pavement. This floor is twelve feet above the general level of the area, so that this remarkable piece of native rock projects seventeen feet above the ground. It is surmounted by a high wooden screen of lattice work, to protect it from any profane touch. Had we never heard of this rock, our first impression would have been that it was the tomb of some illustrious individual. The moment we saw it, we ceased to give much attention to any other part of the building. We stood riveted to the spot, convinced that there is a wonderful history connected with that mass of unhewn stone, now for ages in the keeping of Moslems. A canopy of the richest crimson is hung over it. There was no permission given to pass within the screen of lattice work, but we had no difficulty whatever in seeing the entire rock. On a part of the surface there is a slight indentation, and the Moslem believes that to be the impression which was left by the prophet when he stepped into paradise. This and other traditions regarding this rock, make it an object of profound veneration to the followers of the prophet, who believe that it is suspended in the air! To the Jew and the Christian this rock is no less an object of interest. It is, indeed, very remarkable that it should have been permitted to stand so high above the general level of the place, when the surrounding plateau has been cut away, and when, in other parts, mighty substructures have been raised in order to widen the area at the building of the temple. The Jewish and the Christian tradition is, that this is the rock on which Abraham was prepared to offer up his son Isaac; that at a period long subsequent to this, became the property of Araunah the Jebusite, who made use of it as a threshing floor; and that David the king purchased it for an altar, when the plague swept away so many of the people; and, finally, that this famous rock was the altar of burnt-offering in the ancient temple. That it has a history, such as no other rock in the world possesses, there can be no doubt; and this history shall be all the more wonderful, if Mr. Ferguson's theory regarding it turn out to be correct, that the cave under the rock is the real sepulchre of our Lord! This cave is reached by a flight of steps, and is capable of holding about fifty persons. Its average height is about seven feet. At the entrance there is a curious projection, called the tongue of the rock, from its resemblance to this organ of the body. If that tongue could but speak, what a history would be disclosed!'

ANTE-NICENE CHRISTIAN LIBRARY. Translations of the Writings of the Fathers down to A.D. 325. Edited by the Rev. ALEXANDER ROBERTS, D.D., and JAMES DONALDSON, LL.D. Vol. III., Tatian, Theophilus, and the Clementine Recognitions. Vol. IV., Clement of Alexandria (vol. i.).

Edinburgh: T. and T. Clark. 1867. VERY different estimates have been formed of the value of the writings of

the Fathers. An importance has been attached to them on the part of Roman and Romanizing divines, to which these writings are certainly not entitled. On the other hand, perhaps, there has been a tendency on the part of Protestants, ever since the days of Daillé, unduly to depreciate them. His book on the Use of the Fathers did admirable service at the time when it was written. Against the Roman Catholics, he demonstrated that the Christian Fathers cannot be accepted as judges of controversies between the Reformed and the Church of Rome, because it is very difficult, if not impossible, to ascertain what their mind was upon the controverted points, and that even could we ascertain it, we could not ascribe a decisive authority to it; the doctors of the primitive church being no more infallible than those of our own days. It must, however, be admitted that Daillé scarcely did justice, in all respects, to these ancient luminaries of the church. Though they differ much from one another, they do agree on certain points; and it is on their agreement on these points that the Romanists lay most stress; nor need we deny that such agreement does furnish a certain presumption in favour of any doctrine, the truth of which, however, after all, must be tested by Scripture. Our chief obligations to the Fathers arise from their testimony to the Canon. In relation to this, indeed, their writings are of priceless value. Without them, the question of what is canonical scripture and what not, in regard both to the Old Testament and the New, would be insoluble. Very curious and important information also is to be derived from the Fathers about the state of the ancient Pagan world-its philosophy, its religion, its manners at the time when Christianity arose in the midst of it, as well as in regard to the obstacles the new faith had to overcome, and the sources and progress of the corruptions that flowed in from all sides. But is it asked, What benefit can one get theologically from a careful study of the Fathers? will his knowledge either of doctrinal or of practical divinity be thereby improved? will he be better fitted for the work of the ministry ?-we are sorry we must reply, Very little indeed. His time would be very much better employed in the perusal of even a very commonplace volume of the Puritans, or of sound modern divinity. If, indeed, he study them in the Greek original, he will be benefited in his knowledge of Greek. Few, however, have access to the original writings; and still fewer among our working ministers keep their Greek scholarship so fresh, if they have ever attained such proficiency in it, as to be able to read the

original with a measure of ease sufficient to render the study enjoyable. Hence the importance of translations. These, if well executed, will at least enable those, who would otherwise have to take their impressions at second hand, to judge for themselves what is the worth of the Fathers, and what they really do teach on certain points, as, for example, on the head of Episcopacy.

We have already expressed our high opinion of the style in which the translations are executed, in the former volumes of this series. So far as we can judge, the two volumes mentioned at the head of this notice are not inferior in this respect to their predecessors. The Clementine Recognitions, in the first of the two, are a translation of a translation, being taken from the Latin of Rufinus-the original of this strange religious romance having been lost. The treatises of Clement of Alexandria, which occupy the second volume, are more interesting and valuable than either Tatian, Theophilus, or the Recognitions. Grossly erroneous doctrines, however, are found in all these Fathers. Take one single article as a test, for example, the fall of man. The author of the Recognitions seems to have no idea of the sinfulness of eating the forbidden fruit. His representation is, that there were eight generations of a golden age; that then sin arose from ease and luxurious enjoyment, through the longevity of the antediluvians leading to forgetfulness of God, and unthankfulness; evil spirits also helping on to this result. Theophilus declares that the forbidden fruit was in itself a blessing, and that Adam was debarred from it only because he was not yet matured in capacity for making a right use of knowledge. The sin of Eve, in his judgment, was idolatry. Clemens Alexandrinus considers the history of the fall to be an allegory. Adam was created imperfect, but capable, by the independent exertions of his own will and power, of acquiring virtue. Yet he does say of sin that it is innate and common to all.

One thing common to all these writers, is a remarkable acquaintance with the inspired writings, though frequently they discover the most fantastic ideas of their meaning. Clemens is in some respects a masterly and eloquent writer. He is unfortunately spoiled by a strong infusion of the Platonic philosophy. As against heathenism, the writings of all these Fathers are powerful. But a fearful blemish is the excessive minutenessthis is especially true of Clemens-with which they go into detail with regard to the infamous vices tolerated and encour

aged by the heathen mythology. Paul, indeed, exposes and condemns these; but he does it once for all in a few burning sentences. Clemens, in chapter after chapter, records most carefully and disgustingly those abominable crimes which ought not once to be named among us as becometh saints. There seems to us in this a want of reason, taste, and purity alike.

PURITAN COMMENTARIES. An Exposition with Notes, unfolded and applied, on John xvii. By George Newton.-The Saints' Happiness, together with the several steps leading thereunto. Delivered in divers Lectures on the Beatitudes. By Jeremiah Burroughs.-A Strange Vineyard in Palestine; in an Exposition of Isaiah's Parabolical Song of the Beloved discovered. By Nehemiah Rogers.

Edinburgh: James Nichol. 1867.

DR. SMITH of Edinburgh, the learned and able editor of these volumes, in his biographical note prefixed to the first of them, tells us that the author, who was minister of Taunton in Devonshire, acted on a trying occasion in the following manner: 'When, in 1633, Charles I. re-issued his father's Book of Sports, and recommended it to be read in the churches, Newton obeyed the order. He read the book, and closed it, saying, "These are the commandments of men; now let us hear what be the commandments of God." He then opened the Bible and read the fourth commandment, and said, “Thus, my brethren, ye have two ways set before you; it is for you to choose in which of these ways ye will walk." Thus did he obey the order of Council, which commanded the unhallowed book to be read; yet at the same time offered the most emphatic protest against what he, and all faithful ministers, regarded as a most unwarrantable desecration of the pulpit, and a most unchristian, or rather antichristian, opposition to the divine law.'

Another statement in the note is interesting. Newton had for his colleague the famous and fervent Joseph Alleine, who, along with his wife, for two years (Newton being a widower) lived in his house. 'Comparing Alleine's best known work, The Alarm to the Unconverted, with Newton's Exposition of John XVII., we cannot,' says Dr. Smith, but think that their ministrations would be admirably blended. Their matter was identical-man's disease and God's remedy; their manners so different, that the hearers of both could scarcely take a one-sided view of the truth. The clear

argumentation of the senior would be admirably seconded by the fervent appeals of the junior; while the mere sight of two men, so different in temperament, yet so thoroughly agreed in sentiment, and so heartily co-operating in their Master's work, would itself be a proof of the universal fitness of the gospel, and its worthiness of all acceptation.'

The second volume of this issue of the Commentaries, is a series of Lectures on the Beatitudes by the well-known and voluminous Jeremiah Burroughs, and a very scarce work on Isaiah v. by Nehemiah Rogers, supposed to be a descendant of John Rogers, the proto-martyr of the English Reformation. It was originally published in 1623. We coincide with the editor in his judgment of its merits. To us it appears not doubtful that this small work will be regarded as an interesting specimen of the expositions of the "Doctrinal Puritans." Clear throughout, and occasionally eloquent, at once evangelical and faithfully practical, it is worthy of attentive perusal, which the liveliness of the author's style will render a pleasant work.'

THE PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL ALMANAC AND ANNUAL REMEMBRANCER OF THE CHURCH FOR 1865, Vol. VII.; for 1866, Vol. VIII. By JOSEPH M. WILSON.

Philadelphia: Joseph M. Wilson. THIS is an annual in the United States which some enterprising publisher in this country might attempt to parallel, with very great advantage to himself and to the community. We marvel that the idea has not already, and long ago, been carried out. When we speak of paralleling the publication before us, we do not, of course, forget the gigantic scale on which Presbyterianism, like everything else, flourishes in America. The churches of that order there far excel what we can boast of here in numbers and strength. They are the ten thousands of Ephraim; ours are but the thousands of Manasseh. Nevertheless, grouping together the Presbyterian Churches of Scotland, England, Wales, and Ireland, endowed and unendowed, there would be an ample field of interesting facts out of which to construct a most useful and popular volume, the annual issue of which might happily combine, with other influences that are now at work, to bring the whole Presbyterian family into closer relations among its several branches, and into a state also of more vigorous health and life.

The larger portion of these valuable volumes is occupied with biographies, some of them considerably extended, and not a

few of them deeply interesting, of the ministers who have died during the course of the year of publication, belonging to all the different bodies of America. These lives are generally most carefully executed, and drawn from the most authentic sources. There are a few portraits too, as embellishments of the volumes, and as memorials of distinguished individuals. There are also some histories of particular congregations. But besides this, an immensity of information will be found in them, statistical and otherwise; lists of the members of Assemblies and Synods, with the times of meeting, and condensed reports of the business transacted, the overtures discussed, and the principal cases judicially decided; summaries and abridgments of reports of Home and Foreign Missions, Boards of Education, Boards of Publication, Boards of Church Extension, of Funds for disabled ministers, for the erection of manses, etc., and of Theological seminaries. The details on all these and other matters are most minute and comprehensive. have also pastoral letters, and reports of temporary committees, such as on the state of religion, on hymn books, etc. Nor does this mass of materials (filling about 450 pages each volume, and very closely printed) relate solely to Presbyterian Churches in the United States, but to those likewise in the British dominions, though on a narrower scale. To the volume for 1866 there are subjoined thirty-one statistical tables of great value regarding religion and population in the United States.

We

We need say nothing further to indicate the importance of this Almanac, and the extraordinary industry of its compiler. We only repeat the expression of a wish that something similar were tried on this side the water.

With

WORDS OF COMFORT FOR PARENTS BEREAVED OF LITTLE CHILDREN. Edited by WILLIAM LOGAN, Author of 'The Moral Statistics of Glasgow,' etc. an Introductory Historical Sketch by the Rev. WILLIAM ANDERSON, LL.D., Glasgow. Third edition, enlarged.

London: J. Nisbet and Co. 1867. UNTIL we saw this volume we had no idea that so much had been published on the subject of infant salvation, or to assuage parental grief under bereavement, as is indicated by the extracts it contains, culled from innumerable quarters. The industry of the editor has drawn together an enormous store of materials, not, indeed, all of equally high quality,—for we have here passages from Ralph Erskine and Mrs. Browning, from Richard Cecil and Gerald Massey, from

Dr. Wardlaw and Robert Burns, from Samuel Rutherford and Quintilian,-but all fitted, more or less, to soothe the mind of the agonized mourner, and for the most part to lead to the ample springs of true Christian consolation. It is a complete repertory of sympathy and comfort, where the most inconsolable Rachel will find something suited to her case. We have

already expressed our high estimate of a former edition of the work, and the present edition is enlarged. We think there should be no future attempt to make the book larger. If new contributions are introduced, it should be by substitution in the room of some existing quotations, not by addition to the number, else the book will be swelled beyond a convenient size. The introductory sketch, by Dr. Anderson, is characterized by his usual acuteness and power; but the denunciation of opinions opposed to those expressed by him on this solemn subject, is too fierce to meet our taste.

SILVER LAKE; or, Lost in the Snow. By R. M. BALLANTYNE.

London: Jackson, Walford, and Hodder. 1867. MR. BALLANTYNE is one of the best living writers of tales; we say tales, as distinguished from any long work of fiction, which we think he has not yet attempted. Tales of the sea and of the wilderness, especially tales of adventure and manly daring-tales that bring out courage and benevolent affection, are Mr. Ballantyne's forte. We remark also a great amount of instruction always conveyed_along with amusement in those of Mr. Ballantyne's

little books that we have perused, and we have perused several of them with the greatest admiration. They are eminently safe and useful books for young people, The moral tone is not only unexceptionable, but high, and Christian truth is brought in, not obtrusively, as in some well-meant books, in which case it is apt to miss its aim, but with great judiciousness and effect. The present story is one of life in the Backwoods of North America, and could have been written only by one who had not only some experience of what he describes, but who was possessed of remarkable powers of observation. Such is the exciting interest of the tale, that we have been wound up, in reading it, to an intensity of feeling, compelling us to lay down the book for a little-a good evidence, we should say, of the author's power.

THE ORPHAN; or, Comfort and Counsel to the Fatherless and Motherless. By the Author of 'Consolation for Christian Mothers bereaved of Little Children.'

Edinburgh: William P. Nimmo. THIS is a very sweet little work, written in a most pious and affectionate spirit, that must win for its counsels a way direct to the heart of mourners. The author expresses himself in a plain and artless manner, but with no little beauty in many passages, and with an ingenious skill in the application of Scripture. Apt illustrations by pleasant anecdotes, and devotional poetry, both original and selected, from well-known authors, add to the value and interest of the volume.

Aberdeen. The presbytery met, and was constituted by Rev. R. Hall, moderator. Mr. Bruce's declinature of the call from St. Nicholas Lane was intimated. A unanimous call from Charlotte Street, to Mr. James Cordiner, was sustained, and trials for ordination appointed. On the reading of the resolutions by the Glasgow Presbytery anent the Irish Church Establishment, a discussion arose in regard to the propriety of introducing such subjects into our church courts. Mr. Stirling moved to approve of the resolutions, and to co-operate in all lawful means to attain their object. Mr. Turner moved acknowledgment of the resolutions simpliciter.

Mr. Stirling's motion was carried by 7 to 5, against which, Mr. Turner entered his dissent for reasons to be given in. Next meeting of presbytery to be held on Tuesday after the 2d Sabbath in January next. The examination of students in languages to be held on the first Monday of February, at 11 A.M.

1

Annandale. This presbytery met at Rigg of Gretna on the 10th ult-the Rev. D. Mann, moderator. Mr. R. P. Douglas, student of the fourth year, transferred from the Presbytery of Lanark, had appointed to him for lecture, Titus v. 7, and sermon, Rom. viii. 24, with subjects of examination as on printed list. The Banff Presbytery having reported that the Rev. Nathanael F. Macdougall, of Portsoy,

had accepted the call to Ecclefechan, his induction was appointed to take place on Tuesday, 7th January. Mr. Gardiner was appointed to preach and preside; Mr. Goodburn to address the minister and people; and the clerk of presbytery to narrate the steps.

Arbroath. This presbytery met at Arbroath on the 3d December-the Rev. Peter Wright, moderator. Mr. Campbell, convener of a Committee on the more Efficient Conducting of Sabbath Schools, gave in a report on that subject, made up of information gathered from returns made by the various sessions. This gave rise to a considerable amount of interesting discussion; the general impression being, that while no little good was being done by the Sabbath school system in its present state, there was yet a much smaller number present in attendance at the schools than was warranted by the congregational statistics; and in the matter of imparting instruction, it was believed, that more attention should be given to the selection of such persons as teachers as were thoroughly qualified for the work, by piety, tact, enthusiasm, etc. It was finally agreed to send down the report to sessions and superintendents of Sabbath schools, with the earnest recommendation to give their prayerful attention to the matters it contains; and, in particular, it was recommended that an effort be made to increase the numbers attending the congregational schools; that increased attention be given by sessions to the duty of superintendence; and that church members generally be requested to take a deeper interest in the work of Sabbath-school instruction. A report was laid on the table from the Stipend Augmentation Committee, from which it appeared, that the proportional sum expected to be raised by this presbytery, to make up the aggregate amount of £6000 required by the Synod, had been fully accomplished. It was agreed to appoint a committee to prepare a series of resolutions on the Irish Church, and a petition to Parliament against its proposed endowment by Government, by next meeting of presbytery-the ministers of Arbroath, with their elders, composing this committee. A letter was read from the Sabbath Alliance Office, requesting co-operation in a general movement for the better observance of the Lord's day, when it was agreed to express sympathy with the object of the Alliance, and to recommend to the brethren to call the attention of their people to this subject on some Sabbath of the present month. The next ordinary meeting of presbytery to be held at Brechin, on Tuesday after the first Sabbath of February.

Banff. This presbytery met at Banff on the 22d October-the Rev. John Meikleham, moderator pro tem. The clerk read a letter from Mr. Kirk, probationer, under call to Banff, and also to Holm in Orkney, asking another month for consideration as to his duty in coming to a decision; and his request was granted, and he was expected to give his trial exercises for ordination, in the event of his deciding to accept of the call to Banff, on the 19th November. The Rev. William Drummond, probationer, was authorized to preside in the session of Banff, and to discharge all the duties connected with the dispensation of the Lord's Supper in that church on the 27th curt. Mr. John Sellar's certificates from Professors M'Michael and Harper (whose lectures on the History of Doctrines, and Pastoral Theology, he had attended as a fourth year's student, at the Hall session for 1867) were read, and found very satisfactory, after which he gave a very luminous account of these lectures to the presbytery, which was cordially approved; and subjects of trial were assigned to him-viz., for lecture, John iii. 14, 15, and sermon, Rom. v. 11, and to be examined on the Languages and Theology, Biblical Literature and Church History. A petition was presented for a moderation in a call to Keith. The emoluments are, for stipend £145, and £5 for travelling expenses, a free manse, etc. Messrs. George Gartly and George Cockburn appeared as attested commissioners, and were heard, and referred to the minute of the congregational meeting, which had been produced along with the petition, for the information required. After reasoning, the proposal was made, seconded, and unanimously agreed to, that the prayer of the petition be granted, and Mr. Meikleham to preach and preside in that service, on Monday, 11th November, at 11.15 A.M.-This presbytery met again at Banff on the 19th November-the Rev. Nathanael F. Macdougall, moderator. A letter was received from Mr. Thomas Kirk, accepting of the call to Banff; but stating that, owing to circumstances, he felt it would not be possible for him to give his trial exercises for ordination till the next meeting, and he was enjoined to deliver the whole on Tuesday 24th December. Mr. Meikleham reported his proceedings in the moderation of a call to Keith, which was addressed to Mr. James U. Blackwood, and signed by 121 members, and a paper of adherence by 49 persons; likewise a petition from the congregation, praying the presbytery to sustain the call, and to proceed in it with all convenient speed. Messrs. George Gartly and George Cock