صور الصفحة
PDF
النشر الإلكتروني
[ocr errors]

sanction any such proposal as that would be rather a specimen of grasping at too much, and of adopting a course as if they were resolved that hardships and evils which they could not help should not arise at all. He thought there was a possibility of their proceeding too far in this direction, and this was, he thought, a case of this sort.

Mr TURNBULL of Huntingtower said, that for a good many years there had been dissensions in this congregation; and that six out of the seven elders had left, because, as they said, their souls were starving under Mr Armour's ministrations, and could not be edified. There were eighty dissentients out of three hundred, who had assigned this as the reason of their dissatisfaction. These dissentients were most anxious to continue members of the Free Church; but as there was no other Free Church in the island, and as Sanday was situated in a wild and stormy district, their position was peculiar. If the Assembly adopted the Report which the Principal had read, what was to become of them, and how were they to get their children baptized? If some such proposal could be carried out as that of appointing a probationer to minister to them, their case would be met. It was a serious thing for the Assembly to do nothing for a number of their members and adherents in these circumstances; and he felt that it was of importance that they should attend to small clusters of people, and endeavour to promote their spiritual interests. Mr Armour was, so far as he could learn, a kind-hearted and affectionate man, but the dissentients say that he did not feed their souls. He (Mr Turnbull) therefore thought it advisable that a probationer be appointed. Mr WHITE, Orkney, said that feelings of dissatisfaction had existed in this congregation for the last eight or ten years. Complaints had been made to him, and also to the Presbytery, as to their not doing something to remedy the state of matters. He felt that it would be a very delicate thing for them as a Presbytery to take up this matter ultroneously; but it had at last been forced upon them. At the very last meeting of the session, it was intimated that the elders, with the exception of one, would discontinue to act, because they could no longer co-operate with Mr Armour, nor benefit from his ministrations. He used to sympathise with Mr Armour; but he could not now resist the impression that there was some foundation for the complaints made. The question which the Assembly had to determine was, what was to be done in the way of promoting these people's spiritual interests? He hinted to the dissentients that it would be desirable if they could say what they would be able to do in the way of maintaining separate ordinances for themselves, and they had put into his hand a letter before he left Orkney, stating that they would be willing to subscribe £59 a-year for this purpose. individuals were not seeking to break up the congregation of Sanday, or to form a separate congregation; but all they asked was that, in the meantime, some one should be sent by whose ministrations they might be edified and their children trained up in a knowledge of the truth. Knowing, as he did, the congregation for the last twenty years, it was his impression that the dissentients were not the least intelligent portion

of it.

These

Mr WILSON, Dundee, said this was an extremely painful case for the Assembly to deal with. The adoption of the Report submitted by Principal Cunningham did not preclude the Presbytery of Orkney from taking such steps as to them might seem most expedient for meeting the

spiritual wants of these dissentients. He felt very profound sympathy for the dissentients, for it was evident from the papers in the case, and from their whole conduct and demeanour, that they were not factious members of their Church. (Hear, hear.) Very far from it. He believed that they had come under very solemn and conscientious convictions; but he thought that if the Assembly, by its own act, were to send a probationer to Sanday, it would run great risk of becoming a somewhat dangerous precedent. The difficulty would be far less if the Presbytery were to assume this responsibility, and they had the power; and Presbyteries were continually establishing stations. He certainly would have no objection to the Presbytery adopting this course. He would move that the Assembly approve the Report, and find "that they cannot give any advice or suggest any measures by which the existing painful state of matters can be remedied."

Mr PURVES, Jedburgh, said that Mr Wilson had expressed his feelings on this case. Mr Armour seemed to be a very loveable, affectionate man, but it was impossible to help feeling respect and sympathy for the dissentients, if the individual who was their representative was a fair specimen of them; for he had hardly seen a more respectable and intelligent man than Mr Dennyson.

Mr NEIL P. ROSE, Rousay, said that, from his knowledge of the whole case, he was disposed to think that there was no ground for the insinuations which had been hinted against Mr Armour. He would like if the whole case had been entered into more fully, because, in that case, certain facts and principles would be brought out which might be very useful to them as a Presbytery. He could not but regard it as a most dangerous precedent if the congregation of Sanday were to be permitted, with the sanction of the Assembly, to set up another charge, where there was not room for it, taking into account the state of the population. In regard to Mr Armour, he felt very strongly for him, and thought he had been greatly injured; and if they took into account the fact that this had been going on for a period of eight or ten years, and that the only result or issue had been that, out of a congregation of four or five hundred, only eighty-three individuals now stood up in opposition to him, the Assembly would see that the desire for a change was not so great. He had no doubt that, if another charge was set up, it would disturb the harmony of the congregation of Sanday more than ever; and he thought that, for the sake of the congregation itself, and for the great afflictions of Mr Armour, something decided ought to be done by the Assembly in discountenancing the proposal made. In reference to Mr Armour's preaching, some individuals would say that he was misty and confused, and so forth, and others again would say that he was the very best preacher they had ever heard. He did not think the Assembly could come to any definite conclusion on this point unless they heard Mr Armour preach. (A laugh.) He understood that the dissentients were most respectable people, and held a high position; but still he could not help thinking that if the Assembly did what they were asked, they would introduce a most dangerous principle into the government of the Church. (Hear, hear.)

peace

and

After a few remarks from Mr Mackay, Mr J. A. Dalziel, and from Principal Cunningham, the Principal observing that he was thoroughly satisfied of the respectability of the dissentients, and of their not

[ocr errors]

being actuated by any factious motives, the motion of Mr Wilson was agreed to.

ST BOSWELL'S CONGREGATION.

In the reference from the Presbytery of Selkirk in this case, Dr WOOD, on the part of the Committee to whom it was remitted, reported that Mr Duncan, the minister of the congregation, after having consulted with an eminent medical practitioner in Edinburgh regarding the state of his health, now agrees to the settlement of a colleague and successor in the congregation on the usual conditions. The Assembly granted a colleague to Mr Duncan, on the understanding that he shall receive, in addition to the half dividend, an allowance from the Aged and Infirm Ministers' Fund, proportioned to his length of service, and that he shall have the use of the manse; the colleague to receive such supplement as the congregation may be able to afford him; the Presbytery to receive the concurrence of the Sustentation Committee, previous to the calling of a colleague.

STANDING COMMITTEES.

The Report of the Committee appointed to prepare Lists of Members of Standing Committees for the ensuing year, was taken up. A desultory conversation on this subject took place. Ultimately it was found to be impracticable, at such an advanced period of the sittings, to bring the new method into full operation at this Assembly. The Committee for Assembly Business and the Committee on the State of Religion and Morals were named. The Assembly re-appointed all the other Standing Committees whose re-appointment is not superseded by the appointment of these two Committees, with the same Conveners as before, except in the case of the Committee for the Jews, of which they appointed Mr Moodie Stuart to be Convener, and in the case of the Committee for Sabbath Observance, of which they appointed Mr D. Agnew, Wigton, to be Convener. The Assembly postponed the final arrangement of Standing Committees, in conformity with the Report already approved of, till next Assembly. The Assembly appointed the Committee for preparing the lists "to continue as a Committee during the year, and instructed them to prepare lists to be laid before next Assembly. Farther, to send the lists, already prepared, to the several Committees, to advise with the Conveners in preparing new lists, and to have the new lists prepared and laid on the table of the Commission in March. The Assembly authorised the Standing Committees, now re-appointed, to add such names as they may think fit to the number, out of the new lists sent to them.”

MISSIONARY PUBLICATIONS.

The Assembly instructed the Committee on Publications to keep in view the near termination of the contract as to the Missionary Record, and to prepare a Report for next Assembly.

CONVENERSHIP OF HOME MISSION COMMITTEE.

Mr WILSON read a letter from Dr Roxburgh, who had intimated his intention to resign the Convenership of the Home Mission Scheme, in which the Doctor stated that however great might be his desire to resign, he could not be insensible to the feeling of the Assembly; aud as he

should be sorry that the Assembly should be subjected to any inconvenience which it was in his power to prevent, and was anxious to give the Church time to mature its arrangements, he was willing to accept the Convenership for another year; but upon the condition that all communications on the Home Mission would be addressed to the office, and not to himself personally, and that he no longer undertook any share of the manifold correspondence connected with that Scheme.

Mr WILSON then said that a generous friend of the Church had offered to contribute £100 in order that the services of an efficient person might be secured to assist in the business of the Home Mission office. He moved that the Assembly authorise the Home Mission Committee to engage an efficient agent for this purpose, and that they have power to go the length of offering him £200 of salary.

Mr EDMONSTON hoped it would be understood that the appointment of this Secretary should be only during the time that Dr Roxburgh was Convener.

Mr HANDYSIDE said it was his intention to devote considerably more time to the business of the Sustentation Fund, and he hoped he might be relieved from the work which he at present had in connexion with the Home Mission.

The motion was agreed to.

THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

Mr WILSON stated that Dr Candlish had intimated that he could not undertake the work of Convener of the Education Committee, unless the Assembly appointed a vice-convener to assist him. It was agreed to comply with the request, and Mr Wilson was unanimously appointed.

CONSTITUTION OF THE COLLEGE.

The Report of the Committee appointed to prepare an overture for transmission to Presbyteries anent constitution, &c. of College, was taken up and approved of, and in accordance therewith, the Assembly resolved to transmit to Presbyteries an overture to substitute the following enactment in place of the corresponding section of the Act 1852 :-"That a Select Committee shall be appointed by the General Assembly, to consist of eleven ministers and ten elders, of whom five shall retire by rotation from year to year, two only of whom may be re-elected, and reserving the rights competent to all parties according to the laws of the Church, with authority to undertake the general administration of College property and finances; to give advice in cases of difficulty; to originate and prosecute before the Church courts processes against any of the Professors for heresy or immorality, and to make necessary inquiries for that purpose; to originate also, and prepare for the decision of the General Assembly, proposals for the retirement of Professors disabled by age or infirmity, and for fixing the retiring allowance they are to receive.'

HIGHLAND COMMITTEE.

[ocr errors]

This Committee were instructed "to append to their next Report such a statement of their expenditure as will shew to whom, and on what account, their funds during the current year have been paid,—the cost to the Committee of the stations upon their list, less the sum contributed by these stations,—and the average attendance on Divine service at these stations."

[ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small]

TRAVELLING EXPENSES.

The Assembly re-appointed the Committee on the payment of the travelling expenses of ministers attending the standing Committees, as a Committee to continue during the year; to report to next Assembly.

EVENING SEDERUNT.

PRISON CHAPLAINS.

Principal CUNNINGHAM said, there was now a bill before Parliament for regulating the prisons of Scotland. He understood that this bill removed the restriction which now existed, which required that the chaplains of prisons should be in connexion with the Established Church. To what extent it removed the restriction he did not know, but he believed it left it open to other denominations; and he understood that measures were being taken in some quarters to get the old restriction continued, and getting that clause expunged which made their appointments no longer a monopoly of the Established Church. He thought they ought to do something to prevent this result, and he proposed that they should appoint a small Committee to examine the bill, and if they see cause to petition both Houses of Parliament, and that they authorise the Moderator to sign the petition. Agreed to, and Committee appointed.

PASTORAL ADDRESS.

Dr WOOD said, he had now, on the part of the Committee appointed to prepare a pastoral address, to lay the draft of that address before the Assembly. In the absence of the writer of the address, it had also devolved on him to read portions of it before the Assembly be called upon to dispose of it. It was too long to read entire, but he would read such portions of it as would enable the General Assembly to form an opinion on it. Dr Wood then read lengthened extracts from the address, which chiefly inculcated the duty of family religion. The Assembly approved of the address generally, and remitted to a Committee to revise and circulate it.

THE COMMISSION.

The Commission was then appointed with the usual instructions, to consist of all members of Assembly, and the commissioners from the Presbytery of Abertarff, whose commissions were rejected on account of informality; and at the suggestion of the Moderator, the name of Dr Candlish was added, amid loud applause.

Dr CUNNINGHAM said, that he had given notice of a motion to introduce a clause which formerly existed in the instructions to the Commission, giving them power to watch over books of unsound tendency, and to deal with them according to their merits or demerits. Since he had given that notice he had changed his mind, and did not intend now to propose the re-introduction of that clause. For nearly a hundred years there stood in the instructions of the Commission a clause giving them the power to deal with books of an unsound tendency, published by ministers of the Church. The idea of its re-introduction was suggested to him by allega

tions of incompetency attaching to a memorial or petition before the
House in a
The idea of incompetency was startling to him, as being in contradiction
to the recognised laws and principles of the Church. This idea of incom-
petency he would have resisted, because if the Assembly were able to dele-

« السابقةمتابعة »