'In Toronto presbytery there are se- their visit, while it will be advantageous veral stations, none of which, so far as I to the brethren in Canada, will operate am aware, would be able to support their beneficially upon the church at home own minister at present, although, in all that it will strengthen the bond which likelihood, they would be as soon as there exists between the Canadian Synod and was a regular supply of sermon; for ir- our own-that the facts which they regular supply is the great drawback to gather will awaken a deeper interest success. In consequence of the want of throughout our church in the spiritual labourers, each minister has frequently welfare of that colony, and that the into take charge of three and four different formation which they spread will be the fields; the interval between preaching means of stimulating our preachers to days becomes so great that the people offer their services to cultivate this probecome careless, and in some cases for- mising field. And we rest the duty of get; but, at all events, the certain result sending such a deputation on the grounds, is to dispirit and render negligent. Were that the brethren in Canada have retheir feelings once called into exercise, peatedly implored us to do so that the and the proper stimulus kept in constant circumstances of the church there call for operation, these persons would become special attention at the present timeearnest and constant in their attendance and above all, that this is a service which, on divine ordinances, and also in the the scripture tells us, a parent church maintenance of religion. owes to her ecclesiastical offspring. It is the first aspect in which the missionary principle presents itself in the christian church. When the apostles heard that the Samaritans had received the gospel, they sent to them Peter and John-and when tidings reached Jerusalem of the success which attended the preaching of the word at Antioch, the rulers of the church sent forth Barnabas to carry on the good work. We anticipate very beneficial results from this measure, and are convinced, that even in an economical point of view it will be advantageous; and we pray that the divine head of the church may guide, protect, and sustain the members of the deputation, and enable them rightly to exhort all whom they visit, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord;' and may the issue be, that much people shall be added unto the Lord!?”

'In the Hamilton presbytery there are five or six vacancies, some of which have subscribed to the amount of one hundred pounds currency, and there is every prospect of an increase both in membership and ability. This may be expected, as settlers are still flocking in-towns and villages are fast increasing and while the agricultural and commercial energies of the province are not in full exercise, they are fast developing. Even at present, I do not know but that a minister's place here is preferable to one at home; and in a short time there will not be a country so favourably circumstanced as this for the support of gospel ordinances.'

The deputation which it has been resolved to send out to Canada, to visit our churches and stations there, and to pay also a friendly visit to our Secession brethren in Nova Scotia, is thus mentioned in the report :→→

"We are happy to state, that we have secured, for this important work, the able services of the Rev. Mr Paterson, Kirkwall; the Rev. James Robertson, Portsburgh Church, Edinburgh; and David Anderson, Esq., a member of the session of Greyfriars, Glasgow. These brethren will leave in a few days, and the objects which they are intended to secure are such as these-to encourage our brethren labouring in that distant field-to convey to them and to their congregations the good wishes of their brethren in the church at home to obtain accurate statistics of the congregations, stations, and wants of the province and to excite our friends there to renewed and persevering exertions in the work of the Lord. We expect also that

The following particulars respecting the Persian version of the Old Testament are interesting: སྡུས ༽ལྔ

"As considerable difficulties lie in the way of circulating the scriptures in that country, where it is death by law for a Mahommedan to embrace the christian religion, and as the Board are unanimously of opinion that the Old Testament scriptures should not be circulated without the New-that we should give, if possible, the entire revelation of God; and as the British and Foreign Bible Society have a Persic New Testament, respectful application was made to the committee of that society, requesting to know if they would be willing to aid us, and to what extent, in this important undertaking. That noble institution has, we are happy to state, spontaneously and kindly offered, in the event of our resolving to send an

agent into Persia, to grant us an edition of the Persic New Testament, translated by the late Rev. Henry Martyn, and edited by the learned Professor Lee of Cambridge; and in order that it may be uniform with Dr Glen's version of the Old Testament, they have agreed to defray the expense of printing it at the Edinburgh press. This offer has been accepted by the Board-the printing is going forwards-and thus that society, which gave a donation of L.500 to assist us in printing the Old Testament, again presents us with 2000 copies of the New Testament a gift equal in value to L.350. By this liberal act the Synod will be put in possession of the whole scriptures in the Persian language. It deserves to be noticed also as a remarkable circumstance, that a Persian translation of the Rev. Dr Keith's "Evidences of Prophecy," made by Dr Merrick, one of the American missionaries, has, under the editorial care of Dr Glen, and at the expense mainly of the London Tract Society, just been printed by Mr Constable. Thus we shall have, in a short time, an entire bible, along with a work which demonstrates the truth of its predictions, to circulate in a country abounding with scriptural and literary associations, the inhabitants of which are the slaves of superstition, and the blinded votaries of the false prophet, but who are destined to obtain mercy in the latter days.

year, and that the total expenditure was L.9580, 2s. 84d. For the Synod's general fund there had been collected during the year, by 352 congregations out of the 390 of which the Synod consists, the sum of L.1276, 6s. 73d., while the expenditure had been L.846, 6s. 3d.

Mr ANDERSON, Glasgow, gave in a verbal report, regarding the Debt liquidation and building fund, from which it appeared that the finances were not only. completely exhausted, but that there was a deficit of about L.720. This state of things was ascribed to the great efforts which had been making during the last year for other objects in connexion with the church. Mr Anderson stated that, within the last seven years, debt amounting to not less than L.70,000 (it was afterwards stated by Mr Greig at L.80,000), had been liquidated; and he said that, by a very moderate effort, the greater part of the debt on their churches might be extinguished.

Dr KING moved that the report read by Mr Somerville be adopted and printed. In doing so, he pronounced a warm eulogium upon the ability, zeal, and prudence, with which Mr Somerville had performed his duties, since he had been appointed to the important office of secretary to the Board of Missions. He (Dr King) had been requested, on the forenoon of that day, to make a few remarks on "the duty of daily living for Christ;" and though he might have "We may state also, that a benevolent pleaded the shortness of the notice as member of our church has suggested to an apology for declining to undertake the Board, in the event of our sending the task-more especially, as close attendan agent into Persia for the work of dis-ance on synodical business prevented him tribution, to depute along with him a from preparing for it as he should like young man of good character and talents, to have done-it was so agreeable in who may learn the language, and be itself, and so congenial to his feelings, prepared to carry on the mission, and that he could not refuse. It was not that this friend has engaged to pay the said in the topic assigned to him, in salary of the assistant. Thus we are what way Christians are to live for Christ. making progress. We have three in- One might work in this-another in that stances of a presbytery uniting to sup- manner; but it is implied that every port an individual missionary; we have follower of Christ is to do it in some way several instances of a single congregation or another, and to do it daily. He was sustaining a missionary; we have here now addressing especially ministers and an individual promising to pay an assist- elders; and it could not be questioned ant missionary; and we have just another that it was specially incumbent on both step to make, and that is, single persons classes of office-bearers to live for Christ supporting each a missionary, and then in the faithful discharge of their official we may say to the darkened nations, functions. It belonged to ministers to 'Arise and shine, for your light has be instant in season and out of season; and so to commend themselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God, as that those among whom they laboured would esteem them highly in love for their works' sake. It was incumbent on elders to "rule well," and to watch for

come.'

Mr JAS. PEDDIE read his report of finance, from which it appeared that the total income for the Mission fund, for the past year, was L.10,505, 18s. 6d., being L.4500 more than the previous

L

souls as they that must give account. | Such persons had, in some instances, But the duty of living for Christ was unexpectedly recovered; and he had been not confined to ministers and elders. astonished afterwards to observe the very One great use of official station was to same reluctance manifested as formerly call into exercise unofficial usefulness. to give a contribution for some religious An important part of their work was to object which they might be solicited to prevail on others to work. They were promote. Such facts he accounted for very ready to suppose that it was their by means of the law of habit. Hence part to teach, and that the part of their the importance of training the young people was to learn; and their people mind to usefulness as a habit; for if such were very ready to suppose this also; a habit was not formed in youth, it was but it was their duty to inculcate this not likely to be acquired in advanced great principle upon their people, that life. He narrated the case of a boy who, all of them were to be teachers. He having heard of missions, began to give held indeed that official distinctions ex- the small sums of money which came into isted in the christian church by the his hands for the spread of the gospel. appointment of Christ; and in these He fell sick. His friends who visited arrangements he saw proofs of the divine him in his illness brought him presents; wisdom of their Master; but still every and among these gifts were several sums one who is himself taught of God, must of money. Before he died, he requested teach his neighbour and his brother, say- his parents to come to his bedside, and ing, "Know the Lord, till all shall know to bring the money with them; and, him from the least to the greatest." giving directions as to the manner in When it came to this, that Christians which it was to be expended, he said generally sought to give out the blessings that he was dying, but that he knew that they enjoyed, then they were to expect black children would die too; and he the fulfilment of the "glorious things" which had been spoken of the church, for it would be an evidence that "the day of her redemption draweth nigh." It was cheering for them to know that they had numerous devoted and successful missionaries; but their people must know and feel that they were to be missionaries themselves, and to labour as agents in the evangelisation of the world. Every believer should feel that as he is Christ's, so he should live for Christ. It might be said that some classes Servants were not to be excluded from were to be excluded from the range of the obligation to live for Christ. They this rule. For example, it might be were often the only individuals in families supposed that children were not to be who, by their spirit and demeanour, had expected to do any thing for Christ; but an opportunity of recommending religion whoever might be imagined to be ex- to those around them. How frequently empt from the application of the principle could they drop a word for Christ in the in question, children were assuredly not hearing of those who were ignorant of to be exempted. He alluded to the divine truth, and say," If the prophet extraordinary power of habit; and illus had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest trated his remarks by referring to the thou not have done it? how much rather case of rich Christians whom he had then, when he saith to thee, wash and be visited when they were laid upon a bed of clean ?" In regard to contributions for sickness. In these circumstances, what- the spread of the Redeemer's kingdom, ever might be the hold that relations servants had an opportunity of giving had of the affections, the world was much absolutely; and in point of fact, seen in all its emptiness and vanity; often gave to an extent, which, relatively and in the prospect of death, no unwilling-to their income, cast into the shade the ness was expressed to leave it. He had costliest offerings of the wealthy and the often in such cases said to himself-were powerful. He here narrated the case of such persons to recover, what readiness a servant who had called upon him with would there be to devote to Christ's the sum of L.5, which she wished him cause a large portion of that wealth of to transmit to the mission fund. Fearwhich they seemed ready to let go their ing that she might be exerting herself hold, without a single regretful emotion! beyond her ability, he inquired into her

NO. VI. VOL. III.

wished to give all that he had to send them the gospel, that they might know how to die in peace and safety. He (Dr K.) had been privileged to be the channel through which this contribution was sent to our mission fund. Children were in this way to be brought to the paths of usefulness; for in being taught to be useful they are taught to come to Christ,-who said, "Suffer them to come to me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." 400 10 10 6

K K

eircumstances, and found that she had the country, it was to be expected that saved from her earnings only a very congregations should at first be small small sum. He requested her to pause before they came to be large. Congregat before giving so much; but she assured tions, also, in country districts, which him that she had not acted rashly, and might be otherwise in a prosperous and that she had hesitated, not whether her healthy condition, were always kept contribution should be less than L.5, small, from the constant drain that was but whether it should be L.10. He at taking place year by of the mem length consented to accept her offering bers of which they were composed, into on condition that should she ever be the larger congregations in towns. They reduced to straits, she would inform him, were not, however, on this account to be that through him she might have her neglected or abandoned. Considering necessities supplied. A short period the urgency of their claims, it was an afterwards he had been told of her death; important question how their case was and he needed not to say how happy he to be met. They must look in this as in felt that he had not been allowed to re- other things, for guidance to the law of press the generous emotions of her soul. Christ. That law prescribed what was The sum of the whole was, that they the duty of the church in regard to the were all to return to their homes, with support of divine ordinances; it likewise the resolution to be more active and pointed out what was the duty of the more devoted than ever, in living for church as it respected the diffusion of Christ. The Saviour did not design that the gospel ;-and in these instances they they should resemble the stagnant lake, recognised its authority. Did it say retaining all that it receives, and giving anything as to the duty of the church in out nothing but pestilential vapour: relation to its weaker congregations how much kinder was it that he wished He apprehended that question was satisthem to resemble the flowing stream, factorily answered in that announcement which beautifies and fertilises the region of the Saviour's mind on this subject to through which it passes. They were which he was now calling their attention, not intended to resemble the dark object viz. that "the strong should help the which wore a gloomy aspect even when weak." It was doubtless necessary that surrounded by the light of day: how great care should be taken that, in the much kinder was it that they were told application of the principle embodied in to resemble the sun, which throws its this maxim, one class of evils should not radiance across the wide realms of nature be created in the church while it was yea, like the Maker of that sun, who sought to provide a remedy for another. causes his light to arise on the evil and But admitting that all proper checks the good. "Be ye therefore merciful, should be employed in guarding against as your Father who is in heaven is this, the law of Christ, in providing for merciful." a state of things which might be expect -The Rev. D. THOMAS of Mauchline, ed ever to exist, more or less, in the next addressed the Synod on "the duty church, was clear and distinct. It reof the strong to help the weak" in a quired that the weaker congregations of church. He said, that in the able report a church should be supported to the which had been read by their zealous extent that was needed by the church and excellent secretary, reference had itself, of which they formed an integral been made to a measure which was part. It was not by civil endowments about to be proposed for extending effec. or regium donums, or such like expedis tual assistance to their weak congrega-ents, that their case was to be met, or tions. He did not intend now to enter assistance was to be dispensed to them! into any discussion as to the merits of While it was to be held as a first prin that measure. Another opportunity eiple, that each congregation was bound, would occur for considering the details up to the extent of its ability, however which it embraced and the principles on small its numbers or weak its resources, which it was based. He might remark, to

However, that from statistical informa Ontribute to the support of its own

tion extensively acquired and accurately digested, it was evident that a very considerable number of congregations would require assistance. In a church of their size there was nothing surprising in this. Where missionary operations were carried on throughout the destitute parts of

it belonged to the church, as such, to provide for any deficiency that existed in the maintenance of a dispen sation of the gospel. blow dow

But this law required something more even than this. It pointed out those in the church on whom, in an especial manner, this duty fell, and required that strong con

This

gregations should make their more am- on which this measure was based.m ple resources available in supplying the would serve a good purpose by recognisz wants of weaker congregations. "Looking the divine authority of that provision not every man on his own things, but also which had been made by the Saviour for on the things of others," was the princi- the support of those congregations which ple laid down by the apostle.." Bear ye needed assistance; And, in the second one another's burdens, and so fulfil the place, they might, in the appropriation law of Christ." It was only those who of their funds, raised for benevolent and were strong that were able to assist in extra-congregational purposes, give a bearing the burdens of the weak, and higher place to the claims of weak con thus to give effect to this wise and gregations. If a sum of L4000 for gracious provision of the Saviour, for thereby were needed, it might surely be preserving in a state of general prosperity expected that at least 1.3000 of this the interests of his church. "Not that amount would be contributed by their other men be eased," said the apostle, larger and wealthier congregations, ban and you burdened; but by an equality, It was impossible to estimate the ad that now at this time your abundance vantages that might be anticipated to remight be a supply of their wants, that sult from the measure proposed, if car their abundance also may be a supply of ried into effect in the spirit, and under your want, that there may be equality." the generous sympathies, of the gospel. There were enough of resources in the If they would witness "the love of the church for the supply of all the wants of brethren," which the gospel inspires, the church, provided these resources pervading more fully, in all its delightful were brought out, and "the abundance" influences, the different portions of their they furnished were properly diffused. church, the principle which he had been This was what the law of the Saviour enjoined.

+

pointing out must have free scope in its exercise. What was the law of the The claims which the members of Saviour on this subject? Was it not their weak congregations had upon them the law of love-that love which made were very strong. One with them- the church of Christ to feel that, when selves in the faith and fellowship of the one part of the body suffered, all the gospel, they were struggling to maintain other parts suffered with it? If they their principles, to uphold their testi- would have the unity of the church promony on behalf of the liberties and pri- moted, this principle of the strong sup vileges of the church, and to carry for- porting the weak, must be inculcated and ward along with themselves the interests acted upon. Their polity as a Presbyof the kingdom of God both at home and terian church afforded the best facilities abroad. And, although this could not for securing unity and compactness in be said to be in any peculiar sense a regard to their system of intercommuministers' question, but a question re- nion. But the principles by which this lating to the church's duty in yielding system was to be wrought out to advanobedience to the law of the Saviour, tage must be those not of mere formal still it could not be doubted that it was technicality, but of living power, leading one in which the comfort and respect- to a reciprocation, between the different ability, as well as the usefulness, of a portions of the church, of holy affection. considerable number of the ministers of These were the bonds by which a church their church were involved. He was was bound together. If, in a word, they aware that many of their larger and would see their missionary operations, more opulent congregations, who were in in which they were all so deeply interestthe habit of contributing liberally to the ed, carried on with efficiency, they must cause of Christ, were engaged in carrying make use of the provision which the law out varied plans of benevolent enterprise, of the Saviour supplied for strengthening and thus had the funds, large though the weaker parts of their church. Then they were, which they were raising for might it be expected that the inspired missionary objects, in some measure description of a church in their case pledged for their support. But still he would be realised "The whole body considered that these congregations fitly joined together, and compacted by might do two things in present circum- that which every joint supplieth, accordstances which would aid greatly in carrying to the effectual working in the meaing out the practical measure which they contemplated. They might give a favourable testimony of their open and avowed acknowledgment of the principle

sure of every part, maketh increase of the body, unto the edifying of itself in love."

Mr PEDDIE read a letter which be had received from the Rev. Mr Thomas,