pressed at them for impeding public business. We are less annoyed now than formerly with a number of motions, in which principles and details are so confusedly mixed together, that one does not know well by the hearing of the ear, for which he should vote. This is a great evil, and it could easily be rectified. Let us first settle the principle-aye or no-on a given question. Shall we do it, or shall we not do it? This, then, being determined, the mode of carrying out the principle can be arranged subsequently. Let us have, first, the WHAT; and, second, the HOW: and there would be more intelligent voting in the Synod. Sometimes, too, we have seen two motions proposed to the Synod, which differ so little from each other, that one could draw lots and vote for either, according to the result. Still, however, there is a very marked improvement in the mode of conducting public business. Let us go on to perfection. The great principles of our church have been fully established, and hence the business of the Synod was principally occupied with their practical development. The financial schemes of the church occupied a prominence this session, which perhaps they never had before. It seems agreed upon all hands, that our whole financial system must undergo a searching examination, and be placed upon a more satisfactory basis. Principles are everlasting, but the manner of carrying them out may vary, and should vary, according to circumstances; and if any person imagines that the United Presbyterian Church, or any church, is to keep or extend its ground, by a dogged adherence to a former policy, he may safely be put down as one who does not "understand the signs of the times." There is a higher standard of dress, and of living in society, and there must be a corresponding liberality in the church. The existence of the Free Church in our midst, into whose treasury so much is poured with a generous hand, and whose schemes are constructed and carried on, upon a scale far superior to our own, cannot be overlooked. It is a new element in the ecclesiastical condition of this country, and a most important element too; and it must be met upon our part, in the only proper way-by more liberal contributions. We have perfect confidence in our principles; but they must not be left as abstract propositions lying in our head, or spoken with the tongue, or written upon paper. We must not be content with understanding them, or with talking about them, or with boasting of them: we must show our appreciation of their value, by working them out. As an illustration of our deficient application of our own principles, and of our ignorance of the requirements of the church and of the age, one fact alone needs to be stated. It is the state of the Synod fund. Out of this fund are paid the official expenses of the theological professors (it would be an insult to the Synod to call them salaries), the expenses of the theological library, the annuities to aged ministers, the expenses of synodical committees, of Synod clerks, and of all our business machinery, with an occasional grant to a weak congregation. How much is paid into this fund each year? About L.1200. If we divide this amount among the members of the church, it will be found, that to this fund, which includes so many and so important objects, the average annual rate of contribution is THE MAGNIFICENT SUM OF THREE-HALFPENCE per head. These things ought not to be so; and they are mentioned here, in order to their being corrected. With many, we have no doubt, it is a sin of ignorance,—it is a want of thought; and our statement will both surprise and humble them. This, and several other important matters connected with the financial condition of the church, were brought before the Synod. There was the Scholarship Fund to assist students; there was the better maintenance of the ministry; there was a scheme for the support of aged and infirm ministers, a want which has long been felt. There was a healthy spirit apparently in the Synod. The tone of feeling was encouraging. A public opinion is obviously in course of formation, that will boldly grapple with our financial difficulties, and overcome them all. A proposition was brought before the Synod for the formation of the English churches into a Synod. It asked for a Synod, subordinate to the Synod of the United Presbyterian Church. The arguments in its favour, when analysed, were in favour of an independent Synod, a sister church beyond the Tweed, in friendly intercourse with the United Church, but not under her jurisdiction. It is supposed by some of our brethren in England, that they could exercise a more beneficial influence, and could carry out, upon a wider scale, the principles of Presbyterianism, if they were formed into an independent church, and not be looked upon as a branch of a Scottish church. It is supposed, moreover, that their connection with us is a barrier to union with other Presbyterians in England, and that they would have more freedom of action, in relation to this movement, were they not united with us. There is probably much force in these arguments, and it would be a great boon, if the various Presbyterian bodies in England could form one great association. Union is strength, and the disunions of Presbyterians have tended much to injure their cause, in the estimation of the English people. They cannot understand our differences. If the proposition come up again, it should be in another form-an overture for an independent church. If our brethren feel, that separation would be a blessing to them and to the cause of religion; however much we may regret the departure of many esteemed friends, there will be no difficulty in effecting the division. We may part in peace, and with the best wishes, and earnest prayers for our mutual welfare and prosperity in building up the one church of God. The missionary meetings, on the evenings of Wednesday and Thursday, were very refreshing. They are a relief to the business operations of the Synod. They sanctify the whole. They send a tide of sacred influence through all the church. The members of Synod go home to their respective spheres of labour, stimulated to a holy activity, and blessing God for what they have seen and heard. There were messengers of peace from Caffraria, from Belgium, and from France; and in listening, to their addresses, and to those of the other speakers, each one felt, it is good to be here. For Zion's sake we must not cease to labour; for Zion's sake we must not hold our peace, "until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth." Printed by THOMAS MURRAY, of 2, Arniston Place, and WILLIAM GIBB, of 12, Queen Street, at the Printing Office of MURRAY and GIBB, North-East Thistle Street Lane, and Published by WILLIAM OLIPHANT, of 21, Buccleuch Place, at his Shop, 7, South Bridge, Edinburgh, on the 27th of May 1852. THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN MAGAZINE, FOR JULY, 1852. Miscellaneous Communications. THE RAINBOW ROUND ABOUT THE THRONE. needs no poetical fancy to apprehend or appreciate the great saving doctrines of the Gospel. If men were utterly destitute of that capacity by which the tropes and figures which abound in human language are invested with their charming interest, the Bible would still retain to them its most precious meaning; for still it could convey to their minds the knowledge which, through grace, makes wise unto salvation. For our part, we bear no favour for that style of interpretation which, on all subjects and with all texts, gives the reins to the imaginative faculty; finding allegory in every incident, and detecting some spiritual intent in the plainest statement of historical fact. A system which converts the Bible into a book of riddles, and reduces the preacher's work to a solving of enigmas, is little honouring to the wisdom of Him who designed the path Zionward to be a plain way, that wayfaring men, though fools, should not err therein. But even in expounding the Divine word, there is a legitimate field for the exercise of a christian imagination. Leaving first principles, and advancing to truths, the knowledge of which is designed for rewarding patient thought, cheering and animating the heart, and enlarging and maturing the character, it is reasonable to expect that the mind of the Spirit should be couched in terms that address themselves to all the powers-the imagination among the rest-with which our minds have been endowed. This mode of treatment may be allowed to be specially suitable for conveying truth respecting the glory of the church in a future world. Diversity of opinion on this point may, within certain limits, be entertained without endangering christian character; and even some degree of mistake respecting it is less injurious than such a suppression of inquiry as would beget, if it did not betoken, cool indifference to the whole subject. We find, accordingly, that much of what God has revealed respecting the heavenly state, is set forth in terms which stimulate and please, without altogether satisfying, pious curiosity. By this method we are carried forward from one stage to another, till the time arrive when all that is true in our speculations shall be realised, and all that is mistaken shall be dispersed by the light of eternal day. VOL. VI. NO. VII. N Scholarship Fund to assist students; there was the better maintenance of the ministry; there was a scheme for the support of aged and infirm ministers, a want which has long been felt. There was a healthy spirit apparently in the Synod. The tone of feeling was encouraging. A public opinion is obviously in course of formation, that will boldly grapple with our financial difficulties, and overcome them all. A proposition was brought before the Synod for the formation of the English churches into a Synod. It asked for a Synod, subordinate to the Synod of the United Presbyterian Church. The arguments in its favour, when analysed, were in favour of an independent Synod, a sister church beyond the Tweed, in friendly intercourse with the United Church, but not under her jurisdiction. It is supposed by some of our brethren in England, that they could exercise a more beneficial influence, and could carry out, upon a wider scale, the principles of Presbyterianism, if they were formed into an independent church, and not be looked upon as a branch of a Scottish church. It is supposed, moreover, that their connection with us is a barrier to union with other Presbyterians in England, and that they would have more freedom of action, in relation to this movement, were they not united with us. There is probably much force in these arguments, and it would be a great boon, if the various Presbyterian bodies in England could form one great association. Union is strength, and the disunions of Presbyterians have tended much to injure their cause, in the estimation of the English people. They cannot understand our differences. If the proposition come up again, it should be in another form-an overture for an independent church. If our brethren feel, that separation would be a blessing to them and to the cause of religion; however much we may regret the departure of many esteemed friends, there will be no difficulty in effecting the division. We may part in peace, and with the best wishes, and earnest prayers for our mutual welfare and prosperity in building up the one church of God. The missionary meetings, on the evenings of Wednesday and Thursday, were very refreshing. They are a relief to the business operations of the Synod. They sanctify the whole. They send a tide of sacred influence through all the church. The members of Synod go home to their respective spheres of labour, stimulated to a holy activity, and blessing God for what they have seen and heard. There were messengers of peace from Caffraria, from Belgium, and from France; and in listening, to their addresses, and to those of the other speakers, each one felt, it is good to be here. For Zion's sake we must not cease to labour; for Zion's sake we must not hold our peace, "until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.” Printed by THOMAS MURRAY, of 2, Arniston Place, and WILLIAM GIBB, of 12, Queen Street, at the Printing Office of MURRAY and GIBB, North-East Thistle Street Lane, and Published by WILLIAM OLIPHANT, of 21, Buccleuch Place, at his Shop, 7, South Bridge, Edinburgh, on the 27th of May 1852. THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN MAGAZINE, FOR JULY, 1852. Miscellaneous Communications. THE RAINBOW ROUND ABOUT THE THRONE. needs no poetical fancy to apprehend or appreciate the great saving doctrines of the Gospel. If men were utterly destitute of that capacity by which the tropes and figures which abound in human language are invested with their charming interest, the Bible would still retain to them its most precious meaning; for still it could convey to their minds the knowledge which, through grace, makes wise unto salvation. For our part, we bear no favour for that style of interpretation which, on all subjects and with all texts, gives the reins to the imaginative faculty; finding allegory in every incident, and detecting some spiritual intent in the plainest statement of historical fact. A system which converts the Bible into a book of riddles, and reduces the preacher's work to a solving of enigmas, is little honouring to the wisdom of Him who designed the path Zionward to be a plain way, that wayfaring men, though fools, should not err therein. But even in expounding the Divine word, there is a legitimate field for the exercise of a christian imagination. Leaving first principles, and advancing to truths, the knowledge of which is designed for rewarding patient thought, cheering and animating the heart, and enlarging and maturing the character, it is reasonable to expect that the mind of the Spirit should be couched in terms that address themselves to all the powers-the imagination among the rest—with which our minds have been endowed. This mode of treatment may be allowed to be specially suitable for conveying truth respecting the glory of the church in a future world. Diversity of opinion on this point may, within certain limits, be entertained without endangering christian character; and even some degree of mistake respecting it is less injurious than such a suppression of inquiry as would beget, if it did not betoken, cool indifference to the whole subject. We find, accordingly, that much of what God has revealed respecting the heavenly state, is set forth in terms which stimulate and please, without altogether satisfying, pious curiosity. By this method we are carried forward from one stage to another, till the time arrive when all that is true in our speculations shall be realised, and all that is mistaken shall be dispersed by the light of eternal day. VOL. VI. NO. VII. N |
