13 MAY 1876, Page 25

Memorials of a Ministry on the Clyde. By Rev. R.

Macallan. With St Memoir by Professor Bruce. (Tilaclehose.)—These are sermons by a Minister of the Free-Church of Scotland, who died while still in early life. They are the work of a man who had evidently a deep spiritual life of his own, as well as great natural gifts, and who would un- doubtedly have attained remarkable eminence as a preacher, if his life had been prolonged. He shows the possession of the first requisite in a teacher of men, a deep insight into the needs of the human heart. His sermons are distinguished by a total absence of sectarian feeling. There is nothing in them to show that they are the work of a Free-Church rather than a State-Churck or an Episcopalian clergyman. We observe with satisfaction how, at length, in the wider mind Calvinism has lost its sting, and become a thing transformed. In a letter contained in the memoir, from Mr. Bruce to Mr. Macallan, we read:—" With respect to doubts about an interest in Christ, my advice always is,—never heed your personal interest, suppose the worst, leave yourself in God's hands. What art then afraid of,—hell? Well, be it so. Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him." There is sure standing-ground here. One is reminded of Mr. Carlyle's advice to his Methodist friend in "Past and Present":—" Thou art wrong, thou art like to be damned ; reconcile thyself to that, if thou be a man."