gospel. The Rev, Mr Easton of Darvel preached and presided on the occasion. The Presbytery met on 18th, when the call was cordially sustained; at the same time, the Girvan congregation, in consequence of an intimation from Mr Martin, to the effect that he would not accept of their call though it were presented, obtained leave to withdraw their call. A communication from the Edinburgh Presbytery, announcing that a call from Carnoustie congregation to Mr Martin had been laid on their table and sustained by them, led the Court to agree to an engagement by which a representative of the Kilmarnock Presbytery, Rev. Mr Ramage, might meet with the Clerk of the Edinburgh Presbytery in Glasgow on 25th February, with the view of hearing all the parties concerned in the calls from Carnoustie and Kilbirnie, and reporting the issue to their respective Presbyteries. The Girvan congregation has presented a petition, praying the Court to grant them another moderation. This was unanimously agreed to, and the moderation appointed to take place on 3d March, the Rev. T. H. Lang to preach and preside.

STUDENTS' HOME MISSION SCHEME. It is due to the congregations and individuals who have so liberally contributed to this scheme, that public thanks be rendered, and some account of the disposal of the funds be given. For the sake of those who may be very imperfectly aequainted with the scheme, a short statement of its origin and objects may not be unacceptable. In this age of religious as well as commercial activity, every denomination of Christians has raised aloft its banner, and done battle vigorously, often successfully, against the common enemy. The students of the Reformed Presbyterian Hall, professedly soldiers of the cross, though few in number, could not refrain from at least shewing their sympathy with the progress of the gospel, especially in connection with the late awakening. The session of Hall being too short to admit of united personal mission work, they resolved to solicit collections and donations with the view of organising a new mission under their auspices, or of strengthening existing agencies in connection with the Church. During the past year, accordingly, a considerable number of the congregations of the Church was visited by deputations of the students, when collections and donations were obtained. After deducting expenses, the sum collected amounted to £41. In its disposal, arrangements were entered into with the congregation of Dundee, and the Presbytery of Edinburgh, which have resulted in the appointment of Mr John Riddle, A.B., one of the students, to labour in connection with that congregation. Since entering on his duties in November 1862, the regular services of the Sabbath have been continued, a Sabbath school established, a tract-distributors' society organised, and various weekly prayer-meetings conducted. In view of these things, might not an interest be asked in the prayers of the Church for an abundant blessing through these varied agencies? From the newspaper press we observe that lately the Church has undergone a thorough repair, and that an interesting soiree, with ex-Provost Rough in the chair, inaugurated its reopening. With thanks to all contributors for last year, the students, encour aged by the amount of good already accomplished, and expecting through the blessing of God still greater results, intend soon to visit again the congregations of the Church for a similar purpose, and would solicit even more liberal contributions.

SOIREE. On the evening of Friday, the 16th January, the Reformed Presby terian Congregation of Davington, Eskdalemuir, held their annual soiree. The attendance was large and respectable, and evinced much interest in the vari ous proceedings. The Rev. James Morrison, minister of the church, occupied the chair. After tea and its accompaniments had been partaken of, the chairman introduced the business by stating that at one time it was expected that the Rev. John Inglis, missionary from Aneityum, and Williamu, à converted chief of that country, would be present and give addresses. On account of a heavy affliction which had come upon Williamu, it was judged advisable that he should return to his native land without delay, and that Mr Inglis should

accompany him. Mr Smellie, Langholm, was then introduced, who exhibited a series of dissolving views with his usual tact and acceptability. The Rev. William Watson, Langholm, stated that various circumstances had led him to adopt as his subject for the occasion, "The Rev John Inglis, the Christian Missionary, a study for young men." In illustrating his subject, Mr Watson noticed the following points in the character and career of Mr Inglis : -1. He had pursued knowledge under difficulties. 2. He had aspired to the most exalted office. 3. He had chosen as his sphere of labour the high place of the field. 4. He had gone forth depending for strength and success on the Divine Promise, and had not been disappointed; and, 5. He had laboured, and has gone forth again to spend and be spent, encouraged by the hope of an ever-blessed and never-ending reward. The Rev. Thomas M'Crindle, Yarrow, gave an interesting and instructive address on "Overcoming Evil with Good." The chairman proposed votes of thanks to the several friends who had rendered service on the occasion, all of which were heartily responded to by the meeting, and the proceedings were closed by pronouncing the benediction.

GLASGOW.-GREAT HAMILTON STREET ANNUAL SOIREE AND PRESENTATION TO MR ROBERT WALKER.-The annual soiree of this congregation was held in the Trades' Hall, on Tuesday, the 10th ult. The hall was crowded to overflowing. Rev. W. Symington occupied the chair. Rev. John Torrance asked a blessing. After an excellent tea, the chairman reviewed the history of the congregation during the past year. Notwithstanding the loss they had sustained in the removal of their senior pastor, they had enjoyed a large amount of prosperity. Their members were still increasing. During the year there had been no less than seventy-one baptisms. He alluded to the formation of the fifth congregation, and expressed his high satisfaction that their home missionary efforts should have issued in such a happy result. With regard to the other Reformed Presbyterian Congregations in the city, all of which had hived off in former years from Great Hamilton Street, he trusted there never would be any rivalry between them, but what was generous, brotherly, and Christian. He closed an address that was listened to with deep interest by the large audience, with a manly and eloquent vindication of the claims of the pulpit. Rev. Professor Binnie of Stirling, in a very interesting manner, spoke of the recent attacks that had been made from unexpected quarters upon holy Scripture. Rev. John M'Dermid made a very effective address on the study of Sacred Music. Messrs T. Binnie, M'Lellan, and D. Binnie, read the different reports of the schemes of usefulness connected with the congregation. Their substance will be found in our last number, page 71. The Rev. A. Clokie made a characteristic speech on "Ourselves." Rev. D. Taylor of Greenock congratulated the congregation on the success of their home mission operations in Green Street. Rev. Thomas Neilson of Rothesay wished them God speed in all their evangelistic efforts. During the evening, a very interesting episode took place. The chairman, in a touching and effective way, noticed the long services which Mr Robert Walker had for fifty years rendered as Church Officer to the congregation, and, in the name of himself and other friends, presented him with a purse of sovereigns. Mr Walker acknowledged the handsome gift in suitable terms, and gave some interesting particulars regarding his predecessors in office.

INTIMATIONS.

THE attention of the Church is requested to the following law passed at the last meeting of Synod :--" The following overture, laid upon the table of Synod last year, was read and adopted, viz. :- That the Synod, at rising, do appoint a committee of bills and overtures, by whom the business to come before the court next year shall be arranged: all bills and overtures to be sent in to the convener of that committee three weeks before the meeting of Synod and that that committee shall be empowered to direct any

parties sending in documents of importance to print and circulate them among the members of court.' The following committee was appointed, viz. :-Revs. John Kay, A. M. Symington, John W. M'Meekan, John Torrance, and R. T. Martin,-Mr Kay, convener. It was also agreed that all papers to come before Synod be in the hands of this committee fourteen days before the meeting of court, unless when a res nata emerges." As petitions, overtures, &c., have not unfrequently been transmitted at meetings of Presbytery held immediately previous to the sitting of the Supreme Court, private members, sessions, and presbyteries of the Church, are reminded of the necessity of lodging their papers, through the regular channels, in the hands of the convener of the above committee of bills and overtures, not later than the date above specified.

JOHN KAY, Clerk of Synod.

To the Editor of the "Reformed Presbyterian Magazine.”

SIR, I beg leave, through the pages of your magazine, to remind the Church that the Synod, at its last meeting, appointed a special collection for the Home Mission Fund to be taken up, in all the congregations, on the first Sabbath of March.

Should arrangements in any case not have been made for this collection on the Sabbath specified, 1 trust it will not be overlooked, but fixed for some other Sabbath of the same month.

This is the first time that the Synod has appointed a special collection for the Home Mission, and it is hoped that a liberal response will be given. The Church was never more engaged in evangelistic effort than at present, and the success with which such effort has been attended in various places amply warrants an earnest appeal being made to our congregations, to sus tain, by their contributions, this important department of Christian work.

It would be esteemed a favour by the Convener of the Home Mission Committee, if those ministers who have any facts to communicate to him, regarding home evangelisation, would do so by the beginning of April, that they may be embodied in the Report for Synod.—I am, &c,

Glasgow, 35 Abbotsford Place, Feb. 16. 1863.

JOHN M'DERMID.

To the Editor of the Reformed Presbyterian Magazine. DEAR SIR,-Permit us, through the medium of your pages, to remind Ministers and Sessions, that the Annual Collection for the Ministerial Support Fund was appointed by Synod to be made throughout the Church on the first Sabbath of October last. It is specially requested, therefore, that congregations which have made the collection transmit it to the Treasurer, R. G. Finlay, Esq., 12 Renfield Street, Glasgow; that where it has not yet been made, the appointment be attended to on the earliest convenient Sabbath; and that when, from whatever cause, the collection made is inadequate, steps be taken to augment it before the meeting of Synod.

The sum requisite for the ensuing year is £250; and the single public collection, in all the congregations of the Church, settled and vacant, is the only source on which the Committee have to depend for this sum to carry on the operations of the scheme. Its vital importance can scarcely be overestimated, hence it is our strong hope and fervent prayer that the liberality of the collection may be such as to meet fairly and honourably the requirements of the case. Even so hath the Lord ordained, that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.-We remain, yours very truly, JOHN ROBERTSON, Convener. THOS. NEILSON, Secretary.

Rothesay, February 17. 1868.

Printed by JoHS GREIG & SON, at their Printing Office, Old Physic Gardens, and Published by JOHNSTONE, HUNTER, & Co. at their Warehouse, 2 Melbourne Place, Edinburgh.

THE

REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN MAGAZINE.

APRIL 1. 1863.

HOW THE CRISIS OF A MAN'S LIFE CAME, AND PASSED. "Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season I will call for thee."

It is an instinct of our nature, that when some result more than usually striking is presented to our consideration, we endeavour forthwith to discover the cause from which it proceeds. In the words which stand at the head of the present remarks there is recorded an effect of a very unusual kind. We have a judge,—one Occupying a position of the gravest responsibility actually trembling before the prisoner at his bar. We may suppose the former to have taken his seat upon the bench with feelings of callous indifference, except so far as curiosity might move him to hear what this unaccountable fanatic who stands before him may have to bring forward. And yet he is first interested, then struck, then lost in profound reverie, then grasps his robe to steady the trembling hand, and at length when he may no longer contain himself, he cries, "Go thy way for this time." Such is the result,-what is the cause? It will not be found to lie in the eloquence of the prisoner; not by any means in his commanding aspect, nor in the skill of the practised rhetorician; we must go deeper still, and underlying the strange commotion which exists in the breast of the judge, we shall find the demonstration of the Spirit and of power which accompanies the words that pass from the lips of the tent-maker of Tarsus in Cilicia. It is this that sends home the arrow; that moves the heart, locked for so many years in carnal security, and makes the fortress kept so long by the strong man to shake and tremble to its base. A moment more and we may expect to find this Roman governor on bent knee and with agonised heart lifting up his voice to the living God, "Be merciful, Ŏ be merciful to me a sinner!" He is surely not very far, this man, from the kingdom of heaven; let him but

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press on and press in, the violent take that kingdom by force. No; the precious moment is gone, never to return, the agitation subsides, the fears are hushed, the melted heart hardens once more into iron, and he who so recently trembled, "returns like the dog to his vomit, and like the sow to his wallowing in the mire."

It is worthy of note, what the kind of preaching is, under which Felix was brought to the crisis of his life. The discourse of the prisoner is withheld from us, and we have simply the topics on which he dwelt. But even with these scanty materials at command, it is not difficult to conceive that with such a preacher, and before such an audience, there would be no lack of bold, personal dealing with the conscience. Wherever the gospel of Jesus is proclaimed, we have a strong conviction that this, above many others, is the mode in which sinners must be dealt with. It is not by honeyed phrases, not by vague declamations upon the beauty of virtue and the unseemliness of moral evil ("sin" being in some quarters too strong an expression for polite ears), not by vague generalities which fall like snow-flakes at the feet of them that listen, but by such pointed, bold, plain dealing as this prisoner brings to bear upon his judge. What is the judicial ermine to Saul of Tarsus, that he should palter with sacred truth for the sake of it? Is there not another that will judge him, even God? What to him the fact that Felix has the power of life and death? He fears Him most of all who can cast both body and soul into hell fire, and therefore he speaks boldly out. But besides the boldness, there is the most perfect fittingness in the discourse to the party who is addressed. First of all, he speaks of RIGHTEOUSNESS. This Felix is appointed, if he but knew it, to dispense justice between man and man; a position, above many, of solemn responsibility. That the responsibility rested but lightly upon him is very evident. The palm that itched for a bribe even after the heart had been so deeply moved, must have accepted many bribes before the eventful day in his history. This Paul knows and presents to him the justice of a Being who cannot be bribed, but who will dispense just judgment to every one alike; to the great and to the mean, to the rich and to the poor. It will be a solemn day for Felix, and such as he, when that Supreme Justice of the universe, embodied in the person of Him into whose hands the Father hath committed all judgment, requires to be confronted. No bribe can touch Him; no chicanery can pass with Him; no bold denial, no quibble of law, can affect Him who looks straight into and through a man's soul, and reads it as one might read s book. "Righteousness" is followed up by "TEMPERANCE," embracing not the narrowed range of duty implied by the term as it is currently used among ourselves, but having its bearing upon the whole area of man's corrupt passions, lusts, and desires. We recollect to bave read or heard of a judge who was called upon to try a case of murder; the evidence bore so strongly against the criminal that the jury, without hesitation, brought in a verdict of "guilty." When the moment arrived that the judge should have pronounced sentence,