Pluralities in the Church of Scotland.

(From the Newspapers.)

The case of the presentation of Doctor M'Farlane, Principal of the University of Glasgow, to the High Church of that City, which was rejected by the Presbytery some time ago, on the ground that the offices of Principal and that of Minister of the High Church were each equal to the undivided attention of one man, and that pluralities were inconsistent with the constitution of the Church of Scotland, was again discussed in the Provincial Synod of Glasgow and Air, on Wednesday last.

Mr. ROBERTSON, Adrocate, Agent for Dr. M'Farlane, introduced the case. He contended that there was no viola. tion of the laws of the Church; on the contrary, all the Acts of Assembly, instead of operating against him, were in his favour; and he said that these laws might be rectified, but not by such means as were adopted in this case.

Dr. TAYLOR, of St. Enoch's, hoped the Synod would heal the breach among them-redeem the character of the Presbytery of Glasgow now-and cause their worthy Presentee to be inducted with all convenient speed.

Dr. RANKEN should have liked that the two offices had been separated, but let them bring in an overture for that purpose, and then it would get a full discussion. At present he would say

there is no overture, and consequently no business before them; and he thought they should immediately proceed to induct Dr. M'Farlane. He was convinced that much more harm had been done to the parish by keeping him out, than good could be done to it by making him minister of it alone. He therefore hoped they would cause the Presbytery to proceed to his induction with all convenient speed, according to the rules of the Church.

Mr. LAPSLIE Considered Dr. M'Farlane as a fit person to be inducted to the High Church; he respected him as a man, and from the circumstance that his ancestors had been zealous defenders of the Church of Scotland; he respected him for his name, and would always respect those of the clan of M'Farlane [loud laughter]. One of his ancestors was instrumental at the battle of Langside, in defeating Queen Mary, and pulling down despotism and Popery. He then alluded to the re-capture of Dumbarton Castle by the M'Farlanes. The eloquent gentleman then alluded to his own exertions for the Church of Scotland, in reference to the procuring from the Legislature a power authorising the Presbytery to look after the school within their bounds; and with respect to the Test Act, which he considered a most iniquitous affair, by which Presbyterians were excluded from certain offices, unless they previously subscribed the English Liturgy, and other matters of a similar nature, in which he had been active, and demanded if any one would say that he was not a friend to the Church of Scotland, and he declared he saw no harm to the Church from inducting Dr. M'Farlane, but that there was precedent to justify it, and he considered that by law they were bound to do it.

Professor M'GILL said that there were many abuses existing both in Church and State; but, because they were overlooked, they were not on that account to be considered as being sanctioned. In the days of Dr. Hill, which was a case re ferred to as being in favour of the appellant, the College of St. Andrew's had not more than seventy students, and probably not more than fifteen of these fell to the charge of Dr. Hill, in his capacity of Professor of Divinity, and the parish was besides a collegiate charge. Was this a case to be put in comparison with all the multifarious and important duties of Principal of this University, and the spiritual duties of an extensive parish, containing a population of nearly 9,000 inhabitants? They had only exercised that important right-a right which he hoped would never be taken from them.

at the last Circuit Court which was held in this city. No less, in one short half year, than ninety-six cases. Look at the reports of the Police of this city. About seventeen thousand cases caine annually before them; and when we made allowance for trifling matters, the real number of delinquencies might amount to 15,000; fourteen or fifteen hundred passed annually through the jail, and as many through the Bridewell; and ought not a consideration of these things to be an inducement to the Ministers of Christ to do their duty? It was as impossible to check the increase of crime by the execution of a few ragged boys, as to stop the rising of the tide by taking from it a few cupfuls of water [applause through the church, and cries of order]. In conclusion, he called upon them to take pity upon the state of society, and prevent a union of offices.

This was not a case of necessity. He trusted they would exert themselves to check the growth of pluralities, which threatened to ruin religion and the interests of literature. The Rev. Dr. then entered into a detail of the duties of a parish minister, his preaching, visiting, catechising, and making himself perfectly acquainted with the circumstances and opinious of his parishioners, so as to give effect to his preaching. Who that knows the importance of all these things would encourage pluralities? He himself had been a minister for seventeen years, and he would freely confess that he had neither time, spirit, nor abilities to discharge the duties of his office to his own satisfaction. Fifteen years ago a Rev. Friend of his, who was a complainant to-day, had, along with him, addressed a memorial to the magistrates of this city, stating it as their opinion, from a calculation of the population compared with the church accommodation of this city, that at least three parish churches were required. Since that time the population had been doubled, and only two new parish churches had been erected. He then entered upon the duties of the Principal of this College-a College containing 1,400 students, of whom he had the complete superintendance. He had their moral conduct to watch over, their learning to encourage, and their delinquencies to check and punish. So far down as the days of Principal Leishman, they found that he discharged a part of the duties of Professor of Divinity, when there were not above twenty Divinity Students in the College. How much more important must the duties be now, when there was such an increase of members? By an express statute, the Principal was to walk with the Students to the College Church on Sabbaths. Now how could he perform this duty if he acted as Minister in the High Church? Some might think this circumstance of small importance, but it was in fact a duty of great consequence to the young students. It encouraged them when they observed that the Principal took an interest in their studies, and observed that they did not spend the sabbath in idleness, nor roamed about with all the warm passions of youth, exposed to all the temptations which a great city presented. Was this a time to encourage pluralities-a time when more labourers in the vineyard were imperatively called for? Look at the situation of Europe, and see what the effect of pluralities was in other kingdoms; and, to look at home, he begged them to consider the late ap- paling list of crimes which were tried

Dr. CHALMERS said, a few years ago, the rage for building new churches was so great, as if the great specific for a nation's profligacy were discovered. The Magistrates of this city came honourably forward on the occasion; the General Assembly itself was swept away by the current of public opinion, and granted privileges and endowments without number. This plurality was in direct opposition to all this.-It was a Royal presentation, and so much the worse, as it proved that there was a by-road to the Royal bosom, by which he was induced to counteract his most laudable intentions. It was years ago since they had addressed the Magistrates on the small number of ministers in the city, to which they at length responded, by erecting two new churches and if they en couraged this plurality, they must be the last persons in the world to apply for an accession of ministers. He ridiculed the idea that they were acting unhandsomely to the crown, when they, in a conscientious discharge of their duty, refused to encourage pluralities, and considered it a mere bugbear to frighten children. It smelled all over of feudalism, and in politics it was unworthy of them as men and as Britons. It would only excite a smile in the Royal complacency. If the Synod did their duty on the present oc-. casion, it would be a deadly blow to Radicalism: and the King, God bless him, would resound from every mouth, amid the plaudits of a grateful people.

Mr. MUIR, of St. James's, supported the Presentation.

Mr. ROBESON, in reply, concluded with a handsome eulogy on Dr. M'Gill and the ministers of the Church of Scotland.

Mr. GRAHAM, of Kellearn, said there were 16 pluralities in the Church of Scot

land in the whole, and he could not conceive where the Presbytery had got the discretionary power they had used on the present occasion.

Mr. GREGOR, of Bonhill, said, places of this kind are held out for the ambition of men of merit, and if there had never been pluralities, we should never have had so many eminent men in our Church. These duties are not heterogeneous-there is a fine word for you ;they are homogeneous; and as I conceive that a minister, when a principal, confers a sacredness and sanctity on the office, which not even a Professor Playfair, with all his eminence in science, or any mere laity man, could do, I hope the propriety of this appointment will be obvious.

Dr. MITCHELL said they were to exe cute the laws, not to enact them.-Dr. BEGG, of New Monkland, though he disapproved of pluralities, did not see how they could do otherwise than induct Dr. McFarlane. Dr. HODGSON BLANTYRE was against the union of these offices. Mr. BURNS, of Paisley, said they were called on to induct in a case contrary to both conscience and duty.

Mr. FLEMING, of Nealston, thought the Presbytery bound, even though they had the perfect knowledge that he was unable perfectly to perform the duties, to settle him in this charge.

It was then put to the vote, whether the sentence of the Presbytery be reversed or affirmed, when there appeared for reverse, 35-for affirm, 40-majority, 5. The result was followed by three rounds of applause from the gallery. Mr. Grahame, in behalf of Dr. M'Farlane, entered a protest. The question will, of course, be settled by the General Assembly. It was half-past oue when the Synod broke up.

LITERARY.

Mr. J. S. BUCKINGHAM, whose spirited letter to us in vindication of his friend Rammohun Roy was given in a late Number, (p. 441,) has put out the Prospectus of a new monthly publication relating to Asia, to commence on the

1st day of January next, under the title of "The Oriental Herald and Colonial Advocate." It is to be an 8vo. of about 150 pages, and to be sold at the price of 38. 6d. No man is better fitted for the conduct of such a work than Mr. Buckingham. A considerable part of his life has been spent in travel, particularly in the East; and he obtained no small reputation some years ago by publishing his "Travels in Palestine."

Dr. BRUCE, of Belfast, (see M. Repos. IX. 530,) proposes to publish by subscription a Volume of Sermons, on the following subjects:-The Study of the Bible, needful to persons of every age and condition.-The most profitable mode of reading Scripture.-Rules for the Interpretation of Scripture.-Mysteries. Secret Things belong to God.-Our Saviour's Doctrine concerning God.-The Nature of Christ and the Holy Spirit.The Pre-existence and Example of Christ.

Christ a Mediator and Intercessor.Predestination, Election and Reprobation.-Original Sin.-Atonement.—The same. Reconciliation through Christ.The Necessity and Plan of Redemption.

Mr. GEORGE DYER has just published, for private circulation, " An Address to the Subscribers to the Privileges of the University of Cambridge," in which he explains that he still entertains the design of publishing this valuable work and is making preparations for it. It is desirable that such persons as mean to promote this work by their subscriptions should send their names to the author or his publishers without delay.

Mr. E. DANIELL is preparing for publication "The Woodland Muse," comprising Prose and Poetry on subjects Literary, Philosophical and Humourous. The work will be published by subscription.

Just published, the Rev. J. S. Sergrove's Lectures on Popery.

Young Persons; to which is added, A Treatise on the Lord's Supper. By a Lady. 12mo. 38. 6d.

A Short Analysis of the First Sermon preached by the Rev. Mr. Ward, of Stowmarket, at the Opening of the Inde pendent Meeting-House, at Framlingham, Suffolk, August 6, 1823, with Brief Remarks on the other Services of the Day. By T. Latham, Minister at Laxfield, in

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The Idol Temple Demolished; a Letter to the Rev. T. Goldsmith, Minister of the Baptist Church at Stradbrook, in Suffolk, with Strictures on his Pamphlet on the Moral Law, and Circular Letter for 1823. By the Same. 12:no. 6d.

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A Full and Accurate Report, partly revised and corrected by the various Speakers, of the most important Debates, by Drs. M'Gill, Chalmers, Taylor, Hodgson, Rev. Messrs. Muir, Barns, Lapslie, Mr. Robertson, Advocate, &c., before the Presbytery of Glasgow, June 11, and the Synod of Glasgow and Air, October 14, relative to the Presentation of Dr. M'Farlane, Principal of the College of Glasgow, to the Living of the High Church of that City; with the Decisions of the Presbytery and Synod, the various Documents, a Preface and Introduction. 8vo. 3s. 6d.

Travels into Chile over the Andes, in the Years 1820, 1821, with some Sketches of the Productions and Agriculture, Mines and Metallurgy, Inhabitants, History, and other Features of America. By Peter Schmidtmeyer. Thirty Plates, Plans and Itineraries. 4to. 21. 2s.

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Mary Stuart and the Maid of Orleans, from the German of Schiller. With a Life of the Author. By H. Salvin, M. B. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

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Justina, or Religion Pure and Undefiled, a Moral Tale. 2 Vols. 12mo. 12s.

a

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A Letter to the Right Honourable the