PRESBYTERIAL NOTICES.

Annan and Carlisle.-This Presbytery met at Chapelknowe on the d November, and was constituted by th Rev Richard Hunter, moderator pro tempore. Read certificates from the Professors, attesting that Messrs Hugh Tait and John Dobie, students of divinity, under the inspection of this Presbytery, had attended the Hall the usual time, and had performed all the prescribed exercises. Appointed Mr Tait Heb. vi. 4-6 as a subject for a critical exercise, and the Divinity of the Holy Spirit for examination. Appointed Mr Dobie Eph. ii. 13 as a subject for a homily, and the Divinity of Christ for examination, also the first chapter of Genesis in Hebrew. A paper was presented from the congregation of Langholm appointing Messrs Brown and Little commissioners to attend this mecting of Presbytery. Read a petition from the congregation of Whitehaven, requesting the Presbytery to appoint one of their number to moderate in a call. Agreed to grant the prayer of the petition, and appointed Mr Bookless of Maryport to moderate said call, on the evening of Wednesday the 18th November. Mr Ballantyne being present, the call from Langholm, of which he had previously intimated his acceptance, was put into his hands, and he delivered a critical exercise, and a thesis, as part of his trial discourses for ordination. After some remarks highly approving of both discourses, the Presbytery unanimously sustained them. Found from the ministers present that all their congregations had made a collection for the Synod fund; and instructed the clerk to inquire whether the congregations of absent members had made said collection. Appointed next meeting of Presbytery to be held at Longtown on the 1st December. Longtown, 1st December 1846.-The Presbytery met, and was constituted by the Rev. Hugh Douglas, moderator pro tempore. Mr Ballantyne, under call to Langholm, proceeded with the remainder of his trials for ordination, and delivered a popular sermon from Is. liii.6, and a lecture from Heb. xiii. 20, 21. The report of Whitehaven moderation was called for, when a written report from Mr Bookless, moderator, containing an account of his proceedings, was read. It was found that his conduct in all respects had been correct, of which the Presbytery unanimously approved. The call was then laid on the table, and read, with a paper appointing the clerk of the Presbytery to act as their commissioner, to present the call, and to support it. Read said call addressed to Mr James Howie, preacher, and subscribed by sixty-four members, and sixty

four adherents. It was unanimously sustained as a regular gospel call. The clerk was instructed to notify this to Mr Howie, and to request him to state his intention in reference to it before next meeting of Presbytery. Subjects of trials for ordination were prescribed to him. Read a letter from Mr William Duncan, preacher, stating his willingness to be located in the missionary congregation at Wigton for six months, from the second Sabbath of January next. Agreed to ask the committee of distribution to appoint him accordingly. Mr Ballantyne was then examined on Greek, Hebrew, a portion of Church History, and on polemical and practical divinity. All the trials were severally, and in cumulo, unanimously sustained as trials for ordination. A vote was then stated, proceed to ordain Mr Ballantyne or not, and carried in like manner proceed. It was then agreed that Mr Ballantyne be ordained to the office of the holy ministry, and to the pastoral charge of the congregation of Langholm, on the 31st December, and appointed accordingly Mr Chapman to preach and preside in the ordination; Mr Clark to narrate the steps, and put the questions of the formula; Mr Carruthers to give the charges to the minister and people; the edict for the ordination to be served on the two preceding Sabbaths by the officiating preacher. Appointed next meeting of Presbytery to be held at Lang

holm on the 31st December.

Edinburgh.-1st Dec. 1846. The Presbytery met this day. A letter was read from Mr John Scott, jun., under call to Back Street Congregation, Dalkeith, requesting another month to consider as to its acceptance. It was replied, that as a month had not elapsed since the call was notified, Mr S. needed no indulgence, but that the Presbytery will expect his decision to be intimated at their meeting in January. The Convener of the various Committees appointed to conduct the Presbyterial visitation of Sessions and Congregations, gave in their several reports. The Presbytery agreed to consider these at a meeting to be held on first Wednesday of January at 12. It was resolved that all the elders within the bounds be invited to this meeting; that the Convener above referred to constitute a committee to consider what topics may be most usefully embraced in the deliberations; and that at same time, the Presbytery shall implement the synodical order as respects the state of Juvenile Religious Education in the bounds. The Committee appointed to devise a scheme for juvenile meetings on New Year's Day, gave in their report. In terms thereof, it was resolved, that the young of our church

in Edinburgh and Leith, assemble that day at 12 o'clock, in Broughton Place Church; recommended that similar meetings be held on that or some other more convenient day, in the other districts of the Presbytery, and the completion of the arrangement, for the meeting in Broughton Place, remitted. The tabling of the Rose Street call, with relative documents in the Presbytery of Glasgow was reported. The Rev. Mr M'Gilchrist expressed his cordial concurrence in the call of his congregation to Dr Eadie; and his strong desire that the Presbytery would do all in their power to evince their interest in his people in their present circumstances. The Presbytery heard Mr M'Gilchrist with deep sympathy; and Rev. Dr Brown was appointed along with Mr Smart, to appear in the Presbytery of Glasgow, when Dr E. gives his decision respecting the Rose Street call. The Rev. James Young was appointed to dispense the Sacrament in the vacant congregation of Peebles, on the fourth Sabbath of the month. Messrs Scott, Inglis, Grant, Cooper, Pringle, and Dickson delivered discourses with a view to license, which were sustained.

Glasgow. This Presbytery held its ordinary meeting on Tuesday, December 8. The Rev. Alexander Duncan, moderator pro tempore. A petition for a moderation from the congregation of Dumbarton was granted, and the Rev. Alexander M'Ewen was appointed to preside at said moderation on the evening of Thursday, December 24. The Presbytery resumed the consideration of the call from Rose Street, Edinburgh, to the Rev. Dr Eadie. Commissioners from Rose Street, from the Presbytery of Edinburgh, and from Cambridge Street, Glasgow, having been fully heard, Dr Eadie gave his decision, declining the call, and preferring to continue in his present charge, and the Presbytery agreed to record accordingly. Agreed to recommend that a grant from the Mission Fund should be given to the congregation of Govan, where a church is in progress of erection. A memorial to the Directors of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway, approving of their conduct in discontinuing the Sabbath trains, was also agreed to, and ordered to be forwarded.

Kilmarnock.—The Presbytery met November 3: The students remitted from the Divinity Hall were put under the inspection of the North Committee of Presbytery. An account was to be taken of the collections made for the Synod fund. There being no other business, the next meeting was appointed to be at Kilmarnock, January 26.

Newcastle.-The Presbytery met in Gordon Street Church, Glasgow, 6th October 1846, when there was produced a call from the congregation of Wallsend, to Mr David Wilson, preacher, which was sustained; and

a call from North Middleton, to Mr Peter Whyte, preacher, which also was sustained; the usual course proposed to be taken for ascertaining whether the calls would be accepted. Subjects of trial for ordination were in the meantime appointed. A moderation was appointed at Hull on the 22d inst.-Dr G. Young or Mr Dall to preside. Mr Drummond having declined the call from Stamfordham, it was laid aside. The Presbytery met at Newcastle, 3d November, when there was produced a call from the congregation of Hull to Mr Alexander Renton, preach.. er, which was sustained. The usual course was appointed as to the acceptance of the call, and trials for ordination were assigned. A conversation was held as to the state of religion in the church, and the best means for promoting its revival and advancement, which was felt to be deeply interesting. On the 17th November the Presbytery again

met.

Letters from Messrs Whyte and Wilson were read. Mr Whyte, having declined the call from North Middleton, it was laid aside. Mr Wilson, having declared his acceptance of the call from Wallsend, he was appointed to give in his trials for ordination on the 15th December.

Wigton. This Presbytery met on the 8th December, when, besides some routine business, Messrs William Ross and John Semple, students of the fifth year, were examined on theology and experimental religion, and received trial subjects, with a view to license. The Rev. Mr Hannah intimated his intention of submitting, at next meeting, a motion to the effect, that the Rev. Andrew Somerville, the Synod's missionary agent, should sit as a member in the Synod, and in the Presbyteries at which he may happen to be present, while discharging his official duties throughout the church. Read a note from the clerk of Lancashire Presbytery, containing a minute extracted from the records of said Presbytery, intimating that, at their last meeting, they had sustained a call from the congregation of Birkenhead to the Rev. James Towers, Wigton, and requesting the clerk to lay said call and relative papers on the table of the Presbytery, which was done accordingly. Said call and relative papers were read and put into the hand of Mr Towers, and the clerk was instructed to cite, in due form, the congregations of Wigtown and Birkenhead to appear for their interest before the Presbytery at its next meeting, which was appointed to be held at Wigton on the Wednesday after the first Sabbath of January next.

NOTICE TO PRESBYTERIES.

WE beg to remind Presbyteries of the appointment of Synod, that in all cases in which they have not already held a meeting, or appointed one to be held, on the subject of Sab

bath Schools, they devote one or more sederunts at their first meeting in 1847, to the subject of Juvenile Instruction within their bounds. See Synod Minutes. The subject is one of vital interest on which our church is able to accomplish great things. It cannot be made the subject of conversation and prayer in our Sessions and Presbyteries, without issuing in much good. We have occasion to know that the Sabbath School Teachers in the Secession Church, are looking with intense interest and hope to the movement, and, even beyond the bounds of our own denomination, many eyes are turned to us. The greater part of the Address lately issued by the Synod's Committee on the subject, has been reprinted in two of the most widely circulated Magazines of Sabbath School Teachers; one issued in Edinburgh, and one in London. We trust that 1847 will be signalized in the future history of our church, not only as the year of its union with the Relief body, but as the great Sabbath School year.

ORDINATION.

THE United Secession Presbytery of Arbroath met at Carnoustie, on the 24th November, for the ordination of Mr G. Jerment

Mackenzie. The services were conducted by the Rev. Messrs Rinkine of Breehin, Hay and Sorley of Arbroath, and Murray of Forfar. In the evening a soiree was held in the chapel, which was crowded by an attentive audience. The Rev. John Eckford of Newbigging occupied the chair. and addresses were delivered by the Rev. Mr Mackenzie, Dr Young of Perth, Dr Ritchie of Edinburgh, and Messrs John Millar, Methven, and W. B. Robertson, Irvine. Mr Mackenzie was introduced to his charge on Sabbath, 29th November, by Dr Ritchie of Edinburgh; and in the afternoon addressed his congregation from 2d Cor. v. 20, "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ."

HONORARY DEGREE.

THE Faculty and Trustees of Washington College, State of Pennsylvania, United States, at their annual collegiate commencement, held on the 23d September last, conferred the Honorary Degree of Doctor in Divinity, on the Rev. John Skinner, pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Lexington, Virginia, and late minister of the United Secession Church, Partick, Glasgow.

COMMITTEE ON THE LIQUIDATION OF CHURCH DEBT AND SUPPLEMENTING STIPENDS.

THIS Committee met in Edinburgh on the 14th December. The question of supplementing stipends under L.100 per annum (including manse, glebe, sacramental expenses, &c.,) was first taken up. From statistics presented to last Synod by Professor M'Michael, it was found that thirty-one churches in the Synod pay their ministers less than L.100 of annual stipend; but of these, the committee was of opinion, that twelve might be able of themselves to raise their several stipends to the required amount. It was agreed that deputations should be appointed to correspond with and visit the thirty-one churches; and in regard to the twelve specially referred to, endeavour by all prudent counsel and reasoning, to induce them to increase, from their own resources, the stipends of their respective ministers to L.100. In regard to the other churches on the list, it was agreed that the deputations should endeavour to induce them to bring up their several stipends as nearly as possible to the proposed amount. In pursuance of this resolution, Dr Struthers and Dr Lindsay were appointed to visit the churches in Dumfries Presbytery; Mr Symington and Mr F. Muir, those in Dysart Presbytery; Mr Pettigrew and Mr

William Anderson, those in Edinburgh Presbytery; Mr Caldwell and Mr Banks, those in Glasgow and Paisley Presbyteries; Professor M Michael and Mr Caldwell, those in Kelso Presbytery; Mr Symington and Mr M'Dougall, those in Hamilton Presbytery; Mr P. Brown and Mr Taylor, those in Perth Presbytery; Mr M'Gregor, Wigton Presbytery. Each deputation to report to next meeting of committee.

On the subject of liquidating Church Debt, Mr Symington presented a resolution to the effect, that as the debt on the whole churches of the Synod amounts to about one pound to each member of the congregations of the Synod, or six shillings and eight pence a year to each member for three years, a scheme should be entered on to raise six shillings and eightpence a year from each member for three years to come, so that at the end of that period the whole debt on the churches of the Synod shall be cleared off; it being understood that where poorer members cannot contribute this sum, the richer members shall be requested to make up the deficiency. The Committee having adjourned till next morning, resumed the consideration of Mr Symington's motion, and after reasoning, agreed that it stand over for future consideration.

As a present measure it was unanimously

agreed that a collection be made in all the churches of the Synod on the third Sabbath of February next, for the purpose of raising a fund wherewith the committee may stimulate churches burdened with debt, by the promise of aid in any effort they may make for its liquidation.

The committee further agreed to recommend that sessions, managers, and congregations meet in January next, to ascertain what is the amount of debt resting on their places of worship, and what efforts they may be able, from their own resources, to make for its liquidation.

The Convener, Professor M'Michael, was appointed to prepare a circular, bringing the foregoing measures before the mind of the churches, and to issue the same with all convenient dispatch.

PRESBYTERIAL NOTICES.

Edinburgh.-At the meeting of this Court on the 24th November, the congregation of Newlands applied for a moderation in a call, which was granted; and the Rev. Mr Thomson of Peebles was appointed to preside on Monday, the 14th December.

Ordination of a Missionary to China.— After the ordinary business was finished, the Presbytery adjourned till six o'clock same evening, to meet in the Relief Church, Leith, for the purpose of ordaining Mr William Muirhead, as a missionary to Shangae, in China, under the auspices of the London Missionary Society. The Presbytery associated with them on this interesting work, several brethren of other denominations, who conducted the services in the following order :-Rev. Mr Cullen, Leith, opened the meeting with praise and prayer. Rev. Dr Brown preached from the words, "Honour all men." Rev. Francis Muir, the pastor of the young missionary, put the questions, and offered up the ordination prayer. To the last question of the Formula, Mr Muirhead gave an audible reply at some length. After which, Professor M'Michael gave the charge to Mr Muirhead. Rev. Mr Lewis addressed the people; and Rev. Mr Swan closed the services of the evening. The meeting was large, and the kindly and catholic spirit in which the services were conducted, combined with the fact, that Mr Muirhead is a native of Leith, gave more than ordinary interest to the proceedings.

Glasgow. The Glasgow Relief Presbytery held its ordinary monthly meeting on the first Tuesday of December last. Mr Edwards, on the part of the committee appointed to examine the draft of a constitution adopted by the congregation of Partick, craved leave to delay giving in their report till next meeting of Presbytery, which request was granted. Dr Struthers, as convener of the committee appointed to

determine the proportion of Mrs Harvey's annuity, payable by the Gillespie Church, reported the progress the committee had made, and recommended that both parties be cited together, in order that Presbytery may enter into a full examination of the case, and pronounce a final decision thereon. Presbytery adopted the recommendation, and appointed a meeting of Presbytery to be held for this purpose, on Wednesday, the 9th ult. A petition was read from the Rev. Thomas D. Thomson, late minister of the Independent Church, Haddington, praying to be received as an ordained minister, and to have his name placed on the roll of preachers connected with the Synod. Before coming to any decision on the prayer of said petition, Presbytery resolved that Mr Thomson preach before them at next meeting; and appointed Ephesians ii. 18, as the subject of his discourse. A petition from Kilsyth Congregation was received, craving that Messrs Anderson, Banks, and Cordiner, preachers, should be appointed to complete the number of days required by the rules of Synod, as speedily as possible, in order that the Church may be in readiness to come to a moderation. The request was granted, and the matter was remitted to committee for allocating preachers. The Presbytery, according to appointment, met on Wednesday, the 9th ult., when they entered on the consideration of the affairs of Gillespie Church. The parties cited appeared; and having been heard at great length, were removed. After reasoning, the Presbytery agreed that the sum of L.8 be fixed as the proportion payable by Gillespie Church towards Mrs IIarvey's annuity. From which decision, Rev. W. Borland and Mr J. Turner begged leave to record their dissent.

CONGREGATIONAL NOTICE.

Campbelton. The annual meeting of the society for religious and educational purposes, in connexion with the Relief Congregation, Campbelton, was held on the evening of the 30th November. Agreed that the monies at the disposal of the society should be appropriated to the following objects:To the support of the Congregational Missionary, L.50. To the education of Poor Children in Campbelton and neighbourhood, L.20. To the Glasgow African Mission, L.15. To the Relief Home Mission, L.15. To the London Missionary Society, L.10. To the British and Foreign Bible Society, L.5. To the Calabar Mission, L.2. L.117. The missionary society in connexion with Mr Boyd's classes, agreed to distribute their collections made during the year, to the following objects:-To the Glasgow African Mission, L.4, 6s. To the London Missionary Society, L.2. To the Scottish Missionary Society, L.2. To the Calabar Mis

Ar Lesmahagow, on Thursday the 17th December, the Rev. A. M'Leod preached in the Relief Church, Lesmahagow, and afterwards presided in the moderation of a call for a pastor to that church, when Mr Robert Cordiner, preacher, was unanimously elected.

On Monday the 14th December the Rev. A. Thomson of Peebles, preached and presided in the moderation of a call in the Relief Church, Newlands, for a pastor in room of Dr Craig, lately translated to CuparFife. The call turned out most harmoniously in favour of Mr Robert Rutherford, preacher of the gospel.

MISSION TO AUSTRALIA.

THE convener of the Synod's committee, on the mission to Australia, has issued the following circular in reference to its funds:

Paisley, 25th November 1846.

Rev. Sir,-In terms of the synodical instructions to communicate with the churches of the Synod for raising the necessary funds in aid of the Australian mission, I beg leave to solicit your contribution in favour of

this object, and its remittance at your earliest convenience to the treasurer, the Rev. James Banks of Paisley, that the pledge of the Synod may be redeemed; and that the Rev. A. M. Ramsay, who sailed in the beginning of September last, may be enabled, on his arrival in the colony, to prosecute with spirit the work on which he has been sent out.-I am, yours truly,

WILLIAM M'DOUGALL, Convener. The following sums have been received by the treasurer, Rev. James Banks, for the Australian mission:L.8 10 0 1 0 0

St Ninians, Gateshead, Irvine,

Burnhead,

Dunse,

Hawick,

Alnwick,

Waterbeck,

Coldstream,

Bread Street, Edinburgh,
John Street, Glasgow,
Langholm,
Dunscore,
Bellshill,

Kilbarchan,
Berwick, (second)
Kettle,
Largo,
Gateside,
Lanark, (first)
Saltcoats,
Paisley, (first)
Auchtermuchty,
Old Kilpatrick,
Auchterarder,.
Earleston,
Ayr, (two years)
Milngavie,
Rutherglen,

Paisley, 18th December 1846.

HONORARY DEGREE.

THE Senate of the University of Glasgow has conferred the degree of Doctor in Divinity on the Rev. John French, minister of the Relief Church, South College Street, Edinburgh.

VOLUNTARYISM.

OUR readers must be aware that, for some time past, there have been pretty decided indications of the spirit of voluntaryism awaking out of its slumber. The settlement of the great question of the corn laws, which in some respects had the first claims on

the liberal portion of the nation, and which naturally made way for the church question as next in order-the

change of ministry-the approach of a general election, and, above all, the declared desire of leading members of government at once to strengthen existing establishments, and inflict on us a new one, by endowing popery in Ireland ;-these things could not fail to arouse the friends of free religion from their temporary repose. We have at the same time very opportunely received a stimulus from our brethren in