traordinary activity, died in 1852, greatly regretted by the important society of which he was an agent, and, indeed, by all who had the happiness of knowing his worth. The volume necessarily gives a history of the Bengal mission. It is an appropriate companion to the memoir of Judson, recently published by Nisbet & Co., and is not behind even that enchanting biography in interest. The sale of nearly 3000 copies, within a few weeks after its publication, is a proof of its excellence. It is certainly a rich contribution to our Christian literature, and promises to continue a favourite as long as a taste for such reading abides with the people of God.

PLAIN SERMONS. Preached in a Village Congregation. By the Rev. Arthur Roberts, M.A. Second series, 2 vols. London: J. Nisbet & Co. 1853.

Ir is the strongest recommendation that we can give to these sermons, to say that they are worthy of their author, and that we should be glad to hear them, or such like, preached from every pulpit in the land. They are certainly among the best modern sermons that we have seen. Their popularity is easily accounted for. We would advise all preachers to study the simplicity of style which distinguishes these productions.

LOOKING UNTO JESUS; A Narrative of the brief race of a young Disciple. By her Mother. London: J. Nisbet & Co. 1854. Fourth thousand.

THIS is one of the sweetest little me

morials we have fallen in with for a long time. Emily Frederica must have been a rare child, indeed, and we do not wonder that her mother should give this account to the world of her daughter's spiritual progress. We have rarely seen so much intellectual power and so much literary talent in unison with early piety. The young cannot fail to profit much by reading this volume, and we recommend it most emphatically.

KENNETH FORBES; or, Fourteen Ways of Studying the Bible.

A MORE useful book of the kind the young have never had offered to them

than this. We question if Nisbet & Co. have ever published anything to be compared with it. Every parent should get it and read it, and see that the children read it. While the child must be drawn by it to read and understand the Word of God, even to those further advanced in years and experience it will prove very profitable. We predict for this little volume long life and useful

ness.

THE SCARLET MYSTERY; or, Rome Unmasked. Being the true testimony of experience, chiefly collected from the contents of a lost package. By J. G. Macwalter, Esq. London: J. Nisbet & Co. 1854.

THIS is a most interesting narrative, and though cast in an imaginative form, it is throughout calculated to impart a true impression of the dangerous devices and deceits which emanate from the "Mystery of Iniquity." It will perform its own work in the present agitation. Protestantism must be advanced when such works are read, and Popery receives another blow from such pebbles from the brooks of Zion. We wish this and all the works of the same class a wide circulation. The Scarlet Mystery should be put into all our congregational libraries.

MONTRESSOR ABBEY. A Tale; by the Hon. Mrs. Francis Maude, London: J. Nisbet & Co. 1851.

THERE is no tawdry writing in this beautiful volume, and though not a religious tale, it is in every respect worthy of acceptation among the well educated and religious portions of society. Its aim is to overcome the Puseyism of the Church of England, to unveil the Popery of that modern piece of ecclesiastical chicanery, and to induce at the same time a charitable spirit among all parties. Apart from the excellence of its design, it is one of the most fascinating stories of its class, and is written in a chaste style and truly Christian spirit. The reader, too, cannot fail to perceive that its accomplished authoress is a woman of strong mind, clear head, and pious heart. She cannot appear too often on the field she has chosen for herself.

ORDINATIONS.

Chirnside-On Tuesday, the 8th of August, Mr. James Kerr, preacher of the gospel, was ordained to the pastoral charge of the United Presbyterian congregation, Chirnside, by the Presbytery of Berwick. The Rev. William Limont of Alnwick preached the sermon; Rev. David Inglis of Stockbridge offered up the ordination prayer, and addressed the young minister; and Rev. Peter Mearns of Coldstream gave the charge to the people. Mr. Kerr was introduced to his congregation on the following Sabbath, by the Rev. William Burgess, of Eglinton Street, Glasgow.

Newcastle.-On the 21st June, Mr. James Graham Potter was ordained to the pastoral charge of the United Presbyterian congregation, High Bridge chapel, Newcastle. The Rev. Messrs. Dally, Frazer, and Riddel, officiated on the occasion.

Stranraer.-On the 31st ult., Mr. G. D. Matthews was ordained to the pastoral charge of the United Presbyterian congregation, Bridge Street, Stranraer. The Rev. Messrs. Smail, Reid, Thorburn, and Scott, conducted the services on the occasion.

DEMISSION.

Whitby.-The Rev. Mr. Bartholemew has demitted the pastoral charge of the United Presbyterian congregation, Whitby.

HONORARY DEGREE.

The Board of Trustees of UNION COLLEGE, NEW YORK, have just unanimously conferred the degree of D.D. upon the Rev. Andrew M'Farlane, Falkirk.

PRESBYTERY NOTICES.

Cupar. This Presbytery met in Boston Church, Cupar, July 25; Mr. Henderson, moderator. Mr. Wise reported his proceedings in the moderation at Kettle, and laid on the table the call addressed to Mr. Hugh Barr, probationer, which was sustained; and Mr. Barr being present, he accepted the call, and trials for ordination were appointed to him. Messrs. Johnstone, Gillies, and Aitken, students of divinity, delivered discourses, which were sustained; and the clerk was instructed to certify these students, along with Mr. Hay, to the Divinity Hall. Ap

Presbytery at Dunfermline, on the 10th of October.

Falkirk. This Presbytery met on the 25th July-the Rev. Dr. Jeffrey, moderator. The report on the union of the two congregations, Bathgate, was read and received-thanks given to the committee for their diligence, and the recommendation of the committee adopted, to take no further steps in the matter. There was presented and read a petition, signed by twenty-three certified members of U. P. Church, residing in Grangemouth, praying the Presbytery to form them into a congregation in connection with the U. P. Church. Also, a paper of adherence, signed by fifty-one persons, concurring in said petition. The Presbytery agreed to intimate to the sessions in the neighbourhood that said petition and paper of adherence lies upon their table till next meeting, and that they may then appear for their interests in this case, if they deem it necessary. Mr. Andrew Wilson, fifth year student, Mr. William Clark, late catechist in Jamaica, fourth year student, and Mr. William Hay, first year student, having satisfied the Presbytery with their exercises and examinations, were certified to the Divinity Hall. Next meeting of Presbytery on the first Tuesday of October.

Galloway.-This Presbytery met at Glenluce on the 8th August. Mr. George D. Mathews, under call from Bridge Street congregation, Stranraer, having undergone all his trials with a view to ordination, his ordination was appointed to take place on Thursday, the 31st instant-the services to be conducted by the Rev. Messrs. Smail, Reid, Thorburn, and Scott. A protest and appeal, by Alexander M'Clymont, elder, against a deed of the session of Bridge Street congregation, was laid on the table. Having read all the papers and heard all the parties connected with this case, the Presbytery, after some conversation, unanimously agreed to dismiss the protest and appeal as ill-founded, to affirm the deed of session, and to state that there is no valid ground for calling in question the qualification of the parties referred to in Mr. M'Clymont's second reason of protest. Against this deed Mr. M'Cly mont protested and appealed to next meeting of Synod, and craved extracts.

Glasgow.-The United Presbytery of Glasgow met on the second Tuesday of last month-Rev. William Beckett, moderator,

dure, and took up the petition for a moderation anew. It was ultimately agreed, without any amendment being put by two dissentient members, to grant the moderation; the following rider being added to the motion :-But as the sum of £100 per annum, with manse, is acknowledged to be an inadequate stipend, the Presbytery express their regret and disappointment that the congregation have not deemed it to be their duty to promise more. The Rev. C. Miller was appointed to preside on 2d of August in the moderation, and next meeting was fixed to be held on the third Tuesday thereof.

Lanark. This Presbytery met at Longridge on the 15th of August, for the ordination of Mr. James Ronaldson, preacher of the gospel. The Rev. Dr. Smith presided and constituted the meeting. The Rev. Mr. Lowrie, of the Presbytery of Edinburgh, the Rev. Messrs. M'Gavin, Barr, and Johnstone, of the Presbytery of Glasgow, and the Rev. Mr. M'Queen, of the Kinross Presbytery, being present, were asked to correspond. After the usual preliminary routine, Mr. Banks preached; the clerk narrated the previous steps taken by the congregation and the Presbytery in order to this settlement, and put the questions of the formula to Mr. Ronaldson; the moderator presented the ordination prayer, and addressed the minister, and Mr. Dunlop addressed the congregation. The audience was very large, and the services solemn and interesting, and the hope is cherished that the Divine blessing will rest on this very harmonious settlement. At the close of the proceedings, the Rev. Andrew Scott, and the Rev. Dr. Smith, with their Presbytery elders, were chosen to be the Presbytery's committee on missions for the next twelve months. The next meeting of Presbytery was appointed to be held on Tuesday, the 10th of October.

Newcastle. This Presbytery met on the 21st of June, for the ordination of Mr. James Graham Potter as pastor of the congregation worshipping in the High Bridge chapel; Rev. Mr. Fisken, moderator, pro tem. Mr. Dall preached, Mr. Fisken proposed the questions of the formula, and offered up the ordination prayer, Mr. Fraser gave the charge to Mr. Potter, and Mr. Riddell addressed the congregation. Mr. Gilbert Robertson, student of philosophy, having been examined and approved, was recom

mended for admission to the Divinity Hall. Mr. Henry Angus, student of theology, was transferred to the Presbytery of Aberdeen.

This Presbytery met again on the 4th of July-Rev. Daniel Wilson, moderator, pro tem. Rev. E. G. Dall was chosen moderator for a month. Mr. David Paterson having accepted the call from the congregation worshipping in Zion Chapel, trials for ordination, which had been assigned to him, were now appointed to be given in at next meeting of Presbytery, on the 1st of August. A call from Warkworth to Mr. William Stewart was sustained; as was also a call from Houghton-le-Spring, to Mr. Peter Whyte. The usual trials for ordination were prescribed, and the intentions of the preachers with regard to their respective calls to be duly ascertained.

This Presbytery met on the 1st of August-Rev. William Fisken, moderator, pro tem. Mr. Stewart having accepted the call from Warkworth, his trials were appointed to be given in at next ordinary meeting, on the first Tuesday of September. Mr. Whyte having declined the call from Houghton-leSpring, it was accordingly laid aside. Mr. Bartholomew now tendered the resignation of his pastoral charge at Whitby. A communication from the congregation was read, stating that, having been informed by Mr. Bartholomew himself of his intention to resign, while regretting to find him fixed in his purpose, they offered no opposition to it. The resignation was accepted, and Mr. Bartholomew's name taken from the roll of the Presbytery. Mr. Stewart was appointed to preach at Whitby, on the 2d and 3d Sabbaths of August, and Mr. Parker, 4th of August and 1st of September, to ascertain more minutely the circumstances of the congregation, and report. Mr. Paterson being present, performed the exercises prescribed to him, and his ordination was appointed to take place in Zion Chapel, on Wednesday the 16th inst. Mr. Rome then to preach, Mr. Robertson to preside in the ordination, and give the charge to Mr. Paterson, and Mr. Wilson to address the congregation.

Andrew Clark, William Shaw, and David Cameron, students, were examined on the usual subjects, and certified to the Theological Hall. Mr. Robert Brown, student,

THE annual meetings of the Wesleyan Conference have been held during the past month in the town of Birmingham. They have furnished but little matter of public interest. Half the time of the three weeks' sitting appears to have been occupied by the "Hundred," in the regulation of financial affairs and the proposing of votes of thanks to each other. Now that all the troublesome ministers have either been expelled or put to silence, the most perfect happiness would seem to be enjoyed by the rulers of the Conference; putting one irresistibly in mind of the words of the poet :

"Lions, and beasts of savage name, Put on the nature of the lamb." Strange to say, there have this year been no expulsions! Several ministers, indeed, have resigned; and there is a further decrease of members, to the number of 7000-3000 less than the falling off which was experienced last year; and making in all a decrease of 107,000!

"They make a solitude, and call it peace." But whatever may have been the effect of the tyrannical means employed by the Conference, in the way of preventing the enjoyment, by the Methodist people, of a scriptural, and, therefore, proper and just amount of Christian liberty, it is quite clear that the spirituality of the body has not been in anywise promoted thereby. The Watchman-the organ of the dormant faction-thus reports the position of affairs with respect to the piety of the community at large- "Too many of our 'respectable families,' as they are distinctively called, have miserably conformed to the customs of the world, giving proof that they are already under the influence of a worldly