might be equally sincere in their creed, and honest in their peculiarities; and not wishing any man to abandon his convictions till he could abandon them conscientiously, it left all to keep intact and inviolate their respective opinions, till the flow of mutual love had increased their common Christianity. mains unhurt. It is far otherwise, how- | sented were trivial, nor that these disaever, when a man is called to abandon agreements could be discussed and settled truth which his Saviour has taught him there. It allowed that all the members to believe, or a duty which his Saviour has taught him to practise. The matter may be minute, but if he believes it to be his Saviour's will, he cannot sacrifice it without a dismal sense of delinquency. He feels that he is a traitor. His conscience is lacerated at the moment; and even should the deadly wound be healed -should he contrive to argue or cajole 66 2. But more than this: the Evanhimself into subsequent self-compla-gelical Alliance asks no one to conceal cency, the scar of such a wound, by his religious convictions. A lover of making conscience more callous, leaves truth loves to proclaim it. When his religious vitality less. Hence many he finds it, he calls his friends and went to the Liverpool Conference with neighbours to rejoice with him. He a painful misgiving. They felt that if, in order to union, they must surrender an iota of what they believed to be the truth in Jesus, they could not purchase even so great a blessing at such a perilous price. Looking over all the tenets in their creed, they could not find one so mite-like that they dared to buy even union with it. And in this they were right, for there is not a tenet in the faith once delivered to the saints' so insignificant, but some saint has thought it worth while to be a martyr for it. "But such apprehensions were entirely chimerical. The Conference was no conspiracy to inveigle the members into a sanction of each other's opinions, or into a surrender of their own. No man was asked to leave his peculiarities outside the door; and it was not the fault of the Conference if each did not carry back to London and Leeds, to Dublin and Edinburgh, all the theology which he brought to Liverpool. invites them to share it with him; and to bid him be silent, is to bid him be selfish. But if it really be truth which the man has discovered, and if it really be philanthropy which makes him proclaim it, he will not roar his Heureka like a ravening lion, nor sound his trumpet like a self-exhibiting Pharisee. Truth, as the Gospel conveys it, is benignant and mellowing; and the man who finds it in joy will speak it in love. He will also speak it at right times and right places, and in tones whose intensity shall bear some proportion to the intrinsic worth of the subject. But with such provisos-provisos which the christian wisdom of many has already suggested to themselves-the Evangelical Alliance would concede to all who hold in common vital truth, the utmost freedom of discourse. As it asks no man to surrender an iota of his creed, so it would ask no man to abate by a single atom his Christian "liberty of "It was felt and allowed that impor-prophesying." As it is not a union of tant diversities of sentiment exist among denominations, so neither is it a silencing those who give every evidence of sincere of particular testimonies. discipleship; and it was also felt that it 3. After this, we need scarcely add would be a happy day which witnessed that the Evangelical Alliance does not the melting of these diversities into a ask any cessation of denominational effort, blessed unanimity. But then it was nor demand of any community to susequally acknowledged that some other pend its attempts at ecclesiastical dethings must first be effected, and it was velopment. Just as every individual for one of these anterior things that the disciple is in constant danger of seeking Conference had now assembled. It was his own things more than the things of not met for the discussion of dogmas, Jesus Christ, so every christian society but for the diffusion of brotherly love. incurs the same hazard; and whether It was not to sit as a reconciler of con- they be individuals or societies, they flicting sentiments, but as the restorer of cease to be in a wholesome state when ancient affections. It did not arbitrate their own things become dearer than the denominational differences, but it sought church of Christ and its wide interests. the outlet and increase of christian It is a sad inversion of the apostolic charity. It rejoiced to find that the points were many and momentous on which all present agreed; but it neither said that the points on which they dis NO. III. VOL. III. 66 spirit when the transference of a conspicuous proselyte from one section of the church to another, is a source of higher exultation than the accession to the church of the saved of some notorious | bytery sustained the committee's report, sinner from an ungodly world. The one and expressed their thanks to Mr Pringle event excites rapture in heaven; per- for his services as clerk. Mr Lind intihaps the other is too trivial to attract mated his acceptance of the office of any notice there. Still there is a limit clerk. Read a statement by the congrewithin which denominational zeal might gation of Chapel Hill, of their pecuniary be innocent and even salutary. In civil affairs, embracing the last seven years, society we have often witnessed an honest and finding it not sufficiently minute, rivalry between different families-astrife agreed to require the congregation to who should count up the largest list of forward to the clerk, with as little delay worthies, and send out into the common- as possible, a more detailed account of wealth the goodliest band of brave, or their sources of income, to be transpatriotic, or learned sons; and this committed to the committee on Home Mispetition occasioned no heart-burnings sions, along with their application for and no bloodshed—nothing but a higher pecuniary aid, in the way of receiving style of family nobility. Would to God the services of the Gaelic missionaries that the different clans and families in gratis, until the meeting of Synod. Adthe Saviour's kingdom had the same journed to meet at six o'clock evening. loyalty and patriotism; and, instead of Closed with prayer. Met with the conwasting their strength in mutual ex-gregation in the church as appointed. termination, were striving who should Mr Simpson commenced with praise send out the noblest missions and the most devoted ministers who should produce the holiest people and the most numerous converts-who should supply the largest contribution to the common Christianity, and achieve the greatest services for the common Saviour! To do this, the perfecting of denominational machinery, and the development of denominational resources, might be needful; but there would be no need to demolish our neighbours' implements, or abstract our neighbours' workmen. There need be no breaking into each other's fold, so long as there are so many sheep in the wilderness; and there need be no strife between the herdsmen, so long as each may dig his own well, and write over it, REHOBOTH." and prayer. Mr Sprott preached from Luke xvii. 5, "Lord, increase our faith ;" after which, Mr Bisset delivered an address" on the value of the soul," and concluded the services in the usual manner. Adjourned to meet at Boghole next day. Boghole, 17th December.The United Associate Presbytery of Elgin met in the manse-Mr Whyte, moderator. The moderator having opened the meeting with prayer, the presbytery engaged in conversation with the elders in regard to their respective duties, and Mr Bisset having engaged in prayer, the court proceeded to hear Mr Borwick, student, deliver a discourse from Heb. iv. 1, which was approved of, and Mr Borwick was encouraged to prosecute his studies, and received several exercises from the presbytery to be prepared for next meeting. Mr Sprott laid on the table documents to show that the congregation of Archieston had fulfilled the condition of the grant of money promised to them by the Synod's Elgin. This presbytery met at Forres, Board for liquidating debts on weak conon the 16th December last, in course of gregations. The court instructed the a presbyterial visitation which they have clerk to certify the above statement to been prosecuting for some time in the the Board. The presbytery having recongregations under their inspection, with paired to the church to meet with the a view to the revival of religion. The congregation, Mr Whyte commenced court met with the session of Forres in with devotional exercises. Mr Stark the forenoon, and engaged in conversa- preached from Luke x. 11, "Notwithtion with them on the state of religion. standing be ye sure of this, that the Messrs Pringle and Lind conducted the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you." devotional exercises, and Mr Scott made After which Mr Reid delivered an adobservations on the duties of elders. dress" on the great salvation," and The presbytery having proceeded to the closed the public services in the usual transaction of their ordinary business, way. Commissioners from Campbelton the committee appointed at last meeting appeared, in pursuance of a resolution of to examine the presbytery's books, re- the congregation of Campbelton to apply ported that they had found said books to the presbytery to appoint one of their carefully and correctly kept. The pres-number to moderate in a call, with a UNITED SECESSION CHURCH. PRESBYTERIAL NOTICES. view to the settlement of a minister in a communication from the Free Church that place. The presbytery unanimously Presbytery of Cupar, proposing a conagreed to grant the prayer of their peti- ference with the Secession and Relief tion, and appointed a moderation to take Presbyteries, for the purpose of providing place on Monday after the third Sabbath | religious instruction to the railway laof January 1846, at six o'clock P.M.- bourers engaged within the bounds, when Mr Bisset to preach and preside at said it was agreed to meet for conference on moderation; and also, to ordain elders this subject on the Tuesday after the on the Sabbath immediately preceding. second Sabbath of March. Proceeded Mr Lind reported his proceedings at the to consider the call to Mr Taylor of St dispensation of the Lord's Supper in Andrews from Regent Place congregaCampbelton, and in the election of elders, tion, Glasgow, when commissioners from which were approved of. Appointed the Glasgow and St Andrews were heard; next meeting to be held on the Tuesday and Mr Taylor having intimated his and Wednesday after the second Sabbath acceptance of the call, it was agreed, of February at Nairn and Inverness, without a vote, to dissolve his connexion Mr Scott to preach, and Mr Lind to ad- with the congregation of St Andrews. dress, at Nairn; Mr Stark to preach, The presbytery agreed, at the same time, and Mr Whyte to address, at Inverness. to record their high sense of Mr Taylor's Closed with prayer. talents and character, their desire for his usefulness in the new sphere of labour to which he has been called, and their sympathy with the congregation of St Andrews in present circumstances. Mr Kennedy of Kilconquhar was appointed to preach at St Andrews on Sabbath first, and declare the church vacant. The standing committee on Missions reported their proceedings; and the members present were reminded of the Synod's appointment to report to this committee their yearly contributions to Missions by the 15th of March next. Manchester, January 19,--Which day the United Associate Presbytery of Lancashire met, and was constituted. Read an extract minute for meeting, held by the Lancashire Presbytery of the English Presbyterian Church, on January 7, 1846, agreeing to receive the deputation appointed by the United Associate Presbytery of Lancashire, to wait on them, on the subject of Christian Union. Agreed to receive and record said minute, and instructed the clerk to acknowledge said reception, and to intimate that the deputation will wait on Glasgow. This presbytery held its the Presbytery of Lancashire at the ordinary monthly meeting on Tuesday, place and time mentioned. Mr M'Ker. February 10; the Rev. John Inglis of row reported that he had had an in- Hamilton, moderator. The Rev. James terview with Dr Crichton, in reference Taylor of St Andrews having accepted to the re-union of Mount Pleasant of the call from Regent Place congregaCongregation, Liverpool, with the tion to be colleague to the Rev. Dr Presbytery;-that Dr Crichton was Heugh, his induction was appointed to favourably disposed to the object, and take place on the 26th instant; the Rev. engaged to bring the matter before his Dr King to preach, and the Rev. Drs session. As nothing more had been Heugh and Kidston to address the miheard of the matter, the Presbytery in-nister and congregation. Mr Alexander structed the clerk to write to the Doctor Wallace, under call to Alexandria, and again on the subject, and the clerk of session. Mr Baxter, student of the third year, gave a discourse on Rom. x. 9; also a lecture on Colossians iii. 1—3. The Presbytery strongly encouraged Mr Baxter to prosecute his studies. Prescribed for exercise, Rom. vi. 4, with Psalms i. and ii. in Hebrew, and 8th chapter of Romans in Greek. Cupar. This presbytery met at Cupar on the Tuesday after the first Sabbath of February, Mr Henderson of Lathones, moderator. The Rev. Dr Heugh, and Mr M'Lure, elder, of the Presbytery of Glasgow, and Rev. Mr Gemmel of the Relief Presbytery of Dysart, being present, were invited to correspond. Read Mr William Graham, under call to Mount Pleasant, Liverpool, having completed their trials to the satisfaction of the presbytery, the ordination of Mr Wallace was appointed to take place at Alexandria on the 25th instant; the Rev. Alexander M'Ewan to preach, and the Rev. Thomas Lawrie to ordain and give the charges. The ordination of Mr Graham, as colleague to the Rev. Dr Crichton, was also appointed to take place at Liverpool on the 4th March; the Rev. John Robb of Ramsay to preach, and the Rev. Dr Crichton to ordain and give the charges. It was also agreed that the Presbytery of Lancashire be invited to meet and correspond with this mised aid, to forward their donations as speedily as possible; and solicits other friends and brethren to assist him in making up this sum, which he is anxious to do, ere he leave the country in May next, on the proposed Mission to New South Wales. presbytery on the occasion. A modera- fully to acknowledge receipt of the foltion was granted to the congregation of lowing monies:-Subscriptions per Miss Busby, to take place on the 5th March; M. Duncan, Heriot Row, Edinburgh, the Rev. Andrew Smith of Cambuslang L.7, 13s., including L.5 from H. M. Gibb, to preach and preside. Messrs Brash, Esq.; ditto per Mrs M'Lellan, raised in Mearns, and Pettigrew, students of Edinburgh, L.3, 19s.; D. Anderson, Esq. divinity, having completed all their trials Glasgow, L.10; Rev. G. Robson, Lauder, to the satisfaction of the presbytery, were L-1; Wellington Street Congregational licensed to preach the everlasting gospel. Society, Glasgow, L.5; Biggar CongreDundee. This presbytery met on the gational collection, L.5; Cambusnethan 10th February. A request was made ditto, L.5; and Longridge ditto, L.5 ;— by the elder from the Rattray congre- in all, L.42, 12s. which he has paid over gation for continued supply of sermon; to the treasurer of the congregation. also that one of the presbytery's number There is still a deficiency of upwards of should be appointed to dispense the L.40; and Mr M'Lellan respectfully sacrament in that congregation on the requests those brethren who have prothird Sabbath of March. Supply of sermon was granted, and the Rev. Robert Hogg, Alyth, appointed to preside in the dispensation of the Lord's Supper in the Rattray congregation, on the third Sabbath of March. A list of the collections made in October last in the congregations of the presbytery, was ordered to be transmitted to the Synod's treasurer. Instructed the ministers to bring the overture regarding the eldership before their sessions, and to report at next meeting of presbytery. Called for the report of the committee appointed to draw up a scheme for the revival of religion in the presbytery and its bounds, when Mr Muckersie read a very interesting report, which, after consideration, was approved of, and recommended to be printed in the Secessional Intelligence of the Secession Magazine. Reappointed the committee on revival to carry out the suggestions contained in the report submitted. Next ordinary meeting of this presbytery to take place in Dundee on Tuesday, the 7th April. CONGREGATIONAL REPORTS. Braehead, January 30.-The original place of worship of this congregation, erected in 1798, owing to defects in its construction, was of necessity pulled down in the course of the past season. A commodious and comfortable church has been built at a cost of L.378, exclusive of the value of the old materials employed in the erection. The congregation, which consists of only a few more than 200 members, chiefly of the labouring classes, contributes L.190, of which L.50 go to pay off a portion of the debt on the old chapel,-thus leaving L.238 to be raised from sources external to itself. Besides aid obtained from the "Board for Liquidating Debt," &c. Mr M'Lellan has grate Langholm, 16th January.-The Missionary Society in connexion with the Secession congregation of Langholm, has raised during the past year (including the Sabbath School Missionary box,) upwards of L.42, which was divided in the following manner :— Secession Missions, Scottish Missionary Society, Moravian Missions, Continental Society, Jewish Mission, Missionary Publications, &c. L.30 0 0 4 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 L.42 0 0 In addition to the above, collections the Synod Fund, Scottish Missionary have been made during the year for Society, and Sabbath School, amounting to L.20, making the total amount for the L.62. year The Sabbath School Missionary box contained L.4, 16s. Westray, 17th January.-The annual Glasgow African Missionary 3 5 0 8 3 000 0 0 FREE TRADE. WHAT We have long firmly believed to be the chief desideratum in British policy -free trade-seems now to be fairly within sight; and most heartily do we offer our congratulations to all honest men who wish to thrive by their skill, their industry, and their good behaviour. On Tuesday, 27th January, a day which must be memorable in the history of the nation, Sir Robert Peel introduced his great scheme of commercial legislation to the House of Commons, and amazed his usual opponents, and his party adherents still more, by declaring openly and strongly for the principle of unrestricted traffic amongst nations. It is true, and we sincerely lament it, that the measure he proposes does not fully embody this principle, but a very large instalment is to be immediately paid, and, in the nature of things, we have ample security for the whole amount, after an interval which cannot be long, and which, we hope, may prove shorter than is generally expected. In the great article of corn, a new but vastly reduced sliding scale is to be introduced, the duty on wheat rising to 10s. per quarter, when the home price is under 48s., and ranging downwards to 4s. when the price is 53s. or upwards. This scheme, it is proposed, shall remain in force till 1st Feb. 1849, after which all foreign grain shall be admitted at a duty of 1s. per quarter. Many other duties on provisions are also to be either greatly reduced or entirely abolished. All kinds of grain or meal, the produce of British colonies out of Europe, are to be immediately admitted duty free. There is to be some abatement of the differential duty on foreign sugar, though a most unreasonable protection is still to be allowed to the West India interest. On various other important articles of consumption, there is to be a reduction such as will bring the price slightly down, but will chiefly be useful as encouraging trade with foreigners. Along with these reductions on raw produce, and partly as a set-off against them, it is proposed that there shall be a reduction also, or in some cases an entire abolition, of the duties on the importation of a great number of manufactured articles. To this no reasonable objection can be offered. Let the principle be fairly carried out. The League, and free traders generally, have always declared their readiness to abandon the protection of manufactures. Indeed, we are persuaded many of these duties now to be abolished must have been wholly inoperative of no more effect than a duty on the importation of coals to Newcastle. Their repeal, therefore, will have no other result than relieving the statute-book from so many monuments of national |