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government, and cannot be assumed by tion is both inferior in quality, and less it without deteriorating and debasing the in amount than if the matter had been people, and probably, in the end, enslav- left in the hands of the people; while, ing them. It is impossible to relieve at the same time, popery is directly and men from any portion of responsibility assiduously fostered, and is flourishing which Providence wisely and beneficently accordingly. So the Patriot, which proimposes, without, in a variety of ways fesses to have peculiar means of infordoing them an injury. It would be of mation respecting the affairs of Ireland, ruinous consequence, physically, socially strenuously affirms. *-With respect to and morally, were government to take Scotland, we believe nearly all the eninto its hands the clothing of the people, lightened and liberal portion of the com. and the feeding of them from huge soup-munity would esteem it of vast importance kitchens erected throughout the land; that the religious tests in her universities yet that might possibly be done consis- were abolished that the parochial tently with the preservation of some de- schools were dissevered from the kirk, gree of national independence and free- and that the masters were appointed, not dom; but the education of their children for life, but for a limited period of time, by the state would be utterly destruc- and by some reasonably constituted body tive of every thing of the sort. It is of men, instead of the heritors of the maintained, besides, that England does parish possessing the hundred-pound not need an eleemosynary state-educa- qualification. As to what else may be tion-that on the voluntary principle she desirable, there will probably be a diverhas already made provision almost sity of opinion. adequate for the whole population; and that Ireland has been positively injured by her national system; that her educa

It is but justice, however, to say that Archbishop Whately maintains the opposite.

CONGREGATIONAL DEBT.

AN ARTICLE TO BE READ EARLY.

A GROWING desire to get rid of congre- | meet their obligations; and, therefore, gational debt has been awakened of late the efforts which have been put forth, years among the people of the Secession and produced results so creditable and Church. This general desire has been cheering, have been desultory, unimpresgreatly promoted, if, indeed, it has not sive, unrecorded, and unacknowledged. been originated, by the Synod's Board Now, indeed, this state of things seems for Assisting Weak Congregations, who drawing to a close. The Synod, at its in prosecuting the work to which they meeting in October last, listened with deep were called, namely, stimulating, and interest to the first proposal to attack, encouraging, and assisting congrega- systematically and earnestly, the entire tions whose debts were burdensome, to debt resting on the churches of the Seaim at their liquidation in whole or in cession,-and while the Synod has not part,-furnished arguments which it assumed, and does not attempt to exerwas felt reached farther than to that de- cise the same authority, in this matter scription of congregations to which they of paying debt, with congregations who were first addressed, and whose success have not applied for aid to the common furnished illustrations of power and fund, as in investigating into the circumprinciple, which, while it rebuked, en- stances of those who have so applied, couraged the wealthier class of congre- the court has, in virtue of the powers gations to follow and to imitate. From with which it is invested for the gewhatever cause, or variety of causes, the neral weal, not recommended merely, movement has sprung, its stride is now but earnestly enjoined all the congregafirm and unwaveringly progressive; ten tions, who have any debt, to meet in thousand pounds a year being the December of the present year, to consider average at which the unassisted portion the subject of its reduction or extincof our church has been proceeding for tion. some time in sweeping away debt. Hi- Scarcely then will you have had time therto, however, the Synod has scarce to peruse this article, and the report interfered with the debts of those con- which the Board presented to the Synod, gregations who were able, or acted as if when you will be summoned to attend they were able, without assistance to The Report referred to above is annexed, NO. XII. VOL. III.

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your congregational meetings. Let all parties ponder the statements of that report, and laying aside all objections and difficulties, which, disguise it as you will, are only the selfish principle speaking through its many mouths, let each man, and each woman too, reflect seriously what course is most for the glory of God and the well-being and enlargement of the church. It is not doubted that elders and managers, the natural leaders of the people, will lead here. The office-bearers, especially the managers, know and feel in many cases the evil and annoyance of congregational debt; but the congregations must meet-and even when elders and managers hesitate about starting a scheme, or from most mistaken fears propose to raise a sum far under what the emergency demands, no one will blame, all will, in an affair of this sort, applaud the private member of the congregation, male or female, who first commences the list of subscriptions, or who demands with generous confidence that the sum to be raised be of an amount worthy of the congregation and the cause, and such as its members may, without shame, hear named with the efforts of neighbouring congregations, all engaged in the same healthful exercise of striking off their fetters.

shipload of arguments less pithily supported. Many of the congregations, however, as we have said, are likely to come to the consideration of the question submitted to them, without the advantage of much statistical information, well digested argument, or stirring appeal, beyond what may be obtained from their own members—as the subject is one on which few ministers care about taking a very prominent part. It may not be without benefit that, in these circumstances, we sketch shortly a plan of proceeding, and illustrate the capabilities of congregations by a few details.

The first step, then, in every case, will be for the elders and managers to meet together. This they are enjoined to do by synodical authority. When met, they ought to have the congregational books balanced-so as to ascertain, not only the debt contracted, but the liabilities to which they are exposed. The next matter for consideration is, how great a portion of the debt ought they to recommend to the congregation to attempt to pay, and within what time. Now in settling the first of these two propositions, they will be greatly guided by turning up the printed reports of the board during the years of its existence, -and then, after ascertaining the sums raised by the congregations visited, reducing the question to one of proportionwhich some of their young people will work out for them, if themselves are pressed for time. The question may be thus put-"If a congregation, whose members were few, and whose means small, raised the sum indicated in the report, how much ought we, who are neither few nor poor, to raise ?"—or, not to shame the arithmetical powers of the young people aforesaid, let us make our problem still simpler, and it might run thus: "If a weak congregation of 150

As so much is to be done-done simultaneously-done by all-and done in so short a time, it will be impossible for the Edinburgh and Glasgow Boards to give the same efficient aid by deputations which they were enabled to extend to those congregations who, during the last few years, applied for help. Many of the congregations will, in their efforts, be thrown on their own resources, or those of ministers and others within the same presbytery; and much might be done in this way. The office-bearers -both clerical and lay-in our church are somewhat familiar with the proceed-members subscribed L.200, what ought a ings at such meetings. They are apt, congregation, not weak, of 300 members however, if not hitherto engaged in the to raise ?" The answer of course—I work, to be too easily deterred, or to mention it while the young people are rest content with an effort short of the casting it up on their slates,—is, "If you mark, but they can, notwithstanding, do allow nothing for diversity of circummuch to assist; and a minister and elders stances, but look only to numbers, the belonging to a congregation whose debt congregation, not weak, will raise L.400; has already been greatly reduced or ex- and if you do allow for this diversity— tinguished by some such method as is add as much more as may meet the case." now proposed, are invaluable auxiliaries This result, or something like it, may for stirring up others. The single fact assist the office-bearers in determining which such advocates state-"We were the question of amount, and then as to in debt, and by our own exertions are the other query with which they set out, now free ;" and the single argument" Within what time should the subscripbased upon it-"What we did, that also tions be called up?" we again warn them may ye do,”—is worth a bushel or a of another error into which persons in

their circumstances are apt to fall, and that is, in supposing that the work will be easier accomplished by spreading it over a large space of time. The fact is, people get tired of an effort of this kind, which possesses few of the attractions connected with missionary labour, the stimulus, in this latter case, being kept up by the fresh intelligence, which nerves to a continuance in such well-doing; and it will be generally found that the effort to throw off debt may be best finished at once, or spread over a period of half a year, and should rarely extend to a twelvemonth, and hardly ever beyond. There is just one other point on which the officebearers should be prepared. They have ascertained their debt; they have resolved how much of it they will recommend to the congregation to pay off, and within what time; and they must now talk over the sums with which they individually are to start the subscription. Much depends on this. If, after the details are laid before the people, and the recommendation to pay off so much debt is adopted by a show of hands, the subscription papers be not produced quickly, and the thing get a hearty and liberal start from those men who should lead here as elsewhere, let it not be wondered at if an entire or partial failure be the result. If the people take to yawning, they will never work with spirit. Begin the subscription at 5s., and you will scarce have a higher sum on your list: begin it with L.20, and you will have half a dozen of contributors at L.10.

The elders and managers having now arranged the preliminaries, and having for the previous eight days been active in pressing upon the attention of the members, the necessity of turning out in great numbers to the meeting, are glad to find, on proceeding to the church, that the attendance is good. The proposal previously agreed upon, is stated to and urged upon the congregation, with all the earnestness of men desirous to succeed in enlisting their brethren in the contemplated onslaught on the debt. Objectors, if such there be, are treated with all forbearance, and a few explanations, frankly given, will probably disarm their opposition, and convert them into active supporters. Then follows the show of hands, pledging the people to engage cordially in the measure, while the subscriptions begun, not afterwards, but at the time and on the spot, will at once stimulate and guarantee an effort which shall prove no sham one. Immediately after the work of subscribing has

closed for the evening, the congregation should instantly appoint collectors to visit the absent members, and probably to call in passing on those who have already subscribed, and who may, on after reflection, or consulting with the folks at home, be disposed to enlarge their contributions. The business is now in a fair way; it has got a good beginning, and we know how far that goes to ensure a successful result. From that time forward let each man make the matter his own; let all keep talking over it; let it be spoken of as a thing which must succeed; let the people shake hands over the affair every time the collectors report progress, and that success will crown their labours, who can doubt?

On examination of the report of the Board already alluded to as presented to the Synod in October, it will be noticed that the great mass of the congregations of the Secession have debts not exceeding L.400. Now it may guide. the efforts at which we have pointed, to consider what demand is really made upon a people, if we suppose a single case which can be easily adopted by the necessary alterations to suit any actual case. Suppose a congregation of 300 members have a debt of L.300, and they propose to pay the whole in six months; well, if

50 Members will give 2s. a week each, this will produce

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give 1s. give 6d.

50 unable to contribute at all

300

L.125 125 62

Sum realized in six months L.312 Here is the entire debt raised, and a few pounds over for the missionary society, and nobody will say that he has been oppressed or impoverished by the sacrifice he has made. It is proper, however, to state that these calculations are given with a view to convince all and sundry that a congregation is equal to a far greater effort than many persons who will not take time to reflect suppose; but we would mislead rather than guide congregations did we thereby produce the impression, that because were the burden equally borne, it would fall lightly on all, therefore the highest subscription any one need give should be settled on a scale like the foregoing. There are members of churches who will not be moved to part with money freely whatever the object; and there are families whose heads, and some of whose members, may be connected with a church, who are apt to club their con

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tributions. For these and other short- adherents, and for members so poor as comings allowance must be made, so to be unable to contribute at all; there that, laying aside mere calculations of still remain 100,000. Would it be thought the kind indicated, and proceeding to a prodigious effort-a thing to make a this great work with a generous feel- boast about-a thing to make the world ing that it is connected with the cause wonder-if we were to expect that of this of Him who became poor, that we grand total of contributors one-half, or through his poverty might become rich, 50,000, would give a halfpenny a day; let each give as the Lord hath pro- this would produce L.38,020 a year. spered him. And if the other 50,000 would give a farthing

a day, it would produce 19,010
L.57,030

Total per annum,

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There is a consideration, too, which ought not to be lost sight of, and which should have great weight with individuals in inducing them to give with a full hand, and it is this-that unlike What think you of the treasurer's estimissionary or other benevolent contri- mate now? Do you think our resources butions, it is not to be repeated. Once are exhausted? Oh, is it not matter of done, it is never to be done over again. It bitter rebuke to us, and a consideration is debt_extinguished-extinguished for which ought to bring the blush upon our ever. It is the breaking of the chains cheek, that our contributions to missions by which your energies have been bound, have hitherto been on so low a scale; and whose fragments you mean not that the L.10,000 demanded of us, and to weld again, but to cast from you, re- whose amount may startle some, is at joicing in your emancipation self- the rate of about a quarter of a farthing achieved. a day from the members of our church, after deducting the poor and other noncontributors!

It were out of place and superfluous to repeat here the arguments and motives which ought to induce congregations to Up, then, brethren, and at the debt. get rid of their debt, these having been It stands in the way of every thing. It already discussed in the report so often pesters you with its ceaseless annoyances; referred to. Some persons fancy, doubt- it brings a reproach on you and your less, that the energies of our church are cause; it hinders you giving as liberally being taxed sufficiently already, and that as you wish to the great and growing more is beginning to be demanded of her work of missions; it is a thing of which for missions and other kindred objects no good and much evil may be spoken. than she is equal to. There could Away with it, then. Our missionary scarcely, however, be a greater mistake; church, like a gallant vessel, is preparing and we shall prove our position by a few her guns and manning her decks for calculations, which, we venture to assert, action; and what is it makes her swim will satisfy the greatest alarmist that so heavily? what encumbers her crew as ever made a guess in the dark. The they tread her boards? Why, nothing synodical treasurer, in making an esti- but these great chests full of mortgages mate for the ensuing year of our mission- and bonds and obligations of every name. ary undertakings, large and expensive as Overboard with them is the cry, then ;these are necessarily becoming, and in- and overboard they are disappearing cluding in the estimate the fund for in- fast; and as the waves close over the creasing small stipends, &c., showed that last fragment that remains to encumber a sum of about L.10,000 was required. and annoy, men shall trip lightly and Now we know that a great deal is done joyously to their work; the lightened and much money expended on missions, craft will swim gallantly in the waters, which don't fall under the cognizance of equipped and eager for her voyage, and the Synod at all; but making allowance carrying, not the meteor-flag of England, for this, let us see whether, in reaching but the broader banner of universal this L.10,000 demand, we have done brotherhood, on whose ample folds are "what we could" to meet the emergen- inscribed these glowing words,-" Glory cies of the times. The number of mem- to God in the highest, on earth peace, bers and adherents of the Secession and good-will to men." church is 140,000. Deduct from this total 40,000 for persons who are only

EDINBURGH.

JAMES GREIG.

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sembly of

127

286

289

208, 437

380

90

City Missionary, Extracts from
the Journal of a
Congregational Lecture,
CONGREGATIONS, NOTICES OF:-
Auchtermuchty, 89-Birken-
head, 327-Buckhaven, 429—
Braehead, 140-Edinburgh,
Bristo, 186; Cowgate, 30; Ni-
colson St., 31-Glasgow, Eglin-
ton St., 31-Portobello, 90-
Langholm, 140-London, Al-
bion Chapel, 186-Manchester,
329, Mauchline, 31--Newcastle,
141-Peebles, 30-Perth, 30,

NO. XII. VOL. III.

532

D'Aubigné's Discourses, 123
-D'Aubigné's Reformation,
310-D'Aubigné's Discour-
ses, 464-Davies' China, 124
Dobbie's Funeral Services,
504-Duncan's Discourses,
67-Dyer's Memoir, 501
Easts' Sermons, 565-Ellis'
Women of England, 176
Foote on Effectual Calling, 317
-Foster's Life, 554-Free
Church Magazine, 333, 423,
467-Fisher's Annuals, 567
-Fisher's Gallery, 319
Hamilton's Mount of Olives,
462 Henderson's Minor
Prophets, 70-Heroine,
(The), 24-Hodge's Atone-
ment, 319-Heugh's Por-
trait, 426
Jamieson's Letters, 72-Jay's
Family Prayers, 464—Jef-
frey's Discourses, 563-Je-
suits, The, 506

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