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a promising state, they are very desirous of keeping up respectable services, which cannot be accomplished under their present circumstances. They are extremely poor, and there is still a debt on the chapel of 2231. Could this be liquidated, they are persuaded that their cause would be established on a firm and durable foundation. They, therefore, appeal to the liberality of all those who feel dis posed to promote the great doctrines of the Unity and Love of God. As their friends have requested them to state the principles upon which their church is founded, and thinking that when they are generally known, their case will meet with greater attention, they subjoin them:

"At a Church Meeting held June 15th, in consequence of the suggestion of our Minister, it was resolved unanimously, that as some of us believe that immersion is a Christian ordinance; some that it was to be confined to the apostolic age; some that neither Baptism nor the Lord's Supper was intended for the observance of Christians in the present day; and others differing on various minor points, we think it our duty, as friends to free inquiry, and as Christians who agree to differ, to admit any person that feels disposed to become a member of our Church, who believes in the Divine Mission of Christ."

Subscriptions will be received by the Rev. W. J. Fox, Dalston; Rev. JAMES GILCHRIST, Newington Green; Mr. G. SMALLFIELD, Printer, Hackney; and by the Rev. JAMES TAPLIN, Lewes. Battle, November 9th, 1823.

MISCELLANEOUS. Resignation of a Scots Clergyman from Conscience.

(From the Newspapers.) PRESBYTERY Of Stirling.—On Wednesday the resignation of the Rev. Mr. Shirreff came before the Presbytery of Stirling.

After some preliminary proceedings, Mr. SHIRREFF rose, and stated that he still adhered to the sentiments expressed in his letter of resignation. (See Mon. Repos. p. 427.)

The Rev. Dr. KNOX, after some observations as to what should be the sentence of the Court, proceeded-"I abhor all persecution in the Church or State. The Civil Magistrate is ordained of God for the protecting of the persons, the characters, and the property of the subject. He has no right to interfere with the creed or the conscience of any man.

I hold, that no Established Church has a right to persecute those who dissent from her. The church is bound to contend for the faith once delivered to her saints; but her weapons are not carnal, but spiritual. Her weapons are the word, and reason and holiness. Some have contended, that a national established church ought to be abolished; that it is hostile to the civil and religious liberties of mankind. I think otherwise. Men may congregate in society, not only for their temporal, but their immortal interests. I deeply venerate the Church of Scotland. I believe, and God is my witness, that her doctrines, discipline and worship are agreeable to the word of God; that the word of God is her sole, her only guide. She has long held a distinguished rank among the Reformed Churches of Europe; she has long been instrumental in diffusing pure and undefiled religion over the nation. The subversion of the church of Scotland I should consider as a serious disaster in the Church of Christ; but I augur no such effect from the present puny, abortive attempt. No! the most nauseous reptile may crawl on the surface of the noblest edifice, and leave its slime behind it; but the proportion, the body, the strength, the grandeur of the edifice remain unsullied, untarnished, undiminished. Mr. Shirreff has from caprice or conscience, (for I will not cry plaudite till I have seen the end of the drama,) from caprice or conscience he has left the Church of Scotland; from the same motives, at a future period, he may wish to return. What is to be done? Is the Church instantly to open her arms to receive every unstable mind, blown about by every wind of doctrine? No, surely. She must be convinced of the sound judgment of the aspirant-of the purity of his faith. If, upon trial, she is convinced of these, then, in the spirit of meekness, she is bound to restore a fallen brother." The Reverend Gentleman having in the course of his speech submitted what he considered should be the sentence of the Presbytery, afterwards embodied the same in a motion to the following purport:-"That on account of the sentiments contained in the letter of resignation given in by Mr. Shirreff, he is considered no longer a member of the Church of Scotland, nor having a right to perform any of the functions of a minister of that Church, nor to receive a call to any church in connexion with the Church of Scotland, until he be reponed by an act of the General Assembly of the said Church."

Mr. CAW seconded Dr. Knox's motion.

Mr. M‘GAHAN, of Airth, requested that

Dr. Knox would permit an addition to be made to his motion, rendering the sentiments of the Presbytery somewhat milder.

Dr. KNOX intimated his fixed determination to make no amendment to his motion of the purport required.

Dr. MYLNE was not altogether satis. fied with the procedure which it seemed was to be adopted by his brethren, as he considered the resignation of Mr. Shirreff as calling for the opinion of a higher Court.

Dr. WRIGHT expressed a hope that the Presbytery might be unanimous in making the business final.

Dr. Kuox's motion was then put and adopted by the whole Presbytery, with the exception of Dr. Mylne, who dissented, and complained to the Synod.

Mr. M'Gahan was then appointed to preach on the 19th of October, and to declare the church vacant.

Mr. Shirreff being thus freed of his charge, his former brethren shook hands with him, and wished him happiness wherever Providence might direct his steps; and he immediately left the Meeting.

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 violation 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 Lang. side, 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 ap pellant, 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.

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 inte-
rests of literature. The Rev. Dr. then
entered into a detail of the duties of a
parish minister, his preaching, visiting,
catechising, and making himself per-
fectly acquainted with the circumstances
aud 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 com-
plainant 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 com-
pared 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 du-
ties of the Principal of this College-a
College containing 1,400 students, of
whom he had the complete superintend-
ance. 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 Pro-
fessor 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 con-
sequence to the young students.

It en

couraged 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 appaling list of crimes which were tried

at the last Circuit Court which was held
in this city. No less, in one short half
Look at the
year, than ninety-six cases.
reports of the Police of this city. About
seventeen thousand cases came annually
before them; and when we made allow-
ance for trifling matters, the real number
of delinquencies might amount to 15,000;
fourteen or fifteen hundred passed an-
nually 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 exe-
cution 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 con-
clusion, he called upon them to take
pity upon the state of society, and pre-
vent a union of offices.

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 num-
ber. This plurality was in direct oppo-
sition to all this.-It was a Royal pre-
sentation, 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 inten-
tions. 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 erect-
ing 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 conscien-
tious 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. M'Farlane. 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 una ble 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 one 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 3s. 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.

NEW PUBLICATIONS IN THEOLOGY AND GENERAL LITERATURE.

A Course of Lectures on Nonconformity. By Israel Worsley, Dissenting Minister, at Plymouth. 88.

A Brief Account of the Unitarians, with Observations on the Rev. Edward Manley's Answers to Thirty-Five Ques

tions, proposed by an Unitarian. By the Author of "An Appeal to Scripture and Tradition, in Defence of the Unitarian Faith." 18.

Devotional Exercises, consisting of Reflections and Prayers for the Use of

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 Independent 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

Suffolk. 12mo. 3d.

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.

An Essay on Apparitions; in which their Appearance is accounted for by Causes wholly Independent of Preternatural Agency. By John Alderson, M. D., Hull. A new Edition, revised and corrected.

Porti Lexicon Iouicum Græco-Latinum, quod Indicem in omnes Herodoti Libros continet, &c. Editio Nova, cui subjicitur Appendix, Tractatus quasdam complectens de Dialecta Ionica. 8vo. 15s.

First Steps to Botany, intended as Popular Illustrations of the Science, leading to its Study as a Branch of General Education. By James L. Drummond, M. D., Professor of Anatomy and Physiology in the Belfast Academical Institution. 12mo. 100 Wood-cuts, comprising 200 Figures. 98.

A New General and Algebraical Solution of the Higher Orders of Equations; with Solutions of Equations to the Tenth Degree, inclusive. By John Buck, of Queen's College, Cambridge. 6s.

An Elementary Treatise on Optics. By Henry Coddington, M. A. 8vo. 88.

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. McFarlane, 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.

The History of Churcher's College,

Petersfield, Hants, with a Sketch of the Life of Mr. Richard Churcher, the Founder; and Observations on its Management; together with a Report of the Case now pending in the High Court of Chancery between the Trustees and several of the Inhabitants of Petersfield. 20s. Extra Boards.

Memoir of the late Mrs. Henrietta Fordyce, Relict of James Fordyce, D. D., containing Original Letters, Anecdotes and Pieces of Poetry: to which is added, A Sketch of the Life of James Fordyce, D. D. Post 8vo. 68.

Memoirs of the Life of the Rev. and Venerable John Conant, D. D., Rector of Exeter College, Oxford, &c.: Written by his Son John Conant, LL.D., and now first published by his Son, W. Stanton, M. A. 8vo. 4s. 6d.

Memoir du Duc de Rovigo, sur la Catastrophe du Duc D'Enghein. French and English.) 8vo. 38. 6d.

(In

A Geognostical Essay on the Superposition of Rocks in both Hemispheres. By M. De Humboldt. 8vo. 148.

Memoirs of the Wernerian Natural History Society, for the Years 18211823. Vol. IV. Part II. Seven Engravings. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

Transactions of the Phrenological Society, instituted 1820. 8vo. Five Engravings. 148.

Outlines of Phrenology, with an Illustrative Plate. 1s. National Songs of Scotland. Portrait of Burns. 5s. 6d.

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.

88.

The Stranger's Grave. A Tale. 12mo.

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

Koningsmarke, the Long Finne; a Story of the New World. By one of the Authors of Salmagundi. 3 Vols. 12mo. 188.

The Pilgrim's Tale, a Poem. Charles Lockhart. 8vo. 6s.

By

Observations on the Practice of the Court of Chancery, in Cases relating to Libellous and Immoral Publications, with Remarks on an Article in the Edinburgh Review for May, 1823.

A Letter to the Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland on the Rate of Wages that they are now paying to their MenServants, with an Account of the Duties and Annual Wages of Stewards, Butlers, Gardeners, Men Cooks, Valets, Grooms of the Chamber, Coachmen, Grooms, Footmen, Under Butlers and Porters. By G. P. Wilson, Esq. 1s. 6d.

A Letter to the Right Honourable the

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