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shillings and four pence; the subscriber of one halfpenny, one shilling and eight pence; and the subscriber of one farthing, ten pence

a-year,

Local committees might be formed in each congregation to take up these sums by instalments, say weekly, monthly, or quarterly, as might be convenient for the subscribers.

Now, consider the strength of the Secession Church, as a whole, and see with what ease such a scheme as this might be gone into. If you suppose that in each of our 376 congregations there are, on an average, 300 members and adherents, there are in the whole church 112,800 persons. According to the scheme now proposed, only 70 persons on an average, in each congregation, are subscribers. The total number of subscribers is 26,320, and of these, one-sixth contribute only about three farthings a-week; one-fourth do not contribute one halfpenny a-week; and another fourth contribute less than one-farthing a-week. On this calculation, 86,480 persons out of 112,800 are not supposed to contribute for the object in view; and yet the proceeds of the subscription, according to the scale proposed, would be L.173, 10s. 9d. weekly; L.9024 annually; and L.45,120 in five years.

The proposed scheme for assisting 200 congregations stands as follows:

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How easily might such a plan be prosecuted, and yet leave ample scope for what is generally understood as missionary operations! and how readily should it be adopted, when it affords the prospect of plac ing all the congregations in such a condition as that they might make large and liberal efforts for extending the kingdom of Christ! Persons who would enter cordially into the measure, should be appointed by the Synod to visit the congregations, in order to their excitement, and to afford them this fair opportunity of liberality and usefulness. It is probable that a considerable number of the smaller congregations have a debt of L 150 or L.180. By the proposed subscription-as much would be raised every week, as would pay the debt of one of these congregations, although no additional effort were made by themselves; and of course, every week that the scheme is delayed, a loss is sustained to that amount.

It has been suggested, that if the church at large were to take up some plan of this description, a shorter period than five years would probably be preferred, and might be more successful. Suppose, then,

that it were to be at the same rate of contribution, but the subscription to be taken up in two years, the scheme would stand as follows, and in ordinary cases, the subscribers would have little difficulty in making up their respective sums.

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If it should be thought an objection to the proposed plan that two hundred congregations have been specified, while we have no definite information as to the precise number requiring assistance, the following method might be tried to procure a similar rate of subscription, without making any statement as to the number of congregations in debt.

Suppose the 376 congregations of the church to be divided into two classes-176 being rather small, and in somewhat straitened circumstances; and 200 being larger and wealthier. Let all of these congregations be visited by an agency selected for the purpose, and let the necessity of a common effort for clearing off the debt be pressed upon their attention. Let proper measures be employed, and there need not be any doubt that subscribers might be procured for a five years' scheme, according to the following scale.

In each of the 200 wealthier congregations there might be found, on an average, three subscribers at two pounds annually; three at one pound ten shillings; six at one pound; twelve at ten shillings; twelve. at five shillings; twenty-four at four shillings and fourpence; and twenty-four at two shillings and twopence.

In each of the 176 smaller congregations there might be found, on an average, two subscribers at two pounds annually; two at one pound; two at ten shillings; two at five shillings, twenty at four shillings and fourpence; and twenty at two shillings and twopence.

According to this scale, 84 persons, on an average for each of the wealthier congregations, would raise annually L6660, and in five years L.33,300. In the poorer congregations, 48 persons, on an average for each congregation, would raise annually L.2464, and in five years L12,320. The larger and the smaller congregations together would thus raise every year L.9124, and in five years L.45,620.

Let the members of the Secession Church look at this plan, and sea how easily they might secure the prosperity of the whole body. In the wealthier congregations, nearly a third of the subscribers pay only one penny a-week; and the same proportion only one halfpenny a week. In the poorer congregations a much larger proportion of the subscribers pay only these sums.

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Office-bearers, members, and friends of the United Secession Church, consider these suggestions. See how easily you might promote the welfare of the whole association with which you are connected. Will you allow any of the congregations to be much longer struggling with debt? Can you consent that they shall still be weak and inefficient, when, by some united and vigorous effort, they might all be speedily put in the way of prosperity and comfort? Resolve to do the work, and it shall be accomplished. Arise in your might, and every difficulty shall soon flee before you. Let the latent energies of the whole body of our people be called out, and success will follow. Let each congregation be instantly made the scene of enterprise and activity in this matter. Let every minister, every elder, every member, every adherent, be urged to consider its high importance. Let all be invited to activity, and ere long the happy results will be seen, the joyous shouts of an unencumbered church will be raised throughout all our borders,and thousands shall be found ready for speeding the gospel chariot over all the earth.

PAISLEY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE UNITED SECESSION MAGAZINE.

Edinburgh, April 2, 1846. MY DEAR SIR,-I beg leave to send you a copy of a formula of questions, put by Mr Ebenezer Erskine at the ordination of elders, in the hope that you may deem them not unworthy of insertion in the United Secession Magazine, as connected with the early history of that body. It is taken from an old copy in the possession of the Rev. Mr Fletcher, senior, at the Bridge of Teith. It was found among the minutes of that congregation, after the late contentions about the formula began; and from the appearance of the paper and the handwriting, it has every appearance of being very old. I am, my dear sir, yours very truly, WILLIAM BROWN.

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1st, Do you believe the scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the only rule of faith and manners?

"2d, Do you own and acknowledge the doctrines contained in our Confession of Faith, Catechisms Shorter and Larger, to be agreeable to, and founded on the Word of God; and do you resolve to adhere thereto as the confession of your faith?

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3d, You own the binding obligation of our Covenants, National and Solemn League, and resolve through grace to adhere to the doctrine, discipline, worship, and government of the Church of Scotland according to these covenants, and to bear witness for the same, in opposition to present and former defections and backslidings therefrom?

"4th, You declare, that so far as you know your own hearts, you sincerely desire the glory of God, and edification of souls who submit to, and are to be under your care, in accepting of this office, and resolve through grace conscientiously to discharge the duties belonging to it among the people who have called you, and to be faithful in the exercise of discipline?

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5th, Because you are to act the part of deacons as well as of elders, you promise to be faithful, when called, in collecting and distributing the poor's-money to its proper use, and apply it to proper objects?

"6th, You resolve to attend on diets of session and superior courts, as you are called; and submit to the censures, admonitions, and advices of your brethren in the same office; and to study a holy and circumspect walk, so as to be an ensample to the flock, and to adorn the gospel of Christ in your personal and family walk and worship?

"7th, You approve of the Act, Declaration, and Testimony of the Associate Presbytery, accede to them upon that footing, and promise subjection to them in the Lord ?"

EVENING HYMN.

How sweet the fall of eve,

When, in the glowing west,

The sun has sunk to rest.

Yet still his shining foot-print on the air doth leave,
While through the twilight, soft and low,

The evening breezes come and go.

How beautiful when light

Hath fled, and leaf and stream

Rest in a quiet dream

Within the curtaining shadows of the night,

While companies of stars look down with dewy rays,

And flowers droop their modest eyes, and shrink beneath their gaze!

How quiet is the air!

What spirit at each shrine

But doth to holier thoughts incline?

The ever tranquil night was made for prayer!
On the hushed earth, in the o'er-arching sky,
Doth not a solemn benediction seem to lie?

And when the hours of night
Have slowly rolled away,
And the victorious day

Athwart the kindling air speeds arrowy light,
How gloriously, as in a second birth,

Waken to radiant life the heavens and happy earth !

So, when life's eve shall fall,
Peaceful within my breast,
Oh may Thy presence rest,

Soft as the hush of night, Father of all!

So from the sleep of death, with quickening ray,

Wake me to glorious life, thou God of heavenly day!

A. H.

NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.

D'AUBIGNE'S REFORMATION OF THE SIX-|attention to matter of style, we will not TEENTH CENTURY. Vols. 1 and 4.

Edinburgh: Oliver & Boyd. 1846.

undertake to say: but with this abatement, which we express with some hesitation, the work has our warmest praise, as a graphic and instructive view of one of the most eventful periods which the author's plan embraces.

FROM the time when Macaulay's brilliant pen drew public attention in this country to the merits of Dr D'Aubigné's We are happy to see Dr D'A. adoptHistory, it has run a course of unpre-ing a style of reference to the times of cedented popularity among all classes Constantine, much more in harmony with of readers. To the never-ending inte- historical truth than are commonly rerest of the subject, there are added, in ceived opinions. "With what wisdom, Dr D'A.'s volumes, liveliness of style, a in particular, the confessors of Augsburg minuteness of information, a dramatic protest against that confusion of religion point and vivacity in the structure of the and politics which, since the deplorable narrative, together with a well-judged epoch of Constantine, had changed the mingling of personal sketches and events, kingdom of God into an earthly and -qualities which, combined as they are carnal institution?" This is wholesome, in this work, with skill and good taste, and will be of advantage in various quarsufficiently account for the eminent po- ters, which similar sentiments would not pularity which it so early attained, and be likely to reach, through other and continues still to enjoy. less acceptable channels of instruction. Kindred sentiments occur once and again; especially in the narrative of Zwingle's political engagements and melancholy death, does he take occasion to enforce very decided views of the spirituality and independence of the church as Christ's kingdom.

The merits of Dr D'A., as an historian, being so generally and cordially acknowledged, the expectations were proportionably high, with which his new volume (the fourth) was anticipated. Few authors have run a greater risk of failing to satisfy the wishes and hopes of admirers. Severe as is the test, Dr D'A.'s continua- One of the most interesting parts of tion of his history will, we are persuaded, the volume is the account of Luther's be read with renewed pleasure, instead conference with Zwingle. How humof disappointment. We are not sure bling a specimen of a vigorous intellect that the composition is altogether equal still in bondage to one of the most to that of the preceding volumes. Whe- glaring educational prejudices, and enther, this is owing to the author's having trenched in its own obstinacy, is Luwritten in English, or to less accurate ther's whole bearing in this memorable

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