ings to be found in the Bible on this subject, and to have never duly reflected on the striking contrast presented in the dealings of God with Eli, and with Abraham the father of the faithful. Your committee would suggest to their brethren, to consider whether the necessities of the times do not require a course of lectures on the reciprocal duties of parents and children. They are persuaded, that if the obligations of family religion are neglected by parents holding membership in the church, there is but little reason to hope that this neglect will be compensated by the pastor, or by any human agency whatever.

"7. It has been stated to the committee that the Word of God is not systematically read by many of our people in their closets or families, and that much ignorance prevails of the Old Testament Scriptures. This statement is here introduced in order that the attention of ministers may be called to the point, and that appropriate means may be taken in the pulpit, and in the course of private visitation, to remedy this neglect, where it is found to exist. On those who are thus deficient in the reading of the Bible, it should be impressed that all Scripture is inspired of God, and is profitable to man; and that the study of the Old Testament would furnish their minds with numerous, varied, and striking illustrations of New Testament truths, and would also enable them to present the Bible in a far more attractive and interesting aspect to the young.

"8. The observance of the Lord's Day is a subject which would here fall to be considered; but this has justly been deemed of so much importance that it has been entrusted to a committee specially appointed to take charge of it. The Sabbath Committee, it is hoped, will adopt measures for having the claims of God's holy day more frequently and more vigorously impressed on the attention of our people. It is respectfully suggested to them to consider whether a tract should not be written for general distribution, pointing out the prevailing forms of Sabbath desecration, and containing instructions for the profitable and pleasant keeping of the Sabbath in Christian families.

"III. The extension of the Gospel beyond the pale of the Church.

"1. On this head the committee would recommend the more frequent preaching of the Gospel amongst the masses of our population. The preaching of the cross is the prominent agency, owned and blessed of God for the enlargement of his kingdom; and there is little doubt that, if ministers would hold themselves in readiness to publish the message of salvation in the house or in the field, wherever souls could be collected together to hear it, and in the spirit of faith and love to pray and look for success, they would be honoured to gather into the fold of Christ many stray sheep which are not like to be reclaimed by any other instrumentality. Such services as these would assuredly be blessed to ministers themselves and to their congregations. "2. When ministers are unable, by their own unaided exertions, to overtake the spiritual necessities of the neighbourhood, they ought to call into requisition the gifts of the other members of the church. This plan has been tried during the past year in at least one influential locality. A certain convenient congregational district has been marked off, and a few members of the congregation have agreed to visit each a definite number of families, for the purpose of reading the Scriptures, of distributing bibles and tracts, of urging the children to attend the Sabbath school, and the parents to attend the public worship of God. This is a most important operation, not only because it accomplishes the Christian visitation of families hitherto overlooked, but because it calls out into vigorous and healthful exercise many precious gifts of the Holy Spirit which heretofore have been hidden or neglected. This course of visitation, it should be observed, proceeds under the inspection of the session; to them the visitors present their reports, and by them they are advised and directed in prosecuting their work of benevolence. If this mode of procedure were generally pursued, where it is required, in the country as well as in town-if our churches were composed of members thus practically recognising the obligations incurred at the sacramental table-incalculable benefit might be expected to ensue. Who can estimate the impulse which one single Church might be enabled to give to the cause of God over the whole land-nay, over the whole world?

"In conclusion, your Committee deeply feel that, although the measures proposed

in their report are worthy the consideration of the Assembly, yet neither the cordial approval, nor even the practical adoption of them will, of itself, effectually secure the progress and prosperity of the Church. It is not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord, that His kingdom is to be advanced and established. The cry of our Assembly must be, 'God be merciful to us, and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us.' There are, doubtless, many of God's dear children scattered through our congregations, who are lifting up the voice of earnest and persevering prayer in secret, and pleading, ' O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known, in wrath remember mercy!' It is a great blessing that is sought;- -we must seek to have a juster sense of its unspeakable importance. God keeps his people waiting that they may be reminded of their past unfaithfulness, and of their continual dependence; that they may draw more closely to Him, that they may strive more earnestly with Him, that their hearts may be more full of gratitude, and their lips of praise, when they receive the answer to their prayers. The providence, as well as the word of God, is urging us to prayer. The Presbyterian Church of Ireland has an awful trust committed to her stewardship. She is a debtor to seven millions of our ignorant countrymen to make known to them the word of truth, the Gospel of salvation. She is at this moment specially called forward by her Lord to discharge the duties of her high stewardship. There is no other Church to which she can transfer her responsibility. The eyes of Christendom are now directed to Ireland-to her history, her position, her prospects. There are thousands of warmhearted Christians all over the empire who are ready to give their sympathy and support to any well-directed, self-denying effort for the evangelization of our country. If this Church know and improve her day of opportunity, God will bless her and make her a blessing. If she shrink back from the post of duty, she will be cast off, perhaps for ever."

BOOKS RECEIVED FOR REVIEW.

24. Sharpe's London Magazine. Various Parts. London: T. B. Sharpe. 25. Postscript to "The Abstract Principles of Revealed Religion," by Henry Home Drummond, in answer to the Oxford and Cambridge Review. London: Murray, 1846.

26. The Native Irish, and their Descendants. By Christopher Anderson. The Third Edition, improved. Fcap. 8vo., pp. 276. London: Pickering, 1846.

27. Original Sketches in Poetry. Designed to illustrate various Subjects and Characters, selected from the Holy Scriptures. By E. L. B. Fcap. 8vo., p. 230. London Seeley, 1846.

:

28. Sermons on the Lord's Prayer, and other Collateral Subjects: Doctrinal and Practical. By the Rev. Hamilton Verschoyle, Minister of the Episcopal Chapel, Upper Bagot Street, and Chaplain to his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant. pp. 328.

Dublin Curry & Co., 1846.

12mo.

29. A Doctrinal, Experimental, and Practical Treatise on Effectual Calling. By James Foote, A. M., Minister of the Free East Church, Aberdeen, Author of "Lectures on Luke," &c. Fcap. 8vo., pp. 208. Edinburgh: Johnstone, 1846.

30. Narrative of the Death of a Young Believer. From the Children's Missionary Record of the Free Church of Scotland. 24mo., pp. 12. Edinburgh: Kennedy, 1846.

31. Hadassah; or the Adopted Child. By the Author of "Jessie Barton; or, Not at Home," &c. 32mo., pp. 63. Second Edition, improved. Edinburgh: Kennedy, 1846.

32. Little Hadassah and Augustus; containing "The Birth-Day," "How to overcome Evil with Good," &c. &c. By the Author of "Jessie Barton; or, Not at Home," &c. 32mo., pp. 64. Edinburgh: Kennedy, 1846.

33. Christian Philosophy: being Select Dissertations, by Alexander Vinet, D.D. Professor of Theology in Lausanne, Switzerland. Translated from the French. 18mo. pp. 255. London: Tract Society.

34. Thoughts on Christian Union, with reference to the present efforts to bring about a Union of all Evangelical Christians. Post 8vo., pp. 82. Dublin: M'Glashan,

1846.

35. Horae Apostolicae ; or, A Digested Narrative of the Acts and Writings of the Apostles of Jesus Christ. Arranged according to Townsend, by the Rev. W. Shepherd, B.D., Rector of Margaret Roding, Essex, and Rural Dean. Fcap. 8vo., pp. 287. London: Longman & Co., 1846.

36. Aphoristical Instruction; or, Many Thoughts in Few Words. By the Rev. Joseph Jones, M. A. 12mo., pp. 276. London: Hamilton, Adams, & Co., 1846.

37. Life in Christ. Four Discourses upon the Scripture Doctrine that Immortality is the peculiar privilege of the Regenerate: being the substance of Lectures delivered at Hereford in the year 1845. By Edward White, Minister of the Congregational Church meeting at Eignbrook Chapel. 8vo., pp. 337. London: Jackson and Walford, 1846.

38. The Stability, Solidity, and Sanctity of the Church of God in Jesus Christ. A Sermon preached at Trinity Church, St Philip's, Bristol, on Thursday, June 18, 1846, previously to the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new district Church of St Simon, in the parish of St Philip and St Jacob. By the Rev. P. Hall, M.A., Rector of Milston, Wilts; and Minister of St Thomas's Chapel, Bath. 8vo., pp. 24. Bath: Binns and Goodwin, 1846.

39. Free Church of Scotland. Report of the Proceedings of the General Assembly on Saturday, May 30, and Monday, June 1, 1846, regarding the relation of the Free Church of Scotland, and the Presbyterian Churches of America. Revised. 8vo., pp. 52. Edinburgh: Johnstone, 1846.

40. The Free Church of Scotland. A Report of the Proceedings in the General Assembly, on Wednesday, May 27, 1846, on the subject of Christian Union. Revised. 8vo., pp. 78. Edinburgh: Johnstone, 1846.

41. Review of the Proceedings of a Minority of the Town Council of Edinburgh, in presenting the Freedom of the City to Mr George Thompson. Being a Report of the Speeches delivered at a subsequent meeting of that body. 8vo., pp. 14. Edinburgh: Johnstone, 1846.

42. Clerical Prosecutors; or, The Established Presbytery of Paisley, and their alleged claim to the Quoad Sacra Churches within their bounds. 8vo., pp. 24. Paisley Stewart.

43. Switzerland and the Swiss Churches: being Notes of a short Tour, and Notices of the Principal Religious Bodies in that Country. By William Lindsay Alexander, D.D. F.S.A.S. Feap. 8vo., pp. 336. Glasgow: Maclehose, 1846.

END OF VOL. XIX.

INDEX TO VOL XIX.

Arnold's Life and Correspondence, 89, Christ's Second Coming-Will it be Pre-

Century of Scottish Church History, by Difficulties in the Epistle to the Hebrews.