the numerous actual sins by which they have made it worse, and the redemption wrought out for them by Jesus Christ, nature and importance of true faith in him, and their absolute. need of the grace of the Divine Spirit in order to obey his pre cepts.imong eroiosig eid meds of lalut lliw ed etend one vode li sade bedssb to wobsda dauords mods are allow **d ted very aisnedt nad holmes of Bate ban hot clus NOTICES OF BOOKS. od bo * Vado has 19woy videos aid vi boteqque et 0178 A HELP TO PRAYER, chiefly designed for the Young H. REA, Belfast. P. p. 25. 1835.

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THIS is a very judicious and practical tract. It proposes to instruct the young in the exercise of prayer, not by putting forms of prayer into their mouth, but by suggesting suitable subjects of prayer. If the child knows for what he is to pray, he will not be at a loss to clothe the idea in words, and the prominent design of the tract is to furnish the ideas, while yet this is so done as to help to the use of words also. There is another peculiarity in the insertion of blank leaves alternately with those that are printed, designed for noting any observa tions which the child or his teacher may desire to keep visibly before his mind, but which are omitted in the published sugges tions. The tract contains a prayer for every day in the week. The following example will best explain it. It is the prayer for Saturday.

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Pray to be numbered among the Lord's people; to be made a child of God by faith in Christ Jesus; to be chosen by him, even though it should be in the furnace of affliction, Isaiah xlviii. 10. Pray that when the Lord chastens you, it may be for your profit, that you may be a partaker of his holiness." Pray that you may never harden your heart, and refuse to receive correction; but, whenever the Lord chastens you, may humbly bow beneath the rod, and know who has appointed it." Pray that you may never be found among those who regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of his hands; but among those who are enabled by the Spirit to say, under every dispensation,It is the Lord; let him do what seemeth him good. Pray for the sick, the afflicted, and those that are appointed to die. For the sick, that they may be supported in faith and patience to wait the Lord's time of deliverance; that the chastening, though grievous, may be for their eternal good; that while the body suffers, the soul may be kept in peace; that the Lord Jesus may be revealed if he be not known; and if known, may be the support and comfort of the soul; and that while the outward man perishes, the inward man may be renewed day by day? Pray for the afflicted; that the Lord will comfort his people, and havese mercy upon his afflicted ones; that their sorrows may lead them to their to Saviour, and that they may find him indeed a refuge and strength, aq very present help in trouble.' Pray that they may not mourn as those without hope,' nor faint under their tribulation; but may experience that it is whom the Lord loveth that he chasteneth,' and that they may w

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so, profit by the chastisement as to be able to my, fit is good for me to have been afflicted. Pray for those who are appointed to die,' that if are yet in and life, that they may beand know not Jesus as the only way, truth, foot of the cross, and enabled to lay hold on eternal life in him. Pray that if they are Christ's, he will fulfil to them his gracious promise, and walk with them through the dark valley of the shadow of death,' and cause his rod and staff to comfort them therein. Pray that the eternal God will be their refuge, and place underneath them the everlasting arms;' that supported by his almighty power, and cheered by his love, they may depart in peace, having seen the salvation of the Lord,' and enter with joy into that rest which remaineth for the people of God,' where tears are wiped from every eye,' and the days of their mourning shall be ended.'. Pray earnestly that your last end may be like this. Pray that this last day the week may remind you that your life is wearing away, and drawing speedily to a close. Oh! then, pray to have 'your lamp lighted, and your loins girded,” and yourself like those who wait for the coming of the Lord, that when he shall appear, you may be ready to enter with him into his glorious kingdom, among the happy ran somed throng, whose eternal song of praise shall be, Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and bath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Through him we offer up our prayers, and to Him, with the Father and the Spirit, one adorable Jehovah, be everlasting praises. Amen.

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666 Teach me,

O Lord, so to number my days, that I may apply my heart

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unto wisdom."

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"Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is, that I may know how frail I am.'

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Verily, every man at his best state is altogether vanity !'"

A CATECHISM on the GOVERNMENT and DISCIPLINE of the PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. H. GREER, Belfast. 1835.

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We have been much gratified by the perusal of this unpretending publication. Within a brief compass it contains an excellent summary of Presbyterian principles, arranged and stated in such a manner as to form a manual of popular instruction. It is divided into three parts, of which the first treats of the government of the church, and the second of its discipline, while the third is a well-digested statement of objections to other churches as existing under the forms of Popery, Prelacy, and Independency. The different answers are proved by copious references from scripture, and are expressed with much clearness, brevity, and force. The Compilers have our best thanks for the manner in which they have concerted and executed their undertaking, and we sincerely wish their Catechism an extensive circulation. Such a publication is always seasonable, but is especially to be hailed in the present state and circumstances of our Church. It has long been lamented, that of our Presbyterian people, many betray a lamentable ignorance of their peculiar principles; and that, as a necessary consequence, they have often either symbolized with error, or evinced indifference to the truth. Even of those who are well instructed in the doctrines of the Gospel, and have given an intelli

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fundamentals of the faith, it is often found that many have not been sufficiently impressed with the importance of a rigid system of ecclesiastical administration, and have not perceived its intimate connexion with the edification of the Church, and the conversion of the world. Hence, therefore, the necessity of demonstrating to all, especially the rising generation, what should be the reigning and standard principles in the government of Zion. Nor less important is it, that a vigorous and systematic effort should be made. by which to explain and enforce that course of discipline which is so essential to the purity and order of the house of God. Whatever advances our church has made of late days, it is too manifest, that by neglecting to deal more faithfully with all her members, she has incurred much reproach, and evinced deplorable indifference to the honour of her glorious Head. Her work of reformation, indeed, is very inadequately accomplished, if she rests satisfied with such provision, as has merely been made for a more efficient ministra tion in the word and doctrine; nor need she expect much honour or suecess till m more decided measures have been adopted for the maintenance of a purer fellowship and holier communion among her people. Let her

ard of uniformity, by which to guide her ministers in the admission of members to her privileges, and let her provide a faithful and laborious eldership, for the execution of her laws and vindication of her ordinances, and then, and not till then, will she be abundantly acknowledged and blessed of God. It is most miserable, that in her courts of judicature so much time and temper should be lost in debate and wrangling, when desolation and disorder reign in so many of her sanctuaries; and there is, surely, no worthier enterprize in which her men of energy and influence can engage, than that of carrying out the work of reformation, of which, under God, they have been the instruments, to all departments of her administration. Let them do this, and many grounds of jealousy and division among brethren will be removed,-all the true-hearted sons of Presbytery among us will come forward to their assistance, and the entire Presbyterian community, as they contemplate the onward and harmonious movement, will give thanks that every sound of mutiny and dissension has been banished from the camp of Israel.

HOM To urge on this happy consummation, and for the disso the dissemination of sound views concerning our order and discipline, we again recommend this compound of Presbyterian principle. It may be used with great advantage in the instruction of the young, especially of those who are seeking admission into the communion of the church. We have been instructed to add, that any hints towards its amendation, will be gladly received by the compilers, if transmitted, through our excellent friend and brother, the Moderator for the current year. noouuent 90-95699 ada vaban modal i lame eine W benstigilus od of THE LATE REV. DR. BELFRAGE. guiaroly bive 1990 978 ay may aslong9daildsta WE willingly pay a tribute of respect to the memory of this distinguished divine and bright ornament of the Secession Church, whose death has been recently announced. Called, when quite a youth, to the pastoral care of a large congrega tion, which had enjoyed the ministrations of his justly esteemed tam has 5 pm

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father, he discharged the duties of his sacred office for the long period of forty-one years, with singular assiduity and fidelity. Possessed of a vigorous and highly cultivated mind, of deep and affectionate piety, and of a lively imagination, all controlled by studions habits and intimate acquaintance with the sacred oracles, his public and private instructions were, in an eminent degree, edifying and interesting. His various publi cations have met with the approbation of all parties in the Christian world, and are uniformly devoted to the promotion of the best interests of men Through his valuable writings he, "though dead, yet speaks," and will do so, we trust, to "generations yet unborn."Scottish Guardian,

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TO THE READERS OF THE ORTHODOX PRESBYTERIAN,

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WITH the present Number we close the sixth year of our labours. Nor can we do so without noticing some reasons for congratulation and suggesting a few hints for the greater efficiency of our humble publication. We are thankful that God has given as the desire and the opportunity to prosecute our gratuitous labours during so long a period. Little could we have expected, at the outset, to have been continued so long and uninterruptedly in the field of labour; and we do unfeignedly raise our Ebenezer, saying, "hitherto the Lord hath helped us." Nor is it a small matter, in our estimation, that we now pursue e our labours in circumstances so much more peaceful and congenial to our feelings than those in which we commenced.Our little work was cradled in a storm. It was needful that some should stand up for the defence of Zion, and with humility, but readiness of mind, we put on our armour. Happily the din of controversy has much subsided, and we are now far more content to lend our aid to the build. ing up of our Zion, and the extension of its boundaries, than to wage perpetual war with the enemy. Instead of polemical violence and debate, it is our purpose and desire to prosecute in peace the instruction of the ignorant, and the edification of the enlightened. We enter afresh on this labour, under the pleasing impression that our periodical may now be said to be established. During the last year there have been evidences of permanence and support, greater than ever before attended itla At the first there were more subscribers, but the novelty might be expected to pass away with a reduction of these. So it did, and for a time the reduction was considerable, but for a considerable time its friends and supporters have been growing more numerous, steady, and interested. We trust

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this is increasing evidence of its usefulness, as well as its acceptance, and that any good yet effected by it is small, compared with what is yet to be accomplished. At the same time, we will not conceal that there are many ways in which the publication might be rendered much more effective than it has yet been. Its subscribers might be greatly increased. Not more than one-half of the ministers of the Synod receive it. And when the minister is so neglectful, it is not to be expected that the people will know or care much about it. Surely there is no minister of the Synod who ought not to take it himself and disperse it among his people, while it is the only periodical closely connected with the body. It is far otherwise with publications connected with other bodies no more than it is with the Synod. The contributors to its pages might be greatly increased. For the last few years, the labour of the work has fallen almost exclusively on one individual, and he already more than sufficiently occupied without it. Many may complain that it is defective, but how much better if they would contribute their aid to improve and advance it. Surely, it is a work in which alle should unite. It has studiously avoided whatever might be offensive to any members of the Synod, and confined itself to questions of general interest, in which all the friends of religion and the Synod must feel themselves concerned, and, therefore, it has a claim upon all. We trust this claim will be considered and met more than it has ever yet been. On the whole, the Orthodox Presbyterian is now confessedly an instrument of no little power, put into the kands of the Synod of Ulster and the friends of evangelical religion; it is, therefore, not only a privilege, but a duty to beware how we use it or neglect it; and however it may be applauded by some, or opposed by others, we doubt not it will be the means of producing and promoting a revival of religion in the Presbyterian churches, in proportion to the diligence and fidelity with which it is conducted. Sometime ago, a proposal was made to alter its form, and the mode of its circulation; but on mature consideration, we have resolved to continue it as hitherto; and we enter upon the labours of the next year, entreating the countenance, and support, and prayers of all our readers.

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*Even in Belfast, the circulation is much more limited than it might he, and, we are persuaded, than it would be, were its claims only a little considered. Such of the inhabitants as do receive and read it, will see that there are peculiar reasons arising out of their connexion with its conductors, which renders it doubly instructive and interesting to them,

END OF VOLUME VI.