day since the beginning of the current gress towards the contemplated christian year, by all the congregations except union if Mount Pleasant congregation, one, who had found that day unsuitable, Liverpool, once connected with this and who were to make it at a convenient presbytery, were again united to it,time afterwards. A record was made of consider the present a peculiarly fitting the several collections, and a list of them time for proposing and effecting this reordered to be sent to the Synod's trea- union; and, accordingly, instruct the surer. The next meeting of presbytery Rev. W. M'Kerrow to correspond on to be held at Kinross on the Tuesday this subject with Dr Crichton, and any after the first Sabbath of January. other party in the session or congregation he might think fit, and to report. Still farther, the presbytery, in pursuance of the great object of union with evangelical churches, considered it highly desirable that there should be a closer union among the churches and presbyteries of our own denomination in England; and resolved to propose to them the propriety of forming themselves, as soon as possible, into a provincial Synod of our church, in order to more combined and effective movement on the subject of union, as well as other great common interests; and instructed the clerk to transmit to each minister an extract of this and the preceding minute in regard Kilmarnock.-The Presbytery met at Kilmarnock, December 9. The call from Muirkirk to Mr David Young was sustained, and his trials for ordination prescribed. It was ascertained that those congregations which had not made their collection for the synod fund had all collected now, with the exception of one or two who were about to do so. Appointed as a committee for missionary business in the presbytery,-Rev. James Elles, Peter Cairns, D. T. Jamieson, David Thomas, James Knox, Messrs James Paterson, Irvine; John Lymburn, Kilmarnock; Hugh Dunlop, Kilmaurs; Lancashire. Manchester, November 19, 1845.-The United Associate Presbytery of Lancashire met and was constituted, &c. The clerk laid on the table and read certificates from the professors, for Mr James Gilchrist, student of the third year, Mr Baxter, of the third, and Mr Hugh Tait, of the second year. Mr Tait was transferred to the Presbytery of Edinburgh, in whose bounds he resides. Mr Baxter was enjoined to attend next meeting to give discourses on Col. iii. 1-3, Rom. x. 9, to give an account of course of study at the Hall, and to undergo an examination in Hebrew and Greek. Appointed Messrs M'Kerrow and Thorburn, ministers, and Messrs W. Cunning-to the English Presbyterian church. ham and A. Jamieson, elders, a committee of presbytery on missions; Mr Thorburn, convener. It was reported that the congregation of Blackburn Hall Fold, Kendal, had made collections in behalf of the Synod's fund, and that those of Manchester and Tunly would do so soon. The presbytery engaged in conversation respecting the late interesting conference held in Liverpool, on the subject of christian union; and, after a unanimous expression of feeling respecting the desirableness of closer and more effective union among the different branches of the christian church holding evangelical sentiments, proceeded to in--Mr Thomas, convener. The commitquire what practical steps should be taken by them to forward this interesting object. It was unanimously resolved to enter on a correspondence with the English Presbyterian church, so nearly allied in doctrine and government; and, as an initiative step, appointed the Rev. W. M'Kerrow, F. Skinner, W. R. Thorburn, a deputation to wait on the Lan-pointed chiefly for religious conference. cashire Presbytery of that church, to express their sentiments on this subject. The clerk was instructed to transmit an extract of this minute to the clerk of said presbytery, and to inquire when said presbytery is appointed to meet, and when it would be convenient to receive said deputation-Agreed to request Dr Crichton to form one of this deputation. Further, the presbytery, feeling that it would facilitate their pro tee appointed to prepare a digest of proposed improvements, gave in their report; and the presbytery, having considered the different parts of it, agreed that all their ordinary meetings shall be commenced with praise and reading of the word as well as prayer; and that from time to time meetings shall be ap The presbytery also divided itself into four sections, each of which is to meet occasionally in its own district, and adopt such measures as may appear to them calculated to edify themselves and promote the interests of religion in their congregations: it may be by meeting with the congregations on a week day evening, and delivering appropriate ad.. dresses, or by the ministers exchanging on a Sabbath day and preaching on some given subject. Some recommendations | teaches a school, and keeps up regular to elders and sessions were delayed in worship among his neighbours, morning consequence of the overture on this sub- and evening, during the week. "He has ject sent down by the Synod to sessions, given me, says Mr Calderwood, during and to be taken up when the Synod the past year, much satisfaction, and meets. Next meeting of presbytery to has been of essential service." The be on Tuesday, after first Sabbath of congregation has also sent L.6, 10s. 8d. February, at Kilmarnock. to the Synod's fund for foreign missions, and L.5, 2s. to that for pious and charitable purposes. A legacy has been left to the mission fund, amounting to L.230, 3s. 8d., by Mr John Tweedie, a member of the congregation. -- Glasgow. This presbytery met on Tuesday the 9th December. The Rev. Alexander Duncan, moderator. The Rev. Mr Inglis was chosen moderator for the ensuing six months. A call was laid on the table by the Rev. Dr Beattie, from the congregation of Regent Place, addressed to the Rev. James Taylor of St Andrews, to be colleague to the Rev. Dr Heugh. A call to Mr William Graham to be colleague to the Rev. Dr Crichton, from the congregation of Mount Pleasant, Liverpool, was laid on the table by the Rev. Dr Eadie. Another call to Mr Alexander Wallace from the congregation of Alexandria, was laid on the table by the Rev. A. M'Ewan. These calls were all sustained, and subjects of trials for ordination appointed to Messrs Graham and Wallace. Messrs Brash, Pettigrew, and Millar, students, delivered part of their trials for licence, which were sustained. Petitions were presented from the congregations of East Regent Place and Duke Street, praying that these might be united as one congregation, under the ministry of the Rev. Alexander Duncan, to assemble in Duke Street church; and a basis of union agreed upon by both congregations was also laid upon the table. After considerable deliberation, the presbytery agreed to grant the prayer of the petitions, in so far as the union of the two congregations was concerned, while it was also agreed to state that the presbytery cannot interfere in the pecuniary arrangements proposed regarding debt, &c., as these must be left to the congregations themselves. The Rev. Dr Beattie was appointed to preach in Duke Street, and intimate the decision to the two congregations there assembled on Sabbath first. CONGREGATIONAL REPORTS. Peebles.-The United Associate Congregation during the past year has transmitted to the London Missionary Society L.11 for the support of a native teacher in South Africa, named Thomas Peebles, concerning whom Mr Arundel writes :"Thomas Peebles, a converted Caffre, Glasgow Eglinton Street Juvenile Mis- of diminishing the debt on their prosionary Society.-The first annual meet-perty, and L.100 to the Synod's scheme ing of this society was held on the even- for liquidating the debt on weak coning of November 3, when the funds were gregations. allocated as follows: United Secession General Missions, Do. do. African Mission, Glasgow African Missionary British and Foreign Bible So L.3 0 0 3 0 3 0 Society, 0 CALLS. On the 1st December, the congregation of Alexandria, Dumbartonshire, O gave a unanimous call to Mr Alexander Wallace, preacher, to be their pastor. On the 3d December, the congregation of Pitrodie gave a very harmonious call to Mr William Cowan, preacher, to be their pastor. 0 6 6 To the Scottish Tract Society, 2 0 children, 0 0 1 8 11 DIVINITY HALL.-SESSION OF 1845. The Theological Seminary of our church was attended during the session of the present year by ninety students, fifty-eight of whom belonged to the senior, and thirty-two to the junior division. Of the latter number, nineteen were first-year's students. The session commenced on the 5th of August, and terminated on the 25th of September. Dr Eadie read the introductory lecture, which has since been published, under the title of "Theological Study; and the Spirit in which it ought to be pursued." The valedictory address was read by Dr Brown. Students' Missionary Society. This society, whose objects are "the promotion of a missionary spirit among its members, and the general advancement of L.48 8 11 Christ's kingdom," has existed, in conBesides the above sums, which are the nexion with the Hall, for a considerable proceeds of the missionary boxes, an ex-number of years. It has stated weekly traordinary collection was made, by re- meetings each session for prayer, and quest of the Synod, on the first Sabbath the reading of essays on missionary toof December last, in aid of the mission- pics. It is believed that these occasions ary operations of our own Church, have not been unattended by beneficial amounting to L.12; and since that time, results; and although it must not be at the Jubilee of the London Missionary affirmed that the subject of missions Society, the sum of L.6, 10s. was con- holds its due place in the minds of the tributed on behalf of that institution. It students as a matter in which they is also proper to state, that within the are personally and peculiarly interestlast two years this congregation have ed, it is gratifying to be able to add, raised upwards of L.350 for the purpose that throughout the past session it has received considerably more than the mite towards advancing the cause of the usual amount of serious consideration. | gospel. I have preferred to do so During the course of the session one of through the Students' Missionary Assothe students (Mr Robert Torrance) left ciation, as marking my warmest symthe Hall in order to proceed to Canada pathy, with the development of a as a missionary; and another (Mr W. missionary spirit in the Divinity Hall P. Young) entered into arrangements of the United Secession Church. May with the Synod's Board of Missions, peace be within her walls, and prosperity with the view of repairing soon to Ja- within her palaces! I have used the maica. Several others, it is understood, freedom to transmit this through you as have resolved to devote themselves, at Chairman of the meeting I have referred the close of their preparatory studies, to;-desiring to cherish a fervent wish, to the service of Christ in countries that yourself and the other respected more destitute of the means of grace professors may be blessed and made a than their own now happily is; and it blessing in the sphere in which the great may safely be affirmed, that appear- Head of the Church has called you to ances indicate a decided increase, among labour. May these labours be crowned our students, of a missionary spirit and with abundant success, and may the zeal. May the Lord himself counte- cause of Christ every where be greatly nance and bless the auspicious move- | advanced. I am, with much respect, ment; for the harvest truly is plenteous, yours sincerely, but the labourers, in foreign lands, are still lamentably few! (Signed) AN ELDER OF THE UNITED SECESSION CHURCH." In addition to the weekly meetings above noticed, the society has also been Who does not unfeignedly join in the accustomed to hold each session a public prayer for "peace and prosperity" which meeting, which took place this year in is here expressed! The students corRose Street church, on the 18th of Sep- | dially, and with one mind, reciprocate tember. The attendance on this occa- the sentiments of the unknown but sion was considerably more numerous benevolent author. Let his wishes be than usual; and the proceedings were now fully realized, and the christian spirit felt to be in no small degree, interesting which his communication breathes, beand delightful. Rev. Dr Eadie, presi- come increasingly prevalent throughout dent of the society, occupied the chair; our churches. It is the time for vigorous and addresses were successively delivered action against the common foe; in this by Rev. Messrs Jennings, from Toronto ; | movement we need the energy of a comNevin and Waddell, from Jamaica; Mr bined and harmonious effort; it is wisdom T. P. Callender, student; and Rev. Mr | to eschew all weakening animosities, and Sommerville, secretary to the Synod's to consecrate our undivided endeavours Board of Missions. Messrs Edward in promoting the predicted subjugation of Miller and Andrew Chisholm, two persons of colour from Jamaica, and who are to accompany Mr Waddell on his mission to Western Africa, also addressed the meeting. The simple, but accurate, statement of the truth as it is in Jesus to which these men gave utterance, and the fact that they were about to proceed to the ill-fated land of their fathers, to tell their kinsmen according From the period of the society's instito the flesh what great things God had tution, its members have been in use to done for their souls, could not but re- | contribute according to their ability" fresh and encourage every friend of mis- in aid of missions; but, for two or three sions who was present. The collection years past, they have besides attempted amounted to upwards of L.4; and on to collect, during each recess, the sum the following day the president received of L.100 for the Synod's Mission Fund. a letter (enclosing L.10), of which the Easy of accomplishment as such an subjoined is a copy:→→→ object does appear to be, it has not hitherto been attained; the sum realized "REV. SIR,-Having felt my own last year from this source, being only spirit greatly refreshed by the delightful about L.50. Nothing daunted, however, meeting in Rose Street church last by their past failure, the society has night, I wish to contribute the enclosed | resolved to continue their scheme of the world to the service of the Redeemer. This generous and disinterested countenance of their missionary efforts, is taken by the students as a token for good; they feel encouraged by it to redouble their exertions; and seek to be more firmly persuaded than ever, that their labour shall not be in vain in the Lord. effort for another year; but with the the view of restoring the library to view of giving to it a somewhat more proper working condition, it was redefinite object, they have resolved that commended by the Committee of Curathe sum which may be collected, shall be given, not as heretofore to the Synod's general mission fund, but specially in aid of the MISSION TO WESTERN AFRICA. The students have, as usual, been furnished with subscription cards; and in order, at once, to facilitate the accomplishment of their design, to assist in keeping the subject of missions prominently before the minds of the students themselves, and to awaken and increase zeal in others, a committee has been appointed to organize a plan by which all or most of the students shall, during the present recess, be frequently employed in their respective localities in addressing missionary meetings. In this measure the students of the Relief Hall have generously offered to co-operate with, and assist their Secession brethren; and it is, therefore, confidently hoped that the scheme will now be crowned with success. It may be proper to state that in the prosecution of this plan, the students would deprecate even the appearance of collision with other existing mission schemes. Its peculiar nature will, it is believed, prevent any such interference; its anticipated effect is the improvement rather than injury of kindred interests, by the wider dissemination of missionary knowledge; while, if successfully carried out, it will be of use as a new spring to swell that tide which is now so happily bearing the heralds of the cross to the too long neglected shores of Africa. The society has also been in the practice of corresponding with missionaries, and with the students of other churches. During the past session letters were read from the students of the theological school in Geneva, under the care of the celebrated Dr D'Aubigné and others, and also from Mr Walter Inglis, missionary at Griqua Town, South Africa. În a future number we may, perhaps, find room for one, or both, of these interesting communications. tors that the books should be called in It may here be mentioned that the family of the late Rev. Dr Mitchell, in concurrence with his expressed wish, lately presented, through Dr Brown, the following books to the library:-Gill on the Old and New Testament, 6 vols.; Bocharti Opera Omnia, 2 vols.; Leigh's Critica Sacra, 2 vols.-all folios. Rev. Dr King has also kindly forwarded four copies of his treatise on the Ruling Eldership. Testimonial to Rev. Dr Brown.-At an early period of the session, a very general Library. The present very unsatis- wish was manifested by the students to factory state of the library connected give expression to the affectionate venewith the Hall was the subject of consi- ration and esteem which they entertain derable discussion among the students for Dr Brown, their senior tutor. It was this session. For several years past ultimately agreed, as the most appropri the students have ceased to take that ate method of accomplishing this desire, active interest in the affairs of the library, to request his acceptance of a donation which it is desirable they should mani- of books. These were accordingly prefest; and the consequence of this in-sented to him on the 22d of September, difference on their part has been, and in the presence of the students, by Mr will always be, disorder and confusion Gilbert Meikle, censor of the senior to a greater or less extent. With division of the Hall. The Reverend NO. I. VOL. III. E |