chester. Appointed his induction to take place at Kilmarnock on the 9th January next-Mr. Dalrymple to preside and induct, Mr. M'Donald to preach, and Mr. Balderston to address minister and congregation. Read petition from Princes Street, Kilmarnock, for moderation in a call. The stipend promised is £150 per annum, and £15 additional in name of expenses. Appointed Mr. Matthewson to preach and moderate in the call on the evening of the 26th inst. Received also petition from King Street, Kilmarnock, for moderation in a call. The commissioners stated that the congregation had agreed to give a stipend of £150 per annum to Mr. Symington, and £200, including expenses, to the other minister who may be called. The presbytery having agreed to overlook several informalities on the part of the congregation in this case, owing to the present critical condition of Mr. Symington's health, appointed Mr. Alston to preach and moderate on the 8th January 1872. Agreed to forward a request from the congregation to the Committee of Distribution for a hearing of Mr. Alexander Brown, preacher, on two Sabbaths before the moderation. Messrs. Adam Gray and David F. Mitchell gave discourses, which, after remarks, were sustained as parts of trials for licence. Resumed discussion on the Augmentation Scheme. A series of resolutions was proposed and seconded, but an amendment was preferred, that the presbytery give no deliverance on the subjects contained in the printed paper submitted to them, but cordially recommend the Augmentation Scheme to the support of the congrega tions under their charge. Agreed to make the report of the presbytery's Augmen tation Committee the first subject of discussion at the next ordinary meeting in February.

Lanark.-This presbytery met December 5th, and was constituted by the Rev. J. Henderson Scott, moderator. The Rev. William Hutton, Moffat, being present, was invited to correspond. Commissioners from the congregations of Annan and of Douglas were present. A call addressed by the congregation of Annan to the Rev. Jas. Ronald, Douglas, was put into his hands. The reasons of translation with answers thereto having been read, Mr. Ronald accepted the call; whereupon his connection with the congregation of Douglas was dissolved, and Mr. Cordiner was appointed to preach the church vacant, and Mr. Robert D. Scott to preside in the session. Appointed Mr. Blair treasurer of presbytery, and Mr. Banks examiner in Greek, in room of Mr. Ronald. Read report of the committee of the Carnwath

Moor Mission, with account of the missionary's labours. Adopted the report, and thanked the committee for their diligence. It having been stated in the report that Mr. William Paterson, Carnwath, had resigned his office as treasurer of the mission and his place in the committee, agreed to thank Mr. Paterson for his past services, express regret for his resignation, and request him to reconsider his decision. Mr. M'Lean, convener of the presbytery's committee on the Synod's Stipend Augmentation Scheme, reported that the Bonkle stipend had been raised to £160, and gave a very favourable account of what had been done in some of the churches of the presbytery for this scheme. Next meeting to be held on the Tuesday after the first Sabbath of February.

Mr.

Lancashire-10th Oct. 1871. This presbytery met in London-the Rev. James Muir, moderator. The treasurer read an abstract statement of his accounts for the half-year ending 30th September last. An overture, proposed by Mr. Stitt, to the English Synod, now sitting in London, on the work of church extension in England, was unanimously adopted.-13th November 1871. The presbytery met at Mount Pleasant, Liverpool-the Rev. Jas. Muir, moderator. The Rev. Dr. Brown of Glasgow, and the Revs. W. KennedyMoore and A. M. Symington of the English Presbyterian Church, being present, were invited to correspond. Stitt presented reasons of dissent, in his own name and that of Dr. M'Kerrow, against the presbytery's decision anent Ramsey on the 11th of September last. The Rev. Messrs. Graham and Corbett were appointed a committee to prepare answers, and report at next meeting. Mr. Corbett gave a report from the Committee on the Augmentation of Small Stipends, in which the committee recommended that all the congregations in the presbytery be required to do something, more or less, for the Synod's Augmentation Fund, and that, where practicable, an exchange of pulpits, on the second or third Sabbath of December, should be made throughout the presbytery to bring the subject before the several congregations, and endeavour to obtain contributions. The presbytery received the report with thanks, and agreed to adopt its recommendations. Took up a complaint from Mr. Alexander Milligan and six others, members of the Church, against a decision of" Coupland Street session, to permit the Sabbath school teachers to use a harmonium in the Sabbath school. Mr. Milligan was heard in support of the complaint. The Rev. Mr. Corbett and Mr. Muir, elder, as appointed by the session, were heard in sup❤

port of its decision. It was then moved by Mr. Stitt, and seconded by Mr. Holder, that 'Inasmach as the Synod's decisions do not forbid the use of instrumental music in Sabbath-school instruction, the presbytery approve of the action of the session, and dismiss the complaint.' It was moved by Mr. Towers, and seconded by Mr. MacArthur, that Whereas the question of psalmody in Sabbath schools has never been discussed or settled by the Synod; whereas in the opinion of the presbytery it belongs to sessions to superintend and order the form of worship in Sabbath schools; and whereas the session of Coupland Street approve of the use of the harmonium, the presbytery cannot interfere further to entertain the complaint.' On the vote being taken, ten voted for Mr. Stitt's motion, and four for Mr. Towers', and the presbytery decided accordingly. Against this decision Mr. Milligan protested and appealed to the Synod. The Rev. John Thompson, with Messrs. Stitt and Holder, were appointed to defend the decision before the Supreme Court. The clerk reported that since last meeting he had received official intimation that the congregation of Sydney Place, Glasgow, had unanimously called the Rev. Wm. Graham of Mount Pleasant Church, Liverpool, to become colleague and successor to the Rev. Dr. Ker. This matter had been brought before the minister, session, and church of Mount Pleasant, in accordance with the rules of the Church, and was now submitted to the presbytery for adjudication. Messrs. Hunter and Millar appeared from Sydney Place, Glasgow; and Messrs. Holder, Hutton, Brown, Andrews, and Armour, from Mount Pleasant, Liverpool. Reasons of translation, with replies thereto, were read. Mr. Graham, being called upon, respectfully declined the call; and the call was accordingly set aside. The moderator then in fitting terms intimated this decision to the respective parties. Next meeting was appointed to be held in Brunswick Street, Manchester, on the second Monday of December.

Newcastle.-This presbytery met at Gateshead on Thursday, 30th November, for the ordination of Mr. James George. Rev. John Forrest of Hull preached from Nehemiah iv. 6; Rev. Robert Brown narrated the previous steps, and proposed the questions of the Formula; and Mr. George was then, by prayer and the laying on of the hands of the presbytery, ordained to the office of the holy ministry, and the pastoral charge of the congregation of Gateshead. The charge was delivered by Rev. R. Brown, and the congregation addressed by Rev. James Milligan. The

ordinary monthly meeting was held on Tuesday, 5th December. It was agreed to record the thanks of the presbytery to the generous donors of the British and Foreign Evangelical Review. Mr. Bell gave notice that at next meeting he would call the attention of the presbytery to the present state of the Union question among the negotiating Churches. It was reported that the congregation of Blackhill respectfully declined all further supplement, and felt itself competent to pay the minimum stipend of £157, 10s. As, in answer to a circular, it had been ascertained that, with few exceptions, ministers and sessions were opposed to any change of the day and hour of the meeting of presbytery, it was decided to make no alteration; and a committee was appointed to consider the proposal to institute a fund for the payment of travelling expenses of members. It was unanimously agreed to appoint Mr. James Annandale representative of the presbytery at the Mission Board. Took up remit of Synod anent calls, when it was agreed, by a majority, to disapprove of the proposed addition to the rules. Took up remit of Synod anent official salaries, when it was unanimously agreed to disapprove of the proposed rule..

Paisley and Greenock.-This presbytery met at Greenock on Tuesday, 5th December-Mr. Henderson, Millport, moderator. Arrangements were made in connection with Mr. Turner of Dunoon, whose application to the Aged and Infirm Ministers' Fund was transmitted. Granted moderation to Gourock congregation. The stipend offered is £200, with £10, 10s. for sacramental expenses, and a manse. Agreed that in future the presbytery and Committee of Examination shall hear the exercises and discourses of preachers and students to the close, such exercises or discourses to be not less than twenty minutes, and not more than thirty minutes in length. Took up remit of Synod anent signatures at calls. The presbytery deem the proposed change inexpedient. James Brown gave notice of the following resolutions :-In prospect of early legis lation on the question of Scottish education, the presbytery deem it expedient to declare (1) That it is the duty of parents and of the churches, acting conjointly or separately, to make voluntary arrange ments to secure that all the children of this country receive efficient religious instruction. (2) That a national system of education, to be just and efficient, ought to withhold all grants from denominational schools, exclude all denominational teach ing from the national schools, and in the event of the Bible being read, include a time-table conscience clause. (3) That a

Rev.

compulsory clause is essential to realizing the benefits of a national system of edu cation. (4) That in order to maintain a high standard of qualification in teachers, it is essential that they be adequately remunerated, and have proper security as to their tenure of office.

Perth. This presbytery met on the 31st October. The Hall certificates of Messrs. Crawford and Bain, students in divinity, were received; and Mr. Crawford was transferred to the Presbytery of Elgin and Inverness, and Mr. Keay to the Presbytery of Edinburgh. Mr. Cameron tendered the resignation of his charge as minister of the second congregation, Newburgh, he having accepted an appointment to Otago, New Zealand. Messrs. Gray and Glass appeared as commissioners from the congregation, and stated that, while they parted with Mr. Cameron with much regret, they had no objection to offer to the acceptance of his resignation. The presbytery accepted the resignation; and agreed to record that, while they part with a brother so estimable with great regret, they cherish the hope of his having much usefulness and comfort in the new sphere to which he has resolved to devote his life, and will follow him with their best wishes and earnest prayers. After prayer, offered by Dr. Pringle, Mr. Clark was appointed to preach the pulpit vacant, and to be interim moderator of the session. Dr. M'Ewan, Glasgow, and Bailie Cox, Lochee, appeared as deputies from the Joint Committee on Stipend Augmentation, and addressed the presbytery in behalf of that scheme; and a vote of thanks was tendered to them for the manner in which they had fulfilled their mission. The presbytery entered on the memorial of the Lord Provost, Bailies, and Councillors of the city of Perth, for the abolition of sacramental fast days. It was moved and seconded-"That the presbytery answer the memorial by the four following resolutions: (1) That religious fasting is a part of the worship which God has instituted in His word: (2) That the sacramental fast days, to which the memorial refers, rest solely on grounds of Christian expediency, and ought to be continued or not, according as the use or the abuse of them preponderates: (3) That the presbytery has no authority in the exercise of which it could abolish said days in the congregations within its bounds: (4) That it belongs to sessions and congregations to decide for themselves the question raised by this memorial, as may best subserve the interests of religion in their several localities.' Several members having spoken, the discussion was adjourned to next meeting.-This presby

tery met again on the 5th December. The clerk read a letter from the preses of Kinkell congregation, intimating that the congregation had unanimously agreed to raise the stipend of Mr. Duthie £20 from January next. Mr. Pettigrew was nominated to serve on the Mission Board for the four years ending May 1876, and he expressed his willingness to do so. Resumed the discussion on the memorial anent sacramental fast days. An amendment on the motion proposed at last meeting was moved and seconded, but, after discussion, the motion was preferred. Mr. Wardrop dissented from the adoption of the first resolution on the ground of probable inaccuracy, and from the adoption of the other resolutions on the ground of inadequacy. It was agreed to hold the annual conference on the state of religion in the month of March next year. Next meeting of presbytery on the Tuesday after the third Sabbath of January 1872.

LICENCE.

Mr. John Young, M. A., by Berwick Presbytery, 31st October.

ORDINATIONS.

Moniaive. Mr. Thos. Kidd, ordained 31st October.

Gateshead. Mr. James George, ordained 30th November.

INDUCTION.

Bristol. Rev. P. Rutherford, inducted December 14th.

OBITUARY.

Rev. William Allan, Arbroath, died 22d October.

CENTENARY SERVICES.

THE centenary of Boston Church, Cupar, was celebrated in November last by special Sabbath services and a public soiree. On the 12th, appropriate sermons were preached by the Rev. Drs. Aikman, Glasgow, and Cochrane, Cupar; and on the 19th, by the Rev. James Allison, minister of the congregation, and the Rev. Sir Henry Wellwood Moncreiff, Bart., D.D., Edinburgh. On the evening of the 13th the soiree was presided over by Provost Swan of Kirkcaldy, and addressed by Dr. Aikman, Glasgow, Dr. Thomson, Edinburgh, and Messrs. Rankine, D. Anderson, Smith, and Barr, of the Cupar Presbytery. Mr. Allison gave a brief sketch of the congregation's history, and, in closing, referred to the fact that, in connection with these

services, the congregation had made a most successful effort to liquidate £250 of debt from the church property, and had £45 of a surplus.

A CENTENARIAN.

DIED, at West Linton, on the 30th October, Mr. Robert Howlison, an elder in the United Presbyterian congregation there, in the 103d year of his age.

Although the Magazine frequently and very properly contains interesting notices of deceased ministers, it is only occasionally that the Church is made aware through its pages of the death of an elder. Still less frequently does it record the death of an elder who has lived so far beyond the ordinary term of human life-who, at the time of his death, was probably the oldest individual connected with the eldership, or even the membership, of the United Presbyterian Church. Though not brought up in the Secession Church, Robert Howlison early espoused its principles, and connected himself first with the congregation of Stow, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Kidston, and afterwards with the congregation of Peebles, of which the Rev. Mr. Leckie was minister. Fifty-two years ago, following his occupation as a shepherd, he removed to the neighbourhood of West Linton, and became a member, and a few years later an elder, of the congregation there. Only two months before his death he took his place amongst the elders, and joined with the congregation in obeying the Saviour's dying command. Though strongly attached to his own religious denomination, and to the last taking a deep interest in Church affairs, he was a lover of all good men. In return, he was respected by all, and it says much for the esteem in which he was held in the district, that last January, on the occasion of his 102d birthday, he was presented with a purse of sovereigns, contributed by members

of all the religious denominations in his own and the neighbouring parishes. With the exception of his hearing, he retained his faculties almost to the last, and only ten days before his death he was engaged in some manual labour in his garden. In his case has the promise been fulfilled, "Even to your old age I am He, and even to hoar hairs will I carry you.' He has come to his grave 'in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season.'

JUBILEE.

WE are glad to observe from the Australian papers that the Rev. R. Drummond of Adelaide, many years ago the respected minister of our Church at Crail, Fifeshire, has, on the occasion of his jubilee, been presented with an address by the South Australian Presbytery. He has been laid aside for some time from active service, but recently took an effective part in those negotiations which issued in the union of the Presbyterian Church in the colony. We have space but for one sentence from the address:-'The presbytery heartily rejoice that you were so long enabled to "display a banner because of the truth," that your utterances on the great fundamental doctrines of the gospel have ever been so clear and decided, and that the influence of your preaching has uniformly been strengthened by your consistent and godly life. They gratefully acknowledge the value of the services you rendered to the cause of religion in the early days of the colony, by the establishment of the first Presbyterian congregation, and by your zealous labours in the thinly-settled districts labours which must have involved no small amount of fatigue, as well as a considerable degree of selfdenial.' A substantial testimonial is also about to be presented to Mr. Drummond from persons of all denominations, showing the general regard in which he is held.

Delitzsch as a specimen, the latter are more than a match for the former, in shrewdness, intelligence, and warm-hearted sympathy. We accept heartily these noble words in the Introduction of this work: 'Non plus ultra is the watchword of the Church with regard to the word of God, and Plus ultra is its watchword with regard to the understanding of that word. Common work upon the Scriptures is the finest union of the severed Churches, and the

surest harbinger of their future unity. The exposition of Scripture will rear the Church of the future.' By his varied and valuable contributions to biblical exegesis, Delitzsch has done one of the best services to the cause of Christian union, and among these contributions we are disposed to rank high that before us. An interpreter of the Psalms requires very peculiar and rare qualifications. He ought to be imbued with the Hebrew as well as the lyric spirit. He should have the learning of the grammarian, the skill of the art critic, the sensibility of the poet, and the devotion of the Christian. It is painful to read some of the older commentaries on the Psalms, in which the music and grace of the original are entirely overlooked. Herder, in his Spirit of Hebrew Poetry - a work still worth earnest study-did much to open the stores of biblical poetry; and no higher commendation of Delitzsch could be given, than to say that he has caught the mantle of that poet-preacher. In the Introduction to this commentary, the reader will get, in a condensed form, a large amount of information regarding the origin, arrangement, and theological significance of the Psalms. In opposition to Hitzig, and so far agreeing with Hengstenberg, and even Ewald, Delitzsch maintains the early date of most of the Psalms, and thinks a Maccabean origin of any to be very improbable. We are glad also to find that he upholds the Messianic nature of several Psalms, though his theory on this point would require some further elucidation. For instance, in commenting on the twenty-second Psalm we find this strange account of its typical nature, which he admits: The hyperbolic element is changed into the prophetic, since David has been anointed with the oil of royal consecration, and at the same time with the Holy Spirit, the spirit of the kingship of promise; he regards himself also as the Messiah of God, towards whom the promises point; and by virtue of this view of himself, in the light of the highest calling in connection with the redemption history, the historical reality of his own experiences becomes idealized to him.' Again, 'looking upon himself as the Christ of God, to express it in the light of the historical fulfilment, he looks upon himself as Jesus Christ.' The German love of speculation and mysticism has evidently here, as in some other places, got the better of the writer's good sense. We notice, however, as the opposite of the above, the clear and scholarly exposition of the 110th Psalm, in which the distinction between David and the Messiah is maintained, and at the same time there is recoguised a direct

prophetical representation of the coming Deliverer.

We should say that, for the full appreciation of this commentary, there would be required a considerably more general and accurate knowledge of Hebrew and the cognate dialects than, unfortunately, can be reckoned on in this country. Every page bristles with Hebrew characters, and the large amount of really admirable and striking exposition may be overlooked in the intricacies of grammatical interpretation. The thoughtful, patient reader will not seldom get the flash of true genius as well as devoutness upon those Psalms which the universal Church clasps to her heart. We quote from the beautiful exposition of the 133d Psalm: "This uniting spirit of brotherly love is now symbolized also by the dew of Hermon, which descends in drops upon the mountains of Zion. "Here," says Van de Velde in his Travels, "as I sat at the foot of Hermon, I understood how the water-drops which rose from its forest-mantled heights, and out of the highest ravines, which are filled the whole year round with snow, after the sun's rays had attenuated them and moistened the atmosphere with them, descend at eveningtime as a heavy dew upon the lower mountains which lie round about as its spurs. One ought to have seen Hermon with its white-golden crown glistening aloft in the blue sky, in order to be able rightly to understand the figure. Nowhere in the whole country is so heavy a dew perceptible as in the districts near to Hermon." To this dew the poet likens brotherly love. This is as the dew of Hermon of such pristine freshness and thus refreshing, possessing such pristine power and thus quickening, thus born from above, and in fact like the dew of Hermon which comes down upon the mountains of Zion-a feature in the picture which is taken from the natural reality; for an abundant dew, when warm days have preceded, might very well be diverted to Jerusalem by the operation of the cold current of air sweeping down from the north over Hermon. We know, indeed, from our own experience how far off a cold air coming from the Alps is perceptible, and produces its effects. The figure of the poet is therefore as true to nature as it is beautiful. When brethren bound together in love also meet together in one place, and, in fact, when brethren out of the north unite with brethren in the south, in Jerusalem, at the great Feasts, it is as when the dew of Hermon, that is covered with deep, almost eternal snow, descends upon the bare, unfruitful mountains round about Zion.'