صور الصفحة
PDF
النشر الإلكتروني

Father for the wisdom that cometh from above, let us sit in grave, earnest, and holy convocation. Questions of doctrine will not chiefly occupy us, for these are happily placed beyond the hazard of ambiguous constructions. But much may occur in matters of administration to put our wisdom to the test; for though much has been well and wisely settled in former Assemblies, something may yet remain to be added or altered, to complete what is lacking, and correct what is capable of amendment. The blessing of God rested on our first Assemblies so manifestly that other Churches took notice of the light which shone upon us, and rejoiced. Indeed, it was a memorable result of our altered state, that it seemed to revive the dormant affinities of the Christian world, the reality and strength of which were scarcely known till the report of our oppression and escape awoke their slumbering sympathies. It was then that Churches near and distant, but chiefly the locally remote, hastened to own, encourage, and aid us. Nor were they satisfied till they came and saw "what God had wrought." Our very name is no more singular and confined to ourselves; for in other countries where our example has been followed, our distinctive designation has been adopted, and the word free, at all times suggestive of something agreeable to the mind, has in these days become ennobled by its application to the citizens of Zion, as they become liberated from the enforced bondage of secular enthralment. But what won us the respect of other Churches must be religiously preserved, in order to perpetuate and augment it. Our testimony must be maintained without compromise or curtailment. Nor must we hasten to be associated with men tenacious of fundamental errors, and detracting from the personal glory and universal dominion of Emmanuel,-set, as God's Anointed, on his holy hill. Purity is power-(hear, hear) -and any departure from it, in order to conciliate others, we are neither authorised to make, nor can we, without endangering the success of our sacred cause. Not, however, claiming for ourselves an infallibility of judgment,-we disclaim with aversion the pretensions of an exclusive spirit, and can look on men with forbearance, and even love, whom, nevertheless, we could not admit to fellowship, in the highest sense, without hurting conscience, and without violating consistency. There is, indeed, an all-comprehending class which prefers an unmeasured temple, and deems it a breach of charity to draw definite lines of demarcation. If not drawn by Scripture, let no man regard them; but if there, it is safe to respect them, though the reproach of scrupulosity be incurred. The union of an Evangelical Alliance is captivating, but the union of a visible church, combining truth with love, excels it. Respected brethren, excuse remarks which too long detain you from the weighty affairs awaiting your deliberations-affairs which, relating as they do to the Church's glorious Head, the Church's management, and the Church's members, will suitably exercise minds the most enlightened and capacious. Our institutions having passed through the tentative and experimental stages, now call for strenuous and persevering energy in working them out; applying to them, as occasion requires, such corrections and superintendence as may secure the right working of the Church's machinery, in harmony with its constitution, and not unwisely interfering with the integrity of pastoral responsibility, and the advantages of territorial arrangement. We meet in circumstances fitted to impress all with a thoughtful, perhaps pensive, concern. For, since last Assembly, the judgments of God have been awfully revealed, in aspects fearfully expressive of His sore displeasure. These judgments still overhang the land, holding the nation in alarming suspense as to their farther progress. And it devolves on the Church-on Zion's watchmen-to be God's interpreters, to tell what these things mean, and what is the people's duty at such a time. Those whom you represent look to you, moreover, for wise counsel and direction respecting the Church's relation to the Powers that be, especially with regard to certain public measures emanating from the State, and bearing on the important matter of education,- -measures, the character and tendency of which are of doubtful, if not ominous import,—— a consideration which displays the wisdom of the steps already taken by the Church to occupy a secure educational position, whatever be elsewhere devised or done. Your constituents also expect that heedful attention be given to the several Schemes sanctioned by former Assemblies, that the channels through which their liberality flows be neither obstructed nor multiplied to a degree that would diminish the strength of each, and damage the efficiency of the whole, while it will gladden the hearts of all to receive, in the returns to be produced, a fresh demonstration that the people are not weary in well-doing, but continue well-affected to the Free Church, and

strong in their resolution to uphold and extend it to the utmost of their means. Let them be encouraged, counselled, and justly commended. We meet, indeed, with thickening clouds careering the firmament, obscuring our views, and throwing a shadow, but not a blight, over the field of our occupation-the path of duty on which, it will require prayerful study, even in the wise in heart to discern. Above those clouds, meanwhile, if not on them, sits enthroned a presiding Power, which has already blessed us, and will bless us still, if faithful in our adherence to the glory of His crown, the doctrine of His cross, and the interests of His kingdom. If difficulties and dangers be impending, our means to meet them are diminished by the taking away of some valued servants of Christ, who adorned the Church by their piety, strengthened it by their devoted and successful labours, and by their prayers obtained for it, we doubt not, an increase of vitality and moral force. To the speaker these removals are especially admonitary, and to all, sorrowfully affecting; but by such lessons we become more alive to the blessedness of having an Immortal Head-Jesus Christ— the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever; with whom we begin all, and with Him we also end. Amen.

The usual Committees on Bills and Overtures were then appointed, the Committee on Overtures to be a Committee for revising Commissions. A Committee for arranging the Business was also named, and after resolving to meet next day for devotional exercises, and also to receive Reports of the Board of Mission and the Committee of the Jewish Scheme, at a quarter past three o'clock the Assembly adjourned.

FRIDAY, MAY 21, 1847.

Devotional Exercises-Reports of Committees on Bills and Overtures, and Business-Ministers to Preach on Sabbath-Report of Board of Missions-Speeches of Dr Makellar, Mr Jaffray, and Dr Candlish-Report of Jewish Committee-Speeches of Rev. Mr Gray and Dr CandlishReport of Committee for Sanctioning Charges-Overtures as to Testimony of the ChurchReport on Quoad Sacra Churches-Speeches of Mr Begg-Dr Candlish-Ďr Macfarlan-Dr Cunningham.

The Assembly met to-day at twelve o'clock, according to adjournment, the Moderator presiding, and was occupied for upwards of an hour and a half in devotional exercises, which were conducted first by the Moderator, and then by Mr Andrew Gray of Perth.

Reports were then given in from the Committee on Bills and Overtures.

Letter from Mr Alexander Ross, Red River Colony, Hudsons Bay, as to condition of Scotch Settlers there, referred to Colonial Committee.

ORDER OF BUSINESS.

Dr CUNNINGHAM gave in an interim Report from the Committee appointed for arranging the business. The Committee, he said, had only as yet fully arranged for that evening and to-morrow; but to-morrow they would be prepared to propose the arrangements for the beginning of the week. It had been usual to take up every Friday evening, matters which required to be referred to Committees to examine more carefully, and to report to future diets of Assembly, and the general order would be followed on this occasion. After announcing the subjects for the evening sederunt, he said the order of business for Saturday would be as follows:1. Report of the Committee on Public Accounts.

2. Report of the Committee in regard to the Accommodation of the Assembly. 3. Report of the Deputation to the Irish General Assembly; and

4. The Report of the Committee on Sabbath Observance.

In regard to the other business for the beginning of the week, the Committee would take the liberty of announcing the arrangements more fully to morrow; but he might state, in the mean time, that on Monday forenoon all the cases which had been brought up would be disposed of. It was proper, he thought, to make this intimation at present, because all the parties connected with cases must understand that they would be held liable to be called upon to plead their cases at that diet. Appeals, references, dissents and complaints, also petitions in regard to personal matters, would be heard; so parties connected with these would understand that they

were liable to be called upon to bring forward their cases upon the forenoon of Monday. There were also several cases of translation to be considered, and the order in which the whole would be taken up, the Committee would be prepared to report precisely to-morrow. On Monday, likewise, it was intended to take up the Report on Foreign Missions, which, in the peculiar position of that Scheme, was peculiarly important and interesting.

MINISTERS TO PREACH ON SABBATH.

Dr BROWN (late Moderator) reported that the Committee appointed by last Assembly to make arrangements for preaching in that Hall during the sitting of this Assembly had agreed to appoint Professor M'Laggan of Aberdeen to preach on the forenoon of Sunday first, Mr Taylor of Thurso in the afternoon, and Dr Hetherington of St Andrew's in the evening. It was likewise suggested that Mr Gray of Perth, and Dr Henderson of Glasgow should be added to the Committee. The Report was agreed to.

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF MISSIONS AND EDUCATION.

The Report of the Board of Missions and Education having been called for, Dr MAKELLAR said,-Moderator, before proceeding to give an account of the state of our mission schemes during the last year, I feel that it may not be unseasonable to advert, in a few words, to the condition-the present very painful condition—of our country. This subject is of pressing importance in itself, and will be found to have a considerable influence upon our Mission Fund. The visitations of God towards us are of such a character as deeply to impress the hearts of all orders of men. "The Lord's voice crieth unto the city." It is loud; it is urgent; it is affectionate; it is forbearing; and yet is there not reason to fear that hitherto it has not been suitably attended to or regarded? The testimony is given,—the infliction is laid on ; and yet the proper impression and improvement seem to be greatly wanting. Fathers and brethren, we should earnestly ask that God should enable us to hear the rod, and Him who hath appointed it"-that he should give us a proper apprehension of the cause and character of the visitation sent to these lands-that we might suitably humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may have mercy upon us and exalt us in due season. In regard to the amount of the contributions to our mission schemes, it is natural to expect that they should be influenced in no small degree by the heavy pressure on our resources; for, besides the various, the urgent calls in favour of the manifold undertakings in which our Church is engaged, and which must be attended to,―besides these, God has been pleased in His sovereignty and wisdom to allow this grievous calamity, in the form of famine and disease, to enter our borders, and to spread over the land; and the cry of overwhelming distress has come from distant and desolate isles, and lonely valleys, pleading with an urgency which admits of no denial or delay, that he who hath two coats should give to him who hath none, and he that hath much should do likewise; and blessed be God, who hath inclined our ear to listen to that call,--blessed be God, who hath disposed us to regard it as our privilege, as well as our duty, to come to the help of His suffering people, whose pious resignation and patient endurance give to them such a claim upon our sympathy and assistance. The good hand of the Lord hath enabled us not only to feel the strength of the claim which these sufferers have upon us, but He hath given us the opportunity and ability of contributing more than £16,000 for their relief. We refer to this circumstance, not in the indulgence of self-complacency, nor in the vain confidence of boasting, but in humble gratitude to the Giver of all good, who hath made us willing to come to the help of our suffering brethren, and who has enabled us in some measure to relieve their wants, and soothe their sorrows in the time of need. As a natural consequence of this state of things, it was reasonable to expect that the contributions to our missionary schemes should have been diminished. When in some cases the fountain of supply was dried up, and in others the streams were diverted to different channels, it was reasonable to expect that there should be a diminution here; but let us listen with gladness and with thankfulness to God, let us listen to the account we are about to give,-for, in point of fact, it is otherwise. Notwithstanding the pressure upon our resources in consequence of the visitation, and the urgent claims addressed to us for giving immediate supply to those perishing for lack of food, yet it is found that, instead of a falling off

who were

(which there is in some cases, whether less or more), there is, upon the whole, an actual very material increase of funds destined for the support of our missionary schemes. This cannot fail to be a matter of triumph to us: "It is the Lord's doing, and it is wonderful in our eyes." But while the increase of our missionary funds is very important and interesting in itself, as furnishing the means of spreading the knowledge of the name of Jesus, yet the pleasure of contemplating it is greatly enhanced on its being regarded as a sure evidence of the strength of principle in the hearts of our people, and of a steady increase in their desire to support such schemes. It is highly gratifying and important to find such a spirit in the minds of our people, bringing forward the fruits of genuine liberality and zeal in their hearts. It will be gratifying to the Assembly to learn that our congregations, while beset with so many pressing and painful calls on their own account, were not unmindful of the cases of others, and that they have generally and cordially contributed to the funds required for carrying on our missionary operations. In former years, as is well known, we had just grounds of complaint against not a few congregations that made no collections for the Schemes of the Church. It is true, that a gradual decrease has taken place in this respect; yet we find that even last year the number of congregations was somewhere about thirty which contributed nothing to any of the Schemes. The Assembly will be delighted to hear that a great improvement has taken place during the past year, notwithstanding the darkness and depression with which we have been visited. It will be delighted to hear that of the 722 congregations, there is not a single congregation that has not contributed to some one or other of the Schemes. This is a matter of great importance, and should lead us to bless God and take courage. There is another circumstance of a pleasing nature in regard to the Fund. I refer to the steady attachment and increasing exertions of the young of our flocks. The children's contributions this year are larger than at any former time. They are also more varied in their objects, as well as greater in amount. Now, this circumstance is interesting in itself, that they are more varied, because it shows an exercise of discrimination on the part of those young ones, and that while surveying (as far as it is competent for their years) the field of our operations, they make thei rown selection of the Scheme which they prefer. This should not be regarded as the caprice of children merely, but as the exercise of the understanding, along with the emotions of the heart, and should lead us to cherish the hope that, as they receive light and knowledge, they will continue to give according to their years and abilities. It should be regarded as giving proof that they have some correct apprehensions of what is right, and as affording a hope that they will be guided in the way in which they ought to go, until they grow up to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ Jesus. To our varied Schemes they have given this year more than £1000, besides other sums for other Christian objects. The General Assembly, I am quite sure, would feel much disappointed if I were to neglect particular allusion to the associations of ladies, who have been to us unwearied and unrivalled coadjutors in the good work in which we are engaged. I rejoice to think of the manner in which the God of all grace has honoured them to bear faithful testimony to the spiritual independence in His Church, and to exert themselves so successfully for the advancement of the interests of His kingdom. To tell of all they have done, and are doing, would be to go over our whole history, and speak of every scheme and important operation of our Church. Their hearts are alive to everything of importance to the Church, and their hands are ready to every good work. Let us rejoice in the certainty that we have the assistance, in our operations and plans, of those whose tenderness and energy, whose influence and piety, are of such importance in the great work in which we are engaged. This state of things presents our Church in a very interesting point of view. We see congregations and individuals, young and old, male and female, standing fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel. The direct contributions to our six Schemes for this year amount to £48,992. This exceeds the income of last year by a considerable sum, the particulars of which will afterwards be explained. When that is added to the supplementary contributions given in aid of our Education and other Schemes, we have the grand total of £73,000 and upwards. It was found in the proceedings of the last General Assembly to be a matter not only of convenience, but of great benefit, that Mr Jaffray should have the opportunity, in his own clear and satisfactory manner, of explaining to the Assembly the particulars of the contributions, and the sources from which

they are derived. I trust the Assembly will again avail itself of the same advantage; and as Mr Jaffray is now present, if permitted, he will give a short statement in regard to the sources of supply to the different funds, and the various particulars

connected with it.

:

Mr JAFFRAY came forward and said-The statement referred to by my friend Dr Makellar, of the congregational and other collections in behalf of the six Schemes of the Church, amounting to £46,000 and odds, is made up in the following way:-There was received for the Home Mission Scheme, in congregational collections and through the general missionary donations, including £4257 16 5 from non-ministerial associations, and for supply of pulpits, £9440 8 10; for the Education Scheme proper, including the Schoolmasters' Sustentation Fund, £9596: 4:3; for the New College Building, as well as the College Sustentation Fund, including £1406:16:8 from the School-Building Fund, £9161, 18s.; for the Foreign Mission Scheme, including £1540:0: 10 for the Mission Buildings in India, £8873: 19:6; for the Colonial Scheme, £5614 10: 9; for the Jews' Conversion Scheme, £6305: 0:11, -making the total referred to by Dr Makellar, £48,992: 2:3; and when to this is superadded the contributions, the other total to which he referred is reached. I shall read the supplementary contributions :—

[blocks in formation]

making a grand total of £73,272: 7:23. In proceeding to institute a comparison of the previous year with the year which is just concluded, I feel that it is necessary one word of explanation should be offered for the increase to which my friend Dr Makellar referred. Although, in my opinion, and in the opinion of others, there is a real and substantial increase, that increase as yet is not apparent, without some little explanation. It will be in the remembrance of the venerable Assembly, that last year the Central Building Fund was put in the place of the sixth scheme; last General Assembly, however, substituted the New College, so that it is difficult to institute a right comparison betwixt the sixth scheme this year and the sixth scheme of last year, when very special effort otherwise than by church-door collections was made in behalf of it last year. Last year there was received for the Central Building Fund upwards of £12,000; this year, for the Scheme which occupies its place, we received, exclusive of the grant from the School-Building Fund, only £7792; and it would seem that, in order to obtain a just comparison, it would be proper to contrast the College collection of last year with the College collection of the present year. But, without doing that, I shall, with your permission, Moderator, state to the General Assembly how the thing would stand. The total receipts, then, for the six Schemes last year amounted in all, after deducting-what I mean to do at present the amount received from non-ministerial associations,-to £43,000 and odd pounds, and allowing the singularly large building collection to stand in its place of last year, and, after deducting from the returns of this year the amount received from nonministerial associations, there is only a few hundred pounds of difference. It was £43,3107: 8 last year; it is £43,327: 9: 14 this year. But if, instead of the

« السابقةمتابعة »