and that again will depend on the amount of our intelligence on this subject. To those who know and believe that Rome is carrying on a regular invasion of this country as head-quarters of the Protestantism of the world, with the view of subverting our religion and liberties, and that all that was so dearly won at the Reformation is at stake, the most multiplied and energetic measures of resistance will not seem extravagant; to those who are blind, on the other hand, to the spiritual dreamer or traitor, any measures of defence at all will seem quite unnecessary. It is cheering, however, to discover that the Protestant Church is arousing herself at length to some just sense of the emergency. The many kind and earnest letters which I have lately received, in striking contrast to those I received some years ago, are a proof of this. Still, very much remains to be done to regain our lost ground.

WERE PRELATIC BISHOPS THE HIGHEST PERMANENT
OFFICERS IN THE EARLY CHURCH?

A very strong presumptive proof that elders, and not prelatic bishops, were the highest permanent officers, by Divine appointment, in the Church, may be derived from the facts that ecclesiastical power was vested in the elders, and that no higher permanent officer than the elder is anywhere in Scripture indicated or recognised. That ecclesastical power or authority was vested in the elders appears from Paul's alluding, in 1st Timothy, v. 19, to "the ELDERS that rule well,' and also from the fact that they who sat and voted in the Council at Jerusalem are stated again and again, in Acts, xv., to have been "the apostles and ELDERS." In support of, or in opposition to, the position that no higher permanent officer than the elder is anywhere in Scripture indicated or recognised, those passages of Scripture only admit of being adduced which indicate the particular class of officer referred to in them. Passages which speak of "them that have the rule over you," and similar texts, are too indeterminate to be used on either side in this argument. We shall therefore consider in succession only those passages which are so explicit with regard to the ecclesiastical officer intended in them, as to entitle them to be cited with a view to determine who are the highest permanent ecclesiastical officers instituted by Divine appointment. It will not be difficult to prove that they are the elders.

Thus, ecclesiastical officers to whom, during the dearth in the reign of Claudius Caesar, the disciples sent their contributions in behalf of the brethren who dwelt in Judea, were "THE ELDERS" (Acts, xi. 30). The officers whom Paul and Barnabas ordained over the Churches which they had planted at Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, are termed "ELDERS." "And when they had ordained them ELDERS in every Church" (Acts, xiv. 23). At the time of the Council of Jerusalem the chief ecclesiastical officers next in rank to the apostles in that city were "ELDERS." "They determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and ELDERS about this question" (Acts, xv. 2). The persons next in rank to the apostles who sat and voted in that Council are again and again termed "elders.' "And the apostles and ELDERS came together to consider of this matter" (Aets, xv. 6). "Then pleased it the apostles and ELDERS" (xv. 22)—“ And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and ELDERS" (xvi.4).

This last passage places the elders in the very next, if not in the very same, rank with the apostles, so far as the settled government of the Church is concerned; for it states that "the decrees" "were ordained of the apostles and ELDERS". Indeed, the apostles seem to have acted in this Council only in their capacity of elders, having exercised as members of it only the authority belonging to the office of elder. It is very remarkable that, in the enumeration of those who sat in it, there is no mention of bishops under that denomination. The members of it are invariably termed "the apostles and elders," and never

"the apostles and BISHOPS," or "the apostles, BISHOPS, and elders." This is easily accounted for by supposing that all those elders were bishops. Were bishops a distinct class from elders, the former would, if superior to the latter, have been specified, rather than they. If bishops were a different order of clergy from presbyters, then it is most evident that there were no bishops at that Council. But if no bishops were members of it, then the elders who sat in it must have been the ecclesiastical superiors of bishops.

The highest permanent officers in the Church next mentioned are those of the Church at Ephesus. Paul summoned them to meet him at Miletus. Who were they? The answer is contained in Acts, xx. 17,—“ And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the ELDERS of the Church." Philippians, i. 1 is the next passage which particularizes the permanent officers of the Church. It styles them "bishops and deacons." Bishops were thus the highest officers recognised by the apostles as set over the Church at Philippi. But those bishops, it has been previously proved, were ELDERS. The highest permanent officers of the Church are next mentioned in the first epistle to Timothy, first under the title of bishop,-"A bishop must be blameless" (iii. 2); and, secondly, under that of elder, "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in word and doctrine" (v. 17). In the latter of these passages he represents the elders as performing the duties of bishops, and so identifies the elder with the bishop. Elders are distinguished in it into ruling and teaching elders; and the latter are represented as more honourable than the former. The prelate, therefore, whose main business is to govern the Church, and who rarely preaches, is inferior to an ordinary preacher of the Word. It was already shown that the bishops whom Paul has primarily in view in the first of them were the elders of Ephesus. The apostle also, in the same epistle, recognises a Presbytery, which must have consisted of presbyters; and speaks of it as having conferred ordination on Timothy,-"Neglect not the gift that is in thee which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of THE PRESBYTERY" (iv. 14). The highest permanent ecclesiastical officers next mentioned are those of the Church in Crete. They also are styled elders. Pau! states that he left Titus there, besides other objects, to "ordain ELDERS in every city," (Titus, i. v). The instance in which the highest permanent ecclesiastical officers are next mentioned by an appellation expressive of their office is in James v. 14,-"Is any sick among you? Let him call for the ELDERS of the Church." He mentions no higher officers over the Church than the elders. Peter next, in his first epistle, indicates what is the highest class of permanent officers in the Church. In that epistle to the Churches of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, hǝ recognises no higher officer over them than the elder. "The ELDERS who are among you I exhort, who am also an ELDER. Feed the flock of God, taking the oversight thereof" (v, 1, 2). He even here asserts for himself only the same ecclesiastical rank with them. The last instances in which the highest permanent office in the Church is explicitly indicated are those in which the apostle John also styles himself an elder. "The ELDER unto the elect lady" (2d John, 1). "The LDER unto the well beloved Gaius,” (3d John, i).

We have thus briefly reviewed in order all the passages in the New Testament in which the highest permanent officers in the Church are expressed by an appellation which indicates explicitly who they were. We have ascertained that in every one of them the elder is intended. What is the legitimate inference from this induction of particulars? Manifestly that the apostles authorized and recognized no higher permanent officers in the Church than presbyters or elders, as the ordinary ministers of the Word, and that they did not institute, authorize, or recognise, prelatic or diocesan bishops. Prelacy is obviously subversive of the Divine institution by which ecclesiastical authority is in the presbyters of the Church. It is therefore not only unscriptural, but anti-scriptural.-From "Prelacy tried by the Word' in Edinburgh Witness.

Missionary Intelligence.

OUR HOME MISSION WORK.

The Committee appointed by the Synod to receive from Presbyteries "Special Reports of their Home Mission proceedings for the past year," and to prepare a full statement and present to the Church, through the Record, on as early a day as possible," have to report:

That only nine Presbyteries have forwarded reports; those not reporting are Ottawa, Brockville, Paris, Kingston, and Toronto.

As no form according to which the information to be returned was given to Presbyteries, the reports furnished do not always refer to the same particulars, and are, in many cases, defective; for example, in regard to the number of families in stations, and the number of families in connection with them, the amount of services supplied to the stations, and the nature of the accommodation for public worship in the respective stations receiving regular supply.

The term stations in the reports generally denote the places which are supplied by one missionary on the same day, each station, so called, embracing, however, two or more localities.

The Presbytery of Huron reports 13 stations, including some congregations

Stratford,
Guelph,
Hamilton, 66
Ontario,

London,

[ready for settlement.

Of these 43 stations, 10 are vacant congregations, that is to say, have had previously a settled minister.

Hamilton reports the average attendance at its mission stations at from 700 to 900.

London reports that such vacant congregations and stations have received supply amounting to an average of 30 Sabbaths, and that 60 services were supplied by the members of Presbytery in the mission stations during the year.

Huron reports members in its various congregations and stations to the number of 633, and adherents 3,550; London, about 1,024, adherents 2,000. Ontario reports, as opened in the mission field, places of worship 4; Cobourg, 1; Guelph, 2.

Huron reports having employed 14 missionaries for a longer or shorter period, and Stratford 5.

In regard to funds raised in connection with the Home Mission operations, the reports exhibit the following sums :

what the "Montreal City Mission Board," (in connection with the three city congregations) raised, amounting to $2,000.

Huron reports that their missionaries visited 400 families, besides the sick; and that Presbytery and Ontario visited by deputation all their mission stations.

• Exclusive of various contributions referred to but not stated.

Guelph reports having a large German population within their bounds. In the Presbyteries reporting we find 43 stations, 7 places of worship opened, and raised for missionary labour $6,333 46; and a return by two Presbyteries of 1,656 members, and 5,550 adherents.

The Committee would call attention to the fact, that Presbyteries seem to make up their returns at different periods of the year.

The reports indicate that the Church stands much in need of a large supply of suitable labourers, for whom immediate employment and settlement might be obtained. The Presbytery of London alone reports eleven congregations which may be regarded as self-supporting, though few of these have borne their entire expenses during the past year; and some have come short by more than one-half. This is accounted for-by there having been arrears due to a former minister, or their being engaged in church building, or being supplied with unsuitable labourers. Indeed, on this last named circumstance, in the words of their report, the question of self-supporting or non-self-supporting may, in most of the instances, be said to turn." Nearly all the vacancies and stations, with efficient labourers, would raise the entire expense of service. In other circumstances, there are few of them that will not fall short of the amount required.

Farther, there appears from the reports to be a special lack of Gaelic-speaking labourers; and the Presbytery of Huron calls attention to the fact, that the Gaelic language is necessary in the greater part of its mission field, and that as so few of our missionaries can speak it, large portions of their fields had to be left comparatively neglected.

The committee respectfully recommend, that where vacant congregations are classed with mission stations in the reports of the mission field, they should be separated, that it may be seen how much of the field is taken up from year to year.

The Committee regret, that owing to the very late period at which the greater part of the returns have been received they have been unable to devote that time and attention to the matter, which they were prepared to do, at the time ordered by the Synod, though the delay on the part of Presbyteries, may in some cases, have been unavoidable. But they regret still more the fact, that since five Presbyteries have made no returns, the Committee are able to give only a very partial view of the Church's Home Mission Work.

R. H. THORNTON, Convener.

Since the above report was drawn up, statements have been received from the following Presbyteries, viz., Toronto, Ottawa, Kingston, Paris, and Brockville. We subjoin abstracts of these so as to give, as nearly as possible, a complete view of the missionary operations throughout the various Presbyteries :

TORONTO.-In this Presbytery about twelve vacant congregations and mission stations have been receiving supply. The following may be mentioned as mission stations proper, viz., Georgetown and Limehouse, Malton and Weston; York Town Line; Cedar Grove; Caledon East and Mono Mills; Tecumseth, 1st and 2nd Congregations; Mara and Muskoka; Nottawasaga and Osprey. These last are now under the pastoral charge of the Rev. J. Greenfield. These stations have all received supply, most of them have had full supply, and may be regarded as, on the whole, in a prosperous condition. At Malton, through the zealous efforts of a few friends, a commodious Church has been erected. It may be stated that the services of Dr. Burns at Georgetown, and of Principal Willis at Weston, have tended much to the continued prosperity of the stations. The newly opened region, of which the township of Muskoka is the centre, has been partially supplied during the past year. This is an important and destitute locality, and to do any good the Presbytery would require to give the services of an active missionary, and, for a time, mainly to bear the expense.

Besides the mission stations, the following vacant congregations have been

receiving supply, viz., Streetsville; Brampton, 2nd; Mono; Oro, west; Toronto West Church. It is to be desired that all these congregations were soon supplied with pastors.

As to funds, the congregations in the bounds of the Presbytery rasied for the Synod's Home Mission Fund $565. This does not include the amount which vacant congregations paid for their supply. The Presbytery received from the Central Fund $450 for carrying on the work in their bounds.

In conclusion, it may be stated that the Presbytery are taking steps to begin missionary operations in Mulmur, and the regions around, where the prospects are encouraging.

OTTAWA. From the report of the Presbytery of Ottawa it appears that there are four mission stations, besides four vacant congregations-these latter being Pembroke, Renfrew, Cumberland, Fitzroy Harbour, and Tarbolton, connected with which is Packenham.

The mission stations are: 1. Thurso and Gore of Lochaber. This was formerly part of the charge of Mr. McEwen, late of Cumberland. The missionaries who have been sent to this field report favourably of the attendance, and it is believed that a spirit of true devotedness and liberality would enable the people to support a stated ministry. 2. Russell and E. Gloucester. The former was until lately under the charge of Rev. James Whyte of Osgoode. There is a neat church at Russell, and a respectable congregation. The cause, however, is not in a very lively state, owing to the want of continuous supply. East Gloucester has been formed and nurtured by Mr. Wardrope. Most of the people were indeed connected with Mr. Wardrope's congregation. Many of them are pious, earnest-minded people. 3. Aylwin. This station was taken up about a year ago. The missionaries report favourably of the attendance, and of the willingness of the people to contribute for the maintenance of ordinances. A Church has been lately formed, under the superintendence of the Rev. Joseph White. 4. Templeton. This is a new station, lately organized, about which it would be premature to say much. The amount raised by means of missionary meetings, collections, &c., has been about $400. The stations have in scarcely any case met their liabilities. In two cases the Presbytery has supplemented the stipends of Ministers to the amount of $100 each. One nf these is, however, now vacant.

KINGSTON. In this Presbytery there are five different mission fields. 1. Lansdowne, with two stations. It was organized in 1860, and has now 55 communicants. The cause has been somewhat retarded by the failure of crops, but the prospects are now brighter, and there is hope that soon the congregation will be able to sustain a pastor. 2. Ballynahinch and Harrowsmith, in the townships of Kingston and Portland. At the former station there is a church finished and paid for. There are about 30 communicants. These stations are desirous of obtaining a minister, and there is a fair prospect that this end will soon be attained. 3. A new station was opened last summer to the north of Portland, and within the township of Hinchinbrook. In this region there are a great many Presbyterian families, who are still struggling with the difficulties of new settlers. This is a station really deserving of assistance, and the prospects of ultimate success are encouraging. 4. Ernestown and Fredericksburgh, on the shores of the Bay of Quinte. Here there are a number of scattered Presbyterian families, the remains of what was once a large congregation, under the charge of the Rev. R. McDowall, one of the first Presbyterian ministers in Upper Canada. The old church in which he preached, and beside which his remains lie, is still occupied. At Bath, the second station in the same field, is a neat little wooden church. This formed part of the charge of the Rev. John Scott, whose labours are now chiefly confined to Napanee and neighbourhood. 5. The fifth mission field is in North Hastings. Here there are many Presbyterian families and several preaching stations, which, it is thought, may grow into two or three pastoral charges. In this field much has been done to