THE Synod met in St. Peter's-square Church, Manchester, at two p.m., on Tuesday, the 21st of April, when the Rev. Professor Campbell, Moderator of last Meeting of Synod, preached an appropriate sermon from Psalm cii. 13, 14, and Jer. vi. 16, first clause. Divine service having been concluded, the reverend Professor descended from the pulpit to the chair appropriated to the Moderator, and constituted the Synod with prayer. The roll of members was then read by Professor Lorimer, Clerk, pro tempore, and a Committee appointed to examine Elders' commissions and to report. The Moderator having returned thanks for the honour done him in electing him to the chair, and the uniform kindness he had experienced from all the members of the Church, not only in the discharge of the duties of his office, but in every department of labour in which he was called to engage, proposed that Mr. William Blackwood, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, should be elected Moderator of this meeting of Synod; which proposal, after some discussion, having been moved and seconded, was unanimously agreed to, and Mr. Blackwood took the chair accordingly.

After the newly installed Moderator had addressed the House, Professor Campbell resumed his duties as Clerk, and a Committee on bills, overtures, references, and order of business, consisting of the following members, was appointed, viz., Messrs. A. Munro (Convener), Professors Campbell and Lorimer, J. Anderson, Murdoch, Drs. Paterson and Brown (Ministers), and Messrs. Hamilton, Lamb, and Glover (Elders).

The Synod then adjourned to meet in the evening at six o'clock.

EVENING SEDERUNT, APRIL 21, 1846. The proceedings opened with singing and prayer, and reading the Scriptures.

The Clerk of the Synod read the minutes of the morning Sederunt, which were sus

tained.

It was moved by Professor Campbell, seconded, and unanimously agreed to:

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That_the_best_thanks of the Synod be given to Professor Lorimer for the manner in which he has discharged the duties of Clerk during the past year."

When the thanks of Synod were conveyed from the chair accordingly,

It was then moved by Professor Lorimer, seconded, and unanimously agreed to:"That the thanks of this Court be given to Professor Campbell, our late Moderator, for his admirable conduct in the chair; and, adding to that, our best thanks for the excellent sermon which he has addressed to us to

day."

Which thanks were given accordingly. The Synod then called for the Report of the Committee on bills, overtures, and the order of business, which was to the following effect-viz., that the following overtures were

laid before them, and which the Committee agreed to transmit to the Synod.

1st. Overture on Presbyterial Visitations, from the Presbytery of London.

2d. Overture on the State of Religion | ter; but in these cases I have found Presbywithin the bounds of the Church, from the terial visitation to do good. I have known it Presbytery of Northumberland. in many cases to be a means of reviving re 3d. Overture anent Free Church of the ligion in congregations-promoting the supCanton de Vaud, from the Presbytery of Nor- port of the schools, and the preservation of thumberland. the prayer meetings of improving matters in a pecuniary point of view-reviving religion, and promoting its extension, and in every respect proving a blessing to the congregation. How are we to proceed to such

4th. Overture anent Barrier Act, from the Presbytery of London.

Order of Business for Wednesday. 1. College Committee Report, with relative

documents.

2. Report of School Committee.

EVENING SEDERUNT.

1. Home Mission Report, with relative documents.

The Committee recommend that the House, from ten to eleven to-morrow, should be employed in devotional exercises.

A Committee was then appointed to revise the records of Commission of Synod, and to report.

OVERTURE ON PRESBYTERIAL
VISITATIONS.

The Synod then called for the overture on Presbyterial Visitations, which was read, and is of the following tenour:At 16, Exeter Hall, the Fourteenth day of April, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty-six years; which day the Presbytery of London held

its ordinary Monthly Meeting, and was duly

constituted,

viz.:

a visitation? I conceive that the last of part the overture is essentially necessary in pointing out the steps for the proper management of such visitation. In the matter of the Church at Ulster such steps have been taken. Questions have been formed and printed for the guidance of Presbyteries. Mr. Wilson concluded by moving the adoption of the over

ture.

Mr. FISHER, in seconding the motion, said, Some years ago, before the disruption of the Church of Scotland was contemplated, there was a movement made in some quarters of the Church towards the adoption of some such system; but owing to the state in which parties were at that period it was passed over. Whether the Free Church will carry out that system we cannot at present say; but I have no doubt that, if the Committee be appointed to form some kind of regulation, it might guide the Presbytery in carrying out the measure, and not only would good results follow from it, but congregations which are in good working condition, and many other congregations, might be preserved from falling into such a state as has been referred to,

Inter alia, Ágreeably to notice formerly given, Mr. Wilson moved the transmission of the follow ing overture to the ensuing meeting of Synod, "Whereas it is in accordance with the genius Mr. D. FERGUSSON.-Moderator, the Free of our Presbyterian constitution, and closely connected with the efficiency of our system and with Church are a step more in advance in many the purity and prosperity of the Churches, that things than our Church. I think the propoPresbyteries should take the oversight of indivi-sition, if carried out, is calculated to stir up dual congregations, from time to time visit them, the hearty zeal of our members, as is stated in the overture, and I think it would be a good thing to appoint the Committee to take the steps necessary for effecting the objects of this overture.

and stimulate office-bearers and members alike to the discharge of their duties;

"It is, therefore, humbly overtured by the Presbytery of London, to the reverend the Synod of the Presbyterian Church in England, to take steps towards the establishment of a system of Presbyterial visitation, and the drawing up of a series of regulations to be followed by the Presbyteries in the discharge of this office."

Professor CAMPBELL.-By the simple adop tion of the overture we do not bind ourselves to anything, because a Presbytery has a right at any time to visit any congregation within its bounds. The difficulty will be when the Extracted from the records of the Presbytery of system apparently contemplated in the overLondon, by JAMES FERGUSON, Pres. Clerk. ture comes to be put into practical operation. Mr. WILSON, of London, was then heard at I am satisfied that a system of Presbyterial length in support of the overture; and, in visitations will be productive either of great the course of a long and eloquent speech good or great evil. Such being the alterna(which we lament our space compels us very tives before us, there is the best possible reamuch to abridge), said, I assure you that my son why we should proceed with great callmotive in bringing forward that overture in tion. I am certain, from the state of public the Presbytery of London was of the best and feeling amongst us, a Presbyterial visitation purest kind, and solely and purely for the will leave no congregation in the condition good of our Church, entirely for the good of in which it found it. I therefore repeat, religion-solely for the preservation of truth that we should proceed with the greatest amongst us and the efficiency of our congre- circumspection. But still I see no reason gations. These, Sir, are my only reasons for to oppose the measure at this stage. By bringing forward that overture. We are all at- adopting the overture and consenting to the tached to early habits and customs, and for the appointment of a Committee to prepare last twenty-two years I have been accustomed plan for conducting such visitations we pledge to Presbyterial visitations. I have, indeed, ourselves to nothing. After the Committee witnessed them occasionally and frequently has given in its report we are as free as we during that time; and I have, in all cases of are now to consider the matter on its merits, the kind, remarked that I found them tend to and adopt, amend, or alter, or reject, just as the most blessed results. The overture is not appears to us for the glory of God and the intended to interfere with the liberty of the good of the Church. I am therefore in faMinister, the liberty of the Session, or the li-vour of adopting the overture and appointing berty of the congregation. But I conceive a Committee. it to be essentially necessary that the system of Presbyterial visitation should be carried out. I can state to you, as a fact, that I have known many congregations where matters had got into a very disorganized state, and an inefficient state, and where the people were not in the habit, in a pecuniary point of view, of discharging their duty towards their Minis

Which motion, having been seconded, the Presbytery unanimously agreed to transmit the said overture.

Mr. WATSON.-Moderator, feeling, as I do, a great interest in the prosperity of our chapels, I confess to you that I should ap proach my congregation with great diffidence if this overture be passed. I should like to have heard something with reference to the second part of the overture-namely, the form of these questions-at this meeting of the

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success, with which they discharged the important duties assigned to them. Their Lectures gave the highest satisfaction to the Students, who, it is pleasing to add, did not fail to express to these gentlemen their sense of obligation for the kindness and the value of their instructions. Nor will this Church soon forget the truly cordial reception which her Deputation received from the last General Assembly of the Free Church, when, setting forth the difficulties she had to contend with in establishing this Institution, and the present slenderness of her resources, they communicated her earnest request that the Assembly would aid her in procuring the temporary services which have just been referred to. The response made to that request was as generous and effective as this Church could have desired; and it will be the pleasing duty of her next Deputation to express her sense of obligation for the seasonable and valuable aid which she has thus received.

Having thus referred to the services rendered to the College by ministers of the Sister Church, the Committee feel bound, at the same time, to express their grateful sense of what the Institution Owes to their own brethren, Professors Lorimer and Campbell, for the faithful and efficient manner in which they have performed the duties of the Chairs of Biblical Criticism and Hebrew, and of Ecclesiastical History, and for the lively interest which they have uniformly manifested in the prosperity of the College.

The Classes were opened, as in the former Session, at the beginning of November, and the number of students who joined then, and in the course of the Session, amounted to 33; of these, however, 6 were compelled to discontinue their attendance soon after commencing it, from finding that it was inconsistent with the duties they owed to certain religious Societies in London, whose agents they were. The number was thus reduced to 27, of whom 16 attended the Theological Classes, and 11 the Preliminary Class for the study of Greek and Latin. Of these 27, again, 3 were unprofessional students, though in regular attendance, and 6 belong at present to other religious denominations; deducting both of which numbers, there remain 18 students,-12 in the Theological department, and 6 in the Preliminary, who may be considered available for the future ministry of our Church in England. This number, when swelled still further by the accessions which may confidently be expected in future Sessions, will bear a very adequate proportion to the rate at which our Church may be expected, looking to her resources in other respects, to extend herself in England, and also to the average annual number of vacancies which may be expected to occur. Of the whole 27 students, 16 joined for the first time this last Session, and of the 18 students, in whom we are principally interested, the gratifying number of 10 were new students.

The Preliminary Class was conducted, during the last Session, by Mr. William Hamilton, A.M., the senior student of the Institution, and a superior scholar and experienced classical teacher; and the Committee advert with much satisfaction to the case of several students who have lately joined this Class, in circumstances which give the best evidence of their devotion to the cause of Christ, and of their attachment to this Church, and who, but for the provision of this class, might have been lost to our ministry.

The arrangement that Mr. Hamilton should conduct the Preliminary Class was merely a temporary one, made to meet the exigencies of last Session. The Committee had received no authority from the Synod to make a permanent appointment; nor, indeed, has the Synod yet decided that a class of this kind is to form a permanent feature of the Institution. On this point there is room for a difference of opinion, and the Committee are not prepared to recommend, at present, that the Synod should decide to that effect: but they are of opinion, that the class should still be continued under such temporary arrangements, with regard to the tutor to be engaged, and the branches to be taught by him, as may seem best to the College Committee.

There is, in truth, an indispensable necessity in present circumstances for the continuance of such a class in the Institution. This necessity arises from the peculiar position of this country with regard to university education. London is the only city in England where Colleges exist, corresponding in the liberal footing upon which they are placed with regard to admission, to the Universities of Scotland; and in the London Colleges the fees are so very high that few or none of our students could afford to pay them. Where, then, are our students to obtain their pre

paratory classical and philosophical education, unless the Church provides facilities for that end? If the Church, indeed, were resolved to content herself with such chance-supplies of theological students, as she might obtain in future years from Scotland and Ireland, she might dispense with such a class as is now referred to ;but if she aims, as this Committee hope she will never cease to do, to bring into the ranks of her students and ministers-Englishmen, and the sons of Scottish and Irish Presbyterian families, resident in Engiand-she cannot hope to accomplish this vitally important object without such a provision as the Committee are now recommending. She must do her utmost to supply, in the case of her own students, that defect of educational facilities which has just been referred to. other religious denominations in England, unconnected with the Established Church, have been obliged to meet this defect by providing in their Colleges and Academies, classical and philosophi cal tutors, as well as teachers of theology; and it seems indispensably necessary that our Church should follow their example.

All

the

With regard to the Theological Classes, the Committee are unanimously of opinion, that it is highly important and desirable that a permanent Professor of Systematic and Pastoral Theology should be appointed without delay, and they have agreed to include a recommendation to the Synod to that effect in this Report. Considering the great and vital importance of these departments of ministerial study and preparation, it is evidently of great moment to the Church that they should be conducted in the most perfect and efficient manner that can be secured. The Committee have already referred to the very able way in which Dr. Henderson and Mr. Hanna have lectured on these subjects during the past Session, and, therefore, they will not be misunderstood when they urge that such an arrangement as was made at last Synod, however wise and indispensable at the time, was an imperfect one-was attended with some obvious disadvantages, and ought not to be continued one Session longer than is absolutely necessary. The serious disadvantage to our students, of such frequent changes of instructors, will occur to every one, not to speak of the undesirableness of repeating oftener than is quite unavoidable such applications as the Synod made to the Free Church last year-however cordially granted, involving as these do very considerable inconvenience and sacrifice, not only to the ministers selected for such temporary services but also to their congregations. The only consideration which prevented the Synod from making a permanent appointment last year, was state of the funds. But the Committee are of opinion that the financial experience of the Church during the past year has been such as to warrant the Synod to proceed to such an appointment without any further delay. It cannot be said that any very special effort has been made in behalf of the College-funds during the past year; still the contributions received by the Treasurers have been much more than sufficient to cover all the expenses of the Institution; while the very marked success which has attended the efforts of one or two Congregational Associations lately organized, is such as to give assurance to the Church of the ample sufficiency of her pecuniary resources for all her necessities, if only proper means are employed to develop them and make them available. The Committee are persuaded that a much larger sum may still be obtained from our people in support of the College; but it must first be needed before our people will give it. Let the Synod make the staff of Professors complete,-let our people see that the Synod is determined, from the very first, to put the Institution upon the most efficient footing,-let them see that everything that can be done is to be done to secure a supply of thoroughly educated and qualified ministers,-and let justice be done to the liberality of our congregations by their ministers and elders upon whom lies the responsibility of establishing and working associations among them, and this Committee have no fear for the result, they have no apprehension that enlarged funds will be wanting, they are persuaded that the standard of congregational contribution will be raised higher and higher throughout the whole Church, and will be found adequate to supply all the Church's wants.

As considerable anxiety has been felt in some quarters of the Church, regarding the general attainments of the students already admitted to the Theological Classes, the Committee think it well to state that the Presbytery of London, in their capacity as Visitors of the College, have re

cently made some inquiries upon this subject, as well as upon others, no less vitally connected with the efficiency of the Institution. As the Presbytery have resolved to send up to the Synod the result of these inquiries, it will not be necessary for the Committee to say more upon the subject than this, that these results were much more satisfactory than was anticipated by some, and that there does not appear to be much reason for anxiety upon the point referred to, so far as the profes sional Students at present in the Theological Classes are concerned. Still the Committee are quite prepared to allow that there is room for improvement in the Regulations with respect to admission; the standard of previous qualification should unquestionably be raised; the examinations both before and after admission should be made more stringent; the superintendence of Presbyteries over the summer studies of the Students should be rendered more efficient,-in a word, everything practicable and suitable to our peculiar circumstances should be done, in order to guarantee the literary and philosophical, as well as the theological qualifications of the future ministers of the Church. The Committee are therefore gratified to understand that the Visitors of the College have resolved to submit to the Synod a body of improved Regulations in regard to admission and examinations, and they trust that the future working of these Regulations will be such as to secure every object contemplated by them. The Committee would further recommend, that the Synod should reconsider the Regulations formerly adopted, regarding the length of the session, and the employment of the Professors, and to institute such inquiries as it may deem necessary or desirable, with the view of placing the educational arrangements of the College on such a footing as may best secure the efficient training, the rapid progress, and the ultimate accomplishments of our students. The Committee submit this recommendation under the profound conviction that almost everything in the future extension of our Church will depend, under the blessing of her Divine Head, upon the united godliness and learning of her ministers; they are deeply sensible that neither godliness alone, nor learning alone, will suffice, but that both these excellencies must be combined in the Church's ministry, to enable her to lengthen her cords, and to strengthen her stakes in this great country: and while the peculiar difficulties of our position, arising out of the imperfect educational institutions of the country, will not allow us to seek the attainment of our wishes in exactly the same way as might be done in Scotland or Ulster; still the end in view is too important and vital to be ever lost sight of, and must be pursued by all the means and arrangements which are practicable in our circumstances, and which increasing experience may suggest.

Another very important subject which has engaged the attention of the Committee and the Visitors is, the amount of time which the students are able to devote to their studies. No pecuniary aid has yet been extended to them, to enable them to devote their whole time to study; the students have been all self-supporting; and it became an important point to ascertain what proportion of their time and energies they were in

circumstances to bestow upon the work of the classes. The Visitors will submit to the Synod the details of this investigation. The Committee will only remark of the results in general,-that they are such as to make the necessity of providing some bursaries or scholarships abundantly evident. Several of our best and most promising students are at a very serious disadvantage in this respect, and the Church would discover a strange want of concern for her best interests, if she did not devise some means of enabling these young men-her rising hope-to do more justice to their studies than they can possibly do at present. An overture upon this important subject will be brought before the Synod at its present meeting, by the Presbytery of London; and the Committee earnestly trust that some practical plan of meeting the difficulty will be immediately suggested and carried out. They are persuaded that the provision of a few scholarships could be most efficiently worked, not only for the purpose of setting our students free from all secular engagements unsuitable to their prospects, but also for the purpose of stimulating, by wholesome competition, their talents and Industry.

With respect to the College library, the Com mittee are happy to be able to report that, in addition to the works which have been purchased during the past year, contributions of books have been steadily flowing in. The collection now

amounts to nearly 1,300 volumes. The enrichment of this library must of course continue to be an object of great interest and importance; and it is hoped that while the Committee continue to do their part, in voting such annual grants towards it as the state of the funds will warrant, the office-bearers and members of the Church will continue to do theirs, by adding from time to time their esteemed contributions.

The Report of the Treasurers for the past year will be submitted to the Synod by the Treasurers themselves. The Committee have already referred to its results with satisfaction; they trust that the improved condition this year, of all the departments of the Church's finance, may be looked upon as the evidence of a rising spirit of zeal and liberality among our people, and as an earnest of still greater things yet in reserve for us as a Church.

There is a point of importance on which the Committee desire to have an expression of the mind of the Synod, and which they must briefly refer to before concluding this Report, they refer to the extent of their own powers. By the draft of the constitution of the College, which the Synod adopted last year, these powers appear to be limited within the very narrow range of the charge of the financial affairs of the College, and of the arrangements necessary for the accommodation of the classes. The Committee, however, are persuaded that it could not have been the intention of the Synod to narrow their province to such an extent as this, for it could not have been necessary to provide that a Committee entrusted with functions so limited should consist of twentyfour members, twelve of them ministers, besides the two Treasurers. The Synod must have designed to confide to a Committee so constituted, a more enlarged sphere of action than that which is indicated in the constitution referred to. And the Committee respectfully request the Synod to point out more distinctly what that sphere was intended to be, and to discriminate more accurately than hitherto, the several powers and provinces of the Senatus, the Visitors, and the Committee.

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In conclusion, the Committee, referring the Synod to the Professors and Visitors of the College, for information on such matters as do not properly fall within their province,-beg again" to congratulate the Church on the progress which the College has already made, a progress which she was certainly not prepared to expect when she commenced the undertaking. They beg also to be allowed to express their hope that this past success will only serve to stimulate and encourage the Church to renewed and still greater efforts, in order that the arrangements of the Institution may be made complete in every part, that every attainable advantage may be secured to our students; and that thus, by the blessing and grace of the Lord, our College may become a tower of strength to our cause in England.

Mr. MUNRO.-Moderator, I move that the Report be received. I think that the Synod should give some distinct recognition of their having received that Report.

Mr. GARDNER.-Moderator, I second the motion, but on the distinct understanding that we are not committed to all the points contained in it.

The MODERATOR put the motion, which was agreed to.

Mr. WM. HAMILTON produced the Treasurer's Report, which was as follows:

REPORT OF THE TREASURERS OF THE COLLEGE FUND.

WILLIAM HAMILTON,

...

£. s. d. 561 13 0

tions

385 12 9 Annual Subscriptions... 413 12 5 To Amount from Students' Fees Introductory Lecture Tickets...

THE TREASURERS, in submitting their Second Annual Report to the COLLEGE COMMITTEE, would renew their congratulations on the continued To Interest received on Balance prosperity of their lately opened Institution, and on the encouraging prospects afforded of its eventually accomplishing the important purpose for which it was established.

The income for last year amounts to 1,1591.

1844-45

WILLIAM HAMILTON,

8 16

761 5 2

£1721 12 1

ALEXANDER GILLESPIE, Treasurers.

We, the Auditors appointed by the Committee of the English Presbyterian College to examine the Accounts of the Treasurers thereof, have accordingly examined the foregoing Account of the said Treasurers to this date, and having compared the same with the vouchers, find the said Account correct, and that the balance in the Bank of England, as appears from the thereof, amounting to 7611. 5s. 2d. is duly lodged Pass-book kept between the Bank and the said Treasurers. JAMES NISBET, ROBERT STEPHENSON.

London, 11th April, 1846.

Mr. HAMILTON.-Moderator, I would first of all repeat, what is expressed in the Report, my thankfulness that our income this year is so satisfactory. I agree with what is stated in the Report, read by Professor Lorimer, with reference to completing the staff of professors of the College, by which means it will be able to take the station which it ought to occupy, and until it does occupy that station, it will never answer the object and the expectations of its founders. I am quite sure that, from the little experience which we have had, ample means will be obtained to maintain our College in the fullest efficiency. We have not given our people the opportunity which they ought to have of showing their desire to support such an institution. In Regent-square Church, we have, by means of our Congregational Associations, received, from 152 regular contributors, in nine months, upwards of 100%. per month. Our income up to the present time amounts to 1,150/. 198. 1d. The service is, in a great measure, performed by temporary agents, such as Committee-men, although, of £1721 12 1 late, we have increased the number of our deacons. I am satisfied that, without going to Ireland and to Scotland, we have abundant means within our own Church in England to work out this and all our other schemes in all their integrity. But we shall never have complete success without greater efforts than we have yet made. There is not, 14 4 0 I am sure, a single town in England where a Presbyterian minister, of competent education and good character, would not be received £45 17 0 with open arms. with open arms. (Applause.)

1098 7 11 45 13 6

5 20 10 15 8

Cr.

£. s.

March 31st, 1846.

for Room for first and Second Introductory Lecture, 1844

19. Id., of which 153. 8s. is from arrears of By payment for printing in 1844-5; and on referring to the annexed abstract, embracing the different items of which it is composed, it will be observed that there has been a diminution in the Donations, as compared with the previous year, of no less than 516. 18. 6d. This was in some degree anticipated in the last Report, and is easily accounted for. A few generous friends, who were anxious to secure the establishment of our Institution, and in the hope

d.

Mr. GILLESPIE.-Moderator, I quite concur in every thing that my friend Mr. Hamilton has stated. We ought to rely upon our cause, and trust to God's blessing to carry the thing out. I had entertained the idea of sending a deputation to Ireland and Scotland, to aid us in this matter, but I will not move it now; for if we send a deputation to either of those places, they will be sending other deputations here, and the balance will be on the wrong side, and we shall be losers on the account.

Mr. MUNRO.-I move that the Treasurer's Report be received and printed, and that the thanks of this Court be given to our respected friends, Alexander Gillespie and William Hamilton, for the excellent Report which has been read, and for their services as Treasurers of the College Fund which motion was agreed to, and the thanks of Synod communicated from the Chair.

The Report of the College Committee, with the relative documents, were then remitted to

A conversation then ensued regarding the terms and provisions of the act, and after several explanations from Professor Campbell it was unanimously passed.

[The principle of the Barrier Act, we regard as one of the wisest ever introduced into the constitution of the Church. That principle is simply this;-that matters which pertain to all, should by all be determined. In the Scottish Church, where the Supreme Court is a representative assembly, it was absolutely es

various recommendations into a practical shape, and report to a subsequent diet.

[We do not purpose to offer any remarks upon the Report of the College Committee, but we cannot allow this opportunity to pass without recurring to our favourite theme, the importance of Congregational Associations in aid of the schemes of the Church. We re

joice to know, that many of these will be instituted in the course of this summer; that, at next meeting of Synod, Regent square Church will not stand so much alone in its noble contributions to our cause. Most heartily do we concur with the remarks of the worthy Treasurers of the College, to whom the Church on very many accounts, and for many years, has been so deeply obliged, that we possess the amplest resources within ourselves for supporting all our institutions. It is not, we have repeated over and over again, the fault of our people that our contributions are not larger. Our people value the principle of giving, and when an opportunity for contributing is not afforded, by those whose duty it is to provide for it, how many generous friends of our cause have already sought out means and occasions of giving, and giving largely. Our funds for this year bear testimony to the liberality of our people, and we have no doubt whatever that, were the proper machinery for receiving free will offerings provided, it would require no stimulus to double our funds.]

Professor CAMPBELL.-Moderator, the next business on the roll, is an overture on an address of sympathy to the Free Church of the Canton de Vaud, from the Presbytery of Northumberland. [Which overture was withdrawn, as the Commission of Synod had sent such address.]

OVERTURE ON BARRIER ACT.

Professor CAMPBELL.-The next overture is one concerning the Barrier Act, which is as follows:

"At Exeter Hall, 10th February, 1846, which day monthly sitting, and was duly constituted; and, inter alia, agreeably to notice given at last meeting, Professor Campbell now moved that the Presbytery transmit the following overture to the Synod, viz. :

the Presbytery of London held its ordinary

"That whereas it is of the last importance that all laws proposed regarding matters of doctrine, discipline, government, or worship, should, before they are finally enacted, receive the patient and prayerful consideration of the Church; and, whereas it is manifestly impossible that such consideration can be given during the session of one meeting of Synod, it is therefore hereby humbly overtured to the very reverend the Synod of the Presbyterian Church in England by the Presbytery of London

have, as hereinbefore required, expressed their 4. That when a major part of the Presbyteries approbation, the Synod may pass such overture into a law.

5. That when a major part of the Presbyteries have, as hereinbefore required, expressed their disapprobation, then the Synod may reject such overture.'

"Which motion having been seconded, the Presbytery unanimously agreed to transmit said overture."

Professor CAMPBELL.-I do not propose to occupy an unnecessary portion of the attention of this house in submitting this overture. It has been extracted almost verbatim from the law passed by the Church of Scotland, in 1697, and known by the name of the Barrier Act; the only difference is in the regulations appended to the act as it is here presented. The reason why I thought it necessary to introduce these regulations into the overture was this, I was afraid that some of our members might not be aware of the best or at least a uniform plan on which to work the Barrier Act. Our brethren in Scotland have this advantage over us. They have in every court of that Church some aged men,men well acquainted with the laws and forms of business, and the younger ones are trained up under their wing. have come young men to England, have We, on the contrary, formed young Presbyteries, and have been compelled to acquaint ourselves as well as we could with the necessary forms. From a desire to save trouble to my brethren I have put into the overture itself the regulations by which it may be worked. The regula tions are simple. It is unnecessary to say one word to convince the house of the necessity of possessing some such check upon our legislation as this act proposes. That necessity has been felt for several years, and last year there was an overture on the subject from the Presbytery of Northumberland, but it was withdrawn merely because its provisions and forms were contrary to those required by this Church; but at the very time when that overture was withdrawn it was announced, another would be submitted this year. with the approbation of the Court, that Reserving to myself the right of replying to any objections that may be offered to this overture, I at present, in order to save the time of the house, content myself with simply moving that it be adopted and passed into law of this Church.

a

Mr. GILLESPIE.-I was a member when

innovate upon the constitution should be sent to Presbyteries, in order that the whole Church should have an opportunity of deciding upon Supreme Court is not a representative asit. And although in our Church, where the sembly in the same sense as is the Scottish General Assembly, the necessity for such an act is not so essential or at least so apparent; yet, to any one at all acquainted with our forms of business, and experienced in the conduct of the Church's affairs, the necessity must appear sufficiently urgent to evince, that such an act could not longer be delayed. Crude, hasty legislation, acts passed under temporary excitement, to which every assembly of men may sometimes be exposed, ought, of all things, to be avoided. Every possible impediment which wisdom can suggest ought to be placed in the way of every attempt to innovate upon matters of fundamental importance. Time, cool reflection, brotherly consultation, and fervent prayer, ought to precede every attempt at meddling with the framework of our constitution. The Barrier Act, now happily passed into law, secures these important ends.]

OVERTURE ON CONSTITUTION AND

POWERS OF COMMISSION OF SYNOD.

The following overture, anent the constitution and powers of Commission of Synod, was then read:

At 16, Exeter Hall, the 14th day of April, 1846, which day the Presbytery of London held its ordinary monthly meeting, and was duly constituted; inter alia, agreeably to notice formerly given, Professor Campbell moved the transmis sion of the following overture to the ensuing meeting of Synod:

"Whereas doubts have been felt regarding the constitution and powers of the Commission of Synod, and whereas it is most desirable that the constitution and powers of the Commission should tion and guidance of all parties, it is, therefore, be determined and made known, for the satisfachereby humbly overtured to the very reverend the Synod of the Presbyterian Church in England, by the Presbytery of London, to enact the following resolutions into a law of this Church the first Wednesday of October in each year, at "1. The Commission of Syuod shall meet on twelve o'clock noon, in such place as the Synod may from time to time appoint; but the Moderator of the last preceding meeting of Synod, or failing him, by death, removal, or otherwise, the Moderator of the last preceding meeting of Synod, (who is still a Minister of the Church,) is em

powered, on the requisition of a Presbytery, to place as to him may seem meet. convene a meeting, pro re nata, at such time and

"2. The Commission are empowered and ap pointed to take care that what is enacted ally ordered by this and preceding Synods be duly

observed by all concerned.