of grace, no excess of glory but is becoming, but is to be expected there, where God has lodged himself, whence God has issued. 'Let her be clad in the king's carries on its title-page the approval of two archbishops and three bishops of the Roman Catholic Church. We extract the following praises of the Virgin from apparel,' i.e., let the fulness of the God this aid to devotion: "Devotion to the adorable mother of God brings with it so many blessings, that eternity itself will be too short to recount all the good which flows to us from this source. In this devotion the poor find wealth, the weak strength, the ignorant knowledge, the afflicted consolation, sinners grace, the just their sanctification, the souls in purgatory their deliverance. In short, the whole earth is filled with blessings which flow from her. Thy temple, my God, is holy, and Mary is thy temple. She has bruised the head of the Serpent, according to the promise given for the consolation of our first parents. Oh! holy Virgin, when I think of my great ingratitude and the innumerable sins which I have committed against my God, I dare not hope for his pardon; but thou, O tender mother! who art called by the Church the refuge of sinners, the hope of the despairing, succour of the lost, be thou my refuge, my hope, and my help,'" &c. But all this may be considered the extravagant language of ignorant, illeducated, ultra-montane Popery; but whatever it be, such is the sum and substance of the innumerable sermons addressed during the month of Mary, to the people by the priests. Do we wonder that a worship thoroughly idolatrous should be the result of such teaching? But to shew our readers the intensity of this Mariolatry in the Church of Rome, let them ponder the following passage from a sermon "on the glories of Mary" by John Henry Newman, and published in his Discourses addressed to mixed Congregations. "Mary gave birth to the Creator, and what recompense shall be made to her? What shall be done to her who had this relationship to the Most High? What shall be the fit accompaniment to one whom the Almighty bas deigned to make, not his servant, not his friend, not his intimate, but HIS SUPERIOR, the source of his second being, the nurse of his helpless infancy, the teacher of his opening years? I answer as the king was answered. Nothing is too high for her to whom GOD OWES HIS LIFE; no exuberance head so flow into her that she may be a figure of the incommunicable sanctity of God himself, that she may be the mirror of justice, mystical rose, the tower of ivory, the house of gold, the morning star. Let her 'receive the king's diadem upon her head,' as the queen of heaven, the mother of all living, the health of the weak, the refuge of sinners, the comfort of the afflicted," &c. Enough of such shocking blasphemy. Enough to prove the idolatry of the Roman Catholic Church:-enough to make us tender and charitable in our judgment regarding the poor people, to whom God's Word is denied, and such teaching as this alone afforded:-enough to make us think of such teachers as men who-but we forbear passing any judgment upon them, leaving that to Him who judgeth righteously! (To be continued) TO BLOSSOMS. Fair pledges of a fruitful tree, Why do ye fall so fast? Your date is not so past, But you may stay yet here awhile, To blush and gently smile, And go at last. What! were ye born to be An hour or half's delight, And so to bid good night? 'Twas pity Nature brought you forth Merely to shew your worth, And lose you quite. But you are lovely leaves, where we May read how soon things have Their end, though ne'er so brave; And after they have shewn their pride, Like you, a while, they glide Into the grave. HERRICK. "Nature, to the poet's eye, becomes a great sheet let down from God out of heaven,' and in which there is no object common or unclean.'”—Gilfillan. "The revolving of a single verse in our minds is often better than the mere reading of a whole chapter."-Bridges. To be right in a wrong way is wrong. Religious and Missionary Entelligence. THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND IN THE MISSION FIELD. 1854-55. age, as in the past, it is but too true that the old Adam is mightier than the young Melancthon. It is still the nighttime of the world. The darkness of ignorance and sin, the horrors of idolatry and crime, the clouds of infidelity and worldliness brood over the greater portion of the globe, and even war with its dread ravages bespeaks the awakening of passions which moralists had fondly dreamed were asleep for ever. It is, indeed, no time for rest. Watchman, what of the night ?-is often the anxious cry of the We love to see a church placed upon an eminence. Apart from all ideas of picturesque beauty, such a position appears most appropriately to symbolise its character. If, indeed, the duty of a church were merely to sanctify those within its pale, we should have it planted in some lowly valley, embosomed in the shades of luxuriant foliage, and hidden from the unhallowed gaze of the worldly. But the true Christian Church has a much wider and more universal object in view. With no mythic rites darkening her precincts, her doors are open to all-her in-storm-tossed wanderer upon a dangerous vitations are addressed to all-her prayers and her works are on behalf of all. If she has the brightness of a star, it is that her light may be seen even at a star-like distance; not that it may expire the moment it meets the outer air, like the fabled lamps in the tomb of Terentia. But while to extend her influence for good is one of the Church's noblest duties, her efficiency in this respect, is perhaps the highest test of her Christian vigour and zeal. The deeper the oak strikes its roots in the soil, the wider will its branches spread-the fuller the gush of the fountain, the stronger will be the stream which freshens and beautifies its banks; and so, we may say, that the more vigorous the principles of faith and love are within a church, the wider will be the extent of her Christian enterprises, and the richer the outpouring of her Christian sympathy and affection. Of the manner in which the Church of Scotland humbly performs such duties, and may be tried by such a test, we now desire to present a short review. It is long since she recognised the privilege, as well as the duty of her Mission Work; but it cannot be said that there is now less need for urgency and strenuous exertion than there was when she first put her hand to the plough. In the present ocean. With a deeper earnestness of inquiry may we scan the dark future of destiny, as we ride over the billows of the sea of life. We know not what storms may arise, or what perils may be encountered. But cloud-wrapped as is the present, and distant as the dawn of brightness may appear, we have no cause for hopelessness. As yet we may see but faint and widely-scattered streaks of light spread over the moral horizon; but as the voice of Heaven breaks forth from the surrounding gloom, in accents of encouragement and promise, well may we gladden our souls with the prospect of a better era, when the full triumph of an ineffable love shall be accomplished, and the darkness of the night of earth be turned into the glory of the day of Heaven. "O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength: lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, behold your God!" In the cursory review which we are now to take of the mission work of the Church of Scotland for the past year, we shall avoid as much as possible, a full detail, since this will be found in the Report of each Scheme, published in the Missionary Record; and our object is merely to present a succinct view of the not think it necessary to give any sumwhole. We begin with a Scheme which, while it was the first effort of the Church in her missionary field, appears second to none in importance. The EDUCATION SCHEME carries with it the high recommendation that it spreads the light of truth and knowledge among thousands of children who are found even amid Scotland's lonely moors and barren hills, both enveloped in ignorance and oppressed by penury. It is an encouraging fact that through the means which the Scheme has called into existence nearly 20,000 children are at present receiving education. The number of the schools is 181, irrespective of the Normal Schools; and the number of pupils in attendance at these schools during the last year was about 17,234. Including the Normal Schools, the whole scholars enrolled during the year was 19,234. As a pledge of the character of tuition imparted at these schools, it is interesting to know that about a third of the teachers hold government certificates of qualifications entitling them to participate in royal bounty. This is doubtless in a great measure to be attributed to the Normal Schools in Edinburgh and Glasgow -the fountains of supply for the reinvigoration of the channels of tuition all over Scotland. During the last year, 187 students have been admitted to these schools, 23 of whom were instructed at the cost of the Education Committee, and 39 were Queen's schol mary here. At the same time, we cannot forbear to observe how important it is for the interests of religion that an influential superintendence, whatever may be its nominal character, should still be maintained. If, as is but too surely indicated by the course of legislative measures recently attempted, but for the present happily frustrated, the main element of religion is to be ignored or even inadequately provided for in a national education for the youth of Scotland, what a strong appeal must this be to the renewed energy of the Church in endeavouring to mitigate such an evil by a more plentiful supply of the pure waters of life to those who are still unsullied by habits of worldliness and vice? We regret to say that the income of the Scheme for the past year has fallen short of its expenditure,—a state of matters which can scarcely fail to be deeply felt by every friend of religious education. The total income amounted to £7674, 16s. 3d., and beyond this amount there has been expended a sum of £176, 2s. 6d. A greater number of parishes have indeed contributed for the year, but from no less than 129 parishes no aid has been received. This is to be deplored when we consider that, in place of meeting existing deficiencies by extending the operations of the Scheme, it may be necessary even to lessen the number of the schools already receiving support. We are sure the contemplation of such a fact must be in itself a more powerful appeal than any which can be made on behalf of this Mission; we will only add that it has peculiar claims upon us at such a time as the present, since no small part of its work is to convey the blessings of instruction to the children of the brave and gallant Highlanders, who are at this moment fighting the battles of their country and crowning their arms with a well-earned glory. Although the Education Scheme may be regarded as a most interesting and efficient means of promoting religion throughout the land, the Church has devoted to this end a Scheme of no less importance, and of wider interest, which | and Springburn in the Barony parish of especially receives the name of her HOME MISSION. Glasgow-have been erected into parish churches, and they consequently require no further assistance from the Scheme. Encouraging instances have also occurred of the increase of numbers in congregations and among communicants. Three applications were made and sustained during last year under the branch of encouragement to promising young men. We have already stated that the operations of the Scheme are only limited by its resources; and we regret to add, that during the past year the ordinary revenue has been less than that of the previous year by upwards of £800, while of that deficiency the larger portion— fully £500-arises from a decrease in the amount of church-door collections. The falling off in the contributions for this as well as other schemes, is only too It is often truly said that the darkest pictures of heathenism may be found among the masses of our own countrymen, who are groping in blindness amid the light of Christian truth; and since it is so, surely this is a loud call to our brotherly love. Indeed, both in a social and in a religious aspect, it is fraught with the most impressive appeals. While we cannot hope that the man who is ignorant or careless of the true principle of moral action,-the love of Christ, will be restrained from vice and crime by any mere human laws, we are inspired by higher motives,-a regard for the salvation of souls,—to wipe away from a Christian country the reproach of her benighted children. It is the object of the present Mission to attempt this by satisfactorily to be accounted for by the supplying the means and ordinances of grace to all who stand in need of them. We need scarcely say that a wide moral and religious waste is thus opened up for the operations of the Scheme,-a field which the limited resources of the Mission only enable it to occupy in part. So far as its capabilities have permitted, the Scheme has been hitherto highly successful. But without any review of what it has already had the privilege of accomplishing, we may state that in regard to its branch of Church extension, three applications have been made during the past year. Only one of these applications-that of Lochgelly in the parish of Auchterderran-has been as yet disposed of. The grant made was £281, 5s., the erection of the church being in the centre of a large district covered with a mining population. The other applica tions are under consideration. The principal part of the funds of the Mission is expended in aiding unendowed churches, and in employing probationers as missionaries. At present there are in all 98 places of worship receiving aid out of the funds to the amount of about £4250. During the past year, two chapelsEdgerston in the parish of Jedburgh, numerous appeals to Christian charity which have otherwise been made during the past year. We sincerely trust that the important objects of the Home Mission will still maintain for it a deserving prominence in the affections and sympathies of the Church at large. other medium is afforded for the efforts We are happy to state that yet anof the Church towards the evangelization of our brethren at home. Her desire is to impart to others, and especially to the dense populations of our large towns and cities, the advantages of her own privileges and ordinances. Although nominally included in parishes, no existing parochial ministrations are sufficient of themselves to supply the blessings of Christian instruction and aid to the thousands congregated in a single district; and when it is recollected that no less than one-sixth of the population of Scot- ENDOWMENT SCHEME. the good which this Scheme has already voice of heavenly instruction sounding accomplished. No less than 25 chapels in their ears; and even the privileges of have been erected into parishes through a pastoral superintendence are provided its aid. For 19 the requisite endowments have been secured, and for other 26 endowments have been partially obtained. The subscriptions for 7 of these endowments, and for 3 of the partial endowments, were obtained during the past year. But the scheme of provincial subscriptions, by which it is proposed to endow no less than 100 chapels in various districts of the country, has chiefly occupied attention. While we meet with satisfactory argumentative refutations of critical objections to the plan, it seems the best argument of all in its favour, that subscriptions have been received for carrying it out to the amount of £9600 during the past year. In regard to the whole operations of the scheme, it is pleasing to observe the large amount of benefaction which it has called forth from the noblemen and gentlemen of the land, while the congregational contributions, which for the last year were somewhat increased, have also been well calculated to inspire the Church with vigour in the prosecution of the scheme. The gross amount of subscriptions made, is £194,201 8s. 8d., of which no less than £28,293 13s. has been subscribed during the past year. It is worthy of notice, that by the munificence of his Grace, the Duke of Hamilton, another new parish is on the eve of being erected. While such facts afford much reason for congratulation, when we consider the important objects which the scheme has undertaken, and how much still requires to be done in the vast field which it has opened up, we hope that its past history will be but an incentive to further progress. All the schemes we have mentioned have one common object—the spread of Gospel truth and Gospel blessings among the people of our own land. They may take apparently different roads, but they all lead to the way of life. The child is not left amid penury and neglect to find a path for himself; the wandering and godless, whether in manhood or age, have the for their desolate homes. But the Church feels that with all this, her duty has not yet been fulfilled. Her religion is not designed for any single clime or any peculiar caste. It is a response to the universal wants of the human soul,-wants which find but one changeless utterance from a sin-darkened world. It has blessings common as the air we breathe, and gladdening as the sun-light, while they are far more invaluable than the gift of life to the dead. By such considerations we are led to feel the urgent call there is upon the Church to set her watch-tower on the dark heights of a world lying in wickedness. Nor can she neglect, as she scans the vastness of the scene, the primary claims of those who have left their Scottish homes to dwell in foreign lands. It is frequently found by dear-bought experience, that the most precious boons are only known to be valuable when they are torn from our grasp. With what different feelings, for instance, would any one of us regard the plentiful water which he enjoys, were he wandering, parched, and wayworn, and unprovided, amid the sandy desert of Sahara. We can conceive, then, with what emotions of earnest longing those distant sojourners, who have gone from their native country, will seek to enjoy the living waters of salvation which flowed so freely in the land they have left, and, in the spirit of Christian patriotism, the Church has endeavoured to assist in conveying her own ordinances to their foreign homes. Nor must we overlook the fact, that our colonies are but the nurseries of nations, and that the seed of Christian truth which is sown among them, though hidden for a time, may yet convert their spiritually waste and arid plains into gardens of the Lord, glowing with the light of salvation, and fair in the beauty of holiness. This, then, is an additional call upon the Church in undertaking her COLONIAL SCHEME. The field is necessarily an extended one, for the colonies of Great Britain cover |