Its

"The truth is—and it is just as well to concede the point-Calvinism is sadly deficient in those elements which are necessary to make religion cheerful to irreligious men. It utterly refuses to make pleasant the way of the transgressor. It meets him with a frown just at the point where he looks for a smile. doctrines have a harsh and stern aspect to him. It has none of that accommodating elasticity which we all so much admire, and so often crave in our religious creed. It is unrelenting; it fairly bristles with dogma. It concedes little to human wisdom, human taste, and the human will. It deals pitilessly with sin. It insists persistently upon guilt and punishment. It crowds human infirmity into a very small corner, and gives great prominence to human depravity in its estimates of human conduct. It makes very little provision for mere peccadillo. It really is a very uncompromising system.

"And then Calvinism looks with a dark frown upon human society. It affects such a holy horror of abounding evils. It finds so many wrong maxims, customs, and canons of life among men. It obtrudes its stern denunciations of sin and sinfal ways into the very face of time-honoured customs and habits. Its practical code is even more unpleasant than its doctrinal. Its very call of mercy to men is exacting and offensive-a wholesale impeachment of the world. 'Come out from among them and be ye separate, and touch not the unclean thing.' This sounds quite exclusive, and on the whole is not cheerful.

"But is there not another side to Calvinism than this repulsive one? Do not the harshness and the sternness of the system belong partly to the facts in the case, by whatever system interpreted, and partly to the standpoint from which the system is viewed? The pillar of the Divine presence was darkness to the host of Pharaoh, but it was brightness to Israel's host. The law that condemns is dark and stern to the condemned criminal, while it has a most beneficent and kindly aspect to him whose life and property it protects. The facts in the case, and the standpoint from which the system is viewed, are very important factors in each case. And so Calvinism has two sides. It has a dark side to the sinner under the curse of sin, but a very bright one to a penitent with the curse removed. If we start with the proposition that sinful man needs a religion that will adapt itself to his liking, that will adjust itself with ready pliancy to all his own varying views of his dignity, and rights, and claims, and wishes --Calvinism meets us with a very ungracious face. It does not pretend to be an adjustable system. But, if we start with the fact that man is out of harmony with God, and law, and right, that he is under a curse, and that his imperative need is a religion conformed to the character and claims of his holy and righteous God, which will explain and provide for the terrible facts in his condition, which will lift him out of it, and readjust him into the lost relationship with his God-Calvinism responds to the call Calvinism puts its claim to acceptance, not upon the ground that it pleases man, but on the higher ground that it pleases God, and that, pleasing God, it

saves man.

And now, looking at it from the standpoint of a saved sinner, Calvinism has some very bright features. It presents him with a glorious God. The loftiest, the grandest, the most exalted being of which the human mind has any conception, is the God of the Calvinistic system. It was Calvinism which gave to the Church that description of God which reads almost like the inspired word, and which is said to have fallen first from the lips of one in the outbreathing of reverent and adoring prayer. 'God is a spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justices, goodness and truth.' Before Jehovah's awful throne it bows reverently. God, not man, is the centre of the system. Hence predestination and election. It exalts God. Glory to God in the highest is its ever-recurring refrain. God is supreme, is the key-note of its teaching. On this rock, its every doctrine rests; from this every obligation springs. The secret of that wonderful power, which history discloses as residing in the system, to make human character grand and effective, and which Froude, sought in vain, les mainly in the fact, that it holds up to men-throws around and above themthe presence, the majesty, the sovereignty of such a glorious, awe-inspiring God. It is no light claim for the system, to assert that it exhibits to man a Supreme Being worthy to be feared and adored.

"It presents God in the most attractive character. In its sublime portraiture of the divine majesty and glory, Calvinism has by no means omitted the attractive

lineaments of His goodness, mercy, and love. Indeed, it is the high glory of the system, that, while it exhibits God as unyielding, and even exacting in the claims of His holiness, justice and truth-as unwilling, even unable, because He is God, to abate one iota of the claims of His exalted supremacy-it at the same time enfolds His character in the rich drapery of infinite love. It is Calvinism that says with adoring gratitude, Mercy and Truth are met together; Righteousness and Peace have kissed each other. It is the special claim of Calvinism, that, while it faithfully portrays those lineaments of the divine character which cannot but cause the sinner to tremble, it sets them before him as joining in a covenant of love for his redemption."

The Christian Treasury. September-December. Johnstone, Hunter & Co., Edinburgh.

In these four numbers of this excellent periodical, we have the usual variety of interesting and edifying matter, both original and selected. Among the leading articles there are admirable papers on such subjects as The Nature and Ends of Prayer"-" The Seven Utterances from the Cross". "The Kind of Piety we want"-"The Unity of the Human Race "The Everlasting Gospel' "Israel's Place in History"-"Forethought and Over-solicitude "Three Fathers of the Church-Paul, Augustine, and Luther "—"The End of a thing better than the Beginning thereof "-"The Popular Arguments against Endless Punishment unsatisfactory as a Sure Ground of Hope." In addition to large type portions for the aged, there are also "Daily Portions," consisting of short extracts from standard religious authors, ancient and modern, illustrating texts of Scripture. We have much pleasure in again warmly recommending this family miscellany to our readers.

Plain Words and Simple Facts about the Church of Scotland and Her Assailant: With Appendix containing results of Parliamentary Returns. Addressed to the People of Scotland. By Defensor. William Blackwood & Sons, Edinburgh As might be expected, the writer of this vigorous pamphlet manages, by means of figures which bristle on every page, to make out a strong case in favour of the Church of Scotland and against her voluntary and Free Kirk assailants. We are not in a position either to confirm or challenge any of his statements and facts, nor have we seen any similarly elaborate attempt at refutation on the part of those immediately concerned. Some of "Defensor's" words are very plan --more plain than pleasant to those against whom they are directed, while his "simple facts," if well founded, as we have no reason to doubt is the case, are certainly very favourable to the Church he so stoutly defends. If, as he labours to prove, that Church has been increasing so rapidly in membership, there is, we cannot but remark. ample room for a corresponding increase in Christian liberality. If the members of the parish church do not, as a rule, pay any seat rents, and are not called upon in any way to contribute for the sup port of their minister, then surely their contributions for the support of missions and other general purposes ought to be all the larger on that account. But are they? It is well known they are far from it. We think it is illogical and misleading to assert, as Defensor does at page 36, that there are 231 congregations in the U.P. Church which

require assistance from an augmentation fund, because the voluntary principle in their case is a failure. By voluntary principle here he evidently means simply the support of ordinances by individual freewill offerings. But surely it is rather the triumph of such voluntaryism, and not its failure, that through its efforts so many weak congregations are kept up. Might we not with equal fairness say that so many ministers in the Established Church require assistance from the Small Livings Augmentation fund, because in their case the Establishment principle is a failure? Most heartily do we sympathise with the writer when he says, toward the close of his pamphlet, "Why should we not be allowed to live in amity? and why should we not be permitted to forget sectarian jealousy and to bury our animosities out of sight? Let each Church do her duty to the great Head, for to her own Master she standeth or falleth.' There is surely enough of work in Scotland for us all-in reclaiming the waste places, in resisting the assaults of infidelity, in repelling the encroachments of Rationalism and Romanism, to occupy our attention, to engage our efforts, to evoke our prayers!" We only wish he had added-"Let us all, in duty to the Head, remember whence we have fallen and return to the position and principles of the Reformed and Covenanted National Church of Scotland, and there bury our sectarianism, and jealousies, and animosities, and be again made one, that so we may unitedly go forward, with greater hope of success through the Master's blessing, to the great and pressing work of ' reclaiming the waste places,' and repairing the desolations of many generations.

A Sermon preached before the Right Honourable the House of Lords in the Abbey Church at Westminster, Wednesday, June 25, 1645 (being the day appointed for solemn and public humiliation), and a Sermon preached before the Right Honour able the House of Commons, 1644, A.D. By Samuel Rutherfurd, M. A., Professor of Divinity at St. Andrews. Edited and Revised by James E. Walker, M.A., Corpus Christi College, Oxford. Price One Shilling. James New, High Street, Cheltenham.

In his great and just admiration of Samuel Rutherford and his writings, Mr. Walker has been led to republish these two remarkable sermons, "in the hope that they may edify and comfort the flock of Christ." In doing this, he has not, as he informs us in his preface, "preserved their absolute integrity," but has " endeavoured to render them more in accordance with modern taste and fitted for devout perusal," chiefly, we presume, by alterations on the phraseology without changing the sense. A few controversial passages, and passages alluding to the ecclesiastical conflicts of the times, have been either shortened or omitted, as tending to perplex and embarrass the ordinary reader. Not having come across these sermons in their original form, we are very thankful to our brother, Mr. Walker, for such an edition of them; and we can assure our readers that, like all Rutherfurd's writings on practical religious subjects, they will amply repay repeated perusal. The texts are Luke viii. 22-25, and Daniel vi. 26. Would that such sermons were preached still before our Houses of Parliament !

Professor Smith's New Plea, and the Presbytery's Procedure, being the substance of a Speech delivered in the Free Synod of Aberdeen, 14th October, 1879. By the Rev. James Smith, M. A. Tarland. ́ Published by request, with an appendix, on the amended answer to the Libel. Edinburgh: James Gemmell. Aberdeen: A. Murray. Price Sixpence.

LIKE Mr. Smith's former admirable pamphlets on the Smith case, for which the public have been so much indebted to him, this, the latest, has been read by us with unmingled satisfaction, and with . admiration of the trenchant manner in which he handles the Professor's "New Plea," and exposes the unwarrantableness of the Presbytery's procedure in refusing to implement the Assembly's instructions in regard to the Libel. The speech is a most able and conclusive one, and all who wish to know exactly how the case now stands ought at once to procure it. The appendix is equally valuable, showing that on many points Professor Smith, has, in his most recent utterances and writings, answered himself. We have not room for quotations, otherwise we should have given a few passages we had marked for this purpose.

Modern Scottish Pulpit. One Penny Weekly. Edinburgh: James Gemmell. THIS is a new enterprise which deserves to be supported, and in which we wish the spirited publisher all encouragement and success. Nine numbers are before us, each containing an admirable sermon, the first by the Rev. Sir H. Moncrieff, D.D., and the ninth by the Rev. Professor Mitchell, St. Andrews, on "Christ's unsearchable riches." It will interest many of our readers to know that No. 7 contains a most excellent discourse by the late Rev. James Smellie, on "Giving thanks at the remembrance of God's holiness."

Ecclesiastical Entelligence.

REPORT OF LAURIESTON MISSION CHURCH.

(PRESENTED TO A RECENT MEETING OF GLASGOW PRESBYTERY.)

WE have pleasure in furnishing the Presbytery with a brief report of our workduring the past months. Immediately after the meeting of Synod in May, ad during the summer months, one or two of the ordinary agencies had to be continued, as is usually the case in all congregations; but they are now in working order, and not without some measure of success.

It may be mentioned here that a constant succession of changes is experienc by the Congregation; and this has been more especially the case during the months. A family, the head of which had been frequently out of employment, gone to America since last report was submitted. Another family whose help the Congregation was considerable, have been obliged to leave the city in meantime in consequence of work, and it is uncertain whether they may ret again. A young man of excellent moral character has been obliged, on account the want of employment, to go to Australia. Such things as these tell very mech on such a Congregation as ours, and prevent the membership from mater increasing.

The sacrament of the Lord's Supper was dispensed as usual on the fourth Sabbath of October last, and as on the two previous occasions there were 7 accessions. But as for the reasons stated above, about 7 names had to be dropped from the roll, the membership continues very much the same as when last report was presented, viz., 85 or thereby.

The two classes and the Sabbath School are being conducted as formerly, and have an encouraging attendance; but as we have so often referred to the manner in which they are conducted, and the number attending, we must not further allude to these things just now. So far as the attendance on Sabbaths is concerned we have to report favourably; indeed it is sometimes very encouraging, and but for the heavy burden of debt lying upon the Congregation we would get on very well. In the course of visitation I meet with a considerable diversity of character. In the district surrounding the church there are many too deeply sunk in depravity and vice to be soon lifted into Church membership, while the most of the others are already connected with one or other of the Christian Churches in the neighbourhood. Some enter freely into religious converse, and others are more shy and reserved. Met sometime ago with an interesting young man who readily spoke with me. He denied the doctrine of the resurrection, and the general judgment. He believed in a place of happiness for the good, and a place of misery for the bad, but according to his statement the soul only would enjoy the happiness, or endure the misery. Tried at some length to show him from Scripture that his notions were false, and that there would be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. He seemed open to conviction, and listened respectfully to what was said to him on these momentous and all-important questions. May the Spirit shine into his heart, and give him to see things as they really are.

Have been visiting among others a person who has for a time been laid on a bed of affliction. When in her usual health she appeared to possess the life of God, and now in the season of her distress she seems to enjoy the consolations of religion. She speaks with calmness about her latter end, and so far as man can judge is esting on the sure foundation-that foundation which can never be removed. Such cases are fitted to have a beneficial effect on one's self, and the solemn essons of the bed of affliction should never be forgotten. Other cases could be mentioned, but we deem these sufficient at present. May the Divine name be dorified, may the cause of Christ be advanced, and may there be added to the Church such as shall be saved. A. J. YUILL.

CALL TO MR. ALEXANDER SMELLIE, BY THE CONGREGATION OF STRANLAER.-The Rev Mr. Robertson of Ayr preached at Stranraer a sermon by the ppointment of Presbytery, on Thursday, the 27th November, and after sermon onstituted the congregational meeting, and moderated in a call; when the congreation gave a most unanimous and cordial call to Mr. Alexander Smellie to be their astor. The members of the congregation came forward with one accord and adhibied their names to the call with great cheerfulness and a large number of adherents gned an adherence paper. The Presbytery of the bounds met at Ayr on Tuesday, le 2nd December, when Mr Robertson gave an account of his conduct in moderatg in the call to Mr. Smellie, of the heartiness of the congregation in regard to eir call, and of their desire for a speedy settlement, and laid the call on the Presytery's table. The Presbytery then approved of the conduct of the Moderator, id sustained the call to Mr. Smellie as a regular gospel call. The commissioners om the congregation of Stranraer then addressed the Presbytery in support of e call which they had given to Mr Smellie, expressed their own views and elings and that of the congregation in a kind and affectionate manner, and their pes that Mr. Smellie would at once accept of their call in the same cordial anner in which it had been given by the whole congregation, both old and wing. Mr. Smellie being present, the moderator proceeded to put the call into s hands, which he at once accepted in the most prompt and cordial manner. The oderator then expressed his hope that, as he had been permitted to take part in e settlement of Mr. Smellie's much respected father at Stranraer about twenty-six ars ago, so he would be spared to take part in his settlement also in the course 'a few months. It was then in a few words of conversation understood that Mr nellie should be settled in Stranraer as early in March as practicable.