been referred to himself. He could state, however, that from his know ledge of the duties of a minister, he could no more undertake a professorship, than he could undertake to fly to the moon. Dr Ritchie had charged them with hostility towards him. If the reverend gentleman asked, "Do you bite your thumb at me, sir?" he would answer from delicacy, "I bite my thumb;" but, if he came to close quarters, "I bite my thumb at you, sir." And he thought he was entitled to say, that Dr R. could not do his duty sufficiently either in the college or the church (hear). If he was diligent in the church, what was to become of the college? The learned professor who opened the debate yesterday, set out with a terrible denunciation against the innovations attempt. ed to be made upon our religion-the preventing of ministers from becoming professors. His definition of an office, which seemed to have a great in fluence over his mind, was not a very correct one; it was, a class of duties to be performed; but this would make every human being an office-bearerman, woman, and child; for who had not duties to perform? When a clergyman accepts of a professional chair, he puts himself under a jurisdiction which commands him to employ his time and talents different from another jurisdiction, which, as a member of the church, he is bound to obey. Under that academical jurisdiction, he has duties to perform, which may very probably interfere with his other duties as a parish minister. Perhaps a call will come from a person on his death bed; here is a most interesting duty, from the performance of which no clergyman can refrain. But if one hundred students be waiting upon him for his lecture, the call must be neglected, or the students wait on. He would now advert to the genius and constitution of our church. The reverend princi

VOL. XVIII. PART III.

pal had given them a historical disquisition; but a more meagre, inconclusive, and incorrect detail, he had never heard. Many chasms were left, which might have been filled up, and certain propositions advanced, which were directly in the teeth of his own argument. The reverend gentleman adverted to the older cases of pluralism which had been advanced by former speakers, and stated that it was the recent cases which had procured the overtures on the table of the House. They were told by gentlemen on the other side that unions existed, and therefore could not be wrong. But if this were admitted, every corruption, civil or ecclesiastical, would be held as consistent with the spirit and genius of the constitution. He would relate an anecdote, which would place this subject in a better point of view than anything which he could say. When the late Dr Walker was presented to the parish of Colinton, the people had strong prejudices against him, and violently opposed him. Dr Macknight was anxious to effect a reconciliation between them and his friend. He was preaching there, and took an opportunity of conversing with some of the parishioners. He made up to an old greyheaded man, and said, "Mr Walker will be an excellent minister for you?" "No, sir," said the old man, "he will not do for us." "O! Dr Walker is a great man; since he was presented here, he has been appointed to a professorship." "Sae, sir !" said the old man, lifting up his intelligent eyes; "that maks it far waur; he is just gaun to mak a by-job of our souls." There was an argument in this addressed both to the head and the heart—an argument far superior, in his opinion, to any that he had yet heard in the course of the debate. He would now speak of Professor Hill. They all knew how well he did his duties, and what fruits of his genius he had left behind: but

Q

if he had not been burdened with the cares of a parish, he would undoubtedly have left more. Professor Robertson was an eminent historian and a distinguished literary man; but we did not know so much about him as a parish minister; and had he not been a parish minister, he would have been a better historian. He did not need to tell the reverend Moderator how much profound historical researches were calculated to lead the mind from other duties.

Principal Robertson confessed this himself, and his opinions were recorded. He was therefore entitled to say, that if the principal had not been burdened with a parochial charge, we would have had more works from his pen. The experience of the Rev. Dr M'Crie also coincided with this. He therefore pressed this, not only as a case not favourable to the opinion urged on the other side of the House, but directly opposed to it. How the secular professorships had been formed he could not tell. At an entertainment given at a university, the worthy Principal was in the chair, and drinking toasts. He gave, "The Arts and Sciences." Professor Brown, who was a little deaf, mistook it, and drank "Our absent friends," (laughter). He was much afraid, if pluralities were allowed to increase, that they would very soon become absent friends. It was said that infidelity would be advanced by the proposed disjunction. He had as great a horror of infidelity as any one; he considered it the bane of human happiness, and the ruin of immortal souls. But the allegation took more for granted than it was able to prove. It took for granted that men, in spite of all the solemn obligations they had come under to the contrary, would teach it in our schools. But this was a libel on the literary and scientific gentlemen of our age. It was no doubt true, that some of them were infidels and sceptics; but they were not all so.

Even some of our own order are not what they should be. The reverend gentleman then said, he would draw his argument from a book with which they were all well acquainted-the Edinburgh Almanack; and proceeded to state that the arguments advanced by the other side, libelled not only the professors in our universities, but the patrons who appointed them. He thought that one great use of the clergy was to resist infidelity, not by kidnapping professors' chairs, but by training up young persons; and in cherishing, in riper years, those principles which they had been the means of im planting. But by this argument, we are taught that all this is chimerical; and that though we have a great body of clergymen-learned, zealous, and pious as we are all supposed to be-infidelity is going to overwhelm us. He denied the statement. The argument was not only inconsistent with the fact, but had a bit of a quarrel with itself. Patrons, if they are disposed, may promote laymen. There was no law to hinder them, but there was every chance that clergymen would be preferred. Whatever way it was, the conclusion was just this, that we had a security, so far as patrons were concerned, that no infidels would be promoted to those chairs. It could not be alleged that there was any lack of men of science or learning to fill our chairs; nor was there any lack of probationers to fill our pulpits. But when a young man of abilities is ripe for a professorshipand a professorship vacant and applies for it himself or through his friends, he is told that it is bestowed. A cler gyman, who has as much money as he needs, and as much duty as he can perform, sits down upon it, takes all its emoluments, while his church remains full. That being the case, our order is said to be influenced by the spirit of the world-is anxious to get academical power, political influence,

and filthy lucre. What are we? Are we not ambassadors of Christ to his people. What do we teach them? To deny themselves, to be content with such things as they have, and to rise superior to the vain ambition of the world. And are not the motives which we urge for their doing so pure and heavenly? He would now tell them, what, according to his opinion, was the proper cure. The clergy of Scotland, according to the constitution of her church and state, though some gentlemen on the other side said she had lost this power, are the natural superintendents of colleges and schools. And why should they not exercise this power? But there was another cure. If they did their duty faithfully, would they not have a moral command over the hearts of their patrons? Time was when the clergy engrossed the whole learning and power of the country; but these times were long since gone by, and, he hoped, never would return. There was another argument which he had heard to-day, about the congeniality of these duties to ministers. He thought a He thought a professorship of chemistry would be very congenial to him. It was very amusing to perform experiments-he had often done so; and still more amusing to get two guineas of a fee from each individual, in a class of two hundred students. Our very law chairs would be invaded; for though there is no apparent congeniality about them, we could easily devise such, and say, at the time of Melville, great divines were great lawyers, and great lawyers were great divines. No man could make a professorship a sinecure. At least this does not seem to be the Glasgow fashion. When Dr Finlay went to the country to relax himself, what sort of a relaxation was it? He carried with him a book, weighing two hundred weight; and this was called light reading!

Dr Mearns spoke in favour of Prin

cipal Nicoll's motion; after which Dr Chalmers requested permission to reply; which, after some little discussion as to the point of form, was allowed. He was frequently interrupted by cries of "Vote, vote," and "Question." He begged the sympathy of the House, while he adverted to the extract from the pamphlet which they had lately heard read. He was sur- · prised to hear it brought forward, but he was glad of the opportunity it had afforded of a public renunciation, which he now did in the most unqualified manner. He acknowledged that the sentiment contained in it was most egregiously wrong.

The vote was then called for; when there appeared 26 of a majority for Principal Nicoll's motion.-Adjourned at ten o'clock.

27-The Assembly met this day.

The minutes of the last sederunt having been read, a number of members gave in their adherence to Dr Thomson's protest against the decision of the Assembly on the question of union of offices, and lodged instruments in the clerk's hands.

Dr Singers then gave in the report of the committee appointed to class the returns from Presbyteries to the overtures regarding the course of studies of students in divinity, from which it appeared that the number of Presbyteries who had sent in returns in favour of the first overture was 37-and for the second overture 34. The first overture, therefore, wanted three, and the second wanted six of the number sufficient to give either a Presbyterial sanction. Fifteen Presbyteries had disapproved of the first, and seventeen of the second overture; and one or two Presbyteries had expressed their approval of either only in part.

On the motion of Dr Chalmers, the overtures were ordered to be re-transmitted to Presbyteries.

The Assembly then proceeded to consider the reference from the Presby tery of Kintyre, for advice in a matter regarding the Rev. Malcolm M'Donald, minister of Gigha and Cara.

It appeared from a variety of papers read by the clerk, that, some time last year, the Presbytery of Kintyre had considered it their duty to institute an inquiry into the grounds of a fama clamosa which had arisen against Mr M'Donald; and, after various proceedings, had served upon that gentleman a libel, charging him with offences highly affecting his character as a clergyman. Mr M'Donald attended the meetings of Presbytery, but refused to answer to the question-guilty, or not. guilty? and appealed to the Synod of Argyle. Although reminded that the General Assembly would meet before that Synod, and requested to make his appeal to that Court, he persisted in resting his appeal with the Synod of Argyle. He, at the same time, gave in reasons of appeal, in which he objected to the competency of the Presbytery to proceed in his case, designating some of the members as both his prosecutors and judges. The Presbytery, on the 11th inst., repelled these and other objections as frivolous, and intended to protract the decision of the case. Mr M'Donald adhered to his former appeal to the Synod of Argyle, and the Presbytery agreed to refer the matter to the General Assembly for advice.

Parties being heard, and removed from the bar, the Assembly proceeded to consider the case, and after some discussion, agreed, on the motion of Principal Nicoll, to dismiss the complaint, sustain the reference, and find the libel relevant, with a slight exception; to decree and ordain the Presbytery of Kintyre to proceed with their investigation of the case, notwithstanding the appeals which may be taken from parts of their procedure; but not to

give a final judgment till these appeals are disposed of; and before giving judgment, to allow Mr M'Donald a proof of all facts and circumstances which may lead to an alleviation.

28.-The report on the state of the funds of the Church was made by the Procurator, from which it appeared that there is a debt against the Church of L.1157. In the course of the bygone year, contributions had been received to the amount of L.103, but it was still impossible to attend to any new petition till the debt was diminished. He said there were two petitions for aid this year, the one from Dr Adamson of Cupar, (and a former Assembly had resolved to defend this very question with respect to his predecessor); the other was the petition of the Reverend W. Fraser of Kilchrennan, and it was a particularly distressing case.

Principal Nicoll considered the case of Mr Fraser, who was bowed to the earth with age and many infirmities, as peculiarly distressing; that he had a large family of eight daughters to support, on a pittance of little more than L.50 a year.(Hear.) He thought, therefore, that the Assembly should take upon themselves the debt he had incurred in defending an action wherein the interests of a large number of clergymen were materially concerned. The debt amounted to L.190, and though the Church had not the money at present to give, if it gave its credit, Mr Fraser would have no difficulty in raising the sum.

The petition of the Reverend William Fraser was then read. It excited the strongest feelings of commiseration for his sufferings, and several very indignant observations were used on the cruelty of the heritors by whom he was oppressed. There appeared a unanimous wish to comply with the prayer of the petition.

Principal Nicoll said he had been

requested by a lay member to express his best wishes for Mr Fraser and his family; and these wishes were convey ed with a L.50 note. The whole sum that Mr Fraser prayed the Assembly to take upon itself amounted to L.192; and that sum the Church ought to engage to pay so soon as their funds would permit. (Agree, agree, from all parts of the House.) His much respected and aged friend should not go home embarrassed he should be placed beyond the mercy of a pitiless heritor. For though he (Dr N.) had little to give, he was willing to become the creditor of the Church for the amount of the sum required.(Hear, hear.)

Principal Macfarlane and several members bore testimony to the worth and sufferings of the aged individual who applied for relief.

John Borthwick, Esq. took that opportunity of pressing the necessity of the lay members being allowed to contribute to the funds of the Church. Robert Paul, Esq. supported the views of Mr Borthwick, and a subscription was entered into.

A subscription was likewise commenced, and a considerable sum obtained, for the Rev. Mr Fraser, to enable him to defray some additional expense beyond that to be paid out of the Church funds.

The petition of Dr Adamson was then read; and the Assembly gave it as their opinion, that although no aid at present could be given, the case was worthy of the consideration of the Church.

30. The Assembly met this day at eleven o'clock, when a communication from the Right Honourable Robert Peel, acknowledging receipt of the Assembly's letter, was read."

Dr Duncan, of Ruthwell, made a report from the committee on the subject of parochial schoolmasters. The committee expressed a deep interest

in all that related to the parochial schoolmasters of Scotland, and great satisfaction in being called on to lend its aid in furtherance of any measure which can ameliorate their condition. The committee also feel grateful for the zeal and liberality with which the landed interest have acted towards that meritorious class of men. The committee, in a series of resolutions, recommended that the emoluments of schoolmasters ought to be increased, and better accommodations provided for them :that no teacher should be considered qualified to take charge of a principal school who could not teach Latin and Greek,-that no man should be appointed a schoolmaster in a Highland parish who was not conversant with the Gaelic language:-that no man under twenty-one years of age, should in any case be appointed a parochial schoolmaster-and that there should exist a right of appeal from the Presbytery to the superior ecclesiastical courts.

After much discussion, on the motion of Mr Moncrieff, the Assembly agreed that the presbyteries ought to judge of the qualifications of the teacher; and that the right of appeal ought to be restored.

The Moderator delivered an eloquent and impressive address; and his Grace dissolved the Assembly; and appointed the next General Assembly to meet at Edinburgh, on Thursday, the 18th of May 1826.

JUNE.

8.-GLASGOW.-An ordinary meeting of the Presbytery of Glasgow was held.

CHARGE OF SIMONY.-The Presbytery heard the report of a delegation from the Presbytery of Irvine, respecting a certain letter which Mr John Brown, minister in Glasgow, had