to differ, so the appellation Seceder is derived from another Latin word, secedo, to separate or to withdraw from any body of men with which we may have been united. The Seceders are rigid Calvinists, rather austere in their manners, and severe in their discipline. Through a difference as to civil matters they are broken down into Burghers and Anti-burghers. Of these two classes the latter are the most confined in their sentiments, and associate therefore the least with any other body of Christians. The Seceders originated under two brothers, Ralph and Ebenezer Erskine, about the year 1730. It is worthy of observation, that the Rev. George Whitfield, in one of his visits to Scotland, was solemnly reprobated by the Seceders, because he refused to confine his itinerant labours wholly to them. The reason assigned for this monopolization was, that they were EXCLUSIVELY God's people! Mr. Whitfield smartly replied, that they had therefore the less need of his services, for his aim was to turn sinners from the error and wickedness of their ways by preaching among them glad tidings of great joy.

There is also a species of Dissenters from the church of Scotland called Relief, whose only difference from the Kirk is, the choosing of their own pastors. They are respectable as to numbers and ability.

The Reformation in Scotland, like that in England and Germany, struggled with a long series of opposition, and was at length gloriously triumphant. Dr. Gilbert Stewart closes his History of the Reformation in North Britain with the following animated reflections:

"From the order and the laws of our nature, it perpetually happens that advantages are mixed with misfortune. The conflicts which led to a purer religion, while they excite under one aspect they liveliest transports of joy, create in another a mournful sentiment of sympathy and compassion. Amidst the felicities which were obtained, and the trophies which were won, we deplore the melancholy ravages of the passions, and weep over the ruins of ancient magnificence. But while the contentions and the ferments of men, even in the road to improvements and excellence, are ever destined to be polluted with mischief and blood; a tribute of the highest panegyric and praise is yet justly to be paid to the actors in the reformation. They gave way to the movements of a liberal and a resolute spirit. They taught the rulers of nations that the obedience of the subject is the child of justice, and that men must be governed by their opinions and their reason. This magnanimity is illustrated by great and conspicuous exploits, which at the same time that they awaken admiration, are an example to sup

port and animate virtue in the hour of trial and peril. The existence of civil liberty was deeply connected with the doctrines for which they contended and fought. While they treated with scorn an abject and cruel superstition, and lifted and sublimed the dignity of man, by calling his attention to a simpler and wiser theology, they were strenuous to give a permanent security to the political constitution of their state. The happiest and the best interests of society were the objects for which they buckled on their armour, and to wish and to act for their duration and stability, are perhaps the most important employments of patriotism and public affection. The Reformation may suffer fluctuation in its forms, but, for the good and the prosperity of mankind, it is to be hoped that it is never to yield and to submit to the errors and the superstitions it overwhelmed."

Having mentioned that the church of Scotland is composed of a General Assembly, Synods, and Presbyteries-to these must be added the Kirk Sessions, made up of the Pastor, Ruling Elders, and Deacons; though the business of the last is to attend to the temporalities of the church. Nor ought it to be forgotten that both classes of the Seceders and the Relief body, including about three hundred ministers, are strict Presbyterians, notwithstanding their secession, or dissent from the Scotch Establishment.

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ENGLISH PRESBYTERIANS.

BUT the appellation Presbyterian is in Eng⚫ land appropriated to a large denomination of Dissenters, who have no attachment to the Scotch mode of church government, any more than to Episcopacy amongst us, and therefore to this body of Christians the term Presbyterian in its original sense is improperly applied. How this misapplication came to pass cannot be easily determined, but it has occasioned many wrong notions, and should be rectified. English Presbyterians, as they are called, adopt the same mode of church government with the Independents, which is the next sect to be mentioned. Their chief difference from the Independents is, that they are less attached to Calvinism, and consequently admit a greater latitude of religious sentiment.

Dr. Doddridge in his Lectures has this paragraph on the subject, which may serve still further for its illustration: "Those who hold every pastor to be as a bishop or overseer of his own congregation, so that no other person or body of men have by divine institution a power to exercise any superior or pastoral office in it, may, properly speaking, be called (so far at least) congregational; and it is by a vulgar mistake that any such are called Presbyterians, for the Presbyte

rian discipline is exercised by synods and assemblies, subordinate to each other, and all of them subject to the authority of what is commonly called a General Assembty." This model of church government is to be found in Scotland, and has been already detailed under a former article in this work.

INDEPENDENTS.

THE Independents, or Congregationalists, deny not only the subordination of the clergy, but also all dependency on other assemblies. Every con, gregation (say they) has in itself what is necessary for its own government, and is not subject to other churches, or to their deputies. Thus this independency of one church with respect to another has given rise to the appellation Independents; though this mode of church government is adopted by the Dissenters in general. The Independents have been improperly confounded with the Brownists, for not withstanding they may have originally sprung from them, they excel them in the moderation of their sentiments, and in the order of their discipline. The first Independent or Congregational Church in England was established by a Mr. Jacob, in the year