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Scottish Chronicle.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

WEDNESDAY night the 19th of May,

between seven and eight o'clock, his Grace the Lord High Commissioner arrived at the Highland Society Hall, and was immediately waited on by the Lord Provost and Magistrates, according to ancient custom. On this occasion the Magistrates walked from the Council Chamber, preceded by the Lord Provost's officer, in full dress, wearing his official badge, bearing on a silver tablet, the silver keys of the city, inclosed in a large elegant blue silk purse, richly ornamented with silver lace, and tassels. On arriving at the Hall, the Lord Provost, after congratulating his Grace on his arrival, presented him with the ancient keys of the city, to which his Grace made a suitable reply.

This ceremony of presenting the silver keys has been in disuse since King Charles I visited Edinburgh in July 1628, on which occasion the very same keys were presented by the Lord Provost to that Monarch, on his entrance into the city. The keys are pretty large, of a fine and curious workmanship, and are appended to an elegant silver chain.

Next day the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland met. His Grace, Francis Lord Napier, his Majesty's High Commissioner, attended by the Duke of Roxburghe, Lord William Russel, Lords Benning, Balgoure, Torphichen, Ruthven, and Ashburton, the Lord Chief Baron and Barons of Exchequer, his Excellency the Commander in Chief and North British Staff, Vice-Admiral Otway, Rear-Admiral Hope, several other naval and military officers, and a great number of gentlemen of distinction, walked in procession from the Highland Society Hall, High Street, to the High Church, where he was received by the Magistrates in their robes.-The streets were lined by detachments of the Norfolk and Northampton militia, and the city guard.

The sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr M Morine, moderator of last Assembly. The Assembly unanimously made choice of

the Rev. Dr Andrew Brown, one of the ministers of Edinburgh, to be Moderator.

His Grace's commission, and the Prince

Regent's letter, in name and on behalf of his Majesty, and also a warrant for twothousand pounds Sterling, for propagating the Christian religion in the highlands and islands of Scotland, being read, as usual, the Assembly was opened by an elegant speech from his Grace the Commissioner, to which a suitable reply was made by the Moderator.

Dr M'Morine, after a speech of some length, moved an address to his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, on the present situation of public affairs. The motion was seconded by Principal Hill, and unanimously agreed to. A Committee was then appointed to draw up the address, and also an answer to the Prince Regent's letter.

Friday. The following gentlemen were appointed to preach before the Commission, viz. on the 23d May, Mr John Croket, at Kirkgunzeon, and Dr William Muir at Glasgow-on the 30th, Mr William Liston at Redgorton, and Mr Angus McKellar at Carmunnock, which these gentlemen did accordingly.

Saturday. The Committee appointed to draw up the address, and an answer to his Royal Highness the Prince Regent's letter, presented their report. The answer to the letter and address were agreed to. The answer and address were then signed by the Moderator, and given to his Grace the Commissioner, who undertook to transmit them to the Secretary of State for the Home Department, to be presented to the Prince Regent.

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The sentence of the Presbytery, together with the reasons of protest and appeal, and the answer of the Presbytery thereto, were read: Parties being also fully heard and removed, it was moved, and agreed, to sustain the protest and reverse the sentence, viz. of suspension and of subsequent deposition; therefore the General Assembly did sustain the protest and reverse the sentence: but in regard it appeared that Mr Finlayson had been guilty of great impropriety of conduct, the Assembly admonished him, and recommended to him to be more circumspect in his conduct in future, and reponed him to his office., Parties being called in, and the above sentence intimated to them, Mr Cockburn, for the appellant, asked and took instruments in the clerk's hands.

The General Assembly then agreed to take into consideration the protest and appeal of Mr Peter Durno, student in divinity, against the judgment of the Committee of Bills, refusing to transmit his petition to the Assembly. Francis Jeffrey, Esq. appeared as his Counsel, and being heard on his behalf, the General Assembly agreed to reverse the judgment of the Committee of Bills, and recommended to them to transmit Mr Durno's petition.

The General Assembly had transmitted to them, from their Committee of Bills, a petition from Mr Duncan Mearns, Mr James Bryce, Mr Robert Douglas, and Mr Alexander Brown, dissentients and complainers, against various proceedings of the Synod of Aberdeen, anent the schoolmaster of Crimond. Parties being called, compeared the three first mentioned complainers for themselves, and Henry Cockburn, Esq. advocate for Mr Brown. For the Synod of Aberdeen Dr Skene Ogilvie, and Dr Skene Keith, Members of the Synod, and Francis Jeffrey, Esq. advocate, as their Counsel. Parties being fully heard and removed, the Assembly, after reasoning, agreed to wave giving any judgment in the dissent and complaint, in res pect that the substantial question, as to the schoolmaster of Crimond, in which the com. plaint originated, was disposed of by the last General Assembly; and that the Presbytery of Deer, who, by act of Parliament 1803, are final judges of the qualifications of their schoolmaster, had withdrawn the appeal which they once entered in their minutes; and they find, that in all cases where there are private parties, they are entitled to have extracts immediately, if they shall require them; and they recommend to all Presbyteries to order the minutes of each sederunt to be read in the hearing of the Court, before it rise, and to be authenticated by the signature of the Moderator. Parties being

called, the above sentence was read to them.

The General Assembly next agreed to take up the reference from the Synod of Aberdeen, relative to the objection of the Presbytery of Deer, to the vote of Dr Skene Keith, at the meeting of Synod, November 14, 1812. After hearing the members of the Synod on the subject of the reference. the General Assembly unanimously did, and hereby do, repel the objection to Dr Skene Keith's vote, as idle and unnecessary.

The General Assembly next agreed to take up the reference from the same Synod, as to the effects of the complaint relative to the routine business of the Synod. The members of the Synod being heard, the General Assembly agreed to dismiss the refer ence as unnecessary.

Tuesday, May 25.

The Assembly took up the case of Dr Playfair, Principal of St Salvador and St Leonard's College, St Andrews. Mr Rogers and Professor Jackson, and Henry Cockburn and Francis Jeffrey, Esqrs. as their Counsel, appeared at the bar as dis senters and complainers against some sentences of the Presbytery of St Andrews; and Dr Hill, Dr Nairn, &c. for the Presbytery. Parties being fully heard, and, after several members had delivered their opinions, the Assembly unanimously found, That as all ecclesiastical means have already been used, and proved ineffectual, in compelling the attendance of Anne Cairns, it does not appear expedient to delay this process in making farther search after her; and as the Presbytery have judicially stated, that the accusation of this witness constitutes the foundation of the whole process, the General Assembly did, and hereby do, dismiss the process, and assoilzie Dr Playfair.

The Assembly then took into consideration the case of the settlement of an assistant and successor to the parish of Earlston. Mr Johnston, the present minister, having been long indisposed, both in body and mind, and incapable of discharging the duties of his office, the principal heritors, and the Presbytery of Lauder, agreed that an assistant and successor should be appointed; and, accordingly, Mr Shiels, minister of Westruther, was appointed to that situation.— This settlement came before the Synod of Merse and Tiviotdale, and was sustained; but from their sentence, Mr Peter Cosens and Mr John Cormack, and also Mr Andrew Thomson, a correspondent member of the Synod, dissented, and complained to the Assembly. The dissenters appeared at the bar, with Henry Cockburn, Esq. as their Counsel,

Counsel, and Dr Douglas, Mr Drummond, Mr Thomson, &c. for the Synod. Mr Shiels also appeared, and was heard for himself. Parties being fully heard, a debate of considerable length took place, after which, it was moved, That the Assembly affirm the sentences of the Synod: and whereas it appears from the inquiries instituted by the Presbytery of Lauder, agreeably to the advice of the Procurator of the Church, that Mr Johnston, minister of Eariston, for several years past, from an infirmity of body, and imbecility of mind, has been incapable of discharging the pastoral duties of his parish, or of giving his consent to the appointment of an assistant and successor; and whereas the necessity of the case has produced an application from the Member of Parliament for the county, at the desire of several of the heritors and elders, for a royal warrant, nominating Mr Shiels, minister of Westruther, assistant and successor to the minister of Earlston, Mr Shiels has declared his acceptance of this warrant, the principal heritor has lodged with the Presbytery a bond for an annual provision to Mr Shiels during his incumbency, and the Presbytery has sustained a call to the said Mr Shiels from the heritors and elders, the Assembly agree that he ought to be settled assistant and successor to Mr Johnston; and they accordingly ordain, the Presbytery to take the steps that are necessary in such time, that Mr Shiels may be settled according to the rules of the Church, on or before the 1st day of July next. At the same time, the Assembly declares, that, in the circumstances of the case, no part of the stipend, or any of the emoluments thereof, can be allocated for the maintenance of the assistant and successor; that if it shall please God to restore Mr Johnston to the sound exercise of his judgment, it shall then instantly become incompetent for Mr Shiels to discharge any part of the pas toral duties of the parish of Earlston, or to sit and vote in any Church court, as minister of Earlston, without that explicit consent of Mr Johnston which he will then be qualified to give.

Another motion was made, That the Assembly should sustain the dissent and complaint against the sentence of the Synod, reverse the said sentence, and prohibit the Presbytery of Lauder from proceeding to the induction of Mr Shiels, as assistant and successor to Mr Johnston.-A vote being called, the first motion was carried, there being for it 83-against it 29.

Wednesday, May 26.

The Assembly took into consideration a petition for Professor William Ferrie, pre

sented to the parish of Kilconquhar,' appellant, against a sentence of the Presbytery of St Andrews, in his cause, of date 28th April last, with reasons of dissent and appeal for him against the said sentence; also reasons of protest and appeal against said sentence, for the Earl of Balcarras, patron of said parish, with extract proceedings of the Presbytery. Parties being called, Henry Cockburn and Francis Jeffrey, Esqrs. appeared as Counsel for Professor Ferrie and the Earl of Balcarras; and Dr Nairne, Mr Beil, Mr Wright, Mr Duncan, Mr Carstairs, Mr Watson, Mr Swan, Mr Wilson, Mr Clerk, and Dr Lawrie, for the Presbytery.

Parties having been heard and removed, a long and very interesting debate took place, in which a number of the members, both ministers and elders, took a part. It was then moved, and seconded, "That the Assembly should sustain the appeal, and reverse the sentence of the Presbytery, and appoint them to proceed in the settlement of Professor Ferrie, as minister of Kilconquhar, with all convenient speed, according to the rules of the Church." "That

It was also moved and seconded, the Assembly should dismiss the appeal, and affirm the sentence of the Presbytery, and instruct them, that if Professor Ferrie shall fail, at their next ordinary meeting, on the 9th day of June next, to give them the satisfaction which they have required, viz. that before or at the time of his admission to be minister of Kilconquhar, he is to resign his Professorship, they shall then direct their Moderator to write a respectful letter to the Right Honourable the Earl of Balcarras, patron of the parish of Kilconquhar, notifying to him that the parish is still vacant, and cannot be supplied by his presentee, as the said presentee refused to resign his office as Professor of Civil History in the University of St Andrews, which office the General Assembly deems to be incompatible with the ministerial duties of the parish of Kilc quhar, that the said Earl may present a qualified person to be minister of said parish, in terms of law."

The vote being called, it was agreed that the state of the vote should be reverse or affirm, it being understood, if it should carry reverse, the first motion would be the sentence of the House, and if affirm, the second. The roll being called, and votes marked, it carried reverse; the numbers being

For reverse....

For affirm.......

.85

.80

Majority............... 5

The Assembly therefore reverse the sentence of the Presbytery of St Andrews, and appoint

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appoint them to proceed in the settlement of Professor Ferrie, as minister of Kilconquhar, with all convenient speed, according to the rules of the church.

Parties being called in, and the above sentence intiinated to them, Mr Govan, in the name of Mr Ferric and the patron, took instruments in the clerk's hands. Principal Brown, Mr David Dickson, sen. Mr Dalgliesh, Dr Andrew Stewart, Mr Thomson, Mr Richardson, Mr Mathie, and Professor Jardine, dissented from the sentence, and respectively took instruments in the clerk's hands.

Thursday, May 27.

The General Assembly took into consideration the overtures of the Synod of Lothian and Tweeddale, and of the Synod of Merse and Tiviotdale, respecting the political privileges of the Roman Catholics. The overtures being read, after a mature deliberation, it was moved, that the Assembly should petition Parliament against the Catholic claims, and a petition presented accordingly, but that petition was withdrawn, and one favourable to the Catholics, praying only that securities should be provided against foreign influence, was substituted, and adopted, by general consent.

The Committee of Bills transmitted a petition for the Rev. Mr P. Murray and Mr M'Gregor, Stirling, dissenters, against a sentence of the Synod of Perth and Stirling, respecting the Chapel of Ease at Ardoch; also a petition from the Congregation of said chapel, appellants, against a sentence of the Synod. The Assembly agreed to dismiss the dissent and complaint, and affirm so much of the sentence of the Synod as respects the settlement of a minister in the said Chapel of Ease, and ordain the Presbytery of Auchterarder to proceed in the settlement of Mr Young, as minister of that Chapel; but in respect the constitution of the Chapel, fixed in 1781, is imperfect, they referred the consideration of the constitution to a committee.

Friday, May 28.

Principal Brown gave in his reasons of dissent against the decision of the Assembly, in the case of the settlement of Kilconquhar, which were read, and ordered to lie in rc.tentis.

The Assembly then took into consideration a petition for the Rev. Mr Alexander Davic, minister of Inchture, against a sentence of the Presbytery of Dundee, and a petition of some of the inhabitants of that parish, libellers of Mr Davie. Mr Davie appeared for himself, and Francis Jeffrey, Esq, as his Counsel-For the libellers,

Henry Cockburn, Esq. and for the Presby tery, Dr Nicol, Mr Cairns, and Mr Thom son. Partics wese first heard on the com. plaint against a sentence of the Commission of last Assembly, on the 3d of March last, affirming the sentence of the Presbytery, and finding the libel against Mr Davie relevant. After hearing parties, but before coming to a vote, an objection was started against the Members of last Assembly vot ing, which was over-ruled by the Assembly unanimously. A vote was then put to dismiss or sustain the complaint of Mr Davie, when it carried dismiss. Counsel were then heard on the admissability of certain witnesses, when the Assembly first agreed to sustain the Presbytery's sentence, resolving to take the deposition of Sarah Tate, cum nota. The objections against other witnesses were withdrawn. Several other appeals against examining witnesses, putting questions, &c. were dismissed, the several sentences of the Presbytery affirmed, and the whole cause was again remitted to them, to proceed according to the rules of the Church.

A petition from certain inhabitants of the Gorbals of Glasgow, for erecting a Chapel of Ease there, was read, and Dr M'Lean, minister of the parish, was heard in its favour. The petition was referred to a Com. mittee, who are to report their opinion on Monday.

A petition was read from Mr John M'Kenzie, missionary in the parish of Contin, presbytery of Dingwall. This gentleman had been dismissed by the Committee of the General Assembly on the Royal Bounty, for irregularity of conduct. The Assembly heard Dr Grant and Sir Henry Moncrieffe fer the Committee; and having heard read some testimonies as to Mr M'Kenzie's diligence and usefulness as a missionary, from the presbytery of Dingwall, dated the 13th of February 1813, and also a petition from the inhabitants of Contin, the Assembly unanimously agreed, to direct the Committee, at the first meeting on the 2d of June, to repone Mr M'Kenzie to the mission of Contin, and the Assembly exhort and enjoin him to conform strictly to the instructions of the Committee.

The General Assembly agreed to take up the consideration of the overture anent the provision for the dispensation of the ordinances of religion to persons of the Presby terian persuasion in India, this day.

Saturday, May 29.

The report of the Committee, appointed to consider the constitution of the chapel of ease at Ardoch, was read and approved of.

The

The report of the Committee appointed to consider the situation of the annuitants upon the widow's fund was read and approved of, and the report, with the deliverance of the Assembly, were directed to be printed on a large sheet of paper, and circulated to all the Presbyteries of the Church.The thanks of the Assembly were then voted to Dr Nicol, for the affectionate concern he has taken in this very important

matter.

The thanks of the Assembly were given from the chair to Sir Henry Moncrieff, collector of the widows' fund, for his diligence, attention, prudence, and fidelity, in the management of it.

The report of the Committee upon the subject of a provision for dispensing the ordinances of religion to persons of the Presbyterian persuasion resident in India, and the overture of the Synod of Merse and Tiviotdale, upon the same subject, having been read, the Assembly approved of what had been done by the Committee, renewed their appointment, and recommended to their attention the instructions formerly given them.

The Assembly took into consideration the petition of James Campbell, Esq. of Bidlay, and others, heritors, elders, and liferenters, in the parish of Cadder, and the Rev. Mr Thomas Lockerby, appellants, against a sentence of the Presbytery of Glasgow, dated the 5th of May, in the cause of the settlement of an assistant and successor to the minister of that parish. John Jardine, Esq. appeared as Counsel for the appellants; and Mr Lapslie, Dr Lockhart, Mr Dow, and Dr M'Lean, for the Presbytery. After parties were fully heard, it was moved, and unanimously agreed to, to sustain the appeal, and appoint the Presbytery of Glasgow to proceed at their next meeting to take the proper steps to the settlement of Mr Lockerby, as assistant and successor to the present minister of Cadder, with all convenient speed, according to the rules of the Church. On the above sentence being intimated, Mr Jardine took instruments.

The Assembly next took into consideration the petition of Mr John Ross, student of divinity, appellant, against a sentence of the Synod of Ross, dated the 20th of April last, refusing their consent to the Presbytery of Dingwall to take the said Mr Ross upon probationary trials. There was no appearance for the Synod; and Mr Ross having appeared for himself, and been fully heard in support of his appeal, it was moven, and unanimously agreed to, to dismiss the appeal, and affirm the sentence of the Synod.

June 1813.

Monday, May 31.

The Assembly renewed the appointment of the Committee respecting the annuitants on the Widows' Fund, and added thereto, Drs Ritchie, Inglis, and Fleming, Mr David Dickson, the Professor of Rhetoric, Mr Brunton, the Lord Advocate, the Solicitor General, Henry Jardine, Esq. James Moncrieff, Esq. James Wedderburn, Esq, John A. Murray, Esq. four to be a quorum, and Dr Nicol to be Convener.

The Assembly next called for the report of the Committee, appointed to class returns to overtures, which was produced and read. From the above report, the Assembly finding that there was a majority of Presbyteries in favour of the overture anent licensing of probationers, and therefore agree that the said overture should now be converted into a standing law of the Church. At the same time, they appoint the overture anent the qualification of elders to be transmitted.

The report of the Committee respecting examination of schools, and an overture from the Synod of Aberdeen, anent parochial and other schools, were next taken up, when the Assembly recommended to Presbyteries to be more careful in their returns respect. ing the examination within their bounds, and appoint the queries in the above overture to be transmitted with the above recommendations, and direct the Presbyteries to take them into consideration at their first meeting.

The Commitee on the Psalmody was renewed, and Dr Muir of Glasgow, Mr Richmond of South Dean, Mr Simpson, Kirknewton, Mr Andrew Milne, and Mr D. Black, Coylton, added to it. Mr Brunton to be Convener.

The unanimous thanks of the Assembly were given by the Moderator to the Procurator, for the uniform diligence and attention he has given to the business of the Committee, and was requested to continue his friendly exertions and watchful care.

The report of the Committee upon the Chapel of Ease at Gorbals was read, and approved of.

The Assembly next called for the report of the Committee upon the legal provision of the Ministers of this Church, which was produced and read. Dr Inglis, Convener of the Committee, was heard upon the subject. The Assembly approve of the diligence of the Committee, and agree to adopt the suggestion in said report with respect to glebes, and the selection of particular cases respecting fiars of grain, to be twice before the Competent Court. The unanimous thanks of the Assembly being given by the moderator to Dr Inglis, for the uni

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