REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD OF IRELAND, OTHERWISE, THE COVENANters.

THIS Reverend Body consisted formerly of Four Presbyteries, denominated, from the four cardinal points of the compass, the Eastern, Western, Northern, and Southern Presbyteries: but the Eastern, consisting of six ministers and congregations, has lately seceded from the Synod, and published a Declinature, or paper, renouncing its jurisdiction, on the ground of certain errors respecting the authority of the civil magistrate, which have been published by individuals in the Synod, and not discountenanced or repressed by the body at large. Both parties profess to adhere to the Westminster Confession, the Assembly's Catechisms, and the Solemn League and Covenant: the point of disagreement is concerning the interpretation of that clause in the latter document which binds all those who subscribe it to " endeavour the extirpation of popery, prelacy, superstition, heresy, schism, profaneness, and whatsoever shall be found contrary to sound doctrine and the power of godliness."-The members of the Eastern Presbytery understand these words as binding them to combat, and, if possible, confute erroneous doctrine, not to exterminate the persons who profess it: and they complain that the Synod, by allowing, certain of its members to teach and preach in a contrary sense, has sanctioned the principle of religious persecution, has cast an unwarrantable stigma on the memory of the original Covenanters, and has given matter of triumph to the members of other churches and to the enemies of religion. The adherents of the majority in the Synod, of course, endeavour to repel these arguments, and declare that they are influenced only by a desire to declare and maintain the genuine sense and meaning of the Covenant and of the scriptures.

It cannot be expected that the Bible Christian should enter minutely into the discussion of such a question. We shall only state, in brief, our own private opinion, that, looking to the language of the Solemn League and Covenant; the publications of its authors and most prominent abettors; their acts and measures, while invested with power; and the spirit of the age,—we believe that it was drawn up, understood, and meant to be understood, in a persecuting sense: yet we are glad to find this interpretation disclaimed by a respectable, if not a very numerous body of Covenanters. This secession shows the progress of opinion in all communities, even those most strictly guarded by tests and creeds.

UNIVERSITY OF LONDON.

We understand that the examination for Matriculation in the University of London will commence on Monday, October the 5th. The subjects of examination are English History, Natural History, Mathematics, Chemistry, and Natural Philosophy: together with a Classical Subject in the Greek, and one in the Latin language. The Classical subjects for this year are the Ninth Book of Homer's Iliad, and Sallust's Jugurthine War. The only certificate required from candidates is that of having attained sixteen years of age:

which certificate must be transmitted to the Registrar fourteen days before the examination begins. Farther particulars may be learned by reference to the printed "Regulations" of the University, which can be obtained through any bookseller.

CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.-STRATHBOGIE ONCE MORE.

The

In pursuance of the instructions of the last General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Commission appointed to determine whether the seven ministers forming the majority of the Presbytery of Strathbogie continued in their contumacy, met in the Tron Church, Edinburgh, on Wednesday the 12th of August, Dr. MACKELLAR, the Moderator of the Assembly, in the chair. minutes of the Assembly relative to the case of Strathbogie (see Bible Christian, 3d ser. vol. ii. p. 212) having been read, the clerk inquired whether the seven suspended ministers, having been personally cited, were in attendance at the bar? Mr. Peterkin, advocate, on behalf of the Presbytery, stated that they had determined not to appear, nor to recognise the authority of the Commission; upon the ground that the Acts of the General Assembly in this case are opposed to the law of the land, and therefore null and void. A resolution was then moved, declaring the seven ministers guilty of continued contumacy: on which it was moved as an amendment that they had merely obeyed the law. After a stormy discussion, the amendment was rejected, and the original motion passed. The procurator then moved that a Committee be appointed to prepare a libel against the seven ministers of the Presbytery of Strathbogie: on which Dr. Cook (of St. Andrews) proposed an amendment, to the effect, that the " Commission, under all the circumstances of the case, see cause not to act upon the instructions of the last General Assembly as to taking steps for serving with a libel for contumacy the seven ministers of the Presbytery of Strathbogie mentioned in these instructions, and report the whole matter to the next Assembly for reconsideration, in the anxious hope that means in conformity with the law of the land and with the constitution of the church may be devised for declaring by a sentence of the Assembly that the above-designated ministers are in the full exercise of their ministerial and judicial functions, and for putting an end to the unhappy collision now existing between the ecclesiastical and the civil judicatories." The discussion of these propositions embraced the entire question of the Veto, Non-intrusion, the decisions of the Assembly, of the Court of Session, the House of Lords in its judicial and legislative capacity, &c. &c. and was remarkable for bitterness and personality. Several of the members, among whom was Dr. CHALMERS, expressed themselves in terms of indignant severity against Lord ABERDEEN, Sir ROBERT PEEL, and the other favourers of the bill introduced as a healing measure, during the late session of parliament. In fact, the Vetoists in the General Assembly seem to bear even more animosity against the supporters of this intended plan of pacification, than they do against those who have through. out opposed their claims and counteracted their measures. question being at length put, the amendment was negatived by a

The

majority of 180 to 66. Thus the judicatories of the church are once more publicly committed and pledged to abide the issue of their foolhardy and indecent struggle with the Supreme Court of Scotland, the House of Lords, and the authority and majesty of the law. The issue of such a struggle cannot be doubtful: it must terminate in defeat, and, if those who have plunged themselves and the church into it, are sincere in what they declare to be their conscientious sense of clear and imperative duty, no alternative will remain for them but that suggested by the Lord President of the Court of Session, in his sentence delivered in the case of Auchterarder: namely, to withdraw from a church to whose fundamental principles they are opposed, and to whose laws they are determined not to submit. Dissent is freely tolerated: and they are still at liberty to secede like ERSKINE and his associates a century ago. But will Dr. CHALMERS and his vaunting vetoists take this manly step? We trow not: but time will show.

CHRISTIAN UNITARIAN CHURCH, ABERDEEN.

This Church was opened for the worship of God the Father Almighty, through our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, on the 9th of August. The weather was exceedingly propitious, and long before the time of service, the pews, aisles, and lobbies of the Church were crowded. Hundreds of persons were unable to get even within the outer gates, and throughout the day the audiences were large and deeply attentive. The Rev. J. CROPPER, the Minister of the Church, commenced the service by giving out from a selection of Hymns for the occasion, one composed by the Rev. Wm. Gaskell of Manchester. The Rev. Dr. MONTGOMERY of Belfast read the Scriptures and prayed. The Rev. G. HARRIS of Glasgow preached from 1 John iv. 14-16, on the fatherly character of God, as expressed in nature and revelation, and its vital importance as a doctrine of faith and consolation to the Christian believer. His discourse, as usual, was listened to with intense interest, growing manifestly to its close, as the preacher solemnly and eloquently dedicated the place they were assembled in to the worship of the one true and living God, the Father, through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

In the afternoon Dr. MONTGOMERY performed the whole service, taking for his text Acts xxviii. 22. From this he took occasion to show what were the peculiar doctrines of Unitarians, and to contrast them with those of the Church of Scotland, as expressed in the Westminster Confession of Faith, and in the works of some of their most eminent divines. The illustrations on both points were exceedingly striking, and the contrasted statements between Calvinism and Christian Unitarianism must, we feel persuaded, have made a deep and lasting impression on the minds of the audience. Mr. HARRIS conducted the introductory service in the evening, and Dr. MONTGOMERY preached from Romans xiv. 12, 13. He stated and replied to the charges usually brought against Unitarians, with a force and eloquence it has not been our privilege ever before to listen to: and we are happy to know, that some who were our opponents were led by this discourse to think more favourably

of our doctrines. The Choir was assisted by a beautiful Seraphine, hired for the use of the Church. A calm and sustained dignity characterized the devotions of the day. Collections in aid of the Funds of the Society were made at each service: amounting nearly to £30.

OBITUARY.

THE REV. JOSEPH TUCKERMAN, D.D.

WE regret to add to the list of distinguished ministers of the Unitarian Church who have died in the course of the last twelve months, the name of JOSEPH TUCKERMAN, the originator of Domestic Missions in the city of Boston, U.S. This event took place in Cuba, whither he had gone in December last for the benefit of his health.

As Dr. Tuckerman had attained a just celebrity by his missionary labours, and as he affords a striking example of the power of Liberal Christianity to inspire the heart with love to God and to the whole brotherhood of man, a brief notice of his life and labours may not be uninteresting to the readers of the Bible Christian. He was a native of Boston, and was born in the year 1778; he prepared for the ministry in Harvard University, where he was the class-mate of Dr. Channing, for whom he always cherished a lively regard-and of whom he says in the introduction to his lately published volume on the Ministry at Large, that "his friendship had strengthened, his sympathy had sustained, and his encouragements had cheered him through every stage of his ministry." After completing his theological studies he was ordained as pastor of Chelsea, a village in the neighbourhood of Boston, in 1801. Here he remained in the faithful discharge of his duties, devoted, in no common degree, to his small but affec tionate flock till the autumn of 1826, when he was compelled by bad health to resign his charge.

Previously to his removal from Chelsea, his thoughts had been directed to the condition of the poor, and to the necessity of a fuller provision than had at that time been made for their wants, "When then," to adopt his own simple statement," by the loss of health, I was disqualified for preaching twice every Sunday, I did not feel that I was called to relinquish the Christian ministry. Its interests, next to those of my own moral state and of my family, were the paramount interests of my heart. I could still in part take charge of a pulpit, by preaching once every Sunday. I could also hold conversation with others, when I had not strength to preach to them. And I knew that in Boston, my native city, the number could not be small-though I had then no suspicion that it was what I have found it to be-of those who were unconnected with its places of worship; and who were, or thought themselves, too poor to form and to maintain this connexion. Under these circumstances, I came to the city, that I might here seek for families of this class; do what I could to bring them into connexion with our churches; and, where this object could not be

effected, to serve them otherwise, as far as I might, in the offices of the Christian ministry." He commenced this ministry in November, 1826; and it might be a grateful and encouraging task to survey its small beginning in an obscure and retired chamber, in contrast with its present condition, its spacious chapels, its attentive congregations, and the various gifts, and widely-extended influence of those who have in succession devoted themselves to this work. To Dr. Tuckerman belongs the honour of originating this ministry in Boston; and he had the satisfaction, long before his death, of witnessing from it many precious fruits. Multitudes of the poor and afflicted, of the tempted, and spiritually destitute; of strangers who were friendless, and were compelled to confess 'we have no certain dwelling-place;' of widows whose earthly stay and prop were taken; of children who, in their touching appeals for help, might say- We are orphans and fatherless-our mothers are as widows;'-of the unworthy too, and abandoned, the intemperate and the dissolute, who had "ceased from the temple," and were strangers to the peace of God's Sabbath, and the blessed encouragement of prayer; who had lost their self-respect, and with it their generous confidence in their fellow-creatures:- these, and such as these, were in their turns, and according to their necessities, the objects of his paternal counsels, of his disinterested charity, and his earnest prayers. And there are multitudes even now in the city where he ministered, who thankfully remember-as indeed they have reason-his friendly sympathies, his faithful warnings, and in instances not a few, the good fruits that followed them. While doubtless there are those who, having gone before him to a world for which his ministry had helped to prepare them, will greet with a joyful welcome their spiritual friend and father, and bless the counsels that had guided them thither.

When at length compelled, by a long illness, to relinquish his labours among the poor, he occupied the leisure which an uncertain state of health allowed him, in writing a series of Letters on the Principles and Results of the Ministry at Large in Boston, which have already obtained a wide circulation, and it is much to be regretted that they have not been re-published in England.

The closing year of his life furnished frequent occasion for his submission and filial trust. Months of pain and infirmity were allotted him: and he was called to meet the last summons amidst strangers at a distance from his home. But the kindnesses he had shown to others, were returned in large measures to himself. He felt that even in a foreign land, he was not alone, because the Father was with him. Though he was not without some natural wishes to return, and to die among his friends, he still felt that all is right and all is kind under the perfect government of God; and to Him whom he had served with his whole heart in the gospel of his Son, he meekly resigned his spirit.

The remains of this good man have been removed, according to his own desire, to his native city, which was also the scene of bis most interesting labours; and have been deposited in the cemetery of Mount Auburn, near, we believe, to those of Dr. Noah Worcester. A service on the occasion of his death was held in Pitt-street Chapel, which had been erected in connexion with the Ministry