.9» * .0. ^ f 
 
 (MAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
 LO 
 
 I.I 
 
 !f IM IIIIIF 
 j^ lis "" 
 
 Hi 
 
 21 
 
 2.0 
 
 1.8 
 
 
 1.25 1.4 
 
 1.6 
 
 
 "< 6" — 
 
 
 » 
 
 V] 
 
 <? 
 
 /i 
 
 "% 
 
 /: 
 
 -r^l 
 
 > ^> 
 
 ^^m 
 
 4.-":^ '^"> 
 
 ^. 
 
 v/ 
 
 '/ 
 
 Photographic 
 
 Sciences 
 Corporation 
 
 23 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 
 
 (716) 872-4503 
 
CIHM/ICMH 
 
 Microfiche 
 
 Series. 
 
 CIHM/ICMH 
 Collection de 
 microfiches. 
 
 [i] 
 
 Canadian Institute for Historical Micror ^productions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques 
 
 f ^) 
 
Tectmical and Biblr'ographic Notes/Notes techniquas at bibliographiquas 
 
 Tha Instituta has attemptad to obtain tha bast 
 original copy availabia for filming. Faaturas of this 
 copy which may ba bibMographically uniqua, 
 which may altar any of tha images in tha 
 reproduction, or which may significantly change 
 tha usual method of filming, are checked below. 
 
 n 
 
 Coloured covers/ 
 Couverture de couleur 
 
 [~~| Covers damaged/ 
 
 Couverture endommagie 
 
 Covers restored and/or laminated/ 
 Couverture restaur^e at/ou peliiculAe 
 
 Cover title missing/ 
 
 Le titre de couverture manque 
 
 Coloured maps/ 
 
 Cartes giographiques en couleur 
 
 Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ 
 Encre de couleur (i.e. autre quo bieue ou noire) 
 
 Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ 
 Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur 
 
 Bound with other material/ 
 Reli* avec d'autres documents 
 
 n 
 
 n 
 
 n 
 
 Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion 
 along interior margin/ 
 
 La re liure serree peut causer de I'ombre ou de la 
 distorsion la long de la marge intdrieure 
 
 Blank leaves added during restoration may 
 appear within the text. Whenever possible, these 
 have been omitted from filming/ 
 ii se peut que certaines pages blanches ajouties 
 lors dune restauration apparaissent dans ie texte, 
 mais, lorsque ceia itait possible, ces pages n'ont 
 pas iti film^es. 
 
 Additionci comments:/ 
 Commentaires suppldmentaires; 
 
 L'Institut a microfilm<k le meilleur exemplaire 
 qu'il lui a et^ possible de se procurer Les details 
 de cet exemplaire qui sent peut-dtre uniques du 
 point de vue bibliographtqua, qui peuvent modifier 
 une image reproduite. ou qui peuvent exiger une 
 modification dans la mithode normale de filmage 
 sont indiquAs ci-dessous. 
 
 n 
 
 / 
 
 n 
 
 n 
 n 
 
 Coloured pages/ 
 Pages de couleur 
 
 Pages damaged/ 
 Pages endommag^es 
 
 Pages restored and/or laminated/ 
 Pages restaur^es et/ou pelliculies 
 
 Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ 
 Pages ddcolor^es, tachet^es ou piquees 
 
 Pages detached/ 
 Pages ditachdes 
 
 Showthrough/ 
 Transparence 
 
 Quality of print varies/ 
 Quality inigale de {'impression 
 
 Includes supplementary material/ 
 Comprend du matiriel suppleriientaire 
 
 Only edition available/ 
 Seule Edition disponible 
 
 Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata 
 slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to 
 ensure the best possible image/ 
 Les pages totalement ou partieilement 
 obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata. une pelure. 
 etc., cnt iti filmies ^ nouveau de facon d 
 obtenir la meilleure image possible. 
 
 This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ 
 Ce document est fiim-i au taux de reduction Indiqui ci-dessous. 
 10X 14X 18X 22X 
 
 1 
 
 26X 
 
 30X 
 
 12X 
 
 J L 
 
 16X 
 
 20X 
 
 24X 
 
 28X 
 
 32X 
 
The copy filmed here hat been reproduced thanks 
 to the generosity of: 
 
 Harold Campbell Vaughan Mamorial Library 
 Acadia University 
 
 L'exemplaire film* fut reproduit grice d ia 
 g^nArositt de: 
 
 Harold Campbell Vaughan Memorial Library 
 Acadia UnivartitV' 
 
 The images appearing here are the best quality 
 possible considering the condition and legibility 
 of the original copy and in keeping with the 
 filming contract specifications. 
 
 Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed 
 beginning with the front cover and ending on 
 the last page with a printed or illustratsd impres- 
 sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All 
 othor original copies are filmed beginning on the 
 first page with a printed or illustrated impres- 
 sion, and ending on the last page with a printed 
 or illustrated impression. 
 
 The last recorded frame on each microfiche 
 shall contain the symbol — »> (meaning "CON- 
 TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), 
 whichever applies. 
 
 IVIaps, plates, charts, etc.. may be filmed at 
 different reduction ratios. Those too large to be 
 entirely included in one exposure are filmed 
 beginning in the upper ie^ hand corner, left to 
 right and top to bottom, as many frames as 
 required. The following diagrams illustrate the 
 method: 
 
 I.es images suivantes ont 6t4 reproduites avec le 
 plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et 
 de la nettetA de l'exemplaire filmd, et en 
 conformity avec les conditions du contrat de 
 fiimag6. 
 
 Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en 
 papier est imprim^ sont film6s en commen^ant 
 par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la 
 dernidre page qui comporte une empreinte 
 d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second 
 plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires 
 originaux sont filmis en commengant oar la 
 premidre page qui compete une empreinte 
 d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par 
 la derniire page qui comporte une telle 
 empreinte. 
 
 Un des synboles suivants appanltra sur la 
 dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le 
 cas: le symbols — ^ signifie "A SUIVRE ". le 
 symbols V signifie "FIN". 
 
 Los cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre 
 filmds d des taux de reduction oiffdrents. 
 Lorsque le document est trop grand pour fttre 
 reproduit en un seul ciich6, il est filmi d partir 
 de I'angle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, 
 et de haut en has, en prenant le nombre 
 d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants 
 illustrent la mdthode. 
 
 1 2 3 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
w^^m 
 
 s^si^tiMMiiwsni^^s 
 
 If; 
 
 S9 
 
 
 STATEMENT OF THE COMMITTEE 
 
 OF THK 
 
 ST. GABRIEL STREET CHURCH, 
 
 BETAIUNO THE HISTORY OF 
 
 THE RECENT PROCEEDINGS, 
 
 By which the Congregation was Deprived of the Services of the Free 
 Church DeptUieSf and brought to the verge of Dissolution ; 
 
 WITH AN 
 
 APPENDIX, 
 
 Containing Correspondence and Documentary Evidence. 
 
 MONTREAL: 
 
 PRINTED BY J. C. BECKET, 211 i St. PAUL STREET. 
 
 1845. 
 
wmm 
 
 ' 
 
 _ 
 
y 
 
 STATEJUENT 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Oommittee St. Gabriel Street Church, 
 
 DETAILING THE HISTORY, &c. «kc. 
 
 The Committee of St. Gabriel Street Church feel, that how- 
 ever painful and mortifying may be the developments, which they 
 are now called to give forth to the Church and to the public, 
 they may not shrink from the performance of a duty, which has 
 in fact been forced upon them, for the vindication of their own 
 character, and that of the Church, which they represent, and in 
 justification of the course of defensive action, into which they 
 have been driven, for the protection of the interests and rights, 
 nay, more, for the preservation of the independence and even 
 existence of this Congregation. Could they be persuaded, that the 
 cause of true religion, that the character, the independence, the best 
 interests of the Church, in this land, could have been better served 
 by an entire suppression of this history, it would have been felt, on 
 their part, a real privilege to have been permitted to leave it to rest in 
 oblivion. But believing that there is no other way left, to dispel the 
 injurious misrepresentations, which have gone abroad, to disabuse the 
 public mind, to obtain effectual redress for the wrongs, which have 
 been inflicted upon the Congregation of St. Gabriel Street Church, 
 and through them upon the general cause — upon the entire Body of 
 which they form a part, — the Proprietors are persuaded that they are 
 fulfilling a high, and indeed, an indispensable duty, not more to them- 
 selves and those whom they represent, than to the Presbyterian 
 Church of Canada and the Free Church of Scotland, in giving pub- 
 licity to this narrative. There is no other means, — whereby it is pos- 
 sible to communicate authentic and satisfactory information of the 
 whole case, so that those who desire to form a just estimate of the 
 
 ^t^H 
 
I 
 
 character of the agents and of the transactions may not be misled 
 by partial or coloured representations, — than that of publishing the 
 proceedings in their order and connection, accompanied with the 
 necessary documentary evidence ; and to this determination, after 
 anxious and mature deliberation, the Committee, on behalf of the Pro- 
 prietors and the Congregation, have f'lt they were of necessity 
 brought.* Had due regard, indeed, been paid by the parties to the deci- 
 cision of the Presbytery, or had there even bee« any disposition 
 manifested by those, witli whom we are at issue, to make reparation 
 for the wrongs, by which this Church has felt itself aggrieved, or did 
 there not exist good ground for the apprehension that an impartial and 
 faithful representation of our cause, is not likely, through any other 
 channel, to reach the Mother Church, or even to come under the 
 view of our Church Courts and our own Ministers and Office-bearers 
 in this land, the painful necessity of this publication of our griev- 
 ances, might have been spared. As it is, it may be fondly hoped 
 that the publication of this case will prove conducive to the best 
 interests of the Church by pointing attention to past errors, as a bea- 
 con, to lead not only to tlie adoption of suitable remedies, but, what 
 is more, of efttjctual means, to prevent their recurrence, and in future 
 to regulate the intercourse between the Mother and the Colonial 
 Churches, in such a way as may perpetuate that happy reciprocity 
 of confidence and affection which is fraught with such manifold 
 blessings — especialli/ to the latter. 
 
 In order to lay open the origin and springs of all these movements, 
 and to preserve the order and continuity of the history, it is necessary 
 to begin with an account of the Free Church Committee, whose 
 members have been the prime, indeed the sole and exclusive actors 
 in the whole of these transactions. It is important, for the informa- 
 tion of those at a distance, to state who are the memljersof this Com- 
 mittee, how it was originally constituted, with what manner of right, 
 authority or qualifications this self-constituted body assumed the ex- 
 traordinary power and influence which they have so long wielded, and 
 still continue to wield, with no apparent abatement of vigor, as if they 
 were the legitimate and trustworthy representatives of our Church in 
 this great and rising Colony. The number of the original members 
 was twelve — Messia. J. Redpath, J. R. Orr, J. M'Kay, A. Frazer, D. 
 Frazer, I. M'lver, A. M'Goun, W. Hutchison, J. Morrison, D. 
 Fergusson, W. M<lntosh and Dr. M'Nider. Now without the slightest 
 
 * Sice Appendix [A.] 
 
detraction from the merits of these individualp, who for their years, 
 education, and condition in life are respectable — their most partial 
 admirers will not, we presume, claim for them the prerogative 
 of being leaders and directors, in what pertains to the conduct of 
 ecclesiastical affairs, nor think it reasonable, because they are useful 
 citizens, good merchants, skilful mechanicH, that they sliould ho 
 authorized or permitted to exercise the functions of Doctors of 
 Divinity, or Reformers and Legislators of the Church? Three or 
 four of the members are very young men : four or five are respect- 
 able mechanics: three of them master tradesmen; one a Physician 
 of not very old standing, while the others are clerks in mercantile 
 houses of this city : The two leading and most influential members 
 are Mr. Redpath and Mr. Orr, who have been active and useful 
 citizens, forward in the promotion of public improvement and the 
 cause of religion and of missionary enterprise ; but we are assured 
 that they are far from being the men to whom the enlightened portion, 
 even of the Religious public, would be disposed to concede the leaditg 
 prominent place which thej have assumed. 
 
 This Committee, origintUy self- constituted, has never yet called 
 any public meeting or taken any steps to obtain a more catholic basia 
 or a more extensive organization. They have not submitted to the 
 presbytery or to the public, uny information of their constitution, 
 views or principles. They tiave conducted their correspondence and 
 business, so far, in a secret und irresponsible manner, that no more 
 has been made known of thi^ir icts than a call, transmitted through 
 Dr. Burns, nd perhaps some hitters which have been published in 
 Scotland, or than whr.t may hav? transpired from the private commu- 
 nications of the individual raembers to their friends. The professed 
 object of the Committee, au declared by themselves, was to enlighten 
 the public mind of Canada on the Free Church question. With a 
 spirit and views so Catholic, it might have been expect^-d, that thev 
 would have been happy to embrace the earliest opportunity of en- 
 listing in the cause, of which tliey had thus come forward to under- 
 take the voluntary championship, as large a portion of the wealth, 
 the intelligence, and influence of this great city as possible. At the 
 public breakfast given to Dr. Burns in May, 1844<, it was resolved 
 unanimously and by acclamation, that immediate steps shcnld be 
 taken to extend and strengthen the Committee and to make it a fair 
 and, as much as pos^<il)lo, adequate representation of the Froo 
 Church body in Montreal. But, like all self-constituted bodies, they 
 
do not aeenj to have relished the proposal of either dividing their 
 power or of giving publicity to their proceedings. It is a singular fact, 
 in harmony with this, and not lees indicative of the determination 
 of the Committee to maintain a secret and exclusive influence, in the 
 prosecution of their enterprise, that, while professing that it was the 
 motive and end of their organization, to enlighten the public mind in 
 regard to the Free Church cause, they never saw fit to call Mr. 
 Esson to their counsels, even after the disruption, although on that 
 occasion the part which he acted drew forth their distinguished appro- 
 bation. Why, we would ask, did the Committee shut out from a 
 participation in their arduous and honourable labours, those whose 
 intelligence, influence, and active co-operation would have been of 
 eminent service to the cause 1 Perhaps there was a secret fear, le«t 
 Mr. Esson might have embarrassed them by his presence : and the 
 same views which led them in his absence to disorganize this Church, 
 it is not uncharitable, to divine, had influenced them to dispense with 
 his services in the outset of their public career. As tl.c event has 
 fully proved theirs, never was the large, liberal, and generous aim, in 
 the comprehensive spirit of Christian charity and enlightened evan- 
 gelic zeal, to cover the wide fitid of destitution in this populous city, 
 and to embrace within the pale of the new Church, of which they 
 were ambitious of having the honor of being the founders — all the 
 adherents of our cause. No ! their drift has been all along to orga- 
 nize a Church — in which their party should be absolute and su- 
 preme — in which their peculiar views savoring — more of Congrega- 
 tionalism and Independency than of Presbytery, should be em- 
 bodied, and at all hazards carried out, as if it had been a truth 
 demonstrated, that on the successful issue of this experiment, depended 
 the whole hope of the Church and of ihe cause. 
 
 But the Free Church cause had another representative in this city 
 besides the Committee oi twelve. Nay, one too which had the honor, 
 and alas that we are constrained to add, the misfortune of sending unto 
 that Committee nearly one half of the entire body of its original mem- 
 bers. This congregation, at an early period of the struggle, entered 
 the field, and although its more fortunate ally, or, as the event has 
 shown, its rival has thrown into the shade, and latterly almost suc- 
 ceeded in shutting out from public view, its services to the cause — 
 truth and justice demand that they be placed once more under the 
 public eye, and come in for their due share of whatever merit may 
 belong to those who fought the battle of Free Church principles in 
 (his land. 
 
ipip 
 
 The only pulpit where the cause was first cxpouiulod, vindicated 
 and recommended, wuh the pulpit of this Church. The first panipli- 
 let issued in advocacy of the cause, befoie the disruption, came from 
 the pen of its minister. Tl»e second followed from the same pen, 
 immediately after that event. And although it has been made a 
 question, as what will not the selfishness and worse than selfishness 
 of party spirit make a question, whether this Chu;xh had actually 
 given in its adhesion to the New Synod, or even whether it could be 
 considered, as being in connection with that body ; it can be demon- 
 strated, that not one of all our Churches bore a more unequivocal 
 and reiterated testimony of their attachment and devotion to the prin- 
 ciples, which gave rise to the disruption. 
 
 A Congregational Meeting was first held, in which the question of 
 adherence to the Presbyterian Church of Canada was carried with 
 only one dissenting voice. A meeting of Session followed, in which 
 the same decision was carried with only one dissentient — and the 
 meeting of the Proprietors, immediately consequent upon these two, 
 gave the final seal and ratification, precluding one would have thought, 
 the very possibility of any scepticism, in a candid mind, as to the 
 sincerity of their attachment to the cause. An account of these meet- 
 ings was published in the Banner newspaper, and yet all this was too 
 little to quell the obstinate scepticism of the Free Church Committee, 
 who still contended, that the constitution of the Church stood un- 
 changed, and scrupled not to add, that the proprietors would never 
 give their consent to its amendment. The value of this reiteiated 
 testimony, will be appreciated by those who know, that besides the 
 certain loss of the government salary enjoyed by their Minister; a 
 very valuable amount of property, comprising, the Manse and the 
 land pertaining to it, the Church and ground on which it is built, were 
 thereby brought into jeopardy, and are only now in the way of being 
 secured. After all this had been done, it might have been confidently 
 anticipated, that none of the Churches of this land would have been 
 more honoured or favoured, by a'l who loved our cause or could appre- 
 ciate its friends or benefactors, than St. Gabriel Street Church. None 
 would have suspected, that those at least, who professed the game prin- 
 ciples, and bore the same name, would have been found indifferent, 
 much less hostile to a community, which had signalised its zeal 
 in this great and good cause. But these are not all its services. 
 It was called upon to make another sacrifice for the general good 
 of the Church. Its Minister was appointed Professor in the 
 
new College, and the Church was deprived of his services, at a 
 nenson when it was perilous, eo recently, Hfter the disruption, to 
 lake away nny means of security and protection, and, as the event 
 nliewed, it had well nigh proved fatal.* All things having lx;en arrang- 
 ed to the sotiHfaction of the Minister and peciplo of St. Gabriel Street 
 Church, to supply Mr. E's. place, and provide f.>r the service of 
 hii flock, nothing was needed but a faithful fulfilment of the compact, 
 to have insured a happy final issue. 
 
 And here it becomes important to direct attention to a fact, which, 
 it may be feared, paved the way for the troubles and distractions that 
 ensued. In consequence of Mr. Eason's removal to Toronto, the 
 Presbytery of Montreal, was in a manner broken up. Mr. Clugston 
 and Mr. Clark, were at so great a distance, that they cou'd not, es- 
 peoiaily in winter, attend any of the Meetings — Mr. Henry was at the 
 distance of 40 miles from Montreal, and Mr. Black of 25, — and there 
 was no alternative left, butto appoint a central Missionary Committee 
 in the city, on whom all the power and responsibilities of a Presby- 
 tery, were for a time devolved. In these circumstances, it so hap- 
 pened that this Committee was constituted of the ident cal individuals, 
 who formed (he Free Church Committee. In this position to which 
 they were now elevated, they should have felt ttiemselves bound in duty 
 and honour, to suspend the prosecution of all party ends and in- 
 terests, and to have watched over all the Churches under their care 
 wil/i equal and impartial regard. St. Gabriel Street Congregation, 
 more especially, in the absence of their own Minister, and after the 
 unexpected disappointment, caused by the detention of Mr. Miller in 
 Nova Scotiii, was entitled to the services of the most efficient 
 Misionary, at the disposal of the Committee, But they saw fit to 
 withdraw Mr. Leishman, who had been sent down with the special 
 view of taking the place, which Mr. Miller had been expected to oc- 
 cupy, and to employ him as a general Missionary. The Commit- 
 tee, who were bound, itt the exerc se of the Presbyterial power and 
 responsibilities vested in (hem, to have acted as the guardians and 
 conservators of this church, seemed to seize with avidity the moment, 
 as opportune for carrying out their own scheme of budding up a new 
 Church, and, as essential to the fulfilment of their plan, to effect the 
 previous subversion of the old one. They forgot that they were act- 
 ing on behalf of the Presbytery and Synod, and that the course which 
 they thought fit to pursue, was a violation of the faith and honour of 
 the whole Church, pledged during Mr. Essou's absence, for the guar- 
 * See Mr. Essou's Letter to tlie Presbytery [C] 
 
mmmm: 
 
 tt a 
 
 dianship of liU flock. Had tlie Missionary Committee beon guided by 
 the spirit of Chrisiian wisdom and charity, they would most scrupuU 
 ously have abstained from any measure or movement, which might 
 have endangered the peace and security of our infant Church. In* 
 Btead therefore, of hastening to form a new congregation, they would 
 have recommended to Mr. Bonar, who reposed so much confidence in 
 their knowledge and experience, to go on to preach the gospel, and 
 striving together with him, to open a wide door to all to coma in, would 
 thus have allowed full time for the preparatory work of leavening the 
 body well, before they proceeded to th^ dispensation of the ordinance 
 of the Lord's Supper ; or even hazarded any attempt towards organiza- 
 tion, and having thus united and consolidated the body, it would have 
 been easy to obtain their hearty and unanimous consent to any mea- 
 sures, which they could reasonably have desired, for the belter con- 
 stitution or discipline of the ccngregati^ t. 
 
 What necessity, we demand, was there to have been in such ex- 
 treme haste to organise a new church, during Mr. Esson's ab- 
 sence, at the instance of a dozen Members of the Free Church 
 Committee, and just to gratify their new-born zeal in favour of a 
 pet scheme ? Would it not have been much wiser to have waited 
 for Mr. Esson's return, deferring for a short time a movement, which 
 might be detrimental to his interests and those of his flock, and in 
 which it would have been no more than just and reasonable on theif 
 part, as well as respectful to him, to have obtained his advice and 
 concurrence, if not his active aid and co-operation ? Why was not 
 this done by the Free Church Committee, Mr. Esson's professedly 
 devoted friends ? Why was it not done by Mr. Bonar? One of 
 the Members of the Committee has stated in his correspondence 
 with Mr. Esson, that Mr. Bonar "had come out to them (the 
 Committee) and would recognise no other executive authority." It is 
 strongly corroborative of this statement, that not only the earnest 
 remonstrances of Mr. Esson and his congregation, but the decision of 
 the Presbytery of Montreal, and the unequivocal terms of Mr. 
 Arnot's commission,* by which he is instructed to aid in " consolidat- 
 ing the congregation," have all proved unavailing against the single 
 mind and will of this Committee, which seems to possess a power 
 and influence paramount to that of the Presbytery, sufficient to 
 annul the commission, and to set aside theinstructions of the depu- 
 
 * See Appendix [I.] 
 
 B 
 
10 
 
 ties thaniselves, "a power behind the throne, verily, greater than the 
 
 throne." 
 
 How like a comedy of errors or a game at cross purposes does the 
 whole of this 3trang3 eventful history look in the retrospect 1 If we 
 open the Free Church record or refer to the public and authenticated 
 reports of the Free Assembly's Colonial Committee, nay more, if we 
 appeal to Mr. Arnot's commission who was sent to succeed Mr. 
 Bonar, and to carry on the work with which he had been previously 
 charged ; we find just what equity, reason and common sense would 
 have led us to anticipate that the wisdom of the parent Church had 
 instructed her deputies " to aid the exertions that are being made, 
 to consolidate the Congregation in connexion with the Presbyterian 
 Church of Canada.'" They were sent out to minister to the whole 
 body of Free Church adherents, without respect of persons or parties, 
 they were charged not to give up to a part what was meant for the 
 whole, not to divide or disorganize but to unite to consolidate ; — 
 They were not wantonly and needlessly to break down the constitu- 
 tion and organisation of Mr. Esson's Church but to fill his pulpit, to 
 supply his place, to consolidate and build up his flock. Was there 
 ever a more palpable contradiction between the spirit and letter of a 
 commission and the manner of its execution ? This is a riddle which 
 not (Edipus's self could read or resolve. No wonder that the Con- 
 gregation of St. Gabriel Street Church were puzzled and perplexed 
 when they were gravely told that Mr. Bonar had been sent out not 
 to them, not to occupy Mr. Esson's place and pulpit, but to take ad- 
 vantage of his absence and the defenceless state of his flock in order 
 to organise a new Church for the Committee cf twelve. This 
 very seasonable and judicious project bears evidence upon the 
 face of it that it originated with men of other heads and of other 
 hearts than the venerable and enlightened Fathers who preside over 
 the Counsels of the Mother Church ! It bears the genuine and une- 
 quivocal stamp of its true fathers and authors, who have signalised 
 themselves in other fields of action in this city by a blind indiscreet 
 and intemperate zeal, as if they thought that the end would sanctify 
 the means— as if the goodness of the motive or the aim could avail 
 as a plea .or the unscrupulous violation of the maxims of justice and 
 charity and common fair dealing in the prosecution of it. 
 
 To the frequent enquiries, addressed to those who were exclusively 
 cognizant of all that was done or devised in Free Church matters, 
 whether any minister was to be se nt out to take Mr. Esson^a plac e, 
 • See Mr. Arnot's CommiBsion, [G] and Petition of the Elder* &c. [H] 
 
11 
 
 [H] 
 
 it was answered in the affirmative that Mr. Begg or Mr. Bonar wa» 
 deputed to come out and remain for six months, to be relieved 
 at the end of that period by others in rotation, until a perma- 
 nent Pastor should be settled. Mr. Bonar arrived in the end of 
 February, and Mr. Burns in preaching his farewell sermon to the 
 congregation of St. Gabriel Slreet Church, announced that he had 
 come to occupy his place in that pulpit. In fine, there is no mis- 
 take, there can be no mistake in the conclusion, that there was every 
 warrant for believing that the faith of the Church at home and in the 
 Colony was fully and solemnly pledged in favour of the peculiar and 
 paramount claims of this congregation. It is not possible for the Free 
 Church Committee to escape the reproach of at least, having been guilty 
 of real dissimulation and of allowing their simple-minded and unsus- 
 pecting brethren to be taken by surprise, a surpri!i.e such as might 
 easily have been foreseen, had well nigh proved fatal to the indepen- 
 dence and even to the existence of the congregation. Was not their 
 reserve and silence in such circumstances, almost a crime towards 
 those who had implicit confidence in their honour and fair dealing, 
 and to whom not a few of them stood in the relation of office-bearers, 
 either in the temporal or spiritual departments, and were therefore 
 bound by the clearest and most imperative obligations of good faith 
 and social duty to those, with whose interests they were officially put 
 in trust, to have given them timely warning of the impending danger, 
 and scrupulously to have abstained from acting in prejudice of their 
 official engagements. To keep them in ignorance until the scheme was 
 all ripe for execution, however much it might tend to facilitate the 
 gaining of their own selfish and party ends, savours more of a 
 Jesuitical spirit and policy than of the guileless simplicity and harm- 
 lessness of the wisdom, which is from above. Such counsels and 
 doings cannot and they vt ill not come to good. 
 
 In reviewing the negociations between the two committees, which 
 it were tedious here to detail at length, it is impossible not to be struck 
 at once with the fact, that the people of St. Gabriel Street Church, 
 were shut up at once by the diplomatic craft of the other party, be- 
 tween the horns of a Dilemma.* No manner of choice was left them, 
 between the complete dissolution, at least tht te.nporary and indefi- 
 nite suspension, of their independent existence and action, as a con- 
 gregation, — and the withdrawal — iistant and inexorable withdrawal, 
 of the Free Church Deputy — and as if it had been ar act of faith, a 
 nrlnrSnlo ntftMtfiani'it. \c\ 1(>flvn nnlhino undone, toaecrravate thedisao- 
 
 * See Appendix [K] 
 
12 
 
 pointment, and to drive the unoffending people into a Btate o( 
 despair and rebellion against their Church, and all its consti- 
 tuted authorities — effectual resistence, in the Presbytery, originating 
 with Mr. Bonar and hia friends, was made to their petition, to be pro- 
 vided, in this state of unexpected deseition, and dining the absfnce of 
 their own Minister, with the immediate sei vices of a Missionary. Can 
 there remain a shadow of doubt, that there was at the bottom of all this 
 opposition, a spirit that cannot be avowed, while it is impossible to 
 resist the overwhelming evidence of the reality of its existence, and 
 the deformity of its nature ? "What is a spirit (.f persecution and sel- 
 fish sectarian intolerance and animosity if this be not 1 By its fruits, 
 its manift stations, and its workings, it stands confessed. No art or 
 sophistry, can hide or disguise it. Well might the proposition of Mr. 
 Redpath and his party be denominated, as it was, indignantly 
 and most righteously, by a member of the Committee of temporalities, 
 "as the most one sided proposal he had ever heard." Indeed, the 
 spirit of the world's selfishness, seems in a manner quite outdone by 
 this manifestation of sectarian and separatist bigotry, and exclnsiveness. 
 Foi to say nothing of the bowels of christian sympathy and brotherly 
 love, the love of souls, oj all love the purest from any taint of self, 
 we search in vain to find one vestoge of fairness and equity, such 
 as is to be met with in the every day intercourse and transactions, 
 even oi mere men of the world. 
 
 It requires but a passing glance, at the several progressive steps of 
 this correspondence — at once diverting, and melancholy to contemplate 
 — to see, that faster than the one party could yield, one concession af- 
 ter another— did the other rise in its demands. In conclusion, the 
 mask is dropped, the treaty is broken off, and it appears that nothing 
 less than an entire, unconditional surrender of the Church, would do— a 
 suicidal act by which its rulers w ere modestly required, in the utter 
 extinction of their independent existence, to facilitate and expedite the 
 
 transference of the members into the new congregation and with 
 
 all the power and authority and rule concentrated in the hands of the 
 Free Church Committee— old St. Gabriel's would have been merged 
 in the new community, without reserving one particle of her rights, or 
 obtaining one condhion to mitigate the humiliation and abasement to 
 which she was doomed without pity and without remorse. 
 
 It only remains, in the next scene of this surprising and eventful 
 drama, briefly to state the result of the application to the Presbytery. 
 We quote here the lancuaeeof ^ mf>tnnrial of the T^-if«'>~ ^^^ iu:«:- 
 
13 
 
 and 
 
 the 
 
 ters prepared and addressed but not actually submitted to the 
 Synod. 
 
 "The people of St. Gabriel Street Church felt satisfied that when 
 the meeting of Presbytery took place, justice would have been done 
 them, and arrangements made to supply the pulpit, but they were 
 doomed to meet with nothing but disappointment. Mr. Leslie, an 
 elder of the Church, attended the meeting, as a member of the 
 Presbytery, and four members of the Temporal Committee were also 
 present. Mr. Esson's resignation was laid before the meeting.* 
 That however wis not accepted but referred to the meeting of Synod. 
 Mr. Leslie then made an offer to allow Mr. Leishman £100 for six 
 months, until a permanent Minister was obtained. Mr. Leishman was 
 willing to accept of the proposal, but the apj ointment was not 
 sanctioned by the meeting, Mr. Leslie then made a motion 'o the 
 effect that Mr. Leishman be appointed to fill the pulpit until the 
 meeting of Synod (for about three weeks only.) The Moderator 
 recommended that appointment, Mr. Black seconded the motion. 
 Mr. Clugston approved of it. In short, all the old members of Presby- 
 tery were favourable. Mr, Bonar was now seen in earnest conver- 
 sation with Dr. Burns, who immediately rose up and addressed the 
 meeting as to the impropriety of withdrawing Mr. Leishman from 
 destitute places, (although the latter had no appointment at the time,) 
 the Dr. never for a moment taking into consideration the destitute 
 -state in which the people of St. Gabriel Street Church had been left. 
 Mr. Black then declined to second the motion, Mr. Clugston charged 
 his opinion, and the Presbytery which was bound to have supplied the 
 pulpit, actually left the congregation destitute of any provision what- 
 ever." 
 
 " When Mr. Leslie and the members of Committee saw that every 
 reasonable wish of theirs was opposed and such an uncharitable spi- 
 rit displayed towards them, the first impulse was a determination to 
 seperate from the connection for ever ; but upon calmer reflection, 
 they considered it wrong to condemn a whole body for the errors 
 (to use no harsher term) of a few Clergymen, and therefore it has 
 been considered prudent to submit this statement to the meeting of 
 Synod. " 
 
 " Your memorialists feel conscious that they did every thing in their 
 power, consistent with their duty, to I. .ert such an uncalled for, un- 
 seemly and injurious division. No paltry feeling of jealousy was 
 displayed by them, on the contrary, a number were willing to have 
 
 * See Appendix [I.] 
 
14 
 
 assiated, in proportion to their limited means, in building the new 
 Church from the conviction that there would have been ample room 
 for two ; and although there would have been two congregations, we 
 might still have been one people. 
 
 " Those who desire to adhere to the St. Gabriel Street Church, feel 
 that in the first place, the Presbytery has abandoned, and has not 
 kept good faith with them ; secondly, that they have been shamefully 
 deceived by the party calling themselves the Free Church Com- 
 mittee ; and, thirdly, as it appears by a letter received by the Bev. 
 Mr. Henry, the Moderator of the Presbytery from the Committee of 
 the Free Church in Scotland, and subsequently borne out by Mr. 
 Arnot's commission, that Mr. Bonar and other Ministers were intended 
 for the St. Gabriel Street Church, that they have been defrauded 
 of the supply intended for them ; since it surely never could have been 
 the intention of the Church at home, to send out able Ministers for the 
 benefit of twelve persons, and to leave the St. Gabriel Street Congrega- 
 tion, which had contended and made sacrifices for the same principles 
 entirely without assistance." 
 
 Thus the claim to obtain the humble boon at the hands of the Pres- 
 bytery, of being permitted to engage the services, of one of the Mis- 
 sionaries t» be paid by themselves out of the funds of the Church, 
 offering the handsome salary of £200 per anum, and securing it for 
 fiix months, was set at nought, in a spirit which it is most painful and 
 mortifying to contemplate, ond the impression of which will not soon 
 be effaced, from the minds of those who witnessed the scene. The 
 spectacle was thus exhibited, before the Church and the world, of a 
 congregation, which in the recent contendings for gospel liberty and 
 pure Presbyterian principles in this land, had merited a very different 
 treatment, first deserted by the Free Church deputy, to whose services 
 they had without all question, the best right, then cast off by the Pres- 
 bytery, to whose guardianship,* like that of a parent, they had a natunil, 
 and, as has been already shewn, in the present instance, a peculiar and 
 paramount title — constrained to throw themselves for a time, in this 
 utter desertion and abandonment of those, whose duty it was to have 
 protected them, upon the compassion and kindness of other chiistian 
 denominations, until at last, in a state between hope and despair, they 
 were happily led to make their final appeal to the Synod of oui' Church, 
 for the vindication of their rights and the redress of wrongs, aggravated 
 and embittered in the most extreme degree, by the hands which had 
 inflicted them, and certainly not less, by those who had refused to 
 redress them. 
 
 • See Appendix [G] Mr. Egsoii's letter to the Presbytery [CJ 
 
15 
 
 During the interval between this meeting of the Presbytery and 
 that of the Synod, the pulpit of this Church was precariously and irre- 
 gularly supplied by the Ministers of various denominations, who, in 
 the good Providence of God, were found most ready and even for- 
 ward and zealous to come and help us. But it was not possible that 
 this could effectually arrest the process of disorganization and defec- 
 tion from the Church, which the rude and violent shock of this second 
 disruption had caused. The success of the appeal to the Synod 
 and Mr. Esson's arrival, in the execution of the mission with 
 which he was entrusted by that venerable body, to reorganise 
 the Church, and to take the necessary steps for its effective sup- 
 port and service, until a successor should be appointed in hia 
 stead, revived the spirit and the hope, that were ready to expire, and 
 by the blessing of God crowning his exertions thus far, the prospect 
 is now brightened, and the interests of the Church both in the 
 spiritual and temporal departments, are on the eve of being placed on 
 such a footing as will ultimately, it is hoped, secure to the people the 
 fullest enjoyment of Gospel privileges and afford a most comfortable 
 provision for the minister. 
 
 Upon Mr. Esson's^rrival he found that the number of adherents 
 to the church far exceeded the statements which were made to him 
 in the correspondence with the Committee. Of those who had left 
 it under the influence of misrepresentation, a great number returned 
 after his arrival, and there are now above two hundred families upon 
 the list. Mr Esson lost no time after certain preparatory measures 
 had bften adopted and carried out by the temporal authorities, in 
 accordimce with the instructions of the Synod, to call a meeting of 
 Presbytery to settle authoritatively the affairs of the Church. In 
 laying his commission on the table of the Presbytery, Mr. Esson 
 begge'll permission to submit a simple and, as he believed, it would 
 prove, an effectual method of accommodating all differences, and 
 restoring and perpetuating peace, confidence and unity, between the 
 sister congregations, adding that if his mediation and plan -f adjust- 
 ment or any one equivalent, that might be suggested by any other 
 member, were accepted by all parties, there would be no necessity 
 to enter upon a discussion full of peril, and certain to create un- 
 pleasant and it might be feared angry and bitter feelings. He 
 laboured to impress upon the minds of the Presbytery that the 
 ali«naiion caused by the withdrawal of the Free Church deputy from 
 his flock, would be embittered and aggravated every day to the 
 
16 
 
 l?f 
 
 great prejudice and dishonour of our common cause, and that unless 
 the Presbytery forthwith interposed, the weight of its authority to en- 
 force an equal apportionment to both, of whatever provision could be 
 made available, during the period that both, were dependent, for minis- 
 terial service, upon the Mother and the Colonial Churches, there 
 could be no hope of a termination of the evil, — that it was palpably 
 iniquitous that the elder congregation should be deprived altogether 
 cf the services of Mr. Bonar and Mr. Arnot, and that these services 
 should be exclut<ively engrossed by one that at the time of their 
 arrival had : .0 existence, and that finally, with such an easy and equit- 
 ble means of at once settling the question, as it became Christians, the 
 Presbytery were called upon to arrest the inevitable mischiefs i)f con- 
 tinued and growing jealousy and discord by a resolute and vigorous 
 exercise of the power wherewith it was vested. Such a decision, 
 made in the spirit of Christian wisdom and charity, and accepted in 
 the spirit of nicekness and submission to ecclesiastical authority, 
 would have the effect of wiping off at once the reproach which had 
 been brought upon our Church and our cause, and of finally extin- 
 guishing any painful feelings or angry passions that might have been 
 awakened. Mr. Redpath hereupon rose up to declare for himself 
 and his party that they could not accede to Mr. Esson's proposal 
 and had no overtures of reconciliation and adjustment on their side to 
 submit. The Presbytery then agreed to hear Mr. Esson's statement 
 and to enter upon the full discussion of the question. It is not ne- 
 cessary to embody that statement here or to detail at length the 
 progress and tenor of the statements and reasonings on both sides. A 
 paper was read by Mr. Redpath and some letters from the correspon- 
 dence of the Free Church Committee, but nothing was adduced that 
 had any relevancy or bearing upon the points at issue. The letters 
 which were produced were found to be in a great measure illegible 
 and there was not any shadow of proof in aught that came before the 
 court, that Mr. Bonar or Mr. Arnot were warranted to withdraw 
 their ministrations from St. Gabriel Street Church. Indeed, how is 
 it possible that they could have brought out any instructions or warrant 
 for taking a course which was as little foreseen or expected as were the 
 events which led to it, events such as they did not anticipate, and which 
 could not therofore have influenced or even entered into their calcula- 
 tions. Mr. Bonar, it is undeniable, on occasion of the unexpected 
 contingency of the disruption of the united body of worshippers, to 
 whom he first ministered in St. Gabriel Street Church, was left abso- 
 
17 
 
 lulely and entirely to his own discretion, in all the part that he after- 
 wards acted, in this new, end to him altogether unlooked for con- 
 juncture of affairs. We might confidently, put it to the good sense and 
 candour of the deputies themselves, whether, wher the disruption took 
 place in the united body of hearers, to whom they had been minister- 
 ing hitherto, as one whole, and who had all a right to claim an equal 
 participation in their pastoral services, it was not manifestly due, after 
 the separation, to extend to the one section no less than to the other, 
 the benefit of those ministrations, which were originally designed, as 
 they were in the first instance, in point of fact, given to the whole. 
 We would, with all respect and deferenfce, put it to the Free Church 
 deputies, whether it was not incumbent on them in such a crisis and 
 in such a delicate position, as they found themselves, between two 
 adverse parties, to have referred the matter to the Church courts, and 
 thereby relieved themselves of all personal responsibility ? Whether 
 we look to Scriptural or ecclesiastical law, Presbyterial polity or the 
 maxims of sound wisdom, can there be a doubt, that, it would have 
 been wise and right, on their part, to have at least yielded a ready 
 and hearty obedience to the decision of the Church authorities in 
 this land, who, being upon the spot, and intimately acquainted with 
 the circiMustances of the country, were surely the most enlightened 
 and competent judges, and not have given a practical warrant to the 
 statement, that " Mr. Bonar came out to the Free Church Com- 
 mittee, and that they were the only authority he would recognize." 
 Had the Free Church Committee, itself, entertained consistent and 
 enlightened views and principles, in regard to Church discipline, for 
 which they profess to be zealous, they would never have presumed 
 to determine upon so hazardous a movement, without expounding 
 their purpose to the judicatories of the Church, and asking counsel 
 of them. They have acted in this instance, at least, as Independ- 
 ents and Congregationalists, not as Presbyterians ; whose charac- 
 teristic maxim it is to defer more to the Church authorities, as they 
 rise in the scale and gradation of tlie successive judicatories. 
 
 As the Free Church Committee have assumed the character, and 
 stood forth in the attitude of censors and reformers towards the 
 Church in this land, they will have no reason for surprise or com- 
 plaint if we conclude this statement, by instituting a scrutiny of their 
 principles and the exemplification which they have exhibited of their 
 operation since the new Church was formed, as free and unreserved 
 as we have done of their proceedings. " Thou that teachest another 
 
 C 
 
i 5 
 
 !! 
 
 ■ 
 
 18 
 
 teachest thou not thyself." He who sets up as a reformer in the 
 Church, or as a prophet in Israel, has no right to be offended, if we 
 say to hina, " Physician he^I thyself. V 
 
 First, then we charge these gentlemen with the fact, if not 
 the guilt, of schism. We challenge them to show a cause for 
 the late separation which had any existence out of their own 
 imagination, or rather out of their own ungenerous and unchar- 
 itable suspicions, which the event has proved to be utterly ground- 
 less, or which can be sustained on any principles, not savour- 
 ing of Pharisaism or separatist bigotry, and tending to shut out 
 perishing sinners, which all men are by nature, depriving them, as 
 in this case, of a preached Gospel, under the plea of zeal for greater 
 purity of discipline or a higher toned spirituality than can be at- 
 tained without a sifting or elective process, altogether at variance 
 with the genius and end of the Gospel, of which we confidently 
 affirm that the capital maxim,— the fundamental principle,' is, 
 " Compel them to come in, that my house be filled j" and if, in the 
 language of the apostle, " Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by 
 the Word of God," is it not the first and chiefest duty of the 
 Church, « to compel them to come in" ? The first the principal step to- 
 wards the world's evangelization, is to draw all, as many as possible, 
 into the outward visible Church— to hear the word, as preparatory 
 to their ultimate admission into its full communion. Rigid and 
 overstrained disciplinarians are prone to forget this text, " Suffer 
 both" (the tares and the wheat) "to grow together until the harvest." 
 There is a just and enlightened mean, which true wisdom and grace 
 alone can teach, and which the simple-minded and humble followers 
 of Christ, alone can learn. If all that had been aimed at, had been 
 the removal of every obstacle to the introduction asd exercise of a 
 wholesome and sound discipline— we undertake to prove that this 
 had been most unreservedly conceded to them. If, which we 
 shrewdly suspect to be the truth, their secret aim, their real ambi- 
 tion, was to get up a Church, in which they should bear the sole and 
 supreme sway, and in which other measures of reform, which were 
 fondly cherished, and had been long prosecuted, with more than 
 ordinary zeal, by some of the leading members, might ultimately be 
 carried out, we have a key to their proceedings and recognize their 
 perfect consistency and suitableness to the end in view. Admit this 
 to be fact., and you have at once an explanation of the haste and 
 jibniptiirss with which, durinjj Mr. Esson's absence, the work was 
 
19 
 
 er in the 
 led, if we 
 
 7/, if not 
 ;ause for 
 lieir own 
 unchar- 
 r ground- 
 ; savour- 
 shut out 
 them, as 
 jr greater 
 an be at- 
 variance 
 )nfidently 
 jiple,' is, 
 if, in the 
 earing by 
 ty of the 
 lal step to- 
 I possible, 
 eparatory 
 Rigid and 
 t, "Suffer 
 ! harvest." 
 and grace 
 followers 
 had been 
 rcise of a 
 3 that this 
 which we 
 eal ambi- 
 e sole and 
 hich were 
 more than 
 mately be 
 ;nize their 
 Vdmit this 
 iiusie (iiiti 
 work was 
 
 l)egun and urged forward to a decisive issue, before he couid even 
 be apprised of what was meditated. 
 
 We challenge „he party arraigned, to shew, what good they could 
 hope to gain by separation, that could, by any possiblity, counter- 
 balance the mighty evils of alienation, jealousy, embittered feeling, 
 la fine, all the mischiefs of schism, which as it might easily have been 
 foreseen, could not but grow out of it ? It would, indeed, be diffi- 
 cult to conceive what improvement of congregational organization, 
 or Church discipline and economy, could be any adequate compen- 
 sation, for the reproach brought upon our cause, and the disunion 
 created in our body, by the violation of the principles of common 
 equity, Presbyterial order, and Christian charity. The leaders of 
 the Free Church Committee should not have forgot, in their zeal for 
 purity of discipline, that there is a sin called schism, and that zeal, 
 apart from knowledge, from justice, from charity, is mischievous, 
 and therefore more or less criminal. Have not some, at least, 
 of the members realized in their own past history, in their own per- 
 sonal experience, in the various religious connections and public 
 associations of this city, in which they have been not a little con- 
 spicuous, as leaders or prominent actors, that a good cause may be 
 dishonoured and damaged, that peace, good will, social concord and 
 religious unity may be sorely marred, by a blind undiscriminating 
 zeal, in the reckless prosecution of a favorite scheme — wounding 
 and trampling upon charity— separating between chief friends, and 
 without furthering its own ends— bringing scandal and reproach 
 upon the body and upon the cause. But what places beyond the 
 possibility of doubt or of defence, the spirit and character of the 
 party and its proceedings, is the fact, that when time and experi- 
 ence had shewn that they were extremely mistaken in all the judg- 
 ments and anticipations, on which they profess to have grounded, and 
 on which they vainly essay te vindicate their course of action ; they 
 have given not the least proof of regret or of repentance ? Have 
 they made any acknowledgement of their errors, any reparation of the 
 wrong? It was confidently believed that when they went out of St. 
 Gabriel Street Church, not more, at the utmost, than a dozen fami- 
 lies would have remained clinging to the old walls and benches. And 
 now when it is found that not only is Ihere a numerous and growing 
 congregation, but that a rapidly increasing Sabbath School, and a 
 flQ^ij.;»ji5prr Bible Class^ have all been re-organized within a very few 
 weeks, since Mr. Esson's arrival ; and, withal, what was least 
 
20 
 
 ■ 
 
 expected, that a disinterested fcrvvardness has been manifested on i... 
 part of the Elders, the Proprietors and the people, to give every 
 aid and facility, for the establishment of a thoroughly pure constitution 
 and effective discipline, we virould just put it to the party with 
 whom we are at issue, what sympathy have you manifested to- 
 wards us 1 What disposition have ye, that are strong, shown to bear 
 the burden and to help the infirmities and imperfections of those whom 
 you esteem weak, and perhaps unworthy brethem 9 What has been 
 your spirit and bearing since we have been making rapid progress in 
 the work of reformation ? Have ye done ought to strengthen our 
 hands, to encourage our hearts? Have ye said, as the wounded 
 hero, (Sir Philip Sidney) when he took the cup of cold water from 
 his own lips to give it to his dying soldier, « Brother, thy need is 
 greater than mine ?" Have you shown a readiness of mind to share 
 with us, what is far more precious, and ought, among Christians, to be 
 more free than the cup of cold wat*»r, namely, the services and minis- 
 trations of the Free Church deputies, whose commissions and instruc- 
 tions, so palpably bear on the face of them, that they were sent out, 
 not for a section — a fragment, but for the whole of the people in this 
 citj', that would receive and hear them ? What has been alleged, we 
 trust unwarrantably, of the sectarian selfishness, of a very respecta- 
 ble body of Christians, that they wished to secure to themselves, the 
 exclusive enjoyment of the privilege of the great Whitfield's preach- 
 ing, when he visited Scotland, is certainly a matter of fact in your 
 c ^ ^''ou have had an inglorious triumph, in reserving to yourselves, 
 hitherio, the exclusive possession of the deputies— and we grieve for 
 their sakes, not less than our own, that their spirit and course have 
 been somewhat different from that of the great evangelist, to whom 
 we have alluded. In fine, we appeal to the whole Christian world, 
 to rebuke us and set us right, if we are unjust or uncharitable, in pro- 
 claiming our conviction that your practice, in this case, h utterly in 
 contradiction of your pretensions and professions, that you have fol- 
 lowed a path, widely diverging from that of Christian wisdom, liber- 
 ality and charity. 
 
 We now come to a developement of the spirit and principles of 
 Church discipline, which have given birth to all the proceedings, of 
 which we complain, and also, of the practical exemplification of these 
 principles in Cote Street Church since its organization. Mr. Redpath 
 
 j^^t.5M«CTiO!i umt. II nrcic uciiui- mai iHO uozen lamilies, 
 
 which, it was erroneously believed, were the utmost number that 
 
2! 
 
 would continue to cleave to the St. Gabriel Street Church, should I* 
 left to the hazard ot^ perishing, than that his schertie of disci, 11- 
 nary reform should not be carried into complete operation. Is not 
 this sentiment cleariy embodied, and very consistently acted out in the 
 proceedings which we have recorded t This doctrine, we hesitate not 
 to pronounce, unscriptural, antichristian. To those who have even 
 a rudimental knowledge of the genius and end of the Guspel dispen- 
 sation, it cannot admit of doubt, that the man who was capable of 
 forming and uttering ttiis sentiment, has yet to learn what be the first 
 principles of the oracles of God. If there be a truth pre-eminently 
 clear, certain, fundamental, peculiariy characteristic of the Gospel, and 
 lying every where upon its very surface, palpable to the dullest and 
 most careless eye, it is, that the Gospel shall be preached to every 
 creature, and as it offers a free full salvation to the chief of sinners, it 
 specially and emphatically charges its Heralds, as if it were the glory of 
 the cause, and of their Mission, to search out in the lanes and hedges of 
 the world, the lame, the halt, the maimed, the blind. It is the indig- 
 nant reproof of the Saviour himself to the Scribes and Pharisees of old. 
 " The Publicans and Hariots go into the kingdom of God before you," 
 We know him who hath said « they that are whole need not a Phy- 
 sician, but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but 
 sinners to repentance." The more sick, the more deadly the distemper, 
 the greater the more immediate is the need of the Skilful Physician. If 
 Mr. R. and his friends had held sound and scriptural views of the great 
 principles of the world's evangelization, their treatment of St. 
 Gabriel Street Church would have been in all respects reversed. In 
 fine to preach the Gospel to two or three perishing sinners, to say 
 nothing of ten or twelve households, if we make Paul or Christ our 
 modeler authority, will, mws^take precedence of sacraments — and or- 
 dinances — the most sacred and solemn — much more of all matters of ex. 
 ternal order, of ecclesiastical reform and discipline. How would it sound 
 likeadiscordin the Gospel strain, to every truly christian ear & heart, to 
 read — placed by the side of the texts which we have quoted, (and many 
 more might have been added to the same effect), "shut them out, cast 
 them off, take from them the preaching of the Gospel, disregard all 
 their remonstrances and appeals in order, that my new form of dis- 
 cipline, of Church organization and economy, may not be hindered or 
 marred." 
 
 It is one of the sublime and soul-animating declarations of 
 the word of God, that the merciful Father of our spirits for the sake 
 
22 
 
 of ten righteous men would spare a whole city like Sodom or 
 Gomorrah. Contrast with this the sentiment or feeling that would 
 rather leave in jeopardy the souls of ten or twelve households, than 
 peril the success of a mere theory — a devout imagination. To save 
 one of the least of the souls which he had made to save one sinner — 
 Christ would have died. Mr. Redpath will not give up, no not defer 
 the execution of a new fangled project, hut inexorably persists, in 
 order to carry it out, in withdrawing from them, and as time has 
 shown, from more than two hundrf.'l families, the preaching of the Gos- 
 pel, and the preachers who wereexpressly Commissioned by the Mother 
 Church to serve them. Can we be judged severe in publishing these 
 strictures? Our plea is, tiiat there is an unpardonable presumption 
 and arrogancy in the tone, language, and bearing of Mr. R. and his 
 party, who have pushed themselves forward into the forefront of 
 would-be reformers and luminaries of our Church, and maintain a 
 pertinacious adherence to the false position into which they have in- 
 truded themselves. 
 
 They havo no ground to complain, if we now take leave to turn 
 the tables upon them, and apply the Gosj)el proverb, « First cast 
 out the beam out of thine own eye, then shalt thou see clearly to cast 
 out the mote out of thy brother's eye." 
 
 In what circumstances, we ask, did the Cote Street Congregation sit 
 down to their first communion I Did they not know that, however cool 
 and composed ihey might be on the occasion of that feast of love, their 
 brethren, with whom they had been so long associated in St. Gabriel 
 Street Church, were sorely wounded in their feelings, deeply disap- 
 pointed in their just hopes and claims of ministerial service, and 
 having been refused by those, with whom they had gone up to- 
 gether in company to the house of God, any participation, in the 
 ministrj't'.ons which they enjoyed, were left even without a preacher, 
 were cast upor; the tende'- mercies of strangers, who, like the good 
 Sam?rit^n, in the Parable, came to their succour, when the Priest 
 and the Levite looked on and passed by on the other side ? Nor was 
 this all the treasure of which they were despoiled, on occasion of 
 this — to them ruinous and desolating — exodus of brethren, to whom 
 they had entrusted all their interests with confiding simplicity. The 
 whole staff of the Church, the Superintendent of the Sabbath School, 
 the oldest, and with a (ew honorable exceptions, the best and most 
 experienced of the Teachers, two Office-bearers, members of the 
 Committee of Temporalitio.-s, who had acted for a long time, in the 
 
Sojom or 
 that vvoulil 
 ItoldH, than 
 To save 
 e sinner — 
 ) not defer 
 jcrsists, In 
 
 time has 
 )f the Gos- 
 he Mother 
 ling these 
 esumption 
 I. and his 
 )refront of 
 maintain a 
 
 have in- 
 
 i^e to turn 
 First cast 
 rly to cast 
 
 3gation sit 
 ?ever cool 
 love, their 
 t. Gabriel 
 ly disap- 
 ice, and 
 le up to- 
 1, in the 
 preacher, 
 the good 
 he Priest 
 Nor was 
 iasion of 
 to whom 
 y. The 
 I School, 
 nd most 
 3 of the 
 e, in the 
 
 23 
 
 capacity of Deacor.s or Klders, were all carried away, and the de- 
 capacity oi tf^^ npvpr retrieve the obs or 
 
 sorted Church, it was presumed, c.mld never retnev 
 retmir the ruin, which had thus suddenly overwhelmed her. Was 
 rlno room I ore, no call, ir. .uch a case, for the exerc.se of d.s- 
 c : line wTat me^n these words of the Gospel and of its d.vme au hor 
 "CrofoiTif thou bring thy gift to the altar an. ^h«";^»-"!7^^.^^ 
 thatZ Mother hath aught against thee, leave there thy g.ft before 
 TIZ .> thy way', f.. be reconc.led to thy jjro^^-^^^^^^^^ 
 come and offer thy gift." Was it not known .n Cot- S^ct C hurch 
 as in all the worid, that Mr. Esson and h.s congregation had fe 
 themse ves cruelly, and a. they believed, wantonly aggrieved . Had 
 
 I e W . a..y W»6.'o"« '" '"c way of explanauon or apology » 
 DaU,eyIf r.he.olem„i..ati„«of the Sacrament unUl some con- 
 
 si"rrrd;aTeS 
 
 S ana bWin J of which .hey «^"«'^ "'-7:* „ ^^ 
 .u 7 ThP^e men who were sorely scandalized at the erasiian 
 
 ::r:Jofs:o:v,e>s..e.ch.cha„..he..^^^^^^^^^^^ 
 
 emphasis of the charge ol o^^ri.0 command- 
 
 ment give i unw y j another." 
 
 '"t:::::^ri:^:^^^ o„; ...h^have,. 
 
 Whatever maj/ i Office-bearers and the 
 
 XT ggrievL then,. Novice, thongh .hey ma, be m .he m - 
 Te „ Chnrch discipline, .hey have ™ch a prolonnd sense of ,he 
 IVolTnceef ccIel.in,.he«.,s,„rrh,is,ia,,.ou, ,n i.ace, go,.,. 
 
- 1 d" 
 
 . 
 
 24 
 
 will and Charity, with all men, regarding this as the first, second, and 
 third, requisite o( A pure and worthy communion, that even now they 
 woulddeemit—notfor edification— to have it dispensed in this Church. 
 They say, with all emphasis, that though they regard themselves in this 
 case, as in no degree the offending party, they would feel, were they 
 not to allow time for these heats to subside before its solemnization, 
 that they were guilty of the breach of a capital point of discipline—one 
 of the most indispenaible conditions of a right administration, of a 
 worthy receiving of the Sacrament. We wiW farther aver, with res- 
 pect to the people of this Church, that they were utterly incapable of 
 so far forgetting the generous and expansive charity of Christian 
 men, as even to have conceived the purpose of an exclusive appro- 
 priation to themselves, of the ministrations which were given to them 
 both in common for a time, and which were as much desired as they 
 were needed by those who were subsequently deprived of them. 
 
 Let the Christian world decide, whose views of Christian principle and 
 d.,ctrine, as we'I as of Church communion and discipline, are most 
 accordant with the Gospel standard. Whether we look to the theory 
 or principles of Mr. Redpatli's reform, as avowed by himself, or at 
 their actual working, and which is still more, their manifest tendency— 
 to pervert fundamental truth and to vitiate the Scriptural model of the 
 economy of a Church, or look to the practical exemplification of that 
 reform upon which we have been animadverting— it is certain that 
 it cannot abide the test of God's word and truth. 
 
 But it may be demanded what good will this publication of our 
 wrongs do to the parties, or which is much more to be accounted of, 
 to the common cause. We answer much every way. 
 
 First, it will justify the innocent, the injured party, and direct the 
 rebuke of public opinion against those individuals, in number very few, 
 whose presumptuous ignorance, and indiscreet zeal, have bred all this 
 perplexity and anomaly in this portion of our Church. It will go a 
 great way to mitigate the evils, and to wipe away the reproach, which 
 would otherwise fall upon our cause, by tracing these disorders to their 
 real authors, to their prime source, demonstrating that they have ori- 
 ginated with a few busy intermeddlers, acting it may be, with good in- 
 tentions, but whose zeal, unregulated by knowledge or discretion, at a 
 time when, in consequence of the disruption, the legitimate authorities 
 of the Church were paralysed, have presumed to usurp and 
 wield a power for which they are incompetent, and to exercise 
 an influence, of which they are not vvorthv to be the depositaries. 
 
 I 
 % 
 
 I 
 

 25 
 
 eeondy and 
 
 n now they 
 is Church. 
 Ives in this 
 were they 
 mnization, 
 jline — one 
 ation, of a 
 
 with res- 
 capable of 
 
 Christian 
 ve appro- 
 !n to them 
 lid as they 
 lem. 
 nciple and 
 
 are most 
 he theory 
 elf, or at 
 ndency — 
 idel of the 
 3n of that 
 rtain that 
 
 •n of our 
 unted of, 
 
 direct the 
 very few, 
 ?d all this 
 will go a 
 h, which 
 •s to their 
 have ori- 
 good in- 
 ion, at a 
 uthorities 
 urp and 
 exercise 
 lositaries. 
 
 But this case assumes a paramount importance, when we reflect 
 upon the great principles and interests which have now become 
 identified with it, and which will be deeply and permanently aifected 
 by the issue, by the final decision of it. The recent proceedings, 
 in regard to this Church, have made a very general and deep impres- 
 sion upon the public mind, and are condemned by the great body of 
 the Christian community. 
 
 Indeed it is impossible, for even a man of the world, having any 
 sense of probity or honor, to glance at them without a feeling of 
 indignation or scorn. So broad and palpable is the character of un- 
 fairness and injustice that is stamped upon the face of them. 
 
 Hero we have the sorry spectacle before our eyes of the oldest 
 Presbyterian Church in this land, after having been shattered by the 
 first disruption, in which she had stood forth in vindication of the 
 cause which forms the bond of our common union, rudely, un- 
 naturally, trodden down under the feet of brethren ; some of 
 whom had been her own members tnd office-bearers, confidentially 
 entrusted by the minister to watch over those interests which they 
 v/ere the first to lead the way in deserting, if not betraying. 
 Such is one specimen of the moral influence and tendency of the 
 principles which have moved and guided the late proceedings. 
 We see her at this moment still denied the participation which she 
 claims of the services of the Deputies, pointing in vain to the 
 express and unequivocal evidence of their commission and instruc- 
 tions, which g've her even an exclusive title to the enjoyment 
 of them. There can be no room to doubt that the character 
 both of the mother and of the Colonial Churches, must be deeply dis- 
 honoured, if such deeds, as have been honestly and frankly detailed in 
 this narrative, are suffered to pass without stern rebuke to the offending 
 parties, without prompt redress to those who have been so wantonly 
 wronged, and without effectual provision being made against the con- 
 tinuance or recurrence of irregularities so scandalous and destructive 
 of all order and confidence. 
 
 Just review the history of this Church during the last three or four 
 months. Deserted first by the Free Church deputy — repulsed by the 
 Presbytery, her natural, her constitutional guardian and' parent, ii» 
 her humble suit to be permitted to engage, for a few weeks, as the 
 only means of preserving and perpetuating her independent existence, 
 the services of a missionary, at her own cost, who was at the mo- 
 ment free and at the disposal of that reverend body — forthwith she 
 
I 
 
 26 
 
 is reduced to the condition of an outcast, thrown off by her own pro- 
 per guardians, driven to the humiliating alternative of shutting her 
 doors, or as a pensioner, of suing to the bounty of strangers for the pre- 
 carious supply of her pulpit every Sabbath. 
 
 It IS true her own minister has been sent by the Synod to fulfil the 
 arduous task of re-organizing a flock, which, in his absence, had been 
 made a prey by those to whose special guardianship he had entrusted 
 it ; but at this very moment he is placed in the cruelly painful situa- 
 tion of resisting the most pressing instances to return to his proper 
 charge, and, wlule well aware of the importance of his presence, in 
 the appointed sphere of his duties, it is impossible for him, without de- 
 serting the cause of his flock, and exposing them to the most imminent 
 hazard, to withdraw his own services, until the Church shall have re- 
 deemed her pledge to make an effectual provision for the vacancy. It 
 is owing to his disobedience of the almost authoritative calls and com- 
 mands, to return to his charge, that this congregation is not now, as be- 
 fore the meeting of Synod, a precarious pensioner on charity and 
 chance. We are still looking for the action of the Church in 
 our case, and, up to this moment, we have received no assu- 
 rance to give warrant to the hope, that our wrongs have called forth 
 due sympathy, or that there is a security, on which we may depend, 
 that they will be ultimately redressed. While we are left in this state 
 of insecurity and precarious dependance upon chance services, as if it 
 were the concerted plan and purpose of the Church to complete the 
 work of our ruin, the services of the Free Church Deputies wrong- 
 fully withdrawn, continue to be as wrongfully withheld. It may 
 easily be conceived how much our feelings are wounded and embit- 
 tered every day, in this unchecked, unrebuked triumph of injustice, 
 while not a finger of the Church has as yet been put forth to vindicate 
 our rights, and her own dignity and supreme authority. " Grant me 
 justice, or cease to be king !" was the appeal of the high-spirited 
 Greek, who sued to Philip of Macedon for his royal protection. We 
 would fondly hope that through ignorance or misrepresentation, the 
 rulers and authorities of the Church have not as yet been enabled to 
 form an estimate of the importance and urgency of our case. Now 
 that we have given forth this appeal, we look forward with much soli- 
 citude for the final decision of the question, and we will not allow our- 
 selves to believe that we shall continue to be treated with cold neglect, 
 
 10 SirUggiC UapilicU, USISUppOtlirn, aj^am = t an nitit!.!-. . -l .,,— — " 
 
 ragement and opposition ; on the one hand called to contend ngainat 
 
27 
 
 our brethren of the establishment, in defence of our temporal rightt 
 and property, and on the other for our very existence as an indepen- 
 dent Church, against those who ought to have been one with us, our 
 first and best friends, our fellow-helpers, while hitherto we have in- 
 voked in vain the sympathy and succour of our ecclesiastical rulers, 
 which in the extreme urgency of the case ought not to have been de- 
 layed a single day. , . . u 
 
 This Church puts forward no other claim than that which has 
 been approved and sustained by the decision of the Presbytery, that 
 Bhe, the elder sister, be favoured with an equal measure ^f protection 
 and provision with the younger. There is no other ground of oppo- 
 sition to this claim than the selfish ambition of the party, whose is 
 the head and front of this offending, to establish and build up their 
 new Church with a heartless, reckless, and most unchristian disre- 
 gard of the spiritual welfare of the brethren whose souls are surely 
 not less precious in the sight of God than theirs We warn the 
 Chuich authorities that if, for the sake of peace and of evading diffi- 
 culties, they shrink in this instance from a vigorous interposition of 
 their judicial power, they will give a preponderancy to a party, 
 whose influence we have reason to fear will be found to stand m 
 the way of peace and unity, and may seriously detract from the 
 character, and thereby arrest the progress and enlargement of our 
 Church. Be assured that the extinction of St. Gabriel Street Church 
 may destroy that equiUibrium on which the free and healthy work- 
 ing of our Church, in this quarter, depends. Let any one calmly re- 
 view the treatment of this Church, contrast it with the prominent and 
 important part which it had nobly sustained, and was in the very 
 heart of the conflict, when friendly hands were lifted up-to strike a 
 more decisive and deadly blow against her than her declai^d and open 
 adversaries,-and then say whether this be not a clamant case, 
 whether this is a wound that can be slightly healed We feel as- 
 sured that there is no extravagance in our opinion ; that on the nght 
 settlement of these differences will depend the estimation of the Free 
 Church, and her cause, in the minds of many of her most enlightened 
 adherents, and of not fewer who, in other communions, have not 
 been indifferent witnesses of the things which have been enac ed here. 
 We may just be permitted to glance at a few topics not less mo- 
 mentous, which are suggested by the review of this whoie narrative, 
 
 . . . , , x- *u« „nr.ioa; a afir.nl iiidicatories and to the 
 and whicli ioriiTi, perhaps, lu iiic c--- .- . u i * 
 
 .piriSuJ ruler, of Lpce.b,<eri«. Church .t Cnad., .0. U.« le«t 
 
Il t 
 
 t ! 
 
 I I 
 
 28 
 
 interesting or important aspect in which they are to be contemplated. 
 Is there or is there not, on the face of these proceedings, a manifesta- 
 tion of a spirit— of a tendency towards the most dangerous of all 
 heresies, that of straining and doing violence to justice, pledged faith, 
 at least understood, implied obligations, of honour and trust and fide- 
 lity in the fulfilment of ofiices, commissions, instructions ? And is 
 an appearance of this nature to be slightly thought of or regarded 
 without dismay? Is there no danger in the tendency v;hich, we think, 
 has been manifested to separate religion from justice and order 1 Has 
 there not been a procedure which embodies in itself the most anti- 
 Christian of all heresies, sacrificing to the letter of outward form, the 
 very end and scope of the Gospel, that of calling sinners to repent- 
 ance ? Is there not something like the monster of a Presbyterian 
 Puseyisra growing into palpable form and exhibiting its first vital 
 movements ? Should our Church do jonerally what has been done 
 in this city, desert and cast off, not ten or a dozen families, but two 
 hundred and upwards, in order to give a perfect finish, an exquisite 
 perfection to discipline, and to form Churches of the purest, best ele- 
 ments, extracted and elaborated out of the promiscuous mass of pro- 
 fessing Christians; say would this be a less malignant, pernicious or 
 fatal form of the heresy in question than we find exhibited by the 
 Church of England at this day. We humbly conceive that this latter 
 would be found, essentially, in its spirit more unscriptural and anti- 
 christian, than the former, and in itsjruits and effects, far more 
 desolating and destructive of religion. Are these incipient ap* 
 pearances, these first buddings of error, heresy, corruption, affecting 
 the very vitals, nay, subverting the very end of the Gospel Church 
 to be passed over without rebuke 1 Is there not a call upon the 
 Church to put forth a vigorous arm to restrain and arrest them ? 
 Is the Free Church, at home or abroad, in no danger of being 
 earned away at some point or in some direction from the golden mean 
 of truth and soberness, and of lapsing into some extravagances, or 
 verging towards an extreme, in the prosecution of those reforms, which, 
 in a due degree, are wise and salutary, but which a new born and 
 eflervesc3nt zeal may push with intemperate eagerness ? 
 
 How much is there then, both affecting the internal purity of faith, 
 doctrine and principle, within the Church, as well as the outward and 
 orderly administration of her affairs, that presses upon the ecclesiastical 
 powers, tue prompt and decisive Bettlement of this most important 
 case, and the immediate adopfon of such wise precautions and pro- 
 
 visions 
 
 which 
 
 gres3 1 
 
 of plai 
 
 enemi< 
 
 Con 
 
 pies ai 
 
 affecte 
 
 cause 
 
 land a 
 
 may I 
 
 what 
 
 force 
 
 '4 
 
 A., 
 
29 
 
 itemplated. 
 manifesta- 
 rous of all 
 dged faith, 
 and fide- 
 ? And is 
 • regarded 
 we think, 
 der? Has 
 most anti- 
 form, the 
 
 repent- 
 33byterian 
 first vital 
 }een done 
 
 but two 
 
 exquisite 
 
 best ele- 
 
 is of pro- 
 
 licious or 
 
 1 by the 
 this latter 
 and anti- 
 far more 
 )ient ap> 
 
 affecting 
 Church 
 upon the 
 t them ? 
 of being 
 en meaa 
 ances, or 
 ), which, 
 lorn and 
 
 visions as may prevent the recurrence of events, like tlie preirnt— 
 which inflict a deep wound upon the character, which arres-t the pro- 
 gress and prosperous advancement of our Cnurch, and give a colour 
 of plausibility to the worst calumnies and misrepresentations of our 
 enemies. _ . 
 
 Contenting ourselves with merely suggesting the important princi- 
 ples and interests which are involved in this case, and will be deeply 
 affected by the issue, whether for good or evil, we now commit cur 
 cause to the judgment of those who preside over the Church in this 
 land and in the mother country, with the fervent prayer that they 
 may be enlightened and guided by the wisdom from above, to discern 
 what is right and equal, and may be strengthened to execute and en- 
 force it. 
 
 of faith, 
 vard and 
 esiastical 
 mportant 
 and pro- 
 
ji fi' 
 
 :l|i 
 
 Hesoh 
 
 1. 
 
 racter 
 
 of the 
 
 Comr 
 
 now 
 
 forth V 
 
 Free 
 
 Chur 
 
 and J 
 
 mem 
 
 2. 
 
 chaii 
 
 modi 
 
 with 
 
 cisio 
 
 race 
 
 inter 
 
 3 
 
 decl 
 
 Chi 
 
 are 
 
 inte 
 
 by i 
 
 autl 
 
 eec 
 
 cial 
 
 the 
 
 ful 
 
 ■ 
 
 en 
 an 
 
APPBNDXZ. 
 
 [A] 
 
 Resolutions passed at a general ^eeHngon^^^^^^ 
 
 Gabriel Street Church, on the 8th August, io*J. 
 
 •», , J TUot u U nprpssarv, for the vindication of the cha- 
 1. iJesoZrc^/,— That It IS necessary, lor justification 
 
 racter and rights of this Congregauon, and ej^^ J ^ ^^1 
 
 of the conduct of the office bearers m f ^ s^';"'^"^;^^"^^,^^ which has 
 Committee in the recent procee^^^^^^^^^^ docu— y evidence, be 
 now been read, with all ^he necessary uo j^ ^^^ 
 
 forthwith published and f "«"^f ll^^^^ S of re P^^ 
 Free ChuU of Scotland, and to the ^^"^^^TZmlTevne, Murray 
 Church of Canada and the following P^j^"^^"' ^^^^^^^^ ^d mw up I 
 and Archibald M'Farlane, be appointed a Committee F 
 
 ^e^orial ^^ --^^^ ^^^^^ be ^ven from Uie 
 
 2. Resolved, — inai lue uiamvo .„ tu^ Fuiprs for the united 
 
 chair to the Temporal C'^™"""^^ ' .^"'^ !.° 'fr^f j !„ C "^^^course 
 moderation and firmness ^hu^h hey m.nifested^m ^^^^^^ 
 
 .ith the Free Chu-h Coiumil^^^ , a^^^^^^^^ l^^ ,3,, 
 
 ^T^:2S^:Un as much as the proj^tor^^^ 
 
 declared their intention to ^^^^f^^^^^^Vat date down to 1804, they 
 Church, as it stood in l^^^, and from l^at date dow ,.^ ^.^_ 
 
 are entitled to the heartfelt thanks of this ««"g^^g^^^ ^^,1^^ 
 
 interested sacrifice ; and this f «"f J^f ^^',in them and 'the 
 by every obligation oin^^^^^^^^ aji grat.tud^e,^tc> .«^^^ . ^^^ .^ 
 
 authorities of the l^liurcn m me 1 . j ^^at espe- 
 
 eecuring possession of the P^P^^^;,^^^"^ f,, ^T he revenues of 
 cially it is of immediate and urgen ne e.s tj .a ^^^ ^^.^^^_ 
 
 the Church be placed on an efiicient looting, oj ^ i i 
 ful payment of the seat rents. 
 August 8th, 1845. 
 
 [B] 
 Mr Esson's Commission from the Synod. 
 
 and was constituted (inter aha.) 
 
si 
 
 32 
 
 The Synod took up the reference for advice from the Presbvterr 
 of Montreal respecting St. Gabriel's Street Church, in said city, and 
 having considered the same unanimously, Besolved, 1*/— That said 
 Presbytery be recommended to receive the resignation of Mr Henrv 
 Esson, as Minister of the Church aforesaid, on the ground of his 
 permanent appointment to the office of Professor of Literature and 
 Philosophy, in the Synod's Theological College, Toronto. 
 
 2nrf— That Mr. Esson be appointed to visit the St. Gabriel Street 
 Congregation, and ass.^t them in revising the Constitution and Deeds 
 of their Church, that the same, in all that relates to spiritual things, 
 may be brought into harmony with the standards and the practice of 
 this Church. ^ 
 
 3rrf— That these instruments, when so revised, shall be, by Mr 
 Esson or any Office-bearer of the Church, laid before the Presbytery 
 of the bounds; who, on being satisfied with the same, shall direct 
 the Congregation to take the requisite steps for procuring a successor 
 to Mr. Lsson, and shall also, with the assistance of the Home Mis- 
 sionary Committee, if r.scessary, make arrangements for supplying 
 the Pulpit during the vacancy. ^i" ^ b 
 
 Ch^rdTb"''^ ^""" ^^^ '^''''''^^ ""^ '^® ^^'"''*^ °'* *^^ Presbyterian, 
 
 Wm. Rintoul, Synod Clerk. 
 
 [C] 
 Mr. Esson s Letter to the Presbytery. 
 
 Montreal, Nov. 9, 1844,. 
 To THE Reverend the Presbytery op Montreal.- -I beff 
 leave to state to the Pre.bytery that having been appointed by thf 
 Synnd at , ts late meeting to superintend the Literary and Phflose 
 phiejl studies of the students of Theoloj:y. in connection S the 
 Presbyterian Church o Canada; and the Synod having unde taken 
 
 o make provision for the pastoral work of the eongre|ation f s" 
 Gabriel S reet Church, it .s n.y intention in a fewduysfood w 1 inj' 
 
 o set out for Toronto which is appointed ad inter m, to be he' 
 seat of he F leological School. As I am denrous to afford every 
 immediate facihfy or the early appointment of a minister to fi my 
 place. I desire u to be understood that I only defer givinl in m J 
 resignation of the pastora charge in due form, unUI pern ane t 
 arrangements are completed, and especially until such s^teps ha e 
 been aken as may be necessary to secure the temporal prXrty of 
 the Church. I ^e ,t „,y duty to reeommend^o theTa ehfu 
 guardianship ofthe Presbytery, the interests of this Cone eSn 
 ,n this critical emergency of the Church, and the LtUe iS . 
 to which they are exposed, at a time Mhen they are di.oraanifed 
 
 ?^.ir;f ;i;: r ^r:^" r-r.^^^!- .^'-p-n.^ r;r:^s' the 
 
 'ru ui uws important affair, 
 
 pray 
 
 and in all the 
 
}3 
 
 work commltlcJ to thorn by God in the wide sphere of their Ec- 
 clesiastical rule l)y the wisdom from above, 
 
 (Signed) H. Esson. 
 
 Mr Esson s Correspondence with Mr. Murray prior to the Meeting 
 
 of Synod. 
 
 Toronto, \st May, 1845. 
 My Dear Murray,— Your letter of 21st ult. has given me ex- 
 treme pain. I forbear from making any remarks at present upon the 
 proceedings of the Free Church Cominittee, as they will probably 
 come under the view of the Synod at its first meeting m June 
 next. All that I can say is just this, that if the congregation adher- 
 ing to St. Gabriel Street Church, are determined to have a minis- 
 ter for themselves in my stead, they will, they must be protected by 
 the Synod. But let me repeat, after what I stated in my last discourse 
 from that Pulpit, (and when I read what I then very clearly and 
 fuily stated to you all, it seems as if it had been written with a fore- 
 knowledge of your present difficulties,) it surely cannot be unreason- 
 able on my part to expect that Elders, Committee and Proprieiws, 
 will all unite to sanction and carry out in practice, the great principles 
 for which we have been contendmg, and to which we have, in the 
 most public and solemn manner, pledged ourselves.* The constitution 
 of the Church is absurd— it is not only grossly Erastian but it is almost 
 unchristian, for a Heathen might be a proprietor or elector if you 
 retain that constitution. This, 1 believe, was a subject of discussion 
 at a meeting of proprietors called at my instance, for the purpose ol 
 obtaining their consent to an entire repeal of the old regulations and 
 to the adoption of a new order— consistent with Presbyterian, not to 
 Free Church principles. I conceived that all this was under- 
 stood and unanimously and cordially agreed to. There must be an 
 entire abandonment of the old constitution, otherwise your Church 
 is more Erastian than that from which you have separated and against 
 which you have protested.f If you insist on retaining this, you con- 
 tradict yourselves, and no possibility would be left of defending your 
 proceedings or of recognizing you as a part of the Synod of Canada. 
 You will anticipate my judgment, from what I have said above, with 
 respect to the Session, of which 1 believe that Mr. Leslie and Mr. 
 
 * An extract from this sermon accompanied tliia letter. 
 
 tin their correspondence with Mr. Esson, it was confidently stated by some 
 members of the Free Church Committee, that the Proprietors and Aulhorilics 
 of St. Gabriel Street Church, had, in violation of their pledged faith, resisted lh(| 
 proposal of a thorough reform of the old constilution. Ccrtani it is that they had 
 succeeded in persuading Mr. Uonar, that there was no hope of obtaining their uti- 
 mate consent to an effectual amendment thereof. How utterly unwarantable 
 .. ■ ,.„ :„,.,,,*_•:-,„ ...-n ...ill a.»i.n!»r I'li iIk I'oiirsn nf lliis nrtfintivr. as it 
 
 bus bfcn triumphanlly disproved by thr event. 
 
 E 
 
 I 
 
34 
 
 Julinson arc the only Elders who have not professedly retired. I have 
 written with all frankness to the former, what appears to me to he the 
 manly and honorahle course ; and I would fain hope that they will 
 be bolh ready to follow that course which it seems clear to me, prin- 
 ciple and consistency demand, namely — either to orgage to fulfil the 
 spiritual duties of the office, or, if they be not prepared to do this, to 
 seek the practical application and operation of our principles, by 
 opening the door, as far as in them lies, to the formation of a session, 
 in accordance with the good old Scriptural model of our Church. I 
 am well persuaded, that in acting this part, they will do honor to 
 themselves and their cause ; and with the happiness of being the in- 
 slruments of restoring peace and unity to a distracted Church, they 
 will be amply recompensed for the sacrifice of an office, which it can 
 be neither pleasant nor lawful to retain without fulfilling its main 
 end — its proper and sacred functions. I think there is nothing so 
 manly and becoming, as to make sacrifices to principle, and nothing 
 but a false pride and false honor could prompt a contrary course. 1 
 know not what plea could be urged, in defence of any Church or 
 congregation, which should sanction a violation of a fundamental and 
 most wise and salutary law, in respect to the most important office- 
 bearers in the Church, next to the minister; nor do I conceive it at 
 all probable that either the Cliurch at home or in Canada, will ever 
 lend their sanction to what would be a most palpable and gross con- 
 tradiction of our vital principles. If there are, as you state, men who 
 would act the part of traitors, and give up the Church to Dr. Ma- 
 thieson and Dr. Black, because, forsooth, they cannot have their 
 own will or toay, they are not the men whom we could afford to sa- 
 tisfy by honest and honorable concessions ; they are not true men, 
 and their defection will not be found to diminish the real strength of 
 the Church but rather the contrary. There is but one safe, wise, and 
 honorable course, it is that of an unflinching adherence to our principles. 
 Oh, that God would give you all a spirit of peace and unity, and would 
 lead you to seek with a single eye to the glory of God and the spiritual 
 welfare of the congregation, of yourselves and families — such an ar- 
 rangement as will unite you all in one fold, under one pastor, mak- 
 ing all " one body and one spiiit in the Lord.'' A great blessing will 
 be theirs who act the part of mediators and peace mnkers. 
 
 Seek to build up your Church, m its new organization, on sound 
 Scriptural principles, and then you will prosper; because in this way 
 only can you expect the Divine blessing. Do, my dear sir, exert all 
 your influence for this end. Let division cease. Labour to obtain 
 an immediate and perfect union of all the friends of our cause in 
 your city, under the ministrations of Mr. Bonar ; and if sacrifices 
 be necessary, of some little rights or some office or influence, it will 
 receive a manifold recompence in the blessed result of your union, 
 under a faithful Gospel ministry. I could not, consistently with my 
 conviction of what was due to the Church, have continued as your 
 pastor — ihat was my main inducement in acccptins the office 1 now 
 
 
35 
 
 hold. My Elders and people will not blame luc lor advising thein to 
 follow my example in this respect. I cannot too deeply impress upon 
 vou my aense of your responsibility in this case, to God and to the 
 Church Do what is right, and then, in some way or other, you will 
 fu.d a provision. As far as I have any influence orabilily to servo you, 
 conaistently with the views now stated, I shall not be wanting. 
 May God direct and bless you all. With kindest regards to Mrs. M. 
 and family, Ifour's ever, ^^ ^^^^^^ 
 
 
 Toronto, May U, 18i5. 
 My Dear Murray,— I am still in a state of almost absolute 
 icnorance of what is devised or doing, or done in regard to thesettlc- 
 irent of the unhappy differences which have divided so unseason- 
 ably the friends of the Free Church cause in Montreal. I am not 
 willing to leave anything undone which may tend o effect a 
 re-union, or, if that be impracticable, it may still be possible to make 
 provision for the establishment of two congregations on an mde- 
 penden* and equal basis, and I am not without hope, that this, in 
 the end, might prove best for the two parties, and for the common 
 cause to which both are attached. I pressed upon you in my 
 former letter to employ all your influence and energy for the indis- 
 pensable preparatory work of remodelling the Constitution of the 
 Church, and of placing all things in such working order, that there 
 may be nothing to stand in the way of your just and paramount 
 claim upon the fullest protection which the Synod or the I arent 
 Church in Scotland are enabled to extend to you. If this be done, 
 I shall plead your cause and use all my persuasion, and I conh- 
 dentlv hope with success, to have you immediately provided with 
 an able and efficient Pastor. There are two things which strike 
 me as of peculiar importance in order to bring your cLims with 
 the greatest weight before the Synod. Let it be manifest that you 
 have just and solid grounds for upholding the Church and Congre- 
 cation of St. Gabriel Street, and that it is not merely a small party 
 or faction, actuated by a selfish and worldly spirit, and caring little 
 for the principles of our cause, that are holding out in opposition to 
 the great body of its true and faithful adherents. In the next 
 place, it is all important that you leave not one relique of the 
 Erastian Constitution of your Church, or any thing unsound or un- 
 presbvterial in its actual order or working, to be made a handle 
 a-rainst you. If you are able to effect this and can exhibit to the 
 Synod, even such a number of adherents as may form the nucleus 
 of a congregation, I am inclined to believe that it may be vvise and 
 expedient to sustain both the churches, and certainly I feel that the 
 old Church must not experience less favour and support than the new. 
 If 1 am tavoured with the lulelligence that these conditions are ac- 
 cepted, I would next direct my endeavours to the object ot obtain- 
 
36 
 
 iiig you ati ( quul (.arlicipuUun uf ull the ministrations and advan • 
 tage.« whioh may be at present enjoyed by the other section. I 
 ahould not be doing nky part as a Christian man, much less as a 
 Chrititian Minister if I did not urge upon you to seek peace by ail 
 means and to overcome evil with good. I would have preferred 
 unity if it could have been attained without great sacrifiico, and I 
 would beseech and conjure you to do all that in you lies to pour oil 
 on the troubled waterei. I have much confidence in my brethren Mr. 
 Henry and Mr. Cluguton that they will do what is right and equal 
 to all parties. " Ye are Brethren see that ye fall not out by the 
 way," said Joseph to the Patriarchs. 
 
 (Signed,) H. EssoN. 
 
 [F] 
 Letter to Mr, Leslie. 
 
 Toronto, April 22^ 1845. 
 
 My Dear Sir, — Having learned with deep regret that there has 
 arisen an unhappy division in the congregation of St. Gabriel Street 
 Church, of which the effect I fear may be to discredit and depress 
 the cause of the Free Church, and to hinder or narrow the useful- 
 ness of Mr. Bonar in his ministrations in Montreal, I need not offer 
 any apology for addressing you now, in the hope that my mediation 
 may, by the blessing of God, restore unity. In the absence of any 
 definite information, I am led to conjecture that you have probably 
 felt yourself called upon to resist the stipulation of an entire re- 
 organization of the congregation, both in the secular and spiritual 
 department, which the Free Church Committee would, no doubt, 
 require, as an indispensable condition, to form the basis of union. 
 On this subject I will therefore beg leave to declare my sentiments, 
 as they were maturely formed, even prior to the disruption, and us 
 they have determined my own course of action in this extraordinary 
 c;isis of our Church. I had long been contemplating a reforma- 
 tion of the temporal constitution of the Church, which is altogether 
 absurd and unpresbyterial, if I might not say unchristian, for a Jew 
 or a Mahommedan, according to its provisions, might be a manager 
 or a proprietor, and have a voice in the election of the Pastor. I 
 expounded my views on this point, at a general meeting of pro- 
 prietors, held a short time before my departure, at which it was 
 unanimously agreed, that the constitution should be new modelled 
 and brought, in all respects, into a perfect conformity with Presby- 
 terian principles. Indeed, the fact of having declared our adher- 
 ence to the Synod of Canada and its cause, involves, virtually, the 
 solemn pledge of using every means in our power to effect a com- 
 plete reformation of a constitution so absurd and vicious. For the 
 same reason, I conceive that the obligation is equally imposed upon 
 us, of uniting our efforts to have our Sessions constituted on a Prcs- 
 byterial, or in other words, Scriptural basis. In fact, I_ regarded 
 our Session as having died a natural death. You and Mr. uunn 
 
 I 
 
 ^' 
 
37 
 
 Tiad retired from luking an aclivo part. We wore constraincdlo 
 call in other momhcr.H of the Ch.irch to discharge the duticf ol the 
 Session. Mr. Jolinston alone remained at his post, bven to him 
 I should have, unhesitatingly, te.:dcred my friendly and laUl.lul 
 counsel, and enforced it by all my powers of persuasion, that if Ho 
 did not moan to undertake the fulfilment of those spiritual June 
 thns of the Ehlership, which arc the main end ot the othce, it 
 would be a niatdy and noble tribute to the cause, to lesign an office, 
 to hold which could serve no end of honor or of interest, while it 
 wasclecrly ahijjh duty to remove every obstacle put of the way ol 
 having a Session re-constructed on ti.e strict basis of Presbyterian 
 order and puiity. Indeed I frankly own, that I had early come to 
 the resolution of endeavoiing myself to excliange my posiliontor 
 one in which I would be more useful, and for which I was conscious 
 of being better qualified than for the pastoral duties of a Y»'"rc". 
 in a great metropolis like Montreal. I persuade myself that my 
 Elders will not take offence at my recommending to them to tollow 
 the course which I had traced out for myself. In conclusion, 
 I may safely commit it to your sound judgment and hon«rj»;' « 
 sentiments, to determine what course ought to be taken by a'l ot us, 
 in order to serve the great common cause for which we are respon- 
 sible to God. The great object to be aimed al, is to unite all the 
 adherents and friends of the cause, under Mr. Bonar, on principles 
 that are soundly and consistently Presbyterian, and to secure, it 
 possible, the Chfirch of St. Gabriel Street and all the temporal.t es 
 to the united congregation, to be disposed and governed >" accord- 
 ance with the laws of the Presbyterian Church of Canada, and 
 under its jurisdiction. I have begun a correspondence with Mr. 
 I^onar and Mr. Henry; of La Chute, Nvho will, I .'»-'^t "ot co-ope- 
 rate with you and other friends of our Church hi ^f ^/'"S'J^'y. J^ 
 Divine blessing, an early and permanent adjustment of all existing 
 
 diflerenccs. „ Fcsnv 
 
 (Signed,) "• ^^^°^- 
 
 \' 
 
 MR. AUNOT's commission. 
 
 Letter from Rev. Wm. Rintoul to Rev. H. Esson. 
 
 My Dear Sm,-I had a few lines from Mr. Gale on Saturday 
 reouesthig me to end you Mr. Arnofs Commission from the Co- 
 [;;!.al Cofnmiltee, or an extract from it, in which the views of the 
 rnnimittee towards Montreal are expressed. „ , ,t * 
 
 I^ M . Arnot's Commission dated 28th April I8^t5. Mr Arnot 
 is commUsioned. (inter alia) "And particularly by Im Ministrations 
 at Mon3, to oster and eicourage the exertions tb at are being 
 made to consolidate the Congregation there in connection with the 
 T)r-^^Kv*'^«'inn'>Svnod of Canada. 
 
38 
 
 [H] 
 
 Petition of the undenigned members of Session and of the Com- 
 mittee of Temporalities of St. Gabriel Street Church to the Re- 
 verend the Presbytery of Montreal. 
 
 Humbly Sheweth, — That your Petitioners, on behalf of them- 
 selves and of the Congregation, of which they are the Office-bearers, 
 desire to represent, that they feel themselves deeply aggrieved by 
 the unexpected and, as it seems, unaccountable withdrawal from 
 them of the ministrations of the Free Church Deputies, and re- 
 spectfully to solicit your Reverend Body to interpose the weight of 
 your authority to vindicate the equal rights of your Petitioners and 
 those whom they represent, to a full participation of all the advant- 
 ages now exclusively engrossed by the Cote Street Congregation. 
 It appears, from very authentic and authoritative documents which 
 have come under the view of your Petitioners, that the services 
 now confined to the younger flock, which, before the arrival of the 
 Free Church deputies, had no existence — were originally intended 
 to supply the vacancy caused by Mr. Esson's removal to Toronto. 
 We refer to the Missionary Record of March, 1845, and the Wit- 
 neiis newspaper of 31st May last, in which we find Dr. Candlish, 
 in giving in the report of the Colonial Committee, stating, with 
 regard to Canada, that " Mr. Esson, formerly of Montreal, having 
 been appointed to attend to the jireliminary studies of the students 
 has left Montreal, and to/// «j9 Me vacancy, the Committee have 
 endeavoured to obtain the labours of ministers from this country. 
 Accordingly Mr. Bonar, of Larbert, was appointed to go to Mon- 
 treal, and at the same time to assist in carrying on the work through- 
 out other parts of Canada. He has been for some time employed 
 on that errand, and when he returns, his place will be supplied by 
 another brother who has sailed from this country, the Rev. Mr. 
 Arnot, of Glasgow." It is impossible to believe that any deputy 
 of the Free Church could have been warranted, much less com- 
 missioned, to reserve, for a non- existing congregation, what was to 
 be withheld from an old and established one, who had alone fought 
 the battle of the Free Church in this city, and whose pastor had 
 just been removed to fill a more public situation.* 
 
 Your Petitioners would further humbly and earnestly represent 
 the necessity of this Presbytery's making application for one of the 
 ablest and most effective missionaries at the disposal of the Home 
 Mission. And they beg to name Mr. Lcishmaii, to be stationed in 
 Montreal for a period of six months, to co-operate with the Free 
 Church deputy, in serving equally the two sister congregations. If 
 consistent with the rules of tlie Church, it would be exceedingly 
 desirable that he should be ordained, that lie might be duly quali- 
 
 • These views of the Petitioners were subsequently confirmed when Mr. Esaon 
 obtained from the Clerk of the Synod an extract from Mr. Arnot'a commission, 
 which will be found in this appendix. (Sec G) 
 
30 
 
 fied to perform, legally, all the "acta of baptisut marriose. anr! 
 
 buria This is of great importance, in giving .tah.l.ty an. sal>s. 
 
 faction to the flock, and to re-establish their confidence .n the new 
 
 order of things, after all the disappointments, fluctuations, and d.s- 
 
 ruptions which they have so recently experienced. 
 
 Your Petitioners submit their case to the wisdom of your Re- 
 verend Court, in full assurance that you will aff'ord them the redress 
 for which they plead, of most unmerited and, as it well "'gh Proved 
 faLrlirongs, inflicted upon them at a time when they had a right 
 to look for very diff"erent treatment. 
 
 Geo. Johnston. 
 J. Maceablane. 
 Wm. Murray. 
 David Handyside. 
 Adam Ferrie. 
 James Turner. 
 
 [I] 
 
 Toronto, Slay 3, 1845. 
 HT r».,.» «Jift _1 hereby declare that it is my dcBire, as soon as the Presby- 
 . ^ of MontrSTee it expedient, to bo released from the Pastoral charge of 
 
 t^rr^^^^rS. S'^s^tu^e^'HhSiycS 
 =^H^il^&Sid tm rr^^Si'^ 
 
 IheTntJSTsoMhr congregation and the ends of Presbyterian order, I res- 
 pectfully crave that you will do so and advise me. 
 
 I am, dear Sir, 
 
 Your'8 affectionately, 
 
 ,, ^ 11. ESSON. 
 
 The Rev. Tlioma* Henry, i 
 Moderator of Freabyiery > 
 
 of Montreal. 
 
 m 
 
 Extract of the Minutes of Presbytery. 
 At Montreal, this tenth day of July, one thousand eight hundred 
 and fortY"five years, the Presbytery of Montreal, in connection w. h 
 ?he Presbvtlriln Church of Canada, held a pro re nata meeting to 
 taLi^to deration the Stat St. Gabriel Street Congre- 
 
 cation, within said Church, and was constituted. 
 
 Mr Esson, in laying his commission upon the table, with the 
 view of setting the differences between the two congregations of 
 U e Free Church Cot6 Street and St. Gabriel Street Clmrch, sub- 
 mitted a proposal that the Presbytery should at once decide that 
 Uie services of the Free Church deputy, and the Missionaries of the 
 Prosbyterfau Church of Canada, should be equally appovtioned, so 
 as to prevent jealousies; to which Mr. Rodpath having obiectcd. 
 
4(y 
 
 Mr. Eison then submitted to the Presbytery tha amtnileil Con-^ 
 stitulion of St. Gabriel Street Church, which after mature consid- 
 eration was approved. Mr. Arnot, Minister, and Mr. Redpath, 
 Elder, both declined to express any opinion on the subject. 
 
 Mr. Esson then submitted a Petition in behalf of the St. Gabriel 
 Street Church congregation, craving an equal participation of what- 
 ever services and benefits are provided by the Parent and Colonial 
 churches, so long as their adherents in Montreal are dependent 
 upon them for supply of preaching and Gospel ordinances. Mr. 
 Esson was heard at length in support of his views, to which Mr. 
 Redpath elder, objected. The farther discussion of the subject 
 was adjourned till to-morrow at eight o'clock, and this sederunt was 
 closed with prayer. 
 
 The matter of St. Gabriel Street Church was again taken up by 
 the Presbytery, and after mature consideration, the following 
 motions were made and seconded. 
 
 First Motion, — "The Presbytery having solemnly and delibe- 
 rately considered the case of St. Gabriel Street Church as brought 
 before them by the Rev. Mr. Esson, are of opinion that it will be 
 in all respects most conducive to the glory of God and the general 
 good of the population attached to our communion in this great 
 metropolis, and most likely by the blessing of God to allay the heats 
 and animosities that may have been occasioned by recent events^ 
 that these two congregations be maintained on their present 
 independent basis — that they be regarded by the Presbytery as en- 
 titled to an equal share of the pastoral superintendence and minis- 
 terial services which the Church can command. The Presbytery 
 do most earnestly recommend to all parties concerned to cultivate a 
 spirit of brotherly love and Christian charity, so that pure and vital 
 godliness may not be injured by unseemly dissentions, and that the 
 work of Christ may be greatly promoted in this land. In the pre- 
 sent difficulties the Presbytery earnestly crave the advice of the 
 commission in reference i.o St. Gabriel Street Chuich, and the im- 
 mediate supply of ministerial service to that congregation." 
 
 Second Motion, — " Moved, That the Presbytery considering all 
 the circumstances of this case, considering that already Mr. Bonar 
 the former deputy from the Free Church has formed the Congre- 
 gation of Cot6 Street with the sanction of this Presbytery, and that 
 Mr. Arnot since he arrived in the country, has ministered in that 
 Church, and expresses his conviction hat his services for the few 
 weeks he will be in the country, will oe more effective for the ad- 
 vancement of Christ's kingdom, if he is allowed to continue in the 
 same sphere in which he has begun to labour. Considering also 
 the present state of the Congregation of St Gabriel Street, seeing 
 the minister, Mr. Esson is about to leave, and all the elders about 
 to resign, the Presbytery make immediate application to the Home 
 Mission Committee to send an ordained Minister to supply the va- 
 cancy there, and for the future refer for advice to the next meetiug 
 of the commission." 
 
41 . 
 
 ^ 
 
 tt was agreed that the state of the vote sl^uld be M o. ^ d 
 motion, the first bding Mr. Henry'., the second Mr. Arnots. l^ie 
 vote having been taken, the following gentlemen voted for Mr. 
 Henrv'rm?tion, viz.. Mr. Henry. Mr. Esson. ministers^ Mr. Leslie, 
 elder 3- Tr Mr. Arnot's, viz.,'Mr. Arnot, minister, Mr. Kedpath, 
 elder' 2.' The first motion was accordingly carried, when Mr 
 ArSot appealed to the Synod for reasons to be given in and craved 
 fxtmctMo which appeal Mr. Redpath adhered, and the sederunt 
 
 "'E^lrcfed^rorthTMinutes of Presbytery this thirteenth day of 
 July one thousand eight hundred and forty-five years, 
 
 David Black, Presbytery Clerk. 
 
 [L.] 
 
 Narrative oftfie Correspondence between the two Committees from 
 the Memorial to the Synod. 
 
 After Mr. Bonar had preached for several weeks to a very numerous congre- 
 gation one of the Free Church Committee called upon a member of the lempo. 
 ml CommUtee of the Church, and stated, that as Mr. Boriar was desirous of re. 
 orlSShe congregation, it would be nefeessary to call a meetmg of the pro- 
 S«7TothisryeSt,itwas answered, that it wohld be 'le'.essary, m the 
 first Xce to have a mee ing of the Committee ; and at the sanie t.me, the dcsiro 
 wi™sed that whatever changes were deemed necessary, they might be 
 SfectedTasgeXanlanner as possible, so as not to "««'« ^X ™^« J'"" 
 feelinr as too much of that had bc<n already caused on account of the dismption, 
 lianlitwS recommended that fiv. or six new Elders might be appomtcd m ad- 
 
 ''Thls'^pSr ^-^^ -* ^PP-' to give satisfaction The 
 
 same genTmanlallcd ne.t day, and stated that^Aey ^--f/Jf^f-:,^,^^^^^^^^ 
 Comnfittec. had that day determined to build a church, and tliat "l^y.^""'" "°;; 
 onlvToui 'e the use of St. Gabriel Street Church for a part of the Sunday. 
 uS Tnew one was erected ; and that, if they did not get that accommodation, 
 Ihev would have to go elsewhere, and take their Minister with thtfcm. 
 
 A mee ing of the Temporal Committee was held, and a depu at.on from the 
 
 FrteChuS Committee^peared and made the above proposj. Coi^derable 
 
 ».,rnrl«p was felt and expressed, when it was understood for the hrsi iime, uiai 
 
 F Free ClSrcrCommittee-'claimed the Rev. Mr. Bonar as then: M.nister- 
 
 e havine been sent out, as they stated, in consecjuence of a call sent home by 
 
 hPm however as it was undentood and desired by the Committee of St; 
 
 Gab" 1 ?t eTt Chi. that both bodies would worship toptheruntathe^^^^^^^ 
 
 Phnrch was erected, no umbrage was taken at this conduct of the Comniiuee , 
 
 fnd therist" d'mit .hat thefr proposal of having "^^^fj ^htCX' 
 
 ^ ^is s^t SiS 1? srss^^-™^^^^ 
 
 nff^r to raU a meetinff of the proprietors, which was accordingly done, and the 
 £was™^^^^^^^ with the exception of two gentlemen, who 
 
 "Artrrmeetg'S\h?T:m;:r^^ and the deputation from the 
 
 FrVe Church Committee took pkce, when the latter stated, that upon considcra- 
 £ they found thS the use of the church for a part of the day would not answer 
 
42 
 
 1 .. .1 ,. ^A ..A^i.irf. !• Vnr flip -vholo ddv— that tho PfoccritrtT, 
 
 '" S ^xlraLTni'rrprpofaf It wa. thought proper to leave to tho determination 
 , .1 nlhir nf Session Accordingly, a meeting of the Session, the Temporal 
 of the ^"^^"^b^f^,'' S ationTom the^Free Church Committee, was held w.th- 
 Committee, and the <leputaiionrom*n chairman of the Free Church 
 
 ,n the chareh on t he 1st f Apnl last, when^ a^^^ ^^ ^ ^^^^^^^^.^^ ^,^.^,^ 
 
 ST'SL'llrS^sly VrefStr tie Tempon.1. Committee of the Church-tho 
 
 '°"°TSiS^:'afprnt";^o minister to offic^te in St. Gabriel S.n^t 
 ChuS beCing to the congregation, the Rev. Mr. EsBon bemg absent .n To- 
 
 rS i sS'wK ?t^l^™n^SL'S:VemTo?al Committee p'roeeed to 
 the 2fath instant, wnenuw Association, for forming a new congrc. 
 
 confer with the «"^;5°™7'g'„^„;;''^„dlfter due deliberation, it was unanimously 
 gallon under the Rev. Mr. Bonar,an^^^^^^ behalf of the new congregation. 
 
 Committeeahallhave the right or resuming P ^ ^^ their repre- 
 
 evcr they may see A^ to do so by g vmg tje new g g ^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^j^f^^^ 
 
 ^„1^1; rnmmittee of the St. Gabriel Street Church, and m coriscquencc of the 
 leSdeSXm ^oneby the Rev. Mr. Bonar 
 
 benches deiivcoiomi ^ officiating for tho new congregation, during the 
 
 ThiLreemen is catered into with the tnll conviction that both parties will dc- 
 ^ TnnTaes thSefrom and being entirely voluntary, each party will have an 
 Zal rS of cancellin^^^ dLoonte' ancing'this agreement whenever they think 
 fit «ut no parlv will have any right to alter its conditions while it is allowed to 
 Jnntinae amfwhile it is the bounden duty of all parties to pray for that harmony 
 Tnd^o^d win which now prevails and that the blessing of God may res 
 SponaTthe churcJservices which may then be offered «p ia ho.our of His great 
 
 ""Ts Lxhe occupancy to begin on Sabbath the 6th of April next and that the 
 nomfnaTrent or consideLion for the Church be 5s, per month_at the rate of ;e3 
 
 ^"rhe^Smg of this proposed resolution, created very great surprise, and one 
 hP^nf the Tcmnoral Committee could not help observing, that it was one of 
 inember of ^„'>f'./^^'"P°'„-^^T^^ ever heard of, which was the strongest re- 
 '^TirSepCC was of coUe resisted, for had the Temporal Com- 
 "^'^^Hpi to Tthev would have been unfaithful to the trust reposed in 
 ^atee acceded to a^^^^^^ i" general, would only have been per- 
 
 ^''T'^/nSw^S their own Church, by the sufferance of a few strangers. 
 '"Soug^rfcomSrof the St. Gabriel Street Church, could not agree to 
 
which had hitherto prevailed ^„„,„,:n„thc rrsolution makinK offer of the use 
 
 to 
 
 X;,«,r70 J. M^Farlane, Ee,., from Mr. Rcdpath 
 
 Montreal, 5th ilyrii,l»45. 
 
 Dear Sir, , . „„ ,„.„:„, „f your communication of the 2nd 
 
 I beg to Bcknowlege .'^.'^^^V?' -^Jemp^ral Committee of the St. 
 inst, enclosing the followmg If'^'^^'^^^^^JZTmnou.ly rc.olved that 1 he 
 Gabriel Street Cimrch, VIZ. : ';P^^°'""^ "„ ,0 the Committee of the tree 
 „se of the St. Gabriel Street Church be g.ven to U,^^.^^^ ^^^ Congregation w.ll 
 Ghurch,.with the exertion of he forenoon sc^v^^^^^ ^^^^.^^^ j^,.,„g t,,e 
 
 retii... with -the underrtandmg that the Kev. ivir 
 
 abBencaof the Ktv. M^ .Esaon- Committee, for the formation of a 
 
 The resolution was laid before tj^<'/';";'^;;„d of the Presbytery of Canada 
 
 new Congregation, m <=«""«■!""" 7' ^ use o^the Church, our impressions then 
 
 On making our fiist aPPl''='»'!°"/°'iw t our purpose ; but upon further and 
 were, that^half of the day might probably suit o^^^^^^^ ^^ ^^is pan, and 
 
 Lre deliberate reflection, ^^^XTodecS the present offer, for the following 
 therefore bng leave most F^fP^^^^f^Cost equally conclusive against the accep - 
 reasons, which, in our opinion «^«^''"°''^^^^^^^^ Z „« and agreed to by your Com- 
 
 whenever required by y^"'^, .C»";""';|;;°- . j,, ^^ rorn, our Congregation within the 
 Ifit. We feel tha it would be 'n»PO« egoecially after the animadversions 
 waU of St. Gabriel Street Church (mere epe^aUy ^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^ 
 
 made upon our propow ion by «°me "^ yo»r M ^^,i„r^ oi having injured 
 
 Church,) without exposing ourselves to the se ^^k^ ^^ .^^ ^^^^ ,„ ,^,^ 
 
 the interests of the Congregation by taking iiw ^.^^^ .^^ ,verc 
 
 oven? of any of them Joining u-.-d^^^^^^^^ 
 
 future period. CmirreEatiou, we have always felt th<it m 
 
 3rd. With regard to the New Congrega • j^ ^,m„„ the walls of 
 
 ,ome respects there would bo "^^ny difficulties^ m k ^,^^^,^ .,,^j ^j . 
 
 St. Gabriel Street Church, and BuWquei^^te^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^ J.^^^ the very fact 
 Uuld be greater than we even at J^^ /"';°;P^- iVe us any certainty of the time 
 that the Committee have '' ""^J" ^^e Sovcd at a time' when it may be ex. 
 ;;l^^rcS've^iS ^^t^^~ther place of worship, would of itself 
 
 the purpose of sharing in the accomodation ^ [^J ^'^^^ i„\i,e benefits of the 
 ho pur?ose of allowing the Members J^^^^ i^f/^J^.kc a sacrifice that tl.s 
 supply which we had ob amed ; *«,,^ "^^^J' S and regret only on that 
 Jnfght bo continued for the «^^^° "^^j'^JS'^^v wJ can only say. that during 
 account that our plan was not agr d to and ^.^^^^^^^ ^^ ^^,3^,,,^ 
 
 I 
 
44 
 
 In conclubion wo bog to DEsnrc the Tcmporsl Committee of St, Gabnd Street 
 C •"•h of our most earnest dcsirr, to have continued meeting in the eaine place 
 01 worship, weie it not for t.lic al)ove (as wo tliink) valid reasons with many otncrs 
 which it is needless hero to specify. 
 
 I am. Dear S r, 
 
 Yours very truly, 
 (Signed) John Redpatii. 
 
 After the Committee received the above letter, all communication betwixt the 
 two parties ceased, the Free Church Committee commenced erectmg a wooden 
 budding, as a temporary place of worship, which was finished in about three 
 weeks. 
 
 Copy of letter to Rev. J. Bonar. 
 
 This letter was in answer to a very kind and friendly letter from Mr, Bonar, 
 
 in which he seemed to apprehend that Mr. E.'s views of church discipline were 
 
 somewhat latitudinarian. 
 
 Montreal, July 30w, lo45. 
 
 Mv Dear Stn, . , , j u-i t *u i. 
 
 Your letter of the 15th instant is before mc, and while I thank 
 you for the afFcctionato frankness, with which you have opened your mind 
 to me, and as a faithful, and let me assure you, a well beloved Brother in the 
 Lord, given utterance to all that was in your heart, you will permit mc to add, 
 it is impossible, that I should have received it in any other spirit, than that in 
 which I am persuaded it has been given. In reality my dear friend, I have not, 
 I cannot have any difference with you, in all th-t you have so well and correctly 
 stated, on the importance of Church discipline. You must have utterly misap- 
 prehendcd my words, mosi. certainly my meaning, if you have thereby been im- 
 pressed with the apprehension, that I am disposed to give the least countenance 
 to laxity, in a point of such vital importance to the spiritual well being of tho 
 members. That be far from me. But assuredly 1 do believe, that there may be 
 an overstrained rigour, or violent and abrupt procedure in the attempted re. 
 formation of the outward order and discipline ; the offspring of a zeal without 
 knowledge, a zeal uninlightencd and intemperate, of which the effect may be as 
 in the present instance, to sacrifice the end to the means, and in the eager haste to 
 carry a measure of eclesiastieal reform, to push forward some new organization, 
 or some new fangled scheme, to take away from perishing sinners the preaching 
 of the gospel, or to give such offence, as will lead them who are coming in to 
 hold back, and be the occasion of their separation from an evangelical and power, 
 ful Ministry. '♦ Compel them to come in that my house may be filled," is tho 
 language of the Saviour and of his spirit, and surely there could have been no 
 measure of ecclesiastical order or reform, that should not ..ave been postponed or 
 deferred, rather than that a numerous body of professed adherents, who waited 
 upon your Ministry, should have been so rudely and abruptly severed and cast 
 off. God sent not Ilis Apostles themselves, to baptize and settle matters of exter- 
 nal order. Nay, their chief end, their great mission is to preach the gospel to 
 every creature, to snatch perishing sinners as brands from he burning, and to do 
 all subordinate duties, in the order of their importance as subservcnt to this para- 
 mount object. I have not my dear sir, one sentiment in common with the man 
 who led the way, and is chiefly responsible for all that now perplexes and ag. 
 grieves us ; that it was better that some souls should be left to perish, than that 
 his discipline or organization, should not be carried out. It is a fearful price at 
 which to purchase a greater and more certain reform, than this can possibly bo 
 esteemed, by any sober minded christian. Surely it would have been wiser for 
 yon to have "continued to prcaeh as you were doing with bo much acceptance, and 
 efl'ect the gospel message, and to have been well advised in taking a new measure, 
 least it might turn out for the hinc.raiicc uiui piojudicc of that work, in comparison 
 of which all other tilings are but as the small dust of the balance. I have had 
 ?in mr-nncr of difficulty in obtaining I he hcnriy iimmiinousaiid ready consent of my 
 
 I 
 
45 
 
 nconle to all the conditions, and much more fhnn all that wnB required of Ihcrr,. 
 r£ terror tl;eChurch Wh in t^^^^^^^^^^^ ,„, ,, 
 
 By next packet I hope to be able to "i*"^" '^;' ' ■„ j ,„„„b|y think wt 
 
 i^lf Lch an exposition of my v.ews and P c-^^^^J^g^rt uh a .1 ri,^IUcK.u.ncB., 
 me right with you and all who love the cause oi^m k ^^^^^^^^^ 
 
 Tnd all who love the pur.ty.the P««^„^;/"^. E'£ken my confidence 
 Zion. And as nothing has gre.ved '"%"2./than irfaet of my being led to 
 
 in my own strong and clear ^""yi^^'j^l'^oTvour 1^^^^^^^^^^ Arnot, something 
 forn^conclusions BO far asunder from those oljourseu ana 1 .^^^ 
 
 believe me will give me greater peasure "'"^^^.^^^^J^X/Ln eLrs and 
 harmony with you both whether ,t be by tje ~7,,„ai^ acquiescence in 
 
 t; God in mercy grant us a ^appy^-i^^^^^ 
 (Signed) 
 
 [N.] 
 Mr Arnors Commismn and Letter to Him from Mr. Esson. 
 
 Montreal, July 26, 1845. 
 
 Mv D..a Sra -lr> a IcUcr fro- my i.^^^^^^^^^ ^ gno3 
 
 of our Church. I have received an extract ft^J^^^ ^^.^^^^^ p„,i 
 
 in the following terms :-" Mr. Arnot " ^"m™ ^ encourage the exertions that 
 larly by his ministralms at Montreal to f^^^^^^^^^ connection with the 
 
 areWngmadeto consohdate he Con^^^^^^^ Commission is 28th. of 
 
 Presbyterian Synod of Canada. As the aaic J Commission 
 
 Aprii:i845. it can no ^g'L^^J-'^^";;^^, S vSd BcTvices. which, God forbid, 
 gives us even »" •'xclusi /e right to your unamu insisted upon, 
 
 Sat we should have been so BeWsh anj unb;o^heJy ^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^l^^^ 
 
 even had you been pleased to follow the ™™°"\'^,L g^d of your Mission, 
 Shed, a/d there is as little a^'f '^.J^^'^oTgC ion -hieh you'found di«>r: 
 as to its objects, .t 7.VVndw£ having th^^^^^^^^ the ex/lusive enjoyment 
 ganised and distracted, and w^'i'^h navmg i ^ permitted to see your face, 
 ^f your ministrations has mpomt of fac^ne^^^^^^^ ^/ ^^ ^^„ 
 
 I cannot help brmging this before you njus^^^^^^ 1 ^^^^^^^ ^^^ 
 
 excused if they have f. It «»•"« '"^'|"^;*°b„uilS o that provision which the 
 influence they have be^ii /ba'nelully begu.lca or in v conceive any 
 
 Mother Churc'h had made for '^^l^PV^l^^T^^^^^^ than that 
 
 greater reproach that can be attached to a body ot re»g H ^^^ 
 
 ff setting L nought the ^^l^'^iSfSs F^iv n.e for a'gain troubling you, 
 
 ^(arLlrtit)li'ptlrat dL^ng subjecUnd believe me, 
 
 piy dear Sir, ^^^^ faithfully and affectionately. 
 
 Your Brother in the Lord, 
 lToRc..W.Arnot.] (Signed) H. Esse... 
 
 I 
 
46 
 
 li'' 
 
 ii 
 
 The following extract from the amended Con-titiition of St. Cubrter 
 Street Church, will prove how far the spirit i.nd views of the Office- 
 bearers nnd people are sound and satisfactory. See, in connexion 
 with these, the reaolotioiis of tlie Meeting of the Co. grcgation— Ap- 
 pendix [A.] '. — 
 
 , At a General Meeting of the Temporal Proprietors of the Scot eh Pr''«';y<«;"'.;j- 
 Church, St. Gabriel Street, Montpeal, held on this thirticih duy of June, 1«4j, in 
 said Church, it was nnanimously rcsolTed— , „ , . ^, u a. n„ 
 That forasmmeh as the Members of the Scotohl Presbyterian Chnrch, St. Ga- 
 briel Street, Montreal, at a General Meeting of the Congrrgalion held in that. 
 Church vn the 28th day of August, 1844, with only one dissenting voice, did ap- 
 prove r«o adopt the words of their Second Resolution) t'i« '<>P:^"^ "' **= "IT' 
 ritv of the Synod in connectior, with the Established fihurch of fecotland,_and dc- 
 lermined to adhere to their protest, and to follow them in the course which they 
 have taken"— it is manifest that they did virtually annul all previous rules and 
 regulations inconsistent witii tins Resolution, and forasmuch us the Proprietors 
 in like manner, at a meeting held on the Tuesday following, September 2, said 
 vear, in tne same place-" approving of the consistent »»d 'Conscientious conduc ' 
 of their minister," did adhibit their sanelwn to the principles of the Presbyitnan 
 Church of Canada, and by tlmt act virtually repealed all previous laws and rules- 
 f^iitrary thereto— it is hereby declared in virtue of the resolutions and proceed- 
 ings of said Meetings, that the foHowing Rules and Regulations, reTiscd and cor- 
 rected, so as to fee confoimtablc to the standard* and practice of the Pye»byler an • 
 Church of CaniKla,9tmU lie priwted and subscribed tly all the lemporal Proprie 
 tors, as the necessary qualification for the exercise if their rights ; and that theso 
 ■hall hen-roiorlti be held ue the only authorised li^ules andf Regulation»of the 
 Scotch Prcsbiterian Cnurch, St. Gabriel street, City of Moalreal. 
 
 et'i^-Tbatin the election of a Pastor, when a vacancy slwll occur, and in all 
 thi-t pertain!, to «l>e conduct of spiritual affairs the confjregatlon slwll conform in- 
 VI riably to the laws and prescriptions of the Ecclesiastical autliosities, Propric. 
 t-.rs as such have no iight or power whatever to intermeddle with spiritual things,. 
 e xcent they be comrBvmi«-unts, or full ajembera of the Church. 
 
 7tn —No Proprietor or Pew holder shall be permitted to have any voice or 
 vote in the Ten>|)onil or Spiritual oonccnw of the Church, who is knowrnto be a. 
 member of anv oilier Church or Coragregation, •. r .i 
 
 13th^-ThBtin the mean tin^e while il is expedient for the security ol the 
 Temporal Propeity ef the Church, to leave the Temporalities to be managed as- 
 heretofore, it shall be miderslood that the power of the Proprietors of Pews shall 
 be interpreted and limited by the lawaand standards of the Presbyterian Chuich 
 
 «fCanada. , , ... .. , ,■ 
 
 t4th— It is further declared hy the ProppietorshercHntosubseribiug, that thev 
 are ready to contorn* in all respects to the principles of the Presbyterian Churcb 
 of Canada, and the enaetracnts o» her ecclesiastical authorities in all spiniual 
 things, and are even prepared, should it be found necessury or expedient to sacri- 
 fice their rights as Proprietors, in order that the great ends of the spiintsul go- 
 vernment €rf the Church may bo at' ained. A 4.\. > iU 
 
 3 Resolved,— Thait in consequence of surmrises havin<g gone abroad, tnai ine 
 conditions of the deed of sale of the land on whicli the Scotch Presbyterian. 
 Church of St. Gabriel stiect, in the City of Montweal, is built, have been vwlatcd. 
 by recent proceedings, the Proprietors hereby declare, on behalf of tlicmaclvcs 
 and the Congregation, that nothmg has been chaiwged, nothing enacted or deter- 
 mined, affi-'cting either the temporal of spiritual government of the Congrcgalionv 
 which is arty wise inconsistent with the deed o! purchase of the land, on winch 
 the Church is built, or with any fundamental or constitutional law of said Cnureh, 
 known to ihe Proprietors, or which can be shown to exceed the power and au- 
 thority vested in them, and actually exercised by Ihcmselves and tlieif predcccs. 
 *rrs, sincf iiif y. ar 1»01, in whi-h yr„r (ho Constitution "f tli.- Church wa» 
 
 ^ 
 
 V 
 
y 
 
 ■47 . 
 
 Tho laiiffnaC' of the Deed bearB. thai tlio K"' " ,. i f^^ i„, „ll the Mem- 
 ^^:^:Zho to 0. ™e^s o^^ljo Srr^^S^v andl^s aJ^on^ 
 
 Ta'^ 00' he members of the ^'^"^^ i^'::^':^i^e:^.n\^co.^ 
 ■ 2,orv of God and ^'»*«^* „T' ,^1 c?r -aur.cc.iKjrs in future, accordme 
 
 that while tl.iKConffTeC|it.onownfl™8«hr^t^^^^ ^„j have never pledged 
 
 thcirriJdiclionofth^Estabh.^odC^ 
 
 IhcLelvcs. as will *<^ "^^'/^'J "^J 7,e f JcK«mnM:,hurch of Cati.da. they .J^ 
 
 •ConnecLon whatever. ^^^iVi^ndaJi Sh a^ ^^<^ P"'*'*^"^.^'""^, frnm thS 
 
 ,; ,t i that Churd. in the manner «/ P^^J" rn.^ith their principles, to make 
 Worship ; neither is it their mlent.on, or consm^ departure from the old 
 
 .Jnraf er;tion in the B^id Standards^ or ^^^^^'J^^J^J i« ntiU conducted m 
 ^^d established nsage of ^J"*"; ^^^^^l.^ Kcro point to the termH o the Dejd 
 
 ^^•^ Mosn^EAL, ^«^«.t 28. 1844 
 
 • a. Pnliriel Street Church, took 
 A meting oT the Mcnibors and SU.er ,n S.- ^ab^t^^f the Synod of 
 plat Thi. evSning, -hen a" address -J ^e re^e ^^ ^ -*- . ^„ ^^^ ^„„^,„. 
 
 -Canada, was dehvercd by the l^v.mr ^^^^^^^^^^,^^ 
 
 ^^n of the address, the Hon Adam F^^^^^^^ j^,. j Turner-fi.«oW 
 
 It was then moved by Dr. »* ^'"er. , „ ^^ ^^^^^ cognisance in their 
 tlst Thatthis'Congrcgation.feelmgthemseh^ j^^^ agitated, und has 
 
 col ectWe capacity, of the <l««^'°"j'lf ; J° nrProvince, desire to record their 
 ri broken «P the Presbylman Church, in in» Headship of Christ, and 
 
 7Z at achm-t ^o fhe ?-\Fi."7/^Vd n mat erTspiritual an'd Ecclesiastical. 
 U^Sole authcffity of the WordofGod n ^^^ times, and in all lands o the 
 believing these T^^^a « Jo b^^^f^^"^^^ which resolution was put. and 
 
 purity and prosperfty of the onrmi objecting. 
 
 ■..ranimouslv carrieA,— Mr, John *'8"'"^'jrl ^„ idi. Wm. Bethune-2nd. That 
 Ked by Mr. W«. Hutchison, «eco^^^^^^ ,fo,,,,id in.ipie,. 
 
 •coSerh^g^he rq.eated J^^^'^'flSn have v^w'^'* with surprise and regret 
 Ty the Synod of Canada, this Congrcgatmnna ^^^^^. ^^ ranks, and 
 
 thVrecent conduct of a majority of Jje byn ^^^^^^ .^^ ,^ ^ ^^ p,„,^ 
 
 slreigthening the hands of those ^^^Jf^f the minority of t^ 
 
 alone objecting. „ o„«nr,«led bv Architald Macfarlane, Esq.,— 3rd. 
 
 Moved by Wm. Murray, E^qy ^^^^^^Ji^^ ^f tj.e conduct of their esteemec 
 Tilatthi. Congregation, cordially approving 
 
M 
 
 4B 
 
 H ccinnicntl liis* fidelity to his prinfiiplcH and itroft-ssion** 
 1111(1 mm- (Icrlari' tlii'ir nHdlutiiiii, to udli^rc to liiin and to the righteo 
 
 ' ' " ■ ' ' - the 
 
 lid mm- (Icclarc tlii'ir nfohitiiiii, to udh^rc to liiin and to the nghteoiw caui 
 iir which he is cfiiitciuhiiL', and to maintain him hy all lawful nicanH, in t 
 tiilut, which he huH ho Ioiir held iih njinister of St. Gahriel Stn^ct Church. 
 The meelinij wuh then e.loHcd by the Rev. Mr. Henry, with a most iinprcuBi 
 jirayur, and the A|ioHtolic iienediclion. 
 
 KtlllU 
 
 [Q- 
 
 Uesolutions pnswd nt a General Meeting of the Temporal Propriclorfl of St. 
 fiiihriel Street I'huich, held on the 2nd September, 1814 :— 
 
 l„t._The Prctprietors of St. Gabriel Street Prefibyteriun Church, considerinjf 
 the separation of the Rev Henry Emon, Mininter of the oaid Church, from the 
 Synod of Canada, i.^ -annexion with the EstHbiishcd Church of Scotland, and 
 his adherence to the recently formed Synod of the Presbyterian Church of 
 Canada, feel bound to declare, that in tiieir judgment, the Constitution of tho 
 Church has in no article been violated or broken by the said action of the Minis, 
 tcr ; and that by the course he liaa seen fit to adopt, he has not forfeited, in the 
 least degree, his position or his rights, as pastor of this Church. Wiiich resolu. 
 lion being put from the chair, and the roll being called over by the Treasurer, 
 tlitre appeared for the motion, thirty-two j against the motion, three. The mo. 
 tioii was then declared to be carried. 
 
 f2nd. — That the Proprietors, recognizing no jurisdiction or authority whatever 
 orer St. Gabriel Street Church, cither by the Synod of Canada, in connexion 
 with the Established Church of Scotland, or by any of the Presbyteries consti- 
 tuting said Synod, regard the recent conduct of the Presbytery of Montreal, in 
 connexion vvitli that body, in declaring the Rev. Henry Esson no longer Minister 
 of this Cliurch, as an act of unwarrantable interference ; and approving, as the 
 Proprietors here distinctly do, of the consistent and conscientious conduct of 
 their Minister, in tlie present crisis, resolve to continue to him, all the temporal 
 rights and emoluments, whicn he has heretofore enjoyed, and to resist, by all 
 lawful means, any attempts, by any individuals or party, who may seek to pro. 
 cure his ejectment. Which resolution being put from the clmir, was declared to 
 be carried by tho same miijority as the former. 
 
 \ 
 
 
 « 
 
 *■. I. 
 
 /y