his congregation had collected for foreign missions, 31.; for educational schemes, 31. Os. 6d.; Mr. Anderson intimated that 41. 10s. had been collected in his church for the schools; that the Foreign Missions would be assisted out of the funds of the Congregational Association, when the same had been ascertained; Mr. Edwards, that 16s. 10d. had been appropriated for the Home Mission; Mr. Gillespie, that 30s. for the same cause; Mr. Huie, that 31. for the schools, and 17. 15s. for Foreign Missions; Mr. Thomson, St. James's Church, Alnwick, that 31. for Foreign Missions; and Dr. Hutchison, that 21. for Home Missions. Mr. Davison, Elder in St. James's Church, Alnwick, compeared and requested the Presbytery to appoint an early day for the induction of the Rev. J. Thompson to the pastoral charge of that congregation. It was agreed that said induction take place on Wednesday, 15th October, Mr. Gillespie to serve the edict on 21st inst., Mr. Hoy to commence the service, Mr. Anderson to preach, Mr. Lennie to ask the questions, Mr. Blythe to address the minister, Dr. Hutchison the people, and Mr. M'Clymont to conclude. A Presbyterial certificate for Mr. Gibb, of Thropton, being drawn, was read over and approved, and ordered to be signed by the Clerk, and sent to Mr. Gibb. The Moderator, having left the chair, and the same having been taken by Mr. Hoy, pro tem., rose to make the motion of which he had given notice, "That the Presbytery resolve to hold one additional Meeting in the year specially for the purpose of devotional exercises and conference upon ministerial work." To this motion, seconded by Mr. M'Clymont, and supported by Messrs. Blythe, Anderson, and others, the Presbytery cordially agreed. Said Meeting to be held on the last Wednesday in June. Dr. Hutchison moved that the roll of members be called at every regular Meeting; absent members to pay a fine of 3s. if no adequate reason be adduced. Agreed. The Presbytery agreed that the next half-yearly Meeting be held in St. James's Church, Alnwick, on the last Wednesday in March, 1846. The Presbytery then adjourned to meet at Morpeth on the following day in the Manse at eleven o'clock. MORPETH.-On Thursday, Sept. 18, 1845, an adjourned Meeting of Presbytery being held here, was duly constituted. Mr. McLymont, the Moderator, Messrs. Blythe, Trotter, Hutchison, Hoy, M'Clymont, Anderson, Edwards, Gillespie, Lennie, and the Clerk, with Mr. Hood, Elder. In regard to Blythe, the Presbytery appointed Mr. Gillespie to moderate in a call at the request of the congregation on Sabbath 28th inst. In the minutes of the Meeting of Presbytery, held at Felton, on 17th September, it was omitted that the Moderator preached from Rom. viii. 9. The Presbytery then proceeded to the church for the purpose of the induction of the Rev. James Anderson. [We have received from another Correspondent the following Report of the proceedings connected with Mr. Anderson's induction.-ED.] MORPETH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.--The induction of the Rev. James Anderson, A.M., formerly Minister of the Free Church of St. Fergus, Aberdeenshire, into the pastoral charge of this Church took place on September the 18th. The services on this occasion were conducted by the Presbytery of Northumberland. The Rev. A. Hoy commenced the services. The Rev. Mr. Lennie of Glenton, preached the sermon from Philemon ver. 10, the Rev. Mr. Huie offered up the induction prayer. The Rev. Mr. Blythe, sen., father of | a tuted by Johannes Ronge, and J. Czersky, on occasion of the Pilgrimage to the Holy Coat at Treves.-By SAMUEL LAING, Esq. London: Longman, 1845. The Apostolic Christians, or Catholic Church of Germany. A Narrative of the present Movement in the Roman Catholic Church, comprising authentic Documents, &c. &c. Edited by HENRY SMITH, Esq., with a recommendatory Preface by the REV. W. GOODE, A.M.-London: Wertheim, 1845. SINCE the paper on Ronge and the New Reformation in Germany, which appears in a preceding part of this number, was in the printer's hands, the above works have been sent us. They are well worthy of perusal, and we accordingly recommend them most cordially to all our readers. The former contains not only very full information regarding Ronge and Czersky, and the religious movement they have commenced in Germany, but gives one of the best and fullest accounts of the social, moral, intellectual, educational, political, and religious condition of Germany, espe cially of the Prussian dominions, which we have met with in the English language, and being written by an enlightened Scottish presbyterian, our readers may trust both his premises and conclusions. The latter consists very much of documents, the Creeds, Protests, Resolutions, Formularies, &c., of the newlyreformed Church or Churches, and is particularly valuable for the exhibition of authentic materials on which those who cannot read German, or have not seen the original documents, may be enabled to form for themselves a judgment of the actual condition of the German Catholic Church. the Presbytery, and who has been for upwards of fifty years a minister in the Presbyterian Church in England, gave the charge to the minister. It was truly impressive and affecting to hear this venerable and aged minister give the solemn charge. The Rev. Mr. M'Clymont gave the charge to the congregation. The members of Presbytery and elders then gave Mr. Anderson the right hand of fellowship, after which, the congregation gave him most cordial welcome. After the services, the Presbytery were entertained at dinner in the Black Bull Inn, when about one hundred gentlemen, ministers and laymen of different denominations, sat down. The Rev. Mr. Blythe, sen., in the chair, and John Angus, Esq., in the vice-chair. The Chairman proposed Mr. Anderson's health in a neat speech and took occasion to pass a merited eulogium upon Mr. Anderson's talents, piety, and great usefulness in the Presbyterian Church in England which was enthusiastically responded to by the whole company. Mr. A. replied in an eloquent and appropriate speech, expressive of the compliment and honour which had been conferred upon him, and the pleasure he felt in being surrounded with so many gentlemen of various denominations. In the evening a public meeting was held in the Church, when several ministers delivered impressive and interesting addresses upon the Evangelistic and educational schemes of the Independent Presbyterian Church in England. The Rev. Dr. Hutchison of Warrenford spoke at considerable length upon the schemes of the Church. The Rev. Messrs. Hoy and Huie delivered excellent and stirring addresses upon the Home Mission. The Rev. Mr. M'Clymont gave an admirable address upon the educational scheme, pointing out the great importance of having a day-school attached to every church within the bounds of the Synod. The Rev. Mr. Lennie enlarged in a speech of great power on congregational activity. The Kev. Mr. Froggat of the Congregational Church, addressed the meeting on the principles of Catholic union. And the Rev. Mr. Coates of the Wesleyan connexion, spoke on the friendly sympathy with which he in common with his brethren regarded the proceedings and prospects of the English Presby-haps terian Church. The Rev. Mr. Edwards spoke with great effect upon the active opposition with which Christianity had to contend. The Rev. Mr. Thompson of Alnwick, concluded with an able and eloquent speech. After praise and prayer the congregation dismissed much gratified with the whole proceedings. [We cannot help wishing we had been present at Mr. Anderson's induction, and the solemn services connected with that interesting and important occasion-important to the Church at large as well as to Morpeth. But although absent, no one then present participates more heartily in the sentiments appropriate to that joyful occasion, or more fervently prays for the blessing of Almighty God on the union then formed, or more confidently anticipates the happiest results not only to our own branch of the Church but to the whole household of faith in that quarter from the zeal, judgment, energy, and devotedness by which Mr. Anderson is so eminently characterized. Let the people of Morpeth but second their minister, and our hopes will be more than realized.-ED.] REVIEWS. Notes on the Rise, Progress, and Prospects of the Schism from the Church of Rome, called the German Catholic Church, insti Along with the works mentioned above, we gladly seize on this opportunity of recommending to all our readers what we ought to have recommended before this stage of our existence, viz., "The Continental Echo and Protestant Witness," Snow, Paternoster Row, London; a monthly periodical, which, like ourselves, publishes a stamped edition for transmission by post, and which we believe, owes its existence, if not also its continuance, to one to whom evangelical religion owes per more than to any single individual in the British empire-Sir Culling Eardley Smith, Bart. This work is devoted principally to the state of religion on the Continent, and contains the earliest, fullest, most recent, and authentic account of the New German Reformation. While on this subject we may mention that we have been favoured with some letters from one of the priests of the Church of Rome, who has joined the recently-formed Church in Dantzic. This autograph letter in the original German has been handed us by Mr. Wilson, of River-terrace church, London, who had written to that individual. have not room for it in this number, but shall take notice of it in our next. We We deem it of the very last importance that British Christians should lend a helping hand to those recently-converted priests and people who are still groping in thick darkness, although struggling to reach the light. Much confusion and even serious errors exist in their published formularies. Besides the various congregations or sections are far from being unanimous in the conclusions they have adopted, although their General Assemblies recently held have had the effect of drawing them more closely together, and causing them to be more of one mind and one judgment. The June Meeting of the EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE, to which their priests and chief members will be invited, will, we doubt not, be of the most signal advantage to these enquirers. But as matters may take a turn before that time, which it were wiser and easier to prevent than correct, something should be done in the meantime. Of all the churches of this country we believe the new Reformers look with most respect and admiration to the Free Church of Scotland. The prestige acquired by that Church entitles it to interfere before any other denomination amongst us, while this interference will be more graciously received at their hands. Could not the Free Church then send over one of their eminent ministers to confer with Ronge and Czersky? Were not the commencement of the session too near to permit his absence at present we would at once have Dr. Cunningham appointed and commissioned to proceed to Germany. But why not send over Dr. Keith and Mr. Lorimer of Glasgow? men, whose name, acquirements, and knowledge of the Continent qualify them most specially to be entrusted with the mission. We do trust the Free Church will take this matter into their most serious consideration. Rome will not be idle, and why should not the Protestant Church counterwork her machinations? Works of the English Puritan Divines. Select Works of John Bunyan; with an Introductory Essay and Biographical Memoir. By the Rev. JAMES HAMILTON, of the National Scotch Church, Regent Square, London, Nelson, Paternosterrow, London; 1845. This is the first of a series of reprints of the doctrinal and practical works of the great Puritan divines. The theological works of Bunyan are not so well known as they ought to be, but we are certain this volume will have the effect of making him known as advantageously as a theologian as he has always been as an allegorist. The Introductory Essay, which is worth far more than the price of the entire volume, is in the happiest vein of Mr. Hamilton's characteristic style. The work is got up in the neatest style of typography and binding, and when we inform our readers that the price is only One Shilling and Sixpence with two handsome plates, or One Shilling and Fourpence without the plates, we afford them additional grounds of gratitude for the age they were born in. The next volumes of the series, as we understand, are to consist of some of the works of the great John Howe, to be followed by some others of the works of Bunyan; all to be prefaced by Introductory Essays, by some of the leading divines of the day. It is intended to reprint four volumes in year, and we deem it a duty to press upon all our readers to become subscribers to a series of works which no modern publications can rival, and sold at a price at which no modern publisher could produce modern works. the THE EDITOR'S OWN COLUMN. A MUCH respected correspondent at Bir mingham, than whom our Church possesses not a warmer friend, or more devoted agent in all her schemes, has sent us a communication, from which we extract the following particulars, which we beg leave to commend to the careful consideration of our readers. To the Editor of the Presbyterian Messenger. "Dear Sir,-Can you not procure, or at all events unceasingly urge the transmission of, statistical details, so that the contributions of Churches may be compared with their position and numbers, and other claims upon them? "The most efficient plan for increasing the circulation of the 'Messenger,' is to advocate | hope our friends will send us such papers as "If you could in November present us with an abstract showing what Presbyteries or Congregations have supplied information, and how many have been defaulters, it would have the effect of arousing a spirit of enquiry in some quarters. "Birmingham, Oct. 9th, 1845." We have thrown off a large impression of M. D'Aubigné's speech in a small neat tract form of 17 pages 18mo., a part of the impression to be stitched in neat coloured paper covers. As no profit is expected (our only desire being that so valuable a document might be as widely circulated as possible) it will be sold for what will merely cover the cost of printing. Our publisher being at present out of town prevents our stating the price, but we believe it will not exceed 2s. 6d. or 3s. the hundred, or one halfpenny for single copies. Those desirous of a supply will have the goodness to order them immediately through their booksellers or in any other manner most convenient for themselves. By an alteration in our type we give in this number, as we did in our last, about a third more matter without any addition in the price. N.B. All communications to the Editor, whether official or personal, are requested to be addressed, 22, Myddelton-square. DONATIONS TO THE COLLEGE Nothing would delight us more than to give local and congregational information judiciously selected, generally useful, and concisely expressed. We have been most anxious from the outset to have a correspondent in every congregation, but our people have not hitherto properly appreciated the vast influence of the press. Let local information, THE following list is arranged according to as above described, be communicated to us, and we shall feel it both a pleasure and a privilege to give it insertion. Statistical information regarding the suc- But As our Correspondent has referred to the Our kind and zealous friend at Newcastle any has partially misapprehended us. Most of those Our appeal for contributions has brought the order in which the donations arrived :- Hannah More on Practical Piety. Two vols. Bennet's Christian Oratory. Two vols. Reed and Matheson's Visit to the American Churches. Lorimer's History of the Protestant Church in France. Gladstone on Church and State. Hill's Lecture's in Divinity. Three vols. Aiken on the Application of Natural History to Poetry. Brown on the Equality of Men. Weston on the Rejection of the Christian Miracles by Orton on Secret and Family Worship. Dodd's Comfort for the Afflicted. Weston's Dissertations on the Wonders of Antiquity. Poetarum Scotorum Musæ Sacræ. Two vols. Knox's Christian Philosophy. Two vols. Gagnier Vie de Mahomet. Amsterdam, 1732. Two vols. Lowth's Lectures on the Sacred Poetry of the Hebrews. Stackhouse's Body of Divinity. Three vols. Advertisements. FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. ACTS OF ASSEMBLY. Published this day, the ACTS and PROCEEDINGS of the GENERAL ASSEMBLY, held at Edinburgh in May, and by Adjournment at Inverness in August, 1845. With the Proceedings of the Commission of the Assembly, 1844, pp. 132, folio. There is appended, the Report on the Public Accounts of the Church, for the year ending 31st March, 1845. pp. 40, folio. Price 5s. W. P. Kennedy, Edinburgh: and to be had of all Booksellers. THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE OF THE LAND. HE SESSION of the above COL THE Lately Published, by JAMES NISBET AND CO. BY THE HON. AND REV. BAPTIST WRIOTHESLEY LEGE will open at EXETER HALL, 1. THE CATHOLIC CLAIMS. Strand, on TUESDAY, the 4th of this month, at Seven o'clock, p.m. The arrangements for the classes are the following: A to the LORD BISHOP of CASHEL. Second Edition, 8vo., price 1s. in 2. PROTESTANT THOUGHTS, RHYME. Second Edition, Royal 16mo., Hebrew and Biblical Criticism, on Wednes- | 3s. 6d. fancy boards. day, Nov. 5, at Seven, p.m. Rev. Professor Lorimer. Ecclesiastical History and Jurisprudence, on Thursday, Nov. 6, at Seven, p.m. Rev. Prof. Campbell. Systematic and Pastoral Theology, on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at Seven, p.m. Rev. James Henderson, D.D. A Preparatory class for Latin and Greek will be opened for junior students on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Seven, p.m., under the superintendence of Mr. W. Hamilton, A.M., Classical Tutor. The following public Introductory Lectures will be delivered : On Tuesday, Nov. 4, at Seven, p.m., by Professor Campbell. On Tuesday, Nov. 11, at Seven, p.m., by Professor Lorimer. On Wednesday, Nov. 19, at Seven, p.m., by Dr. Henderson. Tickets of admission for the public to these three lectures (price One Shilling), may be obtained at the following places: 16, Exeter Hall; Nisbet and Co's., 21, Berners-street; Baisler's, 124, Oxford-street; and Cotes's, 139, Cheapside. Gentlemen not studying professionally may obtain tickets of admission to all the classes on the payment of a fee of One Guinea. Applications for further information regarding the College may be made to the Rev. Professor Campbell, 16, Exeter Hall. 3. CHRISTIAN MISSIONS to HEATHEN NATIONS. In post Svo., 8s. cloth boards and lettered. 4. The DOCTRINE of the WORD of GOD respecting UNION among CHRISTIANS. Price 2d., or 14s. per 100. 5. The CASE of the FREE CHURCH of The Right Hon. Lord Gray. The Right Hon. SCOTLAND. Second Thousand, 8vo., 2s. 6. THREE SERMONS, preached at the 7. INFANT PIETY; a Book for Little 8. MEDITATIONS in SICKNESS and OLD AGE. Fourth Edition, square, 2s. cloth boards and lettered. 9. The GOSPEL of the GRACE of GOD, 11. The SANCTIFICATION of the 12. The FIRST FIVE CENTURIES of the CHURCH; or, the Early Fathers no safe guides. 8vo., 18. 13. A CATECHISM of CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE and PRACTICE. 18mo., 3d., or 21s. per 100. DONATIONS received in aid of BINNS and GOODWIN, of Bath, have raising FIVE HUNDRED POUNDS for DR. DUFF'S MISSION LIBRARY at CALCUTTA, as announced in a former advertisement. Rev. Alex. Munro MANCHESTER. .......... Robt. Barbour, Esq., Victoria-park Wm. Parlane, Esq.... Thos. Harrison, Esq., Aile Tree Cottages £0 10 0 0 10 0 published the following Works, which In small 8vo., cloth, interleaved for personal THE CHRISTIAN'S DAILY GUIDE In a neat Pocket Volume, price 2s. 6d., THE PSALMS: arranged in Daily Portions, for Reading through twice in the course of the Year. With Short Suggestions for applying them to personal Devotion. By the Rev. Collected by the Members of the St. Peter's-square A. R. C. DALLAS, M.A., Rector of Won Mr. John Ferguson, 22, Church-street ........ 0 5 0 0 5 0 2 10 0 026 ston, Author of " Cottager's Guide to the New In this Edition, by a novel arrangement, In small 8vo., price 2s. 6d., THE COMING of the LORD to JUDGE the EARTH, Doctrinally and Practically considered. By the Rev. EDWARD GILLSON, B.A., Curate of Lyncombe and Widcombe, Bath. "Four excellent discourses..The subject throughout is handled in a practical way."-Achill Missionary Herald. In very neat embossed cloth, small 8vo., price 4s., Lord Abercromby. Robert Christie, Esq. This Society is founded on the most approved principles of Life Assurance, the WHOLE PROFITS being secured to the rOLICY HOLDERS. The importance of this advantage is apparent from the fact, that at 1st March, 1841, the Society made vested additions, varying from twelve to twenty per cent. on the sums assured, to all Policies of Five Years' endurance, and at 1st March, 1844, a similar vested addition of six per cent.; besides further prospective additions of two per cent. per annum, calculated on the accumulated amount, in the event of their becoming claims before 1st March, 1847, being the next period of allocation. For example-on a policy for 1,000l. effected on 1st September, 1831, there will, if it become a claim after the 31st August, 1846, be 1,348/. 6s. 3d., payable; viz.: Sum originally assured Vested Addition at 1st March, 1841, 20 per cent. . . Printed by ALEXANDER MACINTOSH, of No. 20, Great New- Stamped (to go post-free).... Four Shillings. COLLEGE. cause to felicitate herself upon the result of her undertaking. Nor has she less cause of Tues-rejoicing in the character of her students. We have the authority of the professors for stating that they are a truly superior class of young men, and if God spare them and bless their studies, they will yet do much honour to the College and the Church. THE College was opened this winter on day, the 4th of November, when the Rev. Professor Campbell delivered a lecture which will be found in another column. The audience was large and respectable. The Rev. Wm. Nicolson, Moderator of the London Presbytery, opened with prayer, and the venerable Dr. Bunting, so well known, and where known so highly and justly respected, concluded with prayer and the apostolic benediction. It was altogether a very gratifying occasion to the friends and members of the Presbyterian Church in England. The Rev. Professor Lorimer delivered an admirable Introductory Lecture on Tuesday, the 11th, and the Rev. Dr. Henderson, a truly excellent Introductory Lecture on Wednesday, the 19th, both to large and delighted audiences. you The number of students that enrolled themselves on the first evening exceeded the attendance of last Session, and at present, there are upwards of thirty attending the classes. This is a subject worthy of notice, and deserving of gratitude. It is a well known fact, experienced in all infant institutions, that the first starting, or year, is no criterion by which to judge of its prospective condition. Friends will lend you a helping hand when just setting up for life, will advance you a little credit, and lend you a patronizing smile. But must not make the same demands upon them for the second year. You must then lean upon your own resources. Your friends have done all that you ought to expect. The rest you must manage for yourself. Besides, there is always a little excitement connected with a new institution. There is novelty to excite attention-an undefined hopefulness to attract regard. And there is, above all, as has been already noticed, that kindly sympathy of human nature to give the " young folks a fair start in life. It is, accordingly, always found that the second year is much more trying than the first. Everything adventitious has then evanished. The institution is then tested by experience, and subjected to the ordinary ordeals by which prudent practical business-like men decide upon the object they mean to support. The romance of the thing has vanished with the first year—the institution honeymoon, and the second year must find it prepared to stand the test of the stern realities of life. How the College has stood this ordeal, the preceding facts abundantly evince. Its character is now established, and the Church of which it is so essential a part, has abundant INTRODUCTORY LECTURE AT THE OPENING OF THE THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN ENGLAND, DELIVERED BY THE REV. HUGH CAMPBELL, PROFESSOR OF ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY AND JURISPRUDENCE, ON TUESDAY, NOV. 4. [AFTER a short introduction, describing the different position and prospects of the College at the commencement of the present session, from those with which it opened last winter, and paying a tribute of affectionate regard to Professor Lorimer and the Rev. James Hamilton, who acted as interim Professor last winter, and to the Free Church for permitting, and to the Rev. Dr. Henderson, of Glasgow, and Mr. Hanna, of Skirling, for consenting to superintend one of the classes for this session, the lecturer proceeded as follows:--] Gentlemen who purpose to attend our classes this winter, let me for a little address myself more especially to you. In preparing to discharge the functions of any public office, it is important to obtain a correct apprehension not only of the abstract functions themselves, but also of the characteristics of the times on which your lot is cast, and of the country in which your functions are to be discharged. While human nature is essentially the same in all ages and nations, its individual, national, and temporary developments are determined by personal, local, or chronical influences, and with these you must be acquainted if you would be fitted for your spheres in life. My object in the following observations is to give you an outline of the characteristic developments, and the specific tendencies of the last three centuries, all with the object of impressing upon your minds the tendencies of the present century, that thus your studies may be directed to prepare you for the due discharge of the duties which the age demands at your hands. You will not, however, expect that I should give you any thing like a finished map of the centuries through which we are to pass, with every part laid down with absolute and relative minute accuracy. My time allows only of a general outline, a mere sketch, a sort of school map, which contains only the more prominent objects in their larger generalities. Again, when I speak of the characteristic developments or tendencies of an age, you will not understand me to mean that it has no other developments or tendencies. There are infinite cross currents, eddies, and vortices in the ocean of human thought. But just as a river which rising in the east discharges itself in the west is said to flow westwardly, although in its course, either from external impediments or from internal agencies, it should flow towards every point of the compass, so, by the tendencies of an age we understand not its direction at every given period of its progress; but viewed at its commencement and at its close, its general tendencies throughout its whole course. These remarks you will please to bear in constant remembrance throughout the following observations. Every age possesses a specific character as well as every nation. The sixteenth century, for example, was an age of free inquiry. Its tendencies were more to the negative than the positive, more to the analytic than the synthetic, to the abstract than the concrete. It was an age of first principles rather than of systems; of demolition rather than of reconstruction. Luther and his noble band of disciples and coadjutors spent their lives in destroying error and ascertaining a few first principles of doctrinal and practical truth. Calvin, and he, in point of time, belongs not to the primary but secondary reformers, was the first to reduce theology to a system, and organize the Church into constitutional order. Luther came as the angel of destruction, and gloriously did he fulfil his mission. Calvin followed as the angel of order, and as glorious did he accomplish his destiny. The scintillations of truth which others had struck out-the disjointed mass of materials which others had excavated, were brought to a focus as they passed through his powerful intellect, and in his plastic hands assumed symmetry and form. He was of a truth, to use a Gnostic term, the very Demiurgus of theology and ecclesiastical order. The wild chaos of conflicting opinions—the disjecta membra of disorganized truth, under the influence of his all but creative and literally constructive genius, sank down and settled into the order | in matters of faith, have always allowed a Another extraordinary phenomenon distinctive of the two schools, and which may appear at first sight to contradict the preceding observations is this. The Calvinists have never yet produced one standard work on the general history of the Church, (for the ponderous production of Petrie, and the compilations of Hottinger, Spanheim, of Le Seuer, and his continuator Pictet, are assuredly no exceptions,) while all our great works on ecclesiastical history are the production of either Lutherans or Papists. This phenomenon appears all the more startling, when taken in connexion with what has just been stated regarding the superior systemizing and constructive genius of the school of Calvin. But it is easily explained, and indeed arises naturally from the fundamental principles of the two schools. The Calvinists regard the Bible, and the Bible only, as the rule, not less of polity, rites, and sacraments, than of faith itself. The Lutherans again, while they too regard the Scriptures as the ultimate standard Church. There is surely some medium between exalting her into an absolute arbiter of all truth, and depriving her of all authority, if not as a judge, at least as a witness. For my own part, I will candidly confess, that did I not find the fundamental principles of Presbyterianism, aye, and its leading provi sions too, in the Church of the primitive ages, I should less esteem it, with all its scriptural evidence, than now I most heartily and conscientiously do. But a new era dawns upon us, and Christian antiquity will assume its proper place in our schools. The stain that has been so long attached to our Calvinistic name, of having produced no standard work upon the general history of the Church, will not, I hope, continue for ever. There was indeed one who, had God spared him, would have rolled away our reproach. But he was called to his rest in the noontide of his days, and his work remains but as the blossoms on the vernal tree, exciting the most sanguine hopes of its mature autumnal fruits hopes, alas! doomed to be blasted in the bud; or, to change the figure, a work which, like the pe ristyle of an unfinished fane, evinces by its beauty what would have been the perfection of the whole, had he but just been spared to finish his noble design. But he has gone where history is intuition; and while we cannot but weep for ourselves, we may not weep for him. Nor has God in his providence left us without consolation. The mantle of Welsh has fallen upon Cunningham. Such, then, was the sixteenth century. It was an age of first principles. That this is the true explanation of the phenomenon is perfectly manifest from two well-known facts. First, with the Calvinists, the Reformation, and the origin of their particular Churches, is the only antiquity to which they refer, and in which they feel any vital interest; and in consequence, the genius of Calvinism has shone with peerless lustre on the history of the Reformation and of the Reformed Churches. Lutheranism has never yet procured a history of the Reformation or of a Reformed Church which The seventeenth century, again, was the can stand a comparison with the magni- age of systems. The whole energies of the ficent masterpiece of D'Aubigné, and the Church were then expended in reconstructing immortal Memoirs of McCrie. Did these its formularies of faith, discipline, and polity. great masters but feel the same veneration All our standard works on theology, our forfor the ancient Church, the same sympathy mularies of faith, ritual, and government, our with her worthies, the same interest in masterpieces on polemics, are all the produc her fate, the escutcheon of Calvinism would tion of the seventeenth century. It witnessed bear emblazoned the same trophies on the the Synod of Dort near its commencement, field of ecclesiastical history as on the domain our own glorious Westminster Assembly of systematic theology. But secondly, when- about its centre, and the Revolution Convoever the Calvinists have been led to enter the cations near its close. All our great controterritories of the ancient Church, the genius versies-those, for example, between Calvinof their system has shone in the superiority ists and Arminians, Lutherans or Evangelicals of their productions. The works of Dalleus, and Reformed, Presbyterians, Prelatists, and Blondel, Salmasius, La Roque, and many Congregationalists, Jansenists and Jesuits, others, on particular questions of antiquity, Erastians and Ecclesiasticals, Papists and bear ample witness to the truth of this asser- Protestants, remain at the present day without tion. Even the Church of England, Patristic a perceptible alteration, precisely where the enough though it be in much of its polity seventeenth century left them. There is not and forms, has yet felt the influence of the a sect worth mentioning at present in existCalvinism of its Articles and of the Non-ence, the Wesleyans only excepted, whose conformity of the empire, and has, in conse- origin is of a later date, which did not quence, like the other Calvinistic Churches, assume its distinctive principles in the seventreated of antiquity only for controversial teenth century. It was the age of systems purposes, and not with the con amore en- and ecclesiastical reconstruction; and, take it thusiasm of our Lutheran brethren. all in all, one of the most important in its influence and results in the history of the Church. And here may I beg permission to say, that I exceedingly deplore the mistaken ideas which have led the Calvinists to neglect this most important department of scientific theology. It is all very well, and may sound very pious, and be quoted as yielding high honour to the Word of God, to say that we repudiate the authority of the ancient Church. But the position cannot stand a moment's investigation, and the sooner we abandon it the better. The tendencies of the age-the constitution of the human mind-the very nature of the case, will and must, and that justly too, invest the ancient Church with the most thrilling interest, and shed around her hoary and age-hallowed monuments a halo of glory which time may mellow, but cannot obscure. It is irrational, it is unphilosophical, it is mere sectarian bigotry to decry the ancient The eighteenth century, again, was the age of dead formalism and superficial sciolism. It was an age of reaction. The passion of the seventeenth century for formularies and systems in which all dogmas and rites, the least as well as the most important, the obscurest as much as the most clearly re vealed, were carried to their very minutiæ, and, imposed with equal dogmatism, was carried to an extreme. It is true the vivacious and vigorous piety of the age rendered all its rites and dogmas instinct with life and energy, but the animating piety was not the product of such minute verbal symbolism, and as little could the scholastic distinctions and definitions of the seventeenth century perpetuate, as they could engender its piety. |
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