at its next meeting in Philadelphia, on the proper mode of ordaining the above named church officer. The synod adopted this resolution, and Messrs. John Cannon and John Gibson are that committee. 3. On motion, it was agreed that the mode of ordaining deacons should also be considered in the report of this committee. 4. On motion, the following preamble and resolutions were adopted: Whereas, No answer to our last communication to the Associate Synod has been made, although two meetings of that body have been held since that time, this court has reason to infer that the Associate Synod has declined any farther consideration of the topics under discussion, therefore Resolved, 1. That your committee be discharged. 2. That this court will be ready to receive any farther communications from that body, whenever they may feel disposed to make them. 5. Resolved, That ecclesiastical order, Acts xv. 22. then pleased it the apostles and elders, &c., be the subject with which the next sessions shall be opened, and that the Rev. Dr. Wylie be the substitute of the moderator, in case of his absence. 6. Moved by Dr. Willson, that a committee be appointed, with instructions to publish the minutes of the present synod as soon as possible. To this the synod agreed. Dr. Black and Rev. Mr. Crawford were appointed that committee. The synod then adjourned till the first Wednesday in August, 1831, to meet in Philadelphia. The moderator concluded by prayer and singing the 133d psalm. NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. THE IRISH ORTHODOX PRESBYTE RIAN. This is the title of a small periodical, recently commenced in BELFAST, in the north of Ireland. In less than twelve months, we think, from the time of its publication, we have received the first number of the third edition of the work. It is no secret that the Rev. DR. HENRY COOK is the editor. Hereafter we shall speak freely of this distinguished champion, whose praise is in all the Protestant churches of Europe. The age does not admit another John Knox ; but it is not too much to say, that Henry Cook has done more, than any other man within this century, to restore the reformation to his own church. He has also many able co-adjutors in contending "for the faith once delivered to the saints." We recommend the magazine to all who take an interest in the defense of truths in the hands of "The Synod of Ulster;" and we give the introduction. OBJECTS AND PRINCIPLES OF THE ORTHODOX PRESBYTERIAN. The want of a religious periodi and error, Christ and Belial; and if the conductors of this humble publication should, in any measure, be acknowledged as contributors to the triumph of 'truth and righteousness, which must eventually prevail, they should account themselves unspeakably honored, even in bearing the burden and heat of the day. In the prospectus of this work, which has been extensively circulated, the following are stated to be the topics to which attention shall particularly be directed: "In its pages the precious truths of the gospel shall be faithfully maintained-the principles of cause of vital godliness advocated cal, particularly adapted for circulation among the Presbyterians of Ulster, has long been felt and lamented by the friends of evangelical truth. The advanced state of education, in this portion of the community, has created a desire for reading, which must be gratified in some way; and it is the duty of those who possess the means, to endeavor to direct it in a good channel, and turn it to the best account. The particular circumstances of the Presbyterian church, in this country, and the excitement produced by these in the public mind, render it indispensable that there should be some convenient and regular the reformation vindicated-the channel of comunication between its members, for convey--and the distinguishing tenets of ing accurate statements of passing events, correcting misrepresentations, and explaining and justifying such measures as it may seem prudent and necessary to adopt for the promotion of truth and godliness. For these reasons, and with these views, the present work is attempted; and, although its conductors can easily anticipate the trouble and anxiety in which it will involve them, yet, relying on the blessing of Al. mighty God, and the indulgent patronage of the Presbyterian public, they are willing to make an effort, however feeble, for the support of that cause in which their fathers died,-which has been sealed by the blood of martyrs and apostles; and whose foundation, and strength, and glory, are laid in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. In this country there seems to be, at the present time, a mighty struggle between light and darkness, truth VOL. I. JUNE 1831. 9 Presbyterianism explained and defended." The importance of these topics is perceived as soon as they are stated; but it must at once occur to every observer of the spirit and character of the present times, that the misrepresentation and defective statements of them, now so widely circulated, invest them with a tenfold degree of importance, and require that they should be abundantly illustrated, fully explained, uncompromisingly advocated, and zealous. ly maintained. The truths of the gospel are, on the one hand, frittered away into a few cold and unoperative moral precepts; and, on the other, loaded with the reproachful epithets of mystery, and absurdity, and barbarism; it is, therefore, time that they should be correctly stated, firmly, though meekly, maintained and defended against misrepresentation or scandal. The principles of the reformation have been defectively stated; for while a few of its subor- conscience, and their success dinate principles have been cloth ed with undue importance, and have had an unreasonable prominence, the great truths, by whose power it was accomplished, have been kept back, or denied, or abused. The press has rung again with the sufficiency of scripture, and the right of private judgment, as the great prin ciples of the reformation; and so they were among them; and we trust that, in these pages, they will ever be maintained with as much firmness and constancy as they were by the reformers themselves: but why have not the great truths been as broadly and prominently stated, with which these principles were associated, and from which they derived all their power? Why has not the public been told that the cardinal truth by which the man of sin was conquered in the times of reformation, was justification by faith alone, without the deeds of the law? This was what Luther pronounced the article by which a church must stand or fall. The reformers were successful, because they adopted the same prin. ciples by which the apostles sub. dued the powers of heathenism. They said, like Paul, "we are determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ and him crucified;" and, would doubtless have equaled that of those who, in these times, so loudly inculcate the former principles, while they as carefully conceal the latter. For our part, we will endeavor to vindicate all the great and leading principles of the reformation, not confining ourselves to one or two of them, as they may suit the views of a party. Nor will it be less our object to advocate the cause of vital godliness. The very terms, we know, will be understood by some to be synonymous with fanaticism or enthusiasm. We must confess, however, that as we find the same charges brought against our Lord and his apostles, we are not careful to avoid them. We would rather be afraid of not incurring them from an ungodly world. For we cannot forget how largely they were heaped on the great apostle of the Gentiles, and how he defended himself against them. We glory in repeating his words: "We preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. For ye see your calling brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many no. ble, are called; but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are." 1 Cor. i. 23–8. With regard to the distinguishing tenets of Presbyterianism, we mean to contend not merely for the skele. ton, but the body. We believe it to be the scriptural plan, with which God has graciously acquainted us, for edifying the church and extending her boundaries. It is the plan of common sense; for no people have ever set themselves earnestly to the furtherance of any religious object, that they did not naturally arrange themselves into the business attitude of general societies and particular committees, exactly answertng to the arrangements of our synods and presby. teries. But why is it that the scriptures have sketched this plan of government, and that we hold ourselves bound to maintain it, but because it is best calculated to promote the work in hand, the edification of believers, and the conversion of sinners? Presby. tery is nothing in itself; but its value is unspeakable, as the most efficient means of accomplishing a great end. Now it is in this character that we are its advocates. We have heard the praises of presbytery in the mouths of men who appeared to confine all their views to the mere machine, without considering the work to be done by it. An English Unitarian has been kindly received and admitted to pulpits in this country, because, as it was alleged, he was a Presbyterian; while the same persons who encouraged him, blamed members of their own body for preaching in the pulpits of Independents, because, forsooth, they were not Presbyterians! Now, although we could not renounce to the In. dependent the divine right of Presbytery, yet we must regard his holding the truth of the gos pel a better ground of fellowship with him, than the mere skeleton of presbytery for holding communion with the Unitarian. We will be the zealous advocates of presbytery; but it will be on the principle that it is the scriptural and most effectual method of promoting the cause of truth and godliness. These are the great objects which the "Orthodox Presbyterian" proposes to itself, although it is not to be understood that it will confine its attention to them. Its conductors intend to make it a convenient vehicle for convey. ing religious intelligence of every kind to the public, and especially such intelligence as will be particularly interesting to Presbyterians: for, as it is stated in the prospectus, "the history of our church, especially in this country, will be more amply illustrated than it has hitherto been ; and the earliest and most accurate intelligence given of all matters affecting its interest, the welfare of its congregations, or the proceedings of its various courts. The theological publications of the day-the transactions of religious bodies-the operations of bible and missionary societies, both at home and abroad-the settlement or deaths of ministers, and every other topic of general or local interest to the friends of truth, in this or the sister kingdom, will receive a due share of attention." What has already been stated, is sufficient for the explanation of the objects contemplated by this work; but the prevalent misap. plication of some leading terms, appears to require a few additional remarks, respecting the principles on which it shall be conducted. It is very customary in these times, as indeed it has ever been, for error to assume to itself the appellations of truth, and to fix upon the truth such epithets as, with the unthinking, may bring it into disgrace. It has assumed to itself the imposing air of liberality, wisdom, moderation, and charity, while is has unsparingly blackened the truth with the opprobrious epithets of bigotry, ignorance, intolerance, and malevolence. It is unnecessary we should stop to strip it of the false guise in which it has endeavored to hide itself; but it is imperative that we should take the language it has grossly misapplied out of its mouth, and ap. ply it aright. And, therefore, let it be stated, that the great principles by which we hope to be regulated, in the present undertaking, shall be, the supremacy of truth, the sufficiency of scrip. ture, the right of private judg. ment, and genuine Catholic libe. rality. These principles, rightly understood and fairly applied, will be the lights by which we shall endeavor to direct our course. The first motto we inscribe upon our word is, "Great is the truth, and it will prevail." It is in its own nature imperishable, and it is that which the Spirit of God has promised to ac. knowledge. The world has, from the beginning, endeavored to conquer it, but it has hitherto proved invincible. By what a load of heathenish ceremonies was it oppressed, when the Son of God appeared on earth; but he spoke the word, and by its own power, accompanied with the blessing of God, it was embraced and professed, and obeyed by many. At the time of the reformation, error had succeeded in extinguishing almost the last taper of truth on earth; but a few humble men were raised again to light it, and all the terrors of Rome could not prevent the access of its cheering rays to the hearts of thousands. In our own time, the voice of truth had become almost silent, and by common consent its name was too generally suppressed; but one and another has risen up to proclaim it, and its messengers are running to and fro throughout the length and breadth of the land. Truth requires only to be announced, that, by the blessing of God, it may be received. And, acting upon this principle, it shall be our object to confine ourselves as much as possible to its simple announcements, and edifying narratives. We shall abstain, as much as in us lies, from angry controversy and wrathful disputings. We shall give no admis. sion to personal attacks, or mutual recriminations. We may be tempted from the dignified course of witnesses to the truth, yet we are resolved to keep it as steadily and perseveringly as we can. We shall endeavor to remember and act on the great principles of revelation,-" Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth" and "the gospel is the power of God unto salvation." The sufficiency of Scripture we |