the great abuse of unrestricted patronage. In the Assembly of 1832 a motion declaring that reform was needed and proposing to restore the call, was rejected by a majority of 42.

In 1833, a motion of Dr. Chalmers, to give the people an absolute veto on the presentation, was rejected, and a motion of Dr. Cook, to make the Presbyteries judges of any specific objections to a presentee, was carried by a diminished majority of 12. The next year the parties exchanged places, the Veto Act was carried, on motion of Lord Moncreiff, by a majority of 46, and the long reign of Moderatism came to an end, just a hundred years after the original seceders had appealed from the Assembly which they left to "the first free, faithful and reforming Assembly of the Church of Scotland."

Our author nowhere states, we think, by whom Dr. Hill, who died in 1815, was immediately succeeded as the Moderate leader; but for some years past that post appears to have been held by the Rev. Dr. Cook, Professor of Moral Philosophy at St. Andrews, who sits in the Assembly as a ruling elder. The next in authority and influence on that side, has long been the Rev. Mr. Robertson, of Ellon, now the Rev. Dr. Robertson, Professor of Church History at Edinburgh, who would seem to have been reckoned by both sides as the first man of his party for abilities, as Dr. Cook is for experience, knowledge, and practical management. Both these leaders seem to have made large concessions, inadvertently or otherwise, to their opponents, and yet both go further than Principal Robertson or Doctor Hill, in denying all right in the church to set aside a presentation. The increasing regard for doctrinal correctness, even on the Moderate side, was shown in 1831, by the unanimous deposition of a minister, and deprivation of a licentiate for errors which the leaders of the church in the last century would scarcely have thought worthy of attention.

In the way of summary recapitulation we may briefly say, that in every period of the Scotch Church History, a strong attachment to the Presbyterian system has gone hand in hand with orthodox belief and zeal for God; that Moderatism is in its origin and principles, not so much a form of Presbyterianism as an antipresbyterian theory and spirit in disguise; that the four great points of difference and subjects of disputes between these parties have been Calvinism, patronage, Christian philanthropy, and catholic communion;

that the best qualities of the present Scotch establishment are the product rather of assimilation to the other party, than of traditionary derivation from the Moderatism of the eighteenth century; and lastly, that the Free Church of the present day is proved by history to be what she claims to be, the genuine original natural Scotch Church of the Reformation and the Revolution.

Our sole design in the foregoing pages has been to trace the progress of Moderatism through the history before us, in closing which we have been led to give even the substance of only a small part of the work, into a more general analysis of which we cannot now enter. It will be sufficient to commend it to our readers as the only complete accessible popular record of the Scottish Church History. The intrinsic interest of the subject is of course increased by late events, under the influence of which we doubt not that the whole will be extensively read, and with a satisfaction only marred by the bad taste which the author now and then exhibits, in exchanging the simplicity of the best historical models for an awkward, yet ambitious redundancy of style. This rhetorical blemish, whether it has arisen from false principles of taste, from the undue influence of unworthy models, or from the transient excitement of the circumstances under which the last part of the book was written, will not perhaps impair its popularity, and cannot nullify its substantial value.

ART. V.-The General Assembly of 1844.

THE General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, convened in the First Presbyterian Church, Louisville, Kentucky, May 16th, 1844, and was opened with a sermon by the Rev. Gardiner Spring, D. D., from Matthew xxviii. 20. "Lo, I am with you always even unto the end of the world.”

The Rev. George Junkin, D. D. was chosen moderator, and, in the absence of Dr. Krebs, the permanent clerk, the Rev. Benjamin Gildersleeve, of Charleston, was appointed to supply his place pro tempore; and the Rev. Joseph M. Ogden was chosen temporary clerk.

Church Extension.

The first subject of general interest which occupied the attention of the Assembly, was church extension. Dr. Hoge as chairman of the committee appointed by the last Assembly, made on that subject the following report, viz:

"The committee to whom was referred by the General Assembly of 1843, the Overture respecting the erection of churches in feeble congregations by the aid of their brethren who may be able and willing to contribute for this purpose, have considered the subject with attention and present the following report as the result of their deliberations. The maintainance of evangelical truth and practical piety is the primary duty of the church of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. And next to this, and inseparably connected with it, is the great work of extending this divine religion, until it shall fill the whole earth. For this purpose it is necessary to plant churches wherever they do not exist, and thus to secure the administration of the word and ordinances of Jesus Christ. In fulfilling this part of her duty, the Presbyterian church in this land has acted rightly, in sending forth the ministers of the gospel to preach, to gather and organize churches and to nourish them with spiritual food, that they may grow up to maturity and abound in the works of faith and labours of love. This indeed is indispensably necessary, and ought to engage the first and chief efforts of the church, yet it is certain that in a subordinate but very important sense, the erection of suitable houses of worship is necessary. The former has been accomplished to some extent by our portion of the church catholic in her associated capacity, the latter has been generally left to the unaided efforts of congregations when gathered, however weak they may be.

That each society should, if able, erect its own house of worship, is altogether proper, even as it is right that the minister should be supported by those to whom he ministers, and it should never be regarded as a burden by any, although effort and self-denial should be required in order to effect either object. But as it has been determined that the united ability of the church ought to be employed in sending the minister to preach the gospel to the destitute, in aiding weak congregations in sustaining their pastor, is it not equally proper to aid those who need help in building houses for public worship? We think that this is proper for several reasons:

1. A church of adequate size, and respectable appearance, is of great importance to every congregation. The want of such accommodation produces indifference, and discouragement in those who are connected with the congregation, and has a repulsive influence on others.

2. There are many places in which the members and friends of the Presbyterian church are too few and poor to build such houses as would accommodate themselves, and that portion of the people in the vicinity who might be induced to attend on the ordinances of the gospel but as yet are disposed to give little or no pecuniary aid. In these circumstances our feeble churches are discouraged, and do not attempt to build a house; or they build one which is insufficient and unattractive; or they become involved in debt which they are

unable to discharge. Several hundred instances of one or other of these cases may be found. How important would assistance be to a congregation in these circumstances.

3. Many unsuitable churches are erected, and much money is wasted, it is confidently believed, for want of necessary information. If well-digested plans and estimates could be procured at once, with little or no expense, proportionate to the number of members of the congregation, and other circumstances, once accompanied by advice respecting the construction and arrangement, and finishing of the building, both externally and internally, it would be an advantage, equal, in very many cases to considerable pecuniary aid.

We may next inquire, whether the members of our church would probably be willing to add this to their other good works for the promotion of the cause of the Redeemer. This inquiry we may safely answer in the affirmative. Although we, as a church, fail greatly to contribute as we ought, of that worldly substance which the Lord has entrusted to us for religious purposes; yet many, on good grounds, believe that not a few of our people would gladly throw their benevolent offerings into this channel of beneficence, if a well-arranged plan were presented to them. They are now frequently and urgently solicited to give for church building, or for the payment of debts already contracted, in cases of which they know little or nothing, and can have no assurance that their donations will be well applied. Considerable sums are collected in this way, every year; and it may be reasonably concluded that much more would be willingly given, on some well digested system of operation. And in what way may the collection and application of money for this purpose be most easily and safely carried into effect?

The General Assembly has adopted, with the general approbation of the church, the policy of a special Board for each particular object that is designed; and this may be done, in the present instance, or if not now, yet at a future time, if it shall appear to be expedient. But at this time, it may be sufficient to commit the management of this work to the Board of Missions. Thus, all needed information will be collected; and in the light of experience, a future Assembly will mature a different plan of operation if it shall appear that a change is expedient.

For referring this business to the Board of Missions, the following reasons may be deemed sufficient :

1. It is, in its nature, intimately connected with the Domestic Missionary work.

2. In its present stage, it can be transacted by them with less time and expense than by a separate organization.

3. The Board already possesses, or can readily procure, such information as may be needed.

The committee therefore recommend to the consideration of the General Assembly, the following plan:

I. It is expedient and highly important to promote the extension of the Presbyterian church in this nation, by aiding systematically in the erection of churches wherever they are needed.

II. The direction and oversight of this work shall be committed, until otherwise ordered, to the Board of Missions, who shall, in the management of it, be subject, in all respects, to the directions of the

General Assembly, and shall annually report to the Assembly their execution of this trust.

III. The Board shall annually appoint a committee on church extension, consisting of five persons, who shall have charge of appropriating the moneys which may be received for this purpose, and of procuring and furnishing at cost, or gratuitously, plans and estimates for churches in answer to applications which may be made to them. IV. The Board shall also make regulations for the government of the committee, in receiving applications for aid, raising funds, and making appropriation of money; shall examine the proceedings of the committee, and shall appoint such officers or agents as the General Assembly shall direct.

V. It is distinctly recommended to all our congregations to make a collection for this purpose, once in each year, and transmit the amount directly, or through the Presbyteries respectively, to the Treasurer of the Board of Missions.

VI. It is recommended to all the Presbyteries, to take such order on this subject as they may deem best, and that they appoint a committee on church extension at each autumnal meeting of the Presbytery, and applications for aid in building shall be received and acted on by the Board through this committee, and with their explicit recommendation.

On that part of the overture referred to them, which proposes that licentiates shall be required to serve as missionaries for some definite time, the committee respectfully say, that in their opinion, however desirable and profitable such service might be, such a rule would interfere with the rights of licentiates and of Presbyteries, in a manner which is not consistent with the constitution of the church, or with the powers and duties of the Board of Missions, and therefore ought not to be adopted. In behalf of the committee. JAMES HOGE, Chairman. The following additional resolution was also proposed by Dr. Hoge, and adopted, viz:

Resolved, That while it will be proper that the Board of Missions receive and appropriate, during the present year, any moneys which may be contributed for church extension, they are requested speedily to collect all the information they may be able to obtain, and report fully on the whole subject to the next General Assembly, with a view to further maturing and perfecting the plan of operation."

This report with some unimportant modifications was finally adopted. Those who more or less decidedly objected to the plan, were Dr. Spring, Dr. Brown, Mr. Boardman, Mr. Smith, Dr. Young, and some others. These brethren took very different grounds, some objecting for one reason and some for another. The principal difficulties suggested were the following. First, that the church was already burdened with schemes of benevolent operation to the full extent of its willingness, if not of its ability to give. To organize another plan for systematic and continued demand for money, would produce dissatisfaction, and lessen the re