each week. In visiting, I do not think it at all necessary to call upon every family in the district, as a number have ministers of their own, and this would be looked upon by many as an effort to draw from other Churches, rather than to gather in the outcast, which is the design of the Mission. Out of many we will only notice two

interesting cases which came under our observation.

1. Husband and wife, with one child. I learned that they did not wait upon ordinances, yet were quite able to do so. After a little conversation I found that the husband was an Episcopalian in principle, the wife a Presbyterian, but now they went nowhere. I enquired if they were satisfied with this state, when both held down their heads and confessed that it was both improper and unsatisfactory. Their convictions seemed to be deep. They expressed a strong desire to honour God in His own ordinances. I dealt with them as tenderly as I could; but still there were difficulties in the way. I invited them to come to the Church on the first Sabbath. The wife promised to come; and after engaging in prayer the husband also promised that he would come. They have been true to their promise, and only on one Sabbath, for which there was a good reason, have they been absent. I believe that in due time they will ask admission to the fellowship of the Church.

2. The next case is that of a young woman about sixteen years of age. Passing along the street I was told that there was a young woman lying in a dying state in a certain close. I at once proceeded to the place, but on going to the door found it locked. I went into a neighbour's house and made enquiry. I was told that the mistress was out, but that she had the key and would let me in. I learned that the young person had been suffering for a considerable time, but that she was much worse the last three weeks. On looking at her, I concluded in my own mind that her days upon earth could not be many. I spoke to het of her latter end, to which she said she was looking forward, and was not without hope, as she had given her soul to Christ a long time ago; and she was now endeavouring to lay hold upon His "finished work." I read a short passage of Scripture, made a few remarks upon it, and engaged in prayer. She said that religious exercise was her greatest desire upon earth, and she urged me to call upon her next day, which I did. I found her again alone, read another short passage, and engaged in prayer. This being Friday, I said that I would not call again before the beginning of the week. Before nine o'clock on Tuesday morning, I had a message from her that she was very anxious to see me. I went; she was evidently much weaker in body, but was as evidently "growing in grace." said that now her whole desire was to be with Jesus. From that time I visited her twice each day until she died in the end of the week. I was much gratified to find on each visit, although now so weak that she was scarcely able to say it, "I am just waiting for Jesus to come." I was asked by the landlady (for this girl was an orphan and in lodgings) to come to the coffining. I promised to do so, and was there before the undertaker came with the coffin. There was a good number of persons present-neighbours. Knowing the character of the majority of those present, I endeavoured to press home the dispensation of God's providence in as suitable an exhortation as I could for the present, and all seemed to be affected to a lesser or a greater extent.

She

MEETINGS. The meetings are two in number, one on Sabbath evening and the other on Wednesday evening. I cannot report anything very flattering with regard to these as yet, but the summer season is generally acknowledged to be a bad season for all kinds of meetings. The Sabbath evening meeting has had an average attendance of 50, not all mission people, as it is hard to bring them out in daylight, but a good sprinkling through the general audience. As the season has advanced this meeting has improved, and we fondly hope that by the time we again require to give in a report that it will be more favourable. The Wednesday evening meeting, so far as the mission is concerned, has been a failure. It was also held in the church, but for the most part attended only by our own people. We have seen cause, however, to change it to dwelling-houses, and make it what may be best described as a "travelling meeting," for which three houses have been kindly offered.

CLASSES.-A senior and a junior were at once formed, and although the young people of the congregation are understood to attend, yet they are by no means confined to the congregation. The attendance at the senior class averages 12, and the junior from 10 to 20-the latter for the most part children of parents who make no profession of religion.

TRACT DISTRIBUTION.-We commenced tract distribution, which has been carried on with commendable zeal by the distributors. In the district there are 381 dwellings. This is overtaken by seven distributors, male and female, who voluntarily offered their services. The tracts are for the most part 16 pages, carefully selected, and put into paper covers, upon which is a printed label intimating the meeting on Sabbath evening. The distributors report that in the majority of cases the tracts are very thankfully received.

MISSION MEETING, POLLOCKSHAWS.-At the close of the Communion services on Monday, October 26, a meeting of the Pollockshaws Congregation was held for missionary objects. The Rev. W. B. Gardiner presided, and briefly introduced the business of the meeting. Mr. George Anderson, Missionary, gave a very interesting and encouraging account of his labours, reading some short extracts from his Jour nal as descriptive of the class of persons he visits, the reception he meets with, and the evidence given that he has not laboured in vain. Brief and appropriate addresses were delivered by the Rev. John Barr, Coupar-Angus; and Mr John Currie, elder, after which the meeting was closed with the benediction.

Foreign Missionary Entelligence.

WE have been solicitous to give a larger space to foreign missionary intelligence than of late we have been able to do, the more so as the Synod, at its last meeting, adopted a resolution warmly recommending the foreign field to the serious and prayerful consideration of the members of the Church. We need scarcely say, that we cordially concur in that resolution, and with a view to aid in carrying it out, we shall endeavour to give as much information on the subject as our limits will admit. The following extracts, we trust, will be found interesting:

The

MADAGASCAR.-A remarkable change has of late taken place in this Island in regard to the religion of the blessed Redeemer. Whereas formerly it was scarcely tolerated, and not a few of its professors were cruelly persecuted and put to death, multitudes of all ranks appear now to be flocking to hear the joyful sound. change has been brought about chiefly through the instrumentality of the medical missionaries. The Rev. W. E. Cousins thus describes the gratifying fact:-We have every reason to hope that Christianity will make even more rapid progress than it has done. Never, since we have been in Madagascar, has there been such a strong feeling in its favour as at present. During the public mourning our congregations remained about the same as they had been; some were rather below the average; but on Sabbath week-the first Sabbath after the cessation of the mourning our chapels were crowded to overflowing. Raimmaharavo and Ravomnahitriniarivo attend public worship often, and their example, together with the knowledge that the Queen and Prime Minister are favourably disposed to Christianity, has encouraged many to come to our chapels who had stood aloof as long as they thought there was any reason to fear. Some, indeed, who made themselves conspicuous by their cruel treatment of the Christians during the persecution, have commenced to attend our services. Never have larger congregations been gathered together in Antananarivo than on the two last Sabbaths. The chapels are too small for the press of hearers, and on all hands we hear of intended enlargements. Of course we rejoice in such a movement; but we are deeply sensible of the dangers that will beset our Churches as Christianity becomes more popular and fashionable. We rejoice with trembling, and we would wish our friends in England earnestly and frequently to commend us to the care of Him who can guide his people, and keep them from all harm.

Another of the Missionaries writes as follows:-Mr. Cousins has told you of the progress made by the Government, and the favourable effect of this on Christianity. I need add merely what more especially concerns my own sphere of labour. The first Sabbath after the close of the period set apart for mourning, my Chapel, which had been well filled for several Sabbaths previously, became crowded to excess, whilst many sat round outside, and others went away to seek places in other Chapels. Among those present were many of the Queen's household, Rammaharavo, the chief Secretary of State Ravoninahitriniarivo, the Prime Minister's eldest sister and his eldest son, besides some of those who worked the Sikidy during the time of the late Queen. Last week we knocked out the side wall of the Chapel, and carried the roof on to the wall of a yard opposite, enlarging the building 64 feet by 15 feet. On the Sabbath following the place was again crowded by eight o'clock in the morning, and many had again to seek places elsewhere. In the afternoon it was the same. The deacon's counted the people as they left in the evening, and made their number to be 2,450 inside and 130 outside. Their counting cannot be relied upon, yet I shall not be far wrong when I state the number inside to have been 2,000. The Prime Minister's sister was baptised last Sabbath, and is very anxious to be admitted into the Church. She has our principal teacher to instruct her nearly every evening at her own house, and has committed to memory a great deal of the Catechism appointed for candidates. Ravoninahitriniarivo wishes to be admitted into the Church tomorrow, also the eldest son of the Prime Minister. Amparibe is crowded, and they

have made a place for the people to sit outside under the verandah. Ambatonahanga Memorial Church was comfortably full last Sabbath. I hear Mr. Pearse, at Analakely, is about to enlarge his Chapel. At Ankadibevara they have been obliged to enlarge the building very considerably, as the place has been crowded to excess. In the country Chapels there is the same eagerness to hear the Word of God. Some have already enlarged their Chapels, and others are thinking of doing so. This earnest desire to hear the Gospel is not confined to one class or one locality, but seems to be universal.

AFRICA.-Mr. Laing, Free Church Missionary at Burnshill, announces the baptism of no fewer than 12 native converts. On Sabbath, 20th September, he says-I baptised 12 adults and four infants. Two adults who were examined for baptism were kept back on account of defective knowledge. The time during which these candidates were under trial and special teaching extends from May, 1866, to January, 1868. We look on knowledge and consistent conduct as the chief qualifications for baptism, and some possess these qualifications in a good degree before they enter the class of catechumens. The time for such persons to remain under trial need not be long. One of the females baptised is a servant in a European family, and obtains an excellent character from her master. It is our wish and endeavour that all young candidates should learn to read, and the most of those admitted at this time are capable of obtaining knowledge from books. Besides constant oral instruction and the Bible, I use the Mother's and Shorter Catechisms in teaching the candidates. At every meeting they repeat the Ten Commandments, and an explanation, longer or shorter, is always given. The above mentioned persons are scattered over a district 20 miles long by 12 broad, and when so situated indicate that the missionary will have considerable labour in going to their own dwellings and seeing how they do. We have found the erroneous idea somewhat strong in the minds of newly-admitted members, that they might to a large extent cease from learning when received into the Church. In the special address given to the candidates at their baptism, the missionary endeavoured to press on their attention the importance of their giving constant and careful diligence to acquire scriptural knowledge. To-day (September 22d), after having held the weekly general meeting for the candidates, I was much gratified by the elder of a certain part of the district bringing up a young married pair, with one child, for admission to the class of catechumens. Such persons may be expected to walk together as heirs of the grace of life. I found on inquiry that they had already established family worship in their house. We have still more females than males among our candidates, but it is very pleasing to see numbers of young men, both married and unmarried, beginning to attend to the things that belong to their everlasting peace.

Presbytery Meetings.

GLASGOW PRESBYTERY.-The Glasgow Presbytery of United Original Seceders met at Glasgow on the 28th of October-the Rev. Dr. M. Murray, of Glasgow, Moderator. An application for a moderation in a call was granted to the congregation of Kirkintilloch. Mr. Anderson, student in arts, was examined upon Whatley's Logic," and John's Gospel in the Greek New Testament, and acquitted himself satisfactorily. At the same time, Mr. Alexander Yuill delivered a lecture upon Romans viii. 35-39, which was received with marked approbation; he then read an exercise and additions, and a Thesis in Latin. He was also examined upon 66 Cunningham's Historical Theology," volume ii.; upon the 17th century in Church History; and upon the Greek New Testament ad app. lib. Having completed all the subjects prescribed to him, as trials for license, in a creditable manner, and his discourses and examinations being sustained separately and in cumulo, it was unanimously agreed to license him as a probationer for the holy ministry, which was accordingly done by the Rev. Dr. Murray, who addressed him in a suitable and impressive manner. -The Presbytery met again on the 18th December at Glasgow. It was reported by the Rev. Mr. Gardiner that according to the appointment of Presbytery he had moderated in a call at Kirkintilloch on the 30th ultimo, and that the congregation there had given a unanimous call to Mr. Thomas Gilchrist to be their pastor. The conduct of Mr. Gardiner was approved of, and the other proceedings being found correct, it was moved and unanimously agreed to sustain the call as a regular Gospel call. A petition for a moderation in a call from the congregation of Glasgow for one to be colleague and successor to the Rev. Dr. M. Murray was unanimously granted, and the moderation was appointed to take place on the 29th instant-the Rev. James Smellie to preach and preside. Some conversation took

place respecting the oversight of the students in connection with the United Original Secession Church, of whom a considerable number are known to be attending the Arts Classes in the University of Glasgow during the present winter. It was agreed to appoint the Rev. Dr. Murray and the Rev. William B. Gardiner to meet with them from time to time with the view of joining with them in religious exercises, seeking to imbue their minds with a devotional spirit, and giving them such directions in their studies as may seem calculated, by the Divine blessing, to prove beneficial to them in the solemn work which they have ultimately in view.

PERTH AND ABERDEEN PRESBYTERY.-The Perth and Aberdeen Presbytery met at Coupar-Angus, on the 15th December-the Rev. William Robertson, Dundee, Moderator. A call from the congregation of Arbroath in favour of Mr Alexander Stirling, which had been laid on the table and sustained at a previous meeting, was presented to Mr. Stirling, and cordially accepted by him. The commissioners from the congregation expressed their great satisfaction at this result, and requested that the settlement take place with all convenient speed. The Court signified its willingness to comply with this request, and prescribed to Mr. Stirling the usual trials for ordination. Commissioners from the congregation of Perth were present, and laid on the table a petition asking the moderation of a call to one to become colleague to the Rev. Dr. Manson, their esteemed pastor. After consideration, it was agreed to grant the prayer of the petition, and the moderation was appointed to take place on the 26th January next-the Rev. John Barr to preach and preside. It was also agreed to request the Committee of Supplies to grant Perth another hearing of all the preachers before the time fixed for the moderation. Presbytery had some conversation on the overtures sent down by the Synod anent representative elders from vacant congregations, but the further consideration of this subject was delayed to a subsequent meeting.

Miscellaneous Entelligence.

BURSARY COMPETITION.-At a meeting of the Hall Committee held on the 16th ultimo, for the purpose of adjudicating upon the students competition papers, it was found that the first bursary (£5) had been gained by Mr. George Anderson, Pollockshaws; and the second (£4) by Mr. William Hamilton, Carluke. The successful competitors are attending their third session as students in arts, at Glasgow University. The competition was founded on Butler's Analogy of Religion, Natural and Revealed, and took place at 16, Douglas Street, Glasgow, on the 27th October last. DROMORE CONGREGATION.-A special and most laudable effort was made by this congregation in the beginning of October last, for the purpose of liquidating the debt incurred in seating and otherwise repairing their church. On such occasions, it is customary in Ireland to be assisted by friends and well-wishers in the neighbourhood, and in the present instance the call for aid has been most handsomely and generously responded to. The Rev. Mr. M'Donald, of Terrace Row Presbyterian Church, Coleraine, kindly granted the use of his church for the services, and earnestly commended the object to his congregation; while a number of gentlemen, including the High Sheriff, several Justices of the Peace, and other official parties, as kindly agreed to act as collectors, and to receive subscriptions-the admission to the church being by ticket. The Rev. James Patrick, the pastor of the congregation, was assisted on the occasion by the Rev. Thomas Robertson, Kilwinning, who preached, forenoon and evening, in Terrace Row Church, two excellent sermons from Luke ii. 16, and Hosea xiv. 5, to large and most attentive audiences. At the close of each of the services, a collection was taken up, which, along with a number of donations sent by persons who could not attend, amounted to the handsome sum of £77 12s 6d, which will serve to clear off almost the entire debt upon the church. The result is matter of great thankfulness to God, as well as truly encouraging to our brethren in Ireland. The minister, session, and committee, on behalf of Dromore Congregation, accordingly, while acknowledging the good hand of God in what has been done, at the same time beg to return sincere and hearty thanks to the Rev. Mr. M'Donald, his session and congregation, for the use of their commodious church, and for their invaluable assistance; to the gentlemen who kindly and cordially acted as collectors; to those who so freely forwarded donations; and to all who manifested their Christian sympathy and friendship on the occasion. Their prayer is, that those who have thus served to them of their carnal things may reap an abundant reward in spiritual blessings.

CALL.-At a meeting of the Kirkintilloch Congregation, held on the 30th November, a very harmonious call was given in favour of Mr. Thomas Gilchrist, preacher. The Rev. W. B. Gardiner, Pollockshaws, preached and presided on the occasion.

ORIGINAL SECESSION MAGAZINE.

MARCH, 1869.

REMINISCENCES OF THE

LATE REV. DR. GEORGE STEVENSON, OF AYR.

HIS MARRIAGE-MINISTERIAL WORK AND PREPARATION FOR IT—HIS SERMONS AND THEIR DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS.

ARTICLE II.

ABOUT two years after his settlement in Ayr, Mr. Stevenson married Jane, eldest daughter of Mr. Pringle of Holefield, where, as we have already seen, he had, during several years of his student life, acted as a private tutor. By one who had the best opportunities of knowing Mrs. Stevenson before her marriage, it has been stated, and we cannot do better than adopt his language, that she had the privilege of being descended from pious parents, by whom she was taught to know the Scriptures from her childhood. The exercise of real religion by which her character was moulded, shone forth with an attractive light in her spirit and deportment, as she grew up in the large family circle to which she belonged. She felt it at once a duty and a pleasure to minister to the comfort of all with whom she was connected. As a daughter, she was ever prompt in complying with the wishes of her parents, and in carrying out, as far as in her power, the plans which they proposed for the benefit of the family. Being the oldest of the family, she took a kind of maternal charge of her younger brothers and sisters, encouraging them by affectionate advice, and by her own example, to show a dutiful regard to their parents, and to live in unity and love among themselves. Her spirit was so unselfish, that she often seemed forgetful of what was requisite for her own personal enjoyment, provided only that she could, by her generous self-sacrifice, contribute in any measure to the comfort of those around her. A

NO. II. VOL. IX.

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NEW SERIES.