sion, to support ministers and teachers as they ought to be supported, and to make an effectual inroad upon the heathenism of our large cities and mining districts.' All the six branches of the Church of Scotland remain, professedly and practically, Presbyterial and Calvinistic-if public professions are to be the test (See Diagram). When visited by 'The Day-spring from on high,' these branches will one day become one stick in the hand of the Great Shepherd of Israel. (Ezek. xxxvii. 16-19). Meanwhile, wherever the compromise of essential principles is not demanded, all acknowledge the duty of co-operation in whatever is promotive of the glory of God and the good of man. The Edinburgh Union of Young Men's Societies is thus important. (Secretary, Mr J. Petrie, 64 Princes Street). § 7. OTHER CHURCHES.-INDEPENDENCY. arose in Scotland from the exertions of Robert and James Haldane near the close of last century. These retired naval officers were aroused to concern for the masses unreached by any Church. They were joined by two Established Church ministers, Messrs G. Ewing and W. Innes, and Mr Ralph Wardlaw, a Burgher. Not only did the Establishment warn the people against this 'set of men' threatening discord; the Antiburghers excommunicated some who simply dared to hear them preach. In 1808, this young Church was rent by divided opinion on doctrine and other matters, resulting in Baptist and Pædo-Baptist sections. The Baptist Union numbers 85 congregations. In 1813, the Congregational Union was formed for annual consultation. Whilst disclaiming any power over congregations, this Union professes to be able to separate any from connection who swerve from its standard of orthodoxy. There are 97 congregations, and a hall with 2 professors. (See Dr Alexander's 'Life of Wardlaw.") Another Independent community, called Morrisonianism, or the Evangelical Union, arose from the deposition of the Rev. James Morrison by the United Secession Synod in 1841, Dr Brown alone dissenting. The libel was for unsound teaching on the doctrine of the Atonement. Dr Brown was put on his defence for similar teaching in 1845, and acquitted by a majority. The Evangelical Union Church was formed in 1843. It numbers 80 congregations, but not confined to Scotland, a divinity hall, and 4 professors. This religious body-with something of a Pelagian tinge, and also of Evangelical colouring-holds the usual doctrines of Arminianism ('Life of Brown,' p. 226). It has, however, a doctrinal declaration or confession. There are also 37 Wesleyan, 6 Primitive Methodist, 133 Roman Catholic, and 5 Unitarian chapels or congregations in Scotland. THE SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH. In 1812, the Prayer-Book was introduced, and Episcopalians obtained leave to marry, baptize, and meet for worship. Popular fury was expended upon their places of worship, because, in 1745, they generally joined in the Rebellion. In 1792, these descendants of the non-jurors were freed from civil disabilities: many of the gentry and nobility adhered to this Church. In 1842, great discontent was excited by changes in the communion service, bringing the Church nearer to Popery. Congregations sprang up disowning the authority of the Scottish Primus and his college of bishops. The Rev. Sir William Dunbar, being excommunicated, raised an action and obtained damages in a civil court. The Rev. D. T. K. Drummond, Edinburgh, also stood out. In 1868, the Scottish Episcopal Church was taken into fellowship with the Established Church of England; but in 1869, the laity were disappointed, being refused to sit by representatives in the Diocesan and General Synods. A legacy of £200,000 provides for the erection and endowment of a cathedral and other churches in Edinburgh. This Church is divided into 7 dioceses, and 182 chapels, missions, and private chaplaincies, with a college in Perthshire. There are ten English Episcopal chapels unconnected with the Scottish Episcopal Church. QUESTIONS. 1. Describe the condition of Scotland, the steps that led to the Reformation, and its accomplishment. 2. Give some account of the principles maintained in the first and second Books of Discipline. 3. State how Prelacy, on three several occasions, was introduced, and how, and why, and when, abolished. 4. Give an account respectively of the Reformed Presbyterian, Original Secession, United Presbyterian, Established, and Free Churches, trace their origin, and state their position. 5. State what is the extent of the Independent and Prelatic Churches in Scotland. CHAPTER X. IRELAND AND PRESBYTERY. 'Ev'n as a bird out of the fowler's snare Broke are their nets, and thus escaped we. Therefore our help is in the Lord's great name, Who heaven and earth by His great power did frame.' § 1. EARLY STAGES. THE primitive Church of Ireland was identical with that of the Culdees. This was the original Scot-land.. Here also Christianity found a shelter, spread, and propagated itself, when persecuted in South Britain by heathenism. Only in the twelfth century was this Church, as that in Caledonia, brought into subjection to Rome. Pope Adrian IV. arrogantly claimed the sovereignty of the island; and upon the consent of Henry II. of England by force of arms to bring it wholly in subjection to the spiritual supremacy of the Pontiff, the sovereignty of Ireland was conferred upon the English King by a bull in the year 1155. This was opposed by the native chieftains and the rural ministers. Eventually all opposition was silenced, and this Church reduced to subjection. Thereafter Romish bishops carried their authority to an extravagant height. Learning, that formerly flourished, was brought to the lowest ebb. The profligacy of the clergy was shameless, and true religion seemed banished. The six hundred religious houses were filled with members equal to one half the population. These vied with the regular clergy who should delude and deceive the most. When the Reformation broke out, noble spirits were wanting to lead forth the people, and religious inquiry was repressed both by the ignorance of the population and the disturbed condition of the country. In 1535, Henry VIII. caused George Brown to be appointed Archbishop of Dublin, and himself to be proclaimed supreme over the Church as over the State. The Romish clergy opposed, and excited resistance; but the supremacy of the English monarch was acknowledged by a Parliament in 1536. The supporters of the Pope were then declared guilty of treason, and Popery declared abolished. As no true reformation was aimed at, and the people left in the deepest ignorance-these proceedings caused universal dissatisfaction. The adherents of the Pope declared the supporters of the King accursed, while images and relics were, notwithstanding the order to remove, retained in the churches; and only four prelates adopted the English liturgy in 1551. After the dread ascendancy of Popery under Queen Mary, protection for Protestants came with Elizabeth. Only two bishops now refused to conform; and in 1569 the printing press and a university were established. Still the Reformation in Ireland made very small progress, a grand mistake was then committed. Instead of instructing the people in their native Irish, the service was ordered to be performed in Latin. In the reign of James I., schemes to plant the east of Ireland with colonists failed. Forfeited estates, and especially the rebellion of the native chief Shane O'Neill, paved the way; and at length many English and Scotch were introduced. Londonderry and Coleraine were colonized by London merchants; Down and Antrim chiefly from Scotland. These early colonists were subjected to almost unparalleled hardships, and were but poorly supplied with religious ordinances. In 1615 the Irish Church met in Convocation, and adopted a 'Confession of Faith,' drawn up by Dr James Usher. Calvinistic in doctrine, the validity of ordination by presbyters is recognized. No authority for enforcing canons, rites, and ceremonies, or consecrating higher orders of clergy, is there claimed. Those Scotch ministers who had accompanied their countrymen to Ulster were freely admitted to labour in the Church for the people's good. The prelatic persecution in Scotland forced many others, both ministers and people, to settle in the counties of Down, Antrim, and Derry. The purer creed and the tolerant spirit of the Irish Church was felt to be a relief from the tyranny of Scottish Prelacy. Edward Brice came in 1613, Robert Cunningham 1615, James Glendinning 1622, Robert Blair 1623, James Hamilton 1625, Welsh and Livingston 1630. Messrs Hubbard, Ridge, and Calvert also came from England. These, and other labourers, were welcomed by the good Dr Usher. Sharing in the duties and privileges of the Establishment, their ministry was greatly blessed. At Antrim, meetings for conference, prayer, and preaching were held every month, and the communion was celebrated in some parish on the following Sabbath. But this prosperous period soon passed, and Prelacy began to reveal her intolerance. Bishop Echlin, of Down, jealous of the popularity of these Presbyterian ministers, would ordain no more, unless they strictly conformed to prelatic rules. The Bishop of Raphoe continued for a time to come in as a presbyter' at ordinations. Only by the exertions of Usher was Echlin prevented from pronouncing censure on Blair and Livingston for 'exciting the people to ecstasies.' Four ministers at length were silenced without relief. Under Wentworth, Earl of Strafford, rigid conformity to Prelacy was enforced. The influence of the tyrant Laud also reached Ireland in 1634. Now a Court of High Commission deposed, excommunicated, and drove Presbyterian ministers from their labours. The Black Oath, 'to obey, and not protest against any of the King's royal commands,' was employed to crush the people. Heavy penalties followed refusal. That persecution was a foreshadow of the terrible carnage produced by the Popish rebellion under Sir Phelim O'Neill in 1641-42. By savage bands, all Protestants were slaughtered without regard to sex or age. So sudden was the rising, that time only sufficed to save Dublin Castle from the conspirators. That winter finds no parallel in Irish history. In several towns the Protestants stood on the defence; but death reigned. Not fewer than 40,000 Protestants fell in the first year of that rebellion. The Presbyterians suffered less than others. Many had retired to Scotland to escape the tyranny of Strafford and the bishops. Those who remained were at first unmolested. They had thus time to procure arms and stand on the defence. Wherever they trusted to the pretensions of the Irish they suffered the penalty of their misplaced confidence. At length, by the aid of Scottish troops, under Major-General Munro, who occupied the Castle of Carrickfergus, protection was afforded from the rebels, who were never subdued or punished. |