the resolution which Government seems to have formed of endowing Popish Chaplains to the prisons, without asking the consent of Parliament, makes the following energetic appeal :

"Fellow-Christians!-It is impossible to regard the obstinate perseverance of our rulers in their present infatuated policy without profound apprehension and dismay, or without feeling that, if the nation is to be saved from contracting great additional guilt in the sight of God, and from consequent and manifold dangers, not an hour is to be lost in arousing it to action. Even yet it may be possible to arrest this suicidal measure; and though you are prevented from appealing to Parliament, we would entreat every Kirk-Session, Congregation, and corporate body in the land, to pour in Memorials to Government, and without a moment's delay, against such a daring and dangerous step. But the present crisis demands far more than this. Rome has now for years been encroaching in these kingdoms, making each step gained an argument and plea for the next, and requiting each concession by some new and more startling demand. And the better to ensure her triumphs, she has, both in and out of Parliament, marshalled a numerous host of restless and unscrupulous agitators. Meanwhile, peaceful Protestants, averse to agitation, engrossed with their various avocations, and strangely unsuspicious of danger or treachery, have almost entirely neglected to adopt proper means of defence, and contented themselves with opposing each new and well-planned encroachment, by a few faint remonstrances and petitions to Parliament. And therefore, now, when the danger has become imminent, they find themselves all but powerless, without support in the Legislature, without organization throughout the country, and almost at the mercy of their ruthless enemy."

The Young Men's Protestant Society of Edinburgh has this year again summoned attention to the call that there is in the present crisis for united prayer by Christians of all countries for the overthrow of the Man of Sin. It is worthy of note that the deliverance of the Madiai took place last year just at the close of this Prayer Union, and at a time when no one expected it, and when their own friends could scarcely believe it for joy. The last day of the Union was the 14th of March, and on the 15th, the day following, the message was brought to them from the Grand Duke of Tuscany that they were at liberty to depart. Much need is there to persevere in prayer for the downfall of Antichrist; and one of the advantages of such annual appeals is that special topics are suggested, and particular days allotted to them. The 6th to

13th of March is the time fixed this year; and "it is respectfully suggested that all Protestant ministers throughout the world should preach on Popery on Sabbath the 5th of March, 1854, and call the attention of their congregations to this proposed Union for Prayer; and that the same Sabbath evening be spent by the people of God everywhere in private prayer for a great outpouring of the Spirit, specially during the period of the Union."

The subjects enumerated in the Address are well chosen, and it is a good idea assigning two consecutive days to each class.

Few can do much in promoting the objects of the Conference, but all can respond to this appeal for prayer, and all should give the subject far more attention in these days. The good of such an appeal perhaps rests not so much in the particular season which is thus set apart, as in awakening to a serious consideration of the magnitude of the case, which assuredly concerns all that is associated with the glory and the good of the country. It is one of the most encouraging results of the present unparalleled exertions of the Papacy, that thereby the Churches of Christ are being waked up from their Laodicean indifference-that attention is being drawn to the vital truths of the Word of God, as exhibited by the Reformers; and, above all, that the mighty lever of prayer-the noblest of all human means, is being made use of, not by fits and starts, not under occasional impulses, but constantly, habitually, perseveringly. While there is much that is dark in the signs of the times, there is much that is hopeful: and it were well if Christians would, in this matter, give to their prayers more particularity; and in place of indulging in vague requests, or in vain repetitions, would seize upon some fact, and think upon it till it fill the whole spiritual vision, and then go to the Lord with it in prayer. The address of the Young Men's Society commences with this weighty summary:

"The increasing pretensions and encroachments of the Papacy in almost every country,-the persecution of Protestants by Romanists at home and abroad,—the alarming tendency of our rulers to favour the progress of the Man of Sin,'-the refusal by the British Legislature to withdraw the large endowment to the Popish College at Maynooth, as also to pass a measure for the regular inspection of convents,-the proposal to appoint a Popish priest to every jail and regiment in Great Britain,-the Divine judgments impending over the Christian world, and our personal and national sins,-afford a louder call than ever to deep humiliation and repentance before God, and to united and importunate supplication for the complete downfall of

Thoughts on the Poetry and Interature of the Bible. By the Rev. M. HARVEY, St. John's, Newfoundland. MR. HARVEY, lately one of our own ministers at Maryport, is now the pastor of an interesting and important congregation in Newfoundland. During the winter of last year, he gave to his people a course of eleven week evening lectures on "The Poetry of the Bible," and in the pamphlet before us he has published the substance of some of these addresses. They are highly honourable to their author. Full of literary enthusiasm, they exhibit a happy appreciation of the chief characteristics of sacred poetry; and in the glow of sympathetic eloquence, the lectures have themselves become poetical. They are calculated to send the reader to some portions of Scripture with fresh eyes, because with new expectations; and we congratulate our colonial fellow-countrymen on the acquisition of a minister so intelligent and able to turn to so good account his various acquire

ments.

The Unitarian Martyr: a Defence of John Calvin, in the case of Michael Servetus. By W. D. KILLEW, D.D. Belfast: W. M'Comb; London: Hamilton, Adams, and Co. Pp. 29.

THE burning of Servetus at Geneva, in the year 1553, has always furnished a tempting theme to Unitarians, in connexion with the name of John Calvin. As Doctor Killew says, "they never lose an opportunity of loading his memory with odium. At the Reformation their miserable theology was crushed in the grasp of his mighty intellect. They cannot meet him in the field of argument, and they shamefully attempt to circumvert him in the bye-ways of detraction." The Rev. J. Scott Porter, a wellknown Unitarian minister at Belfast, has lately attacked with great violence the reputation of Calvin; and in the pamphlet now before us, from the pen of the Irish Assembly's Professor of Church History, the assault is met and repelled with great ability and learning. The character of Servetus is proved to have been of the lowest moral standard as to truth and probity, while his errors were of the most blasphemous character. He declared that the Protestants of Geneva "were without a

God, and that they worshipped the devil." He was virtually a Pantheist, maintaining that all creatures, and even the Devil himself, were "filled with gods." The true defence of Calvin's share in the death of Servetus is to be found in the spirit of the age in which he lived. "The doctrine of intolerance," says Dr. Killew, "was handed down to the Reformers by the Church of Rome: it was adopted by Servetus himself (having left it on record in one of his extant productions that the blasphemer should be put to death), and it was acted on by the most distinguished Unitarians" (Blandrata and Faustus Socinus) "of the sixteenth century."

This production of Doctor Killew deserves universal circulation. It should be especially in the hands of every Presbyterian minister. Its tone and temper are in admirable harmony with its erudition and literary power.

Rome and the Gospel. By the Rev. Dr. MORGAN, Belfast.

Two Hundred Years of Popery in France, from 1515 to 1715. By Sir GEORGE SINCLAIR, of Ulbster, Bart. Miscellaneous Thoughts on Popery, Prelacy, and Presbyterianism, addressed to the Protestants of Scotland. By Sir GEORGE SINCLAIR, of Ulbster, Bart. Edinburgh: Johnstone and Hunter. London: Robert Theobald.

IN these three recent publications of Messrs. Johnstone and Hunter, we have the Papacy treated in a plain, pleasant, and practical way. They are all short, pointed, and pithy. The little work of Dr. Morgan treats the Papacy in such a manner as to make it bear on the heart as well as the head of Protestants. This is its peculiar feature; it not only controverts the error, but seeks to indoctrinate the truth: and in this aim it is calculated to be eminently successful. While it speaks the truth in love, it convicts the gainsayer also. While exposing the refuges of lies, it seeks to build the soul upon the Rock of Ages.

The two little works of Sir George Sinclair are, like all his other productions, wonderful alike for their wit and their wisdom. From the ample field of history, a large intercourse with men of all ranks and denominations, from personal observa

FOREIGN MISSIONS.

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Ancroft Moor, do....

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Brighton, for Bible Fund, from children of a Moravian family. Birkenhead, Association..

Cobourg, Canada West, Sabbathschool children....

Scotland, Mis. Henderson, Kelso.. Liverpool, Mount Pleasant U. P. Church Juvenile Missionary Society

Manchester, D. G. Fleming, Esq... Liverpool, Messrs. Urquhart and Adamson

Trinity Church, Newcastle, Friends, per W. C. Marshall, for "Pilgrim's Progress' Stafford, collection, per Rev. James Speers.....

London Wall Congregational Association

Rev. John Brown, D.D... 500 Presbyterian Church,

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Mr. Adam, of Leeds, proposed Mr. Salmon, a Student in Divinity, for preparatory trials, in order to license. The Presbytery agreed to receive Mr. Salmon on trials at next ordinary Meeting, on his producing the requisite certificates, and prescribed to him the usual subjects.

The Clerk produced and read a letter from Mr. Robinson, Minister of Salford Church, stating, that owing to the present condition of his health, together with other circumstances, he was obliged to tender the resignation of his charge. The Presbytery directed that the letter lie on the table; 2 10 0 but, considering that Mr. Robinson's state of health arose from the troubles and anxieties which he had lately experienced as a minister of the Gospel, they unanimously agreed to institute an investigation into the whole matter connected with the church at Salford; and, in order that this may be efficiently and satisfactorily done, they direct the Clerk to summon to the next Meeting of Presbytery all the Office-bearers and Trustees, requiring their presence on the occasion; and that further, agreeably to the requirements of the Trust Deed, that all their books and other relative documents be brought to the Presbytery and laid on the table.

Mr. McCaw, the Commissioner appointed to prosecute the translation of Mr. Breakey to Sheffield, before the Presbytery of Belfast, reported that that Presbytery had agreed to the translation, and that the extract minute to that effect would be duly forwarded. Whereupon the Presbytery resolved to meet at Sheffield on the 24th inst. to induct Mr. Breakey, and the usual appointments were made.

The Convener of the Warrington Committee reported that matters there were progressing most favourably; that great unanimity prevailed in the congrega0 tion, which kept steadily increasing; that the Sabbath-school had been revived and the attendance at it good; and that the services of the Probationer who had been 1 statedly labouring there for some time past, were much appreciated, and that the congregation, desirous to have him set over them as their pastor, had most harmoniously united in memorializing the Presbytery to take the usual steps for that purpose, and accompanied their Memorial with an engagement to raise 100l. as minister's stipend for one year, and to use their utmost exertions to continue the same amount annually; and that the Committee recommended the Memorial of the congregation to the favourable consideration of the Presbytery. The Deputation from the congregation, consisting of John Dakin, Esq.,

and Mr. Bowcock, were then introduced and heard. After deliberation it was unanimously agreed to receive the report of the Committee, also the Memorial and engagement, and direct them to lie on the table till next Meeting; but whereas it appears that the memorialists understand that the purchase-money of the building was not to exist as a debt on the congregation, and whereas it now appears probable that the congregation will not enjoy such immunity from debt, the Presbytery agree, with the concurrence of the Deputation, to delay proceedings till time has been afforded to the parties concerned to consider the case in its new aspect. The Presbytery adjourned to meet at Manchester on 25th of Jan. Sheffield, Jan. 24.-The Presbytery met and inducted Mr. Breakey into his new charge.

Manchester, Jan. 25.-The Presbytery met and was duly constituted.

The Clerk produced and read a Memorial from the congregation of St. John's Church, Warrington, praying the Presbytery to sanction them as a charge in connexion with the Presbytery, which had been omitted in their previous Memorial. A Deputation also appeared from the congregation, who stated that since last Meeting they had waited on Mr. Barbour to ascertain his views in reference to the purchase-money of the church, and that the result of the interview was highly satisfactory. After discussion and deliberation it was moved, seconded, and agreed to Having heard the statement from the pastor at Warrington, and it appearing that the condition and circumstances of the congregation are not definitively or sufficiently understood, the Presbytery appoint a Committee to make all requisite inquiries from all the parties concerned in this case, and visit the congregation at Warrington, and report at next Meeting.

The Clerk reported that he had summoned all the parties connected with Salford church. Parties were then called, when Mr. Robinson appeared for himself, Messrs. J. Bannerman, Smith, Black, and Wilson, as Elders; Messrs. Horsburgh and Hindshaw, as Deacons; Mr. J. Bannerman, Mr. Robert Barbour, and Mr. Black, as Trustees. The Deacons' Court Minutebook, the Minutes of the Church Session, the Commission Roll-book, and a copy of the Trust-deed of the church were also produced and laid on the table.

Mr. Robinson being asked if he had any statement to make, replied, that in the event of his resignation being accepted, parties had arranged to pay him a year's stipend in full from last Midsummer. The other parties present being also asked, stated that they had nothing to say in this stage

of the business. After discussion and deliberation, it was agreed to appoint a Committee to confer with all the parties on the question of Mr. Robinson's resignation, and report to an adjourned Meeting to be held at four p.m.

At the adjourned Meeting the Committee brought up the following Report, which was read, viz., The Committee having conferred with parties, and duly considered all the elements of the case, unanimously agree to recommend to the Presbytery that, under the circumstances, and on account of Mr. Robinson's state of health, his resignation be in due form accepted, on the understanding that, with a view to afford Mr. Robinson an opportunity of recovering his health, and time to avail himself of any openings, in Providence, to a new sphere of duty, Mr. Robinson receive at least one year's stipend, at the rate originally paid him, on his resignation being accepted, his full stipend being paid up to that time. The Presbytery received the Report, and agreed to the terms thereof, and appointed Messrs. Waddell and Brougham, Elders, to submit this deliverance to the Trustees, Elders, and Deacons of Salford church, confer with them, and to report at next Meeting. The Presbytery adjourned to meet at Manchester on the 8th of February.

Manchester, February 8.-The Presbytery met, when the Committee on the Salford case reported that they had waited upon the Trustees, who declined to follow up the recommendation of the Presbytery. Whereupon, after discussion and deliberation, two motions were submitted; the one, not to accept Mr. Robinson's resignation, in present circumstances, but refer the whole matter to the Synod for advice; the other expressing great regret that the Trustees had not deemed it right to comply with the terms specified by the Presbytery, which they still hold to be equitable and right; yet, taking all the circumstances of the case into account, and believing that it would be for the greater good of the Minister of Salford, and of the Church, that his resignation be accepted, agree to its acceptance in due form, on the condition that all existing liabilities up to the time of his leaving be met, and that the congregation be cited to appear for their interests at next Meeting. The latter motion was carried by a majority of 5, 11 voting, 11 Ministers and 2 Elders absent. The Presbytery resolved accordingly; from which Resolution the Rev. Messrs. Forster, Cromar, and Kemp dissented, for reasons to be given in due time. The Clerk was instructed to cite the Salford congregation to appear for their interests at next Meeting.