MET at Berwick on the 28th February. Rev. James A. Huie, of Wooler, associated. The Clerk reported that, as instructed, he had written immediately after last Meeting to Mr. Wm. Wilson, late of Etal, communicating the Presbytery's deliverance on his application for restoration, to which communication, up to this date, no answer had been received.

The Bankhill Deacons' Court Minute Book and Treasurer's Book were produced. The former was found to be neatly and correctly kept; the latter was found to have been attested in due form and regular order, as had been ordered at last meeting of Presbytery. The Deacons' Treasurer's Book from Lowick was sent back to be attested, and to be produced, regularly attested, at next Meeting. Some books from Horncliffe were examined, found correct, and passed. Other books to have been produced were ordered up at next ordinary Meeting.

Mr. Terras gave in the Report of the Committee of Inquiry into the affairs of Ancroft Moor congregation, to the effect that the Committee had on the 13th inst. met with the office-bearers and congregation, and made earnest inquiry into the matters intrusted to them. Found that from the

actings of another Church in the district the congregation has had difficulties not anticipated to contend with; that the main hindrance to its prosperity and the minister's comfortable discharge of duty is the want of a manse; and the Committee recommend that a collection to aid in erecting one be made in all the congregations of the Presbytery. Among the people themselves, collectors volunteered to raise subscriptions in the district. The Presbytery approved of and adopted the Report, and enjoined collections accordingly. It was reported by all present that the day of humiliation had been observed relatively to last harvest, and other causes specified. Confirmed the appointments of Mr. Hugh Duncan and Mr. Henry Tait (who had been examined by the School Committee) as teachers-elect for Norham and Ancroft Moor schools respectively.

The School schedules from Ancroft Moor, Lowick, Norham, and North Sunderland, were attested. Home Mission collections reported.

The Presbytery unanimously agreed to "record their gratification at learning that Bankhill Church is now free of all debt; and expressed their high sense of the energy and success with which Mr. Murdoch has been enabled to overcome the difficulties he has had to contend with in bringing matters to this happy consummation."

Mr. Fraser gave notice, for next Meeting, of Motion of overture to the venerable the Synod anent the present mode of raising funds for the building of churches, manses, &c., by personal solicitation on the part of ministers; and the desirableness of having the Synod's building-fund brought into immediate and vigorous operation.

The annual schedule from Lowick for the Home Mission was examined and certified. Next ordinary Meeting to be held at Berwick on the last Tuesday in May, at ten o'clock, a.m. Adjourned the present Meeting till March 14, at half-past eleven, to meet at Berwick.

March 14-Met at Berwick. According to notice, Mr. Fraser brought forward the Overture to the Synod, which, having been discussed, modified, and adopted, was ordered to be transmitted to the Clerk of Synod in due time. Messrs. Fraser and Munro were appointed to support the Overture before the Supreme Court. It is as follows:

"Whereas it is the duty of every Church to make a united effort for extending and strengthening the cause of the Redeemer, throughout all its borders;

"Whereas it is essential, for this purpose, that every congregation should have a commodious place of worship;

"Whereas in various localities, and par

ticularly in rural districts, it is beyond the power of the congregations to erect churches for themselves; "Whereas the practice of sending a minister to collect money for such purposes has been found injurious both to minister and congregation, and is inconsistent with the solemn duties for which a minister is specially set apart, and exhausting and discouraging;

"Whereas, moreover, as a mode of raising funds, it is cumbrous, expensive, and inefficient ;

"It is, therefore, humbly overtured to the Very Reverend the Synod of the Presbyterian Church in England, by the Presbytery of Berwick, to take the matter into consideration, and to make provision in any way that may be thought most suitable for bringing into immediate and vigorous operation the existing building-fund in connexion with this Church."

PRESBYTERY OF BIRMINGHAM. THIS Reverend Court met at Stafford, on Tuesday, February 4th; present-Rev. Dr. Bryson (Moderator); Messrs. Martyn, Mackenzie, and Speers (Ministers); and Messrs. Sharpe and Dickson (Elders). An Elder's commission was laid on the table, from Wolverhampton, in favour of Mr. John Eunson, which was sustained, and Mr. Eunson's name ordered to be added to the roll.

Session Records, Communion Rolls, congregational account-books, &c., from the congregation at Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and the Missionary Station at Smethwick, were laid on the table, and a committee was appointed to receive the books from the other congregations within the bounds, to examine them, and report to next Meeting.

A reference was laid upon the table from the Session of Broad-street Church, Birmingham, respecting a correspondence which they had had with the Free-Church Presbyteries of Linlithgow and Jedburgh; and it was resolved that the papers should lie upon the table till next Meeting.

Messrs. Rankin, Gilchrist, Wm. Brown, and Halfpenny appeared as a deputation from the congregation at present worshipping in the Corn-Exchange, Birmingham, and laid upon the table a memorial craving to be received as a regular charge in connexion with the Presbyterian Church in England. The memorial was signed by seventy-two communicants and ninety-one adherents, and showed that, notwithstanding the peculiar circumstances in which memorialists had been placed, their numbers had been increasing, and their position improving. After some conversation, in the course of which a very friendly feeling was interchanged between the representatives of

the Broad-street Session and the deputation, it was resolved, that the Presbytery receive the memorial, order it to lie on the table, and, in the meantime, appoint Messrs. Speers, Martyn, and Eunson a committee to inquire fully into all the circumstances of the case, and report to next Meeting; Mr. Speers, convener.

School schedules were laid upon the table from Dudley, which, having been read, were ordered to be attested.

The Committee appointed to take charge of the Missionary Station at Smethwick, gave in a verbal Report, and were reappointed.

The Presbytery then adjourned to meet at Wolverhampton on the 28th February. The Presbytery met at Wolverhampton on Tuesday, 28th February; presentRev. Dr. Bryson (Moderator); Messrs. Martyn, Lewis, and Speers (Ministers); and Mr. Eunson (Elder). Elders' commissions from Stafford, in favour of Mr. Robt. Murray, and from Dudley, in favour of Mr. Alexander M'Kee, were laid on the table, and sustained; and Messrs. Murray and M'Kee's names ordered to be added to the roll.

The Clerk having read a certificate from the Free-Church Presbytery of Coupar, stating that Mr. James Middlemiss was a Licentiate of the Free-Church of Scotland, and Mr. Middlemiss having craved to be recognised as a Licentiate labouring within these bounds, the application was granted.

The Convener of the Committee appointed to examine the Session Records, Communion Rolls, &c., gave in an interim Report to the effect that a part of the books had been examined, but that, owing to the difficulty of disposing of a minute on the record of Broad-street Session, in which they review and disapprove of a judgment of this Court, the Committee craved advice of the Presbytery. After a lengthened conversation, in the course of which the members of Presbytery expressed their opinion that the minute in question should be expunged from the record, the Committee were re-appointed, with further instructions, and ordered to report at next Meeting.

The Presbytery having directed attention to the document laid on their table at last Meeting by Mr. Mackenzie, and designated a reference from the Broad-street Session, find-That no reference is contained in said document, and therefore the Presbytery decline to enter upon the matters of which it treats.

The Presbytery having called for the Report of the Committee appointed to inquire into all the circumstances connected with the memorial from the Corn Exchange, the Convener gave in a Report to the effect that the attendance appeared to be encourag

ing; that the financial position of memorialists was satisfactory, the gross receipts of the year having been 3227., whilst the expenditure only amounted to 2837.; and moreover that the Session of Broad-street had voluntarily withdrawn opposition. It was therefore moved, seconded, and unanimously agreed to, that the Report of the Committee be received, and that the further consideration of the memorial be deferred till next Meeting.

call in favour of the Rev. Joseph Wood. The Rev. A. Inglis, in the absence of Mr. M'Lean, preached and presided. The call having been numerously and most harmoniously signed, was afterwards sustained; and Mr. Wood having declared his acceptance of it, the usual trial discourses and subjects were prescribed to him.

PRESBYTERY OF LONDON.

PRESBYTERY OF LANCASHIRE.

THIS Presbytery met on the 1st day of March, at Liverpool. The Rev. W. Trail, Moderator.

The Report of the Warrington Committee was read, and received; and the diligence of the Committee approved of. Whereupon, St. John's Church, Warrington, was recognised as a charge in connexion with this Presbytery, and taking all the circumstances into consideration, the Presbytery agreed to appoint the 14th inst. on which to moderate in a call there. The Rev. A. M'Lean to preach and preside.

Messrs. Horsburgh and Black appeared for the congregation at Salford, and intimated their resolution not to oppose the acceptance of Mr. Robinson's resignation; which resolution was accompanied with an expression of their friendly feeling towards Mr. Robinson; their thankfulness to him for all his faithful ministrations, and their prayer that God may speedily restore him to health, and may soon lead him to a sphere of labour in which he may enjoy both usefulness and comfort. Several of the brethren then expressed their high regard for Mr. Robinson both as a minister and a man, and their regret at the prospect of being deprived of his valuable services. A Committee was appointed to draw up the sentiments of the Presbytery in reference to Mr. Robinson, to be inserted in the Records. After which, one of the members having engaged in prayer, the Presbytery declared Mr. Robinson loosened from his charge, and appointed the Rev. J. Sloan, of Chester, to preach at Salford on the 12th inst., and declare the church vacant. The Rev. W. Trail was appointed Moderator of the Session during the vacancy.

Mr. Salmon, student in divinity, appeared and delivered his trial discourses, with approbation, and was examined on the usual subjects, which were all sustained. After which he was licensed to preach the Gospel. The Presbytery adjourned to meet at Manchester on the first Wednesday of May,

at eleven a.m.

Warrington, March 14.-The Presbytery met by appointment, and moderated in a

THIS Presbytery met at 51, Great OrmondThomas Alexander, Moderator. It was reported that Communion-rolls had not been received from the congregations at Carlton Hill and Hampstead. The Clerk was requested to apply for them.

A Deputation appeared from the congregation at Brighton, who reported that the Rev. Joseph Burns, of Whitehaven, had been preaching there with much acceptance; that it was the wish of the congre gation to call Mr. Burns, and they therefore asked the Presbytery to take the usual steps for that purpose. Arrangements were made for proceeding with the call as soon as possible.

An application was received from the managers of the station at Dalston for the appointment of a temporary session, with the view of having the Lord's Supper dispensed on an early day. The prayer of the petition was granted; a temporary session was appointed, but only for the purpose of dispensing the ordinance.

Mr. Douglas, student, read a Greek discourse on 1 Tim. iii. 14, 15, and also his Latin Exegesis, which were unanimously sustained.

Intelligence.

building. A subscription-list was opened, and contributions given so liberally and spiritedly, that manifests a determination to have their house of prayer more worthy of Him whose servants they profess to be. In four days the sum subscribed by themselves amounted to upwards of 2001. We would solicit help from the friends of our Zion to aid us in our present undertaking. Anxious to do what we can ourselves, still there will be ample room for the manifestation of the brotherly kindness of those who love one common Lord. Within these eight years and under the pastorate of the present minister, this congregation, which is not numerous, and most of its members of the humbler classes, have erected a manse for their pastor, and contributed themselves more than two-thirds of the entire cost. Our friends who lent us a helping hand before, will be encouraged to aid us again, seeing that we call into exercise our own capabilities before we seek the assistance of others. Our church property is leasehold for the unexpired term of 802 years, at the annual rent of 11. Our Trustees are the Congregational Session, and managers chosen by the people. Any friendly disposed, and willing to render us aid, or desirous of obtaining further information, will be gladly communicated with by the minister, the Rev. Samuel Cathcart, or Mr. Thomas Nesbitt, Treasurer to the Building Fund. Should the fund allow it, a school would be a necessary appendage to our contemplated church. We shall have sites for both without purchasing land; and many local parties are anxious that both should be built at the same time, as educational training is very defective in the district, and a well-conducted school greatly needed.

JOHN KNOX CHURCH.-The Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association lately reestablished in connexion with this Church held its first Annual Meeting in the school-room on Tuesday, the 17th January, the Rev. W. Keedy in the chair. After tea the Report was read by the Secretary, Mr. Clark, which was of a very encouraging character. Addresses were afterwards delivered by the chairman, Mr. A. Anderson, Messrs. Morton, Kirkaldy, Ballingall, Scotland, Clark, Glanfield, and Neill, all of which were calculated to encourage the Association to continue in the good work they had begun. The Annual Congregational Meeting was held on Wednesday, the 22d February. The Rev. W. Keedy in the chair. After partaking of tea in the school-room, the Meeting adjourned to the church, when, after devotional exercises, the Annual Report was read by Mr. Neill, which showed a great improvement in the state of the congregation during the year. It stated that since the settlement of Mr. Keedy twenty-eight members had been added to the congregation, and ninety-five new sittings let. The financial statement showed a small balance in hand, after paying the year's expenses. Addresses were afterwards delivered by the Chairman, Mr. D. Blyth, and Mr. A. Anderson, of Regentsquare Church, also by various office-bearers and members. A Congregational Association was formed, to raise funds for the liquidation of debt contracted during the long vacancy; also to defray expenses about to be incurred

A

in cleaning and painting the church. Meeting for the formation of a Juvenile Missionary Association in connexion with the Sabbath-school, was held in the school-room on Thursday, the 2d March, when a most interesting address, illustrated by coloured diagrams, was delivered by Mr. A. Anderson, on Missions. The appeal to their sympathy on behalf of the Heathen has not been in vain, as since the Meeting a sum of 21. 78. has been subscribed, to aid in sending Bibles to the Chinese.

BELFORD.-The Annual Meeting of this congregation was held on the evening of the 7th February. It was numerously attended, and a lively interest taken in the objects of it. A financial statement for the past year was submitted, showing that the congregation, though comparatively small, and its members, in general, hard-working people, is for at least the maintenance of Gospel ordinances, independent of extraneous aid. The debt on the church has been reduced to a very small sum. In the course of the evening, the subject of a manse was referred to. From wellknown circumstances, the church is some distance out of the town; and, however elegant in itself, and pleasant as to situation, it has (no manse being near) a cold, uninviting appearance, especially in winter. Without a manse the establishment is imperfect, and forcibly reminds one of parties beginning to build, and not able to finish. In every such case, the subscribers for the church should feel in a measure pledged to finish what they have begun, and subscribe also for the manse. The congregation seem willing to face the work, and will do what they can, while, at the same time, the assistance of friends is expected, and, of course, indispensable. The Meeting was addressed by the Rev. Messrs. A. Bannatyne, Warrenford; D. Lennie, Glanton; and J. A. Huie, Wooler.

The minister of the congregation then urged on parents the religious teaching of their children, and reminded them of the Sabbath-school.

........

CANNING-STREET CONGREGATIONAL AsSOCIATION, LIVERPOOL.-Contributions received for the year ending December, 1853For Sabbath-schools. £95 10 2 For Synod's Home Mission 42 15 5 For do. College For do. Foreign Mission School Fund

For do.

For Corfu Mission
For Nellore Mission
For Jewish Missions
For Free Church Missions
Miscellaneous

Collections..... Raised for Churchdebt...

Do. donation from Manchester

....

21 8 10

77 10 9

21 8 4 5 17 2 16 6 6

0 14 10

21 0 0

14 3 6

£316 15 6

The amount contributed in 1852 was, from collections, 2447. 14s. 2d.; subscriptions, 1937. 9s. 1d.; total, 438l. 1s. 3d.