the same views both of doctrine and church government as the Church, and have seceded on points connected with the existence of lay patronage.  In England much discontent may sometimes be excited by an arbitrary appointment to a living; but it would be vain to endeavour to excite a movement throughout the whole country to prevent the recurrence of such appointments.  Yet upon precisely this point did some three or four hundred ministers secede from the Scotch Church in 1843; and to maintain the abstract right of congregations to a share in the appointment of their minister, has the ‘Free Church’ drawn from the humbler classes of a poor country many hundred thousand pounds.  No doubt all this results in some measure from the self-sufficiency of the Scotch character; but besides this, it should be remembered that to a Scotchman it is a matter of much graver importance who shall be his clergyman than it is to an Englishman.  In England, if the clergyman can but read decently, the congregation may find edification in listening to and joining in the beautiful prayers provided by the Church, even though the sermon should be poor enough.  But in Scotland everything depends on the minister.  If he be a fool, he can make the entire service as foolish as himself.  For prayers, sermon, choice of passages of Scripture which are read, everything, the congregation is dependent on the preacher.  The question, whether the worship to which the people of a parish are invited weekly shall be interesting and improving, or shall be absurd and revolting, is decided by the piety, good sense, and ability of the parish priest.  Coleridge said he never knew the value of the Liturgy till he had heard the prayers which were offered in some remote country churches in Scotland.

We have not space to inquire into the circumstances which have given Scotch preaching its peculiar character.  We may remark, however, that the sermon is the great feature of the Scotch service; it is the only attraction; and pains must be taken with it.  The prayers are held in very secondary estimation.  The preacher who aims at interesting his congregation, racks his brain to find what will startle and strike; and then the warmth of his delivery adds to his chance of keeping up attention.  Then the Scotch are not a theatre-going people; they have not, thus, those stage-associations with a dramatic manner which would suggest themselves to many minds.  Many likewise expect that excitement in the church, which is more suited to the atmosphere of the play-house.  Patrons of late years not unfrequently allow a congregation to choose its own minister; the Crown almost invariably consults the people; the decided taste of almost all songregations is for great warmth of manner; and the supply is made to suit the demand.