Ministers; and Messrs. G. F. Barbour, Gillespie, and Lamb, Elders. Mr. Chalmers, Convener.

The Reference from the Presbytery of Berwick, in regard to the Church at Lowick, transmitted through the Committee on Bills, &c., being called for, was given in, read, and Mr. Murdoch heard in support of the same: Whereupon it was moved, seconded, and agreed to, Remit this matter to the following Committee, Messrs. Murdoch (Convener), Professor Campbell, A. Munro, J. Anderson, Lennie, and Huie (Ministers), and Messrs. R. Barbour, Nisbet, Henderson, and Keen (Elders), with instructions to consider the same, and to report to a subsequent diet.

The Conveners, Treasurers, and Secretaries of Committees appointed by the Synod were authorized to engage a paid secretary under their direction and superintendence, to conduct the secular affairs of the Church.

The Synod then adjourned, to meet to-morrow at ten o'clock, a.m.-Closed with prayer.

FRIDAY, April 21.

The Synod resumed, according to adjournment, and, being constituted, the Minutes of last diet were read and sus

tained.

Mr. Nicholson, Dr. Brown, and Mr. Hay, (Mr. Nicholson, Convener,) were appointed a Committee to revise Commission Records, and to report.

Application was made by the Presbytery of London, for leave to take on trials, in order to license, Messrs. Alexander Kemp and Samuel Huston, students, both having attended one Session partially; which leave was granted.

The Committee on the re-construction and re-organization of Committees gave in a Report to the effect, That there should be separate Committees on the Four Great Schemes of the Church, as follows. -1. On the College, (which is also to take charge of Bursaries.) 2. On Home Mission and Supplemental Fund. 3. On Schools. 4. On Foreign Missions to the Jews and Heathen. Also, that the following matters, at present committed to separate Committees, viz.-Code of Discipline; Correspondence with the Free Church and Irish Presbyterian Church; Watching over the public interests of the Church; Hewley Charity; Presbyterial Visitations; and preparing a Form for the Admission of Ministers

of other denominations, should be all committed to one Committee, whereof the designation should be,-"The Committee to watch over the general interests of the Church, and to prepare Forms of Procedure;" and that the following should be the members of such Committee,-The Moderator, Clerks of Presbyteries, Professors Campbell and Lorimer, Dr. Paterson, and Messrs. Munro, Murdoch, Gardner, Blackwood, J. Ferguson, Nicolson, D. Fergusson, G. J. Duncan, J. Anderson, Huie, Watson, Miller, Mackenzie, Lennie, Weir, Dr. Brown, and Lewis, Ministers; and Messrs. R. Barbour, Lamb, W. Hamilton, Gillespie, A. C. Dunlop, Greig, Henderson, Adam, and Lieut.-Col. Anderson, Elders.-Professor Campbell, Convener. Further, that the state of religion, and the better observance of the Sabbath, should be committed to one Committee, with the title, "The Committee on the state of Religion, and the better observance of the Sabbath,"-whereof the following should be the members,―The Moderator, Messrs. J. Anderson, Welsh, Cowe, A. Munro, Hamilton, Cousin, Miller, R. Henderson, Murdoch, D. Fergusson, Speers, Mackenzie, Storie, Lewis, Duncan, Dr. Brown, Dr. Paterson, Gardner, Weir, Blackwood, and Huie, Ministers; and Messrs. G. F. Barbour, Greig, W. C. Marshall, James Stevenson, and Nisbet, Elders.-Dr. Paterson and Mr. Miller, Conveners. Moreover, that the Committees on the Synod Fund; on Irregular Marriages; and on Psalmody, should be allowed to remain under their present designations. And, finally, that the Committees on geographical boundaries of Presbyteries, and on the directory of public worship, should be discontinued; and, finally, that the Home Mission Committee should meet at least once a month; and the Committees on the College, on Schools, and on Foreign Missions, should meet at least once a quarter,-five to be a quorum of each of these four Committees; which Report was received and adopted in all its parts and particulars, and such Committees appointed or confirmed seriatim.

The Committee on the overture on the constitution and powers of Commission of Synod gave in their Report through Professor Campbell, Convener, recommending that certain alterations be made on the overture; and that, thus altered, it be enacted, and declared a standing law of this Church. After mature deliberation,

Whereas doubts have been felt regarding the constitution and powers of the Commission of Synod; and whereas it is most desirable that the Constitution and powers of the Commission should be determined and made known for the satisfaction and guidance of all parties; it is therefore, hereby humbly overtured to the Very Reverend the Synod of the Presbyterian Church in England, by the Presbytery of London, to enact the following Resolutions into a law of this Church;—

1. The Commission of Synod shall, from time to time, meet at such time and place as the Moderator of the last preceding meeting of Synod, or failing him, by death, removal or otherwise, the Moderator of the last preceeding meeting of Synod, (who is still a minister of the Church,) shall, on the requisition of two Presbyteries, be pleased to appoint. 2. The Commission are empowered and appointed to take care that what is enacted and ordered by this and preceding Synods be duly observed by all concerned.

3. The Commission are empowered to give advice and assistance to any Presbytery in difficult cases, as they shall be applied unto

by them for that effect.

4. The Commission are empowered to cognosce and finally to determine, as they shall see cause, in every matter referred to them, by any act or order of the Synod, and to do everything contained in and conformable to the instructions given them by the Synod.

5. The Commission are to give special care that the interests of this Church shall not suffer or sustain any damage or prejudice which they can in any manner prevent, as they will be answerable; provided always that this clause be not extended to particular affairs or processes before Presbyteries, regarding which their counsel has not by such Presbyteries been desired.

6. In the management of their business the Commission are enjoined to adhere to the forms and order of business observed in the Synod, in so far as the difference in the constitution of the two Courts may permit.

7. The Commission, in all their acts and proceedings, are to regard themselves accountable to the next Synod, and are, therefore, required to bring up their records for confirmation or otherwise, as the Synod may see cause. 8. The Commission are empowered to admit, or authorize Presbyteries to admit, ministers or probationers of other Churches, according to the rules of the Church; but are strictly inhibited, in this or any other matter, from violating or dispensing with any of the

rules or laws of the Church.

9. It is a special instruction to the Commission to inquire into the condition of the schemes of the Church-the mode in which they are worked and managed-their receipts and disbursements-and to do what in them lies to promote the efficiency of the same.

10. The Commission shall be composed of such a number of ministers and elders from each Presbytery as is hereafter named, elected at a special or ordinary meeting to be held within two months after the rising of the Synod; and the names of the persons chosen are to be reported forthwith by the Clerks of Presbytery to the Clerk of Synod; it being free to each Presbytery to elect, as its representatives in said Commission, Elders not connected with Congregations within its own bounds, provided that such Elders be attested by their respective Sessions to be bond fide acting Elders.

:

11. That the following be the number of Commissioners from each Presbytery: Berwick 2 Ministers and 2 Elders. Birmingham 2 Ministers Cumberland Lancashire.... London

Newcastle

2 Elders.

2 Ministers

2 Elders.

4 Ministers

4 Elders.

4 Ministers

4 Ministers

4 Elders. 4 Elders.

Northumberland 4 Ministers 4 Elders. and the professors, ex officio. On the resignaWith the Moderator, and Clerk of Synod, tion of any representative, the Presbyteries to have the power to elect another to fill his place.

The Synod then called for the Report of the Synod Fund, which was given in and read by Mr. A. Gillespie, Treasurer; and from which it appears, that the Treasurer is still in advance to the amount of upwards of 100l.; upon which it was moved, seconded, and agreed to, That during the present year no allowance be made from the Synod Fund towards the travelling expenses of Members of the Commission, or of the Deputations to other Churches; and that the allowance for mileage to next meeting of Synod be reduced one-half, unless the Fund is, by that time, in a condition to cover a more liberal allowance; and that thanks be recorded to the Treasurer.

A wish having been expressed by some, that members should be required to pay for copies of the printed Abstract Minutes of Synod; and by others, that while Members' copies should be gratuitous, as heretofore, additional copies should be printed for sale to the public; this matter was remitted to the Clerk, the Treasurer of the Synod Fund, and the Clerk of the Presbytery of London, to do therein as they may deem fit.

Professor Campbell, Convener of the Committee on the Code of Discipline, reported that he had drawn up a Directory

of the Free Church of Scotland:-The Moderator, Messrs. Miller, Speers, and Ross (Ministers), and Messrs. Wilson (of Berwick) and Stevenson, (Elders.) The Moderator, Messrs. Mackenzie, Burns, and Edwards (Ministers), and Mr. James Marshall (Elder), were appointed a deputation to represent this Church in the next Meeting of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

Professor Lorimer, and Messrs. G. J. Duncan, and W. Smith (Ministers), with Mr. W. Wilson, of Liverpool (Elder), were appointed a deputation to represent this Church in the next Meeting of the Conference of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists.

The next Meeting of Synod was appointed to be holden at London, on the third Tuesday of April next, at four o'clock in the afternoon.

The following were appointed a Committee of Local Arrangements :-The Moderator, Messrs. Nicolson, Professor Campbell, J. Ferguson (Ministers), and Messrs. W. Hamilton, Nisbet, N. Cotes, and Thompson (Elders), and Messrs. J. Anderson, J. G. Kirkaldy, and Macandrew (Deacons), Mr. Nicholson (Convener), and with power to add to their numbers.

The cordial thanks of Synod were then tendered from the Chair to the Minister and Managers of Trinity Church, for their excellent arrangements, and to the kind friends in Newcastle, who so hospitably entertained the Members.

The Minutes of this diet were read and sustained.

The Moderator addressed the brethren, and closed the Sessions of the Synod by prayer, praise, and the Apostolic Benediction.

THIS Society in presenting their Second Annual Report, would bespeak the continued countenance of their friends, and trust from the brief and plain statement they are about to make, their aid and patronage will be still bestowed. Taking up the narrative from last year, their history is but that of every Christian mission-a transcript of human life, which unfolds a chequered scene, the "hill tops of rejoicing and gratitude" mingling with the valleys of mourning and humiliation. They have, however, much reason to be thankful for the numerous interesting letters received from Mr. Charteris detailing his labours among the Jews and Gentiles. In the former Report it was stated his ardent desire to give religious instruction to the Presbyterian soldiers in the island. In order to facilitate their opportunity of waiting upon his ministry, application was made to the Lord High Commissioner for leave to preach in the citadel; it was kindly complied with, and Mr. Charteris has Divine service every Lord's-day at eleven o'clock, and in the evening. He writes with lively gratitude of the assistance given him to obtain this improvement in the locale of public worship, through the friendly offices of Col. England and Emmet, Lieutenant Martindel, and the Rev. Mr. Warner. Let us hope and pray there may be a corresponding advance in the better blessing of a preached Gospel, and that through the teaching of the Spirit many may be trained up, not only to "fear God and honour the King," evidencing their loyalty to Queen and country as respects this world, but manifesting that they are "good soldiers of the Lord Jesus," and look to the " Captain of

salvation" for a glorious inheritance laid up for them when all the "warfares" of time have passed and gone.

Mr. Charteris took the opportunity of a visit paid him by the Rev. Mr. Donald, Free Church minister of Blackford, to ordain Mr. Campbell as an elder over the flock, and the congregation are benefited by his labours of love at the dispensation of the Lord's Supper, at the monthly Prayer-meetings, and the Sabbath School. These last are held in their large double school-room, and the general attendance of the children on the Sabbath morning is from twenty to thirty, at the monthly prayer-meetings there is often upwards of forty, when missionary intelligence from the Free Church and elsewhere is read aloud. On a late occasion their sympathy was drawn out on hearing of the lamented death of Mr. Macdonald, of Calcutta, and 27. 16s. was transmitted as their mite to his widow.

For some time past Mr. Charteris has been endeavouring to effect the translation of the Westminster Catechism into Italian, that, if it please God to give him any fruit among the young Jews or others, who are taught by him of a crucified, risen, and conquering Messiah, he might have a ready and invaluable manual of instruction to put into their hands. For this purpose 10l. was raised by the sale of work, &c., and sent out to defray expenses; but hearing it had been effected by Mr. Robert Henderson, of Leghorn, the translation at Corfu was stopped, and 100 copies of the catechism have been ordered for Corfu, which will be paid out of the above sum. We hail this work with much satisfaction, since at this present time

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as

when the nations and institutions of Europe are "reeling to and fro," we do hope its circulation in Italy and the Islands adjacent may be one means of chasing away the "thick darkness that surrounds the people. The freedom of the press conceded by so many Potentates to a clamorous people, is a "new thing on the earth," and must be viewed an open door" for the old verities to enter in. But British Christians must be "up and be doing." Space seems given us to repent of our long neglect, and with the promise of the Great Head of the Church for the ultimate triumph of His Gospel, we must say for every evangelistic enterprise what Caleb said in behalf of the ancient Church, "Let us go up at once to possess it, for we are well able to overcome it."

Last autumn Corfu was visited by Dr. De Sanctus, a converted Roman priest, and with others Mr. Charteris was not only able to "bring him on his journey after a godly sort," but to interest some in aiding his necessary wants. This persecuted, amiable, and talented individual has now joined Achilli at Malta, and Mr. C. mentions he had been corresponding with him to "strengthen his hand and encourage his heart" in the good work of forming an Italian Reformed Church. From Leghorn we learn that Dr. Achilli was using the Westminster Catechism in his College, and by these interchanges of friendly offices among the faithful labourers in the vineyard abroad, we trust the foundation may be laid of an "Evangelical Alliance," where formerly there existed only the withering blight of an exclusive priestly domination.

In now alluding to the work among God's ancient people, we must first notice the loss the Society have sustained in the death of their teacher, Miss Greig. This event was announced in the "English Presbyterian Messenger" in the following terms:

"It will be in the knowledge of some of our readers, that Miss Greig, who went out in August, 1846, to take charge of the Jewish female school, was compelled by failing health to quit her charge and the island during last summer. Having reached Bergamo in Italy, her strength failed, and she was obliged to seek an asylum in the hospital there, and resumed her journey in great weakness and exhaustion. In the meanwhile, her father, hearing of her illness, hastened from Scotland to join her; but, when he reached Bergamo, he found that his daughter had already left it, and it was not till he got back to London that they met. But on her homeward journey the Lord raised up a friend to the sick and solitary traveller; and through the assistance generously afforded by this good Samaritan, she was enabled to reach this city, and was soon after removed to her father's residence in Scotland. There she lingered in all the debility and suffering of consumption in its latter stages till October, when she was taken home to the rest of God. Her labours in the cause of Israel have thus been very brief, and besides the severe trial occasioned by the temporary desertion of the scholars, these labours must have been conducted, as the result has shown, with the seeds of disease and death already developing in her constitution. But it was for

Christ's name's sake, we doubt not, that she laboured; and though she was not privileged to see the school organized and flourishing according to her sanguine hope, she has had the honour to begin the work. Into that work others have entered, and we humbly trust that the Lord has a blessing yet in store."

Miss Greig did not long survive her return to her native land, but died at her father's house in Leven, Fife, on the 17th October, 1847. Soon after this, Mr. Charteris wrote the Secretary that he would recommend Miss Mackenzie to take charge of the Jewish girls' school; and as he spoke highly of her, and she and her family were well known to the benevolent and generous lady to whom this Society is so unspeakably indebted, her appointment was unanimously voted by the Society and confirmed by the Presbytery. In her letter of 1st March she says,

"We have upwards of twenty girls in the school, six of whom read the Bible well, in the Old or New Testament, at Mr. Charteris' discretion, and they are all making progress in needlework and other branches."

There have been various letters from Mr. Charteris published in the "Messenger," detailing his numerous conversations and intercourse with the sons of Israel,-young men, to the number of twenty, came to him for instruction; "he watches for their souls as one that must give an account;" but the vail being still on their heart, the trial is great to see that the Saviour is not apprehended. Mr. Charteris

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sows beside all waters," and among other labours, is writing an essay on the seventy weeks of Daniel for the benefit of an intelligent Jewish gentleman. An eye-witness to his untiring zeal and love, says, "So many are the labours of this excellent missionary, and so much of his time is absorbed in teaching his Jewish scholars, that it is very incumbent on the Committee to send a male teacher to Mr. Charteris' aid."

The Committee regret exceedingly that their funds this year have not been so promising; a grant of 50l. from the Foreign and Jewish Mission Fund extricated them from their difficulties. And although they have the apparent balance of 451. 9s. 3d., yet, when the remainder of Miss Mackenzie's salary and the school expenses are paid, there will be but a few pounds of surplus; in addition to this they must bring before their friends the fact, that this is the last year of their receiving any aid from the generous individual so often referred to, and whose zeal and love in the cause of Christ prompted her to offer the large sum of 3001. to be paid in three succeeding years to your Society when they took up a mission to Corfu. We do hope such an example will not be lost upon members of our Church, and although we be but "a handful in the land," yet if each, like Jacob, wrestles for a blessing on the seed sown, "the fruit thereof may shake like Lebanon." They cannot leave this subject without urging on all their friends to redouble their efforts to obtain donations, and especially annual subscriptions. They have the pleasure of acknowledging the handsome sum of 451. from their able Auxiliary at Liverpool, and to announce the formation of an Auxiliary Society