PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE FREE CHURCH

OF SCOTLAND.

OCTOBER 1843.

The Second General Assembly of the Free Protesting Church of Scotland met at Glasgow on Tuesday the 17th October, at eleven o'clock forenoon.

At five minutes past eleven, Dr Chalmers ascended the platform, and took his seat in the Moderator's chair, Dr M'Farlan of Greenock, and Dr Brown of Glasgow, being seated on his right, and Dr Makellar of Pencaitland on the left. Sheriff Monteath, Sheriff Speirs, Sir David Brewster, Sir Andrew Agnew, J. M. Nairne, Esq., of Dunsinnane, and a number of other members, subsequently took their seats on the platform.

Dr Chalmers commenced the services by reading the four first verses of the 46th Psalm, which were sung by the congregation, the largest, it may safely be affirmed, that ever participated in the worship of a General Assembly in Scotland.

The Rev. Doctor then offered up an impressive prayer, after which the first and second verses of the eighty-fourth Psalm were sung. Dr Chalmers took his text from Nehemiah xi. 16, "And Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chief of the Levites, had the oversight of the outward business of the House of God."

At the close of the discourse, the audience joined in singing a portion of the 147th Psalm.

Dr CHALMERS intimated that, after the benediction had been pronounced, the Assembly would be convened and constituted, which was accordingly done by solemn prayer.

The roll of the Assembly was then called over, and a number of new commissions were given in.

Dr CHALMERS then said-Reverend Fathers and Brethren, it is now time that the Assembly should proceed to the election of a new Moderator; but before quitting the chair, I beg to return the most grateful acknowledgments to you all for the amount of indulgence I have gotten at your hands. And I have now, as the last act appertaining to the office to which your kindness had preferred me, to propose for your acceptance, as my successor, one of whom I am confident that not only his high standing in the Church, but his mild, and paternal, and apostolical virtues, will recommend to the cordial and unanimous suffrages of this venerable Court-Dr Thomas Brown of Glasgow-(cheers)-one to whom belongs in no common degree the characteristics of that "wisdom which cometh down from above;" for while, along with four hundred and seventy of his associates in the ministry, he, by giving up his former all, rather than do violence to his principles, has thus afforded the best guarantee of being "first pure," I could not fix upon any individual of this whole number who better exemplifies all the remaining attributes of this heavenly wisdom-"First pure, then peacable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy

and of good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." (Hear, hear, hear.) His is not only the wisdom which qualifies him for such a charge; but bis is pre-eminently and distinctively the "meekness of wisdom." It is, therefore, with singular pleasure that I recommend him as the fitting head and representative of this body of ministers and elders, who have come together not for fierce and fiery debate, but for free yet friendly deliberation on such subjects as are alike dear to philanthropy and piety, and actuated by the single principles of glory to God and good-will to men. (Hear, hear.) I beg to propose for your acceptance Dr Thomas Brown. (Cheers.) Dr M FARLAN of Greenock.-Moderator, I have been requested to do that which, after what you have uttered, and after the cheers with which your proposal has been received, I think is altogether unnecessary-that is, to second the motion which you have now made for the election of Dr Brown. I shall not add one word to what Dr Chalmers has said on this subject, but only express the unmingled delight and satisfaction with which I second the motion for the election of my much loved and universally respected friend. (Cheers.)

Dr Brown was then conducted from the Committee-room to the Chair. On his re-appearing on the platform, the whole of the members rose and received him standing, and the audience expressed their satisfaction by cheers.

The MODERATOR, with great solemnity of manner, addressed the Assembly as follows:-Reverend Fathers and Brethren, I thank you most sincerely, and from the bottom of my heart, for the honour that you have done me in placing me in this chair to preside over you. I am undeserving of the honour that you have conferred upon me, and I am very unfit for the performance of the duties to which, in the providence of God, I am now called. No man is more conscious of this than I myself am; and there are not merely five, but fifties connected with the Free Church of Scotland that merited better to be placed in the situation which I now hold, and much more capable of performing the duties which attach to that situation. But since it is your will and your pleasure, I shall enter on these duties, trusting to your indulgence and your forbearance, which I am sure I shall meet with, and looking unto Him whose grace is promised to be made sufficient for us, and whose strength is perfect in our weakness. Rev. fathers and brethren, we are not honoured this day with the presence of the representative of Majesty; but I trust that the presence of our Lord and Master is with us, and that the shout of Zion's king will be among us. We meet not at this time for the purpose of framing a new constitution for the Church of Scotland. (Hear, hear.) That constitution, under the guidance of the Spirit of God, has been framed by the skill and the wisdom of our forefathers-the men of eminence and the men of God of former times-our Protestant Reformers; and it existed before it was brought into connection with the State at all. (Hear, and cheers.) By that constitution we abide stedfastly. (Hear, hear.) Our Standards, our Books of Discipline, our Creed, our Confession of Faith, we retain in all their original integrity. To them we have adhered-to them we have appealed by them we have sought to be tested in all our recent contendings; but we were derided as men of extravagant views, of presumptuous ideas. We therefore, this being the case, maintain that we are the Church of Scotland. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) Deprived of her civil privileges, and denuded as she is of her State countenance, we have protested, and we do protest, and we will be borne out in the estimation of all men that are unprejudiced and capable of judging, that in our doctrine, and our polity, and our discipline, and our worship, we represent the Church of our fathers. (Loud cheers.) We are the true Church that was originally recognised by the State (renewed cheers)—the Church that could exist and did exist independent of the State-the Church that was assumed by the State, never to be tampered with in her righteous domain, and never to be trammelled in the exercise of her spiritual functions. (Cheers.) We are the Church that has passed through great tribulations-through fire and through water-the Church that has passed through the hottest persecutions, and yet remains unscathed, like the bush that was burning and was not consumed. (Hear, hear.) Such is the Free Church of Scotland; and this is its second holy convocation-this is its second General Assembly. We have met, reverend fathers and brethren, for very important pur

poses. Our deliberations will have respect to the inward regulations, and to the outward machinery that are essential to the Church's usefulness, and to the Church's stability; and I trust that the wise and holy considerations that have been brought under our notice this day, and pressed upon us with so much energy and affectionate eloquence, will not be lost upon any one of us. (Hear, hear.) We meet in a prayerful spirit; and I trust that a prayerful spirit will be maintained throughout; and that in all our deliberations we shall still look upwards. This is no arena of strife. This is no field of conflict. Here there is to be no self-pleasing or self-seeking. We meet as brethren animated with one heart and with one mind, striving together in the maintenance of those great principles that we have given forth to the world. If any shade of diversity of opinion exists amongst us, I trust there will be no division of affection, and no division of principle. Our union is our strength. Our union is our glory. (Hear, hear.) If I were allowed to give an advice, and I am not warranted to give an advice from any other consideration than from my grey hairs, and from the place which I hold-(hear, hear,)—I would say to every individual in this great Assembly, approach every question which comes before you with that solemnity which its importance does bespeak. Approach every question as Christian men and as Christian ministers. Realise the presence of God. Think of your responsibility to your Church, and think of your responsibility to the Great Head of the Church! Oh! I beg of you to do as I would wish to do myself, bear in mind that time is to be coupled with eternity, and that all our sayings and all our doings are to be connected with that eternal reckoning which is to be given at last in the presence of our God. If I were allowed to go beyond the limits of this Assembly, and address the Christian people who have congregated here to-day to witness our meeting and our proceedings, I would say, Brethren in the Lord, pray for us. Pray for us. We have need of your prayers. Pray for us privately-pray for us in your domestic circles. Pray for the builders of the sacred edifice, that their hands may be strengthened, that their minds may be enlightened, and that they may go forward to their sacred duties in the strength of the Lord. And oh, may it be said by you, and by all of us, and said by an unthinking and undiscerning world, The Lord has been in the midst of us of a truth. I commend you all to God, and to the word of his grace. May be lead you-may he guide you-may he strengthen, and help, and uphold you in the way you should go. (Hear, hear.)

Dr M'FARLAN said he rose to move the thanks of the Assembly to Dr Chalmers, for the eminent services he had rendered to the Free Church as their Moderator; in an especial manner for the eloquent and excellent sermon which they had just heard, and with a particular request that he would allow it to be published. (Great applause.) He would not say all he could and wished to say of the eminent public and private services of their late Moderator, on behalf of the Free Church of Scotland, because, were he to do so in his presence, he would offend that modesty for which he was as much distinguished as he was for his high and distinguished talent. He would, however, venture to express one sentiment regarding the discourse, and which he was confident would be participated in by all present-that it was worthy of Dr Chalmers-(great applause)-and he hoped that, as it was calculated to promote the interests, and conduce to the benefit of the Free Church of Scotland, the Rev. Doctor would consent to its publication. (Applause.) The motion was then carried by acclamation.

The MODERATOR then communicated the thanks of the Assembly to Dr Chalmers.

Dr CHALMERS, in reply, said he was not prepared for any thing beyond the ordinary vote of thanks on leaving the chair, far less was he prepared for the request with which that vote of thanks was concluded. When he wrote the sermon he had no intention of its ever being in print-it was unworthy of it—and it was only in obedience to the command laid on him by the Assembly, and which to him was a law, that he consented to its publication. (Great applause.)

The CLERK then read the names of the Committee on Overtures on Bills, and for the regulation of the order of business to be brought before the Assembly, after which the Assembly adjourned at a quarter-past two till eight o'clock.

EVENING SEDERUNT.

This diet was set apart for devotional exercises, which were conducted by the Moderator, the Rev. Mr Flyter of Alness, and Dr Henderson of Melville Church, with much fervour, and natural and touching simplicity.!

WEDNESDAY, October 18.

The Assembly met at twelve o'clock, and was constituted by prayer and praise. After the reading of the minute of last sederunt,

Dr CHALMERS said, that in obedience to the resolution of last Assembly, he had transmitted to the Home Office the Address to the Queen which had then been resolved upon. He had shortly thereafter received a communication from Sir James Graham, acknowledging receipt of the Address, which letter he would now hand to the Moderator in order that it might be read.

The Clerk then read the following letter, which at the conclusion was received with much disapprobation.

"WHITEHALL, June 8, 1843. "SIR, I have had the honour of receiving, and laying before her Majesty, the Address which bears your signature, and which was transmitted by you to me. "I am unwilling needlessly to refer to the late secession of a portion of the minis. ters from the Established Church of Scotland: but the assurance of your continued loyalty has been graciously received by her Majesty; and the Queen relies with satisfaction on the declaration which you make on behalf of the ministers and elders of a church of Christ, that you will be stedfast in your obedience to the civil power, and that you regard that duty as demanded by the highest authority, and as due to the peace and prosperity of the nation.-I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient "J. R. G. GRAHAM.

servant,

"To the Rev. Dr Chalmers, Moderator, Edinburgh."

Dr MAKELLAR said, he would not at present give any opinion as to the terms of the letter which had been just read; but as it was a communication to the Free Church of Scotland, it would be ungracious in the Free Assembly of the Church to refuse to insert on their records a document coming from Her Majesty's Secretary of State. (Hear, hear.) It was the usual practice to insert such communications; and he hoped that by showing on the present occasion every feeling of deference and respect to the quarter from which the present one professed to come, they would exhibit their anxious desire to act on the principles set before them by their Divine Lord and Master. (Agreed, agreed.)

THE SCHEMES OF THE CHURCH.

Mr A. DUNLOP rose and said-As Chairman of the Board of Missions and Edu. cation, I have to submit to you the usual report as to the contributions to the Five Schemes of the Church. On this occasion, however, being a half-yearly meeting, I can only lay before you a partial view of our proceedings since the period of last Assembly. But I rejoice to say that that view is of a most encouraging character. (Applause.) On the occasion of the last Assembly, I ventured, with some confidence, but at the same time not without some anxiety, to express a hope that the disruption would, to no extent, diminish our means of propagating the gospel at home and abroad; and I rejoice to state, that in so far as we can judge by the result of the last few months, these expectations will not only be realized, but exceeded. (Loud applause.) If during the remainder of this year, the contributions of our people are continued to the other schemes, in the same proportion that they have been given to the two schemes that have already been before our Church, we have an assurance that the Church, which is now disestablished, will have contributed more to these objects than was done by the whole united Church previous to the disruption. (Applause.) At the same time I must state that only two of these col

lections have as yet been made-viz., that for the Conversion of the Jews, in the month of June, and that for Education in the month of August last. The whole returns of collections for the Education Scheme have not been received, but all, or at least the greater part of the collections, have been made for the Jewish Scheme. During the whole of the year 1842, the collections at the church doors in aid of the Jews' conversion amounted to L.2624; and the contributions already made, and reported in our proportion of the Church which is now disestablished, amount to L.2926-showing that, in the four months which are passed, L.300 more have been contributed by our people, than were given by the whole Church before. (Applause.) Of course there are contributions from associations, and from individuals, to the scheme, which will come in gradually over the whole year, and from which we may expect a considerable addition: but striking off legacies and contributions from abroad, there were last year, received from the whole Church, L.3863: and we have already, in the brief period which I have specified, received from all sources of contribution, L.3569. It therefore requires only the sum of L.300 to be made up by associations and individuals, to amount to the sum that was received last year from the whole Church. (Loud applause.) Of course, we cannot expect that when the contributions are spread over the whole year, the same proportion will be realised as already from the church-door collections; but at the same time we have sufficient evidence to show, that so far from falling off, the contributions will exceed those from the whole Church previous to the disruption. These collections for the Conversion of the Jews have been made from 467 parishes. For our Education Scheme, 434 parishes have reported their collections, amounting to L.2253, while in the preceding year, the sum received from the whole united Church, amounted to L.2680. The totalsum received from all sources for our Educational Schemes amounts to L.2982; and last year there was collected for these L.3200-being only a deficiency of L.300 to make up the total amount received from the whole Church during a year. (Hear, hear.) And the whole sum received for all our Missionary Schemes already amounts to L.8220-a sum much exceeding what has been received for these objects during the same time at any former period. (Hear, hear.) Now, when we consider the immense drain which is made on our parishes for their own local objectswhen we consider the necessity of building so many churches, and the other heavy claims to which they are subjected, we have cause not only for the greatest thankfulness, but there are also grounds for the greatest encouragement; we have here a token for good that our people are embued with that zealous spirit, and that sincere desire to promote the glory of God, which we may trust, in humble confidence on Divine grace, will enter into all the schemes of the Church; and so far from diminishing the support to local objects, it will stimulate it, and convince us of the truth of what I have stated for seven years past, that these contributions, instead of diminishing the support to local objects, actually increase it. I mentioned that the number of parishes contributing to the scheme for the conversion of the Jews was 467; and it is well worthy of remark that this is a much larger proportion than ever contributed to these objects when the Church was established. But notwithstanding this, there are a considerable number who have not yet had an opportunity of contributing. I allude not only to congregations, but to preaching stations; and I would again press upon our ministers and preachers the propriety and duty of not refusing to give every class an opportunity of contributing according to their means. It is a most grievous mistake to suppose that what is contributed in this way will diminish the support to local objects; but even though it did, I am sure that no minister will discharge his duty to his conscience, if he should allow the church-door collections to step between him, and the duty-the bounden duty-of giving to all the people an opportunity of contributing to the schemes of the Church according to their means. (Hear, hear.) I have only another subject to allude to in connection with this matter, and it is one which personally concerns myself, as well as has reference to the advancement of the cause in which we are engaged. Since the original appointment of the Joint Committee, which is now called the Board of Missions, it has chiefly been concerned in the external and secular duty of providing channels of contribution, and stimulating our ministers to support the schemes of the Church by