their full course of study should be advanced a year. My friend Mr Brown, in giving in his report, has already proposed that, in regard to those who, before receiving licence, will have reached the age of twenty-four, some dispensation should be allowed; one class in the literary course, and one class in the theological, may be dispensed with, I mean one year in each course, so as to complete the whole course in six, instead of eight years. We are prepared to recommend that this be allowed as a general rule in cases of all kinds where, before his being licensed, the party will have attained the age of twenty-four, and be prepared to stand a searching examination by their Presbytery, or by the Education Committee of the Church. We are prepared thus far, in the present exigency of the Church, to propose a relaxation in the strict rule of academic training,-no relaxation in the amount of acquirements asked, but some relaxation in the number of years prescribed. (Hear, bear.) I trust this Church will be distinguished more for her requiring of her candidates a competent measure of knowledge, than for her strictness in asking where they got that knowledge, and how many years they took to acquire it. (Hear.) Now, in that system, as carried out in the old Establishment, is it not notorious that the strict exaction of the eight, or nine, or ten years' attendance at college, the strict exaction of the college tickets, was made to cover the laziness, or worse than laziness, of the Church, in regard to candidates for licences? (Great cheering.) And is it not a reproach, a reflection on any Church of Christ, that she has injured herself, has restricted herself by stereotyped rules and regulations which she would not allow herself, in any instance, to relax; as to exclude from her communion, even John Newton had he applied for licence? (Hear, hear.) I repeat that my present object is to say, that we seek for no relaxation in regard to the acquirements which the Church demands; but simply ask this relaxation as to the period of attendance-that in the case of those young men, and those only, who, before obtaining licence, shall have got to the age of twenty-four, they shall be exempted from one year's attendance on the preliminary classes, and one year's attendance on the hall, provided they are found qualified on a strict examination. This will be a great encouragement to young men to come forward and study for the ministry. (Hear.) There is yet a third class from whom we may look for supplies,- -a class of which the mention of John Newton is well fitted to remind the Assembly,-I allude to those of still more mature years,―men of experience,-men who have seen the world,-men who have, it may be, served their country,-men who have studied deeply, and who are learned in all the arts and sciences,-men who are of mature age, and who may feel themselves moved by the general desire to preach the gospel, or stirred by an extraordinary movement in some Church to devote themselves to the work of the ministry. Now I am far from saying that this Church should, under the pressure of any emergency, throw her doors open to any class of men, as the Established Church of England seems to have done. I am far from saying that we should indefinitely throw open our doors to men of all professions late in life; but there should at least be in the Church a recognised competency to open the door, if it shall see fit, to such men, the Church should be prepared to take their case into consideration, and make trial of their gifts, so that without the bar of eight or ten years' study, they may be admitted at once into the service of that Master, love to whom has prompted them to make the application. (Cheers.) I am disposed to recommend that any such application should be made to the Committee and transmitted to the Assembly, that each case may be judged on its own merits-each case, I mean, of an applicant seeking still farther exemption from the strict rule that I have already proposed. All I ask is, that we, as a Church, should be prepared to give an answer such as I gave to a friend who consulted me on this subject. He spoke to me of an officer in India of high standing, of great attainments in literature, and of deep and long-tried piety, who was so moved by the hand of God so visibly manifested in Scotland, as to turn his thoughts to the ministry of the Free Church; but, said my friend, I suppose I may write to him that he need not turn his thoughts that way, as it will take ten years before he can go through the necessary course of study. My reply to him was, Write the very reverse-if he be such a man as you say, and the Church find him qualified, I would be ashamed of the Church if she did not open the door for

such special applicants. (Cheers.) We are anxious that the door should be thrown open for such cases. We do not speak rasbly. Why, what have we been doing this very day? We have allowed the Presbytery of Bombay to ordain a man who, so far as I know, never was at college at all-a man whom I have long known, and a better scholar and better divine than half of the students who have undergone a college curriculum-I mean Mr Aitken of Poonah. (Cheers.) And what sort of man was that? He was a man who told me himself, that when first moved with the desire of entering on the missionary work, he took a whole year to try himself, without telling any man of his intention. When he had ultimately resolved on engaging in the work, he set himself, after being engaged in trade, to learn the Hebrew and Greek languages, and acquired them so thoroughly as to be able to use the Hebrew Scriptures in his private devotion without any sensible diminution of his piety. (Hear.) And I would ask, is that a man whom we would keep back till he has passed his weary routine course through the dreary round of the four preliminary classes, and then insist on keeping him chained in the theological hall, when he was already burning to enter on the noble career of the Christian missionary? (Cheers.) We are entitled to expect, that from these various ways, in answer to the prayer of faith, God will in this way soon, and in a more remarkable manner, perhaps, than we expect, send labourers into the harvest. We have his own promise to plead,we have his own command to obey,- Pray ye the Lord of the harvest that he would send forth more labourers into his harvest. The Church, the Assembly, the Presbyteries, and the congregations of the Church, have not yet been sufficiently stirred up to discharge their duty on this point; and perhaps we have not yet sufficiently realised the importance of this commandment. What are the circumstances under which his command is given? "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth more labourers into his harvest." 6. Pray ye, therefore," why, what is the import of "therefore" in that passage? Is it that we should pray because the labourers are few? No; I take the force of the command to be this, because the harvest is plenteous, therefore pray ye. The same God who has made the harvest plenteous, can also prepare the labourers; and the very plenteousness of the harvest is a proof and evidence that the labourers shall not be wanting, if only the Lord is inquired of concerning this thing. Is it not evident, I would almost say, a natural principle, that the same cause which makes the harvest plenteous, is also preparing the labourers for the harvest,-is it a strong outpouring of the Spirit of God,-is it a season of revival, that makes the harvest plenteous, that prepares so many souls to be gathered? and will not the same outpouring of the Spirit,-the same season of revival, have its secret and silent influence on the minds of many who are preparing to come forth to the work of the Lord? Is it some event in Providence,—some revolution in the affairs of Christ's Church,-some stirring circumstance to advance Christ's glory, that excites the minds of the people, and makes them ready to hear the glad tidings with unwonted alacrity and joy? and will not the same cause be also at work in the humble cottage, in the lonely cell, in the student's closet, preparing men for the work of evangelization? What then straitens us, what hinders us? Has not God in his providence, and by his Spirit, been whitening the fields for the harvest? and do we not know that the same principle will stir up the people's minds, -and stir up especially the youth of the land? Do we not know that everywhere in Scotland the young are more especially awakened? What need we fear that the same grace, the same providence which has prepared the people to hear, will also move the hearts of our youth to speak! What, then, is wanting,-what but the prayers of faith to Him who will be inquired of for the blessings which He has promised to give? Let us as a Church, whether as presbyteries or as congregations, humble ourselves before the Lord, and make our appeal to Him. He who has sent the harvest to be reaped, will also send the labourers to reap it. The harvest is his, -the labourers also are his. He never sent a harvest to be reaped without having the labourers ready to reap it: but while we ask for the labourers, oh! let the Church use the means, let us employ the instrumentality,-remembering continually, that as God in his providence, and by his Spirit, has opened to us a wide and effectual

door, God also, in answer to prayer, will send the labourers into his harvest. The Rev. Doctor sat down amidst loud and long-continued cheering.

Mr CARMENT of Rosskeen expressed, as we understood, his approval of the proposed relaxation in regard to the number of years' attendance at college usually required, and referred to the practice in that respect of the Synods of Argyle and Glenelg, and also of Aberdeen in his earlier days.

Dr M'DONALD moved the adoption of the reports presented by Mr Brown, Dr Mackay, and Dr Candlish. He was ready to acquiesce in every sentiment these reports contained, and he would move a vote of thanks to the Conveners of the respective Committees.

Dr SMYTH cordially seconded the motion. He was sure that no one could have heard the reports on whose understanding and heart they could have failed to produce a deep impression. The views of Christian usefulness which they unfolded, were interesting to all; and the thrilling appeal to the sympathy with which the last address had been concluded, must have convinced all of them of the necessity of being earnest in prayer, that the Lord of the harvest would send forth labourers into his vineyard.

Dr BUCHANAN said,-Before the reports were finally disposed of, he wished to allude to one point which he thought might be improved, in reference to the election of members of Assembly. It was proposed that, in regard to the number of ministers and elders to be elected by the Presbyteries, this should be regulated by the numbers which were formerly in use to be appointed. In the present state of the Church this would give but a very limited representation, and he thought a slight change would be advisable to remedy the deficiency. As the old rule stood, Presbyteries with less than thirteen members sent only two members to the Assembly, the number being progressively increased above thirteen. He thought it would be an improvement if the highest number for two members were reduced to eight or nine; it would materially increase the representation.

Mr DUNLOP thought the easiest plan would be to give two ministers to Presbyteries having six members or under; three to those having twelve or under; four to those having eighteen; and so on.

Dr Candlish having altered the report accordingly, the motion was agreed to.

Dr M'FARLAN (Moderator pro tempore) then tendered the thanks of the Assembly to Drs Mackay and Candlish, and to Mr Brown. He was sure he expressed the mind of the Assembly, and of every person present who felt interested in the Free Church, when he said that they were deeply indebted to the three gentlemen for the labour and attention they had bestowed on the reports which had been just now laid before the Assembly, and which contained so much valuable and interesting information. They could see in all this the fulfilment of God's promise to his people," As thy day is, so shall thy strength be." In the schedule of churches in the report on the table, they saw the fruits which five months only had produced; and when they looked at the magnitude of the increase, they must feel constrained to say, "The Lord is with them; it is the Lord's doing." I am sure I express the sentiments of the Assembly, when I wish that your lives may be preserved for many days; and as you have laid the Church under many obligations by your past services, may you be enabled to continue your valuable labours on its behalf, and may the blessing of God rest on you for ever and ever.

Mr CRICHTON said he regretted that he had been absent this evening, in consequence of his having been labouring in a neglected parish in the neighbourhood, and addressing the people on the principles of the Free Church. He was glad, however, at being made the means of informing the Assembly of the progress of the building subscription in the Hall this evening. The result was that subscriptions had been obtained to the extent of L. 1430, 11s. 3d., or, 11,444 half-crowns. (Applause.) To this then should be added what has been collected by a few friends and himself yesterday, amounting to L.1775; making a total of L.3205, 1ls. 3d.— (cheers) to be applied to the Building Fund. The result was by no means flattering. There were many Glasgow merchants who, now that the sun of prosperity had begun to shine upon them, might have subscribed the whole sum themselves;

Some

but it was, at all events, a beginning, and he would look upon it as a foretaste of what was yet to come. He hoped the plan of Mr Collins would now be acted on, and that in every congregation the collectors would be found rivalling each other till the present paltry sum of L 3000 was increased to L.50,000 or L. 100,000. (Cheers.) They had also made a beginning on behalf of another fund. preferred paying directly to the sustentation fund, and he had got five individuals, who had subscribed to that fund L.275. (Applause.) Mr Crichton then paid a high compliment to their Irish friends, and announced the exhibition of the Marquis of Breadalbane's Irish carpet, for the purpose of raising a fund to build a church in some poor locality in the Highlands.

Dr BUCHANAN moved the following resolution in reference to the Presbyterian Church in America :-" The General Assembly, considering that, on several occasions, they have received from the Presbyterian Church in the United States of North America, communications containing most cordial expressions of their sympa. thy, and of their concurrence in the great principles for which this Church has been recently called upon to contend; having of late, since the disruption, received, in various ways, expressions of the sympathy and liberality of their American brethren, and earnest invitations to send a deputation to that country in order that the sympathy and liberality of the churches there may be fully called forth;-and being sincerely desirous, both from a regard to general scriptural duty, and to the present special circumstances of the church and the world, to promote friendly intercourse and Christian co-operation among all Evangelical Churches,-resolve to appoint a representative to visit the United States of America to plead the cause of this Church in her present difficulties, to convey her earnest wishes for more of friendly intercourse and brotherly communion with the Evangelical Churches of that country, and to make such inquiries into the condition and operation of their religious and educational institutions, as may seem likely to be most useful to this Church in the peculiar position in which she is now placed, and remit to the Commission to select ministers, and, if they see cause, elders, to form this deputation."-Agreed to.

Mr DUNLOP moved a vote of thanks to the collectors for the various funds.Agreed to.

Mr DUNLOP moved that the Acting Committee be empowered to name trustees in whom the property ofthe Church should be vested; and that the Law Committee should prepare proper trust deeds, to be laid before next Assembly.-Agreed to.

An overture was read from the Presbytery of Edinburgh, regarding a day of humiliation and prayer, and of thanksgiving on account of the abundant harvest, and for the progress of the Free Church.

Dr CANDLISH moved, that the day be fixed by a pastoral letter being addressed to the people of the Free Church. As he understood, however, that the United Secession had fixed on a day for a similar purpose, he would propose that in the mean time the matter be remitted to the Special Commission to communicate with the Secession, and other Christian bodies, before fixing the day. Agreed to.

Mr DUNLOP moved the addition of some legal gentlemen to the Law Committee to take such steps as might have a tendency to get rid of the exclusiveness and annoyance by which non-established denominations were required to apply to the session-clerks of the Established Church for registration.

Dr M'FARLAN stated, with regard to trying the question as to quoad sacra churches, it had been stated in the Assembly the other day, as a general opinion, that one case should be selected and tried, for the purpose of forming the rule for others, and the opinion of counsel was decidedly in favour of such a course. He did not think, therefore, that the Assembly should part without giving some instructions to the Law Committee on the subject. He should like this to be done to calm the minds of those who were more immediately connected with these churches. No doubt there was a want of funds necessary to carry on such a case; but he thought they might safely trust to the liberality and the generosity of the members of the Free Church to place the requisite means at their disposal. He did not say that those who were specially connected with the quoad sacra churches

were to supply these funds; the expense of carrying on the suit should be the work of the Church at large. He would therefore suggest that a minute should be prepared, ordering that such a case should be legally tried.

Dr BUCHANAN said there could be no doubt of the propriety of the course proposed by Dr M'Farlan. In point of fact at a private meeting of the Assembly, when the case was fully considered, it seemed to be the understanding of the whole house that such a course should be taken. It turned out, however, that no minute of that private meeting had been made, and they would therefore now be required to do that formally, which had already been done in fact. The real difficulty was one to which Mr Dunlop had referred when he adverted to the subject this evening. The real difficulty was as to the funds necessary to prosecute the case, and he did not think the Law Committee would like to be instructed to raise an action unless the Assembly were to provide the funds necessary to carry it on. He believed the funds requisite would not be formidable. The action would be of a simple kind, for which great expenses are not required, and it was a case in which the Church was deeply interested, so far as the rights of property were concerned. Were the case to be raised and successfully terminated, it would save a vast amount of money which would otherwise be required for the building of churches. He felt satisfied that, if a subscription was begun in the Assembly, it would be most heartily responded to. It had been intended to make the subscription to-day, but another subscription had been intimated, and therefore they could not make an appeal for the expenses of the law-suit also. He would, however, suggest that the Assembly should take one of the best cases and raise an action, and that they should order a general collection to be made in all the churches on an early day, to provide funds for that object; and he could not doubt, that if a proper statement were made to the congregations, of the great interests involved in the question, and the vast saving that it would ultimately produce to the building fund if successfully brought to a close, he could not doubt but if this were done it would be heartily responded to. But to instruct the Law Committee to go on without such an assurance, would place them in a very unsatisfactory position indeed.

Dr BURNS supported the proposition of Dr Buchanan. The minds of ministers elders, and people, were kept in a state of painful uncertainty regarding the tenure of this property. A very moderate collection would be sufficient, and he could see no objection to it. He knew that one case would be raised by the other party on the question of quoad sacra churches, and he supposed it would cost less to defend the action than to raise it. If an explanatory statement were drawn up and printed, and circulated among their people, he had no doubt the necessary funds would be readily got.

Mr DUNLOP briefly addressed the House on the point, and instanced one, as a proof of the injustice of many of the cases of quoad sacra churches. There had been one instance in which between L.2000 and L.3000 had been expended on one of these churches, in addition to a debt of L. 1200. The conditions on which the church was built by the subscribers, who were very few in number, were, that the church should have a Kirk-Session, its minister should have a seat in the Church Courts, and it was to be supplied with the usual parochial machinery. By the decision in the Civil Courts, however, the Church was unable to fulfil these conditions; and yet the Establishment comes forward and claims this property, upon which between L.2000 and L.3000 have already been expended, and it claims it free of the debt of L. 1200 which exists upon it. And all this they say they do on principle. In whole, property of this kind had been created to the amount of L.300,000, which he would venture to say would never have existed but for the exertions of those who were now members of the Free Church, and also for the condition that these churches should be parochial charges, and their ministers entitled to a seat in the Church Courts. He would, however, make a proposition, in the fairness of which he was sure that all his friends would agree. It is (said Mr Dunlop) that we who have left the Church, and are contributors to these erections, shall say to those contributors who still adhere to the Church," We are willing either to give you over these churches on condition that you pay us our share of the contributions from which they were