annual meeting of the Somerset Association of Independent Ministers held at Bishop's Hull, on the 31st day of May last. "It is a matter of deep regret to us, that Christian brethren agreeing so entirely as you do with us in holding the great and fundamental doctrines of Christianity, are so decidedly opposed to us in sentiment in regard to civil Establishments of religion. Perhaps, if you had witnessed the growing prosperity of our Church before the civil courts by their late unhallowed encroachments, had overturned its bulwarks, and marred its beauty, you would not have wondered so much at the firmness of our adherence to what we regard as the Scriptural truths of olden times. The usurpa tions of the State have had the effect of leading us to a more careful examination of principles which from the time of our entrance into public life we have regarded with the reverence due to the principles themselves, and the honoured men of our Church by whom centuries ago they were expounded and applied. "We are well aware that your opinions on this important subject are not of recent origin, and have not been rashly or inconsiderately embraced. We willingly give you the credit of perfect sincerity in holding your views on civil establishments of religion. Though we were of a different mind, it is not in a document such as this that we should think of entering into controversy. You agree with us in the vital question of the spiritual jurisdiction—you feel your own souls confirmed by our example in the holy resolution, that the law of man shall not have the dominancy over that of Christ. Let there be no strife then between you and us: for we be brethren. Looking at the signs of the times, and listening to the loud call to union addressed to all who hold and who love the truth-let us together contend earnestly for the faith delivered to the saints, and seek to bring all within the reach of our ministrations and influence into the universal church,—the fellowship of the saints in Christ Jesus. "That the Spirit of wisdom may watch over you and us, protecting us from error, and guiding us into all truth, is the fervent prayer of your faithful brethren in the Lord. "In name and by appointment of the Committee, "PAT. M'FARLAN, Convener." "To the Secretary of the Somerset Association, &c. No. XV.From the Midland Baptist Association. "At the Annual Meeting of the Midland Baptist Association, convened at Stour bridge, Worcestershire, on the 6th and 7th June 1843, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted on the motion of the Rev. C. H. Roe, seconded by Rev. J. Mills. "1. That this Association has heard with sincere pleasure of the secession from the Established Church of Scotland of upwards of 400 of its most pious, talented, devoted ministers, and a large and influential body of the flower of her laity, and hail it as indicative of the advance of correct views in relation to the kingdom of our divine Lord and Master. "2. That we hereby record our gratitude to God for this timely interposition in behalf of the royal prerogative of Jesus as sole Lord over conscience; our admiration and cordial approval of the noble stand taken by these honoured brethren, in making such great sacrifices to maintain their integrity, and retain their principles; and we would offer our united and earnest prayer to the great Head of the Church for a copious outpouring of the Holy Spirit on this influential section of the Christian Church, to increase its light, comfort, and usefulness. "3. That the Rev. Thomas Morgan be respectfully requested to write a letter communicating these resolutions to the Moderator of the seceding body, expressive of our sympathy with them, and tending to encourage them in their arduous and trying circumstances." (ANSWER.) "COMMITTEE ROOMS, 7 NORTH ST ANDREW Street, "EDINBURGH, 16th December 1843. "The Committee appointed by the late General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland, to answer addresses and congratulations from other Churches, respectfully and affectionately acknowlege the receipt of a series of resolutions unanimously adopted by the Midland Baptist Association, at their annual meeting at Stourbridge, Worcester, in the month of June last. "We return our sincere thanks to you for your prayers on our behalf, for a copious outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and, in return, would implore the same precious blessing for you and all the faithful servants and people of Christ throughout the world. "The agreement of our Christian brethren of all denominations in the importance which they attach to the vital principle, for our adherence to which we have been compelled to leave the Scottish Establishment, is exceedingly cheering to us, and adds in no small measure to the conviction that, in renouncing the privileges and emoluments which we derived from our connection with the state, we have acted in obedience to the will of our Divine Master, and that He will grant His blessing, to an act which we humbly trust we have performed under the influence of a sincere desire for the honour of His name, and the extension of His kingdom. "With fervent prayers for the ministers and people of your Association, I am, "In name of the Committee, "Your faithful brother in the ministry of the Lord, "Rev. THOS. MORGAN, &C. No. XVI. From the Independent Church at Southampton. "At a meeting of the pastors, deacons, and members of the church of Christ of the Independent denomination, at Southampton, held 4th August 1843, the following Resolution was unanimously passed "That this church, having long watched with great solicitude the efforts of the seceding members of the Established Church of Scotland to secure the independence of that ecclesiastical corporation from the evils arising from secular control in the administration of its affairs, would hereby express its deep sympathy with them in the struggles through which they have passed, in the attempt to accomplish that object, and also their high admiration of the faith, integrity, and self-sacrificing resolution upon which they have acted, in abandoning the status which they had occupied in the Established Church, when those efforts failed; thereby declaring, in the most solemn manner, their protest against the evils which they sought in vain to remove, and adopting the most scriptural and effective means to accomplish more fully the independence, spirituality, and consequent triumph of that branch of the true Church of Christ to which they belong. "The aforesaid church at Southampton does also hereby express its readiness to receive a deputation from the reverend body of seceding ministers some time in the approaching month of September, to plead the cause of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, in the sanctuary in which they worship; and offers them the assurance that such deputation will be received with brotherly affection, and encouraged by correspondent support. 66 Signed on behalf of the church, "THOMAS ADKINS, Pastor.". (ANSWER.) " COMMITTEE ROOMS, 7 NORTH ST ANDREw Street, "EDINBURGH 16th December 1843.. "The Committee appointed by the late General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland to answer addresses and congratulations from other Churches, acknowledge with lively gratitude the receipt by the Assembly of a resolution unanimously adopted at a meeting of the pastor, deacons, and members of the Independent denomination at Southampton, on the 4th of August last. The interest which you and many other churches of Christ, far distant from the scene of our recent struggles, have taken in our proceedings, and the approbation which you have expressed of our conduct in dissolving our connection with the Scottish Establishment, have been exceedingly gratifying and encouraging to the ministers and other members of our Church. We have not the presumption or the vanity to imagine that these are to be ascribed solely or chiefly to your respect for the individuals who have taken a prominent part in the contest, or who have made the sacrifice of worldly advantages to which you refer. We are persuaded that the solicitude with which you watched the progress of the struggle, and the satisfaction and joy with which you contemplated its issue, arose from your appreciating highly the importance of the vital principle, which, till the recent unconstitutional proceed. ings in the civil courts and in parliament, constituted the chief glory of the Established Church of Scotland, and we rejoice that we are at one in Christ in this essential article in the faith of every true Church of Christ. "We return you our hearty thanks in the name of the Assembly for the expression of your readiness to receive a deputation from the Free Church, and for the warm reception which was given by the inhabitants of your town to our brethren from London, who came to plead our cause in your presence. "May the Lord reward you for your love toward us, and the kindness which you have shown to the brethren, by imparting to you the abundance of spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus... "In name and by appointment of the Committee, "Rev. THOMAS ADKINS, &c. "PAT. M'FARLAN, Convener." No. XVII. From the American Board of Missions, dated from Smyrna, and embracing Constantinople and Asia Minor. "CONSTANTINOPLE, July 4, 1843. "Rev. and DEAR SIR,-We have great pleasure in communicating to you the following resolutions, unanimously adopted this morning by the Mission in Turkey of the A. B. E. F. M., now holding its annual meeting in this city, "Resolved, "1. That we sympathise most deeply with our brethren of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, in the trials through which they have lately been called to pass, as well as in the multifarious embarrassments with which they must necessarily struggle in maintaining the noble stand they have taken in the cause of gospel liberty. "2. That we magnify and adore the grace of God, by which they have been enabled to take this stand, and to prefer the truth and liberty of the gospel to all earthly advantages. 3. That we rejoice in the confident anticipation that the smiles of heaven will rest on them, and that great spiritual prosperity will attend their future course. "4. That we regard it as an omen of incalculable good, both to them and to the world, that so much of a missionary spirit was manifested in the meetings of the first Free General Assembly. "5. Resolved that Messrs Riggs of Smyrna, Schauffler of Constantinople, and Ladd of Broosa, be a committee to communicate the above resolutions to the Rev. Dr Chalmers, Moderator of the first General Assembly of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. "Perhaps it is hardly necessary for us to detain you with any thing in addition to the above resolutions. We feel free to offer them to you, because we are all one. We, who are actually in the foreign field, regard ourselves as merely the agents and representatives of our brethren who remain at home. The work is one. We have to maintain the same faith once delivered to the saints,' the same liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free;' we have to make known throughout the world the same gospel of the grace of God,' and we therefore rejoice, that notwithstanding the urgency of your own local necessities, you are not disposed to forget the dark places of the earth. "Praying that the great Head of the Church may guide and abundantly bless your measures for the advancement of his precious and holy cause in Scotland, and desiring for ourselves and those about us an interest in your supplications before the throne of Divine grace, we remain, reverend and dear Sir, your brethren in the gospel, "ELIAS RIGGS, of the Smyrna Station. "W. G. SCHAUFFLER, of the Constantinople Station. "DANIEL LADD, of the Broosa Station." (ANSWER.) "COMMITTEE ROOMS, 7 NORTH ST ANDREW STREET, "EDINBURGH, 16th Dec. 1843. "The Committee appointed by the late General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland, to answer addresses and congratulations from other Churches, acknowledge with peculiar satisfaction the receipt of a communication from the American Board of Missions, of date the 4th of July 1843, transmitted to Dr Chalmers by Messrs Riggs, Schauffler, and Ladd. "We do not need to assure you that the sympathy and cordial approbation of our principles and proceedings by other Churches of Christ, are sources of much comfort and encouragement to the ministers and other office-bearers and members of the Church to which we belong. We know that you, and the Churches in America by whom you are sent forth as Missionaries, are all one in this respect. But we consider the sympathy of Missionaries with the trials and actings of our Church, as in the highest degree becoming and appropriate. Yours is the approbation of men who, in obedience to the command of the Lord Jesus, the alone King and Head of his Church, have left your native land to preach to the heathen the unsearchable riches of Christ'amenable in your conduct as Missionaries to no civil authorityresponsible only to your Divine Master, and his servants in the ministry and eldership, who have counted you worthy of your honourable calling. You rejoice in your liberty to preach, and to teach, and to rule in the name of Jesus: we are not surprised that you sympathise with us in the vindication of ours. ༔ "In the Resolutions which you have transmitted to us, you advert particularly to the missionary spirit manifested in the meetings of the first General Assembly of the Free Church. We are persuaded that your joy on this account has been greatly increased by the intelligence which, ere you receive this, must have reached the shores of Asia-that the Missionaries of our Church have, without one exception, declared their enlightened and cordial adherence to us-and that the collections and other contributions to the Conversion of the Jews' and 'Foreign Mission' schemes, so far as they have been received, afford the strongest reason of hope that the means will not be wanting for the vigorous prosecution of these glorious undertakings. "We thank you for your prayers on our behalf, and entreat their continuance. In return, we assure you of your interest in our supplications at a throne of grace. May He to whom the Father hath given all power in heaven and on earth stand by you, and protect, and encourage, and prosper you in your arduous work. Hallowed be his name. Let his kingdom come: let his will be done on earth as it is in heaven. “In name and by appointment of the Committee, "Rev. W. G. SCHAUFFLER, Constantinople. No. XVIII. From the Congregational Union of England and Wales. “Resolutions expressive of sympathy with the brethren of the Free Protesting Presbyterian Church of Scotland, adopted unanimously at a session of the adjourned meeting of the thirteenth Annual Assembly of the Congregational Union of England and Wales, on the 12th of October 1843. "1. That the brethren present feel themselves as the inheritors of the cause and principles of the 2000 confessors of the memorable Bartholomew day, 1662, especially called upon to express their warm Christian sympathy with the noble band of 470 brethren, who, on a like call of truth and conscience, abandoned their stations and livings in the Established Kirk of Scotland, by withdrawing from its General Assembly, on the 18th of May 1843,-a day to be henceforth like the 24th of August 1662, illustrious in the annals of Christian constancy and religious liberty. "2. That this meeting witnesses with delight the zeal and energy with which these brethren are, in the midst of great difficulties, proceeding to establish their Free Protesting Presbyterian Church, their enlarged views of Christian liberality towards other Evangelical communities, and the great pecuniary sacrifices and contributions by which both ministers and people are vindicating the energy of the voluntary principle for supplying the funds necessary for Christian Churches, while fidelity requires of this meeting to add, that its satisfaction will be still higher and more complete, when it learns that the fellowship of this emancipated and independent body of believers has been regulated by principles of Scriptural and spiritual discipline. "JOHN REYNOLDS, Chairman. "The Committee appointed by the late General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland, to answer addresses and congratulations from other Churches, beg leave respectfully and gratefully to acknowledge the receipt of Resolutions unanimously adopted at a session of the adjourned meeting of the thirteenth Annual Assembly of the Congregational Union of England and Wales, on the 12th of last October. "Amidst many and great discouragements, arising chiefly from the ruthless oppo sition of the Scottish aristocracy, and the insufficiency of the voluntary principle, so far as it has yet been tried, adequately to provide for the spiritual wants of the im mense numbers of our people who have adhered to the Free Church, we feel greatly comforted and encouraged by the unanimous and cordial sympathy of a body so highly respectable as the Congregational Union of England and Wales. We earnestly intreat an interest in your prayers on our behalf. "Our opinions on the lawfulness of national establishments of religion remain unchanged. We are sorry that we must continue to differ with you, and many other Churches whom we regard with brotherly affection as portions with us of "the holy Catholic Church,' on this not unimportant principle. But it gives us unspeakable satisfaction to be assured by addresses which we have received from Congregational and other Churches, that we are all united in firm, and, I trust, immoveable opposition to the daring encroachments of the civil courts on the prerogatives of Christ and the liberties of his people. "We fondly hope that this agreement may constitute a firm bond of union between you and us that we may love as brethren, and join hand and hand in the dissemination of gospel truth in every part of our beloved country, and to the ends of the earth. “In name and by appointment of the Committee, "Rev. JOHN REYNOLDS, &c. |