The “Gospel Standard,” and Lord’s Day Observance.
—In a recent number of the English Strict Baptist magazine, the Gospel Standard, we have been sorry to observe an article in which a certain form of work on the Lord’s Day—the delivery of letters by a postman—is treated as a matter of liberty, and not of disapproval as a breach of the Fourth Commandment. To those of our readers who may see the Gospel Standard, we commend the reading of the deliverance of Synod on Sabbath observance, which is reprinted elsewhere in our pages.
The Financial Difficulties of the United Free Church.
—The present condition of the Central Fund of the United Free Church is regarded as being in such a bad condition that speeches have been delivered and leading articles written all showing the serious state of matters. Great efforts are to be put forth to raise the deficit before the 31st of December, and these efforts may be so far successful. Our main reason, however, in referring to the matter here, is to point out that it was brought forward as one of the certain results of union that minister’s salaries would be greatly increased. This, like a great number of other prophecies in connection with the Union, has failed to be realised.
The Irish Presbyterian Church.
—At a special meeting of Assembly recently held, the Rev. Dr. Smith, Blairgowrie, was appointed Professor of Systematic Theology in place of Rev. Dr. Petticrew, resigned. The appointment does not augur well for the Presbyterian Church of Ireland. Dr. Smith is decidedly an able writer and distinguished scholar, but his correspondence column in the British Weekly does not help one to feel that he is in line with the able race of Ulster theologians that gave strength and solidity to the Presbyterian Church of Ireland. The Assembly, however, is chiefly notable for its adoption of the revised book of constitution. The Glasgow Herald described the new rule of faith as “an attempt to live in the twentieth century and to think with the seventeenth.” The 17th article, dealing with the Confession of Faith, is as follows:—”The Confession of Faith and the Larger and Shorter Catechisms prepared by the Westminster Assembly of Divines are the subordinate standards of the Church. It accepting these standards it is to be assumed that they are by their very nature subject to revision from time to time, as the Church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, may be led into a fuller understanding of the revelation of the mind and will of God contained in the Holy Scriptures.”