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IV.-FUND FOR AGED AND INFIRM MINISTERS.

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April 30, 1863.

To Balance on last Account, ~~~~~£36 4 4 By Payments to Stu

To Donations

Friends in Ayr Congregation, per Mr

J. Jamieson,

Do. in Stranraer Congregation,

per Rev. J. Smellie,

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Working Man, per Rev. J. Ritchie, O

Rev. J. Ritchie's Bible-Class,~~ 1 0 2

Member of Shottsburn Congregation,

per Rev. J. Ritchie, 0 10 0
Portion of Legacy by late Miss
Keith, Clola, per Mr J. Hay,
To Bank Interest,

1 0 0

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STATEMENT OF SUMS CONTRIBUTED BY THE VARIOUS CONGREGATIONS TO THE SYNOD'S FUNDS FOR THE YEARS 1861-62 AND 1862-63, THE CONGREGATIONS BEING ARRANGED IN THE ORDER OF THEIR TOTAL ANNUAL CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE YEAR 1862-63. Congregations receiving aid from the Funds are marked with an asterisk; Vacant Congregations are marked thus ; Congregations which have increased their Contributions are marked thus ; and the order in point of increase is indicated by the figures annexed.

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NOTE-Since the Accounts were closed, contributions to the Schemes have been received from Kilwinning Congregation (amount L.8, 128. 5d.) and also from Pollockshaws Congregation (amount L.3. 38.), which would have placed them No 14 and 23 respectively in the above list.

0

708

21 14 6
708

Net
Decrease,

14 13 10

1 5 0

6 12 6 5 0

Critical Notices.

The Scottish Reformation: its Testimony against Popery and Prelacy; and the Periods of Revival that have occurred in connection with the History of the Testimony. By the Rev. Robert M'Corkle, A.M., author of "The Tombstones of the Scottish Martyrs," &c. Edinburgh: James Wood, 130, George Street. London: Houlston and Wright. Glasgow: David Bryce & Co. 1863. THIS is a small treatise of great merit, whether estimated by the ability with which it is written, or the value and importance of the principles which it advocates. Scarcely anything more suitable could be circulated among the friends of the Covenanted Reformation throughout Scotland, or elsewhere, at the present crisis. To the noble testimony borne in this tractate to the principles and administration of the Reformed Church of Scotland, during the best periods of her history, Free-churchmen especially would do well to give heed. It is no doubt of divine ordering, and adds to their responsibilities, whether they will hear or forbear, that such a faithful appeal is now made to them by those within their own pale.

The Association, in connection with the Free Church, for promoting the principles of the Covenanted Reformation, of which Mr M'Corkle is the able secretary, has now been fighting the battle of principle within that Church for a number of years; but it has not received the attention from the friends of the Reformation cause, either within or without the Free Church, to which, on various accounts, it is entitled. First, This Association has a special claim to regard for the excellence of its object and of the principles in the advocacy of which it has been engaged. According to the statement of its principles, "The main objects of the Association shall be to exhibit the sins of the Church and Nation, with respect to the breach of the National Covenants to press upon the attention of both the duty of repentance for the violation of them; and to seek for, on the part of both, a recognition of the continued obligation, and the renewal of, these covenant engagements."

Secondly, This Association is entitled to special attention on account of the ability and thoroughness with which the principles of the Reformation have been set forth and vindicated in its several publications. In a successsion of well-written treatises-of which Mr M'Corkle, of St Ninian's, and Mr Hislop, of Arbroath, are the respected authors-these principles are stated and defended, in all their integrity, with a power and earnestness that will bear to be compared with the writings of the warmest and ablest adherents and advocates of these principles in the past. Of these treatises, that before us is not the least able and comprehensive. It consists of six chapters, in which the leading events and regulating principles in the history of the First and Second Reformations are set forth and impressively discussed. In one chapter, there is a very animating statement given regarding the National Covenant, its successive renewals, and the concomitants of these solemn transactions. In another chapter, there is a concise and

very interesting account of the famous Glasgow Assembly in 1638, and the trial of the prelates; and in a third, an able disquisition regarding the formation of the Solemn League and Covenant and the Westminster Assembly. In the concluding chapter, "The Duties and Responsibilities of British, and especially of Scottish Protestants," are clearly and impressively set forth. Of this chapter the following extract is a sample :

"What then is to be done? We reply, it is the duty of the Church, as a leading party in the transactions referred to, first to repent, and to forsake its own sins in regard to the neglect or the breaches of the National Covenants, and, instead of taking its tone from the nation, it is its further duty, as the teacher and the adviser of the nation in a question affecting the honour of God and the moral obligation of His law, to show what is sin and what is duty in this matter to the people of these kingdoms. We need not only an attention earnestly directed to the subject, but a loud awakening-it may be, severe correction and deepest humbling,-ere there can be expected to be a general return to the acknowledgment of the principles both of the First and of the Second Reformation. The nation must first be roused as if by a resurrection-peal. In connection with so greatly needed a movement for the stirring and impressing of the public mind on the question, the Presbyterian Churches, in particular, have, under God, a high vocation and a dread responsibility. But for this end they must themselves be living and reforming churches. It is no dead testimony we want-no testimony to be thrust into a corner as its fitting restingplace, and to be brought forth and displayed to the admiring view only on some gala-day,—but a standard to be lifted up by the Spirit, and surrounded by spiritually living, earnest, self-sacrificing men. Such a movement of new life within the Church would be a token for good, and the herald of brighter days. But the full tide of refreshing, we believe, will come only in union with our national repentance, and the renewing of our long-forgotten engagements; and the prophetic words of the martyred Guthrie of Stirling will yet be realised, as he lifted the napkin from his face before he fell on the scaffold, and cried, 'The Covenants, the Covenants shall yet be Scotland's reviving.'

"In the meantime, by all the true witnesses of Christ in this land, let the ancient banner for the truth be unfurled: 'To your tents, O Israel.' The Lord's cause is at stake-the Lord's name is profaned-the Philistines lift up the shout of triumph. Buckle on that spiritual armour which, under God, has proved itself all-powerful of old-call up all the memories of the past-hasten to the standard, where every faithful soldier and martyr of the cross will be ready to meet you-let the cry be, 'The banner of the Lord and of His people,' as the cry has formerly been in Israel, 'The sword of the Lord and of Gideon.' Linger not, doubt not, fear not, look not back. Here is the post to which the great Captain instantly calls you-here is the field of present duty-here is waged the central conflict of the warriors of the cross. On your efforts hath Christ, under His own eye and His own arm, suspended the issue--you hath He set for the defence of the gospel and the upholding of His cause. Labour, and fight, and pray, as if without Him nothing could be done by you, and yet go forth and persevere, as if without your help all were undone. Never let go that banner which has been committed to your keeping, but grasp it with the greater firmness, and lift it up with the loftier majesty in the midst of the thickening and dark-frowning forces of the enemy."

Thirdly, This Association is entitled to honourable regard for the persevering zeal with which its great object has been prosecuted. This is such as may put other professed friends of the same cause to

shame. This shines forth very clearly in the preceding extract; but it is a fair specimen of this tractate, and of the other publications of the Association. Lectures have also been delivered in different places, in defence and illustration of such reformation principles as many professing Christians in the Free Church, as well as elsewhere, would gladly see consigned to oblivion. Stated meetings for prayer are also held in various places, for the special purpose of supplicating the revival of the Covenanted Reformation, and the extension of its principles, not only in this land, but throughout the world. Such are some of the ways in which the zeal of the leaders and members of this Association, in behalf of the cause of the Covenanted Reformation, is being manifested.

Lastly, It gives this Association a special claim to the regard and cordial sympathy of all the friends of the Covenanted Reformation, that all these efforts are made by it in difficult circumstances, and under many discouragements. It is the reverse of being popular in the Free Church. Comparatively few of their brethren, in public or in private stations, have joined the Association. Even such of them as have an inward respect for the old principles, act the part of those Jewish rulers, in the days of Christ's flesh, of whom it is testified, they "believed on Him; but because of the Pharisees they would not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue" (John, xii. 42). It is at no small sacrifice, in various ways, that the members of this Association are continuing to occupy their present position. If we do not misapprehend the feelings with which they are regarded generally in the Free Church, they may all but adopt the language of the Church's Head, as expressive of their experience-"I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children. For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen on me" (Ps. lxix. 8, 9). But they are forbidden to think this strange; and it is no mean honour that they have been obtaining strength to brave all this with unflinching courage, and are kept from attempting to make their path more smooth by the least compromise of their principles. In the face of all this, the banner of the Covenanters is kept unfurled over their head in all its breadth, without the slightest erasure or mutilation of its ancient motto.

Many are found justifying themselves in standing aloof from, and looking askance at, this Association, by saying that it is anomalousa kind of imperium in imperio. This is admitted. But is it unprecedented either in civil or ecclesiastical society? Is it so even in modern times, except as to the breadth and excellence of its object? or does this render it impossible for it to do important service in the promotion of a great public cause? Were the Reform Associations and the Corn-Law League on this account unavailing in procuring the reformation of the laws and constitution of the nation? Not many years ago the kingdom of Scotland was studded over with Anti-Patronage Societies; and such was the success of these Associations, and the agitation connected with them, that a committee was appointed by the House of Commons, with Sir George Sinclair as its chairman, to take evidence

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