Presbytery were so belated as to refuse to fulfil it, there can be no doubt that the supreme civil court of this kingdom, on proper application, would lay its compulsitor on the recalcitrant court. It may be further observed, that it seems quite inconceivable that Presbyterial superintendence could have been intended to be abolished by this Act, inasmuch as it substitutes no other superintendence in lieu of that of the Presbytery; the Heritors only in one case being entitled to call for the report of one of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools. We submit these views with some anxiety to the parties interested. If our Parish Ministers cease to take a kindly interest in our Parish Schools-to co-operate with the Parochial Schoolmasters in carrying on the education of our parishes-cease to encourage and aid the rural population in giving a suitable education to their young people-and if Presbyteries withdraw their friendly and unremunerated superintendence as heretofore givenwe are persuaded that a fatal and irremediable injury will be inflicted on the character and usefulness of our Parish Schools."

We recommend every Parish Minister to provide himself with a copy of this admirable pamphlet on the Schoolmasters' Act.

ECCLESIASTICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Presentation. We understand that the Duke of Roxburghe has presented the Rev. Robert Buchanan, minister of Elie, to the church of Dunbar, vacant by the death of the Rev. John Jaffray.

Presentation.-The Right Hon. the Earl of Stair, has presented the Rev. Thomas Barty, M.A., to the Church and Parish of Kirkcolm, in the Presbytery of Stran

raer.

Presentation.-Lady Elizabeth Melville Cartwright has presented the living of Monimail, Fifeshire, to the Rev. Mr M'Gregor, of Paisley.

Presentation. We are informed that the Earl of Zetland has appointed the Rev. John Gilchrist, of Dunbog in Fifeshire, to the vacant church of Clack

mannan.

Induction. The Presbytery of Dundee met in Wallacetown Chapel, for the purpose of inducting the Rev. Mr Adamson to the pastoral charge of that congregation. The Rev. Dr Watson preached and presided. The proceedings were of the usual formal character.

Ordination.-The Rev. John Wilson Hepburn, lately assistant in the parish of Kilmuir, was ordained as minister of St Clement's Church, Aberdeen. He succeeds the Rev. James Fraser, recently translated to Glasgow. The ordination discourse was preached by the Rev. Mr Duirs. This settlement has altogether been a very harmonious one, and the Rev. gentleman was warmly welcomed by his flock.

Appointments of Professors to Edinburgh and Glasgow Universities.-Mr James Lorimer, advocate, has been appointed Professor of Public Law in the University of Edinburgh; and Mr J. Nichol, of Balliol College, Oxford, to the new Professorship of English Language and Literature in the University of Glasgow.

Died, at the Manse of Crawfordjohn, on the 9th March, the Rev. William Goldie, in the 74th year of his age, and the 46th of his ministry.

Died, at the Manse, Clackmannan, on the 18th March, the Rev. Peter Balfour, aged 67.

Died, at Cupar, the Rev. James Wordie, D.D., one of the Ministers of Cupar, in the 63d year of his age.

MACPHAIL'S

EDINBURGH ECCLESIASTICAL JOURNAL.

No. CXCVII.

JUNE 1862.

THE INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURE, AND THE "ESSAYS AND REVIEWS" CONFLICT.*

44

"Thrice is he armed who has his quarrel just;
And he but naked, though locked up in steel,

Whose conscience with injustice is corrupted."-(King Henry VI.)

A great deal of this Scepticism may be traced to undue conceptions and exaggerated estimates of man, in his powers, character, and capacity of apprehending truth. Such persons, going to an opposite extreme from Carlylism, forget how humble a thing it is to be a man.' They speak as if to him there should be no mysteries, and as if God were bound, as well as able, to expound himself fully to a being of such limited capacity, and selfish passions."—(Ĉhristianity and Our Era, by the Rev. George Gilfillan.)

§ 1.

In the two volumes published respectively by J. H. & J. Parker and John Murray, we welcome the authoritative answer to many of the erroneous statements, contained in the notorious "Essays and Reviews." Such a denial or refutation, from men occupying responsible situations "ESSAYS AND REVIEWS:" with Preface by the Lord Bishop of Oxford; and Letters from the Rev. Robert Main, M.A., Pembroke College, Radcliffe Observer, and John Phillips, M.A., Magdalen College, Reader in Geology in the University of Oxford.

I. REPLIES TO

1. The Education of the World. By the Rev. E. M. Goulburn, D.D., late Head Master of Rugby School; Prebendary of St Paul's; Chaplain in Ordinary to the Queen, &c.

2. Bunsen, the Critical School, and Dr Williams. By the Rev. H. J. Rose, D.D., Rector of Houghton Conquest, Bedfordshire.

3. Miracles. By the Rev. C. A. Heurtly, D.D., Canon of Christ Church, and Margaret Professor of Divinity in the University of Oxford.

4. The Idea of the National Church. By the Rev. W. J. Irons, D.D., Prebendary of St Paul's, and Vicar of Brompton, Middlesex.

5. The Creative Week. By the Rev. G. Rorison, M.A., Incumbent of Peterhead, Diocese of Aberdeen.

VOL. XXXIII.

R

in the English Church, was certainly expected, and could not be longer delayed without encouraging the mistake that the sceptical sentiments expressed in that volume, were shared by many other men holding authority in the Church of England.

Both works, the "Replies" and " Aids to Faith," are entitled to respectful attention, and may be studied together with advantage. Although differing considerably in method of treatment, they have the same Christian aim of exposing error and establishing truth. In the decisions reached, after examination of the questions involved, not much difference will be found; despite the fact that some distinct sections of the Church are represented by the two groups of writers. But the "Replies" are more fiercely controversial in tone more devoted to verbal criticisms and separate dissections of inaccuracies, than are the "Aids to Faith," which resemble elaborate treatises, taking consideration of the general bearings of the very important subjects discussed, and dwelling less on single details. Both assail Scepticism and overthrow falsehoods, but wage the war by different organizations of force. The "Replies" furnish a succession of hand-to-hand encounters, wher eno quarter is asked or given; each man sets himself vigilantly to defeat his antagonist, spying out the weak places in his armour, despising any assumption of invincibility and experience in warfare, while opposing weapons of fully equal temper, and a courage 6. Rationalism. By the Rev. A. W. Haddan, B.D., Rector of Barton-on-theHeath, Warwickshire.

7. On the Interpretation of Scripture. By the Rev. Chr. Wordsworth, D.D., Canon of Westminster; Proctor in Convocation, &c.

Oxford and London: John Henry & James Parker. 1862. Pp. 516. II. AIDS TO FAITH; a Series of Theological Essays, by several Writers. Edited by William Thomson, D.D., Lord Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol.

1. On Miracles as Evidences of Christianity. By H. L. Mansel, B.D., Waynflete Professor of Moral and Metaphysical Philosophy, Oxford; Tutor and late Fellow of St John's College.

2. On the Study of the Evidences of Christianity. By William Fitzgerald, D.D., Lord Bishop of Cork, Cloyne, and Ross.

3. Prophecy. By A. M'Caul, D.D., Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament Exegesis, King's College, London; and Prebendary of St Paul's.

4. Ideology and Subscription. By F. C. Cook, M.A., Chaplain in Ordinary to the Queen, one of H.M.'s Inspectors of Schools, Prebendary of St Paul's, and Examining Chaplain to the Bishop of Lincoln.

5. The Mosaic Record of Creation. By A. M'Caul, D.D., Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament Exegesis, King's College, London; and Prebendary of St Paul's.

6. On the Genuineness and Authenticity of the Pentateuch. By George Rawlin
son, M.A., Camden Professor of Ancient History, Oxford, and late Fellow
and Tutor of Exeter College.

7. Inspiration. By Edward Harold Browne, B.D., Norrisian Professor of
Divinity, Cambridge, and Canon Residentiary of Exeter Cathedral.
8. The Death of Christ. By William Thomson, D.D., Lord Bishop of Glou-
cester and Bristol.

9. Scripture, and its Interpretation. By Charles John Ellicott, B.D., Dean of
Exeter, and Professor of Divinity, King's College, London.

London: John Murray, Albemarle Street. 1862. Pp. 469. Second Edition. III. THE FOES OF OUR FAITH, and How to Defeat them; or the Weapons of our Warfare with Modern Infidelity. By a well-known author. London: Darton & Hodges. 1862. Pp. 400.

nowise inferior, maintaining the contest with impetuosity and valour, that promise well for the attainment of victory. It is a revival of the ancient heroic battles, where personal strength and activity of the chieftains engaged made the less-noted combatants regard each duel with admiring interest. We hear the ring of every blow on the harness, we see the rivets straining and the plumes shorn away, as edge or point of battle-axe and sword is alternately applied, and seldom without infliction of a wound. Loudly sound the war-cries above the din of blows, and we press near to see the issue. Against the same foe as these are meeting, the writers of the "Aids to Faith" bring up heavier bodies of troops, and from a more distant vantageground pour in their volleys of artillery, very damaging. The vast extent of the battle-field is forced on our attention. The individual figures of the champions opposed are no longer prominent. It is army against army; the Christian cause, with all its serried ranks of disciplined supporters, ranged against the whole rebellious multitude who are striving to desecrate all sacred things, and pave the way for the inauguration of Infidelity and Lawlessness, so that many-voiced Error may rule with her companion Sin. The dignity and resources of the armament are best seen in the " Aids to Faith;" but there is good service done by the "Replies," which, with all the readiness and brilliancy of uncompromising warriors, hew down many pretentious sophistries, and carry panic into the hearts of those sceptics who would gladly regard each of the "Essayists and Reviewers," as the Philistines regarded Goliath of Gath-even as one able to fulfil his vaunt against the people of Israel, saying :-" Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field."

That there is not much willingness to retreat manifested by the Essayists up to the present time, may be gathered from sundry particulars. In the first place, a tenth edition of their book now appears,much reduced in price and more portable in size, to tempt fresh purchasers. 2ndly, the Rev. Henry Bristow Wilson, who wrote the obnoxious article on "The National Church," furnishes a lengthy Introduction to a volume on the Inspiration of Scripture. This is generally accepted as a token that H. B. Wilson does not retract or feel remorse for the observations which formerly exposed him to censure. Thirdly, an announcement was made in February that Mr J. Macnaught, late of St Chrysostom's, Liverpool, is about to publish "a Defence of the Essays and Reviews," with a preface by Dr Rowland Williams. Dr Temple, also, has appeared as a writer since the publication of the volume containing his contribution on "the Education of the World ;" but his "Sermons delivered at Rugby School," (Macmillan), have been favourably received, and were not of a nature to provoke animadversion. Indeed scarcely anything, save his companionship with Dr Rowland Williams, Rev. H. B. Wilson, &c., earlier exposed him to suspicion.†

A Brief Examination of Prevalent Opinions on the Inspiration of the Scriptures. By a Lay Member of the Church of England. Longmans.

† Once for all, let us repeat that we attach not equal measure of blame to the writers in " Essays and Reviews:" although they have all become partially amenable to censure by their own expression of a hope that "the volume will be

While these signs of activity in the Essayists' camp are appearing, many companies of Volunteers continue to advance against them, from all directions. Single champions, also, are numerous; some not quite so well equipped as the shepherd-son of Jesse (inasmuch as they possess only the leathern thong and handful of stones; without much human skill to wield them, or heavenly-mindedness and courage); some with earnestness of faith, sound learning, and fearless determination to search for truth and proclaim it whenever found. Among the publications, more or less worthy of acceptation, as destructive of fallacies or of wanton mis-statements, may be mentioned the Rev. J. W. Burgon's Introduction to his Sermons on "Inspiration and Interpretation,” (J. H. & J. Parker); by the Bishop of London to his "Dangers and Safeguards of Modern Theology," (Murray 1862); and by Rev. Dr George Moberly, to "Sermons on the Beatitudes:" also, Lord Lindsay's "Scepticism, a retrogressive Movement in Theology and Philosophy;" Dr M'Cosh of Belfast, "On the Supernatural," (Macmillan); Principal Tulloch's "Beginning Life," (reviewed in this Edin. Eccl. Journ., April 1862); the series of separate Answers, by Fendall, Joyce, Dr W. Lee, Jelf, Huxtable, &c., (Saunders, Otley, & Co., 1861); "Bases of Belief," by E. Miall, (Hall, Virtue, & Co., 3rd Ed. 1861); and, by a wellknown author, "Foes of our Faith," (Darton & Hodges), a book that bids fair to attain popularity. The number of pamphlets on the controversy was enormous, but these are now abating, and more solid labours are claiming attention.

Among the chief in importance of these works, are the "Replies" and the "Aids to Faith." They have passed into second editions, even in the few months since their first appearance. Much of this success must be attributed to the literary and ecclesiastical reputation of their two groups of writers, and the manner in which they come, as it were, especially accredited by the publishers, to give an official Answer to the book which has caused so much excitement. It is most probable that the "Aids to Faith" will retain a

received as an attempt to illustrate the advantage derivable to the cause of religious and moral truth; from a free-handling, in a becoming spirit [What biting, though unconscious, satire on some among themselves!] of subjects peculiarly liable to suffer by the repetition of conventional language, and from traditional methods of treatment." When we speak of the Essayists and Reviewers collectively, we do so with special reference to a few of them (e.g. Dr Williams and H. B. Wilson) who appear most strongly committed to this practice of a "free-handling;" and only in so far as an agreement exists with the said few is there reference to the other writers: viz., to those who (like the Rector of Lincoln College, or the present Head Master of Rugby School) might fairly have passed unchallenged for their individual expressions of opinion, had these not been affected by being published in conjunction with the more dangerous utterances of their companions in authorship. It is this lax co-partnery which has brought on such honoured men as the Rev. Mark Pattison, and Dr Temple, the odium of encouraging infidel opinions, by affording their countenance. It is a matter of regret that each fresh edition of "Essays and Reviews" extends the mischiefby maintaining the ill-assorted union of writers. If it be an injustice to involve the whole Seven in condemnation, which may only be due to some among the number, who but themselves have they to blame, as causing this injustice, by continuing in partnership with an ill-defined plea of limitation in liability?