vival Singing. These things are calculated to mislead. We have no right to call anything by the name of revival but God's own gracious work.*

"The proper means to be used in looking and labouring for a revival are extremely simple and limited. Indeed, they may be expressed by two wordsPRAYER and PREACHING. The twelve Apostles, speaking with one mouth, reduce their great works-their commission-to those two things: 'We will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word' (Acts, vi. 4). The twoprayer and preaching-are inseperable, yet they are quite distinct. Prayer, though an essential part of the ministerial office, was not to be confined to the ministry, like preaching. A little child may pray. A feeble woman may pray. An invalid, an afflicted one, be he a servant of Christ, after he can no longer preach, may yet pray. The whole Church may pray-yea, must pray-and pray without ceasing, if she is to obtain the blessing. The Church of Christ has never exhausted this power-this secret, mysterious, unlimited power of prayer. Who can tell the mighty works-exploits-brought about by persevering, importunate, believing prayer? It reminds us of such wrestlers as Jacob-Moses-Daniel-the prophet Habakkuk-Hannah-Anna-Peter-Paul-Cornelius. Our own John Welsh

used to spend whole nights in wrestling prayer, sometimes crying out—‘O God, wilt Thou not give me Scotland?' How Jacob-like, or rather how Christ-like! Prayer is the breath, the very life of the Church, as well as of the believer. And if we look for seasons of revival, let us remember what is expected of us. 'I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence; and give Him no rest, till He establish, and till He make Jerusalem a praise in the earth' (Isaiah, lxii, 6,7). There need be no limits to our petitions, if we only believe: All things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive' (Matt. xxi. 22). 'Prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it' (Mal. iii. 10). What more could the Church desire? O for an outpouring of the spirit of prayer according to that great gospel promise,-' And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications; and they shall look on Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for Him, as one that is in bitterness for his first-born' (Zech. xii. 10)."

Annual Report, and Proceedings at the Public Meeting of the Institution for Deaf and Dumb, Aberdeen. 1864.

WE are very glad to find that this Institution continues to be conducted with great success. We had once the pleasure of visiting it,

"It is a remarkable fact, that, in all ages, young, and, of course, inexperienced ministers, have commonly taken the lead, and discovered the most headstrong obstinacy in commencing and pursuing measures of an innovating character-a tendency to undervalue the settled order of the Church, and to usurp the functions of the sacred office; yielding the mind to impulses and enthusiastic impressions; denouncing all who refused to concur in these things as graceless formalists; encouraging females to take the lead in social prayer; calling upon penitents to make public confession of their private sins, as indispensable to forgiveness and spiritual prosperity; claiming to have a gift, unknown to others, of promoting genuine revivals to be the only real friends of true, spiritual religion. These are some of the fruits of human corruption, which attended and marred revivals of religion centuries ago, and which have appeared every few years since, in similar connection, and with endless repetition. Dr Samuel Miller of Princeton."

and of seeing the remarkable progress in knowledge to which the pupils had attained. Such institutions are among the most valuable and philanthropic of the present time. As a class, the deaf and dumb have great claims on the sympathy and kindness of those who possess the valuable faculties of which they are deprived; and every benevolent mind must be grateful to witness the amazing extent in which their condition is ameliorated by the instruction imparted, and the extent in which they are introduced to the sweets of social intercourse, by means of signs, in the use of which they become such adepts, and of the meaning of which they have such masterly perception.

It is delightful to see the measure of contentment and happiness of which they are partakers by means of the process of training enjoyed in these schools of learning. How meagre is the degree in which these blessings are enjoyed by those who have never shared in the privilege of such instruction, compared with that of those who have been so favoured. Above all, it is delightful to know the extent in which they are put in possession of the knowledge of the Scriptures, which are able to make wise unto salvation. The opportunities afforded in listening, in their own way, to the gospel message, from Sabbath to Sabbath, when the words spoken, which never make any impression on their mind by the organ of hearing, of which they are destitute, is so presented to the eye by signs as to reach the understanding, and, when accompanied by the power of the Spirit, produces a joy in their hearts, unspeakable and full of glory. How blissful is it to know that such are not excluded from beholding the life and immortality which have been brought to light by the gospel!

From this Report we find that the pupils were examined by Mr Bill, the able Superintendent of the Institution, in reading, in arithmetic, in geography, and in religious knowledge, and, in all the branches, answered the questions put to them with readiness and intelligence, and that their appearance altogether reflected the highest credit on Mr Bill, their indefatigable teacher, as well as Miss Troup, the Matron of the Institution. The Lord Provost, in moving the adoption of the Report, "said he was sure that the impression on the minds of all present, after what they had seen, was that the examination had been most successful. It was most gratifying to see these young people being educated to become good members of society, instead of growing up in idleness, with all its concomitant evils." Dr Macpherson "had the very greatest satisfaction in seconding the motion." The Rev. Mr Gualter "had listened," as he said, "with feelings of mingled wonder and delight to the interesting examination of the pupils." Dr G. G. Brown's words were, among other things, "There could be no higher Christian object than providing for the education of those who had been left in the helpless condition of these children. He felt a double interest in the Institution, when it had been so clearly proved that those who were originally so helpless could be trained, even in their earlier years, to an extent which those who know nothing about it could hardly believe. (Applause)." We do not wonder at these strong expressions of delight-superlatives and

double superlatives-when they witnessed the elevation in respect of comfort, extended intelligence, and height of happiness, of those who must have had such a limited share of all these things, were it not for the training and instruction furnished in such institutions.

PUBLIC EVENTS.

AMERICA.

IN America the war still rages, and the spirit of war does not seem in the least abated. In prospect of the election of a President, there has been great excitement; but the various conventions held have only proved the divided state of public opinion, though, in respect of war, there is greater unanimity than could have been expected. It is almost certain that President Lincoln will be re-elected, and that this fearful struggle will be renewed with greater vigour than before. The recent progress of the Federal army has told in his favour, and few seem yet awakened to the bitter prospect of prolonging this dreadful struggle through another presidential term. But the community on neither side is yet humbled for national guilt. Even during the struggle, the cup of iniquity seems to be filling up, while the shafts of Divine judgment are by no means exhausted.

DENMARK.

The negotiations for peace are progressing towards completion. The crushing power of Germany has left little to do but to dictate the terms of agreement. For the present, Denmark is left to accept the terms of her spoliators; but the example set by Austria and Prussia may yet be improved by other powers in Europe.

TURKEY.

Once more has the persecuting spirit of the Turks been embodied in deeds of violence toward Protestant missionaries. From the measures taken or connived at by the Government, there seems to be a deliberate design to arrest the progress of the gospel in Turkey. At the close of the Crimean war, there was an edict of toleration granted, termed the "Hatti-houmayoun." Its terms in regard to religious liberty were explicit. "Since all religions are and shall be fully practised in my dominions, no subject of my empire shall be molested in exercise of the religion he professes, and shall in no manner be troubled in that regard. In the matter of changing religion, no one shall be subject to any constraint." But of late this liberal measure has been actually withdrawn; and it is sad to think, that, with the concurrence of the British Ambassador, the old rule of Mahometan violence and persecution has been restored. There is evidence, however, that it is not the work of Mahometans alone. The Popish missions, shielded by France, are not interfered with, while Protestant missions are the object of special hatred. It is supposed that about two hundred persons have been arrested in connection with this move

ment against Protestant missions. There must surely be Jesuitism at work, when the British Ambassador has concurred in the re-establishment of Turkish despotism over faith and liberty. We hope to return to this subject.

ROME.

The resolution of the Emperor of France to give up the protectorate of the Pope in his capital, is one of those measures which prognosticate change, but one the results of which are not yet very apparent. What are the motives of policy which have led to this measure are known only to its author. It would seem, however, that France is weary of the bootless job of guarding the Pope at an expense so heavy. The part assigned to Victor Emmanuel is also peculiar. That he, in turn, should have the charge of protecting from invasion the capital, which he assumes to claim as the completion of his kingdom, or that he should form a league with the man who has excommunicated him, is a mystery. But when the "Mystery of Iniquity" is ruling the councils of nations, we need not wonder that the mystery of politics becomes an insolvable problem. It is comforting to know that "the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth," and that the rulers of the earth are but potsherds in His hand. It is remarkable, however, that the period fixed for the removal of the French Government from Rome, is that which the most judicious expositors of prophecy have fixed for great events in connection with the overthrow of the Papacy. The eyes of past generations have been turned to 1866 as one of the grand epochs in the history of the Church and of Popery. Is it not remarkable that those who have come to the verge of that period seem less than ever prepared for the events which may transpire? Surely it becomes the watchmen on the walls of Zion to mark the signs of the times, and to lift the voice of warning. Never was the solemn injunction more emphatic, "Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues."

CHINA.

The Taeping rebellion in this vast empire, from which such great things were at one time expected, seems to have been almost, if not wholly a work of judgment. By latest accounts, it has been nearly put down. The dispensations of the great Ruler to that region of the earth are, however, all being overruled for the diffusion of light; and a vast field for missionary operations has been more and more opened But there are still mighty obstacles to contend with, the deeprooted native prejudices against the truth, and the malignant influence of Popery, backed by French diplomacy, which, in its zeal in support of error, is everywhere putting the lukewarmness of British statesmen in support of truth to shame.

up.

JAPAN.

The most recent tidings as to the relations of this empire with foreign nations, show that matters are in a very critical condition.

It seems very doubtful whether other nations are warranted to compel that people to open their ports to traffic by waging war against them; but should this be permitted, it will, no doubt, be overruled by the great Disposer for higher and more blissful ends. It is satisfactory, that, nothwithstanding the unsatisfactory state of the foreign relations in regard to trade, missionary operations are being successfully prosecuted among the Japanese.

NEW ZEALAND.

It is cheering to find that the lamentable war between the Government and some influential native tribes has at length been happily terminated. It will be highly gratifying to every benevolent heart, that, in the terms of peace which have been agreed to, the natives have been so honourably and kindly dealt with. Seldom has such kindness been manifested by the victors to the vanquished. It is to be hoped that such a spirit may be a sign, though small as the cloud like a man's hand, that the time is approaching, though it may not be very near, when wars shall be turned into peace over the earth.

WARS CONTINUED OR THREATENED.

It seems as if the beginnings of evil days to antichristian kingdoms over the world had come. The war which has long been waged between France and the Mahometan natives of Algeria has not yet come to a termination. In Mexico, where Popery has long predominated, and where all the power of France has been employed to produce peace with the restoration of Papal ascendancy, under a Popish ruler, war is still proceeding. Peru, again, with the expected aid of other South American States, is on the eve of declaring war against Spain-the abject slave of the Papacy,-which, in the days of her glory, introduced the bane of Popery into all the American regions that for a time fell under her dominion. In St Domingo-the last fragment of the vast territory once belonging to Spain in the New World—a war of revolt has been raging, which all her power has not yet been able to put down. Of this judgment a double procuring cause may be marked-the abominations of Popery on the one hand, and, on the other, the islands being converted into a mart in which the most abominable of all traffics-that of the slave trade-has been extensively prosecuted.

Ecclesiastical Intelligence.

MISSIONARY MEETING.*-On Monday evening, the 4th July, the Ayr Congregation of United Original Seceders held their usual Half-yearly Missionary Meeting in this church. The attendance was good for an evening meeting, and although, owing to the absence of the missionary at the Hall, there was no state

*This notice should have appeared in our last number, but was omitted through an oversight. We regret this all the more, as our brethren in Ayr have set a noble example in regard to missionary efforts.