1st Linlithgow, 1st Alloa, Borrowstoun- | Congregation, Brechin, was present, and ness, Bannockburn, Kincardine, and accepted of the call, and delivered part 2d Dunblane, with congregational pe- of his trials for ordination. Mr Mactitions from the three last named places, kenzie, preacher, also delivered part of approved entirely of the scheme. That his trials for ordination in Carnoustie. from Bathgate, while desiring union, The presbytery having proceeded to was unfavourable to the terms. Those consider the scheme of union with the from 1st and 2d Stirling, Dennyloanhead, Relief Church, received reports from six 2d Falkirk, and Avonbridge, while ap- of their sessions on this subject; three proving on the whole of the basis, were of them reporting that they were in agreed in desiring the distinct recogni- favour of this union, on the basis protion of the Catechisms, as part of the posed; one, that the majority were for public profession of the church; those delay; and two, that they had their diffrom Avonbridge and Dennyloanhead, ficulties, but would not stand in the way objecting to the proposed name of the of it. The members of presbytery then united body; and those from 2d Falkirk delivered their sentiments on the whole and 2d Stirling, urging the publication subject, when it was resolved to report of a summary of principles and a testi- to the Synod, that this presbytery apmony. The presbytery agreed to trans- proves in general of the basis of union, mit to the Synod such of the reports as prepared by the united committee; and were in writing, with others that might while some of the members of presbytery be forwarded to the clerk in proper time. are desirous of having this union speedily In their own report to the Synod, the consummated, there are others of them presbytery agreed to express their ear- who feel difficulties in the way of it, but nest desire for the completion of the will offer it no opposition. Appointed union on good grounds, and with the Messrs Eckford and Hay to accompany general consent of both churches,-their and assist a deputation to be sent by the satisfaction with the greater part of the Synod's committee to those congregabasis-their concurrence with such of tions of the presbytery, in which the the sessions as had recommended the re- stipend falls beneath L.100. Appointed cognition of the Catechisms, and the the Rev. Robert Forbes, and Mr James publication of a summary and a testi- Lundie, elder, to be members from this mony-and their deep anxiety that the presbytery on the committee of bills consummation of the union might be and overtures at next meeting of Synod. effected without, in any measure, injuring Next meeting of presbytery at Arbroath, the interests of truth, purity, or peace. on Tuesday after the last Sabbath of Their report on Sabbath profanation was December. to the effect of urging a more vigorous and prayerful application of spiritual means for the cure of that great evil, and of recommending greater care on the part of magistrates, as to the licensing and regulating public houses, which are found to be the cause of much of the desecration of the Lord's day, which takes place in our land.

Kirkcaldy. The presbytery, on the summons of the moderator, pro re nata, met on 25th September, and was constituted. Received and read, and agreed to transmit to the Synod, a petition from the elders and other members of the congregation of Leslie; a report from the session of Burntisland; a memorial from the session of Buckhaven (adhered Arbroath.-The presbytery met at to by the congregation), approving of Montrose, on the 15th day of September; the basis of union between the United the Rev. Henry Hyslop, moderator. A Secession and Relief Churches, and praymoderation having been previously grant- ing for the speedy accomplishment of the ed, at a pro re nata meeting, to the con-union on that basis. Also petitions, one gregation of Muirton, the report of it was now received; namely, that a unanimous call had been given by them to Mr John Buick, preacher: which call, signed by 102 members in full communion, and adhered to by fifty ordinary hearers, was laid before the presbytery, and sustained; and in the hope that Mr Buick would see it his duty to accept of the call, subjects of trial, with a view to ordination, were assigned him. Mr Heddle, preacher, under call to the First

from the session and another from the congregation of Kennoway, praying for the accomplishment of said union at the ensuing meeting of the Synods, which were likewise transmitted. Extract of the minutes of the session of Markinch were presented, and verbal reports were made regarding the sessions of Lochgellie, of Kinghorn, and of Bethelfield, and of Union Church, Kirkcaldy, bearing that they approved of the scheme of union, and were desirous of the speedy

ON THE BEST MEANS OF COUNTERACTING

THE PREVALENCE OF INFIDELITY AND
THE DESECRATION OF THE SABBATH.

incorporation of the two churches. Agreed | be their pastor. The Kev. E. G. Dall of to communicate them to the Synod. The Bedlington, preached and presided. presbytery then proceeded to the consideration of the basis of union agreed on by the joint committee. Read said basis. On considering the several articles seriatim, it was unanimously agreed to approve of said basis-except article 2d, of which the presbytery approved, Mr Bain dissenting, "Because it appears to make the voluntary principle denominational, which has not hitherto been the case: and because he prefers the Secession exception to Confession, chapter xxiii., as more discriminating and explicit."

(Adopted by the United Secession Presbytery of Dunfermline for circulation within their bounds.)

(Concluded from our last.)

II.

We come now to speak of the second Dundee. The presbytery met at Dun- of these evils to which the attention dee on the 29th September; the Rev. of the presbytery has been directed, viz. George Gilfillan, moderator. Appointed, the profanation of the Sabbath; in reas members of the Committee of Bills spect of which a most unfavourable and Overtures at the ensuing meeting of change has taken place in many parts Synod, the Rev. James M'Gavin, and of the country; and nowhere, perWilliam Wallace, elder. Also to ac-haps, greater than in the town where company the deputies from the Mission we are now met. It has been menBoard, in visiting the congregations in the bounds whose ministers receive less than L.100 per annum, the Rev. James R. M'Gavin. The elder from the Rattray congregation requested that a member of presbytery be appointed to dispense the Lord's Supper to that congregation, on the fourth Sabbath of October. The presbytery appointed the Rev. George Gilfillan accordingly. Called for the reports of sessions on the scheme of union with the Secession and Relief Churches. These were read, and the presbytery agreed to transmit them to the Synod. Entered on the consideration of the basis of union, when the presbytery agreed, that in the 2d article, the Larger and Shorter Catechisms should be recognised as part of the church's confession. That articles 4th and 5th are vague and defective; that a summary of principles should be drawn up and issued by the Synod; and that the presbytery consider the union of these two bodies as most desirable, but think that there should be some delay till these alterations be effected. From this decision Mr Gilfillan dissented. Mr Andrew Henderson having finished his course of study at the Hall, after the usual examination, had prescribed to him subjects of trial for license. Next meeting of presbytery to be held in Dundee on Tuesday the 10th of November.

CALL.

On the 20th of September, the United
Secession Congregation of North Mid-
dleton, gave a unanimous call to Mr
Peter Whyte, preacher of the gospel, to

tioned, that whereas formerly it would have excited astonishment to see a man in the streets, on Sabbath, in his working dress, and no woman came out on that day, except with the appearance of either going to church, or having been at it, now, young men are to be seen in companies of four, five, or six, in the streets, in their working dress, at the very time others are going to church; and, at the same time, women may be seen out, in their every day dress, carrying water, or employed in some similar way: neither men nor women apparently the least ashamed, but glorying in their disregard of the sacred day. And such is the number of persons, young and old, who stroll out on Sabbath into the country, as to occasion great uneasiness to the persons who reside there, many of whom complain that they are prevented from attending public worship, by having to guard their property from being thoughtlessly destroyed by idlers from the town. It has been stated, that within these ten years, there has been an increase of church accommodation in Dunfermline, to the extent of about onefourth; but that, to all appearance, there has not been the slightest increase, but rather a decrease, in the number of the church-going population. In the smaller towns and villages within the bounds of the presbytery, the evil, it is believed, has not yet reached such a degree; but to a very considerable extent, most of them have participated in it.

It is supposed that the unfavourable change of which we speak, began about nine years ago, when, through depression

of trade, strikes, and other causes, the circumstances of many persons were much reduced. At that period, and in the years of distress that followed, many in their deep poverty lost all self-respect, disappeared from the church, and have never again resumed the habits of their better days. But one of the most painful circumstances connected with the violation of the Sabbath, is, that it has been greatly promoted by the conduct of many professors of religion among us, and there is reason to fear by many members of our churches.

1st, Some of them protract their worldly business to such a late hour of the night of Saturday, that they are unfit for the duties of the Sabbath morning.

2d, Some do not hesitate to take journies on Sabbath, to save time for their week day employments. Others take jaunts for pleasure, at the same time, perhaps, compounding with their conscience by hearing a sermon in the village or district which they visit.

3d, There is reason to fear that there are members of churches among us, who keep houses of entertainment open on that day, not for the purpose merely of supplying accommodation or refreshment to strangers who may be remaining over Sabbath on business, or to persons who come from a distance to wait on public worship; but for the purpose of receiving and supplying persons who dwell in the neighbourhood, or who, at all events, ought to be at home in their own houses, keeping the Sabbath with their families. Opportunities and temptations are thus furnished at once to Sabbath breaking, and to drunkenness.

in all other cases, when secular employments must be carried on to some extent every day in the week, two or more persons could easily be found, who might, by turns, relieve each other on the Sabbath, either for the whole day, or a part of it; so that no one would be hindered from taking his place in the sanctuary for two days in succession. When individuals, therefore, engage in employments that preclude them from attendance at the house of God for months together, it may be held that sin is willingly and deliberately committed.

5th, Another practice injurious to the right observance of the Sabbath, is that of having funerals on that day. It is admitted that there may be circumstances in which it may be necessary to bury the dead on Sabbath. But in the vast majority of cases, no plea of necessity can be urged. It is believed that the practice is adopted generally from considerations of worldly convenience; and more especially for the purpose of securing a larger attendance. Thus, the undertaker and his servants, the overseer of the churchyard, and his servants, must all be engaged in their secular employments. The members of the family must have their attention occupied with preparations for the service. The house must be set in order for the reception of the company, and many things done contrary to the command, which says of the Sabbath, "In it thou shalt not do any work." A portion of the company, perhaps all of them, are hindered from being in their places in the sanctuary. And all for what? For a service that might easily have been performed on 4th, There are members of churches the day before, or reserved for the day among us, who, for hire, give up with after. It is an evil omen, when death the Sabbath, and agree to follow their in a family is made the means, not of usual employment on that day, to their strengthening, but of weakening attachentire exclusion from the place of public ment to religion, and to the sanctuary. worship. Some of these declare them- But, selves to be in charge of public works, 6th, Perhaps the mode in which the which they must on no consideration members of churches among us most leave. Others are in charge of cattle, extensively participate in the profanaticu whose owner is unwilling to have them of the Sabbath is, in walking abroad prointrusted even for a few hours in the fessedly for recreation. Many seem to week to any other person; and there-think that if they have been at a place fore, there must be no Sabbath for them. of worship during the day, there can be In all such cases there are two parties no harm in spending a portion of the chargeable with sin, the employer, who afternoon or evening in walking in comhas tempted his servant to enter into panies along the streets, or roads, or over such an arrangement;-and the indivi- the fields. Many endeavour to justify dual himself, who has consented for hire the practice; and arguments like the to give up with his Sabbath. It is be- following are urged in its behalf. It is lieved that there is no necessity lying said that many persons never see the upon either party, which can justify such green fields through the week; that they a course. In the cases referred to, and breathe all the week through a polluted

and unwholesome atmosphere; that the we do to arrest this extensive and daily health both of the body and mind re-increasing evil? quires that they should walk out on Sabbath; that nothing is more fitted to harmonize with the devout feelings that belong to the day, than to go forth amid the pure and tranquil scenes of nature, and contemplate and admire the works of God; and, finally, as if conscious that all this is not sufficient, it is added, that the Sabbath may be spent sinfully within doors, as well as without.

MONTHLY RETROSPECT.