we would have had none of these Gnostic exemplifications which characterize his theological and moral contemplations. Far indeed from possessing that childlike trust which, removed from the outer circle of doubt and difficulty, yields itself into the arms of the Divine perfections, on the wings of love, and with ascriptions of praise and adoration, Foster so mingled his faith with knowledge, that is, with the gnosis, so perverted his views of truth by the disturbing medium of the human element, that on a point of the highest moment, as we have seen, he was constrained to doubt, and even to disbelieve.

The moral condition of mankind was a theme too congenial to his peculiar susceptibilities not to arouse, in a large measure, his morbid appreciation. It was, in fact, a theme over which he had brooded to a dangerous excess. That dreadful debasement, those world-wide idolatries, that inveterate and universal perversity, all standing darkly forth, with but the faintest and most partial alleviation; that awful stream of immortal natures which has rushed, and rushes still, blinded and deceived, adown the abrupt channel of time to the gulf of eternity,-this was a contemplation which, regarded only in one aspect, and without the right corrective principle, appalled the mind of Foster.

His letter to Dr. Harris on this subject is startling, from the tone of its reflections on the Divine procedure; we may well conceive it, in charity, the production of a day of unusual disquietude and gloom, for it is at variance with the tone and spirit of some of his other writings. Indeed, nothing is more remarkable than the contrast between these occasional Gnostic ebullitions and the comparative genial and evangelical character which his letters and other productions assume, when he is brought to deal with saving truths in cases of immediate and practical urgency. Then does the blinding film, for a season, depart from the eye of his mind, and we see the Christian life more vividly shadowed forth from the dark background and his mental conformation. But in the letter to which we have referred, instead of resting on the aspect in which Scripture presents the subject, instead of the self-abandonment of confiding trust in the equity and infinite perfections of Jehovah, he looks at the lurid glare of sin and suffering, and finds a refuge from dark, rebellious thoughts, and distrustful feelings, only by a recourse to his belief in the non-eternity of punishment.

But in regard to an entirely different matter-the intermediate state of souls-a theme over which we think no dark shade could be flung by his constitutional pensiveness-even on this point we find all the manifestation of a Gnostic restlessness. So far as the vision of Immanuel, the embodiment and crown of the coming glory, is bedimmed by earthly interventions or spiritual infirmities, may we expect the earnest and contemplative mind to betake itself to the endeavour to conceive the "manner and circumstances" of that prospective and untried state of being. But a noble and realizing faith, by whose upbearing wings the shadows of vain speculative curiosity are brushed aside, cannot, from the necessity of its lofty nature, stay to discuss curious questions, or to disquiet itself in fruitless longings as to the mere conditions of that future existence, and as to the habitudes and occupations of emancipated spirits. To such a faith it is enough that the Beloved One shall be present; in that realized conviction, every speculative tendency finds satisfaction, and the whole being with confidence reposes. Nor, with the full explicitness of Scripture as to the character and certainty of the doom which awaits the reprobate and the unbelieving, can we find the slightest reason to regret, as Foster has regretted, that the

future state is not more unveiled, in order to lend to the motives which impel to well-doing a more intensified effect.

We have endeavoured, according to our limited space, to present some of the defects of the powerful and withal earnest and devout mind of John Foster, as a man of faith-as a believer in Christ. That he was a true believer is undoubted. The stay of his soul-that alone which bore him above the depths of misery and despair-was the atonement of the Saviour. His noble nature was for a season surrounded by clouds and dank vapours of earth. Let us trust that the fulness and gladness of eternal day have now broken upon him. And while we mark and deplore his errors, let us strive to attain to his practical excellencies.

J. H.

THE REV. NEWTON BLYTHE, M.A.

THE 13th of July was a solemn and a sorrowful day at Branton; for this day were committed to the tomb the mortal remains of the senior pastor of the congregation, the Rev. Newton Blythe, M.A., the Father of the Presbyterian Synod in England, who died on the 8th of July, in the eighty-fourth year of his age. After leaving Grenville House, the residence of the deceased, where the usual devotional services had been conducted by Messrs. Edwards and Gillespie, the funeral procession-the pall being borne by Messrs. Hoy, Anderson, Edwards, and Gillespiemoved onwards to the church at Branton, into which the body was carried, where a large number of the congregation and others-among whom was the Vicar of Whittingham-were in waiting to receive it; and where Mr. Hoy, after prayer, praise, and reading of the Scriptures, pronounced an oration tributary to the character of the departed father, and suggestive of the improvement to be made of the solemnizing event by his family, his flock, and his brethren in the ministry. The procession then resumed progress towards the church-yard at Ingram, the destined place of interment, where, amid the manifestations of unaffected sorrow, the dust of the deceased was consigned to the house appointed for all living. Seldom has any one gone down to the grave more deeply and deservedly lamented.

On Sabbath, the 17th instant, the funeral sermon was preached in the church at Branton, to a densely-crowded and deeply-solemnized congregation, by Mr. Anderson, of Morpeth, from the very appropriate text, Numbers xx. 28, 29,—“ And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son," &c., &c. With Mr. Anderson's permission we extract the conclusion of his sermon,

"And now, my brethren, you will have anticipated me in the application of these remarks. The emblems of mourning exhibited in this sanctuary to-day have already intimated, even to those who did not witness the recent solemnities conducted here, that death has been doing his work in this pulpit, and that the venerable form which so long occupied the place where I now stand will be seen in it no more. His ministry is closed-his mission is ended-he has finished his work and entered into his rest. And well may ye sorrow that ye shall see his face no more, for a great man has fallen in Israel—a man whose eulogy has been pronounced by a whole neighbourhood, in the spontaneous anxiety shown, on the day of his funeral, to do honour to his memory. On such an occasion it will be naturally expected that I should say something of the character and conversation of one so deeply and deservedly lamented. And though the statements I shall have to make cannot communicate new information to those who have had such a lengthened opportunity, as his pastorate afforded, of knowing and estimating his character, they may yet serve to stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance, and dispose you the more sacredly to cherish his memory, not merely from the promptings of affection, but from the dictates of intelligent conviction.

"The Rev. Newton Blythe was born at Kirkley, in the year 1770: he was son

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of the Rev. John Blythe, minister of the Presbyterian congregation there, and author of" An Exposition of the Thirty-nine Articles of the Church of England," '—a work which, though now very scarce, yet still remains to testify to his argumentative powers as a logician, and to his erudition as a theologian. Under the care of his excellent father, your late pastor enjoyed the benefit of a godly uptraining, and soon entered on those studies which were suited to the views he had early entertained of devoting himself to the work of the ministry. In due time he was sent to the University of Glasgow, where he passed through the ordinary collegiate course of instruction in the languages, mathematics, philosophy, and general literature, and took his degree of M.A. He subsequently studied theology, and after undergoing the prescribed trials was licensed to preach the Gospel by the Presbytery of the bounds, then known by the name and designation of the Northumberland Class. In 1797 he was ordained minister of the Presbyterian congregation, Malings Rigg, South Sunderland, where he laboured for twelve years with much acceptance. 1800 he was married to her who is now his widow. In the object of his early attachment he found, during a conjugal union of more than half a century, a partner in life of kindred principles and feelings-a sympathizing friend-a judicious counsellor-a prudent and devoted wife-and an affectionate mother to his children. Happy and harmonious was their fellowship for nearly fifty-three years. No contrary current of feeling on either side ruffled the pure stream of domestic enjoyment. The grief or the joy of the one was the grief or joy of both. They dwelt together in unity. They had but one heart between them, though it occupied two bosoms. In 1809 Mr. Blythe was translated to Branton, and of this congregation he has been pastor for the long period of forty-four years; during which he ministered counsel to the living, and comfort to the dying, and poured out the sacred symbol of consecration to the service of God on more than one-half of the people of his charge. Though the stipend here has always been larger than in most of our rural charges, it was inadequate to enable your late pastor to send a family of three sons and six daughters from home to be educated in that liberal manner in which a clergyman's children ought to be educated. To accomplish this desirable object-to secure an education for his family suited to their position in society, Mr. Blythe felt himself shut up to the necessity of opening an academy, in connexion with his pastorate; and it is gratifying to know that his services in that interesting field of labour were made tributary not only to the interests and extension of education, at a period when the means of scholastic training were less accessible than they are now, but to the leavening of the young minds, who, from various and distant places, were entrusted to his tuition, with sound religious principles. Many of his former pupils are now occupying important and influential positions in society; and of several of these, at least, it is known, that they regard Mr. Blythe as their spiritual father, and look back to his home at Grenville as the place of their better birth.

"To obviate any detriment to the interests of this congregation, which might have been apprehended to accrue from his advancing age, and the double duties which he had to discharge, Mr. Blythe associated with himself, on the call and invitation of the people, his own son, as assistant and successor in the work of the ministry. That union, while it has been most advantageous to you, was a source of much satisfaction to him for the last twenty years, during which it has subsisted. In his declining days, he took comfort from the thought that he had provided for the vacancy before it should occur; that after his decease there would be no divisions and unseemly contentions among you about choosing a successor, and that the flock which he had tended so long would not be left in the hands of a hireling, but transferred to the care of one who had indeed served with him as a son in the Gospel, and who would feed them beside the tent of the Chief Shepherd when He maketh the sheep of his pasture to rest at noon. Such, brethren, is a brief biographical outline of your late lamented pastor's pilgrimage through life. In adverting to his character, we may contemplate him, in the first place, as a Christian man. In that aspect we can confidently say, his conversation was such as becometh the Gospel: it was the out-growth of his inner life. He was a man of God. A heaven-imparted and heaven-fostered piety was the substratum of his character. He lived under the powers of the world to come. This gave its colouring and complexion to the whole of his outer man. Upright and affable-dignified and courteouscheerful and serious-sustaining the high bearing of the gentleman, with the meek

deportment of the Christian, he commanded the respect of the aged, and the love and confidence of the young. That he was without imperfection, even in the last and purest days of his life, I am not here to assert. But yet how seldom does any one leave behind him a memory on which it is so refreshing to look back. To the eye of man he was without rebuke; and oh! how seldom can a minister, speaking of the virtues of a deceased brother, or a departed father, so confidently appeal to a numerous congregation for the truth of what he affirms. Ye are witnesses, this day, how holily, and justly, and unblameably he behaved himself among you. In his domestic relations, as a husband, a father, and a master, the warmth of his benignant nature found free and ample scope for its constant development: few were ever privileged with a larger amount of domestic felicity. He had, indeed, his sorrows; but these resulted from the afflictive dispensations of Providence, and not from the misdoings of those that were dear to him. Thrice and again was he called to mourn for the dead, but never was he constrained to weep over the living in his household; and of the four members of his family, whom, at different ages, he consigned to the grave, he had, respecting them all, the good hope to comfort him, that they were not lost, but gone before, to await his arrival on that blissful shore, where they have now welcomed him to the joys of his Lord. As a pastor, he was a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth, and administering to each a portion in due season. His preaching was simple, scriptural, experimental, pointed, and practical, and rich in evangelical unction. Being allowed of God to be put in trust with the Gospel, even so he spake, not as pleasing men, but God, who trieth their hearts. You know how he exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, that ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you into his kingdom and glory. In catechetical instructions, in his visits to the sick, in his private intercourse with his people, while he was faithful, and kept back no part of the whole counsel of God, you, yourselves, brethren, know that he was gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children. Being affectionately desirous of you, he sought, by every instrumentality in his power, to promote your spiritual edification. In 1816, he instituted a Sabbath school in connexion with this congregation, which has ever since continued in a most flourishing condition, and been productive of saving good to many. In that school, up to the period of his last illness, he continued to teach a class of young men of from sixteen to twenty years of age, who found in him not only all the kindness of a faithful friend, but all the care of an anxious father, who travailed in birth till Christ should be formed in them. Though the seed which he sowed has not yet all sprung up, though the prayers that he offered are not yet all answered, it is satisfactory to know that his labour was not in vain in the Lord. In this well-cultured vineyard fruit has been ripened for heaven. Under his heart-searching ministry, souls have been born to God; and I believe there are fathers and mothers among you who, when your little children ask, 'what mean ye by this weeping and lamentation?' have this response to give 'Sinners were we ready to perish, and the Lord sent unto us the word of life and salvation by the lips of our departed minister; but the voice which first pointed us to the path of peace, and cheered us on our way to Zion, is silent in the dust, and we weep to think that we shall never listen to its well-known tones again; that by his removal one full channel of spiritual refreshment is shut up.' In speaking of the labours of your departed pastor, I cannot but remark what indeed was evident to all-that his heart was in his work. Though he might sometimes be weary in that work, he was never weary of it. He was determined to spend and be spent in the service of his Master. Age did not seem to weaken his powers-to cool his ardour -to blunt his feelings-or relax his energies; the blossoms of spring seemed blended with the fruitage of autumn. There was a liveliness in his ministrations which, amid the indications of outward decay, bespoke the vigour and healthiness of the inner man. In this respect he was a wonder unto many; and though it could not be said of him that his eye was not dim, by reason of age, nor his natural strength abated, the force and freshness of his mental faculties were unimpaired. He could still feed the flock over which he had been made overseer. He was not permitted to outlive his usefulness. He continued to take his share in the ordinary services of the sanctuary. His last public act was to lay the foundation-stone of the new Presbyterian church now being erected at Long Framlington. This was a befitting close to the official services of one who had a heart-love for our Zion; who took pleasure in her

stones, and favoured the dust thereof. On that occasion he delivered a most appropriate and exquisitely touching address, with great freedom, power, and energy. But it was his last: the Master seemed to look down from heaven with an approving eye, and to say, 'Well done, good and faithful servant!' for, from the services connected with that interesting ceremony, he returned home-to enter on his dying work. That work to him was comparatively easy, for death had already lost its sting. He was kept in perfect peace, because his mind was stayed upon his God. His sun went down in calm majesty-there was no cloud to obscure its setting. He said, I am quite happy; I have not realized the exalted attainments which some have been privileged to reach; but I have a good hope, through grace:' and it is remarkable that this was also the last declaration of his experience, emitted by his predecessor, the godly Mr. Somerville, whose memory is still fresh and fragrant among the older members of this congregation. During his sickness, he sought frequent refreshment from the deep and living well of Divine consolation, the word of God, which was ministered to him by the members of his family; and the portions of that word, from which he chiefly derived strength and comfort to his soul, in entering on his last conflict, were the 20th, 39th, 46th, and 84th Psalms, which I dare say will henceforth be all the more sweet and savoury to you on that account. On the evening of his last Sabbath on earth, he sung the 23rd Psalm, himself sustaining the tune throughout. Indeed, it is testified by those who tended his couch, that prayer and praise were never off his lips. Even in his occasional wanderings, the channel in which his thoughts and feelings had habitually flowed was impressively revealed, for he was then exclusively engaged in preaching or praying, or dispensing the sacraments. And, in his cool and collected moments, he bore on his heart, in earnest intercession to God, the interests of those who were dear to him. He prayed for his family-he prayed for his flock. He prayed for his son and successor, on whom the full charge of his flock would now devolve, that he might be faithful and affectionate to them all. He prayed for his medical attendants he prayed for the Sabbath-school; and when asked if he had any message to send to the teachers, and taught, there, and to his people at large, he said, 'He had much to say to them, but he could not say it now.' It was not needed, for ah! brethren, this pulpit and these walls, if they could speak, would testify that it had been said already, for he shunned not to declare unto you the whole counsel of God. Hearing the voice that called him home, he summoned around him the members of his family, and took a solemn and affectionate farewell of them all,-kissing them, and commending them to the care and keeping of their father's God. When one of them asked him to say something to her, which she might remember when he was gone, he said in his own emphatic way, 'Look to Jesus! in all your trials look to Jesus,-look always to Jesus!' And this may be regarded as the dying testimony of your departed minister, to the suitableness and all-sufficiency of that blessed Saviour, whom it was the joy and delight of his heart so often from this pulpit to commend to your cordial acceptance.

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Having served his generation, he fell on sleep. But his work was finished; his warfare was accomplished; his victory was won! Yes, brethren, he is gone! Aaron is stripped of his garments, and has entered within the veil. But Eleazar is here to minister in his stead. Though a bereaved, you are not an orphaned congregation. You are not left as sheep without a shepherd. The venerable father will no more break to you the bread of life, but the son remains to give you your portion of spiritual meat in due season, and of the same kind and quality as was dealt out to you so liberally by his father's hand. Pray for him, that the Spirit of the Lord may rest upon him; that the words of the Gospel from his lips may be clothed with a Divine unction and energy, and made the wisdom of God and the power of God unto your salvation. Pray that this favoured spot, which for generations has been like a well-watered garden, may still receive the early and the latter rain, and stand thickly planted with trees of righteousness, which even in old age shall bring forth fruit to the praise of God, to the glory of his grace."

[We have given this interesting and affecting Paper a more prominent place in our columns than is usual with obituary notices, chiefly as a tribute of respect to the honoured Father of our Synod, whose moral and Christian worth it so eloquently describes.-ED.]