Christ’s Testimony to the Scriptures.
—In these days when Rationalism is endeavouring to reach the millions by cheap publications, it is interesting to observe that some good, sound religious literature can now be had for the nominal sum of sixpence. Among the most recent cheap issues, we give a most hearty welcome to Adolph Saphir’s Christ and the Scriptures. It is a book that should be put into the hand of every young person, for, after all, Christ is the Rock on which the Higher Criticism will be broken. The English Churchman review says of Dr. Saphir’s book—”It is an unanswerable presentation of the claims of the Scriptures of Truth.”
Deceased Wife’s Sister Bill.
—This question is again prominently before the country, owing to the action of a strong parliamentary party who wished to get the Bill passed into law. It has been asserted that there is nothing in Scripture against marriage with a deceased wife’s sister, but any one who has read carefully the late Prof. Lindsay’s admirable Law of Marriage, Dwight’s Hebrew Wife, or Dr. Gibson’s Marriage Affinity Question (2nd edition), must feel that these writers have certainly proved the unscripturalness of such marriages. Our Confession is very explicit on the point, and all who sign it, accepting the whole doctrine of the same, bind themselves to this position, that “the man may not marry any of his wife’s kindred nearer in blood than he may his own” (chap. xxiv., sec. iv.).
The Union of England and Scotland in 1707.
—Two hundred years ago on the 1st day of May the first British Parliament met. The means adopted to bring about the Union are now generally admitted to have been anything but honourable. The great majority of the Scottish people were bitterly opposed to the Union, and the stricter Presbyterians would have nothing to do with it. But by the careful ecclesiastical engineering of Principal Carstares, the opposition from the Scottish Church was toned down. True Presbyterians objected to it on the ground of principle, as they were afraid that “black prelacy” might become active again as an instrument to overthrow the Presbyterianism restored by the Revolution Settlement. The Cameronians or Society People were consistent opponents to the project, and their opposition was so strenuous that they have been unjustly charged with entering into a plot with the Jacobites to overturn the government of Anne.
Boston’s Ettrick Ministry.
—Two hundred years on the 1st day of May began a pastorate which is notable in the annals of the Scottish pulpit. Boston had left his beloved Simprin, and entered on a field of labour that well nigh crushed the spirit of the faithful and zealous pastor. With outspoken fidelity he tells us, in his memoirs, the character of the Ettrick people. He describes them as “naturally smart, and of an uncommon assurance; self-conceited and censorious to a pitch, using an indecent freedom both with Church and State.” At times the pastor almost sank down in despair, but, after his call to Closeburn, there was a remarkable reviving of interest in the preaching of the Gospel, and the years which the locusts had eaten were restored. Along with this the manse of Ettrick was often visited by death; but all these trials only fitted Boston to be a son of consolation, and was meet preparation for the author of the Crook in the Lot.
Worshipping the Virgin.
—It would appear almost incredible unless we had the writings of Romish theologians to confirm the extraordinary length to which they allowed themselves to go in paying divine worship to the Virgin. Even Anselm, whose epoch-making Cur Deus Homo? places the whole theological world under a lasting debt, uses expressions at times concerning the Virgin that show how thankful we should be that the Church is not left to even the greatest of her theologians for instruction. Scripture gives a very high place to Mary—she was specially honoured and was blessed among women—but while it is right to give her the place given her in God’s word, it becomes a sin when divine honour is paid to her and divine works ascribed to her.
“The New Theology.”
—Mr. R. J. Campbell has now issued a book stating his views. The newspapers give extensive notices of it, and bear united testimony that Mr. Campbell makes things no better by this effort. He attempts to justify the wildest passages from his spoken sermons that have appeared in the press.