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and coffee were served at five o'clock, and afterwards, in the unavoidable absence of the senior elder in the Presbytery, Mr. Nisbet was prevailed upon to take the chair. He stated briefly the objects he had in view in calling the Meeting, and then proposed that a considerable time should be devoted to devotional exercises; accordingly several psalms were sung, and appropriate passages of Scripture read, and prayer was offered up by Mr. Finch, of River-terrace Church, by Mr. Baisler, of Marylebone, and by Mr. Dalton, of Woolwich Church.

A lengthened conversation then followed, in which members of the several Sessions took part in succession, and in which many practical suggestions were offered. It was remarked by some of the speakers that great good might be anticipated from such Meetings, were it only to cultivate a more intimate personal acquaintance with each other, but still more from their engaging together in approaches to the throne of grace in the manner which they had now been doing; that much benefit might also arise from hints, which one Session might give to another as to the best means of promoting the spiritual interests of their people, and of advancing the schemes of the Church, and the spread of the Gospel. It seemed very desirable that Kirk Sessions should hold their Meetings periodically; say monthly, or, at farthest, quarterly; and it was well observed by an elder, that they never could be at a loss for business, however frequently they met, for they could always convert the Meeting into one for prayer for themselves and the congregation.

The importance of forming associations in aid of the schemes of the Church was strongly urged; the success which had attended those already in operation was reported as very encouraging, and it was stated, that after a time at least, the churchdoor and special collections had not been diminished thereby, but rather otherwise. Congregations should therefore not be deterred from having associations from any apprehensions of this kind. It was pleasing to learn that some of the Sessions were in the habit of having devotional exercises, both before and after the public services of the Sabbath, and it was striking to remark that congregations seemed to prosper just in proportion to the frequency and urgency of such exercises.

It appearing to be the unanimous desire of all present that such delightful Meetings should be continued, it was suggested by Mr. Gillespie, and cordially agreed to, that another should be held in the same place on the second Saturday of May, at six o'clock, then to fix the day of the week on which, and how often in the year, future Meetings

should be held.

The Chairman having expressed his gratification at the whole of the proceedings of the evening, gave out part of the cxxii. Psalm, which having been sung, Mr. Watson, late of Kelso, and an elder of the Free Church there, offered up a most impressive prayer, and the benediction having been pronounced, the Meeting separated about nine o'clock.

EXTRAORDINARY REFORMATION AMONG A COMMUNITY OF BOATMEN IN

GERMANY.

THE coal mines on the banks of the Ruhr give employment to 1,000 barges, and to each they reckon four sailors. A large number of these live in Malheim, and have generally

been considered among the most rude, ignorant, and wicked of the lower classes. About two years ago one of these, named Wolf, preeminent in all these evil qualities, became thoughtful, and his conscience reproached him for his wicked life, and his cruel treatment of his wife and children in his drunken fits. He had very little knowledge of the truths of Christianity, for he could not read; but he was afraid of the judgment of God, and that he must be eternally lost should death overtake him in his sinful state. While under these severe conflicts of mind, he revealed himself to his brother-in-law, a man also in humble life, but a pious man, who told him that he knew a Physician who could cure him. "Oh! where does he live?" cried Wolf, "for I will gladly walk ten miles this night yet to find him." The brother-in-law now preached to him Christ, and pointed him out as the only Saviour and Pysician of sinsick souls.

Wolf returned home to his family; and, his wife told me, he fell upon his knees, and, in agony, cried long and earnestly to the Saviour for help and deliverance from the torments of his mind. His prayer was heard, and he found rest in Christ. He began to learn to read (which he soon accomplished), that he might be able to feed on the Word of God. He now appeared, among his former companions in wickedness, a changed man; and his heart was so full of love to the Saviour, for the peace which he had found, that he began to preach to them with a power and energy which astonished them, and the Holy Spirit confirmed his testimony.

The holy fire spread from boat to boat, and the eyes of many were opened on their sinful and lost state. Drunkards, thieves, and abandoned characters, were made penitent; and it was a joyful sight to behold them shedding tears under the sound of the glad tidings, and their weather-beaten countenances beaming with delight while joining in the praises of their Saviour. And now their huts, which were formerly habitations of riot and wretchedness, are changed into clean and comfortable dwellings, where peace and temperance reside. They now began to assemble in numbers for reading the Word of God and prayer. Hundreds have been savingly affected; and last winter these meetings were frequented by many from the neighbouring country, and also by the poor of Malheim. The narrator was present at one of them in which there were from 400 to 500 of these humble Christians.

The magistrates have openly acknowledged the improved state of morals among the lower orders, to whom this awakening seems to be exclusively confined.-Montreal Witness.

DISGUISE.

in a way very different from what he has expected; with that he has nothing to do. It would be presumption for us to prescribe a method by which the purposes of God should be accomplished. This we must leave with him; and, in doing it, we are consulting our own peace and safety. Were the Lord to say-"You shall have the answer to prayerabout that I am determined; but you shall choose the time when the answer shall come, and mark out the path in which my Spirit shall come with it," should we not be in great perplexity? or, if we decided, should we not be almost sure to fix upon the wrong moment and method? If we do not know what to pray for, we cannot know the best means of obtaining our request. Who would prefer a rough path to a smooth one? Yet the rough one is often the safest, and therefore the best. Were we left to the decisions of our own minds, notwithstanding all that God has said about the necessity and advantages of affliction, should we ever be tried? Mental suffering and bodily pain are repugnant to us, and who would not escape both if he could? But the absence of trouble would neither facilitate the spirituality of our minds, nor permanently increase our happiness. Just as the spirit is wounded the spirit is healed; and the mount of danger is the place of deliverance. We are not left to select the means of our spiritual training, any more than we are allowed to choose our providential heritage. The Lord provides for us, and judges for us in all things........ So far, then, from afflic tions being at variance with our interests or desires, they are actually in harmony with both. "Good is written upon all we receive from him." Yes, when the Lord tries us, he is doing his own work to realize the desires which his Spirit has created. He fulfils his own purposes, and answers our requests at the same time. Why, then, do we not thankfully adore him, even when he smites us? Why should we ever be dissatisfied with his ways? We ask him to purify our hearts, and to teach us his truth, which prayer he graciously answers; but because he puts us into the furnace to take our dross away, we are sometimes inclined to think that his hand is turned against us, and that his faithfulness has failed. Strange inconsistency! for by sanctified trials, more than by any other disciplinary means, he increases our conformity to his image of his Son, and introduces us to scenes and pleasures which, but for adversity, the eye would never see-the heart would never enjoy

The crossing of our designsthe blasting of our gourds-is not, strictly speaking, the answer to prayer, because we never ask God to do this; but it is the way in which he grants the desires of our hearts; and he does it in this way that, in addition to AFFLICTIONS ARE BUT BLESSINGS IN others, or awaken desires for others; and thus the blessings we actually seek, he may add convince us, that as he is able, so he willing, "to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think," Eph. iii. 20. He satisfies the soul, and increases its spiritual thirst at the same moment........ Matthew Henry says, "God is always as good as his word, and sometimes better." But then he must so pour his mercy forth as to convince us that his exuberant kindness is all undeserved; and that it rolls on to our hearts in one direction, that, in another, it may bear us back to the ocean from which it came. In Christ there is peace for the troubled mind, his love is a refuge in every storm; and inward trials, as well as outward, are employed to set us free from self and sin, that we may seek and find our all in him alone...... Is it not a strong support to patience and sub

IT clearly appears that, when God afflicts us, he is doing the thing we wish him to doyea, the very thing we ask him to do. He sometimes answers us by terrible things in righteousness; but, when the answer comes in this way, he sends it, as it were, at our request. When we pray for spiritual blessings, if we are sincere, and do indeed desire them, we are unconcerned about the way in which they may come. This is comparatively a matter of indifference. Being anxious to receive the mercies he has promised to impart, we do not allow the means he may employ to convey them to trouble us. The Christian does not know in what channel God may convey the answer to prayer: it may be

mission to know, that even the most painful of all trials is working out for you the most blessed of all ends? It is not the will of God that any one should be unholy. Here, then, is an everlasting basis. It cannot fail; God is unchangeable. He never will choose, or appoint, or approve, anything connected with sin. Behold, then, on what an indestructible foundation you may build your hopes, when you sigh and cry for freedom from every plague of the heart. Your prayer is accept able to the Lord God. He will assuredly answer it, but in his own time and in his own way. That time you will one day acknowledge to have been right and seasonable, not a moment sooner nor a moment later than it

ought to have been. That way you will recognise to have been the safest by which you, your peculiar temperament, and in with your particular circumstances of life, could have been conducted from sin to holinessfrom earth to heaven.

ENGLISH ECCLESIASTICAL

COMMISSION.

The seventh day's rest is timely relief. Truly was it made for man, and how rich the gift in kindly influence on his life, his heart, and his home. To us, our home would lose more than half its joys without the Sabbath. The time it gives for quiet reading of good books and periodicals, for converse in our family, for going to church, for teaching in the Sunday school, and for drinking instruction at the sacred fountain, is indeed a most precious boon, and little does he know how much he loses, who for a little (or even much) paltry gain barters his Sunday privileges.-New York Transcript.

METHOD OF PREACHING OF JAMES

RENWICK, THE MARTYR.

humble themselves at the foot of the cross, seek forgiveness of God, and return wholly to his service.

"Resolved. That the flocks follow their shepherds.”

THE COMPARATIVE WORTHLESSNESS OF RITES AND CEREMONIES.

66

A SKETCH of the place and manner of arrangements of Divine service at Bukkur (Upper Scinde), will strongly illustrate the kind of shifts to which a poor chaplain is liable to be reduced in this campaigning life. The church was prepared in a ruined building which had once had a groined and vaulted roof. This had given way, and large masses THE latter end of this year I heard that great of shattered brick work seemed much inman of God, Mr. James Renwick, preach on Song iii. 9, 10, when he treated greatly on clined to follow it. On three sides were lofty pointed arches, which universally prevail, so the covenant of redemption agreed on between God the Father, and God the Songhaunistan. The Ordnance Department had far as I have seen throughout Scinde and Affhis equal, in favour of the elect; as also on the covenant of grace established with believers in Christ. O, this was a great and

THE first Report has just been published. sweet day of the Gospel, for he handled and It is short, and consists chiefly of statements pressed the privileges of the covenant of grace relative to the origin and nature of the comwith seraphic-like enlargement, to the great mission, and explanations of the various edification of the hearers. Sweet and charmmatters contained in the appendix. The ap- ing were the offers which he made of Christ pendix contains much information, from to all sort of sinners. There was one thing which we select the following:-The incomes this day that was very remarkable to me; for of the archbishops and bishops of England it was raining from morning to night, and we and Wales, as they become subject to the wet as if we had been drenched in water, yet Act 6 and 7 Will. 4, c. 77, are as follows:- not one fell sick; and though there was a tent Canterbury, 15,000l.; York, 10,000.; Lon- fixed for him, he would not go into it, but don, 10,000/.; Durham, 8,000l.; Winchester, stood without in the rain and preached7,000.; St. Asaph and Bangor, 5,2007.; which example had a great influence on the Bath and Wells, 5,000l.; Ely, 5,5001.; Wor- people to patience, when they saw his symcester, 5,000l.; Carlisle, 4,500/.; Chester, pathy with them; and though he was the 4,500; Chichester, 4,2001.; St. David's, only minister that kept closest to his text, and 4,5001.; Exeter, 5,000l.; Gloucester and Bris-had the best method for the judgment and tol, 5,000l.; Hereford, 4,200.; Lichfield, memory of any that ever I heard, yet now 4.5001; Lincoln, 5,000/.; Llandaff, 4,2001.; when he preached, the people crowded close Manchester, 4,500l.; Norwich, 4,5001.; Ox- together because of the rain, he digressed a ford, 5,000/.; Peterborough, 4,500.; Ripon, little, and cried with a pleasing, melting 4,500!.; Rochester, 5,000l.; Salisbury, 5,000/ voice, "My dear friends, do not be dis-total, 149,300l. There is also a list of 585 turbed because of the rain, for to have a livings augmented by the Commissioners, comprising 267, in which the population being 2,000 and upwards, the income has been raised to 150/.; 98 in which, the population being over 1,000, the income has been raised to 1204.; 85 of a population exceeding 500, where the income has been raised to 100.; and 60, having a population less than 500, and in which the income has been raised to 60l. per annum, The total amount, including some other permanent annual augmentations to the clergy, is stated to have been 31,354/. The larger share of these augmentations appears to have fallen to the diocese of Chester, in which 134 churches are stated to have received grants to the extent of 7,360. The next is Ripon-73 churches, and 4,2157. The eight dioceses of Chester, Durham, Lichfield, Lincoln, London, Ripon, Winchester, and York have received an aggregate of 22,408/., eighteen other dioceses taking the remainder. The Commissioners have also undertaken to provide, A COMMITTEE on the state of religion in one and have partly made arrangements for providing houses of residence for the clergy of of the New England Associations, deviating 120 benefices and churches, the annual from the usually prolix style of documents incomes of which do not exceed 200/. on that subject, presented the following:

"THE SABBATH WAS MADE FOR MAN."

We know not what would induce us to submit to the privation of the rest of the Sab bath, as many are required to give it up.

covenant interest in Christ, the true Solomon, and in the benefits of his blessed purchase, is well worth the enduring all temporal, elementary storms that can fall on us. And this Solomon, who is here pointed at, endured a far other kind of storm for his people, even a storm of unmixed wrath. And, O! what would poor reprobates in hell give for this day's offer of sweet and lovely Christ! and how welcome would our suffering friends in prison and banishment make this day's offer of Christ! I, for my own part, as the Lord will keep me, shall bear my equal share of this rain, in sympathy with you." And he returned to his sweet subject again, and offered us grace and reconciliation with God through Christ by his Spirit. He had a sweet charming eloquence in holding forth Christ as the only remedy for lost sinners.-Memoirs of Nisbet.

A BRIEF REPORT.

"That the state of religion in the churches composing this Association is lamentably low, needs no argument to prove; but to prescribe a remedy is a task more difficult-yet your Committee make an attempt. Therefore

"Resolved. That the shepherds of the several flocks repent of their lukewarmness,

kindly issued planks, which were laid with the ends resting on empty ammunition boxes, so that the poor fellows (the soldiers) had comfortable seats. It was a curious, striking scene. As I stood, the arches to the right and left disclosed the tools and machinery of the Ordnance workshops, forges and anvils, carpenters' benches, lathes, &c., erected among the crumbling ruins, which lowered and frowned upon their sooty intruders, as an old country aristocrat might be supposed to do upon some upstart who had established himself in his neighbourhood. The centre was occupied by the officers and troops; a lofty crumbling ruins of the fort, glowing in the gave, as a background, other archway behind setting sun, and surrounded by cannon, mortars, tumbrils, tents, and all the other pa• What a raphernalia of modern warfare. strange contrast (thought I) is my present life to an uniform routine of a curacy at home! Here I am feelingly convinced of the comparative insignificance of those outward accompaniments of worship, concerning which there are often such bitter disputes at home. While men are (there) as eagerly discussing the (relative) position of a pulpit (to the "altar "), the decorations of a communiontable, the form of vestment, as if their salvation depended upon it, I am satisfied to get under the fly of a tent or the shade of a ruined wall, with a discarded packing case for a pulpit to dispense the Word of Life to as many as will hear me.' Not that the decent garded as unimportant; but surely such external things should not be allowed to cause a breach of Christian charity among members of the same body and sharers in the same blessed hope, through one common Saviour."-Diary of a March through Seinde, and Afghanistan, &c., by the Rev. J. N. Allen, B.A., Assistant Chaplain, 1843. pp. 71, 72.

solemnities of the house of God are to be re

[When a kingdom is assailed by a foreign enemy, internal factions are hushed, and all and parties unite against the common foe; missionaries of all denominations among the heathen live and act together as brethren. Their little differences among themselves in matters of rites, vestments, polity, and order, appear infinitely unimportant, compared with the vital points on which they are at one, and

on which they all differ, and differ equally from the surrounding heathenism. A man on a wild perilous expedition is not only contented with, but grateful for, little com

forts which he would have fretted under as positive annoyances at home, and the greatest idolaters of surplices and altars, of presbyteries and synods, of conferences and classleaders, of county unions and congregational discipline, are mightily delighted when in a waste howling moral wilderness they meet with a little Christian society, whatever their forms, ritual, or polity, if only they but manifest repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. And why should it not be thus at home? We have all of us long enough tried what battering trains of arguments and scorching floods of passion can accomplish in the way of conquering our brethren and gaining a triumph to our own denominational peculiarities. Let us now at length try what a little intercourse in brotherly kindness and love can accomplish. The thing is surely worthy of being tried, were it only in the way of experiment.-ED.]

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, RIVER-
TERRACE, ISLINGTON, LONDON.

THE enlargement of this Church having been completed, it was RE-OPENED for public worship on Wednesday, the 18th of March, at twelve o'clock, when the Rev. James Hamilton, of the National Scotch Church, Regent's-square, preached an eloquent and appropriate sermon. The Rev. Messrs. Freeman (Independent), Chalmers (Marylebone), and Nicolson (London-wall), also took part in the services.

And on Sabbath, the 22d instant, the Rev. Dr. Burder, of Hackney officiated in the morning at eleven o'clock; and the Rev. Josias Wilson, Minister of the Church, in the evening, at half-past six o'clock. On both occasions the audiences were crowded, and the collections handsome. The whole scene must have been peculiarly gratifying to the eloquent and popular pastor. He has seen externally the fruits of his labours in an overcrowded congregation, leading to the necessity of an enlarged church, which we are certain will soon be filled to overflowing, and become, as we trust, the parent of other congregations. May God grant that he may be also privileged to witness the fruits of his ministrations in the conversion of sinners and the edification of saints! Acting upon the true Presbyterian plan, the congregation were not satisfied with procuring a church for themselves, a large and commodious schoolroom has also been erected, and it is proposed shortly to open a Week-day school.

MARYLEBONE PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH, LONDON.

THIS new and very handsome church was Dr. Harris, of opened on the 26th ult. Cheshunt College, (author of Mammon, &c.,) preached in the morning an admirable sermon, and the Rev. William Chalmers (minister of the Church) in the evening, in his usual instructive and impressive style, to large and delighted audiences. On the Sabbath following the Rev. Thomas Guthrie, of Edinburgh, in the morning and evening, and the Rev. Dr. Bunting in the afternoon, each in his own manner too well known to need being here characterized, preached to overflowing congregations. The collections made -after each service were large and liberal, fully equal, we believe, to the hopes of the -friends of the cause.

This congregation deserves much credit. They have had to struggle with many and serious difficulties, all of which they met in a spirit of faith and hopeful resolution, and by the grace of God they have converted their difficulties into sources of success. With their young and talented minister at their head, with the Divine aid, they have every reason to hope that not only are their difficulties at an end, but that many and precious blessings will, through their instrumentality, be conferred upon the neighbourhood where they have reared this temple to the Lord.

Nor is the other congregation that left Swallow-street without ample grounds of hope and joy also. They have obtained a very comfortable church in Edward-street, Wardour-street; and if Dr. M'Aulay, their young minister, (about to be ordained) should (as we fully believe) realize in the pulpit the hopes he has excited when before the Presbytery, he will soon find the Church too small for him and his congregation. Nor even in this brief and hurried record should we omit to mention Hampstead. We shall soon have to chronicle the appointment of a minister there, the man of their choice and worthy to be so. What cause of gratitude have we in all these appointments! If we first saw Birmingham, Brighton, and Wolverhampton supplied, and our promising students ready for license, we would feel that the time had fully arrived for listening to the varied calls that have been made to us from so many quarters for ordinances and ministers.

THE JESUITS.

THERE are at this moment in Italy 150 houses of the order of the Jesuits, containing nearly 5,000 persons, of whom 180 are priests. In France there are 56, containing 872 Jesuits, of whom 362 are priests. In Germany there are 88, of which 14 are situated in Bavaria, 21 in Austria, 3 in Wurtemburg, 7 in Baden, 2 in the two Hesses, 2 in Nassau, 5 in the province of Rhenish Prussia, 3 in Westphalia, 6 in Silesia, 3 in Saxony, 1 in Anhalt-Kothen, and 5 in Hanover and the Free Cities. In the Grand Duchy of Posen there are 7; in East and West Prussia, 5; in Pomerania, 2; in Brandenburg, 2; in the province of Saxony, 1. The total number of the Jesuits living in these houses is 1,000, of whom 400 are priests. In Spain there are 87 houses, containing 537 Jesuits, of whom 220 are priests; and in Portugal 8, containing 160 Jesuits, of whom 75 are priests.

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admission into the present number, we are obliged to disarrange our order; but such is our love of Congregational Associations, that we, in this instance, violate a rule which nothing else could induce us to do. May we again request our friends to send us their communications, at the VERY LATEST, before the 20th of each month.-ED.]

DONATIONS TO THE COLLEGE LIBRARY.

From REV. JAMES HAMILTON. Forbesii à Corse Opera Omnia. Amsterdam, 1703. 2 vols., folio.

Whitby on the New Testament, with Appendix. 1706. 3 vols., folio.

Warburton's Works, 12 vols., 8vo.

Warburton's Literary Remains.

Whateley's Essays on the Dangers to Christian Faith. Woodward's Essays and Sermons.

Prideaux's Connexions, 4 vols.

The Tryal of the Witnesses, and Conversion of St. Paul. Wodrow's History of the Sufferings of the Church of Scotland, from the Restauration to the Revolution. 1722. 2 vols., folio.

Witsii Opera, 6 vols., 4to.

From ROBERT BARBOUR, Esq., Manchester.
The Border Magazine, 2 vols.
George Fox's Journal, Ist vol.
Towgood on Dissent.

Bellamy's True Religion Delineated.
Quesnel on the Gospels, 3 vols.
Gray's Key to the Old Testament.
Jeremy Taylor's Contemplations.

Hall on the Faith and Influence of the Gospel.
Russel's Letters, 2 vols.

Venning's Remains; or, Christ's School.
Gillespie on the Necessary Existence of Deity.
The Christian's Defence against Infidelity.

From Rev. JOHN WATSON, Belford.
Butler's Analogy.

Turnbull's Views and Experiences of Christianity.

From Mrs. HUTTON, Tweedmouth. Hervey's Meditations. Letters of the Right Hon. Lady M-y W-5 M-e

3 vols.

From Mr. ROBERT WILSON, Berwick.
An Enquiry into the Nature of the Human Soul, 4to.
The Religion of Nature Delineated, 4to.
Durham's Exposition of the Song of Solomon.
From Mr. CHARLES L. GILCHRIST, Berwick.
Pascal's Thoughts.

Thomson's Elements of Chemistry.
Ewing's Mathematics.
Watts' World to Come.

Sherlock's Vindication of the Trinity.
Pool's Seasonable Apology for Religion.
Ambrose's Looking unto Jesus.
Marshall on Sanctification.
Erskine's Sermons.

Fisher's Shorter Catechism.
The Modern Gazetteer.
Plato's Works, 2 vols.

History of the Wars, 2 vols.

Burnet's Theory of the Earth.

Rollin's Ancient History, in numbers. From Miss MARGARET JOHNSTON, Blackheath.

Wardlaw on the Socinian Controversy.

Report of the Religious Tract Society, from 1834. Nine Reports of the Church Missionary Society, for various years since 1829. The Churchman's Monthly Review, 1841-3, incomplete.

From Miss ANNA JOHNSTON. Stennett's Personal Religion, 2 vols.

From Rev. JOHN MENEELY, Belfast. Dr. Hammond on the New Testament, folio. Dr. Macknight on the Epistles, 4 vols. Heber on the Personality and Office of the Christi Comforter.

Printed by ALEXANDER MACINTOSH, of No. 20, Great New street, Fetter-lane, London, and published by JAMES MACINTOSH, of No. 47, Church-road, De Beauvoirsquare, in the parish of Hackney, at the Office, No. 16, Exeter Hall, Strand, London, by whom communications to the Editor (post-paid) and advertisements are received. Wednesday, April 1, 1846.

Sold by HAMILTON, ADAMS, and Co., Paternoster-row; and JAMES NISBET and Co., 21, Berners-street.

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ADDRESS TO OUR

CONTRIBUTORS.

READERS AND | able thought which may lie dormant in their desks might thus be communicated to thousands. Our younger ministers, who are forming their style, might have an opportunity of seeing how their sentences look in print. In short, for young and old we offer an open channel of communication with all the leading minds of our Church.

We have now the pleasure of addressing our friends at the commencement of the second year of the "Messenger." In last number we said most of what we feel it needful at present to urge, and we shall do little more than here repeat our former statements.

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We have also to renew our request for extracts from rare and useful works. Our readers may thus confer a special favour upon us and their fellow-readers. Along with the extract we request the author's name, the title and page of the work from which the extract is made: or, if a slip is cut out from a periodical, let the title of the work be also given. We desire to acknowledge our obligations wherever they are due, and this is the only way in which we can be able to do so.

In order that the "Messenger may answer the end for which it was started, it will be necessary that our circulation should be considerably increased. The "Messenger is the only medium our Church possesses through which intelligence can be officially and authentically communicated. The appeals of our various Committees which are intended to reach every member and seat-holder in our Church cannot, otherwise than through our columns, obtain the requisite publicity. The proceedings in our presbyteries are mostly restricted to the circulation we give them. The announce- form. ment of the contributions made to our various schemes is confined to the "Messenger." Suggestions and plans for the advantage of our Church find their appropriate and exclusive place in our pages. These and such-like matters give, or ought to give, the "Messenger upon every. English Presbyterian.

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In addition to the subjects above alluded to, the "Messenger" is intended to contain the usual topics of a monthly periodical. We make no vainglorious boast of the past, and no extravagant promises for the future; but this we think we may say, that no periodical does, or can, present such claims on the support of our people. For the support we have obtained we again desire to tender our acknowledgments, and trust it will be not only continued, but augmented.

We would renew our request for contributions. Our ministers, we know, are overburdened with congregational duties; but might they not occasionally send us materials for a column? We do trust they will not overlook the means of usefulness thus placed in their hands. Many a valu

Upon more mature consideration it was deemed advisable to retain our previous

As we must go to press before the time at which the Synod assembles, we cannot, in this number, give a report of its proceedings; but as our readers must be anxious to hear of its decisions before the regular time of our next publication, it is our intention to issue a supplemental number principally, or exclusively, devoted to the deliberations and determinations of Synod. If additional copies of the supplemental number are required, they should be ordered as early as possible, either from the Office, if for the stamped, or through the booksellers, if for the unstamped edition.

We have, as we did last year, to request our ministers, elders, deacons, tract distributors, Sabbath-school teachers, and associational collectors, to lend us their valued aid in pushing the "Messenger Messenger" into wider circulation. The excess of proceeds over the ordinary expenses of publication will be divided among the schemes of the Church. This is an additional reason why the parties attached to, and the friends of, the Church should feel it a public duty to promote the circulation of the "Messenger."

ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLES OF

PRESBYTERIANISM;

AN ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE REV. PROFESSOR CAMPBELL, AT THE INDUCTION OF THE REV. WILLIAM COUSIN TO THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, CHELSEA, LONDON, APRIL 10, 1846. PRESBYTERIANISM occupies an intermediate position between Prelacy and Congregationalism. Prelacy is that system of Church government which (at least in theory) places the entire power of discipline and jurisdicdiction in the hands of the prelate. Congregationalism is that form of ecclesiastical tent to interfere in the affairs of a congregapolity which recognises no power as competion but what is lodged in its own members, and consequently places the entire power of discipline and jurisdiction in the general body of the Church members. Presbyterianism again, is that system of Church government which places the power of jurisdiction and discipline in the members and elders, orderly assembled in a graduated system of Church courts Sessions, Presbyteries, Synods; with right of appeal from the lower to the higher, up to the highest of these courts.

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Were I to attempt to instance a parallel to each of these three systems of ecclesiastical polity in the civil governments of the world, I might say that the theory of Prelacy (and it is only in theory it exists in this country, because our laws and institutions modify its native form); the theory of Prelacy would be found analogous to an irresponsible monarchy, or rather to a confederation of monarchs, under one Suzeran, very similar to the constitution of the old Germanic Empire. The theory of Congregationalism, and also its actual form, is neither legislative nor executive officers analogous to a democracy, which recognised

as

distinct from the general body of the people, and in which every single individual member of the community had equal official powers and prerogatives, and all the affairs of the State were administered, and its laws enacted and executed by the vote of each of its members. Presbypractice, a species of old Roman Republiterianism again is, both in theory and canism, where the Senate or governing institute is composed of two classes of senators, both elected by the people, both holding office for life, both sitting in the same

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assembly, and possessing equal powers in the administration of public affairs.

This, I am aware, is a very inadequate description of Presbyterianism, because in fact it has no parallel in any form of civil government that has ever yet appeared on earth. It is not like monarchy, limited or absolute, sole or confederated, for it has no sovereign officer. It is not like democracy; for it does not place the legislative and executive power directly in the hands of each member of the community. It is not like the Republicanism of old Rome, because there the governors were hereditary, while here they are elective, nor of modern America, because there the Government is in the hands of mere temporary officers, while here they hold office for life. Nor is it like the old Polish semi-monarchical semi-aristocratical Government, nor yet the old Italian Oligarchy, because, in both instances, the governing officers were hereditary, and the people possessed no influence, directly nor indirectly, either on the choice of their rulers or on the administration of affairs. But in the Presbyterian Church, as I have said, the officers, who, however, hold office for life, are elected by the people, and through the elders, who are so closely identified with them the people can exercise a very powerful, although an indirect influence upon the discipline and jurisdiction of the Church.

that all things are conducted in a proper and
efficient manner,
It can call before it minis-
ters, elders, or members, and censure, suspend,
expel, depose, or excommunicate them. It can
visit any congregation, and take cognisance
on the spot of the manner in which its affairs
are conducted. It is one of its special duties
to see that all the laws of the Church, and all
the regulations for promoting its well-being are
everywhere enforced and observed. In short,
whatever power the Session possesses over
one congregation, the Presbytery possesses
over all the congregations within its bounds
or limits. But as there is a right of appeal
from the Session to the Presbytery, so is there
a right of appeal, on cause shown, from the
Presbytery to the next higher court, of
which I now proceed to speak, viz., the
Synod:-

The Synod with us consists of a minister
and an elder from each congregation of the
whole Church, and meets once a-year. Its
powers may be described in one word. What-
ever powers the Session possesses over one
congregation, or the Presbytery over the
congregations within its bounds, such powers
the Synod possesses over all the congregations
of the entire Church. But in addition, the
Synod, as our supreme court, possesses certain
exclusive powers and prerogatives. Its
decisions in all cases of appeal are final. It
is both a legislative and executive court, the
lower courts being only executive. With
these differences, I repeat, whatever the Pres-
bytery is to the congregations within its
bounds, that the Synod is to the whole
Church.

very end and essence of a good polity; and the more perfect any form of government is, the more will it combine these two elements. And we have no hesitation in saying, that Presbyterianism reconciles and combines them. Our congregations are left as unfettered to devise and execute whatever may be necessary or expedient for their welfare as any congregations on earth. The superior Church courts lend them their counsel in all their perplexities, aid them with their power in every difficulty, support them in the prosecution of all their enterprises, and check or correct them only when they violate the laws, or constitutional principles, of the Church. The jurisdiction of every court is clearly defined, and there is no danger of collision. Within the large and well-defined territory of its own jurisdiction every Session administers its own affairs without check or hindrance. Each congregation acts as its circumstances require. Its local institutions, missions, societies, schools, its discipline and order; in short, whatever a congregation requires for its own good it founds, superintends, manages, without any external intermeddling. It elects its minister, it chooses its elders and deacons, it appoints its trustees, it conducts all its local affairs- spiritual, economic, financial, in virtue of its own inherent powers, without requiring or receiving any interference from the superior Church courts. There is not in As I am aware I address many who know the three kingdoms, there is not on earth, a nothing of this system of Church governmore independent body in all that pertains to ment, and as it is my intention to conits internal affairs, than one of our congregafine myself, as indeed the time allotted tions. I am aware that our Independent compels me, to the merest elements of the brethren seem to entertain some sort of horror subject, I may just give you the leading I am quite aware that although I have of what they fancy to be the subordination, features of Presbyterianism. With us (with-made this description just as simple and as not to say slavery, of our congregations. out at present regarding the deacons, whose clear as it is in my power, it is yet very pro- But I beg leave to tell them, that in the office is confined to the administration of bable that from its conciseness you may have whole annals of Presbytery, I never knew secular affairs) every congregation is placed but a very inadequate, or even confused con- such interference with the internal affairs of under the spiritual superintendence of a minis- ception of the constitution of the Presby-one congregation by another, as has lately ter and a certain number of elders, two being terian Church. I have said enough, I trust, been shown by the Independent congrega the smallest number who can act. Both the however, and you now know enough to per- tions in Glasgow towards some of their minister and elders, as also the deacons, mit me, before I close, to point out just as sister Churches. But do I condemn them for are elected by the people. It is the minister concisely one advantage of incalculable prac- this? I condemn them not. I believe they only who is authorized to preach and tical importance that exists in Presbyterian- found their own system utterly incapable of administer the sacraments. The minister ism, and in Presbyterianism alone. grappling with the difficulty, and like sensible and elders form a court called the Session, men, they imitated our system, which has a of which the minister is moderator or provision fitted for every emergency. Instead president. The whole spiritual superintendof censuring I applaud them, and only wish ence of the congregation, its discipline and they would embrace our entire system, which, jurisdiction, are lodged in the Session, all the I may add, I believe, when they know it members being invested, whether minister or better, they will all of them do. Our Indeelders, with equal powers. They have the pendent brethren have seen some caricature power of admitting, suspending, censuring, of Presbyterianism, which malice or ignoand expelling members. They have the rance had sketched, and which credulity or power of framing such by-laws for themsectarianism believed, and they have deselves as the circumstances of their congreganounced, not what we profess, but what they tion may require, care always being taken had imagined to be our constitution. But that these by-laws do not violate any of the let them contemplate the truth, without pargeneral laws of the whole Church. They tiality or prejudice, and they will be comhave the direct local and primary managepelled to acknowledge that our general polity ment of every matter that pertains to the does not infringe, it only confirms and reguwell-being of their own congregation. Should lates local liberty. any member of Session object to any act there performed, or should any member of the congregation subjected to discipline, deem himself aggrieved, he has a right to appeal to the Presbytery: and this leads me to describe that court in as simple and elementary a

form as I have now described the Session.

The Presbytery is composed of a minister and an elder from a certain number of churches, sufficiently contiguous to permit these officers frequently to assemble; commonly once a-month, or as often as it has business to transact. The Presbytery possesses visitorial powers over all the congregations of which it is composed. It has a right, and it is its duty, to inspect everything that pertains to each congregation, and to see

To a perfect system of government two elements are essential-individual and local liberty of action, and a centralized authority, and consequently, combined operations. Without local liberty of action men become slaves; but where that liberty exists without check or control, there is imminent danger of licentiousness, disorganization, and anarchy. Without centralized authority a Church becomes an ecclesiastical feudal kingdom, or a quasi confederation of independent cantons, where each petty baron rears his eyrie castlette, and frowns defiance on all his neighbours; or where each tiny, mile-square canton, intent only on what, in the profundity of its economic sagacity, it deems its individual interests, and most patriotically indifferent, if not even hostile, to the interests of It is true we claim great power and authoits sister states, frames all its laws, and admi-rity for our courts of appeal; and this, as it nisters all its affairs, and prosecutes all its implies our characteristic peculiarity, so it enterprises, on that primary principle of un- forms our distinguishing excellency. To a sanctified human nature, that every man good government we have said there is essenought to look exclusively to himself: and thus tial, not only local liberty of action, but without centralized authority a Church is centralized authority and general superbroken up into fragmentary sections, destitute intendence: and we possess both. Our conof every principle of cohesion, incapable of gregations are free to devise and to execute combined operations-aggressive or protec- all that they deem necessary or beneficial for tive, and liable to continual collisions. But, their own interests, as free as any municipal on the other hand, centralized authority, un- corporation, or any affiliated charitable or checked by local liberty of action, is exposed religious society, in any province of the to the danger of degenerating into despotism. empire. But the central government-the Now the object of good government is to parent society-has, and must have, a right reconcile, to combine these two-local liberty to see that each subordinate department acts of action with centralized power. This is the in accordance with the fundamental laws and

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