exclusively on scriptural subjects, and the variety indicates not only skill in the selection, but judgment in bringing such articles prominently before us. The minister who aims at being an intelligent exponent of the Sacred Volume, and who feels it necessary to keep pace with the progress of the literature of the pulpit, will find in this quarterly what his limited resources might not otherwise

CALLS.

Houghton-le-Spring-On the 22d November, the United Presbyterian congregation of Houghton-le-Spring gave a unanimous call to Mr. Alexander Shennan to be their pastor. The Rev. John Morris, of Sunderland, preached and presided. Milngavie.-In our notice of a call from the United Presbyterian Church, Milngavie, in last month's Journal, we inadvertently made a mistake. The call was in favour of Mr. M'Queen.

South Queensferry.-The United Presbyterian congregation, Queensferry, has called Mr. Alexander Hamilton, A.M., to be their pastor.

PRESBYTERY NOTICES.

United Presbytery of Glasgow.-This p spres. bytery met on the second Tuesday of last month-Rev. Mr. M'Gavin, moderator. Mr. Hugh S. Campbell delivered trials for license, which were sustained. A petition from forty-nine persons, members of the church, praying for erection into a congregation south side the river, was sent down to sessions. Mr. George M'Queen accepted the call to Milngavie. Rev. Peter Mercer demitted his charge, and the congregation of Drymen were summoned to next meeting of presbytery. A moderation in a call was granted to Gordon Street congregation, and Dr. Eadie and Dr. M'Farlane appointed to moderate. Mr. Brown, of Balfron, demitted his charge. The court became private. On resuming business in public, it was agreed that there should be a meeting of presbytery at Balfron, on Tuesday, the 5th December, at 12 noon; and as preparatory to this meeting, Dr. Robson, Mr. Macgill, Mr. Jeffrey, Mr. Taylor, and Bailie M'Dowal, should meet with the session and congregation before the day of meeting. The presbytery entered on the case from Hut

chesontown, and having heard papers and parties, the presbytery appointed another meeting on the Thursday following, for the consideration of the matter. At this meeting, after going over a part of the case, the presbytery appointed a committee to meet with parties, to take papers into consideration, and prepare the case for the judgment of the presbytery. Dr. Lindsay, Mr. Edmond, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Ramage, Mr. Jeffrey, Mr. Macgill, Dr. Robson; with Messrs. M'Dowal, James Mitchell, and Frame, elders; and to report at next ordinary meeting. The Presbytery then adjourned.

Hamilton. This presbytery met in Chapel Street Church Session-house, on the 26th Sept.-the Rev. Mr. Struthers moderator, pro tem. Certificates from the different professors were read, stating that the various students under the superintendence of the presbytery had attended the respective classes, and performed the prescribed exercises, during the last session of the Divinity Hall. Discourses and exercises, to be given to the presbytery during the recess, were then appointed them. Messrs. James Wilson, Robert Renwick, and William Martin, students of the fifth year, who had completed their theological course, appeared and made application to be taken on trials for license. Various subjects were accordingly appointed them for that purpose. Took into consideration the goodness of God in the late abundant harvest, and recommended sessions to take an early opportunity of calling the attention of the respective congregations to the same.

This court again met in the same place, on the 31st October-Rev. T. Struthers moderator, pro tem. Messrs. James Wilson Robert Renwick, and William Martin, de

livered a number of discourses, all of which were respectively sustained as parts of their trials for license.

Kelso Presbytery.-This presbytery met October 17-Rev. Charles Miller, moderator. Mr. John Milne accepted the call of the congregation of Greenlaw, and delivered part of his trials for ordination, which were most cordially sustained. Mr. James Scott, student, having completed his theological studies, had subjects of trial prescribed to him for license. Mr. Stephen Balmer, student of the first year, having been duly certified by the professors, was appointed to deliver a discourse. After some routine business, the office-bearers for next twelve months were chosen-the Rev. R. Cranston being elected moderator. At a meeting held November 21, the first business was the demission of his charge by the Rev. Hugh Darling of Stitchel, on the ground of inadequate remuneration, his intention being to emigrate to Australia, with the view of preaching the gospel there. A committee appointed to converse with him did not alter his determination, and the usual intimation was ordered to be given to the church, that they might appear for their own interests. Mr. Milne delivered the remaining parts of his trials to the entire satisfaction of the court, and his ordination was fixed to take place at Greenlaw, December 7-Messrs. Barclay, Darling, and Robson to officiate. Mr. James Scott delivered two discourses, which were cordially sustained as parts of trial for license. Reports were received as to the collection for Synod's General Fund. Next meeting was appointed at Greenlaw, December 7.

Lancashire. This presbytery met at Blackburn on the 5th of September. The Rev. John Weir of Crossford, being present, was invited to correspond. Several sessions reported that they had considered the overture from the session of Birkenhead concerning union with the English Presbyterian Church, and were favourable to the adoption of means for effecting that union. Mr. Towers reported that he had visited Ramsey, and found the congregation there in a satisfactory state. The committee appointed to watch over the interests of the proposed station at Booth, made a favourable report, and were commended for their diligence. After a lengthened conversation concerning the affairs of the station at Bolton, it was resolved that the presbytery, looking at all the circumstances of that station, think that negotiations favourable

to a union between it and the St. Andrew's congregation of the English Presbyterian Church in Bolton are desirable; and recommend the supporters of the station in Bolton to take this matter into consideration, and to report their decision at next meeting of presbytery. Appointed that meeting to be held at Birkenhead, on the third Tuesday of October. Sutton, September 20, 1854.-A special meeting of presbytery was held here this day, in consequence of the lamented decease of the Rev. James Galloway. Rev. Mr Weir, of Crossford, was invited to correspond. As the funeral of the late Mr Galloway was to take place in the afternoon, it was agreed that Dr. M'Kerrow and the Rev. Mr. Scott should conduct the devotional exercises in the chapel, that the Rev. Mr. Towers should address the people, and that the Rev. W. Graham should offer prayer at the grave. Agreed, that while in reference to the sudden and unexpected decease of the late Rev. James Galloway (which took place at Sutton, on Saturday, the 16th September, 1854, in the 43d year of his age), the presbytery desire to bow in humble submission to the sovereign will and appointment of Him in whose hands are all our times, they should express their deep and heartfelt sympathy with his afflicted widow and family, and with the congregation at Sutton, in the severe bereavement which they have sustained; and should record their affectionate remembrance of the excellence, integrity, and consistency of his personal deportment, by which he secured the confidence and esteem, not only of his friends, and family, and flock, but also in a very great degree of the population of the district in which he lived and laboured;-their admiration of his zealous, affectionate, and most disinterested discharge of his ministerial duties, through which he was, by the blessing of God, enabled to extend and edify the church of which he had the oversight; their grateful recollection of the Christian charity which marked his official intercourse with his brethren, and of his faithful performance of his duties as clerk of this presbytery for the period of one year and six months; and their joyful hope, that having died as he lived, with a childlike confidence in Jesus Christ as his Saviour, he has now entered into his Master's joy, and received a crown of glory that shall never fade away. Agreed to request Samuel Still, Esq., and several gentlemen in Liverpool and Birkenhead, to act as a committee for bringing the case of Mrs. Galloway and family before the congrega

tions in this district, and using such other means as they may deem expedient in order to obtain subscriptions and collections for the relief of the widow and the fatherless. Appointed the ministers of Mount Pleasant, Liverpool, to preach at Sutton, on the 24th inst., to declare the pulpit vacant, and to give the people such advice as their present circumstances may seem to demand. Appointed the ministers in Manchester a committee to provide supply for the pulpit on the three following Sabbaths. Birkenhead, October 17, 1854.-The presbytery met this day. On the motion of Dr. Crichton, seconded by Dr. M'Kerrow, Mr. Scott of Manchester was appointed clerk of the presbytery. Agreed that the present scale of contributions to the fund for the expenses of the presbytery shall continue in force until April next; and that the proportions assigned to each congregation shall be annually revised in that month. It was certified by the professors of the Theolological Hall that Messrs Alexander and Shorthouse, students of the fifth year, and Mr. James M'Kerrow, student of the first year, had attended the prescribed classes, and performed the required exercises during the recent session of the hall in Edinburgh. Appointed Messrs Alexander and Shorthouse subjects of trial for license, and Mr. M'Kerrow a text for a homily; and instructed the clerk to request their attendance at next meeting of presbytery, to be examined on the lectures of the session. Agreed to adjourn the consideration of the reports on union with the English Presbyterian Church until next meeting.

Re

clerk to take the necessary steps for the election of the members of the board, and to fix the time and place of its first meeting. Read a letter from Dr. Hamilton, of London, requesting the presbytery to appoint delegates to attend a meeting in Manchester, on the 10th January, 1855, of the committee appointed in April last by the Synod of the English Presbyterian Church," to communicate with presbyteries and ministers of the United Presbyterian Church labouring in England, or to take such other steps as are calculated, by the Divine blessing, and without any compromise of sound doctrine, to effect a union between them and this Synod," and agreed to appoint Drs. Crichton and M'Kerrow, and the Rev. Messrs. Towers and Scott, as delegates from the presbytery to attend that meeting. Mr. Towers reported that he had presided in the election of two elders at Sutton, and would take the steps necessary for their ordination. The committee of the Booth station reported that they had obtained a suitable place for public worship, and that it would be opened about the beginning of December. James M'Kerrow, student of the first year, was examined on the lectures of the recent session of the hall, of which he gave a clear and satisfactory account. Appointed the next meeting of presbytery to be held in Lloyd Street, Manchester, on Tuesday, 9th January, 1855, at 11 o'clock A.M.

Mr.

Newcastle. This presbytery met on the 7th November, the Rev. William Fiskin, moderator, pro tem. There was read a petition from a number of persons in Jarrow for preachers of the U.P. Church to be sent to them. The petition was laid on the table till next ordinary meeting for final decision. Supply was, however, granted to them for one month; the presbytery Mission Committee, in the meantime, to ascertain more particularly the posture of affairs in that place. A call from the congregation in Swalwell to Mr. David Williamson, preacher, was sustained, and trials for ordination were assigned to him. Mr. Paterson, ordained in Zion Chapel on 16th August, laid on the table a paper containing the resignation of his pastoral charge of the congregation there, and was heard in support of it, stating the unkind treatment he had received from the elders, and the disaffection they had excited in the congregation, as destroying his usefulness among them. Messrs. Thomas Telford and James Walker appeared as commissioners, saying that, Mr. Paterson having given them notice of

his intention to resign, they had twice held a meeting of the congregation to consider the matter, and that at these meetings it was agreed to concur with the proposed resignation. After hearing parties, and on considering the question, the presbytery expressed their deepest regret for the occurrences occasioning Mr. Paterson's resignation; but, under the painful circumstances, agreed to accept it, and to have his name taken from their roll. Agreed also, that, at his own request, his name be recommended to be placed on the Synod's roll of probationers. The commissioners requested a supply of preachers for the congregation in their now vacant state, when, after a lengthened discussion, a motion was made" that supply be NOT granted." It was also moved "that supply BB granted." The second motion, for supply, was carried, seven having voted for it, and five against it-six not voting at all. From this decision Mr. Bell and Mr. Fraser dissented. Mr. Riddell was appointed to preach in Zion Chapel ou Sabbath, and intimate the presbytery's decision to the congregation. A moderation in a call was appointed at Houghton

le-Spring, on 22d inst., at half-past six m

Mr. Morris to preach and preside. Read a letter from the clerk of Cupe Presby tery, announcing the suspension of M÷KA in St. Andrews. Next meeting to be held here, on first Tuesday of December.

Paisley and Greenock Presbytery-This presbytery met at Paisley, 7th Nov.Rev. George Brooks, of Johnstone, moderator. Certificates were received as to students who had attended the recent session of the Theological Hall; and Messrs. Wm. Gillies and Daniel Patterson were taken on trials for license. The congrega tions in the bounds were recommended to hold meetings at such time as may be convenient, in their respective localities, to express thanks to God for his beansy in the harvest, and to present supplications as to the aspects of Providence. Appointed next meeting of presbytery to be held at Greenock, on the third Tuesday of December, when sessions are to report as to the remit of Synod respecting the Synod Fund, and the remit as to an overture respecting the mode of obtaining missionaries.

THE war with Russia is the one subject which occupies the public mind of the metropolis, and indeed of Engiand, to the almost total exclusion of every other. Trade, commerce, literature, the arts, and everything, in fact, of a progressive and improving nature, is already suffering severely, and will suffer still more, on account of the horrible work of butchery which the “civilized" nations of Europe are engaged in performing on the shores of the Black Sea, under the walls of Sebastopol. The elaborate accounts with which the journalists supply us from day to day, of the nature and extent of the fearful carnage, are such as make the blood run cold with horror; and yet the war is decidedly "popular"! "One murder makes a villain; millions a hero: the more that fall, we are instructed, the greater the " glory" to those who kill them. It may be true that England

never before engaged in so just a war; bat surely it is a great misfortune that she has aught to do with this. The prosperity of the country will be thrown back for generations; and thousands upon thousands of families, of all classes of the people, throughout their whole lives, will have abundant cause for the deepest sor. row. It is inexpressibly loathing, therefore, to hear the dippant talk of the thoughtless multitude concerning those painful events in which the most momentous interests of multitudes of our fellowcreatures are involved. That humane and pacific spirit, arising out of a better understanding of that Christian principle, the brotherhood of all men dwelling on the face of the earth, which the instructions of the last thirty-five years had tended largely to. promote, seem to have vanished away before the demon of war; so greatly easier is it to destroy than to create.