with Mr Nixon as to the necessity and importance of prayer that suitable labourers might be sent forth to the harvest; but it was clear that means could also do much. There was a suggestion thrown out some years ago, which they would do well to act upon; unless, indeed, it were acted upon, they would never be able to supply the Highlands with ministers,-he meant having a subordinate institution in Oban for training young men for the ministry. The reverend Doctor related an amusing anecdote as to the manufacture of a particular article in the Highlands, showing the advantage of its being prosecuted on the spot, instead of being sent to Edinburgh or Glasgow for that purpose; and applied this to the case of the training of ministers in the Highlands for supplying the destitution of that part of the country. course he had no right to interfere with existing theological institutions, whether the great central one at Edinburgh, or the others; but he certainly thought much might be done to lay the foundation at least for providing a ministry in the way he had suggested. (Applause.)

The deliverance on the report was reserved till an after diet.

ABERDEEN ENDOWMENT.

Of

Dr BUCHANAN gave in the report of the Special Committee, (appointed on the previous day) on the endowment of a second Professorship at Aberdeen. Having read Mr Edmond's letter, he quoted the resolution of last General Assembly, to the effect that so soon as sufficient means were provided, including at least a partial endowment, an additional professorship should be established. The present Committee had been appointed to consider whether a sufficient endowment having regard to Mr Edmond's letter, had been provided. The Committee had met this morning; and after a lengthened conference had gone into the College finances; and upon a review of the whole subject, had agreed to the following report, which came to the conclusion that the means contemplated by the resolution of last Assembly had not been provided. "The Committee having considered the question remitted to them by the General Assembly, are of opinion that the sufficient means' contemplated in the resolution of last General Assembly, inclusive of the offered partial endowment for an additional Chair at Aberdeen, has not been provided." "

Dr BUCHANAN said that if he had had nothing more to do than give in this report, he should have perhaps been under the necessity of going at some length into the financial state of College matters, in order to show to the House the grounds upon which the resolution he had now communicated had been adopted by the Committee. He believed, however, from what he was now to bring before the Assembly, that this was not now necessary. He had stated the conclusion which the Committee had come to, but since that he had had addressed to him the following letter from Mr Thomson of Banchory and Mr Edmond :

“Edinburgh, 28th May 1852.

"REV. DEAR SIR,-As Conveners of the Aberdeen Free Church Presbytery's Committee for providing a partial endowment for an additional Professor at Aberdeen, we beg to intimate to you, that, in respect of the report of the Special Committee that there are not sufficient means to enable the Church to establish such an additional Professorship this year, we are, notwithstanding, ready to hand you the sum of £2000, on the understanding that the interest arising from it shall, in the mean time, be applied for securing the services of an assistant in the Divinity Hall of Aberdeen.

"We are,

with much respect, your most obedient servants,

"ALEX. THOMSON.

"FRANCIS EDMOND.

Now, supposing these parties had come to the Assembly simply offering £2000 as a partial endowment for a professorship at Aberdeen, saying, This is our contribution, and we are in the judgment of the House whether these means were sufficient, he believed the Church would have had no difficulty in accepting that offer,-accepting it thankfully, as a liberal contribution towards an end which the Assembly had said ought, in certain circumstances, to be arrived at. Now, these parties had come substantially on that footing, -only they made this stipulation that, in consideration of this partial endowment, leaving it to the Church to say when the professorship is to be instituted, the Hall at Aberdeen, meanwhile, shall receive the benefit of the interest accruing from the sum, in giving assistance to the professor in that institution. This was the stipulation on which they were willing to hand over the sum. He did not think the request now preferred made any material difference in the case from that which he had supposed, and therefore that it could not be held as presenting any difficulty in the way of accepting the partial endowment on the terms in which it was now offered to the Assembly. He felt it to be no ordinary happiness to be able to say, that in the sentiment he had now expressed, those who have had differences upon this Aberdeen College question were entirely at one. The reverend Doctor then proposed the following as the deliverance of the House upon this subject:"Approve of the report of the Special Committee of the Assembly; and inasmuch as it was resolved by last Assembly that 'an additional Professorship ought to be established at Aberdeen as soon as sufficient means, inclusive of at least a partial endowment, shall be provided for that purpose; and inasmuch as a partial endowment of £2000 has now been offered for the establishment of the said additional Professorship at Aberdeen, on the understanding that the interest arising from it shall in the mean time be applied for securing the services of an assistant in the Divinity Hall of Aberdeen,'-the Assembly accept the said partial endowment of £2000 for the establishment of the said additional Professorship. And considering the report of the Special Committee now given in and approved of, to the effect that there are not sufficient means to enable the Church to establish the said additional Professorship this year. The Assembly resolve, That the interest of the said partial endowment of £2000 shall be applied for the present to the object of securing the services of an Assistant to the Professor of Divinity in the Hall of Aberdeen. And further, the Assembly remit to the Select Committee to be appointed under the College Act to carry this resolution into effect, and to report the arrangement to the Commission in August." The Rev. Doctor added, that he felt confident, from the acquiescence of those who were likely to have opposed it, that the motion would secure the approval of the House; and he could not but look upon it as a token of the good hand of God upon them that this matter was now in the way of being brought to a termination.

Dr BROWN, abstaining from entering upon details, seconded the motion. Mr GIBSON, after expressing satisfaction that the House had been saved, by the acquiescence of the parties interested, from going into a discussion on the present occasion, said he trusted something would emerge before another Assembly, that would enable their Aberdeen friends to make further advances in this matter. He wished it to be understood that by adopting this report no one was foreclosed from afterwards discussing the questions whether sufficient means had been provided, and, if not, how they might be provided. Principal CUNNINGHAM said, no one rejoiced more cordially than he did that an arrangement had be made in accordance with the views of the parties chiefly interested, by which any full discussion of this subject had been

saved. In regard to the remark of Mr Gibson, he had to state that no one was committed; everything was reserved, except what was formally and substantially decided by the General Assembly. (Applause and laughter.) Mr HAWKINS,And of course the right is reserved to advocate the maintenance of the status quo as established by the resolutions of last year.

Mr Sheriff MONTEITH most cordially joined in congratulating the House upon the conclusion to which they had come in this matter. It was a matter which, considering what had formerly taken place, might, had it not been arranged, have created serious differences of opinion. In regard to Dr Maclagan, he (Mr Monteith) was sure no one appreciated his services more highly than he did, and no one would be more highly gratified that there was the prospect of assistance being given him to prevent his being overworked, and the Church perhaps deprived of his services. The question as to the permanent endowment of a professorship being of course reserved, he concurred in the proposal to apply the interest of the £2000, in the mean time, to providing assistance to Dr Maclagan.

The deliverance proposed by Dr Buchanan was then unanimously adopted.

REPORT ON CHURCH BUILDING FUND.

Dr BEGG, the convener, gave in the report of the Committee on this subject, as follows —

"The Church Building Committee deem it proper, at what they regard as a crisis in their history, to remind the General Assembly of what they had been enabled to do in former years in aiding the congregations of the Church in providing a suitable edifice in which, with comfort, to wait upon the public ministrations of the gospel. "In 1843, and for some time thereafter, large sums were placed at the disposal of the Committee, and these were so applied as to furnish substantial aid in the erection of no fewer than six hundred and one edifices for the worship of God, which are named and specified in a return prepared by the Committee, and in addition to this number, of churches and manses in Sutherland, for which a large sum was given in cumulo.

Towards the erection of these 601 churches, the sum of £102,908, 13s. was granted by this Committee, including £3904:10: 6 for churches and manses' in Sutherland.

"The above sum of £102,908, 13s. also includes certain special grants arising out of the circumstances and exigencies of a peculiar period,-such as the preparation of the floating church, wooden churches, yachts, &c.

"The Committee were thus engaged in a great work; and if the aid they were enabled to give had been equally spread over the years that have elapsed since they commenced their operations, the amount would have been an undeniable proof of the fixed purpose of the Church and people of Scotland to support the objects entrusted to the Committee. But the major portion of the large sum mentioned was given during the earlier years of the Free Church.

"The reports presented to the General Assemblies of former years will shew how far the claims of the Church Building Fund escaped public observation.

"Last year, one-half of a collection was the sum which the Assembly felt itself able to devote to the objects contemplated by this Committee.

"The sum thus obtained was vastly incommensurate with the plans and desires of the Committee. The produce of half the joint collection amounted only £1415 16 9

to

"With a fund so scanty at their disposal, with the remembrance that they were not under any circumstances to incur debt, the Committee felt that they could only extend their aid to a few of the most clamant cases of application; and, in regard

1

Ee

Now, supposing these parties had come to the Assembly simply offering £2000 as a partial endowment for a professorship at Aberdeen, saying, This is our contribution, and we are in the judgment of the House whether these means were sufficient, he believed the Church would have had no difficulty in accepting that offer, accepting it thankfully, as a liberal contribution towards an end which the Assembly had said ought, in certain circumstances, to be arrived at. Now, these parties had come substantially on that footing, -only they made this stipulation that, in consideration of this partial endowment, leaving it to the Church to say when the professorship is to be instituted, the Hall at Aberdeen, meanwhile, shall receive the benefit of the interest accruing from the sum, in giving assistance to the professor in that institution. This was the stipulation on which they were willing to hand over the sum. He did not think the request now preferred made any material difference in the case from that which he had supposed, and therefore that it could not be held as presenting any difficulty in the way of accepting the partial endowment on the terms in which it was now offered to the Assembly. He felt it to be no ordinary happiness to be able to say, that in the sentiment he had now expressed, those who have had differences upon this Aberdeen College question were entirely at one. The reverend Doctor then proposed the following as the deliverance of the House upon this subject:-"Approve of the report of the Special Committee of the Assembly; and inasmuch as it was resolved by last Assembly that 'an additional Professorship ought to be established at Aberdeen as soon as sufficient means, inclusive of at least a partial endowment, shall be provided for that purpose; and inasmuch as a partial endowment of £2000 has now been offered for the establishment of the said additional Professorship at Aberdeen, on the understanding that the interest arising from it shall in the mean time be applied for securing the services of an assistant in the Divinity Hall of Aberdeen,'-the Assembly accept the said partial endowment of £2000 for the establishment of the said additional Professorship. And considering the report of the Special Committee now given in and approved of, to the effect that there are not sufficient means to enable the Church to establish the said additional Professorship this year. The Assembly resolve, That the interest of the said partial endowment of £2000 shall be applied for the present to the object of securing the services of an Assistant to the Professor of Divinity in the Hall of Aberdeen. And further, the Assembly remit to the Select Committee to be appointed under the College Act to carry this resolution into effect, and to report the arrangement to the Commission in August.' The Rev. Doctor added, that he felt confident, from the acquiescence of those who were likely to have opposed it, that the motion would secure the approval of the House; and he could not but look upon it as a token of the good hand of God upon them that this matter was now in the way of being brought to a termination.

Dr BROWN, abstaining from entering upon details, seconded the motion. Mr GIBSON, after expressing satisfaction that the House had been saved, by the acquiescence of the parties interested, from going into a discussion on the present occasion, said he trusted something would emerge before another Assembly, that would enable their Aberdeen friends to make further advances in this matter. He wished it to be understood that by adopting this report no one was foreclosed from afterwards discussing the questions whether sufficient means had been provided, and, if not, how they might be provided. Principal CUNNINGHAM said, no one rejoiced more cordially than he did that an arrangement had be made in accordance with the views of the parties chiefly interested, by which any full discussion of this subject had been

vieties of many that are earnestly looking to them for help, ing benefit on many a district in the land, where the mpathy of their brethren, are unable to provide for tion for the public worship of God."

HES, MANSES, AND SCHOOLS.

tee have maintained an extensive correspon*h the view of obtaining the fullest inforThey have received a large number of abled to submit a fuller report than nce proceed to submit the results f churches, manses, and schools. ived, in all, returns for churches ber of congregations of all kinds no returns. Of these, however, amber of which there is no ecclesias

Inis has been ascertained to be the case ne remaining fourteen stations making no re

ot belonging to the Free Church, and two occupy cors, but who have not as yet given any title. Of the

O precise or direct information; but it is understood that

hold their churches by missives. Of those who have made no

on are sanctioned charges. But of these, two have no churches; and em there is a wooden church without any title, and it is believed that abe got. Of the remaining sixteen, the Committee have reason to think, other sources, that most of them are in possession of regular titles. At the rger number of them there are no ministers, and this circumstance has occasioned greater difficulty in procuring information.

"As already mentioned, the number of returns received for churches is 761. Of these, however, eighteen report that they have no church; leaving to be accounted for, 743. Of these there are held, on regular feudal titles, 438; on leases, 160; on missives, 64; having regular titles in the course of preparation, 25; not secured, 56. "1. Of these held in feu and on lease, being 598, it is reported that there are, in terms of the Model Deed, 469; and in other terms, not according to the Model Deed, but such as to secure the property inalienably to the Free Church, 129.

"Of course it is to be understood that of those held in lease, the duration of the leases is very various, extending from periods of seventeen to 999 years, the most common period of endurance being ninety-nine years.

"2. With regard to those which are held merely on missive, it is greatly to be regretted that they amount to so large a number as sixty-four. The majority of them, however, are missives of lease, which, having been all followed by possession, may be held as comparatively safe, though certainly on a very unsatisfactory footing. The remainder, which are missives of feu, stand in a still more precarious position. The Committee have succeeded, in the course of the past year, in getting the number of those formerly holding on missives considerably reduced; and they will continue to spare no efforts till they have succeeded in getting all of them, as far as practicable, placed on the secure basis of regular deeds. In a few cases this cannot be done, the proprietors having from the first refused, and still continuing to refuse, to give any other title; and in a larger number the delay that has already occurred has produced its natural effect, by rendering the obtaining of a proper title at present impracticable in consequence of the death of the proprietors, leaving heirs in pupilarity, or because of other visitations of Providence.

"Such being the obvious results of delay, the Committee cannot but regret that, in many instances, the most insufficient reasons are stated as the cause of it. In all such cases it will be their duty to expedite the execution of regular titles by every proper means in their power. There is, however, one reason which they must advert to, as it is the most common. They allude to the want of funds. Many state their perfect willingness to obtain sufficient titles, and that no difficulty will be found on the part of the granters, but that they are entirely unable to defray the expense this would occasion. The Committee fear that these parties are not sufficiently alive to the importance of the object in view; but they earnestly trust it will bo seriously considered by them, and that they will see that, after all, no very great effort is required to meet and overcome this difficulty.