Highly as I prize it from its own worth, there attaches to the Testimonial a double value, - coming, as it does, from those to whom I am related by the Pastoral tie. And the expression of their regard is peculiarly gratifying in my present circumstances, and calls for special thanks, not merely on my own account, but on account of one who has come a stranger into the congregation. I feel assured that Mrs. Fergusson will receive and reciprocate much kindly sympathy in her new sphere; and I trust that my altered circumstances will have the tendency of making me more useful than I have been in the Lord's vineyard.

May the Lord grant that His own holy work may prosper daily more and more amongst us, so that our church may be a nursery for heaven.

To yourself, and to those kind friends whom you represent, permit me to offer my warmest acknowledgments, and my earnest prayers that they may be enriched with every good blessing from a covenant Father. My dear Sir, believe me, ever yours, faithfully, D. FERGUSSON.

MISSION FUND.

.

St. George's Presbyterian Association, Liverpool,
per Mr. Wm. Hastings-
Mr. Normand Yule.....

Mr. George Hunter.........

Mr. James King

Mr. James Blenkensopp.

Mr. Murdo Maclaine

Mr. William Dalgleish

0 5 0
05 0
050

0 10 6
026

for communications from your readers on any
points bearing on the Church's prosperity, and
suggestions likely to promote the success of
its missionary and educational undertakings,
in the hope that the following remarks may
be of some service to the cause you have so
often and so forcibly advocated. Contrary to
my original intention, I have decided on
subscribing my name; and while avowing
my perfect willingness to accept the undivided
responsibility attaching to it, I have only to
request my friends in the metropolis, who look
upon me as the most insatiable beggarman,
and the most ill-omened croaker, to judge of
this letter on its own merits, without reference
to its obnoxious author; and to bear in mind,
that it is meant, not for London alone, but
for all, throughout the Church, whom it may

concern.

In reply to every remonstrance regarding our deficient organization, that we must have patience, for we are only in process of formation, and "Rome was not built in a day;" our ears have been so familiar with this plea for the last two years, that it seems only fair to inquire, what is the precise meaning and James Adam, Esq. amount of weight to be attached to it. No one needs to be told, that our position and CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED BY THE prospects have wonderously altered since 1844, TREASURER IN AID OF THE HOME-strangely so since October, 1843; and my question is, -Has the excuse the same meaning and the same weight Now, as it had THEN? Far from that being the case, not a month has elapsed, during all the twenty-four, so rapid has been our improvement,--but has materially altered the one, and diminished the other. In one sense, the excuse is a most admirable one. It may be termed, in mathematical language, a constant variable; 38 0 like the chameleon, despite its continual changes of mien, it always retains its identity. Mark well the phrase, we are in process of formation. How beautifully indefinite that process of formation! Will any one venture to prescribe a limit to its extension, or to define its tangibility? I can compare it to nothing but the definition of a mathematical line," length without breadth or thickness." The advocate of Congregational Associations, being informed that there is a process going on, and supposing that he has got something palpable and definite to deal with, naturally enough imagines, that its course will be marked by a series of steps, as they are called, at some one or other of which he may take his stand, and poise his lever with decided

Mrs. Matheson .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

1 0 0

Mr. John Stewart, London Wall Church

1 0 0

Per Thos. Lonsdale, Esq., CarlisleMessrs. Little and Ballantyne 1 0 0 Mr. A. Davidson... 100

110

Collected by Miss Joschach, South Shields....

0

6

- Calvin's Commentary on a Harmony of the Evangelists, effect; and his hopes derive strength from see

thematical line, and the steps of it are all-
all of them-mathematical points," without
Ministers,
length, breadth, or thickness."
elders, deacons, churches, are all unsub-
stantial-ghosts that elude his eager grasp.
He takes his stand beside one of those stone
and lime abstractions, called Presbyterian
churches, and he is informed, for his satisfac-
tion, that there lies upon it a very positive ne-
gation of all his hopes,-that most solid of all
conceivable incubuses,-A DEBT. His eyes are
opened now, and he sees the line stretching
away to the far horizon, inscribed on its every
inch with the hopeless legend, debt, debt, debt!
At this rate, he concludes, the process of for-
mation will never be completed; but which
is going on. May there not be laborious, de-
voted, ministers undergoing a process of
starvation, and millions of immortal souls,
both at home and abroad, perishing of a "fa-
mine of the word of life?" If the maxim is
urged, that "we must be just before we are
generous," I answer, that the Bible misleads
me if the practice of Christian generosity be
not the only way of fulfilling the precept,
"Owe no man anything." "There is that
scattereth, and yet increaseth; there is that
withholdeth more than is meet, and it tendeth
to penury. Give, and it shall be given you,
&c. He that soweth sparingly, shall reap
also sparingly; and he which soweth bounti
fully, shall reap also bountifully."

Let me now state a few special reasons for the formation of Associations.

1. We need them, First, because we are undergoing a process of formation. It is in the absence of a settled ministry, of a full staff of office-bearers, and of a permanent place of worship, that congregational effort is indispensably necessary, in order to retain and consolidate the body of worshippers already gathered in; to strengthen each other's hands and encourage each other's hearts; to maintain and diffuse among the worshippers a spirit of mutual sympathy, good-will, and hearty cooperation; and to set up a high standard of Christian liberality. An infant Church preeminently requires combination and concentration of effort. Its available resources must first be drawn forth, and then economized to the fullest extent; and this cannot be done without Associations, nothing else will so surely or so speedily bring order out of confusion. Let every zealous and willing-hearted worshipper have some work to do, and let every one conscientiously discharge the duty assigned him; and so, by God's blessing, we shall soon "Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: our eyes shall see Jerusalem, a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall of any the cords thereof be broken."

ing that certain very important steps of the
process have actually been completed. Two
or three years ago, peradventure, he was told,
Why, you are too hard upon us, we've got no
minister. Well, the minister at length ar-
rived. Then, perhaps he was told-We've got
no session, or a very small one. A session
2. We have reached that stage of develop-
was formed or strengthened by an accession ment at which, unless we mean ignominiously
of numbers; but then there were no dea- to recede from the position we have taken up,
cons, and the spiritual office-bearers ought we must exert ourselves more diligently and
not to mix themselves up more than was abso- more systematically than hitherto. Whatever
lutely necessary with the temporal affairs of may be thought to the contrary, we have to
the Church (the best of all reasons, by the deal with other realities quite as substantial
way, for devolving a part of that burden as debts on buildings; and it is just because I
upon the willing and zealous members of the wish to see every trace of them effaced, and
congregation); and, above all, it was urged, am thoroughly convinced, that this will NEVER
We have no permanent place of worship, and be the case so long as they are made the prin-
are much hampered for the want of one; only cipal objects of congregational solicitude;
have patience till we have got comfortably that I long for the time when our College,
housed, and you shall see what we will do. with its staff of Professors, our Home and
But when this notable-and, as it was hoped, Foreign Missions, our School Fund, our sy-
conclusive-step has been taken, it turns out nod Fund, and though last, not least in impor-
to have been quite as shadowy as all that pre-tance as regards London, our London Church
ceded it. A dreary succession of negatives Extension Society, should receive at least an
this, which makes our anxious inquirer long equal share of attention. Who would not
for something positive. The process is a ma-loathe the very idea of a debt, were he called

upon for a contribution towards its liquida- | that the Birmingham Congregation, without | to neglect their duty, then, in the special regution-and for that object alone-twelve or a pastor, and in the face of difficulties such twenty times in the year? I confess, for my- as few of our Churches have to contend with, self, I should feel strongly inclined to show has raised, during the past year, a sum exthe collector to the door. Having mentioned ceeding, by from £27 to £79, the contributhe London Church Extension Society, I may tions of any Congregation in the Presbytery be permitted to remark, that I do not preach favoured with a settled ministry, with the without practising; for, though anxiously de- exceptions of River Terrace, London Wall, sirous to see a larger amount of countenance and Regent Square. and aid bestowed on that Society than it has hitherto obtained, I have studiously, and on principle, abstained from urging its claims to the exclusion or prejudice of other undertakings of equal importance, wishing only that it should have its fair share of support, which it has certainly not yet received.

66

lations I have referred to, congregations are likewise enjoined to carry out the instructions of the Synod. Let them do their duty whether the office-bearers will or no. My muchvalued friend, Mr. Cousin, who, I doubt not, will very soon have a vigorous Association established in Chelsea, lately observed to me, (and the remark is a most valuable one,) But let me ask (for here, I am convinced, People think there is something very formilies the solution of the problem), What have dable in the name of an Association. If you the Sessions done to implement the "special could convince them, that four individuals instructions" of the Synod? Are there yet, are an Association, the difficulty would be at the end of thirteen months, thirteen Asso- overcome." Now I believe, that in all our ciations "in active and efficient operation," congregations, the Christian liberality of throughout the Church. Need we disguise many of the members continually flowing 3. If we consider seriously the circum- the fact, that it is the office-bearers of the forth in a hundred different channels, despite stances of our Church's history during the Churches who are the recusants? They deny the anxiety of the office-bearers to turn it last two years, we cannot fail to see that our the people one of their religious privileges, into one or two-but owing to the want of extraordinary enlargement has arisen, not when they obstinately refuse them the oppor- Associations to receive and register their from any efforts of our own, for these have tunity of giving to the extent of their ability; bounties, the congregations to which they bebeen sadly disproportioned to the occasion;- and they are further guilty, by their tacit long and the Church at large are none the nor from the completeness of our ecclesiastical refusal, "to submit to, and concur with," the better for their example. In Marylebone machinery, for that has confessedly been," special instruction of the Synod, of a Church, for example, as the office-bearers and continues to be, deplorably defective; solemn breach of their ordination rows. (See know right well, there are those whose libebut from the undeserved mercy of our God, p. 49, "Minutes of Synod," held at Berwick- rality is as untiring as the calls upon it are who looked upon us in our low estate, brought upon-Tweed.) What right, I ask, have Ses- numerous and varied. Now, not to speak of us up from the depths of despondency into sions to consider themselves wiser than the the many others who would willingly give which we were plunged, and "set our feet Synod? What right have they to libel the for the asking, a few spirited individuals upon a rock, establishing our goings;"-to His members of their respective Churches by say-might do essential service to the congreganame be all the glory. But let us not pre-ing, We know they will not give, before they tions and the Church at large, by forming sumptuously expect that if we "stand still," have made trial of their Christian liberality? themselves into an Association for the purpose What right have they to set up any favourite of receiving and regularly reporting the offerrather "go forward, setting up our banners in object of their own the liquidation of a ings of those who are already in the habit of His name, and He will fulfil our petitions." building debt or anything else-in opposition giving. The influence of their example during If He has done so much for us, shall we to the lawful command, and the dearest inte- the past year-a year of much effort and reckon it no honour to "be fellow-workers rests of the Church collective? There need manifold difficulties in that congregation— with Him?" be no opposition or collision in the matter. would have been incalculable; during the The fault lies with those who fancy there is current year, though less, it will still be a collision, where there is none, and act ac- great, because, knowing its present circumcordingly. Let elders and deacons imple- stances, others would point to it, and say, ment their ordination vows by carrying out "See, there is the Church, of all others in the the Synod's injunctions, and I have no fear Presbytery the most heavily burdened, conthat members of our Churches will fail to tributing its hundreds of pounds annually perform their duty in this matter. But, to general objects-what do you say to that ?" Such an example would put the debtor's plea at once and for ever out of court.

we shall "see the salvation of God." Let us

A. P. STEWART.

4. We profess to be Presbyterians; let us show by our deeds that we are so. I have yet to learn that silent disregard of the INJUNCTIONS- not recommendations of the Supreme Court is a mark of sound Presbyterians. I have before me the minutes of Synod held at Birmingham, in April, 1845. The sixth and concluding article (Appendix iii. p. 5. The Presbyterians of London, as well 37) of "Special Regulations for forming and as the Presbytery of Lancashire, are under working Congregational Associations, and peculiar obligations to form, and vigorously If even this suggestion is not attended to, obtaining funds in aid of the schemes of the to work, Congregational Associations. If the then let every willing-hearted individual, Church," is as follows:-"That, inasmuch as Presbytery of Lancashire overtured the Synod who wishes well to the cause, transmit his or the success of the various schemes must, under last year, I cannot forget that it is now about her donation to head-quarters with a request God, depend on the manner in which they sixteen months since the London Lay Union, that the reason of its being thus sent may be are organized and worked, it be a special in- not only with the consent, but with the appa- stated in the "Messenger," viz. :-That the struction to all Presbyteries and Congrega-rently hearty approval of the representatives of donor had no opportunity given of contributing tions to have such Associations organized our different congregations, issued an address through a Congregational Association. Such without loss of time, and to see to their active to the whole Church, recommending, in the a list published monthly, would, if I mistake and effective operation." The regulations strongest terms, the instant formation of Asso- not, quickly produce a change for the better. (to p. 25) "were UNANIMOUSLY adopted, and ciations. How many members of the then Believe me, my dear Sir, directed to be communicated to all the minis- existing Committee are there, who have done Yours most truly, ters and other office-bearers of the Church." anything to carry out their own earnest reIt is not my province to inquire, what the commendation? It will not do for any genmembers of Synod have done to enforce their tlemen to say, that they gave a tacit assent own UNANIMOUS Resolution, or to carry out, to the issuing of this address, rather than ap"without loss of time," their own Special pear to throw cold water on a well-meaning, instruction," during the thirteen months that but ill-judged and ill-timed proposal. It would have elapsed since the regulations were have been a manly and straightforward adopted; nor whether the Presbytery of Lan- course, to have given it a prompt and decided cashire, whose overture (p. 18) led to their negative. But the course actually pursued adoption, have Associations "in active and is doubly wrong; first, because to stir up effective operation" in all or a majority of its others to the discharge of duties, which we seventeen Congregations; nor whether Pres- ourselves systematically neglect, is to "offer byteries generally have "taken special care," to the Lord our God that which doth cost us or "given diligent heed," that the "special in- nothing;”—and secondly, because it necessarily structions" to whose promulgation their mem- destroys all confidence in the sincerity and bers, in their synodical capacity, were parties, good faith of those who adopt such a line of should be attended with the respect and conduct. These may be unwelcome truths, alacrity due to an injunction of the Supreme but displease whom it may, the truth must be Court. We have, I believe, within the bounds spoken, and if spoken rather strongly, I pray of the Presbytery of London, the modest my esteemed brethren in office to answer me, number of three or four Associations, one of Is there no cause for it? them being in Birmingham. If any proof were required of what may be done by systematic efforts, we shall find it in the fact,

66

I must wind up these lengthened observations with two or three practical hints. If the office-bearers of our Churches continue

130, Mount-street, Berkeley-square,
21st May, 1846.
[N.B. We exceedingly approve of Dr.
Stewart's concluding suggestion, and most
urgently press upon our friends to reduce it
to practice. We will take special care that a
prominent place shall be assigned to all such
communications.—ED.]

LONDON LAY UNION.

THE Fifth Annual Meeting of the London Lay Union was held, in Regent-square Church, on the evening of Tuesday, May 5, William Hamilton, Esq., the Chairman of the Society, presiding. The Meeting having been opened by prayer, by the Rev. Joseph Fisher, of Southwark Church, the Chairman, after a few remarks, called for the Committee's Report of the proceedings of the past year, which was read by the Secretary.

all education, secular or religious, is still very deficient, as reported by a Sub-Committee appointed to consider a motion on this subject, submitted to the General Committee in February last. Although the Report, how ever, was approved of, it was resolved, that the Lay Union could not then enter on such an undertaking, and the Report was ordered to be laid on the table for future consideration, when circumstances should render it advisable.

The state of the funds of the Institution were reported as unfavourable, and the Committee recommended, that a Resolution formerly agreed to, but never acted on, should now be carried into effect, by a request to the Kirk Session of each Presbyterian Church in London and the neighbourhood, to make a congregational collection in aid of the funds of the Lay Union, as soon as might be con

After the usual routine of business, the unanimous thanks of the Society were voted "2. That, for the better discharge of their to the Chairman, not only for his conduct in peculiar duties respectively, as well as with a the Chair then, but for the steady and unvary-view to increased opportunities of doing good, ing interest he had taken in the operations of both Elders and Deacons visit periodically the Union, and the personal assistance he had the districts assigned to them, and cultivate uniformly been ready to give, in carrying these an acquaintance with the members of the forward.' The Chairman having replied, the Church residing therein. benediction was pronounced by the Rev. James Ferguson, and the Meeting closed.

of the salaries of the various subordinate functionaries, and the defraying of all necessary charges connected with the property, or with the dispensation of Christian ordinances; to apply, moreover, any surplus which may thereafter arise, to religious, ecclesiastical, educational, or benevolent objects; likewise to make special collections at the Church door, as often as may appear to them to be necessary, for the temporal relief of poor members of the congregation, and for the education of the children of the poor; and, finally, to receive the Deacons' Reports of their proceedings, to give them such advice and instruction as may be required, and to decide as to the payments to be made by them for the relief of the poor and the education of youth.

their studies during the vacation throughout their curriculum.

"1. That as it is of the last importance, so every effort shall be used to secure, that all parties who are enrolled in the Album of the Theological College, as students for the ministerial office in this Church, shall have previously passed through an undergraduate course at some chartered university.

"2. That all such as have passed through such a course shall, before they are enrolled, pass an examination before the Presbytery within the bounds of which they reside; but where any party resides beyond the bounds of any of the Presbyteries of the Church, that he pass such an examination before the Presbytery of London; that a certificate of having passed through such examination must be produced before he be enrolled; and that it be an instruction to Presbyteries further to examine the students upon the doctrinal standards of the Church.

a minister of the word and sacraments to disqualify him from taking charge of financial matters, in other words to act as a deacon. But it may be supposed that the appointment of the office of deacons (Acts vi. 1-6) and the remark of the apostles, "It is not reason that we should leave the word of God and serve tables," (ver. 2,) decides the matter, and proves that thenceforth the ministers and elders were to be restricted to the ministry of the word, of ordinances, and discipline, while the financial affairs of the Church were to be managed exclusively by the deacons. This, however, is a mistake, and to those who would so reason we would reply "Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures." Even after the appointment of the deacons, as well as before, the ministers of the word had charge of the "3. That although in present circumstances it Church's financial affairs. This point can be not declared indispensable that every candidate very easily be established. Read I Cor. xvi. for admission shall have passed through such un1-4; 2 Cor. ix. 1-7; Rom. xv. 25-31. dergraduate course, yet it be required as the miHere we have an account of the public col-nimum of qualification essential to admission (1) that the candidate be able to read in Greek the lections and donations which the apostle reNew Testament, and Xenophon's Anabasis; and in quired to be made for the Church's necessities. Latin the Odes of Horace, and the first five books "5. That the said Court shall have one or But who took charge of conveying these of Livy, and pass an examination on these books more treasurers and a clerk, and a separate funds to their destination? The apostles and ad aperturam libri; and (2) that he have studied record for the minutes of its proceedings. others, probably elders and deacons, if not logic, mathematics (viz., the first six books of Eu"6. That the record of the Court, with the also ministers. And to whom were these clid, plain trigonometry, and algebra, as far as quadratic equations), and pass an examination in treasurer's account of receipt and expendi- funds entrusted when conveyed to their des- these sciences. ture, after said account shall have been duly tination? Read Acts xi. 29-30. It was to audited by appointment of the Court, shall be the elders; and the elders included both annually exhibited to the Presbytery of the ministers and ruling elders-1 Tim. v. 17. bounds, at the first ordinary meeting thereof All this took place long after the appointment after the 15th of March, for the purpose of of deacons. It is therefore manifest from the being examined and attested by the Presby-practice of the Apostolic Church that ministery at said meeting. ters of the word and elders have charge of the Church's financial affairs; and sure we are that any deacons will be very happy to find that men so well qualified to act in such matters are by divine warrant members of the Deacons' Court.

"4. That while the Church is solely at the disposal of the minister for all religious purposes, the consent of the Deacons' Court, as well as of the minister, is necessary, before any meeting not strictly of a religious, ecclesiastical, or charitable nature can be held in it.

7. That on the first Monday after said attestation of the record and treasurer's account, or of some convenient day of the first or second week following the attestation of the Presbytery, a congregational meeting shall be held, when the Deacons' Court shall present a Report of its proceedings for the preceding year,. give such information and explanation as may be asked for, and receive any suggestion which may be offered by the members of the congregation for the consideration of the Court, with reference to the future distribution of the funds. The congregational meeting shall be convened by intimation from the pulpit, and the minister, if present, shall preside in it,

"8. That to the said Court shall belong the appointment and dismissal of the churchofficers and door-keepers."

[Such then is the law in the Free Church on this matter. Now it will be noticed that according to this act the minister is ex officio moderator of the Deacons' Court, and presides whenever he is present; and it will also be noticed that elders are ex officio members of Court. This is undoubtedly in accordance with the fundamental principles of the Presbyterian Church. The usual reason assigned for this arrangement is, that as the greater includes the less, so the minister, in virtue of his ordination to the highest office, is both an elder and a deacon, and the elders are deacons also. This reason is perfectly sound; but we would prefer to found our ordinances on the precepts of Scripture rather than on the principles of mathematics or metaphysics. Now that ministers and elders are ex officio deacons, in other words are entrusted with the management and superintendence of the financial affairs of the Church, is manifest both from the precepts and practice of apostolic times. That the apostles at the very commencement of the Christian Church had charge of its pecuniary affairs is a matter of express Divine testimony (Acts iv. 34-37, v. 1-2), and this fact besides decides the principle that there is nothing in the office of

We do not know exactly what led the Free Assembly to declare in their deliverance that ministers are to preside in all congregational assemblies. This is a point on which it never occurred to us that any Presbyterian would require even a hint. In all congregational assemblies as such, whether for spiritual or secular objects (if only congregational) the minister (if present, and unless he neglect his duties he ought to be present), the minister, we repeat, is necessarily and scripturally ex officio chairman. But upon this and many other most important matters contained in the above deliverance we cannot for the present enlarge.]

ADMISSION OF STUDENTS INTO THE

THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE.

THE following overture having been at one
diet by the Synod remitted to the College
Committee, was, at a subsequent diet, accom-
panied by the approval of the Committee,
laid on the table, and after being read and
considered, it was moved by Professor Camp-
bell, seconded, and unanimously agreed to,
That the said overture be adopted, and its
various regulations passed into a law of this
Church, and the Senatus, Presbyteries, and
all concerned enjoined to observe the same.
The Regulations are as follows:-
At 16, Exeter Hall, April 14, 1846, which day the
Presbytery of London held its ordinary monthly
meeting, and was duly constituted,

Inter alia, the Presbytery then resumed con-
sideration of Professor Campbell's regulations for
the admission of students. After some of them
had been slightly altered, they were unanimously
approved of by the Presbytery, and the Clerk was
instructed to transmit a copy of the same to the
Synod. They are as follows:-
"Regulations for the admission of Students into the
Theological Classes, and for the superintendence of

"4. That every student who has not studied metaphysics and moral philosophy shall, before he is enrolled as a student of the second year, pass an

examination in these sciences.

"5. That every student who has not studied natural philosophy must, before he be enrolled as a student of the third year, pass an examination in that science.

"6. That the Senatus, assisted by a Committee of the Presbytery of London, and such others as they may call in as assessors, shall be the examiners upon the subjects prescribed under regulations 3, 4, and 5, herein before contained; and

that such examinations shall commence in the

college rooms, on the 10th day of October, at 12 o'clock noon, in each year.

"7. That Presbyteries be instructed to superintend the studies of such students as reside within their bounds during the summer vacation, and to furnish certificates that the students have passed Presbytery, which certificate must be produced examination upon the subjects prescribed by the before the student is enrolled for the succeeding session.

"8. That as erudition without personal piety can never qualify for the ministry, each student must, is enrolled, produce to the Senatus a certificate of as an attestation of his personal religion, before he Church membership, and a Presbyterial letter bearing favourable testimony to his personal piety.

"9. That considering the importance of a learned and godly ministry, it be a special instruction to the Senatus and to Presbyteries to see to the stringent observance of the foregoing regulations, so that, by the blessing of God, our students may become able ministers of the New Testament, who can, from the stores of their own experience and knowledge, bring forth things new and old, shut the mouths of gainsayers, and edify the body of Christ, which is the Church,"

THE SYNOD FUND.

ON reference to the Accounts of the Church, for the year ended the 31st of March last, as printed and laid before the late Meeting of Synod, it will be perceived, that the contributions to this fund, up to the above date, amounted to 185l. 6s. 10d.; since then, the farther sum of 421. 7s. 3d. has been received, making in all, for the year, 2277. 148. 1d.

It is satisfactory to state, that this is the largest amount contributed to the fund in any one year since its establishment; but, on the other hand, the claims upon it have been unusually great, owing to the very numerous attendance of members at Synod,--a circumstance highly gratifying in itself,—and there was also a balance of 41. 28. 3d. due to

the Treasurer upon the previous year's Ac- THE TREASURER OF THE SYNOD fund

IN ACCOUNT WITH THE SYNOD.

£. s. d. £. s. d.