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ordinary interest in that publication. Supposing your statement true, and I have not any reason to doubt it, I am of opinion that you were not more severe on that occasion, than a sincere and zealous Minister of the Gospel, deeply impressed with the importance of the cause which he advocates, ought to have been; but I did think, however forcible and impressive your figurative style, that it was rather out of place; as, ac cording to my notions, your sermon should have been purely argumentative; and the more especially, as you could have had no inducement to use rhetorical style for lack of argument. In fine, if you were actuated by any rancorous feeling towards Mr. Porter, you must be a most consummate hypocrite; for you dined with me at Mr. M'Laughlan's, and you joined us earnestly and cordially, (at least apparently so,) not only in speaking highly of the moral character and unyielding integrity of Mr. Porter, but you disclaimed all feeling of personal ill will, which I recollect having told you you were charged with.

To Rev. J. Brown, &c.

I am, Rev. and Dear Sir,
Yours, faithfully,
ANDREW SPROULE.

Such is the testimony of a competent witness, who writes his own words. It is valuable, as it affords tests that dismiss all Mr. Porter's witnesses, and shows my undisguised feeling towards Mr. Porter, to whom I gave credit for qualities that I must now retract. A discerning mind will not consider it of less value, because its writer is cautious. It completely dovetails with my statement. I also add the following testimony:

1. "We, the undersigned, from a regard to truth, feel ourselves bound to declare solemnly, that in the discourse delivered by the Rev. John Brown, in Drumachose Meeting-House, there was no attack made on the Rev. William Porter:

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Archibald Fisher, Esq. added his name to words of similar

import.

2. "In addition to the above, we farther declare, that the statement made by Mr. Brown, in No. IX. of The Orthodox Presbyterian, is a fair representation of what was delivered on that occasion:

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These forty-four men have declared, that the main part of the charge is false, and thirty-one that it is wholly so: seventeen of these subscribed, in my presence, and would readily give their oaths, the rest were sent to me by three friends. The greater part of the Session and Committee of Drumachose, are in the list, and they require no voucher for their respectability. This list, if necessary, might have been greatly extended.

The public will now judge, whether or not Mr. Porter should have preferred his charge: marking well the delay of preferring it, the thin pretext that covered his real design, the feeble and reluctant testimony brought to support it, the change of tone in his last, compared with his former letter, his distrust of, and variance with his witnesses, the gross contradictions that I have exposed in his laboured reply, and the clear and decisive testimony which I have adduced,-marking these things, I know they will sayMr. Porter, stand forth! You have wronged Mr. Brown; you taunted him about Geneva; he has silenced you there; the world, also, that has seen you retreating from your first positions, expects you to do him justice, and to do justice to yourself, by retracting charges that you cannot substantiate, and which Mr. Brown has proved to be evidently and certainly unfounded. I am, &c.

AGHADOWEY, 14th August, 1830.

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JOHN BROWN.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

INSTALLATION.-On Tuesday, the 6th April, the Rev. Alexander Patterson, Jun. late of Clontibret, was installed in the 2d Congregation of Ballymena. The services of the day were commenced by the Rev. D. Hamilton, who preached from 1 Cor. ix. 16. The Rev. Robert Stewart explained the nature of Presbyterian Ordination; after which, the Rev. Dr. Cooke implored the divine blessing upon Mr. Patterson, the congregation, and the union which had just been formed between them. The services of the day were concluded by the Rev. H. Henry.

ORDINATIONS.On the 22d June, the Rev. Robert Anderson was ordained in the newly-erected congregation of Banbridge. The Rev. W. D. Stewart commenced the services by a sermon from 1 Cor. i. xxiii. (first clause.) The Rev. W. Craig succeeded him in explanation of Presbyterian Ordination. The Rev. Mr. Wright, of Annahilt, offered up the ordination prayer. The Rev. Moses Finlay, of Donaghmore, concluded by a solemn and affectionate address.

On the 23d June, the Rev. Adam Montgomery was ordained to the pastoral charge of the new Presbyterian Congregation of Ballycairn, County Down. The Rev. Dr. Hanna commenced the services by a sermon from 1 Pet, iii. 15. The Rev. Dr. Cooke explained the consti

tution of a Christian Church, put the usual questions, offered up the ordination prayer, and delivered the charge to Minister and people.

On the 28th July, the Rev. John M'Millan was ordained by the associate Presbytery of Belfast in the congregation of Lyle-Hill. The Rev. J. G. Brown commenced the services by a discourse from 2d Tim. vii. 4. The Rev. Isaiah Steen explained and defended the nature of Presbyterian Ordination. The Rev. Mr. Wallace put the usual questions, &c. Mr. Steen then delivered the charge to the Minister and people, and the Rev. John Coulter concluded the services of the day by a suitable discourse from Acts xiv. 3.

On Tuesday, the 3d inst. the Rev. James Moorhead was ordained in the congregation of Donacloney, in connexion with the Secession Church of Ireland. The services of the day were commenced by the Rev. Samuel Hendrin, from Isaiah lii. 7. He was succeeded by the Rev. James Harvey, in defence of Presbyterian Ordination. The Rev. Robert M'Mahon gave the charge to Minister and people. The Rev. John Rogers, of Glascar, closed the services by a sermon from Luke xiv. 23, (last clause.)

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SABBATH SCHOOL EDUCATION.

IN the course of last week, three Lectures were delivered, in the Presbyterian Meeting-House, Fisherwick Place, to the Teachers and Friends of Sabbath Schools in Belfast, by the Rev. Mr. Day, of Edinburgh. The principal design of the Lecturer seemed to be to impress the minds of teachers with the paramount duty of affording religious instruction to their pupils, and to direct them in the best mode of conveying it. The grand principle which he inculcated, was that long since laid down by St. Paul, "comparing spiritual things with spiritual," and he exemplified it by a reference to a great variety of passages. The friends of religious education in Belfast, have reason to be thankful for Mr. Day's gratuitous exertions; and they will be gratified to learn, that a visit is expected, in the latter end of the present month, from Mr. Gall, of Edinburgh, also. This gentleman has been long and well known to the public, as the author of a great variety of treatises on religious education, and on Sunday School instruction in particular. He has been a principal means of calling public attention to the great duty of a sound religious education, and to the best means of advancing it. As to the mode of education, his fundamental and distinguishing principle appears to be the wisdom of making instruction an exercise of the understanding, rather than a mere effort of memory. The church and the world are much indebted to Mr. Gall, for his unwearied and disinterested labours. His visit to Belfast should be hailed with satisfaction by all the friends of Bible education, but especially parents and Sunday School Teachers, and all others concerned in the education of the young. We would also suggest to our friends throughout the country, the propriety of inviting Mr. Gall to the several leading towns, that he might have an opportunity of explaining his system as generally as possible. He delivers his Lectures gratuitously; but we should think it only just that the expenses of his journey should be borne by those for whose benefit it is undertaken.

In Great Britain and Ireland, there are, in connexion with the Sunday School Societies, 9895 Schools, 97,747 Teachers, and 1,019,576 Scholars, being an increase of last year, 567 Schools, and 40,600 Scholars.

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NOTICE OF BOOKS.

Synodical Sermon, by the Rev. John Coulter, A. M. Gilnahirk.

We have frequently felt anxious to lay before our readers brief reviews of valuable Books. We had accordingly marked out for notice, "The Remains of the late Alexander Fisher," and two most valuable Works, the one entitled "Truths of Religion," the other, "Errors regarding Religion," together with a small but invaluable Tract on Prayer, by J. Douglas, Esq. of Cavers. We had also designed to turn the attention of our readers to some of the late productions of Thomas Erskine, Esq. and the examination of his principles, by the Rev. Drs. Burns, Wardlaw, and A. Thomson; to "The Natural History of Enthusiasm," a work of great power, by an anonymous author; and to the subject of the Millennium, which occupies, at present, so considerable a portion of public attention, in a review of "Begg's Scriptural Evidence of Christ's Speedy Return," We have also been anxious to introduce to our clerical readers a new work, which we can confidently recommend,-" Bridges on the Christian Ministry ;" and, to readers of every class, a work by the same Author, on the cxix. Psalm, which we hesitate not to pronounce one of the best specimens of Christian exposition; as well as some valuable Treatises, by Mr. Carson, of Tobermore, on the Inspiration of Scripture. Press of matter has continued to interfere with our designs. The same reason prevents us from doing more than refer to Mr. Coulter's Synodical Sermon.-We had intended to give some extracts, that our readers might judge of the distinguished ability with which it is composed. Our space, however, will not permit us to do more than say, that we not merely recommend it to the consideration of Mr. Coulter's brethren in his own Church, but also to that of every Minister whose great object is to 2 66 save his own soul, and the souls of those that hear him."

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DIED.-In May last, after a protracted illness, aged 67, the Rev. James Canning, Minister of the Presbyterian Congregation at Malin. Long will he be remembered by an affectionate flock, over which he presided for 32 years.

On the 4th July, in the 63d year of his age, the Rev. Joseph Crawford, Seceding Minister of Cremore, near Newry.

On the 13th inst. the Rev. Joseph Shaw, aged 29, some time of Portglenone, and latterly of Larne. He was a man of studious habits, and most faithful in the duties of a Presbyterian Pastor.

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ERRATUM.

THE first sheet was printed off before we observed, that in calculating the "hurras" at the two Remonstrant Dinners, we had inadvertently multiplied the total of the "hurras" by the total of the guests; whereas we should have multiplied the "joint stock hurras," at each feast, by the number of guests at each. Accordingly, on reinspection, we find that Derreboy gives 9X9X2 hurrasX210 guests; and Grey-Abbey affords 9X9X5+3×3×3+4×4×2 hurras, to be X 217 "pick men," giving merely a sum total of one hundred and thirty-four thousand, seven hundred and eight hurras; a number which we presume may still be judged sufficient for "improving" society, and "invigorating" the cause for which these meetings were convened.

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REMARKS ON VAGUE METHODS OF ASSENTING TO SCRIPTURE.

IN a former article (p. 325,) it was shown that the question concerning the use of Creeds is, in fact, a question about church communion: and that, as this communion must depend on some common belief among church members, the great point to be determined is-Whether the object of such belief should be the meaning, or merely the inspiration of the Scriptures. Here, however, I beg it may be observed, that the term inspiration is used in the most general sense; as a convenient abbreviation for the divine origin or authority of the sacred writings.

The subject, as thus stated, presents an obvious alternative, which it is of great importance accurately to examine. Such a process, indeed, is required in all our investigations. The rejection of particular sentiments commonly shuts us up to the necessity of adopting others: and therefore, in examining any system, we should beware of confining our attention entirely to objections; but, even while setting it aside, we should seriously consider the nature of that which must be substituted in its place. The character of the latter, indeed, reflects light upon the former; and, without examining both, justice is done to neither. No one, therefore, can form a proper estimate even of his own favourite sentiments, who does not view them in this double light: for it will be found that the most plausible system wears a very different aspect when put into a positive form, from what it presents when viewed merely as a series of negations. Let me, accordingly, request the opponents of Creeds to take a direct view of their own principles. They must be aware, I should think, that, in their statements and reasonings, they usually confine themselves rather to negations and objections; through which it is possible that the character of the system to which they are attached may not be distinctly

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