hear.) He trusted that a mode of appointing deputies constitutionally wound be found; and as for the deputation to the Synod of Moray, so far from superseding, the Presbytery acted thoroughly in harmony with it, and the most beneficial effects followed. (Applause.)

Mr ROMANES (elder) said the idea which seemed to have been taken up, that there was a threatening aspect in the deputation, was absurd aud ludicrous. He confirmed the account given by Dr Wood, that the deputation had been received with open arms.

Mr MOFFAT, Cairnie, in reply to Mr Henry's remarks, said Mr Henry might speak for himself.

Mr HENRY-I only speak for myself.

Mr MOFFAT-Yes. I beg to intimate to the General Assembly that the party who received the deputation were not even an absolute majority of the Presbytery. The Presbytery was divided into three parties -the party who received the deputation with open arms; then there was a party cousisting of three members who voted that they should not be received at all; and a small party who voted that they should be received with reservations. True, the deputies did not act upon their instructions, having learnt that it would be dangerous from their collision with the Presbytery of Forres. Still those objectionable instructions were there, and which had been read out in the hearing of the Assembly, if not confirmed by it. He was disposed to support Mr M Gregor's motion.

Mr G. F. BARBOUR (elder) said no objection was made last Assembly to the appointment of the deputation, and it was considered quite constitutional.

Dr BUCHANAN would be exceedingly grieved if, in so thin a House, a step so very important was taken as the step that would be taken in the adoption of either of the two motions. Was it to be deliberately proposed to this House that it should be found incapable of sending deputies to speak to their Presbyteries, and, in conjunction with them, their congregations, on the subject of morals and religion, without the previous consent obtained of all the Presbyteries of the Church. He could not believe that the Assembly would adopt so dangerous a resolution. It might be, however, that in the phraseology of the Act, and much more in the phraseology of the instructions there might be some. thing that would beget suspicion and dislike, and might seem to invest the deputation with a sort of inquisitorial power; but this was not intended, and he trusted that, in continuing this most blessed movement, the Assembly would do so in a manner that would make it impossible for any one to suppose it was intended to have the character supposed to belong to it. He accordingly moved a resolution, to the effect, "That without renewing the Act anent the state of religion and deputations to districts of last year, the General Assembly hereby appoint the Presbyteries in the county of Perth to be visited during the current year; and further, appoint Mr A. N. Sommerville, and Mr Andrew Bonar, ministers at Glasgow, and Mr Duncan Macgregor, minister at Dundee, with Mr Brown Douglas, Major Ross, and Captain Mackenzie, elders, to be the deputies to visit the Presbyteries and congregations of the above-named district. And without issuing any special instructions for their guidance beyond the general directions embodied in the Act of last year, that they should confer with the Presbytery of the bounds,

and in concert with them, should visit every congregation, the Assembly commend the deputies and their work to the grace and blessing of God.” Mr M'GREGOR said Dr Buchanan's proposal removed all his difficulties as to the deputations; and he willingly withdrew his motion.

Mr BALFOUR, on behalf of Mr Stark, who had retired from the House, withdrew his motion; and the proposal of Dr Buchanan was agreed to.

THE GENERAL TRUSTEES.

Mr MELDRUM, in the absence of Mr Dunlop, laid on the table the report of the General Trustees, (No. XLI.) The annexed state was also laid on the table.

ASSEMBLY ARRANGEMENTS.

Mr WILSON gave in the report of this committee, (No. XI.) The Assembly approved generally of the report; and, with reference to the particular suggestions contained in it, 1. The Assembly postponed consideration of the proposed overture anent representation of Presbyteries. 2. The General Assembly resolved to transmit the following overture to Presbyteries, viz., "The General Assembly hereby enact and ordain, with consent of a majority of Presbyteries, with reference to Act III., 1865, anent the platform of the equal dividend,' that all applications from aid-receiving congregations for the appointment of colleagues and successors, which are made to the commission in March, in terms of Act VIII., Assembly 1862, shall be transmitted by the commission to the special committee on the platform, to be dealt with in the same manner in which the Act VI., 1861, enacts; that the said committee shall deal with cases of vacancy, but with the proviso that if the said committee shall form an unfavourable judgment in any such case, with respect to those matters specified in the said Act, they shall report the judgment, and the grounds of it, to the General Assembly, as well as to the Presbytery of the bounds, and shall proceed no further in the case until the General Assembly shall have pronounced a judgment." The General Assembly also converted this overture into an interim Act.

The General Assembly instruct the committee on Assembly arrangements to appoint, in the Assembly's name, a suitable deputation to the Synod of the Presbyterian Church in England at its next meeting, and to prepare a recommendation to the next General Assembly as to a deputation to the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. With reference to the provincial arrangements proposed by the committee, the Assembly instruct the committee to consider those more maturely, and to report on them to the commission next March, so that all parties interested may have an opportunity of considering them before next Assembly.

ENGLISH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The Assembly resumed consideration of the subject of conference with the representatives of the English Presbyterian Church, and resolved to adopt the following deliverance :-"The General Assembly, especially with a view to our relations with the Presbyterian Church in England, add the following names to the committee on Assembly arrangements: Mr P. Hope, Mr James Walker, Mr Walter Wood, Professor Douglas, ministers; Mr James Balfour, Mr M'Lagan, Mr D. Dickson, Mr G. F. Barbour, elders. The Assembly earnestly recommend the ministers of

this Church who may be requested to render their services in organising congregations in towns in England, to yield to such request; and further, the Assembly recommend to members and congregations to receive and welcome deputations from the Presbyterian Church in England biennially, with a view to obtain collections for the cause of Church extension in England, on the same footing as collections are now made for home missions connected with the Presbyterian Church in Ireland."

TUESDAY, JUNE 4.

SANCTIONING OF CHARGES.

Mr ADAM, of Aberdeen, gave in the report on this subject. The cases embodied in the report were taken up seriatim, and are as follow, together with the deliverance in each case :—

In the case of West-Calder, in the Presbytery of Linlithgow, the Assembly in the meantime decline the application, on the ground of the smallness of the contributions to the Sustentation Fund, which amount only to the average of £3, 10s. monthly. The Assembly express their satisfaction with the progress which has been made, and cherish the hope that by another year the station may be in a fit state for erection into a ministerial charge. The committee report that this station is in the heart of a large population, with 400 adhering to the Free Church; that the association seems to be in good working order, and that the number of adherents and communicants has doubled within the last two years. The nearest Free Church is three and a half miles distant.

In the case of Corsock, in the Presbytery of Dumfries, the Assembly grant the application, and sanction the station at Corsock as a ministerial charge, on the understanding that, previous to the congregation proceeding to the calling of a minister, they shall satisfy the Presbytery of Dumfries and the sustentation committee, that a sum of not less than £120 a-year is being contributed to the Sustentation Fund for his maintenance. The committee report that this station is well organised, and in a very satisfactory condition. The nearest Free Church is five and a half miles distant. The committee, however, call special attention to the fact that there is no title to the church, and that a large portion of the contributions comes from two parties.

In the case of Barony, in the Presbytery of Glasgow, the Assembly grant the application, and sanction the Barony Territorial Mission Station along with the office-bearers and members of the Wynd Church, who have joined it, as a ministerial charge, on the understanding that, previous to the congregation proceeding to the calling of a minister, they shall satisfy the Presbytery of Glasgow and the sustentation committee, that a sum of not less than £100 annually is being contributed to the Sustentation Fund for his support, and also with the provision that the endowment attached to the Wynd Church be retained by that congregation. The committee report that this station is situated in the midst of an immense population, and that there is every reason to believe that it will soon be a self-sustaining charge.

In the case of Cowcaddens, in the Presbytery of Glasgow, the General Assembly grant the application, and sanction the Territorial Mission

Station at Cowcaddens as a ministerial charge, on the understanding that, previous to the calling of a minister, they shall satisfy the Presbytery of Glasgow and the sustentation committee that a sum of not less than £100 annually is being contributed to the Sustentation Fund for his maiutenance. The committee report that this station is placed in the midst of a population of 15,000; that of late satisfactory progress has been made; that while no church has yet been erected, a sufficient explanation of that circumstance has been given, and that meanwhile the congregation are comfortably accommodated.

In the case of East Millar Street Station, in the Presbytery of Glasgow, the Assembly in the meantime decline the application, on the ground of the small contributions to the Sustentation Fund. They find that very hopeful progress has been made, and cherish the expectation that by another year the station will be in a fit condition for receiving sanction. The committee report that, while matters otherwise are in a hopeful state, the average monthly contribution to the Sustentation Fund is only £2.

In the case of Queen's Park Station, in the Presbytery of Glasgow, the Assembly grant the application, and sanction the Queen's Park Station as a ministerial charge, on the understanding that, previous to the congregation proceeding to the calling of a minister, they shall satisfy the Presbytery of Glasgow and the sustentation committee that a sum not less than the amount of the equal dividend is being contributed to the Sustentation Fund for his maintenance. The committee report that this station occupies a most important position, and that there can be no reasonable doubt that very soon it will be a large aid-giving congregation.

In the case of Sandbank, in the Presbytery of Dunoon and Inverary, the General Assembly grant the application, and sanction the station at Sandbank as a ministerial charge, on the understanding that, previous to the congregation proceeding to the calling of a minister, they shall satisfy the Presbytery of Dunoon and Inverary, and the sustentation committee, that a sum of not less than £100 is being contributed to the Sustentation Fund annually for his support. And further, the General Assembly recommend to the Home Mission committee to give a grant to this charge, in terms of their minute of 22d January 1856. The committee in their report state that, while the resident population at Sandbank is not large, and the number of communicants in the station is only forty-six, the place is largely frequented in summer, and promises to be of growing importance.

In the case of Culross Station, in the Presbytery of Dunfermline, the General Assembly grant the application, and sanction the station at Culross as a ministerial charge, on the understanding that, previous to the congregation proceeding to the calling of a minister, they shall satisfy the Presbytery of Dunfermline and the sustentation committee that a sum not less than £107 annually, as proposed in the application, is being contributed to the Sustentation Fund for his support. Further, the General Assembly recommend the Home Mission committee to give a grant to this charge, in terms of their minute of the 22d January 1856. The committee find that this station has existed since the time of the Disruption; that the adherents have exibited great steadfastness and perseverance, and that the whole circumstances of the case seem to justify the sanction craved.

In the case of Hawick, in the Presbytery of Jedburgh, the Assembly grant the application, and sanction the charge, on the understanding that, previous to the congregation proceeding to the calling of a minister they shall satisfy the Presbytery of Jedburgh and the sustentation committee that a sum not less than the amount of the equal dividend is being annually contributed to the Sustentation Fund for his maintenance, and also that steps for the erection of a church shall be in progress. The committee find that this is a new charge for the town of Hawick, the population of which is about 13,000. While the affairs of the station seem to be in a satisfactory state generally, no steps appear to have been taken as yet for the erection of a church.

In the case of Durris, in the Presbytery of Aberdeen, the Assembly grant the application, and sanction the station at Durris as a ministerial charge, on the understanding that, previous to the congregation proceeding to the calling of a minister, they shall satisfy the Presbytery of Aberdeen and the sustentation committee that a sum of not less than £80 annually is being contributed to the Sustentation Fund for his support. Further, the General Assembly recommend the home mission committee to give a grant to this charge in terms of their minute of 22d January 1856. The committee find that, while the population of the district is limited, and the resources of the congregation are not large, the distance from other Free Churches and the spiritual condition of the people, render the erection of a charge at Durris highly expedient.

In the case of Belmont Street Station, in the Presbytery of Aberdeen, the Assembly grant the application, and sanction the erection of the station at Belmont Street as a ministerial charge, on the understanding that, previous to the congregation proceeding to the calling of a minister, they shall satisfy the Presbytery of Aberdeen and the sustentation committee, that a sum not less than the amount of the equal dividend is being contributed to the Sustentation Fund for his support. The committee find that this station has been very recently erected; that it has already made great progress; and that there is every reason to believe that it will at once be an aid-giving congregation.

In the case of Altnaharrow, in the Presbytery of Tongue, the Assembly decline the application in the meantime, on the ground of the inadequate contribution to the Sustentation Fund from the congregation, and the small number of members. The Assembly recognise the importance of the situation occupied by the station, and cherish the expectation that the liberality of the friends of the Church may so aid the congregation as to justify the early erection of it as a full ministerial charge. The committee find that the church at Altnaharrow occupies an important position; that it is at a very great distance from other Free Churches; that the people labour under serious inconvenience; and that they deserve the sympathy and support of all interested in the Highlands. In this case Mr Adam hoped that by next Assembly they might see their way to grant the application to be erected into a sanctioned charge.

In the case of Crathie, in the Presbytery of Kincardine-O'Neil, the committee proposed that the Assembly, with acquiescence of parties, should decline the application in the meantime, because of the inadequate provision for the support of a minister in such a position as Crathie; and should recommend this congregation to the attention of the