tions have yet been canvassed, a most excellent spirit has been manifested; and if the other congregations, from whom no returns have yet been received, respond in a similar manner, the volumes will be published at one shilling and sixpence each. We sincerely trust that this will be the case, and we hope that the time is not far distant when no family in connexion with our denomination shall hold their library complete without the possession of this series. A specimen volume is now before us, containing a historical sketch of the origin and rise of the Secession and Relief Churches. Another opportunity will be afforded us of referring to its literary merits, and to the manner in which Dr Struthers and the Rev. A. Thomson have fulfilled the important work that was assigned them. But we cannot help making a remark on the elegance and taste which have been displayed in the mechanical execution. A beautiful steel engraving of Gairney Bridge, where the Associate Presbytery was origi

nally constituted, adorns the first volume, while the third has another of equal excellence, exhibiting the ruins of Carnock church, so memorable in the history of Gillespie. They are incomparably superior to any other series of a similar character which is now before the public; and we can positively assure our readers that these volumes would not disgrace any drawingroom table. Thus, for the small sum of six shillings per year, the humblest families may obtain a series of volumes valuable in themselves, rich in hallowed associations of the mighty dead, and out of which they may instruct their children in the great principles of gospel truth and religious freedom, which have made the names of Erskine and Gillespie loved and honoured both at home and abroad. The first volume will be placed in the hands of subscribers by the middle of July, and before that time we have no doubt that some thousands more will be added to the list.

THE Supreme Court of the United Presbyterian Church met in the Synod Hall, Queen Street, Edinburgh, on Monday, 8th May. The opening sermon was delivered by the Rev. James Kirkwood, Edinburgh, the late moderator, who took for his text John ii. 17,-" The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up." On the motion of Mr Paterson, Kirkwall, the Rev. Dr Struthers, Glasgow, was unanimously chosen moderator. The clerk reported the following changes on the roll of Synod since last meeting:

Ministers removed by Death. — George Campbell, Roberton, Nov. 16; George Jerment M'Kenzie, Carnoustie, Nov. 18; Robert Forbes, Letham, Dec. 19; William Steuart, Wick.

Demitted their Pastoral Charge.-John Blair, Drymen, March 14; David Reston, Cupar Angus, March 21; George Walker, Johnshaven, March 22.

Ordinations.-Francis Christie, at Kilmaurs, Oct. 26; Robert Brown, at Markinch, Oct. 28; William Dickson, at Balerno, Nov. 23; William Inglis, at Banff,

Dec. 23; Alex. Banks, at Braehead, Jan. 18; James Robertson, at North Middleton, Jan. 27; John Semple, at Peebles, April 20; Daniel Douglas, at Kennoway, April 26; Andrew Wield, at Thornliebank, May 2; Alex. Drysdale, at Houghton-leSpring; Nov. 17.

Inductions.-John Symington (formerly of Bread Street, Edinburgh), at King Street, Kilmarnock, Dec. 14; James Gibson (formerly of Maygate, Dunfermline), at Brechin, High Street, March 14.

After appointing Mr M'Gill, of Glasgow, and Mr Symington, Kilmarnock, to conduct the devotional exercises on the following day, the Synod adjourned till Tuesday forenoon.

Tuesday, May 9.-After devotional exercises, conducted by the Moderator and Messrs M'Gill and Symington, the following committee was appointed to consider and report on petitions for aid from the Synod fund:-Rev. Robert Paterson, Adam L. Simpson, J. B. Ritchie, James Gibson, J. Stirling (Kirriemuir), J. Lamb, J. Hun

ter, D. Gorrie, John Johnston, John More, Dr M'Kerrow, W. Welsh, W. Hogg, F. Muir, J. M'Ewan, Dr M'Farlane, Dr Robson; with Messrs M'Innes, Cunningham, Callender, Elder, and Diston. Dr M'Kerrow, chairman; F. Muir, clerk.

GENERAL REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY.

Mr THOMAS read a digest of the reports received from presbyteries and sessions, in answer to the question, "Whether shall we have a general representative assembly or no?" which was remitted at last sitting of Synod to the inferior courts to report their opinion. It was stated in the digest, that, "on the question as to a supreme delegated court, remitted by the Synod for the consideration of presbyteries and sessions, ninety-six reports have in all been received, viz. twenty-three from presbyteries and seventy-three from sessions. Twelve presbyteries and fifty sessions approve generally of the principle of a delegated assembly, reserving all questions of detail. Six presbyteries and thirteen sessions approve of the change proposed; but with certain qualifications, which are specified. Three presbyteries and ten sessions disapprove of any change in the constitution of the supreme court at present; and two presbyteries report that they are yet not prepared to express an opinion on the subject."

After the reading of these reports, the question was raised, whether they bore that the church had declared in favour of a delegated court? Dr Beattie, Mr Smart of Leith, Mr Thomas, Mr Beckett, and Dr Robson, thought that the reports sent up, in conformity with remit of last Synod, settled the principle, and proved that the church desired a representative assembly. Mr Johnston of Leslie, Mr Marshall, Cupar Angus, Dr M'Kelvie, Mr Pringle, Newcastle, Mr Barr, Jedburgh, Mr Paterson, and Mr Robertson, Stow, held that the opinions expressed in these reports were so qualified by conditions, that they could not fairly be held as determining the mind of the church as to the abstract principle. The discussion resulted in the Synod's dividing on the following motions:-The first, proposed by Dr Beattie,-" That as it appeared, from the returns from presbyteries and sessions, that the great majority of the church were in favour of a supreme delegated court, the Synod, without agreeing to any particular plan till the mind of the church was ascertained, appoint a committee to suggest a plan, to be sent down to presbyteries and sessions, their reports to be received at next meeting of Synod." The second, by Dr M'Kelvie,-"That it appeared that, so far as the mind of the church had been ascertained, it was in fa

vour of a delegated court; but that it was inexpedient that the Synod should commit itself to the principle till a committee had examined the details, and reported thereon, the report thus sent up being the basis of discussion, and to be also sent down to presbyteries and sessions." The third, by Mr Robertson,-"That having heard the reports from presbyteries and sessions as to a delegated supreme court. the Synod consider that an expression of opinion should be given in its favour sufficient to warrant them to proceed to consider a plan according to which a delegated court should be formed; and agree to appoint a committee to bring forward the various points on which the opinion of presbyteries and sessions are to be obtained, -the committee to report to this meeting of Synod."

The last motion was carried by a great majority, and the following committee appointed in terms of it :-R. Paterson, Andrew Robertson, Dr A. O. Beattie, Dr David Young, Dr M'Kelvie, D. Gorrie, D. Thomas, S. Sinclair, R. Renwick, J. Jarvie, W. Beckett, W. Marshall, J. Johnston, Ministers; and James Thomas, John Hart, R. Connell, Elders; Mr Robertson, Con

vener.

The committee subsequently reported, and in accordance with their recommendation the following queries were ordered to be sent down to presbyteries and sessions, with instructions to send in reports to the clerk of the committee of bills and overtures before 1st April next, with the view of his preparing a digest, to be submitted to Synod at its next meeting.

The following are the queries proposed by the committee

1. What is about the number of members of which the representative court should consist?

2. What should be the proportion sent from each presbytery?

3. What should be the proportion of the number of ministers to elders-the same number of both, or what?

4. In what way should the members be appointed-by election, by rotation, or partly by both, or should this point be left to be settled by sessions and presbyteries?

5. How should the elders from sessions and presbyteries be elected-by election, by rotation, or partly by both, or should this point be left to be settled by sessions and presbyteries?

6. Should any members be appointed for two years, a portion of the first assembly remaining members of the second, a portion of the second remaining members of the third, and so on-and if so, what number?

7. Should there be any members of the

delegated court in virtue of their office, and if so, who?

8. In case of a delegated court being adopted, should every separate committee on bills and overtures have its own clerk, or should the same individual be continued permanently, and, if continued permanently, should he have a voice in the court, although not chosen as a representative member?

9. Should there be provincial Synods,if so, how many, and how distributed over the church?

10. Should there be any commission in connexion with the assembly?

11. Should members' expenses be paidif so, by whom, and how?

12. Have presbyteries and sessions any suggestions on other points not referred to in the above queries ?

UNION OF SMALL CONGREGATIONS.

Mr SMART (Leith) read the report of a committee appointed to consider the case of weak congregations without pastors, which it was desirable to unite with larger congregations in the same district. The committee proceeded to consider the case of the two congregations in Annan, and having examined the reports of the presbyteries of Annan and Carlisle, decidedly recommended them to unite, which recommendation, as the minutes of a subsequent meeting showed, was carried ultimately into effect. The report, besides mentioning the case of two congregations at Bute, and two situated respectively at Colinsburgh and Kilconquhar, between which the committee were desirous of promoting union, alluded to the case of two congregations in Campbeltown, the first of which was indisposed to unite with the second; so that, as the sub-committee who visited them found

union in the case impracticable, and further proceedings unnecessary, the committee resolved to continue the support given to the second congregation as formerly. A sub-committee was appointed to visit two congregations at Largs, with a view to bringing about a union; but as it appeared that the second congregation, though not formally dissolved, was in fact broken up, and that many of its former members had attached themselves to different communions, the committee resolved that further procedure in that case also was unnecessary. The committee, on receiving a communication from the presbytery of Perth with respect to the two congregations in Errol, had appointed a sub-committee to visit them; but finding, that although the first congregation was willing to unite with the second, the second preferred to continue separate, the committee resolved not to continue their endeavours.

A brief discussion followed, in which reference was made chiefly to the case of the Campbelton congregations.

Mr SMART said, it would be borne in mind by all members of committee, that all the difficulties that had come in the way of union at Campbelton were public and general difficulties, and not in any way connected with the minister, from whom nothing appeared but what was generous and christian.

Dr BAIRD, as one of the deputation, remarked that the temper and feeling of the sessions of both congregations at Campbelton was commendable in the highest degree.

It was agreed to approve of the report and of the committee's diligence, and to tender the thanks of the Synod for the manner in which they had discharged the duties entrusted to them.

ORDAINED EVANGELISTS.

An overture from the presbytery of Galloway, desiring the appointment of a band of ordained evangelists, to be employed in Home Mission Stations, and who, having the peculiar talent, should lay themselves out for usefulness in that particular field of labour, was read by the clerk, and supported in a long and able address by Mr Hannay of Creetown. After some dis

cussion, it was agreed, on the motion of Mr Leslie of Milnathort, seconded by Dr Robson:-That, considering the importance of the plan proposed by this overture, and the difficulties involved in it, the Synod do not deem it expedient to discuss and decide upon its merits, but appoint a committee to consider the whole question, and report at next meeting.

OVERTURES ON THE DEACONSHIP.

Overtures were read from the Falkirk

Presbytery, and from Mr Renton of Kelso, in favour of reviving throughout the Synod the deaconate as a separate order of officebearers in the church. The overture from Falkirk Presbytery pled, in behalf of the measure, the undoubted and indisputable scripture authority for the deacon's office. That authority had been recognized in the interim rules of the United Church. The maintenance of every divinely appointed office in the church, was the fittest means for securing the prosperity of religion. Secular matters are obviously beyond the province of the eldership. Many evils had resulted from a departure from the scripture model. The admixture of secular and spiritual functions, in the duties discharged by the eldership, had damaged the usefulness of sessions. The secular had sometimes thrown into the shade the spiritual; while, in other cases, a committee of management, independent of the session,

had thrown the affairs of congregations into disorder.

The overture from Mr Renton was in the following terms:-"That whereas deacons are, by the Word of God, an ordinary and permanent order of office-bearers in the Christian church, and as such were acknowledged by the churches of the Reformation, and ever have been by the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, and by this Church, as the Books of Discipline, the Form of Presbyterial Church Government, and the Secession Testimonies and Summary of Principles testify; and it is their peculiar province in every congregation to manage the financial affairs, receiving and collecting the contributions of the members, and disbursing them for the ends to which they were given; and great and manifold evils have resulted in many congregations from the want of these office-bearers, and the substitution of managers or other bodies in their room, who are not called nor inducted into their office after any scriptural manner: And whereas, further, it is most derogatory to the character of a gospel church to acknowledge the divine authority of an ordinance, and not to observe and maintain the same,--this church should unequivocally and faithfully assign to the order of deacons the place and prominence they held in the primitive churches, and should direct presbyteries and sessions to use all diligence and prudence in promoting their restoration in those congregations in which they are wanting."

A lengthened discussion followed, on the subject introduced by these overtures. It was obviously the general opinion of the Synod, that a revival of the deacon's office was desirable; but that the change contemplated would affect so materially the constitution of the several churches, that any thing like precipitation, in the adoption of measures on this subject, must be carefully avoided. Mr Bell and Mr Pringle (Newcastle), Dr Beattie, Dr Ritchie, Mr Robertson (Stow), Mr M'Innes (Blantyre), Mr Thomas, Dr Baird, Mr Meikle, Mr France, Mr Marshall (Cupar Angus), Dr Robson, and Dr M'Kerrow, took part in the discussion. Ultimately the vote was taken on the following motions:-The first, by Mr Marshall, "That the whole subject of the deaconship, brought up in these overtures, be referred to a committee of Synod, to consider it, and to report to next meeting of Synod." The second, by Dr M'Kerrow, "That the overtures be received, and allowed to lie on the table till next meeting, when the Court will take them into consideration, and give judgment concerning them." There appeared

For Mr Marshall's motion, 110; for Dr M'Kerrow's motion, 107; Majority, 3.

A committee was accordingly appointed, consisting of the following members:-Dr D. Young, W. Marshall, Dr M'Kerrow, Dr Beattie, Dr Robson, Dr Baird, T. Reston, W. Smart, Dr King, Dr James Taylor, W. Anderson, D. Thomas, ministers; with Messrs James Peddie, J. M'Innes, J. Thomas, elders. Mr Peddie, convener.

PRESBYTERIAL VISITATION.

Overtures were presented from Glasgow Presbytery, and Wellington Street Session there, craving the Synod to recommend the several presbyteries of the church to take steps for having each congregation visited once a-year, by a deputation of the brethren, with the view of affectionately urging the church to hold fast the faith once delivered to the saints, to walk in the exercise of brotherly love, to be eminent in the grace of evangelical holiness, and to give their vigorous and united energies to the support of gospel ordinances among themselves, as well as to such schemes of a benevolent character as are, or may be countenanced by the Synod. Dr Robson, and Mr Beckett, were heard in support of the overtures. After some remarks from Mr Paterson and Mr Pringle, highly commending the scheme proposed, it was unanimously agreed that the Synod approve of the object of the overtures, and strongly recommend it to the different presbyteries of the church, that the plan of visitation proposed may be carried into effect.

MISSIONS OF THE CHURCH.

The evening of Wednesday, 11th of May, was devoted to the affairs of the Mission Boards. The proceedings, which were deeply interesting, were listened to by a crowded audience; but as they will be given in detail in the Missionary Record for this month, it is unnecessary for us to enter into any lengthened account of them. In respect to the Home Mission, it was reported that eighty-six congregations received aid in supplement of stipend, and that the amount paid towards this object was L.2218. Four congregations receive among them L.115; seven receive L.205; averaging nearly L.30 to each. In all, ninety-eight congregations received annually from the Home Fund L.2538, which, with the expense of the missionary stations, makes the charge L.3188. Of the eightysix congregations receiving aid in supplement of stipend, forty-two now give by such aid L.100 of stipend; eleven give L.95, and thirty-three (including seventeen missionary stations) give L.90.

In the treasurer's accounts it appeared that the receipts of the Home Mission during the year, together with former balance, amounted to L.5272, and the ex

penditure to L.3726, leaving in hand a balance of L.1545.

In the department of Colonial and Foreign Missions, it was reported that the church has thirty-three missionaries in Canada. Two additional missionaries, both ordained ministers, had during the year been sent to Nova Scotia, and four additional to Jamaica. The Old Calabar mission had lost one highly accomplished missionary, Rev. W. Jameson, by death. The mission had been reinforced by the arrival of Rev. Mr Waddell, Rev. Hugh Goldie, Mr Newhall and his wife, two carpenters, and several domestic servants. In Caffraria the missionary work had been resumed after the war, and an ordained missionary was on the point of leaving Scotland to that interesting field. In Persia, Dr Glen and Rev. Andrew Glen were labouring with much acceptance, preaching, translating, and distributing bibles.

In Australia the two missionaries who had recently gone out, one from the United Secession, the other from the Relief Synod, were engaged in extending spheres of usefulness-one at Sydney, the other at Port Phillip, with highly encouraging prospects of success.

The report concluded in the following terms: Thus we have in the various parts of the mission field, occupied by our church in America, the West Indies, Africa, Asia, and in the South Seas, at least seventyfour European agents, educated, pious, and devoted men, irrespective of female teachers, the wives of missionaries, native teachers, artisans and domestics, and a captain and ship's crew. This is a benevolent force, which is not discreditable to the zeal and liberality of our church,-for the existence and operations of which it behoves us to be grateful to God; but which, considering the vast wants of the heathen world, it is desirable to see augmented, and which, from the nature of the work itself, must be enlarged."

The receipts for General Fund during the year had been L.6676; for Calabar, L.2266; for Caffraria, L.832, amounting in all to L.9775, which, together with former balance, makes L.15,336, at the disposal of the board during the year. this they had expended

Jamaica,

Trinidad,

Jamaica

and Calabar,

Caffraria,

Canada,

Nova Scotia,

Persia,

Expenses,

L.4449 16 0

301 0 0

2999 7 5 738 6 4 608 0 9 145 0 0 616 8 10 352 17 11

L.10,210 17 3

Of

Leaving a balance of L.5125: 6:3 in favour of the Foreign Mission Fund.

At the conclusion of these reports, which were received with manifest delight, the Synod was addressed by Rev. Dr Taylor, and Rev. William Anderson, Glasgow ; Rev. Andrew Thomson, Edinburgh, and by Professor La Harpe of Geneva, a deputy from the Evangelical Society there to the churches of this country, with the view of obtaining their countenance and support to the missions of that Society in France. The Professor explained that the exertions of the society were divided into five departments, two of which belonged exclusively to Geneva, and for these two he wanted nothing; the other three were in France, all the help he should receive from Scotland would be carried to the account of the evangelical work in France. The Professor then detailed the different departments of work engaged in by the Society. There was first the theological school; second, the work of Bible colporteurs; and lastly, church labour, which consisted in preaching. The theological school stood least in want of present assistance. It was not in debt; but the other departments required help. In consequence of the paucity of their funds, the Society were obliged to come to a decision very soon as to whether they should proceed with the most important part of their labours. They had at present a debt of two hundred thousand francs against them, and they could not go on unless they paid that debt, or unless, to be sure, some of their friends would carry on the work for them. As his friends around him were blessed by the goodness of God, he asked them if it was their pleasure to help the Society on in such a way as might be most conducive to the views of the United Presbyterian Church? He was emboldened to propose to the Synod a plan by which they might materially aid the Society's exertions. He would propose, therefore, that as the labours of the Society were extended throughout France, the Synod might undertake the expense of one particular department, say in Saintonge, one of the western provinces of France, which, as they would be aware, was the scene of the labours of Calvin-a circumstance of itself which might operate as a powerful association in carrying on the good work. The sum he would suggest for this purpose might be L.270 or L.300 for one year. In receiving this support, the Society would bind themselves to send communications of all that was going on, in order that they, the Synod, might judge of the use that was made of their money, and whether they thought it worth while going on. The Society would also wish that those of his friends whom he saw