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DUNBAR. CHURCH DEFENCE.- Proverbially this district has been for generations cold and inexcitable in matters of religion; but it has not been able to withstand the appeal which has of late been addressed to our countrymen in behalf of their church. Even here we are at length all astir, and we are both many and united in our determination to support the righteous claims of the people in the settlement of their ministers. Last month will long continue a season much to be remembered in this part of the country. Beginning with Dunbar, and proceeding successively to Prestonkirk, Innerwick, and Coldbrandspath, Mr. Makgill Crichton unfolded to crowded and most attentive audiences, the whole mystery of our present strife; and, with the exception of one solitary Solomon at the Dunbar meeting, whose look of passing wisdom fell under the ridicule of Mr. Crichton, as abruptly as the tailor resting himself in Covent-garden, there was not an individual who exhibited the slightest disposition to gainsay the statements, or to dispute the reasonings that were addressed to them. On each of the four evenings, Mr. Crichton spoke for nearly three hours, and at the close of the proceedings "Defence Associations were formed in each of the four parishes. The number that has joined these associations has far exceeded the anticipations even of the most sanguine friends of the cause; and all that is now needed to render them of much avail, in promoting the object contemplated, is an active committee in each locality to gather in the fruits. At one of the meetings a number of individuals from an adjacent parish, where the beautiful stillness of Moderatism has long prevailed, came forward to have their names enrolled and their money paid, as members of the Church Defence Society. "How comes it," said the person that was employed in receiving their names, "that sae mony o' ye frae that cauld pairt o' the country are taking sae much interest in the kirk ?" "Ou, Sir,' was the reply, "the're a' richt up intill the village yonder, though the minister and the pautron be vrang.'

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CULSALMOND.-The seven select brethren of this apostate and rebellious presbytery, proceeded with singular hardihood and stoicism, notwithstanding the uproar and tumult occasioned by their unconstitutional conduct, to induct and ordain Mr. Middleton as minister of Culsalmond. Driven from the church, by a multitude assembled from the neighbouring parishes, they retreated to the manse, and settled Mr. Middleton to the manse and stipend. These Moderates are the apostles of peace and subordination, the obsequious servants of the powers that be, the obedient subjects of the law of the land;

and, in the execution of that law, how admirably do they promote concord and harmony in parishes! How strongly do they cement society together, and bind the various orders of the commonwealth into happy and blissful unison ! What halcyon days may we yet see in Scotland if their despotic rule shall be protracted a little longer, and if the popular feeling shall not only be contemptuously disregarded, but rudely and remorselessly overborne ! These men of devoted loyalty, will soon bring about a jubilee in our land, and strife and contention will no more be found within our borders. It has been said or sung of certain warriors, that they make a solitude, and call it peace." This is precisely the kind of peace which the principles of the Moderate party are calculated to produce. These principles, if carried into effect, will infallibly expel the vast majority of the people of every parish in Scotland, from that church which it is their birthright and their privilege to attend, and render the tabernacles of our forefathers a moral and spiritual desolation. Have we not two glaring instances of this already, in the cases of Marnoch and Culsalmond? And who can tell how soon similar cases of oppression and monstrous injustice may be indefinitely multiplied?

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POPISH COMPLIMENT TO THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.-Bishop Gillis said, one Sunday very lately, placing himself in a fine theatrical attitude, and stretching forth his “jewelled" hand, "I love the church of England -(pauses)-Yes, I love the church of England; because she is the least reformed of all the Reformed Churches."

REV. A. HISLOP.-It gives us great pleasure to announce that Mr. Hislop has been appointed editor of the Scottish Guardian, Glasgow. All who are acquainted with Mr. Hislop, will be gratified at this appointment, which is alike creditable to Mr. H. and the proprietors of this highly respectable journal; for Mr. Hislop's eminent talents, and intimate acquaintance with church matters, well qualify him for the situation which he has been very unexpectedly called to fill. Mr. Hislop, previous to his departure from Wick, gave in his demission of his charge, as parochial schoolmaster.

FALKLAND.—An enthusiastic church meeting has been held in Falkland. The Rev. Mr. Smeaton was assisted by the Rev. Mr. Macfarlan and Mr. Crichton, who enforced the claims of the church with great eloquence and effect., A vigorous Defence Association was formed, and an intensity of feeling on behalf of the church displayed by multitudes eager to give their signatures. It is refreshing to find, in the present controversy, that the place where Richard Cameron was born, and where Andrew Melville boldly asserted, in

the face of Majesty, that there were two kings and two kingdoms in Scotland, is beginning to be reanimated with the spirit of the olden time.

PRESBYTERY OF ANNAN-Met on the 1st current. The resolutions tabled at last meeting, in support of the present position of the church, were, after a brief discussion, carried by a majority of seven to three. A memorial to Government, embodying these resolutions, and counter to that adopted by the Synod, was carried without a vote; Messrs. R. Nivison, Monilaws, and Menzies dissenting.

COURT OF SESSION. THE CHURCH.In the Second Division, on the occasion of some incidental question being raised in one of the church cases, the Lord Justice-Clerk (Hope) intimated that, as he had been counsel in the action, he would take no part in it. Of course, this may be considered as applying to all the church cases; and for the honour of the profession and the bench, we are glad that the Justice-Clerk takes this course. We may fear, however, that the judge who is neutral on the bench, will make his influence and opinions felt in private negotiations. Will the church be the gainer? We do not expect it.

ELGIN. We observe it reported in some of the provincial papers, that the Government intend to allow the appointment to the church of Elgin to fall to the presbytery jure devoluto. We do not believe the report. Such a cowardly course of procedure would be altogether inconsistent with the boldness always shown by Sir James Graham. The statesman who, as Lord Rector of Glasgow College, came to Scotland to vote for Dr. Hill as Professor of Divinity, in opposition to Dr. Chalmers, and whose first act of Scotch ecclesiastical patronage was to select Dr. M'Leod as the fittest individual among the clergy of Scotland, to become the object of the highest, or almost the only reward in the church for "merit and learning," is not likely to shrink from directly intruding a minister on the people of Elgin, if he has resolved that that shall be done. He must be conscious, too, that the presbytery would prove no screen to the Government. They bent themselves to prevent the vacancy from technically taking place till after the change of ministry, (virtually and really it had occurred before,) for the purpose of excluding the person chosen by the people, and getting a co-presbyter of their own views; and allowing the appointment to fall into their hands, would just be effecting that object. If this is to be accomplished, we think Sir James Graham would do it manfully and openly; and if he does not, he will only incur additional odium. The church continues to watch this case anxiously, and there is no

evading the conclusions which will inevitably be drawn, alike from the direct appointment of another man than Mr. Stewart, or the allowing the right of presenting to fall to the presbytery.

CULSALMOND.-We understand that the interdict of the Commission, against Mr. Middleton officiating in the parish, was served upon him on Saturday evening; and that he, along with his agent, who was with him at the time, immediately proceeded to the church, and, with the aid of a tradesman, nailed up all the doors; the Rev. gentleman, as is reported, holding a candle till the operation was completed. He appears to have resolved not to preach himself without a new warrant from the Court of Session, which has not yet been obtained, and to prevent any one else, authorised by the church, to do so. The people, it seems, had also expected that some minister would have been appointed by the minority to officiate on the occasion, and they assembled in considerable numbers. The minority, probably, had not received official communication of the sentence in time to do this, for no one appeared; and after waiting in the churchyard for a considerable period, the people returned home.

AGHADOWEY.-At a meeting held in the presbyterian church, Aghadowey, on the 25th of November, it was resolved to prepare petitions to both Houses of Parliament, craving the entire abolition of patronage in the church of Scotland. The congregation was divided into districts, and the elders and members of committee were engaged to get signatures to the petition then adopted. It was also agreed to send petitions from the parish of Aghadowey, and to request Christians of other denominations to adhibit their signatures.

TO THE PRESBYTERIANS OF SCOTLAND.

Rankeilour, Nov. 25, 1841. FELLOW-COUNTRYMEN,-I was absent from the evening diet of the Commission on the 17th inst., at the time when the report of the non-intrusion committee was under consideration, and had, therefore, no opportunity to express my dissatisfaction with its tenor. It is very important for you to know that this report does not even exhibit the present aspect of the question. I heard it declared by Dr. Candlish, Mr. Cunningham, Mr. Dunlop, and others, that the report was prepared a month ago; that the prospect is now far more gloomy; and that they feel much less reason to hope for the adoption by Government of any satisfactory principle of settlement.

Be not, at this crisis, deceived into quietism. Our safety, under God, depends upon

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FATHERS AND BRETHREN,-When first requested by one of our presbyteries to convene, at an early day, a meeting of assembly, to consider the position of the church of Scotland, I took the liberty of publishing my reasons for declining such immediate call. Since the publication of these reasons, several presbyteries have requested me to call a meeting, either "at a convenient day," or, at such time as I might judge best and most convenient;" or, "at a convenient time, previous to the meeting of Parliament;" or, "at an early day in December.' Now, with every respect to these several presbyteries, I beg leave to say, that my mind, as expressed in my former letter, remains totally unchanged. And I now feel it my duty to submit such of my reasons as are of a public character.

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My confidence in Sir Robert Peel, as stated in my former letter, remains altogether unshaken. I believe him to be the sincere friend of the church of Scotland, willing and able to extricate her out of her present difficulties, and to reinstate her on the basis of her imperishable constitution. But did I believe him indifferent, or an enemy, he is the last man upon earth against whom I should direct the artillery of public meetings and of platforms. He must be dealt with on other terms. I believe him to be the most reasonable, but, at the same time, the least squeezable politician that ever stood at the helm of the state; and I, therefore, still think that, instead of appearing to obtrude our opinions, which he already full well knows, through our representatives, our petitions, our deputations, and public resolutions, we should wait the development of the Government plan, and see whether it satisfy or dissatisfy the church of Scotland. If it satisfy, as I believe it will, all is well; and if not, the forms of Parliament are not so electric as to deny us time enough to arm for the rescue, should that danger occur, which I confess, I neither dread nor anticipate.

My declining to call an immediate meeting of assembly, has been fully approved by those in Scotland, best qualified to judge, and most deeply interested in the result; and, for this assertion, I shall produce at the proper time, the most satisfactory evidence.

I cannot even attempt to fix any time for calling the assembly, because I do not know what specific proposal the church of Scotland has at present before the Government; and, until I be explicitly informed upon this subject, I shall continue to decline calling any meeting of assembly; but, the moment I receive this information, I shall hold myself prepared to consider the various applications I have received, or may yet receive, for a then early call.

Presuming that, through some channel, I shall in due time receive this information, I shall be guided by it in selecting the time for calling the assembly. In my present state of ignorance, joined, however, with hope of early information, my own opinion is, that soon after, and not before the meeting of Parliament, is the proper time. The reasons for this selection I shall not argue; but if the brethren be not satisfied with such delay, I shall not attempt to exercise the discretionary power of refusal with which my office is invested. Let such presbyteries as are anxious for an earlier meeting, join in a requisition for a specific day, when and where they please; they will then have done what they believed to be their duty, and I shall do what I believe to be mine.

I remain, Fathers and Brethren, your servant in the Lord,

H. COOKE, Moderator. Belfast, Nov. 26, 1841.

MISSIONARY ZEAL OF THE MODERATES.

THE reader will remember, that, in a population of above 26,000 souls in Dumfriesshire, the whole sum raised by the eighteen Moderates, for all the Christian schemes of the church for the last year, was only 517.; that eight of them were entire blanks; and six of them made only one contribution, though the General Assembly earnestly recommends and enjoins five. The Premier will, no doubt, consider this a good specimen of ecclesiastical obedience, educational zeal, and missionary spirit! On the other hand, we showed that the fifteeen Evangelicals, against whom protection is sought, as if they were dangerous men, obtained, from the same sort of population, contributions of above 1517.; that only one of them entirely failed, and that this case admitted of explanation; while four made four collections; and other four the whole number required -nay, that one of them, in a rural parish, had raised nearly as much for educational and Christian purposes as the whole eighteen Moderates put together.

The majority again at Culsalmond who approved of Intrusion, and, in spite of all law, civil and ecclesiastical, forced it through,

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Here, in a population of nearly 8000 souls, there are only ten collections, instead of forty-five, required by the church (Kemnay is obviously one divided into three ;) and the whole sum raised for a year by collections, is only 157.! Surely the ministers must either be very indifferent to such objects, or they must have very little influence with their people—perhaps both. Mr. Bisset, the great speaker and zealous leader of the presbytery, makes one collection, and raises the magnificent sum of 21. 6s.

Now, contemplate the Evangelical minority. They are six in number. One of them can scarcely be reckoned of the party; he is a neutral and a borderer, and may rather be considered as not voting with the majority, than as voting with the minority. As might have been expected, the minister of Insch is the lowest contributor; he makes two collections, and raises 57. But mark the contrast of the minority to the majority as a whole :

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If the minority had raised contributions in the same proportion with the majority, they should have collected 107. 3s.; instead of which they raise 631. In other words, with a third fewer parishes, and 1000 of a population less, they raise four times more than their Intrusion brethren. There are no towns in the lists. Strange enough, Mr. Garioch, of Old Meldrum, who moved the appeal of the case to the General Assembly, to prevent intrusion, raises in the cause of education and Christianity, 167. 18s; a sum larger than the annual contributions of the whole nine Intrusionists; and yet some men are so silly as to imagine that the Evangeli

cal minority of the church have not the confidence of their people, and have no influence; and that the Moderates are the men of respectability and weight! And many evangelical Dissenters, whose sympathies and prayers should be all the other way, out of disappointed party spirit, side with the Moderates in the present struggle, it is to be feared, from no better motive than the conviction, that they are hastening on the destruction of the establishment; and that, were they only rid of the Evangelicals, they could soon manage the Moderates.

CHURCH REFORM MEETING AT INVERARY.-A numerous and respectable meeting was held on Wednesday, Nov. the 10th, in one of the parish churches at Inverary, in support of the great principles of Non-intrusion and spiritual independence. His Grace the Duke of Argyle was in the chair. The meeting having been opened with prayer by the Rev. Mr. Fraser, of Ardchattan, his Grace briefly explained the object of the meeting, and called on the Rev. Dr. Buchanan, of Glasgow, to move the first resolution. In doing so, the reverend gentleman took occasion to advert to the charge which had been brought against such meetings, as if they were got up for mere purposes of agitation to inflame the popular mind. He reminded the audience that public discussion was one of the best safeguards of truth, and one of the best defences both of civil and religious liberty, and not therefore to be condemned or repudiated because of the occasional indiscretions of individuals. What duty and wisdom required was, that it should be had recourse fit to only on occasions, and conducted in a becoming spirit. He showed how eminently the subjects they were met to consider merited the serious consideration of every true friend both of the church and the country; and expressed his earnest hope and desire to be enabled so to speak of them. as to give just cause of offence to no one, but so as to maintain the cause of truth, and to promote the real welfare of the church of Scotland. Having, therefore, read the first resolution, asserting the principle of Non-intrusion, and declaring it to be the church's bounden duty to adhere to it, he proceeded to expound the subject from Scripture history, the standards and laws of the church, and the actual working of the principle itself. The audience unanimously and cordially echoed the reverend speaker's sentiments, and the resolution being seconded by the Rev. Mr. Campbell, one of the ministers of Inverary, was put by his Grace to the meeting, and carried by acclamation.

The second resolution, on the spiritual independence of the church, was moved by

the Rev. Dr. Macfarlane, of Greenock, in a clear, able, and convincing speech, seconded by Captain Stewart, of Achnabar, and adopted by the meeting with the utmost unanimity.

The third resolution expressed the earnest desire of the meeting, that the church might adhere firmly to her ground, and that, through prudence, steadiness, and forbearance, a happy issue might, under the Divine blessing, be speedily given to the church's difficulties. This resolution was moved by the Rev. Colvin Smith, of Inverary, and seconded by the Rev. J. Macdougall, of Lochgoilhead. In putting it to the meeting, his Grace took occasion to state, that, towards the close of last session of parliament, he had given notice of his intention to reintroduce his bill soon after the new parliament should assemble; that it was still his firm purpose to do so; but that if Government should meanwhile bring forward a measure of which the church should think it her duty to accept, he would not certainly stand in the way of the settlement. other event he would persevere with his bill. This patriotic sentiment, accompanied as it was by the warmest expressions of attachment to the church, and interest in her welfare, called forth the grateful and cordial acknowledgments of the meeting, and cannot fail to give the highest satisfaction to the friends of the church over the whole kingdom.

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A vote of thanks to the speakers was moved by the Provost of Inverary, and seconded by Dr. King, to which the meeting warmly responded. And the business was concluded, on the motion of D. Paterson, Esq., Procurator Fiscal, seconded by the Rev. Mr. Maclean, of Glenorchy, with thanks to the Duke of Argyll, for his conduct in the chair, and for his eminent services to the church of Scotland. The Duchess of Argyll, Lady Emma Campbell, and a party from the castle, were present at the meeting. The whole proceedings were conducted with the utmost harmony, and gave unmingled satisfaction to all present.

SYMPATHY WITH THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND IN AMERICA.-The Halifax Guardian announces that the college of Princetown, New Jersey (the oldest and most respectable college in the New States,) has conferred on the Rev. Mr. Candlish the degree of D.D. Since we read this announcement, copied in the Scottish Guardian, we have seen a letter dated Elizabethtown, New Jersey, October 2nd, communicating the intelligence, and stating the reasons for the honour being conferred. These must be very gratifying to all who feel interested in the present contendings of the church. We subjoin several

extracts:

"Our whole church is awake to the im

portance of your conflict; nor do I know of a minister, elder, or layman, in the length and breadth of this land, who does not entirely sympathize with you, and the beloved brethren who are so ready to hazard all, that the Lord Jesus Christ may rule as King in his own church, which he has purchased with his blood. You have the sympathies and the prayers of our whole American Zion; and, were it desirable, you could have her contributions also, to aid you in building churches, should you be disestablished. With one voice, your moderate Erastian party are condemned as the betrayers of Samson, and as delivering him over to the Philistines. If the unanimous approval of our whole church can cheer you to continue the conflict, let whatever consequences ensue, be assured that you and your brethren have it.

"Your many excellent pamphlets, and your many speeches, made at different meetings, have been extensively read in this country. Many of your speeches have been reprinted in our religious papers, and many extracts from your pamphlets; so that your name is as familiar to us as if you resided among us, and were a pastor of one of our own churches. Your speech at the meeting of 1200 ministers and elders at the West Church was republished here last week. You will not, therefore, wonder at our desire to honour one who is honouring himself in defending the purity of the church of our fathers.

"With the history and character of Princetown College, New Jersey, over which Witherspoon and Jonathan Edwards once presided, you may be familiar. It is a purely presbyterian college, and one of the most noted, and venerable, and flourishing, in this land. Among its trustees are the Governor of New Jersey, Southard, the President of the senate of the United States, and such men as Drs. Alexander, Miller, and Phillips, of New York. This college, at its annual commencement last week, conferred on you the title of Doctor in Divinity, by a unanimous vote; and it was conferred, Sir, not for the purpose of honouring you, but to show our estimate of your great services in your controversies; and to manifest to the world where, and on what side, are to be found all our sympathies. The conferring of the degree will be communicated to you officially by the president or secretary of the trustees, and my fervent wish is, that you may not decline receiving it."

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ARBROATH. THE MODERATES THEIR ALLIES.-A meeting has been held in the old parish church of Arbroath, for the formation of a Church Defence Association. It was expressly stated on the bills, that the meeting was one only of those who approved of

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