69.-Presbytery of Lewis. The Presbytery having resumed consideration of the Report of the General Preamble. Assembly's Committee on Union, and of the Assembly's remit thereanent, and, while cordially approving of Union on a scriptural basis, resolve to transmit the following suggestions to the Committee : I. That the Committee should endeavour to ascertain more fully the views First. of the negotiating churches with regard to Christ's Headship over the Church and the State, and whether they are prepared to maintain in their integrity the distinctive principles on this subject always held by the Reformed Church of Scotland, for which the Free Church sacrificed so much at the time of the Disruption, and which she cannot now regard as of secondary importance. II. That, in regard to the Second Head of the Programme, the Committee Second. should obtain full information as to the views held by the negotiating churches on the subject of the atonement, there being an impression abroad that some of the parties concerned in these negotiations hold views on this subject inconsistent with the teaching of our standards. III. That the Committee should endeavour to ascertain whether it is Second. seriously proposed by any of the negotiating churches to alter or modify the Westminster Confession of Faith, or to interfere with it as a subordinate standard of the church. IV. That inquiry should also be made as to the matters embraced under Fifth. the Fifth Head of the Programme, with regard to the agreement of the negotiating churches respecting the 'Law and Practice of the Church as to Public Worship.' V. That, considering the great practical importance of the subject of Sixth. Government grants for education, and remembering that this Church must maintain the duty of the State to grant aid from the national resources to teach the young in the principles of Christianity; that full inquiry as to whether the other negotiating bodies are prepared to admit that duty, and to what extent the views of all the negotiating bodies on the question are capable of being harmonized. VI. In regard to the Seventh Head of the Programme, relative to finance, Seventh. church property, etc., that the Committee, considering the vast importance of the Sustentation Fund for the support of a Gospel ministry, and the maintenance of Christ's cause throughout Scotland, should faithfully represent the strong conviction entertained by the Free Church that the general principles and constitution of that Fund should not be interfered with, and that, in further negotiations on union, the Committee should carefully consider its bearing on the tenure of Free Church property, according to the provisions of the model trust-deed, printed with the Acts of the General Assembly in 1851. VII. That, in further negotiations on the subject of Union, the Committee General. should not countenance the suggestion made in some quarters, of leaving important subjects, whether relating to the doctrine, discipline, or government of the Church, as open questions, as these would, in all likelihood, prove a source of discord and heart-burnings in the united body. 70.-Presbytery of Orkney. The Presbytery, having taken into their consideration the Report trans- Preamble. mitted to them by the Committee on Union, rejoice to find that the Joint Committee are at one as to many important points, and would entertain the d First. Second. Seventh. Preamble. First. Second. Seventh. hope that by further conference on the points on which they seem to differ they may be brought to a still further measure of agreement. The Presbytery bearing in mind that the Free Church Committee on Union with other Presbyterian churches were instructed to aim at the object contemplated by all suitable means consistent with a due regard to the principles of this Church, and desirous of maintaining these principles in their integrity, would make the following suggestions : Under the First Head of the Programme, that the Committee should ascertain more explicitly than is done in their present report the precise extent of agreement and disagreement which exists among the negotiating Churches, particularly, (1.) More fully the import of the statement of the United Presbyterian Committee as to distinctive principles, that it is not within the province of the civil magistrate to legislate as to what is true in religion,' as compared with the statement in the articles of agreement, with reference to the Sabbath, that he may and ought to respect its sacred character, to legislate in the matter of its outward observance, etc.; and (2.) while admitting the inexpediency in certain circumstances of the State endowing the Church, should ascertain whether the United Presbyterian Committee regard it as sinful in any circumstances. Under the Second Head of the Programme, while rejoicing that all the Churches represented in the Joint Committee hold the Westminster Confession of Faith as their common standard, suggest that the Committee should ascertain whether, and to what extent, any of the negotiating churches seriously contemplate any alteration of these standards, and be careful to have all doubts removed as to the agreement of the parties in the doctrines contained in the Confession of Faith on the points under this head. That considering the vast importance of the Sustentation Fund for the support of Gospel ordinances throughout the land, the Committee should distinctly declare the strong feelings which exist in the Free Church on this subject, and should ascertain to what extent the other negotiating churches are prepared to approve of the general principles and constitution of this fund. That considering the avowedly imperfect information contained in the Report on some of the other topics which the Committee have reserved for further consideration, this Presbytery, until that information is supplied, do not deem it necessary to make any farther suggestions. 71.-Presbytery of Shetland. The Presbytery proceeded to the consideration of the subject of union with other churches. The brethren, after exchanging their views on this subject, agreed to express their gratification with the amount of agreement which is found already existing between the several branches of the church which now seek to be united. They were strongly impressed also with the desirableness of having this union consummated if possible. At the same time they would suggest : I. That the views of the different Churches on the duty of the civil magistrate to religion and the church should be more fully examined into, and more explicitly stated. II. That a bona fide subscription to the Confession of Faith be accepted as a sufficient test of orthodoxy. III. That care be taken to conserve the principle of the Sustentation Fund. Free Church of Scotland. REPORT OF COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AT ITS MEETING IN MARCH LAST, IN RELATION TO THE CASE OF ECCLEFECHAN. MAY 1867. THIS Committee was instructed by the Commission 'to confer with the Deacons' Court, the Trustees, and the Presbytery of Lockerby, and to report the result to the next General Assembly.' The Committee met, and having fully considered the whole circumstances of the case, resolved to make a recommendation to the Congregation of Ecclefechan, viz., That they should take steps for the appointment of additional Trustees to hold the property of the Congregation, the existing Trustees being few in number, and divided in opinion. The Congregation unanimously agreed to accept and act upon that recommendation. The appointment has not yet been made, but the Committee hope that this step, when carried out, will be the means of adjusting the difference which has occurred. As, however, the case is not yet settled, the Committee would respectfully suggest to the General Assembly that they should be reappointed. G. MELDRUM, Convener. |