their understandings and their hearts with profoundest submission to the Word of God. That Word had been buried in obscurity for ageslittle known by the priests-proscribed to the laity as a book that was dangerous to their souls. But, now it was unbound, was widely circulated; its varied and its glorious excellences were all the more astonishing that they were now seen by multitudes for the first time. That, moreover, was a day of God's power. Everywhere He was speaking to men's minds and hearts by His Word, which had a self-evidencing energy which carried irresistible conviction to their souls. Moreover, the leading Reformers were men of deep erudition, of profound judgment, of no small experience, and therefore well fitted to be the guides of the people -to place them on their guard against errors and excesses, and to establish them thoroughly in the knowledge of the inspired volume. Hence the clearness with which the great body of the reformed, in all the several countries, understood the great doctrines of the Bible, the boldness with which they avowed them, and the unshrinking determination with which, amid terrible persecutions and dangers, they maintained them. Situated, as they were, in the very midst of the Romish Church-seeing everywhere its pride and its corruption, its exorbitant exactions and its lying miracles, its hatred of the Bible and its domination over men's consciences, its savage persecutions and its gross idolatry; and constrained to study those remarkable prophecies which foretold a great apostasy in the Christian Church, they were compelled, by irresistible evidence, to believe that the Romish Church was that apostasy; and having arrived at that conviction, they maintained it, in multitudes of instances, at the expense of every worldly advantage and of life itself.

But very different from this is the character of the religion which now extensively prevails in the English Church, and marches forward in the full expectation of triumph. The great Tractarian party, both those who are so advanced that they are ready to throw themselves into the arms of Rome, and those who seem resolved to keep at some respectable distance, are distinguished by their reverence for the authority of the Church still more than of the Word of God. Their inquiry is not, What does God himself say in His own Book? what is the plain and obvious meaning of His declaration ?—so much as, What does the Church say respecting its meaning and down at least to the period of the Reformation, if not still lower-even through all the dark period of the middle ages-it is just the Church of Rome that is the true church, in their eyes, and consequently the rightful interpreter of the Word of God. But how could that church testify against herself, or interpret as referring to herself, these awful passages, that so clearly depict the darkest features of her character, and predict her terrible doom? Besides, it is the fundamental principle of this great party that all the privileges and the spiritual authority and promises to their own church are derived from their succession from the apostolic times, through the medium of the Church of Rome. And how can they possibly believe that church to be Antichrist, the Man of Sin, and the woman seated on the seven hills, which they consider as having been, even at the Reformation, the grand and almost exclusive medium of communicating the greatest spiritual blessings to mankind?

But besides the Tractarian, there is also the Rationalistic party, whose principles forbid them from applying those remarkable prophecies to the

Church of Rome, for they have no real belief in the inspiration of the Word of God. Its plainest declarations they refuse to credit, or attempt utterly to explain away, whenever they come into collision with their own prejudices, or fail to approve themselves to their own understandings. What others regard with the deepest reverence as prophecies, which could only have proceeded from the infinite and all-seeing mind of God himself, they look upon as nothing more than the predictions of sagacious and far-seeing men. To persons with such views, the great men of past ages among the clergy and the laity, such men as Luther, and Calvin, and Knox, and Cranmer, and Jewell, among the former, Judge Hale and Sir Isaac Newton, in our own country, among the latter, who studied the works of Paul and the magnificent imagery of Revelation, believing that they could see therein predictions of the Church of Rome, must appear strongly tinged with enthusiasm, if not absolute fanatics. Besides the Tractarians and Rationalists, there is a large number of the Evangelical clergy who either overlook these prophecies altogether, or seek to interpret them in a manner suited to their predilections. There are those who, never having studied the grand features of the Papacy when at college at Oxford or Cambridge, have never made them the subject of their investigations since. There are those who deem it the duty of the ministers of the gospel simply to preach the gospel, without ever grappling with the arguments by which the enemies of that gospel labour to bring in the most dangerous errors. There are those who are averse to encounter, by their zeal against Romanism, the displeasure of dignitaries or of influential laymen of their own Church, who would frown upon what they considered their intemperate zeal, and perhaps inflict a wound on their temporal interests. And there are others who have fully made up their minds to live in harmony with men whose sentiments have hitherto been strongly opposed to their own, lest violent conflicts should endanger the external welfare, if not the very existence, of the Endowed Church. But with these feelings prevailing in their breasts, they cannot but turn away from a part of the Bible, which, if rightly understood in past ages, would condemn their cowardice and their unfaithfulness. But, thank God! there are other men to be found, both among the clergy and the laity-men who are valiant for the truth; men who are determined to be faithful to the truth of God and faithful to the light of their own consciences; and it is upon this class of men that the hopes of the country for the future must chiefly depend.

WHAT WOMEN COULD DO.

A CORRESPONDENT writes as follows:

:

Let me beg you to consider this idea-Could we not do something to engage the attention of the women of England, and Scotland. The priests find work for them, but they are much under-estimated by our champions? There are prizes for essays by students, working-men, &c., &c.; might there not be some for mothers, or young ladies, or work women? Think over it. You might suggest something to make women think. Consider, and turn them against the invaders. May I send a trifle to aid in any such scheme? If nothing is done in it, it may aid in the new establishment in London which may "God speed."

This hint is certainly very important.

PROTESTANT INSTITUTE OF SCOTLAND.

ON Saturday, 10th November, at twelve o'clock, Dr Wylie delivered the introductory lecture for the session within the hall of the Institute. He was accompanied to the platform by the Revs. Dr Duff, Dr Begg, Rev. Messrs Nisbet, Cochrane, Simpson, and Gemmell; Professor Balfour; Messrs Jas. Blackadder, Cassels of Blackford House; John Miller of Leithen; A. Macknight, John Millar, &c. The proceedings were opened with prayer by Rev. Mr Gemmell. The hall was filled.

Dr Wylie, in a very eloquent and comprehensive manner, described the movements of our times, and their probable issues. The lecture was listened to throughout with great attention, and greeted at the close with cordial applause.

Dr Duff proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Dr Wylie for his admirable lecture, and took occasion to press the importance of sending a copy of the new coloured map, which has been prepared by the Scottish Reformation Society, in regard to the progress of Romanism in Great Britain, to every member of Parliament.

Dr Begg seconded the motion, and made intimations in regard to the arrangements of the class, urging the students to take advantage of such an admirable opportunity of studying the greatest controversy of the day.

Mr John Dunlop of Brockloch cordially supported the proposal to send the society's map to every member of Parliament, expressing his conviction that the overthrow of the temporal power of the Pope would only tend to increase and concentrate his spiritual influence.

A large number of students remained to be enrolled after the meeting had been closed with the benediction by the Rev. Mr Simpson.

The session in Glasgow was opened on the same evening. The Rev. Dr Gibson presided. There was a large attendance of students. The session, both in Edinburgh and Glasgow, promises to be very successful. Friends willing to help the movement, to send copies of the map to both Houses of Parliament, will be so good as send their contributions to the Rev. G. R. Badenoch, Secretary of the Society. The sum required is about £30.

THE GOSPEL IN SPAIN.

IN the Archives du Christianisme there is a deeply-interesting account of a Spaniard who printed the New Testament in a deep cellar. He laboured alone, with a poor wooden machine and very few types. His work progressed slowly; he could print but a few pages at a time. Being shut out from his glorious Andalusian sun, and exhausted with labour, his health failed, and he raised blood. He was urged to rest for a while, but he refused, declaring that he would not leave the cellar until he could bear from it, in his own hand, a Spanish New Testament printed in Spain. He kept his word, and Christian friends have seen and handled this New Testament. There is great hope for Spain when such men, worthy contemporaries of Matamoras, rise up from the surrounding darkness and prove themselves valiant for the truth, even unto death.

REV. DR GIBSON ON ST ANTHONY'S DAY AT ROME.

(To the Editor of the Bulwark.)

MY DEAR SIR,-The following extract from a journal, which I kept when on my travels in earlier life, may prove edifying to your numerous readers. Like other sight-seers and persons desirous to observe for themselves, at Rome, the wonders of "baptized paganism," I went to see what is called the "Blessing of the Horses," and I suppose also of the asses, and my journal records as follows:

"Jan. 1829.-Went to see a ceremony trifling enough in itself, but marking the character of Popery-St Anthony's Day. St Anthony, it appears, has taken animals under his special protection. Horses were driven up to the door of his church. A priest, muttering some benediction, sprinkled some holy water over them. Their masters gave a little money, small or great, in proportion to their circumstances, (a poor man gave, perhaps, five baiocchi,) and receive in return a picture of St Anthony and a little cross, which they place in the carriage, or in the stable. People suppose it teaches them humanity to the animals: it may be so, but, I should suppose, not more than to one another. I fear facts do not prove it. It is done more to preserve the animals from disease, lameness, &c., than from cruel treatment."

A young Englishman, as a jest, brought up his pony to be blessed. He had a good-sized poodle dog, of which I have this entry :-"The dog of a young gentleman (of my acquaintance) had been so profane as to begin to lap up the holy water. The man who sprinkled it threw his brush, (something like what our cooks use to switch cream,) and Mr Poodle, with great good humour, snatched it up and scampered off with it round the church," chased by the priest.-I am, &c.,

GLASGOW, Oct. 20, 1866.

AN EMBLEM OF THE POPE.

JAMES GIBSON.

THE Morning Post for October the 24th contains the following singular account :

LAMBETH.-William Hill and John Mitchell, builders' labourers, were placed at the bar before Mr Elliott, on the following somewhat extraordinary charge:-Mrs Charlotte Ford, a widow, residing at 33 Royal Street, Stangate, said that on that morning, when about to sit down to breakfast with her family, she heard a great noise in the street, and on going to see what was the matter, she observed a large concourse of people, and found the prisoners in the act of removing the sash and front window. She asked them what they meant by such conduct, and they replied that they were in the employment of Mr Lipscomb, a builder at Dockhead, and were brought there by their foreman to take down that and other houses, and carry the materials to the premises of their master. She told them that neither they nor their master had anything to do with her house; and on their persisting in removing the sash, she gave them into custody. In reply to the questions of the magistrate, the witness said, that for some time past she had not paid any rent for the house, and it was her opinion that the real owner was abroad. A person of the name of Hale laid claim to it, but it was her (witness's) belief that he had not the slightest right to it.

When asked what they bad to say, the prisoners repeated that which they had told the last witness, and said their foreman, Mr Bedford, was outside to confirm their statement.