this conversation. A considerable number of them did so, and many important and useful remarks and suggestions were made. The meeting was altogether a pleasant one; and, it is hoped that, by the divine blessing, it may prove a very profitable one. The Rev. John M'Lellan closed the conversation, which had been sustained rather more than two hours, with prayer and praise. Subsequently, among other business of no public interest, Mr M'Lellan, who had received an invitation from the Foreign Mission Committee, in connexion with our church, to go as a missionary to New South Wales, laid his demission of the pastoral charge of Braehead congregation on the table. The demission was read; and, after remarks, it was agreed to hold next meeting of presbytery, on Tuesday, the 18th of this month, to take the matter into farther consideration, and the clerk was appointed to preach in Braehead, on Sabbath first, and state what had happened to the people, and request them to appear for their interest, by commissioners, at next meeting. Glasgow. This presbytery held its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, 11th November; the Rev. Alexander Duncan, moderator. The presbytery proceeded to consider the case of the Rev. James Dalrymple, of Thornliebank, whose demission was laid on the table at last meeting, in consequence of his resolution to proceed to Canada, as a missionary. After hearing commissioners from the congregation and Mr Dalrymple, and expressing the high esteem in which all its members held him, and their regret at parting with him, the presbytery agreed to loose him from his charge; and the Rev. Mr Stirling of Mearns was appointed to intimate this decision to the congregation of Thornliebank, on Sabbath. A petition for a moderation from the congregation of Liverpool, for a colleague to the Rev. Dr Crichton, was granted; and the Rev. Dr Eadie appointed to preside, on Wednesday, the 27th instant. A similar petition from the congregation of Regent Place, for a colleague to the Rev. Dr Heugh, was granted; and the Rev. Dr Beattie appointed to preside on Thursday, the 28th instant. A petition for a moderation from the congregation of Alexandria, Dumbartonshire, was also granted; and the Rev. Mr M'Ewen, of Helensburgh, appointed to preside on Monday, December 1. The Rev. James M'Laurin stated, that he had presided at a moderation at Busby, and laid on the table a call, addressed to Mr Alexander Wallace, probationer. His conduct was approved of, and the call sustained. Several students were examined on their course of study at the hall, and Messrs Mearns and Brash gave in part of their trials for license, which were sustained. Selkirk. The presbytery met at Melrose, on Tuesday, the 11th of November. Letters from the professors were read, certifying that Messrs John Lawson and A. L. Wylie, students of the first year; Messrs John Ballantyne and Adam Stewart, of the second year; Messrs Cameron and Douglas, of the fourth year; and Mr Jackson of the fifth year, had attended the classes at the hall regularly, and performed satisfactorily the prescribed exercises. Mr Jackson being present, was examined in theology, and afterwards unanimously admitted to trials for license. He then, according to previous agreement, delivered two discourses, which, after some remarks, were unanimously sustained; and other subjects of trials were appointed to him. Mr Robson then introduced the motion of which he gave notice at the last meeting of presbytery; and, after some conversation on the subject, it was agreed that the motion should lie on the table for discussion at the next meeting. It was reported, that the congregations of Jedburgh, Selkirk, Lauder, Stow, Galashiels, Newtown, and Melrose had collected for the Synod fund, on the second Sabbath of October; and that the congregation of Earlstown had not collected on that day, as they had already forwarded their collection for that purpose, for the current year. As no reports were given in from the congregations of Hawick and Lilliesleaf, the clerk was instructed to make the necessary inquiries. The next meeting of presbytery is to be held at Melrose, on Tuesday, the 6th of January 1846. Stirling. This presbytery met at Falkirk on the 11th of November. It was intimated that Dr Smart, the father of the presbytery, who had entered on the fifty-seventh year of his ministry, had since last meeting been removed by death. The Rev. William Niven, the presbytery's missionary, who returned to this country on a visit, by permission of the presbytery in August last, attended this day for the purpose of giving an account of his missionary labours in Jamaica. Mr Niven addressed the presbytery at some length in an interesting speech, and concluded by stating his wish to have questions put to him on any subject on which information might be desired. After various questions had been put to him and answered, the presbytery unanimously agreed to record their gratification at the visit and statements of Mr Niven; their gratitude to God for the success of his labours; their entire eonfidence in him as their missionary; and their resolution to give him all the encouragement in their power in the further prosecution of his work. They then proceeded to make the necessary arrangements for Mr Niven's visiting and addressing the congregations of the presbytery that had not enjoyed this satisfaction, with the view of promoting mutual acquaintance and interest, and thus furthering the designs of his mission. Appointed Messrs Smart, Hutton, and Connal, ministers; and Messrs James Watson, David Henderson, and Henry Hardie, elders; the presbytery's standing committee on missionary affairs, Mr Smart, convener. Called for the reports of congregations on the subject of collecting for the Synod's general fund. It was found that thirteen congregations had collected in due time, and two had not collected, for which reasons were assigned. The clerk was instructed to correspond with absent brethren, to ascertain whether their congregations had made collections. The presbytery now offered up thanks and supplications to God in reference to the success and future labours of Mr Niven, Dr M'Kerrow officiating. The following students were attested to the presbytery by the professors, Mr John Kidd of the fifth year; Messrs Robert Brown, Thomas Henderson, and John Semple, of the fourth year; Mr James Muir of the third year; Messrs Joseph Leckie, Ninian and Robert Robertson of the second year; and Messrs David M'Laren and David Young of the first year. Appointed next meeting to be held at Stirling, on the 13th of January next. Kilmarnock,—Little business has occurred in the presbytery since last notice. One meeting was devoted to devotional exercises and brotherly conference, and a committee is preparing a digest of hints then thrown out for future guidance in following out the important objects. On the 14th of October, arrangements were made for superintending the students. One of them, Mr Eben. Kennedy, has since that time been removed by death, having been seized in Glasgow with small-pox. Reports were called for of collections for Synod fund. A moderation was granted to the congregation of Muirkirk,-Mr Thomas to preside. The call has been given very harmoniously to Mr David Young. FAREWELL SOIREE TO THE REV. MATTHEW FRAZER, BELL STREET CHURCH, dundee. On Monday, the 13th October, the friends of the Rev. Mr Frazer assembled in Tay Square church to pay a parting tribute to that gentleman at the close of his ministerial labours in that town. The church was crowded in every part; there being present nearly 1300 persons. P. H. Thoms, Esq., occupied the chair, supported by the Rev. Dr Russell, Messrs Frazer, M'Gavin, Gilfillan, Duncan, Reston, Wilson and White of Dundee ; Marshall of Lochee, Ogilvy of Broughty Ferry, and Murray of Forfar, Bailie Anderson, Dean of Guild, Edward Baxter, Esq., &c. After interesting speeches from the chairman, Rev. Dr Russell, Messrs Baxter, Gilfillan, M Gavin, Reston, Wilson, and Beatts, the following address, signed by a number of Mr Frazer's late congregation, was presented to him "REVEREND AND DEAR SIR,-Impressed with a deep sense of the importance of this moment of your life, we respectfully offer you our heartfelt sympathy and congratulation, sympathy, for your sufferings, now, it is to be hoped, brought to a close, and congratulation on the present impartial and triumphant demonstration of public opinion, that your ministerial and social-your public and private-character has withstood and surmounted the severest possible trials. It was with no ordinary degree of painful emotion that we experienced a severance of the ties which have for so many years bound us together in our respective relations of pastor and people. We have long venerated your piety, and admired the uniform tenor of your christian walk and conversation, and fondly trusted that, in the providence of God, your ministerial labours would have been preserved to us while bodily strength should enable you to perform your duties. But such a desired consummation has been, from unforeseen causes, frustrated, to our mournful experience: and now, instead of its being permitted you to mingle with us in prayer and praise to God, we have only the melancholy privilege of bidding you a long FAREWELL. "We need not entreat an interest in your future prayers, as that will be spontaneously awarded by your generous and philanthropic mind; but we do earnestly request that you will think of us in our present state of dispersion, like sheep without a shepherd, and not knowing in what part of his vineyard it may please the Lord to place us for the future; and, when the storm of heart burnings is past, we entertain the hope, by the blessing of God, of being gathered together in the fold of Christ, and that none shall be found wanting. "Whatever reflection, of a regretful nature, regarding the past, may hereafter haunt our memory, we shall always cling to the consolatory thought that you have preserved untarnished the great treasure which can be possessed by a gentleman and a christian minister, viz. your honour and your character; and that we have, to the best of our humble ability and judgment, fearlessly performed our duty. "Wishing that God will safely guide and preserve you through this life, and carry you in triumph to share his glory in the mansions above, we remain your sorrowing well-wishers. To which Mr Frazer made the following reply: "Mr CHAIRMAN and CHRISTIAN FRIENDS, Though I had heard that an address was to be presented to me this evening, I did not anticipate that it was to be of such a nature as the one I now hold in my hand, and to it I feel myself unable to make a suitable reply. The congregation of Bell Street may rest assured, that, so long as my memory holds her seat, they will not be forgotten. I believe that, after all that has taken place, I live generally in their affections, and that a majority in that congregation would still gladly hear and kindly support me. But, from a train of circumstances to which I will not farther advert, I have been led to the resolution of resigning my charge, and seeking in retirement that comfort and peace to which for some time past I have been a stranger. I cannot express the pleasure and the pain which I feel in the circumstances in which I am now placed;-pain, in that I am constrained to leave a place in which I resided for thirty-six years, and a people with whom I have lived in harmony and peace during that period, and among whom I thought I might finish my course ;-pleasure, in carrying along with me the recollection of the many kindnesses I have received, and especially the obligations under which you have laid me, by the entertainment of this evening. When I look around me, I shrink into myself when I see so many of those who are the ornament and the flower of our community assembled to bid me a respectful farewell. What am I that I should be thus distinguished? or what have I done to merit the honour you have been pleased to confer upon me? I thought that I might have passed away," unnoticed and unknown," but you have drawn me from the shade, and given me a prominence which I little deserve. I am proud, however, of your consideration; and your approbation is to me, at this moment, a consolation far greater than I can express. What a blessing is it to have the esteem of the wise and the good! But, sir, while we are met to say farewell, and while we are subject to the various vicissitudes of life, let us turn our thoughts to that happier state of being where changes are unfelt, and farewells are unknown. There the redeemed from among men will dwell for ever together, and will be ever with the Lord. Their sun of enjoyment will then no more go down, and their moon will not withdraw her shining, for God will be their everlasting light, and their God their glory. I would belie my feelings were I to say that I leave you without concern or regret: I feel both ;concern for the future, and regret for the misimproved past. But wherever I go, and amid all my wanderings, I will often revert in thought to Dundee, the scene of my ministerial labours, of my comforts and my crosses, and especially to the hallowed spot where the ashes of a beloved, but departed, relative rest in undisturbed repose. Ere long "There, too, shall I confess oblivion's power ~ It is a melancholy thought that we shall never meet again in this life, and that we must so soon part. We cannot, with certainty, boast of to-morrow, for we know not what a day may bring forth. What manner of persons ought we, then, to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God! Finally, brethren-farewell! Be perfect-be of good comfort-be of one mind-live in peace-and the God of love and peace shall be with you. And now, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to keep you from falling, and to give you an inheritance among all them that are sanctified: and may the God of love and peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever.Amen. "Farewell! I would again repeat, For here the dearest friends must sever; After a vote of thanks to the Chairman, some verses of the 25th Psalm were sung; and Dr Russell having pronounced the benediction, the meeting separated, highly delighted with the interesting proceedings of the evening. OBITUARY. REV. JOHN SMART, D.D. Died, on the 4th November, in the house of his son, Mr R. C. Smart, Leith Walk, the Rev. John Smart, D.D., senior minister of St John's Street congregation, Stirling. Few men have departed this life leaving behind them a more untarnished character than he did. Dr Smart long occupied a place as one of the most popular preachers in the United Secession Church. His pulpit ministrations were of a high order. They were characterised by a rich strain of evangelical sentiment, that uniformly pervaded them-by their energy and fidelity and by the pointed and forcible appeals which he made to the consciences of his hearers. In addressing his fellow-sinners, his manner was such as showed that his whole heart and soul were in his Master's work. He was, indeed, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of God. His conduct as a Christian, in the private walks of life, was uniformly consistent with the high character which he maintained as a minister of the gospel. It was not merely blameless-it was exemplary. In discharging the duties connected with the various relations which he sustained, as a father, a parent, and a friend, he showed that he was living under the power of religion. His life bore upon it the bright impress of the new creation. He was, indeed, a living epistle, known and read of all men." Though his habits were not such as fitted him for mingling much in the busy scenes of life, or for taking a lead in the management of public affairs, yet he felt a lively interest in those great movements which have been taking place, in the church and in society, during the last half century. He was a firm and decided friend of those institutions which have been formed for the propagation of the gospel at home and abroad. For many years of his life, and long after the infirmities of age had crept upon him, he was seen associated with the good, giving to these institutions all the countenance and support which he was capable of giving. He aided them by his counsel-by his contributions-and by his prayers. He ceased not, till the close of life, taking an interest in the prosperity of Zion, and in every thing that was connected, either directly or indirectly, with the promoting of the Saviour's glory upon earth. He has gone down to the grave amid the lamentations of the good; and his name will henceforth occupy an honourable place in the list of those venerable men, who, while living, shed a lustre, by their many excellencies, on the church to which they belonged. Dr Smart died in the eighty-third year of his age, and in the fifty-seventh of his ministry. His latter end was full of peace and hope. His remains were interred in the grave of the Rev. Ebenezer Erskine, the Father of the Secession, in the immediate vicinity of the place of worship, where he so long and so faithfully laboured. Previously to the interment, the coffin was carried into the church, and placed in front of the pulpit. The spacious house was filled with a numerous assemblage of mourners—both young and old. Suitable portions of the psalms and hymns were sung. Prayer was offered up by the Rev. William Fraser of Alloa-and an address was delivered by the Rev. Dr McKerrow, of Bridge of Teith. The whole scene was in the highest degree solemn and impressive. MONTHLY RETROSPECT, Dr Merle D'Aubigné and Voluntaryism. -In our number for August, we noticed the startling announcement this celebrated person had just made, that he did not hold the voluntary principle; and we ventured to express the opinion that he actually was at one with us, but had been somehow led to misapprehend what our principle really is. There has lately appeared a letter from him to Dr Chalmers, dated Liege (Belgium), 31st July 1845, in which he says, "Though we (the voluntaries and I) are almost agreed, there are some shades between them and me, I am ready to allow, if they wish, that they may be more advanced than I am; but I do not wish, for this very reason, to let myself be represented as being at the same point with them." Dr Chalmers says, "It will be observed that D'Aubigné differs more widely from those who hold our views of the establishment principle than from the views of those who pass under the name of voluntaries." Our own opinion of his sentiments is not materially altered. We still think that he labours under misapprehension. He is shocked at a dear Scotch friend, a minister, he thinks, of a congregation NO. XII. VOL. II. 4 N of Seceders, who wrote him that "the voluntary principle, as held in Scotland, is briefly this: That civil governments have nothing to do with God, and that God has nothing to do with civil governments." Now, we know not who may have written this, nor in what connexion, but sure we are, that detaching it and taking it in the sense in which D'Aubigné does, the voluntaries of Scotland would repudiate it as eagerly as he does.* Probably most of them would subscribe to the "fundamental principle" of the British AntiState Church Association, of which many of the most distinguished of them are members, viz. "That in matters of religion man is responsible to God alone; that all legislation by secular governments in affairs of religion is an encroachment upon the rights of man, and an invasion of the prerogatives of God, and that the application by law of the resources of the state to the maintenance of any form or forms of religious worship and instruction is contrary to reason, hostile to human liberty, and directly opposed to the word of God." He himself says in his letter, "I think very firmly, and have often said in England and in Scotland, that "if a government wishes the good of the church, it cannot show this in amore efficacious manner than in leaving it alone-leaving it independent-calling it to subsist by its own strength. I am convinced that liberty is of much more value to the church than all tithes and endowments and salaries. Perhaps the chains which the state gives the church may be chains of gold, but they are always chains which embarrass it and destroy its spontaneous activity." Sir C. E. Smith and some other English voluntaries are anxious that the advocacy of the voluntary principle should be suspended for a time, with the view of favouring the hopeful attempts which are now making for the promotion of union amongst Christians. We say, Let the truth be spoken in love, but let it neither be compromised nor suppressed. This we understand to be the recognised principle among all the parties aiming at union, and we trust the voluntaries will neither be offended at others carrying it out, nor fail to do so themselves. The General Election which is drawing on apace, renders it of importance, both that we should be well grounded in our principles, and prepared by all honourable and expedient means to embody them in deeds. The British Quarterly Review, lately started as the organ of the more aristocratic and moderate English dissenters, says :-" That they should resolve to secure a better representation of their principles in the next House of Commons, is a point about which there can be no division of opinion among them *** It will behove the non-conformist firmly to take his stand and refuse bis vote to the man who shall hesitate to pledge himself against any extension of government grants for the purposes of religion. Hitherto non-conformists have been disposed to confide in their liberal representatives so as to allow their non-conformity to disappear in their liberalism; but it will be to label themselves as fools or madmen, to all coming time, if they do not now provide that there shall be in future some distinct stipulation in regard to their principles." Thus far, probably, the co-operation of Free Churchmen could be obtained in Scotland. We beg to recommend to the perusal of our readers, an able article on the Electoral Duty of Dissenters, in the November number of the Eclectic. It contains some valuable remarks on the reasonableness of voluntaries demanding adhesion to the voluntary principle, in candidates for parliamentary honours, and on the right they have to inquire into the religious sentiments of those who solicit their votes. It also counsels the formation of electoral clubs, herever they are practicable, agreeably to the recommendation which the Nonconformist newspaper has lately been giving. Scarcity of Food in the Kingdom.—An opinion very generally prevailed a few weeks ago, that on account of the acknowledged deficiency of provisions in the united kingdom, an order in Council would be issued for the admittance of foreign grain duty free, or that an extraordinary session of parliament would be held for the consideration of the subject. It turns out, however, that *Since the above was in type, we have seen an admirable letter to D'Aubigné, from Dr Heugh, dated 9th July last. Its publication was not needed to satisfy us that he had not used the obnoxious language. |