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MONTHLY RETROSPECT.

AMERICA.

by its said second article, for the abrogation of the said convention of the 6th August 1827." This joint resolution has been subscribed by the President, and is now a law of the States. The British minister at Washington declares his conviction, that the form of notice which has been adopted by Congress will greatly contribute to bring about an honourable and pacific adjustment of the question. The opinion, we believe, is very generally entertained on both sides of the Atlantic, that the danger of a war has now almost entirely passed away. Every right-hearted man will rejoice in such a prospect, and cherish fervent gratitude to the " God of Peace," that, for the present, our fears have been disappointed.

BRITISH ANTI-STATE CHURCH ASSOCIATION.

An

Ir will be recollected, that in the beginning of February, the United States' House of Representatives resolved, by a majority of 163 to 53, "that the President of the United States cause notice to be given to the government of Great Britain, that the convention between the United States of America and Great Britain, concerning the territory of the north-west coast of America, west of the Stony Mountains (Oregon), of the 6th August 1827, signed at London, shall be abrogated in twelve months after giving said notice." This, so far as that House of the legislature was concerned, was substantially a resolution for war with Britain. The Senate, however, have happily displayed a different spirit, and passed a much more moderate and pacific resolution, to the effect that the notice should be given "at the discretion of the President, and with a view to renewed efforts for an amicable settlement." The resolution, so amended, on being brought back to the Representatives, for their consideration, had the conciliatory clause struck out. The Senate refused to acquiesce in it thus mutilated. A conference of the two Houses, conducted by three members of each, then took place, the result of which has been, the passing of a deed, the latter part of which is as follows:-" And whereas it has now become desirable that the respective claims of the United States and Great Britain should be definitively settled, and that said territory may, no longer than need be, remain subject to the evil consequences of the divided allegiance of its Ame- "1st. That we are more than ever rican and British population, and of the impressed with the deep truth and moconfusion and conflict of national jurisdic- ment of those grounds on which the tions, dangerous to the cherished peace Anti-State Church Association is foundand good understanding of the two coun- ed; that the labours and operations of tries with a view, therefore, that steps this society have already attracted unbe taken for the abrogation of the said precedented attention to the voluntary convention of the 6th August 1827, in the principle, as the only scriptural and legimode prescribed in its second article, and timate means of advancing the christian that the attention of the governments of religion, and have subjected its claims to both countries may be more earnestly a free discussion and to searching exaand immediately directed to the adop-mination. That the consequence of this tion of all proper measures for a speedy has been to demonstrate more fully than and amicable adjustment of the difficul- ever, that all secular and legislative insties and disputes in respect to said terri- terference in the affairs of the church tory, Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States, in Congress assembled, that the President of the United States be, and he is hereby authorised, at his discretion, to give the British government the notice required

THE second annual meeting of the Council of this association was held at Leicester on Thursday and Friday, 7th and 8th of May. Those assembled manifested a hearty zeal in the cause. interesting report was adopted, which will speedily be published. The whole proceedings were highly satisfactory to the Executive Committee, and confident expectations are entertained that the great object of the association will be prosecuted with increased activity and energy during the ensuing year. On the evening of Thursday, 8th May, a public meeting was held in the New Hall, Leicester, at which the following resolutions were adopted

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of Christ eventually tends to impair its spirituality, to break down those barriers which separate it from the world, to obstruct the progress of truth, and to allow of the introduction of an indefinite laxity, both in religious doctrine and

cause of nonconformity, we are cheered by the most unequivocal signs of the times to prosecute with untiring energy the great religious enterprise in which we have embarked." Moved by Mr Edward Miall; seconded by the Rev. H. Robertson.

CORN BILL.

practice."-Moved by Rev. Dr Cox ; christian church, both at home and seconded by Apsley Pellatt, Esq. abroad; and notwithstanding discour"2d. That holding with a full convic-agements which arise from the absence tion the sentiments expressed in the first of sympathetic co-operation in some resolution, and deeming it altogether quarters, professedly favourable to the unjustifiable either to conceal or to compromise them, we feel it our imperative duty to use all the resources which are supplied by argument, persuasion, and the freest discussion. to promote their dissemination. But that while engaged in this work we earnestly deprecate the imputation on the part of any who may differ from us, of uncharitable, or unchristian feeling. That fidelity to the convictions of our own conscience, reverence for the authority of the great Founder of our faith, and ardent desire for its transmission in all its purity to successive generations, are paramount any deference, however sincere, to the sentiments of even the wisest and the best of men ; and can never be construed otherwise than by the misinformed or uncandid, into the absence of good-will towards those whose opinions we may be called to oppose. That, though not uniting with any more formal alliance, we distinctly disavow any want of kind and christian affection towards any who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity." Moved by the Rev. John Burnet; seconded by the Rev. John Sibree.

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WE heartily congratulate our readers on the progress this great measure has recently made, and on its having now fairly cleared the House of Commons with a final majority of 327 to 229. Considerable anxiety is still felt about the reception it is to meet with from the peers. Nothing, however, is more certain than that the abolition of the corn laws is a question only of time, and of very short time shall it be with, or without, a dissolution of Parliament, and, possibly, a change of ministry? Were the Lords speedily and frankly to pass the bill, though they might be only making a little credit, and save themselves and the virtue of necessity, they would gain a public a world of trouble, annoyance, "3d. That we feel called upon by and loss, while they and their order and divers features of the present times, to party would participate in the advantages which would result from the improvedevote ourselves, with increased energy, to the objects of the British Anti-Statement of trade which might be immediChurch Association-that the notoriously ately expected. It can scarcely be increased tendency of the Anglican clergy supposed that prejudice has blinded to a merely ritual religion, their general them to considerations so obvious. The and obstinate want of sympathy with experiment will presently be made. the advancing spirit of the times, the exclusive feeling by which they are growingly distinguished, and the steps taken on their belief to silence complaint and animadversion, by the most unconstitutional restrictions of the liberty of the press, render it imperative that we arouse ourselves to the most determined vindication of the rights of conscience, and to wise and persevering efforts to effect the dissolution of that unhallowed union between the hierarchy and civil power to which these and a multitude of kindred evils, with a mass of social bitterness and private wrong, are directly attributable." - Moved by Rev. Dr Price; seconded by Robert Hardy, Esq. "4th. That we hail with the most unfeigned satisfaction the advancing movements towards a more free and enlightened order of things which are taking place in various sections of the

SCOTTISH CONGREGATIONAL UNION.

THE annual meeting was held this year in Edinburgh, on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, the 28th, 29th, and 30th April. The first business which occupied attention was the Theological Academy. It was resolved, that a resident Tutor should be appointed, who should devote to it his undivided attention. The expenditure, on account of the Academy, for last year had been about L.500. On Wednesday, several private meetings were held; and, in the evening, there was an interesting and numerously attended soiree. The Rev. Mr Thomson of Glasgow delivered an address on the importance of maintaining their distinctive principles, at the close of which he said," He could not help observing, that the general condition of their body at present presented very unfavourable 2027 dana

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symptoms,and showed a relaxation of that addressed to them, which was unani-
zeal, energy, and enterprise, for which mously agreed to. Dr A. stated "that
they had been originally distinguished." he had received a letter from Dr Merle
The Rev. Dr Vaughan, President of D'Aubigné, which mentioned that the
Lancashire College, addressed the meet- friends in Geneva intended to send Mr
ing on Independency and its present Laharpe, of the theological school there,
condition. "It was a striking fact," he and Count St George, as representatives
said, "and they must not conceal it,-it to this country, whose object was to
had been concealed too long, that there attend all denominational meetings where
never had been in the history of their they might have an opportunity of con-
body so large a number of churches veying an expression of the regard which
wanting ministers, and not able to find the Christians in Geneva had for the
them; and so large a number of minis- Christians in this country. Dr A. said,
ters wanting churches, and not able to the friends in Geneva were exceedingly
find them." [This, we understood, re- annoyed at the monopoly that had been
ferred chiefly to England. It was lately made of Dr D'Aubigné, when he visited
stated in the Patriot, that "fourteen this country, by the Free Church; and
Congregational churches in the metro- it was their desire that the present de-
polis and its neighbourhood were in want putation should not too much identify
of pastors or assistant pastors, and it was themselves with any religious party
not known whence they were to be sup- whatever." Dr Wardlaw spoke in favour
plied."] "Surely this," continued Dr V., of the Evangelical Alliance, but held
I was an unwholesome state of things. that adherence to it did not imply the
It had a cause, and his fear was that the suppression or compromise of one's dis
cause lay deep; and something like a tinctive principles. "The Alliance,'
regeneration of the pervading elements said Dr W., "asks no such sacrifice, and
of their body was needed to meet it. He to those who say that success will be
could not but think, that, so long as the impossible without such sacrifice, I say
great majority of Independent ministers -Let us try." The Rev. Mr Ingram of
had to subsist upon an income not above Glasgow gave a sketch of the history of
that which was supplied to the ordinarily the denomination in Scotland, and main-
skilful artisan for his duties-it could tained "that their adherence to purity
not be expected, without expecting of communion was at once the cause of
miracles, that the majority of Inde- their external weakness and internal
pendent ministers would be men of
marked capacity and great culture.
It would be to expect that God would
supply a race of martyrs to poverty to
anticipate anything of this kind; and
that, too, in an age where there were
openings in all directions for men of
sagacity and talent. How natural is it,
unless there be the presence of extraor-ing with their own hands that they might
dinary principle, that numbers will draft not be burdensome to the brethren,→→→
off into secular life, terrified by the yet the churches would rather have sold
thought of destitution. He was very their garments, and the pastors begged
far from wishing to see a Dissenting their bread from door to door, than have
minister become a sinecurist very far sent a deputation to solicit the charity of
from wishing to see their ministers placed men whose wealth was wrung from the
in a condition which would be attractive crimes, the groans, and the blood of
to indolent and worldly minds. He their fellow-men. In all their poverty
would have their ministers to be men and difficulties they never had, and, by
who required to do their work well; God's grace, they never would, hold
but when they did their Master's work out the hand of christian fellowship to
well, he would have them to receive a Heaven-defying man-stealers." The
'fair day's wage for a fair day's work."" Treasurer stated that the sum expended
On Thursday Dr Alexander brought in aiding small churches, and maintain-
under consideration the Congregational ing a system of itinerancy in the low-
churches in Switzerland, and proposed lands, highlands, and islands of Scotland,
that a letter of sympathy should be amounted for the past year to L.2049.

strength. In so glancing at the poverty
of many of the pastors and churches,
when they were the objects of a more
relentless persecution than, said he, the
adherents of the Free church had ever
been, he declared that, poor as were the
churches, and dependent as were the
pastors, many of them, like Paul, work-

MURRAY AND GIBB, PRINTERS, EDINBURGH.

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THE

UNITED SECESSION MAGAZINE

FOR JULY, 1846,

MISCELLANEOUS COMMUNICATIONS.

SHORT NOTICES OF THE REV. JAMES BROWN, M.C. OF
BALBIGGIE,

WHEN the roll is read at the commencement of the annual meeting of Synod, how solemn the reflection that the names of so many pious and faithful ministers should have been erased during the preceding year by the stroke of death! Some of these have been cut off in early life, some in the midst of their days and usefulness, and some at a very advanced age, after patiently and honourably bearing the burden and heat of the day. In regard to some of those honoured men, much regret may be felt as to the particular time or circumstances of their death; still it must be remembered that each of them had entirely completed all the days of his appointed time on earth before his change came, that each of them had performed that particular work and service in the church, which his gracious Master had prescribed to him, and served his generation according to the will of God before he fell asleep. They have left behind them the sweet savour of their names, of their pious examples, of their ardent zeal in the cause of the Redeemer, and of their indefatigable and successful exertions in the christian ministry.

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Mr Brown died at Kinross, in the house of his father-in-law, the Rev. Dr Hay, on the 21st February last, in the 21st year of his ministry. He was the sole surviving son of John Brown, of Finderlie, the head of an old and respectable family in the parish of Orwell, Kinrossshire. He passed through an extensive course of education in the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, not only in those preliminary. studies which are required for the christian ministry, but also in the study of medicine, attending in succession the various medical classes. till he attained the honorary title of Master of Surgery. Like Timothy, Augustine, and many other ministers, Mr Brown was blessed with a religious mother, to whom he considered himself under deep obligations for her instructions, example, and prayers. He revered her for her meek and quiet spirit, for her uniform benevolence and kindness, accom

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panied with ardent and unostentatious piety, traits of character singularly exemplified by himself in every part of his life. He was wont to acknowledge that it was chiefly through his mother's influence that he engaged cheerfully in those literary and theological studies which are required for the christian ministry. After finishing this course of study, he was taken on trials by the Secession presbytery of Dunfermline; and, as appears from the minutes, at a meeting held at Kinross, on the 13th of August, 1822, after having completed his trials to the satisfaction of the presbytery, he was unanimously licensed to preach the gospel. He was ordained by the presbytery of Perth, at Balbiggie, on the 5th of October, 1825.

The congregation over which he was ordained, was exceedingly small, and there were other circumstances connected with it of such a discouraging nature, as made it doubtful whether his ministry should be continued for any considerable time in that part of the church. He entered, however, on his work with cheerfulness and alacrity, and laboured with such faithfulness and acceptability, not only in his pulpit services, but also in the ministerial examination and visitation of his people, and in the superintendence of the Sabbath evening school, as in a very short time afforded ample proof that his labours were not without success. The congregation was augmented from time to time, and before his death its number was more than tripled above what it had been at his ordination. Neither was this surprising, if we consider that there was a pre-eminent benevolence and kindness in the temper of his mind, and so much of the gentleness of Christ in all that he did and spake, accompanied with an ardent desire to do good to his fellow creatures under whatever circumstance he could approach them. Amidst all this there was a social expansion of heart, and an innocent and playful cheerfulness, which made him a great favourite in every circle. By the members of his presbytery he was highly loved and esteemed, of which they afforded most satisfying evidence by the prompt and kindly manner in which they exerted themselves to supply his pulpit during his long continued illness. For this work and labour of love he again and again expressed his deep and lively gratitude. He had been taught of God from his youth, and every confidential friend soon observed, that he was influenced by religious principle in all his conduct. In every period of his ministry he paid incessant and unwearied attention to the poor and the sick, to whom his hands and his heart were always open. Those who are usually neglected by others, and whom no man careth for, frequently found him by their bedsides in their humble dwellings, soothing the afflicted and desponding heart with divine consolation, and ministering medicine to the sick under the various maladies and ailments with which they had been visited. As he was justly considered to possess very high medical skill, and his attendance and prescriptions being entirely gratuitous, applications were numerous not only from the members of his own congregation, but from the whole district of country around. He was viewed not merely as the minister of a small congregation, but as a generous benefactor to whom all of every religious denomination had equal access; and whoever made application was visited in the kindest and most courteous manner. Never, perhaps, was there a man more loved and

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