The Presbyterian review and religious journal

selves, and for circulating them wide and far among others. It should act as a battle-trumpet, helping to array and inspirit the troops along whose lines it is sounding, as well as to lead them on against their enemies to victorious conflict. It ought, therefore, to give no uncertain and no feeble sound.

A Christian journal, by its very name, implies that it is intended to speak for Christ. It is His work which we are seeking to do; it is to His service alone that our pens are dedicated. It is not man's work, it is not the nation's work, nay, it is not even the Church's work, that is to be done. It is Christ's work. "His we are, and Him we serve.' To be a worker for him, and a fellow-labourer with him, is our position. No lower level than this we are at liberty to occupy. As the conjoint production of those who are called by his name, a Christian journal ought to wear upon its front the cross of Christ, and breathe through all its pages the savour of His name. With the world, as the world, it has nothing to do. Yet every thing in the world it may touch and handle, in order to sanctify them for the Master's use, and bring them into the service of the Church. All literature, all science, all scholarship, it may freely traverse, provided this be done in the way of consecrating them to holy purposes, and rescuing them from the vile grasp of a world which only knows to sport with them as toys, or worship them as idols.

The

As for our theology, it is easily summed up under such heads as these. Christ's crown, in opposition to the Erastianism of the day. The true government of Christ's church, in opposition to Independency on the one hand, and Prelacy on the other. eross and work of Christ, as the Church's High Priest and Substitute, in opposition to the indefinite atonement of Arminianism. The PERSON of Christ as the great object of attraction to the sinner's eye, and the resting-place for his soul, in opposition to those who, in professing to magnify the work of Christ, and the truth concerning it, are altogether losing sight of HIMSELF. Man's total wickedness, corruption, and helplessness, mind, will, and heart, in opposition to the Pelagianism of those who would retain some good thing about him, some strength to save himself, or at least to help God in saving him. The work of the Holy Spirit, as the entire beginner and ender of the new life in the soul,

and the indweller in the saints, in opposition to those who deny His operations to be immediate and direct, and who speak only of his influences, not of Himself. The glory of the Church, as the Bride of Christ, the eternally chosen of the Father. The freeness of the glorious gospel to all, without exception or restriction, simply as sinners, and as nothing else. The purpose of God to take out of this world a people for his glory, before the end come. These are the chief heads of our Theology.

There is one point, however, on which we feel that a particular statement is absolutely necessary, we mean our prophetical views. This we know is hazardous and delicate ground. But let us speak honestly and frankly. Our readers, we are quite aware, are divided in sentiment upon what is called the Millennarian controversy, and we have frequently received letters on both sides. In these circumstances, it would not be fair that the Review should be pledged to either of the two opinions. Still, the subject of our Lord's second coming is not one which can be overlooked or set aside. It has been occupying, of late, considerable space in other religious periodicals, and is likely to occupy more. It is frequently forced upon our notice by the books which are sent to us for review, which, of course, we cannot cast away. It will ere long be brought before us by the second edition of Elliott's work on the Apocalypse, which is awakening attention even among worldly journals, and which is soon to appear with a fourth volume added.

Our only course, then, in such a case, is the following. When such a work as Elliott's comes to be reviewed, this shall be done fully and honestly according to the reviewer's mind. At the same time, there shall be a note appended to such an article, stating, that while such are the reviewer's opinions, the Review remains unpledged and uncommitted. In regard to Critical Notices, our only way is to say as little as possible concerning the work noticed, but to allow the author, by means of extracts, to speak for himself.

We trust that this statement will satisfy all parties. It appears to us the fair and honest course. It is not easy to satisfy all, especially those who entertain extreme views. But we believe that all who weigh the matter calmly, will not condemn or

reject a Review because in every point it does not meet their views. We have no sympathy with latitudinarian indifference to doctrines. We desire as definite and explicit a basis of union as is possible between different churches, and also between members of the same church; but laxity and large-heartedness are very different things,—the former contains in it the seeds of all that is evil, the latter is an approximation, at least, to the mind that was in Christ Jesus.

Meanwhile, we commend this Review to the earnest prayers of every one of its readers. God has blessed it in other days, and our heart's desire and prayer is, that He may bless it still. Even by such an instrument it may please Him to do great things in the midst of us. "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts."

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