London-wall Church, meeting in, 458 Longmore, Mr. George, presentation to, at Lorimer, Prof., lecture delivered by, 517 - Love the bond of perfectness, 249 Macaulay, Rev. J., ordination of, 206 Macdonald, Rev. John, death of, 521, 534 M'Cheyne, Rev. R. M., unpublished letter Mackenzie, Rev. J. R., induction of, at M'Lymont, Rev. Jas., induction of, 199 M'Murray, Rev. John, farewell sermon Madagascar, intelligence from, 399 --, memorial of London Presbytery relative to the persecutions at, 405 -, persecutions at, 300, 309, 354, 405 -, Presbyterian Church at, 406 -, Presbyterial memorial on the Martindale, Adam, life and times of, 86, 100 Martyrs, a tale of the times of the, 138 Metropolis, church accommodation in, 420 Minister, address to a, by Rev. Josias -, Dissenting, refusal to bury a, 199 -s, stipends of, regulations for sup- the Voluntaries and their, 248 Ministry, Luther on support of the, 371 Miller, Rev. P. L., presentation to, 411 Missionary affairs in the East, 60 Mission field, a glance at the, 235 Missionary intelligence, 93, 284, 285, 354, 376, 414, 429, 444, 461, 537 Moderator, election of, letter on, 300 Morpeth, Presbyterian Church at, 18, 207 -, social entertainment at, 374 Mountain, the, in the plain, 340 Munro's, Rev. Alex., address to Young Murdoch, Rev. Mr., letter of, to Presby- National Scottish Church, collections and Nicholson, Rev. T. D., presentation to, 157 New Zealand, Free Church colony in, 461 Newcastle, High-bridge Church at, 189 -, proccedings of Presbytery of, 42, 77, 124, 142, 187, 315 Northumberland, proceedings of Presby- tery of, 58, 91, 109, 124, 157, 187, 206, November, the fifth of "No Popery" Oath, form of Presbyterian, 406 Oath of Presbyterians, Lord Brougham O'Connell, his soul, in purgatory, Palestine, the present state of, 185 Parker Society, remarks on the, 369 Patterson, Rev. J., testimonial to the, 180 Pilgrim Fathers, landing of the, in New "Pilgrim's Progress," Cheever's lectures Pilgrims, the, and their pitchers, 340 Plague, London during the, 286 The reaper and the flowers, 378 Mission hymn for Sabbath-schools, 378 Infants saved by imputation of the On the death of a young Christian, 399 Lines on funeral of Dr. Brewster, 430 Lines on death of Dr. Chalmers, 462 The anxious soul encouraged, 479 Epitaph, by Henry Neel, 494 Lines on Cowper, 508 Loss of friends by death, 508 Hope to the end, 508 Speak gently, 508 Hymn for the Thanksgiving-day, 526 Lines written in Olney Church, 539 Pope's, the, High Mass at Rome, descrip- Post-offices, the provincial, 275 Post-office robberies and railway accidents, Praise, congregational, letter on, 366 Prayer, a few subjects for, 342 -, by Rev. James Hamilton, 183 Regulations, general, of the Presbyterian , overture on the state of, 211 Religion, state of, within the bounds of Religious Societies, French, 245 Religion, spiritual and experimental, 236 -, the vanity of ceremonies in, 247 Renwick, James, the Martyr, 191 Resolutions, putting in practice of, 187 Revival, prospects of, in our Church, 290 Risley, examination of the school at, 298 Rites and ceremonies, the worthlessness River-terrace, Presbyterian Church at, 192 -, induction of Rev. Robertson, Rev. W., death of, 255 Rome, Chekib Effendi at, 403 --, the voyage to, 403 -, English Papists at, 486 Ross, Rev. A. J., Induction of, at Brigh- Rules of daily use, 508 Sabbath castaway, the, 431, 459 desecration, overture on, 181 -, Remarks on, 293 -, the Jewish, 447 -, the, made for man, 191 the moral and perpetual obliga- Sacrament, dispensation of, Liverpool, 297 Savings' Banks, statistics of, 486 pendence of the, 104 license, induction, and ordination in the, 166 opening of the, at Islington, Liverpool, 169 Presbyterianism, elementary principles of, 193 Presbyterians, form of oath by, 406 Presbyterian Meeting in London, 2 Presbytery, Midland Counties, formation of the, 489 Presbyterian Church, Mission of, in England, 267 in England, Sta- tistics of the, 339 Presbyterianism, Lectures on, 19 Presbyterian Meeting, in London, 388 Presbytery of Northumberland, deputa- Presbyterian Order, letter on, 299 reasons for being a, 163 Presbyterians, Scotch and Irish, 514 the English, principles of the, in the seventeenth century, by Presbytery, Victor Cousin on, 365 Presbyteries, visitation of, 323 Presbyterial visitations, overture on, 210 Presbyterian worship, form of, in 1638, 509 Priests, fine the, 537 Professors, Agent, and "Messenger," 229 Prophecy, study of, 503 Prophetical Landmarks, notice of, 413 Protestants, alarm to, by Dr. Kalley, 454 Protestantism, progress of, in France, 172 Psalmody, proper leader of, 201 Purgatory, why is O'Connell's soul so long in? 537 Puritans, the, in Charles's Parliament, 359 Queries, Schedule of school, 109 Reaper, the, and the flowers, 378 Red Cross-street Library, account of, 197 Reformation, extraordinary, 190 St. Peter's Square, Man- Union, meeting of London Whitehaven, Annual chester, 205 Presbyterian, 395, 476 Meeting of, 458 Sale, extraordinary, at Liverpool, 529 School Committee, Circular of the, 109 Fund, Collections for the, 79, 94, 109, 143, 160, 264, 280, 296, 313, 329, 349, 371, 393, 504, 521, 534 -, Notice of collection for, 465 Committee, Reports of the, 221, 476 -, for 1847, -, Statement and appeal by the, 49 Fund, Report of Treasurer of, 223 Schools, Grants to, from School Fund, 160 409 Schoolmasters, Endowment of, 249 School, Week-day, Liverpool, 315 -, Presbyterian, in 1687, 495 Schools, Regulations of Government grants for, 491 School Scheme, 141 Science, 247 Scotland, its faith and its features, 202 -, letters from, 440 notes on a recent visit to, 50 -, unreformed and reformed, 367 Scottish Clergyman, recollections of a, 510 Scott, Walter, and John Knox, 289 Scottish missions, finance of, 302 Scripture doctrine, parables illustrative of, 340 Scriptures, on studying the, 248 -, search the, 287 Seaton Delaval, anniversary sers. at, 475 in 1684, 478 -, Pres. Church at, 255 -, soirée at, 158, 395 Seed, the imperishable, 404 Shaw Stewart, the Dowager Lady, letter from Presbytery of London to, 324 Shelton (Hanley), Congregational Meet- ing at, 475 - Meetings of Commission of, 56, 153, 523 -, Meetings of the, 1, 10, 162, 177, 209, 425 Synod, notice of Meeting of, 408 Temperance reformation, remarks on, 487 Thanksgiving, day of public, 504 Thou shalt not steal, 453 Times, the good old, 533 Tongue, the, 272 Towns, health of, 513 Town missions, letter on, 317 Translation speeches, 466 Trinity Church, Manchester, ordination services at, 350 Newcastle, 525 laying the foundation stone of, 328, 332 Turkey, the Gospel in, 422 -, Meeting in favour of, 155 Vaud, Canton de, 204, 234, 269 Voluntaries and their ministers, 248 Watchword, the Christian, 187 Welch, John, and the friar, 319 Welsh, Rev. Dr., death of, 17 Wesleyan Methodist conference, 71 Methodists, liberality of, 204 normal school, letter on, 414 Wesleyanism, statistics of, 406 Weir, Rev. John, induction of, 490 Westminster Church, annual soirée of, 458 Wilson, Rev. Josias, death of the, 418 monument in memory of, 505 -, inscription on monu- ment of, 536 Woodside interdict, 57 Wolverhampton, ordination at, 265 -, opening of Church at, 374 Wooler, history of the Presbyterian Church at, 327 election of deacons at, 411 Woolwich, congregational mission, 474 Church, collection for, 157 schools at, 525 subject of, 351 address on the Workington, Congregational Association at, 317 Working man's day, the, 434 World, the religious, 428 Year, the passing, 142 York, the minster of, 286 Young Men's Society, Address to, 149 London, 476 Manchester, 344 Liverpool, 394 Societies, Meeting of the, Youth, steadfast piety in, 236 Zealand, New, 538 Zuinglius, the death of, 240 CONSUMEBATUR MESSENGER. STAMPED, 4d. UNSTAMPED, 3d. OUR MESSENGER. READER, Your eye has alighted on the first line of the first periodical of the Presbyterian Church in England. It is only now that our Church can be considered as effectively re-organized, and now for the first time, after the supineness of a century, that she is addressing herself to the great work which God has given her to do. Though a day of small things, ours is a day of great opportunities; and the blessing which we feel that we ourselves have received, we would thankfully take as a token that God designs to make us a blessing to others. Iron sharpeneth iron, and mutual intercourse is essential to the zeal and suecess of Churches. Hitherto we English Presbyterians have not only dwelt alone, and not been numbered among neighbour Churches, but we have been strangely secluded from ourselves. Interesting events have happened in various localities; but, except from a casual paragraph in a Scotch or provincial newspaper, we had no hint of what was transpiring. It is one symptom of returning vigour that identity of an interest and a community of feeling THURSDAY, MAY 1, 1845. MESSENGER" will be published on the are Although the first of the series, we very unwilling that the present should pass for a specimen number. It wants many things which it is intended that future "Messengers" should contain. Not to mention Missionary and Foreign Intelligence, and Notices of the proceedings of Sister Churches, we hope to be able to present our readers with a greater variety of Local News. For the completeness of this department, however, we must rely on the kindness and diligence of our Correspondents. In the meanwhile, it is earnestly hoped that every minister within the bounds of the English Synod will take immediate steps towards securing an extensive list of subscribers in his congregation. Where the Deaconship exists, it is believed that this may be effected with little trouble; and where there are no Deacons, it is hoped, that for the sake of those interests which this Magazine is designed to serve, Ministers and Elders will use their per are spreading through the body, and that sonal exertions to obtain our various congregations are more willing ❘tion for it. to help one another, and more anxious to THE SYNOD. No. 1. THE English Presbyterian Synod met at Birminghant on Tuesday, April 15, and continued its deliberations during that and the three succeeding days. About sixty members were present, of whom twenty-four were ruling elders. We were never more impressed with the value of this element in our Presbyterian constitution. For the rapidity with which so large an amount of business was transacted, as well as for the previous maturing of important measures, the Synod was greatly indebted to the sagacity, zeal, and practical talents of the Eldership. The fresh appearance of the Synod was a circumstance which must have struck the older members. Many faces were new, but none were strange. There never was a meeting whose proceedings were pervaded by greater cordiality and brotherly kindness. Amidst the utmost freedom of discussion, there was only one predominant desire, to render our Church as efficient as possible for the great end of the Gospel ministry; and one predominant hope, that a new era has risen on our cause. And as the Synod itself is young, so most of its measures had an inceptive character, and bespoke a Church resuming or commencing its labours. Such measures were the College, the Home Mission, the Financial Scheme, the Manifesto of Presbyterian principle, and, we may add, this Magazine, for, although not a Synodical publication, it has received the Synod's warm encouragement. Should the spirit of the Birmingham meeting be perpetuated, a wide circula- of English Presbyterianism. Where individuals wish the "Meshear of one another's welfare, than in the senger" to be sent by post, a list of such days of selfishness and isolation now (we names, with accurate addresses, should trust) for ever gone. That this growing be forwarded to Mr. James Stewart, 16, Exeter Hall, London; and, in other The proceedings of the Synod were delightfully variegated by the deputations from Scotland and Ireland; by a public breakfast, at which the Rev., and much honoured, J. Angel James gave utterance to his warm and generous sentiments of Catholicity and Christian affection towards a body, so small as compared with his large and powerful denomination; and by a Missionary meeting, the most desire might be gratified, the project of an English Presbyterian Newspaper was started a year ago. The project has been largely encouraged, and will not be abandoned. In the meanwhile, it has been judged expedient to commence a It is likely to be some time before publication on a smaller scale; a sheet such a publication do more than cover like this, containing monthly notices of its own expenses; but should there ever the most important events transpiring be any profits, they will be devoted to implore our Church's attention to the case within our ecclesiastical bounds. "THE the schemes of our Church. interesting features of which were the address of Dr. Wilson, of Bombay, a name well known to science, and very dear to Missions, and the presence of a son of the late lamented Dr. Milne, of China, himself a Chinese Missionary, who had come from Manchester on purpose to of that most populous of all Pagan lands. 1 THE COLLEGE. THE establishment of a Theological College for the training of young men for the ministry of our Church, was determined upon at the Synod, which_met at Berwick, in April, 1844, and the Institution was opened under the most favourable auspices, on the 5th of November last. For a full view of the success which has attended this interesting and important undertaking, the reader is referred to the Report of the College Committee, recently given in to the Synod at Birmingham, and which will be found in another part of this number. Attention is also specially called to the interesting Financial Report given in by the Treasurers, from which it will appear that an effort must immediately be made to add to the number of the annual subscribers, in order that a steady and a per- | manent revenue may be secured to the Institution. The necessity and great importance of this point, we hope, will not be lost sight of by our ministers and people during the present summer. In a future number, we mean to communicate in detail to our readers, all the arrangements made by the Synod at its recent meeting, in regard to the constitution of the College, its Rules of admission, and other important particulars. All that we have space for at present, is to say, that the Synod determined that there should not be fewer than three Professorships, and that two of these have already been filled up, the Rev. Hugh Campbell, Moderator of Synod, having been appointed to the chair of Church History and Government, and the Rev. Peter Lorimer to that of Hebrew and Biblical Criticism. The remaining chair, of Systematic and Pastoral Theology, has not yet been supplied, but the College Committee have been authorized to make some interim arrangements for the discharge of its duties next winter. By Thomas Hartwell Horne. Seventh | added a promise of £25 per annum for Edit. London, 1834. Apparatus Biblicus; or, an Introduction to the Holy Scriptures. From the French of Père Lamy. London, 1728. Second Edition. A Key to the Old Testament. By Robert Gray, D.D. London, 1829. An Introduction to the reading of the New Testament. By MM. Beausobre and L'Enfant. Cambridge, 1819. Hug's Introduction to the New Testament. Translated by Fosdick, of America. London, 1839. Michaelis' Introduction. Translated by Marsh. Cambridge, 1818. Third Edit. Harwood's Introduction to the New Testament. 2 vols. London, 17671771. Percy's Key to the New Testament. Third Edit. London, 1779. Works Illustrative of the Scriptures. Harmer's Observations. 4 vols. 8vo. London, 1816. Burder's Oriental Customs. 2 vols. 8vo. Sixth Edit., 1822. Burder's Oriental Literature. 2 vols. 8vo. London, 1822. Paxton's Illustrations. 3 vols. 8vo. Second Edit. Edinburgh, 1825. Scripture Antiquities. Godwin's Moses and Aaron. London, 1641. 4to. Jenning's Jewish Antiquities. 2 vols. 8vo. London, 1766. Newman on the Hebrew Ritual. 8vo. London, 1748. Newman on the Civil Government of the Hebrews. 8vo. London, 1740. MISSIONS. THE English Presbyterian Synod has for some time contemplated the establishment of a Foreign Mission. The honour, however, of taking the first step in advance has been reserved for an association of ladies formed in London little An energetic effort must be made this summer, not only to improve the funds of the College, but also to enrich its library. We look for many more donations of books than we have hitherto received, and we hope that our brethren in Scotland and Ireland will avail themselves of this way of aiding us. It has also been sug-more than a year ago, with the gested, that some of our friends might be disposed to make purchases of books for us, if they knew what works were desired. And in case there should be any inclined to help us in this way, we subjoin the names of a few works, begging particular attention to the editions marked, these being the best editions of the severai works. primary view of aiding the missions of the Free Church of Scotland. four years, towards the establishment of a school for Jewesses in Corfu, from a lady much interested in that island. By Mr. Stewart's account it appears there are about 3,000 Jews in the island, and the only school where any Jewish girls are educated, is one supported by the American mission for Greeks, and conducted by Mrs. Dickson. She has under her charge at present twenty-six Jewesses, but can take no more, and is obliged to refuse daily applications for admission from others, as her mission is to the Greeks only. Add to this, there is still so much of the old enmity between Jews and Greeks, that young Jewesses attending a Greek school are exposed to much contempt and mal-treatment, which renders it most desirable to give them a school for themselves. Their anxiety to be admitted by Mrs. Dickson, notwithstanding the unkindness of the Greeks, proves that a Christian mistress would not be objected to. She must at present introduce the New Testament with caution, but the Old Testament they are permitted to read freely, and from this much instruction may be made to bear on that finished work of the Redeemer which the Jews as yet reject. Considering these circumstances, the Association, though quite in its infancy, and with very limited funds, determined, some months ago, to send out to Corfu a pious and well qualified mistress, to take charge of a school for Jewesses only. Since this determination, it has been suggested that a missionary would find ample employment in Corfu, and the neighbouring islands, where there is great destitution of the means of grace; and at a meeting of the Ladies' Committee, which took place on the 23rd April, Mr. Stewart urged that the Association should undertake to send out an ordained minister to labour among Jews or Gentiles as he may find opportunity, while his wife should take charge of the and he school for Jewish girls; announced also that the lady who before promised £25 per annum for four years towards the school would, if a missionary were sent, increase her subscription to the munificent sum of £100 for three years. With this encouragement, but feeling their entire dependence upon the blessing of Him whose cause they wish to serve, the ladies unanimously concluded that this was a call from Providence, which it would be sinful to neglect, and agreed to send out a minister approved by the London Presbytery, and in connexion with it, as soon as the services of one sufficiently qualified could be secured. This Society did not, in the first instance, anticipate taking up any missions of its own; but soon after its formation, the Rev. Mr. Stewart of Erskine, who had paid a visit during the preceding summer to the little island of Corfu, brought it to the notice of the ladies as a locality where much good might be done among God's ancient people. He gave an affecting account of the state of the young Jewesses there, desiring the benefits of education, but DURING the past winter a series of very generally unable to obtain them; and delightful Presbyterian re-unions has been to his own earnest recommendation he held in London. The first took place on for example, to London, where we have now a a body bo of ministers that need not shrink from comparison with any Church in the world. There are still, indeed, some vacant pulpits in the North, but these, we rejoice to say, there are good prospects of soon filling up. The Synod is to meet again next week, at Birmingham, where many important objects to which the efforts of the Church are directed, will engage the attention of the members. Amongst these, I may be allowed to refer specially to the Theological College recently established, the success of which is indispensable to the continued and growing prosperity of our Church. Hitherto it has met with the most cheering success, both in the number of the students, and in the amount of funds, which altogether have been more than sufficient to meet the expenses of the past session. Not the least pleasant of the effects of the closer union now subsisting amongst us, to which I have already referred, and which reaches to the people, as well as to the office-bearers, are these social meetings, of which this is the third, each, as it took place, surpassing its predecessors in the evidence of a growing cordiality amongst the members of the various congregations. Formerly we kept too much apart-we were too isolated-but now we know each other, face to face, and, better still, we are all prepared to go hand in hand in the many important works in which our Church is engaged. As another instrument for advancing the Church's cause, I may mention that on the 1st May next, it is intended to issue the first number of a periodical publication (not a newspaper), to be continued monthly, and styled "The Messenger of the Presbyterian Church in England," being somewhat on the plan of the "Free-Church Record." It will be issued at a small cost, which will put it within the reach of all, so that I trust its circulation will be wide and general. It will contain reports of the proceedings of our own Churches, its Presbyteries and Synods, and of those of other Evangelical denominations, and all interesting intelligence, religious and missionary. With a few remarks as to the order of the further proceedings, the Chairman concluded by call PRESBYTERIAN MEETING, LONDON. the auspicious occasion of the opening of John Knox Church (Rev. J. Ferguson's), and the next celebrated the no less happy event which placed Mr. Nicolson in London Wall, and Mr. Wilson in River Terrace. The last was held on the evening of Friday, April 11. It originated with the London Lay Union, and was designed to give an impulse to various schemes of Presbyterian enterprise, which have either originated with that Society, or received its vigorous support. The meeting was held in the Hall of the London Tavern, and, like all its predecessors, was crowded. The Right Hon. Fox Maule, M.P., had kindly engaged to preside, but being detained in the House of Commons by the debate on Maynooth, his place was ably supplied by Alexander Gillespie, jun., Esq. As soon as the preliminaries of tea were over, the business of the evening began, and in order to convey to friends at a distance, some idea of these evening Meetings, we have secured by an accurate report, the substance of what was spoken on this oc casion. MR. GILLESPIE. My Christian friends, I believe no one to whom I am known will suspect me of indifference to the cause of Presbyterianism; for, indeed, I am most anxious to promote and further it, believing it to be founded on the Word of God, and one of the best vehicles for making men acquainted with the truth as it is in Jesus. Nevertheless, I never occupied such a position as my present one, with greater reluctance; my being called to the chair was entirely unexpected, and on application being made to me to take it, I pressed hard to be excused. You will be aware that Mr. Fox Maule was expected to preside, but in consequence of Sir Robert Peel having obstinately persisted in his resolution to proceed this evening with the discussion on the Maynooth grant, Mr. Maule feels himself bound to be in his place in the House of Coming on the Rev. James Hamilton, of Regent's mons; and however we may regret his absence, we must all admit that he has done right in selecting that, the higher sphere of duty. Had we not remained in doubt on this point till it was too late to make application to our noble and excellent friend, the Marquis of Breadalbane, we might perhaps have obtained his valuable services, and I can only regret that, failing these two gentlemen, the kindness of my friends has devolved on me the duty. I am rejoiced at all times to meet our Presbyterian brethren, and all of you must be much gratified, I think, by the altered circumstances under which we now assemble. How great the contrast between them, and those in which we met twelve months ago; and how thankful should we be to Almighty God for the striking change in our position that has since taken place! I can remember that last year, when going to attend the Synod at Berwick, I did so with great misgiving, not anticipating any very satisfactory result; but my fears were all averted by the good Providence of God, and we had then a better meeting than ever before, more marked by a spirit of mutual confidence and affection, and by united devotion to the cause of God. We felt, indeed, that his Spirit was in the midst of us, and that he blessed our deliberations. Presbyterianism in England, we then feared, was about to be annihilated, but thanks be to God, she has grown and flourished, and the state of our Churches is now very encouraging. Look square, London, to move the first Resolution. MR. HAMILTON read the first Resolution, -"That this Meeting, in contrasting the present state and brightening prospects of the Presbyterian cause in London, with its previous long depression and recent trials, feels itself under a strong obligation to render fervent gratitude and praise to Almighty God, and recognises in these prospects, and in the evident tokens of the Divine presence and blessing, an urgent call to greatly increased individual exertions, and to the adoption of combined and systematic efforts for the advancement of the cause of Christ at home and abroad." At present our body is perhaps, in numbers, the smallest of Evangelical Churches in England. It was not always so. Two hundred years ago English Presbyterianism possessed a ministry, signalised by a more gigantic intellect and sound theology and copious learning, than have ever met in any subsequent ministry in any Church, a ministry composed of such men as Manton, and Charnock, and Caryl, men whose learning did not mar their spirituality, and whose piety did not extinguish their genius. And though Presbyterianism emerged from the long tyranny of the second Charles, shorn of much strength and glory, it had still some names of renown; and so long as it could number a Fleming, a Bradbury, a Williams, and a Calamy, among its preachers and divines, it was neither small nor a have been days of deadness and decay; scarcely relieved by the rare lights which occasionally burned and shone. A better time has come, a time which makes us think again of the beginning. Our strength now is not in great names, but in our compactness, and cordiality, and hopefulness. Few and feeble as we are, I do not suppose any Church in the kingdom is in better heart, or has a more open door. That door, I trust, God has opened; and if so, our little strength will be no hinderance, for in His plans an open door and little strength answer well to one another. The ministers of this Presbytery, and I think I may add of this Synod, are joined together as one man. We have a goodly band of willing and working elders. And although as a people we are only beginning to get acquainted with one another, I have seen enough in going out and in your various abodes, enough of well-ordered households, and happy homes-I have seen so much of individual intelligence and domestic piety, that I am sure nothing is wanting but mutual acquaintance to make the members of our Churches love and respect one another. And though it were for nothing else, I should rejoice in gatherings like this as the means of introducing our friends of different congregations, and so diffusing that community of sentiment, and that brotherly interest in each other's welfare, without which our Presbyterian polity loses half its efficacy. As I said, our Church is at present in good heart, and full of good purposes; and these I would thankfully accept as indications that the Lord designs to make us a blessing in this great land. As a Church, we possess that which, if sufficiently diffused, would make us a blessing to all around; for the Great Head of all the Churches has distinguished our Church by some good and perfect gifts. He has, first of all, given us a full deposit of Christian doctrine. Our Westminster Standards have, for nearly two centuries, proved the sheet-anchor of British orthodoxy. The sound words of our Catechism, and the scriptural fulness of our Confession - the one among our people, and the other among our office-bearers-have preserved a large amount of theological learning, even when the life of religion was lowest. The essential Gospel is very simple, and may be put in narrow compass; and it is very desirable that sermons should frequently be preached, and books he published, containing nothing save that essential Gospel. In his lively work on America a book revealing much of the interior state of its Churches, and full of graphic sketches of its landscape and people-Mr. Lewis tells the origin of an admirable little work, by Dr. Hodge, of Princeton. A book was wanted which should present the Gospel in so plain a form that every reader "could take it up," and so exempt from denominational peculiarities, that all should agree in giving it circulation. "The Way of Life" was accordingly prepared, and submitted without the author's name, to ministers of different Churches. All were equally pleased with it. The Methodist found in it nothing contrary to sound Arminianism, and the Presbyterian thought it good Calvinism. The old school Presbyterian found nothing of the new school in it, and the new school found nothing of the old; and after it had received the sanction of all successively, the author's name was divulged, and "The Way of Life" was published. And it is well that the Church universal should possess some such books,books, embodying nothing beyond the first principles of the oracles of God. But it is also desirable that we should have books and ser despised. The last hundred years, however, ❘ mons touching on every topic, and ministrations broad as is the Bible. And this is a distinction which I claim for our Presbyterian teaching. It is full and systematic. The orderly method of our standards is some security for system; and the good old usage of continuous lecturing, which I trust we shall ever retain, lays on ministers a necessity of declaring the whole counsel of God. But whilst I believe there is that in its ample theology and systematic ministrations which may render our Presbyterianism acceptable to many in these lands; and whilst I also believe that the superintendence of an affectionate eldership, watching for the spiritual welfare of the flock; and the assiduities of an intelligent deaconship, ministering to the temporal welfare of the poor, and the comfort of all, may teach the overburdened ministries of existing Churches, a more excellent way; and whilst I recognise in the compact vigour and simultaneous movements of our polity, the organization for doing extensive good, and repelling extensive evils, which the exigencies of these times demand, I would not forget, my friends, that it is to Presbyterians personally that the world will look, to learn what Presbyterianism really is. Let them read your principles in your life and conversation; let them see in your persons and your homes, the sanctity of Presbyterian Sabbaths; the old Presbyterian reverence for the Bible, and relish for good books; the beauty of its domestic piety; its family worship, and household catechising; Presbyterian orthodoxy, and that virtue which the Free Church has added to the catalogue of Presbyterian graces, Presbyterian liberality. In a speech of much ability and eloquence, DR. A. P. STEWART Seconded the Resolution. The Rev. JOSIAH WILSON moved the second Resolution:-"That the destitution of a faithful Gospel ministry, and of an efficient pastoral superintendence, which exists so extensively throughout this great metropolis, is a loud call for increasing efforts in the cause of Church and School extension, and that while our Presbyterian constitution affords peculiar facilities for the successful prosecution of such a work, the numerous openings now presenting themselves hold out strong encouragement to engage in it."-After a few introductory remarks, Mr. Wilson said-It may seem a strange statement, yet I do rejoice that Mr. Fox Maule is not here to night; that he has not gratified himself, and especially gratified us, by coming here; but that, from a high sense of duty, he has gone, with a few others of sterling principle, to the House of Commons, where enlightened principle is so rare, to preventa dark deed from being perpetrated (I refer to the endowment of Maynooth), which can only increase the miseries of my native land. And I do earnestly trust that he, and those with whom he is in concert, may be enabled, as true servants of God, to defend the right, and prevent the sinful appropriation of the public money to the upholding of an institution, which has been the seat of rebellion against a Protestant Government, and from which have issued hundreds of clerical agitators, who have been the curse of one of the finest countries on the face of the earth. I was greatly delighted with the observation of my dear brother, Mr. Hamilton, as to the union and cordiality that characterize the ministers of our Presbytery. Five months ago, I came among you as a stranger; but I have forgotten that I was a stranger. The love, the union, the perfect oneness of purpose and sentiment that reign between me and my brethren have long since made me feel quite at home. I am aware that we are yet but a small body; but the very smallness of our numbers draws us the more closely to each other's bosoms, and to know that there are hundreds of godly Wilson, the respected Vicar of the parish |