tion to various Presbyteries in the north was then called for, and a verbal report was given by Mr. Nisbet. The thanks of the Synod were conveyed through the Moderator to the deputation. A petition was adopted to Parliament against diplomatic relations with Rome. On Wednesday the Synod resolved itself into a committee of the whole house for conference concerning the English Presbyterian College, and concerning a Central Sustentation Fund. In the evening the deputation from the Free Church of Scotland was heard the Rev. Mr. Cupples, of Stirling, and Baillie M'Farlane, of Edinburgh. Also the deputation from the Irish General Assembly, the Rev. Mr. Porter, who gave an interesting and eloquent description of the present condition of religion in his country, and showed the remarkable openings now made in the providence of God, for the preaching of the Gospel. The Moderator conveyed the thanks of the Synod to the members of the deputation, and expressed the sentiments of affection entertained toward these sister Churches. The Synod next heard the report on the state of religion throughout the churches, read by the Rev. P. L. Miller, of Newcastle. After appointment of committees, and disposal of minor business, the Court adjourned at nine, p. m. On Thursday, the forenoon was again spent in conference of the whole house on the College and the Central Fund.-A full report of the Synod's proceedings will be given in next number of the "Messenger."

To the Editor of the "Messenger." DEAR SIR,-The leading feature of the late meeting of Synod was its practical character, and it promises to be one of the most useful in its results which ever took place in connexion with the Church. The Moderator maintained throughout an excellent and high-toned feeling, which was responded to by a general and increasing desire expressed by members to promote vital godliness throughout the land. The debate in reference to the College was highly interesting and able. The best mode for the sustentation of ministers was freely and fully discussed. There appears a desire to extend the Home Mission work in the large towns, and to strengthen the hands of our esteemed missionary, Mr. Burns, by sending out more labourers to China. Schools appear to be rapidly extending throughout the Church, and their import

ance fully appreciated. Everything was discussed with a view to practical results; and if Committees will immediately set to work and carry out the views of the Synod, and Ministers and Office-bearers follow up, so far as practicable, the directions of Committees in their different localities, while, at the same time, they do all in their power to improve the hints and suggestions made at the late meeting, for promoting the spiritual, as well as the pecuniary affairs of their congregations, the best results may be anticipated, and the cause of Christ, as well as the good of the Church, greatly promoted. A MEMBER OF SYNOD.

April 24, 1848.

FREE CHURCH MISSIONS. As will be seen by the advertisement on the cover, a meeting on behalf of these Missions will be held in Exeter Hall, on Wednesday next. From their attachment to the object, and from the distinguished names announced, we need scarcely invite the readers of the "Messenger to attend; but we hope that they will do their utmost to apprize their Christian friends of other churches. Owing to their intrinsic claims and peculiar services, the Moravian, Baptist, and similar denominational missions, are extensively supported by members of other communions; and we are sure that nothing is awanting, save a better acquaintance with them, to secure for the Free Church Missions a large measure of catholic and cordial support. Our last number contained the impressions which these Missions made on an eye-witness. Few can enjoy, like Mr. Matheson, the opportunity of witnessing on the spot the spectacle which he has described; but even by the "hearing of the ear we trust that many may be aroused to a lively interest in the best-contrived and best-sustained of all the efforts for evangelizing India.

We would only add our hope that some effectual means may be adopted for following up the movement of a public meeting. In the religious community of England there is surely liberality sufficient to justify the establishment of an agency in London on behalf of the Schemes of the Free Church of Scotland. From the want of such an agency, we are convinced that a considerable annual revenue has hitherto been lost to its noble institutions.

THE CHINESE MISSION.

Hong Kong, January 28, 1848.

DEAR FRIEND,-The return of another opportunity calls upon me to give you some idea of what I have been doing during the past month. Among our countrymen I have continued to preach regularly in the place which was opened for public worship about the end of December. The congregation is not large, but it has continued regularly to increase, and I trust that, through the Divine blessing, these opportunities may be blessed to some or to many among us. Those who have taken the lead in these arrangements are, by this mail, repeating their call to the Free Church for a minister, and as Mr. Stevenson seems to have been averse to being employed exclusively among the British here, they are now proposing, that any one who may come out, may, if it is thought best, carry on his studies in Chinese while he officiates as pastor of this congregation. I should think that if Mr. Stevenson, or any other, were taking this view of the case, it would be better that he should come out in connexion with your Mission, and superintend missionary operations among the Chinese here, where he would find a large and open field of usefulness. The Church, also, which might in that case be formed, would be in more direct connexion with your Chinese Mission, and would tend powerfully to aid its operations in different ways. In the Chinese department I have felt encouraged by the degree of progress that I have already made, although the difficulties that have still to be surmounted, are probably greater than I can yet realize. When I wrote to Mr. Matheson, at the end of the year, I mentioned that I had been called to visit three poor Chinese under sentence of death. On two of these the awful sentence of the law was executed; the third received a commutation of his sentence, and I have several times visited him since along with many of the other prisoners. They hear all that I can say to them with great readiness, and are quick in discovering your meaning, though it be but poorly expressed in their peculiar language.

One day last week, not fewer than fifty poor men were brought out of their cells for me to address them on the subject of Jesus and salvation through him.

It was but little that I could say to them; but such opportunities are indeed fitted to inflame the soul with the desire to master the language which stands in the way of fully communicating such a message. Most of these men were pirates, awaiting their trial; and I have just heard to-day, that twelve have been sentenced to death ! Until the present week, I had gone on in the study of Chinese entirely alone, being convinced that in thus grappling with the difficulties of the language, aided by the helps which the labours of Morrison and others supply, I should get a better hold of its nature than by at once making myself dependant on the instructions of a native. However, I began to feel that having got some acquaintance with the substance of the language, especially as regards the subject of the Bible, it was now of the first importance to acquire, as far as possible, a correct mode of speaking it, and this could only be attained by living among the people, or by intercourse with a teacher. I could not live among them at present, but I have been graciously, I trust, directed in getting a suitable person to read and converse with me. He is a young man from Canton city, who came here, as I understand, some months ago, to be instructed in the Gospel by Mr. Gutzlaff, who kindly pointed him out to me. He knows no English, but at my present stage this is an advantage, as it obliges me to understand him in his own tongue, either when he speaks, or, if that method fail, by his writing down his meaning. I am also occasionally assisted in cases of difficulty by two young men who read Chinese and English with me in the forenoon. One of these is A-Hong, the Chinese youth that was in Scotland at school, and was so mercifully saved in the shipwreck of the "Anne and Jane" in the Chinese Sea.

I have not yet attempted to do anything here in the way either of establishing a Chinese and English Christian school, or of opening a meeting for Christian worship in Chinese. The latter I cannot, of course, attempt for some time to come; and the other, although it may be sooner attempted, I reckon as yet premature. However, the way may be opened for both of these important means sooner than we can at present anticipate. Certainly there is a good field here for the use of all such means, and when we come into contact with the difficulties of the language, we are led to value, in the

highest degree, all means that are fitted to prepare a native agency for spreading the Gospel among these benighted millions. At present, as you well know, the field here is very barren and unpromising, although there are to be seen even here indications of progress.

blessed in all your labours, and especially in prosecuting the Mission to China, I am ever yours, in Christian bonds,

a

Wм. C. BURNS.

The following extract from the letter of much-esteemed Free Church minister will be read with interest :

nexion with that Institution.

In connexion with the teacher whom I have just engaged, I was present a few days ago at Mr. Gutzlaff's morning Chinese Meeting, and was interested by the number attending, and the manner in which the service was conducted; large portions of Scripture being read and repeated, and essays read on Scripture subjects. It is indeed the day of small things as yet in China's spiritual history, but it is wonderful when we look back for forty years to see the field so open as it now is.

I trust you may be directed soon to one or more suitable agents to join us here. For occupying Hong-Kong, a married missionary, (who would devote part of his time to our own countrymen,) and a younger assistant, would, I think, be most suitable. Such a person could superintend a seminary for the instruction of the young in Chinese and English, and he might do something also in establishing a female school upon a limited scale. I understand it is not difficult to get children to educate either by boarding them, or taking them in as day-scholars. In connexion with these remarks, you will naturally ask, whether Hong-Kong be the best place for establishing such means of a permanent kind? and on this point I can only say, that, without judging of the case comparatively, the importance of this place as a British colony, and the necessities of our own countrymen here, seem to me to point out the duty of beginning operations here before advancing farther.

Should another missionary be coming out, he ought to leave not later than the beginning of May, in order to avoid a tedious passage. I am glad to see that you are retaining Mr. Macaulay among you. I fear the "Messenger," which I am glad to see regularly, might lose by his absence.

Praying that you may be directed and

Christ through the instrumentality of dear William Burns, is desirous of thus testifying how beautiful in his eyes are the feet of him that brought to his mountains the good tidings, that published to him peace, and how fain he would follow these feet into the far land which now they tread-'the land of Sinim.'

This is not the first contribution which the Treasurers have received with a similar enhancement; and it is perhaps, the most auspicious circumstance connected with this enterprise, that our beloved missionary is supported by the prayers of so many friends and children in the faith. It is at the throne of grace that the battles of the Church are fought, and her victories won; and that cause is strongest which is best supported by sincere and fervent intercessors.

Presbyteries' Proceedings.

PRESBYTERY OF LONDON.

THIS Reverend Court met at 16, Exeter Hall, on the 11th of April, and was constituted with praise, reading of the Scriptures, and prayer, by the Rev. James Hamilton, moderator, p.t.

The Brighton communion roll was given in and attested, and, at the request of Mr. William Hamilton, leave was granted to the temporary Kirk Session at Brighton, to meet in London as often as circumstances may render it desirable for them to do so.

A memorial from the congregation of Lewisham-street Chapel, Westminster, was produced and read, craving that the Presbytery would provide them with supply for their pulpit by appointing members of Court or otherwise. After consideration, it was agreed, on the motion of Professor Campbell, seconded by Mr. Wm. Hamilton, "That, while the Pres

Mr. Macaulay agreed to withdraw his overture to the Synod on the subject of a Central Fund, reserving to himself his right to bring the matter before the Synod in another form.

Colonel Anderson craved leave to withdraw the notice which he had given of an overture to the Synod on the subject of Presbyterian Chaplaincies in England; and he was permitted to do so.

The Clerk communicated that the Mercers' Company had now granted permission to have a school erected on a vacant piece of ground adjoining John Knox's Church, Stepney, on condition that said erection be proceeded with immediately. He stated that the congregation were not in circumstances to carry on this desirable object without external aid. And he craved that the Presbytery would be pleased to recommend it to the liberality of their people.

Messrs. John G. Kirkaldy, A. Milne, and P. Scotland appeared to prosecute this object. And, after Mr. Kirkaldy had been heard, it was unanimously agreed that the Presbytery cordially approve of this undertaking, and authorize their Moderator to draw up and sign a recommendation accordingly.

The Presbytery adjourned to meet at 16, Exeter Hall, on the second Tuesday of May, at three o'clock, P.M. And the sederunt was closed with prayer.

PRESBYTERY OF NORTHUMBERLAND.

FRAMLINGTON, APRIL 11, 1848.The which day, the Presbytery held its quarterly meeting here, and after sermon by the Moderator was duly constituted.

Sederunt, the Moderator, Messrs. Anderson, Hoy, Lennie, Thompson, Edwards, Huie, Cathcart, Cromar, and the Clerk; and Messrs. Hudson, and Anderson, Elders. Commissions were handed in from the Kirk Sessions of Branton, Glanton, and Harbottle, in favour of Messrs. Joseph Pringle, James Chambers, and John Wandless, as ruling elders, which were sustained, and their names ordered to be added to the roll. Rev. D. Lennie was chosen Moderator, in

The communication from the Session St. James', Alnwick, was laid before the Presbytery, by Mr. Thompson, to the effect that the Presbytery authorize the minister and office-bearers of said congregation to apply to the several congregations within the bounds of the Presbytery, for subscriptions or collections towards liquidating the debt upon their church; whereupon it was moved and carried, that the prayer of the petition be granted, and that the Presbytery recommend the congregations within their bounds to give every facility to the furtherance of that object.

Mr. Huie gave in answers to queries anent the school scheme, which were ordered to be attested. Reports by committees appointed to examine the dayschools at Morpeth, Birdhope Craig, Glanton, Warrenford, Wooler, and Branton were given in, all of which were satisfactory. Dr. Hutcheson and Mr. Thompson were instructed to appear before the School Committee in reference to the amount of aid hitherto granted to the school at Warrenford by the Committee. Mr. Cathcart was also appointed to lay the peculiar case of the school at Birdhope Craig before the School Committee.

A letter was given in from Mr. Ker Johnston of Birdhope Craig, addressed to the Moderator of date 16th March, intimating his resignation of his charge. The Presbytery having ascertained that Mr. Johnston, without waiting for their deliverance in the matter, has left Birdhope Craig, while agreeing to receive and record his resignation, feel themselves under the solemn and imperative obligation to record at the same time their unqualified disapprobation of the irregular and unbrotherly mode of his procedure, which they regard as inconsistent with his ordination vows, as well as contrary to all ecclesiastical order. The Presbytery therefore declared Mr. Ker Johnston no longer a minister of their body, and appointed Mr. Cathcart to officiate at Birdhope Craig on Sabbath 16th inst., and after Divine service, declare the charge vacant in the usual way. Mr. Thompson was appointed to preach at Birdhope Craig on the second Sabbath in May. Mr. Huie was appointed to preach and dispense the communion at Birdhope Craig on the second Sabbath in June.