church. The object of this article, however, is to direct attention to meetings of Synod, as occasions of the utmost importance to the prosperity of the denomination. As Presbyterians, all the congregations should be properly represented in these meetings. The laws by which the whole body is to be regulated are framed and enacted there; and consequently it is desirable that each congregation have its voice heard through its own office-bearers. In these meetings, the settlement of public questions affecting the well-being of the denomination, and the management of the missionary operations of the church, are fitted to produce excitement of a pleasing and salutary kind. The satisfaction of meeting with those to whom the preaching of the gospel, the dispensation of ordinances, and the government of the church are entrusted in the various districts of the land; and the thrilling effect of the interchange of sentiments on the important matters frequently discussed in such assemblies, throw an air of interest around the Synodical meeting, which can be appreciated only by those who have had the privilege of being present. There can be no doubt that many congregations have reaped the benefit of having sent their representatives to these gatherings of the Elders. The sparks of high-toned piety and public spiritedness elicited there, fell on the minds and the affections of their delegates; and when they returned to their homes and their charges, helped in many cases to kindle a flame of christian warmth, which improved the session and the congregation--and extended its influence to other scenes of usefulness.

The object of this paper will be answered, if congregations that have not hitherto contributed the necessary funds to defray the expenses of their Minister and Elder in attending such meetings, will seriously consider the subject, and make the required ar

rangement to do justice to themselves and their office-bearers. Why should not every minister have the advantage of such assemblies, that he may be able to carry out more effectively the objects of his ministry? Why should not every Elder in rotation have the benefit of such meetings, that he may diffuse amongst his brethren in the session, and the families of the church, the improvement which he may have found from associating with the Eldership from every part of the land? Why should not each congregation have the pleasure of reflecting, that by their representatives they had taken part in the public movements of the church

in the formation or the improvement of its rules of procedure-in advancing the great cause of religious liberty-and in directing the efforts of the denomination to speed the chariot of the Redeemer over all the earth? It is obvious, from the low salaries of many of the ministers, and from the fact that the great majority of the Elders are depending on their daily labour for subsistence, that unless some new plan be adopted, a large proportion of both classes of office-bearers must as heretofore be absent.

Let all the congregations consider this-and let them determine to make a little extra effort to have themselves represented in these Synodical meetings, and to have the benefit arising from them. In ordinary cases, all that is necessary to cover these travelling charges would not greatly increase their annual expenditure; while the happy results that might follow from due attention to this matter, would give them a spirit and an energy as to the church, that would more than compensate the outlay, and probably lead to increased means of meeting their congregational liabilities.

These remarks have been suggested by a perusal of the Roll of the Synod, held at Edinburgh in May last, and which is sent to presbyteries and

sessions.

sent.

It appears that, out of 475 ministers on the roll, 106 were absent. In twenty-five cases the Synod clerk does not appear to have received any notice of the Elder; but of the 453 Elders on the list, 230 were not preThese facts are worthy of attention; and when it is considered that an unusually large attendance might have been expected at that meeting in consequence of the Union then consummated; there is reason to fear, that, without some very exciting object, there would not, according to existing arrangements, be so many present on any ordinary occasion. It is true that the absence of a certain number may be accounted for by a reference to old age, sickness, or the pressure of some special business. But such cases are comparatively few. The chief cause of absence has already been indicated. There can be no doubt that the prominent reason why the church is on such occasions deprived of the counsel and encouragement of so many excellent Ministers and Elders, is, that they are not furnished with the means of being present, to render to the body that service which they are able and willing to perform. Let all our

congregations feel that a serious responsibility is connected with this subject; and let them all remember, that however straitened they may be as to their finances, in making a little additional effort to have themselves duly represented in the church courts, they will be employing means which can scarcely fail to advance their general prosperity.

The attendance, as indicated by the roll of the meeting of Synod in October, is as follows:-Of five presbyteries, including fifty-six congregations, no Minister nor Elder was present. Offive presbyteries, including seventy congregations, no Elder was present; and of the ministers of these congregations, fourteen were present, and fifty-one absent. Of all the Ministers of the church, 201 were present, and 280 absent; and, of all the Elders, seventy-eight were present, and 413 absent. The aggregate number of members of presbytery present was 279, while 687 were absent. Let these facts be duly pondered by the church at large; and let all consider by what means an improvement in this respect may be found. Paisley.

C.

IN the United Presbyterian Magazine, Vol. I. No. vi. p. 248, under the head "Foreign Correspondence," it is said, "That we do not correspond with any church, tainted by slavery on the one hand, or trammelled by Erastianism on the other. Acting on this rule, the only church in America they were disposed to invite correspondence with, in the first instance, is the Associate Reformed Synod." I was not a little surprised at this statement, because I supposed the churches in Great Britain kept them

*Besides the sketch of the history of the

selves accurately advised of the facts, connected with the churches in this country, on the subject of slavery. I showed the passage to some of my brethren who suggested that it might be a misprint in the name, "Associate Reformed," instead of "Associate." But as no invitation to a correspondence has been received by the Associate Church in this country from the United Associate Synod in Scotland, I presume the error has arisen from some mis-information. By consulting chap. iv. of my sketch*

Associate Church in "Rupp's History," &c.

of the history of the Associate Church, you will learn that the disruption, which took place in the Associate Reformed Synod in 1820-21, resulted in three separate bodies, each retaining the name, and all professing to hold the same constitution; and as yet all their attempts to reunite in one organic body have failed. They still remain separate, though occasionally interchanging ministers, and the members holding communion together as occasion offers. These three are distinguished by the appellations of Associate Reformed of the South, the Associate Reformed of the West, and Associate Reformed of New York.

Not one of these bodies have ever in a judicial way testified against slavery as a sin. The Associate Reformed of the South generally advocate slavery; many of them are extensive slaveholders.

When the Associate Synod, by a peremptory act in 1831, excluded all slaveholders from their fellowship, the slaveholding part of their members, ministers, and people, were without scruple received into that Synod.

The Associate Reformed of New York have some decided Anti-slavery members, who have made attempts to have slavery condemned by the Synod as a sin, and to lift up some kind of testimony against it, but have always been voted down."

they have incidentally expressed dis approbation of it.

On the other hand, the Associate Presbytery of Pennsylvania published a warning against slavery as a heinous sin in 1792. And the Associate Synod made it a term of communion, except in certain circumstances, in 1811. But it was found that the act of 1811 had not been enforced by the Sessions, particularly in the more southern of the slaveholding states. Hence, a more peremptory act was passed, 1831, excluding ALL slaveholders from the fellowship of the church. Since that time the Associate Church has had no connexion with slaveholders.

The Reformed Presbyterians, both old and new organizations in this country, have uniformly excluded slaveholders from their communion.

At the late meeting of the convention in September for the purpose of forming a union, in which the two branches of the Associate Reformed, to wit, those of the West and of New York, the Associate Synod, and the Dissenting Reformed Presbytery, were represented, all the delegates have agreed on a condemnation of slavery in the testimony which they propose as their basis of Union, and which was adopted by the convention to be proposed to the different churches. This document is not yet published, but is expected to be through the press next month.

The Associate Reformed of the West are more inclined to the antislavery side of the controversy; though as a body they have never yet condemned it in a direct and formal way,

and a variety of other pieces, Mr Miller is the author of "Biographical Sketches and Sermons of some of the first ministers of

Beside the Reformed Presbyterians and Associate Church mentioned above-of Presbyterians, there is an anti-slavery Presbytery in Ohio, formed out of the old school division of the General Assembly Presbyterian Church, which Presbytery has recently grown into a synod. This organization grew out of the General

the Associate Church in America," concerning which we shall have something to say speedily.