the lamentation of sincere Christians, and the reproach of the infidel and the ungodly.

It is, however, consolatory to reflect that already David's declaration has been accomplished:-" The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands, in the net which they hid is their foot taken." Psalm ix. 15, 16. The tower which the Presbyterian craftsmen intended to raise to heaven is stopped, for the Lord hath so confounded the language of the builders, that they cannot understand one another's speech. Mr. Breckinridge and Mr. Plummer, notwithstanding their vituperative ribaldry and anathemas, are menaced by the myrmidons of Judge Lynch, and the ecclesiastical stealers of men. The contrivers of the deceptive "Act and Testimony" concerning slavery, in 1818, must eat their own words," and substitute. "lies in hypocrisy" for "the truth as it is in Jesus." Those D. D. D.'s who formerly were accomplices in mischief, George Baxter and William Hill, exemplify the old proverb respecting the disagreement of them who work iniquity, and Ishmael himself is peace and concord incarnate, contrasted with some Presbyterian "wild men !"

Why did not the Rabbis cut off the Third Presbytery of New York? Not from justice or "brotherhood," but because they are afraid of the chancellor of that state, with his adverse decision.

The collisions which have occurred within a few years past, among other denominations, are the natural consequences of Church Courts, as the principal actors in those contentions have virtually or actually confessed in their own magazines and controversial publications.

REFORMED PRESBYTERIANS.

There was a startling exhibition among those craftsmen, in a Church Court, about twenty-five years ago, in the case of David Graham. Some of the arcana which were disclosed on that occasion, showed forth prime "Jesuit juggling," the contrivance and execution of which, John Hughes himself might almost envy. The pamphlets which were issued on that occasion, "let out some secrets worth knowing." They demonstrated that Ecclesiastical Judicatures are not always the abodes of equity and decorum; or in the language of a modern commentator on Judges xx. 2—" Christians sometimes lose sight of this— that they come together as the people of God,' and are bound to demean themselves accordingly, in their public assemblies; and consequently act very much out of character."-Bush.

The late division among their Church Courts is also very instructive. Walking some time since in Chambers street, New York, I looked at the house where I formerly heard John McLeod expound the Scriptures, and saw inscribed on the front, "Transfiguration Roman Catholic Church." Well, thinks I to myself, that is a long jump at once from a Reformed Presbyterian "kirk," to a Jesuit masshouse. Afterwards in passing along Prince street, I read upon a large building "Reformed Presbyterian Church." Then pursuing my course down Sullivan street, my eye was attracted by another notice, "First Reformed Presbyterian Church." That was too much

for my gravity. When the mystery was explained, and their complicated quarrel was unfolded, I could not but fancy a Church Court personified; and standing in Chambers street, in front of John McLeod's pulpit, bemoaning in the Psalmist's pungent language," We are become a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us!" The sight of the " Transfiguration Roman Catholic Church," made me sick ever since of modern protestant Ecclesiastical Judicatures.

ASSOCIATE PRESBYTERIANS.

The ruling principles of Church Courts are like a 66 nose of wax," which can be made to assume any shape, and color, and size, that the craftsmen please. A practical illustration of it was given to me by a minister of the gospel who still resides in Philadelphia. An undecided appeal was before the Presbyterian General Assembly, which excited great interest. I asked him, "How will the case be determined?" He remarked, "If equity or impartiality presided, the appellant would be released from the Synod's unjust censure. But ecclesiastical laws now are like three strong but flexible sticks, put together after the shape of the wicket among cricket players, through which the appellant must pass. If he is submissive to the doctors, will take off his hat, can make a low and graceful bow, and thankfully consents to be led by the nose,' the managers of the majority will bend the sticks outwardly, so that he slips through with

out molestation; but if he will think for himself, and will not believe as infallible all the contradictions that the doctors proclaim, they drive the sticks inward, crush his ribs, and having thus wounded him, they depart, leaving him half dead." It was a graphical picture of American Church Courts to the life.

ANDREW STARK.

The recent case of Andrew Stark exhibits about as edifying a specimen of Dominican Jesuitism, as the staunchest opponent of popery, and the most determined advocate of Congregationalism can desire, as a battering ram against modern Babylonish councils. His affair verifies, to the permanent stigma of Church Courts, that more justice can be obtained even through a secular tribunal, than from a conclave of "lordly canon Rabbis!”

The Associate Presbytery of Albany have extensively dispersed their narrative of the ecclesiastical proceedings relative to Mr. Stark. As this is one of the most recent acts of an Ecclesiastical Judicature, and published expressly as an elaborate "defence of their character and dignity," I shall transcribe two passages,-one asserting their inquisitorial authority and unlimited jurisdiction, and the other exhibiting the impious manner and childish simplicity, in which Church Courts pervert the holy Scripture, to sanction their audacity and ungodliness.

The first paragraph of the Associate Presbytery's edifying narrative, is in these words,—and it presents to us a charming specimen of a modern protestant Church Court: "Jesus Christ, our glorious King, has appointed judi

catories in his church, for the exercise of government and discipline. To them he has promised his presence and Spirit; and to their decisions he has most solemnly commanded respect and obedience from all the faithful. It is greatly to be lamented, therefore, that among his professed disciples any should be found partaking so far of the insubordinate spirit of the age, as to manifest a want of respect for the Courts of Christ's house, and to treat their decisions not only with neglect, but, in some instances, also, with open contempt. But notwithstanding this, we are fully assured that our exalted Head is still declaring to all Ecclesiastical Courts, constituted in his name and by his authority—Whatsoever ye bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever ye loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.' ”—Narrative of the Proceedings of the Associate Presbytery of Albany, p. 3.

Now, contemplating all the differences between the character, relations, and circumstances of the Court of Rome, and the Associate Presbytery of Albany, there is not in the Magnum Bullarium Romanum, a more pestiferous development of antichristian insolence and papistical mendacity, than the preceding effusion. It is almost a parody of the first section of the bull of Pope Pius V., called "The damnation and excommunication of Elizabeth, queen of England." I prefer the consistent usurpation of "the man of sin and the son of perdition," to the lamentable foolery of soi-disant protestants, who, by the verdict of an impartial jury, have virtually been denounced as official calumniators.