired  of  or  abaii' 
doned.  Conoiliatorj  example  has  great  force,  and  at  the  proper  momeat 
even  a  word  in  Eeason  may  elicit  the  acknowledgment, '  Oh,  how  good  it  is ! ' 
Belongs  be  to  a  distracted  church  ?  Let  hira  pour  oil  on  its  troubled  waters. 
When  a  hearing  can  be  got,  let  him  ask  the  excited  combatants, '  Whence 
come  wan  aod  fightiugs  amoi%  as?  come  thej  not  hence  even  from  our 
lasls  that  war  in  oar  members  T  If  we  bite  and  devonr  one  another,  take 
heed  that  we  be  not  consunoed  one  of  another.^  '  Bat  the  interests  of  trnth 
maj  not  be  sacrificed.'  That  is  the  unfailing  C17  with  the  abettors  of  strife, 
hi  its  own  place  it  has  essential  importance,  but  how  liable  it  is  to  be  mis- 
placed, the  pages  of  history  too  abundantly  testify.  Kindness  leads  to  truth, 
aod  traih  to  kindness:  and  the  friendliest  intercourse  is  the  likeliest  avenne 
to  scriptural  agreement.  It  will  reconcile  the  conflicting,  or,  in  the  last 
extremity,  it  will  enable  them  to  part  in  peace. 

It  is  in  such  ways  that  whole  neighbourhoods  may  be  permeated  with  a 
blissfol  charity.    And  if  the  strength  of  a  whole  kingdom  were  imbued  with 
its  iDflaence,  the  din  of  arms  wonld  become  alien  and  hateful  to  the  public  ' 
laste,  and  the  waging  of  wicked  wars  be  next  to  impossible. 


THE  LiTE  DR.  WILLIAM  C.  THOMSON. 

The  remsins  of  this  brother,  beloved  the  merchants  of  the  colony  represented 

bj  not  a  few,  were  ctunmitted  to  tiie  to  the  GoverDment  the  good  that  would 

pomid  of  Craigton    Cemetery,    near  result  to  commerce  if  a  path  tor  trade 

Glasgow,  on  tiie  27th  of  March.    From  were  opened  to  the  peoples  on  the  upper 

Ua  eicellence  as  a  Christian  man,  and  waters  of  the  Niger  and  Senega].    Mr. 

his  aervieea  to   the  Church,  he  has  a  Thomgoa,  being  the  only  person  in  the 

cUm  til  a  memorial  notice  here.     Dr.  colony  .who  was  able  to  write  the  Arabic 

ThomBon  was  the  yomiger  son  of  Mr.  language,  and  thus  to  make  treaties  with 

William  Thomson,  a  native  of  BaUron,  the  tribes  who   naed  it,  was  asked   to 

■L  man  of  very  high  and  varied  gifts,  undertake  the  charge  of  the  expedition  ; 

One  of  these  was  a  great  facility  in  the  and,  with  the  consent  of  the  Missionary 

acqnisition  of  languages.     Towards  the  Board,  he  agreed  to  the  proposal,  having 

cloee  of  his  life,  he  was  engaged  hj  the  it  as  bis  ^m  to  open  a  way  for  religion 

Chunh  at  England  Missionary  Society  as  well  as  for  trade.     He  left  for  the 

tODTOceedtoSierraljeoneasa  translator  intwior  in  the  year  IMl,  taking  with 

of  books  into  the  tongues  of  the  tribes  him   his  son   Wiliiam,   then   a   boy  of 

aononndiDg  that    colony,  where    that  twelve  years.     After  facing  many  diffi- 

Bociety  has  long   carried  on  extensive  culties  and  enduring  great  privations, 

miaeionarr  operations.    There  our  lately  having  on  the  way  made  treaties  with 

deceased  friend  spent  some  of  the  years  several  chieftains,  by  which  they  agreed 

of  his  boyhood.    He  learned  several  of  to  further  trade  and  receive  teachers, 

&e  languages  of  Western  Africa,  be-  they  reached  Darah,  near  Teembo,  400 

CUDS  BO  familiar  with  them  that  for  a  miles  from  the  colony,  near  the  source 

tJme  he  almost   forgot   the  use  of   his  of  the  river  Senegal;  and,  after  con- 

oalif  e  tongue,  and  gained  a  knowledge  eluding   a   treaty  favourable   both   for 

of  and  a  Tore  for    that  continent  that  Christianity  and  commerce  with  Osman, 

determined  his  future  career.     He  knew  chief    of    the    powerful    Mohammedan 

tte  negroes  as  few  Europeans  do,  played  nation  the  Foiuabs,  Mr.  Thomson  was 

with  their  youths  in  their  boyish  sports,  cut  oft  suddenly  on  the  26th  of  November 

heard  their   stories   d   adventure   and  1843.     His  son,  now  a  boy  of  fourteen, 

Bnpentilion,  sang  their  songs,  and  in  was  thus  left  without  any  European 

knowledge    and  sympathy    became    a  protector,  far  in  the  interior  of  dark 

D&tive  African  boy  as  much  as  a  Chris-  Africa.    One  of  the  servanta,  however, 

tian    Scottish    youth    possibly    could,  proved  futhfol,  and  conducted  him  back 

After  he  had  resided  there  some  years,  to  the  colony.     Hia  mother  had  died 


256  THE  LATB  DB.  WILLIAM  C.  THOMBOK.      "'Klum^ 

dnriog  bia  abaence,  and,  b^g  thus  an.  degree'  aa  an  able  and  earneat  GhiUtiiis 

orphan,  be  was  sent -home  to  relatives  man,  he  was  accepted,  and  in  March  of 

in  Scotland,  that  year  he  was  ordained  in  Gordon 

AfUr  a  year  or  two  he  entered  a  Street  Chorct,  Glasgow,  of  which  he 
rituadon  in  Glasgow,  where  he  continned  had  been  a  member,  Mr.  Middleton 
till  the  beginning  of  1849.  Feeling  still  giring  the  charge,  and  the  Tcnenble 
a  strong  .attraction  towards  Africa,  Dr.  Baattia  offering  up  the  oidina^on 
dewiing  the  welfare  of  its  people,  and  prayer.  This  wag  tlie  laat  public  duty 
being  witling  to  derote  himself  to  its  this  old  man  .eloqoeut  performed ;  uia 
good,  he  offered  himself  to  our  Mission  Tery  touching  it  was  to  hear  him,  with 
Bovd  as  a  teacher  in  Calabar,  waa  bosom  swelling  with  emotion,  and  witli 
accepted,  and  left  along  with  Mr.  many  tears,  praying  for  the  dinne 
Watklell  and-  others  in  the  children's  bleasing  to  reat  on  his  young  friend  and 
schooner  Calabar.  Those  who  have  diat^ple.  Having  soon  after  married  a 
read  Mr.  Waddell's  account  of  bia  work  gentleandanuableyonnKlady,whonilo>e 
in  the  mission  field  will  be  familiar  with  to  Chriat  and  to  Mm  led  to  leave  friends 
Dr.  Thomaon'a  name,  and  will  see  how  and  borne  that  she  might  ahare  his  work 
eameatly  he  laboured  for  the  good  of  in  Africa,  Mary,  elder  daughter  of  Mr. 
th«  peoplato  whom  be  bad  gon&  His  Stewart,  Nethertown,  a  valued  elder  in 
first  work  was  to^ain  a  knowledge  of  our  congregation  at  Stow,  he  left  foe 
the  langaage  of  the  conntry.  He  soon  bis  field  of  labour,  and  waa  Htatioced  it 
mastered  it,  got  a  command  of  it  such  Iknnetn,  where  miaaion  work  had  ahwdy 
as  one  older  in  years  could  not  gain,  before  been  begun  by  Mr.  Goldie.  A 
and  became  so  w^  acquainted  with  it,  month  or  two  passed,  and  li,e  was  lU 
that  some  of  the  Calabar  people  said  he  but  crushed  by  the  loss  of  his  much- 
knew  it  better  than  they  themselves  did.  loved  wife,  wl^ee  body  was  laid  under 
He  taught  daily  in  the  large  acbool  at  the  palm  trees  hard  by  tiiemiHsion-hoase 
Creek  Town,  in  many  ways  aided  tlie  at  Creek  Town,  wherenotafewof  those 
missionariea  in  their  work,  fought  who  have  gone- from  us  to  labour  for 
zealously  against  the  cruel  and  debasing  Africa's  good  now  sleep.  For  seiersl 
customs  of  the  cooutiy,  and  sought  in  yeaft  he  laboured  zealously  at  his  station, 
every  way  the  moral  and  religions  teaching  all,  both  old  and  young,  whose 
advancement  of  the  people.  This  was  ear  he  could  gain,  and  also  in  the  onl- 
tbe  work  to  which  he  gave  himself  with  lyiug  districts,  which  be  visited  as  often 
heart  and  soul,  and  in  which  he  had  no  as  opportnnity  offered.  His  hearl'B 
littlo  anccess ;  but  he  employed  many  deaire  was  to  go  forth  into  the  r^ou 
leisure  hours  in  observing  and  gathering  beyond  where  the  gospel  bad  never 
specimens  of  the  teeming  life,  both  been  proclaimed,  but  only  to  a  very 
animal  and  vegetable,  of  that  tropical  small  extent  was  he  permitted  to  do 
region  that  was  almost  a  virgin  soil  to  this.  Much  was  he  depreaaed  during 
naturalists ;  and  the  cabinets  of  some  these  years,  not  only  by  the  loneliness 
of  our  chief  scientific  men,  and  ^e  hot-  of  his  widowed  home,  but  by  the  tribal 
bouses  at  Kew  and  elaewhere,  were  en-  wars  that  were  ever  acattering  the  people 
riched  with  many  strange  and  beautiful  from  bia  neighbourhood,  and  by  the 
form's,  sent  home  by  him,  that  had  never  cruelties  that  were  perpetrated  on  every 
previously  been  seen  in  Europe.  The  band.  Often  he  interposed  between 
fiveyearsforwhioh  be  bad  engaged  him-  combatants,  and  tried  to  reconcile  thent ; 
aelf  to  the  mission  having  expired,  he  often  endeavoured  to  aaye  thoae  who 
returned  home.  were  doomed  to  die  by  poiaon  for  acma 

Being  desirous  of  returning  aa  a  flilly-  fancied  crime ;  often  jonraeyed  throuj^ 
equippM   missionary,  he  attended   die     the  forest  many  a  mile,  by  day  or  night, 

arts  and  aome  of  the  medical  classes  in  to  snatch  from  death  twin  children,  of 

Glasgow  College,  and  the  theological  the  birth  ot  which  he  had  beard,  and 
classes  in  our  own  Hall,  cruahing  into     when  be  bad  succeeded  in  rescning  them, 

four  yean  what  is  usually  extended  aft«r  bearing  them  home  in  his  arms,  hs 
through  eight  or  nine.  In  the  beginning  was  oft  grieved  by  seeing  them  pine  and 
of  1858  be  again  offered  himself  to  our  die  through  the  carelessness  of  thoae  to 
Misaion  Board  for  the  work  at  Calabar,  whom  they  had  been  given  to  tend.  It 
and  having  as  a  teacher  '  used  his  office     waa  not  granted  him  to  see  rovich  good 

well,'  and  '  purchased  to  himself  a  good  from  his  uibonrs  in  Ikonebo,  bat  ha  left 


""InlT'w*^'      THE  LATB  DE.  WILLIAM  O.  THOMSON.  257 

hii  mul  in  CU&bar,  ^ru  privileged  to  afflicted,  the  dettnees  of  hia  hand,  tiad  . 

see  Bome  good  brought  forth  in  not  a.  witlk^  the  high  Christian  principle  by 

few  TOQDg  peraoos  who  oaina  under  his  which  he  was  animated,  anticipated  for 

iDflience,  and  the  froit  of  bia  labours  him  high  eminence  in  the  he^ng  art. 

will  donbtless  appear  tnanj  days  hence,  bat  it  was  not  the  wiU  of  the  Highest 

In  1863  he  returned  to  Scotlaiid^  rery  that  it  should  be  so.     It  was  not  given 

mnch  Bhatl«red  in  health ;    but^  being  him  to  work  here,  but  to  die.     In  the 

recruited  by   breathing  his  natJre  air,  beginning  of  Janaary  he  was  finally  laid 

aod  I^  the  cheering  influence  of  home  aside  from  duty,  aod  he  knew  that  ^e 

and  fnendship,  he  set  out  again  for  his  end  was  not  far  off ;  yet  he  preseired 

field  of  work  iti'the  close  of  tbefoilow-  to-  the  dose  a  cheeiiFiOnem  that  conld 

ing  year,  taking  mth  him  as  the  partner  only  spring  from'tbe  sustaining  influence 

of   his   joya    and    sorrows,    H&rgaret,  of  divine  grace.     He  had  much  to  bind 

daughter  of    Thomas  Frame,  Ewj'.  of  him  to  eartji,  yet  he  could'  say,  'To 

DowaDside,  Partick,  a  gentleman  well  dqmrt  and   to   be   with   Christ  is   far 

known    and   mnch    esteemed    botli    in  better.'     Frequently  he  waa  heard  in  his 

religicos  and  business  drclee  in  Glasgow,  Hlness  repeating  sustaining  promises  of 

Thia  young  lady  ww  one  of  the  many  the  sacred' word.    On  his  last  day  hie 

oE  whom- tbe  Christian  Church's misNon  mind  dwelt  especially  on  that,  'I  will 

I«co^da  can  tell,  who,  moved  by  devoted  never  leave  thee  nor  forsake  Uiee.'     Yet 

ulf-Bscrificing  love  t«  the  Redeemer,  though  he  knew  that  death  was  in  the 

bsve  left  pleasant  homes  and    Joving  oup,  he  spoke  often  of  the  restorative 

parents,  brothers,  usters,  and  friends,  influence  a  voyage  to  Calabar  might 

Ibat  they  might  aid  in  making  known  have'.     His  heart  clung  to  that  region 

the  gospel  Id  lands  afar.    In  about  a  as  to  bim  the  dearest  land  on  earth, 

year  he  bad  to  come  home,  as  his  health  The  end  came  very  suddenly.    A  few 

amid  DO  longer  staad  the-  eKmate  of  tninntes  before  his  departure  he  did  not 

Calabar.    Very  reluctantly  be  left  the  seem  to  be  worse  than  he  had  beeu  for 

fieldof  his  work,  where  it  waahiadesire  weeks  before.     He  had  been  sitting  in 

to  labour  to  the  last,  to  which  he  bad'  his  room  that  day,  opening  the  leaves  of 

given  the  best  of  his  life;  and  gifta  of  a   book  on    African    flora   a  scientific 

mind  and  heart  that  would  have  made  friend  had  jn at  sent  to  him,  when  towards 

him  honoured'   anywhere.      When   bis  evening  hia  hearts  ceased  to  beat,  and  l^e 

EtreDgth   waa    somewhat    restored,    be  spirit  fled  from  its  house  of  clay, 
completed  medical  studies  formerly  com-         On  the  Sablath  following  his  funeral, 

menced,  obtained  his  degree  as  Doctor  Mr.  M'Coll,  of   whose  congregation  he 

of  Medicine,  and  began  practice  in  the  had  been  an  elder  and  also  session -clerk, 

northern  part  of  Liverpool,  from  which,  preached  a  sermon  appropriate  to  the 

after  two   or   three  years,  be, removed  oecasion,    at   the   close  of   which,  after 

to  Partick.      Towards  the  close   of  bis  giving  a  short  account  of  Dr.  Thomson's 

nsideoce  in  Liverpool,  he  had  a  severe,  career,  he  said :  '  We  shaU  all  miss  our 

almost  a  fatal,  attack  of  fever,  which,  friend  in  the  years  to  come.    To  the 

coming  npon  a  frame  weakened  by  bis  memben  in  his  district — indeed,  to  all  of 

African  life,  left  consequences  that  in  us — he  was  ever  frank,  and  Idnd,  and 

liieeud  laid  bim, low.    Vet  during  his  willing  to  be  helpful.    In  the  session  he 

closing  years  be  was  very  active  and  bore  himself  with  much  meekness  and 

cheerfid,    eager   for    work,  and    con-  wisdom,  keeping  its  records  with  care 

sdaitiouB  iii  doing  it    During  them  he  and  accuracy ;  and  to  bim  who  for  years 

eaw  little  children  arise  in  his  home,  now  has  ministered  to  him  in  sacred 

monmed  the  loss  of  his  second  ranch'  things  he  has  ever  acted  as  a  brother, 

loved  wife,  and  after  a  time-received  a  loving  and  beloved.    We  shall  see  him 

third.  Miss  Margaret  Taylor,  who  now,  yet,  and  others  too  whom  bo  has  gone 

after  a  short  married  life,  mourns  bis  to  join,   whose  happy  iot*it  is  to  be 

departure.      Those   intimate   with  him,  "for  ever  with  the  Lord."     "For  we 

knowing  his  thorough  ocqnaintanee  with  would  not  have  you  to  be  ignorant  con- 

the  hnman  frame  and  with  the  diseases  c^Dtng  them  which  are  asleep,  that  ye 

that  afflict  it,  his  skill  in  detecting  ail-  sorrow  not   as  others   which   have   no 

menia  and  in  meeting  them,  the  courage  hope ;  for  if  we  believe  that  Jesus  died 

and  tenderness  of  Us  heart,  his  sym-  and  rose  again,  them  also  which  sleep 

pathy  with  and  kindness  towaids  the  in  Jesus  shall  Qod  bring  with  Him." ' 

KO.  VI.  VOL.  XXII.  HEW  8BBIB8. — ^JUNE  isTI.  S 


'  THE  LATE  BET.  JOHN  PAT£B80N. 


THE  LATE  BBV.  JOHN  PATERSOK. 

•I  pnised  the  dead  which  u-«  already  dud,  more  thui  the  Imng  which  u 


b«  felt  bjr  nameronB  minuterial  and  other  cloeeet  Cfaristian  intimacy. 

friendB  to  call  for  a  short  obituary  notice  Mr.   Paterson    -entered  the   Divinity 

in thesepagea, — the  Ber.  John  PBterson,  HaU  of  the 'Coited  Secession  Church  in 

late  of  DoUat.  1833,  and  prosecuted    his   theoli^nl 

Hr.  Paterson  w«a  bom  at  Belmont,  Btndiea  nnder  ProfeesorB  Uick,  MLiAell, 

Gambnsnethan,    on   the  20th  October  Brown,  DuDcau,  and  Balmer.    In  due 

1809.     He   was   the   ninth  of  the  ten  time  be  receired  licence  as  a  probationer 

children  of   James  Paterson  and   Jane  from  the  Treabytery  of  Glasgow,  and 

Forbea, — his  diBtinguished  brother,  Dr.  was  by  and  b;  called  to  the  paatonte 

Bob§re  Pateraon  of  Kirkwall,  being  tlie  of   the  congregation  of   Rattray  (now 

third  of  the  family.     Reared  nnder  the  Blairgowrie),  where  he  was  ordwniJl  od 

inflaence  of  devout  Giod-fearjcg  parents,  the  22d  May  1339.     Here  he  derotad 

and  breathing  the  pure  atmosphere  of  himself  aadduoosly-to  the  duties  of  the 

an  eminently  Christian  'home,  he  waa  miDistry,  and  developed  a  measui«  of 

early  laid  hold  of  by  divine  grace,  and  sanctified  jjulpitpf^erand  pathos  which 

by  and  by  reaolyed  to  devote-himself  to  gave  promiseof  hisriaing  to  ashighdis- 

the  gospel  ministry.  tincUon  in  tbo  Church  as  he  had  attained 

After  attending  for  aeverftl   years  a  atcollege.   Ksgradoallyfonnd, however, 

rural  school  near  Belniont.  Mr.  Paterson  that  hie  temperament  was  too  eztremelf 

entered  the   High  School  of  Glasgow,  nervooB  to  bear  tiie  strain  of  cODBtaut 

and  proved  himself  there  during  seversll  preaching ;  and  it  became  apparent,  also, 

seaaionBa  diligent  and  grotfiuglysuocesa-  that  his  susceptibllitieH  were  much  too 

ful  scholar.     In  1828  he  matriculated  in  deUcate  and  finely  strung  to  endure  tht 

the  IJnivenity  of  Glasgow,  and  was  a  friction  incident  to  pastoral  responsibiUty. 

student   in  the  Faculties  of  Arts   and  So,  by  the  advice  of  his  friends,  and  for 

Theology  during  fqur    sessions    under  the  sake  of  his  health,  which  bad  begtm 

Professors  Sir  D.  E;  Sandford,  Buchanan,  somewhat  seriously  to  lose  tone,  he  '» 

Mylne,  etc.     He  took   a  high  place  in  led  to  demit  his  charge  in  July  1844, 

all  his  classes,  and  gained  distinguished  after  a  five  years'  ministry. 

gizes  (some  of  them  'firste')  tn'Latin,  Four  years  subsequenUy,   when  Mr. 

reek,  Logic,  Moral  Philosophy,  Hebrew,  Paterson  had  great^recovered  his  health 

and  Church  Hiat<^.     He  profited  espe-  and  vigour,  be  received  a  call  to  the 

oially   from   his   prolonged  intereourso  newly-ionaed  congregation  of  Blantjre, 

with  the  brilliant  and  fascinating  mind  which,  however,  he  declined.    He  seems 

of  Sir  Daniel  K.  Sandford.the  profeasor  to  have  gradually^'eached'the  conviction 

of  Greek,  whose  class  he  attended  for  that  bis  appointed  life-work  was  to  be 

several  sessions.   In  a  certificate  granted  educational  rather  than  ministeriaL  Pro- 

bJTii  on  leaving  oollege,  Sir  Danielspe^s  vidence  guided  'him,  in  1852,  the  year 

of  Mr.  Pateraoil's  '  many  academical  dis-  of  hia  marriage,  to  settle  in  Aberdeen, 

tinctions,'  anti  of  '  bis  great  fitness  for  where  he  opened  a  high-class  private 

tbe   task  of  tuition.'      Like   all    good  academy  for  the  board   and  education 

students,  too,  he  began  to  realize  in  after  of  ^oung  gentlemen.    This  institution, 

years  that  he  had  received  his  education'  which  grew   and  prospered  under  hia 

during  hia  college'life  in  great  partfrom  superintending  care,  he  transferred,  in 

the  students'  benches  ae  well  as  from  the  1861,  to  the  town  of  iDollar.    Mr.  Pater- 

profeesorial  chairs.     Among  bis   class-  sou  now  found  an  outlet  for  that 'aptnctt 

mates  there  were  yoang  men  dt  the  to  teach '  which  his  favourite  prMessor 

brightest  intellectual,  promise  and  of  tare  had  ascribed  (o  him;  sod  althongh  hii 

elevation  of  character.   He  was  a  member  sphere  in  life  did  not  turn  out  to  be  that 

of  a  debating  society  along  with  Anihi-  for  which  he'had  prepared  himself  in  his 

bald  Campbell  Tait  (now  Archbiahop  youth,  he  became  increasingly  persuaded 

of  Canterbury),  William  Arnot,  James  that  the  all-wise  Dispoeer  had  set  him  in 

Halley,  Hamilton  H.  MacGill,  Andrew  apoHttionof  greatandenduringinflnence, 

Thomiaon,   and   others.      Witit    James  iU'entruating  him  with  such  exception- 


""toTunS^'           THE  LATE  REIV.  JOHN  PATEBSON.  259 

^I;  fnroorable  o^portanities  for  mould-  wofit  in  mkiij  coiigreg&tioiiB  of  the 
ing  the  pkatic  muidii  of  so  nmoy  joang  Church.  It  Beamed  as  U  be  might  yet 
^ivdpromiaiDg  popils.  Mr.  Peterson  was  a  be  spared  for  some  yean  more  to  enjoy 
strict  diecipluunan,  bat  withftl  he  loved  the  privilege  of  preaching  that  goqwl 
his  pupils,  and  never  forgot  to  seek  their  of  redeeming  graoe  which  was  the 
liigaest  g^wd.  The  H3rBteiiiatiQ  drill  in  strength  and  joy  of  hia  own  life.  But 
Bible  doctrine  to  which  he  subjected  God  had  willed  it  otherwise.  Some- 
titem,  as  well  as  the  infiueiice  of  his  life  what  suddenly,  in  the  early  luomiuK  of 
sod  the  genialities  of  hia  home,  were  Sabbath,  17th  March,  alter  only  alew 
lliemeans,  under  God's  blesung,  of  pro'  days'  illness, — the  srmptoms  of  which 
doding  lasdng  ini[a«ssioiis  for  |^od,  shewed  that  he  had  been  s^zed  with 
wliicharewarmlyandgratefHllyactnow-  some  serious  disorder  of  the  brain, — he 
Isdged,  on  the  heartA  and  iivee  of  not  a  peacefully  breathed  hia  last.  Hr.  Pater- 
lew.        .  son  died  in  the  siity-ninth  year  of  bis    , 

Puring  his  residence  at  Dollar,  Mr.  age.  He  has  left  behind  hjni  bis  devoted 

Fat«iBon  took  an  active  part  in  evan-  wife,  and  a  son  and  daughter,  to  mooni 

geliBtic  work  in  the  village,  and  was  hie  removal. 

maioly  instrumental,  along  with  the  late  No  one  could  oome  in  contact  with 

Mr.  John  Millar  of  Sheordale,  in  erect-  Dr.  Paterson  of  Kirkwall  and  the  Rev. 

iDg  the  new  congregation  of  the 'United  John  Paterson  withoot   obeerring  the 

I^bylerian  Church  there.    While  the  strong  family  likeness  between  the  two 

cause  at  Dollar  was  still  only  a  mission  brothers,  not  only  in  ^ysique,  but  also 

station  nndertheovertiight  of  the  presby-  in  mind  and  spirit.    Both  were  men  of 

lery,  he  shared  the  duties  of  the  pulpit  the  deepest  piety,  of  perfect  simplicity 

irith  the  miseionaiy,  and  laboured  in  of  heart,  and  at  unbending  Christian 

eiety  poBable  way  to  promote  its  pro-  principle.     Both  were  endowed  with  an 

rrity,  until  at  length,  in  the  beginning  ardently  affectionate  dispoeition,  and  a 

1^2,  he  bad  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  Iceenty   sensitive    temperament.      Both 

the  Rev.  W.  B.  -R.  Wilson  ordained  as  had  an  intense  nature ;  each  was  tenax 

the  first  minister  of  the  infant  eongre-  proponti,  and  pursued  every  immediate 

gaUou.  aim  as  if  he  had  made  the  motto  of  bis 

After  the  deathof  his  brother  at  KiA-  life.  Hoc  age — 'This  one  thing  I  do.'    But 

wall,  in  1870,  it  devolved  upon  the  sub-  John  Paterson  was  more  a  student,  and 

}ect  of  this  sketeh  to  edit  Dr.  Faterson's  less  a  man  of  action,  than  his  brotiier ; 

memoir, — a  task  from  whidh  his  very  and  the  place  assigned  him  by  Pro- 
veneration  for  his  brother  and  his  near-  '  vidence  was  more  congenial  to  his  re- 

Dess  to  him  led  him  with  characteristic  tiring  disposition  and  studious  habits 

seasitiveness    to    shrink ;    but    which,  than  a  public  sphere  of  wide  practical 

sltliongh  Bventoally  done  with  consider-  activity,  with  a  sometimes  '  fierce  light' 

ahle  diffidence,  was  performed  with  such  beating  upon    it,   like  that  in  which 

snccees,  that  the  book  was  welcomed  by  Robert  Paterson  moved  in  Orkney, 

the  Doctor's  friends  and  the  denomina-  Mr.  Paterson  was,  from  the  bent  of 

tion  at  large  as  at  once  an  adequate  and  his  mind,  an  acconqilished  theologian,  as 

precions  memorial  ^of  Dr.  Paterson,  and  well   as   a   ripe  classical   scholar.      He 

a  testimony  toithe  sonnd  judgment  and  adhered  strenuously  to  the  theological 

literary  skill  of  his  biographer.  system  of  Calvin  and  the  doctrines  of 

Mr.  Faterson's  heallii  was  at  no  time  the  'Marrow-men.   When  instructing  his 

very  robust,  and  he  now  began  to  feel  classes  in  Bible  truth,  'he  brought  forth 

his  [HY>feB8ional  labours  and  responsi-  the  treaaurcH  of  a  mind  not  only  rich  in 

bilities  becoming  too  heavy  for  all  the  natural  gifta,  but  replenished  with  rare 

physical  strength  which  heconld.com-  theological  culture.   A  wider  drcle,  how- 

mand.   Forthisandotberfaraily.reasons,  ever,  will  remember  him  as  a  preacher; 

accordingly,  he  transferred  hia  seminary  and  the  impressions  produced  by  many 

at  Dollar  to  other  bands  in  the  year  of  his  thoughtful,  solid,  evangelical  dia- 

1S71,  and  removed  to  spend  the  evening  courses  will  not  soon  be  effaced.     His 

of  his  life  in  Glasgow.     During  the  two  appearance  at  the  sacred  desk   in   his 

succeeding  years  he  occupied  himself  in  lator  days  was  venerable  and  striking ; 

supplyingministers'pnlpitsaB  hishealth  and  in  delivering  his  sermon  hesome- 

pM-mitted,  and  did  '  the  work  of  an  evon-  times  poured  out  bis  whole  sonl  in  an 

gelisC'  with  universal  acceptance  and  ecstasy  of  earnestness.  In  this  changing. 


2 CO  THE  QLEANBR.  '^"'i^^uim!^ 

dying  world,  it  is  inevitable  tiiAt  tbe  

memory  rf  his  pewonaJitr  in  the  pulpit  j  ^^,j  ^        y^  ^^  ^ 

miiat  recede  down  the  dim  viBta  of  the  jn  doctrins  nncomipti  In  luiguige  i^a, 

years ;  yet  there  are  those  who  mean'  Aod  pliia   in  lUMiueri   decant,  Bolems, 
time  will  fondly  cherish  it  aa  that  of  chasU, 

one  who  might  have  aat  for  the  portrait  4?'*  ^'■^  ■"  8f«tn«i  mnoh  impreaaed 

J , -v. 11.  p Hunsell,  M  oonsdooB  of  hiB  »wfm  oharsB, 

drawn  by  the  gentle  Cowper ;—  ^„j  „,,„„  „^„]y  U^  U,^  A^^  jj^ 

'  WonldldeecribeaprmoherBDchas  Paul,  Uay  fssl  it  too ;  ■> eotionate  in  look, 

Were  be  on  earth,  would  heir,  approve,  And  tender  in  addreaa,  as  wsll  beoomta 

and  own,  A  mesHngcr  of  grace  to  gnilty  men.* 
Demhtloahhead.  C.  J. 


bt  igItan£T, 


a  OUB  SKAFARIHQ  POFDI^TIOH. 


The  following  is  a  Bommary  of  opeiationa  for  the  past  year : — '  From  Berwick- 
on-Tweed  to  the  north  of  Arbroath,  4000  resident  fishermen,  with  a  fishing  popo- 
l&tion  of  12,000,  have  been  regularly  vi^l«d,  and  weekly  prayer  meetings  and 
Bible  claaeeH  have  been  conducted  for  their  benefit.  About  50,000  seamen,  of 
whom  20,000  are  foreign  sailors,  frequent  the  harbours  on  this  part  of  the  Scattisb 
coast.  liiese  have  received  the  utmoaC  possible  attention  on  ship-board  and  on 
shore,  or  in  hospital.  The  missionaries  have  spent  (in  round  numbers)  16,000 
hours  in  their  mission  work,  have  pud  20,500  viaita  on  shore,  and  10,700  vinta  to 
ships,  and  have  conversed  with  86,000  sailors.  They  have  also  conducted  1500 
prayer  meetings,  with  an  average  atteodanoe  of  60  on  Sabbath,  and  of  24  on 
week-day  evenings.  They  have  held  580  meetings  with  young  people,  with  an 
average  attendance  of  70.  They  have  sold,  at  reduced  rates,  750  Bibles  and 
Testaments,  and  have  dbtributed  1250  gospels,  80,000  tracts,  and  14,000  periodi- 
cals.    The  Scriptures  and  tracts  were  in  fourteen  different  languages.' 

As  may  be  supposed,  the  good  men  who  labour  amongst  Uiis  kind  of  popula- 
tion meet  with  many  dif&culties,  and  experience  at  times  even  cruel  rebuffs.  Bat 
they  have  also  many  sourcee  of  enconragement.  They  are  not  labouring  in  vain ; 
and  by  their  means  the  gospel  ia  sent  by  living  epistles  to  every  distant  shore. 
There  are  also  some  very  interesting  reconls  of  snceess  given  in  the  report  Thua 
it  is  said'  by  one  of  the  missionaries :  '  Met  with  a  fine  yonng  Swedish  boatswain  in 
the  hospital,  with  the  light  of  heaven  beaming  in  his  countenance.  During  a 
frightful  storm  in  t^e  North  Sea,  last  winter,  his  leg  was  broken,  and  it  has  now 
been  amputated.  But  such  is  his  joy  and  peace  in  believing,  that  all  in  the  ward 
are  amazed.  A  fine-looking  Daniui  mate  in  the  same  ward,  who  suffered  similarly 
from  the  aame  storm,  has  been  greatly  cheered  and  strenKthened  by  his  com- 
panion's experience,  and  appears  to  be  now  a  sharer  in  hie  faith  and  hope.'  'A 
woman,  on  being  told  by  the  doctor  that  he  could  not  do  anything  more  for  her, 
sent  for  the  miaaionary,  to  tell  him  that  his  labours  for  her  spiritnaL  benefit  bad 
not  been  in  vain.  Death  had  no  terrors  for  her.  She  was  now  both  ready  and 
willing  to  go  and  to  be  for  ever  with  the  Lord.'  '  An  old  fisherman,  more  than  ' 
fouiacore  years  of  age,  who  believes  that  he  received  a  blessing  some  years  ago 
through  our  teaching,  is  now  leaning  on  Christ,  while  passing  through  the  swellings 
of  Jordan.  For  upwards  of  fifty  years  he  sail^  the  sea  in  his  fishing-boat  He 
is  now  near  the  end  of  his  voyage  across  the  sea  of  time  to  the  etemu  shore,  and 
he  hopes  soon  to  reach  the  port  of  glory.'  'An  intelligent  fisherman,  on  his 
deathbed,  spoke  freely  of  bis  approaching  departure  and  of  his  heavenly  prospects. 
Keferring  to  Rev.  vii.,  he  said  that  although  the  redeemed  were  to  be  of  every 
kindred  and  tongue,  he  supposed  they  would  all  speak  one  language  in  heaven. 
Ha  bad  sometimes  observed  how  awkward  it  was  for  people  to  meet  who  coold  not 
uudwatand  one  another  here.  There  would  be  no  awkwardness  there ;  all  would 
be  one  in  Christ  Jeam.'—The  ScouUh  Coast  Mimon. 


GOD'S  MERCIES :  A  SERMON  IN  SONG. 

>  I  will  dng  of  many  tui  of  jadgment.' — Pa.  oL  1. 

'Thy  mercy,  O  Lind,  ia  in  the  heftTens:  Thj  FaithfnlneBB  reuhsth  onto  Hia  olondi 
Tbr  righteonsuMs  b  like  the  grent  moaatuiu:   Tby  jadgmenta  ue  »  great  deep.'- 

1%.  UITL  6,  6. 

How  wondrotu  the  works  of  the  Lord  1 

Whose  glory,  eialted  Mid  high, 
Gleama  fi^th  itom  the  fMsh-tiDted  sward, 

And  glows  in  the  beautif  al  aky  1 

It  Bhines  in  Uie  atar-spangled  dome, 

That  glistens  with  ^muloua  light. 
Where  adrer  clouds  siteotlf  roam. 

Or  rest  on  the  bosom  of  night 

It  smiles  from  the  cload-eovered  crest 

Of  mountains  majestic  and  grand, 
And  sings  in  the  aong  of  unrest 

That  swells  from  the  echoing  strand. 

Earth's  Totces  nnnnmbered  proolaim 

His  infinite  wisdom  and  power, 
Who  moalded  this  mystieal  frame, 

Eaeircled  with  laiubow  and  flower. 

Bat,  vast  as  the  cant^  old 

That  oircloi  the  nmrerae  rotind. 
Bis  mercies  most  clearly  nnfold 

Like  ocean  of  azure  profoiuid. 

Thar  lighten  the  loneliest  hoar, 

When  shadows  encircle  oar  way. 
And  beam  with  a  beauty  and  power 

That  rivals  the  brightness  of  day  t 

And  high  as  the  cloud-covered  hills,  ' 
Where  footstep  of  man  hath  ne'er  been, 

His  righteous  salvation  that  fills 
The  sools  on  His  bosom  that  lean ! 

Salvation  tiirough  Jesus  the  Son 

Has  shone  from  the  earliest  age ; 
And  long  as  the  tn-ctes  shall  run, 

Glad  seraph  and  saint  shall  engage ! 

Tes,  long  as  Eternity  rolls 

Her  waves  o'er  the  rains  of  Time, 
His  mercy  shall  gladden  the  souls 

That  tmat  in  His  Being  sublime ! 

Yet  mOToy  unbounded  and  free, 
'  And  righteousness  stable  and  strong. 
Have  mystery  deep  as  tiie  sea, 
And  dark  as  ita  fathomless  song. 


.:?:!.;  Google 


HELIOIOUS  ISTBLLlaENCE. 

But  over  each  judgment'like  wave 

Of  rain  and  riHine  alarmo, 
The  Boul,  ever  tniBtfal  and  brave, 

Ma;  flj  to  Hia  fatherly  arms ! 

May  rest  on  Hia  promise  aecore, 

^niough  uiountaiu  and  hill  ahould  depart, 
ABBareathat  the  prayer  of  the  poOT 

Finds  ever  responae  in  His  heartl 


THE  NIGHT  LAMP. 

Br  THE  LATE  SAJIUEL  SMILES  JEE 


[The  ^ted  anlhor  of  the  foUaving  lines,  who  vh  *s  fooaaaati  ooDtribntor  to  oar  p*^ 
dieil,  alter  a1ongBndpaiafiilillDGB».oii  the'^SthFBbruu7l»Bt.  We  uaderstuid  IliM  a  small 
iDemorial  volame,  oontunjag  apecimenB  of  bis  eaa&js  and  Ivrios.  ia  in  preunntioii,  under  Ihe 
editorship  of  his  tvother,  the  Bev.  Charles  jBrdui,.LL.EL,  Dennyioanhead.] 

Burning  dimly  every  night, 

In  a  chamber-window  Ugh)- 

In  a  window  next  the  sby, 
Flickers  aye  a  feeble  light,. 

Gleamq  and  shimmera  wheatfaeiDar 

And  the  whirl  of  tniSii's  oVi 
When  the  cold  deserted  street 
Only  echoes  to  the  tramp' 
Of  the  watchman  on  hia  beat 

When  the  night  ia  dark  and  cbil]. 

And  the  alanting  scoarging  rain 

Beats  and  blatters  on  the  pane. 
There  the  light  is  bnming  stilL 

When  &e  moon  is  shining  blight. 

Every  hour  of  every  night. 
Much  more  conatant  than  the  moon, 
Or  the  multitude  of  stars, 
Bama  the  lamp  there  late  and  soon. 

Do  you  wonder  what's  the  light 

In  that  chamber- window  high. 

Shining  up  againat  the  sky. 
Burning  dimly  every  night?  . 

Tis  a  woman  watching  only, 

By  a.  uck'-bed  sad  and  lonely, 
Watching  patiently  and  well — 
0_h,  how  gently,  and  bow  aveetly ! 
Oh,  bow  fondly  J  ncaie  can  tell. 


|nielli0ence.— 2ffniit&  ^rcsbsJtrian  ff&tort^. 

PEOCEEDIKGS  OF  THE  SYNOD  OF  THE  UNITED  PRESBYTERIAN 
CHURCH. 

UoiOAt,  Mav  19.  devodoual  exerdse^   preached  from  Join 

The  snnnal  meetine  of  the  Synod  of  tha  viiL  12i   'Jesoa  said,  I  am  thsUghtoI  lb< 

United  Presbyterlui  Chiirah  wsa  oommeDced  world,' ato. 

at  haU-paet  six,  in  the  Synod  Hall,  Queen  AaJVsnaarr  or  hull. 

Btreet.    The  Bev.  Mr.  France,  Paisley,  the  The   Olebk   (Ue.  Beckett,    BntherKle") 

retiriiig  Uoderator,   presided,    and,    alter  read  the  ohaugea  wMoh  bad  talcen  place  in 


"■'?i]J^^»^'   PROOEEDDTGB  OP  milTBD  PBB8BTTEBIA1T  BTMOD.    263 

IhB  roll  daring  hat  jetx.    It  tppMred  tbtt  borah  of  >  pttltlon  rrom  itndsDti  uunt  trlala 

a  mamben  had  died  daring  the  jeer,  tli»t  for  llceno*.    (&)  FrotMt  and  kppeil  b;  tba 

E  but  demitled  th^  ch>n>es,  Uuf  19  probk-  Bav.  Dr.  J.  0.  Brown  a^nat  k  deed  at  tbe 

IJDnera  bad  beeo  lloeDse^  end  7  new  oon-  Fnabnerj  of  Edinburrii,  eto.    In  regard  to 


to  g«b  tb«  Synod  to  hear  him  In  pablia  o: 

belJo.    The  ooDgre^tion  al'HJddle8l>oroae;h  the  uutttf,  but  thia  waa  OTSimCsd.      I>r. 

btd  been  disjoined  inorder  to  imita  with  toe  Bruce  waa  thanked  for  hia    put  ■erricca, 

pKabjteri&a  Church  of  England.    Fburteen  and  waa  requested  b;  the  Bfaod  to  continDo 

miniaters  had  raaponded  to  oalls,  and  had  conTsner    of   the   Oommitlee  of  Bills    and 

changed  their  spheres  of  laboor.  '  Overtnraik      Thia  ha  agreed    to    do.      Dr, 

ELEiTnoH  OF  MODBBATOB.  Jamei  Browu,  Paialay,  gave  in  a  report  from 

The    MoDBRATOB,     in     damitting    ofBeo,  the  oommittaa  '  On  the  mode  of  taking  the 

leBdeTed  his  warmeat  thanks  to  the  bFethren  Tole,'  in  which  certain  propoaala  wan  made 

tor  all  the  forbearance  extended  to  him  in  with  the  TJew  to  facilitate  the  boaiBeaa  of 

the  discharge  ol  the   dntiea    of    the    ohalr  the  Bznod  in  that  particular,  and  also  for 

duifng-  the  past  year.     He  asked  Domina-  enahliug  memtwra    to    get  their  IfnodtosI 

tJOBS  for  his  suocessor.  dooumeuta  earlier.    These  wi-reidopled. 

Dr.  JoaEFH    BnowHt    Qlasgow,    rose   to  sebod  AKBANaEKEiriB.  1878. 

sontioate  a  brotlier  who,  he  ioped,  mightbe-  Dr.  Eobkht  T.  Jkftbbi  reported  that  at 

rwkonei  worthy   by  the  Synod  to  occupy  the  committee  charged  with  the  maltm  saw 

the  ctiair  from  which  Mr.  France  was  about  that  the  alterations  on    the    Synod's  new 

to  retiis,  after  haviog  snstaioed  Its  honours  larBmiBeB  oauld  not  possibly  be  completed  In 

ud  performed  its  dnties  withaomuohci«dit'  time  for  the  present  meeting,  they  had  ob- 

lo  himself  and  so  much  Bdvaotege  to  (ha  tained  the  oae  of  the  Free  Assembly  Hall, 

Synod.    He    mored  that  the    Bev.    Darid  uid  he  recommended  that  their  aabsequent 

UrooDi.  of  Laoriston   Place   Church,  £dln-  meetings  this  year  should  be  held  tliere. 

burgh,  be  the  next  Moderator.  The  reporl  was  adopted. 

Dr.  Pkddib,  Edinburgh,  in  seconding  the  disestabushkkht. 
motion,  said  Mr.  Croom  was  known  as  a  Dr.  Huttoh,  referring  to  the  tact  that  the 
most  nikdinching  and  most  consistent  odvo-  DiBOBtablishment  report  did  not  come  on 
cite  of  the  great  question  of  the  day— Dis-  untiLtheSOth  Uay,  suggested  that  ths  Bynod 
eabLblishment.  shonid  now  pass  ths  practical  reoommends- 
Ihere  being  do  other  nomination,.  Md.  tionS'  of  the  oommittee,  which  referred  to 
Croom  was  declared  elected,  and  look  the-  motions  which  were  lo  be  lirought  before 
chair  accordingly,  Farliament  on  the  Slat  If  these  resotntions 
The  Hodebatob-Elrot  thanked  the  were  to  be  put  to  their  proper  use,  and  have 
B^od  for  the  high  honour  they  had  done  their  right  toflnenoe,  it  would,  be  thought, 
lam,  and  be  ooold  promise  that  he  should  do  be  necessary  to  give  a  deliveranee  upon 
hia  beat  to  dlBohaJ-ge  the  duties  oonneoted  tbem  early,  in  order  that  they  might  be 
wiUithe  office.  Isened.  The  resolutions  whose  adoption  he 
VARIOUS.  mOYSd  were  aa  undsr : — 
The  Clspk  (Mr.  Wood)  gave  in  tbe  report  1.  That  the  Synod  renews  its  testimony 
of  the  Bills  Committee,  which,  among  other  againat  the  system  of  State  Chorohea  aa 
things,  BDggeHted  the  order  of  bnsiaess  for  unacriptural,  opposed  to  equity,  and  hurtful 
thefutnre  Meetings  of  Bynod-  This  order  to  the  well-being  of  religion  and  society; 
of  procedure,  after  ono-or  two  slight  altera-  and  emphatically  condemns  all  attempts  st 
lions,  was  agreed  to.  A  committee  to  reoom-  legislative  oompromise  or  alternative  on  the 
mend  names  for  the  Selection  Committee  question  of  Disealablisbmsnt.  Z  That  the 
wu  nominated,  —  Mr.  France,  convener,  motions  of  which  notice  have  been  given  in 
—and  a  formal  report  given  in  by  the  Parliament  with  neference  to  religioua  do- 
Selection- Committee  of  last  year.  It  was  nominations  in  Scotland,  while  diSerii^  in 
agreed  to  remit  the  following  items  of  some  details,  either  evade  the  main  inane,  or 
basinesB  to  committees  to  report  upon  in  aim  at  ends  purely  sectional,  and  at  the 
Iht  first  instance  I'-fl.)- Applications  of  Mr.  reconetniction  of  tbe  Establishment,  and  are 
Bobert  Hntoheaon,  Mr.  David  Gray,  Dr.  A.  unworthy  of  earnest  legislation.  That  the 
R.  Kennedy,  and  Bev.  David  Cook  to  be  'inquiry  proposed,  instead  of  being  directed 
admitted  into  the  Ohnrch  as  probationers;  to neeful  and  competent  questions  regarding 
of  Ur.  W.  Hood  Wright  to  t>e  received  aa  the  Kirk,  or  the  property  of  the  nation 
a  student  on  trials  for  lioence,  with  a  view  devoted  to  its  support,  deals  gTatnilonely 
lo  be  placed  on  the  list  of  preachers ;  and  of  with  maiters  foreign  to  the  merits  of  the  case. 
tbe  Bev.  J.  H.  S.  Hunter  to  be  placed  on  the  or  to  the  dnttes  ot  Parliament— schemes  of 
probationers'  roll.  (2.)  A  referenoe  from  ecclesiastical  union,  and  the  affairs  and  reci- 
UlrHichaelStreetChnrchseasion,  Oreenock,  procal  relatione  of  Churches  deriving  no 
in  reference  to  dealing  with  a  member,  now  authority  or  support  from  the  State ;  whils 
nuder  suspension  for  marrying  hie  deceased  the  methods  of  Inquiry  contemplated — by 
wife's  slater,  with  an  overture  by  the  Bev.  Belect  Committee  and  Boyal  Commisalon— 
James  Davidson,  of  the  same  ohnrch,  anent  are  inapplicable  to  the  solntion  of  the  ques- 
SDcb  marriagffl.  (3.)  Protests  and  appeals  tion  of  the  continuance  or  discontinuance  of 
on  the  Motherwell  communion  vrine  case,  the  State  Church,  which  can  only  be  Justly 
(1.)  B^ennoe  from  the  Freebylery  ot  Bdin-  decided  on  the  ground  of  taroad  facts  already 


26J                                     EEUGIOD8  ISTEIilGENCE.  ^""SL^m^ 

well  known,  tmd  widely  ■ooaptsd  pidnotiileH,  of  the  OMnmlttee  on  the  Anthendoittoii  of 

and  in  the  ordlnar;  oonree  of  |iol!bwl  actiou.  Sjuod'a  Miaates,  which  aUteil  that  the  prinl 

8.  That  pablio  opinion  in  Bootltuid,  wbieh  It  copy  was  a  faithful 'Copr  of  the   ea^iSei 

is    profeasedl;    Bought  -  bj    thia  elaborate  aoroll  minntea,  and  that  the  permaueDt  HS. 

inacbiiier7  to  diecoTer,   fau  already  mani-  recoid  was  aocnratelj-  tranBcribed  Irom  the 

feated  iteelf  widely  in  fasonr  of  IH8eeta1>-  print  copy.      The  contmittee  nnanimmulj 

liahment  ia   the  must  cumBroof  rehKloiii  drew  attention    to  the    aselBBaneas  of  tlie 

eommnnitlea,  and  in  representatiTe  aasem-  prasent  HS.   permaitenl  record  in  Tiew  of 

blagee  of  oJtizenH,  aa  wall  as  in  eleclorsl  the  ezietence  of  the  printed  minulee,  aod 

issufs.       That  the  Talae  of    auoh  tasta  of  leqneetedthe  BynadtocoDaidertheproprietr 

opinion  and    the  iegitimate  iuue    o(  con-  of  aboliahing  il, 

ititDtiDQat  appeal  cannot  be  set  aside,  any '        Mr.  W.  Fbabck,  Faialey,  svd  theyahoald 

more  than    the   dainu   of   equity    can    be  be  cautioui  Aboat  the  inumediata  Adoption  of 

altered,    or     onght    to    be    prejudiced,   by  the  laat  recoinniiendatlon.     It  would  be  well 

tentative  inquiry.     4.  That,  with  Teterenoe  to  to  lay  the  matter  before  tbe  law  adTieere  ol 

propoBals  for  a  settlement  of  the  qaesUon  of  the  Ohoroh  tor  theii  opioion.     Hr.  France's 

the  Btata  Church  on  the  buia  of  the  Heroin-  auggestlon   was  ajjreed  to^  «nd  the  repwt 

tlon  OF  earlier  aCatutea,  or  ef  the.claun  of  a  otherwiae  adopted, 

particular  Church  to  national  obaracter,  no  Mianoa  boAsd. 

settlement  whicb  ia  elmply  PreBbyterian  or  Dr.  Scott  reported  that  twelve  mentbera, 

sectional,  or  wldch  would    leave    a    legal  baring  fulfilled  their  four  years  of  aervica  on 

Blatua   with  one  Church  or  polity,  can   be  the  Mission  Board,  had  retired,  aod  that  tbe 

aooepted  as  eilhar  expedient  or  equitable.  fallowing  memberB  had  beea  nominated  by 

Hr.    B.    Uaxhk,    Leslie,    ssconded    tbe  tbe  preBbyteriee  of  the  Church : — Dr.  Babert 

motion.  Frew,  St   Niniane;    Ur.   Alexander    Clirk, 

Dr.  Jaku  BftoWH  moved  that  tbe  reso-  Moutrosei  Hr.  Peter  Hearna.  Coldetreimi 

IntioDS   be  iaken  when   the  report  of  the  Hr.   Darld   Anderson,  Ceres.;  Mr.  WilUam 

DieeBtabllBbmsut  Committee  was  coneid^ed.  QUIieB  and  Hr.  William  Wbite-Uillar,  Edin- 

"r.  W.  BiUBrS,  AroliieBton,  seoondedthe  burgh;  Dr.  An  drew.  Gardiner,  Edinbnrgb; 

idment.  Hr.  W.  B.  ThimiBonsQd  Ur.  aeorge  Faler- 

On  a  vote,  a  large  majority  t;^corded  for  son,  Glasgow ;  Hr.  B.  OsJrns,  Cambuslang ; 

the  motion,  only  a  few  hands  being  held  up  Hr,   Archibald  Sutherland,  Penh;  Ur.  D. 

for  the  amendment.  U'Gowan,  Glasgow.     Other  sacancies  from 

ADDBI8S  TO  THK.QOBSN.  death  or  volnntary  retlrsmpnt  had  occurred, 

Mr.  Mtdduitok  (elder),  Glasgow,  moved  and  the  following  had  been  nominated  to 

that  the  Bynod  agree  to  present  an  address  fill    these    *acanoies; — Hr.    David   Caimsi 

to   Her    Hajesty,  exfoeseive    of  JMn tinned  Btitchel;  Hr,  J.  Brown,  Valleyfleld.     These 

attachment  to  ber  throne  and  perGon,«nd  its  gentlemen  were  recommended  to  be  alloDBled 

earnest  desire  that  she  nuy    exercise   her  to  tbe  Heme  and  Foreign  CommitteeB.    Tbe  ' 

exalted  inflaence  for  the  prevention  ol  war,  Uiasion  Board  piopoaed    that    Hr.    David  ' 

and  the  Interests  of  ^leaoe  in  JEurope ;  tbat  Anderson   be  appointed  ita  ohatrman.   Ur. 

the  Selection    Conmuttee  be  appointed   to  James  Uorton,  vfoe-chsirman  for  the  Home 

prepare  an  address,  and  submit  11  to  the  Committee;    and  Ur.  William  Natr-    — — 


chairman  for  the  Foreign  Commitlee 
The  report  was  agreed  to. 


ssauurilTioH  of  ths  TRsaacitEs  or  ms  Dr.   Andrew  Thohsos,  Bdinburj^ 

CHOBCH,  ported  that  be,  along  with  other  brethren 
The    resignation    of    Hr.    Whitelaw    as  appointed     by    last     Synod,    atlendml    tUa 
Treasorer  ol  the  Uhnroh  was  intimated,— bad  fkiglisb  PreBbyterian  Bynodat  its  niaetlngs 
health  being  assigned  as  tbe  cause.     It  was  in     Uancheeter.       The    reception    of    tbe 
agreed  to  put  on  the  mluDles  a  recotd  ol  the  deputies    was  of    the   most  respectful  and 
services  of  Mr.  Whitelaw,  andaremit  was  cordial  klnd^  and  tbe  depotles  were  enter- 
made  to  a  special  committee  to  nominate  his  talned  with  great  hoepitalliy  during  their 
successor.  etay.     Everything  appeared  to  tbe  deputies 
aoTJCB  lOr  MOTIOT,    "  to  indicate  life  and  steady  progies*    The 
Dr.  CAiitHS  gave  notice  tbftt  he   shoiild  Synod  then  receivedoorreBpODdingnemberB 
move  the    approval    ot  the    Deport  of    the  from  the  FresbyteriBu  Chnroh  of  England, 
Oonunittee  on  the  Subordinate  Standards.  the  eoart  standiug  while  Dr,  Andrew  Thoro- 
Tbs  Bynod  adjourned    at   10.80  p.m.,  to  eon    introduced    those    gentleraen    te    the 
meet  the  following  day  tt  10  o'olook  in  the  Moderator    ae    follows  :  — Jfinuten —  Dr. 
Free  AsBsmbl;  Hall.  Chalmers,    HodBiutOr   of    the    Synod;    Dr. 

Anderson,  Dr.  Druramond,  Dr.  Fraser,  Dr. 

ToiSDAi,  ifajr  14.  Edmond,  Dr.  SimpBon,  Dr.  Mackay,  HessiK 

The  sittings  of  the  Hynod  were  resiimed  George  Jobnetone,  William  Porteoua,  Jsmei 

this  morning  at  ten  o'clock,  in  tbe  Assembly  Hair,   John  Beid.   Oeorgs  Bell,   and    Jobn 

Hallof  the  Free  Church— Hev.  David  Crooni,  Blaok.      £!<£«■(— Uessrs.    Walter    Graham, 

Edinburgh,  Moderator.      .        .-  Bobert  Hedley,  Samuel  Stitt.B.  J.  Tnmbnll, 

Devotional  eiercieea  were  engaged  in  lor  Thomas  Hall,  and  John  A.  Beith. 

half  an  hour.  Dr.   Chalmb™  refening   to  the  recent 

AUTHBRnCATioiiopeTaoD'sannDTES.  anion  ot   Engliah  preebyteries,  said   they 

Ur.  WA1.TBE  BoBERis  Submitted  tbe  report  never  conld  forget  tbe  noble  self-atasgaUoB 


"il^i^'    PROCEEDINGS  OF  UHITBD  PBBaBTTEBIAN  8TH0D.     265 


SjFuadaf  Mnutny  honoured  brathrsn-  in  no  cue  leM  thia  £16;  >Dd  of  thasi 

Di.   AmERBOH,    Uo^eth,    (tlso    sbortl^      10  exceeded  760,  gainlog  aeholuvhips  of  the 


iddnawd  the  Sfood,  staliiig  that  the  naioo  miiilmoni  nJoa  of  £10.     01  the  gnciMUifiil 

in  Eogluid  hid  ftlre»d7  more  thkn  reallied  eompetlton,  14  were  In  the  lint  xectioii,  21 

the  utidpations  regarding  it.  In  the  feecond,  B  In  the  third,  and  19  In  the 

Tli«  UoDEBATOB  bwie  the  oorreiiKinding  [ourth.    for  the  eoholirihipe  io  the  HkII,  7 

nembere  welcome,  and  expcesved  the  hope  etudentfl  preeented  themHelTes  In  the  first, 

tbitlbe;  wDiUd  use  their  privilege  oi  Ikktng  and  8  in  iLs  escond  section.     In  the  tirst 

put  iu  the  delibentione  of  Bynod.  Beotion,    6    were    laeoeBBfiil,    and    recelTed 

GEHKaAi.  SrATiaiiCa  -or  tux  cbChCO.  Mbolaribips   of    from  ^15   to    £20  ;    while 

Dr.  ScoTE,  liome  Secretary,  anbmitied  the  in  ttie  tecand   section    T    were  sncaeBifnl, 

nport  for  the  year  on  the  General  Btatietioa  and  gained  Bcbolirships  of  from  £20  to  £36 

of  the  Churoh.     It  eUted  that  eebednles  ol  nine.       The    Fitcairn    and     Uillar-Frame 

Btitiitici  hui  been  retnmed  by  5SS  oongre-  Boholanbi^  of  £30  each  were  also  awarded. 

)rUioDi,  and  onl;  one  in  the  PreiliTter;  ol  The  tutorial  olasaee  had  been  abandoned. 

Berwick  bad  failed.      There  had  been  an  Naw  sohalarahipe  bad  been  funnded  bj  Mrs. 

._  _.  o .:,_.  1 — . —  .i T..i.__.  a_j.i|^jj|j  Utb.  Allan,  Qlaagow,  who 

£1000    for   two     Bchalarshipa, 

'6;  66,416  TOUQfcbaptiied  peraoDB  value  £21  each,  to   be  named  after  Bobert 

■Bra  conneoWd  Trilh  the  Choioh,  but  not  in  Bmith.      An  anonymone  donor  h»  paid  to 

full  conunnoion.     5&4  congregatloDS  had  S41  the  Treasnrer  £000  to  fonnd  a  Bcholarship, 

Sabbath    Bchoole,    which    included     10,74e  value  £26,  to  be  known  aa  the  William  Alei- 

iHshera,  79,816  eofaolars,  or  an.increue  of  ander  BcholarBhip.    The  expenditure  for  the 

46S  tuohers  and  7iesaholarB  over  last  f  oar.  year  wHfl&ll,  and  the  Inoome  £1389,  and 

Tbero  were  693  Bible  claesea,  tanght  b;  491  the  deflcil,   after  t^ing  into   account  last 

miniBtHB  and  202  elders,  and  attended  hj  year's  balance  of  £207,  was  £16.     The  com- 

!a,!>ai  Bcholars.     Tbe  number  of  membera  mltlee  hope   that   the  BUbecriptiose  to  the 

in  hdl  oDmrnunion  with  the   Obiirch   wai  GcholftrefalpB  Fund  will  be  this  year  £600,  or 

i?3,6H,  or  IS84  more  than  in  the  prevloBS  they  will  be  compelled  to  reduce  the  number 

;tir.    2i,l>'lS  peraons  attended  tbe  prayer  and  value  of  the  BchalarBhipa.    Dr.  Butohi- 

metinge    during    the    year.       88    etudanta  son  mored  the  approval  ol  the  report,  and 

veieitthe  Theological  Hall.     There  were  that  Ur.  Aleiands   Duncan,  Balgedie,  be 

Hi  congregational   librarlee,  with   171,122  appointed   olerk  to    th«  committee    and   a 

Toiimieg.    Uiniat«n   preached   at  607   out-  member  ex  tjffaio. 

Uations.      The    congregatioQal   income   for  This  was  agreed  to;  and,  on  tbe  motion  of 

ooDgregatJonal  purposes  was  £260.723,  or  an  Dr.  Brtcaii,  it  was  remitted  to  the  commit' 

wngregation  with  an  average  membership  be  paid  to  Mr.  Duncan. 

Hi  326.    The  increase  wae  £17,608,  17s.  on  Ur.    Wood,    Olerk,    intimated    that    Ur. 

Uw  whole,  or  £26,  6a   ~'    " '     ■""- "' '    "'  "'—  '---'   — ' '-    - 

eich  congregation. 

bensTolent  inoome  was  £8i910,  lOa.  lid.,  or  adding  £2000  to  the  £4000  already  paid  in 

aTcnge  coi^egational  contribution  of  £169,  for  Hall  scholarships.     The  interret  on  the 

!>>■  2d.    From  Ic^aciei,  etc,  the  income  was  £3000  be  wished  devoted  to  scholarships  for 

'C43,44S,  I4&  7d. ;  and  the  total  inoome  of  the  studenU  in  the  Hall,  including  those  from 

Chnrch  was  £379,079,    6s.  .6d.      The  total  foreign  evangelical  Ohurches. 

utount  raised  by  the  Chnroh  in  Ihe  8U  years  On  the  motion  of  (ho  HodkrAtor,  it  was 

from    HsT    1S43    to    December    1877    ma  agreed  to  accept  Mr.  Biggart's  and  tbe  other 

£7,828,810.     The  amonnt  of  stipends  paid  to  sohoUrships  mentioned  in  the  report,  and  the 

ministers   was    £189,966,    Is.  4d.  i  and  the  Scholarehip  Committee  were  iastracled  to 

aj;gregate  amount  paid  for  stdpende  during  prepare  a  suitable  minute  in  regard  to  all 

the  put  ten  years   wu  £1,206,646.      The  the  jiew  benefaotiona. 

THEOUtOICAI.  HALI, 

Dr.  TomtQ,  Qlasgow,  submitted  the  report 
of  the  Committee  on  Theolt^cal  Education. 

Twenty-three  atudents  applbdfor  admisaion 

Dr.  John  HnrcHiBOit  gave  in  the  report  lotheEallin'NovemberlaBt,  of  whfchonly  18 

ol  the  Committee  on   Bcholarships.       The  lOame  up  for  eianunation,  the  others  being 

report  set' out  with   the  statement  that  tbe  prevenied  by  iti-heattb.     Fifteen  candidates 

new  arrangement  toe    condnoting  the  eia-  were  Masters  of  ArtSj  and  all  the  students 

miostlouB  lor  the  University  BchotarBhips  at  paeeed   eicept  one,  who  failed  ia  Natural 

different  centres  in  Bootland  had  been  eml-  Philosophy.  Theoommitteeregretledthatin- 

untly  sBtisfacti»7 ;    that  tOS  applications  steadol  therebeinganinorease,thenumberol 

had  been  received,  but  16  of  these  did  not     entrants  had  seriously  fallen  off.   Ther ' 

come  forward  for  eiamination.     The  Biami-      ' '-   '--'• -^ ^  .. -i.- j:» 

nations  were  conducted  in  Kirkwall,  Wick, ,__„ 

Eifio,  Aberdeen,  Dundee,  Crieff,  Qlaegov,  in  the  conduct  of  some  claseei .     .  . 

KUmimock,  Edinburgh,  Helrose,  Dumbies,  the  efforts  made  to  find  employment  during 

Newcutlo,  aud  Birmingham.      Of   the    92  the  aammer  for  the  students,  spoke  of    the 

competitora,  63  attained  the  mtplmni"  aver'  nnmber  of  oongregstious  which  )ud  failed 


U6 


RBUaiOCS  INTELUOEITCB. 


to  nuke  ■  ooIlBOUon  for  the  Hall  Fond,  uid 
nra  ■ocoonls  o(  the  gnpartnleudenoa  of 
UniTenitf  atudenls.  The  Eidle  Llbmry 
h&d  b««n  o&tilogaed. 

Dr.  ToxjHO  moved  Uut  £S00  sboold  be 
giTen  to  Dr.  Ket,  nod  ilOO  to  Dr.  Audniw 
ThomBon,  tor  oondnctinB  Che  cUaa  of  Pmo- 
tlcel  TraiDlsa;)  that  the  changes  in  the 
cluBOa  Bhonld  be  aaDctianed;  that  MssurS; 
Wm.  Diokie  and  W.  E.  Wright  from  tbe 
£EUbli8hed  Churoh  and  tbe  Baptist  ChiiTch 
dbould  be  received  u  third  year's  stndentg, 
which  was  aecouded  by  Mr.  Inglia,  John- 
stone,  and  agreed  to. 

Ur.  H'CoWAX,  elder,  Glasgow,  urged  the 
importance  of  congregatlonB  contribnting  to 
the  Uall  Fund,  and  oppressed  the  opinion 
that  the  oongregatioue  were  willing,  if  the 

tunlly  of  making  liberal  collectlsns  lor  lo 
great  and  impurtael  an  inatitaUoD. 


Ur.  R  T.  UiDDLETOH,  QlaegoWr  nod  tbe 
lollowiDg  address  to  the  Q,neeti,  which  had 
been  drawn  np  by  tbe  committee  appointed 
by  Synod:— 'Edinburgh,  14lh  May  1878.— 
To  the  Qaeen'H  Uost  Excellent  Majesty. 
Hay  it  pleoee  vanr  Uajesty,  — We,  the 
miaisteTV  and  eldere  of  the  United  Presby- 
terian Ohnrch,  representing  654  oongrega- 
tions,  beg  leave  to  abroach  y«ur  Uajesty 
with  the  warmest  SBSurance  of  onr  loy^ 
attachment  to  your  Majesty's  person  and 
throne.  Being  earDestly  desirous  tbsi  peaee 
may  he  preatrred  in  the  present  solemn 
crisis,  we  venture  to  address  your  Qraoioos 
Hajeety,  praying  that  yonr  exalted  influence 
msy  be  exercised  for  the  prevention  of  war, 
the  outbreak  of  which  yonr  petitioners 
will  deeply  deplore.  May  it  please  jour 
Hsjesty,  your  Majesty's  most  loyal  and  dati- 
ful  Bubiecta,  ministers  and  elders  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church  .—Signed  by  the 
Moderator  end  the  two  Clerks  of  Synod.' 

Tbe  address  was  unanimously  approved 


peopla,  Don-4nembsrs  of  chnrohee,  rsmovisg 
from  one  district  to  anotber,  was  not  beisg 
carried  ont  with  anything  like  system  or 
iinivenality.  The  conveners  of  the  Presbj- 
teriol  Supervising  Committees,  it  was  said, 
all  alike  bewailed  (be  smalt  extent  to  whidi 
their  serviaas  were  called  into  requiaitioe, 
the  imminent  danger  of  their  committm 
breaking  up  altogether  from  sheer  want 
of  work,  and  the  apparent  apathy  with  whieh 
tbe  eohame  seemed  to  be  regarded  throng- 
out  the  Charob.  The  committee  recaramew 
the  Synod  to  urge  on  all  the  members  lo 
do  their  utmost  to  carry  oat  ttio  inlentioES 
of  the  Synod  in  regard  to  the  yonng  peoplg 
who  were  changing  their  place  of  resideiiDe ; 
and  more  partioDloriy  to  enjoin  maderalors 
of  sessions  to  bring  up  the  matter  annually 
before  their  sessions,  so  as  to  enlist  tbs 
iDlerast  and  help  of  all  tii»  elders  in  the 
soheme,  and  ensure  its  being  carried  out  ss 
fares  possible in-tbeirrespeotive  congiega- 

Hr.  BDaBUTl^  elder,   QIasgow,  ■uppoilsd 

The  report  was  then  adopted. 


.  k  Society  of  Scotland,  consieting  of 
Lord  Polwartb  and  Professor  B1  alkie,  was 
Introdnced  to  the  Synod  by  tbe  Moderator, 
and  gave  short  addresses. 

Dr.  Ahdhkw  Thomson  moved—'  That  the 
Synod,  having  beard  the  Bight  Hon.  Lord 
Polwartb  and  the  Ber.  Dr.  Blsikie,  a  depnta- 
tlon  from  the  Bellgions  Tract  and  Book 
Society  of  Scotluid,  expresses  its  sense  of 
the  great  importance  and  practical  usefulness 
of  the  society's  operations  at  home  and 
abroad,  and  more  eepecially  its  oolportage 
'  agencies,  as  eminently  fltled  under  the  new 
educational  arrangements  to  the  oircnm- 
Stancea  of  tbe  country ;  and  more  gener^ly 


!    ile    > 


>    of   t 


importance  of  prosecuting  evangelical  opera- 

Dr.  SooTT,  the  Home  MisslDn  Secretaiv, 
seconded  tbs  motion,  which  Was  nnaoiiDoasly 
agreed  (0. 


„    ___   lloderat43r    of    Synod. 

oommitlee,  it  said,  were  of  opinion  thattlu 
method  presently  in  ose  1q  electing  tbs 
Moderator  at  ths  first  sedemnt  of  each 
Synod,  wittoutanyprevioas  nomination,  was 
attended  with  very  serious  dlsadrantagts. 
It  frequently  invulved  a  division  in  tbe  very 
first  item  of  business  which  the  nerly- 
oonstitutad  meeting  of  Synod  was  called  lo 
transact;  it  subjected  miuislers  of  age  and 
standing  in  the  Cfaurohla  theriak  of  a  pnblio 
defeat  in  connection  with  an  election  tout 
oSee  of  honour  for  whiob  they  had  not 
oflrredthemselves  as  candidates;  anditgsvs 
to  tbe  minister  elected  no  oppoitnnity  of  pro- 
paring  himself,  byacareiulstudy  of  thefonni 
of  proBBduTB  or  otherwise,  for  the  sfflclant 
discharge  of  the  duties  of  the  chair.  Having 
looked  at  the  practice  followed  in  thesists 
Cburobes,  that  in  operation  In  the  Presby- 
terian Church  of  Eugland  most  commended 
itself  lo  the  committee,  and  they  accordingly 
recommended  that  a  standing  order  should 
be  passed  to  the  effect  that  at  the  foreaooa 
sederunt  of  the  Thursday  of  the  first  wsek 
immediately  after  the  opening  eiercisss,  and 
before  the  minutes  bavet)eenr«^  theSynod 
should  resolve  itself  into  a  oommittee  of  tbs 
whole  house,  and  shonld  then,  after  brief 
conferenOB,  fix  upon  one  to  be  nominated  ttt 
the  ntodaratorship  of  the  Synod  of  the 
following  year,  and  that  the  person  so  fixed 

Id  at  that  Syr    '  ■ 
form  by  the  rstlrlng  U 

by  aome  member  ol  ooun,  ii  oemg  uaua- 
stood  tbat  the  aotoal  tieation  Bfaoild  rM> 


'"li^USTi*'''   PBOCEEDINGS  OF  DSITED  PBBSBTTBaiAN  BTVOD.     267 

with  Ibe  SfDod  over  whioh  the  Hodentor  teDdiw  over  tiro,  tud  some  of  tbem  orec 

vu  to  preside.    He  moved  tbtt  the  report  three,  lengtheDod  eederaDti.    Theroenben 

bs  tioped.  hftve  attended  with  great  TegnUrit;.   end 

Dr.   Andsbw    TneMBSR    leeooded    the  hara  girati  the  moat  careful  oooaidcntloD  to 

iiotJOD.  all  the  mattere  vtiioh   have   come   betore 

Dr.  J.  Bbowh  JoaavroKB,  Oorau,  eaid  lie  thenb 
believed  the  old  plan  was  better  than  a^         *At  the  fitvt  meeting,  which  wae  held  a 

of  thou  which  had  been    meDdoned.     Be  few  weeks  after  the  cloee  of  the  Sjnod,  th» 

moTed  that  in  the  meaatlme  it  ia  iDsxpedient  committee  cod aidered  what  cxmraa    of  pro- 

lo  mate  an;  change  in  the  mode  of  electiDg  oedure  it  minld  be  most  expedient  to  adopt 

BUodentor.  with  the  Tie w  of  ciiryiDg  out  the  BjUDire 

Ur.  KuBKBiaoSi  Bread  Street,  Edinbiugh,  remit.     Afier  delibnktioii,  it  vae  Teaolved  to 

seconded  the  amandraant.  **  inv4te  from  the  membere  of  oooimittae  a 

Mr,  WiSHABT,    Thonihlll,  propoeed  that  epeoific   atatement  of  thoea  poinia  or  ei- 

tbe  report  lie  on  the  t^le  for  another  ;ear,  preseioDa  in  the  ConfeaaioD  and  Oatechieme 

ind  Ibis  WW  Beconded  bf  Mr.  Uutai^roa,  to  which  it  iit  underelood  exception  ia  token 

tlder,  Qlasgow.  b;  ofBoe-benrera  and  membeie  of  the  Cburch. 

Some  diflcn^eion  took  place  on  Ibe  aeveral  or  on  whioh  alteratione  might  be  anggested." 

piopouie,  Ur.  F,  L.  Forsah,  elder,  Bo'neaa,  These    communications,    it    was    arranged, 

coatanding  that  the  membera  of  each  Sjnod  ihauld  be  sent  in  not  later  than  September 

should  have  the  eleoting  of  their  own  chair-  1,  and  a  aob-oomniittee  waa  appointed   to 

QUL     One-half  of  the  Synod  was  supposed  prepare  s  digest  of  them  for  tne  nse  of 

'mpoBed  of  elde j  j» -.- - >  •-—      ■-     --   —    ._  .f_  ._ 

fenurt  waH   ida 


^TC 


Gonfeeaion,  e         ^ 

a  vote,  tiie  amendment  of  Mr.  Wiahart  tb    which    atiendon    was    called,    and    the 

nsDegatlredb}  a  large  majority.  A  aeoorid  various  suggestions  wbich  were  submitted, 

dirieion  resulted  in  the  amandment  ol  Dr.  The  committee  were  occupied  for  eei-OTal 

Brows  JohneloDe  being  carried  by  a  eon-  meetings  in  taking  up  and  considering  these 

nderibla  majority.  suggcetions,  going   into   this   part  of  the 

The  Synod  then  adjourned  at  4.1S  P.M.  work  with  great  fulneas,  as  the  membera 

deemed  it  of  the  utmost  importance  to  hear 

a  Bbdbrun^  eaoh  other's  aenliments  on  every  point,  wilh 

"■■'"■'     '      "  the  view  of  ascerUinlng  how  far  the  diier- 
sitiea    brought    out    In    these    aiiggeslioue 

TKK  suBOROurATn  STAKDABDS.  sffeotod  the  language,  or  the  order,  or  the 

After  tbe  reading  and  cooflrmation  of  the  proportion   of  the   several  doclrinea  as  set 

nlnntea,  the  Synod  lock  qp  the  report  of  the  forth  in  the  slandards,  or  might  in  any  case 

OomiiDitlee  on  the  Subordinate  Standards  of  eerioualy  affect  the  doctrine  itself. 
Iha  Ghorch,  which  waa  as  fol  Iowa ;~-' The  'It  waa  with  much  satisfaction  and  thank- 

Syaod's  remit  appointing  this  committee  and  fnlnesa    that   the   committee,    without    any 

defining  ita  dntiee  is  se  f ollows :— {1.)  The  formal  conclusion  on  the  subject,  reaoh^ 

Synod  dismissee  the  overture  from  Qourock,  tbe  general  and  ever-increasing  conviction 

>id  declares  its   etedFaat  adherence  to  the  of  theirsubetautialoneneaaindoctriiialviev- 
WEBlniinsler  Confeasion  of  Faith  and  CaW-  ■  The  duty  then  devolved  upon  the  oom- 

chiguii  BB  containing  the  system  of  doctrine  mittee  of  determining  in  what  ehape  they 

'"gilt  in  the  Holy   Bcripturss.      (2.).  The  should  turn  their  labours  to  aoconnt.     The 

Synodatronglydisapprovesof  andoondemna  id'A  of  revising  the  etandards,  in  the  proper 

ihs  coaduot  of  thoee  persons  who,  having  lense  of  the  word,  was  entertained  by  none. 

•alemnly  professed  to  give,  their  assent  to  Somemembenof  Ihecommitleewerelavonr- 
fUiBBUndanis,  do,  not 

mcine  them  a  _._,_._ . , _ 

J,  and  in  Impeaohing  their  brethren  present    In    the    prevailing    view    that    i 

'  elderahip  and  the  ministry  with  not  attempt  shonld  rsther  be  made  to  frame  a 

belieting  and  not  preaching  the  doouine  of  declaratory  atalement  givinft  aooh  eiplana- 

them.    (8.)  In  particular,  tbe  Synod  cannot  tioas  as  were  judged  needful  in  regard  to 

tolenle  the  denial  or  dispsiagement  of  those  the  ousting  standards,  and  which,  if  eatis- 

doctrinee  commonly  calied  the  doctrines  of  factory  to  the  oommHtee,  might  be  submitted 

gnce,  which  it  has  been  the  distinauishing  to  the  Synod  for  adoption.     On  this  work, 

Sloiy  of  this  Ohuroh  in  every  period  of  its  acoordingly,  very  great  labour  was  bestowed, 

iatory  to  maintain  and  to  preach.    (4.)  In  and,  the  committee  are  happy  to  report,  not 

'aspect,   however,  of  the  great  importance  without  snoeeea.     A  aub-commlttee  was  ap- 

"i  tbe  question  raised  by  the  overiiire  from  pointed  to  take   into   consideratiun  all  the  . 

tie  Presbytery  of  Glasgow,  uid  diffioultiea  foregoing  disonsaions,  and  in  view  of  them 

attending  il  requiring  grave  deliberation,  the  to  £aw  up  sncb  a  statement  as  might  serve 

Byncd  amoinlB  a  committee  to  conaider  tlie*  tlie  end  contemplated. 

whole  subject  brought  up  by  it,  snd  report  '  The  anb-oommltlee  lost  no  time  in  pre- 

to  the  Synod  in  Uay  1878.  paring  thiadraft  statement;  and,  after  several 

'The  committee  have  in  the  conrse  of  the  meotinga  and  much  earnest  deliberation,  tli^ 

year  bad  nine  meetlngH,  moat  of  these  a-  ware  Us  positlontolay  it  on  thecommlttee'e 


Kriptursl,  ai 
of  the  Blderi 


EELIQIODS  nrrSXLIQSiKOB. 

s  OMefnUy  ei»-      hsKi,  trt  not  BpirftaJly  good,  a 


CQBtiurn*.Mi«i, 


mined  by  the  committop,  pu-agrapb   aiUr  oaasequenlly  Dot  aaob  as  accompai^  siln- 

pmgnipn,  and  olaiiM  alier  elansa;  and  the  tiou. 

<Kimmittee  ure  now  able  to  lay  before  the  '4^  That  irblle  all  who  ace  wTsd  ire  UTcd 

Sjnod  the  reeoK  of  IheirltbonrB  in  the  form  through  ths  mediation  of  Ohri«t  andbjlhe 

of  the  followinK  dBolaratory  Etatement,  which  graoe  of  Hie  Holv  Spirit,  who  worketh  wheu, 

they  propoee  that  the  Synod  Bhonld  adopt,  ftnd  where,  and  how  He  pleaseth ;  and  whila 

The  committee  are  pennued  Ihttthia  state-  the  dnty  of  sending  the  gofml  U  tbe  heathen, 

ment  in  fitted  to  remove  abjections  and  diffl-  who  are  annk  in  a  state  of  an  and  iiii>«Ti 

cultiee  which  bare  arisen  at  Tarious  periods  and  periafaing  for  lack  of  knowledge,  ia  cltar 

ainM  the  atandardB  were  framed;  and  they  and  imperatLve,  the  Oburch  does  notnqmn 

beliere,  at  the  same  time,  that  the  grttt  the  aoceptanee  of  ber  standards  in  a  muh 

eysCem  of  truth  held  In  common  by  all  Hie  .  whish  might  imply  that  any   who  dia  in 

evangelical  Oburcheo  accepting  thees  etand-  infancy  are  lost  \  nor  does  she  bind  thow 

arda  remains  nntonehed  and  nnimpajred.  who  ac«ept  tbese  standarde  to  any  jndgraent 

'The  committee,  it  may  be   added,  are  oonoerning  the  flual  destiny  of  the  beatbei, 

virlnallynnanimousinpreaeQtliigthiBreport,  which  will  b«  determined  by  tbe  righleoni 

thon^h  there  are    some    points   on    which  Judge  aooordlog  to  the  light  they  have  pM- 

certBin   members    would    have    preferred  a  sassed. 

different  farm  of  eUtement.    Thesemembera,  '(>.  That  this  Church  holds  thatlbsLord 

while    not   entering   any    fo-mal  -diisenla,  Jesus  Clirist  is  the  only  King  and  Head  of 

reserve  to  themaelv^  the  right  to  stats  their  the  OhiKt:h,  and  ''Head  over  all  thingi  to 

:o  the  Synod.'  the  Church,  whiob  ia  H!a  body,"  and  flmly 

"' — -^■- IT  aheztt  renews  her  protest  sninet  all  compnleC'ry  or 

«.  wrseoating  and  intolerant  principleB  in  re- 

'Whereas  the  formola  in  which  the  snb-  llgion,  and   declares,  as  hitherto,    that  she 

ordinate    standards    of     this     Church    are  doflsnatreqnire  approval  of  anything  inbsr 

accepted  requires  assent  to  them  as  an  exhi-  standards  that  teaictiea,  or  may  be  supposed 

bition  of  tbe  sense  in  which  the  &cTiptnres  to  teach,  inch  priuoiples. 

are   understood:    whereas    tbeee  utandarda,  '•6.  That  Christ  baa  laid  it  as  a petmuienl 

being  of  human  composition,  are  fieoeeBfrrily  and  aniversal  obligation  npon  Hia  Church, 

imperfect,  and  the  Church  has  alreai^  taken  at  once  to  maintain  her  own  ordinances  lud 

exception    to    tbslr    teaching    or    ssppoaed  to  "preaoh  the  gospel  to  every  creatan;" 

teaching    on    one    important  subjeot:    and  and    baa    ordained  that  tbe  meane  of  fill- 

whereas  there  are  other  subjects  in  r^ard  filling  this  obligation  are  to  be  provided  by 

tc  which  it  has  been  found  desirable  to  set  the  free-will  oBsrings  of  Bis  faithful  people. 

forth  more  fully  and  dearly  the  view  which  '7.  Tbat,  in  socordanoe  with  tbe  practice 

the  Synod  takes  of  iba  teaehing  of  Holy  hitherto  ebserved  in  this  Chnrch,  libertyof 

Scriptore :   therefore  the  Synod  hereby  d»-  epiirion  is  aJlowed  on  snob   pointB  in  tlie 

clarea  as  follows: —  standarde  not  entering  into  the  Bnbslancaol 

'1.  That,  in   regard  to  the  doctrine  of  "     '  '" 

redemption  aa  taught  in  the  standards,  and  in  ,       ._  ._.    _..     _  ..    

con eistency  therewith,  the  love  ofJjod  to  all  the  Chnroh  gnardinK  against  the  abuse  ol 

mankind,  His  gift  of  His  Son  to  be  the  pro-  this  liberty  to  the  infiiry  of  ita  nnity  asil 

pitiation  for  the  aius  ol  ihe  whole  world,  and  peaoe. 

the  free  offer  of  salvation  to  men  without  '  The 

diatlnotion,  on  the  ground  of  Christ's  perfect     mfcriob 

sacridce,  are  matters  wbich  baire  been  and  procedure,  for  the  gnidsnoe  of  the  w'GBidia^ 

continue  to  be  regarded  by  this  Chnieh  as  miniatsr  on  «very  oecairion  on    which  the 

vital  in  the  system  of  goepel  tmth,  and  to  qneationfl  of  the  formula  are  to  be  put:— 

■  which  she  desires  to  give  special  prominence.  "  The  Moderator    ahall    then    say— I  hare 

'2.  That  the  doctrine  of  tfaedivino  decrees,  now  to  put -to  you  tbe  ^inastions  of  the  for- 

Including  the  dootriue  of  election  to  eternal  mula,  and  to  require  yonr  assent  to  them  m 

life,  la  held  in  connection  and  harmony  with  -riew  of   Ihe  eiplanatlone  contained  in  the 

the  truth  that  "  God  will  have  all  men  to  be  declaratory  sUtement  anent  the  anbordinala 

saved,"  and  haa  provided  a  salvation  euS-  standards  passed  in  the  year  [         ]•" 

dent  for  all,  adapted  to  all,  and  offered  to  all  '  The  oommittee    further    reoraanieiid  to 

with  the  grace  cf  His  Spirit  in  the  goapel;  the  Synod  that  the  second  qneeCion  of  tbs 

and   also  with  the  responsibility  of  every  formula  ehall  hauoeforth  be  read  as  follows: 

man  for  his  dealing  with  tbe  free  and  nure-  — ■'  Do  you  acknowledge  tbs  WsstminsKs 

stricted  offer  of  eternal  life.  Confsesion   of  Faith    and  the  Larger   and 

'3.  That  the  doctrine  of  man's  total  de-  Shorter  Csteohisms  as  an  exhibition  of  the 

pravity,andof  bis  loss  of  "all  ability  of  will  sense  in  which  yon  understand  th«  Holy 

to  an;r  spiritual  good  accompanying  aalva-  Boriptarea'?  " 

tioD,''iB  □otheldasimplyingiuoh  aoonditlon  '  JakU  Sabpkb,  CbasCMT. 

,  of  man's  nature  as  would  affect  his  rebponei-  "         ' '              " 


bilitv  nnder  the  law  ot  Ood  and  the  goapel  In  connection  with  this  matter,  there  were 
of  Christ,  or  that  he  may  not  ezperienoe  the  '  also  among  the  Synod  papers  a  petition  from 
strivings  and  restraining  influences  of  the  thscongregatlon  of  Bo'BesB,oravingreri8ion 
Spirit  of  God,  or  that  he  cannot  perform  of  the  subordinate  standards,  so  as  to  make 
actions  in  any  Seuse  good;  though  snch  them  mote  brief  and  oonoise,  and  mors 
actioiis,  i«  not  springing  from  *  renevred     aliiipls  in  the  modes  of  Axpresakmi  &  petition 


"Siirw***"'   PE0CEEDIKG8  OF  UNITED  PBE8BTTBRIAN  SYNOD. 


[rom  the  msmben  of  tha  But  Chnrab, 
Dtlbuth,  Mking  reriBioD  ao  m  to  bring  IliB 
aUndtrda  into  tuurmooy  vilh  the  word  of 
God  u  pi-Maatl;  belisred  uid  locepted  by 
the  Chnrch;  uid  ■  petition  from  membiirB 
ofQuwii'a  F&rk  ChmfOti,  Qlasgov,  pntying 
tbs  Bfnod  not  ouly  to  sdtnit,  u  they  bud 
done,  the  light  of  the  Ohorah  to  reTise  its 
subocdiuate  standurda  from  time  to  time, 
balio  to  roviaa  or  modify  them  doit  m  to 
bnog  them  into  living  harmoDy  with  the 
word  of  Qod  M  believed  is  ud  aooepted 
by  the  Cboich ;  alao  to  admit  and  amrm 
not  only  the  riffht  of  every  member  of  the 
Church  to  appe^  in  support  of  hie  vleve  or 
dDCtiiDee  directly  to  the  vord  of  Qod,  but  also 
tha  obligation  resting  on  every  court  of  the 
nbarch  to  recogniee  the  right  of  ite  memhoTs 
It  uy  time,  aa  consoienee  dictated,  to  bring 
llie  euboidinate  standardB  to  the  teat  of  the 
wordot  God,  without  being  aubject  thereby, 
a  priori,  to  anapiciDn  of  onsouadaeas  in  the 
fiith  uid  to  the  difloipllne  of  the  Ohurch' 

Principal  Habi-bb,  Id  a  few  apprapriala 
raoiuk^  ubled  the  report,  and  iH  adoption 
»ia  moved  by  Dr,  Caime,  The  report 
having  been  received,  aome  disouegiou  aroae 
ae  to  the  form  in  whioh  It  abould  be  con- 
sidend.    It  was  ultimately  agreed  to  eonsider 

Hr.  EiHMEAB,  Dalbeattie,  moved  that  the 
Srsl  propositLon  in  the  slalement  be  adopted. 

Dr.  Jahu  Bbowk,  Paialey,  moved  as  an 
unendment^  that  the  words,  >ln  regard  to 
the  doctrine  of  redemption  aa  taught  In  the 
atanlarda  and  in  coneiateney  theiewith,'  be 
omitlad  from  the  artiele, 

Ur.  Obk,  Eawich,  aecoBded. 

The  motion  vai  carried  by  a  large 
milDiilT. 

Hr.  MACDoitAU),  Bumhead,  moved  the 
ipproval  of  the  Hecond  artiele  in  the  report. 
Ihia  waa  aeconded  by  Hr.  Olirk,  Barrhead, 
•ud  carried  ly  sn  overwhelming  majoritj 
O'er  ID  smendmenf  proposed  by  Mr.  Uaorae. 

Dr.  A>DBBw  THoxeoM  moved  the  adoption 
of  ths  third  article,  wbioh  was  agreed  to. 

There  was  considerable  discuasion  on  the 
loorth  article,  but  ultimately  a  motion  by 
Dr.  MAitBHALi.,  seoonded  by  Dr.  Butbb, 
'u  carried,  viz.,  that  It  should  read 
—'That  while  all  who  are  saved  are 
nTGd  by  tlw  mediation  of  Christ  and 
h  'he  grace  of  His  Holy  Spirit,  who 
voikath  when,  and  where,  and  how  He 
pletseth;  and  while  the  duly  of  sending  the 
gospel,  the  ordinary  means  of  salvation,  to 
tba  heathen,  who  are  suck  in  a  stale  of  sin 
•ud  miBBTj,  and  perishing  for  lack  of  know- 
Hge,  b  dear  and  Imp^tive ;  the  Church 
dou  not  require  the  aooeptanoe  of  her 
standards  in  a  sense  which  might  imj^y 
Ihil  any  who  die  in  infancy  are  lost;  nor 
tloea  the  bind  those  who  accept  these  utui- 
ditds  to  hold  that  Qod  never,  In  aay  case, 
■avOB    without    the    nee    of    the    ordinary 

It  was  tlien  agreed  to  remit  to  the  Oom- 
mitlea  on   Bills   to   find  a  plaoe   for  the 

continuation  of  the  discussion  on  the  report 
QD  Thursday  morning. 
Ths  Synod  adjonmed  about   balf-past 


'WlDMBSDAT,  Mag  IS. 

.Fnod  resumed  its  aittin  " 

the  Free  AiMHibly  Hall— Bev. 
Uodeiator, 

LSaiOT  07  £1000. 
It  was  reported  that  tbe  Ute  Mr.  Lor- 
rimer,  a  Olsaaov  irierohant,  and  a  member 
of  Renfield  Church  there,  had  left  a  legnoy 
of  £1000,  to  be  devoted  to  inch  purpoaea  aa 
the  Church  might  think  proper.  A  com. 
mittee  was  appuinted  to  make  the  necessary 
._   .__    .!._    uppUoation    of    the 


It  waa  agreed  (hat  the  adjourned  debate 
on  the  Revision  Oonunittee'a  report  be  re- 
sumed thia  moniinif  at  ten,  but  not  to  be 
continued  beyond  mid-day. 


The  report  on  thia  aubject  abowed  that 
dnriDK  the  year  tlie  work  of  evangelization 
bad  '  been  oanied  forward  earnestly  and 
diligently,  and  with  considerable  accejrtanoe. 
The  expenditure  had  exceeded  the  rnoome, 
and  more  money  was  required  to  carry  on 
and  expand  the  work  of  evangeliiuition. 
The  total  income  was  £Ii32,  Oa,  Id.,  while 
the  e^wnditure  exceeded  that  aum  hy  £38, 
IBs.  5d.  The  Eendenon  Memorial  Church, 
Glasgow,  had  been  nearly  completed,  and 
would  likely  be  ready  early  in  Jane.  It  was 
thought  the  chnrch  would  be  well  anited  for 
the  work  of  tminiog  an  Evangeliatio  agency, 
and  in  these  circumatancet  the  appointment 
of  a  suitable  miniater  as  pastor  of  tha  church, 
and  aa  auperintendent  of  the  training  initi- 
tute,  becaioe  a  matter  of  no  ordinary  im- 
portance. The  OUagow  Church  Planting 
and  Evangelization  Board  itill  continued  its 
work,  although  the  extension  of  its  opera- 
tions was  retarded  by  tbe  want  of  adequate 
funds  for  meeting  the  neceaaary  expenditure. 

Dr.  Scott,  Glaagow,  in  moving  the  adop- 
tion of  the  report,  aoid  aa  there  was  no  con- 
gregation in  connection  with  tbe  Henderson 
MenHKikl  Church,  it  would  be  necessary  to 
have  a  minister  appointed    either  hy  the 


tbe  evangeliats. 

Sir.  Fbanok,  Psialey,  moved  accordingly. 
The  motion  waa  adepted. 


■shadb. 


I  bad  attained 
aame  position  last  year.  The  income  of  the 
Bcheme  amounted  to  £24,292,  6a.  lid.,  and 
ths  expenditure,  £10,228,  138.  Td.,  leaving 
a  balance  in  favour  of  the  fund  of  £14,063, 
13i.  4d,,  from  which  £6500  required  to  be 
deducted  for  payment  of  supplementa.  The 
total  diniinDtion  of  expenditure  !aat  year  was 
£1754,  Ga,  The  amount  of  contributiona  in 
1877  fell  abort  of  1876  by  £189,  19a.  6d. 
But  although  the  oontribntiona  received  in 
the  year  1377  had  thus  been  £189, 19a.  6d. 
less  than  those  of  the  year  pr«oeding,  the 


KELIQIOUS  nrrHLLIGBNOB.  ' H^Twi 

income  of  tbe  yeu  1S7T  Wl  eioMd«d  the  nxoial  oolleatan,  or  in  wUoh  tfae  amount  of 

cxpeaditura    of    that    jetx    (euliuiTe   (rf  theu  >ub«Hptioiu  is  thought  inodeqiiate. 

...       ~.,ri^    ,^.     a,       -w, -_i;i..i_j.„  u.  I ji oolleetion.    3. 

stall  be  made 
*>  report  yesrlj 

3fl  Ol  all  GODR^- 

to  aeoiiT«  tbo  easy  and  offlcieot  operation  of  gationa  who  haYe  not  made  the  reqmrcd 

the  Augmentation  Scheme  throughout  that  oollections,  with  tlie  reason  awigaed,  if  anj, 

Sar  ;   but  from  that  smn   £000  might  be  for  the  omisuon  ;  and  to  instruct  the  Clerb 

ducted  on  account  of  payments  made  to  to  report  the  whole  to  the  Synod  each  jta, 

the  Presbyteiiati  Churob  of  EDetand  far  the  as  a  put  of  the  regnl&r  harness  of  tbt 

period  ending  at  13th  June  1878,  so  that  the  ooort.' 

amount  to  be  oarried  forward  to  1S76  iru  Mr.    FOOTB    (elder),    [n    supporting  the 

only  ^^00 ;  and,  deducting  that  sum  from  reoommendationi.   Baud   it  was   absolitely 

the  balance  stated  above,  there  remained  nwSBsary  that  -something  should  be  done 

£7563,  13e.  4d.  as  the  amount  ftTailable  for  for  Church  extension. 

the  foorth  annual  distribution  under  the  After  discussion,  it  iras  agreed  to  imeod 

Surplus  Fond  resolutunu.     The  committee  the  committee's  reeommendotioD  by  mabiig 

had  been  able  to   maintain  the  minimum  it  read, '  reoommend  collections  to  be  made 

itipsnd  of  £200  per  annum,  with  a  manse  or  on  the  appointed  da;,'  instead  of  enjoin  thai 

„ i_.  u *      The  condition  they  should  so  bo  made,  and  with  this  the 

newhat  better  report  was  adopted. 

it  had  been  at  ^xjBBBSPoyDiHOK  WITH  lOBEas  chdbchi& 

the  end  of  tbe  preceding  year,  and  it  was  ,.      ,   ~    „     -,,    ■  t    ,..  ^  ,i 

more    than    pro'Eth.t    the    minimum  Mr.  J.  O.  SOOTT,  Glasgow    eubmitted  the 

stipend  of  the  former  year  might  again  be  "^JSTt?      -      Committee  on  CoireepoodaKis 

muntained.     The  foUowii^  statistics  were  with  Foreip.  Churches  which  detailed  »»«t 

given    regarding    the  fund  t-133    atipendt  ^ad  been  done,  uid  the  pl»es  *»ted  by 

hieing  29  mor?  than  last  year)  had  been  deputies  during  the  year.     It  was statedu 

kiseS  to  £200  per  annum,  with  manse  or  »  «''"=}°'^  f^?^'''  *¥*4^  ooniunctem 

aUowance  for  rent ;  18  stipends  were  stUl  "'''.  »''«  Bstabhshed  uid  Free  Chitrcba, 

leaa  than   £200,   but   not   under  £195;    27  wecud  sernces  were  to  be  omdaoted  in  the 

stipends  were  still  less  than  £196,  but  n<rt  ^^^''*  %^jl''""!jj'*  .BxhibitiMi. 

nnSer  £190 ;  29  stipends  were  Btil!  less  than  Mr.  Soott  concluded  by  mtroduoing  depnbci 

£190,  but  not  under  £180  :  11  stipends  were  ^^  foreign  Churches, 

stiU  less  than  £180,  but  not  under.fUO;  11  .^tJ?*?'"™;,?™!"^'  ^t?"!'!!''  ^«° 

stipends  were  still  less  than  £170,  but  not  Presbyterian   Chnrch   of  Canad^  ami  Mr. 

unSer  £160;  16  sHpend.  were  still  under  S^"^^^""'   "   "^PT^*^  J'^\J^t 

the    sum    of    £160.      The    average    annual  Kvangeliratmn  Society  of  Canada,  sadrewed 

stipend    paid    to    each  minister,    who  was  the  Synod. 

peSrming  regular  offlcisl  duty,  had  been  Dr     Cairnb   moved   a   re»luhoD  whidi 

kiMd  to  &62,  Is.  9d.  last  year,  being  nearly  recorded  thanla  to  Dr^^jter  tor  ^  ad- 

£50  above  the  average  rata  of  stipend  paid  <i™"  i  »™'"I«^  to  the  Prert^an  Chimi 

in  the  year  1B72.     The  subsidy  to  W  paid  to  of    Canad*    Jratarnal    rmrda    and   eordisl 

the   Presbyterian  Church  in    England,   for  ff"P'"'^'    authonied  the  Committee  rai 

Ave  years  after  the    union     amounted    to  Foreign  Correepondenoe   to  oontinne  tbeu 

£6303,  10s.     The  report  concluded   by  ei-  ■>™fe  »',»»"  Bomo,  to  make  arrangunents 

pressing  tfae  hope  that  no  efforts  -worfld  be  '«  'P^^.  ^''^  servioa  m  Pans  dnrieg 

spared  to  maintain  this  fund  so  that   the  ^^   Kihibitaon ;    remitted   to  tho  Mimwi 

minimnm    stipend  might  be  sontinned  at  Board  to  make  grantstoContmentalChonbo 

£200  per  annum  *°'^  agencies ;  recommended  the  claims  « 

The  report  was  adopted.  ">«  *«^^»PS!"  ?^"  ">?;  t*"*,  .^,  .f 

CONQBEQATIONAL  OOLLMTIOBB.  Contmental  Chorehet  to  the  liberality  rf  the 

The  Home  Committee  made  the  following  C™^ 

recommendations  to  the  Synod,  with  the  Mr.  Frakot.  P^ey,  seconded  tbt  motw., 

view   of  seouring  that  the  collections  ap-  "^h  was  id^ited.                             ,  ,,    „ 

pointed  by  the   Superior  Court  .might  k  „"»■  -JiJ"*  «.«H1»I»,  Glasgow,  and  Mr.  W. 

future  be  made  more  nniverwdls  and  liber-  ^f^O,  Campsie,  gave  m  aooDnnt  of  then 

aUy  over  the  whole  Church  :— '  1.  To  avoid  ™'«^  as  deputies  of  the    CSiUnA    to  the 

biennial    eoUections,     and    ash    a    yearly  Synods  of  the  Canteaide  Vandatl*u»»»«. 

oollEction  for  the  Aged  and  Infirm  Ministers'  ">d  of  the  Umon  of  Bvangelioal  Chnrohes  of 

and  Missionaries'  Fund.     2.  To  fii  the  time  France  at  Lyons, 

and   order '  of  these   colleotions   thns  ;    For  tbiau  Fob  uCerce. 

Chnrch  Extension  Fimd  —  2d  Sabbath   of  A  petition  from  ten  students  aboiit  tc 

February ;  for  Theological  Hall  Fnnd~2d  undergo  trials  for  Uoenoe,  praying  that  they 

Sabbath  of  March  ;  for  General  Synod  Fund  might  be  exempted    from   examination  in 

—2d  Sabbath  of  October  ;    for  Aged  and  Tbeology,  Chnrcli  History,  Gre^  and  Hs- 

Infirm  Ministers'  and  Missionaries'  Frmd —  brew,  as  they  had  slready  passed  an  eiit 

2d  Sabbath  of  November ;  for  Augmentation  ezaminatioD  therein,  was  set  aside  on  the 

of  Stipends  Fund— Bd  Sabbath  of  December,  recommendation  of  the  Hall  Committee— 

in  congregationi  in  which  snbscriptians  are  the  gen<nsJ  question,  if  raiaed,  to  be  deoidid 

not  takw  np  tor  Augmentation  purposea  by  in  the  nsnal  oonstitntional  way. 


PBOCBEDnrOS  OF  UKTTED  PSBSBTTEBIAH  STNOD.     271 


fowaan 
Dr.  Hamiliom  Hac?Oill  lubmitted  tha 

>Tt  of  ths  Committee  on  ForaigD  Humoi 


been  full;  realiEsd,  bat  ths  committee  wen 

,      hopeful  that  the  whole  unoont  would  be 

Ihs  Fonign  Miuitm  Fund.     The  oommittce      lUDMribed  before  the  cloee  of  the*  Syn 


rrt  of  ths  Committee  on  ForaigD  HiHioas, 
h  ttoted  that  ipeeial  meaoa  would  still 
be  Deeded  to  be  employed  in  order  to  lastain 
oomnuttee 

miuionu? 

nto  detsili 

)f   exciting  ...^  ._  , ^^ 

ou  Foreign  Qlasgow  for  £^.805,  fa.  7d.  DuiiDg  the  net 

■aid.  to  be  year,  £77,030,  19i.  6d.  had  been  expended  by 

■oh  that  for  oongregatioiu  for  liquidation  of  debt  and  for 


Ihs  Foreign  Miuion  Fund.     The  oommittce  lubMribed  before  the  close  of  the*  Synod. 

propoeed  the  three  means  formerly  lano-  The  amount  of  debt  on  the  property  »'  eon- 

tioned  by  the  Synod— (1)  pulpit  appeal,  (2)  gregitions    at    31st    December    1S76    was 

prubTterial  oouference,  and  (3)  miuionu?  £121  818, 3e.  lOd. ,  of  which  13  oongtent' 

dtputatiooe.     The  report  west  into  detsils  in  Edinburgh  and  Leith  were  reapon^l 


Ohanh  only 


nnrding -these   three  modee   of  exciting  £32,732,  8s.  4id.,  and  29  oongruratlinu  in 

nmewBd  interest  in  the  Church  or"— '-      "' '-"/!.=.■,   ,_  ,^    .__.,. . 

Hiuioni.    It  ought,  the  Doctor  «i        . .   __      ,-._ , ,  — -. , ^ 

bone  in  mind  bythe  whole  Churoh  that  for  oongregationi  for  liquidation  of  debt  and  for 

the  esnw  of  Christ  in  Scotland  the  Church  new  boildingB ;  but  that  the  general  burden 

nre  £1000  a  day.  while  for  the  same  oauae  of  debt  was  in  many  oases  oppteeaiTe,  was 

._!.-_.   J.I-    ^iioi,  of  t]ie    irorld   the  shown  from  the  fact  that  at  the  end  of  1S77 

]  £900  a  week.  -the  debt  reported  waa  £131,5^  being  an 

—  «...  u..^u-D  of  Dr.  Ritchie,  Dnnse,  increase  dnnng  the  year,  tnd  ohie&r  within 

leconded  by    "        ■  ......         ..     _      .    .  .  ~.  jr.. 

KoBSOM,  luTemeu,  as  to  the  difficulties  in  a4iooi^»i  ^  meet 

Ihe  ChoToh  in  Caffraria,  and  as  to  the  war  

there,  was  likewise  agreed  to.  HibbiOHABT  UsmRO, 

HASHiAOE  WITH  DKOBASED  Win's  BTSTBB.  The  AnnQsl  Syuodioal  Misiionary  Hi 

Dr.  Andrew  Thomhoh  gave  in  the  report  was  held  in  the  Fna  Assembly  Hall 

rftheoommitteettnent  tharaferenoetron    '  .  ,    .      ™,    —  .      .            ■,   , 
3ir  Hiohaal  Street  session,  Greenock.  ■ 

the  case  of  Ur.   Steel,  who  had  been  sua-  exercises, 

paaded     from      ohurch      membership     for  The  Rev.  Dr.  K.   S.  Scon  read  extracts 

msirying  bis  deceased  wife's  sister,  and  also  from  ths  report  on  Home  Hissions.     It  was 

u  oiertnie  froia  Bar.  Jas.  DsTidson,  anent  with  much  satiitactioD  that  the  Home  Com- 

piutioal   difficulties    cennected    with    the  mittee  reported  that,  although  there  had  not 

^nntiou  of  marriage  with  t,  deceased  wife's  .  been  aoy  great  inorease  in  the  oontributions 

uiter.    The  committee  nnsnimonsl;  agreed  of  the  membere  and  friends  of  the  United 

tbit,  in  view  of  the  present  state  of  the  law  Presbyterian  Church  for  ooncregktional  and 

of  the  Chorob,  Hr.   Steel's  restoratioo  to  denominational  purposes,  and  for  Home  and 

priTilegei  was  inadmissible  ;  but  that  in  the  Foreign  Missions  dnring  the  past  year,  thero 

nrcDnutances  of  the  case,  andin  view  of  the  had  not  been  any  marked  faOina  baok  from 

general  qnesfioQ  raised  by  the  overture,  they  the  standard  of  giving  that  had  been  reached 

ncoiiunended  the  Synod  to    take  up  the  in  the  .year  preceding, 

vhsle  suhjeot  in  oommittee  of  the  whole  The  Ber.  Williauson  Shoolbbid  next 

House.  spoke  on  the  Rajpootana  Mission,  which,  he 

The  report  was  adopted,  and  it  was  agreed  indicated,  was  in  a  prosperous  condition. 

to  diKois  the  whole  subject  in  committee  of  The  Bev.  Dr.  MacOill  (the  Foreign  Mis- 

tLs  whole  House  on  Monday.  sion  Secretory)  nve   a  few  particulars  in 

saED  AKD  wriHU  MiinaTSRe.  regard   to   the   Foreign   Mdsaiani    of    the 

Dr.  Boon  gave  in  the  report  on  the  Aged  Ohurch. 

uid  Infirm  Ministfirs'  Fund.     lAst  year  the  The  Hev.  Dr.  Johefh  Mitllens,  Secretary 

number  of  annuitants  on  the  fund  waa  39,  of  the  London  Missionary  Society,  spoke  on 

~~'  '   « then  7  ministen  had  tmen  placed  '  The  Claims  of  the  Heathen  on  the  Christian 
Ohnroh.' 

The  Eev,  James  Stbvesbos,  of  Dublin, 

it   Thec^tol  fund  amounted  to  £34,678,  tpoke  of  Home  Misaioni  inlrelaiid  ;  and  Dr. 

7i.  Bd. ;  the  annuity  fund,  to  £1176,  6s.  Sd.  ^IWABI,  from  I^ke   Nysssa,  gave  an  ac- 

Tbe  income  from  all  sooioea  was  £30,624,  ooont  of  the  LivingstoDia  Uiosion. 

ii.8d.,  sod  the«ipenditure£28,n9.8a.  3d.  Those  who  had  been  elected  to  serve  on  the 

On  the  motion  (3  Hr.  f  kanob,  the  report  Mission  Board  were,  during  the  evening,  fer- 
ns adopted,  and  the  fnnd  earnestly  com.  maQy  reeognised,  in  oonneotion  with  which 
mended  to  the  widely-extended  liberality  of  Mr.  Bobstm,  of  Laoder,  aSei«d  m>  prayer. 
&t  Chorch.  The  meeting  was  closed  by  the  Moderator 
■UKBE  Asa  DIBT  IIQUIDATIOK  FUND.  pronouncing  the  benediction. , 

Dr.  Soon  submitted  the  report  ofiho  

Board  for  Manses  and  Debt  Xjqnidatioii.  One  ThtbbdaT,  Jlfi^  16. 

•pplisatian  for  grmnt  was  .made  lost  year.  The  Synod  resumed  its  littiiigB  to-^y  at 

ns.  frran  Vest  Peebles,  and  £100  had  lieea  ten  o'clock— Rev.    D.    Croom,    Edinburgh, 

voted.    Four  congregations  received  grants  Moderator. 

in  aid  of  repairing  and  enlarging  manses,  the  hothibwill  ooukusiov  wim  case. 

■hQe  addltiiuial  aid  to  that  formerly  granted  Mr.  Johh  B.  Smith,  Oreenock,  gave  in  the 

had  been  voted  to  six  congregations.    Since  report  of  the  Committee  an  the  Uotherwall 

tba  instUutiDn  of  the  Hanse  Board,  grants  Communiou  Wine  Cose,  and  on  the  overture 

ludbeen  given  to  233  oongregatious,  while  of  Hr.  J.  H.  Qill  anent  communion  wine. 


272                                     EELIQlOUa  IMTEUJaEKCB.-  ''^'i™  ™«i^ 

The  committM  TMommended  to  th<  Sjnod  flfthpropcwitiioiilnthsniggeBtedDeclantoiy 

the  folloviiig  dediiou :— (1)  That  the  Mother-  Aot. 

welt  wBiioa  ssknowledged  imgnluitj  kC  tbe  Mr.  EramAS,  Dalbeattie,  moved  that  Uu 

oatnt,  and  the  Synod  find  tlut  the  eettiou  artiole  be  agreed  to,  which  m»  aeconded  bj 

utted  hutily  in  theii  uraagemeuti  for  the  Mr.  Martins  I-ealie. 

oommuiWon  of  2d  September  laat,  not  only  in  Dr.  JoaBPH  BaowK  ino*ed  an  an  amend- 

theii  first  movement,  but  in  their  leoond,  in  ment  that  the  article   read  is  foBswi  :— 

acting  without  due  regard  to  the  prevailing  '  That    this    Chmnh  holdi  that  Oie  Lord 

opinion  in  the  oongregatian ;   (2)  that  tlie  Jeeus  Chriit  ii  the  only  Sing  and  Head  of 

I^^sbytery  of  Hamilton  had  ahoim  a  careful  the  Cburoh,  and  "  Head  orer  all  tbinn  to 

regard  to  the  intereets  of  the  congregation,  thaChurch,  wfaichii  Uu  bo<ly,"atodeclam 

vid  hod  acted  in  oonlonnity  vith  tha  mlei      aa    hitherto    that    riie    doea    r — **    ^~* 

of  the  Church  in  the  oouniel  gifen  and  the  approval  of  anything  in  her  ata 

enactment  paiaed;   (3)  in  aceordance  vith  teochea,    or   may    be    luppoaed    to   teaoh, 

the  foregoing  finding,  the  Synod  diamiu  the  oompuliory  or  peneontiBg  and   intolenot 

appeal  of  Mr.   Andrew  Wilion  againat  the  prinoiple§  in  religion.* 

decieioD  of  the  pieabyter;  of  26th  Mofch ;  Hr.  GeMuelL  Beoonded. 

(4)  the  Synod  couBielri  the  Beeaion  to  act  in  On  a   Bhow   of  hands  beii^  taken,   the 

thia  matter  with  careful  regard  to  the  pre-  motion    waa    adopted    by    a    oonaideiable 

Tailing  opinion  in  the  congregation,  and  in  njajority. 

harmony  with  the  spirit  of  the  reuilation  of  Hr.    WOOD   (C3ei!k)>  then  read  the  liith 

Synod  on  the  labject  of  commmiioK  wise,  paragraph. 

The  Synod  judge  It  right,  in  view  cf  the  Hr.  J.  A.  JoBHaiov.  Bprinobon,  mortd 

history  of  the  case,  to  enjoin  upon  the  aeinon  that  Hbe  word  '  faithful '  be  deleted. 

that  the  subject  be  not  furuer  vtirred  on  Mr.  D.  Mactku  aeconded  the  amendment. 

■neb  general  grounda  aa  thoae  enhodied  in  On  a  diriaion,  the  amendment  wai  carried 

the  reaolution  of  aeuion  adopted  on  29th  b;  a  large  majority. 

UaytBTT.    Further,  the  Synod  deem  it  right  Dr.  Marshall  siriegested  an  addition  tc 

to    tender  their    earnest    and    a£EectioTuit«  artic^ea  fifth  and  aixth,  or  if  not  adopted  in 

connael  to  the   iCBBioa  aod  oongngation  to  that  way,  it  might  be  t^en'  aa  a  diitdngt 

continue  the  nae  of  ordinary  wine  in   the  propoidtioD,  to  the  effect  that  the  Ghnrch 

celebration    of    the    communion.      Heaara.  should  declare  that  all  compulsory  taxation 

WilaoQ  and  Colville  deaired  to  be  heard  in  for  CUuTvh  puipoaea  waa  a  violation  of  con- 

the  Synod  againat  thie  deciaien  of  the  com-  acience,  and  contrary  to  the  larw  of  Christ, 

mittee.    Ur.  J.  H.  Oill  waa  heard  iasupport  who  had  forbidden  the  eserdae  of  force  in 

of  hii  overture,  which  propoaed  the  following  the  affairs  of  His  kmgdom.    lliiB  was  not, 

lesolutioDs  for  adoption: — (1)  That  the  Synod  however,  discussed,  as  it  was  understood  Dr. 

should  declare  that  the   Church  held  the  Marshall  would  have  another  opportanity  cf 

doctrine  of  the  sacrament  subverted  hy  the  being  heard, 

sanctioning    of    grape-juice    at    the    Lord's  Mr,    BasraB,   Olaagow,  then  moved  the 

Supper ;  (2)  that  they  declare  that  the  proper  addition  of  the  aeveath  article. 

symbol  is  a  natural  wine  ;  (3)  that  seuions  Hr,  Sleath,  Bo'nesi,  seconded  the  moticn. 

have  liberty  to   make  special  provisioii  for  Mr,  Martin,  Leslie,  moved  ae  an  amend- 

reformed  drunkards ;  (4)  that  conscientious  ment  that  No.  7  should  read  aa  followt  :— 

scruplei  againat  auch  wine  are'  not  approved  '  That,   in    accordance    with    the    practice 

of,   but  aetsions    may   deal  with  bnthren  hitherto  obaerved  in  the  Chmch,  liberty  of 

weak  in  the  faith,  with  the  aim  of  maUna  opinion  is  allowed  se  to  the  interpretation  of 

them  atronger  in  the  faith.      After  earefol  the  dx  d^ra  in  the  Mosaic  aecooiit  of  ths 

conaideiation,  the  committee  unanimomal;  ereattoij.* 

adopted  the  following  resolution  :—"rh»^  Mr.  Jaci,  Ferry-Port-on-Craig,  eeootided 

while  reeoeniiing  the  vaat  importance   of  the  amendment. 

many  of    the  matters  brought  before  the  Dr.  Jobefh  Bbdwb  thooght  it  would  be 

committee  by  Mr.  Gill,  and  feeling  the  need  better  tv  leave  oat  the  clause^  'ai  the  intec- 

of  wise  and  prayerfol  conaideration  in  regard  pretation  of  the  Bii  days  m  the   Mdkuc 

to  the  main  anbject  of  the  overture,  yet  the  account  of  the  creation.' 

committee  doea  not  feel  called  Upon  to  make  Dr.  Mabbhall  waa  proceeding  to  eiplun 

any  recommendation  in  that  direction  to  the  the  difficulty  the  nommittee  had  in  finding 

Synod  at  preeent. '  The  overturist  acquiesced  •   suitable   phraseology  in  which  to    eipresi 

in  the  finding  of  the  committee,«n  the  under-  their  views  in  the  article  under  oonaideia- 

standing  that  the  statement  of  his  propoaala  tion,  when 

be  read  to  the  Synod  along  with  the  com-  Dr.  Jaues  Brown  called  attention  to  the 

mittee'e  report.  fact  that  it  was  now  twelve  o'clock,  and 

The  report  was  received,  and  it  waa  re-  moved  that  the  debate  be  adjoumed- 

mitted  to  the'Committee  on  Bills  to  Gad  a  Thia  nai  duly  seconded,  and  agreed  to. 

place  for  discussing  it  at  a  future  eedenrnt.  A  remit  waa  made  to  the  Bills  Committee 

(iDnrs  t™  *"  ^"^  '  place  for  the  adjourned  debate. 

THB  SUBOBDIHATB  STAMDABDB.  j^g  LIBML  A0A1HBT  THS  BXV..  FBBGDB 

The  Synod  then  resumed  the  discnaaion  of 
the  report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Bevioion 
of  the  Subordinate  Standards. 

The  Clbbk  (Mr.  Wood)  aaid   that   the  the  diesents  and  complaints  b] 

Synod  had  reached  the  conaideratiiHi  of  the  and  members  of  presbyteiTac 


^iIJmbS'"-'    PBOOBBDIKQS  OF  UNITBD  PHBSBTTBKIAN  BTNOD.     273 

of  the  Qlugov  Freibjt«r7  in  regard  to  th«  Vr.    CUBK,   Abernethy,   Mcouded  Pro- 
libel  larred  on  him  (or  teMbing  h«retieal  femor  Otlderwaoil'i  motjoo. 
dootrinra.  On  a  ahow  <rf  buub,  tbe  motion  of  Pra- 
A  HiHBXB  uked  if  anj  limitation  wu  to  femir  Calderwood  wu  cmrrigd  by  >  luea 


Clerki  vara  msmben  of  the  Olugow  Praibj-      oinon  of  the  pmlntery  finding  the  flnt 


tei7,  and  he  thoneht  the  proper  way  for  the      count  In  the  libel  n 
!>_.  J  ..  ^^  would  be  to  appoint  pro  ten.  [Thii  oonnt,  n  "'" 

he  report  c 
bein^  oonndered.  Glaigow  Preibjiezy  in  the  p 


Synod  to  do  would  be  to  appoint  pro  ten.  [Thia  oonnt,  with  Uie  othan,  will  be  fonnd 

othen  to  take  their  plaoei  wUle  the  caH  WBi      in   the  report  of    the   proceeding!    of    the 


Alter  lome  oonvereation,  thia  wai  agreed  of  the  Magazine,  in  loco.l 

to,  ibt  BeT.  Dr.  Kenned?,  Bdinbnrgh,  and  Dr.  JoBIPH  Brown,  after  remarking  that 

Hr,    Williameon,    Qneenaferry,    being    ap-  be  quite  noogniaed  tbe  gtanty  of  the  aitoa- 

pointed  interim  Clerka.  Uon,  and  the  lesponsibilitj  of  the  poeitioii 

On  the  motion  of  Dr.  Ritchii,  Dr.  Oaima  in  which  he  waa  planed,  proceeded  to  refer 

iru  nailed  upon  to  offer  up  pnyer.     Thia  flrat  to  aome  of  the  gronnda  on  wbii^  tbey 

dBTotional  eieroise  having  been  ooncluded,  did  not  proteat. 

the  Moderator  expreaaed  a  hope  that,  in  Mr.  R.  Camiboh  alao  apoke  in  anpport  of 

new  of  the  grave   character  of  the  oaae,  the  appeoL 

there  would  be  no  eEpreaaiona  of  approbation  Dr.  Vouvd  at  thia  point  auggeated  that 

or  dii^iprobation  in  the  Donrt.     On  the  roll  the  ooart  ahould  determine    whether    the 

oF  portiea   being  called,   every    name    woi  queitiona  of  relevancy  and  probation  abould 

uu>ered  to.  not  be  taken  np  together. 

The  Gnt  aeotion  of  the  eaie  taken  up  waa  Dr.  KihnKDt  a 

a  proleit  by  Hr.  Thomas  Dobbie  and  otbera  were  the  3ynod  tc 

■gtiiut  a  deoiaion  of  the  Moderator,  given  in  at  the  ama  time. 

the  GloHOwPreabyteiyan  the  16th  April,  Dr.    JOSBPK  Browv    itated    that   there 

totbeeffect  that,  inaofaroaHr.  Ferguton't  woold  be  no  abjection  to  thii  eouree  on  hta 

preliminary  objectiona  to  the  libel  had  been  .  aide  of  the  bar,  were  the  memben  who  had 

adjudicated  upon  by  the  court,  it  waa  in-  appealed  on  the  qneition  of  probation  at 

competent  that  they  should  be  then  enter-  once  heard. 

tuned.    Beaaone  ia  support  of  the  proteat  It  waa  acoordingly  agreed  that  the  whole 

and  in  justiftciation  of  the  ruling  complained  queation  ahould  be  entered  into. 

of  were  read.  At  thia  point,  it  being  four  o'clock,  the 

Parties  having  been  called  to  the  bar,  oonrt  adjonraed  Ull  lix  in  the  evening. 

Mr.   DOBBia,  in  annport  of  Mi  proteat,  

■aid  he  hod  no  donbt  that  the  decision  of  the  EvEHlMa  SiDEiinNT. 

Hodsmtor  on  the  oooasion  in  qoeetion  hod  The  Synod  reanmed  at  aix  o'clock, — Hr. 

been  given  in  oonaeqnence  of  tbe  ineiperi-  Croom,  Moderator, — when,  la  agreed  to  at 

ence  of  brethren  in  dealing  with  ooaeaot  tbe  former  sederunt,  the  court  proceeded  to 

''  bear,  first,  parties  on  the  minor  premiae  of 
the  firat  count  in  the  UbeL 

..  ._ Hr.  David  PiBHET,  QIaagow,  OS  a  protester 

Ur.  Thomsoi',  aa  Moderator  of  the  Olas-  against  the  Judgment  of  the  preabyteiy,  aaid 

GDW  Prestn^tery  on  the  oeeaaion  in  question,  that  he  held  in  all  ite  integrity  the  great 

defended  the  ntHng  he  hod  then  given.  central  truth  of  the  true  and  proper  atone- 

llr.  FraoUB  FbboobOH  aaid  ttere  were  ment  ot  Cluiat,  that  he  had  no  aympathy 

two  worda  which  would  be  listened  to  with  with  Broad  Church  viewa,  and  no  wish  to 

Ripect  in  any  aaeemUy  of  reaamable  men—  tolerate  error.    He  was  there  simply  beoause 

vii.  justice  «md  truth.     After  making  aome  he  believed   and  knew  that  Mr.  Fergaaon 

icmarks  nn  theae,  be  oonclnded  by  aaying  held   that  fundamental  troth  as  fully  and 

that  whatever  misunderstanding  might  have  firmly  as  any  of  those  who  aooght  to  oonviot 

ariaen  in  regard  to  the  buainesi  order  of  the  him  of  error, 

—   I a.__. 1  -! — j^iy  convinced  Mr.    ThoMab  CalDWSLL  (elder),  another 

"  —  I  the  OTotester,   aaid   he   endorsed  all  Uiat  Mr. 

Tving  Pirret  bad  ao  well  sud. 

, .  __  _    ,.                  _    Jje  of  Mr.  FsKona  FkbOhHON  then  left  hia  place 

God  in  its  pnnty  and  integrity.  in  the  area  of  tbe  hall,   and  oacended  tbe 

Pattiea  having  been  removed,  platform  of  the  bar  of  the  3ynod.     In  the 

Professor  CaLDBBWOOD  moved  that  the  ontoet  he  apologiaed  that  it  bad  been  alto- 

mling  of    the  Modeiat<v  of   the  Qlaagow  gether  imposrible  for  him  to  prepare  anything 

Preabytary  be  approved  of.  m  Vbe  nature  of  on  elaborate  or  finiahed 

Dr.  JaS.  BBOWy  moved  that  the  proteat  atatement,  anoh  aa  in  other  ciioumatoncea  he 

and  appeal  be  sustained,  the  ruling  of  the  ahoold  have  moat  earnestly  wished  to  have 

Moderator  revered  ;  and  inoamuoh  OB  it  was  submitted  to  tbe  Synod. 

ineipedient  to  remit  Mr.  Ferguson's  obfeo-  Mr.  Stabb,  I>untoaher,  on  behalf  of  tie 

tiona  to  the  presbytery,   that   the   Synod  Preabytcry  <^  Glaagow,  said  th>t,  after  the 

resolve  to  canaider  them  in  BO  far  aainibted  speech  of  Ur.  Fergaaon,  he  thought  they 

upon  by  Mr.   Ferguson.      Ur.    Dbcxvohd  would  admit  it  waa  difficult  to  bring  out  his 

secondM.  views  so  that  they  might  contrast  them  aa 

MO.  VI.  VOL.  ZXn.  HBW  flERIEe.— ^UKE  ISTS.  B 


SEUaiOUS  INTBIXIOENOi:. 


thej  ooold  viih  with  the  doctiinsa  of  the 
Chonth  and  the  CoiifeHion  of  Faith,  bat  he 
Wki  oonfideDt  that  in  thi>  fint  ooimt  the 
pnabTtery  hid  raooeeded  in  doing  w  in  a 
perfectly  adequate  degree. 

Dr.  TouHO,  in  'further  lupport  of  the 
jadgment  of  tJia  preabyterr,  labinitted 
that  the  aoLe  qneition  for  thu  Spiod  to 
deoide  vm  vhether,  upon  the  endsnoe  be- 
fore them,  and  in  view  of  the  eiplaDatory 
itatemeuU  that  wete  addrened  to  them  by 
Mr.  Fergiuon,  thej  had  oome  to  a  lighteooi 
deciaion. 

Mr.  Fbbodsoit  (aid  tbat  this  was  the  fInt 
tdme  he  had  been  i^owed  to  apeak  to  this 

An  opportunity  being  given  for  explanatory 
queatioDB  being  aaked  at  Mr.  Ferguson,  and 
eeveral  haring  been  put  and  auivered, 

Mr.  Gloao,  Edinbui^i  moved  that  the 
appeal  and  ^aaent  of  Dr.  Joseph  Brown, 
and  thoK  who  adhemd  to  him,  be  auitained 
by  the  Synod. 

Mr.  Mac&ak  eBoended. 

Profeiaor  OAU>lBWOon  moved,  '  That  the 
Synod  laetain  the  deehDon  of  the  preibyteiy 
on  the  evidenoe,  bat,  in  view  of  the  ad- 
ditional exfjanationi  given,  leaerve  jadg- 
meat  on  then  imtil  the  other  ooimte  in  the 
libel  have  been  eonildered.' 

Protea«orJOHNaTOHB,Edinburgh,ieoonded  . 
the  motion. 

Mr.  Wabdhof  moved,  '  That  the  Synod, 
while  regretting  that  Mr.  Fergnion  is  charge- 
able with  great  ambiguity  of  language,  does 
not  regard  it  M  proved  that  he  ia  in  euen- 
tial  particnlara  at  variance  vith  the  faith  of 
the  Church  on  the  Atonement,  and  there- 
appeal,  and  roveraea  the 


metioa ;  and  Dr.  Oairns,  in  the  coune  of 
hia  ipeeoh,  read  a  letter  from  Frindpil 
Harper,  who  ma  prevented  by  mediiil 
advise  from  taldoc  part  in  the  debate,  in 
which  he  lu^^iortea  the  view  of  the  ommt 
talceli  by  the  preabytery.  On  it!  beiii| 
agreed  to  coma  to  a  vote  on  the  different 

The  Moderator  intimated  that  the  voting 

would  all  be  taken  by  diviiion  at  the  wicketi. 

The  tiiree  motioiu,  oa  then  finally  put  to 

By  Mr'.  Gloab— 'That  the  protett  uid 
appeal  of  Dr.  Brown  and  others  be  nu- 

By  Dr.  CALDEHWOOn— '  That  the  Sjuwl 
BUataiaa  the  deciaion  of  the  presbytery  on 
the  evidence,  but,  in  view  of  additional  ei- 

Slanationa,  reaervea  judgment  on  these  until 
le  other  coonta  in  the  libel  have  been  con- 
sidered.' 

B^  Mr.  Wabdbdp — '  The  BjnoA  hanig 
eoneidersd  papers  and  heard  partias,  while 
regretting  that  Mr.  Ferguson  haa  Died  ks- 
Kuage  which  !a  ambiguoui  and  apt  to  mii- 
Tead,  does  not  regard  it  as  proved  that  he  ii 
in  euential  particular*  at  variance  with  Iho 
faith  of  the  Chorch  on  the  doctrine  of  tbo 
;  therefore  sortain^  the  appeal. 


the  deoioioii  of  the  pr^byterr.' 

!.._   '. 1   takeiu  tie 

Modarstor  announced  the  reeult  as  follovi ; 


After  the  division  had  been   t 


dednon  of  the  prealgrtery.' 

As  Boon  0*  Mr:  Wardiop  bMu 
to  this  motioD,  thero   were"  loud  cries  of 


'Adjoom.' 

The  motion  for  adjournment  was  put,  and 
carried  by  accluoation.  The  court  accord- 
ingly rose  shortly  before  eleven  o'elock, 

Fbidat,  Mai/ 17. 
The  Synod  continued  it<  aittings  to-day  in 
the  Free  Aaaembly  Hall,  Edinburgh — Mr, 
Croom,  Edinburgh,  Moderator. 

THE  LIBEL  AQAINai!  THB  EBT.  imtOCS 


The  disoussion  of  the  ease  of  Mr.  Fergus 
Fergiuon,  which  had  bean  adjourned  on  the 
previoBB  evening,  being  resumed,  the  con- 
sideration of  the  appeola  againat  the  rele- 
vancy and  probation  of  the  first  count  in  the 
libel  wa«  proceeded  with,  the  Moderator 
stating  that  Mr.  Wardrop,  West  Calder, 
had  the  right  of  f^t  addreaaing  the  court. 

Mr.  WiBDBOP  aald  he  hod  now  to  submit 
the  motion  which  he  had  read  on  the  pre- 
vioua  evening.  In  aiieaking  to  this  mooon, 
he  aaid  he  could  not  resist  a  deepening  con- 
fidence that  the  view  he  took  of  the  cose 
.    was  the  right  view, 

Bev.  Dr.  Jaheb  Browh  seconded  the 
motion,  and  it  was  sopported  by  Rev. 
■  Meaan.  MOKISOS,  Leith,  FiBiATBoM,  Earl- 
■toD,  and  others. 

Dr.  Hoiioir  snppoited  Dr.  Oalderwood'i 


-For  Mr.  QIoog'B  motion,  1 ;  for  Mr.  'War- 
drop's  motioa,  IIB  i  for  Dr.  Calderwood's 
motion,  330 ;— absolute  roajority  for  Dr. 
Calderwood's  motion,  20S. 

It  was  intimated  that,  as  Dr.  Colderwood'a 
motioD  hod  an  obsoiute  majority  of  tht 
court,  a  second  division  was  nnnecH  ~ 
On  the  decision  being  announced  b 
parties  at  the  bar, 


a  his  dissent  against  the  judgment  ol 
Synod,  on  behalf  of  himself  and  othen 
of  the  appellanti  who  might  adhere  to  it 
He  dissented  for  the  following  reasont :— I. 
It  seems  unfair  to  have  refused  to  take  Hi. 
Fei^son's  explanations  into  account  before 
deciding  on  the  case  appealed, — explanatieiis 
given  in  the  regular  course  of  pleadings,  and 
explanation!  offered  on  the  first  oocssiDn 
of  his  being  allowed  to  plead  to  the  relevancy 
of  the  count.  2.  That  even  though  the  sub- 
sequent consideration  of  these  explansticni 
should  lead  to  Mr.  Ferguson's  acquittal  from 
the  charge  of  heresy,  the  result  leems  likely 
to  be  attuned  in  a  way  humiliating  to  Hr. 


Mr.  PiBBET  also  dissented  from  the  Ending. 

Mr.  Ferquson  said  he  had  listened,  as  the 
court  oould  oaBily  uuderatond,  to  the  an- 
nouncement the  Moderator  had  just  made, 
with  the  deepest  interest  and  emotion.  He 
felt  that  the  judgment  the  Synod  had  come 
to  on  this  Bubjeot  pnt  an  entire  arrest  upon 
his  moving  further  in  tlte  matter. 


"'.iuwl'**''   PB0CBEDING8  OP  UNITED  PfiEMTTEEIAN  STNttD.      275 


Ur.  Wabdbop  -entered  hii  diuent  in  hii 

mm  Dune  uid  those  who  Adhered  to  him. 

Hr.  UaOKae  aaked  it  ha  were  right  in 
nnderatanding  thkt  tin  diSereikM  between 
Ihs  two  diventi  vu,  that  Mr.  Wordrop'i 
vu  >  nmple  dlwent,  while  Dr.  Brown'i 
VM  fei  reisODi  given  in  T 

Dr.  KlHHKDl  remarked  that  Dr.  Brown. 
diuented  u  a  party  in  the  oue,  while  Mr. 
Wudrop  diiBentoa  ae  a  member  oE  Synod, 
bat  not  a  party  in  the  caie. 

The  MOUBKATOB— We  now  proceed,  I 
nippoie,  to  the  second  oount,  which  hae 
reference  to  juatifioation. 

On  the  Clbbk  (Hi.  WiUiamaon)  aeldng 
if  the  partiea  were  pretent,  Dr.  Jeffrey,  Hr. 
Stark,  and  Hr.  Oliier  rose,  butUr.  Fergii- 
son  did  not  leave  hia  loat. 

Dr.  JoBKPB  Bhown  aaid  hia  Benee  of  the 
importance  of  the  deoiaion  to  which  they 
ioA  recently  come  wa4  moh,  that  he  oould 
not  with  any  oomiort  proceed  further  in.  the 
cue,  and  he  now  aaked  leave  to  retire  from 
ill  further  actioa  in  reference  to  theu  pro- 
trala  in  the  Moond  and  third  count*  of  the 
libel,  which  he  had  taken  a^aiiut  tha  deciaion- 


BIE,  and  all  the  other  Bjipellanta  who  were  in 
court,  aaked  leava  tobe  allowed  to  withdraw 
from  their  proteats,  though  not  on  the  same 
grounda  as  stated  by  Dr.  Brown. 

A  convei^tion  then  followed  aa  to  how  to 
dispne  of  thia  and  the  other  counta. 

Dr.  Uasshall  eaid  they  ought  U>  reeord 
in  the  minntai  that  the  j;idgment  of  the 
Glugow  Freabytery  wae  sustained,  aa  the 
amieui  had  be«D  feJlen  from. 

Dr.  Jab.  Baawij  qnita  agreed  with  that. 

Dr.  Jeffbkx,  for  tha  preibyterj,  acqui- 

The  Synod  B,djoumed  ahortly  altar  four 
o'clock,  to  meet  again  at  six,  and  to  proceed 
to  judgment  on  the  Fergui  Fergufon  oue  lit 


The  Synod  reaomed  in  the  evening  at 


THK  rEiKfoeoH  Ltsn.  cabs. 
It  being  then  seve%o'clook,  the  ^T^iod  r«' 
■umed  oannderation  of  tht  Fei^uaon  oaae. 
Ur.  BodUHAN,  Qlaigow,  aaked  whether. 


tha  memberi  of  that  court  were  nnderatood 
to.  have  reaumed  their  pontioD  in  Synod  ! 

Dr.  KiNNEDY  thought  thia  waa  quite 
nnderatood. 

The  MoDERATOB  ruled  that  the  members 
of  the  Olugow  Presbytery  would  be  entitled 
to  take  part  in  thf  prooeedingi. 

Dr.  Uabbuall  proposed  that  a  eom- 
mittee  be  appointed  to  meet  with  Hi. 
FerguBoo,  and  report. 

oainth ,  .    . 

day,  leconded  Dr.  Harshall's  proposal. 

The  Synod  having  resolved  tbat  tbe 
Seleotien  Oommittee  should  be  instructed 
aa  to  the  number  of  nominations  it  should 
make,  the  Uoderator,  on  it*  being  referred 


o  him, 


oould  n 


The 


Hr.  Jakes   Kennie.  Qlasgow,  submitted 


„ i9,310;' 

ini  further,  that  the  grms  gain  on  the  sales 
snd  royaltiaa  of  the  Hymnal  amounted  to 
£1700. 

The  report  waa,  after  aonw  disaunlon, 
sdepted. 


point,  &ied  the  number  a. — 

Selection  Committee  immediately  thereafter 
left  the  Court  to  consider  the  remit  made  to 
them.  The  cause  being  so  far  discharged, ' 
the  Clerks,  Mr.  Beckett  and  Mr,  Wood, 
resumed  their  places  at  the  table.  On  the 
motion  of  Dr.  Ogilvia,  Falkirk,  a  vote  of 
thanka  was  given  to  Dr.  Kennedy,  Bdin- 
burgh,  and  Mr.  Williamson,  QueeDafeny, 
for  the  efficient  way  in  which  they  had  du- 
cbarged  the  dutieaof  the  olerkship  pro  Mm. 

Mr.  France  Deported  that  the  Selection 
Committee  had  nominated  the  committee 
as  foUowa:— Dr.  Marshall,  Di.  Thomson, 
Dr.  BrucB,  Dr.  Kennedy,  Mr.  James  Ward- 
rop,  and  Ur.  Jsmet  Orr,  ministers;  and 
Dr.  Calderwood,  Mr.  William  Ballauy,  and 
Mr.  J.  KnoT  Crawford,  elden— Dr.  Marshall 
to  be  convener. 

After  some  eonversatioB,  Dr.  Scott  pro- 
posed that  all  the  names,  reoonunended  by 
the  Selectioa  Csmn^ttee  should  itand,  but 
that  Dt,  James  Brown's  be  added. 

Dr.    Scott's  proposal  meeting  the   pro- 
nounced approval  of  the  S;      ■■  "    " 
^nsented  to  accept  the  nor 

ommittee  was  aceordin^y  adopted. 

The  Clerk  (Mr.  Wood)  intimated  that 
the  attendance  at  tbe  Synod  this  year  was 
161  ministers  and  298  aldera-in  all,  759 
members. 


Dr.  Andeew  THOxaoN  reported  that  tbe 
committee  appointed  to  prepare  a  manual 
of  the  diatinctive  principles  of  the  Church 
had  bad  repeated  meetings,  but  that,  while 
aome  progress  had  been  made,  they  were 
not  yet  prepared  to  lay  a  draft  of  the  manual 
before  the  present  Synod. 

On  the  motion  of  Dr.  Scott,  the  conunit- 
(fe  was  reappi^ted,  with  inatmetion  to 
have,  if  posubla,  the  manual  ready  in  time 
to  silow  of  it*  being  considered  by  presby- 
teiiea  tbia  year. 


I  the  ^Dussion  on  the 
report  of  the  Conimittca  on  the  RavisioD  of 
the  Subordinate  Standards.  Tbe  CLERK  (Mr. 
Beckett)  intimated  that  article  seven  of  the 
proposed  Declaratory  Act  had  been  under 
disoussion  when  tha  debate  waa  adjourned. 
It  had  been  moved  by  Mr.  Barras  tiiat  the 
article  ba  adopted,  and  also  by  Ur.  Uartin 
— 'That,  in  acoordance  with  the  practice 
hitherto  observed  in  this  Church,  liberty  of 
opinion  is  allowed  as  to  the  interpretation 
of  the  six  days  in  the  Mosaic  account  of  the 


276                                    KBLieiOCB  IMTBLLIGENOB,  '^"' Ji-inm^ 

On  a  iliow  of  lucdi,  the  notion  of  Mr.  nov  to  pot  to  yon  the  question  intlui  foc- 

Bams  «u  cinied  by  tUne  majority.  moLk  .  The  committee  lurtlier  Kcannnend 

Dr.  Marshall  thonsbt  tbey  oagU  to  have  to  the  Synod  that  the  second  qneitioa  in  the 

an  article  more  fiiBcwB  and  applicable  to  fonniila  ahall  henceforth  be  read  ufoUon 

the  present  state  of  tnatteiB  in  ourday  than  —Do    you     acknowledge    the    Declantoiy 

appeared  in  the  etntement.     He  therefore  atatement  now  read  in  your  hearing,  sIode 

moved  that  between  the  preient  sixth  and  with  the  WestminBter  OonfeBBioD  of  Faitb 

■eventh  article!  thia  shoold  be  inserted : —  and  the  Lar^r  and  Shorter  Catechianu,  u 

'  That  on  liberty  of  oonsctence  thia  Chiireh  an  eihtbition    of  the  sense  in   which  you 

holds  that,  God  alone  being  Lord  of  the  undflTBtaod  the  Holy  Scriptnrea  ? ' 

conscience,  no  power  on  eartJi  may  glrelaw  Wlien  the  three  motions  came  nltimatelj 

to  oonsoienee  on  matters  of  faith  or  worship;  to  be  put  to  the  court.  Dr.  Calderwood  i 

that  the  religion   which  a   man  onght   to  was  oanied  by  a  large  raajority. 

support  with   his  property  ii  as   much    a  On  the  motion  of  Dr.  Caldkhwood,  the 

question  of  conseience  with  him  as  the  re-  last  clause  in  the  report  waa  approved  of,  in 

Bgion  which  he  ought , to  confess  and  prac-  these  terms:— 'The  committee  further  re- 

tile;  and  that  all  compulsory  taxation  for  commend  to  the   Synod  tiiat    the   second 

religious  purposes  is  therefore  a  violatioti  question  of  the  formnla  shall  henceforth  be 

<^  liberty  of  ooDs^ience  when  it  is  contiitfy  read  as  follaws:— Do  yov  acknewiedge  the 

.    .1 .  >  ...    .  ™.  ..J.   ._!  .  I.  _  r._L.^ji._  ^i._  >T.__._.^|(g^.  Confession  of  Faith  and  the 
and  Shorter  Catecljisms  as  an  eihibi- 

dom.'  tion  of  tbe  sense  in  which  you  undentud 

Bailie   HCSTBB,   Inellan,   seconded   the  the  Holy  Scriptur    ' ' 


motion.  On  the  question  coming,  np  as  to  what  wi 

Hr.  Wabdhop  mored  that  this  i^vposed     to  be  done  with  the  Declaratory  Stateieei 
article  be  not  adopted.  as  adjusted,  Dr.  Togno  moved  tt 


.    Mr.    WltHOH,     Dundee,     »econded    this  sent  down  to  preabflerieB  and  sessioos  tor 

amendment.  discussion,  with  instructions  to  send  ssfxei- 

On  a  Tote  being  taken  hy  »sho»  of  hands,  tions  tbereen  to  the  committee  before  the 

■  Mr.  Wariop's  amendment  was  carried  by  1st  October.     This  was    seconded  by  Mr. 

a  cunsidersble  majority.  Oalbbattb,     Aberdeen.       Mr.     WaSDIOP 

Dr.  CaLuBEWOUD  moved  the  adoption  of  .m»ied  to  the  effect  that  the  Synod  should 

the   following  part  oi   tbe  jvport: — 'The  adopt  .the  Declaratory  Statement,  but  send 

committee  surest  that  the  following  rubric  down  to  presbyteries  and  sessions  in  addition 

be  inserted  in  the  rules  and  forms  of  pro-  the   question  whether  or  not  the  Churcli 

cedure,  for  the  guidance  of  tbe  presiding  should  now  undertake  the  preparation  of 

minister  on  every  cecasion   on  which  the  new,  shorter,   and   simpler   standards.     It 

questions  of  the  formula  are  to  be  put : —  was  suggested  by  Dr.  Caldeswood  that  Uui 

'' The  Moderator  shall  tiien  say— I  have  now  motionhad  better  he  deferred  nntil  certain 

to  put  to  you  the  questions  of  the  formula,  overtures  on  the  same  subject  should  be  dii- 

and  to  require  your  assent  to  them  in  view  cussed.     Mr.    MACBA2  also  moved    a   long 

of  the  explanaHons  contained  in  tbe  Decior-  motion  on  the  same  lines,  with  tbe  eicejition 

atory    Statement    anent    the    Subordinate  that  he  proposed  that  the  Declaratory  Act 

Standards  passed  in  the  year  F    '  ]■"'  should  Ije  on  the  table  until  next  vear.  Upon 

Dr,    Jakeh    Baowy    moved—'  That    the  these  proposals  a  oonverssl^omd  debate  oe- 

ruhric  be  omitted,   and  that  there  bo  added  curred.    It  was  annonnoed  that  I>t.  Young't 

to  the  second  question  of  the  fonnnhk  the  motion  had  been  carried.     The  ModiBJlTOI 

words,  "  snch  acknowledgmetitB  being  made  then  asked  if  there  was  any  counter  motioD 

in  view  of  the  Dedaratory  Act  or  Statement  to  Dr.  Young's,  and  as  there  was  no  respoTtw 

of  187 — ."'  it  was  deolfljed   jarried — Mr.    Macrae  dii- 

iSr.  Macb*B  moved  that  the  report  should  sentiag. 

be  altered  to  read  in  the  following  terms :—  At  11,10  P.M.  tbe   court    adjoumed,  to 

'The   Moderator    shall  then    say— I    have  meet  on  Monday  at  one  o'claok. 

(B^ort  of  Second  Week't  Procetdingt  in  ottr  naeL) 


MEETING  OF  STSOD  OF  THE  PEESBTTEBIAN  CHUBCH  OF  ENGLAND. 

ThK  Synod  of  the  Presbyterian  Chnroh  of  monsly  paised  deprecating  a  warlike  spiiit 

EngKud  met  on  29th  April  at  Manchester,  in  the  oountry,  anddeclattog  it  thebonnden 

in  GroBvenor  Square  Chapel.      About   260  duty  of  the   Govamment  to  endeavour  to 

congregatio^ns  .were  represented  hy  ministers  secure,   by  pacific   nwAns,   the   blBssing  cf 

and  Jaymefi.     The  Moderator  was  the  Rev.  better    govemmetit    in    the    proviueei  of 

Dr.  Chalmers,   of  Loudon,  who   succeeded  Eastern  Europe.     Ii  was  reaolved  that  the 

the   Rev;    Dr.    M'Eerrow,    of    Manchester,  next  year's  Synod  be  h^ld  in  London,  the 

The  report  of  the  Snstoitation  Pnnd  showed  Rev.    W,    C^abam,    of    liverpool,    to  be 

great  progress  since  1873.    Tbe  fund  secures  Moderator. 

to    eiery    ordained    minister    a    minimum  Professor  Leohb  Levi,  i)i  submitting  the 

stipend  of  £200.     The  receipts  of  the  past  report  of  the  committee  on  statistira,  said 

year  were  £26,047,  as  against  £22,679  in  the  they  bad  now  268  charges  on  the  roU  of  tbe 

year  prapeding,    A  resolute  Tfot  uoMjj-  Synod,  »nd  in  round  numben  SOJUW  mem- 


rSBBBTTBBUL  PKOOEBDINeS, 


ben.  It  wai  gnti^fng  to  find  tB^t,  mi- 
vitlutuKUiig  toe  great  daprotjon  of  trads, 
u  inaoh'M  £229,000  htd  oome  to  the 
treaiDren  dnrmg  the  y«r.  Taking  the 
recaipta  of  the  congregatioiu,  apart  from 
the  tbankagiving  ftiod,  the  amount  wsa 
pretty  much  the  aame  u  lut  year.  The 
mort  anmtirfaotorj  part  ot  tha  report  wa> 
tbe  coutant  ktcreaae  of  the  dehta  of  tb« 
Chonh.  He  moved  tint  the  report  be 
Hdopted,  vhieh  in*  •eoonded  by  tlie  Ber. 
Dt,  Groiart,  and  oairied. 

The  report  ol  the  TTnion  ThankaglTins 
Fnnd  Committee  ahowed  that  the  tiiud' 
hid  been  inenawd  danng  the  year  from 


.  ITi.   3d,  io  «lSt862,  9i  7d.,  or 

abont  half  the  amonikt  waioh  it  ith  ex- 
pected would  be  nJud.  Of  thli  mm,  nearly 
£54,000  had  actually  been  paid.  Laat  year 
the  Synod  apportioned  £10,000  for  <UatrJbn- 
tion,  of  vlifeh  £GO00  had  been  aarigned  to 
the  V^uidation  of  debt,  £3000  to  cburah 
extoDoon,  and  £1690  t«  the  college  and 
foreign  miuioni.  Qranta  eitendiDg  over 
■everal  yean,  amonnting  to  £8360,  had  in 
the  caie  of  eleren  oharshM  wholly  liquidated 
£12,000;  and  in  ten  ehnrebea  'debt)  of 
£2S,0eOhadbaenredu«ed  by£10,36Ik  The 
report  irai  adoi^ed. 


FRESBTTERIAL  PROGEEDIKGS. 


Dundee. — Thii  preibyterr  met  on  Taei- 
dij,  23d  April— the  Bev.  Robert  Laurie, 
moderator  pro  Itm.  The  Rer.  Darid 
Haj  waa  choaen  moderator  for  the  next  . 
lix  monthe.  The  Rev.  Forreat  Tonng,  of 
ibe  Paialey  and  Oreenock  Preabytery,  war 
pruent  aa  a  eoireapending  member.- 
Read  and  adjoited  the  roll  of  preibylery. 
Bead  cerlificatet  from  the  five  proleaaon- 
of  the  Theological  Ball,  ataling  tbar 
McMra.  M.  B.  Meiklebam  and  f.  Y, 
Jobnaton  have  attended  the  leltina  of 
1  Ji;-TB,  and  completed  their  coarae  at  the 
Hall.  Read  transference  of  Mr.  John 
Cook,  aiadant  in  divinity,  from  the  Prea- 
bj'cry  of  Danfermline  to  the  Dandee 
Frcabytsry.  Appointed  the  Rev.  Jamei 
Dnammond  as  member  of  the  Synod's 
Committee  on  Billa  and  OverLure*.  On 
itie  reoommendation  of  the  Diaeatabliab- 
menl  Committee,  it  waa  Dnanimoiia]; 
•greed  to  overtaie  the  Synod  to  adopt 
inch  means  aa  may  aeem  beat  fitted  to 
aecnre  diaeatabliahment.  The  Rev.  Robert 
Ruasell  and  Hr.  Thomaa  Mitchell  were 
appointed  to  support  the  orerture.  Mr, 
Jack,  convener  of  the.  presbytery 'a  Com- 
mittee on  StatiaticB,  aubmitted  his  report 
for  the  year  1B77,  in  which  it  is  atated 
that  the  number  of  oongregations  on  the 
roll  is  SO,  elders  186,  membera  T4SS, 
Jxing  an  increase  during  the  year  of  S31 ; 
average  Sabbath  attendance,  8D50;  amonU 
raised  for  ordinary  congregational  pur- 
poses, £738a,  Ua.  lOd.,  being  an  average 
per  member  of  £1,  Ss.  6d. ;  amount  raised 
for  debt  on  new  buildings,  £1423,  17s. 
lOJ,  being  an  average  of  IDs.  &d.  per 
member  :  total  congregational  income, 
£904S,  Ua.  B^d.  Stipend  paid  from  con- 
gregational Tunda,  £4800,  Ila.  lOd.;  paid 
for  liqaidalion  of  debt  and  new  boildinge, 
£1178,  9s.  aid.  :  total  expenditure,  £9686, 
13.  4^d.  Amount  raised  for  missionary 
and  benevolent  purposes,  £1937,  Ila.  7id., 
Ixiog  an  average  of  4s.  4d.  per  mem- 
ber. Total  raised  for  all  purpoaea,  £10,973, 


6a.  4d.  4470  young  persona  are  receiving 
religioDS  inatruction  in  Sabbath  achooU 
and  Bible  classef.  The  aggregate  attend- 
ance at  prayer  meetings  ia  678,  Mr.  Jack 
received  the  cordial  thanks  of  the  preabj- 
tery  forhisfall  andelaborate  report.  JtwM 
agreed  to  remit  to  the  Miaaion  Committea 
a  note  from  Frofeasor  Caima,  asking  the 
presbytery  to  do  what  the;  could  for  the 
employment  of  atudents  of  theology  during 
the  recesi  of  the  Hall.  Read  report  by 
Mr.  Smellie,  misaiooary,  Newtyle,  of  his 
labours  during  the  quarter  ending  31al 
March,  which  was  encouraging.  Read 
also  'a  communication  from  the  Uomq 
Secretary  with  reference  to  the  Angmen- 
tation  of  Stipend  Fund,  and  a  tabular 
statement  of  the  congregations  within  the 
bounds  of  the  preabytery  whose  ministers 
are  included  in  the  present  distribution  of 
the  Snrplua  Fund.  Mr.  Jas.  Y.  Jobnaton, 
student,  gave  a  lecture  and  a  sermon  as 
part  of  bia  triala  for  license,  which  were 
sustained. 

Dun/cnaiiiu. — This  presbytery  met  on 
Tueaday  the  23d  April  — the  Rev.  Mr. 
M'Lean,  moderator.  Mr.  Thomson  from 
AUaa,  and  Mr.  Aitehieon  from  Falkirk, 
being  present,  were  invited  to  correspond. 
A  paper  was  read  horn  Dr.  Seott,  ahowing 
the  presbytery's  partiiupati«n  in  the  Sur- 
plus Fund.  Each  of  the  eongregationa 
entiiled  to  it  had  received  the  higbeEC 
grant,  thas  making  the  minimum  Etipend 
in  the  preabytery  £2»0.  The  preabytery 
ezpresaed  its  great  graiifleation  at  this 
reaull.  The  attention  of  the  presbytery 
was  called  to  the  policy  of  the  Ooremment 
in  regard  to  the  Eastern  Quesiion.  Several 
memberi  having  expresaed  their  mind  on 
the  Bobject,  it  was  agreed  to  appoint  a 
committee  to  draw  up  and  forward  a 
memorial  to  Mr.  Gladstone  and  Lord 
BeaconaSeld,  protesting  againstsaid  policy. 
The  committee  was  also  empowered  to 
petition  Parliament  if  they  abould  aea 
cause.     Trials  for  licence  were  granted  to 


S78 


BELI6I0TJ8  IHTBLLIGBSOE. 


Mr.  J&mes  Goodie,  stadent  io  diTinitj. 
It  wu  BCTced  to  petition  Parliament  in 
CaTonr  of  Mr.  H'LareD's  'Cbnrdi  ReleB 
Bill,'  in  htoai  pertiellj  of  Dr.  CaiDeroa's 
■  MeiTtage  FreUmioariei  Bill,'  and  qningt 
Sir  Alexander  Oordon'l  motion  for  a 
Commiiaion  'lo  inquire  into  the  c^tuei 
wbicb  keep  asunder  the  Pretbjteriana^  of 
Scotland,  irith  a  view  lo  tbe  TemOTal'  of 
■nj  impediment!  which  maj  ezi^t  to  theii 
reunion  in  &  National  Charch  ai  estab- 
liibed  at  the  Berormation.''  The  prefbjr- 
lerj  aUo,  on  the  motion  of  Mr.  -Oraham, 
Sfconded  bf  Hr.  Brown,  and  anpported  bj 
Mr,  Dunbar,  agreed  to  orenure  the  Synod 
ontheEubjectofDlBeBtabliBbment.  Meurs. 
Orihim  and  Dunbsr  were  appointed  to 
Bnpport  the  oiercnre.  Next  ineeling  of 
bjter;  to  he  beld  on  Tuesday  the  1th 


preibjte: 


Edinburgh. — Tbig  p»e»hjt»^  met  in 
Qneen  Street  on  Tueaday,  7ih  May— Eei. 
Mr.  Meraball,  East  Gaidar,  moderator. 
Tbe  sederunt  was  ehieSj  occupied  with 
tbe  examiaation  of  studenXs  and  hearing 
disconrses.  Tbe  following  gentlemen, 
havingcomiletedtlieir  trials,  weie'licenaed 
as  preachers  of  the  gospel:  —  Heeari. 
James  Gardner,  M.A. ;  John  Maucblen; 
John  Scott,  M.A.;  Peter  Wilson,  M.A. 
Farther  polplt  snpply  was  granted  io  Mr. 
DeBDB,  Junction  Koad,  Leitb,  and  eupplj 
for  alternate  Sabbaths  for  tbe  next  three 
months  lo  Mr.  Thomson,  Ford.  It  was 
•greed  to  transmit  eimpUcUer  a  petition  to 
the  Synod  from  tbe  Scottish  Beformalioa 
Society  anent  the  establidiment  of  tbe 
Papal  Hierarchy  in  Scatlicd.  Dr.  Mair, 
as  superintendent  of  students  during  ihe 
wintei  session,  read  a  report  of  tbe  meet' 
ings  he  had  beld,  and  requested,  on  ac- 
count of  tbe  preasura  of  other  work,  to  ba 
relieved  of  Ibe  duties  of  superintendent. 
The  report  was  received,  and  a  cordial  Totd 
of  thanks  accorded  to  Dr.  Mail;  and  it 
was  agreed  to  consider  his  reqaest  at  the 
meeting  «f  preshyiery  !□  June. 
.  Gla^atc.  —  This  presbytery  met  on 
Monday,  ISlh  April — Rev.  Mr.  Thomson, 
Plantation,  moderatur.  The  consideration 
of  the  ca£B  of  Ber.  Mr.  Ferguson  was 
continaed  on  this  and  several  eneceedfng 
days.  The  counts  of  the  libel  which  bad 
been  served  on  Mr.  Ferguson  were  as 
follows: — '(l)  Whereas  it  is  the  doctrine  of 
tbe  word  of  God  and  of  the  subordinate 
standards— Thai  Christ,  by  His  obedience 
and  death,  did  make  a  proper,  real,  and 
fall  satisfaction  lo  Bis  Father's  justice 
when  He  offered  Himself  anto  God  as  a 
sBcriSce  for  sin,  securing  thereby  deliver- 
ance from  death,  spiritual,  temporal,  and 
eternal,  which  is  ibe  penalty  of  sin ;  re- 
conciliation to  God ;  and  an  eyerlaaling 
inberiMnce  In  the  kingdom  of  Ood  for  aU 


thoee  «Aiim  the  Father  had  giTen  Ein: 
And  whereas  it  is  eontrsry  to  the  suit, 
and  an  enor—That  Christ  in  His  obedi- 
ence and  death  did  satisfy  God's  justice,  ai 
that  which  requires  a  surrender  of  the 
human  wJll  to  the  divine,  on  the  gronnij 
of  which  all  men  are  delivered  From  lbs 
penalty  of  sin  as  the  annihilation  of  the 
creatnre,  and  ultimately  from  death  to  the 
body  and  jiarknesB  to  ibe  soul ;  and  Ihit 
He  still  continues  to  satiefj  that  justice,  u 
In  Him  believers  receive  the  gift  of  the 
Spirit,  which  means  their  deliverance  from 
the  power  of  sin,  as  Ihe  loss  of  the  higher 
life  of  the  (ool.  And  (a)  whereas  it  js  the 
doctrine  of  the  word  of  Ood  and  of  the 
sobordinate  standards — That  jQB!iGcati»n 
is  the  pardon  of  sio  and  the  acceptance  of 
sinners  by  God  as  righteous  in  Hii  eight, 
onlj  for  the  righteousness  of  Christ 
imputed  to  them  and  reeeired  by  failh 
alone,  and  net  for  anything  wrosgbt  ia  . 
them,  but  only  for  Christ's  sake — not  by 
imputing  faith  itself,  the  act  of  believing, 
or  any  evangelical  obedience,  to  them  u 
their  rigbteonsDcss,  but  bj  impaling  the 
obedience  and  satisfaelion  of  Cbrisi  imla 
tbem  ;  that  the  righteonaness  of  Chriit, 
which  is  received  by  faith,  is  that  of  His 
perfect  obedience  and  fall  satisfaction 
inpnted  to  them ;  and  that  faith  is  that 
saving  grace  which  receives  xnd  reals  oa 
Christ  and  His  righleoDeneBs  alone  for 
pardon  nod  acceptance  with  God:.Atid 
whereas  it  is  contrary  to  the  same,  and  an 
error — That  lo  he  justified  is  to  occupy  a 
just  position  in  regard  to  Ood;  thai  we 
OGcnpv  snch  a  position  when  wesre  at  one 
with  God  in  tbe  spirit  and  purpose  of  onr 
lives;  that  the  righCeonsness  of  Chriai  is 
conformity  to  tbe  will  of  God,  as  wroDght 
out  in  and  through  the  being  of  men  ;  tbil 
tbe  one  ground  of  acceptance  in  the  sigbl 
of  God,  throagboat  all  time  and  mileT 
every  dispensation,  is.  necessarily  deter- 
mined by  Ibe  being  of  man,  and  consists 
in  eonfoimily  to  tbe  will  of  God  as  ex- 
pressed in  and  through  (he  being;  tbtl 
faith  in  Christ  is  the  rational  conviction 
wrought  in  us  by  the  word  of  God  ibai 
Cbrisi  is  the  Son  of  God,  and  therefore 
the  r^vealer  of  the  divine  purpose;  and 
faith  is,  farther,  that  fidelity  to  eoBvictioo 
which  is  wrought  in  ns  by  the  Spirit  of 
God,  the  fruit  of  which  is  a  holy  life;  and 
that  the  relation  of  failh  to  righleoasnfii 
is  that  faith  is  the  footing  on  which  alaM 
we  can  be  brought  into  conformity  to  tl» 
will  of  God.  Whereas  (S)  ilia  the  doetiine 
of  the  word  of  Ood  and  of  tbe  subordinate 
standards—That  God  made  known  Bit 
will  to  Adam  as  a  covenant  (comnoaly 
called  the  covenant  of  worka)^  by  Ibe 
breach  of  which  all  men  descending  from 
bim  by  ordinary  generation  wen  broaghi 


"'"fJX^im.'^''  PHEBBTTEHIAL  PROOBBDIHQS.  279 

itiloin  f statu  of  lin  Rod  miaerj;  ai  alio  thiivorid,  vherc  islvaUon  tliroDgh  CbHit 
Ihu  God  made  a  corenant  with  the  Lord  ia  Treelj  offered  lo  aiDDCn,  Id  Tirtae  of  His 
letai  Christ  (comnioD It  called  tbo  core-  redemption  GertaiDlj  applied  and  effecta- 
nsDl  of  grace),  wherebj  Hia  graco  is  mani-  ally  conimnnicated  to  all  thoae  who  are  in 
fesled  in  that  bj  the  goepel  He  offers  lime,  fay  tbe  Holy  Spirit,  enabled  to 
Cbrtat  aa  an  all-anfflcient  Saviour  freelj  to  beliere  in  Him  according  to  the  goapel, 
sinners,  requiring  of  them  faith  in  Him  M  tJao  to  olheri  incapablB  of  being  called 
ibit  thej  may  be  eared,  and  whereby  tbe  oatwardly  bj  the  miniatry  of  the  won] : 
niMtionof  His  peapleisinfalKbljeecnred;  And  whereaa  it  is  contrary  to  the  same, 
and  Chat  the  moral  taw  (annimarily  com-  and  an  error— Tha^  in  theviewoF  Christ'* 
prebended  in  the  ten  commandments),  aa  death,  there  ia  not  now  any  other  ground 
s  declaration  of  the  will  of  G)od  to  men,  is  of  haman  condemnation  in  tbe  aigbt  of 
ID  iu  natare  diatincl  from  ike  gospel,  God  Chan  nnbelief  in  Cbrisc;  that,  before 
which  rereala  the  grace  of  Ood,  and  offers  the  final  judgment,  all  men  will  have 
life  and  aalTation  throiigb  a  BaTionr  to  Judged  themaeUes,  in  the  light  of  Chriat 
sinnenwho  bave  failed  to  gire  obedience  into  which  tbey  are  brought  ia  tbe  inter- 
lo  the  taw,  aijd  is  for  erer  binding  on  all  mediate  state,  to  the  extent  of  seeing  that 
meu  s«  a  rale  of  life:  And  whereas  it  is  every  sis  they  committed,  whether  in 
contrary  to  tbe  same,  and  an  error-^That  heathen  or  in  Christian  lands,  wa«  lirto- 
Ood  haS'Onty  one  covenant  with  man,  ally  an  act  of  nnbelief  in  Him,  being  io- 
vhich  may  thus  be  expresaed — "Belrneto  fidelity  to  the  (ruth  of  God  in  their  own 
ihyaelf,  and  thou  art  (rne  to  God ; "  and  being';  and  that  as  God  hath  decreed  to 
that  tbe  grace  of  God  ia  manifested,  not  save  eveij  one  who  accepts  Christ  as  Hia 
under  IHIB  covenant,  as  diatingnished  from  SaTionT,  that  imptiea  that  every  one  will 
another,  but  in  ali  that  God  does;  that  have  an  opportnnity  of  doing  so,  if  not  in 
God's  one  eternal  covenant  with  man  ia  ibia  world,  thenin  the  world locome.  And 
that  which  He  makea  with  him  in  the  very  wliereaa  (fi)  it  is  tbe  doctrine  of  tbe  word 
CDnatilntiQD  of  tinman  being,  in  virtue  of  of  God  and  of  tbe  subordinate  standards 
wbich  man  is  able  10  understand  the  reason  — That  the  wicked  who  die  in  anhelief, 
and  end  of  his  own  exwtence,  and  freely  impenitence,  and  sin,  are  finally  cast  oat 
10  give  himself  to  the  realisation  of  tbe  from  the  favoorable  presence  of  God  and 
end— able,  that  is,  lo  think  eorreetly,  to  acC  the  glorious  fellowship  with  Christ,  His 
accofdiDgly,  and  so  he  blessed;  and  that  as  saints,  and  all  holy  angels,  into  hell,  a 
law  IS  tbe  will  of  God  expressed  in  a  de-  place  ofeteraai  puniahment ;  And  where- 
finite  form  in  relation  to  men,  and  as  it  is  aa  it  is  contrary  to  the  aame,  and  an  error 
sltogether  a  gracioua  thing  on  the  part  of  —That  the  nltimale  distioctian  in  hnman 
Ood  ao  lo  eapresa  Hia  will,  it  is,  aa  the  en-  destiny  is  thai  between  a  servant  and  a 
prcaaion  of  oar  duty  lo  love  God  and  man,  son ;  thai  the  loss  of  sonehip  in  relation  lo 
idealiealwicbtbegospelandendnriiigasthe  God  ia  the  loas  of  the  aonl's  higbeat  and 
lame.  Alao,  (4)  whereasil  is  tbe  doctrine  proper  life,  but  it  does  not  follow  from 
or  tbe  word  of  God  and  of  the  aubordinate  Ibat  that  it  is  the  loas  of  a  tolerable  and 
BtaDdards  —  That  man  by  his  fall  hath  a aeful  existence,  or  that  it  conaigna  men 
lost  all  (tbility  of  will  lo  any  apiritaal  good  to  a  form  of  exiatence  that  ia  in  itaelf  an 
iccDmpanying  saivalion,  so  aa  not  to  be  eternal  carse;  that,  on  ihe  part  of  those 
able  Co  convert  himaelf,  andia  only  enabled  who  have  died  in  unbelief,  there  will  be 
by  grace  to  will  and  lo  de  that  which  is  only  everlasting  banishment  from  tbe 
sptncoally  good  when  Qod  eonierts  him  more  immediate  preacnce  of  Christ  and 
ij  His  word  and  Spirit,  and  translates  tbe  privileges  of  His  kingdom ;  and  that 
htm  into  a  slaCe  of  grace,  freeing  him  from  tbe  penalty  of  sin,  as  active  suffering,  can- 
hia  bondage  under  sin:  And  whereas  it  is  not  be  eternal.'  After  protracted  discus- 
contrary  to  the  same,  and  an  error — That  aion,  the  relevancy  of  each  of  these  connta 
man  by  his  fall  has  not  lost  all  ability  of  was  auslained  by  a  majority  of  the  preeby- 
willCoany  apirilnaljioodaccompBDyingga]-  lery.  Un  proceeding  to  Che  consideration 
•atjon.  Also,  (5)  whereas  it  is  the  doctrine  of  the  queation  of  probation,  by  a  majority 
of  the  word  of  God  and  of  the  subordinaCe  the  firat  three  connta  were  found  proven, 
atandards — That  every  sin,  being  a  trans-  the  fourth  count  by  a  majority  was  found 
ftreision  of  the  law  of  Sod  and  concrary  not  proven,  the  fifth  count  was  found 
thereto,  doib  in  ila  own  natnre  bring  guilt  proven  by  a  majority,  and  the  sixth 
and  condemnation  npon  the  sinner,  and  unanimously.  Against  theae  Undinga 
make  bim  subject  to  the  penalty  of  death  ;  varioua  dissenta  were  taken  and  protests 
that  this  death  is  not  the  annihilation  of  entered.  At  the  concluaion  of  the  discus- 
man  as  a,  creature  (whose  aoul  poasesses  sion  on  the  whole  counts,  Dr.  Black,  who 
an  immoTlal  subristence),  but  tbe  paniab-  along  with  Mr.  Buchanan  had  acted  aapro- 
ment  of  bim  as  a  ainner  on  account  of  sacotor  in  the  case,  requested  the  Court 
guilt ;  and  that  guilt  is  ouly  removed  in  to  pronounce  jadgment.    Mr.  Anld,  aflec 


£80 


BBLIGIOUS  INIELUOENCe. 


a  brief  space  of  silence,  said  he  felt  boiiiid 
to  move — 'That  the  preubjteij  continaea 
Mr.  FergaioD'u  suspension  from  the  exer' 
cise  of  office,  and  decUrM  that  the  erron 
found  proven  camiot  be  tolerated  in  tbia 
Cfaarchj  hot,  in  Tieir  of  the  appeals  to  the 
SjDod,  deUfs  the  issne  of  the  case  Snail; 
umil  Che  S/nod  has  given  judgment.'  Mr. 
Beckett  formally  secondsd  the  motion. 
The.  moderator  wished  the  Cou/t  to  aay 
whether  thej  agreed  to  that  decision. 
The  raajoriij  agieed.  The  moderator 
intimated  tbe  judgment  to  Che  parties. 
The  presbjter;  then  appointed  representa- 
tives to  condaci  the  case  before  the  Synod. 

ffoTnitton.— This  presbytery  met  OD  SSd 
April— the  Hev.  Mr.  Shearer,  moderator. 
Tbe  anonal  missioaaiy  and  prayer  meeting 
was  held,  and  the  lUvs.  Messrs,  Dunosnson 
and  Cowan  led  the  devotions  of  the  pres- 
bytery on  that  occasion,  -The  Eav.  J.  S, 
Hunter,  late  of  the  West  Church,  Strath- 
avep,  made  application  to  have  his  name 
placed  on  Che  roll  of  probationers;  and 
lliere  was  laid  on  the  table  a  petition  by 
him  to  the  Synod,  praying  to  be  so,  with 
accompaoyiDg  documents.  Tbese  were 
read,  and  the  presbytery  aftreed  Co  trans- 
mit the  petition  to  tbe  Synod,  with  a  cordial 
recommendaiion  thai  the  prayer  thereof  be 
granted.  There  was  laid  on  the  t»ble 
reasons  of  appeal  to  the  9ynad  by  Mr. 
And  re  IT  Wilson,  repreaencaCive  elder, 
Motherwell,  and  by  Mr.  John  Colville, 
elder,  Motherwell,  against  the  decisions 
of  the  presbytery,  on  the  26th  March  last, 
in  the  Motherwell  wine  ease.  The  respec- 
tive reasons  were  read,  and  the  presbytery 
appointed  a  committee  to  prepare  answers  . 
to  the  same.  The  comiBittee  afterwards 
reported  that  they  had  done  so.  The 
answers  were  reed  and  approved  of,  and 
the  Rev.  Messrs.  Anderson  and  Morton 
were  appointed  to  support  them  at  the  bar 
oF  Synod.  The  Clerk  also  laid  on  tbe 
table  a  petition  to  Che  Synod  by  the  majo- 
rity bf  the  said  session  in  the  same  case, 
and  tbe  presbytery  agreed  to  tiaosmit  it 
sijnpliciler  to  the  Synod.  Tbe  presbyter; 
made  np  the  roll  for  Che  Synod  Clerk,  and 
appointed  the  Rev.  Mr.  M'FariaTie,  and 
Mr.  Hugh  Campbell,  elder,  to  be  members 
of  the  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures  at 
the  approaching  meeting  of  Synod.  Mr. 
G.  M.  Leys,  student  of  the  Rrst  year,  ap- 
peared, and  produced  certificates  of  bis 
regular  attendance  on  the  different  classes 
in  the  Divinity  Hall  during  last  sessioo, 
and  tbe  presbyter;  prescribed  to  him  a 
lecture,  to  be  delivered  during  ibe  recess. 
Next  meeting  ig  to  be  held  on  Che  lasC 
Tuesday  of  June. 

Kelto. — This  presbytery  met  at  Kelso, 
16tb  April— Eev.  Mr.  Prlnt^lB.  JedbnrBh, 
Bpderator.    Took  Into  Mniideratioo  the 


reaignatioD  of  Rev.  Mr.  HUoe,  Greenlaw, 
on  account  of  failing  health.  It  was  stated 
that  tbe  congregation  had  presented  Mr, 
Milne  with '  the  sum  of  £ieo ;  but  as  tlie 
doctor's  certificate  did  not  bear  that  he  was 
finally  disabled  for  work,  be  could  not  be 
admitted  to  the  benefits  of  the  fund  for 
aged  and  infirm  ministers.  Much  sym- 
pathy was  expressed  with  Mr.  Milne,  and 
testimony  borne  to  bis  powers  as  a  preacher 
and  ezcellenee  as  a  man ;  bat  in  all  tbe 
eircamttaocea  the  presbytery  felC  it  ne- 
cessary to  accept  his  reaignation.  Mr. 
CairoB  of  Stitchel  was  appointed  modera- 
tor of  tbe  Greenlaw  session  doling  the 

Oupar  (Boston  diurtky. — Mr.  Thomas 
Fleming,  A.M.,  preacher,  WbiChom,  called 
April  Z9ih. 

I'ort  Qlatgow  (Clime  Pari'}.  — Eev.  Jss. 
Stevenaon,  Dublin,  called. 

Berviidc  (  Wallace  Green). — Eev.  Jamei 
Smith,  A.M.,  Fraserburgh,  called  April 
S9lh. 

Midrldrlc.  —ULt.  C  h  arle  i  Moy  es,  preacher, 
Edinburgh,  called  May  6th. 


Carlvlce. — Rev.  Andrew  Alston,  CaiEi' 
care  Road,  Glasgow,  inducted.  April  30dl. 

CraU. — Etev,  John  C.  Jackson,  GUt- 
gow,  inducted  March  16th. 


The  TTniversily  of  Glasgow  has  con- 
ferred Ibe  decree  of  Doctor  of  Diviuiiy  on 
Rev.  James  Brown,  minister  of  Si.  Jamei' 
Cbuicb,  Paisley. 


L    WW  CHCKCS. 

A  vesT  handaome  new  cbarch  was  opeced 
here  on  Wednesday,  8th  Ha;,  hy  Pro- 
fesssor  Cairns,  Ediohsrgh.  The  tame 
interest  which  was  taken  in  the  congrejia- 
tion  on  the  occasion  of  the  laying  of  ibe 
foundation-stone  of  theneweharchln  June 
last  year,  was  manifested  on  this  occasion 
also.  A  large  number  of  persons,  repre- 
seotacire  of  the  various  denomioaiioni, 
from  the  villagea  and  diatrict  around  bb> 
sembled  with  tbe  congregaCion  to  take  pan 
in  the  day's  proceedings.  There  were  also 
many  peraaoB  present  from  a  distance. 
The  church  was  completely  filled,  many 
p^rsOU  being  accommodated  on  teals  in 


j!«~iSra;^'  BBL1G10U8  INTELUGENCK.  281 

llie  puugei.  Tbe  lerricM,  wliieb  were  in  Cba  afiernooii  b;  Rev.  Mr.  Olircr,  and 
commeaced  at  h&lf-p»M  on«  o'clock,  were  in  tbe  evening  bj  Bey.  Mr.  Thornton, 
conducied  bj  the  Rev.  Dr.  Cairns,  brother  Balhareu  Choicb.  Ttu  clmrch,  which  i> 
of  ihe  paator,  (be  Kev.  D.  Cairni;  aod  one  of  tbe  moit  haadiome  in  the  city, 
there  were  preient — fiofessnr  Robert  John-  Mmide  on  an  elevation  in  Craigpsrk  Street, 
tUtie,  D.D.,  Ediobttrfb ;  Kev.  J.  Jarvie,  and  coati  ahont  £13,000.  It  is  lealMl  to 
Kek>;Kev.W.FoUoD,Jedbnrgb;  Rev.H.  holdover  800.  Pour  of  the  windowi  are 
Glfen,  Horebattle ;  Rev.  W.  B.  Inglia,  menorial  windows,  the  gift  of  the  fuoil; 
Sella;  BeT.W.Meik1ejohn,Chapelknowe}  of  the  lets  Dr.  Hengh,  the  Brat  putor  of 
Be',  A.M.  Craig;  Hev.W.R.Ni<oll,Kelaa;  the  cbnreh.  A  tbaok-offering  collection 
Key.  Mr.  CaioeroQ,  Oreenl&w  ;  and  man;  was  made  in  ai4  or  the  tanit  of  the  con- 
elders  ,  from   the    neighbouring    sessions,      gregalton,  which  aaoKnted  to  £368, 

After  praise,  reading  of  the  Scriptnre,  and  

piajer,  the  learned  professor  preaehed  a 

mott  Bloqneol  and  pi>werf»l  sermoD  from  »8S*i.DSiRSB»coiiORBaimoN,TOttoino— 
the  words,  'But  milo  you  that  fear  my  laymo  or  IHI  »>inri>AlioN-«TOKit  o» 
nune  shall  the  Sun  of  righteoosnes*  arise         ■*  "■"  ohukch. 

with  heating   in   his   wings'  (Mai.  iv.  2),  Tbk   fonndati an- stone  of  a  new    chsrch 

■peaking  of  Christ  in  relation,  Qrsi,  to  His  for  this  coaeregation,  of  whieh  the  Hev. 

enlightening  poller,  and,  secondly,  to  His  John  King,  A.M.,  is  the  able  and  esteemed 

healing  inflnenee.     In  concluding  bis  dia-  pastor,  was   laid  on  Monday,  Bth  April, 

conne,  he  said — My  brethren,  in  tbis  con-  in  the  presence  of  a  la^e  nnaiber  of  the 

gregation  God  has  greatly  blessed  yon  in  members  in  tbe  cily,  and  friends.     On  tha 

your  past  history,  and  now  He  itas  blessed  occasion  several  addrenes  of  a  congratija- 

jou  hy  enabling  you  to  ereet  tbis  place  of  tory  kind  were  given,  and  the  following  is 

worabip,  BO  snitable  in  every  wAy  for  His  part  of  an  interesting  aceoaiH  of  the  pro- 

Itlory  and  for  yoar  eternal  good.     We  re-  grass  of  the  church  wbicb  was  Tsad  by  Hr. 

joicewith  you,  and  gi>e  God   thanks  on  T.W. Taylor: — In  obedience  to  the  finding 

joar  behalf.     Your    history   lies  bebiod,  of  tbe  Synod,the  congregation  was  formally 

fraaght  with  eiidenees  of  Itte  presence  of  organised^  the  United  Presbyterian  Pres- 

Chriit   from    the    very    beginning    of  the  bjiery  of  Toronto,  on  the  6th  day  of  Joly 

Secession  until  now.    Many  a  ray  has  He  1B53.     The  Brat  sesaion  was  formed  by  the 

directed  upon  tbie  congregation  in  genera-  election  and  indnction  into  of&ce,  on  the  eth 

tioni  that  are  past.     Speaking  as  in  tbe  of  Noveiaber  1B!>3,  of  three  elders,  the  Rev. 

pretence    of    the   Sun    of   righteousness,  Charles  Fletcher,  iJie  Rev.  Wm.  Ormiston, 

many  a  sonl  has  been  quickened  to  life  e.nd  Aleiiander  Gemmelk    About  the  same 

elemal  in  connection  with  the  ministry  of  time  tbe  congregation  addressed  a  call  to 

tKeword  in  your  history  >  and  my  prayer  is  the  Kev.  John  Taylor,  M.D.,  D.D.,  then  . 

chat  more  and  more  living  power  may  he  Professor  of  Theology  to  the  United  Fres- 

experienced,  and  that  frjim  this  time  for-  byterian  Church  in  Canada,  vrbich  having 

(card  He  may  bless  you  more  and  more  been  accepted,  he  was,  on  the  23d  day  of 

abondantly,  and  that  many  may  be  pre-  Horember  IS53^  duly  inducted  as  the  first 

pued  here  for  tbe  enjoyment  of  that  world  pastor  of  the  congregation.     Tbe  Rev.  Dr. 

of  light  and  imuMrtalilj  In  regard  to  which  Taylor  resigned  tlie  pastorate  on  tbe  6tb  of 

tbe  snblime  utterance  yet  holds  good —  May  lB6I,andretumed  to  Scotland.  Those 

'  Thy  San  shall  no  more  go  down,  neither  who  enytyed  bis  pnlpit  minial  rat  ions,  and 

■bsllthymoon withdraw  itself, fortbe  Lord  those  who   were  privileged  to   prosecute 

God  shall  be  thine  everlasting  light,  and  tbeir  tbeologieat  studies  nnder  bit  care,  can 

the  days  of  thy  mourning  shall  be  ended,'  gratefnlly  recall  with  what  singular  fidelity 

God  grant  it;  and  to  His  name  be  praise  and  efficiency  he  discharged  his  pastoral 

through  Jeans  Christ,  world  without  end.  and   professorial   duties.      His   depaftare 

Amen.  was  ^stly  regarded  as  a  loss,  not  only  to 

The  services  of  the  sncceedhig  Sabbath,  tbe  congregalron,  but  to  tbe  Presbyterian 

in  which  deep   interest  was  manifested,  Charch  in  the  Province.    At  this  period 

were  conducted  by  Rev.   David   Cairns,  the  congregation  was  small  in  number,  and 

and  Rev.  Mr.  Croom,  Moderator  of  Synod,  burdened  with  a  heavy  debt.    Under  these 

Tbe  coUectton  at  all  tbe  services  amounted  critical    circnm stances,   the    Kev.  Robert 

to  £200.  Burns,  D.D.,  Professor  of  Church  History 

——  ia  Knox  College,  came  to  their  assistance, 

OLlBOOV'—OFEniKa  OF  A.  VV*  CHCSCK.  and,  from  July  I8S1  until  May  1863,  gave 

Oh  Sabbath,  IStb  May,  Dennisloun  (late  '  bis  valnable  services  gratnitoutly  as  stated 

Regent  Plaee)  Church,  of  wbicb  the  Rev.  supply.     On  the  SSth  day  of  May  1B63,  the 

Alex.  Oliver  is  pastor,   was   opened   for  Bev.  John  M.  King,  M.A.  (formerly  mini- 

pablic  service.      The  services  were   con.  ster  of  tbe  congregation  of  Columbus  and 

dactedin  tbemoiiiingby  FrofeitorCutna^  Biookljn  in   the  Presbyterjr  of  Ontario) 


282                              NOTICES  OF  NEW  PDBLICATIONB.            ""i™^'^"*' 

wu  indactfd  m  putor  of  the  congrention,  Iti  early  (liffleakiea  ha.-ve  been  long  i!dc« 

.and  has  sTer  MDee  continaed  to  laboor  lariDoaiiWd,  it*  nnmbere  have  b«en  en- 

among  them   with  great  aceeptancs  and  Urged,  it<  liberality  hai  increased,  its  pern 

saccesj.                                        ,  and  harmonj  have  t>een  anbroken. 

Daring  the  pait  twentir-fiTe  jean  of  its  Commeadng    in    Jnlf    ISS3    villi    13 

existence,  the  congregation  hu  enjojed  in  nameB  on  thecommnnion  roll,  the  ineic- 

a  mailed  manner  the  blesaina  or  Uod.    In  benhip  at  the  time  of  the  Ker.  Dr.  TiyWi 

His  good  providenceit  has  had  great  incecBS  in d action  vas  29,  and  in  May  1863,  when 

and  prosperitT.    It  is  believed  it  has  been  Hr.KiogbecamepMtor,  108.    Tbeaiimb« 

the  meang  of  doing  mack  Bpiricaal  good,  now  so  the  eommnnion  roll  is  450. 


^oiicta  of  |[(to  '^nhlu^iam. 

BosTOH   MoNDAT   Lectubest   Biologv,  to  show  that  though  Cook  is  logic  incu- 

nitt  Preludes  on  Current  Events.    By  nate,  he  is  a  man  of  surfi  wide  culture 

Joseph   Coos.     Reprinted   from   the  tuid  refined  senne,  that  he  lajs  undec 

Anthor's  Revised  Edition.   Witt  Pre-  contribution,  with  equal  easeand  appre- 

face  by  Kev.  Andrew  Melville,  A.M.,  priatenees,  the  best  rasulta  ot  ancient 

Free  St.  Enoch's  Church,  Glasgow.  and  modem  thought  to  thebeautificatioD 

GlMgow  :  Dnid  Bryee  4  Son,    18T8.  and  elucidation  of  hifl  subject.     PersOO- 

About  the  begiuiiDg  of    the  present  allj,  Mr.  Cook  is  a  large  man,  tall  and 

year,  a  nnmber  of  letiera  appeared  in  brawny.       HU    features    are    strongly 

ibe  Scotsman  aewept/pei,   in  which  a  marked,  and  his  maasive  head  is  adomea 

characterization   was  given  of  certain  with  a  bonntiful  covering  <A  Bandy  bur. 

Anaericaa  celebrities.     Among  these  was  His  voice  is  strong  tatha'  than  flexible, 

JosepbCook,  and  of  him  it  was  said : —  though  sometimes   it   becomes  atirnog 

'For  many  years   he  prepared  for  bis  and  magnetic,  like  bis  gestnies,  which 

public   minifltry  by  a  severe  course  of  in  thenMelves  are  not  always  gracetuL 

Belf-cultnre,  both  here  and  in  Europe ;  His  articulation  isexcelleiitj  audperhapa, 

and  he  is  .now  reaping  brilliant  aucceeses  from  hia  prolonged  stay  in  EiB^ipe,  his 

evet;  week  as  the  result  of  all  that  pronunciatiDnismltsodistinctivelyAme-  , 

eowiDg.    He  is  a  aiai).in  his  prime,  full  rican  as  that  of  some  other  speakers  I 

of  energy,  physical,  mental,  and  moral ;  could  mention.      To   snio  up :   Joseph 

and,  like  a  very  Hercules,  be  has  and-  Cook  is  a  great,  strong,  living,  many- 

denly  risen  before  an  admiring  nation  sided  man,  of  vast  natural  ability,  and 

to  do  battle  for  what  he  belierea  to  be  equal  culture ;  and  if  he  isn't  a  genius, 

the  truth '  .  Joseph  Cook  is  the  "he's  mighty  like  one." ' 

Chalmers  of  America,  in  some  respects.         Tte   lectures   of   which   this  volume 

He  is  at  once  a  theologian  and  a  man  of  consists,    were    delivered   to   audiencta 

science He  ia  oo  tyro  in  science,  numbering  about  3000  persona,  on  Mod- 

but  is  fully  abreast  of  all  modern  results  days,  in  Boston,  and  hence  their  name, 
and  worthy  speculations  touching  the  In  an  appreciative  preface,  Mr.  Melville 
great  qu^tiona  of  the  age.  ....  He  says ; — '  Mr.  Joseph  Cook  has  prcved 
is  equally  at  home  in  discussing  the  himself. a  vigorous  wio'kman  in  this  field 
science  of  Huxley  and  Darwin,  the  (ecientdfic  and  pbiloeophic  specaiatioii). 
transcendentalism  of  Germany  and  Mew  Having  devoted  himself,  as  the  atate- 
Englaud,  and  the  theoaopl^of  Theodore  menta  of  the  Anmiean  press  show,  to 
Farkerand  Emeraon.  And,  with  respect  a  lengthened  course  of  study,  both  in 
14}  science,  his  conclusion  is — "  Wben  I  AmericaandC)ermany,hehasoamefMih 
lift  my  gaze  to  the  very  uppermost  fully  equipped  with  a  knowledge  of  the 
pinnacles  of  the  mount  of  eatabliabcd  results  of  the  latest  discoveries  in  science 
truth,  I  find  standing  there  not  Hackel,  flnd  of  the  course  of  modem  philoaophical 
nor  Spencer,  but  Helmholtz  of  Berlin,  thought,  while  he  has  by  no  means  loet 
and  Wundt  of  Heidelberg,  and  Hermann  hia  apj^wiatiou  of  the  great  fundameotal 
Lotze  of  Gottingen,  physiologists  a«  facta  of  the  Christian  religitm.  Hit 
well  as  metaphysicians  all ;  and  tihey,  as  -  lecturea  show  a'wonderful  power  of  de- 
free  investigators  of  the  relations  be-  leotiou  «f  the  w«ak  pconta  of  sceptical 
tween  matter  and  mind,  are  all  on  their  and  materialistic  systems,  and  of  eqica- 
kneea  before  a  living  God."  Did  space  ing  them  with  unsparing  logic.  0( 
permit,  I  might  quote  numerous  passages  course  hia  style  ia   thoroughly  Amc- 


iJXi'ai'^^           K0TI0E8  OF  NEW  PDBLIOATIONB.  283 

rkan,  bnt  the  freehneaa  and  ripacitj'  of  tion  of  the  whole  question,  and  have 

it  oi^eB  it  ali  the  eMsier  to  follow  hia  extended  the  diaciusion  into  new  regions 

close  and  incisivd  argumentation.  ...  of  thought  andargoment     We  are  glad 

TheaUtement  b^  the  committee  prefiied  to  find  that  the  dSenden  of  the  old  and 

to  the  lectures,  intimatestbat  "the  object  orthodox  faith  are  tmiBuing  its  impngn- 

ol  the  Boston  Monday  Lectures  is  to  ere  with  no  anequat  steps  iuto  these  new 

pteaenttheresulteof  AefreshestEngliah,  regions.      We   lately  had  occasion   to 

German,  and   American  scholarship   in  uotice  the  very  able  and   eloquent,   if 

the  rnore  important  asd  difficult  topies  somewiiat  general  and  ^eculative,  work 

coQcerning  tte  relation  between  religion  of  Mr.  Dale  <ai  the  Atonement ;  Aid  we 

andsdenoe."    To  tliose  who  are  in  diffi-  have  now  the  happluesa  to  introduce 

cultj  about  these  relations,  we  heartily  another  rery  competent '  defender  of  the 

comuiend  those  lectures,  assured  that,  l^  faith' to  the  acquaiotaiice  of  oar  readers, 

the  blessing  of  God,  th^  ma^  be  the  The  author,  who  belongs,  we  believe, 

me&ns  of   helping  many  to  nee  ab0T«  totheHethod]BtdenominatioQ,isalreadv' 

the  mists  that  have  baeu  thivwa  around  faTOurably  known  by  an  excellent  work 

these  subiects.'  on  tie  doctrine  of  Future  Retribution. 

The  volume  is  one  which  will  be  read  The  bo>^  before  us  is  distinguished  by 

with  interest  by  intelligent  young  men,  sobriety  of  judgment,  Bcutenem  of  re- 

udiswellfitted  to  do  them  signal  service  mark,    force    5    arguuicntatioii,    and 

in  these  days  ol  prevalent  materialistic  lueidity   of  style.      The   author  shows 

speculation.    So  impressed  with  its  vatae  himself  well  read  in  at  least  the  Euglish 


n  this  connection  was  one  of  the 
dietinguiahed  of  the'metropoKtan  mini 
steraof  the  Free  Church,  that  )ie  gave 
ec^y  of  it  to  each  of  the  200  members  ol 
the  young  men's  mutual  improvement 
o-™.;».;«,j  connected  with  his  cougre- 


literature  of  his  eabject,  and  he  has 
evidently  studied  its  various  aapects  and 
departcaenta  long  and  patieu^j.  His 
work  differs  greatly  from  that  of  Dale 
in  all  save  prevwling'  orthodoxy  of 
character,  and  if  less  eloquent,  is  more 
K*i'uii.  instxuctive.      It   is   more   detailed   and 

more  polemical  in  ita  mode  of  treatnaent. 

Substitution  :  A  Treatise  on  the  Atone-     more  precise  and  definite  in  its  views, 
meat.    By  Marshall  Handles.  and  it  keeps  more  to  the  old  lines  of 

LoDdan ;  J.  Grove,  Tbomaa,  A  Co.  argument  and  belief.     Probably  persons 

Few  subjects  within  the  range  of  hypercritical  ly  disposed  may  find  fault 
theoli^y  have  been  more  abundantly  with  Mr.  Aandles'  predilection  for  tech- 
discusKd  than  that  of  the  Atonement  nical  language,  ana  may  specially  object 
It  LB  indeed  inevitable  that  it  should  be  to  certain  rather  unusual  wards  whidi 
so,  for  in  several  of  the  leading  contro-  are  commonplace  terms  with  him,  such 
Tereies  vbidt  have  i^tated  &e  theo-  as  marlurial,  premial,  flatic.  Of  these 
logical  world,  as  those  betwe^i  Soeinians  uid  others,  however,  it  is  to  be  said  that 
and  Cathodes,  between  Supranatiiralists  whether  fairly  belonging  to  the  English 
and  Anti  -  Supranaturaliste,  between  iangitage  or  not,  they  are  very  con- 
Broad  Church  and  Evangelicals,  and  venient,  if  not  indispensable,  in  these 
even  between  Auguetinians  and  Pela-     discussions. 

gians,  or  Galvinists  and  Arminians,  the  The  plan  of  the  woii  fs  a  compre- 
Atonement  ia  one  of  the  main  keys  of  hensive  one,  and  allows  room  for  the 
the  position.  Of  hite  years,  many  able  consideration  of  almost  every  point  of 
works  on  this  subject  have  appeared,  importanee  that  has  been  rused  in  con- 
vhose  teschiDgs,  though  otherwise  nectioa  with  the  Atonement.  After  two 
meant,  have  tended,  in  our  opinion,,  to  chapters,  the  first  iidiroductory,  the 
overthrow  the  piUars  of  t^e  sfioetolic  second  devoted  to  the  definition  of  terms, 
and  catholic  faith  of  the  Church.  Anew  tie  author  }»oeeeds  in  other  six  chapters 
school,  indeed,  of  specalaitioii  Mid  of  to  litow  that  substitutioB,  in  the  le^or 
doctrine  in  reference  to  the  Atonement  forensic  sense,  is  implied  in  the  various 
has  risen  up,  marked  1^  the  writingi  of  repreBentatiiHii  given  in  the  Bible  of 
such  man  as  Maurice,  fiobertson,  Y«ui^  the  woik  of  Christ,  as  when  He  is  set 
Boshnell,  and  others  is  this  oountfy  fortiiasasacrifioe,  as  our  ransom,  as  onr 
and  America,  aud  of  Hofmann  and  representative,  as  bearing  the  curse  of 
others  on  the  Continent,  whose  views  sin  and  meeting  the  claims  of  justice, 
liave  rendered  neceBsary  a  reconsidera-     as  making  reconciliatioo  to  God,  and  as 


ZCU                              K0TI0E8  OP  SEW.  rCBUOATIOHS.  "^     ji.Ti»i!^ 

inflaenoing  to  tudioeH  of  life.    Having  ng&rd  to  fbtora  en^jment,  then  thm 

thus  laid  broadly  utd  Btrragly  a  solid  can  be  no  ench  thing  in   Hie  gorem- 

foondatioa   of    •oriptiual    doctrine,   be  meat  aa  ptuiishiiieDt,' — a  coDcliuion  U 

advances  in  tbe  next  three  ehaptere  to  varionee  with  the  eridotce  of  eetabliabed 

discuss  the    different    theories    of   tbe  facta.'  . 

Atonement  which  nullifj-  or  HeriouBlj  in-  Thus  he  dinches  an  aigtnnent  agtioit 

fringe  upon  the  properij  anbetitutionary  tbe  doctrine  of  pardon  by  prerogatire:— 

oharact^  of  Chritit  ■  mediation.    These  '  Hsd  there  been  notliijig  to  prevent 

he  classifies  *B  the  theory  of  pardon  bj  a  pardon  without  objective  ground,  it 

sovereign    prerogative,  the    theory  oE  is  incredible  that  the  Sod  of  God  would 

salvation  ob  the  ground  of  repentance,  have  become.  Mediator  in  order  to  (urniib 

and  tbe  moraT  powM  theories,  among  a  groand.' 

which,  again,  he  establishes  a  threefold  Ono  Other  extract  presents  the  author'! 

distinction.      In  a  eonelodiug  chapter  seutimeDla  on  a  qmatioD  which  is  fdt 

ho  considers  certain  objections  of  a  mia-  fay  many  to  be  importeni  :— 

cetlaneoQB  kind  to  the  doctrine  of  a  '  From  the  nature  of  futh,  it  can  tnl; 

vicarious  atonem^it.  be  the  condition  of   justification  whcs 

Tbe'fiUmg  up  of  tAis outline  is,  on  the  the  gospel  is  known;  and  doubtlew 
whole,  as  able  and  instnictiTe  as  the  the  juM  «id  pitjfut  Lord  btn  ochv 
outline  iteelf  ie-  comprehenaive.  A  few  terms  for  the  heathen,  and  all  on  whom 
brief  eitracta  n»y  help  to  give  oar  the  CbristiaD  day  never  dawns;  not 
readers  some  idea  of  the  spirit  ot  Ae  such  terras  as  render  their  atato  corn- 
work,  and  the  acntenesB  and  logical  parable  to  nhat  is  reserved  forthetioM 
vigour  whidi  it  displays. — Thus  quietly  when  the  whole  wodd  shnll  see  the 
he  disposes  of  a  mass  of  difficulties  aboat  light  of  fhe  knowledge  of  the  gtory  <^ 
substitution,  baaed  upon  the  goodnew  of  God  in  the  face  of  Jesns  Ghrut,  bat 
Qod;—  Buah  aft  correspond  to  their  spiritual 

'  It  ia  tme  the  word  goodness  is  med  power  and  opportunities,  and  may  open 

by  some  writen  to  designate  the  entire  a  pathway,  however  obscure,  ont  of  the 

Msembiage  of  raorsit  perfections  in  God.  region  ot    tbe  shadow  of    death  into 

Snch  use  is  admissible  so  long  as  it  is  eteroal  life.' 

understood ;  bat  in  that  sense  it  afTocds  We  hope  these  alight  scraps  will  whet 

no  basis  of  argument  against  the  claims  the  appetite  of  oar  leadeia,  uid  induce 

of  justice.     .     ...     To   begin   with   a  them   to   ait  down  and  enjoy  the  full 

definition  which  makes  goodness  incln-  banquet    In  these  times,  when  looee- 

Kve«f  all  moral  attributes,  and  then  to  ness  of  thought   and  airiness  si  speen- 

argpe  as  if  goodness  were  a  mere  dia-  lation  are  so  abundant,  we  have  foand 

position  toirarda  the  hiuipinen  of  the  it  refreshing  in  a  high  degree  to  peroae 

creature,  is  the  fallacy  of  giving  a  term  a  work  so  greatly  characterized  by  logicsl 

in  the  premises  a  different  sense  from  vigour  and  fidelity  to  the  great  facte  rf 

that  given  it  in  the  conclusion — a  begging  providence  and  of  revelation. 

of  the  questitsk  under  the  semblance  (S  — '• — 

reasoning.'  Habo  TO  WiH ;  ot,  A  Yoke  Broken.   By 

On  tbe  benevolwt  theory  of  punisk'  Urs.  GxosQE  CupPLEa 

meats  he  writes :—  Edlnbaii^ :  W.  Oliphut  *  Co.     in& 

"The  utilitarian  view  of  justice  is  The  name  of  Mrs.  Gapplea  ia  well  known 
falsified  by  a  correct  notion  of  guilt,  or  in  connection  with  tides  of  an  interest- 
obligation  to  punishment.  In  saying  a  ing  and  improviDg  kind.  Her  storiei 
criminal  is  guilty,  or  liable  tft  etSfer  toe  told  not  for  the  sake  of   sim[4T 

Coiahment,   do  we  simply  inean  that  -amnsing  the  reader,  bat  of  doing  geoO. 

BufFeringa   would   be   beneiieUl    to  They  have  a  mwal  purpose. 

somebody?    Is  it  that  which  makes  his  In  the  tales  before  us,  Mrs.  Cuppla 

punishment  just?     Would  it  be  nujoBt  shows  how  a  man  of  sterling  principw, 

were  no  benefit  to  enque  ?     If  guilt  has  and  of  a  genial  and  cheerful  dispositioD, 

any  meaning  in  the  case,  the  objigation  UAy  exert  a  great  infiaence  for  good  evm 

arises  from  the  dcimerit  of  the  sin.  ...  in  tl>e  most  adverse  circnmatancea,  and 

The  penal  quality  implied  in  gmlt  must  orer  apparently  the  most  nnpromisiag 

come  from  un,  its  moral  cause.      Say  sabiecta.   ThosedegradeddeiuEensof  the 

the   only   motive   which   actuates   the  pnrlieua  of  Londoti  were  '  hard  to  win,' 

moral  Bnl«  to  impose  soSering  is  a  but  at  last  the  '  yoke  was  broken ; '  and 


MOiTTHLT  betbobpeot;  285 

thia  admirobie  Addram  and 
IB  they  may  find  fitting 

the  iDterest  uid  condnce  to  the  edifieti-  "            '         ■ ..    . 

tion  of  youthful  readers,   uid  also  of 

readen  who  axe  taaee  adranced,  

'          THEOHElSTIAN'sRESPOHSLBILTmHVIEV 

WrmiNTHE  Fold  or  no?  Addreued  to  ofthe  Evils  of  Iittekperavgein  the 

eacb  of  hia  Flook  bf  a  fihephtrd  «(  FReaEirrDAT.    By^ev.JoHN  YoimG, 

Chew  days.  M.A.,  Jimior  HmiBter  of  United  Pies- 

Edtiilnu^:  W.  OUphintftCo.    IBTI.  byteriaB  Church,  NewiogtOD. 

Tee  intbor  (rf  thia  addresa,  iinpreBaed  BdinbnuJi ;  Jhoih  Tuyior.   1878. 

witk  B  sense  lot'  reBponsihility  for  the  Mr.  Yodsg  in  this  disconrae  grapplea 

Bpbitval  slate  of  each  of  the  memberi  of  in  a  plain,  eameHt,  and  honest  manner 

his  fioci,  and  feeling  the  difficulty  of  with  the  great  evil  of  self-indulgence, 

prirste  and  personal  dealing  of  a  viva  which  ao  surely  follows  in  the  wake  of 

iwt  kind,  avails  himself  of  the  aid  of  increased  facilities  for  it.    The  duty  of 

the  pr«sB  in  order  that  be  may  gain  the  parenta  an  reference  to  their  children, 

mrpose  which  he  has^o  moch  at  heart,  and  of  heads  of  families  to  all  nnder 

In  an  Mraeat,  sffectionate,  and  forcible  their  roof,  'tot^e  order'  that  legitimate 

Dunner  he  intorogatee  his  rtader  as  to  self-restraint  and  not  snlawful  gratifica- 

hi9  higliest  kitereats,  pointing  out  the  lion  shoald  be  the  role  d  the  house  and 

special  dangers  to  which  he  is  exposed  the  habit  of  the  age,  ia  aet  forth  in  a 

in  these 'days  of  doubt,  of  worldhneea,  mann^  that  mnit  commend  itself  to  all 

and   aell-iadulgeno&      Its   careful    and  who  aeriously  feel  thMr  resnonaibility. 

pmjerful  peru^  cannot  fail  to  be  of  The  diacourse  eaoDot  fail  to  be  of  great 

great  advantage ;    and  we  reeommend  serrice  to  the  cavae  which  it  ao  ably, 

minigten,  towhom  ia£ouimitt«d  the  care  judiciously,  and  temperately  advocates. 


I^ant^ls  llitiflspert. 

THE  STATE  OF  THE  COUNTRY. 

Tee  ptJitioal  horison  still  continues  to  be  troubled  and  uncertain,  hopes  of  peace 
aDd  feBxs  of  war  alternating.  It  has  been  said  that  the  Prime  Minister  ia  the 
GoTflTQiiient,  a«d  therefore,  untrue  to  Conservative  traditions,  it  is  a  Government 
of  oOrprisefi.  Th^e  is,  however,  at  once  an  earnest  wish  and  a  fondly  cherished 
liope  on  the  part  of  a  large  section  of  the  oomrounity  tfiat  peace  may  be  main- 
tained, notwithstanding  the  mustering  of  basts  and  the  multittidinouB  and  ominoua 
pr^tftrationa  for  war. 

The  action  of  the  Dissenting  cleray  of  this  country,  in  connection  with  that  of 
tlieir  Nonconformist  brethren  in  England,  is  noteworthy.  Sixteen  hundred 
minigtetB  of  the  Free  Church,  the  United  Presbyterian  Chnr^b;  and  other  du- 
endowed  Churches,  have  signed  an  address  to  Mr.  Cladstone,  thanking  him  for  his 
invdloable  Bervices  in  the  interests  of  peace,  and  espresBing  a  hope  tlut  the  object 
vhich  they  in  commoD  with  him  so  ardenlJy  desire. may  be  attained. 

Tlie  dlence  of  the  brethren  in  the  Church  as  estaUished  by  law  will  not  fail  to 
be  noticed  by  all  parties,  and  varions  reasons  for  it  may  be  assigned ;  but  surely  it 
ia  one  more  sign  of  the  unity  that  may  always  be  expected  to  eiist  between  a 
Oonservative  Government  and  a  State  Church, — said  Ghareh,  as  its  prominent 
representatives  t«ll  us,  having  a  sort,  ol  natsral  affinity  to  Conservatism. 

In  connection  with  the  unsettled  state  of  matters  in  the  political  world,  ia  to  be 
liepiored  the  depressed  and  alb^ther  uncertam  and  unsaliiBfactory  etat«  of  trade. 
NoticeB  of  redaction  of  wages  ore  being  continually  given';  these  are  being  gene- 
rally resiated,  and  strides  -on  a  large  scale  ensue,  with  reaults  that  ore  very 
grievons.  Into  the  eonsideradon  of  economic  law  we  shall  not  here  enter,  nor 
ptosoubce  on  the  respective  righu  and  duties  of  employers  and  eiUployed.  But  it 
ia  evident  that  strikes  aie  productive  of  lantcdd  evils,  bringing  great  suffering  and 
aad  temptation  in  tiieir  course.  In  many  places,  apecially  in  t£e  north  of  England, 
painful  scenes  have  been  enacted,  and  a  kind  of  wild  and  reckless  spirit  of  revenge 
indulged.    These  and  sach  ti^ga  lead  us  to  regard  the  present  state  of  the  country 


286  MONTHLY  EETKOBPBOT.  ^    itLi^iT^ 

Be  tbe  rerene  of  aatiBfaotorj ;  but  still,  for  oar  enoonraKentent,  let  oe  renenbet 
that  it  hsB  paned  through  nuaij  »  crisis  nod  annBooDted  nwnj  difficultiee.  The 
croaking  fonbodingB  of  not  a  f«w  Caeaandraa  hare  beea  disappoiikted  in  the  put, 
and  out  of  tite  deepest  darkneM  light  haa  arisen.  But  wbilBt  there  is  no  need  fet 
despondency,  Btill  leas  ftn"  despair,  there  ia  argeat  need  fer  wiae  and  energetic 
enaeaTOim  to  enforce  as  well  aa  to  stud;  the  things  that  make  for  peace,  and 
for  fervent  prayer  to  Bim  who  ndes  all  things  according  to  the  connael  of  His  viU. 

THE  GLASGOW  SABBATH  SCHOOL  UNION. 
GlASGOW  has  a.popi]]ati<»i  of  upwards  of  600,000  inhaUtanta.  What  olpad^  >Dd 
what  need  for  earnest  Christiaa  work  do  not  these  figuiea  lepreeent  I  One  ot  the 
moat  clamant  and  hopeful  fields  of  laboar  is  that  amongst  the  joong.  From  tha 
fortj-firat  annua]  report  of  the  Sabbath  School  Unioa  we  are  glad  to  obsKre  that 
this  field  is  being  -rigorously  cultivated. 

The  chidnnan  of  the  meetiug  at  which  the  report  was  read  (Mr.  R.  T.  Middletod) 
obeerred ; — '  And  first  of  all,  looking  at  the  statiatical  fignree,  I  find  that  the  report 
for  1872  stated  the  number  of  soeietiea  represented  to  be  203;  the  number  of 
teachers,  7152 ;  the  average  attendance,  6S59 ;  and  the  scholarson  the  roll,  72,118 ; 
missionary  collections,  £2059,  5b.  Id.  Tha  report  to  be  read  to-night  will  show, 
societies,  269;  teachers,  8165;  average  attendance,  7616;  scholars,  83,228; 
missionary  collection,  £3398,  lOe.  Id.  I  don't  pretend  to  say  that  thia  piogieM 
ia  all  that  it  should  be ;  but  even  taking  into  account  the  rapid  increase  of  the 
.  dty,  there  u  evidence  that  the  workers  ia  Sabbath  schools  have  not  been  idle ; 
rather  that,  notwithstanding  all  the  formalism,  indifierence,  and  scepticism  that 
prevail,  there  has  been  an  earnest  sowing  of  the  seed  of  the  word.' 

We  all  know  how  much  the  success  of  a  single  school  depends  on  the  kind  of 
euperiDl«udent  it  has ;  how  mneh  more,  then,  does  not  the  success  lA  a  large  union, 
embracing  many  achools,  depend  on  its  preaideut !  It  waa  meet,  therefore,  that  the 
great  services  of  Mr.  Middleton  in  tins  connection  should  be  recognised  on  bis 
retiring  from  the  presidency.  And  teachers  and  taught  alike  felt  this, — an  address, 
representing  upwards  of  8500  teachers  and  82,000  Bcholara,  being  presented  to 
him,  in  which,  amongBt  other  things,  it  wna  said :— >'  The  uniform  attention, 
courtesy,  and  liberality  you  have  displayed  in  the  management  of  the  union's 
affairs,  during  the  five  years  of  -your  presidentfihip,  are  well  known  to  the  Boaid 
and  the  Sabbath  school  teachers  connected  therewith,  and  have  contributed  most 
materially  to  the  efficient  and  harmonious  working  of  the  various  schemes  under 
their  supervision.' 

One  of  the  difficulties  connected  with  Sabbath  scliool  work  ia  the  aecaring  tlM 
services  of  peisons  of  experience.  In  this  work  the  ardour  of  youth  and  the 
wisdom  of  riper  years  are  required ;  but  unfortunately  the  advance  of  yeaiH  and 
the  cares  of  this  life  are  apt  injuriously  to  aSect  Sabbath  school  work.  Whea, 
therefore,  we  find  one  who,  amidst  the  engagements  of  a  busy  mercantile  life  aod 
the  piesanre  of  other  philanthropic  labours,  retains  all  his  early  devotion  to  the 
Sabbath  School,  he  is  deserving  of  all  hoooor,  and  may  welTbe  set  fortii  aa  giviag 
an  example  worthy  of  imitation. 

PROFESSOR  BLACKIE  CURSING. 
The  learned  ProfeBBor  of  Greek  in  the  Bdinbarg^  University  has  been  away  for 
some  time  travelling  in  &e  East,  and  has  been  favouring  the  general  public  with 
his  experiences  and  impreesions.  The  heated  atmoaphere  and  strange  surronndings 
of  the  generally  genial  Frofeeeor  seem  to  have  somewhat  injuriously  aSecbed  bim, 
as  witueas  the  following ; — '  I  went  twice  to  the  sepulchral  residence  of  Tih,  whai 
at  Cairo ;  and  I  advise  you  to  do  the  same  when  you  come  here.  It  is  beUec 
always  to  see  one  good  thing  twice  tban  two  indifferent  things  once.  Tih,  whom 
you  will  see  at  full  length,  standing  nprigbt  in  beautiful  red  habiliments,  in  the 
musenm  at  Boulak,  waa  a  priest  of  tiie  Egyptian  Chnroh,  bdonging  to  one  of  the 
oldest  dynasties,— the  sixth  of  Hanetbo's  thirty, — and  extencSng  far  back'iato 
hoary  time,  ages  before  Abraham  and  Isaac  and  all  the  patriarchs  were  dreamed 
of  in  Creadon.  A  prieat  he  was  of  that  comfortable,  prosperous,  dignified,  and 
altogether  respectable  type  which  you  meet  with  so  frequently  in  the  Chnrch  td 


liUXiwi**  MONTHIiT  BETBOSFEOT.  287 

EDgl&nd  (with  which  Church,  iodeed,  the  ancient  Egyptian  Church,  as  you  will 
find  it  described  in  Diodorus,  hsd  many  things  in  common,  and  which  I  never 
come  BcroM  without  giTing  a  quiet  corae  to  the  brutality  of  Dissenters,  who  find 
t,  [deaeare  in  distorbiug  the  social  amenities,  moral  proprieties,  and  intellectual 
dignities  of  so  respectable  a  thing).' 

It  ia  beet  in  certain  drcumstances  not  to  argne  or  expostulate.  When  Protessoi 
BlacUe  sets  his  foot  again  on  Scottish  soil,  he  will  know  as  well  as  anybody  that 
vhea  a  man  gires  way  to  corsing,  it  is  B  sign  that  he  has  lost  his  temper,  or  is  not 
quite  certain  of  his  cause, 

BIBLE  CIECDLATION. 

The  argmnent  of  the.  man  whose  eyes  Christ  bad  opfflied  ia  one  which  cannot  he 
resisted  or  gainsaid.  A  bad  man  ia  not  likely  to  do  a  good  work,  lie  tree  is 
known  by  its  fruit.  Thia  applies  with  special  force  to  the  word  of  Giod.  Critics 
To&j  endsBTOur  to  discover  discrepancies  of  to  point  oat  blemishes,  but  wherever 
it  is  circulated  and  acted  on  it  leads  to  the  most  blessed  results. 

We  rejoice,  therefore,  at  the  very  encouraging  report  of  the  National  Bible 
Society  (J  Scotland  for  the  psst  year.  Its  funds  are  flourishing,  the  circuiation  of 
Bibles  by  it  has  largely  increased.  Its  receipts  for  the  year  1877  were  £^8,S03, 
15a.  4d.',  while  it  has  drcnlated,  in  various  languages  and  in  many  lands,  861,192 
wwes  of  the  Scriptures,  being  52,865  more  than  in  the  preceding  year. 

The  report  also  ^ves  gratifying  accounts  of  good  accomplished  oy  means  of  the 
reading  of  the  Bibles  or  conversations  with  the  colporteurs,  and  condudes  in  the 
foUowing  hopeful  strain : — 

'  The  directors  are  peisuaded  that  the  foregoing  record  will  be  received  by  the 
lociety  with  safUfaction  and  thanksgiving.  In  a  year  of  wide^uead  conunercial 
depteSBion,  and  in  which  various  extraprdinary  claims  hare  been  generously 
rtsponded  to  by  Scottish  givers,  the  income  has  reached  the  highest  point  yet 
attained.  In  aggressive  missionaTy  work  in  foreign  lands  there  has  been  an 
advance  along  almost  the  whole  line.  The  new  version  of  Scripture  sent  fortb, 
the  expansion  of  the  Austrian,  German,  and  Spanish  agencies,  tbe  colportage 
among  the  Russian  troops,  the  appointment  of  nx  new  agents  to  Cbiua,  the  hopeful 
beginning  of  work,  in  India  and  Japan,  tbe  issoe  of  361,192  copies  or  parts  of 
Scripture  (182,257  in  foreign  couutnes),  would  alone  soihce  to  make  the  year 
memoiaUe. 

"The  fatnre,  too,  is  full  of  promise.  A  great  opportunity  seems  opening  before 
the  aodety-  Ultramontane  difbculties  have  been  averted  in  France  ;  and  though 
tiiey  now  threaten  in  Spain,  it  may  be  hoped  that  there,  too,  they  will  pass  away, 
in  order,  it  Eoajbe,  to  usher  in  still  greater  freedom  than  that  under  which  314,104 
copies  of  Scripture  have  been  circulated  in  that  couutry  unce  the  Revolution  of 
>w8.  A  spirit  of  inquiry  is  abroad  in  Roman  Catholic  lands  which  cannot  find 
rest  in  the  negations  of  scepticism ;  while  on  some  dark  places  of  heathenism  the 
Son  of  Righteousness  seems  now  rising  with  healing  in  His  wings. 

'  The  distinctively  minionary  cbaracter  and  tendencies  of  Bible  Society  work 
are  becoming  more  fully  recognised  at  home.  To  thia  tbe  directors  ascribe  in  no 
amsll  d^ree  ths  spreading  interest,  if  not  enthusiaam,  they  have  rejoiced  to  mark 
in  various  quarters  of  Scotland  this  ^ear.  It  is  seen  that  tie  society's  true  charter 
ot  incorporation  ia  found  jn  the  Saviour's  last  command,  "  Qo,  teach  all  natdons." 
That  not  only  is  the  Book  itself  a  missionary,  but  that  (he  men  who  sell  and 
circulate  it,  speaking  in  different  tongues,  proclaim,  in  their  measure  and  degree, 
with  one  hesjt  the  glad  tidings  of  great  loy  which  shall  be  to  all  people.  "  The 
real  evangeUats  of  Spain,"  says  one  who  knows  them  and  it  well,  "  are  its  godly 
colporteurs."  -  And  the  word  holds  good  not  only  of  the  Roman  Catholic  countries 
of  the  Continent^  bub  of  the  regions  bOTond.  Ifore  than  two  hundred  such 
nuBsionarieB,  from  the  Mediterranean  to  tho  Iidaod  Sea  of  Japan,  are  now  in  tbe 
aociety's  service.  Would  that  they  were  more  in  the  thoughts  and  prayers  of 
those  who  send  them  forth !  They  are  beset  by  peculiar  and  constant  triala 
Here  and  tba«  one  foils,  and  anoUier  ia  found  lacking ;  hut  as  a  whole  they  are 
faithful  to  their  trust,  and  not  a  few  have  been  honoured  to  do  work  for  God  the 
full  value  and  issues  of  which  only  tbe  great  day  will  declare.' 


KOHTHLT  BETBOflPEOT. 


THE  MEETING  OF  SYNOD. 


Thb  meetiiig  of  Synod  was  held  this  year  id  the  AMembly  Hall  of  tbe  Free  Churcli. 
Thia  coorteiy  on  the  part  of  the  Free  Chorcb  will  be  much  aroreciated,  ud 
atuongBt  otiier  things  shows  how  good  the  ODdentandiDg  ajid  kindly  the  feeling 
Uiat  exists  between  the  two  denomiDations.  If  we  are  not  one  formaUy,  we  ue 
aaauredly  one  in  a  Terf  real  sense  of  the  word. 

It  is  always  grati^fing  when  the  Moderator  for  tbe  year  is  elected  In-  the  onsni- 
inous  voice  of  the  Synod.  It  was  so  on  tbe  present  occasion.  The  <»Loice  of  the 
whole  Boose  fell  at  once  and  most  cordially  on  Mr.  Groom  of  LaarisUin  Pltee 
Chnrch,  Edinburgh.  Mr.  Croom  is  one  of  the  most  loveable  and  beat  beloved  of 
men,  and  powerfm  of  preachers.  Bis  taste  and  his  strength  have  not  lain  in  the 
direction  of  Church  politics.  Be  has  never  aimed  at  being  an  ecclesiastical  leader. 
His  great  power  has  been  exercised  in  the  pal[Ht.     Earnest,  BTaogetical,  effective 

E aching,  together  with  the  fsithfally  discharged  duties  of  the  pastorate,  have  ever 
n  held  in  high  esteem  in  the  United  Preshyterian  Chnreh,  and  have  been 
amongst  the  most  potent  influences  in  helping  her  forward  to  iJie  honourable  posi- 
tion which  she  now  oecapies  amongst  the  Churches  of  the  land.  And  in  elevatiDg 
Mr.  Croom  to  the  Moderator's  cbair,  it  was  meant  to  give  vary  emphatic  annoance- 
ment  of  the  Church's  appreciation  of  these  qualities,  as  coDsi^cuouely  possessed 
and  illustrated  by  him. 

.  In  turning  to  the  business  before  llie  Synod,  we  find  much,  of  course,  with 
which  we  have  grown  familiar,— reports  of  work  done  and  schemes  in  operation. 
It  was  gratifying  to  observe  that,  notwithstanding  the  deep  depression  of  trade 
during  recent  months,  scarcely  any  seheme  had  suffered.  -  In  the  matter  of 
Christian  hberality,  considering  the  great  increase  of  monej'  in  the  land,  and  tbe 
ample  poBsesaions  of  many  of  oar  members,  it  cannot  be  said  we  have  already 
attained,  or  are  already  perfect ;  bnt  progress  is  to  be  thankfully  noted,  and  in 
respect  of  giving,  assuredly  the  former  times  were  not  better  than  these. 

Doubtless  the  two  questions  in  which  the  ehiefest  interest  of  this  year's  proceed- 
ings centred  were  the  report  of  the  Revision  Committee,  and  the  references  irora 
the  Presbytery  of  Glasgow  in  regard  to  tbe  case  of  libel  whii^  has  so  long  and 
anxiously  occupied  them.  The  intense  interest  fell  in  regard  to  thelatter  was  seen 
in  tbe  crowded  state  of  tbe  House  when  it  ctune  on.  Every  available  seat  was 
occupied,  and  the  doors  of  the  Traces  set  apart  for  the  public  were  besieged  by  an 
eager  throng.  At  one  time,  indeed,  the  disturbance  arising  from  this  was  so  great 
that  it  cauB»l  much  annoyaitce  to  spellers,  and  hindered  tbe  business  of  the  Court. 
If  this  was  the  case  in  such  a  large  and  commodious  building  as  the  Free  Assembly 
Hall,  what  must  it  not  have  been  bad  the  proeeedingsbeen  conducted  in  our  usoal 
place  of  meeting  1 

It  is  matter  for  profomid  gratitade  that  libels,  either  tor  heresy  or  immorality, 
ate  but  little  known  amon^  us,  generally  B{H«aring  at  intervab  so  distant  as 
to  have  become  mere  memories  on  the  part  of  the  older,  and  things  nnknowc  on 
the  part  of  the  younger  members  of  the  Court ;  and  therefore  our  regret  st  time 
wasted  in  finding  or  making  or  adjusting  proper  forms  of  procedure  is  greatly 
lessened.  It  has  been  said,  '  Wbere  ignorance  is  Uiss,  'tis  folly  to  be  wise  ; '  and 
we  are  not  careful  to  gain  knowledge  in  this  matter  by  large  experience- 
Connected  with  the  present  case  are  many  feaiures  of  great  interest,  but  on 
these,  in  connection  with  its  prosecution  befrare  the  Supreme  Court,  the  late  period 
of  the  month  to  which  it  has  extended  prevents  us  entering,  even  briefly.  But  it 
may  be  noted  that,  however  diverae  might  be  the  opinions  of  brethren  as  to  Mr, 
Ferguson's  doctrinal  teaching,  there  was  only  one  as  to  bis  high  character  and 
great  intellectual  power.  And  whilst  the  decision  ultimately  orriTed  at,  restoring 
him  to  his  ministerial  position  in  tbe  Chnrch,  was  not  nnaUimons^  yet  the  opposite 
motion  was  not  such  as  precluded  tim  decisicoi  being  reached,  only  at  a  later  dote. 


UNITED  PRESBYTERIAN    MAGAZINE. 


JULY    1.    1878 


(Bx'isinul   "^xticltB. 


THE  LATE  DR.  EADIE.* 
This  work  reflects  mach  credit  on  Dr.  Brown.  It  ia  lovingly  and  well  done. 
Throngh  its  every  page  shines  a  warm  friendship ;  and  all  its  parts  speak  of 
cordial  aSectiOD,  deepened  and  intensified  by  close  intimacy.  Dr.  Brovro 
evidently  knew  Eadie  as  the  lion  of  a  commnriion  season  at  CntnDock ;  hence 
the  almost  idyl-like  deacription,  which,  although  QDdnly  lengthened,  mnst 
be  heartily  welcomed  by  all  who  know  the  delights  of  snch  high  seasons. 
The  admiration  of  the  maase  boy  grows  into  the  enthnsiastic  lore  of  the 
college  stndent,  the  deeper  affection  of  the  Bible  class  member,  the  freedom 
of  the  welcome  visitor,  and,  toward  the  close,  that  reciprocal  esteem  which 
nsembles  more  the  incerconrse  of  '  brothers'  than  the  relation  of  ministec 
and  member  or  professor  and  stndent.  Whatever  else  the  anthor  has  fitting 
him  for  his  work,  he  most  undoubtedly  does  not  lack  trne  appreciation  of 
his  aabject.  To  know  Eadie  at  bis  best,  yoi;  required  to  be  among  those 
who  had  the  entrde  into  the  '  more  sacred  retreat,  into  which  only  special 
friends  were  admitted.  This  was  a  smoking-room  on  the  second  floor.  It 
^  had  its  walls  lined  with  books,  but  it  was  never  visit«d  except  at  night, 
vhen  working  hours  were  past.  Then  it  became  the  scene  of  many  a  lively 
talk,  and  of  much  hearty  laughter,  as  gradually  the  air  grew  denser  and 
more  fragrant.'  ~At  such  times  one  saw  before  him  the  rollicking  ^  Alva  • 
boy,'  still  redolent  of  the  hills,  the  city  minister  full  of  sympathy  with  all 
ranks  and  classes,  the  professor  ready  to  canvass  any  new  opinion,  and  the 
man  of  letters  relishing  the  unbeodiDg  of  well-earned  rest.  To  say  that  the 
book  before  us  shall  fulQI  the  expectations  of  those  who  so  knew  Eadie,  or 
of  those  who  know  Dr.  Brown  by  his  Scottish  Probationer,  would  be  to 
hold  out  hopes  doomed  to  disappointment.  EeuUc  was  not  a  Davidson.  He 
kept  DO  journal;  only  by  a  figure  of  speech  could  he  be  said  to  write  lett«rs. 
And  while  he  was  by  no  means  reluctant  to  speak  of  his  early  struggles  and 
bis  later  work,  yet  for  a  biographer  there  was  very  scant  material. 

Again,  although  essentially  a  simple  man,  Eadie  had  many  sides.     As  his 

face  wore  many  expressions,  and  made  it  hard  to  get  a  good  photograph  of 

him,  so   his  character  had  a  great  variety  of  aspects  to  different  men. 

While  it  was  not  difficult  to  get  many  cartes,  all  like  him,  only  one  or  two 

■  Lift  B/Joh»  Eadie,  D.D.,  LL.D.    Bf  James  Brown,  D.D.    Miuimillsa  ft  Co. 

HO.  VII.  VOL.  XXII,  HBW  SEIUBS. — JUL!  IBM.  T 


,290  THE  I^TB  DB.  EADIE.  ""'jS/T'm?'*'' 

Etmck  yon  as  being  trae  likeoeesee  of  the  man  yoa  koew.  So  is  it  with  this 
book,  there  is  a  great  deal  of  Eadie  in  it ;  and  if  any  ODe  feels  that  Bomething 
else  or  something  more  should  be  there,  he  will  readily  acknowledge  that  the 
esplaoation  lies  on  the  side  of  the  sabject  rather  than  of  the  biographer. 

Qladly.  then,  we  tnm  to  its  pages  for  an  outline  of  the  lif& 

John  Eadie  was  boro  on  the  9th  of  May  ISIO,  at  Alra,  thea  a  small 
hamlet  nestling  at  the  foot  of  the  Ochil  hills,  now  a  town  of  4000  inhabitants. 
Here  he  was  enrronDded  by  many  infinences  calcnlated  to  stir  and  ennoble. 
Thundering  frcwi  the  castle  of  Stirling  may  be  heard  at  Alva  the  booming 
of  cannon  on  high  holiday,  which  still  serves  to  initiate  the  young  into  the 
history  of  the  battles  of  Falkirk,  BaDnockbnm,  and  Stirling,  and  kindles  in 
the  breast  the  first  sp^k  of  patriotism.  Behind  are  the  Ochils,  with  their 
'  steep  crags,'  deep  ravines,  and  winding  streams,  which  serve  to  beget  a 
love  of  adventure,  and  develope  yonthfnl  strength.  In  the  street  or 
'  raw '  nearest  to  the  hills  was  Eadie  bom,  snd  many  a  scamper  over  their 
aides  had  he  in  pnranit  of  hla  favourite  birds.  The  house  still  stands,  and 
until  lately  a  well  by  its  side  marked  out  the  spot  where  '  Maister  Eadie' 
was  bom.  In  later  years,  an  unfailing  question  of  Eadie'a  to  any  Alva 
friend  was, '  Is  Eadie's  well  still  rnnning  T '  Many  stories  of  yonng  Eadie 
still  live  in  the  memories  of  the  older  people.  Tbey  tell  of  his  aged  father 
and  his  comely  wife,  from  the  latter  of  whom  Eadie  not  only  inherited  his 
beantiful  lady-like  face,  bat  his  mental  power.  They  can  recall  his  pions 
uncle  and  his  wonderful  prayers,  on  whose  loom  yonng  Eadie  used  to  try 
the  weaving.  With  pride  they  tell  of  their  youthful  companion's  'soDsy 
ways,'  his  poverty  and  willingness  to  share  the  hnmblest  fare,  his  power  o! 
memory,  his  gift  of  speech,  his  habits  in  the  college  recess,  and  his  ilrst 
attempts  at  public  speaking.  All  this  is  well  summed  up  by  Dr.  Browa 
'  The  old  people  of  Alva  have  before  them  a  vivid  picture  of  a  fair-haired 
boy,  tall  for  his  years,  dressed  in  a  kilt  somewhat  scant  in  length,  wandering 
about,  trapping  birds  with  a  riddle  in  his  father's  garden,  harnessing  his 
mother's  cat  to  a  ceu-J^  of  his  own  making,  hunting  rabbits  on  the  hill,  sbow- 
ing  prodigious  power  of  memory  and  early  gifts  of  speech,  which  were  often 
exercised,  they  say,  in  mimic  preachings  to  his  companions  from  the  head  of 
a  stair  in  the  "  Butterha'."  It  is  the  testimony  of  all  that  his  mischief  was 
bnocent  He  was  ■'  nae  fecht«r,"  "  naebody  ever  saw  him  angry,"  "  a'body 
liked  him."  He  loved  every  living  thii^.  He  then  formed  the  tastes  which 
'  never  left  him,  and  especially  did  bis  love  of  birds  remain.  The  Alva  people 
who  called  on  him  were  at  once  taken  back  to  the  little  village  and  pat 
through  a  rnnning  catechism  about  all  the  village  worthies,  his  old  hannls 
and  former  friends.  He  was  an  "  A'va  bairn  "  to  the  end,  and  the  question 
he  pnt  to  an  Alva  boy  within  a  few  days  of  his  death  revealed  how  deeply 
rooted  were  his  old  tastes.  "  Can  yon  tell  me  how  to  know  a  cock  from  b 
hen  mavis?  I  don't  know  yet." 

'  When  he  went  to  the  country  to  open  a  church  or  assist  at  a  aacrsment 
in  spring  or  early  summer,  his  first  inquiry  of  the  children  in  the  manse  was 
as  to  the  birds'  nests  they  had  fonnd  in  the  garden.  He  would  ask  to  see 
them ;  and  when  all  that  had  been  discovered  had  been  shown,  he  wonld 
begin  to  search  for  more,  and,  to  the  astonishment  of  the  yonugsters,  who 
thought  thdr  search  had  been  exhaustive,  would  bring  to  light  many  of  the 
existence  of  which  tbey  had  never  dreamed.' 

Eadie's  education  began  In  a  very  bumble  way,  at  a  sttwfi  earlier  than  Dr- 
Brown  records.  The  young  urchins  oE  the  village  were  first  confided  to  s 
spinster,  by  name  '  Mt^gie  Dickie,'  who  gathered  them  into  her  house  as  a 


'""3'^T^^^'^'  THE  LATE  DB.  EADIE.  291 

school,  where  ahe  contrived  to  carry  oa  her  pedagogic  &sd  domestic  daties 
simnltaiieOQEly.  The  cmricnliiia  consisted  of  the  alphabet,  the  '  carritcb,' 
and  the  Proverha.  When  any  of  her  tender  charge  came  face  to  face  with 
a  difficult  word,  her  easy  method  of  mastering  it  was  to  say, '  Ay,  that'a  a 
lang-neb ;  pass  by,  laddie.'  From  this  primitive  seminary  Eadie  passed  into 
the  parish  school,  tanght  for  several  generatioas  by  Mr.  Riddocb.  Here  he 
ehowed  the  Grst  signs  of  his  love  for  langaages,  and  his  '  wonderful  memory 
begao  to  excite  admiration.'  Latin  was  his  favourite  stndy ;  and  his  great 
hoaoar  and  pride  on  an  examination  day  waa  to  read  and  translate  the 
inscription  in  that  laognage  which  is  still  to  be  foand  on  a  marble  slab  on 
the  east  gable  of  the  parish  cbnrch,  under  which  lie  the  remains  of  a  former 
incDmbetit.  About  this  time,  Mr.  Browning  of  Tillicoultry, — whose  ministry 
Eadie's  mother  attended, — od  a  pastoral  visitation,  was  strack  with  the  boy's 
powers.  This  was  the  turning-point  in  Eadie's  history.  Much  of  his  after 
fame  can  be  traced  to  the  influence  of  Mr.  Browning.  Under  the  tuition  of 
liie  mmisterial  teacher  he  caught  his  enthuaiasm  for  learning  and  thorongh- 
nees  of  work.  Mr,  Browning  was  no  ordinary  man ;  he  was  a  etern 
disciplinarian,  and  boys  incorrigible  in  other  hands  learned  docility  under 
his.  Eadie  stood  in  awe  of  his  old  mester  even  after  he  was  made  a  pro- 
fessor, and  he  nsed  to  tell  what  tremor  came  over  him  when  be.  saw  his 
qwmdoBt  teacher  one  day  among  the  worshippers  in  Cambridge  Street 
Church.  This  is  not  difGcuU  'to  explain.  Mr.  Browning  had  a  way  of  his 
own,  and  a  will  of  tremendous  power.  The  one  word  to  characterize  his 
system  is — thoroughness.  He  gave  short  lessons,  but  they  required  to  be 
learned  in  every  letter.  His  boya  were  kept  writing  large-test '  pot-hooks '  as 
long  as  they  were  with  him;  hence  bis  chagrin  at  being  unable  to  drill  Eadie 
ont  oE  hia  scrawling.  '  Man,  you'll  never  be  a  writer,  your  fingers  are  too 
long.'  Mr.  Browning's  classes  met  early  in  the  morning,  and  this  afforded 
Eadie  an  opportunity  for  one  of  hia  feats  of  memory.  '  On  winter  mornings 
lie  bad  to  start  before  daybreak,  bst  he  provided  himself  with  a  blazing 
tarred  rope,  .which  he  carried  in  one  hand,  while  hia  copy  of  Paradke  Lost 
was  in  the  other.  It  seems  to  me  that  there  ia  hardly  a  finer  picture  in 
literary  history  than  that  of  the  quarrier's  son — destined  to  r^se  himself  to 
a  foremost  place  among  the  scholars  and  divines  of  his  native  country-^ 
finding  hia  way  along  the  foot  of  the  OchilsT  in  the  dark  of  the  winter 
mornings,  made  darker  by  the  shadow  of  the  bills  and  of  the  overhanging' 
trees  of  Alva  woods,  reading  Milton's  great  epic  in  the  light  of  a  blEiziug 
tarred  rope.  Kor  was  it  a  careless  reading,  serving  only  to  shorten  the  long 
wioter  walk.  The  poem  was  so  read  that  it  fixed  itself  in  the  memory  of  the 
boy,  and  for  many  years  be  was  able  to  repeat  it,  line  by  line,  and  book  by  , 
book,  from,  beginning  to  end.'  When  asked  if  he  really  had  committed 
Milton's  epic  in  later  days,  he  used  to  say  in  his  oS-hand  way,  '  Oh  yes,  I 
could  repeat  most  of  it  yet.'  This  work,  however,  did  not  pass  without  a 
lieavy  penalty.  That  tarred  rope,  while  it  made  bright  the  pages  of  Milton, 
and  chased  the  darkness  from  the  schoolboy's  path,  caused  Eadie  through 
life  to  labour  under  the  disadvantage  of  near  or  short  sightedneaa.  His 
voracious  appetito  for  books,  combined  with  his  rapid  reading, — whan  reading 
a  book  ha  seemed  to  see  the  contents  of  a  p^e  at  a  glance,  while  no  sooner 
bad  be  turned  one  page  than  the  finger  of  the  right  hand  was  od  the  next, 
and  to  an  onlooker  hiB  reading  seemed  to  consist  of  turning  the  leaves, — 
carried  on  in  the  Tillicoultry  daya  with  insufficient  light,  injured  his  eye»ght, 
which  gradually  grew  worse,  until  at  the  end  of  his  days,  amidst  his  ^maity 
infirmities,'  perhaps  his  saddest  complaiut  was  that  be  conld  not  see,'  aid 


292  THE  LATE  DB.  BADIE.  ^""SS/Vwl"^ 

could  not  get  spectacles  to  suit.  It  was  something  to  watch  his  eye  as  he 
read,  and  mark  the  rapidity  of  its  movementa.  PerhapB  no  man  in  modem 
days,  except  Macanlay,  read  so  macb  as  Eadie,  and  this  acconnts  for  the 
freshness  of  his  style,  and  his  beUig  en  rapport  with  every  department  of 
literature. 

Here,  too,  he  wa£  aided  by  a  wonderful  memory.  He  nerer  seemed  to 
forget  anything  he  had  read  or  heard.  His  capacious  memory  seemed  to 
retain  e»erything  put  tato  it.  He  could  repeat  sermons  he  had  heard,  and 
rehearEed  a  scrap  of  Gaelic  be  had  learned  when  a  student,  dnriog  his  last 
visit  to  the  Synod.  Get  him  started  on  family  connectionsj  and  he  appeared 
to  know  every  member  of  almost  all  the  circle  he  knew,  and  could  tell  how 
and  where  they  had  married  and  settled.  And,  strange  to  relate,  his  memory 
had  freaks  of  her  own.  In  visiting,  he  would  ring  the  door  bell  and  forget 
the  name  before  the  door  was  opened ;  and  in  th^  Hall  it  was  amusing  to  see 
him  floooder  when  wishing  to  recall  one  of  the  most  familiar  liible  names, 
aod  be  compelled  to  seize  his  Bible  and  turn  up  .the  place  where  it  occurred. 

At  the  age  of  sixteen  Eadie  went  to  Glasgow  University.  Here  he  was 
no  prize-taker,  nor  m  any  way  did  he  take  a  distinguished  place.  He  was 
too  fond  of  reading  to  spend  all  his  time  on  class  work,  while  his  poverty 
debarred  him  from  the  advantages  needful  for  a  brilliant  college  career. 
During  his  Arts  curriculum  he  got  into  great  difficulties,  partly  through  his 
poverty,  partly  because  his  faith  had  got  shakes.  He  lounged  aboat  Alva 
for  a  time,  fall  of  uncertamty,  and  to  all  appearance  on  the  point  of  becom- 
ing a  failure.  Mr.  Browoiog  once  more  came  to  his  assistance,  took  him  to 
act  as  tutor  in  his  school,  and  after  a  time  Eadie  resumed  his  studies. 
StruggUng  bravely  with  his  poverty,  many  had  the  will,  but  few  the  ability 
to  help  him  ;  but  what  they  could  many  of  his  admirers  did.  Eadie  never 
forgot  this  period,  nor  was  he  ashamed  of  it.  '  He  never,  indeed,  boasted  of 
it,  as  some  suscessfnl  men  are  apt  to  do,  and  only  referred  to  any  incident 
ilinetrative  of  it  when  there  was  in  the  incident  an  element  of  humonr  to 
make  it  worth  the  telhng.  One  such  incident  most  of  his  intimate  friends 
have  heard  him  give.  His  shoes  were  sadly  worn,  and  be  could  not  afford 
to  pay  a  shoemaker  for  their  repair.  But  there  was  a  fellow-student  having 
^ome  knowledge  of  the  art  of  cobbhng,  who  was  in  distress  about  a  Latin 
theme.  He  applied  to  Eadie  for  help.  A  bargain  was  made.  They  went 
together  to  a  shop  where  they  bonght  as  mnch  leather  as  was  needed,  and 
then,  retiring  to  the  lodgings  of  one  of  them,  and  shutting  the  door,  worked 
each  at  the  task  for  which  his  early  training  had  fitted  him,  the  result  being 
that  they  came  forth,  Eadte  wearing  his  newly-soled  shoes,  and  his  friend 
carrymg  in  his  pocket  the  Latin  theme.' 

A  similar  story  to  this  is  told  of  Eadie's  student  friend  Gilfillan.  Tbe 
two  reached  Alva  together  from  the  Hall.  George's  shoes  were  unable  to 
carry  him  to  Comrie.  A  member  of  his  father's  congregation  was  in  the 
district,  who  knew  something  of  shoe-leather.  Being  well  acquiCinted  with 
the  two  young  but  needy  divines,  he  arranged  to  have  his  Comrie  brother 
shod,  and  was  thereafter  repaid  by  seeing  the  poetic  soul  of  Gilfillan  soar 
far  away  above  all  sublunary  things,  as,  standing  in  front  of  tbe  roaring 
waters  of  the  Alva  fall,  he  declaimed  some  choice  pieces  at  the  height  of  his 
stentorian  voice. 

About  this  time  the  temperance  movement  began.  Mr.  Browning  threw 
himself  into  it  with  all  bis  wonted  enthusiasm.  The  result  was  that  more 
demands  were  made  on  his  services  than  his  strength  and  tune  could  meet 
To  help  on  the  good  cause,  he  called  in  the  assistance  of  Eadie,  who  there- 


"■STrSn."""^  THE  LATE  DH.  EADIE.  293 

after  freqnentlj  and  ably  lectured.  In  coonectioD  with  this  movement  he 
addressed  maoj  aodieoces,  and  the  first  time  he  spoke  from  a  palpit  nas  in 
this  way,  and  that  pulpit  was  Samael  OilRllan's.  Eadie  accompanied  a 
friend  to  Gomrie,  bis  reputation  aa  a  speaker  oozed  out,  and  he  waa  asked 
to  lecture.  This  be  consented  to  do,  on  the  one  condition  that  he  shonld  get 
the  nae  of  the  pulpit.  Among  the  Old  Seceders,  and  specially  the  Anti- 
borghers,  no  such  laxity  obtained  about  student-preaching  as  we  have  in 
these  days,  and  to  get  into  a  pulpit  before  being  licensed  was  almost 
nnknown.  But  besides  lecturii^,  Eadie  gained  on  this  visit  a  repntation  for 
nearly  all  his  characteristics.  His  memory  astonished  the  villagers.  Ee 
assisted  to  beam  a  web ;  and  when  some  of  the  decent  folks  thought  be  should 
be  gettmg  up  his  lecture,  be  amused  himself  by  cleaning  an  old  gun,  and 
going  out  to  shoot  crows.  In  his  native  village  his  fame  as  an  orator  grew 
apace.  He  gave  a  conrse  of  lectures  in  the  parish  school,  and  finished  it,  to 
the  chagrin  of  the  Church  and  Tory  party,  by  deseerating  it  with  a  defence 
of  those  carrying  on  the  Voluntary  controversy.  But  he  fairly  won  his 
spurs  at  the. passing  of  the  Reform  Bill  in  1832.  A  general  rejoicing  fol- 
lowed the  passing  of  the  measure,  and  at  it  Eadie  '  delivered  an  oration  the 
echoes  of  which  are  still  lingering  about  the  hill-foots  after  the  lapse  of  five- 
aud-forty  years.  The  effect  it  produced  on  the  audience  was  .  .  .  that 
they  laid  hold  of  Eadie,  chaired  him,  and  carried  him  in  triumphal  proces- 
sion through  the  town.  The  women,  that  they  might  not  be  behind  the 
men  whose  stalwart  shoulders  bad  borne  the  hero  of  the  day,  organized  a 
subscription  and  presented  him  with  a  plaid.  This  was  the  way  the  women 
of  Alva  took  to  express  the  feeling — e:xpressed  by  the  women  of  Israel  in 
song  and  dance — toward  the  rnddy  youth  who  represented  to  them  the 
slayer  of  the  Qoliath  of  oppression.' 

Over  the  early  years  we  cannot  longer  linger,  although  the  temptation  is 
great.  The  opening  chapters  are  intensely  interesting,  and  they  serve  to 
show  that  in  Eadie's  case  '  the  boy  was  father  of  the  man.' 

Having  saccessfnlly  fought  his  hard  battle  with  the  res  angvsta  d(mi,  and 
finished  his  five  sessions  at  the  Hall, '  John  Eadie  was  licensed  to  preach  the 
gospel  on  24th  March  1835.'  He  preached  his  first  sermon  in  Ediubargh  in 
very  trying  circnmstances.  His  brave  and  loving  mother,  who  had  nobly 
striven  with  her  son,  lay  domi  to  die  so  soon  as  the  battle  was  over.  He 
left  her  bedside  on  Saturday,  went  through  the  trying  ordeal  on  Sabbath, 
and  on  Monday  he  hurried  home  to  see  his  dying  mother.  The  villagers 
tell  that,  finding  the  room  where  she  lay  crowded  with  sympathizing  neigh- 
bours, he  asked  them  all  to  leave,  and  then  he  prayed  with  her.  She,  not' 
nuderatanding  why  he  should  be  unwilling  to  engage  in  the  exercise  in  pre- 
sence of  the  neighbonrs,  and  referring  to  some  break-down  at  the  close, 
through  overcoming  emotion,  looked  up  and  said,  when  he  had  finished, 
'  John,  ye  began  your  prayer  wi'  shame,  and  ye  ended  it  wi'  shame.'  The 
niece  who  waa  nursing  her  replied, '  Na,  na,  aunty,  ye  hae  had  mony  prayers 
offered  for  yon,  but  nane  like  your  son's.'     She  died  '  that  night.' 

Eadie  came  forth  from  the  '  sanctuary  of  suffering '  to  begin  his  probation  ; 
and  who  that  knew  the  man  can  doubt  that  from  this  period  be  felt  himself 
sustamed  by  a  firmer  confidence  in  God,  and  was  conscious  of  being  urged 
on  by  nobler  impulses  and  purer  aspirations  in  the  prosecution  of  his  work  F 
He  realized  the  trnth  and  pathos  of  the  Psalmist's  statement,  '  When  my 
father  and  my  mother  forsake  me,  then  the  Lord  will  take  me  up.'  Three 
months  after  he  was  liceused,  be  wa§  called,  and  in  three  more  ordained  as 
minister  of  Cambridge  Street,  Glasgow.     In  this  the  will  of  Providence  and 


294  THE  LATE  DB.  BADIE.  ^""ifS,^;^"'^ 

his  own  tastes  were  at  one.  Although  a  trae  lover  of  the  conntry,  he  felt 
that  the  city  was  his  proper  sphere.  A  compsDion,  who  knew  his  ififficnlties 
as  a  student,  in  passing  a  small  raral  Seceder  cbarch,  pointed  it  oat  to 
Eadie,  and  said,  <  I  wish  I  saw  yon  minister  of  a  kirk  like  that.'  '  A  kirk  | 
like  that ! '  was  the  reply ;  '  I  mnst  be  settled  in  Edinburgh  or  Qlasgon.'  He 
did  not  despise  small  ohorches ;  and  thronghoat  life  he  dehghted  in  help- 
ing the  weaker  congregations,  and  one  of  the  happiest  speeches  reported  in 
the  memoir  was  delivered  in  the  chnrch  referred  to. 

*  It's  in  John  Eadie,  if  he  brings  it  oat,'  said  Mr.  Browniog  to  inqalrers  I 
frqm  GFlaggow.  Now  John  Eadie,  as  mioister  of  Cambridge  Street,  eet  i 
himself  right  manfally  to  '  bring  it  oot.'  He  never  used  manuscript  in  the 
pulpit ;  carefully  wrote  and  committed  both  lectnre  and  sermon  for  years. 
So  great  was  the  strain  that  '  he  never  breakfasted  on  Sabbath  morning' 
He  literally  did  not  break  bread  till  the  forenoon  service  was  over,  and  then 
he  only  took  a  dry  crust  and  a  glass  of  water  to  sastain  him  for  the  after- 
noon. '  He  wrought  very  bard ;  he  once  gave  us  a  great  fright.  The  ser- 
vant went  into  the  parlour  on  Sabbath  morning  to  prepare  it  for  breakfast, 
and  there  was  the  fire  burning,  and  Mr.  Eadie  lying  all  his  length  on  the 
rug  before  it.  She  spoke  to  him,  bnt  he  did  not  answer,  and  she  ran  away 
to  her  master  in  a  great  state  of  excitement.  "  Ohj  Mr.  M'Innes,  I  think  Mr. 
Eadie's  deed ! "  William  came  and  roused  him ;  he  had  not  been  in  bed  at 
all,  and  he  had  just  fallen  asleep.'  As  a  pastor  he  was  equally  faithfol. 
The  poor,  sick,  and  mourning  were  his  special  care.  He  knew  his  people; 
they  '  snited  him,  and  he  suited  them, — he  was,  and  without  knowing  it,  so 
thoroughly  brotherly.'  He  never  made  any  one  feel  that  he  was  condescend- 
ing. His  living  interest  in  man  was  spontaneous,  hence  the  explanation  that 
all  who  knew  him  claimed  him  for  a  friend. 

In  fiible  class  work  he  was  particularly  at  home.  He  had  a  great  intere&l 
in  the  young,  and  with  them  was  a  great  man  and  kind  friend.  The  result 
of  ten  years  of  such  work  was  that  the  church  required  to  be  enlarged, 
'In  the  last  return  he  made,  the  membership  is  stated  to  be  1105.'  BuildiDg 
np  the  church  in  the  truest  sense,  froit  soon  appeared  in  the  way  of  mis- 
sionary enterprize  among  his  people.  Eadie  superintended  every  department 
of  such  work,  and  often  conducted  services  in  the  mission  districts.  ■  Work 
of  this  kind  soon  revealed  the  want  of  education,  and  here  we  have  the  secret  of 
his  great  interest  in  educational  nratterg.  He  did  what  he  could  to  supplj 
schools  for  the  poor,  and  in  1863  had  '  eight  schools,  with  eighty  teachers 
ahd  800  scholars.'  Joyfully  carrying  on  his  manifold  labours,  he  attracted 
the  attention  of  others,  and  from  Rose  Street,  Edinburgh,  came  two  calls, 
which  would  have  been  followed  by  a  third  had  he  not  stopped  it.  Ho  had 
no  doubt  as  to  his  decision  to  remain  in  Glasgow. 

'Bairns,  books,  birds,'  were  Eadie's  three  B's,  and  his  early  home  was 
cheered  by  them.  He  was  married  in  1836  to  Miss  Palfrey,  of  Edinbni^b, 
a  niece  of  one  of  his  kind  Alva  friends.  Five  children  gladdened  his  home ; 
but  three  of  them  died  early  in  Kfe,  and  over  the  son  who  bore  his  name 
he  mourned  with  great  grief.     His  letters  to  his  daughters  afford  a  sweet 

'  glimpse  into  his  home  Ufe,  which  was  sadly  darkened  by  the  death  of  his 
wife  in  1855.  >  His  nervous  system  was  affected.  He  used  to  sit  far  into 
the  night  in  the  little  back  parlour,  shrinking  to  go  ap-stairs.  He  told  me 
that  for  months  after  his  wife's  death  he  heard  every  night,  at  a  particular 
hour,  in  the  room  above  where  he  sat,  the  sound  of  the  .easy-chair  beins 
wheeled  from  the  bed  to  the  fireside,  just  as  he  had  been  aocnstomed  to 
hear  it  months  before.' 


""f^^wS"^^  THE  tATE  DB.  EADIE.  295 

HoQoura  camfl  to  Eadie  in  great  number,  »nd  st  a  comparatirely  earl/ 
period.  When  thirty-three  years  of  age,  he  was  chosen  professor ;  at  thirty- 
tour,  receive*  from  Glasgow  the  degree  of  LL.D. ;  at  forty,  D.D,  from  St. 
Andrews.  Although  he  never  took  much  part  in  Chnrch  conrt  work,  his 
opinion  had  great  weight ;  and  he  receired  the  highest  hononr  the  Oharch 
can  confer,  when  made  ''Moderator  of  Synod '  in  1857.  Here  he  gained  for 
himself  the  title '  model  Moderator,' becaase  of  the  order  and  despatch  with 
which  he  condncted  the  business. 

Whatever  IHr.  Eadie  did,  be  did  well ;  bnt  he  seemed  specially  '  the  right 
man  in  the  right  place '  in  the  professor's  chair. 

Here  the  best  of  tbe  man  and  the  man  at  bis  best  was  seen.  His  learning, 
hia  bnmoar,  his  geniality,  enabled  him  to  get  utd  keep  a  hold  over  bis 
students  which  was  firm  aa  it  was  loving.  We  were  all  prond  of  onr  teacher, 
and  knew  that  he  was  fond  of  as.  His  sparkhng  lectnres,  his  racy  remarks'; 
his  at  one  time  pawky,  at  another,  Bledge-hammer  criticism ;  bis  power  of 
showing  up  conceit,  bis  tenderness  in  covering  natural  defect ;  his  love  of  a 
joke,  and  his  determination  to  make  us  work ;  his  easy  despotism,  and  bis 
oataral  kindliness ;  bis  allowance  for  fun,  and  his  esteem  for  scholarship ; 
bia  praise  to  tbe  clever,  always  duly  mixed  with  advice,  and  his  censure  to 
tbe  dull,  never  allowed  to  become  cruel;  bis  loyalty  to  his  Chnrch  and 
her  creed,  and  his  wide  sympathy  with  all  that  was  good  outside, — drew  as 
by  instinct  all  that  was  best  and  noblest  of'feeling  in  his  students,  to  himself. 
He  seemed  to  know  everything,  from  the  codex  A  down  to  all  the  varieties  of 
readit^s,  from  the  ponderous  works  of  divines  and  the  niceties  of  Greek 
grammar  down  to  tbe  last  novel  or  newest  poem.  But  perhaps*  his  greatest 
service  was  the  impulse  he  gave.  Tbe  session'  was  too  short  to  gain  moch 
information,  but  it  was  long  enough  to  make  yon  feel  that  yon  most  go 
home  and  work.  'Ho  one  can  forget  who  heard  Dr.  Eadie  say, '  Better  to 
work  out  than  to  rast  oat.  Why  be  faint-hearted t  Quit  you  like  men; 
be  strong.  Climb  the  hill.  When  I  hear  some  yonng  men  talking  of  difB- 
cnlties,  they  bring  up  before  me  the  image  of  a  sturdy  ploughman  walking 
throngb  bis  fields  on  a  bright  May  morning,  and  complaining  that  the  fine 
dew-spangled  gossamer  threads  are  being  woven  roand  bis  limbs,  and  are 
impeding  his  progress.' 

Wordy  like  these,  commg  from  a  man  who  was  doing  tbe  work  of  three 
men,  as  professor,  pastor,  and  preacher,  and,  over  and  above,  writing  what 
wonld  have  taxed  the  energies  of  as  many  more,  told  as 'that  they  were  not 
mere  words.  '  When  his  stadeuts  were  settled  in  ministerial  charges,  they 
ahnost  nniformly  availed  themselves  of  the  first  occasion — such  as  a  chnrch- 
opening  or  a  centenary  celebration — which  seemed  big  enough  to  warrant 
their  asking  him  to  come  and  preach  for  them.  It  was  a  red-letter  day 
when  they  saw  him  occnpy  their  pulpit,  and  when  they  looked  round  with 
pride  on  the  admiring  crowds  that  had  come  to  hear  him.  It  is  believed 
that  the  special  duty  of  church- opening  fell  to  him  mncb  more  frequently 
than  to  any  minister  of  any  denomination  in  Scotland.  In  this  fact  atone 
we  have  a  strikii^  evidence  of  tbe  affectionate  admiration  with  which  those 
who  bad  studied  in  his  classes  continued  to  r^ard  bim.' 

Dr.  Brown  devotes  a  chapter  to  Eadie's  literary  work,  which  will  be  read 
with  wonder  and  admiration.  To  most  ministers  Dr.  Eadie's  name  was  a 
tower  of  strength  as  a  commentator ;  but  few,  we  fancy,  had  any  idea  of  the 
extent  and  variety  of  his  contributions  to  iiteratnre.  As  a  student  he  began, 
and  did  not  cease  to  add  work  to  work  until  he  lay  down  to  die.  There  is 
a  long  interval  between  bis  review  of  Stuart  on  tin  Hebrews  and  the  History 


29^  THE  LATE  DR.  EADffl.  .     '""'J^^fei"* 

of  the  English  Bibh,\)nt  it  is  crowded  with  work, — magasiDe  articles,  lec- 
tnres  to  the  young,  popnlar  worka,  Bnch  aa  Divine  Love  and  I'aul  the  Preacher, 
controversial  pamphietB,  concordancea,  cycJopadias,  prefaces,  illnstratioDS 
of  Scriptnre,  etc.  etc.  Most  of  his  work  circled  round  the  Bible,  snd  his 
name  shall  long  live  as  one  of  the  ablest  exponnderH  of  the  Paulbe 
Epiatles.  For  the  hanJ-workiug  minister  they  are  invaluable.  Their 
scholarBhip,  their  suggestiveness,  their  clear  common-aenae  views,  their  occa- 
sional dashes  of  rhetoric,  go  to  commend  them  as  the  beat  in  the  language 
for  ordinary  uae ;  while  their  learning  ehcited  from  Bishop  Ellicott  aueh 
tributes  as,  '  Most  of  the  exegetical  portion  is  extremely  good ;  nor  will 
any  reader  rise  from  the  study  of  this  learned,  earnest,  and  not  anfrequently 
eloqacnt  volnme,  unimproved  either  in  head  or  in  heart.'  Snch  work  brooght' 
Dr.  Eadie  to  a  foremost  place  among  Scotch  scholars,  and  secured  for  him  a 
place  on  the  '  E^vjsioD  Committee,'  which  began  in  1870,"and  still  continues 
the  work  of  revising  the  Authorized  Version  of  the  New  Testament.  Here 
he  was  brought  into  close  contact  with  the  greatest  biblical  scholars  of  the 
day;  and  although  he  did  Dot  speak  much  at  their  meetings,. his  opinion 
was  always  listened  to  with  much  respect,  and  by  his  co-workers  he  was 
greatly  beloved.  Oat  of  this  work  sprang  his  History  of  the  English  Bible, 
— a  work  oDSurpassed  for  ita  research,  its  graphic  pictures,  and  historical 
knowledge.  Duriog  its  preparatioD  he  said,  '  I  believe  that  book  will  kill 
ua  all  before  it  is  done ; '  and  it  canaot  be  doubted  that,  humanly  speaking, 
it  shortened  his  day.  But  it  is  a  noble  moonmeDt  It  waa  hia  magnum 
(ipug,  and  is  a  splendid  close  to  a  long,  laborious,  and  ancceasfal  literary 
career. 

Dr.  Eadie  was  married  a  second  time,  in  1862,  to  Mary  Home,  danghter 
of  the  town-clerk  of  Berwick,  and  granddaughter  of  Dr.  Wangh,  London'. 
The  rapid  progress  of  Glasgow  made  church  extension  a  necessity  i  and, 
after  twenty-eight  years'  work  in  Cambridge  Street,  Dr.  Eadie  and  a  few  of 
his  people  went  west  and  built  up  Lansdowne  Church.  He  was  accused  at 
the  time  of  forsaking  the  poor  for  the  sake  of  the  rich ;  bat  the  history  of 
the  denomination  since,  is  the  best  answer  to  that.  Lansdowne  is  a  beautiful 
charch,  an  ornament  alike  to  Glasgow  and  to  the  liberality  of  Dr.  Eadie  and 
his  friends.  It  was  opened  on  6th  December  1863,  when  the  collection 
araonoted  to  £1231,  5a.  9d.  It  cost  £12,436,  5s.  8d.,  and  was  clear  of 
debt  before  Dr.  Eadie's  death  in  1876,  the  congregation  contribnting,  daring 
that  period  of  thirteen  years,  £30,000  over  and  above. 

In  1869,  Dr.  Eadie  went  to  the  Bast.  'He  felt  like  a  schoolboy  on  the 
eve  of  a  vacation.  He  gave  anliipited  orders  for  double  quantities  of  all 
sorts  of  things  he  never  needed, — a  rifle^  a  double-barrelled  fowling-piece, 
a  revolver,  a  store  of  shot,  and  as  much  gunpowder  as  would  have  blown 
ap  the  Mosque  of  Omar.  Mixed  with  these,  in  a  tdnd  of  miscellaneous  way, 
were  cases  of  oatmeal,  for  he  said  he  must  eat  porridge  under  the  shadow 
of  Sinai ;  supplies  of  bird-preserving  and  insect- destroying  powders ;  a 
copions  stock  of  medicines ;  and  a  tolerably  complete  library.'  This  trip  he 
enjoyed  mncb,  but  was  greatly  disappointed  with  many  places.  Space 
forbids  us  entering  on  this  and  hia  visit  to  America  in  1873,  but  both  are 
described  in  a  very  interesting  way  by  Dr.  Brown  and  Dr.  Calderwood 
respectively. 

In  November  1874,  Eadie  wrote :  '  I  am  rather  busy  jnst  now,  and  I  have 
the  melancholy  reflection  that  while  my  work  Is  broadening  my  days  are 
shortening,'  From  1867  he  had  suffered  from  '  derangement  in  the  re^'bn 
of  the  heart ; '  bat  he  did  not  like  to  refer  to  it,  tried  to  make  light  of  it, 


jiiit'wn.'^'  THE  LATE  DR.  EADIE.  297 

and  refused  to  obey  the  strict  medical  iujanctiohB.  He  worked  harder, 
preached  with  growing  earoeBtQess,  and  seemed  determined  to  'fioish  his 
work.'  This  conld  not  fail  to  tell  on  one  who  had  already  done  a  Herca- 
leaa  task.  In  the  end  of  1876  he  canght  cold,  which  was  aggravated  by 
going  to  LargB  to  the  fnneral  ot  Mr.  Steven, 

In  the  beginmog  of  1875  he  wrote:  'Last  Sabbath  I  preached  Uke  a 
man  heaving  a  great  bonlder  np  a  very  steep  bill.'  A  fall  on  his  door  step, 
and  more  cold  caught  at  Dumbarton  when  assisting  Dr.  Halley  in  March, 
confined  him  to  the  house  for  a  few  days. 

Id  April  he  went  to  Berwick,  and  there  preached  his  laat  sermon.  Of  it 
Dr.  Cairns  says :  '  This,  I  think,  was  the  most  remarkable  sermon  I  ever 
beard  him  deliver.  Though  more  quiet  in  manneix  than  I  have  heard  him, 
the  disconrses  had  great  variety  of  tone  and  emphasis,  and  produced,  espe- 
cially in  my  mind,  an  ineffaceable  impression.'  After  the  April  commanion 
he  went  to  Dunblane;  here  he  spent  his  last  birthday,  and  visited  some  of 
the  haunts  of  his  youth.  He  was  seen  to  walk  in  a  peculiar  manner;  com- 
plained of  laziness  and  sleepiness. 

He  returned  to  Glasgow  on  Ilth  May ;  the  present  writer  went  to  preach 
for  him  on  the  Sabbath.  On  Saturday  evening  he  was  tired  and  dnll ;  said 
he  never  knew  before  what  a  headache  was ;  complained  of  his  stomach,  his 
sight,  and  summed  up  by, '  I  am  all  wrong.'  On  Sabbath  he  went  to  chnroh 
in  the  morning,  and  was  very  happy  and  talkative  in  the.evening.  He  came 
to  the  Synod  on  the  16th,  and  said,  'I  am  here  once  more,'  but  felt  he 
should  not  be.  He  waited  to  welcome  the  newly-appointed  professors,  and 
acquiesced  in  the  new  arrangements  for  the  Hall.  This  was  too  much  strain. 
He  returned  to  Glasgow  greatly  exhausted ;  spoke  the  following  Sabbath  at 
the  communion  service}  in  the  evening,  'though  exhausted  by  the  effort  of 
the  day,  he  insisted  on  going  out  at  night  to  visit  a  bereaved  family.  It  waa 
not  unfitting  that  with  such  a  service  he  should  close  his  ministry.'  He 
gradually  became  weaker.  On  the  Friday  he  declared  his  willingness  to 
"  go ;  tried  to  sing  his  tavonrite  psalm,  '  I  to  the  hills  will  lift  mine  eyes,'  but 
had  to  desist,  saying,  '  It  won't  do.'  He  gave  his  wife  a  parting  kiss, 
putting  his  dying  arms  around  her,  and  saying, '  God  bless  you,  little  wifie.' 

His  last  words  were,  '  Aj,  I'm  very  weary.  I'll  try  to  sleep  now.'  '  The 
great  city  where  he  had  wrought  so  long  was  awakening  to  hail  the  gladness 
of  a  new  summer  morning,  and  the  birds  were  singing  among  the  branches 
the  old  song  he  knew  so  well,  when,  calmly  and  without  a  struggle,  he 
entered  into  rest.    It  was  Saturday,  3d  June  1876.' 

No  one  who  witnessed  it  shall  forget  (he  scene  in  the  church  on  the  fnneral 
day,  June  7th,  as  the  remains  of  the  beloved  pastor  were  carried  down  the 
central  aisle,  through  the  midst  of  a  weeping  company,  while  the  chdir  sang, 
*  When  onr  heads  are  bowed  with  woe.'  The  whole  city  seemed  to  turn  out 
lo  do  him  hononr,  and  the  scene  in  the  Necropolis  was  most  impressive. 
Many  felt,  as  one  said, '  This  day  is  a  striking  testimony  to  the  power  of  the 
gospel,' 

It  is  perhaps  not  too  much  to  say  that  in  John  Eadie  passed  away  one  of 
Scotland's  greatest  sons, — one  who,  by  the  force  of  noble  and  devoted  work, 
gained  a  place  in  the  hearts  of  all  ranks  and  classes.  He  was  great  in 
power;  in  work,  in  sympathy,  in  devotioUj  and,  greatest  of  all,  in  a  wide- 
hearted  and  warm  elmrity. 


D.n.iized  by  Google 


ETBKNAL  HOPE. 


'ETERNAL  HOPE." 


foR  Canon  Farrar  we  have  a  real  respect..  He  is  a  tQan  of  good  scholar- 
ship and  varied  culture;  a  man  of  devont  spirit,  and  truly  alive  to  the 
importance  of  the  social  qneetiona  of  the  day.  Bat  logic  is  not  his  forte, 
and  he  is  no  giant  in  theology.  As  we  read  his  books,  or  hsten  to  him  when  he 
preaches,  the  question  often  rises, '  Bnt  when  is  he  coming  to  the  argument  of 
the  caseT  when  is  he  going  to  take  hold  of  the  real  difficulties  and  grapple 
with  them  1 '  When  he  vt^ted  ns  lately  in  connection  with  the  Temperance 
Movement,  we  felt  grateful  that  one  of  snch  character  and  inflnence  in  the 
English  Church  should  gjve  his  support  to  so  good  a  cause,  bnt  we  felt  at 
the  same  time  that  when  an  appeal  bad  to  be  made  to  the  intellect  rather 
than  to  the  imaginatiou  and  emotions,  he  was  far  behind  several  of  our  own 
social  reformers. 

The  book  that  lies  on  our  table,  and  of  whjph  we  mean  to  give  a  somewhat 
full  aud  careful  notice,  consists  oE  three  parts.  There  are  five  sermons  in 
the  middle  of  the  volume,  a  large  amount  of  prelimiuary  matter  in  the 
shape  of  notes  and  pre/aces  at  the  beginning,  and  a  similar  quantity  of 
supplementary  matter  in  the  shape  of  excursus  at  the  end.  In  our  esanu- 
nutioQ  of  the  volume,  we  shall  plunge  in  medias  res,  taking  the  sermons  first 
under  review.  This,  es  we  are  (old  by  the  anthor,  was  the  order  of  time 
in  which  the  book  developed  itself,  and  it  is  certainly  the  natural  order  of 
thought. 

The  first  sermon  is  entitled, '  What  Heaven  Is ; '  and  the  text  or  motto  is 
Heb.  ir.  11  :  'Let  ns  labour  therefore  to  enter  into  that  rest.'  In  this  dis- 
course (and  the  same  remark  holds  good  of  the  others  also)  there  is 
hardly  anything  like  formal  method ;  bnt  the  writing  is  that  of  a  well- 
educated  man  who  feels  devoutly,  and  is  not  ashamed  to  let  men  know  that 
he  reads  and  enjoys  the  good  and  intelBgible  poetry  of  Campbell  and 
Longfellow,  Dr.  Farrar  has  come  to  the  conclusion  that  '  heaven  is  a 
placed  as  the  soul  of  man,  being  a  creature,  must  have  an  lAi ;  and  that  the 
figures  used  in  Scripture  respecting  this  place  are  such  as  to  suggest 
thoughts  of  beauty,  safety,  and  large  extent ;  and  that '  heaven  is  a  siaie,' — 
a  state  of  holy  and  happy  mental  activity.  This  sermon  is  a  simple,  earnest ' 
discourse,  vritb  a  good  deal  of  hard  hitting  at  evil-doers  of  various  classes, — 
a  sermon,  in  short,  which  any  United  Presbyterian  minister  might  preach 
without  discredit.  It  is  a  matter  of  thankfulness  that  such  sermons  are 
sometimes  preached  in  Westminster  Abbey.  It  baa  a  good  deal  more  sense 
and  a  good  deal  less  nonsense  in  it  than  some  disconrses  that  we'bave  heard 
in  that  venerable  pile. 

The  second  sermon  is  entitled,  'Is  Life  worth  Living? '  and  has  as  its 
motto  Pb.  Ixsix.  14  :  'So  we  that  are  the  people  and  sheep  of  Thy  pasture 
will  give  Thee  thanks  for  ever,  and  will  always  be  showing  forth  Thy  praise 
from  generation  to  generation,' — a  verse  which  is  probably  as  much  connected 
with  the  subject  as  fifty  or  five  hundred  others  in  the  Bible.  In  the  intro- 
duction, Dr.  Farrar  tells  ns  that  the  2d  of  Xovember  nsed  to  be  'All 
Souls'  Day,' — a  bit  of  information  which,  as  Scottish  Presbyterians,  we  are 
of  course  duly  thankful  Cor  ;  and  in  which  we  are  told  that  it  is  not  '  All  Souls' 
Day '  now, — a  circumstance  which  the  reverend  dignitary  regrets,  and  gives  as 
bis  reason  the  following,  which  is  intended  doubtless  to  be  fine  and  eloquent 


"•^^TfeS*'  ETERKAL  HOPE.  299 

writing,  and  which  ma^  be  accepted  b^  eome  as  etich,  though  it  is  a  little  too 
fiorid  and  jnTeaile-looking  for  our  taste.  The  thonght  ia  bdibU  when  com- 
pared  with  the  maltitnde  of  words,  and  we  fail  to  discern  any  ezcellence 
in  the  quality  to  compensate  for  the  lack  in  amount ; — 

'  On  that  day  men  might  think,  if  they  woald,  of  all  the  bohIs,  of  all  the 
innooeut  little  ones,  that  have  pasBod  awaj  like  a  breath  of  vernal  air  since 
time  began ;  of  all  the  bodIs  which  the  great,  and  the  wise,  and  the  aged, 
have  sighed  forth  in  pain  and  weariness  after  long  and  noble  Uvea ;  of  all 
the  bodIs  of  the  wild  races  of  hunters  and  fiBhermen  in  the  boaudleas 
prairies  or  the  icy  Aoes ;  of  all  the  souls  that  hare  passed,  worn  and  heavy- 
laden,  from  the  roariog  city  streets ;  of  all  the  bouIb  of  those  whose  life  has 
ebbed  away  in  the  red  tide  of  nnnnmbered  battles,  or  whose  bodies  have 
been  dropped  into  the  troubled  wave  unkneiied,  nncofBnad,  and,  save  to  their 
Ood,  unknown;  of  all  the  souIb  even  of  the  guilty,  and  of  the  foohsh,  and  of 
the  miserable,  and  of  those  who  have  rushed  by  wild  aelf-mnrder  into  their 
Maker's  presence.  All  Souls'  Day  was  a  day  of  aapplication  for,  of  com- 
memoration of,  all  these.  For  these,  too,  are  souIb  that  Ke  created ;  into 
these,  too.  He  breathed  the  breath  of  life ;  and  all  these  lie  in  the  hollow  of 
Hia  hand,  as  the  saows  of  the  conntleaa  water-lilies,  whether  white  and 
immaculate,  or  torn  and  stained,  lie  all  on  the  silver  bosom  of  the  lake. 
Yes,  there  is  a  grandeur  and  sublimity  m  the  thought  of  all  human  souls,  as 
one  by  one  they  have  passed  away  and  beeu  taken  to  the  mercy  of  the 
Merciful;  and  a  day  might  well  have  been  set. apart  to  commemorate,  in  all 
humble  reverence,  their  awful  immortahty.'  ■ 

The  microscopic  eye  might  possibly  perceive  traces  of  the  cloven  foot  in 
the  reference  made  to  prayers  for  the  souls  of  all  the  men,  good  and  bad, 
who  have  left  the  world,  but  we  are  more  intereeted  in  the  circumataace 
that  the  author  seems  to  think  that  because  the  second  day  of  November  is 
not  now  in  the  calendar  as  '  AH  Souls'  Day,'  he  may  not  think  and  pray 
about  the  world  of  spirits  even  as  if  there  had  been  no  change.  The  logic 
of  this  is  for  the  meridian  of  Westminster  Abbey,  and  not  for  our  higher 
and  cooler  latitudes.  We  can  nnderstand  how  a  mark  in  the  calendar  may 
be  a  little  usefnl  iit  the  way  of  suggesting  certain  topics  to  the  mind,  but  we 
cannot  nnderstand  how  such  mark  furnishes  any  warrant  either  to  entertain 
or  to  diamisa  them. 

The  conclusion  to  which  Dr.  Farrar  comes  Id  this  second  sermon  is,  that 
if  there  Ib  no  life  beyond  the  grave,  and  no  good,  ground  to  hope  for  it, 
then  man's  life  on  earth  ia  little  worth.  This,  we  think,  ia  sound  doctrine. 
Apart  from  his  immortality,  man  is  an  enigma, — we  might  almost  aay  a 
reproach  to  his  Maker.  He  ia  a  thousand  times  worse  off  than  the  aheep 
and  kine  that  graze  in  the  fields  around  him. 

Dr.  Farrar'B  third  sermoa  is  entitled, '  Hell — What  it  is  Kot ; '  and  has  for 
its  motto  I  Pet.  iv.  6 :  '  For,  for  this  cause  was  the  gospel  preached  aleo  to 
them  that  are  dead.'  Aa  the  preacher  was  about  to  discourse  on  '  what 
hell  is  not,'  he  waa  poaaibly  led  to  take  a  mottii  that  did  not  refer  in  any  way 
to  the  place  or  state  of  future  punjehment.  There  might  seem  a  kind  of 
Gtneea  in  this  arrangement. 

Why  Dr.  Farrar  should  have  given  or  professed  to  give  a  positive  view 
of  heaven,  and  a  negative  view  of  kell,  we  have  not  any  means  of  judging, 
bat  we  have  often  been  greatly  struck  by  the  fact  that  the  sacred  writers 
seem  to  proceed  on  the  opposite  principle.  Speaking  of  heaven,  they  tell 
of  a  place  and  state  in  which  there  is  '  no  n^ht,' '  no  curse,'  '  no  death,' 
'  no  need  of  the  sun  or  of  the  moon,' '  no  temple,'  '  no  hunger  and  no  thirst,* 


300  ETEHNAL  HOfE.  ^^"T^'i"^^ 

'no  ravenous  beast;'  and  the  inheritance  awaiting;  the  people  of  6od  ia 
*  incorruptible,  nndefiled,  and  that  fadeth  not  away.'  In  speaking  of  the 
place  or  state  of  pnniahment,  they  teU  ns  of '  destrnction,' '  terrors,' '  wrath,' 
'  shame,' '  contempt,' '  perdition,' '  torment,' '  vengeance,' '  fire,' '  snares,'  and 
'  tempest.' 

The  conclusion  of  Canon  Farrar  is,  that  there  is  '  nothing  in  Scriptare  or 
anywhere  to  prove  that  the  fate  of  every  man  is,  at  death,  irrevocably 
determined, '^that  such  a  notion  is  a  '  hideoas  incnbna  of  atrocious  con- 
ception,' '  frightful  Uteralism,' '  religions  madness,'  and  '  revoltingly  horrible.' 

The  fourth  sermon  in  the  volume  is  on  the  words, '  Are  there  tew  that  be 
saved  1 '  and  is  really  a  sermon  npon  the  text.  But  this  is  the  best  we  can  say 
of  jt,  for  we  have  seldom  read  anything  more  fiippant,  arrogant,  or  absnrd. 
In  point  of  argument,  it  is  almost  below  criticism ;  and  the  statements  made 
about  the  views  and  teachings  of  Dr.  Farrar's  opponents  display  great  igno- 
rance, or  something  mach  worse.  For  example,  be  says,  '  Thousands  of 
theologians  have  tanght  for  tbonsands  of  years  that  the  vast  majoritj'  are 
in  the  next  world  for  ever  lost.'  The  gross  exaggeration  of  such  a  state- 
ment must  be  obvious  to  any  tolerably  well-informed  man.  Exaept  a  Aa//- 
dqft  minister  in  the  Highlands,  we  never  heard  an;  one  teach  that  the  vast 
majority  of  the  human  race  are  '  in  the  next  world  for  ever  lost ; '  but  we 
have  oft«n  heard  the  very  opposite  doctrine  taught,  and  supported  by 
argument  that  ia  nothing  short  of  moral  demonstration.  There  are 
'thousanda  of  theologians'  whb  firmly  believe  that  at  least  one-half  of 
persona  born  into  this  world  die  in  very  early  infancy,  and  that  every  one 
of  theae  is  saved  by  Him  who  in  the  daya  of  His  fiesh  took  little  children 
in  His  arms  and  blessed .  them,  saying,  '  Snffer  the  little  children  to  come 
nnto  me,  and  forbid  them  not,  for  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven.'  The 
half  of  the  hnman  race  is  thus  accounted  for,  and  their  salvation  may  be 
assumed.  All  who,  in  more  mature  years,  personally  believe  the  gospel,  and 
by  their  own  free  and  cooscions  mental  acting  embrace  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  form  the  majority  on  the  side  of  heaven  and  the  Saviour.  There 
have  always  be«i  some  such  even  in  times  of  the  greatest  degeneracy, — some 
thousands  who  did  not  bow  the  knee  to  Baal, — and  the  aggregate  will  be  '  a 
multitude  that  no  man  can  nnmber,  ont  of  every  country,  and  kindred,  and 
people,  and  tongue,  and  nation.' 

Dr.  Farrar,  appealing  to  those  who  are  opposed  to  him,  says,  '  Ton  think 
that  men  will  not  love  God  without  the  terror  of  an  endless  hell.  So  thought 
not  David.  He  said,  "  There  is  mercy  with  Thee ;  therefore  shalt  Thou  be 
feared." '  This  is  a  silly  and  stupid  bit  of  ad  captandum  sermonizing.  There 
is  no  man  who  knows  anything  either  of  the  Bible  or  of  his  own  heart  who 
thinks  '  the  terror  of  an  endless  hell'  will  ever  make  any  man  love  God.  It 
is 'the  tender  compassion  of  Cod,  seen  in  the  gift  of  His  Son,  that  slays  the 
enmity  of  the  human  heart,  and  chases  away  man's  guilty  fear  and  hatred. 
Dr.  Farrar  muat  surely  be  acquainted  with  the  writings  o!  Dr.  Chalmers, 
who,  if  he  understood  and  preached  anything,  preached  the  subduing,  trans- 
forming, and  attracting  power  of  divine  love. 

The  Canon  qnotes  Lnther,  giving  an  interpolation  of  his  own.  He  says, 
'  I  am  not  afraid  to  plead  with  God,  in  that  sjllogi'sm  which,  as  Luther 
said,  sums  up  all  the  psalma  of  David,  "  The  God  of  pity  pities  the  wretched ; 
we  are  wretched :  therefore" — not  snrely  in  this  short  world  only,  but  for 
ever — "  God  will  pity  us."'  The  concluaion  is  fair  enongh ;  but  surely  the 
Canon  mnst  see  that  in  as  far  as  it  bears  on  the  question  at  issue,  it  telhi  as 
much  for  the  restoration  of  sinning  angels  m  for  sinning  men. 


"""iit^"""'  BTEMfAL  HOPE.  801 

AccordiDg  to  CanoD  Farrar,  the  hamao  race  in  divided  into  three  classes,— 
'  siunls,' '  reprobates,'  and  a  '  vast  iDtermediate  class  17111^  between,  yet  ehad- 
iDg  off  hj  infinite  gradations  from  theee  two  extremes.'  ■  This  is  sheer  non- 
sense, and  withoat  a  shadow  of  support  from  Scriptore.  The  Bible  speaks 
of  those  who  have  been  born  again,  and  those  who  have  not ;  and  thongh  . 
we  readily  admit  that  in  both  classes  there  are  many  '  gradations,'  some  coa- 
Terted  men  being  mnch  more  holy  than  others,  and  some  unconverted  men 
being  much  more  wicked  than  others,  yet-  we  protest  against  a  division 
which  has  no  snpport  from  Scripture,  and  which  is  fitted  to  lead  to  the 
greatest  self-delnsion. 

Dr.  Farrar  refers  to  Thomas  Hood  as  the  '  Christian  poet,' — an  epithet 
whic)]  many  of  those  who  admire  and  love  the  great  panster  will  hesitate 
regretfully  to  apply  to  him ;  and  the  old  story  is  revived  abont  Cowper's 
madnees  being  owing  to  his  OIney  theological  views.  That  madness,  as  the 
readers  of  Oreville's  Memoirs  know,  was  associated  with  something  very 
different. 

The  last  sermon  in  this  volnme  is  entitled  '  Earthly  and  Fntnre  Gonse- 
qaences  of  Sin ; '  and  the  text  is  Brom.  vi.  1 : '  What  shall  we  say  then  f  Shajl 
we  continue  in  sin,  that  grace  may  abound  T'  In  this  discourse  there  is 
mach  true  and  nsefnl  statement,  mixed,  however,  with  a  good  deal  that  is 
trashy  enough.  For  example,  the  preacher  asks  in  a  triumphant  tone, 
'What  was  the  sum  of  the  teaching  of  onr  blessed  Lordt  Was  it  turn  or 
bamt '  If  we  were  disposed  to  be  cynical  or  severe,  we  wonld  say, '  Oar 
Lord's  teaching  was  not  very  nnhka  that  when  He  said,  "Except  ye  repent, 
ye  shall  all  iCkewise  perish  I "  '  Again,  Dr.  Farrar  says,  '  There  are  two 
kinds  of  sin — wilfnl  sin  and  willing  sin.'  If  the  preacher  can  get  any  good 
oat  of  this  distinction,  we  make  him  heartily  welcome  to  it.  What  sin  is 
there  that  is  not '  wilfnl  and  willing  '  1 

We  have  thns  given  a  pretty  fn!l  outline  of  Dr.  Farrar's  fire  sermons,  and 
we  should  now  betake  ourselves  to  the  prefatory  and  supplementary  matter 
of  the  volume.  Bat  we  have  neither  time  nor  disposition  for  any  lengthened 
remark.  In  these  p'arts  we  have,  of  course,  the  endlessly-repeated  comments 
upon  'Hades,'  'Sheol,'  'Gehenna,'  and  'Aionios,'  but  the  author  leaves 
these  words  just  where  he  found  them.  There  is  not  a  statement  either  as 
to  the  scriptural  or  classical  usage  of  these  terms  which  has  not  been  made 
a  thoQsand  times  before,  and  the  stnbborn  fact  remains  that  the  same  word 
is  nsed  to  express  the  duration  of  the  blessedness  of  the  righteous  and  the 
misery  of  the  wicked.  Awfnl  as  the  truth  may  be,  there  seems  no  getting 
orer  such  a  text  as  Matt.  xxv.  46  ;  '  And  these  shall  go  away  into  ai<mian 
punishment,  but  the  righteous  into  otonian  life.' 

A  great  deal  is  said  by  Canon  Farrar,  and  others  who  hold  views  more 
or  leas  similar  to  his,  about  the  infinitely  benignant  character  of  Ood,  and 
abont  endleea  misery  being  incompatible  with  this  benignity,  but  this  is  a 
very  nnsafe  and  nnsatisfactory  way  of  reasoning.  It  ill  becomes  the  creatnre 
of  a  day,  who  cannot  tell  what  shall  be  on  the  morrow,  to  say  what  is  and 
what  is  not  in  keeping  with  the  nature  and  perfections  of  the  eternal  and 
infioite  One.  Besides,  all  such  reasoning  is  just  as  powerful  to  prove  that 
there  is  no  moral  or  physical  evil,  no  sin  and  no  suffering,  in  God's  universe, 
— a  conclnsion  which  is  contradicted  by  ten  thousand  humbling  and  appalling 
facts. 

I>r.  Farrar  has  a  long  list  of  texts,  bearing,  as  he  alleges,  on  the  question 
at  issue,  bnt  many  of  them  have  no  reference,  or  at  most  a  very  remote 
reference,  to  the  snbject.    For  example,  what  light  b  cast  on  the  question 


A  BENEVOLENT  SPIRIT. 


n'slH'  rnab.  Kip, 


.of  the  dnration  of  the  mieerf  of  the  impenitent  by  snuh  texts  aa  these : '  And 
in  thy  seed  Bhall  all  the  families  of  the  earth  be  blesBed ; '  'If  I  make  my 
bed  in  hell,  behold,  Thoa  art  there ; '  '  There  is  no  Qod  else  besides  ne,  a 
jast  Qod  and  a  Saviour ; '  '.He  ehall  see  of  the  travail  of  His  goal,  and  shall 
be  satisfied ; '  '  The  Father  loveth  the  Sod,  and  bath  given  all  things  into 
His  hand'T  Wonld  not  an  opponent  of  Dr.  Farrar  kec^  his  groand  if  he 
in  hia  tnrn  were  to  quote  each  terrible  passages  as  these :  '  The  eyes  of  the 
wicked  shall  ful,  and  they  shall  not  escape,  and  their  hope  shall  be  as  t^ 
giving  up  of  the  ghost ; '  '  The  wicked  is  resOTved  unto  the  day  erf  destme- 
tion  ;  they  shall  be  bronght  forth  to  the  day  of  wrath  j '  '  Terrors  take  hold 
of  him  as  waters ;  a  tempest  stealeth  him  away  in  the  night.  The  east  wind 
carrieih  him  away,  and  he  departeth ;  and  as  a  storm  bnrletb  him  out  of  his 
place.  For  Ood  shall  cast  npon  him,  and  not  spare;'  'Because  there  is 
wrath,  beware  lest  He  take  thee  away  with  His  stroke ;  then  a  great  ntoBOin 
cannot  deliver  thee;'  'The  transgressors  shall  be  destroyed  for  ever;  the 
end  of  the  wicked  shall  be  cut  off ; '  '  Kiss  the  Son,  lest  He  be  angry,  and 
ye  perish  from  the  way,  when  His  wrath  is  kindled  but  a  little ; '  '  Seek  ye 
the  Lord  while  He  may  be  fonnd ;  call  ye  npon  Him  white  He  is  near ; '  '  And 
the  door  was  shnt ; '  '  They  shall  be  pnnisbed  with  everlasting  destnictioD 
from  the  presence  of  the  Lord  and  the  glory  »f  Hi»  power ; '  '  There  is  no 
peace,  s^th  my  Gtod,  to  the  wicked '  t 

We  close  Dr.  Farrai's  volume  under  the  impression  that  he  has  fiuled  to 
cast  much,  if  any,  light  on  the  awfully  solemn  and  myaterions  subject  which 
he  professes  to  discuss,  and  we  commend  to  him  the  words  of  Dr.  Samnd 
Clarke, — one  who,  snrely,  has  a  good  title  to  be  heard, — '  As  to  the  doration 
of  this  punishment,  no  man  can  presume,  in  our  present  state  of  ignorance  sod 
darkness,  to  be  able  tmly  to  Judge,  barely  by  the  strength  of  his  own  natnral 
reason,  what  in  this  respect  is  or  is  not  consistent  with  the  wisdom  sod 
justice  and  goodness  of  the  Supreme  Governor  of  the  world ;  since  we  knov 
neither  the  place,  nor  kind,'  nor  manner,  nor  circninstances,  nor  degrees,  nor 
all  the  ends  and  nses  of  the  final  punishment  of  the  wicked.' 

N.  K.N.N. 


A    BENBTOLENT    SPIRIT. 

BT  RET.  DATTD  KISQ,  LL.D. 

A  BENETOLENT  Spirit  19  a  spirit  that  wishes  well  to  others.  It  has  its  conlrasC 
in  a  malevolent  spirit, — a  spirit  which  finds  satisfaction  in  another's  suffering. 
There  have  been  men  in  high  position  whose  delight  it  has  be^  not  merely 
to  witness  bat  to  inflict  pain.  Jndge  Jeffries,  when  passing  merciless  sen- 
tences, evidently  luxuriated  in  the  mental  agony  of  bis  victims.  In  the 
various  departments  of  life  there  are  masters  and  mistresses  lAo  pride 
themselves  in  manifesting  their  superiority  by  unprovoked  harshness,  sub- 
jecting inferiors  and  dependants  to  vexations  restraints  or  unreasonable  toil 
Even  peevish  children  show  a  manifest  zest  in  making  themselves  of  conse- 
quence and  giving  trouble.  Apart  from  spontaneous  evi!~wishing,  there  are 
many  and  great  temptations  in  this  world  to  unkindness  of  disposition.  A 
person  who  is  in  the  extremity  of  want,  and  can  by  no  effort  attain  to  the 
meanest  comfort,  has  difficnlty  in  not  grudging  the  good  of  those  who  are 
bom  to  abundance.  The  ill-used,  especially,  if  greatly  wronged,  are  prempted 
to  meet  injury  by  resentment    An  heir  to  a  considerable  estate,  who  has-  no 


liiTiMi'^  A  BENEVOLBST  SPIRIT.  303 

JDterest  in  the  present  proprietor,  eeeniB  precladed  from  monrning  over  the 
prospect  of  his  death. 

And  yet  in  all  each  cases,  and  under  all  conditions  whatever,  obligation 
is .  on  the  side  of  a  m^nanimoos  goodness.  Only  He  who  made  the 
hnman  aoal  can  imhne  it  with  trae  love  to  Ood  and  man.  lint  ve  must 
act  nnder  God  "instrumentally,  for  He  works  by  means.  There  ia  mnch 
left  to  oorBelves  in  represeing  malice.  Instead  of  fostering  it,  we  must 
cmdfy  it  to  the  uttermost.  Such  resistance  to  the  innate  depravity  of  oor 
natnre,  and  struggle  to  actileve  its  entire  eradication,  is  of  vita)  moment. 
And  yet  opposition  to  evil  is  not  enough  ;  only  good  can  overcome  it ;  only 
light  can  dissipate  darkness.  To  escape  from  malevolence,  we  must  take 
ref  age  in  beiievolence,  and  that  we  may  wish  good,  we  must  do  good  to  others. 
Love  germinates  and  grows,  and  yields  frnit  in  action.  In  ezemphfying  the 
practice,  we  are  cherishing  the  sentiments  of  a  scriptural  charity  and  invoking 
that  blessing  through  which  we  shall  become  more  and  more  happy  in 
beholding  and  commniucating  happiness. 

Our  tenderest  and  strongest  affection  is  dne  to  those  to  whom  we  are  most 
nearly  related.  Family  ties  have  the  most  binding  claims,  aud  sboutd  be  the 
most  endearing  to  onr  hearts.  Aud  if  these  ties  really  beget  in  us  snch 
attachment,  how  great  is  the  privilege  of  doing  good  to  hnsband  or  wife, 
brothers  or  sisters,  parents  or  children  !  How  pnre  the  biisa  of  unstinging 
their  afflictions  and  enhancing  their  enjoyments !  Look  at  the  conception, 
and  see  if  it  be  not  captivath^.  Nest  to  the  realized  love  of  Qod,  what 
nnder  heaven  can  exceed  the  bliss  of  making  the  earth  heavenly  to  snch 
beloved  kindred  I 

Ab  respects  society  around  us,  the  greatest  sufferers  have  most  claim  on 
onr  sympathy,  as  also  on  our  sncconr,  if  we  can  help  them.  Happily  there 
are  many  institntions  of  a  curative  or  relieving  description  for  the  distressed. 
We  have  infirmaries  or  asylums  for  almost  every  sort  of  malady.  And  if 
we  Fpeak  of  prevention  as  better  than  cnre,  and  inquire  what  is  done  to  ward 
off  desolating  sickneesee,  we  have  pnbhc  fonntains  for  thirsting  wanderers ; 
we  have  shelters  for  exposed  cabmen,  and  an  increasing  number  of  parks  and 
commons,  whither  the  inhabituits  of  crowded  lanes  and  stifling  abodes  iuay 
resort  to  recruit  their  exhausted  strength  by  exhilarating  exercise,  amid 
onobscared  sunshine  and  refreshiug  breezes.  But  thongb  mnch  has  been 
done  in  the  cause  of  bnmanity,  far  more  remains  to  be  accomplished.  What 
room  is  there  in  rnral  districts  for  ameliorating  the  condition  of  agricnltoral 
labourers  as  respects  alike morabty  and  comfort!  The  absorption  of  smaller 
farms  into  larger  farms,  and  of  smaller  estates  into  larger  estates,  is  more 
generally  prejudicial  than  favourable  to  the  interests  of  the  peasantry.  In 
towns  there  should  be  more  coffee-houses  and  reading-rooms,  to  advance  the 
sobriety  aud  enlightenment  of  the  working  classes.  Churches,  missions,  and 
schools  have  pre-eminent  claims,  and  would  require  a  separate  and  indepen- 
dent consideration.  But  all  cheering  entertainment  is  not  corrnptiug,  and 
harmless  amusements  shoold  be  mnltiphed  for  the  masses,  to  withdraw 
them  from  the  scenes  and  games  and  indnlgences  of  vice.  On  behalf 
of  health  and  general  well-being,  no  effori^  should  be  spared  to  improve 
ventilation  and  dramage.  The  case  of  workmen  on  railways  c^ls  for 
snstained  and  increased  consideration.  They  shonld  have  suMcient  pay  to 
secnre  competent  qualifications,  and  their  attention  should  never  be  so  long 
on  the  stretch  aa  to  peril  their  vigilance  in  secnrely  reading  signals  and 
keeping  lines  clear.  It  would  be  a  great  achievement  if,  on  some  eqaitable 
footing,  free  spaces  were  secured  by  legislation  in  the  farther  extension  of 


304  A  BENEVOLBKT  SPIBIT.  '^""'j^Tio*^'' 

towns  ;  while  thti  owners  of  land,  who  rolnntarily  place  a  portion  ol  it  ftt 
the  service  of  the  public,  cannot  have  Iheir  mnnificence  too  emphatically 
acknowledged.  The  praises  of  conquering  heroes  have  never  ceased  to  be 
Bang.  Merit  of  another  kind  may  come  hereafter  into  higher  repute;  and 
the  time  may  arrive  when  the  donor  of  a  park,  more  than  he  who  taketh  a 
city,  will  command  the  esteem  and  gr&titade  of  mankind. 

Britain  is  a  maritime  power,  and  many  of  its  popalatlon  choose  a  aeafariog 
life.  Bat  the  choice  involves  them  in  great  hardships.  To  scoar  the  maJD, 
visit  foreign  lands,  mix  with  strange  people,  bring  home  memoriala  of  a 
world-wide  waodering, — all  aneh  conceptions  have  a  special  fascination  to 
-many  yonthfnl  minds.  Bnt  a  direful  experience  sadly  tries  their  poetry  aad 
charm.  In  the  merchant  service,  and  even  in  Her  Majesty's  navy,  onr 
mariners,  from  the  captain  to  the  cabin-boy,  have  indifferent  pay.  A  lai^ 
number  of  them  are  wretchedly  remunerated.  The  fare  on  board  ship  bits 
not  the  freshness  of  home  provisions,  and  is  liable  through  mismanagement 
to  be  unwholesome  or  insnfBcient.  The  extremes  of  heat  and  cold,  with  so 
little  shelter,  are  severely  felt  in  tropical  and  arctic  latitudes.  Wbea  on 
shore  the  seamen  are  too  mnch  occupied  with  their  ship  to  allow  them  to 
stray  from  it  to  a  distance  and  leave  the  coast  for  inland  excursions.  During 
the  intervals  of  voyages,  they  are  liable  in  port  to  fall  into  bad  bands,  to  be 
stripped  of  their  hard-won  earnings,  and  involved  in  all  sorts  of  miscondacC 
and  discomfort.  Then  fogs  and  tempests  and  miscalculated  steerii^  present 
the  awful  peril  of  destrnctive  shipwreck.  If  the  mariner  tire  of  his  calling,  he 
sighs  in  vain  to  exchange  it  for  another.  Its  habits  are  disqualifying 
for  other  occnpations,  and,  were  it  otherwise,  he  is  severed  from  tJie  circl^ 
of  patronizing  influence. 

Happitj  mnch  has  beendone  to  improve  the  lot  of  sailors.  Homes  hare 
been  provided  for  them  in  many  seaports ;  libraries  of  nsefnl  books  have  been 
supplied  to  vessels.  Measures  have  been  taken  that  ships  going  to  sea  shall 
be  seaworthy,  and  that  oEScers  in  charge  of  them  shall  be  competent  forthor 
post.  In  case  of  shipwreck,  lifeboats  and  other  means  of  averting  fatal 
results  have  became  largely  available. 

But  the  means  of  preventing  shipwreck  are  still  more  important.  If  tbe 
nantical  instrnments  which  have  been  recently  invented,  for  ensuring  safe 
pilotage  were  in  general  use,  they  wonld  be  of  inestimable  value  to  naviga- 
tion. There  is  no  adequate  estimate  of  the  extent  to  which,  by  such  aid, 
sailing  might  be  divested  of  its  present  dangers;  and  if  the  snggestions 
which  have  been  made  for  the  improvement  of  lighthouses  were  also  reduced 
to  practice,  the  security  of  sea-life  wonld  be  further  angmented.  Let  captuns 
and  shipowners  and  merchants,  on  behalf  of  their  own  interests,  and  to  meet 
dutifully  their  solemn  responsibihties,  adequately  appreciate  tbe  assistance 
of  science,  and  more  and  more  accept  its  inventions  and  directions,  till  mari- 
time disasters  become  as  happily  rare  as  they  have  been  till  now  numerous 
and  deplorable. 

The  preceding  paragraphs  have  been  indicative  rather  than  exhaustive. 
Benevolence  is  a  large  subject.  Its  field  is  the  world ;  and  the  of^rtunities 
for  exercising  it,  while  coextensive  with  the  earth,  are  comprehensive  and 
diversified  as  its  unreckonable  resources.  In  one  way  or  another, — probably 
in  various  ways, — now  by  personal  endeavour,  and  now  by  stimulatii^  others, 
the  reader  may  act  benevolently,  and  may  help  man's  onwaxd  progress  towards 
milleuDiat  glory  and  eternal  bUss. 


D.n.iized  by  Google 


IN  MEHOBIAK. 


IN  MEMORIAM.^JOHN  JACK,  M.A.,  STUDENT  OP  DIVINITY. 

Mr.  Jack  died  at  Melbourne  on  the  2lBt  employed  aa  the  daily  teacher  of  religioos 
of  January.  In  hia  death  our  Church  has  tratb  to  the  yonng.  There  threateuiug 
lost  one  of  her  beat  atodeuts.  He  was  a  symptoms  of  coosamptioii  appeared,  bd<J, 
naiire  of  Portsoy,  BanSabire.  He  weis  on  the  advice  of  Dr.  Begble,  he  decided 
bora  onthe  25th  of  January  1853,  Hia  to  take  &  voyage  to  Australia.  It  was 
father,  Mr.  Charlee  Jack,  shoemaker,  a  sore  trial  to  hie  attached  pareuta,  and 
nuamanof  energy  and  influence,  also  aUo  tohimiielf;  but  with  manly  atrengtit 
of  decided  piety.  He  waa  an  elder  in  and  oheerfuJoess  he  left,  hoping  himself, 
our  Church,  and  a  supporter  of  erery  or  at  all  events  trying  all  he  could  to 
eameat  Christian  work.  He  was  much  give  hope  to  them,  that  he  would  soon 
attached  to  hia  bod  John,  in  whose  early  return  well.  On  his  arrival,  by  the 
Bucceesea  in  Bcbolarship  be  took  great  advice  of  Dr.  Patrick  Smith,  a  Scotch- 
delight,  and  whose  early  manifestation  man  and  genuine  friend  to  him,  he  went 
of  piety  rejoiced  hia  heart.  Hediedsud-  inland  to  the  station  of  Mr.  Corrie  on 
danly  in  the  beginning  of  1876, — three  the  Murray  River,  and  whose  children  he 
weeks  after  John  left  for  AuatraJia.  taught.     There  he  remained  the  greater 

John  WAS  educated  in  Portsoy,  and  at  part  of   two   years.     All  kindneu  waa 

school  he  showed  decided  abilities.    The  received,  but  the  disease  advanced.    In 

first  opportunity  he  had  of  opeiily  teat-  January  last  be  came  to  Melbourne  on 

ing  bis  scholarahip  was  at  Aberdeen  his  way  home  again.    His  pasaage  was 

University,  where,  at  the  entrance  com-  taken,  but  death  overtook  him,  and  he 

petition,  he  gained  a  boiaary  of  £20.  'gotbonae'beforeembarking.  Hiedeath 

Throughout  hia  college  course  he  main-  was  the  death  of  the  righteous,    Hia  end 

tainedabigh  place,  gainingmany  prizes;  was  peace.     Ability  and  amiability  were 

and  at  the-close  he  took  his  degree.     On  his  two  moat  prominent  characteristics, 

leaving  college,  the  way  was  opened  for  He  had  a  very  clear  head,  and  could 

dim  to  go   to   Cambridge,  and  he  had  take  a  very  firm  graap  of  a  eubjecL     In 

some  thoughts  of  it,  but  he  decided  to  the  course  of  a  single  month  he  acquired 

enter  our  Theological  Hall  to  study  for  a  wonderful  acquaintance  with  IleDrew. 

the  ministry  of  our  Church.  It  took  some  acquaintance  with  him  to 

From  his  earliest  years  he  had  been  know  his  ability ;   but  every  one  who 

quiet  and  well-behaved,  and  had  an  ei-  met  him  knew  his  amiability.     All  who 

ample  of  piety  in  his  home;  bntitwaanot  knew  him  loved  him;  and  those  of  ua  who 

till  he  was  about  the  age  of  sixteen  that  knew  him  beat  mourn  his  losa  moat,^ — his 

the  decided  change  from  death  to  life  mother,  to  whom  he  waa  veiy  much  at- 

took  place.    In  connection  with  a  aeries  ta.ched,moetof  all.  Our  heavenly  Father, 

of  evangelistic  meetings,  not  a  few  in  who  looks  at  things  from  the  midat  of 

the  Bible   claaa  of   Mr.   Simmers  were  beaven'slight.tookhim;  ondHedoethalt 

impressed.     He  was  one,  and  the  im-  '  thingswell.  Wecannotclosethianoticeof 

preasion  proved  lasting.    After  a  length-  him  better  than  by  the  following  eitract 

ened  period  of  anxiety  and  inquiry,  he  from  a  letter  the  writer-  received  from 

found  light  and  rest  in  Christ.     Ever  himself   in   Australia: — '  One  day,  as  I 

after,  alUiough  be  waa  hmnble  and  un-  walked  through  the  Melbourne  cemetery, 

assuming,  he  was  decided  and  firm  in  I  came  acroas  a  verse  on  a  gravestone 

bis  Christian  principles.     He  resolved  to  which  struck  me  very  much,  and  which, 

study  for  the  ministry,  and  entered  our  from  its  peculiar  expression,  almost  gave 

Hall  in  1874.    His  high  abilities  were  me  a  new  light  on  the  subject  of  death, 

shown  there  abo  in  his  gaining  the  first  It  waa  this  : — 
Anderson  Scholarship  of  £25,  which  he 

held  during  two  yeora  of  his  attendance  .  „  ^^^  ^^^^  ^^^^            ,j,^  ^^„^,  y,        . 

at  the.  Hall.    Mr.  Jack  waa  never  of  a  Lg^,,  „g  ^^  ,gg„  °^  jhed ; 

robnst    constitution.      After  hiB  third  xWv  are  the  living,  they  •lone, 

sesoion  he  went  to  Selkirk,  where  he  was  ■miomthua  woc*llthede»d."' 


MO.  VII.  vol.  IXII.  SEW  8BRIBS. — JLLY  1ST8, 


.:?:!.;  Google 


806                                  HOME  oraoLB.  '""jlSiTw?^ 
"^amt  Circle. 

GOD  OUR  HOME. 

BI  THE  BEV.  DAVID  BEATT,  ABBEDEEH. 
'  Lorit,  ThoB  hasl  been  our  dwallini^pUce  (home)  ta  all  gener«tltiiiB.'~P9iuc  ro.  1. 
The  psalm  reveals  Moees  as  absorbed  in  But  tiie  trials  of  Moses,  wliiob.  were 
contemplatioQ  of  the  hamUmg  sapecte  the  vatrj  of  his  dsjs,  are  only  more  oi 
of  bmnaQ  l^e,  as  these  were  presented  leu  the  commcm  mheritance  of  Chrislttu 
in  the  wilderness.  Be  saw  that  tbe  men  in  all  generations.  Circumttances 
generation  which  had  come  forth  from  change,  and  troables  change  with  them, 
Egypt  had  Blmoet  already  passed  away,  yet  is  human  life  all  throughout  in  the 
Everyhalting-placehadbecOBieabutiBl-  main  a  warfare  wherein  men  conflict 
KTound,  and  every  new  match  was  started  with  men  aud  seek  to  tseak  each  oOtet 
from  tbe  midflt  of  graves.  Uplifting  his  in  empty  strife.  The  Church  itself  he- 
eyes  amid  such  sad  ughts,  heseems  to  comee  at  times  an  arena  wherein  bungrf 
have  realized  that,  in  miniature,  there  polemics  weary  over  tiie  fleahleas  b<mes 
was  passing  before  him  the  representa-  of  controTer^,  and  ordinarily  end  in 
tion  (rf  our  whole  buraan  life  in  this  the  unseemly  attempt  to  worry  each 
world.  The  miUions  of  earth  appeared  otiier.  In  the  midst  of  worldly  Ide  such 
to  liim  as,  like  Israel,  on  a  weary  and  fleshleas  bones  aie  plentiful  enough,  and 
toilsome  march.  Tbe  momiusa  brought  men  are  witnessed  as  wrangling  o?er 
in  the  generations  bright  with  life  and  them  with  a  fiery  eameetneea  worthy  d 
gladnese,  and  tlieeveuingH  closed  arouud  better  objects ;  aud  bo  everywhere  men 
their  waste  and  death.  A  mighty  wrath  seem  bent  on  breeding  tioubles  for 
waa  witnessed  as  sweeping  acroES  all  themselves,  and  filling  otliers'  lives  with 
human  life,  like  a  biUng  wind,  under  noise  and  annoyance, 
which  existence  withered  away ;  and  But  wiiUe  our  human  lifer  is  thus  in 
even  where  atroug  life  appeared  success-  its  movements  amd  activities  a  scene  U 
fully  to  weather  this  wrath  and  reach  clashing  and  conflict, '  of  tf  ial  and 
through  many  years,  yet  was  old  age  trouble,  like  a  sea  tor«  with  tenuiest, 
seen  to  be  scarce  desirable,  for,  as  full  of  yet  above  it  all  ia  God  the  home  of  We, 
labour,  and  sorrow,  and  of  solitarine^,  whose  sttuospberB  is  soothing  and  peace, 
it  was  eager  of  itself  to  be  away.  And  so,  throughout  all  car  wairing  and 

But  deeply  saddening  as  is  this  picture  troubled  pilgrimage  of  life,  wo  can  ever 

of  human  life,  Moece  relievea  its  sadness  turn  aside  unto  God,  and  in  a  moment, 

by  setting  foremost — so  giving  the  solace  through  sweet  confining  fellowship  vith 

before  the  sorrow — the  other  picture  of  Him,  we  oau  feel  as  if  a  door  behud  ns 

God  as  in  His  eocomjtassing  presence  were  closedagaiDBttheniMseof  snapping 

being  the  home  of  His  peoj^,  withiu  tongues  and  angry  conflict,  and  our  eus 

whose  hidings  are  found  unfuling  love, .  were  filled  instead  with  a  silent  glid- 

and  enduring  Joy,  and  everlasting  life.  ness.     The  dove,  with  feathers  luQed 

In  illustrating  and  commending  the  by  the  storm,  finds  a  hiding  within  ber 

text,  we  obaerre —  cot  where  she  pkmes  hei  breast ;  so  tiie 

1.  That  God  u  our  kome  of  lorn  amid  Christian  has,  amid  the  wearing  hatreds 

the  hatreds  and  confiicta  qfpreunl  life. —  of  lite,  his  hiding  ia  God — his  home  rf 

It  was  through  ifiangle  and  wrath  that  love  and  peaiOe — where  bis  soul  is  WMllud 

Mobcb'  life:  passed  in  the  wilderness,  and  healed. 

The  rough  natures  of  these  laroelites  •    We  olserve  —  %.    Thai   God   is  it 

were  often  breaking  out  in  opposition  home  of  restfuiaeu  amid  tie  labouri  nf 

and  anger.    The  long  years  of  alavery  life. — All  Hfe  ia  labour.     The  momiiig 

had  developed  the  worst  elements  in  lio'eaks  in  gladsome  sunshine  over  yonth- 

their  natures,  and  not  even  the  imposing  ful  existence,  filling  it  with  hope  aad 

miracles  they  witnessed,  nor  the  daily  i"Tf""i°°  but  the  eat^  mMniug  scarce 

goodhess  of  God  they  enjoyed,  suffic^  has  paaeed  before  yaui^  life  is  girded 

to  tame   down   their   turbulence,   and  for  the  common  toil ;   and  on  through 

dispose  them  to  meekness  and  mutual  the  heat  of  the  noon-day,  and  adown 

affectioQ.  (he  long  afternoon  of  deolioing  yeaia 


"■^rtJi^Mre^'                               HOME  CIBOLB.                                                  307 

nutit  tiu  eroiUde,  the  bonien  of  life  nas  asd  eumple  to  ns  smid  tiie  labours,  and 

to  be  borne.    Owcr  aO.  esBtenoe  there  vcarinenes,  aad  depresBioBe  of  mir  lives, 

•eems  aa  Tiaibly  written:  'Work  while  is  thst  Odd  is  %e  home  ol  our  souls 

itieealledto-daf.fortbe  night  coneA; '  wherein  we  esperieneft  the  enjoTment 

ft&d  earnest  RMQ,  aa  they  took  Hp  and  of  restfulnesa,  imreb;  we  ore  sustained 

raad  this  meaage,  set  to  their  life-tasks  and  braced  for  Kfe,  nntil  the  haat  and 

with  diligmoo  and  Tcsolnteoesi.     It  is  banjen  shall  have  passed,  and  tlie  even- 

tiie   prood   detennination  of  all  high-  tide  of  rectcaiing  and  reward  is  nached. 

scaled  Mid  true  men  to  ill  up  their  hnrf  We  obwrre  —  3.    Thai  God  is  ottr 

exiateiice  hera  with  as  great  a  MCViee  hotne  of  purifieaHon  amW  Ihe  defilemfnts 

mtto  God  as  their  huids  can  acofMijdish.  tehick  comt  of  life. — We  can  never  go 

The  comnHmest  vorka  of  earthlf  life,  far  throngfa  the  life  of  tcaj  day  before 

they  know,  can  become  as  ron^  sfatils  onr  garmentfl  are  soiled  and  oiuselrea 

in  which  tliey'  can  set  the  troth  and  defiled  by  the  fiJthiness  of  sin.    It  is 

righteousness  of  their  very  souls ;  and  impossible  that  it  can  be  otherwise  in 

while  the  hay  aud  stubble  of  all  human  a  world  where  saints  must  needs  rub  - 

work  must  be  corsumed  by  the  fires  of  shoulders  with  the   unholy,  and  tread 

God,  still  all  that  is  spirito^  must  stand  paths  whereon  lies  the  mire  of  iniquity, 

as  indestmctible.     Whatsoever,  there-  No  doubt  the  saints  of  God,  by  more  cir- 

fore,  such  nlen  find  to  do,  they  set  to  it  oumspection,  might  keep  their  raiment 

wilJi  mind  and  might,  that  they  may  cleaner  than  they  do.    There  are  scenes 

advance  it  towards  completion,  if  not  of  questionable  character  which  they 

leave  it  as  a  finished  monument  of  their  could  easily  avoid,  compaiuonships  they 

indostiy  and  devotion.  could  eaaily  evade,    indulgences    tbey 

But,  at  the  same  time,  all  labour  is  could  easily  resist,  engagements  they 

weariness.     Ilie  more  that  earnest  men  could  easily  decline,  and  walks  of  life  in 

wo^,  the  heavier  becomes  their  sense  which  they  need  never  be  found.     Tbey 

of  disappointment,  depression,  and  ex-  niight  maintain  their  spiritual   clean- 

hnustion ;  and  ever  as  the^  lift  up  their  linese  by  cherishing  that  love  of  purity 

toil-worn  faces  from  Ibeir  tasks,  their  which  would  of  itself  constrain  thera  to 

prayer  is  for  eome  shelter  of  restfulness  flee  the  appearance  of  evil  as  men  flee 

where  their  languor  may  be  relieved,  thepresence  of  contagion, 

their  weariness  refreshed,  their  disap-  With  all  goardednesa,  however,  oon- 

pointments  solaced,   and   their    vigour  tact  with  the  unholy  is  inevitable,  and 

restored.  defilement  is  the  result.  But  though  with 

And  where  can  snch  renewal  of  spirit,  sorrow  and  shame  we  have  to  bewail 

and  power,  and  life  be  acquired  other  the  bespattering  aud  draggling  of  our. 

than   witliin    the    sanctnary   of    God'i  beautiful  raiment,  yet  have  we  grate- 

I'.resence,  and  in   enjoyment   of   that  fully torcjoiceiu  ourreadyaeceeswithin 

divine  fellowship  which   is  the  well-  the  home  of  God's  encompaaaing  merci- 

Sfring  of  all  strength  and  refreshment  ?  fulness  and  grace,  where  all  stains  can 

Itwasin  fellowshipwith  God  thatMoses  be  removed.     'Though  your  sins  be  as 

found  that  home-ule  of  his  soul  which  scarlet,  they  shall  be  as  white  as  snow ; 

snstained  unbroken  the  vigonr  whioh  he  tliough  they  be  red  like  crimson,  th^ 

dBplayedinhis^eatwoi^in  the  wilder-  shall  be  as  wool'    Our  merciful  Giodin 

n^s.      It  was  m  like  fellowship  with  Eis  encompassing  preaence,    therefore, 

God  that  Elijah  found  the  same  home-  is  the  home  of  spiritual  beauty  —  of 

life  which  nourished  the  unquenchable  spiritual  beautifying — thehome  of  parifi- 

conraee  and  unyielding  power  which  his  cation — where  the  prayer  has  acsnow- 

work  demanded.    OQrblessedLord,also,  ledgment  and  answer,  'Let  the  beauty 

when  wesiy  and  depressed^  songbt  desert  of  the  Lord  our  God  be  upon  us.' . 

places,  that  He  might  pass  into  fdlow-  .      Aa  a  last  point,  we  observe— 4.   Thai 

3t^  intJi  Sa  Father  as  within  a  home  God  is  our  Tiome  everlasliag  amid  ti/e's 

(rf  reetfolneBS ;  ond  such  was  the  rrfreeh-  unceasing  cKanget.—^  Our  fathers,  where 

ment  He  experienced,  that  He  was  ever  are  Ibey?'  is  ever  the  wailing  cry  of  our 

seen,   when  coming  forth  from  tiioae  human  Ufe.    The  affecting  sight  which 

lonely  dwdhngs  with  God,  as  girded  meebansintbecontcmplationof existence 

with  fresh  strength  for  the  toils  and  n  that  of  deatii  following  with  devoui- 

snSerings  of  Eis  great  life.    The  lesson,  ing  hoofs  in  ihe  immediate  wake  of  life. 

therefore,  which  copes  through  precept  What  was  ereniiile  a  bustling  worid  of 


COBBESPOKDENCE. 


hum&n  beings,  full  of  riTnliy,  ratless- 
neas,  and  ambitioD,  full  of  uoia;  life 

And  laugbter,  is  now  BleepiDg  beceatb 
the  earth  on  wbicb  an  ^uallj  bustliiig, 
reetleea  world  of  life  has  fallowed,  and 
whose  tura  will  come  to  sleep  beneath 
and  give  place  to  those  who  are  already 
gathering  on  its  face.  There  ia  no  con- 
tinuance to  be  found  anjwbere  here  od 
earth.  Our  human  life  ia  on  a  pilgrim- 
age, and  our  bodies  are  aaited  thereto,  as 
being  but  tabernacles  or  tents.  Bet  up 
.  here  to-day  only  to  be  struck  and  re- 
moved on  the  morrow. 


Yet  amid  all  these  aolsna  contem- 
pladons  of  change  there  is  to  us  tliia 
glad  representation  of  our  text,  that  the 
God  we  love,  serve,  and  worship  is 
changeless  and  everlasting.  His  neat 
Spirit  haa  encompaBsed  us.  We  have 
dwelt  RB  in  His  presence,  and  sat  as 
under  His  shadow.  His  love  is  as  the 
atmospbere  about  us,  and  His  f  eilowship 
as  our  joy.  Unseen,  tiiough  not  onreal, 
the  xaighty  God  haa  been  with  us,— the 
dwelling -place  of  His  people  throughout 
these  generations. 


TRIAL  FOR  HERESY. 

TO  THE  EDITOK  OK  THE  UNITED  PRESBYTERIAN  UAQAZINE. 


Sir, — I  ask  permission  through  your  pages 
to  draw  the  attention  of  the  members  of 
Synod  to  a  question  which  affects  the  ad- 
ministration of  justice  in  our  Church.  The 
question  is  raised  by  certain  proceedings 
at  the  last  meeting  of  Synod ;  but  it  will 
serve  the  purpose  of  this  letter  to  make 
little  direct  reference  to  what  is  past, 
and  to  put  a  hypothetical  case.     Sup- 

faae,  then,  at  some  future  meeting  of 
jnod,  A.  B.  is  under  trial  for  heresy  ; 
that  a  committee  appointed  to  deal  with 
him  give  in  their  report,  which  contains 
the  materials  on  which  its  members 
arc  to  form  their  judgment,  and  which, 
when  printed,  is  put  into  their  hands  be- 
tween tbe  hours  of  eight  and  nine  in  the 
evening  ;  that  from  ei{;bt  to  ten  of  the 
same  evening,  two  motions  are  put  and 
advocated  by  members  of  that  com- 
mittee ;  and  that  when  a  member  of  the 
Synod  unconnected  with  the  committee 
rises  to  make  a  third  motion,  he  is  not 
allowed  to  make  it.  Would  this  he  a 
fair  administration  of  justice  ?  Suppose 
that  one  of  the  motions  was  that  A.  B. 
be  deposed,  and  the  other  that  a  com- 
mittee be  appointed  to  issue  the  cnse ; 
and  suppose  that  the  third  motion  offered 
to  the  Synod  was  that  A.  B.  be  fully 
acqmtted.  But  tbe  supporters  of  tbe  first 
motion,  that  he  be  deposed,  raise  ancb 
a  clamour  that  the  mover  of  that  third 
motion  cannot  be  beard ;  that  every 
speaker  who  attempts  to  address  the 
Moderator  is  put  down  by  vociferation, 
'  forty  shoutmg  like  one ; '  that  conse- 
quent); tbe  motion  that  A.  B.  be  ao- 


rtted  is  never  put  to  the  Synod,  and 
t  many  members  are  compelled,  in 
consequence,  either  to  refrain  Trom  vot- 
ing, or  to  give  their  vote  for  what  they 
very  impenectly  accept.  Would  this  bo 
reckoned  by  any  impartial  man  a  dia- 
passionate  administration  of  justice? 
*Vould  not  A.  B.,  who  was  thus  deposed 
from  the  ministry  by  a  forced  vote,  have 
a  most  grievous  injury  inflicted  on  hun? 
Would  the  preebyteriea  of  the  Church 
not  have  the  right  to  overture  the  Synod 
for  a  new  trial  to  rectify  this  flagrant 
wrong?  The  Synod,  if  IrightlynDder- 
ataud  its  conatitution,  ia  in  auui  a  case 
both  judge  and  jury,  but  not  a  partisan. 
Every  member  has  a  right  to  pronounce 
a  verdict  according  to  bia  own  particular 
view  of  the  cause. ,  But  if,  when  I  attempt 
to  make  a  motion  in  the  case,  that  \t, 
give  expression  to  what  I  think  tbe  vei- 
dict  ought  to  be,  I  am  silenced  by  cries 
of  '  Vote,  vot«,'  then  I  am  deprived  of 
my  right  sa  a  judge  in  the  case. 

It  would  be  well  for  future  Hoderalocs 
deeply  to  ponder  what  theirduty  isinBUch 
circumstancea.  Every  one  mnat  have  the 
greateat  sympathy  with  a  Uoderatol 
brought  in  a  moment  into  a  poaitioa  so 
trying,  who  is  placed  in  the  chair  not  to 
rule  U)e  Synod,  but  in  a  great  messuie 
to  be  the  eiponent  of  the  Synod's  will. 
A  sudden  squall  wliich  laya  a  Tessel  oa 
its  beam-eniia  will  put  the  most  expe- 
rienced captain  to  his  shifts.  But  I  ap- 
prehend l£at  one  of  the  great  duties  of 
a  Moderator  is  to  protect  the  weak 
agunst  the  strong,  and  to  endeavour  to 


COBRESPONDESCE. 


to  the  .ntmosi  of  his  ability,  the     while  the  Synod  can  regnlate  the  eitent 


rights  of  tha  membera  of  court.  He 
the  ooe  man  in  the  Synod  who  can 
make  himself  heard,  And  to  whom  all 
defer.  It  is  therefore  in  his  power  to 
interpose  his  anlhoritj,  and  to  Bfty  that 


to  which  any  motion  may  be  Bnpported 
in  a  speech,  it  must  bear  the  motion  it- 
self; and  no  Synod  would  refose  to' bow 
to  a  decision  so  obriously  righteous. 

tfAUES  Inolis.    , 
JomraTONE. 


TBE  SUNDAY  SCHOOLS  OF  THE  ESTABLISHED  CHURCH. 


F  THE  UNITED  PRESBTTERIAK 


Sir, — The  newspaper  report  of  the  Com-  dozen  teach eis  belonging  to  the  Estab- 
mittee  on  Sunday  Schools,  presentad  to  lished  Church,  and  that  not  one  of  the 
the  General  Assembly  of  the  Church  of     fonr  schools  was  formally  connected  with 


Scotland  by  Mr  J.  G.  Tonng,  Monifieth, 
is  not  so  rery  clear  in  its  statements  as 
to  enable  us  to  be  qnite  snre  of  its  mean- 
ing. He  is  reported  to  have  said  : 
'  Government  ststisticB  show  that  in  the 
coarse  of  the  last  twenty-six  years  the 
increase  of  Sunday  scholars  connected 
with  the  Church-  of  Scotland  exceeded 


itained  hy  it.  Yet  the  minister 
gaTe  in  the  whole  four  schools  as  be- 
longing to  the  Established  Church,  the 
pretext  being  that  he  paid  an  annual 
visit  to  them  I  Of  conrse  this  is  only 
one  instance  oE  improper  returns,  but  I 
have  heard  of  others,  and  fear  that  some 
considerable  deductions  are  to  be  r 


that  of  both  the  Free  Church  and  the  from  the  30,000  claimed  for  the  Eatab- 

United    Fresbytenan   Church   put    to-  lished  Church. 

getber,  and  left  an  additional  margin  in        Mr.  Young,  in  giving  in  the  report, 

favour  of    the  Established  Church  of  took  occasion  to  make  it  the  vehicle  of  a 

20,600.'  Thismaymean  that  the  scholars  sneer  at  those  '  ministers  who  are  so  fond 

have  increased  in  these  twenty-six  years  of  peace '  ta  to  negotiate  with  an  ex- 

by  20,600  more  than  tiie  increase   in  Premier  in  connection  with  whom  thev 

the  other  two  Churches.     Bat  are  the  have  hopes  of  Disestablishment,  which 

statistics  to  be  relied  on?    I  give  an  these  20,000  show  to  be  utterlv  futile, 

instance,  for  the  truth  of  which  I  can  We  do  not  remark  on  this,  furtner  than 

vouch.     A  few  years  ^o,  I  fonnd  that  to  say  it  does  not  aeem  to  have  been 

the   returns   of  a   neighbouring  parish  specially  called  for  by  the  subject  under 

gave  4  schools,  about  10  teachers,  and  consideration,  or  particularly  in  keeping 

400  scholars.   I  speak  from  memory,  and  with  the  spirit,  or  what  ought  to  nave 

may  therefore  be  inaccurate  in  the  par-  been  the  spirit,  of  the  report.— I  am, 

ticulars,  but  this  is  of  no  consequence  etc.  A  Mihisteb. 

for  the  purpose  of  tl)e  correction.    I 

made    personal    inquiry  regarding    all         P,S.— As  the  number  of  seholara  in 

these    schools,    and   ascertained    that  the  Free  Chnrch  Sunday  Schools  ia  nearly 

though  they  were  all  in  the  puisb,  one  200,000,  and  in  the  United  Preabyterii 


of    them    was  taught   exclusively  by 
United  Presbyterians,  all  the  expenses 


being   borne  by  them ;    another 
superintended  by  a  Free  Church  elder 
another  by  an  Episcopalian ; 
(our  schools  there  were  only 


Church  about  80,000,  and  in  the  Estab- 
lished Church  only  200,000,  it  will  be 
many  a  long  year  before  Mr.  Young's 
boast  is  verified,  that  the  claim  f£  Dis- 
the  seuters  to  be  the  majority  of  the  people 
alf-     of  Scotland  will  by  and  bye  be  untenable. 


CONFLICTING  DOCTRINES. 


TO  THE  EDITOR  OE  THE  UNITED  PRE9BYTEIUA11  UAQAZtNE. 

Sir, — The  times  in  which  we  live  are  thinkers  than  the  doctrine  of  Election. 

stirring  times,  and  the   upheavings   of  It  is,  of  course,  hedged  with  difficnities, 

opinion  are  sometimes  very  startling,  and  and  therefore  it  is  ignored  or  set  aside 

apt  to  fill  us  with  dismay.  as  untenable.      Now,   independently  of 

We  believe  there  is  hardly  any  doc-  the  standards  of  the  Church,  there  is  no 

trine  more  cried  down  by  superficial  doctrine  more  clearly  and  explicitly  set 


310  COHEE8PONDENCB.  '"  KnTiSl"' 

forth  ia  Oia  void  of  truth, — Qat  word  Iu^b,  tbat  hj  d<Hng  «o  diey  lasd  Aem- 

which  is  &  light  to  Uie  feet  and  a  lamp  Belrea  in  gi«ater  obmrdities. 

to  the  path.  If  weaetuideGod'BfoTe-ordiiiationoc 

We  «ie  not  left  in  oncerteint;  whetjiec  forekiMwledge,  whidi  comts  virtutjly  to 

man  is  responsible  foi  hia  part  in  exe-  the  aame  thing,  thea  what  is  God?    He 

cuting  the  divine  decxeea.     The  Apoatle  is  jnst  such  on  one  aa  oiuBelree;  one 

Petei  Bels  this  matter  at  rest  inute  2d  who  may  be  baulked  in  Hia  designs;  who, 

chapter  of  Acta,  where  he  saTS,  '  Him  although  deBirons  to  extend  mercf  to 

(Jesus),  being  deUreied  by  tie  deter-  some  poor  distreased  one,  may  be  pnt 

minate  comuel  and  fordawwledge  <rf  oat  (rf  Hii  reckoning  by  stane  unforeseen 

God,  ye  haye  taken,  and  hytcicked  hands  occurrence,  which  may  cut  abort  the  life 

have  crucified. and  elain.'  •  of  the  individnal,  and  thaa  end  hia  tenn 

A  striking  passage  on  this  point  is  of  life  ^mtoro  aexcj  bad  been  extended 

foundinthe  lOtbchapterof  iBaiafaivbere  to  him.    Take  away  God's  foreknow- 

we  find  God  speaking  thus :  '  /  «iiU  send  kdge,  and  we  au>y  «■  well  live  in  a 

bim  (the  Aa^riau)  against  an  hypo-  chance  world  at  once,  whwe  eve^thing 

critical  nation ;  and  against  the  people  ntight  happen  by  candoin  or  CM»ioe. 
of  my  wrath  wilt  I  give  him  a  chaise,  to        But  let  as  rejoice  Uiat  God  nagn 

rey,  and  that  noUiing  can  happoi  to  usbntl, 

■e  of  the  His  appointment.    He  bath  detomined 

BireeiB.  tba  bbunda  of  oui  habitation,  and  He 

We  are  apt  to  think  surely  Uie  Assy-  will  not  fail  nOT  fwsake  those  who  trust 

rian  in  thia  case  is  free  of  blame,  bat  no.  in  Him. 

We  are  informed  that  he  had  no  idea        There  Tnay&e,  nay,  liere  ore,  difficultiea 

of  folGUing  the  divine  purpoeee,  bat  that  in  regard  to  the  doctrine  of  Election 

it  was  for  bis  own  aggrandisement  that  when  taken  abng  with  aOtgi  doctrines; 

he  did  it  all ;  and  therefore  we  find  God  but  take  it  away,  and  yon  leave  ns  with- 

nying,  '  It  sfaall  come  to  pass  that  when  out  a  God  at  all,— <»ie,  at  all  events,  on 

the  Lord  hath  performed  His  whole  woi^  whom  we  conld  not  lean,  se«isg  His 

upon  Mount  Zion  and  on  Jerusalem,  I  designs  oi  mercy  might  be  frostrated  st 

ml  punish  the  fruit  of  the  stout  heart  of  any  momait  or  in  any  case, 
the  ting  of  Assyria  and  the  glory  of  hia        Bnt  when  we  take  God's  word  as  we 

high  lo^s.'  find  it,  tben  and  then  (mly  eta  we  siy 

We  cannot  reconcile  such  things;  and,  with  the  Psalmist,  'He  hath  made  wiUi 

as  we  have  said,  some  are  fun  to  cast  ma  an  everlasting  covenant,- i»dered  in 

the  doctrine  aside,  little  dreaming,  per-  all  things  and  rore.'  A  Laykan. 


to  THE  EDUOB  QF  THE  CHTTED  PRESBTTBRIAH  UAGAUHE. 

Sir, — I  have  been  engaged  as  a  Sabbath  children'a,  to  enter  heartily  into  this 

school  teacher  and  soperintendcait  f<H  walk  of  osefulness,  but  my  success  has 

the   not   short  period   of   thirty-three  not  been  great. 

yeara.     I  have  witnessed  many  changes  I  may,  aa  I  un  writing  quite  impenon- 

in  that  time, — some  good,  and  some  not  ally,  and  perhaps  am  giving  the  ei- 

so.     There  is  one  point,  however,  in  perience  of  others  aUo,  note  some  of  the 

reference  to  which  I  grieve  to  see  a  cer-  reasoDS  given,  and,  let  it  be  observed, 

tain  det«rioration,  viz.  the  attitude  of  given  by  young  men  who  are  memb^s 

.  our  young  men  to  the  Sabbath  school,  of  oor  Chut«h. 

It  was  always  easy,  in  my  experience,  One  objected  to  becoming  a  S^batb 

to  get  teachers  for  the  female  dassee,  school  teacher  becaase  this  wonld  ne- 

aod  is  so  slill.     It  waa  never  so  ea^  to  ccssitate  a  carefolneBa  of  general  oon^ct 

get  teachers  for  the  boys,  and  now  it  is  which  he  was  not  prepared  to  observe, 

miffe  difficult  than  ever.                  ,  Another  affirmed  that  be  preferred  to 

I  have  spoken  to  a  number  of  yoang  have  the  Sabbath  a£tentooa  to  MmKlf 

men  on  this  subject,  and  entreated  them,  for    ascuraioua    or    social     recreatiot : 

for  theti  own  sakes  as  well  as  tor  the  while  a  third   said,   as  he  was  buty 


™w,ir»r"                        pommr.  3U 

during  the  week,  he  wished  to  obserre  We  tnut  that  oar  young  men  will 
the  Sabb&tk  as  a  day  of  bodilj  rest.  Ulra  this  matter  into  their  Beriooa  con- 
Now  it  will  be  Been  &t  a  gUnee  that  dderatjon.  We  gladlj  acknowledge  that 
these  reasons  will  not  bear  a  moment's  many  of  them  are  actively  engaged  in 
coDsideration,  and  aigae  Buch  a  want  of  this  good  work,  but  there  is  alond  call 
piUi  and  Christian  manlinens  on  the  part  for  more :  and  it  will  be  of  advantage  , 
of  Uiosa  who  pTit  them  forth,  as  to  excite  to  thenuwlTM  to  hear  the  cM. 
feelings  of  pity. 

I   notice   that   the   convener   of   the  'ThaquilitrodnereyianotMnaa'd. 

Comnuttee  on  Sabbath  SchooU  in  con-  itbi-i^itoSiTiiv^^ 
Meti(»i  with  our  Chordi  states   that 

there  art  about  80,000  children  attend-  And  rarely  they  will  find  the  way  of 

iDg  Uiem,  bnt  complains  that  these  by  Christian  awfulneaa  a  more  eieellent 

no  means  represent  the  whole  duldrea  one,  and  its  termination  more  gloriooa, 

of  the  Church.    Bnt  if  there  is  a  diffi-  than    the   ignoble  oim    of    easy   selt- 

cnlty  in  finding  toachers  eren  for  those  indulgence.— I  am,  etc., 

who  att«nd,    what    encouragement    it  Ah  Old  Sabbath  Scbool 

there  to  beat  np  for  more  ?  Teacher. 


EH  tlwt  gtvea  uid  him  that  tdea. 


THE  LATE  RET.  ROBERT  FBRBIER,  TAIN. 

TO  THE  SDITOR  OF  THE  DKITED  FRESBITEBIAN  UAOAZINE. 

Sir, — I  have  read  with  much  interest  Seceder  from   Forres'  was    Mr.  John 

the  excellent  ekotch  of  t^e  late  Rev.  Strahaii,fatherof^.  Alexander  Strahtut, 

RobertFerrier,  published  in  tUa  month's  the  well-known  London  publisher.     Hi; 

Magazine.   When  speaking  of  the  forma-  J.  Strahan  was  himeelf  a  man  of  oon- 

tion  of  the  con^gation  in  Tain,  it  is  eiderable  literary  attainments,  his  pnb- 

rtated  by  the  wnter  that  it  waa  greatly  lished  poetry  attracting  very  favoorable 

owing  to  a  Seceder  from  Forres  and  two  attentioii.     He  was  also  one  of  the  most 

or  three  sympathiaers  having  taken  up  intimate  friends  of  Hogh  Miller. — I  am, 

their  resideBoe  in  the  towo.    It  may  etc,  A.  B.  W. 

mtwest  yonr  readers  to  know  that '  the         Ix)Ndon,  May  15, 1878. 


m  MBMORIAM.— JAMES  CRAIG, 


A»  earnest,  humble,  loving  life  he  lived, 

Ifor  minglod  much  amid  the  world's  ^scords ; 
Foe  gentler  impress  had  his  mind  received 

From  frequent,  tnutful  conv^se  with  his  Lord's. 
Not  his  the  shifting  faith  of  modem  schools, 

Or  worship  of  that  higher  haman  tjiougfat 
Whi<4  measoMB  all  by  Reason's  narrow  rules. 

Nor  grauta  augiit  true  by  deep  couviction  wrought. 
To  bim  tike  central  troths  of  gnilt  and  sin 

By  freest  grace  and  sacrifice  atoned 
Were  clear ;  nor  could  a  wtnld  of  reasoning  win 

Belief  in  what,  not  faith,  but  judgment  owned. 
And  thos  he  Eyed,  nor  sought  by  Reason's  light 

To  trace  his  footsteps  o'er  earth's  rugged  ways ; 
But  now  his  itHh  has  changed  to  clearer  sight, 

And  knowledge  gnidea  liis  endless  life  of  praise. 


D.a.t,zsd  by  Google 


RBLIOIOUB  IHTBLLIGBKCE. 


Intelligence.— ^Stuifib  ^resbyterian  C^urc^. 


Monday,  Mag  20. 
The  Synod  reBumed  iti  littinga  in  tbe  Free 
Ohurch    Assembly    Hall    to-d&y,     at    ooe 
o'clock— Bev.  Mr.  Croom,  Moderator. 

After  the  reading  of  the  minutas,  on  the 
motion  of  Dr.  Andrew  ThOuQOH,  seconded 
bf  Dr.  Marshall,  a  special  vote  of  thanka 
was  given  to  tUe  Bev.  Junes  BudmnaD, 
Glasgow,  for  the  able  way  in  which  he  had 
discharged  the  dntiei  of  clerk  of  the  Com- 
mittee OQ  tbe  Revision  of  the  Standards. 
On  the  qaertion  being  put  as  to  whether 
what  ia  known  as  tbe  Jeypore  case  should 
b«  taken  in  private  on  Tuesday  in  Commit- 
tee of  the  House,  sereial  members  thought 
it  would  be  unfortunate  if  it  were  discussed 
in  public,  whils  one  or  two  others  were  of 


The  following  reasons  of  dissent  were 
read  by  Dr.  MaeBhall  againet  the  deed  of 
Synod  (of  Friday  night)  refusing  to  admit 
into  the  Declaratory  Statement  the  pro- 
positions offered  by  Mm  on  liberty  of 
conscience  : — '1.  Because  taxation  for  re- 
ligions purposes  is  the  form  in  which 
liberty  of  conscience  ia  now  violated  in  this 
land,  and  against  which  tbe  Synod's  Decla- 
ration, if  it  was  not  to  miss  its  msrk,  ought 
to  hare  been  directed.  2.  Because  there  is 
no  subject  on  which  it  was  more  desirable 
to  set  forth  more  clearly  and  fully  the  view 
which  the  Synod  takes  of  the  teaching  of 
Holy  Soripture  than  liberty  of  conBcience  : 
it  being  notour  that  while  this  Church  has 
hitherto  protested  against  "  all  compalsory 
or  intolerant  and  persecuting  principles  in 
religion,"  many  of  her  members  are  impli- 
cated in  tbe  prevailing  sin  and  scandal  im- 
plied in  the  existing  practice  of  the  princi- 
ples. S.  Because  to  proteit  against  this 
itate  of  things— against  tbe  principle  of 
compulsion  in  religion,  and  ii>  evade  declar- 
ing against  the  practice  of  it,  is  in  every 
respect  the  worst  policy  this  Church  could 
pursue ;  shaking,  as  it  does,  mutual  canfi- 
deoce  among  prdessed  Tolantaries,  weaken- 
ing their  hands  in  theii  struggle  to  obtain 
tba  full  recc^nition  by  law  of  the  sacred 
rights  of  conscience,  and  eiposing  them 
their  principles  to  much  misundersti 
and  reproach.  4.  Beeaase  the  Synod  coma 
'    '  L  better   opportunity  of   doing 


Mr.  Hdoh  Babhett  (elder),  Olauow,  the 
convener,  gave  in  the  report  of  this  com- 
mittee. Tht  report  suggested  the  estib- 
lishment  of  a  general  Synodical  scheme, 
incorporating  with  it  the  two  eiiiting 
friendly  societieB  of  miniatara.  The  com- 
mittee admitted  the  difficulties  in  establish- 
ing such  a  scheme,  but  the  end  to  be  gained 
was  so  important,  and  so  necessary  to  the 
comfort  of  ministers  and  the  welfare  of  the 
Church,  that  it  justified  a  patient  effort  is 
surmount  any  obstacles.  In  aacif  a  ichemt 
all  ministers  and  European  misdonuies 
connected  with  the  denomination  sbonld  be 
included.  By  this  means  an  annuity  of 
about  £42,  with  £10  for  each  child,  should 
be  allowed  to  the  widows  and  oiphant  of 

would  require  to  pay  tbe  necessary  entrsnce 
fees  themselves,  but  each  congregatioD 
would  probably  have  to  subscribe  £7  a  year. 
The  committee  asked  to  be  reappmnted, 
with  powers  to  continue  the  negotiations 
which  they  had  opened  with  the  eiiitiiE 
friendly  sodetles  of  miniaters,  and  wiu 
,.  .. r..._   jjjjij  jf    j[j^    incorpor»tion  of 


le  found  pnclic- 


these 

and  Orphan 

able,  they  should  prepare  i ._. 

consideration  of  the  Synod  ;  but  diould  the 
proposal  be  found  impracticable,  the  com- 
mittee should  consider  what  other  scheme 
should  be  submitted.  On  tbe  motion 
of  the  Ber.  Hr.  Williamson,  seconded  bf 
Mt.  Clark,  Abemetby,  the  report  wu, 
after  I—-  ''- '  -    -'--' 


te  discussion,  adopted. 


The  committee  on  the  applications  of 
Messrs.  Robert  Hutchison,  Dunning,  s  pro- 
bationer of  the  Original  3eoe«slon  Church ; 
David  Gray,  Qlasgow,  a  probationer  of  the 
Original  Secession  Church ;  Dr.  A.  B. 
Kennedy,  licentiate  of  tbe  United  Preabj- 
terian  Church  of  Canada ;  the  Rev.  Dand 
Cook,  Bonnington,  formerly  a  Congrt^- 
tional  minister  in  Fet«rhead,  Dundee,  sad 
Gleagow ;  Mr.  W,  Hood  Wright,  formerly 
Baptist  minister-;  and  tbe  Kev.  J.  K  S. 
Hunter,  formerly  minister  of  the  West 
United  Presbyterian  congregation,  Stnth- 


itanding      The  i 


reported  oj 

caiefully  examined  all 
o  it,  and  had  oometoi 

o  with  regard  to  alL^  It 

recommended  that  Messrs.  Robert  Hatcbison 
and  David  Gray  be  admitted  to  tbe  status 
of  probationers  of  this  Church,  and  that  ttie 
Rev.  David  Cook  be  taken  into  ministerial 
commanion  with  it,  and  his  name  plaoed  on 
the  ntll  of  probationers.    Having .  ntisted 


of  theae,  bfling  by  the  la 


'   FROCEEDIMaS  OF  UHITSD  PBE8BTTERIAK  SYNOD.    '313 


In  11  pretbTteriea  there  hod  been  an  iacreua 
in  Httsaduice  of  1TB2,  and  a  deoreue  in  15 
pre>byteriBi  of  1077.  There  were  491 
miniatera'  clBSBea,  and  202  eidera*  clasBeB^ 
with  an  attendance  of  25,001,  being  an 
incieoie  in  the  year  of  1  miUiiter'B 'c!us,  a 
decreaie  of  3  elders'  claaies,  and  an  increaied 
attendance  of  352  icholan.  The  number  of 
yonng  people  receiving  reliKioai  inatmotion 
!Q  Sabbath  schoola  and  BiMe  cliasea  witbin 
the  bonnda  of  the  denomination  dnring  1877 
was  thui  104,817,  While  tbe  committee 
tliought  the  increaie  gratifying,  they  belicTed 
there  was  atill  room  for  cODsiderable  im- 
proTement ;  and  they  nrged  upon  ministera 
and  elden  to  ondeaToiir  to  aecnre  the  at- 
tendance of  those  in  their  congrogatione  who 
ought  to  be,  but  were  not  nt  present, 
attending  the  Sabbath  ashool  or  the  Bible 
cIhsi.  The  oommittee  recommended  that, 
at  formerly,  a  grant  of  £90  ihould  be  givea 
to  the  Edinburgh  Babbath  Bchool  Union  in 
aid  of  the  salary  of  their  agent. 

Mr.  MiTJ.KB  aaid ;  Considering  the  member- 
ehip  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church, 
there  mutt  gtill  b«  many  of  the  children  in 
the  congregations  who  were  not  attending 
either  the  Sabbath  school  or  the  Bihle  class, 
and  some  means  should  be  adapted  to 
remedy  this  defect. 

The  report  wasadopted. 


itself  of  Mi.  W,  Hood  Wright's  sohoUrly 
attainments,  and  sonndness  of  view  on 
baptism  and  Cburoh  goremment,  recom' 
mended  that  the  Freabytery  of  Kilmarnock 
bo  initmcted  to  take  him  on  trials  for 
licence..  After  communioation  with' mem- 
ben  of  Hamilton,  and  otben,  recommended 
that  the  Rev.  J.  H.  S.  Hunter  he  placed  on 
the  roll  of  probationers.  Having  given 
careful  consideration  to  the  cose  of  Dr.  A. 
R.  Kennedy,  and  being  satisfied  both  as  to 
his  attainments  snd  the  circumstancfs  of  his 
application,  reconimecdcd  that  he  be  ad- 
initted  as  a  licentiate  into  the  Ilhurch.  The 
report  was  adopted. 


Mr.  MOFTAT  submitted  the  report  of  the 
Qeneral  Finance  Committee,  which  ing- 
geated  that  aa  there  was  a  surplus  of  £336, 
7s.  9d.  at  the  credit  of  the  committee,  £300 
should  be  carried  to  the  Synod  Hall  acconnt. 
[legacies  amounting  to  £13,712,  So,  Id.  had 


been  intimated  during  the  year;  the  laraest 

'"----   '--ingby  the  late  Mr.  Robert  J^n- 

inted  to  £7710,  lis.  Id.     It  was 


pointed  to  make  a  reeommendation  i . .  . . 
the  application  of  Hr.  John  Lorimer's 
legacy.     The  report  was  adopted, 


Dr.  RoBtxt  Jeffrbi,  Olasgaw,  on  behalf 
of  the  Committee  on  Synod  Hall  Accommo- 
dation, reported  the  purchase  Of  the  Weat 
End  Theatre  at  a  cost  of  £26,700.  TTp  to 
I3th  current  the  aum  of  £15,022,  19i.  Sd. 
hod  been  aubacribed  by  the  Church  towarda 
the  fund  for  the  new  building,  and  aeveral 
congregations  had  not  yet  contribnted.  The 
purchase -money  in  the  meantime  had  been 
paid,  the  liank  having  advanced  it  on  the 
security  of  the  committee.  Aa  to  the  altera- 
tion of  the  theatre  tor  Synodioal  purposea, 
three  competitive  'plana  had  been  recaived, 
and  the  committee  bad  agreed  to  call  in  the 
assistance  of  an  eminent  architect  to  advise 
them  in  the  telection  of  the  most  suitable 
plan.  The  oommittee  suggested  that  when 
the  new  premises  are  completed,  the 
premises  in  Queen  Street  should  be  sold. 
Tbe7  also  recnmmended  that  a  vote  of 
thanks  should  be  given  to  the  Assembly 
Hall  Committee  of  the  Free  Church  for  the 
use  ot  the  Aaaembly  Hall  for  this  year,  and 
to  the  Senatns  of  the  New  College,  and  the 
Deacons'  Conrt  of  the  Free  High  Church,  for 
the  Dse  ot  committee  roomri.  Dr.  Jeffrey 
mentioned  that  the  cost  of  the  alteration  i^ 
the  theatie,  under  the  plana  received,  waa 
under  the  estimate  which  they  had  made  of 
this  part  of  the  scheme. 

On  the  motion  of  Dr.  SOOTT,  the  report 
waa  adopted,  and  the  committee  thanked 
and  eonbnued. 


From  the  report  of  the  Committee  on 
Sabl»tfa  Schools,  submitted  by  Mr,  Miller,  it 
appeared  the  number  of  schools  connected 
with  the  Chunb  was  841,  10,746  teachers, 
wldle  the  attendance  was  79,816.  Aa 
compared  with  the  previout  year  these 
figures  showed  a  decrease  of  S  tehoola,  and 
an  increase  of  466  teaoben  and  715  sobolars. 


The  oommittee  for  conndering  the  most 

convenient  time  for  the  meeting  of  Sjjiod 
suggested  that,  to  auit  the  convenience  of 
buaineaa  men  appointed  as  repreaentative 
elders,  and  to  allaw  frienda  In  Edinburgh, 
who  wiah  to  do  ao,  to  eieroise  boapitality  to 
the  membeiB,  the  date  of  meeting  ahould 
be  a  week  earlier,  provided  the  necessary 
statiatioB  could  be  got  up  by  that  time  tor 
including  in  the  Synoda  papers.  It  was 
eiphuned  by  the  Clerk  (Hr.  Wood),  that 
the  term  day  occurred  during  the  mcetinga 
of  Synod  at  present. 

Mr.  OehhelT:  moved  the  adoption  of  the 
report,  and  that  the  next  meeting  of  Synod 
take  place  on  the  Monday  after  the  first 
Sunday  in  May. 

Mr.  KINKEAB  thought,  as  the  attendance 
at  the  meeting  was  so  amall,  the  matter 
might  be  postponed  till  another  sederunt ; 
but,  on  a  vote,  the  motion  of  Mr.  Qemmell 
waa  adopted. 

Dr.  J.  O,  Bhown,  Haddington,  in  an 
overture  which  the  Presbytery  of  EdinburKh 
refused  to  transmit,  asked  the  Synod  to  take 


The  committee  to  whom 
the  case  was  remitted  recommended  that  the 
Synod  ahould  anatain  the  judgment  of  the 
presbytery  ;  and  this  was  agreed  to. 

The  Synod  adjourned  at  four  o'clock,  to 
meet  again  in  Uie  evening  at  six. 

Etbnino  Skderokt. 
The  Synod  met  again  in  the  evening,  at  dz 
o'oloi:^— Bev.  Mr.  Oroom,  Hodenttor. 


BBUOIOD8  IHTBIXjaENCZ.  '' 

Di^n.        ported  that  it  wonld  not  be  pnetiaiUe  to 

Hi.  D.  Mjraia  laid  he  had  *  notice  of     raoonimeDd  u^  one  before  the  cIoM  of  tb« 


1  -with  the  oiertnre*  Sjnod  t< , 

thkc  vers  caming  up  on  Tneaday  on  the  to  Mr.  WbiteUw ;  sod  they  theiefore  Mked 

Subordinate  atAndardi.     It  m*  u  fellowa  :  p<nrei>  to  nuke  ■  Buitable  appointnient  et » 

— '  That  the  oommittee  sppcintBd  to  coiuider  oad;  a  date  a>  pouible.     An 

theDeolantoi^  AotbeiDitrnctedtoprepeie  waa propofed  to  remit  to  Um  - 


,, _  for  thii  year. 

lent  <^   pointa  and  to  bring  up  a  leet  of  p^TTHf  io  next 

f^th,  «ltb    a  ^nod,  M  that  the  ocmrt  mislit  otake  a  per- 

distincttTe  manent  appointment. 

in*  on  the  On  a  vote,  the  eoimnittee'a  nport  vai 

prerinteriea  ud  Hnion*,  alont  curtied  by  a  lai^e  majority, 

i  <ni  the  Deoljfatoiy  Act ;  with  DiBUTABuaBHUiT. 

the  mm  next  year  of  pnaenting  to  the  In  the  report  of  the  Committee  on  Di«- 

^ood  material  for  a  jodgmeni  ai  to  whether  eatabliahment  (nihmitted  by  Dr.  Hutton), 

the  Declaiatmy  Aot  or  a  new  Snbordinate  the  gratifyiog  and  r^ld  advance  of  the 

Standard  ahonid  be  adopted.'  moTeaient  vaa  referred  to,  and  Hie  meainrei 

XIBBIOHART  raBMraaiao—TBM  vobWU^L  adopted  by  the    oommittee    to  further  it 

FOB  HAIIVB  KlxiBTaRB.  detailed.    With  Uie  exception  of  the  topio 

Dr.  Wh.  BxrCtOM,  Duluet  mbmitted  the  of  war  and  peaoe,  notbiDg  bad  more  di>- 

ipiui  on  the  nt«ueutatiDn  of  minJonuT  tinotly    affected     the    conenta    of     pnUie 

___!_.. ._-..     ™..  -■"-- "-"d  propawd     '■'---->■'     "^ :...— t_j — i  i. 

BdMlimary 


preabyteriee.    Th»  committee  had  piepai^d  thought. 

amended  mlea  and  formula  for  nuMlimary  obaervant  of  the  reeent  movements  in  the 

preibyteriea,  the  former  of  whieh  eet  forth  HighUndi,  not  ot  tiie  notices  of  motion  now 

that  ul  niiw^^^e*  ahonld  remain  in  con-  before  ParliaiDent,  which  it  mi^t  be  need' 

neotion  with  the  mreabytery  ordaining  them  ful  to  watch.     Theee  notice* 


merabera,  and  of  its  gNieral  advan< 


the  prcBBure  of  the  qi 

""  """Ts,  and  of  ita  gK  __ 

if  Sir  A.  Gomon  was  probably  aln 


Synod,  and  shore  with  Uie  home  Chorch  all  indicative  t^  the  ^licv  of  the  Kii^  aad  of 

the  benefit!  of  FKibytwian  rule.    Should  the  sympathy  with  that  policy  of  certain 

inch  preabyteria,  by  its  members,  ba  unable  offloial  pcnoni  of  influence,  who  would  not 

to  be  present  at  the  supreme  court,  tbey  unwillin^y,  if   they  could,  prcHnote   new 

might  be  represented  by  caramisnonmi,  who  iegislatiDn  on  ita  behaU.     Whether  the  eii- 

must  be  offlcs-bearers  of  the  Cburob.    The  genoies  ot  Goremment  would  permit  of  iDch 

formula  for  native  nuniaterg  and  elders  at  experiments  being  mads  at  this  time  vas 

their  ordination  in   mission   churches  set  doubtful,  but  it  waa  not  tiie  lew  neaesiary 

forth  with  the  declaratioD  that  the  West-  to  be  forearmed.     On  their  merit*  these 

mloriei  Confession  of  faith  and  the  Larger  notioaa,  though  differing  in   some  details, 

and  Slurter  Catechisms  are  tbe  recognised  Were  equally  imaound  in  principle,  valuelea 

Subordinate  Standards  of  the  Church,  and  as  a  solutian  of  tho  questioD  raised,  and 

that  it  was  required  of  all  office-bearen  totally  unworthy  of   the   lonKirt   of   ea- 

abroad  as  well  as  at  home  that  tbey  should  lightmted  friends  of  DaasbihliJinierA    In 

not  hold  nor  teach  anything  contrary  to  Kid  view  of  these  and  all  nuih  evamre  methods 

Standards,  as  received  by  the  Church.  There  of  dealing  with  &»  quaatum,  it  waa  isdis' 

wen  also  a  sariea  of  qnestiau  to  be  put  to  pensable  to  the  trium^  irf  eonnd  kgialatian 

a  and  eldeii  bef we  (»dina-  that  its  tr«e  fii«nda  should  univetiBBy  aai 

uuu.  loudly  repeat  the  simple  and  firm  demand 

It  was  agreed^  on  the   motion  of   Mr,  for  Disestablishment  and   Diseodowmenb 

BuCHANtn,  Qla^on,  that  tbe  whole  m^ter  The    aituation    and  attitude   of    tbe    Free 

be  recommitted    to    the    ««UDittee,   with  Church  ware  fnll  of  interesb     The  sittSBpt 

additional  members,  to  bring  up  a  report  a*  of  a  small,  seotion  to  obstruct  the  onwsid 

to  tbe  relationa  of  miseion  presbyteriea  to  policy  favoured  by  tbe  vast  m&jonty  ef  the 

the  Cburob,  in  a  form  that  might  be  sent  body,  and  to  treat  separately  with  the  Gc 

down  to  presbyteries  for  dmiidenttion.  vernmenb  for  new  legialatiBii,  ostbnaibly  <m 

Dr.  UacGill  suggasted  to  the  oomniittee  tbe  basis  of  the  Claim  of  Kight,   yet  in 

'  that  tbey  mi^t  ooaUBonicate   with  other  scarcely  disguised  oollusiuk  with  the  leadan 

Presbj^rianUiurcbea,  to  learn  their  practice  of  the  Kirk,  had  drawn  forth  a  general  and 

on  this  eubjeet.  indignuit  condemnation  of  their  procednie 

b  ooosequeace  of  the   adoption  of  Hr.  througboat  the  presbyteries  and  synods  of 

BnohauMi'i  motion,  it  was  agreed  not  to  tbe  Cburob,  including  the  chief  preabyteriei 

sonsidar  the  remaining  portiona  of  the  com-  of  the  Northern  and  Western  TTigbl*"^' 

mittee'a  report.  In  tbe  reiolutioni   and  overtures  of  tbess 

THK  BTHOD  rr.vBgantp,  Church  couita  it  was  affirmed  in  the  most 

Qn  tbe  motion  of  Dr.  YovBa,  it  waa  agreed  unquaMed  terms  that  no  l^idation  sow 

that  a  small  oommittee  should  take  into  possible  in.  the  dronmrtsneee  of  the  ose 

consideration  tbe  duties  of  the  olerlnhip,  in  could  satisfy  tile  dsmands  of  the  CUmm  ot 

view  of  tbe  failing  health  ot  Mr.  Beckett,  lUgbt,  as  these  were  liiisl 1  ^  the  ma- 

ihe  senior  clerk.  jonty.    Practisally  that  meant  that  DCthing 

THX  SYBOD  JftEiauSEB.  Temuned  but  DisartsUishment.     Iflie  HHiat 

The  oommrttoe  on  the  trcasomship  re-  intereatlng  and  impwrtuit  <rf  tha  signaof  the 


*jl^.'iin"''    PB0CEED1N08  OP  nNITED  PREBBYTEKIAN  SYNOD.     315 

pnigTen  of  ths  DuestabliilliDait  qneation     nutds  in  tlw  menUtanhte  of  the  Diitribntioii 
wHB  to  be  found  in  the  ETOwing  recogoition     CwDinittM,  eauied  ^^e  reiigiution  of  Dr. 

=f  :•-  chwactei  of  eqaity,  in  the  eaineit     Keaatiy,    The  followlDg  ni — ■'—■ '- 


id  develop-  CumgatM,  W  Dr.  Junea  Brown,  Puilej, 
jiitf.  The  uid  MX.  Fleming,  iDTerhsitlung ;  Mr.  June* 
tee,  ptmed     Lunb,  Old  KUwttlak,  br  Dr.  J.  L.  Aikmui, 


ufting  of  the   priuiiiplBa  of   leliEion   uid  nwdej— Ur.  Robert  Bnull,  Partabuigh,  bj 

ChBT^  life  which  lay  at  the  foundation,  Dr.  Peddle,  Bdinbarilli,  »pd  Mr.  WillUm- 
and  in  the  widening  appreciation  of  it  " 
ff  ntinl  to  the  right  working  and  devt 
ment  of  the  free  Ufa  of  Clirutiuut;. 

raoonunendaiiona  of  the  committee,  pt , , , 

on  the  opening  nigbt  of  the  Sjood,  have  and  Mr.  H'Coll,  Particle;   Mr.  Alexander 

already  been  given.  Jack,    TajpOTi,    by    Ur.    Jamea    Grahmm, 

i^.    T. : ij__  J.,  .vg  report.  BroEi^tyFerry,  and  Mr.  CopeUnd,  Catrine. 

ered  uu-  Mr.  Lamb  was  elected  bj  ■  majori^. 

grateful  becanaa  they  did  not  reit  contented  the  FKBacsoM  CASK 

after   the   diaoBtabliahment   of    the   Iriih  Dr.  JlUB  Bbowk,  Pauley,  nid  that  on 

ChoToh  ;  but  great  mindi  oould  not  play  behalf  of  himBslf  and  othen  ha  had  to  give 

with  the  mi^tf  fone  of  sonviotion  at  the  in  reaaoni  of  dinant  from  tha  dMd  irf  Synod 

root  of  this  qneatiim,  and  lift  them  up  or  Boitaining  the  deoinai  id  tbe  Pnabyterr  li 

lav  them  down  like  cold  toolj.    Thay  were  Glaigowonthefintceiuatof  thelibafagamat 

told  that  DiaeatabUahment  waa  a  growUi  of  thsBev.  FerguaFerguaon  :— '  L  Becanaein- 

ye>terd»y,    bat   the  OTinciplM   of   it   were  aamneh  aa  by  the  law  of  the  Cboroh  tke 

"i  in  the  atraalM  »Bi  pHncipIea  of  material    tor    Judgment  torsiahsd    to    the 

' "h  and  Belief  fathan.  aupreme  oonrt  in  a  caae  of  i^ieal  conaiita 

n  the  aubjeot  were  then  taken  not  only  of  the  paper*  tent  up  from  the 

up  from   the    Preabyteriee    of    Edinbo^b,  inCtrior  covr^  bat  alao  of  tbe  pleadiogi  of 

Kelao,  Dunfermline,  Elgin  and.  Iniemesa,  nartieaatthe  Wof  UwSynod,itwaaunjiut 

Dundee,  Kirkcaldy,  and  Cupar.  to  tiia  wpellanta  to  cobm  to  a  deoiaion  on 

Mr.  W.  M0BRIB<»I,  Leith,  in  inpporting  the  qneAioB  at  iaae  between  them  and  the 

tbe   Edinburgh   overture,   argned    againit  jveibytery  without  taking  into  acoount  the 

thoie  who  peniatently  urged  that  Diaeatab-  eiplaiMtioni  given  In  Hr.  Fergnaon'i  plead- 

liahmont  meant~a  denial  of  Chiiit'i  headahip  inga,  uod  amplified  in  anawer  to  queationa 

over  the  nations.  allowed  W  t£e  Bynod — the  importanoe  of 

Mr.  J.  W.  PltlNOLB  apoke  to  the  Kelao  which  ex^anatiane  ia  caoogniaed  even  in  the 

overture,  and  Mr.  Duhbas  to  that  from  motion  adt^itod.    2.  BeoMM  the  reaolt  of 

Dunf^rmlioe.  the  Synod'*  refnaal  to  reoogniae  Mr.   Far- 

Ur.  JoHH  WkytB,  Movneia,  who  q>peared  gnaon'a  pleading*  at  the  bar  lu  an  element 

to  anpport  the  Elgin  and  Invernei*  overture,  m  judging  of  the  evidence  ii,  that  Mr.  Fer- 

said  that  every  member  of  that  preabytery  guaonhu  been  prononnoed  guilty  of  holding 

— miniatera  and  eldara — ware  at  <»ie  on  the  doctrine*  whioh  in  view  of  hi*  aiplanatiuia 

qnestion.  it  i*  certain  that  he  doe*  not  bold.    3.  Be- 

Ui.  Mabtth,  Leslie,  lupported  the  over-  canae,  though  Mr.  Ferguaon'a  language  in 

ture  from  tbe  Freabytery  of  Kirkcaldy.  the  documeDt  ou  whioh  the  libel  ia  founded 

Mr.  Jdhm  KanUmk  ai^iported  the  over-  ia  to  aome  eiteot  ambigooui,  it  admita  of  an 

ture  from  Cupar.  intei^etation  whieh  i*  in  liarmony_  with  the 

Hr.  HzNlkBBSOli,  PaiaUy,  moved  that  the  dootruu  of  the  Chnreh,  and  the  miitoiity  of 

Synod  exprea*  uwvral  of  the  abject  of  the  the   preabytery  who   appealed  againat  it* 

overtnrHi,  that  the  report  be  received,  the  .  judgnient  did  *o  on  the  |ronnd  that  the 

CDDimittee  thanked  for  their  diligeone,  and  langaage  Ought  to  be  thu*  utteqaeted ;  and 

reaMiointed.  inaamnch  aa  Mr.  Ferguaon'a   explanation* 

Mr.  Watson,  liugholm,   aaoonded   the  hare  ahown  that  the  minority  were  correct, 

motien,  wbdch  waa  adopted.-  th^  were  entitled  to  have  the  judgment  of 

Tbe  Synod  adjourned  ahcrtly  before  ten  the  Synod  raoorded  in  their  favour.    4.  6e- 

o'eloi^  to  meet  again  next  day  at  ten.  canea  the  motion  adopted  by  the  Synod 

raiaed  an  inelevasi  ianie,— the  point  pro- 

Tdbhdat,  Jfay  21,  P*^  before  l^a  Court  being  not  aa  to  now 

-Ths  Synod  leeomed  ita  aittinga  to-day  in  far  the  Preabytery  of  Olaagow  bad  given 

the  Free  AasemUy  Hall— Mr.  Groom,  Mo-  reaaona  for  ita  jadgment  at  the  time,  but 

delator.  whether  Mr.  Feigujan  i*  really  guilty  of 

TSi  isiroBX  CAKi.  holding  tbe  hereay  charged  agamat  him  in 

Tbe  oaae  of  Dr.  Valentine,  Jeypore,  which  the  £rat  count  of  the  libeL     6.  Because  the 

game  up  on  a  ra^rt  by  the  foreign  Com-  mannra-  in  which  the  libel  i>  drawn,  and  the 

mittee  of  the  Miuion  Board,  was  conudared  form  of  prooeea  fallowed  by  the  Preabytery 

by  Hie  Synod  with  eloaed  doon.  of  Olaagow,  had  the  effect  cS  depriving  Mr, 

Fergnaon  of  a  fitting  opuortunity  of  making 

BVBinsQ  SaDEBOHT.  the  eiplanationa  which  ha  baa  m>w  made  on 

Tiia  Synod  reamned  at   aix   o'clock   in  the  first  count  till  he  had  been  virtually 

private,  uid  oontinBad  the  oonuderation  of  condemned  by  the  auataioing  of  the  reU- 

the  Jeypere  caae.  vauoy  of  the  count.' 

AKIstiNTHiNT  TO  CHI  DIBTBIBimOH  It  wa*  stated  that  the  document  had  been 

.  omailTTBB.  signed  by  aixty  at  Umeby  of  the  minoril?. 

At  aeven  o'clock  an  order  of  the  day  wa*  Mr.  Bbcestt  moved  that  a  oommittee  be 

called  to  permit  of  an.  ^ipointment  being  af^Kiinled  to  aniwtr  tiieaa  raaaona.    It  waa 


nSLIOIODS  INTBLLIQEKCE. 


<a  from  which  the  dissent  wsa  taken. 

Aa  ProteaBor  Cslderwood  had  to  leave  for 

London   next   daj  on  jtuhlio  boBineu,   he 

>  >nggegt«d 

that  Dr.  ManhaU  ahonld  be  aaaocUted  with 
Professor  Johnstone  for  that  pnrpose.  This 
v*a  agreed  to. 

Profeaaor  JasjiSTOSE  gate  in  atiaven  to 
the  reasons  of  distent  b;  Dr.  Joseph  Brown 
(one  of  the  appellant!  at  the  bar)  against  the 
deed  of  the  Synod  finding  the  first  coont  of 
the  libel  proyen.     Thej  were  as  follows  :— 

1.  To  the  Synod  thereseemstobenothing 
nnfair  in  the  judgment  disaentcil  from.  In 
the  court  below,  Mr^  Ferguson,  when  spealc- 
ing  on  the  releTaucy  of  the  libel  as  a  imole, 
had  full  opportunity  of  making  any  state- 
ments be  thought  needful  bearing  on  the 
releraniy  of  the  fi«t  eouat.  Anything  that 
was  new,  therefore,  in  bis  statemeuts  before 
the  Synod  eould  not  properly  b«  taken  into 
consiaeration  by  the  Synod  m  giving  judg- 
ment upon  the  appeal,  while  the  ceatUnesB 
of  the  court  to  give,  before  finally  issuing 
the  case,  the  fullest  consideration  to  all  bis 
statements,  and  to  give  a  glad  welcome  to 
anything  in  these  fitted  to  remove  difficul- 
ties, ia  distinctly  shown  by  the  latter  part 
of  the  deed  of  Synod  dissented  from. 

2.  The  point  touched  on  by  tbe  dissen- 
tient in  his  second  reason  is  one  of  taste  and 
feeling  rather  than  tor  argument.  The 
Synod  has  adopted  the  eouna  of  procedure 
vhich  seemed  to  it  best  fitted  to  attain  a 
result  Entisfactory  to  the  Church,  and  does 
not  see  it  to  be  a  course  more  calculated  to 
humiliate  Hr.  Ferguson  than  any  other 
which  would  have  adequately  brought  oat 
the  views  of  the  court  regarding  tbe  count 
oftbelibeL  ' 

At  eight  o'clock  tbe  Synod  again  went 
into  committee  on  the  Jeypore  case. 

At  eleven  o'clock  tbe  committee  repotted 
pTogreiB,  and  the  court  being  again  opened, 
it  was  reported  that  the  foUowing  motion 


sideration  the  whole  circumstances  of  the 
case,  tbe  committee  ore  oF  opinion  tbst  the 
special  interests  of  our  mission  in  Rajpoo- 
tana  will  be  promoted,  and  the  principles  in 
which  our  miasionaiy  operations  should  be 
conducted  will  be  best  conserved,  if  the 
anomalous  position  at  present  occupied  by 
Dr.  Valentine  is  brought  to  an  end.  In 
ordering  this  decision  to  be  intimated  to  Dr. 
"  '      "        the  Synod  entertain  the  (    '  '" 


under  tbe  Maharajah;  exprei 
dence  that  should  be  resolve  upon  this  COUTK 
he  will  continue  to  use  all  the  opportunitia 
afforded  him  in  that  position  for  the  further- 
ance of  Christian  work  and  the  glory  of  his 
Master,  and,  at  the  same  time,  assure  him 
that  should  he  "be  roi^uired  at  any  futon 
time,  in  fidelity  to  tbe  cause  of  Christ,  to 
withdraw  from  his  position  at  tbe  Court  of 
tbe  Maharajah,  they  will  cordially  welccmt 
and  facilitate  bis  return  to  the  position  of 
one  of  their  m'     


Wbdnkseat,  Jtfaj'  22. 
Tbe  Synod  resnmed  its  sittings  to-day  in 
the  Free  Assefnbly  Hall,  and  immediately 
went  into  committee  with  closed  doors— Mr. 
Fiance,  Pairtey,  chairman.  There  wss  a 
large  attendance  of  members. 


This 


e  first  oceapied  the  a 


protests  and  appeals  by  the  Sev.  H-  Gemmell 
and  tbe  Bev.  b.  Niool  agsinst  deeds  of  the 
Presbytery  of  Edinburgh,  who  have  had  it 
under  consideration,  more  or  less,  since  July 


..B  reported 
had  been  agreed 
That   the  Con 


The  Synod  also  took  up  in  committee  (Dr. 
Peddie,  chairman)  the  reference  from  Sir 
Michael  Street  session,  Greenock,  in  regard 
to  the  case  of  Mr.  William  Steel,  a  member 
of  that  church,  who  had  married  the  sister 
of  bis  deceased  wife. 


ving  considered 
i  heanl  parties. 


agents  should  derive  their  emoluments  solely 
trom  tbe  funds  of  tbe  society  by  which  they 
are  appointed,  and  should  pay  over  any  fees 
which  they  may  occasionally  or  statedly  re- 
ceive to  the  society.  (2)  That  whatever  ei- 
ceptiona  have  been  made  to  this  rule,  in 
Dr.  Valentine,  Have  been  made 


the    interests    of   our  Indian 

,J)  That  tbe  committee  recognise 

the  value  of  the  seivices  which  Dr.  Valen- 
tine baa  rendered,  and  of  the  work  which  be 
has  performed  as  a  missionary,  and  express 
their  confidence  in  his  Christian  character 
and  integrity.    (4)  That,  taking  into  oon- 


Dr.  Marsuall,  as  convener  of  the  com- 
mittee in  tbe  cikse  of  tbe  Key.  Fergus  Fer- 
guson, reported  that  they  had  had  sGl  meet- 
mgs  on  the  matter  committed  to  them. 
They  had  agreed  to  submit  the  minutes  of 
their  procedure  as  their  report  to  the  Synod. 
These  would  be  read  by  their  clerk.  Dr. 
Kennedy.  He  had  to  add  that  they  woidd 
answer  any  questions  which  the  Synod 
might  put,  and  they  STpeoted  to  be  dis- 
charged, so  that  they  might  take  their  part 
as  members  of  the  court  in  the  discnstian 
that  would  ensue. 

Dr.    Kbnnbdt  then  read    the   following 

'Friday,  Ma//  17.— The  ComroittM  of 
Synod  to  confer  with  Mr.  Fergoson  met. 
and  was  oonititrited  by  the  epnvener  (I*. 
Marshall).  Sederunt— Tfa»  convener,  Dr. 
Thomson,  Dr.  James  Brown,  Dr.  Bmoa,  Kr. 


'    PBOCEGDIKG8  OF  UNITED  PBE8BTT£KIAN  SYNOD.     317 


lated,  were  Bobmitted  to  Mr.  F«rgiuoD,  uid 
■pproTad  by  him."  Th«  gommittee  raeeived 
tb»  report  of  the  lab-Eominittee,  read  the 
ezpluwtiotii  of  Hr.  Ferpuni,  and  oon- 
Hilered  th«m  genentll;.  The  committee 
tiiea  took  them  up  •ntoltm,  with  the  view 
of  deciding  bow  far  the)'  ettn  be  legirded  at 
Batistactai?,  and  came  to  the  following  find- 


ported  thit  Mr.  Wardnjpe  uid  himiel 
viited  on  Mr.  Feiguson,  inviting  him  to 
meet  with  the  oommittee,  and  that  Ur.  Fer- 
gaioa  had  eipreeaed,  in  the  moat  corduU 
manner^  hia  readinesa  to  do  ho.  After  con- 
udentiDD,  the  committee  agreed  that  they 
ibould,  in  the  first  inatance,  invite  Mr.  Fer- 
jnsoii  to  offer  eijiUnationa  on  each  of  the 
nve  coiinta  on  which  the  Synod  had  affirmed 
tb«  judgment  of  the  presbytery.  Thereafter 
llr.  Foiguioa  wee  preaent,  and  the  cummit- 
tee  conferred  with  him  in  regard  to  the  fint 

'Same  dan,  1  ^-»- — Proceeded  to  confer 
with  Mr.  Fergoaan  in  regard  to  the  fint  and 
iKsnd  eeimto.  After  conferring  for  eome 
time,  appointed  Dr.  Caldcrwood,  Mr.  Ward- 
rope,  and  Ot,  Kennedy  a  aub-cDmmittee.— 
Dr.  Calderwood,  eonTanBr,~to  formulate 
the  reBDlta  of  the  conference  up  to  thil  point, 
md  inbmit  them  to  the  oommittee  to-morrow 
EDorning,  in  order  that  the  commfttee  may 
have  them  before  it  for  ita  after  guidance. 

'ni«ioy,  ifay21,ia30A.ll.— Anapobgy 
forihaenoc  wae  received  from  Mr.  Ferguaon, 
ucompanied  by  the  following  mediciij  eei- 
tifiate ;— "  We  certify  that  the  Rev.  Fergue 
Fergnaon  Buffered  so  much  from  exbanatioQ, 
after  the  oommittee  meeting  laat  night,  that, 
though  conaiderably  better  thia  momii^,  ^  ' 


FiTil  Oiunt.— The  exiiUnation  it  com- 
poaed  of  five  parta,  of  which  the  lat  ia  a* 
follow!  :—"Aa  to  the  aatiafaotion  of  God'a 
juatioe  by  tbe  obedience  and  death  of  Jeiua 
Chriat,  Hr,  Ferguaon  explained  that,  in  hii 
view,  Jeaui  Chrut  aatiafied  divine  juatice  by 


f  health  that      On  thia  p 


Jeaia  aatiafied  divine  juatice,  as  tl 
reqnirea  an  absolute  surrender  of  the  human 
will  to  the  divine,  it  waa  eiplained  that, 
while  such  surrender  ia  a  cotnmon  require- 
Enent  for  man,  Jeaus  voluntarity  inrrendered 
Himself  to  endure  the  holy  indignation  ot 
God  against  sin,  tbuavoluDtarily  undertaking 
and  enduring  what  no  mere  creature  could 
have  endured. "  Onthispart9  votedsatisfied 
and  1  declined  to  vote.  The  3d-(o)  part  i«— 
"In  refflrenee  to  the  two  forms  of  satiifac- 
tion,  it  was  eiplained  that  the  satiafactioD 
for  the  sin  of  men  waa  finiibed  on  the  croaa, 
and  that  this  finiahed  work  waa  the  sole 
meritoriom  ground  of  deliverance  from  sin." 


t  the  c 


itteodance  to-day  aboald  not  exceed  four 
lioiirB.  (Signed)  John  Albx,  Smith,  M.D. ; 
ifODS  M'DOHAU),  M.D."  The  committee 
igieed  to  record  liieir  sympath]'  ^ith  Mr. 
Fergmen.  Dr.  Calderwood  preaented  the 
report  of  the   sub-committee  appointed  at 


counts.  Aft 
■tmcted  tbe  aub-cemmittee  to  meet  with 
Ur,  Ferguson  at  his  house,  and  authorized 
them  to  do  anything  that  may  leem  prac- 


mittee,  inatmcted  at  the  previoni  tedemnt 
to  meet  vrith  Mr.  Fereueon;— "The  aub- 
ceeunittee  met  with  Mr,  Ferguson,  who 
leeeived  tbem  frankly  and  cordially,  and,  in 
confidence,  explained  hia  views  in  regard  to 
hia  present  ciroumitancei  in  relation  to  the 
Synod.  He  further  stated  it  to  be  hia  deep 
cooicientioua  conviction  that,  while  in  aome 
things  he  may  go  beyond  the  positions 
formulated  in  iba  Confession,  he  ia  le  fniida- 
mental  harmony  with  the  eaiential  doctrinea 
of  it,  and  that  while  he  claims  no  liberty  to 
contravene  the  Confession,  he  claims  the 
liberty  of  holding,  on  tbe  basis  of  the 
Scriptures,  views  of  truth  that  may  go 
beyond  it.  The  sub-committee  then  con- 
ferred with  Mr.  Ferguson  on  the  five  counts 
-I.,  If.,  HI.,  v.,  and  VI.— ot  the  Ubol,  and 
received  from  him  explanations  which  they 
foimolated  in  hia  presence.  Before  closing 
the  conference,  these  explanations,  as  formu- 


mouslv  tatisfied.  The  3d-(b|  part  is—"  The 
second  form  of  satisfaction  spoken  of  was 
not  held  to  be  a  continuation  ot  tbe  satis- 
faotion  for  human  guilt,  but  perfect  con- 
formitfot  the  human  will  of  the  Saviour  in 
heaven  to  the  divine  will,  might  be  spoken 
of  as  aatiafying  divine  justice  in  tbe  sense  of 
fulfilling  the  divine  purpose."  On  this  point 
7  voted  satisfied  and  3  unsntiafied.    The  4th 

ert  is — "As  to  the  ultimate  penalty  of  sin 
ing  the  annihilation  of  the  creature,  it 
was  meant  that  no  mere  crea,tare  could  en- 
dure the  full  concentrated  penalty  of  sin  aa 
Chriat  did,  but  would  perish  under  it.  Some 
passages  of  Scripture  seemed  to  favour  such 
a  hypothesis,  which  bad  been  presented  only 

to  his  mind  only  as  an  attempt  to  reach  a 
possihle  iiniveraal  result  from  Cbriafs  en- 
durance oftheawfulpenaltyofhumanguilt." 
On  this  point  6  voted  satisfied,  Z  unsatisfied, 
and  3  declined  to  vote.  The  6th  part  is— 
"It  was  further  explained  that,  while  it 
has  been  held  Uiat  all  men  are  by  the  death 
of  Chriat  delivered  fnoa  subjection  to  the 
full  concentrated  penalty  which  would  have 
involved  inevitable  destruction,  only  those 
who  believe  are  by  the  death  of  Jeans  de- 
livered from  the  holy  indignation  of  God  on 
account  of  sin  ;  and  t^ey  are  ultiointely  de- 
livered from  Wio  pollution  of  ain  by  the  in- 
dwelling and  gracious  working  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  sent  forth  by  Father  and  Son."  On 
this  point  the  committee  were  unanimously 
satined. 

'Second  Counl.— The  eiplanationa  are— 
"The  primary  or  fundamental  ground  of  a 
sinner's  acceptance  with  Qod  is  the  merita 


BCUaiOUS  IVTELLIGEirOB. 


N  Ohriat,  as  immght  oat  l^  do  goipel  li^rt  htTiiig  re&ched  their  BpinM 

■"■--' '--nion  with  the  here.    Peraoimrfio  hare  b»a  the  gogpeltj% 

^ _ mm's  XMept-  «nd  freflly  proclfthned  to  them  here  are  not 

uice  vHh  0«d,  he  thought  nf  ptrdon  as  one  situated  m  those  hare  been  to  whom  reltr- 

Ukii^iastUeatimsaK'theithiDl, and  accept-  ence  is  here  made,  and  Dothiss  here  said  io 

"     ** '  Jj--*I1  three  beiog  gronnded  on  any  way  ajipliea  to  such  persons. "    On  this 

^rat'i  TCdemptioii  wort     He  7  VDt«d  latiaSed,  3  .  <  ^    ■ 


iritof  Chris 


>f  the  nature  with  Ood ;  and  ot  jostUloatioii  he  does  not  detjie  to  be  prened  to  anvVi 

ij  the  union  of  theea  two  in  the  si^t  of  of  the  future  state  which  the  express  declsts- 

Ood."    "  In  Uiis  eonneetion,  Jostifieaaon  is  tioDi  of  Soriptnie  do  not  make  impertttiie. 

regarded  as  Uie  brincint  of  ■  man  Into  the  He  wonld,  under  this  coont,  submit  Oat  m 

fine  c^  all  the  divine  inflqeaeea  for  eomi^ete  far  as  Scripture  statements  guide  to  a  cm- 

salvation,  and  aanctificatloD  as  pragressiTe  eludon  eoBoeniing  the  future  condltioii  of 

deliveraiuie  from  eril  follows  thu  justifica-  the  condemned,   they  do  not  inqidy  men 

tjon."     "As  to  the  ona  groond  of  acoeptancse  infliotion  of  suSering  direct  &ani  the  hand 

with  Ood,  consisting   In  oonfonnity  to  the  "'  "-<      «-'  *>— ^-  «-*  "■-  ^ — "-'-  '— 

will  of  God,  it  wuM  stated  that  acceptance  ._    „_ 

WW    there    laed    as    equivalent    to  sctnal  tlirougfa  Jeaui 

admission  into  the  bleseedneia  of  a  perfee*  in  separation ,     .. 

haimon;  with  God."     On  this  8  voted  salis-  involvei,  there  must  be  such  eiperience  as 

BedjS  liot  satisfied,  and  2  declined  to  vote.  to  lead  a  man  to  say  that  it  had  been  better 

'     '  Wedntidai/,    Mot/   32.  —  Resumed   con-  he  had  never  been  bom.     But  this  if  not 

sidtntion  of  Mr.  EergnsoD'B  eiplanationa.  erfnivalent  to  saying  that  it  were  better  for 

'Thtrd    Coimt. — The   eiplRnatloiii   are —  him  if  he  did  not  exist.     Though  he  sink 

"Here  at  the  outset  Mr,  fcrgoson  desired  into  mimitigated  angni^  we  are  not  ea- 

to  explain  tbat  the  phrase  prominent  in  the  titled  to  infer  from  Scripture  that  there  can 

libel,  '  Be  tme  io  thytdf,  and  th<m  art  tne  to  be  no  modification  of  the  inconceivable  woe. 

Oorf,' was  only  a  oasufd  eipresdon.  and  was  In  so  far,  however,  astheremaybeperplaiity 

not  intended  to havethe  farce  of  aformula."  in  nference  to  what  be  bttd    said    »  to 

"  As  to  the  meaning  when  he  spoke  of  one  setMtude,    he   meant    that  those  who  are 

eternal  covenant,  he  pointed  out  that,  in  his  separated  froni  God  are  still  in  anbiertion  to 

view,  the  fundamental  requisite  for  rfllation  God."    On  this  point  9  voted  nnaatisfled,  9 

with  God  is  truthfulness  to  what  Ood  is,  and  astiafied,  and  3  declined  to  vote, 
aooordinglf  acknowledgment  of  all  that  God  '  The   committee   n^eed    to   preseDt  the 

auirea.    la  so  far  as  the  plan  of  human  minutes  of  their  meetmgi  as  th«r  report  to 

emption  may  be  illnsfiated  under  the  the  Synod.     They  also  agreed  to  repm^  that 

analogy  of  a  covenant,  this  truthfulness  to  ^they  are  unanimoua  in  deeply  regretting  tlie 

God  most  be  recognised  as  the  basis  for  what  novelty  and    ambiguity  of    much    of  Hr. 

■  is  thereby  described  as  covenant  relations. "  Ferguson's  language,  aj  ' 


tended  to  deny  two  positions  for    ,  .__ 

one  before  the  fall  and  the  other  after  the 
tall ;  in  contrast  with  this,  it  was  intended 
to  aet  forth  the  consideration  that  truthful- 
ness to  Ood  (to  what  He  ii  and  what  He 
requires)  was  essential  to  the  unfaBee  state, 
and  is  in  the  same  way  essential  under  re- 
demption. The  plan  of  redemption  " 
'-—  ' '-idnodcpft-' — ' "■    - 


The  report  was  signed  by  Will^m  Ho- 


of an  moral'and  spiritual  lite."    On      teries  of  Qla^ew,   Paislm,  and  GreeooJ;, 


'Fifth  (%iunt.~The  explanationB  ar« —  of  business  which  the  Synod  bad  to  get 
'  That  as  all  are  to  be  jndged  by  Jeans  through,  the  committee  thooght  it  desirable 
Christ,  it  most  be  judgment  in  the  light  of     ta  Atfec  considsration  of  the  report  till  tbe 


irtiat  Jems  is,  but  thla  doea  not  neeessarily  meeting  of  Synod  nert  year.  _, 
appeu-  to  imply  that  the  state  ot  a  man  accordingly  that  the  Committee  « 
= 1  determined  at  denth.    It  doea  not     ahonld  be  instmcied  to  give  tbe  hi 


imply  a  new  probation  or  pndongation  of  the      prominent  plaoe  on  the  roll  of  canses  in  ita 

OTobation  behmgiBg  io  the  eartMy  state,     first  we^  of  next  year'a  Synod, 

Holding  that  among  those  who  do  not  now        Br.  Scott  had  no  objections  to  ihi^  b«t 


hear  the  goapel   there   tn^  yet  be  nrdon  luggeited  that  one  of  the  reoommendttiois 

throagh    Uie    merits    of    Jesaa,    whne  ttie  in  thereport— nsanely,  thatthecongregatJOB 

Saviour  continnea  nnknown  the  sprit  must  of    Dublin  should  bo  eomnectad  with   ita 

beyond  this  worid  come  to  the  recognition  Proabytery  of  Ireland  instead  of  with  the 

of    Jeans    a*  the  Divine    Saviour.      What  Glaagow  Preshyteiy— Aosid  in  tbe  nwan- 

appliea  to  the  case  of  penitents  among  the  time  be  adopted. 


■*£57wf^"'   PBOOBBDIITOS  OP  DSITED  *BEBBTTBSIAK  8TKOD.    319 


DHTBISCTItMT  or  FBXAOHIKB. 
Dr.  OolLTiEi'FaUiric,  nibmitted  the  n- 

port  of  Uta  CoBUoittMi  on  the  Distritntioii  of      diould  <; 


E^eachen,  wMch  itated  tlut  twaatj-thiM  ttutt  the  Pmbytcr;  of  Olaigow  AouU  wieet 
idditioii*  bad  htai  made  io  the  toll  of  pro-  two  emjjewir,  do*  ottiie  ^o  on  elder;  the 
b«ti(BiBn  during  ilia  far ;  thit  tnai^  hul     Fnd^toriet     of    EdlnbaiKh,    Paidey    asd 


beoi  lemoTed  from  tlie  roll  on  aeoifitliig  Oieeiiadc,  KJiBuinioek,  and  Perth,  ahtntld 

eaDi  to  ohugw,  ud  ui  at  tbdir  own  requeat.  eelsct  one  trerj  ytax ;  and  each  of  the  oHMr 

Twenty-eeTDD  prDbationen  were  nt  present  pnebyteriei  one  ereiy  alterBate  Tew. 

on  the  rolL  After  a   rote,   a,  motion   na  agnwd  to. 

The  tqiort  «h  agrosd  to.  allowing  the  iq>ort  to  lie  on  the  table  tUI 

The  STSod  adjanmed,  to  meet  again  at  next  ^ear. 

six  o'elo^  BSPOnV  on  puuiodt. 

Mr.  Wk.  Blaib,  Donblaae,  sDlM«iitt«d  the 

Brmva  SxDEBmn.  raport  of  Uw  Oommittra  on  Paalmad;.    lAit 

The  Srnod  reaomed   it*  attinga  at  eiz  yearou  euninatioQ  twanty-fonrpreoentDni' 

□'cloak— olr.  Oroom,  UodeiatoT.  certificate!  had  beai  gnated,  of  whioh  tht«e 

TBHFSSAjfca  AMD  PDBUC  UOKALB.  ven  flnt-slan  higjwT  cm^catw.     Binoe 

Mr.  John  Bahxihb,  Ci^ai,  sirinaitted  the  1873  there  had  beas  ten  eiominatioiia,  and 
rep(«t  of  3u  Committee  on  Temperance  aiid  the  committee  bad  granted  IIS  oertiGcaitei! — 
PabHcMorala.  The  committee  ■u^eited:-'  85  ordinary  and  27  hl^i«.  Daring  the  year 
>1.  That  tlie  Bynod  anew  eipreaa  tlie  hop*  25,000  oopiei'  of  tlie  ITeAsterian  FtaUer 
that  its  memben  and  tba  memben  of  oar  and  Synmal  had  bttm  prepared  by  ^ 
Chnieh  in  genfiiBl  wUI  dinourage  locial  oonimittee,  and  Her  Uajerty  the  Queen  had 
drinkiDg  DUia,  ea^eoally  those  connected  gndouily  acceded  a  eop;  of  the  Ftaittr 
with  tunaraU  and  induotion  or  ordinatian  tiuumitted  to  her.  A  pn^ioul  by  tiie 
dinneia.  3.  That  it  Teoonunenil  all  the  Irish  Pieibyterian  ChuTch  for  a  rsTual  of 
miniaten  of  the  Chnrdi  to  preach  a  aermon  the  metred  Tenrion  of  the  Pialnia  hod  been 
in  the  month  of  Deoember,  warning  those  undar  the  careful  eoQuderation  of  the  cam- 
under  their  cbarge  of  the  daagan  oooneoted  mittee.  They  judged  it  inezpediemt  mean- 
with  drinking  niBgea,  and  uigina  to  the  while  («  enter  upon  the  reririon  of  the 
adoplion.  of  praotiaal  maaaorei  with  a  view  metrical  venion  of  the  Pnlmi,  and  ^ey 

.,   :__  ii-   — :i.   -o  :_i ranoo.  nnanimously  recommended  aeoordingly. 

t  any  On  the  motion  of  Dr.  Antsbw  THfHnoir, 


of  Buppreaaing  the  erila  sf  intea^ranoe.      nnaniinoagly  recommended  aeoordingly. 
Specially  would  thej  recommend  that  a —        ""^  ■" " '  "-   ' "^ 


adrantage  of.      3^   That   the    Synod  again  Blair  for  their  laboun.  The  Synod  thereafter 

petition  Ixith  Hooaea  of  Parliunsnt  for  the  formallyauictionedtheiVM^ffnanPaaiter, 

immH'"*"  repeal  of  the  Contagioas  Diietaea  and  approred  of  the  cominittee'a  octiiHi  in 

ActiandreoonuneiwiprediyterleaandaBBmolu  re^d  to  the  propcfal  b^  Um  Irish  Preaby* 


avail  themaelvea  of  tavaimUa  opp«vtani-     terian  Cbiu^  for  a  rcTinon  of  the  metrical 
patitiDn  for  the  lama  object/  . 


PlollBB. 


The  rqiort  wai  urecd  to ;  and  the  aoggea-  home  aacBKTABT'B  vttAXMtEsr. 

tioBM  of  the  eanmdttM  adopted,  with  the        Mr.   AncwimH,  Hamilton,  upeared  in 
addition  that  Uie  committee  ghonld  direct  '    *  '        't    '^     .    . 


wiui  uw  m.r.    ajilihhwo,   aamumu,   Hpearea  in 

old  direct  inpport  of  an  orertore  from  the  i^eri^tery 

,                                           t   piqmlar  of  Hamilton  praylim  the  Synod  to  appoint 

literature  in  ita  bearinga  upon  pnblie  monli.  a  eommittee  to  e«ui<Ur  and  report  what 

Hr.  Bdthebtobd,  Mewlandi,  mored,  aa  ohangei,  if  any,  in  the  weaant  raguiixation   ' 

a  rider,    tliat   the  Synod   reoomBend  all  and  ataS  of  the  Home  (MBoe  were  neoeaaary  ; 

mimatsra  and  offloe-beaieri  of  the  Chnreh  and  jrarticularly  whether  the  Choreh,  owing 

to  abatain  from  tiw  <UM  of  all  intoxicating  to  dialing  airangementi,  waa  reeelTing  aU 

drinkB,   unleaa  when  medilally  preacribed  the  advantage  it  might   from  the  higher 

oi  aymboliMll]'  receiTBd.  servicea  wiiieh  Dr.  Scott  wh  able  to  render. 

3Jie  rider  waa  not  leeonded.  He  pointed  out  that,  wliile  Dr.  Pbin  of  the 

FBKHBlTBltuil  OHUSOH  OF  NDBWAT.  EatabUahod  Chureh  waa  uhiqnitaua,  and  Dr. 

Dr-  acoiT  read  a  oorntnnnifotlnB  which  Adam  of  &e  Free  Choroh  nearly  ao  in 
he  had  received  from  Paatot  Wettergreen,  moving  abont  the  eountry  and  attiring  up 
Arendal,  who  atated  Uiat  the  diaaentii^  mm-  and  watching  over  the  Church,  Dr.  Scott,  in 
gregatdcHui  of  Norwaa'  whiEh  had  aep^ated  the  performance  of  work  which  might  be 
themaelTee  from  tin  Bla^  Lntiwnm  Cbaroh  done  by  a  oonAdantia)  cleric,  waa  kept  nine- 
had  fanned  themaedvea  Into  a  Freabytery  tcntlis  of  the  year  Id  a  amall  chamber  in  a 
of  Azsndal.  Tbe  oourt  eonaiated  of  nine  narraw  atreet  in  a  moky  city,  in  a  place 
isembera,  and  it  aent  the  warm  ^reetinBa  of  whieh  by  oonrteajr  waa  nailed  the  Chambera 


tTorwiraao  Presbyterian  Chnreh  of  the  Chnmh. 

to   tka   United  Paafaytadui    Chnnih    of  The  oaort  approved  of  the  etfjeot  of  the 

Seotiand.  orertiue,  and  remitted   it  to  the  Heme 

On  the  motian  af  Mr.  f  bairie,  the  latter  Ifiaaiwi  Oonuoittse  to  TBtnrt. 

waa  remitted  to  thb  Committae  tm  f  oieign  THI  nttaHMH  OASK 

Ccrre^cHidBnm.  Prafeeaor  CtlozBWwm  wh  tton  oaDed 

cmt  UKWnON  OOKHiTTXa.  i^tOB  to  open  the  diatmanlfra  irf  the  Fergoaon 

lb.  PWSB  UXAim,  Oeldatream,  gave  in  oaae.    The  motloB  ha  bad  te  aabBit  waa  aa 

thai^ort  DfthamnmitteeoB  the  mode  of  f^owa  ^~'TheSynedespI«a•eaitagratiftea- 


R£LiaiOUB  INTELLIOBKOE. 


Ohriat'i  Mtiifaetian  to  divine  jiutice 
■utsd  in  th«  endur«ace  of  the  hoi?  indignB- 
tion  of  God  sgunit  an,  and  in  hurmonj  with 
tbii  holds  that  the  sole  meritorioiu  grauud 
on  which  tbe  anner  is  pudoned,  regecerated, 
and  unctified  by  the  Holy  Spirit  and  ulti- 
mately i»Tod,  i>  Ohriifg  saonfice  u  it  was 
completed  on  the  cross.  The  Synod  ex- 
presses regret  that  Mr.  Ferguson  has 
committed  himaelf  to  a  theory  as  to 
annihilation  haTing  been  inevitable  if  Christ 
had  not  come ;  and  that,  while  hoidiog  a 
flDal  Bepantion  between  th«  righteous  and 
the  wicked,  involving  blessedness  on  the  one 
hand  and  oondemnation  on  the  other,  he 
has  veatored  on  hypotitesei  as  to  the  modes 
of  judgment  in  the  world  to  oome.  Tbe 
Synod  further  i^rets  the  conne  often 
adopted  by  Mr.  Ferguson  in  eitanding  Con- 
feadonal  luigaan  b^ond  Confessionar ligni- 
fieanee.  AooepEing  Uie  explanation  of  Mr. 
Cergason'i  vlewi  on  the  great  fundamental 
•rtiJglea  of  tho  Christiaa  faith,  the  Synod 
agrees  that  he  be  restored  to  the  ezerciie«f  bis 
ministerial  fimctioas.  AtUie>aTQetime,witb- 


statenient    approved     foe     lubniissii 

to  ^'"1  solemn  and  affectionate  admonition 
to  present  his  doctrinal  positiooi  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  set  fortb  tneir  harmony  with 
the  tnndamental  doctrinei  referred  to  in  tbe 
fitot  part  of  this  resolutian.' 

Dr.  Bbdob  leoonded  the  motion. 

Dr.  Miaawji.i,  uid  he  had  been  relieved 
■omewbat  by  the  result  of  tbeiitfeonferenee 
with  Hr.  f^igtunn,  bat  not  to  the  extent 
that  he  sonld  adopt  all  tbe  language  ex- 
preued  by  the  mover  and  seconder  of  the 
motion.'  He  moved— -'That,  enooniaged  by 
some  of  the  eiplanadons  already  given  by 
Mr.  Ferguson,  the  Synod  appoint  a  com- 
mittee to  confer  with  him,  and  with  power 
to  finally  issue  tbe  case  a*  soon  as  they  siiall 
see  their  way  to  do  so.' 

Dr.  Ansbbw  TB0H80H  seconded  the 
amendment. 

A  vote  was  taken,  when  there  recorded — 
for  Dr.  Calderwood's  motion,  142:  for  Dr. 
HarshaU's  motion,  90 ;  majority,  52. 

THCBSDaT,  Mag  23. 
The  Synod  reiomed  to-day  in  tbe  Free 
' '     Hall— Hr.  David  Croom,  Mode- 


Mr.  UacBjUE,  Gtmiock,  gave  in  reasons  of 
dissent  against  the  decision  of  the  Synod  of 
the  previous  night  to  take  a  vote  in  the  Fel- 
guaon  case  before  he  was  allowed  an  oppor- 
tuniijto  submit  bis  motion,— '1.  Because  it 
denied  him  the  right,  which  he  had  never 
observed  denied  to  others,  to  offer  another 
motion  to  the  House  before  tbe  vote  was 
taken.  2.  In  this  way,  by  refusing  him  the 
opportimity  of  explanation,  he  was  prevented 
' — II  liberating  his  conscience  by  showing, 
-        *■         ■       "     -  "  "  rwn^. 


reSectloDB  on  tbe  accused,  and  no  respect 
for  its  self-contradiction ;  and  that  he  voted 
tor  it  solely  on  the  ground  of  securing  for 
Mr-  Ferguson  a  great  act  of  juatiae.' 

The  Clehk  (Hr.  Wood)  said  (hat,  as  ia- 
strutfted  by  the  Synod,  he  communicated 
with  l/<i.  Fei^uBon,  and  be  had  the  follow- 
ing letter  from  him: — * Sdinhurghf  Maff 
23,  1878.— Rev.  dear  Sir, —  I  have  yonr 
kindiiote  of  this  momiug't  date,  and  would 
have  come  to  the  court  to  receive  thCTe  the 
decision  of  the  Synod  but  for  the  encloed 
advice,  in  deference  to  which  I  also  forward 
herewith  my  reply  to  the  decision,  which  I 
would  thank  you  to  communicate  to  tbe 
Court.'  Ha  need  not  read  tbe  enclosure, 
but  the  letter  to  tbe  Synod  was  aa  follows : 
—' EdinfmiyK,  Mag  23,  1878.- To  (A*  Rrs. 
Wn.  Wood,  Cltri  of  Synod.— Rev.  AND 
DKXB  Sir, — I  have  your  favour  intimating 
to  me  the  finding  come  to  by  the  Synod  last 
night,  in  repl;  to  which  I  beg  to  say  that  I 
feel  thankful  to  God  that  the  long  and  orda- 
ons  discussion  in  which  I  have  been  engued 
has  come  to  a  peooeful  termination,  snd  UAt 
the  Synod  has  been  able  to  satisfy  itself  u 
to  my  soundness  in  the  faith  aa  Tegards  the 
fundamental  doctiinea  of  the  Church.  I 
have  not  been  ooDseioas  of  any  departure 
from  those  doctrines,  nor  have  I  been  able 
to  discover  any  discrepancy  between  what  1 
bold  in  respect  of  that  which  is  central  and 
vital,  and  that  which  is  more  remote  and 
subordinate.  I  beg  to  thank  the  Synod  for 
tbe  patience  it  baa  ihown,  and  for  the  great 
amount  of  time  and  attention  it  has  bestowed 
upon  the  elucidation  of  the  matters  befoie 
it  in  this  case.  In  asienting  to  ite  judgment, 
I  may  be  allowed  further  to  aay,  in  justice 
to  myself,  that  I  cannot  accuse  myself  of 
carelessness  in  regard  either  to  ixiodea  of 
expression  or  tendencies  in  thought,  snd 
certainly  1  shall  not  have  leu  soliStude  on 
these  pointe  in  tbe  future  than  I  have  bsd 
in  the  past.  With  these  remarks  I  b«  le- 
spectfnlly  to  acquiesce  in  the  decision  of  tbe 
Synod.— I  am,  rev.  and  dear  Sir,  youn 
faithfnlly,  FKEGca  FBROoaoM.' 

Dr.  HtmON  thoof^t  it  would  be  desirable, 
both  for  Hr.  Ferguson's  sake  andfor  the  asks 
of  tbe  Synod,  that  the  enolosure  wbioh  tbs 
CQerts  letter  contained  should  be  resd. 
There  was  no  doabt  from  the  tenor  of  hii 
note  to  Ht.  Wood  that  Mr.  Ferguson  woold 
have  liked  to  appear.  There  was  no  doubt 
either  that  the  Synod  would  have  liked  to 
see  him,  and  they  wished  to  know  exactly 
the  reason  why  he  wai  not  present. 

The  CUUE— It  is  a  medical  certificate. 

Dr.  HuTTOH— Bo  much  the  better. 

The  OlIbk  said  tbe  enclosure  was  as  fol- 
lows ; — 'We  hereby  certify  that,  in  our 
Doinion,  tbe  state  of  the  Bev.  Fergus 
FeigDson's  health  renders  it  absolutely 
necessary  that  he  should  not  be  lequired 
to  appear  in  tbe  Synod  this  forenoos-— 
(Signed)  Angus  Maodonald,  M.D. ;  John 
Aluander  Smith,  M.D.' 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Jahkb  Shown,  Paisley,  wss 
appointed  to  intimate  the  judgment  of  the 
Synod  to  tbe  Qneen's  Park  congruatioti. 

Professor  JoHmaOHX  then  gavs  m  anawen 


>;lc 


"""JrlSnE^'    PBOCBEDIN68  OF  UNITED  PBE3BYTEBIAK  8TN0D.     321 

til  the  reawDi  of  diuent  bj  Hr.  Wirdiape  Ur.  SuiuiL  Sliatit,  Bo'neH,  nii^iaTted 

lud    otben   winit  the  jndgni«iit  of    the  the  patitioii  from  that  oongreKBtiOD. 

Synod  on  the  fint  count  of  the  tibcL  Ur.  Davis  Hachai  labnilttei]  the  tnoUon 

THE  wosxlHa  OF  THE  roBUDir  HiSBioK  of  whicfa  he  hod  giTen  notice: — 'Thkt  tba 

BOASD,  oaminitlee  which  hu  cbsrge  of  tbe  DeeUn- 

On  >&  overture  from  tbe  PmbTtary  of  tatj  Aat  be  iiutnioted   to   draft  ont  new 

EihiiKmook,  wbieh  waa  ipoken  to  bj  Mr.  Sabordiuate  Standardi.  coDiiitmg  of  a  brief 

Copland,  A]^,  it  waa  reaolved  to  ap^iut  a  and  aimple  atatement  of  pointa  eneential  to 

eomniittea  to  imjaire  into  the  worlang  of  the  Chiiattan  faith,  with  a  separate  atate- 

the  Foreign  Miiaioiii  connected  with  tbe  ment  of  our  diitinctive  prinoiplei ;  alio  to 

Cbnrch,  ^e  committee  being  initructed  to  reoeive    niggeitioiii    on    the    mbject   from 

GDiiaider  aoch  poiota  a>  the  regnlatioa  and  preabTteriea  and   >euion>,   along   witfa   the 

contTol  of  tbe  annual  expenditure,  and,  if  returni  on  tbs  Declarator  Act,  with  tba 

neceaury,  ibe  ^ncticability  of  limiting  the  view  next  vear  of  preientliig  .to  tbe  Bynod 

number  of  their  miaaiona,  and  the  appoint-  materiali    for    a  judgment  aa  to  whether 

nent  of  periodical  depntationa  to  viait  the  tbe  Declaraton  Act  or  new   Subordinate 

mii^on  fielda.  Standarda  ahould  be  adopted.' 

THE  SECCABKD  wifi'b  sibtib  casc.  Mr.  J.  Bbowh,  Fujlej  (elder),  aaoonded 

In  committee  of  the  Home,  the  Synod  tbe  motion, 

again   toolc  up  tbe  osae  of   Mr.   Stsel,   a  Mr.  Kimheak,  Dalbeattie,  moved:— 'That 

member  of  tbe  Sir  Michael  Street  church,  in  view  of  the  dedaion  of  the  Synod  on  the 

Greenock,  wbo  bad  been  eiooramunioaled  report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Subordinate 

for  niiuTying  bia  deceaaed  wife's  lister.     On  Stnndarda,  it  is  unnecessary  to  enter  upon 

the  conrt  being  opened,  it  was  intimated  that  tbe  subject-matter  of  this  petition.' 

an  amendment  proposed  bj  Mr.  France  had  Dr.  Ubtce,  Belfaat,  aeconded  the  amend- 

beon  withdiawB,  and  that  tbe  report  of  the  ment 

Synod's  Committee — which  vraa  to  the  ctfeot  Mr.  WahiIrofe,  Weat  Calder,  while  ez- 

tbat  in  tbe  present  state  of  the  law  of  the  preating  aympathy  with  the  movement  foe 

Church  Mr.  steel  oould  not  be  reinstated—  tbs    adoption     of     aborter     and      simpler 

was  adopted.     It  waa  also  agreed  to  aend  Standarda,  remarked  that  tbe  cauae  waa  one 

down  Mr.  Davidson's  overture  on  the  tub-  eieeedinglj  auieeptible  of  being  prejudiced 

}ect  to  piesbyteriea   and   seisions   of   the  by  the  way  in  which  it  waa  handled.    He 

Cbnrcb.  bad  given  notice  of  a  motion  on  the  subject, 
bot  m  all  the  circumstances  ho  would  not 


Od  the  motion  of  Dr.  James  BbowR, 
Faialey.  the  time  allowed  to  presbyteries 
and  seaaiona  for  sending  in  luggettiona  in 

regard  to  tbe  Declaratory  Act  waa  extended         „ 

to  the  fiiit  of  February.  The  neit  cause  called  w 

THB  IHFOSITION  OF  HANDS  AT  TBE  OSniNA-  wiao  cssB,   bat  before  it  wsB  Sniibed   the 

TioH  OF  HiMiaTBRS.  CouTt  adjoomed  to  meet  at  six  o'clock. 

An   overture   from    the    Presbytery  of  

Falkirk   aaked   the   Synod   to   review   ita  Evenino  Sidibuht. 

deoiaion  anent  the  imposition  of  hands  at  Tbe  Synod  resomed  at  six  o'clock— Mr. 

tbe  ordination  of  miniatera  adopted  at  tbe  Croom,  moderator. 

meedng  of  Synod  in  GUagov  in  1S77.     The  the  hothehwili.  wink  case. 

overture  waa  rejected.  This  waa  an  appeal  by  the  session  ot  the 

BBCOONinOK  OF  MB.  BALLENl's  SEjtTiciS.  Motherwell  church  against  a  decision  of  the 

Dr.  Scott,  on  behalf  of  a  committee  ap-  Presbytery  of  Hamilton,  enjoining  them  to 

painted  to  consider  the  recognition  cf  Mr.  return  to  tbe  use  of  fermented  wine  in  tba 


.   the  Church,  ang^ated  that  the  committee  the  eipreaaed  deaire  of  a  m&Jonty  of  the 

ahould  be  authonied  to  preaent  Mr.  Balleny  congregation.     It  appeared  that  on  a  petition 

with  a  piece  of  plate,  or  with  his  portniit  in  by  sixty  msmben  of  the  congregation  (which 

oil,  aa  might  be  found  moit  agreeable  to  Mr.  numbers  over  500),    tbe  aeaaion  agreed   in 

BsJleny ;  and  that  they  ahould  be  aatbcrized  December   last  to  .  introduce   unfermented 

toexpendforthatpurpose  aaumnot  exceed-  wine  at  the  communion;  butamajorit^  of 

inp  too  guinena.    The  report  of  tbe  oom-  tbe  congr^ation  having  objected,  divuion 

nuttee  waa  ^reed  to,  aroae,   and  the  matter  was  carried  to  the 

THB  BEViBiON  OF  THE  gCfiOBDIHATB  preabytery,  wbo  inued  the  injunction  com- 

BTAHnABDB.  plained  against.      The   Synod,  at  an  early 

Fetitioni  tor  a  revision  of  tbe  Standarda  diet,  remitted  the  caae  to  a  committee,  who, 

from    ooi^negattoDa    of    Bo'neaa,    Dalkeith  having  heard  partiea,  now  recommended  that 

But,  and  from  members  of  Qneen'a  Park  the  judgment  ot  tbe  preabytery  ahould  be 

oODjr^ation.  Qlasgow,  were  next  t^en  up.  snstained,  and  the  •eanon  enjoined  to  follow 

Toe  MoDEBATOH  read  a  letter  from  Hr.  the  thinga  that  make  for  peace. 

M-  Park,  on  behalf  of  tbe  members  of  the  Mr.  Smith,  Oreeoock,  who  gave  in  tbe 

Queen's  Park  congregation,  intimating  that  report,  said  the  dispute  had  resolved  itself 

they  wished  to  retire  from  their  petition.  into  one  not  ao  much  in  regard  to  the  kind 

Mr.  Fraber,  Dalkeith,  said  his  congrega-  of  ariue  to  be  'osed,  but  aa  to  tbe  powers  of 

tion  had  not  appointed  any  one  to  aupport  the  session  to  make  such  a  change  without 

.  their  petition.  tbs  oonaent  of  the  congregation. 

HO.  Til.  VOL.  XXII.  KBW  SERIES. — JULY  I8II.  X 


KBU0I0U8  tNIBLLIOBNOB. 


.    ...  .  _  __      pLico  wliiot  had  pl»oed' tli8  whole  subject  in 

b«r-^[c.   Andnw  Wilion    and    Mr.   John      a  new  lifht— the  6rat  wu  tha  vindicstiaii  o{ 


Colvills — were  heard  (the  Utter  oalf  puti-      Mr.  FeixmoD  iaat  night,  and  the  next  tbe 
tHy)  at  the  bar  of  the  Synod.  spproToT  of  the  Synod  to  send  down  the 

Dr.  JOBBFH  Bbown  ■Digested  that  u  the      Deolaratory  Act  to  pretbyteries.     He  there- 


le  of  the  Synod  wai  »iort,  a  cmnprDiaiHi      fore  aaked  leave  to  witht^w  tha  petition. 

might  be  effeeted  if  the  Synod  rBBol»ed  to  ""    ' 


oooept  the  finding  of  the  conunittea,  with  Overturea  in  regard  to  the  proolamatioii 

thia  rider : — '  The  Synod,  while  adopting  tha  of  bonni  and  onent  the  CathoHo  hienrchy, 

leoommendotioQ  of  the  cammittea,  u  not  to  tranmnittedby  thePraabyterjofBdinburdi, 

b«  ra(aided  m  interferine  with  the  datiea  were,  in  the  abtence  of  Mr.  Gemmell,  wlia 

and  wnititational  ri^^ti  of  seiaionB,  oa  theta  woi  to  have  mpported  them,  dropped, 
are  deieribed  and  declared  in  tha  Form  of  tki  hodboatos'b  clohino  adsbxsb. 

ProoeiL  and  recogniwd  In  the  finiling»  of  The  HOdeoAJIob,  in  closing  the  bonneaa 

Bynod  m  the  yean  ISTG  and  1876.'  of  the  Synod,  congratulated  the  memlttii 

ThiiwoB  nhiniattly  agreed  to  b;  partial  upon  the  order,  abiUty,  and  kindly  Chriitian 

and  by  tha  Synod.  temper  with  which  it  had  been  oondncted, 

MK.  UACBAE^s  FETjnoif.  and  on  the  important  and   happy  reaolti 

A.  petition  of  Mr.  Macrae  oaldng  the  Synod  which  hod  been   obtained,  which,  ha  wu 

to  explain  what  waa  moant  by  tbe  wordi  porauoded,  would  give  aatiafaction  to  tha 

'  atediaat   adherence   to  .  the  Weatcunater  entire  Church.    Having  referred  to  soma  of 

Confeuion  of  Faith  and  Catechisma,  ai  otm-  the  more  im^rtont  aubjeota  that  had  been 

taining  the  lyitem  of  doctrine  taught  in  the  under  diaoninon,  and  thanked  the  memben 

Holy  ScriptitTas,' ill  ita  declaration  on  the  of  Synod  for  the  Idndneaa  and  ooorteiy  they 

■abject  p^aed  at  Glasgow  hut  year,  waa  the  had  ahown  to  him,  the   122d  Paalm  wu 

next  bnaitiBU  on  the  billet.   .  *ung,  and  the  Synod  dinniaBed  with  the 

Mr.  Macaae  taid  tliat  aiace,  he  drew  up  proDouiuuiig  of  the  banedietiDn. 


PRB8BYTEBIAL  PROCEEDINGS. 
Abtrdeat. — This  preBbjteiy  luM  at  Old  to  open  it  free  of  debt.  It  wu  intintted 
Heldmm  on  lat  Maj,  for  (be  ordiaatioD  ttiat  Che  atation  at  Banchory  had  been 
of  Mr.  William  Lawrie.  There  was  a  opened  by  Br.  Scott,  Homs  Secretary,  on 
Unge  attendance  of  the  miniitera  of  the  the  preceding  Sabbatb,  Mr,  Dickie  re- 
presbytery,  as  also  Meain.  Hall  from  ported  that  he  had  fulfilled  hii  appoint- 
Glasgow,  Conway  from  Dundee,  and  meat  to  moderate  at  Woodside,  but  thai 
Fatenou,  Free  Church,  Old  Ueldrnm.  no  election  had  been  made ;  his  conduei 
The  public  aerricea  were  conducted  by  waa  approved.  A  petition  was  then  pre- 
Di.  Kobaon,  who  preached,  Mr.  AuchCer-  aeuted  from  Woodside,  requesting  anolher 
lonie,  who  ordained  asd  addrBsaed  the  moderation.  Tbe  eomnuijioners  stated 
minister,  and  Ur.  Banean,  who  addreued  that  they  were  quite  unanimoas  in  their 
tbe  people.  Mr.  Lawrie  was  cordially  present  application.  The  moderation  wis 
welcomed  by  the  members  as  they  with-  granted,  to  be  held  on  the  erenine  of 
drew.  [A  very  ■ncEaaifnl  aoiree  waa  held  Monday  after  the  first  Sabbath  of  Joly, 
in  tbe  evening,  when  inatructive  oddreasei  Mr.  Dickie  to  preside;  and  the  presbytery 
were  given  by  Messrs.  Conway  (Dundee),  agreed  to  meet  on  Tuesday  ofUr  the 
Ball  (Glo^ow),  Lcith,  Faterson  (Old  second  Sabbath  of  July,  to  receive  tbe 
Meldrom),  and  others.]  The  congregition  report  of  the  moderation.  A  petition  from 
of  Woodside,  Abetdeeu,  presented  a  peti'  Mr.  Brown,  late  of  Nelson  Street,  to  have 
tion  for  a  moderation,  which  was  granted,  his  name  placed  on  the  list  of  occaiioual 
and  Mr.  Dickie  waa  appointed  to  moderate  anpply,  was  granted.  The  claims  of  Ooday- 
on  Monday,  ISth  May.  The  Mission  pore  as  a  atation  in  connection  with  oar 
Committee  reported  that  they  had  been  IndianMissions,  under  the  direction  of  Dr. 
considering  the  importance'  of  having  a  James  Shepherd,  were  brought  before  the 
home  misaionary  owccy  in  full  operation  preabjlery  by  Mr.  Beatt  and  Dr.  Bobsou, 
in  Causewayend  district  in  connection  arging  tbe  preabytery  to  take  a  special 
with  NelaoQ  Street  Church,  and  requesting  interest  in  raising  tbe  necGsssary  funds. 
authority  to  apply  for  help  from  the  Banffshire. — Tbis  pres^teiy  met  at 
HiHion  Board.— Thia  preabyten-  again  Banff  on  4th  June.  The  Ber.  Mr,  Mer- 
met  on  llth  Juae,  and  as  Dr.  Bobaon's  son  was  appointed  moderator  (ii  the  next 
term  of  the  moderatorship  had  expired,  twelve  months.  It  was  agreed  to  hold  a 
Mr.  Bodds  was  appointed  for  the  next  preabyterial  conference  on  Misaions  at 
twelve  montha.  On  taking  the  chair,  Mr.  -  Orange,  on  Bth  July.  Mr.  Qreeu  sent  a 
Dodds  was  congratulated  by  the  presby-  report  of  the  ordination  of  three  elden  at 
tery  on  the  sncceasful  effort  of  hie  cocgre-  Findochty,  which  was  read.  Hr.  Macfar- 
gatloD  to  erect  a  new  place  of  worship,  and  Une  aubmitced  tbe   report   on  £■--''--'  — 

■oo>;lc 


FBESBYIBBIAL  rBOOSBSINGe. 


of  lbs  dnrcbM.    Mr.  MacfwUne  Teported  FoMnon,  Dalrj,  wm   choten   modentor 

tbsi  pmttjteiUl  depaUtions  bttd  Tiiited  for  the  coming  jsftr.    It  wu  agreed  to 

Buckie,  Keith,  and  Hmitlj.  It  itm  agreed  certi^  Mr.   Jamei    NiTison,   itndent,   a 

10  complete  tlie  TiritB^ooi  u  apportnnitiej  member  of  the  North  Chnrch,  Sanquhar, 

proved  suitable.  for  admiuion  to  the  Theological  EoU.    It 

Berakk.—Tbia  presbjtery  met  in  the  wa«  alio  agreed  to  coiuider  the  declara* 

Free  AuembljEan  on  the  14tli  of  Haj —  tory  statemeat  sent  down  bj  the  Sjnod, 

the   BeT.    Jamei    Hairower,  moderator,  provided  the  minntei  irere  ia  the  Itandi  of 

Ucsui.   W.    Andenon    and    W.   Hood,  membani  ten  dayi  before  the  next  meet- 

cDiimuinQnere  from  Horadean  congrega-  ing,  jihich  nill  he  held  at  Damfriei  on 

tiot),  Uid  a   petition  for    a  mederalion  the  Gr»t  Tnegday  of  Aogost. 

on  the  table.     The  namber  of  memben  Dundee. — Tbii  preabjteiy  met  in  the 

.    ii  1S4,  and  the  stipend  promised  is  £160,  Free  Asiemblj  Buildings  on  IGib  Maj— 

bciidu  free  manse  and  garden,  and  an  the   Eer.   David   Hat,  moderator.     As 

allowuce   tat    hoUdaji.     The   B«r.    P.  application  for  a  moderation  from   Tar 

Ueams  was  appointed  to  preach  and  pre-  Square  congregation,  Dundee,  was  laid 

tide  St  the  moderation,  which  was  Szed  before  the  presbyterj.     After  hearing  the 

for  the   S9lh  of  Ma7.-~The  presbyter;  commissiouers  Qom  the  congregation,  the 

met  St  Berwick  on  the  *th  of  June— the  presbjiery  agreed  to  grant  the  prayer  of 

BsT,  James  Harroner,  moderator.    The  the    petition,    and    appointed   the  Ber. 

Bar.  P.  Meams    reported   that  he  had  John  Taylor  to   mooerate   on  the  37th 

preachedit  Homde^ubn  thea9thof  May,  May.      A    petition   from  residenters   in 

u ^|pointed,   but  that  the  congregation  Heirport,    and-  other    members    of    the 

imammoaaly  resolved  to  delu'tbemodera-  tlnited.  Presbyterian   Church,   or   others 

tiou,— the  reason  of  the  delay  being  that  who  approve  of   the  principles  .  of   that 

llic  probationer   they   had  in  view   hod  deaomuiation,  asking   the   Dresbytery  to 

accepted  a  call  firom  another  congregation,  open  a  preaching  station  in  Newport,  was 

It  promises  well  for  further  harmoolons  laid    on    the    t^Ie.      The    Bev. '  A,   B. 

letionin  the  choice  of  a  pastor,  that  the  Connel  and  Mr.  Jaroe*  Logic   appeared 

congregation  were  perfectly   nnanimoos,  as  commissi eneri  in  lupport  of  the  petl- 

bothiaappiyingforamoderationaodaftei-  tion.     After  hearing  the  commissioners, 

nrdi  in  deUvTiig  it  for  the  reason  stated,  it  wa*  nnonimonilj  agreed  to  grant  the 

Additional  collections  for  the  Theological  prayer  of  the  petition.    Appointed  Mesen. 

EiU  7n1id  were  reported   from  several  Connel  and  Logie  a  committee  to  aid  the 

coDgregationg.    The  Rev.  James  Harrower  petitioner*  in  securing  supply,   and    in 

inlimsted  that  be  had  reinmed  his  pastoral  other  ways  which  may  appear   to   them 

libcars;  and  hs  rettimod  cordial  tbanki  fitted  to  promote  the  prosperity  of   the 

to  Uie  presbytery  for  the  atiistance  they  station.      (This   station  was  opened   on 

'isd  rendered  to  him   while  temporarily  Sd  June,  by  the  Bev.  David  Croom,  Mode- 

laid  aside  from  pulpit  duty.  rator  of  Synod,  who  preached  forenoon 

CStpar, — This  presbytery  met  in  Boston  and  afternoon.    The  UeV.  J.  C.  Baxter, 

Chnrch,  Cupar,  on  Tuesday,  June  11 —  D.D.,   Montreal,    formerly    of   Dundee, 

Ur.  Morison,  moderator  pro   tem.     Mr,  preached  in   the    evening.) — This    prea- 

Thomos  M.  Tleming,  who  is  under  call  to  nytery.  met  in  Dundee,  ou  Tuesday,  ;4tli 

Boitoa  Church,  passed  his  trials,  and  his  June — the  Bev.  David  Hay,  moderator, 

ordinstion  was  appointed  to  take  place  on  The    Ber.    Br.     Baxter,    of    Montreal, 

the  nth  July — Mr.  Bell  to  preach,  Mr.  Canada,   being   present,   was   invited   to 


the  nth  July — Mr.  Bell  to  preach,  Mr.  Canada,   being   present,   was   mvited   to 

Soraick  to  preside  in  the  ordination  and  correspond,  which    he    did    accordingly, 

address  the  minister,   and  Mr.  Tees  to  The  Rev.  John  Taylor  reported  that  he 

addreis  the  congregation.   Mr.  D.  H.  Law-  had  moderated  in.  a  call  in  Tay  Square 

Knee,  student  of  divinity,  St.  Andrews,  Church  on  STth  May,  and  that  the  call 


le  Theological  a  letter  from  Tay  E 

^.. ri tedmoderator  stating 'that  at  a  mei. „  —  — ^  , 

pfpreibyte^  for  the  next  twelve  months,  congregation,   held  on  3d  June,   i 

in  room   of   Mr.   Hair,   wbore   term   of  unanimonsly  resolved,  in  view  of  circam- 

modcratorship  has  expired.  stances  which  have  transpired  since  the 

Dmi^riei. — This  presbytery  met  on  4(b  congregational  meeting  held  on  the  STtb 

Jane— the  Bev.   John  S«llar,  moderator  May,  uiat  the  congregation  proceed  no 

pro  ten).    It  was   agreed  to  record   the  further   in   the   eall  to  the  Eev.  Bobert 

thuks  of  tbfl  presbytery  to  the  Bev.  D.  Scott,  M.A.'    Having  heard  this  letter,  it 


334 


SELIOIOUS  INTELUQENCE. 


«H  nnBtiinioiiEly  agreed  tbat  the  prei- 
bytery  take  no  further  itepi  in  con- 
nection irilh  the  afDreaiid  call.  After 
diaensiioD,  it  was  agreed  'that,  in  con- 
sideration of  the  importance  of  tho 
Synod'i  remit  anent  the  Declaratory  Act, 
the  presbjterj  take  up  the  diicntiion  of 
it  U  the  meetings  in  October  and 
December,  at  tveire  o'clock  on  each  of 
theae  dayi.'  Proceeded  to  hear  the  trial 
diacourses  of  Meaara.  M.  Bruce  Heikle- 
ham  and  James  V.  Johnalone,  which 
were  all  atulained ;  after  which  thej  were 
duly  licented  to  preach  the  gospel. 

Dunfermline. — This  presbytery  met  on 
Tuesday  (he  4tb  June  — the  Rev.  Mr. 
Dunbar,  moderator  pro  tern.  The  Rev, 
Mr.  Munro,  Kincardine,  was  appointed 
moderator  for  the  next  tweWe  monihs, 
and  took  the  cbair  accordingly.  The 
presbytery  committees  were  rearranged 
and  appointed  for  tho  year.  Mr.  Brown, 
Lochgelly,  nominated  Messrs.  Alexander 
Weslwater  and  John  Dnucan,  M.A,,  for 
admisiion  to  the  Theological  Hall  in 
Morember  next.  Afcreed  to  hold  next 
meetins  on  the  I6II1  July. 

Btdinburgh. — A  meeting  of  this  pres- 
bytery waa  held,  4th  June,  in  the  Church 
Offices,  Ijueen  Street— Ur.  Williamson, 
Queensferry,  moderator.  Tbere  was  r^ad 
a  petition  from  the  consregation  at 
present  meeting  in  Clare  Hall,  Grange, 
praying_  chat  they  be  formed  into  a  regular 
charge  in  connection  with  the  preabytery. 
On  ine  motion  of  Mr.  Farlane,  Tranent, 
seconded  by  Mr.  Croom,  it  was  agreed  to 
grant  the  prayer  of  the  petition.  Mr. 
Moffat,  Rose  Street,  on  behalf  of  the 
Mission  Coamittce,  reported  that  the 
attempt  made  during  the  year  to  bring 
about  an  exchange  of  pnlpila  on  the  anb- 
ject  of  mission  work  bad  been  nneatis- 
factoiy  in  ita  results.  It  was  resolved 
that  the  committee  be  directed  to  pre- 
pare a  scheme  for  an  exchange,  by 
naming  the  mioiaters  recoOimenifed  for 
the  different  pulpits.  Mr.  Anderson 
(elder)  gave  in  the  report  of  the  Com- 
mittee Tor  the  Sapenotendence  of  Tonng 
Peraons  changing  tbeir  Places  of  Resid- 
ence. The  committee  was  thanked  for 
tbeir  aervices,  and  reappointed.  Mr. 
Uacintosh,  Dalkeith,  as  the  conrener  of 
the  Finance  Committee,  stated  that  the 
income  of  the  preabytery  for  the  year  bad 
been  £179,  and  the  expenditure  £140. 
Dr.  Kennedy  directed  attention  to  the 
faet  that  the  jubilee  of  Dr.  Peddle 
would  be  celebrHied  thia  year,  and  pro- 
posed that  Or.  Thomaon,  Dr.  Brnce,  and 
Dr.  Daridson  be.  appointed  to  prepare  an 
address  of  congratulation  (o  the  rev. 
Doctor.  This  proposal  was  seconded  by 
Mr.  Croom,  and  carried  by  acclamation. 


Committee  of  the  Synod,  pointing  out 
that  the  pcealiytery  had  Ab  right  oE 
meeting  with  in  the  Synod's  baildings, 
and  asking  that  provision  bemade  for 
this  requirement. 

Elgin  and  Invtmem. — Thia  presbyteiy 
met  at  Nairn  on  the  I3th  May— tiie  Bee. 
A.  Etobertaon,  moderator  pro  tan.  TTiB 
moderation  of  a  call  was  appointed  to  be 
held  in  the  congregation  of  Nairn  on 
Wednesday  the  29tb  May— the  Bev.  A. 
Eobertson  to  preside.- — The  presbytery 
met  at  Nairn  on  the  11th  June  — the 
Eev.  John  Whyte,  moderator  pro  (em. 
Mr.  Robertson  stated  tbat  he  had,  ac- 
cording to  appointment,  met  with  the 
congregation  of  Nairn  on  Wednesday  the 
S9th  May,  and  that  the  congregation  had 
unanimonaly  agreed  to  gire  a  call  to  the 
ReT.  John  Smith,  Fraaerburgh  ;  but  that, 
when  the  call  was  about  to  he  signed,  an 
intimation  was  received  from  Mr.  Smitb, 
to  the  effect  that  he  had  resolted  to 
accept  the  call  which  had  been  addressed 
to  him  by  the  Wallace  Green  CoDgregl- 
tion,  Berwick,  which  intimation  bad  &e 
effect  of  stopping  furiher  proceadings. 
The  moderation  of  a  call  waa  appointed 
to  be  held  in  the  congregation  of  Tain,  on 
Wednesday  the  2Glh  June — I  he  Ber.  A. 
M'Martin  to  preside.  Mr.  John  Kynoch 
liSing,  student,  was  nominated  for  ad- 
miieion  to  the  Theological  Hall.  Next 
meeting  was  appointed  to  be  held  at 
Forres  on  Toesday  after  the  secoad 
Sabbath  of  Jnly, 

/"aitiri.— This  presbytery  met  in  Kdin- 
bu^h  onl4tIiMay — Rev,  John  L.  Monro, 
B.D.,  moderator.  Rev.  Charles  Jerdaa, 
LL.B.,  reported  that  he  had  moderated 
in  a  eall  at  Cumhernanld  on  ISth  April, 
which  came  out  nnanimously  in  favour  of 
Mr.  Alexander  Borland,  probationer.  Oal 
of  a  membership  of  135,  the  call  bad  been 
signed  by  120,  and  the  paper  of  concor- 
rence  by  46  ordinary  hearers.  Tho  presby- 
tery very  cordially  sostained  the  cai),  snl 
appointed  Mr.  Borland  trials  for  ordina- 
tion. The  clerk  was  instructed  to  write 
B  letter  of  condolence  to  Mrs.  Thomas 
Chalmers,  whose  husband — an  elder  and 
commissioner  from  Cnmbemadld  —  had 
been  accldentatty  killed  in  driving  Mr. 
Jerdan  home  on  the  night  of  the  modera- 
tion.—Met  again  at  Faikirk  on  4th  Jooe 
—Rev.  Georee  Wade,  moderator.  The 
Rev.  Peter  WTiite  wis  appointed  moderator 
forthenexttwelvemonihE.  Mr.Alexandet 
Borland,  being  present,  intimated  his  ac- 
ceptance of  the  call  Irom  Cnmbamanld, 
end  delivered  hia  trials  for  ordination. 
The  preabytery  appointed  hia  ordiaalion 
10  take  place  on  Tnesday,  Sd  July— Bev. 


"■'winjiw'^'              PEE8BTTEBIAI.  PBOOEEDINGS.  325 

D^TJil  Barm  to  preach,  pnd  B«t.  Bobert  Jatmilone,  wat  nutwDcd.    Tfaa  Bar.  Hr. 
Andenop  to  ordun,  and  addreis  miniiter  Edgar,    CrantlonhUl    Church,   Q\ugtnr, 
nd  people.    It  irag  Doanimaaal;  agreed  accepted  tbe  call  tg  St.  Andrew  Square 
10  ncommeiid   tbe    Rer.    Hugb    Balrd,  Charcb,  Greenock.    It  wai  reported  that 
Csmbemauld,  aa  an  aniiaitant  npon  the  the  Heiidenon  Memorial  Charch  vwdM  be 
Aged  Miniaters'   Scheme.      Mr.    Qeorge  opened  on  Sunda;  first.     TheEeT.  Jamea 
Sinng,  M.A.,  aludent,  delirered  all  hii  Btereaion,  Dnblin,  declined  the  call  to 
iritl  diiconTsea,  etc,  for  licence,  and  wa(  Broompark  Church,  Port-Qlaaaow.     The 
in]}  licented  aa  a  preacher  of  the  goapel.  induction  of  the  Ber.   Mr.   Blair,    Hew 
The  prttbjierj  rcaolFed  tobegioamiaiion  Deer,  to  Oatland*  Church,  Glasgow,  was 
itition  at  Carron,  and  authorized  ita  com-  fixed   Tor  ihe  4ih  pros.     Tbe   following 
mitlee,  appointed  to  mate  arrangement*,  -  gentlemen,  having  completed  their  triali, 
lOKcnrean Bgentto proKGute evangeliatic  were  licenaed   to    preach   the  goipel: — 
nort  there.      Appointed  next  ordinarj  Meaars.   Janea   Brown,    Jamea    Cooper, 
neeiing  to  be  held  at  Falkirk  on  Tneaday,  Wm.   W.   Dawson,  X    L.   Elder,  M.A., 
23(1  JdTj,  at  11  i..M.  J.   K.  Fairiie,  Wm.  Logan,  M.A.,  1.  P. 
GaSaaay^—Tti'a   presbrter/   met '  4ih  JHitchell,   M.A.,   W.    Stuart,  B.D.,   and 
Jine,  and  naa  constliated  by  Mr.  Muir-  Wm.  T.  Walker,  M.A. 
li«d,  moderator.     DeTotional    exerciiea  KihnariUKk. — This   preabjlery  met  on 
TCK  condncled  bj  Mr.  Clark.     The  Ber.  the   lUh  June— tbe  Rer.  John  Forreat, 
Aleiandsi  Scott  waa  elected  moderator  moderator.     Mr.  Forrest'a  term  of  mode- 
fur  the  next  twelre  months.     Mr.  John  ralorahip  ba>ing  expired,  the  Rev.  William 
H.  Wataon,  baring  been  taken  on  trials  G.    Miller,   Glengarnock,   waa   appointed 
Tor  licBDCB,   delivered   tbe   greater   part  moderator  for  the  next  six  months.     Re- 
af  his  tiiala,  which  were  cordiallj  and  ceired  certiflcatei  of  regular  attendance 
nmniiDOual;  anatained.  at '  the   Theologieal    Hall    on   behalf   of 
Olmgtne.—Thia    preabjterj     held     its  Messra.  John  Reid,  Hugh  Yoanp,  John 
monibi]'  meetingon  Uth  June— Rer.  Mr.  Howataon,    Robert    FaCerioD,    Matthew 
ThomaQn,  moderator.     On  the  disposal  of  Dickie,    and    William    Hood    Wright — 
Hme  Formal  basineaa,  the  Rer.  Dr.  Young  aindenis.   Read  circalar  from  iheConrener 
propoMd    that    the     presbfter;    sbonld  of  Committee  on  Theological  Education, 
Hpreai  the  sense   of  their  obligation  to  stating    that   Meaars.   Wright,    Fateraon, 
ihe  Ker.  Dr.  Black  and   the   Rer.   Mr,  Howaison,   and  Dickie   hs^   passed   the 
Buchanan  for  acting  aa  proaecutors  ia  the  exit  examination,  and  might  be  taken  on 
fierFeKgea  Ferguson'a  case.     He  should  trisls  for  licence.    After  giring  all  their 
like,  he  added,  to  onite  with  these  gentle'  trials  to  tbe  aatiafaotion  of  ihe  preabjterj, 
men  in  the  motion  the  Rev.  Dr.  Jeffrey,  Measrs,  Howataon,  Peterson,  and  Wright 
ibeirable  clerk.     Dr.  Black  accepted  with  were  licensed  aa  preachers  in  the  Uuited 
much  eroiitude  the  thanks  of  the  presbv-  Presbyterian  Church.     In  conaequenoe  of 
ter;.  He  waa  happy  to  think  that  lhroDgh>  recent  illness,  Mr.  Dickie  was  able  to  give 
oai   the   whole   case   the    best   feelings  onl;  part  of  hia  trials,  which  was  cordiallv 
uiiled  between  Mr.  Ferguson  and  them-  sustained.    Messrs,  William  T.  Bankhead, 
lEliea.    Mr.  Buchanan  spoke  to  a  similar  David  Woodside,  and  Andrew  B.  Dickie, 
(Ifect,  and  the  clerk  also  returned  thanks,  siudeats,  were  nominated  for  examination 
Tde  gentlemen  appointed  to   frame   the  by  the   Theoiogioal    Committee,   with   a 
motion  presented  a  document  in  tbe  fol-  view  to  enter  the  Hall.     Read   petition 
'offing  terms: — 'The  presbytery    unani-  from  the  congregalioa  ofFen\vick,req^est- 
SlSIlsly  agreed  to  record  the  most  cordial  ing  a  supply  of^  preachers,  with  the  view 
eipreaiion  of  their  thanks  to  Dr.  Black  of   choosing    a    coUeagae    to    Mr.    Orr, 
■nd  Mr.   Ruchanan   for  the  conapicuona  Agreed  unanimousty  to  grant  ihia  requeat. 
■bility,  combined  with  brotherly  feeling  Read  letter  from  Mr.  Cbas.  Moyes,  de- 
•Dd  nrbanity,  with  which  they  had  per-  dining  the  call  from  Muirkirk.    Agreed 
formed  the  diffienlt  and  delicate  duties  to   delay  diicuBBion   on   the    resolutions 
itnpoied  on   them   by  the  presbytery  as  aneni  Diaesiablishment   to   tbe  ordinary 
progeeniora  of  the  libel.     In  this  vote  of  meeting    in    October.      Appointed    next 
thanks  it  was  also  agreed,  with  tbe  same  meeting  to  be  held  in  Kilmarnock  on  the 
cordiality  and  nnantmity,  to  inclnde  the  second  Tuesday  of  August,  at  10.30  A.w. 
nune  of  Dr.  George  Jeffrey,  the  clerk  of  .flfrfroae.— This  presbytery  met  in  Edin- 
presbytery,  for  the  eminently  efficient  and  burgh  on  tSth  May,  during  the  aitting  of 
failhrol  manner  in  which  he  had  prepared  Synod — Mr.  Robson,  moderator  pro  tem. 
Ike  libel   and   discharged  generally    his  Mr.  Lawson,  coiiTener  of  llic  committee 
official  duties  in  connection  with  the  case,'  on  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Young,  Newtown, 
The  call  by  tbe  Goran  congregatioa  to  reported  that  they  had  on  tbe  7th  inat.  a 
Hr.  George  Crawford,  probationer,  as  its-  long  confidential  conference  with  bim,  bnt 
^ant  and  incceasor  to  the  Rer.  Dr  Brown  without  shaking  bis  resolution  to  give  np 


■i^ally  blessed.  The  preBbjcerf,  aftei  Agreed  to  petition  Fadiunent  againit  tin 
deliberBtion,  reeolved  to  receive  the  report  Contagioua  DiaeaieB  Acts.— -Met  MtiHt  lA 
of  the  coromitte«,aodth«nk,themforllieir     April — Rbt.   A.   P.   Porreet,   modetBtor. 


326                                    KELIQIOUB  nrrBLLIQESCB.  '""SSj'TTW^ 

hu  cfaarge,  oa  tb«  eroBod  of  continued  iru  mbmitted  by  the  tUtak,  tma  wlueh  It 
ill-IieBlth  and  bii  being  recommended  bj  appeared  that  on  hu  arer^e  only  hdf  of 
bii  medical  adTiser  to  take  a  rojagi  to  the  memberi  were  preaent  at  eadi  meel- 
Aoetrftlla ;  and  also  that  the  leiaion  and  ioK— three  oat  of  the  ten  meeting*,  hmr- 
eongregtttion,  with  whom  the  commiCtcB  erer,  were  called  for  rimple  thongh 
bad  inccouiTelj  met,  acquiesced  with  important  busineaa,  and  were  rery  thinly 
daepeat  aorrow  in  thia  decision.^  Mr.  attended.  The  moderator  gave  an  ex- 
Hogarth  was  preient  as  eommiiaioaer  cellent  addreia  on  Practical  ChtiMianily, 
from  the  eongregsiion,  and  itated  that  the  for  which  be  wae  wonnly  thankod,  IM 
■tipend  had  jml  been  paid,  and  that,  in  which  formed  the  introdaction  to  a  very 
addition,  a  money  gift,  amoanting  to  a  hitoreiting  religions  conference. 
hnndred  gnineas,  had  been  handed  to  Mr,  '  Sfiriinj.— This  presbjteir  met  on  Sth 
Tonng,  along  with  a  written  testimonial  Tebrnary— Bev.  W.  GhtlleUj,  moderator. 
from  tfae  session  and  congregation  rsspec-  Agreed  to  express  sympathy  with  Eer. 
tirely,  expressive  of  their  hieh  esteem  of  Andrew  Whyto  in  the  sad  berearemetit 
his  eminent  character  and  ablUtiee  as  a  be  baa  snatained  by  hii  two  soiu  having 
minister  of  the  soapel,  tbeit  profound  been  drowved.  Becommeaded  bietbren 
sorrow  at  losing  bii  serrices,  and  their  to  arrange  for  exdiange  of  pulpits  on 
earnest  hope  that  the  change  to  ainnnier  MisnonB.  Mr.  i.  L.  Hnnter, .  atndetii^ 
clime  mar  ettftblisfa  hi)  health,  and  restore  preached  a  aGrmon,  which  wMtaetaised; 
him  to  Uie  lacred  work  in  which  with  and  the  dark  was  iostnicted  to  intinaU 
them  dnring  ttuee  years  be  bad  been  so  the  fact  to  tbe  Theotogical   Commiicse. 

'              ~  Agreed  to  petition  Fadiunent  againit  the 

Contagioua  Diseases  Acts.— -Met  Main,  Id 
....._.  April — Rev.  A.  P.  Porreet,  modetator. 
;  accept  of  the  resignation  of  Sir.  Reports  on  Statistics  and  Angmentation 
Toung,  loose  bim  from  the  charge  of  the  were  given  iQ  by  Meatre.  Berry  and  Eiik. 
congregation  of  Newtown,  and  appoint  Mr.  Muir  reported  for  the  Committee  en 
Mr.  Lawson  to  draw  up  a  statement  of  Evangelistic  Work  in  Menstrie.  The 
Ae  presbytery's  esteem  and  goodwill  presbytery  resolved  itself  into  a  committee 
towaMs  him.  Mr.  Kechie  was  appointed  of  tbe  whole  honse,  and,  aft^detiberation, 
to  preach  the  church  at  Newtown  vacant  the  presbytery  adopted  the  following  find- 
on  Sabbath  first,  and  Mr.  Sterenson  to  ing: — 'To  appoint  a  depntati<m  to  meet 
act  as  moderator  of  tbe  session  dnrisg.  with  the  session  and  congregation  oF 
the  vacancy. — This  court  met  uain  at  Btalrlogie,  and  represent  to  them  tiiat  the 
Melrose  on  tbe  4th  June — Mr.   Pollock,  qneation  has  been  imdei  consideration,  irf 

moderator.     Read  letter  from  Dr.  Blair,     itie  desirability  of  moving  t^e  eonj 

Galashiels,  stating  that  he  was   laid  off  tion,  in  view,  of  its  own  interesu  a 

from  duty,  and  requesting  supply  for  his  the  interests  of  the  Churcb,  tromBlairmgie 

pulpit,   which  with   deep   sympathy  and  to  Menalrie,- that  the  presbytery  view  Me 

mnch  cordiality  waa  granted.    Bead  letter  soggestion  with  much  approbation;  that 

from  BIr.  Orr,  that  he  was  resolved  not  tbepresbyterydeBirelosubniittbeqiieslion 

to  press  the  overture  concerning  altera-  to  the  consideration  of  the  congregation; 

tions    in    the   law    of   libel  for    herasy,  and  that  the  presbytery  pledge  tbeniialve* 

not  becBuae  his  opinions  were  changed,  that,  if  the  congregation  Snd  it  dearable 

but  because  he  now  thought  it  wsa  the  and  pmdent  to  make  the  change,  to  give 

whole  process  of  libelling  that  needed  to  the  congregation  every  assistance  in  their 

be  revised,   and  he  was  not  prepared  at  power.'    Tbe  deputation  consists  of  Dr. 

present  to  take  the  responsibility  of  raig-  Frew,   Measra.    Unir    and    Dickie,  with 

ing  so  large  a   qnestion.    Retnme  from  Messrs,  James  Faton   and  James  KiA, 

sessions  as  to  payment  of  the  travelling  elders — Mr.  Dickie  to  be  conveuer.    Ap- 

expenses  of  their  representatives  at  pret-  pointed  Rev.  Walter  Scott  and  Mr.  James 

bjteiy  and  Synod,  were  called  for.    With  Eirk  members  of  Committee  on  Bills. — 

one  exception,  the  idea  Of  a  central  fund  Met  again  In  Free  Assembly  Rooms,  IMh 

for  the  whole  presbytery  was  conridered  May,   by  intimation  from  the   Chair  of 

impracticable,  and  the  matter  was  gener-  Synod — Rev.  A.   F.  PorresC,  modeiatw. 

ally  regarded  as  one  which  shonld  be  cared  'Tbe  clerk  reported  that  he  had  provldad 

for  by  individual  seesions.    Accordingly  sick  supply  for  Blairlogie  pulpit  for  the 

the  motion  was  agreed  to,  that  it  should  month  of  May.    Mr.  Dickie  stated  that, 

still  remain  in  the  hands  of  sessions,  and  in  -consequence  of  Mr.  Maclarea^  iUoeM, 

that  they  be  recommended  to  see  to  the  the  deputation  had  not  gone  to  BlaJriogie. 

defraying  of  tbe  travelling  expenses   of  Attentionhavingbeen  calledtoapropcial 

their  representatives  at  the  courts  of  the  made  by  Mr.  Maclaren  to  bis  pw^  that 

Church.     A  list  of   the  attendances   of  he   should   bear  the  whole   cost  oF  the 

members  at  presbytery  for  the  past  year  proposed  new  chnrch  at  MvMttit,  the 


EBLIGIOUa  INTBLLISBNCB. 


Hkcluen  for  hU  liberality,  reiolre  thai  Pnibrtcrian  Cbardi,  haTs  been  soleetcd 
thej  could  not  allow  the  Buln  boiden  of  bj  the  Sjnod'i  Hall  Accommodatioa 
the  work  to  fall  upon  bim,  nor  sTsn  Committee,  and  a  comniencement  wUl  bs 
exelniiTelj  on  bi<  iieople,  and  conid  onlj  made  with  the  work  of  reconBEraction.  ai 
•BDCtioii  the  bnilaing  on  the  di«tiacl'  soDn  a«  the  neceasar^  estimatea  have  been 
BDdentaiidiQg  that  it  be  undertaken,  not  taken.  It  ii  not  intended  to.  interfere 
bj  Mr.  Haclaren  peraonally,  bnt  bj  the  witb  the  masiire  Italianized  elevatiooa  of 
cbnRh  of  Blsirlo^e,  largely  aid^  by  the  existing  itmctare,  or  only  in  u  alight 
the  conttibntiona  of  the  f^iendi  of  the  a  manner  aa  poMlble.  The  moat  import- 
Chnrch  genernlly.  BeaolTe,  farther,  to  ant  coniideration,  of  conrae,  waa  the  con- 
defer  procedare  in  the  meantime. — Met  atruclion  of  a  aaitable  Synod  Hall, — large 
again,  4th  Jane  I8TS — Her.  A.  F.  Foneet,  enough  to  hold  te  many  member*  u  are 
moderator.  The  clerk  reported  (npply  in  the  habit  of  attending  the  May  meet< 
for  Blairlogie  pnlpit  for  Jane  and  Jalj.  ings,  ai  well  as  the  general  pablic.  Ai 
Mr.  Charles  Christie,  M.A.,  atadent  of  the  ahown  on  the  plans,  it  is  intended  that 
first  year, '  delivered  a  aetmon  on  Qal.  one-tbird  of  tbe  present  building  towards 
ri.  14,  which,  after  remarks,  was  unani-  the  lane  ahould  be  cleared  out,  the  ex- 
mously  sustained.  Sobjecta  of  trial  for  tern al  walls  only  remaining,  and  that  .in 
licence  wer&  aaeigued  to  Mr.  John  L.  thia  cleared  apace  there  ahonld  be  a  ball 
Hunter.  Agreied  to  appoint  a  treataret  118  feet  by  S8  feet  acrosi,  and  SO  feet  in 
to  manage  the  fnnds  of  the  preahytery,  height,  affording  comfortable  sitting  ae- 
andAppointedBcT.  Andrew Whyte,M.A.,  commodation  for  1750  persons,  the  area 
treasurer.     Mr.  Berry  tatd  on  the  table  being  seated  for  IDOO,  and  the  gaLery  for 

Srinted  copiei  of  Presbytery  Statiatics  for  750.     At  a  preaaure,  however,  it   ia   ex- 

ittribution  among  the  members  of  the  pected   that   3000  will   be  eaaily  accorn- 

ehnrch,     Next  meeting  is  to  be  on  the  6th  modated  in  the  building,  ao  that  the  hall, 

of  Augost.  when  completed,  will  he  the  largest  place 

of   the  kind  in  Edinbnrgb.      Tbe  area, 

CALLS.  which  it  mainly  intended  far  members  of 

Glaigow  ((?ouan).— Mr.  George  Craw-  Synod,   will   be  so   arranged  as   to  eive 

ford,  A.M.,  called  Juna  3d,  to  be  colleague  ready  access  to  the  voting  lobbies,  woile 

tnltov.  John  Brown  Johnstone,  D.D.  a  platform  for  the  Moderator  ia   to  be 

aia«gow     (Oattandt).  —  Bev.      Qeorge,  erected  three  feet  above  the  floor.     Tbe - 

Blair,  SaTOch  of  Deer,  called.  seat*  in  the  area  will  be  raised  from  the 

centre  to  the   walla,   witb   tbe    view    of 

iHDncnoB.  allowing  a  corridor  to  be  formed  nnder  it 

BtTwidc  (WaUaee  Green).— Bar.  James  from  the  two  aide  stairs  to  the  lane,  for 

Smithy  AM.,  Fraserburgh,  inducted  June  ingreas  or  egress.    The  plan  of  the  ground 

20th.  Boor  showa  that  it  ia   entered  from  the 

centre  of  the  front  elevation  throngh  a 

rBBiaHSBS  UCBNBED.  glaas  Tcatibule  door  into  an  entrance  hall 

fiUmaivKKi.— Measra.  John  Howalson,  M  feel  by  £3  feet,  lighted  by  the  front 

M.A^ Robert  Paterson,M,A.,  and  William  door  aide  lights,  and  the  staircase  on  the 

Hood  Wright — oollthJane.  side  opposite  tbe  entrance.      The   right 

hand  corridor  lesda   (o  the  refieahment 


Died   at  Lanark,   on    the   13th  Jnne,  Secretary  and   Clerk's   room,   the  Home 

Eer.  Geoive  Johnston,  in  the  4Sd  year  Seoretary'a  and  safe  room,  and  flie  west 

of  bis minutty.  stairs  to  tbe  galleir  of  tbe  Synod  Hall; 

while   the  left-hand  corridor  conducts  to 

*  V.  .HB  HBBDBRSOB  MUomLU,  ^'^''  i">'tD'''»  room  and  hat  and  cloak  room, 

ctfUBCH   OLABOOw.  '''*  Waiting  room,  tbe  Treasurer  and  clerkr 

„     ,           '    ,,         .  ',      n,       ,  rooms,   tbe  Moderator'a   and    committee 

Tm     Henderson      Memorial      Church,  joomi,  and  the  east  stairs  to  the  gaUery. 

Oremewton,    Glasgo*',   was    opened  for  Qu  either  side  of  the  main  stairs  are  the 

worship  on  Sabbatb,   16ih  June,  by   the  ,oti„g   ^j    q^^^    Clerks'    rooma,   the 

Bev.    Professor    Caims.      The     church,  ^^liog  j^bby,   and   lavatoriea    connected 

which  has  been,  erected  out  of  a  betiueat  therewith.      The  plan   of  the  first  floor 

left  by  the  late  Mr.  John  Henderson  of  indicates  the  arrangement  of  the  gallery 

Park,  is  seated  for  962  persons.  t,f  the  ball,  and  bow  the  anglea  of  it  may 
be  utilized  for  atauding  room  on   'great 

THB  WK  8-ntOD  PMKHBg.  occasioaa.'    From   tbe  stair  landing  to- 

Thb  plans  for  the  alteration  of  the  West  wards  the  right  hand  will  be  placed  die 

End  Theatre,  Bdinbnrgh,  into  premises  'Eadie  Library,'  capable  tt  containing 


328  KOTICBS  OF  SEW  PUBLICATIOKS.  '      jji/twir^ 

9BB8  Tolame*,  and  aootlier  Mnall  rooin;  «il1  alto  be  two  committeB  rDOmi  and  » 

to  the  left  t,  eonuniltee  rgom  iiod  a  elau-  lirge  liTatory  on  thia  floor.      Tbe  third 

Toom,   togetbei  with   «  profeuot'*  room  floor  compriici  a  janiCor'n  booie  of  tbiee 

leated  foi  bo  stadenta;  while  io  the  centre  apirimeDii,  and  leren  otbftr  roonii.     The 

there  nill  be  tno  committee  rooma  and  a  cost  of  cairjicg  out  the  plans  ia  expected 

GomiDOdiODt  layaiorf.     The  libraiy,  alao  to  be  from  £13,000  to  £13,000.   Thia,  with 

on  the  fint  floor,  ia  to  extend  along;  tbe  the  parchaie  price  of  the  theatre,  will  bring 

whole  lenf^ch   of   Ibe   front,   etid    afiord  ibe  coat  of  the  new  hnildinga  np  to  close 

room  for  34,460   Tolnmea.      The  aecond  opoo   £40,000,      Of  that  sum,   boweter, 

floor  will  be  mainly  taken  up  with  clasa  abont    £13,000   has    already    been    tnb- 

■nd  pTOfesaDrs'   rooms.      Of  the   former,  scribed  bj  members  of  the  Chnrch,  while 

two  will  be  seated  foe  90  Btudenta,  and  the  vacant  gronod  adjoining  tbe  theatre 

two  others  for  190  and  150  students  re-  ii  expected  to  jield  an  aannal  return  of 

Siectirel/,  tbe  laat-mentioned  room  being  £200. 
etigned  for  tbe  elocution  clasa.    There 


|toti»s  of  |Uio  ^tibltcations. 

The  TBUPLea  op  tbe  Jews,  and  the  SolomoQ.Zerubbabel.andHerod.exactlj 

OTHER    BoiLDiKOS    IN    THE    Babau  the  Bame  spot,  and  th&t  the  wall  aur- 

Area    at   Jerusalem.      By    Jaues  roundingHerod'a  temple  wae, as JoeephoB 

Fergussoh,  F.RS.  asserts,  a  square  of  400  cubits,  or  600 

London :  John  iiur«7.   is's.  feet.    He  fiieo  the  ait«  of  the  altar  as 

Mb.   Jahes  Fergcssoh's  opinionii  with  beingiDadirectlinenorthof  the  Double 

regard  to  the  temples  of  tbe  Jews  have  Gateway  in  the  south  wall  of  the  Haram, 

long  been  a  favourite  Huhject  of  ridicule  the  architecture  of  which  ia  undoubtedly 

witL  writers   who  consider   themselTes  Herodian  ;    and  be  finds 'ample 


B  the  only  persons  qualified  to  form  an  and  verge  enough '  for  the  temple,  its 
opinion  on  the  topography  of  JerUBalem.  courts  and  subsidiary  buildings,  within 
It  is  somewbat  difficult  to  account  for  the  limits  assigned  to  it  by  JosephtiB. 
the  manner  in  which  Mr.  Fergusson's  The  larger  dimensions  given  by  otber 
theories  have  been  received ;  for,  of  the  writers  he  regards  as  mere  guesses,  made 
numerous  writers  who  have  discussed  long  after  the  temple  had  ceased  to 
the  subject,  it  is  quite  safe  to  eay  that  exist.  Notwithstanding  that  the  descrip- 
no  two  of  them  entirely  agree,  and  their  tions  given  by  Josephns  and  the  Tal- 
'  restorations'  all  bretdc  down  in  some  mudiceJ  writers  are  often  confused  and 
particular  point.  In  his  Uiidergrouad  self-contradictory,  Mr.  Fergusson  faaa 
■JeTjuaUm,  Captain  ITatren  has  treated  with  great  pains  and  ingenuity  restored 
Mr.  FerguBBOn  with  the  greatest  in-,  not  only  tlie  ground  plan,  but  also  the 
justice,  which  tbe  latter,  greatly  to  his  elevation  of  the  temple.  This  part  of 
credit,'  has  not  stooped  to  retaliate,  his  work  ia  of  course  purely  imaginary ; 
The  corner-atone  of  Mr.  Fergusson's  but,  by  piecing  together  such  hints  as 
theory,  as  is  well  known,  is  that  the  are  available,  along  with  details  taken 
Kubbet  es  Sakhni,  or  Dome  of  the  Kock,  from  existing  remains  of  the  same  big- 
is  the  chorcb  erected  by  the  Emperor  torical  period,  the  author  has  produced 
GoDEtaQtine  over  what  was  believed  in  a  restoration  which  is  probably  quite  as 
.  his  time  to  be  tbe  sepulchre  of  Christ,  near  the  reality  as  anything  of  the 
and  that  the  Cave  in  the  Rock  is  the  kind  that  can  now  be  made.  One  of 
sepulchre  itself.  He  throws  out  the  the  most  remarkable  features  of  Herod's 
Bug^tion  that  it  may  have  been  the  temple  was  the  '  Stoa  Batrihca,'  or  Soyal 
bui'ial-place  of  tbe  kings  of  Judah  (the  Cloisters,  GOO  feet  in  length,  its  162 
Moslems  have  placed  the  tomb  of  Corinthian  columns  divided  into  three 
Solomon  at  the  north  side  of  the  dome)  ;  tuslee, — '  one  of  the  most  magnificent 
and  he  points  out  that  there  is  a  great  stoas  of  ancient  or  modern  times.' 
umilarity  between  this  cave  and  that  Another  noteworthy  feature  was  the 
of  Machpelah  at  Hebron.  Re  considers  '  Toran,'  or  '  screen  bearing  the  golden 
that  these  two  points  are  fixed  with  vine  which  formed  the  principal  orna- 
cert^nty,  namely,  that  the  great  altar  ment  of  the  facade  of  tbe  temple,'  and 
occnpied,  in  the  successive  temples  of  occupyiog  the  place  in  Herod's  temple 


""H^fml**^^           NOTICES  OP  NEW  PUBLICATIOSS.  329 

of  the  pillan  Jaohin  Mid  Boai  in  that  prefixedt«it,weUarnthat 'tiieminiErten 

of  Solomon.     It  is  ■ingaUr  that  the  and  eldere  of  the  Reformed  and  United 

Shinto  templeB  in   Jipaa 'sll  Iutc  in  Presbyteriui  Churches  of  Fhil&delphia, 

front  of  them  a  loran  conustiog  of  up-  believing  that  the   times  demanded   a 

right  pillars  in  granite,  sapporting  one  full  presentation  of  the  sabject  herein 

or  more  transTerae  beams  in  the  same  discuseed,  held  a  meeting  in  the  Cheny 

material.'     The  priests  say  tliat. unless  StreetChnrch,  AugnBtl6,,1868,atwhich 

,lhe  worehippeiB  pass  under  the  toran,  BetB.  J.  W.  Wilson,  J.  T.  Cooper,  and 

tlieir  prayers  will  not  be  heard.    After  Bobt.  Black  were  appointed  a  committee 

the  destruction  of  the  temple  by  tbe  to  prepare,  ttom  existing  treatises,  a 

Bomans,  Mr.  Fergosaon  ai^ues  that  the  work  in  favour  of  the  exclusive  use  of 

traditdous  of  the  sacr^  sites  were  never  Vbe  Scripture  Psalmody  as  the  matter  of 

wholly  lost  or  obliterated;    and  that,  the  Church's  praise.'    A  fourth  minister 

when  Gonstantine   determined  to  erect  was  afterwaras  added  ;   and   the  work 

his   churches,   he   had  no  difficulty  in  before   us,   as  now  republished,  is  the 

finding  the  true   sites.     According   to  result  of  their  labours.     We  may  add 

'   tbe  anthor,  Qte   Church  of  the  Holy  that  among  those  recomm^ing  it  are 

Sepolt^e  was  the  present  Dome  of  tbe  Drs.  Begg  of  Edinburgh  and  Kennedy 

Bo43k  ;  tbe  Churches  of  tbe  tfartyrdom  of    Dingwall.      The   former    of   these 

and  Calvary  occupied  a  part   of  the  '  eminent  dirines '  has  emphasize  his 

eastern  portion  of  the  Haram  area,  and  recommendation   iu   the   Free    Chorcli 

the  present '  Golden  Gateway  '  was  tbe  Assembly,  and  tSat  may  help  the  intfo- 

entrance  to  these  churches;  the  south-  duction  and  circulation  of  the  work.  He 

eastcomer  (where  the  paUceof  Solomon  was  pleased  also  to  say  that  he  always 

had  stood)  was  occupied  by  the  Cbureh  agreed  with  Mr.  Bomaine,  although  he 

of  St.  Harj,  erected  ciy  Justinian.     Tbe  was  an  English  Episcopalian  (marvellous 

Church  of  the  Sepulchre  is  now  in  the  Uberality  !),  who  aaid  that  he  did  not 

north-west  of  Jerusalem ;  but  this,  he  envy  the  man  who  imagined  that  he 

says,  ia  owing  to  the  Christians  being  could  make  a  better  poem  than  the  Holy 

driven  from  their  sanctuaries  by  the  Ghost.    This  saying  was  doubtless  very 

Modems,  and  compelled  to  build  their  epigrammatic,  but  as  an  argument  be- 

cfanrches  where  they  vould  be  safe  from  neath  contempt.    The  Holy  Ghost  gave 

interference.      Many  points   doubtless  the    law    by    Moses ;    but    something 

require  to  be  cleared  up ;  some  of  them  greater  was  done  by  Christ,  by  whom 

never  will  be  Bol*ed ;  but  much  that  is  came  grace  and  truth.    John  Baptist 

now  perplexing  and  unintelRgible  will  was  more  than  a  prophet,  notwitbstand- 

no  doubt  be  explained  if  tbe  time  should  iugh»tbat  is  least  m  the  kingdom  of 

ever  come  when   the  ruins  of  ancient  heaven  is  greater  than  he.   The  humblest 

Jemsalem  can  be  thoroughly  explored.'  preacberofthegoBpelundertheCbriatian 

Althongh  we  must  confess  that  some  of  dispensation  holds  an  office  higher  than 

the  author's  conclusions  are  founded  on  that  of  John,  as  having  a  more  glorious 

a  very  slender  basis,  it  is  at  leaat  due  messase  to  proclaim.     Perhaps  we  need 

to  him  to  say  that  bis  theories  at  least  scarcely  mention    that    the    Beformed 

hang  weU  together,  and  are  apparently  Presbyterian  Church  in  America  differs 

more  coiaistent  with  recent  discoveries  in   almost  nothing  from  the  Beforraed 

in  Jerusalem  than  those  of    any  other  Presbyterian  Church  in  this  country  ; 

writer.  and  that,  while  the  United  Presbyterian 

-^—  Church  across   the  Atlantic  bears   the 

THETRUEP8ALM0DT;or,theBiblePealms  ^me  titlewith  our  own,it  iaanentirely 

ike  Church's  only  Manual  of  Praise,  djstmct  denommation,   and  has  for  its 
With  Prefaces  by  Eev.  HENRY  CooKE, '  ^'^^  diatmctive  charactemtics  that  it, 

D.D.,  LL.D.,  Rev.  John  Edgae,  D.D.,  ^  •^"'?»  refused  all  fellowship  with 

LL.D.,  and  Rev.  TaoMAS  Hodsi™),  P«"""^  imphcated  in  slavery,  or  who 

D.D.,  and  recommended  by  Eminent  "«  members  of  secret  society,  such  as 

Presbyterian    Divines.      Small   8vo,  Frefniasons,^and  that  allowed  as  Psal- 

212  mody  only  Bible  psalms. 

"■        ■  The  reader  will  be  at  no  loss  to  onder- 

Ediiiburgh  ;  J.TDBB  Geiomell.    1ST8.  g^gmj  ^]^^  j^  ^^^^  .j^ft  of  the  tractate 

This  small  volume  is  not  a  British  nor  now    under    consideration  ;  .and    we 

an  original  production.    From  a  note  frankly  admit  that  it  probably  fumishes 


330  KOTIOBB  OP  NEW  PDBLIOATIOra.  '     JSifiHtT- 

u  g:ood  ugumente  in  favoar  of  the  of  babee  aDd.(rfmickliiig8,if  we  naeonly 
caoBe  it  eopoiiMB  aa  any  to  be  fonnd.  language  which  many  of  Aeir  fathers 
At  the  mme  time,  we  mvut  eay  that,  do  not  nnderstttnd  ?  We  once  heard  a 
while  we  reTerently  tubecribe  to  the  worthy  Free  Church  elder  say,  '  If  we 
true,  monieiitouB,  Bn«L  solemn  coneidera-  are  to  sing  only  the  psalms,  a  lai^e  por- 
tions which  it  brings  forward  as  pre-  tion  of  them  would  need  to  be  expounded 
misea,  we  entirely  dissent  from  the  before  we  can  sing  them  with  the  under- 
cmclnsionB  which  it  drawa.  Let  it  be  standing.'  But  then,  it  is  said,  there  is 
carefolly  obserred  in  what  ternte  the  Do  warrant  for  using  any  other  hymns 
conuaittee  were  appointed.  The  work  in  the  worabip  of  QaA  than  the  pulms. 
assigned  to  them  was  not  to  investigate  That,  we  sabimt,  is  open  to  question. 
the  subject  of  Psalmody,  and  candidly  No  doubt,  when  the  apostle  enjmns 
report  what  they  oonecientioDHly  be-  'psalms  and  hymns  and  spiritual  aongs,* 
liered  to  be  the  proper  matters  of  praise  aU  these  terms  admit  of  being  applied  to 
in  the  Christian  Churoh ;  but  they  were  the  paalms.  But  the  presumption  is 
expressly  desired  '  to  prepare  from  that  that  was  not  intended.  If  ao,  wfay 
existing  treatises  a  work  in  favour  of  such  redundancy  of  expression  ?  At  alt 
the  Scripture  Psalmody  as  the  matter  of  events,  the  burden  of  proving  lies  oa 
the  Church's  praise.'  They  started,  then,  Uiose  who  adopt  this  mode  of  interpre- 
with  a  forgone  conclusion,  and  their  tation.  It  ^  not  for  them  simply  to 
performance  can  be  regarded  as  no-  assume  the  ground  on  which  they  bnild 
thing  else  than  a  special  pleading.  But  their  theory.  Further,  we  would  ask, 
surely  every  person  who  wttdiea  satis-  Where  do  uey  find  the  Faslms  authori- 
factorily  to  isake  up  his  mind  will  be  tatively  declared  to  be  the  only  inatter 
ready  to  hear  counsel  on  the  opposite  of  praise?  In  the  Tolomebeforeus,  we 
side,  or  at  least  to  stndy  an  impartial  cannot  find  what  seems  to  us  the  sem- 
discussion.  blance  of  an  answer.  But  the  liberty 
We  do  not  mean  to  enter  on  a  parti-  both  as  to  the  tr^n  of  thought  and  the 
cular  consideration  of  the  Hubject,  out  a  form  of  expression  which  it  is  not 
few  words  may  be  said.  We  find  there  denied  that  we  are  warranted  to  use  in 
is  first  of  all  a  high  encmnium  pro-  prayer,  seems  the  strongest  Mgnment 
Dounced  on  the  Book  of  Psalms.  In  against  our  being  confined  in  prsiae  to 
that  all  good  men  will  concur.  Further,  the  Book  of  Psslnis.  Prayer  is  surely  as 
we  are  told,  In^particolar,  that  the  book  solemn  an  exercise  as  praise.  Many  of 
presents  the  meet  comprehensive  de-  the  paalms  .  contain  nothing  bnt  what 
lincKtion  of  the  perfections  of  Glod  and  of  fairly  enough  comes  under  the  name  of 
the  idiaracler  of  His  govemmenfr^in  prayer.  Indeed,  several  of  them  are 
three  persons ;  fornishes  a  full  and  ae-  expressly  called  prayers  in  tiie  titles. 
curate  exhibition  of  man's  real  state  and  But  all  this  is  not  regarded  as  an  a^n- 
charocter  before  Grod  ;  that  it  is  fall  of  ment  for  presenting  our  snppiicaJaons 
Christ,  and  co'ntwns  the  richest  fund  of  only  in  these  compositioTa.  With  vbat 
Christ[anexperieuce,aa  the  most  eminent  coosifltency,  then,eBnareBtrictJonbeim- 
Christiaos  and  Christian  teachers  have  poeed  in  tiie  matt«r  of  pruse?  Inthe 
ever  testified.  Now,  cheerfully  admit-  Book  of  IterelatJonwebaVesome  hynns 
ting  all  this  to  be  true,  we  would  aak,  sung  by  the  inbabitanta  of  heavoi  all 
Are  theca  not  many  portions  of  the  different  from  the  Psalms,  and  sorely 
Psalms  relating  to  these  glorious  sabjects  their  example  is  authority  as  good  as 
eipressed  in  language  figurative  and  that  of  the  wortbies  of  Old  Testament 
obscure,  and  hard  to  be  understood  ns  times  1 

compared  with  the  revelations  Touch-        In  the  volume  before  us  we  find  great 

Bafed  to  us  under  the  Christian  dispen-  stress  laid  on   the  imperfectiona  and 

sation  ?     To  borrow  the  style  of  Paul,  is  alleged   faults    of     uniniqiired    hrams. 

there  not  a  great  deal  '  testified '  rather  Whether  that  criticism  be  justly  dne  or 

than  '  msmifested.'  ,  If  ao,  why  should  not  is  of  ao  consequence  to  Hie  argument 

we   confine  ourselvM  in  our  devotional  founded  on  it.     For  if  some  hymns  be 

utterances     to     the     dark    sayings   of  bad  (as  certainly  they  all  are  imperfeotX 

the     former    economy,    to    the    exclu-  let  these  be  omitt«d,.and  let  better  ones 

won   of   all  that  has   been    Bo   clearly  be  made.     There  are  clearly  two  distinct 

brought  to  light  bythe  gospel?    How  questions— (1)  Is  the  nnging  ofhymns 

IS  praise  to  be  perfected  from  the  mouth  expedient  ?  and  (2)  Is  it  lawfid  ?    If  it 


""fciji!"?^            «OTICB8  OP  NEW  PDBLICATIONB.  831 

can  1n  ihsTn  tint  ihd  psalmE  ue  in  all  onoa    wnribly  and    Bcriptuntlly.     Hr. 

respicta  mare  suited  to  ChriBtian  wor-  EeUy    examinee  tjie   pasagea   in    the 

tbip  tlun  any  hjmiia  that  oaa  be  fotoid,  Acts  of  the  Apostles  in  wbich  elden 

then  hj  all  maana  let  paalma  only  be  are  meiitioiied,  and  abowa  from  tbem 

flmg,  and  on  a  pciiunplfl  of  expediency,  that  elden  did   exist  in  the  primitiTe 

Bat  the  qneation  will  *till  remain,  Ar«  Chnrch  ;  that  they  were  elected  by  the 

m  at  Kberty  to  eoinpare  the  anitablencM  universal  mffrage  of  the  Christitui  people ; 

rf  the  two  nlMom  of  eompoBitioni  [or  our  that  the  Chnrch  poBBeaied  a  corporate 

pnrpwea,  or  are  we  bound  to  adhfire  to  nnity ;  that  a  Bapreme  council,  oompoaed 

the  peahns,    whatever   conolnaion    we  of  repreaentativeiof  the  vxrionaportiona 

might  arrivs  at  respecting  their  adapta-  of  the  Chnrch,  dealt  authoritatively  with 

turn  to  our  circoniBtancea  ?    There  i»  no  mattera  of  dispute  ;  that  teaching  and 

profanity  implied  in  giving  a  preference  ruling  eldera  were  associated  in   the 

tohjnmsunaerthiseondition,  any  more  conncil  on  equal  terma;  that  all  eldera 

tban  there  iaonr  ceasing  to  meditate  ex-  were  bishops,  and  that  there  was-  no 

ulanTely  on  the  sacrificea  of  skin  beitBti  ruler  of  a  higher  grade.     He'  makes  it 

Tiewed  as  types,  and  fixing  onr  thoughts  appear  also,  by  the  way,  that  the  New 

Erectly  on  Jeans  Christ  as  the  Lamb  of  Testament    gives    no    countenance    to 

Qod  which  t&heth  away  (he  sin  of  the  Bacerdotalism  on  the-  one  hand,  or  to 

vortd.  the  abseiice  of  ofheial  guidance  on  the 

But  it  is  needless  furthei  to  proaeonte  other.    He  then  proceeds  to  examine 

the  subject     Perhapa  we  have  already  the  referenoea  in  the  Epistles.    Heshowa 

dwelt  on  it  unnecesurily.    The  mind  ot  from  them  that,  while  the  apostolic  office 

the  lehgious  public  seems  to  be  almost  was  to  cease,  the  eldership  was  to  be 

audi  np  respecting   it.     A  wonderful  permanent, — permanent  rules  being  laid 

progress  has  l)een  made  within   a   few  down  for  it;  and  that  ordinBtion  is  an 

years.    We  recollect  when,  in  the  United  act  of  a  presbytery,  even  apostles  having 

Fwabyterian  Church,  at  least  in  tto  taken  part  in  it  as  membera  ot  a  com- 

Seceaion  branch  of  it,  there  were  few  pany  of  elders.    He  explains  that  the 

tragregatioiiB  in   which   even   a  para-  presbytery  is,   according  to  Its  extent, 

[tease  night  be  sung  without  making  variously  called  by  the  names  of  session, 

a  commotioD.     Now,  with  the  exception  presbytery,  or  synod.     It  will  be  seen 

of  a  few  small  and  antiquated  sects,  that  Mr.  Kelly  goes  over,  a  wide  field, 

shaost  every  minister  and  congregation  and  that  be  leaves  himself  little  time  to 

freely  use  liymns  in   their   pnhlic   as-  dilate  on  any  part  of  it.     Hia  method, 

sembhes.  however,  admirably  serves  his  purpose. 

,  He  both  succeeds  in  giving  hearers,  who 

have  not  been  accustomed  to  it,  a  good 

The  Elders  ob  the  Church  :  A  Sermon  notion  of  the  gener&l  system  ot  Fresby- 

by  the  Ber.  JoHM  Ksllt,  3treatham.  teij,  and  makes  them  feel  that  it  is  not 

i™.j  „    i>.nv.,nfc  rn   Bt  If.™  1.  B.-...J  a  theory  of  organisiation,  spun  out  of  a 

few  solitary  teits,  hut  a  system  which 

It  is  pleaaiDg  to  see  that  the  Presby-  was  in  active  operation  in  evMy  part 

terian  Church  of  England  is  constantly  of    the    apostolic  'Church.      Without 

occupying  new  grouaa,  and  that  in  doing  attacking  the  politicsof  others,  he  shows 

so  it  is  not  merely  following  Presby-  that  Presbyterianiem  is  the  polity  of  the 

tenansintheirwanderings,butismaking  New  Testament. 

iaivads  upon  new  popolations.    From  

a  ]wefatory  note,  and  from  the  opening  communiOH  FOR  THE  SiCK  ON  C 


of  this   sermon,    which 


Conditions  shown  to  be  Scriptural 


deUvared  at  an  ordins,tion  of  elders,  we  ^^^  Presbyterian.     By  Rev.  John 

Isuu  that  many  of  ite  hewers  never  Millar,  A.M.,  Dunse. 

witnessed  au  ordination  of  elders  before ;  , 

and  we  presume  that  the  members  of  E*ii.i>urgh :  Andrew  EUiot.    ists. 

the  congregation    have    been    mainly  In  this  pamphlet  Mr.  Millar  wgnes  that 

.  gathered  from  such  churches.  Conformist  it  is  entirely  according  to  Soripture  and 

sod  Noncortformist,  as   are   usually  to  our   Presbyterian  form  of   worship  to 

be  found   in    a  metropolitan  saburh.  administer  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's 

We  are  glad  to  find  our  mode  of  church  Supper  to  those  who  are  prevented  by 

government  set  before  such  hearera  at  prolonged  and  hopeless  sickness  from 


332  KOTI0E8  OF  SEW  FUBLIOATIONB.  ^"jidj'IuTt"^ 

wkitiug  on  Qod  in  the  pablio  ordiuancee  profuBion  of  aptlj  introdnced  and  gra* 
of  the  Bftnctuftr;,.  A  horror  of  Popish  phicftUj  told  iUmtratiooe  culled  from  a 
niagee,  and  a  fear  that  the  aacrainent  wide  range  of  reading  and  obaerration. 
ao  odminiatered  might  be  abnaed,  hare  These  cbaTacterietics  are  to  be  found  in 
led  many  to  ahrink  from  doing  what  all  their  fuloeM  in  the  book  before  at. 
otherwise  their  feeliDgs  would  approve.  As  might  be  antidpat«d,  the  prophetic 
Mr.  Millar,  however,  shows  that  the  parts  of  the  Book  of  Daniel  are  not  those 
abuse  of  the  practice  for  which  he  con-  which  have  most  attraction  for  Dr. 
tends  may  be  esaily  avoided,  whilst  its  Taylor.  It  is  Daniel,  the  man,  in  whom 
observance  would  bring  comfort  to  inaDj  he  deUghts,  and  of  whom  he  chiefly 
a  wounded  spirit.  In  support  of  bw  speaks;  and  he  seta  forth  con  amwe  the 
thesishe  adduces  many  authorities,  who  story  of  a  life  so  entir^y  consecrated, 
cannot  but  have  great  tfeight  with  and  which  has  lessons  m  the  highest 
objectors.  The  little  work,  we  doubt  kind  for  young  men, — lessons  which  can- 
not, will  command  both  attention  and  not  be  too  often  repeated  or  powerfully 
respect,  on  account  of  its  benevolent  impressed  on  them  in  these  days,  when 
pnrpoae  and  the  ability  with  which  it  is  so  many  amongst  thcan,  on  coming  to 
written.  the    turniug-point    in    life's    journey, 

■ choose  the  ignoble  path  of  pleasure  in- 

A  Thought  for  the  World  :  A  Nar-  stead  of  the  blessed  one  of  virtue  and 

rative  of  Christian  Effort  in  Great,  aelf-sacnfice. 

Exhibitions.      By    James    Matthias  

Wetlland,  with  an  Intiwluctjon  by  The  Beloved  in  His  Garden.    By  the 


London  :  a  W.  PHrtrtdge.  Lonaon  :  James  Nisbel  &  Co.    18T8. 

The  attention  of  the  world  at  large  is  We  confess,  as  we  read  the  title  of  this 

being  strongly  directed  to  the  subject  of  little  book,  and  contemplated  the  part 

this  book  ia  connection  with  the  great  of  Scripture  from  which  the  texts  are 

Exhibition  being  held  this  summer  in  chiefly  taken,  that  we  felt  a  little  tre- 

the  French  capital.     The  book  deals  pidation.    The  Song  of  Solomon  is  a 

with  the  moral  and  spiritual  aspects  of  part  of  Sacred  Writ  which  doubtlsM  has 

various  Exhibitions  that  have  been  held,  fta  uses,  for  'all  scripture  ia  given  byin- 

and  gives  an  account  of  Christian  work  sparatioo  of  God,  and  is  profitable ; '  but 

done  in  connection  with  them.     It  is  it  requires  careful  and  ekiltul  treatment, 

beautifully  got  up,  and  beeides  an  ex-  and  this  is  what  those  who  are  most 

cell^nt  likeness  of  the  Prince  Consort,  strongly  attracted  to  it  are  apt  to  be  in- 

it  has  many  illuatrations  which  are  of  capable  of  giving  it.     Ta  looking  into 

intereat  and  utility.     The  narrative  of  the  work,  however,  our  fears  were  setal 

work  done  ia  given  in  an  attractive  man-  rest      Mr.  Macarthur's  mode  of  treat- 

ner,  aud  is  well  suited  to  stimulate  the  ing  his  Bubject  is  a  very  legitimate  one, 

zeal  of  those  who  seek  to  make  eihibi-  and  it  is  well  done.     He  first  eiplain* 

tions  of  works  of  art  a  means  of  doing  the  figure  of  the  text,  aud  then  atatei 

good  to  souls.  the  lessons  which  it  teaches.      These 

lessons  are  generally — indeed  we  may 

Daniel  the  Beloved.    By  Rev.  WM.  say  always— fairly  deducible,  and  are  of 

M.  Taylor,  D,D.,  New  York.  practical  value. 

London ;  BiTington,  ixiw,  Msraton,  Seals,  k  The  lectures,  the  author  tolls  ns,  were 

Klvington.   IMS.  acceptable  to  not  a  tew  when  delivered 

Db.  TaylOB  has  made  for  bimself  a  in  toe  ordinary  course  of  his  miaietiy, 

place  and  a  name  amongst  the  religious  and  are  now  published  at  the  urgent 

writers  of  the  day ;  and  when  a  new  request  of  some  of  them.    We  have  no 

work  of  his  is  announced,  we  know  what  doubt,  in  this  form,  they  will  findac- 

may  confidently  be  expected  to  be  its  ceptance  with  a  wide  circle  of  readers, 

characteristics, — earnestness  of  purpose,  amongst    those    wbo    desire    to    have 

vigour  of  thought,  and  the  power  of  divine   truth    set   forth   with  unction, 

making  the  subject   interesting  by  a  simplidty,  and  fervour. 


.:?:!.;  Google 


jlJlT SwT  MONTHLY  EETHOBPECT.  333 

THE  ASSEMBLIES. 

In  ooDnection  irith  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Church  of  Scotland  there  irere  four 
pninte  specially  worthy  of  obBetvatioa : — 

1.  There  is  no  hereay  in  the  Church  of  Scotland.  This  was  affirmed  by  Dr. 
Story  of  Roeeneath,  and  was  not  at  the  time  contradicted  by  any  of  the  membeni. 

2.  'The^entlaand  joyous  passage  of  arms' between  Dr.  Story  and  Principal  Pirie. 
Priocipal  Pirie  had  seeu-in  some  ohecure  print  something  terrible ;  if  it  wore  true 
that  this  something  had  any  connection  with  any  inember  of  the  Assembly,  then 
something  verj^  formidable  was  threatened.  Dr.  Story  put  on  the  cap  once, 
tvice,  and  a  third  tjmc,  and  seemed  to  imply  that  there  was  some  relation  m  what 
had  beeu  said  to  himself.  But  the  eome^ing  formidable  that  was  threatened 
neTer  was  put  in  execution,  and  so  it  was  proved'  that  there  was  no  heresy  in  the 
Church  of  Scotland. 

3.  The  charitable  spirit  shown  by  the  Broad  party  in  thgir  references  to 
Diasentera.  Though  there  is  no  heresy  in  the  Church  of  Scotland,  there  are  parties. 
The  party  that  cleaves  to  Dr.  Pbin  is  one,  and  the  party  that  has  Drs.  Story  and 
Cunning^iam  for  its  mouthpiece  is  another.  This  latter  party  are  recognised  to 
be  what  is  called  the  Broad  School  in  the  Church  which  they  adorn.  There  are 
certuD  qualities  of  which  this  party  are  apt  to  think  that  thay  have  a  monopoly. 
These  (qualities  are  expressed  by  themselves  by  such  terms  as  '  sweetness  and  light,' 
'sweet  reasonableness,'  How  admirably  these  were  illustrated  by  the  repre- 
sentative doctors  afore-mentioned,  is  seen  in  their  speeches  delivered  on  what  one 
would  hare  thought  the  congenial  subject  of  Cbristjan  union.  Here  it  would  have 
been  supposed  from  their  uttersuceB,  that  Lord  Polwarth  and  Dr.  Charteris  and 
others  of  that  school  yrtsK  really  the  party  of  '  sweetness  and  light,'  but  of  coarse 
this  cannot  be  allowed  ;  and  we  are  to  suppose  that  when  Dr.Yjunningham  speaks 
of  Dissenters  as  men  '  t^ing  him  by  the  throat,  and  demanding  his  purse,'  he  is 
not  ufdng  coarse  and  vulgar  language,  and  is  not  showing  an  utter  want  of  insight 
into  the  principles  and  facta  of  the  case. 

4.  Principal  Tulloch's  closing  address.  It  was  also  a  fine  specimen  of  'sweet 
reasonableness'  after  themanner  of  Story  and  .Cunningham.  What  fine  sentiments 
and  beautiful  words !  But  note  the  undertone.  The  Principal  evidently  tries  to 
contemn  as  well  as  condemn  his  Nonconformist  brethren,  and  would  fain  lay  at 
theirdoor  all  the  ecclesiastical  evils  that  afflict"  our  country.  And  there  is  but  one 
way  open  to  them,  if  they  are  to  serve  their  country  and  merit  his  favour,  and  that 
is  to  lay  down  their  weapons  of  rebellion,  and  return  on  the  Broad  scale  to  the 
National  Church,  which  the  rev.  Principal  curiously  identifies  with  nation^ 
religion. 

On  the  whole,  we  are  assured  on  tril  sides  by  speakers  in  the  Assembly,  that 
thii^  are  going  well  with  the  national  Zion  \  and  if  only  the  Highlands  were  not 
so  nntowara,  and  sUch  little  scandals  as  ministers  of  ninety  sitting  in  chairs  and 
'  going  through '  the  service,  and  ministers. living  in  comers  of  dilapidated  churches, 
and  a  whole  presbytery  without  a  session  in  connection  with  any  of  its  churches, 
were  removed,  things  would  be  very  satisfactory  indeed. 

The  two  events  of  general  interest  in  the  Free  Church  Assembly  were  the  case 
ofPcofessor  Smith  and  the  Disestablishment  debate.  The  former  is  still  subjudice, 
and  therefore  not  to  be  intermeddled  with  meanwhile  ah  extra.  The  decision  on 
the  Dbestablishment  question  is  a  most  important  one.  Of  course,  as  Voluntaries  in 
prindple  as  well  as  in  practice,  we  coula  have  wisbed  that  the  decision  had  been 
come  to  on  otiier  grounds.  But  right  practice  has  a  wonderful  influence  in  leadiug 
to  the  discovery  of  the  principle  on  which  it  is  founded,  and  therefore  we  shaH 
cordiilly  join  our  Free  Church  brethren  in  seeking  a  comlnon  object  which  is  very 
dear  to  us,  which  is  simply  an  act  of  justice,  and  by  the  obtaining  of  which  the 
scandal  of  an  injurious  monopoly  will  be  swept  away. 


HONIHLT  KETAOBPEOT. 


It  ia  Bald  that  the  nut  majority  of  people  Boath  of  the  Tweed  cannot  t^t  all 
underat&ud  vhat  it  is  that  keeps  the  FreaEyteiiau  Chnrchea  of  Scotlmid  separate. 
In  like  numiier,  vre  on  the  north  of  the  Tweed  have  difficulty  sometimee  in  iinder- 
Btanding  what  it  is  that  keeps  the  Independenta  tosether.  A  writer  in  the  June 
number  of  The  Evangelical  Magazine,  speaking  on  Qiifl  suWect,  oajs — ''  The  Con- 
gregational Union  is  a  remarkable  ecclesiastical  assembly.  It  representa  more  iJum 
two  thousand  Independent  choiches,  who  are  related  to  each  other  hy  spiritual 
and  doctrinal  sympatbieB.  The  oasemUed  delegates  can  ezerdse  no  authority  orec 
their  constituents,  can  enforce  no  order,  can  impose  no  creed  upon  liie  anociated 
chorcbes.  Nevertheless  they  da  act  together ;  Uiey  collect  moQe^  and  hold  {»>- 
perty  for  common  objects ;  they  promote  methods  of  woribip,  stunuUte  dentani- 
nationd  literature,  and  oonaalt  on  the  great  interests  of  the  kingdom  of  God ;  they 
WDrship  together;  they  are  in  the  constant  habit  of  the  matual  intercluuige  <i 
pulpits,  ana  letters  of  commendatioa  from  any  one  of  these  cttarches  are  cons^ntly 
used  as  tiia  sole  ba^  of  iotroduction  and  admiBsion  into  the  membership  of  any 
other  of  them.  There  is  a  perpetual  interchange  of  pastorates  going  on  between 
them.  No.presbyterial  licenco  ia  needed  by  a  pastor  before  he  is  called  to  the 
occupancy  of  any  pastorate ;  still  no  recommendation  to  such  a  position  is  com- 
paxable  to  that  secured  by  the  calm  possession  of  a  pastorate  for  a  term  of  yeais. 
No  sacerdotal  consecration,  no  royal  conge  d'eiire,  no  collegiate  distinction  or  uni- 
vereity  bonoui,  no  certificate  oi  effioiency,  no  induction  er  gift  or  patronage, 
would  give  to  a  Congregational  church  in  search  of  a  paatra  the  same  unpniae  to 
"  call"  a  particular  miniater  to  the  office  of  its  presbyter  or  episcopos  aa  that 
denTCd  from  the  simple  fact  that  such  a  man  had  been  an  esteemed  pastor  of  some 
one  of  these  aUied  churches.  It  ia  then  a  niatt«T  of  the  plainest  common  sense, 
and  patent  to  every  observer,  that  the  Congregational  churches  are  related-  very 
intimately  with  each  (ither,  and  are  able  cither  to  confer  great  mutual  adrantage 
or  seriously  to  compromise  one  another's  poaition.' 

It  seems  that  a  considerable  number  of  Congregational  mioiatera,  at  a  meeting 
held  in  Leicester,  came  to  the  conclusion  that  a  sufficient  baais  of  union  amongst 
them  would  be  the  recognition  of  what  is  called  '  the  religious  sentiment.'  This 
Bubject  was  brought  up  at  the  recent  meeting  of  the  entire  Union,  and  earnestly 
debated.  The  results  of  the  debate  are  iLus  summariied : — *  The.  debate  on 
"  Chriatian  Communion  "  and  tbe  "  Leicester  Conference  "  was  opened  by  Rev.  Dr. 
Mellor  and  Rev.  C.  Wilson,  M.A.,  moving  and  seconding  the  resolutionB  of  the 
committee  of  the  Union,  as  given  in  the  May  numtier  of  this  magazine.  An 
amendment  was  moved  b^  Rev.  Dr.  Paricer,  and  seconded  by  Rev.  F.  W.  Aveling, 
H.A.,  B.Sc, — "That,  whikt  this  Assembly  views  hopefully  every  honourable  effort 
to  extend  the  terms  of  personal  religious  communion,  it  is  of  opinion  that  theo- 
logical and  CO' operative  fellow  ahip,  as  between  churches  and  any  of  their  organized 
forms,  can  be  made  complete  and  useful  only  by  the  acceptartce  of  a  common 
doctrinal  basis,  and  therefore  the  AssemUy  solemnly  reaffirms  its  adhewoD  to 
tliose  .evangelical  doctrinea  which  the  Congregational  Union  haa  maintained 
throughout  the  whole  period  of  its  existence." 

'  The  discussion  was  carried  on  with  great  earnestness  and  ability  on  Tuesday  by 
Bev.  J.  A.  Ficton,  M.A.,  Bev.  £.  Conder,  M.A.,  and  others-  and  at  tjie  third 
aeaaion  on  Friday,  by  Rev.  Dr.  Raleigh,  Mr.  J.  Achland,  Eeva.  Dr.  Kennedy,  Hart 
Wilka,  J.  G.  RoKera,  B.A.,  W.  Doriing,  E.  W.-Dale,  D.D.,  J.  Wood,  Edward 
White.  Dr.  MeOor  replied,  ajid  the  debate  was  closed  by.  the  rejection  of  Dc, 
Parker's  amendment  by  a  very  large  majority  of  the  Assembly  ;  anar  whidi  the 
resolutions  of  the  committee  were  adcpted  with  almost  entire  unanimity.  The 
'  numbers  were,  it  ie  conjectured,  about  &iO  agunst  15  to  20. 

'  The  occasion  was  one  of  supreme  importance.  The  Congregatdonal  body,  so 
far  ae  it  was  repieeented  in  the  Union,  gave  forth  its  solemn  testimony  in  favour 
of  the  cardinal  facta  &nd  verities  of  the  Chriatiaii  ftutJi.  The  Aaaembly  proved 
itself  true  to  its  historical  traditions,  and  virtually  reaffirmed  ita  former  "  Declara- 
tion of  Faith  and  Order"  made  in  1833.     "Tha  incarnation,  the  atoning  ucnfice 


Jitoiiruw^  MONTHLY  BBTKOSPBOT.  335 

of  the  Lord  Jeauii  Chiisl,  Hia  reBOrrectioD,  Hw  asceDUon,  Hia  mediatorial  reign, 
snd  the  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  the  renewal  of  men,"  vera  dietinctty  apeoified 
in  the  reaolatioika,  aolelj  on  the  groond  that  the  advocates  of  the  I>eioeattf  Con- 
ference had  disavowed  them  aa  eaaential  to  "religious  commanioa," ' 

In  speaking  of  this  Buhject,  the  writec  whom  we  have  already  quoted,  and  who 
from  his  initials  (S.  R.  R.)  we  auppoae  to  be  the  editor  of  t^e  magazine,  Baye — 
'  The  most  astonishing  plea  put  forward  for  this  ezperiinent  is  the  widespread  di{- 
fuaion  of  intellectoal  inquiry  and  reUgioos  sceptioiam.  Oui  friends  ol»erTe  with 
dismay  the  melancholy  diveniion  of  certain  yonng  people  oil  the  verge  of  a  bottaon- 

leie  abyaa  of  wayward,  or  it  may  be  of  honest,  douot ;  and  their  new  method  is 

not  to  try  and  lead  them  to  the  well-built  roaids  and  practicable  bridge  across  that 
chasm,  bat  to  assure  them  that  there  are  no  rends  and  do  guides,  and  that,  while 
they  are  dandne  on  the  ed^e  of  the  predpioe,  th^  ought  to  cherish  the  seatiment 
that  tbey  are  sue  in  their  Father's  house. 

'  The  ware  of  unbelief,  which  has  been  thundering  and  foaming  around  every 
ioatitation  and  Church  in  Christendom,  has  broken  over  the  good  ^ip  of  Ctmgre- 
gationaliBin  in  an  eraggar^ed  form.  The  plauuble  plea  has  been, — "  Yon  Gon- 
gregationaUats  need  not  believe  anything;  you  may  engraft  on  your  institutions 
■     ■■  -'    '-' '   'ief  of  ever     '    '  ■     .  ■  n  .     . 


the  most  utter  and  absolute  unbelief  of  every  fact,  every  doctrine  and  prospect  of 
"'   ■  '"     ''r.    Why  not  admit  your  elasticity  by  subetitnting  the  religious  aenti- 
u  that  you  and  your  fathers  have  held  dearer  than  life?"    The  Coogre- 


Chriatiaiiity.  Why  not  admit  your  elasticity  by  substituting  the  religious  senti- 
ment for  aU  that  you  and  rour  fathers  have  held  dearer  than  life?"  The  Coogre* 
gational  Union  of  England  snd  Wales  could  not  evade  the  illogical  and  treacheroua 


propoaal-  In  the  largest  Assembly  ever  gathered  under  its  auspicea,  in  noble, 
self-cfxktrolled,  intelligent  appreciation  of  Uie  issues,  the  delegates  of  tlie  churches 
have  said,  "  Not  only  can  we  have  no  sympathy  with  this  design,  but  we  utterly 
distmEt  and  repudiate  il."  Thmr  have  reaffirmed  as  a  matter  of  fact  that  the 
Congregational  churches  rq;ard  the  great  evangelical  principles,  which  have  been 
ques^ned  or  declared  irrelevant  to  religious  communion,  as  fundamental  to  their 
eziBtence  as  churches,  and  by  an  overwhelming  majority  have  recorded  their  con- 
viction thattheadvocacy  of  a  religioQscommunion  which  ignores  tiiem  consecrates 
worthless  compromise  and  incurs  a  perilous  disast«r.' 

THE  SABBATH:  ITS  PRESENT  ASSAILANTS. 
Br  reason  of  the  facilities  of  travel,  so  greatly  midtiplied  in  these  days,  many 
changw  are  more  or  less  powerfully  being  experienced  amongst  ourselves.  Those 
who  visit  other  countries,  and  continenta  doubtless  have  their  ideas  enlarged,  and 
notions  of  insular  narrowness  corrected.  And  in  bo  far  as  our  visits  to  Other  lands 
and  OUT  mingling  with  other  peoples  lead  ns  to  know  them  better  and  to  think  of 
them  more  intemgently  and  correctly,  it  is  welt.  It  is  diificolt,  however,  to  reap 
in  this  imperfect  worid  unmingled  good  from  any  source,  ^e  fares  are  always 
sprin^ng  up  with  the  wheat. 

Our  continental  experiences  are  endangering  certain  institutions  which  we 
deemed  sacred  and  ever  to  be  religiously  preserved.  One  of  these  is  the  Sabbath. 
Even  those  who  are  slightly  acquainted  with  continental  ways,  know  that  the 
Sahbatb  abroad  is  another  and  a  very  different  thing  from  the  Sabbath  at  home ; 
and  Bometomes,  in  looking  over  the  newspapers,  we  are  shocked  to  observe  notices 
of  great  political  gatherings  being  held,  commercial  enterprises  earned  on,  and 
military  reviews  l^ing  place  on  the  day  of  rest.  In  connection  with  the  Paris 
Eb^bition,  we  notice  that  some  of  oar  own  countrymen  w^  busily  engaged  ad- 
jadii^iting  prizes  on  a  Sabbath ;  while  a  great  international  congress  of  literary 
men  was  so  arranged  as  to  have  it«  chief  ducossions  falling  on  the  first  day  of  the 

It  is  not  surprising,  therefore,  that  there  should  be  but  too  evident  indioatioQa 
of  a  change,  greatly  tor  the  worse,  passing  over  us  in  regard  both  to  the  theory 
and  mactice  of  Sabbath  observance.  Lord  Rosebery,  as  president  of  what  is  call^ 
tiie  snnday  League,  advocates  the  opening  of  museums  and  such  places  for  the 
recreation  and  delectation  and  edification  of  the  working  portion  of  the  community, 
and  thus  opens  up  a  question  of  vital  moment  in  this  connection,  and  that  is. 


33G  MONTHLY  HBJEOSPEOT.  ""j3,^u»'^ 

Whether  the  Sabbath  is  to  retain  its  religious  character,  or  is  to  degenerate  into  a 
mere  holiday  7  We  are  not  igDorant  of  the  diffiooltiefl  irith  which  the  rabjeot  is 
surrounded,  and  tre  hare  the  utmost  sympathy  with  the  toiling  millions,  who  are 
pent  up  in  overcrowded  houses  in  the  centre  of  OTercrowded  cities;  but  it  ought 
to  be  conadered  whither  action  of  the  kind  urged  by  hiii  lordship  tends. 

All  experience  prcrres  that  if  men  make  the  Sabbath  a  day  merely  of.  pleaiore- 
eeeking,  they  make  it  one  of  severest  toil.  The  jaded  looks  and  nnstmng  nerves 
of  woncmen  who  spend  the  Sabbath  in  excursioiiH,  contrast  on  a  Monday  moning 
very  unfavourably  with  the  appearance  of  their  brethren  who  have  spent  the  day 
in  an  intelligently  Christian  manner.  And  further,  if  tJie  day  is  divested  of  its 
sacred  charactar,  it  will  soon  cease  to  exist  as  one  of  mere  pleamre-seeking.  la 
this  age,  greedy  of  gain  and  eager  in  competition,  something  more  ia  needed  to 
preserve  for  the  workiDg  man  his  day  of  rest  than  the  defences  which  may  be 
thrown  around  it  by  those  who  seek  to  maintain  it  simply  as  a  holiday.  If,  there- 
fore, our  toiling  multitudes  have  an  ^lightened  regard  to  their  own  iutereste,  thef 
will  protect  themselves  by  protecting  the  Sabbath  from  the  assaults  of  those  who 
would  OTeTtum  it  as  a  religious  institution,  and  thns  ere  long  ensure  its  extinction. 

THE  LATE  EARL  ,RDS3ELL. 
Eadl  BiisSeu.  has  passed  away  frcm  the  scene  of  bis  manifold  labours  at  the  ripe 
age  of  88.  He^hiaa  been  so  long  Identified  with  the  canse  of  civil  and  religioM 
liberty,  he  has  done  so  much  to  aBvance  it,  and  he  has  been  the  means  of  confer- 
ring BO  many  beuefite  on  Dissenters  throughout  these  lands,  that  he  was  jnstly  held 
by  them  in  grateful  estimation.  It  may  be  thought  that  latterly  he  laggt-l  behind, 
and  that  there  were  important  measures  absoluldy  required  in  the  interests  of 
justice  and  in  con^stency  with  his  principles  from  which  he  shrank.  Bat  let  us 
not  expect  too  mnch  from  any  single  man.  He  was  deemed  extreme  in  his 
Libenilisin  by  the  Liberals  of  sixty  years  ago ;  and  if  he  was  deemed  too  Conserva- 
tive by  those  of  the  present  day,  it  only  diows  how  large  the  advance  is  that  has 
be»i  made  during  the  great  statesman's  long  career. 

THE  CONGRESS  AT  LAST. 
On  the  13th  ult.,  a  Congress  of  the  European  Powers  met  at  Berlin  to  consider  the 
Eastern  Question.  The  delay  has  been  long,  and  the  evils  done  in  consequence  of 
that  delay  many  and  great.  But  a  feeling  of  satisfaction  now  largely  obtains,  and 
we  breathe  more  freely.  It  would  be  premature  to  speak  confidently  as  to  resnlts 
at  this  ilat«,  and  mayhap  before  the  Magazine  is  in  the  hands  of  onr  resden 
changes  may  have  taken  place  in  the  situation.  But  at  present  the  aspect  of 
affairs  ia  hopeful.  From  proceedings  of  the  Congress  accomplished  and  proposed, 
we  augur  a  nappy  issue.  Peace  will  be  preserved  and  a  better  rule  established  in 
those  long  crueUy -treated  Eastern  provinces,  and  Turkey  confined  within  due 
limits  bot£  as  to  power  and  possesions. 

The  late  terrible  war  has  not,  therefore,  been  withoutimportaut  results,  although 
these  have  been  dearly  purchased.  All  tliat  is  now  got,  or,  as  we  trust,  about  to 
be  got,  might  have  been  had  months  ago.  Will  not  this  teach  us  a  lesson?  Vfbtie 
is  the  necessity  for  war,  and  for  keeping  np  armed  thousands  ready  to  engage  in 
tie  dreadful  work  of  tJoodahed  ?  '  Whence  come  wars  7  whence  come  fightiogB  ? 
Come  they  not  of  your  own  lusts?'  The  lust  of  gain  and  the  hist  of  whatiac&lled 
*  glory '  are  amongst  the  most  potential,  and  will  yield  only  to  the  humanidcg 
and  elevating  influences  of  the  gospel.  Here,  then,  we  see  that  Chriat,  who  is 
the  Prince  of  Peace,  is  the  world's  great  benefactor,  and  that  those  who  are 
engi%ed  in  advancing  His  kingdom  are  doing  the  best  of  works. 


Priote'd  by  Mduut  ^mi>  Oibb,   II  Queen  Street,  and  Pablished  by  Wii.Liia 
OuPKUT  x»a  Co.,  S4  8t.  Giles  Street,  Edinburgh,  on  the   lit  of  Julf 


D.n.iized  by  Google 


UNITED  PRESBYTERIAN   MAGAZINE. 


A_UGUST    1,    1878 


Original   ^rficies. 


MOSES— A  PATTERN  OF  FAITH. 

BY  THE  LATE  KEV.  WILLIAU  AMUEaSOtI,  LL.D.,  GLASGOW. 


Li.  24-26. 

In  that  bi%ht  constellation  of  holy  mea  of  old  who  gave  eaeli  strikiog 
mtness  for  the  Lord,  thai  He  is  a  Ood  of  faithfalneBS,  whose  word  is  to  be 
tnisted  io  with  the  most  nndonbtdng  reliance,  Moses,  next  perhaps  to 
Abrahaoi,  shines  aa  a  star  of  the  first  magnitode  and  brilliance,  for  the 
uumation  of  the  Christian  with  his  example.  He  was  bora  of  pions 
psrentg,  and  so  eminently  snch  that  they  had  received  a  place  in  the  catalogue 
»f  those  Old  Testament  worthies  who  are  especially  instanced  as  models  for 
onr  imitation,  '  Bj  faith  Moses,  when  he  was  born,  was  bid  three  months 
of  his  parents,  because  they  saw  he  was  a  proper  child  ;  and  they  were  not 
afraid  of  the  king's  commandments.'  Faith  and  holiness  do  not  run  in  the 
'jtream  of  natural  descent ;  yet  so  frequently  do  we  Gnd,  on  examination,  that 
tbe  eminently  pious  had  a  pions  parentage,  that  to  the  nnreflective  piety  may 
in  some  measnre  seem  to  be  a  hereditary  qualification.  There  is  the  special 
bleasing  of  God  proceeding  according  to  that  role  of  His  goTernmeut, '  be- 
la?ed  for  the  fathers'  sakes.'  There  are  fervent  intercessory  prayers,  and 
liiere  is  useful  education  and  training,  which  are  all  cm  the  side  of  the 
offspring  of  the  righteous,  but  wanting  on  the  part  of  the  offspring  of  the  ' 
uo^odly. 

On  the  one  hand,  let  those  of  as  who  have  been  bom  of  pions  parents  re- 
flect what  is  the  state  of  our  unprorement  of  the  unspeakable  advantage. 
We  ought  to  be  occupying  a  place  in  tbe  first  rank  of  tbe  Church  for  onr 
attainments — if  not  in  knowledge,  at  least  in  holiness.  It  is  a  shame  to  us  if 
we  are  equalled — how  mnch  greater  the  shame  if  we  are  surpassed ! — by  those 
who  enjoyed  no  such  parental  counsel  and  guidance  in  the  days  of  their 
childhood.  And  ah,  what  shall  we  say  of  them  whose  parents  made 
no  mockery  of  their  baptism,  who  were  presented  for  its  adminiatra- 
tioQ  with  feelings  of  deep  devotion,  and  in  whose  case  it  was  followed 
ap  by  tender,  faithful,  and  unwearied  instructions,  by  a  godly  example,  and 

KO.  Till.  TOL.  XXII.  KEW  SERIES. — AUGUST  WK,  T 


338  M08E9— A  PATTEBN  OP  FAITH.  ^"'Xl'Vam*^ 

nnnumbered  fervent  prayers,  which  brought  many  a  remonstnuice  and 
Btirriug  of  God's  Spirit  dowD  opon  their  hearts,  but  who  yet  have  resbted 
aod  defied  all,  who  have  forsaken  their  father's  God  and  mother's  Saviour, 
have  apostatized  to  the  world,  aad  left  their  places  at  ordiDances  and  sacra- 
ments to  be  supplied  by  those  of  whom  it  may  be  said,  in  conseqaence  of 
the  irreligion  of  their  parents,  that  they  were  naturally  aliens  from  the 
commonwealth  of  the  Chorcb,  but  had  been  surrogated  into  the  room  of  tbe 
natural  denizens  T  You  who  were  thns  once  aliens,  bnt  are  now  fellow- 
citizens,  accept  of  our  assurances  of  joy  which  we  have  in  you,  a^  makii^ 
some  compensation  to  the  Christian  cause  for  the  apostasy  of  many  of  the 
offspring  of  the  righteous.  Bat  will  not  the  backsliders  be  induced  to  re- 
tnm  also,  thatour  joy  may  be  full? 

On  the  other  hand,  let  those  of  us  who  are  parents  consider  if  we  be 
discharging  onr  duty  to  onr  children.  There  are  some  of  us  to  whom  our 
pareuts  did  their  duty  faithfully,  who  industriously  took  advantage  of  tbe 
tenderness  of  our  yonng  hearts  to  impress  them  with  the  doctrines  and  pre- 
cepts of  onr  faith,  and  with  unwearied  care,  whether  by  encouragement  or 
chastisement,  trained  us  in  habits  of  virtue.  Are  we  conducting  ourselves 
in  Buch  a  manner  that  onr  children  will  hare  reason  to  give  a  similar  testi- 
mony in  favour  of  usT  And  oh,  what  Christian  parent  will  make  Ik 
neglect  of  his  father  to  him  an  apology  for  his  own  neglect  now  that  he  it » 
father  in  his  turn  1  Rather,  having  experience  of  the  loss  he  sustained,  he 
will  be  the  most  careful  of  us  all  that  his  child  be  not  subjected  to  a  similar 
affliction. 

In  the  case  of  Moses  both  parents  were  faithful ;  both  are  needed  for  the 
great  work  of  the  successful  rearing  of  a  child.  Whatweare  to  understand 
by  the  ezpreasion,  '  They  saw  he  waa  a  proper  child,'  does  not  cleariy  ap- 
pear. Probably  it  signifies  nothing  more  than  that,  being  a  child  of  pecnliar 
beauty,  and  expression  of  countenance,  and  mauliness  of  form,  their  parents! 
affections  were  peculiarly  excit«d  to  form  a  resolution  to  preserve  him  from 
the  execution  of  the  tyrant's  decree.  At  this  point  commenced  the  exercise 
of  their  faith.  Any  parent  may  love  his  child  and  desire  its  preservation, 
There  were  not  a  father  and  mother  throughout  oppressed  Israel  who  did 
not  feel  thus.  Bnt  first,  there  was  great  danger  in  disobeying  the  tyrant's 
decree;  and  secondly,  the  attempt  to  preserve  the  child  was  hopeless  witbont 
faith  being  present  with  its  assurance  of  snccees.  Of  that  faith  the  parents 
of  Moses  were  possessed  richly.  They  trusted  in  the  general  providence  of 
God  that  He  would  protect  and  prosper  them  in  tbe  discbarge  of  their  daty. 
But  there  was  much  more  than  this  on  which  they  reRed.  There  was  the 
special  blessing  of  God  <hi  the  seed  of  Abraham.  Still  more  than  this,  there 
was  the  prophecy  of  their  deliverance  after  a  season  from  the  power  of  the 
oppressor,  in  order  to  their  possession  of  the  land  of  promise.  That  tune 
had  not  long  to  run ;  and  notwithstanding  what  has  been  already  said  of  the 
strength  of  parental  affection  being  sufficient  to  account  for  their  desire  ol 
the  preservation  of  their  infant,  it  is  a  forced  deduction  to  suppose  that  thej 
may  have  imagined  this,  their  child  of  beauty  and  manliness,  destined  to  act 
an  important  part  in  the  emancipation  of  Israel.  It  is  not  improbable,  in- 
deed, that  such  a  presentiment  was  communicated  to  their  minds  by  divioe 
agency.  Yea,  I  ask  if  it  be  not  likely  that  some  specif  prophecy  went 
before  of  this  illnstrious  type  of  the  Redeemer  of  the  world. 

Whatever  may  have  been  the  case,  it  was  in  confidence  of  the  trnth  of  tbe 
promise  of  God,  whether  genera)  or  more  particular,  that  that  devout  pair 
proceeded  to  tbe  task  of  saving  their  child.    It  was  not,  however,  a  pre- 


il,^;^!*     '  MOSES— A.  PATTEEN  OF  FAITH.  339 

somptaons  confideoce,  which  pays  no  regard  to  the  employment  of  prndeot 
meaos.  Do  what  70a  can,  aod  the  Lord  will  do  the  rest.  Sow  the  seed, 
aod  He  will  caase  it  to  grow ;  dig  the  well,  and  He  will  fill  it ;  work,  and 
He  wlU  bless  thy  labour, — are  the  maxims  by  which  gennine  faith  ia  r^a^ted. 
For  three  montha  the  parents  of  Moaea  concealed  him  at  home ;  bat  either 
that  conceahnent  waa  fonnd  no  longer  practicable,  or  they  calculated  on  an 
elevation  for  their  child,  by  which  be  might  in  hia  manhood  benefit  hia 
people.  The  device  employed  for  aecnring  a  place  of  honour  for  the  Hebrew 
infant  in  the  house  of  Pharaoh,  while  the  mother  should  remain  hia  nurae, 
and  the  manner  in  which  the  Lord  prospered  the  venture,  form  the  subject  of 
ODC  of  the  most  interesting  nairativea  of  the  Scriptures.  How  marvelloos 
are  the  ways  of  God  !  The  tyrant's  cruelty  tnms  oat  to  be  the  cause  of  that 
education,  and  within  the  walls  of  his  own  palace,  too,  by  which  Moaea  ia  in 
part  qnaUfied  for  redeeming  his  victims  from  hia  power.  It  ia  ever  Ood's 
way  to  make  the  wrath  of  man  ultimately  to  praise  Him ;  to  cast  themselves 
into  the  pit  which  they  had  dug  for  the  righteous,  and  suaprad  them  oa  the 
gibbet  which  they  themaelves  had  erected ;  to  take  the  aword  which  they 
had  whetted  out  of  their  handa,  and  put  it  into  the  hands  of  His  saints,,  whose 
destruction  they  had  purposed. 

There  can  be  no  doabt  that  the  mother  of  Moses,  b^g  one  of  the  faithful 
in  Israel,  took , the  first  opportunity,  on  the  dawning  of  reason,  to  iostmct 
his  anderstanding  in  the  truths  of  Abrahamic  faith,  and  solemnly  to  impress 
his  heart  with  them.  Besides,  many  opportunities  would  be  found  for  his 
father's  intercourse  with  him, — if,  indeed,  it  be  not  probable  that  his  early 
childhood  was  nnrsed  and  trained  entirely  in  his  father's  honse,  till,  as  he 
grew  np  a  sprightly  boy,  Pharaoh's  daughter  demanded  that  he  should  be 
brought  home  to  the  palace.  Even  then  the  parental  intercourse  and  faith- 
ful instraction  wonld  not  be  suspended ;  all  advantages  would  be  improved. 
Afterwards  he  wonld  gather  np  more  knowledge  from  the  people. 

We  now  tarn  to  consider  the  aptness  of  Moses  as  a  scholar ;  and,  as  the 
point  ia  his  history  most  illustrative  of  his  faith,  we  shall  fix  our  attention 
more  especially  on  his  smiting  dead  the  Egyptian  who  maltreated  the 
Hebrew.  By  that  act  he  folly  committed  himself  aa  the  vindicator  of  his 
people's  wrongs,  in  opposition  to  the  government  of  Pharaoh.  '  He  sup- 
praed,'  says  Stephen, '  hia  brethren  wonld  have  anderstood  how  that  God  by 
his  hand  wonld  deUrer  them.'  Let  ns  therefore  inquire  what  obstacles  the 
faith  of  Moses  must  have  overcome  before  he  stmck  that  patriotic  blow. 

Observe,  then,  in  the  first  place,  what  a  surrender  he  made  of  Egyptian 
wealth,  pleasures,  and  honoors.  '  He  refused,'  saya  our  text,  '  to  be  called 
the  son  of  Phoraoh'a  daughter.'  This  plainly  intimates  that  adoption  into 
the  royal  family  had  been  offered  him,  yea,  pressed  upon  hun, — the  very  least 
consequence  of  which  most  have  been  abundant  wealth  and  eminent  official 
station,  and  jnore  especially  when  he  was  highly  accomplished  in  learning. 
The  probable  consequences,  however,  wonld  have  been  even  greater  than  this. 
Josephns  records  it  as  the  tradition  of  the  Jewish  fathera,  that  the  daughter 
of  Pharaoh  here  spoken  of  waa  the  king's  only  child,  and  that  she  had  no 
child  of  her  own,  so  that  Moses,  as  her  adopted  son,  would  have  inherited 
the  crown  of  Egypt.  This  is  one  of  the  most  feasible  of  Jewish  traditions ; 
for  when  we  consider  the  manner  in  which  the  governments  of  Eastern 
countries  were  conducted  in  ancient  times,  yea,  continue  to  be  conducted  at 
the  present  day, — and  more  particnlarly  when  we  reflect  that  Joseph,  of  this 
very  extraction,  and  in  this  very  country,  was  raised  from  the  dnugeon  to 
be  grand  vizier  of  the  kingdom, — the  elevation  of  the  Hebrew  fonndlmg  to 


840  M08E8— A  PATTEBS  OP  FAITH.  ^""'X'mwJ!™ 

tfae  imperial  throne  was,  in  tbe  particular  drcnmstances,  far  from  being  as 
improbable  event.  Bnt  whatever  may  have  been  the  case  in  this  respect,  of 
one  thing  are  we  sure  from  oqf  test,  that  his  faith  had  to  vanqoish  the 
temptation  of  being  offered  the  hononr  of  the  name  of  the  son  of  Pharaoh's 
danghter  and  of  the  treasures  of  Egypt.  Even  for  a  coneiderably  higb 
d^ree  of  faith  there  was  here  an  irresistibie  assaalt ;  less  than  a  faith  a(- 
most  perfect  woald  have  snccnmbed.  It  would  have  reasoned  that  this 
station  of  hononr  and  those  riches  would  give  it  an  opportunity  of  alleviating 
at  leaet  the  aCBictions  of  his  kindred,  thoagh  it  did  not  effect  their  complete 
deliverance.  But  Moses  was  poEsessed  of  a  soul  in  which  the  covenant 
made  with  Abraham  reigned  paramount,  and  confidence  in  the  truth  of  God 
enabled  him  to  triumph  over  the  seduction. 

Observe,  in  the  second  place,  how  his  faith  had  not  only  to  contend  with 
the  allurement  of  proffered  hononr  and  wealth,  bnt  with  the  threatening  of 
degradation,  poverty,  and  ruin.  What  were  the  terms  of  the  alternative^ 
On  the  one  hand,  worldly  ambition  presented  him  with  the  crown  ot  the 
most  powerful  empire  of  earA.  On  the  other  hand,  faith  called  him  to  the 
leadership  of  a  race  of  miserable  slaves,  in  opposition  to  the  power  of  a 
mighty  kingdom ;  to  guide  them,  ignorant,  undisciplined,  unruly,  encumbered 
with  their  wives  and  children — to  guide  them  a  long  journey  through  s 
parched  wilderness,  still  beset,  with  foes,  though  they  should  have  escaped 
from  the  land  of  their  bondage — ^to  guide  them  into  a  country  for  a  habits- 
tion,  where  every  foot  of  ground  would  be  disputed  by  warlike  tribea.  Wis 
it  not  a  bold  heart,  as  well  as  a  self-denying  one,  which  made  this  latter  tenn 
its  election!  Some  one  may  say  that  Mosee  felt  so  sure  of  success,  in  con- 
seqnence  of  his  reliance  on  the  divine  promise,  that  it  was  easy  for  him  U) 
act  the  part  he  did.  Trae;  bat  see  yon  not  that  his  feeling  so  snre  of  enc- 
cess  on  that  ground  is  the  very  thing  for  which  be  is  to  be  admired  t  It 
was  for  his  free-hearted,  nndoubting  belief  in  God's  word,  so  as  to  be  assured 
of  its  fulfilment,  tbat  his  name  is  inscribed  in  this  roll  of  honour.  The 
difficulty  did  not  lie  in  acting  after  he  was  certain  of  his  object,  it  lay  io 
attaining  to  that  certainty  j  and  the  grace  for  which  he  is  celebrated  con- 
sisted in  his  gaining  that  certainty  by  a  simple-hearted  faith  in  God's  word, 
as  when  a  man  shall  believe  his  friend — ae  when  a  child  shall  believe  his 
father. 

Some  one,  however,  may  still  reply  that  it  was  comparatively  msy  for 
Moses  thus  to  believe,  because  God  spake  with  him  face  to  face,  and  confirmed 
His  word  by  signs  and  wonders.  Those  who  plead  for  their  own  deGciency 
of  faith,  when  compared  with  the  strength  of  that  of  our  saint,  on  this  prin- 
ciple, apologize  for  themselves  on  false  grounds,  I  have  already  observed 
that  the  time  when  Moses  renounced  the  Egyptian  prospects,  and  committed 
himself  against  the  government  of  Pharaoh  in  favour  of  his  kindred,  was 
when  he  smote  the  Egyptian  slave-driver.  Now  at  this  time  Moses  had 
not  received  any  snpernatnral  revelation  made  personally  to  himself.  It  was 
not  till  a  considerable  time  afterwards  that  he  saw  the  vision,  and  received 
the  commission  at  Horeb. 

I  therefore  observe,  in  the  third  place,  that  the  faith  of  Moses  had  to  coo- 
tend  against  the  limited  nature  of  the  divine  testimony,  and  the  unfavourable 
manner  in  which  that  testimony  had  reached  him.  The  testimony  may  be 
considered  as  having  been  limited  to  the  first  promise  of  the  seed  of  tlie 
woman — the  covenant  with  Abraham — the  prophecy  of  the  dehverance  of 
His  people  from  the  power  of  the  oppressor — and  the  dying  benedictioo  of 
Jacob,  together  with  Joseph's  commandment  about  his  bones.    And  it  tv&s 


""^IJ/r^*?"'  MOSES — A  PATTEBK  OF  FAITH.  341 

cooimaoicated  to  Mm  throi^h  the  nnfaToorable  chatmel  of  the  traditjons  of 
an  igaoraat  aad  debased  people.  Yet  snch  woa  the  etrength  of  the  f&itb  of 
Moses,  that  oat  of  these  few  materials,  furnished  him  in  great  imperfection, 
he  gathered  np  his  asflnrance.  Few  aa  were  the  words  of  Ood,  and  dig- 
jointedly  as  they  had  bem  commanicated  to'him,  they  were  enough  for  him 
trhereon  to  commit  himself  against  the  favoor  of  his  bfnieTolent  foster-mother, 
against  the  wrath  and  power  of  Pharaoh,  and  on  the  side  of  his  poor  and 
degraded  kinsfolk.  Ob,  how  nnlike  many  of  ns,  whom  a  large  volnme  of 
promises  will  not  persuade  into  assnrance  1 

It  is  not  onworthy  of  being  remarked,  in  the  fourth  place,  that  the  faith 
of  Moses  was  ennced  to  be  strong,  by  the  advanced  life  at  which  he  snr- 
reodered  his  Egyptian  prospects,  and  declared  himself  so  decidedly  for  the 
fortmies  of  Israel.  The  scripture  appears  to  lay  emphasis  on  it,  that  it  was 
when  he  had  c(ms  to  yeart.  He  was  forty  years  old  when  he  smote  the 
Egyptian, — an  age  of  cool  calcnlation,  when  the  enthusiasm  and  viracity  of 
7onl^  have  greatly  subsided,  and  men  abataui  from  deeds  of  daring  in  which 
they  may  have  indulged  in  earlier  years.  But  Moaes'  faith  renewed  his 
yoath  to  him,  like  that  of  the  et^Ie. 

The  last  remark  which  I  make  od  his  faith  is,  that  it  was  heavenly-minded 
ID  its  character,  in  respect  of  resisting  the  temptation  of  bemg  engrossed  by 
the  prospect  of  temporal  successes,  and  being  enconr^ed  especially  by  the 
prospects  of  the  world  to  come.  I  have  already  explained  at  large  that 
Moses  assnred  himself,  on  the  fotmdation  of  God's  word,  that  his  enterprise 
for  the  deliverance  of  his  kmdred  from  the  honse  of  bondage  and  their  con- 
quest and  occnpatian  of  Palestine  wonfd  be  crowned  with  snccess.  But 
although  he  might  have  hope,  he  had  no  assurances  that  he  himself  would 
ronsommate  the  enterprise  and  share  the  inheritance.  Although  he  had 
proceeded  in  this  expectation,  his  faith  would  still  have  been  a  faith  of  holi- 
Dess,  and  entitled  to  the  character  of  much  heavenly-mindednesa ;  for  it  would 
have  been  a  kingdom  administered  by  the  law  of  Qod,  which  he  sought  in 
despite  of  a  more  splendid  kingdom  adminiBtered  by  the  corrupt  laws  of  man. 
But  the  faith  of  Moses  was  of  a  still  purer  and  more  exalted  ambitioa 
It  was  not  satisfied  with  the  prospect  of  the  possession  of  the  land  of 
Palestine,  in  the  state  of  its  first  occupation  by  the  children  of  the  promise. 
That  he  r^arded  as  being  only  the  type  and  earnest  of  a  fair  more  glorious 
inheritance;  along  with  all  the  other  patriarchs,  he  sought  a  heaverily 
country,  into  which  he  should  be  conducted  by  the  great  promised  Dehverer. 
Anything  less  than  this  will  not  satisfy  the  demands  of  that  expression, 
'esteeming  the  reproach  of  Christ' — that  is,  the  reproach  of  adhering  to 
His  despised  cause — '  greater  riches  than  the  treasures  of  Egypt.'  It  is 
nothmg  wonderiul,  some  will  agam  say,  that,  with  the  assnrance  of  a  crown 
of  glory  in  that  immortal  kingdom,  Moses  should  have  acted  the  self-denied, 
laborious,  and  dangerous  part  he  did.  But  I  answer  as  before,  that  it  was 
this  very  assurance  in  which  his  excellence  lay,  when,  with  an  undonbting 
heart,  he  apprehended  the  divine  promise.  But  there  is  more  than  this. 
E?en  although  they  felt  sure  of  the  truth  of  the  promise,  how  few  there  be 
for  whom  the  promised  kingdom  has  any  charms  I  There  are  poor  men  who 
would  rather  prolong  their  existence  for  ever  amid  the  starvation  of  this 
world,  Uian  enter  into  the  paradise  of  Qod  to  partake  of  the  holy  fruit  of  the 
tree  of  life ;  and  there  are  others  whose  hearts  are  eaten  up  of  the  lust  of 
power,  who  yet  would  rather  be  bound  hands  and  feet  in  iron  and  cast  into 
a  dni^eon,  than  be  condemned  to  the  wearing  of  a  crown  in  the  kii^dom  of 
God  in  company  with  Christ  and  His  saints.  , 


342  THOMAS  CAELTLE  AS  A  BELIOIOUS  THINEER.      '"'Til'Mira^ 

Having  made  these  iltastratioDs  of  the  character  of  Moses,  I  shall  close 
with  a  very  few  practical  reflections. 

Consider,  then,/rsi  of  all,  the  excellence  of  faith ;  and  primarily  how  it 
hoDoors  God  by  beliering  Hiniiby  adopting  Hie  word  as  the  rule  of  truth, 
the  nile  of  hope,  and  the  rnle  of  dnty ;  and  amid  the  perplexities  of  others, 
wbeD  it  is  calm,  decided,  and  self-possessed,  quoting  God's  word  as  its 
authority  and  the  gronnd  of  its  confidence.  How  without  such  faith  it 
Rhonld  be  impossible  to  please  God,  is  very  obvious.  What  can  be  more 
offensive  to  Mm  than  a  heart  which  says  it  does  not  believe  Him,  even  wbsn 
He  swears  by  Himself?  But  in  the  same  proportion  must  the  heart  tliat 
believes  TTim  be  pleasing  in  His  sight,  and  the  object  of  His  blessing.  Not 
that  there  is  anything  mentorious  in  it.  What !  would  a  child  thmt  be 
had  done  some  great  thing  to  his  father,  when  he  said, '  Father,  I  believe 
yon,  for  I  am  loth  to  think  yon  would  tell  me  a  lie'T  Bat  amid  the  - 
abonnding  onbelief  of  the  world,  beheving  hearts  must  be  singled  ant  by 
Ood  OS  special  objects  of  complacency.  The  excellence  of  faith  appears, 
secondly,  by  its  being  the  great  secret  of  well- discharged  duty.  There  most 
be  faith  in  something,  in  order  to  action — in  the  course  of  nature,  or  m  the 
promise  of  princes,  or  philosophers,  or  merchantmen,  or  physicians,  or  friends. 
£at  how  short  a  way  these  promises  go,  even  though  there  were  assurance 
of  their  fulfilment !  Yon  mnst  get  a  promise ;  though  yon  should  encounter 
death  in  the  discharge  of  your  duty,  you  will  be  a  profiter,  and  that  promise 
is  to  be  found  in  God's  word  alone.  Thirdly,  the  excellence  of  futh  appears 
by  its  being  the  true  sonrce  of  happiness. 

Secondly,  Let  as  take  care  that  our  faith  be  heavenly-minded— everything 
else  sDbordinated  to  and  inspired  by  the  grand  result — earthly  patriotism  to 
heavenly. 

Thirdly,  Let  it  be  Christian — Christ-acknowledged. 


THOMAS  CARLYLE  AS  A  RELIGIOtJS  THINKER, 

Thomas  Carltlk  is  now  generally  admitted  to  be  one  of  the  most  powerful 
writers  and  original  thinkers  of  the  present  day.  By  virtue  of  \as  acknow- 
ledged genius  and  intensity  of  purpose,  he  has  wielded  an  incalculable  inSn- 
ence  on  contemporary  thought,  and  has  stamped  his  name  indelibly  on  the 
literature  of  bis  country.  Possessed  of  an  intellect  at  once  compreheDsive 
and  penetrating,  he  has  ranged  over  a  wide  circle  of  knowledge,  and  nunds 
the  most  diverse  have  been  brought  within  the  sweep  of  his  ideas.  On  na 
subject,  perhaps,  baa  Garlyle's  influence  been  more  deeply  felt  than  on  that  of 
religion.  Undonbtedly  Cariyle  himself  would  be  the  first  to  repudiate  any 
pretension  to  the  name  of  religious  teacher.  In  his  writings  he  has  repeatedly 
declared  it  beyond  his  province  to  assume  the  rOle  of  theologian,  and  in  not 
very  el^ant  languf^e  haa  asserted  that  he  has  no  '  Morrison's  pill,'  in  the 
shape  of  a  new  religion,  to  offer  to  mankind.  Mr.  Carlylo's  disclaimer  not- 
withstanding, the  fact  remains  that  he  is  in  no  small  degree  responsible  for 
mnch  that  is  current  in  the  religions  world :  in  the  writings  of  Fronde, 
Sterhng,  Maurice,  Kingsley,  etc.,  his  inftnence  is  distinctly  discernible.  It 
must  be  admitted,  however,  that  to  define  Carlyle's  position  in  r^ard  to 
religion  is  by  no  means  an  easy  task.  The  most  cnrsory  pemsal  of  his 
writings  shows  that  they  are  permeated  wift  a  religious  sentiment ;  but  his 
mysticism  of  style,  together  with  the  vaguenees  of  his  references  to  dis- 
tinctively theological  doctrines,  make  it  extremely  difBcnlt  to  draw  oot 


n.itad^™ijuB«*3      THOMAS  CABLTLB  AS  A.  BBLIGIODS  XHINKEH.  343 

formally  the  articles  of  hia  creed.  It  is  preciael;  this  vagaeDess  of  allasioD 
which  conBtitntes  the  olemeDt  of  danger  in  Carlyle's  works.  Erroneoaa 
opinions  on  the  subject  of  religion,  when  presented  to  the  mind  in  systematic 
order,  are  comparatirely  easy  of  detection ;  but  erroneous  opinions  which 
take  the  form  of  innoendo  and  implication  are  mnch  more  difficult  to  deal 
with,  uid  in  many  cases  not  easily  distingoishable  fTom  truth  itself.  Thoa 
many,  attracted  to  Carlyle  by  the  religions  awe  which  snrrounda  his  writings, 
and  cSiptirated  by  his  ability  to  seize  and  interpret  the  aspirations  of  the 
soal,  have  been  led  almost  nneonscioasly  to  adopt  modes  of  thonght  irre- 
coDdlable  with  a  belief  in  the  Christian  revelation.  To  not  a  few,  Carlylism 
has  indeed  proved  the 


It  would,  however,  be  manifestly  unfair  to  come  to  the  study  of  Carlyle's 
writings  in  the  spirit  of  a  heresy-hnnter.  To  detach  and  comment  on  isolated 
passages  woold  be  altogether  misleading ;  not  incidental  expressions,  bnt 
the  pervading  principle  of  the  whole— the  nnderlying  thoughts,  so  to  speak, 
which  give  nnity  and  coherence  to  the  Carlylean  syston — must  be  aonghtfor. 
Sartor  Mesartus,  as  containing  the  genus  of  those  views  which  Carlyle  has 
insisted  on  with  detailed  emphasis  in  his  later  works,  gomes  naturally  under 
consideration.  Mnch  difference  of  opinion  has  been  espressed  as  to  the 
real  purport  of  that  somewhat  unique  work.  Without  entering  on  the 
discussion  of  this  point,  we  are  at  least  safe  in  asserting  that  Sartor  is  to 
some  extent  antobiographic,  and  that  in  the  person  of  Teufelsdrdckh 
Carlyle  has  endeavoured  to  show  how  sa  earnest  soal,  perplexed  with 
scepticism,  can  ultimately  attain  to  mental  rest  and  spiritnal  peace.  Passing 
over  the  introductory  part  of  the  volnme,  we  come  to  the  point  where 
Tedfelsdrockh  is  represented  qnestionicg  himself  as  to  the  meaning  of 
existence.  He  soliloquizes  thus: — 'Who  am  IT  what  is  this  Met  A 
Voice,  a  Motion,  an  Appearance? — some  embodied  visnalized  Idea  in  the 
Eternal  Mindt  Cogito,  ergo  sum.  Alas,  poor  Cogitator  !  this  takes  ns  bnt 
a  little  way.  Sore  enough  I  am ;  and  lately  was  not ;  but  whence  f  how  1 
whereto  t '  (p.  35).  Aronnd  these  questions  the  highest  thonghta  of  men  have 
eva  revolved,  and  in  attempts  to  answer  them  all  philosophies  and  hnmau 
systems  of  religion  find  their  explanation  and  origin.  How,  then,  does 
Teofelsdrockh,  or  rather  Carlyle,  deal  with  these  problems?  Dtiring  the 
coarse  of  his  inquiries,  Teufelsdrockh  finds  himself  drifting  away  from  ac- 
cepted theories  and  beliefs.  In  the  chapter  entitled  the  '  Everlasting  No,' 
Carlyle  represents  his  hero  as  utterly  baffled  and  tempest- tossed  on  the  sea  of 
specalatioD.  Having  lost  sight  of  the  heavenly  pole-star,  he  is  driven  about 
in  his  frail  barque  of  flnctuating  opinion,  and  ultimately  strikes  on  the  rocks 
of  scepticism  and  unbelief.  With  the  exception  of  the  works  of  George 
Eliot,  nowhere  in  modem  literature  are  there  to  be  fonnd  passages  dis- 
playing such  psychological  subtlety  and  vivid  word-painting  as  those  in 
which  Carlyle  delineates  the  mental  conflicts  of  Teufelsdrockh.  The  tnmnl- 
tnons  restlessness,  the  confused  gropings  and  dim  yearnings,  which  are 
invariably  the  concomitants  of  doabt,  the  sullen  despair  and  assumed  stoicism 
consequent  on  unbelief — these  are  depicted  in  Sartor  with  a  dramatic 
power  and  pathos  positively  startling  in  their  realism.  Bnnyan-like,  Carlyle 
introduces  Tenfelsdrockh  to  us,  and  with  intense  interest  we  note  his  strnggles 
in  the  intellectual  slough  of  despond.  No  human  sonl  can  long  rest  in  mere 
negation ;  and  accordingly  Tenfelsdrockh  calmly  surveys  his  mental  state 
as  follows: — *  What  art  thou  afraid  of?    Wherefore,  like  a  coward,  dost 


344  TB0MA8  CAELYLE  AS  A  RELIGIOUS  THISKE&.     '""Jf^'tw?"' 

thoQ  for  erer  pip  and  Trhimper,  and  go  conering  and  trembluig  T  Despicable 
biped !  what  ie  the  BDtn-total  of  the  worst  that  lies  before  tbeet  Death, 
well,  death ;  and  the  pangs  of  Topbet  too,  and  all  that  the  devil  and  maa 
maj,  wiU,  or  can  do  against  thee !  Hast  thon  not  a  heart  1  canst  tboa  not 
suffer  whatsoever  it  be,  and,  as  a  child  of  freedom,  though  outcast,  trample 
Topbet  itaelf  ander  tby  feet,  while  it  consumes  theeT  Let  it  come,  then ; 
I  will  meet  it  and  defj  it.  And  aa  I  so  thought,  there  rushed  like  a  stFeem 
of  fire  over  my  whole  soul,  and  I  shook  base  fear  away  from  me  for  ever. 
I  was  strong,  of  unknown  E^trength ;  a  spirit,  almost  a  god.  Ever  from 
that  time  the  temper  of  my  misery  was  changed ;  not  fear  or  whining 
sorrow  was  it,  but  indignation  and  grim  fire-eyed  defiance.  ...  It  is 
from  this  hour  that  I  incline  to  date  my  gpiritnal  new  birth,  or  haphometit 
fire-baptism }  perhaps  1  directly  thereupon  began  to  be  a  man '  (ibid.  pp. 
116,  117). 

It  will  be  observed  that  Carlyle  digni&es  the  state  at  which  Teufelsdrockb 
has  urived  by  the  name  of  spiritual  new  birth,  and  it  may  therefore  not  be 
uninteresting  to  compare  it  with  the  Christian  doctrine  of  that  name. 
Teofelsdrockh's  unrest  and  spiritual  destitution  were  clearly  traceable  to  his 
loss  of  religions  belief;  but  to  what  can  the  pining  fear  whicb  had  takes 
possession  of  him  be  attributed!  In  Christianity,  fear  occupies  an  impor- 
tant place.  The  human  soul,  awakened  to  a  consciousness  of  its  relation  to 
God,  and  led  to  contemplate  its  nnworthiness,  is  filled  with  uneasiness;  Ik 
eense  of  guilt  produces  fear,  which,  however,  ultimately  passes  into  Mh 
and  hope.  During  TenfelsdrSckh's  conflict,  nothing  is  heard  of  persGniV 
gnilt.  He  is  miserable — he  knows  not  why  ;  afraid — he  knows  not  of  wh&t; 
and  the  manner  in  which  he  endeavours  to  rid  himself  of  these  feelings  \i 
extremely  unsatisfactory.  In  spite  of  his  scepticism  as  to  a  fntore  state  of 
existence,  he  is  still  haunted  by  the  dread  of  punishment  t  but  instead  of 
following  out  the  Christian  method  of  exchuiging  fear  for  hope,  he  stands 
out  in  stem  defiance,  determined,  rather  than  bow  the  knee,  to  snCer  heroic- 
ally. In  all  this  there  is  something  supremely  flattering  to  human  nature. 
To  stand  atone  in  the  universe,  wd  in  the  conscionsnees  of  inward  worth  lo 
defy  nature,  man,  and  the  devil;  to  bow  the  knee  to  none,  bnt  proudly  to 
rear  the  bead  aloft, — this,  however  captivating,  is  surely  not  the  proper 
attitude  for  any  son  of  man.  Carlyle  seems  to  have  felt  that  Teufelsdrockh 
could  not  long  remain  at  the  stage  of  '  indignation  and  grim  fire-eyed  de- 
fiance,' and  accordingly  he  represents  his  hero  in  pursuit  of  something  wbich 
will  satisfy  his  inner  yearnings.  In  the  midst  of  his  struggles,  Tenfelsdrockh 
makes  the  discovery  which  afterwards  forms  the  keystone  of  his  mentai  va^ 
moral  structure — viz,,  that  the  universe  is  divine.  He  says, '  What  is  Natnrel 
Ha  I  why  do  I  not  name  thee  Qod  1  0  heavens,  is  it  in  very  deed  He, 
then,  that  ever  speaks  through  thee;  that  lives  and  loves  in  thee;  that 
lives  and  loves  in  met '  {ibid.  p.  180).  Witii  the  dwcovery  of  the  divinity 
of  Natnre,  Teofelsdrockh's  feelings  of  sadness  and  unrest  disappear.  A  thrill 
of  joy  passes  over  him  at  the  recognitioQ  of  the  fact  that  Nature  and  Man 
are  part  of  the  absolute,  emanations  from  the  Ddty,  and  that  be  is  not,  after 
all,  an  outcast  in  the  universe,  an  atom  among  a  mnltitnde  of  atoms,  but 
part  of  the  Divinity  that  fives  and  moves  in  all  things. 

Students  of  Qerman  philosophy  will  have  no  difficulty  in  noting  the  close 
resembltmce  between  the  conception  of  Deity  in  which  Carlyle  represents 
Teufelsdrockb  resting,  and  that  associated  with  the  name  of  Fichte.  What, 
tor  instance,  can  be  more  explicitly  Ficiitean  than  the  following : — '  We 
are — we  know  not  what — Ggbt-spsrklea  floating  in  the  ether  of  Deity  I 


"■'li.^TwS.'^'     THOMAS  CAKLTLE  AS  A  HELIOIODS  THDfKEB.  345 

80  that  fhis  so  solid-seeming  world,  after  all,  were  but  an  air-image,  oar  Me 
the  only  reality;  and  Nature,  with  ita  thonsand-fold  prodnction  and  de- 
atraction,  but  tiie  reflex  of  onr  inward  force,  the  "  phantasy  of  our  dream," 
or  what  the  Eanh-Spirit  in  Faiut  names  it,  the  living  vitible  garment  of  God' 
{ibid.  p.  ST).  The  following  extract  from  John  SterUng's  letter  to 
Corlyle  seems  to  place  the  matter  in  its  trae  light.  Sterling  says — '  What 
we  find  everywhere  (in  Sartor),  with  an  sbnndsot  oso  of  the  nmae  of  God, 
is  the  conception  of  a  formless  Infinite,  whether  in  time  or  space;  of  a  high 
ioBcrntable  Necessity,  wltich  it  la  the  chief  wisdom  and  rirtne  to  submit  to, 
which  is  the  mysterioas  impersonal  base  of  all  existence — shows  itself  in  the 
laws  of  eTery  separate  being's  nature,  uid  for  man  in  the  shape  of  duty ' 
(Corlyle's  Life  of  Sterling,  p.  102).  This  conception  of  a  high  inacmtable 
tfecesBity  aa  the  impersonal  base  of  all  existence,  nnderlies  and  tinges  all 
that  Carlyle  has  written.  His '  immensities,'  'infinities,' '  eternal  justice,'  etc., 
when  subjected  to  a  rigoroas  analysis,  seem  to  exclude  the  notion  of  a 
personal  Ood,  and  h&ve  a  marked  resemblance  to  Matthew  Arnold's  Not 
Ounelves  which  matti  for  Sighteoumeai,  Turning  to  TenfelsdriJckh,  we  find 
tliat,  by  a  necessaiy  deduction  from  belief  in  the  oneness  of  Nature,  he  is 
led  to  recognise  the  unity  of  hnmanity.  It  now  dawne  npon  bim  that  much 
ol  his  misery  arose  from  overlooking  bis  relation  to  his  fellows,  and  that 
happbees,  in  the  truest  sense  of  the  term,  is  to  be  found  only  in  liring  for 
Ihe  good  of  others.  Led  to  the  feet  of  Goethe,  Tenfelsdriickh  leams  that 
'it  is  only  with  self-rennnciation  that  life,  properly  speaking,  can  be  said 
to  begin.'  Having  performed  the  preliminary  act  of  annihilation  of  Self, 
Teofelsdrockh  finds  that  his '  mind's  eyes  are  now  unsealed,  and  its  hands 
Mgyved.'  Proceedmg  to  expound  this  new  theory  of  conversion,  Carlyle 
U7B — '  May  we  not  say  that  the  honr  of  spiritnal  enfranchisement  is  even 
this:  when  your  ideal  world,  wherein  the  whole  man  has  been  dimly 
straggling  and  inexpressibly  languishing  to  work,  becomes  revealed  and 
thrown  open,  and  yon  discover,  with  amazement  enough,  Uke  the  Lothario 
iaWiUithn  Jf et'ster, that  yonr  "America  is  here  or  nowhere"?  The  situation 
that  has  not  its  dnty,  its  ideal,  was  never  yet  occupied  by  man.  Yes,  here, 
ia  this  poor,  miserable,  hampered,  despicable  actual,  wherein  thon  even  now 
Blandest,  here  or  nowhere  is  thy  ideal  r  work  it  out  therefrom ;  and  working, 
beUeve,  live,  be  free.  Fool  I  the  ideal  is  in  thyself ;  the  impedhnent,  too,  is  in  , 
thyself:  thy  condition  is  bat  the  stufi  thou  art  to  shape  that  same  ideal  out 
of.  What  matters  whether  anch  stuff  be  of  this  sort  or  that,  so  the  form 
thon  give  it  be  heroic,  be  poetic  T  Oh,  thon  that  pinest  in  the  imprisonment 
of  the  actual,  and  criest  bitterly  to  the  gods  for  a  kingdom  wherein  to  role 
and  create,  know  this  of  a  truth :  the  thing  thou  seekeat  is  already  with 
thee,  "  here  or  nowhere,"  couldst  thon  only  see  1 '  (Sartor,  p.  135). 

Those  acquainted  with  the  works  of  Goethe,  especially  Wilhelm  Meiater, 
will  have  no  diflScnlty  in  tracing  the  views  quoted  above  to  their  source.  If 
any  doubt  exists  as  to  the  extract  fairly  embodying  Carlyle's  opinions  on  this 
poiot,  it  is  only  necessary  to  refer  to  his  essay  on  Goethe,  in  which  he  claims 
admiration  for  that  writer  precisely  on  the  gronnd  that  both  by  his  writuigs 
and  his  life  he  showed  that  the  true  rest  of  man  consists  in  the  prostration 
of  the  faculties  and  feeUngs  under  the  sway  of  reason,  in  the  supremacy  of 
the  spirit  over  circumstances, — or  what  Goethe  himself  wonid  term  Culture. 
Thus  Carlylism  is  thoroughly  logical  and  consistent.  Starting  with  the 
psntboatic  conception  of  Deity,  it  ia  not  difficult  to  understand  why  Carlyle 
represents  Tenfelsdnickh  resting,  not.  in  Christianity,  but  in  the  cnlturistic 
tneory  of  Goethe.    In  this  country  both  Mr.  Carlyle  and  Mr.  Matthew 


34fi  THOMAB  CAELYLE  AS  A  BELIOIOUS  THISKER.     ^"''^^JCIaS^ 

Arnold  hare  been  aunearied  in  their  efforts  to  propagaU  the  tenets 
associated  with  the  name  of  Qoethe.  The  two  disciples,  however,  differ 
somewhat  in  their  mode  of  expoundiog  the  views  of  their  master.  Owing 
to  his  Puritanic  cost  of  mind,  Carlyle  has  been  led  to  concentrate  bis 
teaching  more  ezclnsivelj  on  the  moral  aspect  of  Oaltore,  wliile  Arnold,  on 
the  other  hand,  with  a  nature  of  less  depth  and  raggednoss,  bnt  of  greater 
breadth  and  calmaees,  tremnIooBlj  alive  to  poetic  and  lesthetic  influences, 
takes  a  more  comprehensive  view  of  Caltare,  and  in  this  respect  more  nearly 
resembles  Qoetbe.  In  a  word,  Garlyle's  mind  is  strongly  Hebraistic — that  of 
Arnold,  Hellenic.  Whatever  the  difference  in  detail,  both  writers  agree  with 
Qoethe  in  maintaining  that  the  snpernatural  as  a  factor  in  man's  develop- 
ment may  be  dispensed  with. 

That  ^e  Pantheism  which  pervades  the  writings  of  Mr.  Carlyle  is  clearl; 
traceable  to  Fichte  and  several  of  his  German  contemporaries,  seems  to  as 
beyond  a  doubt ;  bnt  it  is  perhaps  not  so  fnlly  recognised  that  QennHn 
Idealism  was  to  some  extent  occaaioned  by  the  anthropomorphistic  concep- 
tion of  Deity  embodied  in  the  theology  of  the  last  century — the  result  of 
an  ondne  insistance  on  the  teleological  line  of  argument.  The  argnmenl 
from  final  canses  is,  within  certain  limits,  calcalated  in  no  small  degree  to 
ud  the  cause  of  Christianity ;  bnt  when  pressed  to  the  exclusion  of  other 
and  more  spiritual  methods,  its  tendency  is  to  represent  the  Deity  more  as 
the  Ahnighty  Architect  of  the  universe  than  as  the  mysterioas  '  I  Am,' 
the  fonntain  of  spiritual  light  and  life.  That  the  theologians  of  the  eigfateenlh 
century  erred  in  this  respect,  is  now  generally  admitt^ ;  and  the  resolts  m 
manifest  in  the  systems  which  sprang  up  both  in  Qennony  and  Engtond. 
There  was,  however,  another  cause  equally  at  work,  tending  to  mA  d« 
development  of  the  pantheistic  mode  of  thought.  The  advance  of  science 
brought  clearly  before  the  minds  of  men  the  continuity  of  Nature,  Staring 
and  apparently  abnormal  phenomena  were  found  to  originate  in  porel; 
mal«rial  forces, — were,  in  a  word,  explainable  on  scientific  principles, — the 
result  being  that  the  notion  of  the  sopernatural  became  somewhat  obscnred, 
Hume's  famous  attack  on  the  doctrine  of  causation,  and  his  attempt  to 
substitute  his  hypothesis  of  invariable  antecedence  and  sequence,  may  be 
said  to  have  paved  the  way  lor  Panliidsm  in  Germany  and  Po^tivism  in 
England,  for  all  practical  purposes,  the  differences  between  these  two 
systems  are  purely  verbal.  The  Positivists,  true  to  the  principle  of  Hume, 
content  themslres  with  registering  the  multiform  phenomena  of  Ifature,  sod 
dismiss  as  unscientific  all  eztra-mnndane  inqniries.  With  them  nothiog  is 
divine.  The  Pantheists,  on  the  other  baud,  with  minds  synthetical  rather 
than  analytical,  approach  the  problem  from  on  opposite  point.  Viewing  ttae 
universe  in  its  totality,  noticing  the  wondrous  order,  the  Protean  energy 
aod  beanty  which  pervade  it,  and  desirous  to  avoid  Dualism,  the  Pantbrasts, 
as  in  Germany,  identified  God  with  Nature,  and  proclaimed  all  things 
divine.  The  dictnm  that  God  not  only  does,  but  is,  everything,  ultimately 
resulted,  as  Coleridge  observes,  in  reducing  the  Creator  to  a  mere  aoni  of  the 
world.  Aa  the  same  writer  says, '  many  fonnd  the  God  of  Abraham,  Isaac, 
and  Jacob  far  too  real,  too  substantial,  and  felt  it  more  in  harmony  with 
their  own  indefinite  sensations 


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tinT'^   HOW  MAT  ELDERS  PBOMOTB  CBRI8TIAN  WOBE?      347 


'  HOW  MAT  ELDERS  BEST  PROMOTE  A  WISE  DISTRIBUTION 
OP  CHRISTIAN  WORK  IN  THE  CONGREGATION  1 ' 

A.  PAPER  READ  AT  THK  UABCH  MEKTINO  OP  THE  '  GLASGOW  UHTTED  FRE8- 
BTTERIAN  ELDERB'  ASSOCIATION,'  BI  MR.  SAHOEL  CBISHOLH,    AKD  NOW 

PRINTED  AT  THE  ASSOCIATION'S  REQUEST. 

It  ia  butbIj  eminently  fitting  that  the  series  of  meetings  which  the  Elders' 
AsEodatioD  has  been  holding  during  the  past  season  Rhonld  not  close  witbont 
oae  night  being  devoted  to  the  consideration  o(  the  snbject  of  Christian 
work.  Indeed,  to  my  mind,  the  miun  interest  and  impoilance  of  the  preceding 
subjects  hss  been  their  bearing  npon  this.  The  formation  of  Elders'  Asso- 
ciations, t^e  better  representation  of  elders  in  onr  Charch  coarts,  the  dissemi- 
oation  of  the  distinctive  principles  of  onr  Chnrch — all  these  subjects  have 
their  special  attraction  for  thonghtfnl,  earaest  Christian  men,  becanse  of  the 
belief,  more  or  less  assured,  that  if  they  were  attained,  they  wonid  contribnte 
to  the  greater  ef&ciency  of  oar  Christian  work.  Separate  those  subjects 
From  this,  and  yon  rel^ate  them  to  the  sphere  of  at^tract  speculation,  and 
make  their  discnssion  profitless  as  the  snbtle  speculations  of  the  schools. 
And  oven  the  snbject  that  was  last  under  consideration — the  Spiritual  Life  of 
OUT  Congregations — is  lifted  up  into  a  great  public  question,  fit  and  worthy 
to  be  considered  by  sach  an  association  as  this,  only  becanse  that  spiritaal 
life  is  the  fountain  from  which  the  fertilizing  streams  of  Christian  actirity 
are  to  flow — the  central  fire  from  which  are  to  radiate  that  light  and  heat 
that  shall  yet  beantify  and  gladdeu  the  world.  My  snbject,  fortunately,  is 
aot  the  wide,  limitless  topic  of  Christian  work  in  general ;  I  am  not  required 
to  enrrey  the  field  of  the  world,  to  estimate  or  measure  the  forces  by  which 
and  to  which  we  are  opposed.  I  am  circumscribed  by  the  following  query  ; 
'How  may  elders  best  promote  a  wise  distribntion  of  Christian  work  in  the 
congregation  t '  and  to  this  comparatively  narrow,  but  highly  important 
ioqniry,  I  shall  at  once  address  myself. 

Permit  me  to  consider  the  snbject  under  the  following  arrangement : — The 
coDgregatioD ;  Christian  work  in  the  congregation ;  the  wise  distribntion  of 
CliriBtian  work  in  the  congr^ation ;  and  in  and  all  through  these,  the 
elder,  as  a  r^ulating,  controlling,  dominating, — if  you  will,  distributing 
power. 

I.  A  single  word  on — the  congregation. — A  Christian  congregation  is  not 
a  mere  company  of  Christian  men  and  women ;  a  promiscnoQS  assemblage 
of  Christians  is  not  a  Chriatdan  congr^ation.  Despite  the  etymology  of  the 
term,  which  I  admit  is  against  me,  a  congregation  is  an  organism;  the 
Scriptore  representation  of  it  is  a  body — a  body  fitly  framed  together.  And 
1  imagine  that  one  reason  why  so  many  congregations,  so  called,  do  so  little 
Christian  work,  and  why  in  so  many  more  congregations  the  work  that  is 
doae  is  done  by  so  comparatively  few,  is  to  be  directly  traced  to  the  circum- 
stance that  these  congregations  are  not  organisms — they  are  not  bodies; 
they  are  not  kuit  and  welded  into  one ;  they  are  not,  after  the  great  model, 
compactly  built  together ;  but  are,  to  a  greater  or  less  extent,  bare  companies 
or  crowds,  not  necessarily  manifesting  disanion  or  disagreement,  but  lacking 
that  conscious  nnity  of  spirit  and  purpose  which  alone  can  enable  them  to 
conduct  any  aggressive  Christian  operations,  or  which  can  give  these  opera- 
tions eflEciency  and  power.  That  congregation  is  in  the  best  state  for  hopeful 
Christian  work  which  is  furthest  removed  from  the  condition  of  a  mere  crowd 
of  church  attendere  or  pew-renters,  and  which  is  nearest  the  condition  of  a 


348       HOWSIAT  ELDEBSPKOMOTECHBISTIAN  WOfiKt     "ISiTiw?^ 

welI'discipliDed,  high-spirited,  self-forgetfal  army.  The  military  ftnologies 
of  the  Ndw  Testament  are  not,  I  imt^ine,  exfaansted  by  their  reference  to 
the  indindual  believer.  The  fight  of  faith,  the  weapons  of  our  warfare,  the 
Captain  of  onr  salvation,  and  similar  stirring  phrases,  suggest  the  idea  that 
the  Church,  as  a  whole,  ia  the  army  of  the  living  God,  and  that  for  the 
sacceealol  prosecntion  of  its  work  there  most  be  not  only  discipline,  sabor- 
dinatioQ,  and  consecration  to  the  great  Leader  and  Commander,  but  confidence 
and  affection,  loyalty  and  love;  towards  each  other  too. 

Now,  what  can  the  elder  do  to  produce,  or  preserve,  or  increase  such  s 
state  of  things  1  Well,  at  the  very  outset,  let  the  elder  realize  that  be  has 
here  a  gennine  work  to  do.  The  maiatenance  of  the  varied  departments  of 
a  working  chorch's  oi^anization  is  emphatically  elders'  work.  How  muDy 
mioistera  have  been  heart-broken,  and  have  led  sad,  care-laden  Uvea,  because 
on  their  shoulders  was  laid  all  but  the  entire  burden  of  congregatioDsl 
carel  Now,  while  not  admitting  only,  bnt  insisting  on,  the  inestimable 
importance  of  the  minister's  taking  an  active  part  in  everything  connected 
with  the  church's  work  and  welfare,  I  often  think  that  we  magnify  the 
importance  of  his  doing  it,  chiefly  that  we  may  excuse  ourselves  from  doirj 
it  at  all.  And,  having  settled  ft  in  hia  miud  that  it  is  a  duty  resting  upoD 
him  to  see  that  the  congregation  is  organized  into  working  form,  wtiat 
practical  steps  are  there  which  the  elder  can  take  T  Reserving  to  the  proper 
time,  at  a  further  stage  of  this  paper,  any  remarks  on  the  distribution  of 
Christian  work,  and  confining  onr  thoi^hts  meanwhile  to  the  getting  of  tlie 
congregation  into  what  may  be  called  shape  and  form  and  readiness  to  «ot1i, 
I  say,  first  of  all,,  the  elder  shonld  have  a  complete  and  always  accurate  roU 
of  his  members.  He  shonld  be  familiar  with  his  roll  as  with  his  ledger;  for 
does  not  he  watch  for  sonls  as  one  that  most  give  account  T  But,  in  addition 
to  the  oCBcial  roll,  which,  as  a  matter  of  course,  each  elder  will  keep  with  some 
degree  of  care,  the  enthusiastic  elder  will  have  a  private  roll,  conttdning  a 
complete  transcript  of  the  other,  and,  in  addition,  private  Jottings  for  bis 
own  guidance  in  respect  to  his  members.  Their  occnpations,  any  Christian 
work  in  which  they  may  be  engaged,  impressions  their  conversation  or 
conduct  may  have  produced  as  to  their  fitness  for  certains  forma  of  wort, 
should  opportunity  offer, — these  and  many  such  things,  which  would  be  tonnd 
to  multiply  when  once  the  practice  had  been  begun,  would  be  carefully  noted, 
and  the  elder  would  thus  have  in  his  hand  a  complete  vidimus  of  the  potential 
working  power  of  his  district.  If  tiiis  informal  roll  were  extended  to  include 
the  adherents  of  the  congregation  in  the  district  above  a  certain  age,  aid 
an  honest  effort  made  to  gather  all  information  regarding  their  occupatioD, 
habits,  inclinations,  etc.,  a  highly  valuable  addition  would  be  made  t« .  what 
might  be  called  the  reserve  force  the  church  would  have  on  hand.  Further, 
and  still  in  reference  only  to  the  getting  ready  for  actire  Christian  work,  can 
no  practical  steps  be  taken  by  which  the  elder  may  inform  himself  of  those 
of  his  members  who  are  absent  from  public  worship,  and  put  himself  at  once 
in  friendly  commnnication  with  them  ther«anent  f  'There  can  be  no  doubt,  I 
presume,  that  as  a  role,  the  work  of  the  Chnrcb  is  performed  by  those  who 
are  regular  in  attendance  at  public  worship.  Half-day  hearers,  altonate- 
day  hearers,  and  above  all,  communion-day  hearers,  are,  save  in  exceptional 
cases,  the  last  from  whom  mnch  Cbristiao  work  may  be  expected.  Let  me, 
within  parentheses,  say  that  I  do  not  consider  the  1700  members  of  onr 
Foundry  Boys'  Society,  who  are  in  their  own  places  of  worship  only  in  the 
afternoon,  as  half-day  hearers.  They  are  at  pablic  worship  in  the  formoDQ- 
And  they  have  largely  helped  to  gather  together  and  beep  within  reach  of 


'■'"^iJS'"'   HOW  MAT  ELDEES  FHOMOTB  OHBISTIAS  WOEkI       34& 

the  goapel  sonod  many  thoaeands  of  young  people,  who,  bnt  for  their  efforts, 
would  have  been  living  in  utter  neglect ;  and  I  wonid  to  God  th&t  from  all 
our  [iroperly  BO-called  half-day  hearers  as  mnch  and  as  hearty  Christiao 
vork  conld  b«  got.  Well,  the  question  is,  Can  the  elder  do  tuiything  towards 
seeming  a  better  and  more  r^nlat  attendance  on  the  part  of  bis.  members  at 
public  worship,  as  an  essentia)  step  towards  their  taking  an  intelligent  and 
efFective  part  in  the  Christian  work  of  the  congregation  T  I  answer,  Yes ! 
the  elder  can  do  a  great  deal,  if  he  will  only  try.  If  the  elder  were  always 
Ht  charch  himself ;  if  he  were  always  there  early ;  if  he  knew,  if  he  took 
meaiiB  to  acquaint  himself  with,  where  all  his  members  sat,  and  kept  an 
interested  and  kindly  look-out  for  them ;  if  be  did  not  hnrry  away  when 
church  service  was  over,  bnt  loitered  at  the  door  speakii^  to  and  inqniring 
after  his  ovm  flock,  he  conld  pick  np,  withont  mnch  trouble,  an  amonnt  of 
information  which,  wisely  and  lovingly  followed  np,  would  lead,  I  am  sure, 
to  the  happiest  results.  Is  it  too  much  to  expect  tiiat  the  elder  shonld  be 
willing  to  devote  some  time — say  an  hour  each  week — to  his  special  duties  as 
ID  elder,  a  bishop,  an  overseer  of  the  flock,  apart  altogether  from  committee 
or  roatine  work  T  If  that  weekly  hour  were  employed  in  following  up  the 
infonnatioD  obtained  on  the  Sabbath-day, — not  in  the  spirit  of  the  inquisitor, 
evm  though  honeyed  over  with  the  affected  words  of  interest  and  regard,  but 
in  the  genuine  spirit  and  with  the  genuine  laogaage  of  the  Christian  brother 
sod  friend, — the  elder  would  at  once  put  himself  on  the  friendliest  possible 
footiog  with  all  his  members,  and  would  secure  on  their  part  a  deeper 
intereet  in,  and  a  better  attendance  at,  the  public  services  of  the  church. 
'  I  nuBsed  yon  yesterday,'  or  '  I've  missed  yon  for  a  couple  of  Sabbaths,  and 
I  wondered  if  you  were  all  well,  and  just  made  a  run  in  to  see.'  If  this  were 
done  in  the  right  spirit  and  in  the  right  manner,  would  it  not  contribute 
lu^ely  alike  to  the  promotion  of  a  spirit  of  love  and  unity  among  the 
manbers  of  the  cfaorch,  and  to  a  better  representation  of  our  members  at 
Ssbbath  worship,  both  of  which  are  most  important  factors  in  that  state 
of  heart  and  spirit  ont  of  which  only  effective  Christian  work  can   be 


II.  Having  thus,  in  fancy,  brought  the  congregation  into  working  position 
and  form,  let  us  now  for  a  Lttle  look  at  the  work  itself— the  Christian  work 
of  the  congregation,  and  the  elder's  relation  to  it.  It  is  assumed  that  in  and 
by  every  congregation  there  is  hoaajide  Christian  work  performed.  A  Christian 
congregation  is  a  working  body.  I'he  term  Christian  forbids  and  contra- 
dicts the  idea  of  inactivity  or  indolence;  and  by  how  mnch  soever  indolence 
Bud  inactivity  prevail,  by  so  much  the  more  ia  its  Cbristian  character  lowered 
and  marred.  The  Christian  work  of  a  congregation  may  be  variously 
classified.  Radically  one,  to  advance  the  kingdom  of  Christ,  it  touches  our 
life  at  BO  many  points  that  its  details  are  nnmerons  as  the  interests  of  man- 
kind. There  is— -(a)  The  Bpiritnal  upbuilding  of  the  membership  of  the  congre- 
gation; there  is— (i)  The  Christian  education  and  training  of  the  young; 
there  is — (c)  Aggressive  action  towards  the  careless  and  godless  multitude 
womid  and  beyond. 

In  regard  to  the  first,— (a)  The  spiritual  upbnilding  of  the  membership  of 
the  congregation, — leaving  ont  of  consideration  the  most  important  agency 
of  all,  the  work  and  influence  of  the  ministry  of  the  Church,  as  being  beyond 
the  range  of  onr  present  inquiry,  let  ns  ash,  what  can  the  eldership  and 
membership  of  the  Church  do  towards  carrying  on  this  work  of  mutual 
spiritual  help  t  I  have  already  referred  to  efforts  the  eldership  might  snccess- 
fnlly  put  forth  towards  increasmg  attendance  at  the  services  of  the  Sabbath, 


350      HOW  MAT  ELDERS  PROMOTE  OHaiSTIAlfffOBK?   ""A^i^tx^"^ 

sad  shall  not  farther  dwell  on  thftt  branch  of  the  subject.'  Bnt  I  wish  to 
say  a  word  or  two  on  another  and  kindred  topic — on  one  having  an  importaot 
bearing  on  the  spiritnal  growth  of  the  membership — I  mean  the  prayer 
meeting.  I  do  not  wish  to  repeat  remarks  that  have  been  made,  one  woald 
almost  say  ad  nauseam,  on  the  importance  of  this  meeting,  and  on  the 
discreditable  state  in  which  most  of  the  prayer  meetings  of  the  Ghnrch 
continae  to  exist.  That  subject  has  been  well-nigh  threshed  ont.  Bnt  I  wish 
in  all  seriottsnesB  to  ask  the  question — Is  it  not  a  possible  thing  that  the  prayer 
meeting,  as  a  whole,  in  the  present  state  of  society  and  the  Obnrch,  is,  so  far  as 
the  Ghnrch  at  large  is  concerned,  a  mistake?  The  practical  verdict  of  the 
membership  of  the  Church  ia,  that  it  is.  The  history  of  our  congregatioaal 
prayer  meetings  seems  to  me  most  plainly  to  proclaim  one  or  other  of  these 
two  things, — either  religion  ia  in  ebb  tide,  and  the  Chtfrchia  indifferent  to  the 
communion  of  saints — to  the  refreshing,  stimnlating,  and  enlai^g  inSnences 
of  united  praise  and  prayer  and  gnided  meditation;  or  otherwise,  the 
prayer  meeting,  as  at  present  constituted,  does  not  meet  the  case — does  not 
aoit  the  wants,  does  not  adapt  itself  to  the  circnmstancee,  of  the  Clmrch  at 
large.  The  meagre  attendance  at  onr  prayer  meetings  is  no  accident — no 
occasional  or  exceptional  period  of  dnlness,  which,  there  is  good  reason  to 
hope  and  believe,  will  be  speedily  followed  by  better  days ;  it  is  chronk, 
and  improvement  is  the  exception,  spasmodic  and  rare.  Now  I  suboiit 
that  it  ia  a  very  pertinent  qnestion  for  the  eldership  to  ash,  if  it  is  desirable 
or  necessary  that  the  Chnrch  shonld  provide  some  meana  of  regions  improve- 
ment or  growth  apart  from  the  services  of  the  Sabbath  day,  can  we  rest 
satisfied  with  a  means  which  does  not  overtake  one  tithe  of  our  people,  tod 
that  tithe  those  who,  so  far  as  we  can  jndge,  stand  in  least  apparent  ikA 
of  it.  Let  our  prayer  meeting  continae  by  all  means, — ^the  source  of  spiritnal 
delectation  and  religions  enjoyment  to  the  few, — bnt  do  not  fancy  that  the 
wants  of  the  Church  at  large  have  thos  been  satisfied,  or  onr  duty  to  the 
Church  at  large  has  thns  been  discharged.  The  wellness  of  onr  Charch 
arrangements  consists  largely  in  this,  that  they  are  fixed  and  stereotyped  in 
their  character.  The  arrangements  which  were  the  wisest  possible  in  a 
certain  state  of  society  and  the  Church,  are  retained  throngh  all  the  revoln- 
tiona  that  take  place  in  the  political  and  social  relations  of  the  world. 
Arrangements  that  were  in  themselves  merely  prndential  or  arbitrary,  gather 
around  them  associations  so  hallowed  and  sacred  that  they  become  the 
objects  of  positive  veneration ;  and  his  is  regarded  as  a  sacrilegions  bu'' 
that  would  dare  to  lift  np  a  finger  against  them.  It  is  in  all  humility,  uxi 
with  a  sincere  desire  to  avoid  the  sin  of  sacrilege,  that  I  venture  to  suggest, 
not  that  the  prayer  meeting  be  discontinued,  but  that  we  should  all  recogiuBe 
the  fact  that  the  prayer  meeting  has  failed  to  reach  the  great  body  of  onr 
Christian  people,  and  that  if  it  is  not  to  be  supplanted,  it  must  at  least  be 
supplemented.  The  membership  of  many  of  onr  churches  is  very  wide  sad 
scattered,  acconnting  to  some  extent  for  irregular  Sabbath  attendance  and 
for  regular  prayer-meeting  absence.  Could  congregational  district  prayer 
meetings,  weekly,  fortnightly,  or  monthly,  conducted  by  the  elder  and  other 
Christian  friends,  not  be  organized  1  I  believe  an  earnest  eldership,  ready  to 
undertake  any  work  for  the  good  of  the  Church,  would  find  in  such  a  set  of 
meetings  a  sonrce  of  richest  blessing  to  their  own  souls,  and  a  means  of 
deepening  and  enlarging  the  spiritual  life  of  the  membersliip.  Then,  in 
these  daya  of  extenaive  light  reading  and  trashy  periodical  literature,  coold 
the  Church,  as  such,  do  nothing  to  secure  that  into  every  family  connected 
with  it  there  passed  regnlarly  some  religions  publication  of  interesting  but 


"■"^-^iM.'*'''   HOW  MAT  ELDBEfl  PROMOTE  OHBISTIANWOEKt      851 

approved  chamcter  and  stand&rd  worth  T  And  Tet  again,  nader  this  head, 
is  the  TisitatioD  of  the  sick,  and  the  opportnoities  it  offers  of  carryiog  the 
expressions  of  Christian  sTinpathj  and  lore,  and  of  bringing  home,  at  a  time 
when  the  heart  is  most  open  to  receive  it,  the  precionsnesB  of  Christian  truth 
and  the  sweetness  of  God's  promises,  conducted  with  the  system  and  thorongh- 
ness  which  its  importance  demands  ?  I  have  some  more  to  say  oh  this  matter 
noder  tbetliird  division  of  my  sabject,  and  meanwhile  only  refer  to  it  as  a 
not  nnimportant  department  of  Christian  work. 

(6)  The  religions  education  and  training  of  the  yonng  in  the  Church  has 
of  late  years  received  an. amount  of  attention  and  consideration  more  com- 
mensnrate  with  the  interests  involved  than  bad  been  previously  bestowed  on  it. 
A  Sabbath  school  and  Bible  classes  are  now  recognised  institntiona  in, 
I  presnme,  every  congregation.  In  all  these  the  eldership  should  make  their 
interest  manifest  and  their  influence  felt:  A  Sabbath  school  that  has  no 
elder  in  it  may  be  &  rare  thing ;  bat  an  elder  that  ia  in  no  Sabbath  school  is 
by  DO  means  rare,  and  this  is  for  a  lamentation.  Special  associations  for 
the  religioos,  moral,  and  intellectaal  improvement  of  the  young  men  and 
young  women  of  the  Chorch  will  recave  the  genial  sympathy  and  hearty 
countenance  of  a  wise  eldership.  Singing  classes  for  the  children,  where 
happy,  cheerfnl  songs  of  praise  are  learned,  as  well  as  musical  training 
imparted,  will  be  enconrt^ed  and  fostered.  Nor  will  the  efforts  of  temperance 
reformers,  to  enlist  in  early  years  the  warm  sympathies  and  generous  hearts 
of  the  yonng,  be  regarded  with  displeasure  even  by  those  whose  conservative 
tendencies  are  so  strong  that  they  cannot  enter  the  temperance  army  them- 
selves. Innumerable  other  lines  of  Christian  work  within  the  congregation 
itself  suggest  themselves,  of  which,  however,  I  cannot  now  speak  particularly, 
as,  before  passing  to  the  third  division  of  my  subject,  I  have  a  word  lo  say 
on  that  work  of  the  Church  which  I  have  defined  as  aggressive  action 
towards  the  careless  aud  godless  multitudes  aronnd  and  beyond. 

(c)  The  instincts  of  the  Christian  life,  and  the  constraining  power  of  Christian 
love,  combine  with  the  direct  commands  of  Christ  Himself  to  produce  efforts 
for  the  extension  of  the  knowledge  of  the  way  of  salvation.  Christianity  is 
necessairily  aggressive ;  indiSerentism  is  foreign  to  its  nature  and  incompatible 
with  its  spirit;  and  that  feature  of  the  Christian  Church  which  is  most 
prominent  at  the  present  day,  is  the  number  and  variety  of  those  agencies  by 
which  it  seeks  to  win  the  world  for  Christ.  And  this  work,  to  win  the  world 
for  Christ,  may  w^l  tax  the  energy  and  enthusiasm  of  the  Church  at  large, 
and  in  view  of  it  we  may  well  foi^et  the  little  points  of  difference  by  which, 
OS  Christian  men,  and  as  Christian  Churches  or  societies,  we  are  dis- 
tiegnished.  And  in  view  of  the  vastneas  of  this  work,  the  efforts  that  have 
been  or  are  being  made  for  its  accomplishment  can  only  be  regarded  as 
paltry  or  superficial  A  few  city  missioDaries  to  relieve  Uie  consciences  of 
iudtridnal  coi^r^ations,  and  a  few  foreign  nussionariefl  to  relieve  the 
aggregate  conscioice  of  the  Chnrch,  vrith  here  and  there  among  the 
thousands  and  tens  of  thousands  of  professing  Christians,  a  dozen  or  a 
score  of  earnest  sonis  who  give  themselves  to  the  work  with  all  their  heart, — 
can  this  be  regarded  as  a  fitting  indication  of  the  consecration  of  the  Church 
to  the  service  of  the  Crucified?  '  He  loved  me  and  gave  Himself  for  me.' 
If  the  Chnrch  would  but  open  her  heart  and  her  conscience  to  this  truth, 
with  what  enlargedness  of  life  would  she  thereafter  run  in  this  way  of  (jod's 
commandments  I  Every  Christian  would  be  a  missionary,  and  every  man 
would  say  to  his  brother, '  Know  the  Lord.'  And  if  the  conversion  of  the 
world  is  to  be  other  than  a  dream,  or  is  to  be  wrought  out  by  human 


352      HOW  MATElDEEa  PEOMOTE  CHBISTIAN  WOEK?    ^""luj.'uwt* 

inBtrnmeiititUty,  it  seems  to  me  that  the  work  to  which  above  all  the  elder- 
shEp  has  first  to  ^ve  itself,  is  to  reach  the  deep  coDtroUing  conTictioa  ia 
tiieir  own  minds,  and  to  lodge  the  conviction  deep  in  the  hearts  and  miDda 
of  tbdr  people,  that  the  responsibilttjr  for  this  work  lies  on  no  officii 
sboalders,  bat  that  the  Ter;  fact  of  ha  ring  received  onrselves  this  message  fnnD 
heaven  imposes  on  ne  the  obhgation  to  pass  it  on.  Nor  can  this  obligatin 
be  discharged  by  proxj.  The  idea  that  another  man  may  so  serve  as  on 
sabstitate  in  this  worli  of  the  Lord  that  we  may  be  reheved  from  the  duly 
of  personal  service,  having  paid  another  to  render  it  in  our  name  and  etai, 
seems  to  me,  amongst  other  objections,  to  involve  the  Roman  Catholic 
absurdity  of  works  of  anpfflrerogation ;  aa  if  onr  sabstitate,  so  called,  couM 
render  more  service  than  he  was  entitled  to  do, — service  which  could  be 
placed  to  tbecredit  of  another  man's  acconnt, — whereas  the  very  fact  that  be 
was  in  circametances  where  it  was  possible  for  him  to  render  that  eorice, 
made  it  his  obligation  so  to  do.  In  a  work  involring  interests  so  imporUit 
and  so  wideepr^d,  and  a  work  the  duty  of  engaging  in  which  can  be  so 
clearly  bronght  home  to  every  Christian  man,  a  very  large  latitude  must  be 
allowed,  and  free  scope  given  for  the  exercise  of  the  varied  talents  aid 
acquirements,  as  well  as  for  the  development,  of  the  special  tastes  and  in- 
clinations of  the  indiridaal  worker.  The  minister  and  the  lay  preacher,  the 
misBionaiy  and  the  Sabbath  school  teacher,  the  visitor  and  the  tract  dis- 
tribntor,  and  he  too  whose  office  is  without  a  name,  the  qniet  ChristHi 
friend,  unattached,  who  here  and  there,  as  opportunity  serves,  is  found  laij 
to  speak  s  word  of  hope  to  the  dying  and  of  comfort  to  the  bereaved,-ill 
these,  and  many  more  in  unmarked  walks  of  Christjan  usefnlneas,  most  be 
allovred  to  cultivate  then-  special  forte,  and  lay  that,  as  the  richest  gift  ot 
their  life,  on  the  altw  of  God.  There  is  room,  unfortunately  bat  toe 
ample,  in  this  field  of  Christian  enterprise  for  every  variety  of  gift  and  grace. 
To  the  young  and  ardent,  in  the  flush  of  eothnsiasm  and  early  love,  tliere 
are  to  be  found  in  the  homes  and  hovels  of  the  poor,  in  the  kitchen  meetiiig 
or  the  district  Sabbath  class,  opportnnitiea  of  speaking  that  word  for  Christ 
which  their  own  new-found  joy  makes  them  so  long  to  utter;  and  >t  the 
same  time,  to  the  cautious,  cool,  and  thoughtful  Christian,  there  are  pnsenKd 
spiritual  enigmas  aud  moral  mysteries  fitted  to  evoke  the  liveliest  intereel, 
and  worthy  of  the  profoundest  study.  In  this  ontlying  field,  the  care  of  the 
youi^  mast  ever  be  an  important,  perhaps  the  most  important,  departEneoi 
of  work, — not  only  as  their  circumstaDces,  so  full  of  anchildlike  sadoe^ 
and  their  prospects,  so  clouded  with  unchildlike  gloom,  appeal  most  poKt- 
fnlly  to  the  compassionate  heart,  but  the  probabilities  of  success,  of  luge 
returns  for  labour  expended,  are  so  hopeful,  that  while  it  may  be  the  uo^ 
important,  it  is  also  the  most  encouraging  sphere  of  Christian  work.  It's 
amount  of  labour  that  can  be  expended  in  this  direction,  that  mast  be 
expended  if  ibe  work  of  caring  for  them  is  to  be  really  done,  can  scarcely  be 
realized  by  those  who  stand  aloof  from  it  and  know  of  it  only  by  report 
If  the  tens  of  thousands  of  children  of  our  non-chnrch-going  popnlstioo, 
and  the  tens  of  thousands  belonging  to  onr  nominal  church-going  people, 
after  whom  congregations  do  not  look,  and  for  whom  they  make  no 
provision,  are  to  be  gathered  into  chorch  service  during  the  Sabbath  day,— 
if  services  suitable  to  their  circnmstances  and  capacity  are  to  be  provided,— 
if  they  are  to  be  gathered  together  again  for  more  personal  tuition  in  the 
afternoon, — if  they  are  to  be  followed  throughout  the  week,  educations! 
opportunities  provided  for  them,  or  where  these  exist,  as  by  ^e  action  of 
our  School  Board  they  do  vrith  us  now,  if  they  are  to  be  nrged  and  pressed 


"^liT^»l'"^    HOW  MAT  ELDEE8  PBOMOTE  0HB18TIAH  WOBKT 

into  atteodance, — if  iimocent  and  instractire  meana  of  amasement  are  to  be 
provided  for  them,  that  they  fall  not  into  the  enarea  of  the  deVil,  with  which 
the  great  city  is  atrewn ; — if  efforts  in  these  directions  are  to  be  snataioed 
every  week  and  all  the  year  throngh,  it  cao  only  be  by  the  cbeerfnl  aod 
hearty  surrender  of  time  and  labonr  and  thoaght  on  the  part  of  a  rery 
large  nnmber  of  Christian  men  and  women ;  and  if,  in  addition  to  this 
mnltitadinona  work,  the  starring  are  to  be  fed,  the  naked  are  to  be  clothed, 
the  sick  or  in  prison  are  to  be  ministered  anto,  if  this  netnoii  of  Christian 
agency  is  to  be  spread  over  oar  home  heathendom,  and  is  to  stretch  ont  and 
embrace  the  heathen  world,  we  can  aee  that  the  time  has  not  yet  come  when 
any  member  of  the  Christian  Cfanich  can  fold  his  arms  and  say,  'There  is  no 
work  for  me  to  do.' 

III.  And  now  occnrs  the  cmcial  qnestic»i  of  my  theme.  Oiren  a  coi^re- 
gation,  and  given  this  Christian  work,  how  can  ad^tation  and  allocation  be 
so  conducted  as  that,  on  the  one  hand,  the  congregation  shall  be  employed, 
and,  on  the  other,  the  work  shall  be  donet — The  condition  ijt  which  we  at 
present  find  oarselvee  is  largely  this.  Very  many  members  of  onr  congrega- 
tions are  engaged  in  no  specilic  Christian  or  congregational  work  whatever, 
Ihe  work  that  is  done  rests  nndnly  on  the  shoulders  of  a  comparative  few ; 
resulting  in  this  threefold  evil, — Uiat  the  work  of  Chriat  ie  retarded ;  that 
many  workera  labonr  nnd^  a  ptunfnl  sense  of  the  unfitness  of  things  in  their 
being  appointed  to  and  kept  at  work  which  is  not  their  congenial  walk ;  and 
that  the  hundreds  who  stand  aside  misa  the  stimnlns  and  joy  to  their  own 
spirits  which  active  work  for  the  Lord  always  imparts.  How,  then,  may 
a  wise  distribntioo  of  Christian  work — a  distribution  which  employe  the 
idle,  which  relieves  the  overburdened,  and  which  gives  to  each  the  work  he 
is  best  qoaliGed  to  discharge — ^be  most  eSectnally  promoted  t  Xow,  this 
qaestion,  so  easily  proponnded,  conched  in  langnage  so  simple  and  intel- 
ligible, nevertheless  admits  of  no  categorical  reply.  It  brings  na  face  to  face 
with  the  most  subtle  and  powerful  of  all  agencies,  the  free-will  of  moral 
and  responsible  men,  and  we  may  not  affect  to  apply  the  langnage  of  the 
exact  aciencee  to  that  which  haa  not  yet  been  reduced  under  their  control 
Bearing  this  in  mind,  however,  and  underatanding  that  suggestions  which 
may  be  applicable  in  one  set  of  circnmstances  may  be  worthless  in  another, 
I  would  answer  the  question  by  aaying  that  the  first  step  of  all  is,  that  the 
elder  have  that  intimate  knowledge  of  the  character,  acquirements,  habits, 
and  inclinationa  of  the  members  of  his  district,  on  the  one  hand,  and  of  the 
varied  details  of  the  Christian  work  that  is  or  ought  to  be  condacted  by  the 
congregation,  on  the  other,  to  whidi  in  the  earlier  part  of  my  paper  I  have 
referred.  Withont  this  two-sided  knowledge,  the  elder  cannot  hope  to  be 
instrumental  in  promoting  this  wise  distribution  of  work.  If  he  does  not 
know  the  man  with  some  degree  of  thoroughness,  how  can  be  tell  to  what 
work  to  send  him  1  and  if  he  does  not  know  the  work,  how  can  he  tell  where 
to  send  this  man  t  Again,  I  would  say,  bring  pointedly  and  prominratly 
before  every  yoong  commnnicant,  and  every  member  received  by  certificate, 
the  unportance  of  their  engaging  in  some  specific  Chriatiao  work;  and  keep 
hold  of  each  case  in  which  anything  like  a  reasonable  hope  is  presented, 
following  it  np  until  the  pMty  is  actually  in  hajmess.  How  very  many 
excellent  members  do  our  city  churches  receive  every  year  from  country 
congregations,  in  which  they  were  earnestly  engaged  in  some  department  of 
Christian  work,  ndio  here  drop  into  an  easy  indifferentiam,  injnriona  alike  to 
themselves  and  the  Church !  This  is  a  phase  of  the  lapsing  question  on 
which  a  chapter  could  be  written  quite  as  sad  as  on  that  other  aspect  of  it 

KO.  vni.  VOL.  XXII,  HBTV  SBBIKB.- 


354      H0WMATELDBE8  PBOMOTB  OHBISTIAN  WOEK!    ^""^'ET!^*^ 

with  which  we  sre  more  familiar.  The  race  for  life  is  so  hard  in  the  city, 
that  they  who  are  ushered  into  it  on  a  sndden,  changing  all  at  once  tbe 
comparatiTe  qniet  with  which  the  round  of  duties  could  be  discharged  io 
some  country  place  for  the  thrill  with  which  the  whole  being  vibrates  when 
plunged  into  the  roaring  currest  of  city  life,  are  sorely  tempted  to  allow  Ibe 
absorbing  and  engrossing  demands  of  secular  duties  to  monopolize  tlieir 
every  thought  and  care,  and  they  soothe  their  conscience  by  saying,  Only 
for  a  time.  And  this  course  is  rendered  all  the  more  easy,  because  no  one 
speaks  to  them  spedally  abont  doing  any  Christian  work.  If  they  attend 
church  on  Sabbath,  they  pass  for  model  Christians.  And  as  time  wears  on, 
the  demands  of  the  world  become  not  less,  but  more  exacting  than  ever;  all 
thought,  perhaps  all  iucIinatioD,  to  take  part  in  Christian  work  disE^>peara; 
and  so,  while  much  possible  service  is  lost  to  the  Church,  much  actual 
damage  is  done  to  their  own  spiritnal  life.  The  elder  can  do  much  to 
remedy  this,  by  faithfully  and  systematically,  yet  with  prudence  and  kindness, 
bringing  before  every  member  received  into  his  district  the  importance,  alike 
for  himself  and  for  the  Church,  of  bis  taking  in  hand  some  special  work. 

Again,  I  think  that  hitherto  the  Church  has  had  too  few  channels  throogh 
which  it  codM  or  would  employ  the  services  and  abilities  of  its  memb^; 
and  the  elders  should  seek  to  provide  suitable  channels  down  which  tbe 
streams  of  Christian  activity  might  run.  Hitherto  the  Sabbath  school  bu 
been  abont  the  only  outlet  through  which  the  zeal  and  earnestness  of  Ibe 
members  of  the  Church  could  find  vent.  It  seems  to  have  come  npnn  Ibe 
Chnrch  with  something  of  the  snddenness  of  a  revelation,  that  the  povei,  for 
■  example,  to  sing — the  gift  of  song — is  one  which  may  be  largely  nsedsnd 
largely  blessed  for  the  highest  of  all  purposes.  Hien  there  are  men  in  tbe 
Church  on  whom  no  presbytery  has  laid  its  hand,  who  have  from  the  Head 
of  the  Church  Himself  the  gift  of  prophecy;  and  women  there  are,  too,  io 
the  Church  who  have  in  marvellous  measure  the  power  of  opening  the  heart 
and  commending  the  truth  to  its  acceptance, — why  should  they,  and  othen 
whose  cases  may  be  parallel,  be  forced  to  seek  the  exercise  and  developmfst 
of  their  gifts  outside  our  Church  arrangements,  and  at  the  risk  of  bong 
considered  antagonistic  thereto  T  Elders  should  not  look  askance  ou  neir 
departures  in  Christian  enterprise,  much  less  frown  on  them  as  mere 
.ebullitions  of  impulsive  enthusiasm  and  yonthful  zeal.  Rather  shoald  they 
allow  their  sympathy  with  the  great  object  these  movements  have  all  in  vie* 
80  to  influence  them,  that  they  shall  cast  themselves  into  tbe  current,  and  so 
be  able  to  regulate  and  steady  it.  And  in  this  connection  it  occurs  to  me 
to  say,  that  I  think  we  do  not  one  half  employ  or  take  advantage  of  tbe 
gifts  and  graces  of  the  lady  members  of  the  Church.  I  am  persuaded  that 
among  the  great  body  of  onr  Christian  women  there  lies  a  power  of  actiie 
evangeUstic  work  of  which  the  Chnrch  has  not  the  remotest  conception. 
Let  me  make  in  this  connection  a  practical  suggestion.  I  have  preriously 
hinted  that  possibly  in  the  work  of  visitation  of  the  sick  there  might  be  room 
for  some  improvement.  Let  me  now  ask — Is  not  this  pecuUarly  a  sphere  in 
which,  with  the  best  of  all  results,  the  services  of  Christian  women  might  be 
fittingly  employed  7  Are  there  not  dozens  and  scores  of  women — educated, 
warm-hearted,  Christian  women — who  in  a  sick-room  or  at  a  death-bed 
wonid  far  excel,  in  the  suitableness  and  impressiveness  of  their  quiet  and 
winning  words,  all  the  elders  and  ministers  among  us  T  Moreover,  there  are 
many  cases  in  which  the  elder  or  the  minister  feds  that  it  wontd  be  impradent 
or  wronii  for  him  to  visit,  yet  where  the  visit  of  a  lady  would  be  very 
highly  esteemed  and  prized.    The  minister's  wife  or  the  elder's  wife  may  not 


"'°'i;i'!!lm^'  A  PENITENTIAL  8PIEII.  355 

be  able,  may  not  be  qnatified,  to  step  in.  I  ask,  why  Bhonld  not  the  Charch 
laj  hold  of  and  consecrate  the  serrices  of  those  members  who  are  qualified 
for  work  anch  as  this?  Might  not  aa  elder  have  two  or  three  aasociated 
with  him  in  the  work  of  his  district,  verj  largely  to  the  profit  and  comfort 
of  bII  concerned }  I  must  not,  howerer,  mnltiply  aaggestionB  further. 
Very  possibly  it  may  seem  to  Home  I  have  been  gnilty  of  that  very 
ecthaejasm  Eind  impnlsiveDese  for  which  I  have  sought  to  say  a  kindly 
nord.  I  trast  the  remarks  that  have  been  made  will  at  least  open  up  a 
discussion  on  the  sabject,  ont  of  whidi  I  pray  tbwe  may  come  a  clearer 
perception  on  oar  part  of  the  great  wo]A  committed  to  the  Chorcb,  and 
of  the  deep  responsibiUties  of  that  relation  to  it  into  which  we,  as  elders, 
tiare  been  brought. 


A    PENITENTIAL    SPIRIT. 


A  PEmretfTU.!.  spirit  does  not  always  accompany  a  penitential  creed.  The 
cnei  may  express  the  strongest  views  of  hnman  depravity  and  of  personal 
UDworthiness ;  and  yet,  when  the  least  affront  is  received,  tha%  may  be  such 
display  of  wounded  cooseqaeuce  aa  gives  very  little  evidence  of  profound 
contrition.  A  certain  self-respect  is  allowable  and  right.  Unjast  accosa- 
tiona  may  have  their  injnstice  esposed,  and  a  Intimate  aatbority  may  be 
vindicated  and  maintained.  On  behalf  of  one's  osefnhiess,  such  escnlpation 
of  slandered  character  and  upholding  of  social  position  wrongfully  assailed, 
mi/  be  positively  incombent.  Bat  this  permissiUe  and  even  obligatory 
self-aasertion,  in  repelling  groundless  reproaches,  may  be  allied  with  the 
deepest  sense  of  demerit  before  Ood,  and  a  corresponding  humility  of  deport- 
meat  in  all  the  relations  and  dntiea  of  life.  Even  self-defence  may  breathe 
the  temperament  of  being  extorted  by  necessity,  and  may  be  associated  with 
fDch  kindness  to  the  most  reproachful,  wh«i  a  fitting  opportunity  pr^ents 
itself  of  aiming  to  overcome  ibtir  evil  by  good,  as  to  form  the  best  confnta- 
'ioQ  of  their  inimical  charges.  There  may  be  a  wilEngness  and  e^emess  to 
hear  expostulation,  and  even  rebnke  when  well  intended,  and  to  make  every 
Mission  of  defect  or  fault  which  the  circumstances  demand. 

In  relation  to  God,  true  penitence  acknowledges  sin  unreservedly  andin  its 
darkest  colooTB ;  abhors  that  sin  as  sin  while  so  confessing  it ;  and  seeks  relief 
ID  praying  to  be  delivered  from  its  gnilt  and  from  its  power,  and  in  abandon- 
ing it  for  ever.  It  seeks  such  relief  throngb  the  channel  of  a  well-accredited 
illation,  withont  presuming  in  any  way  to  modify  its  message,  and  leaves 
the  many  and  great  mysteries  which  we  cannot  explain,  and  which  are  ready 
to  overwhelm  ns  if  we  take  them  upon  ourselves,  entirely  vrith  the  divine  dis- 
posal. Instead  of  prying  into  the  aik  of  God's  secret  things  for  solutions  of 
^e  past,  the  present,  or  the  future,  it  struggles — and  the  stroggle  may  be 
reijbard — to  walk  by  faith  where  s^ht  is  denied  ns,  accepting  the  acknow- 
edgment  that  'now  we  know  in  part.'  Legitimate  interpretation,  whatever 
l>e  its  bearing,  it  will  be  always  wiihng  to  accept — how  specially  when  bring- 
Dg  home  the  persuasion  that  God  is  love — that  'what  things  were  written 
iforetime  were  written  for  our  consolation,  that  we  through  patience  and 
omfort  of  the  Scriptures  might  have  hope' — that  'God  ia  not  willing  that  ' 
jiy  shoold  perish,  but  that  all  should  come  to  repentance  'I  To  snch  con- 
rition  pardon  is  promised,  and  to  walk  worthy  of  sach  pardon  is  at  once  its 
bhgatioQ  and  its  aim.  i. 


356  THE  LATE  DB.  WILUAM  M'KEBBOW.        '     IVmStT**" 

It  IB  of  the  ntmoBt  conBeqoence  that  this  pemtential  spirit  be  cberisbed  in 
families.  The  primaiy  obligation  on  parents  ia  to  instract  their  children  in 
weU-doin^f,  and  gnard  them  from  doing  wrong.  Their  edncation,  then 
friendshipa,  thdr  sports,  shonld  all  be  watched  over,  to  fence  them  from  evil 
Bnt  when  they  have  erred  in  behavionr,  the  great  duty  then  is  to  bring  mch 
error  conrincingly  to  their  consciences,  and  draw  them  to  a  confeesionil 
frame  of  mind.  Manifested  grief,  earnest  entreaty,  solemn  warning,  shoald 
all  be  engaged  in  that  direction ;  and  when  the  yonthfnl  offender  yields,  when 
tlie  tear  of  compunction  drops  from  the  eye,  and  the  promise  of  amendmait 
falls  from  the  Up,  the  parental  embrace  of  earnest  joy  shonld  reflect  tho  Joj 
of  heaven  orer  a  sinner  who  repenteth. 

In  general  aociety  and  the  roatine  of  life,  a  penitential  spirit  wx>nld  smooth 
all  the  asperities  and  enhance  all  the  amenities  of  social  intercourse  by  its 
nnossnming  and  ingratiating  deportment. 

For  the  cnltivatioQ  of  closer  (Hendships,  nothing  is  more  essential  tban  tk 
manifestation  of  heartfelt  grief  for  having  done  a  friend  any  wrong,  or  cansed 
him  any  pain,  however  nnintentional ;  while  the  absence  of  concern  in  snd 
circnmstances  is  proportionally  detrimental,  or  rather  positively  destructive 
to  the  muntenance  of  loving  intimacies.  As  interests  or  susceptibilities  are 
liable  to  be  hnrt  incidentally  and  nnobserved,  and  may  elicit  from  a  reticent 
mind  no  utterance  of  complunt,  th'ere  is  need  of  great  carefulness  that  such 
wounds  be  not  inflicted,  or  when  inflicted,  be  immediately  healed.  If 
administered  to  a  rightly- constituted  heart,  the  balm  of  adequate  ezplaoa- 
tion  or  apology  will  not  fail  to  be  effectual  In  churches,  a  penitenttil 
spirit  cherished  by  their  members  would  prevent  or  repress  many  calamities. 
Penitence  is  meek,  and  a  meek  spirit  has  no  propensity  to  divisive  conrses. 
Its  desire  and  prayer  and  endeavour  are  that  peace  may  be  as  a  river,  tai 
righteousness  as  a  flowing  stream. 

As  regards  nations,  there  is  a  profession  at  times  ef  national  monmiDg 
for  sin.  Both  State  Charches  and  Churches  unconnected  with  the  State  may 
join  in  seasons  of  calamity  to  acknowledge  desert  of  divine  judgments,  and 
seek  their  removal  by  observing  days  of  humiliation,  and  hnmbUng  themselves 
under  the  mighty  hand  of  God.  Bnt  when  this  lowliness  disappears  witb 
God's  marks  of  displeasure,  and  multitudes  who  had  been  propitiating  the 
forbearance  of  Heaven  towards  their  own  country,  evince  immediate  readi- 
ness to  differ  with  allies,  and  embroil  the  earth  in  sanguinary  contentiw 
there  cannot  be  entire  confidence  in  contrition  so  equivocal.  If  nations  won/if 
read  aright  their  past  history,  and  wisely  ponder  what  wars  have  cost  tiiBn, 
they  would  rather  review  with  horror  man's  cruelty  to  man,  than  stir  op  new 
strifes,  and  moisten  the  earth  with  fresh  carnage.  They  would  be  eainesl 
to  exemplify,  in  its  loveliest  sense,  'a  family  of  nations' — a  family  in  which 
each  member  should  contribute  to  another's  wants,  and  even  their  divnsities 
should  angment  their  collective  happiness. 


THE  LATE  DR.  WILLIAM  M'KERROW,  MANCHESTER 

BT  »BV.  WILLIAU  GRAEAU,  LIVERPOOL. 

Services  in  connection  with  tiie  death  of  this  diatingnished  miaistei  were  can- 
dact«d  in  Bnmswick  Street  Church,  Manchester,  on  Sabbath,  9th  June.  The  Bev. 
Mr.  Graham  occapied  the  pulpit  in  the  forenoon,  and,  at  the  close  of  an  impKOive 
and  appropriate  diecourse  from  S  Kings  u.  11,  IS,  said — 

Deab  Brethren, — Your  noble  minister  and  friend,  Dr.  William  M'Kemnr — 
for  he  was  friend  where  he  was  minitter — was  bom  on  the  7th  of  September  180S, 


"XiTiw"'"'        THE  LATE  DB.  WILUAK  M'KEBEOW.  357 

in  Eilmttfnock ;  and  ao  when,  last  June  4th,  ha  died,  he  bad  nearly  reached  the 
six  jears  befond  the  threescore  and  ten  of  human  life.  Somewhat  onrionBlj,  the 
dajr  on  which  he  was  ordained  in  Maochester  (the  7th  of  Septembw  1827)  was 
exactly  the  twenty-fourth  aimiTenary  of  hia  birth.  His  entrance  into  life  and  his 
eatrance  into  itg  public  work  made  these  two  towna  dearest  of  all  to  hi«  hearty 
and  that  one  day  most  memorable  in  his  histoty. 

Kilmarnock  then,  as  now,  was  a  town  of  well-conditioned  induatn'  and  comfort, 
which  greatly  helped  to  it«  bdng  also  a  town  of  much  reading  of  all  kinds  of  books, 
when  regard  is  had  to  their  comparatire  scarcity  and  high  price  in  those  times, 
but  chi^v  of  a  conatant  religions  discussion  and  earnest  GDristian  devotedneas. 
Rotmd  Eilmamock  is  a  district  that  to  this  day  is  haunted  and  quickened  by  the 
most  vital  memories  of  the  Scottish  national  life.  Sir  William  Wallace  lived 
frequently  in  its  neighbourhood ;  the  Reformation  spread  rapidly  in  a  land  where 
were  still  the  unqnenched  fire-seeds  of  Lollardism ;  the  Gi^enanting  cause  had 
deeper  root  there  than  anywhere  else.  Air's-Hoss  and  Drumclog  are  a  few  miles 
from  it;  and  the  renowned  Alexander  Feden  was  bom  in  a  near  parish.  The 
Secession  took  firm  hold  in  a  soil  bo  congenial ;  and  not  many  years  bad  passed 
Eince  the  vehement  Old  and  New  Light  controversy  in  the  Church  of  Scotland,  so 
veil  known  to  readers  of  Robert  Bums,  raged  there.  In  fact,  it  is  worth  noticing 
that  in  1786,  serenteen  years  before  the  birth  of  our  friend,  Bums'  poems  left  the 
Kilmarnock  press  to  take  poneesion  of  the  world.  The  heme,  moreover,  in  which 
our  friend  was  bron^t  up  had  more  of  the  comforts,  but  had,  alike  in  father  and 
mother,  all  the  hallowed  and  imperishable  spiritual  influences  for  a  young  heart, 
that  were  common  at  that  time  in  the  whole  country-side,  and  that  survive  in  tran- 
scendent pathos  and  power  in  the  immortal '  Cottar's  Saturday  Night.' 

It  was  from  this  native  soil,  so  haunted  by  historical  memones,  as  well  as  stretch- 
ing ont  in  nndolating  sweep  of  valley  till  it  reach  the  gleam  of  the  Frith  of  Clyde, 
and  ia  dominated  from  afar  by  the  dark  peaks  of  Airan, — it  was  from  this  soil, 
where  his  being  firat  struck  root  and  drew  earliest  sap  and  strength,  that  be  gained 
Ms  ever  fresh,  fond  eye  for  nature,  and,  above  all,  so  kindled  bis  undoing  love  of 
freedom,  tiiat  the  blue  banner  of  the  Covenant  ever  floated  before  his  imagination, 
and  was  onfurled  in  many  a  speech,  as  he  headed  some  forlorn  cause,  as  the  symbol 
of  right  and  the  summons  to  rally  to  its  defence.  The  heart  of  the  Air's-Moss 
Covenanter  never  ceased  to  beat  under  the  cloak  of  the  Seceasion  minister,  and  to 
breathe  itself  out  in  the  tones  of  the  Free  Trader  and  Liberationist.  The  valae, 
also,  of  the  early  education  he  received  in  hia  native  town,  ranging  from  the  Eng- 
lish alphabet  to  the  Greek  and  Boman  classics,  made  him  strive  to  his  latest  hour 
in  the  cause  dearest  to  him  next  to  religion — that  of  education. 

In  due  time  he  went  to  QIasgow  College,  and  to  the  Theological  Hall  of  the 
Seceseion  Church.  Here  the  more  severe  but  most  judicious  training  of  the  pro- 
fessor, Dr,  John  Dick — a  training  so  fitted  to  check  and  direct  the  exuberance  of 
yoath,  both  in  thought  and  expree^n — was  varied  and  richly  tempered  by  the  op- 
portunities Glasgow  then  gave,  in  the  sermons  of  two  of  the  greatest  pulpit  orators 
of  that  or  of  any  age.  Th^nos  Chalmers  was  then  in  the  very  zenith  of  his  perfervid 
might ;  and  I  have  seen  in  our  friendlasting  marks  which  that  tremendous  volcanic 
force  of  Chalmers  indented  on  young  entbuBissm.  Edward  Irving  also  used  at  the 
same  lime  to  preach  to  a  few  students,  who  were  susceptible  enough  to  feel  that  if 
Chalmers  was  like  the  sun  going  forth  in  hia  might,  Edward  Irving's  stately,  melo- 
dious, prophetic  eloquence  was  as  when  the  morning  stars  sang  together  far  up  in 
the  dear  heavens,  and  sent  far  ont  their  woven  glory  of  musio.  There  were  other 
two  names  that  he  learned  to  know  in  later  days,  and  on  whose  seeds  of  eloquence 
he  often  lingered  in  sympathetic  admiration.  These  were  Robert  M'All,  his  early 
Manchester  friend,  whose  angetie  utterances  haunted  his  ear ;  and  James  Parsons, 
who,  next  to  Chahners,  he  used  to  say,  was  the  most  overwhelming,  impressive 
preacher  be  ever  heard  Himself,  by  instinct  and  training,  a  |)Teacher,  ne  was 
emulous  and  receptive  of  all  such  great  instances  of  supreme  pulpit  power.  It  was 
an  advantage  to  him,  also,  that  when  he  came  to  this  congregation  he  was  for  a 
time  colleague  of  a  man  of  genuine  oratorical  reOnement — the  venerable  Dr.  Jack, 
who  attained  his  fifty-fifth  year  as  minister  of  the  gospel.  It  was  a  perilous  experi- 
ence for  one  so  young  and  inexperienced  to  have  his  labours  cast  in  so  trying  and 


358  THE  LATE  DB.  WILUAM  M*KKEBO-ff.        '^'''i'^tlai''* 

cbaogefnl  &  field  u  Manchester  wm,  and  stiU  is,  to  &  PreBbyteiuD  minister.  But 
God  had  fitted  him,  bj  Bis  gifM  and  grace,  for  the  vMk;  and  as  the  irork  greir, 
the  workman  gtew  with  it  and  bj  means  of  it. 

Ereiy  remarkable  man,  whatever  be  the  quantity  or  qnaUtj  of  his  power,  hu 
alwaye  Rome  specie  mould  or  department  that  shapes  and  exerciaee  him.  Some 
men  there  are  marked  aa  poete,  or  thinkers,  or  inveetigatora.  Oar  friend  vu 
specificallj'  a  txim  otator,  and  that  of  a  high  order ;  and  wliateyer  he  was,  di 
acquired,  fell  natorally  into  that  determining  groove. 

He  started  on  bis  career,  and  retained  marrellouBly  to  the  end  of  it,  what  ta  an 
immense  help  to  public  powerful  speaking, — a  strong  elastic  body,  fall  of  Tivid 
gesture,  and  a  keen,  danntlew  conntenanee.  In  vain  is  it  to  have  a  74-ponnder  of 
a  gnn,  if  it  is  not  lajd  od  a  gun-carriage  that  will  keep  firm  in  its  place  when  the 
beul,  heavy  and  hot,  is  careering  on  ite  way  to  hit  an  object  it  may  be  miles  dis- 
tant.   But  it  is  the  mind  that  is  itself  the  real  arm  of  predsion  and  power. 

There  was,  therefore,  given  dao  fat  a  fitting  intellect«al  faculty,  closely  weMed 
with  emotional  euie^libilitiee,  keenness  of  perception  and  width  of  judgment  to 
see  clearlv  and  to  see  a  great  deal ;  fire  of  pagaion  to  kindle  into  a  blaze,  cheering, 
or  it  might  be  consaming ;  and  force  of  will,  indoniitable  conrage  and  peraistencem 
saying  what  he  sees, — afoicethatseeeno,  or  few,  difficulties,  and  if  he  seee  them  freli 
them  only  as  things  to  be  overcome  and  to  be  pat  aside  in  order  to  reach  the  resolved 
purpose.  And  when  yon  add  to  tiiese  a  power  of  eipression  exactly  fitted  to  thii 
nature,  both  intellectual  and  emotionM;    speech,   m   utterance   rapid,   raiyini, 


rhythmical,  modulating  the  siiadea  and  the  lights  of  tJie  thought  landscape 
speech,  in  style  simple  and  direct  in  statement,  elastic  in  development  oi  ue 
theme,  now  edged  with  irony,  or  oiled  with  Kumonr,  or  driven  home  hy  pssajoo, 
or  lit  np  by  fi^re :  when  you  add  these,  and  get  them  as  we  all  have  oftoi  got 
them  from  our  friend  and  father  at  their  best,  you  liavc  got  the  gennine  onbinnl 
on— the  speaker  born  and  made.  These  dentents  make  the  orator.  Gin  Um 
what  subject  yon  will,  be  it  a  political  measnre,  a  passionate .  appeal  to  heart  ud 
conscience,  or  even  a  scientific  aemonstratiou,  the  genuine  orator  will  be  reqiloi- 
dent  in  the  one,  and  will  make  the  other  resplendent.  But  higher  and  more  sabtls 
and  spiritual  elements  go  to  make  the  orator  who  is  also  a  preacher.  With  tii« 
elevation  of  elements  merely  intellectual  there  must  be  a  kindled,  purified  monl 
nature,  and  above  all,  an  immediate  inspiration  —  the  breath  within  his  onQ 
sacred  and  sanctified  soul  of  divine  redeeming  truth,  whether  in  its  majesty  or 
tenderness — whether  to  exalt  Qod  in  Bis  holy  love  in  Christ,  (v  to  draw  and  mould 
men  by  its  transcendent  power  and  pressure.  Then  in  preaching  the  living  spirit 
of  the  preacher  working  fitly  and  joyfuUy  with  the  living  Sjuritof  God,  and  obeo 
a  man  among  bis  fellows  realizing  that  preaching  is  not  mere  oratory,  bnt  the 
highest  of  all  spiritual  acts,  throiTB  himself  far  within  upon  God  in  a  hidden 
wrestling  of  prayer,  while  he  throws  himself  far  out  in  an  open  hand  to  bsm), 
heart  with  heart  wrestling  with  men,  sympatbizinK  with  them  alike  in  tbeii 
most  pathetic  needs  in  sin  and  sorrow,  and  with  their  high  yearnings  for  and 
breaking  up  within  of  an  immortal  divine  life,  then  you  can  see  that  of  all'  tltings 
ont  of  heaven  this  is  an  act  the  most  exalted  in  its  nature,  the  most  exhanstlw  in 
its  fruits.     Much  of  this  moral  and  spiritual  quahty  gave  time  after  time  its  nre 


and  most  blessed  character  to  your  minister's  fifty  years'  work.  Open  t 
pressiooB  in  the  many-sided  life  around  him,  open  to  all  human  interei 
wanting  in  individuu  accent  of  connctjon  and  character,  men  in  this  and  other 


congregations  often  felt,  and  felt  it  the  longer  he  preached,  the  directnett,  the 
pathos,  the  power,  tbe  gleam  of  nobler  impulse  caught  from  the  throne,  the  cross, 
the  heaven  whose  visions  of  mercy  and  glory  made  themselves  audible  in  hia 
trembling  accents,  or  again  in  his  mshing  and  rousing  tones. 

It  is  not  to  be  wondered,  therefore,  that  since  hia  coming  to  Manchester,  and  all 
along  to  his  latest  honr.  Dr.  M'Eerrow  has  been  a  preacher  of  name  and  mark.  It 
has  been  the  felicity  of  lius  oongregation,  also,  that  their  old  minister 

'Hot  ever  ohanged  dot  soiight  to  change  his  plac«,' 

bnt,  like  the  Brook,  felt  and  said, 

D.n.iized  by  Google 


THE  LATE  DB.  WILLIAM  H'KEEBOW. 


miu  oB  his  ooune  was  gracioiiBl?  bleeeed  of  God,  BO  aito  was  the  dose  i  tot,  not 
wiiitiDg  to  die  ia  haroeeB,  after  having  done  hia  stroke  of  full  work  nobly,  he  wisely 
withdrew,  and  jou  wisely  seconded  his  honourable  withdrawal.  And  now  he  iR 
away,  you  rejoice  in  a  man,  his  successor,  your  miniater,  beloved  by  him.  and  by  all 
S3  he  well  deserres  to  be,  and  whose  industry  and  gif  Ea  have  raised  this  congrega- 
tion, to  the  joy  of  all  and  his  awn  good  credit,  to  a  prosperity  worthy  of  its  brat 
dajB.  Nor  ahould  it  be  withheld,  in  order  to  encourage  his  h^rt  ready  to  faint  on 
aucti  a  day  as  this,  and  to  show  the  generous  disintercetedneBS  of  bim  who  is  taken 
away  from  his  side,  that  Dr.  M'Kemiw  used  to  say  that  bis  colleague  (the  fiev. 
William  Rigby  Uurray)  had  done  a  work  among  you  that  he  bad  beoome  onable 

Leaving,  then,  this  innermost  dicle  of  work,  which,  after  alt,  is  the  throne  and 
fortress  of  a  minister, — his  church  pulpit,  with  its  widening  influeooe  in  the  homee 
of  the  people,  in  their  festivals  and  funerals,  their  welcome  of  young  lives  and 
dieic  farewells  to  the  dead, — we  would  pass  into  the  next  concentric  circle  of  his 
influence.  Dr.  M'Kerrow  has  always  kept  true  to  his  denomination.  By  choioe 
of  judgment,  as  well  as  promptiDg  of  affection,  he  has  held  fast  the  greet  govern- 
ing principles  of  her  truth  and  polity.  And  years  have  proved  ancT  are  proving  . 
that  be  was  light;  for  Engliah  Churchn  are  coming  back  to  what  is  in  essence,  if 
not  in  name,  ^esbyteriauism, — to  some  ecdesisstical  framework  where,  as  in  all 
high  and  healthy  organisms,  the  individual  is  alike  ruler  and  ruled, — giving  itself 
to  the  whole,  arul  receiving  from  the  whole  in  turn,  is  alternately  independ^t  and 
individual,  and  again  ia  yoked  to  the  service  of  alL  It  was  therefore  a  fitting 
sequel  to  this  jubilee  season,  when,  in  tbe  Synod  of  the  new  Presbyterian  ChurcB 
of  England,  he  took  hia  place  at  the  head  of  a  band  of  united  brethren,  who  alike 
remembered  his  long  services  and  revered  his  honoured  character. 

But  feft  men  have  more  overflowed  into  the  whole  Church  of  Christ.  How 
many  congregatioQB  of  all  denominations  baa  he  not  addreaaed,  and  none  that  did 
not  love  to  linger  on  the  words  of  the  old  man  eh)qiient,  whom  their  fathers  and 
mothers  admiivd  in  his  fervid  and  stirring  frame !  Change  of  ecoIeBiaatioal  climate 
and  scene  refresh  alike  the  eye  and  the  heart,  and  none  was  more  familiar 
with  or  more  rejoiced  in  these  wholesome  divergences  than  Dr.  U'Serrow. 

And  now  we  reach  tbe  outermost  circle.  1  need  oidy  remind  you  how  much  he 
cared  for  the  Republic,— never  despaired  of  it,  but  apent  himself  unwearied  and 
ungrudging  in  tbe  service  of  the  commonwealth.  Endued  with  dauntless  courage, 
and  bringing  with  him  to  England  the  traditions  of  freedom,  civil  and  ecoleai- 
BBtioal,  in  Scotland,  and  many  a  struggle  for  it,  he  never  loved  a  cause  Ua — 
perhaps  rather  more — because  it  was  the  weaker,  aud  only  left  a  course  when  victory 
alighted  on  its  standards,  to  toil  again  in  forwarding  tbe  soie  though  slow  and 
often-retaided  victory  of  some  other  hard-fighting  regiment  of  soldiers  for  public 
freedom  and  national  progress.  Too  well  asaiired  of  the  reason  and  the  right  of 
the  canse  for  which  be  pled,  he  cotdd  afford  to  wait  tb&  tardy  growth  of  public 
ojrinion;  and  knowing  wdl  that  men  often  shout  applause  only  when  the  harvest 
is  won,  he  could  bear  to  go  forth  Bowing  precious  ae^  during  the  winter  of  their 
discontent,  to  wat^  its  growth  under  the  sleety  chill  of  their  tannta,  and  to  kaow 
it  could  prosper  amidst  their  alternate  smiles  and  frowns,  sunshine  and  cloud, — 
sure  signs  that  the  good  cause  is  rising  into  midsummer,  and  will  soon  ripen  into 
full  autumn.  So  he  did  his  work  well  in  behalf  of  all  freedoms, — free  religion, 
free  food,  freed  slaves,  free  edncation, — knowing  that  when  they  were  tree  they 
would  grow  up  into  their  native  unchecked  fulneas  and  fruit,  and  wisdom  would 
be  justified  of  her  children.  And  now  he  is  gone,  Manchester  feels  and  says  that 
the  young  stripling  of  a  KUmamook  Secession  probationer,  her  own  veteran 
citizen,  has  done  her  and  the  country  yeoman  service,  and  knows  that  in  other 
years  his  name  shall  have  its  remembrance  when  those  of  Cobden  and  Bright  rise 
to  bar  lips.  For  it  is  indeed  to  his  credit  that  of  the  first  seven  who  formed  the  cele- 
brated Anti-Cora  Law  League,  five,  or  if  I  mistake  not  six,  were  members  of  hia 
congregation, — men  theme^vee  of  keen  intelligence  and  libeial  spirit,  but  men  also 


860  ,  THE  LATE  DE.  WILLIAM  M'KEEBOW.        '""!ill.^^l»^ 

whoae  BympAtlij  he  folly  abared  and  greattj  intenBified.  A  cniions  but  most 
iDStnictive  aarrej  might  be  made  of  the  progresg  of  Hanchester  and  of  EngliBh 
opinion  since  the  day  of  his  coming  here  to  the  present  In  the  very  we^  of 
1827  before  that  in  which  he  was  oraained,  Oeorge  Cuining  died,  and  one  of  Uu 
last  caoaea  he  forwaiiied  was  the  liberation  of  Greece  from  Turkiah  oppreKtoo; 
aod  it  is  not  many  weeks  since  an  orator  and  a  statesman  e^edally  great— titi 
old  friend  John  Bright — pled  a  like  cause  in  yonr  hearing. 

Nor,  in  the  midat  of  all  these  pnblic  efforta,  waa  Dr.  M'Kerrow  erer  leaa  tiun  tin 
minister  of  the  gospel ;  and  by  these  efforts  he  has  done  mnah  to  save  llut 
ministry  from  b^g  confounded  with  nairowness  and  effeminacy,  with  a  bigoted 
orthodoxy  (v  a  morbid  spiritnslity.  He  has  made  the  worid  feel  far  and  wide 
that  the  gospel  whit^  frees  men  from  the  deepest  and  worst  of  evils,  never  \ocAt 
BO  noUe  and  attroctiTe,  as  when  ber  children — Liberty,  CivilisalJoii,  Commerce, 
Learning,  Art— apeak  for  her,  full-banded,  with  the  enemy  in  the  gates ;  rise  up 
and  call  ber  blened. 

Such,  then,  in  Tsrying  measure  and  snccees,  has  been  the  coarse  of  thoae  fiftf 
years.  And  the  very  efforts  for  others  have  reacted  most  favourably  on  the  mui 
who  was  engaged  on  them.  They  have  blemed  him  that  gave,  aa  all  charity  doH 
For  in  the  nigh  aervicea  of  the  polpit, — iu  pitiful  sympathies  with  the  guilty,  tbe 
anxious,  the  broken-hearted,  the  dying,  the  bereaved ;  in  the  kindly  passings  fiDn 
bouse  to  house  among  the  people ;  in  the  perplexing,  bat  idiarpenmg  and  self- 
enltoring  details  of  seatdon,  oommjttee,  and  presbytery ;  amidst  the  stormy  defuti 
and  victories  of  great  public  movements, — a  man,  while  influencing  others,  receiTd 
immense  influence  on  himself,  and  at  the  close  of  anch  varied  and  stem  scliooliii; 
comee  out  richer  in  wisdom,  weightier  in  character — in  one  word,  a  man  of  tvin 
or  three  times  more  pow^  than  the  man  he  went  in. 

Let  me  jnst  touch,  and  no  more  than  touch,  another  sphere  where  a  man's  tietrt 
is  fed,  while  it  feeds  others.  The  busy  man  and  minister  bad  always  a  veil' 
conditioned,  a  sweet-breathing  home,  to  which  he  could  at  all  times  retreat  ailer 
toU,  and  weariness,  and  disappointment.  I  need  not  tell  some  of  yon  what  a  «ife 
Qod  gave  him,  and,  alaal  took  away, — a  wife  in  whom  her  husband  could  lalelf 
trust ;  in  whose  tongae  was  tbe  law  of  kindness ;  who  looked  well  to  the  wajs  li 
her  honsebold.  Enough  I  She  passed  in  a  moment,  fifteen  years  ago,  out  of  the 
house  ^e  made  a  home  indeed,  to  another  home.  And  the  old  home  ceased  to  be; 
and  he  lived  as  one  looking  for  something  he  bad  tost.  But  children  wereEtiH 
left,  who  in  various  important  apherea — in  Church,  commerce,  and  home — stiltn" 
op  to  call  her  blessed,  and  who  are  perhaps  tbe  beet  proof  of  how  conarieit, 
how  genuinely  and  persuasively  Christian,  his  influence  must  have  been  inasften 
where  influence  is  most  closely  and  severely  tested,  and,  as  in  this  case,  wben 
gennine,  is  moat  surely  and  richly  blessed.  It  was  in  this  home,  latterly  removed 
to  the  near  distance  of  Bowdon,  ao  girdled  ronnd  by  its  growing  circle  of  other 
homes,  and  so  blessed  in  itself  to  bim  through  the  daughters  whose  unwearied 
filial  piety  was  most  soothing  to  himself  and  most  b^otifnl  to  all, .  that  be 
retreated  after  life's  long,  laborious  day.  God  gave  him  what  Chalmers  craved 
much  to  have  and  never  received, — a  Sabbath  decade  of  years  after  tbe 
weary  work  of  the  other  six.  There,  in  its  quiet  air,  he  grew  more  familiar  with 
tbe  longed-for  presence  of  his  God  and  Savionr,  and  loved  to  ponder  on  all  the 
way  by  which  he  had  hem  led  and  fed.  Often,  as  he  mnsed,  these  lines  rose  from 
his  heart  to  his  lips : 

'  Bo  long  Thy  power  hs^fh  kept  me :  sure  it  atill 
frfll  lE»d  me  on 
O'er  moor  and  fen,  o'er  lock  mnd  torrent,  till 
The  Il%hc  is  gone; 
^  And  with  the  mora,  those  angel  fsoss  smile. 

Which  1  have  loved  long  siuca  and  lost  awblle.' 

The  eye  that  bravely  met  nig^t  after  night  the  tumultaone  public  meeting. 
tamed  in  deepening  tendemeaa  to  fill  itself  with  t^  calm  scenes  of  nature  spreaJ 
around  his  home.  Nowhere  and  never  did  I  see  him  to  better  ulvautage  than  a 
few  months  ago.  We  drove  together  tA  the  quaint  ancient  (dkorchyutfof  Roe- 
theme,  and  hu  heart  recalled  u^orgotten  snatches  of  poetry,  learned  when  a  lad, 


"""J^'/m!'^'       THE  LATE  DR.  WILLIAM  M'KBHROW.  361 

rinple  enongli  in  thenuselves  in  their  pathoe  and  uktidpatiouB,  bnt  when  lepeated 
bf  him,  u  you  well  know  how  he  ootM  repeat  tfaem,  <^arged  with  a  meaning  and 
music  which  onlj  the  loag  and  deep-felt  experience  of  life  could  give.  In  these 
hislatMt  yeaiH  he  accepted  meekljr  what  another,  Hemy  Hallam,  calls  'the  wam- 
inga  to  hind  his  ihearee  while  he  might — bis  own  adrsncing  years,  and  the 
gathering  in  the  heavens.'  '  So  he  ripened  and  sweetened  to  the  last;  was  foil  of 
fresh  jouth  and  Tigorons  manhood  as  the  autumnal  tints  deepened  on  him,  and 
the  marks  of  an  old  age,  that  ool^  strengthened  the  higher  powers  of  his  mind  and 
mellowed  the  holier  graces  of  his  heart,  crept  elawlr  over  limbs  and  breatliing. 
Hie  Giod  gave  him  the  rare  gift  of  a  fully  roaoded  life,  with  ita  three  divisioiiB  ul 
unbroken,  and  sweeping  bravely  and  sweetly  ita  perfect  round.  Heat  of  t«mper, 
now  and  again  of  old  flashing  out,  was  well-nigh  gone ;  notliing  left  but  the  lat«r 
glow  of  kindly  animaljon.  Aaaertion  of  opinion,  which  many  a  conflict  had 
Btsrpened,  was  blunted,  while  his  calm,  assured  couvictions  never  flinched ;  and 
the  spirit  that  had  dealt  much  and  keenly  with  questions  and  details  of  the  world, 
seemed  to  free  itself  of  all  such  bo  far  as  they  engrossed  and  hindered  the  foil  and 
ready  flow  of  his  spirit  to  the  great  invisible  realities — to  the  noble  serenities  and 
lofty  securitiea  of  the  love  of  God  and  of  Christ. 

let  his  retreat  never  made  bim  sloggisb  in  spirit  or  torpid  in  energy.  The  near 
noise  of  his  beloved  Manchester  stirri^  while  it  stilled  bis  thoughts.  He  came 
forth  ever  and  ^ain  to  the  school  board  and  other  gatherings  with  a  more 
tempered  word  and  a  weightier  judgment.  He  felt  that  the  animosities  are  mortaj, 
the  humauitdea  abide.  He  went  from  pulpit  to  pulpit, — and  especially  to  this, 
than  which  none  was  ever  dearer  to  him, — and  all  felt  that  while  he  preached  as 
well,  indeed  better,  than  aforetime,  the  preacher  himself,  rich  with  the  memories 
of  men's  fathers  and  mothers,  and  with  the  gathering  gleams  of  another  world, 
was  himself  the  most  affecting  appeal,  and  the  most  powerful  evidence  of  things 
divine  and  eternal 

Then  came  the  jubOee  day.  I  never  quite  learned  the  reality  and  the  secret  of 
his  power  in  Mancaester,  till,  amidst  some  of  her  best  citizens  who  came  to  do  him 
hoDonr,  he  marked  out  with  masterly  hand  the  great  lines  of  his  public  action,  and 
looked  a  leader  among  leaders  of  men.  And  the  scene  in  this  church  I  shall  never 
forget,  when  the  pastor,  father,  and  friend  shone  amid  tears  and  smiles  and 
Qnspeskable  memories  and  hopes.  But,  best  of  all,  be  went  home,  there  delighted 
to  listen  in  humble  and  yearnino;  anticipation  tor  that  great  jubilee  voice  he  has 
now  heard,  '  Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant,' — that  voice  of  which  all  others 
he  knew  were  but  the  faint  echoes, — that  voice  that  has  at  last  called  him  to  a  joy, 
earth  which  had  given  him  so  mu(^  bad  never  yielded. 

It  was  well  ordered,  also,  that  his  last  public  sermon  should  be  as  retiring 
Moderator  of  the  English  I^esbyterian  Church.  The  sermon  he  then  preached 
appeared  on  the  day  on  which  he  took  his  last  illness.  It  is  himself  all  over — in 
turn  of  phrase,  in  onward  elasticity  of  rhythm,  in  unconquerable  battle  for  highest 
truth,  human  and  divine;  above  all — ^which  is  the  more  remarkable  in  a  man  of 
his  years — in  fresh,  thorough  understanding  of  speculative  and  scientific  doubt  or 
denial  in  its  latest  phase.  It  was  indeed  his  last— I  had  almost  said  dying— testi- 
mony to  the  truth  that  was  the  strength  and  the  work  of  his  life,  and  which  even 
in  his  very  lat«st  hours,  when  reason  and  heart  let  go  all  other  things,  was  the 
burden  of  his  long  and  pathetic  prayers  and  preaching  in  his  dreams  of  death. 

My  desr  hiend  his  beloved  successor  will  tell  you  more  about  his  last  hours. 
Enough,  that  we  knew  his  long  life.  Who  did  not  feel,  when  the  sudden  message 
took  him  out  of  our  sight,  the  heart  going  up  with  him  in  the  cry,  '  Our  fathw, 
our  father,  the  chariot  i3  Israel,  and  the  horsemen  thereof?'  And  as  the  coffin  that 
held  aU  that  was  mori&l  of  him  yesterday  slowly  and  as  if  reluctantly  moved  away 
from  under  the  pnlpit  where  he,  living,  served  bis  Master,  and  amidst  tears  and 
prayers  was  laid  beside  the  dust  of  her  he  best  loved  on  earth,  did  there  not  rise 
up  in  every  heart  a  human  pathos  and  a  divine  joy  that  made  one,  in  strange, 
uuntterable  experience,  this  fife  and  that  which  is  to  come? 

And  now  may  God  help  each  of  us  to  do  the  work  He  appoints,  so  that  whether 
l&t«  or  early,  lonely  or  among  others,  we,  receiving  here  the  peace  of  God  through 
Jesns  Christ,  shall  oiter  into  His  pteeratce  and  abide  in  His  joy  erermore.    • 


TUS  LATE  QEOBOE  HOOBE. 


THE  LATE  GEORGE  MOOBE.* 

Mr.  Sjules  showed  his  wiacloin,  whea,  erea  among  some  miagiTiiiRs,  heiodgedit 
well  that  the  hfe  of  George  Uoore  should  be  wiitten.  One  who  knew  Mr.  Uook 
said  that  there  could  be  nothuig  worth  telling  about  the  life  of  a  London  'wiie- 
hoaseman.  Thia  person  had  forgotten  that  even  a  Loudon  warehouseman  miut  be 
a  man.  Ferhspa  the  individual  has  never  Uved,  whose  life,  in  the  hands  of  a  filtiiig 
biographer,  would  not  have  been  worth  writing.  Even  a  Terr  sterile  piece  A 
country  has  pointa  of  interest  of  its  own,  and  when  the  radiance  of  a  Hummer  Ban- 
rise  aheds  its  glories  over  it,  it  may  be  worth  the  study  of  the  most  esthetic  eje. 
But  Mr.  Moore's  life  was  rich  in  interest ;  and  his  biographer,  as  all  men  know, 
works  with  no  'prentice  hand,  but  with  dlscemiDg  ^e  and  skilful  touch  SMS  mA 
preseuta  his  subject  in  an  exceedin^j  atiractive  aod  interesting  way. 

Mr.  Moore's  early  surroundings  were  at  once  homely  and  picturesque.  Eia 
father  and  father's  father  had  been  what  were  called  '  statesmen '  for  genentiom 
Thb  is  a  class  of  men  wbo  farm  their  own  fields.  Mr.  Smiles  gives  an  aciMiut  of  t 
moat  stirring  kind  of  the  way  of  life  o(  these  bypaat  generations,  when  might  wu 
right,  and  law  was  embodied  in  the  pithy  summary,  '  Let  him  take  who  has  tbe 

Swer,  and  let  him  keep  who  con.'  This  opening  chapter  leads,  as  tbe  sajing  is, 
e  a  novel,  but  let  us  be  thankful  that  we  live  in  better  regulated  times.  And 
yet  there  are  some  things  that  we  might  do  well  to  go  back  to.  The  stf ength  sod 
physical  development  ^  these  '  statesmen '  were  worth  a  great  deal.  Did  tk 
strongest  only  arrive  at  mature  years  ?  or  did  the  habit  of  early  rieing,  and  tke  por- 
ridge, and  oat  oakes,  and  milk,  and  bacon  do  for  them  what  late  houis  and  mora 
artificial  diet  fail  to  do  for  their  suocessore? 

George  Uo^  was  the  second  eon  of  the  family,  and  was  bom  at  Healsgate,  in 
Cumberland,  on  tbe  9th of  Aprill^fi.  His  mother  died  when  he  wassiEyssisald. 
The  circumstances  of  that  sad  bereavement  remained  with  him  as  a  dark  mesjoif 
till  his  latest  day.  His  father  married  again,  and  although  his  stepmother  «s 
always  kind  to  him,  she  does  not  oj^ear  to  Have  had  a  happy  influeooe  on  the  fsmilj- 
Fortunately  George  bad  a  great  capacity  for  all  kinds  of  robust  out-of-door  en- 
joyments that  turned  up,  and  this  must  have  been  the  saving  of  him  in  his  eailj 
years,  ao,  deprived  of  his  mother,  and  under  tbe  core  of  a  coarse,  cmel,  and 
drunken  teacher,  his  chances  of  happiness  otherwise  were  small  indeed,  ss  aho 
were  his  chances  of  education,  wbica  was  of  the  most  neagre  kind,  and  it  «■ 
only  when  he  was  twelve  years  old  that  he  was  sent  to  a  school  where,  thanks  tot 
teacher  of  «  different  kind,  he  found  out  somethii^  of  what  education  meant,  bat 
this  school  he  had  to  leave  at  the  end  of  the  first  quarter; 

At  thirteen  Georee  resolved  to  begin  life  on  his  own  aocomit.  His  father  wa 
very  averse  to  this,\ut  his  mind  was  made  up,  and  as  a  draper  at  Wigton  of  the 
name  of  Messenger  took  quite  a  fancy  to  hiio,  be  was  bovnd  appreuCke  to  tJui 
trade  for  four  years.  Most  people,  in  looking  over  their  lives,  can  see  instaoceaof 
specisi  providential  interpositions.  This  seems  to  me  to  have  been  pecaliail;  ^^ 
in  the  case  of  George  Moore.    When  he  went  to  Wigton  he  was  placed  in  'eij 

Eeriloiis  drcumstances.  It  was  arranged  that  he  was  to  sleep  in  hia  master's  boose, 
ut  to  get  his  meals  at «  Dcigbbouring  public-bouse.  Here  be  met  with  dangerous 
company,  and  found  himself  in  a  iaii  way  to  become  as  bad  as  they  were.  Bnt 
tbe  watchful  eye  of  his  heavenly  Father  was,  untbought  ot  by  him,  upon  him, 
and  bis  extremity  was  God's  opporbuiity.  He  gives  the  folkiwingaocount  of  him- 
self at  this  period.- — 

'  My  ^prentjceship  will  not  bear  reflectioD.  My  master  was  more  thoughtless 
than  myself.  He  gave  way  to  drinking,  and  set  before  me  a  bad  example.  Un- 
fortunately, I  lodged  in  the  pablic-house  nearly  all  tfae  time,  sad  saw  nothing  but 
wickedness  and  drinking.  I  had  to  make  the  fire,  cleae  the  windows,  groom  mj 
master's  horse,  and  do  many  things  that  boys  from  our  ragged  schools  now-a-dap 
think  they  are  "  too  good  for."  I  should  have  been  happy  enough  but  for  the 
relentless  persecution  and  oppres^on  of  my  fellow 'apprentice,  who  was  some  yeare 
older  than  myself.  He  lost  no  opportunity  of  bemg  cruel  to  me.  He  once 
'  ntjA/eo/GtorgeMoor$.    By  Eamnel  Smiles.    London:  KoutlstlgsACo,   1878. 


XiTiMfc     ^  THE  LATE  GEORGE  MOOBE.  363 

near);  throUled  me.    H4  tried  to  damage  my  charactet  bj  sfffeodijDg  false  reports 

sboai  me,  and  telliog  untrutbB  to  my  master.    Even  now,  after  so  many  yeara 

h&re  psned,  I  can  still  feel  tlie  bnrden  under  which  my  life  groaned  from  the 

iKmai  and  mistepreaeiitatioDa  of  that  time. 
'     ier  about  two  years  this  tyraat  left,  an 

I  keep  the  boots,  serve  the  good  cuato  ,       .  ,      ■ 

's  debts,  for  by  this  time  he  had  become  very  ansteady.  The  only  marvel  was 
that  in  God's  good  pJxiTideQce  I  did  not  become  a  victin  to  drink  myself,  as  I  saw 
nothing  else  before  me.  1  slept  at  the  shop,  bnt  got  my  food  at  the  HaK-Hoon 
pnblio-boQBe.  Then  I  had  to  give  a  giaas  of  spiiiu  and  water  to  all  the  good 
CQstomers,  even  if  a  parcel  was  booght  as  small  as  a  five-shilling  waistcoat.) 

'  I  now  considered  myself  of  some  iMportance,  having  an  apprentice  under  me  1 
He  had  lota  of  pocket-money,  and  1  had  i>one.  We  therefore  played  at  cards,  and 
I  won  his  money.  I  did  it  io  fiur  play,  having  always  luck  at  cards.  This  gave 
me  a  taste  for  play.  I  kept  a  pact  at  cards  in  my  pockets  I  flayed  at  cards 
almost  every  night.  I  went  to  the  public'housea  and  played  wiui  men  for  high 
Btakes.  I  freqaently  loet  alt  that  I  had,  but  I  often  gained  a  great  deal.  1  some' 
times  played  the  whole  night  tiirongh.  Gambling  was  n)y  passion,  and  it  might 
have  heen  my  ruin.    I  was,  however,  saved  by  tbe  following  circumstance. 

'  I  liad  arraiieed  an  easy  method  for  getting  into  my  master's  house  at  night 
after  my  gamUiag  boats.  I  left  a  lower  vvindow  unfastened,  and,  by  lifting  the 
>ish  and  polling  tlte  shutters  Imck  I  climbed  in,  and  went  eijently  up  to  my  bed 
m  the  attic.  But  ny  master  having  beard  some  strange  reports  as  to  my  winnings 
aad  loeiDgs  at  owds,  and  fearing  that  it  might  at  last  end  in  some  disaster  to 
'umself,  he  datermiaed  to  pat  a  stop  to  my  gambling  pursuita.  One  night,  after  I 
had  gone  out  with  my  cards,  he  nailed  down  the  window  thrcmgh  which  I  oKnelly 
get  entrance  tp  the  honse,  and  when  I  letwrned  and  wished  to  get  in,  lo  I  the 
Tindow  was  GtbAj  dosed  gainst  nw. 

'It  was  five  o'clock  in  the  momingcf  CbristmasEve.  That  morning  proved  the 
toming-point  in  ray  life.  After  vainly  trying  to  open  the  window,  I  went  up  the 
lane  alongside  the  hoase.  About  a  hundred  yards  up,  I  climbed  to  the  ridge  of 
the  lowest  house  in  the  row.  From  thence  I  clambered  my  way  up  to  the  next 
%hest  house,  and  then  managed  to  c(»»e  akiog  the  ridges  of  the  intervening 
hooBes  nntil  I  reached  the  top  of  my  master^  dwelliitg — (he  highest  house  of  alj. 
lelid  down  the  ^tes  until  i  reached  tbe  water- spout.  I  got  hold  of  it  and  hung 
Euspended  over  the  street.  I  managed  to  get  my  feet  on  to  the  window  sill,  and 
pashed  up  the  window  with  my  left  foot  TUa  was  no  danger  or  diffioolty  to  me, 
aa  I  had  often  been  let  down  by  bigger  boys  than  myself  with  a  rope  round  my 
wmt  into  the  old  round  toner  at  Whitehall,  that  I  might  lob  (he  jackdaws  of 
their  neeta  and  eggs. 

'  I  dropped  quietly  into  my  rown  and  wait  to  bed.  Soon  after,  Meeaenger  came . 
up  to  look,  after  me,  and  found  me  apparently  asleep.  I  managed  to  keep  up 
tbe  appearance  as  long  as  he  remained  there.  I  heard  him  murmnring  and 
tbieateniDg  that  the  moment  I  got  up  he  would  tnm  me  oat  of  the  place.  This 
enly  served  to  hudeu  me.  But  in  the  moniiog  the  waits  came  round  playing  tbe 
Christmas  carols.  Strangely  better  thoughts  «ame  over  me  with  the  sweet  music 
J  awoke  to  the  senae  of  my  wroDg-doing.  I  felt  overwhelmed  with  remorse  and 
penitence.  I  thought  of  my  dear  fatJber,  aed  feared  that  I  might  break  his  heart, 
and  bring  his  grey  hairs  with  sorrow  to  the  grave. 

'I  lay  in  bed  almost  without  moving  for  twen^-fonr  beois.  No  one  came  near 
nie.  1  was  without  food  or  drink.  I  thought  of  what  I  should  do  when  I  got  up. 
If  my  master  turned  me  off,  I  would  go  straightway  to  America.  I  resolved,  in 
any  case,  to  give  np  card-playing  and  gambling,  which,  by  God's  grace,  I  ant 
ihankf  ol  to  say  f  have  firmly  carried  oat. 

'  I  got  up  next  moming,  and  the  good  woman  at  tbe  Half-Hoon  Inn,  where  I 
took  my  meals,  received  me  witii  tears,  as  my  master  had  been  telling  several 
peieona  that  he  would  turn  me  away  and  have  nothing  more  to  do  with  me. 
She  at  onc«  sent  for  two  of  my  master's  intimate  friends  to  intercede  for  me. 
They  came,  and,  after  a  good  deal  of  persuadon,  Messenger  consented  to  give  me 
another  trial.    From  this  moment  my  resolution  kept  firm  as  a  rock.    I  gave 


864  THE  IJITE  GEOBQB  MOOHE.  '     riTiSiir''' 

up  &11  card-playing  and  gambling.  I  was  very  regular  in  all  m;  habitg.  1  went 
constantlj  to  a  night  Bchool  to  improve  my  edncation,  and  I  thna  proved  to  all  the 
sincerity  of  mr  repentaucp. 

'  It  was  Tell  for  me,  and  perbapa  for  many  otheis,  tbat  all  tbis  bad  accarm!.  i 
It  haa  fwoBed  me  on  many  occasions,  ^ce  I  have  had  handreds  of  young  men  is 
my  employment,  to  forgire  irtiat  I  have  seen  wrong  in  their  conduct,  and  give 
them  another  chance.  Probably  I  might  not  have  done  this  bad  I  not  reoKm- 
bered  the  down-falling  conne  that  I  had  entered  on  dnring  my  appreaticediip  at 
Wigton.' 

After  thia  the  tide  turned  with  George  Moore,  and  1y  and  by  be  became  the 
right  band  and  mainstay  at  his  master'ii  bosineM.  Meaeenger  himself,  nnlibe 
George,  never  drew  himself  up,  and  latterly,  when  reduced  to  positive  want,  be 
was  befriended,  helped,  and  indeed  supported  by  his  old  apprentice.  The  end 
fellow -apprentice,  too,  bad  coals  of  fire  heaped  upon  bis  bead  in  after  days,  s> 
George  Moore  was  able  to  be  of  signal  service  to  him.  Shortly  after  his  apprentioS' 
^p  was  finished  George  resolved  to  go  to  London.  His  father,  who  seems  nottt 
have  had  the  adventurous  turn  of  the  son,  was  much  againat  this  step,  bntn 
overruled;  andso,  at  the  age  of  nineteen,  hestepped,ai-med  to  the  teeth  with  health 
and  hope  and  resointion,  bat  otherwise  very  indiffereutiy  equipped,  on  the  great 
arena  of  London  life. 

It  is  said  there  is  no  solitude  like  solitude  in  the  midst  of  a  crowd,  and  George 
Moore  was  not  the  first  whose  heart  has  failed,  and  who  has  almost  given  up  in  de- 
spair trying  to  find  an  opening.  After  many  fruitlesB  endeavours,  he  turned  hiamind 
to  America,  linking  that  if  there  wae  no  need  for  him  in  the  Old  World  there  might 
be  in  the  New.  However,  on  going  to  arrange  about  his  passage,  a  yonng  tMn 
in  the  office  told  him  of  a  Mr,  Bay,  belonging  to  Cumberland,  who  had  been  b- 
qniring  for  him  with  the  view  of  helping  bim.  The  end  of  this  was  tliat  he  vat 
engaged  for  the  warehouse  of  Flint,  Bay,  &  Go.,  at  the  modest  salary  of  £30  a  jcsr. 
He  had  now  to  leave  the  house  of  a  pleasant  motherly  woman  with  whom  he  had 
been  lodging,  and  whose  kindness  to  him  not  only  cheered  him  at  the  time,  but  did  lum 
this  great  service,  that  it  gave  him  '  a  lasting  belief  in  the  goodness  of  woman.'  He 
bad  to  get  himself  and  his  chattels  (consisting  of  a  hair  trank  which  had  been  be- 
queathed  to  him,  aloqg  with  tlie  sum  of  £100,  by  bis  godfather)  transferred  to  tut 
new  abode.  For  this  purpose  be  engaged  the  services  of  a  man  with  a  pony  Mrt. 
but  as  they  jogged  along,  lol  at  a  turn  of  the  street,  cart,  pony,  man,  tnuii,<i><i 
alt  disappeared  I  In  his  dimnay  the  poor  lad  thought  this  an  intended  trick,  vA 
after  suffering  agonies  of  apprehenrion  for  two  hours,  was  only  relieved  by  tie  le- 
appearance  (h  the  cavakaide,  which,  as  it  turned  ont,  had  gone  amisaing  ((^ 
innocently.  George,  delighted  at  recovering  his  posseerions,  offered  the  man  tU 
the  money  in  bis  pocket ;  out  he,  being  an  honest  man,  refused  this,  and  whoi !» 
had  finished  his  job  would  take  only  what  was  first  bargained  for.  And  so  tlua 
honest  costermonger  gave  George  Moore  another  pleasant  and  reassuring  gliiopij 
into  bnman  nature.  He  had  scarcely  recovered  from  his  excitement  when  beenterw 
the  warehouse.  One  who  observed  him  at  this  moment  gives  this  ptctnre  of  bin: 
'  On  accidentally  looking  over  to  the  haberdashery  counter,  I  saw  an  uncoalli 
thick-set  country  lad  standing  crying.  In  a  minate  or  two,  a  large  deal  cbeet~ 
such  as  the  Scotch  servant  lasses  use  for  their  clothes — was  brought  in  by  a  nan 
and  set  down  on  the  floor.  After  the  lad  had  dried  up  his  tears,  the  boi  *» 
carried  np-stairs  to  the  bedroom  where  he  was  to  sleep.  After  he  had  oome  down- 
stairs he  began  working,  and  he  continaed  to  be  (Jie  hardest  worker  in  the  honsa 
until  be  left.  Such  was  the  veritable  dibut  ol  George  Moore  in  London.  Had 
you  seen  him  then,  you  would  have  said  that  4e  was  the  moat  unlikely  lad  m 
England  to  have  made  the  great  futore  that  he  did.' 

But  to  be  a  true  prophet,  yon  must  not  only  '  see '  a  person,  but  you  most  ee« 
into  him  ;  and  had  any  one  bad  this  inner  sight  he  would  have  thought  difierentlj' 
Had  he  seen  the  power  of  keen  observation  ponessed  by  this  young  mtm,  the  ec^ 
of  difficulties,  the  capacity  for  hard  work,  the  atem  determination,  even  the  dogged 
resolution  to  do  or  die,  he  would  have  thought  him  the  very  man  to  make  bis  vsy 
Of  this  he  afterwards  said  himself,  '  Let  no  one  rely  in  such  caaee  on  what  n 
termed  luck.    Depend  upon  it,  that  the  ouly  luck  is  merit,  and  that  no  young  nian 


(r^_rj*^M«0  THE  LATE  GEORGE  MOORE.  365 

vill  make  his  way  Qnlns  he  poawiisee  knowledge,  &ad  ozerta  &11  his  powers  in  the 
iumiiiipliBhaient  of  hia  objects.' 

After  George  Moore  hwl  been  some  time  in  the  retail  house  he  entered  on  his 
amral  in  London,  he  loft  it  for  s  sitnation  in  a  whoUssle  busineBS,  in  which,  after 
^  good  deal  of  the  coniitiy  rust  had  been  mbbed  off,  and  the  more  valuable  qnali- 
tits  heneath  bad  appeared,  he  was  counted  fit  for  the  position  of  traveller.  Hia 
lite  as  a  traveller  give«,  it  cannot  be  denied,  painfal  glimpses  into  the  commerdal 
life  of  the  ooontrj-.  It  does  not  aeem  elevated  a  great  man;  degrees  above  the 
asceremooioDB  habits  of  the  Cumberland  rievers;  for  though  the  mstminentality  bf 
which  the;  gained  their  ends  was  different,  the  principles  which  animated  them 
were  the  um&.  And  if  you  saw  a  commeroial  traveller  entering  a  town  a  day 
befora  he  knew  a  rival  in  the  trade  was  to  be  there,  and  dexterously  gathering 
up  all  the  orders  for  himself,  leaving  nothing  but  disappointment  and  vexation  to 
tha  other,  you  wonld  not  think  him  very  much  in  advance  of  Harry-o'-the-Wynd 
and  his  contemporaries.  However,  George  Moore  used  other  weapons.  Hia 
kmdlioesB  and  good  temper,  his  shrewd  insight  into  human  nature,  and  his  ready 
and  not  over-scmpnlons  adaptability  to  its  weaknesses,  gained  him  friends  and 
costomeiB  everywhere,  while  his  int«use  and  untiring  applmation  to  business  (for 
at  this  lime  port  of  the  sacred  day  even  was  devoted  to  work),  and,  above  all,  hie 
determination  not  to  be  beat,  made  success  certain,  and  gained  him  the  name  of 
the  Napoleon  of  Watling  Street. 

Othera  in  the  same  trade  saw  the  stuff  Hoore  was  made  of,  and  a  Mr.  Orouoock, 
Kongthathe  could  not  contend  against  him,  took  him  into  parbierahip,  and  Moore 
began  business  on  hia  own  account  as  partner  in  the  firm  of  Grotccock,  Copestake, 
&  Moore,  lace  merchants.  Of  course  hia  xeal  did  not  relax,  and  one  wonders  how, 
vrith  such  overweening  interest  in  business,  and  incessant  application  to  it,  his 
lieart  did  not  get  hard,  and  hia  whole  nature  contract  and  shrivel  up.  But  eren  in 
ilie  midst  of  this  so  eager  pursuit  of  the  world,  a  golden  thread  ran  through  the 
OQsrse  web,  and  a  softening,  elevating,  and  purifying  influence  was  at  work.  It 
bppened  that  when  he  was  in  the  employment  of  Flint,  Ray,  &  Co.,  one  day  he 
^t  a  glimpse  of  a  bright  little  girl,  who  turned  out  to  be  his  maat^r's  daughter. 
He  aaid  at  the  time,  'If  ever  I  marry,  that  girl  shall  be  my  wife.'  It  seemed 
kbsnrd,  and  yet  romantic  as  it  was,  that  little  girl  did  become  hia  wife ;  and  io 
tbe  long  intOTval  that  elapsed,  the  vision  of  that  little  giri  acted  like  an  amolet  <m 
G«oi^  Moore,  and  preserved  him  amid  many  temptations. 

When  Mr.  Moore  went  into  business  tor  himself,  trade  wa<  very  dull, — indeed,  it 
wag  one  of  those  times  which  are  occurring  periodically  when  a  panic  {vevails  fmd 
&e  commercial  fonndationB  are  sb^u.  Nevertheless  the  firm  weatherM  the  stonn, 
and  by  degrees  lengthened  tbeir  cords  and  atreugtbened  their  stakes,  till  they  had 
branches  all  over  the  country,  and  even  on  the  Continent  and  in  America.  Mr. 
Hoore  had  kept  up  through  all  these  years  his  acquaintance  with  hia  early  friend 
Mr.  Ray,  and  nad  watched  with  increasing  interest  the  maturing  beauties  of  his 
Srat  love.  At  length  he  thought  the  time  had  come  to  tell  his  views.  Alas !  he 
vaa  refused,  but  be  did  not  consider  himself  defeated.  He  knew  how  to  bide  his 
time,  and,  after  thelapse  ot  five  yeav,  be  triumphed  over  all  difficulties,  succeeded 
vhere  formerly  he  had  failed  and  on  the  12tb  August  1840  be  was  married  to 
EUiaRay. 

Shtntly  after  this  he  gave  Dp,  to  a  great  extent,  travelling  for  the  firm,  and 
Engaged  himself  in  work  in  the  office.  But  this  did  not  suit  him.  Hitherto  he 
had  been  accustomed  to  air  and  eierdae,  and  an  almost  entirely  out-of-door  life,  and 


t  skilful  members  of  the  profeaaon,  who 
stud,  '  I  aee  how  it  ia.  Ton  have  got  the  city  diaease.  You  are  working  your 
brain  too  much,  and  your  body  too  little.'  '  But  what  am  I  to  do  ?'  saked  Mr. 
Moore.  '  Wdl,  111  t«ll  you.  Physic  ia  of  no  use  in  a  case  such  as  yours.  Your 
medidne  must  be  the  open  air.  You  may  spend  part  ot  your  time  in  gardening, 
or  yon  may  fiah  or  shoot  or  hunt.'  'I  cannot  garden,'  replied  the  patient;  '  I  never 
fired  a  gnu  in  my  life ;  fishing  would  drive  me  mad ;  and  I  think  I  must  take  to 
hnnting.'  '  Can  yon  ride  ?'  aaked  Mr.  lAUrence.  '  Not  much.  I  have  ridden  my 
Other's  horse  bare-backed  when  a  boy,  but  I  have  not  ridden  since.'    '  Well,'  said 


866  HOME  OIEOLE.  '    !X. l!«?* 

Mr.  Laurence,  'yoa  bfid  better  go  down  to  Brighton  and  ride  over  the  doaiu 
there ;  bat  joa  maet  take  care  not  to  break  your  neck  in  hunting.'  He  took  this 
adrice,  and  became  m  eager,  and  what  wme  may  think  HtraoKe,  a  conBuentiom 
bantamaD.  Then,  after  a  three  months'  trip  to  Ainerioa,  his  old  health  and  sjutils 
came  back,  and  he  was  able  to  return  with  renewed  Tigonr  to  busineBS. 

But  now  he  found  it  mmeceasaiy  and  undeBirable  to  devote  so  much  timi  to 
basinees,  and  so,  prompted  b;  hia  Und-heartedneaa,  he  engaged  in  varione  philvi- 
thropie  efforts.  One  of  the  first  of  these  was  becoming  the  director  of  «  Ute 
aBsnrance  soeietj,  and  insisting  on  all  over  whom  he  had  any  influenM,  to 
iiumrft  their  lire*.  Then  he  took  the  Cumberland  Benevolent  Society  by  the  hand, 
and  by  speech  and  action  sought  to  promote  its  prosperity.  In  the  course  of  a 
speech  at  a  dinner  in  connection  with  this  society,  he  told  those  he  was  sddreaEUig 
that  'the  more  they  were  btened  with  sncoeBS  in  this  world,  the  greater  wm 
their  responability.  Property  has  ita  duties  as  well  as  its  rights.  Take  from  me,' 
he  concluded,  *  one  kind  word  of  gentle  reproof — although  at  this  late  hoar  it  may 
not  be  considered  in  good  taste — that  we  have,  each  and  all  of  us,  his  da^  to 
perform  towards  our  less  fortonata  fellow -croatnree.  And  mark  my  parUDg 
admonition.  It  is  better  for  you  to  become  bankrupt  by  charitable  tnntrihuIioM 
here,  tiian  to  beoome  bankrupt  hereafter.'  Schools  to  receive  and  educate  the 
orplun  children  of  oommercial  travellen  next  engaged  his  attention.  He  giT« 
liberally  to  this  cause  himself,  and  pled  for  it  with  otjiers  with  an  energy  not  lo 
be  resisted,  and  bad  the  aatiBfaction  of  seeing  it  fairiy  afloat  in  a  creditable  uid 
efficient  manner.  In  a  truly  philanthropic  spirit  he  delighted  to  attend  the  exami- 
nations of  this  school  and  give  the  boys  the  benefit  of  his  own  experience,  m  Hmnd 
and  judicious  advicea.  On  one  of  these  occasions,  after  speaking  of  some  of  bis 
own  early  disappointments,  he  said,  '  I  therefore  advise  yon  young  men  just  enter- 
ing into  life,  never  to  be  daunted  by  difBcnlties.  Persevere  1  perBCvov  I  and  yon 
will  be  snre  to  cOnqner  in  the  end.'  At  another  time  he  said,  'Don't  depend  upon 
your  relatives  and  friends.  There  is  nothing  like  individual  responsibility.  If 
you  have  self-respect,  and  trust  to  your  own  resources,  by  God's  strength  you  will 
succeed.  God  helps  those  who  hdp  thenuelves.'  Another  young  man  we  hud 
him  advising  to  attend  a  place  of  worship  twice  every  Sunday,  and  to  read  ti 
iMst  one  chapter  <A  the  Bible  daily.  It  was  not,  however,  till  some  time  after 
this  that  he  hunself  got  beyond  the  outworks  of  religion,— -tiiat  he  knew  what  it 
was  to  be  weary  of  the  world  as  a  portion,  and  realized  that  in  Christ  alone  could 
true  rest  be  found.  I,  & 

(To  be  continued.) 


"^amt  (Smirch. 

THE  FRAGMENTS. 

'GatheiupthefFBigiiienta  that  irauiD,  that  nothing  be  lost' 

Do  not  tJteae  words  seem  strange  words  jnst  BBoh  words  as  these  :  '  Gather  up 

to  fall  from  the  lips  of  Christ?     We  the  fragments  that  remain,  that  nothing 

could  imagine  them  spoken  by  some  be  lost'    These  words,  however,  ten 

poor  person,  who,  when  one  meal  was  not  spoken  b;  such  an  one.     They  ue 

done,  did  not  know  where  the  next  was  not  the  words  of  a  I^uams,  glad  of  the 

to  come  from.    Pictore  to  yourselves  a  crumbs  from  a  rich  man's  table.    No. 

miserable  room,  scantily  furnished,  and  They  were  spoken  by  theljordJeHos— hy 

bearing  all  the  marks  ol  poverty.     It  is  Him  who  could  say,  *  The  cattle  upon  a 

occupied,  we  shall  suppose,  by  a  mother  thousand  hills  are  mine.'      '  If  I  were 

and  ner  child.    Their  looks  betoken  that  haugry,  I  would  not  tell  thee ;  for  the 

they  know  only  too  well  what  it  is  to  world  is  mine,  and  the  fulness  thereof.' 

softer  hunger.  To-day,  however,  through  Christ  was  in   the    neighbourhood  of 

the  kindness  of  some  '  good  Samaritan,'  Bethsaida,  having  gone  'into  a  desert 

they  have  enjoyed  a  hearty  meaL     It  is  place   belonging  to   the   city,'   for  the 

over  now,  and  the  little  girl  ia  dearing  purpose  of  enjoying  a  period  of  retire- 

the  table.     As  she  is  doing  so,  we  can  ment ;  but  snch  retirement  He  did  not 

imagine  her  mother  addrceeing  hei.in  find.  Hereisagreatmiiltitude,gathered 


""^iTiMs."'                                 HOME  CIRCLE.                                                  367 

from  all  points  of  the  compaai,  attracted  driren  hj  it  Looked  at  from  anch  a 
thitb«rl^  tbefameof  Jeaua.  Tfaereare  point  of  view,  there  might  Beam  indeed 
fire  thooBand  meo,  '  besides  women  aad  to  be  gieat  waste  there.  And  bo  there 
ohildree,' — in  all,  we  m(^  safely  say,  are  many  things  hidden  away  in  this 
ten  thousand  at  least  Wbat  a  crowd  1  earth  of  oars,  lying  unseen  and  seem- 
Why,  the  largest  church  in  town  would  ingly  nselees. 

hold  only  a  tenth  part  of  it.     They  are  .  p„,i  „,      »  g^m  <,t  purest  r.y  serane, 

Esrlrom  their   bflmea,  and  some   con-  ThedftrknntatbomodosyeBof  ooeinbeBr; 

Biderable  time  having  elapsed,  they  are  ■  Pull  many  &  flowar  ia  boru  to  blush  onssan, 

all  Tery  hungry.     The  children  would  And  wMteiessweetneBson  medesBrtair.' 

be  clamouring  (o  their  mothers  for  some-  Yet,  while  to  yon  and  me  there  may 

thing  to  eat,  but  tbey  had  nothing  to  seem  to  be  great  waste  in  the  distribu- 

gire  them.    What  is  to  b^  done  ?  for  tion  of  G-od's  bounties,  in  reality  there  is 

already  the  eTening  ia  come.    The  dU-  '  nothing  lost' 

ciplea  turn  to  Christ  in  the  emergency ;  The  great  lesson,  then,  which  these 

not  do  they  turn  in  vain.      Ee  would  words  of  Cbriet  convey,  is  the  lesson  of 

not,  when  Himself  hungryinthewilder-  carefulness.     Tbey  tell  us  that  He  does 

ne98,commuid  stones  to  be  made  bread ;  not  wish  usto  be  wasteful.     '  Waste  not, 

but  He  will  put  forth  His  mighty  ^Miwer  want  not,'  says  the  proverb,  and  the 

lo  feed  these   hungering  parents   and  proverb  is  a  good  one.     How  many  have 

litde  ones.    And  how  does  He  proceed  ?  found   themulres   in    need,    just    hy 

Does  He  bring  manna  from  heaven,  as  in  neglecting  it  I     How  many  have  care- 

tbecaseof  Israel  in  thewildernesB?  No.  lessly  thrown  away  what  they  after- 

OneoC  His  disciples  tells  Him  of  a  lad  in  wardawonldhavegiven  much  to  possess! 

tbe  crowd  who  has  with  him  in  a  basket  How    many    poor    starving     creatures 

fire  loaves  and  two  fishes.    These,  at  might  be  fed,  were  what  is  wasted  in 

His  request,  are  Ixougbt  to  Him.    He  many  households  only  taken  care  of  1    I 

makes  the  multitude  sit  down  on   tbe  have  aemewhere  read  that  in  Paris  the 

ground.     He  gives  thanks,  as  you  and  I  crasts  of  bread   and   such-iike  things, 

ibonld  always  do  before  our  meals.  And  thrown   out  by   careless    people,    are 

titen  He  distributee  the  loaves  and  fishes  gathered   together,   carefully  purified, 

llirough  His  diaciplea  to  the  crowd.  Tb^  and  then  eooked  np  into  a  vu^ety  of 

ve  banded  from  one  to  another,  and,  dishes.     In  China  just  now  a  dreadful 

Dioet  strange   and   wonderful,  there   is  famine  ia  raging,  auch  as  visited  India 

eDQueh  for  all.    Ay,  more  tlutn  enough ;  a  short  time  ago,  and  thousands  are 

for  nhen  all  have  eaten  and  are  satisfied,  perishing  for  lade  of  food.     Were  we  to 

what  is  left  is  more  than  the  original  pass  through  such  a  terrible  experience, 

supply.    The  boy's  basket  held  aU  at  we  would  learn  to  be  more  careful   Ob, 

Gist ;  now  it  takes  twelve  baskets  to  if  only  these  poor  starvlog  Chinese  had 

bold  what  is  over.      Christ  bids  tiiem  some  of  the  fragments  that  so  many  here 

gather  the   fragments.        They  might  throw  away,  how  grateful  they  wonld 

have  been  allowed  to  lie,  and  the  beasts  be  t 

and  birds  would  have  devoured  them.  Just  lately  I  came  upon  a  very  curious 

But  this  would  have  been  wasteful.  Tbe  illostration  of  the  good  that  con  be  done 

Wsets  and  birds  are  othOTwise  provided  by  gathering  up  fragments  that  wonld 

tw.     So  Christ  says,    'Gather  up  the  otherwise  bs  tost.      And  fragments  of 

fngDieuta  that  remain,  that  nothing  be  what,  think  you  ?     Why,  strange  to  say, 

lost.'    And  in  thos  speaking  He  spoke  fragments  of  cigars  1   those  little  hits 

with  pOTfect  consistency  sa  the  divine  which  gentlemen  throw  away,  because 

Sou  of  God,  by  whom  all  things  were  you  know  they  can't  smoke  a  cigar  quite 

created.      With  God  there  is  nothing  done.    In  Germany  almost  all  the  men 

lost    He  ia  a  liberal  and  bountiful  giver,  are  smokers.     If  you  meet  a  German, 

jet  in  all  His  works,  did  we  only  under-  the  chances  are  that  he  has  eitlier  a  pipe 

stand  them    aright,  there    is   a    wise  or  cigar  in  hie  month.    Well,  in  Berhn, 

economy.      Everything  is  in  its  place,  a  societj  was  formed,  some  ten  years 

and  everything  serves  a  wise  purpose,  ago,  for  tbe  collecting  of  cigar  ends.* 

To  at  it  may  seem  otherwise.     Standing  £very  Christmaa  the  proceeds  are  ap- 

by  the  falls  of  Niagara,  one  remaj'ked  plied  to  the  purchase  of  clothes  for  some 

what  a  waste  of  water-power  there  was,  poor  orphan  children.    In  1876,  about 

for  how   many  mill-wheels   might   be  ■  6ee  a  recent  number  of  Chambtrft  JouruaL 


868  HOUEOIBOLE.  '""^17™* 

thirtf  cliildren   were  clothed  by  this  snppoee  that  I  mean  yon  slw*yi  to  b« 

Bociety,  each  child  beinz  provided  with  worx,  work,  working.    Not  at  bIL   It 

&  B^t,  a  pair  of  good  leather  boots,  a  is  quite  true  that  '  all  work  and  no 

pcur  of  Btockinga,  a  dreu,  and  a  pocket-  play  makes  Jack  a  dull  boy.'    But  «t 

handkerchief.      Id  addition  to  this,  a  that  you  keep  your  play  in  ila  piepv 

large  Chriatmaa  tree  ia  siven  for  their  place,  and  that  at  outer  timce  yon  tn 

eutertunment,  and   each  child  is  sent  earnest  and  diligent,  '  doing  what  jun 

home  with  a  good  aupply  of  fruit  and  hand  fiudeth  to  do,  with  all  your  might' 

Bweetmeata.   Altogether,  more  than  two  Kemember  tliat 
hundred  poor  orphan  children  hare  been  '  Batan  finds  some  mlichEd  atm 

clothed  by  thia  aociety,  dinply  by  the  Fi»  idle  hands  U>  do;' 

pcoceedB  of  auoh  small  thinga  ae  cigar  and  that  the  beat  way  to  keep  him  st  i 

ends  I     If  only  the  example  of  these  distance  is  to  be  diligent  in  doing  whil 

good    Germans   was   foUowed  in  W»e  Ugood.    How  very  many  have  lieenlo 

sathenng  of  other  and  mora  valuable  be  great  and  eminent  men  and  womai 

fragments,  how  much  good  might  be  jum  through  'gathering  up  the  frag- 

done  I  mente '  of  their  time  1     Dr.  LiTingslone 

I  wiah  yon  then,  dear   children,   to  was  once  a  poor  boy  engaged  in  a  Bul), 

carry  out  this  command  of  the  Sariour  but  he  gathered  up  the  fragments  d  his 

in  your  daily  life.    I  do  not  wish  yoo  time,  rtndying  in  evening  honre  as  wd] 

to  be  mean,  and  narrow,  and  niggardly,  asatoddminnteaduringtbeday.andjoi 

Bynomeana.    But  I  wiah  you  to  pot  know  what  he  became.   William  Amott, 

to  a  good  use  the  gifts  of  God,    Allow  a,a    eminent   minister,    was    ohm  in 

me   to   apply  this   eihortation  to   two  Jmmble  drcnmstancea  ;  bnt  when  \  boy, 

things  very  specially.  as  be  himself  tells  us  in  his  antobio- 

I.  To  rime.— Gather  np  the  fragments  graphy,  he  carried  his  Latin  mdimeDli 

of  your  time,  that  nothing  he  loat     Ah  I  ^j^  him  in  his  pocket,  taking  a  loot      | 

how  many  precioos  moments,  how  many  at  jt  now  and  again  in  the  intervsh  of     i 

precious  hours,  and  even  days,  do  we  ^ork.    Edwarda,  the  celebrated  nihiral- 

allow  to  slip  away.in  idleness— nothing  igt_  has  been  all  his  days  a  poor  ehoe-      ' 

done,  nothing  either  for  our  own  good,  maker;  bnthe,  too,gatherednphLBfng-      , 

the  good  of  others,  or  the  glory  of  God  I  menta,    going   out  moetly  at  nigbt  in      I 

Paul  speaks  of  '  redeeming  the  time.'  eeamh  of  all  kinds  of  creatures,  'birds 

What  does  that  mean  bnt  JQBt  gathering  ,^4   four-tooted   beasts    and   creepi«      | 

up  the  fragments— using  to  good  pur-  things,'  and  now   in   his    old  dsji  i« 

pose  the  little  odd  bits,  so  to  speak,  of  Qj,i&  himself  famous.     Thus  yon  « 

the  day  which  so  many  fritter  away  in  how  much  can  be  done  in  this  my-      ' 

indolence.     When  you  are  called  in  the  how  the  hand  of  the  diligMit  naW 

morning,  for  example,  bow  do  yon  act?  rich.     Bnt  besides    gathering  up  ite      i 

Do  yon  get  np  immediately,  and  dress  fragments  of  yonr  time   in  thfe  «I. 

youMelf  qnickly,  that  so  you  may  hare  gee  also  that  you  gather  up  these  op-      , 

as  much  of  the  morning  as  possible  to  portunities  which  are  always  occnnii"! 

spend  uaefnlly  ?  or  do  you  lie  in  bed  of  d(Hng  good  to  others.    Show  a  gea-     j 

tiU  the  last  mmute,  so  that  your  mom-  jons,  kindly,  loving  spirit,  and  he  eva     I 

ing  duties  have  to  be  hurriedly  and  care-  on  the  alert  that  on  fitting  oceamw 

leesly  performed,    and    your    mornmg  -our   sympathy   and   benevolmce  mij     | 

prayers  very  frequently  omitted?  When  find  illustration  in  action. .  Not  a  d»7 

you  are  sent  on  an  errand,  how  do  you  paggea  but  brings  with  it  opportunite 

act?    Do  you  go  about  it  quickly,  try-  of  doing  little  deeds  of  kindness,  1^    ' 

ing  to  be  back  again  as   speedily   as  bearing  one  another's  burdens,  and  X    I 

poBsible,andsobeathandforanything  fulfilling  the  law  of  Christ     Let  Dot    I 

else  required  of  you?   or  do  you  waste  these  slip  away  unimproved.     Gatha    , 

your  time  upon  the  way,  loitering  now  np  these  predous  fragmenta     AU  audi    | 

with  this  one  and  now  with  that  one  ?  deeds  the  Saviour  esteems  as  done  unlo 

When  the  evenmg  comes,  and  the  more  Himeelt,  and  shall  finally  acknowledgf   1 

urgent  dntiea  of  the  day  are  over,  how  and  reward, 
do  you  act  7   Do  you  spend  yonr  evening  ,,         ,, ,.       .   .      ,  , 

hoiis  in  some  profitableway, -reading,  '  ^  ^'/-^  |?^^,  w™°  '  | 

forexample?  or  doyonlet  them  paagaway  Pleotytodo  the  yonng  may  find         J 

in  actually  'doing  nothing'?     Do  not  IntliMeombuaydsys.  I 


OOBBBBPONDEKCB.  369 

yon,  I'm  sore,  have  read,  there  ia  &  titoty 

of  a  miaaioaar;  box  which  bore  on  the 

je™Hewordth«tIiji«rBpe»k,  outside  the  inacription,  "TIS  BUTS.' 

Or  one  khid  loving  dsed,  What  &  f  iiimy  thing  I     The  origin  of  it 

IT,  kboDRb  ■  tria»  poor  and  ireiJc,  was  OQ  thia  wiao : — '  The  diapoeing  of  a 

—  •"--  -  ■' ■■  large  sam,  auch  aa  a  pound,  a  halt 

aoTereign,  or  a  crovn  piece,  would  have 
required  soma  tJiought.      Such  a  aum 

Thanlttmetry,  eaohd*7aDd  honr,  would  not  have  bMD  thrown  away  on 

ToactnpoDlhiaplu,—  any  trifle.     But  if  it  waa  only  a  si«. 

Wtal  littlB  Kood  « In  my  powr,  threepenny  piece,  or  a  penny, 

.To.d(...^,laI^.  ^^  halfpenny,  moat  of  aU,  if  rtl^M 
but  a  fartning,  it  did  not  matter  much 
what  waa  done  with  it.    If  it  would  buy 

II.  Let  na  now  apply  very  shortly  an  apple,  or  a  biacuit,  or  a  few  aweet- 

tha  exhortation   of   Chriat  to  numey. —  meats,  it  would  have  been  thought  or 

Hue,  too,  wo  would  have  you  gather  aaid,  "  Tutuf  a  halfpenny  or  a  penny," 

Dp  the  fnigmentB  that  nothing  be  loat.  or  whatever  the  ooin  might  be.    Well, 

But  perhaps   aome  of  yon  are  inclined  instead  of  spending  them  in  auch  a  way, 

to  uy,  '  There  ia  little  need  of  apeak-  a  lady,  who  had  been  tnming  the  matter 

Ingto  aa  about  money,  for  we  have  very  over  in  her  mind,  reeolredthat  all  these 

lltQe  to  do  with  it.'     Perhaps  BO.     But  httle  odd  sums,  which  uaed  to  be  spent 

yon  will  very  soon  have  to  do  with  it  to  ao  little  purpose,  should  go  into  the 

And  even  now  you  have  little  pieces  box.    Whenever  "  'Twaa  hut "  a  trifle 

ocmionally  which  might  probably  be  that    waa   to  be  spent  on  what  was 

pal  to  better  use.      How  mauy  little  neither  neceeaary  nor  uaeful,  in  it  went ; 

coins  are  waated,  not  by  children  only,  and  at  the  end  of  the  year,  all  these 

tat  by  grown-up  people  as  well,  whicK,  '"Tisbuta"  amounted  to  a  sum  that 

il  gatb^ed  Dp,  would  form  a  goodly  astoniBhed  everybody,  and  no  one  more 

sum,  and  do  much  predona  servicel     I  than  the  owner  of  the  box  herself.'* 

do  not  wi^  yon  to  beoome  money-  Now,  that  waa  gathering  up  the  frag- 

loteiB,  remember,  nor  money ■hoBrdera.  menta  that  nothing  should  be  lost ;  and 

I  do  not  wish  you  to  become  misers.  1  think  we  might  all,  old  and  young 

Tbere  is  no  more  miserable  creature  in  alike,  follow  that  good  lady's  example 

the  world  than  a  miser.     I  only  wiah  with    advantage.       In    conclusion,  in 

Jon  to  learn  to  pnt  your  money  to  a  wise  seeking    to    obey    this     injunction    of 

DM-    Especially  I  wish  you  to  learn  to  Chriat's,  remember,  and  the  thought  will 

sbow  aome  little  self-denial  and  aelf-  prove  an  antidote  to  indolence  and  care- 

e»criflcefor  Chriat'a  aake.    Yon  cannot  leBBnesB,  that  you  shall  one  day  be  colled 

da  this  too  early.     Sometimes  yon  may*  to  account  for  the  uae  you  have  made 

Uve  a  penny,  a  sixpence,  or  a  ahUling,  on  eartOi  of  yoor  time,  your  meana,  and 

<a  spend  as  von  chooae.    Well,  instead  those  other  talenta  entroatad  U>  your 

o!  spending  it  all  upon  yonraelf,  I  would  care.     Oh  1    th^,   to  be  futhful  and 

lib  to  see  yon  give  a  part  to  Chrisfa  diligent,  ao  that  He  from  whoae  lips 

^^^oK.    I  wonld  Uke  to  ace  a  little  mis-  these  words  tell,  may  w  to  us  when 

!ioury  box,  for  example,  is  all  your  our  life-work  ia  over,  '  Well  done,  good 

ironies,  that  little  odd  sums,  fragments  and  faithful  servant.'             W.  B.  I. 

vbich  would  otherwise  be  loat  by  being  Kelso. 

miigpent,  might  find  their  way  into  it.  •  prom  J.   H.  Wilawi'a   volume  on  the 

la  a  wetl-known  book,  which  some  of  Lord's  Frajar. 


A  PLEA  FOB  EVANGBLISra 

iDITOB  OF  THE  UNITED  FRESBTTERIAH  IfAOAZlHE. 


Sir,~Iq  proffering,  with  yonr  leave,  a  ministry,-- all  faouonr  to  iita  worthy 
plea  for  evangeliata,  it  ia  wiUi  no  in-  aervanta  of  Christ ! — but  with  the  view 
teatioQ  to  in  any  wise  depreciate  the     of  atrengthening  their  hands,  and  in 

NO.  Vln,  VOL.  XXII.  KEW  BBBIES. AUGUST  18TS,  ■    2  A 


370 

Buggesting  what  maj  farther  the  ting-  philosophy,  instruction  in  monl  philo- 
doni  of  Christ  on  e&rth.  Bophy ,  BiUe  and  Church  histoi?,  mi 
There  is  no  doubt  about  the  necessity  whatever  else  maj  be  mastered  bj  an 
of  increased  erangelical  efforts  requiring  English  reader  akin  to  theology,  wd 
to  b«  put  forth  for  the  ingathering  of  above  til,  a  tme  knowledge  of  'Tit 
'them  that  are  without,'  and  there  is  Book '  he  has  to  read  and  expound 
consequently  a  caU  for  tbe  training  of  This  training  conld  be  undergone  in  \he 
evangeiista  to  asBist  our  churches  in  leianre  from  hnsinesa,  under  tiie  aupW' 
extending  the  kiagdran.  A  scheme  of  intendenceororenightof  theprabjlor 
this  sort  would  be  worthy  of  such  a  onder  whose  jurisdictioD  the  iCudeDt 
Church  as  onrs,  famed  for  its  liberality;  may  be;  and  it  would  not  be  adiScnit 
and  it  would  inspire  our  chnrchee  widi  work,  but  should  rather  be  a  lahonrof 
an  increased  activity  in  their  labours  love,  for  a  minister  to  train  up  a  cimiber 
for  the  Ixffd.  of  his  flock  for  this  work ;  or  tbe  mem- 
There  is  no  doubt  many  would  be  got  bers  of  presbytery  coold  anuge  a 
whom  the  Lord  would  call  to  this  work,  division,  oi  the  subjects  amongil  them. 
— men  who  have  within  them  still  the  At  the  end  of  a  course  or  coone&,lhe 
desire  after  the  great  ambition  of  their  preabytery,  as  a  body,  could  pot  them 
lives,  the  consecrating  of  their  talents  under  written  and  oral  esamina&m, 
to  the  L<Kd'B  service  and  work, — to  enter  and  any  other  requisite  t«ata,  writla 
upon  a  sphere  of  labour  that  would  allow  theses,  trial  disconraes,  etc  etc.  Then 
their  energy  full  scope,  and  give  them  students  could  be  forwarded  for  a  flnil 
their  whole  time  to  go  forth  on  their  examination  at  the  Theologies  HaU,tbc 
work  of  ministoing  to  the  souls  of  their  paadng  of  which,  being  at  the  hesd- 
fellow-men,  and  c<dling  them  from  dark-  centre,  would  be  conclnsive  that  thej 
ness  to  li^bL  are    qualified  for    being  employed  a 

Assuming,  then,  that  men    coming  evangeliBte  of  our  Church, 
forward  for  the  office  of  evangelists  are         Such  a  scheme  would  bring  into  the 

gifted  with  the  greatest  gift — that  of  field  men  who  have  experience  of  the 

the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  ;  that  they  are  world,  of  men  and  mannera,  andwoiU 

divmely  ciriled ;  that  the  work  is  the  send  forth  men  of  experience  in  tbe 

desire  of  their  whole  heart  (having  their  ways  of  men,  equipped  with  spicilnal 

present  position  and  circumstances  care-  armoor,  to  aBsist  in  fighting  the  b&ttJe 

fully  weighed) ;  that  they  are  endowed  of  the  C'Tors.    Bnch  a  scheme  would 

with  -the  other  gifts  essential  for   the  bring  forward  labouners  into  the  field. 

work, — some  scheme  of  training  will  be  and  amongst  them  not  a  few  downrigbi 

necessary  in  order  to  qualify  them  for  earnest,    faithful    preachera,  ~— men  d 

it.  ability  and  tact  for  evangelical  woA. 

There  is  no  royal  road  to  learning,  it  is  Hen  so  brought  up  for  this  work  axU 
tme,  but  the  curriculum  eould  be  made  '  be  made  pioneers  for  church  exteuEioE 

much  more  easy,  and  with  good  results,  in  pTomising  parte,  by  planting  mimioD 

I  do  not  undervalue  a  clssaical  comse  stations,  wbicb  could  in  due  time  bt 

of  cnltmre  by  any  means,  but  I  see  do  raised  to  congregationa.     They  COoU  b^ 

need  for  a  man  in  the  b^  of  his  days  of    much  service  in  building   ip  tnil 

having  to  spend  his  time  is  acquiring  a  strengtheiung  congregations  fron  csi- 

kuowledgeof  Greek,  Latin,  and  Hebrew,  rounding  localities.     Such  a  scheme  >£ 

If  we  have  the  truly  translated  Scriptures  this  would  tend  to  correct  man;  envR 

in  our  English  tongue,  it  might  be  con-  in   evangelistic  work,  and   in   times  d 

sidered  a  waste  of  time   in  having  to  revival  would  provide  a  staff  of  qualified 

acquire   the   ability   of    being  able   to  evangelists  whose  teaching  and  preacb- 

tranalate  for  oneself   what  is   already  ing  would  command  esteem  and  respeci- 

done   for  him.      It  is    not    absolutely  ful  hearing.   These  evangelists,  in  revive 

essential  that  he  must  go  through  the  timee,  eoutd  (being  allied  to  an  evangeli- 

mazes  of  mathematics.      It  would  be  cal  Church,  and  armed  with  authonn 

snfficient,  with  the  gifts  we  assumed  as  for  his  calling)  follow  np  the  awakeiie>i 

already    pOBSessed,   to    train    them    in  with  whom  they  come  in  contact,  aii^ 

Engli^  grammar,  composition,  litera-  bring  them  in  to  be  under  regular  chm^ 

ture,  and  history  (it  is  possible  a  good  ordinances. 

English  education  has  i^eady  been,  re-         Such  a  scheme  might  call  forth  men 

.cetved),  an  intelligent  idea  of  natural  that  wonld  adorn  the  Church, —4nen«bi\ 


'"tiMjiST"^                          COHBESPONDENCE.  371 

when  the  wv/  is  opened  for  them,  could  would  be  no  need  of  aoch  a  scheme,  but 

by  study  qualify  theoiBelTes  to  be  eli-  what  when  they  don't  do   it?     Our 

gible  for  the  ordained  ministry  at  home,  churcbea  reqnire   to  be   stirred  up  to 

Of  tor  abroad.  active  Christian  work   and   duty ;  and 

The  saegeetion  of  such  a  scheme  as  the  calling  forth  of  downright  earnest, 
litis  should  not  be  allowed  to  fall  '  as  gifted  laymen,  and  fitting  Uiem  for  the 
water  spilt  npon  the  groniid.'  It  has  noble  service  of  '  the  Master,'  is  a 
pnjerfnUy  occupied  the  mind  of  the  scheme  not  to  be  thrown  overboard 
writer ;  uid  this  ia  writteo  from  the  without  serious  consideration, 
honast  (if  mistaken)  conviction,  that  At  this  time,  when  our  nation's  re- 
such  a  scheme  is  qnite  practicable.  serves  have  been  called  forth,  why  should 

It  ia  very  well  to  be  told.  Let  such  our  churcbea  not  leani  a  lesson,  and  call 

SB  desire  to  engage  in  Christian  work  forth  all  our  reserves  for  the  service  of  the 

do  BO  in  their  own  sphere  of  labour,  and  King  of  kings,  to  figbt  the  good  fight, 

Bmongat  their  own   congregations,  and  and  consecrate  themselves  to  be  main- 

they  will  do  well.       Probably  they  do  tained    in    permanent  service   for    the 

90,  bat  have  the  bunung  heart  to  do  advencing  tita  cause  of  our  Lord  Jesus 

better.  Christ,  the  Lord  of   righteousnesa  and 

It  is  very  well  to  say  that,  if  every  Prince  of  peace,  for  whose  kingdom  we 

Christian  member  of  our  congregations  pnty  '  come.' — I  am,  etc., 

vtmld  do  their  Christian  duties  there  A  IJ.P. 


SABBATH  SCHOOL  STATISTICS  AND  ATTENDANCE. 

TO  THE  EDITOR  OF  THE  CNTTED  PRESBYTERIAN  MAGAZINE. 

SiB,— I  notice  in  the  '  Correspondence  '  rally  taught  in  the  church,  or  in  build- 
for  this  month   statements    as  to  the  ings    immediately   connected   with   it. 
niunber  of  children  attending  the  Sab-  Now,   many  of  onr  people   in  country 
ia&  schoob  of  the  three  I^shyterian  districts  come  from  a  distance  of  three, 
Churches.     It  is  said  there  are  200,000  and  even  aii  or  seven  miles.    In  such 
attending  those  of  the  Established  and  cases  it  ia  obvious  that  the  children  can- 
Free  Churches    (each),   and  ,  80,000  in  not   bo   present   at   the  usual  place  of 
attendance   on     those  of    our   own.     I  meeting.     This  difficulty,   however,   to 
observe,  on  looking  at  the  statistics  of  some  extent,  may  be  met.     I  was  talk- 
tbe  Free  Churcb,  t£at  150,000  are  said  ing  on  the  subject  lat«ly  with  a  country 
<o  attend  the  schools,  and  £10,000  the  mmister,  an  earnest  worker,  whose  con- 
BiUe   classes,    and   in    this    way    the  gregation  'is    widely    scattered.      The 
^00,000  is  reached.      Perh^  this  ia  -  number  of  children  near  the  church  is 
likely  to  be  the  case  in  the  Established  comparatively  small.    So,  beudes  the 
Charch  also.     I  notice  that  the  80,000  uBualcoiigregationalschool,hehasestab- 
mentioned  in  connection  with  our  own  lished    smaller    schools    in    convenient 
refers  solely  to  children  attending  the  localities  throngbout  the   district      In 
Sabbath,    school,    while    besides    these  this  way  the  number  of  children  under 
there  are  21,000  attending  Kble  classes.  Sabbath  school  iostniction  is  more  than 
This  briziga  the  number  up  to  above  double  what  it  would  otherwise  be. 
100,000,  and  places  us  more  on  a  level        Now  tiiis  is  a  matter  to  be  taken  up 
with  other  Churches  as  to  this  important  in  an  intelligent  and  earnest  manner, 
matter.  not  by  out  ministers  only,  but  also  by 
Still  I  ■  qtiite  agree  with  what   the  onr  elders.    The  elders  of  our  churches 
esteemed  convener  of  the  Committee  on  have  districts  allotted  them   for  their 
Sabbath  Schools  said,  viz.,  that  these  special  care.     In  these  districts  Sabbath 
fie:ures  do  not  represent  the  possibilities  schools    might    be    established,     either 
of  our  Church  in  this  respect.    They  under  their  own  tuition  or  that  of  their 
ought  to   be   greatly  higher.    At   the  family ;  or  Uiey  might  get  c<Mnpetent 
same  time,   causes  are  at  work  (o  ac-  membera  or  adherents  of  the  church  in 
count  for  this  over  which  we  have  only  the  neighbonrhood  to  assist  them.    It 
imperfect  control.    In  country  districts,  is  good,  surely,  to  be  zealously  affected 
e.g.,  oar  coE^regatious  are  very  widely  in  a  good  cause,  and  no  one  wlU  dispute 
icattered.     lue  Sabbath  school  is  gene-  that  this  cause  is  good  in  the  highest 


378  SELIQIODS  DTTELLIQESCB.  ""iiMBi^ 

degree.    Moreover,  it  is  (Hie  which  bag  well  as  the  seoular  port  of  uhoal  is- 

very  apecial  claims  on  the  attention  and  Btmction.    If  on  this  acconnt  tbef  vere 

efforts  of   the   memberB  of  the  United  to  be  leas  in  earnest  in  regard  to  Sat- 

PreBbyterian   Church.     Am    a   Chorch,  bath  schools,  they  could  defend  Uiem- 

we  took  a  step  in  adrance  in  the  line  of  aelves  with  at  least  a  Bomblance  of  cm- 

theoretical  Yoluntaryism  at  last  meeting  ustencj.    Bat  if  we  are  renuss,  ddesoe 

of   Synod.     And  we  have  always  held  we   have  none  to  oBet.    We  are  ieli- 

tbat  it  is  the  duty,  not  of  the  State,  but  condemned.    This,  then,  is  a  B^UiKd 

of  the  parent  and  of  the  Gfanrch,  to  pro  labour  to  which    a  regard  to  onr  cmn 

vide  for  the  religions  instmcUon  of  the  consisteiiey,  as  well  as  its  BapRmein- 

yonng.     We  do  not  believe  that  the  portanoe,  imperatively  and  loadly  ah 

State  ought  to  give  this  kind  of  educa-  ns,  and  to  which  we  trust  our  Chcrch, 

tion,  and  we  have  little  faith  in  the  ei-  thronghont  all  iU  borders,  will  aJdrea 

cellence  of  such   as  it  imparts.     Other  itself  with  increasing  diligence  md  leal 

CbuTches  take  different  grooad  on  this  — 1  am,  etc, 
matter,  and  proclaim  that  it  is  the  duty  '  ^■ 

of  the  State  to  provide  the  spnitDal  as        12iA  JtUg  18T& 


WHO  TRAINS  CUB  CHILDEEN? 

TO  THE  EDITOB  Of  TBE  UKITED  PRESBYTERIAN  UAGAEIHE. 

Sir, — I  read  htely  a  sensihle  pi^ier  on  she  would  have  been  very  much  sur- 

the  above  subject  in  one  of  our  popular  prised,  and  resented  it  with  indignslion. 

periodicals.      It  is  really  one  of  vast  And  yet  both  of  these  detestaUe  vices— 

importance,  and  when  one  thinks  of  it,  emeUy  sod  falsehood — were  here  in  full 

it  is  not  by  any  means  with  entire  com-  force.    We  do  not  know  the  power  oi 

fort ;  e.a.,  I  was  seated  the  other  day  in  imagination  in  children,  hut  we  knon 

a  second-clacB  carriage  near  the  metro-  itisgreat,  and  what  agonies  the  poorlittle 

polia,  quietly  waiting  for  the  train  start-  creature  suffered  cannot  be  told.    And 

ing,  when  two  young  women  rushed  up,  then  there  really  was,  of  coarse,  do  inUn- 

one  of  them  carrring  an  infant  about  tion  on  the  part  of  this  amiabie-lookiiig 

eighteen  months  old  in  her  arms.    She  young  woman  to  do  the  dreadful  thing 

placed  the  infant  on  the  seat  beside  her,  she  threatened.     And  when  the  child 

who  immediately  began  to  i^  and  ex-  learns  by  eiperieace  that  such  tbieitei- 

pressawishtoget  to 'mamma.'   OntJiis  inga  mean  nothing,  all  threatenina  m 

the  young  woman  in  charge  urged  the  disregarded, and  general  onbelietfiw"- 

baby  to  be  quiet,  '  or  she  wo«ld  throw  Truly  *  evil  is  wrought  from  wnt  of 

him  out  at  the  window.'    This  had  a  thought  as  well  as  from  want  of  barti' 

magical  effect — the  baby  was  silent  in  and  if    those  who   tr^    our  iHsHiei 

an  instant.  would  only  tkint  what  they  are  ilioai, 

Now,  suppose  this  yonng  woman  bad  how  much  evil  would  be  prevented  !— 

been  told  that  she  was  cruel  and  false,  T  am,  etc,  Fatik- 


committee  be  tppointed  to  draw  ont  ■ 
plan  according  to  which  this  reiolDUiA 
may  bo  carried  into  effect.  Tbe  <:<i*' 
miitee  to  consist  of  Messn.  'Watwn, 
James  ocoit,  moaerator.  In  terms  of  Ballautyne,  and  Eonald,  with  Mr.  Hunil- 
agreement,  the  presbytery  entered  on  the  ton,  elder— Mr.  WaMon,  coaTener.'  Be»4 
tubject  of  report  on  Congresalional  a  communication  from  the  convener  d 
Staiistica,  and  the  remit  of  Synod  recom-  the  Synod's  Theoloaical  Committee,  ii 
mending  the  annual  viiitatioo  of  tbe  reference  (o  the  collection  for  the  BiU 
congregation!.  After  reasoning,  it  was  Fund,  and  tbe  presbytery  nve  sttentioh 
moTed,  seconded,  and  naanimonily  in  tenni  of  instmctioiu.  The  next  meei- 
agreed  to — "That  the  preibjtery,  in  com-  ing  of  presbytery  is  to  bs  h«ld  at  Ansu 
plianeewithiecommeiiaalianof  theBynod,  on  the  Tneiday  after  the  second  Ssbbiih 
make  &  periodical  viiitstloa  of  the  con-  of  Seplember,  at  11. 4S  i-x. 
gregationi  within  the  bonndi,  and  that  a         £atifehire.~Thii  piesby  teiy  met  in  ibt 


BELIOIOUB  INTELUaENCE. 


873 


United  PrubTlarian  muiu,  Grange,  on 
Bib  3n\j.    A  '  Statement  of  Facta  regard- 
ineUiwiomi,'  prmtBd  on  a,  eard  and  euit- 
able  tor  hangra;;  up  in  homet,  wu  snb- 
miltsd  and  approved.   Thecommittae  was 
BQihoriznl  to  gel  60B  of  tbeas  printed, 
lodiiOM  agreed  that  the  mnaion  com- 
miitM  of  the  leveral  congregation  ■  receire 
locb  nnmbers  as  thej  m»T  lequira,  on 
ipplicalioD  to  Mi.  Miiir.     The  preBbTteiy 
ibereafterwithdreirlo  tbe  church,  to  hold 
'  J'nblie    Freeb;teHal    Conferenca    on 
UiuioDB.    Id  addition  to  the  members  of 
prultjterj',  the  foltoiring  bretbiBn  from 
other  preibjteriea    and    t^nrchea    were 
present,  and  moat  of  chem  took  part  in  the 
oraference,  via..  Hot.  James  Eobertaon, 
Newiogton;   Eey.  Mr.   Webster,  Estab- 
lished Chorcb,  CInnj ;   Rer.  Mr.  Qitles- 
pie,   Free   Chnreh,    Keith;     B«r.    Mr. 
Uudonald,    Free     Cbnrcb,      CornhiU; 
Bsi.  Ki.  Forean,  Free  Cborcb,  Cnllen ; 
Rir.Mr.Stockdale,  Free  Chareh, Grange; 
Rer.  Mr.    H'DoagBl,    Baptist    Choreh, 
AbeicUrder;  Rer.  Mr.  Doffas,  mission- 
ary, 3watow,  China;  and  Mr.  Stott,   of 
ibe  laland  Miaaion,   China.     Bev.   Mr. 
Menon,  moderator  of  presbjter;,   pre- 
lideii.   Papers  were  read  b;  the  following 
■nembert  of  presbyter;,  lii.,  br  Rev.  Mr. 
Weiher,  on  '  Hoir  to  foater  a  HIaiionar? 
Spirit  in  onr  CongreKatioos ; '  bj  BcT.  M». 
Simnara,  on  '  Tbe  Dutj  of  Praying  and 
GiriagfocMiaaions; '  by  Alex.  DoBaldaon, 
£iq-,  on  'Every  Member  of  the  Chureh 
*  fioms  Missionary  ; '  and  by  Rer.  Mr. 
Una,  on  '  How  to  interest  the  Toung  in 
ihc  Caate  of  Uiaaions.'    After  each  paper, 
U  opportnnitj   was  given    to   brethren 
present  to  speak  on  the  anbjeet  of  tbe 
paper— an  opportnnitj  which  waa  readily 
embraced,  the  result  being  a  coDrereDce 
which  was  felt  by  all  to  be  exceedingly 
iaieresting  and  profitable.    In  tbe  evening 
■  public  meeting  was  held  in  the  cbnrcb, 
ai  vhicb  oddresaes,  some  of  a  miaslonar; 
■i^d  others    of    an    cTangeliatic    natnre, 
■'ere  delivered. 

Buehan. — This  presbytery  met  on  lltb 
hae  at  Kew  Mand— Rct.  C.  G.  Sqnair, 
Sew  Deer,  moderator.  Minntes  of  last 
Heeling  having  been  read,  Mr.  Wbillas 
mimated  that  he  had  preai^ediDFraser- 
lergh  according  to  appointment  of  presby- 
ery,  and  declared  the  chnrch  vacant, 
lext  half-yearly  conference  ofjpreabytery 
'as  arranged  for  26th  Jane,  at  Peterhead ; 
nd  Mr.  Whillas  wat  appointed  to  take 
he  paper  wbich  should  have  been  pre- 
ared  by  Mr.  Smith,  who  has  been  called 
>  Berwick.  A  call  from  Oatlands  to  Rev. 
ieoige  Blair,  Savoch,  waa  next  taken  up. 
'.ev.  Jamei  Jeffrey  was  beard  in  prosecn. 
on  of  the  call  for  Presbytery  of  Glasgow, 
Dd  Mr.  Ales.  M'Neil  for  tbe  coDgrega- 


tion  of  Oatlands,  while  Uciars.  Barr  and 
Smith  appeared  for  the  congregation  of 
Saroch.  Pleadings  being  ended,  Mr. 
Blair  declared  his  acceptance  of  the  call, 
and  was  accordingly  loosed  from  bis 
charge  in  Sarocb.  Rev.  Hngh  Qlcn, 
Siuart&eld,  was  appointed  to  preach  the 
•bnreh  vacant,  and  to  moderate  in  the 
session  during  the  vacancy.  The  office  of 
clerk  having  been  rendered  vacant  by  Mr. 
Blair's  traQslaCi□r^  Rer.  J.  F.  Whillas, 
B.D.,  New  Leeds,  was  nnanimonalj 
appointed.  Were  laid  on  the  table  ■ 
call  to  Rev.  John  Dickson,  from  East 
Free  Cbnrcb,  Coatbridge,  and  extract 
minats  of  Free  Presbytery  of  Hamilton. 
Agreed  that  this  matter  be  disposed  of  at 
a  special  meeiini^  to  be  held  on  Wednes- 
day, 3d  July,  at  New  Mand,  at  1  p.m. 
The  foarth  half-yearly  conference  of  the 
Bueban  Presbytery  was  held  at  Peterhead, 
on  Tuesday,  a£tb  Jane,  when,  in  addition 
to  the  members  of  presbytery,  there  was  a 
fair  attendance  of  elders  who  were  not 
members.  The  Rev.  C.  G.  Sqaair  pre- 
sided, and,  after  devotional  exereises, 
papers  were  read — (I)  '  On  the  rela- 
tion of  the  Chnrch  to  tba  Temperance 
Movement,'  by  Bev.  John  Dickson,  Peter- 
head ;  and  (S)  '  On  tbe  Conduct  of  the  De- 
votional Element  in  Pnblic  Worship,'  by 
Rev.  Thomas  F.  Whillas,  New  Leeds. 
Interesting  discussions,  in  which  all  present 
took  part,  folloved  the  reading  of  each 
paper,  and  the  tbanks  of  the  conference 
were  accorded  to  their  writers.  The 
Missionary  Commitlee  was  instructed  to 
make  arrangements  for  the  winter  con- 
ference.— This  presbytery  met  again  on 
Sd  July,  at  New  Mand,  for  the  purpose  of 
disposing  of  a  EoU  addressed  to  the  Rev. 
John  Dickson,  Peterhead,  by  the  East 
Free  Church,  Coatbridge.  Appeared  as 
commissioners  from  tbe  Free  Presbytery 
of  Hamilton,  Bev.  Messrs.  Findlay  and 
Iiawaon ;  as  commissioner  from  tbe 
seasiou  of  Coatbridge  East  Free  Chureb, 
Mr.  Alex.  W.  Rnssel ;  and  from  the 
congregation,  Mr.  David  Waddington. 
Messrs.  John  Anderson  and  Wm.  Uacket 
were  alio  present  as  eommissioners  from 
tbe  Peterhead  congregation.  Reasons 
for  translation  and  answers  thereto 
having  been  read,  and  the  commissioners 
on  both  sides  having  spoken,  Mr.  Dickson 
declared  his  acceptance  of  the  call,  and 
was  accordingly  loosed  from  the  charge  of 
Peterhead.  Rev.  John  Patenon  was 
appointed  to  preach  the  church  vacant, 
and  Bev.  C,  G.  Squair  to  act  as  moderator 
of  sesEion  daring  the  vacancy. 

Eiimlmrgh.— The  monthly  meeting  of 
this  presbytery  was  held  on  9d  July.  Mr, 
Small,  Portsburgh  Cborch,  Bdiobut^h, 
was  appointed  modeiatoc  for  tbe  ensaing 


874  HEUfllOCS  INTELLIGEHCE.  ^X^b*'* 

«btmoBth9,aiid  took ths chair aeeordinelf,  sniMioed;  and  the  clerk  wMinitraned to 

in  room  of  Mr.  Manhall,  Eut  Calder,  giro  uotico  of  the  csU  Co  Mr.  Eatcbinioil, 

wboBB  term   of  office   had  'expired,      A  and  to  acate  that  he  would  be  sxpectcd  w 

namber  of  stadenta  were  Qomtuaied  for  give  intimation  of  his  deeiiion  wiihin  a 

admiuion  to  (be  Theological  HalL     Mr.  month  from  the  time  of  bie  receiving  aud 

■  Fleming,  Lothian  Rood,  called  the  attea-  notice.       A     commnnicalioa    ^m  Uie 

tion   of  the  presbytsrj  to  the  famine  in  Theological  Committee,  vith  leferenee  to 

China,  which  he  believed  to  be  withoat  the  Hall  Pnnd,  baring  been  read,  it  hh 

parallel  in  either  ancient  or  modero  timei.  agreed  to  reconi  mead  to  tboiecongregatlooi 

He  moTed,  '  That  the  preiby terj  recom-  in  the  preabjtery  who  have  not  u  jti 

mend  that  the  churuhea  witbin  its  bonnds  sent  contribntionB  to  the  laid  fund  for  ibt 

sboaM  have  a  collection  on  as  early  a  day  present  year,  to  do  so  as  loon  as  pDMbli. 

as  possible  in  aid  of  the  Cbineie  iE'smine  Sahjects  of  trial  exercise*  for  licence  wert 

Fund.'    Mr.  Croom  aeconded  tbe  moCioD,  presented  by  Mr.  Charles  Dick,  ttndenlol 

which  *as  n«Teed  to  nnanimonaly.     Dr.  tbeolo^.    Next  meeting  wasappoiDUdu 

Kennedy  read  a  circular  from  the  Theo-  be  held  at  Nairn,  on  Taeiday  after  Ilii 

logical  Hall  Committee  In  reference  to  third  Sabbath  of  Angosl. 
this  fnnd.    Ic   stated   that  a   TSry  latf e         FaJkirJc.  —  This     presbytery   met  It 

number  of  congregations  in  almost  erery  Cambernanld  on  3d  Jnly. — Est.  Bobol 

presbytery  had  not  hiiherto  made  collec-  Anderson,  moderator  for  the  day.   Tbt 

tions.    The  result  was  that  the  fund  had  following  miniiters  were  iOTiied  to  ifsn^ 

fallen  aerioasly  in  arrear,  and  that  some-  spond  ; — Rer.  Alexander  Barr,  Airdrie; 

thing  like  BCOllapsewaa  imminent,  nnless  Rers.   B.  T.   Jeffrey,  M.D.,  snd  JuM 

a  moregeneralcolleelioncouldbesecnred.  Jeffrey,   M.A.,    Olasf^w;    Rst.   AT. 

It  was  agreed  to  take  steps  to  bring  the  M'Ifean,Baillieston;  Rev.  A.H.H'Gifgor, 

claimsof  the  fnnd  before  the  Gongref:aciona,  Clydebank ;  Rev.  Wilson  Baird.Manchline; 

especially  the  defanlters.    Mr.  M'Inlosb,  Rer.   W.  S.  Qoodsll,  M.A.,  Slawuton; 

Dalkeith,  reported  that  he  had  fulfilled  Rev.   A.   A.   Robertaon,  Arderaier.    Tt« 

the  duty  eotrnaied  to  him,  of  intimating  edict  for  tbe  ordination  of  Mr.  Aleiindtr 

tbe  decision  of  the  Synod  to  the  Arcbar  Borland  was  retnmed  duly  serred.    Bn, 

Street  congregation.    After  a  etatement  David  Bnma  preached  an  able  discoiine 

by    Mr.    Williamaon,     Queensferry,    the  from  John  vi.  35.     Rev.  Robert  Andtma 

presbytery  gave  its  consent  to  the  trans-  narrated  the  slepa  of  pracednre,  ptopoted 

ference  of  the  achool  at  OUabeny  to  the  the   questions  of   the   formals,  and  bf 

School  Board  of  Northmaven.     Dr.  Mai r  prayer,aadthelHTingonof  hUhiDdiulb« 

having  resigned  his  charge  aa  snperinien-  representative  of  the  presbytery,  oriiinrf 

dent  of  University    atndents    connected  Mr.  Alexander  Borland  to  the  miiuHt;, 

with   the  denomination,  Mr.  Wbyte.   of  and  to  the  charge  of  tbe  congregstioi » 

Lanristan,   was  appointed  to   the  ofiSce.  Cumbemauld,  aj  colleague  to  tht  ^'■ 

Mr.    John  Toang,  Newington,   reported  HnghBaird.  Mr.  Anderson  thendeli™*^ 

(hat  he  had  in  due  form  congregated  tbe  appropriate    addreaies    to   miniiiei  ■»' 

Triends  worshipping  in  Clare  Hall,  M into  people.    At  tbe  close  of  (he  pnbiict«' 

Street,  with  a  view  to  their  erection  into  vices,  Mr.   Borland'a  name  was  enltrtd 

a  regular  congregation,  to  be  known  as  on  tbe  roll  of  the  presbytery,  and  lie  iMk 

Dalkeith  Road  congregation.    He  read  a  his  seat  accordingly.     Rev.  HDgb  Biird 

list  of  gentlemen  who  had  been  elected  as  reported  that  an  annuity  of  £50  hid  bM 

elders,  and  had  expressed  willingness  to  granted  him  from   the  Aged  tiiravns 

accept  office  as  snch.     Moat  of  them,  it  Fund.     Bev.   James  Aitchiaon  Kponcd 

was  stated,  were  already  in  office,  ao  (hat  having  received  £30  from  tbe  HomtCoco- 

ibis  was  Bimply  a  transference  of  elders  mittee  of  the  Mission  Board,  as  one-bilt 

from  one  congregation  to  another.     Pro-  of  promised  grant  for  tbe  Carron  Wisios, 

feasor  Cairns  waa  appointed  moderator  of  and  intimated  that  Mr.  John  TellcleA 

aeasion  till  the  congregation  be  prepared  nhohascampletedhisconrscaaaaludenlaf 

to  elect  a  miniater,  an  office  whicb  he  ac-  divinity  at  the  Theological  Hall,  haa  beta 

cepled  with  great  pleaanre.    The  conduct  engaged  tolabonr  at  Carron  mesnwbilc. 

of  Mr.  Yonng  was  cordially  approved.  Agreed  that  henceforth  examinaticii  ol 

Elgm  and  /nuemwa.— This  presbytery  students  on  trisla  for  licence  be  conducwi 

met  at  Forres   on  16th  July— Rev.  Wil-  by  written  papers, 
liam  Macdonald,  moderator.   Mr.  M'Mar-         (?Z(i^ou'.-~The  naual  monthly  meetlai 

tin  reported  that  he   had,  according  to  of  thia  presbyteiy  waa  held  on  9ifa  Jaly 

appointment,  presided  in  the  moderation  Mr.   Jamea   A.   Johnatone,    Springhnra, 

of  a  call  in  the  congregation  of  Tain  on  moderator.    Tbe  attendance  wai  meagre, 

the  26ih  Jane,  when  a  unanimous   call  On  the  reading  of  the  minntea  being  cum- 

was   given  to    Mr.  Richard  Hutchinaon,  pleted,  Mr.  Bamage  aaid  the  report  oC  ihe 

probationer.     The  call  was  nnenimooaly  Synod's  procedure  in  the  Fergosoa  u*° 


BELIOIOna  INTELLIGENCE. 


375 


ended  wiih  tbe  deciaion  after  ibe  modoa 
which  wu  ouried  in  the  Bnperior  eonrl. 
Tbis  was  not  ihovii  ia  tbe  miaate  joit 
read,  and  be  thongbt  it  ihoatd  be  inierted 
to  complete  the  re^wrd  in  the  eaie.  Dr. 
JeSrej  (clerk)  isid  be  onlj  inserted  what 
wu  sent  to  blm  by  tbe  Clerki  of  SyDod. 
Mr.  Ramege  thought  that  what  followed 
on  that  motion  shoald  be  recorded,  in 
order  that  they  niiKht  know  exactly  the 
relation  ia  which  Mr.  Fergnion  atood  to 
ibe  preabyteiy.  The  court  abould  be  ap- 
prised of  Mr.  FergoBon'a  acqaieiceace  in 
ihe  judgment  of  the  Synod,  and  elao  of 
the  steps  ibe  Synod  look,  on  the  acquiea- 
eence.  to  ioiimate  to  tbe  congregation  that 
he  waa  restored.  The  membera  being 
inaeratlT  of  opinion  that  thia  eoorae 
shaald  be  adopted,  the  clerk  aaid  he 
waald  record  the  proceed) nga  on  the  pre«- 
bjtery  minaie.  The  preebytery  agreed  to 
lanctiou  the  erectioo  in  John  Knox  Street 
of  a  uew  church  for  the  Dake  Street  con- 
eregation.  A  letter  waa  read  from  Mr, 
Crawford,  East  Kilbride,  intimating  hia 
acceptance  of  tbe  call  to  be  colteagne  and 
sacceuor  to  Dr.  J.  B.  Johnatone,  of 
Govao.  The  preabytery  agreed  to  ex- 
press concarreaee  ia  the  inTiiation,  for- 
warded 1^  a  meeting  of  the  Joint-com- 
mittee of  Synod  andFreBbytery,to  tbeBeT, 
David  Hay,  of  ButEerbnm  Church,  Dud- 
dee,  to  become  pastor  of  the  Henderson 
Memorial  Cbarch,  which  waa  recently 
opened  at  OTemewton.  Mr.  Bucbanao 
was  appointed  to  proaeeote  tbe  call,  in 
cunjanctioD  with  the  commiaaionera  frona 
(he  committee,  before  the  Preabytery  of 
Dnodee.  Before  the  brethren  bad  aepa- 
ruled,  Mt  Bamage  aaid  they  had  all 
doubileas  receired  a  circular  regarding  tbe 
famine  in  China.  He  had  been  much  im- 
preaaed  by  the  facts  an  brought  under  hia 
notice,  and,  on  laying  tbe  matter  before 
his  aeiaion,  thcj  anthoiiied  a  collection  to 
be  made  on  the  Sabbath  following,  from 
which  £21  was  received.  It  occurred  to 
him  that  it  woold  be  a  good  thing  if  the 
presbytery  would  recommeod  that  a  col- 
JectioD  be  immediately  taken  for  the 
famine  fand  in  the  ebDreheg  within  tbe 
bounds.  Dr,  Jeffrey  said  that  couJd  not 
be  done  officially  by  the  preabytery  at 
present,  the  meeting  having  adjourned, 
bat  it  would  be  made  public  through  the 
newspapera.  Dr.  Joseph  Brown  expreaeed 
sincere  regret  that  the  subject  had  not 
been  mentioned  earlier.  Hia  congrega- 
tion, at  one  collection,  gave  £30  to  the 
fund  ;  and  he  believed  that  if  the  people 
were  told  of  the  circumstancea  of  tbe 
famine,  they  wonld  very  willingly  contri- 
bute  for  the  relief  of  the  sufferers.  Mini- 
sters had  a  great  deal  of  responsibility  in 
(bat  matter. 


Ireland. — This  preabytery  met  on  3d 
April  —  Bev.  T.  Eddington,  M.A., 
moderator.  Mr.  Fiizpatrick  had  con- 
ferred with  members  of  CuUeybackey 
who  bad  difflcoltiea  aboat  sittiog  at  tbe 
Lord's  table,  thongh  seeking  baptism  for 
their  children;  was  thanked  for  hia  dili- 
gence. It  waa  reported  that  the  aeaaion 
of  Dublin  were  in  farour  of  joining  the 
preabytery.  The  clerk  waa  inatructed  to 
write  tbe  convener  of  the  Bediatribniion 
Committee  and  the  clerk  of  seasioo  of 
Bablin,  of  tbe  ananimous  feeling  of  the 
presbytery.  The  congregation  of  CuUey- 
backey wu  reported  to  be  now  free  of 
debt.  Dr.  Biyce  was  appointed  to  repre- 
sent the  preabytery  on  the  Committee  of 
Bills  and  Overtares.  The  annual  Stipend 
Augmentation  schedule  was,  on  examina- 
tion, certified,  with  one  addition  paid  in 
Kaockclougbgarm.  It  waa  agreed  for  the 
preaenl  only  to  record  and  acknowledge 
receipt  of  commnni cation  from  the  Libera- 
tion Society.  It  waa  agreed  to  petition 
in  favour  of  the  repeal  of  the  Contagious 
Diseaaea  Act.  Notice  was  given  of 
motion  to  examine  annually  uL  sesuon 
and  managers'  books.  The  moderator  of 
Loauends  was  empowered  to  obtain 
regular  accoant  of  congregational  and 
manse  funds.  Bed  report.  ThereaftcT  Mr. 
Filipatrick  introduced  a  conference  on 
missions,  by  reading  a  moat  interesting 
paper,  whii^  it  was  agreed  to  be  printed 
and  circulated  in  the  different  congrega- 
tiona.^This  presbytery  met  again  on  2d 
July.  Copies  of  the  financial  details  of 
all  the  congregations  in  the  presbytery, 
and  Mr.  Filzpatrick'a  address  on  missiona, 
were  tabled  for  diatiibaiion.  The  Bev. 
James  Slevenaon,  of  Dublin,  was  wel- 
comed, according  to  deed  of  Synod,  as 
member  of  preabj'lery,  and  waa  afterwarda 
Id  regular  course  chosen  as  moderator  for 
next  year.  Circulars  anent  admission  to 
Hall  and  collection  were  read  and  attended 
to.  Tbe  committees  for  next  year  were 
arranged,  and  work  adjusted.  The  motion 
for  examination  of  congregational  books, 
after  discussion,  waa  delayed  to  next  meet- 
ing. Measrs.  M'Lay,  Eddington,  and 
M'Dowell  were  appointed  to  examine, 
aodii,  and  report  on  acconats  of  Loan- 
ends.  Misaionary  deputations  to  each 
congregation  were  to  be  repeated,  con- 
joined with  evangelistic  addretaea.  A 
committee  of  two  waa  appointed  to  watch 
the  pTogreas  of  the  Lord  Cbancellor'g 
Bill  on  Edneation,  and  confer  if  any  ateps 
ahonldbe  taken  to  repreaent  the  views  of  the 
preabytery.  And  it  was  agreed  to  confer 
at  next  meeting  on  the  desirability  of 
undertaking  some  presbyteiial  mission 
work  in  Ireland,  anch  as  the  organisalion 
of  eolpoitenn  under  our  superinteodence. 


376 


BELIQIOUS  INrELLIQEKCE. 


ffelw),— This  prertjtery  mat  on  Tnea- 
daj,  18th  Juno— Rev.  Mr.  Pringle,  J«l- 
borgh,  moderator.  Rev.  Mr.  HilUr  nag 
appoiDted  to  dispense  the  cammnnioD  at 
Greenlaw  on  the  flret  Sabbath  of  Angust, 
and  a  commictea  vas  appointed  to  take 
steps  in  connaction  with  Mr.  Milne's 
claims  on  the  fnnd  for  infirm  ministers. 
Mr.  Gaims  reported,  as  interim  moderator 
of  the  session  of  the  First  congregation, 
Eelso,  that  as  Mr.  Rogers  was  still  unable 
to  restinia  work,  tbe  congregation  had 
granted  otber  three  months  of  absence. 
Sympathy  was  expressed  with  both  the 
pastor  and  congregation,  and  admira- 
tion also  for  the  kindness  sbown  b;  tbe 
people  to  tbpir  minister.  The  clerk  men- 
tioned that  he  had  receiTed  a  nnmber  of 


sideratian  was  Dot  entered  on.  A  com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  confer  farther 
with  the  minister  and  session  of  Dnnse 
congregation,  in  respect  of  no  repreEenta- 
ttve  from  it  ever  appearing  at  presbytery, 
and  no  notice  taken  of  a  former  com  man  i- 
catioDon  tbe  subject.  Mr.  Cairns,  Stitchel, 
stated  that  their  new  church  bad  been 
entered  by  the  congregation  free  of  debt. 
The  presbytery  congratulated  the  minister 
and  congregsiioii  on  this  gratifying  fact. 
Next  meeting  of  presbytery  is  to  be  held 
on  17th  September. 

Orkney. — This  presbytery  met  at  Kirk- 
wall on  the  1st  July  —  Mr.  Atlardice, 
moderator.  Mr,  Allsrdice's  term  of  office 
aa  moderator  having  expired,  Mr.  Mel- 
ville was  appointed  moderator  for  Ihe  next 
twelve  months,  and  took  the  chair.  The 
Rev.  James  Graham,  Bronghty  -  Ferry, 
being  preseot,  wa«  invited  to  correspond, 
and  took  bis  seat.  The  clerk  laid  on  the 
table  the  abstract  schedule  of  congrega- 
tional statistics  of  tbe  presbytery  for  the 
year  ending  31st  December,  which  had 
been  printed  with  the  view  of  being  dren- 
lated  among  the  varions  congregations. 
An  extract  minute  of  tbe  Glasgow  Pres- 
bytery was  read,  intimating  that  neither 
the  session  nor  managers  of  the  Queen's 
Park  congregation  had  bad  anything  to  do 
with  the  sending  oni  of  the  petitions  com- 
plained of  by  the  Orkney  Presbytery.  Mr. 
Kirkwood  read  the  report  of  tbe  Evangel- 
istic Committee  for  the  past  year,  which 
showed  that,  with  the  assistance  of  Messrs. 
Biddocks  and  Mnndel,  167  meetings  bad 
been  held,  of  wbicb  26  were  held  daring 
the  day,  and  the  rest  in  the  evening; 
that  the  visit  of  the  evangelista  had  been 
very  much  appreciated  in  all  the  districts 
they  had  visited,  and  much  good  done, 
Mr.  Caiderwood,  as  convener  of  the  Dis- 
cs labliibinent  Committee,  said  that  this 
not  considered  it  necessary 


to  iDMitata  any  active  agitation  on  tlus 
question  during  the  year,  seeing  the  qui- 
tlon  was  already  in   such  a  faTonrabls 

Eosition  in  the  conntry.  A  letter  was  risd 
;  the  clerk  from  Mr.  Baiilie,  preachsr, 
declining  the  call  from  the  congreguilii 
of  Shapinshay,  and  it  was  set  aside  actoi^ 
ingly.  Much  sympathy  was  expreesedb; 
the  presbytery  for  the  congr^tioii  ri 
Shapinshay  in  being  ^ain  nnsnceaifol  In 
obtaining  the  object  of  iheii  choica.  Hi. 
Kirkwood  was  appointed  to  dispense  tin 
oommunion  there  on  the  third  Bdihuti 
of  July.  The  various  standing  committett 
were  reappointed  for  tbe  year.  The  prcE- 
bytery  then  met  in  private.  Ths  neii 
meeting  to  be  held  at  Kirkwall  on  tba 
first  Monday  of  October. 

Pauley  amd  Oreeaock. — This  presbjtHT 
met  in  Greenock,  4th  June,  when  Mi, 
William  Dickie  received  licence.— IBih 
Jane — Appointed  Mr.  Edgar's  indnctiun, 
who  intimated  bis  acceptance  of  ths  call 
to  St.  Andrew  Square,  Qreenock,  to  tika 
place  July  9, — SSlh  J  one— Granted  > 
moderation  to  Renfrew. — Sth  Julj— Hsl 
for  the  induction  of  Mr.  Edgar.  Mr, 
M'Lean  preached,  Dr.  James  Brovn  in- 
dncted  and  addressed  the  minister,  Mr, 
Gray  addressed  the  congregation. — Fiislei, 
16th  July— A  call  to  Mr.  Charles  Uojei, 
from  Renfrew,  was  sustained.  QiaatA  > 
moderation  to  CInne  Park  for  SOihAigDi'. 
Pertfi,— This  presbytery  met  on  the  aBih 
May— Mr.  Lyon,  moderator.  Mr.Thomu 
Miller,  in  the  absence  of  Mr.  Sntlierlsnd, 
made  a  statement  anent  Craigend,  *bkli 
wasrsceiredaa;aD  interim  report,  and  iivu 
left  with  the  committee  to  prepare  (or  >^ 
dissolution  of  tbe  congregation  undu  >^ 
gaidancG  of  Mr.  J.  B,  Eidston,  oa«stibt 
law  agents  of  the  Church.  A  modenw 
was  granted  to  tbe  coQgregation  of  B>l- 
beggie,  and  Hr.  M'Heil  was  appointed  lo 
moderate  there  on  the  lOtb  of  i"^'- 
Messrs.  George  Smart  and  Wm.  Lsmoini, 
students  of  divinity,  gave  their  trisls  lt)r 
licence,  which  were  ul  UDanimouly  ms- 
tained,  and  they  were  licensed  to  pitach 
the  gospel,  and  to  exercise  their  ^  >* 
probationers  for  Ihe  holy  ministry  a  thii 
Church.  A  communication  was  received 
from  tbe  Home  Secretary,  bearing  thai 
his  committee  has  sanctioned  the  pi;- 
mant  of  £20  for  salary  of  misiionaiy  u 
catechist  at  Pitrodie,  and  reqnesiinji  > 
report    of   the   work   dona    there.— l^i> 

Sesbytery  met  again  on  the  Sth  Jnly— 
r.  LyoD,  moderator.  Mr.  Brown  "U 
appointed  moderator  for  the  next  twelit 
months.  Mr.  U'Neil  reported  his  con- 
duct in  the  moderation  at  Balbeggie  on 
the  lOlh  ultimo,  and  laid  on  ths  table  s 
call  addressed  to  Mr.  Robert  Hacnuuter, 
M,A.,  probationer,  signed  byeigb^-tw 


lOQ 


BELI6IOUS  INTELLIOENOE. 


377 


piembeTB  in  foil  ..     . 

tdherenU.  Mr.  H'Cfeil'i  cod  duct  «m 
approved  of  and  the  call  mslaiaed,  and, 
in  TiaiT  of  Mr.  Micmuter  accepting  it, 
the  clerk  was  appointed  to  give  him  lab- 
jecta  of  trial  for  ordination.  A  paper 
was  received  from  Craigend,  ibe  purport 
of  which  wai  that,  since  the  lait  meeting 
of  preibyterj,  the  coogregaiioo  had  seen 
leason  to  change  their  mind,  and  that 
thej  now  desired  to  be  coatinned  ai  a 
congregation,  to  be  placed  on  the  list  of 
vacancies,  and  to  have  regular  lappl;  of 
sermon  appointed  to  thrm.  CommiHlonec) 
from  tha  congrega^on  '«rere  heard.  The 
Home  Secrelarj  and  Heaira.  Foote  and 
Alexander,  who  nere  present  aa  deputies 
from  the  Home  UUsion  Board,  were  also 
heard,  and  spoke  in  favonr  of  tiie  con- 
gregation being  conlinned.  After  reason- 
ing,  the  presbjtery  approved  of  the  reaola- 
tion  to  continne  the  congregation  come  to 
by  tha  meeting  on  the  Tth  cnrt.,  agreed  to 
hold  the  congre«atian  as  one  of  the  vacant 
charges  of  the  Church,  and  appointed  the 
clerk  to  apply  for  snppij  of  sermon  to 
them  from  this  date.  Also,  associated  Mr. 
Rom,  elder  of  North  Charcb,  Perlb,  vitb 
Mr.  Sutherland,  to  aid  in  the  meaanres 
ifaac  will  be  necessarj  to  cony  ont  lbs 
Bgreenient  of  tbe  congregation,  to  which 
the  presbjterj  has  do*  given  its  sanction. 
Tbe  convener  of  tbe  Committee  on  the 
Regolationt  nnder  which  the  Honey  Bur- 
saries are  administered,  reported  that, 
after  consideration,  the  committee  agreed 
to  reeommend  that  the  present  regaiations 
be  adhered  to.  Tbe  presbjiery  adopted 
the  recommendation.  Next  meeting  on 
the  20th  of  Augnst. 

Bi^beggie. — Ur.  R.  Maemaster,  A.M., 
preacher,  called  June  lOth. 

Tain, — Mr.  Richard  HntchinsoD,  proba- 
tioner, Glaagow,  called  June  S6th. 

Renfrew. — Mr.  Charles  Moyes,  proba* 
lioner,  Ediobargh,  called  July  Sih. 


tain  onr  cause  in  an  Important  town  in 
England  for  tbe  long  period  of  fifty  yean, 
appears  from  tha  graphic  pen  of  Mr. 
Graham.  Another  minister,  who  has 
reached  within  rix  years  of  his  jubilee  in 
tbe  important  town  of  Sunderland,  hsa 
been  obliged  to  seek  partial  relief  from 
laboar,  and,  on  the  Ilth  Jnne  last,  Mr. 
Parker  received  tbe  assistance  of  a  scho- 
larly and  accomplished  colLeagne  in  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Ellison.     The  induction  services 


.   ,  IS  pays 

merited  tribnte  to  the 
pastor  : — '  It  is  a  noble  thing  for  a 
er  to  sit  down  in  the  gloaming  of 
his  career,  as  Mr.  Parker  does,  with  the 
respect  ef  an  entire  commnnitj  accom- 
panying him  into  his  partial  retirement. 
Mr.  Parker  is  the  oldest  minister  in  the 
town,  or  perhaps  in  life,  who  attended  the 
funeral  ot  good  Bector  Qrey  ;  and  he  has 
witnessed  all  the  ministerial  changes  in  the 
Established,  Presbjicriai),  Wesley  an,  Con- 
gregational, and  Baptist  churches  since 
1SS4,  and  has  lived  on  friendly  terms  with 
tbe  brethren.  He  is  also  the  oldest  advo- 
cate of  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible 
Society,  and  other  benevolent  societies  of 
the  town.  We  gladly  place  on  record 
these  faithfully  expressea  opinions,  and 
would  add  onr  own  earnest  hope  that  Mr. 
Parker  may  yet  enjoy  many  deservedly 
happy  years  in  the  affection  of  his  con- 
stant and  appreciative  congregation,  as 
well  as  in  the  respect  and  high  estimation 
of  all  shades  of  society  throughout  the 


GlasgotB  (OaSands).  —  Rev.  George 
Blair,  U.A.,  Satoch  of  Deer,  inducted 
Jul;  4tb. 

Ortenoel:  (St  Andrevft  Sqtiare). — Rev, 
Robert  Edgar, Qlasguw,  Indncied  July  9ib. 


Cupar  {Bo^on  CfturcA).— Mr.  Thomas 
FleminB,  A.M.,  probationer,  Whiibom, 
ordained  July  17lh. 

INDOOTIO"  >KKnCU  AT   BHTSnA  GHtlKCH, 


Sbbtiokb  in  connection  with  the  opening 
of  a  new  church,  of  which  Bev.  Ephraim 
Smith  is  the  esteemed  pastor,  were  held 
here  on  Thursday,  11th  July,  In  the  fore- 
noon an  eloquent  and  appropriate  dis- 
coorse  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Logan  Aikinan,  Glasgow,  and  in  the 
evening  a  service  was  beld,  at  which 
various  ministers  of  churches  in  the 
locality,  and  from  a  distance,  made  con- 
gratulatory speeches.  Among  these  was 
Mr.  Graham  of  Liverpool,  who,  in  tbe 
course  of  his  observationi,  said  'hswas  in 
Newton-Stewart  sixteen  years  ago,  and  on 
that  occasion  he  experienced  much  kind- 
ness (Vom  their  late  minister,  Hr.  Beid, 
and  his  good  wife — a  couple  whom  be 
always  thought  of  with  affection.  He  hed 
no  doubt  Mr.  Beid's  memory  was   still 

nn  amongst  them.  Tbe  old  minister 
,  but  God  abides  ;  and  when  the  new 
ehorch  had  been  opened  that  morning, 
many  would  tiiink  of  their  old  minister, 
and  fell  that  memorj  had  renewed  bis 


c^ 


878  HOTICES  OP  SEW  FDBLICAT10H8.  ^'"^Ci^t^ 

preaching  unongit  them.  The  old  chareh  to  Joan  of  Ace  henelf.  Theie  irere  giaad 
had  *tood  for  eighty  or  a  hnndred  Tean,  memories  for  the  people  of  NewtOD' 
and  of  it  there  irers  many  happ;  memories.  Stewart  to  cfaeruh,  and  he  tnuted  that 
Go  back  auolber  hnndred  jtaxt,  and  thej  the  noble  deroiedoeM  of  these  martjn 
would  come  to  the  time  when  thii  old  wonld  act  as  incentiTes  to  the  people  here 
Gallowaj  was  radiant  with  the  flower*  of  to  work  for  God,  and  to  build  up  Hia 
msnyrdom.  He  was  in  Glen  Troot  the  Church,  and  to  aid  their  miniiters  in 
other  daj,  and  there  he  saw  the  grares  of  canjing  on  the  work  of  the  gospel.'  The 
hair-a-doienof  these  noblemartyia,  whose  opening  services  were  contioaed  on  Sab- 
Christian  characters  and  godly  Urea  and  bath  the  Utb,  and  Sabbath  the  21st  Jaly, 
noble  C0Dn4!e  had  baih  np  the  chnrch  and  were  condneied  by  Mr.  Smith,  and 
which  had  been  opened  thai  day,  and  Mr.  Graham,  Lirerpoo),  and  Dr.  Ker, 
which  had  left  deep  and  lasting  memories  The  chnrcb,  which  is  a  handsome  hoitd. 
in  the  hearts  of  Qod's  people — mcnoiie*  ing,  and  has  cooTenient  claas-rooma,  etc, 
which  would  never  perish.  The  people  of  is  beaatifnlly  sitnated,  and  is  qaite  an 
Newton- Stewart  had  got  grand  landmarks  ornament  to  the  town.  It  cost  £S500,  and, 
before  their  eyes.  Margaret  Wilson  he  by  means  of  the  earnest  efforts  of  the 
looked  upon  as  the  grandest  heroine  in  all  members  of  tbe  congregation  and  friends, 
Scotland,  and  as  one  who  was  not  inferior  ia  opened  free  of  debt. 


|[oti«s  irf  ittto  ^ubltcationfl. 

The  Lord's  Suiter  :  Its  Nattire,  Ends,  is  devoted  ia  '  Fendog  the  Tables,'  oi, 
and  Obligation,  and  Mode  of  Ad-  aa  he  prefers  calling  it,  '  The  WfttniLg,' 
ministratjoa.  By  Thomas  Houston,  which,  it  seems,  it  was  called  in  ancient 
D.D.  Crown  8to,  pp.  360.  times.  This  part  of  the  service  is  no* 
-I,  1  .  ■  ^  t,  ,~»  generaUyomitted,at leastittonrChureh, 
Edinburgh:  J«n«Gemn»n.  IBTB.  it  all  eventa  On  the  communion  Sabbath. 
Dr.  Houston,  we  bdiere,  is  a  Beformed  It  was  once,  however,  oniversaUy  ob- 
PreebirteriBn  minister  at  Knockbtackeu,  aerred,  and  the  anthor  is  partral  to 
near  Belfsat,  aod  is  well  known  to  a  it.  Nov,  it  seems  to  ns  that  whether 
certain  class  as  the  author  of  a  nnmber  the  Lord's  Snpper  be  viewed  gene- 
of  works  on  practical  religion,  which  rally,  or  with  reference  to  such  pas- 
have  had  a  pretty  wide  circulation.  He  sages  aa  1  Cor.  xi.  28,  29,  it  ia  of 
seems  a  well-read,  jndiciona,  sober-  vast  importance  that  at  some  tame 
minded,  pious  man,  whose  writings  are  before  the  ordinance  ia  dispensed,  dis- 
well  fitted  ts  be  acceptable  and  interest-  tinct  and  solenui  intimation  ahoold  be 
ing,  and,  we  hope,  nseful,  to  readers  given  that  there  is  great  responsibility 
who  hold  aoond  evangelical  views,  and  connected  with  ita  obBervance, — that,  as 
incline  somewhat  to  the  old  school.  For  must  be  the  case  in  regard  to  every  other 
hia  books  give  no  oountenance  to  modem  ordinance,  an  nnworthy  observaiice  must 
innovations,  but  savour  a  little  of  the  be  offensive  to  God,  and  consequeitly 
antique,  though  at  the  same  time  it  must  increase  one's  guilt,  or  be  nolo 
is  but  justice  to  say  that  be  is  rather  condemnation  (damnation),  and  msrtit 
lenient  and  tolerant  towards  those  the  same  time,  like  alt  other  sin,  ttwi  to 
whose  sentiments  do  not  quite  accord  blunt  the  person's  conscience,  and  thus 
witii  bis  own.  add  to  hia  depravity.  We  cannot  bat 
It  will  be  seen  that  the  volume  before  think,  however,  that  the  proper  time  for 
us  takes  in  a  wide  and  extensive  range,  such  warning  ia  at  an  earlier  period  than 
and  really  all  the  topics  announced  are  just  immediately  before  the  dispensa- 
Bubjected  to  a  pretty  thorough  discus-  tion.  Let  there  be  leianre  for  actions 
sion.  Generally  we  sympathiie  wilt  reflection  and  self-examination.  We 
the  author,  and  admire  his  spirit,  even  believe, also,  thatinmanycasestherewas 
when  we  cannot  altogether  concur  in  his  a  strange  misapprehenuon  reepecting  the 
opinions.  Let  as  just  briefly  notice  one  proper  object  of  the  fencing,  though  we 
or  two  points  which  he  handles.  We  do  not  mean  to  charge  Dr.  Honston  with 
need  scarcely  say  that  on  the  main  sub~  this.  It  was  common  in  some  chnrchee, 
ject — the  Lord's  Supper — we  entirely  we  have  been  assured,  to  begin  by  de- 
agree  with  him.  barring  first  the  devU,  then  the  Pope, 
One  of  the  subjects  to  wliich  a  section  tlien  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  etc, 


"'XlrSre^^           NOTICES  OF  NEW  POBLlOATIOKfl.  379 

<fhei«u  muiifeetly  the  irHmiag  wu  Author    of    'Bygone    Dsjs    in    oof 

meuit  odIt  for  snch  ss  had  receiTed  Yillftge,'  'Round  the  Qrange  Farm,' 

lokens.    Thej  bad  got  penniaaion  from  '  Livea  aod  Times  of  Pedeu  Eiud  Rea- 

theChnrchto  Bppro&chtbe  table,  aod  it  wick,'  'lives  and  Times  of  the  Two 

wta  for  themaeneB   to  jadge  whether  Guthriea,'    '  Hiatoiy   and  Scenerr  of 

their  ovD  coaacienoeB  wuTBnted  than  the  Border  CoDuties,'  ate.  etc.     With 

lo  go  forward,     Tbia  was  quite  reaaon-  an  .Introductory    Chapter    by    Rev. 

able,  for  it  iaa  amall  matter  to  be  judged  Bobest  M  cib,  M.A.,  Hawick. 
of  man  or  of  nuui's  jadgmeot ;  he  tiiat 

jndgeti  Mia  the  Lori.    Let  every  man  Gia^w .  Dunn  4  fftight   ibts. 

be  fuUy  peraoaded  in  hia  own  mind.  Scotland  can  never  have  too  mnch  of 

We  are  glad  to  see  that  tbe  author  John  Knox.     We  say  this  in  view  of  all 

ipprovee  of  aimuJtaneous   communion,  that  baa  been   written   of   one   of   the 

instead  of  a  euocesaion  of  tablet.    What-  greatest  of  her  Bona ;  but  aa  it  ao  faappena 

CTer  may  be  B»id  for  the  latter  method,  that,  vritb  all  that  bae  been  writteD,;tWe 

it  went  far  to  destroy  the  idea  of  com-  haa  not  aa  yet  appeared  wliat  might 

munion,     Persona  sitting  in  the  church  apecifically  be  called  a  '  People's  Knox,' 

might  regard  themaelvee  as  partaking  of  we  welcome  especially  the  volume,  the 

the  Lord's  Supper  though  tbey  were  not  title  of  which  ia  at  ^e  head  of  this 

■ctoally  at  the  table.    But  we  enapect  nolaoe,  as  working  venr  hopefully  in 

liwj  generally  did  not.    Bat  how  could  that  direction.     'The  Life  of   Knox ' 

one  he  eommutaeating  with  those  at  the  had    indeed    been    written    long    ago. 

table  if  he  was  hearing  a  sermon  at  a  That  waa  done,  once  for  all,  when  in  an 

t«nt,  or  if  he  waa  partaking  of  a  refresh-  early  part  of  this  century  the  aforetime 

meat  in  a  house  of  public  ent«rtainment?  obscure  Old  Light  Seceder  minister  gave 

or  what  JeUowsbip   could   a  minister  to  the  world  the  great  historic  classic, 

We  in  tie  prayer  before  the  celebration  M'Crit't  Life  of  Knox,  and  thus  linked 

(not  the  least  important  part  of  the  hero  and  biographer's  names  together  in 

ordinance,  we  think),  if  he  was  engaged  all  time  coming.     That  work  turned  the 

preaching  at  the  time  when  the  prayer  whole  tide  of  battle  in  regard  to  the 

luofFeredup?     It  is  a  pleasant  reflec-  historic   Knox,    and   gave  direcUon   to 

lion  that  the  good  sense  of  the  present  the  current  in  regard  to  him  which  has 

•^y  ia  in  favour  of  a  method  which  has  had  very  much  the  aame  set  ever  «nce. 

so  many  obvions  recommendations.    The  For,  amid  all  the  contendings,  whether 

plea  for  the  other  method — tbatthetable  in   the   reUgious  or  edacatdonal  life  Of 

addreeeea  were  very  edifying^ — ia  of  no  Scotland,  each  section  has  been  anxious 

^feai  force.     Such  addr^ses  might  be  to  show  either  that  it  held  with,  and 

delivered  in  another   connection;    and  entered  into,  the  views  and  labours  of 

we  once  heard  an  eminent  professra  of  the  true  and  ascertained  Knox,  or  with 

divinity  say,  '  You  may  bear  a  dozen  of  the  spirit  which  he  would  have  been 

these  addieaaes,  and  not  one  of  them  likely  to  manifest  had  he  been  living, 

^)>ciit  the  right  thing — the  ahming  death  moving,  and  working  in  these  later  times. 

ofChrist.'  Since  H'Crie's  great  work,   we  have 

Br.  Boaston  gives   at    the  close  a  had  utterances  and  works,  more  or  leas 

lengthened  catalogue  of  works  on  the  elaborate,  from  such  names  as  Carlyle, 

Urd's   Snpper,    ancient    and    modem.  Froude,     Hill     Burton,    the     younger 

Among  othera,  he  mentiona  Dr.  Brown's  H'Crie,   Wylie,   and   Loiimer,   not    to 

discourses  snited  to  the  Lord's  Supper,  mention  others,  all  bearing  upon  Knox 

and  also  bia  email  tractate  on  the  per-  and  his  times ;  and  now,  in  the  work 

nisnent  obligation  and  freqnent  observ-  before  us.  Miss  Watson,  with  her  own 

uice  of  the  ordinance,  which,  he  says,  lighter   but  not    unskilful    touch,    has 

'is  now    scarce,  but    deserves    to  be  shown  an  admirable  faculty  for  availing 

SiDerally  known.'     We  have  beard  Dr.  herself  of  tbe  labours  of  those  who  have 

rown  himself  say,  that  of  all  he  bad  preceded  her  in  this  field.    Her  earlier 

written,  there  was  nothing  he  so  much  sketches  showed  a  fine  appreciation  of 

wished  to  be  circulated  as  that  little  '  all  that  was  beat  and  purest  in  Scottish 

voloma  country  life,  so  that  '  her '  village  has 

become    'our   village'    for    all  whose 

Kkos  AMD  THE  Reforuation  Tihss  IN  'bygone  days'   extend   over  the  half 

ScoTUMD.      By    Jean  L.  Watson,  century  or  thereby;  and  the  'Grange 


380  KOTI0B3  OF  HEW  PTJBLI0ATI0N8.  ^"ji'Tiiif*' 

Fairn'  is  the  verj  fimn  oa  vhicb  toy  of  her  own  BenteDca-makiiig,  but  thsi, 
of  UB,  who  were  ia  the  line,  might  wbea  ihe  flndii  a  character  well  dninD, 
hare  hoed  oi  herded,  ploughed,  sowed,  vi  iocident  fitly  told,  or  scene  giaphic- 
harretted,  or  done  ftoy  other  of  the  ally  described,  ehe  will  modeUl;  etep 
operationii  in  their  season,  so  true  are  aside,  and  give  it  in  the  words  ol 
the  depictions  of  the  quiet  Scottish  another.  This  gives  great  freehiieKe 
country  life  that  prerailed  before  the  and  variety  to  the  book,  while  tbe 
rail,  with  its  reetlees  hnrryingi  to  and  skilful  linkiDg  nerer  permits  It  to  de- 
fro,  had  mixed  town  and  countfy  in  one  generate  into  mere  incoherent  pdtcb' 
rapid  whirl  Her  biogTaphio  not«e  and  work.  The  literwy  touch  r1h>  is  well 
annotations  on  such  works  as  those  of  seen  in  (he  breaking  np  into  nlee  sboit 
PoUok,  James  Hogg,  Gait,  and  the  chapters,  with  their  quaint  and  corioiiB, 
Cotiager*  of  Gleitbtimie,  have  the  and  not  seldom  reiy  ezpresaiTe  mottoea. 
Nune  true  appreciation  of  one  class  of  The  prefatory  chapter  bj  the  Bei. 
the  '  people  H  booka  ; '  and  the  later  Itobert  Muir  of  Hawick  str&es  a  well- 
works  in  which  she  seeks  to  trace  the  pitched  key-note,  and  his  recommenda. 
religious  life  of  the  country  to  its  tion  of  the  work  as  one  speciaUy  smled 
Boarces,  are  all  iu  the  same  line.  to  the  times,  we  cordially  endorse.    The 

Overleaping  the  century  and  more  of  dissemination  of  such  books  as  thia,  on 

dreary  Moderatiun,   when  the  true  re-  the  widest  scale,  will  do  more  to  Titli- 

ligious  life  of  the  country  was  finding  stand  the  invasion  of  Papal  Hierarcbi«9 

its  outgrowth  and  aliment  in  the  difFer-  and  their  influence  in  the  country  tiuu 

ent  communities  of  the  earlier  Seceders  any  number  of  fussy  committees. 
(aud,  as  she  likes  to  run  them  in  pairs.         The  more  Scotland  has  recalled  to  her 

we     commend     to     her     notice     ^  The  of  the  life  and  works  of  her  true  and 

Erskines     and    Gillespie     and     their  Ood-aoointed  hUrarcht  (and  John  Kddi 

Times'),  we  have  from  her  a   graphic  wssenunently  one  such,  though  he  wauM 

sketch    of    Peden   and    Rtnwidc    and  have  been  the  first  most  strenuousl;  to 

their  TitMt,  at  the  doee  of  the  killing  disclaim  such  a  title),  the  lesa  has  ebe  to 

times  in  the  Covenanting  struggles,  and  fear  from  those  of  the  Pope's  creation. 

to   this   volume  there  is  a  fine  intro-  How  the  great  shadow  of  our  Reformer 

ductory  sketch   from  the  pen   of    Dr.  is  feared,  and  the  work  which  he  did 

John    Ker.      Working    her    way    still  still  sticks  in  the  Papal  memory,  may 

backwards  and  nearer  the  sources,  we  be  seen  by  the  terms  in  which  he  is 

have    in    the   I'wo   Gutkriet  and  tieir  referred  to  in  so  recent  a  boll  as  tbst 

Times  the  spirit  of  the  second  Befor-  re-establishing  a  Papal  Hierarchy  in 

mation  and  the  earlier    days    of    the  Scotland,  in  which  (as  quoted  on  nearly 

Covenant,  under  the  bigoted,    and  try  the  laet  page  of  Hiss  Watson's  work)  he 

that  time  doomed,  Stuarts,  Charles  I.  is  styled    *the  Mvage  apostate   Knoi. 

and  bis  two  sons,  with  the  somewhat  That  man  made  the  country   Presbf- 

un-Scottieh  period  of  the  Cromwellian  terian,'  etc.    Let  us  bind  thnt  to  himu 

times  interjected.    And  now  in  the  vol-  a  crown  for  ever ;  and,  seeing  the  Pope 

nme  before  us  she  takes  us  back  to  the  does  not  forget  him  in  cursing,   m 

root  of  it  all  in  the  work  iJiat  was.  done  children  of  Scotland,  while  they  teaA  hi> 

for  ns  by  'John  Knoz  in  the  Beforma-  life,  may  well  hold  Ids  memory  a  blessed 

tion  times.'  inheritance. 

Miss  Watson  makee  no  pretensions  to         The  publishes,  in  sending  forth  sncli 

great  or  original  research,    but  with  wholesome  literature  as  Mies  Wstsos'i  I 

deft  and  skilful;  pen  she  brings  together  in  the  shilling  volumes  of  their  '  Thistle  I 

a  rapid  and  lifelike  nairatiTa  of  the  Series,'  have  been  doing  a  good  woA.  i 

events,     with    some     portraiture    and  This  volume  seems  to  have  been  intended  i 

characterization  of  the  lea^Ung  actors  for  the  same  series,  but,  tiie  matter  havini  I 

in  those  times,  but  never  losing  ught  overflowed,  it  is  got  np  in  more  band-  j 

of  Knoz  as  the  great  central  figure,  some  form,  but  still  at  a  wondrooslj 

While  the  narrative  is  always  clear  and  cheap  rate.    Again  we  cordially  recom- ' 

easy,  Miss  Watson  is  never  so  enamoured  mend  it  for  wii^  dicnlation. 


D.n.iized  by  Google 


HOITEHLT  BETB08PEOT. 


9;ont^[|;  ^eirospecf. 


On  the  5th  of  Jnly  lut,  Mr.  Jeukina,  the  well-knovn  member  for  Duadee,  moTed 
in  hia  place  in  the  Hoaw  of  CommouB  to  the  foUowiog  effect :  '  That  a  humU« 
addreea  be  preteuted  to  Her  MKJeat^,  pnying  for  the  appointment  of  a  Rojal 
ConuniBBion  to  inquire  as  to  tbe  teaching  and  practice,  by  dergy  of  the  Chnrch  of 
England,  of  doctiinea  and  ceremoniea  not  authorized  bj  law  or  contrary  to  law  j 
that  Buch  ComoiiBBiDn  be  directed  to  inquire  ob  to  the  extent  to  which  docteinea  or 
ceremonies  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Chnrch  are  taught  or  practised  by  clergy  of  the 
Church  of  England,  which  are  uuauthoriLed  by  or  eontrary  to  the  atandard*  and 
usagea  of  the  Chnroh;  to  inquire  also  into  the  formation  of  fratemitiee,  uater- 
hocSs,  guOds,  or  other  religious  institntione  of  a  monastic  or  conTentual  character, 
whenxu  bi^opa  or  clergy  of  the  Church  are  roNnbers  or  patrons,  or  associate  or 
spiritual  adrisers,  and  as  to  the  nature  of  the  towb  asinmed  by  tOie  members  of 
such  aaBoctatioDS ;  and  also  to  inquire  as  to  the  eiiatenee  among  the  clergy  of  the 
Ghvireh  of  any  persons  or  party  teaching  in  the  pulpits  <»  through  the  preas  that 
the  reformation  of  religion  was  an  evil,  and  that  their  aim  and  intention  is  to 
restore  the  relation  to  the  Chnrch  of  Some  which  existed  prior  to  the  eatablish- 
ment  of  theBefonned  Church  of  England;  and,  lastly,  that  the  laity  be  represented 
on  such  CommiBaion.'  Mr.  Jenkins  withdrew  his  motion  after  speaking  vigorously 
and  at  considerable  lengtli  in  aupport  of  it,  and  after  it  had  been  more  or  leas  ably 
diacQBsed  by  other  members.  The  honourable  m^nber  for  Dundee,  however. 
threatened  to  bring  up  the  subject  again  unless  action  were  taken  in  the  Une  of 
his  motion. 

The  argument  mainlj  used  by  Ur.  Jenkins  is  a  vary  obvious  one,  and  yet, 
cmiooaly,  it  is  one  around  whidi  mneh  mist  and  misconception  have  gathwed. 
He  argued  that  as  the  Chnrch  was,  as  a  State  Chnrch,  the  creature  of  tbe  Stated 
and  as  it  had  got  ita  position  as  such  on  certain  conditions,  it  ought  faithfully  to 
obeerre  these  conditions,  if  it  reaped  the  benefits  bestowed  on  it  by  the  relation. 
It  waa  urged  against  Hr.  Jenkips*  motion,  that  if  carried  out  it  would  lead  to 
paiufml  disclosnres,  and  poaaibly  result  in  diaeatAblishment.  Now,  it  would 
naturally  be  thought  that  if  painful  things  are  being  done,  dke  sooner  they  are 
ezpoHed  and  ended  Uie  better.  We  are  told  in  Scripture  of  those  who  hate  light 
aud  love  the  darkness,  but  their  deeds  are  not  spoken  of  with  oommendation  nor 
themselves  as  Christian. 

And  in  reference  to  diseetablishment,  tbe  sooner  in  any  case,  but  specially  in 
the  ease  supposed,  it  comes  the  better.  If  the  Church,  or  a  laige  section  of  it,  is 
not  only  not  doing  what  it  is  bound  to  do,  and  p^d  to  do,  but  the  very  opposite, 
ica  continuance  is  a  huge  hypocrisy  and  wrong.  What  would  be  thought  of  an 
army,  raised  and  supported  that  it  might  guard  the  throne  and  defend  the  con- 
stitution,  hatching  treason  and  giving  both  king  and  government  over  to  the 
enemy?  Would  not  ita  diap^on  aud  dissolution  be  immediately  demanded? 
And  lE  it  be  true  that  in  what  ought  to  be  the  Protestant  Church  of  England  the 
teaching  and  practices  of  Home  are  set  forth  and  indulged  in,  and  thoa  the 
conntiy  betrayed  into  the  hands  of  its  spiritual  foes,  surely  it  is  time,  in  the  name 
of  common  honesty  as  well  as  in  tbe  interests  of  religion  and  patriotism,  that  this 
should  cease  and  determine. 

THE  LATH  DR  CHAKLES  HODGE. 
It  is  often  asserted  that  whi)«t  we  owe  much  to  America  in  the  way  of  useful 
mechanical  inventions  and  coutrivaneee,  it  has  done  little  towards  the  production 
of  the  highest  kind  of  literature.  Let  as  not  be  ungnteful,  however,  or  forgetful 
of  the  great  names  that  adorn  the  roll  ot  American  authors.  The  philosopher 
and  theologian  instinctively  turns  to  Jonathan  Edwards,  and  notea  in  his  coloaeal 
intellect  one  of  whom  any  country  might  be  proud.  Others  might  easily  be 
mentioned.  Meanwhile,  all  Christendom  is  called  to  monm  tbe  death  of  a  veteran 
theologian  of  remarkable  powers,  atUinments,  and  achievemente.    At  the  lipe  age 


383  MONTHLY  BBTBOSPECT.  '"'^'ui!'" 

of  eiglitf ,  aod  after  the  accoroplishment  of  much  severe  and  moat  impcrtant  wA, 
Dr.  Charles  Hodge,  amidat  general  regret,  hu  paaaed  awaj — fallen  like  s  shock  of 
com  fullf  ripe.  The  pmicipal  eTeuta  in  tjie  life  of  the  Tenentble  tbeol<%iiui  h&ie 
been  thus  summarized  : — 

'  Charles  Hodge  belonged  to  an  old  New  Jersey  family,  and  over  thieeecoK  jaa 
ago  he  attended  Prinoeton  College,  and  waii  a  papil  in  the  ieminory  in  vtuch  of 
late  he  filled  a  high  poation.  ^on  after  graduating  he  was  amt  to  a  Gamu 
UniTenity,  nhere  he  became  proficient  in  Oriental  languagea,  and  further  enUiged 
bis  knowledge  of  the  claaaicB.  On  his  return  to  the  United  States,  he  mod  became 
noted  for  hia  learning,  and  fifty-nz  years  ago  he  aaanmed  the  chair  of  nstonilic 
theology  at  Princeton,  which  be  held  till  the  time  of  his  death.  Of  lateDr.  Hodge 
had  retired  from  the  active  discharge  of  his  functions,  his  son  Dr.  A.  A.  Bodge 
taking  his  place  in  the  chur  of  theology.  The  late  divine  wrote  three  volnma 
on  Byetematic  theolc^y,  which  have  been  traoalated  into  variooa  langnaga.  Be 
also  wrote  a  book  on  Darwiniem,  varione  commentariea  on  the  Episues  of  Ful, 
and  otjier  volumes  on  kindred  gabjecta.  He  also  did  much  work,  and  Tendered 
signal  service  in  connection  with  the  Prinetton  itevieir, — a  jonmal  which  hu  long 
been  sn  acknowledged  power,  as  a  repertory  of  profonnd  thongbt  and  extensiTC 
learning,  not  only  in  America,  bnt  in  our  own  and  other  conntries.' 

THE  FAMINE  IN  CHINA. 
TowABDS  the  close  of  last  year,  our  nation  bestirred  itself  and  did  itself  mvA 
honour  by  its  cradial  and  liberal  oontribntiona  in  behalf  of  the  enfferere  from  the 
famine  then  prevailing  in  India.  At  the  present  time,  a  famine  extending  orm  a 
large  territory  comprising  seventy  miUione  of  inhabitants,  is  doing  terrible  mik  in 
China.  It  is  impoaaible  to  overeatdmat^  the  horrors  of  snch  a  calamity.  Famine 
is  always  a  terrific  scourge,  and  is  certain  to  be  accompanied  with  nameisB  erik 
If,  in  the  sad  and  sickening  history  of  each  calamities,  equal  miBeriee  have  been 
endured  or  horrora  perpetrated,  they  certainly  never  have  been  Burpaseed,  niej 
really  make  the  ears  to  tingle  and  the  blood  ran  oold. 

It  baa  been  noted  that  whilst  tdiera  was  a  prompt  and  cordial  response  to  the  call 
for  aid  to  India,  comparatively  little  has  be^  said  or  done  for  China.  TbSe  nuj  hr 
acoonnted  for  by  the  fact  that  we  stand  in  relations  to  India  in  which  we  do  not  itud 
toCbina  Foroncin thiscountry  thathastakeuadeepintereat in  the  onecoiuili7. 
there  are  a  hundred  that  have  been  intereatcd  in  the  other.  Bnt,  apart  from  eii- 
sideratioDBofgeneralhumanityand  Christian  duty,  China  has  claims  on  tliiscooilrr' 
We  have  been  verily  gnilty  concerning  our  brethren  in  China.  Our  hmda  IKt^ 
clean  in  the  grievoua  matter  of  the  opium  traffic,  and  now  we  have  an  oppoitautl 
offered  ns  for  showing  that  our  nation  is  not  entirely  eelflsh,  and,  regardleMotW' 
sequences  to  others,  greedy  of  gain  to  itself.  The  conntry  and  the  Ghnich,  u  it^f 
be  seen  from  the  action  taken  in  several  of  our  preebyteriee,  are  beginning  to  uome 
themeelves,  and  we  truet  the  response  to  the  call  now  being  made  will  be  ipeedj 
and  liberal.  The  need  is  both  exceeding  great  and  urgent.  Here,  also,  it  is  most 
true  that  *  he  gives  twice  who  ^vee  quickly.' 

There  are  special  difBculties  in  anch  a  conntry  as  China,  in  the  way  of  mabog 
the  moet,  and  at  the  earliest  period,  of  what  may  be  given.  Shansi,  where  the 
famine  chieSy  prevails,  is  two  hundred  miles  distant  from  Tientain,  tbe  port  to 
which  supplies  can  be  eent.  In  a  land  intersected  by  railways,  or  poaaessed  even 
of  good  ordinary  roads,  this  distance  might  easily  be  overtaken.  Bnt  As» 
facilities  do  not  abound  in  China,  and  are  not  to  be  found  in  the  famine-stricken 
region.  Hence  it  takes  fifteen  da^  to  convey,  at  a  cost  of  £13,  a  ton  of  material  from 
the  port  to  the  city.  This  is  disheartening,  especially  when  conjoined  with  con- 
sideratdona  of  the  incapable  ehancter  of  the  Chinese  Oovemment,  and  the  little  ii 
attempts  in  behalf  of  its  own  subjecta.  But  thia  doea  not  leaaen  ijia  miaery  of  the 
sufferers,  nor  annul  the  duty  oi  those  who  are  more  happily  pdaced.  Bather 
ought  it  to  be  regarded  as  an  additional  claim  and  a  louder  call 

ANOTHER  SUEPRISB. 
Whek  tlie  Congress  met  at  "Berlis  on  the  13tb  of  June  last,  much  gratificatioD  vu 
felt,  and  a  sense  of  relief  experienced ;  and  as  its  deliberationB  prixeeded,  satislnc- 


"""rTwl'^'  MONTHLY  EBTHOSPECT.  383 

tion  increased.  Tlie  dark  c1ond  of  threatened  var  wm  bdng  dkpened,  and  the 
light  and  pj  of  pe&ce  ehedding  their  brightneas  and  gladness  all  aroand.  But 
as,  on  a  famoos  morning  in  Marcli,  it  was  told  that  the  reeeive  forces  were  called 
forth,  and  troopB  from  India  csllad  to  European  shores,  a  shock  of  surprise  and 
pain  was  felt,  so,  when  what  haa  been  called  the  Anglo-Torkish  Convention  was 
made  known  in  recent  weeks,  similar  feelings  were  excited.  Thia  compact  between 
Lord  Beaconsfield  and  the  Turkish  Oovemment  was  made  on  ths  4th  of  June.  It 
vaa  not  made  known  till  towards  the  cloee  of  the  Congress,  and  the  PariiameDt 
and  people  of  England  were  not  once  connilt«d  in  the  matter.  It  has  been  as  if 
our  Premier  were  universal  dictator,  and  that  what  be  is  pleased  to  do  in  secret 
Uiie  nation  must  support  openly,  and  at  any  cost.  But  as  tbe  nature  and  meaning 
of  this  treaty  become  known,  it  will  be  increaHtngly  hated  and  contemned.  To 
protect  Turkey,  and  thus,  keep  in  existence  a  government  which  is  a  dis^«ce  to 
humanity,  as  well  as  to  expose  onrsolvea  to  the  risk  of  war  at  any  moment, 
cannot  be  agreeable  to  the  wishen  of  the  people  of  these  lands.  And,  aa  has  been 
said,  by  this  treaty  '  we  make  ourselves  the  inBtruments  of  one  of  the  vilett  of 
goTemments,  to  keep  it  iu  power  over  peojjle  whether  th^  want  its  rule  or  not. 
If  that  government,  which  ia  not  noacquamted  with  political  chicane,  were  to  de- 
^  to  embroil  ns  with  Gasiiia,  it  could  do  so  next  week.  It  hsa  only  to  foment 
disturbances  on  the  new  frontier,  and  a  coUidon  with  Busaia  may  be,  and  indeed  is 
certain  to  be,  the  consequence.  It  has  been  said  again  and  again  by  those  who 
profess  to  ba  afraid  of  Ruaaian  deaigna  on  India,  that  Euasia  must  be  kept  from 
touching  UB.  By  this  Convention,  however,  ve  go  to  meet  Biuaia ;  we  put  our- 
selvea  into  contact  with  her,  and  court  whatever  danger  that  may  mean.'  A 
day  of  reckoning,  however,  is  coming.  Self-interest,  patriotism,  honour,  humanity, 
and  OUT  most  holy  faith,  are  all  arrayed  against  what  is  implied  in  this  daring 
transaction ;  and  bowever  mighty  may  be  the  power  of  the  man  that  rules  the 
hour,  mightier  far  are  these  things  that  are  against  him,  and  they  shall  prevail. 

EDINBURGH  ASSOCIATION  FOE  INCUEABLES. 
One  of  the  aspects  of  mission  work  both  at  home  and  abroad  which  commaTiiis 
peat  interest,  is  that  which  conjoins  the  care  of  the  body  with  the  welfare  of  the 
soal.  The  strange,  mysterious  connection  between  body  and  mind,  and  the  in- 
Buence  for  good  or  evil  which  they  so  constantly  and  powerfully  exert  on  each  other, 
ia  more  and  more  becoming  an  object  of  atndy  to  all  thoughtful  men.  The 
diseases  of  the  one  are  often  found  to  orifpiate  in  those  of  the  other,  and  often 
nient«1  cnrea  are  effected  by  the  sueceasful  treatment  of  bodily  sufferings.  The 
Church  ta  therefore  in  this  respect  walking  according  to  the  example  set  before 
it  by  its  divine  founder,  who  healed  ali  manner  of  diseases,  and  who  in  removing 
a  sore  bodily  malady  aUo  saved  an  immortal  soul. 

Among  the  many  forms  of  Christian  and  philanthropic  effort  which  is  so 
characteristic  of  our  times,  that  of  the  Association  for  Incurablea  is  specially 
worthy  of  notice.  It  is  often  felt  that  the  period  of  convalescence  is  more  trying 
ttum  tiiBt  of  Bev»e  Buffering  itself.  What,  then,  must  it  be  when  the  restoration 
towards  health  is  only  very  imperfect,  and  future  recovery-  is  hopeless ;  and  coo- 
joined  with  this,  that  which  is  alwaya  a  aore  evil,  Qtter  penury?  Now,  it  is  the 
alleviation  of  evila  such  as  these  that  this  Association  has  in  view.  It  has  not 
been  long  in  existence;  having  been  founded  in  1874.  The  hospital  is  situated 
in  Salisbury  Hace,  near  the  old  reaidence  of  the  philanthropic  Guthrie,  who 
would  have  rejoiced  in  it.  It  has  been  hitherto  of  very  limited  ext«nt,  but  ie 
now  being  much  enlarged,  ite  friends  having  been  enabled  to  do  so  by  the  muni- 
ficent gift  of  the  late  Mr.  Longmore,  who  bequeathed  the  sum  of  £10,000  for 
that  purpose.  In  the  report  for  last  year  Just  published,  the  physidaua,  Drs. 
Balfour  and  Bell,  thus  state  and  conunend  the  object  of  the  inatitutaon,  and  ex- 
press approval  of  it : — 

'  The  list  of  patients  admitted  and  diachareed  from  the  Edinburgh  Hospital 
for  Incurables  auiing  the  paat  year,  anfficienuy  proves  tiiat  this  hospital  con- 
tinues to  do  most  important  work  in  its  own  department.  It  ia,  however,  most 
important  for  ^e  pnolic  and  for  the  profession  clearly  to  understand  what  that 
department  is,  in  order  that  its  efficiency  may  be  maintained.    Of  all  the  patients 


384  MONTHLY  BETEOSPECT.  "'""JilTiw^ 

who  come  under  treatmeDt  in 'Uie  geDend  hoBpitals  of  Scotland  during  any  jeu', 
not  len  thftn  ooe-third  ate  incurablj  diseued.  Of  these  a  certain  percentage 
are  capable  of  being  refit«ted  to  a  Etate  of  health  Buffident  to  enable  them 
t«mporaril7  to  reenme  their  ordinarT'  occupation  ;  another  percentage  are  dig- 
chafed  so  maimed  or  enfe^led  aa  to  be  ever  aftet  unfit  to  maintain  thems^Tv, 
altbougb  they  maf  not  reqnire,  for  tlie  present  at  least,  any  fnrllier  nntmng  w 
bosptal  treatment ;  while  a  third  and  smaller  percentage  will  always  legwt 
both  careful  nursing  and  hospital  treatment  while  they  Hve,  and  are  only  dii- 
chai^ed  becaose  the  neoesBary  regnlaCioDS  of  ordinary  hoapitals  prevedt  them 
being  retained  for  an  indefinite  period.  The  Edinbu^b  Hospital  for  lacnrablei 
only  aima  at  providing  a  home  for  the  latter  clam  of  patients,  and  all  experime 
agreee  that  it  is  only  for  this  cIbeb  that  sach  a  provision  should  be  made.  .  ,  , 
But  we  wonld  also  deBre  so  to  superintend  the  sick  poor  of  Edinbnif  b  aud  lie 
surrounding  district,  so  that  every  incurable  should  be  assisted  in  niaintiiiwig 
himself,  should  receive  proper  medical  attendance  when  ailing,  and  wfaoi  dying 
and  in  need  of  uurMng  should  be  reoeived  into  an  hospital  where  all  hisniinU 
might  be  sappliad.  And,  at  the  same  time,  we  also  deeire  to  expose,  and  as  fu 
as  possible  prevent,  all  malingering  and  all  trading  upon  public  benevolence, 
which  is  so  fruitful  a  source  of  waste  and  of  injury  to  the  poor  themselvM 
These  are  the  objects  for  which  the  Edinburgh  Association  for  IncoraUea  wis 
instituted,  and  it  is  to  carry  out  theee  objects  that  we  claim  the  support  of  tin 
public.  The  published  reports  prove  that  the  hospital  department  bat  been 
efficiently  carried  out  to  the  extent  of  the  means  supplied  ;  but  we  by  and  b; 
hope  to  have  the  whole  of  this  scheme  placed  upon  a  substantial  bans,  and  for 
this  aid  we  look  not  merely  for  the  matenot  but  Bto>  for  the  moral  support  of  the 
Edinburgh  public.' 

ECCLESIASTICAL  STATISTICS. 
Of  late  the  qnestioa  of  Disestablishment  has  agsumed  in  certain  quarters  ya^ 
mu<^  the  form  of  one  of  numbers.  On  whose  side  lies  the  majority?  If  tlie 
Established  Church  is  the  Church  of  the  majority  of  the  Scottish  people,  then  it  i> 
argued  it  should  stand.  With  a.  view  of  showing  that  this  is  the  case,  Princip^ 
Tidloch  has  recently  written  a  letter  to  the  TiTitei,  in  whii^  he  gives  tiie  atatistia 
of  the  membership  of  the  three  leading  denominations.  The  membership  of  tiie 
Established  Church  is  said  to  have  been,  in  1874,  460,666,  and  in  1876  it  wWS 
moro;  in  the  Free  Church  it  was  232,411;  in  the  United  Presbyterian  Cbmch 
it  was  172,170, — giving  a  maiority  over  both  in  favour  of  the  Eatald^ed  Obtucti 
of  67,896. 

It  is  not  OQT  intention  to  question  the  correctness  of  theee  statistics,  bntwevish 
to  point  out  that,  as  an  argument  for  Establishment,  they  are  misleading.  The 
contention  of  the  Disestabushment  party  is  that  the  members  of  the  so-called 
National  Church  does  not  represent  a  majority  of  the  nation.  The  three  Fresh;- 
terian  Churches  do  not  comprehend  all  the  people  of  these  lands.  There  are  ^ 
Episcopalians,  Independents,  Boman  Catbolioe,  and  other  leaser  denominatioiiB, 
whilst  there  are  also,  what  we  all  deplore,  very  many  who  belong  to  no  denomiosi- 
tion  whatever.  So,  then,  if  the  statistics  of  the  eccleeiaatical  position  and  relatioa 
of  all  the  people  in  the  land  were  taken,  the  67.896  which  the  leaj^ed  Priacip>l 
claims  BB  a  majority  over  the  two  sister  Chuichee,  would  be  found  to  dist^ifieKT. 
What  has  bo  be  shown  is  that  the  Church  of  Sootland  is  the  Church  of  the  natioD ; 
aud,  even  at  its  beat  and  largest,  this,  in  theae  days,  the  Established  Church  cannot 
prove  itself  to  be.  It  is  simply  a  sect, — the  largest  sect,  indeed,  but  onlyssector 
section  of  the  people, — aiiid  therefore  unworthy  of  the  prestige,  the  poBJtion,  »nd 
emoluments  of  a  national  institution. 


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UNITED  PRESBYTERIAN   MAGAZINE. 


SEPTEMBER    2,    1878 


(Original  %xt'uUs. 


THE  PEACEFUL  END  OP  THE  RiaHTEOTJS. 

A    SEBUON  BT  THE   SEV.   ROBERT  9.  SCOTT,   U.U.,   GLASGOW. 
uid  b«bold  the 

The  afflictions  of  the  righteoas  are  often  nnmeroos  and  severe.  It  is 
therefore  not  onnatnral  that  the  minds  of  the  soffering  serrants  of  the  Most 
High  sboold  be  disquieted  within  them,  as  thaj  compare  their  own  trials, 
adversities,  and  bereavemeata  with  the  outward  and  aeemingl;  andistnrbed 
prosperity  of  many  wicked  men.  To  dispel  such  thonghts,  by  showing  to 
the  people  of  God  that,  however  rongh  and  thorny  may  be  the  path  by 
which  He  is  pleased  to  gnide  them.  He  ever  leads  them  by  the  right  way 
that  they  may  go  to  '  a  city  of  habitation,'  appears  to  be  the  design  of  the 
psahn  from  which  the  text  is  taken.  In  it  the  Psalmist  opens  up  the 
apparent  mystery  of  Qod's  deahng  with  the  r^hteons  and  the  wicked,  and 
teaches  that  it  is  only  oar  imperfect  knowledge  of  Qod's  dispensations  which 
makes  it  difficult  to  reconcile  the  troublee  of  the  jnst  with  the  righteoasness 
and  faithfulness  of  Him  who  beholdeth  with  a  pleasant  coontenance  the 
upright  in  heart.  It  shows  os  the  wicked  plotting  against  the  jnst ;  but  it 
also  shows  us  that  the  jnst  man  shonld  not  be  greatly  moved  by  their 
violence,  because  tlie  Lord  will  langh  at  the  fury  of  the  wicked,  and  will 
uphold  the  righteous.  It  tells  ns  that  many  of  the  designs  of  the  wicked 
shall  never  be  accomplished,  and  that  many  of  their  mischievous  plots  shall 
recoil  upon  their  own  heads,  so  that '  their  sword  shall  enter  into  their  own 
heart,  and  theu-  bows  shall  be  broken.'  And  even  when  their  prosperity 
seems  to  be  greatest,  and  their  snccess  most  triumphant,  it  shows  us  the 
vanity  and  Lastability  of  their  enjoyments,  and  the  suddenness  with  which 
they  may  reach  an  unexpected  end.  '  I  have  seen  the  wicked,'  writes  the 
Psalmist, '  in  great  power,  and  spreading  himself  like  a  green  bay  tree. 
Yet  he  passed  away,  and,  lo,  be  was  not :  yea,  I  sought  him,  bat  he  could 
not  be  found;' — wlule  as  the  bright  contrast  to  this  end  of  the  prosperous 
wicked  man,  and  as  the  conclnsive  proof  that  in  the  final  results  of  things  it 
is,  and  shall  be,  well  with  them  that  truly  fear  God,  he  summons  his  readers, 
in  the  words  of  the  text,  to  '  mark  the  pwfect  man,  and  behold  the  upright, 
for  the  end  of  that  man  is  peace.' 

In  illostrating  these  words,  three  topics  claim  onr  consideration.     IbI,  The 

KO.  IX.  VOL.  SXII.  NEW  SERIES. — SEFTEUBEB  UTB.  2  B 


386  THE  PBAOEFOL  EMD  OF  THE  EIOHTEOOB.     ^    Kpitim* 

character  described ;  2d,  The  happy  priril^e  of  bim  who  possesses  that 
character ;  and  Sd,  The  doty  to  which  we  are  sommoDed  io  GODQection  nlth 
the  character  and  the  privilege. 

I.  In  the  first  place,  then,  we  are  to  notice  the  character  described— 
'  the  perfect  man  and  the  npright.' 

We  are  not  here  to  understand  by  these  words  an  absolutely  perfect  and 
npright  man,  or  one  who  has  in  his  natnre  and  in  his  heart  no  bias  towards 
evil.  Since  Adam  fell  from  the  high  estate  of  holy  blessedness  in  which  he 
was  created,  by  sinning  against  God,  there  baa  been  no  man,  escept  'Ck 
second  Adam,  the  Lord  from  heaven,  oar  Sarionr  Jesns  Christ,  of  whom  it 
coold  with  trntb  be  said  that  Lie  was '  holy,  harmlees,  nndefiled,  and  separate 
from  sinners,'  or  that  in  him  the  omniseieat  eye  of  the  holy  God  coald 
discern  no  seed  of  evil,  no  manifestation  of  the  influence  of  a  fallen  and 
corrupt  natnre.  'Who  can  bring  a  clean  thing  ont  of  an  unclean!  not 
one ; '  and  '  there  is  not  a  just  man  upon  earth  that  doeth  good  and  ainselb  , 
not.'  '  Lo,'  says  the  Preacher, '  this  only  have  I  found,  that  God  hatii 
made  man  nprigbt ;  but  they  have  sought  out  many  inventions.' 

Neither  are  we  to  understand  the  words  of  the  t«zt  as  describing  a  man  who, 
having  once  sinned,  has  now  so  recovered  himself  from  the  error  of  his  ways  tiiat 
be  has  again  attained  to  perfection  in  holiness.  The  best  of  men  on  earth  are 
compassed  about  with  infirmities,  and  they  are  but  men  at  the  best.  It  was 
when  far  advanced  towards  the  end  of  his  earthly  course  that  Paul  wrote  to 
the  Philippian  disciplw,  '  Not  as  though  I  had  already  attained,  either  were 
already  perfect,  but  I  follow  after,  if  that  I  may  apprehend  that  for  which 
I  am  apprehended  of  Christ  Jesas.  lirethren,  I  count  not  myself  lo  haye 
apprehended ;  bat  this  one  thing  I  do,  forgetting  those  thiDgs  which  are 
behind,  and  reaching  forth  unto  those  things  which  are  b^ore,  I  press 
toward  the  mark  for  the  prize  of  the  high  calling  of  God  in  Christ  Jeras.' 
The  apostle  of  the  Gentiles  thus  confessed  that  be  had  not  attained  to  the 
character  of  an  absolutely  perfect  man ;  and  who  is  there  that  sh^  etj  d 
himself,  I  am  holier  than  Pan) ;  or  that  can  venture  to  think  that,  if  wnghed 
in  the  balance  in  the  sight  of  Him  before  whom  every  month  must  be 
stopped,  and  who  has  charged  even  His  angels  with  folly,  he  should  oothe 
found  wanting. 

The  perfect  and  the  npright  man  is  therefore  not  one  who  ia  absolntdj 
pure  and  sinless,  but  he  is  one  who,  beheving  God's  testimony  concemii^ 
His  Son  Jesus  Christ,  is  freely  justified  by  his  faith.  Even  David  deftcribelh 
the  blessedness  of  the  man  to  whom  God  impnteth  righteousness,  or  wbom 
God  treats  as  a  righteous  person,  without  the  works  of  the  law,  saying, 
'Blessed  are  they  whose  iniquities  are  forgiven,  and  whose  sins  are  covered. 
Blessed  is  the  man  to  whom  the  Ltwd  will  not  impute  sin.'  '  By  the  deeds 
of  the  law  there  shall  no  flesh  be  justified ; '  and  in  the  exceeding  breadth  of 
that  law  there  is  an  end  of  all  perfection,  if  One  had  not  appeared  as  a 
substitute  for  men  to  fnlBl  all  the  demands  of  the  law  in  their  stead,  and  to 
secure  for  all  who  trust  in  Him  a  free,  full,  and  final  deliverance  from 
the  penalty  of  that  violated  but  righteous  Jaw.  But  here,  also,  we  see  tbe 
resources  of  divine  wisdom  and  goodness,  in  providing  a  Mediator  betwW 
man  and  God,  who,  by  His  obedience  unto  death,  could  make  it  a  rigbteons 
thing  for  God  to  pardon  them  that  believe  in  Him.  There  is  revealed  in 
the  Bible  a  divine  method  of  justifying  sinners,  by  which  they  are  perfectlj 
delivered  from  condemnation  and  wrath, — a  method  of  justification  whid 
Is  not  more  needed  by  all,  than  it  is  also  suitable  for  all,  and  iufficieia  for  all, 


"MptTii:"**'*^     THE  PEACEFUL  END  OF  THE  RIGHTEOUS.  387 

and  frethj  offered  to  all  who  hear  the  gospel, — even  '  the  righteoasness  of 
Ood  which  is  by  faith  of  Jesos  Christ  nnto  all  and  npon  all  them  that 
believe.'  Here  i^one  do  we  see  God  at  onco  tw  'the  juat  God '  and  '  the 
Saviour,' — '  jnst,'  and  the  '  jnstifier  of  him  that  beJieveth  in  Jeaua,' — faithfal 
and  jost,  in  inflicting  on  His  own  beloved  Son,  us  onr  siirety,  the  full  penalty 
of  the  broken  law ;  and  jet,  jaat  becaase  He  has  smitten  the  surety  who 
stood  in  onr  room,  '  faithful  and  jost  to  forgive  hs  onr  sins,  and  to  cleanse 
as  from  all  onrighteoasness.'  Show  me  then  a  man  who  has  faith  in  Christ  as 
the  divinely-appointed  and  accepted  anbstitute  for  sinful  raea,  and  who  is  truly 
resting  on  the  atonement  and  intercession  of  Christ  as  his  Savionr  and 
RedeemffT,  his  Prophet,  Priest,  and  King,'a,nd  I  will  show  yoo  one  of  those 
whom  David  intended  to  describe  as  a  perfect  man  and  upright,  for  I  will 
show  yon  one  to  whom  there  is  no  condemnation,  wid  one  who  has  peace 
with  God,  having  hia  f^th  eonnted  nnto  him,  through  the  free  grace  of  God, 
for  righteousness. 

Snt  white  we  are  justified,  not  on  account  of  any  works  of  ours,  but 
through  faith  in  the  perfect,  finished,  and  accepted  work  of  Christ,  onr  faith 
in  Christ  mast  be  justified  by  our  works,  since  faith  withont  works  is  dead. 
That  trnth  concerning  God  and  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  way  of  salvation 
through  Christ,  which  we  must  believe  in  order  that  God  lor  His  Son's  sake 
may  treat  us  as  righteous  persons,  is  holy  and  purifying  truth.  It  cannot 
be  believed  without  our  faith  in  it  eserting  a  purifying  influence  on  our 
whole  nature.  Hence  Christ  prays  to  His  Father  for  His  disciples, 
'  Sanctify  them  through  Thy  truth ;  Thy  word  is  truth; '  and  Paul  writes 
to  l^tDS, '  For  the  grace  of  God  that  bringeth  salvation  hath  appeared  to 
all  men,  teaching  us  that,  denying  ungodliness  and  worldly  lusts,  we  should 
live  soberly,  righteously,  and  godly  in  this  present  world.'  Only  let  a  man 
sincerely  believe  what  the  Bible  tells  him  about  the  evil  of  sin,  its  offensive- 
ness  to  God,  and  the  endless  ruin  which  is  its  just  reward,  and  let  him  see 
nil  this  ilhislrated  by  the  anguish  of  that  cross  on  which  the  dying  Savionr 
bore  our  sins,  and  his  fdth  in  that  testimony  will  purify  his  heart,  pro- 
ducing in  it  love  to  that  Holy  One  who  first  loved  us,  and  filling  it  with  the 
desire  to  be  holy  even  as  God  is  holy.  Ko  other  system  of  morality  or 
religion  has  ever  supplied  motives  powerinl  enongfa  to  overcome  the 
sel^hness  and  the  depravity  of  our  fallen  human  nature.  But  the  cross  of 
Calvary  seen  by  faith  is  death  to  every  vice,  though  that  death  may  be 
effected  only  by  degrees ;  and  he  who  has  obtained  justification  by  faith  in 
Him  who  hnng  upon  the  cross,  must  hate  the  sin  which  made  Him  suffer, 
and  must,  as  one  who  is  set  free  from  sin,  hare  his  frait  unto  holiness,  and 
the  end  everlasting  life.  Because  he  is  born  of  God,  he  can  no  more  sin 
knowingly,  wilfully,  or  habitually.  The  new  principles  which  have  been 
implanted  obtain  increasing  influence  over  all  his  feelings,  desires,  and 
actions ;  and  the  Holy  Spirit,  who  produced  in  his  heart  the  faith  which 
saves  the  soul,  will  excite  and  enable  him  to  yield  those  frnits  of  the  Spirit 
through  which  alone  a  man  can  be  conformed  to  the  moral  image  of  God, 
and  be  carried  forward  to  the  measure  of  the  stature  of  the  perfect  man  in 
Christ  Jesus.  The  doctrine  of  grace,  instead  of  making  void  the  law 
through  faith,  rather  establishes  the  law,  and  prodncea  purer  and  nobler 
obedience  to  the  precepts  of  that  law.  He,  therefore,  has  reason  to  suspect 
that  he  has  no  true  or  saving  faith  in  Christ  at  all,  who  is  not  constrained 
to  give  diligence  that  he  may  add  to  his  faith,  virtue,  knowledge,  temperance, 
patience,  godliness,  brotherly  kindness,  and  charity,  in  order  that  he  may  be 
neither  barren  nor  tufrnitfal  in  the  knowledge  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour 


388  THE  PEACEFUI.  END  OP  THE  RIGHTEOUS.     '    wA^S^aT**' 

Jesus  Christ ;  and  that  he  may  have  more  abnndant  evideoce  in  himseU 
that,  being  jngtified  by  ffutb,  he  is  aiso  vpright  in  heart  with  God,  and 
steadily  adrancing  towards  that  state  of  the  perfect  mao,  which  Eball 
constitnte  his  glory  and  his  joy  in  his  Father's  house  above. 

II.  The  character  described  ia  the  text  being  thns  the  upright  and  perfect 
man,  who  is  throagh  faith  in  Christ  accepted  ae  righteone  with  Ood,  and 
who  is  striving  to  become  mote  and  more  like  God  in  holiness  and  moral 
perfection,  we  proceed  to  notice,  in  the  second  place,  the  happy  privilege  of 
those  who  pOBseas  that  character.  '  The  end  of  that  man  is  peace ; '  that  \i, 
in  his  death  he  shall  have  that  confidence  in  the  love  and  faroor  of  God 
which  shall  comfort  him  in  the  dark  valley,  and  preserve  him  from  the  over- 
whelming fear  of  death,  and  fill  his  son!  with  a  peaceful  blessed  hope  of  a 
glorioQS  immortality.  Such  is  the  plain  import  of  the  words ;  and  snch  the 
privilege  of  the  perfect  man  and  the  npright,  by  reference  to  which  the 
Psalmist  demonstrates  that  the  position  of  the  righteous,  even  though  he 
suffers  on  earth,  is  better  than  that  of  his  neighbour  who  seems  to  prosper 
in  transgression. 

Now  it  must  be  confessed  that  al)  real  Christians  do  not  in  an  equal 
degree  experience  this  peace  in  a  dying  honr.  There  are  some  whose 
minds  are  so  enfeebled  by  disease,  or  disturbed  by  bodily  pain  and  angnisb, 
that  their  snn  sets  as  it  were  behind  a  clond,  and  they  cannot  so  fix  their 
thoughts  on  God's  love  in  His  Son  as  to  derive  from  it  the  fall  assurance  of 
hope  in  the  last  and  trying  hour.  Yet,  thongh  the  pain  and  weakness  of 
disease  may  change  and  disturb  their  minds,  there  is  no  change  in  Christ : 
they  are  still  safe  in  His  hands,  and  their  end  is  really  peacefal  and  serene, 
for  they  pass  away  from  th^  sorrows  and  trials  of  time  to  the  everhisting 
joy  prepared  for  them  by  their  Lord. 

There  are  others,  who  are  also  really  Christians,  who  yet  do  not  folly 
experience  the  peace  of  believing  in  a  dying  hour,  because  tbey  have  not 
been  diligent  in  preparation  for  that  honr.  Instead  of  walking  closely  with 
God,  and  striving  to  keep  their  evidences  clear  of  an  interest  in  Christ,  and 
of  a  title  to  heavenly  joys  as  their  eternal  portion,  they  have  been  entangling 
themselves  in  the  forbidden  pleasnres  of  sin,  or  unduly  loading  themselves 
with  the  cares  of  this  life,  or  choking  the  good  seed  of  the  word  by  too 
eager  pursuit  of  the  honour  and  power  and  influence  of  the  world.  Need 
it  sarprise  ns,  therefore,  that  in  the  hour  of  trial  the  light  of  these  evidences 
shonld  not  always  shine  into  the  minds  of  such  persona  with  the  calm  and 
steady  radiance  which  would  reveal  death  as  disarmed  of  his  sting,  and  the 
grave  as  changed  into  a  bed  of  peaceful  rest,  in  which  the  sleeping  dust 
shall  be  alike  safe  and  precious  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord. 

But  while  some  Christians  are  thus  not  fnlly  delivered  from  the  fear  of 
death  when  they  die,  there  are  very  many  whose  end  is  trnly  peace,  and 
who  in  dying  seem  to  fall  asleep  in  Jesus  as  calmly  and  securely  as  they 
ever  sank  to  rest  when  night  had  drawn  around  them  the  curtains  of  repose. 
Thus,  while  nature  would  shrink  back  from  the  approach  of  dissolution,  and 
from  the  vision  of  the  opening  grave,  these  upright  ones  have  Christ's 
legacy  to  snstain  them, — Hie  peace  reigning  in  their  hearts, — and  His  con- 
soling words  sounding  in  their  ears, '  My  peace  I  give  unto  you ;  let  not 
your  heart  be  troubled,  neither  let  it  be  afraid ; '  '  ye  beReve  in  God,  believe 
also  in  me.' 

And  what  is  there  in  death  against  which  the  presence  and  the  grace  of 
Christ  cannot  sustain  and  comfort  the  heart  of  the  sincere  and  upright  dis- 


°'"Si,l'%M^^^     THE  PEACEFUL  END  OF  THE  BIGHTEOXJS.  389 

ciple  who  lias* faith  id  Him?  Is  it  the  terror  of  a  conscience  alarmed  hj  the 
thoDgbt  of  sin,  and  of  a  jadgment  to  comeT  Then  is  there  not  a  solid 
ground  for  the  Christian's  peace,  in  the  faith  nhich  he  possessea  that  God's 
anger  is  turned  awa;  from  him,  because  He  who  knew  no  sin  has  been  made 
a  sin-oSering  for  us  that  ve  might  be  made  the  rigbteonsness  of  God  in 
Him  ?  Do  evil  spirits  gather  round  the  Christiao's  dying  couch  that  they 
may  make  a  final  effort  to  disturb  him  whom  they  cannot  destroy!  Then, 
shall  the  tompt«d  one  not  find  peace  in  the  assurance  that  Christ  came  to 
ranqnigli  the  powers  of  darkness,  and  will  braiae  Satan  under  the  feet  of 
His  followers  in  due  time  T  Are  the  eyes  of  the  dying  believer  to  be  closed 
on  this  lower  world,  and  never  more  to  behold  its  valleys  or  its  moantains, 
its  fields  and  forests  and  streams,  the  home  of  infancy,  or  the  busier  haunts 
of  maturer  years  1  And  is  there  not  n  source  of  comfort  and  of  peace  in 
the  thoaght  that  the  Christian  is  going  home  to  a  better  eoantry,  where 
there  is  uo  more  curse,  no  more  temptation,  no  more  toil,  and  pain,  and 
weariness;  which  the  glory  of  God  and  of  the  Lamb  shall  lighten;  and 
into  which  there  shall  no  more  enter  anything  that  defileth,  or  that  would 
annoy,  or  injnre,  or  destroy!  Is  the  pain  of  parting  from  friends  who  were 
dearly  loved,  often,  as  it  were,  the  very  bitterness  of  death!  and  ia  there 
sot  ground  for  peace  to  the  dying  Christian  in  the  assurance  that  he  is  going 
to  the  great  assembly  of  the  spirits  of  jnst  men  made  perfect,  where  he  shall 
joiD  beloved  friends  who  have  gone  before  him  to  the  glorioos  mansions  of 
the  Father's  house,  and  where  he  shall  soon  be  rq'oined  by  all  those  Chris- 
tian friends  whom  he  now  for  a  season  leaves  behind  him,  but  with  whom 
he  shall  there  be  for  ever  with  the  Lord !  Must  the  earthly  sanctuary  o£ 
divine  worship  and  communion,  which  was  dear  to  his  heart,  be  visited  no 
more,  and  its  solemn  and  delightful  services  be  mingled  in  no  more!  then 
does  not  faith  bring  peace  and  joy  and  heavenly  consolation,  as  it  tells  of 
a  better  sanctuary  which  the  Lord  hath  pitched  sod  not  man,  into  which 
Jesos  the  risen  Savionr  has  entered  as  the  forerunner  for  him,  and  in  which 
he  shall  soon  join  with  all  the  hosts  of  the  redeemed  in  hymning  fort;h  that 
Saviour's  everlasting  praise  t  Or  does  the  soul  shrink  back  from  separation 
from  the  body  with  which  it  has  so  long  been  joined  in  close,  endearing, 
and*  mysterious  anion!  Then,  here  also  peace  flows  from  the  assurance 
that,  while  to  be  absent  from  the  body  is  to  be  present  with  the  Lord,  the 
samie  body,  which,  as  the  body  of  onr  humiliation,  is  left  behind  for  a  thne 
as  the  prey  of  worms  and  of  corrnption,  shall  in  all  its  essential  paris  be 
raised  again  from  the  tomb,  shall  be  fashioned  like  unto  Christ's  own 
glorious  body,  and  shall  again  be  joined  in  everlasting  blessed  union  to  the 
soul  which  dwelt  in  it  in  the  former  days  of  its  weakness  and  its  darkness, 
its  anguish  and  its  pain. 

The  exceeding  great  and  precious  promises  of  the  gospel  thus  supply  an 
adequate  and  an  effectual  antidote  against  the  fears  of  death;  and  in 
bringing  life  and  immortality  to  light  by  that  glorious  gospel  of  the  blessed 
Ood,  Jesus  Christ  has  abolished  death  as  the  king  of  terrors,  and  has 
eaabled  the  upright  and  the  perfect  man  to  meet  that  last  enemy  in  quiet- 
ness and  peace  of  mind.  At  a  distance,  indeed,  death  is  stilt  beheld  by 
many  of  the  true  people  of  God  as  a  foe  whose  near  approach  they  would 
greatly  dread;  but  God  reserves  the  grace  which  wiU  snstain  and  make 
triumphant  in  the  day  of  death  until  the  hour  of  trial  comes.  Then  He 
Tnlfils  His  promise, '  As  thy  day  so  shall  thy  8tren5th  be ; '  then  He  bestows 
special  tokens  of  His  love,  and  gives  special  proofs  of  His  gracious  presence 
aud  support;  and  then  He  enables  many  a  sincere  but  timid  Christian  not 


390  TUB  PEACEFUL  END  OF  THE  BIGHTBOOS.     '"°6^i'";"aTi''*- 

only  to  bear  hie  head  above  the  swelling  waves  of  Jordan,  bat  also  to  sing 
amid  the  dark  waters,  '0  death,  where  is  thy  etingt  0  grave,  where  is 
thy  victory  1  The  stiug  of  death  is  sin ;  and  the  strength  of  sin  is  the  law : 
bat  thanks  be  to  Ood  who  giveth  us  the  victory  throngh  our  Lord  Jesns 
Christ.'  So  Jacob,  while  he  sat  among  his  sons  on  the  bed  into  which  he 
was  Boon  to  gather  np  his  feet,  and  then  yield  np  the  ghoat,  said,  '  I  have 
waited  for  Thy  salvation,  0  God.'  And  so  the  Apostle  Paul,  with  the 
triumphant  assurance  of  one  whom  divine  grace  had  very  nearly  monlded 
to  the  character  of  the  upright  and  the  perfect  man,  declares,  '  I  have 
fought  a  good  fight,  I  have  finished  ray  conrse,  I  have  kept  the  faith ; 
benceforth  there  is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown  of  righteoasnesfi,  which  the  Lord, 
the  righteons  Judge,  shall  give  me  at  that  day,  and  not  to  me  only,  bnt 
nnlo  all  them  also  that  love  Hia  appearing.'  Nor  is  the  grace  which  gave 
th^e  worthies  of  the  Old  and  New  Testament  Church  the  victory  over 
death,  and  filled  their  minds  with  the  peace  of  heaven  and  Ood  in  prospect 
of  dissolution,  diminished  or  exhausted.  We  have  heard  the  voices  of 
friends  in  this  congregation,  when  drawing  near  the  gates  of  the  miseen 
world,  declare  that  they  never  knew  so  much  of  the  goodness  of  God,  and 
of  the  precioasness  of  Christ's  presence  and  salvation,  as  they  had  learned  on 
the  bed  of  sickness,  which  they  knew  also  would  be  their  bed  of  death ;  and 
we  hare  seen  the  coanienance,  even  when  the  body  was  racked  with  pain, 
relax  into  a  smile  of  grateful  joy,  as  the  dying  behever  answered  the  remark 
that  the  anffering  was  severe,  with  the  words, '  Oh  yes,  the  sufferings  have 
been  severe,  bnt  they  will  have  a  delightful  end.'  And  even  in  .cases  in 
which  the  messenger  of  death  has  come  in  such  an  nnlooked-for  hoar,  and 
has  execnted  his  commission  with  such  prompt  despatch,  that  there  has 
scarcely  been  a  moment  in  which  to  respond  to  the  summons,  'B«hold,  I 
come  qnickly,'  with  the  words,  'Amen.  Even  so,  come,  Lord  Jesns,'  and 
that  there  has  been  no  time  for  any  last  spoken  testimony  to  the  peace- 
giving  power  of  the  faith  of  the  gospel,  the  upward  glance  of  the  closing  eye, 
or  the  feeble  pressure  of  the  hand,  or  the  faltering  movement  of  the  lip,  has 
still  eloquently  declared  that  the  departing  one,  falling  asleep  in  Jesus,  was 
entering  into  rest,  that  the  end  was  peace,  and  that  the  Saviour's  promise 
was  faithful  and  true — 

'  Pence  is  the  gift  I  leiTO  iviih  joa. 


IIL  We  proceed  to  notice,  in  the  third  and  last  place,  the  duty  enjoined  in 
the  text  in  reference  to  the  connection  between  the  character  described  and 
the  privilege  enjoyed.  '  Mark  the  perfect  man,  and  behold  the  upright,  /or 
the  end  of  that  meji  is  peace.'    And  here  I  remark, 

1.  Mark  the  perfect  man,  aud  behold  the  upright,  that  you  may  justify 
the  ways  of  God. 

This  is  the  special  purpose  of  the  Psalmist  in  directing  attention  to  the 
different  ends  of  the  righteous  and  the  wicked.  In  their  lives  the  latter  may 
not  seldom  scon  to  have  the  advantage  over  the  former;  for  an  ungodly 
Dives  may  be  clothed  in  purple  and  fine  linen,  and  fare  sumptuously  every 
day,  while  a  devout  Lazarus  may  lie  at  his  gat«  full  of  sores,  and  ready  to 
die  of  hunger  and  of  pain.  But  the  rich  man  dies,  and  is  buried,  perhaps  with 
all  the  panoply  of  grief,  and  almost  princely  splendour;  and  anon  he  Ufts  up 
his  eyes  in  hell,  being  in  torment,  while  Lazoras  has  hope  in  his  end,  and  is 
carried  by  the  angels  into  Abraham's  bosom.     Does  Lazarus  now  think  that 


""^  BiTi'.'wra.'"''     THE  PEAGETUL  END  OF  THE  BIGHTEOUS.  391 

God  did  bim  an  injustice  in  preparing  liim,  by  a  life  of  poverty  aad  Boffer- 
ing,  for  the  rest  of  heaven  ?  or  wonld  he  now  exchange,  for  the  good  thiDgs 
of  thisfHresent  irorld,iD  which  the  rich  man  had  his  portion,  the  incorraptible 
ioheritSDce  sad  the  oDchanging  blessedness  to  which  divine  love  has  raised 
him !  Beware,  then,  alike  of  covettog  and  of  trusting  the  uticertaia  nches 
of  tim&  If  they  are  increased  to  you,  set  not  your  hearts  apon  them,  and 
boast  sot  on  account  of  them ;  bat  employ  them  for  God's  glory,  by  doing 
good,  by  being  '  rich  in  good  works,  ready  to  distribute,  willing  to  com- 
monicate.  Laying  ap  in  store  for  yourselves  a  good  foundation  against  the 
time  to  come,  that  ye  may  lay  hold  on  eternal  hfe.'  Aod  if,  in  the  providence 
of  God,  these  earthly  treasures  are  denied  to  yon,  beware  of  envying  the  con- 
ditions of  others,  and  of  repining  at  yonr  own.  Even  though  you  see  the 
wicked  flourish  and  enjoy  prosperity,  consider  the  end  of  the  righteona  and 
of  the  perfect  man,  that  yon  may  renew  yoor  confidence  in  God ;  and  be 
persuaded  that '  though  a  sinner  do  evil  aa  hundred  times,  and  his  days  be 
prolonged,  yet  sorely  it  shall  be  well  with  them  that  fear  God;'  that  while 
'  the  wicked  is  driven  away  in  his  wickedness,'  the  end  of  the  perfect  mau 
aad  the  upright  is  peace,  and  heaTen  is  his  eternal  home, — so  that  yon  may 
jnetify  the  ways  of  God  to  man,  and  may  hold  ou  in  your  pilgrim's  upward 
path,  with  a  firmer  faith  that  the  Judge  of  all  the  earth  will  do  that  only 
which  is  right,  and  that  in  keeping  His  commandments  there  is  a  great, 
gracious,  and  everlasting  recompense  of  rew8,rd. 

2.  Mark  the  end  of  the  perfect  man  and  the  upright,  and  behold  that  it  is 
peace,  in  oida  to  comfort  yourselves  under  the  sorrows  of  bereavement. 

The  beloved  friends  who  have  been  taken  from  yon  by  death  shall  never 
retnm  to  you  in  this  world,  and  shall  sever  again  walk  with  yon  on  this 
green  earth,  or  under  that  blue  heaven.  But  if  they  tmly  loved  and 
served  the  Saviour  while  they  were  with  you,  they  are  now  blessed  in 
HJB  joy  and  glorified  in  His  glory  ;  and  if  you  are  truly  followers  of  their 
faith,  you  sb^I  soon  go  to  them,  and  participate  in  theu'  glorious  reward,  and 
vrith  them  be  for  ever  with  the  Lord.  Why,  then,  should  yon  sorrow  for 
their  departure  as  those  who  have  no  hope,  or  faint  under  the  bereavements 
which  have  befallen  you,  or  repine  because  your  friends  have  been  taken 
away,  while  many  who  have  Uved  many  years  nithout  God  in  the  world 
still  survive?  Should  you  not  be  dumb,  not  opening  your  mouth,  because 
God  has  done  ill  or  if  yon  do  open  your  lips,  should  it  not  be,  instead 
of  atteriog'the  language  of  murmuring  or  of  complaint,  to  bless  God 
for  that  light  which  shines  from  heaven  on  the  valley  of  death,  for  what 
yon  have  been  privileged  to  see  of  the  peaceful  end  of  the  righteous, 
and  for  all  the  encouragement  which  you  have  to  confide  in  the  same 
Saviour  who  upheld  and  sustained  your  departed  Christian  friends  in  the 
hour  of  death,  who  has  redeemed  them  out  of  all  evil,  and  who  taught 
them  to  sing  with  their  latest  breath,  '  This  God  is  our  God  for  ever  j 
He  will  be  our  guide  even  unto  death ; '  '  My  flesh  and  my  heart  faileth, 
but  God  is  the  strength  of  my  heart,  and  my  portion  for  ever'! 

3,  Thirdly  and  lastly,  mark  the  perfect  man  and  the  upright,  and  behold 
his  end,  that  in  imitating  his  example  yon  may  give  diligence  to  secure  a  like 
peaceful  end  for  yourselves. 

If  ever  you  have  stood  by  the  bedside  of  a  dyii^  Christian,  and  seen  him 
breathe  out  bis  life  in  the  exulting  hope  of  heaven  and  its  eternal  joys,  you 
must  have  felt  a  wish  like  that  of  Balaam, — '  Let  me  die  the  death  of  the. 
righteous,  and  let  my  last  end  be  like  his.'  But  how  can  we  die  the  death  of 
the  righteous  unless  we  live  the  Christian's  life  1    How  can  wa  have  hope  in 


392  THE  BIBLE  AND  CRITICISM.  ^""itti^H^i^ 

Christ  when  the  world  fades  away  ffom  oar  view,  and  the  tide  of  life  is  ebb- 
ing in  onr  veins,  and  the  eye  is  aboat  to  close  in  the  darkness  of  deatb,  if  we 
are  not  now  striTing  to  grow  in  the  knowledge  of  Christ,  and  to  believe  His 
word,  and  trust  in  Him  as  onr  Saviour  T  True,  indeed,  the  grace  of  God 
can  save  even  in  a  dying  hour ;  bnt  a  deathbed  rep«itance  is  proverWally 
nncertain  uid  hazardous, — a  brittle  thread  on  which  no  wise  man  would 
venture  the  salvation  of  his  eoul, — a  change  for  which  there  may  be  no  time, 
when,  af  the  midnight  hour,  the  sudden  cry  is  heard, '  The  bridegroom  cometb, 
go  ye  ont  to  meet  Him,'  and  for  which,  in  lengthened  illnesa,  there  may  be 
no  grace  given.  If,  then,  there  be  my  among  yon  who  have  not  yet  believed 
the  gospel,  and  been  freely  justified  by  the  faith  of  Christ,  mark  the  end  oE 
the  perfect  man,  and  the  happy  death  of  the  npright  Christian,  that  yoa  may 
diligently  seek  that  faith  which  unites  the  soul  to  Christ,  and  makes  it  meet 
for  dwelhng  with  Him  in  the  inheritance  of  His  saints.  This  is  the  only  way 
to  the  enjoyment  of  tme  and  lasting  peace ;  and  it  is  the  sure  and  the  aofail- 
ing  way,  for  they  have  peace  who  keep  God's  law,  and  nothing  shall  offend 
them  ;  and  '  Ood  will  keep  him  in  perfect  peace  whose  mind  is  stayed  on  Him, 
becanse  he  trusteth  in  Him.' 


THE  BIBLE  AND  CRITICISM.* 
To  many  readers  of  this  book  it  will  probably  oecnr  to  ask.  Wherefore  has 
it  been  written  T  The  author  is  a  man  very  well  known,  and  very  highly 
and  deservedly  esteemed,  of  established  literary  character,  and  occupying  a 
position  of  influence  second  to  none  as  an  ecclesiastical  leader ;  and  he  here 
puts  forth  a  work  which  is  confessedly  slight  and  perfunctory,  and  which  can 
contribute  nothing  to  his  hterary  reputation.  The  subject  is  one  on  which 
the  author  rachews  all  right  to  speak  with  authority,  and  though  tonching  on 
many  points  of  interest  and  importance,  he  claims  to  settle  none.  He  takes 
np  the  position  of  an  onlooker  in  regard  to  the  strife  of  critical  controversy 
and  discussion,  and  the  task  which  he  assumes  is  mainly  that  of  ministerlog 
Bailable  advice  to  the  several  combatants.  The  advice^  we  believe,  is  in 
every  respect  sound  and  good,  but  it  is  commonplace.  Be  honest,  be  can- 
did, be  fair,  be  sympathizing,  and  try  to  understand  the  position  of  your 
opponents ;  give  due  weight  to  evidences  from  every  quarter,  do  not  mis- 
take probability  for  certainty : — was  it  worth  Dr.  Itainy's  while  to  deal  ont 
counsels  like  these?  or  is  this  what  the  world  expects  from  Dr.  Rainy T 
Moreover,  we  fear  that  in  this  evil  world,  adrice  of  this  sort,  by  whomsoever 
administered,  is  essentially  barren.  Each  side  regards  the  opposite  as  that 
which  is  awanting  in  the  virtues  of  candour,  of  honesty,  of  fairness,  and  is 
eager  that  its  adversaries  should  have  all  the  benefit  of  the  good  counsel. 

It  must  he  owned,  also,  that  the  poverty  of  the  matter  is  not  redeemed  by 
any  beauty  of  style.  This,  indeed,  is  not  a  grace  to  which  Dr.  Rainy  ever 
greatly  aspires.  Words  and  phrases,  varied  and  apt,  often  fresh  and  striking, 
come  at  his  call ;  bnt  to  select  from  his  stores  of  language,  to  prune  and  to 
arrange  so  as  to  present  his  thought  in  the  clearest  and  most  limpid  medium, 
seems  not  to  come  within  the  scope  of  his  ambition.  In  this  book  the  style 
is  more  than  nsnally  slipshod.  Though  we  presume  the  lectures  were  read 
from  n  manuscript,  they  present  all  the  teatores  of  easy  estempcre  address. 
They  may  be  regarded  as  samples  of  the  talk  of  a  higbly-cnltured  and 
thoughtful  man,  and  are  marked  by  that  absence  of  arrangement  and  those 


SJ.  SumS,"^'  the  bible  and  CKlTIOiSM.  393 

colloquialisms  of  epeecfa  in  which  a  teacher  may  indalge  in  speakiiig  over 
the  desk  to  his  pupils.  There  is,  of  course,  a  chajni  in  liateoing  while  a 
finperior  man  like  Dr.  Rainy  thas  talks  to  us  quite  at  his  ease ;  at  the  same 
time,  one  cannot  help  thinking  that  he  mast  surely  feel  himself  a  very  superior 
man  who  is  thus  quite  at  his  ease  in  appearing  before  the  public.  When  we 
read  such  a  sentence  as,  *  Now  I  have  not  the  same  absolute  cooviction  about 
all  these  things  that  inspires  the  central  conviction  itself '  (p.  131) ;  or  when 
we  find  'in  the  first  place,' '  first  of  all,'  'in  the  first  place,'  occurriDg  on 
one  and  the  same  page  and  in  immediate  succession  (p.  162),  with  do  '  in 
the  second  place'  marked  anywhere,  and  only  one  of  these  three  firstUa 
reduplicated  on  in  any  recognisable  way,  we  wonder  at  the  habit  of  com- 
position which  first  writes,  then  reads,  then  corrects  the  press,  and  after  all 
leaves  sach  things  unaltered. 

At  the  same  time,  though  of  slight  quality  in  itself,  this  hook  is  of  con- 
siderable extraneous  importance,  and  will  no  doubt  attract  considerable 
attention.  Though  delivered  in  London,  the  lectures  were  obviously  meant 
chieQy  for  Scotland.  In  truth,  Dr.  Rainy  is  here  discharging  one  part  of 
his  functions  as  an  ecclesiastical  leader,  and  his  volume  ia  his  maoifesto  to  the 
Free  Church  in  regard  to  that  outbreak  of  the  critical  spirit  which  has 
appeared  in  high  places  within  her  borders.  Thus  the  appearance  of  the 
book  is  a  sign  of  the  times. 

And  what  is  the  significance  of  the  manifesto  %  Essentially  it  is  an  apology 
for  that  style  of  criticism  which  bos  appeared  in  the  Free  Church,  aud  is  really 
if  not  avowedly  a  plea  for  its  toleration.  Of  course  there  is  a  kind  of  criticism 
for  which  Dr.  Rainy  asks  no  toleration.  '  It  is  plain,'  he  says  (p.  110), 
'  how  much  wiH  depend  on  the  antecedent  principles  or  presamptions  which 
he  (the  critic)  thinks  it  reasonable  to  hold  for  certain  before  he  begins,  and 
which  he  means  to  apply  as  occasion  offers.  A  very  ohvioas  and  important 
example  is  offered  by  those  critics  who  decline  to  admit,  in  any  case,  any- 
thing sapematuraL'  Jt  is  believing  criticism — criticism  as  exercised  by 
hetievera,  and  in  the  sight  of  believers,  and  for  their  benefit — with  which  he 
concerns  himself. 

Regarding  this  critisism,  while  allowing  that  it  often  canses  much  dis- 
comfort and  trouble,  both  to  individual  Christians  and  to  Churches,  the 
Principal  has  various  good  things  to  say,  of  which  the  following  may  be 
noted  as  the  most  important : — 

First,  as  to  the  principle  and  spirit  whence  it  springs,  this  criticism,  says 
Dr.  Rainy,  is  itself  a  noble  exercise  and  exemplification  of  faith.  '  I  wish 
there  were  a  more  general  recognition  in  some  quarters  of  the  peculiar 
kind  of  enthnsiasm  which  animates  many  workers  in  this  line.  It  is  the 
enthasiasm  of  an  intense  faith  in  the  truth  of  Christianity,  in  divine  super- 
natural revelation ;  It  is  a  burning  confidence  in  this,  that  the  strictest  and 
most  thorough  historical  investigation,  if  quite  strict  and  thorough,  will 
exhibit  the  track  of  a  revealing  God,  moving  down  through  history,  in  a 
manner  that  will  prove  irresistible,'  etc.  This,  of  course,  is  highly  satis- 
factory us  Dr.  Kainy's  testimony  to  the  character  of  many  critical  scholars 
known  to  him,  bnt  evidently  it  avuls  nothing  for  the  settlement  of  critical 
questions.  The  spirit  of  the  critic  is  one  thing,  the  truth  of  his  principles 
and  justness  of  his  methods  are  another.  And  Dr.  Rainy  himself  proceeds 
to  remark  that  some  of  those  to  whom  this  fine  enthusiasm  is  to  be  ascribed 
'  belong  to  schools  of  theology  ftom  which  I  am  far  removed.'  We  presume 
that  critics,  even  the  most  destmctive  in  their  methods  and  results,  claim 
without  exception  to  be  animated  by  the  love  of  the  truth  aud  by  regard  for 


394  THE  BIBLE  AND  CB1II018M.  ■^""sS.^^f^ 

the  glory  of  God.  Farther,  says  Frincipat  Kaiuy,  this  criticiEm,  thonf^b 
tronblesome,  is  LarmlsGS  to  believers.  Thus  (p.  8)  be  says:  'Tiieir  (i.e. 
believers')  attitude  toward  the  Bible  I  may  describe  &s  a  disposition  to  lean 
upon  it  with  loving  confidokce,  and  to  submit  to  it  with  noreeerved  defereace. 
And  their  espectation  has  been  to  find  in  the  Bible  a  clear  and  BuEQcieat 
gaide  to  God  oud  to  the  doing  of  God's  will.  It  is  vain  to  think  that 
believing  men  nill  easily  sabmit  to  be  driven  from  this  apprehension  of  the 
Scriptures,  and  this  use  of  them.'  No  doubt,— understanding  by  believing 
men  those  who  jiossess  that  conclusive  proof  to  which  sJl  external  evidences 
minister  and  of  which  Dr.  Rainy  speaks  in  a  preceding  page,  arising  '  by 
our  discenuneut  of  a  divine  witness  in  the  truths  which  the  Scriptnres  set 
forth.'  But  what  of  unbelieving  men,  or  of  those  whose  faith  rests  only 
npon  the  external  evidences?  The  Principal  most  be  aware  that  it  is 
charged  against  even  such  believing  criticism  as  that  esemplified  in  the  Free 
Church  tl^t  it  impau'e  the  cogency  of  certain  of  these  external  evidences, 
and  tends  to  the  uusettlement  of  imperfect  feith,  and  to  the  rendering  of  true 
faith,  a  more  difBcnlt  attaioment.  It  is  a  tmt^n  alleged  to  little  purpose,  to 
say  that  the  men  whose  piety  is  experimental  and  practical  ar«  in  no  danger 
of  having  their  faith  shaken  by  critical  disputes. 

In  regard  to  the  external  evidences,  '  this  moat  be  s^d,'  remarks  our 
author  (p.  10), '  that  there  is  not  the  least  risk  of  criticism,  or  anything  else, 
ever  shaking  down  that  array  of  evidoice  which  has  in  every  ^e  proved 
^ough  to  maintain  or  corroborate  the  faith  of  Christians.  It  is  really  idle 
to  tlunk  of  it.'  To  this,  of  course,  all  Christiaos  will  agree.  But  ther«  are 
many  not  Christians,  many  very  imperfect  Christians,  many  inqniroTH  whose 
minds  are  trembling  in  the  balance  between  faith  and  unbelief.  Should 
not  respect  be  had  to  the  peculiarities  of  the  spiritoal  condition  of  these 
and  sunilai'  classes  in  the  critical  writings  and  specnlationa  issued  to  the 
world  by  believing  members  of  the  Church?  The  friends  of  Jesns  Chrut 
should  be  careful  not  to  '  quench  the  smokini;  flax,  or  break  the  bruised 
leed.'  In  another  place  (p.  IBl),  our  author,  speaking  of  the  central  con- 
viction regarding  the  Bible  as  the  word  of  Ood  in  the  minds  of  belMTers, 
says :  '  The  real  question,  after  all,  is  not  whether  that  conviction  is  to  be 
sacrificed,  bnt  what,  and  how  much,  does  it  really  reqniret  What  is  H 
reasonable  to  maintain  on  the  strength  of  it? '  Precisely  so.  But,  in  ordvt 
to  obtain  the  answer,  no  general  considerations  will  suffice,— we  most  con* 
deaceud  upon  the  merits  of  the  critical  problem.  What  the  ceotral  coovic- 
tiott  of  faith  regarding  the  Bible  requires,  is  to  accept  the  testimony  of  the 
Bible  regarding  its  own  chwacter  and  origin ;  and  even  of  believing  critics 
it  is  alleged  and  felt  by  many  that  this  testimony  is  sitiier  altogether  ignored 
by  them,  or  tiiat  they  attach  to  it  quite  an  tnadeqaate  degree  of  importance. 

Yet  again,  Principal  BaJny  pleads  in  behalf  of  critical  inquiries  ibat  ibey 
form  a  legitimate  and  profitable  department  of  research.  Is  not  the  spirit 
of  inquiry  pnshii^  itself  into  every  corner  of  nature  and  ol  hiatoryT  Are 
not  the  origin  and  structure  of  the  Bible  perfectly  legitimate  and  highly 
interesting  subjects  for  its  operations  t  Ii  it  not  indispensable  to  the  full 
display  of  the  evidences  of  its  divinity,  that  these  matters  be  as  completely 
as  possible  expiscated  and  set  forth  ?  Does  sot  the  Bible  lay  itself  open  for 
and  invite  such  investigation?  Mark  how,  while  all  divine,  it  bewrays,  ia 
regard  to  its  human  authorship,  a  very  great  variety  of  style  uid  compoei- 
tios.  Mark  at  how  many  points  it  comes  into  contact  with  the  ascertained 
facts  of  secular  knowledge,  historical  and  scientific.  Mark  how  the  ii'oy 
construction  of  its  component  writings — the  interchaoge  of  the  divine  namta. 


""■J^rrwa'" '  THE  BIBLE  &SD  CillTlCISil.  395 

for  example,  in  GeDesis,  or  the  composite  character  of  the  Book  of  Proverbs — 
suggests  questions  as  to  their  origiDation.  If  meo  ^re  prtusod  who  devote 
themselves  to  the  ^ork  of  pazzliDg  ont  the  meaoing  of  old  iDScriptioua,  or  of 
determiniDg  the  laws  of  the  growth  of  fnognses  and  lichens,  how  mnch  more 
ahoald  the  critical  stndy  of  the  word  of  God  be  regarded  as  a  most  land- 
abie  aod  worthy  exercise  of  the  highest  inteilectnal  endowmeDtaT 

All  this,  and  more  of  the  same  kind,  is  pat  forward  ably  and  lutorestiugly 
by  Principal  Bainy,  and  we  are  very  far  Irfm  thinking  of  caUing  it  in  qnes- 
tion.  Our  only  criticism  is,  that,  as  before,  it  is  a  commonplace  aspect  of 
troth  allied  to  little  practical  purpose.  The  criticism  of  the  Bible  exists 
inevitably,  as  other  homan  sciences  exist, — nay,  it  has  a  recognised  and  im- 
portant place  in  the  circle  of  theological  science, — and  eloquence  in  vindica- 
tion of  its  existence  is  clearly  thrown  away.  The  questions  that  interest  the 
Christian  relate  not  to  the  existence  of  the  science,  but  to  the  principles  os 
which  it  should  be  prosecuted,  and  the  results  to  which  it  leads. 

One  or  two  of  Dr.  Kainy's  arguments  and  iUnstrations,  when  presenting 
the  views  now  under  consideration,  invite  remark.  Thus,  in  his  second 
lectnre,  he  dwells  mnch  open  the  important  contributions  to  the  right  undef- 
standing  of  the  Bible  which  have  been  furnished  by  certain  lines  of  scientific 
research,  as  those  of  the  geolc^ist,  of  the  antiquarian,  and  of  the  historian, 
and  argues  that  similar  increase  of  knowledge  may  be  anticipated  to  result 
from  the  critical  investigations  now  being  prosecuted  regarding  the  origin 
and  stractnre  of  the  sacred  books.  Bnt  here  he  appears  gailty  of  a  njis- 
understaoding  or  an  overlook.  The  new  hght,  leading  to  the  correction  of 
imperfect  and  mistaken  views,  which  has  sprung  from  the  sciences  referred 
to,  is  light  bearing  npon  the  subject-matter  of  the  Bible,  and  not  npon  its 
framework.  Ko  homan  science  has  as  yet  thrown  any  light  npon  the  ques- 
tions which,  according  to  Dr.  Rainy  himself,  form  the  proper  subject  of 
biblical  criticism, — as  ^  the  science  of  the  means  by  which-  a  book  has  its 
character  and  place  in  history  determined.'  Speaking  of  the  Gpistle  to  the 
Hebrews,  and  the  question  regarding  its  author,  he  says  (p.  96) :  'A  docn- 
ment  might  conceivably  be  dag  up  out  of  Pompeii  or  Hereuianeum  which 
wonid  at  once  demonstrate  that  the  apostle  was  the  author,  and  would  at 
the  same  time  account,  perhaps,  for  some  of  the  peculiarities  that  have 
appeared  to  pomt  to  a  different  conclusion.'  True,  snch  a  discovery  is 
coDceivable ;  bat  no  such  discovery  has  been  made,  and  it  is  a  fond  hope 
that  anticipates  any  such  Jijui.  The  science  of  criticism,  as  it  stands,  and  as. 
it  has  always  stood,  has  no  such  resources.  It  is  limited  to  indications 
regarding  authorship  and  date  famished  by  the  sacred  wriUngB  themselves, 
and  to  the  traditions  of  the  Jewish  and  of  the  Christian  Church. 

Dr.  Rainy,  indeed,  is  fully  aware  of  the  limited  character  of  the  resources 
which  are  at  the  command  of  sacred  criticism,  and  he  finds  in  this  a  ground 
for  cautioning  the  critic  against  over-confidence  in  the  conclnsions  which  he 
draws.  While  exalting  the  value  of  critical  studio,  by  pointing  out  what 
they  have  done  in  other  departments  of  literature,  as  exemplified  by  the  works 
of  Bentley  on  the  Epistles  of  Phalaris,  and  of  Daille  on  the  writings  of 
Dionysius  the  Areopagite,  he  at  the  same  time  allows  that  such  work  is  im- 
possible on  the  books  of  the  Hebrew  canon.  '  And  if  any  one  says,  "Such 
work  is  here  impossible  i  the  means  do  not  exist  for  it,"  why,  that  is  just 
what  1  say.  I  blame  nobody,  least  of  all  the  critic '  (p.  124).  But  where, 
then,  is  the  pix<fitableness  of  criticism  in  r^ard  to  these  books  of  Scripture, 
if  the  materials  for  satisfactory  coDcluaions  are  awanting  ?  or  where  is  the 
hope  of  important  accessions  to  homan  knowledge  from  snch  researches  t 


396  THE  BIBLE  AND  CBITICISH.  liJlTiCT^ 

At  the  BBme  time,  we  are  not  aare  Ibat  Dr.  ItaiD^  does  Eull  justice  to  the 
amonnt  of  evidence  at  the  critic's  disposal.  He  sajs  (p.  86) :  '  Criticiam 
deals  with  the  indications  of  the  origin,  history,  literary  character  of  the 
aacred  books, — the  tool-marks  which  they  carry  and  the  croaa  lights  fallbg  on 
their  history.'  (So  also  p.  32.)  By  these '  cross  lights '  we  presume  he  meaus 
references  and  allasions  in  other  records  of  the  same  or  a  similar  age;  and 
these,  DB  he  allows,  are  next  to  nit.  We  are  thus  apparently  shut  np  to '  tool- 
marks,'  which  no  donbt  exist,  bnt.  which  convey  to  ns  of  these  late  times  W 
articulate  information,  and  which  erery  critic  interprets  according  lo  his  own 
fancy.  But  are  these  really  all  tlio  available  evidences?  Does  Qf.  Raiuy 
include  nnder  tool-marks  snch  Etatements  as  that  in  Dent.  i.  1  :  '  These  be 
the  words  which  Moses  spake  unto  all  Israel  on  this  side  Jordan  in  the 
wilderness,'  etc.  1  or  that  in  Isa.  i.  1 :  '  The  vision  of  Isaiah  the  son  of  Amoz, 
which  he  saw  concerning  Jndah  and  Jemsalem  in  the  days  of  Uzziah, 
Jotham,  Ahaz,  and  Hezekiah,  kings  of  Jndah 'T  These  are  statementa 
which  look  more  like  incised  signatures  than  tool-marks.  Then  there  are 
also  the  traditions  of  the  Jewish  and  Christian  Church,  on  which,  to  onr 
regret,  Dr.  Rainy  has  very  little  to  say.  He  speaks,  indeed,  in  one  place 
(p.  143)  of  a  certain  claes  of  '  traditional  beliefs  about  the  books  of  Scrip- 
tore :  those  beliefs,  that  is,  which  have  long  and  generally  prevailed, 
especially  when  they  have  been  embodied  in  titles  and  headings  of  books,  and 
parts  of  books,  in  the  ancient  mannscripts.'  Snch  beliefs,  he  goes  on  to 
say,  it  is  not  and  cannot  be  as  article  of  faith  to  maintain,  tbongh  allowing 
that  good  sense  may  counsel  not  to  forsake  them  save  for  very  sufficient 
reasons.  Bnt  there  are  other  evidences  of  a  traditional  kind  than  those  here 
mentioned.  There  are,  for  example,  the  traditions  involved  in  the  existence 
and  arrangement  of  the  canon,  and  in  the  beliefs  regarding  the  books  of 
Scripture  held  by  Jesus  Christ  and  by  the  writers  of  the  New  Testament, 
We  do  not  remember  that  he  takes  any  notice  of  this  source  of  evidence; 
and  he  must  know  that,  in  the  minds  of  many,  the  procedure  of  the  critical 
school  in  general  is  felt  to  be  suspicions  and  dangerous  mainly  on  the  groond 
that  the  evidence  from  this  source  is  ignored  or  explained  away.  And  his 
general  strain  of  remark  rather  gives  the  impression  that  he  is  disposed  to 
acquiesce  in  this  new  '  set  of  mind ; '  and  that,  goii^  on  the  principle  th&t 
*  whatever  is  is  right,'  he  is  prepared  to  allow  the  critics  so  to  exalt  their 
findings  from  the  so-called  tool-marks  as  to  overweigh  the  deliverances  of  the 
ancient  Church. 

This  impression  is  deepened  by  the  perusal  of  a  passage  in  his  first  lectnre, 
where,  after  illustrating  the  province  of  scriptural  criticism  by  the  task  oF 
re-arranging  a  bundle  of  old  and  undated  letters,  he  proceeds  to  notice  an 
objection  to  the  pertinency  of  the  illustration.  '  We  may  have  an  impres- 
sion that  all  the  most  material  qnestions  that  criticism  can  discuss  are  pre- 
judged and  settled,  directly  or  indirectly,  by  the  Bible  itself,  so  that  a 
believing  man  cannot  pretend  to  await  the  resnlts  of  investigation  which  ■ 
higher  authority  has  already  superseded '  (p.  35).  To  this  he  replies  by 
asking  (p.  37), '  Are  you  entitled  to  assume  that  the  supposition  .  .  .  faWJ 
represents  the  case?  Has  the  parent  {i.e.  in  the  esse  before  us,  God)  so 
completely  done  all?  ...  How  do  you  know  that  men  have  not  been  pro- 
videntially allowed  to  do  something  in  the  way  of  arranging  and  docquetingt 
As  a  matter  of  fact,  yon  may  know  for  certain  that  they  have  been  so 
allowed.'  Why,  of  course ;  and  in  wonder  we  ask  who  ever  supposed  any- 
tbmg  else  I  But  because  men,  nnder  the  providential  guidance  of  God,  have 
done  their  part  in  arranging  and  assigning  to  periods  and  to  authors  the 


^^Ms^'     THOMAS  CAELYLE  AS  A  KELIGIOUS  THINKEE.  397 

books  of  the  Bible,  arc  oritics  therefore  to  deal  with  these  books  as  with  a 
tot  of  old  undated  letters,  and  arrange  them  anew  according  to  their  sub- 
jective fancies  in  the  interpretation  of  tool-marks  and  cross  lighlB  f  Who 
are  to  be  presDmed  as  the  more  competent  for  the  task  of  arranging— the 
ancients  or  the  moderns?  And  if  the  latter  will  presumptuously  attempt 
the  work  anew,  is  it  the  most  likely  way  to  a  successful  result  to  ignore  all 
that  the  ancients  have  done,  or  to  give  to  their  aseignmcDts  the  very  lowest 
place  in  the  scale  of  evidence  as  mere  uncertified  tradition  7  To  make  up 
for  what  is  defective  in  his  treatment  of  the  anbject,  we  do  not  think  it 
sufficient  to  counsel  the  critic,  as  Dr.  Rainy  does,  to  be  coulions  in  drawing 
conclnsions,  to  recognise  the  fact  that  his  fimiiogs  rest  on  merely  probable 
evidence,  and  to  be  ready  to  acknowledge  that  he  may  be  mistaken.  The 
'  matter  really  important  in  the  case  is  not  the  spirit  which  should  be 
cherished,  but  the  methods  which  should  be  pnrsned.  And  it  seems  to  as 
the  radical  fault  in  Dr.  Rainy's  book,  that,  while  profusely  illustratmg 
the  proper  spirit,  it  does  nothing  to  direct  to  the  right  method.  To  trust  to 
our  own  interpretations  and  explanations  of  pecuharities  of  style,  of  diffi- 
culties and  discrepancies  of  statement,  of  the  presence  and  absence  of  words 
and  phrases,  while  neglecting  or  setting  aside  the  testimonies  of  those  moi^ 
nearly  contemporaneoua  with  the  origination  of  the  writings,  is  to  exalt 
the  subjective  at  the  expense  of  the  objective  in  the  estimation  of  evidence, 
and  this  is  a  mode  of  procedure  which  is  not  hkely  to  lead  to  just  conclu- 
sions. And  this  is  the  mode  which  Dr.  Rainy  contemplates  and  counten- 
ances, as  if,  because  at  present  popular,  it  were  alone  possible  and  proper. 

There  are  other  points  in  the  book  before  us  which  invite  remark,  but 
considerations  of  spacs  forbid.  Many  will  turn  with  special  interest  to  the 
Priacipara  suggestions  regarding  .particular  critical  questions,  such  as  the 
composition  of  Genesis,  the  authorship  of  Ecclesiastes  and  of  the  Dentero- 
Istuah,  and  the  compatibility  of  the  inspired  truth  of  Scripture  with  mistakes 
on  matters  of  minor  importance.  But  on  such  subjects  it  is  impossible  to 
enter  at  the  fag-end  of  a  notice  like  this.  We  confess  that  from  the  author, 
on  s  subject  so  important,  we  expected  a  better  book.  We  anticipate  for  it 
a  welcome  from  the  votaries  of  the  modem  popular  school  of  scriptural 
critics.  His  goodadviceathey  will  pocket,  while  they  will  boast  of  his  general 
approval  of  their  method.  We  do  not  see  that  the  book  is  of  any  practical 
importance,  either  for  the  settlement  of  critical  questions  or  even  for  the 
promotion  of  a  better  understanding  between  the  opposing  parties. . 

EoiNBtrHOH.  W.  T. 


THOMAS  CARLTLE  AS  A  RELIGIOUS  THINKER. 

(ConolMled.) 
'  We  perceive  in  ourselves  the  same  disposition  to  the  reasonable  and  the 
good  which  we  recognise  in  the  Cosmos ;  and  find  ourselves  to  be  beings  by 
whom  it  is  felt  and  recognised,  in  whom  it  is  to  become  personified.  We 
also  feel  onrselves  related  in  our  inmost  nature  to  that  on  which  we  are 
dependent;  we  discover  ^ourselves  at  the  same  time  to  be  free  in  that 
dependence,  and  pnde  and  humility,  joy  and  submission,  intermingle  in  the 
feeling  for  the  Cosmos.'  So  also  Carlyle,  in  words  less  explicit,  but  tend- 
ing in  the  same  direction  :  '  This  universe,  what  can  we  know  of  it  T  That 
it  is  a  force,  and  thousandfold  complexity  of  forces— a  force  which  is  not  wt. 
.  ,  .  Force,  force,  everywhere  force  j  we  ourselves  a  mysterious  force  in  the 
centre  of  that. .  . .  The  natural  sense  of  man,  in  al!  times,  if  he  will  honestly 


398  THOMAS  CARLTLE  AS  A  RIILIGIOL'S  THINKER.     "^""'s^tTim'^ 

apply  big  sease,  proclaims  it  (the  nnivGrse)  to  be  a  liriat;  thing — ab,  aD 
nnapeakable,  godlike  thing ! — towards  which  the  best  attitnde  of  as  all,  after 
never  so  innch  science,  ia  awe,  devout  proBtration,  and  humility  of  Bonl,— 
worship,  if  not  in  words,  then  in  silence.'  In  so  far  as  Pantheism  has  been 
the  means  of  awakening  in  moD's  minds  a  deeper  reverence  for  Natnre, — 
in  so  far  as  it  is  a  protest  against  the  materialistic  tendencies  of  the  age, — 
its  inflnence  has  been  nnmistakeably  beneficial;  bnt  aa  a  philosophy,  as  .-l 
creed,  it  is  a  total  failure.  It  is  based  on  a  defective  analysis  of  hnmaii 
natnre ;  it  neither  explains  nor  provides  for  the  rehgions  aspirations  in  man, — 
'  ThosQ  ubKliaste  questions 

Of  sense  and  outward  thinps, 

Fallings  hfrm  m  TsniBhinBJ ; 


For  poetic  and  [esthetic  purposes,  the  pantheistic  admiration  of  N'ature  is 
of  the  utmost  value;  bnt  universal  history  shows  that  there  are  other  and 
deeper  feeUngs,  originating  in  the  moral  nature  of  man, — feelings  of  remorse, 
yearaings  for  peace,  and  a  sense  of  weakness  and  loneliness, — which  find  no 
satisfaction,  bnt  rather  the  reverse,  in  a  contemplation  of  the  universe.  To 
see  how  utterly  unlitted  are  sach  theories  to  give  rest  and  peace  to  the  bodI, 
it  is  only  necessary  to  turn  to  the  writings  of  Stranss,  Carlyle,  and  several 
of  our  modern  thinkers,  in  which,  alongside  of  a  high-toned  earnestness  and 
singleness  and  parity  of  moral  purpose,  there  is  to  be  found  an  expresaiou 
of  sadness  and  unrest,  which  is  the  clearest  and  most  conclusive  evidence  that 
their  minds  liave  been  brought 

'To  anchor  bj  ona  gloomy  thoiiglil.' 

In  the  case  of  Oarlyle  this  is  more  apparent.  His  later  writings  betray  a 
restlessness  and  a  discontent,  plainly  indicating  a  mind  not  at  peace  with 
itself;  and,  in  the  following  extract  from  a  letter  to  his  friend  Mr.  Brskise, 
we  fancy  we  see  in  a  very  forcible  manner  how  the  hnraan  heart,  in  spite  of 
all  philosophizing,  naturally  gravitates  towards  the  divine.  He  says :  '  The 
other  night,  in  my  sleepless  tossings  abont,  which  were  becoming  more  and 
more  miserable,  these  words,  that  brief  and  grand  prayer  (the  Lord's  prayer), 

came  strangely  into  my  mind  with  an  altogether  new  emphasis Kot 

for  thirty  or  forty  years  had  1  once  formally  repeated  that  prayer ;  nay,  I 
never  felt  before  how  entirely  the  voice  of  man's  sonl  it  is.' 

It  is  singular  to  note  how,  as  far  as  practical  life  is  concerned,  Carlylism, 
Pantheism,  and  modem  Materialism  are  at  one.  The  t^dency  of  scientific 
specnlatioD,  as  mirrored  in  the  writings  of  Hnxley,  Tyndall,  and  Herbert 
Spencer,  is  to  postulate  the  suCBciency  of  the  Cosmos,  and  to  dismiss,  under 
the  name  of  the  '  Unknowable,'  that  which  transcends  positive  thought.  We 
are  hopeful  enough  to  believe  that  the  present  attempt  to  ignore  the  super- 
naturnl  is  altogether  a  temporary  phenomenon,  and  that  the  needs  and 
yearnings  of  the  soul  will  eventually  spurn  theories  which  threaten  to  rob 
humanity  of  all  dignity  and  meaning.  It  may  he  safe  to  predict  that  the 
random  gnessing  which  is  at  present  dignified  by  the  name  of  philosophy, 
will  give  place  to  another  and  more  rational  method;  and  that,  as  the  science 
of  psychology  is  placed  on  something  like  a  proper  basis,  it  will  be  foond 
that  i-eligion,  instead  of  being  a  mere  excrescence  of  human  thought,  is  the 
tie  which  binds  the  soul  to  God.  It  is  surely  not  too  moch  to  hope  that,  as 
science  advances,  it  will  be  found  to  agi-ee  with  theology  in  mu'ntaining '  that 
the  universe,  which  includes  and  folds  ua  ronnd,  is  the  life-dwelling  of  an 
Eternal  SEnd ;  that  the  world  of  our  abode  is  the  scene  of  a  moral  govern- 


""'SilTisra.''"'^     THOMAB  CARI.yi.E  AS  A  RELIOI0U8  THISHEE.  399 

inent,  incipieut  but  not  yet  complete;  ajid  that  the  npper  zones  of  human  affec- 
tion, above  the  cloads  ot  self  and  passion,  take  ns  into  the  sphere  of  a  divine 
commanion.'  * 

That  we  have  correctly  defined  Mr.  Carlyle's  position  as  a  religions 
thinker,  will  become  more  apparent  as  we  proceed  to  the  conaideratiou  of 
his  theory  of  '  hero-worship.'  He  says  :  '  Universal  history,  the  history  of 
what  man  has  accomplished  in  this  world,  is  at  bottom  the  history  of  the 
great  men  who  have  worked  here.  ....  Worship  of  a  hero  is  transcendent 
admiration  of  a  great  man.  I  say  great  men  arc  admirable.  I  say  there  is 
at  bottom  nothing  else  admirable.  No  nobler  feeling  than  this  of  admira- 
tion dwelie  in  the  breast  of  man.  Religion,  I  find,  stands  apon  it, — not 
PagBDism  only,  bat  far  higher  and  trner  religions,— all  religions  hitherto 
itnown.'  I  Not  content  with  mere  generalisations,  Carlyle  proceeds  to 
mention  several  who  have  occupied  conspicnous  positions  in  the  world's 
history,  and  for  whom  he  claims  the  title  of  hero.  Odin,  Mahomet,  Knox, 
Lnther,  Cromwell,  Konsseaa,  Frederick  the  Great, — these  are  all  placed  before 
the  reader  as  entitled  to  transcendent  admiration.  At  the  ontset,  it  may  be 
asked  for  what  are  they  to  be  admired?  What  can  be  Garlyle's  meaning 
for  placing  on  a  common  platform  the  representative  of  Paganism,  the 
foonder  of  Mahometanism,  the  Scottish  Reformer,  the  French  seutimentalist, 
and  the  military  despot?  From  among  the  diverse  qnalities  of  these 
Csrlylean  hnvjes,  is  it  possible  to  define  one  which  they  possess  in  common, 
and  which  is  worthy  of  admiration  T  It  cannot  be  for  their  conceptions  of 
religion, — these  were  mutually  destructive ;  it  cannot  be  for  their  morality, 
— in  this  many  of  the  heroea  were  sadly  deficient.  For  none  of  these  is 
admiration  claimed.  The  one  quality  they  had  in  common,  and  which, 
according  to  Carlyle,  rendered  their  lives  heroic,  was  sincerity,  t  If  this 
quality  is  of  such  moment  as  to  place  its  posseesora  on  a  pedestal  of  great- 
ness, it  follows  that  all  else,  inclnding  religions  belief,  is  of  secondary  im- 
portance. And  this  is  precisely  Mr.  Cariyle's  position.  Religion,  according 
to  him,  simply  originates  in  men's  attempts  to  fonn  a  conception  of  their  rela- 
tion to  the  nniverse ;  consequently  mntabttity  is  stamped  on  all  creeds,  they 
being  but  the  temporary  embodiment  of  the  reUgioas  spirit.  He  would  have 
na  understand  that  religions  are  valuable  as  exhibiting  gome  side  of  human 
natnre  in  process  of  development,  and  may  be  tolerated  when  prodnctjve  of 
good.  Thus  he  plainly  affirms  that  the  Fetisli,  with  his  heart  full  of  his 
idolatry,  is  by  no  means  a  contemptible  creature :  so  long  as  he  sincerely 
worships  his  idols,  Carlyle  would  leave  him  atone.  Condemnable  idolatry, 
according  to  him,  is  insincere  idolatry.  In  short.  Pope's  famons  couplet  not 
inaptly  hits  off  this  phase  of  Catlylism^ — 


Without  staying  to  notice  what  is  patent  to  every  one, — that  such  a  theory 
of  the  relativity  of  1'  '  k  ledge  is  destructive  of  the  notion  of  revela- 
tion in  the  Christian  n  — w  p  oceed  to  point  ont  one  or  two  inconsistencies 
into  which  Carlyl  has  fall  n  Throughout  his  works  he  is  never  weary 
of  insisting  on  th  mpo  ta  of  religion,  and  distinctly  asserts  that 
men's  conceptions  of  th  d  ty  a  d  destiny  creatively  determine  their  con- 
ceptions of  all  el  So  fa  t  e;  but  does  not  his  selection  of  heroes 
practically  prove  the  f  what  he  intended  1     Pnganism  differed 

*  jMses  Hartine-m. 
f  BtTOts  and  Ilero-Wership,  pp. 
'  Worahii, 


HeifKi  and  Hti-o-  Worship,  p.  37. 


400  THOMAS  CABLYLB  AS  A  BELIGIOUS  THINKEE.      ''^■s.t''?!^"'^ 

vastly  from  Mfthometaniam ;  the  PnritaQism  of  Knox  and  Gromnell  was 
antipodal  to  the  Beotimentahsm  of  Ronssean  and  the  indiffereutism  of 
Frederick  the  Great, — and  yet  each  form  of  belief  is  represented  as  equally 
effective  in  producing  heroes  I  That  religion  is  the  prime  factor  in  human 
life,  we  firmly  believe ;  but  the  examples  given  by  Carlyle  certninly  do  not 
prove  that  it  is  so ;  they  rather  indicate  that  it  is  possibie  to  live  a  heroic 
life  uuder  any  form,  or  under  no  form  of  religion. 

Again,  if  ^hero-worship*  be,  as  Cartyte  says,  the  'ultimate  essence,  and 
supreme  practical  perfection  of  all  manner  of  worship  and  nobleness 
whatsoever,' — if  it  be  the  source  of  greatness, — it  follows  that  those  who  are 
themselves  heroes  would  be  tlioBe  in  whom  the  hero-worshipping  faculty  was 
most  fully  developed.  Confining  attention  to  the  Carlylean  heroes,  do  we 
find  this  to  be  the  caseT  Was  the  beroifim  of  Enox  and  Luther,  for 
example,  the  result  of  their  admiration  for  any  particular  man?  If  looked 
into,  it  will  be  found  that  the  reverse  is  the  trnth.  Knox  and  Luther  were 
heroes,  because  they  accepted  the  Bible  estimate  of  themselves  and  others, 
because  they  pat  no  trnst  in  '  man  whose  breath  is  in  his  nostrils.'  Their 
greatness,  in  short,  is  traceable  to  belief  in  revealed  doctrines,  not  to  admira- 
tion  of  men.  Their  faith  in  God,  and  love — not  worship — of  their  fellow- 
men,  were  the  motives  which  lifted  their  lives  into  the  noble  and  the  heroic. 
Farther,  was  'hero-worship'  the  vivify ing-influMiee  in  the  hves  of  Napoleon 
Bonaparte  and  Frederick  the  Great  1  If  it  was,  history  plainly  shows  that 
they  were  both  worshipped  and  worshippers.  When  closely  examined, 
the  theory  of  '  hero-worship '  is  fonnd  sadly  deficient  in  logical  cod- 
sistency.  At  one  time  Carlyle  represents  religion  as  but  the  outcome  of 
hero-worship;  at  another,  he  asserts  that  men's  attitude  towards  religion 
determines  their  attitude  to  everything  else. 

Viewed  practically,  '  hero-worship,'  such  as  Carlyle  inculcates,  has  a 
tendency  to  confuse  moral  diatinctions.  At  present  the  atmosphere  is  so 
permeated  with  Christian  principles,  that  this  tendency  will  be  so  far 
counteracted,  but  the  objection  is  none  the  less  vaUd.  It  is  a  well-known 
fact,  for  example,  that  the  worshipper  necessarily  becomes  assimilated  to 
the  object  worshipped.  It  may  fairly  be  asked,  then,  what  possible  ideal  of 
life  can  be  constructed  from  an  admiration  of  Carlyle's  various  heroes? 
It  is  not  difficult  for  Mr.  Carlyle,  or  any  one,  to  talk  largely  of  heroism 
in  the  abstract,  and  to  indulge  in  vagae  rhetoric,  which  may  mean  anything 
or  nothing ;  bat  simple  men  and  women  require  something  plain  and  definite 
for  their  everyday  gnidance,  and  the  question  they  pat  to  Mr.  Carlyle  is, 
What  moral  principles  or  maxims  can  yoa  formulate  for  daily  life  T  It  is 
obvious  that  to  order  one's  life  in  the  spirit  of  Luther  is  something  vastly 
different  from  imitation  of  Ronssean,  and  emulation  of  the  self-sacrificing 
Knox  is  radically  distinct  from  admiration  of  the  self-seeking  Frederick. 
And  thus  we  are  asked  to  admire  and  worship  men  whose  lives  were  ordered 
on  antagonistic  principles,  with  the  result  that,  at  the  first  attempt  to  rednce 
the  hero-worship  theory  to  practice,  nothing  is  left  but  a  bundle  of  c<mtra- 
dictory  principles  and  maxims. 

We  are  by  no  means  insensible  to  the  good  which  has  resolted  from  Mr. 
Carlyle's  insistauce  on  the  influence  of  great  men.  His  nobility  of  soul  and 
genuine  earnestness,  coupled  with  his  keen  insight  into  and  appreciation  of 
human  worth,  have  enabled  him  to  correct  various  misconceptions  and  to 
give  a  new  interpretation  of  several  important  historical  epochs.  There  is 
oertunly  much  to  sympathize  with  in  Mr,  Carlyle's  endeavours  to  emphasize 
the  individnal  element  in  history;  there  is  much  calling  for  commendation 


*'°'»B^'i'i""'"     TnOMAS  CARLYLE  AS  A  EGLIOIOUS  TUINKEK.  401 

m  the  tribute  he  pays  to  the  digoity  and  possibilities  of  the  buman  Boni ; 
and  were  his  theory  of  '  hero-worship '  advocated  within  proper  limits,  its 
tendency  would  be  on  the  side  of  Rood ;  but  unfortunately  it  is  made  to 
occnpy  an  altogether  disproportionate  position  in  the  Carlylean  syelem,  and 
becomes  eironeons  by  being  elevated  to  the  rank  of  an  ethical  principle. 
To  talk  in  the  abstract  of  the  Tirifying  inSaence  of  hero-worship  is  purely 
misleading,  for  it  is  obvious  that  the  natnre  of  its  influence  depends  entirely 
on  the  moral  status  of  the  hero,  consequently  there  must  be  an  objective 
standard  in  the  form  of  a  code  of  ethics  by  which  such  worship  can  be 
tested  and  regulated.  We  may  search  the  writings  of  Carlyle  in  vain  for 
such  a  standard.  If  there  be  one,  it  certainly  is  elastic  enough,  since,  as 
already  noticed,  men  of  the  most  diverse  moral  principles  are  incloded  under 
the  Carlylean  category  of  .heroes. 

All  attempts  to  excogitate  a  system  of  morals  on  a  purely  rationalistic 
basis,  whether  under  the  name  of  CarlyUsm,  Positivism,  or  what  is  now 
termed  Agnosticism,  mast  necessarily  be  futile,  because  they  entirely  ignore 
some  of  the  most  stupendous  problems  of  moral  science, — the  existence  and 
power  of  evil,  the  religions  inatincta,  and  the  faculty  of  conscience.  Under 
such  circamstances,  morality,  having  no  objective  basis,  could  lay  claim  to  no 
authority ;  and  human  life,  dissevered  from  the  divioe,  would  become  chaotic 
aad  meaningless.    With  Tennyson,  it  might  then  fairly  be  said: 

'  'Tweta  hardly  worth  our  whila  in  ohooie  ^ 

Of  all  thinga  morUI,  or  1o  ase 
A  little  paiiBDCfl  ers  we  die. 


Those  who  fear  for  the  ultimate  issue  of  the  conflict  between  modem 
Scepticism  and  Christianity,  do  so  on  imperfect  grounds.  The  victory  of 
the  latter  is  secured  in  the  fact  that,  while  including  all  that  is  valuable  iu 
the  former,  it  at  the  same  tune  adapts  itself  to  the  deepest  needs  of  mm, 
and  affords  full  scope  for  the  development  of  all  that  is  best  iu  humanity. 
Recognising  the  truth  to  which  Carlyle  has  given  prominence, — that  of 
man's  tendency  to  worship, — Christianity  makes  ample  provision  for  it  in  its 
doctrine  of  the  Incarnation,  while  the  highest  possibilities  ol  moral  elevation 
are  secured  in  the  life  and  teachings  of  Christ.  Accepting  the  truth  under- 
lying Positivism, — that  of  the  unity  of  hnmanity, — Christianity, by  linking  it  to 
another  and  higher  truth, — that  of  the  unity  of  the  human  and  the  divine, — 
Lfts  the  Positivist  theory  out  of  the  region  of  the  abstract  and  endows  it 
(vith  practical  value.  What  Principal  Shairp  gays  of  culture  may  fairly  be 
said  of  all  themies  that  would  seek  to  establish  themselves  on  a  purely 
materialistic  basis :  '  The  ends  of  culture,  truly  conceived,  are  beat  attained 
by  foi^ettiug  caltnre  and  aiming  higher.  And  what  is  this  but  translating 
into  modern  and  less  forcible  langot^e  the  old  words,  whose  meaning  is 
«ften  greatly  misunderstood,  "  Seek  ye  first  the  kingdom  of  God,  and  all 
other  things  will  be  added  unto  yon  '  T  Bnt  by  seekmg  the  other  things 
first,  as  we  naturally  do,  we  miss  not  only  the  kingdom  of  God,  but  those 
other  things  also  which  are  only  truly  attained  by  aiming  beyond  them.' 
H.  C.  Macphebsok. 
"InMemcriam.' 


SO.  IX.  vol..  XXII.  NEW  SERIES. — SEPTEMFER  I: 


...CkScR^lc 


402  8AUUEL  SMILES  JERDAX.  '■"    e^i~,^  '  ' 

SAMUEL  SMILES  JERDAS* 
Tbb  brief  life-Btory  and  the  literary  remains  of  Samnel  Smiles  JenJao  have 
jnst  been  pablwhed  by  Mr.  Elliot,  under  the  title,  Eaays  and  Lpia.  The 
book  is  a  goodly  Tolame  of  258  pages,  finished,  in  go  far  as  paper,  type,  and 
binding  are  coneeniad,  in  the  pablisher's  best' style.  That  is  saying  not  a 
little  for  the  oater  appearance  and  general  attractiveness  of  the  book.  The 
casket  is  in  keeping  with  the  treasure  it  containg.  The  literary  remains  are 
edited  by  the  Rev.  Charles  Jerdan,  M.A.,  LL.B,,  of  Dennyloanhead,  who 
also  writes  the  introdnctory  biographical  sketch  of  his  brother.  The  sub- 
ject-matter consista  of  this  sketch,  with  the  essays  and  lyrics.  The  essays 
are  seven  in  number,  being  a  series  of  papers  on  the  Seven  Ages  of  Shake- 
speare ;  and  the  lyrics  are  very  happily  and  snitably  arranged  under  the 
headings — Devotional  Pieces,  Life  Musings,  Songs  of  the  Affections,  and 
Hnmorous  Poems.  The  editor  has  grasped  and  grouped  his  matmal  with 
the  instinct  of  a  true  boilder.  As  author  of  the  memoir,  he  has  also  done 
his  work  well.  Nest  to  the  difficulty  of  discoursing  abont  oneself  in 
public,  is  that  of  dwelling  on  the  merits  of  one's  own  immediate  relatives. 
The  sketch  before  us  is  proportionate  in  length,  and  perfect  in  tastfl,  feeling, 
and  expression.  It  bears  no  trace  of  exaggeration.  It  is  as  cat m,  dispassionate, 
and  impersonal  as  it  coald  well  be,  so  as  not  to  be  wanting  in  warmth  of 
affection  and  just  pride  in  relation  to  the  loved  and  vanished  form  it  seeks  to 
portray.  Especially  ore  the  author's  allusions  to  the  spiritual  experience 
and  lost  illness  of  his  brother  worthy  of  commendation.  They  are  healthy 
in  tone  and  unhackneyed  in  expression.  Under  the  sparkle  and  seeming 
lightness  even  of  a  spirit  essentially  sunny,  Samuel  Jerdan  was  keenly  alive 
to  the  deeper  elements  and  aspects  of  human  existence  upon  the  earth.  He 
rejoiced  in  what  was  bright,  ajid  endeavoured  to  make  it  brighter  still,  by 
casting  upon  it  the  gleam  of  poesy  and  thought — working  np  the  homely 
beauty  of  Nature  into  the  angelic  grace  of  that  higher  nature  we  call  Art; 
and  yet  he  felt  the  doubt,  and  sadness,  and  mystery  of  it  all.  For  althongh 
we  are  assured  that  in  the  very  heart  of  things  there  can  he  no  doubt  or 
sadness,  and  in  the  end  of  things  no  mystery,  we  are  not  thereby  rendered 
insensible  to  the  unsatisfactoriness  of  what  is  meantime  so  superficial  and 
unfinished  as  this  present  life  appears  to  be.  Alas !  how  unfinished  and 
broken,  for  the  inost  ^art,  is  the  earthly  existence  even  of  the  best.  The 
literary  artist  labours  to  round  ofi  his  lyric  to  tuneful  completion,  and  yet 
his  own  life  is  but  a  tune  half  played  out — a  stanza  stopping  at  the  middle 
word.  Our  poet  was,  to  a  large  extent,  in  education  and  experience,  a 
child  of  the  age  to  which  he  belonged, — an  age  as  much  in  earnest,  if  not 
more  so,  notwithstanding  its  seeming  waywardness  and  doubt,  than  any 
preceding  time.  Such  characters  are  apt  to  be  misunderstood.  They  seem 
sometimes  to  be  merely  playing  at  life,  when  in  truth  they  are  deeply  and 
passionately  in  earnest;  so  sensitive,  indeed,  to  the  momentousness  and 
preseure  of  being,  as  to  be  somewhat  shy  of  allusions  to  it,  and  almost 
inclined  sometimes  half  to  hide  it  even  from  themselves.  To  the  commou- 
place,  comfortably  orthodox  mind,  never  in  difficulty  about  aD3rtlinig,  and 
to  such  as  have  not  even  felt '  the  Presence  thut  dhturhi  one  with  ttie  joy  of 
elevated  thoughts,'  such  a  form  of  character  is  somewhat  inezpUcable,  if  not 
altogether  trivial  and  unworthy  of  attention.  Still  more  to  the  grimly 
Pharisaic  and  intolerably  self-righteoas  is  the  spectacle  of  hesitation, 
despondency,  and  vagne  longing  in  religion  something  to  be  impatiently 
*  £110^  and  Li/ric*.    By  SBmoel  SmileE  Jerdui.    Sdinbiirgh :  EUiot.    1878. 


'"XflTuT!*'^  BAMUEL  SMILE6  JEBBAN.  403 

coodenuied.  And  yet,  when  the  hoar  of  trml  comes,  when  Uie  awfol  reality 
which  aU  most  face,  has  at  laet  to  be  actaally  felt,  and  when  that  dre&d 
sommona  which  all  most  hear,  is  whispered  only  too  aadibly  in  the  ear, — 
ay,  and  when  all  this  takes  place  on  the  npward  elope  of  what  promisea  to 
be  a  bright  earthly  fotare,  Uie  bodI  baring  suddenly  to  look  down  io  the 
direction  of  the  dai^  valley,  such  spiritually  shy  and  tender  natnres  are  not 
luifreqaently  found  to  be  quite  familiar  with  the  most  serioas  thoughts,  tbar 
very  playfulness  in  regard  to  other  matters  being  a  sort  of  evaaire  corering 
of  a  spiritual  straggle  even ;  not  uncommonly  do  they  at  lost  appear  in  tba 
light  of  a  beautiful  solemnity  and  childhke  earnestness,  much  better  pre- 
pared, in  ao  tar  as  we  have  any  right  to  judge,  for  the  further  disclosorea  of 
the  life  beyond,  than  those  who  for  long  years  have  been  encased  iu  the  hard 
shell  of  an  nnthioking  self-aeanrance  as  to  their  eternal  safety. 

These  reflections  are  in  the  line  of  onr  peraouai  knowledge  of  the  subject' 
of  thia  notice,  and  ere  perhaps  as  much  in  place  in  the  pages  of  a  rehgioos 
magazine  ae  any  attempted  criticism,  of  a  lengthened  or  elaborate  character, 
of  his  literary  efforts.  Had  he  not  had  such  a  keen  sense  of  the  Indicroiu, 
and  snch  a  direct  perception  of  imposture  of  every  kind, — had  he  not  shrank 
so  much  from  unreality  and  cant,  even  as  from  a  plagne,  with  which  he 
nonld  not  taint  his  sonl, — be  might  have  been  more  demonstrative  on  the 
religions  side.  Bat  we  have  reason  to  believe  that  he  attained  to  much 
clearness  and  certainty  iu  relation  to  the  greatest  of  all  subjects — that  is, 
to  a  calm  and  intelligent  trust  io  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Talking  with 
bun  one  evening  near  the  end,  he  mentioned  that  a  lady,  who  had  called  a 
few  days  before  that,  had  repeated  to  him  the  130th  Psalm,  and  be  addei^ 
that  he  had  been  living  spiritnally  since  that  time  on  the  two  words, 
'plenteous  redemption.'  '  You  know,'  he  said,  with  a  look  and  tone  of 
iDezpreasible  pathos, '  the  thing  that  struck  me  aboat  it  is  this,  there's  plenli/ 
o/it.    Why,  then,  should  I,  or  any  other  poor  sinner,  want?' 

In  the  biographical  sketch  the  following  passage  occurs : — '  During  the 
earher  stages  of  his  illness  he  was  occasionally  troubled  with  donbte  aad 
difficalties  as  to  various  practical  questions  connected  with  theology ;  but 
before  the  end  drew  near  the  sky  of  his  faith  became  clear  of  every  elond, 
and  be  was  able  to  rest  with  a  simple,  peaceful  trust  upon  the  righteousness 
and  love  of  the  Redeemer  of  men.  His  fwn  experience  during  the  last 
weeks  of  his  life  was  moat  accurately  reflected  by  anticipation  in  his  own. 
lines,  written  years  before : 

"  The  eyea  grow  dim.    O  Lord  of  Kglit  I 

To  Thee  are  glretcted  hanaa  pale  and  thim 
The  gh&dowB,  deepening  with  tha  nUht, 
Still  gather  in. 

"Darlcer— more  dart;  a  nightfliora  Is 

On  wbioh  the  morning  ne'er  stuUl  break ; 
Bat  ■w»  have  hoiie— our  plea  la  tMe : 

For  Jbsub'  eit.ke  I " ' 

Probably  he  had  not  gained  what  we  would  coll  his  proper  place  in  the 
world  nutil  he  was  called  away.  Onoe  and  again  he  changed  Uie  sphere  of 
his  secnlar  work,  and  while  no  doubt  doing  his  duty  ftutbfnlly  in  t£e  lower 
walk,  his  si^rit  found  its  native  elemmt  in  the  higher.  In  that  higher,  too, 
he  was  only  gradually  awakening  to  the  range  and  character  of  the  gift  he 
possessed.  His  instinctive  bias  towards  the  cnltivalion  of  letters  was  only 
the  general  indication  of  what  was  evidently  a  rich  and  varied  mind  seeking 
aa  oatlet  for  itself  beyond  and  above  the  secular  region,  and  tiying  what 


^H  A  PHILOSOPHIC  SPIBir.  "'■£S.''i7wt!^ 

it  could  do  on  tbose  high  plains  where  the  immortals  walk.  Ripe  and  cLssle 
as  hta  prodactions  are,  he  was  eridently  growing  all  aronnd,  and  no  m 
can  tell  to  what  proportiona  in  mental  breadth  and  spiritaal  matnrityhe 
might  even  ia  this  life  have  attained.  Nor  is  it  easy  to  saj  whether  Ik 
would  have  remained  even  addicted  to  versfr-makiug.  Tliat  he  was  do  men 
poetaster,  is  abnndantlj'  apparent,  not  only  from  the  qnality  of  the  verses  li 
actually  prodaced,  bnt  from  the  ideas  he  entertained  as  to  bis  own  con- 
tinnoDB  edocatioD.  One  who  recognised  (he  value  of  a  systematic  course  of 
study  in  mathematics  and  philosophy,  and  garo  himself  to  it  at  his  leisure 
hoars,  as  he  did,  is  one  who  has  discovered  Ihe  tme  basis  of  solid  aii 
endoring  work  in  the  world,  in  whatever  path  of  effort  that  work  may  bt 
carried  on.  To  be  a  great  poet  one  mnst  be  great  in  several  other  respects 
Above  everything  else  he  mnst  be  great  Id  sonl.  Having  magnanimity  to 
begin  with,  he  has  a  basis  on  which  he  may  work  himself  up  to  the  highest, 
clearest,  and  noblest  heights  of  artistic  conatrnction  and  rhythmical  ezpree- 
sion.  For,  after  all,  what  ia  poetry,  as  distingaished  from  the  best  prose, 
but  simply  the  art  of  versification  T  To  say  so  is  not  to  assert  that  a  jingle 
of  words  is  poetry.  For  perfection  in  the  art  of  versification  impUes  the 
highest  qnaUties  of  being.  It  implies  pare  thought  and  pnre  feeling.  These 
are  so  dependent  npon  each  other,  and  so  related  t^Eun  to  purity  of 
language,  that  an  eternally  melodious  expression  can  only  be  the  offspring 
of  a  soul  in  harmony  with  Ood. 

We  recognise  in  Samnel  Jerdan's  literary  remains  a  fourfold  power,  viz. 
a  power  of  keen  and  accurate  observation,  a  power  of  intuitive  idealisation 
on  the  basis  of  such  observation,  a  power  of  artistic  literary  constmctioD, 
and  lyrical  expression.  To  have  gathered  illustrations,  under  each  of  tbese 
heads,  from  the  Essays  and  Lyrics,  would  have  been  an  easy  and  pleasant 
task.  Both  time  and  space  forbid.  Besides,  it  is  better  to  leave  the  reader 
somethiniC  to  do  in  the  way  of  acquainting  tiimself  with  this  delightful  book. 
It  will  introdnce  him  to  one  who,  having  etmck  out  those  sweet  trial  tones 
from  his  earthly  lyre,  has  been  called,  as  we  would  believe,  to  the  higber 
service  and  the  nobler  minstrelsy  of  the  heavenly  world, 

Cbobshill.  F.  F. 


A    PHILOSOPHIC    SPIRIT. 

BY  RET.  DAVID  KINO,  IX,D. 

All  that  is  now  contemplated  in  regard  to  philosophy  is  to  offer  the  simplest 
observations  which  present  themselves  in  exposition  of  its  spirit,  and  sadi  as 
most  readily  admit  of  useful  practical  application.  But  some  discriminatJTe 
remarks  at  the  outset  may  he  found  auxiliary  to  this  design. 

Poetry  and  philosophy  are  assigned  to  different  departments  of  literatare. 
On  a  general  view,  they  present  obvionsly  distinguishable  relations  to  th« 
material  world.  The  poet  views  it  in  its  outward  aspects  of  engaging 
interest,  and  works  them  into  all  the  varied  charms,  all  the  picturesqne 
conceptions,  all  the  bold  and  grand  imagmings,  which  enrich  his  verse. 
The  philosopher  will  not  limit  his  view  to  the  externals  of  nature.  He 
will  investigate  the  within  as  well  as  the  without  of  encompassing  objects, 
and  ascertain  the  laws  by  which  their  profonndost  processes  are  governed. 

In  this  connection,  however,  the  word  law  has  a  conventional  import,  and 
denotes  nothing  of  the  character  of  human  legislation.  It  points  simply 
to  antecedents  and  consequeuces  of  divine  iustitution.  The  philosopher 
concerns  himself  to  ascertain  facts,  and  find  out  iu  what  order  they  stand 


""aJTr^nS^^  A  PQILOaOPHIO  8PIBIT.  405 

related  to  each  other.  If  what  goes  before  and  what  foUows  present  a 
uniformity  and  certainty  of  such  snccesaion,  for  which  mere  accident  ia 
inadequate  to  account,  he  calls  what  precedes  the  cauae,  and  what  followa 
the  effect,  and  the  order  ol  their  occurrence  becomes  available  as  an  ascer- 
tained law  for  the  solution  of  more  or  fewer  nataral  phenomena. 

But  though,  as  regarda  the  material  world,  we  may  thus  discriminate  the 
realms  of  poets  and  philosophers,  yet  their  domains  more  widely  regarded 
bare  mnch  in  common.  When  we  turn  front  the  world  of  matter 
to  the  world  of  mind,  the  same  mental  attributes  are  hmidled  by  them  in 
different  ways.  The  poet  presents  the  powers  and  impulses  of  the  soal 
in  practical  action;  the  philosopher  analyses  them,  and  preaenta  them  to 
riew  in  abstract  form.  The  poet  and  the  philosopher  evince  their  acqaaint- 
ance  with  the  same  rational  being,  and  neither  could  succeed  without  a 
true  knowledge  of  man.  And  yet  they  could  not  exchange  places. 
Shakespeare  and  Locke  had  both  cognisance  of  human  nature, — of  its 
facolties,  affections,  impulses,  infirmities ;  but  Shakespeare  could  not  have 
written  Locke's  essay,  and  Locke  could  not  have  written  Shakespeare's 
tragedies.  The  two  kinds  of  genius  in  qnestion  have  been  in  some  rare 
instances  to  a  certain  extent  blended,  bat  partial  exceptions  to  the  fore- 
going observations  cannot  invalidate  their  general  truth. 

What  has  been  said  sufBcientiy  evinces  that  a  philosophic  spirit  is  an 
inquiring  spirit.  To  look  beneath  the  surface  of  the  sensible  world  and 
learn  what  nnderhes  it,  or  into  the  human  soul  and  scan  reflectively  its 
consciousness,  is  to  interrogate  natnre  in  a  very  unequivocal  manner.  A 
philosopher  takes  nothing  on  trust.  Received  concloaions,  however  wide 
their  reception,  he  subjects  to  his  own  scratiny,  and  ranks  none  of  them 
with  certainties  till  they  have  undergone  this  ordeaL  The  inadequacies 
of  explanation  which  escape  common  observers  engage  hia  pene^ating 
attention,  and  though  to  casual  inspection  they  seem  to  suffice,  he  ehcits 
from  their  insufficiency  his  valnable  discoveries.  Such  issues  are  not  to  be 
reached  by  any  facile  inqniry  ;  it  must  be  thorough — searching  and  sitting 
— to  prove  thua  effective.  The  measure  of  attention  which  suffices  for 
familiar  duties  in  the  roatine  of  Ufe  ia  incompetent  to  advance  scientific 
knowledge.  A  person  in  chaise  of  machinery  may  mth  little  effort  superin- 
tend its  working.  Bat  if  he  would  simplify  its  complexity,  and  with  fewer 
wheels,  levers,  and  pulleys  make  it  do  more  work,  and  do  it  better,  each 
achievements  task  ingenuity,  and  are  not  to  be  reached  without  intense 
thought. 

What  has  been  said  farther  indicates  that  progresa  in  philosophy  demands 
not  only  earnest  but  persevering  inqniry.  Seldom  haa  important  truth  been 
broi^ht  to  hght  by  one  happy  incident,  or  by  a  aingle  auspicious  effort, 
niere  has  been  a  cnrrent  notion  that  the  falling  of  an  apple  suggested 
to  Newton  the  law  of  gravitation ;  but  it  has  been  abundantly  shown  that 
only  by  protracted  study,  which  proved  excessive  for  even  his  powerful  mind, 
he  discovered  that  all-pervading  law,  embracing  in  Its  comprehensiveness  the 
material  universe.  If  it  please  God,  He  has  only  to  say  and  it  is  done,  Ui 
command  eaA  it  stands  fast  Bnt  ages  mnst  follow  ages,  and  the  philo- 
sophers of  many  generations  most  hand  down  to  each  other  their  discoveries, 
before  even  Newton  is  enabled,  with  all  this  treasure  in  hia  hand,  to  learn 
through  continuous  toil  how  God  binds  together  the  great  cosmical  system. 
With  what  reverential  awe  should  this  limitless  interval  between  divmity  and 
humanity  inspire  ns ! 

For  the  object  of  this  paper  such  reflections  need  not  be  farther  prose- 


406  THE  BIBLB  A  DEUaHTTUL  BOOK.  ^"SlUtm!*' 

catad.  The  question  remunB,  What  of  their  practical  applic&tion?  It 
ma;  be  thoi^ht  that  a  philosophic  spirit  is  not  a  subject  that  tnnch  c<n- 
cmis  the  comnitmity  at  )a^,  luring  neither  time  nor  capacity  for  Eciaiti£c 
pursuits.  Bnt  manj  of  the  nenUs  of  iuTsstigatJon  are  of  easy  appiehenaian, 
and  if  they  were  accepted  in  &  suitable  s[Mrit, — irith  the  same  opemtess  to 
light  in  which  philosophic  investigation  has  bewi  condnctad, — ^they  wonld 
dissipate  nnmerons  delnsimiB  of  which  some  are  merely  foolish,  bnt  others 
^ro  trnly  miBchieroas.  People  wonld  cease  to  expect  changes  of  wettber 
from  changes  of  the  moon,  or  to  imagine  that  the  light  of  the  snn  pnta  OQt 
a  fire,  or  that  a  poker,  before  &  fire  nearly  extingnished,  has  mnch  efficacy  in 
rekindUng  it.  These  are  harmlees  misapprehen^ns.  But  there  are  notiims 
abont  fortnne-telhng,  and  supposed  forecastings  in  the  movements  of  ctrtun 
animals,  and  anticipations  of  calamity  from  upsetting  salt,  and  ominons  fon- 
bodings  from  being  the  first  to  leave  a  party  if  it  consist  of  a  certain 
number,  and  many  similar  prejadices  equally  baseless,  which  exercise  a  most 
malignant  iaflaence.  Certain  days  are  considered  anspidons  or  inanspicions 
for  patting  ont  to  sea  or  being  married.  With  varioas  branches  of  indaetr}', 
Boperstitions  ideas  of  a  misgniding  and  fettering  nature  have  become  allied, 
to  the  great  detriment  of  labour  aad  comfort. 

A  sound  popnlar  philosophy  operates  as  a  valuable  antidote  to  all  these 
.  spdls  m  the  measnre  it  is  drcnlated,  and  the  sooner  in  life  its  principles 
are  incnicated,  the  incnlcatioQ  of  them  wDl  be  the  more  easy  and  the  more 
effective.  Children  should  be  guarded  against  placing  the  smallest  faith  m 
fancied  auguries,  and  should  be  eameetly  imbued  with  that  truth-loving, 
truth-seeking  spirit  which  will  preserve  them  from  such  bondage.  Bnt 
true  philosophy  ia  more  than  emancipating  in  its  influence.  It  is  helpful  in 
exercising  aright  the  freedom  which  it  confers.  In  all  the  exigencies  of  life 
its  genuine  spirit  raises  the  question.  How  ahfill  I  act  wisely  at  this  jniic- 
ture  1 — wisely  for  myself  ?  wisely  for  others  T — for  philosophy  means  the  lore 
of  wisdom,  and  whatever  is  onwise  is  nnphilosophicah  A  conrae  eo  r^olated 
by  consideration  and  discretion  is  thus  promot«d  by  genuine  phUosopbic 
tonperament  as  well  as  demanded  by  religious  principle. 

In  almost  all  departments  of  human  inquiry,  interesting  discoveries  have 
lat«ly  been  made,  and  they  are  replete  with  the  promise  of  practical  advan- 
tage. Abeady  they  are  avtulable  to  the  snrgeon  in  guiding  his  lancet,  to 
the  pilot  in  steering  his  vessel,  to  the  agricultnrist  in  improving  the  quantity 
and  quality  of  bis  crops,  to  the  educationalist  in  evolving  the  nobler  fruits 
of  mental  cultivation.  The  tenacity  of  custom  prevents  a  rapid  adoption 
and  diffurion  of  such  benefits.  But  a  philosophic  spirit,  the  more  it  is 
fostered,  will  more  and  more  subdue  the  bigotry  of  usage.  It  will  obliterate 
the  foolish  motto,  '  Let  well  alone,'  when  the  real  sense  is,  '  Let  estabUshed 
ill  alone,'  and  in  characters  of  multiplied  improvements  will  engrave  instead 
the  heavenly  asEnrance,  '  There  is  a  spirit  in  man,  and  the  inspiration  of  the 
Ahnighty  has  given  him  understanding.' 


THE  BIBLE  A  DELIGHTFITL  BOOK. 

'  Thj  law  Ie  my  delight'— Psalb  ciii.  T7. 

AuiDST  tiie  various  duties  of  the  Cliris-  that  he  should  alwaya  study  and  pmdi 

tian  ministry,  the  erpounding  and  en-  and  commend  what  tiic  Bible  ieacDSB. 

forcing  of  the  word  of  God  must  always  In  ow  text  the  entire  word  of  God  is 

occupy  a  prime  place.     Whatever  else  sud  to  be  worthy  of  all  commendation, 

Hit  ndnister  may  neglect,  it  ia  necessary  becaose  it '  is  a  ddightfnl  book,'  replete 


slpiMiw'"'            THE  BIBLE  A.  DELIGHTFUL  BOOK.  407 

with  intereBt;  ttnd  we  observe  it    ia  in  many  cum  wotted  oat  iD  detail  what 

so —  was  supplied  to  him  in  the  pages  of 

God's  word.     Perhapa  hia  truwt  glory 

Isl,  Becaiue  of  ilt  true  and  mnule  spiinga  from  the  f&ct  that  he  grasped 

desetipliim  of  kuniait  ralure.  f  iilly,  wd  with  graphic  power  illiutnied, 

'  The  proper  atadf  of  mankind  is  man.'  the  principles  of  human  action. 
'  Ah  long  as  the  heart  hath  paasionB,  as  Have  you,  for  example,  read  the  per- 
long  aa  life  hath  woes,'  no  suhject  shall  plexities  of  poor  Hamlet, — seen  tiiiu 
ever  rival  m  importance  and  interest  the  struggle  against  evil,  £ght  down  coward- 
windingB  and  turnings  of  human  paa-  ice,  and  rise  above  filial  affection, — in 
Bion,  the  riaing  and  falling  of  emotion  order  that  he  might  nphold  the  just  and 
and  desire;  the  hidden  springs  of  action;  thepure?  Have  the  tears  of  pit  j  coursed 
the  remorse,  the  shame,  the  joy  and  down  your  cheeks  for  j^oosy-tom 
gladness  rising  out  of  deeds  done.  All  Othelloj?  or  have  you  caught  yourself 
are  intereated  in  this  subject.  Half  of  involuntarily  clenching  the  fist  to  strike 
our  attention  is  occupied  with  the  actions  down  the  dastardly  villaiii  who  poisoned 
of  others.  More  than  half  the  conver-  such  a  tender  soiU?  Has  your  heart's 
satiou  of  many  consists  of  comments  on  blood  run  cold  as  you  read  of  Macbetli's 
tiie  sayings  and  doings  of  their  fellow-  ambition  driving  him  on  to  murder,  and 
men.  Those  who  busy  themselves  with  saw  that  foul  deed  sour  his  whole  life 
the  first  principles  of  thought  and  action,  and  being  ?  Have  yon  delighted  in  the 
and  try  to  reduce  them  to  fundamental  triumph  of  meroy,  and  the  overthrow  of 
laws,  we  call  philosophers.  Those  who  greed  and  revenge,  in  the  '  Merchant  of 
are  content  with  the  mere  external  sur-  Venice,'  when  Shylock,  stripped  of  his 
ronndings  and  petty  details  of  speech  blood-stained  gains,  is  condemned  to 
and  dress,  we  call  by  a  different  and  lees  die  ?  Have  you  in  fear  and  trembling 
polite  name.  By  the  former,  no  heed  is  awaited  the  issno  of  the  struggle  be- 
taken of  what  fills  the  bouIb  of  the  latter  tween  sisterly  love  and  purity  of  feeling 
with  rapture,  or  affords  subject  for  end-  — of  tender  regard  for  her  brother,  aud 
less  talk  ;  but  pierce  beneath  the  acci-  jealousy  for  her  own  chastity — in  the 
dental  differences,  and  you  wiU  find  at  cbaract«r  of  Helen?  and  then  have  you 
the  root  of  the  nature  of  both,  an  intense  leapt  for  joy  when  innocence  and  purity 
ioCereat  in  the  various  conflicting  phones  of  instinct  meet,  resist,  and  outwit  luat 
of  human  conduct.  Now,  no  book  ia  and  sin?  And  if  so,  why  so?  Juat 
equal  to  the  Bible  in  laying  bare  the  because  you  saw  and  rejoiced  over  the 
'  tbooghta  and  intents  of  the  heart ;' and  weakness  of  sin,  the  strength  of  the 
the  more  -we  know  of  it,  and  the  wider  right  and  true;  felt  that  with  the  parties 
oar  eiperience  grows,  the  truer  and  described  you  could  sympathise,  because 
more  &ithfal  do  its  deacriptions  of  in  yoni  own  soul  the  same  contest  be- 
human  character  appear.  Much  of  the  tween  good  and  evil  ia  going  on  now. 
^rewdnesB  and  sagacity  Scotsmen  get  All  hail !  then,  I  say,  to  him  who  by 
credit  for,  are  traceable  to  the  word  of  his  genius  has  so  dissected  our  nature. 
God  (  and  he  knows  and  is  beat  able  to  But  compare  the  examples  just  cited 
deal  with  men,  who  has  read  and  re-  with  the  characters  of  the  Bible.  Note 
read  the  pages  of  Scripture.  In  this  the  history  of  Moses,  with  its  conflicting 
connection  I  might  also  ask.  Why  ia  influences  and  impulses  all  revealed, — 
Shakespeare  so  popular?  Uowcanyou  blending  together  at  last  in  the  most 
esplftin  his  wide  influence  over  men?  perfect  type  of  meekness.  Watch  the 
Is  it  because  of  the  beauty  of  his  language  mighty  Ssmson,  as  he  is  Battered  and 
and  the  sweetness  of  his  rhythm  ?  Is  it  fioally  overpowered  by  a  acheming 
accounted  for  by  the  sublimity  of  bis  woman,  and  learn  that  strength,  apart 
thought  or  the  science  of  hia  teaching  ?  from  moral  courage,  can  be  laid  low  in 
Ko,  bat  because  he  deals  with  men,  and  the  dust  of  passion.  Recall  the  envy 
reveals  to  as,  working  in  the  chuactera  and  jealousjr  of  the  otherwise  noble 
of  hia  Bubjecte,  precise^  the  same  though  ta  Saul,  as  David  grows  in  favour  with  the 
and  teelmga  which  exist  and  work  in  our  people,  and  see  how  beauty,  strength, 
own  hearts.  Now,  the  more  closely  we  and  generoaty  may  be  undermined  by 
analyse  the  prodactions  of  our  master  the  green-eyed  monster;  wliile  you  read 
poet,  shall  we  discover  how  largely  he  is  in  his  tragic  death  how  bitter  the  sprit 
indebted  to  Scripture,  and  that  he  has  may  become,  when  faithless  to  God  and 


408  THE  BIBLE  A  DBUGnXFUL  BOOK.  ^'"S^^'i^!^ 

jealoDB  of   man.      Remember  the  con-  us  to  Him  again.     '  That  which  is  ^ist 

samiog  loat  of  Amnon,  and  discoTsr  to  is  natural,  then  Epiritual  ; '  and  long  be- 

what  mean  resorte  lin  will  drag  a  man,  fore  wo  hare  exhausted  the  human  and 

and,  after  the  momentaiy  gratificstion  the  natural  will  we  be  ready  to  grant 

ot  wnful  passion,' leave  him  the  pre;- of  the  divine  and  the  supernatural.*    Whes 

shame,   remoree,    and    self- abhorrence,  the  light  of  God's  word  revenla  the  dnrk- 

Mark  the  matchless  dignity  of  purity  in  nesa  and  death  of  sin,  then  it  can  poiut 

Joseph ;  the  beauty  of  mutual  love,  as  to  '  the  way,  the   truth,  and  the  life.' 

shown  in  the  friendship  of  David  and  When  I  am  convinced  of   the  sorrow, 

Jonathan.      Try   to    follow   the    noble  sadness,  and  pain  springing  out  of  evil, 

wrestling  and  ultimate  triumph  of  Job  theo  am  Ipreparedforseeking  salvation, 

over  physical  wealcness,  wavering  faith,  joy,  and  gladness  in  the  God  of  righteous- 

and   would-be  candid  friends.      Above  ness  and  truth. 
all,  follow  the  footsteps  and  hear  the 

words  of  the  pure  and  sinless  One,  as  2J.  Tlie  Bible  is  a  deUghtful  book,  bt- 
He  walks  amidst  corruption  and  sin,  and  caiae  of  its  lUerarg  beaaties. 
learn  how  the  pure  and  true  may  be  While  human  nature  is  laid  bare  with 
met  by,  and  even  die  for  sin,  and  yet  unerring  eliill,  this  is  done  with  great 
retain  tiieir  nobility.  Throw  those  and  beauty  and  simplicity.  Where,  for  ex- 
other  examples  together,  and  make  them  ample,  will  you  find  more  evquisite 
the  subjects  of  your  study.  Find  in  touches  than  in  the  Pentateuch  ?  Look 
them  the  principles  of  your  own  actions  at  the  story  of  Abraham,  hia  sublime 
embodied  in  living  characters,  and  then  faith,  and  the  test  to  which  it  was  sub- 
to  yon  will  the  Bible  be  an  ever-increos-  jected.  With  what  pastoral  beauty  are 
ingly  delightful  book  ;  and  after  the  retailed  the  relations  of  Isaac  and 
masterpieces  of  human  composition  have  Rebekah,  Jacob  and  Esau!  Remember 
become  stale  and  profitless,  the  stories  how  wide  and  deep  Is  the  hold  of  the 
of  Scriptnre  will  bloom  in  eternal  freah-  history  of  Joseph.  Where  shall  you 
nes  and  beauty.  And  if  still  further  .  look  for  poetry  like  David's  or  Isaiah's? 
you  would  puraae  this  line,  then  try  to  Ransack  literature,  and,  for  simplicity, 
exhaust  the  Book  of  Psalms.  Rise  with  power,  and  beauty,  will  you  match  the 
David,  as  with  eiulting  song  he  recalls  Sermon  on  the  Mount,  the  poroblM  of 
the  goodness  and  mercy  of  God.  Mourn  the  Good  Samaritan  and  the  Prodigal 
with  him  as  his  sin  crushes  his  heart.  Son?  In  how  few  words  are  owe  Lord's 
Follow  him  through  his  moods  of  assur-  wonderful  works  described  with  elo- 
ance,  doubt,  joy,  sorrow,  remorse,  and  quence  and  artistic  beauty  I  What  can 
penitence,  and  then  no  emotion  or  feel-  rival  in  nobility  of  thought  and  ease  of 
ing  will  appMT  strange  to  yon,  but  all  style  the  first  few  vetaea  of  John's 
wul  find  their  explanation  in  the  word  Crospel :  '  In  the  beginning  was  the 
of  God.  Word,  and  the  Word  was  with  God,' 
And  now,  if  yon  ask  me  why  such  aa  etc.  ?  Nearly  all  monosyUables  I  Were 
argument  is  adduced,  the  reply  is,  that  ever  tenderness,  pathos,  and  sympathy 
we  have  been  long  ti>o  apt  to  overlook  so  blended  and  touchingly  expressed 
the  truly  human  side  of  tne  Bible.  No  as  in  the  words  beginning,  '  Let  not 
revelation  which  sets  up  its  claims  for  your  heart  be  troubled ;  ye  believe  in 
aoceptanee  because  of  its  divine  origin,  God,  believe  also  in  me,'  etc.  ?  Can  we 
ever  will  moke  progress,  unless  it  can  ever  hope  to  see  anything  tmer  in  de- 
toDch,  explain,  and  dovetail  itself  into  scription,  or  more  'feelugly  alive'  to 
the  nature  of  man.  Deny  the  super-  the  deep  inward  oi»ifiiot,t^n  the  accoimt 
natural  in  the  Bible  if  you  can,  but  so  of  our  Saviour's  passion,  the  agony  of 
long  as  it  reveals  truthfully  the  nature  Getheemane,  and  death  on  Calvary's 
«nd  experience  of  men,  so  long  will  it  cross?  It  may  be  true,  as  Professor 
have  over  diem  an  undying  influence,  Jowett  has  said,  '  that  truth  will  corn* 
and  for  them  an  eternal  interest.  God  pel  ns  to  grant  imperfectiona  and  in- 
did  not  expect  ns  to  rise  up  to  Him.  He  Accuracies  in  our  Bibles.'  If  any  tenth 
came  down  to  ns  in  His  word,  and  it  is 

because  it  so  unerringly  tells  us  what        '  It  mnst  not  be  inferred  hers  that  bnmui 

wo  are  that  we  are  vrilling  to  make  this  ",°?f^?'Jf"'',?„!l  *?  ri.!r'"u  ^!l\S!'if^!r 

..J-  t ,3  1       ■    #  "  ..1  »  ..  Eure  of  tlie  trutn  of  l*oa.     Many  iliiJijrA  are 

adf-knowledge  a  baam  for  the  revelation  o-ne  which  onr  experience  doU  not   tor- 
<H  <jod,  which  shall  lift  us  np  and  umte    niborala,  nor  onr  ooDBCiouiness  homoli^la. 


""Siri^lw!.*"'^           THE  BIBLE  A  DELIGHTFUL  BOOK.  409 

«t  all  cbantctemea  late  criticiBm,  we  lapsed  and  careleaa ;  but  htt  ns  nerer 
mofit  cotdecB  that  in  Bome  minor  details  seek  to  reach  Biich  by  forgetUue  tlie 
there  is  room  for  doubt.  But,  after  all,  dignity  and  majesty  of  God's  word.  lb 
will  the  best  answer  not  be  given  in  the  is  possible  to  preach  simpty  the  gospel 
eloquent  words  of  Dean  SUnley:  '  The  of  God's  good  news,  even  to  the  poorest 
majesty  of  the  Bible  will  touch  hearts  (and  they  will  like  it  all  the  better), 
which  even  its  holinesa  cannot  move,  without  vulgarity ;  to  be  very  earaest 
and  will  awe  minds  which  no  argument  for  the  aalvntion  of  your  hearers,  without 
can  convince.  The  early  chapters  of  breaches  of  grammar  or  taste.  To  lower 
Geaeeis  conlfdn  many  things  at  which  the  style  of  religious  address  may  for  a 
the  man  of  science  may  stumble,  but  time  gain  a  kind  of  evanescent  pofiv 
none  will  question  their  uiiapproacliable  larit^r,  but  in  the  end  cannot  fail  to  brmg 
sublimity.  The  Book  of  IsaLih  may  religion  into  contempt.  The  Bible  ia 
furnish  endless  matter  for  the  critic ;  very  simple,  but  it  is  very  beautiful  in 
but  the  more  fastidious  he  is,  the  more  its  style,  and  chaste  in  its  diction, 
freely  will  be  acknowledge  its  magnifi- 
cence of  thought  and  diction.  The  3d.  The  Bible  U  a  delightful  hook, 
anthorehip  of  tlie  four  Gospels  may  be  hecmme  ii-e  Jind  in  it  the  explanation, 
defended,  attacked,  and  analysed  in-  as  ae  discuaer  the  source,  of  many  of  the 
terminably;  bnt  the  whole  world  bows  grcateH  works  of  art. 
down  before  the  grandeur  of  the  eight  Nothing  Htruck  me  more,  in  visitong 
beatitudes,  the  parables,  the  farewell  some  of  the  continental  galleries,  than 
discourse,  and  the  story  of  Gethsemane  the  large  place  given  to  Bible  subjects. 
and  Calvary.'  The  Greek  and  Ijitin  mythologies  are 
With  all  this  simple  beauty  in  our  full  of  wild  and  sti'ikiog  incidents,  but 
hands,  nothing  speaks  to  me  so  dole-  far  above  them  towers  the  Bible  as  a 
fully  of  the  future  of  our  country  as  the  text-book  for  art.  And  surely,  in  this 
widespread  ignorance  and  growing  in-  desire  for  visible  representation  of  Bible 
difference  to  the  word  of  God.  And  subjects,  we  have  a  very  strong  proof  of 
when  we  remember  that  much  of  ihe  the  deep  hold  they  have  taken  of  the 
so-called  religious  sentiment  of  our  time  mindaaud  hearts  of  men.  Enter  Dresden 
is  expressed  in  trashy  hymns  with  vulgar  gallery  tfhy  morning,  and  you  will  find 
airs, — that  the  most  popularstyleof  ad-  around  one  of  such  pictures  a  strange 
dress  is  ignorant  declamation,  lightened  and  motley  group,  and  from  them  you 
with  coarse  humour  and  queetJonable  will  hear  l^e  accents  of  Scotch,  English, 
stories, — we  feel  that  we  have  fallen  on  American,  and  German.  Draw  near, 
evil  times.  Cacsandra,  in  the  person  of  and  yon  will  see  eager  faces — some  of 
Mr.  Greg,  has  pointed  out  some  rocks  them  strongly  marked  bylines  of  sorrow 
abend  imperilling  our  ship  of  state  and  and  toil — anxiously  scanning  a  picture 
commercial  prosperity ;  but  to  me  these  of  matchless  beauty.  It  is  a  mother  and 
are  as  nothing  to  the  degraded  taste  so  child.  Ere  long  you  will  see  big  tears 
rapidly  being  developed  on  religious  rolling  down  the  withered  cheeks,  and 
topics.  Onr  fathers  and  grandfathers  lips  noving  in  prayer;  for  from  that 
used  to  speak  of  discourses  as  to  tbeir  picture  of  the  Vir^n  and  her  child 
matter;  and  they  could  talk  to  you  of  Jesus  are  hourly  rismg  the  aspirations 
the  bypostatical  union  of  the  persons  of  of  human  souls  and  tlie  tenderness  of 
the  Irinity,  the  meaning  and  neceesity  manlv  spirits.  The  peerless  Raphael 
of  the  atonement,  the  doctrines  of  elec-  found  in  God's  word  the  subject  of  his 
tJon  and  free  will,  and  the  place  and  '  Sistine  Madonna.'  Then,  have  we  not 
work  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  so  on.  Do  the  genius  of  Itubens  immortalized  by 
any  of  yon  hear  such  things  discussed  Ids  'Descent fromtheCroas'?  Havewe 
now  among  church  people  ?  Is  not  at-  not  in  almost  every  workman's  house  or 
tention  almost  entirely  directed  to  style  cottage  wall  a  plate  of  Leonardo  da 
and  manner,  not  thought  and  matter?  Vinci's  '  Last  Supper'?  Need  I  do 
Is  it  not  lamentable  that  the  loud  de-  -  more  than  mention  the  genius  of  Dori, — 
claimer,  the  noisy  rant«r,  will  be  listened  bow  it  bas  been  sanctified  to  the  service- 
to,  whea  the  sound  and  scriptural  of  Christianity  by  hia  '  Christ  leaving 
preacher  would  find  sleepers  for  his  the  PrEetorium,' etc.  ?  Will  it  not  suffice 
nearers?  There  is  without  donbt  great  to  name  ilolman  Hunt's  marvellous 
need  for  strenuous  exertion  to  reach  the  picture,  '  The  Shadow  of  the  Cross,'  or 


410                             THE  BIBLE  A  UEUGHTTUI,  BOOK.  ^""SU'r^t^an*'- 

Noel  Faton'a   'Man  of   Soitowb,'  etc?  because  in  it  ice Jind  the  simplest  morality 

Leave  ptuntdng  and  come  to  music,  and  and   btit  guidance  for   oar  conduct  in 

by  what  URmes  do  we  know  its  noblest  life. 

productioDB  ?  Whftt  thonghta  rise  in  Notbing  ia  ho  perpleiiDg  in  our  time  u 
the  mind  and  gather  around  such  namee  to  koow  what  t«  think  and  how  to  act 
aa  '  Samaon,'  'Elijah,'  'Messiah,'  the  The  inteUeclual  activity  of  the  age,  com- 
vreird  and  vrild  '  Faaaion  Muaic '  of  bined  with  tlia  ri^id  exchange  of  thonght, 
Sebastian  Bach!  Yee,  Hajdn,  Handel,  have  prodnced  an  endlesa  variety  of 
and  Bach  gained  their  tineet  laurels  opinion,  ont  of  which  it  ia  difficult  to 
when  to  the  words  of  God  the;  wedded  extract  definite  couTtctioDS.  Altmgnde 
their  Bweet  wunda.  Or  enter  we  the  of  this  baa  come  mnch  anxiety  as  to  the 
region  of  poetry,  who  does  ndt  know  safe  and  proper  principles  of  action- 
how  much  Dante,  in  bis  wild  and  start-  Hence  oar  vacillating  opinions  and 
ling  vision,  ia  indebted  to  ^e  word  of  changing  actions.  One  of  the  peculiai 
God?  how  mocb  of  Milton's  noblest  reapoDnbilitiesof  onr  time  is  toaacerttno 
work  is  a  paraphrase  of  the  Bible?  or  decide  what  we  shall  think  and  how 
How  deeply  liave  Shakespeare,  Bunyan,  we  shall  act.  Kow,  in  the  whirl  of  tlua 
Burns,  Wordsworth,  and  Tennyson  diversity  and  difficulty,  how  delightfnl 
drank  at  the  aame  fountain !  And  is  it  to  turn  to  the  pages  of  the  Bible  for 
not  true,  that  just  in  proportion  as  a  simple  and  safe  directions !  One  of  the 
work  is  faithful  to  the  beanty  and  true  latest  and  ablest  attacks  on  Ghristianitf, 
to  the  morality  of  Scripture,  are  its  worth  after  trying  hard  to  shake  our  faith  in 
and  its  value?  Eliminate  from  the  the  snpematnral,  the  miraculous,  the 
authors  named  what  they  derived  from  genninenesa  of  the  Goepels,  apeaks  in 
the  word  of  God,  and  bow  stAle  will  conclusion  on  the  morality  of  Scripture, 
their  worka  become!  Or  speak  we  of  And  here  are  its  words:  'The  moralitf 
architecture,  then  what  thoughts  rise  of  Christ  in  its  perfect  simplicity  is  sub- 
and  cluster  round  the  words  '  St  Paul's,'  lime,  and  in  its  profound  wisdom  it  ia 
'Notre Dame,'  'Cologne Cathedral,'  'St.  eternal.'  No  higher  eulogy  than  this 
Feter'sat  Rome!'  Now  my  argument  is,  could  any  Christian  desire;  and  how 
If  the  brush  of  Kaphael,  Rubens,  and  highly  should  we  prize  a  moral  code 
Vinci — if  the  pencil  of  Dor^,  Hunt,  and  which  extorts  such  wordsfrom  an  enemj! 
Paton — if  the  music  of  Haydn,  Handel,  And  is  it  not  oil  deserved?  On  two 
and  Bach — if  the  poetry  of  Dante,  simple  principles  hangs  the  whole  code 
Milton,  and  Bunyan — all  derived  their  of  Christian  moratiW — 'Love  to  God; 
inspiration  from  the  Bible,  why  may  love  to  man.'  The  first  rises  clear  out 
you  and  1  not  find  in  it  what  will  de-  of  all  contending  motives  and  competing 
light  onr  minds,  pacify  our  aonls,  satisfy  claims,  and  asks  justification  from  »n 
our  hearts,  and  ennoble  our  lives?  The  alL-wise  God.  The  second  is  like  unto 
stream  of  influence  is  perennial.  Half  it.  Every  man  is  a  brother:  seek  his 
the  treasures  are  still  undng ;  many  good  as  you  jvonld  your  own ;  guanl 
beauties  are  yet  undiscovered.  If  to  it  hie  honour  as  you  would  maintain  your 
we  mtist  go  for  the  explanatiwi  of  the  own  good  name.  '  Do  unto  othere  aa 
beat  works  of  the  past,  surely  we  may  ye  would  that  others  should  do  onto 
there  gain  etimnlus  for  greater  in  the  you.'  The  one  principle  is  above  sus- 
future.  The  life  of  every  man  should  picioo,  because  of  the  all-knowing  God ; 
be  a  work  of  art ;  his  conduct  a  song  of  the  other  is  b^ond  doubt,  for  selfii  tbe 
praise  to  God's  grace ;  his  character  a  standard  of  appeal, 
poem  written  in  lines  of  faith,   hope, 

and  love;  bis  work  an  epistle  of  charity  bth.   The  BiUe   is   a   delightful  hoot, 

and  peace.      This  shall  we  accomphsh  btcause  adcancing  science  is  revealing  to 

when  back  to  our  Bibles  we  go  for  a  life  vs  new  beauties. 

worthy  erf   imitation  ;    by  it   have  our  For  aH  the  advancement  science  and 

EDuIb  tuned  to  the  harmony  of  heaven,  learning  have   made,  the    Bible  is  not 

record  onr  life  to  the  glory  of  our  Lord  superseded.    Although  many  of  Uie  be- 

and  Saviour,  and  through  all  seek  the  liria  and  ideas  aupposed  at  one  fjme  to 

advancement  of  the  kingdom  of   God  be  fairly  deducible  from  the  word  ot 

Most  High.  God  have  vanished  as  'the  baseless  falnie 
of  a  dream '  before  higher  light,  still  the 

4rt.  The  Bible  is  a   delightful  book,  Bible  itoelf  keeps  its  place,  and  is  found 


*"iStiU«»I^'                                  THE  QLEANEB.  411 

to  be  in  hamxmr— when  rigfatlr  inter-  book,  becauae  it  teUi  Ike  old,  old,  but 

preted  —  irith   all  that  we   CORBECTLY  ever  new  ttory  of  the  Kork  and  mUiion 

know  of  the  heaTCna  above,  the  earth  o/Jeius  Christ. 

b«neath,  and  the  Ma  under  the  earth.  It  ia  said  of  a  contiDental  town,  that 

Howgreat-WBathererolntion  of  thought,  it  u  bo  built  that  froin  wbaterer  point 

and  boir  much  greater  the  troe  rerelft'  jou  view  it  jiou  Bee  the  form  of  a  croM. 

tion  of  God's  glory,  when  the  Gopemiaan  Oor  Bible  is  bo  framed  tbat  from  any 

was  exchanged  for  the  Newtonian  aetro-  point  of  it  you  can  see  ChriBt.     In  every 

nonif!    Aa  we  sweep  the  elcy  with  Boeae  pa^e  of  it  He  may  not  be;  but  the  design 

and  Benchel, — aa  we  atand  by  the  Bide  of  the  whole  ia  to  reveal,  glorify,  and 

of  Darwin  and  Hnzley,»'BH  we  follow  exalt  the  Son  of  Qod,  the  Saviourof  the 

tbe  steps  of  Carpenter  and  Tyndall, — sa  world.     And  here,  after  all,  do  we  find 

we  fain%-  grasp  the  results  of  the  late  the  moat  delightful  aspect  of  the  word 

'Polar  Expedition,'  —  with  how  much  of  God.     Literally  it  iB  good  newB,  a 

more  meaning  can  we  sing  the  8tb,  or  good-spell.    Its  tine  glory  springe  from 

19th,  or  139th  Fsalma,  and  with  what  its  messBge  of  love.     Its  moat  enduring 

great«r  devotion  can  we  exclaim,  '  How  delight  riseB  out  of  its  proviflion  for  tbe 

marvellous  are  Thy  works,  0  Lord  God  eternal  nature  of  man.     Its  unending 

of  Hosts! '  and  ever -increasing  interest  Ties  in  tite 

We  sometimes  get  alanned,  and  cry  fact  that  it  apeaiiB  of  Jesus,  '  who  saves 
that  the  Bible  is  in  danger,  when  some  His  people  from  their  sins; '  of  Christ, 
new  Bcientaiic  fact  is  brought  to  light;  'the  anointed  sacrifice  for  human  guilt;' 
and  fear  that  the  Irath  of  God  shall  be  of  the  Meeaiab,  the  Bent  one  of  Qod, 
lost  whm  the  sun  of  science  shines  on  'whorestoresuatoonr  Father's  favonr;' 
the  pages  of  Eis  word.  Bat  this  cannot  of  Imnumuel,  '  Ood  with  ns ; '  of  the 
be.  Between  truth  and  religion  there  Redeemer,  'who  has  bought  ns  with  His 
can  be  no  quarrel ;  between  scieice  and  own  precioos  blood  ; '  of  the  Mediator, 
revelation  there  can  be  no  lasting  dis-  '  who  seeks  to  reconcile  us  to  God ; '  oi 
pate.  They  deal  with  different  parts  of  the  Intercessor,  '  who  pleads  for  us  at 
the  work  of  the  same  God,  and  if  for  a  His  Father's  right  hand ; '  of  the  Com- 
tune  they  seem  to  clash,  this  is  because  fort«r,  '  who  cheers  in  distress,  ui^olds 
we  have  lost  the  true  focns.  So  soon  in  trouble,  shields  in  danger; '  of  oor 
aa  we  know  how  to  apply  the  gospel  elder  Brother,  '  who  awaits  us  in  the 
tens  to  the  phydcal  fact,  we  Bhsll  see  mansions  abore ; '  of  the  Judge,  *  who 
Chd  more  elearly  written.  Tbe  better  eball  acquit  us  at  IsBt ; '  of  the  Lamb, 
-we  know  science,  tbe  more  will  we  '  who  ia  in  the  midst  of  the  throne,' 
nnderBtand  our  Bibles;  the  more  we  around  wh<Hn  shall  gather  all  true  hearts, 
know  of  our  Bibles,  the  better  vrOl  we  and  tbe  seeing  of  whom  shall  form  tbe 
appreciate,  and  the  more  ready  will  we  chief  Joy  of  heaven, 
be  to  welcome,  new  %ht  from  science.  So  long  aa  tbe  purity,  simplicity,  and 
"The  more  we  know  of  both,  tie  better  sympathy  of  Ohrist  are  recorded  in  the 
win  we  know  Ood.  Let  ns  not  fear,  book  we  call  God's, — so  long  as  His  re- 
but seek  to  advance  with  advancing  deeming,  sanctifying,  glori^ng  work 
thought,  making  it,  whenever  we  can,  fonns  the  theme  of  its  ^ges, — ho  long 
bring  into  dear  light  the  as  yet  hidden  will  it  be  good  news  to  sinful  men,  and 
glory  of  the  word  of  God,  which  ever  ho  long  will  it  justify  us  iu  saying,  '  We 
livetti  and  abideth.  delight  in  the  law  of  the  Lord,'  and  we 
me^tate  on  Htm  of  whom  it  speaks,  day 

Finally.     The   Bible   i>    a    delightful  and  night.                                             D. 


%\t  ^Icanei. 


'I  SHALL  never  forget,'  said  Kant  in  his  old  age,  'that  it  was  my  mother  who 
caused  to  fnictify  the  good  which  is  in  my  soul.'  Cuvier,  it  is  said,  attributod  to 
his  motiier  all  Uie  pleasure  of  his  stodiee  and  the  glory  of  his  discoveries.  '  I 
nsed  to  draw  under  her  superintendence,  and  read  alond  books  of  history  and 
general  literature.  It  is  thus  that  she  developed  in  me  that  love  of  reading  and 
that   CMOsity   f«   all    things  which  were  the  spring  of  my  life.'    Byron's 


412  THE  GLBASEB.  '  '"i^'xta!^ 

mother,  a  woman  'full  of  caprice  and  pride,  -wltoae  narrow  mind  wan  out;  ex- 
panded bf  vauitf,  hatred,  and  revenge,  who  pitileBaly  made  a  jcat  of  the  uatunl 
infirmity  of  her  child,'  eaerafted  iu  his  heart  her  corroaive  paesione,  and  made  his 
life  a  corse  to  himself  and  to  others,  despite  hie  genitu.  Lainartine,  over  vhoce 
cradle  was  shed  the  light  of  a  tender  mother's  love,  under  her  tuition  dcTeloped 
that  genius  (a  spark  of  which  is  eaid  to  be  implwited  in  every  gonl)  until  it 
resembled  incense,  the  perfumes  of  which  arc  difFused  over  the  earth,  but  whidi 
buma  only  for  heaven.  It  has  been  said,  '  Good  teachers  make  good  achoUre,  \Kt 
it  is  only  motheis  that  form  men.'  Bather  should  it  be  said:  It  is  only  mothas 
(or  women  with  mother- hearte)  who  possess  the  power  of  inspiring  that  lore  of 
virtue  and  knowledge  which,  when  once  eetablished  in  the  soul,  enables  a  nmn  to 
'  mould  his  own  material,  qnarry  his  own  nature,  and  make  his  own  chaiacler,' 
-mhsp  it  .1.1.^1.1  Kn-  »~.  •;.._  is  »  work  that  no  man  can  do  for  him.* — Hoit 

YOUKG  HEN,  ASD  WHAT  TKET  HAVE  DONE. 

There  hare  been  men  who,  after  they  have  crossed  the  line  of  manhood,  hure 
attempted  by  a  new  life  to  acquire  force  aud  consideration  among  their  felloBS. 
It  would  astonish  you  to  find  how  few  of  such  men  comparatively  have  heen  able 
to  do  this.  The  men  of  mark  ail  through  the  ages  who  have  powerfully  affected 
society  have,  been  those  who  started  on  their  course  of  influence  as  yonng  men. 
Remarkable  and  moat  significant  is  the  hononr  God  bos  put  on  euch  consecniioii, 
Keview  the  past :  the  most  powerful  impulse  which  has  moved  the  world  hu  been 
that  proceeding  from  young  men.  In  the  olden  times  of  the  Hebrews,  you  cannot 
find  nobler  examples  of  prowess,  disinterested  ness,  chivalry,  purity,  and  a 
marvellous  power  of  ruling  men,  than  in  Joseph,  Moses,  Samuel,  David,  Josiah, 
Daniel,,  and  the  Maccabees, — and  they  entered  on  auch  a  path  of  ascendency  a 
young  men.  On  the  human  side,  the  Founder  of  Christianity  was  a  yonng  mu. 
The  forerunner,  prononnced  tbe  greatest  bom  of  women,  and  who  shook  a  nation 
to  Ua  depths,  died  when  little  more  than  thirty  years  of  age.  The  6rat  great 
misBionanes  of  the  early  Christian  centuries — men  who  won  a  path  for  Ik 
conquests  of  Christianity  through  chaotic  barbarism  aud  savage  warfare— nere 
young  men.  Anthony,  Benedict,  Francis  of  Assisi,  who  must  not  be  confounded 
with  the  scheming  or  wanton  monks  of  later  times,  and  who  raised  a  powerful 
protest  in  the  East  and  West  for  charity,  industry,  and  self-denial,  were  mae 
youths  when  they  gave  themselves  to  the  task  of  r^enerattng  their  age.  KaitiD 
Luther  was  twenty-seven  when  he  began  to  stndy  the  sacred  Scriptures  in  the 
original  languages,  and  at  thirty-four  yean  of  age  he  broke  with  Kome  hf 
denouncing  Tetzel  and  bis  indulgences.  Savonarola  was  twenty-three  when  be 
started  on  his  grand,  tragic,  and  triumphant  career  of  testimony  agaiuat  tbe 
violence,  vice,  ^ide,  and  blasphemies  ot  Central  Italy.  Michael  An^o  was  a 
young  man  when  in  Florence  he  gave  his  powerful  impulse  to  the  revival  ot  tbe 
arts  of  sculpture  end  architecture.  Baphael  and  Mozart,  who  have  never  beco 
surpassed  in  their  respective  vocations  of  painter  and  musician,  had  hardly  rea«bed 
middle  age  when  they  passed  away.  The  great  evangelical  revival  of  the  Iwt 
century,  the  pulses  of  which  are  now  beating  so  grandly  in  the  activities  of 
Christendom,  was  owing,  under  God,  to  a  few  yonng  students  who  in  Oxford  mM 
to  stimulate  each  other  to  saintliuecs  and  fidelity.  George  Washington,  the 
illustrious  father  of  the  republican  em^nre  of  America,  and  who  has  been  pro- 
nounced by  a  high  authority  the  greatest  uninspired  character  on  the  page  <if 
history,  gave  signs  of  the  courage,  virtue,  and  patriotism  that  have  mads  hi* 
immortal,  when  gnjto  a  young  man. 

Wherever  you  look  in  history  you  are  met  by  dmilar  facia.  Hannibal,  at  tte 
age  of  twenty-five,  led  to  victory  the  great  armies  of  Carthage.  Alexander  bd 
conquered  the  world  and  died  at  the  age  <rf  thirty-eight.  Charlemagne,  at  the  a^ 
of  thirty,  had  made  himself  master  of  the  whole  French  and  O^man  empiitt 
Napoleon  led  his  biiUiant  Italian  campaign  at  twenty-seven,  and  at  thirty-thne 
was  Emperor  of  France.  William  Pitt  at  twen^-two  was  Chancellor  of  ti« 
Exchequer,  and  Edmund  Burke  at  twenty-five  was  a  power  in  the  Stale- 
Byron  at  twenty-three  -wan  the  poet  and  tlio  idol  of  England.    Ours  is  an  sge 


a^fVliin'  HOME  CIECLE.  413 

distioguislieil  in  Europe  nai  America  by  powerful  namea  in  BtataBmanship,  scieoce, 
oratory,  commerce,  and  philanthropy,  lou  will  Marcelj  find  one  of  these  nsmea 
which  did  not  early  in  life  give  a  prophecy  of  the  greatness  now  uniretsally 
recognised. — Rev.  W.  Guest. 

HYMN  OF  HARVEST. 
Amid  the  bright  and  smiling  more, 

Ripe  barrest  fields,  bow  fair  to  see ! 
The  mellow  fmit  and  waving  corn. 

The  friiitful  earth  and  shining  sea ! 
Thon  gracioiu  Giver  of  all  good, 

To  Thee  a  gratetnl  hymn  we  raise. 
Who  giv'st  US  precious  store  of  food ; 

For  Thy  great  bounty,  Thee  we  praise  I 

At  Bunny  noon,  how  fair  to  view. 

On  fertile  vale  and  mountain  side, 
The  waving  crops  of  yellow  hue. 

That  stretch  aroand  ub  far  and  wide  ! 
How  bracing  ia  the  healthful  gale  I 

And  while  on  hill  and  dale  we  gaze 
On  bands  of  reapers  'mid  the  vale, 

God  of  the  season,  Theo  we  praise ! 

How  calm  and  lovely  autumn  eves  I 

And  oh,  how  beautiful  to  stray 
On  grassy  banks,  'neath  sheltering  leaves, 

W  hen  sunset  closes  busy  day ! 
Forgetful  of  life's  cares  and  toils, 

Our  eyes  to  heaven  we  upward  raise, 
While  aO  around  in  beauty  smiles  ; 

Great  God  of  Nature,  Thee  we  praise '. 


Our  souls  with  heavenly  manna  feed. 
That  we  may  lore  Thee  more  and  more. 

Look  on  us,  Lord,  with  smiling  face, 

Our  thonghts  from  earth  to  heaven  npraise. 

And  gire  a  harrest  time  of  grace. 
So  we  Thy  name  will  ever  praise ! 


f  ome  Cirrh, 

HOW  CHILDREN  SHOULD  BE  BROUGHT  TO  JESUS. 

When  we  read  in  the  New  Testament,  recognised  and  blessed  by  Him  ?    But  if 

as  in  Mark  i.  13,  that  'they  brought  this  conjecture  be  correct,  the  lesson 

youDg  children  '  to  Jesus,  we  naturally  tanght  us  by  the  whole  transaction  be- 

ask  who  it  was  that  brought  them  ;  and  comes  plain  enough  :  it  is,  that  it  ia  the 

then  the  most  obvious  answer  is,  Theib  proper  business  of  Chritiiian  parents  to 

t'AREirre.     If  it  were  so,  it  would  seem  bring  Uieir  ehUdren  to  Chritt.     Simple 

to  follow  that  these  persona  were  them-  as  this  remark  seems,  it  is  nevertheless 

selres  Eis  disciples ;    otherwise,    why  one  of  those  homely  truths  which  may 

should  they  wish  their  children  to  be  be  said  to  be  almost  universally  over- 


.^  I 


414  HOUE  CIBOLE. 

looked,  and  prootieaU;  set  at  naught,  perform.     Some  would  eren  u;  Uitt 

It  would  be  pontiTely  Btartling  b>  diB-  the;  could  talk  well  onough  to  otha 

cover,  in  any  of  ont  (dmrchee,  bow  very  people's  children,  bat  the;  conld  not  to 
(ew  of  the  members  could  sa?  tliat  they  their  own.  But  vhj  can  they  not! 
owed  their  conTereion,  under  God,  to  This  ia  a  question  very  hud  to  aoEwer; 
ence  of  their  own  parentB.  Do  but  poaaibty,  in  many  cases,  it  arisea 
t  parents  expect  their  children  from  a  secret  misgiving  that  the  ^arp 
to  be  converted  by  the  inBtrumentelitrf  eyes  of  their  litUe  onee,  daily  upon 
of  teacheis  or  pastors,  whUe  some  rely  them,  have  discovered  flaws  and  incoe- 
upon  the  etForts  of  special  evangeliste  ■  siatenciea  of  temper  or  conduct  which 
who  devote  themselves  peculiarly  to  the  would  go  far  to  make  their  pious  ei- 
work  of  God  among  the  young  7  Now,  hortations  seem  to  be  hypocritical,  and 
next  to  the  revolution  which  it  would  therefore  of  no  avail.  But  when  oui 
createinonichurcheB,toget  themindsof  children  see  us  ut  down  at  tlie  Lord's 
dl  awakened  to  thefoctthat  weonght  to  table,  why  should  we  not  take  tbe  paiu 
expect  children  to  be  converted  whilst  to  explain  to  them  fully  what  tliat  biAj 
they  are  young,  would  be  tbe  mighty  observance  means,  just  as  the  ancient 
effect  produced  by  the  still  further  con-  Jews  were  commanded  every  year  to 
viction that,  aea  rule,  the  properpersons  instruct  their  families,  when  gathered 
to  seek  the  convetsion  of  children,  and  together  at  tbe  paschal  feast,  in  all 
those  who  ought  most  to  expect  and  that  pertained  to  the  history  and  the 
desire  to  be  the  instruments  of  that  eon-  import  of  that  most  solemn  ceremonial? 
version,  are  their  own^lieving  parenta.  So,  also,  when  our  children  accompsDf 
This  is  according  to  the  law  of  natnre,  us  each  Lord's  day  to  the  house  of  God, 
and  it  is  equally  according  to  the  order  ought  we  not  to  queetiou  them  diligently 
of  God,  as  pertaining  to  the  kingdom  of  about  the  nature  and  meaning  of  the 
His  grace.  If  it  be  true  that  conversion  services  they  attend,  the  hymns  the; 
ought  to  be  looked  for  in  early  life,  why,  sing,  the  sermons  they  listen  to  ?  And 
■-then,  it  is  exactly  at  that  period  that  could  we  not  take  occasion,  from  eucb 
children  are  meet  entirely  and  abso-  conversations,  to  ask  them  about  thdr 
lutely  in  their  parents'  hands  to  impress  own  feelings,  cODTictiong,  and  religious 
their  minds  with  either  truth  or  error,  yearnings  and  desires  ?  Children  ez- 
and  to  form  their  habits  to  either  good  pect  this  of  their  parents,  aad  surely 
or  evil.  It  was  therefore  said  of  Ahra-  not  without  reason.  May  not  such  re- 
ham,';'  I  know  him,  that  he  will  command  flections  as  the  following  be  supposed  to 
his  children  and  his  honsehold  after  pass  through  their  minds,  as  they  witoeBS, 
him,  and  they  shall  keep  the  way  of  the  week  after  week,  year  after  year,  tbe 
Lord,  to  do  justice  and  judgment,  that  utmost  studied  reticence  of  their  fathers 
the  Lord  may  bring  upon  Abraham  that  or  mothers  in  regard  to  matters  which 
which  He  hath  spoken  of  him.'  It  was  areprofessedlyregCLrdedasof  momentoes 
soidto  tbeHebrewracehyMoeee,  '  Take  importance?  'Do  my  parents  really 
heed  unto  thyself,  leet  thon  forget  the  believe  the  gospel  themselves  ?  Can 
things  which  thine  eyes  have  seen,  but  they  really  consider  it  lite  moet  important 
teach  them  thy  sons,  and  thy  sodb'  sons.'  thing  which  could  happen  to  me,  that  I 
And  again,  *  Thou  sh&lt  teach  them  dili-  shoidd  be  brought  to  repentance  aud  to 
gently  unto  thy  children,  and  shalt  talk  the  enjoyment  of  Christ's  salvation! 
of  them  when  thou  sitteat  in  thine  house.  They  do  not  know  whether  I  am  saved 
and  when  thoo  walkeat  by  the  way,  and  or  unsaved,  &  believw  or  an  unbeliever ; 
when  thon  best  down,  and  when  thou  why,  ilien,  do  they  not  ask  me?  The; 
lisest  up.'  are  sufficiently  interested  in  aU  that  re- 

It  asked  how  we,  as  CiiriBlJan  parents,  latee   to  my  happiness   and  welfare  in 

might  bring,  or  ought  to  bring,  our  other  respects;    how  is  it,  then,  that 

children  to  Jesus,  one  mi^t  answer,  Iv  they  seem  to  be  so  indiferent  to  tbe 

THREE  aM^.  great  qnestion  of  my  soul's  salvalaoa?' 

111.  We  thonid  laik  to  Ikem  abovlJeetu  Thereareparente,  however,  who,  froa 

and  Hit  eiaima  tipon  Hum.    This  may  the  earliest  period  of  ih&r  cfaiUhen's 

seem,  at  first  si^t,  a  v«7  obvious  and  life,  have  been  in  the  habit  of  holding 

easy  thing  to  do ;  but,  as  a  matter  of  conversationB  with  them  on  Hie  subject 

fact,  most  people  find  it  one  of  the  moat  of  personal  religion.    Soch  parents  have 

difficult  tasks  they  conld  be  asked  to  not  onlyfeltannoqsaboitttbeirehildMi'i 


HOME  CIECI.JE. 


415 


coBTOiioii,  but  hftre  also  reeoived  tJut, 
bj  the  bleasing  of  Grod,  none  bnt  tbem- 
selres  should  hftve  the  hoaour  and  tJie 
pleawre  of  bidngiog  aboat  Iheir  decision 
lor  the  Saviour ;  and  vhen  at  leogtb 
their  children  have  been  given  to  them 
in  the  Lord,  then  for  tbe  first  time  bare 
(hey  experienced  the  full  joy  of  tha 
parental  relationship.  Tbej  bave  felt 
themHetves  bound  to  their  children, 
whilst  their  children  have  been  bound  to 
then,  by  tiea  more  tender,  endearing, 
aad  intimate — more  apiritiuil,  pure,  and 
eDduring— than  any  they  had  known  be- 
fore. It  has  aeemad  to  them  henceforth 
aa  if  they  were  doubly  tbeir  children's 
paraLts, — as  if  those  children  bad  been 
bom  to  titeni  a  second  time,  now  Bpiritu- 
ally  as  formerly  naturally,  now  for  eter- 
nity, sa  then  for  time. 

^dly.  There  should  be  pmyer  bolhwrni 
llem  and  FOR  them.  No  Ghnatian  parents 
can  live  withont  praying  for  their  cbii- 
dren,  butit  is  poeeible  that  many  habitu- 
ally neglect  to  pray  with  them ;  yet  this 
Hems  to  be  the  moat  real  and  direct  way 
in  which  any  of  us  ckn  bring  our  chil- 
dren to  JesuB.  Especially  when  they 
are  very  young  they  ought  to  be  thus 
prayed  with,  if  not  at  regular  intervals, 
at  least  on  special  occasions,  such  as 
birthdays,  or  when  leaving  home  for 
echool  In  diis  way  a  child  may  be 
taken  by  his  father  or  mother  alone  into 
a  chamber  of  privacy,  and  when  the  door 
ia  shot,  he  may  be  solemDly  and  lovingly 
presented  to  Christ,  as  if  the  Lord  were 
viaibly  before  his  eyes.  Suitable  prayers 
may  be  offered  on  his  behalf,  a  confession 
made  of  his  bnown  needs  and  faolts,  and 
holy  TOWS  and  promisee  ent«red  into  on 
bis  behalf,  in  which  he  ia  affectionately 
invited  to  join.    Can  suoh  action  on  the 

SLrt  of  believing  parents  be  in  Tain  ? 
ust  it  not  be  infinitely  acceptable  to 
the  Lord,  who  loves  the  children,  and 
hasboughtthemwtth  His  precious  blood? 
Can  any  better  way  be  imagined  in 
which  uie  exact  conduct  of  those  '  who 
brought  young  children  to  Him  that  He 
shonld  touch  them,'  can  be  imitated  by 
us  ?  A  little  boy,  whose  father  belonged 
to  a  certain  Presbyterian  chnreh,  was 
sick.  The  mother  said  to  her  husband 
when  he  came  home  from  business,  '  Go 
and  see  our  boy;  heiadying.'  He  went, 
and  said  to  the  child,  '  Do  you  know, 

nl?' 

yoi 
really  think  I  am  dying  ?  '     '  Yes,  your 


end  is  near.'  '  And  shall  I  be  with  Jeans 
to-night?'  'Yes,IthinkyoQwill,'the 
father  replied,  in  tears.  '  Then,  fadier,' 
said  the  boy,  '  don't  weep,  for  wben  I 
get  there  I  shall  go  straigbt  to  Jesus, 
and  tell  Him  that  you  have  been  trying 
all  mj  life  to  lead  mo  to  Him.'  What 
a  delightful  message  for  a  dying  child 
to  carry  to  glory  about  his  earthly 
father  I 

ddiy.  We  should  train  our  children  up 
ill  habits  of  mrtae  and  piety,  accordiag 
to  Ike  gospel,  and  thus  prepare  them  for 
union  with  the  Church.  This  is  what  is 
meant  in  Epb.  vi.  4,  by  tha  command 
laid  upon  fathers  to  bring  up  their  chil- 
dren in  '  the  nurture  and  admonition '  of 
the  Lord.  These  words  more  accurately 
mean  the  'instruction'  and  the  'disci- 
pline '  of  the  gospel.  Children  from 
their  earliest  infancy  are  to  be  brought 
up  '  in  the  Lord,' — that  is,  in  Jesus,  for 
He  is  the  Lord  referred  to.  They  should 
be  trained  up  as  Christians,  and  for 
Christ.  We  should  do  our  utmost  to 
instil  into  their  young  minds  Christian 
principles  and  ideas ;  we  should  exercise 
them  m  all  Christian  practices  and  en- 
gagements ;  we  shonld  form  theirhabit«, 
and  mould  their  dispositiouB,  according 
to  a  Christian  standard,  and  not  accord- 
ing to  that  of  the  world  around  them, 
or  of  the  pagan  and  classical  periods 
about  which,  they  read  at  school.  All 
this  requires  a  great  deal  more  care,  and 
thoughtful,  BSsidnouB  effort,  than  is 
commonly  bestowed  i^n  it  in  even 
Christian  families.  Yet  every  parent 
IxaveUing  heavenwards  of  course  says, 
'  1  want  all  my  children  to  join  tae  in 
the  Father's  house  above.'  It  might  be 
proper  to  say  to  some  such  in  reply, 
'Are   you  .doing    everything    in   your 

Cer  to  secure  that  gnuid  result  ? '  We 
■  no  right  to  suppose  that  om-  chil- 
dren, growing  out  of  infancy,  will  be 
saved  at  last,  unless  they  b«  ChristiaQS 
whilst  they  live  ;  and  we  have  no  right 
to  expeat  them  tn  be  Christians  unless 
we  arQ  doing  all  that  we  can  to  make 
them  so.  We  do  not  expect  them  to  be 
educationally  learned  nnlest  we  send 
them  to  good  schools,  or  to  become 
clever  men  of  buuness  unless  we  train 
them  in  commercial  habits.  Nay,  wa 
do  not  expect  them  to  possess  polished 
manners  unless  we  do  onr  ntmost,  by 
both  example  and  precept,  to  practiao 
tiiem  in  the  arta  of  an  easy  and  elegant 
deportment.    How,  then,  shotild  we  ex- 


416 


HOME  CIECLE. 


pect  them  to  grow  up  as  Bainta  of  the 
living  God,  actuated  bj  all  high  an-i 
holy  princiides,  anlem  we  take  care  from 
e&rlieBt  childhood  to  exercise  them  uato 
all  godliDess,  and  bring  them  as  soon  as 
wecantoJeaus? 

When  thus  we  w»  them  plainly  en- 
lightened with  the  knowledge  of  Cfhriet, 
and  obediently  aarrendered  to  Sis  will, 
what  should  hinder  us  from  presenting 
them  to  the  Church  for  reception  into 
the  pale  of  its  communion  ?  and  trho 
can  show  a  suflicieDt  reason  whj  the 
Church  should  not  recdve  tliem  ?  The 
process  of  coming  to  Jesus  onl^  com- 
pletes itself,  BO  &  as  this  life  is  con- 
cerned, when  he  who  has  been  received 
bjr  the  Head,  now  seeks  to  enjoy  fellow- 
ship with  the  body  of  Christ  When 
children  were  brought  to  Jesus  iu  the 
days  of  His  visible  HOjoum  upon  earth, 
His  disciples,  we  are  told,  rebuked  those 
that  brought  them.  Bat  still  more  se- 
verely were  Ihey  rebuked  by  the  Master 
in  return,  From  this  wo  may  learn 
that  adult  disciples,  clustering  round 
their  Lord,  ought  to  be- ever  ready  to 
receive  and  welcome  amongst  them  those 
little  children  whom  their  parents  have 


&  sad  thought  that  very  few  of  our 
churches  have  the  names  of  children 
upon  their  rolls  of  membership ;  but 
as  soon  as  children  can  be  intelligent 
Christians,  knowing  the  love  of  Jesus, 
and  loving  Him  in  return,  they  ought. 


ship  of  the  Chnrch.  A  child  ^oold  be 
dealt  with  in  exactly  the  same  waj  in 
which  we  deal  with  adults.  Their  ad- 
mission into  the  Chnrch  should  be  • 
solemn  and  formal  act,  the  result  of  care- 
ful and  cantious  inquiry ;  bat  nothing 
should  be  expected  of  childrec  more  thsn 
is  expecl«d  of  grown-up  people,  and  thej 
should  be  received,  not  in  troops,  but 
one  by  one,  each  case  being  taken  on  its 
own  meriU.  Some  churches  have  a 
separate  ordinance  service  for  children, 
while  others  systematically  discounte- 
nance their  admission  altogether;  but 
both  courses  appear  to  me  miatakeu,  and 
likely  to  be  followed  by  injurious  conse- 
quences. Of  course  it  is  competent  to 
every  church,  by  a  reasonable  internal 
regulation,  to  confine  the  voting  at  church 
meetings  to  those  above  a  cert^  age, 
but  otherwise  it  is  not  desirable  that  an  j 
barrier  should  be  interposed  to  separate 
the  lambs  of  the  flock  from  the  rest  of 
the  fold.  In  all  families  there  ace  matters 
of  business  in  which  only  the  elder  chil- 
dren can  participate,  but  the  youngest 
are  none  the  less  recognised  on  this 
account  as  bona  fide  members  of  the 
household,  aud  they  perhaps  rank  among 
the  most  loved  and  cherished  of  all  the 
inmates.  Thus,  surely,  it  shoold  also  be 
in  all  the  churches  of  Christ,  and  thUB 
it  will  be  when  parents  do  their  full 
duty  in  bringing  their  little  o  ~  '~ 
Jesus. — The  Evangelical  A' 


CUE  WORST  ENEMIES. 


One  lovely  summer  evening  the  chil- 
dren were  out  playiug  in  the  garden. 
'  Hide-and-seek '  was  the  game  they 
had  chosen,  and  they  were  enjoying 
themselves  moat  thoroughly,  while  we 
older  people,  though  at  second-hand, 
bad  no  small  share  in  the  pleasure.  The 
shouts  of  delight  that  occasionally 
reached  us  as  we  sat  under  the  pleasant 
shade  of  the  lilac  and  laburnum  trees, 
and  the  occasional  vision  of  bright  little 
faces  and  lithe  little  figures  bursting  out 
and  in  among  the  rich  green  toEage, 
were  a  joy  alike  to  eye  and  ear. 

Presently  they  all  came  trooping 
forward,  one  of  the  boys  rolUng  before 
him  a  great  heavy  ball  which  he  had 
found  buried  among  grass  aud  rubbish 


in  an    out-of-the-way    comer  of  the 

'See  what  Johimie  has  foaud!'  cried 
Mary.  '  What  can  it  be  ?  It  surely  can- 
not be  a  ball  for  playing  with,  it  is  bo 
heavy ;  and  yet  it  looks  like  the  big  ball 
Aunt  Bessie  sent  to  baby  the  other  day.' 

Mr.  Young,  our  host,  stooped  down 
and  examined  it  carefully.  '  Oh,'  said 
he,  '  I  see  what  it  is.  No,  Mary,  it  isnol 
a  ball  for  playing  with ;  it  is  a  cannon- 
ball.' 

Then  the  wonder  was  how  it  coald 
have  come  there.  '  Well,  I  can  guess 
that  too,'  said  Mr.  Young.  '  The  father 
of  Mr.  White,  who  lived  in  this  house 
before  we  came,  was  in  the  army,  sod 
this  must  be  an  old  memorial  <^  his 


"""SdTiwST''                               HOME  CIRCLE.  41T 

days  of  BctdTS  service.    I  have  heard  he  would  advise  yoa  not  to  settle  yoar 

fought  at  the  battle  of  Waterloo,  and  quarrels  that  way,  tor,  after  all,  titere 

thougli  he  came  home  safe  himaelf,  he  is  nothing  settled  but   the   qoestitm  of 

had  two  brothers  killed  that  dreadful  which  is  the  stroDgest,  and  that  may  be 

day.'  nothing  to  the  cr^it,  and  the  opposite 

The  children  looked  with  grsve  in-  may  be  nothing  to  the  discredit,  of  any 

terest  at  the  great  ball  as  it  lay  there  one.    But,  as  you  say,  it  was  when  I 

all  rasty  and  useless.  was    at    school    that   this  battle  was 

'  Oh,  tell  us  all  about  it ! '  said  Mary,  fought,  and  although  it  is  so  long  ago, 

'  Why  did  so  many  of  them  go  away  to  I  remember  it  all  diBtinotly. 

fight,  and  why  did  the  cruel  people  kill  '  One  evening,  as  1  sat  down  to  leant 

two  of  them?    Oh,  I  would  like  to  hear  my  lessons  for  the  iieit  day,  a  Hg 

all  about  a  leal  battle  I '  hulking  fellow  called    Laziness   came 

'  Ah,  Mary,'  said  Mr.  Young,  '  yon  forward,  and  stood  juat  before  me,  and 

do  ikot  know  what  you  are  speaking  said,  "What  tiresome  things  these  lessons 

about    Suppose,  now,  that  thatcannon-  are  I  "    The  words  were  scarcely  out  of 

ball  had  been  at  Waterloo,  and  suppose  his    month,    when    a   mean   scoundrel 

that  V 

that  one  shot  killed  seventeen  : 
Suppose  it  were  to  tell  yoa  of  the  was  so  loffelT  as  to  listen  to'what  these 
deatn-^ony  of  these  seventeen  men,  as  two  rascals  sud,  and  I  soon  found  that 
they  thought  of  the  fathers  and  mothen,  they  were  not  alone,  for  outside  the 
and  brothers  and  sisters,  or  it  may  be  door,  wuting  to  hear  what  kind  of 
the  wives  «nd  little  children,  they  would  reception  their  leaders  met  witb,  there 
never  see  again  I  Suppose  we  were  to  was  a  great  troop,  among  whom  were 
go  into  the  seventeen  homes,  where  Idleness  and  Carelessness  and  Selfish- 
hearts  were  i>eating  anxiously  and  ness,  and  I  do  not  know  how  many 
ears  were  stndned  wearily  to  hear  more,  ready  to  rush  in  and  make  a 
tidings  of  the  distant  husband  or  son  ;  complete  prey  of  n: 
and  suppose  we  were  present  when  the  Here  little  Mary" 
dreadful  news  arrived ;  and  suppose  we  as  saucers  with  inb 
could  take  in  at  a  glimce  all  that  these  puckered  together  to  keep  in  the  cry 
seventeen  brave  men  might  have  been  that  the  picture  of  her  papa's  be- 
in  their  homes  and  to  their  families,  and  teaguered  condition  nearly  Drought  to 
which  that  cruel  cannon-ball  prevented !  her  lipe. 

No,  my  dear,  the  story  of  a  great  battle  '  But  don't  be  alarmed,  Mary,'  said 

in   all  ite  terrible  details  wonld  make  Mr.  Young.     'Just  at  that  moment  a 

onr  blood  run  cold  and  our  hearts  retj  friend  of  mine  who  unfortunately  had 

sad  indeed.    And  when  we  think  how  happened    to  be  asleep,  called    Con- 

mach  fighting  there  is  all  the  world  science,  suddenly  woke  up,  and,  seeing 

over,  we  should  earnestly  pray  for  the  how  niattem  stood,  nudged  my  elbow, 

time  when  the  angels'  prophecy  at  the  and  in  a  warning  voice  said,  ' '  They  are 

birth  of  Jesus  shall  be  fulfilled,  and  all  wrong  ;  be  on  yonr  guara ;  stand  to 

then  will  be  "peace  on  earth."  your  colours!"     Then  hesummoneda 

'ButI  willtell  you,Mary,  if  youlike,  atout  little  fellow,  whom  I  found  was 

of  another  kind  of  battle  which  I  once  Resolution,  who  arrived  on  the  instant, 

fought  myself.'  accompanied  byanotherof  adetermined 

'  You,  papa ! '  said  Mary.     '  I  never  appearance,  known  by  the  name  of  Sense 

knew  you  were  at  a  battle.'  ot  Duty,  and  a  third  called  Considera- 

*  Oh,'  said  Johnnie,   '  I  know  what  tion  for  Others.    You  should  have  seen 

kind  of  battle  papa  means.    It  would  how  cowed-looking  my  band  of  asaail- 

be  when  he  was  at  school,  and  he  and  ants  were  at  this  unexpected  arrival ;  but 

another  of  the  fellows  would  quarrel.  Self-indulgence,  who  must  have  hoard, 

and  they  would  fight  it  out.     And  did  I  think,  of  the  old  Norsemen,  who  be- 

you  beat  the  other  one,  papa  ?  and  what  lieved    that    the    strength    of    every 

was  it  yoa  quarrelled  about  ?  '  enemy   slain   in   battle   went   into   the 

'  You  are  quite  wrong,  Johnnie,'  said  frame  of  the  conqueror,  and  who  knew 

Mr.   Young.      'That  was  not  the  kind  that  each  victory   he  gained  made  the 

of  battle  that  I  meant  at  all ;   and  I  next  more  easy,  and  that  juat  as  he 

HO.  IX.  TOL.  XJEII.  NBW  SKRIES.^SETTEHBEB  1BT8.  2  D 


418                                     EELIQIOOS  INTELLIGEHCE.  ""a^''i7w?*" 

himaelf    iacTaiaed    in    force    liia    foe  ouraelvea,  bot  that  we  miut  erer  seek 

Taxed  proportioDsUf  weaker,  made  a  and  trust   in  the  help    of  the  great 

deeperate  «tort  to  rally  his  forcee,  and,  Capt^  of  Balyation  ;  and  then,  whelier 

wttn  a  Bcductive  umle,  pointed  bewitch-  our  eoemieB — thatia,  ourtemplalionBlo 

ingly  to  the  window,  from  which  a  gioap  do  what  is  wrong— come  from  itiUiin 

<rf  Ixija  conld  be  seen  playing  cheerily  ourselves  or  ontwde  of  onraeheg,  and 

OD  QiB  green  conunon,  with  die  bright  whether  they  be  in  connection  wiUi  our 

snn  shining    gaily  on    the  landscape,  work  or  our  play,  we  shall  be  enabled 

This  created  quite  a  diTeraon  in  W  sooner  or  later  to  oTercome  them  all.' 

favoQT,    and  the  lines  on  the  oppoaito  The   next    Sabbath  erening  Johnnie 

side  wavered  visibly,  while  Beaolution  and  Mary  Horprised  tlieir  papa  by  it- 

actually  stumbled,  and  hod  nearly  fallen  peating  to  him  tMt  verse — 

altcgether,     Jnst  at  that  critical  mo-  ._....           ... 

ment,  coiifu4ed  sa  my  mind  waa  (for 
yon  observe  it  waa  the  battlefield),  there 
passed  acroea  it,  like  the  aoft  sweep  of 
an  angel's  wings,  the  remembrance  of 
these  two  verses,  "  Greater  is  He  that  is 
for  ue,  than  all  that  can  be  against  us," 

and  "  1  will  lift  np  mine  ejee  unto  the  aod  been  thinking  over  -what  he  bad 

hills,  from  whence  oometh  my  help."  told  them. 

I  felt  that  another  and  more  powerfal  '  Yea,'  he    said,   '  that  is  something 

ally  had  come  on  the  field,  and  that  wi»th  looking  forward  to.    When  yua 

Omnipotence  itaelf    had  taken  up  my  oome  to  read  history,  yon  will  find  un 

cause.    I  need  not  say  that  the  enemy  much  those  who  had   aohieved  great 

fied  and  moleated  me  no    more    that  victoriee   were  held    in  esteon.    Ihe 

night     I  do  not  mean  you  to  suppose  Roman   generals,  when   they  returned 

that    these    assailants  never  returned  victorious  from  their  campaigns,  tisK 

again,  or  that  they  never  gained  the  greeted  with  great  ovations,  and  wveiy 

victory,  but  this  was  the  first  lime  in  grand    occasions    what   was   called  a 

which  1  consciously  fait  the  gracious  Triumph  was  got  up  in  their  honour. 

help  of  that  mysteriousand  all-powerful  The  spoila  tliey  had  taken  were  pnblidj 

Fresenoe  which  compseseB  us  around,  displayed,  and  their  captives  paraded 

and  which,  to   those  who  realize  and  through  the  etreeta,  and  all  means  em- 

tmst  in  it,  is  infinitely  better  than  a  coat  ployed  to  extol  their  prowesa.    Ho« 

of  triple  steel.  poor  and  hollow  it  all  appeals  beside 

'I  have  told  you  this  little  story  to  the  great  prize  of  the  high  calling  of  Ged 

show  yon  that  there  is  auother  and  in  Ciuist  Jeais  !     And,'    added  -Mr. 

more  gkvions  warfare  than  that  fought  Young,  with  a  beseeching  and  impm- 

on  the  bloody  battlefield,  and  that  our  sive  earnestness  in  his  tone,  '  let  a 

weapons  are  not  carnal  but  spiritual,  never  forget  that  this  is  tike  only  object 

and  that  we  need  not  only  to  fight  really  wwth  striving  for.'           1.  S. 


Jftrt«lligtn«. — Witattit  '^xtah^imm  €^xt^. 

convener.     Mr.  Glen'  was  also  appoistEd 

paGSBYTBRiii.  PEOCBBDIKOS.  presbjtery    treasurer,   in    room   ot  Mr. 

Buehaa. — This  preebytery  met  at  New  Whillas,  who  had  resigned  on  being  >p- 

Mand  on  Tneadar,  13lh  Aagoat— Rev.  C.  pointed  presbytery  clerk.      Bev.  Hesut. 

G.    Sqnair,    moderator.        Rev.    Georgo  Squair,  WhiUaa,  and  Glen  wore  appointed 

H'CaUmn  of  Selkirk  beine  present,  was  aCommitteeonDigeatabliafament— JieT.C. 

invited  lo   correapoDd.    Minates  of  ^st  Q.  Squair,  moderator.      Keport  of  pie^bf- 

two  meetings  having  been  read,  the  pres*  terial  conference,  held   at  Felerhead  oa 

byteiy  proceeded  to  elect  standing  com-  25(h  Jnne,  was  read ;  and  it  waa  sgrtei 

mitteea  for   the  current   year.      Measrs.  that  the  next  conference,  to  be  heli  " 

Faterson,     Squair,    Whillaa,    and    Glen,  Whitebill    on    some    conrenient  daf  i* 


,  with  the  elders  from  Savocb,  December,  ahonld  be  devoted  e ., 

RoMheartj,  Peterhead,  and  Fraaerbnrgb,  missionary    snbjeois.       Bev.     Mr.   Gle° 

were  appointed  a  Committee  on  Miaaiona  nominated  Mr.   Andrew  Wilaon,   U.^i 

and  BTui|«Uatie  Effort— Rev.   H.  Glen,  Biownhill,foradmissiontotheThMrii)giMl 


KELIQIOUS  INTELLIQENCB. 


HrII.  Extract  minutes  of  Homa  Mission 
Board  reg&rdini;  arrBUgementB  for  special 
eTingjeliatic  effort  in  Froserbargh  daring 
tbe  herring  fishing  were  laid  before  the 
preBbjlery,  who  wceired  with  great  satis- 
factioa  the  report  that  eo  much  good  irork 
ii  beiog  accomplished  in  Frsserliurgh  at 
this  seuoB.  Circular  from  Foreign  Mis- 
sion Secretarj  in  regard  to  icheme  of 
mtor-presbyterial  exEhatigee  was  rend.  It 
being  fonnd  from  said  citcnlar  that  the 
presbytery  is  to  act  with  the  Presbytery  of 
Aberdeen,  appointed  Rev.  T.  J,  Whiilas, 
Kew  Leeda,  as  deputy  to  the  Presbytery  of 
Aberdeen,  and  remitted  to  Committee  on 
Missions  to  matte  arrangomenta  for  receiv- 
ing deputation  from  that  presbytery.  The 
presbytery  then  took  up  the  '  Proposed 
Declaratory  Statement  anCnt  Subordinate 
Standards,'  and,  after  aome  considera- 
tion, agreed  that  it  shonld  be  resnmed  at 
next  meeting,  which  falls  to  he  held  in 
October. 

Dvndee.  —  This  proebytei^  met  on 
Tuesday  the  2M  Jnly— tbe  Hey.  J.  A. 
Murray,  moderator  pro  tem.  The  ReT. 
Dr.  Baxter,  of  Montreal,  being  present, 
nas  invited  to  take  a  seat  as  a  corre- 
sponding member,  which  he  did  accord- 
ingly. The  Bev.  W.  Rose,  convener  of 
the  preabytery'e  Misaionarj  Committee, 
gare  in  his  report  for  the  past  year. 
The  report  waj  received,  and  the  com- 
mittee thanked  for  their  diligence.  The 
uaaal  committees  were  appointed  for  the 
year  1878-79.  Read  a  note  from  the 
Rev.  A.  Carter,  aaking  leave  of  absence 
for  six  montba,  owing  to  the  state  of  his 
health.  Also  an  application  from  the 
seasioa  of  Queen  Street  congregMlee, 
Bronghty- Perry,  asking  the  preebytery  to 
gniDt  sick  enpply  for  six  months.  It  was 
Bnanintously  agreed  to  express  sympathy 
with  Mr.  Carter,  and  to  grant  bis  request, 
and  also  that  of  the  aesaion  of  hia  con- 

Kgation.  Appointed  tbe  Rev.  Mr. 
nmmond  aa  interim  moderator  of  »es- 
■ion.  Hr.  Thomas  S.  Miller,  student,  was 
Eorain^ed  as  a  candidate  for  admission 
to  (be  Hall.  Read  a  letter  from  the 
coDvener  of  tbe  Synod's  Committee  on 
Theological  Edncaiion,  calling  the  special 
attention  of  the  presbytery  to  the  collection 
for  the  maintenance  of  the  Theological 
Hall.  The  letter  was  allowed  to  lie  on 
the  table.  Bead  report  of  Mr.  SmeHie, 
nusaionsry,  Sewtyle,  for  the  quarter 
ending  SOth  June.  The  presbytery  re- 
etivea  the  report,  and  expressed  its  satis- 
faction  with  Mr.  Smellie's  diligence. 
Read  an  inritation  from  the  Joint  Com- 
mittee of  the  Glasgow  Presbytery  and 
the  Home  Committee  of  Synod  on  the 
BenderaoQ  Memorial  Church,  to  the  Rev, 
David    Hay, .  Bntterbam,    Dundee,    to 


4lS 


accept  the  pastoral  care  of  the  c  „  „ 
tion  which  may  be  gathered  into  said 
church  recently  erected  at  Ovemewton, 
Glasgow,  and  to  preside  in  the  Training 
Inaiitnte  for  missionary  and  evangelistic 
agents  which  is  to  be  connected  with 
thnt  church.  Read  alio  an  extract 
minute  of  Glasgow  Presbytery,  expreeshig 
iia  hearty  concurrence  with  the  invitation 
addressed  to  Mr.  Hay.  The  clerk  stated 
that  he  had  taken  the  uiuil  steps  re- 
quired by  the  rules  of  the  Charoh  in  the 
case  of  a  call.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Scott,  tho 
Rev.  William  Wood,  and  Mr.  David 
Paion,  from  the  Joint  Committee,  and 
the  Rev.  James  Buchanan  from  the 
Glasgow  Presbytery,  appeared  as  com- 
missioners in  support  of  the  iniitalioa. 
Messrs.  MelvllI^  Brown,  and  Stewart 
appeared  as  commissioners  from  the 
congregation.  The  commissioners  were 
heard.  Mr.  Hay  was  then  heard,  tad 
declared  his  acceptance  of  the  invitation. 
It  was  then  moved  and  seconded,  and 
naanimoualy  agreed,  that  thepaatoral  ti« 
betweea  Mr.  Hay  and  Bntterbnrn  con- 
gregation be  loosed.  The  Rev.  W.  Boss 
was  appointed  to  preach  and  declare  the 
chai^o  vaeant,  and  to  act  as  moderator 
of  the  session  of  Buiterbum  congregation 
during  the  vacancy,  Several  members 
of  presbytery  expressed  their  high  esteem 
for  Mr.  Hay,  their  regret  at  parting  with 
and  their  best  wishes  for  his  success 


nhts 


nibere  of  labour. 


Edinburgk. — ^A  meeting  of  this  i 
bytery  was  held  in  the  Chorch  offices. 
Queen  Street,  on  6th  August— -Mr.  Small, 
moderator.  A  letter  was  read  (¥om  Mr. 
Whyte,  Lanriston  Chtircb,  stating  that, 
as  he  had  long  entertained  doubts  as  to 
the  desirability  of  the  ofBce,  fae  most 
decline  to  act  as  snpenntendent  of 
University  students.  On  the  snggestion 
of  Dr.  Broce,  it  was  agreed  to  accept 
this  declinature,  and  to  postpone  any 
appointment  to  the  vacaney  till  next 
month.  There  was  submitted  a  circular 
from  Dr.  MacGill,  inwhieh  was  detailed 
a  scheme,  prepared  in  accordance  with 
Synodic a1    instructions,    for    the    inter- 


interest  being  taken  in  the  work  of 
foreign  missions.  After  some  conver- 
sation, the  communication  was  remitted 
to  the  Miision  Committee  to  be  reported 
on.  The  clerk  read  a  letter  iTOtn  Mr. 
Deans,  stating  that,  in  conseqnence  of 
continued  indisposition  and  enfeebled 
health,  he  found  it  necessary  to  demit 
the  pastoral  charge  of  Junction  Rood 
Chorch,  Leith,  After  relief  for  i 
time  from  minittei " 
hoped,  be  added. 


420                                      EELIOIODS  INTELLIOENCE.  '■     e^tCST^ 

work  in  another  bnt  more  limited  spheTe.  Kilmarnock. — This  presbjCerv  mtt  on 

SeTeral  memben  of   preibyteir    haTing  the  131h  Angast — Rct.  Wm.   6.  MilUi, 

expreiied  regret  U  the  neceuitj  which  moderator.    Mr.  Matthev  Dickie  hailag 

lb.  De«Di  fdt  tot  taking  thia  itep,  the  giren  all  hia  tiiala  to  the  Mtiaraction  of 

cl«rk  wB*  inatTnctad  to  ictimata  the  de-  Uib   preabjterf,   was   licensed  to    be  a 

nimoD  to  the  cooravgation,  ao  that  thej  preacher  of   the  goapeL      Granted   the 

mi{^  appeu  on  behiuf  of  Aeir  intereati.  request  of  the  congregatioo  of  Trtiutj 

Fidtiri. — Thia  preabjteiy  met  on  33d  Cbnrch,    Irrine,    for    a    committee    to 

Jnlj — RsT.  George  Wade,  moderator  pro  inqaire  into  their  preaent  financial  poai- 

lem.     BeT.  Jamei  Aitchiion  reported  that  tion,    and    appotnted    a    committee    to 

Hr.  John  Tellowlees  had   entered  npon  confer  with  all  the  parties  concerned,  and 

hia  dntiea   in   connection   with   the  new  report  on  the  earlieat  opportanitj.    Ap- 

nuHioo  itatton  at  Carron,  and  that  it  wat  pointed    the    Rev.  Alex.    M'Donald   to 

propoied   to  begiii  a  Sabbath    forenoon  preach  at  Unirkirk,  and  preside  in  the 

aerriee  and  a  Sabbath  school  there,   in  election  and  call  of  one  to  be  pastor  of 

' "  '              '             iag  lerriee  already  the  congregation,  on  the  lEtb  September. 


Citabliihed.      The  preibyterj'  lanctioned  Read  printed  circular  from  tha  c 

the  aending  of  snbtcriptiou  sheets   to  the  of  the  Theological  Committee,  calling  the 

oangregatloDS  within    the   bonnds,    with  special  attention   of  preshjterieB  to  the 

tha  view  of  beginning  a  preabjtery  fand  collection   for    the  matQtenanee    of  tbe 

for  the  expenses  of  the  Carron  Mission.  Theological    Hall.     Tbe  preabjterj  ei- 

Agreed  to  consider  the  proposed 'declare-  pressed   their  unabated   interest  in   the 

torj  statement'  anent    the    stibordinata  maintenance  of  the  Hall  fnnd,  stronglj 

itandaida  at  next  ordinary  meeting.    Tbe  recommended  defaiiiting  coDgreBatioDS  to 

Rey.  John  L.  Unnro,  M.A,,  B.D.,  gare  make  a    collection   without    delay,   asd 

notice    that    he    will    more    that    this  agreed  to  call  the  roll  at  the  meeting  in 

presbytery,  in   addition  to  sending  their  October,   with    the  vievr   of  discoverieE 

suggestions    regaTdiDg    the    '  declaratory  what  congregations  had  failed  to  contii- 

rststement,'  express  to  the  Synod's  Com-  bnte.      Remitted   circular  from  Foreign 

mittee  their  prefercnee  for  the  inunediate  Uission  Secretary  anent  Synod's  recom- 

prepnration  of  aihorter  and  simplercreed,  mendations  on  the  snbject  of  Missions, 

to  take  the  place  of  the  present  subor-  with  instroctions  to  consider  the  matters 

dinaie  staadarde.     Next  ordinary  meeting  dealt  with  in  the  circular  and  report  M 

on  Tuesday  the  1st  of  October,  at  11  a.m.  nest  meeting.     Next  meeting  to  be  held 

QalloiBay.  —  This  presbTtery    met  8th  in  Kilmarnock  on  tbe  second  Taesdsy  of 

.AuBlut,andwascanstitntedbT Mr.  Watson,  October,  at  half-past  ten  o'clock. 

moderator  pro  (em.     Hr.  Jobn  H.Watson  Lanart. — This  presbytery  met  at  Cat- 

¥iTe  the  remainder  of  bis  trials  for  licence,  lake  on  30th   April— Rbt.  Alex.  MJla, 

hese  were  cordially  austained,  and   be  moderator   pro   die.      After  preliminur 

was  licensed   to  preach  the  gospel  as  a  bnaineas,  the  presbytery  proceeded  to  the 

probationer  in  connection  with  the  United  chnrch    for   the  induction  of   the  Rer. 

Presbyterian  Churcb.      It  was  fonnd  that  Andrew  Alston,   when    the    Ber.    Ji^R 

-dSTen  congregations  had  made  the  anntial  Fringle,  B.  A^  preached,  the  Ber.  Alex. 

collection  for  tha  Tbeological  Hall,  and  Miles   presided    in    the    indnction,    and 

four  had  not.     The  deck  was  instructed  addreased    tha    minister,   and    the   Rer. 

to  write  to  those  who  bad  not,  and  urge  A.   C.  Alexander  addressed  the  congre- 

the  necessity  of  their  doing  so  without  gation. — This  court  held  a  ■pro  re  mtia 

delay, — inquiry   to    be    ms4e    at    next  meeting  on  the  ITtb  June,  in  connection 

meeting  of  presbytery.      It  was  agreed  to  with    the    death    of    tbe    Rbt.    George 

bold    a    conference   on  missions  at    the  Johnston,  the  father  of  the   presbyter;, 

neeting  of  presbytery   in  October — Mr.  which  event  took  place  on  the  13ih  Jsne. 

Scott  to  introduce  the  subject.  Agreed  to  draw  up  a  minute  exprotsing 

Glaegou). — This     presbytery    met    on  their  sense  of  the  loss  they  had  snstuaea 

Tuesday,  IStb  Angost— Dr.  Black,  mode-  by  the  decease  of  Mr.  Johnston,  and  theli 

rator.     Amoderation  in  acall  to  ajnnior  sympathy  with    the  widow    and    family 

pastor  was  granted  to  Elgin  Street  Church  and  the   congregation.      Appointed   the 

for  the   2eth  inst.     Stipend   £300,  with  Rer.  It.  D.   Scott   moderator  of  pretby- 

£S5  for  sacramental  expenses.    A  mode-  tery  in  room  of  Hr.  Johnston,  and  Bar. 

ration  was  also  granted  to  Mount  Florida  Daniel    M'Lean     moderator     of     ^OP' 

congregation  for  tbe  26th  inst.     Stipend  Street    session.    Appoiuted  Rev.  R.    V. 

£300,  with  £10  as  sacramental  expenses.  Scott,  who  had  been  requested  to  preach 

Tbe  induction  of  Rev.  Bavid  Hay,  late  the  funeral  sermon  for  Mr.  Johnston  on 

of  Dundee,  as  pastor  of  the  Henderson  the    S3d  Jane,   to   declare  Hope  Street 

Memorial  Cbnrcb,  wag  fixed  to  take  place  Chnrch  vacant  on  tha  same  day.    Qranted 

on  the  19th  inst.  supply  of  sermon  to  the  congr^jatiM, 

I Coosic 


NOTICES  OP  NEW  PUBLICATIONS. 


421 


and  telegraphed  lo  the  Committee  of  Di«- 
tribntioD,  then  met  ia  Ediaborgb,  to  place 
Hope  Street,  Laaark,  on  the  liat  of  Taeaot 
■     -'    -  —Met  again  on  9tti  July— Rbt, 


Johnston 


In    droppr 
>n  from  w 


'pra?    1 


'  roll,  *  this  p: 


A.  C.  Alexander,  moderator  pro  imnpore. 
Agreed  nnenimanBl;  to  iosert  the  follow- 
ing  minnte  in  regard  to   the  late  Rev. 

ge  Jolinat       '      ' 
1>T"'. . 
Mrs. ' johniton  and  to  Hope  Street  sea- 

tme   of   Mr. 

ia  preabjterT 
feel  conitrained  to  record  their  deep  tenee 
of  the  loaa  which  thej  hare  matalaed  hj 
hi)  death.  Ur.  Johnilon  waa  for  ;esn 
tbe  father  of  the  preebyter;,  and  by  the 
regelaritj  of  hii  attendance,  Ibe  interest 
vbicb  be  took  in  the  business,  tbe  snaTity 
of  hia  manaer,  aod  his  lore  of  Ihe  things 
that  make  for  peace,  be  waa  a  pattern  to 
all  [he  members.  Hia  mind,  like  his  body, 
wu  masiive  and  solid.  He  was  a  man 
of  great  Tlgonr  of  nnderstanding,  strength 
of  JDdgnent,  and  cleamesa  of  appreben- 
aion.  Without  disregarding  or  DeRlectinB 
that  which  was  secular,  he  munlj  deroted 
bimself  to  theolot^cal  learning.  To  the 
last  he  was  a  moat  diligent  ftnaent  nf  the 


regard  to  tbem,  erinced  bis  deep 
for  them,  bii  tborongb  mastery  of  them, 
and  his  intimate  acquaintance  nith  all 
that  has  been  written  coaeeroing  them, 
BO  that  bia  eriticisms  on  the  diaconrses 
which  ha  beard  either  in  the  presby- 
tery or  in  the  Banctnary  n-ere  always  of 
great  ralne.  The  pieabytery  desire  to 
express  their  aympaihy  with  the  congre- 

SKion  of  Hope  Street,  Lanark,  in  being 
sprived  of  so  able  a  minister  of  the 
New  Testament.  In  hia  pteparalionB  for 
their  edification  from  Sabbath  to  Sabbath, 
be  waa  diligent  and  faithful  and  greatly 
ceried.  He  did  not  aerre  bia  Master  or 
bia  flock  with  what  bad  coat  himaelf 
noihin. 

great  beauty, 

range,  they  never  lost  sight  of  tbe  crosa. 
His  constant  aim  waa  to  tiring  ainnera  to 
Christ,  and  to  haild  up  aainls  in  faith 
and  in  holineaa.  The  preabyteiy  also 
nish  to  expreas  their  aympathj  wiib  tbe 
bereaTed  widow  and  children.    Their  loss 


is  great  He  whom  the;  mount  shone 
brightly  in  tbe  family  circle,  and  out  of 
it  knew  no  earthly  pleatuie.  May  bis 
Ood  continne  to  be  their  God,  and  com* 
fort  them  richly  with  all  tbe  consolations 
of  the  gospel.'  Read  report  of  dispensa- 
tion of  tbe  Lord's  Supper  at  Cobiuibaw 
station  on  the  26tb  May  by  the  Rev. 
Peter  Carruthera,  Longtown,  intimating 
that  thirty-aeren  had  joined  in  it,  and  that 
the  serrices  had  been  well  attended  and 
much  appreciated.  Inatracted  the  clerk 
to  conrey  tbe  thanks  of  tbe  presbytery  to 
Mr,  Carmthen  for  bis  serrices,  and  also 
for  the  liberal  donation  which  they  had 
teamed  be  bad  made  to  tbe  funds  of  the 


FRBICHBK  LICBMSBD. 

Prubylery   nf  KUmamoct.—Iix.  Hat. 
Dickie,  H.A.,  on  the  13th  August 


OUugom  (^Hendenon  Memorial  Church'). 
—The  BaT.  Darid  Hay,  late  of  Dnndee, 
indncted  Angnat  I9tb. 


Died  at  7  Hope  Park  Terrace,  £din- 
burgh,  on  the  7th  August,  Rev.  John 
Cooper,  late  of  Pala,  in  his  eighty-second 

Died  at  Arahall,  Brechin,  on  the  13th 
Aaguat,  ReT.  George  Gilflllan,  of  School 
Wynd  Church,  Dundee,  in  the  sixty-aizth 

year  of  hia  age  and  the  forty-third  of  bia 
ministry. 


■  BXPOSDSB  OF  POPBBI.' 

We  uuderstand  that  six  genttemea  in 
tbe  West  of  Scotland,  well  known  for 
their  liberality,  and  belonging  to  tbe 
denomination,  have  just  presented  each 
of  the  miniaters  and  foreign  missionaries 
of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church,  to 
the  number  of  600,  with  a  copy  of  tbe 
new  edition  of  tbe  late  Rer.  Dr.  William 
Anderson's  work.  An  Bxpoture  of 
Popery.  The  book  is  one  of  great  value, 
aD3,in  view  oflhe  prevalence  of  Eitnalism, 
of  much  present  interest.  It  is  enhanced 
by  an  introductory  notice  from  the  pen 
of  Professor  Cairns,  in  which  tbe  present 
state  of  the  question  ia  de&ned  with  ad- 
mirable cleameaa,  preciaion,  and  power. 


Noblesse  Oblige  :  A  Noble  Army  and  of   a   conrentioii    which   was  held  in 

a  Holy  War.  Genera  last  aotumn  in  connMtion  with 

LondoD :  D;sr  Brotbera.   isre,  a,  nmch-to-be-reprobdted  fbeae  of  what 

The  sQbject   of  this  little  Tolame  is  a  baa  been  called  '  the  Social  EtU,'  vix. 

very  ptunfnl  one.    It  givea  an  aocotuit  tiie   legielatiTe    (lcUoq    which    certain 


NOTICES  OF  NEW  PUBLICATIONS. 


their  own  Tioe.'    Uuoh  iuform&tion  oon-  declmim«d    in    glowing    terms    of   the 

eenung  IMb  coarentiou  is  given,  and  gloriee  of  the  hearenly  state.     Tbere 

CAmest  appeals  made  for  aaEtiHtaace  in  waa  a  felt  becomingness  in  them  ar- 

aeekiii^  tbe  Teednding  of  these  laws,  nutgements,  and  it  is  with  a  little  regret 

The  high  as  well  aa  the  humble  are  that  we  think  they  have  passed  away, 

entreatMto  beatir  themselree.    To  those  and  that  now  in  very  many  cases  time 

who  consider  that  they  are  too  refined  and  place  and  dicmmt&ncea  are  little 

or  too  elevated  to  en^ige  in  such  work,  attended  to.   Bat  DriVaybr  has  writloi 

the  answei  is— Nobcesse  Oblioe.  and  preached  and  pnbliBhed  a  sennon 

for  the  times. 

OHBin's    Oadse     TRiOHPHAm' :     An  It  is  enongh  to  aay  that  the  disconiK 

Anniveisary    Sermon    preached    in  is  worthy  at  once  of  its  author  and  its 

South  United  Presbyterian  Ghnnsh,  Bobject.      It  is  a  dear  and  admirably 

Falkirk,  on  15th  June    1878.      By  condensed  statement  of  the  history  of 

John  Tatlor,  D.D.  the  United  Presbyterian  Chttrch  by  one 

EdiiiimrEb:  w.  OuphiDt  A  Co.  wbo  IS  equally  at  home  with  principles 

Byron  complained  of  Gampfadl  as  ooa  and  detuls,  and  who  has  the  canootir 

of  the  few  poets  who  had  written  too  to  admit  the  mistakea  that  have  been 

little,    and    the    compWnt    was    weU  made,  while  he  gratefully  acknowledges 

fonsded.    We  are  profane  and  eccentric  the  bleeeing  that  has  been  given  and  the 

Mion^   to   avow   our   penua^n   tliat  good  that  has  been  done. 

onr    literature    would,    on   the    whole,  With  the  bot  rife  with  theoli^oal  and 

have    been    enriched    if    we    had  had  ecoleBiaatiaalninioara,  we  Hiink  a  greater 

another  '  Locbiel'  and  '  Hohenlinden,'  service  could  hardly  be  done  tbsn  by 

even  thotwh  we  had  wanted  Peter  Bell  onr  more  liberal   and  wealthy  frfcmh 

and  Betey^  idiot  boy  Johnnie,  whowent,  circulating  some  hundreds  of  this  dis- 

or  rather  cdd  not  go,  for  the  doctor.  course    in    our   congregations.     Wth 

In  like  manner,  we  complain  of  the  trials  for  heresy  behind  and  around  us, 

venerable  author  of  the  discourse  now  and  with  a  general  election  not  far  off, 

before  us,  HB  one  wbo  hardly desarvee  t«  miniBl«tB    and   people  could  not  bat. 

be  commended  te  a  man  who  '  has  done  profit  by  its  wise    and    caatJous  sod 

what  he  could.'    Gifted  with  a  powerful  courageous  coiusels. 

and   honest   intellect,   that   works   nn-  -'  

tronbled  among  tiis  Thela  and  Antilhela  8t.    John's    Gospel    Dbscr3ED    abs 

of  topics  submitted  to  it,  and  that  grinds  ExPLAtNEDACCOBDtNaTonspEcmjU 

and    sifts  by   all  known  processes  of  Character.     By  C.   E,  LuTHiBDT. 

analytics,  and  skilled  above  very  many  Translated  by  0.  R.  Gregory.    Vol. 

in    the    learning  of   the   schools,    Dr.  iii. 

Taylor  should  have  given  to  the  Church  The  Doctrise  of  the  Apocalypse,  akp 

a  treatise  on  some  department  of  theo-  iT»  Beiation  to  the  Doctrihi:  of 

logical  science,  or  a  commentary  upon  TU£  GoSFEL  asd  Epi^ILes  of  Johx. 

some  portion  of  the  Scripturea,  whereas  By  Pastor  H.  Gebhaedt.    Translatsd 

he  has  only  now  and  then,  at  distant  by  the  Rev.  John  Jepfsksoh. 

intorv^  during  fifty  years,  tantalized  Bdintr»rgii:  T.  t  T.  curk.   isra. 

us  with  a  pamphlet  or  magBxine  article,  These  two  volumes  form  &  freeh  iutal- 

to  be  read,  admired,  and  sent  to  obli-  ment  of  the  Foreign  Theological  LitaMy, 

vion  along  with  its  companions,  a  few  from  the  teeming  press  of  the  Messrs 

of  which  probably  deserved  a  betterfate.  Clark.    By  this  issue  the  noble  woAd 

Before  saying  anything  directlyabout  Luthardt  on  the  Gospel  of  John  is  com- 

this    discourse,  we   think    it    right    to  pleted   in   its   English   form,   and   the 

remark  that  it  has  a  great,  and,  we  are  students  and  preachera  of  die  pnswt 

sorry  to  say,  rather  an  unusual,  fitness  and  future  bare   Invught  within  their 

for  the  occasion  on  which   it   was  de-  reach  oae  of  the  most  important  aids 

livered.    We  can  remember  when  fast-  anywhere  to  be  found  in  the  study  rf 

day  sermons  want  discussions    of  the  this    part    of    Scripture.      The    toiid 

nature  and  proofs  of  Scripture  penitence;  volume,  now  before  us,   inclndea  the 

when  the  Hoderetes  on  the  sacrament  closing  ch^ters  of  the  Gospel,  from  the 

Sabbath  evenings  gave  us  the  historical  twelfth  onward.    The  unparalleled  is- 


■"'SJ^tw:?^'            HOTICES  OP  ITEW  PUBLIOATIOire.  428 

terest  of  the  anbject'iiiBtter  natnrallf  large  and  salient  poioti,  to  hnve  in- 

imparts  a  gpedal  interest  to  t^iis  por-  dioated   their   relations   to    the    whole 

tion  of  LntAardt'a  work.     The  volnme  Bcheme  of  the  Rgrelation,  and  to  have 

JB  enriched  with  a  lilt,  hy  the  truie-  grouped    hig  ample   materials   arotrad 

iotUa,  of    the  more   important  works  these,  woald  hare  demanded  a  higher 

brainng  npon  the  etody  of  the  Fourth  degree  of  literary  skill  than  the  author 

Gospel  shows  himself  to  be  poasesaed  of,  bnt 

The  other  work  is  a  fitting  sequel  to  would  certainly  have  issued  in  a  oiuch 

that  of  Lutfaardt.      It   is  a  Tigorons  better  book. 

attempt  to  |,illnstr«te  the  meaniog  of  For  the  details  of  the  exposition  we 
the  Apocalypse,  and  to  yindicate,  from  must  refer  to  the  work  itself.  In  the 
internal  evideneo,  its  identity  of  anthor-  view  of  the  writer,  Antichrist  is  Cfesar 
ship  with  the  Qospel  and  Epistles  of  Nero,  which  name,  as  aleo  the  Qreek 
John, — an  attempt  marked  throu^out  Aartiti;,  furniehes  the  number  666 ; 
by  true  Oerman  laboriousness  and  and  Babylon  ia  Rome ;  while  the  two 
carefulness.  In  regard  to  the  latter  witaessee  are  two  personslitiee,  in  whom 
point,  we  hare  no  doubt  as  to  his  com-  Moses  and  Ellas,  or  the  law  and  the 
plete  Buccesa;  in  regard  to  the  former,  prophets,  will  reappear  in  a  fresh  em- 
we  fear  that,  from  the  nature  of  the  bodiment.  These  mdlcstions  may  sof- 
Ktbject,  his  sncom,  in  spite  of  all  his  fice  to  show  in  a  general  way  the  stand- 
diiigenee,  is  only  partial.  Pattor  Qeb-  point  of  the  author  among  apocalyptic 
hardt  himself  ia  'nnnly  convinced  that  inteipretert.  He  makes  much  use  oi 
in  all  essential  particulars  '  he  has  the  distdnctioi]  between  the  real  and  the 
'  found  and  presented  the  real  sense  of  ideal  in  particulaf  points  of  his  ex- 
the  book.'  He  has  oertainly  eamesljy  potition,  and  that  in  a  way  that  tends 
etrirec  to  do  so,  and  we  also  gladlj*  rather  to  obscnre  than  to  enlighten, 
recc^nise  tbe  fact  that,  in  one  important  Thus  we  hear  of  real  angels  and  ideal 
element  of  method,  he  has  pnrsued  the  angels,  real  fulfilmenis  and  ideal  fulfil- 
right  conroe.  He  has  sought  to  read  ments,  etc.  On  an  important  COU' 
t£  symbols  of  the  Apocalyptic  Tiaions  troyersy  of  present  interest,  that  regard- 
by  the  ligbtof,thecoTTeflpondmg  Symbols  ing  the  future  destiny  of  the  wiBked, 
tx  the  Israelitish  economy  and  of  the  it  may  be  worth  while  to  quote  his 
HelveWBcriptQres, — a  course  exemplified  words; — 'The  religious  ideas  of  the 
also  in  that  fresh  and  striking  work  on  seer  do  not  flow  into  a  restoration, 
&e  same  portion  of  Scripture  lately  but  into  an  absolute  dualism.  With 
noticed  in  this  magadne,  and  now  the  judgment  of  the  world,  the  straggle 
acknowledged  as  the  work  of  Mrs.  between  God  and  the  deyil,  heaven  and 
Stevenson,  on  The  Symholic  Parables  of  hell,  the  ideal  and  the  anti-ideal,  is 
Ike  ApoealypH.  It  is  evident  that  the  finally  decided  and  for  ever  closed, 
figurative  language  and  repreeentatioDS  Qod,  heaven,  and  the  ideal  have  ob- 
of  the  New  Testament  seer  are  wholly  toined  the  victory.  The  devil,  hell,  and 
moulded  upon  the  figures  employed  in  the  anti-ideal  have  been  defeated,  fiat 
the  worship  and  in  liie  oracles  of  the  the  devil  is  not  changed,  hell  is  not 
Old  Testament ;  and  the  painstaking  punfied,  the  anti-ideal  is  not  idealized, 
fulness  of  illnstration  with  which  the  nor  are  they  destroyed  in  the  eeuse  of 
comparison  is  here  carried  out,  gives  a  ceasing  to  exist;  but  from  the  final 
distinctive  value  to  tbe  work  before  us.  decision  they  continue  etemally  without 

In  its  pltw,  the  work  is  not  a  con-  any   intervening    medium,    like    earth 

tionons  exposition.     It  is  an  illustration  and  heaven  in  their  present  position,  in 

of  the  doctrine  of  the  Apocalypse ;  and  absolute  contrast  with  each  other :  here 

this  general  theme  is  presented  under  a  tbe  lake  of  fire  and  brimstone,  there 

great  variety  of  special  topics, — God,  the  new  heaven  and  the  new  earth. 

angels,    heaven  ;    Satan,    tbe    aby^ss  ;  Heaven  and  hell  are  now   in    visible 

Cfiist,  His  petaoD,  His  work,  the  Spirit,  reality,— what  they  were  in  tbe  hidden 

the   go^)el,   etc.      We   know   not   well  reality,  or  in  their  ideal, — and  tbey  have 

whether  the  fault  lies  in  t^e  plan  or  in  now   really  what,  according  to  their 

the  treatment,  but  it  is  certain  tliat  the  nature,  always  belonged  either  to  one 

discussion  impresijea  one  as  to  a  con-  or  tbe  other'  (p.  290).    On  the  whole, 

siderable  extent  confused,  prolix,  and  though  we  are  by  no  moans  so  confident 

uninteresting.    To  have  selected  a  few  as  the  author  himself  that  he  has,  even 


424  NOTICES  OP  SEW  PDBLICATIOMS.  '"'lii'iV?™'^ 

on  cmential  points,  etrnck  in  every  caee  pltice  in  the  n^on  of  the  material  uid 

the  risht  path,  ire  can  bonestJy  and  the  visible?  .  .  .  There  is  no  difference 

CMdiallj    recommeud    the    book    aa   a  of  opinion  concerning  the  destruction  of 

prkiseworthj  aikd  inatmctive  Btndj  on  the  temple,  the  overthrow  of  the  cit*, 

the  great  jiophecy  of  the  New  Testa-  the  nnparalleled  Blanghter  of  the  peqii'e, 

ment.  the   extinction   of  the  nationalitj,  the 

■  ■  end  of  the  legal  diepeneation.     Bntthe 

Tbe  PabOUSIA  ;  A  Critical  Inquiry  bto  Parousia  is  iuaeparahly  linked  with  the 

the  New  Testament  Doctrine  of  our  deBtruction  of  JeroBdem  ;   and  in  like 

liord'a  Second  Coming,  manner  the  resmrection  of  the  dead, 

London ;  »»]df,  UblMer,  A  Co.    iSTS.  and    the   jadgment    of    the     "  wided 

This    Mtonymona    and   portly    octavo  generation,"  with  the  Paroasia.    Tbej 

Tolnme    of    561    pagen    contains    an  are  different  parts  of  one  great  cab- 

elaborate    diecnasion    of     the   various  strophe — different  scenea  in  one  gretl 

pasHgee  in  the  New  IhBtanient  which  drama.    We  accept  the  facts  verified 

refer  to  and  describe  the  second  advent  by  the  historian  on  Ihe  icord  of  man :  !■ 

«f  Jesus  Christ,  and  an  anertion  of  the  it  for  Christians  to  hesitate  to  accept 

autiior's   opinion   in    regard   to    their  the  facts  which  are  voacbed  by  the  icord 

meaning.    His  doctrine,  m  so  far  as  we  of  the  Lordf    In  like  manner,  p.  647: 

have  been  able  to  gather  it  from  a  '  The  demand  for  human  testimony  to 

•omewhat   hasty  perusal,  is    certainly  events  in  the  region  of  the  unseen  is  not 

simple,  straightforward,  and  trenchant,  altogether  reasonable.     If  we  receive 

clearing  an  easy  way  throngh  the  diffi-  them  at  all,  it  mnat'  be  as  the  word  of 

coltiea  which  are  nanally  understood  to  Him  who  declared  that  all  these  thiogi 

beset  the  snbject,  and  cutting  the  knots  would  assuredly  take  place  before  that 

which  are  hard  to  nntie.    Christ,  he  generation     passed    away.'      It    will 

says,  predicted  His  coming  again,  and  probably  appear  to  the  writer  a  want 

that  to  judcmeut,  with  angehc  attend-  of  faith  on  our  part,  but  we  cWees 

ance,  with  tie  sounding  of  the  trumpet,  that    we    are    unable    to    receive    hie 

with  the  resurrection  of  the  dead,  etc.,  doctrine,  just  as  we  are  unable  to  re- 

before  the  expiry  of  the  period  em1»'aced  ceive   the   Romanist    interpretation   of 

by  the  lifetime  of  His  contemporaries,  the  words,   'This  is  my  body.'     We 

What  the  Master  predicted.  His  dieciples  cannot  beUeve  that  the  sounding  of  the 

and   the   primitive  Chnrch  universally  trumpet  is  a  sounding  that  is  inaodible, 

expected  ;  and  the  expectation  was  con-  and   that  an  appearing  of  which  it  is 

firmed    and    guided    by  the    inspired  said,  '  Every  eye  shall  see  Him,'  belongs 

declarations  of  the  apostles,  as  of  Paul  to   'the   region   of  the   unseen.'     The 

in   writing   to   the   TliesBslaDians,   and  writer  is  evidently  an  earnest  and  well- 

especially  of  John  in  the  Book  of  the  informed  man,  and  the  book  is  clearly 

Revelation.     And  the  prediction  was  and  interestingly  written. 
fttUy  and  literally  fulfilled.     The  de- 
struction of  Jerusalem,  the  overthrow  of 

the  Jewish  economy,  and  the  scattering  ..... 

of  the  Jewish  people,  was  the  end  and  '  The  Light  of  All  Ages,'  Editor  of 
the  judgment  of  the  world  snd  the  re-  '  The  Collected  Works  of  Edward 
appeariag  of  Jesus  Christ  in  His  glory        Irving.' 

and  in  His  kingdom.    What,  then,  i3  the  London:  Hoddei&Stongbton.    Ig7& 

supernatural  wonders  by  which  it  was  In  his  preface  Mr.  Carlyle  aays  :  'I  have 

prophesied  His  advent    to    judgment  tried  to  bring  into  one  focus  various 

should   be    accompanied?     Regaiding  forms  of  unbelief  which  are  much  more 

this  point  we  read  as  follows  (p.  16S)  :  closely  related  to  each  other  than  many 

'  It  may  be  said  that  we  have  no  evi-  suppose.    The  bssis  of  such  close  reli- 

denoe  of  BUch  facts  having  occurred  (i.e.  tion  is  the  attempt   to  do  away  alto- 

when  Jerusalem  was  overthrown)  as  are  gether,  or  as  far  as  possible,  with  tlie 

here  described, — the  Lord  descending  action  of  the  supematiual.  The  subjects, 

with    a   shout,  Uie    sounding   of   the  it  may  be  thought,  are  too  large  and 

trumpet,  the  raising  of    the   sleeping  varied  to  be  treat«d  of  in  the  compass 

dead,  the  rapture  at  the  living  saints,  of  one  small  volume.    But,  on  the  other 

True ;  but  is  it  certain  that  these  are  hand,  there  is  a  manifest  advantage  in 

facts  cognisable  hy  the  senses?  is  their  viewing  connectedly  a  variety  of  opimona, 


^'"St^t^S!*^'  M0TICE8  OF  NEW  PUBLICATIONS,  425 

vhicb  we  continnaJlf  meet  in  the  preu  pnrpoge,  mnet  be  aggreaBire.    As  Gideon 

and  in  cODTenation,  ftod  which  appear  was  called  b;  Grod  to  attack  and  destroy 

much  more  formidable  when  remiraed  the  eneniies  of  Israel,  bo  the  individnu 

separateljr  than  when  Men  in  their  rela-  Chrietian  and  the  Church  at  large  muet 

tion  to  each  other,  and  those  e^ratenu  of  do  battle  for  Christ.    Under  this  leading 

philoeophj,  or  tendendea  towards  them,  idea   many    eubsidiaiT   bat    important 

from  which  they  derive  their  strength  lessons  are  introduced,  such  as  the  lela- 

and  popnlaritj.'  tion    between    the    material   and    the 

The  Bobfecta  di^cnsaed  are  as  follows :  spiritual  in  the  order  of  means  in  the 

1.  Scientifio  Materialism  and  Religions  Christian  warfare.    The  whole  hook  is 

Scepticism ;    2.    The    Bible  —  Modem  aoimating ;  it  is  written  in  an  earnest, 

Criticism;  8.  The  God  of  the  Old  Testa-  forcible,  and  eloquent  manner,  and,  like 

meot  and  the  Christ  of  the  New;   4.  the   sound  of   a   trumpet,  may  call   to 

Prophecy  trnly  Predictive — Importauoe  battle  those  who  are  hngering  in  their 

of  its  Testimony ;  5.  Prophedes  of  the  tents  or  loitering  by  the  way. 

Jews  and  of  Palestine;    6.  The  Soul  

Immortal  in  its  Essence— The  Future  Jobh  wrou  Jesl's  Loved.    By  Jaues 
Stale;  7.  I^rwinism — ^Maq  ;   8.  Satan        Gulross,  A.H.,  D.D.,  Author  of  'Be- 
and  his  Angels  {  9.  Sin  and  Atonement ;        hold,  I  Stand  at  Hie  Door,  and  Knock,' 
10.  The  Present  Period  a  Crisis  in  the        etc. 
World's  History.  Lmidgi.  -.  Moijtim  &  soott 

It  will  be  seen  at  once  that  all  of  the  It  is  always  to  be  desired  that  there 

lepics  are  of  much  present  interest  and  should  be  sympathy  on  the  part  of  the 

of  supreme   importance.      Mr.   Carlyle  writer   with   the   subject   of   which  he 

erideutly  haa  thought  much  and  read  treats.    In  the  present  instance  this  is 

widely  on  all  of  them.    He  haa  adverted  pre-eminently  Uie  case.    Dr.  Culroas, 

to  the  advantages  and  disadvantagea  of  doubtless,  was  drawn  to  his  subject  by 

treating  so  many  variouB  though  cognate  reason  of  the  special  attraction  it  had 

subjects  in  small  space ;  and  whilst  we  for  him.     We  discern  here  the  operation 

sckoowledge  that,  as  he  says,  one  ad-  of  '  elective  affinity.' 
vantage  is  having  a  connected  view  of        The  consequence  is  we  have  a  very 

the  whole,  at  the  same  lime  one  of  the  delightful  book.     With  an  intellect  at 

diuulvsntages  is  that  the  treatment  is  no  mean  power.  Dr.  Gulross  has  rich 

uecesEarily   indicative  rather   than  ex-  gifts  of  emotion  and  fancy;  and  so  there 

baustive.    The  reader,  however,  is  put  is  a  keen  and  true  insight  int*)  the  cba- 

OD  the  line  of  argnment  which  may  be  racter  of  the  '  Him  whom  Jesus  Loved,' 

sacceeafiilly  pursued  at  greater  length,  and  much  sweetness  and  grace  in   its 

or  which  may  be  found  in  extmto  in  the  depiction. 

tieatises  of  specialists.    The  volume  is        The  volume  is  beautifully  got  up,  and 

written   in    a   clear,  intelligible,    and  is  indeed  worthy  of  all  commendation. 

intereating  manner.     It  is  a  work  for  

the  times,  and  may  very  profitably  be  (1)  The  Faithful  Saiino  :  A  Series 
perused   by  the  young  and  inquiring        of  Addresses  by  D.  L.  Moody.    (2) 
tnembera  of  our  churches,  who  are  in        The  Christian.    (3)  Songs  of  Lov>: 
danger  of  being  carried  away  by  the        and  Herct. 
tide  of  infidelity  which  is  coming  in  so  LondDn;  xorsui  a  Scott   1678. 

itrongly  against  US.  1.  Mn.  MOODY'S  addresses  are  stirring 

and  striking.   They  abound  in  apt  illna- 

TueGreatestofthe  JuDGis:Frin<aples  trations  and  powerful  appeals,  and,  as 

of  Chnrch  Life,  Dlnstrated   by  the  we  read  them,  we  can  easily  understand 

History   of   Gideon.      By    William  how,  when  delirered  with  his  burning 

MiLLAK,  M.A.,  Principal  of  Madras  zmJ,  they  produced  a  very  deep  impres- 

Christian  College.  don  on  assembled  ttraosands. 

London :  Hoddet  A  stsosbion.  1878.  2.  The  Christian  is  a  record  of  re- 
in the  volume  just  noticed,  the  specula-  ligious  and  philanthropic  work.  It 
tire  questions  of  the  day  are  discussed,  contains  a  great  amount  of  information, 
"Hie  topics  treated  in  Mr.  Millar's  are  and  tells  of  much  good  work  that  is 
eiceedingly  practical :  the  main  lesson  being  earnestly  done.  We  may  not 
which  he  deduces  from  the  life  of  always  approve  of  the  methods  it 
Gideon  is  that  church  life,  to  fulfil  its  records  or  commends,  and  sometimes 


486                                         MOHTHLT  BETB08PECT.  'IK^inm 

wo  TOtij  think  the  seutimeDlB  exprened  inclined  to  qneBtion   the    moralilj  d 

lacking  in  toIinBtDMS,  bat  thare  c&n  be  pmchiDg  from  &  plan  trhich  ia  uiotiiei's, 

no  doubt  of  tbe  excellence  of  its  object  and  also  its  necesaitj' ;  for  if  yon  cm 

and  ita  leal  in  seeking  to  accomplish  it.  fill  up  the  ontUne  worthily,   yaa  an 

3.  The  recent  rcTiyftl  moTcraent  has  surely  able  to  make  a  plan  lor  yonisdJ. 

giren  a  crot  impetus  to  irhat  may  be  PerhapB   we   may  be  misteken  in  our 

called  *  the  hymn  movement '  in  our  opinion,    and    there    may    be    mliic 

churches.     Dr.  BegK  and  hii  confrerea  honesty  and   much    utili^   in  the   OR 

may  argue  for  the  aole  use  of  the  Paalaia  of  a  printed  prognmme  ;    and  if  w, 

of  Darid,  but  their  cause  la  hopeless,  preachers   young   and    old  will    find 

'"  '    '  ■  aMistance  miniitered  to  them  very  abnn- 
dantly  in  this  as  wall  as  in  Other  fonns 


rery  moderateprice— Bomeof  themwith     in  tix  Hondleiic  QnarUrty. 

and  one  of  them  without  the  apMo-  

priate  muoic.     The  odlediou  will  be     Lays  and  Lectures  for  Wosxdig  Hek 


tptable  to  those  who  wish  to  have  a  and    Woium.  —  Vol  I.  To    Wive 

kind  of  hjmnology  en  rapport  with  the  abh   Mothebh.— Vol.   II.   To  Yodbc 

pDblioationB  above  notjoed.  Women.  .    By    the    Bev.    Chabus 

Maeshall,  Dnnfermline.   Fourth  t& 

Tre  HoMiLETic  Quarterly.    July  1878.  tion. 

londeoi :  Htchud  Dlcklmon.  Edlniuigh  ;  Junea  GEmmen.    1878. 

This  jooroat  addressee  itaeU  Bpeci&Uy  THs'fact  that  these 'Lays  and  Leotnitt' 

to    miniateriBl    readers,   and    aeekfi    to  hare  reached  a  fourth  edition,  motm 

collect  materials  which  may  furnish  at  that  they  have  been  appreciated  by  the 

once  infonnation  and  stimulus  in  con-  class  to  which  they  are  addressed.    Tbe 

nection  with  their  pulpit  and  pastoral  littie    volumes    inculcate    the    beet   of 

work.     The  first  article  is  entitled,  '  A  lessons — piety,  sobriety,  and  the  varione 

Clerical  Symposium.'      The  subject  of  domestic  and  social  virtues — iuproseand 

it  is,  to  ministers,  the  important  one  of  verse.      Many  of  tbe  lays  poesees  no 

preiiching ;  and  as  those  who  discoune  small  measnre  of  poetic  merit,  and  tbe 

on  it    are  such  able  and  experienced  lessons  in  prose    are  clearly  and  in- 

divines   as  Dr.   BlaJkie,   Dr.   Keynolds,  t«restuigly  set  forth.      Some  may  thinl 

Canon  Perowne,  and  H,  De  Preesens£,  that  the  Ungnage  is  oceaaionally  a  little 

we  need  not  say  that  much  is  set  forth  too  homely,  but  this,  no  doubt,  is  om 

that  is  of  no  small  interest  and  value.  of  its  chi^  attiaotions  to  those  who  are 

There    are  also  several  lectures    by  specially  meant  to  be  ita  readen.     It 

well-knovm  writers,  and  a  great  num-  speaks  to  them  in  a  manner  which  tbey 

ber    of    plans  of   discourses — 'skele-  can  understand  ;  and  well  would  itlwtC 

tons,'  they  are  aranetimea  called ;  but  litemture  of  this  kind  were  circulated 

we  confess  we  have  no  great  liking  for  largely     throughout     the     lengUi    and 

such  articles  in    any  form.      We  are  br^dth  of  the  land 


SCOTTISH  ASSOCIATION  FOR  THE  MAINTENANCE  OP  NATIONAL 

REUGION. 

ISOHE  considerable  time  ago,  the  leading  friends  of  tbe  Cbureh  of  Scotland  met  is 

conclave  in  22  Queen  Street,  to  atady  the  signs  of  the  Umes  and  decide  what 

was  to  be  done.  Little  of  what  was  said  was  aUowed  to  transpire,  bnt  it  was 
currently  reported  that  the  resolution  come  to  was,  that  '  their  strength  was  to  ait 
atill.'  It  seems,  however,  that  this  resolution  has  not  given  permanent  satisfaction, 
and  now  active  measures  are  being  taken.  A  Defence  AsBociation  has  been  formed, 
and  an  address  issued. 

What  strikes  one  in  looking  at  its  name  ia  the  assumption  which  is  calmly  made. 
It  is  for  the  defence  of  national  relitjion.  Now  it  will  at  once  he  admitted  that  that 
is  a  great  and  worthy  object;  but  as  it  is  hwe  put,  there  is  evidently  a  HBawxt 
of  opinion  as  to  what  is  meant.  One  would  naturally  suppose  it  meant  the  relig^ 
of  the  nation  ;  bul  the  sujiportcra  of  the  AesociatiMi  mean  by  it,  the  Estftbliiihed 
Church. 

L.:it.:f:l.v  Google 


"""S^fll^inT-'  MOKTHIT  BBTBOaPEOT.  427 

Now  we  aver  we  may  have  uaUoiial  religion  iritibout  aa  Est^li^ed  Church,  and 
we  may  have  aa  EatabUahed  Chinch  witiiout  n&tiontl  religion.  There  ia  no  Church 
eatablished  b;  law  in  America ;  and  are  the  interesta  of  religion  len  attended  to 
than  at  home  ?  or  ia  America  more  atiteistic  than  Scotland  ?    We  trow  not. 

Besidea,  it  ia  insulting  to  anume  that  odIj  those  who  are  aoxioiu  for  tlie  main- 
tenance of  an  Eatabliahed  Church  are  concerned  about  national  religion.  Are  not 
the  ministers  and  members  of  unendowed  Churches  juBt  aa  much  in  earnest  in 
promoting  tbe  interests  of  religion  throughout  thsM  ianda  as  are  thcee  of  the 
endowed? 

But,  after  all,  when  the  mauifeste  inued  by  this  Association  is  carefnllj  con- 
ddered,  it  is  seen  chiefly  to  be  a  matter  of  mon^.  This  may  seem  an  ungracious 
remsj^  to  make  in  reference  to  a  document  which  has  in  parts  such  a  fine  flarour 
of  [Hety  and  patriotism.     But  the  gist  of  the  thing  is  here :— 

'Its  (the  Church's)  old  endowments  amount  altogether  to  less  than  £300,000 
per  annum.  With  the  exceptitm  of  a  small  sum,  these  endowments  are  derived  not 
from  the  taxes  of  the  community,  but  from  the  "  patrimony  "  of  the  Church.  To 
sij  that  they  coo  exceptional  payments  to  tho  clergy  of  the  Church  of  Scodand,  is 
by  no  means  a  oandid  way  of  stating  ihe  case.  Supplement«d  by  the  large  sum 
of  upwards  of  a  million  and  a  half,  which  has  been  added  fay  the  liberality  of  its 
Bwrnbers  to  the  paiochial  resources  of  the  Church  during  the  last  thirty  yeara, 
the;  form  a  national  provision  for  the  religious  and  moral  education  of  the  people 
of  Scotland.  To  withdraw  such  revenues  from  their  ancient  and  benefidal  nsage, 
would  be  simply  to  dimiDish  the  means  of  spiritual  culture  in  a  coAmtry  where 
endowments  of  this  kind  have  been  always  ecanty,' 

Tennyson's  Northern  Farmer  had  a  great  regard  for  '  proputty  I '  He  thought 
ili  posseenon  the  only  thing  worthy  of  a  moment's  consideration.  The  defence  of 
D&^oal  religion  seema,  in  view  of  the  sentence  just  quoted,  to  narrow  itself  down 
to  a  defence  of  Church  property. 

On  this  subject  very  erroneous  statements  have  b«ea  made.  Thus  one  minister, 
on  the  occaMon  of  a  recent  election, — in  connection  with  which  certain  parish 
ministers  well  Ulustrated  the  line  of  defence  favoured  by  the  Association, — said 
tJutt  tite  EatAbllahed  Church  had  as  much  right  to  its  possessions  as  Dissenting 
Churches  to  theirs.  Now  here  there  is  a  fallacy.  The  posseesions,  money  and 
other,  of  the  Established  Church  are  of  a  twofcid  kind, — one  voted  to  it  by  the 
State,  anotlier  given  to  it  by  the  free-will  offerings  of  its  peofde.  In  reference  to 
tte  latter,  we  at  once  admit  that  they  are  quite  as  much  entitled  to  them  as 
Oiesenters  to  what  they  have,  and  which  have  come  to  them  in  the  same  way ;  but 
in  leference  to  the  former  the  case  is  entirely  differait.  It  is  national  property, 
sod  ought  to  be  devoted  to  national  usee.  And  if  the  State  had  a  right  at  one 
time  lo  grant  its  application  to  Chnich  purposes,  it  has  also  a  right  to  withdraw 
it.  And  this,  as  an  argument,  is  so  plam,  that  it  can  only  be  mistaken  by 
tluiBe  who  wish  to  etr.  And  when  the  queslioa  of  property  is  pushed  backward, 
what  answer  cfuk  a  Protestant  Church  give  to  the  assertion  that  part  of  the  pro- 
perty they  now  enjoy  originally  bekinged  to  the  Church  of  Rome  ?  and  if  it  ia  to 
go  to  its  original  donors  and  owners,  it  must  go  to  that  Church. 

QuestbuB  such  as  these  are  now  coming  up  on  electiou  occasions,  and  tusEumiug 
a  place  of  importance.  It  is  evident  that  we  have  begun,  or  are  on  die  eve  of  a 
serions  conteet.  There  are  not  wanting  signs  of  exasperated  feeling,  and  Dissenteis 
*ie  freely  warned  as  to  what  they  may  expect.  We  can  quite  understand  the 
feeling ;  but  we  trust  that  bitterness,  if  bittemesa  there  be,  will  all  be  on  one 
ade,  and  that  Dissenters,  reeling  tlieir  case  on  the  excellence  of  their  cause,  will 
muatain  a  laecomingly  Chriatian  attitude  throughout  the  whole  advance. 


THE  MONUMENT  TO  D5.  CHALMERa. 
Gdihbukgh  may  now  be  said  to  be  a  city  of  monuments.     As  you  pass  along 
Ptinces  Street,  and  return  by  George  Street,  you  meet  with  Uie  monuments  of 
men  who  have  highly  distinguished  themselves  iu  various  walks  of  life.    The  one 
which  of  course  chiefly  strikes  the  eye,  and  ia  most  impressiTc,  ia  that  orooted  to 


428  MONTHLY  KETBOSPECT.  '""SJiVlw^' 

Sit  Walter  Scott.  It  towers  aloft  in  gnceful  grandeur,  and  ie  worthy  of  the  great 
man  wboee  name  it  bears.  All  around,  however,  in  simpler  yet  impresaiTe  form, 
are  to  be  met  those  of  men  whose  names  are  '  familiar  in  onr  mouths  as  hoDse- 
hold  words.'  And  now  Tetj  rightly  Scotland's  greaUet  preacher  has  found  a 
monumental  place  among  those  whom  his  country  delights  to  houonr. 

In  thioking  over  others  of  our  oountrymen  who  have  come  conspicnonsly  to 
liie  front  and  found  a  cherished  place  in  the  nation's  heart,  three  names  at  once 
occur, — Sir  Walter  Scott,  Bums,  and  Chalmers.  It  may  be  thought  by  some 
that  this  is  a  stnnge  collocation,  and  that  admirera  of  the  divine  cannot  also  be 
admirers  of  the  poet  and  noTeliat.  But  all  of  them  have  their  tiiousands  and  Ian 
of  thousands  of  admirers,  and  will  continue  to  do  so  for  ages  to  come. 

We  do  not  for  a  moment  forget  or  fail  deeply  to  deplore  much  that  Burns  tiai 
written,  and  not  a  little  that  he  has  done  ;  but  not  only  had  he,  in  common  with 
the  other  two,  the  great  gift  of  genius,  but  largeneaa  of  heart  and  simplicity  of 
character.  And  witTiout  these  qualities,  whatever  a  man's  gifts  otherwise  may  be, 
lie  never  wins  the  love  of  bis  fdlowa 

All  who  had  the  privilege  of  knowing  Dr.  Ohalmers  delight  in  speaking  of  hie 
simplicity,  his  cordiality,  his  utter  chitdlikenees,  and  this  in  a  man  of  such  pre- 
eminent power  was  very  beautiful,  and  felt  to  he  exceedingly  attractive. 

Chalmers'  name  is  connected  with  many  great  events, — events  of  more  than 
national  importance, — but  it  is  as  a  preacher  that  he  will  be  chiefly  remembered. 
Od  the  occasion  of  the  unveiling  of  hie  statue,  Lord  Moccreiff,  speaking  on  thii 
subject,  said  that  *  Dr.  Chalmers,  more  than  any  preacher  he  ever  knew,  had  lite 
power  of  bringing  his  andience  up  to  a  high  pitch  of  interest,  and  keeping  thai 
interest  SQStained  to  the  close.'  In  keeping  with  this  is  what  one  of  our  ministcM 
(now  occupying  the  place  of  honour  amongst  us) — a  warm  admirer  of  the  great 
orator — said  to  us,  '  I  have  heard  in  my  day  fine  preachers,  and  powerful  preatmera, 
and  all  kinds  of  preachers,  but  I  never  heard  one  like  Chalmers.'  His  efforts  in 
the  pulpit,  however,  were  at  great  cost  to  himself.  Sometimes,  after  preadiing,  he 
had  to  throw  himself  down  on  the  sofa  utterly  exhausted,  and  had  to  remain  ba 
an  hour  or  two  before  he  could  leave  the  scene  of  his  overpowering  exertion. 

When  we  think  of  the  greatnes  of  his  name  and  fame,  it  is  with  heartfelt 
admiration  we  turn  to  his  labours  in  the  West  Fort  of  Edinburgh.  In  a  certain 
sense  the  church  in  that  locality  is  also  his  monument.  The  man  who  could  hM 
in  rapt  attention  and  admiration  the  highest  in  the  land,  yet  finds  pleasuKis 
seeking  out  the  tost,  and  procluming  a  loving  Saviour  to  the  chief  of  ainnen. 
'  Tbe  sins  and  sorrows  of  the  city '  lay  heavily  on  his  heart,  as  they  did  on  that 
of  the  noble  Guthrie.  What  a  pictnre  that  is  of  these  two  men,  standing  on  Um 
South  Bridge,  and  looking  down  into  tbe  Cowgate,  with  its  sunken,  seething 
masses,  and  Chalmers  with  heartfelt  but  hopeful  esmeatness  saying  to  his  yonngd 
fellow- worker,  in  whose  district  it  lay,  '  A  fine  field  that,  sir— a  fine  field  !' 

Dr.  Chalmers'  name  is  inseparably  connected  witik  the  Free  Church,  and  tliat 
Church  is  justly  prond  of  all  that  he  was,  and  all  he  achieved ;  but  his  laive  beart 
overleaped  all  denominational  limitations,  and  so  at  this  time  men  of  all  Cnorcbel 
have  been  ready  and  delighted  to  do  him  honour. 

'A  CANDID  EXAMINATION  OF  THEISM,' 
The  supreme  question  of  the  existence  of  a  Divine  Being  is  one  which  is  strongly 
agitating  various  educated  circles  at  t^e  present  time.  The  results  which  aie 
chiefly  come  to  on  the  negative  side,  are  Pantheism  on  the  one  hand,  and  blank 
MaterialiEm,  which  means  utter  atheism,  on  the  other.  There  has,  however,  lately 
been  published  by  Triibner  k  Oo.,  as  part  of  their  English  and  Fordgn  Fhiio- 
aophical  Library,  a  volume  under  the  title  of  A  Candid  Examnatiott  of  TMita, 
which  takes  a  middle,  though  perhaps  equally  unsatisfactory  course.  The 
author,  averring  that  he  wishes  his  arguments  to  stand  or  fall  according  to  thai 
own  worth,  and  not  to  be  supported  or  otherwise  by  a  name,  calls  himself 
Pbtsigds.  It  is  to  be  noted  that  some  books  that  bare  made  considerable  noise 
as  contribulioDs  to  a  negative  theology,  or  no  theology,  have  of  lat«  been  sent 
forth  under  the  modest  veil  of  anonymity. 


"■'alirri'Jr'i*^'  MONTHLY  BETEOSFEOT.  429 

The  writer  of  the  Examiaatiou  Ukes  up  the  Tarious  argutueuts  in  sapport  of  the 
belief  in  a  Dirine  Binng,  ftsd  finds  them  wanting.  One  of  the  very  chiefeat  he 
digpows  of  Toiy  summai^f  adA  eaailj, — 'The  heart  requires  a  God.'  Whdt  then? 
asks  Phyflicus.  '  This  may  proye  a  BnbjectiTe  need,  not  an  objective  eiistence.' 
And  BO  Uie  matter  ie  diamiased.  But  this  need  of  the  heart  is  one  of  the  chiefeet 
and  most  indestruotible  facts  of  our  nature,  and  will  seek  and  find  its  only  grati- 
fication in  the  obiective  existence,  which  is  Qod,  when  thousands  of  so-catled 
scientific  theories  nave  vanished  away.  The  manner  in  which  Physicufi  treats  the 
argument  from  a  moral  sense  in  man,  is,  to  say  the  least,  carious.  '  It  is  belief  in 
a  higher  power  that  engenders  a  sense  of  respoosibility.  A  sense  of  responsi- 
bility is  therefore  no  proof  of  the  existence  of  a  higher  power.'  Bat  how  comes 
it  that  a  sense  of  responsibility  is  so  generally  prevalent,  if  it  is  founded  on  a 
fiction? 

It  is,  however,  to  the  aignment  from  design,  to  which,  as  a  scientific  man, 
PbysicDS  ctiiefiy  devotes  himself.    In  referraice  to  this  he  says : 

'  It  does  not  admit  of  one  moment's  questioning,  that  it  is  as  certainly  true  that 
all  the  exquisite  beauty  .and  melodious  harmony  of  nature  follow  as  necessarily 
ud  as  inevitably  from  the  persistence  of  force,  and  the  primary  qualities  of 
matter,  as  it  is  c^tainly  true  that  force  is  persistent,  or  that  matter  is  extended 
Bad  impenetrable.  No  doubt  this  generalization  is  too  vast  to  be  adequately  con- 
ceived, but  there  can  be  equally  little  doubt  that  it  is  neceaaarily  true.  If  matter 
and  force  have  been  'eternal,  so  fiur  as  human  mind  can  soar,  it  can  discern  no 
need  of  a  superior  mind  to  explain  the  varied  phenomena  of  existence.  Han  has 
tnily  become  in  a  new  sense  the  meaanre  of  the  universe,  and  in  this,  the  latest 
and  most  appalling  of  his  soundings,  indications  are  returned  from  the  infinite 
voids  of  space  and  time  by  which  Be  is  surrounded,  that  his  intelligence,  with  all 
its  noble  capacities  for  love  and  adoratitm,  is  yet  alone — deatitote  of  kith  and  kin 
in  all  this  universe  of  bein^.' 

Now,  here  is  an  assumption,  under  the  guise  of  scientific  aecuracy,  which  is  meet 
Tonby  of  attention.  ^Ifmaiter  and  force  have  been  eternal,'  then,  it  is  argued,  no 
creative  mind  is  needed,  and  '  the  persistence  of  force  and  the  primary  qualities 
of  matter'  are  sufficient  to  the  production  and' continuance  of  all  the  'beauty  and 
melodious  harmony  of  nature.  Now  note  how  much  lies  in  that  little  word  if. 
Grant  the  '  if,'  and  the  atheist  triumphs ;  deny  the  '  if,'  and  his  case  at  once  falls 
to  the  ground.  The  only  argument  adduced  is,  '  that  matter  and  force  are  eternal 
!0  far  as  the  human  mind  aoara,  and  it  can  discern  no  need  of  a  superior  mind  to 
explain  the  varied  phenomena  of  existence.'  That  is  to  say,  man  cannot  in  thought 
go  back  to  an  inteUigent  First  Cause,  and  the  world  gets  on  quite  well  without 
one.  But  this  ia  merely  a  begging  of  the  question,  and  is  no  answer  either  to  the 
affinnation  or  the  arguments  of  those  who  believe  and  assert  that  the  human  mind 
not  only  can  but  most  go  back  to  an  intelligent  First  Cause,  and  that  snch  a 
cause  can  alone  explain  the  phenomena  of  existence. 

Phyeicns,  however,  doea  not  affirm  positive  atheism.  He  says:  'Although 
natare  does  not  need  an  intelligent  cause  to  account  for  its  existence,  yet  it  is 
possible  that  if  we  could  see  farther,  we  should  see  that  nature  could  not  be  what 
she  is  uoless  she  owed  her  existence  to  an  intelligent  cause.' 

Now,  after  all  the  toU  and  travail  which  have  been  undergone  by  Physieus, 
surely  thia  is  'a  lame  and  impotent  conclusion'  to  which  to  come.  We  are 
neither  to  believe  nor  disbelieve.  Perhaps  the  scientist,  in  pursuing  his  researches, 
may  at  some  period  or  another  stumble  upon  a  region  in  which  he  wiU  find  satis- 
factory and  convincing  proof  of  the  being  of  a  God.  What,  we  ask,  is  the  benefit 
(o  mankind  of  a  doctrine  like  this  ?  It  is  cert^nly  practical  atheism,  and  cannot 
fail,  as  such,  to  influence  men's  minds  most  injuriously.    Even  Lord  Byron  w 


be  the  truth,  but  as  he  does  not  deny  the  possibility  of  that  apparent  truth  being 
sii|)eiseded  by  something  infinitely  higher  and  better,  he  might  have  patiently 
waited,  if  not  more  perseveringly  worked  for  its  realization. 


430  MONTHLY  RETBOSPECT.  '     XiirimT 

MR.  SPURGEON  IN  SCOTLAND. 
Ministers,  when  away  on  their  holtdajB,  often  complain  that  they  are  laid  hold  of 
and  constrained  to  speak,  unlees  they  take  refuge  in  a  laud  where  tbeir  Bpeecfa 
is  not  knowD.  'Hiere  are,  however,  men  of  great  powers  of  working,  with  an 
appelate  for  it  equal  to  their  capacity,  who  seem  to  think  with  Lord  Brougham, 
that 

'  Want  ot  ooonpatiOD  is  not  rest : 
A  uioj  quite  vftoant  is  a  mini  dislresi'd.' 
Among  these  is  Mr.  Spurgeon.     He  has  been  lately  in   Scotland  on  a  hobdty 
eionnioD.     But  his  holiday  has  been  turned  to  a  practical  porpose,  Bnd  he  hai 
been  engaged  in  the  work  which  he  loves  so  well,  and  of  wliidi  he  is  such  a 
master— the  bleesed  work  of  preaching  the  glorious  gospel. 

One  of  the  scenes  connected  with  this  is  notable  and  memorable.  On  a  Sabbath 
evening  at  Kothesay,  on  the  greensward,  in  the  grand  temple  of  nature,  Mr. 
Spui^eon  addressed  an  andience  of  12,000.  This  recalls  the  days  of  Whitfield, 
wneo,  on  hia  visit  to  Scotland,  many  thoosands  assembled  on  the  Calton  Hill,  and 
were  swayed  by  the  spell  of  his  marveUons  eloquence.  Of  course,  in  order  to 
woii  on  a  scale  like  tbis,  special  qualifications  not  only  ot  a  mental  but  of  a 
physical  kind  are  required.  The  orator  b  bom,  not  made  ;  and  one  of  his  natnral 
endowments,  if  he  is  to  oommand  the  ear  of  listening  tliousands,  is  a  voice  of 
compass  and  power.  All  the  bearers  of  Whitfield  bore  testimony  to  the  extn- 
oidinary  sweetness  and  flexibility  ot  hia  voice.  In  these  respects  Spurgeon  may 
not  equal  or  approach  him,  but  still  his  voice  is  one  of  rare  excellence,  and  a 
doubtless  Bart  ot  the  secret  of  bis  power. 

When  Mr.  3pargeon  comes  amongst  us  be  is  always  warmly  welcomed,  and,  aa 
his  Rothesay  and  other  audiences  prove,  enjoys  on  this  side  of  the  Tweed  a  popu- 
larity aa  great  as  be  does  in  the  south.  One  thing  to  be  noticed,  is  that  he  cmnee 
always  with  the  stamp  of  bis  own  very  marked  individuabty,  and  preachea  in  tfas 
fields  in  Scotland  as  he  preaches  in  the  Tabernacle  in  London.  When  Mr.  Jay 
of  Bath,  whom  so  severe  a  critic  as  John  Poster  called  '  the  prince  of  preadiersi' 
oame  on  a  visit  to  the  northern  part  ot  the  ifiUnd,  be  was  told  that  tiie  Scotdi 
were  a  hard-headed  theological  people,  and  despised  pathos  and  anecdote,  and 
went  in  wholly  for  doctrine  and  argnment.  Mr.  Jay,  in  deference  to  this  exptts- 
uon  of  opinion,  essayed  to  preach  in  a  manner  which  he  supposed  would  be  suited 
to  his  bearers;  hut  it  was  not  his  manner,  and  the  resnlt  was  disctmifort  and 
failure.  Whereupon  the  preacher  wisely  resolved  to  buckle  on  his  own  armour, 
and  fight  the  battle  of  the  Lord  in  his  own  accastomed  fashion,  and  lo !  tbe  giant 
was  set  free,  and  all  felt  and  owned  at  once  the  sweetness  and  power  of  his  dit- 

Hr.  Spmrgeon  can  be  doctrinal  and  argumentative  when  he  [leases,  but  be 
judiciously  strives  to  make  the  doctrine  jdain  and  the  ailment  apparent  by 
means  of  profuse  and  appropriate  anecdote  and  illustration.  This  is  an  offence  to 
some  people.  They  toll  you  it  is  all  so  simple,  there  ia  nothing  in  it,  and  yet  tfey 
carry  away,  if  not  the  body  of  the  teaching,  the  anecdotes  and  illuatiataons,  and 
remember,  according  to  their  own  confession,  more  of  Spurgeon'a  sermons  tbsn 
tiiCT  do  ot  any  other  person's. 

We  read  in  a  recent  number  of  the  Sunday  at  Home  en  interesting  sketofa  of  tlie 
life  of  the  great  preacher.  In  the  sketi^  it  is  set  forth  how  his  disooverv  of  hia 
great  gift  was,  like  many  other  important  discoveries,  in  some  respects  accidental. 
While  quite  a  youth,  he  set  out  with  a  friwid  one  Sabbath  evening  on  a  preaching 
tour  to  a  village  in  t^e  neighbourhood  of  the  place  in  which  he  lived.  Each  of  tbe 
yonng  men  believed  that  the  other  was  to  give  the  address  that  evaiing,  but 
when  the  hour  arrived  Mr.  Spurgeon 's  comrade  positively  refused  to  say  a  woid. 
Upon  which  he  was  constrained  to  address  the  people,  and  did  so  as  much  to  the 
gratification  ot  his  andience  as  to  his  own  amazwnent.  And  thus  unexpectedly 
and  unobtfumvely  was  begun  the  career  ot  (Hie  of  the  greatest  preachers  of  ihe  day. 

FREE  CHURCH  TBMPBBANCE  REPORT  FOB  1878. 
Wrilot  the  Free  Church  has  always  hew  characterised  by  zeal  ica  evangeliesl 
religion,  it  lias  also  always  strongly  directed  its  attention  to  the  state  of  ^ 


"'"^ilTi'ss.*"''  MONTHLY  KETKOSPECT.  431 

country  as  regaidH  social  nKuality.  Notwithstanding  all  our  pririlegea,  there  are 
manj  and  abounding  evils  on  account  of  which  we  may  well  be  ashamed.  It  is 
lamentable  to  think  that  iniquity,  in  rariouH  disKuating  forms,  lifts  up  its  un- 
bludung  head  amongHt  us,  and  scarcely  con  be  held  in  decent  check  or  conceal- 
ment even  by  Ic^al  force.  Among  the  evils  that  abound,  drtinkenneas  is  conteasedly 
one  of  the  chief  and  greateai  It  was  therefore  only  to  be  expected  that  the  Free 
Church  would  address  itself  to  the  consideration,  and,  if  possible,  removal  of  the 
evil,  with  all  its  churacteriatic  eantestness  and  practicaiity. 

The  Report  before  us  giveB  no  uncertain  sound ;  at  the  same  time,  there  is  no 
lack  of  brotherly  clierity,  nor  undue  pressure  brought  to  bear  on  the  exercise  of 
Christian  liberty.  It  consists,  in  part,  of  specimens  of  answers  returned  by  pres- 
byteries to  qaertea  sent  down  to  them  on  the  subject  of  Intemperance.  ^Vhilst 
some  returns  speak  of  decrease  in  country  districts,  such  is  not  their  general  tenor. 
Thus:— 

'"No  apparent  decrease  of  intemperance  within  the  bounds"  (Petth).  "Rather 
decreasing  generally;  but  an  increase  among  boys  and  females"  (Stirling).  "In 
the  opinion  of  several  members  of  presbytery,  drunkenness  increasing  among  boya 
and  women,  and  young  men  in  offices"  (Dundee).  "On  Saturday  nights  more 
drinking  than  formerly ;  also  at  balls  and  similar  nocturnal  miscellaneoTiB  gather- 
ings; Hiarketsnot  so  bad  as  formerly  "  (Kincardine  O'Neii).  "General  impression 
at  presbytery  conference  was  that  intemperance  greatly  on  the  increase  among 
the  young  and  females,  even  ladies  of  the  better  class ;  restaurants  and  confec- 
tioners' shops  afford  temptations.  In  our  mission  districts  drink  is  the  outstanding 
cause  of  more  than  two-thirds  of  all  the  miseries  which  afflict  the  poor  and  the 
lapsed"  (Edinburgh).  "Drinking  among  women  known  to  prevail  to  an  alarming 
exteot;  feared  to  be  increasing"  (Synod  nf  Fife).  "Seems  to  be  iooreasiug 
among  females  and  the  j'oung  (Greenock).  "  Apparently  increasing  in  towns 
such  as  Hawick,  but  not  m  the  rural  parishes"  (Jedburgh,).' 

The  state  ot  things  is  accounted  for  by  the  general  causes  of  the  drinking  usages 
of  society  aad  the  number  of  public -houses ;  but  also  by  such  special  causes  as 
want  of  sufficient  house  accommodation,  want  of  proper  domestic  economy,  and 
feeing  markets. '  On  these  it  is  said ; — 

'  The  houses  of  the  working  people  of  Scotland  are  sadly  deficient  in  necessary 
comfort,  and  this  tends  to  drive  men  to  the  public -houses.  From  the  census  of 
1861  it  appeared  that  226,723  houses  in  Scotland  had  only  one  apaituent.  In 
other  words,  one-third  of  the  whole  people  of  Scotland  were  living  in  suoh  houses, 
if  they  may  be  so  called. 

'  Even,  however,  where  proper  houses  exist  or  may  be  produced,  it  is  most  im- 
portant that  they  should  be  tidily  and  comfortably  kept,  and  that  all  the  wives  of 
working  men  should  thoroughly  understand  how  to  economize  their  husbands' 
wages  and  to  cook  their  food.  If  these  things  are  not  done,  there  will  be  still  a 
strong  temptation  to  intranperanoe,  by  driving  working  men  to  despair,  and 
indoeing  tt^m  to  aeek  in  the  poblic-house  the  comfort  which  they  do  not  receive 
at  home. 

'  Another  matter  of  the  greatest  practical  importance  is  what  are  called  our 
"  feeing  markets,"  which  lead  to  an  immense  amount  of  drinking  and  debauchery, 
and  go  far  to  min  our  rural  labourers.  It  is  of  much  importance  to  have  a  sound 
pubho  opinion  formed  on  this  subject,  with  a  view  to  the  introduotion,  on  the  one 
hand,  of  some  innocent  sources  of  recreation  on  the  part  of  the  people,  and,  on  the 
otiier  band,  of  s<Hne  less  dangerous  mode  of  luring  farm  servants.' 

Speeches  of  an  earnest  and  impres^ve  kind  were  delivered  by  the  Convenei 
of  the  committee,  Mr.  Kidshm,  Lord  Provost  Collins,  Major  Ross,  and  others. 
The  oonclnnon  of  the  deliveranoe,  moved  by  Provost  Collins,  and  adopted  by  the 
Assembly,  was  as  follows : — 

'  Further,  the  itesembly,  while  recognising  abstinence,  on  tfae  ground  of  Christian 
expediency,  as  a  lawful  and  honourable  course  for  the  friends  of  temperance, — 
especially  as  regards  the  personal  protection  of  many  who  are  exposed  to  special 
danger,  and  tJie  influence  which  it  exerts  in  opposition  to  the  drinking;  usages  of 
the  country, — cousid^  that,  at  the  same  tims,  it  is  the  duty  of  all  friends  of 
sobriety  at  the  present  time  to  unite  together  in  prosecuting  those  means  upon 


432  MONTHLY  EETBOSPECT.  ''^°bS.%?^ 

which  they  are  agreed  as  fitted  to  check  the  grierona  eril  of  iDtemperance,  eapeci- 
allr  in  opposition  b>  the  said  drinking  naagee.' 

This  conclosioQ  points,  it  will  be  seea,  to  what  may  be  called  '  a  policy  of  cou- 
ciliatjon ; '  and  this  policy,  we  think,  ia  wise.  Men  equally  honest  and  excellent, 
and  equally  in  earnest  for  the  suppression  of  drunkenneea,  take  different  viewe  of 
different  points.  By  all  means  let  there  be  friendly  converse  and  amicable  argu- 
mentation; but  time  ought  not  to  be  wasted  and  the  temper  tried  by  continiial 
dispute.  Mutual  action  in  the  same  direction,  and  toward  the  same  end,  even 
thongh  it  may  not  be  always  by  the  use  of  the  same  means,  wiU  have  a  wonderfiil 
effect  at  once  in  helping  to  eecore  the  eod  and  in  drawing  good  men  and  trot 
more  closely  and  loringly  together. 

In  looking  at  the  general  qaestion,  th^^e  is  mnch  to  encourage  the  frieada  d 
reform.  Fublio  attention  is  turned  more  earnestly  to  the  subject  than  it  everms, 
and  never  were  men  of  all  ranks  in  life  and  shades  of  opinion  more  ready  to  listen 
to  temperance  proposaU.  If  it  is  more  difficult  to  ^et  Parliament  to  move  in  tlie 
matter  than  could  be  desired,  yet  marked  progreaa  is  being  made  in  edacating  it 
wi  the  subject;  and  whilst  the  Church,  as  a  whole,  may  not  liave  thoron^f 
aroosed  itwlf,  the  action  taken  by  its  Superior  Courts,  in  all  its  sectJODS,  shova 
that  it  is  alive  to  the  danger,  whilst  in  the  great  Church  of  England  a  work  is 
being  done  amongat  and  by  its  dignitaries,  as  well  as  its  humbler  clergy,  which  ia 
indeed  matter  for  grateful  urprise. 

OBITUABY. 

Ik  the  course  of  last  month  two  ministers  have  been  removed  from  amongst  m. 
is  many  respects  differing  widely  from  each  other,  but  both  well  known  ia  tbe 
denomination  with  which,  for  many  years,  they  were  connected.  After  a  con- 
siderable period  of  retirement,  and  frequent,  apparently  fatal  attacks  of  illness,  Mr. 
Cooper,  late  of  FoIb,  whs  taken  to  his  rest  on  the  7th  ult.,  at  the  advanced  age 
of  8^.  Mr.  Cooper  spent  the  first  part  of  his  ministerial  life  in  India;  havbg 
been  obliged  to  return  home  on  account  of  faUing  health,  he  was  inducted,  in 
1834,  as  minister  of  Fala,  and  continued  for  thirty  years  very  faithfully  to  dn- 
charge  his  duties  as  a  country  minister,  and  making  his  influence  felt  in  the  wider 
sphere  of  the  denomination.  Since  1864  he  has  lived  in  Edinburgh,  and  often 
done  good  service  in  connection  with  many  a  good  cause.  Mr.  Cooper  v 
of  a  cheerM  and  genial  disposition  ;  he  lived  very  nea  '  "  ' 
in  his  company,  even  for  a  short  time,  felt  that  they  w 
Barnabas,  emphatically  '  a  good  man.' 

The  death  of  Mr.  O.  Gilfillan,  of  Dundee,  came  upon  us  with  a  shock  of  larprise. 
For  more  than  thirty  years  bis  name  has  been  a  prominent  one  in  literary  draes ; 
he  was  undoubtedly  a  man  of  genius,  and  has  written  much  that  is  bright  and 
sparkling.  No  one  throughout  the  whole  denomination  will  seek  for  a  momenl 
to  undervalue  his  gifts  of  detract  from  his  fame.  At  this  time,  however,  we  feel 
specially  sorrowful  on  account  of  his  sudden  removaL  We  could  have  wished 
that  a  certain  gulf  which  had  been  mode  between  him  and  many  of  his  bretbi^ 
had  been  filled  up  or  bridged  over. 

Of  late  years  Mr.  GilfiLIan  had  avowedly  constituted  himself,  as  he  deemed  il, 
the  chunpion  of  free  thought  and  theological  pro^ees.  In  this  capacity  he  pa- 
mitted  hunself  to  say  things  of  a  personal  kind  which  it  would  have  been  wdl  to 
have  left  unsaid,  or  to  have  said  differently.  But  this  ia  not  a  time  at  which  ta 
dwell  on  such  things.  The  shadow  of  death,  especially  when  it  falls  so  suddenlj. 
is  deeply  aacrod  and  Bolemniiing ;  and  well  would  it  be  if,  amid  the  strife  and 
struggle  of  controversy  and  de^te,  and  indeed  of  the  whole  of  life,  we  were 
always  to  remember  its  presence,  and  allow  it  to  exert  on  us  those  hallowed  and 
purifying  influences  which  would  so  elevate  ourselves,  and  sweeten  all  our  inter- 
course with  others. 

Nnted  by  Mobsat  ±vd  Qibb,  11  Qaeen  Street,  and  Published  by  Wiuf 
OLiPHi.iri  AND  Co.,  !4  St.  Giles  Street,  Edinburgh,  on  the  2d  of  Septemhcr 
1878. 


UNITED  PRESBYTERIAN   MAGAZINE. 


OCTOBER    1,    1878 


^xiainitl  %xiicUB, 


HOPE. 

BT  THE  LATE  KEY.  WILLIAM  AITDEBSOH,  LL.D.,  QLASGOW. 

'  And  let  me  not  be  eah&med  of  my  bope^' — Fa.  oiix.  116. 
*  Hope  moketh  not  osh&mad.'— Itou.  v.  6. 

Hope  is  the  faronrite  passion  of  the  weary,  the  dissatis&ed,  and  afflicted. 
By  engaging  the  mind  with  prospects  of  fatiire  happiaesa,  it  mitigates  the 
pressure  of  present  evils,  and  enables  the  heart  to  sustain  them  with  patience 
or  fortitode.  Nor  is  this  all, — by  painting  futare  objects  in  bright  and 
attractive  colonrs,  it  stimulates  esertion  to  obtain  them,  Nor  is  even  this 
alt, — it  will  frequently  so  engross  a  man's  mind  with  its  visions  that  he  ia 
insensible  to  the  difficnlties  which  obstmct  the  acquisition  of  liis  object,  so 
as  to  make  him  hope  against  hope,  and  be  regarded  by  his  friends  as 
irrational  and  presumptnons,  when  yet,  in  its  power,  he  wiU  perfonn  great 
exploits  and  gain  his  prize. 

If  sneh  be  the  character  of  hope, — if  it  is  the  favourite  passion  of  the 
weary,  the  afflicted,  and  dissatisfied,  then  mast  it  be  the  favourite  passion  of 
03  all.  Who  of  us  is  eo  satistied  with  the  present,  that  he  needs  no  assur* 
ance  of  the  fnture  being  better  T  Where  there  is  any  feeling  of  happiness 
among  us,  does  it  not  arise  more  from  expectation  of  what  is  coming 
than  what  is  now  in  possesBion?  '  Even  we,'  says  an  apostle, '  who  enjoy 
the  fiist-fmits  of  the  Spirit,  are  saved  by  hope.'  Blessed  passion !  Who 
of  us  could  endure  life  without  it?  It  is  the  Sabbath  rest  of  the  toiling 
workman ;  it  is  the  feast  of  the  famishing ;  it  is  the  heritage  of  the  poor ; 
it  is  the  health  of  the  sick ;  it  is  the  haven  of  the  tempest-tossed  mariner ; 
it  is  the  home  of  the  pilgrim ;  it  is  the  liberty  of  the  captive ;  it  is  the 
resurrection  and  heavenly  glory  of  the  dying.  But,  brethren,  reflect  that 
there  is  more  in  hope  than  all  this  consolation  of  the  afflicted.  There  is 
the  energy  in  it  of  well-doing ;  of  achieving  great  exploits ;  of  resisting 
sedactions ;  of  defying  mockery  and  persecntions ;  of  sacrificing  ease, 
honour,  wealth,  health,  and  life  itself,— all  in  view  of  the  heavenly  crown 
of  grace. 

The  principle  of  hope,  then,  being  of  snch  importance,  it  is  requisite  that 
we  be  particnlarly  carefn]  in  having  it  properiy  r^nlated.  To  this  end  my 
observations  will  be  especially  directed.  There  is  no  measure  by  which  yon 
can  take  the  dimensions  of  a  man  better  than  the  state  of  his  hope ;  and 

KO.  X.  VOL.  XXII.  NEW  SBB1E8. — OCTOBKB  1B7B.  2  E 


434  HOPE.  =''"'5l'?£r^ 

there  ie  do  respect  in  which  the  belieTer  more  splendidly  and  beaatofoUy 
ontshinee  the  worldliDg  than  he  does  in  this. 

What  then,  let  hh  conaider,  first  of  all,  ia  the  state  of  thia  great  passion 
in  the  bosoms  of  all  who  ore  destitute  of  ChriBtian  faith!  Can  anything 
be  more  shamefnlj  despicable,  and  lameDtable  t 

First,  there  are  some  of  them  who  have  no  hope  dther  for  time  or  etermt;, 
in  whom  the  conatitntional  principle  has  been  extingnished,  who  are  wretched 
at  present,  and  have  no  expectation  that  it  shall  ever  be  better  with  them. 
Children  of  despair !  No  shining  of  the  sun,  no  smile  of  friendship  em 
iUnmines  the  darkness  of  their  aonla.  Qloomy,  frett«d,  discontented,  erer 
foreboding  evil,  they  drag  throngh  life,  a  bnrden  to  themselves  and  a  heart- 
break to  their  friends,  to  die  at  last,  unless  grace  prevent,  cnrsing  th6  da; 
they  were  bom,  in  fear  of  a  still  more  distressing  eternity. 

Brethren,  snppoae  that  the  wealthiest,  healthiest,  most  learned,  most 
boDonred,  most  powerfnl  man  that  ever  lived,  with  the  fairest  wife  aod  the 
finest  family,  were  placed  before  ns ;  and  that  he  told  ns  that  he  had  no  hope 
except  for  the  continuance  of  his  present  good  fortune,  that,  having  attained 
to  the  possession  of  all  the  desire  of  his  heart,  there  was  neither  need  noT 
opportunity  for  the  exercise  of  that  passion, — irrespective  of  the  want  of 
religion  which  such  a  state  of  mind  indicated  as  insensible  to  eternity,  ire 
could  not  but  despise  and  pity  him  as  destitute  of  one  of  the  most  enlivening 
pleasures  of  onr  nature — the  exercise  of  hope.  That  labourer  who,  with  a 
shilling  a  day  for  his  wi^es,  works  in  hope  that  he  shall  soon  get  tiro, 
enjoys  life  more  sweetly  thiui  he  who,  with  a  revenue  of  ten  thousaDda^eBr, 
has  no  expectation  that  he  shall  ever  be  a  happier  man.  It  is  related  ti 
Alexander  the  Great,  that  after  he  had  conqaered  the  world  he  sat  don 
and  wept,  because  there  was  no  other  of  which  he  could  make  himself  tbe 
master.  Mow  strong  is  the  testimony  which  God  has  planted  in  our 
bosoms  in  favour  of  the  doctrine  of  immortality  in  this  insatiable  loi^u^  of 
the  soul! — so  soon  as  one  hope  is  gratified,  forming  another,  and  any 
onward  in  quest  of  its  object ;  ^o  that  if  tbe  heart  of  any  one  be  at  mj 
time  contented,  saying,  '  This  is  my  rest,  I  will  abide  here  satisfied,'  A  is  in 
consequence  of  some  perverting,  debasing,  denaturalizing  influence.  And 
if  the  sentunent  of  our  common  humanity  pronounces  the  judgment  of 
contempt  and  wretchedness  even  on  a  rich  and  Inxurions  man  who  has  so 
hope  of  a  better  time,  what  shall  we.  say  of  a  poor  man  who  is  miserable  at 
present,  and  has  no  hope  that  his  condition  shall  ever  be  improved  1 

Secondly,  there  axe  some  of  the  unbelieving  world  who  are  of  a  hopefnl 
character,  bnt  who  had  need  be  ashamed  of  their  hope,  on  account  of  the 
paltry  natnre  of  its  object — so  paltry  in  many  instances,  that  they  will  not 
tell  their  friends  what  is  the  prospect  by  wMch  they  are  so  excited,  in  the 
fear  that  they  would  incur  their  contempt.  Yea,  they  dare  not  tell  them- 
selves what  their  hope  is — dare  not  brave  the  scorn  of  themselves  by  enter- 
ing into  their  private  chambers,  and  audibly  and  articulately  declaring  in 
their  own  hearing,  and  to  their  own  faces,  as  reflected  In  their  mirrors,  what 
all  their  hope  is.  It  is  only  the  Christian  among  us  that  can  stand  that 
trial  Oh,  there  are  some  of  ns  who,  wonid  they  but  deal  honestly  and 
mercifully  by  themselves,  and  speak  it  aloud  to  themselves  in  their  ^etil:^ 
ments,  or  write  it  down  on  a  sheet  of  paper,  and  let  themselves  bear  or 
see  all  that  they  propose  to  gain  for  themselves  as  a  portion,  would  be  so 
overwhelmed  with  shame  at  tiie  revelation  of  the  meanness  of  their  pursnitj 
and  expectations,  that  they  wonld  flee  from  the  rebuke  of  their  ovni  insulted 
dignity !   Try  thy  soul  with  it,  woridling.   Tell  it,  that  thy  hope  and  design 


"■"SLT&T**''  HOPE.  435 

for  it  IB  a  conqnest  of  bo  mncfa  mon^ ;  and  aoother,  in  maniage  alliance ; 
and  another,  in  scientific  and  literary  praise ;  and  another,  in  dvic  office  and 
state;  and  stop  there,  saying  that  is  all  yoQ  propose,  (or  it.  O  man, 
Tcntnre  not  the  experiment  ]  Thine  own  spirit  might  bnrst  out  on  thee,  and 
blacken  thee  with  its  curse,  that  thou  shonldest  betray  its  interesta  by  pro- 
posing anything  so  mean  for  its  inheritaocd ! 

And  yet  how  few  worldly  men  make  a  proposition  so  worthy !  What 
shall  we  say  of  those  whose  hopes  and  meditations  are  for  nothing  bat  what 
is  wicked  and  abominable  1  Ah  me !  that  the  noble  passion  of  hope,  which 
God  designed  shonld,  with  eagle  eye,  rise  and  survey  as  an  object  of 
ambition  some  high  station  before  His  throne,  shonld  in  the  case  of  so 
many,  with  its  feathers  all  plucked,  lie  such  a  grovelling  thing  amid  the  dust 
of  covetousness  and  the  mire  of  seosnality.  Many  have  vipers  for  hearts, 
and  many  have  frogs  and  toads ;  it  is  few  who  have  doves  and  eagles. 
'  Beware  of  dogB,'  says  Paul,  even  when  speaking  of  some  members  of  the 
visible  Chnrch.  It  is  also  very  despicable  to  have  a  peacock  for  a  heart — of 
silly  pride  and  self-conceit.  Bnt,  brethrra,  let  ns  beware  of  indulging  in  the 
classification  of  one  another.  A  little  of  it  is  no  doubt  necessary,  both  for 
self-defence  and  for  the  guidance  of  our  efforts  in  amending  and  correcting 
men.  Bnt  let  oor  grand  exercise  be  a  personal  scrntiny  of  ourselves,  each 
man  and  each  woman  for  tumaelf  and  herself,  that  we  may  discern  what 
spirit  we  are  of,  and  what  are  our  heart's  suitatde  emblems,  that  we  may  ^ect 
the  viper  or  the  toad,  or  cherish  the  dove  or  the  eagle,  according  to  what 
we  have  discovered. 

I  observe,  in  the  third  place,  that  there  are  many  who  have  re^on  to  be 
ashamed  of  their  hope  on  account  of  the  insufficiency  of  the  foundation  on 
which  it  is  bnilt.  There  is  nothing  discreditable,  perhaps,  in  the  object  of 
their  expectation.  On  the  contrary,  they  may  be  entitled  to  commendation 
for  the  worthiness  of  the  advant^e,  by  the  prospect  of  which  they  feel 
excited,  Bnt  they  expose  themselves  to  the  charge  of  folly,  so  that  their 
hope  is  a  matter  of  shame  to  them,  for  the  certainty  that  they  will  be  dis- 
appointed, becanse  of  their  having  no  adequate  groands  for  the  support  of 
their  expectation.  Were  we  to  find  some  poor  man  who  hoped  that  he 
would  yet  be  an  emperor,  although  the  object  of  his  expectation  have  some- 
thing noble  in  it,  yet  we  would  pity  him  for  the  disorder  of  his  mind  in 
entertainmg  a  ff^ncy  go  nnfoonded.  There  are  many,  all  rational  though 
they  ween  themselves  to  be,  whose  hopes  are  equally  baseless. 

For  example,  there  are  many  who,  in  ^patriotic  and  ptiilantiiropic  spirit, 
indole  bright  anticipations  of  amelioration  for  the  world,  imd  exnlt  in  the 
hope  of  the  whole  family  of  man  exhibiting  at  some  future  period  a  scene  of 
harmonious  and  happy  brotherhood.  They  would  delight  us  with  expatiat-' 
ing  on  the  felicity  of  that  golden  age ;  but  when  we  proceed  to  inquire  what 
are  their  reasons  for  fonning  such  expectations,  how  contemptible  their 
hopes  appear,  when  they  inform  us  that  their  confidence  lies  in  the  march  of 
political  hberty  and  of  an  enlightened  philosophy ! 

Again,  there  ia  the  hope  of  the  self-righteous,  which,  although  worthy  in 
respect  of  its  object,  is  shameful  and  scomworthy  on  account  of  its  fonnda- 
tion.  They  Will  recount  their  deeds  of  charity,  and  expatiate  on  their 
preserving  themselves  pure  from  pollutions  of  the  world,  and  shall  then 
make  their  appeal  to  justice,  if,  being  all  thus  accomplished  ia  virtue,  with 
aU  thedr  points  of  charity  and  int^rity  bright  upon  them,  it  be  possible  to 
deny  them  the  inheritance  of  the  saints.  The  Scripture  treats  their  hope 
with  mockery.    By  the  deeds  of  the  law  shall  no  man  be  justified ;  and  it  is 


436  hope;.  ""SJrS."" 

only  as  we  have  washed  our  robes  and  made  them  white  in  the  blood  of  tbe 
Lamb,  that  we  shall  ever  gain  admission  into  the  paradise  of  the  redeemed. 
More  scorDwortby,  if  possible,  is  the  hope  of  bim  who  is  ever  discoDTEiiig  of 
the  propitiatory  power  of  the  Redeemer's  death,  bnt  who  manifests  notbicg 
of  the  Redeemer  B  life  in  his  converaation  and  conduct ;  who  is  severe  in 
his  condemnation  of  tbe  heresj  which  teaches  salvation  by  the  works  of  tbe 
law,  who  is  himself  the  greatest  heretic  of  all,  in  neglecting  the  works  of  the 
gospel.  There  is  no  hope  which,  in  the  judgment,  sh^ll  be  evinced  so 
shameful  as  that  of  the  man  who  has  turned  the  doctrine  of  grace  to  licen- 
tiousness ;  and  who  professes  to  glory  in  the  Redeemer's  cross,  but  tefnees 
loyal  snbmission  to  the  Redeemer's  crown. 

Having  thus  illastrated  the  shameful  state  of  the  hope  of  onregeueraled 
men,  we  are  now  prepared  for  an  exhibition  of  the  contrast — the  state  of  the 
hope  of  the  Christian.  His  ia  a  hope  which  maheth  not  ashamed,  whether 
we  consider  the  objects  of  his  expectations,  or  the  foundation  on  which  these 
expectations  are  built. 

For  what  does  tbe  Christian  hopeT  He  has  the  hope  that,  althoagfa  be 
should  die,  he  shall  yet  live ;  that  not  only  shall  his  spirit  not  be  extiDgnished 
by  the  stroke  of  death,  but  that  the  dust  of  his  grave  shaU  be  reanimated. 
He  hopea  that  in  eternity  he  shall  meet  with  6od  well  pleased  witb  bim; 
that  He  shall  acknowledge  him  as  a  son ;  that  He  shall  make  him  an  heir; 
that  He  shall  appoint  him  to  a  kingdom.  He  hopes  for  an  expansion  pd 
development  of  his  intellectnal  [acuities,  in  the  enjoyment  of  which  mysteris 
shall  become  plain  to  him ;  and  for  such  a  purification  and  sweetemng  tii 
elevation  of  his  moral  principles,  that  his  own  conscience  shall  be  entinlj 
satisfied  vrith  Him.  He  can  hope  for  all  that  the  unbeliever  has  any  right 
to  hope  for,  and  infinitely  more ;  for,  while  in  this  world  the  unbeliever  nay 
seem  to  have  the  best  of  it  in  his  freedom  from  the  restraints  of  that  dero- 
tion  and  self-denial  which  the  rehgion  of  Christ  demands,  yet  it  is  trae  that 
tbe  gospel  requires  of  ns  nothing  in  the  way  of  abstaining  from  plesenrec, 
and  in  exercising  self-denial,  which  worldly  men  would  not  profit  bj  adopt- 
ing ;  and  that,  in  the  pecnhar  exercises  wluch  it  prescribes,  there  is  intrinsi- 
cally a  high  degree  of  enjoyment,  irrespective  of  any  reward  in  reveraon. 
It  is  specially,  however,  in  the  hope  of  a  happy  immortality  that  the  enjoj- 
ment  of  the  Christian  is  to  be  contrasted  with  that  of  the  worldling.  Onr 
Lord  has  told  ns  of  a  blessed  land  of  perpetual  summer  and  unmiogled  joy, 
which  He  secured  for  us  by  His  cross,  and  has  promised  He  will  compensate 
ns  for  all  our  labours  and  acts  of  self-denial  nndei^oue  in  His  service;  ud 
the  hope  of  this  gladdening  onr  hearts  is  our  present  compensation  for  all 
oar  losses.  It  is  not  as  if  all  were  deferred  to  a  future  day,  but  that  we  are 
in  a  measore  compensated  even  now  by  the  expectation  of  it — ^that,  u  the 
apostle  expresses  it, '  we  are  saved  by  hope.' 

Any  one  who  reflects  what  is  the  power  of  Christian  hope — how  there  are 
no  wounds  so  painful  that  it  will  not  enable  the  mind  to  be^  up  against 
them — can  easUy  comprehend  how  it  affords  the  Christian  compensation,  and 
equalizes  him  in  comfort  with  worldly  men,  who  will  not  submit  to  such 
labours  and  exercises  and  acte  of  self-denial  as  those  to  which  he  sabmits 
at  the  call  of  the  gospel.  It  were  a  poor  thing,  however,  were  this  all- 
did  the  hope  of  the  gospel  only  equalize  the  believer  with  the  worldling. 
To  speak  about  being  made  as  happy  as  an  irreligious  man,  is  to  speak  onl; 
about  being  very  discontented,  and  not  seldom  very  miserable.  Besides, 
were  this  all,  he  might,  in  reply  to  all  onr  solicitations  that  he  should  join 
onr  company,  answer  that  be  need  not  trouble  himself  with  makuig  any 


'"^STr^w"'"'  HOPE.  437 

chaise,  BiDce  we  pronuBed  Mm  no  ImproTement.  It  therefore  becomea 
necessarj  that  we  bear  witness  for  Gbriatian  bope,  that  it  makes  na  better 
thiin  irreligioQS  men — I  mean,  better  in  respect  of  happiness  even  in  the 
present  world — that  when  we  make  sacrifices  of  ease  and  pleasure,  and 
engage  in  burdensome  and  ezpensive  duties,  we  find  in  the  hope  of  eternity 
an  elevation  and  gladdening  of  the  spirit,  which  not  only  equalizes  ns  with 
the  unbeliever  in  respect  of  present  happiness,,  but  which  enraptures  us  far 
above  him,  so  that,  from  the  midst  of  lus  dance,  he  might  think  of  ns  with 
envy  at  our  prayers. 

Bat,  especially,  we  mnst  show  hint  when  placed  side  by  side  with  him  in 
adversity — when  our  country  has  been  revolutionized — when  our  bouses 
have  been  bnmed — when  our  friends  and  children  have  been  massacred — 
when  we  are  both  shivering  in  a  dungeon,  to-morrow  to  be  led  forth  to  execu- 
tion,— that  we  have  a  song  to  sing  of  gladness,  onr  song  of  heavenly  hope, 
when  he  wails  in  despair.  That,  brethren,  you  will  say,  is  a  picture  of  the 
fancy.  And  yet  it  may  be  realized.  There  are  more  improbable  specula- 
tioDs  abroad  amoug  fools,  who  are  calculating  about  the  progress  of  the 
vorld  under  the  march  of  philosophy  and  politics,  without  taking  into 
account  the  government  of  the  world's  God,  who  has  decreed  a  day  of 
jadgment  for  the  nations  of  the  earth.  Whatever  be  the  case,  ia  it  not  as 
irell  that  we  should  be  prepared  for  it  should  it  come  ?  It  came  on  France, 
some  fifty  years  ago,  when  it  was  less  to  be  expected, 

Sbould  it  come,  then,  how  will  you  bear  it  1  When  others,  in  those  days 
of  terror,  with  their  property  confiscated  or  destroyed,  their  friends  and 
children  butchered,  and  when  they  themselves  are  conveyed  to  the  gibbet 
are  crying  '  that  all  is  lost,'  will  you,  seated  on  the  hurdle  by  their  sides,  be 
liftu^  up  yonr  testimony  for  the  hope  of  the  gospel — that  all  is  not  lost  for 
you,  that  your  children  are  safe  on  the  other  side  of  the  flood,  and  that  you 
ve  crossing  to  join  them  in  that  snnny  land  T  Or,  if  you  persist  in  saying 
that  the  prospect  of  snch  events  occnrriug  ia  most  improbable,  and  that 
jou  need  not. try  yonrself  by  the  imagination  of  them,  how  wonld  yon  com- 
fort yourself  in  other  circumstances?  Here  is  something  which  is  not  im- 
probable :  that  both  your  neighbour's  child  and  yours  will  die ;  what 
difference  will  there  be  between  yonr  feelings  and  his  T  While  his  will  be 
nnmbgled  bitterness,  hare  yon  in  preparation  a  store  of  hope  which  will 
Bweelen  yours  t  He  does  not  see  how  he  could  stand  the  trial ;  have  yoa 
the  conscionsness  that  you  conld  stand  it,  thongh  it  wonld  be  sharp — stand 
it  m  the  power  of  hope  ?  But  here  is  something  which  is  certain :  unless 
the  more  solemn  event  of  the  coming  of  Christ  occur  before,  you  and  he 
"HI  die,  and  not  long  hence.  Ton  may  sink  together  in  the  shipwreck,  or 
die  of  disease  in  contignous  beds.  Will  there  be  any  difference  betwist  him 
and  you  thenT  la  there  that  within  you  now  which  will  then  make  yonr 
bed  shine  with  radiant  hope,  when  his  shall  be  enveloped  in  the  darkness  of 
despair  T 

But  why  speak  of  the  fntnre,  and  try  ourselves  by  the  imagination  of 
scenes  of  a  distant  day  T  Are  there  no  present  afflictions  1  Are  there  any 
of  us  without  themf  Personal  trials  or  family  trials — trials  of  poverty 
or  straitened  circumatances — trials  of  pain  or  declining  health — trials  of 
bereavement,  threatening  or  experienced — trials  of  neglect  or  abuse  by 
nndutiful  children — trials  of  betrayed  friendship  and  broken  vows^— trials  of 
a  slandered  name — trials  of  disappointed  ambition — trials  of  temper,  political 
and  ecclesiastical,  when  the  wicked  and  the  worthless  gain  the  mastery  1 —  ' 
who  is  without  trials  by  which  his  hope  is  pot  to  the  proof,  if  it  support  his 


438  GBOKGE  MOOSE,  '°"^o«.  i!^?" 

mind  in  eqnuiimitj  and  patience  1  The  grand  test  of  our  religion  is,  If  ne 
are  people  made  glad  by  it  t  Not  if  we  are  hnmbled  bj  it  to  the  coidesnon 
of  sin ;  not  if  we  are  made  decent  and  yirtnonB  by  it, — edncatdon,  dvilisa- 
tion,  conBtitational  temper,  Baperstitioos  or  aerrile  fear,  may  do  madi  of  this, 
— the  test  b,  Are  we  made  glad  1  Hope  is  the  secret  of  tme  gladness,  and 
that  hope  ia  the  daughter  of  fwth — of  believing^of  believing  God's  word— 
of  giving  credit  to  it — credit  to  its  promise.  Its  foundation  is  the  work  of 
Chnat,  and  its  realization  the  falfilment  of  His  promises  to  the  Chnrcb. 


GEORGE  MOORE,  MBRCHANT  AND  PHILANTHROPIST* 

{Concluded.) 

Ms.  MooBE  was  a  man.  of  unflagging  energy.  Early  in  life  he  embarked 
in  the  pursuit  of  riches,  and  rested  not,  night  or  day,  Bnnday  or  Satoi^aj, 
till  he  occompliEhed  his  object.  And  one  does  not  wonder  at  his  snccts, 
when  one  reads  snch  an  incident  ai  this  related  by  one  of  his  yonng  men. 
*  Few  men  conld  find  ont  a  flaw  in  the  accounts  which  he  audited.  He  was 
very  apt  at  figures,  and  his  decisions,  like  his  movements,  were  quick  and 
correct  I  may  mention  an  instance.  I  was  engaged  in  making  ont  Ibe 
private  accounts  against  the  firm,  George  Moore's  account  among  the  net 
To  show  how  strict  and  business-like  this  merchant  prince  was — &od  it 
marked  his  character  all  through — he  found  that  I  bad  debited  his  accomts 
with  threepence  for  a  Ijus  to  Euston,  for  which  we  had  no  voucher. 

^We  had  to  keep  a  voncher  for  every  penny  paid  out;  and  tkvgti 
hundreds  of  such  items  occurred  throughout  the  year,  we  had  no  voncte 
for  this.  Mr.  Moore  audited  the  accounts,  and,  though  we  went  ont 
hundreds  of  pounds,  he  stopped  at  the  threepence  for  tbe  'bus  to  Eaitoi. 
*'  Where's  the  voucher  for  this  T "  he  asked.  "  If  the  account  be  threepeni* 
wrong,  it  might  as  well  be  three  hundred  pounds  wrong.  Find  the  voucher! 
We  hnnted  together,  two  of  us,  for  three  days  without  effect.  We  seardied 
through  every  letter  and  voucher  for  a  year  back.  Every  drawer  wss 
ransacked,  and  still  no  snccess.  The  search  was  at  last  given  np  as  hope- 
less. Mr.  Moore  was  told  that  the  voncher  for  threepence  conld  DOt  bi 
found.  He  was  furious ;  he  refused  to  pass  the  accounts ;  and  we  conldi'i 
balance. 

'  I  then  recollected  a  circumstance  which  had  occurred  some  time  befoft- 
Mr.  Moore  had  sent  to  Bow  Churchyard  for  a  fish,  which  he  requested  to 
be  sent  to  Euston  Station  by  a  porter.  Mr,  Moore  was  in  a  hurry ;  lie  v>3 
going  down  to  Whitehall.  He  hadn't  time  to  give  the  porter  either  a  ^ckrt 
or  the  money,  but  promised  to  send  it  or  give  it  on  his  return.  The  miu 
neglected  to  ask  him  for  it ;  and  the  clerks,  knowing  the  expenditure  to  be 
right,  had  debited  it  to  hira  without  a  voucher,  thus  infringing  one  of  tie 
strictest  rules  of  the  firm.  On  the  circumstance  being  mentioned  to  him,  k° 
gave  the  clerks  a  sound  lecture  for  their  inaccuracy.' 

If  conscientious  correctness  like  this  were  observed  in  all  mercantile  deal- 
ings, we  would  bear  less  of  failures  and  panics  and  commercial  crises. 

Like  many  who  have  anffered  in  early  life  firom  poverty,  Mr.  Moore 
perhaps  laid  too  much  stress  on  the  value  of  money ;  but  certainly,  uiilik« 
many  who  have  built  up  their  fortunes  with  their  own  hand,  he  ami 
clutched  it  with  a  niggard  graap,  but  with  a  munificence  truly  rojal  he  ^' 

'  Tie  Lift  of  George  Moora.    By  Eamnfll  SinileB.    London :  Bontladgo  4  Co.   18?^ 


""^^hnT"^  MEEOHANT  AND  PHILAKTHB0PI8T.  439 

tribDt«d  it  to  those  who  had  need.  He  kept  alw&ys  in  his  pocket-book  & 
copy  of  the  words — 

'WhatlspeDtlb&d: 

Whftt  I  BftTOd  I  loBt : 

What  I  gsT*  I  hkve.' 

It  was  not  always,  however,  that  he  realized  that  what  be  speot  he  had 
satisfactorily,  Wbeo  ia  middle  life,  he  removed  from  Oxford  Terrace  to  a 
grand  honse  he  had  bailt  in  Kensii^ton  Palace  Gardens.  His  wife  seems 
to  have  been  tbe  principal  mover  in  this  step,  and  it  was  long  before  be  felt 
himself  at  borne  m  it.  Indeed,  his  conacieDce  did  not  qnite  approve  of  the 
transaction,  and  he  wonid  gladly  have  sold  it  after  it  was  bnilt,  bat  on  bis 
wife's  account  it  was  retained. 

His  lai^e  nature,  however,  cansed  bim  to  make  others  partakers  of  the 
enjoyments  of  his  princely  mansion.  And,  first  of  all,  tbe  young  men  and 
women  from  the  warebonae  were  invited ;  then  the  porters  and  their  wives, 
and  tbe  drivers  and  female  servants.  After  that  lai^e  dinner  parties  were 
entertained  every  week,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moore's  friends  enjoyed  tbeir 
hospitalities  without  stint. 

Bat  in  tbe  midst  of  all  this  prosperity  and  gaiety,  Mr.  Moore  felt,  what 
erery  thoughtful  person  must  sooner  or  later  feel,  what  the  Germans  have 
called  the  heart-honger,  and  affectingly  says, '  Bat  happiness  does  not  flow 
in  SDcb  a  channel  Promiscuous  company  takes  one's  mind  away  from  God 
and  His  dealings  with  men ;  and  there  is  no  lasting  pleasure  in  the  excite- 
ment.' Thns  be  was  beginning  to  see  that  tbe  world  was  but  a  passmg 
show  tending  to  man's  illusion,  and  that  only  in  the  true  knowledge  and 
enjoyment  of  God  conld  tbe  creatures  He  bad  formed  find  happiness. 

At  this  time  bad  bealth  again  overtook  Mr.  Moore,  and  two  of  his  oldest 
friends  were  removed.  These  strokes  affected  him  deeply,  and  made  tbe 
world,  which  before  had  looked  so  substantial  and  satisfactory,  seem  veij 
shadowy  and  nnreal,  and  made  him  see  that  tbe  soul,  to  be  s^e,  most  be 
anchored  to  the  Rock  of  Ages. 

Among  other  friends  who  assisted  him  with  their  counsels  at  this  time 
was  Mr.  Maggridge  (Old  Humphrey),  of  whom  he  says :  '  How  I  envied 
his  mind  and  heart  I  Tet  he  Uves  on  only  a  scanty  pittance.  He  called 
npon  me  once  when  I  was  in  a  desponding  mood.  How  he  comforted  and 
supported  me !  He  was  one  of  tbe  most  lovable  old  men  I  ever  knew.  His 
mind  was  as  pnre  as  the  snowdrop.' 

Eternal 'Wisdom  has  said, '  How  hardly  shall  tbey  that  have  riches  enter  the 
kingdom  of  heaven  1 '  Not  that  Mr.  Moore's  riches  were  in  his  way  here,  in 
the  way  of  cleavmg  to  them,  but  one  who  had  been  with  the  world  so  much, 
and  with  whom  the  world  had  been  so  much,  found  it  no  easy  matter  to 
divest  himself  of  all  externals  and  become  as  a  little  child.  His  own. 
account  of  tbe  matter  is  very  pathetic.  He  sayg :  '  I  only  enjoyed  a  mode- 
rate share  of  worldly  rebgion.  My  works  were  greater  than  my  faith,  and 
1  had  no  peace  and  little  happinees,  save,  in  excitement.  I  had  never  felt 
any  gratitude  to  God  for  my  prosperity  nor  for  my  many  worldly  blessings." 
Again, '  I  trust  that  I  am  beginning  te  see  and  feel  tbe  folly  and  vanit;  of 
the  world  and  its  pleasures.  Oh  that  I  could  feel  that  I  had  at  lengthi 
entered  the  strait  gate,  and  was  travelling  the  narrow  way  that  IsEideth. 
to  eternal  life!  As  Newton  says,  "I  knowwhat  the  world  cando,.and 
what  it  cannot  do.  It  cannot  give  or  take  away  that  peace  of  Gad,  which; 
passeth  all  understanding.  It  cannot  soothe  a.  wonnded  conscience  like^ 
mine,  nor  enable  me  to  feel  that  I  coold  meet  death  with  comfoct..    I  feel  a. 


440  GEOEOB  MOOBE,  ^""51%?^ 

conBtant  conflict  of  conscience  witb  inclination,  of  the  desire  to  do  right 
against  tbe  promptings  of  eriL  I  feel  that  I  am  nnstable  as  water — poor, 
weak,  and  simple.  If  I  coald  realize  faith  in  Jeans,  I  alioold  be  wiser  and 
fltroDger  and  abonnd  in  grace." ' 

Bnt  peace  did  not  come  to  Iiim,  thoi^fa  he  sought  it  carefnllf  and  with 
tears.  He  said :  '  If  He  hears  raj  prayers,  He  does  not  answer  them.  He 
has  aaid,  "  Come  onto  me,  all  ye  that  labour  and  are  heavy  laden,  and  I 
will  give  yon  rest."  But  I  get  no  rest — no  peace  of  BonL  Yet  I  must 
penovere,  for  Qod  is  the  same  yesterday,  to-day,  and  for  ever.' 

At  length  his  spirit  found  rest  in  the  simple  faith  which  is  the  key  to  all 
spiritual  hf&  His  testimony  was :  '  I  am  determined  for  the  fntnre  not  to 
perplex  my  mind  with  seeking  for  some  extraordinary  impressions,  signs  or 
tolcenB  of  the  new  birth.  I  believe  the  gospel.  I  love  the  Lord  Jesaa 
Christ.  I  receive  with  confidence  the  promise,  "  He  that  heareth  my  word, 
and  believeth  on  Him  that  sent  me,  hath  everlasting  hfe,  and  shall  not  come 
into  condemnation ;  but  is  passed  from  death  onto  life." ' 

Thenceforth  faith  and  works  went  hand  in  hand.  His  philanthropic 
exertions  wore  a  more  spiritual  aspect  than  before.  He  had  tried  to  advuice 
the  interests  of  secnlar  edncation,  now  he  sought  to  employ  lay  missionaries 
and  Scriptnre  readers  and  colporteurs.  He  had  discovered  that  'it  is  a 
melancholy  fact,  bnt  true,  that  the  poor  in  this  country  are  not  a  chnrch- 
going  people ; '  and  to  get  them  Christianized  was  his  earnest  wish. 

Mr.  Moore's  life  was,  shortly  after  this,  rendered  desolate  by  the  death  of 
his  wife,  after  some  months'  illness.  Of  this  he  says :  '  Her  dreams  of 
happiness  in  her  new  hoase  have  been  sadly  marred  by  her  severe  afSiction. 
The  great  anxiety  she  went  through  during  its  building  and  furnishing  has 
not  been  repaid ;  she  has  ceased  to  enjoy  these  splendid  rooms.  Now  it 
appears  like  a  wilderness !'  The  pathos  of  the  circumstances  was  heightened 
by  ihe  fact  that,  jnst  at  this  time,  Mr.  Moore  had  bonght  the  estate  on 
which  he  was  bom — had  become  the  proprietor  of  the  very  fields  in  wtiich 
in  his  boyhood  he  had  shorn — intending  it  to  be  his  wife's  summer  residence ; 
and,  lo  I  it  was  taken  posseesiou  of  by  her  as  her  tomb.  Mr.  Moore's  anguish 
was  indescribable,  bnt  he  sought  the  best  antidote  to  it  in  his  labours  of 
love. 

Merely  to  name  the  hundred  and  one  societies  of  which  he  was  the 
originator,  chairman,  treasurer,  secretary,  or  active  member,  would  take  a 
large  space.  He  spent,  aud  was  spent,  unsparingly  in  the  service  of  those 
who  temporally  and  spiritually  were  ready  to  periah.  He  was  personally 
familiar  with  the  lowest  and  most  degraded  districts  in  London.  Mr.  Siniles 
says:  'He  spared  no  pains  and  shirked  no  labour  in  effecting  his  object. 
Many  thought  it  an  undignified  thing  on  the  part  of  a  rich  city  mercliaat  to 
go  about  among  ragged  and  filthy  people ;  amongst  thieves,  tramps,  and 
vagrants ;  even  though  it  were  to  elevate  their  idea  of  duty,  and  lift  them 
up  into  a  higher  life.  He  himself  said  be  felt  that  uotbing  could  reach  to 
the  depth  of  human  misery,  or  heal  snch  sorrows  as  thdrs,  but  the  love  of 
Jesus  the  Good  Shepherd,  who  yearned  over  them  with  infinite  pity,  and 
had  given  His  life  for  the  sheep.' 

He  was  instant,  too,  in  season  and  ont  of  season,  trying  to  enlist  others 
in  his  noble  labours.  In  addressing  a  meeting  of  one  of  the  numerous  bene- 
volent societira  such  as  he  delighted  to  attend,  he  said :  '  Many  people 
thought  they  could  do  nothing  in  consequence  of  their  position  being  humble, 
and  their  means  so  small.  He  believed  they  conld  all  do  something,  no 
matter  how  little  it  was.    He  knew  many  men  in  the  city  who  seemed  to 


oi^tiaS.  MEROHANT  AND  PHILANTHEOPIST.  441 

him  to  do  nothing  else  but  work,  drink,  eat,  and  sleep.  They  never  thought 
or  cared  for  aDything  else ;  they  never  cared  for  anybody  but  themselves. 
.  .  .  Ho  believed,  however,  that  mere  money,  onlesg  it  was  given  for  the 
love  of  Jesns,  woald  be  as  filthy  rags  in  the  sight  of  God.  He  looked  to 
the  heart,  not  to  the  action.  ...  He  was  desiroae  of  seeing  the  gnlf  that 
stood  between  the  rich  and  the  poor  lessened,  and  he  was  of  opinion  that 
mutual  advantage  and  benefit  would  arise  to  all  by  their  more  frequently 
miDgling  together.' 

And  these  were  not  mere  words,  for  he  was  constantly  entertaining  those 
who  conld  not  recompense  him  again,  and  was  never  so  happy  as  when 
shedding  a  little  Bon^ne  on  those  who  walked  along  the  shady  side  of  the 
world's  path.  Thas,  when  he  went  down  to  Whitehall  (his  estate  in  Gam- 
berland),  although  be  entertained  and  was  entertained  by  the  neighbonring 
gentlemen,  he  had  '  treats  '  for  the  poor  children  and  feasts  for  the  old 
women,  and  devised  picnics  and  eicnrsions  for  the  work-people  and  ser- 
vants. He  invited  the  city  missionaries  of  London,  too,  and  their  wives,  to  be 
bis  gnests  at  Whitehall,  and  the  Cumberland  county  missionaries,  and  paid 
their  expenses  dnring  their  holidays.  One  is  at  a  loss  whether  to  admire 
most  bis  thonghtfnl  kindness  or  his  open-handed  liberality. 

Then  he  was  never  ashamed  of  his  hnmble  origin.  One  day,  when  out 
with  the  Bishop  of  Carlisle,  his  brother  Thomas  happened  to  appear  with  a 
hay-rake  over  hie  shoulder,  when  he  introdnced  him  to  the  dignitary  as  his 
'  brother  Thomas,  the  distinguished  statesman  1'  Indeed,  he  might  have  to 
plead  guilty  to  a  spice  of  pride  in  having  raised  himself.  And  yet  he  had 
a  modest  and  just  estimate  of  himself  too.  He  was  several  times  asked  to 
stand  for  a  seat  in  Parliament,  but  always  refused  because  he  thought  his 
edncation  and  other  qn^fications  did  not  fit  him  for  such  a  post,  and  his 
time  and  exertions  could  be  of  more  account  expended  on  his  numerous 
l&bours  of  love.  On  one  occasion,  however,  he  declined,  not  only  for  this 
reason,  bat  (though  he  was  a  Liberal  in  politics)  becanse  he  could  not  fulfil 
tbe  wish  of  the  constitnents — namely,  that  he  wonld  support  Mr.  Glad- 
stone's Irish  Chnrch  policy.  He  was  no  bigot — the  very  opposite  of  that, 
for  he  united  with  aU  sects  in  tbe  crusade  against  what  was  evil ;  but  he 
was  a  warm  adherent  of  the  Church  of  England,  and  had  wisdom  enough 
to  see  that  her  safety  was  threatened  in  the, destruction  of  the  Irish  Church, 
and  not  enongh  to  see  that  her  destruction  as  an  Estabhshed  Church  was 
the  best  thing  that  could  happen  to  her.  No  doubt,  however,  in  this,  as  in 
other  things,  be  acted  conscientionsly,  as  we  find  him  saying, '  Let  me  see  to 
it  that  the  work  I  am  doing,  and  my  daily  life,  and  my  charities,  my  be- 
haviour, my  business,  my  influence,  my  motives  are  such  that,  when  the  fire 
tries  them,  something  may  abide.' 

The  most  important  personal  event  in  Mr.  Moore's  later  days  was  his 
second  marriage.  His  nature  was  affectJonate  and  social,  and  he  felt  the 
loneliness  of  his  two  stately  mansions  oppressive.  A  friend  whom  he  seems 
to  have  taken  into  his  confidence  on  the  matter  writes  to  him :  '  I  have 
often  thought  that  yon  might  like  a  partner  for  the  remainder  of  yonr 
earthly  career.  .  .  .  Wait  for  a  little  till  she  falls  in  yonr  way,  and  do 
not  be  looking  out  for  one.'  Probably  Mr.  Moore's  energetic  nature  pre- 
vented him  from  following  this  rather  difficnlt  advice  to  a  man  on  the  shady 
side  of  fifty.  But  at  all  events,  whether  he  sought  or  not,  the  lady  was 
found ;  but,  alas  I  when  her  hand  was  sought,  it  was  refused.  Mr.  Moore's 
love  ijfairs  certainly  tried  his  mettle,  but  he  always  rose  to  the  occasion, 
and,  as  in  everything  else,  persevered  till  he  succeeded,  when  he  says, '  I 


442  GKOBGBMOOEE,  ^"oS-U^"^ 

never  felt  so  gratefnl  to  Ood  in  1D7  life.'  No  wonder  that  a  friend  once 
Jocnlarlj  remarked  of  him,  *  If  he  had  been  an  engineer,  the  Straits  of  Dover 
would  have  been  tnnnelled  long  ago  I' 

Some  time  after  this  Mr.  Moore  had  a  serere  illness,  in  which  his  life 
was  despaired  of.  His  doctor  warned  him  of  the  danger  of  orer-workiDg 
himself,  bat  as  soon  as  be  got  better  he  returned  to  his  old  pnraoits.  What 
strikes  one  as  perhaps  the  noblest  of  all  the  works  of  mercy  with  which  be 
was  associated,  is  the  Kojal  Free  HospitaL  Many  boapitals  there  were, 
but  to  gain  admission  to  any  of  them  some  qaalification  or  recommendatioD 
or  certificate  was  necessary ;  but  the  principle  of  this  was,  that  it  was  to  be 
entire^/ free.  All  that  was  needed  was  jost  necessity ;  to  be  helpless  and 
forlorn  was  enough.  The  gat«s  were  opened  and  tbe  applicant  admitted. 
This  seems  a  truly  grand  and  Godlike  idea. 

Mr.  Moore  still  pnrsned  and  enjoyed  his  old  exercise  of  hnnting,  but  in 
this  connection  a  serious  accident  befell  him.  While  following  the  honnds 
one  day  down  in  Cnmberland  bis  horse's  foot  went  into  a  rabbit  hole,  and 
the  rider  was  thrown.  His  shoulder  was  dislocated,  but  this  was  not 
detected  at  the  time,  and  for  two  years  it  caused  him  a  great  deal  of  serere 
suffering.  He  consulted  many  physidans,  bat  none  of  them  conld  do  any- 
thing for  it.  At  last,  when  the  pain  was  getting  intolerable,  and  almost  in 
despair,  he  had  recourse  to  a  bone-setter,  who  succeeded  in  pntting  in  the  joint 
Daring  this  period  of  suffering  many  entries  in  Hr.  Moore's  diary  show  that 
he  Bonght  to  improve  the  night  of  snffering  as  well  as  the  day  of  active  service, 
and  that,  digging  in  the  mine  of  affliction,  he  secured  rich  treasure;  Ihus : 
'  We  must  wait  till  the  day  dawns  and  the  shadows  flee  away,  to  know  bow 
wise  and  anitable  every  dealing  of  Qod  is  with  as.'  '■  I  have  sorrows  to  go 
through,  bnt  they  will  only  prove  joy  afterwards.'  '  Whom  our  Masta 
loveth  He  chastieneth.'  '  No  cross,  no  crown.  As  I  suffer,  so  I  shaQ  enjoy.' 
*  Prayer  is  the  mightiest  ioflaence  men  can  nse.  Like  the  dew  in  snmmer,  it 
makes  no  noise.  It  is  nnseen,  bnt  produces  immense  results.'  '  This  is  the 
last  July  Sunday  I  may  ever  see.  This  wasting  frame  may  sink  beneath  tbe 
sod.  This  busy  hand  may  ihm  be  stiU.  Every  day  I  get  warnings ;  so 
many  of  my  old  friends  are  passing  away.'  '  Just  as  I  am,  without  one  plea 
— a  poor  unworthy  sinner.  Christ  takes  me  as  I  am — without  money  or 
price  or  works.    Oh,  my  works  are  nothii^ !' 

Shortly  after  this  Mr.  Moore'threw  his  heart  and  energy  into  the  distri- 
bution of  the  funds  for  the  relief  of  the  sufferers  at  the  siege  of  Puis  after  it 
fell.  He  was  one  of  those  who  went  over  in  charge  of  it,  and  he  used  the 
warehouse  there  that  belonged  to  the  Bnu  as  a  centre  of  action.  The  sights 
and  sounds  of  heartrending  misery  he  saw,  and  heard  entered  his  sonl,  and, 
together  with  the  laborious  efforts  he  meide,  aged  him  greatly,  and  indeed 
he  never  entirely  recovered  from  their  effects,  but  he  had  the  satisfactiOD  of 
relieving  untold  misery,  and  of  knowing  that  the  blessing  of  him  that  was 
ready  to  perish  came  upon  him.  He  was  presented,  too,  with  the  National 
Order  of  the  Legion  of  Honour,  which,  however,  he  valued  far  less  than  the 
thanks  of  the  poor  sufferers  whom  he  had  saved  from  starvation. 

After  this  episode  he  returned  to  his  b^evolent  labours  at  home,  with,  if 
possible,  greater  diligence  than  ever.  The  wonder  was,  how  he  conld  poa* 
sibly  find  time  for  all  he  did.  Merely  to  read  of  his  numerous  engagements 
makes  the  brain  of  a  qniet  person  whirl ;  but,  as  be  said, '  The  day  is  always 
thirteen  hours  long,  if  yon  wish  to  make  it  so.'  His  extreme  punctnaLty, 
too,  no  doubt  helped  him  here;  he  used  to  say,  if  he  did  not  answer  his 
letters  at  once,  '  he  would  be  mired  or  go  mad ;'  and  above  all,  industry. 


"'"SJiTiml'"''  MBBCHAKT  AKD  PHILAMTHBOPIST.  443 

He  said,  *  I  owe  notbing  to  genias,  but  if  I  givo  donble  tbe  time  and  laboar, 
I  can  do  as  well  as  others.' 

His  friends  seem  to  have  thonght  more  highly  of  his  talents,  however, 
than  he  did  himself,  as  he  was  asked  a{;iun  to  stand  for  Parliament,  this 
time  for  the  conntf  of  Middlesex.  He  again  refneed,  saying :  '  People  esti- 
mate my  abilities  far  too  highly.  These  are  only  very  moderate ;  my  imper< 
feet  edacatioD  woald  make  ue  a  coward  in  the  House  of  Commons.  I 
Ehall  be  aixty-dght  next  month.  I  ought  to  give  ap  all  worldly  excitement, 
and  prepare  for  another  and  better  state.'  And  so  we  see  he  was  looking 
forward  to  the  great  account.  Indeed,  he  was  a  good  buBiness  man,  as  one 
may  say,  in  spiritual  matters,  and  uaed  to  say :  '  It  pays  to  be  a  thorough 
ChriBtian.  It  pays  to  repent  and  be  converted.  It  pays  to  serve  Christ  It 
does  not  pay  in  money,  bnt  it  does  in  true  happiness,'  And  again, '  There 
b  a  better  joy'  (than  that  of  outward  prosperity) — '  the  heart  moulded  into 
the  will  of  God.  This  was  our  Lord's  joy — oneness  of  will  with  God : 
"  My  meat  is  to  do  tbe  will  of  Him  that  sent  me."' 

As  time  wore  on,  many  of  Mr.  Moore's  old  and  intimate  friends  were  with- 
drawn. This  he  felt  much,  and  took  to  be  a  warning  to  himself  to  be  also 
ready;  bat  to  be  ready  meant,  with  him, to  occupy  till  the  Master  shonld  come. 
On  the  22d  of  May  he  made  this  entry  in  his  diary ;  '  Pound  eight  hundred 
chDdrHi  in  the  schools  at  "No  Man's  Land,"  Somera  Town,  The  church 
is  better  attended.  I  cannot  bat  feel  I  did  a  good  work  in  building  the 
chnrch  and  schools.'  (The  cost  of  these  buildings  was  £15,000.)  '  It  has 
been  a  great  anxiety  to  me,  bat  I  am  getting  my  reward.'  And  on  the  23d 
he  says :  '  Every  day  I  live  I  feel  more  and  more  my  responsibilities.  God 
has  given  me  means,  and  I  want  to  give  them  back  to  Him,  I  am  pledged 
for  £6000  to  assist  evangelical  coratee,  and  £12,000  to  improve  education 
m  Cnmb^land.'  He  and  his  partners,  too,  divided  nearly  £40,000  over  and 
above  their  regalar  salaries,  among  their  employ^  at  Bow  Chnrch,  as  an 
acknowledgment  of  their  faithful  services. 

Bnt  time  and  work  were  telling  on  Mr.  Moore's  powerful  fVame,  aad  he 
was  ordered  again  to  Yichy,  the  waters  there  having  been  of  great  benefit 
to  him.  On  bis  return  he  seemed  somehow  to  feel  that  the  end  was  drawing  . 
near.  On  his  last  Sunday,  which  was  spent  at  Whitehall,  he  told  the 
Scripture  reader  to  be  sure  and  look  after  the  poor  people  when  he  was  gone. 
On  the  following  Monday  he  made  some  memoranda  about  a  Norses'  Home  he 
WIS  arranging  for,  at  the  close  of  which  was  written ;  '  It  is  our  dnty  to 
vork  as  if  all  depended  on  ns,  and  to  think  that  all  depends  upon  God.'  '  I 
was  sick,  and  ye  visited  me ;  and  inasmuch  as  ye  did  it  to  one  of  the  least  of 
these  my  brethren,  ye  did  it  unto  me.'  (Matt  xxr.)  '  There's  a  divinity  that 
shapes  onr  ends,  rongh-hew  them  as  we  will.'  These  were  the  last  words  he 
wrote. 

Before  going  into  the  carri^e  which  was  wuting  to  take  Mrs.  Moore  and 
himself  to  a  meeting  about  the  '  Home,'  he  said  to  her,  '  What  is  that 
passage  in  St.  Matthew  I'  She  said,  '  Do  you  mean,  "  I  was  sick,  and  ye 
'ieited  me"  ? '  '  No,'  he  said, '  I  remember ;  "  Well  done,  good  and  faithful 
servant,  enter  thou  into  the  Joy  of  thy  Lord."'  And  bo  he  left  the  home 
in  which  he  had  been  so  happy  himself,  and  where  he  had  made  so  many 
happy,  to  return  no  more  at  all. 

That  day,  while  standing  in  the  stre^  of  Carlisle,  he  was  knocked  down 
by  a  runaway  horse,  and  so  injured,  that  in  the  course  of  twenty-four  hoars 
he  died. 

Little  time,  and  less  need,  was  there  for  a  deathbed  testunony ;  bat  when 


444  THE  LATE  EBV.  WILLIAM  E.  THOMSON,     """'ol.'^'^?^ 

asked  if  he  had  anything  to  say,  he  replied,  '  Yes,  a  great  deal ;  but  I  mast 
wait  till  I  can  breathe.'  That  time  nerer  came,  bnt  he  had  breath  enongh  to 
aDswer,  when  asked  if  he  was  willing  to  go, '  Yes,  I  fear  no  eriL  ...  He 
will  never  leave  me  nor  forsake  me.'  When  the  news  of  hia  strange  and 
sndden  death  spread  abroad,  it  stmck  grief  to  many  a  heart,  and  great 
lamentation  was  made  over  him. 

Oeoi^e  Moore  was  a  London  warehonseman.  To  the  city  merchant,  who 
thought  nothing  interesting  conid  be  Baid  about  his  life,  he  was  nothing 
more ;  bnt  to  those  who  knew  him,  he  was  mnch  more.  No  donbt  he  was  a 
London  warehouseman,  and,  as  sach,  his  very  presence  pat  life  and  vigour 
into  all  the  hnnian  machinery  at  Bow  Church.  Bnt  to  know  him,  yon 
wonld  have  needed  to  see  him  enjoying  his  ran  with  the  fox-honnds.  Yon 
wonld  have  needed  to  see  him  as  the  genial,  kindly,  thonghtfal  host  at  Ken- 
sington Falace  Oardens,  and  at  Whitehall,  when  the  rich  and  poor  met 
together,  and  enjoyed  his  breezy  hospitality  and  rare  talent  for  ministering 
to  the  happiness  of  others.  Yon  would  have  needed  to  see  him  advocating 
the  claims  of  the  little  homeless  boys,  of  the  outcast  ringed  children,  of 
released  destitute  prisoners,  of  poor  despised  and  forsaken  women,  of  the  dis- 
eased and  forgotten.  Yon  wonld  have  needed  to  see  him  enterttuning  and 
encouraging  the  London  cabmen,  advocating  the  cause  of  edncation,  and 
helping  the  spread  of  the  blessed  word  of  God.  You  would  have  needed 
to  see  him  pressing  on  to  Paris  with  the  stores  for  the  reUef  of  his  fellow* 
creatures  there.  Ton  would  have  needed  to  see  him  as  with  generous 
heart  he  banded  out  bis  thousands,  and  tens  of  thonsands,  for  almshouses 
and  churches  and  schools.  Yon  wonld  have  needed  to  hear  him  aa  be 
testified — '  If  the  world  only  knew  half  the  happiness  that  a  man  has  in 
doing  goad,  they  would  do  a  great  deal  more.  We  are  only  here  for  a  time, 
and  oaght  to  live  as  we  would  wish  to  die.'  Or,  as  looking  back  on  his 
long,  successful,  and  honoured  career — 'There  ia  really  nothing  worth 
hving  for,  bat  working  to  do  good.' 

The  worldling  will  think  the  great  lesson  to  be  learned  from  Mr,  Moore's 
life  is  how  best  to  make  money.  The  benevolent  man  will  think  the  lesson 
is  how  best  to  spend  it.  But  perhaps  a  deeper  and  more  comprehensive 
lesson  still  is  the  faith  it  teaches  ds,  not  in  God  only — most  people  accept 
that,  theoretically  at  least — bnt  also  in  man.  Mr.  Moore  never  despaired 
of  any  one,  however  degraded.  He  believed  that  the  Saviour  did  not  come 
on  a  hopeless  mission  when  He  came  to  seek  and  to  save  that  which  was  lost  j 
and  hence  his  unwearied  exertions  in  behalf  of  his  fellow- creatures.  He  was 
a  man  of  rare  powers  and  self- consecration,  and  his  death  has  left  a  great 
blank  in  the  ranks  of  Christian  philanthropists.  I.  S. 


THE  LATE  RET.  WILLIAM  R.  THOMSON,  GLASGOW. 

BT  BEY.  JAHBS  BLACK,  D.D. 

It  is  onr  sad  duty  to  record  the  death  of  an  able  and  comparatively 
young  minister — WiUiam  Reid  Thomson,  of  Belhaven  Church,  Glasgow — 
which  took  place  on  the  first  day  at  last  month.  Services  suitable  to  the 
solemn  occasion  were  conducted  in  that  chnrcb  on  the  following  Sabbath, 
by  Rev.  Dr.  Yonng,  Woodlands  Road  Church,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Black, 
Wellington  Street  Church.  At  the  close  of  bis  discourse.  Dr.  Black  gave 
to  the  bereaved  congregation  the  following  sketch  of  their  lamented 
pastor : — 


'"'?olil7^»*'"■'     THE  tATE  BEV.  WILUAM  R.  TH0M80N,  445 

Mr.  Thomson  was  a  DEttire  of  Peebles,  having  been  born  there  on  the  2d 
day  of  AEarch  In  the  year  1831.  His  venerable  father,  who  sarrivea  him, 
has  been  the  pastor  of  the  West  United  Presbyterian  congregation  in  that 
lown  for  the  nnnanally  long  period  of  49  years — '  a  jnst  man  and  holy,'  and 
'an  able  minister  of  the  New  Testament,'  nniveraally  reverpd  and  loved. 
The  son  thns  inherited  as  his  birthright  the  blessing  contained  in  the  pro* 
ini8e,'lwill  be  a  Ood  nnto  thee,  and  to  thy  seed  after  thee.'  Having 
finished  bis  preparatory  education  at  its  grammar  school,  he  entered  the 
UniverBitj  of  Edinburgh,  in  the  winter  of  1846,  to  prosecute  his  studies 
with  a  view  to  the  holy  miniBtry.  Thence  he  passed,  at  the  asnal  period,  to 
the  Theological  Hall  of  oar  cbarch,  attending  on  its  classes  tlu'onghont 
consecDtive  sessions  till  the  appointed  cnrricnlnm  of  study  was  completed. 
Naturally  studions,  he  applied  himself  earnestly  and  steadily  to  every  branch 
of  the  prescribed  course.  Not  particularly  ambitious  of  distinction,  he 
nevertheless  did  hold  an  honourable  place  in  his  classes.  His  aim  was  rather 
to  lay  a  sure  and  solid  foondation,  than  by  fitful  and  spasmodic  exertions  to 
wm  honours  which  might  be  of  less  practical  value  to  him  for  tbe  real  work 
of  life.  In  the  spring  of  1864  he  was  licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Edin- 
burgh as  a  preacher  of  tbe  gospel.  After  a  short  term  of  probation,  tbe 
prospect  of  a  settled  charge  occnrred.  Preferring  the  call  be  had  received 
from  Bethelfield  Chnrch,  Kirkcaldy,  to  another  sent  to  him  by  tbe  North 
Church,  Perth,  be  was  ordained,  on  the  11th  October  of  the  same  year,  to  the 
pastorate  of  that  congr^ation,  as  colleague  and  successor  to  Mr.  Law, 
then  so  far  advanced  in  age  as  to  be  unable  to  perform  any  public  duty. 
In  that  sphere  of  labour  he  remained  till  1861,  when  he  consented  to  under- 
take the  charge  of  Kegent  Place  congregation  in  Glasgow,  which  bad  been 
rendered  vacant  by  the  translation  of  Dr.  Edmond  to  London.  Eighteen 
months  thereafter  he  demitted  that  charge,  having  accepted  an  invitation 
from  Sir  Uicbael  Street  congregation,  Oreenock,  to  become  their  miniater, 
where  he  laboured  until  he  accepted  the  call  given  him  by  this  church.  It 
was  on  the  11th  day  of  May  1876  that  the  pastoral  tie  was  formed  between 
him  and  yon,  which  time  and  frequent  interconrse  were  drawing  closer,  till 
the  hand  of  death  dissolved  it  last  Sabbath  morning,  the  1st  day  of  Septem- 
ber, when  he  entered  into  bis  eternal  rest  and  reward.  Such,  in  the  most 
condensed  form  possible,  are  the  principal  events  in  his  personal  and  minis- 
terial history. 

Througbont  all  Uiese  outward  changes  of  place  and  work  his  character 
remained  the  same,  except  that  the  elements  composing  it  were  developed 
and  became  mora  marked  nnder  the  matnring  process  which  years  and 
experience  carry  forward  so  snraly,  yet  so  insensibly,  in  every  Christian. 
Bobastness  and  stability,  rather  than  mellowness,  were  its  chief  features.  I 
am  not  aware  that  he  conid  really  point  to  a  particular  period  of  hia  life 
when  a  decided  change  was  wrought  by  tbe  Holy  Spirit  on  his  heart. 
Doubtless  there  came  to  him  those  seasons  of  revived  and  deepened  interest 
in  religion  which  occur  in  the  experience  of  most  Christians.  But  I  have 
the  impression  he  woald  himself  have  said  that  his  piety,  in  respect  of  its 
commencement,  was  of  the  Sama^  and  Timothy  type.  Favoured  with  the 
instrnction,  example,  and  prayers  of  eminently  Qod-fearing  parents,  and  all 
the  hallowed  inflncnces  of  the  manse,  and  tbe  converaationa  of  the  ministers 
that  frequented  it,  the  life  of  piety  wonld  early  root  itself  in  his  heart,  and 
thus  from  childhood  silently  and  gradnalty  operate  in  forming  his  character. 
The  completeness  of  his  character  renders  it  lesa  easy  to  particalarize  the 
virtass  which  adorned  it.    I  might  notice,  however,  bis  lowliness  of  mind, 


446  THE  LATE  RET.  WHJJAM  R.  THOMSON.     ^"^^Iw?*^ 

the  absenee  of  an;  spirit  of  envy  or  jealous;^,  the  tr&DBpHrent  BiDcerity  of  all 
bia  conduct,  the  meeknem  and  modesty,  jet  calm  dignity  and  Btraightfor- 
vardness,  of  his  whole  bearing.  On  ita  moral,  as  also  on  its  intellectoal  side, 
there  conld  be  seen  no  element  of  positive  weakness.  His  coontenance 
might  conrey,  eepecislly  to  a  stran^r,  an  impression  of  moroBenees  and 
sternness,  and  in  his  manner  there  might  be  thought  to  be  a  d^ree  of 
asperity  and  reseire.  Bnt  snch  a  feeling  was  remoTed  by  closer  acqoaint- 
ance.  Underneath  that  exterior  there  beat  a  tme  and  wum  heart,  and  his 
companions  and  friends  know  well  how  eheerfnl  and  happy,  and  even 
hnmorona,  he  conld  be  in  their  society.  After  a  frimdship  of  thirty-two 
years,  porticnlarly  close  dnring  onr  stndies  for  the  ministry,  and  continued 
thronghont  it,  afftwding  pleasant  intercoarse  from  time  to  time — a  friendship 
upon  which  the  shadow  of  a  clond  never  feU — I  feel  it  dae  to  the  memory  of 
my  esteemed  brother,  and  to  the  grace  of  Qod  in  him,  to  say  that  I  never 
knew  him  ntter  a  word  or  do  a  deed  which  was  not  strictly  consistent  with 
bis  sacred  otSce,  and  in  perfect  harmony  with  a  Christian  life. 

At  an  eariy  age  he  consecrated  himself  to  the  ministry  in  connection  with 
the  cfanrch  of  ]M  fathers.  To  the  sacred  office  he  brought,  with  mental 
faculties  of  a  high  order,  which  had  been  assiduonsly  cnltivated,  a  large 
{unoant  of  the  needfal  scholarship  and  stores  of  intellectual  fnraitnre  which 
gave  high  promise  of  great  nsefnlness  and  snccess.  Well  acquainted  with 
the  various  theological  theories  that  had  agitated  the  ChristiBn  church 
throughout  her  history,  he  chose  to  folbw  the  old  lines  of  Calvinism,  as 
presentii^,  in  his  judgment,  at  once  the  most  scriptural  and  logically  con- 
sistent system  of  Christian  doctrine.  And  amid  all  the  speculations  on 
religions  questions  which  have  been  so  rife  in  recent  years,  with  which  he  kept 
himself  familiar,  >he  never  saw  nay  reason  why  his  belief  in  the  Bible  sfaoidd 
be  shaken,  or  why  he  should  at  all  waver  in  his  adherence  to  the  creed  which 
he  had  embraced,  and  embraced  not  as  a  traditional  guide  to  faith,  bnt  as 
a  matter  of  deepest  personal  conviction.  His  theological  opinions  might 
have  acquired  greater  fnlness  and  ripeness,  but  I  believe  they  were  at  the 
last  GubstantiaUy  the  same  as  they  were  when  he  b^an  his  ministry  twenty- 
foar  years  ago. 

Our  brother  was  extremely  conscientious.  The  desire  to  perform  his 
pastoral  duties  in  the  most  elGcient  manner  was  indeed  a  ruling  passion  with 
him.  From  the  beginning  to  the  end  oi  his  ministry  his  work  lay  very 
heavily  upon  him.  It  was  usually  the  subject  of  his  conversation  when  he 
met  witii  his  brethren.  He  might  well  have  caUed  it  '  the  bnrden  of  the 
Lord.'  If  he  had  chosen,  he  could  have  taken  a  more  active  and  prominmt 
part  in  the  public  work  of  the  church,  bnt  from  want  of  practice  he  had 
not  acquired  the  readiness  which  those  need  to  have  who  charge  th«nselvee 
with  ecclesiastical  business.  Besides,  he  had  no  liking  for  it,  his  chief 
delight  being  found  in  study,  and  in  the  dischai^e  of  his  own  pastoral  duties ; 
but  when  he  did  specially  interest  himself  in  any  cause,  he  always  expressed 
his  views  upon  it  with  remarkable  wisdom  and  decision. 

At  the  outset  of  iiis  career  he  had  set  before  himself  a  high  standard  of 
preaching,  and  we  know  how  eagerly  and  perseveringly  he  laboured  to  reach 
that  standard.  All  his  reading  was  made  to  have  a  direct  bearing  on  his 
palpit  ministrations,  which  were  always  prepared  with  much  care.  He 
never  came  before  bis  people  with  what  cost  bim  little  study.  He  might 
not  be  equally  successful  on  every  occasion — no  one,  I  shonld  think,  can  be ; 
bnt  all  his  discourses  were  the  result  of  carefnl  study,  and  some  of  them 
of  great  labour.    The  Scriptures  were  his  storehouse  of  knowledge.    His 


oJt  Mm.      ^     THE  LATE  KBV.  WILUAM  H.  THOMSON.  447 

pecnli&rlj  comprebendTe  and  intimate  acqnaintaiice  with  them  appeared  not 
only  in  the  ready  use  he  made  of  the  fignres,  facts,  and  experiences  they 

record  in  his  sennons,  but  also  id  bis  devotional  exercises,  which  were  almost 
wholly  expressed  in  Biblical  language.  His  preaching  was  largely  doctrinal 
in  its  strnctnre,  and  was  therefore  addressed  more  to  the  intellect  than  to 
the  heart.  It  might  not  travel  over  bo  wide  a  field  of  thought  as  that  of 
others  who  prefer  to  select  topics  from  among  the  side  tmths  of  sacred 
history  and  doctrine,  and  might  not  on  this  account  fnrnish  the  variety  and 
literary  interest  which  some  minds  crave.  Bnt  one  grand  excellence  it  bad. 
Instead  of  beginning  at  the  circumference  of  the  gospel,  and  condncting 
Mb  hearers  by  long  and  devious  paths  to  its  centre  on  which  they  might 
possibly  halt  before  reaching  it,  he  rather  began  at  the  centre,  believing  that 
if  they  got  real  life,  and  light,  and  power  there,  and  fresh  accessions  of  these 
every  Sabbath,  they  could  not  fail  of  themselTes  to  work  their  way  anccess- 
fallj  to  the  extremities  of  faith,  and  duty,  and  hope  in  the  Chnstian  life. 
His  one  grand  aim  was  to  glorify  his  Master  in  the  salvation  of  sonls. 
Strictly  gospel  themes  were  therefore  what  he  most  freqnently  handled. 
Tbeee  he  treated,  not  so  much  according  to  the  critical  or  exegetical  as  to 
the  expository  method,  his  usual  plan  being  to  trace  oat  by  argument, 
amplification,  and  illastration  the  truth  contained  in  a  pass^e,  which  he  did 
with  all  the  penetration  and  breadth  of  an  earnest  mind  and  a  heart  that 
loved  the  Saviour ;  and  then  to  make  a  practical  application  of  it  to  the 
different  classes  of  persons  in  his  audience.  His  discourses  were  character- 
ised by  logical  arrangement,  lucid  thought  and  statement,  fulness  of  doctrinal 
matter,  relieved,  however,  by  occasional  touches  of  imagination,  and  by 
solemn  appeal ;  and  they  were  spoken  with  a  vigour,  earnestness,  and  bold- 
ness which  mnst  have  convinced  all  who  listened  to  him  that  he,  at  least, 
was  not  ashamed  of  the  gospel  of  Christ.  The  pulpit  was  his  throne,  and 
few  can  sway  the  sceptre  of  truth  with  a  power  so  subduing  and  an  effect 
so  impreraive  as  he  generally  did.  It  is,  I  feel,  a  sign  of  hope  for  the 
church  that  preaching  so  scriptural,  so  solid,  so  instructive,  so  earnest,  and 
so  evangelical,  was  so  lai^ely  appreciated.  It  should  remnid  us  where  the 
real  power  of  the  pulpit  lies,  as  it  ought  also  to  strengthen  in  us  the  convic- 
tion that  if  its  influence  is  to  be  maintained  and  extended,  this  can  be  done 
only  by  the  continued  faithfnl  exhibition  of  the  cross,  although  it  be  still  to 
so  many  a  stumbling-block  or  foolishness.  In  the  more  private  duties  of 
his  office  he  was  not  less  diUgent  and  faithful.  The  young  fonnd  in  him  a 
valnable  instructor  and  friend;  to  the  perplexed  he  was  a  wise  counselor; 
the  afflicted  received  a  lai^e  share  of  ids  attention  and  sympathy ;  and  to 
the  bereaved  he  was  a  son  of  consolation.  Surely  devotion  to  Christ's  ser- 
vice like  that  could  be  the  outcome  only  of  strong  and  ardent  love  to  Him. 
We  may  not  attempt  to  estimate  the  spiritual  fruits  of  his  ministry ;  but  if 
God  always  owns  His  word  when  it  is  faithfully  preached  by  His  servants, 
and  enforced  by  the  weight  and  influence  of  a  consist_j,Dt  peraonal  character, 
we  cannot  doubt  that  from  each  of  the  fields  in  which  your  deceased  minister 
was  privileged  to  labour  there  will  be  brought,  on  the  great  day  of  ingather- 
iog,  many  who  shall  be  to  hun  a  crown  of  rejoicing. 

Ttiat  familiar  voice  will  be  heard  by  us  no  more.  It  is  silent  in  the  grave. 
He  rests  from  his  labours,  and  his  works  follow  him.  Death  came  to  onr 
friend  with  a  suddenness  which  struck  many  with  surprise.  In  its  last 
stages  the  illness  which  cut  him  oS  was  exceedingly  rapid.  But  I  have  the 
fear  that  it  might  be  only  the  final  form  of  a  decUne  of  health  which  had  been 
going  on  some  time,  too  secretly  and  slowly,  perhaps,  to  excite  anxiety  or 


448  THE  LATE  BBV.  WILLIAM  E.  THOMSON.     ^''oSJC^iS'^ 

alarm.  For  several  months  his  appearance  gare  indications  of  fading 
strength,  which  the  tone  and  bent  of  his  conversation  on  two  or  three 
occasions  only  confirmed,  the  meaning  of  which,  unnoticed  at  the  time,  I 
can  now  on  reflectioo  see,  although  I  do  not  believe  that  he  himself  thtxt 
feared  snch  an  issna,  or  indeed  felt  anything  but  a  lack  of  wonted  vigour. 
But  why  need  we  attempt  to  discover  the  canse,  or  trace  his  last  Bi(£ne8s 
back  to  its  first  beginning  7  It  is  all  the  Lord's  doing.  Delinam  having 
ensued  bo  soon  after  the  disease  assomed  a  dangerous  form,  he  was  nnable 
to  tell  the  state  of  his  mind  in  the  near  prospect  of  death.  Bnt  this  need 
not  be  to  any  of  us  a  source  of  regret.  His  life  was  the  uniform  and  visible 
evidence  of  his  faith ;  it  was  his  religious  creed  translated  into  his  daily 

Sractice.  He  could  say,  and  he  did  say,  in  a  lucid  moment,  that  be  bad  no 
oubt  as  to  the  final  issue.  I  qnestioa  whether  he  wonld  really  have  said 
much  more  than  that  if  his  mind  hod  retained  its  clearness  and  strength. 
Judging  personal  religion  to  be  too  sacred  a  matter  for  couTersal£on  on 
every  occasion,  be  was  not  in  the  habit  of  referring  much  to  his  own  ex- 
periences of  it.  Had  he  been  permitted  to  say  mor^  I  believe  it  wonld  have 
been  that  he  lay  as  a  sinful  man  at  the  foot  of  the  cross,  without  any  hope 
in  his  own  works,  but  humbly  trusting  in  the  Savionr's  merits,  and  looking 
for  the  mercy  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  unto  eternal  life. 

How  mysterious  does  it  seem  to  us  that  he  should  have  been  cut  down  in 
the  mid-time  of  his  days,  so  shortly  after  he  had  entered  on  his  new  sphere 
of  labour,  and  when  he  was  steadily  rising  higher  and  higher  in  general 
estimation  and  public  usefulness  !  He  was  indeed  '  a  burning  and  a  shining' 
%ht ; '  but  alas  1  as  was  said  of  another  eminent  minister  of  oar  chirclL. 
'  that  light  has  been  suddenly  eztingnished  even  at  the  time  when  it  Ams 
bright«st.'  We  had  hoped  that  he  wonld  live  for  many  years  longer  to  hM 
up  the  banner  of  the  cross  on  this  hill  of  Zion.  But  God's  thoughts  are 
not  oar  thoughts,  neither  are  His  ways  onr  ways.  Mr.  Thomson's  death  is  a 
heavy  loss  to  the  church,  and  a  heavier  loss  to  this  congr^ation.  Awe- 
stricken  by  the  solemn  dispensation,  you  desire,  I  am  sure,  at  the  same  time 
to  be  submissive  to  the  will  of  the  wise  and  sovereign  Disposer  of  all  events; 
and  let  me  suggest  to  you  that  yon  are  not  without  cause  for  thankfulness 
and  consolation.  Not  only  have  you,  these  two  years,  enjoyed  the  rich  traits 
of  his  most  matored  thoughts  and  experience,  bnt  you  have  had  his  counsel 
and  help  in  the  initiatory,  and  therefore  most  precarious,  stages  of  your 
congregational  history  ;  and  knowing  how  long  a  congregation  retains  the 
particular  mould  in  which  it  is  first  cast,  there  will  ever  be  fonud  reason  for 
gratitude  to  the  Head  of  the  Church  that  the  commencement  and  early 
progress  of  your  congregation  were  associated  with  a  minister  of  so  many 
eminent  qnaJities,  and  so  highly  and  widely  esteemed.  Nor  must  you  foi^ 
that  the  privilege,  though  its  continnance  has  been  so  short,  has  laid  upon 
yon  a  corresponding  responsibility.  He  being  dead  yet  speaks  to  yon, 
beseeching  you  still,  by  the  words  he  addressed  to  yon  when  aUve,  to  'believe 
in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and  be  saved,'  'to  give  diligence  to  make  yonr 
calling  and  election  sure,'  and  so  to  live  and  labour  as  that  the  glory  of  the 
Redeemer  shall  be  heightened,  and  His  kingdom  extended  on  the  earth.  Let 
therefore  nothing  that  was  wise,  and  holy,  and  good  in  him  be  forgotten. 
'  Bemember  him  who  had  the  rale  over  you,  who  has  spoken  to  yon  the 
word  of  God,  whose  faith  follow,  considering  the  end  of  his  conveiaatjon, 
Jesus  Christ,  the  same  yesterday,  to-day,  and  for  ever.' 

The  monmfal  and  monitory  event  has  opened  wounds  in  many  hearts 
which  only  the  hand  of  the  divine  Physician  can  heal    May  the  venerable 


Du^pru^  BM^]  MODBEN  80EFTI0I8M.  449 

father,  when  his  strength  ia  ffuling,  not  be  forsaken  hj  the  Master  he  has 
so  long  served;  may  the  Borrowing  sist«r  \aj  her  burden  on  TTjTn  who 
sticketh  closer  than  a  brother ;  may  the  bereaved  widow,  iaquiring  in  her 
desolation  for  Him  who  giveth  songa  in  the  night,  hear  coming  to  her 
throagh  the  darkoess,  soft  as  the  breath  of  even,  that  voice  of  tendereat  love 
and  sympathy  which  now  speaks  from  heaven,  'Thy  Maker  is  thine  husband ; 
the  Lord  of  Hosta  ia  His  name,  and  thy  JBedeemer  the  Holy  One  of  Israel,' 
And  may  the  aon  be  divinely  tanght  from  this  time  to  cry  onto  Thee,  '  My 
Father,  Thon  art  the  guide  of  my  youth.'  Under  this  bereavemwit,  we  all 
need  the  Comforter  to  bring  into  our  hearts  the  consolations  of  His  word. 
One  message  from  it  to  us  ia,  '  They  that  turn  many  to  righteoueness  shall 
Ehine  as  the  stars  for  ever  and  ever ; '  another  is,  '  Them,  also,  who  sleep  in 
■fesns  will  Ood  bring  with  Him ; '  while  another  is,  '  Be  tbon  faithful  nnto 
death,  and  I  will  give  thee  a  crown  of  life.'  '  Wherefore  comfort  one 
another  with  those  words.'  Partings  from  those  we  love  must  come. 
Partings  have  come  abeady,  alas !  how  often.  Partinga  are  coming,  and 
even  now  do  they  cast  their  darkening  shadows  forward  oa  our  path.  The 
best  preparation  for  them  we  can  make  is  fonnd  in  tbe  direction  of  holy 
living,  and  earnest  effort  to  promote  one  another's  spiritual  welfare.  The 
more  we  receive  of  the  life  and  spirit  of  Christ  into  onr  sonla,  the  leaa  will 
tbe  approach  of  death  dismay  and  grieve  na.  What  though  it  bceak  strong 
and  endeared  ties,  we  shall  feel  that  we  may  well  calmly  resign  ouraelves  to 
its  stroke,  when  in  that  new  Ufe  we  have  the  sure  and  certain  hopie  of  these 
ties  being  all  re-formed  in  the  heavenly  home,  where  they  shall  continue 
unbroken  throughout  eternal  ages,  and  be  crowned  with  a  bleasedneas  pure, 
perfect,  and  enduring,  even  as  Chriat'a  own,  God  having  wiped  away  all 
teara  from  our  eyes.  What  a  bright  close  to  all  earth'a  sorrows ;  beauty 
for  ashes  given  to  them  that  mourn  in  Zion,  the  oil  of  joy  for  mourning,  and 
the  garment  of  praise  for  the  spirit  of  heaviness  I  I  shall  therefore  now 
conclude  this  short  sketch  of  your  beloved  miniatw's  life,  character,  and 
labours,  by  quoting  from  a  letter  of  Panl,  whom  he  so  greatly  admired,  and 
whose  spirit  he  had  so  largely  imbibed,  tbeae  worda, '  If  ye  then  be  risen  with 
Christ,  seek  those  things  which  are  above,  where  Christ  eitteth  at  the  rfght 
band  of  God.  Set  your  affection  on  things  above,  not  onthings  on  the  earth. 
For  ye  are  dead,  and  yonr  life  is  hid  with  Christ  in  God.  When^Christ,  who 
is  oar  life,  shall  appear,  then  shall  ye  also  appear  with  Him  in  glory,' 
Amen. 


MODERN  SCEPTICISM. 

18  UAN  BE8P0NBIBLE  FOR,  AND  IK  WHAT  SENSE  IS  CNBELIEF,  SIK  T 

We  live  m  a  transition  period.  The  old  ia  passing  away.  A  new  aspect  of 
thonght  and  feeling  is  rapidly  changing  what  has  long  obtained.  Ours  are 
not  days  for  dogmatic  statement.  Criticism,  science,  and  inquiry  seek  to 
probe  matters  to  the  very  core.  The  dust  of  agea  is  swept  aside,  and  things 
aronnd  which  had  gathered  the  glory  of  a  hoar  antiquity  are  dragged  to  the 
ligbt  and  examined. 

What  I  intend  to  do  now  is,  not  dogmatically  to  assert,  but  fairly  try 
to  look  at  this  subject,  ao  as,  if  possible,  to  educe  the  truth.  And  by  way  of 
preface  let  me  say  that  it  ia  too  bad  (as  is  often  done)  to  brand  the  occupants 
of   the  pulpit  with  narrow  and  ignorant  tenacity  to  a  particular  form  of 

KO.  2.  VOL,  XXII.  NEW  SEKIES. OCTOBER  1878.  2  F 


450  MODEBK  SCEPTICISM.  ""^kCureT*'' 

Bpeech,  becaaee  their  position  requires  them  to  teach  &  certain  form  of  doc- 
trioe.  If  I  did  not  believe  what  I  teach,  I  would  leave  the  palpit  at  once. 
No  man  with  ordinary  ability  and  education  necessary  for  the  ministry  need 
smother  his  intellect  or  sell  his  liberty  for  the  salary  of  a  Scottish  chnrch — 
often  not  rising  above  the  income  of  a  8econd-rat«  clerk.  Many  are  miiuBters 
of  Christ  at  considerable  pecnuiary  saciifice,  and  conid  any  day,  with  the 
espenditnreof  far  less  care  and  labour,  gain  an  ordinary  Uvelihood.  I  tmst, 
then,  that  it  is  still  possible  to  be  a  ministeT  and  an  honest  man — to  preach 
what  yon  faithfully  beliere,  and  keep  oneself  open  to  higher  hght.  Again, 
maoy  preach  the  tmtli  as  it  is  in  Jesns,  not  becanse  they  have  been  toDght 
to  do  so,  bat  because  they  firmly  believe  it,  after  having  doubted  its  tnith- 
fnlness.  It  is  difficult  to  conceive  of  one  furly  endowed  with  intcUectnal 
ability  going  tbrongh  a  course  of  logic  and  philosophy  without  being  led 
seriously  to  doabt,  if  not  for  a  time  to  disbelieve,  the  truth  in  which  as  a 
child  he  was  instructed.  Almost  all  who  have  come  rationally  and  ivell  to 
hold  by  the  gospel  of  Christ  have  done  so  by  passing  through  a  period  of 
doubt,  and  experienced  the  terrible  feeling  that  the  old  groond  was  being  swept 
from  under  them,  and  that  tbey  were  thrown  into  an  abyss  of  uncertwnty. 
But  after  one  has  gone  through  all  this,  is  there  anything  irrational  in  the 
thought  that  they  should  cling  more  closely  than  ever,  believe  more  firmly 
than  before,  the  truth  and  teaching  of  Jesus  Christ  ?  Is  it  not  possible  that 
a  man  may  know  what  Lord  Herbert  and  Bolingbroke,  David  Hume  and 
Thomas  Hobbes,  w&at  Darwin  and  Huxley,  what  Bradlangh  aad  MiH,  what 
Rathbone  Gr%  and  Matthew  Arnold  wrote,  and  still  to  all  these  cmtscun- 
tiottaly  prefer  the  teaching  of  Jeeus  Christ  T  I  cannot  see  why  a  man  sboold 
be  called  narrow,  or  »ccnsed  of  nnfaithfnlnees  to  conviction,  simply  because 
he  believes  that  Jesns  Christ  can  give  more  rest  to  mind  and  soul  than  any 
of  the  teachers  named.  On  the  very  lowest  grounds,  I  cannot  see  anything 
inconsistent  in  the  fact  that  a  man  should  prefer  the  Sermon  on  the  Moootto 
Mill's  three  essays  on  religion,  or  that  be  should  prefer  the  14th  chapter  of 
John's  Grospel  to  Greg's  'Enigmas  of  Lite,'  Defective  or  inverted  literary  taste 
such  an  one  may  be  accused  of,  bat  the  charge  of  dishoneety  or  ignorance 
can  scarcely  be  supported.  And  here,  I  think,  it  may  safely  be  affirmed 
that  every  student  of  theology  worthy  of  the  name,  every  minister  of  the 
Kew  Testament  who  does  his  duty,  knows  more  of  what  opponents  say 
against  religion  than  sceptics  know  about  the  evidences  of  Christianity. 
Banish,  then,  from  your  minda  that  I  intend  to  do  a  piece  of  special  plead- 
ing for  orthodox  teaching,  or  attempt  to  denounce  those  who  cannot  see  as 
I  see, — I  hope  I  am  far  above  that ;  but  give  me  credit  for  a  ffur  endeavour 
to  discuss  the  qacstiou  with  openness  and  honesty,  and  then,  however  much 
we  may  differ  in  our  eonclusionB,  we  may  at  least  have  clearer  views  on  the 
snbject.  Too  will  at  once  see  that  the  special  point  for  discussion  before  ns 
is:  In  what  seose  is  unbelief  sin?  But  before  we  can  answer  this,  the  former 
part  of  my  topic  must  be  looked  at  In  the  first  place.  Is  man  S£apoNBin].E 
FOR  HiB  BELiBF  OB  uNBKiJEK  I  If  uot  80  responsible,  then  the  whole  sub- 
ject is  not  worth  a  moment's  consideration.  If  we  cannot  help  what  we 
believe,  then  no  moral  significance  ciui  be  attached  ta  the  act.  Jf  we  cannot 
help  our  disbelief,  then  no  sin  can  mingle  therewith.  Actual  transgreeucoi 
is  only  possible  to  one  who  has  the  power  of  obeyii^  the  law.  Faitit  or  its 
opposite,  to  have  any  moral  value,  must  be  in  a  subject  capable  of  the  (me  or 
other.  Some  of  you,  however,  may  remember  that  on  one  famoos  occasion 
Lord  Brougham  answered  our  question  in  the  negative,  and  maintained  that  a 
man  was  no  more  responsible  for  bis  belief  Uian  he  was  for  tiie  colonr  of  his 


"""o.TTWt'*''  MODEHN  80BPTICI8M.  451 

skin.  At  that  time  a  great  deal  of  diBcnssioa  arose  on  the  point,  and  the 
almoat  anirerBal  verdict  of  thinkers  was  against  Lord  Brongbam.  For  a 
long  time  the  qnestjon  almost  appeared  to  hare  been  banished  from  the 
region  of  practical  moral  problems.  Some  time  ago,  however,  it  was  again 
stirred  by  a  sermon  by  Principal  Caird,  taking  up  the  qnestion  before  na 
now.  Largely  misunderstood  was  the  learned  Principal  for  his  atterance, 
and  a  charge  of  heresy  was  made.  Emphatically,  however,  he  denied  that 
he  ever  held  or  taught  that  man  is  irresponsible  for  his  belief.  Some  time 
ago  the  Bishop  of  Manchester,  in  a  very  promiscuons  way,  discussed  the 
matter  before  the  Philosophical  Society  of  Edinburgh;  and  from  mnch 
desultory  and,  to  the  qnestion,  not  very  pertinent  talk,  we  can  gather  that 
be  holds  by  man's  responsibility,  while  be  pleads  for  latitude  in  religious 
opioioD.  That  address  was  valuable  for  the  way  in  which  it  gathered  up 
aathorities  on  the  point,  and  to  it  I  shall  refer  no  further  than  to  quote  a 
sentence  or  two  of  considerable  value.  '  Truth  is  not  likely  to  be  won  by 
those  who  woo  her,  careless  whether  they  embrace  her  or  not.  Qod  reveals 
himself,  says  Fanl,  to  those  who  are  Btriviiig  to  be  perfect,  who  are  tme  to 
themselves,  to  their  higher  nature,  their  conscience,  that  they  may  be  worthy 
of  the  truth.  There  is  a  sort  of  pre-exiatent  harmony  between  trnthlnlness 
and  tmtfa,  which  constitutes  Srst  a  moral  and  then  an  inteliectaal  aEBnity  be- 
tween the  two — ^between  the  object  contemplated  and  the  contemplating 
mind.'  Our  fint  position,  then,  is:  if  an  is  responsible  for  his  beUtf,  Another 
qnestion  which  has  shed  a  confused  side-light  on  our  discnssiou,  and  which 
it  will  be  well  to  dispose  of  here,  is : '  Will  those  who  have  not  the  revelation 
of  God's  will  be  punished  for  disbelief  ? '  or,  more  shortly,  '  Will  the  heathen 
be  condemned  who  know  not  Christ  T '  Properly  speaking,  this  point  should 
not  emerge  here ;  but  it  almost  always  invariably  does  so,  and  therefore,  at 
once  and  without  hesitation,  I  say  we  cannot  answer  the  qnestion  on  scrip- 
tural grounds.  A  writer  in  the  Scotsman  seems  to  think  that  the  Confusion 
of  Faith  teaches  that  the  heathen  cannot  be  saved.  Now,  I  hope  it  does  not 
nnconditionaUy  teach  the  condemnation  of  those  who  never  heard  the  gospe! 
sound.  Manifestly  that  would  be  unfair.  Bnt  surely  we  can  go  this  length 
and  say, '  No  man  can  enjoy  salvation  at  last,  in  the  Christian  sense  of  that 
term,  but  those  who  know  and  live  a  life  of  faith  in  the  Son  of  Ood.'  To  go 
to  the  other  side  and  say, '  All  who  are  not  saved  in  Christ  are  not  saved  at 
all,'  is  a  very  different  thing.  Saved  in  the  Christian  Bible  sense  they  cannot 
be ;  yet  we  must  all  shrink  from  the  idea  that  it  wiil  ultimately  be  all  the  same 
for  those  who  never  knew  and  those  who,  knowing,  have  despised  or  rejected 
the  teaching  of  Christ.  New  Testament  teaching,  so  far  as  I  nnderstand  it, 
points  rather  the  other  way.  The  Bible  speaks  to  those  who  know,  or  might 
know,  the  truth.  '  This  is  the  condemnation,  that  tight  ia  come  into  the  world, 
and  men  love  darkness  rather  than  light.'  This  is  positive  preference  of 
darkness,  not  n^ative  absence  of  light.  To  the  qnestion,  '  Will  Plato  or 
Socrates  be  condemned  ? '  we  reply, '  No  direct  answer  from  Scripture  can 
be  given.'  For  if,  on  the  one  band,  it  be  true  '  that  there  is  none  otiier 
name,'  etc.,  so  we  may  ask,  '  How,  then,  shall  tbey  call  on  Him  in  whom 
they  have  not  I)elieved  t  and  how  shall  they  believe  in  Him  of  whom  tbey 
have  not,beard  T  and  how  shall  they  hear  without  a  preacher ! '  It  is  difBcult 
to  see  how  a  holy  God  can  hold  men  responsible  for  what  they  have  not,  or, 
rather,  condemn  them  for  not  doing  what  it  was  impossible  to  do ;  and  so  we 
would  do  well  to  adopt  the  spirit  and  words  of  the  saintly  Lawson  of  Selkirk : 
'  If  Plato  and  Socrates  are  in  heaven,  we  shall  be  glad  to  see  them  there;  if 
not,  we  may  be  sure  God  has  a  good  reason  for  their  absence.'    We  may 


452  MODEES  SCEPnCISM.  ^""Sltwi"*' 

liave  onr  hopes  and  onr  leaiuDgs,  bat,  after  all,  we  can  go  no  farther  in  this 
line  than  Lawsoa 

Having  narrowed  onr  gronad  eo  far,  we  ask  again.  Is  nnbelief  sin? 
And,  before  we  can  reply,  still  mast  we  confine  the  question  to  more  narrow 
limits,  and  distingniah  between  douht  and  wibdief.  Donbt  is  a  negative, 
traoHitory,  not  statioaary  state ;  it  is  merely  absence  of  belief.  Unbelief 
differs  from  this  in  so  far  that  it  believes  a  negation.  Donbt  is  a ''  may-be '  or 
a '  may-Dot-be.'  Unbelief  has  settled  the  may  and  may-not  be,  and  become 
convinced  that  what  passes  for  trnth  is  a  lie.  Donbt  passes  no  sentence  of 
jndgment,  bat  craves  evermore  for  evidence,  and  cries  for  more  light.  Un- 
belief has  made  np  its  mind,  and  settled  into  opposition.  Ignorance,  donbt, 
and  nnbelief  are  three  perfectly  distinct  mental  states,  and  the  confonnding 
of  them  has  greatly  perplexed  the  question  at  issue.  For  example,  Principal 
Caird,  in  the  sermon  to  which  I  have  referred,  says,  '  We  all  shrink  from  apply- 
ing such  a  principle  (of  condemnation)  to  the  heathen  world,  to  the  vast  millions 
in  the  dim  ages  of  the  past,  or  in  onr  own  day,  who  lie  beyond  the  pale  of 
civilisation.  Bnt  precisely  the  same  principle  of  justice  makes  it  impossible 
to  believe  in  the  final  condemnation  of  multitudes  in  Christian  lands  who  have 
struggled  for  light  and  failed  to  the  last  to  find  it'  Again, '  Who  that  knows 
anything  of  the  conditions  of  human  knowledge,  of  the  difficulties  of  the 
search  for  truth,  and  of  the  inanmerable  influences  that  affect  human  beJiefa, 
can  for  a  moment  think  that  mental  nnrest  and  donbt  may  not  in  God's 
sight  be  free  from  blame,  or  that  logical  errors,  even  the  gravest  in  our  eyes, 
are  simply  calamities  to  be  pitied  rather  than  sins  to  be  punished  t '  Now  I 
think  it  nufair  to  apply  prtcittly  the  tame  principle  to  those  who  could  not 
reach  the  light,  because  the  light  was  hid  from  them,  and  those  to  whom 
light  is  possible,  but  who  fail  to  gain  or  reach  it.  The  one  class  could  not 
even  if  they  would;  the  other  would  have,  had  they  not  failed.  Now  it 
seems  to  me  there  is  a  very  important  diSerence  here.  By  ail  means  let 
those  go  who  could  not ;  bat  will  you  deal  precisely  on  the  same  principle 
with  those  who  fail  T  Does  failure  imply  no  obligation !  and  to  it  can  you 
attach  no  blame  1  To  ask  is  to  answer  such  a  qnestiou,  unless  it  can  be 
proved  that  there  is  some  mental  or  moral  inability  or  incapacity  to  receive 
and  hold  the  truth  revealed.  A  failare  is  often  a  mistake,  and  we  cannot 
free  oorselves  from  the  consequences  of  mistakes.  But,  now,  what  shall  we 
say  of  error  t  The  ignorant  we  pity.  Those  who  fait  may  be  objects  for 
oar  sympathy  and  condolence ;  but  to  say  that  the  erring  ones  are  to  go 
unpunished,  is  to  remove  all  moral  worth  from  mental  work. 

With  every  desire  to  find  out  a  way  of  escape,  I  fail  to  see  any  jostice  in 
allowing  the  culpably  ignorant,  or  those  who  have  failed  (unless  throngh 
incapacity),  or  those  who  have  erred,  to  escape.  Ignorance,  failure,  error, 
unless  in  the  condition  named,  are  sinful. 

Applying  these  things  in  a  physical  way,  the  same  anthor  says,  *  It  would 
be  madness  to  expect  that  the  mechanism  of  tbe  material  universe  should  be 
arrested  to  save  us  from  the  consequences  of  our  ignorance  or  nnbelief  in  it.  "I 
mistook,  I  misunderetood,  I  did  not  know,  I  used  all  my  opportunities  of  know- 
ledge, I  erred  througii  ignorance," — will  this  plea  avful  to  save  the  unbeliever 
iu  the  truths  of  nature  T  Will  it  roll  back  the  swelling  tide,  or  turn  aside 
the  lightning  bolt,  or  stay  in  its  career  of  vengeance  the  descending  rock  or 
avalancheT '  Do  we  not  all  know  that  the  innocent  but  ignorant  child,  if 
it  gambol  into  the  swollen  river,  shall  be  swept  away  and  carried  into 
the  arms  of  death?  The  stupid  or  reckless  who  err  by  mistake  in  tbe 
material  world  fall  before  the  merciless  tread  of  physical  Uw.    Why,  then. 


'""S^.Tm.'"'  MODEBN  SCEPTfCIBM.  453 

the  exception  in  the  moral  world  t  God'a  law  is  as  unbendiDg  in  the  higher 
as  in  the  lower ;  and  if  ignorance,  failore,  mistake  bring  pnniahment  in  the 
physical,  how  can  or  should  it  be  different  in  the  psychical  T  The  only 
difference  to  my  mind  lies  in  the  thought,  that  along  with  doubt  and  nnbelief 
you  may  have  h^h  moral  hfe  and  noble  struggle  to  gain  new  Ught.  Tyn- 
dall,  Huxley,  and  Harrison  may  not  belieye,  but  they  live  noble  lives;  and 
are  they,  for  a  mere  mental  aberration,  to  be  condemned  T  N^ow  the  differ- 
ence here  is  more  in  appearance  than  reality.  For  is  it  not  true  that  the 
philanthropist  who  seeks  to  snatch  the  victima  of  vice  from  their  sins  and 
restore  them  to  virtue,  no  matter  how  pore  his  Ufa  and  noble  hia  aim,  unless 
he  take  due  precantion,  catches  the  fatal  fire  of  feyer,  and,  in  place  of  rescuing 
others  from  dens  of  rice,  drops  himself  into  a  premature  grave.  The  noble 
Christian  traTeller  had  burning  in  his  bosom  love  for  human  kind — a 
consuming  desire  to  abolish  the  horrid  cmelties  of  African  slavery ;  but  too 
great  an  expenditure  of  strength,  too  great  a  strain  on  hia  bodily  powers — 
heedless  of  his  noble  life  and  still  more  noble  aim— cnt  him  down,  a  poor 
lone  traveller  in  the  desert  wild,  with  work  undone.  Far  from  kindred, 
people,  and  home,  Dr.  Livingstone  must  die.  And  if  the  Ood  of  nature  be 
so  rigid  in  this  lower  world,  what  reason  have  we  to  suppose  it  different  in 
the  higher  1  Our  intentions  may  be  the  best,  our  efforts  may  be  the  bravest, 
our  aims  the  noblest ;  but  if  we  accord  not  with  the  will  and  law  of  Ood,  I 
see  DO  reason  in  nature  or  revelation  why  we  shonld  expect  to  go  free.  True, 
there  is  an  awful,  an  incomprehensible  difference  between  temporal  and  eternal 
punishment, — a  wide  difference  between  dying  now,  a  victim  to  rashness  and 
eathnsiasm,  and  everlasting  condemnation  to  spiritnal  darkness  and  eternal 
night.  Yes,  fain  would  we,  if  we  could,  find  ont  a  gleam  of  hope  for  all 
such  as  do  not  believe.  If  we  cannot,  then  should  we  be  careful  not  to  speak 
harshly  of  those  who  have  and  are  still  struggling  bravely  for  light. 
Let  us  be  relnctant  to  pass  sentence  on  some  of  the  noblest  intellects  our 
world  has  seen.  Ours  it  is  not  to  judge  or  sentence  individual  men,  but  to 
see  that  we  Uve  as  purely,  and  work  as  nobly,  as  they  for  the  tmth  we  profess. 
May  we  not  vainly  seek  to  pry  into  &od's  dealings  with  those  who  differ  from 
us,  or  throw  discredit  on  those  who  cannot  see  as  we  see,  but  rather  seek  in- 
dividnally  to  realize  the  truth  of  the  text :  '  He  that  beheveth  not  is  condemned 
already.'     If  we  deny  Him,  He  also  will  deny  us. 

But  now  we  may  ask,  Is  donbt  in  no  case  legitimate?  Must  there  be  at 
all  times  simple  trust  and  unconditional  surrender  to  the  authority  of  Scrip- 
ture* Is  it  not  lawful  to  doubt  and  question  the  truth  of  the  Bible  T  We 
answer,  There  is  no  harm  in  doubt.  To  donbt  is  often  a  duty.  Onr  Pro- 
testantism, our  PreabyterianiBm  sprang  from  donbt.  Onr  Creator  did  not 
give  us  minds  to  accept  what  is  called  tmth  without  proof  j  and  every  one  is 
entitled  to  examine  and  satisfy  himself  of  the  truth  taught.  Paul  says, 
'  Prove,'  or  test, '  all  things ;  hold  fast  that  which  is  good.'  Many  obey  the 
first  part,  and  mxrlooktbe  second,  of  the  injunction.  Students  of  philosophy 
know  how  periods  of  doubt  come  ronnd  at  almost  regular  intervals,  and 
minds  which  reach  the  clearest  views  have  often  to  gain  them  by  a  severe 
sifting  process.  Bacon  says,  '  Were  there  a  single  man  to  be  found  with  a 
firmness  sufficient  to  efface  from  hia  mind  the  theories  and  notions  vulgarly 
received,  and  to  apply  his  intellect  free  and  without  prevention,  the  best  hopes 
might  be  entertained  of  his  success.'  Descartes  has  it,  '  It  is  necessary  for 
a  man  to  apply  the  greatest  care  to  donbt  of  all  his  previous  opinions,  so 
long  as  these  have  not  been  subjected  to  a  new  examination  and  been  recog- 
nised as  trne.'    So  far  as  this,  doubt  is  good,  but  by  no  means  free  of 


454  MODBEH  scepticism:,  '^     o^iTtwir^ 

danger.  It  is  right  to  doubt  io  order  to  believe,  as  it  ih  riglit  to  analyze  in 
order  to  syntheaize  ;  bnt  it  ia  vrong  to  b^n,  continue,  and  end  in  donbt 
It  is  right  when  so  employed  as  to  reach  a  higher  trnth,  wrong  when  itself  is 
made  a  faith.  The  creed  of  some  is  dogma ;  of  others  it  is  disbelief.  On 
this  point  Malebranche  says,  '  There  is  a  great  difference  between  doubting 
and  doubting.  We  donbt  throngh  passion  and  brutality,  tbrongh  blindness 
and  malice,  and  through  fancy  and  the  very  wish  to  doubt ;  bnt  we  donbt 
also  through  pmdence  and  diatniBt,  from  wisdom,  and  throngh  penetration 
of  mind.  The  former  is  the  donbt  of  darkness,  which  never  issnea  to  light, 
bnt  leads  us  always  farther  from  it ;  the  latter  is  bom  of  hght,  and  aids  in 
a  certain  sort  to  produce  light  in  turn.'  Again,  Sir  W.  Hamilton  nays, 
'  Donbt,  as  a  permanent  state  of  mind,  would  be  in  fact  little  better  than  in- 
tellectual dea^.  The  mind  lives  as  it  behaves ;  donbt  on  itself,  nature,  God, 
wonld  be  mental  annihilation.'  If  we  be  uncertain,  let  us  seek  and  seek  till 
we  find  proof ;  bnt  beware  of  settling  in  the  doubt  which  ends  in  greater 
darkness.  Let  onrs  be  the  spirit  ood  manner  of  Arthur  Hallam,  of  whom 
'  Tennyson  says : 

'  P»rpIeiBd  In  f»Jth,  but  pnra  in  deed^ 

At  But  ha  beat  hia  mnsio  oat 
There  llvee  more  feitb  in  honest  doub^  ' 

BellflTe  me,  tbao  in  liajf  the  oreedB. 
He  tooght  his  doubU  end  ntbered  atrengtb, 


thus  he  came  at  length  to  find  a  stronger  fidth  his  own. 

'  And  power  ne  with  him  in  the  night, 
Whloh  makes  the  dukneae  and  the  light, 

And  dwells  not  iu  the  light  alone.' 

Bums  says,  and  trnthfnily, '  He  never  songht  the  Lord  in  vfun  who  sought 
aright.'  Honeet,  earnest  search  after  truth  is  right ;  hut  to  be  satisfied  with 
anything  short  of  this  is  wrong.  With  such  our  Lord  had  sympathy. 
Beware,  however,  of  the  condemnation  which  comes  from  hating  the  light. 
More  than  half  the  scepticism  uf  onr  day  is  contmt  with  darkness  greater 
than  the  faith  disputed  and  discarded. 

Now  we  come  face  to  face  with  onr  real  question.  If  we  allow  doubt  to 
be  right,  is  to  mistake  in  doubting  wrung  T  If  onr  voluntary  doubt  eud  in 
darkness,  are  we  to  blame  ?  Clearly  it  is,  if  we  have  the  means  of  coming  to 
the  trne  hght,  or  if  we  rest  satisfied  with  less  hght  than  is  to  be  found  iu  the 
faith  rwLonnced.  The  Bible  professes  to  be  the  word  of  Qod ;  and  it  is  com- 
mon sense  and  good  philosophy  to  beheve  it  until  yon  have  proved  it  false. 
And  if,  after  doubting  its  trnth,  you  can  find  nothing  better  or  not  so  good, 
would  it  not  be  exercising  common  prudence  to  cling  to  it  7 

Now,  judging  with  all  charity,  many  of  the  opponents  of  religious  teachii^ 
in  our  day  depart  from  good  taste  and  good  sense.  John  Knskin,  for 
example.  Is  a  man  of  great  abiUty,  and  as  a  UUercUeur  and  art  critic  he  stands 
by  himself ;  bnt  many  of  you  know  the  arrant  nonsense  he  writes  on  reUgions 
subjects.  Not  very  long  ago  his  sage  advice  was,  not  to  believe  in  anyttung 
in  nature  as  corrupt.  Now  moral  and  physical  corruption  are  only  too 
patent  to  any  one  who  has  eyee  or  ears  for  the  squalor,  wretcheditess,  and 
vice  around.  Throw  aside  the  notion  of  corruption,  and  how  caa  we 
account  for  the  state  of  this  world,  which  Mill  saya  '  ia  so  crowded  with 
snffering,  and  so  deformed  by  injustice '  T 

Again,  B.  Greg  has  written  some  books  and  essays  of  the  most  mar- 


DBMP~.b^..  MODBRS  SCEPTICISM.  455 

Telloos  beaut;  both  of  thongbt  and  stjie.  He  discnBsas,  in  '  Enigmas  of 
Life' — popnlation,  piuii,  sorrow,  and  fntarity.  After  you  have  read  the 
book  throagb,  70a  feel  that,  dark  and  mjsterioDS  aa  is  the  teaching  of 
Scripture,  it  is  noon-da;  clearness  to  Or^.  In  a  recent  magazine*  be  bae  a 
moat  touching  and  beaatjfol  paper,  after  reading  wliich  70a  feel  inclined  to 
say  of  Qreg, '  Kot  far  from  the  kingdom ; '  bat  after  he  bas  carried  70a  away 
up  to  the  monntain-top,  far  above  the  din  and  bustle  of  angry  passion,  and 
helped  yon  to  see  the  sky  overhead,  yet  no  voice  oi  love  comes  frMn  beyond 
the  stars,  and  yon  are  left  gasing  with  earnest  eye,  wondering  if  light  will 
come ;  but  there  he  leaves  yon  to  shiver  amidst  breezes  of  uncertainty,  and 
to  freeze  in  the  coldness  of  spiritnal  night.  With  him  there  is  no  certaintf, 
not  even  hope.  To  thie  writer  I  am  deeply  indebted ;  but  stiU  I  coofess  that 
from  me  it  wonld  demuid  a  greater  esercise  of  faith  to  accept  his  teaching, 
tban  to  clasp  to  my  heart  the  words  of  Jesus  of  Nasareth. 

And  now  this  leads  me  to  say,  that  unbelief  bom  of  ignorance  ia  hightg 
culpable.  With  honest  donbt — with  enlightened  difficulty — I  greatly  sym- 
pathize; but  with  ignorant  pride  and  conceited  stupidity  I  have  none.  And 
were  joa  to  inquire  into  the  parentage  of  much  of  onr  present-day  scepti- 
cism,  yon  wonld  find  that  its  mathtr  it  ignorance,  and  its/ofAtF,  pride.  In  no 
body  of  men  was  I  more  struck  with  this  than  in  a  company  of  so-called 
Freetbinkers  I  visited  when  a  student  in  Glasgow.  You  get  men  to  scoff  at 
creeds  and  dogmas  who  never  read  them^  who  could  not  repeat  a  aii^le  sen- 
tence from  them.  Many  langh  at  the  idea  f£  inspiration  who  never  open  their 
Bibles,  and  could  not  give  you  an  Intelligent  account  of  a  book  or  life 
within  its  pages.  Silly  caricatures  of  oar  Confeitioa  are  accepted  as  trne, 
and  made  the  basis  of  criticisms  by  thoe»  who  know  them  not.  Scripture  is 
condemned  for  what  it  does  not  teach,  and  denied  by  those  who.  know  not 
what  they  deny. 

Proofs  of  this  I  could  easily  tnmish  from  my  own  experience ;  bnt  yon 
can  prove  it  for  yourselves  by  asking  the  first  sceptic  yon  meet  to  explain 
the  faith  he  despises.  Dnnana  what  knowledge  he  has  of  what  he  pretends 
to  disbelieve,  and  yon  will  most  probably  find  his  information  of  the  moat 
modest  dimmsiom.  Now  I  say  this  with  the  knowledge  that  some  of  the 
most  gifted  men  of  the  day  are  unbelievers.  Some  of  them  know  science 
well,  are  conversant  with  the  laws  of  the  aniverse.  Hat  different  forms  of 
animal  and  vegetable  life,  and  yet  are  hopelessly  ignorant  of  religions  mat- 
ters, nnless  throi^h  sncb  caricatures  as  I  have  already  spoken  of.  For 
examples  of  this  yoa  may  tufn  to  Fronde'ft  address  on  CalviniKn  as  Lord 
Rector  of  St.  Andrews,  ot  the  botA  of  Qr^'s  to  which  I  have  already 
referred. 

Again,  '  Unbelief  through  perversity  is  wrong.'  Many  disclaim  Chris- 
tianity, and  deny  the  power  of  religion,  and  yet  adopt  a  religion  of 
their  own  making.  Others  dO'  not  overthrow  or  cast  aside  the  teaching 
of  Scriptore,  but  twist  it  to  suit  their  own  the<Hie8,  and  put  into  it  or  take 
OQt  of  it  a  meaning  it  cannot  fairly  bear.  Of  such  I  will  give  you  an 
example.  John  S.  Mill  in  his  Avtnhiography  says,  *  I  am  one  of  the  very  few 
examples  in  this- country  of  one  who  has  not  tiirown  off  rel^oas  belief,  but 
never  bad  it.  I  grew  np  in  a  negative  state  with  r^ard  to  it.'  Now  keep 
that  statement  in  mind,  and  li^tra.  to  this.  Writing  of  his  wife's  death,  he 
says,  '  Since  then  I  have  sought  for  snch  alleviation  as  my  state  admitted 
of,  by  the  mode  of  life  which  most  enabled  me  to  fed  her  still  near  me.' 
Mark  the  materialistic  philosopher's  relation  to  the  dead : '  I  bought  a  cottage 
*  NimiimA  Ccnfury,  Ootober  1877. 


456  MODBBN  SCEPTICISM.  '      oi.  mwI?^'- 

as  close  as  possible  to  the  place  where  she  ia  baried,  acd  there  I  lire  con- 
Btantly  daring  a  great  portion  of  the  year.  My  objects  in  life  are  solely 
those  ID  which  ehe  shared  or  sympatbized,  and  which  are  indissolably  asso- 
ciated with  her.'  Mark  specially  what  follows :  '  Her  memory  ia  to  me  a 
religion,  and  her  approbation  the  standard  by  which  (summing  np  as  it  does 
all  worthiness)  I  endeavour  to  regulate  my  life.'  Now  tor  Mill's  power, 
clearness,  and  grasp  of  mind  I  entertain  the  highest  regard  ;  bnt  what  shall 
we  say  of  the  man  who  disclaims  all  religion  and  worships  the  memory  of  a 
poor,  sinf  al  woman  f  I  bad  not  the  hooonr  of  Mrs.  Mill's  acqaaintance,  but 
'  it  is  not  too  mnch  to  assume  that  she  was  like  other  daughters  of  Kve ;  and 
therefore  it  is  bard  to  anderstand  a  man  who  discards  the  noble  morality  of 
the  New  Testament  for  the  approbation  of  a  wife.  All  tbis  on  Mill's  part 
is  Tery  bumiliating,  no  matt^  wfaat  his  wife  was ;  and  to  me  affords  a  sad 
proof  of  how  the  noblest  intellects,  away  from  God,  may  be  guilty  of  the 
greatest  aberration.  Mill  required,  as  we  all  do,  a  rel^ion.  He  overlooked 
his  God  and  Father,  and  worshipped  his  wife. 

The  other  example  I  shall  adduce  is  that  of  Matthew  Arnold.  He  has  the 
reputation  of  great  scholarship,  and  the  fact  that  the  students  of  St.  Andrews 
nominated  him  for  their  Lord  Rector  is  a  guarantee  of  his  power  and  positioQ. 
In  his  work,  Literature  and  Dogma,  he  tries  to  show  that  the  idea  of  a  personal 
God  is  not  to  be  foand  in  Scripture.  What  we  have,  then,  is  the  txpression 
or  working  of  an  abstract  principle  or  power,  which  he  defines '  atendencj  not 
ourselves  which  maketh  for  righteousness.'  On  this,  he  says,  '  more  and  more 
the  power  which  makes  for  righteonsness  becomes  a  man's  consolation  and 
refuge.'  HeqQoteB,'Tbonartmyhiding-pIace;  Thon  shalt  preserve  me  from  . 
trouble ; '  and  thea  he  adds,  '  The  more  we  ezperience  this  shelter,  the  more 
we  feel  that  it  is  protecting,  even  to  tenderness.  "  Like  as  a  father  pitieth 
his  own  children,  even  so  is  the  Eternal  merciful  unto  them  that  fear  Him." 
Nay,  every  other  support  we  at  last  find,  every  other  attachment,  may  fail  qs, — 
this  alone  fails  not ;  "  Can  a  woman  forget  her  sucking  child,  that  she  shonld 
not  have  compassion  on  the  son  of  her  womb  t  Yea,  they  may  forget,  yet 
will  I  not  forget- thee."  All  this,  we  say,  rests  originally  on  the  simple  but 
solid  experienoe — Conduct  brings  happiness,  or  righteousness  tendeth  to 
life.'  Now,  in  the  name  of  all  that  is  reasonable,  what  gain  is  there,  or  what 
ground  is  there,  for  asking  us  to  surrender  the  plain  meaning  of  Scripture  tor 
such  a  snbstitQte  T  To  take  God  out  and  put  a  '  tendency '  in  His  placw  ! 
Fall  of  dogmatism  and  twisted  Scripture  tests  onr  Confesaian  may  be, 
but  I  know  of  no  instance  where  ordinary  language  is  so  wrested  from 
its  evident  meaning  as  when  the  concrete  forms  of  Father  and  Mother  are 
applied,  not  to  a  person,  but  a  ^  tendency.' 

Once  more — Unbelief  through  pride  o/intellect  is  sin.  I  have  much  sym- 
pathy with  aspirlDg,  searching  iotellecte,  when  they  work  from  tme  motives 
and  for  r^bt  ends ;  bnt  to  follow  in  the  old  paths  is  not  fashionable  in  our 
day.  Well,  I  do  not  reverence  a  thing  much  simply  because  it  ia  old ;  bnt 
it  is  a  mistake  to  conclude,  that  the  old  is  really  false,  that  the  new  mnst  be 
true.  And  as  some  think  they  show  their  liberty  by  adopting  some  fast  or 
vicious  course,  and  so  prove  their  freedom  from  old  instruction,  so  in  thonght 
many  through  pride  despise  the  teaching  of  their  fathers ;  and  to  prove  their 
mental  emancipation,  adopt  sceptical  views.  They  read  a  book  which  dies 
in  the  face  of  all  religious  teaching  ;  think  that  in  it  they  have  a  new  reve- 
lation, and  have  become  too  knowing  and  clever  to  think  as  others  think,  and 
believe  as  others  believe.  This  is  the  lowest  form  of  this  '  tendency.'  Those  of 
B  higher  grade  have  mnch  information,  and  in  some  cases  great  leamiog. 


"■"(i^^tum.'*''  MODERN  S0EFIICI8H.  457 

and  therefore  think  it  nonld  be  jnconaiBtent  with  their  cultnre  and  acqaire- 
mentB  to  be  eayed  in  the  same  way  and  by  the  same  truth  as  the  simple,  un- 
lettered peasant.  After  having  ransacked  literature,  become  conrersant  with 
the  different  systems  of  philosophic  thonght,  it  is  hard — almost  impossible 
— to  believe  that  there  is  no  way  for  them  into  the  kingdom  but  through  the 
narrow  wicket  gate  of  childlike  faith.  By  culture,  learning,  the  power  of 
thonght,  the  purity  of  taste,  they  would  raise  themselreB  to  a  higher  life,  but 
find  it  hard  to  accept  the  simple,  soul-saving  truth,  '  Believe  in  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  and  thou  shall  be  saved.'  '  Except  ye  be  converted,  and  be- 
come as  Uttle  children,  ye  shall  in  no  wise  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven,' 
is  to  many  a  meaningless  paradox.  Full  of  health  and  vigoar,  many  live 
under  the  iaflnence  of  so-called  advanced  thought,  to  whom  the  lines  might 
aptly  apply : 

>  Health  chUBj  keeiw  *n  atheist  iu  the  dark. 
A  furer  iLrgueei  better  ttian  a  clerk ; 
Lei  bat  the  logic  of  his  pulse  decs;, 
Tit  OrteicHi  he'U  rmotmce,  and  learn  to  praj.' 

Lastly  here — Unbelief  from  immoratity  «  sin.  The  P&ahitist  says,  'The 
fool  hath  said  in  his  heart.  There  is  no  God.'  On  this  Bacon  observes, 
'  Mark,  it  is  not  in  his  understanding,  but  in  his  heart, — not  in  words,  only 
in  his  heart.'  How  many  wish  there  were  no  God,  no  judgment,  no  eternity, 
because  of  the  coosciousness  of  siu  I  Unbelief  is  often  the  resolt,  not  of 
thought,  but  of  conduct ;  not  of  reosoD,  but  of  sinful  passion.  An  evil  in 
the  life,  sin  in  the  soul,  a  besetting  sin,  some  vicious  habit, — snch  are,  in  too 
many  cases,  the  true  causes  of  infidelity.  Therefore  to  the  young  I  say, 
^  Flee  youthful  lusts.'  Keep  yourselves  pure  in  life,  and  purity  of  thought 
will  perhaps  follow.  There  is  little  hope  for  true  faith  side  by  side  with  evil 
conduct.  Many  do'  not,  because  they  dare  not,  think  of  God's  pnrity  and 
truth ;  therefore  they  deny  His  being.  Afraid  of  His  jndgmrat,  they  try  to 
banish  the  thought.  They  wish  there  were  no  God,  and  therefore  they  say 
there  is  none.  And  much  of  our  doubt,  scepticism,  unbelief,  arises  from 
immorahty  of  life  and  nnspirituality  of  mind  and  heart.  'ITiis  again  1  say, 
although  I  have  personally  known  unbelievers  who  might  have  been  examples 
to  professing  Cbristiuis  in  sobriety,  nprightuess,  and  purity  of  life.  While 
Borrowfully  we  have  to  confess  that  many  so-called  Christians  do  not  hve 
such  noble  and  pure  lives  as  those  they  condemn  of  infidelity,  yet  T  maintain 
that  evil  passion,  sin,  uncleanness,  drunkenness,  dishonesty,  are  in  many  in- 
stances the  true  causes  of  much  of  our  scepticism.  It  is  a  result  as  well  as 
a  cause, — a  fmit  of  sin  as  well  as  a  root  of  iuiqnity. 

And  now,  while  I  may  appear  to  have  spoken  very  strongly,  yet,  believe 
me,  it  is  not  in  harshness  of  judgment  or  bitterness  of  spirit.  I  know  too 
much  about  the  pain  ol  doubt  to  do  bo.  My  sympathy,  if  not  my  kindest 
pity,  is  rather  stirred  for  those  who  are  still  iu  darkness ;  and  in  all  sincerity 
I  can  make  these  words  my  own :  '  Feeling  as  I  do  that  their  ignorance  is 
to  them  a  dreadful  calamity  ;  seeing  in  it  a  spectacle  more  pitiful  than  that 
of  blind  and  sightless  orbs,  round  which  in  vain  heaven's  sweet  light  is  rip- 
pling— the  spectacle  of  souls  blind  to  the  light  and  cold  to  the  love  of  Jesus 
Christ ;  believing  as  I  do  that  there  is  a  purity  surpassing  all  earthly  noble- 
ness, a  peace,  rest,  satisfaction,  joy  transcending  the  most  enraptured  dreams 
of  earthly  happiness,  to  which  they  are  strangers ;  that  the  name  of  Jesus 
conld  give  them  that ;  and  that  there  is  none  other  name  given  uuder  heaven 
among  men  that  can  do  it, — is  there  not  here  enough,  apart  from  all  mean 

...Cooglc 


458  THE  REFLEX  INFLCESCE  OF  MI88IOK8.      ^"^^lo?^ 

and  selfish  terrors,  to  fill  the  heart  of  eveiy  Christian  man  with  e,a  almost 
passionate  ardonr  to  bring  ereiy  errii^  brother  to  the  participation  of  his 
own  faith  and  hope ! ' 

Ah,  were  this  so,  how  soon  woald  we  see  infideUt;  hide  itd  face  before  the 
purity,  nobility,  and  enthusiasm  of  Christian  Uvea  I  For  where,  after  all,  is 
the  true  caase  of  scepticism  to  be  fonnd  t  In  the  narrowness  of  onr  creeds  f 
in  the  intolerance  of  the  ministry  1  in  the  exclasiTeness  of  the  Chnrch !  in  the 
want  or  lack  of  sympathy  of  Christian  teachers  with  the  people  ! — all  tliis  I 
deny,  No ;  the  trae  canse  is  found  among  the  professiDg  people  of  God. 
In  their  coldness,  in  their  listlessness,  in  thdr  hypocrisy,  in  their  meaoiiess, 
in  their  sins.  Had  we  example  eqnal  to  profession,  life  equal  to  pretence, 
eameetness  equal  to  our  tows  at  the  Lord's  table,  then  scepticism  would  not 
stand  before  this  overwhelming  torrent  for  a  day.  But  the  man  who  stands 
at  the  baptismal  font,  and  takes  tows  with  no  intention  to  perfonn  them ;  the 
man  who  is  to  be  found  in  the  tap-room  on  Satnrday  night,  or  the  clnb-room 
till  the  small  honrs  of  Sabbath  moming,  and  among  the  worshippers  of  Qod 
in  the  afternoon,  after  the  forenoon  sleep  has  drained  his  brain  and  stupefied 
his  reason ;  the  man  who  sits  at  the  Lord's  table  and  swears  allegiance  to 
Jesus  Christ,  and  yet  does  mean  deeds,  and  uses  profane  and  impure  lan- 
gu^e;  the  men  who  profess  on  Sabbath  to  worship  the  Ood  of  equity,  and 
on  Monday  ai«  ready  ior  any  meanness  of  trade  and  dishcmesty  of  commerce, 
— these  are  the  nen  who  are  snfficient,  and  more,  to  destn>y  the  inflnence  of  the 
most  eloquent  preacher.  They  do  more  to  foster  and  encourage  infidelity 
than  all  the  creeds .  in  Christendom,  or  the  poorest  sermon  of  the  poorest 
preacher  that  ever  spoke. 

On  Intellectual  gromids  we  need  not  fear  to  say, '  We  are  not  ashamed  of 
the  gospel  of  Chnst ; '  but  when  we  speak  to  erring,  sinful  ones,  and  they 
m  tnm  point  to  the  life  and  conduct  of  Christians,  and  ask  if  these  be 
specimens  of  Christians,  if  these  be  the  men  to  imitate,  thwe  is  nothing  left 
but  to  drop  the  head  in  silence,  and  blush  for  very  shame. 

So,  brethren,  we  hare  it  in  our  hands  to  stop  unbelief,  by  faithtnlnesG  to 
the  truth  and  power  of  the  grace  of  God  and  the  gospel  of  His  Son ;  bnt  so 
loi^  as  we  are  not  true  to  oar  profession,  need  we  wonder  that  others  deny 
the  power  and  the  use  of  our  faith !  S. 


THE  BEFLKX  INFLUENCE  OF  MISSIONS.* 

It  ia  said  that  on  one  occasion,  whan  a  minister  of  the  Church  of  England  was 
enlarging  to  the  Duke  of  WeUington  on  the  bc^essoeas  of  missiouary  work  ataoag 
the  heathw,  the  great  general  replied  shai^y,  'Hind  your  marclunc  oiders, 
HT,— "  Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to  CTery  creature.    ' 

Yes,  whaterer  may  be  the  success  or  non-Buccess  that  may  attend  our  ^orts, 
our  duty  as  Christians  is  eleai  and  indisputable.  We  must '  preach  the  gospel  to 
every  oreatnie.' 

We  are  OBBured,  however,  in  the  word  of  God  that  honest  and  earoeat  endea- 
vour in  this  direction. will  not  onW  be  fraught  with  bleesing  to  the  heathen,  but 
also  to  oucaelTOB.  '  It  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive,'  and  who  rig^t^ 
give  also  richly  receive.  '  There  is  that  acattereth  and  yet  increaseth ;  and  theie  is 
that  withholdetb  more  than  is  meet,  but  it  tendeth  to  poverty.'  And  as  it  is  ako 
put  by  our  greatest  poet — 

*  ITie  In/lutnct  of  Foreign  MiMtoiu  on  iht  Ltf*  of  At  Somt  Churdta :  A  Bsnnon  Pracbed 
bef  oro  the  Wealeyaa  Uissioatu;  Sooiet;  in  Qre»t  Queen  Street  Chapel,  Londan,  on  AjotI 
26,  187a    Bj  Bov.  Andrew  Thomson,  D.D.,  Edinbiirgh.    London ;  Wesleyan  Oonfarenoe 


oiCTiW™'        THE  EEFLBX  INFLDEMCE  OP  MISSIONS.  459 

'  The  quality  of  mBrcy  ia  notatrainsdi 
It  Is  twice  bleSHei^— 
It  bleueth  bim  that  giTea 
AudhimUiBt  takes.' 

It  is  to  tliia  aepecti  of  the  manj-Hided  aabiect  of  foreign  miesioDB  to  which  Dr. 
ThomBon  addresses  hiiuself  in  the  diBcoortie  before  ns.  UriginaUj  preached  bef<»re 
a  large  and  intelligent  and  misBlon -loving  audieuce  in  die  great  metropolis  of  the 
country,  it  h  now  put  forth  in  a  form  in  which  its  influences  will  be  greatly 
extended  and  made  more  enduring. 

Dr.  Thoniaon'H  deep  and  long-<£erielied  interest  in  misdons  is  well  known,  and 
tberefore  we  may  expect  to  find  him  in  thoiongh  j^mpatby  with  his  subject,  and 
in  his  happiest  manner.  He  refers  to  varioos  beneflta  which  missions  have  con- 
ferred on  the  churches  at  home,  and  each  particular  is  illnstrated  and  Terified,  in 
language  always  graceful,  often  felicitous,  and  at  times  rising  into  true  eloquence. 
The  fiiBt  advantage  to  oureelres  referred  to  is  one  of  special  importance  in  tbeae 
days  of  subtle  scepticism : — 

'  1.  One  invariant  effect,  then,  of  mitsionary  experience  in  our  foreign  fields  is  to 
ffive  new  cott_Srmation  Co  ourfai^  in  Ihe  divinily  of  our  religion.  It  claims  to  be  a 
God-sent  religion,  intended  for  the  world,  and  adapted  to  the  world ;  and  it  has 
made  good  ila  claim.  Read  with  due  intelligence  and  reflection,  the  history  of 
Christian  missious  within  the  last  two  generations  will  be  found  to  hare  added  a 
new  and  shining  chapter  to  the  volume  of  Chriadan  evidences.  Christianity  is  far, 
indeed,  as  yet  from  baring  achieved  its  universal  triumphs,  or  won  the  whole 
human  family  to  the  feet  of  Jesus.  But  during  the  brief  period  of  modem  mis- 
Bions,  with  so  much  of  its  work  preparatory,  and  with  the  harrest  so  vast  and  the 
labourers  bo  few,  it  has  accomplished  two  results,  [t  has  come  in  contact  with  all 
the  great  sectionB  and  races  ol  men  scattered  over  the  earth,  and  it  has  gathered 
disciples  from  them  alL  It  has  done  battle  with  all  the  great  Bjstems  of  idolatry, 
hoary  superstition,  and  false  religion,  and  it  has  broken  the  fetteisof  someof  their 
votaries,  and  set  them  free  with  "the  gloiioua  liberty  of  the  sons  of  God."  It 
has  gone  down  to  the  lowest  depths  of  man's  intellectual  degradation  and  moral 
debwement,  and  when  every  Qther  expedient  had  failed  and  abandoned  its  work, 
it  has  placed  its  moral  lever  beneath  him  and  raised  bim  up.  You  will  find  ita 
trophies  at  this  hour  ia  the  snow-hut  of  the  Esquimaux,  in  the  kraal  of  the  Hot- 
tentot, in  the  wigwam  of  the  Red  Indian,  and  even  in  the  caves  and  earth-burrows 
of  those  who  had  almost  seemed  to  have  thrown  off  the  last  sbred  of  humanity. 
More  tbon  this,  wherever  the  gospel  preached  by  the  missionary  has  obtained  true 
disciples, — that  is,  men  who  have  made  its  truths  the  matter  of  their  sincere  con- 
viction and  loving  attachment, — no  matter  what  may  hare  been  the  difierence  in 
their  nationality  or  in  the  degree  of  tbeir  mental  development,  it  has  produced  the 
same  character  of  purity,  benevolence,  and  devotion  inUiem  all.  Ithaa  not  merely 
proselyted  them  to  a  creed,  but  turned  them  into  new  and  Christ-like  men.  Ithas 
Ughted  with  intelligence  and  holy  love  the  countenance  of  the  negro  as  well  as  of 
the  white  man,  and  made  them  conscious  of  a  higher  than  a  merdy  human  brother- 
hood. Unbelief  has  often  stood  confounded  at  speotacles  like  this,  and  has  tried 
to  deny  what,  with  ite  principles,  it  found  it  impossible  toexplain.  But  these  divine 
fruits  point  to  a  dirioe  instrumentality.  The  evidence  of  Christianity  is  ir  '^'" " 
converted  portions  of  modem  heathendom.  When  John  the  Baptist  sent  a  me 
to  Jesas  from  prison,  aakiDg  the  question,  "Art  thou  He  that  should  come,  or  ao 
we  look  for  another?"  He  did  not  answer  his  inquiry  with  a  mere  affirmative  or  a 
renewed  assertion  of  His  claims,  but  in  that  same  hour  He  wrought  many  miracles, 
causing  the  blind  to  see,  the  deaf  to  hear,  thednmbto  speak,  and  the  lame  to  walk. 
And  in  like  manner,  when  nnbelievets  at  home  are  putting  our  religion  to  the 
question,  she  does  not  leave  them  unanswered  in  the  field  of  argument,  or  abandon 
her  great  and  standing  credentials,  as  having  become  obsolete  and  out  of  date ; 
but,  in  addition,  she  goes  foi-th  to  the  fields  of  heathenism,  and  to  the  scenes 
of   some   of   her   latest   victories,  aa   in  Hadagsacar,   and  spreading  before   the 

fueetioners  her  divine  fmit«  and  miracles  of  renewed  souls,  says,  "  The  works  that 
do  in  my  Father's  name,  they  bear  witness  of  me  that  I  hare  come  from  God,"  ' 
The  preacher  then  proceeds  to  speak  on  what  missions  have  done  in  '  promoting 


460  THE  REFLEX  IKFLUEMCB  OF  MISSIONS.      '""'oS.uua  "^ 

brotherly  recognition  wid  love  among  the  difEerent  sectiona  o£  the  Christian  Chnrch 
— their  effect  upon  the  activity  of  the  home  ohurohes — their  educating  the  home 
churches  in  the  principle  and  habit  of  Christian  BtewardBhip — the  great  extent  to 
which  they  have  led  to  an  interchange  ot  interceaaory  prayer  between  the  home  and 
foreign  churches ; '  and  towards  the  conclusion  thus  discoaraea  on  features  of  mis- 
stonory  effort  which  are  worthy  of  moat  careful  consideration,  aod  which  may  well 
stir  OB  up  to  heroic  and  joyous  effort  in  behalf  ot  the  grandest  of  enterprisea : — 

'6.  I  du  nol  regard  it  as  an  intignificatit  fact  (Aat  our  foreign  missioat  have  pro- 
duced such  high  forms  of  Christian  character,  apeeially  in  the  lifts  of  some  of  its 
missionaries,  and  that  the  charcbes  at  home  are  at  this  boor  receiving  the  priceless 
benefit  of  their  example.  In  reading  the  lives  of  not  a  few  of  them,  we  feel  as  if 
some  of  the  noblest  and  most  characteristic  features  of  primitive  Christianity  had 
been  reproduced  and  made  to  pasa  before  us.  What  sublime  self -forgetf uLaeas ! 
what  superhuman  patience  I  what  Christ-like  forgiveness,  that  meeUy  beara  a 
wrong  that  "wheta  the  sword  to  think  on  l"whatgrand  heroism,  inspired  by  a  love 
that  counts  not  its  life  dear  nnto  itself !  I  venture  to  assert  that  it  is  in  the  scenes 
of  martyrdom  and  in  our  foreign  mission  flelda  that  men  of  the  true  apoetolic 
stamp  and  mould  have  once  more  risen  up  and  stood  before  ua.  It  has  aeemed  to 
UB,  in  studying  the  lives  of  some  of  the  missionaries  of  thia  and  a  former  age,  as  if 
in  them  the  Chriatian  character,  which  had  become  dimmed  and  defaced  by  con- 
tact with  the  world,  bad  been  cast  afresh  and  issued  anew  from  the  mint  of  heaven. 
Thrown  back  upon  tieir  Chrislian  principles  alone  in  their  misfflonary  solitudes, 
the  cause  which  found  them  great  has  made  them  gTeat«r,  and  we  are  almost  com- 
pensated for  all  our  past  expenditure  of  missionary  treaaaree  by  the  simple  fact  that 
our  missions  hare  product  such  men.  Such  models,  contemplated  by  the  holy 
youth  in  our  home  churches,  tend  to  produce  missionaries.  We  have  been  reminded 
that  ' '  the  tiophied  pyrgos  of  Uiltindes  on  the  plain  of  MaratJion  Buffered  not  Tbe- 
mistooles  to  sleep."  Had  the  apoetlo  lived  in  our  times,  he  might  have  foand  in 
their  lives  material  for  a  seoond  eleventh  chapter  to  the  Hebrews.  How  do  they 
already  begin  to  compass  us  about  like  a  great  cloud  of  witnesses!  As  in  the  case  ot 
Jvdaon  in  the  last  age,  with  bia  patient  waiting,  his  hunger  and  thirat,  his  meek 
endurance  of  malignant  mockery  and  cruel  wrong,  culminating  in  the  long-pro- 
tracted horrors  of  a  Burmeae  pnson,  his  hope  of  blessing,  and  his  unquenchable 
agony  of  prayer,  even  when  for  many  a  year  he  beheld  no  aign  of  fruit,  and  when 
even  the  most  sanguine  toiler  might  have  been  excused  for  some  faintness  aad  sick- 
nees  of  heart, — all  these  experiences  at  length  reversed  and  rewarded  by  hnndteda 
of  Karen  diaciples  sailing  down  the  Irrawaddy,  with  Christian  hymns  for  their  boat 
songs,  to  receive  from  his  own  hands  the  rite  of  Christian  baptism  1  And  in  our 
own  days,  David  Livingstone,  loring  Africa  witii  a  love  which  neither  neglect  nor 
ingratitude,  nor  desertion  nor  treachery,  could  quench  ;  heedlees  of  fever  and  dysen- 
tery, and  hardships  and  pains,  in  the  pursuit  of  bis  God-like  mis^n ;  suffering  many 
martyrdoms  in  his  one  fife,  continuing  to  sow  the  seeds  of  Africa's  regeneration, 
and  to  pioneer  the  way  for  other  labourers,  even  when  be  was  conscioua  of  a.  daily 
ebbing  strength,  and  saw  death  not  far  off;  and  all  this  sust^ned  by  a  pereoni^ 
fount  of  piety,  which  lay  beneath  all  his  other  excellences  and  explained  Uiem  all : 
was  ever  missionary  more  humble,  more  holy,  more  hopeful,  or  more  heroic? 
England  has  shown  her  appreciation  of  bis  work  and  character  by  laying  his  dust 
in  that  venerable  Abbey  which  is  the  consecrated  resting- pi  ace  of  her  greatest  men, 
whether  renowned  for  the  poet's  genius,  or  the  soldier's  courage,  or  the  acholar'a 
learning,  or  the  statesman's  wisdom,  or  ^e  patriot's  enthusiasm,  or  the  philanthro- 
pist's holy  fire. 

'  7.  Nor  woidd  it  be  easy  to  estimate  the  large  extent  to  whici  the  foreign  mifsionary 
enterprise  has  contributed  to  the  holy  joy  of  (he  home  churches.  This  has  always  been 
the  effect  of  the  recorded  fruits  and  triumphs  of  the  gospel  u^n  the  hearts  of  good 
men.  Such  intelligence  many  a  time  cheered  Paul  in  his  prison,  "  refreshed  him 
in  his  chain,"  made  bis  many  sufferings  sit  lightly  upon  him.  And  I  qneation 
whether  tiiere  were  many  happier  days  in  the  early  ChriBtian  Chureh  than  thit 
whidi  was  enjoyed  by  the  assembled  disciples  at  Antiocb  when  Paul  and  Bamsbas. 
having  letumed  from  a  lengthened  evangelistic  circuit  in  the  lands  of  heatlien- 
bm,  gathered  the  church  together,  and  "rehearsed  all  that  God  had  dme  with 


TSJiTwib:  the  oleaner,  461 

tbem,  and  how  He  had  opened  the  door  of  faith  to  the  Gentilea."  How  mnat  thef 
have  rejoiced  as  with  the  jof  of  harvest  1  We  can  imagine  them  to  have  aang  in 
the  very  worde  of  our  paalm :  "  Qod,  even  oor  own  God,  shall  hless  us :  God  shall 
hlesB  ua;  and  all  the  ends  of  the  earth  shall  fear  Him."  There  are  pasaageB  in  the 
life  of  Williajas  in  which  we  read  of  whole  communities,  led  by  their  chiefB,  bring'' 
ing  their  idols  from  afar,  and  laying  tbem  down  at  their  missionarj'e  feet ;  of 
blood-stained  warrioni  renouncing  war  for  ever,  and  sitting  down  at  the  table  of 
love  with  the  remnant  of  a  people  to  whom  their  very  names  had  formerly  been  a 
terror,  and  declaring  eternal  lealty  to  Christ,  the  Prince  of  peace ;  and  again  of 
scores  of  converts  standing  up  and  offering  themselves  as  native  teacheis,  to  be  left 
by  him  to  initiate  the  Christian  movement  on  some  still  barbarous  and  periloas 
shore.  Times  like  tbese  must  have  been  to  the  great  missionary  "  as  the  days  of 
heaven  upon  earth,"  a  "  feasting  on  angels'  food."  And  when  the  narrative  of 
scenes  like  these  found  their  way  over  the  world,  they  sent  waves  of  gladness  over 
the  whole  of  Christendom.  The  life  of  the  universal  Uving  Church  was  strengthened 
by  it.  And  in  like  manner  Madagascar  and  your  own  Fiji  Islands,  and  other  scenes 
of  triumphant  evangelism,  have  ''  madeglad  the  city  of  God."  It  is  an  eKperienee 
which  is  certain  to  he  repeated  on  a  constantly  enlarging  scale  as  the  millennial 
glory  draws  nigh.  As  tiie  watohmen  on  Zion's  walls  stand  and  see  the  providenoa 
of  God  opening  the  way  for  His  word,  and  travailing  prophecies  coming  to  the 
birth  in  great  events, — the  Jews  returning  to  their  own  land,  and  brought  in  with 
the  fulness  of  the  Gentiles, — how  will  the  churches  in  all  lands  put  on  strength  and 
assnme  tbe  port  and  bearing  of  conquest ! 

"  Till  attion  after  nation  tanght  the  Btrsin, 
Earth  rolU  tha  raptnronfl  hosanna  round." 

There  ia  not,  in  fact,  a  grace  or  affection  in  the  Christian  character  upon  which  the 
missionary  enterprise  does  not  operate  with  Invigorating  and  reviving  influence, 
as  with  tbe  breath  of  spring ;  and  not  least  upon  its  peace  and  joy.  It  is  isolation 
that  brings  decay ;  it  is  inaction  that  kills  the  very  Ute  out  of  a  church,  and  freezes 
it  as  wi^  the  deadness  of  winter.  The  missionary  spirit  is  tbe  very  temper  of 
heaven.  For  what  is  it  but  endeavouring  to  carry  out  in  universal  blessing  to  the 
human  race  the  very  ends  for  which  the  Father  sent  His  Son  into  tbe  world,  for 
which  the  divine,  incarnate  Son  suffered  and  groaned  and  died,  and  for  which  the 
Holy  Spirit  pleads  and  strives  in  the  hearts  of  men.  Redemption  is  tbe  chief 
doMgn  of  our  earth's  preservation,  and  the  supreme  issue  in  which  the  whole 
scheme  of  Providence,  from  first  to  last,  through  all  the  ages,  shall  gloriously  ter- 
minate. Even  one  instance  in  which  the  gospel  takes  effect  in  the  salvation  of  a 
human  soul,  as  soon  sa  tbe  news  of  tbe  event  is  borne  up  to  heaven,  occasions  a 
very  spring-tide  of  joy  among  the  innumerable  comfuuiy  of  angels,  as  they  wor- 
ship round  the  eternal  throne.  What,  then,  will  the  joy  be  when  the  whole  world 
has  become  Christ's, — when  tbe  great  harvest  of  redemption  is  gathered  in,  and 
angela  celebrate  tbe  harvest  home  of  our  restored  humanity !  According  to  tbe 
sublime  prophetic  picture  traced  by  tbe  glowiug  pen  of  Isaiah,  nature  itself  will 
sympathise  with  the  universal  joy.  There  will  be  a  grand  chorus  of  all  God's 
creatures ;  the  mountains  and  the  valleys  will  break  forth  into  singing,  the  trees 
of  the  forest  will  clap  their  bauds,  and  our  ransomed  and  regenerated  race  will  be 
looked  upon  by  bigber  intelligencee  as  a  nobler  memorial  and  monmoent  of  divinity, 
a  grander  manifestation  of  God,  than  all  the  wonders  of  the  earth  or  the  sea  or 
the  stars ;  for  "  it  shall  be  to  the  Lord  for  a  name,  and  for  an  everlasting  sign, 
nhich  shall  not  be  cut  ofi."  "Let  the  whole  earth  be  filled  with  His  glory." 
Amen  and  amen.' 


A   TRANSFORMED   CaARACTKH, 

M?  nert  visit  was  to  three  families  of  Christians  in  the  district  of  Han-Chwan. 
Two  of  the  families  lire  at  the  Cheng  village,  distant  from  Hankow  more  than  100 
miloi.    I  called  on  them  fitst.    Though  quite  dark  when  T  reaobed  the  place,  the 


462  THE  QLEAHftE.  ^•"SJiT^S'^ 

brethren  Hil  and  Wamg,  with  their  wives  and  Eii'a  daughter,  came  on  bofkrd  in 
order  to  see  the  pastor,  and,  if  possible,  faftve  &  Herrice.  I  was  only  too  glad  to 
oomplf  with  their  request;  so  we  apeot  a  delightful  bonr  in  singing,  praying,  sod 
expounding  the  Scriptures,  after  which  thej  bade  ua  '  good-night,'  apparentJj 
Tery  grateful  for,  and  mnch  refreshed  by,  the  privilege  which  they  had  just 
enjoyed.  Next  morning  I  met  Hii  and  Wang  at  the  town  of  Meh-Mang-teei,  and, 
having  preached  there  for  about  two  houra,  I  accompanied  them  to  their  own 
Tillage.  Some  time  was  spent  at  each  of  their  houses  in  preachiog  to  the  heathen 
and  in  prayer.  I  was  grieved  to  find  not  one  among  my  hearerg  who  appeared  to 
be  iDtereated  in  the  truth,  and  felt  the  contrast  between  Han-Chnan  and  Hiau- 
Kan  in  this  respect  to  be  very  great.    Still  I  was  thantfnl  to  find  that  these  two 


families  were  everywhere  known  bb  Christians ;  that  their  houses  w 

everj  vestige  of  idolatry ;  that  they  met  every  day  at  Wang's  house  for  praj 

and  that  they  were  respected  by  all  their  neighbours  as  honest,   npnght,  t 


peace-loving  meu.  Hii  was  at  one  time  a  vegetarian,  and  a  leader  of  gome  stand- 
ing in  that  sect  He  was  also  a  celebrated  medium,  carable  of  becoming  possemed 
of  any  specified  god,  and  while  thus  possessed,  of  divinely  preeoiibing  for  the 
sicli,  and  of  revealing  the  condition  of  deceased  relatives  and  friends  in  the  inviable 
world.  He  gave  me  an  interesting  account  of  his  former  life ;  told  me  a  great 
deal  about  the  deception  and  fraud  practised  by  the  spiritualists  in  China ;  and 
expressed  deep  sorrow  that  he  should  have  spent  more  than  twenty  years  in  mia- 
leading  and  cheating  his  fellow-men.  '  But,'  added  he,  '  human  nature  is  a  strange 
thing.  Tell  lies,  and  men  will  believe  you ;  tell  them  the  truth,  and  tiiey  will  only 
wag  theii  heads.  In  those  days  I  could  lead  them  in  crowds  whithersoever  I  list 
wi^  my  tricks  and  falsehoods ;  but  not  a  man  among  them  will  foUow  me  a  step  in 
the  path  of  truth.  Well  does  the  Bible  say  that  man  in  his  natural  condition  is 
bUnded  by  the  god  of  this  world.'  The  change  in  this  man  when  he  became  a 
Christian  was  very  marked.  I  was  told  by  one  of  his  relatives  that  Chrisdanity 
had  made  him  anoth^  man  altogether,  and  this  faot  was  patent  to  all.  And  hence, 
at  the  close  of  my  address  in  his  own  bouse,  be  couid  face  the  audience,  and 
speak  to  them  thus : — '  You  ace  my  neighbours,  and  know  me  weJl.  You  knew 
me  when  I  was  a  leadbg  man  among  the  vegetarians  of  this  region.  At  that 
time  I  was  supposed  to  be,  according  to  my  vows,  a  strictly  moral  man.  But  my 
morality  in  those  days  was  all  a  sham ;  my  heart  was  unchanged,  and  I  was  guilty 
of  the  grossest  immoralities.  When,  however,  I  receired  Christ  and  I)ecame  a 
Christian,  God  gave  mo  His  Spirit  to  cleause  me  and  dwell  in  me,  and  from  that 
time  my  entire  nature  has  been  changed.  Not  only  do  I  not  commit  those 
deeds  of  darkuess  now,  even  the  taste  for  all  such  things'  has  departed  from  me.' — 
Miiuion  Work  ia  China. 

THE  STONE  IN  THE  BOAD. 

In  a  far-off  country,  and  a  far-off  time,  in  the  domain  of  honest  Duke  Ottbo, 
near  the  little  village  of  Himmelsmerl,  in  the  night-time,  in  a  deep  cut  of  the  nad, 
you  might  have  seen  a  tall  man  in  a  long  cloak  stoopng  on  the  gronnd.  He  was 
scooping  out  a  little  round  hollow  in  the  very  middle  of  the  road.  When  it  was  as 
deep  as  he  wished,  he  lined  the  sides  and  bottom  with  white  pebbles,  that  shone 
under  the  October  moon.  When  this  was  done,  the  tall  man  in  the  long  clottk 
went  to  the  side  of  the  road-cut,  and  worked  at  a  large  stone  Idll  it  was  loosened 
and  came  clattering  down,  and  stopped  at  the  bottom  with  a  bump  and  a  thump- 
It  was  large  and  heavy,  and  the  man  conld  only  stag^  with  it  to  the  hole  in  the 
road.  From  the  folds  of  his  cloak  he  took  someUung  about  the  size  c^  his  fist, 
placed  it  in  the  pebble-lined  hole,  let  the  stone  drop  so  as  to  cover  it  wholly,  and 
then  went  his  way. 

Next  morning  a  sturdy  peasant  farmer  came  that  way  with  his  lumbering  oi- 

'  Oh,  the  lazineai,'  he  eried,  '  of  these  people  i  Here  is  this  big  stone  right  in 
the  middle  of  the  road,  and  not  a  slothful  soul  has  bethought  himself  to  thrust 
it  aside  lest  it  should  break  the  bone  of  the  next  body  that  comee  by ! ' 

And  the  sturdy  Hans  lumbered  away,  muttering  to  himself  at  the  lasineBa  of  the 


"'"'SSirirlmi^'"'  THE  QLEANBR.  463 

-  people  of  Eimmolsmerl,  aad  told  bis  wife  and  obQdreD,  when  ho  went  home,  that 
the  Duke  ought  to  koow  what  his  people  were.  Next  a  say  gallant,  with  bis 
bright  and  waving  plume  and  dangling  aword,  rolliclcad  aJong,  singing  a  lively 
ditty  to  loToand  wine.  But  his  head  was  too  far  back  for  him  to  notice  the  stone, 
and  down  he  fell  with  his  aword  between  hia  legs.  He  dropped  the  eong  for  a 
curse  at  '  those  boors  and  dolt-headed  clodhoppeia,  that  leare  a  huge  rock  in  the 
rosd  to  break  a  gentleman's  shins  on.'  He  went  on,  and  next  came  a  company  of 
uerchanta,  with  pads,  pack-boraee,  and  goods,  on  theii  way  to  the  fail  that  was  to 
be  held  at  the  Duke's  great  town.  When  these  came  to  the  stone,  so  narrow  was 
the  road  that  they  had  to  file  on  eith'er  side,  and  Berthold  cried : 

'  Behold  !  the  like  of  that  big  atone  to  lie  there,  and  every  soul  go  by  all  the 
morning  and  never  atop  to  take  it  away !  That  will  be  something  to  tell  friend 
Hana,  who  ia  always  bewtuling  the  sloth  of  the  Himmelsmerl  folks.' 

And  thus  it  went  on  for  the  three  remaintng  weeka  of  October.  Every  pas- 
senger npbruded  his  neighbour  for  leaving  the  hindrance  where  he  found  it. 

When  three  weeks  had  jusaed  ainoe  the  tall  man  in  the  cloak  put  the  atone 
where  we  have  seen  it,  the  Duke  sent  round  to  his  people  of  Himmelsmerl  to  meet 
bim  on  the  Domthan,  for  he  had  Homething  to  tell  them.  The  day  was  come,  and 
a  crowd  was  on  the  Dornthau.  Each  side  of  the  cut  was  thronged  by  people  over- 
looking the  road,  and  there  was  a  throng  at  each  end  of  it.  Old  Hans  was  there, 
and  the  merchant  Berthold.     Said  Hana : 

*  I  hope  my  lord  Duke  will  now  know  what  a  lazy  set  he  ia  Duke  over.' 
'Verily I   but  it  is  a  shame,'  answered  Berthold  ;  and  now   a   winding   horn 

was  heard,  and  the  people  strained  necks  and  eyes  toward  the  castle  as  the 
bright  cavalcade  came  galloping  up  to  the  Domthau.  The  Duke  rode  into  the 
cut,  and  the  people  oloeed  in  at  each  end,  and  pressed  nearer  together  on  the 
brink  idMve.  Then  honest  Duke  Ottho,  who  had  dismounted,  began  with  a  amile 
to  speak: 

*  My  people,  you  know  that  I  am  fond  of  teaching  you  now  and  then  a  leaaon  in 
an  odd  way,  and  for  such  a  lesson  I  have  called  you  together  thia  day.  It  was  I 
that  put  tluB  stone  here,  and  for  three  weeks  every  passer-by  has  left  it  there,  and 
scolded  hia  nelghboor  for  not  taking  it  out  of  the  way.' 

When  he  had  thos  spoken,  he  stooped  down,  lift«d  the  atone,  and  disclosed  a 
little  round  hollow  lined  with  white  pebbles,  and  in  it  a  small  leathern  bag.  This 
the  Duke  held  aloft,  that  all  the  people  might  see  what  was  written  upon  it — 

'  For  him  who  Ufla  the  tUmt.' 

He  untied  it,  turned  it  upside  down,  and  out  upon  the  stoue  fell  a  score  of 
blight  gold  coins,  with  a  beautiful  ring.     Hans  looked  at  Berthold,  and  aaid ; 

'  Humph  I ' 

And  Berthold  looked  back  at  Hana,  and  said : 

'  Marvellous  I ' 

And  the  Dnke  looked  all  around  with  a  smile,  and  said  : 

'  My  people,  always  remember  the  atone  in  the  road.' 

—SeUcUd. 

THE  CLEAKKESS  OF  THE  DIVIHE  ORACLES. — 2  Sam.  T.  19,  23,  24. 

We  cannot  but  be  struck,  in  this  narrative,  with  the  humble  piety  of  David  in 
asking  guidance  from  the  Lord,  and  with  Ms  willingness  implicitly  to  obey  the 
commauds  which  he  received.  Nor  can  we  fail  to  observe  the  clear  and  explicit 
nature  of  the  anawers  which  he  received  from  the  Urim  and  Thnmmim.  Tbe 
andent  heathens  bad  their  oracles  in  connection  with  the  temples  in  which  they 
wOT^ipped  their  divinities ;  but  tbe  responses  at  these  places  to  those  who  con- 
snlted  them  were  generally  eipreaaed  ao  ambiguously  that  no  great  guidance  was 
given  by  them,  and  they  could  not  be  falsified  by  any  event.  Thus  it  is  on  record 
that  when  Croesus  inquired  of  Apollo  what  would  be  the  result  of  hia  attacking 
the  Persians,  the  answer  was  that,  by  doing  so,  '  he  should  overthrow  a  great 
army ' — a  reply  which  would  have  been  appropriate  either  to  the  destruction  of 
the  Persian  army,  or,  as  in  the  event  it  happened  to  be,  to  that  of  his  own. 
When  again  Fyrrhus,  the  king  of  Epirua,  asked  what  was  to  be  the  issue  of  his 


WOT  with  the  Bnnftns,  the  reBpoiiM  was  given  in  words  whicb  mi^t  mean  eitber, 
'  I  saj  that  Uiou,  the  boq  of  EacuB,  art  ftble  to  conquer  the  Ramans,'  ot^luj 
that  the  Roroane  are  able  to  conquer  thee,  the  son  of  Eacua'  [^Ais  te  jEadda 
Romanos  vtncere  posse}.  But  here,  ia  the  replies  given  by  the  sacred  breastplate, 
there  is  oo  obscuritr.  EverTthing  ia  definite  and  clear,  aud  David  conld  hare  no 
hesitation  as  to  his  duty  in  each  caae.— Taylor,  David,  King  of  Israel,  pp.  213, 214 

A   LITTLE   aUABDIAN. 

Thb  rhinoceros  is  a  short-sighted  animal,  and,  more  than  that,  has  a  horn  that 
hinders  his  aisht,  so  that  he  can  see  only  that  which  is  just  before  him.  How  can 
he  tell  when  daneer  is  near?  A  bird  settles  upon  him  when  he  is  feedmg.Bod 
finds  its  own  food  in  ^e  larvx  that  are  in  his  skin.  If  an  enemy  cornea  in  sight, 
the  bird  flies  away,  giving  a  loud  cry  as  it  goea,  and  then  the  rhinoceros  knows 
that  trouble  is  st  hand.  Nothing  is  too  small  and  feeble  to  be  of  nse.  The  liKla 
child  need  not  fear  that  God  has  no  work  for  him.  Only  be  ready  and  williog  to 
do  what  conies  to  you,  and  you  will  be  one  of  the  world's  workers. 


The  silence  never  broken  by  a  eonnd. 

We  still  keep  listening  for  the  spirit's  loss 

Of  its  old  clinging  place,  that  makes  our  life 

A  dead  leaf — drifting  desolately  free — 

The  many  thousand  things  we  had  to  say  ; 

And  on  the  dear  still  face  that  hnahing  look. 

As  it  the  sweet  life-muaic  yet  went  on. 

Though  t4)0  far  oS  for  hearing  (as  it  doth). 

Thrice  have  1  wrestled  and  been  thrown  by  Death ; 

Thrice  have  I  given  my  dear  onea  to  the  Grave : 

And  yet  1  know — see  it  in  spite  of  tears — 

These  are  Ilia  ways  to  draw  us  nearer  Him, 

And  we  moat  climb  by  pathways  of  the  cloud.' 

Gerald  Masset. 


THE    NIGHT    COMETH. 
*  Work  vrhile  it  i>  dny,  for  the  night  eometli  when  no  idp 

Arise  !  for  the  light  is  breaking 

Over  the  eastern  hills ; 
The  world  from  rest  is  waking, 

And  each  one  his  work  fiildls. 

Arise  I  for  the  sun  is  shining, — 
This  is  no  time  for  rest ; 

Too  soon  will  the  rays,  declining. 
Sink  into  the  purple  west. 

Arise  1  for  the  sun  is  glowing 
O'er  the  fields  with  harvest  white  j 

Oh,  rouse  1  and  be  np  and  doing. 
For  ye  cannot  work  in  the  night. 


HOUE  OtBCIJI, 

Oh,  work !  while  the  daylight  laateth, 
■    For  our  time  to  work  is  brief ; 
And  what  if  the  harreit  be  gathered. 
And  76  hare  not  brought  a  aheaf  ? 

Oh,  rouae  I  for  the  bud  ia  duking. 
And  night  will  soon  be  here. 

And  the  weary  toilers  are  thinking 
Of  the  rest  that  ia  drawing  near. 

Oh,  haatel  ere  the  night  be  fallen. 
And  gone  the  last  ^eam  of  light ; 

Still  may  ye  gather  a  littk, 
Ere  evening  deepen  to  night. 

Too  late !  for  the  light  has  faded 
Out  of  the  darkening  west ; 

With  d&rkneaa  the  world  is  shaded, 
The  night  has  come  at  last. 

Ye  would  not  work  in  the  day-time, 
When  the  fields  were  waving  white  ; 

And  your  time  has  gone  for  ever. 
For  none  can  woriL  in  the  night. 

Te  would  not  help  to  gather 
The  sheaTes  eie  night  shoold  come, 

So  ye  cannot  share  in  the  glory 
And  joy  of  the  harrest-home. 


Pome  Circle. 

CHABAGTER. 

'  Eren  a  child  la  known  by  bia  doiDgs.' — PaoT.  JX.  ID. 

Most  people  are  anzions  to  have 'a  good  and.  How  is  it  known?    Character,  it 

character.'    It  ia  said  in  this  same  book  may  be  replied,  is  what  we  are  known 

of  Frorerbe  that '  a  good  name  is  better  or  esteemed  to  be  by  others;  and  a 

than  riches.'    It  often  is  a  means  of  knowledge  of  our  character  iff*  gained 

acquiring  them.     We  have  heard   of  a  by  what  we  are  in  the  habit  of  doing. 

man  of  talent  and  position,  but  morlh-  Glod  alone  csn  look  into  the  heart,  and 

lest  in  other  respects,  saying  he  would  see  whether  the  state  of  our  heart  is 

give    £10,000,    if   he  had    it,    for    a  truly  represented  by  the  course  of  our 

good  character,  because  he  could  make  conduct    Han  can  only  look  on  what  is 

£20,000  by  its  possession.     When   a  outward,  and  jud^e  accordingly.    And 

young   man    or    young    woman   is   in  he  is  under  neceesity  of  judging.    From 


h  of  a  situation,  one  of  the  things  what  he  sees  us  do,  he  determines  what 

that    are    specially  asked    concerning  in  bia  opinion  we  are.  And,  on  the  whole, 

them  is,  '  HaTe  they  a  good  character  ?  generally   this  judgment,   in  the  long 

and  of  this  they  have  to  produce  satis-  tun,  will  prove  to  be  just.     *  A  tree  is 

factory  teatimony ;  and  If  such  testimony  known  by  its  frait.'     And  if  a  tree 

is  not  (ortbcoming,  then,  however  suit-  persistentiy  bear  corrupt  fruit,  we  ate 

able  otherwise  they  may  be,  they  are  justified  in  concluding  that  it  ia  '  a 

not  accepted.  corrupt  tree.' 

In  thu  connection  two    interesting  Now,  it  is  this  principle  which   is 

queetions  occur :    What  is  (Aaracter  ?  referred  to  in  our  text.     It  is  appli- 

MO.  X.  VOL,  xxn.  meTT  sebiks. — October  istb.  2  g 


HOME  OiaOLE.  """SL'C^"^ 


Bat  whilst  we  should  obey  the  Lord 

Bj  his  doingii  it  is  known  whether  a  oui  God,  and  serre  Him  contmnaUy,  vie 

cnild  ia —  should  also  obey    our    puenia   in  the 

1.  Beverent. — Kererenoe  la  sometimes  Lord.    We  have  just  said  that  one  of 

spoken  <rf  in  the  word  of  God  as  'awe,'    "  " '       '       '    '    ' ''   ■' 

aa  'fealP — godly  fear.'     It  isBUpremely  .             ,  ,                                       .    ..   ._ 

due  to  God.     '  Great  is  Jehovah,  and  the  dnty  of  obedience  to  parents,   and 

greatly  to  be  feared ;  He  is  to  be  had  in  puta  this  duty  on  veiy  high  ground 

rererence  of  all  that  are  abont  Him.'  mdeed.    It  says,   '  Honour  thy  father 

There  are  many  ways  in  which  children  and  thy  mother,  that  thy  days  may  be 

may  ihow  that  they  poeeess,  or  do  not  long  upon  the  land  which  the  Lord  thy 

poBsesB,  this  elevated  and  eleTatine  feel-  God  givetb  thee.' 

ing.  There  is  no  way  in  which  the  Jemu,  who  in  all  things  baa  left 
want  of  it  ia  more  powerfully  and  children,  as  well  as  grown-up  people,  an 
flagrantly  manifested  than  by  indulging  example,  has  very  Bpecially  set  Defore 
in  the  sin  of  profane  swearing.  Thia  them  an  example  of  obedience  to  pa- 
sin  is  called  in  the  woid  of  God, '  taking  rents.  We  read  that  He  waa  gubject  to 
Hia  name  in  vain,'  and  in  the  third  them.  How  much  is  implied  in  that ! 
commandment,  as  you  very  well  know,  We  once  beard  a  mother  tell  one  of  her 
it  ia  solemnly  forbidden.  Tet  it  ia  sad  little  daughters  to  eo  a  measage  for  her. 
to  think  that  even  children  of  tender  Had  this  Uttle  girl  been  like  unto  Jeaas, 
years  are  guilt;  of  profanity.  she  would  have  gone  at  once  and  cheer- 
On  one  occasion  a  gentleman,  travel-  fully.  Instead  of  that,  she  refused,  and 
ling  in  a  stage  coach,  and  seated  next  told  hor  mother  to  Bend  a  little  brother 
the  driver,  waa  shocked  by  the  oatba  in  her  atead.  And  so  the  poor  mother 
which  the  poor  man  waa  cootinually  had  her  temper  aorely  tried,  her  heart 
giving  ntterance  to.  He  wiabed  to  i«-  grieved,  and  bet  iime  wasted  by  her  vain 
prove  him,  and  waited  for  a  fitting  expostulations  with  one  who  ought  to 
opportunity.  At  last  one  occurred,  have  been  in  all  things  a  help  aai  not 
'iJiat  horee,'  said  the  driver,  after  he  a  hindrance  to  her. 
had  been  more  than  nsually  profane,  Where  children  are  not  sabject  to 
'  that  hoiseknows  when  I  swear.  'Ah,'  their  parents,  home  is  unhappy,  becaose 
replied  the  gentleman,  '  there  is  slso  a  scene  of  confusion  and  strife,  of  angry 
One  onseen  who  knowa  when  you  swear.'  words  and  conflicting  actiona,  in  short, 
'  And  who  may  tliat  be? '  queried  the  a  place  where  Satan  has  hia  aeat.  And 
driver  in  eurpriae.  To  which  tlie  solemn  even  the  youngest  is  known  by  his 
ansvrer  waa,  '  God  knowa  when  you  doings — whether  he  helpa  to  make  or 
swear  1 '  mar  the  happiness  of  h<une  by  cheerful 

Ym,   dear  children,   you  may  think  obedience  or  sinful  inaubordinatJcai. 

lightly   of  evil   words,   and    you    may  3.  Kind. — Swne  of   yon    may    have 

imagine  that  the  use  of  them  ia  brave  read  the  workaof  awise  and  goodChria- 

and  manly,  but  thia  ia  a  great  mistake,  tian  poet  called  William  Cowper.    And 

Swearing  makea  you  fall  in  the  esteem  if  you  have,  you  will  remember  that  he 

of  all  good  men  ;  it  is  offensive  to  God,  says — 

and  is  injurious,  and,  if  not  repented  .i  ^foaU  oot  place  among  my  list  of 

of  and  forgiven,  will  be  destructive  to  friends 

yourselves.  The  man  who  wantonlv  would  set  his 

But  indeed  this  is  an  extreme  tatm  of  '<*"'  "P""'  *  worm, 

irreverence,  and  we  trust  it  but  seldom  Another  great,  and  at  the  same  time 

appears  among  the  young.    There  are,  gentle  poet,  whose  writings  you  will  one 

however,  other  modes  of  ita  manifeata-  day  read — Wordsworth,— tella  us  how 

tioD,  and  in  order  that  these  may  be  uti«i4y  abhorrent  it  would  be  to  him  to 

avoided,  cultivate  always  a  right  state  '  place  his  pleasure  or  his  pride  in  sortov 

of  heart,  for  '  out  of  the  abundance  of  of  the  meanest  thing  that  breathes.' 

the  heart  the  mouth  speaketh.'  Now,   in  this,   as  in   other  reapecls, 

2.  Obedient. — God  m  His  holy  word  '  even  a  child  is  known  by  bis  dungs,' 
haa  laid  down  laws  for  the  regulation  of  and  '  the  child  is  father  to  the  man.' 
our  heart  and  life,  and  in  tlieae  laws  we  In  illustration  of  this,  let  me  reto  yon 


"""aTj'.'i'sTt'"''                               HOME  CIROLE.  467 

to  the  case  of  a  Boman  Emperor  whoBe  deepairing  maatei.     Had  he  been  told 

name  ;oa  have  all  beard,  and  which  is  that    the   means   of    his    delirerance 

cjnonjmoos  witli  cruelty  itself.  being  pointed  out,  were  bo  apparently 

When  a  little  boy,  the  Emperor  Nero  inngnificant   and   powerleea,    how   he 

was  in  the  babit  of  delighting  in  pnt-  would  have  been  surprtBed  !     But  God 

ting  flies  to   death  in  the   most   (truel  chooses  the  weak  things  of  the  world  to 

manner ;  He  rejoiced  in  witnessing  the  confonnd  those  that   are  mighty  ;   and 

pain  he  caused,  and  the  dying  agonies  even  a  child,  by  the  blessing  of  God, 

of  the  poor  creatures  were  a  joy  to  him,  m^do  great  things. 

When  he  became  a  man,  he  inflicted  on  We    read   lately    a   touching   etory 

his  fellow-creatures  the  tortures  be  bad  of  a  little  girl  who,  on  her  deathbed. 

inflicted  in  youth  on  insignificant  in-  was   the   means   of   the    conveiBion   of 

sects,  and  his  doings  bare  become  the  a    drunken     and     dissipated    father, 

horror  of  the  whole  race.  Amidst  all  his  evil  deeds  this  loving 

Sometimes  hojn  do  cruel  things,  and  daughter  clung  to  him.    But  she  was 

it  is  said  in  their  defence,  it  is  simply  obliged,  on  account  of  the  poverty  to 

thoughtlessness.     Now,  doubtless  it  is  which  his  sinfiil  indulgence  had  reduced 

true  that  them,  to  go  out  even  at  a  very  tender 

...  age  to  service.  On  his  returning  home 
one  evening,  in  his  osual  sodden  con- 
dition, be  was  told  that  little  Nellie  had 

But  the  heart  is  the  part  aye  that  makes  got  fever  and  was   dying.      He  im- 

UB  right  or  wrong,    and  it  is  to  be  mediately  started  to  see  the  child,  who 

feared  that  much  that  passes  under  the  had  always  loved  him,  and  had  retained 

name  of  thougbtleBsnees  should  really  e.  place  even  in  bis  selfish  heart    When 

be  called  heardessoees.  he  come  to  her  bed-side  he  saw  that 

We  remember  once  when  st&nding  by  death  was  not  distant,  and  on  her  ear- 

the  seaside  we  beard  aoryof  distiess,  nest  entreaty  he  engaged  in,  to  him. 

and  on   looking  round  we  saw  three  the  unwonted  exercise  of  prayer,  and 

boys,  two  of  them  about  fourtoen,  and  promised  never  more  to  touch  the  drink 

one  of  them  about  eight  years  of  age.  that  bad  been  bis  shame  and  ruin  ■  and 

The  cry  came  from  the  youngest,  and  was  enabled,  by  the  ^ace  of  God,  not 

on  onr  going  op  to  him  and  a^ing  the  only  to  keep  bis  promise,  but  to  be  the 

cause  of  his  diatreas,  he  said  that  'one  means  of  bringing  many  others  to  the 

of  them  had  pat  a  crab  down  his  back.'  paths  of  peace.     And  bo  the  deatli  of 

The   boy    accueed    stoutly   denied   the  the  child  was  the  father's  life,  and  being 

deed,  bnt  be  was  put  to  shame  by  his  dead  she  yet  speaketh  in  the  holy  and 

accuser  getting  hold  of  the  crab  and  beneficent  deeds  of  him  who  even  in 

Sitting  his  fault  beyond  contradiction,  his  sin  was  so  dear  to  her. 

ow  true  it  is,  that  he  that  does  one  But  in  maur  ways  children  may  be 

sin  at  first  is  very  apt  to  make  it  two  useful.      If   blessed  with  wealth   and 

by  telling  lies  to  conceal  it  I  worldly  ease,  they  may  minister  to  the 

The  aged,   the  infirm,  the   helpless,  want«  of  their  less  favoured  brethren  ; 

shoold  ever  be  objects  of  compassion,  and  if  poor,  they  may  do  much  to  help 

and  we  augur  well  for  the  future  of  the  at  home  those  to  whom  willing  work 

child  who  by  bis  doings  shows .  that  he  brings  joy  and  effective  aid. 

has  a  heart  to  feel  for  the  woes  ofothers.  The  butterfly  spends  the  shining  hour 

and  a  hand  to  help  all  the  victims  of  in  gay  show  and  selfish  indulgence,  the 

misfortune.    This,  indeed,  is  to  resemble  busy  bee  improves  the  time  by  useful 

Jeeua,  who  when  He  saw  the  multitude  labour;  the  one  is  set  before  us  for  oar 

'  had  compassion  on  them.'  avoidance,  the  other  for  our  imitation. 

4.   Uiefui — Tou  have  read  the  story  And  if  yoa  are  wise  in  choosing  the 

of  the  little  Jewish  maid  in  the  house  latter  as  your  esaoiple,  you  shall  be 

of  the  great  Syrian  general     She  was  known  and  esteemed  tor  your  doings, 

very  young,  she  belonged  to  a  despised  for  they  will  be  fraught  with  benefit  to 

and  subject  race,  she  was  in  a  servile  others  and  bleesing  to  yourselves. 

condition,  and  yet  by  the  kind  and  5.  ConacUntious.  —  It  is  said  in  the 

eeasonable  word  which  she  spake   she  word   of    God   that   '  the    wicked    flee 

was  the  means  of  bringing  the  joy  of  whennoroanpursueth,butthe righteous 

health  to    her    sorely  -  distressed   and  are  bold  as  a  lion.'    And  what  is  the 


468                                     BELIfllOUfl  INTELLIGENCE.  ^"""ol'iTS"'^ 

reason  of  this?    The  one  has  cotudeDce  it  'dwell  in  latotj  front  the  feu  of 

as  a  friend,  the  other  aa  a  foe ;  aad  evil.' 

indeed  all  of  ua,  in  so  far  as  we  do  evil,  And  even  a  child  in  known  b^  hit 

have  consdenra  aa  a  foe ;  and  what  a  doings,  whether  he  has  a  r^atd  to  eon- 

powierfnl  foe  he  ia,  and  how  be  triumphs  science    or    not     tt  was  aaid    of    an 

oreF  ml     '  "Tia  conscience  that  makes  honest  Chriatian  shoemaker  that  he  put 

cowAids  of  us  all.'    Bat  'great  peace  his  conscience  into  every  stitch  he  drew 

have  they  that  keep  Thy  law,  nothing  aud  every  nail  he  drove.      And  so  it 

shall  otFeud  them.'  will  be  seen  by  the  manner  and  result 

'More  than  two  centuries  ago,  a  Soot-  of  your  doings  at  home  and  in    the 

tish  nobleman  was  condemned  to  die  school,  at  work  and  at  play,  whether 

because  of  his  inflexible  adherence  to  yon  listen  to  the  voice  within,  and  regu- 

the  cause  of  Christ.      He  wsa  visited  late  your  life  by  a  regard  to  Glod'a  most 

about  an  hour  before  his  execution  by  holy  law. 

one  of,  his  persecutors,  who  found. ^dm  If,  howerer,  we  wonld  cnltavate  the 

enjoying    a   deep,  sweet  sleep.   jIThis  graces  and  virtnes  here  set  forth,  and 

excited  the  utter  sstonishment  of,  his  avoid  the  vices  denounced,   we   most 

enemy,  iwho  knew  nothing  of  th^  jito-  strive  earnestly  and  pray  fervently.     It 

mise    that   Qod  'giveth    His  be)0¥^  bssbeensaid  we  must  striveaa  if  allde- 

eleep.'    '.Argyle  sleeping,'  he  exclaimed,  pended  on  our  own  exertions,  and  pray 

'  within  an  hinir  of  death  ! '     Sow  4if-  .  as  if  all  depended  on  divine  assistance. 

ferent  was  it  with  tiatt  proud,  ^eaemx-  '  The  battle  is  the  Lord'a'      But  He 

loving  moQATch  of  Babylon !    When,  in  ^  wqAa  by  the  use  of  means.     David 

the  midst  qf  his  festivity  and  his  f(at-  selected  appropriate  weapons  ia  bis  con- 

terers,  he  saw  the    myaterioDS  hand-  test  with  Goliath,  but  looked  to  Clod 

writing  on  tt^e  wall,  his  cheeks  paled,  for  Tictory.    And  so  must  it  be  with 

and  his  knee^  ssiote  together,  and  )ie  you ;  and  if  you  do  so  as  children,  you 

became  the  victim  of  the  most  a\)j.eot  ,  will  be  known  by  your  doings  to  be  tlie 

fear.     Yes,  ^tiscience  is  the  voice  of  children  of  yonr  Father  in  heaven. 

God  in  the  *ou1,  and  they  who  listen  ,to  .  Bu-H^P- 


^^, „,  iM'Lean,  Alston,  and  Connor  to  be  their 

,  yBESBnEEiAL  PBOCEKDiNa&  '  depati(».    The  Committee  recommended 

Annaadale. — This  presbytery  ^e^at  that  this  presbytery  shonld  in   return 

Annah  on  the  10th  nit — the  Rev.  Jamas  appoint  foiir  deputies,  and   that    the 

Scott,  A.M.,  moderator.     Mr.  ^atBon,  visits  of   the  deputies  should,  if   poe- 

eonvener  of  the  committee  appointed  to  sible,  be  simultaneous.     The  preabytery 

prepare  a  plan  according  to  wljiph  the  accepted  and  approved  of  tLe  report, 

congregations    might   be   visited, .  pub-  and  appointed  Hessra.  Walaon,  Hutton, 

mitted  a  report,   with  remarks.      The  Lambert,  and  Bonsld  as  deputies;  and 

'^t^sbytery,  after  reasoning,  agreed,ito  the  presbytery  agreed  to  leave  Ibeper- 

receive  the  report,   and   to   thank  the  fecttng  of  details  in  the  hands  of  the 

convener    for    his   diligence.      Agreed  convener  of  Committee  on  MisBions.     In 

further,  that  the  final  disposal  d  the  view  of  the  above  decision,  the  preeby- 

matter  be  left  over  until  the  (juestion  tery  agreed  to  defer  its  own  scheme  (A 

of  the  proposed  inter-preebyt^rial  es-  visitation  nntil  the  beginning  of  next 

changes    be   considered.      Mr.   Ronald  year.     The  presl^tery  agreed  to  recom- 

{oesented  a  report  from  the  Committee  mend    to  seeHions    to    arrange    for  a 

on    Missions,    bearing    that    they   had  thanksgiving  service  on  account  of  the 

considered  various  circulars  from  the  harvest    The  presbytery  also  agreed  to 

Foreign  Mission  Committee  in  regard  give  thanks,  through  Dr.  HacGlU,  to  the 

to  the  Synod's  scheme  of  inter-presby-  donor  of  copies  of  Memorials  <rf  Rev. 

terial  exchanges  on  behalf  of  missiona  Carstairs   Douglas,  missionary  of   tbe 

According  to  this  scheme,  it  fell  to  this  Presbyterian    Church    of    England    at 

presbytery  to  exchange  with  tbe  preeby-  Amoy,   China;    and,   through   Mr.   W. 

tery  of  Lanark.     It  appeared  that  that  Logan,  Glasgow,  to  the  donors  of  Dr. 

presbytery  had  appointed  Mesais.  Scott,  W.    Anderson's    Exposure    of   Popery. 


""'Xr^  wJ^''    .              EELIGtOUS  INTELLIGENCE.  469 

The  pMebjterj  further  Agreed  M  take  act  u  clerk  pro    tern.     Mr.    Bell    of 

up,  in  terms. M  the  Synod's  I'emit,  '  The  Auchtermnchtj  preached  the  ordination 

Dedarfttory  Statement  Boeat  Standards.'  sermon.    The  moderator  narrated  the 

Next  meeting  of  presbytery  is  to  be  held  previous  steps,  and  after  the  ordination 

at  Annan  on  the  Taeaday  aft«r  the  third  addressed  the  young  minister.    Mr.  Tees 

Sabbath  of  Ootober,  at  11.45  1.11.  addressed  tite  people.     A  nmnber  of 

Banffshire. — This  presbyteiy  met  at  brethren  from  other  presbyteries  ■were 

Banff  on  Taeedav,  Sd  September — Kev.  present,  who  were  inTited  to  correspond. 

David  Merson,    B.D.,   moderator.     Ar-  A   meeting   was   held   ia   the  eveDing, 

raugementsweremadeforan  interchange  which  was  largely  attended,  when  in- 

bf  deputies  with  the  Presbytery  of  Elgin  teresting   addresses  were  dehvered  by 

and  Inverness  to  advocate  the  caaae  of  theRev.Mr..CFOom,Moderator  of  Synod, 

foreign  missions.    It  was  agreed  to  hold  Professor  Pateison,  Kev.  Mr.  Fleming, 

a  presbyterial  conference   at   Banff  on  Whithorn,  and  others.— A  pro  re  nata 

missioDB  on  Tuesday,  Sd  December,  at  meeting  of  this  preabyteiy  was  held  in 

twelve  noon.     Messrs  Merson,  Macfar-  the  s^ne  pkce  on  the  27th  August,  for 

lane,   and  Wether  were  appointed   the  the  purpose  of   considering  a  petition 

presbyteir's  Committee  on  Snperinten-  from   Bonnygate  congregation,   Cupar, 

denc«  of  Young  Persons  changing  their  praying  the  presbytery  to  appoint  ooe 

placeof  rsaidence — Mr.  Merson, convener,  of  theb  number  to  preside  in  the  modera- 

Agreedtoconaider Declaratory  Statement  tion  of  a  call  to  one  to  be  colleague  and 

on  Confceaion  of  Faith,  and  the  other  re-  successor  to  the  Her.  Joba  Rankine. 

mii«fromSyiiod,  at  next  meeting,  to  be  Messrs.  Boberteon,  Dnffus,  Patrick,  sen., 

held  at  Banff  on  Toeeday,  Sd  December,  tuid  Westwood,  sen.,  appeared  as  com- 

at  half'past  ten  forenoon.  missioners,    and    the    moderation    was 

Berteick. — This  presbytwy  met  Sep-  appointed  to  take  place  on  9th  Se[)t., 

tember  3d — the  Bev.  Dr.  Bitchie,  mode-  Mr.  Rankine  to  preside,  imd  Mr.  Smith 

rator  pro  tern.      The  Rev.  R.  Simpson  to  assist — An  adjoamed  meeting  of  this 

wBsappoiatedto  dispense  the  communion  presbytery  was  held  on  17th  September 

at  Homdean  on  the  first  Sabbath  in  — Mr.  Tees,  moderator,  and  Hr,  Smith, 

October.    A  commnnication  on  presby-  clerk   pro    tern.      The    clerk    gave   an 

terial  exchanges  for  pleading  the  cause  acconnt  of  the  procedure  ill  the  modera- 

of  missiona  was  submitted,  and  it  was  tion  of  the  call  by  Bonnygate  congrega~ 

agreed  to  refer  it  to  the  Mission  Com-  tion.      Read    the    call,   which    was    a 

mittee  of  the  presbytery,  with  instruc-  unanimous  one,  and  addressed  to  Mr.  J. 

tions  to  report  at  next  meeting  as  to  the  P.  Uitehell,  M.A.,  probationer,  GUsgow. 

best  meausof  carryingtbe  recommenda-  A  petition  of  the  congregation,  praying 

tions  into  effect     The  Eev.  Wm.  Wilson  the  presbytery  to  sustain  the  call,  was 

was  appointed  convener  of  the  Missiob  also  read,  and  tiie  commissioners  who 

Ccmmittee  for  the  year.    The  Rev.  G.  F.  appeared  before  the  presbytery  at  last 

Rosa  gave  notice  of  an  overture  to  the  meeting  were  again  present  to  sapport 

Synod  on  tiie  subject  of   disestablish-  this  petition.   The  conduct  of  the  parties 

ment  and    disandowment.      Attention  officiating  at  the  moderation  was  ap- 

was  called  to  the  Declaratory  Statement  proved  of;   the  call  was  unanimously 

anent  tiie  Subordinate  Standards  sent  sustained,  and  Mr.  Mitchell  being  pre- 

down  by  the  Synod  to  presbyteries  and  sent,   accepted  of    it,    and   bials   for 

sessions,  and  the  Revs.  D.  Kerr,  Dr.  ordination  were  appointed.    The  next 

Kitohie(convener},P.MearDB,W.WilBon,  ordinary  meeting  is  to  be  held  in  the 

G.  F.  Ross,  and  B.  Sunpson  were  aj;-  same  place  on  the  Tuesday  after  the 

pointed  a  committee  to  report  on  this  first  Sabbath  of  October. 

Statement,  with   any  su^eetions  they  Dundee. — This     presbytery    met    in 

may  deem  proper,  to  next  meeting  of  the  SchooIWynd  Church  on  the  17th  August, 

presbytery,  on  October  22d,  when  the  previous  to   the  funeral  of  the  Rev. 

subject  will  be  discuteed.  George  GQfillan— the  Rev.  J.  A.  Marrsy, 

Cupar.  —  This    presbytery    met    in  moderator    pro    lem.      Appointed    the 

Boston  Church,   Cupar,   on    the    17th  moderator  and  Messrs.  Miller,   Wilson, 

July,  for  the  ordination  of  Mr.  Thomas  and  Laurie,  along  with  the  Rev.  Charles 

M.  Fleming,  M.A.— Mr.  Borwict,  mode-  Short  and  the  Rev.  C.  M.  Grant,  to  con- 

rator.    In  the  absence  <A  Mr.  Rankine,  duct  the  fmieral  services  in  the  church. 

Mr.  Smith  of  Pltlessie  was  appointed  to  Appointed  the  Rev.  A.  B.  Connel,  io 


470  EEUQIOUS  INTELLIGENCE.  '^""'Sa.'irlw?'^ 

accordance  witb  the  wishes  of  Mn.  Oil-  health.    Agreed  to  deU^  appoinliDg  a 

fillan,  to  preach  the  fimeral  sennon  of  superiDten&nt  of    Btudenta    till    next 

Hr.  Oilfillan  io  School  Wjnd  Church  on  meetang.    Mr.  Flraning  gave  notice  that 

Sabbath,  18th  Aogogt,  and  to  declare  at  next  meeting  he  would  call  the  atten- 

the  pulpit  vaoant.^ — -This  pTeabytorj  met  tion  of  the  preebyteiy  to  tJie  inexcaHabie 

on  Tnesday,  3d  September — t^e  Rev.  B.  abaence  of  members  from  ita  ordinaiy 

Lauie,  moderator  pro  tern.     The  Iter,  meetings. 

James  Qraham  was  chosen   modemtor         El^it  and  Invemesi. — This  presbfterr 

for  the  next  six  months,  and  took  the  mec  at  Nairn  on  the  20th  Aagnst — the 

chair.     It  was  t^reed  to   appoint  the  liev.    William    Macdonald,    moderator. 

RevB.  H.  Laurie  aud   A.   B.  Connsl  a  Mr.  Hutcbinaon,  probaldoner,  being  pre- 

committee  to  draw  up  a  minute  witli  sent,intiiaatedhisacceptance  of  (Recall 

refereuoe  to  the  late  Hr.  GiI£Uan,  ex-  recently  given  him  bj;  the  congregation 

prening  their    esteem    for  him,    their  of  Tain,  and  trial  exercises  for  ordina- 

aenae  of  Qie  loss  the;  had  anstained  by  tion  having  been  given  in  b;  him  to  tbe 

his  death,  and  their  sympathy  with  Hn.  entire  aatisfactJon  of  the  presbytery,  im 

GiUllan  and  the  congregation.     It  was  ordination  was  appointedto  takeplaceat 

further  agreed  to  appoint  Mr.   Connel  Tain  on  Wednesday  the  18th  September, 

moderator  of  the  seaoon  of  School  Wynd  —Mr.  Boberteon,  Campbeltown  (ArdK- 

Church.      The  clerk  intimated  that  he  sier),   to  preach;  Hr.  M'Martio,   Nigg, 

had  received,  through  the  Rev.  Dr.  Mac-  to  ordain ;  and  Mr.  Watson,  Forrea,  to 

Gill,  for  the  ministers  of  the  preabytery,  address  pastor  and  people  on  their  reepec- 

copies  of  toe  narrative  of  uie  life  and  tive  dubea ;  the  services  to  commence  at 

vork  of  the  late  Dr.  Garstiurs  Douglas,  12.30  p.m.    Mr.  Sharpe  gave  notice  that 

misaionary  to  China.     It  was  agreed  to  he  will  at  next  meeting  move  that  in 

thank  the  generous  donor  for  his  gift,  future  the  presbytery  meet  usually  at 

Mr.  Miller,  convener  of  the  presbytery's  Forres. 

Mission  Committee,  submitted  an  intermi  Glasgow. — The   ordinaiy   meeting  of 

report    He  said  that  the  Synod  had  this  presbytery  was  held  ^pt.  10— Bev. 

recommended  a  scheme  of  presbyterial  Dr.  Black,  moderator.    Mr  James  Bojd, 

exchanges,  with  the  view  of  deepening  elder,  said  that  it  was  with  feelings  tA 

and  widening  the  interest  in  musions.  tbedeepest  sorrow,  on  behalf  of  the  con- 

The  committee  desired  to  know  whether  gregationandseasionofBelhaven Church, 

the  Presbytery  of  Dundee  were  prepared  that  be  had  to  announce  to  the  court  the 

to  go  into  the  scheme.    Three  motions  death  of  his  beioved  miniater,  which 

were  made  on  the  matter — (1)  That  the  took  place  on  Sabbath,  Ist  September, 

presbytery  remit  the  whole  matter   to  Rev.  Mr.  M'Coll,  Fartick,  said  they  had 

the  Miesion   Committee ;  (2)  That   the  listened  with  great  sorrow  to  tiie  an- 

preahytery  enter  into  the  Synod's  pro-  nounoement  just  mada    The  moderator 

posal,  aod  instruct  the  coromittee  to  said  that  after  what  had  been  expressed 

make  the  necessary  arrangements ;  and  by   Mr.   Boyd   and   Mr.   M'Coll  it  was 

(3)  That    the  report   he   received   and  nnneceaBary   for   him   to  say  anydung 

allowed   to  lie    on  the  table.      After  further  in  regard  to  his  brother,  Mr. 

division,  the  third  motion  was  carried.  Thomson.     They  all  mourned   his  loss. 

Mr.  John  Cook,  Tayport,  gave  all  his  He  was  a  power,  and  a  growing  power, 

trials  for  licence,  which  were  cordially  in  the  Church.    Mr.  Thomson's  name 

snatained,      Se  was  then  duly  licensed  was  then  removed  from  the  roll  of  pres- 

as  a  preacher  and  probationer  in  con-  bytery,  and  prayer  waa  offered  op  by 

nection  with   the  United  Presbyterian  Dr.  Joseph    Brown.    Mr.   Boyd    th«i 

Church.  said    that    the  Belhaven  congregation 

Edinburgh. — This  presbytery  met  on  were  unanimous  in  asking  the  presbytery 

Tuesday,  3d  September,  in  the  Hall,  5  to  appoint  Mr.  H'Goll  as  moderator  of 

Queen  Street— Rev.  Mr.  Small,  mode-  thur  seasiou,  leaving  the  matter  of  the 

rator.     The  presbytery  waa  engaged  for  pulpit  supply  to  the  seaaion.     This  re- 

a  condderable  time  hearing  the   die-  quest  wss  agreed  to  by  the  court.     Hr 

courses  of  students.     It  was  agreed  to  Oliver,  Glasgow,  was  elected  moderator 

accept  the  resignation  of  Rev.  Mr.  Deans,  of  preebjtery  for  the  ensuing  six  months. 

Junction  Road,  Leith ;  to  express  sym-  Mr.  A.  H.  Anderson  reponed   that  he 

pathy  with  him  in  his  affliction,  and  the  had  moderated  in  a  c^  by  the  Elgin 

hope  that  he  might  soon  be  restored  to  Street  congregatimi  on   tiie  SSih  nit 


citu^                        RELroiOUS  INTELLIQEKCE.  471 

Three  nsmea  had  bwn  submitted,  hut  from  Dr.  Young,  conTener  of  the  Theo- 
by  a  majority  the  meetiag  selected  Mr.  logical  Committee,  anent  coUection  for 
David  K.  Miller,  Leitham.  221  com-  the  Hall  Fand.  On  inquiry,  it  appeared 
nmnicants  and  adherents  signed  the  calL  that  the  collection  had  been  made  in 
The  congregation  numben  503  membem  Balgedie,  Edenshead,  and  EinrOBs  East. 
The  call  was  Biistaiued.  Dr.  Black  Appointed  next  meeting  to  be  held  hers 
wrted  that  he  had  moderated  in  the  on  Tuesday,  6th  Hovecober,  and  agreed 
J  by  the  Mount  Florida  congregation  to  consider  at  that  meeting  the  remits 
to  Mr.  Henry  Drysdale,  preacher  of  the  on  *  Imposition  of  Hands,'  and  on '  Mar- 
gospel.  Themeetingnnanimonelyeiected  riage  with  a  Deceased  Wife's  Sister.' 
Mr.  Drysdale,  no  other  name  being  eub-  Kirkcaldy. — This  presbytery  met  at 
mitted.  The  usual  st«ps  were  ordered  Leren,  4th  June — Kst.  D.  Douglas, 
to  be  taken.  A  petition  from  the  moderator.  Mr.  Martin,  convener  of 
Cranetonhill  congregatdon,  asking  a  the  committee  on  the  Loaghboroogh 
moderation  in  a  call,  was  laid  before  the  Road  preaching  station,  reported  that 
presbytery.  The  stipend  offered  by  the  station  was  now  in  a  Btat«  in  which 
the  congregation  is  £290,  inclusive  of  it  was  desirable  that  it  should  be  formed 
sacramental  expenses.  The  presbyt«ry  into  a  regular  congregation,  and  a  re- 
(TraAted  the  request,  and  appointed  Dr.  quest  to  that  effect  was  presented.  It 
Black  ta  preside  at  the  moderation  was  found  that  the  committee  had 
serviceB  on  the  2Sd  inet  A  umilar  received  and  examined  the  certificates  of 
petition  was  laid  before  the  presbytery  church  membership  of  twenty-five  per- 
from  tbe  Cathcart  Road  congrega-  sone  disjoined  from  their  respective 
tion,  in  which  the  stipend  offered  was  congregations,  and  wishing  to  be  con- 
£300,  including  expenses.  Agreed  to  gregated.  It  was  agreed  that  the  request 
moderate  in  the  call,  the  aervices  to  be  granted,  and  the  Rev.  Wm.  Guthrie 
be  held  on  the  S4th  inst.  The  clerk  was  appointed  to  preach  at  Lough- 
(Hr.  Buchanan)  read  a  communication  borough  Road  on  the  following  Sabbath 
from  Cathedral  Street  congregation,  and  Intimate  to  this  effect.  Appointed 
stating  that,  in  consequence  of  their  also  an  interim  session,  Mr.  Martin  to 
present  place  of  worship  having  been  act  ae  moderator  during  the  vacancy. — 
handed  over  to  the  North  Britieh  Rail-  The  presbytery  met  pro  re  nata  ISth 
way  Company  for  the  eztension  of  the  August,  to  consider  a  petition  for  a 
Queen  Street  Station,  they  had  secured  moderation  from  the  congregation  of 
a  plot  of  gronnd  on  the  west  side  of  Longhborongh  Road,  Kirkcaldy.  The 
Kelvingrove  Street,  and  facing  the  West  stipend  promised  is  £190.  It  wss  agreed 
£nd  Park,  for  a  new  oburch.  Mr.  R.  to  grant  the  petition,  and  the  Rev.  B. 
T.  Middleton  add  it  might  become  Martin  was  appointed  to  preach  and 
necesaary  soon  for  the  presbytery  to  moderate  in  a  call  at  Loughborough 
consider  the  question  of  congregations  Road  on  the  evening  of  Monday,  26tb 
leaving  centres  of  population  where  August — This  presbytery  met  again 
they  Imd  been  long  prominent  for  other  9th  September — Rev.  D.  Malloch,  mode- 
places  which  were  already  overchurched.  rator  pro  tern.  Mr.  Martin  reported  that 
The  moderator  said  the  question  was  an  he  had  preached  and  modfunted  in  a 
important  one,  and  the  presbytery  would  call  at  Longhborongh  Road  on  the 
be  prepared  to  consider  it  when  formally  evening  appointed,  and  gave  an  account 
brought  before  tiiem.  of  his  procedure,  which  was  approved 
Kinross. — Thte  presbytery  met  at  of.  Bailie  Speedie  and  Mr.  J.  Eidd 
Milnathort  on  Tuesday,  3d  September  appeared  as  commissioners  for  the  con- 
— Rev.  Mr.  Milne,  moderator.  Took  gregation,  and  laid  on  the  table  said 
into  consideration  the  proposed  scheme  call  and  relative  documents.  Tlie  call, 
for  inter-presbyterial  dqiutations  to  which  was  addressed  to  Mr.  Henry 
plead  on  behalf  of  missions.  In  accord-  Drysdale,  preacher,  and  subscribed  by 
ance  with  the  plan  prepared  by  the  47  members  and  28  adherente,  was 
Foreign  Mission  Committee,  it  was  cordially  sustained,  and  trials  for  ordi- 
agreea  to  send  a  depntatbn  to  K^o  nation  appointed. 

Presbytery,  wid  to  receive  depntiee  from  

Kelso  in  return,  and  remitted  to  the  calls. 

Missionary    Committee    to    mate    the  AberdeeTi   (Woodlands}.  —  Mr.  John 

necessary  arrangements.   Read  a  circular  Dundas,  preacher,  Dundee,  called  July  8. 


472  EELIGI0D8  IHTELLIGBMOB.  '""olTw*"" 

tilasgow(JiI6unt  Florida). — Mr.Henrj  beontjfnl  strnctoxe,  and  quite  ui  (xii«- 

Drjadtde,  A.M.,  preacher,  Leslie,  called  ment  to  the  place.    The  interest  was 

AugUBt26.  further  leen  m  the  attendance  at  the 

KirkcdUly (Loughborough). — Mr.Eenry  Berricei.     In  the  forenocm  the  church 

DrysdaJe,  A?U.,  preacher,  E<eslie,  called  was  csompletely  filled  with  a  moat  atten- 

August  26.  tive  audience,  while  in  the  evening  the 

Port-Glatgow    (Clwnt   Part), — Eev,  crowd  entirely  exceeded  the  capacity  of 

G.  Train,  finckhaves,  called.  the  building.     The  special  proceedings 

Glasgovy  (Elgin  Street). — Rev.  D.  K.  were  commenced  hy  the  Bar.  Professor 

Miller,  A.M.,  I^tham,  August  28.  Gums,  and  amongst  those  present  were 

Cupar (Boniiygate). — Mr,  J.P.Mitchell,  a  number  of  brother  clergymen,  who  had 

A.M.,  B.Sc.,  preacher,  Glasgow,  called  come  to  rejoice  with  Mr.  Coimor,  the 

to  be  colleague  to  Ber.  John  KanMn,  esteemed  pastor,  on  the  opening  of  hia 

A.M.,  September  2.  new    cbnrch.      There    were    the    Eev. 

Miiirkirk.  —  Mr.      John      Dundas,  Messrs.  Alston,CBrluke;  CurTie,Peeblee; 

preacher, Dundee,  called  September  16.  Houston,  Govan;  Dunlop,  Motherwell; 
Scott,  Roberton ;  Scott,  Balemo ;  Blair, 
Camwath  ;  Alexander,  Douglss ;  Logan, 
Ahington ;      Welsh,     Broughton     Free 

Bast  Kilbride,  ordained  as  colleague  to  Church;  Anderson,  Coulter;  M'Farlane, 

Rev.    John    Brown    Johnstone,    D.D.,  WaUton  ;    and    Ajmstrong,     Skirring. 

September  12.  At  the  conclusion  of  a  sermon  thirlliDg 

Tain.  —  Mr    Richard    Hutchinson,  in  its  eloquence,  preached  from  Rev.  ii. 

preacher,  September  18.  28,   '  And  I  will  give  him  the  morning 

Renfrew.  —  Mr.  C.  Moyes,  ordained  Star, '  Dr.  Cairns  took  occsaoa  to  con- 
September  18.                                        '  gratulate  all  interested  on  the  openisg 

of  that  beautiful  sanctuary,  so  fit  is 

INDUCTION.  every  way  to  be  dedicated  to  the  pnr- 

Aberdeen  (NeUon  Street), — Rev.  J.B.  poses  of  (Hiristian  worship.    'He  recalled 

Dohson,  September  17.  an  earlier  occasion,  some  ten  ycais  sgo, 


when  he  had  the   great    privil^e  d 

DEUISSION.  taking  part  in  the  dedication  of  another 

Leith  (Junction  Hoa(h. — Rer.  James  sanctuary  in  this  place.     He  blessed  God 

Deans,  B.A.,  demitted  September  S,  on  for  all  the  hallowed  associations  and 

account  of  ill  health.  recollections  connected  with  tfais  sanc- 

tuary,  and  the  honoured  men  that  from 

OBITUAKT.  generation  to  generation  ministered  in 

Died  at  Glasgow,  on  Sabbath,  Sept.  it  It  was  further  his  priTilege,  he  re- 
let, Bev.  William  R.  Thomson,  minister  marked,  to  mention  what  might  not  be 
of  Belhaven  Church,  Glasgow,  aged  47.  known  to  all,  that  henceforth  this  sane- 
Died  at  Alloa,  on  the  llth  September,  t«ary,  instead  of  havii^  transferred  to 
Rev.  Peter  M'Dowall,  A.M.,  in  the  79th  it  the  name  of  the  old,  was  to  receive  a 
year  of  hia  age,  and  the  63d  of  his  new  name — that  of  one  of  the  honoured 
ministry.  founders  of  the  United  Presbytwisn 
Died  at  Eeirfield  Cottage,  Bridge  of  Church,  the  name  of  Thomas  Gillemae — 
Allan,  Bev.  George  Arnold,  aged  27.  and  was  to  be  known  as  the  Gillespie 

Church.    He  rejoiced  in  such  a  memonaL 

BiGOAR— OPINING  OF  NEW  CHUECB.    .  He  thanked  God  there  were  such  meme- 

A  NEW  church    for  the   congregation  ries  in  the  past  hietory  of  our  country, 

worshipping  in  the  south  side  of  this  and  tliat  in  other  Churches  there  had 

pleasant    and    prosperous    town     was  been  names  worthy  of  being  thus  per- 

opened  on  Thursday  the  ISth  September,  petuated  in  connection  witii  Christian 

The  proceedings  excited  much  interest  sanctuaries.    But  hardly  any  name  would 

not   only   among   the  members  of   the  call  up  associationB  oi  more  entire  and 

congregation  and  the  inhabitants  of  the  heartfelt    Christian    devotednees,    more 

town,  but  among  the  people  generally  in  fidelity  to  truthand  righteousness,  more 

the  neighbourhood.     At  an  early  period  stainless  integrity,  and   simplicity,  and 

of.  the  day  that  interest. was  manifested  godly  sincerity,   than   that  of  Thomas 

by  groups  of  people  wending  their  way  Gillespie.    They  had  reason  to  bless  God 

to  the  new  church,  which  is  indeed  a  that  such  a  man  appeared  in  his  day  to 


NOIIOBS  OF  NEW  FUBLIOATIONS. 


473 


do  his  appointed  wort  in  connection 
"with  Christj&u  tmth,  Chriatian  liberty, 
and  Ghristian  loTe.  Chratiftn  trath 
then  needed  to  be  vindic&ted,  even  by 
a  separatiion  from  those  in.  regard  to 
-whom  it  wan  clear  that  that  truth  was 
not  fullj  held.  Christian  liberty  needed 
to  be  asserted, — aasertedOTen  by  a  great 
sacrifice,  the  aaciiflce  of  oonsenting  to 


vindicated  and  npholden.  And  Chria- 
tian love  needed  to  be  aaaerted  and  vindi- 
cated, and  aaaerted  and  vindicated  it 
was,  by  the  great  principle  of  Chriatdan 
communion  of  all  the  faithful  in  Christ, 
which  was  oharacteriatio  so  long  of  that 
branch  of  the  now  United  Presbyterian 
Ghiircb  of  which  Thomas  Gillespe  was 
ite  honoured  founder.  These  great 
causes  wet«  stiU  dear  to  all  their  hearts, 
sad  Cbristian  people  ever  would  rally 
around  them  on  the  ground  of  devotion 
to  their  blessed  Lord  and  Saviour,  in 
whom  truth,  and  liberty,  and  love  were 
all  united  and  concentrated.'  Before  the 
congregation  dispersed,  it  was  intimated 
from  the  pulpit  that  the  collection 
amounted  to  £169,  8s.  The  opening 
services  were  continued  on  the  following 
Babbath,  and  were  conducted  by  the 


pastor  of  the  oongr^tion  and  the  Rev. 
P.  W.  Bobertaon,  B.  A.,  of  Sonth  College 
Street  Church,  Edinburgh.  The  cost  of 
the  building  waa  £4200,  and  by  means 
of  subscriptions  and  a  bazaar,  upwards 
of  £3IKI0  has  been  raised  towards 
redncing  the  coet,  not  including  the 
oollections  on  the  occasion  of  the  open- 
ing, which  amounted  in  aJl  to  £223 
It  ought  also  to  be  stated  that  the  church 
is  not  only  attractive  externally  and  in- 
ternally, but  very  comfortable.  The 
acoustics  are  excellent,  the  seats  com- 
modious, and  there  is  an  elegant  platform 
instead  of  the  now  justly- condemned 
elevation  called  a  pulpit.  Indeed,  the 
whole  building  reflects  the  highest  credit 
on   the    architect,  a    much    esteemed 

Sntleman  in  the  neighbourhood — John 
urray.     Esq,    of     Hevoyside,     whose 
services  were  gratuitously  and  cordially 

Dundee    {RyehUl).  —  The    memorial 
stone  of  a  new  church  for  this  congre- 

Sation  was  laid  on  September  19,  by 
ames  Cox,  Esq.,  Gamdeap. 
Falkirk  (Graham's  Moad).  —  The 
memorial  qtone  of  a  new  church  for  this 
congregation  was  laid  by  Sir  Peter 
Coats,  September  20. 


Itoiices  flf  |Uto  ^nblications. 


The  AFPJtoACBiHG  End  of  the  Aqe: 
Viewed  in  the  Light  of  History, 
Prophecy,  and  Siaence.  By  H.  Grat- 
TAN  Guinness. 

London  :  Hodder  &  BtoDgbton.    1678. 

This  volume,  which  extends  to  615  pages, 
and  contains  a  vast  amount  of  matter, 
is  devoted  to  a  consideration  of  the  time 
to  come.  The  author  is  what  is  called 
a  Pre-Milienarian,  and  in  the  theory  of 
Christ's  second  advent  to  earth  and  per- 
sonal reign  he  finds  the  key  to  unlock 
the  gate  which  opens  to  him  the 
entrance  of  the  future.  He,  however, 
seeks  to  interpret  the  coming  age  by  a 
consideration  of  what  are  thought  to  be 
the  facta  of  history,  the  promises  of 
prophecy,  and  the  teachiog  of  science. 
The  work  must  have  involved  immense 
labour,  and  evidentiy  has  been  a  labour 
of  love ;  but  we  fear  it  is  one  of  the 
many  instances  of  '  Love's  Labour  Lost.' 


Indeed,  the  book  is  a  curious  psychologi- 
cal study ;  for  how  a  man  capable  of 
reading  so  widely  and  thinking  so  much, 
after  a  fashion,  as  the  author  of  this 
book  evidently  is,  should  seriously  enter- 
tain and  solemnly  set  forth  the  fandes 
and  fictions  here  recorded  is  difficult  d 
comprehension. 

The  author  assures  us  that  this  book, 
unlike  other  books  on  the  dark  subject 
of  prophecy,  deals  simply  with  facts  and 
inferences  from  facts.  It  is  therefore, 
we  are  to  conclude,  aU  as  it  should  be ; 
but  we  fear  the  reader  will  be  apt  to 
think  that  most  of  the  so-called  facts 
are  simply  fancies,  and  the  inferences 
worthy  of  their  source. 

In  ^ort,  as  we  have  hinted,  we  can- 
not understand  how  a  man  of  mind  and 
learning  could  produce  a  book  so  full 
of  the  most  fanciful  interpretations  of 
Scripture  and  unlikely  conjectures  con- 
cerning the  future. 


474                               HOTICES  OF  KEW  PUBLICATIONS.  ^"oL'CtSn^ 

As  an  example  of  what  we  condemn.  Tee  Romance  of  tee  Stkefts.    By  A 
and  ft  Terification  of  whtt  we  ueert,  we  London  Rakbleb.    Seventh  Edition, 
refer  to  ft  chart  which  is  called  'The  ,„h.»    h^h^^ » o.™.  i,*™.    ioto 
nunanuel  Year.      It  has  tbtioob  ctrcles,  ^^ 
and    these  circles  repreeMtt   all  time.  It  nsed    to  be  said,  'ono  half  of  the 
and  what  hag  been,  is  being,  and  is  yet  world  does  not  know  how  the  other 
to   be  accomplished   in  it.     '  The  outer  half  lives ;'  this  Baying  is  not  so  trne  as 
circle  in  the  diagram,'  it  is  sud,  '  is  it  was  a  score  c^  jeais  ago.     In  ^lat 
divided  into  periods  of  84  years,  which  time  veir  mnch  has  been  done  to  make 
is  the  time  occupied  by  the  revolution  known  the  ways  of  life  of  mnltdtndee  in 
of  the  planet  XTranDS.     We  have  yet  to  oiu'  great  cities,  who  had  lived  to  a  laige 
show  that  the  periods  of  all  the  planets  extent  as  mnch  apart  from  the  know- 
harmonize  witii  the  Boli-lnnar  cycles,  ledge  of  their  fellowB  as  if  tbey  had 
which  measure  the  oonise  <tf  redemption  been  inhabitants  of  Timbnctoo. 
history,'  Now-a-days,  however,  many  jonmals 

And  so  on,  and  so  on,  over  many,  of  a  philanthropic  kind  have  their  pages 

many  pages,  more,  one  would  think,  filled  with  descriptions  of  life  amongst 

after  tiie  manner  of  an  ancient  astro-  the  lapsed  masses.    These  are  eagerly 

loger  than  that  of  a  sober  divine  of  read,  thoagh  it  cannot    be    said    the 

modem  days.  theme  is  pleasant. 

The  book  before  ns   treat*  of  this 

clsss  of  subjects,  and  its  popolarity  may 

The  Heavenly  Bridegroom  and  His  ^^  ^^^^'^  ^""1^%'^'^  ^"a  '""! 

Bride.    By  H.  K.  Wood  (A  Glasgow  «8«h«i '*«  seventh  edition.     It  does  not 

Merchant)^  Author    of^*He3ly  ''^'^^,^'^'l^'V^J7J::^'"  ^^^l 

LoveandEarth,yEcho«.'et.etc.  ^,f^ ^Jj^et i^  ol? w£^°-JS 

London :  Hoddar  &  stoB^ton.   1878.  ^^^  "^  painfol  and  pathetic  interest  so 

long  as  '  the   heart  has  woes,'   and  it 

This  new  volume  by  Mr,  Wood  con-  capable  of  feeling  tor  the  woea  of  othws. 

inste  of  a  series  of  papers  of  a  devotional  The  spirit   and  aim  of  the  bo^  are 

and  practical  kind  on  paasacea  selected  alt<^ether  to  be  commended,   and  iU 

from  the  Song  of  Solomon.  TheM  papers  circulation    caimot  but   be  helpful  in 

possess  the  characteristics  of  the  author's  stirring  up   to   deeds  of  charity  those 

former    productions,    which   hive  met  whom     Providence    has    bleaaed    wi^ 

with  much    favour    and    been    widely  abundance. 

circulated  amongst  a  large  class  of  the  

religions  public.    The  truths  set  forth  A  Book  of  Rehehbrance  di  gelation 

are  in  the  highest  degree  evangelical,  to  the  Mystebt  of  God. 

whilst  they  are  illuatrated  and  enforced  ,     ,       „,,„      „    ,      „^ 

in  an  inteisting manner.    'Throughout  i*ndo<. :  wmi™ Poole.   iSM. 

the  (um  has  been,'  it  issidd  in  the  pre-  Macaui^t  complains  in  his  joDmalsthst 

face,  '  to  attract  sinners  to  the  Saviour,  intelligible  writing  seems  to  be  going 

and    to    raconrage  believers  to    more  out  of  fashion,  andthat  he  knew  few  ix 

confident    ho|iefidneaB    towards     God,  his  own  generation  who  strove  to  make 

and  more  entire  consecration  in  heart  their  meaning  clear  but  himself.     Had 

and  life  to  the  service  of  the  Bride-  this  little  volume  fallen  into  his  hands, 

groom.'  he  would  have  been  still   further  im- 

In  porsnance  of  this  de«gn,  lessons  precaed   with    the    correctness    of  hia 

from    Christian    experience,   anecdotes  opinion.    The  author  tells  us  that '  the 

called  from  books  aod  taken  from  the  subject  of  this  work  is  a  very  high  ont' 

observation  of  ordinary  life,  as  well  as  Assuredly  it  is,  and  difficult  aa  well  as 

selectionB  from   well-known    Cbristian  high.    So  the  writer  kindly  heipe  the 

writers,  such    as  Kitto,  Pool,  Smith,  reader  on  ids  way  after  the  foUowing 

Uuiham,  etc.,  are  all  judiciously  em-  fashion :  '  It  may  assist  readers,'  it  is 

ployed,  and  will  secure  for  this  vol-  said,  '  to  follow  the  narratiTe  with  less 

ume,  which   is  a    very  handsome  one,  difficulty  if   its  design   is   briefly  suin- 

the  popularity   and    usefulness   which  marifed.    This  design  is  threefold-— (1) 

its    predecessors    have   so  largely   en-  to  treat  of  the  mystery  of  God  in  its 

joyed.  rdation  to  His  works  within  HimseUi 


""oLTim"*^^            NOTlCEa  OP  NEW  PUBLICATIONS.  475 

which  are  manifold  and  all  duplicate;  akilftil  sa  well  as  gentle  hand  to  minieter 

(2)  to  treat  of  His  inTiaible  works  be-  effectirely  to  them.      But  Mr.  Martin 

yond  Himself,  which  ore  His  ezpresa  possessea  these  qualities  in  an  eminent 

image,  being  also  manifold  and  ^l  in  degree.     He  is  gifted  with  fine  powers 

dnpUcata;  and  (S)  to  treat  of  the  mja-  of  obHeiration,  with   a  tenderl]'  B71D- 

teiy  of  God  ia  its  relation  to  His  Tisihle  pathetic  natnre,  and  has  evidentiy  faim- 

works,  the  crown  of  which  is  man,  etc.'  self    passed   throngh    thit    eipeirience 

Notwithstanding  utter  failure  in  our  which    makes   Bjmpat^T   so    kbI   and 

attempt  to  get  assistance  from  the  help  intelligent    And  what  he  has  to  say  is 

thus    proSered    and    propounded,    we  set  forth  so    informally  and    freshly, 

plunged  into  the  book  itself,  but  really  with  such  grace  of  fancy  and  depth  of 

got  quite  overhead  in  mystery.    The  feeling,  that  the  reader  is  quite  nnoon- 

result  is,  that  we  feel  ouiselves  iuoom-  sciongly  drawn  within  the  range  of  his 

petent  to    write   intelligently  on   the  charm,  and  is  comforted  almost  befon 

sabject  sh  here  presented,  and  honestly  he  knows. 

confess  our  inability.  The  volume  is  comparatively  small  in 

size,  it  is  in  clear  hu-ge  type,  and  tlie 

discourses  are  brief ;  and  in  this  way,  as 

Reasohs  why  we  Believe  the  Bible  ;  well  as  from  its  admirable  contents,  it  ia 

derived  from  the  Historical  Evidence  well  fitted  to  be  a  suitable  and  acccpt- 

of  the  Origin  and  Inspiration  of  tlie  able  companion  to  those  who  dwell  in 

Scriptures.    By  Rev.  Jakes  Copland,  the  liouBe  of  mooming. 

M.A.  

A  Handt  Classioai  DicnONABT.  JoiHiNo  THE  CmiBCH.     QueslionB  and 

L™doii;WMtt»karkCo.   1878.  Outlines  foT  Applicants  to  Membw- 

„          ,    ^       ,..^,       ,                    ^  ship    in    the    United    Presbyterian 

Both  of  these  little  Tolumes  are  got  up  Church.      By  Eev.  A.  Hendebsoh, 

in  a  very  neat  and  attractive  manner,  Pajsley 
whilst  their  contents  are  well  fitted  to  be 

in  a  high  degree  useful,  especially  to  the  '^^'^ :  J.  A  K  PBlane. 
young.  In  the  first  we  have,  in  a  clear  In  this  little  tractate  Hr.  Henderson 
and  condensed  form,  brought  before  us  goes  over  the  questions  which  are  oauaily 
what  some  of  the  best  early  Christian  put  to  yonng  communicants  on  beiug 
writers  tell  us  anent  the  authority  of  the  admitted  to  the  Chnrch,  and  directs 
word  of  God.  This,  in  these  days,  is  of  their  attention  t«  the  matters  that  are 
much  importance,  for  it  is  to  be  borne  contained  in  these  questiona  Doubt- 
in  mind,  what  is  apt  to  be  forgotten  less,  if  such  qnestions  as  Hr.  Henderson 
amidst  IJie  confused  din  of  so-called  pnta,  illustrative  and  explanatory  as 
phUoeophic  and  scientific  asseveration,  they  are,  were  carefully  considered  and 
that  the  Bible  has  a  history,  and  that  its  intelligently  answered  by  intending 
claims  oan  be  verified  very  surely  on  yoong  commumcants,  their  fitness  for 
historic  grounds.  admission  to  the  privilege  of  member- 
In  the  second  volume  there  ia  a  great  ship  would  be  very  satisfactory,  so  far 
amount  of  information  given  concerning  as  knowledge  is  concerned. 

the  men  and  manners,  the  customs  and  

localities,  of  ancient  times,  which  makes  „ 

it  Tery  useful  ae  a  book  of  reference.  Soheowinq,    tet    Bejoicing  ;    or,    a 
NarratiTe  of  SucccBaive  Bereavements 

in    a    Minister's    Family,    with     an 

Comfort  in  Trouble  :    Sermons    and  Accotmt  of  the  Mother's  lUness  and 

Outlines    of    Sermons   Preached    in  S?**' ,^  5^  c,*^  r  Re^    Ai^J^j:" 

Westminster  ChapeL  By  Rev.  SamoeL  Beith,  D.D.,  Stirlmg.    Enlarged  edi- 


Maetin. 


London :  HoddM  ft  atoughton.    18T8.  Stirling  Tract  Depot    1678. 

This  ia  indeed  a  very  delightful  volume.  In  this  little  volume  Dr.  Beith  records, 

and  is  in  every  way  adourably  adapted  with  mnch  tenderness,  the  sore  tribula- 

to  ita  purpose,  and  worthy  of  its  name,  tion   that  befell   him  at  varioua  times 

The  afflicted,  like  the    poor,  we  have  daring  a  lengthened  series  of  years,  in 

always  with  us,  and  it  requires  a  rery  the  severe  illness  and  death  of  beloved 


476  MONTHLT  EETBOePECT.  '"■^'niia'^ 

members  of  his  family.     It  moBt  have  trial  uid  triompt  vill  prora  a  aoarce  of 

been  no  little  trial  for  the  miter  to  pen  aweet  couaolatioD  in  families,  and  there 

these  toacbing  memorialB.    Bat  if  there  are  alwavB  maay  sacb,  which  are  being 

is  sorrow,  there  is  also  joy;   and,   we  overshadowedby  sore  and  thickiy-cwning 

donbt  not,  these  experiencee  of  Christian  calamities. 


MONUMENT  AT  HADDINGTON  TO  JOHN  KNOX. 
It  uattirally  occnre  to  ask,  in  coDDection  with  the  dow  cohudoq  onstcon  of 
erecting  montunentB  to  the  illaBtriona  dead,  whether  these  should  bo  merely 
of  an  ornamental  or  of  a  nsefnl  kind  T  Perhaps,  as  Sir  Roger  de  Coverley 
said,  on  a  certain  occasion  when  his  opinion  was  asked, '  much  may  be  said 
on  both  sides.' 

It  has  been  determined,  however,  to  have  an  eye  both  to  omameiit  and 
ntdtity  in  the  monnment  which  is  in  the  coarse  of  erection  at  Haddington  to 
John  Knox,  and  whose  foundation  was  laid  a  few  weeks  ago.  John  Knox 
was  a  great  religions  reformer,  bat  be  was  also  an  earnest  and  enlightened 
educationist.  He  wished  not  only  to  have  a  church,  but  a  school,  in  erery 
parish  in  Scotland.  And  his  efforts  in  the  way  of  education  have  been 
signally  blessed,  while  many  of  his  views  on  the  subject  are  worthy,  even  ia 
these  days,  of  all  consideration.  It  was  fitting,  therefore,  that  this  mosn- 
ment  in  the  place  of  his  birth  shonld  take  the  form  of  a  school. 

It  is  well  that  the  memory  of  John  Knox  should  be  held  in  remembnoce, 
and  his  great  work  regarded  with  the  lasting  gratitude  of  his  conn'tey ;  tsA 
it  is  certain  they  will  never  sink  into  oblivion.  'From  a  reli^ona  and 
ecclesiaBtical  point  of  view,'  observes  Mr.  Moir,  in  his  preface  to  Mies 
Watson's  interesting  book  on  Knos,  'not  to  take  a  wider  rajige,  John 
Knox  is  simply  the  most  conspionoQa  figure  in  Scottish  history.  The  work 
which  he  performed  was  no  donbt  partly  prepared  for  him, — he  had  his 
precursors.  Besides,  the  national  temper  was  a  mighty  help  to  Knox  in  his 
struggles  for  rehgioas  liberty.  The  independence  achieved  by  Wallace  and 
Bruce,  which  made  the  Scotch  a  free  nation,  wa£  the  grand  contribnting 
cause  to  the  next  great  step  in  this  history,  and  which,  under  the  contend- 
ings  of  Knox,  made  them  a  Protestant  people.  Still,  Knox  was  the  life  and 
soul  of  the  great  B,eformBtion  movemmt — ail  bnt  (he  creator  of  it.  That  it 
took  the  form  it  did,  and  rose  and  triumphed  into  the  largo  resalts  which 
overspread  the  land  and  beyond  it,  and  evermore  abide  with  as,  was  owing 
to  his  master  mind  and  invincible  energy.  It  would  be  dif&cnlt  to  exagge- 
rate the  extent  to  which  his  spirit  has  penetrated  into  the  Scottish  character, 
and  left  its  impress  on  our  national  institutions.' 

There  has  been  much  controversy  as  to  the  character  oE  Knox  the  man, 
even  amongst  those  who  are  agreed  as  to  the  magnitude  of  his  work  as  a 
reformer..  He  has  been  represented  by  not  a  few  as  a  man  devoid  of  sensi- 
bility and  taste ;  and  his  alleged  conduct  to  Queen  Mary,  and  his  palling 
down  of  cathedrals  and  monasteries,  are  given  in  proof  and  illnstration  of 
this.  It  is  now  generally  believed,  however,  that  his  conduct  to  the  un- 
happy queen  was  not  such  as  unfriendly  writers  have  represented ;  while  the 
work  of  destruction  was  often  done  without  his  knowledge  and  against  his 
wUl. 

One  who  has  a  right  to  speak  on  this  sabject,  viz.  Thomas  Garlylei,  says 
of  him :  '  Knox,  you  can  well  perceive,  in  all  his  writings  and  in  all  his  ways 


'""(«rir«nf'^  MONTHLY  EETB08PEOT.  477 

of  life,  was  emphatically  of  Scottish  build,  eminently  a  national  specimen — io 
fact,  what  we  might  denomiDate  the  moBt  Scottish  of  Scots  ;  and  to  this  day 
typical  of  all  the  qaalities  which  belong  nationally  to  the  very  choicest 
Scotsmen  we  have  known  or  have  had  clear  record  of — utmost  sharpness  of 
discernment  and  discrimination;  courage  enough,  but  a  readiness  in  all 
simplicity  to  do  and  dare  whatever  is  commanded  by  the  inward  voice  of 
native  manhood.  On  the  whole  beautiful  and  simple ;  bnt  complete  incom- 
patibility with  whatever  is  false  in  word  or  condnct,  inexorable  contempt 
and  detestation  of  what  in  modern  speech  is  called  hrtmbug.  Nothing  hypo- 
critical, foolish,  or  nntrae,  can  find  harbour  in  this  man ;  a  pure  and  mainly 
silent  tenderness  of  affection  is  in  him ;  touches  of  genial  bomour  are  not 
VEantiug  nnder  his  severe  ansterity ;  aa  occasional  growl  of  sarcastic  indig- 
nation against  malfeasance,  falsity,  and  stnpidity ;  indeed,  secretly,  aa 
extensive  fund  of  that  dispositiou  kept  mainly  silent,  though  inwardly  in 
daily  exercise ;  a  most  clear-cut,  hardy,  distinct,  and  effective  man,  fearing 
God,  and  without  any  other  fear.' 

THE  THAMES  CATASTROPHE. 
Thb  whole  nation  is  ever  and  anon  startled  with  intelligence  of  cata- 
strophes, by  which  many  hundreds  of  persons  are  suddenly  plunged  into  the 
anseen  world.  Now  it  is  the  explosion  of  a  mine,  now  the  msbiog  tc^ether 
of  railway  trains — a  moment,  and  the  crash  is  over  and  widespread  rnin 
caused.  ' 

Among  the  many  calamities  which  have  of  late  caused  deepest  sorrow, 
none  more  grievous  has  occurred  than  that  of  the  sinking  of  the  Princen 
Alice  in  the  Thames,  in  the  beginning  of  last  month.  The  circomstances 
are  still  fresh  in  the  remembrance  of  our  readers. 

'  Courted  from  tlieir  homea  in  the  grey  streets  of  the  metropalis  b^  an  unhoped- 
for retnrn  of  summer  glory  and  warmth,  hundreds  of  London  toilers  accepted  the 
opportunity  for  a  pleasant  trip  along  the  river  as  far  as  Sheemess-on-SeEi.  The 
day  having  been  psased  in  enjoyment,  about  eight  hundred  pereons,  elate  with 
holiday  feelings,  started  in  the  Prineets  Alice  on  their  return  journey  in  the 
early  evening,  and  had  accompiiabed  tlie  larser  part  of  the  homeward  run. 
The  evening  was  fine  and  exhilarating,  the  crowded  decks  were  alive  with  cheerfnl 
passengers,  when  saddenl;  a  large  screw  collier,  Che  Bywell  Castle,  came  steam- 
ing in  the  opposite  course,  and,  owing  to  some  bewilderment  or  miBunderstanding 
between  the  captiuus  of  the  res^ctive  steamers,  dashed  into  the  Princess  Alice. 
The  collimon  was  frightful ;  the  mimediate  results  must  be  left  for  the  sickening 
imagination  to  realise.  la  five  minutes  the  Princtss  Alice  sank  in  deep  water 
in  mid-river ;  the  tide  was  running  out  rapidly.  The  destrqctive  steamer  could  do 
bnt  little  to  remedy  the  disaster.  Few  sources  of  deliverance  were  at  hand,  and 
so  ensued  a  scene  almost  unparalleled  for  horror.  Men,  women,  and  children, 
numbering  over  700,  amid  the  most  maddening  excitement  and  terror,  were  thrown 
into  the  "  dark  flowing  river,"  and  amid  shrieks  and  prayers,  helpless  and  beyond 
help,  more  than  60O  souls  were  swiftly  hurled  "  out  of  the  world." ' 

The  causes  of  the  deplorable  event  have  formed  the  subject  of  legal 
inquiry,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  it  may  lead  to  increased  carefulness  in 
the  navigation  of  a  river  which,  on  accoont  of  its  crowded  waters,  ia  a  con- 
tinual sonrce  of  danger  to  those  who  ply  on  it.  At  the  same  time,  again 
have  onr  sympathies  and  benevolent  efforts  been  called  forth  in  behalf  of 
unhappy  sufferers,  and  once  more  have  we  been  most  impressively  reminded 
of  the  uncertainty  of  life  and  the  wisdom  of  remembering  the  exhortation  of 
our  Lord  to  '  watch  and  pray,'  lest  we  be  found  nnprepued. 


478  MONTHLY  BETK08PECT.  '^■'otltl^i!^ 

THE  SABBATH— ITS  FOES  AND  FRIENDS. 
Stahsimo  the  other  da;  is  aa  eztenBive  bookselliDg  establiehment,  we  saw 
a  onmber  of  young  people  collecting  a  qnantit;  of  books  with  great  delight. 
*■  And  now,  childrao,'  said  a  kindly  gentleman  who  was  allowing  them  to 
choose  while  he  had  i^reed  to  pay,  'we  innst  get  some  for  Sabbath 
reading.' 

This  led  na  into  a  train  of  thought  ae  to  what  conatitnted  '  Sabbath 
reading.'  Our  godly  forafathere  certainly  had  atricter  notions  on  this  snb- 
ject  than  we  have,  and  wonid  hare  pat  in  a  Sabbatical  Iiidex  Expurgatoritu 
books  which  we  now  read  without  any  qnahns  of  conscience  on  the  da.y  of 
rest.  Oai  fore&thers  may  have  been  too  strict  We  are  in  danger  of  being 
too  lax.  We  beUeve  that  onr  pwiodical  literature  has  much  to  do  with 
this.  We  have  magazines  in  which  there  are  one  or  two  articles  of  a  reli- 
gions kind,  while  the  rest  are  secnlai- — especially  the  tales  which  form,  in  the 
estimation  of  not  a  few  readers,  the  most  attractive  part  of  the  journal 
These  tales  are  read  on  Sabbath,  becanse  they  are  foand  in  the  p^es  of  a 
kind  of  religions  publication ;  whereas  if  they  were  to  appear  in  the  regular 
three-yolnme  novel  shape,  they  would  be  considered  suitable  only  for  secular 
reading. 

In  this  connection  we  observe  a  successfnl  attempt  has  been  made  to  op«i 
a  public  Ubrary  in  Manchester  od  the  Lord's  day  as  well  as  on  the  other 
days  of  the  week.  No  larger  nnmber,  we  are  informed,  frequent  it  on  the 
sacred  than  on  the  secular  days;  but  the  fact  that  the  public  may  thoa 
enjoy  their  newspaper  and  book  of  travel,  etc.,  is  a  significant  sign  of  tiie 
times.  ^  The  world  is  too  much  with  ns,'  even  during  the  week  ;  and  if  it 
be  allowed  to  nsorp  onr  Sabbaths  too  in  one  respect,  it  will  soon  do  so  in 
others,  and  the  foundfttioos  will  be  destroyed. 

At  the  same  time  it  is  well  to  remember  what  we  are  taught  by  onr  Lord, 
that  the  Sabbath  was  made  for  man.  la  some  kinds  of  religious  literature 
'he  Sabbath  is  represented  as  the  Lord's  day,  as  if  it  were  meant  by  Him 
to  be  a  burden  to  ns  instead  of  a  blea^g.  It  is  man's  day  as  well  as  the 
Lord's  day,  in  the  sense  that  it  is  meant  to  be  a  day  of  delight,  and  a 
means  of  improvement  to  him ;  and  one  of  the  most  difficult,  as  it  is  also  one 
of  the  most  important,  of  questions  is,  'How  is  the  Sabbath  to  be  sanctified  V 
How  are  we  to  avoid  what  might  be  unnecessarily  strict  in  the  mode  of 
observance  by  our  pious  ancestors,  and  all  the  hurtful  levity  which  is  so 
prevalent  in  these  days  ?  This  is  a  question  which  especially  concerns  the 
young.  Many  parents  feel  its  difficulty;  thej  wish  their  children  to  be 
happy  on  that  day  as  well  as  other  days.  But  the  spirit  of  the  age  is 
adverse  to  legitimate  restraint,  and  the  Sabbath  is  often  the  day  that 
is  felt  to  be  the  least  satisfactjiry  of  the  week.  And  yet  it  should  not 
be  so,  and,  it  might  be  thought,  need  not  be  so.  We  have  now-a-days 
sources  of  enjoyment  which  were  nnknown  to  a  former  generation.  We 
have  illustrated  books  and  serials,  with  their  interesting  stories  and  spiiitoal 
songs  in  mnch  variety  and  wise  adaptation.  With  these  at  commaod,  and 
judiciously  used.  Sabbath  might  become  more  and  more,  in  its  mode  of 
observance,  not  only  honouring  to  God,  bnt  delightful  and  profitable  to 
ourselves. 

ODE,  CONTINENTAL  NEIGHBOURS  AND  OHRSBLTES. 
Tbe  Paris  Exhibition  has  attracted  multitudes  to  the  Continent  during  the 
conrsQ  of  the  sununer ;  and  it  has  been  very  common  for  tourists  to  favour      V 
us,  through  the  press,  with  their  impressions  ot  men  and  things  abroad, 


^'^'oZTiin.'^'  MONTHLY  KBTEOSPEOT.  479 

and  compare  or  contrast  them  with  those  of  our  own  country.  We  do 
not  sappoae  that  any  of  onr  conntrymen  are  lacking  in  patriotism,  bnt 
cerUunlj,  in  many  instances,  they  extol  the  men  and  manners  of  other 
CODntries,  and  contrast  them  favourably  with  our  own. 

Especially  in.  reference  to  the  working  classes,  it  is  asserted  that  those 
on  the  Continent  are  more  sober,  more  civil,  and  happier  than  our  own. 
As  a  specimen  of  this  kind  of  writing,  take  the  following.  After  speak- 
ing of  Continental  sobriety,  the  writer  goes  on  to  say  :— 

'  Again,  onr  working  man  Bays  very  tnily  of  tlie  French — and  I  find  the  same 
thing  true  of  the  same  class  of  people  (by  which  I  mean  people  of  his  own  claas, 
and  all  above  the  very  lowest  poverty)  all  over  my  Continental  experience^"  They 
are  very  polite  and  well  dreBsed."  I  liave  never  heard  in  more  than  a  month  e 
constant  travelliiig  a  rude  or  ill-tempered  remuk  addressed  by  peasant  or  towns- 
man, or  woman  either,  as  Hamlet  says,  to  one  another.  Mntoal  forbearance, 
politeness,  and  respect  are  universal  to  an  extent  which  we  have  no  conoeptioa  of 
m  Bible-loving  Scotland.  It  pervadee  all  classes  in  their  own  and  their  mutual 
intercourse,  and  becomes  all.  In  dress,  the  same  sort  of  thing  is  visible.  The 
peasant  is  dressed  for  his  calling,  the  town  workman  for  his ;  and  hat  and  blouse 
have  a  decent  respectability  about  them  tliat  makes  one  shudder  at  the  recollection 
of  the  dirty,  greasy,  second-hand  look  of  the  clothing  of  many  of  our  home 
artisana.  The  women,  too,  with  very  simple  and  cheap  material,  make  a  wonder- 
ful show  of  gentility  ;  and,  in  spite  of  dimcultiea,  generally  manage  to  keep  their 
faces  clean  and  theb  hair  tidy.  I  wish  that  the  troops  of  slatternly  work-girls 
that  are  aeea  daily  at  the  dioner-hour  on  Edinburgh  streets  could  be  brought 
abroad,  and  taught,  simply  by  observation  and  example,  a  few  lessons  in  the 
management  of  their  attire.  They  would  return  twice  as  smart  and  respectable- 
looking,  at,  I  believe,  much  less  cost.  For  it  is  to  be  remembered  that  the 
materials  of  dress  are  generally  more  expensive  on  the  Goutineut— the  difference 
lies  solely  in  the  greater  art  of  making  the  best  of  things— of  not  despising  a 
thing  because  it  is  simple  and  cheap.  Indeed,  simple  effects  and  simple  pleasures 
seem  to  me  to  be  here — the  one  much  more  studied,  the  other  much  more  enjoyed. 
And  as  "trifles  make  the  sum  of  life,"  there  is  surely  true  wisdomand  profit  in  tliis. 
One  sees  it  in  other  things  than  dress.  In  the  external  cleaulineM  of  the  houses 
of  all  who  are  above  abject  poverty ;  in  the  simple,  coarse  it  may  be,  muslin 
curtains  of  windows;  in  the  smart  colour  of  wall-papers;  even  in  that  tonching 
reliance  on  the  virtues  of  paint  which  mimics  external  decoration  or  durability  of 
material  on  plastered  walls, — you  see  the  same  contentedness  of  spirit,  which  strikes 
me  as  a  far  more  satisfactory  and  iseful  thing  in  this  world  than  that  eager  and 
reatlees  discontent  with  anything  but  the  best  of  everything,  which  is,  I  ^ar,  too 
common  at  home.' 

It  is  hintsd  by  some,  and  broadly  afSrmed  by  others,  that  the  canse  of 
the  inferiority  of  onr  people  in  these  respects  is  the  kind  of  religion  that 
prevails  in  this  country. 

Now,  in  connection  with  an  assertion  like  this,  various  things  are  to  be 
considered.  Thns  it  ia  to  be  asked,  Is  it  onr  really  religions  artisans  that  are 
dissipated,  and  nnciril,  and  joyless  1  and  if  so,  is  it  their  religion  that  is  the 
canse  of  this  sad  state  of  matters  1  We  have  no  hesitation  in  affirming  that 
both  of  these  qnestions  must  be  answered  in  the  negative.  It  is  only  too  ' 
trne  that  multitudes  of  onr  working  men  do  not  even  make  a  profession  of 
religion,  and  it  is  also  trne  that  the  vice  of  drnnkenness,  and  other  evils,  are 
to  be  found  amongst  them.  Bnt  when  religion,  the  religion  of  Christ,  is 
really  felt  and  acted  on  by  them,  then  at  once  their  manners  and  morals  are 
improved. 

It  wonld  be  well,  therefore,  for  those  who  write  as  if  it  wonld  be  s  gun  to 
as  to  cast  away  onr  rehgion  to  pansa  and  ponder.    If  they  did  so,  they 


480  MOKTHLT  KETB08PE0T.  '"' oS.iTiw?'^ 

would  find  that  Continental  vlrtne  and  GoDtinental  joy  are  not  so  deep 
and  strong  as  tbej  imofpne,  and  that  the  religion  of  Christ  is  the  best 
■ecnrit;  we  can  havo  for  a  nation's  welfare  and  a  people's  virtue.  '  The 
Cross  once  seen,  is  death  to  ereiy  rice.' 

DR.  HTJTTON  ON  DISESTABLISHMENT. 
We  bare  juBt  receired  a  copy  of  a  pamphlet  by  Dr.  Hatton,  entitled  7^ 
Case  for  DisaialtUahmtnt  in  Scotland.  We  hare  merely  had  time  to  read  it, 
and  at  this  lato  date  cannot  enter  into  a  consideration  of  it  at  the  length  we 
conld  wish,  and  which  its  merits  deserve.  Dr.  Hntton's  name,  however,  is  a 
guarantee  for  thorough  workmanship  in  this  department,  in  which  he  may  be 
said  to  be  pre-eminent  even  amongst  the  most  eminent  of  his  brethren. 

Indeed,  so  mnch  and  entirely  is  he  now  identified  with  the  Disestablish- 
ment movement,  that  he  i§  Mlect«d  by  some  of  the  orators  of  the  other  side 
as  the  object  of  their  special  notice.  Things  qnite  apart  from  the  subject, 
and  most  unworthy  of  utterance  by  Christian  gentlemen,  have  been  said 
concerning  him  in  this  connection.  Bnt  none  of  these  things  more  bim. 
And  now  he  appears  again,  bearing  in  his  hand  a  document  wluch  his 
adversaries  may  vituperate  or  affect  to  despise,  but  whose  facts  and  argu- 
ments thsy  will  not  find  it  easy  to  gainsay  or  refnte. 

Dr.  Hntton  does  good  service  in  calling  special  attention  to  what  is 
essential  and  what  is  accidental  in  the  case.  Of  late  the  merely  acddeotal 
has  come  to  occupy  quite  a  disproportionate  place  in  the  discusaioa.  It  is 
well  that  first  principles  should  be  carefully  considered  and  separated  from 
questions  of  mere  accident,  of '  expediency  and  policy.' 

We  are  not  sure  if  Dr.  Huttoa  a  qnite  right  in  what  he  says  about  Dis- 
establishment being  at  the  present  moment  the  one  qnestion  that  chiefij 
marks  the  difference  between  Liberals  and  Conservatives.  There  is  the  laige 
and  vitally  important  qnestion  of  onr  foreign  policy.  Peace  and  war,  the 
welfare  and  even  atabiUty  of  the  nation,  seem  to  depend  on  the  treatment  of 
qneations  about  which  parties  are  hopelessly  divided.  We  cannot,  however, 
enter  further  into  the  matter  at  present,  but  hope  to  notice  more  at  length 
this  very  able  and  seasonable  publication  in  our  next. 

OBITUART. 

Death  hae  again  daring  the  past  month  been  thinning  the  ranks  of  our 
ministers.  In  the  quiet  of  the  &^t  Sabbath  of  the  month  Mr.  Thomson  of 
Belharen  Church,  Glasgow,  passed  away,  in  the  midst  of  his  days  and  iu  the 
maturity  of  his  powers,  a  preacher  of  rare  excellence,  and  a  man  of  sterling 
worth.  A  few  days  afterwards,  the  renerable  Mr.  Macdowall  of  AUoa  was 
called  to  hia  rest  and  his  reward.  Hr.  Macdowall's  has  long  been  a  well- 
known  name  throughout  the  whole  United  Presbyterian  Cboich.  He 
enjoyed  the  highest  honour  which  it  is  in  the  power  of  uiat  Church  to  bestow, 
in  being  elected  to  fill  the  moderator's  chur.  As  a  preacher,  Mr.  MacdowaU 
was  distinguished  by  a  sweet  peranasireness,  that  made  his  ministrations 
very  useful  and  very  acceptable  ;  whilst  aa  a  pastor  he  was  most  diligrait. 
He  was  also  an  eminent  worker  in  various  ways  in  the  field  of  Christiaii 
philanthropy. 


.:?:!.;  Gooi;5lc 


UNITED  PKBSBYTERIAN   MAGAZINE. 


NOVEMBER    1,    1878. 


i©rigirtal  %tittlts. 


BRIEF  MEMORULS  OF  A  MINISTRY. 

'He,  being  dead,  jet  Epeaketh.' 
Wz  hear  mach  at  the  present  day  about  '  adranced  thought,'  *  progres- 
siTe  theology,"  higher  criticiBtn,'  and  a  creed  more  in  harmony  witi  God's 
word  and  man's  reason !  8nch  utterances  can  be  appraised  at  their  trne 
worth  by  those  who  have  for  a  series  of  years  enjoyed  pnlpit  instnicttoa 
pervaded  with  onr  grand  old  Scottish  theology,-~Dot,  however,  in  the  form 
of  abBtraet  dogmas  to  exercise  the  intellect,  bnt  as  Tital  trnths  exerting  a 
penetrating  and  hallowing  power  oil  all  onr  mental  and  moral  facnlties,  on 
all  onr  indiTidnal  and  social  relationships,— constitnting,  in  short,  the  sonrce 
and  Bnstuning  energy  of  that '  godliness  which  ia  profitable  nnto  all  things, 
baring  promise  of  the  hfe  which  now  is  and  of  that  which  is  to  come.' 

It  may  not  be  without  interest  to  the  readers  of  the  Magaitne  to  be  pre- 
sented with  a  few  specimen  expositions  of  this '  old  theology,'  as  exhibited 
in  the  ordinary  pulpit  ministrations  of  one  whose  earthly  conrse  was,  ftiUy 
two  years  ago,  somewhat  abruptly  terminated, — the  late  Rer.  Alexander 
Aoderaon,  M.A.,  Montrose, — one  who,  from  his  retiring  natnre,  was  little 
heard  of  beyond  the  sphere  of  hia  stated  labours,  but  who,  within  that 
sphere,  was  not  more  admired  for  the  vigonr  and  cleamesa  of  iiis  intelleot 
than  he  was  beloved  for  the  meek,  hnmble,  Cbriat-like  spirit  which  lent  snch 
a  charm  both  to  his  public  ministiy  and  his  private  life.  The  notes  of  dis- 
courses here  given  are  biit  a  selection  from  many  more  taken  at  the  time  of 
their  delivery ;  and  ^though  professing  to  be  nothing  beyond  mere  ontlines 
of  what  was  spoken, — akeletona  of  what  at  the  time  waa  instinct  with  life 
aod  power, — ^th^  may  serve  to  illustrate  the  kind  and  style  of  teaching  which, 
for  the  long  period  of  thirty-one  yeara,  vras  enjoyed  under  Mr.  Anderson's 
ministry, — ^teacliing  which,  it  deserves  to  be  remarked,  is  in  all  its  essential 
and  higher  features  still  enjoyed  under  the  ministry  of  his  able  saccessor. 

I.  Acts  xxiv.  25 :  '  And  as  he  reasoned  of  righteonsnesa,  temperance,  and 
jadgment  to  come,  Felix  trembled.' — This  passage  is  full  of  interest  and 
instniction  in  a  variety  of  ways.  The  great  apostle  here  stands  before  ns  in 
a  siagnlar  position,  at  once  a  criininal  and  a  preacher ;  and  whether  we  look 
to  him  as  thns  presented  to  view,  or  to  the  persont^es  httor%  whom  he  stood, 
or  to  the  words  which  he  nttered,  or  to  his  manner  of  tittering  them,  we 

NO.  XI.  VOL.  XXn.  KBW  BZKIES. — KOTEMBXB  1818.  2  H 


482  BHIEF  UKKOBIAU  OP  A  MDJISTET.         ^""^uXfC^t^^ 

stL&ll  find  much  thst  is  eminently  profitable.  Fanl  neithw  marred  the  sam- 
pUdty  of  the  gospel  from  aaj  dedre  to  obt^  the  approbation  of  his  audi- 
tors, nor  ahruk  throngb  fear  from  faithfiJIj  and  boldly  declariog  the  great 
things  of  God.  The  practical  eCfect,  howerer,  was  smalL  The  goTsmor, 
like  his  conscience,  was  a  coward,  and  speedily  broaght  the  affair  to  a  period 
by  saying, '  Go  thy  way  for  this  time,'  etc  The  first  thing  noticeable  con- 
cerning thia  panage  is,  that  we  do  not  hero  hare  a  discourse,  bat  only  a 
notice  of  the  discomse  deUvered  by  the  apostle ;  and  we  are  not  to  sappose 
that  Paul  did  not  explain  the  peculiar  doctrines  of  the  gospel  in  the  ears  of 
the  heathdi  goTwnor.  In  all  probability  it  was  toward  the  end  or  appUca- 
tjon  of  his  discourse  that  he  reasoned  moro  stringently  regarding  *  rigbt- 
eonaness,  temperance,  and  jndgmeat  to  come,'  to  show  that  the  tratl^  of 
Christianity  were  do  mere  specnlation  or  matter  of  idle  corioBity.  '  He 
reasoned '— ^e  appealed  to  the  raUonal  natnro  of  his  aoditors.  He  did  not 
set  forth  the  solemn  doctrines  he  proclmmed  with  the  mero  parade  and 
show  of  haman  oratory,  hutproved  Uiem  by  references  to  Scripture  and  the 
eternal  principles  of  troth. 

*He  reasoned,'  first,  regarding  *  r^hteonaness ;  *  and  what  does  this 
mean?  In  St.  Fanl's  writings  this  word  occnrs  in  a  variety  of  seises. 
Whtm  he  spet^,  for  instance,  of  the  righteonsness  of  Christ,  lie  means  all 
that  Christ  did  and  suffered  in  the  room  and  stead  of  ainfnl  man.  And  so 
the  righteousness  of  God  is  the  method  of  justification  divinely  provided  for 
tha  sinnw.  But  then  he  sometimes  uses  the  term  in  its  ordinary  acc^itatioii, 
to  denote  the  accordance  of  our  nature  with  the  requirements  of  Grod's  moral 
law.  And  this  is  the  meanii^  of  it  here.  And  nothing  is  more  sokmn  than 
tliia  topic.  We  know  and  fed  that  Ood  is  absolutely  righteous, — th&t  ^ 
law  is  the  reflection  of  His  own  perfect  character, — that  we  are  onda 
lasting  obligation  to  obey  that  law,  and  under  condenmation  if  we  violate 
it.  We  cannot,  if  we  wonld,  get  rid  of  this  conviction.  It  is  seated  in  the 
very  coro  of  oar  being ;  our  cooscience  and  whole  natnre  assert  its  trath, 
and  history  is  a  grand  commeatary  upon  it.  Let  ns  ever  remember  how 
deeply  and  close^  we  are  concerned  with  this  fnndamental  and  most  solemn 
fact 

^  Temperance '  was  the  apostle's  next  theme.  And  by  this  we  are  to  nn- 
derstand  that  power  which  a  man  has  over  himself,  and  by  which  those  pas- 
sions and  propensities  that  are  within  him  are  kept  nnder  restramt  and 
within  bounds.  Take  anger  as  an  illnstration.  Within  certun  limite  this 
feeling  is  lawful,  and  indeed  indispensable;  bnt  beyond  this  it  may  become 
Tiolent,  and  of  course  sinful.  '  Be  ye  ai^ry  and  sin  not.'  Again,  a  mode- 
rate desire  after  the  good  thmgs  of  this  life  is  lawful  and  proper,  bnt  quite 
the  contrary  if  not  dnly  controlled  and  regulated.  And  so  with  aQ  the 
other  natural  desires  and  feelings  which  God  hath  implanted  within  as. 

Paul's  concluding  topic  was '  ju%ment  to  come ; '  and  what  more  solenn 
and  momentous!  That  there  is  a  fntnre  judgment — a  final  retributioa 
awutiiyt  all  men — ^is  a  truth  most  clearly  set  forth  in  the  Scriptures.  Coo- 
science corroborates  it,  and  all  nations  have  mora  or  less  recognised  it.  .  .  . 
We  cannot  fail  to  be  struck  with  the  point  and  directness  of  the  apostle's 
manner  of  address.  No  vague  generalitiea  with  him.  He  did  not  abeatbe 
the  glittering  sword  of  the  Spirit  in  a  multitude  of  vagoe  and  harmleBS 
words,  but  struck  home  to  the  hearts  and  consciences  of  his  hearers  with  ■  . 
force  and  power  that  was  irresistible.  *  Felix  trembled.'  And  wherefore 
did  he  tremble  in  the  presence  of  a  poor  captive  preacher?  Because  be 
was  afraid.    And  why  was  he  afraid  1    Because  he  was  guilty ;  for  it  is  of 


""N^fTiwi  BRIEF  MBM0B1AL8  OP  A  MINISTET.  483 

the  Tery  nature  of  guilt  to  be  afraid.  But  Felix  was  afraid  merely  of  God's 
wrath  nnder  the  dennnciations  of  the  divine  vengeance.  Hia  fear  was  not 
connected  with  aoy  penitence,  or  a  sense  of  his  need  of  pardon  as  a  trans- 
gressor of  God's  holy  and  righteous  taw. 

General  Letsoja  deducibie  (each  enlarged  iqxm). 

1st.  The  conscience  of  man  bears  testimony  to  the  tmth  of  the  gospel, 
viz.,  to  those  great  fundamental  trnths  which  onderlie  the  gospel, — that 
God  is  holy,  that  His  law  is  holy,  and  that  ve  are  transgressors  of  that  law, 
und  need  forgiveness. 

2d.  Genuine  repentance  implies  not  only  fear  of  God's  wrath,  bnt  godly 
sorrow  for  sin. 

3d.  Trne  conversion  leads  to  Bpiritoal  peace  and  joy. 

4th.  It  is  a  peculiarly  dangerous  thing  to  put  off  concHmnent  about 
salvation. 

Finally,  p^utence  and  f^th  mutually  strengthen  each  other. 

II.  Ps.  Ixv.  11,12:  'Thon  crownest  the  year  with  Thy  goodness,' etc. — 
These  two  verses  contain  the  substance  of  the  latter  part  of  this  psalm. 
The  whole  psalm  ia  a  most  beautiful  sacred  song.  In  the  first  part  of  it  the 
tjrace  of  God  is  the  theme  of  the  Psalmist's  praise;  in  the  second,  he  dwells 
on  the  all-comprehending  power  and  greatneBS  of  Jehovah;  while  in  the 
concluding  portion  he  fixes  hia  attention  on  the  more  permanent  and  silent 
processes  of  nature  going  on  around  us,  as  significant  of  the  constant  care 
and  kindness  of  God  to  His  children.  These  three  parts  of  the  psahn  are 
beautifully  joined  together  into  one.  The  spirit  of  the  Psalmist  ia  not  that 
of  the  mere  poet  or  philosopher,  but  rather  of  the  devout  child  of  God, 
exercising  unwavering  faith  in  the  universal  presence  and  powerful  working 
of  God  throughout  the  whole  of  nature.  He  delights  to  see  God  every- 
where, and  during  every  season  of  the  rolling  year.  This  is  the  spirit  we 
ought  asaidnonsly  to  cherish.  It  distinguished  in  a  remarkable  degree  the 
ancient  worthies  of  the  Hebrew  nation;  and  the  more  it  is  exercised,  the 
more  will  it  tranquillize  the  thoughts  and  impart  happiness  to  the  heart  of 
man.  Ver.  11:  '  Thon  crownest  the  year  with  Thy  goodness.' — The 
Psalmiat  is  here  contemplating  the  natural  world  throngh  the  whole  year, 
and  finding  abundant  illustration  of  the  loving-kindness  and  benignity  of 
Jehovah.  '  All  Thy  paths ' — cold  and  heat,  sunshine  and  ahower,  summer 
and  winter,  all  the  chai^ea  of  the  seaaona^-are  so  many  paths  of  Jehovah, 
which  '  drop  down  fatneas '  to  the  children  of  men.  Let  us  strive  to  culti- 
vate more  and  more  this  devout  and  most  excellent  spirit  of  the  Psalmist, 
and,  ascending  above  all  secondary  causes,  which  are  but  the  mere  gronnd- 
floor  or  sunk  flat  of  science,  rise  to  the  great  Jehovah,  who  works  throngh 
and  by  these,  and  so  worldly  '  crowns  the  year  vrith  His  goodness.'  This 
latter  is  a  very  beautiful  expression,  denoting  that  whatever  in  the  course  of 
the  year  ministers  to  the  comfort  and  happiness  of  man,  is  bestovred  by  God. 
The  fertilizing  shower,  the  fostering  breeze,  the  effulgent  sun,  all  the  gran- 
deur and  beauty  of  the  scenery  around  us,  are  all  of  Ood,  and  expressive  of 
His  goodwill  and  kindness  to  the  children  of  men,  Ver.  12 :  '  They  drop 
apon  the  pastures  of  the  wilderness.' — The  design  here  seems  to  be  to  direct 
attention  to  the  fact  of  God's  bounty  being  dispensed  to  all  His  creatures, 
wberever  they  are,  and  however  they  may  be  pished — dispensed  with  no 
stinted  or  penurions  hand.  Even  far  away  in  the  wilderness,  and  on  moun- 
ts BoUtndes,  where  no  human  beings  dwell,  is  the  goodness  of  Ood 


484  BRIEF  HBUOBIAL9  OF  A  UIMIBTKY.  '^''"'H«rC^'?'^ 

exerdaed  toward  the  meftnest  creatures  which  His  hand  hath  Eonned.  '  The 
little  hills  rejoice  on  every  Bide,' — langn^e  this  strongly  metaphorical,  yet 
not  extravagant,  bnt  true  to  natnre,  as  ^1  poetry  and  all  religion  mnst  eva 
be.  The  Psalmist  looked  roond  about  him  with  the  eye,  and  the  mind, 
and  the  heart  of  a  devout  worshipper  of  the  Most  High, — not  to  remove 
sceptical  doabts  of  TTi't  existence,  for  he  was  beset  with  none  of  these, — bnt 
to  find  ever  fresh  and  gratefnl  illnetration  of  the  power  and  goodness  of  the 
God  of  Israel.  Let  ns  go  and  do  likewise.  Let  ns  ever  seek  to  find  a 
hallowed  satisfaction  in  seeing  God  in  all  the  gifts  of  His  providence,  and  in 
all  the  ontgoings  of  His  mighty  power. 

Some  of  the  practical  reflections  which  spring  np  from  meditating  od  this 
subject  are : — 

1st.  The  ancient  saints  present  to  ns  a  fine  and  admirable  example  of  the 
rehgioos  spirit. 

2d.  Faith  in  God  is  a  far  more  admirable  thing  than  mere  natnral 
knowledge. 

3d.  God's  goodness  in  nature  round  aboat  us  should  ever  remind  ns  of 
His  Eoperior  goodness  in  the  kingdom  of  grace. 

4th.  llie  stndy  of  Qod  is  the  best  and  highest  study  for  man. 

m.  John  i.  38, 39 :  '  What  seek  ye  t '— '  Come  and  see.' — The  words  hen 
Bpokm  by  Christ  were  few,  but  they  are  fall  of  meaning,  and  very  instmctire. 
'  What  seek  ye  1 ' — This  language  seems  at  first  harsh  and  distant,  and  as 
evincing  Ettle  sympathy  with  the  feelings  of  those  whom  He  addressed;  but 
there  was  a  very  good  reason  for  putting  snch  a  question.  At  this  time 
there  was  a  great  variety  of  opinion  prevalent  in  the  lend  of  Jndea  regarding 
the  Messiah.  His  expected  coming  was  the  all-absorbing  topic — ^theone 
grand  idea  stirring  the  minds  of  the  Jevrs.  '  What  seek  ye  t '  was  theniore 
a  test  question,  designed  to  draw  forth  their  views  as  to  the  person  and  work 
of  the  expected  Deliverer.  It  was  as  much  as  to  say.  What  have  yon  set 
your  hearts  upon  in  connection  with  the  Messiah  T  and  something  analogous 
is  true  still  of  all  who  would  come  to  Christ.  The  sinner  who  thns  comes 
mnst  have  some  definite  idea  of  what  he  seeks ;  and  even  though  luable,  as 
were  the  disciples  of  John  on  this  occasion,  to  give  distinct  expression  to  his 
feelmgs  and  desires,  the  gracious  Redeemer  will  condescend  to  his  feebleness, 
and  fulfil  his  reqaests.  *  Come  and  see.' — There  is  much  comprehended  ia 
this  langn^e.  First,  it  may  be  regarded  as  the  appeal  of  the  Lord  Jesns 
to  the  nnbeUeving  worid,  and,  viewed  in  this  aspect,  it  may  be  onderstood 
to  mean,  Come  and  see  if  the  gospel  is  not  the  truth  of  God — Come  and 
examine  history  and  see  the  evidence  of  this  fact — Come  and  Bee  msn'i 
nature,  man's  wants  and  longings,  and  see  whether  the  gospel  is  not  perfectly 
adapted  thereto — Come  and  see  whether  the  gospel  does  not  present  abundant 
internal  evidence  of  being  from  God.  Bnt,  secondly,  these  words,  as  at 
first  spoken,  were  addressed  more  especially  to  those  inclined  to  follow 
Christ,  and  this  is  the  more  important  aspect  of  them  still.  Thus  viewed. 
thoy  import.  Come  and  see — Come  and  have  intimate  fellowship  with  me,  and 
understand  my  character — Come  and  learn  of  me  and  find  spiritual  rest- 
Come  and  enjoy  the  blessedness  which  communion  with  me  imparts. 

General  Lessons  arising  from  the  Subject. 
1st.  Serious  spiritual  thought  is  indispensable  to  the  right  reception  o: 
the  gospel  of  Christ. 

2d.  Candid  examination  is  the  best  cure  for  infidel  doubts. 


^"%%^Ci^'^^  THE  BOSTON  MONDAY  LECTUKEfi.  485 

3d.  EzperimeDtal  eridence  is  th&t  eepecially  which  gires  the  Christian 
-spiritn&l  Etrength  and  joy. 

Finallj.  The  actna]  followiDg  of  the  Lord  Jeans  is  that  which  imparts  to 
Tts  assnraDce  in  the  matter  of  salvatioii. 

IV.  (CosnujHioN  Sabbath.)  John  xx.  16 :  '  Jesns  aaith  nnto  her,  Maiy  j 
she  tamed  herself,  and  saith  nnto  him,  BAbbonL' — A  striking  scene  of  the 
gospel  hiatoiy  is  here  brought  before  us,  exhibiting  impressively  the  kindness 
and  sympathy  of  Jesns,  and  His  readiness  at  all  times  to  poor  consolation 
into  tbe  hearts  of  His  sorrowing  followers.  Most  tonchiogly  does  this  scene 
bring  before  oar  minds  the  relation  which  Christ,  now  risen  and  exalted, 
snstainB  to  His  disciples  here  below.  '  Mary '  was  an  utterance  of  kindnraa 
and  affection  on  the  part  of  Jesus ;  'Rabboni,'  of  reverence,  faith,  and  love 
on  the  part  of  Mary.  The  incident  recorded  was  not  a  casnal  one,  bat 
Dbvionsly  designed  for  the  instrnction  and  comfort  of  all  Christ's  followers  to 
the  end  of  time.     And  we  may  r^ard  it  more  especially  as  exhibiting — 

1st.  The  particular  regard  and  lore  which  Christ  bears  to  His  disciples. 

2d.  The  tenderness  and  compassion  with  which  He  speaks  to  them. 

3d.  The  affectionate  reverence  which  the  Christian  has  for  Christ.  The 
one  word  '  Rabboni '  gave  expression  to  all  Mary's  holy  awe,  and  to  all  her 
faith  and  confidence  in  7esus.  And  this  spirit  of  affectionate  reverence  for 
the  Lord  Jesus  is  what  His  professed  disciples  should  ever  seek  to  cherish 
and  manifest. 

4th.  The  Christian's  present  fellowship  with  Christ  is  an  earnest  of  His 
f  ntare  and  everlasting  communion  with  TTim, 

Let  ns  learn,  in  conclusion — 

1st.  That  the  love  of  Jesus  is  of  an  bumbling  and  pnrifying  character. 

2d.  That  one  word  of  Jesns  apprehended  by  faith  wUI  enable  ns  to  rise 
above  the  troubles  and  darkness  of  this  world. 

Finally.  That  our  joy  in  the  resnrrection  of  Jmus  is  associated  with  our 
being  partakers  of  His  sufferings  and  death. 

{To  be  concluded  in  our  luxt.) 


THE  BOSTON  MONDAY  LECTURES.' 

BosTOK,  Massachusetts,  is  proud,  and  quite  legitimately,  of  Joseph  Cook. 
Many  of  ns  here  in  the  Old  World  feel  free  metaphorically  to  shake  hands 
across  the  water,  and  offer  congratulations  on  the  acquisition  of  this  new 
champion  of  her  orthodoxy.  For  truth  is  one  here  and  there;  and  whoever 
be  be  who  contributes  to  its  discovery  and  application,  lays  humanity  nnder 
obligation.  Truth  is  one,  though  revelation  and  science  appear  to  be  two. 
For  opposition  here  is  only  seeming,  not  real.  Not  only  truth,  bat  the  truth 
underlies  both.  -  They  can  therefore  tell  different  tales  only  so  long  as  the 
nnifying  principle  is  hidden.  They  conflict  only  till  the  common  basis  be 
reached.  There  is  not  one  truth  for  revelation,  and  another  for  science  -.  they 
have  a  common  origin.  And  truth  is  common  to,  because  it  is  the  end  of 
both.  Kevelation  declares  it,  and  science  seeks  it.  They  are  mntnally 
attracted  in  proportion  as  the  search  of  the  latter  confirms  the  statements  of 
tbe  former ;  and  the  nearing  process  is  accelerat«d  as  the  elncidation  of  the 
underlying  universal  truth  goes  on. 


486  THE  BOSTOK  MOWDAT  LECTURES.  ^"■'K«''iriM?'^ 

The  elncidation  of  this  common  element  bu  hitherto  been  retarded  for 
want  of  the  combination  in  one  mind  of  anch  critical  powers  as  distingnish 
re&pectirely  the  scientist  and  theolofpan.  All  scientific  critics  have  not  the 
rererrace  of  Agasuz ;  and,  onfortnnately,  not  a  few  have  the  anpercitions 
exclnriveness  and  impatient  scorn  of  l^idall  and  HackeL  On  the  other 
hand,  the  theologian  not  nnfreqnentlj  affects  to  ignore  the  processes  of 
science.  He  coneeiTes  of  it  as  being  attainable  only  by  one  method,  and  in 
one  direction.  He  views  with  inward  satisfaction  the  prospect  from  the  front 
window,  and  forgets  that  there  is  a  landscape  of  equal  beanty  to  be  seen  frcHn 
the  back.  As  a  trnth-seeker,  he  is  satisfied  with  the  theological  test,  and, 
ignoring  the  common  end  of  science,  regards  its  criteria  as  a  snperflnity  and 
an  intmsioD.  The  domain  of  bis  operations  is  a  noble  one ;  and,  assmning 
that  it  inclndes  all  tmth,  he  is  only  consistent  when  he  claims  the  ezclosiTe 
right  to  dole  it  ont.  If  it  is  chargeable  to  the  scientists  that  they  are 
d^ective  in  that  reverence  which  is  due  to  the  stnpendons  subjects  with 
which  revelation  deals,  it  is  also  chargeable  to  the  theologians  that  they  have 
sometimes  cribbed  themselves  within  their  own  intellectnal  Goshen,  and 
refused  to  acknowledge  beyond  its  confines  anything  save  an  expuise  of 
darkness,  occnfMed  by  busy  bnt  deluded  plodders.  The  resnlt  bas  been, 
first,  mutual  irritation,  and  th^  common  loss ;  for  every  loss  to  truth  is 
unirersaL  ' 

Hence  a  man  whose  intellectnal  sympBthies  are  wide  enough  to  embrace 
both  spheres  is  a  gain  to  the  universal  truth  of  revelation  and  ecieoca  If 
the  great  problem  of  the  ^e  be  the  reconciliation  of  these  two,  tiie  solation 
will  never  be  reached  by  lines  of  criticism,  each  of  which  Ilea  in  unsym- 
pathetic isolation.  Those,  for  example,  of  Hackel  and  Ho^^e  are  parcels 
which  can  never  meet.  Their  lines  of  vision  do  not  convei^e,  and  therefoie 
their  processes  lie  separate.  To  prosecute  the  work  of  final  convergence, 
there  is  required  the  union  in  one  mind  of  these  qualifications, — the  faculty 
of  fair  and  searching  criticism ;  a  deep  reverence  tor  tmth  nuder  whatever 
conditions  presented ;  a  manly  recognition  of  truth,  without  respect  to  the 
consequences  of  its  reception;  a  willingness  to  employ  every  legitimate  test 
of  tmth,  irrespective  of  our  own  habits  of  thought  and  experiment ;  a  strong 
conviction  that  the  problems  which  revelation  professes  to  solve,  and  those 
which  science  seeks  to  solve,  are  equally  vast  and  equally  weighty;  that  if 
tmth  be  one,  the  problems  of  both  embrace  a  unity  of  thought,  and  that  the 
processes  of  the  one  have  an  equal  claim  to  respect  with  those  of  the  other, 
inasmnch  as  the  trntha  on  which  they  ultimately  ground  are  axiomatic.  The 
mind  in  which  these  qualities  unite  is  one,  ceeleris  paribtu,  whose  deliverances 
concerning  the  relation  of  science  to  revelation  we  may  receive  vrith  deference 
and  seriouBuess.    And  such  a  mind  is  that  of  Joseph  Cook. 

A  trained  theologian  himself,  he  has  a  thorough  respect  for  science  and 
the  scientific  method.  To  that  method  Hlixley  is  not  more  true.  Cook 
adopts  it  to  reach  what  is  to  him  an  all-absorbing  end, — the  logical  demon- 
stration of  the  identity  of  truth,  scientific  and  revealed.  These  '  Monday 
Lectures '  plainly  face  such  questions  as  these : — Do  the  latest  revelations  of 
the  microscope  and  the  scalpel  concerning  the  vital  problems  of  human  exist- 
ence conflict  vrith  the  testimony  of  the  Bible  on  the  same  subject  T  Is  tfaeie 
necessary  opposition  between  such  a  sch^ne  for  the  moral  restoration  of 
humanity  as  the  scientific  method  can  show  to  be  needed,  and  that  which 
orthodoxy  declares  has  been  actually  adopted  t  Broadly,  these  two 
questions  are  the  key-note  of  the  lectures. 

These  are  pressing  problems.     No  person  of  avenge  observation  can 


"''"IfoT'!7.'^s""*^  THE  BOSTON  MONDAY  LECTCBB8.  487 

ignore  them.  The^  confront  the  theologian  in  bis  stady,  the  business  man 
ia  liis  morning  ne^paper,  and  the  artisan  in  his  reading  clnb.  In  the 
adaptation  of  science  to  the  training  of  yonth,  the  ybtj  schoolboy  is  leamii^ 
to  look  at  life  from  a  point  of  view  diSering  from  that  of  a  former  genera- 
tion. The  rigid  process  of  scientific  experiment,  and  the  ipse  dixit  of  moral 
iatoitioD,  are  being  narrowly  scmtinised  alongside  of  the  deUveranceB  of 
orthodoxy.  Inductive  research  in  the  sphere  of  fact  is  diftusing  in  a  daily 
widening  circle  the  germs  of  If  ateriaiiam.  These  germs  are  falling  into  the 
minds  of  youths  of  both  sexes,  who  are  disposed  to  read  their  Bible  rery 
much  in  the  light  of  what  science  says  concerning  it.  The  rationalistic  test 
is  being  applied  to  the  facts  of  sacred  history  with  a  severity  unknown  to  a 
paat  age.  The  terms  and  intricacies  of  scientific  discussion  on  Biblical 
themes  are  fast  becoming  the  commonplaces  of  an  intelligent  section  of  the 
people.  The  reflective  layman  is  secretly  wondering  that  the  deliverances  of 
science  on  what  is  rital  in  the  system  of  religions  truth  are  treated  by  the 
pnlpit  with  steady  silence.  Embryonic  Evolutionists  and  Materialists  sit  in 
Presbyterian  pews,  fresh  from  some  chance  perusal  of  scepticism,  waiting 
and  IJiirsting  for  '  the  other  side  of  the  question.*  The  minister  who  is  on 
familiar  terms  with  the  bookish  artisan  is  frequently  met  with  the  timid  but 
honestly-expressed  doubt  regarding  matters  which  were  supposed  to  be 
unqTiestionf^  verities.  There  are  suppressed  longings  among  the  mass  of 
reading  and  reflective  church- membership  for  a  franker  acknowledgment  in 
the  pnlpit  of  seeming  discrepancies  between  revealed  and  scientific  truth,  and 
for  a  wider  and  more  general  attempt  to  show  their  agreement.  These  are 
a^ns  which  the  public  teachers  of  religion  cannot  afford  to  pass  by.  They 
are  largely  the  result  of  honest  doubt  and  unfeigned  perplexity.  Those  who 
exhibit  them  are  not  in  the  main  influenced  by  the  desire  to  carp  at  ortho- 
doxy, or  the  wish  to  find  its  teaching  untme.  They  are  only  yielding  to  the 
inevitable  laws  which  regulate  mind,  and  produce  doubt  when  the  conditions 
of  doubt  are  legitimately  presented. 
•  Not  less  than  thirteen  of  these  lectures  are  devoted  to  the  bearing  of 
conscience  on  the  facts  of  revelation,  and  especially  on  the  fact  of  the  atone- 
ment. To  this  relation  great  prominence  is  given.  On  this  subject  more 
than  on  any  other  in  these  volumes  the  writer  strikes  home.  Founding  on 
the  changelessness  and  universality  of  the  moral  intuitions,  and  looking  from 
the  scientific  standpoint,  he  constructs  an  argument  for  the  atonement  of 
which  it  is  bare  justice  to  say  that  it  is  a  model  of  beauty,  force,  and  con- 
clusiveness. Shortly  put.  Cook  aims  at  showing  that  what  conscience  craves, 
God  provides.  More  fully  stated,  the  argument  demonstrates  that  such 
atonement  as  science  can  prove  to  be  necessary,  revelation  declares  has  been 
made.  This  is  done  with  delightful  freshness  and  point.  It  cannot  be  said 
that  the  attempt  is  novel,  or  that  there  is  much  in  the  matter  of  it  that  is 
new.    But  it  may  be  doubted  if  it  has  ever  been  done  before  with  so  much 


-  The  prominence  given  to  this  subject  is  well  bestowed.  Theodore  Parker 
is  no  more,  but  his  unhappy  caricatures  of  the  atonement  still  survive. 
They  survive  not  because  of  his  connection  with  them,  but  because  they  are 
the  natural  product  everywhere  of  an  ill-balanced  judgment  and  a  one-sided 
optimism.  They  spring  np,  therefore,  in  any  £^e,  and  are  far  from  uncommon 
in  our  own.  Their  remedy  lies  entirely  in  the  demonstration  of  the  fitness  of 
the  atonement  on  some  ground  common  to  orthodoxy  and  its  opponents. 
That  gronnd  is  intuition.  Is  there  anything  in  moral  consciousness  which 
conflicts  with  the  Scripture  mode  of  atonement  t    Is  it  not,  in  plan,  develop- 


488  THE  BOSTON  MOHDAT  I.EOTUSSB.  N«.™w«r^ 

ment,  snd  issue,  such  as  tiie  sodI  craTeeT  And  are  not  its  provieioiis  iDtni- 
tivelj  perceived  to  be  the  neceesary  conditions  of  human  happiness }  These 
queries,  Srst  Scriptare  and  then  experience  amply  decide.  Bat  we  are 
driven  from  the  evidence  of  both.  On  the  one  hand,  the  exclusion  of  Scrip- 
tore  by  our  opponents  is  the  very  origin  of  the  difference  between  ns ;  and, 
on  the  other,  experience  is  presumably  absent  on  one  side  of  the  dispute,  and 
therefore  conatitntes  no  common  ground  of  appeal  We  are  therefore  thrown 
back  on  the  primordial  notions  of  the  soul,  the  first  principlee  of  mind  in  the 
field  of  morals.  Moral  innateneas  must  be  the  last  and  common  resort  of 
all  inquirers  when  the  question  Ues  between  the  scientiBt  and  the  theologian. 
Arrived  there,  we  ask  what  is  its  voice  as  to  atonement  T  and  three  classes 
of  facts  immediately  meet  na, — accusations,  demands,  forebodings.  Hence 
there  arise  three  conditions  which  any  religion  professii^f  to  deal  with  the 
fact  of  human  sin  must  satisfy.  It  must  furnish  what  conscience  craves; 
it  must  Justify  in  respect  of  what  conscience  accuses ;  and  it  must  avert  what 
conscience  forebodes.  It  is  the  glory  of  Christianity  that  it  alone  reveals  is 
its  atonement  a  scheme  that  meets  ail  these  requirements.  And  thns  the 
atonement  which  science  declares  necessary,  revelation  declares  accooipliBhed. 
The  two  lines  of  inqniry  harmonize.  The  underlying  truth  ia  seen  to  be 
common :  not  a  dnalism,  but  a  unity. 

Passing  over,  meantime,  such  matters  in  these  volumes  as  the  mode  of 
dealing  with  those  who  reject  rel^ion  because  of  its  mysteries,  the  Dstsre 
and  sphere  of  conscience,  the  origin  and  continuance  of  evil,  we  come  to 
look  for  a  moment  at  what,  next  to  the  inquiry  into  the  moral  intnitioas,  is 
certainly  the  most  valuable  portion  of  these  lectnrea, — the  discassion  on 
Evolutionism  and  Materialism.  It  is  here  that  the  many-sided  abiliq  at 
Cook  appears.  Here,  also,  is  perhaps  the  most  valuable  contribation  to  to 
popular  treatment  of  these  abstrnse  subjects  that  has  been  made  from  the 
side  of  orthodoxy.  Not  that  the  phraseology  here  employed  is  likely  for 
many  years  to  be  natnrahzed  in  the  conversation  of  even  the  more  intelligent; 
for  it  would  be  idle  to  use  such  terms  and  phrases  as  bioplasm,  infinaitisi 
arcs,  automatic  area,  molecular  processes,  and  snch  hke,  in  the  discussion  of 
these  questions  even  with  men  of  average  reflectiveness,  Bnt  though  the 
language  be  itaelf  of  trifling  importance,  certainly  the  matters  it  symbolizes 
are  not  bo.  Materialism  is  coming  to  the  front.  It  is  concerned  with  all 
that  is  vital  in  the  Christian  system.  And  it  differs  from  the  Materialism  of 
a  past  age,  in  being  more  subtle  in  its  operation  and  more  certaia  in  its 
statements.  The  microscope  and  scalpel  have  first  transformed  it,  and  then 
given  it  a  new  lease  of  hfe.  Its  phenomena  are  common  property,  and,  ts 
scientific  knowledge  is  diffused,  will  become  more  common.  Thirty  years 
hence  its  discussion  may  be  the  commonplace  of  the  newsroom,  the  clob, 
and  the  workshop.  Bnt  orthodoxy  has  nothing  to  fear  fhim  its  approach. 
Its  modem  transformation  has  not  touched  the  essential  nature  of  the  thing. 
Less  gro3s  than  the  Materialism  of  Epicurus,  and  far  more  attractive  thui 
that  of  Hobbes,  its  identity  with  both  is  easily  discoverable. 

The  latest  form  of  Materialism  is  that  of  Bain  and  Tyndall,  accepted  in  the 
main  by  Huxley  and  Spencer,  and  altogether  by  HackeL  It  is  an  attempt 
to  unify  substance  and  dualise  its  attributes,  and  is  substantially  stated  by 
Bain  thus : — '  Matter  is  a  donble-faced  unity,'  baring  *  two.  sets  of  pro- 
periies,  or  two  sides,  the  physical  and  the  mental,'  bnt  is  nevertheless  '  one 
substance.'  This  substance  he  holds  to  be  the  only  one  in  the  nnivase. 
Cook  r^hUy  shows  that  this  definition  contains  a  proposition  which  is  no- 
thinkable — viz.,  that  two  sets  of  attributes  which  tlie  mind  intnitively  pro- 


"■"S^iiJt"''  THE  PHEAOHING  OP  THB  WOffl).  489 

□ODDcea  antftgoDutic  inJitre  in  ODe  and  the  eaine  Bnbstancs.  Cook  iis  slightly 
unfair  in  introdncii^  the  term  eo-inhere  to  describe  the  manner  in  which  the 
two  sets  of  qnalitjes  are  related,  in  position,  to  each  other  and  their  snbHtance. 
For  we  take  this  word  to  be  his  and  not  Bain's,  who  Bcems  to  have  antid- 
pated  sncb  critidBm  by  the  term  '  donble-facedness.'  Each  face  retains  iti^ 
pr(q>ertiee,  physioal  or  mental, — the  one  being  characterized,  say,  by  exten- 
sion and  solidity,  the  other  by  fear  and  gratitude.  Each  set  tahera ;  the 
two  do  not  co-inher€.  Bain's  difficulty  lies  in  the  unthinkableness  of  two 
sach  seta  of  properties  existing  in  a  state  of  coherence.  He  therefore 
avoids  the  inconvenience  by  poatolating  '  donble-facodnesB.'  If  this  be  bis 
meaning,  though  it  by  no  means  remores  the  difficnlty,  yet  it  prores  Cook's 
criticism  premature,  when  he  asks  if,  when  Ctesar  saw  Brntus  among  the 
conspmitors,  his  grief  was  square  or  ronnd.  His  first  dnty  was  to  show 
that  the  '  donble-facedness,'  in  Bain's  sense,  is  a  term  philosophically  inap- 
plicable to  matter  as  we  know  it,  because,  if  this  word  tmly  describes 
matter.  Bain's  inferences  an  not  illogical.  At  the  some  time,  it  is  clear 
that  this  newest  form  of  Mat«riaham  is  nothing  more  than  a  refinement  on 
GpicnruB.  It  is  an  attempt,  honestly  made,  no  donbt,  to  present  it  in  such 
a  dress  as  shall  render  it  more  generally  acceptable  to  the  scientific  world. 
Bat  in  trath  there  is  little  to  draw  between  it  and  the  system  of  the  ancient 
Samian,  which  postulated  a  snbtle,  ethereal  matter  pervading  the  whole 
body  as  the  seat  of'  thought  And  the  latter  has  one  recommendation 
which  Bain's  theory  lacks, — it  is  more  thinkable.  A  separate  substance 
assigned  for  the  functions  of  mind,  though  it  be  material,  is  more  couceir- 
able  than  a  double-faced  snbstance,  with  two  sets  of  attributes  which 
conscionsness  refuses  to  recognise  in  one  substratum.  The  former  is  the 
grosser,  the  latter  the  more  contradictory  conception.  Cook  has  rightly 
shown  that  the  objections  which  lie  (gainst  the  modon,  are  equally  un- 
answerable with  those  that  lie  against  the  ancient  syst«m.  And  we  would 
venture  to  add  here  an  excellent  rule  given  by  the  Port  Royalists,  which, 
white  it  gathers  up  the  whole  of  Cook's  argument,  is  fatal  to  any  syBt«m  of 
Materialism  :— '  It  is  the  nature,  therefore,  of  the  true  mode  (attribute)  that 
we  can  conceive  without  it  clearly  and  distinctly  the  substance  of  which  it  is 
the  mode  (attribute) ;  and  that  nevertheless  we  cannot  recipTocally  conceive 
clearly  the  mode  (attribute),  without  conceiring,  at  the  same  time,  the  re- 
lation which  it  bears  to  the  sabstance  of  which  it  is  the  mode  (attribute), 
and  without  which  it  cannot  naturally  exist'  H  matter  as  a  double-faced 
unity  having  laid  over  to  it  the  attribute,  say,  of  grief,  be  tested  by  this 
rule,  the  position  of  the  latest  Materialista  is  at  once  seen  to  be  unptulo- 
sophicoL 

{To  it  amtimud.) 


THB  PREACHING  OF  THE  WORD. 


FsRSONAL  religion,  pastoral  visitation,  pnlpit  preparation  and  preacUng 
the  word,  are  all  topics  suitable  for  the  present  address.  As  a  means  of 
success  in  the  gospel  ministry,  it  would  be  impossible  to  over-estimate  the 
worth  of  pergonal  reiigion.  Of  all  spiritual  prosperity  this  is  the  primary 
condition.  Id  the  case  of  yonr  excellent  predecessor,  pastoral  vintation, 
especially  of  the  sick  and  sorrowful,  was  a  chief  means  of  usefulness.    And 


490  THE  FEEAOHINS  OT  THE  WOBD.  '^"""rftuM?^ 

altfaough,  in  the  mam,  jron  must  do  your  Ifaster's  work  in  jonr  own  way, 
as  Mr.  Ferrier  did  it  in  his,  in  the  matter  of  visitation  at  leaet,  he  was  a. 
model  worthy  of  your  imitation.  Carefnt  pulpit  preparati<m  is  another 
means  of  success  which  I  cannot  too  earnestly  commend.  '  If  any  man  will 
not  work,  neither  shall  he  eat.'  With  the  march  of  general  edncation  and 
intelligence,  diligent  worii  in  the  stndy  becomea  incressiDgly  necessary. 
Witbont  it,  lasting  snccess  is  an  impossibility. 

It  is  not,  howerer,  of  personal  rehgion,  or  Tisiting  the  people  in  their 
homes,  or  diligent  work  in  the  stndy,  that  I  wish  to  speak  more  particnlorly 
now.  Our  subject  for  a  few  minntes  will  be  the  preacfaitg  of  the  word  ;  and 
in  handling  this  theme  it  will  be  our  endeavour  to  be  pointed  and  emphatie 
rather  than  exhanstive. 

First,  let  me  bring  before  you  the  ttn^ftakabie  valve  of  a  practical  am  in 
preaching.  We  can  scarcely  find  language  strong  enongh  to  do  jnstice  to 
the  importance  of  this  element  in  the  preaching  of  the  gospel.  To  hare  a 
proper  aim,  and  to  keep  that  aim  constantly  in  view,  and  to  prepare  and 
preach  every  diaconrse  for  its  attainment,  are  grand  conditions  of  ministerial 
snccess.  And  your  purpose  in  preaching  will  require  to  be  both  general 
and  specific.  The  general  purpose  is  bringing  mnners  to  the  Savioor.  This 
will  need  to  be  yoor  leading  object  every  time  yon  ascend  those  pulpit  stairs. 
Your  work  on  this  watch-tower  will  be  the  holding  np  of  Christ ;  and  yonr 
clearly  apprehended  purpose  in  so  doing,  the  bringing  of  sinners  and  tbe 
Saviour  together.  But  we  have  said  that  your  aim  needs  to  be  parUetlar 
as  well  as  general.  And  it  is  worthy  of  remark  that,  whilst  the  gmeraf 
purpose  is  one,  the  particular  object  is  many.  Every  discourse  must 
have  its  own  particnlar  purpose.  It  may  be  to  remove  an  error,  to  destroy 
a  prejudice,  or  to  nproot  a  certain  depraved  disposition.  It  may  be  to 
lodge  a  truth  in  the  mind,  or  prodnce  an  impression  on  the  heart,  or 
awaken  the  conscience  in  regard  to  a  particular  transgression.  Or  yonr 
design  in  a  given  diBcoarse  may  be  to  show  yonr  hearers  the  danger  and 
enormity  of  sin,  the  fulness  and  freeness  of  the  gospel  salvation,  or  the 
obligation  that  rests  upon  them  to  do  all  their  work  as  Christ  would  have 
done  it  with  their  powers  and  opportunities.  This  practical  aim  which  we 
are  urging  yon  to  adopt,  will  make  all  the  difference  between  preachii^  to 
your  congregation  and  preaching  before  them.  And  it  is  well  to  remranber 
that  in  tiiese  days  of  books  and  periodicals,  the  more  intelligent  of  onr 
hearers  go  to  church  not  bo  much  to  get  their  minds  informed,  as  to  have 
their  hearts  touched.  They  want  direct  earnest  appeals  to  their  feelings 
and  consciences.  They  wish  to  gain  new  strength  lor  the  duties  and  battle 
of  life.  They  like  the  minister  that  stirs  up  within  them  all  that  is  nobte 
and  Christ-like.  Their  minds  are  on  the  rack  during  the  six  days,  and 
they  wish  to  have  their  hearts  glowing  with  love  to  t^e  Savionr,  Christian 
benevolence,  and  the  hope  of  heaven,  on  the  seventh. 

Many  and  great  are  tiie  advant^^  that  will  arise  from  a  practical 
aim  in  your  preaching.  Having  in  yonr  heart  the  lofty  purpose  of  recon- 
ciling men  to  Ood  will  have  the  effect  (1)  of  rousing  for  your  work  all  the 
higher  faculties  and  aspirations  of  yonr  natnre.  It  will  have  the  effect 
(2)  of  giring  form  and  direction  to  all  the  thought  and  ezpressioD  com- 
posing yonr  discourses.  It  wHl  have  the  effect  (3)  of  lifting  yon  above 
the  fear  of  man,  and  giving  you  the  strength  and  enlargement  of  glorious 
freedom.  Than  preaching  the  everlasting  gospel  with  the  express  intention 
of  reconciling  men  to  God,  there  is  no  grander  work  possible  tor  a  member 
of  Uie  human  family. 


i?«'7.'ii»'^'  THE  PBBAOHING  OF  THE  WORD.  491 

HaviDg  looked  at  the  Talne  of  a  practical  aim,  let  na  now  consider  the 
kind  of  m^rumentaSiy  by  lohich  thit  aim  is  to  he  reached.  The  inatrnment&lit; 
or  power  ia  the  word  of  Ood — the  tmth  as  it  is  in  Jeans — the  goapel  of 
our  aalvation.    On  this  subject  we  have  two  remarks  to  make. 

First,  it  is  the  troth  abont  a  Uring  Christ.  Yoor  great  work,  aa  we 
have  already  hinted,  will  be  to  lift  ap  and  hold  ap  before  yoar  people  a 
living  personal  Kedeemer.  Thia  Is  a  point  on  which  I  wish  to  be  plain  and 
nnambigaons.  I  repeat,  yoar  great  work  will  be  to  hold  np  a  limg  personal 
Christ  before  yonr  people.  Calling  npon  them  to  behold  the  Lamb  of  God, 
or  to  look  to  the  Sarionr,  or  to  beliere  on  His  name,  will  be  a  part,  bat  not 
the  principal  part,  of  joai  dnty  in  preaching.  Instead  of  constantly  nrgii^ 
your  hearera  to  believe  on  Christ,  yon  mast  Kideavonr  so  to  exhibit  Him  • 
as  to  compel  their  belief.  It  is  not  faitb,  bnt  Christ  Jesns  the  Lord,  that 
joa  have  this  day  been  sert  apart)  to  publish  to  this  people.  Urging  yonr 
hearers  to  believe,  will  have  the  effect  of  making  them  look  into  their  own 
hearts ;  lifting  np  the  Redeemer,  on  the  other  hand,  will  torn  their  attention 
away  from  themselves  to  Tfim  who  is  exalted  a  Prince  and  a  Saviour,  to 
grant  repentance  and  remission  of  sins.  Yon  remember  the  Redeemer's 
words :  'And  I,  if  I  be  lifted  np  from  the  earth,  will  draw  all  men  unto 
me.'  He  was  lifted  up  on  the  cross;  and  He  has  been  lifted  up  to  the 
throne ;  and  now  it  is  required  that  He  be  lifted  up  in  the  preaching  of  the 
word.  And  when  this  is  faithfully  done,  He  will  make  good  His  own  pre- 
diction, and  draw  to  Himself  the  confidence  and  obedience  of  the  children 
of  men. 

The  Christ  of  the  Bible  is  an  object  of  mysterious  and  undying  interest 
to  the  hearts  of  sinful  men.  And  the  one  thing  that  you  and  I  and  all  of 
na  most  make  sure  of  is,  that  we  preach  the  veiy  Christ  and  a  fnll  Christ. 
We  mnst  preach  Him  aa  the  mighty  GFod,  and  as  the  man  Christ  Jesus. 
As  the  mighty  God,  He  created  all  things,  and  by  Him  all  things  consist, 
and  the  govemment  is  upon  His  shoulder.  As  the  man  Christ  Jesus,  He 
revealed  the  Father,  yielded  perfect  obedience  to  the  divine  law,  endured 
the  penalty  of  our  transgresaion,  and  rose  again  for  our  jnstiflcatioo.  Not 
metaphysics,  not  abstract  Christian  doctrine,  not  yourself,  but  Christ  Jesns 
the  Lord,  is  what  yon  are  appointed  to  proclaim.  And  if  yon  are  faithful 
to  this  purpose  of  yonr  ordination,  it  is  impossible  that  yon  should  labour 
in  vain,  or  apend  your  strength  for  nonght  and  in  rain. 

Second,  it  is  the  tmth  about  a  living  Christ,  adapted  to  the  spiritual 
condition  of  your  hearers.  Adaptation — adaptation  of  means  to  end — 
this  is  a  point  of  vast  importance  m  connection  with  this  snbject.  Even 
the  tmth  about  a  livii^  Christ  will  not  do,  unless  it  is  adapted.  The  Apostles 
Peter  and  Paul  fitted  the  gospel  most  completely  to  the  hearers  of  their  day. 
The  great  preachers  of  our  own  time  owe  mnch  of  their  aacceas  to  a  remark- 
able faculty  of  suiting  the  truth  to  thoae  who  heu:.  They  bring  home  the 
goapel  to  the  actual  views  and  feelings  and  donbts  and  difficnltiea  of  the  men 
of  this  generation.  In  regard  to  my  own  past  ministry,  there  is  nothing  that 
I  more  deeply  regret  than  shortcoming  in  this  matter  of  adaptation.  In 
the  earnest  endeavour  to  do  justice  to  the  meaning  and  spirit  of  Holy 
Scripture,  I  have  often  failed  to  give  due  attention  to  the  spiritual  re- 
qnirranenta  of  the  hearers.  On  this  account  I  am  the  more  desirons,  at  the 
commencement  of  yonr  ministry,  to  press  this  eaaential  of  successful  preach- 
ing on  your  attention  and  acceptance.  Your  proper  position  ia  to  stand 
between  the  Bible  and  yonr  congregation,  and  to  deal  faithfully  with  both. 
You  cannot  be  too  carefnl  to  bring  ont  the  true  meaning  of  the  Spirit  in 


492      THE  CASE  yoa  DlSESXABLiaHMiaiT  IN  BCOTLAKD.  '""kSJuimS'^ 

the  word ;  Ddtber  can  70D  be  too  eager  to  briag  the  word  into  vital  con- 
tact with  the  opinions  and  experiences  of  your  andience.  We  are  not 
iniitatorB  of  the  Apoatle  Paul,  when  we  present  tmth  in  the  forms  in  which 
we  find  it  in  his  writings.  This  is  senssless  and  mechanical  imitation.  11m 
best  imitation  lies  in  stndyiog  the  adaptation  which  he  studied,  and  which 
was  never  lost  sight  of  by  him  or  hia  divine  Master. 

Bemember,  then,  the  unspeakable  value  of  a  practical  aim  in  yonr 
preaching,  and  of  a  particular  purpose  in  every  discourse.  Remember,  also, 
that  the  means  to  be  Nnplojed  for  gaining  your  end  is  pouring  scriptural 
light  on  a  living  Ghrist.  Far  one  that  will  be  able  to  withstand  the  inex- 
pressible charm  and  mtyestic  influence  of  a  living  Kedeemer,  there  wHl  be 
a  hundred  capable  of  disregarding  or  finding  fault  with  jonr  abstract 
doctrine.  Remember,  too,  that  yon  cannot  have  either  popularity  or  power 
without  adaptation.  This  element  of  preaching  appears  to  become  eveiy 
day  more  necessary.  '  Study,  then,  to  show  thyself  approved  nnto  God,  a 
workman  that  needeth  not  to  be  ashamed,  r^htly  dividi^  the  word  of  tratii.' 
'  And  when  the  Chief  Shepherd  shall  appear,  thou  shalt  receive  a  crown  of 
glory  that  fadeth  not  away.'    Amen. 


THE  CASE  FOR  DISESTABLISHMENT  IN  SCOTLAND." 

In  our  last  number  this  excellent  pamphlet  was  slightly  referred  to,  lod  we 
promised  to  notice  it  more  folly.  We  have  pleasure  in  now  redeeming  the 
pledge  then  given. 

The  subject  of  Yoluntaryism  was  pretty  well  thrashed  out  more  than 
forty  years  ago,  and  it  may  seem  a  work  of  supererogation  to  resume  that 
process.  To  use  a  homely  rnral  illustration,  it  is  superfluous  to  pour  water 
on  a  drowned  sheep.  But  two  congiderations  justify  and  demand  the  work 
now  before  us.  Firstly,  there  has  sprung  up,  since  the  great  controversy 
terminated,  a  race  many  of  whom,  we  fear,  are  not  very  perfectly  indoctri- 
nated in  the  principles  with  which  our  fathers  were  so  familiar,  and  which 
they  so  highly  appreciated;  or  at  all  events,  the  present  generation,  if  they 
hold  these  principles,  do  so  with  that  slackness  of  hand  which,  as  we  grieve 
to  say,  they  so  generally  apply  to  all  verities,  even  the  most  solemn  and 
awful.  It  would  be  of  great  consequence,  therefore,  that  our  contemporaries 
should  be  taught  more  perfectly  the  grand  fundamental  articles  of  the 
Voluntary  futh,  and  should  be  excited  to  grapple  them  to  their  souls  witii 
a  stedfastness  corresponding  to  their  paramount  importance.  Thai, 
secondly,  the  question  in  onr  day  presents  some  new  aspects.  The  principles 
being  the  same,  the  details  vary  with  the  course  of  events.  And  for  practical 
pnrposes  these  should  be  turned  to  acconnt.  We  hail,  therefore,  wi& 
special  satisfaction  the  elaborate  and  masterly  performance  now  on  our 
table.  The  author  seems  to  be  the  man  for  the  times,  and  we  cordially 
recognise  him  as  the  leader  in  a  glorious  cause.  Death  and  senility  have 
cut  down  most  of  the  heroes  who  in  other  days  were  valiant  in  the  fight,  and 
occupied  the  high  places  in  the  field ;  and  now,  when  the  ranks  are  iidn,  he 
has  stood  forward  at  the  call, — AJiother  man  to  take  the  colours;  and 
we  are  mistaken  if  the  standard  drop  from  his  hands  till  his  name  shall  be 
enrolled  with  those  of  the  illustrious  dead,  or  rather,  let  us  hope,  till  the 
victory  shall  be  triumphantly  won. 

*  The  Out  for  DitittaliithiBmt.  By  Bev.  G,  0.  Hntton,  D.D.  Svcs'pp.  71-  Edinburgh : 
W.  Ojipluot  4  Oo. 


Xr.TimT'^  THE  CASE  FOB  DIBEBTABLiaHHBNT  IH  SOOXLAlfD.     493 

Dr.  Hotton  at  the  outset  takes  h^b  granni!,  and  verj  jmily  maintfuDS 
that  the  cause  for  which  be  contwds,  as  it  pertainB  to  the  sacred  domain 
of  conscience,  bsa  a  snpremacj  orer  all  temporal  and  worldly  politics. 
Bat  it  must  be  remembra^d  that  Government  and  Parliom^it  are  en- 
titled to  look  at  ecclesiastical  establishments  only  in  their  ciril  and  secalar 
aspect,  and  the  fii^t  qneetion  for  the  Legislatnre  is :  What  does  the  nation 
mo^  urgently  reqnire  *  With  them  the  maxim  holds,  Sahis  popuJi  suprtma 
lex.  We  mnst  say,  therefore,  that  in  our  hnmble  opinion,  Disestablishment 
is  not  the  subject  which  ought  first  to  occupy  the  sttentioQ  of  oar  rnlers. 
We  do  not  consider  ourselves  as  stepping  beyond  the  sphere  of  a  religions 
joarnal,  when  we  avow  the  conviction  that  it  is  matter  of  grave,  vital  im- 
portance, of  crying  necessity,  that  the  line  of  policy  at  present  pursued 
should  instantly  be  changed.  That  is  bringing  the  country  into  serions  and 
alarming  jeopardy.  It  is  committing  as  to  responsibilities  which  cannot  be 
contemplated  without  dismay.  It  is  oppressing  ns  with  a  load  of  taxation 
which  will  be  grievoiu  to  bear,  and  which,  after  all,  it  seems  must  be 
extended  over  a  succession  of  years,  ^d  if  it  ia  not  causing,  it  is  at  least 
prolonging  and  increasing,  that  disastrous  dolness  of  trade  which  ia  every 
day  becoming  more  and  more  rninoua ;  for  tbongb  it  has  not  involved  ns  in 
war,  it  keeps  war  always  looming  in  view,  and  so  effectualEy  paralyses  every- 
thing like  confidence,  and  checks  all  enterprise  in  commerce. 

It  would  be  impracticable  to  give  in  a  small  apace  even  a  faint  outline  of 
Dr.  Hutton's  large  and  well-stored  pamphlet.  He  gives  us  a  table  of  con- 
teotfi  embracing  twenty-eight  snbjects,  and  adds,  as  an  appendix,  the  substance 
of  a  lecture  dehvered  in  London  on  12th  March  last,  bntring  on  sixteen  differ- 
ent points  introduced  into  the  pamphlet.  His  style,  too,  ia  well  known  to 
be  concise  and  epigrammatic, — frequently,  also,  bitingly  sarcastic, — so  that 
an  exhibition  of  the  efiect  of  his  writing  could  scarcely  be  made,  except  in  his 
own  words.  We  most  content  ourselves,  therefore,  with  adverting  briefly, 
and  with  little  regard  to  order,  to  several  of  the  topics  he  so  trenchantly 
disposes  of. 

The  author,  as  a  tftorongh- paced  Tolnntary,  insists  on  Disestablishment 
Irrespective  altogether  of  certain  conditions  on  which  many  juae  milteu  sort 
of  men  wonid  be  ready  to  accept  it.  He  says :  '  Whether  the  Kirk  could 
support  itself  is  not  relevant  when  the  question  is  whether  it  should  be  sup- 
ported by  the  public.  Whether  the  Voluntary  system  is  likely  to  overtake 
the  religious  wants  a!  Scotland  is  not  in  point  when  we  are  conaidcring  the 
limits  of  State  obligations  to  rel^iou.  Whether  the  Kirk  ia  in  the  minority 
does  not  settle  the  deeper  question  of  justice.  Whether  Freabyterian  onion 
ia  to  be  hastened  or  averted  is  not  an  alternative  on  which  the  Britiah  Parlia- 
ment can  be  asked  to  binge  legislation.  The  Oath  of  the  Sovereign  and  the 
Treaty  of  Union  are  creatures  of  law  and  compact,  and  no  more  the  concern 
of  those  seeking  Disestabhahment  than  of  any  who  desire  legislative  or 
constitutional  change.'  At  the  same  time,  he  maintains  that  on  all  these 
points  good  satisfaction  can  be  givra.  '  The  Kirk  is  abnndantly  able  to 
support  itself.  The  other  Chnrchea  are  not  more  hkely  to  fail  Scotland 
than  hitherto.  The  Kirk  is  in  a  visiUe  minority.  The  noiou  of  Prea- 
byterians  is  simply  impossible  without  Disestabhshment  (whether  that  would 
bring  it  about  at  an  early  period  is  another  quealdon),  unleas  Diasenting  and 
other  Presbyterians  prove  recreant  to  their  principles  and  hiatory.  Beligion 
would  no  doubt  be  national  in  the  only  way  and  sense  in  which  it  ever  is 
so,  after  Disestabhshment  as  before.  The  Coronation  Oath  has  not  hitherto 
arrested  the  course  of  national  change,  and  it  is  not  likely  to  do  so  in  the 


./ 


494      THE  OASB  FOR  DI8E8TABLIBHMENT  IN  SCOTLAND,  '^^''si.'l^m^'' 

case  of  the  Scottish  Kirk.  The  Treaty  of  TJnioa  canoot  bar  a  liviDg  citizen- 
ship  from  le^slative  action.  The  people  of  Scotland  are  better  prepared 
for  DiaestabliBhrneDt  than  for  any  political  change  that  the  age  hu  seen ; 
and  they  more  wisely  and  earnestly  wish  for  it  than  they  do  for  any  other 
measure  of  justice  anywhere  proposed.'  Again  he  says,  tonching  the  con- 
stitntion  and  the  Coronation  Oath :  '  The  conHtitntion  itselT,  which  Dis- 
establishmrait  is  snppoeed  to  violate,  is  a  shifting  quantity,  proserring  its 
identity  like  the  physical  frame,  not  by  congestion  of  nnalterable  materials, 
bnt  by  a  regulated  Etssimilation,  which  combines  the  laws  of  continnity  and 
growth,  llie  constitution  is  what  it  is  made  by  constant  and  often  infini- 
tesimal changes  produced  by  legislation,  and  the  Oath  of  the  Sovereign  is 
an  obligation,  not  to  resist  changes  l^itimately  prodoced,  but  to  maintain 
institutions  until  competently  changed.  To  repeal  Acts  of  Parliament  which 
enact  the  Confession  of  Ftiith  as  the  law  of  Scotland,  and  provide  a  stipend, 
manse,  and  glebe  for  a  select  thonsand  out  of  its  three  or  four  thonsand 
religious  teachers,  is  said  to  violate  the  Treaty  of  Union.  Bat  the  dead  men 
of  the  treaty  acted  in  its  formation  by  no  right  more  divine  than  that  which 
inheres  in  their  living  snccessors,  who  cannot,  sni  will  not,  be  made  vassals 
of  a  buried  century.' 

It  is  well  known  that  the  Kirk  always  insists  on  it  that  she  has  a  large 
majority  of  the  people.  Bnt  how  does  she  make  that  ontT  By  claiming  to 
be  hers,  as  Sir  James  Fergusaon  lately  said  she  was  entitled  to  do,  all  who 
do  not  expressly  adhere  to  other  religions  bodies.  Dr.  Hutton  says:  'In 
the  stn^gle  of  Kirk  and  Dissent  there  is  no  common  principle  to  guide 
replies.  On  what  footing  shall  a  religious  census  proceed}  Diaseaters 
give  hostages  of  honesty  by  some  test  of  adhesion — church  attenduce, 
communicating,  or  the  roll  of  membership.  Bnt  these  are  swept  a^de  bj  ■ 
the  process  advocated  in  the  name  of  the  Kirk,  which  would  embrace  in  iU 
hsta  all  who  say,  or  would  allow  it  to  be  said,  that  they  belong  to  it.  To  be 
married  for  convenience  by  a  parochial  or  other  minister,  or  to  open  the 
door  when  he  knocks  on  his  rounds,  or  to  live  in  his  district  or  parish,  is 
hardly  enough  to  constitute  membership  or  adherence)  yet  ties  as  slight  as 
those  lie  at  the  basis  of  imposing  aggregates  clumed  by  the  Kirk.  An 
average  Scotchman  will  as  soon  confess  to  a  tickrt-of-leave  as  to  no  church. 
If  compelled  or  canvassed  to  fill  np  his  schedule,  he  can  only  select  that 
Chorch  which  he  knows  will  not  repudiate  him.' 

Every  one  knows  that  there  is  in  the  Free  Church  a  lai^e  party, 
including  highly  respectable  men,  who  have  some  theory,  not  very  intelligible, 
and  perfectly  unworkable,  about  disendowing  bnt  not  disestablishing  the 
Church,  and,  moreover,  incJnding  in' the  Church  so  established  we  do  not  know 
how  many  iMerent  sorts  of  religionists.  And  there  are  some  who  look  to 
the  H^hlands  as  a  barrier  against  the  fide  of  Disestablishment.  Dr.  Hatton 
has  no  patience  with  these  obstmctionists.  'It  is  more  than  idle,'  he  remarks, 
-  to  say  that  the  Free  Church  and  other  Dissenters  onght  to  be  satis&ed — 
that  they  have  no  grievance.  It  ia  more  than  idle,  it  is  offensive,  to  impnte 
to  them  the  motive  of  selfishnesH.  They  are  not  satisfied.  They  declare 
that  the  most  recent  legislation  does  in  no  sort  touch  their  objections.  They  are 
past  the  hope  of  reforming  the  Kirk ;  they  look  invincibly  to  Disestablishment. 
By  overwhelming  majorities  in  their  Assemblies,  by  demonstrations  in  Presby- 
teries from  the  Pentlaud  to  the  Solway,  it  is  made  evident  to  all  willing  to  be 
convinced  that  the  Free  Church  is  resolutely  and  finally  alienated  from  the  Kirk. 
.  .  .  There  is  donbtless  a  purely  G^aelic-speaking  portion  of  the  popni&tion 
amoi%  whom  information  nnavoidably  makes  slow  way.      Amongst  theee 


"'"^Vi^Bt"-^  THE  CASE  FOB  DIBEBTABLISHilENT  IN  SCOTLAND.     495 

fiMefl; — a.  clasa  rapidly  diminlahiag  before  the  progress  of  schools — are  to 
be  fomd  the  followers  of  disaffected  pnlpit-coiefs,  though  not  even  these 
profesa  to  dream  of  returning  to  the  present  Establishment.  At  most  the; 
dnom  of  a  miUennium  of  the  Claim  of  Right.  Bnt  the  English- speaking  and 
English-reading  natives  and  residents  occupy  a  more  favourable  position. 
With  access  to  the  daily  newspapers  and  other  literature  of  the  day,  with  all 
the  appliances  and  marks  of  modern  life  existing  in  their  midst,  they  are  among 
the  most  intelligent  and  thoaghtfnl  of  the  Scottish  people.  .  .  .  The  free 
Church  is  ripe  for  Disestablishment,  and  need  not  fear  the  Highlands.  The 
leaders  of  the  Free  Chnrch  have  indeed  tardily  dealt  with  their  Highland 
problem.  They  have  too  gingerly  grasped  the  nettle.  They  have  escaped 
being  too  late,  though  no  more  time  is  to  be  lost.' 

The  Duke  of  Argyll,  who  was  a  party  to  the  Disestablishment  in  Ireland, 
vho  is  ever  forward  with  his  opinion,  and  who  seems  to  hold  the  maxim — alas ! 
not  veiy  original — that  might  makes  right,  attempts  a  sort  of  defence  of 
eetabliafunents  in  Britain,  for  which  he  gets  himself  pretty  sharply  hajidled 
by  Dr.  Hutton,  'The  difference  in  principle  between  the  wtoi^b  of  the 
Irish  Catholics  of  1868  and  of  the  Presbyterian  Dissenters  of  the  present 
day  is  not  very  apparent.  The  Dnke  declares  his  opinion  to  be  clear  and 
decided.  Decidedit  may  be,  bnt  it  is  not  clear.  When  does  an  Established 
Chorch  begin  to  be  uiyustt  Bjs  Grace  labours  to  explain.  It  is  not 
QDJQBt  "  if  it  is  really  national  in  its  origin,  is  still  doing  its  work  among  & 
large  portion  of  the  people,  and  capable  of  doing  the  same  work  among  a 
portion  larger  still."  Bnt  was  not  this  tme  of  the  Popish  Chnrch  in 
Scotland  before  the  Keformation  T  And  was  it  not  true  of  the  Irish  Chnrch 
that  it  was  doing  its  work  among  a  portion  of  the  people,  and  capable  of 
doing  it  among  a  lai^erT  The  description  is  meant  to  portray  the  Churches 
of  Ei^land  and  Scotland,  and  to  save  them  by  definition  from  Disestablish- 
ment. His  Grace  admits  that  when  a  "  great  majority  are  hostile  to  an 
Established  Church,"  they  will,  if  they  are  so  minded,  effect  its  overthrow. 
Bat  what  is  wished  to  know  is,  Whether  a  hostile  majority  is  needful,  and 
how  large  the  majority  must  be,  to  make  an  Established  Church  an  injustice. 
There  is  a  tolerable  majority  in  Scotland,  probably  also  in  England,  hostile 
to  the  Established  Church  in  their  midst,  bnt,  in  the  opinion  of  Jlis  Grace, 
the  point  of  injustice  has  not  yet  been  reached  in  these  instances.  The 
som  of  the  matt«r,  in  the  estimation  of  the  noble  Dnke,  seems  to  be  this, — 
that  until  Dissent  acquire  strength  of  numbers  or  purpose  to  overcome  its 
opponents,  it  is  quite  justly  trampled  on ;  bnt  when  it  is  enffici^itly  strong  to 
assert  its  own  rights,  it  is  entitled  to  respect.'  That  is  to  say,  Government 
ought  to  yield  to  force  what  it  will  not  concede  to  reason  and  justice! 

A  general  election  cannot  be  very  distant,  and  ou  the  resnit  of  it  may 
depend  the  question  of  Establishment  for  a  number  of  years.  Dr.  Hutton 
is  too  sharp-sighted  not  to  keep  this  in  view.  '  We  have  long  enough,' 
says  he,  'permitted  Churchmen  in  the  name  of  Liberalism  to  misrepresent  us 
as  Dissenters,  and  gentlemen  seeking  place,  to  climb  to  power  on  our  backs. 
We  do  not  intend  that  this  shall  longer  be.  .  .  .  We  have  had  more  than 
enough  of  good  advice  about  unity.  .  .  .  We  will  be  the  last  to  divide  the 
Liberal  party ;  but  this  negative  virtue  is  not  the  whole  duty  of  man  political. 
The  Liberal  party  is  already  divided.  The  retirement  of  Mr.  Gladstone 
left  it  dissolved.  It  has  entered  on  one  of  those  transition  and  formative 
epochs  when  special  responsibility  is  thrown  on  the  rank  and  file.  Let  not 
leaders  divide  the  party  by  evading  or  trifling  with  the  policy  of  Dis- 
eetablishmeut.    Let  them^advise  the  cot«rie  of  Eirk  Liberals — few  at  best 


496  THE  LATB  EEV.  QEOBGE  QILMLLAW.        ^"jt^.TSif^ 

— to  whom  the;  have  so  long  deferred,  that  the  imungs  of  Disaest  has 
come ;  that  Dissentera  have  too  Itmg  been  expected  as  a  matter  of  conrse 
to  vote  for  Liberal  candidates,  even  if  the;  differed  from  them  on  that 
qnestion ;  and  that  it  is  now  the  tnm  of  Churchmen,  if  they  value  LibnvUsm 
ao  highfy,  to  do  the  same.  At  all  eventa,  let  it  be  kuomi  that  Dissentwa 
believe  Uiey  have  done  enough  for  lojalt;  to  leaders,  and  that  it  is  now  tfLe 
time  for  leaders  to  show  some  loyalt^  to  their  beet  followers.  .  .  .  The 
protestations  made  by,  and  on  behalf  of,  rarionB  ardent  enemies  of  Dissent 
and  DisestablishmeDt  that  they  are  Liberals — as  good  Liberals  as  any — are 
of  little  moment.    The  country  will  not  be  canght  by  nomenclatare,' 

There  is  macli  more  in  this  pamphlet  which  we  feel  strongly  tempted  to 
extract,  bat  space  forbids.  We  hope  that,  after  the  specimens  we  have 
given,  it  is  nnneceesary  to  eay  that  we  very  strongly  recommend  it  to  our 
readers.  Preparation  for  the  coming  election  ia  the  main  concern  of 
Voluntaries  at  present,  and  we  do  not  know  a  better  preparative  than  the 
treatise  (for  each  it  is)  with  which  Dr.  Hntton  has  so  opportunely  favoured 
OS.  Let  all  electors  rest  assured  that  if  they  return  Tolnntaries,  these 
win  be  found  thoroughgoing  Liberals ;  but  so-called  Liberals  who  are  not 
Volantaries  may,  like  a  certain  young  nobleman,  be  distingnished  for  sitting 
on  one  side  of  the  House  and  generally  voting  with  the  opposite. 

Debixitatce. 


THE  LATE  REV.  GEORGE  GILPILLAS,  DUNDEE. 
Ok  the  13th  of  August,  Dundee  was  stirred  to  the  very  heart  by  the 
unlooked-for  death  of  her  most  diertinguisbed  minlBter  and  anthor,  George 
Gilfillan.  As  the  day  wore  on,  and  the  news  spread  throughout  the  couAry, 
it  became  apparent  how  widely  known  was  the  name,  and  how  extensive  h»d 
3een  the  infiumce,  of  the  departed. 

The  Scottish  press  almost  ouanimously  bore  testimony  to  the  loss  the 
country  had  anstained ;  while  the  English  papers,  followed  by  the  American, 
demonstrated  that  the  bereavement  would  be  felt  wherever  the  EngM 
language  is  spoken. 

Alr^idy  able  hands  have  given  an  outline  of  the  life  and  estimates  of  the 
work  of  our  subject ;  yet  it  seems  only  becoming  that  some  sketch  of  his 
career  and  character  should  be  given  in  the  organ  bf  the  denomination  le 
which  he  more  immediately  belonged.  For  whatever  differences  of  opinion 
obtain  as  to  his  relation  to  the  Charch,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  few  bon> 
and  reared  within  her  fold  have  attained  to  the  renown  and  influence  of 
the  poet,  the  preacher,  and  author  of  Dundee. 

Geoige  OilGllan  was  born  at  Comrie,  30th  January  161S,  where  hie  father, 
Samnel  GilfiUan,  labonred  long  and  well  as  minister  of  the  Secession  Chnrch. 
Both  as  to  his  birthplace  and  parentage  GilfiUon  was  highly  favoured. 
Few  places  can  excel  Comrie  in  natural  beauty.  It  sleeps  quietly  in  the 
bosom  of  romantic  hills;  while  the  Earn,  the  Rnchil,  and  the  Lednock  seem 
to  twine  their  loving  arms  aronnd  h»,  as  they  join  in  singing  a  lullaby.  To 
the  west  are  the  grim  Abmchil  Hills,  rising  sheer  into  the  sky,  and  seeming 
ever  to  speak  of  TTitn  who  was  '  before  the  mountains  were  brought  forth.' 
A  little  beyond  is  the  famous  hill  of  St.  f  illans,  which  keeps  watch  over  the 
beautiful  Locfa  Earn,  smiling  at  its  foot.  To  the  north,  a  steep  hill,  sur- 
mounted by  a  monument  to  Lord  Melville,  aSords  one  of  the  finest  views  in 
Scotland;  while  down  its  sides  rushes  the  stream  dear  to  every  native,  and 
forms  the  ever  new  and  widely-known  '  Deil'a  Cauldron,'    Away  to  the  east. 


""TirriiMT"'        THE  LA.TB  KEV.  QBOKQE  GILriLLAK,  497 

toirards  GrieS,  meander  the  river  and  rale  of  Earn,  sweet  In  pastoral  beauty 
and  wooded  knolls. 

Every  part  of  this  district  was  inwoven  in  the  imagination,  and  afforded 
endless  illnstrations  to  one  who  passionately  loved  his  native  place.  It 
proved  itself  in  Gilfillan's  case — 

'Meet  hama  for  »  poetlo  child.' 
Bat  the  home  influences  were  noble  and  trne,  as  the  external  ones  were  pnre 
and  inspiring,  Samoel  Qilfillan  was  a  man  of  mark,  and  very  tike  hia  famous 
son  in  physical  bnild.  He  had  also  mncti  of  the  mental  power  and  grasp 
which  distingnished  Oeoige.  He  was  a  man  far  ahead  of  his  age ;  of  deep 
piety,  sterling  worth,  and  bnming  devotion.  His  memory  is  still  fresh  and 
fragrant  in  the  minds  of  many ; '  while  his  words  and  doings  are  quoted  by 
those  now  nearing  the  threescooe  years  and  ten.  He  reared  a  large  family 
of  eleven  on  a  very  Iinut«d  income;  ajid  while  the  rta  angu^adorat  mast  have 
pressed  him  sorely,  he  would  listen  to  no  overture  to  remove  him  from  his 
attached  pecnile.  He  was  a  frequent  contribator  to  the  Mctgcuine  of  the  day ; 
and  Hi^h  luller  relates  how  anxiously  were  waited  for  and  greedily  devoured 
his  articles  bearing  his  Christian  name  spelt  backwards — 'Lenmas.'  A  little 
work  on  the  '■  Sabbath '  and  the  MagattTie  articles  go  to  show  that  he  was 
endowed  with  a  vigorous  mind  and  Uvely  fancy.  His  goodness  was  more 
consfMCDons  than  his  greatness ;  and  though  he  is  long  dead,  he  yet  speaks. 

While  George  was  yet  a  boy  he  lost  his  father,  but  all  through  life 
retained  for  him  the  warmest  regai^;  and  doubtless  his  father's  memory 
often  rertrained  him  in  later  days.  The  fatherless  boy  was  allowed  to  wander 
about  among  hie  native  hills  and  devour  books,  of  which  be  early  developed 
a  paagionate  love.  It  is  told  of  him  that  at  meal-tunes,  when  most  boys  are 
at  home  and  not  hard  to  find,  George  was  often  amissing,  and,  after  search 
had  everywhere  been  made,  he  would  be  found  in  a  garret  room  busy  at  his 
book.  From  his  earliest  days  he  was  eccentric,  and  puzzled  the  decent  folks 
by  his  pecaUar  ways.  He  went  to  the  parish  school,  bnt  little  is  told  of  his 
work  there.  Postsibly  he  had  already  began  his  omnivoroas  reading,  and 
gave  comparatively  little  attention  to  school  tasks.  He  mingled  bnt  seldom 
with  other  boys;  and  we  hear  of  no  feats  of  football,  biidnesting,  or  the  like. 
Almost  the  only  school  tradition  of  him  relates  to  his  pa  gilistic  doings.  A  family 
of  very  roagh  boys,  who  were  the  bnllies  of  the  plaee,  were  frequently  met 
and  encountered  by  GilQllan.  Invariably  he  was  thrashed,  when  be  would 
walk  away  in  silence — beaten  but  not  cowed ;  for  soon  the  company  wonld 
again  meet,  form  the  ring,  and  witness  a  like  resnlt.  In  this  story  we  have 
a  good  deal  of  the  man  revealed.  Ever  ready  to  fight,  losing  battles,  staod- 
mg  often  alone;  never  disheartened,  but  ready  for  a  new  encounter  when 
opportunity  afforded.  He  loved  saccess  and  victory  as  other  men  do,  but 
feared  not  to  embrace  and  defoid  the  Josing  side. 

He  went  to  Glasgow  University,  and  while  there  had  for  contemporaries 
— the  late  Dr.  Eadie,  Dr.  Hanna,  Swintou,  the  law  adviser  of  the  Established 
Chnrch,  Archbishop  Tait,  and  others  who  have  become  famous.  In  common 
with  all  his  fellow-stndents,  GUfiUan  was  greatly  inQueaced  by  the  eloquence 
and  learning  of  Sir  Daniel  Sandford,  and  doubtless  in  the  Greek  class-room 
he  caught  a  new  enthusiasm  for  literatnre.  But,  hke  many  men  who  have  risen 
to  eminence, — his  friend  Eadie  was  also  one, — he  had  no  very  brilliant 
nniTersity  career.  Some  students  do  all  the  work  they  ever  do  while  attending 
classes,  and  subjectad  to  the  discipline  of  professors ;  others  only  learn  to  read 
by  way  of  preparation  for  the  life-work.  No  doubt  at  this  period  QilSllan  hud 
in  a  rich  store  of  general  reading  which  served,  him  well  in  after  life.    He 

KO.  ZI.  VOL.  XXII.  NEW  SEBIES.— NOVEKBKB  1B7S.  2  I 


498  THE  LATB  RBV.  OEOBOE  CILniiAK.        '"■^S^.'JrwJ!^ 

hsd  a  splendid  memoiy,  and  Beemed  to  remember  all  he  read  and  did ;  hence 
his  writings  bristled  with  apt  and  widelj-drawn  qnotations.  One  ot  the 
college  monoriM  he  cheriBhed  was  hia  interconrae  with  Campbell  of  the 
PUamra  of  Hope.  Campbell  was  elected  Lord  Rector  by  the  stndentB,  and 
greatly  delighted  them  by  mixing  amoi^  and  talking  freely  to  them. 
Among  others,  he  gained  the  affection  of  Qilfillan,  who  erer  after  epoke  of 
him  in  terms  of  warmest  admiration. 

At  the  close  of  bis  oniversity  conrse  he  hesitated  some  time  as  to  bis 
fntore  pnrBnit.  At  the  early  age  of  fonrteen  he  had  started  on  his  career 
aa  an  author,  by  writing  to  the  Farmeri  Magatine;  and  in  the  light  of  his 
whole  life  we  need  not  donbt  that  the  path  of  literature  was  the  one  npon 
which  he  felt  tempted  to  enter.  To  a  man  of  his  temperament,  the  fact  that 
his  father  was  a  minister,  and  his  mother  the  danghter  of  a  minister,  wosJd 
weigh  considerably.  At  all  eventa,  he  at  last  decided  to  follow  after  bis 
father's  profession,  and  in  1880  joined  the  'Dirimty  Hall'  of  the  Seceesioii 
Church.  Hwe  he  did  not  relish  the  work  mnch,  and  is  remembered  more 
for  his  knowledge  and  criticism  of  literatnre  than  for  his  proficiency  as  a 
divine. 

For  many  years  the  Hall  session  lasted  two  months,  and  students  generally 
filled  up  the  ten  months  by  teaching,  and  in  prirate  pursuing  their  stndiea. 
That  system  has  now  given  place  to  a  more  extended  cnrricnlum,  for  which 
we  entertain  the  highest  hopes.  But  the  old  developed  a  wonderful  omoimt 
of  manliness,  gave  free  play  to  individoality,  allowed  men  to  pursue  tlie  beat 
of  thdr  own  tastes ;  and  if  it  did  not  make  so  many  good  general  scbolsrs, 
it  at  least  tamed  ont  not  a  few  distinguished  specialists,  and,  upon  the  wbole, 
furnished  a  varioasly  hat  well-equipped  ministry.  For  poor  atudoita  bke 
OilGllan  and  Eadie,  when  bursaries  were  almost  unknown,  no  other  syAem 
could  have  fired.  For  a  man  who  hod  to  save  paper,  pen,  and  ink  by  writ- 
ing in  pencil  on  the  blank  leaves  of  an  old  atlas,  a  five  months'  course  would 
have  been  an  impoesibility.  Having  removed  to  Edinbni^h,  Gilfillan  fre- 
quently found  his  way  to  the  claas-aoom  of  Professor  Wilson,  and  was 
charmed  and  inspired  by  the  rare  eloquence  and  enthusiasm  of '  ChriatophOT 
North.'  About  this  time  he  was  mnch  '  perplext  in  faith,'  and  went  through 
such  a  crisis  as  ever  after  gave  him  deep  sympathy  with  those  fighting  the 
demon  doubt.  Very  deeply  was  be  stirred  at  this  time ;  and  the  memory  of 
it  was,  to  a  targe  extent,  the  explanation  of  his  leniency  to  those  who  departed 
from  the  faith  of  their  fathers.  Towards  his  deUverance  was  working  the 
very  potent  influence  that  he  had  to  preach  in  a  mission  district.  One  can 
easily  imagine  that  a  man  of  his  generosity  of  nature  would  be  deeply  touched 
by  the  appearance  of  the  frequenters  of  such  a  meeting-place.  At  the  door 
of  that  humble  pulpit  all  doubts  and  speculations  would  be  left  behind,  as 
he  tried  to  comfort  and  cheer  the  victims  of  poverty,  vice,  and  sin. 

At  length  the  battle  with  poverty  and  doubt  was  ended,  and,  aft«r  a  some- 
Irhat  severe  handfing  by  the  Presbytery  of  Edinbni^h,  he  was  ficensed  in 
1835.  During  his  year  of  probation  he  was  called  to  his  native  Comrie, 
which,  well  for  his  own  and  the  Church's  sake,  he  dechned.  Such  a  mui 
may  now  and  again  go  to  the  scenes  of  Strath-Earn  to  refresh  bis  spirit  and 
rest  his  brain  j  but  the  city,  with  its  teeming  thonsands,  its  bustle  and  roar, 
was  the  true  sphere  of  labour  for  a  man  of  his  impetuous  nature  and  power 
of  work.  Small  country  charges  often  test  and  t^  men  more  severely  than 
town  congregations,  and  in  them  we  need  men  of  cabn  Judgment  and  steady 
industry;  but  the  fiery,  impetuous  nature  needs  men,  and  many  of  them,  to 
restrain  and  guide  it.    Providence  was  once  mote  kind,  and  sent  OilfiHan  to 


°*V»Ti»it"*^'       THE  LATE  BEV,  GETBQB  GILIILLAN.  409 

tlie  rapidly>growiiig  town  of  Dondee,  where  for  upwards  of  forty  years  he 
was  to  be  a  name  and  a  power. 

On  the  23d  day  of  March  1836,  OilfitJan  was  ordained  miniBter  of  School 
Wynd,  now  known  as  '  George's  Chapel.'  The  history  of  this  chorch  is  a 
very  remarkable  one,  and  wonld  have  deterred  many  men.  The  first  minister 
labonred  five  years ;  the  second,  after  eight  years,  died  saddenly  at  Leitb, 
where  he  had  gone  for  his  bride;  the  third  ministered  fonr  years;  the  fonrth 
died  by  his  own  hand  after  seven  months'  work ;  the  fifth,  because  of  the  dis- 
satisfaction of  the  people,  was  loosed  from  his  charge  in  hia  sixth  year;  s 
probationer  called  took  fright  on  the  way  to  the  chnrch  to  be  ordained ;  the 
sixth  laboured  thirty-two  jears;  the  seventh,  sixteen  years;  and  QilSllan's 
inunediate  predecessor,  two  and  a  half  years.  Dismptiona  in  the  chnrch 
gave  rise  to  Bell  Street,  Barrack  Street,  and  Tay  Square  congregations. 

To  face  the  work  of  such  a  cause  required  both  conrage  and  ability ;  and 
althongh  it  is  said  ULr.  Gilfillan  bad  not  a  few  difficnlties  to  contend  with, 
especially  at  the  ontset  of  his  ministry,  yet  at  the  close  of  forty  years  he 
left  an  overflowing  and  proaperons  chnrch.  One  seldom  eqjoys  the  privil^e 
of  preaching  in  a  chnrch  go  filled  with  toger  Hsteners  as  School  Wynd 
afforded  in  an  afternoon ;  and  it  was  no  mean  testimony  to  the  vigour  and 
freshness  of  the  minister's  preaching,  that  the  andience  was  largely  com- 
posed of  yonng  men. 

After  eight  months'  ministry,  Mr,  Qilfillan  did  the.  wisest  act  of  his  life,  in 
marrying  Miss  Valentine,  danghter  of  a  Meams  former.  In  her  he  fonnd  a 
tme  help-meet ;  and  every  day  in  his  life  coatd  he  tkank  God  for  His  good  gift. 
If  in  his  native  place,  his  parents,  and  his  sphere  of  labour,  he  was  greatly 
favonred,  most  of  all  was  God  kind  to  him  in  his  wife, — ^  she  did  him  good 
and  not  evil  all  the  days  of  his  life.'  '  She  stretcheth  out  ber  hands  to  the 
poor  ;  yea,  she  reacheth  forth  her  hands  to  the  needy ;  strragth  and  honour 
are  her  clothing,  and  she  shall  rejoice  in  time  to  come ;  she  openeth  ber 
month  with  wisdom,  and  in  her  tongne  is  the  law  of  kindness.'  By  nature 
and  grace,  Mrs.  Gil&Iian  was  specially  adapted  for  the  wife  of  each  a  hus- 
band, and  co-worker  of  a  man  of  genius.  '  Her  price  is  far  above  rubies  ;' 
and  long  as  shall  live  the  name  of  George  Gilfillan,  will  be  tmked  to  his  a 
name  aseodated  with  deeds  of  kindness,  pradence,  and  judgment,  which  in 
some  respects  outshone  his  greater  Instre,  and  gained  for  him  an  attachment 
and  affection  he  could  not  have  commanded  for  himself. 

Perhaps  we  may  here  take  a  peep  at  the  home-hfe  of  onr  smbject.  During 
the  entire  married  life,  he  Uved  in  ^  The  Manse,  Paradise  Road,'  where,  per- 
haps, he  joined  more  conplee  in  wedlock  than  any  minister  ever  did. 
For  marrying  the  poor  Gilfillan  had  a  special  reputation ;  and  he  set  apart 
certain  nights  in  which  he  did  nothing  else,  for  honrs,  than  tie  the  mystic 
band.  Ere  yon  enter  this  maose,  yon  feel  that  yon  are  abont  to  visit  a 
placed  sacred  to  the  mnses.  A  striking  likeness  of  Shakespeare  looks  ont 
npOQ  yon  as  yon  ring  the  bell  and  await  the  stmimons  to  enter.  In  the 
drawing-room,  to  the  right  of  the  hall,  hangs  a  speaking  portrait  of  Bums, 
flanked  on  the  right  by  one  of  Bums'  latest  bii^rapher — the  master  of  the 
hoaee.  Scattered  abont  the  room,  on  table  and  fnrnitnre,  are  tokens  of 
respect  and  gifts  from  admirers,  while  every  available  corner  is  filled  with 
books.  The  dining-room  is  directly  opposite,  and  this  yon  feel  is  the 
chamber  of  domestic  happiness  and  hospitality.  Family  portraits  here  have 
the  pre-eminence,  while  books,  books,  books,  again  proclaim  themselves. 
Bairns,  belonging  to  the  manse,  there  are  none ;  but  seldom  coold  you  go 
there  without  seeing  a  band  of  happy  children.    Gilfillan  was  fond  of  the 


WW  THE  LATE  REV.  GBOBOE  QIUlLLAlT.        ^"X^rtMre"**" 

yoimg,  and  the^  were  devoted  to  him.  He  spoke  ronghly  to  them,  and 
Beamed  to  bother  and  banter  them  nnmercifally ;  but  tSejr  clung  to  him, 
climbed  on  bis  kaees,  speeled  hie  chair,  palled  his  hair,  and  bj  erery  infantile 
proof  showed  that  the  lambs  felt  safe  in  the  presence  of  the  lion.  The 
freqaent  visits  of  nephews  and  nieces  changed  the  names  of  hnsband  and 
wife ;  and  just  as  children  bring  the  title  father  and  mother,  so  Mr.  and 
Mrs,  Gilfilian  apoktl  of  and  to  each  other  as  '  nncle '  and  '  aanty.'  In  his  own 
hoaee  he  was  one  of  the  Icindest  and  most  eiijnyable  of  men.  The  hoepitality 
was  like  the  host  and  hostees — large,  bonntifnl.  and  honest.  Ton  felt  yonr- 
self  at  home  at  once;  and  ere  long  yon  wK'e  making  or  being  made  the  snb- 
ject  of  a  good-natared  joke,  which  was  followed  by  hearty  laughter.  If  the 
GonTer^atJon  took  a  literary  turn,  which  it  was  almost  certain  to  do,  thea 
yon  had  a  monologne,  full  of  minnte  information  and  shrewd  irriticism, 
ranging  from  the  one  pole  to  the  other  of  English  literatnre.  Throngh  all 
this  shone  a  keen  interest  in  living  men,  in  the  movements  of  the  day  and  the 
qnestioQ  of  the  hour.  If  Mrs.  Gilfillan  takes  the  lead,  then  yos  are  iDtweAed 
in  some  case  of  want  and  poverty,  or  told  of  the  means  nsiad  to  reecne  the 
sinfal.  Snch  a  home  conld  not  fail  to  be  a  centre  of  attraction ;  and  no 
matter  what  OilGllan  said  or  did  in  pnbtic  or  by  the  press,  it  was  impossible 
to  look  in  his  face  and  hear  him  talk  and  langh  without  loving  hinu  The 
resnlt  was  that  he  seemed  to  hold  a  perpetaal  levee :  atndents,  preachers, 
ministers  of  all  denominations,  aspiring  authors,  xuccessful  writers,  famons 
literatenrs,  snch  as  Emerson,  all  fonnd  their  way  to  Paradise,  and  few  erer  left 
without  a  kindly  word  or  more  substantial  assistance.  Everybody  cbimed 
GilfiUan  for  a  friend ;  and  if  those  who  took  nmbrage  at  his  impDlaive  leUers 
or  outspoken  criticisms  could  but  have  spent  half  an  hour  with  him  Ivx 
to  face,  they  woald  have  left  behind  every  shred  of  harsh  or  uukind  feeUng. 

Once  fairly  settled,  Giltillan  threw  himself  into  his  work  with  marvellons 
enthusiasm,  which  knew  no  decline,  until  suddenly  he  was  called  to  rest. 
Many  men  b^in  their  life-work  with  commendable  energy  and  devotion, 
but  after  a  while  relax  their  efforts,  and  plod  on  through  the  routine  of  duty. 
So  far  as  freshness  of  feelii^,  buoyancy  of  spirits,  and  interest  in  work  were 
concerned,  QilfiUao  was  as  much  a  boy  when  sizty-Gve  as  he  was  at  sixteen 
years  of  age.  He  read  with  the  keenest  relish,  and  kept  abreast  of  every 
raovemeut.  How  he  found  time  to  read  so  much  is  a  marvel  to  every 
minister.  The  mere  mechanical  exerdse  of  the  writing  he  did  wonld  t» 
most  be  a  severe  task ;  yet  all  he  wrote  revealed  how  largely  he  read.  To 
give  a  minute  and  correct  detail  of  his  literary  work,  would  be  altogether 
out  of  place  here.  His  permanent  works  are  well  known  and  extensively 
read  all  over  the  world.  They  bespeak  a  versatile  genius,  quick  in  its 
fflovementfi,  raugingover  a  wide  diversity  of  topics,  producing  work  far 
from  uniform  in  its  spirit  or  quality,  but  ever  fresh,  glowing  with  the 
ardoar  of  a  brilUant  imagination,  and  prodigal  in  the  use  of  figures  and 
flowers  of  style.  Vigorous  and  sturdy  thought  he  snSnsed  with  poetic 
feeling,  and  buttressed-  with  aignments  of  weight ;  and  over  all  he  flung 
with  ready  hand  tbe  quaint  anecdote  and  apt  quotation.  Two  features  of 
his  literary  work  are  very  striking — viz.  the  beauty,  vividness,  and  warmth 
of  his  descriptions  of  natural  scenery,  and  the  keen  insight  and  power  of 
making  mental  photographs  of  his  fellow-men.  He  seemed  to  be  able  un- 
erringly to  set  the  camera  of  hia  own  mind  to  photograph  otha-  minds; 
hence  his  '  Gallery  of  Literary  Portraits  '  is  a  wonderfully  able  and  interesting 
work.  Wordsworth,  De  Qoincey,  and  Carjyie  agree  in  opinion  on  this 
point,  and  the  words  of  the  seer  of  CkeLsea  are  worth  quoting ; — '  It  is  a 


"'^JTui'"'        THE  I^TB  BBV.  OEOBOE  OILFILLAN;  501 

noble  paoegjric ;  h  picture  painted  b;  a  poet,  which  means  with  me  a  man 
of  insight  and  heart,  decislTe,  eharp  of  outline,  in  hnea  borrowed  from  the 
snn.  It  is  rare  to  &ad  oneself  eo  mirrored  in  a  brother's  sonl.'  Besides 
critiques,  newspaper  articles,  letters,  introdnotions,  prefaces,  which  served 
tbeir  day  and  passed  away,  OilBllan  pablished  in  1840  five  sennoiia,  in  two 
years  after,  the  famoas  sermon  on  'Hades,'  which  drew  from  bis  friend 
Eadie  a  cmEfaing  criticism,  and  was  made  the  subject  of  preBbyterial  action. 
After  this  came  his  'Oalleriea,'  foUowed  in  1850  by  the  best-known,  and 
perhaps  best  and  most  characteristic  work,  'Bards  of  the  Bible.'  Then 
came  his  edition  of  the  poets, '  History  of  a  Man,'  another  series  of  sermons. 
In  1860  appeared  '  Night,'  a  poem,  in  many  aspects  a  wonderful  piece  of 
composition,  but  np  to  this  time  it  has  failed  to  secure  the  place  many 
think  it  entitled  to.  His  later  productions  were  the  '  Life  of  Sir  Walter 
Scott,'  and  a  biography  of  Dr.  William  Anderson.  He  bad  barely  finished 
a  life  of '  Bnms,'  to  which  he  gave  great  attention,  and  which  will  shortly 
appear.  We  understand  that  another  work  of  a  semi-philosophical,  eemi- 
religions  nature  was  almost  completed,  but  whether  it  shall  be  published  is 
as  yet  a  matter  of  nncertainty. 

Closely  related  to  his  Uterary,  was  bis  [datform  and  lecturing  work.  In 
lecturing  to  hterary  and  such  societies,  he  might  be  said  to  speak  what  he 
afterwvds  and  ia  modified  form  published.  In  this  kind  of  work  he  was 
very  popular,  and  dnrjng  the  winter  months  traTelled  orer  the  l^igth  and 
breadth  of  the  British  Isles,  delighting  and  instrnctiog  large  audiences 
wherever  he  appeared.  So  great  was  the  demand  for  this  kind  of  service, 
that  while  he  accepted  all  he  conld,  he  was  compelled  to  dechne  about  as  many 
calls.  Only  a  robust  and  vigorous  frame  conld  have  sustained  the  labour 
and  wear  of  constant  travelling  and  lecturing.  As  a  local  orator,  he  was 
frequently  called  upon,  and  from  many  a  platform  did  be  denounce  and 
condemn  sociaJ  and  political  injustice,  abams  and  impostures.  He  was  ever 
on  the  side  of  the  oppressed,  and  did  noble  service  in  cbampioniiig  the  cause 
of  freedom,  social  and  religious. 

His  sympathy  was  keen  and  sensitive,  and  whenever  his  ire  was  kindled, 
woe  betide  the  victim  of  bis  wrath,  for  scorn  and  sarcasm,  fierce  dennncia- 
tioQ  and  withering  abnse,  were  ponred  forth  as  slfeams  of  molten  lava. 
Tender  in  heart  and  kindly  to  a  fanlt,  generous  to  the  poor  and  ever 
ready  to  help  the  weak,  yet  the  tyrant  and  the  oppressor  met  at  his  hands 
notbing  but  the  most  scathing  abuse.  He  felt  keenly,  he  spoke  fi^cely ;  and 
as  his  words  rang"  forth  in  thundering  accents,  yon  m^ht  differ  in  opinion, 
bat  yon  could  not  doubt  the  sincerity  of  the  man.  Full  of  impulsiveueea, 
impatient  of  restraint,  carried  along  by  the  vehemence  of  poetry  and  passion, 
his  language  and  his  manner  were  often  unmeasured  in  th^r  strength,  and 
therefore  sometimes  failed  to  carry  conviction.  He  threw  himself  with  all 
his  power  into  his  subject,  and  struck  out  right  and  left,  and,  as  was  inevit- 
able, bit  friends  as  well  as  foes.  Mistaken  often,  wholly  wrong  not  nn- 
freqneutly,  tempted  ever  to  say  what  he  had  to  say  in  the  strongest  language, 
he  gave  those  who  looked  at  him  from  a  distance  the  impressifMi  that  he 
was  a  man  of  little  feeling  and  excessive  severity ;  but  those  who  enjoyed 
his  friendship  knew  how  gentle  and  kind  he  was,  and  that  behind  all  his 
fire  there  lay  a  deep  and  quivering  sympathy  for  men  in  their  snSering  and 
sorrow.  Hence,  like  his  friend  William  Anderson,— to  whom  in  some 
points  he  was  very  similar, — he  called  forth  many  a  storm  of  abase,  and 
yet  gained  a  wonderful  amount  of  affection.  His  life  seemed  one  long 
warfare,  and  yet  his  spirit  was  joyful  and  hig  home  genial. 


502  THE  LATE  BET.  aBOBGE  OlLFItLAN.        '""ihi.  iTTwJr^ 

In  DoDdee,  wliere  he  wu  beet  known,  he  was  a  general  feronrite.  Hrajr 
disi^reed  with  him,  bat  few  disliked  him,  and  with  a  kindly  smik  you 
would  hear  it  said  of  his  onlbnrsts,  '  George,'  or  '  oor  George,  has  been 
Bt  it  again.' 

On  5th  October  1877  he  was  presented  with  a  testimonial  of  £1000, 
subscribed  by  admirers  in  erery  part  of  the  English-speaking  world,  which 
represented  the  esteem  and  admiration  of  thonaanda. 

While  Gilfillan  will  be  beat  and  longest  known  aa  a  critic  and  anthor, 
and  ahall  fill  no  mean  place  in  the  luatorj  of  English  literatnre,  yet  it 
were  altogether  oat  of  place  not  to  remember  that  first  of  all  be  was  a 
preacher  and  pastor,  How  he  did  it  is  a  marvel ;  bnt  over  and  above  the 
literary  and  pnblic  work  already  sketched,  be  was  !n  ministerial  labours 
more  abundant  than  most  of  his  brethren.  He  took  no  part  in  Chnrch 
conrt  work  at  all ;  for  this  he  waa  ntterly  nnfit ;  and  so,  althongb  it  might 
appear  an  overlook  of  duty,  it  waa  well  that  he  confined  bimaelf  to  the 
other  duties  of  hia  office.  On  this  part  of  hia  work  Mr.  Connel'a  words  in 
the  funeral  sermon  he  preached  may  with  advantage  be  quoted :  '  I  can, 
brethren,  with  anmingled  confidence  appeal  to  every  one  among  yon  to  bear 
witness  to  the  zeal  and  fidelity  with  which  he  discharged  the  duties  of  the 
ministerial  ofBce ;  and  I  am  bold  to  say  that  if  his  pastoral  labours  had 
been  so  fully  known  to  the  Church  at  large  as  they  were  to  his  own  con- 
gregation and  presbytery,  full  many  an  nntimely  shalf  had  nevNT  have  been 
shot  at  him,  full  many  a  harsh  judgment  had  been  suppressed.  He  gimed 
in  the  vocation  of  the  preacher.  His  pulpit  was  his  throne.  Temptiag  as 
were  the  walks  of  literature,  and  nnmberlees  the  honours  he  reaped  in 
them,  ho  never  forsook  "  his  first  love  ( "  and  bodily  strength,  mental  ligora, 
lofty  eloquence,  and  tender  sympathy  were  in  him  consecrated  to  the 
supreme  purpose  of  proclaiming  the  mercy  of  God  in  Christ  to  einfnl  moi- 
How  he  melted  your  hearts  by  his  pathoa,  aa  he  spoke  of  the  beauty  and 
love  of  Christ  1  How  stem  and  terrifying  in  the  denunciation  of  vice! 
How  sagaciona  in  counsel  1  How  tender  io  comforting  !  In  the  laboars 
of  the  pulpit  he  was  more  abandant  than  other  men, — not  many  wen  the 
Sabbaths  in  which  he  did  not  appear  thrice  in  it, — and  after  his  day's 
ministration  to  you,  how  often  has  he  breasted  the  winter's  storm,  that  by 
fals  presence  and  etoqnence  he  might  cheer  aome  brother  in  his  coantry  kiik 
and  home !  The  reward  of  pastoral  industry  he  reaped  in  the  large, 
flourishing,  and  onited  congregation  which  to-day  deplores  hia  unexpected 
death,  as  well  as  in  the  rapt  attention  of  the  crowds  who  flocked  to  hear 
him  wherever  it  waa  known  that  he  should  preach.' 

It  waa  frequently  said  that  had  a  stranger  gone  to  worship  on  an 
ordinary  Sabbath  in  School  Wynd,  the  morning  prayer  would  have  made 
him  feel  aa  it  he  were  listing  to  some  Old  Seccder,  so  fall  of  nncUon, 
pathoa,  and  tenderness  waa  it;  while  the  discourse  woald  be  practical, 
nstfal,  and  pointed.  Most  pwople,  however,  formed  their  ideas  of  Gilfillsn 
as  a  preacher  from  his  occasional  sermons  in  strange  pnlpits ;  or  from  the 
catchy  newspaper  clippings  which  were  scattered  far  and  wide,  giving  a 
most  imperfect,  approaching  false,  idea  of  what  he  really  was  as  a  teacher 
of  divine  truth.  These  were  exceptional,  and  far  from  fair  specimens  of 
his  home  work.  In  hia  monthly  Iccturea  he  wandered  into  subjects  which 
many  consider  altogether  nnfit  for  the  pnlpit ;  but  hia  aim  was  to  bring 
art,  science,  and  literature  into  the  service  of  religion,  and  show  how  close 
should  be  the  relation  of  Christianity  to  onr  everyday  work  and  pnrsniU. 
I:  is  perhaps  annecessary,  as  it  is  well  Ligb  impossible,  to  excuse  many  of 


""tS.^mT^        THE  LATE  KEV.  OBOBOE  GUJFILI.AX.  503 

the  things  sud  in  these  prelections.  The  man  with  all  hia  weftknessea  and 
in  all  iiis  strength  found  fall  expression.  Those  who  knew  only  the  faults 
wontd  utterly  coudemn ;  those  who  knew  his  goodness,  altogether  acquit ; 
those  who  knew  both,  deplored  the  one  and  admired  the  other,  and  wonld 
say,  '  Mistaken  in  jadgment,  pure  in  motive,  rash  in  speech,  true  at  heart' 
It  was  in  lectures  of  this  kind  that  Mr.  Oilfillan  goierallj  gave  people  ibe 
impression  that  he  was  not  in  sympathy  with  the  essential  of  the  faith  and 
policy  of  the  Church  to  which  he  belonged.  Daring  the  '  Union  negotia- 
tions,' he  denoanced  the  policy  of  the  Church  wiih  all  bis  wonted  enei^y 
and  rhetoric ;  at  every  ontborst  of  real  or  apparent  heresy,  he  ranked  him- 
self on  the  side  of  liberal  or  advanced  thonght.  For  this  he  was  taken 
severely  to  task ;  bnt  fair  and  impartial  inquiry  led  to  the  result  that  he 
was  fonnd  to  hold  by  all  the  essentials  of  evangeUcal  theology.   . 

As  a  critic,  he  would  shield  critics ;  aa  a  man  who  fretted  at  restraint, 
be  espoused  the  cause  of  those  who  would  break  away  from  all  creed 
subscription ;  as  a  lover  of  liberty,  he  failed  to  appreciate  the  lines  of 
policy  of  those  who,  while  willing  to  grant  a  fair  d^ree  of  theological 
licence,  shrink  from  abandoning  altogether  the  old  landmarks  and  forms 
of  dogmatic  or  systematic  divinity. 

In  these  respects  he  caused  many  true  friends  and  well-wishera  deqily 
to  regret  his  ongnardeduesa,  and  gave  ground  to  outsiders  to  cooclade  that 
he  was  utterly  out  of  harmony  with  his  denomination.  Perhaps  the  one 
class  were  nnduly  sensitive,  and  attached  more  weight  to  such  exhibitions 
than  they  were  intended  to  carry.  Certainly  the  other  sadly  erred  when 
they  imagined  that  George  QilfiUan  was  not  at  heart  a  simple  and  sincere 
Christian.  Nature  and  grace  have  a  lifelong  battle  in  every  life,  and 
there  ia  no  question  that  much  of  his  outspokenness  was  the  old  Adam 
of  the  man  expressing  itself.  Those  who  came  into  close  contact,  and 
grappled  with  him  in  friendly  combat,  do  not  need  to  be  told  that  '  the 
grand  verities  of  the  evangelical  system  he  held  with  unshaken  fiuth ; 
the  glow  of  the  old  gospel  warmed  even  his  sermons  that  were  most  instinct 
with  modern  thought,  and  for  those  who  were  pained  by  his  criticisms ; 
and  for  those  who  would  rank  him  among  the  unfaithful  or  even  nnchristion, 
surely  his  dying  words  are  sufficient, '  I  believe  in  God,  in  Christ.'  There 
yon  have  the  best  of  all  confessions  of  faith ;  therefore  may  all  harsh  or 
unkind  feeling  lose  itself  in  the  thonght  that  the  restless  heart  and  brain, 
the  qnestiouing  mind  and  ever-searching  spirit,  of  George  Gilfillan  have 
fonnd  peace  and  rest  in  the  bosom  of  the  eternal  love  of  God  in  the  infinite 
light  of  Jesus  Christ. 

His  kind  and  obUging  catholicity,  which  embraced  bnt  did  not  destroy  his 
love  for  mother  Chorch,  has  been  wofolly  if  not  wantonly  misunderstood. 
"Was  it  not  cruel  to  seize  the  occasion  of  his  death,  to  say  of  him :  '  He 
belonged  not  to  one  set  or  men,  bnt  was  brother  of  ail ;  not  to  one  sect, 
bat  to  the  Chnrch  of  all  loyal  and  Christ-loving  sonls.  Indeed,  it  has  often 
been  noted  in  the  past,  and  will  probably  be  even  more  frequently  noted  in 
the  falnre,  that  the  particular  denomination  which  might  claim  him  as  Its 
own  has,  save  in  respect  of  the  accidents  of  early  training  and  ecclesiastical 
connection,  probably  as  little  right  to  his  name  as  any  of  the  sects  of  his 
day.  It  would  not  be  easy  to  conceive  of  a  type  of  miod  more  essentially 
the  negation  of  all  those  distinctive  thoughts  and  feelings  associated 
with  tlui  name  of  ITnited  Presbyterian ;  and  this  I  say  neither  in  praise 
□or  yet  in  blame,  bnt  simply  aa  a  fact  which  few  will  care  to  question.  In 
the  sport  or  irony  of  circumstances  he  was  reared  as  he  was,  and  lived 


604  THt  lATB  BEV.  QBOROB  OILriLLAS.        '""StHTiB?^ 

and  died  a  miDiBter  of  the  Church  to  which  he  beloaged.  Lojal  ihe  man 
WBB  to  his  very  core,  and  therefore  loyal  he  remained  to  the  end,  to  that 
orgaoizatiou  with  which  accident  had  associated  him ;  bnt  as  dniiog  life 
few  people  thoaght  of  him  as  a  U.P.,  bo  probabLj  for  the  fatore  still 
fewer  will  do  so.  A  catholic  he  vu  in  UTe,  as  a  catholic  he  will  be 
remembered  in  the  hietoij  of  the  Chnrch,' 

It  was  well  that  the  author  of  theae  worda  confeFsed  that  his  acquaintance 
with  onr  subject  consisted  of  a  '  few  gossipy  talks  at  street  corners ; '  bat 
aa  ther  reflect  t&e  spirit  of  all  the  remains  made  from  the  pulpits  of  the 
Eetabliahed  Church  Id  Dundee,  it  is  wdl  to  give  them  the  flattest  and  most 
absolute  denial. 

By  birth  on  both  sides  of  the  house,  by  education,  by  choice,  by  friend- 
ship,  by  very  instinct,  he  was  a  Voluntary  and  a  United  ProBbyterian.  He 
was  too  noble  to  sink  his  manhood  and  his  strength  in  fighting  party  battles 
and  upholding  his  own  sect.  In  conscious  faith  and  pride  in  her  vitality,  he 
let  his  Church  shine  in  her  glory,  while  he  reflected  her  liberality  and  her 
catholicity  aa  he  helped  aU  who  love  ths  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Qreat  at 
all  times,  bis  every  good  feature  shone  moet  conBpicuouBly  when  in  the 
company  and  warmed  by  the  sympathy  of  United  Fresbyterians.  Evm 
during  the  *  Union  negotiatioQB,'  he  declared  that  he  conld  join  no  other 
Church  in  the  country  nnlees  it  were  the  '  Original  Secession;'  and  hb  most 
fierce  attacks  on  his  mother  Church  sprang  ont  of  zeal  for  her  name  and 

He  waB  miafaken  in  his  zeal,  we  think ;  wholly  wrong  in  his  idw  aa  to 
the  position  our  Church  should  occupy,  lie  might  be;  but  the  vtaj  dqith 
of  hie  feeling  and  strength  of  his.  language  proved  how  sincere  wsbUb 
attachment. 

Had  he  come  into  closer  contact  vrith  those  who  manage  the  policy  oi 
the  Church,  and  realized  the  difBcnlties  that  ever  and  anon  spring  up,  he 
would  have  blamed  less  and  praised  more  those  who,  in  the  midst  of 
theological  npheaviegB  and  political  shiftings,  try  to  goide  our  beloved  Church 
on  in  the  way  of  usefulness  and  honour. 

Now  that  he  rests  from  bis  labours,  let  us  forget  and  lay  aside  every 
feeling  save  that  of  kindness,  try  to  recall  and  treasure  what  was 
beantif nl  in  his  genius,  rare  in  his  indastry,  gmial  in  his  life.  Christian  in' 
his  walk.  In  as  far  as  he  followed  Christ  let  us  follow  him,  avoiding 
his  mistakes,  trying  to  rival,  and  if  possible  excel,  his  industry  and 
kindness. 

Without  intermission  he  worked  indefatigably  for  over  forty  years ;  there 
was  no  gap  or  guU  between  his  life  and  his  death.  Lofing  eyes  saw  him 
banning  to  fail ;  but  to  most  he  retained  to  the  last  his  look  of  nianiy 
vigour  and  leonic  strength. 

On  the  1 1th  of  August  he  preached  his  last  sermon  on  '  Sudden  de^ji ; ' 
heard  as  he  left  the  pulpit  the  atr^s  of  '  The  Dead  March  in  Saul ; '  wait 
to  Aloerdeen  ou  Monday ;  came  to  Brechin  that  afternoon  for  the  purpose 
of  marrylDg  a  niece  on  the  Tuesday,  waa  eeized  with  fatal  illness,  and  after 
one  hour  of  suffering  passed  away,  testifying  of  his  faith  in  Christ  and 
resignation  to  the  will  of  Ood. 

On  the  Saturday  following  he  waa  buried  with  every  mark  of  honour, 
love,  and  reepect.  Never  b^ore  waa  witnessed  such  a  scene  in  Dondee. 
Tens  of  thousands  turned  out  to  do  him  honour ;  miniBters  of  all  denomina- 
tiouB  and  from  every  part  of  the  country  attended  to  pay  their  last  respects. 
On  the  way  to  his  last  resting-place  George  tiilfiUan  was  moonied  by 


""J(«'Tim'"''     THE  LATE  GE0E6B  8.  ABNOLD.  505 

all  TsnkB  and  ciMsea;  bitter  tears  da^;  themselves  channela  in  msny  a 
face  berimed  with  marks  of  labour,  while  strong  men  beat  themselves 
and  ir^l.  On  the  beanttfnl  hill  of  Balgay,  commanding  a  view  of  the  Ta; 
and  its  far-famed  bridge,  amidst  trees  and  flowers,  away  from  the  bnetle 
bnt  within  s^ht  of  tbe  scene  of  his  labours,  lies  all  that  is  mortal  of 
Dundee's  preacher  and  poet,  Gleorge  Gilfillau.  D. 


THE  LATE  GEORGE  S.  ARNOLD. 
Gborqs  S.  Arnold,  whose  name  appeared  in  onr  obituary  of  last  month, 
died  at  bis  home  in  Bridge  of  Allan  on  the  5th  ol  last  September.  Hie  age- 
only  twenty-seven — may  in  itsdf  have  arrested  attention.  It  seems  bo  sad 
that  long  years  of  training  for  the  public  ministry  of  the  gospel  should  thus 
terminate,  and  that  the  only  and  early  call  to  a  most  promising  probationer 
elioujd  be  the  call  of  death.  Yet  so  it  was,  and  George  S.  Arnold  accepted 
the  call.  It  was  no  forced  settlement.-  He  bowed  to  tbe  better  will  of  the 
Master,  and  so  most  we.  To  those  who  knew  bim  there  arises  the  unbidden 
thought  of  what  he  might  have  been,  and  what  he  might  have  done,  if  God 
bad  spared  him.  Bnt  how  vain  are  snch  speculations  I  It  is  snrely  better, 
more  mstmctive,  and  more  comforting  to  think  of  Arnold  as  he  really  was, 
and  as  he  really  is. 

What  was  het  He  was  a  probationer.  We  like  the  term  even  in  ita 
narrower  meaning,  for  surely  there  is  no  nobler  employment  which  mao  can 
aspire  to  than  that  of  preaching  the  gospel.  It  was  an  honourable  ambi- 
tion, then,  that  led  onr  friend  to  leave  tbe  counting-house  that  he  might  study 
for  the  ministry.  But  there  is  a  wider  and  a  worthier  meaning  to  tbe  word 
probationer, — that,  namely,  which  has  respect  not  merely  to  a  theological 
cnrrioulum,  bnt  to  the  whole  of  life.  From  the  day  of  bis  birtb  at  Gowans 
Glen,  Daleerf,  Lanarkshire,  on  the  18th  of  October  1851,  up  to  the  day  of  his 
death, — daring  his  whole  lifetime,  and  most  of  all  duriug  the  latter  days  of  it, 
in  the  midst  of  suffering  and  sickness, — he  was  being  proved — he  was  a  pro- 
bationer. It  is  thns  that  we  mast  look  at  life.  To  him  it  was,  as  to  ns  it 
is,  a  time  of  probation ;  and  however  short  bis  lifetime  may  appear  when 
looked  at  otherwise,  yet  for  that  great  purpose  it  was  long  euongh.  Bnt  if 
thus  he  was  a  probationer,  let  ns  ask,  what  is  he  T  And  what  can  we  s&y  bnt 
thit,  that  doubtless  to  him,  as  to  every  faithful  follower  of  Christ,  the  proba- 
tion of  earth  has  only  been  tbe  prelude  to  the  approbation  of  heaven.  We 
cannot  doubt  bnt  that  bis  earthly  training  has  fitted  him  for  some  heavenly 
employment,  and  that  now  he  is  serving  Ood  in  the  apper  sanctuary.  He 
has  entered  the  temple  in  his  early  yon^,  and  if  only  he  could  speak  to  those 
who  miss  him  much,  and  who  s^  him  sorrowing,  might  not  his  words  be 
these  :  ^  Wist  ye  not  that  I  must  be  about  my  Father's  bnsinees  1 ' 

Again,  what  was  be  1  He  was  a  stndent — a  distingnished  student.  Of 
this  there  is  no  proof  needed  by  those  who  have  witnessed  his  achievements 
either  at  the  University  or  at  the  Hall.  And  for  others  it  must  meanwhile 
enfSce  to  be  informed  that  in  tbe  class  of  English  Literature,  Glasgow 
University,  1876,  he  carried  oS  the  gold  medal,  —  a  prize  which  was 
awarded  both  by  the  professor  and  by  the  votes  of  the  class ;  aiao  a  prize 
given  by  tbe  English  Text  Society  j  and  yet  another  given  by  the  professor 
for  excellence  in  a  volraitary  written  examination.  It  was  crowned  with 
such  'anrels  as  these,  bnt  with  tbe  enfeebled  health  which  is  too  often  the 
sad  accompaniment  of  each  distinctions,  that  George  S.  Arnold  left  tbe 


606  THE  LATE  aEOBOE  8.  ABNOLD.  '"™.  i^TSmT^ 

tTniTersity  of  Gla^ow.  He  excelled  in  Qreek,  Logic,  uid  Fhilfwopby, 
and  in  all  kinds  of  diBctusioii,  bat  eapeciallj  in  metaphysical  discaasioii,  be 
liad  great  delight.  What  a  joy  to  him,  then,  moEt  hare  been  the  acceesion 
of  knowledge  as  he  entered  the  spirit  land,— that  land  where  the  anper- 
natanil  ia  the  natural,  '  where  metaphysic  is  metaphyaic  no  more'  I  Arnold 
always  was  a  stadent,  and  be  is  a  stadeat  still — an  adranced  student — ^nerer 
so  far  advanced  as  now. 

Again,  what  was  he  t  He  was  a  poet ;  and  no  one  who  has  a  real  love  for 
oatare,  whose  ear  and  son!  can  appreciate  the  harmony  of  sweetest  sounds, 
embodying  sweetest  thought,  can  peruse  his  poems  without  acknowledgii^ 
the  fact.  And  what  mnst  we  think  of  him  nowt  Shall  he  who  discerned 
the  beauties  of  this  sin-soiled  earth,  who  found  even  here  fit  sabjects  for 
his  Bong,  be  withoat  them  yonder  in  the  sinless  land  T  Oh,  snrely  not ! 
Much  rather  would  we  believe  that  the  last  stanza  of  Arnold's  owq  '  Soi^ 
of  Spring '  was  an  nncoosdons  anticipation  of  the  mifadiug  laurels  that 
awaited  himself : 

■Oh,  the  arowD  I  shdl  vin, 
When  the  SfHing  dky*  beglD, 
That  bloom  Ihrougli  the  nliitarlsu  jmt; 
Whan  the  dm; a  naver  know 
The  ohillueM  of  inoir, 
Keither  lorrow,  nor  sighiBg,  not  tean  I ' 

Agun,  what  was  hef  Ke  was  a  traveller.  At  the  close  of  bis  lost  HaU 
session,  with  a  view  to  recrnit  his  health,  he  vinted  the  East,  His  roate 
led  him  over  the  Mediterranean,  np  the  Dannbe,  and  down  the  Rhine ;  to 
Italy,  Greece,  Anstria,  Germany,  Belginm,  and  Holland.  And  how  mnch 
he  profited  by  his  experience  in  foreign  lands,  those  who  accompanied  lum, 
who  sat  and  thought  with  him  amidst  the  ruins  of  the  Parthenon,  are  w(i\ 
able  to  testify.  And  what  shall  we  say  of  him  now?  He  has  made  the 
last  great  jonmey.  He  boa  gone  to  the  better  land.  We  know  that  he  had 
the  desire  t«  visit  Palestine,  that  he  might  see  wh^«  Christ  had  been.  Now 
he  has  gone  to  the  true  Holy  Land,  the  land  where  Christ  is. 

Yet  again,  what  was  heT  He  was  a  Christian.  Natnrally  of  a  self- 
reliant  disposition,  he  ever  aimed  at  being  tme  to  himself.  Bat  with  the 
clearer  knowledge  of  self  there  came  to  him  that  self-distmst  and  that 
setf-snrrender  to  Christ  which  distinguish  the  tme  ChristiBn  from  the  m&t 
moralist.  Under  the  ministry  of  the  Rev.  James  Mair  of  Bridge  of  Allan, 
and  by  the  teaching  in  an  elder's  Bible  class,  he  was  well  instmcted,  and  we 
have  often  heard  him  gratefully  acknowledge  his  indebtedness  to  both.  His 
Christianity  fonnd  expression  in  all  he  did.  With  him  his  ordinary  study 
was  a  matter  of  reUgioas  duty ;  and  many  a  time  have  we  admired  the  bold 
stand  that  he  would  make  on  some  seemingly  small  matter  wh^  he  believed 
that  some  great  principle  was  involved. 

It  was  his  religions  conviction  that  led  him,  in  his  own  way,  to  help  the 
cause  of  temperance;  that  made  him  and  kept  him  a  thorough  Voluntary  ; 
and  that  impelled  him,  with  all  his  zeal  and  ability,  to  advocate  the  claims 
of  the  Stndents*  Missionary  Society. 

In  his  dealings  with  the  presbytery  he  was  actnated  by  the  same  high 
principle ;  and  though  there  were  those  among  its  members  who  judged  him 
at  first  somewhat  harshly,  yet  latterly,  and  especially  on  the  occasion  of  his 
being  licensed,  there  was  but  one  opinion  as  to  his  soundness  in  the  fUtb, 
and  his  excellent  qnalifications  as  a  preacher  of  the  gospel.  Nor,  indeed, 
was  this  to  be  wondered  at,  for  with  alt  his  learning,  and  with  all  his 
honest  sympathy  for  honest  doubt,  there  was  no  one  who  believed  more  firmly 


*"5i.!f^f^  EEViaioN  or  oub  tbanblation  or  the  bible.      507 

in  the  doetriite  which  our  Ohnrch  approrea,  or  had  a  stronger  attachmeot  to 
its  diattDctiTe  priociples. 

The  ChriBtian  spirit  which  Arnold  displayed  in  hia  actiona  was  still  more 
clearlj  maDifested  in  the  midst  of  his  snfferingB.  His  faithfnlaess  in  friend- 
&htp  and  in  loTe  was  well  kitonn  to  those  who  enjoyed  his  confidence.  Hie 
faithfulness  in  ordinary  duties  was  evident  to  all  who  knew  him.  And 
those  who  had  to  de&l  with  him  in  hia  last  tlhiesB  can  testify  to  this,  that  be 
was  faithfal  anto  death.  And  what,  therefore,  may  we  conclude  but  this, 
that  he  is  now  in  possession  (rf  the  crown  Of  life?  What  was  he?  and 
what  is  he  ?  He  was  a  Christian,  and  he  is  now  with  Christ.  Sorely  that 
8bou!d  satisfy  ns.  With  Christ !  There  is  do  other  condition  can  compare 
with  that.    To  be  with  Christ  is  far  better. 

For  the  sake  of  those  who  may  wish  to  know  more  about  Arnold,  we 
hare  only  to  add  that  a«  many  months  have  passed  there  will  be  pnbliabed 
a  mranorial  voinme,  containing  a  sketch  of  his  life  and  a  selection  from  his 
various  writings.  And  now,  as  an  appropriate  conclnsion  to  this  article,  we 
subjoin  a  poem  by  J.  M.  M.,  which  is  one  of  several  contributed  by  his 
fellow -students  to  the  memory  of  him  they  loved  so  wet) : 

'  Oh,  uy  Dot  thmC  hia  lita  WM  inwrnpleta, 
Though  oeemiug  all  too  afaort,  for  God  ofl  {dnela 
His  sweetMl  (ruit  from  airtli  whm  alUl  unrip*, 
And  layH  it  up  in  heaTen,  that  !t  lamf  tura 
To  perfect  mellowneSB.     AwhUi  he  miked 
Amid  the  twilight  of  thl>  loner  world  i 
But  now,  the  duknesa  pMt,  be  ■Idkb  v  *  -■-'--- 
Within  tbe  light  of  Qud,  whiah  liKht'ni 


light  of  Qud,  Khiah  liKht'neth  all 
_     ...■,.,      _i.:.  —    ^ta  from eaiti 


Within  tbe  hght  of  Uud,  Khiah  liKht'n 
Who,  quitting  ehifling  shiidDws,  ilea  ft 
To  be  with  Chriit  ut^  Hia  hsKTenl?  6 


KT  TEE  BEV.  R.  BALOARinE,  WOOLWICH. 

That  the  revisioa  of  tbe  present  translation,  so  happily  nndertaken  by  Committee 
of  Courocalion,  and  bo  w^ntly  needed,  may  not  find  our  Churches  unprepared  to 
adopt  it  when  completed,  I  venture  to  satooit  the  foUowiug  plea  for  revision  for 
the  coDBideraticHi  of  your  readers ; — 

The  books  of  tbe  Old  Testament  in  Hebrew-Chaldaic,  and  of  tbe  New  Testament 
in  Greek,  were  originally  written — not  printed,  of  course — on  parcbmenta  by  their 
divinely-inspired  anthors,  aodoopied  by  scribea  of  the  Temple  and  the  Chmcb,  and 
deposit^  in  tbe  ancient  libraries.  It  is  not  imposaible  that  even  in  the  earliest 
'  copies'  of  these  ori^ala,  certain  slight  or  serious  verbal  iuacoarades  may  have 
crept  into  the  text.  Where  these  errors  were  detected  by  subsequent  transcribers, 
the  mle  was  not  to  eraee  them,  but  to  copy  them  as  they  stood  and  notice  the 
eirata  in  tiie  marg^.  It  is  easy  to  imagine,  and  indeed  it  is  capable  of  very  clear  de- 
monstrBtion,  that  as  copies  of  copies  of  copies  of  the  original  text  increased,  and  the 
ori>;inslB  themseives  gradually  dieappearea,  tJi^e  inaccuracies  and  errors  increased, 
and  ttte  margins  becune  more  and  more  crowdad  with  cOTrectione  and  emenda- 
tioDS,  so  that  it  has  become  a  mle  or  canon  among  translators,  that  f  A«  older  tke 
MS.  the  pwer  the  text,  and  the  later  the  edition  tbe  m<we  corrupt  and  nntnat- 
worthy  the  reading. 

It  will  be  seen  fnwi  this  that  tbe  value  ol  a  translation  of  Scriptnre  most  depend 
more  ac  less  upon  tbe  comparative  antiquity  of  the  copy  or  us.  to  which  the 
translator  had  access.  For  example,  a  translation  from  a  MS.  of  the  eighth  century 
would  not  be  so  accurate,  and  therefore  so  valuable,  a  representation  of  the  mind 
of  tiie  Spirit  as  one  taken  from  a  ms.  of  the  third  or  fourth  century.  Now,  imme- 
diately after  the  firat  English  translation  of  the  Bible  br  Wycliffe  in  1880  from 
very  late  and  therefore  imperfect  copiee,  the  famous  Codex   Valicanut,  as  it  is 


508  HBCXSSITV  FOB  A  SBVI8I0M  OP  ^     xi^^l^uS'^ 

nlled,  wu  duDOrerad,  which  tchobtnt  conuder  to  bdong  to  the  middle  oi  iJbe 
fourth  centary ;  and  thia  discoveiy  alone  would  have  led  to  a  reruioD  of  Wjcliffe's 
ttanslation,  had  it  not  been  caiefullv  locked  up  in  the  library  of  the  Vatican  till 
1867. 

The  first  printed  edition  of  the  Bible  in  Englieh  was  published  by  T^ndall  in 
1582.  This  edition,  however,  waa  bought  up  by  the  Bishop  of  London/and 
deatroyed ;  bnt  the  history  of  its  destrnction  is  cariooB.  Tonstall  agreed  wit^  one 
Packington  for  ttie  buying  up  of  the  entire  edition  ;  gave  him  s  l*^*]?^  '■""  "^ 
mooef.  Packiugton  kept  his  word,  but  he  dtaU  milk  TyndaU  hinmlf.  The  Utter 
was  not  displeased  at  getting  rid  of  a  faulty  edition,  and  applied  the  mon^  to  the 
isaning  of  a  larger  and  better,  and  some  yean  elapeed  before  the  new  editions  of 
it  could  be  obtuned.  Then  came  CTanmer's  Bible  in  15i0 ;  and  this  was  followed 
ia  1568  by  what  ia  known  as  the  Binhops'  Bible,  the  basis  of  our  present 
tnuislation.  These  translators,  however,  hod  no  aeceas  to  iisa.  beyond  the  tealh 
century  a.d. 

Id  1608,  King  James,  having  resolved  on  a  revision  of  tiie  bvnalation,  angled 
forty-seven  of  the  most  celebrated  and  ripest  scholars  of  iiis  age  to  oampare  the 
Biahope'  Bible  with  soeh  xsB.  as  were  then  availaUe,  and  make  such  alteratitxa 
as  in  their  united  wjadom  they  might  agree  npon.    Ten  of  these  met  at  West- 
minster, who  completed  theb  share  of  Uie  work  to  the  end  of  2  Kings ;  eight 
aaaembled  at  Gsmbriilge  to  translate  the  other  hietoricnl  and  devotional  books ; 
seven  at  Oxford  took  ap  the  prophet« ;  eight  at  the  same  place  were  occupied  with 
tlie  Gospels,  the  Acta,  and  the  Apocalypse  ;  while  a  second  company  of  seven  at 
Veatminster  had  the  Epistlea  allotted  to  them,  and  the  remainder  at  Cambridge 
finished  the  Apoerypba.    Each  individual  translated  the  whole  portion  aaeigued  to 
hia  claaa ;  the  whole  company  compared  Uieix  trantiations ;  tlie  readiogs  affeed 
on  by  the  majority  were  adopted  ;  and  these  were  again  revised  by  a  oommittee 
of  BIX — one  from  each  class— and  tlnalty  submitted  to  the  Bishop  of  Vincheeter 
and  another  Dr.  Smith,  on  whose  approval  it  was  printed  in  1611.     "Das  a  oar 
present  Eogliab  Bible. 

It  ie  superfluous  to  say  that,  for  all  practioal  religions  pnrpoeea,  this  translation 
<tf  King  James  ia  as  faithful  and  aoenrate  as  it  could  well  be  made  in  the  ein»m- 
stancea.  It  has  the  priceless  oharm  of  simplicity  and  the  mellowed  tone  of  yean. 
It  was  our  fatbers'  book,  and  has  Kuided  many  generationa  of  Englishmen  to  the 
worship  and  inheritance  of  our  fathera'  God.  It  waa  tranalaled  with  an  eje  to 
spiritual  profit  and  not  to  controversy,  and  can  mialead  no  earnest  spirit  inqniring 
after  the  truth.  Its  grand  old  Saxon  phrases  bare  became  intermingled  with  our 
entire  English  literature ;  its  words  are  engraven  upon  our  hearta  and  memorits; 
its  very  letters  are  viewed  with  reverence  and  affection  by  us,  and  evMy  jot  and 
tittle  is  respected  as  part  of  the  Book  of  God. 

In  these  circumstanoee  the  cry  for  revision  is  not  to  be  lightly  t«ken  up.  It  ii 
always  perilous  to  remove  the  old  landmarks ;  and  unleaa  very  solid  and  con- 
viccing  reasons  can  be  given  for  the  chanee,  meet  of  us  would  be  satisfied  to 
allow  the  translation  to  remain  as  it  is.  Unfortunately,  however,  for  the  twn- 
servatives  of  what  is  old  for  the  sake  of  its  antiquity,  t!hia  ia  no  Itniger  poeBibk 
The  arguments  in  favour  of  a  new  tmcslation  are  both  numerona  and  weighty, 
and  no  eanieat,  thorough  atndent  of  the  Scriptures  can  remain  insensible  to  tfior 
force. 

I.  There  has  been,  since  the  date  of  the  pesent  authoriied  version,  the  diteoiierf 
of  mart  ancient  MSS.  than  those  on  which  King  James's  version  is  founded. 

We  have  already  seen  that  tiie  Codex  Valicama,  or  a  ii3.  of  the  middle  of  Hsi 
fourth  century,  was  diaoovered  and  secured  after  WydiSe'a  translation  had  be<« 
made ;  but  ahortly  after  King  James's  translation  had  appeared,  his  son  Charlee  L 
recdved  a  present  from  the  Fatriarch  of  Constantinople  of.  another  famous  MS.  of 
the  middle  of  the  fflh  century.  A  correct  editicm  of  this  US.,  called  the  Cod/t 
Alexandrinus,  appeared  in  1S60. 

But  the  greatest  discovery  of  all  yet  remains  to  be  notioed.  In  the  year  1869, 
Constantine  Tischendorf,  in  many  respects  Che  greatest  critical  scholar  of  the  age, 
was  travelling  in  the  Sinsitio  desert  under  the  patronage  of  the  Emperor  of 
RuBkia.    While  visiting  the  monaatery  of  St^  Katherine  in  Mount  Sinai,  be  had  Ihe 


""^JTwSr^'         OOK  TEAN8LATI0M  OF  THE  BIBLE.  509 

good  fortnne  to  fail  opon  tbe  cMwt  and  poNflt  and  moBtr complete  of  kll  tbe  anoent 
KSS.  yet  diaoovwed.  It  ia  called  the  Codex  Siitaiiicui,  from  tbe  place  where 
Tischendorf  foand  it.  It  has  not,  he  Raja,  been  deprived  of  a  ringle  Imf.  It  dates 
from  the  middle  of  the/uurfA  centurj.  It  waa  probablj  one  of  &e  fifty  copies  of 
the  Bible  prepared  by  order  of  tbe  Emperor  Conitantine  in  331  A.D.,  and  executed 
under  Emebioa,  Biabop  of  Cnsarea,  the  great  Cbnrch  hiatorian.  It  was  sent,  it  ia 
thought,  by  the  Emperor  Jnstinian  aa  a  present  to  the  monka  at  Sinai,  and  baa 
renuuied  ever  ainoe  in  the  monaatery  which  he  founded  in  that  desert:  An  edition 
of  tbia  HS.  ^peared  in  1666. 

Now  the  present  antboriied  veimon  of  King  James  is  baaed  apon  editions  of  the 
Grade  text  prepared  by  Eraamas  and  Hobert  Stephens  (1616  and  1560)  from  uss. 
after  the  tenth  century ;  bo  that  we  are  now  in  poaseasion  of  anthoritiee  600  yean 
older  than  those  accessible  to  the  traDslators  of  King  Jamea.  I  need  not  aay  that 
the  cfaanges  introduced  into  the  text  during  theae  five  csnturiea  have  neither  been 
few  nor  small.  To  notice  only  one  or  two  instances :  The  whole  passage  that  con- 
cludcB  Mark's  Ooapel  from  the  9th  to  the  21at  verse,  chap,  xvi.,  has  been  added  by 
another  hand  than  Mark's.  Eusebiaa  bad  already  warned  na  that  Mark's  Qoepel 
ended  with  the  6th  verse ;  bot  all  tbe  modern  copiee  oontaiaed  the  aunrions 
worda,  and  the  testimony  of  Euaebiue  has  only  lately  been  eonfiimed  by  the 
discovery  that  the  SinaiUc  and  Vatican  copies  omit  them.  Thia  is  merely  one 
speoimen  of  the  dearoeas  and  weight  of  tbe  aignment  for  a  revision  of  the  tianala- 
tion  of  tbe  Scriptores. 

Another  illustration  may  be  f^ven.  In  John  t.  4,  we  read, '  For  an  angel  went 
down  at  a  certain  season  into  the  pool,  and  troubled  tbe  water :  whosoever  then 
first  after  the  trouhtiug  of  the  water  stepped  in  was  made  whole  of  whatao«ver 
disease  be  bad.'  This  was  no  doubt  originaily  a  valuable  explanatory  note  in  tbo 
margin,  added  by  some  scribe  tx  teacher,  to  account  for  the  conduct  of  the  man 
who  had  waited  for  thirty-eight  years  for  bia  chance  of  healing  at  the  pool,  or  to 
explain  the  'moving  of  the  water,  but  by  accident  or  design  it  had  crept  into  the 
text  itaelf;  and  I  need  not  say  it  has  done  incalculable  mischief  there.  It  has 
encouraged  many  to  'uail  at  the  pool  of  ordinancea' — as  the  old  phrase  goes — 
instead  of  coming  at  once  to  Christ,  tbe  Great  Healer  of  the  nations,  who  ia  ever 
waitJDg  to  be  gradons,  to  be  healed  immediately. 

Another  long  passage  that  has  found  it«  way  into  the  text  is  John  viii  1-11. 
Acts  viii.  37  :  '  And  Philip  said.  If  thou  believeat  with  all  thine  heart,  .  .  .  Son  of 
God,'  ia  omitted  in  all  the  three  uas.—S.,  V.,  and  A. 

But  enough  has  perhaps  been  said  upon  this  first  part  of  the  argument;  we 
want  the  truth,  the  whole  truth,  and  nothing  but  the  truth. 

II.  Another  argument  for  revision  is  grounded  on  defects  of  ike  preient  trantia- 

(1.)  Some  of  these  very  seriona  defects  may  be  said  to  have  ori^nated  in 
restrictiona  that  wete  laid  upon  King  James's  translators  by  hia  Majestf  himself. 

For  example,  the  first  instruction  to  each  company  runs  thus; — 

'The  ordinary  Bible  read  in  church,  common^  called  the  BiAopif  Bible,  to  be 
followed  and  aa  little  altered  as  (he  original  will  permit.' 

'The  old  ecdesiustdcal  words  to  be  kept,  as  tbe  word  "church"  not  to  be 
translated  "  eongregation." ' 

Now,  not  to  go  further,  this  latter  restriction  alone  has  led  to  much  confusion 
and  mischief. 

The  Engliah  word  '  church '  is  ambiguoua,  and  applies  to  the  building  as  well  as 
to  tbe  congregation  assembled  in  it.  There  is  no  such  ambiguity  in  the  original 
words  of  Scripture.  The  word  '  ohurch '  is  derived  from  a  Greek  term,  and  signifies 
'  the  house  of  tbe  Lord,'  nvpiccitir ;  Kirche,  German  ;  Kirk,  Scotch  \  Oburcb, 
English  =^  the  Lord's  house. 

But  wherever  in  the  New  Testament  it  ia  intended  to  denote  the  believing  wor-' 
shippen  of  the  house,  another  term  is  employed — 'EKx>.mia.  '  those  who  are  called 
out  of  *  (the  world) ;  the  ofiemblii  n  the  correot  tranalation  of  this  term. 

Aola  vii.  38 :  '  This  is  he  that  waa  in  the  aaembly  (church)  in  tbe  wilderness.' 

Acta  viii.  1;  *Aitd  at  that  time  there  was  a  great  powcution  against  4^e 
atsembb/  (church)  at  Jerua^ni.' 


510  MBOBBSTTT  FOS  A  KETffilOK  OP  '^  lEl^tumT' 

Ad«  iL  47 :  '  And  tbe  Lord  added  daOj  to  tbe  ataembly  (church)  snch  as 
w«c«  being  MTed.'  'Oidun  them  elden  in  erery  tutemblg'  (ohnrch),  (AcU 
iT.23). 

But  King  James  ind  bk  tdwiun  were  ahnvd  enough  to  peroeire  thnt  if  a 


iqion  the  moorlindi,  wen  Ukewise  divine  inatiUitiona,  and  might  nppeal  to 
noed  utthMi^  tor  MnctiMi  of  thar  gatfaerinea,  aa  Utq'  {ttofened,  like  other 
eatabUflhed  GImatianB,  to  attenMe  together  in  GhriM'a  name.  They  tbwefore 
laid  steiot  injnnelion  upon  the  bwi^aton  to  render  the  word  'ExzAjwib  not 
aaw  iidilj  or  oot^regatiOD,  bnt  c&uFel.  We  are  atill  nifferiDg  the  iocoaToni^icei 
of  thia  in  the  necean^  of  the  wcad  ^diap^  which  ia«fca«ign  and  Popish  term,  to 
diatingaiah  the  bmldinff  from  the  worahii^era.  The  word  cJuirek,  I  need  not  aaj, 
ii  wTOD^y  ^tplied  to  we  congr^mtiOD,  aiid  ahoold  be  coofined  exclnaively  to  tbe 
building— (Ac  hmue  of  the  Lord. 

1  mutj  tito  taeatiotLibj  way  trfiltaatntion,  that  tbe denuminatiMi  of  CluiBtaaiia  to 
whieh  we  belong  baa  aoSered  considersbly  from  thia  arbitnuy  leatriction.  Moat 
people,  I  fanCT,  look  apoo  the  words  prabyler  and  preibgtery  as  Scotdi  terms. 
Ibny  people  affect  great  difficulty  ia  nndetatanding  cv  ereii  ]»«no<uicing  tiram ; 
bnt  they  are  wcrda  that  occur  in  almoat  every  page  of  tbe  Neir  Teaftament,  ajid  in 
tiie  Old  Teetament  Scriptnrea  frcsn  the  days  of  Moace.  Every  time  the  loin 
*  elder '  occaie  in  the  Scriptures  as  the  name  of  an  office-bearer — of  tbe  Bjnagogne 
or  tbe  cbnrch — it  ought  to  be  rendered preiAffer;  and  the  'whole  eetate  of  the 
eldeiB '  that  S.  Panl  speak*  of  in  Acte  iziL  5,  is  literally  (A«  wkoU  prabfiety. 
Even  of  tbe  heavenly  tomple  we  read  in  Revelation  there  are  '  four  and  %wmt^ 
pre$bgtert  roond  about  the  throne ! '  The  word  prt^ttfltr  oectira  about  siit^  times 
in  the  Bible.    So  much  for  our  penonal  obliKatioDS  to  tbe  Bishops'  Bible. 

It  was  a  Buperatitions  custom  among  the  Hebrews  never  t<1  pronooncs  ce  write 
the  word  Jekovah,  '  the  inraHOBDiiicable  name '  of  their  covensnt  God.  la  pUw 
of  it,  they  put  the  term  ■wbiA  we  have  translated  Lord.  Our  translatotB  bave 
been  foolish  euoogh  to  yield  to  this  pece  of  Hebrew  pre}Ddiee,  and  have  thereby 
ofaBCured  or  destroyed  some  of  the  moat  atrikiog  and  conviooine  ai^mentafor 
the  divinity  of  Christ  Thus  in  laa.  xL  S  we  read :  '  The  voice  (rf  him  th>t  crieth 
in  the  wiloemeai.  Prepare  ye  the  way  of  Jektvah  (Lokd),  make  stnught  in  the 
desert  a  highway  for  onr  God.'  In  Luke  iiL  3,  i,  the  w<sda  are  applied  to  John 
the  Baptist ;  and  tbe  Jehovah  of  the  Old  Testament  ia  declared  to  be  tlie  Loid 
Jeaus  Christ  of  the  New.    Bnt  this  argument  would  not  be  perceived  by  tbe 

Senerality  of  English  readers,  owing  to  the  omission  of  tbe  term  '  Jehovah  '  in  the 
Id  Testament  text 

Host  readers  know  that  the  word  Lord  in  the  Old  Testament,  soelt  with  (uiHtals. 
stands  for  Jehovah,  and  when  apdt  in  amdl  dtaaaoten  !■  the  trsnal&bon  d 
another  word  (Adonai).  See  Isa.  vi  See  also  the  record  of  Abraham's  prayer 
for  Sodom. 

(2.)  Bnt  all  tbe  defects  and  imperfection  of  tliis  banolstion  are  not  to  be 
attrionted  to  tbe  reatriotdona  that  were  laid  upon  the  revision  compRnies  1^  his 
tUeaty  King  Jsmes  I. 

The  translators  tbemsdvee  have  not  been  nniformly  Buccessfol  in  rendering  the 
inspired  words  into  English.  They  show  often  a  somewhat  perverse  habit  <^ 
translating  (a)  different  Greek  terms  by  tiie  same  English  word,  and  (6)  again  t£ 
rendering  one  simple  Greek  word  by  half-a-down  different  English  words,  nta«ly 
for  the  sake  of  variety.  Of  conrse  the  effect  of  thia  is  utterly  to  destroy  all 
hope  of  trustworthy  marginal  references,  and  all  attempts  at  oonstanictuig  a  good 
English  Concordance  or  Bible  Dictionary. 

Aos,  in  a  beantifol  passage  in  John  xii.  15-18,  the  entire  p<mit  of  the  oonrer- 
sation  is  lost.  Here  two  cbfferent  Greek  terms  are  translated  by  one  l^Hsh 
word,  love,  to  the  ofaacnring  of  tbe  lesscm  of  tbe  t«xt.  *  Lorot  thou  me  ? ' 
'  Thon  art  dear  to  me.'  Bot  thia  wonld  hardly  convey  the  correct  meaning  of 
Peter's  answer. 

*  For  I  had  not  known  lutt.  eicept  tbe  law  bad  sud,  Thon  shalt  not  cmA 
Bnt  dn,  taking  occasion  by  the  commandment,  wrongbt  in  me  aU  mamwr  cf 


""X^VUtfft*^         OTJE  TBANSLATION  OF  THE  BIBLE.  511 

conet^)iMetnee '  (Rom.  vii  7,  6).  Here  the  Greek  word  triSiifum  u  tmiBlated  but^ 
coMtovtnett,  and  eoneujMtetnet,  to  the  bewilderment  of  the  English  re«der. 

There  Bie  four  different  worda  in  Greek  which  onr  trenalatora  have  rendered 
by  the  term  preaching.  The  first  is  borrowed  from  the  office  of  the  ancient 
'  herald,'  and  should  be  rendered  ' Itatddini}'  Acts  viii.  b  :  ' Then  Philip  went 
dows  to  a  citj  of  Samaria,  and  pnaeked  Christ  unto  them ; '  literally,  '  htralded 
to  them  Christ'  Now  this  conreys  to  os  a  rery  beantiftd  idea  and  happy 
illustntion  of  gospel  work,  but  in  onr  present  tranftlation  it  is  altt^ether  bat. 
Acts  rilL  25  (same  chapter)  :  '  And  they,  when  they  had  testified  and  preached 
the  word  of  the  Leva ; '  the  Greek  phrase  is  simply,  '  spake  the  vaca  ot  the 
Liord.'  In  the  lame  veise,  '  they  returned  to  Jerusalem,  and  preaehtd  the  goq)el 
in  many  nllagsa  of  the  Samaritans ; '  literally,  '  they  evangeUxed  the  villages  ol 
}  the  Saooaritans.' 

"■  And  upon  the  first  day  of  the  week,  wiken  the  disciplea  came  together  to  brea^k 
bread,  Paul  pnaehed  nnto  iliem'  (Acts  xz.  7).  Here  Paul  was  addressing 
bclierers,  and  did  not  reqnirie  eitlwr  to  herald  Christ  to,  or  evaageSie  than,  and 
ibe  word  is  elsewhere  rendered  'rctuoned'  with  them;  that  is,  he  expounded 
the  ScriptnreB,  or,  literally,  he  dueovr$ed  to  them.     Now  all  this  is  important  aa 

Stinting  out  the  difference  between  what  should  be  addressed  by  a  minister  of  the 
hnrch  to  belierers  at  the  Loid's  table,  and  what  should  be  spoken  to  the  uh' 
converted  by  an  evangelist  or  heridd  of  the  Cross.  But  all  this  is  lost  to  the 
Knglish  readers  of  King  Jamea'a  version. 

Another  example  of  this  is  fonnd  in  the  words,  '  Moreover,  the  law  entered, 
that  grace  might  abound.  But  where  sin  multiplied,  grace  did  much  more  abound  * 
(Born.  V.  20). 

Members  of  the  Church  of  Eng^ad,  too,  have  a  right  to  complain  that  the 
word  for  eonJIrmatioH  is  sometimea  rendered  ettabliihing,  sometimes  strengtheniBg, 
and  once  or  twice  eonjirming. 

In  the  4th  chapter  of  the  Ramans  (3-6),  it  is  almost  amuBing,  if  it  were  not  so 
tantahong  to  those  seeking  for  the  trath  of  the  apostle's  arguments,  to  hear  the 
same  simple  word  translated  first  '  coujUed,'  secondly  '  reckoned,'  and  thirdly 
*  imputed,''  in  the  space  of  three  verses,  and  the  same  wonderful  variety  maintained 
tbroogbwit  the  chapter.    Of  comae  this  destroys  all  reference  Bibles. 

In  Acta  T.  18-32,  there  are  three  Greek  words  that  may  be  rendered  the  '  lock- 
up,' the  '  gvard-r»om,'  and  the  cell  where  prisoners  were  chained.  Peter  and  the 
iqMwtles  experienced  the  baidship  of  theee  different  processes  of  incarceration; 
for  we  read,  '  The  ^iaon  fonnd  we  abut  with  all  safety,  and  the  keepers  standing 
without  before  the  doors ;  but  when  we  opened,  we  found  no  man  within.'  Yet 
theee  three  distinct  words,  that  indicate  so  much  that  is  int«rating  in  the  lives 
of  the  apostles,  are  all  translated  bv  our  commonplace  wordjiruon. 

The  last  example  of  this  class  I  shall  give  concerns  the  name  of  our  bl«esed 
Lord,  and  is,  I  need  not  say,  of  great  importance.  In  the  earlier  years  of  car 
Lord's  ministry.  Bis  (olloweis  were  in  the  habit  of  addressing  Him  by  the  term 
'E«-wT«nte=  master  or  chief.  He  was  their  leader  ra  guide  In  all  their  ezpedi* 
tions :  '  'Etistbts,  we  have  toiled  all  night,  and  have  taken  nothing :  nevertheless, 
at  Thy  word,  I  will  let  down  the  net'  (Lake  v.  6).  Here  the  words  are  translated, 
^Matter,  we  have  toiled.'  Another  word  almoel  equivalent  (^itaStiyvric)  has  tlie 
same  translation :  '  One  is  your  (nmttiyirric  =  leader)  Master,  even  Chrlrt '  (Uatt. 
xiiiL8). 

But  as  Christ  began  to  unfold  to  them  the  great  mysteries  of  His  kingdom, 
and  set  Himself  to  instruct  them  in  word  and  doctrine,  they  called  Him 
^S»rc«?LOf= teacher.  Martha  says  to  Hary,  who  nsed  to  ait  at  His  feet  and  hear 
His  word,  *  The  Teacher  is  come,  and  calleth  for  thee.'  The  word  rabbi  was  also 
employed  in  the  same  sense.  '  Judas  said,  Hail,  Rabbi,  and  kissed  Him.'  But 
our  translators  render  them  all  matler,  as  yon  will  remember  Martha  says,  'The 
Mailer  is  come.' 

And,  lastly,  towards  the  end  of  our  Saviour's  ministry,  when  the  evidence  of 
His  divine  character  and  mission  forced  them  to  acknowledge  His  supremacy, 
the  term  i  Kipios  ^  Lord,  became  the  sole  mode  of  address.  At  the  paseover, 
when  He  warned  them  that  one  of  them  should  betray  Him,  they  oil  said,  except 


512        BEVISION  or  ODB  TBANSLATION  OF  THE  BIBLE.  ^"^Ji^t^ 

Judm,  '  Lord,  iiitl?'  Jodu  exd&iina,  *  Rabbi,  ia  it  1^ '  And  Jwm  Hiniadt 
u;s,  'Ye  oaU  me  (7*^)  Matttr  (Tueber)  uid  (The)  Lord,  uid  ja  mj  ndi. 
for  BO  I  an'  (John  ziii.  IS).  So  with  ThomaB,  'Hy  l/)id  and  mj  God' — i  Kivi; 
fitu  xdl  i  0ia(  ^au; — ahowing  clearly  progreBsioii  both  in  faith  and  knovkdgi, 
which  in  ieepij  iuBtrnctive  for  os  to  otwOTTe,  jet  the  proof  is  obacured  to  ill 
Enf^liah  leadera  by  the  manner  in  which  the  earlier  words  have  been  baDBkld. 

(i.)  Another  olatt  of  defects  in  the  prewnt  aothorized  Tenion  are  the 
aluoUU  and  aatiquaUd  Tordi  that  obacara    or  mar  the  Benae  of  the  ucnd 

We  all  know  how  mnch  the  Eagliab  langua^  has  changed  since  the  d^  cf 
WjcUffe  or  King  Jamea.  It  vonld  aonad  strangely  to  hear  now,  '  Vaxi,  a  riSm 
dl  Jeaoa  Christ  1  Bnt  these  words  were  once  actually  in  onr  own  Bibles.  V'Mt 
was  thea  a  good  and  respectable  term  for  strvaat.  Equally  thocluDg  would  be, 
*  Jude,  a  knave  of  Jesus  Christ  1 '  And  yet  there  was  no  impropriety  in  tlie  pbnae 
when  a  knave  was  a  faithfnl  and  trusted  Saxon  Tassal.  These  words,  theiefart, 
had  to  be  revised  and  altered  becaaae  the  language  had  ohanged. 

When  Paul  Kays,  in  Rom.  i.  13,  'I  purposed  to  oome  nnto  yon,  but  vm  Ul 
hitherto,'  the  natural  inquiry  of  every  En^isb  reader  is,  'Why,  then,  did  be  not 
go?'  Bnt  in  the  olden  time  'let' was  to  '  hinder,' and  its  meaning  is  novtk 
oppodte  of  what  it  originally  signified. 

In  3  ThMB.  ii.  7  we  read,  '  only  he  who  now  Utleth  iciil  lei,  until  be  ba  tatai 
out  ot  the  way,' — meaning,  he  who  hindereA  will  hinder  till  he  be  removed. 

Id  Matt.  xvii.  25:  'When  Peter  was  come  into  the  houae,  Jesw  prevtnltdiaiB,' 
— that  is,  aaticipated  what  he,  Peter,  wss  going  to  say. 

1  Thees.  iv.  15 :  '  They  that  are  alive  in  the  earth  shall  not  pmeM  <ia' 
that  are  asleep,'— meaning,  shall  have  no  advantage  over  those  who  SM  •'nx^ 
dead. 

Pb.  xii.  3:  'Thoapreten(M(  him  with  the  bleeaingsof  Thy  goodnesSj'-'WHi 
Thou  anticipateet  all  hi*  wanti. 

Acts  ixi  15 :  '  And  after  those  days  we  took  np  our  carriaget,  aod  wai^  *■ 
Jonisalein.'  'Hiii  is  the  first  iastatioe  we  have  of  the  apostles  using  c«rria»' 
Most  people  wonder  what  they  were  like,  and  where  they  got  them.  But  ut 
word  '  carriage '  in  King  James'  day  meant  Inggage.  *  We  packed  np  onr  tn{>F 
-or  we  '  ccrilected  oar  baggage,'  womd  be  nearer  the  words  of  the  origiiial. 

Some  of  theM  obsolete  translations  of  the  Vnlgate  furnished  Toltaice  *''' 
many  hila  for  his  shallow  witticisms,  and  the  .ground  for  hisJtill  ghtUnie' 
arguments  against  the  Bible. 

(4.)  There  are  a  few  miBtranslatioDS  that  require  to  be  altered. 

The  Israelites  are  eaid  to  have  '  borrowed  of  the  Egyptians,'  with  do  iatt^m 
of  repaying  them.    The  words  are  simply,  '  They  ankai/or  goods  and  j^'*'* 

David  is  said  to  have  put  his  enemies  '  tinder  tawt  and  axe«,'— meaningi  '*  P"^ 
them  to  ignominious  employments.  ^ 

'  The  wicked  have  no  bands  in  their  death,' — tiU  tiisir  death-  , 

A  few  of  the  fignrea  in  the  Old  Tertament  require  alteration,  King  J»^' 
translators  not  being  acquainted  with  the  Arable  mode  of  reckoning.  ''"''' 
42,000  Ephrumites  are  said  to  have  faUeu  in  battle,  while  the  whole  tribe  <x^ 
sisted  of  about  82.000  pereons.  The  words  are,  '  There  feU  of  the  Ephrwaiw 
40  and  2000,"  or  2040.  ,^  .^ 

So  with  60,000  that  vrere  smitten  at  the  email  town  of  BetJuhoneslt.  "^ 
wcffds  are,  *  The  Lord  smote  seventy  men  fifluB  and  a  tttousand,'  ot  W 
altogether.  _^^ 

Bnt  I  have  said  enough,  I  trust,  to  prove  that  onr  pretent  tatnelstioD  h  °^*j! 
of  being  improved  and  of  being  made  a  more  faithful  represeulatioD  of  *^  *^ 
which  tiie  Holy  Sprit  gave  for  our  doctrine  and  reproof,  for  our  «<'''**jm^ 
inetruction  in  righteousnesa.    It  is  the  Iranilatioa,  not  the  Bible,  we  ae^  ^  *^ 

'  The  woidn  at  mea  grow  old. 

They  loae  tfaeir  tsute  and  power; 
But  Tbv  sweet  worda  0  Jeaus  Christ, 


.:?:!.;  Google 


-'    tk^imT-'                          OOBBBSPONDENOE.  513 

FRENCH  CANADA. 

TO  THE  EDITOR  OF  THE  UNITED  PBESBTTKRIAN  KASAZINE. 

Sir, — Would    you  allow  me,   through  her  enaUTed  Bubj'eofa.    Nowhere  is  she 

your  pages,  to  make  a  short  atatement  more  active,  bold,  and  daring.      The 

and  appeal  in  behalf  of  the  miesioQ  of  most  arrogant   ckimB  are  put  forth  in 

the  sister  PreBbytiCran  Church  in  Canada  her  behalf.     TaUcaniam    in    its  moat 

among  the  French  Canadian  Eomaniate  ?  repulsive  and  intolerant  features  is  the 

French  Canada,  called  now  theProrince  only  creed  allowed;  and  bj  the  groBsest 

of  Quebec,  has  been  more  than  a  century  asBumption  and  terroriim  she  is  striving 

under  British  sway,  and  has  now  a  large  to  Bulxlue  all  to  her  will,  and  take  pes- 

population.      There   are   more    than   a  sessiouof  the  government  of  the  country. 

million  of  French  BomanisU  in  Quebec  The  outrageoaa  principles  of  the  Syllabus 

alone.     In  other  parts  of  the  Dominion  she  isstTivingtorealizewith  unblushing 

there  are  200,000;  in  the  States  there  effrontery  and  violence;  and  those  who 

are  about  800,000.    They  increase  with  find  it  difficult  to  decide  whether  the 

unexampled  rapidity :  they  double  them-  Syllabus  and  Encyclical  mean  anything, 

selves  every  twenty  yeare.   Andthereli-  could  not  do  bettw  than   study  these 

gious   conditicai   of    such   a   large   and  dark  portentous  documents  in  the  light 

prolific  population  must  be  felt  to  be  of  «f  current  eTente  in  Lower  Canada, 

the  greatest  importance  to  the  future  The  Church  of  Home  had  a  fine  op- 

-welfare   of    Canada.      There  are    only  portunity  of  showing  in  this  field  wliat 

170,000  non- Romanists  in  the  French  she  can  do  for  a  people  thoroughly  given 

province.      But  a  fourth  part  of  the  over  to  her.    Here  she  had  a  people 

population  of  Hontreal  is  noQ-Bomanist,  isolated  by  positioa  and  langna^  for 

and  but  a  sixth  of  that  of  the  eity«f  centuries,  and  she  has  had  posseHgionof 

Quebec.     The    Romanists   boast    that,  uolimited  reeouroes.     If   eba  has  not 

French  and  Irish  combined,  they  already  brought  a  blessing  to  this  people,  we 

form  nearly  a  half  of  the  population  of  most  aay  it  is  becanae  ahe  ha«  no  bless- 

the  whole  Dominion ;   it  is  certain  they  iog  to  bring.     With  all  her  wealth  and 

are  more  than  a  third ;  and  whether  the  power,  it  cannot  be  said  ahe  has  brought 

gospel   be   given  them    becomes  thus,  much    blessing  to  these    poor   French 

from  every  point  of  view,  a  question  of  Canadiana.    There  could  not  be  aaeverei 

momentoQS  miportance.  indictment  read  against  her  than  just 

French  Canada  was  settled  on  the  their  condition  amid  all  the  advantages 

feudal  system,  and  laige  endowments  of  a  new  conntry.    They  are  indeed 

were  showered  on  the  clergy.   The  whole  quiet,  and  contented  with  little;   they 

old  French  constitution  was  preserved  are  free  from  some  forms  of  gross  vice ; 

at  the  conquest.    A  few  y^ars  ago  stops  they  are  attentive  to  religion  according 

were  taken  to  buy  up  the  right  of  the  to  their  light;  th«y  are  naturally,  if  let 

seigniors,  and  open  up  the  way  to  the  alone,   kindtf   and  tolerant;   they   are 

habitants  obtuning  a  free  title.      The  «bliging  and  polite  in  their  deportment 

Boman  Catholic  establishment,  however,  to  strangers  and  to  one  another;  they 

remuns  intact;  the  clergy  are  confirmed  delight  to   spend  their  time   in   small 

in  the  possession  of  their  valuable  ianda,  harmless  gaieties,  amused  with  the  violin 

and  hare  contiuued  to  this  day  by  law  and  a  dance,  a  song,   or  a  game  of 

to  levy  tithes  and  Church  rates.    Rome  dominoes,  but  they  are  idle,  inert,  Htereo- 

-was  l^t  there  undisturbed  by  Protestant  typed  socially  ai^d  intellectually ;  they 

Britain  for  three  generations,  till  she  have  all  the  weaknesses  of  a  atate  of 

has   grown  to  gigantic   strength.     She  childish    pupilage;    they    are    without 

has   come  to   undeistand    the   vantage  energy,  amlution,  or  public  spirit;  they 

ground  which  she  occupies  there,  and  are  content  to  vegetate  on  a  lew  acres  of 

ehe  is  rousing  herself  to  do  her  utmost  theBOil,withanagTicultureaaantiquated 

to  strengthen  her  position,  so  that  she  and  changeless  as  their  creed ;  they  are 

cannotnowbeeaailyshakenordislodged;  iust  what  their  forefathers  were  three 

and  all  friends  of  the  gospe!  should  unite  nundred  years  ago ;  they  are  ignorant 

to   retrieve   the   consequences  of    past  beyond  conception;  not  a  fourth  of  them 

neglect,  and  bring  light  and  liberty  to  have  the  most  rudimentary  elementa  of 

NO.  ZI.  VOL.  XXn.  NBW  SERlXfl. NOTEUBEB  ISTS.  2  E 


514  EBLIGIOUS  mTELLIQENCB.  ""^TiSre?*'' 

education,  notwithBtandrng  the  eatab-  t«riiui  Church,  on  the  gtonnd  of  the 

lishment  of  a  pnhlio  cyBtem,  the  cost  of  great  religions  neneasities  of  this  pio- 

which  leemB  to  go  to  support  an  army  Tince,  aud  also  on  the  ground  of  the 

of  Duns  and  friara,  only  to  teach  by  rote  great  auccesa  of  our  nueaioD,  which  is 

the  Catechiam ;   Uie;  are  aupeiatitious  but  the  beginning  of  what  promiaes  to 

aa  fetiah-worsbippera ;  they  are  poverty-  be,  by  the  bleasing  of  God,  a  most  ei- 

atricken;  manesof  themintheirpoverty  tenaive  movement  in  behalf  of  »  pnre 

are  aquaUd  aa  Bed  Indians;  and,  like  gospel  in  Lower  Canada. 


cattle  which  nerer  look  beyond  the  fence  Thos.  SrEVENSOti. 

of  the  field  on  which  they  are  grwing,        8  Glenoyle  Terrace, 
they  have  not  an  idea  beyond  the  daily  Edinbi'BOH. 

routine  of  their  narrow  life. 

Among  these  people  the  Preabyterians  P.S. — The  Presbyteriana  used  to  be 
of  Canada,  dnce  their  late  union  three  the  great  supporters  of  the  French 
years  ago,  have  entered  on  a  vigorous  Canadian  Missionary  Society ;  but  tn 
work  of  French  evangeliiation.  They  withdrawing  as  a  Church,  to  enter  on  a 
have  already  more  than  forty  labourers  work  of  their  own,  they  hare  no  apedal 
hi  the  field,  and  their  converta  are  already  intereat  in  this  or  any  oth^  Bociety, 
numbered  by  thousands.  A  French  pro-  for  which,  indeed,  there  is  no  longer  any 
feasor  in  connection  with  our  Theological  call.  All  denominationB  now,  with  the 
Hall  in  Montreal  has  twenty-two  French  single  exception  of  the  Congr^ational- 
atndenta  under  hia  charge,  preparing  for  ista,  have  their  separate  Prendi  Cana- 
the  work.  I  would  earnestly  appeal  for  dian  wort,  TLe  borden  of  the  wtok  of 
their  support  to  all  friends  of  Trench  French  evangelization  in  the  fntnre  most 
evangelization  in  the  United  Presby-  rest  chiefly  on  the  Presbyterian  Niwioa. 
T.S. 


/)un0TM. — This  presbytery  met  od  byteries  of   Ireland   and   Galloway,  it 

lat  October — the  Her.  Alexander  I^ter-  waa  decided,  while  aympatfiiainit  with 

son,  nioderatoT.     Mr.    John    Jardiue,  the  object  of  tite  scheme,  we  do  not 

student   of  the  first   ^ear,  delivered  a  meantime  see  onr  way  to  take  jwrt  in  ik 

lecture  from  Hebrews  1. 1-4,  which  was  It  was  agreed  to  tecommend  ministers  to 

unanimously  Bostaioed,  and  the  student  hold  a  thanksgiving  for  the  tate  harvest, 

encottiaved  to  proaecate  ha  studies.   Mr.  Tie  remit  on  impontifn  erf  baods  in 

Jamea  NiviaoD  waa  examined  in  r^ard  radinatiDn  of  miniatera  folia  to  be  ooo- 

topenoDalpety,  character,  and  motives,  aidered  at  next  merting.    Annual  mk- 

and  the  pitebjtery  being  satisfied,  the  sionaiy  ctmfertxice  at  IS  o'clock    Next 

clerk  waa  instructed    to  certiff  both  meeting  wifi  be  held  at  Dnmfriea  oa  the 

stodrata  to  the  oonnner  of  the  llteo-  first  nueday  of  Deconber. 
Ii^oal  Committee.    Mr.  James  Ocmm,        Pat/h-waW.— TTua  preelii  hay  met  on 

studnt  (tf  Arts,  waa  intiwhraed  to  the  the  Stfa  October — Rev.  Mr.  Mtmro,  mode- 

prv«hyt«ry  by  Mr.  J.  H.  Scott,  and  the  rator.    It  waa  intimated  that  the  Bev. 

student  waa  eaooonged  to  fanaecate  hn  Mr.  H'Dowali,  ADoa,  had  died  on  the 

atiuU«a.    At  last  meeting  the  fint  article  10th  S^tember,  and,  after  praya  by 

ot  the  deel«r>to»TatatMnent  was  adopted  the  nuidnatar,  faSs  name  was  dropped 

hr  the  OMting  vote  of  the  moderator,  bom  the  loU  of  pteefaytery.     Meobis. 

lae    eoaaid««tion    of    the    remaining  Ri^^  and   Brown    woe  si{qK)inlfld  a 

Mtii^  waa  leeomed,  and  the  anggea-  committee  to  dnw  oat  a  minate  ez- 

tioaa  of  the  eounuttee  appointed  to  con-  presBrecf  the  presbytgy^  estimate  of 

Si')n  the  9d  and  jtd  arttdes,  were  other  thdr   Anrted  father.      Menrs.   John 

i^opt«d  or  other   dtaugea   piefemd.  Dimean,  M.A.,  and  Akxauder  T7eat- 

Kiv  *  was  adopted  aa  amended  in  the  water,  were  cotified  b>  the  ensning 

•n-wiil  motion.  Synod  Minntas,  p.  SSi.  KSBon  of  the  Divinity  HalL    Tfao  ^o- 

Koa.  K,  6,  and?  wvn adi^ted as Iz«n3-  paaedmBtfft«alintefdiangts,witiitha 

mitted.    TV  nibric  and  the  pn>po«d  view  cf  enkng  a  deeper  intoest  in  the 

•Noocl  quMMkn  of  the  fonaola  waa  miffj-ww  ot  the  Ghonch,  waa  reuiilled  to 


""SiTIm'*''                   HELIOIOUB  INTBLLIGENOE.  515 

tie  Mission  Committae,  to  consider  and  6th  NoTember.  On  the  motion  of  Dr. 
mature  uraDsements  befoce  next  meet-  Thomson,  it  was  agreed  to  Tecomnieiid 
ing.  The  preabTtery  instmcted  ti\e  clerk  to  the  congregations  within  the  bounds 
to  return  thanks  to  the  donors  of  Dr.  of  the  presbytery  that  the  second  Sab- 
William  Anderson's  rolrnne  ou  Popery  bath  of  October,  or  snch  other  Sabbath 
and  the  Memorials  of  the  Bev.  Dr.  as  may  he  found  more  convenient,  should 
CarstairB  Douglas.  Reports  were  read  be  obaerred  as  a  day  of  thanksgiring 
on  mission  work  by  Mr.  Hayworth,  '  for  the  abundant  harrest  with  which 
presbytery's  missionary,  and  Mr.  Ure,  Divine  Providence  has  been  pleased  to 
atudeot,  who  has  been  labouriDft  in  fayoor  the  land.'  GommisBioners  ap- 
Lochgellyforthe  summer  months.  With  peared  from  the  congregation  of  Regent 
both  reports  the  presbytery  expressed  Street  Church,  Portobello,  in  support  of 
much  satisfaction.  The  third  Sabbath  a  petition  for  moderation.  Professor 
of  October  was  appointed  as  a  day  of  Johnstone  stated  that  the  congregation 
thank^ring  for  the  ahundant  harvest  had  a  membership  of  tbirty'seven,  and 
It  was  agreed  to  take  up  the  '  DecUra-  proposed  to  give  a  stipend  of  £350  per 
toiy  Statement'   at  next  meeting  of  anniun  to  the  minister  called  to  the 

Eresbyte^,  which  wss  appointed  to  "be  charge,  the  managers  of  the  congrega- 

eld  on  Tueeday  the  6th  ITovember,  at  tiou  gusrsnteeing  the  stipend  for  three 

11  o'clock.  years.    Mr.  Bobertaon  moved  that  the 

Edinburgh. — The  monthly  meeting  of  prayer  of  the  petition  be  granted,  which 

this  presbytery  was  held  on  2d  October  was  agreed  to,  and  Tharsdsy,  24th  Oc- 

—  Hr.  Small,  moderator.     Dr.   Bruce  tober,  was  fixed  for  the  moderation — 

read  a  circular  from  the  clerk  of  the  Professor  Johostone  to  preside.     The 

Synod,   intimating   that   the   time   for  motion  of  Mr.  Fleming  as  to  the  Don- 

aending  in  returns  on  the  declaratory  attendance  of  brethren  at  the  meetings 

statement  with  reference  to  the  sub-  of  presbytery  was  remitted  to  a  amaJl 

ordinate  standards  had  been  extended  committee  to  consider  the  whole  subject, 

to  the  iBt  February  1879.     Mr.  Ruther-  and  report  to  next  meeting  of  presby- 

ford  moved   the  appointment  of    Mr.  tery. 

Young,  Nowington,  as  aaperintendont  Falkirk. — This  preabytery  met  on 
ofthestudentBconneotedwiththeCburch  1st  October — Rev.  George  Wade,  mode- 
at  the  Univemty.  Mr.  Young,  howerer,  rator  pro  tern.  The  clerk  read  a  letter 
couldnotaeehiswaytoacceptthe  office;  from  tlie  Rev.  Peter  White,  Denny, 
and  a  remit  was  made  to  a  small  oom~  intimating  his  resignation  of  his  pastoral 
noittee  to  consider  the  subject,  and  report  charge  on  the  grotmd  of  ill  health.  The 
to  next  meetinff  of  presbytery.  Mr.  presbytery  received  the  communication 
Hoffat  submitted  Qie  report  of  a  com-  with  deep  regret,  and  appointed  the 
mittee  with  reference  to  the  Synodical  Rev.  George  Wade  to  announce  the 
Scheme  on  Missions,  under  which  the  demiaaion  to  the  congregation  of  Denny 
presbytery  was  asked  by  the  Synod  to  on  Sabbath  first,  and  hold  a  meeting  of 
appoint  deputies  to  proceedto  the  Pres-  the  congregation  to  consider  the  matter 
l^teTiesofPaisleyandGreenock,andKiI-  ou  14th  insl.  Appointed  also  Messrs. 
mamock,  to  plead  the  cause  of  missiona.  Wade  and  Jerdan  to  meet  with  Mr. 
■whiletheBdmburghPreabytBry  were  to  White  privately.  Agreed  to  hold  a 
receive  deputies  from  the  above-men-  special  meeting  of  presbytery  on  15th 
tioned  presbyteries.  The  committee  felt  October  to  inne  the  case.  Rev.  J.  Aitehi- 
that  as  the  presbytery  had  previously  aon,  convener  of  the  preBbytery's  Carron 
agreed  to  carry  out  a  Boheme  of  preeby-  Mission  Committee,  reported  that  a 
terial  changes  drawn  up  by  the  Mission  Sabbath  forenoon  service  had  been 
Committee,  it  would  not  be  advisable  in  instituted  at  Carron,  and  also  an  after- 
the  circnmstAnces  to  invite  deputies  from .  noon  Sabbath  school,  the  latter  having 
other  presbyteries  in  conuectJon  with  a  roll  of  266  scholars.  The  presbyt«ry 
the  work.  Dr.  Thomson  proposed  that  exprcBsed  ita  great  satisfaction  with  the 
the  scheme  of  the  committee  be  adopted  earnest  and  Buccessful  laboura  of  its 
for  the  present  year,  which  was  agreed  missionary  at  Carron,  Mr.  John  Yellow- 
to.  Mr.  Moffat  next  reported  that  the  leee,  and  gave  the  committee  power  to 
committee  bad  arranged  for  the  annual  take  steps,  in  conjunction  with  the 
conference  on  the  s^ject  of  missions  Board  of  Missions,  with  the  view  of 
taking  place  on  the  evening  ot  Tuesday,  securing  a  building  site  for  a  cburoh  in 


516  BELIGIOUB  INTBLUGEKCE.  *     S^.iTMMr^ 

the  district,  as  they  maj  deem  expedient,  c^  the  cbarchea  within  their  boondB 

Agreed  to  poetpone   in  the   meantime  to  Dr.  Cameron's  Marriage  Freliminarj 

making  anangements  for  an  iaterchange  Bill,  which  comes  into  operation  on  the 

of  deputies,  as  sngge«ted  bj  the  Foreign  let  of  Jan uuy  next.     It  was  proposed 

Committee's    plan    of    ministerial    ex-  that  arrangements  he  made  for  Iiolding 

changes,  and  resolved  to  arrange  foi  an  a  week  of  evangelistic  meetings  dm-' 

interchange  within  the   bounds  of  the  ing  the  winter.     Mr.  Corbett  intimated 

presbjtery,  with  the  view  of  deepening  that   the   Cathcart   Road   congi^ation 

the  interest  of  the  Christian  people  in  had  resolved  to  give  a  call  to  Ur.  Heoiy 

the  work  of  missions.    Agreed  to  hold  Drysdale,   preacher,    to   become    their 

a  miaaionary  conference  at  meeting  oa  paster.     A.  call,  however,  had  also  be«n 

15th  October.  Adopted  recommendation  placed  in  Ur.  Drysdale's  hands  bf  the 

of  Committee   on   Augmentation,  that  Mount   Florida   congregation,    and   Mr. 

Ex-Provost    UortOQ    of   Greenock    be  Drysdsle  had  selected  the  latter.     The 

kindly  requested  to  visit  Falkirk  and  presbytery  therefore  aet  aside  the  calL 

district  agun  this  seasoii,  t«  solicit  aub-  It  waa  intimated  that  Mr.  Miller,  Leit> 

Hcriptions  for  the  Surplus  Augmentation  holm,  had  accepted  the  call  to  become 

Fund.  colleague    and    successor   to   the    Rev. 

GaUoway.—  Titie   presbyteij    met  at  David    Macrae,   Elgin    Street    Church, 

Nev  ton-Stewart,    8th     October  —  Mr.  Glasgow,  and  a  day  was  fixed  for  his  in- 

Soott,  moderator.     Inquiry  being  made,  duction.    A  long  discussion  took  place 

it  was  found  that  &«  annual  collection  on  the  proposed  removal  of  the  Cathe- 

on  behalf  of  the  Theological  Hall  Fund  dral  Street  congregation  to  Kelvingrove 

had  been  made  in  all  the  congregations.  Street,  in  the  west  end  of  the  city,  Mr. 

Mr.  Sqiiair,aa  convener  of  the  Committee  M'Coll,  Partick,  giving  it  as  his  oaaum 

of  Presbytery  onMiasionuryandETange-  that  the  western  district   was  ^adj 

listic  Efforts,  submitted  the  following  overstocked   with  churches,  and  thu 

motion  in  regard  to  preshyterial  inter-  there   was    more    neeeasity   now  for  a 

change  ot  pnlpitawitha  view  to  promote  church  in  Cathedral  Street  than  at  the 

a  miaaionary  spirit  in  the  Church : —  time  the  building  was  erected^    VUi- 

'  That  the  Dumfries  Presbytery,  while  mately  it  was  resolved  to  ask  the  opmon 

cordially  sympathizing  with  the  end  con-  of  all  sessions  in  the  district  on  the  p«>- 

teoiplat«d    by    prest^terial    exchanges  posed  change. 

on  behalf  of  Foreign  Misajona,  cannot         Kirkcaldy. — This  presbytery  met  at 

see  their  way  in  present  circumstances  Leven,  1st  October — Rev.  Robert  Dick, 

to  take  any  step  m  the  matter.     This  moderator  pro    tem.     Intimation  was 

presbytery  also    cordially   sympathizes  given   that   Mr.    Henry    Drysdale  had 

with  the  end  contemplated,  aaa,  in  the  declined  the  call  addressed  to  him  by 

circnnaatanees,  agree  to  recommend  the  the  congregationof  Loughborough  Road, 

brethren  to  aim  at  the  end  sought  by  Kirkcaldy.     The  clerk  intimated  tliat  he 

an  interchange  of  pulpits  as  far  as  prac-  had  received   notice  from  the  Presby- 

ticable  within  the  bounds  of  the  pres-  tery  of  Paisley  and  Greenock    to  the 

bytery.'    Tliis  waa  unanimously  agreed  effect  that  a  call  had  been  sustained  by 

to.     Mr.   Watson  laid  upon  the  table  that  presbytery  addressed  to  the  Rev. 

?lauB  of  a  new  church  at  Kirkcudbright.  John  G.  Train,  Buckhaven,  by  the  con* 
hese  were  highly  approved  of,  and  the  gregation  of  Clone  Park,  Port-Glasgow, 
claims  of  the  congregation  for  assist-  and  that  aU  the  parties  interested  had 
ance  in  their  undertakmg  were  atrongly  been  summooed  to  be  present  at  this 
recommended  to  the  generous  liberality  meeting.  Mr.  Train  and  commissioners 
of  the  members  of  the  Church.  from  both  congregationa  were  present. 
Glaggote. — The  monthly  meeting  of  Reasons  for  translation,  and  answeiE  to 
this  presbytory  waa  held  on  8th  October  them,  were  read,  Mr.  Train  waa  then 
— Rev.  Alexander  Oliver,  moderator.  It  called  upon  to  give  his  detain,  when 
was  onanimously  agreed  to  austaia  the  he  intimated  that,  after  serious  con- 
call  from  the  Cranatonhill  congregation  sideration,  he  had  come  to  the  conclu- 
to  Rev.  Geo.  D.  Green,  M.A.,  Buckm.  It  sion  that  it  waa  his  duty  to  remain  is 
was  stated  that  the  call  was  unanimoua.  hia  present  charge.  The  moderator  in- 
Dr.  Logan  Aikman  gave  notice  of  a  timated  this  decision  to  the  commission- 
notion  for  next  meetdog,  to  the  effect  ersfrom  the  congregations  of  Buckhaven 
that  the  presbytery  call  the  attention  and  Port-Glasgow,  and  addressed  them 


BELiaiOUS  INTBLLIOENOE. 


517 


in  Buitabla  tenaa.  Read  a  communica- 
tion from  Dr.  Scott  in  reference  to  the 
debt  resting  on  congrega&ns  within 
the  boonds.  The  representativcB  of 
theae  congr^ations  present  stated  that 
they  were  not  prepared  to  say  anything 
definite  on  the  subject,  but  wonld  bring 
the  matter  before  their  respective  con- 
gregations and  report.  The  scheme  for 
sending  deputies  from  one  presbytery 
to  tuiother  in  the  interestd  of  Foreign 
Missiona  was  taken  up.  It  was  agreed 
to  remit  the  matter  to  the  presbytery's 
Mission, Committee,  with  instractions  to 
moke  arrangements  for  the  carrying  out 
of  the  proposal  as  far  as  practicable. 
Toot  ap  toe  remit  of  Synod  anent  the 
revision  of  the  flobwdiuate  standards. 
The  Tarions  points  in  the  propceed  De- 
'  cl&ratory  Act  were  gone  over,  and  re- 
marks made  on  them,  when  it  was 
agreed  to  take  up  the  subject  again 
and  dispose  of  it  at  the  meeting  of 
presbyt^  to  be  held  on  the  first  Tnes- 
day  (rf  December. 

Melroie. — This  presbytery  met  on  the 
1st  of  October — Jfr.  Finlayson,  modera- 
tor. Hr.  Ballantyne,  Langholm,  was 
present  A  moderation  was  granted  to 
Newtown  congregation,  .to  take  place  on 
the  eveniDg  of  the  16th  cnrrent — Mr. 
Sterenson  to  preside.  The  stipend 
offered  is  £200,  with  a  manse  and 
holidays.  Supply  was  appointed  to  the 
pulpit  of  Mr.  Muir,  Hawick,  who  is  at 
present  laid  aside  by  illness.  Agreed 
to  cordially  welcome  Mr.  Inglis,  in  the 
month  of  November,  to  the  congregation 
in  connection  with  the  Sabbath  school 
wack  and  the  training  of  the  young.  A 
committee  was  appointed,  with  Mr. 
M'Callum,  convener,  to  correapond  with 
and  visit  Ber  wick  Presbjrtery ,  in  ezchan  ge 
tor  a  visit  from  them,  m  order  to  advo- 
ctkte  the  cause  of  miasions.  Agreed  to 
meet  agun  on  the  first  Tuesday  of  No- 
vember. 

Orkney. — This  presbytery  met  at  Kirk- 
wall on  the  7th  October— Mr.  Melville, 
moderator.  It  was  reported  by  the 
clerk  that  Mr.  Robertson,  student  in 
connection  with  the  presbytery,  had  suc- 
cessfully passed  his  examinations,  and 
entitled  himself  to  a  Syme  bursary. 
Mr.  Goudie,  student,  being  present,  was 
examined  in  Hebrew,  Greek,  Theology, 
and  personal  religion,  and  acquitted 
himself  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  the 
presbytery.  Mr.  Kunciman  gave  notice 
of  moticn  respecting  the  Marriage  Law, 


and  also  anent  the  ordination  of  elders. 
Mr.  Webster  gave  notico  of  motion  re- 
garding the  proposed  '  declaratory  state- 
ment anent  subordinate  standards.'  Mr. 
Melville  was  appointed  to  diqiense  the 
communion  in  Sbapinshay  congregation, 
and  to  convey  to  t^era  an  expression 
of  the  preebytery'a  unabated  interest  in 
them,  and  sympathy  mth  them  in  their 
frequent  disappointments  in  respect  to 
the  settlement  of  a  pastor  among  them, 
and  to  offer  them  such  counsels  as,  in 
the  circumstances,  they  might  require. 
The  presbytery  then  resolved  itself  into 
a  committee  for  tlie  consideration  of  a 
number  of  minor  matters.  Next  meet- 
ing to  be  held  in  Kirkwall  on  the  first 
Tuesday  of  January,  at  eleven  o'clock 


CALLS. 

Glasgow  (Catkcart  Road).  —  Mr. 
Henry  Dolrymple,  preacher,  Leslie,  called 
September  24. 

Glaagow  iCrajiilrmkiH). — Rev.  George 
D.  Green,  A.M.,  Buckie,  called  Septem- 
ber 24. 

Hoseheariy.  —  Mr.  William  Dickie, 
M.A.,  preacher.  Paisley,  called. 

Dundee  (^Tay  Square).— Rav.  Charles 
Jerdan,  M.A.,  LLB.,  Dennyloanhead, 
called  October  7,  to  be  colleague  to  Rev. 
Dr.  M'Gavin. 

Savuch  (Aberdeenshire). — Mr.  George 
Smart,  preacher,  called. 

Loanends  (Ireland).  —  Mr.  William 
Saimond,  preacher,  Perth,  called 
October  16. 

Nemtou-n  Si.  BosweUs. — Mr,  Robert 
Inglis,  preacher,  Edinburgh,  oalled 
October  16. 

ORDINATTOS. 

Balbeggie. — Mr.  B.  Macraaster, 
preacher,  ordained  October  15. 


OBITOART. 

Died  at  Lanark,  on  Monday,  October 
7,   Rev.  Daniel  Maclean,    minister    of 

Bloomgat«  Church. 

CODKCIL  0?  PRESBYTERIAN  GBURCtlEa. 

The  Council  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  of  England  and  of  the  United 
FreBbyt«riaD  Church  met  in  the  Free- 


518  BELIGIOUB  INTELLIGENCE.  ^'S^'i'lwi^*^ 

bjteriaii  Charcb,  Mount  PleaMnt,  Liver-  t)ie  Igbboiib  vbicU  tbe  building  and  saa- 

pool,  <m  Tnesdaj,  15tii  October,  under  toiuing  of  such  churchea  taught,  said — 

tbe  pTwidenc;  of  Profeeaor  Cbalmen,  There  wsa  another  lesson  which  might 

Moderator  of  tbe  Synod  of  the  former  be  learned  from  the  proceedings  of  that 

Church.     There  was  a  large  attendance  day,  and  it  was  that  in  an  earnest  con- 

of  repmentAtive  membeis   from   both  gregstion  they  saw  a  willingnew  to  con- 

Syuoas.    Among  other  basiness,  it  was  tiilnite  of  their  substance  for  religious 

atn^ed  to  appoint  Professor  Cauns  of  puTposes ;  and  if  they  sssociibted  their 

Edinbtirgh,     Dr.     Fraser   of    London,  ceremony  with  the  number  of  beautiful 

and  Hr.  David  Coraar  of  Arbroath  as  churohee  whieh  the  United  Presbyterian 

a    deputation    to   tbe    Congrc^tional  body  had  erected  and  were  erecting  in 

Union  of  England  and  Wales,  to  convey  so  many  parts  of  the  country,  and  also 

to  them  the   fraternal   regaiik   of   tlie  withthe  vast  sums,  they  laised  by  Tolnu- 

Council  and  the  Churches  which  it  re-  taiy  effort    for  Church    purposes,    he 

presents.     Very  encouraging  etatementa  thought  they  were  justified  in  making 

were  made  in  regard  to  the  entii«  har-  nae  of  these  facts,  which  were  the  reealt 

mony  of  feeliQg  and  action  which  had  of  actual  experience,  in  making  up  their 

prerailed  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  mindsaatowbetbertbeiewasanydanger 

England  mnce  tlie  consummation  of  the  to  the  interests  of  true  religion,  should 

recent  Union,  and  to  the  impolae  which  it  seem  fit  to  the  Legislature  to  place  all 

'-■■' .---..-. tsofthisc-    ' 


exteiuion  wo^  It  was  also  stated  in  footing,  and  to  leave  them  to  depend 
regard  to  the  United  Presbyterian  upon  Uieir  own  efforts  for  their  support. 
Church,  that  the  Rome  Mission  funds  of     Mr.  Grant  concluded  by  congratuL^'ng 


tbat  Church  had  not  suffered  from  the  the  members  on  the  very  handsome  u 

Union ;  and  that  though  its  funds  tor  beautiful  church  in  which   they  would 

Foreign  Missions  had  been  necessarily  shortly  wonbip,  and  congratiilstiDg  tbe 

Eomewhat   diminished,    the   diminution  inhabitautsofljeitb  upon  the  han£mie 

had  not  been  greater  than  might  have  architectural   feature   which    would  be 

been  expected.  added    to   their  town.      After  a  lev 

SevenU  points  referring  to  the  mutual  tema^  from  the  Rev.  D.  M.  Groom,  in 

relation  of  the  Churches  were  carefully  the  course  of  which  he  said  that  at  the 

criticised,  as  well  as  extension  work  in  endof  a  long  ministry  he  had  aabonnded 

England.     Much    satisfaction  was    ex-  confidence  in  the  power  of   a  willing 

praised  with  the  result  of  the  meeting  people,  the  proceedings  were  closed  witA 

and   the  spirit  in  which  it  bad  been  tbe  benediction,  pronounced  by  the  Bev, 

conducted.     Next  meeting  is  to  be  held,  D.  Thorbum. 

probably  in  Manchester,  in  November  

1880.  JUBILEE  OF  THE  REV.  WILLIAM    PSDDIE, 
^—  D.D.,   BRI3T0  STBEET  CHURCH,  EOIN- 

WHITEVALX,  QLASGOW — OPEKINa  OF  A  BURQS. 

HEW  CBUHCB.  Services  in  connection  with  this  event 

A  HEW  church  for  this  congr^tion  were  held  on  Thursday,  17th  October. 

waa  opened  on  tbe  evening  (rf  I^day,  As  was  to  be  expected  from  the  great 

October  4,  by  Bev.  Professor  Cairns;  esteem  in  which  Dr.  Peddle  is  held,  from 

and  the  services  were  continued  on  the  tbe  historic  place  which  the  name  of 

following  Sabbat^  being  conducted  by  Peddie  holds  in  the  denomination,  and 

the  pastor.  Rev.  Adam  Walsh,  Rev.  Mr.  the  many  aaaociationa  connected  with 

Rennie,  and  Dr.  Lagan  Aikinan.    The  a  church  of  such  long  and  honotuable 

church  is  seated  for  nearly  a  thouBand  standing  as  that  of  Briato  Street,  tbe 

people.  occasion  was  looked  forward   to  with 

much  interest. 

The  services  were  commenced  by  Pro- 
fessor Cairns,  who  preached  a  most  ap- 

Tbe  memorial  stone  of  a  new  church  propriate  discourse  from  Acts  ziii.  S6. 

for  the  recently  formed  congregation  At  the  close  the  learned  professor  said : 

here,  of  which  Dr.  Hutchison  is  pastor,  '  It  is  my  great  privilege  this  day,  in 

was  laid  on  Thursday,  October  8,  oy  Mr.  your  name,  to  congratnlateonr  honoured 

Grant,  M.P.,  in   presence  of  a  Wge  father   and   friend,  around  whom  we 

assemblage.    Mr.  Grant,  in  speaking  of  gather,  and  to  whom  we  offer  eveiy 


aJX^at^^  BELIGIODS  INTELUGENCE.  519 

tnbute    of  reepect,  and    honour,  and  jetm  with  so  mach  of  the  public  work 

gratitude,  iu  couoectioa  with  this  auapi-  of  our  denomination  of  tlie  Church  of 

douB  occauon  of  hii  miniaterial  jubilee.  Christ.     Inheriting,  if  I  maj  bo  speak, 

I  do  not  need  here  to  speak  of  his  place  an  hiatoiicBl  place,  and  possening  bo 

and  work  in  connection  with  thin  con-  much,  on  theone  sideof  hie  conn  ectiong, 

gregation,  during  the  long  period  which  of  the  ecbolarlj  graca  and  theological 

comes  now  to  a  close, — first  as  colleagae  accompliBhroent  of  Dr.  Dick,  and,  on  the 

to   hia   venerated  father,    and   then  aa  other,  of  the  penetrating  judgment  and 

successor, — work  in   which  he  has  so  busineaa  faculty  of  his  own  father,  and 
worthily,  to  bis  own  honour  and  to  the 
honour  of  the  congregation,  been  identi- 
fied before  the  whole  Christian  Church, 

— a  congregation  that,  we  may  saj,  de-  own,  I  need  n 

servedathisbandseTeTy  effort  worthily  hie  generation   in  this  field  has  been 

and  suitably   to  represent  it,  from  ita  great   and   ever-growing  in    the   his- 

connection  with  the  past, — a  connection  torj  of  our  denomination.     I  need  not 

that  goes  back  to  the  very  foundation  of  remind    those  who  have  followed  hia 

the  Secession,  and  which  is  marked  by  couise,  of  the  many  difficult  and  comph- 

incidenta  of  the  very  greatest  interest  in  cated  questions  which  he  has  aesifitea  in 

connection  with  the  history  of  the  Seces-  disentaugiing  in  the  presbytery  and  in 

sion  in  Scotland.   That  congregation,  by  the  Synod, — of  the  value  of  his  counsels 

the  grace  of  Ood  given  to  him,  he  has  iu    connection  with  the   question,  for 

indeed,  and  we  rejoice  to  acknowledge  example,  of  Sabbath  observance,  with 

it,  worthily  represented  during  the  one-  national  education, and  with  therelations 

third  part  of   its   lengthened  and  im-  of   Church  and  State, — of  the  interest 

portanthistoryinthisgreatcapitaI,andin  taken  by  him  in  the  extension  of  our 

the  face  of  the  uoivenial  Church  of  Jesus  missiouB,  in  onr  successive  enterprises 

Christ    What  he  has  been  ia  this  capa-  of  Christian  union,  in  remrd  to  a  union 

city  as  the  colleague  and  successor  of  that  has   so  far  taken  effect,  and   an- 

bis  admirable  father,  ia  set  forth  in  the  other  union  the  full  effect  of  which  may 

addresses  presented  to  him  at  this  time,  for  a  time  be  delayed,  and  in  the  cnl- 

not  only  by  tliis  congregation  and  by  the  tivation   of     intercourse    with    foreign 

Presbytery  of  Edinburgh,  but  by  the  Churches,  especially  those    using    the 

nunistere  and  preachers  who  have  sat  French  lan^age,  with  whose  historyhe 

nnder  his  ministry,  among  whom  1  am  is  as  familiar  as  with  our  own.      And 

happy  t«  have  had  for  a  time  a  place,  every  one  must   recall   the   important 

It  is  impoesible  toover-estimate  thevast  place  he  has  occupied  in  the  recent 

importance  of  such  a  ministry,  so  deep  doctrinal  disouadons,  where  those  who 

and  solid  in  its  Scripture  foundations,  know  him  best  will  testify  that  his  zeal 

and  consisting  so  much  in  accurate  and  and  eameatnesBbave  had  in  themnothing 

clear  Scripture  ezpodtion— so  true  to  the  of  a  narrow  and  rigid  conservatism,  but 

sound  and  time-hallowed  views  of  Chris-  rather   reflect     an     ardent    sympathy, 

tian  doctrine  sanctioned  among  us,  while  strengthened    by    experience    of   their 

utterly  remote  from  anything  servile  or  value,  with  those  foundation  principles 

traditional,   and   so  warmed  by  living  of   our  Church   apart    from  which   no 

Christian   experience  and  practical  ear-  true  progress,  and  even  no  effective  use 

neatness,  as  well  as  tempered  and  regu-  of  revelation,  is  possible,  and  one  age  of 

latedby  a  rare  faculty  of  discrimination.  Christianity  would    be  isolated    from 

But  I  do  not  dwell  further  on  this  topic,  another.    So  much  service,  so  steadily, 

beosose  I  cannot  add  anything  to    the  ungrudgingly,  and  unostentatiously  be- 

cordial  tributes  paid  in  the    different  stowed,  has  not   often  been  rendered 

addreesea;    nor  can  I  eauly    eBtimat«  through  so  long  a  period  ;  and  though  it 

tfae  reqvonsibility  of  those  who  have  so  cannot  be  hoi»d  that  the  energy  which 

long  enjoyed  such  Christian    teaching,  has  made  it  postdble  will  alwajs  endure, 

and  the  wise,  faitlifal,  and  affectionate  the  lesson  will  remain,  and  tiie  benefit 

aLritualoversightwithwIiichithasbeen  survive  to  those  who  come  after.     We 

along  attended.    I  would  rather  say  doubtless  all  unite  in  the  wish  that  onr 

a  word  on  this  public  occauon  on  the  venerated  friend  may  be  spared  for  years 

'wideraspectof  ouinowvenerabletather's  yet  to  come  to  his  attached  flock,  and 

career,  as  connecting  him  during  so  many  to  his  excellent  and  devoted  colleague, 


520  BELiaiOUS  nrTELLtORNCE.  ■^""a^.^!^"*- 

and  to  the  lervioe  of  the  Chnrch  at  Alex.  Bobertson  Smit]),  RoiiAldahaj; 
large ;  that  he  may  see  our  ChorcH  dia-  James  Laadreth,  Brechia ;  William 
pUj  on  an  erer-widening  icale  thoee  Geo^ie,  Dnnfemiline.  Preachen — Johu 
same  qnalitiea  of  pnbha  spirit,  of  en-  HowatHon,  Edinburgh ;  John  B.  Alex- 
larged  catholicity,  and  of  sare  andeteadj  ander,  Edinburgh.  StudetiU  —  John 
progren,  which  he  has  done  so  mach  to  Forteons,  Robert  D.  Shaw,  Adam  T. 
foBter  and  to  guide ;  and  that  when  at  lAodreth,  James  Stark. 
length  hiB  wo^  has  ended,  relying  on  Mr.  Thin,  as  representing  the  con- 
that  grace  of  Ood  which  broo^t  sal'  gregation  and  friends  of  Dr.  Feddie, 
ration,  to  which  his  whole  life  and  mini-  iu  a  congratalatoTy  speech,  presented 
stry  haa  been  one  long  and  coniiBtent  him  with  a  silver  salver  and  a  cheqne 
testimony,  and  to  whi(£  even  the  labour  for  upwards  of  £600. 
of  an  apostle,  which  abotmds  above  all  Dr.  Peddie,  in  letnming  *>'«"hn  for 
other,  is  entirely  due,  he  may  rise  to  the  addresses  which  had  bewi  m- 
receive  the  higher  than  mortal  com-  seated  to  him,  and  the  gifta  which  liad 
mendation,  "  Well  d(we,  good  and  faith-  been  bestowed,  spoke  very  warmly 
fol  servant,  .  .  .  enter  thou  into  the  and  feelingly  of  nie  appredatjon  of 
joy  of  thy  Lotd." '  all  the  kindness  that  had  been  shown 
At  three  o'clock  there  was  a  com-  to  him  that  day.  He  referred  to  the 
plimentary  dinnei,  attended  by  a  larse  fact  that  his  venerable  father  had  also 
number  irf  ministerial  and  other  fiiencb,  seen  his  jubilee  as  minister  of  Biwto 
not  (mly  in  the'city,  bat  from  variona  Street  Church,  and  had  attained  the 
parte  of  the  oonntiT ;  and  in  the  even-  63d  year  of  his  miuistry.  Having 
ing  a  soiree  was  held  in  tbe  church,  givoi  a  very  interesting  sketch  cd  ]ai 
The  large  building  was  filled  in  every  experience  as  a  minister,  and  ooted 
part  by  a  deeply -interested  audience;  the  changes  that  had  taken  ^tee 
Mr.  James,  Dr.  Peddie 'a  colleagoe,  during  Vat  past  fifty  ye«%  I^. 
occupied  the  chair,  and  testified  to  the  Peddie  went  on  to  say — '  I  ban  no  feu 
great  kindness  ever  shown  to  him  for  the  stability  and  continoed  w<U- 
by  Dr.  Peddie,  and  the  cordial  rela-  being  of  the  congregation.  1  hope 
tions  that  existed  between  them.  Prin-  and  believe  that,  under  the  lidesnng 
cipal  Harper,  Principal  Rainy,  Fro-  of  God,  its  future  may  be  even  better 
feasor  Calderwood,  Dr.  &ay  of  Lady  than  has  ever  been  its  past.  It  has 
Tester's,  and  others,  took  part  in  the  never  bad  in  it  any  of  the  great  or 
[mweedings.  Dr.  Andrew  ThomsoD,  noble,  and  but  few  of  the  very  rich. 
as  representing  the  Presbyten'  of  It  has  been  made  up  of  the  homUa 
Edinbivgh,  pmested  an  address  clasMs,  with  a  goodly  proportton,  no 
espreasive  of  the  sense  tbe  presbytery  donbt,  of  tbe  bourgeotiie  or  middle 
entertained  of  Dr.  Feddie's  high  cha-  class,  that  class  whidk  forms  the  stay 
racter  and  important  services.  Similar  and  strength  of  every  comnannity. 
addresses  were  preeented  1^  Mr.  James  It  has  also  been  to  a  considerable 
Feddie, W.S,,BsrepreeentdngtheBesaion,  extent  what  mi^t  be  called  a  femily 
and  Mr.  Oowanlock,  Stirling,  as  repre-  coogr^ation,  having  in  it  many  who 
senting  the  ministers  iu  our  denomma-  are  linked  together  by  social  ties,  not 
tion  who  had  been  connected  with  a  few  of  them  being  descendant*  of 
Bristo  Street  Church.  These  are— Jofan  those  who  were  its  original  founders, 
Clark,  Abemet^;  John  Johnston,  Stir-  or  who  joined  it  in  later  but  atill  dia- 
ling; William  Brodie,  Laeswade;  John  tant  times.  I  believe  that  it  has  con- 
Cairns,  Edinburgh ;  William  Ballantyne,  tributed  its  own  fair  share  to  thac 
Langholm;  Robert  Henderson,  Edin-  influence  for  good  which  goes  forth 
burgh;  William  Johnston,  late  of  Ales-  into  general  society  from  even  con- 
ondria  ^eorge  Macarthnr,  Edinburgh ;  gregation  of  the  same  order,  le»TeD- 
Peter  White,  Denny ;  Thomas  Scott,  ing  it  with  moral  and  religioas  jwin- 
Stonehaven ;  John  T.  Gowanlock,  Stir-  ciples  of  incalculable  value.  Hay  it 
ling ;  William  Galletly,  Tillicoultry ;  long  continue  to  send  forth  the  same 
Jaa.  Jeffrey,  Glasgow ;  James  Simpson,  influence,  and  in  a  mishtier  d^ree! 
EdinbuTsh ;  J.  Davis  Bowden,  Edin-  It  has  been  bleeaed  hitherto  with 
burgh;  James  Craig,  Wellington  Qoay;  sagacious  and  faithful  leaders,  naen 
James  George,  Dundee ;  Isaac  Uarwii^,  who  have  "  had  understanding-  of  the 
Kirkcaldy;    John    Clark,    Kirkcaldy;  times  to   know  what  Israel  ought  u> 


""SlTMn?^'            K0T10E8  OP  KKW  PDBLI0ATI0N8.  521 

do."'    Ab  they  ona  aftor  another  paaa  may  rest  npon  this  people,  upon  them- 

airay   to   tbeit    rest,    instead    of   the  lelTes,    their    famdiM,     their    offlee- 

fathera  may  there  come  up  the  chil-  bearers,    and    church   ordioancea,   the 

dren  !      It  needi  not  the  gift  of  pro-  precious  dew  that  deeaended  upon  the 

phecy     to      foretell    that     ere     many  monntuiiB   of   Zion ;    and   in  order  to 

generations  have  come  and  gone,  great  this,  that  the  doctrine  taught  and  pro- 

eccleeiastical   changes   will   take   pl^oe  fewed  and  believed  with  the  heart  be 

In    this   coantry.     But  whoever  may  that  of  the  ApoatJee,  of  the  Reformers, 

be   afFeat«d   by  such   revolutions,  may  and  of  our  PreBhyteiian  fatherB,  even 

this    congregation    ahide    faithful    to  the  dootrine  of  grace  reigning  through 

Ohriat  and  U>  truth !     Even  now  there  righteousness     unto     et^nal     life    by 

&re  evils  impending  over  the  Churches,  Jeona  Chriat  our  Lord.' 

or  already  felt  by  them,  of  which  our  

predecesKin   knew   nothing.      Christi- 

anitj  itself  is  now  persiBtently  assailed  MEKTihg  of  the  CONOREOATIONAL 

mote  openly  than  in  any  former  time,  union, 

and  from  the  opposite  poles  of  Ration-  The  Congre^tional  Union  opened  its 

alism  and  sacerdotalism,  of  infidelity  thirty  -  ninth    autumnal     session     on 

and    Popery.      I    believe    that    those  Tuesday,  15th  October,  at  Great  Qeorge 

dark  ctonds  which  have  for  some  time  Street   Chapel,   Liverpool,    under    the 

been  gathering  and  threatening  over-  presidency  of    the    Kev.    J.    Baldwin 

head  will  yet  pass  away,  and  leave  our  Brown,  B.A.    On  Monday  night,  a  ser- 

sky,     perhaps,     brighter     than     ever,  mon  was  preached  before  the  members 

The    Head    of   the  Chonth  lives  and  of  the  Union,  at  Great  Oeorge  Street 

reigns.    But  if,  in  His  mysterious  pio-  Chapel,  by  the  Rev.  A.  H.  Fairbura, 

videuee,  a  blight  is  permitted  to  fall  D.D..  Prindpal  of  Airdale  College,  at 

upon    any   portion   of  His    professing  the  Tabernacle,  Netherfield  Road. 

Chmch  in  this  land,  it  is  my  fervent  Muchofthehusinessrelatedtosubjects 

wish  and   prater   that  this  corner  of  of  great  importance,  and  deep  interest 

the    Lord's    vineyard    at    least    may  was  displayed  in  its  transactjon.    About 

remain   unscathed;     and    that    there  1^00  members  were  present. 


|[oti»s  ai  fj^iia  publications. 

In   Afemoriam — The  Latb  Rev.  John  agent  in  tlie  village.    The  family  sat  in 

Guthrie,    A.H.,    D.D.,  one    of    the  the  Antiburgher  Church.     In  the  year 

Founders  of  the  EvangeLical  Union.  1830  he  first  became  acquainted  witii 

By  itev.  Bobekt  Hood,  Qla^ow.  James  Horison,  now  Dr.   Morlson,  of 

otntgoir :  T.  D.  Uoijuao.  1ST8.  Glasgow,  and  the  friendship  then  formed 

This  sketch  of  the  late  lamented  Dr.  has  continued  without  a  break  till  the 

John  Outhrie  connsta  to  a  considerable  present.     He  was  early  brought   under 

extent  of  a  reprint  from  Tlw  Chriiliaa  deep  religions  impression  by  the  illness 

Neu>t,  and  is  published  for  the  gratifies-  and  happy  death  of  a  much-loved  elder 

tioa   of   his  numerous   friends    in    tiie  brother. 

meantime.    'It  is  hoped,  however,' it  is        'In  1831,  John  Guthrie  entered  the 

said,  '  that  a  more  elaborate  memoir  will  University  of  Edinburgh,  of  which  he 

in  due  course  be  published.'  was  a  distinguished  student.    He  gained 

The  main  facts  of  Dr.  Guthrie's  life  several  honours,    chiefly  in  tlie   Greek 

and  features  of  his  ohaiacter  are  here  dass  taught  by  Professor  Dunbar  and 

clearly  though  briefly  set  forth : —  the  Moral  Philosophy  class  cf  Professor 

'  Dr.  Guthrie  wts  bom  on  the  30th  Wilson.    He  took  bis  degree  of  M.A.  in 

January  1614,  in  the  village  of  Milna-  1835.     He   joined,   along   with    James 

thort,  KinroBS-shiie.    From  Uie  windows  Morison  and  William  Ritchie,  now  Dr. 

of  his  house  he  could  look  out  on  the  Ritchie  of  Duuse,  the  Theological  Hall 

waters  of  Loch  Leven,  and  the  island  on  of   the     United    Secession   Church,   in 

which  Queen  Mary  was  imprisoned.    He  Augnst  1831.    Dr,  E^adie  and  George 

was  educated  at  uie  sabseription  school  Gilfillan  were  still  in  the  HaD,  but  four 

of    his    native    village.     Dr.    Guthrie's  yearsiuadvanceof  him;  andDr,  George 

father  was  a  highly  respected  mercantile  Jeffrey,  of  Glasgow,  had  entered  the 


522  NOTICES  OP  KEW  PUBLI0ATI0H8.  ^"ISrlMy^ 

EiarpJor — 1833.  By hia fellow- BtodenU  vigour    and    remark&ble    clearaeaB    of 

r.  Ontluie  was  held  in  the  higheet  thought,  h^  wu  adminblf  fitted  for 

esUmation  for  hie  chftncter,  tftleate,  and  interestingaiidiiiabraotiiigyoang minds; 

learuiue;  nor  did  the  theological  diifer-  aod  we  believe  thftt  his  gtadeiits  will 

ences  which  separated  him  from  them  in  attest   that   hie   career  wae  a   highly 

later  veare  diminiih  their  respect  and  eucceaaful  one.    He  removed  to  Olaegow 

affection.     The  emioent  Dr.  John  Brown  in  1840,   and   was   the  fint   {laatoc  of 

gave  the  inaognral  lecture  in  the  Hall  North   Dundas  Street  Church.      Some 

uatyear.    The  profeeeore  at  that  time  time  afterwarde  he  accepted  the  call  from 

were  DiB.  Mitchell,  Brown,  Duncan,  and  the   church   in    Greenock,    where    ke 

BalmOT.    Dr.  Guthrie  was  liceneed  bf  laboured    till    hie  removal    to  'become 

theDuDfennlineFreebTteryintheBpring  {tastor  of  Tolmer's  Square    Congrega- 

of  18S8,  and  was  ordained  minister  of  tional  Church,    Londou.      During    his 

the  Sec^on  Church  in  Kendal,  West-  five  years'  miaislfiitioDe  in   the   Metro- 

moreiand,  on  25th  February  1839.'  polie  he  made  man;  friends. 

While  Dr.   Guihrie   was   in   Kendal,         '!□  1866  he  returned  to  Glasgow,  and 

what  is  now  known  ae  the  Atonement  became  pastor  of  a  new  church  which 

Controveny  broke  ont  in  the  Secession  was  formed  that  year.     In  April  1874 

Church ;  it  caused  much  agitation  at  the  he  was  presented  b;  his  friende  with 

time,  and  was  a  source  of  much  anxiety.  £1000,  as  a  recognition  of  the  aervicee 

Mr.  Hood,  of  coune,  looks  at  it  from  his  that  he  had  rendered  in    the  various 

own  point  of  view  ;  and  while  he  epeaka  departments  of  Christian  work  to  which 

ina  kindly  manner  of  individuals,  it  might  he  had  directed  his  energies.     The  mon^ 

have  been  as  well  if  he  had  omitted  one  was    subscribed    by    upwards    of   400 

or  two  expressions  on  the  general  quee-  persons,  among  whom  were  many  of  the 

tion  which  he  has  permitt«d  himself  to  most  loyal  adherents  of  the  Umoti,  smf 

nse.  not  a  few  honoured  memben  of  other 

The  reenlt  of  the  controversy  was  the  denominations,     In    1875    he  rectdved 

expulsion  of  Dr.  Guthrie,  with  other^  the  degree  of  D.D., — a  titletowludi,oiw 

who  formed  the  body  now  known  as  the  eays,  "he  gave  more  of  dignitv  ihsn 

Evangdical     Union, — a   body    which,  it  ccaif erred."    In  ltJ76  the  Conferaws 

thon^   separated    from  us,  we    have  elected  him  to  the  chair  of  "Apologetia 

always    recognised    as   animated   in   a  and  History."     For   the  work   cd   this 

high  degree  by  leal  for  the  canse  of  chair  he  mode  at  once  the  most  careful 

Christ,  and  as  having  done  much  good  preparation,  end,  had  health  been  given 

work  in  the  way  of  moral  and  social  him,  he   would  no   doubt    have   done 

reformation.  admirable  work  in  iL     On  HondsLy,  5th 

Dr.  Qnthrie  continued  to  hold  con-  August  last,  he  was  presented  with  an 

sietently  and  consmentiously   the  doc-  address  by  the   minieteis  and  memben 

Irines  for  the  maintenance  of  which  the  of  the  Union.' 

Evangelical  Union  was  formed.    '  I  re-        Dr.  Guthrie  was  a  man  of  great  powets 

gard,   be  said,  in  a  valedictory  address  of  working,  and  hie  appetite  for  work 

^ven  shortly  before  hie  death,  '  the  so-  was  equaUy  great.     As  a  temperance 

called  Horisonian  type  of  theology  as  reformer    he    was    very    abunduit    in 

the  true  and  consistent  meeting-point  of  labours.    He   also  cultivated  ver;  dili- 

Calvinistic  and   Arminian  evangelism,  gently  his   literary    gifts.    Ur.    Hood 

on  which  to  rear  the  solid  and  enduring  observes : — 
pyramid  of  gospel  grace.'  '  Hia  literary  labours  have  been  im- 

Gontinuingtne  narrative  of  his  life,  the  mense.    He  has  been  for  the  last  thir^- 

writer  goes  on  to  say  :  '  In  1844,  his  new  five    years   a    constant  contributor   to 

chapel  in  Kendal  was  opened.    In  1816,  religious   and  tempetanoe   papera,  and 

andT  again  in  1864,  he  was  president  of  likewise  to  some  i^  the  London  maga- 

tbe    Ihiion.     The    Evangebcsl    Union  zines.    The  Evangelical  Repository,  For- 

Theological  Hall  waa  opened  in  August  ward,  the  Bay  Star,  the  CArutian  JVeira, 

184S.     Be  was  appointed  as  second  pro-  the  B.  U.  Record,  all  bear  witness  to  the 

fessor  in  the  EaU  (Dr.  Morison  being  number  of   hie  well-prepared  articles, 

the  other)  in  184Ei,  and  remained  in  the  He  acted  for  some  time  sa  editor  of  the 

cbur  till   1861.     To   the   work  of   the  Scottish  Keviea,  and  was  for  some  years 

chair  he  brought  many  rare  qnalitiea.  editor    of     the    Scottish     Ttmptrantx 

UntUng  high  culture  with  great  natural  Leat/ue  JoumaL 


^'"S'JXim^^            K0TICE8  OF  NEW  PUBLICATIOHS.  523 

'  Dr.  Guthrie  bas  published  a  aomber  tural  &uthortt;  (or  their  teaching.    It 

of  books,  among  which  we  may  mentioD,  wiUnotbeenoughtoaay  that  aChnetiaD 

''A  Translation  from  the  Latin  of  Caspar  teacher  is  not  bonnd  to  reject  them. 

Brandt,  the  Life  of  James   Arniimus,  The   contention  is,    that    a    Christian 

D.D.,"     "  Conveisations     on     Church  teacher  is  not  bound  to  accept  them.    I 

Establiahmente  "  (a  prize  essay,  -written  know  of  no  authority  for  the  dogmatic 

attheinstanceof  theLiberationSociety),  assertion  of  any  one  of  the  three,  and  I 

"  Sacred  Lyrics,"  in  which  ia  his  beauti-  hare  presented    the    doctrine    without 

ful  hymn   on   the  Redeemer's   Tears;  them.    The  most  curious  and  perverse 

"The    Psedobaptisfs    Guide,"     "The  of  my  critics  will  not  find  the  shadow 

Heroes  of  Faith,"   "The  Physiology  of  of  annihilation   or   the  faintest  haze  of 

Temperance,"  and  his  last  work,  "A  "eternal  hope.''      I    have    nothing  to 

Memorial  Volume  of  Disconrses."'  offer  them  but  an  eternity  of  consciona 

He  had  been  in  failing  health   for  sufferii^,  from  within  and  from  without, 

some  time,  and  hod  reeolred  to  remove  as  the  bopeleas  doom  of  the  wilful  re- 

to  New  Zealand  in  quest  of  strength,  jecter  of  known  right.    Other  than  this 

He  had  only  reached  London  on  hia  way  and  on  this  subject  Methodism  has  no 

tbitber,  when,  on  the  18th  of  September  dogma.      As   to    the    three    questions 

last,  he  was  called  to  his  rest,  and  thus  mentioned  above,  opmions  may  be  as 

passed  away,  amidst  the  deep  and  heart-  diverse  witidn  as  they  can  possibly  be 

felt  regrets  of  a  wide  circle  of  admiring  beyond  its  pale.' 

aitd  loving  friends,  one  whose  life  was  The  parties  with  whom  he  chiefly  does 

devoted  to    the    highest  objects,   and  battle  throughout  these  pages  are  the 

whose  character  commended  unirersal  Universalist,   the    Annihilalionist,    and 

esteem.  those  who  would  represent  the  ponish- 

ment  of  the  wicked  to  be  chiefly  of  a 

Life  and  Death,  the  Sanctions  op  the  material  kind. 

Law  of  Lovx  :  A  Discourse  delivered  We  are  not  quite  sure,  however,  of 

in  the  Eastbrook  Chapel,  Bradford,  on  his  central  position.  He  says:  'Spiritual 

22d  July  1878,  ia  connection  with  death  is  the  natural  result  of  sin,  and  is 

the    Assembling    of    the   Wesleyaa  rendered  inevitable  by  the  law  of  love 

Methodist    Conference,   and  as    the  as  written  upon  human  nature.    Bodily 

Eighth  Lecture  on  the  Foundation  of  death  is  the  judicial  consequence,  and  is 

the    late    John    Fernley,    Esq.     By  rendered  necessary  by  the  law  of  love  as 

G.    W.    Olver,    B.A.,   Principal  of  administered  by  the  Almighty  Father.' 

Sonthlauds  College,  Bat'tonea.  It  seems  to  us  to  be  difficult  to  deter* 

London :  PnbUahed  (Or  the  Author,  tt  Uu  mine  what  is  natural  and  what  jndiuiat 

Weiiejan  Contenncs  oiScs.   isTs.  in  the  pnoishment  of  OH,  and  unsafe 

Omx  of  t^  subjects  that  are  earnestly  to  speak    of   the   spiritual  being    the 

and  painfully  exercising  -the  minds  of  natural,  and  the   bodily  the  judicial. 

men  at  the  present  day  is  that  of  future  Following    out    this    distinction,    and 

pnni^meuts.      What    is    to    be    their  applying  it  to  the  subject  in  hand,  he 

nature?  what  their  duration? — this  is  the  says:   'The  spiritual  death  of  et«mity  is 

topic  that  is  discasaed  by  onr  author  in  identical  wiui  the  spiritual  death  of 

a  discourse  extending  to  69  pages.     It  time ;  and  the  bodily  death  of  eternity 

baa    engaged     his    attention     aud     it  is   identical   with  or   analogous  to  the 

oppresed  bis  heart  for  many  years ;  but  bodily  death  of  time.'    The  bodil;^  death 

now  light  Has  come,  and  he  rejoices  in  of  time  is  aaid  to  be  the  deprivation 

the  light,  and  seeks  to  make  others  par-  of  the  body  of  all  power  of  feeling  or 

takers  of  his  joy.  commuoication.     Hence    pnuishment  in 

His  position  is  thus  stated  : —  eternity  cannot   affect  the  body  in  the 

'  Three  questions  are  raised  for  con-  way  of  sufFering.     And  the  discovery  of 

eideration,  and  they  concern  the  per-  this,  our  author    tells  us,  on   a   quiet 

petuityof  bodily  suffering ;  mutual  tor-  Sabbath    morning   cleared   up   for  him 

ment,  or  sodcty  in  the  nell  of  eternal  what  erewhile  had  been  a  most  per- 

doom ;  and  the  continuance  of  bodily  plexing  mystery. 

Ufe  aiter  the  second  death.    It  will  not  But  the  question  remains.  What  is  the 

suffice  to  say  that  the  Scriptures  do  not  tnin  that  is  got  on  the  side  of  what  Mr. 

deny   these   things.     Those   who    dog-  Olver  thinks  a  more  humane  theology, 

matically  affirm  tiiem  must  show  scrip-  and  ons  more  in  accordance  with  divine 


524 


N0TI0B9  OP  MEW  P0BLI0AT1ON9. 


love  ?  Whetlier  are  phyaical  or  mental 
Bufferings  most  ocnte  ?  It  h&s  generally 
iMen  believed  that  as  the  aool  ta  the  man, 
■0  the  BofFeringH  which  pierce  the  man 
are  the  most  agonimng.  It  waa  no  bodily 
distresH  that  wrung  from  oor  Saviour 
Hia  mjsterioua  erj  of  woe. 

At  the  same  time,  it  ia  well  that  stten- 
ti<m  ahoiild  bo  eameatlf  turned  U>  the 
more  spiritual  aspecta  of  ain  and  its 
ooDBequences ;  and  there  is  happily  to 
be  noted  a  decided  improvement  in  this 
leapect  during  recent  years.  The  much- 
meditating  and  keenly  feelise  John 
Foster  was  often  shocked  in  nis  day 
with  the  unthinking  declamation  of  un- 
thinking  men  about  the  physical  torturea 
of  the  wicked.  There  is  little  of  this 
now-a-daya.  On  the  part  of  moat  there 
ifl  evident  reluctance  to  dwell  largely  on 
this  subject ;  and  whilst  it  has  its  place 
in  the  work  of  the  pulpit,  more  potent 
because  higher  motives  to  repentance  are 
chiefly  urged.  Many  can  only  speak  on 
it  wiwi  quivering  lip  and  much  sadness 
of  soul,  and  sigh  for  aposmble  rift  in  the 
cloud  which  seems  so  very  dark. 

It  is  therefore  well  that  able,  earnest, 
and  thoroughly  Christian  men  ahould 
speak  out  what  they  feel ;  and  when 
spoken,  as  in  the  present  instance,  in  a' 
loving  and  reverent  spirit,  it  will  be 
willingly  heard  and  carefully  pondered, 
even  though  it  may  not  in  alt  respects 
command  assent. 

Freb  Notes  on  Hikbekt  Spencer's 
FiBST  PBiHGiFLEa,  with  Suggestions 
regarding  Space,  Time,  and  Force; 
also,  Theobies  of  Life,  bein^  a 
Summary  of  Recent  Discussions 
theteon,  including  the  Queationa  of 
the  Origin  of  Species  and  of  Intelli- 

EdlnlmKh  :  Tha  Edlnbnigh  PabUihing  Compin;. 
London :  SloipkUi,  Manhall,  a  Go.    187B. 

The  writer  of  this  pamphlet  evidently 
has  a  taste  for  the  difficult  speculations 
which  are  treated  of  in  it.  Hie  opinions 
are  generally,  we  think,  on  the  right 
side.  He  is  decidedly  opposed  to  the 
philosophy  with  which  the  name  of 
Herbert  Spencer  is  identified.  We 
think,  however,  that  he  is  somewhat 
unfortunate  in  his  method.  He  quotes 
Uterallv,  oi  in  a  general  way,  senteucea 
from  Mr.  Spencers  writings,  and  in  Vtto 
way  of  running  comment  characterizes 
or  condemns  them.  The  writer  would 
nndonbtedly  have  done  greats  justice 


to  his  powers  and  given  greater  satis- 
faction to  his  reader  had  he  taken  up 
some  of  Mr.  Spencer's  main  portions, 
and  shown  at  some  length  their  un- 
tenableneaa.  I 

We  observe,  however,  that  he  entitles      ' 
bis    observations    simply  '  Notes,'    and 
thus  modestly  disclaims  anything   like       I 
sustained  criticism  or  elaborate  treat-       I 

CHRiariAHWOEKlN  AOSTKALASIA;  wittl 

Notes  on  the  Settlement  and  Progress 
of   the   Colonies.      By   Jakks  BiCK-        i 
FOHD,  Twenty-two   Years  resident  m       ' 
New    South    Wales,    Victoria,    and 
South  Australia. 


The  missionariee  of  tlie  Wesl^an 
Church  were  Mnongat  the  fiiM  to 
cultivate  the  great  field  of  Auatralaaia, 
and  have  been  also  amongst  the  most 
successful  in  their  efforts.  From  time 
to  time  works  on  Australia  iieae  fnm 
iheix  press,  intereetiug  in  substsoce,  asd 
cheerful  and  hopeful  in  their  tane. 

Hr.  Bickfora  tells  ns  Oat,  titer 
labouring  as  a  ChriBfisn  misedonuj  ia 
these  lands,  and  returning  to  his  native 
country,  he  waa  struck  with  the  amoonl 
of  ignorance  that  prevailed  in  refereoce 
to  them.  Lectures  could  g^ve  only 
limited  informatiCD,  and  hence  this 
volume.  It  contains  a  great  deal  ia 
small  compass.  It  is  full  of  facts  md 
figures ;  and  whilst  these  ia  themselves 
might  be  considered  dry  by  the  genval 
reader,  they  are  relieved  l^  interesting 
anecdotes  and  vivid  descriptioBs  <rf 
persons,  labours,  and  scenery  in  these 
remote  but  wonderful  regions,  whose 
resources  are  even  yet  only  beginning 
to  be  diml^  realized.  Aa  a  hook  it 
reference  it  is  specially  valuable. 

Bknjakik  Do  Plak,  Gehtlkhan  o? 
Alais,  Depute- Gehebal  of  the 
Reformed  Church  op  Frakcb  fbox 
1735  to  1763.  By  Dr.  Bommefo», 
Pastor  of  the  Reformed  Church  of 
Alais,  Department  of  Gard. 

LoDdon :  Hodder  A  Staunton.  ISTS. 
This  biography  deals  with  a  very  inte- 
resting person  and  a  very  important 
period  in  the  history  of  the  Chnrch  of 
France.  His  letters  show  that  he  was 
a  man  of  elevated  piety  and  sapreme 
devotion  io  the  Christian  cause,  aud  are 
profitable  for  edification,  while    they, 


N.rTui!"''^  MONTHLY  RETB08PE0T.  525 

with  the  Bkotchea  and  juncturm  of  the  the  great  verities  of  the  gospel  as  these 

biographer,  throw  much    light  on   the  are     maintained     among      eTSngelicat 

coui^  of  contemporary  historj  and  the  Christians. 

character  of  the  prominent  men  of  that  Ab  to  the  man  hiniaelf,  his  biographer 

time.  KijB— and    his  actions  and   sentiments 

Du    Plan's    view*    on    the    possible  as  here  set  forth  confinn  his  statements  — 

or  actual  coutiDDaDce  of  miracles  and  that  he  was  '  a  tme  Cbriatiau  and  self- 

ioapiration  are  not  generally  accepted  ;  sacrificing  repreBent«tJve  of  tiie  Hugue- 

bat  his  religious  creed,  as  set  forth  in  not  Churches  of  France,  .  .  .  one  who, 

these  letters,  and  espectalty  in  a  letter  by  his  higli  lineage  and  magnanimous 

vritten    shortly    before     bis     decease,  character,  is  -worthy  to  rank  with  our 

shows  that  he  neld  clearly  and  firmly  most  illustrious  Protestants.' 

MONETARY  DISASTERS. 

Ok  a  gloomy  November  day,  twenty-one  years  ago,  the .  conntry  waa 
startled  by  the  announcement  that  the  Western  Bank  had  suspended  pay- 
ment. Whet  that  meant  was  at  first  only  dimly  though  very  painfuiiy 
realized.  A  similar  catastrophe  has  now  happened  in  the  stoppage  of  the 
City  of  Glasgow  Baok.  It  is  said  that  the  sofferiugs  caased  by  the  former 
calamity  were  not  so  great  as  those  that  are  now  entailed  on  a  mnltittide 
of  hapiess  and  onsaspicioos  persons.  It  is  not  easy  to  imagine,  and  it  is 
only  too  toQching  to  endeavoor  to  reaUze,  all  the  misery  that  has  come 
upon,  and  is  yet  in  store  for,  those  who,  by  no  misdeed  of  their  own,  have 
b«ea  iQTolred  in  tbia  disaster,  and  who  in  many  instances  are  objects  of 
special  sympathy — the  widow  and  orphan. 

Turning  from  the  calamity  to  its  cause,  we  are  naturally  led  to  ask,  How 
did  snch  a  lamentable  event'  occnrt  And  here  the  answer  is  altogether 
nasatisfactory. 

Look  at  it  commercially.  When  an  individual  is  appointed  to  a  position 
of  trust,  bis  qnaUGcatlon^re  considered.  Has  he  the  natural  aptitnde  and 
solid  acquirements  which%re  necessary  for  the  successful  discharge  of  the 
duties  to  which  he  is  appointed  T  The  men  on  whom  devolved  the  manage- 
ment of  the  affairs  of  this  ill-fated  concern  occupied  a  position  of  trust, 
and,  weighed  in  the  balance,  they  have  been  found  signally  wanting.  The 
humblest  menial  would  be  speedily  discharged  if  found  so  utterly  incom- 
petent, 

Bnt  look  at  it  morally.  Sometimes,  when  persons  bring  sad  calamities  on 
themselves  and  others,  it  is  said  in  extenuation  of  their  offence  that  'they 
meimt  well  at  least.'  This  excuse  cannot  be  pleaded  in  behalf  of  these  men. 
They  must  have  known  that  they  were  engaged  in  evil  couraea,  and  were 
guilty  of  deceit  It  waa  made  to  appear  that  all  was  very  prosperous  at 
the  very  time  that  the  ]nt  of  ruin  was  yawning  to  engulf  them. 

And  the  saddest  thing  in  the  whole  miserable  affair  is  that  some  of  those 
who  had  to  do  with  this  matter  held  places  of  prominence  in  the  Christian 
Church.  This  vrill  not  fail  to  be  noted  in  hostile  quarters,  and  the  argu- 
ments of  philosophic  and  scientific  sceptica  will  be  found  to  be  of  small 
effect  compared  with  those  drawn  from  this  display  of  professing  Christians. 

And  what,  it  may  be  asked,  is  the  duty  of  the  pnlpit  in  reference  to  such 
transactioQB  f  Surely  it  ought  to  speak  out.  In  reading  the  sennons  of  the 
early  Reformers,  one  is  struck  with  the  boldness  with  which  they  not  only 
referred  to  special  sing,  but  denonnced  the  sinner,  though  he  might  wear  a 
crown  or  coronet,  that  sat  before  them. 

CJoogIc 


526  MOHTHLT  EETBOBPECT.  '^■'Sii*n«i?^ 

Soch  freedom  of  speech  might  perhaps  not  prove  so  suitable  or  effective 
in  these  dajs ;  bat  still  the  palpit  has  its  dnties  in  reference  to  the  Bins  of 
the  life,  and  aach  grievons  sins  aa  those  that  are  made  manifest  in  connectioD 
vith  this  heavj  calamitj.  And  it  is  gratifjing  to  see  that  it  is  alive  to  its 
duty.  It  has  giren  do  nncertain  sonnd.  Amongst  the  clearest  and  sternest 
of  these  is  the  utterance  of  the  distingnished  minister  of  the  Free  High 
Church  of  Ediobargh.  Three  centaries  ago,  John  Edox  fahninat«d,  from 
his  central  and  commanding  position  as  minister  of  St.  Giles,  against  greedy 
nobles  as  well  as  crnel  Pupists.  His  spirit  is  still  abroad;  and  though 
circumstances  are  now  widely  different  from  what  they  were  in  the  daya  of 
the  fearless  Reformer,  yet  still  there  is  need  for  the  brave  and  altogether 
unmistakeabte  word  being  spoken  in  reference  to  the  commonest  duties  of 
dfuly  hfe. 

'  This  much,'  sidd  the  preacher,  '  is  clear  aa  day,  that  there  has  been 
a  tremendous  instance  of  unfaithfulness  to  solemn  trust  on  the  port  of 
men  held  once  in  good  repnte  becanse  of  their  religions  position ;  and  I 
should  only  be  adding  to  their  unfaithfulness  if  I  did  not  speak  out  both  in 
sympathy  with  the  sufferers  and  in  stem  rebuke  of  such  wrong-doing.  If 
iniquity  like  this  is  to  be  done,  and  the  pulpit  to  keep  silence,  better  shut  the 
Church  altogether,  or  torn  it  Into  a  play-house  for  the  feigning  of  nm«al 
emotion.' 

The  subject,  however,  is  one  that  is  suggestive  of  many  qaesttoos  of  the 
most  pressing  practical  kind,  such  as,  What  is  the  legitimate  sphere  of 
speculation — to  what  extent  and  on  what  grounds  may  it  be  earned  odT 
Is  there  not  something  too  much  akin  to  gambling  in  the  manner  ud  spirit 
of  much  of  the  business  transactions  of  the  dayT  And  has  not  the  baatilig 
to  be  rich — the  love  of  the  possession  and  display  of  wealth,  with  tbe 
indulgeocee  and  influence  which  it  commands — mnch  to  do  with  this  J  Such 
are  qnestions  for  the  times. 

SOCIALISM.  • 
The  two  great  countries  of  Germany  and  France  are  at  present  being  deeply 
tried  by  the  presence  and  power  of  'Socialism,' — a  word  of  somewhat 
vt^ne  signification.  If  we  look  at  it  etymological ly,  it  may  help  aa  to  its 
meaning.  It  means  '  fellowship ; '  and  we  suppose  the  aim  of  its  advocates 
is  to  place  all  men  on  something  like  an  equal  footing.  We  have  had,  and 
still  have.  Socialism  in  this  country ;  and  under  the  name  of  Commonism  it  has 
long,  and  often  in  t«rrible  forms,  prevailed  in  France.  It  is  only  of  late, 
however,  that  in  any  very  marked  degree  it  has  made  its  appearance  in 
Germany. 

The  two  attempts  which  have  been  made  to  assassinate  the  Emperor  by 
fanatical  votaries  of  this  chimerical  creed  have  startled  that  country,  and 
led  the  Government  to  take  stringent  measures  in  reference  to  it.  It  mnst, 
however,  be  confessed  that  stringent  laws  are  not  exactly  the  means  that 
are  Gtted  to  overthrow  the  system  and  arrest  the  evils  that  flow  from  it. 
For  whence  comes  Socialism  T  It  certainly  arises  from  a  keen  sense  of  dis- 
satisfaction with  the  order  of  things,  and  an  evident  wish  to  have  that  order 
changed.  The  Socialbt  has  no  faith  in  the  ideal  picture  which  Macaulaj 
draws  of  ancient  Bome  in  its  best  davs: 


hen  noDB  waa  for  a  pw-ly, 

Thiio  aU  waro  (or  tha  sUta 

en  the  gnii.1  man  hslpad  tb 

poor, 

And  the  poor  man  loved  Ih 

great 

HOHTHLT  SETBOaPEOT. 


In  tbe  brave  day  a  uf  old.' 


The  Socialist  would  see  in  this  stanza  only  self-coatradictioQ.  He  vonld 
affirm,  'If  Romans  lived  like  brothers,  and  lands  were  fairly  portioned, 
then  there  would  be  none  great  and  none  poor.  All  would  stand  on  a 
footing  of  equality — all  alike  rich,  or  alike  poor.' 

This,  howerer,  is  sadly  mistaken  reasoning.  What  is  really  necessary 
for  the  welfare  of  a  nation,  is  not  so  munh  political  change  as  personal 
improvement.  It  ia  easy  for  a  man  to  declaim  against  existing  evils  and 
iitjasdce ;  it  ia  difficult  for  him  to  reform  himself.  Bat  it  ia  in  this  direction 
that  the  care  muat  be  sought,  and  in  tbia  direction  alone  can  it  be  found. 

Though  all  men  were  placed  on  a  level  to-morrow,  and  a  paternal  govern- 
ment had  the  charge  of  keeping  this  order  of  things  in  operation,  failure 
and  disappointment  wonid  speedily  and  Inevitably  ensue.  It  is  contrary  to 
nature  and  the  divine  order.  There  are  meant  to  be  diversities  of  possesaions 
as  aasnredly  there  are  diversities  of  gifts ;  and  the  one  kind  of  diversity  will 
always  create  the  other.  How,  then,  is  '  the  breath  of  society  to  be  sweetened' 
and  the  condition  of  suffering  multitudes  improved?  By  attention  to  the 
precepts  laid  down  in  Scripture  for  onr  practical  guidance,  and  especially 
those  precepts  that  enforce  not  only  self-improvement,  but  a  regard  to  the 
interests  of  others,  such  as :  '  Do  unto  others  as  ye  would  that  they  should 
do  to  you.'  ^  Let  every  man  look  not  on  his  own  things,  but  on  the  things  of 
others.'  '  Be  kindly  affectioned  one  to  another,  in  honour  preferring  one 
another.'  Yerily  the  Bible  is  the  true  statute  book,  and  the  universal 
reception  and  observance  of  its  principles  and  precepts  the  only  way  of 
extricating  ourselves  from  the  many  nnbappy  '  isms '  which  so  lamentably 
prevail 


THE  HARVEST  OF  1878. 
The  harvest  of  the  present  year  is  one  of  nnnsnal  excellence  and  abund- 
ance. This  is  nniversalty  admitted,  luid  is  a  cause  of  much  gratitude.  In 
any  year,  and  in  the  moat  prosperous  circumstances,  a  plenteous  harvest  is  a 
cause  of  rejoicing ;  but  there  are  reaaona  which  make  the  harvest  of  the 
present  year  one  of  special  gladness.  The  last  year  was  utterly  disastrous 
to  many  farmers,  and  injurious  to  all,  while  for  several  previous  years  things 
had  not  been  going  weU  with  them.  The  plenty  of  this  autumn,  thereforo, 
comes  as  a  grateful  relief  to  all,  and  a  deliverance  from  temporal  rnin  to  not 
a  few. 

The  state  of  trade  thronghont  the  country  is  very  depressed.  Many  are 
unable  to  find  employment ;  while  workmen  who  for  some  time  seemed  to  be 
able  to  command  any  rate  of  wages  they  pleased,  have  to  aabmit  to  a  great 
reduction.  The  atoppage  of  the  City  of  Olasgow  Bank  has  not  only 
brought  much  aufieriog  on  thoae  immediately  connected  with  it,  but  caused 
widely  ramified  commercial  derangement  and  distress.  If,  in  addition  to  all 
this,  the  present  harvest  had  been  such  as  that  of  the  past  year,  it  would 
have  been  something  Uke  a  national  calamity. 

How  desirable  that  Christian  men  should  take  a  truly  Christian  view  of 
tbe  subject !  In  these  days  we  are  told  that  we  live  '  under  the  reign  of  law,' 
and  many,  in  looking  at  the  law,  forget  the  Lawgiver,  There  are  also  tho^e 
still,  as  there  have  ever  been,-  who,  professing  to  be  unable  to  account  for 

.   ...Coosic 


628  MONTHLY  KETH08PE0T.  '""Mtn^w^ 

the  variety  of  the  Beasooa, — ho*  one  shonld  be  crowned  with  pleoty,  while 
aDOther,  in  which  the  work  of  man  has  been  eqaallj  earnest  and  well- 
directed,  should  be  '  poor  and  lean,' — affirm  that  chaace  is  the  only  ruler, 
and  that  we  are  anrronnded  by  inexplicable  mystery.  The  Christian  believes 
that  '  the  Lord  reigneth,'  and  has  a  wise  and  gracions  purpose  in  all  Hia 
ways.  Sometimea  it  may  be  a  purpose  of  judgment,  sometimes  of  mercy ; 
bnt  whaterer  it  may  be,  the  Christian  will  seek  to  learn  what  it  is,  and 
direct  his  conduct  accordingly. 

OBITITART. 
Lately  it  was  onr  melancholy  duty  to  record  the  death  of  the  Rer.  William 
R.  Thomson,  while  yet  in  the  mid-time  of  his  days.  It  is  with  deep  sorrow 
that  we  have  at  bo  short  an  interval  to  record  that  of  the  Rer.  Daniel 
Maclean  of  Lanark,  who  was  a  friend  and  fellow-stndent  of  Mr.  Thomson's. 
The  sad  event  took  place,  after  a  brief  illness,  on  Monday  the  7th  October. 

Mr.  Maclean  was  a  man  of  anperior  abilities,  and  as  a  scholar  stood  high 
in  the  estimation  of  his  brethren.  His  excellence  as  a  Hebraist  is  well 
known,  and  has  been  cordially  acknowledged.  Mr.  Maclean  was  diligent 
and  careful  in  his  preparations  for  the  pulpit,  and  what  he  gave  to  hia 
people  from  Sabbath  to  Sabbath  may  be  judged  of  from  his  Tolnne  of 
expository  discourses  on  a  portion  of  the  Psalms,  as  well  as  from  other 
discourses  which  have  been  published. 

We  still  remember  the  criticism  which  Professor  {now  Principal)  Hiwper 
pronounced,  with  evident  satisfaction,  in  his  own  emphatic  way,  on  tie 
sermon  which  Mr.  Maclean,  as  a  fourth  year's  student,  delivered  to  bim. 
.  '  A  discourse,'  he  said,  '  of  sterling  excellence.' 

Mr.  Maclean  b^an  hia  ministry  at  Hampden,  Jamaica,  bnt,  after  a  aernee 
there  of  seven  years,  failing  health  compelled  him  to  return  to  this  country, 
snd  for  thirteen  years  he  has  ministered  in  the  picturesque  town  of  Lanark 
with  much  diligence  and  snccess.  In  has  sudden  removal  onr  Church  is 
again  called  on  to  mourn  the  loss  of  one  whom  she  greatly  valued  on  account 
of  his  abilities  and  accomplishments,  his  manifold  services  and  sterling  worth. 
Whilst  Mr.  Maclean's  death  will  be  keenly  felt  by  a  numerous  circle  d 
friends,  it  falls  with  special  impressiveness  on  the  town  in  wiiich  he  so  faith- 
fully laboured.  In  June  last,  the  Rev,  Qeprge  Johnston,  minister  of  Hope 
Street  Church,  was  called  away  after  a  service  of  fnlly  forty  years.  A 
merited  tribute  was  paid  to  Mr.  Johnston  by  his  brethren  of  the  presby- 
tery, which  our  readers  would  observe  in  a  recent  number  of  the  Magazine. 
Mr.  Johnston  was  k  man  of  retiring  disposition,  and  diligently  shnnaed  all 
manner  of  notoriety ;  bnt  he  was  known  in  the  circle  of  his  friends  and 
among  the  members  of  iiis  fiock  as  a  man  of  genial  nature  and  estimable 
character.  He  thought  and  read  mnch  on  his  favourite  science — ^theology  ; 
and  though  as  a  preacher  he  did  not  practise  the  arts  of  the  rhetorician,  he 
did  something  far  better — he  procl^med  faithfully  and  earnestly  the  glorioos 
gospel  of  the  biased  Ood. 

We  have  cause  for  gratitnde  to  God,  aa  we  think  of  the  removal  of 
fathers  and  brethren,  that  He  «iabled  them  to  serve  their  geoeration  so 
honourably  and  well.  At  the  same  time,  qnickly-recnrring  bereaTanents 
loudly  call  ns  '  to  work  while  yet  it  is  day.' 

Printed  by  Mubrat   * 

OUPHABI  AMD  Co. 

1878. 


UNITED  PRESBYTERIAN   MAGAZINE. 


DECEMBER    2,    1878 


0xiQinnl   %xiicUB. 


PRINCIPALS  AND  DOCTORS  ON  VOLUNTARTISM. 

The  Bey.  Principal  Pine  of  Aberdeen  TTniTersity,  and  the  Rev,  Principal 
Talloch  of  St.  Mary's  College,  St.  Andrews,  hold  opinions  directly  opposed 
to  each  other  on  some  qaeations  of  the  ntmoHt  importance.  The  Rev.  Dr. 
Phin  of  Edinburgh  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Story  of  Roeeneath  are  never  re- 
garded as  twin  brothers  in  theological  and  ecclesiastical  matters,  Bnt  there 
is  one  subject  aboat  which  they  all  seem  to  think  and  feel  and  speak  and  act 
in  hannony.  How^Ter  widely  they  may  differ  in  some  things,  they  are 
nuanimoos  in  re}ectiDg  the  principle  of  re%ions  eqnahty.  This  principle  in 
the  abstract  li  a  most  reasonable  appUcation  of  the  golden  rule.  In  couse- 
qaence  of  its  yiolation,  the  kings  of  the  earth  have  been  made  drnok  with  the 
blood  of  the  saints.  Stakes  and  scaffolds  have  been  erected,  consciences 
bave  been  ontraged,  and  at  this  moment  bitter  animosities  are  fostered ;  but 
the  gentlemen  named  are  wonderfully  nnited  in  their  determination  that  the 
violation  of  this  principle  shall  be  maintained  and  perpetnated.  In  the  eyes 
of  Dr.  Phin,  the  wish  of  Dissenters  to  stand  on  a  footing  of  equality  in 
reference  to  religion  with  other  loyal  subjects  is  supremely  preposterous, — a 
claim  that  should  be  ignored  where  this  can  be  quietly  done,  or  stamped  ont 
as  a  pestilence  by  the  multiplication  of  rival  churches  where  this  may  be 
found  to  be  the  more  excellent  way.  Dr.  Story  can  see  nothing  in  this 
'  claim  of  right '  but  a  '  howl  for  disestabUshment,'  and  in  his  resolution  to 
suppress  it  has  given  vent  to  some  strange  opinions  in  politics,  and  nttered 
some  ominons  predictions  about  ecclesiastii^al  changes.  Principal  Tnlloch, 
has  been  dogmatizing  abont  the  absnrdity  of  this  claim  onder  the  euphonious 
designation,  'The  Dc^matism  of  Dissent;'  and  Principal  Pirie  has  been 
talking  of  it  in  such  a  way  as  to  show  that  he  regards  it  as  a  clsim  too 
nonsensical  to  be  seriously  thonght  of.  The  zeal  and  earnestness  with  which 
they  all  unite  in  denouncing  those  who  dare  to  touch  their  favourite  mono- 
poly indicate  the  great  importance  they  attach  to  it ;  and  it  the  estimate 
which  they  and  other  defenders  of  this  abnse  is  correct,  their  tonduct  implies 
a  weakness  in  the  Established  Church  which  its  worst  enemies  would  scarcely 
venture  to  proclaim. 

All  that  Dissenters  ask  is  religious  equality.  In  the  event  of  disestablish- 
ment, they  are  williog  that  life  interests  should  be  protected,  and  that  the 
Disestablished  Church  should  have  advantages  to  begin  with  which  no  Dis- 
senting Charcb  ever  had.    Bnt  if  what  we  are  often  told  by  the  friends  of 

HO.  Zn.  VOL.  XXII.  NEW  SBBIKB. — DECElUIiKR  IBTR.  2  L 


530        PBINCIPAL8  AND  DOOTOES  OK  TOLDHTAEYI8M.     '"■'21'^^^*^ 

tbe  Established  Cbnrch  is  true,  it  is  so  weak  and  helpless,  that,  IE  left  to 
itself,  with  all  its  adrantages  it  mast  sickea  and  die.  We  are  told  that  the 
Cbarch  is  full  of  life  and  energy,  that  it  Dever  was  so  active  at  any  former 
period  of  its  history,  or  had  a  stronger  hold  on  the  affections  of  the  natioD, 
aad  that  in  point  of  numbers  it  is  larger  than  all  other  Churches  combined ; 
and  jet  we  are  also  told  that,  if  deprived  of  State  connection  and  State 
endowments,  it  must  perish  in  a  night,  like  Jonah's  gourd.  The  vision  of  a 
'Church  destroyed  and  rniued  is  held  np  before  the  eyes  of  those  who  cannot 
or  will  not  think, — and  urfortunately  their  name  is  legion, — with  a  view  to 
awaken  sympathy  and  call  forth  exertion  to  prevent  the  dreadful  catastrophe. 
Bat  all  such  representations  are  iosulting  to  the  Church  herself.  Here  are 
congregations  glorying  in  their  large  communion-rolls ;  Dissenting  Churches 
in  the  same  locahty,  not  nearly  so  numerous,  maintaining  ordinance  with  ease 
and  comfort,  while  giring  help  to  others  ;  and  jet  the  sad  warning  is  given, 
that  if  these  large,  strong  congregations  are  left  to  support  themselves  they 
must  disappear  at  once,  their  very  churches  must  be  levelled  with  the  dusti 
their  massive  towers  and  noble  spires  shall  be  seen  no  more,  to  the  irreparable 
loss  of  bewildered  seamen,  to  whom  they  have  long  served  the  purpose  of  a 
mnch-prized  landmark.  Now  what  is  to  be  said  or  done  in  a  case  like  this  ? 
Is  there  not  something  very  perplexing  in  this  eshibition  of  strength  and 
weakness  T  This  double  vision  is  presented  to  us  in  connection  with  no  other 
cause,  and  there  is  no  other  cause  in  connection  with  which  such  an  exhibi- 
tion would  serve  the  purpose  in  view.  Who  would  listen  to  an  appeal  op 
behalf  of  the  shareholders  of  the  City  of  Glasgow  Bank,  if  the  appeaiwere 
followed  by  the  assurance  that  the  bank  was  a  strong,  healthy  coacem, 
much  stronger  and  in  a  much  better  condition  than  any  of  those  that  needed 
no  assistance,  but  if  help  were  not  given  the  moat  disastrous  results  woold 
follow? 

This  is  just  what  is  at  present  done  in  the  interests  of  the  Established 
Chnrch ;  bnt  the  least  reflecting  must  soon  come  to  see  the  true  natnie  oE  a 
position  80  contradictory  and  untenable.  Is  it  true,  or  is  it  not,  that  Ihe 
efficiency  and  even  the  very  existence  of  the  Established  Church  depend  on 
its  endowments?  If  the  EstabUshed  Church  is  the  strongest  of  all  the 
Churches,  then  how  can  it  be  destroyed  or  even  weakened  by  being  placed 
on  the  same  level  with  its  ne^hbours,  and  necessarily  with  advantages  at 
the  outset  which  none  of  them  ever  enjoyed  ?  And,  on  the  other  haod,  if  the 
withdrawal  of  endowments  would  destroy  it,  what  becomes  of  its  strength ! 
Common  sense  demands  that  the  friends  of  the  Established  Church  should 
either  give  over  boasting  of  her  superiority,  or  cease  to  speak  of  disestab- 
lishment as  synonymous  vrith  destruction 

It  may  be  hambliTig  to  the  friends  of  the  Established  Church  to  accept  of 
the  latter  alternative,  and  yet  there  are  circumstances  which  seem  to  indicate 
that  this  is  done  by  distinguished  leaders  as  well  as  by  the  unthinking 
crowd.  Coalitions  are  formed,  and  schemes  of  poUcy  are  followed  ont,  from 
which  it  might  be  inferred  that  it  is  not  for  mere  rhetorical  effect,  but  that 
it  is  really  an  article  of  belief,  that  the  very  esistenee  of  the  Established 
Church  is  bonnd  up  in  her  endowments.  When  '  birds  of  a  feather  flock 
together,'  no  one  is  surprised ;  but  when  birds  of  different  feathers,  different 
habits,  and  different  instincts  are  seen  flocking  to  the  same  place  of  shelter. 
and  uniting  in  one  universal  cry  of  alarm,  the  strange  occurrence  caji  be 
accounted  for  only  by  the  approach  of  some  danger  with  which  thej  are 
threatened,  and  one  more  to  be  dreaded  thau  their  mutual  antipathies. 
And  when  Broad  Churchmen  and  Erangelieals  and  Churchmen  of  ritaalistic 


n=iuapr..hj»i,^l     PBINCIPALB  AND  DOOTOEfl  ON  TOLUKTAETIBM.        531 

tendencies  nnite  ia  terror  for  the  purpose  of  averting  some  dreaded  cala- 
mity, the  thing  feared  must  be  one  in  which  vital  interests  are  supposed  to 
be  involved,  and  the  escape  from  it  Ihost  be  regarded  as  something  of  more 
importance  than  the  preservation  of  the  trutli  on  any  point  on  which  they 
happen  to  dia^ree.  We  iinow  that  certain  prominent  persons  have  sub- 
scribed the  Confession  of  Faith,  but  unless  some  of  their  pubhc  utterances 
can  be  modified  by  the  convenient  modem  process  of  explaining  that  what 
is  said  is  not  what  is  meant,  there  mast  be  great  mental  reservation  and 
little  unity  of  opinion  on  some  vital  points ;  and  yet  among  those  who  diSer 
widely  about  other  thmgs,  there  is  perfect  unaoimity  in  the  resolntiou  to 
appose  the  claim  for  reUgions  equality.  If  this  united  action  means  any- 
thing, it  is  this,  that  the  points  on  which  there  is  a  difierence  are  of  far  less 
importance  than  the  one  on  nhich  there  is  agreement.  It  would  seem  as  if 
the  Established  Church  could  exist  and  fionrish  although  the  word  of  God 
shonld  no  longer  be  received  in  its  integrity,  although  subscription  to  the 
Confession  of  Faith  shonld  be  so  loose  as  to  bind  nobody  to  anything, 
although  its  only  gospel  should  be  the  platitudes  of  a  sentimental  secularism, 
and  although  its  distinctive  forms  of  government  and  warship  should  be 
given  up  ;  but  as  soon  as  it  is  treated  like  other  Churches  it  must  cease  to 
exist.  The  fact  that  there  is  one  harmonious  note  amidst  so  many  discord- 
ant soonds,  proclaims  in  the  plainest  terms  that,  in  the  opinion  of  these 
united  brethren,  the  life  of  the  Chnrch  is  solely  in  its  endowments.  Presby- 
terianism  and  Episcopacy,  Broad  Ohurchism  and  liitnalism,  evangeUcal 
opioion  and  opinions  that  are  not  evangelical,  may  all  be  made  matter  of 
forbearance,  b^t  State  endowments  and  State  recognition  are  essential. 
Even  union  among  Presbyterians  is  a  small  matter  when  compared  with  the 
preservation  of  this  precious  monopoly.  The  present  scandalous  divisions 
are  not  only  to  be  kept  up  for  its  sake,  but  the  threat  is  held  out  that  even 
in  the  event  of  religious  equality  be!ng  obtained,  it  is  vain  to  look  for  union, 
because  of  the  bitterness  of  spirit  with  which  the  members  of  a  Church  that 
has  been  despoiled  and  ruined  by  being  treated  like  its  neighbours,  must  look 
on  those  to  whose  agency  its  destruction  is  to  be  traced.  We  are  indeed 
led  to  beheve  that  there  are  some  who,  instead  of  uniting  with  other  Presby- 
terians when  the  Establishment  obstacle  is  removed,  will  rather,  out  of  revenge 
for  the  loss  they  have  sustained,  abandon  their  Fresbyterianism  and  throw 
themselves  into  the  arras  of  Episcopacy. 

Along  with  unity  of  thought  and  feeling  and  word  and  deed  on  one  point, 
in  the  midst  of  antipathies  and  divergences  of  no  mean  order,  as  an  evidence 
of  the  high  estimate  in  which  that  particular  point  is  held,  there  is  another 
circumstance  from  which  the  same  thing  may  be  inferred.  Nothing  but  a 
deep  sense  of  the  supreme  importance  of  the  interests  at  stake  can  account 
for  the  strange  manner  in  which  Principals  and  Doctors,  and  especially 
Principals,  have  been  recently,  in  various  ways  and  on  various  occasions, 
expressing  themselves.  When  wise  men  speak  foolishly,  it  mast  either  be 
because  party  zeal  has  so  blinded  their  understanding  that  they  are  not 
quite  themselves,  or  that  they  have  a  very  bad  cause  in  hand.  If  ever  wise 
men  spoke  foolishly,  this  has  been  done  in  the  recent  utterances  on  dis- 
establishment to  which  reference  has  been  made,  and  we  believe  that  with 
this  both  causes  referred  to  have  had  something  to  do.  There  has  been 
the  bhnding  influence  of  party  zeal,  and  the  cause  to  be  defended  is  not 
good. 

Principal  Tnlloch  seems  utterly  nnable  to  understand  how  it  is  that  Dis- 
senters can  have  the  presumption  to  wish  to  see  all  men  placed  on  the  same 


632         PBIN0IPAL8  AND  DOCTORS  OW  TOLUNTABTISM.     ^^"oiJCmS'^ 

IsTel  in  religions  matters.  There  is  a  considerable  portion  of  national 
property  to  which  tbey  hare  the  same  right  as  others,  bnt  the  Principal  and 
his  fri«ids  hare  got  hold  of  it,  and  have  appropriated  it  to  their  own  private 
nses.  DisaenterB  know  that  some  public  instractors  are  Bnpported  on  this 
property  of  theirs  who  are  te&ching  direra  and  strange  doctrines,  and  others 
on  whom  their  means  are  wasted  becanse  they  have  scarcely  any  one  to 
teach  at  all.  And  Principal  Tnlloch  cannot  nnderstand  how  this  arrange- 
ment shonld  not  be  qnite  satisfactory  to  all  concerned.  Among  the  mlers 
and  legislators  of  Britain  there  may  be  Jews,  infidels.  Unitarians,  Papbts, 
and  Becalarisls,  men  of  all  shades  of  opinion  and  all  shades  of  character, 
bnt  it  is  the  solemn  daty  of  this  motley  company  to  declare  that  a  certain 
form  of  doctrine  is  the  tme  religion,  the  religion  of  the  nation ;  that  all  who 
belong  to  the  nation  mnst  support  it  whether  they  believe  it  or  not ;  and 
Principal  Tulloch  regards  it  as  the  most  irrational  dogmatism  that  Dis- 
eenters  shonld  demnr  to  the  continuance  of  this  anomaly.  Tbere  was  a  time 
in  the  history  of  the  past  when  Dissenters  were  obhged  to  hide  themselves 
in  dens  and  caves,  and  were  in  danger  of  brntal  tortnre  or  an  ignominions 
death  ;  bat  now  that  they  are  tolerated,  and  can  call  their  ears  their  own, 
the  Principal  is  amazed  that  they  shonld  be  so  unreasonably  dogmatic  as 
not  to  be  content  with  bare  existence,  and  sit  down  hombly  and  reverently 
at  the  feet  of  the  EstabUshed  Church. 

Principal  Tnlloch  is  a  Liberal  in  politics,  and  therefore  an  enemy  to  all 
monopolies ;  bnt  if  Liberals  dare  to  lay  their  hands  on  his  own  Uroarite 
preserve,  and  seek  the  removal  of  the  greatest  blot  by  which  the  statnte 
book  of  Britain  is  now  stained,  he  goes  over  at  once  to  the  ranks  of  Toryism. 
He  would  much  rather  see  the  present  wretched  Government  supported  and 
kept  in  power,  than  that  equal-handed  justice  shonld  be  measored  out  to  vA 
in  connection  with  their  most  sacred  convictions.  He  cannot  understand 
how  Liberals  should  not  unite  in  sending  as  their  representatives  to  Parlia- 
ment, men  who  would  be  very  zealous  and  active  in  removing  straws  and 
feathers  ont  of  their  path,  but  would  do  all  they  conid  to  keep  a  millstone 
hanging  about  their  neck.  This  kind  of  Liberalism  is  too  closely  allied  to 
selfishness  to  be  worthy  of  the  name.  Union  among  Liberals  is  no  doubt 
very  desirable  ;  bat  it  is  surely  more  reasonable  that  Liberals  who  are  en- 
joying the  benefit  of  a  poHtical  injustice  shonld,  for  the  sake  of  union,  be 
willing  to  give  up  their  privilege,  than  that  Liberals  who  are  suffering  from 
it  shonld  be  asked  to  continue  to  bear  their  burden.  When  religions 
equality  is  deemed  a  price  too  high  to  pay  for  union  among  Liberals,  the 
desire  for  it  must  either  be  insincere  or  rest  on  a  very  narrow  and  illiberal 
fonndation. 

Bnt  there  is  another  Principal  who  has  been  opening  his  month  of  late 
on  the  subject  of  Voluntaryism,  and  about  whoae  utterances  we  have  a  few 
words  to  say.  Principal  Pirie,  in  opening  a  bazaar  held  in  aid  of  an  eSort 
to  repair  one  of  the  chnrches  tn  Aberdeen,  is  reported  in  the  Dail^  Review 
to  have  said  fiiat  '  if  he  understood  the  Voluntary  principle,  it  was  this, 
that  every  man  commits  a  sin  who  uses  a  chnrch  or  hears  a  minister  where 
the  church  has  not  been  built  by  voluntary  contributions,  and  where  the 
minister  is  not  paid  by  voluntary  contributions,'  He  goes  on  to  saj,  '  He 
would  not  gmdge  any  one  his  opinion,  bnt  this  was  something  really  worse 
than  nonsense.'  This  is  the  Voluntary  principle,  if  Principal  Pirie  under- 
.  stands  it ;  but  fortunately  for  Voluntaryism  and  for  the  common  sense  of 
Voluntaries,  his  understanding  b  here  at  fault.  His  definition  of  it  is 
indeed  '  worse  than  nonsense,'  and  shows  how  much  need  there  is  for  en- 


""'Urt'ilijl'''^'     PRlNOlPAIfi  AND  DOCT0B8  ON  V0LDNTAETI8M.        533 

ligbtenment  in  high  quarters.  Is  there  no  way  of  imparting  informatioii 
about  the  Yoluntar;  principle  tn  those  ecclesiastical  and  political  leaders 
who  are  so  mach  difposed  to  speak  aboat  it  without  kooning  what  it  isT 
According  to  the  VolnDtary  principle,  it  is  wrong  to  tax  any  one  for  the 
support  of  a  religion  from  which  he  derives  no  benefit,  and  which  his  conscience 
tells  him  is  actually  pernicions,  dishononring  to  Ood,  and  injnrions  to  sodIb  ; 
that  it  is  wrong  in  the  State  to  select  a,  particular  form  of  reh'gion,  declaring 
that  this  is  the  trqth,  the  whole  truth,  and  nothing  but  the  truth,  and  must 
be  supported,  while  all  other  forms  of  religion  are  false,  or  at  least  erroneous. 
The  Yoluntary  principle  says  that  this  is  wrong ;  and  as  soon  as  Principal 
Pirie  understands  it,  he  may  perhaps  see  that  it  is  not  so  nonsensical  as  he 
thoaght  it  was.  We  admit  that  the  definition  referred  to  may  seem  to  some 
tender  conscience  a  logical  inference  from  the  Voluntary  principle  j  but  in  this 
crooked  world  human  beings  are  not  always  practically  logical,  and  on  this 
point  Principal  Pirie  fronld  have  done  better  for  his  own  Church  to  have 
avoided  putting  ill  into  people's  heads.  The  moat  rigid  Voluntary  has  not 
hitherto  been  in  the  habit  of  looking  upon  it  as  a  sin  to  worship  occaBionally 
in  a  State-built  church,  or  listen  to  a  State-paid  minister,  although  he  be- 
lieves that  the  connection  between  Charch  and  State  is  wrong  ;  but  it  is 
quite'  possible  that  some  persons  with  logical  minds  and  scrupulous  con- 
sciences may  be  led  to  ask  themselves,  after  pondering  the  words  of  Principal 
Pirie,  if  they  are  quite  blameless  in  a  matter  which  has  hitherto  appeared  to 
them  to  be  perfectJy  innocent. 

In  the  same  speech  at  Aberdeen,  Principal  Pirie  defends  his  consistency 
in  repudiating  a  principle  while  at  the  same  time  giving  countenance  to  a 
practical  application  of  it,  and  his  defence  is  a  very  strange  one.  He 
imagines  some  one  asking  him  why  he  is  not  satisfied  with  a  mode  of  raising 
money  productive  of  such  good  results,  and  he  answers  the  question  by  the 
Scotch  method  of  asking  another.  He  asks  in  return  why  Voluntaryism 
has  not  done  all  that  is  required,  since  it  is  professedly  so  efficient ;  and  more 
particniarly  why  it  has  not  done  all  that  is  needed  to  meet  the  spiritual  wonts 
of  such  places  as  Edinburgh,  Glasgow,  and  Aberdeen.  The  fact  is  duly 
recorded  by  the  reporters  that  this  reply  to  the  supposed  objection  was 
hailed  with  applause.  Now,  if  some  one  had  risen  up,  when  the  applause 
subsided,  and  repeated  the  question  with  a  different  appKcation,  in  some 
such  words  as  these,  '  Why  does  the  Established  Church,  which  professes 
to  be  stronger  than  all  other  Churches  put  together,  backed  up  by  its  en- 
doivments,  not  raise  the  money  that  is  required  to  meet  this  destitution  ? ' 
If  the  question  had  been  repeated  in  this  more  rational  form,  would  the 
applause  also  have  been  repeated!    Probably  not. 

The  question,  Why  do  Voluntaries  not  raise  money  to  meet  the  spiritual 
wants  of  such  towns  as  Edinburgh,  Glasgow,  and  Aberdeen  T  as  a  taunt  to 
Voluntaryism,  is  nnjust  and  ungenerous,  and  recoils  with  a  vengeance  on  the 
bead  of  the  questioner ;  but  it  admits  of  a  very  plain  answer,  and  one  of 
which  Voluntaries  have  no  reason  to  be  ashamed.  The  obvious  reply  is 
this,  that  Volantaries  cannot  do  ail  that  is  needed  to  meet  the  spiritual 
wants  of  the  country,  because,  as  long  as  there  is  an  Established  Church  in 
the  land,  the  working  of  the  Voluntary  principle  will  never  get  fair  play.  How 
can  Voluntaries  do  a  nation's  work  as  long  as  they  constitute  only  a  part  of 
the  nation,  and  do  this  work  through  the  operation  of  a  principle  which  many 
denonnce  and  condemn?  They  need  not  look  for  help  from  members  of  the 
Established  Church,  because  State  endowments  have  a  paralyzing  effect  on 
liberality.    It  might  be  expected  that  those  who  require  to  do  nothing  for 


534         PRINCIPALS  AND  DOCTOBS  ON  VOLUNTAETISM.      ^"oL^h^'^ 

themselves  might  be  very  active  io  doinf^  Eometbing  for  others,  bat  as  a 
matter  of  fact  this  is  not  the  case.  It  is  well  known  that,  in  giving  for 
missionary  and  beneroIeQt  prnposps,  the  members  of  the  Established  Cbarch 
do  little  when  compared  with  others.  This  comes  out  very  plainly  in  Dr. 
Cumming's  calculations,  according  to  which  the  United  Presbyterian  Chnreh 
gives  4b.  6d.  per  member  for  missions;  the  Free  Chnreh,  Ss.  lid.;  and  the 
Established  Church,  Is.  6d.  We  Isnow  one  lai^e  district,  for  example, 
in  which  the  Established  Chnreh  predominates,  and  where,  in  sapport  of  a 
great  religions  nnsectarian  enterprise.  Dissenters  give  at  the  not  very  liberal 
rate  of  fonrpence  halfpenny  a  head,  and  to  which  one  halfpenny  a  head  is 
the  magnificent  subscription  of  the  members  of  the  Established  Chnreh. 

Iq  the  light  of  these  tacts,  it  is  simply  absurd  to  reproach  Voluntaries  with 
lie  weakness  of  their  principles,  because  they  cannot  do  what  should  be  the  work 
of  the  whole  Christian  community.  Bnt  there  is  another  way  still  in  which  their 
hands  are  weakened  through  the  operation  of  State  endowments.  The  liberality 
of  Dissenters  is  apt  to  be  affected  by  daily  intercourse  with  those  who  are  doing 
little  or  nothing  for 'religion,  and  who  look  on  them  as  simpletons  in  paying 
for  services  which  they  could  easily  get  for  nothing.  This  has  an  injurious 
inflnence  on  liberality.  And  although  it  cannot  be  denied  that  Voluntary 
Churches  might  do  more  than  they  are  doing,  still,  with  the  incnbas  of  a 
State  Church  bearing  them  down,  and  the  niggardly  example  of  its  members 
before  their  eyes,  the  wonder  is  that  they  do  so  much.  "  In  many  districts 
of  the  land,  the  numerical  strength  of  the  Established  Church  depends 
entirely  on  tie  fact  that  religions  ordinances  are  obtained  for  nothing,  and 
in  the  Church  extension  movement  this  is  not  lost  sight  of.  Chmrches  are 
endowed  to  provide  ordinances  for  those  who  could  provide  them  for  them- 
selves, and  all  this  has  an  injurious  effect  on  voluntary  effort.  Principal 
Pirie  has  been  doing  all  he  can  to  weaken  Voluntaries,  and  now  he  taunts 
them  with  not  doing  their  own  work. and  other  people's  too.  Notwithstand- 
ing the  paralyzing  influence  of  a  State-paid  Church,  Voluntaryism  has  done 
great  things  for  Scotland,  and  has  not  been  found  wanting  even  in  the 
poorest  and  most  destitute  localities;  and  if  it  has  done  so  much  notwith- 
standing the  cumbering  weight  of  the  Establishment,  what  may  it  not  do  in 
a  fair  field  *  This  is  not  a  matter  of  conjecture,  bnt  a  question  to  which  the 
condition  of  the  Churches  in  America  furnishes  a  satisfactory  reply.  In 
illustration  of  this  point  many  facts  might  have  been  adduced ;  and  various 
other  things  might  have  been  staled  in  reply  to  the  question,  'Why  do 
Volontaries  not  raise  money  to  meet  the  wants  of  this  city,  and  Edinburgh, 
and  Glasgow!'  Bnt  we  must  conclude  for  want  of  space,  and  we  do  so  by 
quoting  from  a  letter  addressed  to  Provost  Swan  by  Sir  George  Campbell, 
M.P.  for  the  Kirkcaldy  burghs,  bearing  on  the  subject  in  so  far  as  the  state  of 
matters  in  America  is  concerned : — '  I  knew  the  Eastern  States  were  religious, 
but  am  almost  surprised  to  find  how  much  religion  and  decomm  there  is  all 
through  the  land.  There  are  very  many  different  Churches;  bnt  on  all 
hands  I  hear,  and  am  fully  satisfied,  that  they  never  think  it  necessary  to 
fight  and  breed  bad  blood  on  account  of  religious  differences.  The  CathoUcs 
are  the  only  ones  that  will  not  join  with  others  in  some  things,  but  all  the 
rest  go  on  most  amicably  together,  and  there  being  no  question  of  privilege 
or  sacerdotal  claims,  there  is  nothing  of  that  disposition  to  sneer  at  the 
Chnreh  and  Church  pretensions  which  is  so  common  among  large  classes  in 
Europe.  The  result  of  what  I  have  already  seen  is  certainly  very  much  to 
confirm  me  in  the  belief  in  the  Toluntsry  system  in  religion,  which  has  been 
ripeniiy;  in  me  by  what  I  have  seen  in  other  countries.    I  can't  conceive  any 


"'"Ji^n^'^'  A  HAEVEST  HOMILY.  535  . 

one  honestly  to  look  at  the  state  of  thiogs  in  America,  and  still  to  desire  to 
keep  up  an  Established  Cbnrcb.  I  am  certaiDly  quite  quit  of  any  liugeriDg 
doubt  OD  the  subject.  I  met  a  dignitary  of  the  Episcopal  Church  of  CaDada, 
who  told  me  that  there  at  first  they  were  sorry  to  be  without  establiabment, 
bnt  now  they  fiad  they  get  on  so  much  better  without  it  that  they  would 
never  wish  to  ha^e  it  back.  As  long  as  they  had  any  pririlege,  there  was  a 
hatred  and  enmity  towards  them ;  but  now  there  is  nothiog  of  the  kind,  all 
is  friendly  and  harmomons,  and  they  get  along  quite  well'  B.  B. 


A  HARVEST  HOMILY. 

BT  THE  BET.  T.  BOSTON  JOHNSTONE,  EDINBOROH. 
'Thou  CTOwneat  the  ywr  with  Thj  goodoeii.' — FbauiIxt.  II. 
At  the  dose  of  a  season  which  has  been  specially  favonraUe,  it  is  our  duty 
to  make  a  devout  recognition  of  the  power  and  loving-kindness  of  that  great 
Being  by  whom  all  our  wants  are  supplied,  and  who,  in  again  crowning  the 
year  with  His  goodness,  has  given  a  renewed  manifestation  of  His  continued 
interest  and  regard.  Our  doing  bo  may  have  the  effect  of  helping  to  subdue 
the  natural  indifference  and  ingratitude  of  our  hearts,  of  preserving  on  onr 
memories  a  suitable  sense  of  God's  unmerited  favour,  and  of  exciting  ns  to 
greater  zeal  in  our  endeavonrs  to  promote  the  glory  of  God  and  the  well- 
being  of  our  fellow-men. 

On  snch  an  occasion,  it  becomes  ns  to  cherish,  first,  feelings  of  lively  grati- 
tude. '  The  earth  is  the  Lord's,  and  the  fulness  thereof.'  His  proprietary 
is  absolute  and  inalienable,  and  therefore  all  the  blessings  we  enjoy  are 
bestowed  by  Him  in  the  riches  of  His  own  liberality  and  sovereign  grace. 
We  are  dependent  for  support  on  the  fruits  of  the  grouod  ;  and  onr  Heavenly 
Father,  in  grantmg  us  an  abundant  harvest,  has  met  a  great  necessity  of  our 
nature, — one  which  powerfully  influences  onr  whole  life  and  welfare.  But  we 
are  unworthy  of  the  least  of  His  mercies,  having  sinned  against  Him,  and 
forfeited  all  claim  to  His  favour  and  love.  And  yet,  thanks  be  to  God,  in 
spite  of  the  condemnation  and  curse  which  sin  has  provoked,  in  spite  of  the 
ingratitude  and  unbelief  which  so  sadiy  abound,  He  has  given  us  'rain  from 
heaven  and  fruitful  seasons,  filling  onr  hearts  with  food  and  gladness,' — has 
poured  down  His  gifts  upon  us  with  a  munificence  worthy  of  a  King,  with  a 
profusion  which  suggests  resources  that  can  never  be  exhausted,  a  hand  that 
is  never  weary,  a  love  that  can  never  fail. 

By  a  bountiful  harvest  what  evils  are  averted  1  In  the  present  circum- 
stances of  onr  country,  with  trade  so  depressed  and  commercial  confidence 
so  impaired,  the  ravages  of  a  famine  would  have  been  fearful  to  contem- 
plate. There  would  have  beeu  'cleanness  of  teeth  in  all  our  cities,  and 
want  of  bread  in  all  our  borders,' — cold  and  hanger  and  nakedness  brought 
to  many  a  home  which  was  before  the  abode  of  comfort  and  Joy.  Bnt  God 
has  blessed  our  labonr,  and  crowned  it  with  success ;  an  abundant  recom- 
pense has  been  obtained  as  the  reward  of  diligent  and  patient- toil ;  suspense 
has  been  relieved,  and  anxious  forebodings  dissipated.  And  now,  as  we  day 
by  day  seat  ourselves  at  the  table  which  our  Heavenly  Father's  thought  and 
love  Iwve  provided,  let  us  look  up  to  Him  who  is  the  Giver  of  every  good 
and  perfect  gift,  let  these  daily  mercies  stimulate  to  frequent  and  loving 
intercourse,  aud  let  our  gratitude  find  fitting  expression  in  songs  of  pruse, 
in  fervent  hearts,  in  holy  and  devoted  lives. 

Bnt,  alas  1  how  many  are  there  who,  though  sustained  by  divine  bounty, 


.536  A  HARVEST  HOMILY.  ""S*^!^ 

and  the  constant  recipients  of  diTioe  favour,  forget  that  God  in  whom  '  we 
hre,  and  move,  and  have  oor  being '  I  Ob,  the  baee  ingratitude  of  socb  con- 
dnct !  Like  those  patches  of  snotr  on  the  steep  ridges  of  a  Highland  moun- 
tain, which  have  resisted  the  power  of  a  long  summer  son  to  meit  them,  snch 
persons,  amid  all  the  genial  influenceB  of  divine  goodness  and  mercy,  retuo 
hearts  that  feel  no  glow  of  gratitnde,  that  have  no  throb  of  thankfulness  to 
yield  to  Qod  for  His  contiaaed  generosity  and  nnwearied  care.  Sorely  a 
world  BO  fall  of  Ood's  goodness  shoold  be  vocal  with  His  praise.  *  Ob  Uiat 
men  would  praise  the  Lord  for  Ilis  goodness,  and  for  His  wonderfnl  works  to 
the  children  of  men ;  for  He  satisfieth  the  longing  sonl,  and  filleth  the  hungry 
soul  with  goodness  1' 

Second,  We  should  cherish  feelings  of  adoring  wonder.  How  many, 
varied,  and  minnte  the  processes  of  nature  which  have  combined  to  produce 
the  resnlt  we  are  now  gratefally  commemorating !  The  snow  mantled  the 
earth  with  its  robe  of  white,  and  prepared  the  soil  for  the  comii^  year;  the 
dew  and  the  rain  descended  to  refresh  it ;  and  the  sun,  the  source  of  all  light, 
life,  and  beanty,  penetrated  it  with  its  cheering  beams.  And  how  wonder- 
ful the  contrast  between  the  barrenness  and  desolation  of  winter  and  the 
scene  presented  when  earth  clothed  herself  in  the  verdure  of  spring,  in  tbo 
glory  of  summer,  in  the  waving  fields  and  hanging  clusters  of  aatumn'a 
golden  glow!  These  fields  which  lately  produced  so  abandantly,  were 
shortly  before  tracts  of  cold  dull  earth,  presenting  scarcely  a  vestige  of 
vegetation  or  beaaty.  But  the  sower  went  forth  to  sow  his  seed.  TTu 
seed  entered  the  soil,  and  there,  in  its  cold  damp  bed,  it  rotted,  sweM, 
seemed  to  dissolve  in  its  own  corruption,  and  to  mingle  with  the  rode 
elements  around.  The  hopes  of  the  hnsbandmau,  however,  were  not  dia- 
appointed.  It  seems  to  be  the  rule  of  all  created  life  b  this  strange  world 
of  ours,  that  death  most  be  its  precursor.  No  death,  no  life.  '  Verily  I 
eay  unto  yon,'  said  the  great  Knsbandman, '  except  a  com  of  wheat  fall  into 
the  ground  and  die,  it  abideth  alone ;  but  if  it  die  it  bringeth  forth  much 
fruit.'  The  death  of  the  seed  was,  after  all,  only  the  death  of  the  onter 
shell  in  order  that  the  living  genn  might  be  emancipated  and  enlarged.  The 
mystery  of  life  lay  dormant  within ;  and  when  the  outer  form  decayed,  it 
broke  forth  from  its  dark  and  louely  prison-house  with  fresh  energy  and 
awakened  hope.  Soon,  accordingly,  a  living  shoot  pierced  the  surface,  and, 
under  the  fostering  smile  of  heaven,  we  had  '  first  the  blade,  then  the  ear, 
after  that  the  full  com  in  the  ear.'  In  a  way  to  us  mysterious  the  fields 
were  covered  with  waving  grain,  whose  golden  ripeness  invited  the  reaper's 
hand ;  they  were  enlivened  by  the  lond  and  joyons  sounds  of  those  who 
'  bear  the  harvest  treasures  home ;'  and  the  fruits  of  an  abundant  harvest 
were  safely  stored,  ready  for  the  support  and  comfort  of  our  lives. 

The  original  seed,  moreover,  which  thus  possessed  the  germ  of  Kfe,  was 
capable  of  being  multiplied  to  an  indefinite  extent.  It  had  the  power  of 
communicating  its  own  principle  of  vitality ;  and,  as  in  the  days  of  our 
Saviour,  when  the  few  loaves  and  fishes  were  so  multiplied  as  to  sapply 
thousands,  we  see  the  grains  cast  into  the  ground, '  and  sprii^ng  ap,  in  some 
thirty,  in  some  sixty,  in  some  an  hundred  fold.'  In  a  literal  sense  it  is  tme 
that  some  '  handful  of  com  in  the  earth  upon  the  top  of  the  motmtains' — 
the  most  unpropitions  soil — may  yet  wave  lasnriantly  in  many  distant  lands. 

How  much  is  there  in  all  these  processes  of  natnre  to  astonish  anddeKght, 
to  lead  us  to  admire  and  adore  the  perfections  of  Him  who  is '  wonderful 
in  counsel  and  excellent  in  working'!  Who  does  not  recognise  in  all  these 
processes,  whose  operation  is  repeated  from  year  to  year,  the  presence  of  a 


'""b^wiT''  a  habvest  hohilt.  537 

power  before  which  all  the  schierements  of  hnman  skill  are  insigiiificant  as 
the  small  dnst  in  the  balanceT  Ales !  that  an;  should  pretend  to  rise  abore 
this  Ddtnral  feeling  of  wonder,  should  put  on  &  stolid  apathy,  whatever 
may  appeal  to  them  in  the  Way  of  the  beaulifiil,  myaterions,  and  grand,  or 
cease  to  regard  the  operatioDS  of  His  hand  I  Let  ua  go  throngh  life,  find- 
ing day  after  day  new  cause  for  iptelligent  wonder,  interest,  and  admiration, 
and  declare  to  all  around  'the  wondrous  worlts  of  God.' 

Third,  We  shonld  cherish  feelings  of  hnmble  dependence.  There  can  be 
DO  doabt  of  oar  proneness  to  imagine  that  our  own  skill  and  ioduatry  have 
produced  the  plentiful  crops,  and  that  to  new  modes  of  culture  and  improved 
instrnmenta  of  husbandry  the  credit  is  mainly  dne.  We  are  apt,  in  this 
bighly-favoured  land,  to  contemplate  with  pride  the  storea  ot  provision  our 
far-reaching  commerce  brings  home,  to  boast  of  our  national  wealth  and 
power  as  absolutely  our  own,  and  certain  to  place  our  trade  in  a  position  of 
never-failing  prosperity.  How  presumptuously,  too,  do  some  men  of  science 
endeavour  to  banish  Ood  from  His  own  world,  and  speak  as  if  nature  had 
a  power  inherent  in  herself  to  preserve  all  things  in  uniform  and  harmonious 
order,  forgetting  that  '  nature  is  but  a  name  for  an  effect  whose  cause  is  God' ! 
Man,  indeed,  has  done  much.  He  has  a  part  to  perform,  and  the  perform- 
ance of  it  ia  indispensable.  He  must  prepare  the  soil  and  bow  the  seed ;  and 
through  his  instrumentality  the  barren  waste  may  be  converted  into  the 
fruitful  field,  and  the  productive  ground  rendered  more  productive  still. 
Indolence  in  the  cultivator  of  the  soil  is  inexcusable,  and  it  would  be  no  true 
dependence  on  Providence  to  neglect  the  appointed  means.  Only  as  he  bows 
can  he  expect  to  reap.  But  let  us  not  act  so  atheistically  as  to  stop  short 
at  secondary  causes — as  to  leave  out  of  view  the  ever-present  and  all-powerful 
Bebg  who  gives  to  men  wisdom  and  understandmg  to  discern  the  beat  means 
to  employ,  who  overrules  all  the  changes  of  the  fitful  and  fluctuating  weather 
on  which  the  hopes  of  the  year  are  suspended,  and  who,  by  the  high  and 
hidden  processes  of  the  atmosphere  above,  and  of  the  vegetable  kingdom 
below,  which  we  can  neither  control  nor  comprehend,  causes  the  se«d  to 
germinate,  grow,  and  reach  maturity,  and  crowns  our  labours  with  His 
gracious  blessing.     Revolving  seasons  are  full  of  Ood. 


Let  us  therefore  realize  and  humbly  own  our  constant  dependence; 
let  us  by  prayer  snpphcate  the  divine  blessing,  and  thna  do  homage  and 
render  recognition  to  the  part  God  alone  cau  perform ;  and  let  ua  cultivate 
the  habit  of  tracing  every  blesung  to  the  hand  of  our  Heavenly  Father.  Our 
doingso  will  increase  the  value  of  the  gift.  The  'daily  bread' will  be  enhanced 
in  our  esteem  if  its  connection  be  acknowledged  with  the  '  bread  of  life '  which 
came  down  from  heaven  j  and  the  cup  of  cold  water  will  gain  a  refreshing 
sparkle  if  it  be  traced  up  till  lost  in  the  clouds  of  heaven,  and  then,  by  the 
eye  of  contemplation  and  faith,  beheld  to  issue  from  its  primeval  fountain 
'  clear  as  crystal  out  of  the  throne  of  Ood  and  of  the  Lamb.' 

Fotrtb,  We  should  cherish  feelings  of  restful  conQdence.  Four  thousand 
years  have  passed  since  the  promise  was  made  to  Noah  that '  while  the  earth 
remaineth,  seed-time  and  harvest,  and  cold  and  heat,  and  summer  and  winter, 
and  day  and  night,  shall  not  cease ;'  imd  all  through  these  agea  has  God 
been  remembering  His  covenant,  in  year  by  year,  with  unceasing  regularity 
and  bounteous  genwosity,  providing  for  haman  need.  The  continuance  of  the 
world,  the  bow  in  the  cloud,  and  all  the  blessinga  by  which  we  are  snr- 
roonded,  are  proofs  of  the  faithfulness  of  Him  who  '  established  His  covenant 


538  A  HAKVE8T  HOMILT.  ^'""DiJt%l!'^ 

for  perpetual  generations.'  Great  reason  have  we  here  for  thankfulness 
aod  hope.  Had  God  not  been,  as  it  were,  boand  np  by  His  own  promise, 
had  the  promises  He  has  made  not  been  as  immntable  as  His  own  perfec- 
tions, we  might  almost  have  feared  that  the  daring  impiety  of  those  who 
doubt  or  deny  the  existence  of  the  very  Being  by  whom  they  are  sustained, 
and  the  sin  of  every  form  which  so  lamentably  prevails,  wonld  tempt  Him  to 
stay  His  hand,  and  permit  famine  and  pestilence — the  curse  of  an  avenging 
God — to  work  out  a  speedy  and  inevitable  destruction.  We  bless  God  for 
His  covenant,  rejoice  to  know  that  with  the  great  'I  am '  is  'no  variable- 
ness, neither  shadow  of  taming,'  and  that  all  Hia  attribntea — ^His  wisdom, 
justice,  holiness,  goodness,  and  truth — shine  from  age  to  age  with  nniform 
unchanging  brightness;  so  that,  while  men  may  alter  their  intentions,  or  be 
defeated  in  their  purposes,  while  their  promises  are  precarious,  dependent  on 
a  thonsand  contingencies,  we  are  assured  that  '  the  Strength  of  Israel  is 
not  a  man  that  He  should  lie,  nor  the  son  of  man  that  He  should  repent 
Hath  He  said  it,  and  shall  He  not  do  itt  Hath  He  spoken,  and  shall  He 
not  make  it  good  V  And  the  stability  of  the  universe  rests  on  this  fact.  The 
laws  of  natnre  but  reflect  the  immutability  of  their  Author;  and  as  the 
seasons  revolve,  and  the  sun  rises  or  sets,  abundant  proof  is  fornished  of 
the  faithfulness  and  truth  of  God,  which  anew  may  strengtheo  onr  con- 
fidence and  call  forth  onr  praise.  Let  us  repose  our  faith  in  the  constancy 
of  nature  and  of  nature's  God,  and  thus,  when  we  have  done  onr  part, 
enjoy  the  relief  and  comfort  which  flows  from  committing  the  resdl  to 
Him  who  giveth  the  increase. 

Besides,  are  not  the  promises  of  God  in  Christ  Jesna,  and,  being  m  Him, 
are  they  not  'yea,  and  in  Him  Amen,  unto  the  glory  of  God  by  ns't 
The  gifts  we  receive  are  more  than  merely  the  gifts  of  the  God  of  nature, 
whose  tender  mercies  are  over  all  His  works.  They  come  to  us  now  in 
a  pecnhar  manner  as  gifts  from  the  God  of  grace,  for  they  come  throngb  a 
mediator,  even  His  own  Sou.  Our  confidence  is  based,  therefore,  not  only 
on  the  high  attributes  of  a  God  whose  nature  is  nnchangeabie,  and  on  the 
covenant  into  which  Ood  was  pleased  to  enter  with  Noah  and  his  seed, 
but  specially  on  the  securities  of  that  covenant  which  cannot  be  broken, 
into  which  God  has  entered  with  Jesns  as  onr  representative  and  Savionr. 
Trust,  then,  in  the  Lord ;  '  His  mercy  is  in  the  heavens ;  His  faithfulness 
reachetb  nnto  the  clouds.' 

And,  fifth.  We  should  cherish  feelings  of  enlarged  and  self-denying  bene- 
volence. Has  the  God  of  the  harvest  placed  a  si&cient  supply  on  the  great 
table  of  the  world  for  the  feeding  of  all  Hia  children,  and  do  we  now  profess 
gratitude  for  this  new  manifestation  of  His  care  and  love  *  '  Be  ye  followers 
of  God.'  Endeavour  to  imitate  the  divine  example,  by  devoting  of  the  gifts 
of  His  bonnty  as  He  may  prospter  you  for  the  reUef  of  the  wants  of  the  poor — 
of  all  who  have  a  claim  on  your  sympathy  and  help.  '  The  poor  always  ye 
have  with  yon  ;'  and  they  are  children  of  a  common  Father,  members  of  Uie 
same  great  family.  Every  one  is  your  neighbour  who  needs  your  assistance, 
and  whom  you  are  able  to  relieve.  Open,  therefore,  your  hearts  and  hands 
to  all  the  children  of  want.  'Freely  ye  have  received,  freely  give.'  'He 
that  hath  pity  upon  the  poor,  lendeth  unto  the  Lord.'  He  who  lives  a 
life  of  nnselGsh  benevolence,  who  is  ready  to  sympathize  with  the  poorest 
in  their  trials  and  sorrows,  and  to  reUeve  their  wants,  walks  in  the  foot- 
steps of  that  holy  and  divine  Being  who  '  came  not  to  be  ministered  nnto, 
but  to  minister,  and  to  give  His  life  a  ransom  for  many.' 

To  man  himself  the  djstribntion  of  the  honnties  of  Providence  has  been 


"°"!^!'^"*'  THE  BOSTON  MONDAY  LECTDBKS.  539 

committed ;  and  wherever  the  people  are  stinted  in  their  sopply  of  food, 
this  does  not  arise  from  any  want  of  the  precious  commodity,  but  solely 
from  tlie  waste,  profligacy,  and  eelfisfaDess  of  men  and  nations.  Qod  is 
good,  and  ever  doing  good ;  bat  men  are  deprared,  and  abuse  the  bonnties 
of  ProTidence  given  for  the  wisest  parpioses.  God  gives  enongh  for  all, 
but  men  convert  His  mercies  into  weapons  of  rebellion — means  of  indul- 
gence and  last.  Hence  the  poverty  and  heartrending  distress,  the  intem- 
perance and  misery,  which  abound.  May  God  teach  us  to  use  with 
moderation  and  wisdom  the  gifts  He  has  bestowed;  to  distribute  them 
with  generosity,  that  '  there  be  no  complaining  in  onr  streets.'  There  is 
DO  cnrse  deeper  or  deadlier  than  the  curse  of  nusanctiiied  wealth.  There 
is  no  more  pitiable  sight  in  the  world  than  that  of  a  man  who  imagines 
that  the  best  way  of  enjoying  the  divine  bounties  is  to  expend  them  lavishly 
on  himself,  or  to  '  lay  up  goods  for  many  years ;'  who  is  bound  by  the 
nnbroken  chain  of  selfishness,  and  by  his  very  abundance  is  becoming  ever 
more  binnted  in  his  moral  sensibilities,  and  less  susceptible  of  spiritual  im- 
pr^sions  and  Christian  influences.  ^  Whether,  therefore,  ye  eat  or  drink,  or 
whatsoever  ye  do,  do  all  to  the  gloiy  of  God.'  And  let  the  goodness  of 
God  to  yon  incite  yon  to  give  as  He  has  prospered  yon,  to  relieve  the 
necessities  of  those  less  favoured.  Tours,  then,  will  be  the  recompense  of 
those  who  bave  'considered  the  poor;'  to  whom,  before  assembled  worlds, 
Ihe  Judge  will  declare,  'Inasmuch  as  ye  have  done  it  onto  one  of  the  least 
of  these  my  brethren,  ye  have  done  it  onto  me.' 


THE  BOSTON  MONDAY  LECTURES. 

{Concluded.) 

One  result  of  these  lectures,  so  far  as  they  are  read,  will  be  to  deepen  the 

coQviction  that  by  the  progress  of  scientific  study,  orthodoxy  has  nothing  to 
lose,  and  everything  to  gain.  The  latest  researches  of  the  scientists  do  not 
reveal  a  single  fact  which  conflicts  with  the  Biblical  account  of  the  origin  of 
life,  force,  and  matter.  With  regard  to  the  first  of  these  especially,  the  most 
recent  investigations  are  reassuring.  Every  living  Evolutionist,  without  an 
exception  of  any  anthority,  is  obliged  to  make  such  concessions  to  opponents 
as  renders  it  impossible  up  to  the  present  hour  for  Evolution,  as  a  system,  to 
take  any  independent  position.  Only  a  few  weeks  ago,  the  boldest  living 
advocate  of  Evolution,  Professor  Hackel  of  Jena,  made  a  speech  in  Paris  to 
the  French  savanle  there,  and  the  strongest  thing  he  had  to  say  for  the  doctrine, 
as  reported  by  the  Temps,  was  this : — '  Professors  and  preachers  who  ridicule 
man's  descent  from  the  ape  unwittingly  furnish  the  best  proof  of  it, — their 
pride  and  childish  vanity  being  foibles  which  might  bave  been  bequeathed 
by  the  ape.'  Wben  the  most  thorough  and  strenuous  champion  of  Evolution 
in  the  universities  of  Germany  condescends  to  argue,  even  in  jest,  that  man's 
ridicule  of  his  descent  from  the  ape  is  a  proof  of  his  having  so  descended, 
orthodoxy  may  hold  up  its  head.  Yet  Hackel  rushes  in  where  Darwin 
fears  to  tread.  To  him  the  gap  between  the  living  and  the  not-living,  so 
staggering  to  more  modest  inquirers,  is  no  stumbliogblock,  because  he 
hangs  by  the  fag-end  of  science  in  adhering  to  spontaneous  generation,  and 
spontaneous  generation  makes  anything  possible.  Hackel  gets  half  way  to 
the  conclusion,  and  then  multiplies  by  two.  He  traces  life  back  through  the 
ages,  but,  finding  that  the  not-living  comes  no  nearer,  he  confusedly  postu- 
lates that  somewhere  and  somehow  a  number  of  atoms  once  upon  a  time 


540  THE  BOSTON  MONDAY  LECTDBES.  '      d!.  "mr*"' 

got  into  coQDection  ia  such  a  mtuiDer  as  to  form  a  living  cell.  And  then 
tbe  doctrine  o(  Erolntion  ma/  be  held  cheap.  We  prefer  the  modesty  of 
Varwio.  And  when  Darwin  confesses  hia  inability  to  accotmt  for  the 
primordial  genu  without  Qod,  be  only  states  explicitly  and  frankly  what 
others  of  his  brethren  stale  implicitly  and  reluctantly. 

This,  a^aia,  connects  itself  with  the  Christian  doctrine  of  a  future  life. 
The  unbridged  chasm  between  the  liring  and  not-living  looks  forward  to 
the  nndiscovered  country  behind  the  veil.  The  application  of  the  micro- 
scope to  bioplasm  reveals  to  Huxley  the  existeDce  of  life  before  organiza- 
tiOD  i  and  we  infer  that  if  life  precede  organization,  it  may  also  anrvive  it. 
When  the  matter  of  the  brain  is  scrutinized,  experiment  proves  that  that 
portion  of  it  supposed  to  be  the  seat  of  thought  is  insusceptible  to  material 
stimnlns ;  and  we  infer,  therefore,  first,  that  its  exciting  cause  must  be  oat- 
side  of  matter, — in  other  words,  that  it  is  soal ;  and,  second,  that  this  being 
ao,  the  destruction  of  the  matter  in  no  way  argues  that  of  sonl. 

Cook  does  some  service  to  orthodoxy  by  some  well-bestowed  attention  to 
the  qnestioD  of  first  principles.  From  the  scientific  standpoint,  intnition  is 
the  stronghold  of  the  Biblical  system.  A  materialistic  philosophy,  there- 
fore, is  only  consistent  in  laying  siege  to  the  citadel,  and  attempting  its 
destruction.  For  this  pnrpose  it  goes  back  beyond  John  Locke,  and  finds 
a  basis  on  the  famous  remark  of  Gassendi, — ^  Omnis  idea  ortvm  ducit  a 
aensibus' — Every  idea  takes  its  rise  from  the  senses.  Whether  this  be  so  or 
not  is  the  supreme  question  of  present  day  philosophy.  Cook  shoirs,  as 
Leibnitz  well  showed  before  him,  that  the  very  idea  of  intellect  implies  a 
plan  according  to  which  it  was  made.  That  plan,  again,  supposes  certain 
primary  notions  as  the  coadition  of  the  existence  of  that  of  which  it  is  the 
plan.  In  other  words,  the  origin  of  intellect  is  unthinkable  without  assum- 
ing that  it  originated  in  a  certain  form  and  nature, — that  is,  had  from  the 
beginning  certain  first  principles  of  thonght  that  lie  at  the  foundation  of  all 
its  operations.  The  same  reasoning  applies  with  even  greater  force  to  the 
moral  part  of  the  soul.  It  is  not  difficult  to  deduce  from  this  discuHsion 
a  corollary  which  amounts  to  a  refutation  of  Fantheism,  or  the  theory  of  a 
non-personal  God.  For  the  moral  intuitions  irresistibly  compel  the  assump- 
tion not  only  of  a  higher  Being  to  whom  we  are  responsible,  but  of  a  Bung 
who  knows  us, — what  we  are  actually  doing,  what  we  are  capable  of,  what 
are  our  temptations  to  do  evil  and  our  facilities  for  doing  good, — and  this 
knowledge  involves  personality. 

One  thing  which  appears  very  prominent  from  banning  to  end  of  these 
discussions,  is  a  deep  reverence  for  self-evident  truth,  and  a  frank  willing- 
ness, in  every  question,  to  abide  by  its  decision.  Not  that  this  rule  is 
everywhere  adhered  to :  for  there  are  some  instances  where  a  very  beautiful 
argument  is  fonnded  on  a  very  questionable  major.  Here  and  there,  also,  a 
middle  is  thrown  in,  apparently  very  much  in  the  way  of  a  stop-gap,  as  if  to 
fill  a  hiatns  which  liad  not  appeared  until  the  writer  was  in  tbe  thick  of  the 
diecnssioD.  But  the  conclnsion  is  always  fairly  drawn,  and  the  steps  that 
lead  np  to  it  are  certain  in  their  advance  and  pleasant  to  follow.  Nor  does 
an  occasional  error  in  the  construction  of  syllogism  binder  the  statement 
that  one  of  the  chief  excellences  of  Cook's  method  is  rigid  adherence  to  the 
intuitional  basis. 

And  this  is  a  most  imporiant  consideration  as  between  the  theologian  and 
the  scientist.  For  intuition  takes  the  side  of  no  olog;  or  ism,  bat  knows 
only  truth.  That  is  to  say,  if  there  be  in  consciousness  truths  which  are 
uuderived,  these  must  be  accepted  by  every  trnth-seeker  as  ultimate  criteria. 


■^"5Lri;'i«""^^  THE  BOSTON  MONDAY  LECTnEES.  541 

If  they  are  not  bo  received,  acientiGc  aod  theological  coDclnsions  are 
equally  arbitrary  aod  unauthorized,  and  aonnd  philosophy  is  impossible. 
Science  without  data  is  a  chimera.  Scientific  method  sappoaes  data.  Trnth 
demands  them ;  for  the  nnity  of  tmth  implies  the  oneness  of  its  origin,  and 
snch  origin  can  be  fonnd  only  in  iatnitioD.  Bat  the  existence  of  intnitional 
tmth  may  be  admitted,  and  its  aothority  denied ;  and  it  is  erideot  that  the 
same  end  may  be  giuned  by  denying  its  anthority  as  by  denying  its  esist- 
ence.  Accordingly  there  is  at  present  a  school  of  scepticism,  which,  admit- 
ting the  feet  of  the  moral  intuitions  of  conscience,  refnsea  them  the  authority 
of  binding  law. 

The  ground  on  which  this  deuial  is  advanced  is  curious.  It  is  conceded 
that  the  atonement  meets  the  demands  for  satisfaction  and  expiation  which 
conscience  actually  makes.  But  it  is  maintained  that  this  'fitting  in'  of 
atonement  to  conscience  is  merely  accidental ;  that  our  notions  of  moral  law 
are  not  like  God's ;  that,  therefore,  the  difficulties  and  demands  of  conscience 
after  we  sin  have  no  foundation  in  human  nature,  and  may  be  regarded  as 
essentially  false.  It  will  be  seen  that  the  major  proposition  of  this  argument 
ia  that  *onr  notions  of  moral  law  are  not  hke  God's.'  And  it  will  be  seen 
also,  that  if  this  were  true  in  the  sense  in  which  it  is  intended  here,  it  woold 
cut  the  ground  from  all  theology  and  moral  science.  For  it  aasnmes  the 
daalism  of  moral  law,- — that  it  ia  one  thing  in  the  inborn  convictions  of  the 
human  mind,  and  aomething  elae  in  the  mind  of  God.  If  this  be  granted, 
then  in  morals  anything  may  be  affirmed  and  anything  may  be  denied ;  and 
the  same  proposition  may  be  aCGrmed  and  denied  with  equal  propriety.  We 
are  then  left  in  a  maze  of  universal  doubt.  We  may  betake  onraelves  to  the 
wretched  shifts'  permitted  in  the  casnistry  of  the  Jesuits,  and  authorized  by 
the  doctrine  oi  probable  opinions.  The  moral  law  held  by  orthodoxy,  on  the 
contrary,  is  &rst  intuitional,  then  one,  then  supreme.  This  is  premised  as  the 
threefold  nnity  of  consciousness,  and  the  Grst  principle  of  morality.  The 
fitness  existing  between  conscience  craving  vrithin  and  atonement  supply- 
ing from  without'is  not  accidental,  but  necessary  and  eternal. 

The  exigencies  of  present-day  discusaion  point  to  the  desirableness  of 
giving  prominence  to  this  kind  of  facts  in  the  public  teaching  of  rehgion.  If 
existing  tendencies  strengthen,  this  desirableness  will  grow.  The  moral 
tendency  of  the  age  is  toward  arbitrariness  in  the  sphere  of  moral  criteria; 
the  substitution  of  flexible  standards  for  absolate  rale.  It  will  become 
increasingly  the  work  of  the  pulpit  to  hold  forth  the  certain  existence,  the 
noivfrsal  nnity,  and  the  supreme  authority  of  moral  intuition.  The  refieclive 
doubter  ia  advancing  to  the  front.  He  baa  to  be  met ;  and  the  best  material 
to  work  on  is  big  reflectiveness.  To  indnce  him  to  look  within  at  the  self- 
evident  needs  of  his  nature,  and  then  to  look  without  and  see  how  exactly 
God  in  revelation  has  met  them, — this  process  will,  under  the  Spirit,  end  in 
conviction. 

There  can  be  no  doubt  that  these  lectures  owe  their  popularity  very  much 
to  their  style.  In  the  main,  that  is  attractive,  clear,  and  convincing.  Tbey 
deal  very  lai^ely  with  facts.  Some  of  them  consist  almost  entirely  in  a 
marshalling  of  the  ugnments  of  other  authors,  rendered  luminous  by  the 
lecturer's  own  torch.  His  power  of  illuminating  ia  at  timea  amazing,  and 
certainly  forms  one  secret  of  hia  attraction.  His  reading  must  have  been 
prodigions.  Perhaps  no  living  minister  poasesses  so  exteilsive  an  acquaint- 
ance with  subjects  which  are  not  within  the  immediate  range  of  pnlpit  work. 
In  bringing  to  bear  the  results  of  his  reading,  he  is  distinguished  by  pene- 
trating sagacity,  hard  common  sense,  precision  of  method,  and  excellence  of 


542  THE  BOSTON  MONDAY  LBCTUKES.  '""ElTiwi'"^ 

arrangement.  In  criticiBm.  he  is  eminently  fair  and  frank.  No  one  of  tbe 
nnmeroiiB  writers  nhose  opinions  he  cbalJenges  conid  jnatly  sa^  that  be 
designates  them  bj  a  single  term  anworthy  of  a  Christian  gentleman.  We 
have  said  that  he  deals  largely  with  facts.  In  drawing  copioasly  from  those 
established  or  admitted  by  past  and  present  philosophy,  he  gathers  stores 
which  DO  man  knows  better  how  to  nse,  and  in  showing  their  bearing  on 
present-day  questions  he  evidently  finds  a  work  congenial  to  his  nature  and 
snited  to  big  talents.  He  has  originality,  bat  it  is  mainljr  the  origioaUty 
which  deals  with  method  in  the  application  of  discovered  facts  to  scientific 
theories ;  and  this  is  the  kind  of  originality  the  age  reqnires.  The  be&aty, 
the  extent,  and  the  force  with  which  this  is  accomplished  by  Cook,  constitnte 
the  chief  value  of  his  lectures.  Tbe  principal  blemish  of  these  productions 
lies  in  their  manuerisms.  It  is  a  pity  that  in  this  respect  tbey  may  be  called 
uniqne.  The  preface  to  every  ai^ument  smacks  exceedingly  of  the  '  Now- 
then-I'm-going-to-do-it '  element.  He  '  swings '  you  forward  under  the  same 
influence.  There  is  a  certain  '  ro  '  in  the  process  which  sometimes  carries 
the  reader's  conviction  before  his  reason.  An  elegant '  da,ab,'  while  impart- 
ing liveliness,  at  the  same  time  draws  off  the  attention  of  the  reader  to  the 
personality  of  the  writer,  so  that  the  argument  suffers  injustice  through 
imperfect  comprehension.  The  phraseology  lays  itself  open  to  similar 
criticism.  'The  nature  of  things'  is  a  phrase  which,  in  many  of  the  nume- 
rous passages  where  it  occurs,  seems  to  have  no  better  recommendation  than 
its  flexibility.  It  is  jerked  in  on  all  and  sundry  occasions.  la  one  short 
lecture  of  less  than  seven  pages  it  occurs  thirty-four  times.  This  were  of  no 
account  if  it  had  any  defined  significance.  Ouce,  in  the  lecture  on 'The 
Laughter  of  the  Soul  at  itself,'  does  the  writer  indicate  the  meaning  be  atUciws 
to  it.  'The  nature  of  things  is  only  another  name  for  tbe  Divine  natoie.' 
lu  a  great  mauy  instances,  however,  any  attempt  to  put  the  latter  for  the 
former  results  in  nonsense.  '  I  defy  the  ages '  is  the  manner  in  which  he 
challenges  combat  on  an  estabhshed  proposition.  Liberal  criticism  is 
described  as  that  which  '  looks  into  the  thirty-two  points  of  the  azure.'  An 
incontrovertible  fact  is  one  which  is  able  to  stand  against  '  the  blaze  of  the 
iufinity  of  Biblical  truth,'  'The  infinities  and  eternities'  is  strong,  yet 
weak.  The  fifteen  steps  of  an  argument  on  conscience  gain  nothing  by  being 
defined  as  '  deluging  certainties  poured  from  the  infinite  heights  of  the  nature 
of  things,'  from  which  'multitudinous  inferences  flow  as  Niagaras  from  the 
eternal  fountains,'  whose  'roar  and  spray  almost  deafen  and  blind  whoever 
stands '  near  them.  Many  of  these  flights  may  be  due  to  the  exigencies  of 
semi- extempore  address;  and  in  any  case  it  is  easy  to  forget  the  verbal 
exaggerations  of  so  uoble  a  critic  as  Joseph  Cook. 

The  philosophical  significance  of  these  lectures  lies  in  the  acknowledged 
divergence  between  the  processes  and  conclnsioDS  of  revelation  and  science. 
They  are  an  attempt  to  account  for  that  divergence  on  the  one  hand,  and  to 
minimize  it  on  the  other.  It  cannot  be  doubted  that  the  attempt  will  be 
largely  successful.  Many  who  have  hitherto  regarded  the  subject  with 
perplexity  will  rise  from  their  perusal  with  relief.  The  age  clamours  for 
truth  on  the  problems  of  human  fife,  conscience,  and  futurity.  One  man 
interrogates  science,  another  revelation.  Conflicting  responses  assume  the 
holy  name  of  truth.  But  truth  is  one,  and  never  yet  was  divided  against 
itself,  '  I  am  of  science,'  says  one,  '  and  I  of  revelation,'  says  another. 
But  the  wiser  student  is  he  who  lays  his  hand  on  both.  He  believes  that 
each  is  potentially  contained  in  the  other, — science  in  revelation,  and  revela- 
tion in  science.    The  want  of  the  time  is  a  unifying  mind.    Whea  that 


"■'■Eit'irHmll'**'''  THE  LATE  BBV.  PETEE  M'DOWALL,  M.A.,  ALLOA.   543 

master  is  come,  the  two  streams  of  inquiry  will  tarn  matnally  inwards,  and, 
seeing  each  other  face  to  face,  will  hasten  forwards  witH  lessening  interval  till 
they  meet  in  oae.  J.  P.  Dempster. 


THE  LATE  RET.  PETER  M'DOWALL,  M.A.,  ALLOA. 

I  in  connection  with  the  death  of  this  venerable  minister  were 
preached  byHeT.  Dr.  Joseph  Brown,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Towers,  Birkenhead.  At 
the  close  of  his  disconrse  Mr.  Towers  thus  spoke  of  his  dq>arted  friend ; — 
'The  birthplace  of  your  minister  was  a  small  farm  about  seven  miles  from 
Stranraer,  called  Hight.  His  early  education  was  obtained  at  the  parish 
school  of  Inch.  He  afterwards  entered  the  University  of  Glasgow.  I  am 
anable  to  declare  to  what  extent  he  shone  as  a  student  and  scholar  in  the  one 
place  or  the  other.  We  know,  however,  that  he  brought  from  the  tJniversity 
the  degree  of  "M.A.,"  which  at  that  time  was  much  less  common  than  now. 
Having  pursued  the  usual  course  of  studies,  he  entered  the  Theological  Hall, 
which  was  presided  over  by  Mr.  Paxton  prior  to  the  union  of  Burgher  and 
Antibnrgher.  When  that  anion  was  accomplished,  which  constitnted  the 
United  Secession  Chnrch,  Dr.  Dick  became  the  only  professor,  and  Mr. 
M'Dowall's  coarse  of  pulilic  study  was  completed  under  him.  Pour  years 
prior  to  this,  Mr.  M'Dowall  was  engaged  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Muckersie  to 
t«ach  a  school  connected  vrith  this  congregation.  Having  taught  with 
acceptance  during  these  years,  and  being  licensed  to  preach  the  glorious 
gospel,  he  was  chosen  by  the  congregation  then  worshipping  here  as  col- 
leigne  to  Mr,  Muckersie.  He  had  another  call,  bat  preferred  Alloa,  where, 
from  the  time  of  Mr.  Muckersie's'  death,  whicli  occurred  twelve  months  after 
Mr.  M'Dowall's  ordination,  he  had  the  sole  charge  of  this  congregation  for 
about  thirty-five  years.  Ton  know  the  rest, — to  wit,  that  the  Rev.  Mr. 
MatbesoD,  afterwards  of  Bootle,  and  now  of  Glasgow,  became  his  colleague 
for  ten  years,  and  afterwards  yoor  present  highly -esteemed  young  minister, 
Mr.  M'Lean.  Tou  are  aware  that  since  the  celebration  of  the  jubilee  your 
late  minister's  health  has  been  gradually  declining,  and  that  he  was  totally 
nuabJe  for  public  work.  The  stroke  which  fell  upon  him  at  Cove  two  years 
ago  seemed  to  bring  his  end  very  near.  Even  then,  when  unable  to  speak 
above  his  breath,  the  sick  and  suffering  at  home  were  on  his  mind,  and  he 
desired  that  one  of  yourselves  would  offer  his  apology  for  not  having  seen 
some  of  them  before  he  left  home.  He  said  then — "  1  know  I  am  dying,  and 
it  is  of  little  importance  where  I  die,  yet  I  have  a  strong  wish  that  it  may  be 
among  my  own  people."  The  desire  was  gratified,  and  it  was  refreshing  to 
him  in  his  weakness  not  only  to  see  dear  friends  in  his  own  house,  but  to  be 
taken  in  his  chair  to  visit  others,  who,  like  himself,  were  invalids.  One  of 
yourselves  who  visited  him  daily,  and  joined  with  him  in  prayer,  testifies  not 
only  to  his  sabmissiveness  and  patience  in  affliction,  but  to  a  gratitude  which 
was  overflowing  for  the  Lord's  goodness,  and  for  the  continued  kmdness  of 
dear  friends.  During  the  last  two  weeks  of  his  life  he  had  a  few  days  of 
apparent  unconsciousness,  and  on  Tuesday  last  (September  10)  his  sufferings 
came  to  an  end,  "  when,"  says  the  elder  referred  to,  "  with  a  smile  of  peacefnl 
rest  from  a  fifty  years'  hard  labour,  his  spirit  passed  away."  I  cannot  pa^ 
from  these  facts  without  some  reference  to  my  estimate  of  bis  personal  worth, 
and  the  honour  which  God  has  put  upon  him  daring  a  lengthened  public  life. 
I  have  known  him  whose  remains  we  recently  carried  out  to  burial  for 
nearly  fifty  years-     While  yet  a  youth,  it  was  a  treat  to  listen  to  his  preach- 


544   THE  LATE  BEV,  PETER  M'DOWALL,  M.A.,  ALLOA.  ""'Si.fc^i''^ 

iog  when  on  an^  occasion  he  came  to  Airtb ;  and  during  the  whole  period  of 
my  ministry,  though  far  separated,  he  has  proved  a  faithfal,  stedfast,  and 
disinterested  friend.    1  feel,  therefore,  to-day  as  if  the  words  which  John 
Bright  applied  to  Richard  Cobdsn  at  his  death  were  applicable :  ^'  I  neyer 
knew  how  mnch  I  loved  him  until  I  found  that  I  had  lost  him."     Rather, 
perhaps,  I  never  saw  how  mach  he  deserved  my  high  esteem  untU  I  had  no 
longer  the  means  of  attesting  it.     Many,  I  fear,  have  the  same  experience 
on  several  occasionB ;  and  this  strange  humbling  fact  and  failing  of  poor 
hnmanity  may  go  far  to  explain  what  is  sometimes  complained  of — onr  ex- 
travagant enlogy  of  the  dead.     While  they  live  we  are  sharp-aighted  in 
discovering  their  faults,  and  sometimes  sinfully  nnthankfal  for  their  excel- 
lences.   When  they  are  dead  we  discover  our  own  failings,  and  in  revenge 
on  oorsetves  exaggerate  their  virtaes.    In  speaking,  then,  of  my  departed 
friend,  I  say,  first,  that  I  r^ard  him  as  having  been  a  tme  Christian  pastor. 
He  v>a»  a  Christian.    So  far  as  I  remnnber,  I  never  heard  him  speak  of  his 
conversion.     We  were  wont,  many  years  ago,  to  be  tmly  confidential,  and 
my  impression  is  that  he  could  not  name  the  time  when  first  he  knew  the 
Lord.    From  his  np-bringiug  ander  godly  parents,  and  especially  under  bis 
father,  who  was  a  highly-respected  elder  in  the  congregation  of  the  Bev. 
Mr.  Robertson,  Stranraer,  my  conviction  is  that,  like  Obadiah,  he  conld  say, 
"  I,  Thy  servant,  feared  the  Lord  from  my  youth."     Bnt  at  whatever  period 
or  by  whatever  means  the  change  came,  this  we  know,  that  he  loved  tbe 
Lord,  and  loved  the  Lord's  work.     And  so  he  gave  himself  darii^  these 
fifty  years  to  "  watch  for  your  souls,  as  one  that  must  give  acconnl;"  sad 
of  him  we  may  affirm,  "He  taught  you  pablicly  and  from  house  to  house," 
tempted  hke  other  men,  and  failing  like  others  of  the  high  standard  w^tihe 
adopted,  yet  aimed  so  to  live  that  he  might  say  with  Paul,  "  Ye  know  ho« 
holiiy,  and  justly,  and  uoblameably  I  behaved  myself  among  yon."    For 
these  reasons  I  call  him  a  Christian  pastor.    Second,  he  was  in  my  estima- 
tion a  true  gospel  preacher.    His  theme  was  "  Christ  and  Him  cmcified." 
He  sought  to  present  to  all  a  full  Christ  for  empty  sinners.    He  knew  and 
firmly  believed  that  "  there  is  no  other  name  by  which  we  can  be  saved  bat 
the  name  of  Jesns ; "  and  his  eonl  loathed  all  attempts,  by  whomsoever  made, 
to  feed  men  in  this  wilderness  on  aught  else  than  gospel  manna.     This  did 
not  prevent  him  from  enforcing  Christian  practice,  any  more  than  from 
adopting  it.     He  understood  the  happy  method  of  preaching   doctrine 
practically,  and  enforcing  practice  doctrinally.    Therefore,  when  proclaiming 
Christ  as  a  Saviour,  he  reminded  you  of  the  doty  of  accepting  TTim  aa  your 
Sarionr,  and  submitting  yourself  to  Him  as  yoar  Lord  and  Master.     When 
declaring,  also,  that  your  salvation  is  of  grace,  a  free  gift  accepted  bj 
faith  alone,  he  enforced  the  other  thought, — "that  the  grace  of   God, 
which    bringeth    salvation,  teacbeth   us   that,    denying    nngodliness    and 
worldly  lusts,   we  should   live    soberly,   righteously,  and    godly   in    this 
present  evil   world,"      In   running  this    race,   he  invited    yonr   attention 
to  the  fact   that  yonr  strength  and  safety  are  all  in  Christ,  the  great 
Intercessor  within  the  veil,  and  yet  warned  yon  lo  "  watch  and  pray, 
lest  Satan  should  gain  an  advantage  over  you."    I  never  can  forget  a  sermon 
in  my  Wigtown  pnlpit,  after  the  observance  of  the  Lord's  Snpper  there. 
The  text  was,  "  Simon,  Simon,  Satan  hath  desired  to  have  thee,  but  I  have 
prayed  for  thee,  that  thy  faith  fail  not."     As  we  listened  on  that  evening  to 
his  clear,  earnest,  and  pointed  appeals  and  illustrations,  we  were  made  to 
feel  that  the  text  was  not  for  others,  bat  for  us, — not  for  my  neighbonr, 
but  for  me ;  and  that  we  might  often  be  on  the  edge  of  a  frightful  precipice 


"'■^fis'Br^  THE  LATE  EEV.  PETEB  M'DOWALL,  M.A.,  ALLOA.   545 

withoDt  being  aware,  and  indebted  for  our  deliTerance  to  iaterceBsioDS  wbictk 
human  ears  cannot  hear.  I  thna  hold  my  departed  brother  to  have  been  a 
trne  gospel  preacher,  "keeping  back  nothing  that  was  profitable"  from  his 
hearers.  Are  jon  witnesaesl  See  to  it  that  you  be  not  witnesaea  to  your 
owa  shame.  I  have  only  to  add,  third,  that  in  your  departed  minister  yoD 
had  a  man  of  actjve  benevolence.  This  is  attested  in  a  variety  of  ways,  on 
which  I  cannot  dwell, — in  his  practical  sympathy  with  the  poor,  in  his  love 
of  httle  children,  and  tha  pleasure  it  gave  him  to  asaociate  with  the  yoang, 
and  enconr^e  them  in  the  way  and  work  of  God.  So  also  in  the  work  of 
missiona  abroad,  and  the  evangelizing  of  the  masses  at  home.  Allied  to 
these,  and  closely  associated  with  them,  his  endeavours  to  bring  abont  a 
temperance  reformation  in  our  country  are  well  known.  He  threw  himself 
heartily  into  the  canse  of  abstinence,  while  as  yet  we  promised  to  abstain 
only  from  ardent  spirits.  But  be  was  not  one  of  the  many  who,  as  I  well 
remember,  walked  no  more  with  as,  when  for  the  sake  of  removing  the  great 
stum bhng'b lock  we  pledged  ourselves  to  abandon  the  nse  of  everything 
intosicating.  To  a  man  of  Mr.  M'Dowali's  temperament,  who  was  so  fond 
of  society,  and  who  so  much  enjoyed  anecdote  and  wit,  it  must  have  been  a 
great  sacrifice  of  feeling  to  decline  once  and  for  ever  making  merry  with  bis 
friends  over  the  wine-cup,  even  in  moderation.  But  the  interests,  as  he 
believed,  of  society,  and  to  some  extent  the  success  of  the  gospel,  were  at 
stake,  and  he  resolved  in  this  matter  to  be  "  free  from  the  blood  of  all  men." 
From  other  leading  questions  of  the  day,  whether  political  or  ecclesiastical, 
Mr.  M'Dowall,  with  his  strongly  conscientious  and  passionate  nature,  was 
not  the  man  to  shrink.  And  so  we  find  him  taking  a  leadiug  part  in  seeking 
to  secure  good  government  for  oar  country,  and  the  freedom  of  the  Church 
from  its  legal  alliance  with  the  State.  Other  men,  who  are  equally  Christian 
and  conscientious,  may  disapprove  of  ministers  meddhng  in  these  matters. 
To  him  it  appeared,  as  it  does  to  me,  that  nothing  which  affects  humanity  ia 
its  rights,  privileges,  and  eternal  prospect*  should  be  foreign  to  the  Chris- 
tian minister.  It  is  the  design  of  the  gospel  to  "  let  the  oppressed  go  free, 
and  to  break  every  yoke."  Bnt  I  must  not  dwell  further  on  these  matters, 
and  only  add  that  I  see  largely  in  bis  life  active  Christian  benevolence, — a 
man  of  Ood  going  about  doing  good.  Altogether,  in  recalling  bis  memory 
and  the  changes  which  passed  over  him,  we,  as  men  judging  a  fellow-man, 
Bhal!  find  httle  to  blame  and  much  to  admire.  We  see  in  him  a  man  of 
sturdy  intellect  and  large  affections,  of  practical  piety  and  much  prayer;  a 
man  who  desired  to  live  at  peace  with  God  and  all  mankind ;  a  man  who 
stood  prominently  before  the  world  for  nearly  sixty  years  without  a  stain 
npon  his  name,  and  whose  life  was  to  a  large  extent — love.  When  we 
reflect,  moreover,  that  these  sixty  years  have  been  among  the  most  eventful 
in  the  world's  history;  that  he  has  lived  amid  unions  and  disraptions  (eccle- 
siastical and  political);  that  he  has  seen  the  churches  in  the  neighbourhood 
changing  the  pastorate  once  and  again  during  his  ministry,  and  all  the  while 
his  congregation  growing  in  numbers  and  influence ;  that,  moreover,  be  has 
shared  the  pastorate  thrice  during  bis  mtsistry  with  others,  and  lived  with 
them  as  a  father  or  a  brother,  while  most  ministers  dread  even  one  colleague- 
ship, — we  are  entitled  to  say,  "  Soldier  of  Christ,  well  done !  "  He  is  gone, 
and,  saitb  the  Spirit,  "  Blessed  are  the  dead  that  die  in  the  Lord."  I  am 
assured  that  he  died  in  union  to  Christ,  expecting  mercy  throngh  His  merits 
A  Dumber  of  years  ago,  in  a  letter  to  me,  he  said,  "  I  for  one  am  glad  that 
salvation  is  by  grace."  When  we  have  said  all  that  we  dare  to  say  of  his 
preaching  and  his  practice,  we  add  emphatically,  "By  grace  he  is  saved- 

HO.  XII.  TOL.  XXII.  MEVr  SERIES. — DECEUDER  1878.  2  M 


546  HOME  oiBCLB.  t'^Si^:^!!^ 

throagb  faith."  "  He  thftt  hath  the  Sod  hath  life,  and  shall  never  come  into 
condemDation."  Hark,  however,  that  the  same  Spirit  adds  regarding  them 
who  die  in  the  Lord,  that  "  their  works  do  follow  them."  Theee  works  coa- 
atitute  aD  item  which  enhances  thur  glor^  and  felicity.  Every  man  there, 
as  in  the  place  of  lost  sonia,  shall  "  receive  according  to  his  works."  If, 
then,  we  have  given  jonr  deceased  minister  credit  for  anything  in  the  shape 
of  Christian  character  or  work  which  he  was  not  or  did  not,  it  shall  not  be 
counted  to  him  above.  There  are  no  mistakes  in  heaven.  So  also,  if  we 
hare  blamed  him  for  words  or  works  which  were  after  all  Christiao,  and 
done  for  Ghrist'e  sake,  onr  apprehension  shall  not  interpose  between  him  uid 
his  fnll  reward.  "Shall  not  the  Jndge  of  all  the  earth  do  right  T"  "Every 
man's  work  shall  be  made  manifest,  for  the  day  shall  declare  it,  because  it 
shall  be  revealed  by  fire,  and  the  fire  shall  try  every  man's  work  of  what 
sort  it  is."  It  may  have  been  popular  here,  and  nnable  to  abide  that  fire; 
it  may  have  been  ridiculed  here,  and  passed  through  that  fire  aoecatiied ; 
and  so  abiding,  he  shall  receive  a  reward.  Let  us  all  lay  this  to  heart,  as 
we  journey  to  the  great  judgment-seat  of  Ood,  and  engage  in  the  work  and 
worship  of  time,  and  the  Lord  grant  that  we  ourselves  and  our  works  may 
be  fonnd  among  the  gold,  the  sUver,  and  the  precious  stones  which  the  fire 
cannot  hurt.  In  your  minister's  death  I  have  lost  a  friend,  bnt  do  not  sorry 
as  if  we  shonld  not  meet  again,  I  want  also,  in  closing,  to  give  God  thanks 
for  the  goodness  and  the  mercy  which  He  made  to  follow  yoar  minister  all 
his  life  through.  It  was  kindnesB  to  give  him  such  a  congregation,  where 
he  fonnd  a  praying  people,  a  people  able  in  regard  to  means,  and  willing  as 
to  giving  and  doing ;  for  I  cannot  forget  that  in  the  building  ap  of  the 
congregation  the  co-operation  of  yourselves  and  of  your  fathers  made  bis 
labour  comparatively  light.  Then  I  think  of  the  goodness  which  gave  him 
such  a  wife, — one  so  beautiful,  sweet,  and  pious.  True,  she  was  spared  bnt 
a  few  years,  yet  I  am  assured  that  bis  association  with  her,  and  her  early 
removal,  with  that  of  her  son,  did  much  to  warm  his  piety  and  help  him 
heavenwards.  Then  I  think  of  the  family  that  has  been  spared  to  him,  to 
aid  him  in  weakness,  to  watch  his  dying  bed  and  minister  to  his  necessitiea, 
with  the  wide  circle  of  relatives  and  friends  j  of  the  good  health  enjoyed  for 
many  years,  and  the  good  old  age  to  which  he  attained ;  so  that  one  is 
inclined  to  ask,  What  could  be  desire  more,  except  the  vision  of  God  and 
the  society  of  the  blessed!  It  reminds  us  of  the  words  of  the  Olst  Psalm, 
"  Because  He  bath  set  His  love  upon  me,"  etc.  And  now,  why  should  we 
weept  Bather,  taking  this  God  as  our  God  for  ever,  and  the  Lord  Jesos 
Christ  as  our  present,  loving,  almighty  Saviour,  let  us  each  say,  "  I  shall 
go  to  him,  but  he  shall  not  return  to  me.'" 


pomt  €ixclt. 

BETTEB  THAN  GOLD. 

A  SEBUON  TO  CHILDRKN,  BT  BEV.  ANDREW  O.  FLUHNO,  PAISLET. 

YoTJ  all  know  that  gold  is  the  most  more  valuable  than  the  other.    If  J  came 

preciona  metaL    Were  I  to  hold  out  a  to  the  girls  with  bracelets  of  gold  in  one 

shilling  in  the  one  h&nd  and  a  sovereign  basket  and  bracelets  of  silver  in  anoiher, 

in  the  other,  and  ask  the  boja  which  and  a&id,  '  Now,  my  little  mitaes,  which 

they  wonld  have,  they  would  all  prefer  would  you  prefer  ? '  I  am  quite  sure  that 

the  yellow  coin.     And  they  woiud  be  it  would  be  the  golden  ornaments  whkh 

right  in  doing  so,  for  it  is  twenty  times  they  would  chooee.    Bnt  though  I  do  not 


""liriUM*."^'                               HOME  CIBCLE.  547 

come  with  ihiUiDgs  and  soTereigna,  with  rektM  to  eternity.    The  wiadom  I  am 

braceleta  of  ailTer  and  bracelets  of  gold,  to  tell  joa  abont  ia  differant  from  this. 

yet  I  have  something  better  to  offer.  It  is  the  wisdom  that  prepares  for  eter- 

'What,'  you  will  he  aajing,  '  better  than  nity,  that  maktih  wUe  unto  iahalitm. 

gold!'     Yea,  idt  children,  wisdom  ia  An  old  Bengalee  conyeit  kj sick,  litce 

better  than  gol<C    It  ia  more  precions  the  nobleman  I   hare  just  been  telling 

than  the  moat  predous  ruby  in  earthly  you  about.    Outwardly  she  waa  aa  poor 

coronet.    It aparkles  with  aclearer lustre  as  the  nobleman  waa  rich,  but  inwardly 

than   any  brilliant    on    the   boaom   of  she  was  aa  rich  as  the  uoblenum  waa 

priocesa.    It  haa  a  richer  beauty  than  all  poor.     Putting  her  hand  on  a  Bible 


jewels  of  empress  or  queen,  which  lay  near  her  bed,  ehe said,  'Christ 

lOnd  called  the  Kohi-  ia  here.'    Next,  laying  her  hand  on  her 

of  light,'  once  worn  bosom,  she  said,  '  Christ  is  here.'    Then, 

by  Indian  rulers,  bat  now  belonging  to  stretching    her  old   withered   arm   to 

our  Queen,   is  nothing  in  companaon  heaven,    she    added,  'And     Chiiat    ia 

to  it ;  for  when  all  otiier  gems  have  there.'    What  a  fine    picture  thia  ia ! 

become  dost  and  aahce,  this  pearl  will  Frame  it  in  your  mind,  hang  it  ap  on 

only  be  growing  in   brightneea.      The  the  walls  of  your  memory,  and   when 

new  heavena  ana  new  euth  will  bring  you  wish  to  know  what  true  wisdom  is, 

oat  richer  tints  in  its  bettQtiy.     Et«mity  go  and  look  upon  it.      They  are   wise 

itself  will  be  the  witness  of  its  growing  who  find  Christ  in  the  Word,  and  do  not 

splendour.     But  what  is  this  pearl  ot  rest  till  He  ia  found  in  their  heart, 

great  price?  "^^^  ^'^  "'^  ^  whom  Christ  Himself 

.  '  is  Wisdom.     This  is  one  of  His  Old 

WHAT  13  WISDOM  ?  Testament  names.     He  who  in  the  New 

Once  on  a  time  there  was  a  rich  Teatament  appears  aa  the  Word,  was 

nobl^nan  who  kept  a  foot    Dreeaed  in  made  known  m  the  Old  Testamoit  as 

motley  garments  and  fantastic  cap,  the  Wisdom — the  Wisdom    by  whom   the 

fixilrangedthronghthehonBeaprivileged  heaven  a  were  made,  and  tlie  mountains 

jester.     IE  his  loHsbip  was  sad,  he  must  aettled,  and  the  seas  girdled,  aud  the 

amosehim;  if  his  visitors  were  dull,  he  fountains   filled  —  the   Wisdom   whose 

mnst  enliven  them.     But  though  he  was  delights   were   with   tiie   sons  of  men. 

called  the  fool,  he  often  said  very  wise  And  He  is  Wisdom  still, — the  wisdom 

things.    Sometimes  he  saidvery  cutting  which,  received  into  the  heart,  makes 

things;  bnt  as  it  waa  the  fool  that  said  us  wise,  not  for  dme  merely,  but  for 

them,  nobody  could  be  ODgry.    One  day,  etemitr,     Thia  is  the  true  wisdom, — 

when  he  was  fooling  to  the  top  of  his  Christ  in  the   heart,  renevring   it,  and 

bent,   the  nobleman   gave  him  a  stafF,  making  the  thoughts  pure,  the  desires 

with  orders  not  to  give  it  away  except  right,  and  the  affections  sweet;  Christ 

to  a  bigger  fool   than  himself.     Uany  in  the  life,  making  the  words  truthful, 

years  after  this,  the  nobleman  fell  sick,  the   actions   good,    and    the    manners 

His  old  favourite  was  allowed  to  visit  gracious  and  winning.     This  is  the  wis- 

him.     ^I  am  going  to  leave  yon,'  said  dom  which  is  better  than  gold. 

the  nobleman.     '  And  where  are  you  „ 

going  ? '  inquired  the  other.     '  Into  the  ^"^  '^  '"^^  '^  ^ 

other  world,'  wastheiepl^.     '  And  when         When  the  Spaniards  conquered  South 

will  you  return  again — within  a  month?'  America,    they    foimd    gold    in    great 

'No.     'Within  a  year?'    'No.'   'When,  abundance.      The    Indian  women  wore 

then?'     'Never,'     'Never!'  said  the  golden  ornaments,  curiously  coostructed, 

fijol ;    '  aud  what  preparation  have  you  some  of  them  bke  birds.      There  was 

made  for  so  long  a  journey  ? '    '  None  gold  in  the  mines,  of  which  there  were 

at  all.'     '  No  r  said  the  fool,  '  none  at  very   many    in  Peru.      Qold  waa   also 

all !    Here,  take  my  staff,  for  with  all  found  in  the  rivers.    One  day  a  person 

my  folly  I  am  not  such  a  fool  as  that.'  was  raking  for  something   in   a  river, 

Now,   lliere  are  many  people  who  are  and  fetoh^  out  a  large  goblet  of  gold, 

wise  for  this  world,  but  not  for  the  next,  worth  £400  of  our  money.     It  waa  a 

They  take  care  of  their  bodies,  but  pay  splendid  prize ;  and  for  once  the  soldiers 

little  heed  to  their  souls.     They  are  very  had    their    dinner    served    in  a    more 

shrewd  about  all  that  relates  to  time,  splendid  dish  thsn  any  king  in  Europe, 

but  they  have  no  ehrewdness  about  what  When  tidings  of  these  events  reached 


548                                                 HOME  CIECLB.  '     SLTwi  "^ 

SptuD,  the   people    sUrted  for   Sonttt  ea^ly  got.  Wisdom  is  to  be  had  for  the 

.AjDetic&  in  Kt«&t  numbers.    There  was  asking.    Let  ua  ask  it  from  Qod.     Let 

one  expedition  of  2500  people.     They  ns  aak  it  earnestly,  that  ia,  with  sU  om 

set  out  to  find  a  fortune,  but  the  greater  heart     Let  ns  ask  it  in  faith,  that  is, 

part  of  them  found  a  grave.     Unused  to  believing  that  we  will  receive  it.     Let 

the  climate,  unacquainted  with  mining,  us  ask  it  now,  that  is,  this  very  moment, 

tbeir  strength  gave  way.     At  last  fever  without  delaying  to  a  more  convenient 

broke  out  among  them,   and  of  this  season.    Solomon  anked  wisdom,  and  he 

about  one  thousand  died.  got  it    The  Lord  appeu«d  to  him  at 

One  of  the  greatest  soldiers  at  that  Qibeon  in  a  dream  by  night,  and  God 

time  was  Cortes.    Aft«r  very  great  hard-  swd,  M«ifc  wihal  I  shall  give  thee.'     He 

ships,  he  and  his  men  fonght  their  way  did  not  ask  for  long  iife.     He  did  not 

into  Mexico.     The  great  city,  with  its  ask   for   riches.      He   did   not   ask  for 

mighty  monarch   Montezuma,   and   its  victory  over  his  enemies.     He  asked  for 

vast  population,  and  its  untold  gold,  lay  something  far  better.      He  asked  for 

all  before  them.    They  were  very  few  in  wisdom.     He  said,  '  Qive  Thy  gervant  an 

numbers,  but  with  courage  and  daring  underilanding  heart.''     And   hia    prayer 

they    overawed    the    inhahitants,    and  was  answered.      God  said,    'Beholif,   I 

marched  into  the  city.     The  king  gave  ham  done  according  to  thy  words:  I  ham 

Cortes  four  loads  of  gold.     Ha  and  his  given    thee    a    teise    and  understanding 

soldiers  were  lodged  in  a  magnificent  heart.'     Samcel  asked  wisdom,  and  got 

palace.     By  and  hy  the  inhabitants  rose  it.    Tou  have  seen  the  picture,  have  you 

up  against  their  conquerors,  and  tbey  not?    Samuel  on  his  knees  in  his  long 

had  to  fight  their  way  out.     A  terrible  linen  dress,  his  hair  brushed  into  a  cnrl, 

battle  it  was  in  the  dark  night,  along  the  his  face  turned  up  to  heaven,  his  dark 

atreets,  over  canals  where  the  bridges  eyes  as  if  they  were  trying  to  see  God. 

had   been  torn  up.     Many  Spaniards  The  next  time  you  see  the  pctnie,  say 

were  drowned  ;   many  were  nnahle  to  to  yourself,  That  is  Samuel ;  he  is  seek- 

make  good  their  escape,  on  account  of  ing  wisdom — he  is  seeking  it  from  God. 

tlie  weight  of  gold  they  had  with  them.  I  might  tell  of  one  of  yourselves  who 

But    notwithstanding    all   the    gold  asked  wisdom  and  got  it.     She  sought 

which    they    obtained,    the    Spaniards  the  Saviour,   and  the   Saviour    taught 

were  eager  to  obtain  more.     They  heard  her  His  love,  and  made  her  patient  in 

that  in  Darien  the  gold  was  fished  in  suffering,  and  gave  her  peace  in  dying. 

the  river  with   a   net      Farther   west  'I'his   was  a  Mary  that  chose  the  good 

still,   they  were  told,  was  El  Dorado,  part     How  many  such  Marys  are  diere 

which   means    'golden   land,'  —  a  land  here?     Nay,  will  you  not  all  be  Maiys 

where   the   rivers  passed    over    yellow  together?      What   a   fine  thing  if,  to- 

sands,   where   the   nuggets  gleamed  in  night,  ere  you  go  to  bed,  the  Saviour 

the    sunshine    among    tlie    rocks,   and  could  say  of  every  one  of  yon,   '  She 

where   the    gold   was    as    plentiful    as  hath  chosen  Ike  gaod  part,  tcMch  shall  not 

stones  on  the  highway.   People  dreamed  be  takeji  from  her.'    Let  all  of  yon,  boys 

about  this  golden  land.     The  Spaniards  as  well  as  girls,  seek  the  Saviour.     Seek 

attempted  to  reach  it,   but  multitudes  Him  hy  being  in  earnest     Seek  Him  in 

perished  in  the  attempt.     Nor  was  the  prayer.     Seek  Him  by  going  whne  He 

gold  fever  confined  to  Spain.    Our  own  is  to  he  found — in  His  house  and  among 

countryman,  Sur  Walter  Raleigh,  con-  His  people.     And  if  you  do  seek  Him, 

ducted  one  expedition  after  anotjier  to  you  will  find  Him,    For  His  promise  is, 

try  and  discover  El  Dorado.  '  They  that  seek  me  early  shall  find  me.' 

Now,  wisdom  is  more  easily  got.    You  Having  told  you  irfiat  wisdom  is,  ftnd 

do  not  need  to  leave  your  own  country  how  it  is  got,  I  must  answer  the  quea- 

aud  cross  the  seas,  and  labour  under  a  tion, 

burning  sun  all  day.    Wisdom  is  near  ___ 

you.     It  is  close  at  hand.    Soveiynigh  why  is  wrsDOM  BETTER  than  OOLD? 

is  it,  liat  you  have  only  to  ask  it,  and  it  Not  long  ago  I  saw  a  beautiful  bonse 

becomes  your  own.     For  what  does  the  near  Nice.     It  occupied  a  fine  sit*.    Be- 

Bible  say?  '//"  any  of  you  lack  wisdom,  hind  was  a  panorama  of  hills,  terraced 

let  him  ask  of  God,  that  giveth  to  alt  men  well-nigh  to  the  top,  and  waving  with 

liberally,  and  upbraideth  not.'     A  thing  olive   trees.      Before,  in   the  distance. 

which  is  got  for  the  asking  is  surely  very  the  blue  waters  of  the  Mediterranean 


""tZTiiX.-^^                              HOME  OIKCLB.  £49 

spftrUed  ia  the  snii.  Immediatdf  below  bnt  the  most  cbanniiig  rMidence,  the 

laj  ft  prett7  litde  v&llej.   The  house  be-  moat    heidchful    breezee,    the   mildeat 

longed  to  a  fioBsian  gentlemaD,  the  story  winter,  could  not  brmt  tiie  progren  of 

of  whose  life  is  very  intereetug.  In  order  hia  disease,   or  ward  off   the  stroke  of 

that  70U  may  Qndentaud  it,  I  moHt  tell  death.      The    eldest   son  of  the  Czar 

you  that  in  Russia  the  railwaja  were  of  all  the  Bossias,  and  heir  -  apparent 

constructed,  not  bj  companies,  as  in  our  to  the  Itusaian  throne,  had  everything 

-     country,  but  by  the  Gflvemment,  aad  which  money   could  conunand,   but  it 

tbey  were  wrought  by  the  Grorernment  could   not  procure   the   one   thing    ou 

too.     As  nobody  had  any  interest  in  which  his  heart  was  so  much  set  There 

saving  the  Government  money,  the  er-  are  many  things  which  money  cannot 

penaes  were  very  great     The  railways  give.     It  cannot  give  peace  of  mind;  it 

did  not  pay.    The  Gorenunent  lost  by  cannot  secure  the  hope  of  heaven.     I 

them  every  year.    A  labonier  on  one  of  often  think  of  poor  Queen  Elizabeth  on 

the  railways  saw  this.     Having  saved  a  her  dying  bed,  and  her  frantic  crj|,   '/t 

little  bit  of  money,  he  offered  to  work  a  handful  0/ gold  for  a  moment  of  time!' 

small  line,  aod  to  pay  the  Government  But  the  handful  of  gold  could  not  buy 

a  lent  for  it.    The  Government  accepted  the  moment  of  time.    Many  handfols  of 

hia   offer.      The   small  line   paid   him.  it  conld  do  nothing  for  her  when  her 

He  apphed  for  a  larger  line,  offering  a  last  hour  was  come.     Now,  wisdom  is 

bigger  rent.  His  proposal  was  accepted,  better  Una  gold,  for 
The  second  venture  paid.    By  and  by  he 

had  rented  a  considerable  number  of  the  n  Bxns  BCireR  TBisas. 
lines  in  Kussia,  and  managed  so  to  work 

them  as  to  make  them  pay  himself  and  If  you  remember  what  I  told  you  about 
the  Government  as  welL  In  a  very  short  wisdom,  you  will  understand  this  better, 
time  he  became  very  rich.  See,  now.  Wisdom,  I  said,  was  having  Christ  in  the 
what  his  wealth  md  for  him.  He  heart  and  in  the  life ;  au  interest  in 
wanted  a  bouse  where  he  might  eecape  His  love  and  work.  Now,  an  interest 
the  severity  of  a  Boswan  winter:  he  in  Christ  procures  many  things  which 
obtained  it  at  Nice,  where  flowers  wealth  cannot  procure.  It  procures 
bloom  in  January  and  February.  He  the  pardon  of  sin  ;  it  secures  peace  of 
wanted  a  magnificent  garden :  it  was  cooscience ;  it  makes  sure  the  hope  of 
soon  made,  with  ite  mimic  lake,  its  heaven.  It  was  a  strange  wish  of 
rocky  dell,  and  tinkling  waterfall.  He  Archbishop  Leighton's,  tbat  be  might 
wanted  an  English  lawn.  Now  grass  die  in  an  mn.  He  wanted  to  die  in 
does  not  grow  in  Nice,  for  the  sun  is  so  a  place  where  there  would  be  no  re- 
strong  that  it  bums  it  up ;  but  he  made  latives  and  no  friends  to  withdraw  his 
it  grow  by  employing  two  men  to  do  thoughts  from  God.  He  wanted  to 
nothing  all  night  but  pour  water  upon  feel  tbat  this  world  was  at  best  an  inn, 
it.  I  did  not  see  the  inside  of  the  bouse,  and  that  the  only  home  was  in  heaven, 
bat  1  have  no  doubt  that  it  was  re-  His  wish  was  granted:  he  died  at  the 
splendent  with  paintings  and  sculpture.  Bell  Inn,  Warwick  Lane,  London.  Tou 
What  a  lot  of  things  his  money  bought  would  think  that  a  very  lonel;r  death ; 
for  him  !  Wiiat  splendid  things  it  can  but  it  was  not  lonely— his  Saviour  was 
secure  beeides  —  education,  travel  in  with  him.  There  were  none  of  the 
forego  lands,  books  and  companions  1  great  men  by  hia  side  whom  he  bad 
But  there  are  some  things  which  it  known  at  the  court  of  Cbarlea.  He 
cannot  buy — it  cannot  buy  health,  it  had  better  attendants  —  the  angels  in 
cannot  arrest  the  coming  of  death.  I  heaven.  He  was  poor  ;  but,  the  mom- 
often  tbonght  of  this  at  Nice  in  connec-  ing  he  died,  be  got  payment  of  a 
tion  with  ^e  visit  of  the  Czarewitch  of  debt  from  Glasgow,  and  that  was 
Russia  in  search  of  health.  Everything  enough  to  meet  the  last  expenses.  -He 
had  been  done  for  him  which  money  had  blessings  that  the  greatest  wealth 
could  do.  He  had  the  best  medicu  could  not  purchase.  Jesus  Christ  was 
skill  in  Europe,  the  best  nurses,  Che  bis,  and  that  turned  everything  into 
best  comforts.  At  last  his  pbyudans  heavenly  ricbee.  It  gave  him  grace  to 
wished  to  try  the  effect  on  turn  of  the  be  content.  It  helped  bim  to  feel  that, 
genial  climate  of  Nice.  He  was  brougbt  whilst  alone,  he  was  not  alone.  It  filled 
to  the  seaboard  of  the  Mediterranean ;  him  with  peace.    It  made  him  happy  in 


553                                            HOME  OiaOLE.  ^""'CTtfei?^ 

dosth.  It  made  Mm  bleesed  to  all  I  wUh  to  UsM  yon  of  an  EngHsb 
eternity.  Midas,  whoee  name  was  William  Beck- 
There  IB  a  beautiful  pagsage  in  tbe  ford.  Bia  father  was  yerj  rich,  and 
Fint  EpialJe  to  the  Cormtbians,  which  died  when  William  waa  jonng.  Whoi 
lays,  '  All  things  are  youn ;  whether  William  came  of  age,  he  succeeded  to 
Paul,orApo11oe,  or  Cephas,  or  the  world,  a  fortune  of  a  million  of  money,  and 
or  life,  or  death,  or  things  present,  or  an  income  of  £100,000  a  year.  What 
tbincis  to  come;  all  are  yoora  ;  and  ye  a  miue  of  wealth  t — a  million  of  money 
are  ChriBt's,  and  Christ  is  God's,'  What  — one  hundred  tiiousand  a  year — very 
a  mine  of  wealth  is  this  1  Let  na  look  nearly  £2000  every  week  I  After 
over  the  inTentory.  Look  at  the  whole  travelling  on  the  ContineDt,  attended 
estate  first  of  all ; — Ail  things  are  by  a  retinue  of  aerranta,  he  came  to 
yours,  if  ye  are  Christ'e.  More  par-  live  in  England.  He  pulled  down  the 
ticiUarly,  uinisters  of  the  word  are  old  houae  at  Fonthill,  and  determined 
youra — Paul,  ApoUoB,  Cephas,  Bunyan,  to  bnild  a  splendid  mansion.  He  en- 
Chalmers,  M'Ctimie.  For  you  they  closed  his  ^uuda  with  a  wall  nine 
have  thought  and  written.  For  yon  miles  long.  The  grand  tower  waa  260 
they  are  speaking  still.  The  world  ia  feet  high,  and  took  years  to  bnild. 
yours — the  glory  of  the  sea  and  laud,  Every  cart  and  waggon  in  the  district 
the  grandeur  of  the  iky  and  mountain,  waa  employed.  The  harvest  waa  nn- 
the  beaut;  of  trees  and  Sowers.  It  ia  reaped,  for  all  hands  were  at  work  at 
all  yours,  that  you  may  drink  in  its  Fonthill.  Day  by  day  the  labour 
beauty,  and  aay.  My  Father  made  them  advanced.  When  the  day-workers  left 
alL  Life  ia  yonrs,  with  the  joy  of  off,  night  -  workers,  with  torch  and 
youth,  the  strength  of  manhood,  and  li^wel,  made  the  night  luminons  all 
the  grace  of  womanhood,  that  yon  may  round.  At  last  the  building  was 
ahow  how  noble  ia  the  nature  which  finished.  When  finished,  it  was  filled 
Christ  etill  wears.  And  death  ia  yours,  with  works  of  art  gathered  all  over 
Come  when  it  will,  it  will  oome  aa  a  the  Continent.  A  spacious  gatden 
friend,  taking  yoo  home,  for  ever  ending  made  it  still  more  attractive.  fint 
all  your  sorrow.  And  things  present  what  now  about  the  lord  of  the  man- 
and  things  to  come  are  yours  —  the  aion  ?  He  lived  in  it  alone  ;  no  visitors 
means  of  grace  and  the  hope  of  glory,  were  admitted.  The  King  of  England 
Tea,  ALL  things  are  yours ;  for  ye  are  asked  admittance,  hnt  waa  refased.  He 
Christ's,  and  Christ  is  Qod'a  See,  had  some  happiness  when  the  house 
then,  that  Christ  is  yonn.  Take  Him  was  building.  The  spectacle  at  night 
to  be  your;,  and  He  will  take  TOU  to  waa  one  on  which  he  never  wearied  in 
be  His.  Give  Hm  your  heari,,  and  He  looking.  The  vast  building,  with  the 
will  give  TOU  Hia  Spirit  And  th«i  all  torches  moving  to  and  fro  in  Hie  dark, 
is  youn.  Is  not  that  better  than  gold  ?  captivated  his  imagination.  At  last  he 
Another  reason  why  wisdom  is  better  grew  tired  of  what  had  cost  him  more 
than  gold,  is  that  than  a  quarter  of  a  million  of  mtmey. 
A  sudden  fall  in  the  funds  obliged  him 
IT  13  MORE  SATISFTING.  ^^  ^j  FonthilL  He  Bold  it ;  went  to 
Some  of  yon  have  read  the  fable  of  Bath,  built  another  house  with  a  towtt 
Midas.  He  prayed  that  everything  100  feet  high.  One  morning,  aa  he  was 
he  touched  might  be  turned  to  gold.'  looking  from  his  new  tower,  he  missed 
His  wish  was  granted.  And  very  Foothill  tower.  It  hod  fallen,  filling 
aoon  he  was  surrounded  with  heape  of  the  marble  court  with  ruins.  It  fell, 
gold.  Was  Midas  happy  with  his  gold?  for  the  architect  hod  built  it  on  a  bad 
No ;  he  was  far  more  wretched  than  he  foundation.  But  Beckford  was  the 
had  been  before.  He  became  hungry,  same  man  in  his  new  mansion — lonely, 
and  wanted  food  ;  he  took  it  into  his  moody,  selfish.  His  wealth  had  not 
hands,  but  it  became  gold.  He  was  brought  him  happiness.  It  did  not  rest 
very  thirsty;  he  stooped  to  put  his  lips  on  a  right  foundation.  He  did  not 
to  the  spring,  but  in  the  act  of  touch-  think  of  it  as  given  him  to  do  good, 
ing  it  the  water  turned  to  gold.  The  and  so  to  glorify  God. 
fable  teaches  ns  this  lesson,  that  many  Now,  wisdom  is  better  than  gold,  for 
who  get  wealth  do  not  get  happiness  it  is  more  satisfying.  We  ar«  BO  made 
with  it.  that  nothing  can  satisfy  tu  bat  God— 


HOME  OIBCLB. 


netting  lesB  than  God — not  the  whole 
worl4  pnt  together  without  God.  But 
vh^  Chriat  dwells  in  onr  heart,  we  lire 
filled  with  tlio  fnlneBB  of  God,  and  the 
fnlDMS  of  God's  love  fills  alt  the  vacant 
placee  in  onr  Bpirit,  and  we  are  satiafied 
David  Brainerd  devoted  hia  life  to  the 
IndtaQB  on  the  continent  of  America. 
He  lived  among  them,  tanght  them  the 
way  of  life,  and  inatracted  them  aa  for 
as  he  could  in  other  things.  Hia  health 
was  faet  wearing  away ;  but  he  woold 
rise,  teach  the  Indians  to  conatrnct  a 
fence  to  protect  their  grain  from  the 
cattle,  and  then  feel  so  happj  he  had 
had  an  opportanity  of  aerving  God,  bj 
teaching  a  tisefnl  art  Another  daj  he 
rose,  made  a  cake  for  himself  in  hia 
little  cabin,  toasted  it  before  the  fire, 
«nd  then  partook  of  it,  aa  he  teUa  aa, 
'  aa  happy  as  a  king.'  The  secret  of  his 
bappineaa  lay  hra^ — he  was  filled  with 
the  fulness  <^  God.     He  waa  far  from 


strength ;  he  waa  dying,  but  Giod  would 
be  his  portion  for  ever.  Hinigtering 
angels  hovered  round  the  lonely  cabin. 
The  presence  of  the  divine  Spirit  made 
it  the  palace  of  the  Great  King, 

One  of  the  greatest  of  modem  mis- 
sionaries devoted  himeelf  to  the  Chineae. 
He  laboured  for  them,  lived  among 
tbem,  became  one  of  themselvea.  He 
translated  the  Filgrim'a  Frogreea,  and 
rendered  our  most  beantiful  hymna 
into  the  mother  tongue  of  the  miUiana 
of  China.  He  lived  on  ao  little  money, 
that  the  Mission  Board  waa  able  to 
send  out  another  missionary.  After  his 
deaUi,  his  cheat  came  home  to  Glasgow. 
It  was  almost)  empty.  There  was  uttle 
in  it  but  a  Chinese  dresa,  a  Chinese 
Itmtem,  and  a  few  books.  A  niece  who 
was  looking  on  was  astonished,  and  aaid, 
'  Uncle  mu)t  have  been  very  poor.'  He 
vas  poor,  lite  Paul ;  but  like  him,  too, 
makmg  many  rich.  William  Bums  was 
aa  apostolic  man  and  misebnary.  His 
life  was  full  of  God.  He  found  hia 
riches,  his  satisfaction,  his  happiness,  in 
God.  Wealth  cannot  saUsfy.  But  God 
can  aatisfv — Hia  love.  His  riches  in 
glory,  by  Christ  Jesns.  Another  reason 
why  wisdom  is  better  than  gold,  is  that 
IT  IS  UORE  ABiDma. 

Yon  have  read  about  Croesus,  the 
king  of  Lydia.  From  his  conquests,  his 
mines,  and  the  golden  sands  of  Pactdns, 


551 

he  was  the  richest  man  of  his  day.  He 
reckoned  himself  also  the  most  h^)py, 
and  was  displeased  when  Solon  told  him 
to  call  no  man  happy  till  hia  death.  Not 
long  after  (his,  be  was  attacked  by  Cyrus, 
defeated  in  battle,  stripped  of  all  hia 
pOBsesaions,  and  taken  prisoner.  He  now 
leamed  the  truth  of  Solon's  remark, 
and  the  uncertainty  of  riches.  There  is 
a  startlinK  verse  in  the  Bible  which 
says, '  Riches  certslnly  m^e  themselves 
wings;  they  fly  away,  aa  an  eagle 
toward  heaven.  But  even  suppose 
wealth  should  not  be  taken  away  from 
you,  a  time  will  assuredly  come  when  you 
will  be  taken  away  from  it  The  Duke 
of  Harlborongh  accumulated  a  million 
and  a  half ;  it  did  not  leave  him,  but  he 
had  to  leave  it  Naked  he  came  into  the 
world,  and  naked  be  went  out  of  it. 

Now,  wisdom  is  better  than  gold.  It 
dm  never  be  takeu  from  yon,  nor  you 
from  it  If  Christ  is  yonrs,  He  is  yours 
for  ever.  The  mountains  may  depart, 
and  the  hills  be  removed,  but  His  kind- 
ness shall  not  depart  The  year  that  ia 
now  closing  has  been  to  many,  in  its 
last  months,  a  time  of  great  distress. 
Through  the  fwlure  of  the  City  of 
Glasgow  Bank,  widows  have  wakened 
up  to  find  themselves  without  a  shilling 
to  anpport  them,  and  orphans  have 
been  learning  the  bitter  lesson  that  they 
are  penniless  in  the  world.  And  ao 
the  October  nights  have  been  hanging 
dnll  and  heavy  over  Glasgow,  November 
days  have  been  chill  and  dreary,  and 
life  itself  haa  been  opening  out  to  many 
BS  a  dark  December  day. 

Within  a  happy  home,  whilet  the  keen 
blast  was  blowmg  without,  and  the  fire 
waa  bnming  on  tlie  hearth,  the  shadow 
of  the  disaster  had  fallen.  The  hour 
of  family  worship  came.  The  voice  of 
praise  rose  from  hearts  that,  having  lost 
their  earthly  all.  felt  that  their  heavenly 
all  remained.  The  chapter  was  read; 
it  was  the  twelfth  of  the  Hebrews.  Verse 
by versethedivinevoicecamecloBer.  At 
last  the  verse  came—'  Tet  once  more  I 
shake  not  the  earth  only,  hut  also  heaven. 
And  this  word,  Yet  once  more,  ugnifieth 
the  removing  of  those  things  uat  are 
shaken,  as  of  things  that  are  made,  that 
those  things  which  cannot  be  shaken 
may  remain.'  Here  was  light  for  dark- 
ened hearts,  and  hope  which  nothing 
could  extinguish,  llie  failure  of  the 
bank  was  theremovinK  of  those  things 
that  are  shaken,  as  m  things  that  are 


552                                     EELIOIOCB IMTELUGBNOE.  '""ai.Tfti^'^ 

made.  TheBbuea,  tbediTidendi,  hadkll  The  things  which  ore  seen  ore  fem- 

beea  swept  swar.    And  with  tbe  first  poral,  but  the  tbin^  which  are  not  aeen 

coU  of  the  Liqnidatora  there  would  come  are  etemaL     Mouejr  perishee,   bat  God 

the  removal  of  ererjihing  beside.    But  abides.    Fowtion  in  the  world  eiaaea 

there  were   things   that  conld  not  be  and  goes ;  a  place  in  the  heart  of  Christ 

ehakeo^-God's  lore  to  tbem,  their  hope  is  removed  aoove  all  change.     The  silk 

in  Christ ;  Qod's  promise  uerer  to  leave  dreaa  maj  have  to  be  put  off  for  one  of 

and   never  to  forsake  them,  and   their  cotton,  bat  tbe  robe  of  righteousDeaa  is 

trust  in  the  divine  promise,  to  bear  them  alwajs  the  eaioe.     After  the  West  End 

throagh  the  wreck  and  rain  of  worldly  mansion,  there  may  be  the  little  lodg- 

means.    These  thinss  remained ;  they  ing  in  some  dark  ding;  dose,  but  the 

could  not  be  remove^  they  were  laid  np  Father's  house  of  many  mansions  uev» 

where   neither  moth   nor  rust  oomipt,  sees  any  mournful  groups  bidding  adien 

and  where  lAtfcu  do  not  break  through  to  it«  bright  portals.     And  ao  the  special 

nor  al«al.    Tea,  and  these  things  nill  lesson  of   the  New  Year  is,    Lay  np 

remain.     And  when  Qlasgow  is  no  more,  treBsaree  in  heaven.     Seek  to  have  the 

when  the  tale  of  its  bank  is  aa  a  forgotten  things  which   cannot    be  shaken— love 

dream,  and  the  world  itself  a  speck  in  to  God,  trust  in    Christ,   being  good 

tbe  distance,  they  will  still  remain.  and  doing  good. 


THE    OLD   TEAR. 
We  long  with  eager  hands  to  hold  the  days 
Which  ^ip  from  us  too  soon,  as  on  the  shore 
TVe  strive  to  grasp  the  yellow  grains  that  pour 
Through  our  encircling  fingers,  till  we  ruse 
A  oty  of  disappointment,  that  betrays 
How  in  the  end  we  feel  ourselves  to  be 
Of  the  sweet  hours  forsaken  ntterly. 
And  left  alone  to  mourn  in  darkened  ways. 
^V^heIL  the  old  year  is  dying  'mong  its  snow, 
God  often  drawelh  near  ub  in  Bis  love. 
And  lets  ns  feel  Che  moments  slip  aikd  fall 
From  out  onr  grasp,  and  we  are  made  to  know 
That,  when  our  hands  are  empty  of  tbem  all. 
We  yet  have  Him  to  fill  them  from  above. 


visitation  by  deputies  from  other  pres- 

=^BTTEB1AL  PROCEEDINGS.  byteries,  aid  holding  a   conferen-i  on 

Aberdeen. — This    presbytery    met   in     missions  stnuiar  to  what  was  formerly 


Nelson  Street  Chnrch  on  17th  Sep-  held.  The  scheme  was  generally  ap- 
tember,  for  the  induction  of  Rev.  J.  proved,  and  it  was  left  with  the  com- 
E.  Dobson.  Kev.  Mr.  Scott  preached,  mittee  to  see  it  carried  out.  A  petition 
Mr.  Dodds  addreeaed  the  newly-  was  presented  from  a  number  of  parties 
inducted  pastor,  and  Dr.  Hobson  ad-  in  and  around  Banchory  for  being  con- 
dressed  the  congregation.  Mr.  Dobson  gregated.  Itwasagreedto  communicate 
received  the  right  hand  of  fellowship,  wi£  the  sessions  likely  to  be  affected. 
and  took  hie  seat  as  a  member  of  court.  Made  inquiry  anent  the  coUection  for 
It  was  agreed  to  sanction  a  location  at  the  Synod  Fund. — Met  again  on  8th 
Woodside  for  three  months.  The  con-  October,  when  Mr.  William  Henderson, 
veuer  of  the  Foreign  Mission  Committee  of  tbe  second  year,  gave  a  diaconrae. 
reported  proposals  for  interesting  the  which,  after  remarks,  was  sustained,  and 
churches  m  foreign  misaions,  including  Mr.  Henderson  was  rECcmmended  to  the 


"■"STiCua'^'  KELIQI0D8  IKTELLIQEHCE.  553 

Hall.    FiopoBBla  from  the  Home  Com-  having  been  unaQimoualj  approved,  tbe 

miccee  uient  clearing  off  burdemome  pregbjteiy  agreed  to  inatruct  the  clerk 

debt  nere  read,  and  it  waa  agreed  to  to  certify  Mr.  Laird  to  the  Theological 

conununicate    with    the    congregationa  Hall  for  the  enBuiDgBeagioD.    Mr.  Booald 

reporting    debt      Agreed    to    request  submitted  a  further  report  aa  to  the 

BeesionH  to  report  whether  they  could  detailed  arraugemeota  for  the  vidtation 

adopt  Synod's  acheme  of  aunnal  coUec-  of  the  preBbyt«ry  by  miaaion  deputies 

tions,  or  state  other  dates  that  would  be  from   the  Presbytery  of  Lanark.     The 

preferable.      It  waa  reported   that  the  presbytery  agreed  to  sanction  it,  and  to 

•  acheme  for  visiting  the  congregationa  thank  Mr.  Itonald  for  hia  aervice.    The 

by  depntJBB  could  notbecairied  oat,  aa  preehyt^7,havitigrospecCtotheir  agree- 

Arbroaih  Freabytary  declined  receiviiig  ment  to  take  up  the  Synod's  remit  on 

deputies  from  Aberdeen.    AnswerBfrom  the  Declaratory  Statement  anent  the 

eeasions  anent  Banchory  being  read,  it  Subordinate  Standards,  after  reasoning, 

was  agreed  to  constitute  the  petitioners  agreed  to  defer  the  subject  until  next 

iuto  a  ':oni;rcg?tioii  in  connection  with  meeting.     Mr.  Ronald  culled  the  atten- 

the  Uiiited    1  resbyterian  Church,  and  tion  of  the  presbytery  to  the  '  Marriage 

appointed    Df.    Robaon,    with    Meeera.  Notice   (Scotland)   Act,    1878,'    which 

Wilson  and  H.  Gray,  to  act  meantime  comes  into  operation  on  the  let  day  of 

as    a    scesion.      Took    up    Declaratory  January  next ;  whereupon  the  presbytery 

StatenientanentSubordinateStandarda,  agreed   to   express  satisfaction   at    the 

when  articles  1,  2,  and  8  were  adopted,  passing  of  said  Act,  in  so  far  as  it  re- 

with  a  slight  alteration  in  3,  insertina  movesagrievanceofwhichtbeDisBentera 

the  word   '  including'  instead   of  '  ana  of  Scotland  hare  in  the  past  had  cause 

oS.'    After  some  diacuaaion,  it  was  agreed  to  complain,  and  in  so  far  aa  it  aSoida 

to  delay  i  till  next  meeting.    The  pres-  an  alternative  to  the  present  aystem,  a 

bytery's  statistics   from  1858   to   1877  more  aatisfactory  mode  of  publication  of 

inclusive  were  laid  on  the  table  bound  purpose  of  marriage  than  that  now  in 

up  in  one  volume.     Mr,  Murray,  South  use.     The  presbytery  agreed  to  take  up 

Africa,  introduced  by  Mr.  Dickie,  waa  at  next  meeting,  after  considering  the 

heard  in  reference  to  his  field  of  labour ;  Dcclaratorv  Statement,  the  overture  on 

and  the  preabytery  agreed  to  recora-  Marriage  Law,  and  the  question  anent 

mend  the  churches  to  hear  him  and  help  Imposition  of  Hands  in  the  Ordination 

him  in  his  work.     Copies  of  the  Life  of  ofMinistera.    The  presbytery  having  had 

CarstaiTt  Douglat  were  handed  to  the  their  attention  dieted  to  the  fact  that 

ininiatera,  a  gift  by  An  unknown  friend  the  Rev.  John   Black  had  entered  hia 

through  the  Foreign  Secretary,  to  whom  jubilee  year,  agreed  to  present  him  with 

the  thanka  of  the  presbytery  were  given,  an  address,  and  appointed  Messrs.  Car- 

— Met  again  on  5th  November,  when  the  ruthers,  Watson,  and  Ballantyne  a  com- 

discnesion  on  the  Declaratory  Statement  mittee   to   draw   up   this   address,   and 

WW  resumed.     Articles  4, 6,  and  6  were  make  in<^nirieB  as  to  the  proper  lime  of 

adopted.     Aft«r  considerable  discassion  presentation — Hr.  Ballantyne,  convener. 

□Q  article  7,  it  was  resolved  by  a  majority  Next  meeting  of  presbytery  is  to  be  held 

to  postpone  farther  consideration  till  next  at  Annan  on  the  Tuesday  after  the  fourth 

meeting.     Several  sessions  reported  on  Sabbath  of  December,  at  11.45  a.m. 
the   dates  of  Synod's  cotlections.     In-         Arbroath.— Ihm    presbytery   met   at 

strncted  clerk  to  call  tbe  attention  anew  Arbroath  on  the  24th  September — the 

«f  those  sesaions  that  had  not  reported.  Kev.  Peter  Wright,  moderator.     Took 

Annaadale. — This  presbytery  met  at  up  the  case  of   the  resignation  of  bis 

Annan  on  2Sd  October — the  Rev.  James  pastoral    charge    by    the    Rev.    Jamea 

Scott,  A.M.,  moderator.    The  Rev.  John  Thirde,  of  Mmrton,  which  he  had  laid 

Tannahill,  of  the  Preabyterian  Church  of  on  the  table  at  last  meeting,  stating 

England,  was  present,  and,  having  been  that  he  had  been  induced  to  take  thia 

invited  to    correspond,  took  hia  aeat.  step  in  consequence  of  hia  having  been 

Mr.  Peter  H.  Laird,  atudent,  transferred  invited   to   t^e   charge   of  the  Union 

from  the  Presbytery  of  Qlaagow,  deli-  Church    at    Lahore,    in   the   Punjaub, 

vered  a  popular  sermon  on  Heb.  x.  12 :  India.     Were  present  as  conunissioners 

*  But  this  man,  after  He  had  offered  one  from    the    congregation    of     Muirton,  ' 

sacrifice  for  sins,  for  ever  sat  down  on  Messrs.  Jamea  Crockat,  David  Eeid,  and 

the  right  hand  of  God,' — which  discourse  Jamea  Silver,  who  presented  a  memorial 


554  BBUGIODS  IHTELIJOEKCE,  '"'ai^I'M'^ 

from  the  cxaigr^atioD  exprewre  of  thrar  cffiinait  woiUiig  <rf  the  HJwme.  Aftv 
high  esteem  tm  that  tninktar,  their  some  diiciuBioD  mi  the  subject,  dnriog 
gratitoife  for  hit  serTiees  m  their  pastor,  which  KTeral  so^estioiis  were  thrown 
and  their  sorrow  at  the  pr(iq>eet  <n  part-  cnt,  it  was  agreed  meanwhile  to  call  Ae 
ing  with  him,  but  oBenag  Jtooppoatifm  attenticm  of  miniiters  and  elders  anew 
to  hia  decision.  The  fremyterj,  in  view  to  the  sabject,  and  to  mge  llicni  to  do 
of  an  the  eimunatancea,  rmdved  to  their  ntmoet  to  cany  out  the  intcntioiu 
accept  of  Mr.  Thhde'a  rengnatioa,  an  I  of  the  Sjnod.  The  brethrea  who  had 
declared  the  pastoral  relation  to  be  dis-  been  appointed  to  Tint  the  congrega- 
solved ;  iDtimation  of  this  to  be  made  tion  of  Knox  Church,  HtHrtnne,  in  com- ' 
to  tlie  congregation  bj  Mr.  Ooold  on  P^J[  with  •  depntation  from  the  Hrane 
the  second  Sabbath  of  October,  and  Hinion  Board,  speciallr  (or  the  purpose 
anpplf  to  be  continned  to  Hniitoo  as  of  ten^ninog  the  TahuUe  aerricta  of 
formeriy.  It  was  also  agreed  to  lectffd  a  miarionarj  chaiacter  tendered  hj  the 
the  respect  in  which  Hr.  Thirde  is  held  mitiist«ir  tar  maoj  years  past  among  the 
hr  his  brethren,  their  warm  wnhes  for  ssikns  from  foreign  connbries  freqnent- 
hu  future  welfare,  and  their  deaire  for  ing  Hontroae  and  adjacent  seaport  towns 
hia  ■accen  in  the  important  sphere  of  in  the  north-eaat  of  Scotland,  rq>Mted 
labour  (»i  which  he  is  about  to  enter  in  that  they  vimted  Hontroae  on  the  17tb 
a  foreign  land.  Called  attention  to  the  inst.,  and  bad  a  meeting  with  the 
annoal  coatribation  required  to  be  made  mimater  and  people ;  thsit,  on  making 
at  thia  aeaaan  on  behalf  of  the  Synod's  inquiry,  they  were  satisfied  tliat  much 
General  Fund.  Bead  paper  from  the  good  work  was  bdng  done  of  a  mis- 
Home  Committee  on  toe  subiect  of  a  sionary  character,  eejKcially  Mnoug  the 
new  Debt  Liquidation  Scheme,  by  which  fordgn  sailon,  with  whom  98  meedo^ 
it  is  proposed  to  raise  the  sum  of  £6000,  had  been  held  daring  tiie  past  year,  and 
with  the  Tiew  of  wifnng  off  in  whole  or  aesnaont  preadied  m  six  fordgn  lan- 
in  part  the  bcdileDBome  debt  reatiDg  on  guages,  bendes  the  distribotiDg  of  tracts 
vanous  congregations  of  the  Church —  in  these  languages  and  other  sobeidiaTy 
■Bid  paper  requesting  the  presbytery  to  means  of  neefulness ;  and  that  the  joiat 
state  what  congregations  within  tiieir  depntatiou  had  done  what  they  oonld 
bonnds  leemed  to  them  to  stand  most  in  to  etimnlate  and  encourage  these  meri- 
need  of  aasistance  in  the  first  iiutance.  torioos  efforts.  The  presbytery  exprEeaed 
After  some  investigation,  certain  eon-  their  gratification  Bthearingthis  report, 
gregatioDB  were  specified  to  be  rnxirted  and  approved  of  what  the  d<^ntatioo 
to  the  Home  Secretary  aecomingly.  had  done,  lllntered  on  the  consideration 
The  AngmentatioQ  Committee  gave  in  of  the  Declaratory  Statement  (uient  the 
a  report,  containing  a  recommendation  Subordinate  Standards  sent  down  to 
that  deputations  be  appointed  to  Tint  preebyteries,  when,  after  some  converaa- 
tbe  congregations  to  urge  the  claims  of  tion,  it  was  agreed  to  defer  discussion 
the  fund,  and  that  the  committee  be  on  this  subject  till  next  meeting,  and 
empowered  to  invite  for  thia  service  the  meantime  notice  was  given  of  several 
aid  of  ministers  and  elders  not  connected  alterations  which  some  of  the  brethren 
with  the  presbytery.  After  discosaion,  intended  to  move  when  the  matter  is 
it  was  agreed  to  fidopt  this  suggestion,  taken  up.  The  other  business  was  not 
and  to  anthoriie  the  committee  to  act  of  any  public  interest.  Next  ordinary 
accordingly.  The  dark  intimated  that  meeting  was  appointed  to  take  place  on 
he  had  received  copies  of  the  Life  ofihe  the  8d  day  of  December,  at  Brechin. 
late  Dr.  Caritairt  Dotiglai,  Chinese  Sanffikire. — A  pro  re  na(a  meeting  of 
missionary,  to  be  given  to  each  of  the  this  presbytery  was  held  at  Banff  on 
ministersof  thepresbytery.fromafriend.  Tuesday,  6th  NovembOT.  A  call  frMO 
Agreed  to  thank  the  donor.  Next  Cranstonhill  congregation,  Glasgow,  to 
meeting  to  be  held  at  Hoatroee  on  29th  the  Rev.  George  O.  Green,  A.M.,  Buckie, 
October. — Thia  presbyteiy  met  again  at  was  put  into  his  hands.  Commisaionen 
Montrose  on  the  SSth  October — the  Bev.  from  Buckie  were  heard.  Hr.  Green 
Peter  Wright,  moderator.  Considered  declared  his  acceptance  of  the  call. 
the  SynocTs  remit  anent  the  Superin-  The  members  of  presbyteiy  expressed 
tendence  of  Young  Persons  on  changing  their  deep  regret  at  parting  with  a 
their  Places  of  Residence,  and  the  special  brother  so  gieatJy  beloved  and  so  highly 
instmotlons  given  respecting  the  more  esteemed  as  Mr.  Green.      The  connec- 


D»t«F™iK_H.p.l  KELIGIOUS  INTELLIOENCB.  555 

tion  between  Mr.  Green  sod  the  Bachie  atatos  of  senior  minister  of  RoeeheaKj, 

congregation  waa  thereafter  diraolved.  while  giving  orer  the  charge  of  the 

Mr.  Summeis  was  appointed  moderator  congregation  to  a  colleagae.    The  letter 

of  Boctie  seaaion  and  also  of  Findochtf  waHaccompaQiedbyamedicalcertificate, 

eeeeion.  to  the  effect  that  Mr.  Balfour'a  health 

Serwiek. — This  preebytery  met  on  the  haa  been  so  impaired  by  seyere  illness 

Z2d  of  October— the  Rev.  A.  B.  Robert-  as  to  render  him  vrholly  unfit  for  the 

BOD,  moderator  pro  tempore.    The  clerk  further    discharge    of    his    niiDisterial 

laid  on  the  table  a  copy  of  Memorialt  duties.    Commissioners  from  Rosehearty, 

of  Dr.  C.  Douglas,  Chinese  missionary,  who  were  preeent,  stated  that  the  cou- 

for  each  minister,  the  gift  of  a  friend,  gregation  are  prepared  to  olTer  £80  per 

and  he  was  iastracted  to  convey  to  that  annum  as  stipend  to  a  colleague,  BDd  to 

friend,  throngh  Br.  HaciQill,  the  cordial  pay  Mr.  Balfour  £10  a  year  as  retiring 

thanks  of  the  presbytery.     It  was  re-  allowance,  with  the  use  of  tbe  manse, 

ported  that  the  annnal  collection  tor  the  The  presbytery  heard  with  much  sorrow 

Synod  Fund  had  been  made  in  several  that  their  reverend  father,  Mr.  Balfoar, 

congregations.  The  Rev.  Messrs.  Wilson  who  has  laboured  in  Roeehearty  for  43 

and  Inglis  were  appointed  to  visit  the  years,  is  now  permanently  incapacitated 

cougregations  of  the  Helrose  Presbytery  for    the    discharge   of    his    ministerial 

to  plead  the  cause  of  missions;  and  a  doties,  expressed    its    deep    sympathy 

deputation    from   that   presbytery    are  with  him  in  this  affliction,  most  cordially 

expected  to  visit  the  congregations  of  concurred  in  his  request  to  retain  bis 

this  p-esbytery  for  the  same  parpoee.  status  as  senior  minister  of  Roaehearty, 

The   Rev.   0.    F.    Rosa   of   Coldstream  and  resolved  heartily  to  recommend  him 

proposed   that   this   presbytery   should  to  be  received  as  an  annuitant  on  the 

OTerture  the  Synod  m  favour   of   tbe  Aged  and  Infirm  Ministers'  Fund.     The 

disestablishment  and  disendowment  of  commissioners    from    Rosebearty   then 

the  Established  Church  of  Scotland,  presented  a  petition  for  moderation  in 

Approving  of  the  object   generally,  a  a  call  to  a  colleagne,  which  was  granted, 

committee   was   appointed  to   consider  and  Rev.  T.  F.    Wbillas,   New   Leeds, 

the  overture,  and  report — the  Rev.  Q.  appointed  to  preach  and  moderate  on 

F.  Ross,  convener.     Having  agreed  to  the  evening  of  Monday,  SOtb  September, 

consider  the  Declaratory  Statement  sent  Adjourned.  — After    adjournment,    ap- 

down  by  the  Synod,  the  preamble  was  peiu:«d  commissioners  from  Savoch  con- 

unanimoQsl]^  adopted.       ft  was  agreed  gregation,  who  [presented  a  petition  for 

by  a  majority  that  the  word  'as'  be  moderation.    Sud commissioners  stated 

omitted  from  No.  1.    A  proposal  that  that  they  believed  tbe  congregation  was 

tbe   words    'and  in  consistency  there-  nnanimous;    that  they  promised  £125 

with '  be  omitted  from  the  same  para-  of   stipend,  with  one   month's   holiday 

graph,  was  refused.     It  was  agreed  to  annually;  and  that  there  is  a  manse, 

recommend    that    tbe    last    clause    in  Thepresbyterynnanimously  granted  the 

No.  2  ran  thus :  '  and  also  in  harmony  request  of  the  petitioners,  and  appointed 

with  the  trath  that  every  man  is  re-  Rev.  Hngh  Glen,  Stnartfield,  to  preach 

sponsible  for  his  dealing  with  the  free  and  moderate  at  Savoch  on  Tuesday,  8th 

and  unrestricted  offer  of  eternal  life.'  October. — This  presbytery  met  on  Tues- 

Nos.   3,   5(^and   6    were   unanimously  day,  15th  October,  and  was  constituted 

adopted.    The  consideration  of  Nob.  4  by  Rev.  C.  G.  Squair,  moderator.    A  call 

ana   7  was  delayed  till  next  meeting,  to   Mr.  William  Dickie,  M.A.,  Paisley, 

which  was  appointed  to  be  held  on  the  to  be  colleague  and  successor  to  Rev, 

3d  of  December.  Wm.  Bdfour,  was  cordially  sustained ; 

Bttchan. — A  pro  re  Jtala  meeting  of  and  Mr,  Dickie,  being  present,  accepted 

the  Bachan  Presbytery  was   held  on  the  call,  and  delivered  his  trials  for 

Tuesday,  17tb  September,  at  New  Maud,  ordination    to  tbe   satisfactioa   of    the 

and  constituted  by  Rev.  C.  G.  Squair,  preebytery.    Appointed  the  ordination 

moderator.    Read  letter  from  Rev.  W.  to  take  place  on  Thursday,  14th  Norem- 

Balfour,  Rosebearty,  asking  tbe  presby-  her,   at   twelve    o'clock — Mr.    Glen   to 

tery  to   take    the    necessary   steps    in  preach,    Mr.    Balfour    to    ordain,    Mr, 

foi^erance  of  his  application  to  be  put  Whillas  to  address  the  minister,  and  Hr. 

on  Aged  and  Infirm  Ministers'  Fund,  Paterson   the    people.      A    call    from 

and  ezpreeaing  his  desire  to  retain  the  Savoch  to  Mr.  Goorge  Smart,  Perth, 


556                                     KELiaiODB  INTELLIGEKCB.  '""Si.^TS;"'^ 

vna    kIbo    eastuDed,    And    the    clerk  Dundee. — This  preBbyteij  met  on  the 

intrtruct«d  to  intimate  the  same  to  Mr.  S2d  October— the  Bev.  Jamea  Graham, 

Smart,  and  request  his  answer  within  &  moderator.    It  was  nnauimoodj  agreed 

month.    Extract  minntes  of  Home  His-  to  sostain  the  call  from  the  Tay  Square 

sion  Board  were  read,  intimating  that  congregation     to     the     Ber.     Chailes 

Mr.  BalFour  had  been  admitted  as  annd-  Jerdan,  M.A.,   LL.B.,   Dennjloanhead. 

tant  on  the  Aged  and  Infirm  Miniaters'  The  call  was  signed    by  i06    memben 

Fund,  and  that  the  special  eervices  in  and    85   ordinarj  hcarere.      Appointed 

Fraserburgh  had  been  continued  to  the  the    Beva.    Robert    Laurie    and  John 

close  of  the  herring-  fishing  eeason.     Mr.  Taylor  to  accompany  the  commisuonon 

Andrew  Wilson,  M.A.,  was  examined,  from  the  congregation  to  the  Fresbyterj 

and  certified  to  the  Hall;  and  a  request  of   Falbirk,    and  report       A   petition 

from  Peterhead  for  the  re-bearing  of  from  the  preaching  statioo,   Newport, 

Mesais.  A.  R.  Kennedy,  B.A.,  H.D.,  and  to  be  formed  into  a  regular  congrega- 

fiobert  Ingles,  M.A.,  wss  transmitted  tion,    signed  by  87  persons,  iras  laid 

to  the  clerk  of  DisUibutiou  Committee,  on  the  table.      It  was  agreed  that  in- 

In  reply  to  the  circular  anent  fund  for  timation   of   this  should    be    given   to 

liquidation  of  debt,  it  wss  stated  to  be  the  seaaione  of  the  congregations  which 

the    opinion    of   the    presbytery    that  may  be  affected  by  the  erection  of  the 

Fraserburgh  is  the   only  congregation  proposed  congregation.       The  Ber.  A. 

within  its  bounds  to  which  the  benefits  B.    Connel    and    Mr.      Logic      were 

of  this  fund  should  in  the  meantime  be  appointed  a  committee  to  prepare  a 

offered.     Agreed  that  the  next  regular  statement  and  petition,  and  to  forward 

meeting  of  presbyteir  should  be  held  them  to  the  Home  Committee  for  aid 

at  Whitehill  instead  of  New  Maud;  Uiat  to   the   new   congregation,   which   the 

it  should  be  followed  by  a  conference  presbytery  agreed   cordially  to  recom- 

on  missions,  at  which  a  paper  should  be  mend.      The  presbytery   adopted  the 

read  by  Ur.  Glen  on  "The  Heathen  foUowieg  minute  with  reference  to  the 

World,  or  the  Work  yet  to  be  done;'  late    Hr.   Gilfillas: — 'The   presbytery 

and  a  second  by  Mr.  Whillas,  on  '  The  deaiie  to  place  upon  record  the  deep 

Dependence  of  the  Missionary  Enter-  sense  of  the  loss  which  the  Chnrch  has 

prise  on  Piayer.'  sustained  in  the  unexpected  r^noTat 

Cupar— ThispresbyteirmetinBoston  by  death  of  the  Ber.  George  Gilfillan, 

Church,  Gapar,  on  the  8th  October —  who  was  ordained  at  Dundee  in  1836, 

Mr.  Lees,   moderator.     Mr.    John    P.  and    died    13th   Angnet    1878.      The 

Mitchell,  who  had  accepted  the  call  to  brilliancy  of  his  genius  and  his  breadth 

be  coUesgne  and  auccessor  to  the  Rev.  of   culture,  the  numerous  and  valuable 

John    Bankine,   Cupar,    delivered    hia  contributions    made    by   turn    to    ood- 

ezercise,  and  was  eiamioed  on  theology,  temporary  literature,   his   critical  acQ- 

Eis  trialsforordination  beingsustained,  men,  bis   attachment  to  the    cause   of 

the  ordication   was  appointed  to  take  progrese,  the   generauB  encourogemeDt 

place  in  Bonnygate  Church  on  the  SOth  he  extended  to   young  and   stmf^Iing 

October — Mr.  Fleming  to  preach,  Mr.  talent,and  hiseloqueoland  impaasionea 

Bankine  to  preside  in  the  ordination,  advocacy  of  every    movement    which 

Mr.  Henderson  to  address  the  young  aimed  at  the  soci^  or  political  amelio- 

minister,  and  Mr.  Macowau  to  addreas  ration  of   the   people,   had    gained  for 

the    congregation.      Mr.     John    Blair,  him  celebrity  far  beyond  the  limita  of 

student  of  divinity  of  the  fint  year,  his     own     denomioatioQ.      But     hii 

deliveiedalecture,andMr.D. O.Barron,  brethren  of  this  presbytery  rejoice  also 

student  of  the  second  year,  delivered  a  to    hear    testimony    that    in  midst  of 

sermon,  and  it  was  aneed   to   certify  his  manifold  labours   in  the    field   of 

these  students  to  the  Theological  Hall  literature  he  was  faithful  and  aHsiduoas 

for    the   ensuing   session.     Mr.   A.   T.  in  the  discharge  of  pulpit  and  pastoral 

Landreth  delivered  part  of  his  trials  for  dnty,    and   that   although    constrained 

licence,  which  were  sustained.     It  was  occasionally  to  differ  from  him  in  reepect 

agreed     to    recommend    that    special  of    the  theological   position   which  he 

thauksgiving  be  given  for  the  abundant  assumed,  they  could  never  queation  his 

harvest  with  w  hidi  the  country  has  been  loyalty    to    the    United    Presbyterian 

blessed.    Beports  as  to  the  collection  for  Chnrcdi,  or  cease  to  love  him  as  a  man 

thcTheologicalHaHFondwerereceived.  whoae  generous  nature  was  nnweaiied 


cJ^fcuii*^-'                  RELIGIOUS  INTELLIGENCE.  557 

in  its  willin^esa  to  serve  hia  brethren,  esteem,  his  integritf  of  ch&racter,  tlie 

and  as  a  miniater  wbo  preached  the  ever-  genuineaesa  and  warmth  of  his  friend- 

lasttng  gospel  of  Jesus  Chriat.    Th«j  ship,  the  cheerfulness  and  fervour  of  hia 

earnestly  pray  that  his  decease  mar  be  pi^tf ,  and  the  coosiatency  of  his  lif& 
sanctified  not  only  to  his  fellow-  They  would  also  expreas  tlieir  high  esti- 
laboarers,  but  also  to  hb  moumiDg  mate  of  the  miuiner  iu  which  for  the 
■widow,  and  to  the  congregation  over  period  of  more  than  fifty  years  he  lUs- 
-whoae  Bptritual  welfare  he  watched  for  charged  the  duties  of  the  ministerial 
more  than  forty  years.'  It  was  agreed  office  by  hia  simple  and  earnest  preaching 
to  postpone  the  diacussion  anent  the  of  the  gospel  of  salvation,  his  unwaver- 
declaratory  statement  tilt  the  ordinair  ing  attachment  to  the  doctrines  of  grace, 
meeting  in  December.  Meaara.  Ruaaell,  and  his  fidelity  in  all  departments  of 
Graham,  and  Connel  gave  notice  of  pastoral  duty,  as  exemplified  in  his 
amendmeata  on  some  of  the  articles,  interest  in  the  young,  hia  attention  to 
The  articles  as  amended  were  ordered  to  the  widow  and  fatherless,  hia  aympaWiiea 
be  printed  and  sent  to  menibers  of  with  the  sick  and  bereaved,  his  faithful- 
court.  Measrs.  John  E.  Bruce,  Marahaii  neas  to  the  erring,  and  the  auccess  with 
Lundie,  and  Thomas  S.  Miller  were  cer-  which  he  enlisted  the  sympathy  and 
tified  to  the  Hall.  Mesara.  Wilson,  elicited  the  liberality  of  hia  congregation 
Graham,  and  Jack,  along  with  McBsra.  in  missionary  aud  benevolent  schemes. 
Mitchell  and  Logic,  elders,  were  ap-  Though  warmly  attached  to  the  priu- 
poiutedacommitteetoconsiderthecaaeof  ciplea  of  hia  own  denomination,  hia 
the  Hewtyle  con^gation  and  to  report,  sympathies  were  extended  to  every  sec- 
Read  a  communication  from  Dr.  Scott  tion  of  the  church  of  Christ  throughont 
with  reference  to  debt  resting  on  con-  the  world,  and  every  social  or  political 
gregationa  within  the  bonnda.  It  was  movement  which  tended  to  advance 
agreed  to  take  no  action  in  the  matter,  religion  or  promote  the  welfare  of  his 
It  was  agreed  to  transmit  and  favourably  fellow-men  received  his  warm  and  active 
to  recommend  an  application  from  support.  The  preabyteiy,  whilegratefal 
Hawkhill  congregation  to  the  Home  that  he  was  spared  to  fulfil  so  lengthened 
Committee  for  grant  to  enable  them  to  a  ministry,  feel  all  the  more  keenly  the 
secure  possession  of  the  church  in  which  loss  they  have  sustained  by  his  removal. 
they  now  worship.  A  communication  They  have  lost  an  endeared  friend,  a 
was  read  from  the  missionary  com-  wise  counsellor  and  willing  co^juUir  i.i 
mittee  of  the  Perth  Preabytery,  which  every  good  work,  and  desire  to  be 
recommended  the  viaitation  of  congre-  stimulated  by  his  memory  to  the  noru 
grations  by  deputies  on  Sabbaths.  The  faithful  discharge  of  their  duty,  bo  tuat 
presbytery  (of  Dmidee)  cordially  ap-  like  him  they  may  be  able  to  give  iu 
proved  of  tJie  recommendation  of  the  their  account  with  joy  and  not  with 
Presbytery  of  Perth,  and  inatracted  the  grief.  They  eipresa  tb^  deep  sym- 
niisaionary  committee  to  enter  into  patby  with  hia  bereaved  fami^,  and 
correspondence  with  the  misaionary  mstruot  their  clerk  to  forward  a  copy  of 
committee  of  that  presbyteiy,  with  a  this  minute  to  Miss  M'Dowall  for  corn- 
view  to  the  carrying  ont  of  the  said  muuication  to  the  other  members  of  the 
recommendation.  family.'  The  proposed  presbyterial 
Dunfirmlint. — This  presbytery  met  on  interchanges  in  reference  to  missions 
the  5th  November — the  Rev.  Mr.  Dunbar,  waa  brought  before  the  presbytery  by 
moderator  pro  lent.  The  following  the  report  of  its  mission  committee. 
minut«  iu  reference  to  the  deatli  of  the  The  presbytery  did  not  see  ita  way  to 
Rev.  Hr.  M'Dowall  was  read  and  go  fully  into  the  nroposed  scheme,  but 
adopted:  '  In  connection  with  the  death  expressed  ita  readiness  to  have  minis- 
of  the  Sev.  Mr.  M'Dowall,  to  which  terial  exchaoges  with  the  brethren  of 
reference  is  made  in  the  previous  minute,  the  Cupar  presbytery  on  any  convenient 
the  presbytery  desire  to  place  on  record  Sabbatli  to  preach  on  missions,  and  hold 
the  high  esteem  in  which  they  held  their  united  meetings  where  possible  on  the 
departed  father,  alike  for  the  excellences  same  evening.  It  was  agreed  to  bold 
of  nia  private  character  and  his  zeal  and  the  annual  presbyterial  Conference  on 
fidelity  as  a  minister  of  Jesus  Christ  missions  in  the  spring  of  next  year. 
In  particnlar,  they  would  apecify  as  Mr.  Dunbar  waa  appointed  to  make  the 
prominent  elements  which  won    their  necessary  arrangementa.    The  attention 


558                                     KELIOIODS  INTELLIOSKCE.  ^""at^i^ma!**^ 

of  the  preabjteij  wm  called  to  the  new  from  the  Synod  aueiit  the  DecUrator; 

mode  of  the  '  ProclMoatioa  of  BannB  of  Statement.    FrofeBsor  Caldernood  gave 

ManiftKOi'  which  becomeB  law  oa  the  in  the  report  of  the  Church  ExtAnsion. 

lat  of  January  1879.    After  an  int«reBt-  Committee   for   the   year   ending    Slat 

ing  convenation,  the  presbytery  agreed  October,  from  which  it  appeared    that 

to  recommend  the  hMhren  to  bring  tbe  the  Bum  BubHcribed  for  this  purpoae  had 

matter  before  their  people  in  dne  time,  amonuted  to'£2066,  78. ;  and  that  it  was 

Took  up  remit  on  the  '  Imposition  of  proposed  to  petition  the  Home  Uiauoa 

Hands  m  the  Ordination  of  Hinistera.'  Board  for  the  supply  of  ordinances,  aa 

After     consideration,     the     presbytery  well  as  towards  the  erection  of  a  new 

agreed  to  recommend    the    Synod    to  hall,  which  it  is  proposed  to  erect  in 

retam  to  and  abide  by  the  old  practice  Leith  Walk  at  a  coat  of  £400,  to  meet 

of  the  Chnrch  in  the  matter.     The  pres-  the  spiritual  requiiemente  of  that  dia- 

bytery    also    considered  the  remit    on  triot     The  report  was  adopted,  and  the 

'Declaratory  Statement  aneot  Subordi-  petition  ordered   to   be  transmitted  to 

uate  StandsJrds.'     It  was  agreed  to  con-  the  Hiasion  Board.   Frofeeaor  John  atone, 

sider  the  stntement  lerialim;  and  the  on  behalf  of  the  congregation  of  Regent 

same  having  been  fully  done,  the  pres-  Street  .Church,  Fortobello,  produced  a 

bytery   unanimously    approred    of^  the  call  in  favoui  of  the  Rev.  John  Sellar, 

same-     It  was  agreed  to  hold  next  meet-  Sanquhar,  signed  by  3>?  of  the  37  mem- 

ing  on  tbe  Slat  of  January  next,  and  to  bers  on  the  roll,  and  25  adherents.     The 

take  up  the  remit  on  the  Marriage  Iaw.  call  was  sustained,  and  the  usual  steps 

Edinburgh. — A  meeting  of  this  preaby-  in  such  cases  ordered  to  be  taken. — In 

tery was  beld on  Tuesday,5th  November,  the    evening    the    presbytery's   second 

in  the  hall  at  5  Queen  Street — Mr.  Smalt,  annual    Conference    on    Missions     was 

Fortsburgh  Church,  moderator.     After  held.     There  was  a   large   attendance, 

some  routine  business  had  been  dispoeed  and  important  addresses  were  dtllTered 

of,  Dr.  Bruce,  on  behalf  of  the  committee  by  Dr.  Mair,  Morningside,  and  Rev.  Mr. 

appointed  at  last  meeting,  on  the  motion  Stevenson,  Dublin,  author  of  '  Praying 

of  Mr.  Fleming,  to  consider  the  question  and  Working.'    Dr.  Mair  having  apioken 

of  the  attendance  of  members  at  the  of  the  comparative  success  of  ancient 

meetings  of  presbytery,  reported  that,  and  modem  mlaeion    work,    and    Hr- 

having  examined  the  sedemnt  records  Stevenson    on    missions   in    the  East, 

for  the  papt  mouths  of  this  year,  they  which  he  had  lately  visited,  an  iat«re8t- 

found  the  attendance  to  be,  in  the  great  ing  conversation    followed,  in   which 

majority  of  cases,  such  as  should  be  held  Frofeasor  Cairns,  Professor  Calderwood, 

satisfactory.      It  was  feared,  however,  Dr.   Thomson,   Dr.  MacGill,  and  others 

that  in  a  number  of  cases   members  took  part 

marked  present  had  limited  their  attend-  Elgin  and  Invernest. — This  presbytery 

Btice  to  a  comparatively  short  period  of  met  at  Tain  on  the  18th  September,  for 

the  time  required  for  tho  transaction  of  tbe  ordination  of  Mr.  Richard  Hutcfain- 

the  business.     With  respect  to  tiro  or  son,  probationer,  to  the  pastoral  cha^e 

three  members  whose  absence  without  of  the  congregation  of  Tain.     The  Rev. 

visible   cause   had   been    constant,    or  Mr.  Balderston,  West  Kilbride,  and  the 

nearly    so,    the    committee    proposed  Bev.  Mr.  M'Kenzie,  Wick,  took  part 

to  communicate   with   those  members  with  the  members  of  the  preabyteryin 

privately,   and   recommended   that    no  the  solemn  proceedings  of  the  day.    llie 

further  action  be  taken.      The   report  Rev.     MrT     Robertson,     Campbeltown 

was  adopted  without   further   remark.  (Ardeisier),  having  preached,  the  Rev. 

Mr.   Robertson,   Bread  Street,  reported  Hr.     M'Martin,    Nigg,     proposed     tbe 

that  the  committee  appointed  at    Ust  queations  of  the  formula,  which   were 

meeting  to  txinsider  the  question  of  the  satisfactorily  answered,  and  offered  up 

appointment  of  a  member  of  presbytery  the  ordinaiion  grayer,  after  which  the 

to    Buperintand    the    students    of    the  Rev.    Mr.   Wataoo,    Forrea,    addressed 

Chnrch    in    attendance    at    the    Uni-  pastor  and  people  ou  their  respective 

vefidW,  recommended    the   election    of  duties.     There  wiis  a  targe  audience  on 

Dr.  Hutchison,  Bonnington,  which  wa£  the    occasion,    and   a   feeling   of    deep 

unanimouHly  agreed  to.     It  vas  agreed  interest   was   shown.      Mr.    Hutchinson 

to  meet  on  Tuesday,  the  19th  November,  has  received  from   the   congregation   a 

at  eleven  o'clock,  to  consider  the  remit  most  cordial  welcome,  and  there  aeema 


"■' taJ^wS"^                   HELiaiOUS  INTELLIOEMOE.  559 

ererj  leuon  to  expect  that  be  viU  16th  October.  The  leport  of  tiie  (HMD- 
prove  t,  worth;  ftnccesHHr  of  the  late  mittee  on  the  demisdon  of  the  Rer.  Peter 
Mr.  Fenier,  who  for  apwards  of  thirty-  White,  DeDD;,wBBpreseDt«db;  the  Rev. 
three  years  discharged  the  public  George  Wade.  The  committee  had  found, 
and  private  duties  of  the  ministry  with  on  oonfemng  with  Mr,  White,  that  he 
the  utmost  diligence  and  faithfulneaa.  still  penisted  in  deairing  to  be  loosed 
Next  meeting  of  presbytery  was  ap-  from  his  charge;  and  at  the  oongrega- 
pointed  to  be  held  at  Forrea  on  Tuesday  tionalmeetiiig  on  the  14th  inst.,  at  which 
after  the  secoud  Sabbath  of  N'ovember.  Mr.  Wade  presided,  the  following  reso- 
— This  presbytery  meC  again  at  Forrea  lution  had  been  proposed,  seconded,  aud 
on  the  12th  of  NoTember  —  the  Rev.  unanimonaly  agreed  to: — 'That  we  re- 
Wm.  Macdonald,  moderator.  In  the  sb-  cord  our  sincere  regret  at  the  decision 
sence  of  the  clerk  from  indispOBition,  Mr.  to  which  our  minister.  Mr.  White,  has 
Robaonwaa  appointed  clerk  pro  fern.  Hr.  come,  of  reaigning  his  charge  of  this  cod- 
Sharpe  brought  forward  a  motion,  of  grcgatioiu  We  desire  to  ezpreaa  our 
which  he  had  given  notice  at  a  previous  nigh  appreciation  of  the  value  of  his 
'  meeting,  to  the  effect  that  the  preebytery  ministrations  amongst  us,  aud  of  the  stu- 
meet  usually  at  Forres.  After  some  dious  care  and  rare  ability  with  which  he 
consideration  of  the  matter  by  the  pres-  has  fulfilled  his  work  as  a  preacher.  We 
bylery,  Mr,  Sharpe  withdrew  tie  motion,  are  alsonnitedindeepeat  sympathy  with 
Mr.  Charles  Dick,  student  of  theology,  him  onacooantof  the  state  of  hia  health. 
gave  in  trial  exercises  for  licence  on  Bat,  oonsidering  that  we  have  already 
subjects  which  had  been  prescribed  him  offered  him  a  period  of  rest,  and  ex.- 
at  a  previous  meeting,  with  all  of  which  pressed  our  willmgness  to  bear  with  him 
the  presbytery  were  fully  satisfied ;  and  further  in  any  way  that  seemed  desir- 
the  moderator  having  proposed  the  able,  and  that  he  has  a  second  time  and 
questions  of  the  formula,  which  were  finaUy  decided  to  leave  us,  we  have  no 
satisfactorily  answered,  Mr.  Dick  was  hope  that  we  could  further  influence  him, 
licensed  as  a  ra«bationer  of  the  United  and  are  nnwilling  to  trespass  on  his 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  stiitable  ex-  Christian  liberty  of  conscience,  and  there - 
hortatioDS  were  addressed  to  him  by  the  fore  acquiesce  in  his  decision,  and  trust 
moderator.  The  presbytery  having  that  it  will  be  for  the  complete  restora- 
tftken  into  consideration  a  remit  from  tiou  of  his  health,  and  that  in  a  wider 
the  Foreign  Mission  Board  proposing  sphere  he  may  continne  his  usefulness, 
«  deputatJODol  interchange  witn  the  and  that  this  seeming  affliction  to  us  as 
Presbytery  of  Buchan,  with  a  view  to  a  congregation  maybe  overruled  tor  our 
promote  an  interest  in  foreign  missions,  still  further  good.  The  presbytery  re- 
it  was  agreed  that  ^e  proposal  should  ceived  this  report,  thanked  the  eommit- 
not  be  gone  into,  inasmuch  as  the  pres-  tee,  accepted  Mr.  White's  demission,  and 
bytery  bad  recently  arranged  an  inter-  the  moderator  (Rev.  George  Wade)  de- 
Change  of  polpita  among  themselves,  claredthepastonl  tie  between  Mr.  White 
and  did  not  bdieve  that  the  new  pro-  and  the  congregation  at  Denny  dissolved, 
posal  would  promote  the  object  in  view  Several  membera  of  presbytery  expressed 
within  the  district.  A  letter  woe  read  their  great  sorrow  at  losing  Mr.  White 
from  Mr.  Pringle,  clerk  of  presbytery,  as  a  co-presbyter,  and  referred  in  warm 
expressing  cordial  thanks  to  his  brethren  terms  to  his  ripe  olas^cal  scholarship, 
of  the  presbytery  for  their  kindness  in  his  skill  as  an  eiegete,  his  ability  as 
providing  sick  supply  in  his  present  cir'  a  preacher,  and  hu  devotion  to  his 
cnmstances.  The  presbytery  agreed  to  ministerial  work.  Rev.  John  M.  Lambie 
take  up  at  next  meeting,  to  be  held  at  was  appointed  to  declare  the  church 
Forres  on  Tuesday  after  Uie  second  Sab-  at  Denny  vacant,  and  Bev.  George  Wade 
bathof  January  1879,  theremitofSynod  was  appointed  moderator  of  session 
with  reference  to  the  Declaratorv  State-  during  the  vacancy.  The  preebytery 
ment  auent  Subordinate  Standards  as  appointed  the  Rev.  John  L.  Munro, 
tbe  first  port  of  business,  and  that  the  M.A.,  B.D.,  ita  moderator  for  the  re- 
members of  presbytery  should  arrange  mainder  of  the  current  year.  Mr, 
for  a  lengthened  sederunt.  Itwasagreed  George  Wm.  Ure,  first  year's  student, 
that  the  other  remits  of  Synod  be  taken  delivered  a  lecture  on  Rom.  xii.  1,  2, 
up  at  the  same  meeting.  which  wss  criticised  and  austuned.  It 
Faikirk.  —  This   presbytery   met   Ott  was  agreed  to  certify  him  to  the  Hall  as 


560  BELIGIOD8  IMTBLLIGENCB.  '""X-Vwi*^ 

a  second  year  ttadent.     Conndered  tbe  *  the    proclamation    of    bsnns-'       The 

fliBt  thie«  uticlea  of  the  *  Declaratoiy  motion   was,    after   some  conTerntion, 

8t«t«mait,*  and  OigTeed  to  recommend  adopted  nnanimonBly.     It  was  agreed, 

certain    alterationi   on   each  of    tbem.  on  the  cohcIubiod  of  a  discussion  which 

Rev.  John  M.  Lambie,  conrener  of  Mis-  occupied  several  honre,  to  sanction  the 

sionarj  Committee,  presented  a  scheme  removal  of  Cathedral  Street  congrega- 

of  interchange  of  pulpita  on  Missions,  tioa  to  the  West  End.     Tbe  Rev.  Walter 

which  was  approved.     Kext  meeting  on  Roberts  moved  that  a  committee  should 

Tnesdaj,  3d  December,at  ten  o'clock  A.ir.  be   appointed  to  consider  tbe  snperin- 

Galli/aay. — A  special  meeting  of  this  tendence  of  eongregatjonal  remorala 
preab;te^  was  held  at  Newton -Stewart  within  the  city.  The  motion  was  ae- 
on 4th  November,  to  hear  a  discooiBe  cept«d  nnanimonHly.  It  was  agreed  to 
from  Mr.  Kyle,  stndent-'Mr.  Scott,  adopt  a  scheme  of  iuterchaoge  of  put- 
moderator.  Thecondnctof  the  modera-  pits,  with  the  view  of  increasing  the  mis- 
tor  in  caUingthemeetincwasapproved.  trionary  fonds.  Tbe  itev-'J.  Buchanan 
Hr.  Scott,  as  convener  of  the  committee  mentioned  that  on  the  Augmentation  ■ 
appointed  at  last  meeting,  reported  that  Fund  there  was  a  decrease  of  about 
a  meeting  of  the  committee  (which  all  £1300  compared  with  the  corresponding^ 
the  members  attended)  had  been  held  period  of  last  year.  This  deficiency  was 
at  Kirkcowan  on  the  14th  October,  and  cansed  principally,  he  thought,  b;  the 
that  the  committee,  having  dealt  with  fatlnre  of  the  City  of  Glasgow  Banfc,  in 
Hr.  Kyle  in  regard  to  the  doctrines  which  some  of  their  largest  contiibutors 
contained  in  tbe  discourse  he  bad  de-  were  involved,  either  as  shareholders  or 
livered  to  the  preabyterv,  and,  having  deposlton.  The  diminntion  of  the  fund 
heard  explanatious  from  him,  agreed  to  would,  he  continued,  necessarily  lead 
req^nire  nim  to  withdraw  his  discourse  to  the  reduction  of  the  stipends  of 
and  prepare  another  on  the  same  texts,  ministers.  It  would  be  well,  he  thought, 
in  harmony  with  the  explanations  he  to  appeal  to  the  congregations  for  asaist- 
had  given  to  the  committee,  and  deliver  ance,  that  the  basis  of  the  fund  might 
it  to  a  meeting  of  presbytery  to  tw  be  as  wide  as  tbe  membership  of  tbe 
called  by  the  moderator,  to  be  held  Church,  and  he  moved  accordingly. 
at  Newton  -  Stewart  on  4th  Novem-  Dr,  Scott  seconded  the  motion,  which 
ber.  The  report  was  approved  of.  Mr.  was  unanimously  agreed  to. 
Kyle  delivered  his  discourse.  After  the  Hamilton. — This  presbytery  met  on 
members  had  expressed  their  opinions  the  29th  October  —  the  Rev.  John 
in  regard  to  it,  it  was  moved  and  ae-  Shearer,  moderator  pro  tern.  The  clerk 
conded  that  the  disoonrse  be  not  sua-  reported  that  Mr.  Alexander  Kirkland, 
tained.  It  was  alsomovedandseconded  a  student  from  tbis  presbytery,  had 
that  the  discourse  be  sustained,  and  Mr.  passed  the  usual  examination  for  admia- 
Eyle  certified  to  the  HalL  Tbe  first  sion  to  tbe  Divinity  Hall.  Mr.  Kirkland 
motion  was  preferred  by  eight  to  two  appeared,  and  was  examined  in  regard 
— two  declimug  to  vote.  Mr.  Muirhead  to  hb  personal  piety,  character,  and 
entered  his  dissent.  The  presbytery  motives,  with  which  the  presbytery  ex- 
appointed  another  disconrse  (Romans  pressed  their  satisfaction,  and  instructed 
ill.  24,  25)  to  Mr.  Kyle,  and  several  the  clerk  to  certify  him  to  the  Divinity 
members  expressed  their  readinfss  to  Hall.  Two  letters  were  read  from  the 
meet  and  conveise  with  him  at  any  time  Synod's  Home  Secretary  regarding  tbe 
in  regard  to  his  views.  stations  at  Burnbank  and    Stouefield, 

Glasgow. — This  presbytery  met  12th  and  the  presbytery  expressed  their  satia- 

November — Rev.  A,  Oliver,  moderator,  faction  at  the  success  of  these  stations. 

It  was  arranged  to  induct  the  Rev.  G.  The  clerk  laid  on  the  table  a  petition. 

Green,  Buckie,  to  CranstonhiU  Church,  signed  by  seventy  personsholdingcertifi- 

Qlasgow,  on   6th  proi.     The   members  cates  from  Presbyterian  churches,  pray- 

^reed  to  moderate  in  a  call  to  Cathcart  iug  to  be  formed  into  a  second  United 

l^iad  Church,  Glnagow,   on  20th  curt  Presbyterian  Church  in  Motherwell,  and 

It  was  moved  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Logan  a  paper  containing  the  names  of  eighteen 

Aikman,  that   a  committee   should   be  others  who  are  prepared  to  join  snch  a 

anointed  to  frame  a  circular  explaining  church.     Appeared  Messrs.  John  Black- 

'The  Marriage  Notice  (Scotland)  Act,'  wood,  John  Colville,  John  MilligaD,  and 

which  would,  he  said,  virtually  abolish  Robert  Maishall,    who   had  been  ap- 


'■'DUt?i»*'"^                  BELIGIOtJS  IMTBLUGENCE.  561 

pointed  to  attend  the  preabytery  and  been  given  to  Mr.  Priogle  for  liis  con- 
aapport  Bsid  petition.  The  petition  was  duct  in  the  chair,  Mr.  Barr  waa  elected 
Kfid,  and  the  petitionee  were  heard  in  moderator  for  the  ensuing  year. 
support  thereof.  After  deliberation,  the  Kilmamocl:, — This  presbytery  met  on 
presbjteiy  instructed  the  clerk  to  send  the  8th  October — Ber.  William  Q. 
intimation  of  this  to  the  session  of  HiUer,  moderator.  Agreed  to  '  certify 
Motherwell  Church,  that  they  appear  at  to  the  Hall '  Mesare.  William  T.  Bank- 
next  meeting  and  be  heard  for  their  head,  Andrew  B.  Dickie,  and  David 
interest;  and  appointed  the  Rer.-Hr.  Woodside,  as  students  of  the  first  year; 
Bruce  to  preach  to  the  petitioners  on  and  Mr.  John  Reid,  who  gave  a  lecture 
Sabbath  first,  and  afterwards  hold  a  whichthepresbyteiycorduJly sustained, 
meeting  with  them,  and  report  to  next  aa  a  student  of  the  second  year.  Hr. 
meeting  of  pregbytery,  which  is  to  be  Hngh  Yoang,  who  has  completed  his 
held  on  the  second  Tuesday  of  NoTember.  atndiee  at  the  Hal),  gave  part  of  his 
The  piiesbytery  agreed  to  express  their  triala  for  licence  to  the  satisfaction  of 
thanks  through  Mr.  William  Logan,  the  presbytery.  Sustained  a  unanimous 
Glasgow,  to  the  donors  of  the  late  Dr.  call,  from  the  congregation  of  Muirkirk, 
Anderson's  Exposure  of  Popery,  for  to  Mr.  John  Dundas,  preacher,  and 
copies  of  that  work  which  bad  been  sent  prescribed  subject  of  trial  for  ordination. 
them;  and  through  the  Rer.  Br,  MacGill,  Bead  report  of  committee  appointed  at 
to  the  donor  of  Memorials' of  the  late  last  meeting  to  inquire  into  the  financial 
Bev.  Carstairi  Douglas,  missionary  of  difficulties  of  Trmity  Church,  Irvine, 
the  Preabyteriai}  Church  of  England  at  The  report  was  received,  and  the  com- 
Amoy,  China,  copies  of  which  they  had  mittee  thanked  for  the  great  attention 
also  received.  they  bad  given  to  the  matter  entrusted 
Keho. — This  presbytery  met  on  17th  to  tiiem.  Rev.  George  £.  Henghan  then 
September — Rev.  Mr.  Pringle,  modera-  Ifud  on  the  table  the  resignation  of 
tor.  Agreed  to  dispense  the  communion  his  co-pastorate  of  the  congregation, 
at  Greenlaw  on  the  first  Sabbath  of  Agreed  to  intimate  this  resignation  to 
November,  and  to  grant  the*  petition  of  the  congregation,  and  invite  them  to 
the  congregation  for  a  hearing  of  Mesars.  appear  for  their  interests  at  a  meeting 
Wilson  and  Dickie,  preachers.  A  call  to  be  held  on  the  22d  inst.  Called  for 
from  Elgin  Street  Church,  Glasgow,  to  report  of  Committee  on  Miaaions  with 
Rev.  D.  E.  Millar,  Leitholm,  was  laid  reference  to  scheme  of  presbyterial 
on  the  table,  and  the  nsual  steps  anent  eichaagee,  which  waa  read  by  the  con- 
it  ordered  to  be  taken.  Agreed  to  com-  vener.  After  reasoning,  it  was  agreed 
municate  with  the  Presbytery  of  Kinross  not  to  send  deputies  to  any  other  pres- 
anent  exchange  of  deputaticm  in  behalf  bytery  this  year,  but  to  remit  to  the 
of  missions.  It  was  agreed  to  approve  committee  to  make  arrangementa  for  a 
generally  of  the  findings  of  the  Synodi-  visitation  of  the  congregations  within 
cal  Committee  anent  the  subordinate  the  bounds  by  a  system  of  exchanges, 
Bttmdards,  but  delay  further  considera-  by  brethren  in  the  presbytery,  lo  advo- 
tion  of  them  till  a  future  meeting. — This  cate  the  cause  of  missions.     Sanctioned 

Sresbytei;  met  again  on  8th  October,  the  request  of  the  Holm  congregation, 

ook  up  call  to  Mr.  Millar,  who,  having  Kilmarnock,  to  build  a  new  church  on  a 

intimated  acceptance  of  it,  was  loosed  suitable  site,  which  can  be  got  in  High 

from  his  charge  at  Leitholm.      A  letter  Glcncairn    Street,    in    tiie     immediate 

was  read  from  Rev.  Mr.  Rogers,   inti-  neighbourhood   of   the  present  church. 

mating  the  resignation  of  his  charge  on  A^eed  that  the  clerk  should  communi- 

account  of  ill-health.      Much  sympathy  cate  with  the  defaulting  congregations 

was  expreeeed  with  Mr.  Rogers,  and  Mr.  which  have  failed  to  make  a  collection 

Cairns,  interim   moderator   of  session,  for  the  Hall  Fund.     Read  circular  from 

and  Mr.  Barr,  Jedburgh,  were  appointed  Finance  Committee  anent  Synod  Fund, 

'    to  confer  with  him  on  the  subject      It  and   agreed  to   ask   tlie   congregations 

was    agreed  to  arrange  for  an  inter-  severally    at    nest    ordinary    meeting 

change  of  pulpits  with  members  of  the  whether  they  have  made  a  collection  for 

Presbytery  of  Kinross  according  to  the  that  fund.     Read  circular   anent   Debt 

.    syDodical  scheme.    Mr.  Inglis,  treasurer,  Liquidation.       Agreed    to    recommend 

gave  in  the  annual  financial  accounts,  the   congregations  of  Glengamock  and 

aad  the  thanks  of  thepresbytet;  having  Patoa  for  a  grant  to  aid  to  pay  oflt  their 

NO.  XU.  YOL.  ZZII.  MEW  SERIES. — DECEUBEB  IBTB.  2  N 


562  HBLiaiOCB  INTELLIGENCE.  '      ul.Tm^'' 

burdenBome  debt  It  tiaa  intimated  mendatioiui  to  be  c«»ninanicated  to 
that  Mr.  Jamea  M'Queen,  Anchinleck,  eeaaiona  in  regard  to  organizatioa  in 
had  withdrawn  his  application  for  a  the  oongregations  for  ooUectiiig  mis- 
Rnikie  acholarehip.  Agreed  to  delay  Btonarjcontributione  were  submitted  by 
discuBsion  on  EHMstablishment  to  a  the  Miagionary  Committee  aDd  approTt^ 
Miecial  meeting  to  be  held  on  the  second  of.  The  same  committee  reported,  anent 
Tueaday  of  November.  Agreed  further  the  propoeal  for  inter-presbyteriaJ  inter- 
to  coQMdei  remit  of  Sjnod  with  change  with  Eeleo,  that  the  latter  pres- 
reference  to  Declaratory  Statement  brtery  cannot  entertain  the  proposal 
anent  Subordinate  Standards  at  same  till  the  spring  of  next  year.  Agreed  to 
meeting. — This  presbyterymet  again  on  continue  the  remit  to  the  Missionary 
the  22d  October— Her.  W.  Q.  Miller,  Committee  to  deal  with  the  matter, 
moderator.  Took  up  demission  of  Mr.  Took  into  consideration  the  remit  of 
Henghas,  laid  on  tbe  table  at  last  meet-  Synod  anent  the  overture  by  the  Rev. 
ing.  After  tbe  commiBaioners  from  James  Davidson  on  Marriage  with  a 
Trinity  Church  had  been  heard,  Mr.  Deceased  Wife's  Sister.  It  was  moved 
Henghan  stated  that  he  still  adhered  to  by  Mr.  Rathven,  and  seconded  b;  Mr. 
his  demission.  The  preahytery  then.  M'Queen,  that  the  presbytery  report  as 
dissolved  the  pastoral  relation  between  follows: — '  This  presbytery,  without  ei- 
him  and  Trinity  congregation.  In  taking  pressing  any  opinion  as  to  the  teaiding 
Mr.  Heughan's  name  from  the  roU,  the  of  Scripture  on  the  silbject  of  these 
presbytery  agreed  to  record  their  noani-  marriagea,  believes  that  it  would  be 
mous  satisfaction  that,  while  they  have  highly  improper  to  bring  Church  law 
fe!t  constrained  to  accept  of  his  demis-  into  antagoniam  to  the  law  of  the  land 
sion,  there  has  appeared  nothing  in  the  in  regard  to  a  matter  that  is  not  al 
statements  of  any  of  the  parties  in  faith  or  conscience.'  It  was  moved  by 
Trinity  Church  to  cast  tbe  least  reflec-  Hr.  Duncan,  and  seconded  by  Mr.  Aik- 
tion  on  his  character  as  a  Christian  man,  that  the  following  be  the  report : — 
minister;  and  their  beat  wishes  for  his  '  That  so  long  as  these  marriages  ate 
future  success  in  the  gospel  of  our  Lord  illegal  by  the  law  of  the  country,  this 
JesueChrist.  Mr.JohnDundaa,  preacher,  Church  strongly  discourages  them  in  the 
intimated  his  acceptance  of  the  call  from  caseof  her  members,  andenjoins  sessions 
Muirkirtt.  Granted  a  moderation  in  a  to  do  everything  in  their  power  tor  this 
call  to  the  congregation  of  Fenwick  on  end  whenever  circumBtances  require  it; 
the  19th  November.  Agreed  to  recom-  but  that,  when  snch  marriages  have  been 
mend  tbe  application  ot  Rev.  William  regnlarly  celebrated  in  a  country  where 
Orr  to  be  received  as  an  annuitant  on  they  are  legal,  they  are  not  to  be  made 
the  Aged  and  Infirm  Ministers'  and  the  ground  of  Church  discipline,  seeing 
MisBionaries'  Fund.  —  This  presbytery  that  it  would  involve  greater  evila  to 
met  again  on  the  12th  November —  require  their  annulment  than  to  sanction 
Rev.  W.  G.  MUler,  moderator.  Mr.  their  continuance.'  Four  members  yoted 
Dundaa  gave  his  trials  for  ordination  to  for  the  first  motion,  and  three  for  the 
the  satisfaction  of  the  presbytery.    Ap-  second.    Considered  also  the  remit  aoent 

Siiuted  his  ordination  to  take  place  at  Imposition  of  Hands  in  the  Ordination 

uirkirk  on  the  17th  December.     Pro-  of  Ministers,  when  it  was  moved  by  Mr. 

ceeded  to    conuder   reeolntions   anent  Smith,  and  seconded  by  Dr.  And^on, 

Disestablishment,  brought  up  by  the  that  the  decision  of  1877  be  adhered  to. 

presbytery's    committee   on    that    sub-  It  was  also  moved  by  Mr.  Duncan,  and 

ject    Tbe  resolutions  were  unanimously  seconded  by  Mr.  Ruthven,  tliat  the  deci- 

adopted,  and  the  committee    was  in-  don  of  1877  should  be  reversed,  and  the 

structed  to  circulate  printed  copies,  with  old  mode  of  ordination  by  impodtion  of 

shorteipoeitionsandillustrations.among  the  hands  of  the  ministers  of  the  pree- 

theconBregationsintbebouoda.  Agreed  bytery  be  reintroduced.     FouFmemben 

toconsiderremitof  Synod  with  reference  voted  for  the  first  motion,  and  tbi«e  for 

to  Declaratory  Statement  anent  Subor-  the  second.     After  some  couTersatiDii 

dinate  Standards  at  the  next  meeting  on  the  Notice  of  Marriage  Act,  it   waa 

on  the  second  Tuesday  of  December.  agreed  to  recommend  all  the  ministers 

KinTOSi.  —  This    presbytery    met   at  to  call  tbe  attention  of  their  people  to 

Milnathort,  on  Tuesday, 5th  November —  its  provisions  before  the  end  of  the  year. 

Rev.  Mr.  Milne,  moderator.     Becom-  It  waa  agreed  to  tender  the  thanks  of 


""ST?,?"""*''                  KELIQIODfl  INTBLLIGESCE.  563 

the  presbytery  to  the  donors  of  Memo-  convener  of  the  DteeBtablisbmeDt  Com- 
riab  of  Dr.  Carttatrs  Douglas,  and  of  mittee,  and  Mr.  Stirltag  convener  of  die 
Dr.  William  Auderaon's  Exposure  of  Sabbath  Scliool  Committee.  A  paper 
ftipery.  Resolved  to  proceed  at  next  from  the  Foreign  Secretary,  entitled, 
meeting  to  the  nomination  of  an  elder  'General  Remarkson  the  Synod's  Scheme 
or  other  member  to  serve  on  the  Mission  tif  Presbyterial  Exchanges,  with  the 
BoBid  tor  four  years  from  May  1879.  view  of  promoting  a  deeper  interest  in 
Appointed  next  meeting  to  be  held  at  Foreign  Hissions,  was  remitted  to  the 
Hih&thort  on  the  Tuesday  after  the  Misuonary  Committee,  to  report  thereon 
fourth  Sabbath  of  January  1879,  and  to  next  meeting.  The  derk,  Thomaa 
agreed  to  coneider  then  the  proposed  Miller,  and  Thomas  3.  Dickson,  with  Mr. 
Declaratory  Statement  anent  the  Con-  Gowans,  elders,  were  appointed  a  com- 
feaaion  of  Faith,  and  relative  preamble  mittee — Mr.  Dickaon,  convener — to  con- 
to  tlie  questions  of  the  formula.  sider  the  remit  of  Synod  on  Declaratory 

Paisley  and  Greenoclc. — This  preeby-  Statement  anent  Subordinate  Standards, 

tery  met  at  Greenock  on  the  3d  Sept.  and  to  report  at  an  early  meeting. — This 

A  call  to  Rev.  John   G.  Train,  Bnc\-  presbytery  met  again  on  the  ^ith  Sep- 

haven,  from  CInne  Park,  Port-Glasgow,  tember^ — Mr.   Brown,  moderator.     Mr. 

was  Buettuned.     The  ordination  of  Mr.  Robert  M'Haster,  M.A.,  under  call  to 

Charles  Moyea   was  appointed  at  Ren-  Balbeggie,  gave  his  trials  for  ordination, 

frew.      Mr.   J.   B.   Alexander   received  which  were  sustained,  and  his  ordination 

licence.     Mr.    James   Lambie    gave  a  was  fixed  for  the  16th  October,  and  the 

discom^se,   which   was    sustained. — The  necessan'  appointments    therefor  were 

presbytery  met  at  Renfrew  on  the  18th  made.     The  certificate  was  received  of 

September  for  the  ordination  of  Mr.  Mr.  David  Eeir,  M.A.,  atudeat,  having 

Moyes.-     Mr.    Edgar    preached,     Mr.  passed  the  exit  examination  of  the  Hal^ 

John  Young  conducted  the   ordination  and  that  he  may  now  be  taken  on  trial 

service,  and  Mr.  James  Allison  addressed  for  licence.    A  circniar  from  Board  for 

the  congregation. — Met  again  at  Paisley  Manses  and  Debt  Liquidation  was  read, 

on  the  l&th  October.    Certified  to  the  giving  a  list  of  the  congregations  of  this 

Hall  Mr.  A.  B.  D.  Alexander  and  Mr.  presbytery  which  have  debt,  and  naming 

James  Lambie.     The  call  to  Mr.  TrMn,  York  Place,  Perth,    and   Aucht«rarder 

which  had  been  declined,  was  set  aside.  (Iforth),    as   congregations   which    the 

The  report  of  the  committee  on  the  Board  ia  disposed  to  aid  in  an  effort  for 

liquidation    of    debt    on    St.    Andrew  debt  liquidation,  by  a  grant  of  about  £1 

Square,   Greenock,    submitted    by   Mr.  for  every  £3  which  they  might  raise  for 

Morton,   bore     that    they    had     raised  this  purpose.     The  clerk  was  instructed 

£1119,  of  which  £355  had  been  contri-  to  correspond  with  these  congregations 

buted  by  the  congregation.     The  report  through  their  mini6tera,ftnd  to  request  an 

was   received   with   much    satisfaction,  answer  from  them  at  next  meeting  to  the 

The  congregation  are  now,  with  lessoned  Board's  proposal.  Attention  was  i^ed  to 

debt  and  incrcasiog  numbers,  occupying  the  Missionary   Committee   not   having 

a  highly  favourable  position  of  useful-  reportedontbepaperof theForeignSec- 

nees.      The  remit  on  the  Imposition  of  retary  remitted  to  it,  and  the  clerk  was 

Hands  at   Ordinations  was  considered,  tnetmcted  to  intimate  to  the  convener 

vrbea  it  was  decided  to  recommend  that  that  a  report  will  be  expected  at  the 

the   ad  inlerim  rule  be   rescinded   and  next  meeting  of  the  presbytery.     Mr. 

the  former  practice  resumed.  Scotland  reported  from  Pitrodie  ttiat  Mr. 

Perth. — This  presWtery  met   on   the  Collins'  term  of  service  there  is  abont  to 

20th   Augnat — Mr.    Brown,   moderator,  expire;  that  the  congregation  have  heard 

The  University  certificates  of  Mr.  Wil-  theRev.WaltefWhile,oftheFreeChiirch, 

litun    Robertson ,    Honey    bmrsar,    were  officiating  in  their  pulpit,  and  hare  miani- 

received,  with  intimation  that  he  intends  mously  requested  him  to  give  them  his 

to  prosecuto  his  studies  at  the  University  services  for  the  ensuing  year,  and  that 

next  seBsion..   Mr.  Henderson  was  ap-  Mr.  White  has  signified  his  readiness  to 

pointed  convener  for  this  year  of  the  do  so.     The  presbytery  approved  of  the 

Si-esbytery'g  Missionary  Committee,  Mr.  course  the  congregation  has  taken,  and 

owieson  convener  of  the  EvangeUstio  instructed  the  clerk  to  intimate  to  the 

Committee,  Mr.  Thomas  Miller  convener  Home  Secretary  the  change  of  agentat 

of  the  Statistical  Committee,  }St.  Inglis  Pitrodie,  and  to  express  to  him  the  hope 


BBLIQIODa  IKTEU.iaENOB. 


grant  to  Fibt>die  for  the  present  jeax  larmer,  Bonhard    These  gifts  were  enit- 

will  be  contiuQed  for  the  enening  year,  ably  acknowledged.     Both  at  the  diuier 

The  derk  was  further  instmct«d  to  re-  and  at  the  Boiiee  commnnicatioDB  were 

quire  from  Hr.  CollinH  a  report  of  hia  received  from  Mr.  Fettigrew,  expreesing 

work  at  Pitrodie,  which  Hr.  Scot1ancl>  his-  deep  regret  that  the  state  of  bis 

hasalready  informed  him  that  the  Home  health,  though  somewhat  improved  of 

Secretaiyhas asked  for. — Thiapresbjtery  late,  did  not  allow  him  to  be  ra^eeot, 

met  at  Balbeggie  on  the  15th  October,  his  great  gratification  at  the  setOement, 

Mr.  M'Murchy,  F.C.  minister  of  Scone,  and  his  earnest  wishes  for  the  pioeperit)' 

vas  preseut,   and   was   invited  to  cor-  alike  of  the  foong  minister  and  of  the 

respond.    Aoswers  were  received  from  congregation.    This  is  altogether  a  very 

York   Place,   Perth,   and   Aucbterarder  bappj  and  promising  settlement. 

(North),    baring   that    they   hare  re-  

solved  to  make  an  effort  to  eztingnish  Call. 

their  debt  by  the  end  of  this  year,  with         PortfiMlo(Eegent  Streef) Rev.  John 

the  aid    offered    by   the   Board.      The  Sellar,  Sanquhar,  called  October  34. 
clerk  was  anthoriied  to  give  Mr.  Robert  — — 
Mackenzie,  M.A.,   student,  subjects   of  induotion. 
trial  for  licence.     The  chief  bnsicess  of  Glasgow  (Elgin  Str£et). — Rev.  D.  A, 
this  meetinr  was  the  ordination  of  Mr.  Millar,  A.M.,  Leitholm,  inducted  as  col- 
Robert  M'Maater,  M.A.,  to  the  o&ce  of  league  to  Rev.   David  Macrae,   A.M., 
the  holy  ministry  and  the  pastoral  charge  October  29. 

of  the  congregation  of  Elalbeggie.     Mr.  

Lyon  preached,  Mr.  Scotland  ordained  ordination. 

and   addressed   the   minister,    and   Mr.  Cupar     (Bonnygale).  —  Mr.     J.     P. 

Sutherland  addressed  the  people.     The  Mitchell,  A.M.,  ordained  October  81,  as 

church  was  filled  with  an  audience  who  colleague  to  Rev.  John  Banking 

appeared  to  be  deeply  interested.     The  

congregation  entertuned  the  presbytery  Dalkeith    (east)  —  latinq     of    the 

and  other  friends  to  dinner  in  the  fine  Meuokial  stone  of  a  new  GHUfiCH. 

public  schoolhonae  recently  built  in  the  the  memorial  stone  of  a  new  church 

'   .^jt,  H  *  ^"Ifny  'M  .Iwge   and  („,  ^^^  congregation  was  laid  in  Buc- 

moluded  Mr.  Hamilton,  m.niHter  of  tiie  clench  Street  on  Saturfay,  November  2. 

panBh    Mr  Reid.F.C.  rainBterot  Col-  jhere  was  a   large   attendance  of  the 

bee,  Mr.   M'Murehy,  F.C    mimster   of  ma^bers  and  friends  of  the  congrega- 

Scone    and  Mr  Barter,  F  C.  minister  of  tion,  including  Rev.  Dr.  Joseph  Brown 

OargdL     Dr  Marshall  of  Coupar-Aogus  ^^^  ^^  jj^.  Ferguson.     The  eathnated 

was  in  the  chair ;  and  many  congratuk-  ^ost  is  npwaida  of  £6000. 

tioo8,gooawiBne8,  and  sentimcntsappro-  

priate  to  the  occasion  were  proposed  and 

responded  to.    There  was  a  soiree  in  the  opening  or  the  theoloqical  hall 

evening,  held  in  the  church,  which  was  THE  session  1878-79  of  the  Theological 

crowded.     Mr.  M'Neil  of  Scone  occupied  Hall  was  opened  on  Tuesday,  5fh  Ko- 

the  chair  ;   and  the  Hpeakers  were  Mr.  vember,  with  an  address  by  Principal 

Salmond,  preacher,  Mr.Howieson,Auch-  Harper,  at  5  Queen  Street,  Edinburgh, 

tergaven,  Dr.  Marshall,  Coupar-Angus,  Therewasalargeattendanceof  students, 

Mr.   Keid,    CuLlace,   and   Mr.   Scotland,  as  well  as  of  clergymen  and  laymen  be- 

Errol.     Mr.  M'Master  was  presented  by  longing  to  the  Church.    Lord  Beihaven, 

the  ladies  of  the  congregation  with  an  the  Rev.  Dr.  Beith,  and  Dr.  Bobt.  Young 

elegant  pulpit  gown.     The  presentation  were  also  present.     After  prayer  by  the 

was  made   by  Mr.  Mitchell,   father  of  Rev.Mr.Cfroom,  Moderator  of  tie  Synod, 

the  session,  in  a  few  happy  sentences,  Principal  Harper  delivered   a  vigorous 

which     met    with     great    acceptance,  and    incisive   lecture     on    '  The    True 

Mr.  M'Neil  wa£  also  presented  by  the  Strength  of  a  Church.'     Having  pointed 

congregation   with   a   handsome    time-  out  elements  of  strength,  the  Principal, 

piece  and  Farrar's  Life  of  Christ,  as  a  in  conclusion,  said  '  that  he  thought  he 

toten  of   their  grateful  appreciation  of  might  say   without   boasting   that   the 

his  kind  services  to  them  as  moderator  UnitedPreabyterianChurchwasastrong, 

of  the  session  during  the  vacancy.     The  well-organized  body ;  that  its  work,  not 


D«.1,1S 


NOTICES  OF  NEW  PUBLIOAl'IONS. 


565- 


011I7  at  borne,  but  also  abroad,  waa  not 
that  of  a  veaklicg,  bat  showed  proof  of 
robustneea  both  in  giruig  ajid  acbiaiiiig. 
It  had  had  trials  of  strength  from  the 
day  of  its  origin  \  it  had  braved  tbe 
Btnfe  of  touguea ;  it  had  been  valiant 
for  the  Lord  of  hot^,  and  had  upheld 
the  banner  when  standard  -  bearers 
dropped  it  It  had  grown  with  the 
growth  of  opposition  till  it  had  all  bnt 
coDqaered  it,  and  made  friend  and  foe 
alike  coofees  that  she  was  a  potrer  in 
the  land.    Had  the  Charch  found  this 

gogreea  to  be  a  proceas  of  exhaustion? 
ad  the  Church  overstrained  her  eaer. 
g^  or  overrated  her  capabilitiee  and 
resources?  Had  she  betraved  signs  of 
weakness  or  of  becoming  effet«  ?  There 
was  not,  he  snbmitt«d,  a  oougregation 
but  mig^t  safelj  be  left  to  give  ita 
answer  to  these  qoeBtions. '  Aft«r  various 
iatimatJOQS  had  been  made  to  the 
stfidents,  Principal  Harper  closed  the 

Sttceedings  by  pronouncing  the  bene- 
ction. 

SCHOLABSHlPa  FOR  ONIVEBSITT  STUDENTS. 

The  annual  examination  for  these 
Bcholarshipe,  which  are  offered  to  students 
who  are  looking  forward  to  the  minis- 
try, took  place  in  the  beginnine;  of  tbe 
month  of  October.  The  Synod's  com- 
mittee then  met  to  ascertain  who  were 
the  suocesaful  candidates.  Sixty-nine 
students  bad  been  successful,  having 
reached  fifty  per  cent.  Of  these,  twenty- 
live  are  about  to  enter  the  University 
for  the  first  year,  nineteen  for  the  second 


year,  twelve  for  the  third  year,  and 
thirteen  for  the  fourth  year.  Tlie  follow- 
ing are  the  students  to  whom  spedal 
scholarships  have  been  awarded : — Of 
the  first  year — William  Dickson,  Aber- 
deen ('  Andemon '  scholarship,  £25)  ; 
Alex.  Cruicksbauk,  Aberdeen ;  and  Henry 
Rankine,  Kilsyth  (each  a  '  Baikie  ' 
scholarship,  £20), — these  three  scholar- 
ships being  tenable  for  four  years.  Of 
the  second  year — Aieiander  M'Dougall, 
Edinburgh  ('Middleton,'  £20);  James 
W.  IngUs,  Joimstone  f '  John  Smith,' 
£45)  ;  John  SomerviUe,  Milnathort 
('Faterson,'  £25);  and  John  Whit«, 
Aberdeen  ('Gibb,'  £30),— all  these  being 
retained  from  last  year.  Of  the  third  year 
— Jamee  Gardner,  Edinburgh  ('  Lewis,' 
£22,  IOb.);  James  Frame,  Edinburgh 
('Beattie,'  £20);  and  George  Robb, 
Elgin  ('Anderson,'  £25), — these  two  last 
beiug  retained  from  last  year.  Of  the 
fourth  year,  William  Thomson,  Stone- 
houas  ('  Lewis,'  £22,  10a).  In  addition 
to  these  spedal  scholatsbips,  ordinary 
scholarships  of  £20  were  awarded  to 
John  Weir  (Glaagow),  John  Sutherland 
(Glasgow),  Hogh  F.  Kirker  (Belfast), 
and  Andrew  W.  M'Dougall  (Edinburgh), 
whose  average  value  exceeded  seventy- 
five  per  cent.  Nineteen  ordinary  soho- 
larshipB  of  £16  were  awarded  to  those 
whose  average  exceeded  sixty-fire  per 
cent.,  and  thirty-nine  ordinary  scholar- 
ships of  £10  to  those  whose  average  was 
between  fifty  and  sixty-five  per  cent. 
In  all,  scholarships  to  the  value  of  £1000 
have  been  awarded  on  this  o< 


Itotiwa  of  Peto  ^uWitations. 


MESSea  W.  OLIPHANT  &  CO.'S 
PUBLICATIONS. 

(1)  One  New  Year's  Hight,  and  other 
Stories.  By  Edward  Garrett,  Author 
of  'Occupations  of  a  Retired  Life,' 

(2)  The  Joyful  Sound;  beine  Notes 
on  the  Fifty-Eighth  Chapter  oT  Isaiah. 
By  William  Browh,  Author  of  '  The 
Tabernacle  and  its  Service.' 

(8)  The Unebbino Guide;  or, Scriptnre 
Precept  topically  arranged.  By 
Eev.  Henby  V.  Dexter,  D.D. 

(4)  The  Youno  Deserter. 

(5)  Elisha,  the  Prophet  oe  Peace. 
By  Rev.  H.  T.  Howat,  Liverpool, 
Authorof  '  Elijah,  the  Desert  Propnet,' 


(6)  The  Young  Craqsmah.  and  other 
Stories.  By  Robert  Richardson, 
B.A.,  Authorof 'Onr  Senior  Mathe- 
matical Master,'  etc. 

(7)  Helps  to  a  Devout  Life  ;  being  a 
Treatise  on  Religious  Duties.  By  tbe 
late  Rev,  Georqe  Lawson,  D.D. 

(8)  Daughters  of  Armenia.  By  Mrs. 
8.  A.  Wheeler,  MiBWonary  in  Turkey. 

Edlulmi:^ ;  W.  Ollpbant  t  Co,    1S7S. 

(1)  These  stories,  from  the  practised 
pen  of  Edward  Garrett,  are  characterized 
by  the  author's  well-known  eicelleuces. 
They  are  healthy  in  their  moral  teaching, 
and  at  once  enlist  and  sustain  the  inte- 
rest of  the  reader. 

(2)  This  is  a  seri«B  of  papers  on  a 


566                      NOTICES  or  mew  poblicatiohs.  "^  BirTwIr^ 

portion  of  Scniptore  which  affords  spe<usl  of  them  ate  well  fitted  to  convey  inBtrnc- 

Bcope  for  devout  and  practical  medita-  tioa  a&d  excite  int^reet.       There   is  a 

tion.     Mr.  Brown's  book  will  be  appre-  portion   of    meat  for  the  young,    and 

cjated   by     all     who     delight    in     the  aomething  also  for  those  more  advanced 

'  JoyfalSonud'  clearly  and  evaugelieally  in  yean.      Outwardly  th^  preeent  an 

set  forth-  attractive  appearance,  and  intenialiy  the 

(3)  Paasages  of  Bcriptare,  imder  ap-  excellence  oi  the  printiag  and  aptness 
propriate  headings,  are  here  skilfully  of  the  numerons  illustrations  materially 
arranged,  go  that  any  one  who  wishes  to  enhance  their  worth.  They  fiU'm  in 
know  '  what  saitb  the  Lord '  in  reference  themselves  a  little  library,  from  which, 
to  any  dnty  to  which  he  may  be  called,  during  the  leisure  bouiB  of  onr  long 
will  at  once  make  himself  acquainted  winter  eveninga,  much  pleasure  and 
with  it  in  a  variety  of  testa  culled  from  profit  may  be  derived. 

the  '  Unerring  Guide.' 

(4)  This  is  a  stirring  story,  in  which  Bibuco-Theologicai,  Lexicon  of  THE 
the  horrors  of  war  are  vividly  depicted.  New  Testament  Greek.  By  Heb- 
In  the  course  of  it  is  shown  the  danger  mann  Crexer,  D.D.,  Professor  of 
of  young  people  being  exposed  to  tempta-  Theology  in  the  Dniversity  of  Greifs- 
lion,  and  still  more  the  desirableness  of  wald.  Translated  from  the  German 
their  training  being  of  such  a  kind  as  to  of  the  Second  Edition  by  William 
enable  them  to  resist  it.  Ubwick,  tl.A. 

(5)  This  is  a  welcome  contribntioD  to  Edinburgh ;  t.  t  t.  curt  isrs. 

our  popular  religious  literature.     Mr.  This  ia  a  work  of  very  great  valoe.    It 

Howat   has    the    pen   of  a  read]^  and  proves  that  its  author  is  a  philologist, 

graphic   writer.     Having   mads  himself  philoeofJier,  and  theologian  of  no  mean 

thoroughly  acquainted  with  his  subject,  order.      It    is    evidently    the    fmit  of 

he  depicts  with   much  pictori&l  power  immense  and  well-directed  labour.     Dr. 

the  scenes  through  which  Eliaba  passed,  Cremer's  design  is  to  take  all  the  words 

and  earnestly  enforces  the  leesons  which  of  any  importance  that  are  employed  in 

are   taught   by   this   gentle  prophet  of  the  New  Testament,  and  show  in  what 

peace.  sense  they  were  used  by  clasicai  writeis, 

(6)  Mr.  Kchardson  apparently  has  and  how  they  came  to  have  the  meaning 
been  making  himself  acquainted  with  which  ultimately  they  possessed.  As 
Irish  life  in  its  native  home,  and  in  some  he  proceeds  wiuk  his  task,  one  ie  at  a 
of  these  tales  he  graphically  and  truth-  loss  whether  most  to  admire  the  eiten- 
fuUy,  and  therefore  hiuuorously,  depicts  sive  erudition  or  keen  philosoplitcal 
it.  As  a  writer  of  storiea  for  boys,  Mr.  acumen  which  he  displays.  One  follows 
Itichardaon  takes  his  place  in  point  of  with  real  pleasure  as  well  as  with  edifi- 
interesting  them  beside  Ballantyne  and  cation  the  unravelling  of  the  various 
Kingston,  whilst,  as  we  think,  his  tone  shades  of  meaning  of  important  words, 
and  teaching  are  more  distinctively  — how,  from  conveying  very  simple  or 
religioua.  merely  materialistic  ideas,  they  come  at 

(7)  These  '  Helps  to  a  Devout  Life '  last  to  be  charged  with  a  moral  or 
coitsist  of  a  series  of  papers  of  a  devo-  spiritual  meaning. 

tional  and  practical  kind,  and  are  cha-  Mr.  Urwick,  wboee  work  as  translator 

racterized  by  their  gifted  author's  wonted  is  done  witii  fidelity  and  felicity,  says  in 

simplicity,   sagacity,   and  unction.      In  a  prefatory   note :  '  Professor   Crenier's 

this  convenient  form  they  should   find  Lexicon    of  Nia     Testament    Greek  is 

their  way  into    many   homes,    and   be  considered  in  Germany  one  of  the  most 

a   cherished   companion    in   seasons    of  important  contributions  to  the  study  of 

devotion.  New   Testament   exegesis   that  has  ap- 

(8)  This  volume,  interesting  at  any  peared  for  many  years.  As  is  clear  from 
time,  is  eepecifklly  opportune  at  present,  the  author's  preface,  the  student  must 
The  East  is  attracting  much  and  painful  not  expect  to  find  in  it  every  word 
attention  to  itself,  and  '  Daughters  of  which  the  New  Testament  contains. 
Armenia' ia  a  record  of  much  good  work  For  words  whose  ordinary  meaning  in 
done,  and  gives  much  important  informa-  the  classics  remiun's  unmodified  &ad  nn- 
tion  regarding  the  country  and  the  people,  chauged   in   Scripture,   be  must  resort 

These  votumes  are  varied  in   respect  still  to  the  classical  lexicons.     But  for 

of  the  topics  of  which  ihey  treat,  but  all  words  whose  meaning  is  thus  modified 


o,jwp«A.^]MH»-j                     MONTHLY  BBTE08PE0T.  567 

— words  which  have  become  the  baaee  been   bo   bood   Cftlled   for,   and   that    a 

and  watcbworda  of  Christiaii  tbeolog; —  traoslatiOQ     of     it     hu     appeared     in 

he. will  find  this  leiioon  most  valuable  Holland.' 

and  Buggeative,  treating  as  it  does  of  their  The  work  is  one  which  will  be  highly 

transference  from  the  classics  into  the  valued  by  alt  intelligent  students  of  New 

Septuagint,   and  from   the    Septuagint  Testament    exegesis,    and    will    be    of 

into  the  New  Testament,  and  the  gradual  esBcntial  service  to  them.     The   author 

deepening  and  elevation  of  their  mean-  is  not  a  mere  verbal  critic,  who  occupiea 

ing,  till  they  leach  the  fulness  of  New  himself  with  the  busk  and  nothing  more ; 

Testament    thought.       The    esteem    in  neither  is  he  a  dealer  in  commonplacea 

which  the  work  is  held  iu  Germany  ia  which  might   be  found  in  any  book  of 

evident  from  the  facta  that  it  has  pro-  sermons.      He    pierces    the  shell,    and 

cured  for  the  author  his  appointment  as  brings  forth  the  kernel,  and  sete  it  in 

Professor  of  Theotogy  in  the  University  order  in  a  manner  that  is  both  aatiaf  jing 

of  Qreifsvald,  that  a  second  edition  has  and  stimulating. 


THE  MONTH'S  TROUBLES  AND  ANXIETIES. 
The  past  month  has  been  one  of  much  gloom  and  sadness.  In  the  begin- 
Ding  of  October  the  stoppage  of  the  City  of  Glasgow  Bank  was  annonnced. 
At  the  time  it  was  felt  to  be  a  great  calamity ;  but  as  time  wore  on,  and  new 
discloGDres  were  made,  it  waa  seen  that  the  calamity  was  moch  greater  than 
at  first  was  feared.  On  investigation,  it  was  discovered  that  the  deficit 
amounted  to  nearly  tbe  enormous  sum  of  six  millions  sterling ;  and  an  exa- 
mination of  the  list  of  the  shareholders  proved  that  very,  very  many  of  thtm 
not  only  would  not  be  able  to  meet  the  calls  that  would  be  made  upon  them, 
bnt  woold  be  totally  rained. 

In  such  circnmstancee,  it  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  that  feelings  of  the 
deepest  indignation  should  have  been  aroused  against  those  who  had  been 
the  authors  of  this  deplorable  catastrophe,  and  that  there  should  have  been 
a  cry  for  investigation  and  punishment.  Accordingly,  at  the  instance  of  the 
Crown  authorities,  the  acting  directors  were  seized  and  conveyed  to  prison. 
Great  was  the  sensation  caused  by  men  in  their  position  being  dragged  from 
stately  mansions  to  the  cell  of  the  common  criminal,  and  news  concerning 
their  treatment  and  behaviour  were  for  a  time  eagerly  sought. 

The  attention  of  the  country,  however,  was  directed  to  the  fact  that  the 
punishment  of  the  evil-doers  would  not  supply  the  wants  of  the  unhappy 
hundreds  who  by  their  grievous  fault  bad  been  deprived  of  all ;  and  so 
means  were  promptly  taken  to  raise,  on  a  national  scale,  a  fund  whereby  the 
most  necessitous  cases  might  be  met,  and  the  raising  of  the  sum  of  £300,000 
vras  aimed  at. 

In  this,  as  in  all  matters  of  benevolence  where  money  ia  required,  Glasgow 
nobly  took  the  lead,  and  amongst  the  many  places  which  did  generously  it 
excelled. 

Still,  with  all  that  has  been  done,  or  that  may  yet  be  done,  the  look-out 
for  the  winter  is  very  dismal. 

Many  business  houses  seem  to  have  stood  on  insecure  foundations,  and  to 
have  leant  on  each  other  like  a  house  of  cards.  And  so  the  fall  of  one  was 
the  min  of  many.  It  was  quite  startling  to  read  day  by  day  of  the  failures  in 
business,  and  the  large  snms  of  money  involved.  '  In  my  day,'  we  overheard 
a  septuagenarian  say,—'  In  my  day,  to  suspend  payment  vritb  a  loss  of  £1000 
was  thought  something  extraordinary,  but  now  £100,000  is  quite  a  com- 
mon thing.' 

,.hm;Ic 


568  MOHTHLY  BBTBOSPEOT.  '"""SL^fc?^ 

The  effect  of  this  npon  trade  is  most  disastroiis.  It  is  deeply  depressed 
in  all  directions,  and  thousands  of  work-people  are  throvn  ont  of  employ- 
ment. The  lean  years  are  dow  succeeding  the  years  of  plenty  that  were 
receutly  enjoyed, — in  some  respects,  also,  it  is  to  be  feared,  abused. 

Whilst  these  things  have  been  transpiriag  in  the  mercantile  world,  the 
political  horizon  has  not  been  clear.  A  foolish  and  hnrtfnl  and  expendve 
war  has  been  provoked  in  India  with  a  power  whose  sabjogation,  should 
the  war  ensae,  will  be  a  work  of  difficulty,  and  whose  defeat  will  bring 
us  no  honour.  In  Eaat«n]  Europe  there  is  much  disquietude ;  and  treaties 
that  were  to  secure  peace  and  bring  in  a  new  era  seem  to  be  productive  only 
of  dispeace  and  provocative  of  war.  In  the  midst  of  the  turmoil  the  voice 
of  the  Premier  rises,  as  on  Lord  Mayor's  day,  in  tones  of  wonted  sublimity, 
and  is  grandly  bellicose.  This  continues  the  feeling  of  uncertainty  that  pre- 
vails. The  arms  of  trade  are  paralysed.  Men  know  not  what  a  day  may 
bring  forth,  and  are  afraid  to  undertake  the  most  legitimate  ventures.  Bnt 
'when  things  are  at  the  worst  they  sometimes  mend.'  Whether  we  are 
'  at  the  worst'  yet  or  not  cannot  of  course  be  known ;  bnt  that  there  is  evil 
enough  pressing  upon  ns  is  plain,  and  a  sense  of  the  evil  is  making  us  restive. 
And  in  this  there  is  hope.  But  the  Christian  may  hope  in  any  case  nnto 
the  end ;  for  he  knows  that  '  the  Lord  reigneth,'  and  '  maketh  the  wrath 
of  men  to  praise  Him,  and  the  remainder  thereof  fle  restrains,' 

THE  DRINK  QUESTION. 
Two  distingnished  men,  Lord  Coleridge  and  the  Bishop  of  Manchestn, 
delivered  very  decided  opinions  on  intemperance  the  other  week.  The  former, 
in  cha^Dg  the  grand  jury  at  the  Bristol  Assizes,  referred  to  the  connection 
between  drink  and  crime,  remarking  that  if  this  country  could  be  made  sober 
we  could  shot  up  nine-tenths  of  our  prisons.  Nearly  every  crime  began,  or 
ended,  or  was  connected  with  intoxicating  drink.  His  Grace  of  Manchester 
spoke  at  the  opening  of  a  working  men's  club  at  Warrington.  The  British 
people,  he  said,  were  spendmg  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  millions  of  good 
nard-eamed  money  every  year.  The  wretchedness  which  drunkenness  brought 
into  the  homes  of  the  people,  the  nnhappiness  it  created  between  husbands 
and  wives,  the  terrible  examples  set  to  children,  the  pauperism,  crime,  igoo- 
rance,  and  degradation  which  resulted  from  it,  were  perfectly  frightful,  and 
could  not  be  exaggerated. 

The  Etatemeots  made  by  these  distingnished  men  contain  nothing  new. 
They  have  been  made  and  repeated  times  without  number  by  social  reformers 
for  many  bygone  years.  TTieir  chief  value  and  significance  lie  in  showing 
that  a  sense  of  the  terrible  evil  of  dmnkenuess  is  begmning  to  pervade  aU 
ranks  of  society,  and  that  good  men  of  all  classes  are  bestirring  themselves 
in  reference  to  it.  The  money  part  of  the  question  is  indeed  an  important 
one ;  and  while  we  are  mourning  the  misery  caused  by  the  loss  of  six  millions 
sterling  by  the  stoppage  of  one  of  our  banks,  that  sum  seems  insignificant 
when  placed  side  by  side  with  the  one  hundred  and  fifty  millions  spent  yearly 
on  intoxicating  drink.  Bnt  the  money  loss  is  only  the  least  part  involved  in 
this  terrible  calamity  of  our  national  intemperance. 

The  evil  is  evident  and  clamant,  but  where  is  the  remedy?  We  have  had 
during  these  recent  weeks  the  great  temperance  orator  John  Qongh,  after 
an  interval  of  twenty  years,  revisiting  ns  and  preaching  the  doctrine  of  per- 
sonal abstinence  and  the  extinction  of  the  Hquor  traffic.  Against  the  fonnw 
part  of  his  teaching  there  is  no  law,  and  its  acceptance  ia  a  matter  for  iudi- 


""itTt'iKS'^  KOKTHLT  KETKOSPBOT.  569 

Tjdual  and  coBseientioas  coDsider&tion.  But  in  reference  to  the  secood  how 
mao;  difficultiea  emerge  I 

In  recent  utterances  at  Oxford,  Lord  Aberdare,  who,  erewhile  as  Home 
Secretary,  proved  himself  earnest  in  the  matter  of  eocial  reform,  spoke  not 
Tery  hopefally  of  legislative  action  in  this  matter.  The  position  which  he 
maintained,  viz.,  that  legislative  action  can  go  no  farther  than  national 
opinion  allows  or  supports,  is  self-evident.  The  practical  qnestion  in  this 
connection  is,  How  far  will  it  got  how  much  will  it  sapportT  Evidently  it 
is  not  prepared  as  jet  for  what  Mr.  Goagh  desiderates, — the  extinction  of 
the  liqnor  traffic. 

The  work  of  personal  reformation  is  one  to  which  attention  oaght  ever  to 
be  chiefly  directed.  Ijegislative  action  has  its  place,  bat  that  is  a  very  sab- 
ordinate  one. 

'  Of  ftU  the  His  thet  humKi  kind  BudiurB, 

And  this  'ill'  of  dronkenness  is  one  which  each  individual  ought  to  consider 
as  one  with  which  he  has  personally  to  do,  A  higher  state  or  moral  feeling, 
a  stronger  sense  of  duty, — that  is  what  is  required.  And  therefore,  whilst 
the  Government  is  to  consider  its  duty,  and  to  regard  the  welfare  of  its  sab' 
jects  as  of  more  account  than  the  wealth  of  the  revenue,  it  is  of  supreme 
importance  to  nae  diligently  all  those  means  which  are  appointed  by  the  great 
Lawgiver  for  the  elevation  of  the  individual,  and  thns  of  the  race. 

VOLUNTARIES  AND  THE  ELECTION. 
PounciANS  of  all  shades  of  opinion  seem  to  be  alive  to  the  fact  that  the 
election  has  come  to  the  front,  as  they  express  it ;  and,  that  preparation  for 
it  ia  the  main  object,  seems  to  be  kept  in  view.  Voluntaries  are  something 
higher  than  politicians ;  bnt  politics  they  cannot  eschew,  because  it  is  from 
a  pohtical  evil  that  they  seek  to  rid  themselves,  and  means  mnat  be  used  of 
a  natnre  suited  to  the  object  aimed  at.  Ebed-melech  and  the  thirty  men  who 
were  appointed  as  his  coadjutors  in  rescuing  Jeremiah  from  the  prison  into 
which  he  had  been  coat,  when  they  proceeded  to  their  work,  had  to  take  cords 
and  old  cast  clouts  and  rotteq  rags  as  fit  apparatua  for  drawing  up  the  prophet 
from  the  dungeon.  Even  ao,  Voluntaries  are  pohticiana  not  by  choice  bnt 
by  necessity.  Church  and  St  ate- connection,  for  which  onr  opponents  are 
responsible,  beiog  purely  political,  we  mnat  not  be  blamed  for  seeking  to 
extricate  ourselves  by  political  appliancea.  To  exhort  ns  to  shun  poUtics 
ia  just  to  suggest  that  we  should  abandon  onr  cause  and  qaietly  sit  still 
in  onr  thraldom.  It  is  an  important  qa^tion,  then,  How  ought  Voluntaries 
to  act  in  the  crisis  which  is  at  hand  T 

First  of  all,  it  must  be  manifest  to  every  one  that  it  is  from  Liberals 
alone  that  we  have  anything  to  expect,  unless  indeed  Lord  BeaconsGeld 
should,  ander  the  pressure  of  neceaaity,  surprise  na  by  abolishing  the 
Establishment,  as  he  gave  ns  the  laat  Reform  Bill,  when  he  took  '  a  leap 
in  the  dark,'  as  the  late  Lord  Derby  said.  That,  however,  is  highly  impro- 
bable ;  and  practically  the  qnestion  is.  How  are  we  to  bear  ourselves  towards 
Liberals  T  Now  there  are  Liberala  and  Liberals.  Some  contend,  not  with- 
out reason,  as  we  think,  that  Voluntaryism  is  an  essential  article  in  a  sound 
and  thorongh  Liberal  creed.  For  if  two  citizens  be  equally  loyal  to  the 
Crown  and  Constitution,  and  perform  all  their  civil  duties  and  bear  all  their 
civil  burdens  in  a  manner  equally  unexceptionable,  how  does  it  comport  with 
Liberalism  that  these  men  should  not  stand  on  an  eqnal  footing  before  the 


570  MONTHLY  BETBOSPEOT.  ^"'^oL'CiBn^'^ 

law  of  the  land,  owing  to  Bome  difference  id  their  religioas  priacipleBT  So 
it  is,  however,  that  some  parade  their  Liberalism,  shoating,  '  Come,  see  how 
zealous  we  are  for  the  good  cuase  1 '  yet  at  the  same  lime  don't  disgnise  that 
the  Eatabhahment  mast  by  all  means  be  npheld,  though  they  are  sometimes 
generons  enough  to  assnre  ns  that  they  will  moat  cheerfully  and  liberally 
redress  all  the  grievaDces  of  Dissenters,  and  concede  all  onr  reasonable 
demands ;  our  great  demand,  however, — indeed,  onr  only  demand,  or  at  least 
onr  demand  virtually  inclnding  all  the  others, — being  always  refused  either 
absolutely,  or  at  all  events  at  present,  which  is  never  a  convenient  season. 
It  is  difficult  to  have  patieuce  with  such  twaddlers.  Bnt  in  the  emerg^cy 
we  must  esercise  the  wisdom  of  thp  serpent 

In  every  contest  there  will  be  found  a  variety  of  particnlars  which  mast 
be  all  taken  into  consideration.  And  therefore  it  is  impracticable,  writing 
generally,  to  lay  down  categorical  rules  to  be  nniformly  attended  to,  any 
further  than  to  say  that  we  humbly  conceive  Voluntaries  should  always  be 
honest  and  frank,  declaring  that  they  regard  ecclesiastical  establishments 
as  impolitic  and  aqjnst,  and  that,  other  circumstances  being  the  same,  it  is 
a  great  recommendation  of  a  candidate  that  he  be  opposed  to  these  institn- 
tions.  Wherever  there  is  a  contest,  any  Voluntary  movement  will  call  forth 
from  the  one  side  a  loud  and  vehement  cry,  '  Oh,  don't  spht  the  Liberal 
party!'  and  on  the  opposite  side  nothing  will  be  so  mnch  desired  as  that 
that  party  should  be  spUt.  Now,  clearly  we  must  take  care  not  to  play  into 
the  hands  of  our  opponents.  We  are  persuaded  there  is  not  one  of  ns 
but  would  shrink  from  the  idea  of  damaging  the  Liberal  caose,  by  doing 
what  conid  be  fairly  and  legitimately  called  splitting  it.  Bat  a  little  espla- 
nation  may  be  allowable.  In  some  constituencies,  proposing  a  Voluntary 
candidate,  or  refusing  to  vote  for  any  one  not  up  to  our  mark,  would  have  do 
effect  whatever.  In  such  cases  a  httle  '  heckling'  may  be  usefully  practised, 
bat  anyttiing  further  would  expose  one  to  ridicule.  In  other  cases,  where  a 
moderate  Liberal  could  perhaps  be  returned,  by  a  vigorous  united  effort 
inclnding  the  Voluntaries,  who  are  known  to  be  but  a  few,  we  should  say  the 
best  thing  they  could  do  would  be  quietly  to  give  their  support,  and  that  if 
they  stood  out  and  so  secured  the  return  of  a  rank  Conservative,  they  really 
would  be  chargeable  with  splitting  the  Liberal  [wtrty. 

In  still  other  cases,  however,  there  is  a  clear  working  majority  of  Vohin- 
taries,  and  there  we  hold  it  would  be  unfaithfulness  and  cowardice  for  them 
to  hsten  to  any  expostulations.  Why  should  they  not  bring  forward  and 
retnrn  their  manf  Were  this  attended  vrith  a  split  in  the  Liberal  ranks, 
it  wonld  be  easy  to  see  where  the  responsibility  lay.  A  well-mformed  friend 
told  ns  lately,  that  in  the  county  with  which  he  was  connected  the  Liberals 
had  an  overwhelming  majority.  They  had  never  returned  a  Conaervative 
since  the  passing  of  the  Reform  Bill,  and  he  believed  they  never  would.  He 
said  also  that  eight-tenths  or  more  of  that  majority  were  Voluntaries, — 
men  in  humble  position,  but  having  votes  and  independence  withal.  If  all 
this  be  correct,  these  men  are  clearly  entitled  to  a  Voluntary  member  j  and  if 
the  result  should  be  that  a  few  weak-kneed  Liberie  shonld  go  over  to  the 
opposite  party,  they  could  be  spared,  and  thrar  new  allies  wonld  be  welcome 
to  the  accession. 

Onr  general  advice,  then,  is.  First  ascertain  your  ground,  and  after  that  let 
good  sense  regnlate  your  procedure.  We  cannot  doubt  that  if  the  Voluntaries 
act  judiciously  at  next  election,  our  cause  will  greatly  gain.  But  let  us  not 
be  unduly  anxious.  We  have  truth  and  justice  on  our  side,  and,  Deojimante, 
these  most  prevail 

D3t.z.dcy  Google 


INDEX. 


(.nderaon.  Ber.  A,  Brief  Hemcniili  of. 

Issembllea.TliB,.       .'.''.       '. 
luBtrsIta,  Presbjleriin  Chnreh  of  Victor 


.odLa  EiimLiLitlon  of  Theism.  tSS ;  Car. 
iKogar,  1S7;  Clirfi 


Brrce,  Dr.  Junei,  Ths  Ul 


fOnl.  3S7:  H.  DalryiDpIs,  ilT:  W.  DIcU 
eiJ;  E.Di7«iJ»le,*7I;  J.  DandM,  471,  IT 
Bey.  O.  D.  Qrean.  filT;  R.  Inella,  SI: 
RsT.  J,  jBckaon,  B8:  Bev.  C.  JonUo,  61' 
Aev.  J.  Car.  3S|  Q.  U'CsUdiq,  8S:  ] 
M-Huler,  IMi  R«r.  J.  B.  Hirwlck,  S 
Rot.  D.  E.  Killer.  ITl;  J.  P.  Mitchell,  47: 
A.  B.  SoberlsoD.  131 :  W.  SBlmODd,  GIT ;  Re 

181  i  Bei.  a.'Tiiln,  47Si  net.  J.  Wirdro 
.    3B. 
CBnndft,  Hew  OiDrcb  In  Toronto,  281;  Frenc 

CulJlo.Thoniai.usRallgloluTliinker,  .  31 

Chrlstlui  Mlnlstrr.  Tbe  End  of  the,  . 


istlni.  SSL 

E.  KOTiCBA: — AberdecT 


i  Newlon.awaart,  B77;  Bigger. 
GJawDw,' While  Vila,  aiS;  Lflth, 


AChoic 


InntarTlna,  SI ;  An  Importut  CrleTg 
demPblloHpbj.lTII:  AMlnlilsriil  n^^ 
: ;  Hrmn  Booki  for  Mlaiioi]  i^tatloiu,  3U : 
one  Wmeen'e  AjKdUlani.  !SE !  SynodJoa 
«ndaiice.  3»i  SondST  ScIumIi  of  the 
AbUebed  ud  other  CtaaHbta,  Mt,  871; 
ti  [or  Heresy,  SOS ;  ConSlctlng  Doctrlnei, 


Jerdao'i  Esetys  uid  Lyrlo^  402;  Jews. 
Leeturee  on  the.  41. 

KeUj  on  Elden,  Ul ;  Kenned)'  on  PilUo'i 
Qaestion.  M;  LuirBon  on  JOHph,  tSC ;  Light 

Micirthor  on  The  BElovod,  Sai;  M'Etm 
on  EMher,  ISt:  NXermw-B  HlRh  Charcli 
Dncttlnee,  IK:  M'Lenn'aShlp  'T^i.'iBS; 
U'Leod'sBob.sg;  MBClEod'>DaiBatHF»en, 
I3>t  Umblll'a  Uri  and  Lectues,  426; 
Uirtln'B  Comfort  In  Tionble.47I;  Miteg' Oar 
Home  Berond.  140 1  MUIh'b  OreiMt  of 
the  Jndfei,  42^;  UlUu  on  Communion, 
»I;  Uoodya  Addrensg.  etc..  42C;  Huon's 
Uonognnli  QiMpel,  140 ;  Mnlt"»  Lyrlca.  187. 

NuneHe  Oblige,  ill. 

Ollnbiuit  *  Co.'*  Books,  38,  284,  cei ;  Olrer 
on  Life  ud  Duth,  628. 

PironsU,  Th*  424;  PelrjDQ'a  Hnrae  to 
Odd,  91;  Preabrterton  CoddcU  Ontllnei,  286} 


Preibyterlm  Moniblr,  a 
Rindles— "-'—"-"' 


K,3SS. 


■Wallace'"  aonds  of  the  Bible,  i 
Walun'i  Enoi.  879:  Well>'  Bible  Ech 
40;  Wo7laad-i  Thought  for  Itie  World.  I 
Within  tbe  Fold  or  no.  381;  Wo 
HuTenl;  Bridegroom.  474. 

Tonng  on  IntemtierBnce.  280. 
DiltiMioHa:— Rer,  J.  R.  Campbell,  111;  1 
J.  Deuii,  472  :  H«T.  J.   Kline,  288 ;  1 
P.  Wlilte,  U7  i  BeT.  Q.  C.  Yooni,  360. 


...Google 


b  U-VTTiu:  — Ribulion,  i 


M  Logle  of  TheMm, 


nVdS 


icefidElllto(thsBlgbt«ilu,Th(^.        .         .3: 

iltenHal  Splrtl.  A a 

JoMphle  Sptrll.  A. li 

■tit:— G<id'tHercl«.36l;TtaellJ|ihtLiutip, 
K;  m  MemorUm  — Jkm.  Cniig,  III; 
lymnof  H«iTMt,418;  Tlie  Might  Cometh. 
*4!  TTieOMTr—  "' ■ 


aagiEngiiihi 

SUtoofUisCi 

CDnlnf,38e;  na3«%lutb.  I3i:  Edli 
IscinSlea  Anodtthm,  seg;  Konnin 
Dr.  Chilmen,  43T :  Spnrgaon  in  gc 
410;  lIoniiiiMnttoJobiiKnoi,<T«;  1 
Olutropba.  ITT ;  Honetsrj  Dliuur 


brought  to  Jeaoj?  Hi ;  Our  Wont  EneinlM. 

BollAlt  CiTHOLlCltai :— De»ai  of  the  Popt  HS; 

SlQHA                                           t('L.,79:BB]cnio. 

lUclieih:  or,  Growth  In  EtU,    ,       U,ee.lM, 

«KI 

iS;                   ^-iifv'^IS 

11.1                                     397:  N.  N.N.  N., 

!,'?                          1-  *[v,"\j  ^;,''-' 

Uoilngi  Bt  B  RsIIhil;  Slirlon,  .... 

IWI 

M'DownU,  iTB.  480;    Re.. 


■iter,  8H:  W.  T  3BT;  H.  k.  Mscpbanoo, 
01;  r.  F.,  401;  D.,  «1,  448,  606;  Dehilt- 
utiu,  4M;   Theta,  ilS:  T.  S.,   514;   R,  B., 


D  Pbbbyteehh  CnuBCH!  — atnamta' 
I;  Theologlcil  Hill,  m.  £64;  Keetlsg  oi 


St«rk,  IIT ;  Dr.  W.  C.  Tbom 


Another  SurpriBc'ssS. 
War  Spirit.  Tha,  aS3. 


Printed  bj  MoRRAr  , 
Olipbant  akd  Co 
1678. 


D.n.iized  by  Google 


D.n.iiffid  by  Google 


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