Finally, It may be remarked, that when hostility from so many quarters is displayed towards the christian ministry, it behoves those who hold that office to look well to their deportment. This is necessary, not only for their own sakes, but for the sake of religion, that it may not be injured through them; for the sake of the community among which they dwell; and even for the sake of the unhappy individuals who entertain such prejudices against them, and are so ready to malign them. It is believed that, at no former period in the history. of the church, has the ministerial character been better sustained than at the present day, in our own land; and that there never was a greater manifestation of purity and integrity, of self-denial and benevolence, of diligence and fidelity, than is to be seen at the present day, in the ministers of all denominations among us. Let them resolve, through grace, to maintain, and even go beyond, what they have yet reached, in the exercise of these virtues; giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed; but in all things approving themselves as the ministers of God, by pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kind.. ness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left. commended to the adoption of all. And their attention carefully to this point: whether in our classes for instructing that no sentiment uttered in their prethe young, or in our more public minis- sence, hostile to revelation, be allowed trations, it is believed that, in exposing to pass unreproved; and that no couninfidelity, it will be found advantageous tenance be given by them, at such meetto exhibit its effects on men's present ings, to persons avowedly infidel, or who condition. It is generally found, that the are likely to make use of such occasions persons who have fallen into its snares for speaking disparagingly of religion. have been influenced by considerations drawn altogether from the present life. They seem to think that they will have more enjoyment in this world, and they care not for any thing beyond. Now, while we must never forget that man is an immortal being, who will be happy or miserable for ever, according to his character and conduct here; and must always endeavour to bring the power of the world to come to bear on the hearts of our fellow-men; yet we know that godliness is profitable for the life that now is, that the way of transgressors is hard; and it will be found one of the readiest and most efficient means for combating infidelity, to point out the miseries which it produces in the present life. Let us exhibit the man who is given up to it, as he is, in the various relations of life-in youth the grief of his parents, in old age his grey hairs unhonoured-respected by none, trusted by none-shunned by all who have any regard to their own character or interest-often broken down by dissipation, or other vices, before he has passed the meridian of his days-seeing no kind providence ordering the events of his life, and in death having no hope. Besides this, let us exhibit christianity as it is, in its bearing on the present state of man-diffusing knowledge, freedom, justice, peace-imparting the wisdom that keeps men from bringing misery on themselves, and the spirit of kindness that keeps them from inflicting misery on others-bringing contentment to every heart, shedding a hallowed blessing over every family-and wherever it pervades a community, banishing crime and misery away. With such arguments, aided by others numerous and powerful, which the cause of religion supplies, let us earnestly appeal to the judgment and affections of our fellow-men; never losing our confidence in the force of truth, and not doubting that we shall meet with success. In addition to these suggestions, it may be proper to notice, that if it be true that religion is sometimes injured by the way in which public meetings are conducted; then, the friends of religion, and especially its ministers, should direct The second part of the address is necessarily delayed till next number. PRESBYTERIAL NOTICES. Lanark, June 2d. Which day the presbytery met and was constituted. A letter from Mr Robert Maclaurin, preacher, under call to West Calder, was received and read, intimating his acceptance of said call, and that he would be forward at next meeting, to deliver part of his trials for ordination. It was stated, that Mr Andrew Scott, student in philosophy, who was in full communion with our church, having attended the usual classes, wished to be examined in order to his admission to the Hall. It was bytery to obtain a pastor, and proposed the questions of the formula, to which Mr Maclaurin returned suitable answers, and was solemnly ordained to the office of the holy ministry, and the pastoral inspection of the congregation of West Calder, by prayer, and the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. The members of Presbytery then gave to him the right hand of fellowship, and Mr Paterson addressed suitable exhortations to him. Mr Barrie addressed the congregation. The weather was remarkably good, the audience numerous and attentive to the proceedings of the day, and it is hoped, that through the divine blessing, deep and lasting impressions were made. May God prosper the labours of his youthful servant in that corner of his vineyard; long preserve him to labour among them, and may he have many seals of his ministry, many for a crown of rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus. agreed to receive him for examination at | prayer, and preached on Ephes. iii. 8. next meeting. June 30th.-The presbytery After which Mr Barrie stated the steps met again this day. Proceeded to the taken by the congregation and the presexamination of Mr Andrew Scott. After examining him in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew,-in Logic, Moral Philosophy, and Mathematics, and in reference to his personal piety, and his motives in wishing to prepare for the holy ministry, the court expressed satisfaction with the appearance he had made, and unanimously agreed to certify him as a regular student, to attend the approaching session of the divinity hall. Mr Maclaurin, preacher, being now present, the call addressed to him, by the congregation of West Calder, was put into his hands by the moderator, when he expressed his cordial acceptance of it. The presbytery then heard him deliver a lecture on Rom. vi. 15-19, inclusive; and an exercise with additions on Philip. ii. 6, which was approved of and sustained as parts of trial for ordination. It was unanimously agreed, to ask the ministers of the Relief churches in and around Lanark, to hold a conference with the presbytery, when it should be most convenient for all parties; and the clerk was instructed to correspond with them, in order that arrangements may be made with this design. July 21st.-The presbytery met this day. Heard Mr Maclaurin deliver the remainder of his trials for ordination, viz. a popular sermon on Rom. iii. 31, and an exegesis on the question, "Does the doctrine of grace tend to licentiousness?" Examined him on the Greek New Testament ad aperturam libri, and in Hebrew on the 24th Ps., and in Church History on the latter half of the fifteenth century. Also on practical religion. All these exercises were unanimously sustained, as parts of trial for ordination, and it was agreed to ordain him to the holy ministry on Thursday the 6th of August next, and his edict to be served on the two intervening Sabbaths. Mr Kininmont was appointed to preach on that occasion; Mr Paterson to ordain and address the minister, and Mr Barrie the congregation. West Calder, August 6th.-This day the presbytery met for the ordination of Mr Maclaurin. All the members were present, together with the Rev. Robert Maclaurin from the presbytery of Coldstream and Berwick, and the Rev. Mr Lowrie of the presbytery of Edinburgh, both of whom took part in the ordination. The edict was returned duly served and certified, and public proclamation was made, in accordance with the usual practice. Mr Kininmont began the "public services of the day with praise and Aberdeen, April 14.-It was moved and seconded as follows: -That the presbytery, impressed with its obligation to promote the spiritual and temporal interests of the congregations under its charge to the utmost of its power, resolve to appoint a committee of five members, the clerk to be convener, to consider and devise a method for having all the congregations visited by deputation of presbytery, and to suggest the best way of raising expenses if any should be incurred; said committee to report to next ordinary meeting, which shall take up and dispose of its report. The motion was unanimously agreed to, and Messrs Angus, Stirling, and Sedgewick, ministers, and Cannon and Stevens, elders, were appointed a committee acordingly. June 15.-The committee appointed at last meeting anent presbyterial visitations gave in their report; but owing to the great importance of the matters contained in it, and the absence of several members, it was agreed to postpone the consideration of it till next meeting. July 7.-The moderator brought before the presbytery the case of Mr Barrow, a member of the congregation of Charlotte Street, Aberdeen, and wishing to be received as a Divinity student. As Mr B. is a student at King's College, Aberdeen, and as at both the Aberdeen colleges the study of moral philosophy is deferred till the fourth year, he, in common with all other Aberdeen students, It is prevented from availing himself of the Rev. James Dobbie of Annan having Synod's permission to attend the Hall been removed by death since last ordiafter the third year of study. After nary meeting of presbytery, his name conversing on the matter, the presbytery was dropped from the roll. Read the agreed to intimate to Mr B. that they minutes of last ordinary meeting, also of could not, in the present state of the the interim meeting held at Annan on Synod's law, examine him, and sanc- occasion of the late Mr Dobbie's funetion his going to the Hall with the ral. The presbytery unanimously apcertainty that the year of study will proved of the conduct of the brethren be sustained; but that, if he agree- who formed the interim meeting. able, they will examine him on all the was unanimously agreed to insert in usual subjects, exclusive of moral phi- this minute the following statement exlosophy, and recommend to the Synod pressive of the presbytery's sense of the that the year of study be sustained, con- late Mr Dobbie's personal worth, minissidering the peculiarity in the case of terial character, and valuable services in students in philosophy at Aberdeen. To his official capacity as their clerk. "This this Mr B. consented, and it was fixed presbytery, in recording the death of that he should be examined as above at their much esteemed brother, the Rev. next meeting of presbytery, Mr Stirling James Dobbie, cannot refrain from exto conduct the examination in Latin and pressing their deep sense of the loss Hebrew; Mr Sedgewick in Greek; and which not only his widow and family, Mr Ritchie in logic, natural philosophy, and congregation, but this court, with and mathematics. [Mr B. was after- which he had been connected for nearly wards examined, approved, and recom- twenty-six years, have sustained For mended as above.] Took up the subject the last fifteen years, during which he of presbyterial visitations, and read the discharged the important duties of clerk recommendation of the committee. After to this presbytery, his official services long conversation, it was unanimously were invaluable. The conscientiousness agreed to send down the matter to the with which he attended the meetings sessions to report their opinion respecting it especially as to the propriety of such visitations, and the way in which they ought to be conducted. The reports to lie on the presbytery's table on Tuesday after the second Sabbath of September. Sept. 15.-Called for reports of sessions on the subject of presbyterial visitations when the sessions of St Nicholas Lane, George Street, Belmont Street, Old Meldrum, Tough, Midmar, and Shiels reported. With two exceptions, the reports were favourable, with the proviso that the visitations be judiciously conducted, and that care be taken in them to avoid every thing inquisitorial and intrusive. It was then moved and seconded, and unanimously agreed, that the sessions of the different congregations be requested to intimate by next meeting if it will be agreeable to them and their congregations to receive a deputation of presbytery, with the view of making the necessary arrangements. Reports from sessions were received for transmission on the union with the Relief. The presbytery also agreed to a report on that subject, of which it may be said that they were favourable under certain specified conditions. Annan and Carlisle.-This Presbytery met on 30th June, and was constituted by the Rev. M. M'Gill, moderator. The held for the despatch of business, was Messrs Hugh Tait and Walter Haig, ments had been faithfully fufilled. The students in divinity of the second year, presbytery unanimously agreed to grant to the care of this presbytery. Mr Slater, the moderation, and appointed Mr Tait as commissioner from the congregation to preside, and Mr Clark to assist, on of Annan, requested that the presbytery the 20th August. Mr Haig, student in should appoint one of their number to divinity of the second year, delivered an dispense the sacrament of the Lord's exercise and additions from Rom. viii. Supper on the first Sabbath of August. 26, 27, and a popular sermon from Heb. Appointed Mr Douglas to preside in dis-xii. 1, of which the presbytery approved, pensing that ordinance, and to make all after some remarks, and unanimously necessary arrangements regarding the encouraged him to prosecute his studies, extra services. Mr Little appeared as The clerk was instructed to certify him commissioner from the congregation of to the professors. A statement of the Langholm, and specially requested, in income and expenditure of Chapelknowe the name of the congregation, that Mr congregation, from 2d December 1845, Peter Mearns, preacher, be appointed to to 2d June 1846, was read to the pressupply their pulpit on the first Sabbath bytery for transmission to the Home of August. Agreed to grant this request, Mission Committee. Agreed to give and instructed the clerk to notify this the necessary attestation. Appointed appointment to Mr Mearns, after having next meeting of presbytery to be held at obtained the sanction of the Distribution Ecclefechan on 8th Sept. Concluded with Committee. Received and read a peti- prayer. Ecclefechan.-The Presbytery tion from the United Associate congre- met on the 8th September, and was constigation of Great Salkeld to the Home tuted by the Rev. M. M'Gill, moderator. Mission Committee, asking pecuniary Read the minutes of last meeting. Mr aid. Agreed to transmit and recom- Tait gave a verbal report of his promend said petition. Mr John Dobie, ceedings in moderating the call from a member of the congregation of Lang- Langholm. The moderator's conduct holm, who had studied three sessions was unanimously approved. The call at the University of Edinburgh, was was then laid on the table and read. It recommended for admission to the was addressed to Mr Wm. Ballantyne, Divinity Hall. Mr Dobie having per- preacher, and subscribed by 252 memformed the usual exercises prescribed bers, and by 64 adherents. It being for examination, to the satisfaction of found that the call was very harmonious, the presbytery, they were unanimously it was unanimously agreed to sustain it approved, and it was agreed to certify as a regular gospel call. The clerk was him for admission to the Hall. Mr instructed to notify this call to Mr BalHugh Tait, student of the second year, lantyne, and to request him to state his delivered a popular sermon from Rom. intention in reference to it before next viii. 7, of which, after some remarks, meeting of presbytery. Trial discourses the presbytery unanimously approved, for ordination were appointed him. Apand he was encouraged to prosecute his pointed Messrs Hunter and M'Gill to studies. The clerk was instructed to accompany and aid the deputies who certify him to the professors. Appointed are about to visit those congregations in next meeting of presbytery to be held at the presbytery, the stipends of whose Annan, on the 3d of August. Con- ministers fall short of L.100 per annum. cluded with prayer. Annan.-The Pres- Appointed Messrs Douglas and M‘Gill, bytery met on the 3d August, and as members of the committee of bills and was constituted by the Rev. M. M'Gill, overtures. Entered on the consideration moderator. Read the minutes of last of union with the Relief church. Remeeting. Mr Douglas reported that ceived reports from the sessions whose he had fulfilled his appointment to representatives were present, expressing dispense the sacrament of the Lord's their approbation of the contemplated Supper, in the congregation of Annan, union, and their desire that it be conon the first Sabbath of August. Ap- summated as speedily as possible. The proved of the report. There was read several members of presbytery then exto the court an application from the pressed their opinion on the subject, and United Associate congregation of Lang-unanimously concurred in the reports holm, praying the presbytery to appoint from the sessions; and the earnest desire one to preside among them in the mo- of every member of the court is, that this deration of a call It was found that union should be effected without delay. the preliminary steps had been properly Instructed the clerk to notify this to the taken, and that the necessary require-Synod. Received the report of the com mittee appointed to collect the presby- on the occasion. It was resolved that tery records, &c. Approved of the re- the ministers of the presbytery, who are port, and found that the committee had to constitute part of the Synod's Comacted faithfully in fulfilling the duty en-mittee of Bills and Overtures, should be joined upon them. Appointed next meeting of presbytery to be held at Chapelknowe, on the 3d of November. Concluded with prayer. taken in rotation from the top and bottom of the roll; the elders chosen according to the seniority of the congregation. Rev. Dr Brown and Rev. Mr Kirkcaldy. This presbytery met in Dyer, together with the elders from Bethelfield Session-house on 28th July. Broughton Place and Gorebridge, were Mr W. Johnstone, after examination, then chosen to sit in said committee in was admitted to the study of divinity. the ensuing meeting of Synod. The Received from the presbytery of Edin- presbytery then considered, in detail, the burgh a transference to this presbytery basis of proposed union between the of Mr Patrick Greig, student in divinity Secession and Relief churches. Some of the second year. Mr Greig appeared, alterations were proposed and carried, and delivered a sermon on Isaiah xxviii. of which the chief was,-a recommenda16, which, after some remarks, was ap- tion to drop the words "of Scotland" proved of, and Mr Greig encouraged to from the intended designation of the prosecute his studies. Agreed to take united bodies; otherwise the document into consideration at next meeting the and the measure were approved. Rev. subjects of Sabbath sanctification and Mr Cooper was appointed as the reprereligious education. Appointed the Rev. sentative of the presbytery, to accomMessrs Hardie, Halley, and Crawford, a pany the deputies from the Board of committee, to prepare regulations for the Missions, in seeking to augment the stipresbytery's superintendence of students pends of congregations in the presbytery in divinity, and to report at next meet- below L.100. ing. Coldstream and Berwick.-This Presbytery met at Berwick on Tuesday, the 8th of September. Mr Thomas Montgomery, who had at last meeting signified his preference of the call from the 2d congregation of Ayton, and delivered his public trials, now went through his private trials, to the satisfaction of the presbytery, and his ordination was appointed to take place on Tuesday the 29th of September. The Rev. Hugh Darling to preach, Rev. John Ker to ordain and address the minister, and Rev. John Hunter to address the people. Mr Peter Mearns, lately called to be co-pastor with the Rev. Dr Thomson, was present, and intimated his acceptance of the call. He then went through all his trials, to the satisfaction of the presbytery, and his Edinburgh. This Presbytery met on 1st September. Rev. Mr Watt being present, signified his acceptance of the call to Aberlady. His induction was appointed to take place on 30th curt., the Rev. Mr Dyer to preach; Mr Parlane to preside in the ordination; and Mr Deans to give the addresses. A letter was read from the Secretary of Missions, intimating that the congregation of Rose Street had chosen Mr John Campbell, probationer, as their missionary to Goshen, Jamaica—that the Board of Missions had sanctioned the appointment, and that Mr C. had accepted of it, and proposing that the presbytery should ordain him. Certificates of Mr Campbell's license was produced from the presbytery of Glasgow; and, consider-ordination was appointed to take place ing the necessity for Mr C. sailing early, and speedily reaching the place of his destination, the presbytery agreed to dispense with the usual trials for ordination, and to meet in Rose Street church on 29th curt., at half-past six evening, to ordain Mr C. to the holy ministry. The Rev. Mr Jameson being present, who had faithfully and successfully occupied the same field of labour, and is now about to join the mission in Africa, was requested to preside in the ordination, and to give the addresses, to which he readily consented. It was also resolved, that Rev. Mr Somerville, the Secretary of Missions, should be requested to preach at Coldstream on Wednesday the 30th of September; the Rev. John Cairns to preach, Rev. Dr Thomson to preside and ordain, Rev. David Inglis to address the young minister, and Rev. John Peden to address the people. A call from the congregation of Norham, to Mr John Scott, junior, probationer, was presented to the presbytery and sustained. The presbytery next proceeded to consider the proposed union between the Secession and Relief Churches, when they agreed to express themselves favourable to the union, and to approve in general terms of the basis on which it is to be effected. |