which I do on this sacred question, to explain why my misapprehension of this report does not lead me to divide the House on this question, and I will do so in three propositions, to be stated in one sentence. The first is, because the present report is a great advance on the restrictive system of last year; the second is, because I believe in my conscience that our experience for the next six months will justify our position; and the third and last is, because I feel morally assured that we shall not find reported to the Assembly in any case where female communicants expressed a desire to vote, that the Presbytery would refuse their rights; and on these grounds I agreed to support the report.

Dr WILLIS also concurred.

Mr CARMENT insisted on the report being transmitted to Presbyteries, that we may ascertain the mind of the Church.

Dr Willis and one or two other gentlemen rose simultaneously to second the

motion.

Mr SHERIFF MONTEATH said, I am exceedingly desirous that there should be no breach of our Christian concord and harmony on this point. (Hear, hear.) It is plain that the question is calculated to excite popular feeling, and there is an appearance of difference of opinion amongst the members of this house which may lead to an unseemly conflict. I trust and hope that there will be no more of that in this Assembly. I have listened to all that has been said on both sides of the house, and I have listened in vain for an answer to this question, Why should we not delay the matter till next Assembly. Is not this a question involving a vital Christian principle? I am told by Mr Carment, and those who agree with him, that they do view it as a vital Christian principle; I am told by the gentlemen on the other side that they regard it as a question equally important; and I am therefore of opinion that all sides of the House agree in this, that the question is one of vital Christian principle. Then, I say, we have this unquestionable historical truth, that the opinion of our ancestors was in favour of women not having a right to vote. That has been the usage from time immemorial in the Church of our fathers. I do not say that our fathers were right; it may be that they are wrong. I do not argue that question now, because when I see so many grave and learned Doctors differing, I see that there must be depths in it which it would be presumptuous in me extemporaneously to attempt to settle. But if it be a question of Christian principle, we ought not to give to it the go-by; neither should we decide it without taking time for full and mature consideration. It is impossible that it can obtain full cousideration in this Assembly; and what, then, are we doing? Are we, for the sake of a few individuals who are anxious to raise this question, to stultify ourselves, by approving of a report which admits of a double reading, and which allows the question to be answered by two Presbyteries of two opposite views. I say it would be much better that the question should be fully discussed before we give a deliverance. The manly and the proper way we should pursue is to leave the question over till next Assembly; and it is on the ground of its doing so that I approve of the report, in the ardent hope that there may be a unanimity and harmony of feeling amongst us, and when there are so few labourers in the vineyard, that there may be no occasion to raise the question. But I have a much stronger hope that no Presbytery will take upon themselves to act contrary to the opinion of our ancestors, on their own responsibility. He concluded by suggesting, that every case where the question is mooted should be remitted to the next Assembly.

Mr M'ALLISTER of Nigg would not have addressed the Assembly, were it not for one remark that fell from his excellent friend, Dr Candlish, with regard to considering this question prayerfully. He had endeavoured to do so. He had studied the Word of God in relation to this matter, and the impression on his mind was, that there was no authority in the Word of God for females to give their votes in the choosing of ministers. That was his impression; and it would be matter of consideration with him, if they went on in this way, whether, with the conscientious principles he held, he could remain in the Free Church of Scotland. He had freely given his opinion; and he prayed the Assembly to delay for some time the settle ment of this question.

The following decision was then unanimously come to by the Assembly:-"The Assembly generally approve of the report. Direct it to be remitted to Presbyteries, that they may send up their opinion thereon to next General Assembly, and enact ad interim in terms thereof."

CALL TO THE REV. MR GUTHRIE.

The Assembly took up the case of a call to Mr Guthrie of Edinburgh from the congregation now forming in connexion with the Free Church, in Edward Street, Portman Square, London. The case came before the court by way of petition from the London congregation, praying that Mr Guthrie should be translated to that field of labour, and urging various reasons in favour of that step, such as the vast population of London, the spiritual destitution that exists, and the number of Scotch inhabitants requiring the care of Presbyterian pastors.

Mr MORRIS, from the London congregation, shortly addressed the Assembly in support of the petition.

Mr LOTHIAN, from the congregation of St John's Free Church, Edinburgh, requested that Dr Buchanan should read a letter which had been written by Mr Guthrie in reference to this matter.

Dr BUCHANAN accordingly read the following letter:

My DEAR SIR,-As it will be out of my power to return to Glasgow on Monday, I write you respecting the invitation to me to accept a charge in London, which I understand is to be brought before the Assembly early next week.

"You are aware that I hold very high, and what some might perhaps consider extravagant views on the duty of ministers in these matters to obey the orders of the Church. While I continue a minister of the Free Church of Scotland, I hold it to be my duty to repair, through the strength of God, to any post to which, after a full consideration of the case, the Church should order me.

"I feel most deeply for the adherents of our Church in London and elsewhere in England, deprived as they have so often been of their pastors-may I not say, in many cases abandoned by them? and were I convinced that duty required me to accept this call, and turn my back on my own land and people, I think I may venture to say that I would do so, notwithstanding the pain I should suffer in being separated from my present congregation.

“I have already experienced the grief of being parted from a people to whom - I was much attached, and certainly I am not inclined again to undergo that trial. My heart revolts from the idea of leaving my people; and for various reasons that I need not stay to state, I see it to be my duty not to do so. I cannot doubt that the As. sembly will come to the same conclusion; but should there be any chance of their coming to the opposite conclusion, then I pray you to see that I have opportunity of being heard before they come to a finding.

I have to request that you will communicate my views and feelings to the house, and at the same time I have to express my earnest hope that the General Assembly may be guided to such measures in regard to our countrymen and congregations in England, as may henceforth save them from the distressing, discouraging, and much to-be-deplored circumstances under which they at present labour. Believe me, yours most sincerely, THOMAS GUTHRIE."

Mr LOTHIAN then read a memorial from the elders and deacons of Mr Guthrie's congregation, to the effect that they had heard with regret, though without surprise, that their highly esteemed pastor had received a call to London. Of the importance of employing an able labourer in so extensive a field, they were fully aware; but, nevertheless, would venture to suggest that, according to the best opinion they were able to form, the advantages to be gained on the one hand would be much more than counteracted by the injury sustained on the other. Mr Guthrie had a congregation of about 1200 people, who are in no ordinary manner attached to his person, and impressed with the value of his ministrations; and if the house in which they assembled was sufficiently spacious, there was every reason to know that the number would speedily be doubled. The immediate effect of his removal, it was in addition stated, would in all probability be the scattering of his large flock.

Mr WHITEHEAD, for the session, then spoke against the translation, and urged the great importance of Mr Guthrie's labours in the poor localities of the Cowgate and the Grassmarket. He also pointed out the great importance of Mr Guthrie being retained in Edinburgh, where so much business in connection with the general interests of the Church required to be transacted.

Mr LOTHIAN next addressed the Assembly. He said the Assembly should know, that it was in their power to put an end to the proposed translation on the instant, by a statement of a technical objection, viz. that the petition could not regularly be entertained; but he at the same time wished the house to understand, that they had no intention to make that objection, just for the simple reason, that next to removing Mr Guthrie altogether, the hanging up of this case for six months would, in the peculiar circumstances of his congregation, be exceedingly injurious. After referring to the high estimation in which Mr Guthrie was held by his congregation, Mr L. specially directed the attention of the Assembly to the fact that, when in the Establishment he had taken under his care the poor of the very poorest locality in Edinburgh, and that he still continued that system in preference to looking after those by whom the Church would otherwise be liberally supported. If they removed Mr Guthrie, they would throw on his congregation, peculiarly a poor one, a burden that they could not bear without the assistance of those friends by whom they were now supported. By the assistance of those friends they had feued an extensive piece of ground-not one stone had yet been laid; and he was not exaggerating the case when he stated that no contract would be come to, in all probability, if Mr Guthrie was taken away from them. Mr L. then argued for the retention of Mr Guthrie, from the importance of having his able assistance in Edinburgh to transact the general business of the Church, and stated several other arguments against the translation.

Parties being removed,

Dr BUCHANAN said there were substantially two questions raised by the memorialists, under the consideration of the House. There was the specific question of the call to Mr Guthrie, whether they would consent to translation, in obedience to that call; and there was the other and more general question involved in the claim which the friends of the Free Church of Scotland in London had to their sympathy, their countenance, and aid. With regard to the more immediate and specific question, whether they should consent to remove Mr Guthrie from his present charge, undoubtedly it was a question of considerable difficulty. The claims, not simply of the individual congregation from which the call came, but, in addition to this, the general claims of the cause of evangelical religion, and of the cause of the Free Church of Scotland, in the metropolis of the empire-these were claims which merited from that house the most serious and patient consideration. At the same time, in considering even claims like these, they must not leave out of sight this general position, that if the Free Church of Scotland is to be strong abroad, it must first be strong at home. (Hear.) He would hold this to be a fundamental position in regard to any questions of this nature which might come before them. It might be important that they should have able and powerful representatives in stations at a distance from Scotland; but it could never be wise to strengthen any of their outposts at the expense of weakening our own in the main places of our own country. Then again, in addition to this, they were to look to the precise position which Mr Guthrie now occupied. He himself had to come before them in the most becoming attitude in which any minister of that Church could appear, when a case of that nature was before the supreme court of the Church. He had come before them acknowledging his obligation as a minister of the Church, to place himself under their jurisdiction and authority, and to be guided implicitly by their decisions; while, at the same time, with candour he had plainly intimated, that all his feelings and all his wishes were against his removal from his present charge. They ought not to be insensible to the opinion on this subject which Mr Guthrie had given; but at the same time he would not suffer his judgment on this question to come between him and a contrary decision, were he satisfied that his removal from his present charge to the congregation in London, was a change that would be for the advan

tage of that Church, and for the general advancement of the cause of evangelical truth. It was because he was not satisfied on that point, that he hesitated about the transla. tion. They had the indisputable fact that, in his present position, he occupied a sphere of very high influence, both as regarded the general power which he exerted in England and Scotland, and in reference to the direct effect which his ministrations were exerting in the individual congregation of which he was minister, or with reference to the general interests of the Free Church of Scotland, his talents and capacities could more completely, and more efficiently develope themselves, than where he was now placed. They knew how completely he was adapted to his present place; while it was, to some extent, uncertain whether he would find himself, if translated, in a position equally influential, whether as regarded the general interests of the Church, or as minister in a particular field. On these grounds, he felt himself constrained to come to the conclusion that it was the duty of the Assembly to decline acceding to the prayer of the memorial. But there was another question suggested by the memorial now under consideration, and that was the general question of the position of the members and friends of the Free Church of Scotland, in the great metropolis of this empire. That that was a position of great religious destitution in connection with the Free Church of Scotland, no one at all acquainted with it could possibly doubt or deny. Moreover, it was equally certain that the Church of Scotland had never been, since the union, adequately represented in the metropolis. And it might be, that the events which had brought them there, and which had separated them from the National Establishment, were a too impressive commentary on the neglect of the Church at home, in not providing for a representation of its interests in that city, where existed the political influence which regulates the affairs of this great empire. But it was needless to look at those times gone by; and he was sure, that while they might have regretted that neglect at one time, as having, among other fatal effects, injured their influence at head quarters, when seeking a settlement of the great question that so long agitated the Church, they did not, on a larger view of that question, regret its consequences now. It might have been a sinful neglect on the part of the Church, but God had overruled it for good to the general interests of the Church of Christ. Still, if they were to take full advantage of the position Providence had opened for them, they were more than ever called upon to do that which the Church in former times had grievously neglected. They were called upon to have ministers of their Church in that great metropolis-whose influence was felt, not through the empire alone, but throughout the world-ministers qualified, not only to preach the Word in such a manner as might edify the particular congregation over which they preside, but as qualified to lift it up in that great city, and to make known, in the midst of that mighty community, the great principles for which we in Scotland had been called to witness and to suffer. (Hear.) Knowing, from personal observation, the circumstances in which their beloved friends were in the metropolis-knowing the circumstances, trying and painful, in which they had been placed he felt bound to express the deep and heartfelt sympathy that filled his breast for them in those painful circumstances and to indicate-not for himself only, but for that entire Assembly—their cordial and anxious desire that measures might be taken-immediately taken-in good earnest, in order to have this evil provided for in order to have this great end satisfactorily achieved, Dr Buchanan then moved the following resolutions

:

"The General Assembly having had laid before it a petition from certain members of the Free Church in London, praying the Assembly to loose the Rev. Mr Guthrie, of St John's Free Church, Edinburgh, from his present charge, and to translate him to the charge of a congregation now forming in connection with the Free Church of Scotland, in Edward Street, Portman Square, London, The General Assembly, waving the irregularity in the form in which this case had been brought before the House, and having duly considered the prayer of the petition, and having also considered a letter thereanent from the Rev. Thomas Guthrie, and heard commissioners from his congregation and kirk-session, do not feel themselves warranted to order his translation from his present charge, as prayed for in the London memorial: Farther, that the general Assembly being fully alive to the very great impor

tance of having the Church adequately represented in London, and warmly sympathising with the friends and members of the Free Church in that great city, in the difficulties with which they have been called to contend, resolve to appoint the following Committee to consider this whole subject, to correspond with the adherents and congregations of the Free Church in London, and to assist them in looking out for suitable ministers; and finally, the Assembly express their earnest desire and hope that those ministers who may, with the concurrence of the Committee and the Presbyteries to which they belong, should give such calls their most favourable consideration."

It was clear that nothing less than disappointment was to be expected, such as would be experienced if his motion was carried, if their London friends were left wholly unaided; they could not know the circumstances in which ministers were placed -with all deference, they could not know the fitness of ministers for the situations to which they were called, and therefore they were left in the dark, both as to the fitness of ministers they might select, and as to the likelihood of their accepting the calls. It was of great importance, at the same time, that this Committee should be composed of persons, who understood and appreciated the necessity for providing London with suitable men, and aiding congregations there, in whatever steps they might find it their duty to take. (Agreed.)

Dr BURNS of Paisley entertained a very clear and decided opinion on the question before them, and the conclusion to which he came, was directly the very reverse of that to which his excellent friend Dr Buchanan had come, in the motion he had proposed. The Rev. Doctor proceeded to contend for the propriety of encouraging translations to London. London was just the place where they should seek to plant their standard; and if they had hitherto neglected it, how important was it that they should now have able representatives there. Dr Buchanan seemed to speak of removing Mr Guthrie to London as if it were to Australia or Illinois, or some spot where he was to turn his back on his friends, and never to see them more in the flesh. But was London, the centre of wealth and of influence, and which ought to be the centre of principle in regard to the interests of the Church-was that place to be put in the same category with the distant districts of our colonial vineyard. Let it not be said that Mr Guthrie occupied an important place in regard to Edinburgh -be knew he did-but important as Edinburgh was, and certainly influential as his friend Mr Guthrie was, he had no hesitation in saying, that the position proposed in London was a thousand times more influential. When they looked to the position of the Free Church, and when they were sending men across the border, with the view of obtaining money through the movement in England, were they not to send their best men to occupy a station of so great importance as its metropolis? Had it been his friend Dr Chalmers who was proposed for this position, he would have said at once Dr Chalmers was the man for so important a post. The Rev. Doctor then went on to say, that next to Dr Chalmers, he knew no man better qualified for representing the interests of the Free Church in London than Mr Guthrie; and he proceeded to point out the importance of the metropolis as a field for promoting the cause of spiritual freedom. After answering several objections to the translation, he concluded with moving that the prayer of the petition be granted, and that instructions be given to the Presbytery of Edinburgh to translate Mr Guthrie with all convenient speed.

Mr CARMENT seconded the motion of Dr Buchanan.

Mr DUNLOP did not rise to second the motion of Dr Burns, but at the same time he could not allow the matter to pass over without stating that he acquiesced in the