Free Church of Scotland. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE MANUAL ΤΟ THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. MAY 1867. THE Committee report that the whole text of the proposed Manual is now in Proof, and is presented in that form to the Assembly. They regret extremely that, after transmitting the proof of the first four chapters to Ministers, they were unable to fulfil the promise which accompanied that transmission, of transmitting the proof of Chapter V. soon after the meeting of the Commission in March. Time could not be found for considering the many suggestions sent on the subject of the first four chapters, and at the same time completing the work. As it is, the whole text must undergo a thorough revisal. large number of Appendices must be added. The Committee request the Assembly, if resolving to reappoint them, to enjoin upon them the transmission of Chapter V., previously to the meeting of Commission in August; to require the whole work, with the Appendices, to be completed and thoroughly revised, previously to the meeting of the Commission in March 1868; and to instruct the Commission, at that meeting, if they find this requirement complied with, to direct the Committee as to the steps to be taken for enabling the General Assembly of 1868 to authorize its publication, if they see cause. EDINBURGH, June 1, 1867. H. WELLWOOD MONCREIFF, Convener. Free Church of Scotland. REPORT BY THE ASSEMBLY HALL COMMITTEE. MAY 186 7. THE Convener explained last year, when the Report was called for, the improvements and addition which were then contemplated in the Assembly Hall. These embraced a better room for the Moderator and the Business Committee, and an additional retiring room for those who, though not members, so largely attend the meetings of Assembly. The Committee have considered several plans of effecting the desired improvements, and have conferred with the Senatus, and with Members of the College Committee, on giving access to and making over of the property to the West which has been acquired by the College Committee, and which may be made available, both with real and architectural advantage, to the Hall from its proximity. They have not, however, been able to mature a plan which they could submit to the General Assembly, and they desire further time for consideration. The propriety of increasing the accommodation of the Hall itself, both for Members and for the Public, has also been suggested to the Committee. This is a suggestion, the adoption of which, if practicable, would be very desirable; but the Assembly will see the propriety of considerable caution being exercised before coming to any decision on this subject. F. BROWN DOUGLAS, Convener. Free Church of Scotland. REPORT BY THE COMMITTEE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON REFUSAL OF SITES. MAY 1867. AMONG the cases which, although now diminishing, still unfortunately remain to be dealt with by this Committee, the principal one, as regards hardship and intolerance, is that of Shieldag, in the Presbytery of Lochcarron, now a sanctioned charge. Vice-Chancellor Sir John Stuart persistently disregards the request and the right of his tenants and neighbours to acquire a piece of ground for the erection of a church. The congregation continues faithful to their principles, and worship in large numbers, Sabbath after Sabbath, when the weather is fine, in the open air; and when unable to do so, as many as the school can contain go to it for worship. Public opinion, which has exercised a beneficial influence in so many other places where at one time sites were refused, has had no perceptible effect on the mind of Vice-Chancellor Sir John Stuart, though it is believed he will not be justified or defended by a single person who is acquainted with the circumstances of the case. There are other cases which have less the appearance of persecution than that of Shieldag. In these the congregations have not so many miles to travel in order to get to some place of worship; still by the refusal of sites, or by the harsh stipulations attached when sites are granted, the Committee see that the great work of the Free Church in seeking to provide gospel ordinances for her own people, and to carry on its mission among the outlying population, is sadly hindered in one or two localities. |