supplied by the clerks of the several Presbyteries, and others qualified to testify to the facts. Letters were read from various parts of the country, showing the hardships and privations to which some of the ministers and their families are exposed.

2. The present Supplementary Fund was shewn to be unsuitable to the exigences of the case. It is insufficient in amount of resources, and objectionable in the manner of distribution. If congregations were better worked by associations, more money might be got for the Supplemental Fund, but the interest felt is not sufficient to induce the exertions required. And even if this fund were adequate to the right maintenance of existing charges, it is unfit to meet the far higher object of the extension of our Church. In planting a new Church, or working up one recently formed, it is a great drawback to a minister's success, to be dependent wholly, or nearly so, for support on those among whom he is sent. The fear of being involved in large expenses while the numbers are few, and other feelings, operate in deterring parties from joining at the outset; whereas if it were known that the minister's income was to a certain amount secured from a Central Fund, there would be far more readiness to join, and far less difficulty felt by the minister in inviting people to unite in the evangelistic undertaking. Various other reasons were given for the superiority of a regular Central Fund, over the present system of occasional grants from the Home Mission Committee.

3. It was shewn by a variety of statistical data, (derived from our own Church, and also from the experience of the Wesleyans in England and the Free Church in Scotland,) that ample funds could be easily commanded for supporting our existing congregations, and for occupying the various important stations throughout England that are ready for Presbyterian Churches. But we postpone any remarks on the collection and administration of the Central Fund, until the discussion of the subject in the London Presbytery is concluded.

Meanwhile, thus much is certain, matters cannot remain in their present state. "It is very painful to know," said Mr. Hamilton of Regent-square Church, "that brethren in the ministry, men of education, and holding the status they do, are compelled to support

themselves, and bring up their families, on salaries less than are given to the beadles in some of our Churches. The youngest clerks in the customs, or in mercantile houses, are better off, and have at the same time the prospect of gradually rising into offices of emolument and affluence. Whereas these ministers spend year after year in privation and poverty. It is against the spirit of the Gospel that such things should be. And it is inconsistent with our principles of Presbyterian brotherhood. The influence and progress of our Church in England may depend as much on the exhibition of Christian love as on the enunciation of Christian truth. There is no way in which the spirit of love could better take visible embodiment, and be of more practical usefulness, than in the formation of a Central Fund. Pounds, shillings, and pence, are symbols understood by all, whereby they might see what we mean by the strong helping the weak,' and' our bearing one another's burdens, so fulfilling the law of Christ.'

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That the overture will be transmitted from the Presbytery of London to the Synod we have little doubt. But we fear that attempts may be there made to stave off the subject, by remitting it to a committee, or some such form of delay. If remitted to a committee, we trust that the same course will be adopted as in 1846 on the same question, when the committee was enjoined to report to a subsequent diet of the Synod. We take the liberty of pointing out some reasons against any delay, more than is required for necessary arrangements. 1. The actual condition of some of our ministers requires a speedy change of system, if they are to be retained in our Church. 2. It is not right that a system should be continued, which is felt by those who receive the help to be degrading. If this reason be not understood, we cannot argue upon a point of feeling. 3. It must be very painful to the office-bearers of the Home Mission to decide upon cases, and after all to dole out only a small amount of aid. To distribute out of a Central Fund, according to certain principles, would be a much more satisfactory duty. 4. The College will have to be given up, and a stop put to the extension of the Church, if some certain provision be not forthwith made for the support of the ministry. Even in the Free Church of Scotland this lack of

to the inadequate maintenance of the ministry. And if this be the result in Scotland, how much more with us, if we have not even that amount of security for future support which a Sustentation Fund guarantees. At the last meeting of the Presbytery of Edinburgh, the Rev. Mr. Tweedie, Convener of the Sustentation Committee, adduced this very argument, "There was still another reason," he said, "why the cause of the Sustentation Fund should be brought prominently before the eyes of the Church, namely, from a regard to the coming race of ministers and members of the Church. Unless this matter was attended to, the Church would soon be subjected to a dearth of labourers for the ministry. It was only that morning that he was told by a minister from the country that he knew two God-fearing families in his neighbourhood, some of whose younger members had their attention turned towards the ministry; but however well affected they were towards the Free Church, their parents saw such temporal difficulties as likely to cross their children's paths in life, that they did not consider it to be their duty to encourage them in following out their inclinations." The progress of our cause in England greatly depends on the training of a native ministry. But how we expect men to come forward when nothing but privation and poverty await them? A few martyr spirits may be occasionally found, but not enough to warrant the continuance of so costly an apparatus as a separate college, when the education could be obtained at other theological schools already established. Neither can we expect many men of right feeling, such as we desire to see in our Presbyterian Church, to expose themselves to the degradations to which the majority of Congregational Dissenting ministers in England are exposed. Our system at present has the worst features of Independent Voluntaryism, from which a Central Fund would deliver If our College is to be maintained, which we all desire, we must have immediate provision made for the support of the ministry.

can

us.

We have heard no objections of any weight against our at once proceeding in this matter. It is said that " no good can result, but harm, from multiplying schemes unnecessarily. What is the Home Mission but a Central Fund?" We

additional scheme. Let the Home Mission Committee take charge of this matter, if it be so thought good. And surely that Committee will greatly prefer to have larger funds at disposal, and to be saved from much unpleasant duty, if the Church, by a Central Fund, enables them to be more liberal, and to distribute more generously, according to recognised rules.

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But," it is also said, "there are difficulties in the way." To be sure there are. And what is there in this world worth getting, or worth doing, that is not beset with difficulties ? The more difficulties, the less time is to be lost in battling through them, in this or in any good cause. Difficulty is a reason against delay, not for it. Besides, if we wait till any perfect scheme be proposed, liable to no possible objection, we may wait long enough. Our wisdom is to adopt whatever plan now seems best, leaving ourselves free to adopt any improvements that time and experience may unfold. The most objectionable scheme of a Central Fund is greatly better than our present system. We trust, therefore, that all who care for the comfort and respectability and usefulness of our pastors, for the maintenance of our College and other ecclesiastical institutions, for the prosperity and extension of the Presbyterian Church in England, will be prepared to support, at the meeting of the Synod in April, the formation of a Central Fund for the support of the ministry.

might suggest, would go far, humanly speaking, to give stability, and ensure the steady and solid increase of your Church, and the respectability of your future pastors as to status in various respects. You have some difficulties to contend with, the chief of which is the miserable spirit of Congregationalism which has so largely infected the English Churches, but even that, a union of large hearts and leading minds in this truly great, because scriptural, measure would soon overcome. Instead of setting yourself to be dispensers of a little occasional bounty to poor churches and poor pastors, as cases occur, and as they are made out to the satisfaction of your committees, your Church must set itself to do the handsome and liberal thing, according to a systematic rule. Thus not only working in a Christian and Presbyterian way, but thereby ensuring the future perfect independence of the pastors of the weakest congregations. Every pastor should be prepared to speak his mind in your church courts, without regarding the favour or fearing the frown of any of your committees having the distribution of the bounty of the Church. Let the English Presbyterian Church set about this matter systematically and in right earnest, I am sure Mr. Handyside will be too happy to assist you with his advice. There is no man in the Church whose experience better qualifies him to give you solid counsel. Get quit of all disjointed doings and dependence on the voluntaryism of merely focal associations, and you will soon find your stations strengthened and your borders enlarged to an extent of which you have no conception, but to which your pure principles, along with a noble Church economy, systematically directed according to well-known given laws, will fairly entitle you to aspire, with the blessing from above."

THE LATE PROFESSOR PLAYFAIR.

IN a letter received from a respected physician in Edinburgh, the following remarks occur, which we insert, in the assurance that Mr. Hamilton will gladly allow his traditionary knowledge to be corrected by the direct evidence of a cotemporary, and not be offended by the sensitive contradiction of an admiring pupil of Playfair :

"Your February 'Messenger,' is a very good one. Mr. Hamilton's lectures

are admirable, and a great acquisition to the 'Messenger.' In his first lecture, however, he is mistaken about Professor Playfair. He could let himself down to teach very well. I learned Euclid and the elements of Natural Philosophy in his class, and he was quite intelligible. He did not 'live in a world of cubes and spheres,' but had a most elegant and amiable mind, was delightful in society, and wrote beautifully on elegant literature. He reviewed Madame Staël's Corinne' in the 'Edinburgh Review,' in 1807, and I am sure Mr. Hamilton would admire the article. Dugald Stewart, Jeffrey, and every one thought him the Scottish D'Alembert; not a character much to be envied in the light of the Gospel, but still showing Playfair to be far more than the mere mathematician."

Presbyteries' Proceedings.

PRESBYTERY OF LONDON.

THIS Reverend Court held its ordinary monthly meeting at 16, Exeter Hall, on the 8th February, and was constituted with praise, reading of the Scriptures, and prayer, by the Rev. Professor Lorimer, Moderator, p.t.

Professor Campbell stated that Professor Lorimer was willing to undertake the supply of Lewisham-street pulpit (Westminster) as a labour of love, for a time, in the hope that, by and by, the congregation would be in circumstances to call a minister. The Presbytery unanimously expressed their gratification at this offer on the part of Professor Lorimer, and, having accepted the same, they committed the Lewisham-street congregation to his care, ad interim, accordingly.

The Presbytery called for the outstanding communion rolls, and the following were given in and attested, viz., Woolwich, Greenwich, Southwark, and Marylebone.

The clerk was instructed to communicate with the kirk sessions of those congregations whose rolls had not yet been brought up.

On the motion of Mr. Hamilton, seconded by Mr. Nicolson, it was unanimously agreed that this Presbytery, considering the special duty devolved on the Presbyterian Church in regard to the observance of the Lord's-day

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tions of the day existing, or threatened, appoint the following committee to arrange a course of lectures on the perpetual obligation and right observance of the Sabbath, to prepare a petition to Parliament in favour of the Bill for the suppression of Sunday trading in the metropolis, and to wait upon the Directors of the Caledonian, and other railways, on which Sunday traffic is threatened or begun, and to take any other steps which they may deem expedient for the attainment of this great object, viz., Messrs. Nicolson, Weir, Chalmers, and Hamilton, ministers, Col. Anderson, Messrs. Hamilton, Morris, and Mackellar, elders.

Mr. Macaulay then addressed the Presbytery at considerable length in favour of a Central Fund for the sustentation of the ministry in our Church, and the consideration of the subject was adjourned till the next ordinary meeting of Presbytery.

Mr. Macaulay gave notice that, at next ordinary meeting, Col. Anderson would bring forward a motion on the subject of Presbyterian chaplaincies in England.

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

PRESBYTERY OF LANCASHIRE.

MANCHESTER, JAN. 26.-The Presbytery met by appointment, and was constituted by prayer, Rev. W. McCaw, Moderator, p.t. The minute appointing this meeting having been read, the Presbytery proceeded to take up the two cases which had been referred to them, viz., the translations to Chalmers's church, Manchester, and St. Peter's, Liverpool.

The Clerk produced and read an extract minute of the Presbytery of Newtonlimavady, Ireland, from which it appeared that the said Presbytery, on the 15th current, had unanimously resolved to translate the Rev. William McHinch from the first congregation of Dungiven, to Chalmers's Church, Manchester.

There was also read a testimonial from the said Presbytery, expressive of the high esteem with which Mr. McHinch has been uniformly regarded by them, both as a private individual and a Christian minister.

The Presbytery then agreed to meet

in Chalmers's Church, on the evening of the 17th of Feb. next, at a quarter to seven. Mr. Cross to preach and preside; Mr. McCaw to address the minister and the congregation; and Mr. Munro was appointed to serve the edict there on Sabbath, the 30th inst.

Mr. Foster, one of the commissioners appointed to prosecute the translation of Mr. Walter Smith, laid on the table an extract minute of the Free Presbytery of Lockerby, which was read, and from which it appeared, that the said Presbytery had resolved by a majority to translate Mr. Smith to St. Peter's congregation, Liverpool, but that the minority had dissented, and protested for leave to complain to the ensuing meeting of the Synod of Dumfries, for reasons to be lodged in due time.

The Presbytery agreed to wait for the result of the dissent and complaint to the Synod of Dumfries, which is appointed to meet on the 18th of April next, but resolved, at the same time, if the complaint were fallen from during the intervening period, to take the usual steps towards Mr. Smith's induction, at the meeting appointed for the 17th of Feb. next.-Adjourned.

CHALMERS'S CHURCH, MANCHESTER, FEB. 17.-The Presbytery met by adjournment. The Clerk read an extract minute of the Free Presbytery of Lockerby, dated 3d Feb., from which it appeared that the dissentients and complainers in the case of Mr. Smith's translation had withdrawn their complaint; whereupon, the said Presbytery had loosed the Rev. W. Smith from his present charge, and enjoined him to wait for and obey the orders of this Presbytery.

The Presbytery agreed to meet at Liverpool on the 15th of next month, at seven, p.m., to induct Mr. Smith; Mr. Robinson, of Salford, to preach and preside; Mr. McHinch to address the minister and the congregation; and Mr. Welsh was appointed to serve the edict on Sabbath the 27th inst.

The Clerk reported that the edict for the induction of Mr. McHinch had been returned to him duly executed. No objections having been offered to the life or doctrine of Mr. McHinch, the Presbytery proceeded to the Church, when the Moderator preached, and put the usual questions to Mr. McHinch, and, having received satisfactory answers to the same, he did, by solemn prayer,

induct the said Mr. McHinch to the pastoral charge of this congregation. Mr. McHinch then received the right hand of fellowship from the brethren present, and the usual charges were thereafter addressed to the minister and people.

PRESBYTERY OF NORTHUMBERLAND.

FELTON, 11TH JANUARY.-At which time and place the Presbytery of Northumberland met and was constituted with praise, reading the word, and prayer. Sederunt, the Moderator, Messrs. Hoy, Anderson, Lennie, Thomson, Cathcart, Cromar, and Mr. Hood, Elder. Mr. Hoy was elected clerk, p.t.

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The minute of last meeting was sustained, and also that of a Meeting help at Morpeth. A commission was handed in from the Kirk Session of Felton in favour of Mr. Thomas Hudson, as ruling elder, and also from the kirk session of St. James's Church, Alnwick, in favour of Mr. James Archbold as ruling elder, which were both sustained, and their names were added to the roll.

In regard to the questions referring to the state of religion, the Presbytery remitted the subject matter to the former committee, with instructions to report. In regard to the station at Alemouth the Presbytery resolved that it was not expedient to take any steps for operating upon that station at present. Mr. Thomson laid a communication from his session upon the table, which was ordered to be taken up at next meeting of Presbytery. Mr. Lennie gave in a report of the state of the Sabbath-schools within the bounds of the Presbytery, which being read, was received and adopted.

The Presbytery instructed the clerk to write to the Rev. Mr. Peden, of Berwick, or the clerk of the Berwick Presbytery of the United Presbyterian Church, requesting him to inform the Presbytery whether or no Mr. Whitehouse, the minister of Spital, has been admitted a member of their Presbytery. Mr. Anderson, by request of Mr. Huie, intimated Mr. Huie's intention to move in the matter of a disjunction of a station of this Presbytery at next meeting, and also gave notice of an overture from Mr. Huie anent the Presbyterian College in London.

The Presbytery then called for school returns, when the following were given

in, viz., from Warrenford, Morpeth, Branton, Glanton, and Crookham, which were read, sustained, and ordered to be attested. The Presbytery appointed the day schools within their bounds in connexion with the Presbytery to be examined by the following committees, viz., Morpeth, by Messrs. Hoy, Edwards, Gillespie, and the minister; Birdhope Craig, by Messrs. Cathcart, Trotter, and the minister; Warrenford, by Messrs. Huie, Thomson, and the minister; Glanton, by Messrs. Gillespie, Thomson, and the minister; Branton, by Messrs. Thomson, Huie, and the minister; Crookham, by Dr. Hutcheson, Mr. Huie, and the ministers; of all these committees the ministers of the respective congregations to be Conveners. A return for the Home Mission from Mr. Gillespie, Longframlington, was given in, sustained, and ordered to be attested.

The Presbytery adjourned to meet at Longframlington on the 2d Tuesday in April next, at twelve o'clock, the clerk to give due intimation of the same to absent members. The Meeting closed with prayer.

Ecclesiastical Notices.

BAPTISM OF TWO JEWS AT LONDONWALL CHURCH.-A very interesting and solemn service took place at the Presbyterian Church, London-wall, on Sabbath the 30th January. Two young men, of the seed of Abraham, the one aged twenty-one, the other twenty eight, were received into the bosom of the Christian Church, by baptism, in the presence of the congregation. They have been for a considerable time attending the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Nicolson, and, having some time ago signified their desire to be baptized, Mr. Nicolson has had frequent conversations with them upon the subject; and, after feeling himself justified in acceding to their request, the day above named was fixed upon for the interesting event. Immediately after concluding his sermon in the forenoon, Mr. N. addressed the congregation upon the subject, and craved their prayers on behalf of the converts. He then left the pulpit and descended to the Precentor's desk, from which he addressed, in a solemn and affecting manner, the two young men, who stood before him