leaves them little better than fiends. But compare their state with that of the Protestant Irish, who are less cruel, less wretched, less ignorant, less superstitious, less idle, less dirty, less distrustful, in short who are in every respect the reverse of their misguided countrymen." The same facts are forcibly illustrated by contrasting the condition of Protestant New England with that of Popish Mexico.

In

In discussing the statistics of the different forms of religion, Mr. Gault justly assigns the decided majority to the adherents of idolatry. Mahometanism and Christianity are nearly equal. Dividing the latter into three sections, the Greek Church, Roman Catholic, and Protestant, the last two divisions are nearly equally numerous. "As there are parishes, provinces, and kingdoms wholly Papist, so there are others entirely Protestant. The numbers do, we bebelieve, preponderate in power of Popery, but that preponderance is not such as to endanger the Protestant cause. fact, were all the Romanists in the world marshalled upon one vast plain, and all the Protestants of the world mustered opposite to them, the disparity in numbers would not be great, whilst the Protestant host would appear to the eye of every unprejudiced spectator as by far the most intelligent, well-equipped, and well-conducted. If the issue of the battle between Protestantism and Popery depend merely upon the physical force and the intellectual ability of the combatants, and not upon any moral or religious qualities, or upon the providence of God, we are persuaded victory would declare in behalf of Protestantism. Protestantism, since the Reformation, was never in such a position for the conflict as now. She has education and wealth on her side. The richest and the best instructed nations of both hemispheres are Protestant. Wealth supplies the sinews of war, and superior mental cultivation directs to the right employment of all available resources; so that the end so much desired may be surely gained. Let not Protestants then despond. Let not Papists triumph."

Mr. Gault is well known in the west of Scotland as an able controversialist and exponent of Protestant principles. Those who feel an interest in the past

and present state of Popery, and its approaching downfall (and what Christian does no:) should procure a copy of this excellent publication.

CLERICAL OBITUARY.

Died, at Earlston, on the 19th of February, the Rev. David Hamilton, of the East United Presbyterian Church there, in the forty-fourth year of his age, and eleventh of his ministry.

At Barrhead, on the 21st of February, the Rev. Alexander Watson.

At Broughton Manse, on the 28th of February, the Rev. Hamilton Paul, in the eighty-first year of his age, and fiftythird of his ministry.

At Campsie, on the 1st of March, the Rev. James Brown, senior pastor of the United Presbyterian Church there, in the eightieth year of his age, and forty fourth of his ministry.

At Rawboz, New Monkland, on the 11th of March, the Rev. Joseph Young, of Dunipace, aged twenty-three years.

At Paisley, on the 14th of March, the Rev. William Nisbet, of the United Presbyterian Church, Abbey-close.

At St. Andrews, on the 9th of March, the Very Rev. Principal Haldane, of St. Mary's College, in the forty-seventh year of his ministry.

At Carnoustie, on the 15th of March, the Rev. James Lawson, of the Original Secession Church, aged fifty-four years.

At Glasgow, on the 19th of March, the Rev. John Reid, chaplain of the Prisons.

under call to Leith-Lumsden, gave in all his trials for ordination, which were unanimously approved and sustained; and his ordination was appointed to take place on the 28th of the present month. Mr. Gillespie preaches and ordains, and Mr. Dickie addresses the minister and people.

Annandale.-This Presbytery met at Ecclefechan, on the 14th ult. The Rev. William Ballantyne, moderator. It was agreed to record thanks to Mr. Henderson of Park, for his generous gift of a copy to each minister of the "Prize Essay on Infidelity.-Messrs. Douglas and Watson were appointed members of the Synod's Committee on Bills and Overtures.-Mr. Meiklejohn, under call to Chapelknowe, having delivered trials to the entire satisfaction of the Court, his ordination was appointed to take place on the 25th curt.-Mesrs. Tait, and M'Gill, to officiate. The following resolutions on National Education were unanimously adopted, with instructions to transmit a copy to the Lord Advocate.

I. That civil government may lawfully provide for the secular education of the subject; while the duty of providing religious instruction devolves upon the parent and the Church.

II. That the Scottish parochial system, whatever may have been its advantages stances of the country, wholly unsuitable in former times, is, in the present circumand inadequate; and a liberal and comprehensive system of National Education existing wants of the country. is imperatively demanded to meet the

III. That a system of education, to be truly national, must provide for the elec respect to sect or party, for the placing tion of properly qualified teachers without of the general management of the schools in the hands of a committee, in which the heads of families and rate-payers of the districts shall be properly represented, and for the conducting of the business of the schools in a way which shall not do

violence to the religious convictions of the community.

IV. That this Presbytery, having had their attention called to a bill on this subject just introduced to Parliament by the Lord Advocate, cordially express their approval of many of its provisions, but strongly object to the following:-1st, To the enactment in section 27th, requiring every school committee to "appoint certain stated hours for ordinary religious instruction by the master," which violates the principle that civil governments have no right to interfere with the teaching of religion by legislative enactments. 2d. To that part of section 36th which provides for the continuance of something like the present Privy Council grants; by which many of the evils of the sectarian and denominational system would be perpetrated. 3d. To the proposed constitution of the General Board and local school committees, where the popular element is scarcely, if at all, recognized, and by which the heads of families and rate-payers are almost entirely excluded from the management of the schools.

Arbroath.-This Presbytery met at Brechin on the 7th of February. The Rev. Dr. M'Michael was present, as a delegate from the Synod's committee on public questions, to address the Presbytery on the subject of National Education. His address was listened to with the warmest interest, and received a favourable response from every member of Presbytery. A series of resolutions on the subject was brought forward by a committee of Presbytery; and, after discussion, they were remitted to a committee to model them according to the mind of the Presbytery, as brought out in the discussion, and then to give them due publicity.

Arrangements were made for getting the statistical returns for the year 1853 duly forwarded from all the congregations of the Presbytery.

The Rev. John Cooper, of Johnshaven, laid on the table a letter demitting his pastoral charge of that congregation; intimating among other reasons for this step, that a fama affecting his moral character had been for some weeks in circula. tion there, the truth of which to a limited extent he admitted. A communication was also received from the congregation, concurring in the dissolution of the pastoral relation. The Presbytery, although agreeing in the necessity of accepting his demission, yet resolved first to make pre

cognition in the fama, appointed a committee for that purpose, and adjourned to that day week to receive the committee's report. At the adjourned meeting, held on the 14th February, the report was received, and judgment given in the case, which issued in Mr. Cooper being censured at the bar of the Presbytery, and suspended from office until next ordinary meeting of Presbytery, on the 4th April next. His pastoral relation was then dissolved, and the congregation declared vacant.

Dundee. This Presbytery met on the 7th March, the Rev. Duncan Ogilvie, moderator. Read a note from the Arbroath Presbytery, intimating the sus pension of the Rev. John Cooper, Johnshaven, from the 14th February to the 4th April; circulated the report of the Synod's committee on the Synod Fund among the members of Court, and agreed to enter on its consideration at next meeting of Presbytery; took up the draft of summary of principles, and expressed approval of said draft. The other business was of a local character. This Presbytery meets again on Tuesday, the 18th April.

Falkirk. This Presbytery met on the 28th February-the Rev. Andrew M'Farlane, moderator. The Rev. James Stevenson reported that he had implemented the appointment of Presbytery in preaching to the congregation of Denny, delivered copy of reasons of translation from Perth, and summoned them to appear at this meeting of Presbytery by Commissioners, and show cause why their minister should not accept the call from Perth. Mr. Stevenson's conduct was approved. A minute from the congregation of Denny was presented and read, bearing that they had prepared answers to reasons of translation from Perth, and had appointed Commissioners to attend to their interests. It being ascertained that the Commissioners from Perth and Denny were present, reasons of translation from Perth, and answers to the same from Denny were read. Commissioners from both congregations were heard and removed, and Dr. Jeffrey was invited to express his views and feelings regarding the call, when he did so, and intimated his resolution to decline it, and abide in his present charge. He also intimated that this was a final declinature. The Presbytery then set the call aside,

and the moderator intimated this decision to the Commissioners. Next meeting of Presbytery is on the 4th April.

Glasgow.-The monthly meeting of this Court was held on Tuesday, 14th March, in Greyfriars' Church Session house, at the usual hour-Rev. Dr Macfarlane, moderator. Mr. Dick, of Busby, gave in the report of a moderation in call at Kirkintilloch, to the Rev. John Mitchell of Leven, Fifeshire. The call was sustained and concurred in by the Presbytery, and Mr. Dick was appointed to prosecute the same before the Presby; tery of Kirkaldy. Mr. M'Crae reported the moderation in a call to Oban, in fa

vour of Mr. Brunton, preacher, which was sustained and concurred in, and Mr. Brunton being present, intimated his acceptance of it. Intimation was given of the death of the Rev. James Brown, senior minister of the church in Campsie, in the eightieth year of his age, and the fourty-fourth of his ministry; upon which Mr. M'Crae, at the request of the mode rator, engaged in prayer. The discus sion, which was adjourned from last monthly meeting, on the proposed sum mary of principles sent down from the Synod, was resumed:-Dr. Beattie's motion, seconded by Mr. Ramage, lying on the table, being to the effect that the Presbytery decline entering upon the consideration of this summary, as they are not satisfied that the churen requires any additional standards, those already existing being sufficiently numerous. Mr. M'Gil's motion was, that the Presbytery proceed to the consideration of the draft summary, as directed by the remit of Synod. Mr. Beckett of Ruthergien now submitted a motion, to the effect, “That the Presbytery agree that, in present circumstances, it is inexpedient to proceed further in this matter of a summary of principles, but recommend that the basis of union, with a statement of the history, ehurch order, and present position of the United Presbyterian Church, be printed separately, and obtainable in quantities for the use of congregations when required." Mr. Beckett's motion having been put against Mr. M'G's, was carried by a majority of twelve to four; and being next put against Dr. Beattie's, it was carried by a majority of nine to five. Mr. Beckett's motion was accordingly adopted. Mr.

Mitchell appeared, and was heard in support of aŭ overture upon the question of

marriage with a deceased wife's sister, which he had transmitted to the Presbytery through the Session of Cathedral Street Church. The Presbytery, after some conversation, agreed to transmit the overture to the Synod. The Court was next engaged in private with a case of discipline from Partick.

Hamilton. This Presbytery met in Chapel Street session-house, on January 31, the Rev. Thomas Struthers, mode rator. Mr. James Martin, student, delivered the remainder of his trials for license, which were unanimously sus tained, and he was licensed to preach the gospel.

Tuis Presbytery again met, in the same place, on February 28, the Rev. Thomas Struthers, moderator. Entered upon the consideration of the Summary of Principles, and, on a review of it, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted: The Court is of opinion that the doctrinal part is, on the whole, unsatisfactory; and that, while the drawing up of such a doctrinal statement is a work of great difficulty, it is, at the same time, comparatively unnecessary, as the admirable summary contained in the Shorter Catechism is in the hands of all the members of the church. The Pres bytery are, however, of opinion, that there is increasing ignorance among the rising generation of those distinctive principles for the sake of which we exist as a separate ecclesiastical association; that the church is likely to suffer from this ignorance; and that, therefore, it is

principles should be issued, consisting of very necessary that a statement of our the Historical Sketch' contained in the transmitted summary, followed by a series of Propositions expressive of the distine tive principles of the church deducible from that Sketch, retaining the Basis of union, with the formula of admission, altered into consistency with such a statement." Appeared Messrs. James Wilson, Robert Renwick, William Martin, and mined in Latin, Divinity, and Biblical William Craig, students, and were ex

Literature.

place, on the last Tuesday of March, for Next meeting is to be held in the same missionary business, Mr. Battersby to debyer the address, and Messrs Laughland and Leys to conduct the devotional exercises.

Kirkcaldy. The ordinary monthly meeung of this Presbytery was held at

Leven, on Tuesday, 28th February. Commissioners appeared from the United Presbyterian Church, Crail, and applied for a moderation in a call, which was appointed to take place on the 14th inst.Mr. Kerr, Pittenweem, to preach and preside. A letter was read from Mr. Fleming, accepting of the call to Union Church, Kirkcaldy. After transacting some other business, the subject of National Education was brought before the meeting, but as there was a general impression that owing to the lateness of the hour no business should be entered upon, a committee was appointed to watch the progress of the question.

Lancashire.-This Presbytery met in Manchester on the 14th ult., and was constituted by the Rev. John Inglis, moderator, pro tem. It was reported that all the congregations, except two, had made the collection for the Synod's General Fund. Mr. Scott reported that he had visited Bolton along with Mr. Towers, and Mr. Herald met with the people, and laid before them the proposal of the Presbytery, and that the meeting, which was numerous and spirited, had most cordially agreed to said proposal. The Presbytery tendered thanks to the deputation, and appointed the members of Presbytery in Liverpool, Birkenhead, and Sutton, a committee to act along with the clerk in superintending the station at Bolton. Dr. Crichton reported that he had visited Prestatyn on Sabbath, the 12th ult., and after preaching twice, met with and congregated, in the usual manner those who had been previously examined and approved; and that the people were desirous to have the ordinance of the Lord's Supper dispensed among them, and elders ordained. Received the report of Dr. Crichton and approved of his conduct, and appointed Mr. Galloway to dispense the ordinances of the Supper at Prestatyn, and preside at an election of elders there. The clerk was instructed to write to Mr. Cairns, and inquire why copies of the draft of the "Summary of Principles" had not been sent to the Presbytery, and request that they be transmitted without delay. Mr. Scott reported that the Synod's Committee on theological education was about to recommend to the Synod that students in England should be admitted to the Theological Hall, after having attended in the New College London, and Owen's College, Manchester, during three