out the congregation! Mr. Barclay, in his usual manner, has wrought up this part of the tragedy with great stage effect; and the pages 70-72, in which it is detailed, sufficiently indicate what he is capable of as a writer; but we must not confound this mock-heroic with simple prose. The plain unvarnished tale is, that Dr. Nicol had received a letter from a clergyman at Aberdeen-a clergyman, too, who six months before had favoured Mr. Rannie with a letter of introduction to the vestry at London Wall, intimating that he was now apprised of “a change in the conduct and manners of Mr. Rannie, and was of opinion the latter was not worthy of such recommendation or testimonials," as he had formerly given him. The congregation were consequently threatened, that if they persisted in urging the nomination of Mr. Rannie as a candidate, "the elders would feel themselves under the necessity of reading this letter to the members and subscribers on the 2d of November, before the question of such admission should be put." It is easy to penetrate this flimsy disguise; nevertheless it compelled the friends of Mr. Rannie to investigate the truth of these foul insinuations, which they did by writing to Dr. G. Gerard, King's College, Aberdeen; to the Rev. Alex. Milne, and the Rev. Aber. Gordon; and ultimately to the Rev. John Philip, himself, the dark assassin, in this instance; the result of all which was, that the character of Mr. Rannie came forth like gold from the furnace, and shone with brighter lustre; while his assailant, reduced to the abject necessity of explaining away all he had written, retires discomfited and disgraced, throwing the blame upon Dr. Nicol for making public what was only intended for his own private use! But the 2d of November at length arrived; and we believe we must have recourse to Mr. Barclay's pamphlet for a short extract to describe the interesting scene which then took place at London Wall. "When all the preparatory measures had been adjusted, the elders, with Dr. Nicol at their head, entered the church. The Rev. Dr. took the chair of state. “His valiant peers were placed around." "The letters which the chairman of the committee had received from Scotland concerning Mr. Rannie, together with Mr. John Philip's commentary, having been read, the Rev. President rose and addressed the congregation in a strain of Tally would have listened, not only with eloquence, to which a Demosthenes or a admiration, but rapture. He convinced the audience that, to the black catalogue of his abominable crimes, Mr. Rannie had now added the most profligate ingratitude; for he had not only asked Mr. R. to breakfast" one morning, but he had even invited him to a family dinner." He further stated, that he was "stabbed," the bottom, if it should cost him a “hunand that he would probe the matter to der poun." 66 "When the Dr. had finished his oration, he abruptly quitted the chair and rushed out of the church, leaving the congregation to settle their differences in the best manner they could. "After the Dr.'s retreat, the acting se cretary took the chair, and a most interesting and animated debate ensued, which lasted several hours. The votes were then taken on the question of Mr. Rannie's admission, and he was, by a majority, DECLARED A CANDIDATE FOR THE PASTORAL CHARGE OF THE SCOTS CHURCH. "The vestry were struck with dismay, when they saw a result so different from that which their meritorious efforts had through their veins, and all their joints led them to anticipate. "Horror chill ran relaxed." They saw the industrious labour of six months completely destroyed in one moment. They were not, however, quite inconsolable; they comforted themselves under this grievous affliction by reflecting, that they had persevered to the last with the same zeal with which they had set out in the glorious cause; that according to the best of their judgment;" they had exerted their utmost ability and, that the greatest human exertions may deserve, but cannot command suc cess." "No one who is acquainted with the persevering disposition of that venerable body will suppose that they relaxed their efforts against Mr. R. after the defeat, (as their enemies insolently termed it) which they experienced on the 2nd of November. Instead of relaxing, they renewed their exertions with double vigour, and the number of proxies which they and their emissaries produced on the day of election, bore a noble testimony to their activity in the canvass which they had set on foot during the interval. On that day they not only accepted the votes of many persons who were not subscribers to the church, but they even raked together every thing that could swell a majority, from among those who were pensioned on the funds of the institution. And as if ers, to this had been insufficient to procure a respectable majority against Mr. Rannie, they literally compelled the menial servants of the chapel-the very pew-opensupport the church." These things were not done in a corner: they are publicly known, and therefore detraction itself cannot withhold from the vestry the credit to which they are entitled ; but over the more secret means which they used to effect their purpose, I am well aware their modesty will strongly incline them to draw a veil: nor will any thing short of absolute constraint induce them to become the heralds of actions which redound so much to their own praise. In justice, therefore, to the unobtrusive virtue of those ingenuous spirits who "do good by stealth, and blush to find it fame," I must call upon the acting secretary to stand forth, We find from a note, p. 5, that this vestry consisted of five individuals only, viz. John Henderson, James Dobie, J. L. Johnson, Peter Duncan, is also added that Mr. Henderson and David Stevenson, Esquires. It took no part in the proceedings of his brethren, and is consequently excluded from all share of whatever praise or blame may attach to them, Mr. Dobie, (a gentleman in the profession of the law) is now at the advanced age of 75, and though as Secretary he was obliged to take a somewhat active part in the affair, we can scarcely allow ourselves to impute to him any share of the responsibility. Mr. John Lomas John-son, another of the number officiated as acting secretary; but there is in extract of a letter written by this the pamphlet before us, p. 164, an gentleman to one of the unsuccessful swer me the following questions. Did candidates, immediately after the terthe elders go about to the friends of the mination of the affair, which, if it other candidates, saying, we know very do not involve in it one of the severwell your friend can have no chance of est libels upon the proceedings of his success?—“ We know of no person who brethren of the vestry that could will support him but yourself; so, unless possibly be drawn up, we are egreyou join our party, Rannie will get in-giously mistaken. The following is "You can do your friend no injury by act- the passage to which we refer :ing so, as the most he can expect will be some dozen votes?" Did they endeavour to make Mr. Manuel's call effectual by telling the voters that unless he were elected, Mr. Riddell was determined to withdraw his liberal subscription from the sunday-school attached to the church? Did they do so, individually or collectively? directly or indirectly?—And, lastly, while they were thus virtuously employed, did they recollect that a certain honourable fraternity, of unquestionable authority in these matters, once asserted in a celebrated STATEMENT, "that such and with his characteristic manliness, an 66 means are expressly contrary to the principles of the presbytery according to the constitution of the church of Scotland, which are so pointedly recognized in the deed of trust, hereafter mentioned in the STATEMENT; and that they are not less at variance with the solemn denunciation of our SAVIOUR himself-He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep." Having thus put our readers in possession of the outline of this affair, we now proceed to offer a few remarks, first upon the line of conduct pursued by "the Vestry;" and after that, we shall have a few words to say to Mr. Barclay, the author of the pamphlet before us. "After due notice having been given, a ballot was taken on Friday last, (2nd December) on the question of Mr. Rannie's eligibility, and which, by dint of the most strenuous exertions on the part of his friends, and a degree of lukewarmness on others, the same was carried by a majority 54 against it. Thus, then, it was establishof six! the numbers being 60 for it, and ed that he should stand, and, from the species of influence that was exerted, it became doubtful to some whether he might not be chosen. Mr. Wilson, also, we knew, had family connections in the church, and though Mr. Manuel was most spoken of, it was matter of great doubt whether any thing like a respectable majority could be procured, and then, and not till then, some of your friends, among whom I must mention Mr. — of City Road, argued that, as they saw no chance of gaining your election (against Mr. Rannie) it was much better to throw weight into a scale that was well supported, than to prove an inefficient friendship. The consequence is, that the call is now made with great effect, and may the Lord look down in mercy on his chosen servant, &c." Thus then we find this respectable vestry reduced to two individuals, namely, Peter Duncan, and David Stevenson, Esqrs. Of the latter gentleman it is recorded, (note, p. 37.) that he is subject to an attack in both out this plan, because, should any mistake occur as to the motives of action, the consequence must be very injurious; for to impute to another the basest designs which a person's own base mind can devise, and then to make that the rule of procedure in a matter of such high import, as it is scarcely reconcileable with the 'charity which thinketh no evil," so it cannot fail to incur the guilt of great presumption. But to proceed 66 Of the part which Mr. Barclay had to act in this extraordinary affair, and the manner in which he has acquitted himself, it remains for us yet to speak. He came to London without any view of offering himself a competitor for the vacancy at London Wall; and his first appearance in the Metropolis is happily hit off, by a quotation of the well known lines of Horace: "Attingit solium Jovis, et cœlestia tentat, Non cuivis homini contingit adire Corinthum." hands, which reduces him to the necessity of employing an amanuensis, as often as he has occasion to write any thing more than his own name. Very different, however, is the case with Mr. Peter Duncan. The "elegant specimens of his epistolary correspondence," which Mr. Barclay has registered in the volume before us, and above all, the fac-simile of certain anonymous letters received by the chairman of the committee, which is appended to it, must immortalize him in the annals of the church at London Wall. It is impossible to peruse the documents before us, and not subscribe to the justness of Voltaire's remark, that "human nature is never so degraded as when ignorance is armed with power." The very first step which the elders took in this affair was a departure from the plain rule of their duty, and every succeeding movement only led them farther astray from the right course, until at length they found themselves involved in a labyrinth from which, too proud to acknow- Mr. Barclay's family and connections ledge their error and humble them-appear to be highly respectable; and, selves before the congregation, they having adopted the resolution of ofdisdained to be extricated by retrac-fering himself a candidate, he transing their steps, the only honourable mitted a note to one of the members way of doing it, but kept flounder- of the church, requesting him to ing on, and trampling under foot make known his wishes to the genjustice and equity, and every sacred tlemen of the vestry; and, together principle that impeded their pro- with a reference to Sir William gress. Their perseverance, however, Forbes, of Edinburgh, Henry Davidwas crowned with success; and high- son, Esq. of the Bank of England, ly gratifying, no doubt, must be their and Colin Robertson, Esq. of Russell reflections throughout the remainder Square, he enclosed a list of ten inost of their days! There is one circum- respectable clergymen in Scotland, to stance, however, to which Mr. Bar- whom the vestry might apply for clay seems not to have duly attended, testimonials of his moral character namely, that some of his country- and literary qualifications. He had men are known to lay claim to the been employed, it appears, as domesfaculty of second sight. These privi- tic tutor in the families of Mr. Daleged gentlemen can draw aside the vidson and Mr. Robertson, abovecurtain that veils futurity from gene- mentioned. The vestry, however, deral view; they can take a prospec- clined the trouble of making the tive survey of events, and by diving necessary inquiries; yet, as they had into the secrets of the heart, ascer-given Mr. Barclay to understand that tain what persons intend to do, or if such documents were furnished, what mischief they may occasion. due attention would be paid to them, Now it is only to admit that the he himself procured from the diffevestry, and their reverend coadjutor rent clergymen the necessary testiwere thus gifted, in order to find a monials; and certainly nothing more justification of all their conduct; for satisfactory in that way can well be if the principle be well established, imagined than these letters are. what should hinder its application to cannot therefore excite the surprise the discipline of a christian church, of any thinking mind, that Mr. Barthe good of which is the object aim- clay should feel mortified, after haved at? There may indeed be some ing entered the arena, and interested risk to ordinary persons in following his friends in his favor, to be told that It 1 happy dissension, which, after distracting the church for so long a period, has at last deprived it of some of its most respectable members, would never have arisen. You may say, that you step forward in the character of a pacificator. But have you considered the qualifications that must adorn the man who can reasonably hope to be instrumental in restoring peace and unanimity to a distracted religious community? He who interposes between man and man, must possess something more than blind zeal. But he, who with no other quality, attempts to re-establish harmony, and to promote reconciliation in a society, where obstinacy has produced resistance, and provocation hostilitywhere, in short, all the bad passions have been let loose-who exposes himself to the collision of so many conflicting feel the vestry declined to nominate him as a candidate. Not satisfied, however, with the reasons which were assigned for their conduct in this instance, "he summoned resolution enough to repel the objections of the vestry, and in an evil hour drew a quill of remonstrance, thus entering the lists of combat with the acting secretary." Mr. Barclay has given us copies of the letters that passed between himself and the secretary, the acting secretary, and others; and it is impossible to glance them over without perceiving how unequal, in point of talent, the combat has been. He really makes his correspondents appear very ridiculous, though clad in all the dignity of office. Fewings, must be reputed nearly as prudent writers to have studied with appear better effect the Horatian maximHe can Dulce est desipere in loco. indulge himself in all the friskiness of the lamb, and he can brandish the dazzling armour of Ajax! Of the former, his letters to poor old Mr. Dobie, and of the latter, his two epistles to Dr. Nicol, furnish incontestible evidence. Long as this article already is, we cannot resist the temptation of laying before our readers an extract or two from his letters to Dr. N. Mr. Barclay appears to have in view the reverend Doctor's conduct towards Mr. Rannie, in the following passage. "To attack the defenceless, (and the absent must always be viewed in that light) displays neither the generosity of a man, nor the charity of a christian. On the contrary, it indicates a heart for which few will be disposed to envy its possessor. Still fewer, I imagine, will envy that man his understanding, who can point an insinuation against another, while he asserts that his character is as de "that of a young lady," and villify licate as the person, who is absent, of whom he ac knowledges never to have heard, But if such an attack be not only ungenerous, but also unjust, the aggressor must appear in a still less amiable view." We suppose no impartial mind will be found hardy enough to dispute the truth of this statement. But having laid down his premises, Mr. Barclay proceeds to animadvert upon the conduct of Dr. N. "What right you have to intermeddle in the affairs of the congregation at London Wall, I have not been able to learn, and I will not assume the province of determining. But this I know, that had you not interfered at all, much of that un! as the man who should embark on a tempestuous ocean, in a boat without oars or rudder. The man who hopes, by his exertions, to see true reconcilement grow where wounds of personal hostility have pierced so deep," ought to possess a clear and discriminating judgment, and such a knowledge of the operation and effects of the human passions, as may enable him, with a prospective view to calculate the consequences of every step he takes, and the result of every measure he adopts. Without those essential requisites, he founders on through a chuos of uncertainty and perplexity, falling out of one blunder into another, until he has involved himself in inextricable confusion. Equa nimity is another necessary ingredient in the character of a pacificator. For, if while he inculcates moderation and calmmess, he set a different example, he lays himself open to the accusation of teaching others a lesson which he has not learned to practice himself. As well indeed might he hope to smother a raging conflagration by pouring oil upon the flame, as to establish reconciliation and prevent discord by insolent disputation and angry invective. Instead of a pacificator he beinstead of tending to appease, serve only comes an incendiary; and all his efforts, to embroil. He must, moreover, divest himself of every appearance of partiality; because, when he departs from that strict and impartial justice which ought to characterize a mediator, his decisions can neither claim respect nor possess authority; and if his stupidity save him from the hatred of one of the parties, he must inevitably incur the contempt of both." while we find it impossible to withhold from Mr. Barclay the praise of having sketched a striking outline, we know not whether he himself be aware that one of its chief excellencies is, that it exhibits a family like ness, which will be recognized by the guilty and to varnish crimes," must possess weightier authority than that which arises from customary suits of solemn black," though accompanied with the more specious and imposing adjuncts of a sanctimonious countenance, and a sepulchral voice." regulate his conduct, and his irony at times is so highly refined, that it would not at all surprise us, were Messrs. Duncan and Stevenson to grow proud on finding their proceedings so handsomely lauded! Mr. Barclay is a young man, and has given ample proof of promising talents; but he must check his propensity to ridicule and sarcasm; for, should he live to the age of ourselves, we are much mistaken if he do not look back with unfeigned regret upon the liberal manner in which he has indulged it upon the present occasion; and ardently must he wish that, on reviewing his pages, the falling tear could for ever blot out the censurable passages, An Essay on the Character and practical Writings of Saint Paul. By Hannah More. 2 vols. royal 12mo. 12s. bds. Cadell and Co. 1815. THE popularity to which Mrs. More has attained, in consequence of the many valuable publications with which she has been favouring us, at intervals, during the last twenty years, puts a reviewer of her works in much the same predicament that she describes herself to have been in, when she submitted to the judgment of the public her thoughts on "the character and writings of the apostle Paul." The magnitude of the undertaking is apt to infuse a degree of diffidence which is not easily surmounted. When we cast an eye over the list of her publications and read, These are masterly strokes; but of the justice of their application to the object Mr. Barclay had in view, we profess our incompetency to determine. We have, indeed, taken some pains to inform ourselves upon the point, by enquiries among the respectable part of the congregation; but even they are not all agreed; some thinking them too severe, and others affirming that they are not sufficiently so. We must therefore leave this point with our readers, each to decide for himself. We cannot deny that we have felt some interest in this pamphlet, and certainly think that proceedings so much at variance with justice, sincerity, truth, and uprightness, merited exposure; nor are we sorry that the task of Sacred Dramas," 18th editiondoing it has fallen into the hands of Strictures on Female Education," one so capable of doing it to purpose. 11th edition-"Celebs in search of a At the same time, we must be al-Wife," 14th edition-" Search after lowed to enter our decided protest against the spirit in which this is done. We are far from accusing Mr. Barclay of rancour or malevolence towards his opponents; indeed, we are much mistaken in him if that be his character; and it gives us pleasure to see that he possesses a mind superior to the low grovelling passion of envy. Though foiled in the object of his ambition, he is never niggardly in meting out the just tribute of praise to his competitors; his pages are never tarnished by an illiberal reflection upon any one of them. But in the application of causlic to the gentlemen of the vestry, he has had no measure by which to Happiness," 12th edition, &c. &c. &c. what other conclusion can we arrive at, than that this fair author has found out the means of ingratiating herself with the public to a very high degree. We, however, are not to be ranked among those who are carried away by the whistling of a name. -mihi Galba, Otho, Vitellius, nec injuria, nec beneficio cogniti. We like to have an opinion of our own; and though it may not always be the most correct, it is our misfortune, in general, to prefer it to the opinions of others. Should others happen to differ from us, that gives |