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11th Nov., and was constituted with praise, | Mr. Wm. Hamilton, and unanimously agreed

reading of the Scriptures, and prayer by the Rev. Wm. Nicolson, Moderator, pro tem.

The Rev. Mr. Fairbairn (Salton), minister of the Free Church of Scotland, and interim Professor of Divinity in the English Presbyterian College, being present, was associated with the Presbytery during his residence within the bounds. Mr. Chalmers, Moderator,

took the chair.

The Presbytery called for the Westminster case, and the deliverance of last meeting was read. After a good deal of discussion, it was moved by Mr. Nicolson, and seconded by Professor Lorimer, that an early day be appointed for the moderation of a call from the Westminster congregation in favour of a minister. It was also moved by Professor Campbell, and seconded by Mr. James Hamilton, "That the Presbytery, deeply sympathizing with the congregation at Westminster, and most anxious to promote the interests of Presbyterianism, so historically and symbolically identified with that city, but fully convinced that to grant the petition to moderate in a call would not tend either to advance the cause of this Church or consolidate the interests of the congregation there, do therefore refuse in present circumstances to proceed to moderate in such call. But, in order that the Presbytery may be in a condition to decide as to what it were most judicious to do, appoint a Committee to aid the Congregation, first, in obtaining present supplies, and, quoad ultra, to report from time to time, when circcumstances may arise to warrant our taking any ulterior steps." It was agreed that the state of the vote should be first or second Motion; the first being Mr. Nicolson's, and the second, Professor Campbell's; and, the roll having been called, and the votes marked, it was carried second Motion, by a majority of nine to three, several members declining to vote. Whereupon the Presbytery did and hereby do resolve and decide in terms of the second Motion. And the following Committee were appointed accordingly, viz., the Moderator, Professor Campbell, and Messrs. James Hamilton, Ferguson, William Hamilton, Nisbet, and Forsyth. The Moderator to be Convener.

The Presbytery then adjourned to meet at the Presbyterian Church, Hampstead, at seven o'clock this evening, and the sederunt was closed with prayer.

The Presbytery met again accordingly at the vestry of the Presbyterian Church, Hampstead, at seven o'clock, p.m., and was duly constituted by the Rev. Professor Lorimer, Moderator, pro tem.

The edict for the moderation of a call from

to, that said call be sustained. Mr. Berry was then called in, and, after the call had been put into his hands, he declared his acceptance of the same. Whereupon, the Court resolved to proceed with the induction of Mr. Berry, and agreed to meet for that purpose in this place, on Thursday, the 25th Nov. current, at six o'clock, p.m. Mr. James Hamilton to preach, Mr. Chalmers to expound the principles of Presbytery, and Mr. Weir to put the questions, induct, and give the charges to the pastor and people respectively.

The Presbytery agreed that the officiating minister should be requested to serve the edict next Lord's-day, and that an opportunity should be given to those members and adherents who may not yet have subscribed the call, to do so in the course of next week, in the presence of the foresaid officiating minister, who is hereby authorized to attest the additional signatures.

The Presbytery adjourned to meet in this place on the 25th November current, at six o'clock, p.m.-The sederunt was closed with prayer.

PRESBYTERY OF BIRMINGHAM.

THIS Presbytery met at Stafford on Tuesday, Nov. 2, at one o'clock. Present, Rev. Messrs. Lewis (Moderator), Mackenzie, Speers, Bryson, and Martyn, ministers; Messrs. M'Cutcheon, Henderson, and Bate, elders.

The minutes of former meeting having been read and sustained, the Presbytery called for the educational and statistical reports moved for at former meetings. Educational reports were then handed in from Birmingham, gham. Dudley, Du Wolverhampton, and Stafford (the congregation at Shelton having reported at last meeting), and statistical reports from all the congregations within the bounds of the Presbytery. Whereupon it was moved, seconded, and unanimously agreed to, "That a Committee be appointed to draw up from said reports, a conjunct and tabular view of the state of the different congregations; and that they be empowered to obtain any additional information from ministers or sessions which may exhibit more clearly the state of their affairs."

After a short conversation respecting the Moderator's correspondence with the convener of the School Committee, the Presbytery called for Mr. Bryson's overture anent a General Sustentation Fund.

Mr. Bryson then submitted his overture, which he supported at great length, and in a very conclusive manner, as regarded the practicability of raising such a fund. He proposed to secure to every minister in the Church a stipend of 160l. per annum, and to allow

main in their present position. That is to say, that no minister should receive less than 160%., while individual congregations might supplement their minister's income to any amount they thought proper. The great difficulty appeared to be, the mode of distribution. On that point the members of Presbytery had a good deal of conversation, and, in the hope that some plan of meeting the difficulty might be proposed before the meeting of Synod, the matter was allowed to drop for the present.

the Hampstead congregation was then pro- | those now in receipt of a larger sum to reduced by the clerk and found to be properly attested. Whereupon the Presbytery proceeded to the Church. Professor Lorimer preached from Luke v. 39; and, after having intimated that all the preliminary steps had been duly and regularly taken, he stated that the Presbytery were now ready to receive the name of any one whom the members of the congregation might desire for their minister. It was then moved by Mr. Bradshaw, and seconded by Mr. Shingleton, "That the Rev. Henry Lea Berry be now called to take the pastoral charge of this congregation." And, no other person having been nominated, Mr. Bradshaw's Motion was put from the chair, and carried unanimously.

Thereupon the form of a call in favour of Mr. Berry was produced, read, and subscribed by forty-two members and adherents. It was moved by Mr. Macaulay, seconded by

The Presbytery then adjourned to meet at Dudley on the first Tuesday of December, at

three o'clock in the afternoon.

PRESBYTERY OF LANCASHIRE.

THIS Presbytery held its ordinary monthly meeting at Liverpool on the 3d November, the Rev. J. Cross, Moderator, in the chair.

Mr. King gave in a commission granted to him as Ruling Elder representing St. George's Session, Liverpool, which being sustained, Mr. King's name was added to the roll.

The clerk produced and read an extract minute of the Free Presbytery of Lockerby, which bore, that the said Presbytery found it inexpedient to take any further steps towards carrying out the translation of Mr. Matheson. This Presbytery accordingly agreed to sist procedure in the matter, and report the present state of the case to St. Peter's congre gation, and express their sympathy with them in their disappointment. A Committee consisting of Rev. Messrs. Welsh (Convener), and White, ministers, and Messrs. Baird and and Wilson, elders, was appointed to cooperate with St. Peter's Session in providing supplies for the pulpit.

Mr. Fergusson, Convener of the Committee appointed to examine the students residing in the Liverpool district, reported, that Messrs. M'Naghten and Walker, both of Birkenhead, had appeared before them, and been examined in the ordinary branches prescribed to students of philosophy, before entering upon a Theological Curriculum; and that the Committee were fully satisfied with their proficiency. The Presbytery sustained the report, and instructed the clerk to give Messrs. M'Naughten and Walker a certificate in their name.

Mr. Fergusson having previously given notice of the following motion, viz. "To take such steps as will ensure accuracy in the records of the court," now moved as follows:- "1. That the clerk should at the close of each meeting read a statement of the day's proceedings from the scroll in the hearing of the court. 2. That at the Presbytery's meeting in March, a Committee be annually appointed to revise the minutebook, and to report thereon at the April meeting preparatory to the record being submitted to the Synod for revision." After lengthened discussion, this motion not being seconded, fell to the ground. Whereupon it was moved by Mr. Munro, and seconded by Mr. Robinson, "That the thanks of the Presbytery be given to Mr. Forster for the great care, general accuracy, and perfect fidelity he has shown in acting as clerk, and especially in keeping the records and minutes of this Presbytery, since the time of his appointment." It was also moved by Mr. Gardner, and seconded by Mr. Fergusson, "That it is inexpedient to adopt the motion before the House." The roll being called and votes marked, Mr. Munro's motion was carried by a considerable majority (seven to three). From which finding Messrs. Fergusson and Gardner dissented for reasons to be given in, in due time. Thereafter, the thanks of the Presbytery were given to Mr. Forster from the chair.

Messrs. Mitchell and Moore appeared as a deputation n from Chalmers' Presbyterian Church, Ancoats, Manchester, and laid upon the table a memorial from said Church, praying the Presbytery to appoint an early day to moderate in a call. The Presbytery granted the prayer of the memorial, and agreed to meet within Chalmers' Church on the evening of the 18th inst. at half-past six for ordinary business, and, especially, to moderate in a call-Mr. Magill of Bolton to preach and preside. The Presbytery further appointed Mr. Robinson of Salford to serve

the edict there on Sabbath next.

Agreeably to notice, Mr. White moved, "That the Presbytery meet henceforward once every two months for ordinary business; " which motion having been seconded by Mr.

Welsh, was unanimously agreed to, and the Presbytery resolved accordingly to hold its next ordinary meeting on the first Wednesday of January next.

The Presbytery then took into consideration whether the preaching station at Chester should be continued or not. From statements made by Mr. Shaw, the late missionary, the Presbytery, after due deliberation, came to the resolution of continuing the station, and transmitting a strong recommendation to the Home Mission Committee to grant a liberal sum out of their funds towards the efficient support of Gospel ordinances there.

A letter was read from Mr. Radcliffe re

questing the Presbytery to take steps to have the Lord's Supper dispensed to the congregation at Wigan, there having been no communion there since Dec. 1845. Which request was granted, and Mr. White was appointed to conduct the services. An interim session was at the same time appointed for Wigan.

to the district, and to the Presbyterian cause

the Moderator, Messrs. Anderson, Lennie, Mr. Smith is a promising young minister, and Edwards, Mr. Lennie was appointed and one well suited for the locality. This clerk, pro tem. The Presbytery approved settlement will be productive of great good of the conduct of the Moderator in calling this Meeting. Mr. Edwards laid on the table in Liverpool. of the Presbytery a schedule containing answers to queries from the Home Mission Committee, which was sustained by the Presbytery, and ordered to be attested by the Moderator, and which was done accordingly. Closed with prayer.

Ecclesiastical Notices.

THE LATE REV. JOSIAS WILSON.

A VERY beautiful and appropriate monument to the memory of this lamented minister has been lately erected at Highgate Cemetery, London, where his remains are interred. The monument is of white Sicilian marble, of chaste and elegant design, and is about ten feet high. It bears the following inscrip

tion:

"ERECTED

Mr. Magill of Bolton applied for assessors to aid him in forming a session in connexion | By the Presbyterian Congregation, River Terrace,

with his congregation. The Presbytery appointed the Rev. Messrs. M'Lean and Forster ministers, with Mr. Beard elder, for that pur

pose.

A recommendatory letter on behalf of St. Peter's congregation, Liverpool, was read by Mr. White for the Convener of the Com

mittee appointed at a previous meeting for that purpose, and approved of.

The Presbytery adjourned to meet within Chalmers' Church, Manchester, on the 18th inst. Closed with prayer.

MANCHESTER, Nov. 18. Met by appointment, and moderated in a call from the congregation of Chalmers' Church to the Rev. Wm. M'Hinch, Minister of Dungiven, Ireland, to to be their pastor. Which call was unanimously sustained, and Mr. White, of Liverpool, was appointed Commissioner to prosecute Mr. M'Hinch's translation before the Presbytery of Newtonlimady.

On application from St. Peter's congregation, Liverpool, the Presbytery appointed the 29th ult. to moderate in a call, the Rev. Robert Cowe, to preach and preside. Adjourned to meet on the 1st Wednesday of January next. Closed with prayer.

PRESBYTERY OF NORTHUMBERLAND.

ALNWICK, Ocст. 12, 1847. -This day the

quarterly meeting of Presbytery was held here and duly constituted. Inter alia, in regard to the questions as to the state of religion in the different congregations, it was agreed that a Committee consisting of the Moderator, Messrs. Hay, Anderson, Thomson, and Edwards, Mr. Hay to be Convener, be appointed to revise said questions, and report at next meeting of Presbytery. Questions ordered by the Presbytery to be placed in the hands of the Convener.

After hearing the statement made by Mr. Thomson in regard to Alnmouth, and in the absence of other members of Committee, Messrs. Anderson and Lennie, it was agreed to delay the consideration of the same till next meeting of Presbytery.

Next quarterly meeting of Presbytery to be held at Felton, on the second Tuesday in January, at twelve o'clock. Closed with

prayer.

MORPETH MANSE, OCT. 27, 1847.-A pro re nata meeting of Presbytery was held here this day, in consequence of a requisition addressed to the Moderator, signed by Messrs.

Anderson and Edwards.

the

Islington, in memory of their beloved pastor,

THE REV. JOSIAS WILSON,

light they for season, and for

blessed result of whose labours many of them

shall praise God through eternity.

He was distinguished for ardent piety, fervent eloquence, abundant labours, and pastoral de

votedness.

In a comparatively brief career he concentrated a vast amount usefulness, and was the instrument, in the hands of the Master whom he loved, of forming or enlarging four prosperous congregations,

At Tassagh, Drogheda, Belfast, and London. fearless in rebuking sin-an able advocate of He was a zealous witness for Evangelical truthChristian missions-eminently Catholic in his spirit-the friend of the young-the comforter of

the afflicted, and the father of the poor.

After having served his own generation, by the will of God, he fell asleep on the 13th of April, In the forty-eighth year of his age, and the twentysixth of his ministry, Breathing a desire to depart, and be with Christ."

""He was a good man, full of the Holy Ghost and faith, and much people was added to the Lord.' "- Acts xi. 24.

STAFFORD.

On the evening of Tuesday, the 2d ult., a missionary meeting was held in the Presby

terian Church, Stafford. The chair was occu

pied by the Rev. James Speers. The meeting was addressed by Rev. Geo. Lewis, Dudley; Rev. John Bryson, Wolverhampton; John Henderson, Esq., Birmingham, Rev. T. S.

Chalmers, Stafford; and Rev. J. M. Martyn, Hanley. During the evening a Ladies' Auxiliary Missionary Association was formed, " for the purpose," as expressed in the Reso

lution moved

by Mr. Henderson, "of diffusing

more extensively a missionary spirit, and raising funds to aid in carrying out the objects of the home and foreign missions of the Presbyterian Church in England." The proceedings were most interesting, and listened to throughout with great attention. During the following week, a meeting of the members of the congregation was held, at which four deacons and three elders were

chosen, to aid their minister in carrying on the good work more efficiently.

ST. PETER'S CONGREGATION, LIVERPOOL.

We have great pleasure in intimating to the
friends of the congregation, that the Rev.
Walter Smith, of the Free Church, Half-
Morton, has received a call, and that the

The meeting being constituted, sederunt | Rev. Gentleman has accepted the same.

HARBOTTLE SABBATH SCHOOL.

A PUBLIC examination of this institution took place on Sabbath the 14th ult. The morning was particularly favourable at this season of the year, allowing the children to come forward at the appointed hour. We had also much pleasure in seeing so many of their parents and other members of the congregation present, to behold the first examination of the school, and give their countenance on the interesting occasion, to the superintendent and teachers, who have laboured so indefatigably through the season in their work of faith and labour of love. When praise and prayer were offered up, the minister ascended the desk. The business

for which they had assembled commenced by the children reading a portion of, and being questioned upon, the 19th chapter of the Gospel by Luke; their answers abundantly evinced the carefulness and diligence with which they had made themselves acquainted with this important portion of Holy Scripture, as well as coincident passages and Bible history. After this, the Shorter Catechism was introduced; and here it was equally creditable to themselves, and gratifying to their teachers, not only to hear them repeat the answers, but give full proof that they understood something of their meaning. Mr. Cathcart intimated that he had intended to address both teachers and scholars,

but that the time was fully exhausted. However, he spoke a word of encouragement to both, and then left the managers of the school to distribute among the children little tokens of their esteem and approval, which were supplied by the congregation from a collection for the purpose on a previous Sabbath. The countenances of the children sufficiently indicated that they were satisfied with the morning's procedure. May they be profited as well as pleased, and reap the benefit of a religious education, and grow in grace, whilst they increase in knowledge!

Besides the school, the minister conducts a large Bible class of interesting young people of both sexes. It is also gratifying to know, that the library in connexion with this Church is now opened, supplying useful knowledge to those who have availed themselves of its advantages; and though its volumes are not numerous, yet now that it is commenced, we shall look for an increase, and pray for its success, as an instrument to aid in helping on the kingdom of our Lord in the hearts of this people.

"Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it."

CONVOCATION OF EPISCOPAL CLERGY.

An unusual scene took place at the Convocation of the clergy of the Northern Province, held at York, at their customary meeting at the commencement of Parliament. In 1841, at the last election, the Convocation excited no interest, and few members were present. On this occasion, however, there was a full attendance, it being understood that some break would be attempted in the ordinary routine of business. By Royal Commission, one of the canons of the Cathedral presided in the place of the Archbishop. Archdeacon Wilberforce moved an Address to the Queen, on the state of the nation as to religion and

education, and was proceeding to speak, when | posture. This seems worse than giving a he was interrupted by the President, as having stone, it is giving poison,-instead of bread. no right to introduce such a matter. A dis- -Edinburgh Witness.

cussion having commenced, the President

desired the vergers and officers to attend him, and declared the meeting dissolved. Archdeacon Wilberforce and some of the clergy remaining behind after the others had retired, the President sent a messenger to say that the room was about to be locked, but that the library of the Cathedral was at their service. Having declined this offer, the lingerers dispersed. We have not much admiration for the Archdeacon of the East Riding, but we are glad to see in any quarter symptoms of reviving spirit in the English Church. For more than a century her synodical assemblies have been mere empty ceremonies; and though the Houses of Convocation at any time were poor kinds of representative courts compared with those of the Presbyterian Churches, yet their revival would afford some opportunity for public discussion and expression of opinion, which the English Church is at present wholly without. The meeting of Convocation of the Southern Province of Canterbury passed over in the usual quiet and uninteresting way. The Latin oration in St. Paul's was no doubt very edifying to all who understood it. The clergy afterwards assembled in the Jerusalem Chamber at Westminster for their routine forms. How different a scene from that which the same chamber witnessed exactly two centuries ago, when the celebrated Westminster Assembly was preparing the Confession of Faith and the Standards of our Presbyterian Church.

WHY IS O'CONNELL'S SOUL SO LONG IN
PURGATORY?

PRAYERS and gloomy ceremonies are still being offered in the Popish chapel here for the deliverance of the soul of O'Connell from purgatory. Did not Dr. Miley say long ago that his soul was "in heaven," and that he had sent his heart to Rome and his body to Ireland? Why, then, is his soul still said by Dr. Gillis, and by all the present proceedings of the Popish Church, to be "in purgatory?" Can any of our readers solve this problem? The fact is, Rome, true to her old instincts, wishes to make merchandize of O'Connell's soul, as she will by and by do of his heart; and bewildered Protestants, "wondering after the beast," look on the impious and absurd tomfoolery, and say, "It is very impressive." This successful imposture emboldens Rome in her present bold attempt to regain ascendancy in Britain. A gentleman in town who has a Popish servant, asked him why they kept O'Connell so long in purgatory? Said he, " I don't know, but it is a great shame, for he was a very decent man." The simple man was not acquainted with the depths of the "mystery of iniquity." Edin. Witness.

SUBSCRIPTIONS BY RICH POPISH BISHOPS.

IN our last paper Dr. Cantwell, Popish Bishop of Meath, was said to be a subscriber of 10,000l. to a new Jesuit College about to be started in Dublin. This was said to be from "immense charitable funds, of which he has the sole right of appropriation." It would be interesting to know why more of these funds were not forthcoming whilst thousands of the Irish were lately, and are still, dying for want. A friend suggests that Dr. Cantwell, -a most ominous name, should be urged to de-cant some of his stores for the really charitable purpose of feeding the starving people, instead of thus misapplying them by erecting nurseries of im

FINE THE PRIESTS.

ASSASSINATION is going on at a fearful rate in

the Popish parts of Ireland, and Government is at a loss what steps to pursue to arrest crime. An Irish gentleman proposes, in the "Times," the following as an effectual remedy:" Let a fine be inflicted on the parish priest of every or any parish in which a murder shall have been committed, a fine say of 50l., and I will stake my life for it, murders will vanish immediately. The priests could readily put a stop to these atrocious brutal murders by refusing absolution to the murderers; but so long as absolution can be had for 2s. 6d., so long will men be found to shoot

a man for the same sum."

Missionary Entelligence.

CORFU MISSION. - DEATH OF MISS GREIG.

It will be in the knowledge of some of our readers, that Miss Greig, who went out in August, 1846, to take charge of the Jewish female school, was compelled by failing health to quit her charge and the island during last summer. Having reached Bergamo in Italy, her strength failed, and she was obliged to seek an asylum in the hospital there, and resumed her journey in great weakness and exhaustion. In the meanwhile, her father, hearing of her illness, hastened from Scotland to join her; but, when he reached Bergamo, he found that his daughter had already left it, and it was not till he got back to London that they met. But on her homeward journey the Lord raised up a friend to the sick and solitary traveller; and through the assistance generously afforded by this good Samaritan, she was enabled to reach this city, and was soon after removed to her father's residence in Scotland. There she lingered in all the debility and suffering of consumption in its latter stages till October, when she was taken home to the rest of God. Her labours in the cause of Israel have thus been very brief, and besides the severe trial occasioned by the temporary desertion of the scholars, these labours must have been conducted, as the result has shown, with the seeds of disease and death already developing in her constitution. But it was for Christ's name's sake, we doubt not, that she laboured; and though she was not privileged to see the school organized and flourishing according to her sanguine hope, she has had the honour to begin the work. Into that work others have entered, and we humbly trust that the Lord has a blessing yet in store.

absorbed in teaching his Jewish scholars, that it is very incumbent on the Committee to send a male teacher to Mr. Charteris's aid. Following the example so nobly set by the ladies of Liverpool, we hope that Manchester, Newcastle, Sunderland, Brighton, and other large towns, will soon render effective aid to the Association, and that this one desideratum may ere long be supplied.

Miss Mackenzie, who has been highly recommended to the Committee, and who with

a

familiar

other advantages, combines knowledge of the languages spoken in Corfu, has entered on her labours as teacher of the Jewish female school.

We give the following extract from Mr. Charteris's letter of October 9:

"I am thankful to say that I have scarcely been once unable for public work since I

came. Last Sabbath I was somewhat unwell, and might not have been able for both services, but our veteran friend, Mr. Lowndes, had come from Italy, and seemed anxious to take both my services, wishing to preach to the soldiers in the morning, and also to his former friends in the evening. He is on his way to Athens, whither he has sailed to-day, where he and some others are occupied with the revision of the Greek Scriptures. There accompanied him here from Italy a Romish priest, who was a parish priest at Rome, a pupil of Dr. A-, now at Malta, and for a long time desirous to make his escape. About twelve years ago, with two others, he had agreed to leave Rome on a certain day. He had taken the precaution to destroy all his papers, but the other two had not done so, and they were thrown into the prison of the Inquisition, from which they were not released till the accession of the present Pope. A year ago Mr. L- called upon our friend with a verbal message from Dr. A-. That was the first time he had dared to open his lips to any one, and to declare his sentiments. The interview was brief, but joyful and encouraging to Mr. L-, who called this year with another message. The priest, Dr. Di L-, was now resolved to give up all for Christ. He left Rome on leave of absence to go to the shrine of Loretto, thence he came to Ancona, where he joined Mr. and Mrs. L-, and came here without difficulty, thus escaping from a danger and tyranny, which it requires only a few sentences of a refugee to convince us are as pressing at Rome under the present Pontiff as at any former period. A number of political offenders have been pardoned, but the utterance of a few words are yet enough to bring down on the unwary the vengeance of the Inquisition. The present Pope he describes as a bigoted Papist, constantly speaking of the Protestants as his enemies, &c. We have been all much pleased with Dr. Di L-. He seems a man of no mean acquirements as a Latin and Greek scholar. He speaks Spanish and French very well. He has a fine expression of countenance, and, better than anything else, he seems to be a man of devoted piety. I have seen the manuscript of a letter which he intends to send to his late superiors at Rome as soon as he reaches Malta. There is a beautiful freshness about it, and his views appear to me well

Our friends at Corfu were gratified early in September by a visit from the Rev. Andrew Donald, Free Church minister of Blackford; and this being the first visit of a Presbyterian minister since our Mission was formed, advantage was taken of it to ordain a Ruling Elder. The choice of the congregation fell on Mr. Francis Campbell, and at an interesting service on the 8th of Sept., conducted by Mr. Charteris and Mr. Donald, Mr. C. was set apart to his office. The Presbyterian | matured-the result of a careful comparison of myself thought it would be better to make him up a little purse by contributions from such as we thought might approve of his separation from Rome, and to-day we have realized for him twenty-one dollars and a-half. Sir James Reid, Mr. Frazer, Mrs. England, and a number of others, contributed very cheerfully to bring him on his way."

congregation now worship in a room granted for that purpose within the barracks, and though there is no Scotch regiment in the island, many soldiers attend Mr. Charteris's ministry. On the Sabbath before he last wrote, his military hearers amounted to 100. But so many are the labours of our excellent missionary, and so much of his time is

the word of God with the errors of Rome. It will probably be published in the 'Malta Indicator.' He sails (D.V.) to-morrow morning for Malta. His funds were ascertained to be scarcely adequate to carry him there, and Mr. L- having suggested to Mr. Aand me that we should all three make up a loan to him of twenty dollars, Mr. A-and

INDIA.

FROM a letter addressed to the Manchester
Presbyterian Churches, by their catechist

in India, we take the following extracts :

"Free General Assembly's Institution,
Madras, 12th September, 1847.

"MY DEAR FRIENDS, -You will remember
that when I last wrote to you we were at
Conjeveram, in the enemy's country, as
ambassadors for Christ. The doings of the
Lord to us since that time have been marked
by the profound wisdom of our Father, and
the tender care of our Saviour.

"At Conjeveram, and at Chingleput, in January last, we had many opportunities to declare the Gospel of Christ. By this means the Lord strengthened the cords of our desires to preach Christ in season and out of season. In Chingleput especially, we saw both the advances that the truth has made and the opposition which it meets with.

"A native gentleman of some standing in society, the principal Sudr Ameen of Chingleput, and who is also an accomplished Tamil scholar, sends his children to our school. He has himself undertaken to examine the Scriptures, and has already finished more than half the Old, and is now examining the New Testament. It has been the general experience of all the missionaries in India, that the Moonshees (Tamil scholars) are the most difficult subjects of approach. He was employed many years ago by some of the missionaries in the translation of the Bible, but without being interested or impressed by the truths that he read and heard. God, unto whom all things are possible, opened up the way of intercourse between him and us. His mind was especially interested when the types and figures of the Old Testament were explained to him. We were struck with his intelligent and careful investigation of the truths of our religion, and with his apparent candour. The last time that we were there he had some difficulties on the subject of the Trinity. Mr. Anderson set before him the real nature of the subject, and when his mind was convinced that it was the creature's duty as well as its highest glory to acquiesce in the declarations of its Creator, his mind gave way to the simple belief of the truth. Many a time he was impressed and heard gladly all the things that were spoken to him. The truth as it is in Jesus was directly and individually set

before him, and it seemed that the time of emancipation was fast approaching. May the arrows of Divine truth enter sharply into the heart of the King's enemies, yea, into the heart of this Hindoo, that this promise may be fulfilled, And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall entreat thy favour.' (Psalm xlv. 12.) This gentleman has already suffered from the bigotted Hindoos much on account of his attachment to our missionaries, and of his inclination to the Christian religion.

"Simeon of old, by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, said, when he saw Jesus, 'Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel: and for a sign which shall be spoken against.' Though the Gospel has made some advances here, yet it meets with

" I remain, my dear friends,
"Yours, in Christian affection,

"S. ETTIRAJOOLOO.

"To the Secretary of the Juvenile Missionary Association of the English Presbyterian Churches in Manchester."

NEW ZEALAND.

universal, keen, and unrelenting opposition. | common people.' Such is the nature of the
Our work would have been easy if the work in which we are engaged.
righteously condemned criminals had been
willing to receive the message of for-
giveness with becoming cordiality, but
everywhere and in all places the Gospel is
contemptuously looked upon and disdainfully
rejected. As an instance, on the second day
of our examination there were assembled
together more than four hundred respectable
inhabitants of Chingleput, many of whom
had never before been reached by any of the
missionaries. You will remember that in
the days of the apostle Paul, 'when the
Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the
word of God was preached of Paul, at Berea,
they came thither also, and stirred up the
people,' (Acts xvii. 13,) so now, when the
Brahmins of Conjeveram had knowledge that
the Word of God was preached by us at
Chingleput, they came thither also, and
stirred up the people. There were also Ma-
homedan opposers of the Gospel.

"The youths of our branch school had written upon the Internal Evidences of a True Revelation from God,' and we were called upon to criticise the essays. This gave us abundant scope to attack every system of error, and to establish the truth upon a firm

and solid basis. Neither Hindooism nor

Mahomedanism was spared in the contest. When the nakedness of both these religions was laid bare, one Mahomedan, the son of the Mahomedan judge of the place, in the heat of the discussion, as if unable to contain himself, said, that we should not touch Mahomedanism nor any religion. When he was spoken to, he grew so proud and haughty that he was obliged to leave the place. What does this prove but the power of prejudice in favour of one's own religion, and that his hatred to Christianity was so great, that it overcame his common sense, self-respect, regard to others, and public sentiment. The Brahmins grew impatient when they perceived that the plain and firm statement of the truth was the uprooting of their system; they sent in a note, saying, 'That skill in disputation, and the number of shastras, should be the test of a revelation from God.' At this time the whole multitude were wrought up to a very great pitch of excitement. Anxiety, impatience, and suspense seemed to be written upon their countenances. When it was announced that A. Venkataramiah would answer them in their own language, there was immediate silence; the people rushed to every avenue, and those that were at a distance came near, and for a time there was a death-like silence. When my dear brother stood up and proceeded to lay down the marks by which we ought to try a revelation, one of the Brahmins, heedless of his sanctity, came rushing in through the press, and sat prominently before the speaker. He sat firm and erect, though restless, his eyes beaming forth active enmity and revenge, and his mouth quivering ready for action. But when his friends who sent him saw that he was alone, and that the massive weapons of a well-skilled combatant were falling heavily upon the impregnable defences of Hinduism, now beginning to totter, four or five of them rushed in and sat on the same bench. Numbers inspired them with boldness-they began to disturb the speaker. When they were told that time would be given them to answer the objections, and to defend their own religion, they grew worse; and they became so unmanageable, that they themselves withdrew from the place, protesting as they went out, 'that we were speaking what was false, and spoiling the faith of the

IN the supplement of the "New Zealander," for May 8, 1847, we find the report of a most interesting meeting held at Auckland on the 4th of May, for the purpose of adopting resolutions towards the erection of a Presbyterian church, and the procuring a clergyman from the Free Church of Scotland. The speeches and whole proceedings on the occasion manifested a very excellent state of feeling on the part of the emigrants in that quarter. At the meeting a sum of 728l. was subscribed, and in the days intervening before the publication of the paper 3921. had been added, 1,120l. in all. We believe that this good work will prosper; and that the Free Church have taken steps for meeting the views of these Presbyterians at the antipodes. We commend the cause to the sympathy and prayers of our people, and we trust that our brethren at Auckland will communicate to us anything interesting in their movements,

COMFORT IN BEREAVEMENT.

LET not excess of love and delight in the stream make us forget the fountain, he and all his excellencies came from God, and flowed back into their own spring; there let us seek them, thither let us hasten after him; there, having found him, let us cease to bewail among the dead that which is risen. or rather was immortal: his soul conversed with God so much when he was here, that it rejoices to be now eternally freed from interruption in that blessed exercise: his virtues were recorded in heaven's annals, and can never perish; by them he yet teaches us and all those to whose knowledge they shall arrive, 'tis only his fetters, his sins, his infirmities, his diseases, that are dead, never to revive again, nor would we have them; they were his enemies and ours; by faith in Christ he vanquished them: our conjunction, if we had any with him, was indissoluble; if we were knit together by one spirit into one body of Christ, we are so still; if we were mutually united in one love of God, good men, and goodness, we are so still. What is it then we wail in his remove? The distance? Faithless fools! sorrow only makes it. Let us but ascend to God in holy joy for the great grace given to his poor servants, and he is there with us. He is only removed from the malice of his enemies, for which we should not express love to him in bang afflicted; we may mourn for ourselves that we come so tardily after him, that we want his guide and assistance in our way; and yet, if our tears did not put out our eyes, we should see him even in heaven, holding forth his flaming lamp of virtuous examples and precepts to light us through the dark world. It is time that I let into your knowledge that splendour which, while it cheers and enlightens your heavy senses, let us remember to give all his and our glory to God alone, who is the Father and fountain of all light and excellence." - From the Preface to the "Memoir of Colonel Hutchison," Governor of Nottingham Castle for the Parliament during the Civil War; written by his widow.

:

Poetry.

proper employment for man. It is fitted to improve men's capacities with their comforts;

LINES WRITTEN IN OLNEY CHURCH, BUCKS, and, unlike war, while it exalts many this is

ON THE EVENING OF THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1824.

OFT in these aisles, the gladly pleasing sound,
Of grace and mercy which through Christ abound,
Have issued from the lips now seal'd by death:-
'Twas here that Newton long employ'd his breath,
Sinners to call to Christ, and saints to tell,

What boundless blessings in the Saviour dwell!
The poet Cowper's friend, who worshipp'd here,
And found the Gospel Truth his spirits cheer,*
And Moses Brown, and Stephenson, and Scott,§
Horne, Bean, and Ousby,** must not be forgot;
But if a stranger might selection make,

'Tis Newton's name he specially would take,

On which to dwell, how here with love, and zeal, full fraught,

The sacred doctrine of the Lord he taught;

Till, in a larger sphere, he did proclaim,

The love and glories of a Saviour's name;
The fight he fought, our holy faith he kept,
Then, late in life, he in his Jesus slept! ft
Still in this Church the Gospel is proclaim'd
By Gauntlet, not of Jesus Christ asham'd;
Who calls the wanderers to the Saviour's fold,
And saith to all. "The Lamb of God behold!"
A friend and fellow helper breathes this prayer,-
In Olney's church may Gauntlet long declare
(If heaven's will be so), the Gospel sound,

And proofs of saving power and grace abound;
Till time shall cease, may faithful men succeed,
Sinners to warn, and for their God to plead;
May Olney now her many mercies prize,
In time be made unto salvation wise,
Lest Olney should, at last-but, oh! too late,
Bethsaida and Chorazin's awful fate
Receive, because their Visitation Day,

In sin and guilt they squandered soon away! #
Olney, in mercy thou hast long been rais'd,
Improve thy season, and let God be prais'd.

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R. H. SHEPHERD.

See his Life and Correspondence, by Hayley.

† Mr. Brown was author of two poetical pieces, entitled, "An Essay on the Universe," and "Sunday Thoughts;" and also a translation of Professor Zimmerman's "Excellency of the Knowledge of Jesus Christ."

The Rev. Christopher Stephenson; on the Advent

Sunday, Nov. 27, 1814, he said, "I'm on the wing-I'm on the wing;" and on the night following his spirit took its flight to the bosom of Jesus.

§ Afterwards Chaplain of the Lock Hospital, London; on retiring from which, March, 1803, he became Rector of Aston Sandford, Bucks. His sound, devotional, and practical Commentary on the whole Scriptures, is above all praise, and will long remain a memorial of his industry, piety, and extensive theological knowledge. He was born Feb. 4, 1747; and died April 16, 1821. See his interesting Life, by the Rev. John Scott, particularly from page 150 to 215, referring to Olney.

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See his Letters on Missions.
Afterwards Librarian of the British Museum, and

author of a most excellent volume of Family Prayers.
the county of Middlesex. Died at Poole, Feb. 1841.

Afterwards Chaplain of the House of Correction in

+ The Rev. John Newton was born, July 24, 1725. His first sermon at Olney Church was preached in May, 1764, from Psalm lxxx. 1. He removed to London, and entered on his public work at St. Mary Woolnoth, Lombard-street, on Lord's Day, Dec. 19, 1779. The living was presented to him by the late truly excellent John Thornton, Esq. The last time he attempted to speak in the church was Dec. 1806. He departed this life Dec. 21, 1807, in the 83d year of his age.

11 Matt. xi. 20-25. Luke xix. 41-44.

Notices of Books.

Sermon Preached On

the Thanksgiving-day,

Sabbath, Oct. 17, in St. Peter's-square Church,
Manchester. By the Rev. ALEX. MUNRO,
A.M. Manchester; Charles Ambery. Lon-
don: James Nisbet and Co.

An excellent and suitable sermon for the occasion. The text is from Joel ii. 26, "And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you; and my people shall never be ashamed." It is an eloquent and impressive statement of thanks giving for deliverance from troubles, and of praise for undeserved mercies. There are faithful admonitions also in the discourse on subjects suited to an audience such as Mr. Munro's, chiefly occupied in the affairs of commerce. After a graphic description of Britain's greatness at home and abroad, he says

"Such are the triumphs of our trade. But are there no drawbacks to be noted on the

balance sheet? no moral losses? no spiritual risks? Commerce, like 'the law, is good, if we use it lawfully.' It is a gift of God, and a

at the expense of none; binding nations, too,

in the bonds of brotherhood. But the best things may be overdone; and so perverted. This high pressure of trade among us, is, therefore, not without its hazards and its ills. Oh! tell me, is there no loss incurred, when usurping the throne of the heart, it leads us to give God a secondary place there_to overlook the giver in straining our eyes on the probable gift? Is there no loss, when the avaricious spirit is quickened within us, and the Holy Spirit quenched by the dross of this world's getting? Is there no risk lest, while forecasting

our bargains or counting our gains, we may hold at discount 'the one thing needful, and see, dimmed by the glories of commerce, 'the glory that is to be revealed? Is there no risk, amidst the eager competitions that prevail, lest, in our expedients, though we cross not the line of honesty, we may yet contract a wiliness of habit which is at variance with 'the simplicity that is in Christ? Is there, when disappointed in our sanguine speculations, no hazard of having our minds envenomed by envy and chagrin ? or, amidst sudden successes, of being inflated with pride, which tramples down the lowly graces of the Christian? Ah! there is, there surely is, danger, and that of the darkest cast. And what, if God, to counteract these hazardous influences, send a wail among our merchants, which may reach from the loftiest Exchange to the lowliest cottage in the land!"

Pastoral Counsels against Error. By the Rev. J. BURNS. Whitehaven: Crosthwaite and

Co. London: Nisbet and Co. 1847.

WE commend to our readers, and especially to ministers, this very faithful and affectionate hand-book of a pastor's counsels against prevailing errors. The doctrine of man's depravity and helplessness, and of the free and distinguishing grace of God to sinners, as opposed to Arminian and Morisonian tenets, are stated with solid argument and clear evidence from the word of God.

LADY GLENCAIRN AND SAMPSON
THE MILLER.

THE following forms a note appended to the Memoir of the late Mr. Coutts of Brechin, in the volume of his sermons which has just appeared. The Memoir, including the note, is from the pen of the Rev. Thomas Guthrie: "Such a one was Lady Glencairn; and, though not directly connected with Mr. Coutts' history, the following incident with which her honoured name was associated will perhaps afford the best of all illustrations of the state of matters at that time in Scotland. We may observe that Lady Glencairn was a singular child both of providence and grace. Her birthplace was the village of Ochiltree. In that village, side by side, there lived a weaver who had three daughters, and a widow who had an only son. The son left his widowed mother to

enlist in the army and

go abroad as a common soldier. Time passed on, the infirmities of years came on the lone widow, amid which her humble neighbour showed her much kindness. Her boy far away and never heard of, he was as a son to her; and when at length she died, he laid her head in the grave. Years passed on, and, when the grass had grown green on the widow's grave, and her son had been long forgotten, the news rang through Ochiltree that the widow's son had come back again,'he that was lost was found.' From round to round, from step to step, the soldier boy had risen, till he returned to his fatherland Governor of the Leeward Islands, and the possessor of an immense fortune. On

inquiring into the circumstances of his mother's latter years and death, his ear was filled and his heart was melted with the story of her humble neighbour's kindness. The weaver had proved a son to the soldier's mother; the soldier would be a father to the weaver's daughters; and, so settling on them his noble fortune, he educated and reared them in a style becoming their future rank. Two of them were afterwards highly married in England. The third wore the honours of Glencairn; and, when lady of the lands on which, when a little bare-footed, sun-browned gleesome child, she used to feed her father's cow, she was wont to say that the herd lassie was as happy singing on the lea as now when she was lady of all these lands. Now, this child of providence was also a daughter of grace, and used all the influence which her noble rank and high character gave in favour of evangelical truth. This singular history, with the circumstances we have referred to and are now about to relate, we learned in making some inquiries about a former inhabitant of Ochiltree. In passing through that village our curiosity was awakened by reading this strange inscription on one of its houses"'INSCRIPTION. ---This is Samson's Square; the property of John Samson, farmer in Cooperhill: consisting of 1 acre, 2 roods, and 31 falls-on which he has built 13 houses, 9 of them in 15 months. Long may he live to do good, and die in the fear of the Lord. 1808.'

"Sure that the builder of this house must

have been a character, we were curious to know something of his history, and found that in him Providence had employed an instrument to preserve a pure gospel among the people of Ochiltree. The death of a pious and worthy minister had left the pulpit vacant. The farmers, affected by the Socinianism of the neighbouring parishes, had resolved to have no more fanatics in Ochiltree; and, in compact with the ungodly ministers around, they fixed on their man-a cold, lifeless preacher. This settled, and counting all secure, three of them agreed to ride next day to Edinburgh, where Lady Glencairn resided, from whom, as the representative of the people, they expected to get a promise in favour of their nominee.

"Some bird of the air carried the news of this well laid plot to miller Samson. Like a wise man, he kept the secret to himself. It was the summer time. Samson was up at the peep of day, and the sun rose on our friend breasting the hills between Ochiltree and Edinburgh. The well-mounted farmers, little dreaming who was ahead of them, took it easily. By the time Samson had come in sight of Edinburgh he heard the tramp of horsemen behind him. It went to Samson's heart; for he saw that though he had the strength of his namesake, they would outstrip him in the race. However, the sun by this

time was well-nigh down; and it instantly occurred to him that the farmers, having themselves and horses to bait, would postpone till to-morrow their visit to Lady Glencairn, unless the sight of him should awaken their alarm; and so, if he could conceal himself, he might steal a march on them in the morning, and be the first, after all, to get her Ladyship's ear. Samson in a moment clears the ditch, and lies safe in the bosom of a broom bush. The farmers jog merrily on, little thinking who listens and lies beneath the broom. So soon as Samson, cautiously peeping out, finds that the foe are out of sight, he issues forth; and, in the hope the farmers would be content for that night to enjoy the comforts of the Harrow Inn, he

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