posal should act towards each other in neous opinions or practices, as either in an honourable manner; that their course their own nature, or in the manner of pubof action should be so clear that there lishing or maintaining them, are destructive can be no misunderstanding in it; that to the external peace and order which Christ the principles of each should be clearly hath established in the church; they may defined, and openly and constantly main- be called to account, and proceeded against tained, that all may know what these by the censures of the church, and by the principles are. Now, public acts, and power of the civil magistrate.' Also part principles publicly stated, can be publicly of 2d sect., xxxi. chap. Confess. Faith, canvassed; and, therefore, as some of the Magistrates may lawfully call a Synod of reported sayings and doings of your ministers, and other fit persons, to consult church are of rather a dubious character, and advise with upon matters of religion?' and, if true, can in no way much advance either a co-operative or incorporative union, I feel called on, without further remark at present, to propose the following questions for solution. 6 "As long as those parts of the Confession of Faith are maintained by any church, does not that church approve of ecclesiastical establishments, and clearly allow that the civil courts have some control over the church courts? "Have ministers of the Free church ever declared that they now were voluntaries when meeting with voluntaries; and to those who held the establishment principle declared that they had not changed one jot,' and that 'voluntaryism has been the bane of Canada ?' "Have not ministers of the Free church here frequently spoken of their sacrifices, and declared, in certain quarters, that their church would take no support from government, and yet, from the date of the disruption to the present, have not ministers of that church been receiving government bounty? "Is it a fact that the Free church in Canada, while professing to hold high scriptural views of the Headship of Christ over his Church, yet maintains entire in her standards, section 3, chap. xxiii. of Confession of Faith, The Civil Magistrate may not assume to himself the administration of the Word and Sacraments, or the power of the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven; yet he hath authority, and it is his duty, to take order that unity and peace be preserved in the Church; that the truth of God be kept pure and entire; that all blasphemies and heresies be suppressed; all corruptions and abuses in worship and discipline be prevented or reformed; and all the ordinances of God duly settled, adminis "Has it been the practice of minitered, and observed. For the better effect-sters of the Free church to try to advance ing whereof he hath power to call Synods, to be present at them, and to provide that whatsoever is transacted in them be according to the mind of God?' Also, the inquisitorial and persecuting clause in the 4th sect., xx. chap. Confess. Faith, _" they who, upon pretence of christian liberty, shall oppose any lawful power, or the lawful exercise of it, whether it be civil or ecclesiastical, resist the ordinance of God. And for their publishing of such opinions, or maintaining of such practices, as are contrary to the light of nature, or to the known principles of Christianity, whether concerning faith, worship, or conversation; or to the power of godliness; or such erro their cause by injuring, if they could, the United Secession, by accusations of heresy, both against her as a church, and against some of her ministers? and when certain ministers have been called on regarding these accusations, have been afraid either publicly to avow, or ashamed publicly to retract? "I shall be glad if the reports which have given rise to these questions are unfounded; and if so, my way, at least, will be more clear for considering the proposed union. I may have some other questions to propose, but in the meantime I shall wait for an answer to these before you. "JOHN JENNINGS." in Brechin; to take place on the 21st | Coldstream and Berwick, and to prosecurrent.-Next ordinary meeting was cute the same until its issue, according held in Arbroath on the 7th of July, to the rules of the church. Candidates when a unanimous call from the vacant for admission to the Divinity Hall were congregation, Brechin, to Mr William nominated, and appointed to be examined Heddle, preacher, was presented and according to the regulations of the pressustained. A letter from Mr George bytery in this matter. The presbytery Jerment M'Kenzie was received and again met on 7th July. The Rev. read, intimating his acceptance of the Thomas Adam, Peebles, stated to the call from Carnoustie. According to the presbytery certain proceedings of his instruction of Synod at its last meeting, congregation (in reference to stipend), the presbytery inquired if the collection and proposed to demit his pastoral charge. on behalf of the Synod house had been The presbytery appointed a committee made in all its congregations; and found of their number to meet with Mr Adam, it had been made in all of them except- his session, and his congregation, on ing three, in one of which it was ap- 15th current, to make needful inquiries. pointed. Gave directions that it be and to report. A petition was received made in the other two. Heard discourses from the congregation of Aberlady, from the students of theology under the craving the appointment of a member inspection of the presbytery, and receiv- to moderate among them in the call ed the reports of their committees respecting them; after which they were certified to next session of the Divinity Hall. At this and former meetings due attention was paid to the regular dispensation of our Lord's Supper in the vacant congregations. Next meeting of presbytery at Montrose, on the 15th of September. of a minister. After consideration, the prayer of the petition was granted; and the Rev. George Deans appointed to moderate in a call, on Wednesday, 22d current, at six o'clock evening. Supply to Drs Brown and Harper during the session of the Hall having been omitted in Synod, the presbytery appointed supply to each, resolvEdinburgh.-The Presbytery of Edin- ing that, on this occasion, and for the burgh met on 2d June. It was reported, future, such supplies shall be appointed in name of the moderator, Rev. William in regular rotation of the ministers, beThomson, that, according to appointment, ginning with the last name on the roll. he proceeded to the church in Kirkgate, The minutes of the presbytery in comLeith, with the view of reading the de-mittee for superintending the students cison of the Synod and presbytery in the of divinity, and examining candidates case of Rev. William Marshall, and for for admission to the Divinity Hall, were the purpose of declaring the church va- read at length, and the whole proceedings cant; that access to the church had been reported in full. The presbytery heard denied him by parties professedly acting also a report from Rev. Geo. Johnston, for the congregation; and that, in these as having superintended the students in circumstances, he had read the documents connexion with our church, now in at the entrance to the place of worship. course of study at the university. Each The presbytery approved of the proceed-report was heard with satisfaction, and ings of the moderator. A letter was read approved of by the presbytery. The in name of the congregation of Kirkgate, committee of examination was reapintimating their adherence to their mini-pointed, with their convener, the Rev. ster, and their withdrawment, along with William Thomson, Slateford. Mr Johnhim, from the communion of the Secession church. The presbytery resolved to rest meanwhile in simply engrossing this letter in their records, from which deed Dr Ritchie dissented, for reasons to be given in. The Rev. John Smart reported his proceedings in the moderation at Rose Street, and laid on the table a call addressed to the Rev. John Cairns, Berwick-on-Tweed. The moderator's conduct was approved of; the call was Cupar. This presbytery held its ansustained; and Mr Smart appointed, in nual meeting for the revival of religion, conjunction with commissioners from the at Pitlessie, on June 2d, Mr Gray, mocongregation, to lay it, with other docu-derator. There was read a communicaments, on the table of the Presbytery of tion from Mr Lawson, resigning his ston was also reappointed in charge of the students attending the university. Messrs Peter Christie, John Dunlop, George Hutton, William Limont, and Peter White, as examined and approved of by the presbytery in committee, were now by the presbytery admitted to the study of divinity, and the clerk authorised to certify them with the other students to the professors. charge of the congregation of Pitlessie, | Rankin and Gray. Appointed the next on the ground of prolonged indisposi- ordinary meeting to be held at Anstrution; and it was agreed that the paper ther, on the Tuesday after the second lie on the table, and that the congrega- Sabbath of July. July 14th. The prestion of Pitlessie be summoned to appear bytery met at Anstruther, and was for their interest, at next meeting. constituted by Mr Henderson, moderRead a petition from the congregation ator. Mr Dewar, student of divinity, of St Andrews, praying the presbytery delivered a sermon, which was approved to appoint one of their number to pre- of. There was read a petition from Pitside in the moderation of a call to one lessie, signed by 141 members, praying to be their fixed pastor; when it was the presbytery not to accept of Mr Lawagreed to grant the prayer of the peti- son's demission; on which it was moved tioners, and appointed the moderation and agreed to, that this petition lie on to take place on the 18th current at six the table, along with Mr Lawson's paper o'clock evening; Mr Henderson of La- of demission, and that information of thones to preach and preside. Dr Tay- this deed be communicated to Mr Lawlor delivered an address to the elders son. Mr Henderson gave an account of present on the duties of their office; his conduct in the St Andrews moderafter which, the convener of the western ation, which was approved of. Read and and southern districts of the presbytery sustained the call addressed to Mr John reported what had been done in these Kidd, preacher, and subscribed by 170 districts for the revival of religion during members and 21 adherents. The memthe year. As no report had been re- bers who were absent at last meeting" ceived from the southern district, the gave an account of the state of religion convener (Mr Henderson) was enjoined in their congregations; and the conto report at next meeting. The presby- vener of the eastern district reported the tery finding that no district meeting for proceedings of that committee during the revival of religion had been held at the past year. Appointed the next Dubbieside, the convener of that district meeting to be held at Cupar, on the was instructed to ascertain the reason of Tuesday after the 4th Sabbath of Authis omission, and lay it before the pres- gust. Excuses for absence from last bytery. Reports were received from the meeting were received and considered; ministers and elders present on the state after which the presbytery adjourned. of religion within the bounds, and the Perth. At the meeting of presbytery means employed by them for promoting on the 9th June, a letter was read from the the work of the Lord. After a length- presbytery of Newcastle, intimating that ened conversation on the alarming pro- the Rev. J. Millar had accepted the call gress of infidelity, it was earnestly re- from Methven, and had been loosed from commended to ministers and sessions to his charge of the congregation of North watch over their people, and especially Middleton; the presbytery therefore dethe young, and to employ every scrip- cided his edict to be served in the usual tural means for checking this growing manner, and appointed his admission to evil in their districts. A unanimous the charge of the congregation of and cordial vote of thanks was given to Methven to take place on Tuesday Dr Taylor for his interesting and appro- before the first Sabbath of July, Mr priate address; and it was agreed that J. Clark to preach, and Mr Johnin future the deputations visiting the ston to preside in the admission, and congregations, shall meet with the ses- charge the minister and the people. sions at least an hour before meeting The presbytery met at Methven on with the people. Dr Taylor and Mr 30th June for the admission of the Rev. Stevenson were appointed a committee Mr Millar as pastor of the congregato suggest topics on which information tion there. Mr J. Clark preached should be obtained from sessions. It from Col. i. 28. Mr Johnston then was also moved and unanimously agreed to, that the presbytery express strongly their regret that so many of the ministers are absent from this meeting, and their earnest hope that these brethren will be able at next meeting to give a sufficient reason for their absence. A meeting for public exercises was held in the evening, when addresses on practical subjects were delivered by Messrs NO. VIII. VOL. III. narrated the steps preparatory to the admission, administered the formula, and Mr Millar was then set apart in prayer to the charge of the congregation. Mr Johnston afterwards gave the charge to the minister and the people. Stirling and Falkirk. The Presbytery of Stirling and Falkirk met at Stirling on the 7th of July. A letter from Mr Dodds, stating that he was not prepared ЗА with his trials for ordination, was read. | on the consideration of the call lately, Instead of meeting, as usual, in Septem-received by the Rev. Mr Cairns, Berwick, ber, the presbytery appointed a meeting from the congregation of Rose Street, to be held at Falkirk this day three weeks, Edinburgh. The reasons prepared by partly for receiving these trials. A mem- said congregation for his translation were ber of presbytery having mentioned, read at full length, and also the answers that in some cases students were employed to those reasons prepared by the congreto preach in the pulpits of brethren at the gation of Golden Square. The commisusual times of worship on the Lord's day, sioners from Rose Street were heard in the presbytery unanimously agreed to support of the reasons adduced in their express their condemnation of this prac-paper, and the Rev. Mr Smart, from the tice, as contravening the rule of Synod presbytery of Edinburgh, pleaded on the in this matter, enacted in June 1840,- same side. Commissioners from Golden "The Synod agreed, that no student be Square next spoke in confirmation of allowed to occupy any of the pulpits of their answers and reasons. Mr Cairns our church during the usual hours of himself then addressed the presbytery public worship, but instructed presby- stating, that after all he had thought and teries and ministers to encourage students heard on the call with which he was hoin theology to occupy themselves, on noured, he felt it to be his duty to remain every opportunity, as town missionaries, in his present charge. The commissioners and in other kindred labours under their from Rose Street having sought the judgsuperintendence," and to instruct their ment of the presbytery, the presbytery clerk to write the brethren and students decided that the existing connexion of concerned, informing them of said rule, Mr Cairns with the congregation of and of the presbytery's disapprobation of Golden Square should be continued, their conduct, with a warning, that it when said commissioners protested and would be necessary to call before them appealed from the judgment of the presany who should be found transgressing bytery to the judgment of the Synod,— in this way again. The students of divi- this protest and appeal to be prosecuted nity were examined by Mr M'Dowall on or fallen from, according to the decision the Socinian controversy, when the pres- of their constituents. The moderator bytery expressed their satisfaction with then addressed the commissioners, conthe manner in which the examination doling with them on their disappointhad been conducted, as also with the ment and sorrow, but expressing the attention which the young men had given high admiration with which the presbyto the subject, and agreed to recommend tery regarded the wisdom and kindness, them to their respective professors for ad- and christian spirit they had displayed mission to the Hall in the ensuing session.* in conducting the business entrusted to On inquiry, it was found that the con- them. A call from the congregation of gregations in this part of the church, Coldstream to Mr Peter Mearns, probawith a very few exceptions, had collected tioner, to be assistant and successor to for the Synod-house, and it was agreed the Rev. Dr Thomson, was next preto call upon those that had not contri-sented and sustained as a gospel call, buted to this object, to do so as soon as and subjects for trial discourses were possible. Having transacted some other assigned to him. The clerk intimated, business, and delayed consideration of some matters sent down by the Synod, to which the attention of sessions is in the meantime to be called, the presbytery dismissed, to meet at Falkirk on the 28th of July. that in consequence of indisposition, Mr Montgomery, under call to Ayton, was not able to be present to deliver any of his trial discourses. Having made arrangements for the dispensation of the Lord's supper in the vacant congreColdstream and Berwick.-This pres- gations of Ayton and Norham, they bytery met in Berwick on Tuesday the appointed their next meeting to be held 14th July, when having heard a let-in Coldstream on Tuesday the 11th of ter from Mr Deas, finally declining the call from Norham, said call was set aside, and the sympathy of the presbytery expressed to the congregation in this renewed trial and disappointment. Entered The rule of Synod, requiring subscriptions to the Library, which they found it necessary at last meeting to re-enforce, has been uniform. ly observed in this presbytery. August. Selkirk. The Presbytery of Selkirk met at Selkirk on the 14th July. Mr John Logie delivered a popular sermon on Psalm cxix. 128; Mr Douglas a lecture on Isaiah 12th chapter; and Mr. Riddell an exercise and additions on Heb. ix. 23, 24, which, after some remarks, were approved of; and they were: encouraged to prosecute their studies. to presbyteries and kirk-sessions." On The clerk stated, that, since the last Wednesday forencon the business was meeting, he had transferred Mr John not of public interest. In the evening Ballantyne to the presbytery of Dundee, the Synod received the deputation from as he is now residing within the bounds the Secession Synod. At the request of of said presbytery. Called for reports the moderator, Dr Brown offered up as to the collection appointed by the prayer; and Mr M'Kelvie, convener of Synod to be made for the synod-house, the Secession committee, Dr Kidston, and mission premises, when it appeared Mr Elles, Dr Young, and Dr Brown, that collections had been made by all severally addressed the Synod. Speeches the congregations excepting Selkirk, and reciprocating the sentiments of the dethe second congregation, Hawick. The putation were delivered by the following presbytery recommended to the congre- members of court, Dr Struthers, Progations that had not yet collected, to fessor M'Michael, Mr Kirkwood, and Mr take the matter into consideration, and Gorrie, convener of Relief committee. to make the collection as soon as pos- A hymn of thanksgiving was then sung, sible. The presbytery then examined and Mr Auld of Greenock engaged in Messrs Douglas, Logie, Riddell, Stewart, prayer. On Thursday forenoon the Wylie, and Lawson, on the subjects in Synod received the reports of the Home Greek, Hebrew, Church History, and Mission, and of the Debt-Liquidation Theology, prescribed to them; and being satisfied with the attention which they had given to them, instructed the clerk to certify them to the professors in the usual manner. The next meeting of presbytery is to be at Melrose, on the 15th September. CALL. On the 29th June, the United Associate Congregation of Mainsriddell gave a unanimous call to Mr Peter Mercer, preacher of the gospel, to be their pastor. The Rev. Mr Rogerson, Thornhill, presided. The following reports were prepared and in types for the last number, but were unavoidably delayed. RELIEF SYNOD. THIS Synod met in College Street Church, Edinburgh, on Monday, 11th May, and, after the usual preliminaries, the Rev. James Reston, Dundee, was elected Moderator, and routine business was transacted. On Tuesday the Hall Committee presented its report; and the Synod entered on the subject of union with the United Secession Church. Eight of the nine presbyteries had overtured unanimously in favour of union, and a number of memorials from sessions and congregations were presented to the same effect. The Synod unanimously resolved"That a committee be appointed to meet with the committee which has been ap pointed by the United Secession Synod, to consider the scheme of union which has been lately agreed to by joint meet ings of the two Synods, and that the scheme shall afterwards be transmitted Committees. The funds of the former were found to have fallen far short of expectations, and the Synod enjoined collections to be made in aid of them by all the congregations in the month of May next. In the evening the Synod entered on the subject of American Slavery, which was brought forward by overture and memorial, when the following resolution was adopted :-" That slave-holding, as now existing in the United States of America, is a sin against man and God,-that it is peculiarly heinous when practised by professing Christians,-that the Synod therefore resolve that, having previously remonstrated with them, it is now the imperative duty of the Synod to refuse christian fellowship with American slaveholders and slave-holding churches, until they confess and forsake their iniquity." On Friday the Synod appointed a committee to take measures for the outfit and maintenance, for three years, of a minister of the Synod in Australia, and it was unanimously resolved to appoint the Rev. A. M. Ramsay, on the understanding that he should connect himself with the unendowed church of the colony. After some business of minor importance, the Synod adjourned; and so harmonious had the meeting been that it was not found necessary to call the roll, nor take a show of hands on any question that had been under consideration. GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE FREE THE Assembly met in Canonmills Hall |