THE

ORIGINAL SECESSION MAGAZINE.

JANUARY, 1863.

ANOTHER VOLUME.

THE commencement of another volume, like the opening of another year, calls for solemn reflection. Reminiscences of the past, and anticipations of the future, crowd upon the mind. Upon this occasion, our volume opens during a season of peculiar gloom and sadness. The shadow of 1862 falls upon its successor. Whether we look abroad or at home, without the pale of the Church or within, there is cause of anxiety and depression. The year now closed has been an eventful one to the world, and an afflictive one to our own beloved country. To us, as a Church, it has not been without its trials and sorrows, through the affliction of revered fathers and brethren.

From the American continent the waves of national anguish have been ever and anon breaking upon our shores, and, but for the clamour of politicians and selfish traders, the response of sympathy would have cheered the friends of freedom in the field of strife. Never has there been such a year upon the American continent-never such complete disaster to our trade and commerce. The very seasons seem as if harmonising with the social distress of the nations of the earth. While in some countries the former and latter rain has been withheld, in others the almost incessant outpouring of "God's full flood" has been equally destructive. The cold of winter has been transferred to summer, while the early frost has overtaken the ingathering of autumn. In several places the sea has re-asserted its claim to its primary boundary; while the toil of years, and the elements of wealth, have vanished before the sweeping deluge. The year now gone has been distinguished by the fall of habitations, and the collision of railway trains, never before experienced to such a destructive extent. Besides the multitude of victims killed or wounded by such catastrophes, murders, and acts of violence against life and property, have been, in number and atrocity, both alarming and appalling. In the midst of comparative abundance, destitution, bordering on famine, is rapidly casting its gloomy shadow over the general community.

When we look abroad to the nations of Europe, we see them visited with similar calamities. The channels of sustenance are being broken NO. I., VOL. VI.

A

NEW SERIES.

up, and social disorganization is flowing in the wake of commercial disaster. They are afflicted, moreover, with political intrigues, and the conflict of hidden principles which may, at any moment, not only intensify present trials, but enkindle once more the warlike passions of the nations of Europe. The ex-king of Naples is still hovering, like an evil spirit, on the frontiers of Sardinia. Garibaldi has, for the time being, been cast into the shade; but he still lives, and the cause of freedom is cheered by his presence. The waves of revolution have broken upon the shores of Greece, leaving another empty throne and a fugitive king. The filling of that throne mny embroil the leading nations of the earth. Austria, Turkey, Russia, and even France, are ill at ease; and, strange as it may seem, the commercial disasters of Europe are accompanied by the invention of the implements of war, and a general arming, such as the world has never witnessed. In churches and states there is commotion, characteristic of some coming crisis, seldom or never experienced in the history of our world.

To all these social and political indications of a coming struggle, there may be added the aggressions of Popery in our land, and the outbursts of infidelity, now so common, even in the churches. Never, since the Reformation, has high mass in the open air disgraced Scotland, till the autumn of the bygone year, when it was thus performed near Dundee; and never, since the same period, has civil and religious liberty been so menaced by Popish riots as during the past season. Seldom has naked infidelity stalked forth from the Protestant Universities of England so undisguised. Even a bishop has pronounced four books of the Pentateuch little better than a fable; and multitudes of lesser men avow, in secret, atheistical principles, which they dare not announce to the world. But this pestilential heresy of the south shall not long remain beyond the border: there is an extensive dissemination of principles, even in Scotland, which, fully developed, will ultimately reach the same dread terminus. Were, the old orthodox faith firmly rooted and grounded in the hearts and minds of those in whose creeds it is yet extant, there would be little to fear; but there is a levelling process abroad that is obliterating the landmarks between truth and error, which will be found the effectual pioneer of Popery and infidelity.

To this, again, may be added the increasing power of popular opinion-the love of display in matters of religion-the disregard of divine authority-the pandering to public taste, even to the perversion of the gospel, and general insensibility under social calamities, which seem to indicate a sensual state fast ripening for divine judgments. Is it not remarkable that the hand of God is but little regarded in the distress now passing over this and other nations? In former times days of fasting were appointed both by the nation and the churches. Such observances are no longer heeded. We have not heard, in all our distress, one proposal for a national fast; nor is there any evidence of a recognition of sin as the source of our calamities. Policy and selfinterest urge intervention and diplomacy between the armies of North and South in America; but where is there any sign of national humiliation, or of seeking peace with an offended God, by national repent

ance and reformation? Though the judgments of God are abroad in the earth, there is no evidence of the nations learning righteousness.

Among the most alarming signs of the times, there is none more striking than a general indifference to the truth and disregard of divine authority. There could scarcely be a worse preparation for meeting the aggressions of Popery and infidelity. Even the lack of wholesome controversy is more a result of indifference than of Christian charity. Of the latter we have very loud professions, but very scanty measure, when crossing the paths of latitudinarian indifference. There is no small danger that, with not a few, the lack of love to God, and of consequent submission to His authority, is the source of that love to man, which makes light of divine truth, in the matters of ecclesiastical fellowship. The results of the Laodicean spirit are beginning to be visible; but time will develop their gigantic proportions.

But, while thus looking abroad, there is much cause to look within. There are with us many things to mourn over, to repent of, and reform. Not a truth of our profession has changed, or can change; but how much has our ardour cooled? How far short is our zeal of that of our fathers? The Lord is sending us heavy affliction, in the way of laying aside our public teachers. The prolonged afflictions, especially of the fathers of our Synod, are deeply trying. We can ill spare their counsels in the courts of the Church, and their services in the congregations of the people; but the hand of our Father is upon them, and it becomes us to bow submissively to the will of the Lord. At such a time, it becomes all the Lord's people to be pleading at the throne of grace on behalf of our fathers, and on behalf of the Church. The Author of affliction can alone send deliverance.

But the increase of difficulties does not suspend existing obligations. The cause of truth is as worthy of support and defence when neglected and opposed, as when generally owned and honoured. Ecclesiastical afflictions, as well as personal, should drive us to the never-failing refuge. The Lord of the harvest is able to send forth labourers into the harvest; and He can bless our feeble literary efforts for the promotion of His cause. Being, in His providence, called to open the sixth volume of the Original Secession Magazine, we would seek anew the guidance and aid of the Holy Spirit. With gathering clouds in the world and in the Church-with gloomy forebodings in the land, and among the witnesses of Christ,-we feel the heavy responsibility laid upon us, and would, consequently, solicit the prayers and the countenance of all the friends of truth.

We have nothing new to propose in the way of its management. We trust, through grace, to keep by the old paths, and walk in the old ways. We believe that the Second Reformation platform was comprehensive enough to embrace all the friends of truth in these lands-strong enough to resist the returning tide of Popery and infidelity-explicit enough to separate between the friends of Christ and His foes-broad enough to admit the harmonious co-operation of Church and State-minute enough to provide for the right regulation of family religion and public worship-expansive enough to evangelize the world-spiritual enough to afford scope for all the Christian

graces, and eminently faithful in securing the honour of Christ the King, and the liberties of His people. Hence we resolve and hope to abide on that platform, and defend, to the utmost of our ability, the principles and position of the Reformed and Covenanted Church of Scotland, as hitherto maintained by our Secession fathers. We see no better position-no other position-either safe or tenable, amidst the rising flood of jarring elements.

In pursuing this course we ask the sympathy and aid of all those whose appointment we bear. The work is not one to be coveted-the responsibility not such as can be lightly undertaken; but, finding ourselves under that responsibility, in the providence of God, we would desire, in faith, to gird up our loins anew, that we may bear aloft the time-honoured banner, in the hope that the God of Israel may yet grant light, enlargement, and deliverance.

At such a time it is well for us all to feel that we are under the covenant-oath of God-that our vows have been made to the most high God-that we have opened our mouths unto the Lord, and cannot go back. What changes may come ere this volume is closed none can predicate. Who may live to see it completed we cannot foretell. Let us, however, rejoice that "the Lord God omnipotent reigneth;" and let us rest assured that His covenanted cause will eventually triumph-that, before those who keep the word of Christ's patience, he will open a door that no man can shut, and that unto those who are faithful unto death He will give the crown of life.

IS SCOTLAND TO SHARE IN THE FINAL DOOM OF THE ANTICHRISTIAN KINGDOMS?

Is this a question of sufficient interest and importance to merit discussion? That it is so can scarcely be doubted, when we reflect on the principles which it involves the dictates of true patriotism, and the claims which the welfare of posterity have on our regard. It is only an approximation to a solution of this problem that is to be expected. It is generally admitted that there are data in the prophetic page from which it may be legitimately inferred that the final destruction of the mystical Babylon shall be combined with the infliction of terrible judgments on the European kingdoms, symbolised by the ten horns of the scarlet-coloured beast, on which the woman denominated the MOTHER OF HARLOTS is seen in John's vision sitting. This may not unwarrantably be held as all but demonstrated by an appeal to the following passages, among others which might be added, to which we refer our readers:-Dan. ii. 44; Rev. xiv. 15-20; xvi. 17-21; xix. 17-21. After quoting the 18th verse of chapter xvi., in which the effects of the outpouring of the seventh vial are expressed in these terms-" And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake and so great,"--the talented

author of "The Great Exodus," p. 385, makes the following commentary:

"These are the well-known symbols of demonstrations, insurrections, tumults, and fightings. They foreshadow the uprisings of all the various nationalities, and the breaking loose of all peoples from law and government. The insurrections of 1848 presented a picture, on a small scale, of what the seventh vial will be on a great. These initiatory tumults will issue in a general, unprecedented revolution, "such as was not since men were upon the earth." This is not a new revolution; it is the earthquake of the seventh trumpet consummated. Its first shock was felt at the breaking out of the French Revolution: repeatedly since has it rocked the Papal earth: now it shakes it for the last time, and buries in remediless ruin those political and ecclesiastical edifices which former throes of the mighty earthquake had left shattered and tottering.

"Still farther are the effects of this great earthquake-' and every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.' We stay back from what the symbol seems most surely to portend. Must every landmark be blotted out? Must every state and kingdom in the Roman earth sink and disappear in this sea of revolution?"

Happy, indeed, shall the portions, small or great, of the European nations be which shall be exempted from participating in the miseries produced by these desolating judgments. Is this to be the felicitous destiny of Scotland? There are several things which give us considerable cause to cherish this delightful expectation in regard to our beloved country.

There is, first, the fact that Scotland lay beyond the limits of the Roman Empire when it came to be divided into ten kingdoms. This is an important historical fact, showing that it could not then, at least, be the whole, or even a part, of any of the ten kingdoms represented by the ten horns of the Beast; and it will be difficult to show that it became incorporated with any of these kingdoms afterwards, so as to constitute a part thereof. The Roman armies made several very formidable inroads into the territories of Caledonia; but all their attempts to bring this country under subjection to the yoke of Rome were baffled. The wall of Hadrian, which the Emperor of that name caused to be built between the Tyne and Solway Frith, is unequivocal proof that the Romans had not only despaired of conquering the kingdom of Scotland, but had great difficulty in preventing the Scottish tribes inhabiting the frontier of that kingdom from making successful assaults on that part of the empire which was contiguous to the Scottish border.

There is, in the second place, evidence that Scotland maintained its independence of Papal Rome, both civilly and ecclesiastically, long after the ten kingdoms had given their necks to that tyrannical yoke. There is strong reason for supposing that Christianity had begun to be propagated in Scotland during the second century. That it was so, before it came to be mixed with the germs of Popish corruption, may be confidently concluded, from the primitive type of scriptural simplicity in respect of government, worship, and doctrine by which it was characterized. The principles and practice of the Culdees, and their testimony against the corruptions of Rome, were a counterpart of those