now before the Assembly, he would not trouble the House with any remarks. They were not insensible to the importance of sensible and wise legislation on the subject; but the present measure, as had been said, tended to put obstacles in the way of the poor asserting those rights conferred upon them by law. He would not, however, have risen at all, were it not that he thought they should now give somewhat more of their attention to the state of the laws regarding the poor, and how these were administered, than they had hitherto done. Mr Dunlop had been appointed himself alone a Committee on this subject; and he now trusted, with this act staring them in the face, that the Assembly would be of opinion, without implying any diminished confidence in Mr Dunlop, or any doubt of his ability to act as a committee sole on the subject, yet that they would be of opinion, and would make it manifest, that he was not the sole person in the Assembly who felt an interest in the matter. He would, therefore suggest, that a committee should be appointed, he might say, an efficient committee, but that would be reflecting on the Committee sole-(a laugh)—but, at all events, that a Committee be appointed to act along with Mr Dunlop in the matter. (Hear, hear.)

Mr GUTHRIE Seconded Mr Begg's motion. There was a serious objection to the bill, which he had not as yet heard noticed; and that related to the Board which was to sit in Edinburgh, and to judge what cases were proper, and what were not, to go before a court of law. It might be said that a court was necessary; but if so, he was not disposed to put confidence in the proposed Board, or such a check. In that Board there were only two individuals who were popularly elected, these being the Lord Provost of Edinburgh and the Lord Provost of Glasgow; and, if he mistook not, all the others were mere Government officials. It was well known to all that both these civic functionaries had enough and overmuch to do if they minded their own business, without attending to the duties of this Board; and it was impossible they could do so; and, in consequence, the whole power would be placed in irresponsible parties. He knew something about the state of the poor in Edinburgh, and that there was much need for an alteration in the law regarding them, but the present bill would rather make matters worse. At present in Edinburgh they had only three alternatives, begging, stealing, or starving, and that was a state of things which ought not to exist.

Mr MONCREIFF suggested that the different Synods and Presbyteries throughout the country should petition Parliament against the bill. The Synod of Glasgow and Ayr had done so, and appointed a Committee to watch over it.

Councillor MACFARLAN Corroborated Mr Guthrie in his view of the constitution of the Board, and stated that he saw little use for any such Board, as it did not require any one to say that,- -as it happened in a case lately, where two very old people, one of them 110, and a daughter, were only in the receipt of 10s. 6d. yearly, or 5s. 3d. each, such parties were entitled to go to the Court of Session and apply for more. He suggested that, as he had generally seen it turn out that petitions had little effect on the Government, a deputation should be appointed to go to London and represent the case to the proper quarter.

At the suggestion of Mr Begg, it was agreed that the deputation about to proceed to London in reference to sites, should also be appointed to represent this subject. The report was then adopted.

MEETING OF ASSEMBLY AT INVERNESS.

Dr CANDLISH then gave in the report of the Committee appointed to consider the propriety of the Assembly holding a meeting at Inverness in the course of the summer. In considering the subject, the Committee had given full consideration to all the difficulties which presented themselves. Various proposals were made to effect the object in view. One was, that a special meeting of the Commission should be held at Inverness, with all the usual formalities of an Assembly. Another, that on the present Assembly being dissolved, a new one be indited to meet at Inverness in autumn; and a third was, that the present Assembly, finding that they have not been able to overtake all the business before it, specially connected with the Highlands, previous to its being concluded, should adjourn to meet at Inverness in August, for the purpose of considering the business so left over; and all these views being considered, the Com

mittee came to a unanimous agreement as to the latter. (Hear, hear.) He need not state all the views which were urged in regard to these several views. Their friends from the Highlands and Islands argued that a meeting of the Commission, even with all the formalities of an Assembly, would not answer the end in view; and as the Committee felt that they would be at the mercy of their Highland brethren,— that they could make their meeting effective or ineffective as they chose, the first view was not pressed. In regard to the other two alternatives, it appeared that the one less likely to introduce a dangerous precedent was to adjourn the present Assembly, on the special ground that, as business of the utmost importance connected with the Highlands and Islands had been left unsettled, the Assembly do at its rising agree to adjourn, to meet at Inverness, for the settling of that business, which could not be satisfactorily done in Edinburgh. This was a step which the Assembly had not taken for many years. In the early times of the Church it was practised chiefly when the Assembly was under the threat of political violence or civil war; and it must appear that nothing but the most extraordinary call of duty could have inclined it to resume the practice now. (Hear, hear.) But the Committee were of opinion that the present was an extraordinary emergency. The statements laid before them were convincing, that the Highlands were in a most critical state; and he considered, therefore, that it was right to adjourn their meeting, in order to devise means for supplying the wants of their Highland population,-one of the largest portions of the followers of the Free Church. (Hear, hear.) Dr Candlish here read the following report on the subject:

"The Committee are unanimously of opinion, that, in the present extraordinary emergency of the Highlands and Islands, considering how much of the time and attention of the Assembly have been occupied with the affairs of that district of the country, as regards both the oppressive measures adopted against the ministers and members of this Church, and the destitution of the means of grace which prevails; and farther considering, that this part of the business of the Assembly cannot be disposed of satisfactorily during their present sittings at Edinburgh,--the General Assembly ought, at its rising in this place, to adjourn, to meet at Inverness, on Thursday, the 21st day of August next ensuing, for the purpose of full consultation on the existing state of the Highlands and Islands, with a view to the adoption of such measures as may tend to alleviate the evils under which the Gaelic-speaking population groan, and to promote their spiritual welfare, through an adequate supply of the means of grace."

He had only to say, in laying the Report on the table, that the proposed meeting was not to be regarded as a matter of display, or as a means of making a great impression throughout the north, but simply as a real business meeting for consultation; and he trusted that all the members would give attendance. He also trusted that arrangements should be made for deputations being sent from all points of the Highlands, so that they might meet at Inverness on the day stated, full of important and statistical details of facts, and might thereby be enabled to frame measures to meet the dithculty which had led to this extraordinary step being taken.

MANSE BUILDING SCHEME.

Mr GUTHRIE begged the attention of the house for a few moments to what appeared to him to be a matter of very great importance, which had been brought forward on Saturday; and being brought forward at a time when most of the members were away, of necessity that attention was not given to it which he thought it deserved. The subject to which he referred was the Manse Building Scheme. What he aimed at, and what, he thought, in God's time, and with God's blessing, he would obtain, was a manse for every minister of the Free Church in Scotland,(applause)-for town ministers as well as for country ministers; first of all for the Highland ministers; then the Lowland country ministers; then the ministers of our smaller towns; and when his friend Dr Clason and he would get manses, no man could tell. (Laughter.) Now the next point he wished to bring before the house was, how the money was to be raised; and they wanted all manner of advice about that. There were two ways of seeking for money; the one was by getting large sums and

small sums, and having them paid at once; and the other was that adopted by their young friend, (Mr M'Donald),-getting money in moderate sums, on the understanding that it was to be paid in four or five years. He then threw overboard that part of his friend's scheme, which provided that not a farthing should be paid until L.50,000 had been subscribed. He thought the best plan was to combine both these schemes. For example, he would go to Glasgow, and hold a great public meeting there. He would fill the City Hall to the roof; and, over and above the guns of the west, he would fire off Dr Candlish-(laughter)—and then he would let fly with Mr Begg-(renewed laughter)—and then he might come in himself at the fag end of the concern, and give a shot of his own. Immediately on the back of this, he would propose that a number of gentlemen should go up and down the town, and get L.100 from this wealthy friend, and L.200 from that,- -or L.500 or L.1000, which would be so much the better; and after that he would propose that they should hold congregational meetings in every church in Glasgow, and, laying before them their necessities, he would form immediately, not an elders' nor a deacons' association, but a ladies' association. Every year has had its grand scheme; every year has had its history written in some noble scheme. In 1843 ask what was done, he would point to some four or five hundred churches that were raised in Scotland. Ask what was done in 1844,—he would point to L.50,000 that had been raised for schools by his distinguished friend of Blairgowrie, and L.20,000 for a College. Ask for 1845,- he hoped to be able to point by and by to many a lovely manse of the Free Church, where the minister was living in comfort. Mr Guthrie mentioned several cases of severe hardship experienced by ministers of the Free Church from the want of suitable houses in various parts of the country; and said, that they could not compel Buccleuch or M'Kenzie of Applecross to grant sites, but the people of Scotland had it in their power to provide accommodation for their ministers.

PRESENT OF BOOKS FROM THE WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

Dr CUNNINGHAM then announced that the Rev. Mr Bunting, son of the Rev. Dr Bunting, who was the medium of a most acceptable present of theological books from the Wesleyan Methodist Conference, was at that moment in the hall. He moved that he be requested to address the house. Agreed to.

Mr BUNTING then rose and addressed the Assembly, explaining that the donation referred to had arisen out of an intimation from the late Dr Welsh to himself, that it would be acceptable to the Committee of the Free College if the Wesleyan Methodist Conference would present the library of that institution with copies of its standard or current theological literature. He (Mr Bunting) had accordingly moved the last Conference to that effect, and the motion, he was happy to say, had met with one of the most cordial responses he had ever seen. He rejoiced to be introduced to that house in connection with this donation; and for this reason, that it appeared to him that both the application with which the Conference had been honoured, and the hearty response with which his fathers and brethren had met the application, indicated a reciprocal conviction that if any of the students or tutors of the Free College should think it worth their while to peruse any or all of these books, they would find that amidst, perhaps, many extreme and strong statements on particular matters formerly in dispute between Arminians and Calvinists, on views of the gospel,-amidst many somewhat ungrateful and unwelcome reminiscences of old controversies, which, he hoped, were now passed away, they would find many proofs of an essential and blessed unity of faith between the Wesleyan Methodists and the vast communion of the Free Church. Mr Bunting then proceeded to state his views of the doctrines of salvation by grace, the operation of the Holy Spirit, and other kindred topics, with the view of showing that the two bodies were essentially one in their faith.

Mr GUTHRIE announced a donation of L.500, which he had received from Mr Farmer, a lay member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, in behalf of the missions of the Free Church,- -an announcement which was received with great applause. He moved the thanks of the Assembly, both to Mr Bunting for his valuable present from the Conference to the College, and to Mr Farmer for his munificent donation to their missionary schemes.

Dr KEITH, in seconding the motion, remarked with reference to the doctrinal part of Mr Bunting's speech, that he could most cordially subscribe to every syllable of it. The motion of Mr Guthrie was then agreed to, and thanks communicated from the chair to Mr Bunting.

CHEAP PUBLICATION SCHEME.

Dr CANDLISH then read the following Report on the Cheap Publication Scheme:"The Committee, at the first meeting after the appointment, resolved to distribute into three departments the important business entrusted to their management; the first, Having reference to the publication of the writings of the Scottish Reformers and divines, according to the plan suggested at last Assembly; the second, To the preparation of suitable catechisms and manuals on the principles of the Church and other subjects, such as the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's supper, &c.; and the third, To the issue of tracts.

"First Branch.-In carrying out the plan of an association, to consist of subscribers at the rate of 4s. a-year or Is. a-quarter, for the publication of three or four volumes, as the funds may afford, the Committee prepared and issued a circular, which they now lay on the table. [Here the reverend Doctor produced the circular referred to.]

"The response to this appeal was gratifying beyond the expectations of the Committee. Upwards of 20,000 subscribers were obtained within the short space of a few months, and the number now amounts to upwards of 47,000. This number is still on the increase, and the following is an analysis of them:Synod of Lothian and Tweedale, exclusive of Edinburgh

2,704

4,493

10,544

4,525

10,310

9,445

3,099

1,958

193

47,271

"As yet, the subscribers have been found chiefly among the congregations of the Free Church; but it is believed that a large accession may still be obtained from other denominations of Christians in this and other lands. This would probably have been the case already, if the Committee had been able to issue their volumes sooner; and, in fact, the Committee believe that, as to the number of its subscribers, the Scheme is only in its infancy, nor can any limit be set to the extension of this important machinery for the diffusion of the best and highest of all kinds of knowledge among all classes of the community.

"In regard to the literary part of this undertaking, the Committee have requested their editor, to whose indefatigable industry and high talent they have been so much indebted, to prepare a statement, which is to the following effect, in a letter to Dr Candlish:

“On receiving your application in London to become editor of this important department, I sent off my acceptance immediately, and, in a few minutes afterwards, had commenced the labours of my office in the British Museum. The reason of this haste was, that if a volume of Knox's works was to be the first of our series, not a moment was to be lost. The whole work must be carefully studied and written out from the beginning; any modern edition of his writings would not serve us as a text book, because, for the last two centuries up to the present day, every one has been more or less faulty, by omissions, perversions, additions, and modernizations; so that our great Reformer, as a writer, has been sadly misunderstood and vilified; and the only remedy was to go directly to the fountain-head. In this way, I discovered many valuable relics in the British Museum, of which more anon; and having fairly ex hausted this store, I came down to Edinburgh, and continued my labours in the Advocates' Library. The result of all this was, that I was enabled to find the oldest editions of his works printed in the middle of the sixteenth century, and, what is better, several valuable manuscripts, containing not only more correct versions of his writings than the printed ones, but also much excellent matter never before published. And now for the result. The following list will show the sources from which the articles of our Knox volume were derived:

1. The Treatise on Prayer" This was transcribed from the old black letter edition, professing to have been printed in 1554, before the Castle of St Angelo, at the sign of St Peter. As this treatise

was printed by stealth, probably abroad, and without the author's revisions, it abounds with errors, which I was enabled to correct by collating it with the manuscript collection of Knox's works in the hand-writing of Richard Bannatyne, so frequently referred to in M'Crie's Life of Knox, and now in the possession of the Rev. Thomas M'Crie of Edinburgh.

2. Letter to the Faithful in England." For this beautiful and impressive address, the edition in black letter, professing to have been printed at Rome in 1554, was at first consulted. But having found, in a volume of manuscripts in the Harleian Collection, a carefully-written transcript of this address, I preferred it on account of its superior correctness and perspicuity, and copied it accordingly. The circumstances of this manuscript having been carefully copied soon after the original was produced, and belonging to Foxe the martyrologist, are pretty strong guarantees for its superior fidelity.

3. Exposition of Psalm VI." In preparing this Exposition for the press, I was so fortunate as to find, in the British Museum, an old manuscript, without signature, date, or place, and which had evidently puzzled the curators sorely; for at the beginning they had labelled it as a "Letter from a Pious Scot to a Lady;" and at the end, "A Letter from Knox, Willock, or some other Scot." This literary riddle-me-ree was nothing else than the first part of the Exposition, written in the epistolory form to his mother-in-law, Mrs Bowes, before he escaped from England to Dieppe, and containing every internal evidence of being the original autograph. The omission of signature and place is easily accounted for, from the fact that his letters at this time were liable to be intercepted, and that the knowledge of his whereabouts would have led to instant apprehension. This constitutes part first of the ex. position in our volume; the second was taken from the earliest printed edition, kindly lent to me for that purpose by David Laing, Esq.

4. The Comfortable Epistle' was transcribed from an old volume in the Advocates' Library, in which are several volumes of Knox's productions. The volume itself is alluded to by Dr M'Crie, in his list of the writings of Knox.

5. The Letter to the Queen Regent' was taken from the work published by Knox himself at Geneva, in 1558, with augmentations and explanations.

6. The Most Wholesome Counsel' was transcribed from the Bannatyne MS., belonging to the Rev. Thomas M'Crie.

7. The Epistle to his Brethren in Scotland' was derived from the same source. "8. As was also the Epistle to the Lords professing the Truth in Scotland. "9.Address to the Commonality in Scotland.' This forms the second part of Knox's well-known Appellation' which he published at Geneva in 1558, in consequence of having been burnt in effigy by the priests after his departure from Scotland. The first part, addressed to the nobility, refers to their feudal authority to judge and punish in extreme cases, independently of the sovereign's will, and was therefore omitted, as inapplicable to the present times. The second part, which is of a more general and practical character, and which we have included in our volume, was taken from the Geneva edition of 1558.

10. The Sermon on Christ's Temptation in the Wilderness' was taken from the edition published in London in 1583, compared and collated with the Bannatyne MS. of the Rev. Mr M Crie. "1. The Answer to Questions on Baptism,' &c. was taken from the Bannatyne MS.

12. The Sermon on Isaiah, xxvi. 13-20,' was transcribed from the old edition in the Advocates' Library, referred to by Dr M'Crie, and which bears no date nor place of publishing.

13 The Letters at the end of the volume, which form a highly interesting part of the work, from the light they throw on the private character and domestic history of the Reformer, were taken from the Bannatyne MS.

"From the foregoing statement, it will be seen that while the most authentic sources have been applied to for these articles, which had been previously before the world, and which, in a majority of cases, had been republished with great inaccuracy,-our volume has the additional recommendation of containing about eighty pages of matter previously unpublished. The whole volume was carefully transcribed, and where any word or sentence appeared doubtful, it was anxiously weighed, and in many cases collated with a variety of editions more or less modern, to aid in solving the difficulty. The same fidelity has been observed with the Reformer's style, which is given in all its rich and ancient integrity, and where an expression happened to be obscure or obsolete, it has been explained in a note at the bottom of the page. These circumstances, I hope, are sufficient to guarantee the superior correctness of our edition of Knox. What more, indeed. could have been done for a Roxburgh or Bannatyne quarto? "Our second publication, which is Rutherfurd's Trial and Triumph of Faith, required fittle of this care and research; but still, Rutherfurd, as a writer, has occasioned to his editors no trifling difficulties. His works are studded with texts, and allusions to texts, which have been misquoted by the earliest printers, and further multiplied in subsequent editions. They are plentifully sown with Latin, Greek, and Hebrew quotations, which ignorant compositors have twisted into every possible perversity. As he used the most complicated form of dialectics, his matter branches into divisions, sub.divisions, and sub-sub divisions, which cannot be removed without tearing up his style by the root; and which, when left alone, only serve to bewilder a modern eye, whatever good service they may have done in former periods. The style, also, of Rutherfurd, with all its power and poetical richness, is so abrupt, and in many cases so eccentric, as to defy all the ordinary rules of editorial arrangement and punctuation. Perhaps it is from these reasons that so few editions of his work have been re-published (except his Letters, which did not involve such difficulties), and that these few editions have been so singularly faulty. A modern one of the Trial and Triumph which I selected as the text for our printers, was so full of errors, that almost every line of it required a correction, before it could be sent to the press. These einendations, however, were made from the standard London edition of 1645. In our edition also, while the language of the author has been left entire, the learned quotations have been reinoved from the body of the work to the foot of the page, the antique orthography modernised; and the punctua tion so arranged, as to make the very peculiar style of the work intelligible to the eye of the reader. "Of our third publication, viz. the Select Writings of Traill, I believe I can tell you nothing of which you are not already fully aware. All particulars that I would state wouli be merely a repetition of the last paragraph but one in my short biographical sketch at the beginning of the work.' (Here the reverend Doctor read from the Preface to Traill's Select Writings, and then laid on the table the three volumes forming the whole of the first year's issue.)

"As to what may be called the financial and business part of the enterprise, the Committee have to express their obligation to the Secretary, Mr Bonar, whose labour in receiving, classing, and recording the names of subscribers, and superintending the issue of the volumes, has been of the utmost consequence to the success