The moderator, Dr. Macfarlane of Greenock, then rose and addressed to us the answer of the Assembly with that noble simplicity which characterises him. "Geneva," he said, addressing himself particularly to me, "Geneva, the city of Farel "and Calvin,—had cast off its first love, and had "sunk into Arianism and infidelity. You and my "beloved brother, Dr. Gaussen, have been two "of the honoured instruments of reviving in it, "evangelical, I trust I may add, spiritual reli* I regard the formation of your Evangelical Society as one of the most interesting events of modern times,-one which, it is to be 'hoped, will issue in unspeakable blessings, not to "Geneva and Switzerland only, but to the con"tinent of Europe."

'gion.

The Rev. Dr. Brown of Glasgow ended the proceedings with a most simple and deeply affecting prayer. We felt that the Lord was in the midst of us. The auditors, to the number of four or five thousand, raised their voices together to God in a solemn and thrilling strain; and then the Assembly adjourned between one and two o'clock in the morning, without having, for an instant, ceased to exhibit the most earnest attention, and the most lively and Christian interest.

One word more, and I have done. I also can say, like Chalmers, that the 28th of May, 1845, was one of the most interesting moments of my existence. Such days are, no doubt, exciting; perhaps, for that very reason, oppressive to the

body but we are also supported from on High; we enjoy the purest delights; and hence our strength is renewed. I have seen a foreigner, who being drawn into the midst of the movement of this Scottish vortex, during these chosen days, had no longer a thought at his command. Every thing was in a whirl, both within and without; and his only desire was to be quiet and unnoticed, under some pine, in some lonely mountain glen. But this desire of solitude and peace, so natural in the midst of incessant activity, is in a manner realised in Scotland every seven days, for there is every week the day of rest, the Sunday so precious to Scotland, which refreshes you. Besides, when we remember that the primary and true principle of the bustle and eagerness of these great assemblies is the love of God, and, that the true end of them is the glory of God, we can easily bear the fatigue which accompanies them.

I was ill when I left the Continent, I had been unwell all the winter, and I was but very imperfectly acquainted with the English language in which I had to express my thoughts; yet I set out with the belief that I was fulfilling a duty, and trusting in the Lord. This help never failed me; God carried me in His arms. In one day I had to speak three times before large assemblies, and to set out immediately afterwards to speak in another town; yet, I repeat, He never failed me. The Lord gave me words, strength, and rest; at the same time surrounding me with the most unmerited and

valuable kindness. It is good to take Him for a master. We must work, for the Lord hath said, “Work while it is day;" but woe to him who glories in his own work! Jesus opened eyes with clay; does the clay think of glorying? Let us labour, if we can, with Peter, with Paul, and with Martha; but, after our labours are ended, let us sit down with David, with John, and with Mary, at the feet of the Master, and say to Him, " Consume with "thy fire the impurities I have mingled with my "offering, and bring out of it a sweet savour to thine own glory." Yes, there is only one glory, that of being the least in the household of God! May God grant it unto us!

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CHAP. IV.

THE SCOTTISH QUESTION.

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1. The Produce of Scotland. Development of Being. The two Influences. The two Swords. Task of the Reformation. — 2. Distinctions between the Evangelical and the Moderate Parties. Not in Doctrine. Person of Christ. The two Natures. The Arminian Question. 3. The Church Question. Distinction between Scotland and England. Different Origins of their Churches. Scotland considered from the English point of View. Should Scotland draw nearer to England, or England to Scotland?—4. Doctrine of Scotland respecting the Church. Kingship of Christ. His Laws. His Ministers. Spiritual and Temporal Government. Incapacity of the latter to govern the Church. - 5. Government of Christ opposed to that of Antichrist. The Reformation cannot be a mere Negation. The Right of Scotland. The two Principles of the Secession 1st. Non-intrusion; 2d. Spiritual Independence. A Theorem and two Corollaries. Essential Cause of the Disruption. 6. The Scottish and the Separationist Systems. Differences. Complete and Imperfect. Positive and Nega

Doctrine and Discipline. Effectual and Ineffectual. Claims of the State. 7. Three Phases of the Scottish Church.

Conscience and Expediency. Discord not Union. Accusation. Complement. The Solar System.

I.

TWO INFLUENCES.

I HAVE stated my general impressions of Scotland: but is this all I have to say of her? Here are public places, temples, palaces; there, mountains, plains, and lakes. Who are they who fre

quented those temples, those palaces, those markets? What has taken place on those plains? And what interests have moved the hearts of the inhabitants of those Highlands? Can I only behold Scotland in the present? No: when first I set my foot on this venerable land, it was the Scotland of three centuries ago that appeared before me.

I have been in Scotland; what shall I bring you from thence? If a traveller returning from distant countries, from the Tropics or from China, brings home to his countrymen the rich productions of their soil, shall I not bring home to you that excellent plant which God has caused to flourish in the Caledonian regions? If another traveller brings from England information as to manners and the laws of political science; and if one in particular of our fellow citizens, (Delolme,) has rendered himself illustrious by a work, which has contributed to establish constitutional rule in Europe, shall I not bring back to you from Scotland those manners and laws of the church, which so eminently distinguish her among nations?

As I was engaged with various occupations, I might have kept silence, when asked for an account of my journey. But this it is which induces me to speak. Scotland has a mission in the Christian world, and in order that this mission may be accomplished, we should become acquainted with it. If Scotland is entrusted with a mission to the Continent, in what part of the Continent should this mission be recognised and pointed out? Who is