part of the board, that they or their successors in office should have deputed to them the powers of a committee of synod-a measure which they considered essential to the effectual advancement of the interests of the society. After considerable discussion on this subject, the synod unanimously concurred in the following resolution : "That the constitution of the society should, for the present, remain as it had been formerly established; that the thanks of the synod be given to the directors of the missionary society, for the measures which they had devised, and perseveringly and successfully carried into accomplishment, towards the promotion of the cause of missions; and that the present directors be continued in office for another year."

The synod then adjourned till 10 o'clock to-morrow forenoon. The committee for the signs of the times, and those of education and conference, to meet this evening, at 6 o'clock, and the committee of bills to-morrow morning, at 7 o'clock.

THIRD SESSION.

Thursday, 10 o'clock, a. m.

The synod met, &c. Members present as before.

15. It was reported from the committee of bills that Mr. Stavely had assigned reasons why he had not executed the task devolved on him in relation to the dissertation on license and ordination, and the sketch of the history of the church. The synod expressed their earnest desire that these dissertations should in due time be ready for distribution among the members of the church. The committee far

ther reported that Mr. Dick's dissertation on the renovation of the covenants, as far as he had carried it, had been read, and had given general satisfaction. The synod enjoined it on Mr. Dick to continue his attention to this work, and when completed to publish it without farther delay.

16. Dr. McLeod, being called upon by the moderator to bring forward the statements which he had intimated his intention of laying before synod, furnished interesting accounts of the state of religion in America, and of the cir cumstances of the reformed church there, and made to the synod the three following propositions, viz.

"I. That the synods in Scotland, Ireland, and America, should in future correspond by delegation.

"II. That a mutual bond and covenant, divested of local peculiarities, and adapted to the state of the reformed churches in Britain and America, and to the condition of the church of Christ throughout the world, be agreed upon.

"III. That arrangements be entered into for having one testimony, embracing one system of doctrine, government, worship, and discipline, and for bringing about uniformity in all things among the churches of God throughout the nations of the earth."

The Rev. William Symington, the delegate appointed by the synod in Scotland, being requested by the court, stated, in accordance with his commission, that the synod by which he was deputed had agreed to adopt the above suggestions, had in consequence proposed the draft of a bond, and had appointed a delegate to attend

the next meeting of the synod in America. Mr. S. stated likewise that the letter from this synod last year had been received that a plan of education for candidates for the ministry was under consideration that a correspondence with the associate synod of original seceders, with a view to as certain more fully the grounds of difference between the two bodies, was at present carrying on-that a missionary society under the direction of the synod had been recently established-and that there are now in connection with the synod twenty-five ordained minis ters, one shortly to be ordained, six licentiates, and six vacancies. After receiving these statements, it was

17. Agreed, that the court has the greatest satisfaction in the visit of the Rev. Dr. McLeod, from America, and in that of the Rev. William Symington, as a commissioner from the synod in Scotland -and that we hereby express our gratitude to both for the very efficient manner in which they have made several communications and that we shall, during these sessions of synod, make arrangements that they command our serious consideration.

18. The Rev. Gordon T. Ewing, a member of the reformed Presbyterian synod of America, being present, was invited by the moderator to a seat in court, which he accepted, and his name was added to the roll.

19. Moved and agreed, that the thanks of this court be given to the Rev. Dr. McLeod for his very excellent sermon preached at the opening of the synod-and that he be requested to furnish, as soon

as he may find it convenient, a complete manuscript copy, for the purpose of having the discourse published for circulation among the members of the church. The moderator accordingly expressed thanks to Dr. McLeod, who made a suitable acknowledgment, and intimated his design, if he found it practicable, to comply with the request of the synod in regard to the publication of his discourse.

20. The committees of education and conference, that had been directed to meet and consider the plan of education for candidates for the ministry, forwarded to this court from the synod in Scotland, and that formerly adopted by the synod, report that they had met, and had jointly and unanimously agreed to lay before synod the following resolutions, viz.

"I. The committees express their sincere gratification in finding that our brethren of the synod in Scotland have been so attentive to the education of candidates for the ministry, in devising a plan of education, which we have no doubt is well adapted to the circumstances of their students, in reference to the seminaries of learning to which they resort, while, from the course of study followed in approved seminaries in this country, the committees express their conviction that a plan in some respects different ought to be adopted for the students under the care of our synod.

"II. Under this conviction, the committees, after mature deliberation, agreed to adhere strictly to the printed regulations of our synod, subjected to the following alterations: That particular attention be paid to the knowledge of

the scriptures and our subordinate standards, at the entrance and during the whole course of study that on the second session at college, students be required to attend to junior mathematics and moral philosophy; third session, senior mathematics, natural philosophy, with the other subjects prescribed in our published planthat the students attend to the study of theology for three sessions at the Hall at Paisley, commencing after the second session at college-and that at each examination of presbytery, after entering college, the students shall be examined in portions of the Greek Testament; these examinations to be so managed that they shall include the whole Testament before the close of the curriculum of study.

"III. That the committees deem it desirable, at as early a period as the synod may see fit, to provide a professor of divinity in this country, to superintend the theological studies of students under the care of this synod; and meanwhile, the committees would reckon it highly desirable to commit the students, during their stay at college, to the care of some minister of the church, who may meet with them regularly at least once or twice a week, to read with them the scriptures, prescribe to them exercises, and otherwise direct the entire course of their studies.

"IV. That the synod express themselves under deep and lasting obligations to Professor Symington, for the excellent instructions in divinity which he has communicated to our students, and for the kindness and fatherly attention

which he has uniformly manifested towards them.

"V. The committee recommend to synod that-as the copies of the plan of education formerly published are scarce, and it might be desirable to have our plan more generally known, and for this purpose some revision is evidently necessary-a person be appointed, who shall bear the responsibility, and be assisted by another, and who shall thoroughly revise our published plan-collect whatever information he may have access to, in order to digest a system of education for our students more in accordance with scriptural principles than those formerly followed-and have a pamphlet embodying such a system in readiness against the next meeting of synod. The person thus nominated, to submit his pamphlet to the committee of education, to be by them laid before synod."

The synod approved of these resolutions; and it was moved and agreed, that the committee of education formerly appointed be continued in office, and that Mr. T. Houston be appointed to prepare a revised plan of education, in accordance with the 5th resolution; Mr. Houston to be assisted in this service by Messrs. Alexander and Stavely.

21. The duplicate of a letter to the faculty of the Belfast Academical Institution was laid before the court by the committee of education. Of this letter the court approved.

22. Mr. Dick brought forward the motion to which he had formerly pledged himself, on the 'adoption of means to enable ministers in our church to devote

their whole time to the duties of their office, without being under the necessity of engaging in secular avocations." The following resolutions relative to this subject were then proposed, and after mature deliberation adopted, viz.

"I. As the faithful discharge of ministerial duties leaves no time for a daily secular avocation, it is only in a case of absolute necessity, that is, a real want of a competent support, that a pastor is justifiable in engaging in such an employment.

"II. That it is the duty of church judicatories to ascertain whether or not this deplorable necessity arises from real poverty on the part of the congregations, and if not, to take such measures as may tend to lead them to a sense of their duty, as enjoined in the word of God, and contained in their own engagements as church members, to make suitable provision for their pastors,

"III. That a synodical pastoral address be drawn up, and circulated amongst our people, bearing on this topic.

"IV. That the state of weak congregations who have pastors, as well as those who have not, be recommended to the missionary society.

"V. That no pastor shall be at liberty to enter into a secular employment without leave of his presbytery."

In accordance with the 2d of the above resolutions, Mr. Dick was appointed to prepare the pastoral address to be submitted to the synod at this meeting.

23. The committee for the

observe days of fasting and thanksgiving as formerly, and that causes of thanksgiving should be published. The synod approved of the report of the committee, and appointed the last Wednesday of November to be observed as a day of thanksgiving, and the last Thursday of January 1831, as a day of fasting. Mr. Paul was appointed to prepare a summary of causes of thanksgiving, to be submitted before publication to a committee consisting of Messrs. Alexander, J. Smith, and T. Houston.

24. Resolved, that the next meeting of synod be held in Moneymore, on the second Tuesday of July, 1831, at 12 o'clock, noon.

25. Mr. T. Houston's motion on "the nature and powers of interlocutor," which had been held in retentis, was brought forward. It was agreed to defer the consideration of this case till a future part of the proceedings of synod.

The synod was then adjourned till 7 o'clock to-morrow morning, to meet as a committee of bills this evening at 6 o'clock.

FOURTH SESSION.

Friday, 7 o'clock, a. m.

The synod met, &c.

26. The following young men, who had been recommended by their respective presbyteries for examination, as having completed the course of study prescribed by synod, viz.

John Nevin, from the northern presbytery.

William Toland, from the eastern presbytery.

Thomas Boyd, from the south

William Gibson, who had ac