THE SCOTTISH PRESBYTERIAN POLITY: A STUDY OF ITS ORIGINS IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY, by Janet G. Macgregor, M.A., B.Ed., Ph.D., Lecturer in History in the University of Birmingham. Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd, Tweeddale Court. Price 7s 6d net.
This work was prepared as a thesis by Dr Janet Macgregor for her doctorate in philosophy. It shows wide reading and a careful sifting of the material gleaned from the original sources. The first chapter deals with the influence of early agitations leading to ecclesiastical reform in Scotland, while the succeeding chapters deal respectively with the phases in the development of the Scottish Reformed polity in 1560, between 1560 and 1574, and from 1574 to 1592. The work shows considerable research, and whether one agrees with the conclusions reached or not, credit must be given for an original piece of work. The two Books of Discipline are carefully examined and commented on. The various offices mentioned in these Books, such as ministers, elders, deacons, superintendents, readers, doctors: and the various church courts, such as the consistories, exercises, sessions, synodal assemblies, are dealt with, and much instructive and useful information conveyed. Dr Macgregor says that the early Scottish Reformers made the claim that they were guided solely by the New Testament order in their church polity, but she holds that there were other influences at work, such as a’ Lasco’s and Pullain’s Churches and Lambert’s Hessian polity which governed them in their church order. This does not necessarily invalidate, as Dr Macgregor thinks it does, the claims made by the Scottish Reformers. At the end of each period dealt with, Dr Macgregor gives a lucid summary of her conclusions, and the reader has thus at his command the result of the various subjects discussed. Some of the conclusions drawn may not necessarily follow from the facts given, and in other cases experts in this department of the history of the early Reformed Scottish Church might find it necessary to join issue with Dr Macgregor in opposing some of her conclusions.
MOTHER’S CATECHISM (in Gaelic and English). Glasgow: Messrs Maclaren and Sons, 360 Argyle Street. Price 3d.
Our Glasgow agents, Messrs Maclaren and Sons, have published a new edition of that once well-known children’s manual—The Mother’s Catechism. As many
of our readers know, this Catechism was drawn up by the Rev. John Willison, Dundee, and was intended as “a preparatory help for the young and ignorant in order to their easier understanding the Assembly’s Shorter Catechism.” The Gaelic part is given on one half of the page and the English on the other. We heartily commend this excellently printed catechism to parents, and to all others interested in the instruction of the young.
USEFUL AND INSTRUCTIVE PAMPHLETS.—”Evolution contrasted with Scripture Truth” (Chicago: The Bible Institute Colportage Association; 40 cents) is an excellent little pamphlet by W. Bell Dawson, M.A., D.Sc., M. Inst. C.E., Gold Medallist in Geology (McGill University). Dr Dawson is a son of the distinguished Canadian geologist, Sir William J. Dawson, who did so much in his own day to combat Evolutionism. It is gratifying to know his son is following in his father’s footsteps. The Protestant Truth Society (3 and 4 St Paul’s Churchyard, London, E.C. 4) have issued a pamphlet (price 2d) by T. J. Waterman, on “William Tindale: Translator, Reformer, and Martyr.” It is one of the most readable accounts we have come across of what has recently been issued bearing on the life of the great translator and noble martyr. The Sovereign Grace Union (98 Camberwell Grove, London, S.E. 5), have issued John Bradford’s “The Dying Martyr’s Testament” and Dr Bishop’s “James Arminius: or False to his Trust.” The latter gives a brief account of Arminius, and sets over against his unscriptural views the true Scriptural doctrines. “Truth and Error: A Chart Showing what God has Said on Seven Fundamentals, and what Men are now Saying” (price 1 $\frac{1}{2}$ d, post free), is an excellent tract. The views of Christian Scientists, Spiritualists, Russellites, Theosophists, Mormons, Seventh Day Adventists, and Modernists are given in columns on such subjects as God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, Sin, Atonement, Salvation and Retribution. Over against these are quoted texts from the Scriptures in opposition to the false views. The compiler is to be congratulated on his excellent plan, and we very heartily recommend this chart to all who wish to know what these modern heresies are, and how they can be combated. The tract may be had from Pickering and Inglis, Bothwell Street, Glasgow.
“Albeit that grace is perfectly free to men, in pardoning and saving of them; yet justice must be satisfied, and Christ was abated nothing.—Elisha Coles.