courts of that country, for a period of more than two centuries, have been determined not to be recognised by law.

"That these privileges hitherto believed to belong to them, have always been exercised without giving rise to any cause of complaint, and to the advantage and satisfaction of the community.

"That the leaving of the validity of marriages to be in any degree contingent on the religious belief or profession of the parties, or either of them, is at variance with the law of nature, with sound policy, and inconsistent with those principles by which social order is regulated in all civilized communities, and that the continuance of the state of the law, as recently declared, would be most injurious to the peace and wellbeing of a large portion of Ireland.

"That the grounds on which the decision referred to has been rested, besides implying the alarming revival of long obsolete usages and dogmas, are in the highest degree unjust to the whole body of non-episcopal Christians in the empire, and most offensive to their feelings, and that, as the imperial legislature have, according to the construction of the whole judges of England, in a statute relative to North American colonies, recognised Presbyterian ministers as constituting equally with Episcopal ministers a Protestant clergy, the refusal by the legislature now to recognise them formally as such, in order to place the Presbyterian ministers of Ireland in the position which practically they have held above two hundred years, would necessarily be considered as a new and unwarranted stigma, affixed to all classes of non-Episcopal ministers in the empire, contrary to the principles of the constitution, and the true status of the ministers of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland as ministers of the gospel of Christ.

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May it therefore please your honourable House to take the premises into your immediate consideration, and restore to the Presbyterians in Ireland those privileges in regard to marriage which they have hitherto enjoyed. And your petitioners, as in duty bound, shall ever pray.

Signed in our name, in our presence, and at our appointment, by
HENRY GREY, Moderator.

No. III.

Extracts from Documents issued by the Committee upon the State of Religion.

The Committee issued the following address to all the ministers of the Free Church, which was read from the pulpits on the Sabbath preceding the 18th June, the day appointed as a day of humiliation.

"The Committee deem it their duty to offer a few brief suggestions to ministers and congregations in the prospect of the congregational meetings to be held on Tuesday the 18th June,

"1. Although that day is not set apart as an entire day of religious observance, it is manifestly intended that there should be at least one full and complete service in every congregation, in which all the people ought to make conscience of punctually joining. The season of the year makes the evening suitable in the country, as, from other circumstances, it is generally suitable in towns. Accordingly, it is suggested, that the evening should be the time of the solemn convocation, or assembling of the congregations; at six, or about half-past six, in the country, and at seven, or half-past seven, in towns. On that occasion, it is recommended that there should be public worship, with special reference, in the devotional portion of it, to the confession of ministerial and congregational sins, and the imploring of the Divine blessing, in the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on the ordinary and stated means of grace, as well as on the preaching of the gospel by the deputations about to be sent forth; and with a discourse, bearing upon such topics as the sins whereby congregations, as well as ministers, may have been hindering the work of the Lord,-the expectations of spiritual fruit which ought to be cherished,-the obstacles to that fruit being reaped,— the prospects of the removing of stumbling-blocks, and the revival of the Lord's work, which are now especially to be improved,-together with such views of the

prophetic and providential signs of the times, as may be fitted to mark out the cha racter of the present season of long-suffering patience, as a precarious, and therefore precious, day of visitation.

"2. Whatever arrangement for the public service may be adopted, it is hoped that families and individuals who have it in their power to do so, will feel disposed to devote the whole day, or so much of it as they can spare from indispensable calls of business, to the exercises of devotion, in their households and in their closets-that, in every domestic circle apart, and in every secret chamber apart, there may be much searching of heart and turning to the Lord,-that the causes of the Lord's Spirit being straitened may be sought out,-that personal, family, and public hindrances may be mourned over,-and that, looking on Him whom they have pierced, all, separately and collectively, may feel that bitterness of soul, which shall move them to have recourse anew to the Fountain opened for all sin, while they give the Lord no rest until he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.

"3. Farther, it is suggested that the office-bearers, ministers, elders, and deacons, of every congregation, may, if convenient, meet on the Tuesday, apart from the congregation, for special confession and prayer, over the several topics embraced in the Committee's report to the General Assembly, in so far as these may be regarded as bearing particularly on the state of their own souls, and on the condition and prospects of vital godliness among the people under their charge. An early hour in the morning, or an hour in the afternoon, before the congregational meeting, may be set apart for this purpose. And it is suggested, that the office-bearers, at this meeting, should freely and confidentially confer together, regarding the obstacles which may be hindering and the means which might promote the advancement of true religion in their several spheres of labour.

"Whilst suggesting these arrangements in detail, so that, on the day named, things may be done decently and in order,' and the appointment of the Assembly may be improved to the utmost, the Committee are deeply impressed with the conviction, that this whole matter is too high for the handling of man, and that it belongs peculiarly to Him who can dash in pieces those whose instrumentality he may see fit for a time to employ, that he may make bare his own arm, whose might his own instruments may have been apt to overlook. Believing that it was by a divine influence that the recent Assembly was made so thoroughly to stand in awe, and not sin,' and feeling, still more, that in 'doing the work of an evangelist,' on which she now proposes extensively to enter, the church is impotent in herself, yet strong in her Lord, the Committee leave this great cause in the hands of the Lord, whose it is, and who is able,-as the exalted King, whose crown-rights this church has been honoured, once and again, to maintain.-to shed forth, in all Presbyteries, kirk-sessions, and congregations, the same Spirit which we have seen and heard, both now and in former days, as having been manifestly poured out on the solemn assemblies of those who have received grace to bear a faithful testimony for Christ and his truths. By authority of the Committee, D. MACFARLAN."

In addition to the above, the Committee appointed deputations to visit the various districts of Scotland on the subject, and the following is part of the instructions given to their deputations:

"In regard to what alone is essential in this undertaking, the actual work to be done by the deputations,-the Committee feel that it would be alike unbecoming and inexpedient to fetter the brethren entrusted with this duty, by prescribing any minute regulations. The Committee are very deeply impressed with the conviction, that this is peculiarly and pre-eminently a work in which formal and literal exactness could do nothing, while the spirit of it is all in all. If, in any measure, the presence of the Holy Ghost was felt in the late Assembly, and if there be any beginning of a spiritual movement throughout the land, the brethren sent on these deputations,having themselves, it may be hoped, apprehended Christ, or been apprehended by him, in these manifestations of his power, as the risen Saviour,-will be the best judges of the manner in which the blessed influence may be most effectually brought to bear on the masses of the people, for awakening and alarming the ungodly, and for

stirring up believers to a holier walk, and a warmer zeal for God's glory and the good of souls. Generally, the committee, with all reverence, would abstain from giving any more precise instructions to the deputations, than the Lord gave to the twelve and the seventy whom he sent forth. They would rather leave it to the brethren themselves to seek out and find occasions and opportunities,-in season and out of season, in doors and out of doors,-of sounding the blessed gospel invitation and command, than limit their walk within the routine of any specified amount of queries to be answered, and services to be performed. They would only remind the deputations, that their work is twofold,-to edify the churches, and to preach the gospel to all.

"In reference to both of these objects, the brethren will, of course, co-operate with the presbyteries, and with individual ministers; and, in this view, the following practical hints may be worthy of attention :

"1. Let presbyteries be immediately addressed by the conveners of the deputations appointed severally to visit them; let the clerk of each presbytery be requested to assemble the brethren, to consult beforehand as to the manner in which the visit of the deputation may be turned to the best account.

"2. Let every presbytery afterwards receive notice of the precise time when the deputation is to come within its bounds; and let a convenient day be fixed for a conference between the members of the presbytery and the members of the deputation, on the state of religion in the district, as well as on the arrangements made beforehand, by the presbytery, for the employment of the deputation. Prayer, it is almost needless to say, ought to be largely mingled with this conference, as with the whole of this business together, Acts xiii. 1-3.

"3. Following out this conference, let the members of the deputation visit, person. ally, every congregation and preaching station in the presbytery. It is not, of course, intended that all the members shall together visit each place. Let them separate, from time to time, for this purpose, each taking a certain portion of the presbytery.

"4. It is desirable that some one member of the deputation should preach in every church or preaching station within the bounds, whether on a Sabbath or on a weekday, with consent of the minister, and should address the people on such topics as the following, viz.: (1.) The call of God, addressed specially at this time to all professing Christians, to consider their own personal state before him,-to have a right understanding of what is implied in their being converted to God, and in their walking with him,-to examine anew the foundation of their personal hope, and to realize more thoroughly their high calling in Christ Jesus, as well as the mighty power of God, which, if they be indeed believers, must be working in them. (2.) The peculiar importance, in these times, of family religion,-of the separation of families professing godliness from the world,-of the care of the young, and of servants,—and of family worship. (3.) The responsibility of the ordinary members of the Church, in reference to the efficacy and success of the ministry, and the blessing which may be expected to accompany the means and ordinances of the gospel. (4.) The duty of congregations, as such, to exert themselves for the good of their several neighbourhoods, in the way of conducting Sabbath Schools, visiting the destitute, and calling forth all the energy and activity of their members in plans of Christian usefulness. And, (5.) The obligation of Christian liberality, or of Christian stewardship, in contributing, as God has prospered them, to the advancement of his kingdom at home and abroad.

"5. Besides publicly addressing the congregation at large, it may be desirable that the visitor should have special and private conference, more in detail, with its officebearers, elders, deacons, Sabbath school teachers, and other agents,-on the topics above suggested, as well as generally on the means employed by them for advancing the Lord's work, and the measure of success apparently attending these means.

"6. In addition to such visits of encouragement and awakening to congregations, and bodies of adherents already organized, and as even a still more pressing and important part of their labour, the members of the deputations will be expected, in every presbytery and parish, to aim at going forth to those of the population who do not statedly assemble for the ordinary purposes of public worship.

"Here, especially, the committee feel that any instructions of theirs would be out of place; and that ministers fulfilling this errand, must be left very much to judge and act for themselves. They need scarcely remind their brethren of the apostolic, and higher than apostolic precedent, for preaching to promiscuous assemblies of people in private houses, in streets and lanes, by the highways and hedges, on the sea-shore and in the open field, or wheresoever, amid the mines and mills in which so many of our fellow-countrymen are employed, a vacant space can be found, and an idle hour improved. Doubtless, a wise discretion will be required; and the more unostentatiously such proceedings can be carried on, the better. Excitement is not the object in view, but rather serious and sober thought. But on Sabbaths, in the intervals between the stated services, or in the morning and evening, as well as on week-days, at hours not interfering with necessary business,-quietly and without noise or bustle, the families in a neighbourhood convened in some room within, or groups collected without, may be solemnly addressed on the things which belong to their everlasting peace. The topics of such addresses it would be impertinent to point out; and indeed the committee feel that they have already trespassed in this respect.

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Referring to the report approved of by the General Assembly, the committee have only to assure you of their earnest prayer being offered up to God on your behalf, that, in this mission of Christian love, you may have the light of his gracious countenance lifted up upon you,-may be honoured by him, as his instrument, in bringing sinners to Christ, and building up believers in their most holy faith,-may be yourself watered and refreshed, while watering the souls of others, and may return to your own people again, not only in safety, but in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. "In name of the Committee,

"D. MACFARLAN, Convener."

ERRATA.

Page 90 in Professor Duncan's Speech, line 38, instead of the word "view" read "vice."

Page 145, line 27 from bottom, delete the words “add any thing," and read, “ provide any thing."

Page 181, 10th line from the top, instead of "member" read "minister."

Page 186, line 3d, for

Committee on Plantation of Churches," read "Committee on Plantation of Charges."

Page 232, line 25, in the College Report, instead of "Major M'Donald"_read

Major-General M'Dowall."

ANDREW JACK, PRINTER.