and those who think and feel as he does, can be satisfied with the Assembly's deliverance. A motion by Dr. Rainy, amended by Sir Henry Moncrieff, sustaining the Synod's judgment, but declaring that the Assembly does not accept the understanding pressed by Dr. Dods, was adopted, in preference to a more stringent motion by Dr. Begg, enjoining the Presbytery of Glasgow to delete from their record the minute in regard to Dr. Dods, and to deal with him in regard to his views reasserted in his letter contained in that minute. The large majority of 219 in favour of Dr. Rainy's motion showed very significantly how feeling lay in regard to the case. That motion asserted that no substantial interest appeared to be imperilled by accepting the Synod's decision. To this Dr. Begg replied that the most substantial interests were imperilled, if they allowed it to go forth that any of their ministers could call in question the accuracy of the Word of God as it originally came from Him-if they did not give forth a most distinct deliverance in regard to that matter. As Mr Bremner succinctly put the whole case-" Either Dr. Dods, in his sermon and preface, uses the expression, divine supernatural inspiration,' not in an orthodox, but in a rationalistic sense; or, contrary to the Word of God and the Confession of Faith, he meant it to apply only to certain portions of the Scriptures, and regards the other portions as not divinely and supernaturally inspired; or he must hold that the Bible, of which God, (who is truth itself,) is the author, contains divinely, supernaturally inspired errors and inaccuracies." Who will venture to affirm that the deliverance given forth adequately meets a case involving such alternatives as these?

6

On the motion of Dr. Adam, who delivered himself of a "voluntary" oration that must have rejoiced the heart of Dr. Hutton of Paisley, the Assembly, by the usual "overwhelming majority" again declared itself in favour of immediate Disestablishment. Opposed to this sweeping deliverance, were Dr. Begg, with a following of 50, and Sir Henry Moncreiff, with a following of 84. Dr. Begg's motion expressed disapproval of the Disestablishment agitation, and declared that the Church maintained her principles uncompromised. In seconding this motion, Dr. Kennedy of Dingwall stated that "he agreed with the other side in thinking, that there was something unscriptural yet connected with the constitution of the Established Church. He agreed also with them in thinking, that there was something connected with the Establishment which should utterly and suddenly terminate. But when they came to determine what that was that should terminate, a difference then arose between them. Their quarrel seemed to be with the connection between the Church and the State, while the quarrel of those who agreed with him was as to the unscripturalness of that connection. What he desiderated, was the removal of all that was unscriptural in the connection now subsisting between the Established Church and the State; and he thought that was the most kindly, and most reasonable part." Sir Henry's proposal was something between the other two, to the effect that " no legislative change in the relation of Church and State in Scotland Can be approved of by this Church which does not

cor

provide for the continued recognition, by the State, of national obligation to the truth and Church of Christ, and the adequate maintenance of such legislative securities for it as may respond in altered circumstances to those which, till 1843, were supposed to have been furnished by the Revolution Settlement and the Treaty of Union." Sir Henry approves of disestablishment, as being in his opinion the essential step for a right adjustment of ecclesiastical parties in Scotland, but he declines to ask that this step be taken, until he knows how the thing is to be done and what is to follow. He will not agree to petition Parliament on the subject, "without telling Parliament that he wishes the old testimony to Christ's truth and to the Standards to be preserved and maintained." That, however, is just what Voluntaries and Liberationists don't wish, and what they will never ask Parliament to do, and so, while Sir Henry assures the United Presbyterians that he was very willing to unite with them in the same Church, he cannot unite with them on the ground to be taken in approaching the Legislature with a view to a change in the relations between the Church and the State. Why does Sir Henry not follow the example of the famous "Constitutionalists" and let his views be known to the Legislature? Were he to do so, would he not be likely to receive the reply, that, as what he wished in the matter of maintaining the old national testimony to the Truth and the Standards could evidently be best secured through the connection between Church and State being continued, it would be as well to leave things as they were. It is what Dr. Kennedy desires to see effected that all who wish the national testimony to Christ's truth and to our covenanted Standards preserved, should unite in asking to be done. Let everything unscriptural in the existing alliance between Church and State be disestablished and removed, and then the Church of Scotland would become the Church of Scotland free, and more than Dr. Kennedy would lack the discernment to see the difference between that and the, Free Church of Scotland.

OUR FOREIGN MISSION.

ALTHOUGH there is but little information to communicate at this time respecting our Mission work in India, yet it is believed that the readers of the Magazine will be glad to learn of the Rev. George Anderson's partial recovery, and of the continuance of evangelistic and educational work in Seoni. From the letters received since the meeting of Synod, it appears that, after progressing favourably for a time towards convalescence, Mr. Anderson had a relapse, which presented a very alarming aspect. In the good providence of God the effects were not so severe as was anticipated, and after a brief period of rest he rallied again, and has been able to direct and superintend those who have been actively carrying on the different agencies

in operation. In his last communication he says, "I am thankful to be able to inform you that my health continues to improve, though I am as yet by no means strong. I have to beware of study and exposure to the sun, as both have a tendency to injure my head. I have not yet resumed preaching, but I hope to be able to do so ere long. I think it safer to wait till we get the rains before doing SO. This year they are later than usual. This has been an unusually severe hot season; a number of the natives having died in this district from sunstroke. All the Europeans seem quite exhausted, and, as they often describe themselves, are panting for the rains. We have to be in-doors by 5.30 A.M., and cannot go out again till about 6.30. P.M. You can easily judge how wearisome the day is, when we are shut up in this way, and particularly for the children. By night we keep almost all our doors and windows open, with only bamboo wicker work close enough to keep out cats, and have heavy punkahs (fans) swinging over our beds all night; but notwithstanding all this it has been so hot for some time past that we can scarcely sleep. We consider that I am stronger now than I was before I had the relapse, of which you will have heard; and we cling more than ever to the hope that the rains and cold weather may do me so much good, as to render it unnecessary for us to go home for at least another year.”

We regret to be under the necessity of reporting that, on account of improper conduct, Imdad Masih has been dismissed from the Mission. After his dismissal he negotiated with some of the leading Mahommetans with a view of returning to their religious community, but he left Seoni before finally taking such a step. How deplorable

to think that a man who had been taught the doctrines and duties of our religion, and made a credible profession of his faith in Christ, and was judged competent to instruct others, should, when chargeable with sinful conduct, return to the superstitious practices which he professed to have relinquished for ever, instead of humbling himself before God and seeking that repentance which needeth not to be repented of. The services of Imdad Masih's wife have also been dispensed with. She assisted Mrs. Anderson in zenana work; but the following quotation from a recent letter of Mrs. Anderson's will show that she was not a very efficient worker :-"Though I was sorry to lose his wife's help in teaching my girls' class (which I still have regularly in the bungalow), I was not very sorry to lose her help as a zenana worker. Though she had the ability for it, I have found for some time past, indeed since I have been prevented from taking the lead in everything myself, that she was very dilatory and superficial in her work. The women as a rule did not value her visits when she went alone."

David Gajadhar has been transferred to the Mission School until a new teacher is obtained. The attendance of boys is as high as formerly, notwithstanding repeated attempts to draw them away. Some of the property adjoining the School has been secured at a cost of 200 rupees. Two houses, or rather huts, have been pulled down for the sake of air and light, and the third, which would do for a teacher's house, is at present let at 18 rupees per annum. Another three houses may be procured soon, and when once these are purchased and cleared away there will be plenty of light and air for the School, and room for enlarging it when necessary.

No additional children have been got for the Orphanage, but our Missionary is constantly on the outlook for them, and may find some neglected children soon. Mr. Anderson indicates that the expenditure of the Orphanage will probably be considerably higher this year than heretofore, as the price of grain continues to be from two to three times its normal price, and other things are high in proportion. At the date of last letter the building of the new Church was well advanced, and may be ready for occupancy by this time. Two kind friends, who worship in Edinburgh congregation, have presented the Mission with a handsome set of communion plate, consisting of silver salver, cups and flagon, and also with a baptismal bason. This generous act of theirs has been gratefully acknowledged by the Committee.

It is understood that Mr. Anderson will require to come home on furlough about the beginning of next summer, and will be absent from Seoni for more than a year. In view of this the Committee contemplate having Mr. Bose ordained as a minister of the Gospel, so that Mission work may be efficiently carried on during the absence of our Missionary. An additional labourer in Seoni is urgently required, and it is earnestly hoped that some young man will offer his services for the foreign field, and have his studies specially directed with a view to work in India. Meanwhile we ask the prayers of our people on behalf of the inhabitants of Seoni, and for a blessing to attend all the agencies employed for their spiritual benefit.

Literature.

Cyclopædia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. Prepared by Rev. John M'Clintock, D.D., and James Strong, S.T.D. Vol. vii. Royal 8vo., pp. 1005. Harper & Brothers, New York. 1877.

THE preparation of this magnificent Biblical and Theological Cyclopædia was commenced nearly a quarter of a century ago, the first volume being issued by the enterprising publishers in 1869. Its

professed design was to supply a full book of reference on all subjects of Doctrinal, Historical, and Fractical Theology. It embraces, therefore, a much wider plan than that of any Cyclopædia of like kind extant, either in the English tongue or in any other modern language. The work was undertaken, and the three first volumes were issued under the joint editorship of Drs. M'Clintock and Strong, who were known in America as distinguished literary men, and who occupied leading positions in different sections of the American. Church. The death of Dr. M'Clintock, the senior editor, occurred in March 1870, after the publication of the third volume; and since then the work has been carried forward by Dr. Strong and Professors Worman and Schem, giving satisfactory evidence of conscientious painstaking in furnishing full information on all topics discussed, with much accuracy and clearness in the details.

The Editors declare that their aim was to combine the excellencies of such known works as Kitto's Cyclopædia of Biblical Literature and Smith's Dictionary of the Bible, and to avoid their faults. Besides these, in the preparation of the work, they have made use of all other encyclopædias and dictionaries of importance, both general and special. Every article has either been written de novo or thoroughly revised, with reference to the most recent literature on each topic. As far as Church doctrines and literature are concerned, the work is not denominational, but eminently catholic in its scope and execution. The Editors state that, while not seeking to conceal their personal opinions in any respect, they have not obtruded their own ecclesiastical relations or dogmatic views. The articles on the several Christian denominations have either been prepared by ministers belonging to them, or have been submitted to such ministers for examination or correction. The list of contributors given in some of the volumes embraces a large number of distinguished ministers, authors, editors, and professors in Colleges and Theological Seminaries in America and elsewhere; and the references to the literature of the several articles supply lists of the most important works, ancient and modern, particularly of those which are most accessible to ordinary students, and are most valuable.

In noticing so large and comprehensive a Dictionary of Theology and of Biblical and Ecclesiastical Literature as this, it is difficult to select articles which are of special interest, when all are written with such care and with such fulness of statement, and clearness of illustration. We may instance-of articles contained in this seventh volume the biographies, ancient and recent, and the topographical accounts of various countries, that of Palestine being singularly full and satisfactory. The articles on the New Testament, the Pentateuch, the Passover, Pelagianism, Pantheism, the Apostle Paul and his writings, and Persecutions of Christians, earlier and later, cannot fail to impart to the careful student pleasure and profit in their perusal. It must have cost the contributors and editors immense labour, to select and arrange such articles from their diligent research and multifarious reading. Treating on such a vast number and variety of subjects, Biblical, Theological, Critical, Historical, and