tion of the Assembly, adverted to some of the pending questions, and enjoined the members to bear in mind, that "unity in the Church is the bond of peace, but that schism and its pernicious effects may tend seriously to endanger that religious establishment from which Scotland had derived inestimable benefits."

The members who seceded from the General Assembly on the 18th, 169 in number, including lay elders, and quoad sacra ministers, issued from St. Andrew's Church, and were received by the populace with cheers mixed with a few hisses, while handker. chiefs were waved from the housewindows. They went in proces sion, four abreast-the spectators on the route cheering and sometimes hissing-to a hall at Canonmills, where their arrival was anxiously expected by about 300 ministers, not members of the Assembly, and a crowded auditory The New Secession constituted themselves the "Free Presbyterian Church," appointing as their Moderator Dr. Chalmers, "on whom," said Dr. Welsh," the eyes of every individual in that assembly-the eyes of the whole Church and country the eyes of all Christendom-were directed." Dr. Chalmers delivered an eloquent speech, in which he said that they hoped henceforward to prosecute their labours in peace, on the ground of British toleration. He carefully, however, repudiated the title of "Voluntaries"-they were neither Voluntaries nor Anarchists; they quitted a vitiated Establishment, but would rejoice in returning to a pure one; they were advocates of a national recognition and support of religion.

consider the best means of completing the separation from the Establishment, and to prepare an address to the Queen, setting forth their reasons. A Provisional Committee was entrusted with a variety of other arrangements, and a resolution was passed, inviting all the deacons, elders, probationers, and divinity students, to meet the Succession Assembly next day.

On the 19th, the Secession Assembly received the deputation from the Irish Presbyterian Church, which had been commissioned to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, but held the body of Seceders to answer that description. In reciprocating courtesies with the deputation, the Moderator remarked, that the Irish Presbyterian Church, with the help of the Regium Donum, presented an example of the best of all ecclesiastical systems a clergy paid by the State and chosen by the people.

Dr. Buchanan, of Glasgow, moved a resolution inviting the concurrence of the elders, deacons, probationers, and students of divinity, who had been requested to be present at that meeting, in following out the separation from the Establishment. A Memorial was presented from 210 probationers, (preachers licensed but not ordained), declaring their concurrence. Dr. Welsh stated, that in the Divinity Hall of Edinburgh University, there were ninetythree adhering students, out of 120. Sir David Brewster said, that a majority of the Divinity Students in St. Andrew's University were in favour of the views of "the Church "-that is, the New Secession, and Dr. Candlish de

commissioners to the Assembly this day appointed to have been holden, and on the commissioners chosen thereto, is not and shall not be deemed a free and lawful as sembly of the Church of Scotland according to the original and fundamental principles thereof; and that the Claim, Declaration, and Protest of the General Assembly which convened at Edinburgh in May, 1842, as the act of a free and lawful assembly of the said Church, shall be holden as setting forth the true constitution of the said Church; and that the said claim, along with the laws of the Church now subsisting, shall in nowise be affected by whatsoever acts and proceedings of any As sembly constituted under the conditions now declared to be the law, and in submission to the coercion now imposed on the Es tablishment.

"And finally, while firmly as serting the right and duty of the Civil Magistrate to maintain and support an establishment of religion in accordance with God's Word, and reserving to ourselves and our successors to strive by all lawful means, as opportunity shall in God's good providence be offered to secure the performance of this duty agreeably to the Scriptures, and in implement of the Statutes of the kingdom of Scotland and the obligation of the Treaty of Union as understood by us and our ancestors, but acknowledging that we do not hold ourselves at liberty to retain the benefits of the Establishment while we cannot comply with the conditions now to be deemed thereto attached-we protest, that in the circumstances in which we are placed, it is and shall be lawful for us, and such

Assembly appointed to have been this day holden as may concur with us, to withdraw to a separate place of meeting, for the purpose of taking steps for ourselves and all who adhere to us-maintaining with us the Confession of Faith and standards of the Church of Scotland, as heretofore understood

for separating in an orderly way from the Establishment; and thereupon adopting such a measure as may be competent to us, in humble dependence on God's grace and the aid of the Holy Spirit, for the advancement of His glory, the extension of the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour, and the administration of the affairs of Christ's house, according to his Holy Word; and we do now withdraw accordingly, humbly and solemnly acknowledging the hand of the Lord in the things which have come upon us, because of our manifold sins and the sins of this Church and Nation; but at the same time with an assured conviction that we are not responsible for any consequences that may low from this our enforced separation from an Establishment which we loved and prized, through interference with conscience, the dishonour done to Christ's crown, and the rejection of his sole and supreme authority as King in his Church."

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Having read this Protest, at length, Dr. Welsh and his party immediately left the hall. They retired leisurely, and without any noise or demonstration on the part of the audience. Principal Macfarlane was then chosen Moderator of the Assembly, and the Queen's letter was read, constituting the Marquess of Bute High Commissioner. It recommended some im

tion of the Assembly, adverted to some of the pending questions, and enjoined the members to bear in mind, that "unity in the Church is the bond of peace, but that schism and its pernicious effects may tend seriously to endanger that religious establishment from which Scotland had derived inestimable benefits."

The members who seceded from the General Assembly on the 18th, 169 in number, including lay elders, and quoad sacra ministers, issued from St. Andrew's Church, and were received by the populace with cheers mixed with a few hisses, while handker. chiefs were waved from the housewindows. They went in proces sion, four abreast-the spectators on the route cheering and sometimes hissing-to a hall at Canonmills, where their arrival was anxiously expected by about 300 ministers, not members of the Assembly, and a crowded auditory. The New Secession constituted themselves the "Free Presbyterian Church," appointing as their Moderator Dr. Chalmers, "on whom," said Dr. Welsh," the eyes of every individual in that assembly-the eyes of the whole Church and country the eyes of all Christendom-were directed." Dr. Chalmers delivered an eloquent speech, in which he said that they hoped henceforward to prosecute their labours in peace, on the ground of British toleration. He carefully, however, repudiated the title of "Voluntaries"-they were neither Voluntaries nor Anarchists; they quitted a vitiated Establishment, but would rejoice in returning to a pure one; they were advocates of a national recognition and support of religion.

consider the best means of completing the separation from the Establishment, and to prepare an address to the Queen, setting forth their reasons. A Provisional Committee was entrusted with a variety of other arrangements, and a resolution was passed, inviting all the deacons, elders, probationers, and divinity students, to meet the Succession Assembly next day.

On the 19th, the Secession Assembly received the deputation from the Irish Presbyterian Church, which had been commissioned to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, but held the body of Seceders to answer that description. In reciprocating courtesies with the deputation, the Moderator remarked, that the Irish Presbyterian Church, with the help of the Regium Donum, presented an example of the best of all ecclesiastical systems a clergy paid by the State and chosen by the people.

Dr. Buchanan, of Glasgow, moved a resolution inviting the concurrence of the elders, deacons, probationers, and students of divi nity, who had been requested to be present at that meeting, in following out the separation from the Establishment. A Memorial was presented from 210 probationers, (preachers licensed but not ordained), declaring their concurrence. Dr. Welsh stated, that in the Divinity Hall of Edinburgh University, there were ninetythree adhering students, out of 120. Sir David Brewster said, that a majority of the Divinity Students in St. Andrew's University were in favour of the views of "the Church"-that is, the New Secession, and Dr. Candlish de

the Divinity Students in Glasgow University were on their side.

On the 20th, the hall was graced by the presence of the Marchioness of Breadalbane and Lady Hannah Thorp, who were accompanied by Mr. Campbell, of Monzie, M.P., and were received by the meeting standing and loudly cheering. Reports were received from different sections of the Provisional Committee. That of the Building Section, through their chairman, said that a primary object was to build Churches with as little delay and at as moderate cost as possible. They regretted that "great proprietors refused to grant the smallest portion of ground." There were, however, modes of obviating this difficulty. Large tents might be provided, and might be carried without difficulty from place to place. In some places an old vessel could be obtained, and anchored along the shore for the reception of worshippers.

;

Dr. Chalmers produced the Report of the Financial Section it stated that for the Building Fund there had been collected 150,3417.; for the Sustentation Fund, 72,6871. total 223,0281. He afterwards announced that 3,000l. had been added to the Building Fund, and 1000l. to the Sustentation Fund, since the previous day. It was afterwards stated that the Marchioness of Breadalbane had contributed 1,000l. towards the Free Presbyterian Fund.

Another Section reported on the commemoration of the Bricatory of the Westminster Assembly, which had previously been contemplated by the General Assembly. It was recommended that a Committee be appointed to correspond

the Westminster Standards, to make arrangements for a commemorative meeting. Those Churches were to comprise the Seceders and the Presbyterians of England, Canada, and the United States, not excluding other Churches. In making this Report, Dr. Candlish intimated a wish that Edinburgh should be regarded as the capital of Presbyterianism, and be the scene of the meeting.

The following day, being Sunday, was one of unusual bustle and excitement on all sides. Besides the regular services of the day, there was a prayer-meeting at St. Andrew's Church, which the Lord High Commissioner attended, with his suite, and the Church would not contain the crowds which sought admission. Dr. Chalmers preached in the evening at the Hall of the New Secession, and here, too, the building was insufficient to contain the multitude. A new Church, the first of the Free Presbyterian Churches, which had been built in six weeks, was opened for the first time, and Dr. Candlish and Dr. Macfarlane preached there to crowded congregations.

The General Assembly, consisting of the members who adhered to the Establishment, met on the 22nd, and transacted some important business. Lord Belhaven, having called attention to the Queen's letter, moved the following resolutions:

"That it is the opinion of this house, that the Act of Assembly of 1834, on the subject of Calls, [the Veto Act,] should be rescinded: and that instructions be given to the Presbyteries of the Church to that effect.

"That the Act of Assembly of 1834-5, by which ministers of

bers of this Court be rescinded. At the same time, this house, deeply impressed with the vast benefit thus obtained for the people of this country by the extension of the blessings of religious instruction by means of the services of quoad sacra ministers, and feeling most anxious that these great and useful services should be secured to the country on a proper and permanent basis, desire to express a sincere hope that measures will be taken to have the unendowed districts created legally and properly into parishes, and endowments granted to their ministers; and that a Select Committee be appointed to draw up a loyal and dutiful address to the Queen, praying that she would be graciously pleased to take the same into her most favourable consider. ation."

After some discussion and amendments moved, the former resolutions were unanimously affirmed, the consideration of the second being deferred. The subject of the deposition of the Strathbogie Ministers, who had been deposed by the sentences of the General Assembly, was last entertained, and after a good deal of debate, the following resolution, moved by Dr. Hill, was carried by a large majority. "That whereas there are upon the records of this House sentences passed in the years 1840 and 1841, against the Reverend Mr. Cowie and others, ministers of Strathbogie; and whereas the said sentences were unjust, and were passed by the General Assembly in excess of jurisdiction; the General Assembly do therefore rescind the same, declaring them to be ab initio null and void; and declar ing further, that the said Rever

nisters of the Church of Scotland, and entitled to all the rights and privileges belonging to them as such, as if the said sentences had never been pronounced; ratify their proceedings as members of the Presbytery of Strathbogie, and sustain the commissions in favour of Mr. Cowie and Mr.Thomson."

On a following day, the repeal of the acts whereby the quoad sacra Ministers were admitted to sit in Church Courts came under discussion.

Lord Belhaven again moved the resolution which he had before proposed, which was affirmed.

Thus the three points which had occasioned so much controversy were definitively disposed of, and the steps by which the Non-intrusion party had most signally transgressed the limits of the law were revoked by the orthodox remnant of the Assembly.

The next step was to declare the exclusion of seceding members from the offices and emoluments of the Church. Dr. Cook moved a resolution affirming that the Ministers who had signed the protest read on the 18th had ceased to be members of the Church, and were disqualified from receiving any presentation, parochial appointment, or other spiritual charge, until reponed by competent ecclesiastical judicatories: declaring the subscribing elders no longer elders of the Church; and instructing the Presbyteries to make a similar declaration respecting any other seceders, and take steps for filling vacant offices.

The motion was affirmed, and the House having joined in prayer, the churches and chapels of the