REFERENCE FROM THE PRESBYTERY | rigid observance of it ought to be to us in OF LONDON IN THE CASE OF MR. HUNTER. (Continued from the Supplement.) Granting that this distinction is well founded, it might have been of some use had the question before the Synod been, What, reasoning abstractly, constitutes the essence of a valid ordination? But with this question the Synod had nothing whatever to do, because the only point before it was, not to make new laws, but to execute laws already passed. The simple matter with which the Synod was occupied was, not to exercise its ingenuity on scholastic distinctions, but to manifest its compliance with the plain requirements of its own standards. What is written in the law; how readest thou?—was the only question that concerned it, and it had nothing to do with another question, viz., What say the Schoolmen; how reasonest thou? But we do think, farther, that such distinctions are, to say the least of them, very dangerous. We hold, with Calvin, that whatever the apostles practised, we are bound to follow. If we are at liberty in one act to distinguish between what we conceive to be the rite and the substance, we must be so in all; and then we may dispense with water in baptism, and with the elements in the Lord's Supper; and so might the Israelites with the imposition of hands upon the head of the sacrifice. But let the distinction be well or ill founded, it did not at all affect the only question before the Synod, which, we repeat it, was not, What, in general, or abstractly considered, is essential to ordination? but What do the Westminster Standards require in order to ordination in this Church? And this question could be disposed of only in the way adopted by the Synod, viz., adhering strictly to its own Standards. to state. The judgment of Calvin, so justly and highly esteemed, it may not be improper here "The apostles (says the great Reformer). . . . used no other ceremony in appointing to the ministerial office than imposition of hands. . . . The apostles adopting this rite (from the Jewish Church) signified that he whom they received into the ministry by the imposition of hands was consecrated to God, and it was a solemn rite used as often as one was called to an ecclesiastical office. .. Although, therefore, we should grant that there is no precept commanding imposition of hands, yet since we see it was Continually used by the apostles, their .... the room of a command. without its utility, both to commend the The Presbyterian Church, then, has adopted No. 15. PAGE 236 Five Negatives Stedfast Piety in Youth ib. The Accounts of the Presbyterian Church in England, with the Treasurers' Reports 237 Treasurer's Report of the Foreign and Jewish Mission Fund 238 ib. ib. 239 ......... 240 ib. Temporal Benefits of Christian Missions Home Mission Fund Treasurer's Report 6 Mr. Nicolson son to state the reference. EVENING DIET. The Synod met again in the evening, The following is a short narrative of the and on being duly constituted, resumed proceedings of Synod in this case. The Sy- consideration of the reference from the Presnod called for the reference from the Presbytery of London in the case of Mr. Hunter, bytery of London in the case of Mr. Hunter, when it was moved by Mr. Lamb and sewhich was given in and read. The refer- conded by Mr. Storie,-" That the Synod susence bore that Mr. Hunter, a minister of tain the reference, and approye the diligence the Congregational body, had applied to said of the Presbytery of London; remit the matPresbytery to be admitted as a Minister into ter to the Presbytery, with instructions to this Church: that the Presbytery had insti- procced according to the Confession of Faith tuted the necessary inquiries into Mr. Hun- and Rules of the Church; authorizing them, ter's character and status; that in the course if they see cause, to admit Mr. Hunter to the of these inquiries they had obtained the most status of a preacher in the Church, so that satisfactory information regarding Mr. Hun- he may be eligible to a ministerial charge if ter's personal character, but had also ascer- duly called and ordained." It was furthertained that he had been set apart to the min more moved by Mr. Murdoch, and seconded isterial office without the laying on of hands. by Major Anderson,-" That the Synod susWhereupon the Presbytery, considering that tain the reference, and approve the proceedin this case a new element existed which did ings of the London Presbytery; but on not exist in any previous case of ministerial account of the important and solemn conadmission, agreed to refer the matter simpli- sequences involved, remit the case to a Comciter to the Synod, and appointed Mr. Nicol-mittee, with instructions, maturely to con sider the point, and report to the Commission." These four motions having been made and seconded, and Professor Lorimer heard in reply, it was agreed that the last motion should be put as an amendment against the first; when the roll having been called, and votes marked, the last motion was carried by a large majority. The motion now carried, it was agreed should next be put against the second motion; when the roll having been called, and votes marked, the second motion was carried by a considerable majority. It was then agreed that the motion now carried, being the second motion, should be put against the third, when the roll having been called, and votes marked, the third motion was carried by a majority of one. Wherefore the Synod did, and now hereby do, sustain the reference, and approve the diligence of the Presbytery of London; remit the matter to that Presbytery, with instructions to proceed according to the Confession of Faith and Rules of this Church, authorizing them, if they see cause, to admit Mr. Hunter to the status of a preacher in this Church, so that he may be eligible to a ministerial charge, if duly called and ordained. From all which, Professor Lorimer in his own name, and in the name of so many as might adhere to him, dissented, for reasons to be given in in due time, and craved to have such reasons entered on the Record, which was granted; and Messrs. Cousin, Murdoch, Speers, Major Anderson, (Elder), Gordon, J. Anderson, and Dr. Paterson adhered to the said dissent; and Messrs. Gardner (Convener), Nicolson, Professor Campbell, and A. Munro, were appointed a Committee to answer said reasons, and to report. At a subsequent part of the Diet, Professor Lorimer, with those that adhered to the dissent from the deliverance of the Synod in the matter of the reference from the Presbytery of London, in the case of Mr. Hunter, gave in the following reasons of dissent, which having been read, the Synod rejected the last reason assigned, inasmuch as it did not contain a reason founded upon fact, or upon the merits of the case, in which decision Dr. Paterson and Mr. Anderson acquiesced; and with the consent of the house withdrew their names from the dissent. The following are the reasons: "We the undersigned dissent for the following reasons: "1. Because the said deliverance, in requiring that Mr. Hunter should be received as a preacher, and that before his appointment to a ministeriel charge in this Church he should be ordained by a Presbytery, virtually denies the validity of his previous ordination, which, if admitted at all to be valid, could not, consistently with Presbyterian principles, be repeated. "2. Because the said declaration is, in our judgment, a departure from the principles of our standards in reference to the recognition and admission of the ordained ministers of other Reformed Churches, as set forth in the Form of Church Government' in the 'Directory for the Ordination of Ministers.' "3. Because, in attaching so much importance to the imposition of hands in ordination as to hold it essential to render ordination valid, or such as this Church can acknowledge, the Synod appears to us to be unduly magnifying what was declared in the 'First Book of Discipline' (chap. 4, sec. 10) to be unessential, in the following words: 'Albeit the apostles used imposition of hands, yet seeing the miracle is ceased, the using of the ceremonial we judge not necessarie.' "Because the deliverance is, in our judg- | Standards as part of our Presbyterian polity ment, inconsistent with the distinction recog- and practice, it is not a thing to be set aside nised in the second book of discipline between by any who have subscribed with their hand, the substance of ordination and its attendant and confessed with the mouth, their purpose rites, in the following terms (chap. 3, sec. 6.): and promise to maintain these Standards and Ordinatione is the separatione and sanctify- that polity entire. ing of the persone appointed to God and his kirk, after he be weill tryit and fund qualifit. The ceremonies of ordinatione are fasting, earnest prayer, and imposition of hands of the eldership.' "5. Because, as a subject so important in its bearings, and in which there was such an obvious and decided diversity of opinion in the Court, a decision come to, without full time allowed to arrive at a calm and dispassionate judgment, implies a precipitancy of procedure which we consider perilous to the interests of our Church. "(Signed) Peter Lorimer; John T. Paterson (for the last reason), James Anderson (for the last reason), W. C. Anderson, Elder, Alexander Murdoch, James Speers, William Cousin, Joseph Gordon (for the first four reasons)." ANSWERS TO THE PRECEEDING REASONS. The Committee appointed to answer said reasons gave in the following answers, which having been read by Mr. Nicolson, were sustained, and ordered to be entered on the Record: "1. The Synod is not here called upon to pronounce any opinion upon the validity or invalidity of the forms of ordination practised in other denominations, but rather to preserve the integrity of their own. Neither could the ordination of Mr. Hunter as a Presbyterian Minister, and according to the Presbyterian form, be fairly called a repeating of such ordination, seeing it is admitted that Mr. Hunter has never yet been so ordained. "2. How a strict adherence to the forms of ordination required by our standards, and universally practised in this Church, can be a departure from the principles of our standards it is somewhat difficult to perceive. Moreover the very authority referred to in regard to the admission of ordained ministers from other Churches, says not one word about dispensing with the imposition of hands, which being required in the Directory for Ordination' and not specified as to be dispensed with in the case of ministers from other Churches, must, upon every fair and logical construction of the language of the said 'Directory,' be held to constitute a part of the form of Scriptural ordination as recognised and required by this Church. "3. Your Committee confidently believe that the time has not yet come, and they trust it is yet far distant, when a faithful and conscientious adherence to that form of Church order which all the ministers of this Church have solemnly sworn to maintain and defend, is to be accounted unduly magnifying any part of that form. Nor can they admit that anything contained in the 'First Book of Discipline' which may have been set aside or modified by the subsequent acts of the Church, by which the ministers and members of the Church are bound to abide, is to be put forth as the authoritative rule in our ecclesiastical procedure. In this way it would be no difficult matter to change our Church order into disorder, and to set aside as a thing of nought, our most solemn obligations. Whether the imposition of hands be essential or nonessential in ordination, may be a question for discussion by those who may question it; but assuredly it seemeth unto us that so long as it stands upon the face of our Records and "4. Your Committee do not profess themselves able to perceive the object to be served by the reference which the Dissentients make to the Second Book of Discipline' in their fourth reason, seeing that in the very quotation which they produce, imposition of hands is expressly specified. That this is to be regarded as a ríte in distinction from the substance of ordination, is nothing to the purpose in the present question, so long as we stand bound by our ordination vows to maintain the form of Church government of our Church, and never endeavour, directly or indirectly, the prejudice or subversion thereof.' 6 "5. The Dissentients complain in their fifth and last reason of the deliverance of the Synod, as implying a precipitancy of procedure which they consider perilous to the interests of the Church. This, of course, is a matter of opinion, and might perhaps be met simply by the expression of a contrary opinion. But your Committee cannot help expressing their regret that any of the ministers or officebearers of their Church, should require time and delay, in order to consider whether a plain requirement of our Church is to be complied with or no, especially seeing the subject was so fully discussed at two different sederunts of the Court. Nor do your Committee think that there can be any hardship in requiring any one applying to be received into our Church, to comply with the laws of that Church. It surely may be in all fairness expected, that any such applicant should come to us upon the principles of the Church he is to enter, rather than upon those of the Church he leaves. Professor CAMPBELL, after prayer, read the proceedings of the last diet. The Professor also read a petition from two ministers of the Presbytery of Northumberland,Messrs. W. O. Johnstone, of Blythe, and J. Macmurray, of Seaton Delaval, praying to be disjoined from that Presbytery, and to be joined to the Presbytery of Newcastle. He moved that the prayer of the petition be granted. Mr. ANDERSON.-I second the motion. I hope that the petition will be granted, not because we are willing to part with these young ministers, for we have found much comfort from them since they have joined our Presbytery. Question put and agreed to. DEPUTATION FROM THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND. The deputation from the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, consisting of the Rev. Mr. White, of Bailleyborough, being presented, and having presented his commission, was introduced by Mr. DONALD FERGUSON, who said, as one of the deputation to the assembly of the sister Church in Dublin in July last, I have to communicate the great pleasure which I had in attending the meeting of that Church; and I can truly say that, owing to the zeal and growing usefulness of that body, there are few Churches which call for higher respect and | tural authority for attending to your wants at The Rev. Mr. WHITE.-I am quite unequal to the expression of my feelings on this most important occasion; and it devolves upon me to say that it is out of no disrespect to this Court that the other members of the deputation are not here. Dr. Carlile wrote me a letter; and at the time I received it I had strong hopes that he would have been here: and, as he has been so much more accustomed to the business of speaking than myself, I hoped that he would have been here-but, as it is, I am obliged to address you single handed. My friend who introduced me mentioned the circumstance that I had the honour of being raised to the chair seventeen years ago, when the great question took place between Arianism and our Church, and when I was put in mind of what took place in the year of my ordination, when an individual first avowed himself an Arian in that court. After the year 1829, when the Church was cleared of the plague-when that incubus which hung upon our shoulders was removed what has been the effect? The blessing of God has attended our missions since; and I believe I am correct in stating we have added to our Church 160 congregations--and, in addition to these, we have several other congregations in connexion with us. History tells us that in 1642 five ministers came over from Scotland, and, with four elders, met together at Carrickfergus, and constituted the first Presbytery in Ireland. Now, instead of five ministers, we have nearly five hundred, and nearly one hundred licentiates; and, instead of four ruling elders, we have nearly four thousand men whose hearts are imbued with the Gospel. Allow me to state the delight with which I have witnessed all your important proceedings, and the deep interest I have felt in all your projects for the extension of pure and undefiled religion. You are determined, I see, from your resolution to promote elementary education, to improve the rising generation. I trust you will go on prospering in this most interesting and important work. We have in many of our congregations five or six schools. There are also five or six hundred schools in connexion with the National Board of Ireland; and I can assure this house, that in these five or six hundred schools the Bible and Westminster Catechism are daily read. We have REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN it settled that in one part of the day the Bible and Westminster Catechism are part of the instruction to be given in the schools. The Synod then called for the Report of In the meantime, I must express what I be- the Committee on Foreign Missions, which lieve is already embodied in the document was given in by Mr. Nicolson, in the absence You have just read. I have to express the of the Convener-Mr. Hamilton. The Report readiness and great pleasure which the Irish is as follows:Church felt in supplying men to fill your pulpits. We send you not only licentiates, but we send you our ordained ministers. Another of your projects that delighted me is, your zeal in the missionary cause. I conceive, under your existing circumstances, that you ought to be permanently occupied with your home mission. I believe that you have Scrip the Free Church of Scotland* had directed his thoughts to this field of labour, we opened a correspondence with him, but ascertained that, longer felt at liberty to go abroad. Through one of from his peculiar at home, no its number your Committee also learned that they could not hope to secure the services of another member of that Church+ whose medical skill and missionary ardour-already tried in circum-tances of unusual peril and hardship-seemed to indicate a special fitness for the work of the Gospel in China. Since that time one excellent minister has expressed a willingness to enter on the work, as also a medical gentleman of piety and talent; and we are happy to find that the subject has students. Considering the vast importance of an begun to attention amongst our own auspicious outset, we are sure that the Synod will not blame us for making the most extensive inquiries and exercising the utmost caution before recommending the first agent to its acceptance. "A Ladies' Society was formed last year in Mr. MURDOCH.- Moderator, we have London, in aid of the Synod's Missions. Soon listened with extreme delight to the state- after its formation it was represented to this ments that have been addressed to us by our Society that the Island of Corfu afforded, amongst respected and beloved father who has repre- important opening for a Missionary minister. Jews and Greeks and British residents, a most sented the Irish Presbyterian Church. I had The Society resolved to take instant possession of the pleasure of being a deputy from this the field, which needed a labourer all the more in Church to the Irish General Assembly; and consequence of the removal of the London MisI shall never forget the kindness and that sionary Society's faithful agent, the Rev. A. Irish hospitality which I met with on that Lowndes. The ladies were providentially directed occasion. I shall ever retain a grateful reto a probationer of the Free Church, Mr. William membrance of the treatment I then expe- Presbytery of London, Mr. C. sailed for Corfu in Charteris. After having been ordained by the rienced. I am glad of the opportunity we August last, and entered with much faith and have of expressing our most cordial satisfac-hopefulness on his multifarious labours. The only tion at the accounts of the success of the Irish other missionaries on the island belong to the schools and Home Mission, and other things brethren have exhibited the utmost warmth and American Board of Baptist Missions, and these in which that Church is engaged. My fervent hospitality to Mr. and Mrs. Charteris. Through hope and prayer is that the Home Mission the kindness of Sir Reid, and the intromay be the means of diffusing the beams of ductions of the Hon. Mrs. Stewart Mackenzie, the Sun of Righteousness through that be- inhabitants; and as a detachment of a Scottish they have found many friends among the British nighted land. We wish them God speed in regiment at present forms the garrison, Mr. all their projects-their missions, both foreign Charteris's Sabbath congregation is more nuand home, and all their other matters conmerous than was expected beforehand. Among nected with their Church. I move, "That the troops he finds many a grateful recollection the Synod, having heard Mr. White with wich; and it ought to awaken our gratitude that of our esteemed brother, Mr. Thompson, of Woolmuch satisfaction, reciprocate the affectionate not only has this Synod a Sabbath-Asylum for regard expressed by him on the part of the Presbyterian soldiers at the great English arsenal, Presbyterian Church in Ireland; repeat their but has now a sanctuary ready to receive them desire, often stated on former occasions, and often deserved, to do all that in them lie to testify their obligations to the sister Church for the manifold benefits she has conferred upon this Church, especially by permitting, if not encouraging, some of her eminent ministers to accept calls from congregations of this Church. Further, instruct the deputation, hereafter to be appointed to the next meeting of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, to convey these expres. sions of this Church's regard and affection; and, finally, request the Moderator to return the cordial thanks of the Court to the respected deputy from the sister Church in Ireland." Which motion, having been seconded by Professor Lorimer, was unanimously agreed to, and the thanks of the Synod conveyed to the deputation accordingly. MISSIONS. "This scheme received a great impulse last mission of Synod, your Committee has sought to when they pass from Kent to Corfu. Mr. Charand the Ladies' Society is anxious to find a qualiteris has also commenced a class for Jewish boys; fied teacher for the Jewish girls. It is by education that the best opening presents itself to the Hebrew heart and the Hebrew home "JAMES HAMILTON, Convener." Mr. NISBET then read the Treasurer's Accounts, which will be found in a subsequent page. The Synod then resolved itself into its Annual Missionary Meeting, when the Rev. Mr. Welsh briefly addressed the Court. The Moderator then called upon the Rev. Mr. Miller, who is about to take charge of a church at Cape Town, Africa. Mr. MILLER.-My Christian Friends, this is a very unexpected place to me; and a very great privilege I esteem it-though a comparative stranger-that I have been present to witness the proceedings of the English Presbyterian Church. If my time permitted me to form a conjecture with respect to the future prosperity of your Church, from what my eyes have seen and from what my ears have heard with reference to your present condition, I would augur most favourably. The Church that has been planted here, and which has been watered by the tears of penitence and prayer, has taken deep root in the hearts, not only of Scotchmen, but in the hearts of Englishmen too. That plant I am persuaded will grow and expand its branches. Ι may say that it is your missionary operations that have most attracted my admiration and my regard. I heard the Report of the Home Missionary Society read by the brother The Rev. George Smeaton, of Auchterarder. ↑ Rev. Dr. Kalley. Master. before me; and I have heard to-night, the | for mourning over the barrenness that exists | of such men, we should do much more Report of the Foreign Mission Committee, in all our congregations, it is humbly over- to advance the kingdom of our Lord and and I have been delighted. Although the tured to the Venerable the Synod of the amount of contributions raised by your Presbyterian Church in England, that they Church is small, yet it is great considering the appoint a Diet of special service for humiliatime you have been at work. You have two tion before the Lord, and for special prayer or three Missionaries supported from your for the more abundant outpouring of the funds. You are a Missionary Church. I Holy Spirit upon our ministers, office-bearers, hope you will be able to appear before the and congregations." world as a Missionary Church, and that whilst you attend to the cause of Home Missions, and fill up vacancies at home and attend to the spread of the Gospel at home, you will not forget the heathen abroad. I am glad you have good Sunday School Teachers, and that there is so excellent a Sunday School Superintendent as our friend Mr. Barbour. He requested me to attend this Meeting, and he said "You must call the attention of our people to the cause of Missions amongst the Heathen." You have listened to me with more attention than I deserve; and I will not occupy more of your time. Go forward in the good cause. It is the cause of God. It is the cause for which Jesus came from heaven to earth-the cause in which he laboured -in which he suffered, and in which he died. It is the cause for which the apostles of our Lord were ready to sacrifice all-even life itself. Mr. FERGUSSON.--I cordially concur in all that was said by our brother who has just now addressed us, and I hope that our Moderator will call upon one of our brethren, Mr. Thompson, of Woolwich, to pray to Almighty God for his servant who has addressed you, and that the Lord would impress upon us more of a missionary spirit.-A collection was made for missionary objects. After prayer by Mr. Thompson, the proceedings of the Missionary Meeting terminated. The House then resumed its sitting in Synod, when the following motion was made and seconded," Approve of and adopt the Report; and having heard of the various openings which, in the providence of Almighty God, have been made for the introduction of the Gospel into the dark places of the earth, and feeling that it is a bounden duty, as well as a high privilege to assist in the glorious work of Missions, this Church desire to go forward with increased diligence, increased liberality, and more fervent prayer for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, than they have ever yet done, further appoint a large Committee of Missions to the Jews and heathen for this year; and request the Moderator to convey the thanks of the Synod to Mr. Nisbet for his invaluable services." The Moderator returned the thanks of the Court to Mr. Nisbet for the ability and attention which he had paid to his branch of the Synod's labours. He said, It has enabled you to disseminate truth where there was ignorance of His name. You have taken up an important position in this work; and we have been much indebted to you. You have been unable to report much to this House; but we trust that what we have heard is but a foretaste of what the Foreign Mission may be come. DIET OF HUMILIATION AND PRAYER. The Synod then called for the overture on the appointment of a day for Special Prayer and Humiliation in connexion with the state of religion, which is as follows:-" Whereas the glory of a Christian Church depends on the manifestation of the Divine favour in its congregations, and whereas the ministers and members of this Church have much reason Mr. WELSH, in supporting the overture, said-The idea which we had, was that on leaving the Church, the fold of God, we might take advantage of having a conference and speak to each other as to what we gain by experience. I fear if it is very different we may tell what is a prevailing error, and how it must be met by the Presbytery. I am a member of the Evangelical Alliance. If we enter into this alliance we should ask our opinions on this subject. We have given this subject the consideration which is due to its importance, and we think the circumstances are sufficient to warrant us in saying that a day of humiliation and confession of sin and special prayer were necessary. It will be arranged to suit the convenience of members of the congregations. Mr. GEORGE BARBOUR. - Moderator, I, in common with my brethren, rejoice at the gratifying statements which have been made to us, and I think that we have every reason to thank God, to take courage, and to press forwards in the various departments of our Christian duty which we are called upon to fulfil; for the exhibition of Divine power is the sure result and great object of all things on earth. I would have been delighted to have afforded our younger brethren, many of whom have recently entered the ministry and are going to various parts,-an opportunity of hearing what the Lord was doing for them and their various charges. I am glad to hear that the members of our Christian Church are rousing themselves; and I shall rejoice to hear that every member of the Church is training himself and herself in those things which will be useful in their spheres of life. It will not only strengthen the Church but the ministers. It will strengthen their hands, and enable_them to labour with greater vigour and zeal, and it will lead, under the blessing of God, to ultimate success. Mr. SPIERS.-I am exceedingly delighted at having the opportunity of addressing a few words. The first time I had an opportunity of appearing before a Christian Church in England, I heard a remark which I shall not soon forget; it was a quotation from Baxter's Reformed Pastor,-"Whilst ministers are asleep, hell is open; when ministers are asleep at their post, souls are lost." Mr. CowE. It has afforded me great satisfaction indeed, to witness the tone manifested by those who have expressed themselves on this vital and all important subject. Whatever machinery we may employ, -whatever Committees we may appoint,-whatever regulations we may draw up, they should have all one aim-the conversion of sinners, and the edification of God's redeemed people. There is one point which has not been adverted to, I mean, the confession of sin. I would speak of my own shortcomings in this matter. I do not speak of any feelings or any sentiments with reference to my brethren, for they may suggest similar things with reference to their own exertions; but when I read the biography of such men as President Edwards, Pierce, Charles, and Bayley, and the account of their exertions in this cause, I feel truly ashamed. I had great pleasure in perusing such works, and if we had only the spirit Mr. HUIE spoke, but was inaudible. Mr. 1). FERGUSSON.—Moderator, this truly is a great question, and we have yet to grapple with it; and, for my part, I cannot help feeling a sense of self-abasement. I wish that there should be more fruits from the labour of our ministers; and yet, during the statements that were made after the reading of that overture, I admit that I could not quite agree in the overture. I believe that the Spirit of the Lord is doing something in our congregations. We have reason to honour the great cause, because He doeth something, and we should be humbled because He is doing so little. I hope that all of us will make a motion in our hearts to support this proposition to the throne of grace, and that our prayers shall ascend more earnestly,--that we should be earnest as a united Church, and pray that the Lord will open the windows of heaven. The reason why we make so little progress is, that we pray so little, and we are not in earnest. We have a promise, that if we unite and do as we ought to do to others, it shall be done unto us. I therefore move-" Adopt and cordially approve of the overture; appoint, that the 14th day of May next be specially set apart in all the congregations of this Church, as a day of humiliation and of prayer for an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit on all the ministers, office-bearers, and members of this Church; and, farther, appoint Messrs. Welsh, Cowe, and Cousin, Ministers; and Mr. G. F. Barbour, Elder (Convener), a Committee, with instructions to prepare and issue a pastoral address on the subject, previous to the said 14th day of May; and, finally, that at next meeting of Synod, a special diet should be set apart for mutual conference regarding the state of religion in the Church." Major ANDERSON. I hope that we shall meet in Conference before the coming Synod, and take this vital subject into consideration. I think we never ought to rest till we see family worship established in the houses of our people, morning and evening. Mr. COUSIN.-Moderator, it is with feelings of deep solemnity that I approach this subject, and such has been its effect upon me, that my utterance has been checked. There seems to be a desire to lay upon the Church at large, the burden of doing that which can only be done by each individual in the closet. If we do pass this Motion, we shall find that we are not relieved in our individual capacity, but that we must carry the whole subject home to our closets, for there we shall be more earnest, and more humbled by God's grace; and as allusions have been made to the sovereignty of God, it is a matter of personal experience that we are in a state of absolute weakness and personal dependance on the grace of God. It is this which gives encouragement to go on working when we remember, that all things are of God that the ministry of reconciliation is of God, in its origin and accomplishment; and we ought to offer ourselves for acceptance, and if we are successful, we shall owe it to the grace of God the Father, through God the Son, embodied in our future lives by God the Holy Ghost. The Motion for the adoption of the overture, &c., was then put, and carried; and, after prayer, the Synod adjourned to meet tomorrow at ten a.m. [There can be no question that the great end for which the Church was instituted was the manifestation of the glory of God in the conversion and salvation of sinners. But we would not say it was the only end. The Saviour himself was "set for the fall as well as the rise of many in Israel," (Luke ii. 34,) and his ministers are declared to be a "savour of death unto death to them that perish, as well as a savour of life unto life to them that are saved," (2 Cor. ii. 15, 16,) and in the one case as well as the other "a sweet savour of Christ unto God." As little would we say that all the instrumentality which does not produce immediate and visible fruit is valueless, nor will any man who knows the Bible, or the history of the Church, or even his own experience, commit himself to such an assertion. Many a noble martyr has had to work, and suffer, and die, seeing no fruits of his labours, and has gone to the dungeon and the block mourning, "Who hath believed our report, and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?" But who will say that he had "spent his strength in vain," or had " unsent," or had "laboured for nought?" He sowed in tears, but others reaped with joy. He laboured in faith, and others gathered run PROFESSORS, AGENT, AND THE 46 MESSENGER." MANCHESTER, 24th April, 1846.--At which the fruit of his toil. But what did it matter So far as we have heard, the appointment of Synod has been duly observed in all the Churches. We have heard of no instance in which the Diet was neglected, and the services, so far as we have learned, were appropriate, and will, we hope, be blessed. [An esteemed correspondent, who takes a deep interest in this as in every matter that tends to the well-being of our Church, has sent us an excellent paper on this subject, which we are compelled from its length to postpone to our next number.] and recommendations it contains, and grant PRESBYTERIES' PROCEEDINGS. PRESBYTERY OF LANCASHIRE. THIS Presbytery held its ordinary Monthly The Rev. R. Cowe was elected Moderator labour as a Minister of the Gospel, in connexion with the Presbyterian Church in Engand, he craved to be admitted as a minister within her pale. The Presbytery agreed that this application should lie on their table till next ordinary Meeting. In the absence of Mr. Welsh, Mr. Fergusson reported, that he (Mr. Welsh) had moderated in a call from the congregation now worshipping in Salford Town Hall, in favour of the Rev. John Walker, minister of the Free Church, at Newton-Stewart, in Scotland. The call, numerously signed and duly attested, was produced and sustained, and Mr. Cowe was appointed Commissioner to prosecute the translation. In accordance with the prayer of a Memorial, from the congregation of Chalmers' Church, Manchester, craving the appointment of an early day for moderating in a call from them to a minister, Monday, May 11, at halfpast seven p.m., was appointed for the Mr. Munro to preach and preside. purpose: The induction of Mr. Cross was appointed to take place at Crewe, on Monday, the 25th of May, at 2, p. m.: Mr. Wiseman to preach, Mr. White to address the pastor, and Mr. Magill to address the congregation. Messrs. Fergusson and Gardner were appointed to draw up a recommendatory letter in favour of St. Peter's congregation, Liverpool, who had applied to the Presbytery for their sanction and recommendation of the application that congregation were about to make to the friends of Christ, and of Presbyterian Institutions in various parts of the kingdom, for aid to erect a new church. The following members were appointed to represent the Presbytery in the next Commission of Synod, viz:-Messrs. Alex. Munro, Robert Cowe, Donald Fergusson, and John Gardner, Ministers; and Messrs. Amos S. Thornton, James Adam, John Sorley, and Walter Clark, Elders.—Adjourned. TESTIMONIAL TO THE REV. D. Liverpool, March 21, 1846. REV. AND DEAR SIR,-Some of your friends, Members of your congregation, have purchased a few articles of plate to present to you on the auspicious occasion of your marriage. They have deputed me to send them to you, (which I have much pleasure in doing herewith,) and to beg your acceptance of them, as a small mark of their regard and esteem for you, as their Pastor and their friend; and to express their cordial wishes for The Rev. D. Fergusson. LIST OF ARTICLES PRESENTED TO THE REV. D. FERGUSSON, 21ST MARCH, 1846. 12 Table Forks; 12 Table Spoons; 12 Des sert Forks; 12 Dessert Spoons; 18 Tea Spoons; 1 Gravy Spoon; 1 Soup Ladle; 2 Sauce Ladles; 1 Sugar Tongs; 1 Fish Knife; 1 Butter Knife; 4 Salt Spoons; 18 Pair Dessert Knives and Forks, in case; 1 Set of Castors; 1 Toast Rack. Mr. Munro laid a communication before Liverpool, March 21, 1846. MY DEAR SIR,-I have received your kind note, accompanied by the magnificent gift which you have been the medium of convey |