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the Commission in the month of January, it being understood that they should be be two Sabbaths absent from their own pulpits. The Presbytery unanimously approved of said Report, and instructed accordingly. Mr. Chalmers produced and read a Memorial from the congregation at Birmingham, which was favourably entertained by the Presbytery. Mr. Cousin was appointed to preside at a Meeting at Birmingham, for devotional purposes, on any day that may meet the convenience of all parties. The consideration of supplies for the Birmingham pulpit was delayed.

A communication, from the congregation at Wolverhampton was produced and read, craving that the Presbytery would sanction. and recommend an accompanying application to the Home Mission Committee for another grant from their funds. The Presbytery cordially recommended said application, and instructed their Clerk accordingly.

Mr. Joseph Wilson, a licentiate of the Irish Presbyterian Church, applied to be admitted as a preacher within the bounds of this Presbytery. He was instructed to appear at next Meeting of Presbytery, and deliver a discourse.

Messrs. Nicolson and Ferguson were appointed a Committee to examine Mr. Donald M'Callum Stewart, and report.

The Presbytery adjourned to meet at 16, Exeter Hall, on the second Tuesday of November next, at three o'clock, p.m.

PRESBYTERY OF NEWCASTLE.

THIS Presbytery met at North Shields on 6th October, and was constituted by prayer. Rev. Wm. Blackwood, Moderator. Mr. Johnston, of Blyth, stated that Robert Barbour, Esq., of Manchester, had in the most generous manner relieved his congregation from the whole burden of their remaining chapel debt, by paying 1057. on this account; and on his proposal it was unanimously agreed that the Presbytery should record the same in their minutes in testimony of the gratitude which is due from this Court to a gentleman who has in so munificent a way in this and many other instances come to the help of the Church by his pecuniary contributions. And, farther, that the Moderator be instructed to write to Mr. Barbour, conveying the hearty thanks of this Court for his kindness.

Mr. Samuel Houston was examined in Greek, Hebrew, and Theology, and acquitted himself in a way most satisfactory to the Presbytery.

PRESBYTERY OF CUMBERLAND,

the Presbytery then proceeded by vote to
choose their moderator, and the majority
supported Dr. Brown's motion.

ECCLESIASTICAL NOTICES.

EDWARD STREET CHURCH.-DR. KALLEY.

ON Sabbath evening, October 4th, the Rev.
Dr. Kalley, whose proceedings in Madeira
have excited so much interest, preached in
the Rev. Mr. Macaulay's Church, Edward-
street, Wardour-street. The discourse was
most solemn and impressive, from Exod. v. 2;
“And Pharaoh said, Who is the Lord, that I
should obey his voice ?"

WEEK-DAY SCHOOL.-LIVERPOOL.

WE are glad to find that a week-day school
has been opened in connexion with the new
Presbyterian Church in Myrtle-street (Mr.
Fergusson's). The office-bearers of the con-
gregation were anxious to secure for the
children of members of the congregation a
sound religious education at a cost as moderate
as was consistent with the school being self-
supporting. Their first object was to obtain
the services of an able and efficient teacher.
For this purpose the Deacons' Court guaran-
teed a salary of 100%. a-year; and they have
succeeded in securing the services of one in
all respects eminently qualified. Mr. J. W.
Gardner, a pupil of Bathgate Academy, where
he highly distinguished himself, and for
several years a very successful instructor of
youth in Scotland, was appointed teacher,
after examination by the Presbytery of the
bounds. Premises have been rented, for the
present, in a central situation. The school
has been in operation for several weeks.
The attendance already amounts to nearly
forty boys, and the numbers are daily increas-
ing. We congratulate the session and dea-
cons of the congregation upon the success that
is attending their enterprise, and we rejoice
to hear that they have it in prospect to com-
mence a female school speedily. Of this we
are sure, that they are adopting the wisest
measures for building up their own congrega-
tion, and they are also conferring a public
benefit on all who are desirous of securing a
solid and religious education for their chil-
dren.

INDUCTION AT HARBOTTLE.

eloquent addresses were delivered by the Rev. Messrs. Anderson, Lennie, and Johnson. Then the benediction was pronounced, and all parted satisfied with the solemnities of the day.

The congregation at Harbottle have taken a step in the right direction, by securing_a comfortable residence for their minister. In

May last a deputation from the congregation waited on Walter Selby, Esq., a liberal minded Roman Catholic landed proprietor, to solicit a site for their manse. This gentleman kindly conceded their request, in giving an eligible site; but finding it more difficult legally to transfer a gift than a purchase, sold it them, and then handsomely handed over the price to the building fund. The manse is now roofed in, and when completed will be a comfortable dwelling-place. The congregation has subscribed liberally to its erection, and deserve much credit for their laudable undertaking.

SABBATH SCHOOL EXAMINATION.

ON the 20th of September last, the Sabbathschool of St. George's Presbyterian Church, Liverpool, was examined in presence of the Kirk Session, and several of the parents and friends of the children.

The examination appeared to give general satisfaction to those who were present.

We have, however, long thought that the Sabbath-schools connected with our Church in Liverpool are conducted on too narrow grounds. It is true that they are not exclusively confined to children connected with the several congregations, but there is in Presbyterian Sabbath-schools generally a want of that catholic spirit which carries the aggressive system into operation in the streets and lanes of our towns; and which gathers little ones into the Sabbath-school from thence. A Sabbath-school teacher's heart should not be circumscribed by congregational etiquette, although the school be, in its management, connected with a single congregation, and under the direction of its Kirk Session: his love should go forth to every child's soul; and the poorer, and the more depraved, and the more outcast the child is, the more ought he to be an object of pity and earnest anxious endeavour for his soul's salvation. UNION OF AN INDEPENDENT CONGREGATION TO THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

THE Rev. the Presbytery of Northumberland
met at Harbottle on Tuesday the 22d Sep- THE Independent congregation worshipping
tember, to induct the Rev. Samuel Cathcart in Brunswick Chapel, Hanley, in Stafford-
into the pastoral charge of that congregation. shire, and at present destitute of a fixed
Rev. K. Johnson commenced the solemn ser- pastor, having for some time back seriously
vices by preaching an excellent discourse considered the scriptural position and prin-
from Heb. iii. 6; the Rev. D. Lennie followed, ciples of the Presbyterian Church, resolved
and gave a simple but remarkably clear expo- to make proposals to the Lancashire Presby-
sition of Presbyterianism, and showed satis-tery for admission; whereupon the Rev. D.
factorily its Scriptural warrant. Rev. M. Ferguson, of Liverpool, and the Rev. J.
Edwards put the usual questions, offered up Gardner, of Woodside, were deputed to visit
the induction prayer, and declared Mr. Cath- the congregation, to preach and explain to
cart the minister of that congregation, in them the order and government of the Pres-
token whereof he gave him the right hand of byterian Church. Most able and luminous
fellowship, joined by the other brethren and addresses were delivered by the deputation;
elders.
and thereafter the congregation resolved,
agreed, and determined to solicit a supply of
ordinances from the Presbytery, and to sub-
mit themselves to the discipline and govern-
ment of the Church. On Sabbath, the 4th
ult., Mr. Ferguson preached to them again.
The Church was crowded in every part, and
the people listened most attentively to the
powerful exposition of truth that was set

Mr. Edwards then delivered a lengthened charge to the minister, and Mr. Lennie followed in charging the people in relation to their duty to God, themselves, and their pastor.

WE inserted in last "Messenger" a letter
from one of the ministers of this Presbytery,
which professed to explain some matters in
the Report of the last election of Moderator.
Our only object in inserting the letter was to
give a fair hearing to the other side of the
debated question of "rotation" or "election."
Had the Report simply stated the result of
the vote, without entering on the reasons of
the majority, there would have been no occa-
sion for the reply.
As we cannot admit
further communications, and as there were
local and personal matters mixed up with the
discussion,
we must state the plain facts of
the present case, leaving the general question The Moderator retired with the newly in-
of moderatorship for future decision. The ducted minister to the door, when the people
Rev. Dr. Brown, before retiring from his gave Mr. Cathcart a most hearty and cordial
office, nominated, as is usual, his successor; welcome. The congregation provided an ex-
and he did so out of the order of the roll, in cellent dinner for the Presbytery, who were
order to secure the services of the minister joined by a large number of the people in
whom he thought would be the most accept-honour of the occasion.
able and efficient moderator. Of course, Dr. A missionary meeting was held in the
Brown's nomination being only a suggestion, evening; the minister in the chair. Able and

before them. At the close of the sermon Mr. Ferguson intimated that on the following evening (Monday) the Rev. J. Macnaughtan, of Paisley, would preach and explain to them the history and position of the Free Church of Scotland. These services will long be

remembered in Hanley, and tended to deepen the attachment of the people to the Presbyterian cause. We may mention that there is a day-school attached to this congregation, and a large Sabbath-school, with about 300 children in attendance. We trust they will soon have placed over them a zealous and devoted minister of Christ.

BEWCASTLE SABBATH SCHOOL.

Letters to the Editor.

CONGREGATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS.

To the Editor of the English Presbyterian Messenger.

MY DEAR SIR,-As I see by an announcement in the last, that you propose taking up the subject of Associations fully in the next number of the Messenger, I venture to crave admission for a few additional sentences.

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Some may have inferred, from my excess of zeal in this matter, that I expected the general organization of our congregations of itself to usher in a sort of millennium in our awakening Church; and I am therefore the more anxious briefly "to render a reason' for the hopes that I entertain in connexion with this movement. And this leads me to break ground, on which, but for the preliminary obstacles requiring removal, I should at once have entered five months ago.

AFTER many unsuccessful attempts, a prosperous and encouraging Sabbath School has been established, in connexion with the Presbyterian Congregation at Bewcastle, Cumberland. Although the country is but thinly peopled, and most of the adherents live at a consider able distance from the Church, there is a regular attendance of forty children, whose scriptural education is superintended by the minister, and some other friends of the young. It was considered advisable that some effort should be made to purchase Bibles, Testaments and Catechisms for the At the last annual meeting of the London scholars, and, if possible, at the same time, to Lay Union, on the 5th of May, the subject commence a Congregational Library, for the most enlarged on was the formation of Conbenefit of the children and the members of gregational Associations. One speaker exthe Church. Accordingly, on the 24th pressed a fear lest the operations of the Lay September last, a sermon was preached by Union, in urging the formation of branches the Rev. Joseph Gordon, of Hexham, after in the different congregations, should clash which a collection was made for the further- with the instructions of the Synod; and vaance of the above objects, when, notwith-rious methods of overcoming this difficulty standing the inclemency of the weather, and were suggested. The answer to this very consequent smallness of the congregation, natural objection was very simple. The Lay the handsome sum of 31. 4s. 10d. was realized. Union first mooted the question which is now exciting so much interest, and in 1844 memorialized the Synod to sanction and recommend the institution throughout the Church, of Lay Associations, each of which should not merely collect monies, but carry on missionary work, in accordance with the admirably concise and comprehensive regulations of the parent society. In 1845, the Union, backed by the Lancashire Presbytery, re

ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH, BOlton. THE first annual sermon in behalf of the Sunday School lately established in connexion with the Church was preached, on Sunday the 20th September last. The collection

amounted to 26l. 17s. 9d.

ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH, LIVERPOOL.

THE following is an abstract of the Report of the Treasurer of the Congregational Associa-newed its memorial to the Synod, urging, in tion in connexion with this church, for the half-year ending 30th September last, being the first and second quarters since the commencement of the Association:

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£6 15 10

4 15 10

addition, the institution of Deacons' Courts, as essential to the proper working of the Associations when formed. Now it was that the Synod issued its injunction, which withdrew attention not only, as was to be 5 18 10 expected, from the original movers, but also, unfortunately, from their simple and compre- a hensive design. The Associations enjoined 1967 by the Synod are coupled in most minds 1917 with the work of raising money, and with that alone; whereas the Lay Union contemplated that as only a small portion of the work to be done by each Branch, under the direction and superintendence of the Session

49 4

Total..............£97 1 3 A collection was made in St. George's Presbyterian Church on the 4th of October last, to aid in liquidating the debt on the church. The Rev. John Macnaughtan, A.M., of the Free High Church, Paisley, preached on the occasion, and his discourses were characterized by that distinguished minister's well-known energy and talent. The collec

tion amounted to somewhat more than 801.

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or Deacons' Court.

Now, what is the practical result of this confusion of ideas? A very lamentable one. Were the Lay Union to renew its exhortations to form a branch in every congregation, the reply would in all likelihood be, You ask us to form one society, the Synod has enjoined us to form another. We cannot have two; therefore we must decline compliance with the request, and yield obedience to the injunction. Obey the injunction, then, rejoins the Lay Union; what we wish is, to see the Church's work done as promptly, as fully, and as heartily, as possible. "Not yet prepared," is the answer: we cannot think of attempting to collect monics for some time to

come.

and request are both quietly consigned to the And so the matter ends. Injunction same resting-place," the tomb of all the Capulets." Self and sloth carry the day over Christian sympathy and active zeal, and the Church ingloriously slumbers on, as if AngloRomanism and its progenitor of Rome, like giants awakening with new strength from a long repose, were not every hour making mighty strides toward universal supremacy.

Now, this inaction is all the more deplor able, because it proceeds on an entirely false assumption. Not only is there no need of having two Societies in each congregation, but the entire work will be much better managed by one, and every day adds strength to my conviction, that unless missionary and financial efforts are made to go hand in hand,

the former sanctifying the latter, and the substantial results of the latter proving to the Church and the world the existence of the willing heart, as well as of the active hand,-the affairs of our Church will not prosper. I cannot permit myself to doubt that the forthputting of missionary effort will, in every case, be the best preparation for, and auxiliary to, financial success. Is any minister or Session afraid of prematurely assailing the members of the congregation for contributions? Then I say, let an Association be formed for surveying and visiting the neighbouring district, and for bringing out to church and school adults and children, who are the willing slaves of ignorance and crime. Such an Association, I venture to say, if composed of zealous and energetic members, steadily and untiringly pursuing their "work of faith and labour of love," could not long remain tongue-tied on the subject of Christian liberality; nor would they be long of finding others who are longing for an opportunity of throwing their mite into the Church's treasury.

Has a congregation, on the other hand, a mere money-collecting Association? The sooner its aim is enlarged, and the secularity of its operations relieved by an admixture of the spiritual clement, the better for its permanency and efficiency. The Synod took the right view of what the Congregational Association ought to be, when it enjoined a monthly Meeting. It ought to be the centre, round which all the zeal and life of the congregation clusters. But will any one, who has made the experiment, tell me what materials of interest for a monthly meeting are to be found in a dry statement of figures-or by what means even so many as a dozen persons will be induced to attend to hear such

statement made? The Association, it has always struck me, ought to be to the congregation what the heart is to the animal system, the organ for circulating vitality to the remotest extremities. But if you wish it to act vigorously and regularly, you must furnish it with something possessed of life and elasticity, to contract upon and propel. If you wish to produce irregular and convulsive movements, prophetic of speedy dissolution, you cannot do better than substitute solid dust in the shape of gold, silver, and vulgar brass, for the warm, living, gushing life-blood. A mere money-raising Association is a huge sponge, gifted with a power of indefinite suction, but doing nothing to provide a continued supply. A rightly constituted Associa tion should be a central reservoir, from which motives to the exercise of Christian liberality are regularly sent forth, in the shape of fresh and accurate intelligence of Missionary and Educational movements at home and abroad, so as to stir up the zeal, and faith, and prayerfulness of every hearer. In due time, depower over Christian hearts, the central pend upon it, if Gospel motives have any receiver will soon be filled by a reflux tide of willing offerings, which will be poured into it, in constantly increasing volume, from every quarter.

I have thus endeavoured to clear away the difficulties with which this subject has been unfortunately surrounded, and to shew that duty and interest clearly concur in en

ministers holding our doctrines, and also our
views touching the connexion of Church and
State; in which circumstances surely it was
most natural to look to the Church which
had adopted our Standards for the men we
wanted. Again, it was most natural for
members of the Scotch Church coming to
England that they should join themselves to
our Churches; but surely it would be most
unjust for them to claim our property, and
seek to subject us to a church in whose courts
we had no place, and which all along dis-
claimed the connexion.

I

to such suggestions: we are rather inclinel
to think that Presbyteries may be led away, as
well as other people, by what may be called the
romance of enlarging their boundaries. It was
suggested, that some of the "ministers of our
smaller congregations" might leave their
charges for a short time and go out on home
evangelistic missions.
But it is no easy
matter to suggest how such a movement
could be carried out, or to anticipate its pro-
bable results. The truth is, that the minis-
ters of small congregations can be the least
wanted from their immediate duties. The
ministers of large congregations are so im-
portant in the estimation of their people, if not
in their own, that they cannot go from home
on such errands; while reckoning on the
great expense which the adoption of such a
course must entail upon the Home Missior,
we imagine the enterprise would be most
hazardous. Then, it will be asked, would
you appoint an itinerant missionary? We
reply, emphatically, No, in the present posi-
tion of our Church. Such an appointment
would lessen the funds of the Home Mission
Committee 3007. per annum, while it is a
debateable question whether much good
would result.

forcing obedience to the long-neglected | difficult in England to obtain Presbyterian | attention will not be paid by our Presbyteries injunction of the Synod. Whether under the name and auspices of the Lay-Union, or entirely separate from that body, by all means, let working Associations be formed; and I have yet to learn that a single minister, Session, Deacons' Court, or Congregation throughout the Church, will refuse to embark on such a holy enterprise as that I have pointed out. Of course, an Association formed under ecclesiastical compulsion, and frowned upon by the very office-bearers, (for they, I again repeat it, not the people, are the real difficulty-mongers,) who ought to be most zealous in promoting its efficiency, cannot but be a dead failure. An Association to be worth anything, must be both a sign and a source of life in a congregation-a thermometer by which to measure the warmth of a Church's zeal-the exponent of an irrepressible love to perishing souls, and Him who came to seek and save them-a love that will make itself known, in a way that even the ungodly world can understand and appreciate, I mean by contributing largely of the substance whereof God has made his people stewards, for "building up the waste places of many generations," and "casting up a highway" in the desert, that the king of glory may enter on the possession of his longpromised inheritance, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver," and "Ethiopia stretch out her hands unto God." I would particularly refer your readers to Mr. Munro's letter in last "Messenger." During the last

four

years, we have had more than enough of wordy discipleship. Let us now "set our face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications," for "the spirit of counsel and might," that ours may hereafter be a working and giving Christianity. There has, doubtless, been of late a marvellous increase of energy and zeal in our Church, and among our people, and we have reason to bless God for it; but the blessing misimproved is of nearest kin to the withering curse. The restless energy of youth will employ itself in works of mischief, rather than want the occupation which it clamorously craves, and the elastic and highly expansive principle which, rightly directed and controlled, would carry us speedily forward on our prosperous course, may, if left to itself, explode and shiver into atoms the whole of our ecclesiastical machinery. Ever your's, October 16th, 1846.

A. P. STEWART.

If any one here puts the question, saying, Why, then, and whence is it, that so many ct our churches came to be called Scotch? answer, This was not because the Scotch Church had implanted them, or paid money for their buildings; but because so many of the ministers were Scotchmen, retaining strong prejudices in favour of their native Church; and in point of fact, when these prejudices prevailed so much that we actually applied for some sort of connexion, the application was refused, and we never were connected.

The ministers might in one sense be connected, but the people were not; the property however did not belong to the ministers, but to the people.—I am yours, &c.,

AN ENGLISH PRESBYTERIAN

Sept. 25, 1846.

WORKINGTON

MINISTER.

CONGREGATIONAL
TION.

ASSOCIA

But what, it is asked again, would you do? Is there to be no extension? Yes, assuredly; but let us have also consolidation. Consolidation and extension ought to be the two leading ideas that should engage the attention of our Church courts. But if, in our zeal for extension, we overlook the weightier matter of building together flourishing congregations, both objects will fail. And conTo the Editor of the English Presbyterian Messenger. solidation is by far the most important object SIR,-In a letter upon Church Associations of the two. Would it not be far more desirwhich appeared in the "Messenger" of August, able to see flourishing congregations where the writer animadverts (and it is presumed churches are already opened, than thin and not without good reason,) upon the delin-weak congregations in other or in all places? quency of congregations in not forming Con- Of course we do not for a moment suppose gregational Associations. He says, however, that Presbyteries should desist from the good that Brampton and Maryport are the only ex- work of extension; but we do think that conceptions to the delinquent congregations in solidation is at present the more important the Presbytery of Cumberland. Permit me work; and simply because we maintain that to say that Workington, so far from being consolidation must precede any general exdelinquent in this respect, was among the tension. We have now, not the very pleasing very first in the Synod to attend to its duty spectacle of a large number of our congregain forming an Association on behalf of all the tions clinging heavily upon the neck of the schemes of the Synod; and certainly it had Home Mission; and, undoubtedly, every effort by far the precedence of any of the congre- should be made to release their hold,-but gations in the bounds of the Presbytery of how may this be accomplished? We answer, Cumberland. by the town missionary. Let each congregation raise 307. towards the support of a town missionary, and let the Home Mission advance other 301. for the same object, and the work is done. There is not a single town in England of any considerable population, where a minister, with an active missionary, would not raise in two years or less a large and respectable audience. It will be said, perhaps, that the minister should perform this missionary work himself; but if so, such never has been the case; and the premise is a pretty fair warrant for the obvious conclusion. The labour that we would carve out for our missionary would not be altogether distinct from that which should engage the minister's attention, but merely as supplementary to his labours. Let a minister attend faithfully to his own flock, and let him attend faithfully to his preparations for the pulpit, and he will have few leisure hours for searching after the Sabbath-breaker and the ungodly. Besides, in this country, these classes cannot be reached by the minister as much as he could desire; but they might, and could be laid hold of by the missionary. And, oh! what an inviting field of labour for the Presbyterian Church of England. Let her do her

As a congregation, we have not been forward in making public all our proceedings, and hence probably the present oversight.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN ENGLAND Learning wisdom, then, from the past, I take

AND THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.

To the Editor of the English Presbyterian Messenger.

SIR,-An attempt is at present being made most unjustly to eject some of our devoted ministers from their churches, with a view to the property being seized upon, and ministers intruded in their room connected with the Established Church of Scotland; but the minutes of one of the Presbyteries now before me clearly proves that we are not a part of the Scotch Church; that we are in fact the orthodox remnant of the English Presbyterian Church, whose Standards the Scottish churches have adopted; that our ministers were not taken exclusively from Scotland till proper ones could not be had in England; and that the idea of connexion with the Northern Church, implying that she had any control over us, or any interest in our prosperity, was never for a moment entertained.

About 150 or 200 years ago it became

this opportunity of saying that recently, upon
the occasion of our ordaining two new elders,
we did also, at the same time, in compliance
with the recommendation of Synod, institute
a Deacons' Court of eight members, which is
now in active operation.
I am, Sir, yours truly,
J. TURBITT.
Workington, Oct. 1, 1846.

TOWN MISSIONS.

To the Editor of the English Presbyterian Messenger.

SIR,-In your very important article in the
Messenger" for September, on "The State
of Religion within the Bounds of our
Church," you have solicited communications
on the subject. Under the third head of that
article there are ways pointed out by which
our Church may be extended, and any sug-
gestion which may be made on this subject is
worthy of the utmost attention; and we say
this, not because we believe that all due

duty here, and we might safely say that her churches are already filled, and the cry of sectarian proselytizing silenced for ever.

We have churches in towns where the population varies from twenty to two hundred thousand souls, and do we not find in some of these the mere skeletons of congregations? Would such be the case if the ministers were backed by active missionaries? The writer labours in a town of about fifty thousand of a population, where are talented and godly ministers belonging both to the Established and Dissenting Churches, and where, in all, there are about some twenty churches of all denominations; and yet it is stated, that from thirty-five to forty thousand souls are living in total neglect of all Gospel ordinances. Now, what, Mr. Editor, and sympathizing reader, would you have him do? Visit them, you reply. He will, as far as possible; and he has resolved upon having a pioneer missionary. But for this he desires kind Christian friends purpose to give him 307., and with 307. additional, which he hopes to receive from the Home Mission Committee, he will, with the blessing of the Lord, present to them, in a short time, the goodly spectacle of a large congregation of reclaimed drunkards, swearers, Sabbathbreakers, and others who now neglect the means of grace.

I am, Sir, yours respectfully,

A MINISTER OF THE PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH IN ENGLAND.

[We shall be glad to hear of the suggestion in the above letter being carried out; and if any friends feel disposed to aid in the establishment of such a missionary agency, they will kindly transmit their contributions to Mr. Brown, 16, Exeter Hall.]

MINISTERS.-If one workman should tell you that "Your house must be pulled down, il at the beams are all rotten, and new materials must be prepared;" and another sl.ould say, “No; the house will stand firm erough with a little repair; such a beam is good, such a spar may continue: such a trifing cost will serve the turn," you would probably listen to him who is for putting you to the least expense and trouble. An honest and faithful minister of Christ comes, and tells sinners from the Scriptures, that man is, by nature, in a dangerous condition: that his house is tumbling about his ears; that his natural state is corrupt and rotten, that nothing of the original frame will serve; that old things must be done away; and all things become new. Next, in steps an Arminian, and blows up the sinner's pride, by telling him that he is neither so weak, nor so wicked as the other represents him; that a little patching and whitewashing will set all to rights, without taking any part of the building down. "If thou wilt," says he, "thou mayest repent, believe, be good, and endure to the end : or at least, by exerting thy natural al ilities, thou wilt oblige God to lend an helping hand to thy endeavours, and superadd what thou hast not." This is the workman that will please proud men.-Gurnall.

POPERY AND PUSEYISM.

THEN ceremony leads her bigots forth
Prepared to fight for shadows of no worth;
While truths, on which eternal things depend,
Find not, or hardly find, a single friend.
As soldiers watch the signal of command,
They learn to bow, to sit, to kneel, to stand;
Happy to fill Religion's vacant place
With hollow form, and gesture, and grimace.
-Cowper.

|

Poetry.

LINES

BY THE LATE MR. CHARLES GRANT, FATHER OF THE
PRESENT LORD GLENELG.

WITH years oppress'd, with sorrows worn,
Dejected, harass'd, sick, forlorn;

To Thee, O God, I pray!

To Thee, these withered hands arise,
To thee, I lift these failing eyes-

0 ! cast me not away.
Thy mercy heard my infant prayer;
Thy love, with all a mother's care,

Sustained my childish days:

Thy goodness watched my op'ning youth,
And formed my soul to love Thy Truth,

And filled my heart with praise.

O Saviour, has thy grace declined?
Can years affect the Eternal Mind?
Or time his love decay?
A thousand ages pass thy sight,
And all their long and weary flight
Is gone like yesterday.
Then, e'en in age and grief, Thy name
Shall still my languid heart inflame,

And bow my falt'ring knee-
O, yet this bosom feels the fire,
This trembling hand and drooping lyre
Have yet a strain for Thee!

Yes, broken, tuneless, still, O Lord!
This voice, transported, shall record
Thy bounty tried so long;
Till sinking slow-with calm decay,
Its feeble murmurs melt away
Into a seraph's song.

Notices of Books.

"Man's Chief End;" or, the Westminster Assem-
bly's Catechism. In tabular form, printed on
a single sheet. London: James Nisbet and
Co. Manchester: Thomas Anderson and Son.
Edinburgh: W. P. Kennedy. 1846.

THE design of this publication is excellent, and
the execution most successful. The whole words
of the Shorter Catechism are arranged in sec-
tions and divisions, exhibiting at one view, under
different heads, this admirable compendium of
Christian faith and duty. It is printed on one
large sheet for the purpose of being mounted on
board, or framed; and we trust that a copy may
be fixed on the walls of many a Presbyterian
house and school, not in England only, but
wherever the Westminster Standards are known
and respected. As the profits are to be given to
the School Fund of our English Presbyterian
posed of among our congregations.
Church, we expect that many copies will be dis-

The Dangers of the Church. An Address delivered at the fifteenth Anniversary of the Evangelical School of Geneva, June 2, 1846. By the Rev. J. H. Merle D'Aubigné, with an Introduction by Sir Culling Eardley Smith,

Bart. F. Baisler, 124, Oxford-street.

We have already noticed this noble address of Merle D'Aubigné in the " Messenger," and are glad to see it published in this cheap form. The dangers of the Church in the present time are clearly pointed out, and the duties of the Church laid down wisely. The Introduction, by Sir Culling Eardley Smith, is written in an earnest, Catholic, and Christian spirit. The translation is faithfully and ably executed by the translator of “The Church of Christ one body," from the same author. Altogether this is " tract for the times" worthy of all praise, and likely to prove widely useful.

THE NEW PENNY MAGAZINES.

The Churchman's Monthly Penny Magazine. London: B. Wertheim, Aldine Chambers, Paternoster Row.

The Christian's Penny Magazine. London:

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lation. Cheap publications are now everywhere circulated in immense numbers, many of them of the most dangerous and degrading tendency, some of them even openly irreligious and profane. What good man then will not give thanks when he hears that such a publication as the " Christian's Penny Magazine" has a monthly circulation of 200,000 copies, and that similar cheap magazines have also vast and increasing sale? If not a sign of good, this is an effort for good, to which we say, God speed. There are three of these penny publications which we would specially refer to, in connexion with different denominations, with the titles prefixed to this notice. In each of these there are, of course, denominational details and sectarian subjects occasionally introduced, from which, as honest and outspoken Presbyterians, we strongly dissent: but there is so much of truth and worth in all of them, that we rejoice in their success. It is true also, that there is evidently much rivalry and opposition among these papers, and much of the increase of circulation is owing to the exertions made by Churchmen to meet Dissenters, and Dissenters to attack Churchmen, and Baptists to proselytize to what they call "The Church" :-be it so, there is much of the truth of Christ in each of them, and therefore, whether of envy and strife, or of good-will and love, we believe that they are all working together for the defence of the Gospel. Having this friendly feeling, e should be glad to see anything removed that hinders their usefulness, and any improve be increased. Our Baptist friends, for examp ment effected by which their influence might give a most absurd name to their peny organ-" The Church." Have the conductors or editor never seen a text in the Word of God, "The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord are re The Church indeed! ، No doubt but recre the people," as Job said to his foolish friends. We trust that our friends will have the good sense and good taste to make this title be changed. We have enough of this Church arrogance elsewhere, without any body of Nonconformists aping it. There was in one of the recent numbers a most interest ing account of the visit of Mr. Haldane Edinburgh to Geneva, where his intercourse with Merle d'Aubigné seems to have been of much use in the early spiritual life of that i and more pitiful than the heading affixed by great man. But can anything be more paltry

of the Reformation converted by a Baptist the editor to that article-"The Historia He who wrote that title had better try to convert the historian from being a Pres byterian, to complete the sectarian triumph In spite of this spirit occasionally display and to which we are all too liable, Te Church" contains most valuable articles: ard so does the "Churchman," notwithstanding frequent outbreaks of blind bigotry, and mu that is weak and trifling, which we overia k for the sake of articles so valuable and pre able as the "Ministerial Recollections." T "Christian's Penny Magazine" is by far the ablest and most powerfully conducted of th papers, and we should only wish to see g rally more of what is spiritual and practical a proportion to what is only outward ecclesiastical.

Cheap Publications of the Free Church of Scot

land.

THE issue for the year 1845-1846 has just b completed by the appearance of two volum "The Lives of Henderson and Guthrie," 24 "Select Extracts for the Young," both of which amply sustain the character of this series of pad

Snow, Paternoster Row. The Church: Baptist Penny Magazine. London : Simpkin, Marshall, and Co. WE rejoice heartily in the establishment of every new instrument and engine for working good among the masses of our English popu-lications,

Things New and Old.

WHAT IS GOD?

THERE is one anecdote connected with the formation of the Shorter Catechism both full of interest, and so very beautiful, that it must not be omitted. In one of the earliest meetings of the Committee, the subject of deliberation was to frame an answer to the question, "What is God?" Each man felt the unapproachable sublimity of the divine idea suggested by these words; but who could venture to give it expression in human language! All shrunk from the too sacred task in awe-struck reverential fear. At length it was resolved, as an expression of the Committee's deep humility, that the youngest member should first make the attempt. He consented; but begged that the brethren first unite with him in prayer for divine enlightenment. Then in slow and solemn accents he thus began his prayer:-" O God, thou art a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in thy being, wisdom,, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth." When he ceased, the first sentence of his prayer was immediately written down and adopted, as the most perfect answer that could be conceived; as, indeed, in a very sacred sense, God's own answer, descriptive of himself. Who, then, was the youngest member of the

expounded, and then prayed in his most fervent manner; to all which the friar was an astonished witness. At dinner the friar was very civilly entertained, Mr. Welch thinking best to forbear all questions and disputes for the present. In the evening Mr. Welch had family worship as in the morning, which occasioned still more wonder in the friar. After supper they all retired, the friar longing to know what this night-whisper was. He laid awake till Mr. Welch's usual time of night for rising to pray, when, hearing the same whispering noise, he crept softly to Mr. Welch's door, and there heard not only the sound but the words distinctly, and such communications between God and man as he knew not had been in the world. Upon this the friar waited for Mr. Welch to come out of his chamber, when he told him that he had lived in darkness and ignorance till this time, but was now resolved to give himself up entirely to Mr. Welch's teaching, and de

clared himself a Protestant. Mr. Welch congratulated him upon his better understanding, and exceedingly encouraged him; and it is said that he lived and died a true Protestant. This is a striking illustration of the spirit of the men of other days, showing how the flames of devotion have always been strong in proportion to those of persecution.

AUTHORITY OF THE BIBLE.

Committee? When we compare the birth-
dates of the respective members of the Com-ing illustration of the benefits arising from
mittee, we find that George Gillespie was the the reading of the Bible:-"The mother of a
youngest by more than a dozen years. We family was married to an Infidel, who made a
may, therefore, safely conclude, that George jest of religion in the presence of his own
Gillespie was the man who was thus guided children; yet she succeeded in bringing them
to frame this marvellous answer.-
-Presby- all up in the fear of the Lord. I one day
terian's Armoury.
asked her how she preserved them from the
influence of a father whose sentiments were
so openly opposed to her own? This was
Because, to the authority of

JOHN WELCH AND THE FRIAR.

him answer for himself." Upon his entering the drawing-room, Lady Huntingdon said, "Mr. Whitefield, these ladies have been preferring a very heavy charge against you, and I thought it best that you should come up and defend yourself: they say, that in your sermon last evening, speaking of the willingness of Jesus Christ to receive sinners, you expressed yourself in the following termsSo ready is Christ to receive sinners who come to Ilim, that he is willing to receive the devil's castaways. Mr. Whitefield immediately replied, "I certainly, my Lady, must plead guilty to the charge: whether I did what was right or otherwise, your Ladyship shall judge from the following circumstance. Did your Ladyship notice, about half an hour ago, a very modest single rap at the door? It was given by a poor, miserable-looking, aged female, who requested to speak with me. I desired her to be shown into the parlour, when she accosted me in the following manner: 'I believe, Sir, you preached last evening at such a chapel ?' 'Yes, I did.' Ah, Sir, I was accidentally passing the door of that chapel, and hearing the voice of some one preaching, I did what I have never been in the habit of doing-I went in; and one of the first things I heard you say was, that Jesus Christ was so willing to receive sinners, that he did not object to receiving the devil's

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THE Rev. Adolphe Monod gives the follow-castaways. Now, Sir, I have been on the his service, that I think I may with truth be town for many years, and am so worn out in called one of the devil's castaways. Do you think, Sir, that Jesus Christ would receive there was not a doubt of it, if she was but 'I (said Mr. Whitefield) assured her willing to go to Him.' From the sequel, it appeared that this was the case, and that it ended in the sound conversion of this poor creature; and Lady Huntingdon was assured, from the most respectable authority, that the woman left a testimony behind her; that, though her sins had been of a crimson hue, the atoning blood of Christ had washed them

her answer:

WHILE Mr. Welch was minister in one of the French villages, one evening a Popish a father, I did not oppose the authority of a friar, travelling through the country, because he could find no lodging in the whole village mother, but that of God. From their earliest addressed himself to Mr. Welch's house, and years my children have always seen the Bible begged the favour of a lodging for that night. upon my table. This holy book has consti- white as snow.

The servants informed Mr. Welch, who readily consented; but as he had supped, and family worship was over, he did not see the friar, but retired to his room. After the friar had supped, the servant showed him to his chamber, between which and Mr. Welch's there was but a thin deal partition. After the friar's first sleep, he was surprised with hearing a constant whispering kind of noise, at which he was exceedingly frightened. The next morning, as he walked into the fields, a Countryman met him, and, because of his habit, saluted him, asking him where he had lodged that night. The friar answered, "With the Huguenot minister." The countryman asked what entertainment he met with. The friar answered, "Very bad; for," said he, "I always imagined there were devils haunting these ministers' houses, and I am persuaded there was one with me this night, for I heard a continual whisper all the night, which I believe was nothing else than the minister and the devil conversing together." The countryman told him he was much mistaken, and that it was only the minister at his night prayers. "O," says the friar, "does the minister pray any?" "Yes," said the countryman, "more than any man in France; and if you stay another night with him you may be satisfied." The friar returned to Mr. Welch's house, and feigning indisposition, begged another night's lodging, which was granted him. After a while, Mr. Welch came down, assembled the family, and, according to custom, first sung a psalm, then read a portion of the Scriptures, which he briefly

I was silent that I might allow it to speak. tuted the whole of their religious instruction. Did they propose a question, did they commit any fault, did they perform any good action, I opened the Bible, and the Bible answered, reproved, or encouraged them. The constant reading of the Scriptures has alone wrought the prodigy which surprises you.'”

SATAN'S CASTAWAYS.

Some ladies called one Saturday morning to pay a visit to Lady Huntingdon, and during the visit her Ladyship inquired of them if they had ever heard Mr. Whitefield preach? Upon being answered in the negative, she said, "I wish you would hear him; he is to preach to-morrow evening." They promised her Ladyship they would certainly attend-they were as good as their word; and upon calling on the Monday morning on Lady Huntingdon, she anxiously inquired if they had heard Mr. Whitefield on the previous evening, and how they liked him? The reply was, "O, my Lady, of all the preachers we ever heard, he is the most strange and unaccountable. Among other preposterous things (would your Ladyship believe it), he declared that Jesus Christ was so willing to receive sinners, that he did not object to receive even the devil's castaways! Now, my Lady, did you ever hear of such a thing since you were born?" To which her Ladyship made the following reply: "There is something, I acknowledge, a little singular in the invitation, and I do not recollect to have ever met with it before; but as Mr. Whitefield is below in the parlour, we will have him up, and let

captive: he hath received gifts for men." To SPIRITUAL GIFTS.-"He hath led captivity what end is this glorious theatre, as it were, prepared, and all this preparation made, all men being called to the preparation of it? It was to set out the greatness of the gift he would bestow, and the glory of the work which he would effect. And this was to furnish the Church with ministers, and ministers with gifts for the discharge of their office and duty. And it will one day appear, that there is more glory, more excellency in giving one poor minister unto a congregation, by furnishing him with spiritual gifts for the discharge of his duty, than in the pompous instalment of a thousand popes, cardinals, or metropolitans. The worst of men, in the observance of a few outward rites and ceremonies, can do the latter; Christ only can do the former, and he is ascended up on high to that purpose.-Owen.

DUTIES.-Take up all duties, in point of performance; and lay them down, in point of dependance. Duty can never have too much of our diligence, nor too little of our confidence.-Dyer.

DONATIONS TO COLLEGE LIBRARY.

From JAMES NISBET, Esq. Calvin's Institutes, vol. III., and Calvin's Commentaries, vol. II., Calvin Translation Society's edition. From the Rev. JAMES HAMILTON. Chrysostomi Opera, 8 vols. folio. Eton, 1613. The 4th vol. wanting, for which 27. will be given, if in good condition, at 16, Exeter Hall,

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