appeal was responded to with a degree of enthusiasm which showed their appreciation of our cause, and their determination to support us. (Loud applause.) You have but, therefore, to use the power we possess-you have but to leaven them with our free principles-you have but to tell England the story of our wrongs, and you will bring to bear on the House of Commons such an influence that it will be compelled to grant us justice. (Tremendous applause.) I rejoiced when I heard the mayor of Bath declare, in the name of that great meeting, that the people of Bath had no sympathy with the wrongs which the ministry and Parliament had inflicted on Scotland. (Great cheering.) He declared that it was not the English public, but the English Parliament and ministry, that had accomplished these wrongs; and wherever we have gone throughout England this sentiment was uttered, and the policy pursued towards Scotland was universally repudiated by the people. Let me entreat you then not to delay in this matter. Now is the golden opportunity. The mighty movement in Scotland is taking hold of the English mind; there is a desire, a demand for information on the subject, and we are solicited by applications from all parts of England. They cry-Come to us, and explain your principles, and tell us the story of your wrongs. This is the golden opportunity, I repeat, and the opportunity must not be lost; for even though we should sacrifice the comfort of our ministers—even though you should for a time neglect their flocks, the mighty object to be gained is worth them all. (Applause.) There is just one point to which I have to allude, and it is of no small importance. It is this. Don't let these ministers be unaided by the laity. Let some of the laity, in all cases, be associated with the Scottish ministers. It will give a national aspect to the question, and impart to it a reality, when people as well as clergy are seen expounding our cause and enforcing our principles. Let me speak for one instant about myself. (Hear, and applause.) That which enabled me to render the poor service which I was privileged to afford the cause, did not arise from any utility of mine-it was not any power which I possessed of demonstrating our principles, or any gifts for the task intrusted to me, which could for a moment be compared with those of the able men whom I accompanied; but it was because I, one of the people of Scotland, came up warm-hearted from the north, to declare to them that ours was not the cause of any section or class-that it was not the cause of the clergy, but that it was eminently the cause of the people of Scotland, and of their religious liberties. (Long-continued applause.) What has been the consequence? The consequence has been that though I could this year only contribute a few hundred pounds to the cause of the Church, I have by giving a little of my time and labour, been able to gather in in Ireland and in England several thousand pounds for our cause. (Ap. plause.) I hope, therefore, that our lay brethren will not only go, but feel it their sacred duty to go. I doubt not that Mr Begg's motion will be unanimously adopted, and I trust that the ministers who are called on to go by the Committee will be true sons of the Church, and that the elders also will be devoted sons of the Church, and obedient to her call-and I know that their mission will be one of vast results. (Hear, hear.) It will have a threefold effect. It will enable us to obtain a large sum to assist in overtaking what Dr Chalmers has so well designated as the initial expenses of our great scheme, and completing the building fund. Next it will obtain such a measure of popular influence to our cause, as to unite the whole evangelical protestantism of England on our behalf; and third and lastly, it will enable us to unite in defence of our common Christianity against Antichrist, who is now rallying the Erastian infidel powers around him. (Hear, hear, and great cheering.) I believe that this question, following the leadings of Providence, is destined to be a great rallying point for a confederation of a mighty Protestant league, which will unite all evangelical Christians in the defence of Protestantism and the rights of conscience. It is not merely the pecuniary aid-it is not merely the immediate results to which we look, but it is the sowing of the seed which will grow up in manifold fruits, and preserve our principles inviolate, and make them successful against the man of sin. Thus will the Free Church of Scotland be the honoured instrument of promoting that union which will unite all who love Christ in a holy bond-and one fruit of this will be to raise up a third class of politicians who will

trample under foot the miserable distinctions of Whig and Tory, and rise superior to a mere political partisanship, and maintain the cause of God, and of his truth, before an evil generation. (Hear, hear.) I think that while it is the duty of the Free Church of Scotland to ally herself to no political party, or identify herself with no set of statesmen, it is, nevertheless, her duty to encourage and maintain the principle that you cannot divide the public and private responsibilities of statesmen, and that they are bound to obey the King of kings in their public capacity as much as the humblest individual in the land; and when another general election shall have come round, I hope it will be found that in England, Scotland, and the north of Ireland, this principle shall have made ground, to the discomfiture of mere political parties— (hear, hear)-and to the advancement of that.public and private influence which shall be devoted to the service of God, and make the principles of the blessed gospel to be the rule of politicians. (The hon. gentleman concluded amid loud and general applause.) The motion proposed by Mr Begg was then cordially agreed to.

Mr BEGG then rose and introduced to the Assembly his friend Mr Edwards, Professor of Theology to the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists, who had sent him as a deputy, with a donation to the funds of the Free Church from that most interesting body, who had all along exhibited a deep concern in their proceedings. (Cheers.) Mr EDWARDS, who was received with cordial cheering, then addressed the Assembly, but in a very low tone of voice. The rev. gentleman was understood to say, he had been sent here not to make a speech, but to witness their meetings, and to bring a small donation from the body to which he belonged. It seemed to be wished that he should give some account of that body. They were few in number their theology was identical with their own-the books which they used were translations from the principal works of Jonathan Edwards, and Owen, and authors of a similar character. As to their form of Church polity, he had little to say. Their great aim was to bring souls to Christ. (Cheers.) But they found that they could not effectually unite in that work, or preserve the efficiency of their com munion, without paying attention to the character and conduct of their ministers, and the people who composed the association. They formed themselves into small bodies with this object; and in following out their plan, they went on till they found to their surprise that they were Presbyterians. (Cheers.) This system developed itself naturally into that form of Church polity, and they continued to exercise that form still. These people had carried on their labours quietly, perhaps too quietly; but they had sent him here, because they had heard of their disputings, and also that God was in the midst of them. And after what he had seen and heard since he came to that Assembly, might he not take up the words of Nicodemus, and say,"No man could do the miracles which thou doest, except God were with him." They had heard that Christ was afflicted here in Scotland, and they sent him to visit them. He left his little flock behind him in Wales, and came to see the bush that burned in the north part of the island, and yet was not consumed. And he had seen it. He saw it now before him; and could almost imagine that from the midst of the fire came the voice of the Lord God Almighty, proclaiming, "I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them." (Great cheering.) They knew that they were reviled and persecuted, as their own fathers in Wales were, and therefore they sympathised with them. (Cheers.) In reference to the subject adverted to by the speakers who had preceded him, they would allow him to say that a few scores of petitions would be sent up to the British Parliament from Wales. (Cheers.) There was one thing which he wished shortly to notice. All the landed proprietors in the neighbourhood from which he came were, at the commencement of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists, violent persecutors, except one. Now, he would only mention the fact, without attempting to explain it, that the names of all those men who persecuted the Welsh Methodists, had utterly perished from the face of the earth, and that the whole of their property had passed into the hands of the one who was favourable to them. (Hear, hear.) This was only one instance among many which went to show, how the most sceptical in our country had been forced to confess, that there was a God that judgeth in the earth. One reason why the calumnies of

their own enemies produced no impression on their minds was, that the very same accusations were brought against Christ himself, and that the same answer which he gave was sufficient for us also-“ My kingdom is not of this world." Because it was not of this world, it could not interfere with the kingdoms of this world, and ought not to be governed by the kingdoms of this world. (Cheers.) This they (the Free Church) had said not by words only but by deeds; and for this they were honoured by those who sent him from their inmost souls: they saw that they had taken the right side-that they stood in the middle between the living and the dead to stay the plague-the worldly policy and carnal expediency that infested our land. (Cheers.) They had taken the field in a great controversy between truth and error, between the Lamb of God and the Man of Sin; but truth is great and will prevail. (Cheers.) They may make war with the Lamb, but the Lamb shall conquer them; for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings, and must reign till he hath put all his enemies under his feet. (Great cheering.)

Mr HENRY GREY said they had listened with the deepest interest to the statement of their respected friend from Wales. They had all heard of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists: their praise was in all the Churches, and they had long been distinguished for the purity of their faith, the simplicity of their manners, and the liveliness of their zeal. There was no body of Christians of whom it gave him greater pleasure to read or hear; and they must all acknowledge the great delight they had experienced from the visit of their excellent friend who had just addressed them. (Cheers.) He therefore hoped that the Moderator would, in name of the Assembly, convey to him, and through him to the body of Christians whom he represented, their united thanks. (Cheers.) The following resolution was then read and adopted :— "The General Assembly cordially welcome their respected Christian minister from Wales, and receive with the highest gratitude the expression of sympathy which he has conveyed from the body with which he is connected, as well as the substantial token of regard which he has communicated; and they instruct the Moderator to convey their thanks."

The MODERATOR (Dr M‘Farlan), in name of the Assembly, then conveyed formally the vote of thanks to Mr Edwards.

The Assembly adjourned at twelve o'clock.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21.

The Assembly met this day in private.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 23.

The Assembly met at eleven o'clock, in the East Regent Street Free Church, for private deliberation; and at one o'clock adjourned to the City Hall-Dr Brown the Moderator, in the chair. The two first verses of the 63d Psalm were sung, and the Court constituted with the usual devotions.

After the minutes had been read,

Mr PITCAIRN, one of the Assembly Clerks, intimated that some overtures had been transmitted, upon the election of office-bearers of the Church.

Dr M FARLAN moved that a Committee of the Assembly should be appointed to meet with the Committee of the Original Seceders, and deliberate upon their overtures for union.-The motion was agreed to.

CASES OF COMPETING CALLS, &c.

The Assembly then took up the reference in the case of the call by the congregation of Inverary, in the Presbytery of Dunoon, to the Rev. Mr M'Allister at Nigg, in the Presbytery of Tain.

Dr M'Kay and other members appeared for the Presbytery of Dunoon, and Mr Carment of Rosskeen made a statement for the Presbytery of Tain.

Dr CANDLISH stated that what was proposed in this case was to authorise the Presbytery of Tain to meet for the purpose of forwarding this settlement, and report before the rising of the Assembly.

Dr M KAY suggested that authority should also be given to the Presbytery of Dunoon to meet with the Presbytery of Tain, and confer on this subject.

This was also agreed to, and the question disposed of accordingly.

The Assembly then took up the reference in the case of the call from the congregation of Strachur, in the Presbytery of Dunoon, in favour of the Rev. Mr Lauder, of the missionary station at Glengarry, in the Presbytery of Abertarff.

Parties being called, Dr M Kay and other members appeared for the Presbytery of Dunoon. There was no appearance for the Presbytery of Abertarff.

The point raised in this reference was, whether it was necessary, in the case of a call being forwarded to a minister of a missionary station, to take the same steps in removing him from his charge-such as citing his congregation to appear in the matter-as was necessary in the case of removal of a regularly ordained pastor from his flock.

A short conversation took place on the case, in which Mr Dunlop, Dr M'Farlan, Dr Candlish, Dr M'Kay, and Mr M'Farlane of Renfrew, took part, and from which it appeared that there was also a call to Mr Lauder, from Fort Augustus, which circumstance was not stated in the papers sent up to the Assembly.

Eventually the discussion was brought to a close by Dr M'Kay withdrawing the case in the name of the Presbytery of Dunoon.

VOTE OF THANKS TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS AND THE
MARQUIS OF BREADALBANE.

Dr CHALMERS rose and said,-Moderator, I rise for the purpose of repairing an omission which took place on the first day of our meeting. It will be in the recollection of the house, that at the last meeting of the Assembly, thanks were voted to those gentlemen who had rendered public and parliamentary services to the cause of the Free Church, which I was required to transmit. I accordingly sent these votes of thanks to the several members of the House of Commons, viz., Mr P. M. Stewart, Mr Campbell of Monzie, Mr Fox Maule, Sir George Grey, and others. I received replies from these gentlemen at the time, which I shall now read. The reverend Doctor read accordingly letters from the above mentioned gentlemen.

He then continued,-I have also received a reply from Sir George Grey, breathing the same sentiments: but although I have the letter past me, I have unfortunately ne. glected to bring it. The last Assembly was not, however, the proper time, for the vote I have now to propose; for a great deal of exertions on behalf of the Free Church had yet to be made. The time, I say, had not then arrived for including in that vote of thanks the name of one who is a member of the present Assembly, and who has earned the distinctive claim to the most cordial and grateful acknowledgment of this Assembly, for the great services he has rendered to our cause in high places-I mean the Marquis of Breadalbane. (Loud and long continued applause.) Why, Sir, our friends in the House of Commons had a number of gentlemen to keep them in countenance; but the Marquis of Breadalbane in the House of Lords stood almost alone. (Hear, hear.) This must have required an effort of moral courage which none can appreciate save those who are accustomed to the business and the collisions which take place in a deliberative body. There is not a more severe trial than to stand up alone, with few minds congenialised to your views, and the scowl of hostile countenances around you. Then, if the Marquis of Breadalbane stood alone in the House of Lords under these circumstances, he has also earned for himself a most honourable singularity in another situation. (Hear, hear.) You will find several protests on the journals of the House, and several names associated with his on the legal and constitutional points of the question; but the Marquis of Breadalbane's is the only name appended to the protest which embodies all the great ecclesiastical principles which we have been contending for-(loud applause)-and if by the amount of moral courage which he has shown, we are to estimate the strength of his conviction of those great principles, I don't know how highly to characterise the spirit

of true Presbyterianism which stirs in the breast of this man. (Renewed and longcontinued applause.) This envied singularity will hand down his name with honour to latest posterity; and however much he may have been traduced, and exposed to the ridicule of those in high places, still impartial posterity will say that it is a singularity which sits most gracefully on his person. `(Hear, hear.) ́ I therefore beg to move that the thanks of this House be voted to the Marquis of Breadalbane for the exertions he has made in support of the rights and liberties of the Church of Scotland. The announcement was received with most hearty applause.

It being stated that Lord Breadalbane had left the Assembly,

The MODERATOR said,-I understand that this motion, in reference to the Marquis of Breadalbane, has been carried by acclamation. Is it the pleasure of the Assembly that I shall write to the Marquis of Breadalbane expressive of what has taken place?

The motion was agreed to with enthusiasm.

MINISTERS FROM OTHER CHURCHES.

The next case was a reference from the Presbytery of Dalkeith, in the case of the Free congregation of that town, who have given a call to a minister of the Irish Presbyterian Church.

Dr CANDLISH wished the Assembly to consider how they would take up the reference. This related to a call given to a minister of the Presbyterian Church of Ireland. Now he wished to remind the house, in connection with this case, that there were on the table of the Assembly, applications from other ministers and probationers of other denominations, who wished to be admitted into communion with the Free Church. There was an application from another minister of the Presbyterian Church of Ireland, who had not received a call; there was also an application from an ordained minister of the Original Seceders, to be admitted a member of the Free Church; and there was, farther, an application from a minister of the United Secession, to be admitted a minister of the Free Church; and he dared to say there might be one or two more such cases. Now the point which he wished the Assembly to consider was, whether they would dispose of this call from the congregation of Dalkeith as a separate one? or whether they would take it up in connection with the general question, whether ministers of other denominations were to be received into the Free Church, and on what terms, and in what manner they were to be so received? It was important that the Assembly should look upon this not as an isolated case, but in connection with these other applications.

Mr M'FARLAN of Renfrew said, one strong reason for taking up this question, was, that the ministers of the Irish Presbyterian Church were more intimately agreed with them, than those of other denominations. On all the great questions that were agitated, there was a perfect harmony between the two bodies.

Dr CANDLISH said, that was not exactly the point. Suppose they were to make a difference between the Irish Presbyterians and other denominations, still the question remained, for there was (another minister of the Irish Presbyterians, who had made application to be admitted, without having received a call, and therefore the case for the Assembly to consider was, whether they would take up the case of the minister who had been called as a separate question, or whether they would take up the general question.

Mr BANNERMAN of Ormiston said, there was good ground for taking up this as a separate question. There was an obvious distinction between this and the other cases; for in them the interests of individual ministers alone were concerned; but this case of Dalkeith involved the interests of an important congregation, which had been placed in peculiar circumstances. If they were to take up the general question, it would be proper to consider, how they were to admit ministers of other churches into ministerial communion. But in the case of Dalkeith, which had given a call to a minister of the Irish Presbyterian Church, the interests of a congregation were at stake; and if the Assembly were as well acquainted with the circumstances of the parish as he was,-if they were aware of the unfortunate position in which the parish was placed-the risk of division and disunion which they had incurred, and the provi