All these "red tape " niceties, the concretion of years, and often the cause of reproach to Presbyterianism, might well be spared, though I fear many Scottish Churchmen fall into the old and ruinous error of attaching more importance to the observance of their traditionary customs, than to matters of Divine warranty. (Luke xi., 42.) It is, however, of essential principles of far reaching importance, things of divine prescription, that are obligatory upon the loyal subjects of the king of Zion, and intimately affect the preservation of His truth in its purity, that I deplore the disregard. Is not instrumental music, so distasteful to the primitive church, and so seductive in its effects, are not hymns of man's making, and that in the proportion of two or three to one inspired psalm, the ordinary manner of English Presbyterian worship? Once more may I ask, whether it is not the case that one of their leading men has written a small tractate, supposed generally to embody their views, and widely circulated, in which, besides refining down the rugged and unpalatable Calvinistic" theology of the Confession of Faith, he goes at least some way towards accepting the innovation of a "Scriptural liturgy?" Nor is this last astonishing, when we consider that the whole principle of divinely authorised worship has been already surrendered in the admission of the hymns of man.

Now, Sir, what can an honest adherent of the Confession and Directory for Worship think of a Church wherein, even if the Presbyterian system of Church governance has been maintained, yet the worship has been so assimilated to that of an ordinary Dissenting chapel, that a casual observer could scarcely distinguish between the two? In leaving, then, the Church of England, from no political bias or any radical objection to Establishments, not Erastian, but from a conscientious dislike of Erastianism, prelacy, and the ceremonies, I and others are greatly perplexed by finding in English Presbyterianism a Church where the old faith and worship have been so changed that scarcely any trace remains of that Divinely-authorised worship, that unwordly simplicity, that loyal and uncompromising allegiance to Zion's King that characterised the National Church of Scotland in the days of the Second Reformation? It is sadly evident how, together with the prevailing defection from the only worship of Divine authorisation, the Churches generally are just becoming leavened with political agitation and worldly conformity, soirées, bazaars, et hoc genus omne. The power of the Word, and of the simplicity of that worship which our crowned Head alone ordained, have far more real efficacy in drawing true worshippers than those innovations in Presbyterian worship, which must be but a miserably poor attraction in comparison with the imposing ritual of Prelacy. Mr. Menzies wonders at the existence of our little Church in this "fashionable" town. But what has that to do with it? Did not worship, every way as simple as ours, flourish in "fashionable" Rome and luxurious Corinth? In conclusion, permit me to remind Mr. Menzies that our isolation as a Presbyterian Church is to be found only in this, our consistent adherence to the accepted Standards of the Church, and his defection therefrom. -I am, &c.,

JAMES E. WALKER, M.A., Corpus Christi College, Oxford. Cheltenham, June 29, 1878.

P.S. An excellent sermon has been published on the subject of Purity of Worship by my friend, Rev. H. C. Bazely, B.C.L., of Oxford.

BURSARY COMPETITION.-Intimation is hereby given to all students in Divinity and Arts, under the inspection of the Synod, that the "Dick Bursary," value£10, and two Synod Bursaries, of the value of £8 and £7 respectively, will be competed for this year. Subject of examination, Shaw's Exposition of Confession of Faith, to twenty third chapter inclusive. Copy of work presented gratis to all competitors. The Competition will be held in 16 Douglas Street, Glasgow, on Tuesday, the 29th October, at eleven o'clock. Competitors to send in their names to the Rev. Thomas Hobart, Carluke, on or before the 25th October.

ORIGINAL SECESSION CHURCH-FOREIGN MISSION.

CONTRIBUTIONS PER FAMILY BOXES AND COLLECTING CARDS FOR HOME AND FOREIGN MISSION OPERATIONS-1877-78.

THE following is the list of Box-holders and Collectors in various parts of the Church who contributed for the benefit of our Home and Foreign Mission operations during the past year. The Home Mission Fund has been supplemented to the extent of 51 38 8d by means of the Boxes, and the amount collected in Scotland and Ireland for the Orphanage was £121 15s 10d. In the hope of realising similar if not increased returns, the Boxes and Cards have been again sent out. The proceeds of the boxes are to be applied in aid of the Mission work at home as in previous years; but those of the Collecting Cards are to be applied in aid of the Mission School, instead of Orphanage. It is earnestly hoped that the young will manifest their usual assiduity in collecting, and that they will meet with their wonted success-further, that there will be no falling off in the contributions on account of the change decided upon, as to the application of the money raised by means of the Cards. Let it be remembered that the religious and secular education of all the children under the fostering care of our Foreign Mission is of equal importance, with providing all the comforts of a home for the Orphans of their number, and that the Divine blessing may be solicited and expected in the one case no less than in the other.