report of the Czar's death appears to give much satisfaction in the hospitals. Many add, "It is not that we wish the man dead, but it is for the sake of others we rejoice." March 11th.-Sunday. Preached at the Harem to a large audience at 11 A.M., and in the General Hospital at the usual hour, 4 P.M. Had an increase of convalescents, but a smaller audience on the whole. Visited none to-day. Wrote two letters intimating deaths. March 12th.-Attended the funeral of brother Proctor, and afterwards visited in General Hospital, all the cases calling for special attention. Met one man for the first time in deep distress of mind. He stated that when he was very ill he had fearful visions of the state of separation from God. He feels thankful to the Lord for sparing him, and restoring him to soundness of mind, that he may now attend to the one thing needful. Several men very ill, who yet maintain a deep sullenness on the subject of religion. March 13th.-Visited at the Palace and General Hospitals. One of the 93d has been most unexpectedly called to his final account. I was requested by a Roman Catholic orderly to speak to another Catholic apparently dying. Refused, as the man did not ask it himself. The orderly said, he read Protestant as well as Catholic books, and thought the one as good as the other, and requested me to give him a tract, which I readily did. March 14th.-Visited none; wrote two soldiers' letters, and spent the whole afternoon in a fruitless search for information regarding the ship "Corsica," by which I expect books from Glasgow. One thousand Bibles have arrived to-day from "The Scottish Bible Society." March 15th.-General Hospital, whole of the upper story. Made the acquaintance of two new men, who seemed particularly glad to see me. No cases of unusual interest. March 16th.-A very wet and stormy day-visited in General Hospital. Great complaints from some of the men of the neglect of their medical attendant. Encouraged them to put confidence in the treatment they receive as the best for them according to medical skill. The idea of going home seems to be doing good to the health of some. March 17th.-Visited special cases only, and such others as were beside these. As I passed along one of the corridors, a spectacle presented itself, to me more truly interesting than any I have witnessed since I came to Scutari. It was a convalescent soldier acting as Scripture reader to his sick comrade. Neither of them belong to my flock; but I could not pass without noticing and commending them for the manner in which I had found them engaged. March 18th.-Sunday. Preached three times, twice to soldiers, and once to soldiers' wives. Visited none. March 19th.-The whole of the lower part of General Hospital. Many men very ill-some, I fear, beyond recovery. One, formerly very polite, but apparently indifferent as to the object of my visits, gave me a long account of his past life. He had been a great drunkard previous to his joining the army, but he had not tasted spirits for two years. He says the army makes many drunkards sober men. He seems deeply sorry for having grieved his mother, but he is not yet humbled before God. March 20th.-A most interesting day. Visited the whole of the upper story of the General Hospital, and all the special cases in the lower. Found many very ill. One of the 93d died on Sunday morning. Fever is exceedingly prevalent. One man, whose piety seems genuine, gave me some money to send to his wife should he die. He mentioned several days ago that he wished to tell me something, but that he would wait till he was a little better. Fearing he might not live long, I asked him to tell me to-day. He said that he merely wished to tell me what a blessing it had been to him to have become a soldier. He was brought up in the Church of Rome, and remained in that communion till he was twentythree years of age. About that time he enlisted into the 93d Highlanders, and attended the Scotch church when that regiment was stationed at Carlisle. He used to put his fingers in his ears during the sermon lest he should hear anything against the Romish faith. But his conscience reproved him. He could not hold out against convictions. He listened to the word of life, and with a great struggle fled from the arms of Rome. "Many," said he, "condemn the service, but it has been a great blessing to me. Had I not become a soldier, I might this day have been worshipping the Virgin instead of Christ." This man has been telling me every time I have seen him how thankful he is for my visits. The first day I saw him, when I inquired whether I could do anything more for him, he said, "You have done more for me already than tongue can tell." To-day he said, "I like your teaching, sir. I was taken at the very first with it. You did not set forth the majesty of God apart from the love of the Saviour." He says the peace he has is sometimes a cause of ter ror to him lest it should be a false peace. Another old 93d man wept bitterly, and said, "No man has sinned so much as I have." Another young man, when I had prayed with him, and promised to see him soon again, said, with the tear stealing down his cheek, "Sir, I would like to see you all the hours of the day." Another told me he had borrowed a New Testament, and had spent a very happy Sabbath afternoon reading it. I promised to take him to-morrow a Bible from the Scottish Bible Society. With a face lit up with the happiest smiles, he said, "Ah! have you, Sir-have you got a Bible with the Scotch psalms and paraphrases ?" Another young man, who has lost both his feet by the frost, seemed so happy when I rose up from praying with him, that he longed for another to share his joys; and, turning round to his companion on the left, who was wounded at Inkermann, he called out, "Is Sawake?" I told him I had been with his friend before I came to him. He then said, "Sand I have some fine talks together during the night when we are both lying awake." But there would be no end to these details-the history of every day is full of them. Posted, at the Main Guard, a notice of public worship to-morrow (the national fast), at 11 A.M., and afterwards announced the matter in person, in every ward and corridor, in the Hospital, that none might plead ignorance. March 22d.-No. 139, alluded to as near his end yesterday, died about 12 midnight. 132, deeply penitent, wept much when I spoke to him of the love of Christ, and declared that no man can have sinned more than he has. He said, "Men, when they are well, do not think of these things; but when they are laid upon a sick-bed, then they see the necessity for them." I have frequently observed that I have been led to men, not of my own people, as if by accident, whose cases specially needed attention. To-day, as I passed along the corridor, and was speaking to some who were bundling up their kit to go to England, I was drawn, involuntarily as it were, to speak to one who at the moment I thought was also going home. By an accident in the camp, he had received a pistol shot in his hand, and, just before I spoke to him, had the main bone of his left hand taken out. He has been in Hospital since the 9th inst, and has just come out of the fever which is so prevalent. I endeavoured to cheer him up, taking care to remind him that life is very uncertain, and that the only source of true peace and comfort is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. With some excitement he said, "I hope God will spare me to see my wife again. Night and day I think of her, and I literally water my couch with my tears fretting about it." And with his left hand leaning upon a pillow, supporting it after the surgical operation, he stretched out his right arm at full length, and, checking his flowing tears, he said, as if with fixed determination, "I would willingly allow that arm to be chopped off by the shoulder, if I could see her to-night." I endeavoured to point out to him the folly of speaking in such a manner. He then told me the reason why he fretted so much. He thought it possible that he might die, and he was leaving his wife in poverty, whereas, had he been a sober man, he might have left her comfortably provided for. He has been a non-commissioned officer for ten years. His wife was piously inclined, but he laughed and mocked at her piety, and by his drunken habits nearly broke her heart. When this war was spoken of, he thought it would all end in smoke; but when the trumpet called them to march to the field he found himself deceived. He has seen thousands cut off around him, and has fanned with a newspaper his comrades dying of cholera, without a thought of anything but a burning desire to be led on to battle, and not to lie rotting in camp. The Lord hath now shewn him his past sinful life. I did not conceal from him what I thought, and what the Bible says of his sins. I reminded him that I was of the Church of Scotland, and was expected by the Church of England chaplains to confine myself to my own people. He replied that he thought the difference between us hardly worth mentioning, and that he would just as soon have me to minister to him as any one else. I then offered prayer shortly, and when I was about to leave him, he grasped me by the hand, and said repeatedly, "The Lord bless you." "The Lord reward you." His gratitude seemed almost unbounded. Thus we see many of the bravest heroes of our battles weeping like children at the foot of the Cross. Went on board two ships now receiving invalids for England. It is truly a happy sight to see the men going home. I spoke to many, begging to rejoice with them. One told me he had learned since this war began to trust only in the Lord, and through the whole campaign he had never forgotten to commit himself to His constant keeping, and that, especially since he had been sick, he had not ceased to advise his comrades to cease to do evil, and to learn to do well. NOTICES OF THE STATE OF RELIGION AND distribution at such ports for certain MINISTERIAL LABOURS IN BUENOS AYRES. public purposes." The tenth section en -No. IV. STEPS were now taken by the Scotch community to raise sufficient funds to build a church, and a building committee was appointed. The limited means, however, of many, and the comparative smallness of the community, made this a matter of no easy accomplishment. While the English community received the half of the cost of their church from the British Government, and the North American received from the northern country three-fourths of the cost of their church, the Scotch community were left to their own resources. It was not wonderful, therefore, that most of the funds were raised in the shape of debt upon the church, or that many difficulties were experienced before the work was brought to a successful termination. Too great praise cannot be awarded to Dr. Brown, for his unwearied exertions in urging on the good work, and overcoming the difficulties that arose on every side. When these had been so far overcome, it appeared both to him and the congregation a matter of the utmost importance to the permanence of religious ordinances among them, that the benefits of the Consular Act should be secured. As the English community had forestalled them in their application, and as it might be difficult to induce the British Government to support two religious establishments at one port, it was deemed advisable that Dr. Brown should make a voyage to England, in order to explain the circumstances, and urge upon the Government the claims of the Scotch community. After great exertions he succeeded, chiefly through the influence with the Government of the late lamented Dr. Chalmers, in accomplishing the object of his mission. Ever since, whatever sum is raised by the congregation for the support of religious ordinances amongst them, a similar sum is advanced by the British Government. The advantage of such support and countenance at foreign ports can only be understood by those who have lived at them. As this is, so far as we know, the only Presbyterian church established under this act, and as the very existence of an act so important seems to be little known in Scotland, we shall advert to some of its more important provisions relating to the subjects before us. It was passed in the sixth year of the reign of George IV., and is entitled, "An Act to regulate the amount of salaries and allowances to British Consuls at foreign ports, and the acts, "That at any foreign ports or places in which a chaplain is now, or shall, at any future time, be resident and regularly employed in the celebration of divine service, according to the rites and ceremonies of the United Church of England and Ireland, and the Church of Scotland, and maintained by any voluntary subscription or rate levied among or upon his Majesty's subjects resorting to, or residing at such foreign port or place, it shall and may be lawful for any consulgeneral or consul, in obedience to any order for that purpose issued by His Majesty, through one of his principal secretaries of state, to advance and pay from time to time for and towards the maintenance and support of any such chaplain, as aforesaid, or for and towards defraying the expenses incident to the due celebration of divine worship in any such churches and chapels. And every such consul-general or consul shall, once in each year, transmit to one of His Majesty's principal secretaries of state an account, made up to the thirty-first day of December in the year next preceding, of all sums of money actually raised at any such port or place as aforesaid, for the several purposes as aforesaid; and which accounts shall, by such principal secretary of state, be transmitted by the Lord High Treasurer or the Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland for the time being, who shall give to any such consul-general or consul as aforesaid, credit for all sums of money not exceeding the amount aforesaid." Sections XI. and XII. provide that the same assistance may be extended to the building of churches, the plans being first approved of by one of His Majesty's principal secretaries of state. Section XIII. enacts that the salaries of chaplains in Europe shall not exceed £500, and in other foreign ports £800. In Section XIV. it is enacted, that meetings of subscribers shall be held in the consul's office, and that none are entitled to vote at such meetings except they shall have subscribed £3 per year, or £20 in all, towards the support of such establishment. The minutes of such meeting being sent home for the approval of the secretary of state. The above are the principal points of the Consular Act (6th George IV., chap. 87) relating to the support of churches at foreign ports, and it must be apparent from the provisions, that it was designed by the British Government in passing it to enable the Church of Scotland to pro abroad, and unless it employ these means it cannot be free from blame. Much, we grant, has been done of late by the Church for the colonies, and earnestly has the Colonial Committee laboured to meet abounding destitution; but are not the claims of our countrymen in foreign ports as strong as those in the colonies? Moreover, one reason of destitution in the colonies is the want of an adequate provision for the support of divine ordinances; but at foreign ports only onhalf of the amount has to be provided. This renders them a much more hopeful field than many parts of the colonies. No doubt a minister of the Gospel must be actuated by higher motives than such as influence men of the world, in entering upon his responsible duties; but there are duties binding upon him that he cannot discharge without being adequately supported. at vide for the spiritual instruction of such of our countrymen as may be resident in foreign ports. In all respects the act is as applicable to the Church of Scotland as to the Church of England. This being the case, how are we to account for the fact, that while English chaplains are found along the whole line of commerce supported by the provisions of this act, there is only one chaplain connected with the Church of Scotland? If it should be replied, that most of the members of the Government belonging to the English Church, their sympathies may be expected to be enlisted in its favour; and that, as the English are generally the most numerous section of the British community at foreign ports, it would be difficult to persuade the Government to support two establishments at the same port. Our present position here is a sufficient reply to both objections; and were the claims of our countrymen at other ports pressed with equal earnestness upon the attention of the Government we believe that in many cases the applications would be successful; but we cannot expect to find the Government undertaking the duty of the Church, and pressing funds upon those who have never asked for them. The truth is, our interminable disputes about points of very secondary importance have fixed the attention upon Scotland exclusively, while hundreds of our countrymen, having left their own for a foreign land, find no one to care for their souls, and thus but too often sink into the practical heathenism around them. We meet, for example, in Rio, Scotchmen who have not been in a church for ten years. We found · a Scotch community in Pernambuco near-up, and Mr. Rae was under the necessity ly equal to the English, but no Scotch chaplain. It is in vain to say in reply, that Scotchmen at such ports do not sufficiently exert themselves to remedy this state of things, for we know how many, when left to themselves for a time, become cold and indifferent, and the more they need the means of grace the less they care for them. But were there some individuals to look after them-to remind them of their duty-to recal to their minds the training and privileges of youth, we believe they would not appeal in vain, and that, through their exertions, stimulated by the provisions of the Consular Act, we should meet more frequently at foreign ports with the simple worship of our native land, and the Church of Scotland would be a little better known in the world than it is at present. The legislature has placed within the reach of the Church the means of fulfilling its duties to our countrymen Having fulfilled the object of his mission, Dr. Brown returned to Buenos Ayres, and resumed the arduous duties of his position. The church was length opened for public worship, and the zealous minister set himself to organize a school. An excellent trainer (Mr. Rae) was obtained from the Glasgow Normal Seminary. His labours soon arrested the attention of the public; a school-room was built, which, ere long, was filled to overflowing, the larger portion of the children being Roman Catholics. Had this state of things continued, much would have been done to enlighten this dark community; but the priests, those messengers of darkness, induced Rosas to interfere. The school was shut of transferring his services to Monte Video, where he still labours with great success. The school was permitted, afterwards, to be opened, but only for Protestants. It is now taught by a member of the congregation, who was a parish teacher in Scotland in 1849. After twenty-four years of labour, Dr. Brown returned to Scotland, where his talents and character procured for him the chair of Biblical Criticism in the University of St. Andrews, which chair he now worthily fills. His memory will long be cherished here by those amongst whom he so zealously laboured. Not only the efficiency, but the very existence of religious ordinances in this community is owing to his able management and self-denying exertions. His highest reward must be the consciousness of being honoured to do so much for the cause of his Divine Master in this dark and far distant land. Sermon. By the Rev. JAMES CRAIK, D.D., Minister of St. George's Church, Glasgow. "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit."-JOHN XV. 16. REVELATION, among its many gladdening | ness and distinctness of outline are im truths, tells us much that is arresting about the love of God. It exhibits to us that love, in union with His power, and wisdom, and holiness, and it declares the infinite perfection of this, as well as of all His attributes. We are taught that, under the impulse of love, there was a movement before the foundation of the world, and the formation of a vast and glorious plan in the eternal counsels. The glory of God was manifested in the development of this love. Love was destined to go forth in visible activity, and, that the mission of doing something to enlighten and make happy might be early stamped with the divine authority, that love, which is from all eternity with God, has been exhibited in the performance of a work which stands out as one of its brightest and most abiding memorials. To what but to the love of God do we ascribe the purpose of bringing the visible creation into existence? To this we trace the truly astonishing determination on the part of God, when He said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness;" and, when we take into account all the other manifestations of that love which we,-His rational creatures, have been made capable of understanding, combining into one both temporal and spiritual blessing, seeing it in every kind provision and every nice adjustment, we must readily acknowledge that there has been a vast expenditure of preparation and performance for the purpose of making known the truth, that God is love. It is given to the Christian Church to contemplate this love with peculiar clearness, and under an aspect at once gracious and powerfully affecting. Vivid7.-VII It parted to our conceptions of it by the incarnation of the Son of God. In this most remarkable event, and in the grand purposes to which it is subservient, we see the same attribute, which glows in heaven from all eternity, not only shining there in perfect glory, and enlightening that blessed region with its surpassing splendour, but also going forth, as it were, on an embassy of kindness, and stooping down to earth that it may gather tokens of its triumph, and fill heaven with the spoils of a joyful victory. The ardour with which love seeks to be diffused is thus made manifest. cannot bear to be pent up and confined. It would multiply the number on whom real happiness, in largest measure, may be conferred. In the execution of this design the Son of God appeared; and He, the visible representative of Deity, while He laid aside those attributes of overwhelming majesty, which human eye cannot gaze upon, took not on Him any form which could obscure the manifestation of His love. In the deepest season of His condescension and humility that love was all the more conspicuous. From the birth at Bethlehem to the ascent at Bethany ;-in every look, and word, and expression of emotion, which proceeded from this the most glorious visitant whose presence could have dignified the earth, love in its active development was displayed. It was the love which comforts the afflicted with deepest tenderness,-which defends the weak with unshrinking firmness, which rebukes hypocrisy with sternest reproof. His love flowed out in marks of warm and familiar affection to those who followed Him,checked their waywardness,-corrected their errors,-enlightened their dark con |