as out in the remark, as well as in saying that, although the Scandinavians had neither heard of Professor James Miller, nor of nephalism, they seem to have been making progress in the direction of abstinence. We dismiss the poetic form of the translation, and write the "Proverbs of Odin" as plain prose. 1. "No better burden bears a man on his journey than mickle wisdom. No worse provision takes a man on his journey than frequent drunkenness." 2. "Ale is not good, as people have boasted, for the children of men. For less, and still less, as more he drinketh, knows man himself." 8. "The hern of forgetfulness sits on the drunkard, and steals the man's senses. By the bird's pinions, fettered I lay in Gunlada's dwelling." 4. "Do not too frequently unto the same place go as a guest. Sweet becomes sour when a man often sits at other men's tables." 5. "I hung my garments on two wooden men who stood on the wall. Heroes they seemed to be when they were clothed. The unclad are despised." 6. "Question and answer is a clever thing, and so it is reckoned. To one person trust thyself, not to a second. The world knows what is known unto three." We have left ourselves space to mention simply two short poems appended to the volume, from the pen of Mrs Symington. These are entitled respectively "The Lay of the Vikings," and the "Vikings' Raven." Both, we may say, manifest the possession by this talented lady of the poetic faculty in a very high degree. We conclude our notice of this delightful book of travel with two more verses of the Scandinavian hero's "High Song," intimating our full persuasion that Mr Symington quite fulfils Odin's beau ideal. "Good sense is needful Than good understanding "He, he only Who has far travelled, Temper of man, If he himself is wise." Harebell Chimes, or Summer Memories and Musings. By A. J. SYMINGTON, Author of " Pen and Pencil Sketches of Faröe and Iceland," "The Beautiful in Nature, Art, and Life," &c. Second Edition. London: Longman, Green & Co. 1862. Pp. 252. If the question were put, whether it be easier to write good poetry or good prose, much would have to be said on both sides: from the scarcity of the former, the difficulty might be imagined to be in that direction, but, on the other hand, good prose is not by any means the most plentiful commodity in the literary market. The pleasure, therefore, of discovering a man who writes both excellent prose and excellent poetry, is in proportion to the infrequency with which we find the two faculties in combination. That Mr Symington can write excellent prose, is evidenced by the volume which we have been reviewing above, in which the style is at once pure, graceful, and fascinating; that he can write excellent poetry, the second edition of "Harebell Chimes" sufficiently demonstrates. It might be thought to pertain to the region of metaphysical subtlety did we hint at the possibility of one writing readable poetry and yet being no poet, and of another never writing poetry in the current acceptation of the word, and yet having large measures of the "divine faculty;" still, we think, it might be made out without much reasoning, to be a correct statement. The Greeks held the true idea of the poet's art, when they styled the artist "poietes”—a maker, one who either brings the familiar so within our ken as to invest it with all the glowing beauty of a new creation; or, who calls down from the soaring heights of imagination, some glorious vision, unseen, undreamt of hitherto by the common mind. The author of "Summer Memories and Musings," possesses, in our opinion, this faculty above many who in these later days bave essayed poetry. We cannot set forth in confirmation of our opinion any of the longer pieces in the book, being circumscribed by our failing space, but we present to our readers a few lines which will, we think, bear us out, in affirming Mr Symington's power of clothing the “common” with great beauty and grace. "THE SNOW. "I stood gazing from the window "And I felt that downy stillness Than the thunder-flakes like ages "Bright sun! blue skies! Now the orchard White-clothed, down-weighed branches seeming "Not a shroud! An eider mantle, "So with chilly, biting trials God, aye watching those that love him, Our author has a deep and loving sense of the beautiful, not only in nature, but in the higher region of morals; hence, every line in the volume is in fullest sympathy with what is lovely and honest and of good report. It is no slight meed of praise to say, that there is not one line in the book, which on this score, we could wish to see obliterated, while each page attests the high mental culture and classic taste of the writer. The following "Lines on seeing a cast of two angels by Thorswalden," will bear us out in the above remarks. Sun-haired; hand laid on breast; bright wings unfold While clonds dissolve around in dazzling light, And wondrous sight Of glorious vistas opening into heaven, To faith is given! Alice Lowther; or Grandmama's Story about her Little Red Bible. By J. W. C. Edinburgh: Johnstone, Hunter, & Co. 1862. Pp. 96. The above is an admirable little story for the young, reprinted from the pages of the Christian Treasury. There are some stories for children so very childish, that we lay them aside with a half indefinite longing that they may yet perhaps grow into something more manly and common-sense. It is not so with this charming little tale. True piety, correct principle, and sustained interest, characterise it throughout. We recommend all our young friends to procure it; in doing so they will have expended their money to good purpose. The Tombstones of the Scottish Martyrs. By the Rev. ROBERT M'CORKle, We have classed these three pamphlets together, not because we have a full persuasion that they own a common authorship, but because they have been kindly forwarded from the same quarter, bear upon common objects, and emanate from the same association for the reviving of an interest in the men of the covenant, and in the principles for which they so nobly contended. It could not be expected but that a Church which has, like ours, striven to hold up the banner which was borne by Cargill, Cameron, and Renwick, should feel great pleasure in learning that the principles which we had feared the Free Church of ScotInnd was about entirely in its corporate capacity to ignore, are receiving attention among some of her leading minds, and that an association should have been formed for the carrying out of these principles. On carefully perusing the "Statement of Principles and Objects," we fail, indeed, to discover in what respects they differ from those enunciated in our own testimony; take away the heading of this clearly written and well-expressed pamphlet, and the probability is that we might have fallen into the mistake of supposing that some member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, anxious to summarise, and put in more popular and accessible form our testimony, had sent forth to the world these sixteen pages. We trust that Mr M Corkle and his friends will meet with great success in leavening the Free Church of Scotland with the views which they and we hold in common; and that when all effort in that direction seems hopeless (which we are far, meanwhile, from supposing to be the case), they will give the weight of their talent and vigour to those who for a century and a half, have held these views through good report and bad report, the last much more frequently, indeed, than the first. With the timely "Declaration in regard to Contemplated Schemes of Union between Presbyterian Churches," we have much sympathy. Much remains to be done ere that most desirable end can be accomplished. We have no doubt that it will one day come about, although we may be permitted to question if union, even then, will take the shape of incorporation. This, which has become a fixed idea with many, is, we fear, urging them on to obliviousness of the possibility of raising an altar to peace, and laying truth upon it as the sacrifice. There is unquestionable force in the following sentences: "The only secure basis on which, under God, the latitudinarian movement can be arrested, and a true union formed between Presbyterian Churches in the land, is that of the second Reformation. If the foundation of union is to be a solid one, if the work of reformation is to be promoted, if a testimony is to be borne, not only against unscriptural doctrine, but against antichristian systems in Church and State, this is the ground that must be occupied." The Tombstones of the Scottish Martyrs" by Mr M Corkle, is a graceful and affecting tribute to the men of the covenant on the part of one who thoroughly understands and seeks to disseminate the principles to which these men held with a tenacity of grasp which has made themselves immortal, and which has blessed the generations that have since sprung up. It is refreshing, in an age when it has become fashionable to throw off elegant periods upon the Scottish covenanters, verba et nihil preterea, to meet with one who not only sincerely admires, but cordially holds the great leading principles of the second Reformation. "The Gospel Minister an Ambassador for Christ.” A Sermon delivered at the opening of the Eastern Reformed Presbyterian Synod, 1st July 1862. By the Rev. JOHN ROBINSON of Letterkenney. The Eastern Reformed Presbyterian Synod did well to request the publication of this excellent and valuable discourse. From what we know of Mr Robinson's talents, not only from personal intercourse, but from writings which he had previously given to the world, we should have expected just such a sermon as he has delivered to the brethren. The language is removed from the region of common-place, and throughout is eloquent and powerful. We trust this discourse will circulate extensively in Scotland as well as in Ireland, and prove useful to ministers and people. In any subsequent edition which may appear, we would recommend Mr Robinson to avoid the minute subdivision of the last head of discourse. Not many readers can appreciate in our day "twelve places," fol lowed up by "this leads me to remark in the last place," i.e., thirteenthly News of the Church. PAISLEY.-CONGREGATIONAL MISSION.-A meeting in connection with this mission was held in the Hall on the 9th inst., J. M. Symington, Esq., in the chair. In the course of the evening, Mr Archibald Trotter, missionary, was presented with a handsome copy of Bagster's Polyglot Bible, as a token of esteem from the people among whom he is labouring. Several members of Mission Committee delivered suitable addresses. The hall, capable of containing 120 persons, was crowded. ORDINATION AT DOUGLAS-WATER.-The Reformed Presbytery of Glasgow met at Douglas- Water, on Monday the 14th current, at 2 P.M., for the ordination of the Rev. James Naismith to the pastoral charge of the Reformed Presbyterian Congregation in that place. The edict having been duly read, and no objection offered, the Rev. John Torrance of Glasgow, preached a very eloquent and appropriate discourse from Matt. ix. 36-38. The Rev. David Henderson of Airdrie then narrated the preliminary steps that had been taken, offered up a solemn prayer, and, along with the other members of Presbytery present, or dained the pastor elect, by "the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery." Mr Henderson afterwards, in a very appropriate style, addressed suitable counsels to both pastor and people. During the very solemn services of the day, the church was crowded by a very attentive audience, including the ministers of the Established, Free, and United Presbyterian Churches of Douglas, and many of the most respectable inhabitants of the district. The pastor's brother, the Rev. Robert Naismith of Chirnside, and his father, uncle, and cousin, who are elders in the same Presbytery, were also present. The members of Presbytery who were able to remain, and other friends, dined together. At 7 P.M., a social meeting was held in the church, which, as during the day, was crowded. At this meeting, James Daly, Esq., of Glasgow, presided, and very interesting addresses were delivered by the Chairman, the pastor of the Congregation, the Rev. Messrs M Dermid, R. Naismith, John Torrance, and D. Henderson; and by Mr Halliday, a member of Session. There is hardly any district in Scotland more intimately connected with the history of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and its ancestors the Scottish Covenanters, than is Douglas-Water, and it is seldom that a minister meets with a more hearty welcome from the inhabitants of the district in which he is called to labour. REFORMED PRESBYTERY OF DUMFRIES.-At the meeting of this Court en 2d July, Rev. John Kay laid upon the table a call from the Congregation of Penpont, to Mr William Milroy, preacher of the gospel. The call was signed by 210 members and 39 adherents, and was sustained as having been regularly proceeded in. Mr Milroy being present, the Moderator, Rev. James Morrison, offered the call for his acceptance. Mr Milroy, in token of his acceptance, took the call from the hand of the Moderator. The Presbytery cordially congratulated the brethren from Penpont, many of whom were present, as being deeply interested in the result, upon the prospect of their soon having a pastor placed among them. Trials for ordination were then prescribed to Mr Milroy, the Presbytery agreeing to meet on the 16th July, for the purpose of receiving these trials and fixing the date of ordination. Messrs Edgar and Walter Whyte, theological students of the fourth year, Mr James Paton of the second, and Messrs Riddel and Glendinning of the first, were present, and delivered pieces of trial prescribed by the Presbytery, submitting, at the same time, the intersessional exercises prescribed by the Professors. The pieces of trial were unanimously sustained, the Court feeling deeply gratified at the prospect which is held out to the Church by so many young men of talent going forward, under the inspection of the Presbytery, to the ministry of the gospel of Christ. Mr Robert Whyte reported his having attended the prescribed number of sessions at the University, and his desire, should the Presbytery upon examination find him prepared, to enter the Hall. The clerk was instructed to certify Mr Whyte to the Professors. On Wednesday, 16th July, this Presbytery met to receive Mr Milroy's trials for ordination. These were delivered before the Court, when it was unanimously agreed that they should be sustained, and the ordination proceeded with on the earliest day convenient. Thursday, 7th August, was accordingly fixed for the ordination. Rev. John Kay of Castle-Douglas, to preach the ordination sermon. Rev. James Morrison of Eskdalemuir, to ordain, and, failing, Rev. James M'Gill of Hightae, the Rev. A. M. Symington of Dumfries, to deliver the charge to pastor and people. We congratulate the Penpout Congregation upon the prospect of so soon having one placed over them who has, since his appearance among us, conducted himself in all respects as a labourer not needing to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. STUDENTS' HOME MISSION SOCIETY.-We rejoice that the students have made a beginning of the good work which the Synod, at its last meeting, so cordially sanctioned. On the first Sabbath of July, Messrs Edgar and W. Whyte addressed the congregation of Penpont during the day, and, in the evening, addressed a meeting held at Dumfries. On the following Sabbath, Messrs Glendinning, Riddel, and D. Robertson, addressed the congregation of Castle-Douglas; at the evening meeting, held more especially in connection with Home Mission objects, the collection amounted to between six and seven pounds. We trust to hear of the further success of our young friends. Missionary Intelligence. LETTER FROM MR COPELAND-JOURNAL OF VOYAGE OF THE "JOHN KNOX." ANEITYUM, NEW HEBRIDES, Dec. 26. 1861. Rev. and Dear SIR,-In my last letter to you, I said that I would reserve an account of my late voyage in the John Knox for another letter. I left my own station on the Monday after our communion, viz., Nov. 18. As it was the last trip for the season, it was thought proper to visit all the islands. We left Anelcauhat, Mr Geddie's station, on the afternoon of the 19th. We had six passengers for Tanna, a full cargo of goods, besides letters, magazines, newspapers, &c. We went first of all to Fotuna. We saw only one out of the five teachers settled on that island. A child of one of the Aneityum teachers had died since the visit of the vessel in spring. The rest were all well. We were glad to hear that the measles had not reached the island. The report given of the work is not very favourable. A party came off when we were there last, consisting of an Aneityum teacher, and six Fotunese-one of them a chief-bent on going to Aneityum. We were on our way from Tanna to Aneityum, and |