poor students was declared to have been the avowed end at first; while an elevation of the standard of attainment is now put forward as the main good contemplated. This objection rests on a misapprehension. I should not regret that the measure changed, if the change were for the better: there has been, however, no such alteration as this stricture supposes. When the proposal was introduced into the presbytery of Glasgow, in the form of an overture to the Synod, the design of awarding scholarships by competition was not simply expressed, but insisted on, and declared to be essential in the view of the largest subscribers to the fund.. That such competition required, and was thus fitted to secure attainment, were truths so evident as to supersede lengthened disquisition for their illustration or proof. The only point that could admit of doubt, and therefore demand confirmation, was, whether a scheme assigning encouragement to literary merit could in a collateral manner relieve deserving students from vexatious and pernicious toils. In what proportions my statements were distributed between these aspects of the enterprise, I do not remember, and I am not careful to inquire; but if the latter was mostly expatiated upon, it could only be for the reason just mentioned, that the least obvious, and least direct influences of the plan, mostly called for convincing elucidation. If any will still aver, that the mode of characterizing the scheme has fluctuated, I say no more on behalf of personal consistency: but I wish them clearly to understand now that a high standard of ministerial attainment is the first and grand blessing we are eager to realize. Were it not so, we might as well ex. tend encouragement to any other class of young men as to students. It does not follow, as one of your correspondents seems to think, that we must select extraordinary sub jects of examination. We desire great proficiency in the branches which are usually taught, and which are prescribed by our church as beyond all others deserving to be studied. The competition, to be of the character described must be perfectly open. If it were restricted to a class, the members of that class would be the first to decline it, and would nobly suffer any thing rather than receive a stigmatized assistance. For the sake, then, of poor students themselves, and in order to make them feel comfortable in the competition, let it be emphatically stated that, after due certification of religious character, proficiency is the one condition of success; and, that all who may contend for the prizes in our colleges, are equally free to prove their powers in winning our scholarships. The truly generous view of the subject is, that the best contributor to the scheme is found in the student who contributes the best exercises on the day of examination. But some will turn round and say -We are willing to aid poor students. That, however, is not the good designed, and therefore we care nothing for the measure. And is it nothing to secure at any time, and above all in these times, a well instructed ministry? to provide for ourpulpits those who can adorn them with knowledge, and with all those exemplary and energetic habits by which knowledge is acquired? Nor is this all the answer we have to give. To such parties we say-This measure will have the effect you desire; and there is no other way by which you can so advantageously get at your result. By this mode you may relieve the straits, and yet spare-nay, gratify-the feelings of students struggling with difficulties. The scholarships are of the same · nature as prizes, in being equally open, and equally honourable to all. But there are features of difference. Prizes are not of the value of ten to thirty pounds. And while prizes are few, relatively to the number of competitors, there is no reason why scholarships should not be assigned to all students who acquit themselves well, and give promise of future usefulness. Support the fund then, and the Scholarship Committee will be delighted to render encouragement co-extensive with promise. In these remarks I have admitted the distinction of riches and poverty among our students. I do not regard it, however, as having much exist ence in fact. Almost all our students need to support themselves by some sort of labour, and almost all of them can earn the bare necessaries of life by their industry. Suppose a student can obtain a sufficiency of teaching to occupy him all the day, and can thus gain a subsistence, is it right that his whole time, or nearly his whole time, should be so consumed? Does the church act wisely or dutifully for itself in allowing such neglect of preparation for its highest and holiest offices? The student who effectually prosecutes his studies is labouring, in prospect, for the benefit of the church; and I do not regard a reasonable amount of aid in such circumstances as any charity at all. To give it, seems to me to be just; to withhold it I regard as an act of cruelty to the student, but of still greater unkindness to the cause of the gospel which he wishes to serve. We are not advising the erection of a college; we are not asking salaries for literary and scientific professorships. Other churches do these things, and do not consider them extravagant. The needful labour of superintendence in this case is gratuitously and cheerfully performed; and all that is solicited is, a moderate encouragement from the church to promising students who are toiling for the church. Can a powerful denomination, looking to its duty, and its interest, withhold this benefit? There are other points on which I meant to speak; but this communication is already too long. The scholarship scheme has not been brought thus far without much consideration, and effort, and anxiety. As an individual I have felt sustained, in doing my humble part of the work, by the assurance that I would not be abandoned by the liberal-minded members of our church, in trying to perform an important and responsible service to education. They have not disappointed me, and I look with tranquil and respectful confidence for their continued and growing co-operation.-I am, yours with esteem, DAVID KING. UNITED PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD MEETING:-MAY 1848. To re-argue, or even particularly to review, the questions which were considered at the late meeting of the United Synod, would be a superfluous, if not a presumptuous task; and certainly it is an employment in which we have no intention to engage. But, having been pretty constant and deeply interested observers of the proceedings, we think it right, and believe it may not be unacceptable, to give to our readers our im pressions of a meeting which was in some respects a scene of novelty, and was in all respects an occasion of much interest to the members of our church, from the circumstances in which it was held, and the business which was done. We find we have spoken of a scene. Recollections of place, we dare say, have somewhat unconsciously suggested the word. Assembled for the first time in the new Synod-house, every one must have felt that, as contrasted with the accommodation of former days, the house and the meeting together had the character of a spectacle. For convenience, elegance, and comfort, we are persuaded the new hall has surpassed the most sanguine expectations. In minutia there may, possibly, be room for some difference of taste; but the tout ensemble must command; and as the cordial vote of thanks, in acknowledgment of the labours of the committee and of the genius of the youthful architect, showed, has obtained the unanimous approbation of the members of Synod, and, we doubt not, also of the auditors from different parts of our church who had it in their power to attend. The decorations are rich and ample, without being profuse, and have the rare recommendation, that in this case ornament and outlay have proved economical; for in such request are the Synod-house and the adjoining rooms for classes, lectureships, and public meetings, that the building is drawing, and there is no doubt will continue to draw, a large revenue towards the liquidation of the expenses incurred. One obvious effect has been, the better order maintained in the court than was wont to characterize our proceedings. As things once were, it would have been marvellous had quietness prevailed. How could this be, when members were so placed that easy and correct hearing of what was going on was, to some extent, physically impossible? Unable to follow the discussions, members were not always phlegmatic enough to sit still and hold their peace for general edification; and hence arose a sound of voices calling to order; or stealing a quiet conversation, if an old friend chanced to be near. But matters, in this respect, are changed. Almost all may hear, who listen to hear; and the consequence is, that the buzz is greatly hushed, impatience is less excusable, temper is less ruffled, and business is done; and with confidence we add, on the whole, well done. The attention of the Synod was early occupied with overtures on the office of the deacon, proposing a more definite expression of opinion than is at present contained in our standards, and a revival of its use in the congregations of the body. That the subject might receive full, and, at the same time, prompt consideration, it was referred to a committee to prepare a report upon. it for next meeting of Synod. It is earnestly to be wished that brethren, in the meanwhile, should turn their best attention to the question. For this purpose they will find the overtures useful, as suggesting a line, of inquiry. We would particularly recommend to brethren the importance of determining what may be understood as the appropriate functions of the deaconship, and the extent of charge in things temporal and spiritual which should belong to the office. On these points considerable diversity of opinion prevails, and the subject is one of far too. much importance to be decided in haste. The scholarship report was a highly encouraging statement of the progress and claims of that measure, and was most favourably received by the Synod. Objections were taken to some parts of the plan; but these were made in no unfriendly spirit, and were met by showing the difficulty of working the plan on other principles without impairing its efficiency, and by urging the inconsiderable nature of objections made, compared with the wide-spread and increasing advantages of the scholarship scheme. Engaged, as our church is, in so many missionary undertakings, it would be over sanguine to expect that our congregations should at once come forward with such support as it merits; but, where the means of doing so are not wanting, the scholarship scheme may well speak to the "liberal heart that deviseth liberal things." We invite the particular attention of our readers to the letter on this subject by Dr King, in a preceding article. The mission night was a festival. The report of the secretary, written and oral, was rich in information, and was listened to with gratified interest, so far as the perpetual indropping of privileged dawdlers by the side-door would allow the better bred of the court and auditory to enjoy the sacred work in which they were engaged. The speeches were of first-rate character: Dr Taylor's practical, energetic, and directed to the times; Mr Anderson's, now and then, in point of expression, verging on eccentricity of statement, but impregnated with original thought, striking views, pictures of truth which set every face a gleaming, and appeals which drew a response from the depths of many a heart; followed by an address from Professor La Harpe, describing the labours, past successes, and present difficulties of the Société Evangélique of Geneva, particularly in their missionary operations in the South of France. This address was very effective, and told as powerfully on the Synod by its narration of facts as by the glowing eloquence of the speaker. Our readers may judge of the impression, by the impromptu proposal of a munificent grant to strengthen the society, made by Dr M'Kerrow, as discreet, and cool, and orderly, as he is true-hearted, and which many, both of the members of court and of the audience, hailed with acclamation. The measure, as being precipitate, was referred to the Mission Board, a prudent step, we doubt not; and yet we welcomed, and do not now regret, the burst of feeling which the occasion elicited,—believing that, in such circumstances, ebullitions of sympathy are healthy as symptoms, and more salutary than hurtful in their effects. A delightful episode in the Synod's business occurred, in the reception of a deputation from the Associate Presbytery of Ireland. Our readers are already acquainted with the history of this sister church. The deputation, on this occasion, being headed by Mr Bryce, his appearance excited a very lively interest; the expression of which, by members of court and from the chair, must have fallen with grateful influence on the heart of the veteran voluntary, who, after a lifetime of suffering for conscience sake, now finds himself greeted with respectful sympathy, and with admiration of the " peculiarity" of determined and consistent principle with which, in times of universal defection, he stood to his banner single-handed and alone. A complaint against the Debt Liquidation Committee brought that body to the bar of the Synod. The allegation that they had acted unkindly in a particular case was found to be without foundation; and the acrimonious terms in which individual members had been spoken of, while severely condemned by many, were justified by none. When we think of the difficulties connected with the duties entrusted to that committee; the extent to which they must exercise their own discretion in judging of the applications submitted to them; the impossibility of their satisfying all parties, what reason soever parties may have to be satisfied with themselves; and the unchallenged-we believe, too, the unchallengeable-manner in which they have, up till now, fulfilled their trust, we confess that the tone of the discussion and of the deliverance seemed to us to be scarcely adequate to the merits of the case, as calling for a zealous, generous, full-hearted vindication. It should be carefully remembered, that the task of committees is often ungracious. They do their best M in collecting information on the matters referred to them, and in judging what steps to take in giving practical effect to their views; but, when their proceedings come under review, they are commented on by others who may not have the same opportunities of acquaintance with all the bearings of the case, and who may accordingly judge in haste of the committee's decision. When the subject of criticism is the mere penning of a letter or address, and small points of taste are the matters of amendment -not much more weighty than that pipe should be read whistle, and that ABC should stand A C B—the evil goes only to the extent of teasing the temper and wasting time; but the business is of grave import, when the doings of such a body as the Debt Liquidation Committee are the subject of review, who have, at much sacrifice of personal labour," done exploits" such as no presbytery in the Union-we question if all the presbyteries combined—could have achieved the like, for the prompt and effective relief of large portions of our church ́from the millstone of debt, and for the infusion of new life and spirited exertion. An overture, on reading sermons in the pulpit, brought this practice under notice of the court. For our part, it is an evil about which we have no grave fears. Congregations hold the check in their own hands. If probationers read their discourses, vacant churches apply the cure when they refuse to call them. If ministers, after settlement, adopt the practice, congregations, disliking it, have the right of a buyer, who finds, after the bargain, that the bulk does not agree with the sample. In cases in which, from the state of a minister's health, reading becomes necessary, the law of love is for it. If the taste of a congregation leads them to prefer read to recited discourses, we know of no law in scripture, or in the subordinate regulations of our church, that denies them their liberty. In fine, a free church has in it a self-adjusting principle, which, if left to its own operation, will, in all ordinary circumstances, meet the case complained of. There are other subjects on which we might have had something to say, did time and space permit. But we forbear. On the whole, the meeting which has been brought to a close, must be looked back upon with feelings of almost unmingled gratification. Thanksgiving to the God of peace is especially due for the spirit of brotherly kindness, and the manifestation of entire unity which prevailed. No stranger to our history could have imagined that the now component parts of the assembly had ever been asunder; and the most watchful spectator, with the full remembrance that the united body was once twain, and with his observation on the alert to detect some points of severance, would have been constrained to acknowledge that the coalescence is perfect and complete; wherein we rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. Our church, if she understand, and prize, and improve her position, is, under the divine blessing, destined to be the instrument of great and lasting good. May the God of all grace renew a right spirit within us," and establish the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands may he establish it! 66 THE FATHERS OF THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Ir is a most gratifying circumstance, that notwithstanding the severe pressure of the times, the scheme for publishing, in a cheap form, the early literature and history of the United Presbyterian Church has met with great success. In so far as the congrega |