exaction is made for the maintenance of a faith which is believed to involve dangerous errors, and of a system of polity which, in its spirit of domination, monasticism, and celibacy, has proved itself ever jealous of the sacred rights of private judgment, and inimical to the moral and social interests of mankind.

To the intended measure, in the opinion of your Memorialists, a very strong objection arises from the expense to the country which it would involve. Already the ecclesiastical property of Ireland vested in the Established Church, is immense. On the part of Government, and of the Legislature, there is at present no disposition so much as to reduce it. In these circumstances, the endowment of the Irish priesthood would be regarded by all, except interested parties, as a most unwise, unrighteous, and oppressive increase of the burdens of the people.

Connected as your Memorialists are with a numerous class of the community, and conversant with their views and feelings, they have thought it their duty to give expression to these views in the form of remonstrance, under the full persuasion, that whatever weight may be attached to them by men in power, they will prove in substance and effect to be in accordance with the sentiments of the great body of our countrymen.

It adds a painful feature to the present revival of the Catholic endowment question, by the speech of the premier, that the only condition on which the proposed measure is suspended, being the concurrence of the Irish priesthood and their flocks, there is thus an apparent disregard of the sentiments of the British nation, as of small account in the matter. If such be the import of the statements referred to, it seems difficult to interpret them in any other light than as an unconstitutional slight of public opinion, and a challenge to the majesty of the people to vindicate itself.

In name and by appointment of Committee,

JAMES HARPER, Convener.

UNITED PRESBYTERIAN HALL,

Edinburgh, August 15, 1848.

DIVINITY HALL.

THE Second Session of the United Presby. terian Divinity Hall was opened in the Synod House, Queen Street, on Tuesday, 1st August. Dr Brown, Professor M'Michael, Dr Harper, Dr Eadie, and Dr Lindsay, the five professors of the Institution, besides a number of ministers, members of the Theological Education Committee, and others, were present on the occasion. After prayer by the Rev. Mr Pringle of Auchterarder, Professor M'Michael proceeded to deliver

the opening lecture, which presented a his torical discussion of the doctrine of the Eucharist prior to the Reformation. After briefly describing the nature of the ordinance as represented in the New Testament, the professor entered upon an examination of the language used concerning it by christian writers in successive ages of the church, and traced the gradual progress of the errors and superstitions which resulted in the anti-scriptural tenets and practices of Rome. Towards the conclusion of the lecture, the professor, in a style of warm and earnest eloquence, urged on the students to avail themselves diligently of the advantages of the Institution, particularly of the library, reminding them that in after life the multifarious duties of a working minister were not likely to admit of calm and continuous reading, which they, the students, now enjoyed at the Divinity Hall. The lecture was listened to throughout with very marked attention. The Rev. James Kirkwood concluded the meeting by prayer, after which the students were enrolled in their several classes as follows:

Of the 5th year.-John Ballantye, William Dickson, Thomas Fullarton, Patrick Greig, Walter Haig, James Henderson, John Kechie, Joseph Leckie, Andrew Morton, Donald M'Donald, William Peattie, William Porteous, James Rennie, Robert Robertson, Ebenezer Ross, Robert S. Scott, Adam Stewart, Hugh Tait, Walter Turnbull, Thomas Watson, George Wyse.

Of the 4th year.-Matthew Barr, James Browning, William Clark, George Dodds, James Galloway, John Lawson, William M'Laren, Alexander M'Lean, James Macqueen, John Matheson, George M. Middleton, David M. Muir, Robert Neilson, John Ridpath, William Russell, George Sandy, James Skinner, James Stevenson, William Sprott, William Turner, Alexander L. Wylie, David Young.

Of the 3rd year.-John Alexander, William Anderson, John Arnold, Peter Barron, William Cochran, Archibald Crawford, John Dobie, James Dunlop, James Finlayson, David L. Goodburn, George C. Hutton, James A. Johnston, Francis Lawrie, Peter Leys, William Limont, David Macewen, James Meiklejohn, Matthew Orr, William Prentice, David Rattray, David Russell, John Stillic, John Thomson, James Torrance, Stephen Wallace, James Wardrop, Peter White.

Of the 2nd year.-George Barlas, George Bickerton, Thomas Bruce, Alexander Brunton, John Carrick, Alexander Clark, M. Cooper, James Donaldson, Robert Drummond, J. Gibson, Andrew Graham, J. Hutton, Thomas Kennedy, John Kirkwood, J. M. Lambie, Charles C. Leitch, J. B. Logan, J. M'Nab, M. M'Naughton, Alex.

Miller, John Milne, J. More, J. L. Rome, A. H. Scott, G. Smith, C. J. Thomson, J. C. Weir, A. Whyte.

Of the 1st year.-Hugh Barr, Thomas Baxter, Thomas Bell, John Campbell, J. G. Carruthers, J. M. Erskine, W. Fleming, Hugh Forsyth, James Frame, R. F. Fyfe, R. Gray, J. Hill, G. Hunter, J. Imrie, J. King, R. Knox, J. Martin, W. Macdonald, D. M'Gregor, J. M‘Laren, Alex. M'Nicol, George M'Queen, Walter Morrison, D. Morris, J. Picken, J. G. Potter, D. Rintoul, A. Robb, F. Ross, Thomas Seater, Alex. Shennan, R. B. Scott, W. Stewart, W. M. Taylor, W. Thomson, W. Walker, Hugh Wallace, Thomas White, W. C. Young.

SCHOLARSHIP EXAMINATION.

THE examination of competitors for theological scholarships, in connexion with the United Presbyterian Church, took place at 5, Queen Street, Edinburgh, on the first and second days of last month. The members of committee by whom the examination was more immediately conducted, were the Professors of Theology; with the Rev. Dr Taylor, Auchtermuchty; the Rev. William Pringle, Auchterarder; the Rev. William Johnstone, Limekilns; the Rev. Dr Robson of Glasgow; the Rev. David Thomas of Mauchline; the Rev. Henry Renton of Kelso; the Rev. H. M. M'Gill of Glasgow; the Rev. George Brooks of Johnstone; the Rev. Dr Taylor of Glasgow; the Rev. John Cairns of Berwick; and the Rev. Dr King of Glasgow.

Twenty-nine students came forward to be examined. Had all who gave notice of their intention to compete, and all who obtained the use of books to facilitate their preparations, carried their purpose into effect, there would have been forty-five competitors. Some of these withdrew on account of bad health, expressing much regret that they were subjected to this necessity; and others, having encountered interruptions in their studies, retired from the ordeal rather than enter it as they thought under special disadvantages. Still the scheme had operated as a stimulus to more than forty students, all of whom had given considerable attention to the prescribed subjects.

It was the conviction of the examiners, that the students in general acquitted themselves excellently; that not a few of them made a most admirable appearance, furnishing ample ground of congratulation to the church of which they are to become ministers; and that already the beneficial working of the measure is most evident, in the improvement it has produced.

Only one student belonging to the fifth

year offered himself to be examined; and, finding that he had no competitors, he very honourably withdrew.

Twelve scholarships were awarded by the committee. Several more might have been given, had it not been that a number of students coming nearest to the successful candidates were so close to each other, in the collective value of their answers, that it would have been almost arbitrary to have given distinction to some of them, and not to others.

As the "Charles Wilkie" scholarship was not competed for, it was not assigned to any student by the committee; but Mrs Wilkie, the generous founder of it, has kindly divided it for the season into three parts, and forwarded these to as many students of approved character and promise. Fifteen scholarships have therefore been in effect assigned, twelve formally by the committee, and three by a munificent contributor to the fund.

The students who are successful retain their scholarships, on condition of undergoing the subsequent examinations; and it may therefore be expected, that the competitors of the last year will eventually be the most numerous, and that the hope of securing the "Charles Wilkie" scholarship will bring into action much of the highest talent and attainment of the Hall.

PRESBYTERIAL PROCEEDINGS.

Annandale. This presbytery met at Ecclefechan, on the 25th of July. Mr Rome, student of the first year, delivered a homily, and was examined on the doctrine of original sin and on natural philosophy. Messrs Haig and Tait, students of the fourth year, delivered, the first a popular sermon, and the second a lecture. Mr William Young, student from the congregation of Annan, having been recommended at the previous meeting, was examined for admission to the Hall. The discourses and examinations were all unanimously sustained. The students present, along with Mr Dobie, who had given all his prescribed exercises at a previous meeting, were recommended to the Hall, and the clerk instructed to certify them to the professors. Owing to the amount of business before the presbytery, it was agreed to delay until next meeting the consideration of the question, Whether the services of a deputy from the Committee on Sabbath School Education should be invited this summer? Appointed next meeting to be held at Langholm, on the 26th of September.

Cupar. This presbytery met 18th July. Messrs Stevenson and Wyse, students in divinity, delivered discourses which were approved of. Messrs Bell, Seater, Er

skine, and Imrie, after the usual examinations, were admitted as students of the Divinity Hall. Next meeting was appointed to be held on the third Tuesday of September.

Dundee. This presbytery met on the 1st August, the Rev. Robert Hogg, moderator. The Rev. Robert Dick Duncan, Wishart Church, Dundee, intimated his acceptance of the call from Bread Street congregation, Edinburgh. The presbytery accordingly loosed him from his present charge. The Rev. David Marshall was appointed to preach Wishart Church vacant, and the Rev. Robert Gemmell to be moderator of Wishart Church session.

Edinburgh. The presbytery met on 1st August. Mr Cross having completed his trials for ordination, it was agreed that he should be ordained at West Linton on 17th August. On petition from the congregation of Back Street, Dalkeith, Mr Deans was appointed to moderate in a call there on the 16th. The call from the church at Newington to Mr Robertson of Musselburgh was again taken up for consideration. Reasons for the translation, and answers to the reasons having been read, commissioners from both congregations were heard, after which Mr Robertson, in a long and feeling address, cast himself on the presbytery for advice in the circumstances. It was agreed to defer the case till Tuesday following. At a meeting of the Edinburgh presbytery on Tuesday, 8th August, Mr Robertson, in accordance with the advice of a large majority of the presbytery, accepted the call from Newington. At the same meeting, a motion by Dr Ritchie, that the presbytery should issue its earnest recommendation to discontinue the use of intoxicating liquors on occasions of ordination services, was negatived-the “previous question" having been moved and carried.

Glasgow. This presbytery met on 8th August. A committee appointed to examine and report upon the measures now before Parliament in reference to Marriage and Registration, gave in a report. The presbytery seemed generally to concur in the principles of the proposed measures. The committee was re-appointed to attend further to the matter, and report if they found it necessary. On petition from the congregation of Regent Street, Glasgow, Mr Taylor was appointed to moderate in a call there on 21st August.

Newcastle. This presbytery met on 1st August; the Rev. H. Lawson was chosen moderator till the end of this year. It was agreed that the Committee for Missions be instructed to procure the duplicates mentioned in Rule 15, as to congregations on the Home Fund; and that the remits from the Synod be considered at next meeting

of the presbytery, to be held here on the first Tuesday of October.

Paisley and Greenock. This presbytery met at Paisley, 1st August; Rev. Mr Meikle, moderator. A committee of inquiry as to the congregation at Inverary presented a report, which the presbytery agreed to transmit to the Home Mission Committee, with a strong recommendation that the grant to said congregation be increased to L.50 annually. Mr John Smith, probationer, accepted the call from the congregation of Union Street, Greenock. The committee, in the case of the late second congregation, Largs, having laid on the table the valuation of the property by Mr Smith, architect, the presbytery declined to press their claims on the property in a legal form; recommended to the managers and trustees to take steps for disposing of it to the best advantage, and should a surplus remain, after all fair claims are met, to hand it over to the treasurer of the United Presbyterian Church. The next meeting of presbytery was appointed to be held at. Greenock, on the first Tuesday of September.

"

Stirling. This presbytery met on the 1st of August. Mr Robert Robertson, student of divinity, was examined by Mr Brown on the Antinomian controversy. Mr H. Forsyth having been recommended to be taken on trial for admission to the Hall, was examined with that view. The presbytery agreed to certify these students to their respective professors. Appointed next meeting to be held on the 19th of September.

intosh, probationer, called 16th August; Mr Deans of Portobello presiding.

Regent Place, Glasgow-The Rev. John Edmond, Denny Loanhead, called 21st August; Mr Taylor of Hutchesontown presiding.

OBITUARY.

Died, at Tarbolton, Ayrshire, on the 20 August, the Rev. John Campbell, senior minister of the United Presbyterian Church there, in the forty-sixth year of his ministry.

Died, at Minnihive, Dumfries-shire, the Rev. James M'Geoch, minister of the United Presbyterian Church there, having nearly completed the thirty-first year of his ministry.

CENTENARY, LOGIE-ALMOND.

ON Tuesday, the 8th August, a Soiree was held in the United Presbyterian Church, Logie-Almond, in commemoration of the origin of the congregation there a hundred years ago. No record of that origin exists; but, by means of traditionary recollections, it is assigned to the year 1748. The first ministry was an unhappy one, and of short duration. The second, which commenced in the beginning of 1756, continued to the close of the century. The third, which still continues, has been a long, peaceful, and useful one-Mr Young being within a few months of the commencement of the

50th year of his ministry. At the time of the commencement of the congregation, this large and populous district must have been exceedingly destitute of a pure and efficient dispensation of the gospel, the nearest churches being those of the parishes of Monedie, Methven, and Foulis, which were each five miles from the central and most populous part of the district. The congregation therefore must have been a source of incalculable good; and it still remains so; for though other and nearer churches now exist, and though the congregation has repeatedly suffered by the emigration of considerable numbers of the population, it still remains the principal source of gospel ordinances to a large, retired, and interesting portion of country. The occasion was suitably improved by addresses from a number of ministers, and members of the congregation; and the large audience, many of whom came from other congregations, or belonged to other communions, seemed highly gratified by the service.

SYNOD OF CANADA.

THE United Presbyterian Synod of Canada met at Hamilton, Canada West, on Tues

day, 6th June. After sermon by the Rev. James Roy of St George, late moderator, the Rev. John Jennings of Toronto was unanimously elected moderator.

Proposed Union with Free Church.-On a report from a committee on this subject, the members of Synod were called on to deliver their sentiments on the question, Is union practicable in preseent circumstances? While a desire for such a consummation was generally expressed, it was felt that the ground taken by the committee of the Free Church was so extreme as to preclude the hope of a union at present. It was not for this Synod to go back. The Free Church must come forward, and the progress of mind and events, it was believed, would bring that church nearer to them than it was now. While voluntaryism was not a term of communion in the United Presbyterian Church, yet it was held to be an essential element of the New Testament system; and they could not throw into the shade a principle connected with civil liberty and vital christianity. It was recommended by some, that there should be interchange of pulpit services; and by all it was urged, that the whole papers should be published, that the people of both churches might know the whole motion was agreed to, approving the diliproceedings and arguments. Ultimately a gence of the committee; re-appointing them to confer with any committee to be appointed by the Free Church; declaring that union is very desirable, if it can be accomplished on a christian basis. It was

agreed that this resolution be sent to the

convener of the committee of the Free Church, with the request that they allow all the documents submitted by them to be published. An overture from Toronto presbytery, in favour of promoting the union, was then withdrawn, on account of the preceding discussion and decision.

Synodical Statistics.--A schedule for Synodical statistics was presented, and a committee appointed to consider and prepare it for the use of the church.

Mission Business.-In the course of discussion on the business of missions, it was found that the state and prospects of the church in the province were never more favourable than now, and increased energy was therefore requisite. A Board of Missions was appointed, to take into consideration plans for their further extension, and to engage in these with energy as far as practicable, and report to next meeting of Synod.

A letter was read from the secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church of Nova Scotia, requesting the co-operation of this Synod in their

mission in the South Seas. It was agreed that a collection be taken up in all the congregations for this object, and that a letter be sent in reply to their brethren in Nova Scotia.

Theological Education.-On considering the report on the Theological Institution, it was resolved that the Hall be removed from Hamilton to Toronto; that students attend the university there, and be superintended by the professor of divinity during their whole course. The standard of education it was determined should be kept up, and it was remitted to presbyteries to consider and report at next meeting of Synod, that, if possible, the ensuing winter session be made available for the benefit of students connected with the church.

Candidate for License as a Preacher.A reference was presented from Toronto presbytery, requesting the authority of Synod to license as a preacher Mr Ormiston, professor of logic and moral philosophy in Victoria College. The Synod authorized the presbytery to act in the case as they saw cause.

Petitions to Government and Legislature. --Petitions on the following subjects were unanimously agreed to, and the moderator and clerk authorized to sign and transmit them in name of the Synod:

:

1st, One to the governor and council against the appropriation of the surplus fund of the Clergy Reserves to any religious denomination, and that said surplus be retained till action be taken by Parliament to appropriate the whole Reserves to purposes which the whole community can share.

2d, A petition to Parliament against the present Clergy Reserve Act, that it be rescinded, and that the whole proceeds be applied to a common school fund, or for general secular purposes.

3d, A petition to Parliament regarding the University, for the exclusion of the chair of Divinity; for the abolition of Religious Tests; and that no denominations be recognized, in any way, in any bill that may be brought forward.

Next meeting of Synod was appointed to be held at Toronto, on 10th October next.

CANADA- PRINCIPLES OF FREE CHURCH AND UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH COLLECTED.

THE chief points of difference between the Free Church and the United Presbyterian are brought out very distinctly in the following extracts from a report of the joint committees, appointed by the Synods of the two bodies in Canada, to consider the proposal of union. The document will prove

of some value at home, as well as among the Canadian brethren; and we have pleasure in aiding to give it circulation here.

After conference the committee agreed to take up the subjects which had been under consideration, and on which written statements of their respective opinions had been previously given in, and resolved to embody in a formal statement the points on which they agreed and those also on which they differed. According to which plan the joint committee concurred in the following synopsis:

1.-Regarding Christ's Headship over the nations, as distinguished from his Headship over the church.

The committees agreed in holding Christ's appointment by the Father as Head and King of nations, as well as Head of the church. With regard to the design of the appointment, and the duties that result from it, there is some difference. The committee of the Presbyterian Church holding, that while the province of the civil magistrate remains the same, the revelation of Christ's appointment as Head and King of nations, has imposed new duties upon nations and rulers. And the committee of the United Presbyterian Church holding that the revelation of Christ's appointment as ruler, has not added any thing to the department over which the civil magistrate is placed, nor formed any new relationship between him and his subjects, nor any new duties different from those, to discharge which he was previously bound; "and, moreover, as the whole institution and end of his office are cut cut by and lie within the compass of natural principles, it is not their opinion that there can or ought to be any exercise thereof towards its end but what could be argued for and defended from natural principles."

2.--Frovince of the Civil Magistrate.

The committee concurred in holding that his province is purely civil as contra-distinguished from ecclesiastical, and that no ecclesiastical power, and no right of interfering in the administration in the affairs of the church, has been committed to him. But with regard to the duties of the civil magistrate, within his peculiar province, there seems a difference between the committee to this extent, that the committee of the Presbyterian Church hold that religion is the concern of legislators and civil rulers, as such, and ought to be not only protected by the maintenance of religious liberty, but also publicly countenanced, favoured, and promoted by them; while the committee of the United Presbyterian Church think, that the duty of the civil magistrate is only to protect every subject in the exercise of the right which God has given him, to judge for himself in matters of religion, and to act in them according to his own judgment, so far as not to interfere with the rights of conscience. 3.-Is national recognition of Christ's Headship over the nations a duty, and if so, in what form is it to be made?

On this head the committees also differ, that of the Presbyterian Church holding that it is the duty of nations and rulers to make a formal recog nition of Christ's Headship, and that the simplest and least objectionable mode in their opinion, in which this could be done, would be a national act, incorporated into the constitution of the State, and made the basis, so far as applicable, of all future legislation and administration-and the committee of the United Presbyterian Church think that the Scriptures do not enjoin any such national act; it is therefore not required of nations, by Christ himself, and on this account, not a duty; nor is it any where in Scripture charged against nations as such, as a crime that they did not recognize the Headship of Christ over them.