visit. Last night, at the lecture, we learned something of the fate of the son of this old gentleman and lady. We are the brothers of that ruined youth. Five years have elapsed since he left this house guiltless. The strange deposit of the box at his sister's door, could not permit us to hope anything but his ruin. Now, Sir, could you tell us how we may learn whether he is living?' "I suggested that they should write to the agents of the Louisiana Penitentiary, giving the name the young man had assumed at the time of his conviction. They followed my suggestion, and learned that in eighteen months after his incar ceration he had died of the fever. "To the moralist, this incident will teach a lesson. To fathers and mothers, this young man's ruin and premature death should teach the danger of the innocent game of whist. This his unhappy friends acknowledged to be the primal cause of the ruin of one of the members of their family and their own lasting reproach. We call upon all friends of religion and morality to decide whether it is not wrong to indulge in any amusement which carries in its train misery and death! May we not safely challenge any man to produce the first instance where one single individual has been benefited, in a moral point of view, by such amusements? Then cast for ever from your parlours those games of chance, which, step by step, lead on so many youths of bright promise and high hopes to dissipation, disgrace, and premature death.' CLERICAL GUESTS. MUCH has been written, and more has been said, about pastoral visits and ministerial deportment. Both pastors and people have thus been benefited, and the ministry have had 66 a good report of them which are without." Comparatively little attention, however, has been paid to one particular, viz. the conduct of clergymen, when visiting among strangers. An exchange with another minister, or attendance on Presbytery, Synod, or General Assembly, brings a man into close contact with a family, to whom he has hitherto been unknown, except, perhaps, by reputation. He is quartered, perhaps, in the minister's or elder's house, or, at least, under the hospitable roof of some Christian. His conduct and character are thus exposed to the inspection of those, who by frequent observation of others, are well fitted to judge of it. A pious, old divine said that he never knew a man, until he lived with him. And in a short visit of two or three days, shrewd observers can form a good estimate of their guest's character. On such occasions, therefore, ministers should be especially careful to avoid "the appearance of evil." If Christian hospitality make them feel at their ease, they should guard against the display of these disagreeable, or unworthy traits of character which are most likely to appear when they are thus thrown off their guard. They are received as messengers of Christ, they should show that religion occupies the chief place in their affections. The want of this circumspection often occasions very unpleasant remarks on the part of their entertainers. How often is the remark made after their departure, "That man talked very little about religion;" or, "He took no interest in our Church and Sabbathschool; or still worse, "How self-conceited he was! he talked of nothing but himself, and his own plans and operations." It is sadly true, that the fault here lies deeper than the surface. In proportion as a man is of the world, will he speak of the world. It is presumed, that every servant of God desires always to hold forth the word of life; and that, by a constant effort after increased spirituality, he seeks those qualifications necessary to secure his success. In circumstances, therefore, where he is most likely to produce some kind of impression, no minister should let his "good be evil spoken of."-American Paper. ARCHBISHOP SECKER, when laid on his couch with a broken thigh, was visited at Lambeth by Mr. Talbot, the Vicar of St. Giles, in Reading, who had lived in great intimacy with him, and received his preferment from him. "You will pray for me, Talbot," says the Archbishop, during the interview. Mr. Talbot rose and went to look for the Prayer-book. "That is not what I want now," said the dying prelate; "kneel down by me, and pray for me in the way I know you are used to do; " with which command this zealous man of God complied, and prayed earnestly from his heart for his dying friend whom he saw no more. Poetry. TO A CHILD SLEEPING ON SUNDAY EVENING. THE evening shades have followed day's broad glare, Mingling thy notes with those of Cherubim- So give to God thy best and brightest days; May thy last hours be filled with love and praise; Sing the Lord's goodness with thy latest breathThen gently yield thee to the sleep of death. BAPTIST W. NOEL. THE COVENANTER'S DREAM. IN a dream of the night I was wafted away To the muirlands of mist, where the martyrs lay; Where Cameron's sword and his Bible are seen, Engrav'd on the stone where the heather grows green. 'Twas a dream of those ages of darkness and blood, When the minister's home was the mountain and wood; When in Welwood's dark valley the standard of Zion, All bloody and torn 'mong the heather was lying. 'Twas morning;-and summer's young sun from the east Lay in loving repose on the green mountain's breast; On woodland and cairn-table the clear shining dew Glistened sheen 'mong the heath bells and mountain flowers blue! And far up in heaven near the white sunny cloud, The song of the lark was melodious and loud; And in Glenmore's wild solitudes, lengthen'd and deep, Was the whistling of plovers, and bleating of sheep; And Welwood's sweet valley breath'd music and gladness, And its fresh meadow blooms hung in beauty and redness; Its daughters were happy to hail the returning, And drink the delights of a sweet July morning. But there were hearts cherished far other feelings, Illum'd by the light of prophetic revealings, Who drank from the scen'ry of beauty but For the horsemen of Earlshall around them were hov'ring, And the bridle reins rung through the thin misty cov'ring. Their faces grew pale, and their swords were unsheathed, But the vengeance that darken'd their brow was unbreathed; With eyes rais'd to heaven in calm resignation, They sang their last song to the God of salvation. The hills with the deep mournful music were ringing, The curfew and plover in concert were singing, But the melody died 'mid derision and laughter, As the host of ungodly rushed on the slaughter. Though in mist and in darkness and fire they were shrouded, The souls of the righteous were calm and unclouded; Their dark eyes flash'd lightning, as firm and unbending They stood like the rock which the thunder is rending. The muskets were flashing, the blue swords were gleaming, The helmets were cleft, and the red blood was streaming; The heavens grew dark and the thunder was rolling When in Welwood's dark muirlands the mighty were falling. When the righteous had fallen, and the combat was ended A chariot of fire through the dark cloud descended; The drivers were angels, on horses of white ON GOING TO LAW.-A man who deliberates about going to law should have,-1. A good cause.-2. A good purse.-3. An honest and skilful attorney.-4. Good evidence.-5. Able counsel.-6. An upright judge.-7. An intelligent jury; and with all these on his side, if he has not, 8thly, good luck, it is odds but he miscarries in his suit. Notices of Books. putation of men whom he for "the truth's sake that was in them " delighted to honour. Seven Letters to the Rev. Dr. Elrington, This, however, has been done by Dr. Regius Professor of Divinity in the Uni-Elrington, who, in a most unfair and unversity of Dublin, occasioned by his ani- candid spirit, called in question the accurmadversions in his "Life of Ussher," on acy of several statements made by Dr. certain passages in the "History of the Reid in his well known " History of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland." By Irish Presbyterian Church.' That work the Rev. JAMES SEATON REID, D.D., has received general admiration for the Professor of Ecclesiastical History in the University of Glasgow. Pp. 72. Glasgow: Ogle and Son. London: Nisbet and Co. calmness of its statements and the accuracy of its details. It is galling to High Churchmen, however, in the evidence which it affords of the "frater-feeling that existed in Ulster between Evangelical Episcopacy and Presbyterianism in the seventeenth century. Hence Dr. Elrington attacks, and hence the publication of the "Seven Letters " now before us. We have only space to say that Dr. Reid completely turns the tables on his ungenerous assailant in reference to charges of inaccuracy, and fully vindicates the reputation of Blair, and others of the fathers and founders of Irish Presbyterianism. To those who have already purchased Dr. Reid's two volumes, it will be very gratifying to know that a third volume, bringing down the history to the beginning of the present century, is now in preparation for the press. These "Seven Letters" we earnestly recommend as important addenda to the first volume, and as containing a very eloquent and able defence of the great principles of evangelical truth and Christian liberty. It is well known that the immortal Ussher, when Archbishop of Armagh, practically carried out towards the Scottish colonists settled in the north of Ireland, those catholic sentiments which his writings and conduct when in England so clearly proved, were cherished by him. His policy (if we may use such a word) was totally opposed to the persecuting spirit of Laud and his abettors, and Protestantism was dear to him even when he found it under the Geneva gown. The Presbyterians of Ulster cherish his memory as one who fostered and encouraged the labours of their godly fathers in troublous times, and they would greatly rejoice were the spirit of Ussher to live and breathe in the dignitaries and clergy of the Irish Episcopal Establishment in the nineteenth century. But this is not always the case. The late Dr. Mant, Bishop of Down and Connor, has written a "History of the Church in Ireland," full of intolerant sentiments, and containing fierce attacks on Presbyterianism and its founders. He Lectures on the Gospel according to Luke. did what he could to disparage the By the Rev. JAMES FOOTE, A. M., memory of the holy ministers of the Minister of the East Church, Aberdeen. Church of Scotland, who began that Second Edition. Three Vols. John blessed work which has made Ulster so Johnstone, London and Edinburgh. prosperous and happy in contrast to the MR. FOOTE is one of the oldest and most reother degraded and miserable provinces of spected ministers of the Free Church of Ireland. And now, Dr. Elrington, with Scotland. His father, the Rev. Mr. Foote, a kindred abhorrence of Evangelism, Pro- of Fettercairn, was one of the little band testantism, and Presbyterianism, has writ- of evangelical men, who, along with Dr. ten and published a "Life of Ussher." Erskine, Dr. Bryce Johnstone, and other Surely such a work should have been un- leaders of kindred spirit, kept up a testidertaken by an author of another spirit, and mony for the truth, during the dreariest more in accordance with the great and epoch of Scottish Moderatism. The author good man, whose history Dr. Elrington of the work before us was contemporary professes to record. Of Ussher's learning with Dr. Chalmers, and his fellow-collethe Irish Establishment may be proud, gian at St. Andrew's at the end of last but let it not be forgotten that his tutor century. During the revival of the evanwas the Presbyterian Hugh Travers. And gelical cause in the Church, while the if his name is to be paraded as a mighty public movements were led by Sir Harry trophy, surely we might have hoped that Moncrieff, Dr. Thomson, and Dr. Chalthe opportunity should not have been mers, the support of more retired but malignantly seized upon to vilify the re-equally zealous provincial clergymen was on the side of truth and progress, and at the disruption in 1843, Mr. Foote was, as might be expected, among the adherents of the Free and Constitutional Church of Scotland of one of the most influential congregations of this Church, in Aberdeen, he is still the laborious and faithful pastor. The Lectures on Luke were delivered in course of exposition to his congregation in the East Parish Church. They are admirable specimens of the good old Scottish style of lecturing, whereby the people of the north were wont to be so thoroughly indoctrinated in Scriptural knowledge. The Gospel of Luke gives a fine range for this plan of expounding, and so well has the author brought to bear upon his lectures diligent research, shrewd sense, and earnest piety, that this work forms one of the completest and best commentaries on a single book of Scripture in the whole range of theological literature. Ministers, students, and teachers will especially find here plentiful materials to aid them in their study, or exposition of Gospel truth or duty. Christ on the Mount. A Practical Exposition of the v., vi., and vii. chapters of the Gospel according to Matthew. By the Rev. JAMES GARDNER, A.M. and M.D. Bell and Bradfute, Edinburgh; Hamilton, Adams, and Co., London. THIS is an able analysis and exposition of what is commonly called our Lord's "Sermon on the Mount." After illustrating the character and happiness of believers under the Gospel dispensation, and the harmony of the Gospel and Jewish dispensations, from the introductory portion of the sermon, the author arranges his exposition of the main part of the discourse, under the heads of the "Righteousness of the Scribes," and "The Righteousness of the Pharisees," concluding with personal and practical application. The exposition contains much of the highest style of moral philosophy, that is, of Christian ethics founded on evangelical doctrine. The principles and practice of Gospel holiness are in this treatise well stated and enforced. THE ARK AND THE OLD WORLD. Noah's task is done. One brief week is yet to elapse, and then-then is the world's doom. Shall we say it is the eve before the Sabbath? The day has been spent in getting all into the ark, his wife, his sons, his daughters-in-law, and the whole crowd of living creatures fol lowing. Noah himself enters, and the Lord shuts him in; and then the Sabbath begins, the last Sabbath of that old world. Within the ark there is Sabbatic rest, the quiet assurance of faith, chastened by solemn dread and awful expectancy. Without, on the earth, there are mingled sentiments of wonder, of contempt, of bitter triumph-sometimes a lurking fear, again a feeling of glad relief. Men have got rid of the preacher of righteousness. And if we suppose that at this very time, during this very week, the aged Methuselah was taken from the evil to come, this might seem to be the very jubilee of unrestricted lawlessness. True, it had been said, Yet seven days and I will bring the flood; but how can this be? The heaven is serene, the earth is smiling, all nature is gay; for, as some reckon, it is spring. Now is the season of mirth, eating and drinking, marrying, and giving in marriage; and Noah, the gloomy censor of the world's harmless joys, where is he now? Immured in a vast dungeon, buried alive, self-immolated, as good as dead. What a contrast during that awful week, that mysterious pause, while the elements are gathering their strength for the sudden crash! Look within the ark. There are prisoners, to the eye of sense, apparently shut up to die; but they are prisoners of hope;-they have fled to a stronghold;-they have that all around them through which no floods of wrath can reach them;—their refuge is “pitched within and without with pitch.' vi. 14.) It is well protected against the weather; especially, since the word pitch seems also propitiation-atonement-the covering of sins by sacrifice, what an emblem is it of their complete security from every kind of terror. They have pitch on all sides of their new dwelling; pitch within and without,-pitch making it effectually a covert from the storm and a hiding place from the tempest-even such as A MAN is to the sinner, the man Christ Jesus. Look again without the ark. There are prisoners there too,spirits in prison, in the pit,-criminals condemned, sentenced, confined in the lowest vaults of that frail fortress on which the waves and torrents are instantaneously about to burst. Do you see them, these prisoners, all alive and joyous, and affecting to pity the small company buried within the ark? Do you see them making merry, or trying, by desperate gambling, to make gain? Look again, and listen. There is a lightning (Ch. flash, a rushing mighty noise,-the flood comes. In which of the two prisons would you have your spirit to be? Thus, by the ark which he prepared, Noah "condemned the world." The warning, which might have saved them, turned to their greater condemnation; but "he delivered his own soul" (Ezek. xxxii. 9); and he prepared the ark to " the saving of his house." (Heb. xi. 7.)—Dr. Candlish on the Book of Genesis. THE RESTORATION, 1660.-The restored Church contended, indeed, against the prevailing immorality, but contended feebly, and with half a heart. It was necessary to the decorum of her character that she should admonish her erring children. But her admonitions were given in a somewhat prefunctory manner. Her attention was elsewhere engaged. Her whole soul was in the work of crushing the Puritans, and of teaching her disciples to give unto Cæsar the things that were Cæsar's. She had been pillaged and oppressed by the party which preached an austere morality. She had been restored to opulence and honour by libertines. Little as the men of mirth and fashion were disposed to shape their lives according to her precepts, they were yet ready to fight knee-deep in blood for her cathedrals and palaces, for every line of her rubric and every thread of her vestments. If the debauched cavalier haunted brothels and gambling-houses, he at least avoided conventicles. If he never spoke without uttering ribaldry and blasphemy, he made some amends by his eagerness to send Baxter and Howe to gaol for preaching and praying. Thus the clergy for a time made war with schism with so much vigour that they had little leisure to make war on vice. The ribaldry of Etheredge and Wycherley was, in the presence and under the special sanction of the Head of the Church, publicly recited by female lips in female ears, while the author of "The Pilgrim's Progress languished in a dungeon for the crime of proclaiming the Gospel to the poor. It is an unquestionable and a most instructive fact, that the years during which the political power of the Anglican hierarchy was in the zenith, were precisely the years during which national virtue was at the lowest point.-Macaulay's "History of England," vol i., p. 180. SPIRITUAL INDEPENDENCE. Rather than grant to the civil magistrate the absolute power of nominating spiritual pastors, the ministers of the Church of Scotland in our own time resigned their livings by hundreds. The Church of England had no such scruples. By the Royal authority alone her prelates were appointed. By the Royal authority alone her Convocations were summoned, regulated, prorogued, and dissolved. Without the Royal sanction, her canons had no force. One of the articles of her faith was, that without the Royal consent no ecclesiastical council could lawfully assemble. From all her judicatures an appeal lay, in the last resort, to the Sovereign, even when the question was, whether an opinion ought to be accounted heretical, or whether the administration of a sacrament had been valid. Nor did the Church grudge this extensive power to her princes. By them she had been called into existence, nursed through a feeble infancy, guarded from Papists on one side and from Puritans on the other; protected against Parliament which bore her no good-will, and avenged on literary assailants whom she found it hard to answer.-Macaulay's "History of England,” vol. i. HON. AND REV. B. W. NOEL.-On Sabbath, March 25, Mr. Noel was attending public worship in the National Scotch Church, Regent-square. Owing to a severe cold, Mr. Hamilton was unable to proceed with the service, and Mr. Noel kindly took his place. From Genesis xxii. 15-18, he preached a sermon which few of his hearers are ever likely to forget. We believe that it is Mr. Noel's wish to refrain from preaching for a few months; and, knowing this, Mr. Hamilton did not ask him to officiate until he found that he could not himself complete the duties of the morning. But all who again heard the voice of this faithful evangelist must desire and pray that it may not be long till he resumes his labour of love. Sermons so plain and eloquent, so fresh and yet so scriptural, and preachers so accomplished, and withal, so single-eyed, are what these times require. SOUTHAMPTON.-The Presbyterian congregation here assembled for the first time on Sabbath, March 25, when the services of the day were conducted by the Rev. A. J. Ross, of Brighton. The outset of this interesting enterprise has been most auspicious, and, from the zeal and cordiality of its originators, we doubt not that the foundation is now laid of a prosperous and important Church. We hope to give more particulars in our next. |