think it will be admitted that this request has been complied with, when I state that Dr Candlish, Mr Guthrie, Mr Macnaughtan, Mr Davidson of Lady Glenorchy's, and others, have been appointed for that purpose. Now, let us see how we are to get over the difficulty. The great matter is to allow every one to have a stone in these new erections, and this might be got at in this way. If ten thousand pounds of the sum already collected was set apart for the erection of a college, on condition that ten thousand pounds more be collected from the places which I have yet to visit, that arrangement would not prevent those parties from having a stone in each school. Because those who contributed a shilling stone would have to divide it between the schools and the college, so that they would have a sixpence stone in each. Those who contributed a sixpence stone would give threepence to each, and so on throughout the other grades of the subscribers. If, however, any had the least reluctance to the arrangement, their money would be appropriated for the purpose it was contributed for; and I have no doubt that, from the places I have to visit, the other sums will be made up, and more if we want it. I have not as yet arranged what places I am to visit first, but this will be intimated in due time by the Committee. I cannot conclude my statement at present without mentioning the friendship I have experienced in every place where I went. It has been to me one of the sweetest seasons of my life; and it may just show you how great and unremitted that friendship has been, when I state that, though travelling for the last six months in all parts of Scotland and England, I never slept for one single night in an inn. I tried to see if I could make it out sometimes, but was always found out, and never got it effected. While therefore, we have every reason to be filled with gratitude at the large sums we have received, and while we confess that the Lord has done great things for us, for which we are glad, for I feel that it is the Lord who has done it, yet I put the question, is this too large a sum? I do not ask, is it too large a sum for such an object; but I ask, is it too large a sum for such a Lord? When we look to Gethsemane and to Calvary, and consider it was He who gave his life,-who gave his all for us, can we conceive that anything we can give could be put in comparison with such a Lord as this. His grace and love towards us is such, that if we had ten thousand tongues, we ought to praise Him with them all,-if we had ten thousand hearts, we ought to love him with them all,-and if we had ten thousand lives, we ought to lay them all down for His sake.

A. THOMSON, Esq. of Banchory said, that in moving the adoption of the interesting report which had been read on this important subject, he was sure the Assembly would go along with him when he moved that the thanks of the Assembly be conveyed to Mr M'Donald, through their Moderator, for his labours in the cause. The subject was a most important one. The religious education of the youth of the country would be the only sure means of perpetuating those principles which they held so dear. They who now upheld them would soon pass away, and the young would soon occupy their places; and upon the education which they now received, under God, would depend the future prosperity of the Free Church. In addition to the vote of thanks to Mr M'Donald, he would suggest that the Assembly express their thanks to Mr M'Donald's congregation for have so long parted with him, to enable him to follow out this scheme. It was certainly no small disappointment to be deprived of the services of such a man as Mr M'Donald for so long a period, and he thought they deserved the thanks of the Assembly for the forbearance they had shown in the matter.

A. E. MONTEITH, Esq., in seconding the motion, said-In doing so, I wish to state a fact intimately connected with this subject, and interesting to this house. I do not intend to detain the Assembly by speaking of education generally, more especially on the subject of a collegiate education, as that subject is to be brought up on Monday evening by Dr Welsh, who is not with us to night. It is impossible for us to over-estimate the value of a collegiate education; you will hear that from Dr Welsh on Monday evening; and on that occasion I may state some statistics having reference to the college about to be established in this city, in connection with the Free Church. It may appear an exceedingly visionary project to some, that we, who are but of a year's existence, should be talking about setting up a seminary for

the higher branches of the education of the youth of our land; yet really after what has taken place during the past year, no surprise need be created by such a proposal, for it is now pretty self-evident that whatever we set our hearts upon we will achieve. When we came out of the Establishment last year, people laughed at the idea of our being able to make a comfortable provision for the sustentation of our ministers, and said we would soon be glad to go back again; but here we stand at the year's end, having provided a respectable competency for the whole of the clergymen who seceded, aye, and about one hundred and forty more,-a competency larger than that which is generally allowed to the working clergy of the Church of England. But not only that,-you have also heard that there has been raised within the last six months the sum of fifty thousand pounds for the parochial education of Scotland. And now the next point to be attended to is, to provide for that teaching, which is quite as important as the parochial system; for if our education is not to be leavened with religion, it is worse than useless. And how can that leaven be rightly imparted to it, but through the proper education of the clergy of our Church? It is therefore of importance that the education of our clergymen should be provided for in the most ample manner; and although the means of doing so may not be in full operation before next meeting of Assembly, yet in the course of two years there is every prospect of our having, in connection with the Free Church, an institution erected, which will not only fully accomplish that desirable object, but which will prove an ornament to our city. I consider the institution of a college a matter not only calculated to interest the members of the Free Church, but, in fact, every one who has children to educate. In saying this, I have no desire to reflect upon the universities of Scotland. I speak in the presence of one of the heads of the oldest of these universities, -a man who is one of the greatest ornaments to the scientific literature of his day; but even he, I am sure, will not take it amiss, when I say that these universities have been wanting in not attending properly to the religious education of our youth. This desideratum, I hope, we will remedy in the college about to be instituted. I may state that there were considerable difficulties in the way of setting about this erection. In the first place, it will require a coniderable sum of money; but it appears to me that the sum sinks into insignificance when put in comparison with the magnificent sums we have raised in the course of the past year, as I can state on the authority of a celebrated architect, that we will be able to erect a college which will be a credit to our Church, at the cost of twenty, or at farthest twenty-five thousand pounds. When stated this to Mr M'Donald, and told him that I thought the time was now come when we should set about the erection, before he would give his approbation to the plan, he made it a condition that we should accept of ten thousand pounds from himself. Some would have been very apt to take this as a boast; and I confess that had he made the offer to me six months ago, I would have been very apt to smile at it; but when we see that within the last six months he has raised five times the sum, I think we may consider that in the course of twelve months his ten thousand pounds will be as sure as if we had his bank-bill for it. But what I wish to call the attention of the house to, is the removal of the worst difficulty connected with the subject. After the disruption of the Church, all who wished to obtain sites within the city found the greatest difficulty in doing so. Why, our best clergymen were obliged to have their churches built in back grounds, out of view altogether; and it was appropriate that they should be so; for, while their country brethren also found difficulties in getting theirs erected, it was but right that the clergy of the metropolis should set them the example not to lavish their money in needless ornaments. All these sites, then, inconvenient as some of them were, had only been obtained at a large sum of money; and when it occurred to the committee that they were in circumstances to have a college erected, the first thing they did was to look out for a site. In finding one they were not without their difficulties, as it was not every place that was suited for such a purpose. Their attention in doing so was entirely directed to two requisites; first, that they should procure a site in as central a position as possible, and, in the next place one that would give them a vantage ground in point of architectural effect; for they were now entitled to consider themselves a national institute. And when a

M

stranger visiting Edinburgh asked where was this boasted Free Church College, they might not have it told them that it was in this back lane or that back lane, but that they could point to the college in some prominent place, and say, Yonder is the College of the Free Church. The house, he was sure, then, would agree with him, that the best situation in both these respects was the site at the head of the Earthen Mound. That was overtopped, no doubt, by the spire of the Residuary Hall; but of this, I think, said Mr M., we will be able to take the best advantage, and will be enabled, almost, to rob them of its effect, in order to afford some slight return for the manner in which they have robbed us. I believe there was not the least idea that we should build a college on that site, as we endeavoured to go as quietly to work as possible, determined to say nothing about the matter until we had every thing cut and dry; and I have now the greatest pleasure in informing the house that the whole arrangements were completed in the earlier part of the week, and that we have secured the site in question, though at the expense of a considerable sum. I am quite sure, however, that the Church will not consider this money spent in vain, for the architect I have already referred to told me, that had we searched throughout broad Scotland, we could not have got a better site. We have therefore got over the difficulty as to the site, and all we have to do is to raise the money. This difficulty, I have no doubt, will also speedily be overcome. Mr Macdonald has promised the one half of it, and I am sure the appeal to the people of Scotland for the other half will not be made in vain. I should not be at all surprised if, before the term of Martinmas, we had all the money required; at all events, I trust that before this time twelvemonths we will have all the money in the bank. The design will be one of the most elegant which can be erected at the cost I have already stated; and considering that one way or other the Church has raised during the past year about L.300,000-(cries of "More, more,")—well, it might be more,-at all events, we need not dispute about small matters here,-but considering the large sum already raised, we have every reason to believe that the sum now required for so important a purpose will be speedily and readily supplied.

Dr CANDLISH proposed that the memorial from Sabbath-school Teachers should be read, which was accordingly done, and is as follows:

"Unto the Venerable the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland,We, the undersigned Sabbath-school teachers in Edinburgh, in connection with the Free Church of Scotland, impressed with the importance of Sabbath-school teaching as a means which God has blessed, and will bless, for the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom, beg humbly and respectfully to suggest to your venerable court, the increasing claim which this subject now has on your consideration and countenance.

"We believe it to be a solemn duty resting on every Christian Church,-1st, To provide for the religious education of all the children of church-members, by congregational Sabbath-schools, by the promotion of parental instruction, or by other ineans; and, 2dly, To use every effort, by public Sabbath-schools, or otherwise, to bring within the influence of Christian truth that fearfully numerous class of children for whose souls there is no one else to care.

"Deeply feeling, as we have constant cause to feel, the utter inadequacy of any means hitherto in operation for the accomplishment of either of the objects above stated, we would humbly, but most earnestly, pray your venerable court that you would be pleased to give the religious instruction of the young, by means especially of Sabbath-schools, your early, full, and favourable consideration, and adopt such measures as may seem best fitted to secure the end desired, the instruction of every child within reach of our Church, in the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. ("Signed by one hundred and seventy-six male Sabbathschool teachers, resident in Edinburgh.") Dr Candlish then proceeded to say, that he could not but express the feelings which be entertained towards his friend Mr Macdonald, in reference to the matter which had that evening been before them. He has opened the springs of faith in the divine promises among a large class of our people, and it were inexcusable in us to omit acknowledging the good hand of God in the success with which he had begun, carried on, and completed in faith this good work. I will take this opportunity of

saying, what, as convener of another committee I am able to say, that we are doubly indebted to the labours of Mr Macdonald, not only in reference to the scheme he has been the instrument of promoting, but for the great aid he has given us in preaching the gospel, and administering ordinances in various parts of the country. In the present scarcity of ministerial labours, and in the demand which exists for the preaching of the gospel, wherever he has gone he has served a double purpose, not only emptying the pockets of the people, but filling their souls with the bread of life. And I hope the Assembly of this Church shall adopt some plan for loosing some such devoted ministers as Mr Macdonald from their charges during the summer months, to do the work of evangelists. When we look abroad and consider that we have numerous fully sanctioned charges still unprovided with ministers, and preaching stations that cannot obtain them, and when we think of the thirst that is manifested for the preaching of the gospel, and the loud call everywhere heard to go forth and preach to the people, I have no doubt that the Assembly will adopt some plan such as I have proposed, for allowing ministers, like-minded with Mr Macdonald, to leave their charges for a short time during the summer, and do the work of evangelists. But the next best thing would be, that men like Mr M'Donald should be seized with whims and fancies, and made to mount their hobbies, and go through the land commending their schemes to the support of the people. I have thought it was a providential thing that Mr Macdonald was led to devise such a scheme as that which has occupied his attention, seeing it has been the cause of such spiritual good throughout those parts of Scotland which he has visited; and I will now propose a deliverance, embracing the various parts of the report which has now been laid before us. I may here say, that the whole subject of education is reserved for a future diet of Assembly, when Dr Welsh is present; but I would to-night call particular attention to the part of the report relating to Sabbath-schools. I believe the committee on education have already obtained the consent of several devoted ministers of the Church to be released from their charges for a short time, and to give themselves to the task of fostering Sabbath schools in Scotland; but I do not propose that the motion I am to submit should have reference to the loosing of these ministers, inasmuch as any proposal of this kind should be embraced in the suggestions that are to be made by a committee on the general state of religion in the land. The following is the motion I have to submit:

"The General Assembly having heard that part of the report of the Education Committee which relates to elementary education,-to Sabbath-schools,—and also the scheme for raising a sum for building schools, which was originally planned, and has been so successfully prosecuted, by the Rev. Robert Macdonald of Blairgowrie, -approve of the report and proceedings of the committee, and express their high satisfaction at the zeal and diligence with which the affairs of the committee have been conducted. They have heard with heartfelt satisfaction of the success of the Normal Seminary, which has been so long conducted with much ability by the Rector, Mr Oliphant. With regard to Sabbath-schools, the Assembly having considered the part of the report relating thereto, as well as the memorial on that subject from the Sabbath-school teachers in Edinburgh, and being deeply impressed with a sense of the duty incumbent upon this Church to promote to the uttermost the religious instruction of the youth of our land, as well those connected with the congregations of this Church as those more destitute of spiritual advantages, do cordially recommend all the ministers, kirk-sessions, and presbyteries of the Church to give their constant and earnest attention to this momentous object; and especially remit it to the Committee on the Religious State of the Country to consider the propriety of including, in any practical measures to be adopted during the summer, the extension and improvement of Sabbath-schools, and the calling forth among the children a spirit of interest in missionary exertion among both Jews and heathen. The Assembly heard with unspeakable satisfaction and thankfulness the singular success with which the Lord has been pleased to bless the labours of Mr Macdonald, and the spirit of liberality with which the people of Scotland have contributed for the erection of schools in connection with our Church, as shown in the cordiality with which they

responded to the call of Mr Macdonald, and in the short space of six months have contributed upwards of L.50,000 towards the execution of his scheme. The Assembly approve of the proposal to allow L. 10,000 of the contributions to be set apart with the concurrence of the subscribers, for college purposes, on the understanding that this sum be realized from farther subscriptions; and that whilst deeply sensible of the labours of Mr Macdonald, and reluctant to separate him longer from his attached flock, yet in consideration of the great Christian object to be attained, of his eminent qualifications for the work, and relying on the self-denial and generous sympathy of his flock with a matter so beneficial to the whole congregations of our Church, the General Assembly authorize him to go forth for other three months, or for whatever time may be required, for the purpose of raising the additional sum. And the Assembly further enjoin such ministers as Mr Macdonald may apply to for taking the pastoral superintendence of his congregation, to pay the utmost attention to his request. The Assembly further empower the committee to make whatever arrangements may be necessary for the ingathering and distributing of the fund realized from Mr Macdonald's scheme; the Assembly delay the re-appointment of the committee until the report on the college be given in; and they direct the hearty thanks of the Assembly to the vice-convener and Mr Macdonald from the Chair."

The motion was unanimously agreed to.

The MODERATOR then returned thanks to Mr Macdonald. He said-With peculiar pleasure I obey the Assembly in returning you our most sincere heartfelt thanks for your generous and indefatigable labours. The scheme was indeed an admirable one,-simple in its means, sublime in its object; and I congratulate you on your success. When first your plan was unfolded in the Assembly at Glasgow, many thought your hopes too sanguine, and conceived they could never be fulfilled, or, at least, must be subjected to such delay as to give you experience of the saying, that "hope deferred maketh the heart sick." But yours has indeed been a hope that maketh not ashamed. It has not subjected you to either the pain or shame of disappointment. From the first I felt confident that your effort would not be a failure, although I acknowledge I dared not anticipate the rapid and complete success that has attended it. Those efforts are not likely to fail that are prompted by zeal and love; that are carried on in the spirit of faith and prayer; and that are pursued with untiring diligence,-a diligence not discouraged by occasional disappointment, nor relaxed, even by great success. Yours, Sir, have been such efforts. Great already has been your reward, and greater reward still awaits you. In the other Christian enterprizes of our Church, many heads have combined their counsels, many hands have co-operated, many agents have been employed, and the Church in all its congregations has exerted its efforts. Your scheme originated with yourself. You have been the contriver, the counsellor, the agent, the accomplisher of it. No doubt, you have received hearty sympathy and much valuable help; but you have won these for yourself; and to you, therefore, our thanks are due. And we have the purer pleasure in giving them, that we know you will unite with us in rendering thanks supremely to Him from whom all good flows; who taught you to conceive, and enabled you to perform the honourable service you have accomplished. I have only farther to request that you will convey to your flock the thanks of this Assembly for the patience and generosity they have shown in so cheerfully acquiescing in your long and necessary absence.

The Assembly then called for the overture anent the improvement of church music, and thereafter for the

OVERTURE ANENT A UNIFORM AND AUTHORISED CLASS OF SCHOOL-BOOKS.

On the motion of Dr Candlish, these subjects were sent to a committee. Rev. Mr BRODIE of Monimail, in the course of a few remarks on this subject, said, the present class of school-books were found miserably deficient. The majority of our collections were such as might be found in a heathen country equally with a ChrisThere was no reference in them to the great truths of Christianity; and

tain one.