The Reformed Presbyterian magazine. Jan. 1855-July 1858, 1862-76

able to give any retiring allowance in such cases; and it is known to all that there is no fund at the Church's disposal out of which one penny is available for this object. Other Churches are confessedly in advance of us here; and it is known that the subject has been occupying the attention of some of our most thoughtful and liberal members. Besides, in God's providence, since our last meeting, a brother has, through affliction, been permanently laid aside, without any retiring allowance whatever.

Under these circumstances, therefore, the time has surely come when this Court should seriously consider whether they are not in Providence called upon to take steps towards the formation of a scheme, for granting small retiring allowances to aged and infirm ministers. Every argument by which the obligation to afford decent maintenance to those at present labouring in the word and doctrine is enforced, will go to prove that some provision should be made for the aged and disabled standard-bearers in the army of Christ.

This whole question your Committee have always placed, as they now try once more distinctively to place it, on the broad and sure basis of plain Scriptural authority:-"Let him that is taught in the word communicate to him that teacheth in all good things. Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? Even so hath the Lord ordained, that they who preach the gospel should live of the gospel. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." THOMAS NEILSON, Secretary.

The Report was adopted, and sympathy expressed with Mr Neilson in the affliction which has detained him from the present meeting of Synod. The Committee was reappointed, consisting of Revs. Messrs Neilson, M'Dermid, W. Symington, Clazy, Torrance, and Taylor, with Messrs T. Binnie, jun., John Robertson, T. Rowatt, and R. G. Finlay-Mr John Robertson, Convener.

It was agreed that the public collections appointed by Synod be for this year the following:-Ministerial Support, first Sabbath of October; Hall and Synod Fund, first Sabbath of March.

The Clerks of Presbyteries, with the Synod Clerk as Convener, were appointed a Committee on Bills and Overtures.

Professor BINNIE brought before the notice of the Court the proposed commemoration of the death of Calvin on the 27th inst. It was agreed, that on some Sabbath following, the ministers of the Church be recommended to direct the attention of their people to the work of God accomplished by the instrumentality of the great reformer, and the claims of the Evangelical Churches of Geneva on the support of Scottish Christians, and to the duty of aiding them in erecting some appropriate monument to the memory of Calvin.

Next meeting of Synod was appointed to be held in Glasgow, on the Monday after the first Sabbath of May 1865, at 7 PM.

The Moderator closed the proceedings with prayer, praise, and the apostolic benediction.

JOHN G. PATON, Moderator.
JOHN KAY, Clerk of Synod.

Reviews and Notices.

The Psalms Translated and Explained. By Joseph Addison Alexander, D.D., Professor of Theology, Princeton. Edinburgh: Andrew Elliot, 1864. Pp. 564.

WHEN a work so well known to students as "Alexander on the Psalms,"

is noticed in our pages, it would be superfluous to dwell upon its very high merits. In some respects we regard this volume as more valuable even than Hengstenberg: it throws a flood of light upon many passages in this important part of the Word of God. So much is this the case, that no minister should enter upon the exposition of the Psalms of David, without having Dr Alexander's commentary beside him for constant reference.

We feel, however, that it is unnecessary to enter upon the merits of the volume. We only refer to the important service which Mr Elliot, the publisher, has rendered to the cause of Biblical exposition, by issuing the work in its present form. Sent out at a third of its original cost (the price being only 8s. 6d.), printed in a clear and legible type, and elegantly bound, we trust that its acceptance with the public will be such as to induce Mr Elliot to publish as a companion volume to the above, the valuable commentary by the same author upon the Prophecies of Isaiah.

Contending for the Faith: A Sermon, Preached at the Opening of the Reformed Presbyterian Synod in Edinburgh, May 2, 1864. By Rev. JOHN GRAHAM, D.D., Liverpool. London: T. Nelson & Sons, 1864. Pp. 31. Although this discourse by our late moderator has just come to hand, still, having had the pleasure of hearing Dr Graham delivering it before the assembled elders, our commendation of it will be free from a charge sometimes brought against reviewers, of commending most highly the books which they have never read. There was but one impression on the part of those who listened to Dr Graham on the evening of 2d May, viz., that he had succeeded in striking a key-note, which found an echo throughout the whole meeting of Synod, embodying, as he did, a testimony for the truth as it is in Jesus, an eloquent protest for Christian liberty, and an intense desire for the union, upon sound principles, of all the friends of Christ. We trust that no member of the Church will fail to secure a reading of this admirable sermon, which, besides being replete with truth eloquently expressed, has been issued by the Messrs Nelson with the taste and elegance for which their publications are distinguished.

Report of Speeches on "Union," Delivered in the Reformed Presbyterian Synod, Wednesday, May 5, 1864. Revised Edition. Edinburgh: Andrew Elliot. Pp. 32, price 3d.

We do not include this "Report" among our book notices, for the purpose of making any remarks upon the speeches delivered in Synod upon the important subject of which the pamphlet treats, but with the view of bringing before the members of the Church the propriety of their acquiring upon this point all the information which is within their reach. In order that even the less wealthy members may perform this duty, the Report has been published at the lowest sum compatible with its clearing expenses. Agents of the Magazine are requested to send their orders to Messrs Johnstone, Hunter, & Co., without delay.

Vacant.

Without the above Counties.

SCHEDULE SHEWING STATE OF CONGREGATIONS UNDER REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD, SCOTLAND, MAY 1864.