tions there are to insincerity,-how strong are the claims of divine truth, and how unexceptionable all the ministrations of divine ordinances should be. Hence, they were very scrupulous about Romish conversions. It would be well if Protestants in Ireland now showed a little more of their spirit. It would save themselves from not a few disappointments, and the cause of true religion from not a little reproach. Strictness may wear the aspect of severity, but, in reality, it is kindness to all parties. The discipline of the French Protestant Church required that priests or monks coming over to the Church should study two full years and give proof of their sincerity, in that period, before being admitted to the ministry. Such was one of the canons, and churches and colleges are earnestly exhorted to attend to it. The Synod of Rochelle, in 1607, decreed that "monks forsaking Popery shall not be received into church-fellowship till they be found well instructed in the grounds of the Reformed religion, and they shall be sent back to the provinces whereof they are natives, with certificates attesting for what employment they are best qualified." Converted Roman Catholics could not be admitted to the Church as elders or deacons till after a probation of sincerity for two years. Monks and priests relapsing into Popery after for a time being rescued from its thraldom, and praying again to be restored to the bosom of the Church as ministers, were not to be received till there has been ten years' trial of their repentance, nor shall they, when that time is expired, be admitted without the previous advice of a National Synod; and with regard to monks from foreign quarters, order was given to the provinces to examine them most strictly of their fitness to study divinity, "that so they may be supplied with maintenance," or employed in other callings, according to their capacity. 66 While the Protestant Church of France blended encouragement with strictness, in her dealings with converts from the Church of Rome, she did not fail zealously to apply all suitable means to awake men from their errors and spiritual death. In addition to the faithful preaching of the Gospel, and well appointed schools, and books on the Romish controversy, she instituted something like anti-popery lectures. She was not like many frightened at the idea of controversy. She knew that it is essential to the vindication and establishment of divine truth, and that there is ample authority for it in the example of Scripture, and so the whole Popish controversy was divided into fourteen different parts, corresponding to the fourteen provinces of the Protestant Church; and "some worthy ministers" were particularly called upon to study each part, and to be prepared for the defence of one particular truth opposed by the great adversary. Thus to the Province of Poitou was assigned, as a standing subject of controversy with all opponents, "The Word of God, written and unwritten,"-to the Isle of France, "Monks lay and clerical," &c. This indicated how serious were the views entertained by the Protestant Church of the evils and the dangers of Popery; and their conviction that Popery could, with the divine blessing, be overcome only by perseverance and long continued exertion,-the exposure of error, and the circulation of truth. Nor were these exertions unsuccessful. We read, so early as 1601, of numbers of the Romish churchmen being daily brought over to the Reformed religion, and the churches are exhorted to keep a register of their names. Such are a few specimens of the spirit which the Protestant Church manifested towards the Church of Rome and her adherents, and what can be more enlightened and faithful, and, at the same time, more truly charitable? What better proof can we have of her decided Christianity? It is not necessary to refer to the parallel period in the history of the Church of Scotland. From the two parties, Protestant and Popish, being for a time more nearly balanced in this country, the violence of the latter came out in a more palpable and proclaimed form, and strong measures were necessary, on the other side, in self-defence; and all moral means were largely employed by the Protestant Church, and the success was much more rapid and extensive than in France. Some of these means, such as the controversial, were remarkably similar, and there were the same jealousy and caution in reference to professed converts from the Romish faith. If the Church of Scotland was for one thing more eminent than another in early times, it was for her vigorous and all-comprehensive protest against the doctrines and practices of the Church of Rome; her most ancient standards are a beautiful illustration of this. and her subsequent ones are not wanting in force. was just as she maintained a bold and consistent testimony against Popery that she flourished, just as she relaxed in her testimony that she became weak for good. The great Head of the Church honours those who honour him, and it seems to be his will that the best state for his Church in this world, like the best state for the individual believer, shall be a militant one. THE PROGRESS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S MISSION AT BOMBAY. It [IT is refreshing to observe the tokens of divine approbation which have been recently received by the Church of Scotland's Missionaries in the East Indies. Our readers will perceive, from the following letter of 25th September last, addressed by the Rev. Dr Wilson of Bombay to the Rev. Dr Brunton, secretary to the India Mission committee, that the labours of that devoted Missionary have been eminently successful.] On Sabbath the 10th of this month, I had the privilege to baptize two Maráthá women, and to receive an accession of five names to the list of my publicly received catechumens, the sum of which is at present twelve. The new Church members, like three of those lately admitted into our communion by Mr Mitchell at Puná, are supported by a charitable institution; but they have had no worldly temptation to embrace Christianity, which I can discover. Though they are among the 'poor of this world," I hope that they are "rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which God hath promised for them that love him." One of them, in particular, appears to be distinguished for gracious affections. Even some of the heathen allow her to be under the influence of religion to a degree which they cannot understand. Though not advanced in years, she cannot see to read; and she, as well as her companion, of whom I also hope well, is indebted to the preaching of the Word, and Christian conversation, for her instruction. The new catechumens are composed of two girls of the Mission schools, who both live with their parents, and of whom you may hear more particularly afterwards; the aunt of the young man whom I lately baptized, and who of all his connections, it is worthy of observation, was the most opposed to his embracing Christianity; the Bráhman from Goa, whom I have already mentioned to you; and the son of the late Nawab of Baroch, whose case, as alluded to in my last letter, will, I doubt not, have attracted your parti cular attention. He publicly solicited admission into the Church with a commendable decision, and which has hitherto stood the test of much personal abuse, and even violence. To one of his relatives, who attempted to injure him, he said, "You may take my life, but I have requested the Christians to claim my body." He could not, according to their notions, have shown them a more direct defiance. He is twenty-two years of age. His father was, in one respect, the head of the Mussalmans of Bombay; and the position which he occupies in native society, has directed to him the eyes of many. I almost tremble when I consider his circumstances, and the temptations with which he is surrounded; but if his convictions are truly from God, they will be strengthened and matured. To His compassion and love, you will earnestly comnend him. fidence of success, than the present, and yet in none, since that of the primitive Christians, has her triumph been so glorious, or her conquest so extensive. At a time of life when, considering her fiery trials, one ignorant of her nature, would expect to see her wrinkled with age and crippled with manifold infirmities, it may be said of her with perfect truth, that though for more than eighteen hundred years she has been journeying through conflicts and trials innumerable, her eye In making this short statement to you, I feel that it is not dim, nor her natural force abated." She remains is not the least pleasant part of a Missionary's duties unchanged by time, the same precisely as when first to report the success which appears to follow his minis-proclaimed in the streets of Jerusalem. The shield of trations. But I also realize the fact, that if I have to report the conversion of the Hindús even to the least extent, I have merely, like Paul and Barnabas, to "declare what God has done." If I have " preached among the Gentiles the unscarchable riches of Christ," it is because He has given me "the grace" to do so. If I have "planted or watered, it is He who has given the increase." To His name be the undivided praise; and let us be encouraged to abound in his work, by the tokens of his favour which we have received. CHRISTIAN TREASURY. Trials. The earth must be ploughed, and sown, and harrowed, and weeded, and endure many frosty nights and scorching days, in order to its being made and preserved fruitful. Gentle showers, soft dews, and moderate sunshine will not suffice always. So is it with the soul of a fruitful Christian. In a long sunshine of outward prosperity the dust of our inward corruptions faith, the breast-plate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit, are neither broken nor decayed, but as ready as in the beginning, to go forth "conquering and to conquer." This long and hard experiment proves that she is made for eternity." -BISHOP M'ILVAINE. (Evidences of Christianity.) Divine Mercies. To bless God for mercies is the way to increase them; to bless him for miseries is the way to remove them. No good lives so long as that which is thankfully improved; no evil dies so soon as that which is patiently endured.—DYER. Manna." As Christ is the truth and substance of all types in the Old Testament, so particularly the things they agree, and in some they differ. They agree manna was an illustrious type of Christ. In many in their original; manna came down from above, so did Christ; manna was freely given, so is Jesus Christ the free gift of God; manna was not fit to be eaten as it lay in the field, but must be ground in a mill, or beaten in a mortar and baked in an oven, before it was fit for is apt to fly about, and lift itself up. Sanctified afflic-food: Christ was ground by his sufferings, bruised on tion, like seasonable rain, lays the dust, and softens the soul, and keeps us from carrying our heads too high. TOPLADY. Spiritual Pride.-If once, like Hezekiah, we call in spectators to see our treasure, and grow proud of our gifts and comforts, then is it high time for God, if he loves us indeed, to send messengers to carry these away from us, which carry our hearts away from him. GURNALL. Repentance. The difference between true and false repentance is as great as that between the running of water in the paths after a violent shower and the streams which flow from a living fountain. False repentance has grief of mind, and humiliation only for great and glaring offences, until it supposes pardon for these obtained. True repentance is a continued war against sin, a permanent inward shame for its defilements, till death sounds a retreat.-VENN. Christianity Christianity has been journeying, for the last eighteen hundred years, through unceasing trials; while as yet an infant in a land of almost Egyptian darkness, a Jewish Pharaoh attempted to strangle her in the cradle. She grew up in contempt and poverty, and began her course, like Israel of old, through a Red Sea of relentless persecution. Bitter waters awaited her subsequent progress. Amalek with all the principalities and powers of earth, during more than three centuries, opposed her march. Fiery serpents in the wilderness of sin have ever been stinging at her feet. The world has opened no fountain, nor Vouchsafed any bread, to sustain her. What alliance the nations have ever made with her cause have only given them the greater power to encumber and divide her strength. Her drink has been drawn from the rock; her bread has been gathered in the desert. Nothing that malice, or learning, or power, or perseverance, could do to arrest her goings has been wanting. Even treachery in her own household has often endeavoured to betray her into the hands of the enemy. No age has encountered her advance with such a dangerous variety of force; or with a more boastful con the cross, scorched in the fiery oven of his Father's wrath, that He might become a fit Saviour for us. Again, as the manna was gathered by the Israelites daily and equally, it was rained down about their tents, and every man had his omer: thus is Christ in the ministry of the word daily offered to a lost world, and all that believe in him shall share alike in the benefit of the justification, sanctification, and glorification from him. But the manna and Christ differ in this, and the truth excels the type thus: there is a quickening, enlivening virtue, or life-giving power, in Christ the bread of life, which was never found in manna, the bread of Israel: and whereas manna only fed the body of an Israelite, and this only for a little time in the wilderness, Christ nourisheth the soul, the souls of believers, be they Jew or Gentile, bond or free, and this not for a time, but for eternity; the bread of God is He which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. Thus both came down from heaven, both were freely given of God, without any merit or desert of man ; both in a miraculous manner; both at first unknown what they were, and whence they came, both equally belonging to all, both suflicient for all, poor and rich. The manna, white in colour, so clear is our Lord's innocence; pleasant like honey, so sweet are his benefits; beaten and broken before eaten, Christ on his cross bleeding and dying; given only in the wilderness, and ceasing as soon as they came into the land of promise; as sacraments shall vanish, when we enjoy the substance in heaven. But though manna was thus excellent, yet the eaters of it were dead; but such as feed upon Christ, the bread of life, shall live eternally in bliss and glory.-BURKITT. Love to the Brethren.-If we love Christ, we will love those in whom we can discern the slightest views of his image. We should not only love those who are eminently pious, but those in whom we see even the smallest marks of personal religion, we should take by the hand and lead on. Christ loves the weakest and meanest of his people, and shall we be more fastidious than our Master ?-REV, DR WAUGH, SACRED POETRY. THE UNKNOWN GRAVE. WHO sleeps below?-who sleeps below? Say, do they heed, or hear thy call? With piercing floods, and hues of right, Was he of high or low degree? Did grandeur smile upon his lot? Dwelt he within some lowly cot, Bow'd down, and bent by hoary eld, And the dim eyeball sight withheld; When all the friends that blest his prime, Passing away all silently, Like snow-flakes melting in the sea? Or, 'mid the summer of his years, When round him throng'd his children young, When bright eyes gush'd with burning tears, And anguish dwelt on every tongue, Was he cut off, and left behind Perhaps he perish'd for the faith One of that persecuted band A groper in earth's dungeon dark ?— Did in the fair creation mark A moral lesson gloweth here; What doth it matter, then, if thus, To impotently herald us, We float not on the breath of fame; MOIR. The Christian's Delight in God's Word.-Dr Buchanan, the author of Christian Researches in the East,' in a conversation he had with a friend a short time before his death, was describing the minute pains he had been taking with the proofs and revisions of the Syriac Testament, every page of which passed under his eye five times before it was finally sent to press. He said he had expected before-hand that this process would have proved irksome to him, but no,” he added, every fresh perusal of the sacred page seemed to unveil new beauties." Here he stopped and burst into tears. "Do not be alarmed," said be to his friend, as soon as he recovered himself, "I could not suppress the emotion I felt as I recollected the delight it had pleased God to afford me in the reading of his Word."-Roberts' Life and Correspondence of Mrs Hannah More. 66 Olive Trees. One of the principal fruits cultivated by the Jews was the olive. It was particularly valuable, on account of the oil which it yielded when ripe; and, when cultivated with care, the fruit is much finer than on the wild trees. This is beautifully alluded to in Rom. xi., where St. Paul reminds the Gentiles of the inestimable benefits they receive from being admitted into the Church of Christ. The olives were cultivated in gardens separately: this explains what was said by Elisha, 2 Kings v. 26. Nehemiah complained of the wealthy Jews, who withheld the oliveyards belonging to their poorer brethren, Neh. v. 11; also 1 Sam. viii. 14. But olive gardens are particularly to be remembered, as our Lord often went to one of them, and prayed with his disciples. It was in that place he suffered much anguish of mind for poor sinners, as is recorded by the evangelists, particularly in St. Luke's Gospel, ch. xxii. 39-46. CONTENTS.-Illustrations of Faith. By Rev. J. Cormack, D.D. No. VII.-Biographical Sketch. Mrs Hannah More. Part 111.Plants. By Rev. D. Landsborough.-Discourse. By the late Rev. G. Hill, D.D.-The Early Protestant Church of France. No. IX. By Rev. J. G. Lorimer.-The Progress of the General Assembly's Mission at Bombay.-Christian Treasury. Extracts from Toplady, Gurnall, Venn, Bishop MIlvaine, Dyer, Burkitt, and Dr Waugh. -Sacred Poetry. The Unknown Grave. By Moir.--Miscellaneous. Now ready, VOLUME II., being that for 1837, containing 832 pages, handsomely bound in cloth, price 88. Also may still be had, Vol. I., for (1836,) 704 pages, uniform with the above, price 78. Separate Numbers from the commencement may at all times be supplied to complete sets. Published by JOHN JOHNSTONE, at the Offices of the ScoTTISH CHRISTIAN HERALD, 2, Hunter Square, Edinburgh, and 19, Glassford Street, Glasgow; J. NISBET & Co., HAMILTON, ADAMS & Co., and R. GROOMBRIDGE, London, W. CURRY, Junior, & Co., Dublin; and W. M'COMB, Belfast; and sold by the Booksellers and Local Agents in all the Towns and Parishes of Scotland; and in the principal Towns in England and Ireland. Subscribers in Town, will have their copies delivered at their own residences regularly, by leaving their addresses with the Publisher. Subscription (payable in advance) per quarter, of twelve weeks, 1s. 6d., and the other periods in proportion. THE CHARACTER OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. BY THE REV. WILLIAM MALCOLM, In our last paper on this subject, we took a view of the character of Jesus under three different aspects; his conduct to his parents-his deportment as a friend-and as a citizen. We now proceed to consider, IV. His character as a teacher His excellence, in this respect, arose from the plainness, the tenderness, the wisdom, and the power with which he spoke. He preached the Gospel to the poor, and accommodated his instructions to the meanest capacity. Despising the verbiage under which ignorance seeks to shelter itself, and the high sounding words, and the nicely balanced periods, by which pedantry labours to excite admiration, he sought out, and set in order, acceptable words, and by apt parables and similitudes, made his lessons level to the most untutored mind. In such a kind, earnest, and affectionate strain, too, were his instructions conveyed, that they made their way directly to the heart. Did he warn the wicked of his danger? It was not in that taunting repulsive tone which irritates instead of reforming, but in that mild and compassionate mien and manner, which, bespeaking the favourable attention of the sinner, are well fitted to win him from the wickedness of his ways. Did he impart consolation to the mourner? It was with that soothing tenderness which showed how warmly he sympathised with him. And all this was done with such a due regard to time and place as cannot be sufficiently admired. With what an accurately discriminating eye did he seize the proper opportunity of teaching with effect! With what a delicate hand did he strike the cord which it was neces-ary to touch! With what a masterly pencil did he paint the object he wished to recommend! PRICE 1d. of instruction. The fowls of the air,-the lilies of the valley, the vines which skirted his path as he journeyed along, the husbandman committing his seed to the ground,-the fields already white to the harvest; of these, and various other passing events and surrounding objects, he readily availed himself. His lessons, too, were delivered with a majesty and seriousness which always fixed attention, and always commanded respect. He condescended to men of low estate, but his condescension never degenerated into unbecoming familiarity. He used much plainness of speech, but it was as far removed from low vulgarity, on the one hand, as from pompous and laboured declamation, on the other. With the meekness which characterised all his discourses, was blended a majesty which awed the people into attention. He taught as one having authority, and not as the Scribes. Of this what stronger proof can we require than the circumstance, that although he travelled during the whole of his ministry from one end of Judea and Galilee into the other, having no place which he could call his own, having, indeed, nowhere to lay his head, he preserved such dignity of character and demeanour as struck with admiration his bitterest enemies, while among his own disciples he continued to be equally respected and ? beloved And houseless and homeless as he was, he neither stooped to flatter the prejudices of the people, nor courted, by unworthy compliance, the patronage of the great. Without respect of persons, he rebuked vice wherever it appeared, whether in friend or foe, whether backed with favour or sanctioned by fashion. In the discharge of his duty as a teacher, he was indefatigable. In seasons and places where others would have thought rest necessary, or recreation allowable, he was still bent on teaching the people. On the Mount and in the fishing boat, while seated at the table of hospitality, or worshipping in the temple or the synagogue, he One very striking feature in his character as a opened his mouth with wisdom, repressing the preteacher, was the facility with which he took ad-sumption of hypocrisy, and comforting the feeblevantage of circumstances and events to illustrate minded. Nor were even his hours of retirement and enforce his lessons. The most common lost, for it was then that he laboured to enlighten transactions of life,—the most ordinary occurrences the minds of his disciples, and to prepare them graof the day, every occupation of man, and every dually for the duties and the dangers which awaited object of nature, was converted by him into a vehicle them. VOL. III. V. His character as a sufferer. As a sufferer he was meek and forgiving. Although from his cradle to his grave he suffered wrong; though he had, in all their extent, trials of cruel mockings,-though insulted and reviled with all the bitterness of envenomed rage, he possessed his soul in patience. He was called a friend of publicans and sinners. He was charged with being in league with the prince of devils, but though he felt the injury, he allowed it not to ruffle his temper, or to provoke to retaliation. Without suffering one word of resentment to pass his lips, he refuted the calumny with calm, rational, and resistless argument. "He came to his own, but his own received him not." His very relations, mistaking the nature and design of his mission, sometimes joined in the senseless clamour of the multitude against him. His disciples, careful as he had been to open their understandings, and lead them to the truth, often annoyed him with questions the most foolish and impertinent. Yet, far from treating them with anger or disdain, he still laboured to enlighten and instruct them. Long had he to bear with the insolence and the prejudices of his countrymen, but instead of employing towards them the severity they deserved, he addressed them in language which, while it exposed their guilt, evinced the meekness and gentleness of his heart. When he was reviled he reviled not again, when he suffered he threatened not. "Betrayest thou the Son of Man with a kiss ?" | was his language to the perfidious traitor, who delivered him to his enemies. "If I have done evil, bear witness of the evil, but if well, why smitest thou me ?" was his mild appeal to the officer who struck him with the palm of his hand. "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do," was his prayer for those who were imbruing their hands in his blood. their circumstances; though surrounded by his enemies, and deserted by his friends, he was about to expire amid the insults of an infuriated mob, he gives not way, for one moment, to unseemly complaint. He bows in silence to the appointment of heaven. He pities, instead of denouncing those who were shedding his blood. Forgetting, as it were, his own distresses, he seems chiefly bent on relieving the distresses of others. When, from the cross, he saw his sorrowing mother, he makes instant provision for her future comfort. When applied to by the penitent thief, he assures him at once of a place in Paradise. And having borne with fortitude the injustice of men, and submitted uncomplainingly to the dispensations of heaven; having finished the work which was given him to do, with the confidence of faith and the composure of innocence, he resigns his spirit into the hands of his Father. 66 Such, in a few of its more remarkable features, was the character of Jesus of Nazareth,-a character distinguished by all that is rational, all that is pure, all that is benevolent, elevated, and devout. Who can view it without exclaiming, Surely this man was the Son of God?" It is impossible, indeed, to contemplate the character of Jesus as a Man, without the conviction forcing itself upon us that he was God. And no exercise, perhaps, is more likely, under the divine blessing, to produce in us the joy and the peace of believing, than a careful and candid examination of the life of the Author of our faith. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. MRS HANNAH MORE.-PART IV. The notoriety into which Mrs More had risen, both by her literary and her philanthropic labours, rendered Barley Wood the favourite resort of the most illustrious visiting England hastened to pay homage to one who literati in the land; and foreigners of distinction on had earned for herself a high continental reputation. Instead of being elated, however, by the general notice which she attracted, her gentleness, affability, and simplicity of manners continued to be remarked by all who were introduced to her. Easy and unaffected in her whole deportment, she recommended herself to the esteem and admiration of her numerous visitors, no less by the amiable qualities of her heart than by the vigour and richness of her mind. About the period of her history at which we have now arrived, her works were among the most popular productions of English literature, and so highly were they prized in other countries, that besides being translated into several of the Euro As a sufferer he was magnanimous and resigned. In all his trials his fortitude and resignation were conspicuous, but as the storm thickened, and his end drew near, these virtues shone forth with peculiar lustre. To be satisfied of this we have only to accompany him into the garden, and observe his conduct there. Mark his entire acquiescence as he prays that his heavenly Father would let the bitter cup pass from him, but adds in the same breath, and in the language of a mind stayed upon his God, "Nevertheless, not my will but thine be done." Mark the calm and intrepid step with which he advances to surrender himself to the armed band. Mark the cool and collected tone in which he reproves the rashness of Peter in draw-pean languages, they were extensively read in the British ing the sword in his defence, "Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he would presently give me more than twelve legions of angels, but how then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?" If we follow the illustrious sufferer to Calvary, we shall see the same magnanimity displayed. Though he had to struggle with sufferings unparalleled in the history of human woe,-sufferings excruciating in their nature, and ignominious in Colonies and in the United States of America. And it was peculiarly refreshing to Mrs More to learn, by a letter which she received in the summer of 1818 from Ceylon, that the Chief Justice of the island, Sir Alexander Johnstone, had caused several of her writings to be translated into the Cingalese and Tamul languages, for the use of the natives. In the course of the same summer she was honoured with a visit from two Persian noblemen, to whom she presented a copy of her 'Prac tical Piety,' which they declared they would translate |