Thus far have I written in great weakness, and with much difficulty. I must draw to a close; but I must not conclude without thus publicly thanking you, my dear friends, for all the Christian affection and kindness I have received from you. Believe me, it has sunk into my heart. If it please the Lord to continue his heavy hand on me, you may yet be called to bear a little longer with my absence. Most earnestly do I long to see your faces in the flesh and again to speak among you of the ever blessed, everglorious subject, of redeeming love. And this I hope through the mercy of my God in answer to your prayers will be granted: but if it may not be; his will be done in life or death-blessed be the name of the Lord.

Finally beloved, be of one mind; let brotherly love more and more abound. Forget not the Lord's sabbath. Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together. Parents who have care of children, Masters who have care of servants, see that you instruct them in the truths of God's word. God has put them under your care for this purpose, and will require it at your hands. Children and servants improve your time, and especially your Sabbaths, in getting acquainted with the Bible, and your Catechism. Your Minister expects this of you. And what is far more important, God expects it, and will require an acAbstain beloved from all appearance of evil, and in all things, seek to "adorn the Gospel of God our Saviour."

count.

And now to God, and to the word of his grace I commend you.-Amen.

In great weakness of body, but with strong desires for your present and eternal welfare,

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I am your afflicted, affectionate Pastor,

W. D. STEWART.

BIBLE INSTRUCTION.

WE have long considered the time of admission to the Table of the Lord, in the Presbyterian Churches, to be one of the most critical seasons in the history of the young. It ought to be embraced by every Minister of Christ, as one of the most favourable opportunities for imparting sound instruction, accompanied with earnest exhortation and faithful addresses to the conscience, We concur in the sentiment expressed by Mr. James in

his popular work, "A Christian Father's present to his children:" that the majority of God's people appear to be born again, not later than in their eighteenth year. And if those who have enjoyed the opportunity of witnessing a goodly number brought to the knowledge of the truth, will only reflect upon their own observation, they will probably be furnished with evidence of the justness of Mr. James's remark, far beyond what they would at first have anticipated. It has therefore occurred to us, that a corner of our little work, for the present year, might be profitably occupied with some plain suggestions, or a course of religious instruction for communicants—a class of persons, who usually come under the particular notice of the Ministers of religion about the age alluded to, and under circumstances most favourable for producing a religious impression on their minds, and bringing their future lives under the power of the Gospel. We shall not enter on the subject in the present number, farther than to submit a few general prefatory remarks.

1. We fear that a large proportion of those who offer themselves, as candidates for admission to the Lord's Table, do so in a melancholy state of ignorance respecting the doctrines of the Gospel. It might be supposed, that any person presenting himself, in order to make a public profession of the Gospel would surely be acquainted with that Gospel, and able to give an answer to those who asked a reason of the hope that was in him. But, in point of fact, it is found to be far otherwise. Many reasons may operate to induce young persons to offer themselves as communicants, besides a love of the truth growing out of knowledge. There is sometimes the importunity of parents, or a regard to outward decency of character, or what is perhaps more frequent than either, an undefined and indescribable impression, that it is right to make a profession of religion, at the Lord's Table, and that some advantages are thereby necessarily obtained. But, however it comes to pass, so it daily happens, that numbers offer themselves for the high privilege of communicants, who appear to have no distinct apprehension of the doctrines of the Gospel. We believe that religious knowledge is at a very low ebb among the youth of our churches. Were we to relate the cases of ignorance that have fallen under our observation, we fear many of our readers might be incredulous. But we will

only add, on a theme so distressing and humbling, that when we meet with a few persons, in a large number of communicants, who appear to have a tolerable knowledge of the way of salvation, it is a refreshment, and a relief for which our souls are glad. Should any be sceptical on the subject, we request them just to present this simple question to the youth of any of our congregations, "what shall a man do to be saved?" and see, frem how many they will receive a distinct and intelligible answer; such as would be satisfactory for the information of any person who had not before been acquainted with the subject.

2. Now, in order to meet this state of ignorance, we believe it is essentially necessary, that some course of religious instruction should be adopted, and orderly and diligently prosecuted. To substitute the mere repetition of the Shorter Catechism is too childish an expedient to pass without censure in the present times. Indeed, if that catechism is diligently taught in childhood, it is the most sound course of religious instruction, after the explanation of the Scriptures, that could possibly be adopted. But then it must not merely be committed, but explained and understood; and whoever rightly understands it is a sound divine. But as things are, a great proportion of our youth are unable to repeat it, and far less do they understand it. The reign of error in the Synod of Ulster, induced a frightful degree of ignorance among the people; and the families of too many are now growing up to manhood, with less knowledge of the Gospel than should be possesed in childhood. It is in this state that we find a great proportion of the young, and it is in this state that we must deal with them. How then shall we proceed? To us it appears essential, that familiar lectures should be delivered to them on the leading topics of the Gospel, on which they shall be thoroughly examined; till, by the blessing of God, they are enabled to understand them. We would suggest that they should be met with once in the week, for not less than a quarter of a year-a separate topic being brought before them at each meeting, so that their minds may be familiarised with a general view of Christian truth. The practice of meeting with communicants two or three times, merely on the week previous to the Sabbath on which the Lord's Supper is to be cele brated, is surely altogether insufficient for imparting religious knowledge to persons generally ignorant. How

good men can satisfy their conscience with a cource so defective, we know not; and we can trace the deception only to long established usage. To teach is an arduous task. To teach any thing is difficult. But above all, to comunicate religious knowledge successfully, is a most serious labour. The utmost diligence and assiduity, throughout a length of time, are absolutely necessary. What time we devote to learn Arithmetic, or Geography,or to acquire any other department of knowledge! Religious knowledge alone appears to be considered attainable without industry or trouble. Far be it from us to say, that the greatest industry and labour will obtain it savingly. The Holy Ghost alone can give such a blessing. But we do say, that without application and diligence we cannot expect to attain religious knowledge; for application and diligence are the ordinary means acknowledged and appointed by the Holy Ghost, for acquiring the saving knowledge of truth.

3. Nor would we close without seeking to engage the co-operation of our eldership in this work of instruction. How has it come to pass that they take so little to do with the admission of communicants to the Table of the Lord-either in instructing them or judging of their qualifications? It is an evil day in the church, when it is left exclusively with the Minister to deal with candidates for church privileges. This is the business of the session,the elders, and their Minister united. And it is a work requiring the utmost diligence and skill of them all. It is as much with the hope of engaging our elders in the good work of instructing the young communicant, as of suggesting some useful directions to their Ministers, that we have undertaken to offer for consideration what may present itself to us on so important a subject. We think the best method in which we can proceed will be to give an outline of each subject, which may be filled up by the lecturer or examinator, rather than a finished essay. What we propose is a mere skeleton of each subject, Judging this to be preferable, both on account of its brevity, and that the examinator may be more at liberty to adduce his own illustrations. Perhaps, too, what we suggest as a course of instruction and examination for young communicants may not be unsuitable for the more advanced pupils in the Sunday Schools, or for the domestic instruction of children by their parents.

The subjects which, at present, we design to illustrate, are the following:-I. The Scriptures, their authority, &c.;

II. The Scripture Character of God; III. The Scripture account of man; IV. The Scripture testimony to Christ; V. Justification by faith; VI. The doctrines of the Scriptures respecting the Holy Ghost; VII. Sanctification; VIII. The Law of God, the Rule of Christian Duty; IX. The Christian Life; X. The Domestic Economy; XI. The Christian Church; XII. Scripture Ordinances; XIII. Death, Judgment, and Eternity.

A WORD CONCERNING THEOLOGICAL STUDIES. (Abridged from the "Archives du Christianisme, au dix neuvieme siecle," for January, 1831.*)

ness.

We live in a time which is extremely interesting, on account of the rapidity with which all departments of useful knowledge, all great and prolific conceptions, all institutions which have for their aim, or for their result, the advancement of the kingdom of God and the good of mankind, are advancing towards perfection. A new era is undoubtedly commencing for our Protestant churches; and, by this consideration, those who have the happiness to be Protestant Ministers ought to be powerfully encouraged and incited, not only to use, vigorously and conscientiously, the talents which their Master has entrusted to them, but also to acquire additional means of usefulAt no period, in the history of the church of Christ, have intellectual attainments been more necesssary, more indispensable to her Ministers, than in that in which we live. In our days all the branches of human knowledge have been immensely enlarged; and it is not proper that they who have consecrated their lives to the noblest and the best of causes, should remain behind amidst this uni. versal movement: both themselves and their work have every thing to lose by inactivity. The Gospel chooses light, lives upon light, light is its essential element.There is always a bond which unites all our intellectual acquirements; and it would be interesting to show, how often a knowledge of subjects, apparently the most remote from Christianity, has contributed powerfully to its advancement and its glory.

This admirable work is now is now in its fourteenth year. It may be considered the organ of the Evangelical Protestants of France. Its title, translated into English, is, "Records of Christianity in the nineteenth century."