particularly at this time. The Convention took the initiatory step to alter the Constitution, so as to meet only once in three years, instead of annu ally as heretofore. The reason of this change was, perhaps, hinted at by Bishop Doane some years ago. In a sermon in 1845, Bishop Doane said: "The time will come when our triennial General Convention had better be septennial. When men are met, they must do something. Often for want of good to occupy them, they do harm." Having made the Annual Convention triennial, the triennial must be next reformed into septennial.

UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.

This body assembles annually as a Synod, and not as a delegated General Assembly. It contains 507 churches, and 481 ministers. The number of communicants is about 150,000. There were present at the Synod 286 ministers, and 142 elders, making 435 members in all. The question whether elders ought to unite with ministers in "laying on of hands" at the ordination of ministers, had been debated the preceding year, and sent down to the Presbyteries for their decision. Only four Presbyteries reported in favour of a change; whereupon the Synod resolved that the practice of setting apart to the office of the ministry by the imposition of the hands of the teaching elders only be continued as heretofore. The total number of theological students is 151. A system of scholarships is in operation" with great completeness" and "smoothness of action." Out of 34 competitors, 20 received scholarships, the amount distributed being about $1500. During the sessions of the Divinity Hall, which continue less than two months, the Synod appoint supplies for the pulpits of the Professors.-The Synod have foreign missionary stations at Jamaica, Trinidad, Old Calabar, and Caffraria, and raise for home and foreign missionary purposes about $85,000. An interest is taken in the progress of evangelical religion in France, Ireland, Canada, Australia, &c. A new Hymn Book was sanctioned, three persons only dissenting "inasmuch as it is their conviction that the Psalms of David, being designed by the Spirit of God for the use of the Christian as well as the Jewish dispensation, furnish all necessary materials for the worship of the Church in the article of praise.' The United Presbyterian Church of Scotland is one of the principal evangelical bodies of the age. In the numbers of ministers, it is about as far behind the Free Church as the latter is behind the Established Church.

FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.

The Free Church Assembly was organized by appointing Dr. Duff, Moderator. The Sustentation Fund.-There has been a gradual increase in this fund since its commencement; but it fails as yet to reach the mark of £150. Dr. Buchanan, the able convener of the Committee, stated two grounds of discouragement during the year; first, the large number of "backgoing congregations," i. e., those whose subscriptions to the general fund had decreased, their number being 219. And secondly, "there are still multitudes in the Free Church-not adherents merely, but church members--who contribute to this fund at a rate far below their means, and multitudes more who do not contribute at all." The aggregate of the Sustentation Fund last year was about £92,000, or nearly half a million of dollars. The whole number of ministers drawing from the fund is 728; and after deducting expenses, &c. the dividend to each was about $600.

Each congregation is at liberty to add to this amount whatever is thought proper.

Summary of Benevolent Contributions.-The contributions of last year were as follows:

The following shows the amount raised each year since the disruption:

College Committee and Theological Education. Dr. Cunningham presented the Report. The number of theological students attending the New College at Edinburgh was 258, the largest number ever in attendance, of whom about 30 speak the Gaelic language. The number of students attending at Aberdeen was 39; making the whole number at both places 292. Deducting the Irish students, amounting to 17, and the whole number of young men studying with a view to the ministry in the Free Church was 275. The common fee paid by each student at the New Col. lege is £4 108, or about $22.50. The overture requiring Hebrew before commencing theological studies was approved by 52 Presbyteries against 9. The Assembly decided to encourage donations to increase the facilities for theological education both at Aberdeen and Glasgow, in addition to those now enjoyed at Edinburgh.

Foreign Missions. The amount raised for Foreign Missions was $85,000. The total number of Bengal youth under training is 2810. The missions generally seemed to be prosperous.

Manse Report. The amount thus far realized for building manses is about $450,000. The number of congregations that had obtained total or partial grants is 420. The total number of manses provided for is 503, leaving unprovided 236; deducting about 86 for congregations supposed to be able to provide for themselves, and the number yet to be provided for is about 150.

Schools. The number of congregational schools in the Free Church is 422; of schools of all kinds in connexion with Free Church, 617; the number of scholars, 58,385, exclusive of about 15,000 others attending Free Church schools not salaried by the Church; making in all 73,000 scholars. The number of teachers is 687. The revenue of the education scheme for the year amounted to $65,000.

ESTABLISHED CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.

We have not received full accounts of the proceedings of the Assembly of the old mother Church. Although the sympathies of Presbyterians in

the United States are more with the Free and the United Presbyterian churches, a deep interest is cherished in all that pertains to Presbyterianism in Scotland. We hope hereafter to bring up the rear with some intelligence from the Established Church.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN ENGLAND.

This body, holding the principles of the Free Church of Scotland, was instituted in 1836. It numbers about 80 churches and ministers. It has a Theological College at Exeter Hall, London. It has foreign missionary stations in China and the Island of Corfu; and raised last year about $3,500 for these purposes. The aggregate of contributions for all the schemes of the Church was $15,000. The Report on the School Scheme says "The number of day-schools connected with the Church now amounts to upwards of 50, but nothing should satisfy us short of a full equipment of schools, that is to say, a well-taught day school in connexion with every congregation."

COMMON SCHOOLS IN ENGLAND.-In Parliament Mr. W. J. Fox moved a resolution for the establishment of free schools in England and Wales for secular instruction, to be supported by local rates. Sir George Grey opposed it feebly, and Mr. Hume in its support quoted the perfect success of the Massachusetts plan of separating secular from 'religious instruction. Mr. Hope denied that it was possible to give a purely secular education. The motion was lost by a vote-139 to 41.

THE CRYSTAL PALACE BEATEN.-Dr. Duff, in his speech at the anniversary meeting of the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society in London recently, thus described one of the heathen temples of India :-" In Seringham you have the hugest heathen temple that can probably be found from the North to the South Pole. It is a square, each side being a mile in length, so that it is four miles round. Talk of your Crystal Palace! Why, as a man would put a penny into his pocket, you might put your Crystal Palace into the pocket of this huge pagoda. The walls are 25 feet high, and 4 or 5 feet thick, and in the centre of each wall rises a lofty tower. Entering the first square, you come to another, with a wall as high, and four more towers. Within that square there is another, and within that again another-and you find seven squares one within another, crowded by thousands of Brahmins. The great hall for pilgrims is supported by a thousand pillars, each cut out of a single block of stone."

UNIVERSITY TESTS.-A proposition to abolish these tests is before Parliament. As a specimen of their folly, it is stated that the Established Presbytery of Aberdeen have had a special meeting to receive the signature of the new Mathematical Professor, which he is said to have affixed "with alacrity." The alacrity in this instance must have been that desperate alacrity with which one performs a deed against which his conscience revolts. For we cannot conceive how any one who has sworn to the ecclesiastical tenets of Episcopacy in regard to Church government can, but with conscience ill at ease, and shaking hand, denounce Episcopacy as a "great and intolerable grievance to this nation," and declare, by signing the tests, that "Presbyterianism is the only true form of discipline and government of Christ's Church within this kingdom."

Chings New and Old.

THE LILY-WORK AT THE TOP.

Ir is said that the massive and sturdy pillars which supported the arches of Solomon's temple were adorned at the top with a delicate tracery of lily-work. It was not beneath the Divine notice, in prescribing the architecture of his own temple, to attemper strength with beauty, and to qualify that which was meant for utility, with graces that also please. This is the type of God's works everywhere the true indication of the Divine taste. Grandeur and grace-utility and beauty-duty and pleasure-work and reward. The strength of the pillar is beautified by graceful lily-work at the top. The world is not all granite for support, nor all soil for sustenance: it has its flowers and its forms of beauty. Life is not all work nor struggle: the solid pillars are there indeed, but they have their ornaments. Pleasantries, lighter acts and utterances-flowers that fringe the margins of deep streams, on whose bosom floats the barges of commerce. The best form of piety is that which combines, in best proportions, these opposite but not discordant traits. We are made in the likeness of God, who enamels the face of the solid world with the landscapes of beauty and the splendor of flowers. To be all lily-work and no pillar, would be useless. The massive beams and expanding arches of the temple could not have rested securely upon the carving, however elaborate. Without the strong substratum of genuine principle, no outward adornments of character will possess either beauty or permanence. There must be the pillar to be adorned-there must be piety at the bottom, or the superstructure has no endurance. A frost-work of accomplishments, however cunningly carved, can, at best, be but a summerhouse good for a sunny hour, but a miserable shelter from the storm.

How gently are God's dealings with us attempered by love. In the gospel, God comes down to the household, disclosing not only grave and momentous truths, but also sympathizing with our griefs, pitying our infirmities, "folding the lambs in his arms, and gently leading them that are with young." Christ is wisdom, indeed, but it is wisdom soft-voiced and genial, seeking to save, not coming to reprove. Truth, though radiant with the glory of the Highest, puts on a meek aspect, adapted to the comprehension of the ignorant, and the encouragement of the timid. The gospel does not terrify us with rugged philosophies, perplexing mysteries, nor inaccessible heights and depths to provoke our despair. The wayfaring man, though a fool, need not err therein. There is nothing to intimidate or discourage in Christ. He neither strives nor cries, nor is his voice heard in the street; the smoking flax and the bruised reed need not fear his rough hand. And though a high priest, clothed with unimaginable honours, he is touched with the feelings of our infirmities. Thus are the pillars surmounted by the carving, and the awful concerns of law and eternity, of sacrifice and expiation, of wrath and blood, reduced to the meekness and gentleness of the gospel.

Suffering and discipline, too, have their aspects of beauty and desirableness. The sanctity of sorrow, the emptiness of all created things, is the divine path which all must tread who reach heaven. A sore and rugged way it is, revolting to every natural instinct and stern seems the hand that drives us through it. But who would be without sorrow? Who would forego the precious fruits which drop from the rude shakings of trouble and care? What does he know of pity, charity, humanity, who has never suffered? How can he rejoice in the light of God's countenance, who has never groped and groaned in darkness? How shall we long for heaven, till we are sick of earth? Who can enjoy repose but the weary-or prize salvation and peace, but those that have been in peril? Here, as in all God's works, the sturdy, rugged pillars are topped with the

beautiful lily-work, Light fringes the darkest cloud, and goodness and love form the soul of all things.

Christian character assumes a most attractive and impressive form, when it unites the steadfastness of principle with the gentleness of love. Good manners -kind deportment and gentle ways, are not unworthy of the Christian. There need be no undue conformity to the world in a pleasing address. It argues neither weakness of piety, nor infirmity of will, nor absence of spirituality, to bear the aspect of a gentleman. Solomon's pillars were none the less serviceable and immoveable for the light tracery that lent them beauty. Religion has its sunny side, which if the world could always see, it would think better of it. -New York Evangelist.

HUMBLE DEVOTION.

From the recesses of a lowly spirit

My humble prayer ascends, O Father hear it!
Borne on the trembling wings of fear and meekness,
Forgive its weakness.

I know, I feel how mean and unworthy,
The lowly sacrifice I pour before thee:
What can I offer thee, O Thou most holy,
But sin and folly.

Lord, in thy sight who every bosom viewest,
Cold is our warmest vows, and vain our truest,
Thoughts of a hurrying hour, our lips repeat them,
Our hearts forget them.

We see thy hand, it leads us, it supports us:
We hear thy voice, it counsels and it courts us:
And then turn away! and still thy kindness,
Forgives our blindness.

Who can resist thy gentle call, appealing
To every generous thought, and grateful feeling!
O! who can hear the accents of thy mercy,
And never love thee.

Kind Benefactor, plant within this bosom,
The seeds of holiness, and let them blossom
In fragrance, and in beauty bright and vernal,
And Spring eternal.

Then place therein those everlasting gardens,

Where angels watch, and seraphs are the wardens;

Where every flower brought safe through death's dark portal,

Becomes immortal.

BOWRING.

THE SABBATH A FRIEND.

1. To Education. Compare countries with, and without the Sabbath. Its ministrations powerfully quicken and invigorate the human intellect, while a vast amount of knowledge is communicated.

2. To Government. Where are the honoured Sabbath and depotism co-existent? It shows the nature of human rights-adapts laws to actual wants and circumstances of men-creates a conscience that sustains laws and qualifies men to make, as well as obey, laws.

3. To Health. By promoting cleanliness-by furnishing needful rest for body and mind-by promoting cheerfulness and elasticity of spirits through its