sin in the world to come are most grievous and unspeakable torments in soul and body, without intermission, in hell-fire forever." If this and kindred statements had been fairly read, so that the Synod would have had clear understanding of what they were voting for, we doubt if even they would have been dragooned into such unanimity, Either the majority of them do not thoroughly believe these statements, or they are not honest enough to boldly preach what they believe, and that too in a matter where silence is most criminal.

That we are not mistaken as to the manner in which this action was taken is corroborated by a letter received from one of the delegates. He writes to us: "Doubtless you have seen the action of our Synod on progressive theology. The vote was not unanimous. There were a few noes. I thought best not to vote, as I am not satisfied that the final state of the impenitent wicked is just what is taught in our Standards. I should have liked an opportunity to ask Dr. Pierson just what he intended by the silence of Scripture in his paper. Does it not seem that a great deal is built upon that silence? Can any one say that no more is affirmed in the Confession than is found in the proof-texts subjoined ? Dr. P. acknowledged that the heart recoiled from the doctrine of eternal torment, that he would be glad to escape such conclusion as to the teachings of Scripture if possible. So there is something which he considers a part of the testimonies of the Lord, of which he cannot say, as the Psalmist, "They are the rejoicing of my heart." The clause in the paper adopted 'leaving to God himself to vindicate His ways, and to eternity the fuller unfoldings of the mysteries of His providence and grace' seems like a confession that those mysteries are not unfolded in His Word, and might justify the inquiry whether they are unfolded in the Word to the extent that our Standards assume to unfold them."

Such were the thoughts passing through the mind of at least one member of that Synod who was, nevertheless, dominated into silent acquiescence by the pervading tone of the leaders, who assumed from the outset that our system of doctrine is the system of Holy Scripture, and that no loyal Presbyterian will dare dispute it. How can such a body, in such a spirit, arrive at the truth?

The whole manner in which such measures are introduced and put through is a dishonor to the Holy Spirit. There is no opportunity given for further inquiry. There is no quiet waiting upon God to guide us more fully into the truth. There is the initial assumption that we have nothing more to learn about it. And that, in face of the fact that many men as good as we have not been led by the same Spirit to see these things as we do. Indeed, we know of no less likely places in which the Holy Spirit may be expected to give

light upon His Word than our ordinary ecclesiastical assemblies. We never yet were in one where the Holy Spirit, as the promised guide into all truth, was duly honored. We went to our own Synod of New Jersey this fall, with a desire also to offer a paper. There was absolutely no time when Synod could be found in any proper position to consider such a matter, and when it did not seem incongruous. An unusual press of routine and docketed business pre-occupied the time, and made it impossible to secure a proper hearing for anything so important. We wanted to introduce a paper something like the one we offered a year ago in the Presbytery. God grant that some brother, somewhere in the bounds of our church, may have the grace and boldness to call the church to its solemn duty by means of a paper something like this.

PROPOSED OVERTURE.—In view of the fact that the preaching in our pulpits no longer faithfully represents the teaching of the Westminster standards upon the great questions of human destiny, as defined in Chapter xxxiii, Section 2, Questions 29 and 89, Larger Catechism, and elsewhere, which teach that wicked men after death suffer the torments of hell in soul before the resurrection, and that, after resurrection, they are cast again into hell, "to be punished with unspeakable torments of both body and soul, with the devil and his angels, without intermission, in hell-fire forever," and which also teach that this punishment is inflicted definitely for the sins of this life,— And in view of the fact that the church is God's appointed witness to men, and of the immense importance which attaches to her testimony, in its bearing upon the good conscience of her ministers and the faith of their hearers, this Synod (or Presbytery) would respectfully petition the General Assembly to appoint a suitable committee, whose duty it shall be:

1. To consider whether the doctrine of our Confession concerning the final results of God's dealings with mankind, as set forth in the Standards referred to, is a complete and final expression of the teaching of Holy Scripture upon this subject.

2. To propose any alterations or explanations in the statements of our Standards upon this subject which may seem to them advisable, and to report any such proposed changes to the succeeding General Assembly for its suitable action in the premises.

INCONSISTENT.-The correspondent above quoted calls our attention to the fact that the last Foreign Missionary publishes, with strong commendatory words, a recent sermon by Archdeacon Farrar on Foreign Missions. As the first pages of that

journal condemn strongly the hope that there is any possible chance for the heathen after death, it is strange that it should give up its later pages to the sermon of one who has done more to propagate the wider hope than any other living man.

A STRANGE VOICE.-We copy the following from the report in the Philadelphia Times of a recent sermon by one of the Presbyterian pastors in this city:

"I believe the creeds of our churches are too inclusive in their detail, too dogmatic, and I believe that many conscientious people stay away from church, because they cannot agree with the creeds created two hundred years ago." The speaker then referred to the Westminster Confession of Faith, describing it as framed by mortals only, and passed by a small majority of Parliament in the face of a great protest. "Shall those articles, devised in 1648, be the spectacles through which we of the nineteenth century shall read? We must agitate until we revise and reform these creeds."

EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS.-We select from letters received from time to time during the past year some words of approbation. We trust they will be regarded by our readers, not as savoring of personal compliment, but as signs that the Lord has a work for this magazine to do in its chosen field.

From a brother in Virginia, "I hail what you say upon these subjects as a means used by our Father for breaking up the prejudices which prevent His children from seeing the truth. I fully approve the tone and temper and ability with which you handle these themes."

"The encour

From a Presbyterian pastor in this State. agement and reward attending your work may be delayed, but it will surely come, and, when reaped, it will more than compensate for the chilling opposition which it at present encounters. I fully appreciate and respect your position, that within the church to whose views we have subscribed we should testify to any new light that may come to us concerning them. May God abundantly bless and strengthen you."

From another Pennsylvania pastor. "I feel greatly indebted for the perusal of your writings, and believe that great good will come of them. It is certainly refreshing to read discussions carried on in such a spirit, in marked contrast with the intolerance and even fierceness apparent in some of the defences of the old dogmas. Although not yet prepared to accept all your views, I read everything you write with great interest, and

pray that you may be constantly guided by the Holy Spirit in all your studies and teachings."

From a Professor in a Presbyterian Theological Seminary. "I am obliged to you for your periodical. Although differing from it in many things I always read it with interest. With much of what you say about more freedom in our church I

heartily agree. I believe we are greatly suffering from our

rigid use of a confession which gives a whole system of Theology with much of (the philosophy (medieval) on which it is largely based. We ought to have a more general Confession, embracing only the evangelical faith as accepted by all learned and earnestly Christian men. This would include your faith and mine, and many other honest variations of doctrinal sentiment."

"I have

From a prominent minister of the same church. been delighted with your work and bid you God-speed." From a clergyman in Boston. "I think that you have been doing a great and good word which will yet bear much fruit."

"I have enjoyed

From a Ruling Elder in Philadelphia. your discussions exceedingly and think the spirit in which you write is admirable. I am not theologian enough to decide where the exact truth lies in the important questions you have treated, but I am in favor of the fullest freedom in their discussion."

From a lady in Washington. "Feeling great interest in all you have written, and having had my mind opened, and views of the future life very much enlarged by all I have read in the Magazine I send you the names of some of my friends to whom I wish it sent. I hope all who read your work will receive as much instruction and benefit as I have done."

From a lady in Newport, R. I. "I have read with deep interest a number of your magazine and wish to subscribe for it."

A minister writes from Dakota. "I have been reading your Magazine for nearly two years and have been much interested in its eschatology. All of your positions are not yet clear to my mind, but in your view of the great distinctive features of the divine government I agree with you, and especially in regard to the redemptive nature of resurrection. I admire the spirit of your paper. May the Holy Spirit guide you into further truth. What a privilege it is to feed the flock with the bread of heaven instead of the husks of error. I believe in the unity of the body of Christ, and as the day of her redemption draws near, that her unity will be more realized. bless you.

May God