BOARD FOR LIQUIDATION OF DEBT. After long deliberation, the Synod as soon as possible; and appointed a dismissed Mr Marshall's protest and committee to take the matter into consiappeal as ill founded, affirmed the sen- deration, and prepare a draft of measures tence of the presbytery of Edinburgh, which the Synod may adopt for the purand agreed to appoint a committee to pose of securing the better sanctification meet with Mr Marshall, and deal with of the Sabbath. The committee aphim for the purpose of bringing him pointed consisted of Dr Brown, Rev. W. to contrition and right exercise. This Parlane, A. Thomson, W. Thomson, G. decision having been read, was inti- Johnstone; Messrs Jas. Young, and J. mated to Mr Marshall by the mode- Boyd, elders. Mr Johnstone, convener, rator. Mr Marshall then read a paper of protest, refusing to submit to the Mr GREIG said, it now became his sentence of the court, and declaring duty to submit to the Synod the position his separation from the communion of and prospects of the church as regarded the Secession Church. It was decided congregational debt, and certain statisby a vote, that Mr Marshall, being a fugitive from the discipline of the church, and his protest being expressed in disrespectful terms, it could not be inserted in the records of the Synod. He was then declared to be no longer a minister or member of the United Secession Church; and all ministers and members of the Secession Churchwere prohibited from holding ministerial fellowship with him; and it was remitted to the presbytery of Edinburgh to take what steps may be required by this decision, according to the rules of the church. tics bearing upon this subject, which would be deemed both interesting and important. He held in his hand tables carefully prepared from returns which had been made to queries sent, during the last year, to all the congregations of the body, requesting information on the following points:-1st, The amount of debt existing on each; 2d, the annual burdens; 3d, the number of members; 4th, the number of adherents; and, 5th, the amount of debt paid off during the previous five years. To these queries answers had been returned from 355 congregations; and from 29 congre. gations no return had been received. The answers received enabled him to present the following results, to which he begged the special attention of the At the commencement of the sederunt Synod. The debt resting upon the 355 on Wednesday, a letter was read from the congregations referred to amounted to Relief Synod, addressed to the modera- L.129,045. If the 29 congregations, tor, acknowledging receipt of the extract which had made no return, were calcu minutes of the Secession Synod, and in- lated upon the average (L.363, 10s.) of timating their appointment of a commit- those which had made returns, their tee to act in concert with the committee debt would amount to the additional of the Secession Synod, and measures sum of preparatory to the proposed union; and the agreement of that Synod to receive the deputation this evening at seven o'clock. On the motion of Rev. R. PATERSON, Kirkwall, a committee was appointed to prepare a letter of condolence with Dr Heugh, under the painful circumstances in which he has been placed. WEDNESDAY EVENING. The Synod proceeded to consider an overture from the presbytery of Edinburgh, that the Synod adopt such measures as may, by the blessing of God, tend to counteract the evil of Sabbath profanation; and promote the observance of the Lord's Day, by members of the Secession Church. L.10,541 Making the entire debt on the Total members, 8,077 106,958 32,050 Rev. Mr PARLANE spoke at considerable length in support of the overture. After discussion, the Synod approved of the object of the overture; recom- Total of members and adherents, 139,008 mended to presbyteries and sessions to give particular attention to this subject These results brought out one aspect of NO. VI. VOL. III. N N at or under L.200. Now, as those who 720 560 L.1,700 our finances which could not fail to or about one-half of the Secession constrike one as singular; namely, that we gregations which have no debt, or debts had just about as many members and adherents as we had pounds sterling of debt, so that if every such person were to contribute twenty shillings, the entire debt of the church would at one swoop be extinguished. He called attention to this result, moreover, not merely to mark the singularity of the coincidence, but to show that the extinction of our debt was not the hopeless thing which it had too long been considered to bethat it was quite attainable, and, did we but set ourselves to the work in right earnest, might be accomplished within a few years. And he could assure them that the church had committed the management of her financial affairs into the hands of men who were determined to give her no rest, until every farthing of debt should be discharged. Mr Greig stated, that he founded his anticipations of the extinction of our entire debt at no distant day, not altogether nor so much upon the circumstance that the tables already quoted showed it to be practicable and not difficult, as upon the facts brought out by the returns referred to, in regard to the amount of debt which has actually been paid during the last five years. The tables in his hands showed the following results-results he was satisfied which would astonish and gratify them: 355 congregations have paid off debt amounting to L.69,642 29 congregations who have made no return, calculated at same average, 5,689 L.75,331 A number of congregations have, since these returns were furnished, discharged considerable sums of debt, certainly not less than 4,669 So that were the very moderate sum of L.1700 placed at the disposal of the Board, it may fairly be assumed that a considerable number of congregations would be induced to sweep away their debts; and, by the application of a moral stimulus to the others just referred to, we might, at the end of a single twelvemonth, have the half of our churches entirely free of the burden of debt. Not, indeed, that we would or ought to stop short there; the Synod should endeavour now, or at its meeting in October, to engage the whole congregations of the denomination in this work. Let those who may be moved be plied with motive, and spurred on in every way; and if there be any who may be deemed immovable, they perhaps may catch the impulse, or move too for very shame. Mr. Greig reminded the Synod of some remarks of Dr King on the previous Wednesday, on the connexion between the extinction of debt and the extension of missions. There could be no doubt that there was a very intimate connexion, and, he begged the attention of ministers especially to this aspect of the case. He knew that many ministers disliked to meddle with the money matters of their people; and he knew that when they did feel it to be their duty to urge upon sessions, and managers, and people the reduction of debt, their motives, however pure, were liable to suspicion. It was sometimes hinted that an increase of stipend, or some other personal consideration, prompted the suggestion. Now, here was a great, an unanswerable ar81 gument for ministers to employ with 41 their people. The conversion of the Debt paid off during last 5 years, L.80,000 being at the rate of L.16,000 a year. Mr Greig proceeded to give some farther statistics, for the purpose of inducing the church to strengthen the hands of the Board for assisting weak congregations. He stated that the tables produced showed that the number of congregations in the body which had no debt was Do. with debt under L.100, under L.200, at L.200, 47 world is connected with the extinction 14 of debt; the money which is swallowed up by debt is wanted for the missionary 183 treasury. Take the L.80,000 which has been paid during the last five years; and were these congregations-the reduction or extinction of whose debt has produced this result-to pay the same amount into the mission funds which has heretofore been handed to the lenders of the money, it would, at four per cent., yield L.3200 per annum; and were the remaining debt extinguished, it would (without exacting one farthing more from the church than she contributes annually at the present moment) yield a further annual revenue of L.5580, or a cumulo amount of L.8780 a-year, which has hitherto found its way into the pockets of the creditor, and which is wanted for our missions, which are now stretching forth their arms to every quarter of the globe. The Synod agreed, on the proposal of Mr Greig, to remit the whole case and details to the Board, with a view to their preparing a practical proposal to be submitted to the Synod in October; and agreed further to take the whole matter into their consideration on the first Tuesday evening of its meeting. An overture regarding a new scheme for liquidation of debt, from Eglinton Street, Glasgow, was remitted to said Board. SABBATH SCHOOLS. can nothing be done to elevate the standard of Sabbath school instruction, by bringing into the field a higher class of labourers, and by various hints and plans, bringing up the efficiency of the system to the highest perfection. Even this is not all that we are anxious to press on the attention of the Synod. We wish to see the benevolent cares of our church extended to the children of irreligious parents, and just as far as our congregations are able to supply teachers, we want to see instituted, on a very extensive scale, a mission to the young. There is one thing more which we are most desirous to see attempted and effected. That in connexion with these missionary schools, there shall be instituted a series of senior or advanced classes, into which the young person shall be drafted at the age of twelve or thirteen, and brought under a system of tuition better suited to his years and to his knowledge. It is the want of this kind of classes that accounts in no small degree for the comparative inefficiency of our Sabbath schools. Some one may be ready to ask here -has not the ground been almost entirely occupied already? and what use The following papers were read:- is there for seeking with such earnest(1.) Overture by the presbytery of Edin-ness to press the matter upon the attenburgh regarding Sabbath schools. (2.) tion of the Synod? My answer is look Memorial of Edinburgh Sabbath School at statistics, and you will find that much Teachers' Union. (3) Memorial of Sab- land remains to be possessed, and that bath school teachers in Secession con- amid the proverbial activity of the pregregations in Edinburgh. sent hour, there has been a strange lack of Sabbath school agency. Edinburgh is generally supposed to be the best supplied with Sabbath schools of any city in the empire, but what are the facts regarding it? There are 10,000 children in it almost entirely destitute of religious instruction. Rev. A. THOMSON said-I regard it as at once a fortunate and a hopeful circumstance, that in such a place as this I do not need to argue the general question of Sabbath schools. I believe I address very few persons at this moment who have not often been themselves the advocates of this class of Christian institutions. And Next take Glasgow. It is calculated the time has long since come, at least in that there are 20,000 children there rethe Secession Church, when to be doubt-ceiving no Sabbath school instruction. ful or cold on this matter would be to In villages and rural districts, it is bring into suspicion either our Christian found that matters are, in general, no intelligence or our Christian sincerity. The question we are anxious to press on the attention of the Synod, is not are Sabbath schools right or wrong?" but have these institutions, which all of us concur in admiring and advocating, been established as extensively by the churches in Scotland, and especially by the Secession Church, as they might and should be? Does the measure of our Sabbath school arrangements correspond with the number and necessities of our young? Are our own young under our own care? And when this is the case, better. A school lately opened in the country, brought out eighty scholars who had never been at a Sabbath school. *7 What is it then that we propose should be done? We recommend the following :— 1. The appointment of a committee to receive a complete return of the Sabbath school statistics of the Secession Church; and to digest and prepare a report on the subject, for next meeting of Synod. It is only by knowing what has already been done that we can know what is to be done. 2. The calling of particular attention to this matter, either by a very strong minute, or by a short synodical address to sessions and presbyteries. resolve with all the unanimity of men who are of one heart and of one soul, and with all the solemnity of men who feel that to us have been com3. The appointment of a day in which mitted the interests of immortal souls, the attention of our congregations shall that nothing shall be wanting on our be simultaneously turned to this subject, part, to bring about the thrice happy by the preaching of a sermon or ser-hour, when it shall be said, not only of mons, and especially calling upon mem- every individual in our congregations, bers of the churches who are living in a but of every individual in our land, state of inaction, to come forth and give" From a child thou hast known the themselves to the work of Sabbath school Holy Scriptures, which are able to tuition. make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus." As I said at the commencement of my remarks, so say I now. I do not need to argue the point with the Synod; at the same time, there is reason to fear that, while cordially admitting the duty, we are not sufficiently impressed either with its momentous nature, or with our facilities for meeting its claims. Have we felt as we ought, that the children of the present hour are those who, in a few years, are to give its tone and character to the church, and to the world and either to be the salt of the earth, or its thorns and briars? The Synod expressed their cordial approval of the spirit and design of these papers: recommended all sessions to hold a meeting or meetings with a view to extending, and still farther improving the arrangements for the religious education of the young, and to ministers to call the particular attention of their congregations to the matter; and appointed a committee to prepare a short address on the subject, especially calling attention to the erection of missionary Sabbath schools for the children of irre Have we reflected that the real ques-ligious parents, and senior or advanced tion is not education or no education, but good education or bad education? If we do not instruct the rising race, Satan will. Have we realised the advantages we possess in the accessibility of children, in their impressibility and docility, advantages we can only possess once in regard to a particular generation? Have we thought of the multitude of well qualified teachers which our church numbers in her fellowship, a number, in which it is my deliberate conviction, she stands unequalled and even unapproached? Have we reflected on the simplicity and on the cheapness of the agency, bringing this field of usefulness within the reach even of the poorest church. For example, it is calculated that one collection in the year, will be sufficient to provide Sabbath school instruction for every child in Edinburgh? Have we thought how such a system of operations efficiently conducted, reflects back a double influence upon the spiritual condition of our churches ? Above all, have we awaked to the principle, that the measure of our means is the measure of our responsibility, and that a system of religious tuition commensurate with the juvenile population of Scotland, would, in one age, elevate the religion, and the morality, of our beloved land, fifty-fold. Oh, let us classes; and also to obtain a complete return of the Sabbath school statistics of the Secession church, and to digest and prepare a report on the subject for next meeting of Synod. THURSDAY, MAY 14. COMMON SCHOOL EDUCATION. An overture from the presbytery of Edinburgh respecting the union of the friends of education on enlarged and liberal principles, for the establishment, on a proper basis, of common schools in Scotland, was next taken into considera+ tion. The Synod cordially adopted the overture, and appointed a committee, with power to confer with committees of other evangelical denominations in Scotland, respecting the measures which it may be deemed advisable to adopt, by means of the institution of an educational associa tion, or otherwise, for promoting common school education in this country on enlarged and liberal principles. The Synod further instructed the committee to report to next meeting of Synod, and agreed to set apart an early sederunt of that meeting for the consideration of this important question. The committee is as follows:-Dr M'Farlane, Dr Baird, Rev. D. Thomas, H. Renton, J. Smart, Dr Harper, A. Thomson, W. Thomson, W. Johnston, Dr James Taylor, Messrs W. S. Mitchell, D. Anderson, P. Hamilton. Rev. W. cordially approved of the principle of Thomson, convener. It was remitted to the committee on public questions, which was appointed at this time, to take into their consideration a bill for increasing the salaries of parochial schoolmasters, with instructions to take all proper measures for obtaining the abolition of the test by which eligibility to the office of parochial schoolmaster is restricted to members of the Established church, The same committee was appointed to consider a bill before parliament for the regulation of charitable trusts in England. LETTER OF SYMPATHY TO DR HEUGH. In pursuance of a resolution of the Synod formerly adopted, a letter of sympathy, addressed to Dr Heugh, was read; and the committee by whom it was prepared was instructed to forward it without delay. THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION. Entered on the consideration of an overture from the presbytery of Stirling and Falkirk respecting the superintendence by presbyteries of students in languages and philosophy, who aspire to the office of the ministry. The Synod approved of the object of the overture; remitted it to a committee to take the whole subject to which it refers under their careful consideration; and to recommend to next meeting of Synod the measures which they may deem it advisable to adopt for securing an effective and uniform superintendence by all presbyteries of the students in languages, philosophy and theology, who are in their bounds, and for promoting the interests of theological education generally in the Secession Church. The committee to consist of the Professors, Dr D. Young, W. Pringle, J. Cairns, Dr Robson, Dr John Taylor, Dr James Taylor, W. Johnston, P. M'Dowal, P. Davidson, Dr King, A. Thomson, W. Thomson, H. Renton, D. Thomas, Jas. Hay. The Synod agreed to authorise the presbytery of Edinburgh to sustain the attendance of a student on the moral philosophy class in the Free Church college, during the session of 1844-5. MINISTERS' LIBRARIES. In connexion with various overtures from presbyteries regarding the formation of libraries in congregations for the use of their ministers, the Synod these overtures; and appointed a board to devise measures for carrying the scheme into effect, with power, in the meantime, to obtain contributions in its behalf: said committee to report to the Synod in October. THEOLOGICAL LIBRARY. The committee appointed on theological education was empowered to direct their attention to the present state of the theological library, and to take measures, without delay, for placing it on such a footing as shall render it in the highest practical degree a benefit to the Theological Hall and the church generally; and presbytery clerks were enjoined, in the mean time, to exact the sum of five shillings from all students on behalf of its funds. An overture concerning remuneration to congregations injured by translations was dismissed. A protest by the Rev. John Lamb against a deed of the presbytery of Perth refusing to record a dissent, was unanimously sustained. A petition from the late East Regent Street congregation, Glasgow, and its managers, was refused-the Synod expressing, however, its sympathy with the petitioners in their trying situation. An overture from the Glasgow presbytery on the Scottish universities was remitted to the committee on public questions, who were authorised to express, in a petition to parliament, the unanimous opinion of the Synod against the continuance of the religious tests at present existing in the universities of Scotland. The presbytery of Edinburgh was authorised to certify a student for admission to the second session of the Divinity Hall, who had been unable to attend the class of natural philosophy. In a reference by the presbytery of Perth respecting the congregation of Leslie, lately under the inspection of Rev. W. Scott, it was decided by a majority of one, that supply of sermon be not given to the applicants. The case of a member of the congregation of Wick was remitted to the presbytery of Elgin. The Board of Missions. was reappointed, with the addition of Dr James Taylor, and Rev. Alexander Duncan; and was instructed to report in October respecting the salary to be allowed to the Synod treasurer. Several other cases were delayed; and the session of Synod closed with prayer at a late hour on Thursday evening |