the earlier orthodox commentators supposed. This is precluded by the plural, "his goings forth," which cannot be taken as denoting the abstract, or as an indefinite expression, but points to a repeated going out, and forces us to the assumption that the words affirm both the origin of the Messiah before all worlds, and his appearance in the olden time, and do not merely express the thought that "from an inconceivably remote and lengthened period the Ruler has gone forth, and has been engaged in coming, who will eventually issue from Bethlehem " (Hofmann). The announcement of this Ruler as being before all worlds unquestionably presupposes his divine nature; but this thought was not strange to the prophetic mind in Micah's time, but is expressed without ambiguity by Isaiah, when he gives the Messiah the name of "the Mighty God."

These citations will enable our readers in some measure to judge of the character of this commentary. We most cordially recommend it, as an eminently able, judicious, and satisfactory exposition of an important part of the Holy Scripture.

noble rivers, and associated in history with incidents and events of the most interesting kind. The authoress presents us, in this volume, with some of the more prominent of these, and does so in an easy, agreeable, descriptive style, which is pleasing to read, and will be attractive to the young.

WORDS OF COMFORT FOR PARENTS BEREAVED OF LITTLE CHILDREN. Edited by WM. LOGAN, Author of the Moral Statistics of Glasgow. With an Introductory Historical Sketch, by the Rev. WM. ANDERSON, LL.D., Glasgow. Fifth Edition, enlarged. 13th Thousand.

London: James Nisbet and Co. 1868.

We have warmly commended previous editions of this invaluable treasury of consolation for Christian mourners, and we cordially welcome this issue in an enlarged form. It is enriched with many new contributions both in prose and poetry from able writers, not a few of whom have evidently been themselves bereaved of little children, and who here speak from the heart to the heart. The pious and painstaking editor will have anew the fervent thanks of thousands of sorrowing hearts for his labour of love in the additions he has made to these true words of comfort; and once more we heartily commend his work to the acceptance of the universal church, as pre-eminently fitted to bind up the wounds of those who weep because their children are not.

the committee for their diligence, and instruct the convener to transmit the suggestions to the superintendents of the several Sabbath schools. By certificate of transference, Mr. Andrew Chapman, M.A., student of the second year, was received from the Dundee Presbytery, and had subjects of discourse and examination prescribed. The clerk, in terms of instructions, submitted a draft table of statistics, which the presbytery approved and adopted, and authorized that 1200 copies of the said table be printed for the use of the congregations within the bounds. It was reported, on behalf of seven congregations, that the collection for the Synod Fund had been made. The next meeting of presbytery is to be held in the same place on Tuesday, 19th January

1869.

Belfast. This presbytery met at Belfast on the 24th November. Dr. Bryce was chosen moderator of the presbytery for the

next half-year, and took the chair accordingly. Mr. Fitzpatrick intimated that the Sixtowns congregation had had supply of sermons once a fortnight since the last meeting of presbytery. Dr. Bryce, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Mair, and Mr. Buchan, agreed to supply Sixtowns for the next three months. Mr. Cuthbertson reported that he had received a promise of a grant of £250 from the Church Extension Fund to assist in building a church at Portadown, and that he had collected about £100 amongst his own people and other friends in Portadown. This sum he expected to increase. The presbytery expressed their satisfaction with Mr. Cuthbertson's statement. Next meeting of presbytery was appointed to take place at Cullybackey on the last Tuesday of February 1869.

Berwick.--This presbytery met on the 10th of November-the Rev. James Harrower, moderator. Mr. J. P. Wood was certified from the Hall, and transferred to the Presbytery of Edinburgh. The Rev. William Ritchie was appointed to dispense the communion in Church Street, Berwick, on the second Sabbath of December. The congregation of Ayton, West, requested a re-hearing of Messrs. William Fergusson and William Smith, probationers. The request was granted. Messrs. George Bathgate and John Ormiston, as commissioners from Chirnside, presented a petition for moderation in a call. It was stated that the stipend promised is £160, with the addition of a free manse, and the supply of the pulpit for four Sabbaths at the annual holidays. The petition was granted; and the Rev. Andrew B. Robertson was appointed to preach and moderate on the 25th of November. It was agreed specially to recommend the proposed collection to be made on an early Sabbath in all the congregations on behalf of the Aged and Infirm Ministers' Fund. Inquiry was made regarding the Synod collection, and the clerk was instructed to write to absent members to ascertain whether the collection has been made in all the congregations. The presbytery met again on the 8th of December-the Rev. James Harrower, moderator. The clerk reported that he had corresponded with all the members absent from last meeting, and that the annual collection for the Synod Fund had been made in nearly all the congregations of the presbytery. The

Rev. Andrew B. Robertson reported his proceedings in the moderation of a call at Chirnside. It was given in favour of Mr. William Rutherford, probationer, and was most harmonious, only three having voted for another candidate, and these having

at once signed the call to Mr. Rutherford. The presbytery were gratified to find that it was numerously signed, the number being 345 in full communion, to which were added the signatures of forty-one ordinary hearers. The call was read, the moderator's conduct approved, and the call sustained. Messrs. James White and Alexander Johnston appeared as commissioners with a petition that the call be prosecuted. Mr. Rutherford being present, the call was put into his hand, and he declared his cordial acceptance of it. Subjects of trial for ordination were then assigned to him. A petition was read from the congregation of Ayton, West, praying the presbytery to moderate in a call to one to be colleague and successor to their venerated pastor, the Rev. James Stark. Messrs. Willam Inglis and Thomas Storey appeared 'as commissioners to support the prayer of the petition. The stipend promised to the junior pastor is £150. A memorial was read from the session of Summerhill Congregation, Ayton, complaining of the sanction given to the West United Presbyterian Church, Ayton, to continue in a distinct capacity,' and adducing a variety of circumstances in favour of the memorialists' opinion, that there ought to be only one United Presbyterian Church in Ayton. The following are the principal points: 1. Of late years churches have been formed in many parishes bordering upon Ayton. Formerly there were no United Presbyterian churches in Chirnside and Eyemouth. Churches in connection with other bodies have arisen in the Foulden and Reston districts. 2. The Ayton churches have all along encroached upon and crippled each other. 3. There is not population for two properly-sized churches in Ayton. 4. The cause of religion has suffered, and will still suffer, from the continuance of the two churches in Ayton. The memorial concludes with the prayer that the presbytery take steps for the formation of one United Presbyterian Church in Ayton. The Rev. Thos. Montgomery was heard at considerable length in support of this memorial, The commissioners from Ayton, West, were heard in reply. After protracted discussion, it was proposed by the Rev. W. Ritchie, and seconded by Mr. R. Carmichael, that the petition from Ayton, West, be granted. It was also proposed that the petition be not granted. Several members of presbytery expressed themselves in favour of a union between the two congregations, if the state of feeling between them had afforded the least hope of its being possible to effect it. The second motion not being seconded, the first was declared carried. The Rev.

Thomas Montgomery protested against this decision, and appealed to the Synod, whereupon the presbytery, considering that delay would be injurious to the interests of the congregation applying for a moderation, resolved to disregard this protest, and act on their agreement to grant the moderation. The Rev. William Ritchie was therefore appointed to preach and moderate in the congregation of Ayton, West, on Monday the 21st December, at seven o'clock P.M. Attention was called to the state of the fund for Holy Island mission, and it was recommended that congregations send in their annual contributions to this fund during the month of January. Next meeting of presbytery was appointed to be held on the 12th of January.

Cupar. — This presbytery met on the 15th of December last in the class-room of Bonnygate Church-Mr. David Anderson, moderator. Mr. Edwards, student of divinity of the second year, was transferred from the Presbytery of Elgin and Inverness. It was agreed that, with the view of meeting the convenience of members, the ordinary meetings of presbytery should be held for the future on Wednesday instead of Tuesday. Several congregations reported that they had made the annual contribution to the Synod's General Fund according to the scale of assessment. With the view of promoting a revival of religion within the bounds, the following scheme of arrangements, submitted by Mr. Rankine, was unanimously adopted:-1st, That the presbytery, impressed with a sense of the importance of securing an increased interest in the public ordinances of religion, as also of the desirableness of a greater attention being paid by those under their superintendence to family and personal religion, agree that some special means be employed by them as a presbytery for the purpose of promoting these objects. 2d, That with this view the following arrangements be made for the present:-That a special meeting be held once a year, to which all the elders shall be invited, and at which an address on some practical subject shall be delivered by one of the members; and a private conference held on the state of religion within the bounds of the presbytery.

That an

annual visitation of all the congregations shall be made by a committee of presbytery, for the purpose of addressing the members on some practical subject agreed on by the presbytery. 3d, That in order to carry out this scheme, the presbytery shall be divided into three districts the eastern, the western, and the central. 4th, That in localities in which a difficulty may be felt in securing an attend

ance of the members on a week-day, an exchange of pulpit services may be effected on Sabbath, and the congregation be addressed on the subject agreed on by the presbytery. 5th, That in order to carry out the presbyterial visitation, a convener shall be appointed for each of the districts, on whom it shall devolve to make the necessary arrangements for holding the district meetings. 6th, That a General Committee, consisting of the conveners of the district committees and the moderator of the presbytery for the time being, shall be appointed to make the arrangements for the annual meeting, and to submit to the presbytery an annual report of visitations made to the several congregations, and any practical suggestions that may seem to them of value. Next meeting to be held in the same place, on the Wednesday after the second Sabbath of February 1869,-to meet at ten A.M. for the examination of students, and at twelve for the special objects specified in the second resolution; Mr. Rankine to deliver the address.

A

Edinburgh. This presbytery met on 1st December the Rev. Andrew Morton, moderator. The students on trials for licence delivered several discourses. letter was received from Mr. Wyvil J. Thomson, preacher, intimating his acceptance of the call from Ford. The memorial from the session of Bristo Street (for which see last report) was then taken up. After some discussion it was moved by Dr. Peddie, seconded by Mr. Thomson, Haddington, 'That the presbytery appoint a committee to prepare an overture to the Synod, proposing an addition to the rules and forms of process to the following effect: That ministers who, being incapacitated by old age, infirmity, or sickness, are obliged to give up the discharge of their pastoral duties, shall notwithstanding retain seats and votes in the church courts unless they expressly desire to be relieved from these; but that ministers who, for other reasons, resign the work of the pastorate, shall cease to be members of sessions, presbyteries, and Synods.' Mr. Deans, Portobello, moved the appointment of a committee to consider the whole subject, and report to the presbytery. After some further discussion, Dr. Peddie withdrew his motion, and Mr. Deans' motion was unanimously agreed

to.

Glasgow. This presbytery met on 8th December-Dr. J. B. Johnston, moderator. Mr. Drummond reported that, according to appointment of presbytery, he presided at a meeting of the Gorbals congregation, on the evening of 25th November, for the election of a colleague and successor to

the Rev. David Macrae. Three gentlemen were successively proposed and seconded, -Mr. William Wilson, probationer, Edinburgh; the Rev. William Rigby Murray, Ardrossan; and the Rev. John C. Jackson. He took a vote, by a show of hands, when there appeared for Mr. Wilson, 17; for Mr. Murray, 52; and for Mr. Jackson, 52. Mr. Wilson having the least number of votes was struck off the list, and a vote was then taken, by a show of hands again, between Mr. Murray and Mr. Jackson, when the result was-Mr. Murray, 61; Mr. Jackson, 61. There being thus an equality of votes, he then, according to one of the modes left to be followed in such a case, divided the house; and the issue was, that there were for Mr. Murray, 70, and for Mr. Jackson, 63. There was thus a majority of seven in favour of Mr. Murray, whose name was accordingly inserted in the call. Subsequently the call was signed by 164 members and 26 adherents. The court sustained the call, and appointed commissioners to prosecute the proposed translation before the Presbytery of Kilmarnock. The congregation of Duke Street petitioned the presbytery to grant them moderation in a call; and intimated that the stipend to the minister who might be chosen would be £430, with £20 additional for sacramental and other expenses. The court agreed to meet in Duke Street Church, for the purpose requested, on the evening of Monday, the 28th December, at half-past seven o'clock. Mr. Peter Hamilton, elder, said that at the meeting in October a deputation from the Home Mission Board waited upon the presbytery to plead the cause of the Augmentation Scheme, and that a committee was appointed to prosecute the objects of the scheme. The committee met immediately afterwards, and issued a circular to all the congregations within the bounds, requesting that on or before the 18th November reports should be forwarded, stating what steps had been taken in the matter. He expected upwards of seventy replies, but he had only got sixteen. He thought the matter was too serious to be treated in this way. Mr David Anderson, elder, said that if each congregation would but thoroughly consider the scheme, and try to give something, be it much or small, there would be a prospect of some permanent and satisfactory result being arrived at. After conversation, the presbytery cordially recommended the scheme to the congregations; and it was left to the committee to determine whether another circular should be issued.

Kelso. This presbytery met here on the 15th December-Rev. Mr. Miller, moderator, with whom were associated eight ministers and four elders. On the review

of the minutes, a discussion arose on the necessity for inserting the words, with the usual qualifications,' after the clause stating that the lately ordained minister 'was prepared to sign the Confession of Faith when required.' To avoid all possible misunderstanding, the expression was ordered to be added, and the propriety of signing instead of promising to sign the standards when required was adverted to, and was stated to be the practice of the church generally. Returns were called for of contributions for the Synod's General Fund, according to new mode of assessment, when it was found that four congregations had remitted the sums assessed in full, two under slight deduction, and four not as yet. Mr. Polson laid on the table certificates of attendance on the Hall from Professors Eadie and Cairns in favour of Mr. Boswell Berry, student of the second year; and subjects of discourses and examination were prescribed to him, and examinators were appointed. Mr. Thomas Kirkup, student of the first year, requested instruction as to his transference within the bounds of the presbytery. Attention was called to the duty of presbyteries to direct the attention of students, both on entering the Theological Hall and on receiving licence, to the claims of Foreign Missions, as well as of the churches at home, upon those who have devoted themselves to the service of Christ in the gospel, and to state that they are expected to hold themselves open to an invitation to exercise their gifts in either field. As bearing upon the encouragements held out to students to give themselves to foreign missionary work, the clerk submitted a letter from the Foreign Secretary explanatory of the conditions attached to the Baikie scholarships. Reference was made to the resolutions adopted at last meeting of Synod anent students' preaching, and to the direction of Synod that copies of the rules as modified be suspended in presbytery rooms. Special notice was taken of the fifth resolution, as bearing upon the presbyterial superintendence of senior students that may be hereafter reported as resident within the bounds, viz.: That with a view to the training of students in the art of preaching, presbyteries shall be authorized to provide that students, after attending the third session of the Hall, may preach in the congregations of the bounds in presence of the minister, and thus receive the benefit of his friendly criticism.' Appointed Messrs. Renton, Barr, and Ritchie, ministers, and Messrs. Calder and Cockburn, elders, a committee inquire as to the state of manse accommodation within the bounds of the presby

to

tery, and, if needful, to correspond and co-operate with the Manse Board, as per minute of Synod. Require statistical returns for the year ending 31st December to be made to the clerk by the 1st day of February next, and associate with him the moderator and Mr. Rogers as a committee to prepare the annual report against next meeting, when a conversation on the state of religion in the congregations of the presbytery shall be held. Mr. Giffen gave notice of motion for next meeting as follows: That in future the assessment for presbytery dues be made on stipend, and not on membership, as hitherto.' Appointed next meeting to be held on the third Tuesday of February 1869.

Kirkcaldy. This presbytery met at Leven on the 6th of October, and was constituted by the Rev. J. Malloch, moderator pro tem. The report on Sabbath schools was taken up and considered, when it was agreed to thank the committee, and especially the convener, Mr. Scott, for their diligence; to express satisfaction with the condition of congregational Sabbath schools in the presbytery; to call the attention of members of presbytery to the duty of instituting mission schools where practicable; and to reappoint the committee-Mr. Scott, convener. A letter was read from Mr. Thomas Cockburn, declining the call to Kinghorn, which was accordingly set aside. A petition for pecuniary aid from the congregation of Kinghorn was read, but, in the absence of necessary information, it was agreed that, instead of transmitting it at once to the Home Committee, the clerk be instructed to make inquiry on the point referred to, and, on obtaining the information required, to forward the petition to the committee, with the recommendation of the presbytery. The clerk reported that he had written the congregation of Burntisland, to ascertain what arrangement the congregation intended to make with Mr. Crawford, in the event of his being admitted an annuitant on the Aged and Infirm Ministers' Fund. Mr. Inglis, the presbytery elder, stated that the congregation had agreed to give Mr. Crawford a retiring allowance of £30 per annum, with the occupancy of the manse. The presbytery expressed satisfaction with the arrangement. Messrs. Kirk and Inglis appeared as commissioners from the congregation of Burntisland, and presented a petition for a moderation in a call to one to be their pastor, as colleague and successor to the Rev. D. G. Crawford. The commissioners stated that the stipend offered was £200 per annum. The presbytery agreed to record their approbation of the liberal spirit shown by the congre

gation, to grant the petition for a moderation, and appointed the Rev. J. Scott to preach and moderate in a call at Burntisland on the evening of the 16th November, at seven o'clock. Read a communication from the Home Committee intimating that a settlement of £30 had been granted to the congregation of Kennoway. Read also a communication from the Committee on Stipends, which was remitted to the presbytery's committee on the subject. Certificates from Professors Eadie and Cairns were read, attesting that Mr. R. C. Inglis, student of the first year, had attended the Divinity Hall during the session of 1868. Mr. Inglis being present, gave an account of the professors' lectures, with which the presbytery were satisfied. Agreed to recommend a thanksgiving for the recent harvest. This presbytery met again on the 1st of December-the Rev. J. R. Houston, moderator. Mr. Houston's period of office having expired, the Rev. R. D. Brownlee was appointed moderator for the next twelve months. The clerk reported that he had written the congregation of Kinghorn for the information required in reference to their application for aid; that he had received in reply an extract minute of a meeting of managers, which he read; that believing the communication to be satisfactory, he had forwarded the application from Kinghorn, with the recommendation of the presbytery, to the Home Committee; and that a grant of £12 had been given. The presbytery approved of what had been done. Read a letter from the Rev. Dr. Scott, transmitting the schedule of application to the Aged and Infirm Ministers' Fund, in the case of the Rev. D. G. Crawford, and requesting that the presbytery's report in the schedule be filled up. It was unanimously agreed to fill up the report; and this having been done, the clerk was instructed to forward it to the convener of the committee. The Rev. Mr. Scott reported that he had preached at Burntisland on the evening of the 16th of November, and moderated in a call; he also gave an account of his conduct, which was approved of. Messrs. Inglis and Duncanson appeared as commissioners from the congregation, and laid on the table said call with relative documents. The call was addressed to the Rev. James Parlane, of Hawick, subscribed by 121 members, and accompanied by a paper containing the names of nineteen ordinary hearers. The call was read, along with reasons for the translation of Mr. Parlane, a petition from the congregation that the call be sustained, and a letter from Mr. Crawford expressing his cordial concur