Stray Thoughts On The Origin And Progress Of The Fine Arts.

edifices of this country ; for so much are the refinements of civilised life extended amongst us , that men are no longer satisfied with the view of beauty and magnificence in edifices set apart for ecclesiastical and civil purposes , or to admire at a distance the splendour of palatial buildings , but are emulous of transferring that

harmony of construction and elegance of decoration which are so productive of pleasurable emotions . Thus the aid of architecture is sought everywhere , and , in many cases , unfortunately , without a true perception of shose princip les which constitute its chief value . Thus , the Grecian , Eoman , and Gothic styles are made use of , or even blended without taste or discrimination ; and it will be difficult , at some future period , to designate intelligibly the architecture of the present time .

Classical Theology—Xli .

CLASSICAL THEOLOGY—XLI .

X . —VESTA AKD UECEJIBEE . Protestantism maybe compared to the sidereal heaven us-hose glory is'Uot of one star , but of many stars shining by the same li g ht . Be it Presbyterian , Wesleyan , Congregational , Ep iscopal , or Evangelical , its one professed and sacred . object is the propagation and exaltation of

Christianity . At the same time , the general dignity , efficiency , ancl supremacy of Christianity could hardly be better accomplished than under the government of one Church , whose vicegerency should be an attribute of a monarchy , or under the protection of a national legislature . By the agency of an adequate

administration , a jioiveri ' ul State attains a commanding altitude ; while , on the other hand , incompetent di plomacy causes a mighty kingdom to be paralysed in its actions , and rendered abortive in its vigour . A body without a head obviously becomes a cold , inanimate

sorpse . The stern doctrine of Calvinism is derived from John Chauvin ( whose name was Latinized into Calvinus ) , born js . j ) . 150 . 9 , at Xoyon , in Pieardy , about twenty-six years after the birth of Luther . Its leading principles are Belief in Predestination , Irresistible Grace , Election , and Reprobation . The disci ples of this most sour of all

creeds maintain the rejection of Episcopacy , asserting that , instead of bishops or any ecclesiastical superiors , the Church should be organised as a hierarch y , under the administration of synods or councils , composed in common of clergy ancl laity , chosen as Presbyters . Fpou these principles have been organised the * Presbyterian

Churches of Scotland , Holland , and Geneva , But although the Christian world is unhappily subdivided by numerous persuasions , each more or less bigoted and intolerant of the others , the Church herself cannot be separated from Christ . Where , therefore , the doctrines of Christ are not preachedto that the

, say Church exists is to assert that which is not . Even were the edifice threescore ancl ten times consecrated with the most gorgeous ritual and imposing ceremony , or if , in the other extreme of vulgar , self-complacent ignoring of all forms—in that " pride which apes humilit y "—the -utmost efforts of perverted intellect had been concentrated

to adorn , still , if the tenets of the Founder of our reli gion be not faithfully set forth , it is but a mockery to call either the place or the assemblage a church . This is not the place to discuss tho leading points of ( difference between the Romish aud the Protestant doctrines . We can therefore merel lance at those of

y g Consubstantiatiou and Transubstantiation . We consider that the Holy Supper , twofold in its elements , was sstituted as an ending covenant betiveen God and man , "typical of a sacrifice that should annul the sanction of all

advenient blood-shedding , and be commemorated as a sacrament for the remission of sins by repentance , and the practice of faith , hope , and love , unto the absolving the ivorld of its criminal knowledge of good and evil , by regeneration through grace , faithfull y and thankfully received . Here is the apostolic doctrine as it is written in the 14 th Chapter of St . Mark : —

' ' And as they did eat , Jesus took bread , and blessed , and brake it , and gave to them , and said , take , eat : this is my ¦ body . And he took tbe cup , and when he bad given thanks , he gave it to them ; and they all drank of it . And he said unto them , This is my blood of the new Testament , which is shed for many for ( adds St . Matthew ) the remission of sins . Verily I say unto yon , I ivill drink no more of the fruit of the vine , until that day that I drink it new witb you ( adds St . Matthew ) in the Kingdom of God . "

Christ having now commanded , as we find in St . Luke , xxii . 19 , that they ( his Apostles ) should break bread and drink wine , as He had done , in remembrance of Him , St . John , in his 13 th Chapter , gives us a further explanation of what transpired at that solemn and momentous union and communion of events . He says : — " Supper being endedthe devil having now put it into

, the heart of Judas Iscariot , Simon ' s son , to betray him ; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his ( the Son ' s ) hands , and that He was come from God , and went to Gocl ; He riseth from supper , and laid aside his garments ; and took a towel , and girded himself . After that he poureth water into a bason , and began to wash the disciles' feetand to withem with the towel wherewith

p , pe he was girded . Then cometh he to Simon Peter ; and Peter saith unto him , Lord , dost thou wash my feet ? Jesus answered and said unto him , What I clo thou knowest not now ; but thou shalt know hereafter . Peter saith unto him , Thou shalt never wash my feet . Jesus answered him , If 1 wash thee not , thou hast no part with me . Simon Peter saith unto him , Lord , not my feet only , but also my hands

and my head . Jesus saith to him , He that is washed needetli not save ( only ) to wash his feet , but is clean every whit ; and ye aro clean , but not all . For he knew who should betray him ; therefore said be , ye are not all clean . So after he had washed their feet , and had taken his garments , and was set down again , ho said unto them , know ye what I have done to you ? Ye call me Master and Lord ; and ye say

well ; for so I am . If I then , your Lord and Master , have washed yoni- feet ; ye also ought to wash one another ' s feet . For I have given 3 * 011 an example , that ye should do as I have done to you . Verily , verily , I say unto you , The servant is not greater than bis Lord ; . neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him . If ye know these thingshappy are if do them . I speak not of all

, ye ye you ; I know whom I have chosen ; but that the scripture may be fulfilled , He that eatetli bread with me hath lifted up bis heel against me . Now I tell you before it come , that , when it is come to pass , ye may believe that I am ho ( namely , the one referred to ) . Verily , verily , I say unto you , He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth . mc ; and be that receiveth mo receiveth him that sent me . "

We are now ( as amongst those that know ) brought to the unambiguous elucidation of the relative Divine mystery as recorded in continuation ( St . John , xiv . ) : — " I am the way , and tbe truth , and the life _ no man cometh unto the Father , but by me . . . He that hath seen me hath seen the Father . . . The words I speak unto you I speak not of myselfbut thc Father that dwelleth in me

; , he doeth the works . Believe me that I am in the Father , and the Father in mc , or else believe me for the very works ' sake ... If ye love me , keep my commandments . And I will pray the Father , and he shall givo you another comforter , that he may abide with you for ever ; even the Spirit of Truth . whom the world cannot receive , because it seeth him notneither knoiveth him : but know him for

, ye ; ho dwelleth with yon , and shall be in you , I will not leave you comfortless ; I will come to you . " What we are now treating of are the real heavendeveloped mysteries of everlasting life ; those secrets of