CONCLUSION. There can be no question that some of the changes in the conduct of the services of the Church that have been adverted to, are changes to the better. But it may be doubted whether improvement in this respect has been accompanied with progress in all those things that pertain or are more intimately related to the essence of Christian worship. Our pious forefathers were distinguished by many excellencies, which we should do well to imitate. One of these was an ardent love to the sanctuary and its services, evinced by the regularity and constancy of their attendance upon it; and in this they were followers of the most illustrious of the saints in ancient times, and of the Christians of the primitive age. May all the congregations of the Scottish Presbyterian Churches be blessed by the combined exhibition in the character and conduct of their members of those excellencies which, in by gone times, the Christians of our land eminently exemplified, and of those in respect of which the religious aspect of the present day may be justly regarded as superior to that of the days that are past. May all, under the gracious influence of the Holy Spirit, be partakers of that true religion which consists in the knowledge and faith and fear and love of God, as He is revealed in the person and doctrine and work of Jesus Christ, His Son, whom He sent into the world to declare His character and counsels and will to mankind, and to be the propitiation for their sins! Amen. APPENDIX. I. PASTORAL VISITATION AND EXAMINATION. "IT is the duty of the minister," says the Westminster Directory, "not only to teach the people committed to his charge in public, but privately, and particularly to admonish, reprove, and comfort them upon all seasonable occasions, so far as his time, and strength, and personal safety will permit." This duty has in general been faithfully performed by the ministers of the Scottish Presbyterian Churches. Besides attending with special care to the afflicted, they have regularly prosecuted the work of domestic visitation, the ministers of country places going through the entire congregation once every year, and those of large congregations in the towns, in the course of two or three years. The mode of conducting such visitation is described by Dr Jamieson, thus:-"Having previously announced the time and place, the minister enters into each house in succession, the inmates being generally prepared to |