Mr Brown, one of the agents of the society, read a short statement detailing the work which he had been enabled to do for the society in various towns in England, pointing out the encouragements and discouragements he met with. He showed that Romanism and Ritualism were there making great progress, and that many of the people displayed much ignorance and apathy on the whole question; and hence the need of more extended efforts, with a view of enlightening the whole community. He also pointed out that there was much to encourage the society in prosecuting its labours in the south.

Mr Badenoch then stated that the prizes which had recently been offered by the society for those children manifesting the most perfect knowledge of "Foxe's Book of Martyrs " in all the day and Sabbath schools of Edinburgh, had taken place in the hall of the Protestant Institute on Saturday last, that thirty-six young persons had undergone both an oral and written examination; and that Mr Graham, Head-Master of the Normal School, Moray House, at the request of the committee, had conducted the examination.

Mr Graham then read the following report :

"My report is very short. Thirty-six young people, all under sixteen years of age, presented themselves for examination, which was partly oral and partly written. The oral part consisted of eighteen questions, involving short but very testing answers. The written part embraced sixteen questions requiring fuller knowledge than the others, and giving opportunity for testing range as well as accuracy of information. During the progress of the written examination and after, the young people were brought into the library one by one, and the same questions were put to every individual. This occupied nearly four hours; and although it proved a very laborious work, it was to those engaged in it a very delightful one. In my time I have taken part in many examinations, but I have never had to do with one in some respects so interesting as this. The readiness with which the answers were given, and their general accuracy, showed that the little volume, which, however, contains a great deal of matter, had not only been read and re-read, but had been studied to advantage, and had become almost part and parcel of not a few of the candidates. Not many of this audience would care about being too closely pressed upon such subjects as a præmunire, the old claim of the clergy for immunity from punishment for crime before degradation, or the law and practice of England in connexion with Legatine courts as opposed to those of the King; and yet on Saturday we found that not a few of the young people could thread their way quite easily through these intricacies, their minds being at the same time saturated with those most interesting, touching, and pious details of the work which, acquired when young, are never to be forgotten. I could enter into detail here if it were to advantage. I may just say that there was one case which really surprised us. Every question was answered. It was the only instance, and the time occupied was just the half of what had been taken by any other. I believe if, instead of eighteen questions, a hundred and eighty had been put, the result, that is, not one failure, would have been the same. Had it been consistent with the terms of the competition, I would have proposed that the youth, who gave the number 16, should be classed as a double first.

"Two hours were allowed for the written examination; had it been thought advisable to give three, I believe some of the answers would have been perfect.

"The result for a first attempt I consider highly satisfactory. Doubtless if a new opportunity shall be given in this city, a greater number will present themselves, and the area of examination being enlarged, the benefit will be largely increased. But there is no reason why this should be confined to Edinburgh. It is desirable that other towns in Scotland should go and do likewise; for if in the perilous times in which we live it is desirable that the people of this country should have during their lifetime what the great Argyle died professing, I mean a heart-hatred of Popery, there is no surer means of securing such a result than an intimate and intelligent acquaintance with Foxe's Book of Martyrs.' GILBERT GRAHAM." "Edinburgh, 28th January 1868."

The sealed envelopes were then opened by the chairman in presence of

the meeting, the names of the successful competitors read out, and the prizes presented to them. Twenty-five young people thus secured prizes, and they seemed to represent schools in all quarters of the city, as well as in Portobello, Newhaven, and Morningside. The young people as they presented themselves excited great interest on the part of the audience. The following are the names of those who secured prizes, with the schools to which they belong :

(1.) Prize of £1 each.

Walter Lumsden, Broughton Street Heriot School; Jane Fraser, Dr Andrew Thomson's School; Mary Park, Dr Nisbet's School, Borthwick Close; George Goodfellow, Duncan Street School, Newington; Robert Reid, Dr Bell's School, Greenside.

(2.) Prize of 10s. each.

John Greig, Moray House, Canongate; Robert Moir, Dr Bell's School, Greenside; Andrew Porteous, Moray House, Canongate; Thomas Francis Isacchi, Dr Bell's School, Greenside; Daniel Gray, Moray House, Canongate; Jessie Smart, St Stephen's School; William Seaton, Lancasterian School; George Dickson, St John's Episcopal School; Frederick Ross, Morningside Subscription School; Barbara Shuan, Moray House, Canongate.

(3.) Prize of 5s. each.

Agnes Kay, Free St Mary's Sabbath School; Mary Begbie, St George's School; Agnes B. Hodge, Newhaven Parish School; Elizabeth W. H. Drysdale, Free St Bernard's Sabbath School; Joseph Andrew, Dr Andrew Thomson's School; Wm. John Loy, Free St Mary's School; Hector Cameron, George Heriot's School; Charles Smith, Free Tolbooth School; Helen Campbell, Free Tolbooth School; Alex. Telfer, Moray House, Canongate.

After a brief address by the chairman, pointing out the vast importance of the competition, and of extending similar efforts to all parts of the kingdom, this most interesting meeting was closed with the benediction.

In order that our readers may be able to judge of the nature and scope of the questions answered by the young people in writing, the subjoined is a copy of the examination paper :

FOXE'S BOOK OF MARTYRS.

Examination Papers for the Schools in Edinburgh, 25th January 1868. 1. Name the Roman Emperors, in their order, under whom the persecutions of Christians took place.

Give an account of the fourth persecution.

2.-What anti-popish doctrines did the Waldenses hold?

Relate some incidents connected with the persecution of the Waldenses in the 17th century.

3. Give an account of the origin and principles of the inquisition.

Describe an auto-da-fe.

4.-Give a short account of each of the following:-Jerome of Prague;

John of Huss, John Wyckliffe.

5. State the circumstances under which Patrick Hamilton and George Wishart suffered.

6. Give the substance of the remarkable conversation between Fecknam and Lady Jane Grey.

7.-Name the most distinguished martyrs in the reign of Mary of Eng

land.

What were the circumstances under which Archbishop Cranmer delivered his last address? Give the substance of this address. 8. What lessons may we learn from this history?

TH

SCOTCH ROMAN CATHOLIC HIERARCHY.

HE Glasgow Evening Citizen says:-"We have it on good authority that a Roman Catholic hierarchy is about to be established in Scotland; that Bishop Lynch, at present residing at Carstairs, is to be the archbishop or cardinal; and that Father Parkinson, an Oxford convert, is to be bishop of Glasgow."

AN

Α

FOXE'S BOOK OF MARTYRS-A GOOD EXAMPLE.

N agent of the Scottish Reformation Society, presently labouring in England, reports that a friend, on reading the letter in our pages, some time ago, as to offering prizes to schools, has acted upon the suggestion, and has circulated 220 of " Foxe's Book of Martyrs" among the children of the Wesleyan schools in and is offering prizes to those who will stand an examination on the contents of the book. 250 copies have been circulated in another school; 100 in another place; 150 in another place; 12 in the village of ; and 80 in another; and 50 privately. This is an example which might be imitated in all the towns and hamlets in the kingdom. Our readers may remember that each copy of the book costs only 2d, and may be had through the Scottish Reformation Society, or the Book Society, 28 Paternoster Row, London.

THE POPE AND THE APOSTLE PETER.

COLCHESTER.

DEAR SIR,-The accompanying lines were written by my son; and it occurred to me to send them to you, in case you may think them worth a corner in The Bulwark. Wishing your work "God speed," I am, &c.

THE 1800TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST PETER'S MARTYRDOM AT ROME.

The great gathering of cardinals, bishops, &c., at Rome, to celebrate this event to-day, June 29th, (St Peter's day,) with extraordinary pomp and magnificence, has given occasion to the following lines:

THE

THE LONDON PROTESTANT CLASSES.

HE London Organisation of the Scottish Reformation Society has been, as our readers know, for the last two sessions engaged in a movement in England, the object of which is to counteract the efforts of the Church of Rome in this country. The system adopted is this: A class of young men is formed and appointed to assemble weekly in some central and convenient place of meeting, where they are systematically instructed in the doctrinal points at issue between the Church of Rome and Protestantism in general. At the close of the session, which generally consists of three months, they are examined, so as to test the extent of their knowledge of the subjects in which they have been instructed, and those of them who show themselves best qualified, on a written examination, receive prizes, varying from £1 to £10 each. Hitherto the Rev. R. Maguire, M.A., incumbent of Clerkenwell, has conducted these classes with decided success. Other clergymen also, having a thorough knowledge of the subject, are beginning to follow his example; and it is hoped that all the Protestants of this country may, by this and other means, become thoroughly instructed upon the points at issue between the Church of Rome and Protestantism. Indeed, we are glad to find that the Society's hopes are being realised. As will be seen elsewhere, the Rev. Mr Ormiston of Islington has commenced a similar class, and Rev. William Elliott of Plymouth has entered upon a most successful course of instruction in that town; and we rejoice to see that his lectures are attended by crowded audiences.

In connexion with the classes in London, a public meeting was held on Thursday, 16th January last, in Westbourne Hall, Westbourne Grove, to distribute the prizes to the successful competitors in Mr Maguire's two classes. A. N. Shaw, Esq., occupied the chair. The meeting was opened with prayer by the Rev. Mr Allan, M.A., of the Lord's Day Rest Society. The chairman, in an excellent speech, pointed out the great ignorance and apathy which prevail in regard to Romanism, and especially on the part of our statesmen. It, therefore, behoved all who valued the truths of the gospel to be on the alert, and to use every effort to enlighten the people, especially the young men of the country, and thus, by the Divine blessing, to dispel this apathy. He pointed out that Rome would never be satisfied until its degrading and dangerous system was established again in this country; and that the establishment of Popery meant the abrogation of all our civil and religious rights. He knew no better way of dispelling this ignorance than by establishing and carrying on such classes as have been conducted by the Scottish Reformation Society. Mr Shaw, in alluding to the great good resulting from the society's efforts in England, mentioned an interesting case of one of the London competition question papers finding its way into Devonshire, and forming the evening riddles of a large party. He also mentioned the case of a young lady who undertook to answer the questions, sent her paper to Mr Maguire, and received a prize in acknowledgment of her merit. He had also asked a young man to attend the lectures of this session, but he thought he knew Popery well enough already. Mr Shaw put the competition paper into his hand, and he could not answer one of its questions satisfactorily. He therefore determined to attend the lectures, and did so with such success, that he gained a prize, and was in their midst one of the heroes of the evening.