ton, and George F. Barbour, Esq., of Manchester. The church was crowded, and the audience very attentive to all the addresses. The Lord, it is hoped, will hear the many prayers which were offered up on the occasion for the spiritual well-being, the success, and the comfort of this young pastor and his devoted flock. Ecclesiastical Notices. tery were highly satisfied, and all which | Cromar, of Crookham, Lennie, of Glanwere sustained. Mr. Murdoch was appointed to preach at Norham on Sabbath next, and serve Mr. Stewart's edict the ordination to take place there on Thursday, 16th March, at 12 o'clock noon. Mr. Watson to preach and preside; Mr. Murdoch to give the charge to the minister, and Mr. Munro that to the people. Reports of Home Mission Collections were then given in. The Presbytery, having heard statements concerning the transactions which have transpired in Lowick congregation, the trustees having shut the church doors, and barred them with iron bars against the congregation and the ministers of the Presbytery, brought in intruding persons to preach, and as candidates, and otherwise, illegally trampled upon the rights of the people, their elders, and the Presbytery, refused all conference thereupon, and rejected every proposal to have candidates brought forward according to the deed, and matters amicably arranged, as in the former vacancy,-expressed deep regret at, and decided disapproval of these proceedings, unanimously resolved to afford supply of regular service to the congregation, order their names to be ascertained, and entered into a book to be kept for the purpose; and the Session to administer discipline, and, in concert with the Presbyterial Committee of Supply as before, for supply of ordinances, supplies were then appointed till the beginning of April. Met by appointment at Norham on the 16th March, present five ministers and three elders. Messrs. Lennie, Huie, Cromar of the Northumberland Presbytery, and Mr. Wright, of the Free Church, Swinton, and George F. Barbour, Esq., elder from Manchester, being present, were associated. After sermon by Mr. Watson, from Heb. xiii. 17, "Obey them," &c., and putting the usual questions, the Presbytery, assisted by the brethren present, solemnly ordained, and set apart, Mr. Stewart, (in the presence of a large and deeply-interested congregation,) to the work and office of the holy ministry. The charges to the minister and people were given by Messrs. Murdoch and Munro, respectively. A meeting of the congregation was held in the evening, at which the newly-ordained minister presided; excellent addresses, on important subjects connected with the duties and welfare of the congregation, were given by Messrs. Wright, of Swinton, Huie, of Wooler, CORFU.-In a recent letter from Mr. Charteris, our excellent missionary at Corfu, the following circumstance is stated. At the monthly missionary meeting in December, Mr. Charteris read the letter of Dr. Duff, detailing the lamented death of Mr. Macdonald, of Calcutta, and his fervent appeal on behalf of his widow and seven children. Mr. Campbell, an elder of the little congregation, drew out a short statement, and circulated it within the citadel. The soldiers collected 37., which they requested Mr. Charteris to transmit to the proper quarter. This sum being made up of small contributions, and coming from soldiers who have little to spare, is a very gratifying expression of Christian sympathy with the bereaved; and the thing was done in a kind and generous way. We have not forgotten the collection made also by our friends at Corfu for the distressed Highlanders last season. These fruits and manifestations of Christian feeling, we trust, will commend more than ever the Mission at Corfu, and the welfare of our countrymen there, to the consideration of our Presbyterian Churches in England. or EVENING MEETING OF THE CHILDREN LONDON-WALL SABBATH-SCHOOL.On the evening of Friday, the 3d March, an interesting meeting was held in the Hall in Blomfield-street, where the Sabbath-school is conducted, when about one hundred and twenty children were treated with tea and refreshments, under the superintendence of their teachers, assisted by some ladies of the congregation, who kindly gave their aid on the occasion. After tea, the Rev. W. Nicolson took the chair, and a considerable number of friends and parents of the children being present, interesting addresses were delivered by the Rev. Mr. Hamilton, Professor Campbell, and Mr. Wm. Robb, which were rapturously re- | value of 721. 15s. 3d. In addition to the sponded to by the youthful and joyous audience. During the course of the evening, and between the addresses, several hymns were beautifully sung by the children, under the direction of Mr. Wheeler, who has been for some time giving them instructions in music. At the conclusion of the proceedings, Mr. Auld, Superintendent of the school, addressed the children, and also in their name returned thanks to the friends and visitors who had given their countenance and services on the occasion. Mr. Nicolson then closed the proceedings with prayer. This school is at present in a very prosperous condition, and has greatly increased in numbers of late, under the zealous exertions of the teachers, who so laudably devote themselves to the spiritual interests of the young. foregoing, bales of clothing were collected They WOOLWICH. On Wednesday, Feb. 23d, a meeting of the congregation of the Scotch Church in this town, and their friends, over which their esteemed minister, the Rev. W. M. Thompson, RIVER-TERRACE LADIES' MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION.-This Association has now been in existence for a period of three years. The leading object contemplated in its formation was, to unite the ladies of the congregation in a combined effort to assist and encourage missionary operations in distant countries, by sending boxes of work, to be applied to the use of the natives, or to be sold, and the proceeds devoted to the extension of religious knowledge. Besides this, it was designed to cultivate the spirit of Christian love, and all the graces which co-presided, took place at the Town Hall. operation in the cause of the Redeemer is calculated to bring into exercise. It is most gratifying to be enabled to state that these results have been largely realized. Stated meetings have been held in the vestry of the Church, at which the minister has generally been present, and opened the proceedings with reading an appropriate passage of Scripture, and prayer for the success of the Gospel and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at home and abroad. The value of articles furnished by the members of the congregation, "working with their own hands," for the objects of the Association, has amounted to 1197. 3s. 1d.-There is also a Juvenile Association, which has given in articles to the value of 197. 11s. -In August, 1846, a box of work was sent to Corfu, of the value of 6l. 5s. In December, 1846, work was sent to a bazaar in Belfast, to assist the perishing people of Connaught, amounting in value to 50l. In October, 1847, a box was forwarded to Jamaica, for the advancement of the Gospel among the negroes, of the Six o'clock was the time announced for commencing the business of the evening, previous to which the spacious hall was completely filled with a highly respectable audience of both sexes. At the appointed hour, the Rev. Chairman, accompanied by several clergymen of the Presbyterian Church, from London, officers of the army, and other gentlemen, ascended the platform, among whom we noticed the Rev. James Hamilton, of Regent-square; the Rev. John Weir, of River-terrace ; the Rev. W. Cousins; the Rev. James Macaulay; the Rev. M. Bost, Pastor at La Force in France; Lieutenant-Colonel Anderson, R.H.A.; O. S. Donnall, Esq.; E. J. Bruce, Esq., R.A.; J. Nisbet, Esq., of London, together with several ladies; and the Rev. J. Cox; the Rev. Dr. Carlile; the Rev. W. Woodlands; and the Rev. J. Box, all ministers of different denominations, resident at Woolwich. The Rev. Chairman opened the business of the evening by requesting the meeting to sing a hymn of praise to the Almighty; and after the Rev. J. Macaulay had implored the Divine blessing, the whole of the company partook of tea, &c., the tables for which were judiciously arranged throughout the hall, and liberally furnished with refreshments. The Rev. W. Cousins having returned thanks, the President rose, and having expressed his gratification in seeing so many persons assembled, said the easy and pleasing task devolved upon him of introducing to the meeting his kind Christian brethren, some of whom had come from London to take part in the evening's proceedings, which were intended to be devoted to the service of the Lord, and as a medium of infusing a more abundant share of spiritual love in the hearts of all present. A collateral object of the meeting was also that of benefiting the Clothing Society, connected with the Presbyterian Church, which distributed its aid to necessitous persons of all denominations, irrespective of the creed which they professed. He also expressed great pleasure in seeing ministers of other Churches present, who, differing in non-essentials with himself, came forward to promote the objects of the meeting, by uniting themselves together in the cause of Christ. Addresses on Education, Missions, Sabbath Observance, and other topics, were delivered by the Rev. Messrs. Weir, Hamilton, Bost, Cousin, Dr. Carlile, and by Mr. Nisbet and Colonel Anderson. At the close of Colonel Anderson's address, the Rev. Chairman proposed to conclude the meeting as it began, with a hymn of praise. After which the Rev. W. Woodland pronounced the benediction.-Jones' Woolwich Journal, Feb. 29.-[We regret that we cannot give extracts from the addresses as reported in the Woolwich paper. The meeting was a very gratifying one, and we are glad to learn that the Clothing Society was materially assisted by it.] ST. PETER'S PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION, LIVERPOOL.-The foundation stone of a new church for this congregation was laid on the 15th ult., under the most auspicious circumstances; and in the afternoon a dinner was given to members of the Lancashire Presbytery and other gentlemen, to the number of thirty. On the evening of same day the Presbytery met in a Welsh Chapel, (which was kindly lent for the occasion,) to induct the Rev. Walter Smith as minister. After the usual service of our Church, the Rev. W. Robinson, of Salford, Manchester, delivered a most impressive dis course peculiarly suited for such an occasion. After intimating that the Presbytery had duly sustained the call, and the solemn ceremony of induction having been completed, the members present gave Mr. Smith the right hand of fellowship. The Rev. Wm. M'Hinch, of Chalmers' Church, Manchester, then addressed pastor and people on their respective duties. On Thursday evening, a meeting of the congregation and their friends was held, at which the new minister presided. After praise and prayer, Mr. Smith addressed the audience at great length, and the excellent sentiments he gave utterance to met with the hearty approbation of all present. A venerable father of our Church then gave a short address; we refer to Mr. Hall, of Crookham, who had been spending the last four Sabbaths in preaching to the people. James Adam, Esq., and Alexander Neilson, Esq., (both office-bearers in St. George's,) David Lewis, Esq., and Mr. Joseph Williams, of the Welsh Presbyterians, also addressed the meeting. The conduct of the latter gentleman to this congregation, in assisting them in their numerous difficulties, is worthy of the highest praise. On the following Sabbath, Mr. Smith was introduced to his new charge by the Rev. George Hastie, of Kirkpatrick-Fleming; and in the evening the new minister addressed his people for the first time, and was listened to with marked attention by a crowded audience. SHELTON POTTERIES.-On Tuesday evening, the 7th ult., a soirée was given, attended by 200 of the members and friends of this congregation, for the purpose of congratulating the Rev. J. M. Martyn, the pastor, on his restoration to health. As the Birmingham Presbytery met in the church on that day, all the members in attendance were present. Mr. Martyn having taken the chair, addresses were delivered upon several topics, by the following ministers:Revs. J. Speers, of Stafford; J. Bryson, of Wolverhampton; J. Lewis, of Dudley; Mr. Stuart, near Bolton; Mr. Muir, of Longton. During their pastor's absence for the benefit of his health, the congregation had determined upon, and commenced, an effort to extinguish their debt, and had, previous to the tea party, raised upwards of 2107. towards the sum required, which was announced in a Report read to the meeting. As that Report contained a short sketch of the history of the congregation, we subjoin a few extracts, which cannot fail to be interesting to the Church generally. Mr. Martyn having obtained the authority of the Presbytery, intends shortly to visit the Churches and solicit their aid in accomplishing the object of the congregation, when it is hoped the friends to whom he makes his appeal, will give a liberal response. This congregation has peculiar claims for the encouragement and support of the wealthier members, and most influential ministers of our Church, having so recently (as appears in the Report) renounced Congregationalist principles and embraced our Presbyterian form of government. Its situation, too, in the midst of a dense manufacturing population of 100,000 souls, which is meagrely supplied at present with the means of grace, opens up such a wide field of usefulness, and presents such scope for the extension of our Church, and the faithful preaching of the Gospel by its ministers, that all must hear the call of God, to come forward and assist in freeing this Church from its burdens, that it may push on the work of God and efficiently recommend the system of government which it has recently adopted. The following are extracts from the Report: : "In the month of August, 1846, the Rev. F. Newman, who had been for two years and a-half pastor of the congregation, resigned his charge. Repeated losses of like character, most of which were destructive to the interests of the congregation, caused inquiry as to another form of Church polity, by which a firmer bond of union would be formed between a pastor and a people. The Presbyterian form of government presented itself, which, after examination in private by the members, and in public by the Church assembled, at repeated meetings, was at last approved; and, by an almost unanimous vote, adopted on the 31st August, 1846, as the system for the future government of the congregation. A deputation having been solicited from the Presbytery of Lancashire, with a view to obtain information, was granted, and Messrs. Fergusson and Gardner came to supply all needful information. On the 30th Sept., 1846, the members of the Church met and unanimously decided to request admission into the English Presbyterian Church. This was granted, and afterwards a Presbyterian Church, with its session, was regularly constituted on Dec. 6, 1846. From the date of correspondence with the Lancashire Presbytery, supply for the pulpit was regularly provided by that court, and different ministers preached, of those who were members of Presbytery, or others from Ireland and Scotland, but chiefly the congregation was indebted to the steady support and ever-ready help of the Rev. D. Fergusson, of Liverpool, and the Rev. J. Gardner, of Birkenhead, who, much to their own inconvenience and to the loss of their own congregations, were forward to help in every emergency. At the close of 1846, the Rev. J. M. Martyn preached for three Sabbaths; he was succeeded by several supplies, but the congregation seemed to have their minds directed solely to him. A moderation was granted by the Presbytery, and an unanimous call forwarded to the Presbytery of Rathfreland, which, being sustained and accepted, Mr. Martyn was formally inducted as pastor of the Church, on the 3d August, 1847, by the Birmingham Presbytery." ANCOATS, MANCHESTER. THE Presbytery of Lancashire met in Chalmers's Church, Ancoats, Manchester, on the evening of the 17th of February, and inducted the Rev. William M'Hinch to the pastoral charge of the congregation. On the following evening, a congregational soirée was held in the schoolrooms connected with the church, the partition dividing them having been taken down for the occasion. Robert Barbour, Esq., occupied the chair. The large room was quite filled, upwards of 400 persons being present. After tea, the Chairman, in his address, congratulated the congregation on the auspicious termination given to the long vacancy under which they had laboured, by their having secured the ministrations of so gifted a pastor, and introduced Mr. M'Hinch to the meeting. Mr. M'Hinch then addressed it at some length in an eloquent speech, which repeatedly elicited the applause of his audience. The meeting was afterwards addressed by the Rev. Wm. M'Caw, the Rev. Mr. Savage, of the Reformed Presbyterian Church; William Hamilton, Esq., of London; James Gilmour, Esq., the Rev. Mr. Stewart, of Wharton, Mr. Bell, and others. The proceedings gave the highest satisfaction to all present, and did not terminate till a late hour. ST. PETER'S-SQUARE CHURCH, MANCHESTER. VICE-CHANCELLOR'S COURT, March 15. (Before Sir J. Knight Bruce.) THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL V. MUNRO. HIS HONOUR gave judgment in this case. The relators alleged in their information that the church, schools, and premises erected in St. Peter's-square, Manchester, had been purchased by subscriptions raised in 1832 among certain members of the Established Church of Scotland, and were vested in trustees by a deed dated 4th April, 1832, under certain trusts, one of which declared that the church should be used for the purpose of public worship in connexion with and according to the doctrine and discipline of the Established Church of Scotland. They complained that the defendants had seceded from that Church, and in violation of the trusts, appropriated the church to public worship in connexion with the Free Church of Scotland. They prayed an injunction, and an account of the pew-rents and other income. The deed of April, 1832, was not enrolled as required by the statute, and the defendants, after the secession, had a new deed executed in February, 1844; and in their answer they contended that the deed under which the plaintiffs claimed was invalid for want of enrolment; and the Rev. Mr. Munro, although ordained by the Presbytery of Édinburgh, denied their spiritual and ecclesiastical authority in England. His Honour declared that it was not necessary to state an opinion on the question of enrolment, as possession had been taken and held under the deed of April, 1832, which was framed in perfect compliance with the statute of Geo. II. The question to be decided was, whether the trusts created under that deed had been improperly administered. With respect to the trust prescribing that the worship in St. Peter's Church should be in connexion with the Established Church of Scotland, the defendants declared that the practice and doctrines of that Church had changed. Now, on that point, after reviewing the evidence and materials before him, his Honour felt bound to declare that the doctrine, polity, and discipline of the Established Church of Scotland was the same in 1832, and the same down to the present time, as it was when Mr. Munro was ordained and inducted into St. Peter's Church. In compliance with the prayer of the relator's information, he also declared that the spiritual and ecclesiastical authority of the Established Church of Scotland did extend to those in connexion with it in this country, and that the Rev. Mr. Munro had been ordained a minister of that Church, and that he had ceased to be a minister in connexion with the Established Church of Scotland, in July, 1844, and that he ceased to be in communion with it up to the present time, and that the worship in St. Peter's Church had not been since July, 1844, and was not now in connexion with the Established Church of Scotland; and, therefore, that the practical administration of the charity was improper, and in direct contravention of the rights and trusts created under the deed of April, 1832. He therefore decreed that the defendants, whose proceedings he designated as being contrary to justice, fidelity, and plain dealing, should pay the relators the costs of the suit, at least, up to this time. He also declared that the Rev. Mr. Munro, having ceased to belong to the Established Church of Scotland, ought not to be allowed to continue to act as minister in St. Peter's Church; and he directed an injunction to restrain him accordingly. His Honour also decreed that the trustees should be changed, and that an account of the rents and profits should be taken. Most of our readers are aware, through the daily press, of the decision in this case. Appeal has been made to the Lord Chancellor. If his judgment is also adverse, the church will be taken from the Presbyterians in England, and handed over to the adherents of the Scottish Established Church. The parties who seek to injure our Presbyterian brethren in Manchester, because of their sympathy with the Free Church, may deprive them of their property, but the character and influence of Mr. Munro, and his Session, and people, will henceforth be greater in Manchester than ever. The present state of matters may be gathered from the following extract. (From the Manchester Examiner.) "Since the decision of Sir J. L. Knight Bruce in the case of Shepherd v. Munro, &c., the congregation are to meet in the Mechanics' Institute, although the decision of the Judge has been so far suspended as to have allowed Mr. Munro and his congregation to retain the edifice as a place of worship, had they been so inclined. The congregation met, therefore, on Sunday morning in the Mechanics' Institute, at the usual hour. The place was completely filled. After the services, "The Rev. Mr. MUNRO said-The congregation were probably aware that a judgment in the suit into which the trustees, managers, and office-bearers with himself had been dragged was given by one of the Vice-Chancellors, on Wednesday last. Many, however, though they knew that that judgment was hostile may not be in possession of the knowledge of the precise effect of it. One of the consequences then of it is, that should it be finally confirmed it would remove the body of the trustees and managers, the elders and deacons, with the minister and their congregation. It would for ever exclude two-thirds of the Presbyterian ministers in Scotland from officiating in the pulpit. It would prevent the ministers of all the Presbyterian Churches in England, with the exception of five or six individuals; all the Presbyterian ministers of Ireland and all those of America and the continent of Europe, with the ministers of every other denomination from ever occasionally officiating within the walls of the church in St. Peter's-square, whether on week day or Sabbath-day. It would entirely and for ever put an end to such |