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Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. 1 2 3 4 5 6 p T W^^'T \ ur ii::^\ i^<\^,j. ., ru VI CO] GLi :v ONT HONOl l-^H V ru 7 L..t been] noT( " MEMORIAL KROM Till; COMMITTEE OF MISSIONS OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF NOVA SCOTIA, TO THE GLASGOW SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING THE RELIGIOUS INTERESTS OF THE SCOTTISH SETTLERS IN BRITISH NORTH AMERICA ; wiTi: OBSERVATIONS ., y ON THii CONSTITUTION OF THAT SOCIETY, AND UPON THE PROCEEDINGS AND FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF DIRECTORS. i" ' •^■, By THOMAS M'CULLOGH, D.D. HONOHARV MEMBER OF THE WERNERIAN NATURAL HISTORV SOCIETY OF THE UNIVBRSITV Of EDINBURGH, AND OF THE LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL AND THE ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETIES OF NEWCASTLE. ' No Minister shall be sent out under the patronage of the Society who has not been licensed and ordained by one of the Prcsby teries of the Established Church ; and no Teacher or Catechist who is not a Communicant with the Established Church, . Society's Fifth Bnk,,^ EDINBURGH: PRINTED BY OLIVER & BOYD, TWEEDDALE.C^7^^?T % f ? y y o> ?9.0(c^\ Iv D««'T 17 isie y • ••,'• • • • . • : v4»f I /; ^-o^^j^iai^^'u //-J ty^. ^^ TO TIIK MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING THE RELIGIOUS INTERESTS OF THE SCOTTISH SETTLERS IN BRITISH NORTH AMERICA. Gentlemen, The formation of your Society was scarcely announced in the North American Colonies, when its effects were felt. To tlie Presbyterian Clergy in particidar, with whom I am connected, it proved an excitement to exertion ; and the result, I trust, will be honourable to the grace of the Gospel a»d to Presbyterian principles. They could not but consi- der you as a pattern of well-doing ; and, esteeming you very highly in love for your work's sake, they were, by your example, encouraged to persevere in activity for the spiri- tual improvement of our provincial population. It did not, however, escape their notice, that your plan of evangelizing the colonies is not the best calculated for that purpose ; and*^ judging that a correct view of their state might subserve your benevolent design, they intrusted to me a Memorial upon this subject, which they wished, through the medium of your Committee, to submit to your consideration. But, though I have obeyed the injunction of my brethren, I jiTi not sure that the result will correspond eitl]e.r with the friendly feelings with which t'.e Memorial was dictated, or with what my brethren conceive to be the interests of the Presbyterian population of the provinces ; and, having been told in your Committee, that, by attempting to thwart the operations of your Society for the propagation of tht Gospel in the colonies, I had taken upon myself a solemn responsi- \ I: 1 ( > )sr^i-i'*rV A / ^^7T. IN bility, I doubt tliat the additional stalcments wliicli I then judged it necessary to make were considered rather as an opposition to your plan, than as subservient to the interests of religion. I am fully aware, that, in the absence of my brethren, there has devolved upon me a solemn responsibility. In their intercourse with your Society, they have intrusted to me the interests of the Gospel ; and I know well, that, with my statements and your subsequent decisions, is connected the eternal welfare of, perhaps, millions of human beings ; for the effects of your Society and of my interference may con- tinue when your operations have ceased. Yet, with this know- ledge and responsibility, I must add, that the circumstances in which I am placed, have rendered me the more imwilling that your Society should persevere in a plan which my bre- thren have decidedly declared to be injurious to the ultimate success of the Gospel among those Presbyterians whom you hope to benefit. Permit me, farther, to remark, that, having, in connec- tion with my brethren in the provinces, shared their toils and privations for the sake of the Gospel, I am not willing now to be accounted its enemy. I shall soon return to them, to give an account of my mission ; and, were it true, that I have done any thing to oppose the grand end of their exer- tions and hardships, I might anticipate reproaches and shame in their presence. But I am not aware that I have merited either ; and, as I feel equally reluctant to leave in this coun- ti:y /m ill fame behind me, and to meet it abroad, I have ; jUd'ged it^ requisite to publish the Memorial, and with it, such additfpnal information as appeared to me necessary for your Societ^^iin the execution of their plans ; that, if my bre- thren or njygelf have been guilty of misrepresentation,, it may be opon. to exposure. v> UlAU^ W. 1 I iheii ;r as an interests retlircn, ity. Ill listed to at, with )nnceted iigs; for tiay con- lis know- nistances inwilling my bre- ultimate horn you connec- toils and ling now them, to e, that I leir exer- id shame 2 merited his coun- , I have with it, !ssary for f my bre- tation,' it 4 I COPY OF MEMOUIAL. TO THE MEMBERS AND OFFICE-BEARERS OP THE SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING THE RELIGIOUS INTERESTS op THK SCOTTISH SETTLERS IN BRITISH NORTH AMERICA. Christian Brethren, Having accidentally learned, that, among the com- munications respec 'ing the state of religion in the American provinces, which were laid b-fore your meeting in November last, there were notices from several clergymen of the Presbyterian Church of Nova Scotia, we have been induced to submit to you a few additional remarks. We are not aware that our brethren have furnished all the informa- tion which your Society needs. On the contrary, we think it extremely probable, that, in repre- senting the religious wants of the population, they have overlooked many important particulars, with- out the knowledge of which you can neither ar- range nor operate to the best advantage. The let- ters of our brethren, we presume, would afford sufficient indications of their zeal : but we are not sure that they have extended their researches far- ther than a general observation of facts ; and we it| f '■ j I' !i ^ J*^i Pv ^ r VffiS* >>r*/>wJU \>^L -1 V. -Htfrnm-^iit-'^f . 1 > ( JCC ^*^*c » \ i-*r t\ x»^\ jw^tv A / Y\ /'r/ / i N 1/ IN. led sutisHed, that, unless you can trace tlicse to their causes, your arrangements will not be adapted to the state of society here, nor your exertions en- sure a degree of success proportioned to your be- nevolence. As the standing committee, appointed by the Presbyterian Church of Nova Scotia, for superintendence of Missions, we occupy a part of the field in which your Society proposes to labour ; and as such, we judge it our duty to add to the statements of our brethren, various points of infor- mation, which, in our opinion, may prove subser- vient to the relief of the destitute. That the name of our liOrd Jesus Christ may be glorified by the universal diffusion of his grace, is our earnest de- sire ; and if, in any way, we can assist you to pro- mote this end, the gain will be ours : our labour will be diminished, and our rejoicing increased. We would, therefore, respectfully solicit your at- tention to the following statements : — In Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Cape Breton, though there are compara- tively few of the inhabitants who are not steadily at- tached to some form of the Christian religion, many are exceedingly destitute of the means of instruc- tion ; and, were it practicable for your Society to provide for them evangelical clergymen and respect- able teachers, you would, doubtless, contribute to both their temporal and eternal welfare. This, however, we believe to be a task more difficult than the inhabitants of an older country, and par- ticularly of Scotland, would be apt to suppose. AVith you, where the value of knowledge is duly M W^^ I i/ PILXMH^^' these to adapted tions en- your be- ippointed jotia, for a part of [) labour ; Id to the 1 of infor- e siibscr- the name id by the irncst de- ll to pro- XY labour increased, your at- e Edward compara- ceadily at- ion, many f instruc- ociety to d respect- tribute to s. This, difficult and par- suppose, ^e is duly appreciated, instruction of every kind has become the subject of regular organization; and where\er clergymen or teachers are needed, they are promptly supplied. But, in a new country, similar wants are not always connected with corresponding ex- ertions. Vou are aware, that, even in Scotland, those who live without the Gospel, do not thirst for the water of life. In America, human nature is the same : and experience enables us to state, that, not unfrequently, after a settlement has become sufficiently strong to support the (iospel, it is in- troduced with difficulty, and continued through much ministerial liardship and endurance. But this does not altogether proceed from a reluctance to listen to religious instruction. Various other circumstances contribute to render the enlargement of the Church difficult, and in many cases imprac- ticable. As these originate in the state of society in which the provinces are, we shall, upon that sub- ject, submit to you a few particulars, whicli will illustrate the preceding remark ; and, perhaps, also, subserve your designs of benevolence. In Britain it is, we believe, a common opinion, that the population of America, living upon land without rent, and subjected to few taxes, must be in the possession of ease and comfort. This, to a certain extent, is not a groundless notion. The man who redeems a farm from the forest, labours It with ordinary judgment, and manages with eco- nomy the fruits of his toil, is rewarded with the necessaries of life and a reasonable share of its com- forts. But the first step of this process is unavoid- 7^\ f^ ^ u I j^.. IV IN / U \r N V ably attended with so many privations and hard- ships, that a large proportion of settlers shrink from tlie task, long before their improvement of the soil can afford them many means of enjoyment. This we could not, without a tedious detail of particulars, explain to your satisfaction. We shalK therefore, merely remark, that, of the en..grants settled in these provinces, we have known few who did not at first feel themselves completely disappointed; and, in pondering upon the difficulties before them, ear- nestly wish themselves again in their native coimtry. From such a struggle, it is not surprising that hu- man nature should be eager to escape • and, accord- ingly, many settlers, as soon as they have secured a bare subsistence, relax their exertions. It may be also observed, that persons who are under no control, do not usually exemplify those habits of regular industry which characterize the la- bouring classes of the community in Brilain. The settlers of the forest can acquire a subsistence with- out them ; and, like the older farmers in Scotland, they are content to exist, rather than make the ex- ertions which are necessary to secure the comforts of life. Besides, many other causes contribute to prevent the inhabitants of a new country from ac- quiring industrious and economical habits A set- tler's occasions to be from home are so numerous, that he unavoidably contracts dispositions which weaken his attachment to domestic life, and render him averse from regular industry. The most trifling article which he needs, also, must be brought from a distance. Asa saving of time and travel, there- 4 I ariaklk. 'V '»■ ,v*nrj "^ — Wh-^U^W^SU W.^ { \ 7^ T=5r ^ nd iinrd- ink from f the soil It. This irtic liars, therefore, Dttled in did not ted; and, lem, car- country. that hu- 1, accord - secured who are ify those ;e the la- n. The ice with- 5cotland, 3 the ex- comforts ibute to from ac- A set- imerous, s which d render t trifling ;ht from 1, there- i 9 lore, he provides himself with a large supply, and abundance is succeeded by lavish expenditure. In the North American colonies, tiie taxes of govern- ment are comparatively smaii ; but between loss of time, the fatigue and expense of travelling, and the want of economy, the community heu a heavy load of taxation. For these reasons, th circumstances of the greater part disqualify them from contribut- ing much for the support of the Gospel. But farther, in Britain the character of Ameri- cans, we apprehend, is, in general, as little under- stood as the nature of their circumstances. Who- ever visits the northern part of this continent, ima- gining that its inhabitants resemble those who live in sequestered situations in Britain, will find him- self completely mistaken. The very circumstances in which they are placed force upon them a degree of activity and shrewdness, which comparativelylew of the same class .)f society in older countries pos- sess. The minute division of labour which, in Bri- tain, has introduced excellence into the arts of life, has, at the same time, fettered the human mind! With you, every man has his particular occupa- tion ; and he knows it well ; but beyond it the en- ergies of his mind are not called into action. An American in the woods, like one cast upon the world, is left to his own resources ; and his difficulties both strengthen his thinking powers and quicken his invention. Though he lives in the recesses of the forest, he is no stranger to persons and events around him ; and when we state, that, in the small community of Nova Scotia, there are seven news- \\ U t^>s*Ji ^^U. .'^»m h :'li N K '» w tK papers published every week, you will perceive that its inhabitants in general are not likely to be ig- norant of public events, nor of the other kinds of information which newspapers usually contain. We iiave already stated, that, for various reasons, the in- habitants of the forest must be often from home ; and you are aware, we presume, that the want of an inquisitive disposition constitutes no trait in the character of an American. By these means, they acquire a considerable fund of general information, which, though, perhaps, not very profitable, places them much higher in the scale of intelligence, than the inhabitants of Great Britain usually suppose. The greater part of emigrants imagine that they are about to associate with a people, who, because they live in the woods, must be simple, ignorant, and willing to be instructed. They themselves have proceeded from a country where knowledge abounds ; and, perhaps, they know a few points well. They, therefore, land upon our shores with notions of their own superiority, which flatter them with the expectation of respectful deference. But they find a people whom necessity has rendered acute; and whose knowledge and action, though, probably, not so perfect as their own, embrace a much more extensive range. It may be also observed, that the mind of an American is not apt to labour under a conviction of ignorance, nor under a persuasion that clergymen from Britain are at all requisite for the instruction of the colonies. From the circumstances in which he is placed, he acquires a versatihty of mind, - Iffff liiil W ii n iff 1*1 I I I * ii ff i ^i^i^^^jgcmf'mwtkm JS^ c^7 ?ive that i be ig- kinds of lin. We I the in- home ; want of it in the ns, they •mation, ', places ce, than suppose, lat they because ^norant, mselves Dw ledge ' points res with er them e. But endered though, brace a i of an iction of rgymen auction 1 which mind, 11 which renders a change of occupation easy ; and his confidence in his own resources is not restricted to secular pursuits. That the same person should be a farmer to-day, and a preacher to-morrow, is an ordinary occurrence, and one of the principal causes which exclude from many of our settlements, the regular dispensation of divine ordinances. Such are the people with whom your Mission, aries must every day associate. The preceding re- marks will, therefore, suggest to you some of the difficulties before them, and also what qualifications they ought to possess. Your Society, it is true, is founded for the relief of emigrants. But, in these colonies, the amount of the emigrations from Scot- land, compared with the general population, is small; and, besides, they are most frequently so dispersed among the natives, that, unless your Mis- sionaries can extend their labours beyond their coun- trymen, they will rarely be able to collect a congre- gation. As it may occur to you, perhaps, that your benevolent operations for the relief of emigrants, will become subservient to the improvement of the native inhabitants, it may be useful for you to know the exact state of these provinces in a religious point of view. To the subjoined account, therefore, we solicit your attention. The great body of the early settlers of Nova Scotia and the adjacent provinces were loyalists, and men who, in the revolted colonies, had fought the battles of their country. As such, therefore, they were entitle ed to the sympathy and encouragement of the Brit- ish nation. But, though they were, with comparative- ?^1 ij r k \y few exceptions, Presbyterians andCongregational- ists, with ill-sighted policy, the public bounty has been hitherto expended in pressing upon them Epis- copalian clergymen. On this account, there is, in these provinces, what is usually denominated the Church of England, which contains well-endowed clergy, respectable places of worship, and, not un- frequently, scarcely the shadow of a congregation. The colonists, thus excluded from the public bounty, were left to their own resources; and the benevolence of those who might care for their spi- ritual necessities. By these means, they are now in general provided with instructors in whom they repose confidence; so that your Missionaries will not enter a community where the clergy are few, and attachment to particular forms of the Christian religion feeble. One part are under the inspection of active and respectable JMissionaries from the Wes- leyan Society of Methodists. Another are Bap- tists, and regularly supplied wiih clergymen, who, as far as w^e know them, are men of evangelical views, pious, and enterprising. The remaining por- tion of the Protestant population, with few excep- tions, profess Presbyterian principles. To these the operations of your Society particularly point. Of their situation, therefore, with respect to the means of religious improvement, we shall now give you an account. For a considerable period, the poverty which un- avoidably attends the settlement of a new country, prevented the Presbyterian population from obtain- ing the ordinances of religion. At last, however, :sisw0mi y; I \ :'i-jjy- ffcx-^ ».?<<3^ regational- )ounty has hem Epis- ihere is, in inated the 1-endowed d, not un- regation. he public s; and the their spi- f are now rhom they laries will Y are few. Christian ;pection of the Wes- are Bap- nen, who, vangelical ining por- ew excep- these the (oint. Of i;he means give you vhich un- r country, m obtain- however, 13 their urgent applications to Scotland induced a few clergymen to visit them ; and subsequently acci- dental circumstances increased their number. Of these, some had previously belonged to the Church of Scotland, and others to different branches of the Secession. But, though they were men of evange- lical sentiments, and zealously engaged in the same work, they were not altogether divested of the spirit of party ; and, on this account, they remained long without common connexion and co-operation. At the same time, it ought to be stated, that none of them, in their public min^"strations, attempted to introduce into the colonies, those religious distinc- tions which exist in Scotland; and, accordingly, though without communion themselves, they sanc- tioned and cherished it among the people under their inspection. Those who occasionally removed from one congregation to another, were uniformly received into the Church, without reference or al- lusion to any section of Presbyterians in Scotland. In course of time, however, various causes oper- ated to produce a more catholic spirit ; and, from a general conviction of both ministers and people, that connexion would contribute alike to the reli-' gion of the church and to the diffusion of the Gos- pel, a union was formed, which, with one exception, included the whole Presbyterian clergy of the above- mentioned provinces. As the belief of all was the same, their union required no sacrifice of senti- ment; and, without regard to religious parties in Scotland, it was founded upon the broad basis of evangelical doctrine and Presbyterian principles. it !l r u I 1 \ vy*^ ^ I ^ n. IV. IV J ii ill ; l,f 14 By the annexed document, No I., which contains the formula of our Church, you will perceive that the standards of the Church of Scotland are ours ; so that Missionaries proceeding from you, and es- tablishing a separate communion, can introduce into these colonies no additional purity of principle. That the ministers of our Church did not all origi- nally proceed from the Church of Scotland, will not, we trust, induce you to conclude, that your exertions are the more requisite. You are aware, that the ex- isting order of the Scottish establishment excludes us from communion with your Church. We also can- didly acknowledge, that though faithful ministers of all parties in Scotland share our esteem and affec- tion, from feelings of gratitude our leanings of love are toward the Secession. The venerable father of our Church was a clergyman of the Church of Scot- land ; but the greater part of us have proceeded from the Secession, and our hearts still cling to those early friends with whom we once went into the house of the Lord. Besides, when no other Church cared for the * long desolations' of these pro- vinces, the Secession sympathized with them, and relieved them. The members of that Church, also, have uniformly treated us with such Christian kind- ness, that, did we cease to say, " If I forget thee, O Jerusalem," we would bear the foul stamp of in- gratitude. Presuming that your candour will ap- prove our feelings, we shall proceed to lay before you the plans and exertions of our Church for the propagation of the Gospel. As soon as the Presbyterxan ministers of these ^^ M y Xi contains ceive that are ours ; I, and es- duce into siple. t all oriei- , will not, exertions it the ex- :cliides us also can- inisters of nd aiFec- •\s of love father of [i of Scot- )roceeded cling to vent into no other these pro- lem, and irch, also, ian kind- get thee, np of in- • will ap- ly before h for the of these colonies were united, they proceeded to consider by what means the interests of rehgion might be promoted in the Church, its permanence secured, and its boundaries extended. As subservient to these ends, various measures stated in document No II. were adopted, and afterwards extensively prosecuted. Among others, the establishment of a seminary from which the Church might derive a succession of well-educated preachers, was regarded as an object of primary importance. It had been previously experienced, that dependence on Scot- land involves in it delay, and occasionally disappoint- ment and unsatisfactory results. Besides, the mi- nisters thus united were aware, that, without this internal means of existence, no church can possess a well-founded hope of permanence. For such an institution, therefore, funds to a considerable amount were raised ; an act for the incorporation of trus- tees was also passed by the Legislature of Nova Scotia, and ultimately a charter with the royal sane tion obtained. Since that period, by means of an annual grant from the Provincial Government, and the bounty of individuals, it has been in operation • and thus far its success exceeds the most sanguine expectations of its friends. As a literary and scien- tific mstitution, it has acquired the confidence of the public ; and when ,ve add, that a number of Its students have visited Britain, as preachers of the Gospel, and received the approbation of com- petent judges, you will be satisfied, we trust, that the confidence of the public has not been misplaced. By document No III., you will perceive, that its i •^^•Tiff-fza-j ^ \f IV. IN. y P 16 success has been such as to excite the jealousies ot the Episcopalian Church, by whom conscientious Dissenters of every description had been, in this pro- vince, excluded from the means of a liberal educa- tion. Of its value, as a part of provincial im- provement, No IV. will show, that the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia are aware, and also dis- posed to afford it their patronage. In reference to the propagation of the Gospel, it is now a useful assistant. It has supplied the Presbyterian Church with a number of respectable preachers and minis- ters, who, in the remote wilds of the forest, are pub- lishing the tidings of salvation. With such arrangements and success, it will perhaps, appear to you strange, that you should have heard so much respecting the want of reli- gious instruction in these provinces. We would therefore, observe, that the Synod of our Church^ m providing for the permanence of the Gospel have not been inattentive to the immediate neces' sities of the Presbyterian population. Every minis- ter belonging to the Synod is a Missionary, and oc- casionally extends his labours to the destitute set- tlements. Collectively, also, the Synod have been m the regular practice of appointing some of their number to traverse the provinces; and at present, by their standing committee of missions, they are diffusing the Gospel with persevering activity The document No V. will show, that if by their means the ordinances of religion have not become every- where permanent, it is not because « the needy are U jfc^iiurjunii TTTv jalousies of tiscientious in this pro- ?ral educa- 'incial im- -legislative I also dis- ference to f a useful n Church nd minis- t, are pub- !, it will, u should t of reli- e would, Church, Gospel, te ncces- ry minis- , and oc- ute set- ve been of their present, hey are ty. The I' means ; every. edy are 17 forgotten," but for a reason which we shall now sub- join. In the course of last summer seven young men were licensed as preachers of the Presbyterian Church ; and, with a letter of instruction, of which No VI. is a copy, missioned to the various settle- ments in which Presbyterians were known to be numerous. For more than four months they la- boured with diligence and universal acceptance; but the remuneration received by the whole was not forty pounds. For this they had travelled thou- sands of miles, borne the expenses of journeying and suffered a destruction of clothes, which, in tra- velling through a new country, is unavoidably great. In some places which they visited there was an ina- bility to give ; in others, a want of inclination ; and m others again, where there were both ability and will, there was nothing received. In settlements which have surmounted their early poverty, and arrived at the possession of a decent subsistence, there is not unfrequently a complete want of money; so that, unless a preacher carry with him the pro- ductions of the soil, he must remain unrewarded. To the Committee of Missions the preceding want of remuneration was no disappointment. It had been anticipated, and arrangements made to supply the deficiency, by rendering the public spirit of the Church subservient to the dissemination of religious knowledge. By a number of its ministers and members, a Domestic Missionary Society had been formed, with Branch-societies in various parts • and it IS chiefly by the contributions of these that ; \ y i If" i H "N X I P i sr 18 Uie vvililcrness Ims been ol.eered by tbe Gospel Tims, III the colonies, we have already adopted tlio plan, and are prosecuting the ends which your So ciety contemplates. How tar, and in what way you may judge your co-operation requisite, may' perhaps, be suggested by the additional information winch we have yet to communicate. ■ Since the union of the Presbyterian clergy of these provinces, they have increased in numbers and. we trust, in usefulness. At present, the Sy-* nod of our Church contains four Presbyteries, un- der the uispection of which are twenty-seven mi- nisters, four preachers, and the great body of the Presbyterian population. Many, it is true, are still destitute of the regular dispensation of divine or- dinances ; but the success of our measures for the propagation of the Gospel enables us to state, that. ^ far as we know, there is not in ^^ova Scotia, Prmce Edward Island, or Cape Breton, a collec- tion of Presbyterians capable of supporting the Gospel, and willing to receive it, who do not look to our Church, and will not be in a short time supplied with the ordinances of religion. That they have placed themselves under the inspection of our Synod, indicates their confidence ; and for your farther satisfaction, we have subjoined the do- cument No VII.. by which you will perceive in what light Its members are viewed by the head of Government in the American colonies. As the principal part of the emigrants, whori your Society proposes to assist, are either located m our congregations, or among those who belong ,y lie Gospel, (loptcd tlie 1 your So- what way, isite, may, iformation clergy of numbers, t, the Sy- eries, un- seven mi- dy of the 3, are still livine or- es for the tate, that, a Scotia, a conce- rting tlie not look ort time That ispection and, for the de- ceive in head of whom located belong i 19 to other religious parties, there are few settle- ments to which you could send a minister, with- out interfering with our colonial arrangements, and being also necessitated to provide for his subsist- ence. Upon both these points, therefore, we would solicit your attention to the following remarks. Admitting that your Society did send a clergy- man into any of the congregations of our Church, and that all the emigrants within its bounds place them- selves under his inspection, whether he would be able to remain among them, would depend upon the na- tives of the country, and those who have been so long in it that they may be considered as com- pletely naturalized. From the united exertions of the whole, a bare subsistence for a minister is at present obtained ; so that, in the event of division, all would be deprived of the ordinances of religion.' Were it even practicable for your Society to place every Presbyterian in these colonies under the in- spection of clergymen of the Church of Scotland, still we apprehend, that the ministers of our synod have a strong claim upon your justice and benevo- lence. We do not conceive you to be actuated by the spirit of party. We believe, that attachment to the Gospel, and feeling for the spiritual necessi- ties of Scotchmen, induce you to provide for them the means r" mstruction. The^- are the feehngs, and this the very work of the clergy of our Church. They ask not the inhabitants of these provinces to become Seceders, but to believe the Gospel, ijndbe religious men. Tliey are forming no party but a party for Christ ; and did you know with what pri- i! ) *ii •r \1 >r»*-K A f N -J r1 la ifi- valions u„d toils n.any arc beariug Ib.tl. the we -us seed, and sowing it i,. tl.e-wilderne , yo' would not say. Let their congregations be b oZ up = you would cheer then, with the proofs of yo^ affection and sympathy. ^ The operations of your Society will, doubtless in- troduce ,„to some Presbyterian settlements an I position of parties which does not at presen exisf- aftect the interests of our congregations. Throush «uch an ordeal our Church has aheady passed and experienced all the injury which it is^Co' st fh. H M !^''™ " '■"^ Clergy. nen. chiefly from the Highlands of Scotland, have settled ii, these p!"l ° ^^"°"''' C''"^'"'- introduced another Presbyterian communion. But farther than proeur |ng like ourselves, a scanty subsistence, and"byT ; mterferenee, dividing a few settlements which eon junetly. might have maintained the Gospe tZ- .. fluence has not extended. Even in tlfe phe" of their labours, a large proportion of both nativll a^d emigrants have continued firm in their att ch men to the congregations of our Church the^e^nsTf d"f ""™ '""" ^""^ ""^'^ '" ^-ome tne means fd'vidmg a settlement of Presbyterians ZZr,l^-^ '"^ ''™ *''^'^' ^°"'d "'ti-nately promote the interests of religion. The experience Shows, that loreign support produces domestic in d>ffere„ce about the -nfon of the clergy ; and we J itli the pre- ierness, you s be broken 'oofs of your oubtless, in- ents, an op- esent exist; I materially • Through passed, and cely to sus- hiefly from ■d ill these eir attach- ed another lan procur- id, by their v'hich, con- 'Spel, their the sphere >th natives eir attach- to become byterians, oubt whe- iltimately xperience colonies, lestic in- ; and we 01 /v 1 are already enabled to state, that, in these parts, your proposed beneficence is employed for the purpose of inducing settlements to relax their exertions in behalf of the Gospel. Whatever is done for reli- gion, is valuable in proportion to the extent and permanence of its fruits. Upon this point we would refer you to the present state of the Presby- terian Church of Nova Scotia. Its clergy, when landed upon the American coast by the bounty of those who felt for the spiritual wants of the colonies, were left to the fruit of thejr labours. They have thus endured hardship, but they have introduced into the Church that order, which, by renderinn- the hearers of the Gospel its supporters, contributes to its permanence ; and when we add, that, with the exception of our Baptist brethren, they are, in our opinion, the only clergy who, without foreign as- sistance, could to any extent remain in the colonies, we would express a doubt, whether the support of Missionaries by your Society, would, in its results, prove permanently beneficial. As the mission of catechists and schoolmasters constitutes a part of your plan, we would respect- fully suggest, that we do not think the usefulness of the former likely to be extensive. It would be limited to those vho have emigrated from the Highlands of Scotland ; and we would farther sug- gest, that, unless they were men of very great hutni- lity, they would not tend to the furtherance of the Gospel. From experience we can state, that, in des- titute settlements, catechists have viewed the in- troduction of a ministei-, as a mc'asure cijlculated fo ,1 ^ n "rr-s d A ! N ^ IN l' fl dqvrive them of that consequence which they had previously assumed. Could your Society provide for the colonies a number of respectable teachers, thove is not. we believe, any other way in which your funds could be more profitably expended. At the sume time, we doubt whether you could make any arrange- ment for the instruction of youth in these parts, that would answer your expectations. The sub- ject of education has long occupied the attention of the legislature of Nova Scotia ; but, though exceedmgly anxious for its general diffusion, they have not been able to adopt any plan. To ex- plam their difficulties would be to you tedious and unmteresting. There is, however, one view of the subject, which it may be useful to brinff under your review. Teachers in Scotland, from a knowledge of the high fees which are given for eduei^ion in these parts, have been octasionaliy induced to emigrate But uniformly they have been disappointed, and not unfrequently experienced hardships. This does not proceed from inattention to the instruction of youth in the colonies. The government of Nova Scotia has done much for the support of schools ; and, for the same purpose, the community in general con- tribute three times as much as persons in similar circumstances in Scotland. Yet, with these exer- tions, the remuneration of the teacher is so scanty that there is no distinct class of men who look to' the education of youth as a permanent occupation m the most populous parts, it is difficult to find H b icli they had le colonies a '. is not, we funds could ; sume time, any arrange- these parts, The sub- le attention >ut, though usion, they 1. To ex- tedious and ne view of t)ring under (dge of the n in these 3 emigrate, ed, and not is does not n of youth 3va Scotia 5 ; and, for neral con- in similar lese exer- so scanty, 3 look to !cupation. to find. I within a reasonable extent, as many families as can render the employment of a respectable teacher a practicable measure. We have thus submitted to your Society a short account of the religious state of these provinces, in relation to the principal ends which you propose to promote. It will satisfy you, we trust, that the first resolution of your Committee, viz. that our coun- trymen in these colonics, as in others, must, from the very nature of their situation as emigrants be deplorably destitute of the means of religious im- provement, is not so applicable to Xova Scotia and the adjacent countries as they have been indue ed to suppose. This conclusion, we believe, has proceeded partly from the defective statements with which they had been furnished, and partly from the unobtrusive manner in which the Presbyterian Church of Nova Scotia has endeavoured to dissemi nate the knowledge of tl e Gospel. Missionaries in other lands have enjoyed the support of powerful societies ; and, by means of periodical publications the friends of religion in i3ritain have learned their success, and been aroused to take an interest in their comfort. Our Church contains four Presbyteries- It has founded a respectable seminary, and provided for the colonies a series of respectable native preach- ers : and all this has been done without one appeal to British benevolence, and, as far as we know with out one to publish in Britain their labours and suc- cess. Notwithstanding the information which your So- ciety has received from individuals in these V 5 N •'^''^^ \ij£. IV '^rriis d^*r\ A / M>^/->»^i / IV I '^ ^ ■•-< u' ^4 vinces, we are not sure that either the extent of tlic field, or the prospect of success, should encourage you to increase the number of ministers. We do not think that the clergy of our Church are charge- able with want of sympathy for the souls of the des- titute. As living in the Provinces, also, they are better qualified to judge of existing circumptances than persons at a distance ; and their judgment, col- lectively, we conceive to be of more weight than the opinions of individuals, perhaps hastily formed. For your information, therefore, we would state, that our Synod, from a conviction that their ar- rangements would soon enable the Presbyterian po- pulation to derive the Gospel from their own re- sources, have already refused to receive clergymen from those churches in Scotland by whom they had been previously supplied. Should you, however, still judge Missionaries from you to be requisite, we beg leave to assure ygu, that both our brethren and we will receive them with kindness ; and, as far as their labours, without interfering with our congre- gations, are subservient to the increase of religious knowledge and godliness, we will bid them God speed. In the meantime, we shall subjoin a few par- ticulars which, in missioning clergy to the colonies, it may be useful for you to know. On this continent the scarcity of clergy does not originate in the rapid increase of its population. Every office which presents the prospect of a reason- able subsistence, is promptly filled : and, were the support of the clergy respectable, there would be no want of spiritual instructers. This our two bre- .^- ent of the encourage We do re charge- 3f the des- , they are nmptances ment, col- ight than y formed, •uld state, their ar- terian po- ' own re- lergymen they had 'ever, still e, we beg n and we as far as r congre- religious lem God a few par- ' colonies, does not )pulation. a reason - were the aid be no two bre- 25 thren, whose correspondence has been laid before yon, could have stated from their own experience ; and we confess ourselves not a little surprised, that, in complaining to their friends of the religious wants of the colonies, they have not mentioned the cause. The one, the Reverend John Sprott, has himself ceased to exercise his ministry amidst a large popu- lation, solely because he could not subsist among them. The other, the Reverend James Thomson, had repeatedly importuned his correspondents in Scotland, to send a brother to his assistance. A preacher was, accordingly, missioned ; and after his arrival, none of those places where Mr Thomson wished him to labour, presented the least prospect that he could derive a subsistence from his minis- terial services. If, from mere general views of the destitute situation of the British provinces, your So- ciety send to them either ministers or teachers un- supported, we are confident that your benevolence, which contemplates only works of mercy, will in- volve them in disappointment and distress. Admitting that your Society proceed upon what you conceive to be sure ground, and receive a gua- rantee for the support of those whom you mission, still many unexpected and mortifying circumstances await them. In the congregations of these provinces the regular payment of the clergyman's salary is al- together unknown; and he who would enforce regula- rity by legal means, would find both his usefulness and comfort gone. In America, to be in debt, and to be dunned, are accounted no disgrace. The mode of conducting every kind of business is, from unavoid- \ i'i lik ij^^j^rr-^^T^^m^^^^^zjT^^ IT YT-V > I ; sis y r -4 J m> -^ r> 26 able circumstances, systematically bad ; and the clergy experience their full share of the consequences. Among merchants, an obligation to pay at a certain date, is little better than an acknowledgment of the debt; and we have known clergymen possessing a good bond, reduced to the humiliating necessity of telling their congregations, that they were in ab- solute want of the common means of subsistence. Even where congregations do fulfil their engage- ments, it is usually in such a way as vastly abridges the value of ministerial support. In these colo- nies, the greater part of the population are either in debt, or funding their labour upon the improve- ment of their lands. For these reasons they pos- sess little disposable property, and, of course, little cash. A clergyman, therefore, must take his salary in such commodities as his hearers have. Various causes also contribute to produce much delay and trouble ; and, even when it is received, it is partly nominal. Congregations in these parts do not pos- sess the organization of older churches, and their want of order unavoidably injures the subsistence of the clergy. One part of their people satisfy them- selves with paying their own quota of support; another, because they are less likely to be pressed by their minister than by others to whom they are in- debted, leave him unpaid till they have nothing to give. We would farther observe, that to fix the Gospel in destitute settlements, is not such an easy task as persons unacquainted with the nature of these colo- nies would be apt to suppose. A new settlement /, r-y ^foin I . I f mKK± ^fs^-«rx^.«/T^ T //^ tvt le clergy quell ces. a certain it of the )ssessing lecessity e in ab- tence. engage- ibridges se colo- 2 either nprove- ey pos- e, Httle s salary Various lay and partly lot pos- d their ;ence of ' thern- ipport ; ssed by are in- ling to Gospel task as e colo- enient I ^7 is not a number of families living closely together. Next neighbours may be miles apart, and frequent- ly persons of all religious persuasions are mixed. In such cases unanimity is not to be expected. In set- tlements, too, where considerable uniformity of sen- timent exists, incidental circumstances will, at times, render the introduction of the Gospel impracticable. Whether it may find admission, occasionally depends upon the nod of an individual, whose indifference or hostility paralyzes the whole. Besides, in set- tlements still struggling with poverty, there are at times jarrings, which induce a disposition to prefer the pleasure of thwarting to the possession of the Gospel. In these and many other cases, it is only by gradual cherishing that it becomes relished and ultimately permanent. Even when settlements have advanced thus far in religious improvement, in order to supply them with the Gospel, much ministerial fatigue is neces- sary. In the Presbyterian Church of Nova Scotia, there are few clergymen who have not, at least, two or three places of worship, perhaps from six to twen- ty miles apart ; and if this be the condition of mi- nisters in the older settlements, in those which have been more recently formed, and which, of course, are without roads and many other conveniences, your Missionaries must encounter additional hardships. We would also suggest, that Missionaries to these provinces require a higher degree of intellect than the inhabitants of Great Britain generally suppose. You, as a society of religious men, may probably conclude, that those who are living without the ^'^ 4 4 ) ^^^^^S^^^^BSk "> IN. J M' ■> .(' n "■• t r..^ 28 Gospel, will, fin- the sake of enjoying its ordinances, overlook the inferior talents of its ministers. But here, the work of a clergyman is not, to instruct per- sons who are simple and eager to be taught. It is to fix the attention and convince the judgment of men, shrewd from their circumstances, and by no means incapable of forming a just estimate of talent; and we can safely add, that the clergyman who has not found acceptance in Scotland, will not, by removing to America, find Lis popularity and usefulness 'm- creased. Besides, since the Pictou seminary has be- come subservient to the propagation of the Gospel, the Presbyterian population evince an attachment to native preachers, which will render them less dis- posed to be satisfied with that class of clergy who are most apt to emigrate. It is, we believe, one of your fundamental rules, that those who receive your assistance must be in the communion of the Church of Scotland, and un- der the inspection of its ministers. At the same time, you express your respect for those who have already exerted themselves to provide for the spi- ritual necessities of the Presbyterian population of these parts. As these have neither been guided by the spirit of party, nor deviated from the standards of the Church of Scotland, perhaps your Society might be disposed to consider whether the forma- tion of a party, which must unavoidably produce division, will ultimately promote religious know- ledge in connexion with Presbyterian principles in the American provinces. In all of them there are ministers who, by the rules of your Church, are ~ptj-~'> Xiir- -'<^-^'^>^^ ^> ^9 di nances, ?rs. But truct per- ;. It is to t of men, lo means ent; and ) has not emovinsf Iness in- Y has be- ? Gospel, achment less dis- who are :al rules, St be in and un- le same ho have the spi- ation of ided by andards Society forma- )roduce know- iples in tere are eh, are excluded from communion, yet they profess the same principles, and preach them in purity. In Nova Scotia, also, the Presbyterian Church has be- come so far permanent as to derive the Gospel from its own resources. We would, therefore, re- spectfully suggest, that, perhaps, the interests of re- ligion would be more extensively promoted, were the bounty of your Society dispersed in such ways as wculd neither discourage clergymen, who are al- ready the means of much good, nor, for the sake of connecting Presbyterians of these remote lands with the Scottish Establishment, impede the suc- cess of measures which are already in operation for the advancement of learning and religion. Could you place yourselves in our situation, and see Scotsmen and Presbyterians opposed and thwarted by an Episcopacy supported by the British Govern- ment and the wealth of the Church of England, you would not say, — Let them be split into parties, and become insignificant : you would cement their union and patronise their combined exertions. That your present plan will, in various ways, in- jure the Presbyterian interests of British America, it is impossible for us to doubt. Were any society to present, even to Scotland, the prospect of gra- tuitous support for ministers, not a few parties would be formed to claim its patronage. In these provinces yours has already been used for the pm-- pose of dividing settlements capable of maintaining the Gospel by their conjunct exertions. That either the Church of Scotland, or any other section of British Presbyterians, can become exten- A >i iA ..nR-T^^T -v-farK»>eji ":^ v ^-^ ^ r [> I 1 . i. ;. at 30 sive in the American colonies, appears to us to be exceedingly doubtful. Above all otiiers,your Church has the least prospect of success. Other Presbyte- rian clergy who emigrate from Britain, cannot look back to inviting prospects; but, in your Church, every minister of talent who goes abroad, views himself as a stranger and wayfaring man, and, if he can, he tarries only for a night. We would not be understood as insinuating that clergymen of the Church of Scotland have less zeal than others for the propagation of the Gospel ; but in the colonies so many contingencies aifect the comfort of a mi- nister, that he cannot but turn with desire to the prospect of combined usefulness and permanent sup- port which the Scottish Establishment presents. On this account, as well as for other reasons, we doubt that your proposed arrangement is not the best for promoting the interests of the Presbyterian Church in British America. The Episcopalian Church of these provinces rests its hopes of success upon its native preachers ; and, in our opinion, Presbyterian principles can be extensively disseminated only by the same means. It occurs to us, therefore, that if you were to ef- fect a union of the Presbyterian clergymen of evan- gelical sentiments, who are already in these colo- nies, and then to assist them in such measures as might enable the Church under their inspection to derive, from its own resources, a succession of in- structers, you would concentrate, upon the propa- gation of the Gospel, that energy of its colonial friends, which, according to your present plan, will probably be wasted in unhallowed contentions. M r^ u US to be r Church Presbyte- inot look Church, d, views iiid, if he d not be 1 of the thers for colonies of a mi- ? to the ent sup- ints. On e doubt best for Church lurch of ipon its >yterian >nly by J to ef- f evan- e colo- ures as tion to of in- propa- olonial n, will 31 Christian Brethren, it is not for the respectability of Scotchmen abroad, it is not for the success of the Gospel among them, that the religious divisions of their native country should be propagated in the place of their pilgrimage. Far better it would be were the friends of religion in Scotland to unite, first in fellowship, and then in operation for the re- lief of their brethren in lands afar off. This would multiply abundantly the fruits of the Gospel both at home and abroad. By your means, those who have proceeded from you, would build up the old waste places, and you would raise up the founda- tions of many generations ; you would be called the repairers of the breach, the restorers of the paths to dwell in. Glory would make her habitation with you; and we who dwell in the wilderness, would see the glory of the Lord and the excellency of our God. (Signed) James McGregor, D.D. Duncan Ross. Thomas M*Culloch, D.D., &c. James Rob son. John M'Kinlay, M.A. I i j^H t^^-T-T>r^>^ji ^u V -^ > S2 IV ■i ■^' i^r From the First Annual Report of your Com- mittee, it appears that tlie information contained in the preceding Memorial was not unnecessary. The details which they have given, required an ex- tent of topical knowledge not easily attained ; and, on this accoimt, without derogating from the purity of their intentions, it may be remarked, that, to give their Report the accuracy which it ought to possess, the statement of additional facts was no less requi- site. This T regret the more, because, when their publication is circulated and perused, my brethren in America cannot correct the Committee's uninten- tional mistakes. In their absence, therefore, I would respectfully beg leave to add such observations as the case seems to require. Though many parts of those provinces to which the Memorial refers, are, doubtless, destitute of di- vine ordinances, the picture of this deficiency, drawn in the Report, is, in my opinion, greatly over- charged. " The establishment of the Society," it is said, " was no sooner known in the provinces, than a host of applications, of the most urgent and affect- ing nature, were forwarded to your Committee for ministers of the Gospel to be sent out. The invit- ing voice of the man of Macedonia to the great Apostle of the Gentiles has been sounded again, and again, and again, in our ears, Come over and help us:' — P. 17. And, says your correspondent, the Rev. Mr M*Kenzie, " Many settlements through- out this province have never had a sermon preached to them ; . . , . scarce a day passes that I am not ap- plied to, to i'urnish such directions as may enable y "-^^^"^^^^ '^' ^^^ VI ur Com- itained in lecessary. ?d an ex- led; and, le purity t, to give D possess, ?ss requi- lien their brethren uninten- I would ations as :o which te of di- {, drawn y over- ty," it is 5, than a i affect- ittee for le invit- e great again, er and ent, the I rough- reached not ap- enable i 33 tiicm to apply to your Society for a participation in its bounty." — P. 24, 25. If Mr M'Kenzie mean, that there are many settle- ments which ministers from the Church of Scotland have not visited, perhaps his statement maybe correct; but, though I have lived long in Nova Scotia, I do not know one Presbyterian settlement where the Gospel has not been preached ; and the ministers of other denominations are not less active than the Presbyterian clergy. That JVIr M'Kenzie has re- ceived a number of applications for your bounty, I can easily believe ; but I suspect, that, by publish- ing their amount, your Committee have placed him in awkward circumstances. Out of all those appli- cations he has transmitted only four. To these I shall by and by advert. In the meantime I would remark, that your Committee, in announcing a dis- tressing want of the Gospel in the colonies, have not stated the resources for its dissemination which these possess. In the provinces to which the Me- morial refers, there are not, I presume, more than fifty thousand Presbyterians ; and, for the spiritual improvement of these, there are more than forty ministers, and an institution at which young men are prepared for public services in the Presbyterian Church. Many of our countrymen, it is true, are still without the regular dispensation of the Gospel. But a part, from their dispersion in the wilderness, or, perhaps, from intermixture with other denomina- tions of Christians, cannot reasonably expect the re- sidence and labours of a clergyman, till the countries in which they have settled, arrive at a more ad- l! ) it \yl j-^^y^^ r vfa^ y^.'KZir-^j v .->y"-i^#r^i\ ) y ^ IN \^ M 34 vanced stage of civilization and improvement. At present, they can merely be visited, and cheered with the prospect of better times. With respect to those who are more closely located, I have remarks of a very different nature to make. These, in ad- verting to several parts of your Committee's Re- port, I shall bring under your review. But, perhaps, your Society, in adopting their present plan, have been influenced by considera- tions overlooked in the Memorial. These, there- fore, as far as they appear from your Report, and from those statements which I knew to have been made to your Committee, or to other friends of re- ligion in Britain, I shall endeavour to discuss. The greater part of Scottish settlers in British North America originally belonged to the Church of Scotland. On this account, it may have occurred to you, that they cherish a dislike to other Presby- terian communions. Accordingly, your Society have resolved, that none but those connected with that Church shall be inissioned for their improve- ment. Indeed, your correspondent, Mr M'Kenzie, affords you premises for si^ch a conclusion : — " Did they," says he, " but know the zeal of Scotchmen, buried in the solitary wilds of this country for the Church of their fathers, they would not fail to put you in possession of such means as would cause our * wildernesses to rejoice and blossom as the rose.' Such is the zeal of Scotch settlers in this province, to obtain the blessing of religious instruction in the way in which they were educated, that scarce a day passes that I am not applied to, to furnish # y jnt. At cheered espect to remarks e, ill ad- tee's Re- ig their msidera- ?, there- ort, and ive been Is of re- ss. British Church )ccurred Presby- Society ed with nprove- Kenzie, -" Did chmen, for the i to put use our se.' .... ovince, I in the larce a furnish 35 such directions as may enable them to apply to your Society for a participation in its bounty." — P. 24, 25. Permit me to say, that it does seem to me a Uttle strange, that, out of such a multiplicity of ap- plications, Mr M*Kenzie has only enabled five to claim your bounty, and not less strange that one of these should be in his own behalf; particularly, as he is not buried in the solitary wilds of Nova Sco- tia, but, in the town of Pictou, where he is striving to form a congregation in the midst of another in which the Gospel is well and faithfully preached. In general, Scotchmen abroad are not without zeal for the church of their fathers. The Presbyte- rian Church of Nova Scotia itself is an example of their attachment to those religious principles and forms in which many of its members had been in- structed in Scotland. But it is also a proof, that their zeal for the church of their fathers, does not influence i^hem to reject the communion of other churches, where the same faith and practice are maintained ; and I can add, that, in the British pro- vinces, I never knew a Scotchman, guided by cor- rect views of religion, and living where he could enjoy the services of one of our ministers, who al- lowed zeal for a mere name to withhold him from Christian fellowship. I shall state to you, however, that the ministers of our Church do meet with occasional dislikes and rejection. Many emigrants from the High- lands of Scotland knew only the establishment of their country ; and some, partly from the faithful- d 7-1 i\ P II A J y-y^y^^^-wu V life \> IN y ness of our clergy, and partly from other causes, do look with longing to the Church of their fathers. You are aware, too, that though the aggregate amount of emigration contains many excellent men, the whole do not belong to that class of society in which the power of religion has its strongest hold. Religious men, in general, cling to the place where they have met the God of their fathers ; others go abroad, not to seek him ; and if they chance to meet, it is not with salutations of rejoicing, but Hast thou found me, O mine enemy. In such cases, would you say of the ministers of our Church, Let us weaken their hands ? You would rather tell the disaffected, that they know neither the Church of Scotland nor you ; that they have already the very Gospel and discipline which yon patronise. But, perhaps, though satisfied with the princi- ples of our Church, you may object to the mode in which these are propagated. I know that in Bri- tain, and also in the colonies, individuals who pro- fess zeal for the Scottish establishment, have exhi- bited our provincial exertions for the diffusion of the Gospel in an unfavourable point of view. I allude particularly to their opposition to the Pictou Academy, and to those preachers whom it has furnished for the Presbyterian Church. Upon these points, therefore, I would solicit your atten- tion to a few facts ; and as the evidence of the Lord Bishop of Nova Scotia will not excite a suspicion of partiality, I shall, as an introduction to subse- quent statements, submit to you a part of his cor- respondence with the Society for the Propagation oi y ■X«M ~r^ y % causes, do ir fathers, aggregate [lent men, society in gest hold, ice where others go 5 to meet, )ut Hast ich cases, urch. Let T tell the 'hurch of the very e princi- mode in t in Bri- who pro- ive exhi- fusion of view. I e Pictou it has Upon ir atten- he Lord uspicion subse- his cor- ;ation of 37 the Gospel in Foreign l*arts.— " I proceeded to Pictou, through a fine and rapidly-improving coun- try The original settlers from Scotland were chiefly of the Kirk, but as no minister of their own could be induced to settle among so poor a people, they first obtained a seceding minister, who pre- vailed ijpon others to follow him, and the whole people attended their ministry for many years. Of late, however, several ministers of the Kirk have set- tled among them, which has naturally caused some division At Pictou, an Academy, or College, as it is called, has been built Much pains have been taken to make it attractive by its philosophical ap- paratus and lectures in the sciences; and the resi- dence is agreeable to the students, as they lodge in private houses at moderate expense, and flee from restraint. The Institution owes its rise partly to the difficulties and embarrassments which have oppress- ed King's College at Windsor, and partly to the zeal of the Presbyterian ministers, who have the sole charge of it. It is supported chiefly by an anmial grant from the Provincial Legislature, and is likely to rise or decay as the College at Windsor is depress- ed or advanced."— ./J^por^/or 1823, jp. 69, 70. As you may not be aware of the difficulties to which all in the colonies who differ from the Church of Englrnd, are subjected, I shall make his Lord- ship's account the subject of a few remarks. They will show you, that the ministers of our Church have not neglected the dissenting population, and also bring before you other particulars which you ouffht to know. His Lordship observes, that the Institution at Pic- ■ I 4j i^ H' n c 4 ) / I n V N i r :W 'iii 'Ji' if i' 1! 'Ij f ■ 4! mI 38 tou " owes its rise partly to the difficulties and em- barrassments which have oppressed King's College at Windsor, and partly to the zeal of the Presbyte- rian ministers." Now, the history of the Pictou Academy is simply this.— By a statute of King's College, it is provided, that « no student shall frequent the Romish mass, or the meeting-houses of Presbyterians, Baptists, or Methodists, or the conventicles or places of wor- ship of any other dissenters from the Church of England." With this arrangement the great body of the population of Nova Scotia had been long dis- pleased ; and the Presbyterian ministers, assisted by others, stood forward to relieve them from this illi- beral exclusion. But the Presbyterian ministers de- sired for themselves no monopoly of learning ; and, accordingly, for incorporating the trustees of the Pictou Academy, they procured the passing of a bill by the Legislative Assembly of the province, which contained no reference to the religious sentiments of any denomination of Christians. Subsequently, in- deed, the bill was modified ; and now, though the education of the Seminary is accessible to all, its di- rection, in opposition to the wish of the Presby- terians, cannot be the common privilege of dis- senters. Since that period, it has struggled with unremitted opposition from the enemies of dissent- ers ; but, till it had engrossed more of the educa- tion of the province than his Lordship wished, the exclusive system of the Episcopal College was never known to be a source of perplexity. Now, in the expectation of obtaining for it additional funds, he has informed the Society, that the Academy at -^; > «^^ ^^' ^^' and em- College 'resbyte- s simply rovided, sh mass, ptists, or of wor- lurch of jat body ong dis- ;isted by this illi- sters de- ig; and, of the of a bill ?, which nents of fitly, in- igh the I, its di- Presby- of d's- ;d with dissent- educa- ed, the s neve r in the funds, !my at 39 Pictoii " is likely to rise or decay as the College at Windsor is depressed or advanced." The district of Pictou, as his Lordship states, *' is a fine and rapidly-improving country." At first it was left to seceders ; because, as he observes, no mi- nister of the Church of Scotland could be induced to settle among so poor a people. But having in part surmounted its early poverty, it now contains clergymen from the Scottish establishment. As yet, however, they have not obtained the support which they had anticipated, and there has ensued an irritation of mind, unfriendly to the other Presby- terian clergy of the province, and to their measures for the propagation of the Gospel ; and the Pictou Academy, in particular, is the object of their dislike. The previous existence of our Church in Pictou, has limited their labours to those who are least qua- lified to contribute to their comfort ; and, as the Se- minary at Pictou provides for the Presbyterians, preachers who are more w^illing to submit to the pri- vations of a new country, they have viewed it with dislike, and, in every possible way, assisted the Lord Bishop of Nova Scotia, in his measures for its de- struction. A few weeks ago the casting vote of his Lordship prevented it from obtaining a permanent revenue of four hundred a year. Respecting the ministers from the Church of Scotland who are in Pictou, I may add, that, before my departure for Britain, two of them had presented to the adminis- trator of the province serious charges against the Seminary ; but with so little effect, that, when its trustees, for the purpose of vindication, applied for A f I i V k ) T-R^- I t tL-y \f)P W \K 40 -H \ 'i.i if I a copy of their accusations, it was refused upon the ground that exculpation was not needed. These particulars I should not have mentioned, had it not become necessary to advert to other ramifications of the same subject, which extend to this country. The opposition and embarrassments, experienced by the trustees of the Pictou Academy, had in- duced them to depute me to Mtain, to solicit in its behalf, the patro age of the friends of religion and learning. It was conceived, that, from its sub- serviency to both, it might obtain a participation of that bounty which Great Britain extends to the most remote parts of the earth. I had, however, scarcely arrived, when it was reported from the co- lonies, that the Rev. Dr Burns of New Brunswick had sailed for tiiis country to prevent my success. Having been several years ago assured by that gen- tleman, that, through his influence, the Seminary at Pictou might obtain pecuniary aid from his friends in New Brunswick, I was not prepared to credit this report ; till, from unquestionable autho- rity, I learned, that, after his arrival, he had repre- sented that Institution as not necessary in the pro- vinces. Such a statement, not according with the view of its utility given in the Memorial, I judge it requisite to submit to you the following re- marks : — Previous to the existence of the Pictou Academy, neither Nova Scotia nor any of the adjacent pro- vinces, possessed an Institution for the higher bran- ches of learning, accessible to at least nine-tenths of the population ; and, before a bill for the incor- 7 ) upon the , These ad it not ifications ;ountry. )erienced had in- solicit in religion I its siib- pation of s to the however, 1 the co- unswick success. ;hat gen- eminary rom his pared to e autho- id repre- the pro- with the I judge ving re- cademy, ?nt pro- er bran- e-tenths le incor- 41 poration of its trustees was introduced into the Le- gislative Assembly of Nova Scotia, members from different parts had been, without concert, instructed by their constituents to promote such a measure. Whether it be now necessary, appears to me, there- fore, the only point to be proved ; and the Report of the Committee of that body, appointed to in- quire into the state of that Institution, will, I trust, afford you satisfactory evidence. In their opinion, " it poLsesses decided advantages, in many respects, to those students who are destined to the ministry in the Presbyterian and other dissenting Churches ; and is, for this object, indispensably necessary, if these are to be supplied by the youth of the pro- vince : and, further, that class of men, competent by their literary acquirements and moral conduct, to supply the numerous English schools now im- periously required throughout the province, is chief- ly to be expected from the students at Pictou. . . . They (the Committee) have deemed it their duty, imder the clearest conviction of the invaluable be- nefits which education confers on a country, to re- commend the Pictou Academy to the continued support and fostering care of the General Assem- bly." Had Dr Burns been aware of this Committee's opinion, his candour would have induced him to give a similar account. To some of his brethren, however, I find it utterly impossible to extend the same charity. Very unfair means have been used by them to bring it into disrepute, by wounding the reputation of the preachers who have been edu- ) I i k i^^^;rT--P?sn.^KZir~^jv^r^ K 42 '"A V y i <■ I ii;.:'! r% ' i 1"^ )iifS f. cated in Pictou for the Presbyterian Church. Of these young men I shall merely remark, that some of them have visited Britain, and preached with as much acceptance as others of the same standing usually do. Yet one of your correspondents, the Rev. Mr M'Lennan, at a public meeting of the Presbyterian population, where one of these preach- ers is now comfortably settled, declared them so unqualified for their office, that the Secession Church in Scotland would not admit them into their pul- pits. In the meantime, he knew neither their ta- lents, the course of their education, nor the nature of their public exhibition: and the Rev. Mr M'Kenzie, another of your correspondents, in pro- secuting the same end, was, in a very unpleasant way, forced to admit that he had spoken without knowledge. By these remarks you will perceive, that an op- position of parties exists in the colonies ; and, under Its influence, your correspondents have swelled the host of applications, which your Report states to be of the most urgent and affecting nature. Mr M'Kenzie, in particular, implores you to commiser- ate his situation, and supply his wants, along with others ; and, upon such grounds, your Committee have reported, that it has been sounded in their ears, again, and again, and again, by the man of Macedonia, Come over and help us. I am not sure, that, in all cases, the inviting voice was the man of Macedonia's. It ought, however, to be heard ; and, if it be of the most urgent and affect- ing nature, it should be promptly answered. In P y /. / I^l I 43 these days, it is not, I believe, the practice of reli- gious societies to communicate to the public their weakest cases. Those, therefore, which your Re- port contains, may be considered as, at least, a fair specimen of the whole, in which their commisera- tion and help have been implored : and the Report states, that " The first, in order of time, was from the settlers at Richibuctou or Carlton, in New Brunswick, amounting to one hundred families, and the num- ber annually increasing by new arrivals. They have begun to build a Church, and expect very soon to be able to make offers of support for a minister ; and so soon as the application is renewed in the shape of a specific proposal, the Committee will be ready to lend every assistance in their power." — P. 17, 18. The urgency of the case of Richibuctou, and the readiness of your Committee to lend every assist- ance in their power, will suggest to you a variety of remarks, when I state, that the Presbyterian in- habitants of that place have already called a preacher of our Church, and promised him a salary of two hundred a year. I did hear that exertions had been made to induce them to look to your Society for aid ; but Dr Burns, who has visited Richibuctou, may, perhaps, be better able than I, to reconcile their former application to you, with their present preference of a preacher from the Church of Nova Scotia. * The second appeal is from the settlers at Dart- mouth, Preston, and the adjacent districts in the A ti I •J 1 I jr~Mj^ r^-r-^^^mr^l ^ rv in" i , a i'*«i 44 county of Halifax, Nova Scotia, who have long been eagerly desirous of a minister, and have actual- ly erected hvo or three places of worship, where Divine Service is occasionally performed, as minis- ters of different denominations happen to pay them a visit :" and this is farther represented as " one of the most interesting and promising stations in the colony, and where a man of truly missionary spirit, may be the instrument of incalculable benefit to hundreds, and even thousands of his country- men."— -P. 18, 19. Wherever there are souls to be saved, a man of truly missionary spirit may become the instru- ment of incalculable benefit : but, that a Missionary from Scotland, would, in that station, find thou- sands of his countrymen, is to me an assertion ut- terly incredible. I am not sure, that, within the limits specified by your Report, the whole popula- tion amounts to thousands ; but this I know, that the greater part of them are either Episcopalians, Baptists, Methodists, or Catholics. In Dartmouth there is an Episcopal clergyman, who, I presume, occasionally officiates in the adjacent settlements, and the others are assisted in the same way, by their respective clergymen, who reside in Halifax. The number of Presbyterians will be best ascertained, not by a reference to your Report, which speaks of hundreds and thousands, but by their own petition, which « is signed by sixty names." Nor will a Missionary be less disappointed with a station which the Report describes as « one of the most interest- ing and promising in the colony." Mr Richard I M y i K ive long e actual- ), where s minis- ay them as (( one tions in ssionary 3 benefit jountry- , a man instru- ssionary d thou- tion ut- hin the popula- >w, that palians, tmouth resume, sments, jy their . The tained, eaks of Btition, will a which terest- ichard 45 Kidston, a member of your Committee, can inform you. that, in Novia Scotia, it is characterized by its bare rotks and barrenness, with intervening spots susceptible of improvement; and its Churches, I doubl, will be found to belong, not to your peti- tioners alone, but, as in similar places in America, to the general population. Permit me also to observe, that, in my opinion, the account of this station, given in your Report, cannot enable its readers to form a correct judg- ment of the case. In their petition to your Com- mittee, they say, " We still live in a moral wilder- ness, without instruction, without religious discip- line, without Christian fellowship and consolation. We are not reminded of the return of the Lord's Day, by the stated ordinances of the Christian Sab- bath; and our tender offspring are deprived of the friendly ministrations of an affectionate and pious pastor."— P. 18. This your Committee have termed a most elo- quent and truly affecting appeal : but is it true ? A harbour of a mile broad, and with regular ferries, separates Dartmouth and Preston from the town of HaUfax, in which there are two congregations with clergymen from your Church ; and, if bells can re- mind them of the return of the Lord's Day, they are regularly warned. A part of your petitioners may be more remote ; but not, I apprehend, farther than multitudes in the British provinces travel every Lord's Day for the sake of the Gospel. I would just ask your Committee if it be credible, that hundreds and thousands of Scotchmen, long / )^ t. ry^-.=rT- VJ^T^-: ir- vo v ^^-^^^hr. j\l .1 I ^ f > |V. ■-^ ^ K H 46 and eagerly desiring the Gospel, and all the while living ,n the vicinity of the capital, with all its ad- vantages and occupying, according to your Report, one of the most interesting and promising stations in the colony could afford only forty-five pounds sterling for the support of a minister, when settle, raents m remote parts, not containing one thousand Presbyterians, have, for a long series of years, mamtamed the Gospel for themselves ? Still, a faith- ful Missionary might, in Dartmouth and Preston be the means of incalculable good ; and, if you can provide for his support, he will have the fewer dif- hculties. I would remark, however, that, when your Committee indulge a hope of obtaining for this and other parts, assistance from the funds of the province, their wishes, I doubt, will not be found to correspond with their influence. The revenue of Nova Scotia is entirely at the disposal of the Legis- lative Assembly ; and, as they have already declined comphance with a similar request from the Prince Kegent the success of your Committee is at least doubtful. " The third petition was from the settlers at Hor- '°" '^''e Committee have not resolved upon any specific measure in regard to this pet!;ion, but have remitted it to the secretaries to make more par- ticular .nquiry."_p. 19. 20. As your Commiitee need information respecting this case, 1 beg leave to state a few facts, of which, perhaps, they may not be otherwise informed. Your Society was founded for the relief of poor settlers from Scotland. But, upon inquiry, your I of jy«- 'W^WTT'J^' ^\ he while ill its ad- ' Report, ' stations pounds ^n settle- housand f years, , a faith- Preston, you can iver dif- , when ing for s of the found ?nue of Legis- Jclined Prince it least fcHor- upon ), but e par- nittee iveto lot be poor your 47 Committee will find, that their petitioners are part of a congregation of more than forty years standing, and I do not know that there is one emigrant among them. They are located in one of the oldest townships of the province, and in the midst of a large congregation of Baptists, of evangelical principles, and blessed with the labours of a respec- table clergyman Perhaps to be so situated may be accounted a hardship. I cannot, however, believe their case to be extremely urgent. They are adja- cent to the township of Windsor, where the Pres- byterian population would, for the following rea- sons, I presume, very gladly unite with them for the support of a minister. The townships of Windsor and Newport, which are separated merely by a river, contain the congre- gation lately under the inspection of your correspon- dent, the Reverend Mr Sprot, who found it imprac- ticable to subsist among them. But though the Pres- byterians there were not willing to maintain Mr Sprot, they still wished the Gospel in connexion with Presbyterian principles, and, at present, those in Windsor are struggling to maintain a minister of our Church : the Presbyterians of Newport, neither new settlers nor Scotchmen, have turned to the pros- pects of patronage which your Society presents. With this information, your Committee will be bet- ter able to judge of the claims of Horton, and also of Newport, should they seek your assistance. Being little acquainted with the Canadas, I shall not advert to the three succeeding cases from those parts : but " the seventh application to your Com- ^ ?^l A ^A ^zas0smi. ^ r vfw v^jT-^x- N ^ y i\ \X' y >^ \^ mittee is dated at Pictoii, N. S. Nov. 8, 1825. Tt states very strongly the difficulties into which the poor Highland settlers of that place have been plung- ed, by the erection of a place of worship and the support of their minister, who has been labouring among them for ten years past."— P. 24. This application is from the people under the charge of your correspondent, the Reverend Mr M'Kenzie, who, instead often years, has not yet been three in America. Of his labours for the propaga- tion of the Gospel I am totally ignorant ; but hav- ing, for many years, resided in Pictou, and being in- timately acquainted with the state of religion there, I judge myself qualified to account for the difficul- ties to which your Report alludes. That there is any real distress among the members of Mr M'Kenzie s congregation, I cannot believe. On the contrary, I am persuaded, that when your Report of "the diffi- culties into which the poor Highlanders are plun- ged," is perused in Pictou, it will prove a source of amusement. That, between building a church and supporting Mr M'Kenzie, the leaders of his congre- gation experience difficulty, I can easily believe; but it is not difficulty arising from the want of the Gospel ; it has proceeded partly from local and po- litical dislikes, and partly from opposition to the purity of religion. In a small trading community, there is usually a jarring of parties which prevents unanimity. The same remark may be extended to political parties ; and opposition in secular affiiirs is unfriendly to re^ ligious fellowship. It may be also added, that had w \A »^«rr-& 1825. It hich the ?n piling- and the abouring nder the rend Mr yet been propaga- but hav- being in- on there, difficul- re is any Kenzie's ntrary, I he diffi- 'e plun- ource of irch and congre- believe ; t of the and po- to the jually a . The Parties ; r to re- lat had ITTT^ 49 there been in Pictou more practical godliness, there would have been more harmony among its inhabit- ants. For twenty-two years I was the only clergy- man in the town of Pictou. During that period, admissions into the Church were regulated entirely by its elders, who gladly received persons from every section of Presbyterians in Scotland ; but they were conscientious men, and could not receive all. On this account, there has long beer in Pictou a party inimical to the Church which the other inhabitants support. After these had repeatedly attempted to introduce the Church of England, Mr M*Kenzie came among them by accident, and was engaged as their minister. In order to make up a congrega- tion, a number of Highlanders in remote settle- ments were induced to join them. They are not, I conjecture, without embarrassment ; but it belongs to you to decide, whether they should receive the patronage of a Society founded for the express pur- pose of providing the Gospel for Presbyterians who would otherwise be destitute of its ordinances. Your Committee say, that " the case appeared to them so urgent, that they immediately submitted it to the consideration of Sir James Kempt, the Governor, that the aid of Government may be obtained, either to liquidate the heavy debt upon the building, or to allow an annud salary to the officiating minis- ters, in addition to the contributions of the congre- gation." — P. 34. Now all this may be exceedingly interesting to British readers, and encourage them to hope that the Governor of Nova Scotia will draw from the funds of the province for Mr M'Ken- d i A A ,-^mm,'j;f^*$WS., X > ^ Hi 1 r\ iv O .v^>. 50 zie's support ; but your Committee were not aware that the funds of Nova Scotia are not at t!ie Go- vernor's disposal ; and I may farther add, that were he to propose such a measure to tlie Legislative Assembly, he would incur an odium not easily sur- mounted. The Scottish establishment is, doubtless, respectable in Scotland ; but in Nova Scotia, where few are connected with it, the funds of the province are not likely to be expended in behalf of any of its ministers, while other dissenting clergy must depend upon their congregations for subsistence. In submitting to you these statements, I may perhaps, be considered as a partial witness. But the Lord Bishop ot Nova Scotia is not in the same pre- dicament ; and, therefore, I shall add his account of your correspondent's congregation. Stating to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts his attempts to introduce Episcopacy into Pic- tou, he says, that, besides the members of that com- munion, « the congregation will consist of many other families, who frankly state, that they were brought up in the Kirk of Scotland, but not being able to support a minister of their own, they will prefer a union with the Church of England to a connexion with seceders from the Kirk, whose doctrines and discipline they consider harsh and severer-^ Report for 1823, p. 71. Those from whom his Lordship received this ac- count, are not, I suspect, very much acquainted with doctrine and discipline ; for, as you are al- ready aware, the standards of the Church of Scot- land are the standards of our Church. They have \» V^ >' < f. .^\ y l L 3A_r!!!£3U i l£^ ^m^WfWJlmZ^^^m' lot aware t tlie Go. that were egislative asily sur- loubtless, ia, where province my of its t depend , I may. But the me pre- count of % to the Foreign nto Pic- lat com- ny other brought able to prefer a inexion les and Report this ac- uainted are al- f Scot- y have SI not exhibited tlie latter in a very amiable point of view ; but, I trust, they have assisted you, as the friends of evangelical purity, to trace to its origin the congregation which is now soliciting your aid : and I do think, it might do them good to tell them, that yo!i have united to feed the people who dwell solitarily in the woods, not to cherish in the Church, the relaxation of scriptural order, or the feuds of party among Presbyterians where the Gospel is preached. Your Report farther states, that, with Mr M'Ken- zie's letter to your Committee, " there were trans- mitted not less than four distinct petitions from set- tlements of Scottish emigrants in the district of Pictou."— P. 25. Not less than four distinct petitions, is a mode of expression which would seem to imply a great lack of the Gospel in Pictou. Accordingly, but two ministers residing in that district, are mentioned in your Report : yet I shall by and by show yon, that there is not another part of the British pro vinces where the Gospel is so abundantly preached. In the meantime, I shall review these petitions, premising that only two of them are from the dis^ trict o'' Pictou. " The first is from Lochaber, in the name of two hundred and seventeen Highlanders, . . . unable to make any offer in the way of pecuniary support of a minister." — P. 25. Your Society was founded for the relief of poor emigrants, that is, I presume, persons who have lately settled in the forest, and are, on this account, strug. A i ii > T T r\^ ^ IV y * U it 52 gling with unavoidable poverty. But the inhabit- ants of Lochaber have, for nine years at least, receiv- ed a part of the labours of one of our ministers, and if they have not obtained more, it is not because he is unwilling to promote their spiritual improvement, nor because they are unable to afFord a reasonable remuneration. According to your Report, they are " unable to make any offer in the way of pecu- niary support for a minister." On the contrary, if I have not been misinformed, Mr M'Kenzie, in his correspondence with your Committee, rates their ability at sixty pounds currency a year. If his statement be correct, such a sum would, I presume, enable them to secure a very large proportion of the services of their present minister ; and it may be safely affirmed, that no clergyman missioned by you, will excel him in scientific acquirements and theological knowledge. But, in this country, the great body of Highlanders would rather receive the benefit of public institutions, than contribute for their support, and mere emigration to America gives no new bias to the human mind. " The second petition is from Earlton, near Pic- tou, and is signed by the three members of a Com- mittee appointed by the inhabitants, who are all Highlanders, from Sutherlandshire, brought up un- der the discipline of the Church of Scotland, and who settled about six years ago in a remote district thirty miles from Pictou." — P. 25. That Earlton should be near Pictou, and, at the same time, in a remote district thirty miles from Pictou, does not seem to me a very comprehensible inhabit- t, receiv- Ts, and if cause he )vement, ^asonable )rt, they of pecu- rary, if I ?, in his fces their If his Dresume, )n of the may be Dned by ints and try, the receive ibute for ica gives 3ar Pic- a Com- are all ; up mi- nd, and district , at the 3s from lensible 53 account. I know, however, that the inhabitants of that place are a poor people, and far removed from the Gospel. In offering, as your Report states, fif- teen pounds for the support of a minister, they have shown, I believe, the full extent of their ability. None of your petitioners, I am convinced, have stronger claims on your sympathy ; yet your Com- mittee have promptly i <;-erfered where interference was not needed; while, respecting these poor people, they remark, that " nothing definite has yet been agreed on." — P. 26. " The third petition is from a Committee of the emigrated settlers at Middle River, Upper Set- tlement of West River, and Roger's Hill, all in the district of Pictou, forming together one parish of about forty miles in length, and over which a minis- ter from the Highlands has been settled as pastor for the last three years. From the poverty of the people, being mostly poor emigrants who accepted of the libei al offers of Government some years ago, they are unable to give their minister such a stipend as to en'^itle them to the continuation of his services ; and they solicit the Society for additional aid to en- able them to make up the deficiency." — P. 25, 26. The extent of this congregation you will, doubt- less, consider as an additional evidence of the great want of the Gospel in Pictou. Now, the whole dis- trict is not more than forty miles in length, yet it contains three ministers from the Church of Scot- land, six in connexion with the Presbyterian Church of the provinces, each in a fixed charge, ai)d t ^i A 1 ) i^^^rtrr^^T'-y'fsr^f^fKrir-^, v .j^:^ N % Mi . I 54 two others of the last class besides, who afford oc- casional services, as circumstances may require. Permit me farther to observe, that the minister in whose behalf this petition is presented, has repeat • edly stated the number of persons under his inspec- tion to be nearly four thousand. That such a con- gregation should have the least difficulty about his subsistence, is an event that needs explanation ; for I do not believe that there is in Nova Scotia a set- tlement, or a collection of settlements in one con- gregation, containing one thousand inhabitants, who could not, if they pleased, provide a respectable sup- port for a minister ; and your petitioners are not, as the Report states, new settlers : the greater part of them have been at least twenty years in the country. « The fourth is from Ramsheg, in the same dis- trict, a settlement composed principally of High- landers, who have made an offer of sixty pounds currency, half cash and half in produce, as an an- nual stipend to a minister having the Gaelic as well as the English language." — P. 26. Ram'^heg is neither in the district of Pictou, nor composed principally of Highlanders. The great body of its inhabitants are loyalists and their de- scendants; in rehgion, attached to the Wesleyan So- ciety of Methodists, and usually supplied with a re- spectable clergyman. As in the case of this peti- tion, your Committee appear to me to have acted without careful consideration, I shall endeavour to show you that it is neither most urgent nor most affecting. The Presbyterian population of Ramsheg and its y /. -^j-y jzxsizr 55 vicinity had been, for a number of years, occasion- ally visited by the ministers of our Church, who, feeling for their destitute condition, undertook long and fatiguing journeys to preach to them the Gos- pel without remuneration. Subsequently our licen- tiates were sent, and supported principally by the bounty of others. In consequence of these atten- tions, they had repeatedly expressed a desire that one of these preachers should be stationed among them; and, when I sailed from Pictou, they had transmitted to our Committee of Missions a request for the continuation of their patronage. Now, there is from Ramsheg an application to your Society for a minister and pecuniary support. On conversing with your Committee upon the state of Ramsheg, some of its members did not seem to think that the petition from that place afforded any grounds for concluding, that their operations would interfere with our colonial arrangements for the diffusion of the Gospel. I would, therefore, beg your attention to the words in which it is express- ed, premising, that it has not come from the inha- bitants of Ramsheg, but from Mr James Steven- son. As soo.i as the formation of your Society was announced to liim, " I drew up," says he, " a sort of a preamble or introduction in aid of soliciting sub- scriptions for supporting a minister for this place ; and finding it necessary for my own personal appear- ance among a great number of the people, in order to facilitate the object, and explain some prejudices which had arisen in the minds of some of them, which, I am informed, have been circulated here. ^-1 A )^ ^ i' in-v^rr-s^ >^-n- .r , v K r ■';* ■1 1 \ J / If \ J'- 56 through some friends of the Pictou Academy. How- ever, I am happy to be the organ of this commu- nication, that, accompanied by a young man, the son of Mr John M'Kenzie, we have visited all the Scottish families in the parish, and totally expelled these calumnies, which I thought to be prejudicial to our cause." Now I cannot conceive how your Committee could read this statement, without concluding that their correspondent had not given them the infor- mation necessary to warrant their interference. Here is James Stevenson, who, instead of consult- ing the Presbyterian population, instantly draws up his preamble. But after this haste he discovers, that, in the minds of some of them, there existed prejudices against his cause, and, in order to remove them, it became necessary to visit a great number of the people ; because there had been circulated among them calumnies which they believed, and which made him suspect hostiUty to his plan, per- haps too powerful, had he called them together. According to his account, it would seem, that through the calumnies of the friends of the Pictou Academy, prejudices had arisen in Ramsheg. This is another ramification of the hostility which that In- stitution has encountered ; and, as you are members of the Churcli of Scotland, it has, doubtless, been introduced into James Stevenson's petition, to in- duce a persuasion, that in the hands of its friends it is an engine of opposition to your connexions in the colonies. I would, therefore, state to you the following facts.— The Reverend Dr Gray of Halifax, who is 8 y I f.f ^^%SiUW^r-% \ f^ VU..,^r-^ . How- 3ommu- lan, the all the expelled judicial nmittee ng that e infor- ference. ^onsult- avvs up scovers, existed remove lumber culated id, and n, per- ler. n, that Pictou This hat In- smbers I, been to in- ?nds it in the owing i^ho is 57 a minister of the Church of Scotland, the Honour- able S. G. W. Archibald, LL.D. Lord Chief- Justice of Prince Edward Island, and Speaker of the House of Assembly of Nova Scotia, and also James Foreman, Esquire, both members of Dr Gray's congregation, have been, since the com- mencement of the Pictou Academy, its trustees and friends. By the friends of the Pictou Academy, James Ste- venson, I apprehend, means the ministers and other members of our Church. To show you what feel- ings they cherish for every section of Scottish Pres- byterians, I may observe, that they are at present maintaining a Society, of which the following is the primary rule. — " The Society shall be denominated the Domestic Missionary Society for the Diffusion of Evangelical Doctrine and Presbyterian Principles in Nova Scotia and the adjacent Provinces ; and its design shall be, to provide instruction for those who are destitute of the ordinances of religion, to orga- nize them, and to assist them in obtaining ministers, either from the Presbyterian Church of Nova Sco- tia, or from any denominations of Presbyterians in Scotland ;" And I may add, that a number of years ago, the Reverend Dr McGregor, one of our minis- ters, with the concurrence of his brethren, corre- sponded with clergymen of your communion in the north of Scotland, that, by their means, preachers of the Gospel might be procured for their countrymen in the provinces. But, farther, your Report states, that, " from the extensive Island of Cape Breton, a most import- ^1 n .S-'tWiWri^^ ^*>mr^mm^s.9itBi. 1; I'^M ^ r ^ U '.lis m 58 ant document has been received from a correspond- ent on the spot There are in all, twelve set- tlements, composed chiefly of Scottish Presbyterians, and these mostly Highlanders, the population in all] at least 4000 ; and among all these settlements there is only one Protestant minister." P. 26, 27. To this account I can add the following supple- mentary facts. The state of Cape Breton had been long ago brought under the consideration of our Church ; and, as coadjutors to a minister previously settled there, two young men who could speak the Gaelic language were missioned to those parts, to discharge the duties of the ministerial office in the destitute settlements. For a considerable time, these laboured with general acceptance ; and re- turned with an account, that the inhabitants of those parts were about to make arrangements to secure their permanent residence. But though, at that time, these settlements judged themselves able, and were willing, to support the Gospel, your correspondent, the Rev. Mr M'Lennan, and one of his brethren, immediately trode in our preacher's steps, and the Highland population have turned to your Commit- tee, who have published an account of their deplor- able state. Thus, with the exception of three cases from Ca- nada, of which I know little, and one or two others of minor importance, I have discussed those which your Committee have selected from a « host of ap- plications of the most urgent and affecting nature." They think, that, " taken in a complex view, there never, perhaps, was a stronger or more moving ap- r^l > tr \ J ir- iw„ ->!^>«<, espond- ?lve set- terians, a in all, ts there supple- id been of our viously cak the arts, to J in the ! time, nd re- f those secure it time, d were »ndent, Jthren, nd the mmit- leplor- m Ca- others which of ap- ture." there 'gap- 59 peal to the Christian and patriotic feelings of Scotch- men." For my own part, I do not think your Report a very heart-rending appeal; and, if the remarks which I have made be true, I would be reluctant to think that it should move many Scotch- men to prosecute either the present plan of your Society, or your Committee's inconsiderate arrange- ments. The mode of interference with the religion of a country, ought always to be regulated by ex- isting circumstances. What may be very right where the Gospel is not known, may be very wrong in places where the inhabitants themselves have made successful arrangements for its general diffu* sion. The interference of others, under the specious appearance of a present good, may cause the de- struction of extensive and permanent advantage. With this remark, I beg leave to introduce to your notice, the following reply to the Memorial deliver- ed to your Committee : — " Extract Minute of the Committee of the Society for promoting the Improvement of Scottish Settlers in British North America, 1st June, 1826. " The Rev. Mr Beith having opened the meetr ing by prayer, the minutes of last meeting were read. " The Committee having heard the Report of the Sub-committee, appointed at the meeting held I6th May, and having fully deliberated on the Me- morial presented to them by Dr ^i'Culloch, came unanimously to the resolution, that they see no rea- son why the original constitution of the Society ; TT"Vmr-^;^:::ir-^j . .^^,^-s^a^on. J J" J xr^ 60 should in any respect be altered : at the same time the Committee unanimously resolved, that it is not their wish to interfere in any way with those mi- nisters who have already been settled by the Pres- byterians in Nova Scotia, but simply to send mi- nisters to people who are destitute altogether of religious ordinances. They further agree, that the Rev. Mr Beith be instructed to transmit to the Rev. Dr M'Culloch, a copy of this resolution. (Signed) « Alex. Beith, Seer Now, admitting the wishes of your Corvimittee to be most benevolent, and, with respect to the greater part of its members, I am persuaded that benevo- lence guides them ; the question here is not what they wish : it is, what will they do ? and this, I apprehend, can be best ascertained by what they have done. " It is not their wish to interfere, in any way, with those ministers who have been al- ready settled by the Presbyterians in Nova Scotia :" and where altar was reared against altar, have they not interfered to maintain a party in the midst of a respectable congregation where the Gospel is well and faithfully preached ? a party too, who prefer a connexion with the Church of England to the doc- trine and discipline which you know to have the word of God for its origin. They « wish simply to send mmisters to those who are destitute altogether of religious ordinances :" Would Horton, would New- port, would Ramsheg, would the settlements of Cape Breton, be now destitute of religious ordinan- ces, but for the alluring prospects which your Com- y j-LLl^K^' 61 ime time it is not hose mi- he Pres- send mi- ether of that the : to the 3n. ^H, Seer ■nmittee ? greater benevo- ot what this, I lat they rfere, in )een al- Scotia :" ^e they lidst of is well prefer a he doc- ve the fiply to !ther of New- nts of dinan- Com- mittee have presented to the provinces ? And have they not given their influence to a party who are exerting themselves to destroy the only Institution in the provinces from which dissenters can derive education and evaiigelical doctrine ? Your Committee, " having fully deliberated upon the Memorial, see no reason why the original con- stitution of the Society should be altered." There is already in the provinces an organized Presbyterian Church. Is this no cause? Its principles are yours ; and its members not less zealous than you. Many of its ministers have toiled in the service of their Master, till fatigue and privation have hastened them to premature old age and hoary hairs ; and, when they tell your Committee what they have done for the Gospel, and what evils interference will produce, they see no reason for altering their plans. Gamaliel would have said, " Let these men alone, lest ye be found to fight against God." Your Society proposes to plant the Church of Scotland in the colonies ; and your plan keeps them dependent upon you for the Gospel. The wis- dom and goodness of such a plan, do not, I doubt, accord with the benevolence of its contrivers. Your Committee, it is true, disclaim interference with the Presbyterian ministers of Nova Scotia ; they wish only to assist those who have no gospel to guide them. But what have they done ? The Presby- terian ministers of Nova Scotia had united to ferti- lize the wilderness ; they had toiled upon the barren land, when there were none to help them ; and, to speak without metaphor, they had toiled till congre- i Ni ^ ym>:y^v ~rr~r~x'" ' yg^ 7-:*.. .\ ^-^^n\^\ > ^ IN V ^ 1 ■•! i^: § 62 gations were forming around them, and till the Gos- pel was provided for these congregations ; and now when waters have broken out in the desert, your Committee have stepped forward to stop up the wells. Without the least shadow of religious dif ference, they plan an additional communion of Christians, which holds out a bounty upon the de- struction of Presbyterian unity, and the annihilation of that Gospel which the colonies have already ac- quired. The language of their proceedings is this • Drink not of the rock which follows you in the wil- derness, but draw at the cistern of our providing. To your Committee I impute no uncharitable in- tentions ; it is to their operations I look. They are benevolent men ; and a host of applications, coming to them in the form of the want of the Gospel, have wounded them deeply. But have these applications really proceeded from the want of the Gospel ? Let them present the same encouragement to Britain and their host will be multiplied an hundredfold. ' Granting that there were neither minister nor Gospel m the provinces, is your plan the best calcu- lated to promote their religion ? Its fundamental principle brings together minister and people, stran- gers to each other, of incongruous habits, and, per- haps, too cherishing expectations which cannot be realized. The native clergy of a country, with to- pical knowledge in aid of their prudence, can scarce- ly conduct the affairs of its Churches. How will strangers manage? You are to provide ministers whom a presentation from Scotland will immedi- ately withdraw. Was it ever known that fhp Gn«. 11 the Gos- and now, !sert, your >P up the igious dif- lunion of on the de- inihilatioii Iready ac- ?s is this : ti the wil- roviding. table in- They are !, coming pel, have )lications el? Let Britain, ■dfold. ster nor st calcu- amental e, stran- tid, per- inot be ^ith to- i scarce- 3w will inisters nniedi- le Gos- 63 pel flourished in a Church where its own resources were neglected, and its ministrations intrusted to wayfaring men ? Did Missionaries from you not endeavour to derive the permanence of the Gospel from the Church of their planting, they wovdd ac- cord with your plan, but they would be unfaithful to Christ. Ultimately, therefore, you must revert to the steps of our Church ; and why, for the sake of uncertain good, destroy the good that is done ? Your Committee, I believe, expect much from the favour and bounty of Government. Justice re- quires their application to contain a fair statement of the case. It is due to my brethren abroad, it is due to the Gospel, it is due to their own candour to say. Ministers of our principles are already evange- lizing the colonies ; the^e rren have toiled with suc- cess ; and, from their religioii, local knowledge, and zeal, they are the best dispensers of the public bounty. But they went not from us : let them not receive it. We have no local knowledge, and we have been misled for want of it ; but we are of the Church of Scotland : give the public bounty to us. His majesty's ministers, I should think, with such particulars before them, would carefully weigh, whether the good to be done might not be more than counterbalanced by the increase of that dissa- tisfaction in the colonies, which their patronage of religious party has already produced. Many parts of the British provinces need your assistance ; but the regulation of the religious affairs of a remote community should neither be hastily planned, nor rashly executed; and I would beg A )^ v\ T--i^^'m^>^jr ^v ^--is^oA J- IV- l\ V y 64 leave to add, that, in the present case, any interfer- ence which docs not unite the Presbyterian popula- tion, can only purchase a present and partial good at the expense of all that is valuable in religion. I regret that it has devolved upon me to bring these statements before you. I visited Britain, not to dispute, but to promote the civil and reli- gious interests of a people among whom I have lived long, and with whom I hope to spend the last of my days, liut, in the absence of my breth- ren. I could not stand an unconcerned spectator where their labours for the Gospel for fifty years were endangered. If I have said any thing dis- pleasmg, I beg you to ascribe it not to disrespect but to a feeling of that responsibility of which' I was reminded in your Committee. Both they and I must appear where all responsibilities are weighed. For the benevolence of their intentions I give them all credit ; but, with all these particu- lars before them, I would ask, Lies all the responsi- bility with me ? I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, Your most obedient servant, THOMAS MCCULLOCH. 7 > my interfcr- iari popula- lartial good religion. le to bring E?d Britain, il and reli- om I have spend the my breth- spectator, fifty years thing dis- disrespect, of which Both they )ilities are intentions, e particu- ? responsi- ^ant, LLOCH. DOCUMENTS APPENDED TO THE MEMORIAL. No I. Formula ofQnestions to he put, hy Order of the Synod, to all who are ordained to the Office of the tloli/ Mini.tlri/. 1. Do you believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the word vt' God, and the only rule of faith and practice ? 2. Do you believe that the whole doctrine contained in the Westminster Confession of Faith, and Catechisms, as received by this Church,* is a scriptural exhibition of divine truth ; and do you encage, according to your station, to profess and main- tain it in the Church ? 3. Do you believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the only King and Head of the Church, and that he has revealed, in Scripture, those principles according to which it is to be ruled ? 4. Do you believe that the Presbyterian form of government, as maintained in this Church,t is agreeable to the word of God; and do you promise to maintain it doctrinally, and practically to adhere to its discipline, both as a member of the Church, and as a minister of Christ ? 5. Do you engage to maintain the spiritu;i! unHy of the Church, in its doctrine and government, wor&iup a. d discip- • 1. This Church receives the whole doctrine contained in the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms, except that part of it which respects the Ma- gistrate's power in matters of religion. They give no decision as to the doctrine taught in these words, Conf. Ch. XXIII. Sect. III. '• Yet he hath authority, and " it is his duty, to take order, that unity and peace be preserved in the Church, " that the truth of God be kept pure and entire, that all blasphemies and heresies " be suppressed, all corruptions and abuses in worship and discipline prevented or •♦ reformed, and all the ordinances of God duly settled, administered, and observ- '• ed ; for the better effecting whereof, he hath power to call Synods, to be present " at them." And they deny the doctrine taught in these words, Ibidem ; " And " to provide that whatsoever is transacted in them be according to the mind of '' God." And they hold that Church Rulers have authority, c,v officio, to meet for government and discipline, whensoever the circumstances of the Church re- quire it, any thing in Conf. Ch. XXXI. Sect. II. notwithstanding. •," It is no new thing for Presbyterian Churches to receive the doctrines of the Westminster Assembly of Divines, w'th certain explanations and restrictions. VMc Act of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, apjnuving the Con- fetiion of Faith, usually prefixed to the Confession. f This Church holds that the substance of Presbytetial government consists in the equality of Church Rulers, and subordination of Church Courts, V c A ) :> 66 liiie ; and do you solemnly pledge yourself, in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ and his Church, never to propagate any contradictory principle, nor introduce any contrary practice among tliose intrusted to your charge, nor in any other public way, till you have regularly acquainted your brethren in the ministry with the alteration of your views, and till these views as^'certafned ? ^"^^^ "^""^ *^'^ general sentiments of the Church 6. Is love to God, and to the souls of men, your principal in- ducement to enter into the office of the holy ministry ? 7. Can you with a safe conscience declare, that you have used "?e'Sn r '"''''"' '"^ ^'"''"''"'^ ^ ''■''" *" ^^'^ ministry in this con- r.J'. Fr!"} ^r '' ' '" , ^''^''^^^ *° *''^ P^'*"^'''^ °«5^e over this peo- fn] M^n If y«^ «"^»»»ly engage to conduct yourself as a filith- iul Minister of the Gospel among them, and also wherever Pro- vidence affords you an opportunity ; keeping carefully in view that this congregation, and the Church at large, be, by your la: l^prrement? "' '""""'"' "^ ^"^^^^ ^'^rees o/christian 9. Do you promise to exemplify the excellence of Christian doctrine, by the conscientious performance of the duties of a holy life corresponding with your station in the Church, and your relations to society ? ^ «"" yuur 10. Do you declare that you are cordially attached to the rJ vil authorities by which this Province is ruled ; and do you ^(r^h- 1^""?''^'''^ to your station, to give those proofs of C riler^^ ' ^""'^'^"'^ '"J"^"' "P"" subjects towards theJr 11 Do you promise to submit yourself in the Lord to the nu aS i '':t ^^^^^yt-y. - -bUnation to supJit' CourJs" .rrtf. /'' ^""^ P'°^''' '^ ^"'^"^^' ^^"^ Pr°""«^^ thro igh grace, to perform as you must answer to the Lord Jesus Chr ft when he ^omes with all his Saints ? ^' ^ V No II. Rcsoluliojis mid Arrangements of Synod. 1. Ministers were directed to suggest to their people, the pro- priety of appointing, m each congregation, fit persons for tho management of its temporal atFairs ; also, ti repor Zfrriss at next meeting of Synod. ^^-pori progiess at , . \ ]^ ^""^ recommended to Ministers, that in the ministerial visitation of families, they be attended by an elder d. It was ordered that Presbyteries meet f.s often as possible • and that, at each meeting, a discourse upon some topic, previous: 4 -r"^"7^.~""^; >: :r. presence of opagate any ry practice, )ther public hren in the these views the Church )rincipal in- u have used in this con- er this peo- f as a faith- srever Pro- lly in view, by youi* la. •f Christian f Christian 2S of a holy , and your I to the ci- id do you ifs of Joy_ vards their 1 to the au- )r Courts ? ;, tlirougJi sus Christ, ', the pro- is for the ■ogress at ministerial possible ; previous- 67 ly assigned, be delivered by one of the members ; which dis- course shall be afterwards criticised by the brethren in private. 4. Each Presbytery was enjoined to prepare for the conside- ration of the Synod, at their next meeting, a formula of ques- tions to be put to persons at their admission into the commu- nion of the Church. 5. It was recommended to Sessions, that they occasionally meet with the members of *^e Church, apart from those who may usually worship with twom, for appropriate social and reli- gious exercises. 6. It was appointed, as a part of established order in all con- gregations under the Synod's inspection, that, when the chil- dren of church members re about fourteen years of age, they shall be taken under the direction of the Session for instruc- tion and the exercise of discipline. 7. Ministers were enjoined to recommend to their people the formation of fellowship-meetings for improvement in knowledge and practical religion. 8. It was recommended that congregational libraries be form- ed in every part of the Church ; and that, in the selection of books, regard be had to the improvement of youth. 9. Ministers were enjoined to open subscriptions in their re- spective congregations, for the purpose of purchasing a print- ing press, to be placed under the direction of the Synod. 10. The Reverend Duncan Ross, Thomas M'Culloch, and James Robson, were appointed a standing Committee of Cor- respondence with other Churches, and enjoined to report their proceedings at next meeting of Synod. 11. The consideration of the proposal of a periodical publica- tion, for circulating religious in; lligence and diffusing religious knowledge, was deferred till a printing press be procured. 12. Sessions were enjoined to report annually to their respec- tive Presbyteries, the number of members, and the state ot re- ligion, in the congregations under their inspection ; and Pres- byteries to transmit to the Synod an annual abstract of these reports. 13. It was recommended to all congregations under the Synod's inspection, to show their attachment to religion and li- terature, by encouraging the proposed seminary of education in Pictou. 14. It was agreed, that no member of Synod shall receive any remuneration from those among whom he may be occasionally missioned to labour ; and that if those persons who are visited, desire to show their attachment to the Gospel, by contributing to the support of its ordinances, they be directed to transmit their offering to the funds of the Synod ; from which the rea- sonable expense of missions shall be in future defrayed. 15. Ministers who may be missioned to destitute places, were enjoined to introduce, as far as it may be practicable, the order of the Church. K c A )i 1 ^ '^ 1} & ^v-^ nr ^ 68 No III At Pictou, an Academy, or College, as it is called, has beer, h! ;i * ; •; * i • ^ P*"'"' ^'""^^ ^^^^^ ^-'^'^^^ ^o make it attractive by Its philosophical apparatus and lectures in the sciences • and the residence is agreeable to the students, as they lodge in pri- yate houses at a moderate expense, and free from restraint. The Institution owes its rise partly to the difficulties and embarrass- mrtlvroVh^ have oppressed King's College at Windsor, and partly to the zeal of the Presbyterians ministers, who have the from r^' "•• 1 \' ^^«"PP«rted chieHy by an annual grant froni t lie provincial legislature, ami i,s- hkch, to rise or decay a.s the College at Windsor is depressed or advanced. '' [^ \-^. No IV. Report of the Committee of the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia. Mr Fairbanks, Chairman of the Committee, appointed to bronrinthlfTf'^'""^'*'^^ urougnt m tne rollowing report: *^ ,hl^^ Committee appointed to 'examine into and report upon wTeeli^tl'rCt- ^''^ ^^-steesof thePictou^Acadly! That, in discharge of the duty assigneil to them, it became T^^ 1 ■ 1 f'«™'" "ntl IwoRress of that EstaWishinent Ihis evidence has been afforded by the Kev. l)r M'Cnllneh atten^efbe?' *h '"'^""'"'r''- "'^ f "^^''^'•' ""'' ->«>«■* who ."^ That the Committee, upon consideration of the subject mit ters of he petition, and the general result <,f this ev^Snce^r; of opinion, that tha Pictou Academy is a highly useful In s'ti'u tion conducted on an excellent s^em-that^of the S Lh cord wS^^th '"'^ P-"l-''ly adapted to meet the wants and t- the E,s\t ll^ S'' ^'J"*'^*>^ "^ '^'^ inhabitants of brarf nfly ." the Province, in regard to the higher hlshp ^ «ffducation. That its establishment and support has be. and will continue to be a favourite obiect with tho ToTZnl :' f ^ '"^^^ ^'' ^.^^«-^-« "^ th?PrSe:on c! dpn?= •••*''' exemption from any disqualifications to stu- dents originating m religious distinctions, and for the care V 1 attention which its conductors have manifested for the mora of those who attend it. That the expense of attendance and fn r-"/ ,si«s.#ji;7. y; I \iM: _mk'M^Mmmmm "l-^'^'x^=^vl i>^ L-L^r,. I, has been t attractive ences; and dge in pri- traint. The embarrass- indsor, and lo have the mual grant r dccaif as spel hi Fo- wa Scotia. ointed to A.cadeiTiy, lort upon \cademy, t became n, and in lishment. 'Culloch, vvliohave 3 minutes ject mat- Mice, are Institu- Scottish and ac- itants of ! higher support vith the on ac- to stu- caref'ul morals and in- 69 struction is reduced to a very low rate, and thereby the attain- ment of a sound classical education, and of a competent know- ledge of the other branches of science, commonly taught in the liigher schools, is brought down to the means and ability of those, who, if the Academy did not exist, would be wholly un- able to provide for tL3se advantages for their children. And, lastly, that the support which the Institution has received from private sources, has been on a most liberal scale, and justifies the opinion the Committee entertain, that it will continue to in- crease in numbers and usefulness, if under moderate encourage- ment. The Committee have also to state, that the first difficulties of an establishment of this nature appear now to be overcome ; an appropriate bui'ding has been erected at a considerable ex- pense ; and a philosophical apparatus and small library are pro- vided. The course of instruction has received and deserved the sanction of several years success, and the teachers are establish- ed. Of these the Principal, Dr M'Culloch, whose literary and other qualifications are universally admitted, is now, and lias for some time past, been devoting his time and care exclusively to the duties of the Academy, and attached himself entirely to its fortunes. All those circumstances are pledges that the Es- tablishment, although in some degree of a local, is not of a pri- vate or temporary nature, but calculated to extend its useful- ness, and enlarge with the progress and advancement of that importjuit division of the Province ; and the Committee refer to the list annexed, of the) Gentlemen who have been students at Pictou, for the best proof of what has already been accom- plished in this Academy. To this they will add, that the In- stitution possesses decided advantages, in many resjiects, to those students who are destined to the ministry in the Presby- terian and other dissenting Churches, and is for this object in- dispensably necessary, if these are to be supplied by the youth of the Province ; and further, that class of men, conijie- tent by their literary acquirements and moral conduct, to sup- ply the numerous English Schools, now imper'ously recpiired throughout the Province, is chicjii/ to be obtained from the Students of Pictou. Referring to the exclusively Scotch character of the jiopula- tion of the eastern part of the Province, and to their known, and perliaps laudable jiartiality and attachment to the institu- tions of the country, whence they have originated, and regard- ing also the great and rapidly-increasing jiopulation of that (|uarter, the Committee consider that there exists a fair claim on the part of Pictou, for supjiort to the Academy, for which so decided an interest is there manifest, out of that general re- venue to which they so largely contribute ; and as from the evidence before them, and other considerations, the Conuuittee "to believe that this In.^titution will be attended by A i A are obligeil a class of persons who, on various accounts, are and will be in- y w '^ \ '-A IN J IV. i a\ 70 capable of prosecuting their studies at King's College, Windsor or m the Institution of doubtful and uncertain stability, now forming m Halifax; they have deemed it their duty, under the clearest conviction of the invaluable benefits which education confers on a country, to recommend the Pictou Academy to the continued support and fostering care of the General Assembly : and believing the honorary Collegiate distinctions to be useful as mcitements to the emulation and diligence of Students, and to be the means of extending the respectability, and character, and influence of the Institution, while the incapacity to granj them possesses a tendency injurious and perhaps discreditable to It, the Committee cannot perceive any substantial reason for refusing to allow these privileges to the Academy. Ihe Committee therefore report, that, in their opinion, it is expedient to provide by an Act of the General Assembly for a permanent allowance to ths Trustees of the Pictou Academy, of the sun. of Four Hundred Pounds from the Treasury • S .l/V/l?^'"f "P?f '^' rvithfrdlexcmptionfrom all tests noJre iry; and w requir- 'OLLEGE, ittee be- nd pros- Jon, and hich the hhold. >yterian in their of this is, they 1 under ( young prepa >f their Jospel ; ' nod/a n their r some 'chable ricts of land of le pro- 71. vince of New Brunswick ; and wherever they have laboured, their services have been highly acceptable. But, in order to their being enabled to proceed in their mis- sionary labours, your aid, beloved Brethren, is indispensably necessary. Sometimes, indeed, they receive from those among whom they minister, as liberal contributions toward their ne- cessities as can be reasonably desired. But this is far from be- ing always the case. Many settlements, which stand most in need of Gospel ministrations, having been but recently formed, are so poor, that they are not able to contribute almost any thing, and much less to contribute adequately to the support of their spiritual instructors. Other settlements, though possessed of ampler means, and perhaps not deficient in willingness, yet not being in the habit of combined operation, need to be in some measure trained, before their ability to contribute can be called forth into active exertion ; while in other quarters, the people, though sufficiently able, not being duly alive to the im- mense worth and importance of the Gospel, need line upon line, precept upon precept, before they can be so far awakened as to be inclined to part with a portion of their worldly substance for the supply of their spiritual necessities. What then, beloved Brethren, is to be done.? Shall these young men be laid aside from the work upon which, through the good hand of our God upon us, we have, after so many years of anxious preparation, been enabled to send them, and for which the glorious Head of the Church hath so graciously furnished them, and which they have commenced with such promising appearances of usefulness, because they cannot be supported till such time as congregations can be formed that shall be able and willing to provide for them } Shall other young men, vt^hom the grace of God may now be inclining to direct their views to the holy ministry, be thus discouraged from pro- secuting their design, and driven into secular pursuits ? And shall the prospect which the Presbyterian Church of Nova Scotia now enjoys, of filling her pulpits with ministers of her own growth be consequently blasted .? We trust that neither your principles nor your feelings will suffer you to answer these questions in the affirmative ; but that you are ready to make any reasonable sacrifice, in order to avert such disastrous results. We are persuaded, beloved Brethren, that you are able, with- out doing the smallest injury to yourselves, or to your families, to do all that is necessary in the case. Several of our congre- gations have already contributed to our funds with exemplary liberality. In some congregations. Societies have been formed for this very purpose: and from one of these Societies, that of the West River, Pictou, the sum of £37: 9, currency, has been received. JMay God our Saviour accept at their handfs^ and amply reward, this free-will offering : make all grace to abound towards them, that they always, having all sufficiency, in all things, may abound in every good work, being enriched ^ J y\ §1 ^^^jW ^ Ji "y Y. l\ J 72 in every thing, unto all Lountifulness, which causeth throuch us thanksgivnig to God. ^ To conclude: We earnestly beseech you, beloved Brethren to cast your mite also into the treasury of the Lord. Show to the Church and to the world, how highly you prize Gospel Pri- vileges, and how tenderly you feel for the spiritual necessities of your destitute Brethren, by contributing, as the Lord hath prospered you, to impart to them the enjoyment of similar ad- tr'lfSf f*^-?" ' 9'V"f ^«h«'l hi« infinitely precious blood, that ktJ S? ' "^It^ T^ y^"" dwellings: Oh ! grudge not a lit e of vour worldly substance, to convey it to those who are still m the region of the shadow of death. You know che k! mentable circumstances of multitudes around you : be not charge- able like the Priest and the Levite in the Parable, with regfid to the man who had fallen among thieves, and been wounded and left half dead, with declining to afford the smallest relief and passing by on the other side; but rather follow the example of the good Samaritan, who had compassion on him, and to the extent of his ability, provided for his wants. " If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are read v to be slain ; if thou sayest, behold we knew it not ; doth iu,t he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth he not know it.? and shall he not render to elerv one according to his works ?" But, Beloved, we hope better things speak"^ ^"^'' ' accompany salvation, though we thus Pklou, Oct. 30l/i, 1«24. James JMacGregok, Duncan Ross, Thomas ]\PCulloch, James Robson, William Paxkick, _ Commillce of Missions. No VI. Piclou, Vkrv Dear Brother, The Committee of Missions, in appointing you to preach the ixospel at are confident that you will not only realize their intentions, but also conduct yourself in such a manner as to render yourgeK.r.d deportment in that nlace a recommendation of the truth, and of the Church to which yoil belong. At the same time, tlie Committee would sugoest to you a lew part.cu ars, which, in their opinion, may prov^. sub- servient to the grand end., of your mission ; and on this accoui \. \ V h through Brethren, Show to ospel Pri- lecessities jord hath milar ad- loocl, that dge not a who are w che la- •t charge- h regard wounded ?8t relief, example id to the :)rbear to ire ready th not lie [)eth thy very one iv things we thus }intlee of isioti.s-. wl\ the vill not in such placcj L'h you gest to e sub- count. r3 they expect, that, as far as circumstances admit, you will be guided by them. Viewing yourself as missioned to a particular place, it is ne- ccssary also to consider, that, as a preacher of the Gospel, you are under a general appointment to a large sphere of activity an • usefulness ; and that, wherever opportunity offers, it is your duty to diffuse the knowledge of salvation, and to incul- cate the practice of piety and virtue. In the course of your journey, you ma> occasionally come into contact with indivi- duals and families, whose residence in the remote wilds of the fori 4, precludes them from attendance upon the public ordi- nances of religion. These, from their spiritual necessities, and frequently, tio, from their worldly circumstances, are peculiar objects of sympathy ; and, perhaps, there is no other part of tie community among whom religious instruction is so likely to Produce beneficial results. The mere novelty of a preacher visiting them, will fix their attention ; the benevolence exempli- fied in y(.ir labours for their benefit will conciliate their affec- tion ; and a word spoken in season may be succeeded by the visitations of mercy. Consider, therefore, the injunction to Him who never disregards the lost sheep of the wilderness : Feed the people who dwell solitarily in the wood. When you arrive at the place of your destination, the Commit- tee wish you farther to keej) in view, that, beside preaching the Gospel, there are other means subservient to its success, pre- scribed in the word of God. These, they trust, you will duly appreciate ; and as, far as a prudent consideration of circum- stances may suggest, employ for the benefit of those among whom you are now appointed to labour. Every day illustrates that exhibitions of divine truth from the pulpit, unless combin- ed with other helps to religious improvement, produce neither that justness of view, nor that fervour of disposition, which ac cords with the Gospel and the Christian character. Where the seed sown is not cherished with care, thorns springing up will impede both its growth and fruitfulness : and, if under a regular dispensation of the Gospel, a stinted production of the fruits of righteousness occur, this is more likely to happen at where any effect produced by your temporary labours must be succeeded by solitary sabbaths, and counteracted by numerous temptations. The Committee, therefore, expect, that, beside preaching the Gospel, you will, as often as possible, visit the fa- milies among whom you have preached ; and endeavour to per- suade them, that, unless they themselves use scriptural means to promote the power of religion in their mind, what you may have done for their improvement will be of little avail. When you place before them the p Ormance of duty as essential to the formation of those habits uhich conduce to the regular ex- emplification and increase of godliness, the Committee would particularly wish you to direct their attention to the importance of prayer, the careful perusal of the Scriptures, and the sunctifi- c 4 4 i n ^ s I (• f J ^ if i V: '!•' i-^-: 7^ cation of Uie Lord's day. Uniform experience illustratt-s, that when these duties are ne«?lected, the preachin«j of the Gospel ' hke rain upon the barren ^n-ound, produces notlu'ng pleasing to God, or profitable to man : briars and tl It will be Ijorns only are there. requisite, also, to bring under tlie review of parents, the value of the trust which they have received from God ; and to enforce upon them the importance of family religion, in its relations both to the improvement of their offspring and their domestic comfort ; and the Committee would suggest, that a few advices affectionally given in prii^ate to the youthful part of a family, will, at times, prove more beneficial than an extensive series of public instructions. You are likewise requested to state to the Presbyterians at that the ends of religion are always most suc- cessfully promoted, where its order is observed ; and that, on this account, it would be advisable for them to organize tliem- selves, and appoint a Committee of management, for the direc- tion of their affairs as a religious society. By these means, it might be practicable for them to maintain among themselves the public worship of God upon the Sabbath, during those times when they could not enjoy the labours of a clergyman. Be- sides, by the adoption of this order, there might be established between them and the Committee of JMissions, such a corres- pondence as would enable the latter, at all times, to know their circumstances and promote their ii;xrests. In the event of their adopting these measures, and wishing a farther supply of ser- mon, you will give them the necessary instructions respecting an application to the Committee of Missions. It is farther expected, that you will keep a regular journal of your mission, *^ .< be submitted to the inspection of the Committee, upon your return. In this, you will have the goodness to in.^ sert, in particular, your observations on the moral and religious state of the society at and also the result of your inquiries, to what extent the inhabitants of that place are supplied with the Bible and other useful books. The Committee, in suggesting what they conceive to be im- portant parts of your duty, would, at the same time, remind vou, that these are but means, Paul may plant, and Apollos water • but the increase is God's ; and every one who asketh, receivetli! Trusting, then, that you will seek and find, both for the sower and the set 1, the Committee commend you to God and to the word of his grace. James MacGregor, Duncan Ross, Thomas M'Culloch, James Robson, William Patrick, 1 Committee of Missions. If '^ -p^~j- rates, that, lie (idspel, ileasing to i tliere. :)f [)arents, God ; and fion, in its and their ?st, that a ful part of extensive ^tcrians at most suc- I that, on ize them- the direc- means, it selves tlie lose times lan. Be- itablished a corres- low their t of their y of ser- especting ournal of mniittee, (ss to in- religious result of place arc be ira- lind you, s water ; Bceiveth. lie sower id to the ttee of ions: y.'i No \'II. Truro, Jmu-'lS)lh, 1«I9. The Synod of the Presbyterian (lunch of Nova Scotia met, and was constituted by the Rev. John Brown the Moderator. The iModerator laid before the Synod the answer which he had received from His Excellency, the Lieutenant-Governor of this proviiice, to the Synod's address last year, which was or- dered to be K iiiered in the Records of the Synod, and is as follows : — SiH, Ha/iJ'a,v, 21.V/ Jion; UIH). When 1 was in Pictou last year, I received from the Rev. i\Ir JM'Culloch an address signed by you as iModerator of the Synod ; I now beg you will do me the favour to return my thanks to the ministers and elders of the Presbyterian Church in Nova Scotia, on their meeting of Synod this yeai*, for the expression of their approbation and attachment to the government in this province. Bred up myself a member of the Presbyterian Church of Scot- land, I trust I am duly sensible of what I owe it ; and it is a subject of the gi-eatest satisfaction to me to know, that, by the Royal Instructions which govern my conduct in my station among you, I am commanded to give the same protection to it, as has been extended to the other religious sects and persuasions under his Majesty's Government in America. I have great reason to express my respect and most favourable opinion of the ministers of tlie Presbyterian Church in Nova Scotia ; and I trust that you will convey to them this expres- sion of my sentiments. I have the hono\n* to be, Sin, Your most obedient Itumble servant. (Signed) Dalhousik. Extracted from flic Records of Sipwd, liii .)am?;s IJobson. Si/d. Clk. c \ ; Oliver k Boyd, Piintci>. ^^^ "^"^ ^ J"