writ of treason against Ruthven and the conspirators, and in a few days returned to Edinburgh at the head of 8000 armed men. The conspirators fled. Mary's troubles, however, had now fairly commenced; but we cannot at present follow her farther. SAINT PATRICK, THE PATRON AND APOSTLE OF IRELAND. ON THE SEVENTEENTH DAY OF MARCH, the Romish church observes a feast in honour of St. Patrick. He was born about the year 327; but the country and place of his birth-whether Brittany in France, or Scotland-has been controverted. The evidence preponderates in favour of Scotland. His father was in a respectable station in life, and a deacon of the church of Bonavern, on the Clyde. But whether this was the ancient name of Kilpatrick, situated a few miles above Dumbarton, or of some church in the vicinity, cannot be accurately determined. The original name of St. Patrick was Succat or Succach, and is supposed to have some relation to Succoth, the name, at this day, of an estate not far distant from his birthplace, and which was the property of the late Sir Ilay Campbell. The name of Patrick was not assumed by the saint till he became invested with the clerical character. When Patrick was about sixteen years old, he was taken prisoner by a party of Irish, carried over to Ireland, and sold to the petty chieftain of some pagan clan. The particular locality is said to be Skerry, in the county of Antrim. Here he was employed by his master, keeping swine. In his state of servitude and misery he thought of the teachings of a pious mother, which he had listened to with indifference, and too long neglected. He wept and repented. He became a new man, and having managed to escape to France, he found his way to Tours, the archbishop of which city was his uncle. Here he completed his education, and was admitted to holy orders. He had early formed the idea of converting Ireland to Christianity, but he did not set out on this mission till the year 432, when he was sixty years of age. He was accompanied with twenty persons. He first landed at Wicklow, but was opposed by the natives, and having proceeded along the coast, came to Ulster, where he met with a more favourable reception. Having obtained a gift of land, he founded a monastery at Downpatrick. From this point his ministry extended through Ulster, Munster, Connaught, and even the Western Isles of Scotland. When far advanced in years, he resigned his ecclesiastical duties in Ireland, and retired to Scotland to close his days and lay his bones among his kindred. It is reported that Columba had his bones removed from Kilpatrick, and re-interred in Downpatrick. Rome claims him as one of her saints, but on what authority we cannot perceive. There is no evidence that Patrick was ever at Rome, or that the gospel which he preached was the teaching of Rome. We here extract from the Romish Breviary: "Besides his daily care of the churches, he never relaxed his invincible spirit of prayer, for, they say, that he was accustomed to recite daily the psalter afresh, together with canticles and hymns, and two hundred prayers. Three hundred times each day he adored God on bended knees, and at whatever canonical hour of the day, a hundred times he fortified himself with the sign of the cross. Dividing the night into three parts, first, he ran through a hundred psalms; the second, the remaining fifty psalms, immersed in cold water, and with heart, eyes, and hands erected to heaven, he applied to be absolved; the third, stretched on the naked stone, he gave to sleep. An excellent cultivator of humility, he abstained not from labour with his own hands, after apostolic custom. At length, consumed by continual cares for the church, illustrious both by word and deed, being refreshed in old age by the divine mysteries, he slept in the Lord, and was buried at Doune, in Ulster, in the fifth century of our salvation.” There is nothing to parallel this even in the Breviary. This is pandering to the spirit of nonsense and exaggeration. ANSWERS TO QUERIES PROPOSED LAST MONTH. We have received very interesting lists of answers to the six queries which were proposed last month, and particularly from a Sabbath School in Dunse; showing us the advantage of thus exercising the young mind, and the pleasure which take in the exercise. We many cannot spare space to give all the answers, having only room for those of which we approve: I. The account of the Ishmaelites and Midianites trading with Egypt.Gen. xxxvii. 23-28. II. By three means:-1. The Shekinah above the mercy-seat. 2. By the Urim and Thummim on the breast-plate of the high priest. And 3. By visions and dreams. III. In the answers returned to this question from the Sabbath scholars at Dunse, the following figures are given, 420, 430, 470, 473, 477. The answer may be found in Gen. xv. 13-16. IV. A sacrifice is an offering to God by slaying and burning an animal upon the altar. An oblation is any thing offered to God, entire and without change, as the first fruits. V. Gabriel and Michael. Extracts from the Pages THE FIRST DEATH IN THE FAMILY. VI. Eve the mother of all living, and Mary the mother of the Prince of Life. QUERIES TO BE ANSWERED NEXT MONTH. I. Is there any evidence that books were in existence in the days of Job? and of what materials were they composed? II. Who was the first individual chargeable with murder? III. On what occasions was unlawful curiosity punished, and persons forbid to indulge in it? IV. Can you mention five persons spoken of in the Old Testament, who, after enjoying great honours, fell into grievous sin? V. Can you mention the names of persons spoken of in Scripture who were eminently pious in early life? VI. Can you mention the names of four birds spoken of in Scripture, distinguished for sagacity? VII. The Scriptures mention a person who remained unburied for nearly 200 years. Who was he? and why was he so long unburied? VIII. There are two men mentioned in Scripture whose history did not terminate with their death. Who were they? of the Living and the Dead. companies the death of what is part ourselves, It is to us the most startling memorial of the fall of man, the most pathetic illustration of the curse, the most palpable proof that man is mortal, THE first death in the nursery is indeed and the most unmistakable hint that we must soon follow.-Macfarlane's Why THE FIRST FAMILY INTERMENT. havoc of the wolf is heard-the first test interment, when they stood at the gates sacrifice of the fold, when the midnight FEw fathers will forget their first family of our sincerity, when in baptism we of "the house appointed for all living," surrendered our offspring to God, and and knocked for admission to the dust the first mysterious sensation that ac of their little ones. It was then that THE NATURE OF THE MEDIATORIAL DISPENSATION. By the Rev. James Meikle, Beith. Edinburgh Johnstone & Hunter. THE WAY TO GOD; or, The Doctrine of Christ's Mediatorship briefly Expounded. By the Rev. Thomas M'Lauchlan, Edinburgh. Edinburgh: Johnstone & Hunter. IN an age like the present, remarkable for the upspringing of novelties, and the favour with which certain crudities are received, it is a gratifying and healthful symptom of the religious mind, that the theology of the olden time is not utterly discarded, as an unfashionable and timeworn garment, or loathed as an unpalatable drug. Men with ill-trained minds or perverted tastes do disrelish the essential truths of the inspired book, and give a preference to systems considerably diluted and sweetened, to please their palates; but all others "of full age, and who, by reason of use, have their senses exercised to discern good and evil," have no partialities for "the new wine," for they say "the old is better." The good old standard theology of the seventeenth century, which was then the glory of the British churches, has not been so popular for half a century as it is at the present moment. It then presented a formidable breastwork against the swelling tides of Popery and Arminianism; and the prevailing desire for the re-publication of the works of the more eminent writers of that period, together with the sound and hearty tone of the evangelism of our own days, persuade us that truth still retains a powerful hold of many in our churches, notwithstanding the blandishments and accommodating spirit with which errors may be insinuating amongst them. About four years ago, Mr. Meikle published a very able defence of the doctrine of Original Sin, in a volume to which he gave the very novel title, The Edenic Dispensation. In that volume he gave ample evidence that he could bring a clear and powerful intellect to the defence of the faith once delivered to the saints, and particularly of a doc trine which is incorporated into the very basis of the scheme of our redemption. We were then favoured with a promise that his pen would be again employed in the elucidation of other doctrinal truths, and that promise he has honourably fulfilled in the volume now before us, The Nature of the Mediatorial Dispensation. That this vital subject might not be considered in a perfunctory manner, or disposed of in a few brief common-places, he has done more than look at it in its length and breadth-he has sounded its very depths." And however much we should have liked to have had his views on the administration of the mediatorial economy-a subject on which many need enlightenment-yet we must give him credit for restricting himself at present to the nature of that economy; indulging the hope that, at a not distant day, he will finish what he has so ably begun. In the present volume, he considers the Divine purpose of mercy in regard to man—the ends to be accomplished by this purpose-and the means by which the purpose has been effected. Each of these topics is very carefully discussed, in numerous sections; but it is to the third that the largest space and amount of argument has been allotted. We think he has succeeded in presenting, in a strong and satisfactory light, the representative character of Christ, an aspect under which he is too seldom viewed, but under which it is absolutely necessary to view him, if his mediatorial character would be thoroughly understood, and if sinners wonld see clearly what it was which Christ represented. To say that Christ died for sin, is to say the truth; but we are persuaded it is not saying the whole truth. Did Christ represent persons, and did he die for persons? are questions which the infallible Scriptures enable us to answer in the affirmative. The very idea of a mediator supposes parties whose cause he has undertaken. There is no getting rid of this, without setting aside entirely the suretyship of our Redeemer; and we invite our readers to examine very carefully for themselves the sections of Mr. Meikle's volume in which this subject is considered. In treating of the work which the Mediator performed on earth, he condescends very minutely upon its perfection, peculiar nature, effects, value, efficacy, extent, and necessity. The section on this division of the subject, which will be perused with greatest interest and care, is that on the extent of the death of Christ, and his judicious remarks on the distinction which should be drawn between the death and the atonement of Christ, will satisfy the reader how necessary it is that he have definite and scriptural ideas of the terms which he employs, when speaking of matters pertaining to our redemption. Mr. Meikle quotes the classification of theories on "the extent of the atonement," the phrase which we prefer adopting, because we deem it the more comprehensive one. They were arranged by the late Dr. Wardlaw under three divisions. First, the theory of "exact equivalent." Second, the theory of "infinite sufficiency, but definite intention." Third, the theory of "indefinite atonement, with gracious sovereignty in its effectual application." It was the latter of these which Dr. Wardlaw espoused, and upon which Mr. Meikle animadverts at greatest length. After advancing several grounds, on which he regards the theory advocated by Dr. Wardlaw as defective, he proceeds to lay down what, with all due deference, he deems "the true theory in regard to the nature and extent of the death of Christ-that of its absolute perfection and infinite value with a two-fold intention ; the first general, and embracing the whole human race; the second special, and embracing those only who shall be finally saved." By adopting this view, he considers that he can satisfactorily explain those passages of Scripture which speak of the work of Christ in reference to all men, and also those which speak of it in reference to God's elect. And farther, by adopting the above view, he concludes that a satisfactory explanation of those passages of Scripture which speak of the work of the Holy Ghost in giving unto sinners an objective revelation of the way of salvation, and also of those which speak of him as operating subjectively on the heart, so as to render the ordained means of grace efficacious for the regeneration of all who conscientiously observe them. When Mr.. Meikle published his Edenic Dispensation, he intimated his intention to follow up his plan by a volume on "the external call of the gospel, and on the internal and efficacious call of the Holy Spirit." We trust he will carry out his original intention, and we are all the more anxious that he should do so, because till then the execution of his present plan is incomplete. When he has cominitted himself to the execution of it, he will bring before us the administration of the mediatorial economy, and have full scope for the vindication and elucidation of his views on the nature and extent of the atonement. He ought to be encouraged to finish what he has so ably commenced. He possesses the shrewdness and clear-headedness which has so long been the characteristic of the Scottish controversial school; and even those who may dissent from several of his views, must admit that he has taken up positions from which they find it no easy matter to drive him, and conducted his arguments with an ability which entitles him to an honourable place among the theological writers of the age. The second work on our list, by the Rev. Mr. M'Lauchlan, of the Free Gaelic Church, Edinburgh, is a more succinct view of the doctrine of a Mediator. It has nothing of a controversial character, and bears the strong impress of the pulpit. As a numerous class of readers have no liking for such works as are more adapted for defending the bulwarks of Zion, but rather for those which are calculated to build them up in their most holy faith, this is the book for them. The doctrinal and the practical are harmoniously blended. It speaks directly to the conscience and the heart. The reader feels himself personally addressed; and as his need of a Saviour, and the suitableness of Jesus Christ to him as a mediator, are continually pressing themselves on his attention, he cannot peruse it without feeling that he clings more closely than ever to the cross. MEMOIRS OF THOMAS CHALMERS, D.D., LL.D. By his Son-in-law, the Rev. W. Hanna, LL.D. Second Quarterly Part., Cheap Issue. Edinburgh: Thomas Constable & Co. 1854. THIS second part of the cheap issue of this delightful memoir of a great man, completes the first volume. It includes the period of his life from his admission to the Tron Church, Glasgow, in 1815, till his removal to the chair of Moral Philosophy in the University of St. Andrews, in 1823. As we had occasion to present a very full outline of Dr. Hanna's Memoirs of Dr. Chalmers when the first edition of them appeared, we feel it unnecessary again to go minutely into details; and the more so, as the enterprising publishers are presenting this edition not only in quarterly parts, but in weekly numbers, at so low a price that even the poorest may possess a copy. This second quarterly part will be read with peculiar interest, as it narrates the earlier movements of Dr. Chalmers in his scheme of territorial division of populous districts, which he considered requisite to the thorough evangelization of the masses, and as affording proof of the effectiveness of lay-agency when judiciously employed. Dr. Chalmers is known to have entertained views on the subject of the poorlaws and pauper management very different from those which are now being acted upon. He was permitted to work out his plan in the parish of St. John's, Glasgow; and the history of its working over a period of many years, and of its wonderful success, are here given at great length. Were the present system of poor-law management to be aban doned, and that which Dr. Chalmers so zealously advocated introduced, we would require a Dr. Chalmers in every parish, and an agency possessing influ ence and resources similar to those at the command of the devoted men who laboured so assiduously in the maintenance of the poor by voluntary contributions. We shall only say further at present, that all who are desirous of knowing what was great in Dr. Chalmers, and wherein lay that moral influence which he exercised on the floor of the Assembly, in the pulpit, in the professor's chair, and in his intercourse with the labouring classes and the lowly poor, must forthwith obtain for themselves this cheap issue of his memoirs. THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN EVANGELICAL REVIEW. No. VII. Edinburgh Johnstone & Hunter. THIS review continues to sustain its high reputation, and to realize the expectations which from the outset we had formed of it. The number before us is interesting for variety and the talent with which the several papers are written. We have been particularly gratified with the leading article, "James Hervey and the evangelism of his times." Enough, perhaps, has been already written of Whitfield, the brothers Wesley, and some other of the contemporaries and early companions of the rector of Weston-Favel, and too little of |