Mr. Campbell declined conversing with the committee for reasons which he gave in in writing, and requested should be engrossed in the minutes of the committee-which reasons, after mature deliberation, the committee refused to engross, in respect that the said reasons refer not to any act of the committee, but to an alleged irregularity on the part of the Presbytery, in the appointment of the committee. But they appoint the said reasons to be authenticated and transmitted along with this report.

The committee deeply regret this termination of their labours, as they had ardently hoped, that in the course of a free and brotherly conversation, some steps might have been taken towards an adjustment of the differences between Mr. Campbell and some of his parishioners, and as they now fear that there is no room for any amicable arrangement. JOHN GRAHAM, Convener.

(Signed)

MR. CAMPBELL'S REASONS, &c.

"Mr. Campbell then stated, that while he felt the utmost respect for his brethren of the Presbytery, and for the committee, and had accordingly met with his brethren to-day, on having the meeting intimated to him, he still feels it his duty to himself, as a member of the church, and to his brethren in the church, whose rights may suffer in his person, to decline, in the particular circumstances of the case, to confer, on the subject above mentioned, with the committee, acting upon the above referred to ground-for the following

reasons:

1mo. These circumstances in the nomination of the committee, induce Mr. C. thus to decline, viz., The memorial referred to having been presented, two measures were proposed. These occasioned some discussion, which occupied some time at last, that which has occasioned the present meeting was adopted. When this took place, Mr. Campbell did not observe what was done, not from any inattention or indifference, but from long consulting the form of process in a church law authority-his view of which, he was speaking of to a co-presbyter near him, feeling it time enough to speak when the Presbytery had made a choice between the two measures before them, and taking for granted that care would

be taken that he should be aware of what was done, before any thing was finally fixed upon. When Mr. C.'s attention was drawn to the determination of the Presbytery, by a movement which indicated that they were going to another subject, and when he inquired what was the state of proceedings, he was told that the committee was appointed, and that it was final. Mr. Campbell then desired to object to the course adopted, and was told that it was too late; and this reply, while Mr. Campbell manifested a distinct anxiety that they would regard the matter as still open, and reconsider it, was still adhered to, although the sederunt was not yet closed. Mr. Campbell intended to state, had he been permitted, objections to the course adopted, which, he may presume, would have induced the Presbytery to change that course; but the opportunity not having been given, the impression on Mr. Campbell's mind was, that he would need to use all caution in regard to conferring with a committee, whose nomination had such a seal put to it. The result is, his present determination as to which he is desirous to have this reason for it recorded, being aware of the ungracious appearance of declining to confer with a committee of his brethren, on any subject, however informal he might conceive their nomination to be. If Mr. Campbell had first heard of the appointment through the communication of the convener, he might have been expected, in fairness, to have assumed that, though irregular, it was in kindness to him that the usual procedure was departed from; but in the circumstances detailed it was impossible for Mr. Campbell to have that conviction.

2ndo. This may explain why Mr. Campbell, in the second place, declines upon the ground that he is referred to a memorial still lying on the Presbytery's table, and not yet considered, as the ground of marking him out from among his brethren, and calling him to a distance from his own home, to be examined upon his views of the doctrine and worship of a church of which he is a minister-bound to faithfulness to its interests by the highest obligations-for the nomination of a Committee for such an object, is itself a judicial act, as Mr. Campbell understands the form of process.

3tio. Another consideration that weighs with Mr. Campbell is the rejection, without any notice even of its rejection, in the Presbytery's minute, of a memorial, or petition, numerously signed by his most respectable parishioners,

fitted to counteract the impression conveyed by that now on their table. These things Mr. Campbell begs to have stated, that he may not appear capricious or wayward, or disrespectful in declining to confer with his brethren; nor unnecessarily interfering with them in the discharge of their duties, as the guardians of religion; nor objecting to the legitimate use of the powers given them for that end-which he recognises, to which he has promised, and to which, in the strength of God, he hopes to be enabled to yield all due submission.

JOHN MCLEOD CAMPBELL."

At the next meeting of Presbytery, on the 4th May, the foregoing minute, or report, of the committee appointed to converse with Mr. Campbell, and also his reasons for not conferring with the committee, were given in and read; and, after some discussion, the report of the committee was approved of by a majority.

Mr. Dunlop of Keppoch, Elder from Cardross, then moved that the memorial presented at last meeting of Presbytery in favour of Mr. Campbell, which, he said, although numerously and respectably signed by the parishioners of Row, the Presbytery had most unaccountably rejected, while they had received a petition against him without the least inquiry into the character of the petitioners. This motion was, after some conversation, agreed to, and the memorial was received and read.

Mr. Dunlop then, at considerable length, contended that, according to the form of process, before considering an accusation against a minister, the characters of the persons bringing the accusation ought to be inquired into. And he considered it still more the bounden duty of the Presbytery to investigate this

point, because of the character of the man against whom the present accusation was directed—" a man,' he said, "whose character the breath of scandal had never touched-one who had really imbibed the spirit and temper of his Divine Master-one who truly had that wisdom which is from above, which is pure, peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits." He expressed his disapprobation of all the proceedings of the Presbytery in this case, and concluded with moving-" that seeing it is so important for the interests of religion that no charge be preferred lightly, or by improper, or incompetent, persons, against either the life or doctrine of a minisof the Gospel, that before any proceedings take place in consequence of this memorial against Mr. Campbell, the religious knowledge, and life and conversation of the petitioners be inquired into, as enjoined in the form of process, and that for this purpose the whole of the petitioners be cited to appear at the bar at next ordinary meeting of Presbytery." This motion was seconded by the Rev. Mr. Story.

Dr. Hamilton of Strathblane-"I agree most cordially with the greater part of what Mr. Dunlop has said respecting Mr. Campbell. I esteem Mr. Campbell as one of the worthiest of men; but just in proportion to my veneration for his character, am I vexed that there should be any ground given for an accusation against him. Nothing would delight me more than that before we part to-day, he and the memorialists were cordially united-that any thing he may have advanced inconsistent with the Scriptures should be relinquished by him; and that if his opponents are

in

any darkness respecting his tenets, they should be enlightened, and that his usefulness should not be obstructed by any proceedings in the church courts; and, perhaps, if we go about the matter in the spirit of meekness and love, wonders may yet be wrought." He contended that Mr. Dunlop's motion could not be acceded to that to inquire into the religious knowledge or character of the memorialists, was quite incompetent, seeing that they were in communion with the church, which fact, of itself, testified both as to their knowledge and character.

The motion was opposed on the same ground by several members of court, and was withdrawn for a time.

The memorialists against Mr. Campbell were then called to the bar, upon which three of them appeared, and stated that they adhered to their memorial; and being asked whether they appeared only for themselves, or for themselves and the other memorialists, they answered that they had no authority from any of the others.

A lengthened discussion took place as to the propriety of putting some questions to these Memorialists, regarding the nature of the "unprofitable questions and obnoxious tenets" of which they complained, in order to ascertain whether or not they understood what they complained of, but this would not be permitted.

Mr. Campbell then stated, that, according to the constitution of the church, before a complaint can be preferred against a minister, those bringing the charge are bound to come and converse with their minister