alarm, and sternly repressed. Depriving our Indian dependents of all other liberty, we left them free to hug the chains of a degrading, bloody, and obscure idolatry; and whatever else we exacted, we were careful to assure them that we sought from them no regard to the gospel. We were watchful and assiduous, not to protect their freedom of judgment and action in regard to religion, --for all compulsion in matters of faith is as unchristian as it is impolitic,-but to keep back from them all means of judging and acting rightly; to prevent all appeal to reason and conscience; to silence every voice that called them to the good Shepherd; to pull back and put down every hand that pointed to the cross. Many of us remember the time when no permission was given to the Christian philanthropist to enter that land of darkness, however generous and apostolic his zeal. At length the attempt was made. A despised sect, settling beyond the bounds of the British territory, and owing its protection to another power, led the way; and the Baptist missionaries, by their labours in translating the Scriptures and preaching the Word, commanded the admiration, the prayers, and the ready contributions of the more liberal and enlightened friends of the gospel. The cause was then taken up by larger denominations, and the London Missionary Society and the Church Missionary Society have long had their messengers in India. The Church of Scotland, though later in entering the field in respect of time, was the first to engage in it in the distinctive character of a national Church; and she may well recognise the blessing of the Most High, both in the eminent qualifications of her missionaries, and in the remarkable success that has attended them. We look back with feelings of respect to the distinguished individual who projected the plan of the India mission, and called it into life, but lived not to witness its triumphs; and we speak with respect of him also who, after the death of his friend, acted for years as convener, while you filled the second place in the management. But I need not say that this Assembly derives the greatest satisfaction, as well as confidence, from your present position as convener, looking to you in that capacity, not indeed to prescribe or control,-for from such responsibility you would shrink,—but to aid and carry into effect the objects of the Church, and the decisions of the Committee. Already you have had your reward in the continued prosperity of the mission at all the stations, in the diffusion of liberal knowledge in all castes and both sexes, and especially in the evidences of conversion in individuals. Particularly you have rejoiced in the unanimity and cordiality with which the missionaries have proclaimed their adherence to the great principles for which we have been contending, and have taken part with us in our sacrifices and sufferings. The testimony thus borne by judicious and devoted men far removed from the scene of conflict and the disturbing power of party zeal, has been to us most encouraging; and has naturally produced a good impression in our favour in the minds of those in other lands who have had little opportunity for themselves of entering deeply into the circumstances of our case. With much pleasure I express the sense entertained by the Assembly of your labours of love; and while you look to an infinitely higher quarter for your reward, you will, I know, be encouraged by the assurance of the approbation of your brethren. As to our friend Dr Wilson, we have marked with much interest his various labours, his travels, his faithful preaching of the Word, his learned writings in refutation of souldestroying error, and in establishment of life-giving truth. We have sympathized in his sorrows, domestic and personal, and have rejoiced in his consolations. His visit to this country will, we trust, have the effect not only of restoring his health, but of greatly advancing the cause of missions; and we hope we may look forward to many years of usefulness awaiting him, terminating in "a crown of glory that fadeth not away." Our affectionate thoughts and prayers attend him and all his faithful and distinguished colleagues and fellow-labourers still in India, whose names are familiar to our ears, whose persons are dear to our hearts. We commend them to Him who "holds the stars in his right hand, and walks in the midst of the seven churches."

Dr CUNNINGHAM rose and said,-Looking at this case in a business point of view, and independently of the special circumstances in which we are placed, and the peculiar facts brought before us in this deeply interesting report, I conceive that we have something more to do before this matter is finally dismissed. I feel constrained

to say a single sentence, upon what I am persuaded is the feeling of every member present, that never since this India Mission was started, have we been favoured with intelligence respecting its state and progress, more calculated to call forth the liveliest feelings in our souls, and more strongly demanding us to make resolutions of increased zeal and earnestness in behalf of these missions, than the communications which have been laid before us this night. I am sure that there has been scarcely any time, excepting, perhaps, when we have had Dr Duff amongst us, and been roused and animated by his fervid eloquence, that we have felt more deeply than we now feel that this, under God, is a cause which should lie near our hearts, and evoke our earnest prayers. Never more gratefully and devoutly have we had reason to feel that Almighty God has given us tokens of his favour, nor have we ever had more cause to hope for still more abundant tokens of his grace; and while every member, I am sure, feels peculiarly thankful at our position and prospects in reference to this mission, I think it is right and proper-I think it will be becoming—that this feeling should be more fully expressed. It perhaps does not become me to suggest what should be done: I am unwilling to put myself forward to express the mind of the house; but still it may be meet and right that I propose that we should offer up our thanks to Almighty God for the singular favour he has vouchsafed to us. I would not make such a suggestion on any ordinary occasion; but you will all feel that the matter in the Report which has been read to us is not of an ordinary kind, it is not such as occurs every day in God's dealings with us. It is such as to call forth our devout and special thanks. I move, therefore, that the Assembly now engage in returning its special thanks to God. I move that afterwards the Committee be re-appointed, and that, as before, Dr Gordon be named its convener. I suggest that this is the right and proper course which we should take, that we should return thanks to Almighty God for his marvellouskindness and care in the special circumstances in which we are placed.

Professor DUNCAN said, that it was not alone for Israel's sake that God had erected the system of Judaism, but for his own glory, as combined with the good of his chosen people. The great object of the Church upon earth, was to show that Jehovah, He is God, Jehovah, He is God; and that Jesus is the Son of God, and the Messiah promised of the Father. For these ends the Church was to be God's witness to the ends of the earth. To these great truths, that Jehovah, He is the God, and that Jesus is the Messiah, they stood as God's witnesses. Their position was not for themselves but for God's glory; as when He says of his people, they will show forth His praise,-ye are to be witnesses. This was the great end of missions, for he who acknowledgeth not the Son, acknowledgeth not the Father; and while this applied specially to the Jew, it was not less so to the Gentile; it referred to both, though primarily to the Jew. Now, this was the great defection, which, when we were convinced of sin in the heart, was seen, namely, the total defection from Jehovah God. It needed the conviction of the Holy Spirit to bring that home to the conscience, but still that which is outward and that which was an inward effect stood out to display that the world was gone from God. It was not that the dark places of the earth were full of the habitations of horrid cruelty. This was a secondary thing, it was that the world had forsaken God; and they would not be looking so much to the mere elevation of these men from their degradation, and even to their salvation, as to the glory of Jehovah, who is unknown or denied, and the worship due to him given to creatures. Men had changed the glory of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. And God had given them over to strong delusion, so that they believed a lie. The Church stood connected with Jehovah-they were his witnesses, and this was the testimony which they were to bear to the ends of the earth, that all people might praise him, and God, even their own God, might bless them. They were to care for the Hindoo, and for the soul of every man; for it was a wretched thing to see a fellow-creature degraded, and criminal, and perishing, whilst they were his fellows-bone of his bone; but ah! it was nothing at all, that a man worshipped idols and perished, compared with this, that Jehovah should be degraded. How were they his witnesses, if this aspect did not rise even above the

idea of the degradation of these wretched men. God has set his heart upon it when he called them to the express duty of witness-bearing; he was displeased, and, for want of a better word, but with deepest reverence, be would say, God infinitely regretted the want of homage done him by his creatures. The system of idolatry was the most extensive, but the most refined atheism,-a system of pantheism, the most subtle of all systems-which confounded the creature with the Creatorwhich lifted up man to God, and brought down God to man, and identified man with God. According to it, there was really no Creator; in the creature all was God, and none was God, and the consequence of this sytem, with its exhibitions in open idolatry, was to give men over to work all manner of uncleanness with greedi ness, for conscience was eradicated. If I am God myself, said Dr D., I am not responsible to another, and I cannot sin-sin is no longer sin. Thus the degradation, and ruin, and fall of man all came as a consequence from the degradation and dishonouring Jehovah.

Thereafter the Moderator called on Dr Brown of Glasgow to pray; and the reverend Doctor accordingly offered up an earnest and impressive prayer, applicable to the circumstances of the India Mission, and of the Free Church generally.

The Clerk then read a memorial praying for an amalgamation between the Glasgow Missionary Association and the Missionary Schemes of the Free Church. It was stated that the Glasgow Association had conducted missionary operations in Africa for thirty years. The memorial was sent to the Committee on Foreign Missions, with a recommendation from the Assembly in favour of the object contemplated.

ORDER OF BUSINESS.

The order of business for next day was then read: and
The Assembly called for the

REPORT OF ENGLISH DEPUTATIONS.

Mr TWEEDIE, in coming forward to read the Report, was received with hearty applause. He read as follows:

"REPORT of Committee appointed by the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland, relative to Deputations to England.

86 1. The Plan.

"In endeavouring to carry into effect the object for which they were appointed, your committee first of all divided England into about twenty districts, appointing, in terms of the Assembly's instructions, three or four ministers to each, according to its extent or population. Previous to the visits of the deputations to their districts, arrangements were made on the spot, by agents sent chiefly from Scotland, for facilitating the operations of the ministers, and rendering them efficient. Local committees were formed, the order in which the places were to be visited was arranged, and preparations were made, whether for sermons or public meetings, in the order reckoned best for the different localities.

“The work began soon after the rising of the Assembly which met in Glasgow, viz. on the 12th of November, and has continued without interruption till about a week ago. At one period there were four deputations labouring in different districts of England at the same time; and the Committee would be wanting in their duty, did they not convey a strong expression of the alacrity and zeal with which nearly one hundred ministers of the Church have thus put themselves at her service for the work assigned to them. Amid the pressing claims for ordinances among their own people, and at numerous sacrifices, they gladly went forth, impressed at once with the urgency of the Church's necessities, and the importance of the business entrusted to the deputations. Nor would the Committee fail to notice the patience and forbearance manifested by the members of the Church during the absence of their ministers, protracted as it sometimes was to four, five, or even six Sabbath days.

"11. The Reception.

"And the Committee cannot but reckon it one of the numerous tokens for good

vouchsafed to the Church by Him who is God over all, to be able to state, that everywhere the Assembly's deputations were hailed with enthusiasm, and received the cordial sympathy of English Christians; indeed, the Churches in England, of nearly all Evangelical denominations, vied with each other in testifying their approbation of the distinctive principles of the Free Church, and their generous sympathy with us, as men led, in the providence of God, zealously to contend for the liberty with which Christ maketh free. Repeatedly did the members of the deputations, as they returned from their labours, declare that the reception they had met with was so cordial, and the feeling in favour of the Free Church so warm, that their visits had been, in a large degree, a compensation for the trials which preceded and accompanied the disruption of the Church.

"Nor was the sympathy which was thus displayed confined to the ministers or office-bearers of the different Churches; through all classes the same spirit was manifested. In England, as in Scotland, servants were found contributing largely, in proportion to their means, to the funds of the Free Church. There, as well as here, artizans wrought in her service, and when they had not silver or gold to give, they gave their labour instead. In this way platforms were erected, hand-bills printed, and other offices performed, as contributions to the Free Church, by men who could not otherwise assist her amid her difficulties. Indeed, from Cornwall to Berwickupon-Tweed, wherever the deputations went, they were hailed by Christian men as sufferers for the truth; and the generous liberality of England, guided by Christian principle and Christian affection, helped at once to encourage the deputations, and convince them that the cause in which they were engaged was indeed the cause of righteousness and of God. They felt how true it is that Christianity speaks an universal language, and that there is a felt affinity between its disciples throughout all the climes and countries of the world.'

"Your Committee find it difficult to point out the cases, whether in individuals or in Churches, in which the deputations were most warmly befriended, for, in truth, the zeal in your cause was well-nigh universal. To the members of the Wesleyan churches everywhere throughout England, the earnest gratitude of your venerable body is due, at once for their cordial sympathy, and not seldom, their able advocacy and liberal support of the cause. To very many of the Congregationalist ministers and congregations the Free Church is under similar obligations. Indeed, among them were found some of the most intelligent friends of our principles and cause; and on many occasions, as at Devonport, Colchester, in London, and elsewhere, they took part in the work of the deputations with a zeal, and in some cases even a selfdenial, which could not have been surpassed by the Free Church ministers themselves. And to many ministers and members of the Baptist churches, the same acknowledgments are due. With their characteristic zeal in every good work, many of them befriended the deputations, and freely contributed of their substance in aid of their object.

"It is not the design of this Report to convey to the Assembly any minute detail of the proceedings of the different deputations. These, of course, were regulated by the terms of their appointment by the Assembly. On one topic, however, the Committee think it right to speak. The deputations, in no single instance, gave an uncertain sound regarding our continued adherence to the principle of Establishments, as held and defended by the Free Church. Deducing that principle from Scripture, and therefore holding it as in their view unalterable, our ministers could not, for any temporary purpose, either abandon or modify what they hold to be a portion of the truth; and, in every instance, your Committee believe, did the ministers bear witness to our unaltered conviction on this point. And among the right-thinking in England, your ministers were respected and honoured for their consistency. They were repeatedly told, that had they professed to have adopted the Voluntary principle merely because they had ceased to be established, conscientious Voluntaries could not have welcomed them as honest friends; so that here, as in all our contendings, the path of duty and of purity was found to be the path of peace. Indeed, the cases were not few in which ministers and others in England readily acceded to the genuine principle for which the Church of Scotland has so often been honoured to contend, viz.

that according to the spirit of the Word of God, civil rulers are bound to have regard to His mind and will in their procedure, and to aim at the welfare of the Church by right and scriptural means. In a few cases, the exact statement of our views on this subject dispelled many erroneous misconceptions, and induced some of those who heard to acknowledge that, had the ministers who now form the Free Church of Scotland succeeded in obtaining from the rulers of the land a confirmation of their principles, that would have gone far to alter the whole aspect of the Establishment controversy. From what has thus been observed in many parts of England, the Committee are decidedly of opinion, that could mutual explanations be made, it would be found that far more of the Churches would sympathize on this point with the Free Church, at least upon general grounds, than may at first sight appear.

"But it was on the great principle of spiritual independence that the deputations everywhere met with the most prompt response, and the most cordial sympathy. Addressing themselves for the most part to men who thoroughly understood that principle, and enjoyed the privileges to which it leads, the deputations found no difficulty in making it appear that every thing earthly must be sacrificed, rather than allow that principle to be either obscured or compromised. Involving as it does the glory of the Saviour, and therefore the stability and well-being of his church, all who understood the nature of a Christian church, hailed your deputations, because they came from a body of men who had refused to abandon that principle, however tempting the bribe to do so. Had any thing been required to convince them that that principle was sound, the reception which they met, as the upholders of the Church's independence against Erastianism in every form, might have sufficed to confirm the deputation in the position which they held.

"It is impossible to particularize all the friends who thus co-operated with the deputations over so wide a field. In London, the Hon. and Rev. Baptist Noel is well known to have rendered essential service to the cause, by his able and eloquent vindication of the Free Church; and Dr Leifchild, one of the leading Congregational ministers in the metropolis, and Dr Bunting of the Wesleyans, appeared on the same occasion to second the objects which the deputation had in view. In Yorkshire, Sir John B. Willams, the enlightened biographer of Philip Henry, also did essential service to the deputations. The Rev. John Davis, Congregational minister of Colchester, was indefatigable in his efforts; while the committee would take this opportunity of recording their deep sense of the obligations under which the Free Church lies to T. P. Bunting, solicitor, Manchester, for his judicious, zealous, and untiring labours in the cause. Without his aid, it would have been next to impossible for your committee to have visited so much of England as they have done. Indeed, wherever the deputations appeared, friends were raised up to encourage and to aid them; and your committee feel free in reporting, that nothing has befallen the Free Church more signally betokening the presence and the blessing of Almighty God, than the wide and effectual door thus opened in England for proclaiming our principles, for preaching the gospel of Christ in connexion with them, and thus not merely bringing forward the cause of the Free Church, but of the whole Church which Christ purchased with his blood.

"III. Of the Results.

“But what have been the results of these deputations? For six months there has been a constant succession of Free Church ministers preaching the gospel, and proclaiming our principles in England; and what effects have they produced?

"They are twofold: First, Since the disruption, these deputations, together with the friends of the Free Church in London, to whom the cause is under many and deep obligations, have raised in all the sum of L.27,689, 1s. 94d. That sum has been appropriated to the Building Fund, except where the donors destined their contributions to the Sustentation Fund, or some other object; so that the direct pecuniary benefit to your cause derived from England, is represented by the sum now mentioned, or nearly L.28,000. England was divided by your committee into seventeen districts. Five of these are still unvisited, Kent, Darlington, Carlisle, &c., North Wales, South Wales, Isle of Man. And if this be kept in view, to