oversight of the ministers of this Church, as the only remaining link which, in our present separation from the schools of Scotland, connects us with the chil dren of our charge. A sub-committee has been appointed to consider both the methods of instruction which ought to be pursued in Sabbath schools, and the means of more widely extending their blessings. Your Committee have also been engaged in consulting with the evangelical brethren of various denominations who celebrated the recent Westminster Bicentenary, how most effectually they could establish and maintain a system of elementary schools so catholic in character as to be open to teachers of every evangelical denomination, and which should command the confidence and support of all agreeing in the great fundamental doctrines of our common faith.

"We are not prepared to report more than the fact of such consultations, though we look forward to the issue of them in the establishment of a system of education thoroughly Christian in its character, and having for its basis of religious instruction our Shorter Catechism,-yet, delivered from religious exclusiveness and the narrowness of sectarianism.

"In a few sentences we shall put the Assembly in possession of the facts of our financial condition. The collection made during the month of August last, of which remittances have already been received from 434 congregations and preaching sta tions, bas amounted to L.2253. If to this sum be added the thirds of Sabbath collections, appropriated to the same fund, and of which remittance has been made to the amount of L.387, 17s, and also L.21, Is., contributed specially for the support of the Normal Seminary, our total fund will at present amount to L.2661, 2s. 7d. Deducting at least L.300 for the annual expenses of the Normal Seminary, and dividing the remainder into salaries at an average of L.20, the resources of the Committee are thus shown to be limited to the support of 118 teachers.

"If, however, not fewer than 800 churches are, or speedily will be, in progress of erection, the Assembly will perceive how far short our resources are for maintaining what has constituted the glory of our land in past times,-the inseparable union of religion and education-of church and school. To salary 800 teachers at the small average of L.25 each, would require an increase of our income to L.20,000 annually. Nor do we despair, in the progress of the Christian liberality of our people, of finding ourselves in possession of this large annual revenue. We despair of no enterprise upon which the Free Church shall set its heart, to which it shall apply its energy, and for which it can ask the blessing of its Divine Head. Even from the present state of our revenue, inadequate as it appears for the work before us, we are encouraged in these brighter prospects. Such as it is, it is the spontaneous offering of the members of our Church to the cause of education,—not only their free-will, but we should say, their unasked contribution to our scheme. No efforts since last Assembly have been made to awaken the country to the peculiar claims of education in connection with the Free Church,—no deputations sent forth pleading our cause. The public mind, and that of the Church have been absorbed by the one idea of church erection, to the exclusion of every other. Our Committee, therefore, gave way to the present tide that is bearing onward to a prosperous issue the church erection efforts of the country; it left the field open that these might be conducted without obstruction, and without a rival. Yet, in these circumstances, we have been presented with the offering of L.2661, 2s. 7d.

"It will have appeared to the Assembly, from the preceding part of the Report, that nothing has been done by the Committee with the view of aiding in the erection of schools-that we have been limited, from the state of our finances, to the single channel of distribution-the salarying of teachers. The question, however, must be taken up by this or an early Assembly, How shall schools be erected in localities unable to provide them for themselves, and where no suitable accommodation can be obtained, even for hire? Our education scheme will be ill adapted to the necessities of the country, until it has its building fund to assist and stimulate school erection, as well as its fund for salarying teachers. In some instances, school erection has already gone hand in hand with the building of our Free churches. The

tide of feeling and liberality that has borne prosperously forward the Church, has been wisely taken advantage of to float the school by its side, and an institution, complete in all its parts, founded by one effort. Such has been the case at Burntisland, Torphichen, Dunblane, Forfar, and other places which might be mentioned. It was co-temporaneous with the great Reformation struggle to plant a Protestant Church in our land—and not amidst peaceful times, and the plenty of an endowed estate, that our forefathers planned their comprehensive scheme of education. They started with church and school extension together, and struggled hard for both, ere they had succeeded in extorting from a grasping nobility a wretched pittance of maintenance for themselves. They postponed,-they despaired of no enterprise they judged essential for the good of the land they loved, or the cause of Christ, which they loved still more. As the Government of Prussia, when engaged in those plans which have since made their country so famous amongst the educated nations of the continent, continued to prosecute them in the midst of the invasion of their territory by Buonaparte, and the conflict of arms,-so our Reformers planned and laboured in the cause of education, while fighting the great battle of Protestantism, and contending for the possession of the land. We must go and do likewise, waiting till the struggle for church building is over, and the land possessed. Besides, the Assembly will bear in mind that we have men waiting to be employed, and soon will have more,-schoolmasters without schools, and therefore useless in the service till provided with new ones.

"Having repeatedly adverted to the state of our ejected teachers, we cannot close this report without rendering our tribute of admiration to the men who have so nobly witnessed to the truth, in the certain prospect of being thrown on the wide world for a provision for themselves and families. We speak not to depreciate the testimony borne by our fathers and brethren of this Assembly, or that which has so recently given new occasion for thanksgiving and many prayers, -the testimony from the banks of the Ganges; but, faithful as these have been, we can discover an element that gives even a purer character to that lifted up by the teachers of Scotland in their comparatively more obscure and humble walk of life. There was no visible necessity laid upon them, as upon us, to take up a self-denied testimony. They were not publicly committed. Their refusal of the testimony would not have been dishonour and apostacy. They had few or none of those advantages of mutual conference by which one man strengthens the heart of another, and which we so largely enjoyed. It was a question resolved between God and their own consciences, decided by each man apart in the communings of his heart with the word of truth, and in the prospect of his final accountability to the God that gave it. Theirs has been a testimony proceeding from faith unfeigned, and from a pure heart fervently."

Mr LEWIS concluded by requesting that Mr M.Donald might be asked to explain his scheme for raising a fund for the erection of schools.

Mr M DONALD said it was not necessary for him to occupy more than a few minutes in explaining his scheme, the success of which, during the last two days, had been such as to give him every confidence that, by the blessing of God, the proposed object would be accomplished.

Mr M. then read the following

Scheme for raising £50,000 to aid in the erection of 500 Schools for the Free Church of Scotland, each School to be aided to the extent of £100.

Conditions of Subscription."

1. No part of the subscription to be taken up, unless the whole L.50,000 has been obtained.

2. The subscriptions to be taken up in instalments, as the schools are built or building, but each individual may have it in his option to extend his contribution over the space of five years, paying one-fifth annually.

His reason for adding the conditions to the scheme were, that it is desirable that no persons should be called upon to pay their subscriptions until the whole sum had been subscribed, and the success of the scheme secured. If, therefore, the whole L.50,000 were not subscribed, no money would be taken from any subscriber. He called upon his fathers and brethren, in such circumstances, to leave no stone unturned in order to raise the whole sum before the next meeting of Assembly. Du ring the last two days, and among the friends connected with the Assembly, he had obtained subscriptions to the extent of L.6000, and from this encouragement he was led to hope there would be no difficulty in raising the whole amount by their next meeting. In asking for subscriptions from the friends of the Church he almost felt ashamed considering the extent of their contributions for the building of churches and other objects; but as the highest sum asked was L.25, and that spread over five years, being only L.5 a-year, he had ventured to solicit their aid. He hoped there were few of their friends who would not subscribe at some one of these rates. If they were unable to give the shilling, they could adopt the penny rate, which was only 8s. 4d. a-year, or about 2d. a-week for five years.

Mr THOMSON of Banchory rose to move the adoption of these reports. He did not wish to detain the Assembly long; and therefore he should merely read the following resolution, which had been intrusted to him :

"The General Assembly approve of the report and the proceedings of the Committee, and express their high satisfaction at the vigour, intelligence, and zeal with which they are prosecuting the important objects intrusted to their charge. They cordially rejoice that the Committee have been able to secure the services of a body of theological professors so pre-eminently qualified for the respective provinces assigned to them. They have also heard with much gratification of the success of the Normal school under the charge of the Rector, who has so long conducted that part of the Church's Education Scheme with so much ability, and such universal satisfaction to the Church and country. They cordially approve of the steps taken by the Committee for providing for those schoolmasters ejected from their situation for their adherence to the principles of the Church of their fathers, whose sacrifices the Assembly view with admiration, and with whose suffering they deeply sympathize-and for extending and improving the system of elementary education in connection with the Free Church. The Assembly would particularly recommend to the support of the members of the Church at large the scheme explained by Mr M'Donald of Blairgowrie for obtaining the erection of schools, the remarkable success already attending which scheme at once presents a strong proof of its excellence. and affords a confident expectation of its being speedily realized. The Assembly would offer every encouragement to the efforts of the Committee in co-operation with other evangelical communions, in promoting the general establishment of elementary and superior schools, founded on a broad and liberal basis, for affording instruction, based on religion, to all denominations. They direct the hearty thanks of the Assembly to be given to the Convener from the chair."

The motion was then put, and unanimously agreed to.

The MODERATOR then addressed Dr Welsh. He said-I rejoice and feel the greatest possible delight in being the organ of conveying the thanks of the Assembly to you, Sir. I reiterate every expression of approbation that has been uttered on the present occasion in regard to your indefatigable labours in the cause in which you are engaged. When I see you thus before me, the days of other years are recalled in my mind in pleasing yet melancholy recollections. You and I have had the happiness of being united in two different Presbyteries as fellow-workers in the ministry; and I can only say that the tie of affection which bound us together was strong, and I trust it will never be severed. (Applause.) We never expected then, Sir, to

stand in the position in which you and I now do. Little did I then think that I should hold the honourable position which I now do, or that I should be called to address you in the equally honoured situation in which you are placed. It is the Lord in his providence that has brought this about. You, Sir, have earned in all the situations in which you have been placed, an honourable fame for yourself. (Applause.) To education, in all its departments, your mind has been specially turned, so far as your more important pastoral labours would admit; and with you at the head of such an establishment as this, with all the ardour of mind which you possess, coupled with that acuteness and strength of intellect which adorns you, I am persuaded that our cause must prosper. We rejoice in the success which has attended your labours in this department of duty-a success beyond our most sanguine anticipations in the present infant state of our Church. Í doubt not that the important object which we have in view, when it is fully made known to the public and to the Church, that your wishes and expectations will then be realized to the uttermost. That the education of the young men of our Church has been placed under your superintendence, and that of the eminent men with whom you are associated, augurs well for the success of our cause; and we are persuaded that a band of Christian warriors who are raised and educated by you, and trained in the duties to which they shall be afterwards called, that such a band of warriors will be raised up as will fight the battles of the Lord, when we shall have slept with our fathers, and gone the way of all the earth. I could say much more; and were I to follow my own feelings, and the dictates of my own inclination for you, I would say much more; but I must restrain myself. May the Lord preserve you-may the Lord bless and strengthen you may the Lord invigorate you, and render you a blessing and may the Lord prosper you in all your undertakings-and may the cause which you have so much at heart prosper in your hands. (Applause.) Mr Lewis I have known personally a long time; and I know that he is eminently qualified to hold the place which he does hold; and that with his talents and energies, the cause which he has undertaken must ultimately prosper. (Loud applause.)

Professor BLACK of Aberdeen then called the attention of the Assembly to a plan which had been before the Presbytery of Aberdeen, to insure a uniformity of Presbyterial examination for all the students of the Church. He also read an elaborate paper on the various topics on which the students ought to be examined for the various years; which, on the suggestion of Mr Cupples of Doune, was handed over for the consideration of the Committee, and with an ultimate view to its publication.

DEPUTATIONS TO ENGLAND.

Mr TWEEDIE of Edinburgh, as convener of the Committee on Deputations to England, read a report by the sub-committee, appointed by the acting committee, regarding deputations to England.

"In submitting the following report, the Committee have two objects in view; first, to mention what has already been done; and, secondly, to suggest what appears to them the wisest course to be now pursued regarding deputations to England. "I. Immediately after the disruption in May last, it became apparent that the proceedings and position of the Free Church were exciting universal interest in England. This appeared from the number of addresses forwarded to the Moderator from different religious bodies, as well as from the urgent requests of many friends, through private and public channels, that deputations should be sent to lay our case before the English public.

"It was accordingly resolved that a deputation should be sent to London: and in the month of June, Dr Cunningham, and Mr Guthrie, accompanied by Mr Henry Grey, proceeded thither; on their return, they visited Manchester and Liverpool, and in both places the highest enthusiasm in the cause of the Free Church prevailed. The deputation were aided by some of the most influential Dissenters and Wesleyans, both ministers and laymen; and their reception was such as to make it obvious, that the principles of the Free Church had already taken a firm hold of their minds, and secured the cordial approbation of the English Christians.

"At the urgent instigation of this first deputation, another was dispatched immediately after their return, to visit Liverpool, and proceed to London, to occupy pulpits previously engaged for them, with the two-fold design of making known our principles, and raising funds for the erection of our churches. Mr Sym, and Mr Davidson, of Edinburgh, with other ministers, proceeded to the south; and besides the two cities we have mentioned, they visited Birmingham, Stafford, and Chester, with other places, and were received by all with the utmost cordiality, or in some cases with an enthusiasm, by some unexpected, but to all encouraging.

"These deputations thus obviously increased the interest in the cause which they were meant to serve, and the most urgent requests were sent to your Committee from various quarters to obtain ministers to explain our principles, and give the people in the south an opportunity of befriending the cause. Manchester, Leamington, Newcastle, Hull, Leeds, Taunton, and other places over England, may be mentioned as those from which such applications came; and so general was the interest, that about this time the hope was cherished, by some members of your Committee, that a general collection all over England would have been made upon a given day in behalf of the Free Church funds. There were difficulties, however, in the way of carrying out this proposal, (which originated in England :) and your Committee confined its attention to some systematic plan of deputations. They were greatly encouraged, however, by the fact, that the churches of the Independent connection in North Wales, at their meeting in Liverpool, in the month of , resolved to make collections in their churches on behalf of the Free Church, and appointed a committee to see the same measure adopted in the Independent Churches in South Wales. Your Committee have not yet learned the result of these friendly movements.

"At every stage of their proceedings, your Committee were hampered by the diffi. culty of obtaining ministers to go on deputations, owing to the urgent and clamorous demands for their ministrations at home. In consequence of this, it was found impossible to meet all the demands from the south-and in some cases grievous disappointment was felt. By the prompt co-operation, however, of some of the brethren, some of the chief places were visited in the month of August. Dr Candlish visited Leeds, Hull, and Newcastle, from which he proceeded to London. Dr Paterson of Glasgow, and Mr Buchan of Hamilton, spent about three weeks in the north of England, visiting, with systematic regularity and great effect, the chief places there. The result of their visit was to add about L. 1200 to the Church's treasury; and it deserves to be remarked of this, and all the deputations, that they were not merely designed to hold meetings, and raise funds, but, moreover, to preach the gospel of the Son of God wherever an opportunity occurred. North and South Shields, Morpeth, Wexham, Newcastle, Otterburn, and other towns, were thus visited; and, at the suggestion of this deputation, the Committee would respectfully but urgently press on the Assembly the necessity of attending promptly and effectively to the state of Presbyterianism in the north of England. Were it possible to station some ministers there, your Committee is well assured that incalculable benefits would accrue, not merely to the interests of the Free Church, but of vital godliness in the district.

"Soon after the deputation now mentioned had proceeded to the north, another proceeded farther south. Mr Begg, with D. M. M. Crichton, Esq., visited York, London, Bristol, and Bath, where the interest in the cause was so great, that the largest edifices in the different places could not more than contain the auditories. At the same period the Rev. Dr Gordon proceeded to London, and nine sermons were preached there on the same Sabbath, by him, Mr Begg, and Mr Burns of London Wall; after which, collections, amounting to L.400, were made in favour of the Free Church. Mr Stratton of Paddington Chapel, Mr J. Clayton of the Poultry Chapel, the Rev. George Clayton, and other Dissenting ministers, lent their friendly co-operation in the cause. A conference was at the same time beld between Dr Candlish, Mr Begg, and the other friends of the Free Church who were at that time in London, and the leading Dissenting ministers there, with a view to ascertain the most easy and effective mode of bringing our cause fully before the people of England. While these measures were proceeding, the interest was deepening and spreading. New calls for deputations were received, to some of which