main in connection with that Establishment; while, on the other hand, those who contributed without any regard to those principles, but simply to support the Establishment, cannot allow the church, partly erected by their contributions, to be wrested from the Establishment. In these circumstances, then, seeing that neither party can yet get the object they had in view carried out, the legal result was, that the property should be brought to sale, and after paying from the proceeds the debts connected with it, that the surplus should be divided amongst the competing parties. It might be thought useless to try the case in a court of law; but the last General Assembly considered that the property was so extensive, amounting in all to about three hundred thousand pounds,-that they ought not to give it up without, at all events, an effort to retain it, by trying the question-(hear, hear); and if it should turn out that the law in this case, as it has been in many others, shall be against them, still it might be fraught with many beneficial effects. Efforts in some instances had been made to take the property of these churches, without paying the debts upon them. In one recent case, that of Montrose, this was attempted, but it did not succeed; and now he should hope that it would be found they could not go so far as to take the church, and leave them to pay the debt. (Hear, hear.) But in St Paul's the case he had been referring to-this lady was prepared to take the debt upon herself, provided she got possession of the church. She was, under that condition, to pay back the subscriptions of every individual who had contributed to the erection, and also the sum subscribed from the Church Extension Fund, leaving it, of course, to any one to be subscribers if they so inclined; but the proposal had been refused. The proposal was certainly a fair one; for when she came forward to the church courts, and offered L.1600 for the erection of this church, on the condition that the minister was to have a seat in the church courts, it was a bargain on her part; but now that the bargain was broken,-that the minister had been refused a seat in these church courts, and when she, in consequence, goes and offers to take the church into her own hands, and pay off all the parties who subscribed to it, -her proposal is refused,—this, too, be it observed, not by any body unacquainted with all the circumstances of the case, but by one of the church courts who made the bargain with her. He made this statement to show the justness of the lady's claim. He believed there were other cases equally strong; there was, for instance, one in Glasgow, and several others, which he merely referred to, to excite their friends who had not already contributed, to lose no time in doing so, even although the money was required for the very thankless object of carrying on a law-suit. (Laughter and applause.) These were the important subjects to which the committee had had their attention directed. If any member wished information on any of the subjects he had touched upon, he would be most happy to give it. He might mention, before concluding, that he had received a great many applications on the subject of the registration of baptisms and marriages. As to marriages, he had to state that the proclamation of banns behoved always to be made in the parish church, and registered accordingly. With regard to births, it would also be desirable to register in the parish register, although every congregation might keep a register for baptisms and marriages of its own. In both cases, however, it was requisite for security, that the registry should be made in the parish register.

DR CANDLISH then rose, and, after stating that it was most likely it would be the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt Mr Dunlop's suggestion as to the trust-deed of investment, said, he would beg, in moving that the thanks of the Assembly be given to Mr Dunlop as convener of the Law Committee, also to move the appointment of a large committee to consider the trust-deed, the deliverances of presbyteries upon it, and the overtures connected with it, and report to a future diet of Assembly.

MR CUPPLES of Doun seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The Rev. Mr Begg to be convener of the committee.

MR GRAY of Perth said, he wished in a few sentences to draw the attention of the Assembly to that portion of the report which had reference to the prospect of quoad sacra places of worship. He was sure Mr Dunlop carried the feelings of the whole Assembly with him in regard to that portion of his statement. It was highly desirable that means should be taken to have justice done to other congrega

tions in respect to these places of worship; and by the Assembly adopting that part of the report that related to them he hoped it would go forth to the Church that funds would be got for that purpose. They had hitherto been unfortunate in all their civil actions. This would likely be the last they would have, arising out of their recent connection with the Establishment; and looking at the case as it stood,-to ⚫ the circumstances-that these buildings were entirely erected through the instrumentality of the members of this Church, and that the funds with which they were erected were almost entirely contributed by them,-looking to these circumstances, if in this law-suit no other end be gained, this important one will, that the result will show the strong claims which our Church has to the sympathy of other religious bodies; and he believed the effect of it, if unfavourable, would be to excite the people to far greater exertions, in the same way as they were excited to those remarkable exertions which had crowned the year they had seen closed. (Applause.)

In

MR GIBSON of Glasgow said, there were one or two facts connected with this matter to which he wished to direct the attention of the Assembly. He agreed with what had been said by Mr Gray; and he had no doubt but that the house would bear testimony to the ready and useful advice they received from Mr Dunlop and the committee, in regard to those matters where no application was made. reference to the justice of the claim to these churches, he thought it would be well that it was brought out in all its features before the public. He should wish that it would be borne in mind on what ground these churches are attempted to be wrested from us. Let it be remembered that the Established Assembly of last May declared that the chapel act, under which these churches were built, was of no force whatever, in short, that it never was an act at all. (Hear, hear.) In that case, surely the chapels erected under that act had no connection with the Church; but still, although the act was no act, the churches were churches, and these parties lay claim to them. He could not see by what principle, either of reason or of justice, these men could lay claim to property raised under an act which they had solemnly declared never was an act of the Church. In the second place, the civil courts had also said, that the act under which these chapels were built was illegal. He was not prepared to say what the decision of the civil courts might be in regard to the question now to be submitted to them. But it would seem strange should the civil courts declare the constitution of these churches to be good, while they had already declared the act on which that constitution was founded to be illegal. (Hear, hear.) In endeavouring to retain these churches, they had been charged with an invasion of civil rights, and going beyond their province. In the case in Glasgow to which Mr Dunlop had referred, the parties had not only interdicted the sale of the building, -which was advertised for sale by the trustees, but they had also interdicted the minister and congregation from meeting in the church for worship; so that the church had been shut since August last, and they have never to this moment intimated their intention of appointing a pastor to it. He could understand that individuals, under mistaken views of conscience, might look after that congregation, and endeavour to take them from a minister who, they conceived, was not calculated to contribute to their spiritual welfare; but he could not understand how a body who professed to act solely and alone for spiritual concerns and objects, should attend solely and alone to civil interests. They take care to save the building, but they let go to the winds the spiritual concerns of the congregation. It was well that these matters should be before the public mind, that it might be seen on what inconsistent, if not unjust principles, these parties were now attempting to act. It appeared to him that, whatever the result might be, parties so acting had at least the guilt of acting upon principles such as those he had mentioned.

Mr DUNLOP said he intended to do all justice to their opponents, and he might mention that, in the Glasgow case, to which reference had been made, the church was built by the great Church Building Society there, many of whom belonged to the Established Church. But seeing the injustice of taking this church from the congregation, those who belonged to the Establishment had joined the other party, in order to have the case tried in the civil court, and to procure what they conceived to be the ends of justice.

The MODERATOR then, in name of the Assembly, expressed to Mr Dunlop his high approbation of the services he had rendered to the Church by the Law Committee, and more especially for the services rendered by Mr Dunlop himself, to whose legal qualifications the Church had so often been indebted, and who carried the same benevolent and Christian spirit into his public, as characterised his private life.

MARINERS' CHURCH, Dundee.

Rev. Mr MILLER of Monifieth said, he wished to bring under the notice of the Assembly a specialty relative to Mariners' Church, Dundee. The money for the erection of this church was all subscribed previous to the disruption. The subscriptions amounted to L. 1000. When the disruption took place, it was agreed that all the money should be returned to the various parties who contributed it, leaving it to those who were inclined to subscribe anew for the erection of a Mariners' Church to be in connection with the Free Church of Scotland. The result was, that out of L.1000 originally contributed, upwards of L.900 was re-subscribed for the Free Mariners' Church. (Applause.) That church was now therefore a Free church, and a minister ordained to it. The Presbytery however thought it desirable that it should get a clause inserted into its constitution, to the effect that it should be a Mariners' Church in all time coming in order to distinguish it from the other places of worship in the town, more especially after what has occurred recently with the incumbent. It was submitted to Mr Dunlop, who approved of it, and he would therefore take the liberty to suggest that a committee be appointed to look over that constitution, and consider the clause required, and report to a future diet. This was agreed to, and a committee appointed.

THEOLOGICAL PUBLICATIONS.

The Assembly then proceeded to take up overtures,-the first, on cheap publications, from the Synod of Lothian and Tweeddale; and the second, on the necessity of preparing a Presbyterian Catechism, from the Synod of Aberdeen.

Dr CANDLISH addressed the Assembly in support of these overtures. He said,The Assembly will at once perceive the connection between the two overtures which have just been read-bearing on the same subject—which may be disposed of together. The object contemplated by the first is the appointment of a Board or Committee, equivalent to what is in existence in the Presbyterian Churches of America, to circulate at a cheap rate the best religious literature which could be gathered from the various theological publications and other writings connected with our Church, among the members of our Church. That Committee might also be entrusted with the task of selecting and compiling the best manuals and catechisms, both on Presbyterian church government, and other topics, of which it is most important that our people should have short and summary statements. All of us must have felt the want of something of the kind on this latter subject. All of us must have felt, in admitting persons to the communion and baptism, and on various other occasions, the want of something simple, clear, and distinct, which might be put into the hands of those making application. It is true, there are many excellent catechisms and treatises on baptism, the communion, and doctrinal points, already in existence; but still something better might yet be framed, if care were taken by a committee appointed to select the best parts out of all the extant treatises, and compiling them into a short and simple summary, which people could easily understand. (Hear, bear.) This is especially necessary in regard to the peculiar principles for which the Free Church has been honoured to contend. For one cannot shut his eyes to the risk and danger of those principles falling to some extent out of mind after a lapse of a few years. The controversy being ended,-the discussions being now no more,-there is certainly some danger lest some should join the Church who might prove her very best supporters in one sense, but who might not think it worth while, nor their duty to acquaint themselves with the principles for which the Church contended. Now, it would be much to be deplored, if the noble testimony which the Church had borne for the pure principles of Presbyterian polity and government, should be lost or lowered in any degree. (Hear, hear, and applause.)

Besides, something should be done, in order to put the common people in possession of these principles, and keep them rivetted on the minds of all our members; and therefore I think a short catechism on Presbyterianism, and particularly on the peculiar principles for which, as a Presbyterian Church, the Free Church had to testify, put into the hands of all the members of that Church, would be of the utmost consequence. It is of great importance to put those who join our Church beyond all doubt as to the general doctrines of that Church, and the principles for which it had coutended; and also as to those doctrines which she held in common with other evangelical denominations. Other topics too, might be suggested on which it would be desirable to have treatises issued by the Church. The other part of the overture, and that which I at present am more concerned in bringing before the Assembly, is the republishing and reissuing the best of our theological literature. They are cognate, and consist, first, in the issuing of treatises suitable to the exigencies of the times; and, secondly, in the publishing of old recognised works in a manner cheap and accessible to all our people. (Applause.) I have taken some little pains to instruct myself as to this subject. I have made inquiries regarding it, and consulted those in the trade who are able to give information as to the practicability of what is contemplated. I have taken the hint from the example of the Parker Society in England, and the Wodrow Society in Scotland. From contemplating the operations of these societies, it occurred to me that the principle upon which they are formed is one which might be made far more available to the great mass of the people. Supposing that an association was instituted such as the Parker Society, or the Wodrow Society, for the issuing of old books, and that the yearly subscription was, not one pound, as in these, but four shillings-one shilling a quarter, (a small sum, which many families will be perfectly ready to pay)-I expected that the result would be a very small issue of books. But I shall state the calculations which have been made on authority on which I could rely. An association of 1250 subscribers, at 4s. per annum, would be able to issue two volumes of the type and size of "Buchanan on the Holy Spirit," or 352 pages, bound in cloth, every year, and leave a surplus of L.78. (Applause.) With 2000 subscribers, at the same rate, three such volumes might be issued, with a surplus of L.22. And with 1500 subscribers, three volumes, without a surplus. Now, let them suppose the numbers increased to 5000 subscribers,-and I venture to say that is not above one-fourth of what can easily be got, (applause)—we might in that case issue eight such volumes, and have a surplus of L.300.. (Loud applause.) This opens up to us a method of doing good, the result of which it would be difficult to calculate, and by means of the surplus we might be able to issue those catechisms of which the overtures speak. There seems no limit to such a field of usefulness; and it is exceedingly desirable that the Church should turn her attention to something of this nature. There are two reasons for this; 1st, It is obvious that the popular literature of the day is not leavened as it ought to be with sound and wholesome theology; and even the theological literature of the day itself, in so far as the popular mind is concerned, is manifestly not of that massy and masculine character which distinguished the theology of olden times. (Much applause.) And 2dly, This literature would be highly advantageous to our young men, who, on immediately coming out from the Hall, are required to give themselves now to the very arduous toil and labour of the ministry; so that there is a risk of the style of preaching being more of a superficial kind when beginning to prepare sermons, than if these young men had longer experience and more time for study. They would, in fact, be compelled to aim at a higher style of preaching, if the people had put into their hands the writings of the olden time. (Laughter and applause.) The period the theological literature of which might be selected, as was suggested by a friend the other day, might be divided somewhat as follows. Just take the practical writings, during the age of the Reformation; then come down to that of Melville and his coadjutors; -then down to Henderson and the Covenanters; and so on down from age to age. In this way, the people will be put in possession of the richest theological literature of which any country can boast under the sun. (Loud applause.) We all know to how great an extent the people were benefited in former times by the books-the good old books-which then lay on their shelves. When the pulpits

put forth an uncertain sonnd, or rather, when they put forth a too certain sound all against the truth, in the closet, in the family hall, and in the cottage, and in the kitchen, the remedy was found; for there were the witnesses found which told the truth, and good old Boston was still preaching. (Applause.) Now I should be delighted again to see, through the instrumentality of such an association, the shelves of our cottages filled with the same kind of precious literature as that which the fathers of old so much delighted to possess. Let the immensity and responsibility of such a plan be considered. We have some six hundred congregations in connection with our Church; and out of each of these ten subscribers might, on an average, safely be reckoned upon. I was speaking to a friend on the subject well acquainted with the state of many of these congregatious, who stated that in none of them would there be fewer than ten subscribers. If we confine ourselves to books already published, and to the literature of the olden times, there will be no interference with recent publications, we will do injury to no man. The taste for the description of books I have mentioned seems to be on the increase of late; for the professional men whom I have consulted, state that old books are now bought up greedily by collectors. Now it were a pity that common people should not have such works re-issued in a form accessible to them. We have men among us whose services would be available in giving most interesting biographies and details respecting the writers of these old works, and also in furnishing interesting illustrations. With such men as Dr Cunningham in our own Church-(loud applause)—and Mr M'Crie-(continued applause)-whose services would be most readily given in such a cause, and would be of the highest value, such interesting materials could be supplied in abundance. The Rev. Doctor then concluded by moving,—

"That the General Assembly cordially approve of the objects contemplated in these overtures, and resolve to appoint a Committee for the purpose of carrying their objects into effect; with power to the Committee to superintend the issue of such of the practical and other writings of the Scottish Reformers and the divines of former times as may seem suitable to these days, at a rate which may bring them within the reach of the people; and also with authority to prepare suitable tracts and catechisms in Gaelic, as well as in English, on the different topics referred to in these overtures, for circulation among the families of our land; and the General Assembly earnestly recommend all the ministers of this Church to give all the assistance in their power in the preparation and circulation of these works; and generally, to take all pains in instructing their people in the great principles of Presbyterianism, as well as in those involved in the recent contendings of this Church."

The Rev. Mr BEGG seconded the motion. The success of the scheme would depend in a great degree on the energy and zeal with which it is taken up by the ministers of this Church, both in selection and in giving circulation to the works. He wished to explain in a sentence, what might have been, no doubt, fully understood already, but what would be none the worse to be again stated, that in proposing this scheme, there was no intention to interfere with or add to the existing Standards of our Church. He hoped, on the contrary, the day was far distant when the Church of Scotland would interfere with her existing Standards. (Applause.) At the same time, it must be evident that there is a loud call for the proposal which has now been arising from the circumstance, that while our people are showing a deeper interest than before in spiritual things, there is a want of knowledge, deep scriptural knowledge, of the principles of the present day. When so many flimsy heresies had been dug out of their graves and distributed over the country, it was high time that they should bring up again the good old theology, and have the shelves of their cottages lined again with such books as graced them in former days. He was struck in observing in the part of the country where he had once been settled, to find, when instructing communicants, the people searching for, and as it were digging out these good old authors, from the dust which age had thrown over them. He should like to see a library consisting of the Hendersons, and Owens, and Baillies, and Baxters of a remote age, and the Bunyans and Bostons of a more recent period. It was high time that they should be plying their work with zeal. Look what Puseyism was doing,-sending a shower of pamphlets over the country, and endeavouring to propagate its pernicious doctrines by every