and nothing but mode," which Dr. Carson stoutly maintains. He then considers the views of other Baptist writers, and the proper meaning and application of the terms merse, immerse, and the act, object and end in Baptism. The inquiry is afterwards presented at length on independent evidence. In stating more fully the meaning of the term, he ably shows the inability of Baptists to find a proper representative word, which will apply in all cases, to their mode of administration, and that they involve themselves in confusion and absurdity by attempting to do so. Then we have quotations in great fulness and variety from ancient writers, Greek and Latin, and from modern literature, with remarks upon many of them by Baptist writers. These the author discusses with much critical acumen and candour, proving satisfactorily that they sustain his views of the meaning and use of Baptism, and that they are irreconcilably opposed to those of Baptist writers. After a very full induction of the literal and figurative use of the terms by classic writers of different ages and countries, the author brings out at the close a summary of the whole argument, in a final answer to the question-"What is Classic Baptism." He says, 66 over against the Baptist answers— "1. Baptizing is dipping, and dipping is baptizing.'-Baptist. Confession of Faith.

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"2. To dip, and nothing but dip, through all Greek Literature.'— Dr. Carson.

"3. To immerse, immerge, submerge, to dip, plunge, to whelm.'— Dr. Grant.

I am to place this answer-Whatever is capable of thoroughly changing the character, state, or condition of any object is capable of baptizing that object; and by such change of character, state or condition, does in fact baptize it."

II. JUDAIC BAPTISM. After noticing criticisms on Classic Baptism by Baptist writers, the Author considers at length the cases of Baptism recorded in the writings of Josephus, Philo, and the son Sirach. These are presented in a luminous manner, and shown to be completely at variance with the dogmatical views of such Baptist writers as Dr. Carson, in relation to what they teach as the sole mode of baptism. In the second part, we have the Patristic interpretation of passages in the Old Testament, expounded as Judaic baptisms and figures of Christian baptisms, showing plainly their conception of Baptizo. In this portion of the work, he quotes many passages from the historical books, Psalms, and Prophecies of the Old Testament— from some portions of the New Testament, and from the Apostles; and the expositions of these are given by a large number of the Greek and Latin fathers. The evidence here is remarkably full and clear, that the Baptist method of confining the meaning of the term Baptize to the act and mode of immersion, or dipping, has no support whatever from the manifold testimonies of Judaic Baptism, and Patristic interpretations.

In the language of one of the Reviews (Presbyterian-New York): "He, Dr. D., cites passages from Jewish writers and from the Christian Fathers,

and with the same rare sagacity, and keen discrimination, of which he has shewn himself to be so thorough a master, he demonstrates that baptizo cannot have the exclusive meaning 'dip.' He establishes his position, that all through the Patristic interpretations of Jewish baptisms, it is written in characters so plain, that a wayfaring man, though a fool, need not err therein-that a dipping and covering with water never enters into their thoughts as a requisite for baptism. Indeed, the incongruity, that results from a logical application of the theory he opposes becomes absolutely ridiculous. As an intellectual discipline the work will invite and reward study."

III. JOHANNIC BAPTISM.-With like patient research, keen analysis, exhaustive argument, and genial manner, the author, in this volume treats the subject of John's Baptism. It is distinguished for clearness and depth of criticism, candour, and earnestness of spirit-and an implicit submission to the conclusions, which careful exegesis, and sound logic establish as the legitimate meaning of inspired truth. We have been particularly pleased with the author's sound and scholarly views, so clearly put and ably sustained, of the meaning and application of Greek prepositions in connection with Baptism, and of the import of such phrases as "baptism of repentance," and "baptism unto the remission of sins." He shows with convincing power that the Greek preposition en, in the connection in which it occurs in John's baptism, can only mean the instrument and not the element, and that the phrase "unto repentance" is to be taken as characterizing the distinction between John's baptism and that of others. The assumption that Baptizo always requires the enveloping element of water is completely disproved, and shown to be a pure error. The work has been justly said to be "a monument of learning and ability." A person who carefully studies it, and who is capable of entering into the author's criticisms and reasoning, will find in it a well-furnished armoury of polished weapons with which he will be prepared to repel the assaults of the ablest Baptist writers upon the Scriptural mode of baptism.

IV. CHRISTIC AND PATRISTIC BAPTISM.-This concluding volume of these "Inquiries" is even more full and exhaustive than its predecessors, but marked throughout by the same spirit of keen criticism, exact interpretation, and candour in dealing with the views which are controverted. It discusses at length the question-"What is Christic Baptism?" treats of Christ-the Baptism by the Holy Ghost-of Christian Baptism preached-of Baptism preached incorporated as a rite-of the ritual baptism of households-Doctrinal truth grounded on real baptism, of supposed allusions to Ritual Baptism, and of real Baptism into the name of the Trinity, and through discipleship into Christ. Then under the head of Patristic Baptism are discussed at length, the import of Baptizo in general usage-Baptisma-Baptism with water and the Spirit-burial in Baptism-and Baptizo in special usage. The Final Results are thus summarily stated in the close :

"1. The BAPTISM OF INSPIRATION is a thoroughly changed spiritual condition of the soul, effected by the power of the Holy Ghost, through the cleansing blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, and so making it meet for reconciliation, subjection and assimilation to the one fully revealed living and true God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

"2. This ONE BAPTISM of INSPIRATION is, by Divine appointment, ritually symbolized as to its soul-purifications, by pure water poured or sprinkled, or otherwise suitably applied to the person, together with a verbal announcement of the spiritual baptism thus symbolized.

"3. DIPPING THE BODY INTO WATER is not, nor (by reason of a double impossi. bility found in the meaning of the word, and in the Divine requirement) can it be CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. That Christian Baptism is a water-dipping is a novelty unheard of in the history of the Church for fifteen hundred years. This idea is not merely an error which sweeps away the substance of the baptism without leaving a vestige behind. It is a sheer and absolute abandonment of the Baptism of Inspiration, which is a baptism into CHRIST into the NAME of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; and the substitution for it of a dipping into water, which has no more place in the Scriptures than the English W has a place in the alphabet of the Greek Testament.

This RESULT (a nullification of the theory which says that "dipping into water is Christian Baptism ") has not been sought, nor announced with any feelings of triumph or gladness of heart, as against the friends of this theory, but it is declared as a result demanded by the concurrent and unanimous testimony of heathen writers, Jewish writers, inspired writers, and early Christian writers, reaching through a continuous historic period of more than one thousand years.”

Notes on Public Events.

THE WAR AND the Bible SocieTY'S OPERATIONS.-To all who devoutly recog. nise the Divine hand in events that are transpiring, it must be very evident that God's judgments are at the present time abroad in the earth, and this to an extent well fitted to fill the mind with awe, and to elicit the anxious question, What shall the end of these things be? Turn to whatever quarter of the globe we may, we meet with much which painfully shows that "distress of nations with perplexity" prevails. The sanguinary war that has been raging so fiercely for many months, laying waste one of the fairest parts of Europe, continues to be prosecuted with unabated and almost unexampled fury, neither of the combatants making any decided progress or showing any signs of exhaustion. Tens of thousands of the flower of both empires are falling by sword and pestilence; the worst passions of our depraved nature have been roused on both sides, and the most brutal atrocities perpetrated; countless homes are being desolated and the most woeful domestic miseries endured; and both countries are being rapidly sunk in debt from which they will probably never be able to retrieve themselves--and yet the terrible carnage goes on, and to all appearance will go on, to the bitter end, as if both nations were given up of God to consume each other. One stands aghast at the appalling spectacle, wondering what purposes are to be served by it all: and filled with deep perplexity we can only fall back for comfort upon the two-fold assurance that "the Lord reigneth," and that "when His judgments are in the earth the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness." And how importunate should be our prayer that the blessed saying which is written may be speedily fulfilled-" And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks; nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."

As it is ever forward to do in such emergencies, our National Bible Society has been directing its attention to the seat of war, and is doing what it can to put the word of life and peace into the hands of those who are engaged in this terrible

struggle. As the work is in addition to the Society's ordinary operations, and attended with considerable expense, special donations are being appealed for to enable the Society to carry it on. From the Quarterly Record for September we take the following :-"With the sanction of the authorities at St. Petersburg an experienced man has been sent down to the seat of war with a large supply of Scriptures. Two colporteurs have also been stationed at Crajova, in Roumania, on the line of march of the Russian troops. These arrangements, and the work in Warsaw fortresses, reported in last Record, entail a heavy expense, to meet which, and to provide for the extension of the war colportage, special contributions will be welcomed. The agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society, corroborates our own experience when he reports the eagerness with which the soldiers buy, and the reverence with which they read the Scriptures."

THE FAMINE IN INDIA.-Of late the war with all its horrors has been overshadowed in the public attention by this fearful calamity which has come upon so many of our fellow-subjects in our Indian Empire. And certainly it was high time more notice was being taken of this matter, for a worse calamity of the kind has, we believe, been seldom if ever experienced. As is well known, while other parts of the Empire have suffered to a considerable extent, the greatest distress has been in the Presidency of Madras, which includes 27,000 square miles and a population of some 16,000,000, of whom II millions are said to have been seriously in danger, while the other 5 millions have been suffering all the wretchedness of want with its attendant evils. The result has already been the death of upwards of half a million of persons, and the number is still being augmented, notwithstanding all the efforts made to bring relief to the famishing. Upon the harrowing details, with which all are more or less familiar, we need not dwell. The Indian Government has been doing its utmost to meet the emergency, both by opening relief works and distributing food gratuitously; but with its limited resources it was quite unable to do all that is urgently needed. Hence the appeal that has been made to British charity to aid in the work of relieving the suffering millions by voluntary contributions. It is matter for regret that steps were not taken in this direction much earlier, as thereby, humanly speaking, many lives lost might have been preserved. When however the appeal for help was at length made, it was enforced by such heart-rending tidings that it has awakened universal sympathy, and elicited a response which shows, that with all our multiplied evils, practical Christianity is still a mighty power in our land, upwards of half-a-million pounds sterling having been contributed to the National Relief Fund, with contributions still flowing in. And all will be needed, and more. It is gratifying to hear, that through the efforts put forth, the sad effects of the calamity have been somewhat mitigated, and likewise that the harvest prospects have greatly improved in many quarters, through rain having fallen copiously, in answer we may believe to the many prayers that have ascended from believing, sympathising hearts to Him who is at once the God of Nature, of Providence, and of Grace, in behalf of the parched land and its starving, perishing inhabitants. When shall we witness anything like a similar intense wide-spread interest manifested in the equally needful, yea the infinitely more important, work of sending the Bread of Life to the famishing souls of India's teeming millions?

Many of our readers will be gratified to know that though the rice crops have been suffering from want of rain, and though the price of grain is certain to be high in the Seoni district where our missionaries are labouring, there is, as yet, no likelihood of a famine being experienced there.

PROJECTED PAPAL AGGRESSION IN SCOTLAND.-It is credibly reported that we are on the eve of witnessing another Papal raid upon our poor deluded country,

such as took place in England some six or seven and twenty years ago, when a Romish hierarchy was there set up. "We learn," says the Tablet (Cardinal Manning's organ)" that his Holiness intends within a short period to restore the hierarchy to Scotland, and that the vicars-Apostolic in that country have been requested to deliberate upon the subject, and to report to the sacred Congregation of Propaganda. Nothing more than this has been done; neither the number of sees nor the names of their future occupants have been as yet determined. (More however has been done since this was written). We know of nothing more calculated to ensure the spread of the observance of their religion among Catholics spread so widely over Scotland-native and Irish-than the perfecting of the organisation of the Church, and the increase of ecclesiastical centres." And then the writer goes on to say-and we commend this especially to those who pooh-pooh the idea of Popery making progress in our land :-"As an instance of the material blessings flowing from the re-establishment of the hierarchical order in the country, we may refer to the results and figures published in England, in 1875, upon the occasion of the "Half-Jubilee" of the English hierarchy; and we may add that the Dutch, the Australian and the American hierarchies have produced similar results. In England the increase from 1871 to 1875, according to the return forwarded to the Holy See, consisted of 5 bishops, 888 priests, 501 churches, 245 communities of men and women, to colleges, 1055 poor schools, and 113,455 additional Catholic children receiving a Catholic education. Who seven and twenty years ago would have predicted this wonderful increase, out of the poverty of the Catholic community in England? The fact is that the increase of bishops multiplies the centres of activity, and that from these centres the rings of various kinds have been continually widening-priests, churches, communities, colleges and poor-schools. Some of the English dioceses in which the bishops began under a burden of debt, and literally without a vestment or a house or lodging of his own, are among those which have made the greatest proportionate progress. The poverty of Catholic Scotland (mark the expression) will no more check the increase of bishops, and of the works which must grow up around them, than it checked the action of the apostles and their successors in the first centuries of the Church. A desire for the re-establishment of the hierarchy has been expressed and felt in all parts of Scotland and among all classes of Catholics, and not only in Scotland, for more than once that desire has found a voice at the foot of the Pontifical throne. We have no doubt but that with the advice of vicars-Apostolic the Holy See will now plant again in Scotland a hierarchy, with a number of centres sufficient to quicken and multiply all over the country every kind of religious activity."

The simple fact that such a step is being seriously contemplated is surely enough of itself to indicate that Romanism has been making decided progress under Britain's infatuated policy in regard to it, and that high-toned Protestantism has been rapidly dying out of our land; for had it been otherwise such a defiantly offensive proposal would never have been made. A Roman Catholic hierarchy again set up in the land of Knox and the Covenants and the martyrs-a land which Bible truth once made gloriously free! Is it possible that such a thing can take place? The very thought of it should be sufficient to fill the whole country with righteous indignation and rouse it to offer the most determined opposition to the bold measure as one by which another fatal breach will be made in our already sadly invaded Protestant constitution, and our liberties, both civil and religious, still further endangered. Unless we are become, as indeed there is reason to fear we largely are, wholly destitute as a people of the spirit which animated our reforming ancestors, who knew too well what popery was from dire experience, we