The

Golgotha. The sacrifice had been consummated. crowd were returning home,—still agitated, it is true,but gloomy, sad, taciturn, desperate. What they had witnessed had struck them with terror and remorse. Ι also saw my little Roman cohort pass by mournfully,the standard bearer having veiled his eagle in token of grief, and I overhead some of the soldiers murmuring strange words which I did not comprehend. Others were recounting prodigies almost similar to those which had so often smote the Romans with dismay by the will of the gods. Sometimes groups of men and women would halt, then, looking back towards Mount Calvary, would remain motionless, in the expectation of witnessing some ew prodigy.

I returned to the Pretorium sad and pensive. On ascending the stair, the steps of which were still stained with the blood of the Nazarene, I perceived an old man in a suppliant posture, and behind him several women in tears. He threw himself at my feet, and wept bitterly.It is painful to see an old man weep.- Father," said I to him mildly," who are you, and what is your request?" I am Joseph of Arimathea," replied he, "and I am come to beg of you, on my knees, the permission to bury Jesus of Nazareth.". "Your prayer is granted," said I. to him; and, at the same time, ordered Manlius to take some soldiers with him to superintend the interment, lest it might be profaned. A few days afterwards, the sepulchre was found empty. The disciples of Jesus published all over the country that he had risen from the dead, as he had foretold.

A last duty remained for me to perform, it was to communicate to Cæsar the details of this deplorable event. I did it the same night that followed the fatal catastrophe, and had just finished the communication wheu the day began to dawn.

At that moment the sounds of clarions, playing the air of Diana, struck my ear. Casting my eyes towards the Cesarean gate, I beheld a troop of soldiers, and heard at a distance other trumpets sounding Cæsar's march. It was the reinforcement that had been promised me-two thousand chosen men, who, to hasten their arrival, had marched all night. "It has then been decreed by the fates," cried I, wringing my hands, "that the great ini

quity should be accomplished-that, for the purpose of averting the deeds of yesterday, troops should arrive today! Cruel destiny, how thou sportest with the affairs of mortals! Alas! it was but too true, what the Nazarene exclaimed when writhing on the cross: All is Consummated!"

INTELLIGENCE.

Extract from the Minutes of the General Synod of Ulster for 1837. "CONNOR PRESBYTERY report that, on the 6th of September last, they received Mr. Robert Reid, who had commenced his studies with a view to the Ministry under the care of the Antrim Presbytery, but, from a change in his religious sentiments, had determined to join the Synod of Ulster: that they have examined the certificates of Messrs. William Johnston and Robert Reid, after their fifth session at College," &c. &c.-p. 15.

We understand that, on the 14th of November inst. Mr. Robert Reid, the gentleman mentioned in the foregoing extract, appeared before the Fixed Committee of the Antrim Presbytery, and preferred a request to be again taken under the care of that reverend body, with a view to receive from them licence to preach the Gospel. Mr. Reid stated in support of his application, that, when he joined the Synod of Ulster, he felt conscientious scruples respecting the doctrines which he had heard delivered, from the pulpit, by some of the ministers of the Antrim Presbytery; but that, after more mature inquiry on religious subjects, he finds the conditions required for licence by that Presbytery more agreeable to his matured convictions than those insisted on by the Synod: and that, in particular, he could not subscribe the Westminster Confession in an unqualified manner, as the confession of his faith, because he regards some of its leading doctrines as èrroneous.

The consideration of Mr. Reid's application has been postponed till the next Quarterly Meeting of Presbytery.

SUNDAY SCHOOL, CRUMLIN.

THE yearly social meeting meeting of the Sabbath school, in connexion with the Unitarian congregation of Crumlin, was held in the month of August last. On this interesting occasion there was a numerous attendance of children, many of whom had distinguished themselves for diligence and good conduct in their respective classes. On the evening of the meeting upwards of one hundred small tracts, on the leading doctrines of Unitarianism, were distributed as premiums among the Sabbath scholars. They had also a plentiful supply of fruit, which, they generally said, they preferred to tea. The minister of the congregation delivered an address to the children, in the course of which he referred par ticularly to the death of a little girl, who had been present on the

same occasion last year, and endeavoured to impress on their young minds the uncertainty of life and the necessity of goodness as a preparation for heaven. The subjects of instruction at present in the school include large portions of the Old and New Testaments, viz. the journeyings of the children of Israel in the wilderness,-the history of the twelve tribes, — the life of the Saviour,-the parables, and the Acts of the Apostles. In addition to the lessons from Scripture, the scholars are required, each week, to commit to memory a portion of the "Child's Guide to Christ," and to repeat the morning and evening prayers contained in that useful little work. A class for Composition has also been recently commenced, and is productive of the most cheering results. school is divided intosix classes, each of which has a regular teacher. The first is conducted by the Minister; the second, by Mr. Thomas Barber; the third, by Mr. Robert Campbell; the fourth, by Miss Susan Campbell; the fifth, by Miss Dickson; and the sixth by Miss Armstrong.-4. Correspondent.

SCOTTISH CHRISTIAN UNITARIAN ASSOCIATION.

The

THE Ninth Anniversary of this Institution was held at Glasgow, on Sunday and Monday, September 8 and 9. The weather had previously been exceedingly unfavourable, altogether precluding several friends from distant towns from attending on this occasion; the morning of the Sunday however was more cheering, but at noon the rain poured down in torrents, and continued almost without intermission throughout the remainder of the day. Notwithstanding these untoward circumstances, friends were present from Aberdeen, Tillicoultry, Falkirk, Edinburgh, East Lothian, Kirkintilloch, Campsie, Airdrie, Cambusnethan, Girvan, Dalry, Dumbarton, Renfrew, Greenock, Patna, Kilbarchan, Alexandria, Bonhill, Paisley, Pollokshaws, &c. &c. In the forenoon, the Rev. R. E. B. Maclellan, of Edinburgh, conducted the whole service, preaching from Gal. iii. 20, "God is One." The object of this discourse, as well as of that in the evening, was to show the harmony of nature with the teachings of Christianity, as expounded by Christian Unitarians. The truth of the proposition was demonstrated by a variety of beautiful and convincing illustrations. The Chapel was crowded by a deeply attentive congre, gation. In the afternoon, the Rev. J. Cropper, A. M. of Aberdeen, delivered a solemn and pathetic exhortation to the performance of Christian duties, from Heb. x. 24, 25. At the close of the sermon, the Rev. George Harris gave out the beautiful hymn, beginning

"The Lord my pasture shall prepare,
And feed me with a shepherd's care.'

After the hymn had been sung, Mr. Harris addressed the commu nicants on the nature and purposes of the Lord's Supper-the whole congregation remaining to witness the celebration. Nearly

three hundred persons joined in the observance of this Christian ordinance; and a more interesting and affecting meeting was never witnessed. In the evening, Mr. Maclellan preached from 1 John, iv. 8, "God is Love." The most heartfelt interest was manifested whilst the preacher, was delineating the essential, universal benevolence of the One Infinite Father. We are happy in saying, that these two discourses, in proof of the kindred truths of the peerless Oneness and Benignity of God, are now published. Between the afternoon and evening worship, upwards of one hundred persons, male and female, joined the ministers and many friends from the country at tea, in the Argyle Hotel; Mr. Harris being in the chair, and Mr. Bryson vice-president. Two hours were thus passed together by the friends most harmoniously and profitably, in the interchange of free thought and kindly feeling.

On Monday afternoon, the subscribers and friends to the Association assembled in the Chapel at six o'clock. The Rev. J. Forrest, A. M. of Greenock, gave out a hymn, and prayed. W. Watson, Esq. of Glasgow, was unanimously called to the chair; and Mr. Harris read the Report, which contained a most gratifying account of the progress of Gospel truth in various parts of Scotland. Mr. Dunlop, of Paisley, concluded an admirable speech in support of one of the resolutions, in the following terms: -My friends, the more thoroughly I understand the two systems, the more deeply am I impressed with the importance of our views; and if I were stretched on a bed of sickness, I know of no greater grief that could disturb my dying hour, than to think that those loved "little ones," who surrounded my couch, should be trained up to a system which would lead them to "dread their God, and curse their fellow-men!" Truly, Orthodoxy, with a stern and fearful literality, verifies the prophetic words of the Saviour, that 66 a man's foes shall be those of his own household;" for it declares, if you do not hold that faith, brother must consign brother to hell, and father, and sister, and mother. Who, then, would not pledge themselves to the removal of such a system?

I call, then, on every soul who hears me, to join heart and hand in the diffusion of our benignant principles; and the best way to diffuse them, is to practise them. Practise them, then; practise them in plenitude and purity, and they will be omnipotent. The times call us to the pledge. We see the rebel clergy trampling on the civil power, and longing for the palmy days of ecclesiastical domination. We see our pampered nobles eager to drag us back to the dark days of fooleries and tournaments. We see bigotry rampant in the highest Court of the nation; and all these leagued together to invoke fire from heaven or from hell, to consume the poor contemned, misnamed, maligned "Socinian." Yes, they would turn back the dial of improvement seven degrees. Yes, their prayer is, that the sun would stand still, till they sweep us from the face of the earth. But our hope, Holy Father, is in Thee. To thee, through the blessed Redeemer, our eyes are directed; and though the powers of this world are combined to arrest our

progress, to Thee do we look for the success of our cause; and with Galileo of old, we joyfully exclaim, Still it moves!"

In reply to the resolution of thanks and welcome, the Rev. R. E. B. MACLELLAN spoke nearly as follows:-That there are some here rejoicing at my presence, cannot but call to remembrance that there are some elsewhere lamenting because of my absence. Ireland has still many claims on my affections; and I should belie the proverbial patriotism of her children, if I loved her less because I stand no longer on her own Emerald sod. I have no desire to erase from my "tablets" the " trivial, fond records," that there my youth wandered by stream, or mead, or mountain, imbibing that love for the beautiful or majestic scenery of nature, which is in after life a constant source of purity and pleasure, and first learning to understand and to feel

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The splendour in the grass, the glory in the flower."

I cannot but remember, that there dwelt the companions of my maturer years, with whom my spirit had sweet interchange of esteem and attachment, and who studied with me alike the graces of poesy, and the more manly perfections of science. Nor is it easy to forget, that there I first entered into the deeply interesting relationship of pastor and of people—was received into the homes and hearts of an affectionate congregation, by whom I am still warmly remembered, and among whom I still reckon some of my best and truest friends.

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Nevertheless, I do feel my heart beat quicker at your bidding of "welcome to Scotland!" While the land of "the green immortal Shamrock," has been constituted by circumstances the home of my feelings, the "land of mountain and of flood" has been, by the very necessity of its own nature, the home of my intellect. I knew this was the country of physical science, and especially the native clime of Watt-I knew that, with the exception of Locke, Berkeley, and Hartley, here had sprung forth the most profound investigators of the hidden mind of man- I knew that the greatest historians of our empire belonged exclusively to this kingdom-I felt that hence came the signs and wonders of the "Great Northern Magician," and the "native woodnotes wild"

"Of him, who walked in glory and in joy,

Behind his plough, upon the mountain's side."

I had read of Bannockburn; and, in my boyish days, wept and rejoiced by turns, over the fortunes and the virtues of one, who "Left the name

Of WALLACE to be found, like a wild flower,

All over his dear native country."

Remembering these things, and having fresh Scottish blood running in my veins, what marvel, if in younger years, when my foot first trod your shores, I could with difficulty restrain myself from audibly uttering the exclamation of the noble poet: