something to stand upon when nothing else could sustain you-when all around was shifting sand. Ah, brethren! nothing philosophical or sentimental can bind up the heart riven and rent in pieces by the mysteries of Divine Providence. Our only refuge is the Bible. How, or why, or wherefore comes it to pass that my way is hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from my God? Thy judgments are a great deep.' 'Verily, thou art a God that hidest thyself.' Such is the soliloquy which often engages the lips of the sorrowful. Nevertheless, 'We know that all things work together for good to them that love God.' 'Clouds and darkness are round about him; righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.'

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"The government of the universe is in the hands of our great Mediator. Many passages might be quoted to prove this doctrine. The Lamb in the midst of the throne took the book out of the hand of Him that sat upon the throne. Then, what say you aboutt hat dark providence now? It is in the hands of Him who is bone of your bone, flesh of your flesh. He who is your Advocate, your Brother, and your Friend, has to do with that dark, portentous cloud. He who took up the little children in his arms, laid his hands upon them and blessed them, has to do with all that perplexes and distresses you. He who allowed the beloved disciple John to recline upon his bosom; who prayed so opportunely for Peter that his faith might not fail him; who stood a weeping one amidst that weeping group at Bethany; who was crucified for you and me, rules amongst the armies of heaven and the children of men, and has to do with all your afflictions. When we think not only that there is a sceptre of government, and that nothing takes place by chance or accident, but that that sceptre is wielded by the same hands that were stretched upon the cross, we cannot but rejoice. When this doctrine is fully and cordially realized, the Apostle's language can hardly fail to be used, Most gladly, therefore, will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. I will glory in tribulation also.' Whenever, then, you are disposed to weep because of the dispensations of Providence, consider that all is ordered by Christ, and, therefore, that all must not only be ordered wisely and well, but ordered so as will best gain the ends of infinite love and mercy in your salvation.

"I wept much,' says John, 'because no man was found worthy to open the book, neither to look thereon.' 'Weep not,' said the elder, 'behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof.' And he who took the book, when John wept and dried up his tears, is the same Saviour now as he was then. He is your Friend, your Brother, your Saviour. The same yesterday, to-day, and for ever."

Mr. Scott's sufferings were very severe, but borne with great patience. At times they were increased by a morbid sensitiveness of the nervous system, and great depression of spirits. These distressing symptoms, however, had a physical cause. They were invariably followed by profuse hæmorrhage of the lungs or nose, after which he was relieved, and his usual cheerful and even buoyant spirits returned.

During his illness he revised and wrote a volume of his sermons, more than fifty in number, which he gave to his wife as the last token of his affection. All his other papers, including portions of his diary, &c., he directed to be destroyed.

Of his own experience Mr. Scott was always reserved in speaking. He was humble in his views of himself, and was led frequently to examine himself before God, and cry, "Search me, O God, and try me, and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" In September, 1865, he wrote, in answer to the Rev. A. Lynn, "I am able to ride out in an open carriage six, eight, and even ten hours every day. I can walk very little; and when it is near my time for coughing, I can hardly move a limb; but I am resigned to the Divine will, and know in whom I have believed."

During the last winter he slowly declined. The last five weeks of his life he rode out several hours each day when the weather permitted, although so weak that he was lifted into the carriage and supported with pillows. Books and writing materials were always taken, and he would write in pencil as he rode along, or dictate to his wife as long as able, and then listen to chapters and portions of various works he selected to be read to him. The last time he was out, a few days before his death, it was a bright spring morning; he remarked upon the beauty of the scenery as he rode along the shores of Mount's Bay, and then closing his eyes remained for some time in silent meditation and prayer. On being asked how he felt, his reply was, "Very comfortable-very happy." Then he expressed his thankfulness to God for all his mercies towards him, both spiritual and temporal, and especially, he said, "that he had not been confined in a sick room, but to the last had lived amongst the sweet scenes of nature. He had seen the trees once more put forth their leaves, and had smelt the fragrance of the opening flowers." The two following days he was unable to go out, but he persevered in great weakness in trying to finish his last sermon-"The Man of Sorrows"-and which was the last preached in his public ministry at Truro. On Saturday night, propped up in bed, he wrote the last page :

Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me!—let this darkness and gloom, this sin and misery, this hot wrath and angry frown which so painfully oppress me, pass away; nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done! Such was Christ's prayer in the garden of Gethsemane, and God heard and answered it; for the darkness, misery, and wrath which he then endured, and which was repeated on the cross, did ultimately pass away. The full cup of our sins and sorrows was at last emptied of its bitter contents-drained to its very dregs-an end was made of sin, and reconciliation secured for the people, so that upon the cross he exclaimed, 'It is finished,' the atoning work is done, and, bowing his head, he gave up the ghost; on the third day he was raised from the dead, his sacrifice accepted, his days prolonged; after forty days he ascended up on high, and received gifts for men; and now he sitteth at the right hand of God, able to save to the uttermost all them that come unto God by him, because he ever liveth to make intercession for us."

On Sunday he could not talk much, but spoke calmly and peace

fully of his approaching death. In answer to inquiries as to his state, he invariably replied, "very happy." In the evening, he dictated a farewell letter to his mother. On Monday morning, without a struggle or a groan, he entered into rest, 21st May, 1866.

He was buried in the cemetery at Marazion, Cornwall, with his infant child, who died a year before.

Theology and General Literature.

POPERY AN ENEMY OF LIGHT.

Popery in Transition-Its Tenacity of Life-How it receives the Bible-Pius IX. denouncing the Bible Society-Ignorance of the Scriptures in ItalyBible-reading a Crime-The Vulgar Tongue-Scriptures not to be trusted alone-Tradition-Implicit Faith-Pot of Earth and Pot of Iron-Popery an Enemy of General Intelligence and Mental Freedom.

THE work of Providence in the world is progressive; it has many parts or successive stages to be passed through to the final attainment of its great and wonderful ends. The present phase of Popery seems to be one of transition-the entrance on a new period-marking a definite stage of the progress towards its final overthrow. The end, however, is not yet. The inevitable destruction of the Pope's temporal power will be a great event, an inexpressible relief to his own subjects, the removal of an incubus which has long weighed on their energies, and the commencement of a new and brighter period in their history; but we must not suppose, with Dr. Cumming, that it will be the destruction of the papacy or the beginning of the millennium. Popery has a surprising vitality. It is like certain weeds, the roots of which have struck deep into the soil, and ramified in every direction, so that, after seeming to be destroyed, they spring up in new spots, and with fresh vigour. Tenacity of life is one of the most striking features of the papal system. In the face of events we see the Pope clinging to all the old assumptions of supremacy, like a shipwrecked mariner to the last spar; and when the temporal power has really slipped from his grasp, or rather been wrenched from it, his far-stretching spiritual dominion will still be unbroken, and we may reckon with certainty on all possible means being used to consolidate and extend it. And the success of its policy in our own Protestant country, and in a Reformed Church, must be admitted to afford abundant encouragement to papal zeal.

We have just said that all possible means will be used to extend the spiritual power of the system; we mean, of course, such means as are consistent with its nature. Among these, however, we may be sure that the spread of light will not be included, for Rome is the enemy of Light—a grave accusation, but one which we shall now proceed to make good. We shall do this by reviewing the policy of Rome, first, with regard to the Scriptures, and then as to General Intelligence.

Popery professes to receive the Bible. Claiming to derive its authority from the Scriptures, it could not well do otherwise. In this profession, however, it is something like Satan transforming himself into an angel of light. We should compare it to Judas embracing the Saviour with a kiss for the purpose of betraying him, but that it scarcely does give the kiss, but looks upon the blessed Book which proclaims the world's Redeemer with suspicion and hatred, and turns from it with an often avowed and visible loathing. This is evident, in the first place, from the character it has dared to give of the Scriptures. Dr. Lingard, while professing to receive the individual books of Scripture as the Word of God, "presumes to censure " them-these are his own words-"as the sole rule of Christian faith." "In the hands of divinely-constituted authority"—that is, of the priest-"the Bible is the Word of God; but in the hands of unenlightened reason, of unauthorized, self-constituted expounders, it is a book of perdition." The Bible without the priest a book of perdition! Is not that a true Judas-kiss? Justly does Mr. Hulme remark, "Infidelity, in its wildest impiety, never went beyond this." One Pope denounces the Bible Society as "a pestilence; another exhorts his venerable brethren, the priests, to turn away their flocks by all means from its "poisonous pastures.” Now the pastures of the Bible Society can be poisonous only as the Bibles they circulate contain the poison. does Popery, through its infallible authority-popes themselvesbrand God's Holy Book, with the express purpose of deterring the faithful from reading it. By positive measures the circulation of the Scriptures is resolutely and steadily opposed. The present Pope, Pius IX., will be a sufficient witness, expounding, as he does, "the rules of the Church." In a letter addressed to all the Roman Catholic bishops, in 1846, he states, "Such is the object of these most crafty Bible societies, which, reviving an old device of the heretics, do not cease to put forth an immense number of copies of the sacred Scriptures, printed in various vulgar tongues, and often filled with false and perverse interpretations, contrary to the rules of the Holy Church, which they continually circulate at an immense expense." In a similar letter, dated December 8, 1849, he says, "Hence, too, at the instigation and with the aid of Bible societies, which have been denounced again and again by the Holy See, they have the hardihood to carry on the distribution of the sacred Scriptures, translated-contrary to the rules of the Church-in the vulgar tongue, and most wretchedly perverted; and, with a wicked and almost incredible effrontery, they scruple not, under the cloak of religion, to recommend them to the perusal of the faithful."

Thus

As might be expected, from this deadly enmity to the Scriptures, where the Papacy is the most powerful the Scriptures are the least known. "The ignorance of the population of Italy, both ecclesiastics and laics, respecting the Holy Scriptures is complete and total. I had heard from one who had resided ten years at Rome, that one copy of the sacred Volume in the language of the people could not be procured, unless in secret, in any bookselling establishment in Rome. The surprise and incredulity with which I heard this statement determined me to test it, and to judge for myself respecting what appeared to me so strange an exaggeration. I visited in person every

shop in the city, and in every shop was informed that they had no copy of the Holy Scriptures in the language of the people. I asked on every occasion why they did not possess so important a book, and on every occasion they replied, Non e permesso, 'It is not permitted!' or E prohibito, It is prohibited!' The result was the fullest confirmation of the statement which was made to me, for I could not obtain a portable copy in the establishment of any bookseller in Rome. I found two copies of Martini's edition, in twenty-four volumes, at a cost of 105 francs, or about £4 sterling, equal, relatively, to £6 in this country. Under this price-so truly prohibitive -the volume could not be procured; and, on suggesting the importation of a cheap and portable edition, the various booksellers stated that the prohibition was designed against the sale of the Holy Scriptures in any cheap or portable form, the object being to prevent their circulation. Indeed, so great was the ignorance as to the nature of the Holy Scriptures, though familiar with their name, that one of the most respectable booksellers there presented me with a copy of 'Calmet's Dictionary of the Bible,' and insisted that it was the Bible itself, and I was obliged to leave his shop without being able to convince him to the contrary."

The Rev. W. Arthur entered a bookshop near the cathedral at Milan, when the following conversation took place :

"Have you any Bibles?" I said to the man, and two or three visitors looked up at the question.

"No," was his reply.

Any New Testaments?"

Oh, yes!" He pulled down a musty volume, which was one of eight. Instead of a Testament, it was a commentary upon it, with

out the text.

"Have you no other Testament ?"

"None."+

He found at last a bookseller who had the Bible, but it was Martini's, and the Vulgate, each at the price of about £2 8s., and he astonished an old gentleman in the shop by saying that in England New Testaments were circulated by the million at fourpence a-piece.

The enmity of Rome to the Scriptures has been made visible by the flames of burnt Bibles innumerable, and up to the present time the crime of reading them has been punished with merciless severity, wherever her power has been equal to her will. The Rev. G. B. Cheever, while travelling in Europe, observed that the Romish clergy of Piedmont watched against the introduction of the Scriptures and heretical books with a quarantine more strict than the laws of the Orient against the plague. The discovered Testament of a Savoyard chimney-sweep was flung into the fire, and a minister of the Gospel, travelling for his health-a man of education and refinement, and a companion of the studies of the King of Sardinia-for giving away a religious tract, at the wily instigation of a priest was taken from his sick bed, shut up in the cell of a foul, infected dungeon, with eight banditti, and being at length brought to trial, was condemned

"Seymour's Pilgrimage to Rome," quoted from Mr. Hulme's excellent work, "Popery and Scriptural Christianity."

+ Arthur's "Italy in Transition," p. 95.