honour of Christ as Head over all things to His body the Church. It must be no small comfort to these men that truth cannot be voted down. And no small comfort too considering the way their solemn statements were received in that deliberative and Free Assembly, that it cannot be hissed down. ESTABLISHED CHURCH ASSEMBLY. We regret we have left ourselves no space for remark on several interesting and important matters which were before this Assembly. We hail with strong satisfaction the very influential movement in the Established Church for the abolition of patronage. We wish its sup porters had had more decided success in the Assembly, though we regret that they rested their arguments rather on considerations of expediency than on the Scriptural rights and privileges of the Christian people. We much wished that, when Dr. Bisset was pouring out his feckless Moderatism, there had been a second Erskine to stand up and say, Moderator, rax me that Bible!" 66 "THE PRESBYTERIAN." SINCE the above remarks were written, we have happened to hear who the writer in "The Presbyterian" is who amuses himself, and tries to amuse his readers, by ridiculing the propensity of the Original Secession Magazine and of the Original Secession Synod for testifying." We only add, that the same sort of thing has been done with more wit some time before the Free Church minister of Dysart was born, and we might remind the reverend gentleman that, as not even the genius of Sir Walter Scott has succeeded in making the testimony of the "Scots Worthies" ridiculous, it is not likely that the attempt will be more successful in his hands, as directed against those who would follow in their steps. But it is significant of the spirit which animates the ruling party in the Free Church at present, that the very idea of a Church testifying against prevailing evils is regarded as an excellent joke. Our "censor's" sarcasm is. however, not so sharp as to cause much uneasiness to the objects of it, and we are glad to think there are still not a few in the Free Church who will be content to take their share of such assaults as he is capable of inflicting. All the ministers of the Free Church have not yet advanced so far with the spirit of the age" as to regard the Church as having reached her most prosperous estate, when the witnesses have "finished their testimony," and "they that dwell on the earth shall rejoice over them and make merry." Literature. The Question of the Day: The Duty of Nations to the True Religion, and the Church of Christ. By the Rev. E. Ritchie, Colmonell, author of Defence of Civil Establishments of Religion; Schism, &c. Glasgow George Gallie, 99, Buchanan Street, 1868. THE author of this short treatise is a veteran defender of civil establishments of religion, and of the duty of nations to the Church of Christ. More than thirty years since, when the Voluntary controversy was raging, and stirring to their depths all the religious denominations of the country, Mr. Ritchie appeared in the field of conflict, and in three able and conclusive lectures vindicated the right and duty of nations, as such, on the grounds of Scripture, reason, and past experience, to recognise, countenance, and support the true religion. And although attempts have been made, within these few months past, by certain parties, of whom other things might have been expected, to throw discredit upon the character and ability of these lectures, we rejoice to be able here to record, that Mr. Ritchie has produced the most indubitable evidence that they received, at the time of their publication, the marked approval of one who was acknowledgedly, facile princeps, the most competent judge of such matters-we mean the late Rev. Dr. M‘Crie; and we feel convinced that every candid person, who chooses still to read them, will be of the same opinion. In a prefatory note to the present publication the author states, that he has been urged to prepare and issue a second edition of these lectures; but that in the meantime he considers that a statement of the practical conclusions deducible from the principles maintained in them is, for the present, preferable, and likely to be more generally useful. These principles he accordingly applies to the four following important subjects:-I. NATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY; II. THE ESTAblishment of RELIGION; III. THE ENDOWMENT OF THE CHURCH; and IV. THE DETECTION AND EXPOSURE OF FALLACIOUS OBJECTIONS. The discussion of each of these topics is at once clear, comprehensive, and conclusive; while it cannot fail to interest as well as edify all who are desirous to be established in the truth. We warmly recommend the treatise to the perusal of our readers, particularly as, with Mr. Ritchie, we regard the main subject discussed as the "QUESTION OF THE DAY." As a specimen of the author's style, we select the following brief extract from the second section-"On the Establishment of Religion by a Nation:" "If a nation is so divided in religious sentiment that the conflicting parties are nearly equal, and a Scriptural Civil Establishment of the true religion is impracticable (as appears to be the present condition of our own nation in regard to Ireland), even then we are not released from our national duty to Christ and his Church; but we have incurred awful guilt, by bringing ourselves into this disability to serve Him and His Kingdom, and are underlying a grievous spiritual judgment by the Lord's having mingled a perverse spirit in the midst of us: and though, in these circumstances, a Church aiming at fidelity to Christ has no present prospect of being established and endowed by the State, yet it is on no account warranted to make the duty of the nation an open question, but is bound to testify that self-originating inability to perform duty can never exempt from moral obligation. The confounding of the language of the impious builders of Babel, so that they could not understand one another's speech, and were obliged to desist from what they had determined to do, was in this respect a great blessing to the world. But when the builders in Church and State are so divided in sentiment and speech, that they cannot agree about what is the true religion, or even about what is true in religion, or what religious instruction should form a part of the education of the people, and particularly of the young, this must be regarded as an unmitigated evil, and a woful judgment from heaven, for disregard to the Word of God, abuse of spiritual privileges, departure from the faith, and violation of solemn engagements to God and man. Our reforming ancestors did in effect adopt the language of Paul, and they were warranted to accommodate it to their own circum. stances, in so far as the constitution in Church and State was placed by them on a Scriptural basis :-'According to the grace of God given to us, we have laid the foundation, and others build thereon. But let every one take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation, gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day will declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. Now we have overthrown the walls of this cursed Jericho,' said Henderson, in the famous General Assembly at Glasgow in 1638, and let him that will rebuild them take heed lest he fall under the curse of Hiel the Bethelite."" The Reason of Hope. By a Glasgow Merchant. Paisley: J. & R. Parlane. Glasgow: MERCHANT though he is, the accomplished author of these tractates is manifestly no mean theologian. He is evidently well acquainted with the good old Scriptural Scottish divinity, formerly so much prized by the godly throughout our land, as it is developed in the racy pages of Thomas Boston, the Erskines, Willison, and such like; and what is better, he appears to be even more acquainted with his Bible, and to possess, in a high degree, the happy art of placing its precious contents in a lucid and attractive light before his readers. After carefully perusing each of the tractates-whose titles we have quoted abovewe have no hesitation in stating, that they are all pervaded by clear sound statements of Gospel truth, affectionately, persuasively, and, in not a few instances, very attractively put. The author is thoroughly in earnest, and has his whole soul filled with the double purpose of being instrumental, on the one hand, of plucking some poor, thoughtless, perishing fellow sinners out of the burning, and, on the other, of comforting and cheering the afflicted, desolate, and broken-hearted children of God. We earnestly trust, that through the grace of God, his benevolent design will be crowned with success. Our space will not permit us to analyse either of the small publications. Nor is this necessary, as we mean to advise our readers to procure them for themselves, and when they are satisfied of their excellence, and also of their fitness for distribution, to follow the course which, we have been given to understand, has to a large extent been pursued by their warm-hearted author, to spread them, so far as they have opportunity, broad-cast as good seed in all places, where they may apprehend they are needed, and where, by the Divine blessing, they may be rendered useful. We have met with no tracts of a similar kind for a long time with which we have been more heartily gratified, and which we can more readily recommend for wide circulation. We intended to give some extracts, but our space will not admit of this being done. Ecclesiastical Entelligence. OPENING OF THE ORIGINAL SECESSION HALL. THE Divinity Hall, under the inspection of the Synod of United Original Seceders, was opened on Tuesday, the 9th June, in Glasgow, with an able and instructive introductory lecture by the Rev. Professor Murray, D.D. entitled "Historical Sketch of Doctrinal Discussions in the Church, from the era of the Apostles to the era of the Reformation." Besides the Professor and nine of the students, there were present on that occasion-the Rev. Messrs. John Robertson, James Smellie, Thomas Hobart, John Barr, William B. Gardiner, and Mr. William Howie, ruling elder, Glasgow. The Convener of the Hall Committee reported that there were to be present this session, five regular students in connection with our own Synod, four in connection with the Irish Secession Synod, and two of our missionaries as hearers; that two of our students-Messrs. Gilchrist and Stirling-were to be licensed, and that other two -Messrs. Spence and Yuille-were to be taken on trials for license at the close of the Hall. It may be added, that Mr. Spence was, through indisposition, unable to deliver the trials prescribed to him at the end of last year. As there are only £15 3s in the Bursary Fund, it is earnestly recommended that friends send in their contributions to this Fund at their earliest convenience, in order that the Committee, at its meeting at the close of the Hall, may be able to determine what number, if any, of Bursaries are to be competed for this year. Through the Bursaries we not only give encouragement to our young men to prosecute their studies, but we manifest that we are really in earnest in praying to the Lord of the harvest to send forth labourers into His harvest. From the deep interest which the members of our body take in the welfare of the students, and the earnestness with which they cry for more labourers to the Lord's vineyard, we have no doubt that the recommendation of the Committee will be duly attended to, and that in giving their contributions members and friends will earnestly seek that the God of Zion may be constantly present, as the Friend and Teacher, in our theological seminary, may watch over all the interests of our Professor and students, give the young men a double portion of the spirit of the master, and bring them forth to the work of the ministry as "workmen that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." PRESBYTERY OF AYR. ORDINATION OF MR. A. T. M'CLENNAGHAN AT KILMARNOCK.-The Ayr Presby. tery of United Original Seceders, at a meeting held in Glasgow at the close of the Synod, appointed the ordination of Mr. Andrew Thomson M'Clennaghan, preacher of the gospel, to take place on Wednesday, the 10th June last. The Presbytery accordingly met at Kilmarnock on that day, and was constituted with prayer by the Rev. E. Ritchie, Colmonell, moderator. Present with him the Rev. George Roger, Auchenleck; Rev. John Robertson, Ayr; Rev. John Sturrock, Stranraer; and Rev. Thomas Robertson, Kilwinning; with the Rev. Professor Murray, D.D. Glasgow; Rev. John Barr, Coupar-Angus; and Rev. W. B. Gardiner, Pollockshaws, corresponding members. The public services were commenced with praise and prayer, conducted by the Rev. John Barr; the Rev. Thomas Robertson delivered the opening discourse from Rev. ii. 8-11; the Rev. E. Ritchie narrated the steps of procedure in the call, put the questions of the formula to Mr. M'Clennaghan, and offered up the ordination prayer, during which Mr. M'Clennaghan was solemnly set apart to the office of the holy ministry, and the pastoral charge of the congregation. The Rev. George Roger afterwards addressed the newly ordained pastor and his people on their respective duties and responsibilities, and the public services were concluded with devotional exercises by the Rev. W. B. Gardiner. At the close, Mr. M'Clennaghan received a cordial welcome from the members of the congregation. We have much pleasure in adding, that the day was favourable, the church well filled, the services impressive, the audience attentive, the collection liberal, and the congregation much encouraged by the prospect of again enjoying a fixed dispensation of gospel ordinances. On the Sabbath following, Mr. M'Clennaghan was introduced to his charge by the Rev. John Robertson, Ayr, who preached forenoon and evening, while he himself occupied the pulpit in the afternoon, selecting as the subject of his discourse the appropriate words of Paul to the Corinthians, 2d epistle, 4th chapter, 4th verse-"For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord." We are gratified to learn that the audiences on the Sabbath at all the diets were numerous and attentive, and we earnestly trust that the solemn services of that day, as well as those engaged in on the day of ordination, will be followed with an abundant blessing. GLASGOW PRESBYTERY. Ar the meeting of the Glasgow Presbytery of United Original Seceders, held on the 2d June, in accordance with the instructions received from the Synod, the Presbytery recommended the Commissioners from the congregation of U. O. S. Mains Street, Glasgow, "to withdraw their petition for a moderation," on the grounds stated in the remit from the Synod, "and to consider whether they should proceed further in the meantime, and that they endeavour to bring about as much unanimity as possible in the congregation, with a view to a moderation at a future time." At the same meeting, Mr. Anderson, student, was examined at considerable length, with a view to his employment as a home missionary at Pollockshaws, and acquitted himself in a highly creditable manner, and it was cordially agreed to sanction his appointment. The fol. lowing students were examined upon portions of intersessional study-viz. Mr. Hamilton upon Whately's Logic, and upon M'Crie's Life of Knox; Mr. M'Vicar upon Latin; and Mr. Morton upon Latin, and upon Collier's History of English Literature. The Presbytery were well pleased in each instance with the diligence and ability displayed by the students. It was agreed to certify and recommend to the Divinity Hall Mr. A. Stirling as a regular student of the 4th year, and Mr. A. Yuille as a regular student of the 3d year. THURSO. PRESENTATION TO THE REV. C. S. FINDLAY.-On Thursday evening, the 14th May, a deputation, composed of a number of the members of the Original Secession Church, waited upon their pastor, the Rev. C. S. Findlay, at the manse, and presented him with a purse, containing upwards of thirty sovereigns, as a token of their respect and esteem for him as their pastor, and their appreciation of his exertions for their spiritual welfare. The presentation was made by Mr. David Coghill, one of the elders, in a suitable speech, and Mr. Findlay acknowledged the gift in a most feeling manner. This is highly creditable to the congregation of Thurso; and it is worthy of notice that several parties in town belonging to other denominations, having heard of their intentions, voluntarily came forward and assisted them, so as to evince their interest in the success of the Church, and their respect and esteem for the pastor. SYNOD'S FINANCE COMMITTEE.-We understand that the Finance Committee have disposed of the Preference Stock held by the Synod of United Original Seceders in the Scottish North-Eastern Railway, and that this has been done, even at a consider. able loss, in order that the Synod may be in no way implicated in the transactions of a Company that violates the Sabbath by running trains on that holy day. N.B.-In consequence of the space occupied by Synodical matters in this number of the Magazine, it has been found necessary considerably to enlarge the number. ERBATA. At page 588, 12th line from top, for "last," read "best." |