Such were the laurels which adorned Robertson's brow. Each successive minister of state gave him all the aid of office and influence to carry on his ecclesiastical warfare, from which he retired in 1780. Successors in a service which had all the power and fashion of the world on its side, it was not difficult to find. Honour and emoluments were the certain reward; and the work was become comparatively easy. By them and their numerous adherents has the system been triumphantly supported to the present day. That, by their proceedings, they have driven more than a third part of the inhabitants of the country, and more than one half of the pious people to quit the communion of the establishment, so that there is more true religion without than within her pale, will excite astonishment and grief in the hearts of Christians in England. In the minds of those by whom the deed has been done, it is not likely to produce much effect; for in the decision of their ecclesiastical courts which operated the change, less regard has been shown to the spirit and even the appearance of vital godliness, than perhaps by any church on earth, without excepting that of Rome in the days of her grossest corruptions.

To these odious proceedings, opposition has always been made, though without effect, by a portion of the Scotch clergy who, retaining the ancient orthodoxy, devotedness, and zeal, have struggled with unwearied perseverance to restore their church to its ancient purity. Possessed of the learning of a divine in a superior degree; evangelical and judicious in their preaching; faithful and assiduous in the private duties of their office; highly exemplary in their life and conversation; and animated in all their services by a

spirit of fervent piety, they give themselves wholly to the work of the ministry, and are eminently useful in their stations. Among this class, Mr. Robert Walker, Dr. John Erskine, and professor Hunter claim a conspicuous place. The only cause of regret is the smallness of their number, for they do not amount to a fifth part of the clerical body: but it is said that they increase. Happy will it be if they should become the majority, that the detestable system which has been deluging their highly favoured country with ignorance and irreligion, may be totally and finally overthrown.

It is impossible not to be struck with a very dishonourable peculiarity in the presbyterians of the Scotch establishment,-a want of zeal for the doctrine and worship of their own church. That numerous regiments of Scotch should be destitute of chaplains of their own faith, and left to the constant use of a service which they neither understand nor relish, is not to the praise of their clergy. That no effort should be made to establish presbyterian congregations in the great towns of our colonies and foreign possessions, for the accomodation of the multitude of North Britons who are settled there, argues a very culpable neglect of the best interests of their countrymen. So important a subject, it is hoped, will speedily and successfully engage the attention of the friends of religion in the North.

The seceders were, during the whole of this period, continuing to increase in numbers, but not perhaps in piety to an equal degree. The second generation will seldom equal that which separated from a corrupt church for conscience' sake. Indeed, the only thing which can preserve them from sinking into

formality, is the adoption of the independent principle, to admit none into their theological seminaries, but such as can give satisfactory evidence that they are born of God. The evils arising from the want of it, the burghers, it is said, already feel. The seceding congregations amount to nearly three hundred, and the presbytery of relief to about seventy. The followers of Glass and Sandeman have considerably diminished: but a new body of independents has arisen, which more than fills their room. The baptists are more numerous than ever before. The episcopalians keep their ground. The immense mass of religious principle in Scotland has displayed its influence in the most active exertions and liberal contributions to propagate the Gospel among the heathen.

STATE OF RELIGION IN IRELAND,

In the Hibernian isle, so justly famed for its natural advantages, pure religion still remained at the commencement of this period, in a confined and languid state. The zeal of the Roman catholic clergy was effectual, not only for the preservation of their flocks from the influence of the protestants, but likewise for drawing many from the protestant communion into their own; so that they are more numerous in proportion to the other inhabitants, than for the last hundred and fifty years. From the degraded state in which they lay at the beginning of the present reign they have been gradually raised; and they are now applying for an equality of civil and political privi leges with their protestant fellow subjects. Every enlightened Christian must unite in cordial wishes

for their success; both as it is their undoubted right, and as it will most effectually conduce to the propagation of pure religion in that country.

In the protestant establishment, the inattention of the clergy to the people has continued to be such, that to seek a parallel in any other church in Europe, of whatever name it may be, would be a vain attempt. In consequence of this, the protestants were far more ignorant of their distinguishing principles than the Roman catholics, who took advantage of it to lead thousands of them into their own fold. Towards the close of this period, there arose that valuable and useful class of men whom Mr. Newton distinguishes in England by the appellation of the awakened clergy. They in general conceive that the articles of their church speak the language of Calvin. They are pious, laborious, and zealous men; and their ministrations have been crowned with considerable success. If Ireland ever become protestant, it is by men of their spirit that the work must be accomplished. Of late they have been rigorously opposed and grievously harassed by some of the highest dignitaries of the church, who, by such proceedings, must gratify those who seek her degradation or her ruin.

The spiritual state of the presbyterians by no means presents so pleasing a prospect as in the second, but especially in the first period of this history. Error continued to spread, and with it all the evil conse quences which have been described. In 1782, they obtained from parliament a repeal of the test act. A more ample allowance has been made by it for the support of the ministers, who, divided into three classes, enjoy pensions of a hundred, seventy-five, or fifty pounds a year. Though their congregations

in the North scarcely amount to two hundred, and those in the South are few, they claim to themselves a population of nearly half a million.

The seceding ministers, who came over from Scotland in the former period, continued to diffuse their sentiments with great success. The burgher congregations amount to sixty, and the anti-burghers to thirty. Their ministers have likewise salaries from government but inferior to those of the old presbyterians. By both these denominations the Gospel is preached in purity.

Of late the independents have erected their standard, but hitherto not with distinguished success. The baptists still continue to exist, and more than existtence it can scarcely be called. The Wesleyan methodists have continued their exertions through this period, and considerably extended their stations. The number of travelling preachers amounts to one hundred and twenty-five, and the members in society are twenty-eight thousand one hundred and ninety-four. The Hibernian society, instituted a few years ago, is exerting itself both in the establishment of schools and the patronage of preachers of the Gospel. Their pious labours it is hoped, will be crowned with an eminent blessing.

STATE OF RELIGION BEYOND THE BRITISH

EMPIRE.

The United States of America still continue to enjoy those revivals of religion which have been noticed under the former periods. Though the revolution, which separated the colonies from the mother country, diverted the minds of the Americans from religion to the politics of this world, no sooner was their inde