PRESBYTERIAL PROCEEDINGS.

Annandale. This presbytery met at Waterbeck on Tuesday, the 28th January. Mr John Brash, who is under call to Wamphray, finished all his trials for ordination to the satisfaction of the presbytery, and his ordination was appointed to take place on Thursday, the 13th February,—Mr Black to preach and preside, the clerk to narrate the previous steps and put the questions of the formula, and Mr Douglas to give the charge to the minister and people. There was no other public business before the presbytery.

Carlisle. This presbytery met at Longtown on the 3d of February-the Rev. Peter Carruthers, moderator pro. tem. Read a letter from Mr A. M'Lean, who had been called to Whitehaven, stating his preference of a call which he had previously received to Kirriemuir. The call to Whitehaven was, therefore, set aside. The presbytery, on being compelled to take this step, agreed to record their deep regret that this sore tried, but exemplary congregation, has been again disappointed in their choice of a minister. Mr Hunter reported that he had preached at Maryport on the third Sabbath of January, and formally declared the church vacant. It was farther reported by the clerk, that the Rev. George Blyth, of Jamaica, had kindly consented to spend the second Sabbath of February, and the two following week days, within the bounds of the presbytery, and that arrangements had been made for securing his valuable services in pleading the cause of missions at Carlisle, Penrith, and Longtown. Adjourned, to meet at Carlisle on Tuesday the 1st of April.

Dundee. This presbytery met on the 4th February-Rev. James Stirling_moderator pro. tem. Mr Alexander M'Lean being present, intimated his acceptance of the call to the first congregation of Kirriemuir, and gave all his trials for ordination, which were sustained. The presbytery appointed his ordination to take place at Kirriemuir, on Tuesday the 4th March;-the Rev. James Reston to preside, the Rev. W. B. Borwick to ordain and address the young minister, and the Rev. Robert Russell to address the people.

Dunfermline.-At a meeting of this presbytery, on the 10th February, the call from the Shamrock Street Church, Glasgow, to the Rev. Dr Johnston, Limekilns, was disposed of,-Dr Johnston declaring his resolution to continue in his present charge, and the presbytery determining accord

ingly. At next meeting, on the 8th of April, the presbytery are to resume the consideration of the remit from Synod, on the subject of the right of elders in reference to the ordination of ministers.

Edinburgh. This presbytery met on the 4th February-Rev. Mr Jack, moderator. Mr John Stevenson gave several discourses as parts of trials for ordination at Haddington, and they were unanimously sustained in that view. Messrs Goodburn, Sandy, and Limont gave the remainder of their discourses in order to license, and, after examination, were duly licensed as preachers of the Gospel. The Rev. Robert Rutherford, of Newlands, was appointed to dispense the Lord's supper to the congregation of Potterrow on the last Sabbath of February. Copies of the presbytery's resolutions on the subject of papal aggression had been printed as agreed on at last meeting, and distributed among the churches. On Wednesday, the 5th February, the presbytery met for the examination of the students in the bounds.

Mr

Glasgow. This presbytery met on Tuesday, 11th February-Rev. Alexander Duncan, moderator. Dr Robson reported that having, on the 14th ult., laid the call of the Shamrock Street Church, to Rev. Dr Johnston, before the Dunfermline presbytery, and the usual steps having been taken regarding it, Dr Johnston had on the 10th instant intimated by decision to remain in his present charge at Limekilns, and his presbytery had decided accordingly. The call was then set aside. A communication was read from the Berwick presbytery, intimating that the Rev. John Ker had accepted the call of First Campbell Street Congregation, Glasgow, and been loosed from his charge at Alnwick. Ker's induction at Campbell Street was then appointed to take place on Wednesday, 19th March, at 12 noon,-Mr Mercer of Drymen to preach, and Dr King to address the minister and people. Dr Kidston, through Dr M'Farlane, expressed his high gratification at the prospect of having Mr Ker united with him as a colleague in the ministry. A committee appointed at last meeting, on the motion of Dr Beattie, seconded by Dr Eadie, to consider whether any and what steps should be taken by the presbytery to strengthen the hands of Mr Edgerley, as a catechist at Old Calabar, gave in a report, detailing Mr Edgerley's former services as a catechist in Jamaica, and recommending that he be taken on trials for ordination as a missionary. After discussion, the following motion was unanimously adopted :

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"The presbytery having heard the report of the committee, find-that, as Mr Edgerley has, for a period of more than eight years, laboured as a catechist in connection with the missions of the United Presbyterian Church,―that, as his position in Old Čalabar is peculiar and different from that of catechists in Jamaica, inasmuch as he is the only

one who sustains that office in the Calabar mission, and as no presbytery exists there by which he could be ordained, that, as his ordination would, in the view of this presbytery, strengthen his hands in carrying out the great designs of the mission, as well as strengthen the hands of the brethren with whom he is associated,—and that, as the period fixed for his departure from this country prevents the possibility of submitting the case to the Synod for advice, and further, regarding the case as altogether peculiar, yet convinced that Mr Edgerley's ordination is fitted to further the interests of the Calabar mission;- they, on the above-mentioned grounds, agreed to take him on trials for ordination, and appoint him to deliver for them a discourse, and to undergo an examination on the leading doctrines of the Gospel."

In terms of this motion, Mr Edgerley gave a discourse on 1 Tim. i. 15,-"This is a faithful saying," &c., and was examined on the leading doctrines of Christianity, to the satisfaction of the presbytery; and his ordination was appointed to take place in Renfield Street Church on Monday, 17th February, Mr Edmond to preach, and Dr Macfarlane to offer up the ordination prayer and address the missionary. It was agreed that a full report of the presbytery's proceedings in this matter be submitted to the Synod at its first meeting. A memorial from Mr Barclay, a member of Greenhead Congregation (Mr Edwards's), and one from Mr Gray of Cambridge Street (Dr Eadie's), both regularly transmitted by the sessions, were read, craving the presbytery to take measures for suppressing the practice of employing cabs and carriages on the Lord's-day. The memorialists were heard at some length, and after discussion by the members of presbytery, the following decision was agreed to:-"The presbytery, impressed with the importance of the subject to which the memorials refer, agree to testify, as they hereby do, against every form of Sabbath desecration; and that, while not interfering with the rights of private conscience, they regard it as the duty of the members of their churches not to employ vehicles on the Lord's day, except in cases of necessity and mercy; and further, when under the necessity of using conveyances, to endeavour to arrange so as to permit those whom they employ to attend public worship."

Kirkaldy. This presbytery met on the

28th January-Rev. James Hardie, moderator. Commissioners from the congregation of Largo appeared, and petitioned for a moderation. On being heard, they stated that the congregation were quite harmonious in the application, and had agreed to give the minister whom they might call L.95 per annum of stipend, and L.5 per annum of sacramental expenses; and mentioned also, that several members of the congregation had engaged besides to raise among themselves an annual sum adequate for house rent. After some deliberation, the presbytery unanimously granted the moderation, and appointed the Rev. R. Brown to moderate on the evening of Monday, February 10. An ad hunc effectum meeting of presbytery was appointed to be held in Markinch on Tuesday, February 18, to receive the call, and judge in matters affecting it. The presbytery resumed consideration of the case, formerly before them, of one of the elders of Largo. It was found that the party had been regularly summoned. The committee appointed to meet with him, reported that they had held themselves in readiness, but that he had not appeared. A letter from him was read. After some discussion, in the course of which it appeared, that while he entertained congregational views of church government, he held and exercised office as presbyterian elder, and had used his official influence in obstructing the proper exercise of presbyterial government, the presbytery unanimously resolved, That seeing his excuse for non-appearance is insufficient, he be summoned to attend next ordinary meeting, with certification that if he do not appear, or give a sufficient reason for his non-appearance, the presbytery will forthwith declare him no longer a member or elder of the United Presbyterian Church. Some irregularities having arisen regarding the delivery to the clerk of the certificates of the professors in favour of students attending the Hall, the clerk was instructed to call the attention of the students of divinity to this matter. The duplicate of the annual statement of the congregation of Crail, required by the Mission Board, was presented, and agreed to be held in retentis. Several documents from "The Scottish Association for the Suppression of Drunkenness," were taken into consideration, when it was unanimously agreed, "That while the presbytery highly approve of the object contemplated by the Association, they leave ministers and sessions to do in the matter as their wisdom may direct." After a long consultation on the subject of presbyterial visitation, the presbytery agreed to delay the farther consideration of this matter till next ordinary

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meeting, which is to be held in Dysart on the last Tuesday of March.

Kilmarnock.-At a meeting of this presbytery on Tuesday 11th February, the case of the Rev. Robert Renwick was resumed, and a committee appointed in reference to it at last meeting was heard. Two motions were severally made and seconded; one, that Mr Renwick be suspended, sine die, from the office of the ministry, and his pastoral relation with the Cathcart Street Church, Ayr, loosed; the other, that the presbytery delay giving judgment in the case. On the vote being taken, the first motion was carried. Four members of presbytery entered their dissent against this decision.

Melrose. This presbytery met at Melrose on 21st January. Petitions from Lilliesleaf, and the West Congregation, Earlstoun, for moderations, were presented, and granted unanimously, and the moderations were appointed to take place at Lilliesleaf on Thursday, 6th February,-Mr Lawson to preach and preside; and at Earlstoun on the same day,-Mr Russell to preach and preside. The students within the bounds were appointed to deliver their discourses at the next meeting. A letter was read from the clerk of the presbytery of Buchan, transferring Mr David Allison, student of divinity, to the care of this presbytery. The declaration of trust, as to the fund for behoof of the widow of the late Rev. William Kiddy, Lilliesleaf, was laid on the table and read, and ordered to be preserved among the records of the presbytery. The report of the mission committee was read and approved of; and the committee were instructed to print and circulate it among the congregations of the presbytery; and the following were appointed to form the -committee for the ensuing year-the Rev. Messrs Thomson, Robertson, and Blair; and Messrs Darling, of Stow, Hilson, jun., of High Street Congregation, Jedburgh, and Dunn, of Melrose, elders; Mr Thomson, chairman, and Mr Dunn, secretary. The presbytery then took into consideration the plan for the distribution of preachers; and after some deliberation, agreed unanimously, on the motion of Dr Henderson, to state to the committee of Synod, that they strongly disapproved of the present plan, inasmuch as it takes the preachers, in a great measure, from under the superintendence of presbyteries - leaves the ministers and churches in ignorance of the circumstances and movements of the preachers till after their appointments are fulfilled, and gives to the committee of distribution a power which the presbytery think no committee should possess; and that, in these circumstances, the presbytery would decidedly prefer a return to the

former plan, unless a better than either can be devised.

Paisley and Greenock. This presbytery met at Paisley 21st January-the Rev. W. M'Dougall, moderator. The Rev. Robert Wilson was appointed moderator for the next six months. A considerable time was occupied with a case from the session at Lochwinnoch, in reference to which a committee was appointed to meet with the parties on the 29th instant, and to report. The Rev. Dr Baird reported that having attended the presbytery of Kilmarnock as to the call from the congregation, Canal Street, Paisley, to the Rev. Mr Dickie, Cumnock, Mr Dickie preferred continuing in his present charge. The call was accordingly set aside. The greater number of sessions reported as to the remit of Synod respecting elders taking part in the ordination of ministers by the imposition of hands, and it was agreed that said reports should lie on the table till next meeting. The Rev. Mr France gave notice that, at next meeting, he intends to move certain resolutions on the subject of Popery, for the adoption of the presbytery. Mr Stephen Wallace, student, delivered all his trials, and was licensed to preach the Gospel. Next meeting was appointed to take place at Greenock, on the first Tuesday of March.

Stirling. This presbytery met on the 4th of February-the Rev. James Anderson, moderator. A call from the congregation of Bridge of Allan to Mr James Muir, preacher of the Gospel, was sustained. The presbytery appointed the Lord's supper to be dispensed in that congregation on the second Sabbath of March by the Rev. Robert Frew. A petition was granted for a moderation to the congregation of Blairlogie, and appointed the moderation to take place on the 20th inst. -the Rev W. Smith to preach and preside. Further supply of sermon by ministers of the presbytery was provided for the congregation of Tillicoultry, in consequence of the continued illness of their minister. Messrs Thomas Ure and Alexander Miller, students of divinity, were appointed to deliver homilies, and to be examined on church history, at next meeting of presbytery, which is to be held on the 1st of April.

FROM the "Presbyterian Magazine" above quoted, we find that the Episcopalians in America are far a-head of most churches in their arrangements for securing the punctual payment of the ministers' "sustentation." The plan noticed in the following paragraph is new to us, yet we are not sure that it is not worthy to be commended as rather a happy "notion of brother Jonathan. It is, at least, very suggestive; and without further comment, we copy the paragraph as it stands in the Philadelphia "Magazine:' "Arrears of Ministers.The Episcopal Convention of Pennsylvania are in the habit of reporting, in their an nual statistics, the amount in which each church is in arrears for the salary of its minister; and it is worthy of notice, that the aggregate arrears thus reported are, as might be expected, exceedingly small."

EVANGELICAL REFORMED CHURCH OF FRANCE.

A movement has been set on foot to raise the means of building a church in Paris for the congregation of the "Union of Evangelical Churches" in that city. The origin and history of the Union, the struggles and sacrifices of its ministers, and the general principles on which it is based, have been frequently adverted to in this Magazine, and are well known, we believe, to most of our readers. Foremost on the honourable roll of witnesses for evangelical truth, in connection with that infant society, stands the name of Frederick Monod; and from his own high character, as well as from his position as the representative of the Union in the French metropolis, it is due alike to him and to the cause that his hands be made strong by the help of those who know how to value the principles for the defence of which he has been set up by the Head of the church. At present, and since his withdrawment from the state-controlled Protestant Consistory of Paris, he and his people, few in number and weak in resources, assemble for christian worship in an incommodious apartment of a private house, in one of the most obscure parts of the city. This, as may easily be seen, forms a serious obstacle to his usefulness; and there can be no doubt that a place of worship simple, commodious, easy of access, and in a prominent position, would, under God, be one of the most important means for promoting the great cause in which he is embarked. "Where

there is so much to be done," says the circular of the Glasgow committee for promoting this object, "where there are so many to oppose, and when every advance in evangelical labour in the capital will tell with such powerful effect in the provinces, all facilities which the friends of the Redeemer can furnish should be afforded to the devoted men who, with so much selfdenial, give themselves to the work of our common Lord. * * * Whether we look at the principles on which the Union is founded, or at the men of whom it is composed, our hopes for the evangelisation of France must chiefly centre in it; but if those who are its representatives in the metropolis are left, unaided, to struggle with difficulties which they cannot themselves surmount, how depressing and discouraging must be the influence exerted on the whole Union in every part of France; whereas, if prompt and efficient aid be now given to the brethren at Paris-independently of the direct advantage which will result from having a fitting place in which to conduct the public worship of God, and their educational and other labours of love -such a testimony of the interest felt by Christians in Britain, in the great cause to which the Union has pledged itself, will cheer the hearts and animate the zeal of all its members, and strengthen them for the conflict with popish and infidel errors." Among the names of the sectional committees for promoting this fund in Scotland, we observe those of Mr A. G. Ellis, W.S., and Mr Leckie, of the Commercial Bank, Edinburgh; and Mr Henderson, of Park, Mr Brodie, of Endrickbank, Mr W. G. Mitchell, and Mr David Anderson, Glasgow.

DEATH OF DR PYE SMITH,

DR John Pye Smith, the most eminent of English Nonconformist scholars in these latter days, was called to his rest on the 5th February current, after a life distinguished by honourable and laborious usefulness. The son of a Sheffield bookseller, and born in 1775, his piety, talents, and love of learning soon directed him to the christian ministry as his vocation; and after concluding his studies at the Independent College, Rotherham, his academic reputation immediately secured for him the appointment of classical tutor of that college, and subsequently led to his being chosen, at the age of twenty-five years, theological tutor and principal of Homerton College. In this position, he felt himself to be set for the defence of the Gospel, particularly against the various forms of learned infidelity which then abounded ;