within, and much from without; and hence there have been seasons when she has not prospered to the extent that its friends did desire. But while such characterizes the past, it is encouraging to reflect,-it is cheering to know,-that a prospect of great usefulness is opened to our view; for while the decisive step taken by this Church has been fraught with blessings to the people of this land, the principles which she professed,—for which she has really contended and successfully maintained, have been by many in England prayerfully, searchingly, and scripturally examined, have been adopted as the principles laid down in the Bible, and have been adhered to with a faith and a constancy worthy of a great and glorious cause. And Sir, the more the principles are known, the more extensively, we believe, they will be embraced. Hence we hailed with pleasure the deputations from the Free Church, by which the sympathy, and to some extent the assistance, of congregations of different denominations have been secured; and these visits have proved seasons of great refreshment to our people. While non-intrusion and spiritual independence have been simply but scripturally set forth, an impression has been made, which, by the blessing of God, will not be effaced,-a spirit has been kindled which promises the happiest results, and seed has been sown, from which we anticipate a rich and abundant harvest. Since the memorable disruption many vacancies have taken place among us, many ministers have crossed the Tweed to enter on labours, it may be, more congenial to their minds; but, Sir, we never did for one moment entertain any fear for the results, and if they are satisfied, we have every reason to be more than satisfied with the consequences of their removal. In regard to that part of Eng, land with which I am more immediately connected, I am at liberty to say, and I say it with feelings of thankfulness to God, that in every single instance, without any exception, when vacancies have been filled up, it has been, so far as the spiritual interests of the people are concerned, for the better and not for the worse. While congregations were left apparently destitute, our hope was in God, 66 who hath achieved, who doth achieve, and who will achieve," and he who is ever mindful of his people, and who loves his Church with an everlasting love, has been graciously pleased to provide us with labourers for his vineyard,- -men whose hearts are in their work, who are willing to spend and to be spent for Christ, and whose personal piety, fidelity, and zeal, have already shed a benign and cheering influence over the people of their charge. With these fair and promising appearances, we hope by the grace of God, that the whole of our labours shall not be in vain; we are encour aged to go forth boldly against Erastianism, Puseyism, and Popery, and all, no matter in whatever shape or form it may be found, which dishonours our common Lord. And, Sir, we trust that we of the English Presbyterian Church may be found going forward in every good work with you of the Free Church, and that in our operations, either at home or abroad, we may ever have a single eye to the glory of God in connection with the salvation of souls. In conclusion, may I be privileged to express the desires of our hearts,-that the good will of Him who dwells in the bush may be continued with you,-that the presence of God may be realized in this house, that the Spirit of God may guide the deliberations of this Assembly,and that their deliberations may be followed by a rich, abundant, and abiding blessing from above.

Mr ALEXANDER DUNLOP, elder, from Liverpool, made a few remarks congratulatory of the Assembly, and expressive of sympathy with the Free Church.

Dr CUNNINGHAM said-I am sorry that the amount of business still before us will not allow us so fully to express our feelings on this subject as we could wish, or to enlarge on the topics which have been brought before us; but I hope our friends in England will not think less, on that account, of our cordiality in expressing our approbation of the step they have taken, and the course in which they have resolved to embark, We do most cordially approve of the conduct of the Synod in declaring themselves an independent branch of the Church of Christ, subject to the jurisdiction of no other body whatever. We think that in so doing, they have taken a right view of their own position and of their own duty; and we wish them God speed in the important work in which they have engaged. We consider the testimony of our brethren in England as all the more important and refreshing, be

L

cause it has been borne by men who, if they had chosen, might have stepped into the position which we vacated. (Cheers.) This, undoubtedly, adds great weight to their testimony, and leads us to cherish more strongly the cordiality and kindness with which we receive the deputation from our English friends. Every one must see that the Synod having declared itself an independent branch of the Church of Christ, it is indispensable that it should adopt measures for training up young men to the holy ministry; and we rejoice to hear that they have made arrangements for carrying out this important object. We all bid them God speed, and wish they may succeed in their object, in the prosecution of which we are all, I am sure, willing and ready to render them all the assistance in our power. Such an institution as they contemplate is indispensable to them; and it will be of vast importance also to such of our students as are called, in the providence of God, to reside on the south of the Tweed. Knowing the principles of our English brethren, we can have no hesitation in expressing our willingness to take advantage of their theological seminary for such of our students as may require to reside in England; and students of their body may, in like manner, feel it convenient to take advantage of our's while resid. ing in Scotland. (Hear, hear.) The reverend Doctor concluded by proposing the following motion :

"The General Assembly have heard with great satisfaction the deputation from the Synod of the Presbyterian Church of England, explaining the position recently assumed by the Church, declaring her own independence as a church of Christ, and in resolving to make provision for training up young men for the ministry. The General Assembly are sincerely grateful to the Synod of the Presbyterian Church of England for the expression of their sympathy and approbation in regard to the recent proceedings of the Church, and declare their cordial willingness to maintain the relations and discharge the duties of a sister church to the Presbyterian Church of England, and their readiness to afford them every assistance in their power in promoting the important objects which the sister Church undertakes. The General Assembly rejoice in the prospect of the establishment of a Presbyterian College in England for educating ministers, not only as indispensable to the efficiency of the English Presbyterian Church, but also as likely to afford valuable facilities for promoting the theological education of those students of the Church who may be called in Providence to reside for a time in England; and appoint the following members as a deputation to the next meeting of the English Presbyterian Synod."

The MODERATOR then addressed the deputation as follows:-To you, my reverend brethren and respected friends, this Assembly looks with peculiar interest,—with much affection for you individually, and with deep concern for your success and prosperity as a Church of Christ. We feel for you a brotherly, or rather a parental regard; for are you not, for the most part, our own sons, born and bred among us, referring to this country the recollections of childhood and youth, the impress of a mother's tenderness and a father's care, and all the engaging intercourse of brothers, and sisters, and friends? And were you not educated in our schools and colleges, deriving your license as preachers, and your ordination as ministers, from our Presbyteries? It were unnatural indeed if we did not follow you with our best wishes and anxious prayers, and seek your good in the sphere assigned you in the vineyard. But in this department of duty we have been sadly deficient, and it involves the neglect, not of our ministers only, but of the many thousands of our people who are continually planting themselves in the southern parts of the island. These usually have no church connected with their parent-land to go to, and, therefore, either forget the habits of their youth, and "forsake the assembling of themselves together," or attach themselves to other communities, where, even if they find a faithful minis ter of the Word, they meet not the accompanying circumstances that recommended it to their early associations. They feel as among strangers, without union with one another, or personal attachment to their minister as a fellow-countryman. Their connection with a Church, whatever it be, is loosely held, and easily escaped from, when the temptations of a carnal heart or a corrupt world gain the ascendancy. And in many cases, a spurious gospel, "denying the only Lord God, even our Lord Jesus Christ," is preached in places bearing the name of Presbyterian, by which the

ignorant and inexperienced may be drawn aside into most dangerous and soul-destroying errors. We, therefore, rejoice in any efforts and arrangements fitted to give unity and strength to our Presbyterian congregations in England, and have marked with much pleasure your recent proceedings in your several Presbyteries, and your United Synod. We rejoice in the adherence of the far greater number of the Scottish Presbyterian Churches to the principles of our Free Church, in their approbation of our proceedings, and in their brotherly sympathies. I need not say that we claim no authority over you, and pretend not to any farther influence than may be derived from an affectionate regard for you, and from the Christian character which, we trust, our communications will ever bear. And we well know that you may be useful to us, not less than we to you, as servants of the same Master, and office-bearers in the same compartment of the Church. It shall be our study to commend to your care those of our people who may be called to settle in the different localities you occupy. A mutual and frequent communication will, we trust, be attended with happy effects on both sides. We commend you to God, and to the word of his grace.

The Assembly called for the overtures on

SLAVERY IN AMERICA.

The following was read by the clerk "At Edinburgh, the eighth day of May, eighteen hundred and forty-four, the Free Synod of Lothian and Tweeddale being met and constituted, inter alia, "The Synod unanimously agreed to transmit to the Assembly the following overture on slavery in the United States of America :

"It is humbly overtured by the Synod of Lothian and Tweeddale to the venerable General Assemby, that they take into their serious consideration the propriety of addressing, in a friendly and brotherly spirit the Presbyterian and other churches in, the United States of America, on the subject of the continuance of slavery in that country, and the countenance alleged to be given to it by professing Christians and religious communities."

Dr CANDLISH, after referring in a few words to the circumstances in which the attention of the Church had been called to this subject, said, I feel that it is right, on this first occasion on which this subject has been brought before the Assembly, that nothing hasty should be said or done. We should broach this subject not merely with the vehement indignation which we are apt to feel whenever slavery is contemplated, but also with a just regard to what may be, upon the whole, the most likely method of prosecuting the abolition of this great iniquity; and especially, Sir, in reference to the relation subsisting, or which may, in the providence of God, subsist between the Free Protesting Church of Scotland and the Presbyterian and other churches in America. It is important for us that we should first of all institute inquiries-that we should fairly and fully consider in what way we may best improve our facilities of intercourse with those churches, with a view to promote the abolition of this great evil of slavery. I would desire, therefore, to abstain on this occasion from pronouncing any judgment as to what the American churches have been doing, or ought to do, in this matter; for, to a large extent, as a church, we are ignorant on the whole subject. I would desire, also, that the Assembly should take the matter into their serious consideration, and should, before addressing the American churches, have a committee appointed to prepare such an address as they shall see fit, if they judge it expedient; and also to make such inquiries as may enable them to prepare such an address most suitably. Generally, I would say, that it seems as if in the providence of God, our Church had been brought at this time into friendly relations with the churches in America, that thus possibly our influence may be exerted upon them for good, even as their influence in many particulars may be exerted upon us for good; and it cannot be the desire of any of us that the present opportunity of mutually showing good should be marred by any precipitate procedure. (Hear, bear.) The object of the Synod of Lothian and Tweeddale was simply to call the attention of the Assembly to the subject, in order that the Assembly might use the opportunities it has of addressing the churches of

America, for the purpose of calling their attention also to this important subject. I think, upon the whole, that the right method of disposing of these overtures, is to appoint a committee to take the subject under review; and I would be also disposed to authorize the Commission of Assembly, at one of its stated meetings, to receive the report from the committee which may now be appointed, and to do in the matter as the Commission may judge best. I think in this way the subject will be fairly brought under the consideration of the Church, by our waiting a little time, in order to ascertain in what manner our influence may be best brought to bear on the American churches, so as to promote the abolition of slavery. I have purposely endeavoured to express myself with as little as possible of the excitement which this topic is fitted to produce in the mind of every man of generous or Christian feeling; because I think that, as a Christian Church, we ought to take up the subject calmly and deliberately; and, therefore, I have not proposed that the Assembly should at once resolve to address the American churches on the subject, I mean immediately, because, as a Church, we have had so little time to consider it, and know so little of the matter; but the attention of the Assembly will continue to be called to the subject by the committee now to be appointed, and who, with the aid of our friend Dr Cunningham, will give themselves to the consideration of the question in a spirit of true friendship to the churches of America, and yet in a spirit of faithfulness to the cause remitted to it. (Hear, hear.)

Dr CUNNINGHAM.-I quite agree with Dr Candlish that this is the best way of disposing of the overture, and more likely than any other to produce a really beneficial effect. I will not enter on any discussion of the subject, but state in a single sentence my individual opinion, that, so far as concerns the taking of any practical step by the churches in America, there are greater practical difficulties in the way of such a movement than at first sight may be supposed. The usual impressions that prevail, in regard to the relations of the churches to slavery, and which are propagated in this country by the party who exclusively claim to themselves the title of abolitionists, may, after due investigation, require to be very materially modified. We do not need to modify the feelings prevailing in this country of abhorrence against the system of slavery, but we may need to modify the views we have hitherto entertained as to the relations of the American churches to slavery, before we adopt a definite or specific measure.

The motion for the appointment of a committee was then agreed to.

Dr WILSON brought up the draft of the petition against the Dissenters' Chapels Bill, which was approved of, and

The Assembly adjourned shortly after four o'clock, till seven.

EVENING SEDERUNT.

The Assembly having been opened in the usual manner, the Moderator said that he had great pleasure in intimating that the Rev. H. Monod, from Paris, was then in the room, and that he would address them on a future day, perhaps on Monday.

The Assembly called for the report of the committee appointed to prepare an

ADDRESS TO HER MAJESTY.

The following draft of an address was then given in by Dr Brown, and read by Mr Dunlop.

"

May it please your Majesty,-We, your Majesty's most loyal and dutiful subjects, the ministers and elders of the Free Church of Scotland, in General Assembly convened, sieze with joy the recurrence, during our present sittings, of the glad day which first gave your Majesty to the wishes and the love of the nation, to lay at the feet of the throne the renewed assurance which each year, since your Majesty's happy accession, we have been privileged to give,—of that heartfelt and devoted

loyalty which was ever the characteristic of our predecessors, who, whether dwelling in peace under the shadow of the State, or borne down by persecution and sufferings, clung to it with unwavering constancy.

"We desire most heartily to congratulate your Majesty on the return of this happy day, on which, with all your subjects throughout this mighty empire, we rejoice with thankfulness that we have been blessed with a monarch who, even in her early days, and stepping from a peaceful retirement to the cares and duties of sovereignty, at once wielded the sceptre with the wisdom and firmness of age, combined with the generous affections of youth, to which each passing year now adds largely the rich lessons of experience.

“That each year may also add largely to your Majesty's happiness and domestic bliss, -that you may see this day return many, many times, and that each time it may find your Majesty more deeply rooted in the hearts of your people, and, above all, may find you advancing more and more towards a meetness for eternity, so that, having been born again to a better inheritance than your earthly dominions,-a heavenly kingdom, and a crown that will not fade,―you may, through faith in that blood which is alike essentially needful to all,—the highest and the lowest,—be received in peace into the presence of Him who is King of kings, and Lord of lords, is the fervent prayer of,

May it please your Majesty,

"Your Majesty's most faithful, and most obedient, and most loyal subjects, the ministers and elders of the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland."

The Assembly unanimously approved of this address, authorised the Moderator to sign it, and transmit it to the Secretary of State for the Home Department. The Assembly called for the report of the Committee appointed to confer with the Committee of the

ORIGINAL SECEDERS.

Dr BROWN stated-That the report was very short, and might be given in a single sentence. Though convener of that Committee, he had found it inconvenient to be present at all the meetings, but he was present at the first, when they met with many of their respected brethren. It was judged expedient at that time, that as nothing of a definite nature had taken place, committees should be appointed in different parts of the country, and these committees have met with our brethren of the Original Secession in Ayr, Aberdeen, Perth, and other places, and conferred with them on the subject of union. We have not come to any resolution on the point of final union; but we have to report that our conferences with these gentlemen have been most friendly, and that it is the desire both of them and us that the communications between us should be continued; and we have to recommend, in accordance with their wish, as well as our own, that the Committee should be reappointed. The Committee has been of too limited a nature in regard to numbers, and we therefore recommend that considerable addition be made to it, and that the convener should be resident in Edinburgh, where future conferences with our brethren may be held. The whole negotiation hitherto has been conducted in the most friendly and agreeable manner; and although matters are not as yet ripe for an immediate union, that desirable object will be very much promoted by the re-appointment of the Committee. Our friend Dr Candlish, I believe, was present at the last meeting of the Synod of our brethren, held in Edinburgh, and he will, at this stage perhaps, state what took place there.

The Assembly having called for the report of the deputation appointed to visit the Synod of Original Seceders,

Dr CANDLISH said-As the only member of that deputation present, I have to report that we waited upon the Synod at its last meeting, and I can only say that our reception by the Synod was such as might have been anticipated, from the entire accordance between them and us, in reference to all the essential principles involved in our recent contendings. We waited upon the Synod, Sir, with feelings of peculiar