Free Church of Scotland.

REPORT

OF

SPECIAL COMMITTEE

ON

SUPPLY OF ORDINANCES FOR OUR COUNTRYMEN ON THE CONTINENT.

MAY 1867.

THE General Assembly of 1866 appointed the Colonial and Continental Committee, with the addition of certain ministers and elders, to be the special Committee for carrying out the following deliverance :

The General Assembly resolve to appoint a Special Committee, instructing them to take the subject of the overtures into very careful consideration; to endeavour to mature a plan for carrying out the object of the overtures; to hold such communication with the Colonial and Continental Committee as circumstances may render desirable, and to report the result of their inquiries and deliberations to the next General Assembly. Further, the Assembly recommend to this Committee to take steps for obtaining funds toward effecting any plan they may propose, in order that the Assembly in 1867 may be enabled to provide for putting it into immediate operation. Finally, the Assembly authorize the Committee to arrange for the partial promotion of the object during the ensuing year, in the event of any funds being placed at their disposal for that purpose."

Since last Assembly the Committee has given careful consideration to the whole matter, and the results of their deliberations are embodied in this Report, in which the various points embraced in the deliverance of the Assembly will be found adverted to.

Plan. The plan to be adopted seems to be to select the most frequented places on the Continent, and to ascertain, by information from competent sources, the probable numbers of English

speaking visitors, and the relative proportion of Presbyterians, or of those willing to attend Presbyterian services. In this selection it will be needful to distinguish those places where a permanent ministry is required, from those where supply for a few months in summer or in winter is sufficient, to meet the wants of invalids or of passing tourists. It will be also necessary to ascertain the amount and the quality of the Protestant English services already in existence in each place; so that where evangelical preaching is attainable under existing arrangements, and the Presbyterian visitors are not very numerous, some other locality more destitute may be chosen for the operations of the Committee. When the places are selected, correspondence, if possible, should be opened with local parties, that the needful arrangements may be made for holding public worship, by hiring or procuring a suitable apartment, and publishing the place and hours of service beforehand. Where this is impracticable, the minister deputed to supply the locality must make these arrangements himself, at least in the first instance.

The ministers sent out should be appointed, if practicable, for a period of not less than two months, especially in the case of distant appointments, so as to avoid unnecessary charges for travelling expenses.

Funds. No other way of procuring the necessary funds seems open but that of private subscription among those interested in the matter personally, and who may have relatives on the Continent. A portion of the expenses may indeed be expected from the local contributions at the various selected stations. Experience, however, teaches us not to calculate on any very great returns from that source. The class of persons, however, at home above indicated is both numerous and wealthy, and when the enterprise is fully before them, and its results begin to be appreciated, the Committee have little doubt that a sufficient amount of money may be realized from these subscriptions to enable the Free Church to meet fully the wants of our countrymen sojourning or travelling in Continental Europe.

What has been done in the matter since last Assembly.

Wiesbaden.-The war in Germany last year prevented any movement on our part in the countries affected, but in the early part of last summer a commission was granted to a minister of our Church who was on his way to Wiesbaden, authorizing him to give his services to any of our countrymen or others who might accept them, either at Wiesbaden, Frankfort, or elsewhere. On his arrival he found no other Presbyterian family at Wiesbaden except his own, and the setting up of Presbyterian worship was out of the question, as all the English-speaking people attended the Episcopal minister's services. Soon after he and all the British

visitors were driven out by the hostile occupation of the whole district by Prussian troops.

Lausanne.-At the request of British residents, enforced by Dr. Stewart of Leghorn, a station, however, was opened at Lausanne, the particulars of which will be found in the Report of the Colonial and Continental Committee, and ministers bave occupied the place for the past ten months. It is expected that the existence of the Sabbath services may render Lausanne a suitable resting-place on the northern shore of the Lake of Geneva.

Paris.-The opening of the International Exhibition at Paris, and the expected influx of people therewith connected, seemed to lay on the Committee an imperative obligation to institute Sabbath services in that city. Accordingly Mr. Cooper of Burntisland went to Paris in March; and, through the kindness of the Taitbout ministers and congregation, English Presbyterian services were commenced there in the month of April. Mr. Cooper has been succeeded by Mr. Cobban of Braemar, and will be followed by Mr. Burns of Kirkliston, Mr. Arnot, and Mr. Nixon. It is impossible as yet to speak of the ultimate success of this station. Hitherto the attendance has been small. There is a prospect of increase as the season advances.

It may also be mentioned here that the Colonial and Continental Committee has, in addition to former Continental stations, commenced English services in the two following localities:

Venice. The cession of Venetia to Italy having removed any difficulties as to evangelistic work in Venice, Mr. M'Dougall of Florence was instructed by the Colonial and Continental Committee to proceed to Venice, and to commence English services there, as well as to set on foot an organization for Italian work. The English services have been gladly accepted by a portion of the British and American visitors and residents, as also by a large proportion of the English-speaking sailors in the port. Mr. Campbell of Markinch has followed Mr. M'Dougall at Venice with great acceptance.

Lisbon.-A commencement has been made at Lisbon under most favourable circumstances, the particulars of which will be found in the Colonial and Continental Reports. There is every prospect of the settlement of Mr. Stewart of Tarland in Lisbon, in compliance with the urgent request of the people, who are desirous of Presbyterian gospel services.

Steps taken to raise the necessary funds for present Operations.

A statement of the object contemplated, coupled with an earnest appeal for help to carry it out, was prepared in the end of last year. This was extensively circulated; and, through the unremitting and zealous efforts of Mr. John Thomson of Paisley, about £500 have been realized for this year. A much larger sum, how

ever, would be needful to carry out the purposes contemplated in the deliverance of the Assembly.

Operations for this Year.

In addition to the stations above named, the Committee are already making arrangements to occupy Hamburg and Interlachen. Whether it is advisable to occupy any other station during this, the first year, will depend on information of which they are not yet in possession, or circumstances which have not yet emerged. Which, if any, of the Continental spas or wateringplaces afford scope for a Free Church ministry, can scarcely be ascertained till the season has been commenced. In all likelihood Montreux, Cannes, and Mentone, which are winter places of resort, may probably be provided with Presbyterian ministrations during the ensuing winter months.

The importance of providing for the spiritual wants of our countrymen on the Continent, many of them compelled to reside abroad, is undoubtedly great; and it is to be hoped that a greater amount of interest will manifest itself in our own and other evangelical Churches, and that the practical difficulties in the way will be gradually removed.

It would be of great importance if any of those who intend to resort to Continental watering-places, or who know of friends about to do so, would communicate with the Committee, in order that information might be obtained and arrangements made in reference to such localities as may be found suitable, from year to year, for the supply of ordinances.

It is quite evident that the present is only a tentative year; and the Committee are anxious not to expend the funds committed to them, unless they have some certainty as to the ground to be occupied. Some years must elapse before the plan can be fully matured and carried out; but they trust that by and by, from information conveyed to them by persons interested in the matter, and from the experience of the agents actually employed, they may be enabled to meet satisfactorily the wants of our countrymen on the Continent, and to enable them to make the existence of Free Church ministrations an element in determining their place of rest or residence.