for the purpose of helping him to the completion of the enterprise. couraging; and a committee was appointed | teresting information regarding the past history of the congregation, and during the short pastorate of Mr. Fraser. He also Mr. Fraser, of Maidstone, asked leave of spoke of the estimation in which he was the Presbytery to resign his pastoral charge, held, and of the regret that was felt at the and briefly stated the reasons which led him prospect of losing his valuable services, but to do so. The Presbytery recorded his said that, notwithstanding that, the people request, and resolved to cite the congrega- could not, in the circumstances, come betion at Maidstone to appear for their in-tween him and the field of labour that had terests in the matter at next been presented to him elsewhere. meeting. ordinary Queen THIS Presbytery met at 29, Square, on Tuesday, December 10th, at three p.m. There were in attendance Dr. McCrie (moderator pro tem.), Drs. Lorimer and Hamilton; Messrs. Thompson, Fisher, Saplin, Burns, Chalmers, Duncan, Ballantyne, Stewart (Portsmouth), Scott, Keedy, Fraser, Alexander, Davison, Dinwiddie, ministers; Messrs. Gillespie, Blest, Ritchie, Robb, Maclaurin, Mathieson, elders. Mr. Chalmers laid on the table extract minutes of the Home Mission Committee, showing that that committee had made the following grants: £50 to Tiverton, for 1862, £30 to Millwall, for 1861. It was agreed to send the minute of the same committee regarding Lewes to the session at Brighton, and to call for additional information. Dr. Hamilton reported that Mr. Brownley had agreed to execute a trust deed for Caledonian Road Church, according to the model deed adopted by the Synod. On the motion of Mr. Alexander, the Presbytery agreed to record their gratitude to Mr. Brownley for this renewed act of liberality on behalf of the church. Intimation of this was given to Mr. Brownley in a few appropriate words by the moderator; and in acknowledging the thanks tendered to him, Mr. Brownley announced that it was his intention to do for Harrow Road church what he had just done for Caledonian Road church, an announcement which was received with applause. Mr. Ballantyne reported that Mr. Robert Smyth, a student from Glasgow University, had passed his examination for matriculation as a theological student of the first year with credit. The Presbytery took up the resignation of his charge at Maidstone by Mr. Fraser. Parties having been called, Mr. King appeared for the congregation, and Mr. Fraser for himself. Mr. King said he was instructed by the congregation to offer no opposition to the resignation of their minister. He gave in Mr. Fraser adhered to the notice he had given at last meeting. He dwelt at length on the peculiar character of the charge at Maidstone, and the various encouragements he had received in connection with it. He expressed his sorrow at parting with the Presbytery, and his conviction that he was in the path of duty in responding to the application that had been made to him to transfer the exercise of his ministry from his present position to the province of Victoria, in Australia. Dr. Lorimer moved, and Dr. Hamilton seconded, "That Mr. Fraser be allowed to demit his charge at Maidstone." In doing so they testified their interest in the congregation at Maidstone, their appreciation of Mr. Fraser, and their desire for his future welfare and success. The motion was agreed to, and Mr. Keedy was appointed moderator of the session at Maidstone. Dr. Lorimer and Mr. Ballantyne were appointed a committee to examine the school at Southwark. The moderator postponed till next meeting the overture of which he had given notice relative to the Bi-centenary of the Ejection of Ministers from the Church of England for Nonconformity. PRESBYTERY OF LANCASHIRE. This Presbytery met in Manchester on the 6th November; the Rev. R. H. Lundie, moderator. Members present: The Revs. Drs. Monro and White, the Rev. Messrs. J. C. Paterson, J. Paterson, McCaw, J. T. Davidson, Blelloch, John Clelland, Henderson, Ross, Gordon, and Johnstone, ministers; the Rev. Dr. Brown, Messrs. McAlpine, G. Stewart, J. G. Brown, W. Brown, Donaldson, and Halliday, ruling elders. The minutes of the former meetings were read and sustained; elders' commissions were given in and received; session records were examined and attested, and other routine business transacted. On the motion of Mr. J. Paterson, scconded by Mr. McCaw, and unanimously agreed to, Mr. Johnstone was nominated to the office of clerk, who accepted of the same, and made the declaration de fideli. The Rev. J. C. Paterson proposed the motion anent Title-deeds of Church property, of which he had given notice at the last ordinary meeting; which motion was agreed to; and Dr. Monro, the Rev. Messrs. J. C. Paterson, and McCaw, with Messrs. Halliday and Steward, were appointed a committee to take such steps as are necessary to give effect to it, and report to the Presbytery to be held in March, 1862. A letter, accompanied by a medical certificate, was communicated to the Court by the moderator, from the Rev. A. Cromar, of St. George's, in which he stated that, owing to continued ill-health, he was unable to discharge his ministerial duties, and craved leave of absence for three months, hoping that entire cessation from labour for this period would restore him, under God, to his usual strength. A memorial from the elders of St. George's was also received and read, which stated that, owing to the lengthened precarious state of Mr. Cromar's health, they felt themselves embarrassed in their position, and craved the counsel of the Presbytery. After deliberation, in which members of the Court expressed their cordial sympathy with their beloved brother in his severe and protracted affliction, the Court agreed to grant him leave of absence for three months, appointing the Rev. Dr. White moderator, pro tem., of the Session, and trusting that this will be to the satisfaction of the officebearers and the edification of the flock. to a private address. All such communications ought to be addressed to the Editor, care of the printer, Mr. R. K. Burt, Holborn Hill, London, and not to any individual by name.] PRESBYTERY OF BERWICK. THIS Presbytery met at Bankhill Church, Berwick-on-Tweed, on the 5th day of Nov. Sederunt: the Moderator, Mr. Thomson, Messrs. Fraser, Terras, Cant, Valence, Haig, and McLean, ministers; Messrs. Tennant, Paxton and Gardner, elders. A commission was received in favour of Mr. Nicholas Towns, elder, from Etal, and sustained. Mr. Towns being present, his name was added to the sederunt. The moderator laid' on the table a letter from Mr. Munro, stating his reason of absence, and intimating that Mr. Welsh, lately elected teacher at north Sunderland, had found it expedient to resign, owing to ill health, and that the services of Mr. Robert Knill, lately teacher at Newtonon-the-Shore, had been secured. Mr. Knill being present, was examined by Messrs. Fraser and Terras-a committee appointed by the Presbytery-who reported that he had acquitted himself satisfactorily. pointment was confirmed. His ap The Report of the deputation, appointed at last meeting to visit the Presbyteries of Newcastle and Northumberland, for the purPose of asking their co-operation for devising and carrying out measures for providing a debt extinction and building fund, was given in by the moderator, who left the chair for the purpose, Mr. Fraser, in the meantime, presiding. It was moved, "Approve the Report, and appoint Messrs. Thomson and Valence, ministers, with Mr. Gardner, elder, a committee, to collect statistics on the subjeet, and take whatever steps otherwise may to them seem meet, in the way of co-operating with the Presbyteries referred to in preparing an overture on the subject against next meeting of Synod." A memorial was presented from members and adherents of Heath Street Mission Church, praying the Reverend Court to appoint a day for the moderation of a call, and appointing Messrs. J. Paterson, J. Turner, S. Warwick, and J. McIntyre, to present said memorial, and do all other acts needful for the interests of the congregation. After long deliberation it was moved by Mr. J. C. Paterson, and seconded by Mr. J. T. Davidson, "That the Presbytery, having already declared that it cannot proceed to moderate in a call to the Heath Street congregation until the deliverance of the 3rd of It was moved and agreed that the conSeptember, 1861, be returned to the Presby-sideration of the Rules for the employment tery, signed by the Moderator of the Session of probationers should be deferred till next and Chairman of the committee, cannot ordinary meeting. therefore entertain any such memorial as that laid on the table. But desirous that Heath Street congregation should be fully organised, instructs the clerk to send again the said deliverance to the parties interested, in hope that, on reconsidering it, they may be able to sign it." From this finding the Rev. J. Paterson entered his dissent. The members of the Bolton Session were appointed an interim Session to the Church of Wharton and Swinton. No other business. Meeting closed with prayer. [The reports reached us too late last month in consequence of having been sent The Session Records and Deacons' Courtbooks, with one exception, were laid on the table, examined, and attested. A case of reference was laid on the table, which was remitted to the Kirk Session, with instructions to proceed therein according to the laws of the Church. The next meeting of Presbytery was apTuesday of February next, at twelve o'clock pointed to be held at Berwick on the first noon. PRESBYTERY OF NORTHUMBERLAND. A "pro re nata" meeting of Presbytery was held at Alnwick, December 12th, 1861, and duly constituted. Sederunt, the Rev. young men, who manifested a vivid interest Dr. Anderson, Messrs. Hine, Cathcart, in the arrangements proposed for their Edwards, Benvie, Douglas, and the clerk benefit; and addresses were delivered by ministers. In the absence of the moderator, the ex-moderator took the chair. Dr. Hamilton, Dr. Lorimer, Mr. Alexander, On The clerk having laid on the table an of Chelsea, Professor Leone Levi, and Proextract minute of a meeting of the Session fessor Hughes, Queen's College, the lastat Crookham, on the 1st December, intima- named gentlman being one of the lecturers ting that the congregation was ripe for a call, and craving the Presbytery to take the engaged to take part in the work. usual steps to moderate in the same with all Tuesday evening, the 5th November, the convenient speed; thereupon the Presbytery classes for Latin and Greek and Matheresolved to appoint Messrs. Blythe and Hinematics, were opened. And on Thursday to conduct public worship at Crookham on evening, the 7th, classes for German and Sabbath 22nd current, and at the conclusion French. On Wednesday evening, the 6th, of the diet to preside at the election of a Professor Hughes delivered the first of a minister, and thereafter to moderate in a call to the person who may be chosen by the major part of the congregation. The moderator, Mr. Fotheringham, having entered the court, took the chair. Mr. Edwards was appointed to preach at Crookham on Sabbath next, and to serve the edict in the usual way. The Moderator of the Session at Crookham was instructed to provide supplies for the pulpits of Messrs. Blythe, Hine, and Edwards. The Presbytery adjourned to meet ad hunc effectum at Newbiggen, in the Presbyterian place of worship, on Thursday, 26th current, at twelve o'clock. Closed with prayer. Intelligence. EVENING COLLEGE CLASSES. Our readers may remember, that several letters appeared in our columns a few month ago, from Professors Lorimer and Leone Levi, suggesting the formation of Evening Classes in connection with our college, for the benefit especially of young men connected with our London congregations, who are engaged all day in business. The College Committee quite approved of the idea when brought before it, and asked the sanction of the last Synod to the undertaking, and permission to allow the use of the college premises for the purpose. That sanction and permission were cordially conceded, and preparations were made to commence the classes during the present winter. A programme of classes and lectures having been drawn up, and masters and lecturers having been engaged, a social meeting was held in the new Lecture Hall, of Regent Square Church, on the evening of the 30th October, for the purpose of inaugurating the undertaking. It was numerously attended, chiefly by series of lectures on Physical Geography, at seven o'clock; and at eight o'clock, Dr. McCrie gave the first of a series on the Chief Epochs of British Church History. On Wednesday, the 13th, Professor Levi commenced a short course on Political Economy; and on Wednesday, the 20th, Dr. Lorimer delivered the first of a series with special reference to the teaching of on the Theological Tendencies of the Age, the Essays and Reviews.' The attendance at these lectures has been large and encouraging, and upwards of sixty young men have enrolled themselves in the different classes. Tickets of admission to the lectures are issued separately at a charge of half-a-guinea for the whole course, and the holding of a ticket to any of the classes entitles the holder to attend all the lectures without further charge. The success which has already attended the movement is very encouraging to all its promoters; and it is confidently expected, that as the classes become better known, they will attract still larger numbers. Most of our theological students are availing themselves of the evening in addition to their own morning classes, and will thus be able to add con-siderably to their acquirements. The undertaking holds out to our college and professors a cheering prospect of increased usefulness. to the very cordial reception that had been, held the first meeting of the Second Session met with in the collection of the gift among in the church school-room, on the 15th of the people. In replying, Mr. Jeffrey re- November, when they were favoured with a ferred to the gratifying fact that, since his very able lecture on the Deluge, by their settlement in Gateshead, the membership president and pastor, the Rev. Nason Brown. of the congregation had been nearly tripled, The subject was treated in a most interestwhile in other respects a large measure of ing and instructive manner. Introducing prosperity had attended his labours. The the narrative of the appalling event very proceedings of the evening were altogether fitly by directing the attention of his auof a most pleasing character. dience to that peculiarity in human nature BIRKENHEAD NEW SCHOOLS. This whereby we lose keenness of sympathy in, congregation has just completed the erec- or apprehension of any extraordinary occurtion of new and commodious schools rence, in proportion as we are removed from behind the church on their own ground, its influence by time or space; the lecturer at an expense of more than £1000. On went on to epitomise the reasoning and reSabbath, December 8th, the Rev. Dr. searches of learned men in past and present Hanna, of Edinburgh, preached two deeply times, as illustrating the manner, extent, impressive sermons, when collections were and effects of the Deluge. First he presented made in behalf of the school-building fund. the preposterous theories built up by the We are happy to be able to state that the strong and active minds of the heathen necessary sum has been very nearly reached. | philosophers before the light of modern There has been hearty, and earnest co-science created, by the accumulation of operation on the part of the school facts, a safe guide to the physical evidence committee, and a ready response on the bearing on this absorbing subject, and then part of the members and friends of the a digest of the views held by the most emicongregation. On the evening of De- nent of modern philosophers. A cordial cember 9th, Dr. Hanna delivered a vote of thanks was given by the meeting to lecture in one of the new school rooms. Mr. Brown for his interesting and profitable His subject was "Henry of Navarre," lecture, on which there was afterwards some which was treated by the lecturer with his discussion and interchange of opinion among well-known taste and felicity. Notwith- the members, and the meeting as usual standing the commotion attendant upon closed with prayer. the first election in the new borough of Birkenhead, the room was well filled. It was found to be admirably adapted for meetings of this kind. On the motion of R. A. Macfie, Esq., seconded by S. Williamson, Esq., the Rev. R. H. Lundie, M.A., the minister of the church, who presided, conveyed to Dr. Hanna a cordial vote of thanks for his admirable lecture. The rearing of their excellent schools, which have the appearance of a transept to the church, is a boon to the community and the realization of a long cherished wish of the congregation. ST. COLUMBAS, LEEDS.-On Wednesday, the 27th of November, the Annual Meeting of the Sabbath School Teachers was held in the lecture-room. After tea the chair was occupied by the Rev. Nason Brown, who opened the proceedings with an address on Sabbath schools. Mr. W. Tweedie, superintendent, next addressed the meeting, briefly. Mr. Geo. Campbell, secretary, read the report. Mr. T. Hanna, treasurer and librarian, read an abstract of his account, shewing a balance in hand; he also stated that the library consisted of 150 volumes, and that to procure funds to increase the number was the object of the meeting. After addresses from Messrs. McClare and Allat, and a vote of thanks to the ladies, the meeting closed. The members and friends of the Young Men's Association, in connection with the St. Columba's Presbyterian Church, Leeds, GROSVENOR SQUARE, MANCHESTER,— The twenty-eighth anniversary of the Scotch Church Young Men's Society was held in the Lecture Hall of the church (Dr. Munro's) on the evening of Monday, 25th November, 1861. About 250 sat down to tea. The newly-elected president of the Society, Mr. J. K. Bythell, occupied the chair. After tea, the president delivered an able and suitable address, and concluded by calling on the secretary to read the report for the past year, which gave a highly satisfactory account of the present condition of the society. The Rev. Dr. Munro then delivered a very eloquent_and_instructive address, on "The Intellectual Powers, and the Best Means of their Improvement," which was listened to with much gratification by the company present. Two excellent papers on the following subjects were read during the evening, and cordially acknowledged by the audience, viz., "The Influence of Religion to quicken the Action and Promote the Development of our Various Powers," by Mr. Wilson, and "The United States," by Mr. Carrothers. The services of the "ladies" having been duly acknowledged by Mr. Gray, the usual votes of thanks were put and carried. During the evening Mr. Phillips, assisted by the choir, favoured the company with very choice selections of music. The proceedings, which afforded the greatest satisfaction to all, terminated shortly after ten o'clock. DEATH OF THE PRINCE CONSORT. For us to enter into a lengthened record of this national calamity would only be to write that with which everyone is already painfully familiar. All have felt the loss to be unexpected and heavy, and thousands have united their sighs and tears with those of our widowed Queen and her fatherless children. Let us bear the bereaved on our hearts at a throne of grace, remembering especially him who must now occupy, as far as a son can, his father's place; and who will, if spared, be called to reign over this great kingdom. A DIRGE. TOLL, great bell of Saint Paul! Upon their knees in prayer- More hopelessly alone, That to her state was given, Which had the right to chide, His holiest balm impart, THE following hymn-composed by the Rev. Newman Hall for the occasion was given out by him, and sung with much feeling, by the working men at the Surrey Chapel week-evening lecture, the Monday evening following the Prince's death: GOD save our gracious Queen! God save the Queen! Lord, heal her bleeding heart, Our Royal widow bless! O Lord our God arise! In this our Nation's need, |