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seeing that "the apocalyptic prophecy seems to have pronounced distinctly against them, representing, as it does, the original constitution of the Lutheran and Anglican Reformed Churches, on that very principle" (the principle on which the Secession took place), "not as any act of sinful Erastianism, but as Christ's own doing; and so with the stamp of His approbation on it." He further charges Dr Candlish and the Rev. James Hamilton of Regent Square, with putting forth "the singular idea," that the "Scotch Secession" fulfils "the character of one of Christ's two witnesses," and is "acting out even now the prophecy of the witnesses' death;" and, finally, he stops the progress of his second edition to announce that, because a number of the Ministers of the Free Church had joined the Evangelical Alliance, they had thereby, in his estimation, abandoned their previous error on the Headship."

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Such are the extraordinary charges adduced by a learned and able minister of the Church of England, and a pro. found student of prophecy, against the Free Church, and which are discussed in these Four Letters. The first considers the Spirit's office as interpreter of the Word-the Headship of Christ-the Church visible and invisible. The second examines the argument from "the reed like unto a rod," and the application to the Reformation. The third discusses the prophecy of the Two Witnesses; and the fourth treats of the relation between Church and State, and the aspects of the Controversy in England—the present position of the Evangelical clergy of the Establishment-the urgency of the present crisis, and their responsibility in regard to it-the future prospects of Protestantism, &c. There is also an appendix on the doctrine of the Westminster Standards, respecting the duty and functions of the civil magistrate in religious matters.

The Recreation; a Gift Book for Young, Readers, with Engravings. Fcp. 8vo Pp. 344, gilt. Edinburgh. 1846. This is a book for boys; it is composed of selections from works of modern travel-narratives of personal adventure by sea and land-visits to remarkable places -encounters with wild animals-incidents in war and the chase-description of volcanoes, earthquakes, &c. &c. The design of the compiler is to gratify that universal feeling of delight with which we see patience and courage displayed by others, whether of mind or body, and by the practical exemplification of the triumph

over difficulties, to become a teacher of noble daring to the rising generation. The selections are chiefly from new works, which secures them all the zest and relish of novelty. The engravings likewise are spirited, and will greatly enhance the charm of the volume for the young. Altogether, the volume is an elegant one, and will form one of the most delightful of all gift books for a boy.

Union to Christ and His Church. By the Rev. THOMAS SMITH, D.D., Charleston, South Carolina. 24mo, Pp. 130. Edinburgh. 1846.

This little volume sets forth the duty and privilege of all to believe in Christ, to confess Christ, and to become com

muning members of his Church. "It is designed to meet the case of that class of sincere inquirers who respect religion, and desire to be themselves possessed of it, and who would esteem it a privilege to be themselves members of the Church, but who are afraid to hope in Christ, to cast themselves upon him as poor guilty sinners, fully sensible of their weakness of faith and insensibility of heart, and afraid to profess religion, because unworthy, as they think, to be members of the Church, and unable to cherish a confidence that they will never fall away or disgrace their high calling." It is the substance of a series of discourses delivered by the author during a recent interesting revival in his congregation.

Spelling by Dictation. By ALEX. J. D. D'ORSEY, Master of the English Department in the High School, Glasgow. 24mo, Pp. 104. Glasgow. 1846.

Spelling by Dictation, is the method of teaching orthography long pursued on the Continent, and now very generally adopted in schools taught on advanced principles in this country. It supersedes the old and irksome plan of committing the orthography of whole columns of words to memory. The designed lesson is carefully read over by the pupils, the books are then closed, and recourse is had to the slates. The teacher dictates slowly the lesson to the pupils, who write it distinctly upon their slates. This done, the slates are exchanged, the books opened, errors marked, and places taken in the order of the accuracy of their work. Mr D'Orsey's little work supplies a progressive series of lessons, adapted to this mode of teaching, which are illustrated by upwards of fifteen hundred quotations from standard writers.

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MORNINGSIDE, October 27. 1846. DEAR SIR,-It was given out that the British Branch of the Evangelical Association were to meet in Edinburgh, and to organize themselves there, in which event I should have submitted a few thoughts to them. But they are to meet in Manchester; and as I shall not be able to attend, yet am unwilling that my views and feelings on the subject either of their past doings or future designs should remain unknown, I have to request the insertion of the following statement in your Magazine.

First, then, we hold it a great step in advance that, instead of one general organization for the Evangelical Alliance, it should have been resolved into distinct and special ones. We are sincerely glad of this, because the machinery of the Alliance is thrown into a far more workable form. For

aught like executive measures, it was much too unwieldy, to have only one organization, and that for the whole of Christendom. Great bodies are difficult to move; and, what is more, great bodies consist of many parts-each having some separate object, some local interest or peculiarity of its own; and, in proportion to the multiplication of these, it is with all the more difficulty that we can get them to agree. gard, then, to these two great elements of success-action and harmony-it is well that the whole should have been resolved into separate and smaller spheres of operation. Such a subdivision as this will greatly facilitate the actings of the Alliance, that is, if they mean to act at all; and it rids them

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of many embarrassments. A palpable example of this latter benefit has been presented to us in the Slavery question of America-now rightly devolved upon themselves, who are the best judges of it, and who will dispose of it, we feel quite assured, in a right and Christian manner. We have left, and rightly left, them to prosecute, in their own way, the Christian interests of America; and let us hope that we, in like manner, shall be left to prosecute, in our own way, free of all obstruction and interference from our friends on the Continent, the Christian interests of Britain. The most urgent of these interests, at the present moment, is the maintenance of our national Protestantism against the inroads of an advancing and most insidious Popery. We have peculiar facilities for this through the medium of our pulpits— through the medium of the press, and more specifically, or, in contradistinction to the great majority of Protestants abroad, through the medium of Parliament-that great organ for the collective will and mind of our nation. We can perfectly understand why our Continental brethren should not sympathize with this; and how it is that the Genevan "La Reformation," in commenting on a recent pamphlet upon this subject by ourselves, should have denominated it a strange proposition, to recommend that a crusade against Popery should stand associated in any form with the Evangelical Alliance. In perfect keeping with this, the London Record, when expressing its regret that the Alliance should have lifted so feeble a pro

test against Popery, gives us to understand, that it might have been in deference to the views and wishes of the members from the Continent. Nay, Mr Bickersteth, in his opening address, warns the Assembly against the danger of such a proposal, and takes occasion to remind them of the doings of Rongé in Germany. Now, it follows not, that because a wrong and inexpedient way of proceeding against Popery may have been adopted there, a right and highly expedient way of it might not be adopted here. I, therefore, like these separate organizations, and only wish that they had been carried one step farther, so as that England and Scotland might have acted upon it, unfettered by each other's peculiarities, or it may be by each other's prejudices. This resolution into parts, which our enemies rejoice in as the symptom of our breaking up, we rejoice in as the only remaining chance for the safety of our

cause.

But to speak of the last remaining chance is to speak despondingly. And so it is. We do speak despondingly, because we feel despondingly. We see that the members of the Alliance are abundantly willing to meet, and expound, and listen to each other's orations; but they are not willing to act. Let me neither undervalue their united prayers, nor yet their reciprocal professions, heartfelt and genuine as I feel assured they are, of honest expansive brotherhood and regard. But over and above their common devotions and common dogmata, we desiderate common doings-believing that, without these, any apparatus which they might choose to set up will be wholly incomplete and inefficient. Now, instead of willingness for these, we can perceive a shrinking back from them. Instead of progress in any one object which they might set their hearts to, we notice a distinct retrogression from the April meeting in Birmingham of the Aggregate Committee to the meeting of the Conference in London. In the former, there is a proposal to enquire into the state of Popery, and this with the express view of following it up; and there is also a proposal to enquire into the state of education, and this with the same

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express view of following it up. their printed minutes, p. 5.] see no practical following of these in London. Each of the proposals is adverted to-they could not be passed over-but not one step taken, not so much as the appointment of a committee for either. We confess our sore disappointment. We agree with our friends, Drs D'Aubigné and Gaussen of Geneva, in desiderating a practical object in the name of Evangelical Christendom. But we more than desiderate -we stand in dread, that, failing such an object, we shall speedily fall to pieces. We did anticipate the contrary. We did expect, that as the Evangelical Alliance had assumed a title of such imposing generality and magnitude, they would have been prepared to grapple and to measure strength with objects of corresponding magnitude and corresponding generality. Let us hope that our British organization will feel themselves at greater liberty for this, now that they have become a national body, and must be all at one in regard to the importance of a united movement for the prosecution of certain great national interests. We do not ask them to engage in any such movement themselves, or in their own corporate and distinct capacity. But we did ask them to point out what the common works were in which they could recommend their members to share-a far likelier way of helping onward their cause, than to specify what the common doctrines were which they required their members to sign. Instead of which, we can discover nothing but the utmost caution and reserve, we could almost term it fearfulness, of all that was practical. They have given forth a very faint and uncertain sound upon Popery-apprehensive, we were told, lest they should incur the obloquy of theirs being a political movement, or of its being ascribed to politics. And they stifled the voice that had been raised at Birmingham on the subject of Home Education-apprehensive, as we have likewise heard from one of themselves, lest this, by implying a home mission, should awaken the dislike of their few friends among the clergy of the Church of England.

This will never do-to be restrained from such measures as are the most ef fectual and best for the perfecting of our proposed union, either by the dread of misconstruction from without, or of jealousy and offence arising from within. Far better that we had a purer, though a smaller, germ for the commencement of our Alliance-though small, it may be as a grain of mustard seed. Far better than seeking the eclat of numbers by an unworthy compromise, that, warning the faint-hearted away, we should begin with a little army of Gideon, free of fears, and prepared for action. And even themselves, —they who are taking a lead in the Alliance, have now a certain sense of misgiving, that, without a something to do, and without some practical object as a forth-going and fruit of the Alliance, the thing will not last. There is the feeling at least that something of this sort is necessary. And, accordingly, we have heard of a new-formed association in London for the object of a moral and Christian surveillance over foreigners and sailors in the metropolis-and this spoken of as a fruit of the Alliance. And we did hear, too, as in connection with the Alliance, a proposal for an institute like that over which the late Dr Arnold presided, and to be termed the Evangelical Rugby. Not particularly national either of these objects. Not just in keeping, or commensurate, with the magnificence of aim and title that we should expect of an œcumenical or even of a British organization. It is curious to notice the observations of the "La Reformation" of Geneva, that seems all along to have been looking critically, and, we suspect, adversely, to the movements of the Alliance. In their number of September 24th, they take notice of the society formed in London three weeks ago, on behalf of foreigners, and say of it, as they well might, "We do not altogether comprehend its connection with the Evangelical Alliance," although formed under its auspices. But the following extract in the same number is still more decisive of their views: "Besides this meeting (the great meeting in London), others have been convened in different parts of the country, soon after the close of

the labours of the Alliance, to make known their estimate of these labours. One of these meetings was held at Hertford on the 7th of September, where Messrs Baird, Kirk, Monod, and others were heard. We have been struck with the illusory (fausse) colour which the measures of the Alliance necessarily took in the mouths of the orators who undertook to give an aocount of them. Mr Monod has spoken more frankly: 'If any one ask of me,' he says, 'do I expect much of the Alliance? I answer no, and that I have often my misgivings upon the subject.' The truth is, that the Alliance is a failure-it vexes us to say so; but we state the impression which the minutes of their sittings have left upon us, and we do not fear to appeal from this to a near futurity. This grand association will be reduced to the humble rank of so many others which began with much noise, and now only manifest their existence by an annual sitting and a printed report." The same journal, in its number for the 15th of October, tells of a meeting on the 25th of September, at Aylesbury, where Sir Culling E. Smith presided; and where, among other questions, there was an explanation asked for, of the exclusion of Quakers. They give the following as Mr Bickersteth's reply, To act harmoniously, to propagate evangelical Protestantism, and to combat Infidelity, Popery, and impiety, it was necessary to hold certain common principles." There is some reason here for charging Mr Bickersteth with inconsistency, who denounced in his opening address what he was pleased to term a crusade against Popery. And hence the well-grounded reflection of the journal from which we quote.

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"Behold then action represented as the end of the alliance, in spite of a vote by the Alliance itself. So true it is, that there obtains an inextricable contradiction at the very basis of its constitution and its idea." For ourselves we advocate action, not however as the end, but as means to the end-that of perfecting the union of Christians. We shall still hope that the Alliance may come to see this, and to proceed accordingly. Else it may rest assured that still harder say

ings are in reserve for it. If it but act on a small scale, as the setting up, for example, of an Evangelical Rugby, it will provoke the exclamation of "Parturiunt montes et nascitur ridiculus mus." Or, if it act not at all, then will its enemies denounce the gaudy affair as but one addition more to the theatricals of London. Let us hope better things.

But it may be said, indeed it has been said, are we not losing sight of the one specific and formally announced object of the Alliance, which is singly to promote union among professing Christians, and that, as far as possible, a visible union-such a union as might be recognised by the world at large, and this that the world might be won by the exhibition of it to the faith of the gospel? And are we not wandering into other paths when we tell the Alliance that they should become either a great Home Mission, or an AntiPopish Confederation ? Might there not, nay, are there not, other and distinct associations for these things? and let us not jumble and confound the different functions and offices of the different bodies, or make stray excursions into other provinces than our own. Far, very far, are we from wanting to divert the attention of the Alliance from its one object; but we do want them to adopt the measures by which that object that one distinctive characteristic object-shall be most effectually hastened forward. For this purpose it is not necessary that we should become either a Home Missionary Society or Anti-Popish Confederation. We admire the wisdom of their resolution, that they will not attempt the prosecution of either of these objects by any organization of their own. No, but they can recommend the object. They can give forth how desirable, nay how indispensable, it is that we should not only think together, but that we should work together, and walk together; how desirable not only that love should be felt or uttered at meetings once a year, but that all the year through it should be bodied forth in deed and in performance. A common and continuous work is the essential pabulum for keeping the spirit of our great Christian association alive. This

was Paul's prescription for the harmonizing of differences, and bringing those who held them at one. It was not enough with him that they should merely aspire after unity, or even pray for it, or meet together and profess their mutual desires after it. They not only behoved to send forth a common wish

they behoved to enter on a common walk. (Phil. iii. 16.) We do not want the Alliance ever to lose sight of their own proper terminus ad quem; but, like the Apostle of old, they should have described the pathway which leads to it, a common walk and common work for such objects as all are agreed upon. All the members of the Alliance, we should imagine, would like that Popery were repressed, and would like a vigorous operation for reclaiming our neglected neighbours at home from their heathenism. We want no organization at their hands—that in our respective neighbourhoods we could have set up for ourselves; but we did expect the impulse of their central testimony and sanction, which by this time might have put the whole of our land into a glow of Christian philanthropy and patriotism, and so convinced the gainsayers that our Institute was something better than a mere futility and a name.

But it may be said, have we not abundantly recognised the importance of both these objects? Quite the contrary. There were the distant symptoms of an incipient movement towards both at Birmingham; but in London these symptoms were effaced, and vague generalities substituted in their place. The motion for a periodical suggested in the one place was negatived in the other, and with great reason, too, for as nothing was to be done, there would be nothing to record; whereas, had the interval between one meeting and another been filled up out of doors in the manner that we ventured to recommend, there would have been materials for a deeply interesting and withal most instructive journal. We remember the indignation of Charles Fox in the House of Commons when they voted with him and gave their consent to a declaratory proposition which he had moved, but drew back when, for the following of it up, he moved an effective proposition

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