intended to imply. It was said, that in the sanction given to the teaching of religion in schools, there was implied, on the part of Government, a responsibility for the religion so taught; and then it was said, because that was implied, Government sanctioned the principle that they might give concurrence and patronage to all religions alike. So far, from this being the case, he did not think that Government either intended to assume, or did assume, any responsibility in regard to this matter. On the one hand, they were not prepared to sanction a mere secular system of education; and, on the other hand, they were not in a situation to assume-what he held to be the duty of Government in the matter, if they could,-to give at the same time religious as well as secular instruction. They could not do that, they could not do either; and accordingly they say, we will not affirm the principle of mere secular instruction, and we will not affirm the principle of religious instruction; and while we say religious and secular instruction should go hand in hand, we will not assume the responsibility of that religious instruction. We leave it in the hands of those in whom it is placed at present, because, from the schisms and divisions in the Church, and in the circumstances of the country, we cannot make a nearer advance to what we consider a sound position. That being the state of the matter, he (Mr Moncrieff) could not see that Government assumed the responsibility of the religion that was taught; and therefore the difficulty which he felt in regard to the fourth resolution. A bright prospect indeed was afforded to Scotland, because, of all the countries in the world in which a system of education based upon religion,-based upon the prin ciples of the Shorter Catechism,-could be introduced, it was the best adapted; and he thought, if cordially gone into by the Free Church, and supported by the other sections of the community, that there would be no difficulty in establishing a system of education that would be acceptable and valuable to Scotland. (Hear.)

Mr LAUGHTON of Greenock thought the resolutions were liable to very serious objection. If they were to designate the scheme as latitudinarian and unsound, and yet at the same time say that they were willing to accept of it, they would be doing a thing which many would disapprove of. Besides, if it was true that the Government scheme was unscriptural, and yet they agreed to be parties to the carrying of it out, they would certainly be held as homologating the principle of it. After a few words from Mr Duncan of Peebles,

Sheriff SPEIRS said, he regarded the proceedings in this matter with a good deal of anxiety. In the resolutions submitted, a construction had been put upon the Government Minutes, but not of the right kind. According to the ordinary privileges which they accorded to every individual, they allowed him to adopt his own construction, and they ought to do the same with the Government. Now, he had heard it stated by his learned friend Mr Moncrieff, that the Government had disclaimed taking upon them selves the responsibility of religious education. That being the case, they ought not to enter into discussion upon it; and it would not in the smallest degree affect any future protest which they might take about what they conceived to be the error contained in those minutes, if Dr Candlish would so qualify his resolutions as to put the matter hypothetically.

Sheriff MONTEITH then withdrew the alterations which he proposed upon the fourth resolution.

Dr CANDLISH said, that if no other member was desirous of addressing the house, he would use the liberty of summing up the discussion with a few words in the way of reply. And, first, in regard to what seemed to him the misunderstanding of the fourth resolution, upon which Mr Speirs and Mr Moncrieff had based their remarks, Mr Moncrieff was perfectly right in saying that Government disclaim taking upon themselves the responsibility of the religion taught in the schools, in this sense,--they disclaim taking any responsibility as to the kind of religion which may be taught in the schools, as to whether it be either one thing or another. Now, what we complain of is, that while they take upon themselves the responsibility of saying that the schools shall be religious, they will not take upon themselves the responsibilty of saying what shall be the kind of religion. We complain that they do not undertake both responsibilities; first, the responsibility of saying that the schools which they will sanction and assist must be religious schools, which they do undertake; and second, the responsibility of determining what religion shall be taught in them,--the religion, as we hold it should be, of the truth of God. What they have disclaimed is the latter responsibility,-the responsibility of forming an opinion as to the religion to be taught in these schools.

(Hear, hear.) That, and that alone, he ventured to say, was the responsibility which the Government disclaimed. He thought, therefore, the Assembly would be perfectly warranted in saying, in the fourth resolution, that Government made themselves responsible for the religious character of the schools receiving their aid; while they have disclaimed the farther responsibility of deciding upon the religion to be taught. They should either have taken both responsibilities, or have left both alone. Now, really for the Court of a Church of Christ,-for the ministers and elders of this Church, to use any softer terms than latitudinarian and unsound, in reference to such a proposal, by whomsoever made, will certainly appear to be somewhat like a compromise of principle. (Hear, hear.) Should the Government make it plain, in any explanations they might offer to us, that really their wish, and intention, and meaning, was to shake themselves clear of both responsibilities, then the terms unsound and latitudinarian would apply no longer. (Hear, hear.) He thought that it was precisely because the time was come when they should not only set before the Government, as they proposed to do in the third resolution, what they considered the Government ought to do, and might do in Scotland, but what they should also do in reference to the country at large,-it was because the time was come when we, as a Church, should indicate to the Government the outlet, as it were, from its present embarrassments, that they felt themselves constrained in these resolutions to suggest a method by which Government might promote the cause of education, and yet take no responsibility whatever in the matter of religion. (Hear, hear.) And this is a very different thing from Government setting up a scheme without religion, which we shall as strongly condemn, and characterise as ungodly and infidel, as any of our friends who have so characterised the proposal now made. If the Government takes the responsibility of meddling with religion at all, it is bound to take the whole responsibility of determining what is the true religion; and if it cannot take the whole responsibility, then let it adopt some method of legitimately accomplishing the object, without any responsibility in the matter at all. (Hear.) He (Dr Candlish) felt that he really could not consent to any material alteration in the fourth resolution. to the remarks of Mr Monteith and Mr Laughton, to the effect that the terms used to characterise the Government plan were too strong, the difficulty was how to characterise the plan otherwise, if they really admitted that it was defective and unsound at all. In regard to their condemning the Government plan, and yet taking the benefit of it, he observed that this was just one of those circumstances which unthinking and unreflecting men might make a handle of,--just like the cry of “ Send back the money,"-(laughter)—precisely as a piece of clap-trap which men run away with who will not take the trouble of legitimately and logically inquiring into the real state of a practical question. (Hear, hear.)

As

It was agreed that the state of the vote should be "first or second motion,"--the first being Dr Candlish's, and the second Mr Duncan's.

The roll being called, and votes marked, there voted,-for Dr Candlish's resolutions 294; for Mr Duncan's resolutions 5; majority 289. The Assembly then adjourned.

THURSDAY, MAY 27. 1847.

Address to Her Majesty-Report of Home Mission and Church Extension Committee-Speeches of Mr Sommerville, Mr Elder (Walls), Dr Macaulay, and Dr Brown-Report of Gaelic Committee -Report of Widows' Fund Committee-Speeches of Professor Macdougall, and Mr Beith - Report on Continental Churches-Speeches of Dr Henderson, Dr Clason, and Dr Candlish-Quoad Sacra Churches - Letter from Moderator of Established Church-Sustentation Fund-Report of Committee-Speeches of Mr M. Crichton, Mr Wilson, Mr Paul, Captain Shepherd, Sheriff' Speirs, Mr Macfarlan, Professor Miller, and Dr Candlish-Overtures regarding Deacons' Courts -Speech of Mr A. Gray.

The Assembly met to-day at two o'clock, having been engaged from ten in private conference on the subject of Collegiate Education, and on the Sustentation Committee. Dr CANDLISH, with the view of following out the resolutions adopted last night on the subject of the Government Scheme of Education, moved that a Committee be appointed to draw up and submit to the Assembly instructions for the guidance of

Presbyteries and the Educational Committee in reference to applications for grants.→→ Agreed to

HER MAJESTY'S BIRTH-DAY.

Dr BROWN said,This, as the Assembly are aware, is the anniversary of her Majesty's natal day; and, I think,—indeed I know,-that the proposal which I have to make, namely, that we carry to the throne an expression of our hearty congratulations, warmest loyalty, and fervent prayers, that God may be pleased to grant her Majesty a long and prosperous reign, will meet with the cordial response of this House. (Applause.) This address should contain some reference to the particular circumstances in which the country is at present placed, her Majesty having been pleased to call attention to these circumstances by appointing a day of fasting and humiliation in regard to them. Dr Brown concluded by moving, that a Committee be appointed to prepare a loyal and dutiful address to her Majesty expressive of these subjects, and to submit the same to a future diet of the Assembly.

Sir JAMES FORREST, Bart., seconded the motion.-Agreed to.

HOME MISSION AND CHURCH EXTENSION.

Mr TWEEDIE, the Convener, submitted the following Report :

The Non-Ministerial Associations yielded

"The Home Mission and Church Extension Committee have to report to the Assembly, that for the past year their gross income has amounted to, Of that sum, the annual collection yielded

£9,444 18 9

3,818 0 8

3,518 7 81

"And the balance was derived from legacies, individual donations, and similar

£6,721 19 1

154 17 11

172 3 9

172 6 6

The general expenses amount to

albane Yacht (£415, 3s.), amount to

579 8 1

1,283 13 0

Making together an outlay on these two classes of labourers of,

In addition to that, there was expended on evangelistic work, and

supplying vacant pulpits,

In aiding weak congregations,

To Students, for bursaries, &c.,

The expenses of the Gaelic Committee, including those of the Bread

Interest on advances to Edinburgh and Glasgow Bank, and balance

due on last account,

Balance now in Bank,

Making, as above,

161 9 10 199 0 6

£9,444 18 91

"This abstract of the receipts and expenditure of the Home Mission and Church Extension Committee will enable the Assembly to form an accurate conception of the importance and extent of its labours. After all that the Church has been enabled to do, it well is known that there are still about one hundred and forty congregations unsupplied with ministers. Some of these are not yet prepared to ask for sanction; but were it possible to hold out the prospect of a speedy supply of preachers, the Committee have no doubt that not a few of them would speedily take up the position of fully-equipped ministerial charges. In the mean time, the probationers of the Church, about eighty in number, have been allocated among these congregations by the Distributing Committee, according to the plan adopted by last Assembly, and carried on during the past year with eminent success.

"But the preachers who are at the disposal of the Committee were not nearly equal to the task of overtaking the work; and, to supply the lack, about sixty catechists have been employed in the Highlands and Lowlands during the past year. Supplementary to all this, ministers were sent to preach the gospel in different parts of the country during the past summer, whose labours, your Committee have reason to know, were blessed for good to not a few. The last Assembly intrusted this section of the

work to the Rev. Mr Sommerville of Glasgow; and he, with great zeal and judiciousness, made the arrangements, and superintended their execution. Mr Sommerville will report the result of these visits to the Assembly.

"So much are the Committee impressed with a sense of the importance of this department of labour, that they have no hesitation in recommending the renewal of it during the present summer, and that on a more extended scale than the last. Anticipating the sanction of the Assembly, Mr Sommerville, at the request of the Committee, has agreed to carry out a plan according to which eighteen ministers shall visit as many districts, and there, as God in His providence gives opportunity, preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. In the mining and manufacturing districts, as well as in other localities, there are dense masses who cannot be reached but by an aggressive movement like that now contemplated; and if the coming arrangements be conducted, as the Committee believe the past have been, in the spirit of faith and of prayer, benefits that shall stretch into eternity may be the result to many. The sanction of the Assembly to the eighteen ministers to be named to leave their flocks for four weeks is required, and the Committee feel assured that these flocks will not be losers by thus lending their pastors, for that is so manifestly the work of a Christian Church, and in strictest keeping with its evangelistic character. Were reports furnished to the Committee, by the brethren sent out, much information would be acquired regarding the state of religion in the land, and for future guidance in similar operations.

'Looking, generally, at the benefits bestowed, through means of the Home Mission Committee, it is scarcely too much to give it a first place among the Schemes of the Church. It is a scriptural principle, that our own house is to be set in order; and in proportion as that is done according to the mind of God, are we prepared to lend effective help to others. Hence the importance to be attached to this Committeehence the need of sustaining and strengthening its efforts and hence the necessity of prayer to Him with whom is the residue of the Spirit, that the endeavours put forth may be blessed to bring out the beauty of holiness in the land in which we live. Speaking humanly, the vigour, the zeal, and the success of all our efforts depend on the right ordering and the right conduct of our home endeavours.

"But the name of the Committee, as watching over Church extension as well as home mission endeavours, demands that some attention should be specially devoted to the former. And of all the departments of the Church's operations, none appears to demand more fostering care from the General Assembly than that now named, So vitally important is it, that every home scheme is conducted on sound principles, or the reverse, as it promotes or impedes the great work of Church extension. With power of rapid and indefinite expansion such as no Church ever enjoyed, and with demands for ordinances at her hands which the lapse of four years has scarcely diminished, the Free Church would be obviously overlooking or neglecting the great work to which it has been called, were not the most vigorous efforts made to meet the demands for her ministrations, and extend the influence of those principles which God has already so signally honoured, wherever the means of doing so are afforded. "To carry forward this special department of work, a Sub-Committee was appointed immediately after last Assembly. By correspondence, counsel, and encouragement, the different stations were aided as that Committee best could; but the hindrances were numerous and great. In some cases the refusal of sites, in others the want of stated ordinances, operated injuriously on the stations. In the majority of cases, however, the zeal and resolution of the adherents seemed to promise that, by the help of God, they would soon surmount all their difficulties. A goodly number have this year applied for sanction; and, however the Assembly may deal with these applications, the Committee feel more and more assured that, had we a sufficient supply of labourers, not a few of our stations could without difficulty be speedily raised to the rank of ministerial charges.

"Finally, let it be borne in mind, that we have never yet entered on the proper and peculiar duty of a home mission. By far the greater part of our efforts have been confined to our own adherents. Those who are living without God and without hope, with none to care for their souls, have been very partially attended. More than 80,000 in Glasgow, more than 60,000 in Edinburgh, and hundreds of thousands over all Scotland, have not yet been sought out. And how are we, or any Evangelical Church, to overtake these masses, and so draw down the blessing of them that are

ready to perish? The truth as it is in Jesus must be sent to them. Living agents must be employed to carry it. The power and demonstration of the life-giving Spirit must be implored, and only when that is granted will the dry bones live. Our undertaking is no doubt vast; but can it be too vast when the Lord of Hosts is on our side? Large means are required; but when were they wanting when the hand of faith in God was held out to receive them? More ministers are needed; but He who hath the seven Spirits of God can both furnish them and send them forth. The very magnitude of our work should provoke us to be more in faith, and more in prayer and dependence upon God, strong in the conviction that no cause upheld by faith, and carried out in a spirit of prayerful dependence upon God, ever yet failed of

success."

Mr TWEEDIE, in concluding the Report, had only a single remark to make, which was to the effect, that it would be well if the brethren over the country made it a practice to endeavour, by rotation, as it were, to occupy the pulpits of the non-ministerial charges in their respective districts, and allow the probationers appointed to these districts to preach in their churches upon such occasions.

Mr SOMMERVILLE of Glasgow, said, in presenting this Report, I will confine myself to a very few remarks. I have to give a kind of narrative of the proceedings of the brethren who went forth to itinerate in the destitute localities of the country last year. I hold that narrative in my hand. I shall not trouble the House by reading much of it; but perhaps it will indulge me, by allowing me to read one or two extracts, to show the real necessity of the country, and to give an idea of the manner in which the work has been accomplished. I may mention, that there were twelve ministers sent out last summer to as many destitute localities in the Lowlands. I shall state the names of these brethren, and the places which they visited. They are as follows:

1. Mr Cumming, the district around Kelso.

2. Mr Milne, about Airdrie.

3. Mr Philip, Killearn, Fintry, &c.

4. Mr Burns, within the Presbytery of Dunse.

5. Mr Harper, Dalry district, Ayrshire.

6. Mr Adam, north-west of Dumfriesshire.

7. Mr Morison, south-east of Dumfriesshire.

8. Mr Smeaton, district within Presbytery of Alford.

9. Mr Macfarlane, Turriff and Deer.

10. Mr Stewart, Presbytery of Wigton.

11. Mr Sommerville, Shetland.

12. Mr A. Bonar, Mearns, and country about Montrose.

The average amount of time spent by these brethren in this work was about three weeks. I may perhaps be allowed to say, that the number of sermons delivered by the brethren although, of course, we cannot judge of the success of the mission by this- during the time they were in the field, was about 270. The manner in which these ministers' pulpits were supplied in their absence, was by exchanges between them and the brethren residing in the districts visited. In this way a double advantage was gained. One man went out, and a brother supplied his place, and did the missionary work in connection with his residence in the place where he was sent to. It is difficult to say anything with respect to results. Our business is to sow the seed, and perhaps others may reap the increase. We have sowed, whether we succeed in reaping or not; but one thing interested many of the brethren, who went out last year, the seeing the good fruit arising from the sowing of the seed by brethren in the several districts in former years, and we hope those who follow may reap some of the fruit arising from the seed which we were privileged to sow. As a proof of the necessity in many parts of our country, and as a specimen of the work executed by our brethren, I shall read a few extracts from the narrative to which I referred. They shall not be long. I shall read three extracts, the two first of which refer to the mining districts; they are as follows:

"The population of the small district which I visited is 70,000 or upwards, not gathered together as in the older part of Glasgow, but scattered over the space of two or three miles; not consisting of the poor and the wretched, who, if they will, have not the means of debauchery, but consisting of the young and active, earning