ary for one year in the parish of Linlithgow, and that the subscription for the new church had been very successful. Mr. Laing underwent his trials, and his ordination at Livingstone was fixed for the 13th of January, Mr. Gordon of Falkirk to preach and preside.

LONDON.-The quarterly meeting was held in St. Andrew's Scotch Church, on Tuesday the 14th of December.-Mr. Wallace of Birmingham, Moderator; presentsix ministers and five elders. The sermon was preached by Mr. Thomas of Woolwich, from Ephes. ii. 18-" We both have access;" and, inter alia, it was resolved,-that, in consideration of the religious destitution of the Scottish population on the south side of the river, amongst whom there is no Presbyterian church of any kind, a new church shall be erected for their accommodation; and that immediate measures be adopted for the purpose of procuring a suitable site, raising funds, &c. A motion was unanimously agreed to, to the effect, that "the presbytery do earnestly recommend to the ministers and Kirk-sessions under their control, to present an annual report to the presbytery on such matters as they may deem of importance, in reference to their congregations; such reports to be given in annually at the ordinary meeting in March,"-it being understood that the arrangement shall be entirely optional for the present year.

A

draft of a letter to the "Societe Evangelique" of Geneva, in reply to a communication addressed to the presbytery, was read by Mr. Burns, the clerk, and ordered to be transmitted. It was reported by the brethren the "Concert for Prayer" had been observed in all their churches,-in several of them on three separate days,-and in every instance with most encouraging success. Addresses of congratulation were voted to the Queen and Prince Albert, on the birth of the Prince of Wales. A public religious service was appointed to take place on the first day of the new year, in the Scots' Church, London Wall. Mr. Hamilton to begin the service, and Mr. Burns to preach.

BRECHIN.-Met at Montrose on Tuesday December 21st. Mr. Hastie's ordination trials were gone through in such a manner as to draw from the whole of the presbytery unmingled approbation. The 18th of January was appointed for his ordination. Mr. Nixon to preside. Soon after this Mr. Hastie, proceeds to Launceston, Van Dieman's Land, where his talents, accomplishments, and deep piety, will, we doubt not, prove, under the divine blessing, no ordinary means of good to the inhabitants of that colony. The church of Scotland have sent forth few ministers to foreign parts likely to prove a greater honour to her than Mr.

Hastie. Dr. Brewster, in an able and impressive speech, addressed the presbytery on the conduct of certain members of the court in signing a sympathizing address to the deposed ministers of Strathbogie, which contained this assertion among others, that "it is the duty of every subject to obey the law as declared by the civil courts." Dr. Brewster also moved, that the members should be asked whether they held Christ to be really the Head of the church; and that it was their paramount duty to obey Him; whether they held the church to possess a distinct government; and whether, if the civil courts interfered with that government, they would refuse compliance? The questions being answered in the affirmative, after some further discussion the subject was allowed to drop.

ARBROATH.-KIRKDEN CASE.-The presbytery met for resuming consideration of this case. Mr. Whyte, Forfar, appeared as Mr. Carruther's agent, and produced certificate of his continued ill health; whereupon Mr. Muir of St. Vigeans, moved for the appointment of a committee, by whom the case might be settled, consistently with mercy, humanity, and a regard to the interests of religion. This motion having been seconded by the elder for St. Vigeans, Mr. Laird of Inverkeillor, seconded by Mr. Dymock of Carnoustie, moved as an amendment, that the motion being incompetent after the judgment of the Synod, enjoining the presbytery to proceed with probation, it be rejected; which on a division was carried by a majority of twelve to seven, the minority consisting of the ministers and elders of St. Vigeans, Kinnell and Guthrie, and the elder from Kirkden: On account of Mr. Carruther's illness, however, further procedure in the case was deferred till next month.

STRANRAER.-Rev. Robert Donald, presentee to the new church of Shenchane, delivered his trial discourses, and was examined and approved of. An address to the presbytery, signed by 139 communicants and 211 members of the Church of Scotland not communicants, residing in the district which is to be annexed, quoad sacra, to the new church of Shenchane was received and read. It expressed the strongest satisfaction with the prospect of Mr. Donald's settlement. Thursday the 13th of January was appointed for his ordination, Rev. Thomas Blizzard Bell to preach and preside on the occasion. A letter from the Rev. David Wilson of Stranraer was read. It intimated that, with Mr. Wilson's consent, his congregation had almost unanimously elected the Rev. Mr. Cochrane of Edinburgh to be his assistant, with a view to apply farther for his appointment as successor. The presbytery unanimously approved of the arrangements

that had been made in this matter, and gave their full consent and concurrence to the appointment of an assistant and successor in the parish of Stranraer.

CUPAR.-Met on the 28th of December, the Rev. Mr. Elder, Moderator. Mr. Murray said, that he had the pleasure of seeing the late Dr. Barclay two days before his death, that his mind was full of peace and comfort in the prospect of his removal, and that with much feeling he had requested him to give his kind respects to the presbytery of which he had been so long a member. The brethren were highly gratified by this token of regard in his last hours, from their venerable friend, who had been for some time the father of the church, and unanimously resolved, that the interesting message they had received should be recorded in the minutes of the court. Dr. Kidd, the convener of the committee, appointed to confer with Mr. Cairns and the managers of St. Michael's church, relative to the supply of service to that new place of worship, gave in their report, which recommended the dissolution of the present collegiate charge, quoad sacra, and the allocation of a separate church to each of the ministers, as a measure that would meet the present difficulty, and be most conducive to the interests of religion in the parish. A discussion on the subject, which we are unable to report, ensued, in which the collegiate ministers, Mr. Cairns and Mr. Birrell, expressed their acquiesence in the proposal to uncollegiate the charge. On the motion of Mr. Crichton, the committee was reappointed and enlarged, and the matter remitted back to them, with instructions to confer with all parties and report.

PERTH.-The ordinary monthly meeting of the presbytery was held on Wednesday, Dec. 29th, Mr. Black of Kilspindie, Moderator. The only business of importance that came before the Court was in reference to Mr. Traquair, of the parish of Rhynd. It will be remembered that, some time ago, a memorial by certain of the parishioners was presented to the presbytery, wherein Mr. Traquair was accused of repeated acts of intoxication;-that, subsequently, he acknowledged guilt to a certain extent;-was, with his own concurrence, suspended from the ministry sine die, at same time agreeing that an assistant, or an assistant and successor, should be appointed in the parish, in whose favour he became bound to vacate the manse and glebe, and to pay towards his maintenance, 1007. per annum out of his stipend. In accordance with the first part of this arrangement, Mr. Struthers was ordained assistant and successor in the parish; but it appears that Mr. Traquair refuses, or has hitherto failed, to implement the latter part of the agreement, relating to the manse,

glebe, and stipend. The matter has been several times before the presbytery, and at their last meeting they appointed a committee to prepare a libel against Mr. T. for fraud and dishonesty, in not performing his part of the contract described. At the meeting on Wednesday, the draft of a libel was accordingly submitted by the committee, and was adopted by the presbytery. It was ordered that Mr. T. should be served with a copy of the libel, and cited to appear at next ordinary meeting. Mr. D. Clark, Mr. T.'s agent, read a statement or minute on his behalf, the precise nature of which we do not know; but the result showed that it was not satisfactory to the court.

DUNFERMLINE.-The presbytery met at Aberdour, on Tuesday last, Dec. 28th, for moderating in a call to the Rev. Dr. Ralph of Liverpool, to be minister of the church and parish of Aberdour. The Rev. Mr. Fergusson of Beath preached and presided. The call was signed by two of the heritors, all the elders, and a number of the male heads of families in full communion. There were no dissents or special objections.

ANSTRUTHER EASTER.-On the evening of Tuesday, Dec. 28th, a numerous and respectable meeting of this place was held in the parish church, for the purpose of forming a Church Defence Association, Mr. George Darsie, junior, was called to the chair, and Mr. Ferrie, minister of the parish, opened the meeting with prayer. The chairman then shortly stated the object of the meeting, and having expressed a regret that the circumstance of Cupar presbytery meeting that day deprived them of some other speakers who had been expected to be present,-he introduced the Rev. Mr. Robb of Strathkinnes, who, in a most powerful, clear, and eloquent address, defended the principle of the headship of Christ, showing that it was the doctrine of Scripture, embodied in the standards of the church, acknowledged and ratified as an integral portion of these standards by repeated acts of parliament, confirmed and settled by the act of union. The Rev. Mr. Nicolson of Ferry-Port-onCraig followed; and in a very luminous and convincing speech showed that the principle of non-intrusion was an essential part of the constitution of the church of Scotland, and could not be abandoned at whatever hazard. He concuded by pressing on the people of Anstruther, the duty of associating themselves in defence of the great principles which had that evening been brought under their notice, and for which the church was now contending. Mr. Ferrie said, that having met so many of those present the night before, to explain the object of the present meeting, it was unnecessary for him now to addres them at any length. After congra

tulating the meeting on the very orderly and attentive way in which the speakers had been listened to, he stated shortly, but in a very feeling and solemn manner, the necessity under which his strong convictions laid him, of joining the present majority of the church in defence of the great principles at issue and that, indeed, were it otherwise with him, he would be altogether unworthy of his place as minister of Anstruther, or of the manse in which he resided, associated as they were with some of the greatest names among the defenders of the principles in question. An association, embracing the two Anstruthers, was then formed; and many persons enrolled their names before leaving the church. Great accessions are confidently anticipated.

INVERNESS.-On Tuesday, Jan. 4th, was laid on the table a presentation from H. Scott, Esq. of Aberdeen, in favour of the Rev. D. Macdonald, to be assistant and successor to the Rev. Dr. Rose, in the second charge of Inverness.

The Rev. Mr. Fraser, Kirkhill, said, the present was, in his opinion, a very unusual course for Dr. Rose to adopt,-instead of intimating, in courtesy to his brethren of the presbytery, his desire to have an assistant and successor appointed, they had no intimation from him on the subject, until the presentation for the appointment was handed to them. He must repeat this was a very unusual mode of procedure.

Dr. Rose said, he did not think it necessary, or he should have mentioned the circumstance to the presbytery.

The Rev. Mr. Fraser resumed,-it was well known that presbyteries had refused the appointments of assistants and successors to ministers, who were sufficiently able to preach, and who appeared merely anxious at a favourable juncture to get a son quietly settled as their assistant. They knew that was not the case here, but a different course.

Captain M'Kay knew he had no right, but he could not help observing that many of the congregation never heard Mr. Macdonald, till he was announced as assistant and successor to Dr. Rose.

Captain Mackintosh. The whole proceedings were got up quite in a hole and

corner manner.

Mr. D. Fraser, Dochgarroch, intimated that he would protest against the settlement, both as a heritor and as a communicant.

D. M'Lennan, Esq. then handed in a royal presentation in favour of the Rev. S. Mackintosh, to the vacant charge of Inverness, with the necessary documents; he also concurred in the previous arrangement respecting the uncollegiating of the churches.

Dr. Rose expressing a hope, that the presbytery would proceed to settle the young

gentlemen as soon as possible, as since the death of his late lamented colleague, he had done as much as he could in so large a field of labour, and he would therefore propose that they should proceed to moderate in the call on the 25th inst. After all that, they would have to go through their trials, so that he would not be able at the soonest to obtain the full benefit of their assistance, before the end of March or the beginning of April. He would, however, endeavour to go on as well as he could till then, if it pleased God to spare his health.

The Rev. Mr. Fraser, Kirkhill, expressed himself perfectly astonished at the proposition which Dr. Rose had just made for moderating in the calls of both the presentees in one day; it seemed exactly like making a batch of ministers for the parish of Inverness in one day, and for the same congregation.

The Rev. Mr. Sutherland concurred in the sentiments expressed by the last speaker. Considerable discussion then ensued as to whether they should moderate in the calls on the same day or not, the Rev. Mr. Clark contending that, owing to the Daviot settlement occurring about the week previous to the sacrament in February, the duties required by the two additional calls would prove a serious interruption to the ministers of the Presbytery, if they were to take separate days for the moderation of the calls.

The Rev. Mr. Fraser, Kirkhill, and others, admitted the inconvenience, but maintained, that if they moderated in both calls on the same day, it would appear like the transaction of some worldly job which they were anxious to get through, and thus the appropriate feeling which should attend the induction of ministers would be lost.

-After considerable discussion it was arranged that the Rev. Mr. Grant, Petty, should preach in the settlement of the Rev. Mr. Macdonald, and the Rev. Mr. Clark on the following sabbath, in that of the Rev. S. Mackintosh and the presbytery should proceed to moderate in the calls on Tuesday and Thursday.

Captain M'Kay, in the name of himself and them that adhered to him, protested against the appointment of any assistant and successor to Dr. Rose. He did so out of no ill feeling to him or Mr. Macdonald, but he hoped the former would long be able to fulfil the duties of his situation, and that when he should not, he thought it right that the people of Inverness should then be in a position to choose for themselves a successor.

The moderator stated that the protest was rather premature, and that it must be made after the moderation of the call, when it would be entertained.

ELLON. This body met at Ellon on Tues

day, the 4th of January, present, the Rev. Messrs. Cruden, Logie-Buchan; Robertson, Ellon; Knox, Tarves; Philip, Cruden; Whyte, Methlick; Watt, Foveran; Rust, Slains; Mr. Johnstone, elder. Mr. Whyte, moderator.

The presbytery proceeded to take into consideration a remit by the general assembly's commission of August last, along with a report by the minority of the presbytery of Strathbogie, as to certain ministers of the church, who had held ministerial communion with the "deposed" brethren of Strathbogie. One of these was Mr. Robertson, of Ellon.

The clerk (Mr. Cruden) having read these documents,

Mr. Robertson of Ellon rose and addressed the court in a speech of great length (nearly three hours).

Mr. Cruden then addressed the court, and concluded by moving, "That the presbytery having taken into their most careful consideration the report of the presbytery of Strathbogie, transmitted to them by the commission, together with the deliverance of the commission on said report, find, first, that in all the circumstances of the case, they cannot take that view of their duty which the deliverance of the commission may seem to imply: secondly, that ecclesiastical censures, inflicted by an established church, for obedience to civil statutes, accepted and still virtually acquiesced in by that church, as claiming under them important civil privileges, are incompetent and inept: thirdly, that the sentence of deposition pronounced against certain members of the presbytery of Strathbogie, is, therefore, incompetent, having been inflicted upon these ministers for the performance of duties incumbent on them in the painful circumstances in which they were placed as ministers of the church of Scotland as by law established: fourthly, and in fine, that Mr. Robertson, if, as is alleged, he has held ministerial communion with any of these ministers, has done nothing requiring of the presbytery to institute proceedings against him in the exercise of discipline."

Mr. Knox seconded the motion.

Various members of the court then followed, but as we cannot at present report the proceedings fully, we restrict ourselves to a bare statement of the result.

The moderator having put the motion, and there being no contrary motion before the court, it was declared to be carried. From this finding dissented Mr. Philip and Mr. Johnstone, for reasons to be afterwards given in. Mr. Rust also dissented for reasons of his own.

ELGIN.-Friday, 14th January.—A pro re nata meeting of the Presbytery of Elgin

was held here this day, Mr. Walker of Ur. quhart, moderator. All the members were present. A crown presentation, in favour of Mr. Francis Wylie, to the collegiate charge of the parish of Elgin, was laid on the table by the moderator, with the relative documents. The presentation was unanimously sustained, and the Rev. Mr. Topp, as moderator of the kirk-session of Elgin, having produced a certified roll of the male heads of families, communicants in the parish, the presbytery thereafter appointed Mr. Wylie to preach on the 23d and 30th of this month in the church, and his call to be moderated in on Wednesday, the 2nd of February. Mr. Walker, of Urquhart, to preach and preside. The presbytery then adjourned, to meet at Elgin on that day.

GLASGOW.-STATE OF THE CHURCH.At the meetings of the Glasgow presbytery on Wednesday, January 5.

Dr. Buchanan said that in regard to the overture on the subjection due by the inferior to the superior ecclesiastical courts, of which he had given notice, he believed that the members of presbytery, however they might differ as to the subject-matter of the overture, would agree in giving him credit for introducing it, not to increase and complicate the perplexity in which the church is involved, but to avert an event which, as it has since taken place, has undoubtedly added to the difficulties in which it was previously involved. He was satisfied that he would not be advancing the object he had in view in originally introducing the overture by discussing it now; at the same time, as probably within the next three or four weeks the church and country would be in different circumstances than what they are in at present as it was most likely that something would then be known of the intentions of her Majesty's government with regard to the settlement of the question at large; it was quite obvious that if any measures proposed by government, were calculated to effect a settlement of the general question, it would be neither necessary nor expedient to protract the dicussion on details. On the other hand, if either government abstain from introducing any measure for the settlement of the question at all, or shall be led to propose a measure which might appear to him and others to be fitted to injure the interests of the church, and incompatible with those principles for which she is contending, then he should certainly feel it to be his duty to bring forward an overture of the nature of that which was now on the table, because in that case it would be the more necessary that the church should take all competent measures for protecting herself from disorders not to be warded off by some legislative enactment. These were the views he took

of the question. He was not prepared to abandon the overture; he was not disposed to discuss it at this moment; and his object in bringing it forward being rather to promote peace than to disturb it, and as that object would not be served by discussing it at present, he would propose that it should still lie on the table.

Principal Macfarlan asked whether it would be brought forward at the next or a subsequent meeting of the presbytery, because parliament would not sit till a day or two after their next meeting. He would like to know when the subject would be brought forward, because it was important, when questions of this kind were to come before them, that older members, who could not attend regularly, might know when it was likely that such discussions would take place.

Dr. Buchanan had no hesitation in answering the reverend principal's question, as it would be desirable on these occasions to have the advantage of the presence of all the members of presbytery. He could not answer it distinctly, because it was quite possible that the intentions of government might transpire before the next meeting of presbytery, in which case he should not feel himself precluded from discussing the subject next meeting. But, if they were in the same position as to-day- that is, nothing having come out, he would, of course, influenced by the same motives, continue the overture on the table.

Dr. Macleod gave notice that in the event of Dr. Buchanan not introducing his overture at next meeting, it was his intention to bring under the notice of the presbytery the demoralising effects upon the minds and habits of the people, of the present agitation of the church controversy-the promotion of church defence associations-and the systematic efforts which are making with the view of injuring the prospects of presentees who do not agree with the majority of the church; and to move that the presbytery express its disapprobation of these and other measures resorted to by the majority. (Hear.)

AN INTERDICT REFUSED! (From the Dundee Warder.)-On sabbath, the 8th of January, the Rev. Mr. M'Lagan, Minister of Kinfauns, intimated to his congregation that a meeting would be held in the parish church, next Tuesday evening, for the purpose of receiving information connected with the interests of the established church, and considering as to the duty of forming a parochial church defence association. leading intrusionists took the alarm at this and accordingly a petition was presented to the sheriff, craving that the use of the church should be interdicted, at the instance of Mr. Neil Fegusson Blair, of Balthyock, and Mr.

VOL. I.

Some

Charles Hunter of Glencarse, two of the heritors of the parish. The chuckling and exultation of the intrusionists were beyond all bounds on Monday and Tuesday forenoon, at the prospect of shutting out the parishioners of Kinfauns from their own church, and gagging their minister. But their vaunting was somewhat premature, and the inflated intrusionists, who, during the forenoon, strutted about the streets, carrying a head as high as if a cock's comb had belonged to it -whereas it only belonged to a coxcombwhere to be seen in the afternoon hanging their heads like bulrushes, crest-fallen and cowed, for the sheriff refused to grant the interdict ! The principal grounds upon which the interdict was refused, were, that the purpose of the meeting was alleged to be a religious one, and of this the minister was the judge, in the first instance; and because a parish minister has a right to hold as many meetings in his church as he pleases, not only on the sabbath, but also on week days, for the religious instruction of his parishioners. The sheriff, Mr. Barclay, appended a long and admirable note to his interlocutor, (a copy of which will be found below,) in which he deals with the question before him, not only like a lawyer, but like a religious man. It is much to his honour, that while the currect of legal decisions appears to run in an opposite direction, he has had the manliness to think and decide for himself, and to oppose the stream. Doubtless the esteem in which Mr. Barclay is held by all who know him, as an active and a sound lawyer, a man of piety and benevolence, will not be in the least degree diminished by this decision; and he has, by that single, and, it is to be lamented, singular act, recommended himself to the affection and esteem of many thousands who never heard of him before,-he has touched a more tender chord in their bosoms than all the heritors of Scotland, with all their interdicts can ever reach. There are some circumstances connected with this affair deserving of notice. The petition for the interdict was presented in name of Mr. Charles Hunter, and Mr. Fergusson Blair. It is now confidently stated, and upon the best authority, that Mr. Hunter has since called upon Mr. M'Lagan, and assured him that he never gave any authority for using his name for such a purpose. The bruit now is, that the remaining heritor, Mr. Blair, and the agent, are not quite agreed as to which of them assumed Mr. Hunter into the co-partnery. Mr. Hunter ought at least to put himself right with the public, by forthwith publishing a disclaimer. He is considered a very respectable country gentlemen, and one whom his neighbours would never expect to lock them out of the kirk, even if he had the power. As to Mr. Blair,

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