thought and expression. The introduction was an admirable specimen of pulpit eloquence. It was apt, eloquent, philosophical, and suggestive. It appeared, from the discourse, that the preacher has had several discourses on the Adamic covenant, and that the discourse in question was one of the series. After the doom of man, or the two-fold death, had been described in graphic and highly-eloquent language, had he, before closing, given his audience a glimpse of the path of life, the termination might have been still more impressive and useful. The discourses were, all in all, greatly above an average of pulpit ministrations, both in matter and delivery, and the congregation accustomed to such honest, faithful, and vigorous preaching has much to answer for.

Mr Browne is one of the most fluent preachers of his time. The discourses, of which we have given an outline, were delivered without the aid of notes. The preacher leans forward over the Bible, and keeps his eye on his audience, while he pours forth from the ample stores of a well-furnished mind a flood of impassioned oratory. If he hesitates it is not for lack of words, but on account of a conflict of them. Of language he has such a command that the difficulty is not in finding words to express his ideas, but in selecting the best of various combinations which are all offering their services. Sometimes, indeed, there is a tendency to diffuseness, which the use of notes might restrain, but the preacher is one of the few who probably would be more hindered than helped by using a manuscript. His mind is evidently highly imaginative and poetical. Common ideas thrown into his mind assume new and beautiful forms. Thoughts which would fall from the lips of dull preachers in leaden monotony proceed from him sparkling and radiant. Whether he possesses that subtle intuition which penetrates the recondite and abstruse, and reveals their relations and character-whether he has patience for a lengthened and searching analysis-whether he has grasp of mind to master the philosophical and profound-whether he can conduct an argument with mathematical skill and certainty, the above discourses offered no opportunity of determining. They did prove, however, that the mind of the preacher is versatile and energetic-that his imagination is rich

and vivid that he has a fancy which delights to revel in the regions of the beautiful, and which invests, in the most gorgeous drapery, every subject which it touches. His manner is still superior to his matter. He possesses apparently a great amount of self-possession and confidence. His action is graceful, animated, and completely natural. When he commences his body remains for a time in comparative inaction; but as he proceeds he stands more erect, and raises first his right hand, and, by and by, both give expression to the urgency and pathos of his appeals. His personal appearance is attractive, and favourable to oratorical display. He is tall, and thin, and has a fresh and youthful appearance. His voice is sharp and clear, and quite audible throughout the large edifice. The only question regarding it is whether the large house has not induced him to pitch it on a key somewhat higher than that which he could employ with best effect. There is, however, almost no appearance of straining of it, and it is often highly musical and pleasant His pronunciation is, on the whole, correct, and his style is popular, nervous, and pure. As an attractive preacher he has few equals. In the three fields of labour which he has already prosecuted he speedily acquired extensive favour among all classes. Many not belonging to the Established Church anxiously improve every opportunity of listening to his eloquent discourses. It is saying much in his favour that the family of Eglinton Castle, though of a different creed, generally avail themselves of his ministrations; and many of less name of other sects may be seen seated here and there among his auditors. On the occasions mentioned his first prayer appeared to us formal and cold, but the one before the afternoon discourse was all that could be desired. It was evangelical and devout, and a deep earnestness and unction characterised it.

Mr Browne, we understand, is a native of Glasgow, and there prosecuted his classical studies. He attended the gown classes in our University, and took the degree of B.A. He studied theology in Edinburgh. In 1841 he was licensed by the Presbytery of Hamilton, and became assistant in Kilmaurs. In 1843 he was presented to the Parliamentary Church, Newtonon-Ayr, and was there exceedingly popular. In October, 1844, he was presented by the Earl of Eglinton to his present charge;

but the people of Newton-on-Ayr objecting to the translation, the case was ultimately appealed to the Synod, against the Presbytery of Ayr, which decreed he should remain in Ayr. The appeal was ultimately departed from; but it was not till January, 1845, that he was inducted into his present charge. In Irvine, as in other places, he is very much admired as a preacher; and though there are more churches in Irvine than in most towns of the same population, he has a very large congregation. On Sabbath last there would be from 1000 to 1200 people present. The church is very large; and during the earlier part of the ministry of Dr Wilson, now of Stirling, it was well filled. Comparatively few left at the disruption; and yet there are two Free Churches in Irvine.

MARCH 16, 1850.

REV. JAMES MUNRO,

FREE CHURCH, RUTHERGLEN.

THERE is a maxim prevalent in society, which emanated from, or at least was vivified and sent forth to the world by, Thomas Carlyle, as being a great atoning principle for unconscious error, namely, "Be earnest." If this test be applied to the Free Church she will be found in all respects worthy-so worthy that even Carlyle himself could scarcely find in her one single sham. During the seven years of her existence she has well nigh doubled the Church of Scotland—that is, she has built a church, a school, and a manse, in almost every parish; and if she be not legally the Church of Scotland, she is the Church of Scotland freed from the leading strings of the State, and is the greatest instance of the efficiency of voluntaryism that can possibly be adduced. Her career has been very different from that of other offshoots from the Kirk. They had to creep from small beginnings to their various degrees of importance by slow and gradual progress, like the human body from infancy to maturity—but she, like the first pair, was of full stature as soon as she came into existence. She had her score of synods, and fourscore presbyteries, and her missionaries in various quarters of the globe; and, what was of equal importance, she had the means to set the whole machinery agoing. By the energy of her ministers and members she has succeeded not only in supporting her dignity, but also in consolidating her scheme, so that she cannot easily be shaken. The Quoad Sacra defeat did not occasion her even temporary embarassment for no sooner was the result known than hands were at work; and as soon as stones and lime can be fashioned

into churches, the loss will be supplied by an equal number in all respects superior to the old. She will thus, through all coming time, be an eminent example of what can be accomplished by earnestness and well-directed energy. It is trueand thanks to the enlightenment of the age-she has had few difficulties to encounter in the way of persecution. There have been no faggots, no bayonets, no fleeing to the mountains nor hiding in caves for conscience' sake. She differed in opinion from the powers that be; but these powers respected her right, and she has been allowed to work her way in peace and security, none daring to make her afraid.

On Sabbath last the new Free Church of Rutherglen was thrown open for public worship. The original place of meeting was one of the Quoad Sacra churches, but, being deprived of it, the one we have mentioned has since been erected; and under these circumstances the forenoon discourse was preached. In the afternoon the pastor, whose name is given above, appeared in the pulpit, and gave out as the subject for praise part of the 122d Psalm. This being concluded, a suitable prayer was offered, and, after a portion of Scripture was read and a second Psalm sung, the preacher announced his text, Psalm cii. 16, "When the Lord shall build up Zion he shall appear in his glory." The introductory remarks had reference to the literal meaning of the text-that the Zion here spoken of was the Church; this was proven by various passages of Scripture, and then he proceeded with the illustration under the three following heads:-1st, The building here spoken of; 2d, The builder; 3d, The manifestation of himself according to his word. These particulars were illustrated at length.

The text was chosen with a view to this particular occasion; and, as was to be expected, was practical throughout. Its predominating features were the elucidation of the real character of a church, and the resemblance that exists between the literal and spiritual Zion. Such an occasion might have furnished some ministers with an opportunity to say many fine and sweet things in regard to the beautiful erections, liberality, efficiency, &c., of the Free Church, which might have proved gratifying to the congregation, but the preacher seemed to have no intention to flatter. He took advantage of the circumstance to

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