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and filthy, led to houses small and badly aired. Nothing here to tempt the thousand natural passions of man; and if there was nothing attractive as looked at from any earthly standpoint, in the nature of the labour, neither were there any external inducements. He who had laid the foundations of the Lord's house, had himself only the minimum stipend from all church sources; nor had he any assistant in his toil. Now-a-days, when all the denominations are so fully alive to the necessity of the strong helping the weak, when the labourers are multiplied in proportion to the largeness of the sphere, one cannot comprehend at first the obstacles which Mr. Forrest had to face. For twenty years, singlehanded and with stinted supplies, he struggled against the fearful odds. Never was a better opportunity for any denomination to root itself permanently among the people. But it was impossible for Mr. Forrest or for any man to perform satisfactorily both missionary and ministerial work; and it was especially impossible for one borne down by physical weakness. Gradually the Established and Free Churches wakened up to a sense of the capacities of the district, and each has now several regular agencies. In all probability, St. Rollox United Presbyterian Church would have been greatly increased had it received sufficient attention and support when the field was unoccupied. And this has not only its ecclesiastical, but its higher religious bearings. As things were, Mr. Forrest was no niggard of effort. With noblest perseverance he stood to his post, knowing that the question for him was not the ultimate fate of St. Rollox Church, but whether he himself was filling up his share of duty. Hard though the duty was, it had its sunny side. This work, too-as all honest work does-brought its reward. If the rooms were close and unpleasant, the inmates welcomed him with a ready greeting. They felt him to be one like themselves, and he lifted them by this lever of sympathy.

From the death of his wife in 1870, Mr. Forrest's health drooped. More, perhaps, than he realized at the time, she had sustained him amid countless disappointments. The difficulties of the work were as great as ever; age was coming fast over him, and that unnatural decrepitude that springs from

anxiety; and she who had been his stay was gone. Still he laboured on, but nature gave way at length. Early in 1875, he applied to the presbytery for assistance. and in August of the same year the Rev. James M. Cruickshank, of Westray, Orkney, was appointed colleague and successor. Although Mr. Forrest still continued senior pastor, he was totally relieved from active duty.

During the two years of his retirement, Mr. Forrest exerted himself, often when little able, to attend St. Rollox. He would totter past many a church that he might worship once more there; for though he loved Troon, I think St. Rollox lay nearest to his affections. It was the child of his old age. These final years must have brought with them a strange experience. He had wrought while strength remained; and now, with the full consciousness of a well-spent life, he was resting from his labours. But such enforced leisure has a painful element. Nothing is so galling to a busy man as to be compelled to retire and let another take his place. He feels as if there were no need for him in the world at all. That is a large word, and difficult to learn,―

They also serve who only stand and wait.'

It

The end came slowly. Most of the past summer he was confined to the house. This, with his strong love for the open air,-and never was that love stronger than in these closing days,— was felt to be a great restraint. saddened one to see him turning again and again to the window with a face full of longing, but a longing not to be fulfilled. As is always the case, plain as the symptoms appear in retrospect, they did not rouse in those about him any immediate sense of danger. He had been for years subject to severe attacks of bronchitis; and not even the doctor thought that the trouble was in its last stage. Mr. Forrest always spoke himself as if he expected temporary recovery. 'I hope to have my feet on the grass yet,' said he to a friend who had suggested that this illness would pass like others previous. But with September came undoubted evidence of approaching death. The prostration increased so quickly, that the most unwilling must have been convinced of the issue. Still all was reserve and reticence on the part of the sufferer. Till within three days

Jan. 1, 1878.

CORRESPONDENCE.

of his death, he gave no hint of any ap-
prehensions in his own mind. Probably
the subject was too painful, and he
avoided it not so much for his own sake,
as for the sake of those who would find
all too soon the want of a guiding hand.
But he did not pass without giving
his friends to know how in the supremest
of moments it went with him. Calling
his son and daughter to his bedside, and
doubtless with sad remembrance that
their mother was gone before, he said,
'Love one another. I commend you to
God and the word of His grace.' His
only sister was constantly with him,
and he seemed to gather up all his
brotherly affection for the departed
members of the family and lavish it on
her. On the day of his death, he sent
for the doctor to come quickly that he
might thank him-human hand in human
hand-before he died. If any unkind-
ness had at any time lurked in his
bosom, it was now purged away. He
who looked humbly to God for forgive-
ness, would not enter his Father's pre-
sence unforgiving. He was ready to
depart. I hope it won't be long now;
but God knows best.' There was no
saint-like ecstasy,-rather the reverse.
'You have no fear, have you?' said one

31

to him. 'No fear,' was his reply; 'but
no great joy either.' His mind ran ou
the apparent failure of his work, and on
his own personal shortcomings.
boast was uttered for one of all his good
deeds rendered up to God. Gentle thus
to the last, as became that gentle soul.

No

He died on the 12th September. On the 15th he was laid in Sighthill Cemetery, by the side of his wife. Few have gone to the grave wearier, none more worthy of its rest. He sleeps within sight of the people for whom he laboured. As one stands by his tomb, and listens to the din of the district, it is hard to realize that this man's work shall outlive it all.

A common life, you will say. Ay, verily, in one sense the commonest, but in another the most uncommon. Not great as men count great, yet certain, if but known, of the tribute of homage from all. Here was patience and love and the hope that makes strong,-a spirit full of faith, and a heart kept pure and humble. Silence-sacred silenceclaims a life like this for its own. Let us not think there are none such, because we hear not of them. Many there are, and well for us that it is so; for they are the lives that 'make rich the blood of the world.'

Correspondence.

NEGATIVE PREACHING.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN MAGAZINE.

SIR,-In our day of what is deemed progress, there is what many rightminded individuals would consider a backward tendency in regard to gospel preaching, the great desideratum being that no certain sound is given in regard to some of the vital doctrines of the cross; more especially is this the case in regard to the substitutionary work of the blessed Redeemer.

Such preachers speak of Christ as the Saviour. They tell us of His blameless life, they extol His exemplary death; but they omit to tell us that the death of Christ was a substitutionary death,— that He (the eternal Son of God) died for our sins, was made sin for us, and that without this substitutionary work we are undone.

I am glad to think that so little of this vague preaching exists in the United

I have through

Presbyterian Church.
circumstances had occasion to hear a
considerable number of our ordained
ministers during the past twelvemonth,
and, to the honour of our Church, there
was in general no uncertain sound: Christ
and His work were set forth in all its
fulness, the sure foundation, Christ
and Him crucified, being fully spread
out before the hearers. I may note
particularly two of the fathers of the
Church who came out in bold relief as
the advocates of the good old way.

One of them told us that the Bible was full of the doctrine, and that, if substitution was not in the Bible, then it was empty.

The other one told us of the divinity of Christ, of His manhood, of His exemplary life, of His being our infallible Teacher; but he held up also in bold

relief the fundamental doctrine of the atoning death which Jesus died.

It is refreshing to hear such preaching. But it is a sad thought to know that there is any other sort; for it is a fact that even among ourselves there are some who fail to give that certain sound so necessary in addressing those whose only refuge is the blood of Christ,-that blood which is the hope, and the only hope, of any sinner.

I earnestly hope that our own Church will continue to hold forth in plain terms the glorious work of Christ as our substitute, and that whatever divergence may have crept in will be speedily removed, and that all our ministers will be ready to adopt the language of Paul when he says, 'God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.' SENEX.

Intelligence.-United Presbyterian Church.

PRESBYTERIAL PROCEEDINGS.

Dundee.-This presbytery met on the 4th December-the Rev. J. A. Murray, moderator. Mr. Graham reported that Mr. Campbell, late missionary, Jamaica, had all but agreed to labour for a time as missionary in Newtyle. It was agreed to authorize the committee to complete arrangements with Mr. Campbell, subject to the approval of the congregation. Mr. Rose reported that Drs. MacGill and Mair had consented to be present at the Conference on Missions, which was agreed to be held on the Tuesday after the third Sabbath of January next. It was agreed to remit to the committee to make arrangements for holding a public missionary meeting on the evening of the same day, and to procure speakers to address the meeting. Took up the Synod's remit on Sabbath schools. After a lengthened conversation on Sabbath schools and children's services, it was agreed that a committee be appointed, consisting of the members of presbytery within the bounds of Dundee, and that they be empowered to hold a conference of all the superintendents of Sabbath schools and the presidents of children's services, to consider the whole subject of Sabbath schools and children's services, and to report to the presbytery at its next meeting. The conference was fixed to be held on the 20th inst., in the hall of Dudhope Road Church. Took up the Synod's remit with reference to the diffusion of information on the distinctive principles and schemes of the denomination. After consideration, it was agreed to appoint a committee to consider how the recommendations of the Synod may be carried out with most efficiency. Messrs. Miller, Hay, Taylor, and the clerk were appointed a committee -the clerk convener.

Dunfermline.-This presbytery_met_on Tuesday the 4th December-the Rev. Mr. M'Lean, moderator. It was agreed to

have an exchange of pulpits in February, for the purpose of bringing the subject of foreign missions before the congregations. It was also agreed to have a conference on the same subject in March. The subject of Sabbath schools and the superintendence of young persons were also under discussion. In regard to the former, the Sabbath School Committee was instructed to visit the various schools within the bounds; and in regard to the latter, a standing committee was appointed to attend to the matter, and to report to the presbytery from year to year.

Edinburgh.-A meeting of this presbytery was held on 4th December, in the hall of the Young Men's Christian Association -Mr. Kinloch, of West Linton, moderator. A petition was presented from the congregation of West Calder, craving the presbytery to appoint one of their number to moderate in a call. It was stated that the membership of the congregation was 380, and that it was proposed to pay a stipend of £260 to the minister, in addition to the use of the manse, which was at present in course of erection. The prayer of the petition was granted, and the 17th inst. fixed for the moderation. A letter was read from the Rev. James Robertson, Newington, intimating that the state of his heart's action had been so seriously affected by four successive bereavements, and by his attempting to resume settled residence in the scene of them, that such residence had been at present medically interdicted. Warm testimony was borne to the value and success of Mr. Robertson's ministry, and the arrangement of the congregation agreed to. Under the arrangement which has been made, Mr. Robertson is to retain his position as senior pastor, but the whole responsibility of the congregation is to rest on the junior minister. Mr. Robertson is to receive a stipend of £200, and Mr. Young £500. A call was laid on the table of the presbytery from Infirmary Street con

"

gregation, in favour of the appointment of Mr. Robert Pollock Watt, probationer, Glasgow, as colleague and successor to the Rev. Dr. Bruce. The call was sustained. Mr. White-Millar and the Rev. Wm. Gillies were, on a division, appointed to represent the presbytery at the Mission Board. It was agreed to increase the salary of the clerk from £25 to £50, that of the treasurer from £7, 10s. to £10, and that of the officer from £7 to £12. Mr. Knox Crawford (elder) intimated that the congregation of St. James' Place had increased the salary of Dr. Morton to £700, irrespective of the payment of his life assurance policy. A report was read by Mr. Moffat as to the private conference held recently with reference to missions. It stated that there seemed to be a general agreement in the conference that the subject should occupy a prominent place in the stated ministrations of the sanctuary; that every congregation should be regarded as ipso facto a missionary society, whose contributions should, if possible, be co-extensive with its members, the contributions being collected each month by book; and that in order to sustain and develope the missionary spirit of the churches, a general interchange of pulpits should take place on some convenient Sabbath as the presbytery might decide, when discourses should be preached directly bearing on missionary work. On the motion of Dr. Mair, seconded by Mr. James, the presbytery received the report, thanked the committee who had charge of the arrangements, and approved of the recommendations, the third Sabbath of January being fixed as the date for the interchange of pulpits. A moderation was granted to the South Side Church, to take place on the evening of 17th December-Mr. Robertson, Bread Street, to moderate. The stipend pro

mised is £300.

occasion of the observance of the Lord's supper, it was unanimously agreed that the protest and appeal, with other papers in connection with the matter to which it relates, lie on the table till next meeting, and that a deputation of presbytery, consisting of Rev. Messrs. Lind, Whyte, and Robson, with Mr. Morrison, elder (Mr. Robson, convener), meet with the session of Forres, and others connected with the congregation, on an early day, with the view of endeavouring to bring about a desirable state of feeling in the congregation with reference to the matter in dispute. A circular having been read from the Synod's Foreign Committee, recommending that, with the view of impressing upon the minds of congregations the claims of foreign missions, exchanges of pulpits, as nearly universal as possible, should be made, under presbyterial arrangement, by the ministers of each presbytery, it was unanimously agreed to adopt the proposed measure so soon as matters can be conveniently arranged with this view. Next meeting was appointed to be held at Nairn on Tuesday after the second Sabbath of January 1878.

Falkirk. This presbytery met on Tuesday, 4th December last the Rev. George Wade, moderator. The Rev. Hugh Baird tendered his resignation of the office of clerk, which he had held for 25 years; and Messrs. Lambie, Dr. Ogilvie, and William Wilson (elder), were appointed to prepare a minute expressive of the presbytery's sentiments in reference to Mr. Baird's long and faithful services. The Rev. Charles Jerdan, LL.B., of Dennyloanhead, was elected clerk in room of Mr. Baird. Read and considered various proposals of the Foreign Mission Committee, having for their object the stirring up of greater interest in the missions of the Church. Laid on the table copy of report of entrance examination for admission to the Hall, from which it appeared that Mr. George Wm. Ure, a student within the bounds, had been admitted as a first year student. Rev. Mr. Wade and Mr. Hay, Glenbo, were heard in relation to the visits of ex-Provost Morton, of Greenock, to various districts in the presbytery, with the view of widening the area of contribution to the Surplus Augmentation Fund; and thanks were recorded to Mr. Morton for his kind services. Rev. Messrs. Lambie, Aitchison, and Leckie were appointed to prepare the presbytery's overture to the Synod on the Imposition of Hands. Appointed next meeting to be held on Tuesday, 5th February 1878,

Elgin and Inverness.-This presbytery met at Forres on the 11th December Rev. John Whyte, moderator. A communication was read from the sessionclerk of the congregation of Nairn, intimating that at a meeting of the congregation held on the 21st November, with reference to the pecuniary affairs of the congregation in their present circumstances, in accordance with a recommendation of the presbytery at last meeting, it was resolved to delay taking any steps in the matter in the meantime. A communication having been read from a member of the Forres session, intimating that he was prepared to withdraw his protest and appeal against a finding of the session with reference to the use of fermented or unfermented wine on at 11 A.M.

NO. I. VOL. XXII. NEW SERIES.- -JANUARY 1878.

C

Glasgow. This presbytery held its monthly meeting on Tuesday, 11th December, when Mr. Stark occupied the moderator's chair. Dr. Leckie said that the committee appointed to confer with Mr. F. Ferguson were not yet prepared to present a report. Mr. Thomas Whitelaw, Cathedral Street Church, intimated acceptance of a call to King Street Church, Kilmarnock. Dr. Scott intimated that the Augmentation Fund was at present £500 higher than it was at the same date last year. Mr. Corbett made an appeal for funds towards the proposed scholarship in their Theological Hall to commemorate the name of Dr. Eadie. Dr. Scott and Mr. R. T. Middleton urged the claims of the Church Planting Board, the operations of which were being impeded by want of money. The presbytery agreed to express anew their sense of the importance of the scheme, and to appeal to the members for subscriptions to complete the capital fund, while they urged on congregations the need for their making an annual contribution to the funds.

a

Kelso. This presbytery met on Tuesday, 20th November-Rev. Mr. Pringle, Jedburgh, moderator. A report in reference to the formation of an elders' association having been read, it was agreed: "In the spirit of the report from the sessions, the presbytery recommend conference of elders to be held, and they appoint the elders present to make the necessary arrangements.' The committee appointed on the grounds of this motion consisted of Messrs. Muirhead (convener), Fairgrieve, Purves, Broomfield, Scott, Porteous, and Clark. In reference to the report on presbyterial visitation of congregations, it was resolved, 'That the presbytery, having taken into consideration the Synod's recommendation as to presbyterial visitation of the various congregations within its bounds, recognises the importance of that recommendation being carried out, and they appoint a committee to consider how the end contemplated can be best secured.' A committee, consisting of the Rev. Messrs Polson, Jarvie, Inglis, and Miller, and Mr. Scott, Whitton, was then appointed. The Rev. Mr. Polson reported that the Evangelistic Committee had met that morning, and they had drawn up a small report. There was present at the committee Messrs. Inglis and Polson (ministers), and Messrs. Scott and Broomfield (elders). The report was to the effect that the committee resolved to ask the presbytery to record anew its sense of the needfulness and importance of special services for awakening a deepening interest in spiritual things; and it recom

mended ministers and elders to embrace any favourable opportunity which took place of taking part in special services in connection with their own congregations, or in concert with other congregations in their own vicinity. They further recommended ministers to hold cottage meetings either in town or country as often as opportunity offered in the course of their ordinary work. The speaker, in the course of a short speech, strongly advocated the recommendations of the committee to the consideration of the members of the presbytery. The report was adopted. Mr. Rogers having intimated that on account of the state of his health he had to spend the winter in a warmer climate, much sympathy was expressed with him in the circumstances. Arrangements were made for the supply of the pulpit, and Mr. Cairns appointed interim moderator of session.

Kilmarnock.-This presbytery met on 11th December-Rev. Alexander M'Donald, moderator. Appointed further sick supply to Saltcoats, West. Mr. George Copland reported that the Augmentation Committee had held satisfactory meetings in several congregations, and arrangements had been made for more at an early date. Mr. Copland asked the presbytery's sanction, which was cordially given, to obtain a report from congregations by February, showing the efforts they had made to support the Augmentation Scheme, in order that a full report may be given to the presbytery in April. The clerk read the report of Committee on Formation of Elders' Associations to promote the Principles and Progress of the Church, which suggested the formation of four associations within the bounds, with Ayr, Kilmarnock, Kilwinning, and Mauchline respectively as centres. The presbytery adopted the suggestions, and appointed a committee to organize the four associations. Found that the congregations within the bounds had generally paid their contributions to the Synod Fund. Agreed to request the few defaulters to do their duty in this matter without delay. Read letter from Mr. Cuthbertson, stating that the Holm congregation withdrew the application recently made for change of site. As agreed upon at last meeting, the presbytery then entered into a private conference on the subject of missions. At the close of the conference, the presbytery resolved to strongly recommend the formation of missionary associations, with an organized staff of collectors in all congregations within the bounds; and that, as far as practicable, the Missionary Record be circulated monthly, and subscriptions for mission purposes taken at

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