THE ORIGINAL SECESSION MAGAZINE FOR 1867-68. New Series. VOLUME VIII. EDINBURGH: JOHN MACLAREN. GLASGOW DAVID BRYCE AND GEORGE GALLIE MDCCCLXVIIL The Christian Race. By a Youthful Runner who has finished his course, The Perfect Example: A Lecture to Young Men. By Rev. J. Oswald Dykes, 316 Set Forms of Prayer. By Robert S. 792 About the Sabbath, and the present Duty of the Church regarding it, 317 The Fatherhood of God. By Thomas History of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. By James Seaton Reid, D. D., 374 The First Man and his Place in Creation. Papers offered for Discussion at the Meeting of the British Association at Dundee. By Rev. James Brodie, A. M., 377 Bible Truths for Young People. By Rev. Alexander Gregory, M. A., The Decalogue of Sinai. By the Rev. 372 Jottings from the Diary of the Sun, 446 Twelve Illustrated Books: Wise Say- The Water Weeds, or Marvels of Pond Memoir of the late Rev. Peter Car- The Testimony; Token of the Cove- nant; the Christian Sabbath; Objec- tions to the Presbyterian Church Unions in East Australia. By the Rev. William M'Intyre, A. M., Sydney, 448 The Decline of the Free Church. By the Rev. Robert M Corkle, St. Ninians, Thoughts on Providence. By Rev. E. The Ecclesiastical Catechism: Being a series of Questions relative to the Christian Church. By the late Alex- The Sabbath on the Rock, and the Gospel in the Decalogue. By a Sab- Elijah: The Desert Prophet. By the The Sunbeam's Story, or Sketches from Beetle Life. By Mena B. Bickesteth, 579 The Question of the Day: The Duty of Nations to the True Religion and the Church of Christ. By Rev. E. Ritchie, The Reason of Hope; the Christian's Triumph; I must keep this Feast. Light at Evening Time; or the Trial and Triumph of Truth. By the Rev. Semina Rerum; or True Words versus Voluntary Criticism Examined, 699 500 ORIGINAL SECESSION MAGAZINE. JANUARY, 1867. SELF-DENIAL ESSENTIAL TO FIDELITY TO THE THE cause of Christ is that of truth, Bible truth, in opposition to evervarying forms of error; and of purity, scriptural and moral purity, in opposition to corruption in all its endless forms. The great standard of truth and of purity is the testimony of the Divine Spirit recorded in the page of inspiration. The visible Church is faithful in her doctrine and administration in as far, and only in as far, as she is conformed to this standard. And her office-bearers and members are faithful in proportion, and only in proportion, as they do what in them lies, each in his place, to bring the Church to and keep her in harmony with the will of her Divine King made known in the Holy Scriptures. Fidelity to the cause of the Lord Jesus Christ requires that the least deviation in the administration of the Church of the living God should be strenuously opposed by the followers of the Redeemer. Hence the assurance of the Amen, the faithful and true Witness-"He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the LEAST, is unjust also in much." But this is a battle, the maintenance of which has called for varied degrees of sacrifice from age to age, and consequently, for self-denial. As to this the Head of the Church has given his followers faithful warning. How pointedly did He set this before His disciples in these words, "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." (Luke ix. 23.) Cross here has evidently reference to the endurance of what is painful, to parting with what is naturally dear to us. In order to faithfulness to the cause of Christ, it is required that the utmost sacrifice of a temporal kind should be submitted to, even that of life itself. Much more, then, must sacrifice be required in smaller things. NO. I. VOL. VIII. A NEW SERIES. |