In youth he knowledge did acquire,
To learning early did his mind aspire,
Hence volunteer'd to bear his Master's yoke,
And feed his sheep, that weak and little flock.
The Reformation testimony bore,

When trumpeters had nearly all given o'er,
He stood alone, out-braving all privation,
In tent and field throughout the Irish nation.

Exposed often times to wind and wet,
Snell winter's cold and burning summer's heat,
With grizzled locks oft tinged with hoary sleet,
The Christian hero winged his way complete.

In summer's drought when Phoebus beamed intense,
The aged head, quite bare without defense,
Endured the scorching rays from morn to e'en,
Yet never, never heard once to complain.
When rising years ascended eighty-one,
As fresh and firm as when he first begun,
His pulpit exhibitions strongly pressed,
That day he last his little flock addressed.

But instantly the seraphs got command
To guard bright Stavely to the promised land,
His soul aloft they safely did convoy,

To enter in and share his Master's joy.

In earth's cold bed the earthly part now dwells,
Low by the brook that's often named by Kells,
There preached his first-there preached his last adieu,
And now above his notes are wholly new.

MOUNT MUSE, June 25, 1825.

By M. M., an illiterate.

DIED, WILLIAM SINCLAIR, brother of John Sinclair, of pneumonia, Feb. 10th, 1877, aged about 66 years. We have good reason to believe he "sleeps in Jesus." He was the third of the family called away in the short period of one month and six days. May the Saviour comfort the bereaved family and sanctify to them the mysterious dispensation of his providence.

J. M. F.

DIED, ELIZA ANN SINCLAIR, wife of James W. Sinclair, near Coulterville, Ill., Jan. 4th, 1877.

She was born Oct. 14th, 1849, in the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and at the time of her death was a member of the congregation of Church Hill. She was seemingly a meek and quiet Christian. She and her infant babe were buried together, and her husband and four nice little children mourn their loss.

J. M. F.

DIED, in Pittsburgh, April 11, 1877, THOMAS SPROULL HARPER, aged 15 years, son of Michael and Mary Harper. This was a promising youth, giving at an early age satisfactory evidence of piety. His disease was scrofula. In the acute form in which it terminated his sufferings were severe. He bore them with a degree of patience that evinced the supporting presence of divine grace. It is the comfort of has taken him to the everlasting rest. his parents that they devoted him to God, trained him for him, and that now he

T. S.

DIED, RACHEL SINCLAIR, wife of John Sinclair, near Coulterville, Ill., a member of the R. P. congregation of Church Hill, Feb. 3d, 1877.

She was born in South Carolina, April 1st, 1805. Her maiden name was Wilson, and at her father's house in her young days, the ministers of our church were wont lo stop. She had been very feeble for some time, but the disease which at last took pneumonia. She was the mother of seven children, four of whom are Mrs. Sinclair seemed a

her away

was

still living and are members of Church Hill congregation.

quiet, patient, godly woman; and we believe to her "to die was gain." are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth."

"Blessed

J. M. F.

deceased was the oldest child of Samuel Patterson, the pioneer Covenanter of New DIED, Jan. 16, 1877, MARGARET PATTERSON, in the 83d year of her age. The

Alexandria congregation. She came with her parents from Eastern Pennsylvania about 1797, and resided near New Alexandria ever since. She had been a member of the congregation from its organization. (about 1816,) having united with the church under the ministry of the late Dr. Black, some time previous to that year. Of a quiet and retiring disposition, she was most appreciated by those who knew her best. Her faith was sincere and strong, and in her last sickness she waited patiently and without complaint the coming of the Lord's own time. She left a bequest for the support of the ordinances in the congregation of which she had been a member for more than sixty years.

T. A. S.

DIED, March 4, 1877, in Crawford county, Pa., Mrs. ELIZABETH MOODY, wife of James Moody, in the 76th year of her age. She was a member of the Covenanter Church for nearly sixty years. She was born in County Derry, Ireland, and came to this country thirty-nine years ago. Her death was very sudden, but the Lord doeth all things well. Although troubled with doubts all through life, she did not fear death. She had kept the faith, and she entered the river pleading the promises, telling those around not to weep for her. She then quietly went to sleep, slept about ten minutes, and all was over. Her soul returned to God who gave it. husband and son and two daughters mourn, but not as those who have no hope. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.

Our God, for evermore he will
E'en unto death us guide.

B.

A

JOHN SERVICE died May 14th, 1877, aged 94 years. Mr. Service was the oldest member and also the oldest elder in the R. P. church of which he had been a member for some sixty years.

He was a member and also an elder in the congregation of Syracuse, N. Y., from its organization. He was almost an entire stranger to disease and suffering up to the time of his death. "None knew him but to love him," he was so cheerful and pleasant with all he met. He was a loving father, a kind husband, a faithful friend and a true Christian. He was never ashamed of the principles he professed, but was always able and willing to defend them. His life in all respects was most exemplary. Christian conversation was especially delightful to him. Death did not find him unprepared, but willing and anxious to enter into and enjoy the rest that remaineth for the people of God. S. R. W.

MRS. MARY MCCLURE died March 20th, 1877, at her home in Syracuse, N. Y., aged 60 years. Mrs. McClure was, at the time of her death and for many years previous, a member of the R. P. congregation of Syracuse. Her attachment to the principles of the church was very strong. Her faith in Christ was unfaltering, during all the sickness and suffering preceding her death.

Her whole life showed how strong her faith was in her Redeemer. His promises were her special delight. For some four years before her death she suffered great pain, yet she was always patient. Many times before death came, she expressed herself as ready and anxious "to depart and be with Christ, which is far better." Her children she commended to the keeping of the same God in whom she trusted, and who had never forsaken her. She died as she lived, rejoicing in Christ. She was faithful unto death, and now wears the crown of life.

S. R. W.

DIED, at Glenleary, Coleraine, on Friday, the 30th March, 1877, Mr. ROBERT DUNLOP, aged 89, father of the Rev. Robert Dunlop, Paisley, and a member of the Reformed Presbyterian congregation of Ballylaggan for upwards of sixty years. He has left behind him, in this country and in America, a numerous offspring, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, nearly all in connection with the Reformed Presbyterian Church, while the greater number of his sons are office-bearers in the same church. Throughout life he was characterized by steadfastness in the faith of the gospel, and was warmly attached to the principles of the church. He was very conscientious in the performance of all the duties of religion, both domestic, social, and public; he took special delight in meeting with his brethren in the fellowship prayer-meeting and in the sanctuary. When the gathering infirmities of years prevented him from attendance on public ordinances, he spent much of his time in meditation, prayer, and spiritual exercises; and when shut out from the world and society by protracted infirmities, he continued cheerful and contented, and was wont to enjoy himself in repeating promises of the Word of God and portions of the Psalms, and in close communion with his God. His life was useful, his end peaceful, and his death triumphant. "Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season.”—Covenanter (Ireland).

THE LATE REV. J. P. SWEENEY, M. A.

JAMES PEOPLES SWEENEY was born at Terrydramont, near Limavady, although the family at the time resided in Desertone, about five miles from the city of Londonderry, where the subject of our sketch continued to reside for much the greater part of his life. His birth day was 6th October, but there are no means of ascertaining with certainty the year. Judging by what we have heard from himself and others, it would appear to have been. 1795 or 1796. Of his boyhood we can say nothing, except that by all accounts it was blameless. In 1815 he entered the University of Glasgow, where he studied, with the intermission of two Sessions, till 1821, where he graduated M. A. Theology he studied, partly in the university, and partly under Dr. Andrew Symington, in Paisley, when the Hall there was inaugurated. He was licensed to preach by the Western Presbytery on the 7th of July, 1824. Evangelical religion in the North of Ireland was not then in a very healthy or vigorous state. Unitarianism had crept in among Presbyterians, and, with the exception of the Seceders and Reformed Presbyterians, the ministers in many places did not preach the Gospel, either because they did not believe in it themselves, or through fear of giving offence to some in their flocks whom they knew to be infected with heterodoxy. Preaching the truth in its purity, as derived from the well-spring of the Divine Word, in a plain and forcible manner, Mr. Sweeney was most acceptable wherever he officiated. This was no doubt due, in a measure, to his very impassioned method of delivery. Having a robust constitution and a strong voice, he did not spare himself. In tone and gesture he was a veritable Boanerges. The pulpit Bible generally sustained rather rough treatment at his hands, and one was reminded of James Melville's description of Knox's preaching"he was lyk to ding the pulpit in blads, and flie out of it." The language, style, and illustration, moreover, were such as all could follow and understand. Real earnestness is contagious. From a natural sympathy, we cannot help listening to one who speaks strongly, because he manifestly thinks and feels strongly. A remarkable proof of Mr. Sweeney's early popularity is furnished by the fact that, at one time, he had no less than five calls from congregations in different parts of the country-from Convoy, in the County Donegal; from Knockbracken, in County Down, near Belfast; from Drimbolg, Coleraine, and Faughan, in County Derry. That from the last-mentioned place he accepted, was ordained there on the 17th of May, 1827, and continued to labor in it till incapacitated by the infirmities of age. It will be seen by the foregoing dates that at the time of his decease, on the 4th of last May, he had been upwards of fifty-two years a preacher, and had he been spared a fortnight longer, he would have been an ordained minister for fifty years. The end was peaceful. For two or three years past there was a visible but gradual decline in physical energy. Mentally, there was a perceptible failure of memory. The mental infirmity was accounted for, when it was discovered at last that there had been abscess in the brain. For the last three days there was complete unconsciousness, and the external senses seemed no longer in exercise.'

Our departed father had marked characteristics, among which we may mention fidelity to principle as having a conspicuous place. While giving due prominence to Scriptural doctrine, his public discourses were all cast in a very practical mould. He certainly did not shun to declare any part of what he was persuaded was the counsel of God, and he unsparingly denounced all aberrations from the right, whether among Church members or in society, regardless of the fear or favour of man. In private life he was a genial companion, clever and ready in repartee, strong in his attachments, ever cheerful and lively. In his neighborhood he was highly esteemed, and exercised an influence for good among all ranks and classes. But it was in his congregation that his labours were chiefly expended, as was just and right, and more than one generation can testify to his pastoral fidelity. Of his personal piety there could be no doubt. Our fathers, where are they? May the mantle of their piety, devotedness and zeal, descend upon the sons, with a still larger out-pouring of the Spirit, and may we who survive be stirred up to more energetic working while it is day, before the night come, as come it must, sooner or later, to all, when no man can work!-Covenanter (Ireland).

REV. JAMES WALLACE.

I HAVE known Mr. Wallace for twenty years somewhat intimately. We always maintained friendly relations, though we differed sometimes about matters of ecclesiastical polity. He was a man of strong convictions, and therefore always felt sure that he was right, and that those who differed from him were wrong. This quality made him a good Covenanter. He was a Covenanter from principle, and

not one of those given to change. He sincerely mourned any signs of defection visible in the church, and although not an extremist, always chose the old way as better than the new.

In theology his mind was well stored. Few points presented themselves to him as new. He had a fair knowledge of church history, especially that part of it connected with the origin of the Reformed Presbyterian Church.

He possessed a fine faculty of analysis. In preaching, he seldom missed the point of the text. He was a good skeleton critic. It seemed to require no effort on his part, to state the doctrine of the text and reduce it to its proper divisions. In this respect Mr. Wallace was fit to be a model to many loose sermonizers in our day, who seem to overlook the importance of allowing each text to teach the truth in its own light. While he had the logical faculty so largely developed, he was not so successful in filling up the skeleton in preaching. The matter was good, but rather common-place-the doctrine was sound and well sustained with scripture proof; one could seldom find anything to fault. His preaching was instructive and edifying, though not eloquent. The delivery and style were usually monotonous. The subject was fully discussed, but there were frequent verbal repetitions, which made the discourse at times tedious. In action, sermons and other well prepared discourses, he displayed ability both to gain the attention and instruct.

Personally he was a man of warm and strong feelings. Such persons usually have two sides to their characters; and we cannot say that the subject of this notice was an exception. A close observer of human nature would see in him the qualities that make a sincere and genuine friend, as also a persistent enemy. But divine grace modified the natural temperament. Those of similar constitution would have been liable to have judged him harshly. Very positive characters are apt, with all their virtues, to have some positive fault.

Mr. Wallace was a very earnest Christian. He was fond of religious and experimental conversation. This was his continual delight during his last illness. When the mind was a wreck otherwise, in this field he was himself till the end. He urged his Christian friends to visit him, that he might have the privilege of enjoying their Christian fellowship. The spiritual advice of Dr. Johnston, eminent in Christian experience as well as in his profession, seemed to do him as much good as his medical treatment.

Mr. Wallace was always very sociable. He visited much, and 'so pleasant and agreeable were his manners, as to win him favor with all.

As a pastor, Mr. Wallace would take high rank. He was above many, diligent in season and out of season. He was full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom. He had remarkable aptness in prayer and conversation with the sick. His visits were not confined to the congregation. He embraced the opportunity of sowing the good seed where the fallow ground was broken up by affliction. Once he said to the writer, "that the people are all good Covenanters when they come to die."

For the Headship of Christ he was very zealous. His faith in the ultimate success of our principles was strong; he felt that every effort would contribute something to the final subjection of the nations to Christ. He saw signs of progress where persons of less faith would have been discouraged. By this faith he was sustained in the toilsome work of presenting National Reform in Illinois and neighboring States after he demitted the pastoral charge.

His zeal for the cause of Christ often led him to neglect his private concerns, more than was meet. He always had time to attend Temperance, Bible and Reform meetings, besides attending to all pastoral duty; but this diligence in public work, made it necessary to practise great self-denial at home. He evidently lived not for the pleasures of sense; yet he enjoyed creature comforts when they came in his way, as much as any one. He denied himself, that he might follow Christ.

He suffered strong temptation after taking his last sickness. The struggle was sharp, short and decisive. He judged himself, and asked the candid opinion of others as to some parts of his life, that he might judge righteously. He at length enjoyed uninterrupted assurance. He wished to live to do more for Christ, but was content to die, if the will of God were so. He said, "I cannot say, like some, that I want to die-I want to live for the cause of Christ, but I am willing to submit to God's will."

His last illness was organic disease of the heart. He took it in Walton, while preaching, and was unable to finish. Physicians told him of the fatal character of the disease, and of its rapid progress. He lingered till the morning of May first, sometimes better apparently, sometimes worse-he finally breathed his last, falling suddenly on the bed where he was sitting in the act of dressing himself.

D. S. F.

SEWICKLEY, described in the Presbyterian General Assembly as "a village nestled among the hills of Pennsylvania," is twelve miles from Pittsburgh on the banks of the Ohio. The Presbyterian church of Sewickley has in its membership one of the publishers of the Pittsburgh Sunday Leader, a paper cried through the streets of Pittsburgh and the surrounding towns every Sabbath day, generally at this season with the announcement, "All about the boat race." The simple question how to get this person to quit this business or to cast him from the church by discipline, has agitated the Allegheny Presbytery for some time. The case was carried up by the church to the Synod of Erie,

which acted as follows:

"1. Synod reiterates the doctrine of the present obligation of the Fourth Commandment in the sense of our Book and of the deliverances of the General Assembly, minutes of 1874, pp. 79, 80, and 1876, pp. 70, 71, and of this Synod, minutes of 1875, pp. 18, 19.

2. Synod reiterates the specific application made by Presbytery to the present case, to wit: That responsibility in the issuing of a Sunday newspaper is incompatible with membership in the Presbyterian Church, according to the narrative of Synod, minutes of 1874, p. 23, and the Synod's deliverance recorded in minutes of 1875, pp. 18, 19.

3. Synod sanctions the position and proceedings of Presbytery.

First. That according to public fame, arising from notorious facts, and now appearing as known and admitted by the session of the Sewickley church in their responses to Presbytery, it appears that a regular member of that church is a responsible owner of a newspaper called the Pittsburgh Leader, which regularly issues a Sunday edition.

Second. That this gave just grounds to the Presbytery to which Sewickley church belongs to take action requiring the session of said church to investigate the case by a formal process, according to the Book of Discipline, and to render a decision according to the interpretation reiterated above in 2. Third. That the session of the Sewickley church having refused to follow