tery. for children and adults. At the close of the The Presbytery of Birmingham now consists o'clock, when Mr. Tullo was ordained to the The pastoral charge of the congregation. members of the Presbytery present were the Rev. G. Lewis, moderator, the Revs. Dr. Mackenzie, James Speers, and Thomas Macpherson; Mr. John Eunson, from Wolverhampton, and Mr. M'Kie, from Dudley, elders. The Rev. J. Stewart, at present supplying at Wolverhampton, the Rev. W. Tasker, of Edinburgh, and the Rev. R. C. Smith, of The latter two Shotts, were also present. gentlemen were associated with the PresbyThe attendance of members of the congregation was very full, and there were also a number of friends of other denominations present, including some ministers. The Rev. T. Macpherson, of New John-street, Birmingham, preached from 2 Corinthians iii. 7th and 8th verses," But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: how shall not the ministration of the Spirit be rather glorious?" The discourse was able and appropriate; presenting, first, the ministration of the law, and wherein its glory consists; secondly, the ministration of the Gospel, and wherein its greater glory consists; and, thirdly, with manifest scriptural erudition and skill, he brought out and illus. trated the contrast drawn by Paul through the Spirit, demonstrating this last and best dispensation far excelling in glory. The Rev. George Lewis, of Dudley, moderator, gave a full exposition of the ordination services connected with the Presbyterian Church, after which he offered the ordination prayer. The Rev. James Speers, of Stafford, delivered the charge to the newly-ordained pastor, and the Rev. W. Tasker, of Edinburgh, delivered the The services were charge to the people. attended to with respect and marked attention by the people present. The members of the congregation are extremely grateful for the amount of unanimity that has prevailed in respect to the settlement, and are full of hopes that the result of the union formed will be beneficial to the neighbourhood. Although this congregation now forms one of the settled charges in connexion with the Presbyterian Church in England, in many respects it must be looked upon more as the nucleus of a congregation and the centre for evangelistic work, than ranking as completely formed and estab-anniversary of the Young Men's Mutual Imlished. It, therefore, requires the sympathies of the whole Church. It is to be hoped that the newly-settled pastor will be followed in his new sphere of labour with a large amount of that success and blessing that have hitherto accompanied his labours elsewhere; that he may be long spared to minister to the people to whom we trust he has been led by the Lord's guidance, and that both he and they may know how to take advantage of the unanimity and heartiness that now prevails, and of the opportunities of usefulness by which they are surrounded. It is no small advantage to this people and their pastor that they are so largely engaged in Sabbath school operations; and that they have attached to them, directly and indirectly, educational appliances of a more than ordinary extent and character, both JOHN KNOX CHURCH, STEPNEY.-On Tuesday evening, the 12th February last, the provement Association was held in the schoolroom, the Rev. W. Keedy presiding. About 100 persons sat down to tea, after which the Report was read by the Secretary; from which it appeared the Association was steadily progressing. The Meeting was addressed by several of the members, and deputies from other Associations. After a vote of thanks to the Chairman the Meeting closed at an early hour. The Annual Meeting of John Knox Presbyterian congregation was held on Wednesday evening, Feb. 27. About 200 persons partook of an excellent tea in the school-room adjoining the church. After tea the Meeting adjourned into the church, where a large additional number of persons assembled. The chair was occupied by the Rev. William Keedy, minister of the church. After singing a portion of the 122d Psalm, the Rev. Mr. Duncan, of Greenwich, implored the Divine blessing on the proceedings of the evening, and thereafter the Chairman offered a few general observations on the Lord's goodness to them during the past year. Mr. Neill, elder, read the annual congregational Report, detailing the operations of the last twelve months. The Report was highly encouraging, and to the evident satisfaction of the congregation pointed out the progress they had made, and the many tokens of the Divine goodness which called for their gratitude. It appeared that a considerable addition had been made to their numbers, a number of new sittings having been taken, and the membership of the Church had also considerably increased. The income from seat-rents was greater than it had been on any former occasion. The attendance at the Sabbath-school was numerous, and under the able superintendence of Mr. Scotland, one of the elders, the school is in a flourishing condition. The Dorcas Association had distributed the usual number of garments to the poor of the congregation. There had also been instituted during the past year an association for the distribution of religious tracts in the district of the church, and several proofs of its usefulness have already occurred. been moved and seconded by Messrs. LittleThe Report having john and Donnon, members, it was unanimously adopted. Thereafter an able address was delivered by the Rev. Professor Lorimer on the various schemes of the Presbyterian Church in England, which was listened to with deep attention; he earnestly urged the importance of each family or individual taking the "Presbyterian Messenger," as the only means of making themselves acquainted with the proceedings of the Church. Duncan, of Greenwich, delivered a most inteThe Rev. Mr. resting address on the duty of the Church to care for the young, and specially in reference to Sabbath-schools, as a missionary nursery, detailing several interesting examples of their influence in Greenwich. Moderator of Synod, gave a most instructive The Rev. Mr. Weir, address on missionary enterprise, and the duty resting on the Church to seek her extension, by labouring amongst the masses. usual happy manner, he addressed many useful In his hints to the tract-distributors, and deplored in feeling terms the want of an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church of the present day. The Rev. Mr. Fisher, of Southwark, also addressed the Meeting with special reference to the interests of young men. of the speakers were ably seconded by several The addresses of the office-bearers, amongst whom must be mentioned the esteemed Treasurer of the Church, R. Stephenson, Esq. a scheme was proposed, and unanimously Thereafter adopted, for clearing off the floating debt on the church as soon as possible. The Meeting was in all respects a most delightful one, and the spirit of harmony and kindness which prevailed, gave the most encouraging hope of the future prosperity of the congregation. They have come through a great many trials during the last few years. Being for several years without a stated minister, since the settlement of their present pastor they have had many difficulties to overcome, to some These, by the Divine blessing, have now been extent the consequence of the long vacancy. in a great measure surmounted; and now that the Session has been increased by the addition of four new elders, and the Deacons' Court is also being increased, the territorial division be much more complete; and there seems and superintendence of the congregation will good reason for cherishing the hope that the great Head of the Church has great things in of thanks having been moved to the Chairman, i store for this corner of his vineyard. A vote and the benediction pronounced, the Meeting proceedings of the evening. dispersed, all being greatly gratified with the MORPETH.-The school in connexion with the Presbyterian congregation here, was examined on Thursday, the 21st Feb., by a ComEdwards, Walker, Forsyth, and Anderson, in mittee of Presbytery, consisting of Messrs. respectable number of citizens, parents, and presence of the Mayor, and a large and others interested in the education of the found to be 120-the number present ninetyyoung. The number of pupils on the roll was six. They were examined on the Shorter Catechism, Bible History, Geography, English Grammar, English History, Natural PhiloArithmetic, Mensuration, &c. And on ail sophy, Natural History, Writing to dictation, these exercises they acquitted themselves to present. The members of Committee, while the unqualified satisfaction and delight of all expressing the gratification which they enjoyed in witnessing the high state of proficiency reached by the scholars in their several classes in the management of the school, paid indiand the admirable method and order observed vidually a high and well merited tribute of and devotedness of the much respected commendation to the ability, aptitude, zeal, by the Mayor, Messrs. Anderson, Tait, Hood, teacher, Mr. Robert Leckie. Prizes provided | George, and J. Cherney, Leckie, M‘Lair, Mrs. Roberts, and Miss Elliott, were awarded to those who had most distinguished themselves in the several classes. music were sung by the pupils, which were At intervals in the course of the examination several pieces of much admired. School may be maintained at the expense THE pupil of an Industrial Feeding of 4. per annum. His cost in the workhouse is 127. But if, instead of remaining an innocent and inert burden on the charity of the community, he betakes himself to the the value of his annual depredations would calculation is said to be a minimum one) that resources of theft, it is calculated (and the maintain him in luxury at Eton; and the ments, and final punishment would fit him expense of his various trials, imprisonout handsomely for a cadetship in India! THE Baptists of America are exerting of the Bible, manifestly with a view to themselves to bring out a new translation subserve their peculiar opinions. PRESBYTERIANISM IN ENGLAND TWO HUNDRED YEARS AGO. Ir has been often observed, that one man seldom profits by the experience of another. The warnings and remonstrances of age and experience, and of wisdom purchased at an enormous price, often fall in vain upon the ears of the untried and sanguine youth, who knows neither his own nature, nor the character of his fellow-men, nor the influence of principles which permeate and control society. He must learn by experience; his own personal history must be the grand medium through which he is to be taught wisdom, prudence, and self-control. By his own experience he adopts principles and modes of action which could never have been taught him by the experience of others, however unequivocal it may have been, or however applicable to his determinations and circumstances. Thus age profits by the experience of youth, and compels former failures to become the auxiliaries of future success. In such an arrangement of events-such a concatenation of apparent contraries-we cannot but perceive the evidence of that profound wisdom which pervades the present constitution of this world's affairs, a constitution according to which the path of prosperity often begins with defeat, shame, and sorrow. We acknowledge the existence of a strong tendency to contemplate men, and different classes of men, in their corporate as well as individual capacity. In a certain sense, a nation, a Church, or any community whatever, whether political, philosophical, or ecclesiastical, is as much a unit during the whole period of its existence as an individual man during the whole of his life; and both appear to be subject to conditions and laws which, if not exactly the same, are very similar to each other. The contemplation of the history of the past is therefore important. Essential practical principles may be educed from it. But if not, yet we cannot fail to regard that history, or any portion of it, with intense interest; for there is a law which binds not only the members of families together, but men of like minds, views, and principles. This law bids defiance to time. Centuries may intervene, but divide not those who struggled from those who still struggle for the same principles. The heart of a patriot burns with intense emotion at the remembrance of those who struggled, fought, and died for their fatherland; and grateful thoughts spring up in his soul at the vision of their heroic conduct and noble self-sacrifice. Their sufferings and sorrows become his own; the obloquy cast upon their names is less pardonable than a personal injury; and indignation would humble to the dust those who dared to disturb their peaceful resting-places. English Presbyterianism has many interesting recollections-many hallowed associations. Its history is interwoven with some of the grandest, most pathetic, and tragic events of English history. Its adherents in former days included some of the profoundest theologians which have ever appeared in this country. In its ranks were found the truest lovers of their father-land-the sworn and unflinching friends of monarchy and social order. Betrayed, defeated, despoiled, they cleaved to their principles and obligations. Alas! that their faithfulness to principle, and confidence in others, should have been followed by base rewards. Perhaps, No. 101.-New Series. VOL. VIII. K however, the reward is yet in store, and may come in due time. It is not our present purpose to enter into any historic investigation. We desire merely to express the sympathy and the admiration with which we view the men of former days, and many of their transactions. Their degenerate descendants, and those who understand not their principles, as well as many who, but for the men whom they traduce, would have had neither the principles nor the privileges which they possess, scruple not to declaim against them. That they were immaculate, that all their modes of action were free from exception, no one affirms; but their faults, like the spots on the sun, are obscured by the effulgence with which they are surrounded -an effulgence which has helped to enlighten the Presbyterian and other Churches during the last two centuries. The Confession of Faith, the Catechisms, and other productions, are incomparable legacies; and their authors and coadjutors, whether in Church or State, are sacred in our memories, not merely as co-religionists, but as the covenanted foes of tyranny, lovers of their king and country, and friends of true liberty and social order. Compared with these men we are, in many respects, a generation of dwarfs. Many of our readers are aware that, at one time, Presbyterianism occupied a position in England widely different from that which it now possesses. It was, for a time, the established form of Church government. But it was never fully developed; it never had a full and fair trial. The constitution of ecclesiastical courts was somewhat different from that which now prevails in the Presbyterian Church: Presbyteries and Synods were composed of twice as many elders as ministers. Besides, certain principles were acknowledged by the Legislature, and certain arrangements made (which, perhaps, might have been tolerated for a time on account of the disturbed condition both of Church and State), but which, if perpetuated, would have deprived Presbyterian principle and discipline of their purity and power, and presented to the world a fallacious embodiment of the grand principles of our ecclesiastical polity. Nevertheless, we cannot contemplate this period of England's history, and of English Presbyterianism, without deep interest, and warm affection towards the men who struggled for their principles, and had the welfare of their country and future generations ever before them. Affection, firmly fixed upon its object, sometimes prompts a man to gather the obloquy, defamation, and adverse sayings heaped upon his friend, as if to bid defiance to them all. Conscious of the true character of his friend, he may sometimes remain unmoved, and even enjoy a secret satisfaction that he is unmoved, at the attacks of antagonists. Assuming that our readers have a high admiration of the English Presbyterians who lived during the times of the Long Parliament, we shall present them with a few specimens of the sentiments of their opponents. We shall not inquire whether these sentiments were right or wrong, nor whether any just cause had been given for their expression; we produce them simply as sentiments entertained by Englishmen upwards of two centuries ago. To concentrate attention, we shall select only one year, 1647, and a very limited portion of that year, as the date of our quotations. By this time the principal labours of the Westminster Divines had been almost if not altogether completed. The Legislature had commanded the erection of Presbyteries and Synods throughout England. On May 3, the Synod of the Province of London assembled, for the first time, in the Convocationhouse of St. Paul's. This Synod represented twelve Presbyteries about 108 members met. Presbyterial government, though as yet in an imperfect form, was in operation throughout other parts of England. We may state, however, that the Presbyterians never succeeded in erecting more than two Synods, those of London and Lancashire. London was then their great stronghold. Now, what were the sentiments of many Englishmen at this period in reference to Presbyterianism? As might be expected, various opinions were held. That to which we shall here allude is, that Presbyterianism was Scotch, not English, and, therefore, that it ought not to be adopted in England. Of course we deny the charge, as well as the inference. This, however, does not affect the fact, that Englishmen looked upon Presbyterianism as un-English, as something which did not belong to the soil of England, and had no right in it. This was their sentiment then; and, so far as facts are concerned, they still hold the same opinion. A Presbyterian place of worship is, in their estimation, a "Scotch church," and the inference is, that they have no interest in it. The Tracts from which we quote are brief, sometimes not exceeding six pages. They were, therefore, calculated to secure an extensive circulation, and to express a considerable amount of public opinion. The spirit of controversy, and the mode of dealing with a given topic, were often, at the time of which we write, very different from the controversial spirit and manner which now generally prevail. Our readers will, therefore, not be surprised at the language. (1.) "The Lamentation of the Ruling Lay Elders, sadly bemoaning the Death of their late Foster-father, Sir John Presbyter, deceased," &c. (July 29.) "This monster (Presbyterianism) was born in nasty Scotland, wrapt up in an old cloak-bag, and sent to Westminster to nurse, and in the space of four years is become so untoward a chit that to give you his true character, or draw him forth to the life, would add blackness to my ink and paleness to my paper, and infuse a kind of trembling palsy to my hand, that I should be forced abruptly to break off and write only finis.' · (2.) "The Ghost of Sir John Presbyter: wherein he desireth that the Rest of that Faction may desist, and prosecute no further that Monster of Presbytery. Also, his Advertisement to one of his Dear Children, whom he left out of his Will, by Reason of his Great Rage and his Sickness. Printed in the Year of the Presbyterian Fear, 1647.” (August 11.) "I have heard many say when I was with you, that when it did rain slowly we should say that it was but a Scotch mist, but it would wet an Englishman to the skin: So now I must confess and say of that government, that it is but a Scotch one; but if it be erected in England it will rend and tear and divide the kingdom; it will turn it upside down. And therefore now, my loving friends that were to me, I mean the Synod, did you but know what now I suffer by pressing men's consciences to that Scotch faction, you would desist, and prosecute that ill-begotten monster of Presbytery no more. . . . . I was a great Episcopal man once; then the wind turned, then I became a dissenter, like the rest that met at the holy convocation house; then we must dance a Scotch jig, and the title of it must be a Scotch covenant for England's inhabitants." (3.) "The Scotch Presbyterian Weathercock Pearched upon our English Steeples, or, An Historical Narrative of the Variable Chances and Changes of Presbyterian Government in Scotland, and may consequently be in England." (August 13.) "Amongst all the reasonable, sensible, and senseless creatures, under the moon, all are subject to changes and variations as the moon is. The poet Ovid did artfully metamorphose and transform men to wolves, dogs, bears, owls, apes, magpies, &c.; but the strange attempt of our Scottish brethren upon us English silly souls goes beyond all fiction, or any transmutation since the creation. |