THE Presbytery of London met at Wolverhampton on Thursday, June 25th, according to appointment, and ordained Rev. Bryson to the pastoral charge of the Presby terian Church there. An account of the pro

ceedings is given in a separate notice.

The Presbytery held its ordinary monthly

meeting Exeter Hall, 14th

was

the Rev. Josias Wilson, Moderator, the Rev. W. Nicolson, Interim-clerk. After some conversation on Mr. Hunter's case, the Committee re-appointed, with instructions to report to next meeting of Presbytery. Messrs. Wilson, Nicolson, and Chalmers were appointed a Committee, to gather information concerning new stations which have been brought before the Presbytery. A grant of 20l. from the Home Mission was announced for the Hampstead station. Subjects for trials for licence to preach the Gospel were prescribed to Mr. William Hamilton. The charge of the publication of the English Presbyterian Messenger having, by the Commission of Synod, been committed to the Presbytery of London, the Presbytery, feeling that some one of their number must have the responsible management, appointed one of the brethren to undertake, in the mean time, the duties of Editor. Adjourned, to meet on the second Tuesday of August.

PRESBYTERY OF LANCASHIRE.

THIS Presbytery held its ordinary monthly meeting at Manchester, on the 1st of July; the Rev. R. Cowe, Moderator, in the chair.

After praise and prayer by some of the brethren, Mr. Munro expounded a part of John xv. Mr. Forster was appointed to deliver the address at next meeting.

The Moderator reported, that he had forwarded the Petition in favour of the Right Hon. Fox Maule's Bill, to Mr. Milner Gibson, one of the members for Manchester, who promised to present it at the earliest opportunity.

Mr. Munro reported, that he had not gone to Scotland to prosecute the translation of Mr. Donaldson from Cupar to Ancoats Church, because a letter had been received from Mr. Donaldson, intimating that he wished the matter to be postponed, on account of his ill

health.

The Report of Committee for securing the more regular attendance of members, was then read by Mr. Gardner. After conversation, the matter was again referred to the

Cathcart, minister at Wigan, Lancashire;-
which call, and other relative documents, the
Presbytery directed to lie on their table till
next meeting, and instructed the Clerk to
cite the congregation at Wigan to appear for
their interests at said meeting, with certifica-
tion, that if none appear, the parties concerned
will be held as consenting to said translation.
Professor Lorimer, who had previously
entered the court, and been requested to sit
as a member, submitted to the Presbytery an
outline of the Bursaries' scheme to Stu-

dents.

Mr. Cross, Minister at Crewe, reported, that his congregation was about to lose their present place of worship, as the Grand Junction Railway Company proposed to take down the building in which they had been accustomed to assemble for public worship; and

that a memorial from the congregation was to

be presented to-morrow (Thursday) to the
Board of Directors in Liverpool, praying
them to grant materials wherewith to erect a
tent. Mr. Cross further stated, that the Com-
mittee of management thought that this
would be a favourable opportunity for com-
at Crewe. The Presbytery, after having ex-
mencing subscriptions for erecting a Church |
pressed sympathy with the congregation,
recommended Mr. Cross to draw up a state-
ment of the case, and meanwhile appointed a
Committee to wait on the Railway Directors,
in order to obtain, if possible, another place

for worship.

Mr. Ferguson, Mr. Welsh, Mr. Gardner, and Mr. Sorley, were appointed a Committee to consider the deliverance of the Synod regarding the powers of the Commission of Synod, and report.

On the motion of the Clerk, members were instructed to furnish him with the number of Elders in their Sessions, of Deacons in their congregations, and of week-day Services in their Churches, that a statement thereof may be sent to the Clerk of Synod.

The Report of the Committee appointed to confer with Mr. James Radcliffe, was then called for. Mr. Gardner read the Report, to the effect, that after a lengthened conference on various points of government, doctrine, and discipline, the Committee were quite satisfied that Mr. Radcliffe holds sound and enlightened views on these points. They also found, on enquiry, that Mr. Radcliffe had been ordained by the imposition of hands, and that he had undergone a course of preparatory study for the work of the ministry. It was moved, seconded, and agreed to, that the Report be received and approved; but that a discussion on the case be postponed till next Meeting.

10l. It was unanimously resolved that 5l. should be given to the Home Mission of the Presbyterian Church in England, and 5l. to the Ladies' Association for the Jewish Mission. The collectors, all of whom are connected with the Sabbath School of John Knox's Church, feel very thankful for the

measure of success which has attended their humble endeavours to advance the cause and kingdom of the Divine Redeemer, and left the meeting, we have no doubt, to make still greater efforts to promote this great and good

work.

ORDINATION AT WOLVERHAMPTON.

THE unusual ceremony (in Wolverhampton) of a Presbyterian ordination took place at the Assembly-rooms, in Queen-street, on Thurs

day, the 25th May last. For several years

past the members of the Presbyterian deno

mination in this town, owing to their small
number, have been deprived of the privilege
of worshiping in conformity with the disci-
pline of their own Church, and as a conse-
quence, we understand, have generally re-
sorted to places of worship where the doctrines
preached have presented the closest con-
formity to those of their own Church. About
twelve months ago, however, a congregation
was formed, and assembled at the large room
in the Mechanics' Institution. It has now,
however, so much increased that its removal
to the Assembly-rooms, until a suitable build-
ing can be obtained, has been determined
upon.
The ordination of the Rev. John

Bryson to the pastorate of this congregation
was the purpose of the meeting on Thursday.
The Rev. Josias Wilson, Moderator of the
Presbytery of London, presided, the assisting
officiating ministers on the occasion being the
Revds. W. Nicolson, J. Ferguson, George
Lewis (of Dudley), James Speers (of Staf-
ford), and T. S. Anderson, from Scotland.
Several ministers of other denominations,
among whom were the Rev. Messrs. D.
Lewis, Shore, and Jones, of Wolverhampton,
and Cleland, from Ireland, were on the plat-
form. The ceremony commenced by the Rev.
W. Nicolson entering the room and pro-
pounding the interrogatory, "Has any mem-
ber of the congregation present any objection
to make to the life or doctrine of Mr. John
Bryson, now about to be ordained; if so, let
him come forward, and he will be heard by
the Presbytery, now assembled in the adjoin-
ing room?" No objection was made, and in
a few minutes afterwards the Rev. Gentlemen

took their stations on the platform in the large room. The services were opened by singing the 102d Psalm, which was followed by an appropriate prayer from the Rev. Josias Wilson, after which, a portion of the prophecies of Isaiah was read. A sermon, from a part of the 14th chapter of the Book of Revelation, by the Rev. Moderator, followed, and in it the Rev. Preacher eloquently applied various portions of the vision to the past, present, and

A letter was read from the Clerk of the United Associate Presbytery of Lancashire, intimating that, in consequence of Mr. M'Kerrow's illness, the Associate Presbytery could not meet with this Presbytery to-day, as formerly arranged, for prayer and friendly conference, but they hoped they would be able future condition of the Christian Church, to do so on the first Wednesday of September earnestly urging the need to all Christians of next.-Adjourned. reliance on the atonement of the Lamb. A "Scripture paraphrase" having been sung, the | elegant gown and cassock from the congrega- | and judgment, and great ability, with which

Rev. W. Nicolson explained at considerable tion, and a beautiful copy of Bagster's Polyglot

length the ecclesiastical polity and discipline of the Presbyterian Church, which he described as holding an intermediate position between Episcopacy and Independency, and embracing the advantages of both. In doctrine they adhered to the Westminster Confession of Faith. He understood that misconceptions, with regard to their doctrines, were

extensively entertained that obsian printy many supposed to Socinian principles. No branch of Christ's Church, however, more emphatically repudiated that heresy: the

Bible, with a Psalm Book for the pulpit, from
a lady of the congregation. At ten, the
meeting was dismissed with the benediction.

MEETING AT GLANΤΟΝ.

ON Monday evening, 13th July, a meeting

was held in the Church at Glanton. The
audience, on the occasion, was both numerous

Divinity of Christ they entirely believed, and required to furnish a library for the benefit of

tion. This part of the services having concluded, the Rev. Josias Wilson proposed to Mr. Bryson the authorized questions as to his belief in the doctrines of the Church, his concurrence with its discipline, and his intention earnestly and sincerely to fulfil the duties to which he was about to be appointed, and these having been satisfactorily answered, the ceremony of laying on hands (Mr. Bryson

kneeling) took place, accompanied by prayer, imploring the Divine benediction the apChurch in general, and the proceedings of the pastor, the congregation, Christ's day. The Rev. James Ferguson then delivered the charge to the newly-appointed minister, exhorting him "to take heed" to himself in conduct and in doctrine, to his flock, and to the Church; after which he addressed the congregation, earnestly urging them to assist in and to lighten the labours of

their minister the Psalm having been sung,

part of proceedings terminated, the

newly-ordained minister reciving the congratulations of his congregation as they passed

out of the room.

After the service the ministers present and other gentlemen, to the number of between

twenty and thirty, dined at the Peacock inn,

the Rev. Josias Wilson presiding, and John Henderson, Esq., of the London Works, near Birmingham, occupying the vice-chair; Dr. Mackay, Mr. Wills, Mr. Turner, of Birmingham, and other gentlemen who had attended the ordination being present.

and respectable. The object of the meeting
was to procure funds for the establishing of a
congregational library. Though the contri-
butions of the congregation had recently been
the Sabbath classes, there was no lack of libe-
rality the present occasion. It was deemed
a fitting opportunity for giving "Addresses on
important subjects connected with the Pres-
byterian Church in England." Accordingly,
the following speakers and subjects were pre-
sented to the attention of the meeting:-

on

The Rev. James Blyth, of Branton, on Sab

of Wooler,

bath Schools; the Rev. Mr. Huie,
on the features of a true Church of Christ;
and schemes of the Presbyterian Church in
England; the Rev. Mr. Thomson, of Alnwick,
on the obligation resting on cach professing
Christian to promote the best interests of his
fellow-men; and Rev. Mr. Anderson, of Mor-

Professor Lorimer, of London, on the position

the brethren there are promoting our cause within their ample bounds, and again rallying the affections of the Northumbrians around a standard which too long, through the fault of former standard-bearers, had ceased to put forth a rallying and mustering power. The neighbourhood was visited with a storm of thunder and floods of rain within a few hours of the meeting, which, it was feared, would people

disent themesongstarting from the

interest which had been excited by the announcement of the meeting proved more

potent even than the storm, for, at the appointed hour, the church was full of eager listeners. Mr. Trotter presided, and introduced the brethren

in succession to the people.

Mr. Hoy, of Felton, opened the proceedings with prayer; and, after a brief address, was followed by Mr. Johnstone, of Birdhope Craig, Professor Lorimer, Mr. Lennie, of Glanton, Mr. Anderson, of Morpeth, Mr.

Gillespie, of Framlington, and Hood, elder, from Morpeth. Between the addresses, psalmodngregaich gain hallowed the congregation joined in appropriate

peth, on the advantages of a congregational
library. These subjects were illustrated with
a seriousness suited to their importance, and
to the character of the place and speakers,
continued to interest the audience to a late
and at the same time with a liveliness that did speak within the walls of that

hour. Mr. Lennie, the minister of the con

gregation, presided on the occasion.

Whilst the success of a valuable Institution in connexion with the congregation has thus been promoted, much valuable information regarding the Presbyterian Church in England has been communicated. And it may not be unworthy of notice, that these two objects, in the present instance, seemed to be best promoted by being presented in combination.

GREAT BAVINGTON. -NORTHUMBERLAND.

On Thursday, the 18th of June, a meeting of
a very interesting kind was held in the Pres
byterian church of this remote and little-fre-
quented place. The Presbytery of Northum-

In the evening a soirée and tea party took place at the Assembly-rooms. The company was numerous, and most respectable; Mr. Henderson presided. Several animated speeches, strongly urging the importance of berland had agreed to meet there on the

afternoon of that day for the dispatch of

religious duties, the necessity of encourag-
ing a missionary spirit, and especially ordinary business; and, with the view of
tolerance towards the different systems of interesting the congregation in the position
Christian belief-(Puseyism being energeti- and schemes of our church, had arranged to

cally excepted by the Rev. Josias Wilson)were delivered, and the sentiments expressed were warmly responded to. The meeting separated at about nine o'clock. - Wolverhamp

ton Chronicle.

ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH, BOLTON.

hold a meeting in the evening, of which intimation had been given from the pulpit on the two preceding Sabbaths by Mr. Trotter, the worthy minister, who has now laboured there for upwards of twenty years. There had not been a meeting of Presbytery even, far less a public meeting in the place (so far does it lie THIS elegant building was opened for public out of the ordinary tracks of ecclesiastical worship, on Wednesday, the 10th of June last. business and itinerant eloquence) for all that The Rev. H. Cooke, D.D., LL.D., of Belfast, time, so the present was a great occasion. preached two sermons on the occasion. On Professor Lorimer having occasion to be in the Sabbath following, three services were that part of the country visiting the schools, conducted in the church; that in the morning, was invited by the brethren of the Presbytery by the Rev. Robert Vaughan, D.D., of Man- to take part in the proceedings of the evening. chester Independent College; that in the He had good opportunity on that day of judgafternoon, by the Rev. Alex. Munro, of Man- ing of the great fatigue and expense which the chester; and that in the evening, by the Rev. brethren in that quarter incur in performing

a

lightful tone to the whole proceedings. We never saw more attentive hearers, even to the close of the services, between ten and eleven o'clock, although they had many long miles to travel homeward. It was the first hearing which the re-organized Presbyterian Church in England had had at Bavington, in behalf of independent position and various schemes of Christian enterprise, and we feel very sure thiente edifienot sparable in the antique and rustic plainness, for it has withstood the storms of the hills a hundred years, she did not speak there to her children, too long forgotten by her, but now "sought out," and no longer forsaken,-in vain. The response made to her appeal was most prompt and most appropriate. That very night one of the farmers, acting upon a hint which had been given with his characteristic tact and good humour by the minister of Morpeth, announced his intention to set apart one of the sheep of his flock for the especial benefit of the college, and, the better to distinguish him from all his less-honoured companions, he should receive thenceforth the style and title of "The Professor." Since then we have heard that another member of the congregation has devoted one of his sheep in like manner to the school fund, to be signalised among his woolly friends by the cognomen of "The Schoolmaster." And we should not

be at all surprised if the Home Mission and the Foreign Mission should also find their special admirers at Bavington; and if the flocks of those beautiful green hills should soon number other dignitaries among them, such as never, we warrant, found a place among the names of sheep and lambs before.

WHAT IS OUR DUTY?-Let us be faithful, and care for our own part, which is to do and suffer for Christ. Duties are ours-events are the Lord's. When our faith goeth to meddle with events, and to question God's providence, and to say, "How wilt thou do this and that?" we lose ground; we have nothing to do there. It is our

William Magill, Dundrod. On the evening their Presbyterial duties. The way was long, part to let the Almighty exercise his own offer. of the intervening Friday, a soiree, in honour even to those of them who live nearest to the There is nothing left us but to see how we may of the opening, was held in the Town Hall. spot; gigs were in indispensable requisition, be approved of him, and how we may roll the After the delivery of addresses by various there being no public conveyances to a place weight of our weak souls, in well-doing, on Him, ministers, the Rev. David Magill, minister of so outlandish; and the heat of the season who is God omnipotent. And when what we the church, gratefully acknowledged the re- was at its hottest. He had also an oppor- thus essay miscarrieth, it shall neither be our sin ceipt of certain presents, among others, antunity, equally good, of estimating the zeal nor our cross.-Samuel Rutherford.

It appears, then, that I was not very wide of the mark, when I put the question, two months ago, "Are there yet, at the end of thirteen months, thirteen Associations in active and efficient operation,' throughout the | Church?" Having presented this tabular statement to your readers, I might be content to let it tell its own eloquent and impressive story, but I will endeavour, by stating a few facts, and putting a few "leading questions," to make it still more speaking and impressive.

In the Presbytery of London, the congregations which have Associations are Birmingham, London Wall, Regent Square, and Southwark. I am not sure whether Greenwich, Woolwich, and Dudley should not be included in the list. If so, they can supply the information to the Messenger for September. Mr. Cousin, I believe, fully intends to form an Association at Chelsea, at no distant period. In the Presbytery of Lancashire, Douglas, in the Isle of Man, and St. George's, Liverpool, are the only two green spots in the desert, though this, be it remembered, was the Presbytery which overtured the Synod to enjoin the formation of Associations. Mr. Blackwood's congregation is the solitary exception in the Presbytery of Newcastle, Morpeth and Wooler are the two exceptions in the Presbytery of Northumberland-the three in the Presbytery of Berwick are Belford, Berwick, and Lowick-and Brampton and Maryport have set a good example to their recusant brethren in the Presbytery of Cumberland, and throughout the Church.

land Presbytery, held at Birdhope-Craig on
the 3d of June, that Messrs. Gillespie, Thom-
son, Johnstone, and Blythe reported, that by
them nothing had been done, but expressed
their intention of forming Associations speedily.
A letter was read from the Kirk Session of
Widdrington, intimating their resolution to
take immediate steps towards the establish
ment of an Association. Allowing, there-
fore, three months for completing the "process
of formation," it is only reasonable to expect
that we shall receive, in September, the grati-
fying intelligence that the machinery is fairly
in motion in Framlington, Alnwick, Blythe,
Branton, and Widdrington. It appears, from
the same report, that we need expect nothing
from Warrenford, the elders and deacons
having pronounced it "inconvenient and un-
advisable to form an Association." We have,
therefore, fourteen compliances with the in-
junction of Synod, issued fifteen months ago,
fire promises, and one decided negative.

Alnwick

Welsh's than in Wooler-in North Shields than in Belford, Brampton, or Maryport?

Now that we

In my former letter, I alluded to the hin-
drances thrown in the way of Presbyterian
organization, by those who, at their ordina-
tion as office-bearers, had vowed obedience to
the commands of the Church. I have heard
it whispered of late, that, in some quarters,
the necessity or Scriptural warrant for a sepa-
rate order of deacons, is very doubtful. What
is this but sheer independency? Is this the
time to debate that question, when it has
been settled by the unanimous and unhesi-
tating voice of the Church?
have "put our hand to the plough," are we to
be continually "looking back?" If so, can
we ever expect to make progress in our ar-
duous work of cultivating the enormous out-
field of practical heathenism that lies before
us? We cannot afford time to be for ever
discussing the first principles of our Presbyte-
rian constitution, when we should be diligently
perfecting and working its machinery. Am I
mistaken in supposing that Presbyteries are
enjoined by the Synod to make monthly
enquiries as to the diligence of congregations
in the election of deacons ? I cannot believe
that such supervision would be long ineffec-
tual.
Believe me,

This accounts for twenty congregations, but
where are the FIFTY-EIGHT? I had hoped
that my former letter would have evoked a
whole host of reclamations and explanations
and promises, a multitude of protestations of
stern adherence to the theory of Presbyterian-
ism, notwithstanding a profound and system-
atic contempt for it in practice-if not of
proofs that many congregations, regardless of
"the praise of man, which bringeth a snare," 130, Mount St., Berkeley Square,

July 22, 1846.

Yours most truly,
A. P. STEWART.

were noiselessly at work, intent rather on
acting than on talking. But no "there is
silence deep as death;" and when I turn, with THE EVANGELICAL MISSION OF THE PRES-

longing eyes, to the reports of Presbyteries,
to whom the Synod issued, in April, 1845, "a
special instruction to have such Associations
organized without loss of time, and to see to
their active and efficient operation," in hopes
of having the mystery cleared up, I look in
vain, except to one district of the North of
England. The Presbytery of Northumberland
is the only one that seems to be paying any
attention to the injunction of the Supreme
Court. The Presbytery of Lancashire, the
original movers, are quiescent, as also the
Presbytery of Newcastle; nor does the equa-
nimity of the "most potent, grave, and reve-
rend seniors" of the London Presbytery,
seem to be ever ruffled by a passing allusion
to the vulgar and common-place subject of
collecting monies.

BYTERIAN CHURCH IN ENGLAND.

To the Editor of the English Presbyterian Messenger.

DEAR SIR,-It was cheering to all who desire the advancement of the Presbyterian cause in England, to observe the statement which Professor Lorimer made in his address, delivered before the last meeting of the Assembly of the Free Church in Scotland. He mentioned not only that we have vacancies for Presbyterian ministers in Newcastle and Brighton and Birmingham, but that "nothing but the want of men prevents us from commencing operations, with the best hope of success, in Bath, and Bristol, and Plymouth, and Hull, and Leeds, and many other great towns of England."

Allow me to offer one or two suggestions, which have occurred to me, with respect to the Evangelistic Mission, which is evidently presented to our Church in England, in the providence of God, in these eventful times. In the absence of a sufficient supply of stationary labourers to take possession of the different localities which seem to invite our approach, might not an ordained minister among ourselves be found, who could be detached from his present charge, at least for a certain period, to itinerate in those places where congregations are most likely to be formed in connexion with our body? By residing for a month in each of the places referred to, he might be the means of forming a nucleus in each of them, which might, in process of time, ripen into a regular congregation. He might revisit them periodically, changing his sphere of labour every month, and keeping alive, by a variety of moral appliances, the desire of having stated pastors of our Church settled among them. In this way, I will venture to affirm, that in the course of a single year six different and widely distant localities, might at least be leavened with Presbyterian principles, and what is of vastly greater importance, they might be imbued with the lessons of unadulterated Christi

I have asked above, Where are the fiftyeight? I ask now, What are the fifty-eight? all of them, no doubt, poor, insignificant, struggling congregations, that have enough to do to drag on a feeble, precarious, trembling existence. The expiring congregations of River Terrace, Marylebone, and St. Peter's Square-how would that look? Or how would Dr. Paterson and Mr. White look, if I were to put their congregations down as on the verge of bankruptcy? And I can easily imagine the praiseworthy indignation of my excellent friends, Messrs. Welsh, Gardner, Duncan, and James Ferguson, if, with a doleful countenance, I expressed my grief that their congregations at Liverpool, Birkenhead, North Shields, and Stepney were on the point of dissolution! Rowland Hill's witty warning, on a collection day, that "no one who was in debt should put any thing in the plate," is very applicable here. If any congregation wish to have the character of being "hard up," let them eschew forming an Association. But to be serious. Is River Terrace worse off than Southwark? Is Marylebone in greater difficulties than BirBefore making any remarks on this state- mingham? or John Knox than Morpeth? ment, let me complete the survey, by stating the former returning 247., the latter, 40l. Is anity. The incorruptible seed of the kingdom the probabilities of increase. I find, from the it more impossible to work an Association in might, by the blessing of God, be sown in the report of the meeting of the Northumber- | St. Peter's Square than in Douglas-in Mr. I hearts of hundreds, if not of thousands, and many might be added to the Church of such | former altars-she has set herself to build again | pleasure of knowing that a copy of his Commenas are saved.

our working ministers is little more than a fourth | part of Gideon's little band; and, when we look to ourselves and to the great work that lies before "Who is suficient for these us, we may well say,

things, and what are we in this great country?" But God works by few as well as by many-by feeble instruments as well as by powerful. He giveth power to the faint to them that have no might he increaseth strength; and if he should delight in us, he will yet increase, and strengthen, and multiply, and make us like the handful of corn on the tops of the mountains, whose fruit shall yet shake as Lebanon. We are going on harmoniously together, and we feel that our safety, under God, consists in our unity and union. The conviction is growing, and the fact is manifest, that the man of sin is making mighty efforts to regain the ascendancy, and that corresponding exertions are needful on the other side to oppose him. The conviction is growing, and the fact is manifest, that all circumstantial little differences should be sunk and laid aside by those who can agree and unite in the faith of great and essential principles; and, while this conviction is growingand growing fast-is it not clear that it is the duty, the wisdom, the safety of all faithful Churches to

be drawing closer to one another, uniting under some common bond, and preparing to fight the good fight of faith under some common banner? It is impossible not to be struck with the concurrent testimonies that are crowding upon us, from all parts of the world, to establish this fact. We see the progress of the man of sin in England, in the Popish temples that are rising up around us thick as mushrooms. We see it, too, in the more specious but not less malignant form of Puseyism. And when we think of the favour which has

already been shown to Romanism in the high places of our land, then, doubtless, the whole is well calculated to startle the most secure, incredulous, and sanguine.--All this is ominous, and had it not been that greater far is he who is on his own people's side than all those that can be against them, it would also be very alarming. But, blessed be God, he is a refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble. His way is in the sea, and his path in the great waters; and his footsteps are not known. But yet, though the waters roar and be troubled, and the mountains shake with the swelling thereof, there is still a river whereof the streams shall make glad the city of God-the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved. God shall help her, and that right early. (Mr. Ferguson sat down amid loud cheers.)

ANNIVERSARY OF THE EVANGELICAL
SOCIETY OF GENEVA.

At the Anniversary Meeting of this Society,
held on Tuesday the 2d of June last, Dr.
Merle D'Aubigne, as President, addressed
the Assembly at considerable length, and
with his usual ability. After prayer, reading
of the Word of God, and praise, he said:-
"I open the fifteenth general meeting
of the Evangelical Society of Geneva. In
whose name? Is it in the name of any
ecclesiastical system, even the most perfect?-
in the name of Episcopacy, of Congrega-
tionalism, or of that Presbyterianism, which,
in the sixteenth century, took its loftiest
bound in this city of Geneva-of that Pres-
byterianism so dear to our fathers, and so dear
to myself? Is it in the name of the broad
or the strict principle in admission to the
Lord's Supper? Is it in the name of Nation-
alism or of Separatism? No, gentlemen;
по. In whose name, then? It is in the
name of the Father, of the Son, and Holy
Spirit, God blessed for ever, in the name of
Jesus, true man and true God, in the name
of the blood shed on Golgotha, which speaks
better things than that of Abel, and cleanses
the consciences of the children of God from
all guilt, in the name of the Eternal Spirit,
by whom we are anointed, and through
whom we know all things, in the name of
the invisible Head of the Church, who sits
in this Assembly as on an invisible throne,
under whose presidence we meet together,

bowing the knee before His ineffable divinity,
casting with joy at his feet the gold, the in-
cense, and the myrrh, all our works, and all
our praises, which belong to him alone. 'God
is seated on the throne of His holiness.
God has gone up on high with the shout of
triumph. Sing unto our King, sing praises."
He then proceeded to point out the dangers
which now threaten the Church. One of
these was the feebleness of the spiritual life.
"Might I set before you," said he, "the
brightest trait in our society, it is, that were
you to seek out a device which would serve
most accurately to characterise it, it would
be this, The doctrine and the life.' The
first of our institutions, the School of Theo-
logy, fixes attention on the doctrine. The
second, the dissemination of the Word of
God, and the preaching of the Gospel,-indi-
cates the life. The union of these two cha-
racteristics is that celestial mark which the
great Head of the Church has engraven upon
the frail edifice of our society. Let us jea-
lously guard both of these. For my own
part, brethren, I will declare it, for an
orthodox institution without Christian life,
or for a so-called Christian life without
orthodoxy, I would not move a finger. The
guarantee for the School of Theology I look
for, not in itself, but in the work of evan-
gelization. The guarantee for evangeli-
zation, it is not in itself that I behold it,
but in the doctrine of the School of Theology.
Let us guard the two treasures, and then we
shall continue to prosper."

He then referred to a second danger, viz.,
that those who have been spiritually awakened

walk not more together. Instead of marching
in company, as in former days, through the
valley of Baca, they are like armies encamped
on opposite mountains, launching forth their
darts against one another. He then insisted
on the evils produced by the exaggeration of
the differences between the friends of national
religion and of dissent, and invited them all
to leave their poor standards, to seize the cross
of Christ and lift it up on high, and precipi-
tate themselves into the midst of the opposing
parties. He then showed the necessity of
placing the Word of God high above the
Church. "It is the essence of Popery to place
the visible Church above the Word of God-
it is the essence of Protestantism to place the
Word of God high above the Church. When
Protestants say, 'True, the Word of God is
not preached in such a place-Christ is an-
nounced as a mere creature, and salvation as
the reward of our works, but he who occupies
the pulpit is a minister of the Church, one of
our colleagues-one should take care not to
preach a different doctrine, for that would
create confusion'-such Protestants, in saying
this, leave the standard of Protestantism,
and range themselves under the standard of
Popery.

"The third danger arose from this, that
among the spiritual wickednesses in high
places there was a conspiracy and a tumult
against the Church. Rome had anew pre-
pared her chariots, and was rushing with
terrific noise against the Church of God.
But other powers-the principalities of dark-
ness-join hand in hand, roll round their
bloodshot eyes, and, as it were, make the
earth to tremble; while, under the banner of
Infidelity, Socialism, and Pantheism, they
menace the holy life of the Church. Never
were these opposing powers exerting them-
selves at the same time with greater energy
than now. When, in the seventeenth cen-
tury, Rome triumphed, Infidelity was without
strength, when, in the eighteenth century,
Infidelity triumphed, Rome was abased in the

dust; but in the nineteenth century, the powers of the air, and the powers under ground (les souterraines), have formed a mysterious compact, and at the same moment rear their forms on high with a terrific smile, and breathe forth destruction and death against the little flock of Jesus Christ."

CANTON DE VAUD.

THE following is a translation of a declaration which has been put forth by the demissionary pastors and ministers of the Canton

de Vaud. It was communicated to the Free Presbytery of Edinburgh, at the ordinary meeting of that body on the 1st ult., and an address cordially responding to it was unanimously agreed to :

"In the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

"The undersigned pastors and ministers of the Gospel in the Canton de Vaud, who have adhered to the Act of Demission of the 12th of November, 1845, and who have renounced by it their official relations with the State, to all the Protestant and Reformed Churches and all the faithful in these Churches, grace and peace be given to you and multiplied, from God our Father, and Jesus Christ our Lord.

"At the moment when, for having wished to remain faithful to our faith, the Church, and our ministry, we have seen broken the ties which united us to the State, it becomes our duty to protest that by the act not only have we not separated ourselves from the communion of the Protestant and Reformed Churches, but that we have more closely united ourselves to them, since we have contended for doctrines which are dear to them all, for the spiritual supremacy of Jesus Christ over his Church, and for the independence and integrity of the Gospel ministry. "Wherefore, before God and before the Church, we declare that our faith is the same as that of our fathers: - The faith of the Holy Scriptures and the doctrines contained in them, doctrines summarily expressed by our Reformers in the dogmatic part, that is to say in the first twenty-one chapters of the Helvetic Confession of Faith, and professed in the Liturgy and practice of our Churches.

"We declare that we are ready, with the assistance of our Lord, to make still every sacrifice to our faith in these doctrines for the maintenance of which we have already separated ourselves from the State; namely

"1. The Sovereign spiritual authority of Christ and of His word in the Church.

"2. The Divine institution of the Gospel ministry.

"We declare that we are, and that we desire to remain, in communion of faith and love with all the Christian Churches, and all the faithful in them, who, without having the same form of faith as we have, yet think with us that they cannot be justified before God and sanctified, except by faith in the infinite efficacy of the sacrifice and whole work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, God manifest in the flesh.

"We declare finally, that it is our ardent desire to enter into the most intimate and frequent intercourse with all the Protestant and Reformed Churches, in order to labour in common with them in every thing that may tend to the unity of evangelical Protestantism, and contribute to the advancement of the kingdom of God.

"Drawn up and signed in order to be sent to the Protestant and Reformed Churches of Christendom.

"Lausanne, April 22, 1846."

(Signed by 128 pastors and ministers.)