ter.

That this influence will be radical and determining, no one can for a moment doubt. Hence the vast importance of insisting that religious instruction, not in the sectarian, but in the broad and catholic sense of the word, be given in these institutions. The demands of secularism-the word secularism being the modern word for what was formerly termed infidelity—that the instruction in the public schools shall be colourless (that is, destitute of any moral or religious ele ment), is, in our judgment, both impious and preposterous."

"It is time to pause and consider whether this apparent indifference (of the Church to this subject) is not one among other causes, and perhaps a chief cause, why in professedly Christian lands we have so much godless legislation, and that too, in matters vitally affecting the interests of religion. There are reasons, doubtless strong reasons, for caution in this direction, but it is neither manly, nor Christian, nor Presbyterian, to keep silence when the throne of iniquity frames mischief by a law.' As an illustration, we see the safeguards of the Sabbath, one by one, broken down; and, as a consequence, the day profaned in many ways formerly unknown, to the wounding of religion and the detriment of public morals. We seem to need a revival of the spirit which breathes in the language of the Psalmist, I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings and will not be ashamed; that burned in the words of the prophets when they declared in the face of kings those judgments which their sins were daily incurring; that flamed forth in such splendour at the Reformation, when, in so many forms and with such powerful effect and such beneficial results, the supremacy of the Divine law was affirmed."

We regret to observe in a few of the papers some indicatins of those tendencies to latitudinarianism which we feared might find expression in the pages of this Journal, notably in two articles by Dr. Dykes of London on Christian Worship. Presbyterians, true to their principles, have no reason to be ashamed of their simple mode of worship any more than of their unlordly form of government, for both are Scriptural; and to attempt to gratify ever varying human tastes at the expense of abiding Scriptural principle is at once dishonouring to Him whom we profess to serve and hurtful to the best interests of men.

Scottish Public Affairs, Civil and Ecclesiastical: A Letter to the Right Hon. The Earl of Beaconsfield; with special reference to the Coming Election and the Advent of Mr. Gladstone to Scotland. By James Begg, D.D. Edinburgh: James Gemmel. We rejoice in the satisfactory evidence given in this pamphlet that Dr. Begg is again able to wield the pen, and that his "hand" has lost nothing of its "cunning." Perhaps there is no man living who has a better right to be heard on Scottish affairs, than the sagacious author of this letter, and whether we can agree with all his views or not it is impossible not to feel that he is in earnest, and that what he says ought not to be lightly set by, but should receive most serious attention. Because he has seen meet to give his pamphlet the form of a letter to the Prime Minister, and refers towards the close to the contemplated crusade of Mr. Gladstone for the representation of MidLothian, the intolerant radicalism of a portion of the newspaper press has unscrupulously denounced it as a mere political manifesto in the interests of Toryism. Even granting that it were this, and nothing more, has not Dr. Begg as much right to hold conservative principles and do his best to further them, as his very liberal opponents have to hold and assert their principles? Well can he afford, however, to treat with the contempt they deserve his scurrilous anonymous assailants, conscious, as we have no doubt he is, that he has in view

an object higher and more important by far than any mere party triumph-even the temporal, social, and religious wellbeing of his native land whose interests have so long lain near his heart. Most cordially do we commend his vigorously written letter to all who want information on questions closely affecting the welfare of our country, and who wish to see that welfare promoted. And we trust the distinguished Statesman to whom the letter is addressed, will take these questions into serious consideration, and will see it to be his duty to do something in connection with them in the directions here indicated.

Notes on Public Events.

SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS.-There is reason to believe that in the recent School Board Elections throughout the country, no changes have taken place of such a kind as to endanger the continuance of "use and wont" in religious instruction where this has hitherto been carried on, and for this we should feel thankful. The apathy, however, almost everywhere shown by the Protestant community in regard to the whole matter has been remarkable, and very far from creditable. The Papists act otherwise, and by their zeal and earnestness set an example which should at once rebuke and stimulate their indifferent Protestant fellow-citizens. It is truly melancholy to think, that in several of the large centres of population, such as Glasgow and Dundee, the Popish candidates were returned at the top of the poll by large majorities. Scotland has surely fallen, indeed, when such a thing is possible and allowed! The idea of the education of Scotland being to any extent under the superintendence of the emissaries of Rome, is enough to make the dust of John Knox stir in its grave! And not satisfied with having a share in the direction of our public schools, the Roman Catholics, wherever they can, are erecting separate schools of their own and getting them sanctioned and subsidised by Government, while yet they remain under exclusive Romish control. This is outrageously unfair, and ought not to be submitted to, and the conduct of those in power in allowing and encouraging it is beneath contempt. Any Presbyterians attempting the same thing would soon be unceremoniously told that if they wished schools of their own, under denominational superintendence, they must support them themselves. And why should Papists, above all others, be treated so differently?

PROGRESS OF ROMANISM.-Under the suicidal fostering care of Britain, Romanism, her worst foe, is growing in its insatiable demands and in the bold confidence with which it puts them forward, and is making rapid strides towards that ascendency with which alone it can rest satisfied. We take the following significant statistics from the last admirable Report of the Scottish Reformation Society :

Number of Priests in Great Britain,..

Do. Churches and Chapels Do.,

In 1851.
958

In 1879. 2196

Increase.

1238

683

118

Do.

Convents Do.,

Priests, ...

Churches and Chapels,

Monasteries (forbidden by law),

Religious Houses for women,

nooth permanent endowment).

Endowment of Romanism from the public funds of the nation (exclusive of May

Annual Payment from the Treasury and Rates, &c.,
Canada-Value of Annual Endowments,

India and Ceylon-Annual Payment by Government,
Other Colonies-Annual Grants,

276,250 13 10

Ecclesiastical Intelligence.

COUPAR-ANGUS-CALL.—At a meeting of the congregation here, held on the evening of the 26th February, a unanimous call was given to the Rev. A. J. Yuill, Glasgow, to become their pastor. By appointment of Presbytery the Rev. Mr. Morton, Perth, preached and presided in the moderation, and there was a full attendance of members. The Perth and Aberdeen Presbytery met at Carnoustie on the 18th of March, when the call was sustained, and it was agreed to transmit it to the Glasgow Presbytery.

TOBERDONEY-CALL.-At a meeting of the Toberdoney Congregation, held on the 28th February, a very harmonious call was given to the Rev. A. J. Yuill, Glasgow, to be pastor of the congregation. The Rev. James Patrick, Dromore, preached and presided on the occasion. At a meeting of the Ayr Presbytery, on 5th March, the call was sustained as a regular Gospel call, and it was agreed to transmit it to the Glasgow Presbytery.

An

EDINBURGH.-The Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association connected with the congregation held its closing meeting for the session on the evening of Friday, the 21st March. The Rev. J. Sturrock presided, and opened with devotional exercises. A number of the congregation were also present. excellent and seasonable address was delivered by Robert Reid, Esq., a former president of the Association, his subject being, “A Review of some recent utterances on religious questions." At the close a cordial vote of thanks was given to Mr. Reid for his address, and after a few words from the chairman congratulating the members on the successful session they had had, and expressing the hope that the Association would continue to be vigorously maintained, the meeting was closed in the usual manner.

ARBROATH.-Anniversary services were held in this church on Sabbath, 30th March, when the Rev. John Sturrock, Edinburgli, preached in the forenoon and evening, and the Rev. Alexander Stirling, pastor of the congregation, in the afternoon. There was a large attendance at all the diets, especially in the evening, when the church was crowded. The collections throughout the day were very liberal. On Monday evening the Annual Social Meeting was held in the Church, which was also largely attended. After an excellent tea, Mr. Stirling, who presided, gave an address, in the course of which, referring to the success of the congregation for the past year, he said that in many respects it compared favourably with any previous year. Suitable addresses were subsequently delivered by the Rev. Messrs. King, Carnoustie; Sturrock, Edinburgh; and M'Vicar, Dundee. After the usual votes of thanks, the meeting, which was evidently enjoyed by all, was brought to a close with devotional exercises.

PERTH. The last meeting for the season of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association in connection with the congregation was held on the evening of Monday, 31st March. The Rev. R. Morton presided. After the enjoyment of an excellent tea, the chairman, after a few remarks, called upon Mr. J. Finlayson-the president of the association-to deliver the closing address. In a very interesting manner he reviewed the work of the past winter, and concluded by expressing the hope that after the summer recess they might begin the work with renewed energy, and that it might be crowned with still more abundant success. Addresses were given by the elders and friends, and readings by some of the young men, and in this way a very pleasant and profitable evening was spent. From the annual report which was read it was ascertained that the association was in a prosperous condition.

THE

ORIGINAL SECESSION MAGAZINE.

JULY, 1879.

THE RECENT MEETING OF SYNOD.

WHAT proved to be the key note of the recent meeting of the Supreme Court of our Church was struck by the retiring Moderator, in his opening sermon from the appropriate text—“ Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; they shall prosper that love thee." Met in a time of abounding ecclesiastical strife, the Synod was favoured with unbroken peace throughout all its proceedings, and its members experienced anew, "how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." Nor were peace and unity maintained at the expense of a testimony for "the present truth," for as heretofore no uncertain sound was given forth on some of those great questions of the day, around which the war of conflicting principles and views continues to rage not only with unabated but with daily increasing violence. Harmony was enjoyed because as a Church we continue, through the good hand of God upon us, to see eye to eye in the truth, and are still resolved, God helping us, to "stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel." And for all this it surely becomes us to give thanks to the God of peace and of all our mercies, not in a spirit of prideful boasting but of deepest humility; for while we have still much to be grateful for, there is also much that should keep us humble, and lead us to search our hearts and try our ways before a holy and jealous God. And that the Lord may quicken and revive and purify us, as a Church-sanctify His providential dealings with us-keep us faithful to our sacred trust in the present "hour of temptation," and not forsake us, ought to be the constant fervent cry of all who love and seek the peace and prosperity of Zion.

NO. IV. VOL. XIV.

As was to be expected the prolonged commercial depression has told unfavourably upon the income of the Church for the past year, but it is matter for thankfulness that the deficiency has not been more serious than it is. And it is certainly a most gratifying circumstance that the minimum stipend has now reached the highest point yet attained. It is still far below what it ought to be, and what we would hope to see it ere long, but it becomes us to be grateful for the day of small things, and to take courage. The whole Church will hear with regret of the resignation of our esteemed Synod Treasurer, who has for so many years rendered gratuitously invaluable service to the body, for which, we are sure, he has the warmest thanks of all interested in its welfare. It will not be an easy matter to fill his place, but we trust a worthy successor will be found. From the various Reports it will be seen that the work of the Church, in its several departments, has been carried on during the past year with undiminished energy and it is to be hoped with some measure of success. Following the example of the Convener of the Home Mission Committee, we would call special attention to the work that Committee is charged to superintend, and to the state of the Fund by which it is carried on. This is work second to none in importance, and cannot be too zealously prosecuted. Charity, it is said, should begin at home, though it should not end there; and so while doing what we can to send the gospel to the idolatrous heathen in distant lands, we ought not to overlook those who are living in a state of moral heathenism around our own doors. And what multitudes are in this sad and pitiable condition everywhere-in city and town, and country. The encouraging success that has attended missionary efforts in connection with the Territorial congregations in Glasgow, and elsewhere, should have the effect of stimulating the Church to greater exertions in this most hopeful direction. And especially when some of our congregations, in localities where the population is either stationary or decreasing, are being gradually weakened, it does seem to us that it would be wisdom on the part of the Church, without neglecting such congregations, to give increasing attention and encouragement to the work of Church-extension in other quarters where there is both ample room and urgent need for such work being done. As will be seen from the Report the contributions to the Home Mission Fund have not been equal to the claims upon it for several years past, and if the present operations are to be maintained, to say nothing of their being extended, there must be an increase in these contributions. We trust and believe that the special appeal to be made for such an increase will meet with a hearty and liberal response throughout the Church.