enew
in a practical shape the old disputes so often agitating the forum of
Christendom, as to the bounds of civil and spiritual power.

In our rehearsal of the stages through which the process of induction
ordinarily travels, we have purposely omitted one possible interlude or
parenthesis in the series; not as wishing to conceal it, but for the very
opposite reason. It is right to withdraw from a _representative_ account
of any transaction such varieties of the routine as occur but seldom: in
this way they are more pointedly exposed. Now, having made that
explanation, we go on to inform the Southern reader--than an old
traditionary usage has prevailed in Scotland, but not systematically or
uniformly, of sending to the presentee, through the presbytery, what is
designated a "_call_", subscribed by members of the parish congregation.
This call is simply an invitation to the office of their pastor. It arose
in the disorders of the seventeenth century; but in practice it is
generally admitted to have sunk into a mere formality throughout the
eighteenth century; and the very position which it holds in the succession
of steps, not usually coming forward until _after_ the presentation has
been notified, (supposing that it comes forward at all,) compels us to
regard it in that light. Apparently it bears the same relation to the
patron's act as the Address of the two Houses to the Speech from the
Throne: it is rather a courteous echo to the personal compliment involved
in the presentation, than capable of being regarded as any _original_ act
of invitation. And yet, in defiance of that notorious fact, some people go
so far as to assert, that a call is not good unless where it is subscribed
by a clear majority of the congregation. This is amusing. We have already
explained that, except as a liberal courtesy, the very idea of a call
destined to be inoperative, is and must be moonshine. Yet between two
moonshines, some people, it seems, can tell which is the denser. We have
all heard of Barmecide banquets, where, out of tureens filled to the brim
with--nothing, the fortunate guest was helped to vast messes of--air. For
a hungry guest to take this tantalization in good part, was the sure way
to win the esteem of the noble Barmecide. But the Barmecide himself would
hardly approve of a duel turning upon a comparison between two of his
tureens, question being--which had been the fuller, or of two nihilities
which had been seasoned the mo