so many exciting scenes and subjects; one who sympathised with the movement, but was not unduly carried away with it; and who, in placing facts and narratives before his readers, would be at some pains to test their correctness. With reference to his sources of information, Professor Gibson, in his Preface, says, "The sources on which I have drawn are of the most authentic kind; and had not the esteemed friends who have supplied so many contributions been urged to it by personal solicitation-and when the details in all their vividness were full in view-a vast amount of the most valuable information might otherwise have been altogether lost. . . . With the exception of an occasional incident or illustration gathered elsewhere, the sum total of which would not occupy two sheets of letterpress, the matter of the entire volume is original." A large portion of the book is occupied with the rise and progress of the Revival in the Presbyterian Church of Ireland, with reference to which the writer says," The impartial historian, of whatever name, will acknowledge that, while all the evangelical communities of Ulster were watered by the gracious grace that fell upon the pastures of the wilderness,' the Scoto-Irish soil received in amplest measure the shower and blessing." We regret that, owing to the very brief . period in which the book has been in our possession, we are unable to speak of the statistical department, which forms one of the most distinct and valuable features of the work. We may do this in a future number. Meanwhile we take the following passages from the last chapter, entitled " THE REVIVAL AND ITS LESSONS. "May we not learn from such awakenings as that under review, that for the conversion of the world we do not need another Gospel, and that the forces which the Church now possesses, always including, over and above mere machinery, the presence of the lifegiving Spirit, are amply sufficient for the great ends of her existence? "There has been manifested in certain quarters of late, an undefined but unmistakable impatience with the old and familiar modes in operation for the extension of the cause and kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. Symbolism has done its best to supersede the simple Gospel, by overlaying it with forms of curious device and tracery, and by the introduction of ritualistic novelties, by which, although the taste of the aesthetic man may be regaled, the free spirit is only hindered in its efforts to ascend to the pure region where it ought to worship and adore. And a mystic school, the spawn of rationalism in religion, has arisen, which, under a fair and bland exterior, and using a few plausible generalities of discourse, seeks to veil under its airy form the central and surpassing glories of the cross. Thus do the patrons of gilded toys and baubles, on the one hand, and the abettors of a vague, unmeaning intellectualism, on the other, fondly cherish the imagination, that by their respective nostrums they will introduce a better era for a languid church and a revolted world. And even in the true church itself, and among those who retain a hold of the old doctrine of the apostolic and reformation age, there has been to a lamentable extent a want of faith in its Divine energy and efficacy, so that the Word has but seldom pierced as a dividing sword, and its testimony has failed proportionately to pass as God's own emissary from the speaker's tongue to the hearer's heart. "But when a spirit of revival comes, away with pictorial playthings and mystic shadows! the necessities of man's moral nature demand! a better and a more enduring substance. Then none but Christ, and Christ without any other! and every tendency to idealise anything as a substitute for his finished work, dies within sight of the shades of Calvary. Then, too, the church of God learns, as she has not done before, that she is in possession of that mighty secret, would she only use it, by which the whole earth is to be subjugated to her Almighty King. She finds that all the glad results she witnesses have sprung from the felt and prized experience of those truths which, in their Divine harmony, have been exhibited in her distinctive symbols, and handed down from generation to generation of her children. She realises the conviction, that for all the ends of her establishment she needs no other instrument, and no other organisation, by which to carry it over the habitable globe. She comes to know, if not before, that what she ought to aim at with intenser earnestness than ever, is to bring the truth, in its native force and Divine simplicity, into direct and immediate contact with the hearts and consciences of men; and thus she is sustained and strengthened in the anticipations of the period when the rebuke of her people shall be taken away from off all the earth-when all that prophecy unfolds to the eye of faith shall be a grand reality, and when there shall be a voice of much people in heaven, as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, 'Halleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.' "We learn from such a work of grace as that which has taken place in Ulster, the true theory and solution of the problem of Christian union. "Is it not to the church an instructive, and to the world a convincing sight, which is exhibited at such a time of spiritual renovation? How often do we hear on platforms of sinking of minor differences,' and the like; and yet how rarely do we practise it, or make it manifest that we are one with all who hold by the Living Head, in faith, and hope, and charity! "But let a baptism of the Holy Ghost be given, and what before was a pleasing theory, beautiful to contemplate, impossible to realise, becomes without an effort an actual reality. Let the Disperser of confusion rend the heavens, and come down to do things that we looked not for, and the mountains flow down at his presence. Separations, that threatened to last for ever, yield to his glad advent, and the perpetual hills bow before Him whose ways are everlasting. The different sections of the one great spiritual community then find that they have so much to do with anxious, inquiring, and converted souls, that they have no time, no taste, no spirit, for aught beside. Thus is accomplished a result that no semi-mechanical agencies, however well intended, could possibly achieve. When we find others beyond our own pale, and whom, it may be, we have been acccustomed to regard with jealousy, blessed with a shedding down upon them of the same gracious influence, how can we, in the face of such heaven-descended tokens, be found perpetually trumpeting forth vain-glorious assertions of the pre-eminent value of our own systems and usages? and how can we refuse to say, combining the temper of the dove with that of the eagle, and looking from on high on the wide circle of Divine mercy, 'Grace be with all those that love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity'? "And has not this spirit to a large extent been manifested among the brethren of the various denominations that have shared the blessing in the North of Ireland? Wherever they have been like-minded in regard to this great work of God, have they not, as by a resistless force, been drawn into fraternal sympathy and united action? When the conference of the Evangelical Alliance was held in September last, in the metropolis of Ulster a convocation that was attended by unusual blessing to all engaged in it, as well as great advantage to the revival itself, as tending to obviate misapprehensions and correct abuses -was it not felt by all, that the interest awakened by this spiritual movement constituted a new and peculiarly tender bond of brotherhood? What can be more apparent than that it is not by dint of controversy (although we must not recede by a hairbreadth from any article we hold important, either pertaining to the doctrine or the polity, of the church) that we shall attain to uniformity of belief? And even those conventions that may be held as an annual or local demonstration of unity, what are they but the cover, not the removal, of division-a superficial virtue ! "This great awakening casts a new light upon the duties and responsibilities of individual Christians. "In this respect it has called forth into harmonious development a new power in the church, even the power of prayerful effort among its true-hearted and devoted members. What is it that has long been for a lamentation among the faithful ministers of the Gospel in this land? Has it not been that their labours were not seconded by the prayers and efforts of their own people, the great bulk of whom seemed to regard themselves as in no way responsible for the state of religion, either in their immediate neighbourhood or in the world? For want of Christian sympathy and co-operation, have not the hands of ministers hung down, and their spirits often sunk within them, as they contemplated the low condition of the professing church of God? "Happily, this hindrance is being taken out of the way. In many a district, there are those who have begun to say unto their brethren, Know the Lord,' and are thus showing that they are living unto Christ, and working for him in the world. Sloth, worldliness, selfishness, in their various forms, are being practically rebuked, and a state of preparation is going forward for putting the church in a position in which her energies shall be increased a thousandfold." THE following little works have recently been published by Mr. Tresidder, of Ave Maria Lane, London:-Large type Tracts for the Aged, and Pardon and Peace, are almirably adapted for distribution amongst the aged poor. The latter consists mainly of a collection of well-arranged Scripture texts under suitable headings; the "tracts" are short, pointed, full of the Gospel, and admirably adapted to the end in view.-Watch and Pray, and Fear Not, are two little twopenny tracts from the prolific pen of the Rev. James Smith, of Cheltenham, full of wise councils and saving truths.-A Sight of Christ; or, the Sinner's Blessedness, by the Rev. D. Thompson, in matter and arrangement resembles the "Faithful Promiser" of Macduff, and belong to a class of books calculated to be extremely useful.-Nearly uniform with the above is Never Despair, a pastoral reminiscence of the success of efforts made to rescue the fallen, by a minister when a student at college. Few publications of its class and size will be read with greater interest than this.-The United Prayer Meeting Hymn Book, is an adınirable little collection (price twopence) of nearly 200 hymns adapted for general use at daily and weekly meetings for prayer. We ourselves are connected with two prayer meetingsone daily and the other weekly-where this hymn-book is used with much acceptance both by old and young. The North British Review, as we learn from the current number, has changed hands. It will, in future, be issued by the wellknown theological publishers of Edinburgh, the Messrs. Clark. From the new prospectus of this admirable quarterly we take the following: "The North British Review will be, in the main, a literary journal. In every depart ment of literature and science it will seek the contributions of the writers most conversant with the several subjects, and best qualified to guide public opinion upon them. On social and political questions it will be devoted to the maintenance of Liberal principles, and endeavour to advance the cause of progress in harmony with the permanent order and benefit of society. Though not a theological journal, it will occasionally address itself to theological subjects, maintaining the cause of Evangelical Christianity in opposition to the various phases of infiIt will be the aim of its delity and error. conductors to view all the subjects treated of in their highest relations." Presbyterian Church in England. to the roll. Mr. Tennant being present took his seat. The Rev. W. Robinson was elected Moderator for the current year. A Home Mission Schedule from Belford was produced, read, and attested. Collections for the Synod Fund and the Foreign Missions were reported. Messrs. Terras and Robinson, Ministers, and Mr. Tennant, Elder, were appointed Commissioners to any Commission of Synod that may be held during the current year. The Presbytery adjourned to meet at Berwick on the last Tuesday of August, at half-past eleven. Closed with prayer. Intelligence. Presbyteries' Proceedings. PRESBYTERY OF BERWICK. ROCHESTER.-Our friends at Rochester have recently issued an appeal, with the view of raising a sum of £650, to be ex. commodious church. pended in the purchase of a suitable and The circular conPre-tains the following particulars :— THIS Presbytery met at Bankhill Church, Berwick-on-Tweed, May 29th, 1860. sent, Rev. Messrs. Munro, Fraser, Terras, Robinson, Cant, Thomson, and Haig, Ministers. Elders' Commissions from the Kirk Sessions of Etal, Lowick, and Tweedmouth, in favour of Messrs. Towns, Lilly, and Tennant, respectively, were given in, read, and sustained, and their names were added The Star Hill Church was built about three years ago for the Rev. Dr. Jenkyn, formerly Principal of Coward College. Shortly after his decease, in May, 1858, the congregation petitioned the Presbytery of London to "receive it within the bounds," and this having been cordially granted, the Rev. John Walker, formerly of Alnwick, was invited to minister to the Congregation, and dispense ordinances, which he has done for a period of upwards of twelve months, with much acceptance and manifest success. There is a large attendance of Royal Marines, for whom accommodation is provided. The only drawback to the growing prosperity of this newly established Congregation is, that the church is not their own, being rented at an annual expense of £65. The proprietor, Wm. Glanville, Esq. (who has all along been a liberal benefactor of the cause), now offers to sell it to the Presbyterian body at the reduced rate of £650, the means for accomplishing which it is confidently hoped will not be withheld. At a meeting of Presbytery, held at 29, Queen Square, on Tuesday, the 22nd May, 1860, the Rev. Dr. Mc Crie, Moderator, the case of Rochester was duly brought before the Court, and the Presbytery unanimously approved of the purchase of Star Hill Church, and very earnestly recommended the undertaking to the kind liberality of their Christian friends. Contributions will be received by the Rev. John Walker, Rochester; by Mr. Muirhead, High Street, Chatham, Treasurer to the Local Committee; at Day and Nicholson's Bank, Rochester and Chatham; or by Archibald T. Ritchie, Esq., 26, Poultry, E.C., London. Various sums, amounting to £400, have been already subscribed by members and adherents of the congregation. NORTH SHIELDS. On Tuesday, July 17th, the Rev. C. A. Mackenzie was waited on by Colonel Barnes, and Messrs. S. Kerr and J. Richardson, and, in the name of the Kirk Session and congregation of the Scotch Church, presented with upwards of Fifty Guineas, as a token of their hearty appreciation of his labours among them. This is now the second time that, during a ministry of some five years, this congregation has given substantial expression to its estimate of Mr. Mackenzie's ministerial zeal and ability. has been called away from the district and will be much missed. -- ST. PETER'S, LIVERPOOL. - A Bazaar will be held in the Assembly Rooms, Great George Street, in September, to aid in liquidating the debt on this place of worship. Until very recently the debt amounted to £2,000, but, by the exertions of the congregation, aided by the contributions of a few friends, that amount was reduced by £600 in March last. There still remains, however, a sum of £1,400- the interest on which forms a very considerable deduction from the annual revenue. Debt is always an embarrassment-always a drag on the energies of a congregation; it is most desirable, therefore, that all Churches be free from it. In the present case, this large amount of £1,400 is felt to be a heavy burden-it hangs as a dead weight on the congregation; it cripples their resources, and cramps their efforts and activities. They are engaging in Home Mission operations, and are employing a Missionary to labour in a district adjoining the Church, where there is a large propor tion of Scotch families-nominally Presbyterian-living in the habitual neglect of religious ordinances. Towards reclaiming these families to the observance of religion, and to the membership of the Church, the efforts of the Missionary will be specially directed. The amount saved to the revenue, by the reduction of the debt, would greatly assist the congregation, among other desirable objects, in carrying on these Missionary operations. It is earnestly hoped, therefore, that this important object will enlist the generous sympathies of Christian friends, and receive their hearty and liberal support. The Bazaar will be held in September. Contributions of Work, or Fancy Articles, are earnestly solicited, and may be sent to either of the following ladies in Liverpool, who, with others, have kindly consented to receive such contributions:-Mrs. Birrell, Freemason Row; Mrs. Bell, 8, Falkner Square; Mrs. George Bell, Brooklands, Aigburth; Mrs. Coubrough, 133, Parliament Street. PARKGATE, CHESHIRE.-At the close of MORPETH SCHOOL EXAMINATION.-The the usual weekly service, on Thursday, 28th day-school in connection with St. George's of June, the Rev. Mr. Halket, in name of Presbyterian Church, Morpeth, was visited friends connected with the Church, pre- by Mr. Brodie, the Government Inspector, sented Mr. John Rees with a Writing on Thursday, the 12th inst., and in the Desk, and a copy of Matthew Henry's Commentary, as a token of esteem, and in remembrance of his services for many years as superintendent of the Sabbath School, and latterly as elder, when the congregation joined the English Presbyterian Church. Mr. Rees was presented also with a handsome silver pencil case by the young people, and he acknowledged both gifts in most feeling terms. In the providence of God Mr. Rees afternoon, a committee of the Northumberland Presbytery, consisting of the Revs. Messrs. Douglas, Forsyth, and Anderson, examined the school and distributed the prizes, some of which were decided by a viva voce examination, conducted by Messrs. Douglas and Forsyth. A number of visitors were also present, and seemed to take a lively interest in the proceedings. Brodie also attended in the afternoon, and, Mr. at the close, addressed the pupils shortly on the necessity of making the most of their time, assuring them they might esteem themselves fortunate in having a teacher of such ability and energy as Mr. MacRae. He also spoke in high terms of the discipline and efficiency of the school. The beautiful new Presbyterian Church, designated St. George's, was opened on the 12th April, by the Rev. Dr. Guthrie, of Edinburgh. On Sabbath, the 15th April, the opening services were continued by the Rev. Dr. Hamilton, of London, who preached forenoon and evening; and by the minister of the congregation, who preached in the afternoon. - DOUGLAS, ISLE OF MAN. The Anniversary Sermons were preached in this Church on Sabbath, the 12th August, by the Rev. Robert H. Lundie, of Birkenhead, when the collections amounted to £26 68. 0 d., the largest ever obtained in the Church. NEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, NEWBIGGEN-BY-THE-SEA. A soirée, in behalf of the funds for erecting a place of worship in this rapidly-increasing village, in connection with the Synod of the Presbyterian Church in England, was held on Thursday, the 2nd of August, in a spacious marquee, kindly provided at the expense of Mr. and Mrs. Watson, of North Seaton Hall, and erected in a field belonging to Dr. Reid. The day being propitious, a great number of persons, young and old, were induced to assemble. There could not be fewer than 800 present, being the largest number of persons ever known to visit Newbiggen in one day. The children, about 300 in number, belonging to the Sabbath and Day Schools of St. George's Presbyterian Church, Morpeth, accompanied by their minister (the Rev. James Anderson), their teachers and parents, the choir of the congregation, and an instrumental band, led by Mr. R. Smith, were conveyed by a special train, kindly granted by the directors of the Blyth and Tyne Railway, to North Seaton station, whence they walked in procession to Newbiggen. Previous to their arrival at the village, they were invited by Mr. Watson to his grounds in front of the Hall, where the band played some airs, and the children sung a few hymns. The company then strolled along the beach, and afterwards assembled in the marquee, where they partook of an excellent tea. A public meeting was then held in the marquee. J. C. Stevenson, Esq., of South Shields, presided, and opened the proceedings in an excellent speech. Afterwards the Rev. Messrs. Anderson, Craig, Edwards, Ayre, Brown, Morley, Dall, and Messrs. Hood, Glover, Shepherd, and others, delivered appropriate addresses, in the course of which frequent reference was made to the munificence of Mr. Watson, not only in granting a site for the future church free of cost, but also in giving a handsome subscription towards its erection. The band and choir enlivened the meeting at intervals, by singing and performing various pieces of music. The utmost harmony prevailed; and, after cordial votes of thanks had been severally given to Mr. and Mrs. Watson, to the ladies, to the speakers, to Dr. Reid, for the use of the field, and to the choir and band (Mr. Grace, agent to Mr. Watson, acknowledging the compliment paid to Mr. and Mrs. Watson), a vote of thanks was tendered to the chairman, and the business of the meeting conIcluded with the National Anthem. The company separated about half-past nine, all arrived at home without the slightest much delighted with the proceedings; and accident to mar the pleasures of the day. [It is with great pleasure we insert the above notice, which has been communicated to us, of this interesting station. The fact that, from its own feeble resources, it is already maintaining the ministrations of the Gospel without any aid from the Home Mission Fund, ought to be enough to secure for it the hearty sympathy and aid of the friends of the Church.-ED.] TRICENTENARY OF THE SCOT TISH REFORMATION. THE celebration of the tricentenary of the Scottish Reformation was held in Edin burgh during four days, from 14th to 17th August, and two meetings were held on each day, morning and evening, at each of which important papers were read, and other business performed. On Tuesday evening the Lord Provost of Edinburgh presided, and the Rev. Dr. M'Crie gave a most interesting historical account of the "Scottish Parliament of 1560." The period allotted to each address was limited to half an hour; but, so much were the audience interested in the historic narrative of the rev. doctor, that they unanimously urged him to proceed. The Rev. Canon Miller next spoke, and in the course of his address he most emphatically denounced the "Negative Theology," expressing his conviction that John Knox would have exposed it as boldly as he did the Papacy. The Rev. Dr. Killen, Professor of Church History in the Presbyterian College, Belfast, then read a paper on "The Hand of God in the Reformation." Mr. John Mac |