anxious to promote, to its utmost extent, the spirit of the overture of our Synod upon this subject, we recommend to our people to give their countenance and aid to this good cause, to be ready to assist in schools that are established, and to try to establish them in districts where they are required; toward which we will lend our counsel and aid, in order to afford every possible facility to the children of the poor of being early taught to read and understand "the Holy Scriptures which are able to make them wise unto salvation, through the faith that is in Christ Jesus."

VIII. Being deeply solicitous for a religious revival in our churches, and assured that, besides a faithful exhibition of gospel truth, even the preaching of the cross of Christ, and salvation through his all-prevailing merits, and fervent prayer in private for an abundant effusion of the Holy Spirit; the strict exercise of church discipline is also a scriptural means of attaining this most desirable consummation, in as much as the Holy Ghost will not take up his abode in a polluted temple. We do call upon our sessions, both ministers and elders, to be stirred up to the exercise of an increased watchfulness over the flock committed to their care; also upon the orderly and pious of our congregations to aid us in exposing to merited censure, unsoundness in principle, and impurity in practice; and to take care that the immoral, the ignorant, and the careless be dealt with according to the discipline of the church; and none be admitted to sealing ordinances, except such as make a credible christian profession, and whose life and conversation are in accordance with the gospel of Christ.

MAGHERAFELT, November 4, 1834.

Sabbath-school unions should be formed where practicable; they have been found productive of the most beneficial effects.

ORDINATION. On Wednesday, the 8th October, the Rev. Hutchinson Perry was ordained by the Presbytery of Cavan to the important charge of the congregation of Ballyjamesduff, as assistant and successor to the Rev. S. Kennedy. The services of the day were conducted by the Rev. Jas. M'Clatchey, the Rev. Wm. M'Ewen, and the Rev. P. White.

OBITUARY.

It is our painful duty to announce the death of our venerated father in the ministry,

The Reb. Joseph Denham, of Killysandra,

who departed this life on the 21st October, 1834. His parents were originally members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and were descended from those who had suffered under the persecutions of the Stuart race in Scotland. One of the family was the intimate friend of the noble Argyle; and on this charge would have been condemned, but fled to Holland. The individual who came to Ireland narrowly escaped death from a troop of dragoons, by springing a ravine where they were unable to follow; and after reaching this country, he was the close companion of the celebrated Mr. Peden.

At a very early age, religious truths were deeply impressed on Mr. Denham's mind by his pious parents; and from his Diary of that period, it appears that he then often retired to the fields to read his Bible, and hold communion with his God in prayer. At the early age of 15, he was sometimes called on to pray publicly in a praying society, of which he was then a member. But the season when he seemed to have been under the deepest and most solemn impressions was on his first approach to the table of the Lord. In preparing for this ordinance, he resolved to enter into covenant with God; and for this purpose, retired alone to a corn field, when, after earnest prayer for direction and strength, he drew up a form of dedication. After frequently praying for assistance, he read over what he had written, and adds, that, with a trembling hand, he signed it as "his covenant with God." This period he always seemed to remember with pleasure; for in addressing young communicants in his church, he often pressed on them the duty and the advantage of personal covenanting.

At the age of 17, he went to Glasgow college, and continued his studies until he entered on the work of the ministry. During this time, he often travelled from 20 to 30 miles, to have the privilege of attending on divine ordinances; and frequently does he speak in his Diary of the sweet peace and joy experienced on these occasions.

About the year 1780, when only 22 years of age, he was ordained to the work of the ministry in Enniskillen, where he laboured till 1799. In that year he was removed to take the oversight of the church worshipping near Killysandra. Here he had a wide range of country, reaching from 7 to 10 miles on each side, over which his ministrations extended. His Master was pleased to give him good health for many years; and almost every day, from early morning till late in the evening, was spent in long and tedious rides-looking after the instruction of the young-attending the sick and dying, and visiting, from house to house, among his people.

Besides his regular pulpit services, he generally preached on the Sabbath evening in some part of his congregation; and as often as circumstances would permit, he spent two or three evenings in the?

week in proclaiming to perishing sinners the message of mercy. Nor did his labours become fewer as he advanced in life-he was evi. dently growing in love to Christ, and in pity for souls dying around him; and though each succeeding year found him under greater bodily weakness, yet it found him with "labours more abundant," and filled with a zeal and an earnestness more ardent than, before.

It is only a few months since, when speaking of some arduous duties which he proposed to undertake, his family remonstrated with him on account of his growing infirmity; he then said-turning to a young minister who was present, with peculiar emotion-" I only wish to live, that I may spread the glad tidings of salvation; and if I have a wish to be young again, it is only that I might live as a Missionary."

He was through life peculiarly distinguished by kindness of manner, warmth of affection, expansive benevolence, a charity which thinketh no evil, and the tenderest sympathy for all who were in distress.

In the peace, and purity, and prosperity of our Zion, he took the liveliest interest-in looking forward to his own decease, well do we remember with what intense anxiety he often inquired as to the character of our young ministers, and especially whether they were men of prayer, of zeal, and of a truly missionary spirit. The late efforts and success of our church in missionary labours, seemed always to give him peculiar delight. To the different evangelical societies for the spread of the Gospel, he was ever ready to give his assistance ce; but as he ardently loved the peculiar principles of the church to which he was professedly attached, his heart rejoiced exceedingly in seeing her arise, and, at her Master's call, put forth her energies for their extension, and for the enlightenment aud salvation of this country. He was supported in continuing his labours to the very verge of eternity; and much did he delight, even in extreme weakness of body, but with warmest energy of soul, and often streaming tears, to have another and yet another opportunity of commending Jesus to his beloved people, and of telling them of " that covenant, well ordered in all things, and sure."

When brought to pass the Jordan, he was enabled to look calmly on its dark waters. One of his people visiting him said-do you feel that Jesus whom you so often commended to others now precious to yourself? He answered, yes, very. On another occasion, when asked if all was safe for eternity? "Yes," he said, "he had early made his covenant with his God." When near death, he was asked if he remembered any of the promises. He immediately repeated that one given in Isaiah-"Thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged." But it was anxiously asked, can you appropriate this to yourself? His answer was, "without any doubt, without any hesitation.”

Thus did he calmly wait the coming of his Lord, until the call was given; and without any apparent suffering, he fell asleep in Jesus, in the 77th year of his age, and 54th of his ministry.

His remains, followed by an immense assemblage of all denominations, were brought into the body of the church where he had so long ministered in holy things; and during a beautiful and most

impressive address given by the Rev. P. White, of Balieborough, the esteem and love in which he had been held by his friends, and especially by his people, were evinced by the bursting sobs and the streaming tears which were heard and seen in every part of the overcrowded house. The feeling of sorrow seemed deep and general; and that solemn day will long be remembered by his bereaved flock. Thus lived and thus died this truly venerable and much-beloved minister of our church. He was a burning and a shining light; an example of the power and blessedness of true religion; of the zeal, affection, and fidelity which should mark the character of the ministers of the Gospel. Being dead, by that example, he yet speaketh.

THE CHRISTIAN'S CONSOLATION.

CHRISTIANS, a man now fills the throne of heaven. And who is this man? Believer, mark it well. It is a man who is not ashamed to call you brother. It is a man who can be touched with the feeling of your infirmities, for he has been in all points tempted like as you are, yet without sin. Whatever your sorrows or trials may be, he knows by experience, how to sympathise with you. Has your heavenly Father forsaken you, so that you walk in darkness and see no light? He well remembers what he felt, when he cried, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Has Satan wounded you with his fiery darts? He remembers how sorely his own heart was bruised when he wrestled with principalities and powers, and crushed the head of the prince of darkness. Are you assaulted with various and distressing temptations? Christ was tempted to doubt whether he were the Son of God, to presume upon his Father's love, and to worship the father of lies. Are you pressed down with a complication of sorrows, so as to despair even of life? The soul of Christ was once exceeding sorrowful, even unto death. Are you mourning for the danger of unbelieving friends? Christ's own brethren did not believe in him. Does the world persecute and despise you, or are your enemies those of your own household? Christ was despised and rejected of men, and his own relations stigmatised him as a madman. Are you suffering under slanderous and unjust accusations? Christ was called a man gluttonous, and a wine-bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. Are you struggling with the evils of poverty? Jesus had not where to lay his head. Do christian friends forsake, or treat you unkindly? Christ was denied and forsaken by his own disciples. Are you distressed with fears of death? Christ has entered the dark valley that he might destroy death. O then banish all your fears. Look at your merciful High Priest who is passed into the heavens, and exclaim with the apostle, Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Payson.

THE

ORTHODOX PRESBYTERIAN.

No. LXIII.

December, 1834. VOL. VI.

THE INTEMPERATE.

AN AMERICAN TALE.

"COME along," said James Harwood to his wife, who, burdened with two children, followed in his steps. Her heart was full, and she made no reply.

"Well, be sullen if you choose, but make haste you shall, or I will leave you behind in the woods."

Then, as if vexed because his ill-humour failed to irritate its object, he added in a higher tone

"Put down that boy. Have I not told you, twenty times, that you could get along faster if had but one to you ? He can walk as well as I can."

carry

"He is sick," said his mother; "feel how his head throbs. Pray take him in your arms."

"I tell you, Jane Harwood, once for all, that you are spoiling the child by your foolishness. He is no more sick than I am. You are only trying to make him lazy. Get down I tell you, and walk," addressing the languid boy.

He would have proceeded to enforce obedience, but the report of a gun arrested his attention. He entered a thicket, to discover whence it proceeded, and the weary and sadhearted mother sat down upon the grass.-Bitter were her reflections during that interval of rest among the wilds of Ohio. The pleasant New England village from which she had just emigrated, and the peaceful home of her birth, rose up to her view, where, but a few years before, she had given her hand to one, whose unkindness now strewed her path with thorns. By constant and endearing attentions, he had won her youthful love, and the two first years of their union promised happiness. Both were industrious and affectionate; and the smiles of their infant in his evening sports or slumbers, more than repaid the labours of the day.

But a change became visible. The husband grew inattentive to his business, and indifferent to his fireside. He permitted debts to accumulate, in spite of the economy of his

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