■I??*""*"^"" ^, IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) ^ 1.0 1.1 ■tt Hii 122 ly ^^ u S Ui 12.0 IL25 III 1.4 Ii4 %/i> /^. y HiotogFaphic Scifflices Corpocation •N? as wht :.itv "^i stiht WIUTM,N.Y. 14SM (71«)t7a-4S03 4^" ;\ 4^ :^ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CmiVi/iCIVIH Collection de Canadian Instituta for Historical IMicroraproductions / Inttitut Canadian da microraproductions historiquas Tachnical and Bibliographic Notaa/Notaa tachniquaa at bibliographiquaa Til to Tha instituta haa attamptad to obtain tha baat original copy availabia for filming. Faaturaa of thia copy which may ba bibliographlcaHy unlqua. which may altar any of tha imagaa in tha raproduction, or which may aignificantly changa tha uaual mathod of filming, ara chackad b4:uw. D D D D D D Colourad covara/ Couvartura da coulaur r I Covara damagad/ Couvartura andommagAa □ Covart raatorad and/or laminatad/ Couvartura raatauria at/ou paliiculAa □ Covar titia miaaing/ La titra da couvartura manqua I I Colourad mapa/ Cartaa gAographiquaa an coulaur Colourad init (i.a. othar than blua or black)/ Encra da coulaur (i.a. autra qua blaua ou noira) I I Colourad plataa and/or illuatrationa/ Planchaa at/ou illuatrationa an coulaur Bound with othar matarial/ Rail* avac d'autraa documanta Tight binding may cauaa ahadowa or diatortion along intarior margin/ La re liura aarria paut cauaar da I'ombra ou da la diatortion la long da la marga intAriaura Blank laavaa addad during raatoration may appaar within tha taxt. Whanavar poaaibia, thaaa hava baan omittad from filming/ II aa paut qua cartainaa pagaa blanchaa ajout^aa lora d'una raatauration apparaiaaant dana la taxta, mala, loraqua cala itait poaaibia, caa pagaa n'ont paa AtA filmtea. Additional commanta:/ Commantairaa auppiimantairaa: L'Inatitut a microfilm* la maillaur axamplaira qu'il lui a 4tA poaaibia da aa procurar. Laa ditaila da cait axamplaira qui aont paut-Atra uniquaa du point da vua bibliographiqua. qui pauvant modifiar una Imaga raproduita. ou qui pauvant axigar una modification dana la mAthoda normahi da f ilmaga aont indiquAa ci-daaaoua. r^ Colourad pagaa/ D Pagaa da coulaur Pagaa damagad/ Pagaa andommagtea" Pagaa raatorad and/or laminatad/ Pagaa raataurAaa at/ou paiiiculAaa Pagaa diacolourad, atainad or foxad/ Pagaa dAcolorAaa. tachatAaa ou piquAaa pc of fll Oi bt th ai( ot fir ail or □ Pagaa datachad/ Pagaa d«tachiaa Showthrough/ Tranaparanca Fyj Quality of print variaa/ Qualit* inigala da i'impraaaion inciudaa aupplamantary matarial/ Comprand du matirial auppMmantaira Only adition availabia/ Saula Mition diaponibia Tf ah Tl wl M dij an bt ri| ra m Pagaa wholly or partially obacurad by arrata alipa, tiaauaa, ate, hava baan rafilmad to anaura tha baat poaaibia imaga/ Laa pagaa totalamant ou partiallamant obacurciaa par un faulHat d'arrata, una palura, ate, ont 4t* filmiaa i nouvaau da fapon A obtanir la malHaura imaga poaaibia. Thia itam ia f ilmad at tha raduction ratio chackad balow/ Ca document aat film* au taux da rMuctton kidiquA ci-d a a a oua. 10X 14X itx ax 2BX SOX 1 3 12X 16X 20X MX 2BX 32X TiMi eopy fHrtiMl h«i« hM Imm r«produe«d thanks to th« g«n«rMity of: L'oxwrptairo film* fut roproduit grico k la g4n«ro«M da: D.B.Wtldon Library UnivMfiity of Wwtim Ontsrio D.B.W«MonUbrwy Univanity of WMtam Ontario Tha imagas appaaring hara ara tha bast quality possibia considaring tha condition and laglbillty of tha original eopy and in kaaping with tha filming contract spacifications. Las Imagas suivantas ont At* raproduitas avac la l»lus grand soin, compta tanu da la condition at da la nattatA da I'axamplaira f limA, at an conformit* avac las conditions du contrat da filmaga. Original capias in printad papar covers ara filmad beginning with tha front eovar and ending on tha last pctga with a printad or illustrated impras* sion, or tha back cover when appropriate. All other original copies ara filmad beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impression. Les exemplairas origineux dont la couverture en papier est imprim4e sont fiimAs sn commenpant par la premier plat at an terminant salt par la damMre page qui comporte une empreir te d'impreesion ou d'illustrattion, soit par la second plat, salon la cas. Tous les eutres exempleires origineux sont filmis en commen9ant par la pramlAre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impreesion ou d'illustration at en terminant par la darniAre page qui comporte une telle emprelitte. The lest recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol — ^ (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol y (meaning "END"), whichever epplies. Un des symboles suhrents apparattra sur la darnlAre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole — ► sitjnifie "A SUIVRE", le symbols V signifie "FIN". Maps, plates, cherts, etc., may be filnuMl at different reduction ratios. Thoss too large to be entirehf included in one exposurs are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right end top to bottom, as many frames sa required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartas, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent itre filmAs A des taux de rMuction diff Arents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reprcKluit en un seul clichA, 11 est filmA A partir de I'engle supArieur gauche, de geuche A droite. et de haut en bas, an prenant le nombre d'imeges nAcessaire. Las diagrammas suivants illustrant la mAthoda. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 kt.,.'ip.!.«";--iii,«w'^^r y; ■ ' U-.^ilif. Y^""' CHRIST WOUNDED fw THE HOUSE OF HIS FEIENDS. 1 ■# A BRIEF REVIEW •r soxc PROCEEDINGS IN DIFFERENT COURTS or ®l)e JJresbgtman Cljurcl) ^f €anaba* SECOND EDITION, WITH SOME ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS, '1. -A! I BY ▲. FEBRIER, D. D., CALEDONIA, C. W. ■1^ After the wftj which they dall hefesy, so Worship I the 6od of tty fiitbcri. Acts xxit. 14. BRANl-^OBl): rRTNTBD AT tHB llEfiALD OFFIOB, OOLBOSkB STRBBt. 1861. y,^,^ A* life J !f>*J It St.' ■ i*i ^Ti' .''. ';^^.<'ii'ff|piiq!ipnini«iiiP^i«MiiHiippipH ^pp«^^jji|ill . Ml . . 9J^ PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. ) In compliance with thn wishes of brethren aiKl friends, a nevy Edition of this Vainphlet is herewith issued. So far as it relates to ourselves we could viiliugly have declined giving furtlier publicity to ecclesiastical proceedings in the Free Church, bo disgraceful to those who were their actors, but from which it is hoped the Supreme Court of that Church will exonerate theni- Delves when tliey next meet, so as to leave us no grouud to reyiroach the whole deiiouiinution for tiie heartless, unhallowed, and tyrannical doings of ■« few individuals. We have always respected, and wish to continue to respecC the body at large, for the sacrifices and exertions they have uiacie fur conscience' sake ; and for many of the ministers we shall continue to eiicrish a sincere regard, liut this will not prevent us h'om stigmatizing the intolerance of the Calctlonia Conimisaion ; and of the whole Synud, in whose name they acted, should they not condemn its deliverance, and do rvery thing in their power to make reparation to us and our congregation fitr the insults aud injuries which have boon so recklessly and sacrilegiously committed. 8iuce the first edition was published almost nothing has transpired desert i:ig (if notice. So fur from retracting anything in the pamphlet, udditiotts might be ii^ade to it. and confirming evidences to the truth of the shuueful tti'tingsit dolails mi^ht he adduced. Tlie folly and injustice of the Courts in utiem(itii>g til dial with us, and bring us to their antiquated views, ou points uh.iie our lilJerfy had been conceded by themselves,'— the impostures pr;ictiso(l Uy the lUction, and the connivance at these, and encouragements tu slander niid slriie, by •* members of Presbytery," — and the madness awl tyriiiiiiy of the comuiission, all lemaiu Huausweredf aud unanswerable, and mi^ht be uioie fiiliy ex^iosed. The only effort at defence has been in some ephemeral notices in News- pttperc. iitid has chiefly turned on an assertion, without the shadow of proul^ tliat 1:0 Dni" volimtiuy principles, but our views ou the Headship of Christr tivtT the nntiiniH, have occasioned our separation from the Presbyterian Cliurrii of Cunnda. This was attempted first by an nuonymous writer in ttic Hamilton Guzcfte, with much inconsistency, styling himself "o Freo (': inch Voluntary," but evidently meddling with " llijugs too high for him." Next a{)peured the letter of the Rov. Mr. Stark, in the Dnudnii Warder, wliere the same very false idea is lamely advocated, aud to which fulTicient replies hi;ve bteu given. The only other attack of which we have heard was by Dr. Burns, who had the pusillanimous cfii'outery to revisit Cidfdoniu on the iilst of Jauuary.nnd atapublic meeting ^where he knew uotio v'ould «>p|) me him.) t-iburst-uut with the same assertion, in iloing wliich, si> far AS we u.iie.-stuudjiu diJ little cuurc than rviterate his "uldkuag^^* ol ftkl**> L> i •// w ^^mmmm ir PREFACE. hood and alander, given in the mare maenvm controversy, and afterwards i« bis caluinniuus speech at the Synod of i848. We do not think it necessary to Bay anything ni reply to what we did not hear. But although his elo- quence may deceive some to whom the subject ia new, or to whom be ia himself a stranger, yet, so far as we learn, his harangue consisted either in gratuitous andsourrilous assertion, or infighting ior troths which have never been denied. Amidst many excellencies of character, and high attainments, which command respect. Dr. Burns sooins to have the same indurable iucon- sistencies and defects which, twenty-four years ago, led a revered and emi- nent minister* in a neighbouring colony, to employ, with merited severity, the language which follows, and which seems to be applicable ptill : — " Yon appear to mn to bo much better acquuiuted with the rules of cnn traries, than with tho rules of logic." " What am I to think of you, and what is the public to think f Is it that you hove no regard for truth 7 or that yon are misled by a bustling disposition, which mistakes consequence for cor" rectness, and which, whilst it aiTects to regulate vho religion of remote countries, cnunot attend to the plainest statements." " The gospel sanctions not the crooked policy of the world, and il' you employ it for its propaga- tion you will 'spend your strength for nought and m vain.' Where n straightforward course would have raised you to honour, with yonr present measures you will be sure to meet shame.' Wo know that not a few of the ministers of the Free Church have ex- pressed surprise and regret that the Commission proceeded as they did; and we even hope that some of them will have the candour and courage at the nest Synod to expi'ess their sentiments. But no manly attempt has been made, or can be made, to justify such conduct. Our statements nre all true, and cannot bo disproved by their nctoi-s. They may feel sore under the description of them, and try to explain them away. They know, how- ever, as well as ourselves, that the trutn.and nothing but the truth, although not the whole truth, is told : and we believe we have a witness in the con- scieuees of some of them, to the scriptural character of our sentiments, ami in all of them, to "the violent purvernion of justice" with wbicb they are chargeable. But we freely forgive them, and are even thankful that they were made the instruments of our emancipation from a Church given to slander. They have separated us from some friends, but have opened tlw door for others. " They thought evil against us, but the Lord meant it untu good." Their views on the headship of Christ over the nations, if they would condescend to bring them fully out, are not in the Standards at all ; and they are as absurd as they are unsuriptural : and by the national recognition of which they speak so much, us has been well remarked, in answer to Mr. Stark, "they mean nothing else than the assertion of it being tho duty of the magistrate to endow the Church." Again, in the other iuiswlt to tb« same letter, it is said : — " It ill becomes Mr. Stark, or any of his brethren, to practise deception, and to substitute the gross doctrineof the magistrnte's headship, as presented in tho Confession of Faith, for the glorious doctrine of the Redeemer's headship o"er his Church, and over the wholi! 'vorld (of course overall nations,) as held by Dr. Ferrier and the United Presbyterian Church, both as taught in the Standards, and as it is fully and luminously echibited in the Word of God." Oor views of th« headship of Christ being thus, not only those of tlie J Standards but those of the Scriptures, no minister of the Free Church, pro- fessing to hold these Westminster Standards enture, can consistently reject them. The enors on this doctrine are not with us, but with the Fjfew Church. It is only where they twist the doctrine of Christ's headship over the nations, so as to advocate civil interference with religion, and tho right aiid power of the magistrate to ^dow the Ohurciv that we dissent froni their views. They may cidl themselves Voluntaries, and speak of opposi- tion tn endowments ; but it is an em|)tv boast. For to endowments, iu themselves considered, they have officially declared that they have no ob- jections; and we know that many of them " would take them to-morrow " • The Rev. Dr. McCullocb, ol Pletov,Nova Seotia. A I PREFACE. y If the goTernment woald recognise them, tnd none heaidet, (u they leem ^ttmplaiMatlj to view themielves) a* the only trae Oharch. The subject of Christ's headship over the nations we have handled at •onaiderable length in onr first immphlet; and to the views presented there we adhere. Weiielieve they are the tame, with those of our brethren of the United Presbyterian Church, which Dr. Bums and some of his friends ao obstinately and shamefully persist in misrepresenting. Receiving the Standards entire, as the Free Church professes to do, it never occurred to «s that we could differ on this doctrine; nor did we know of any differen^ie •ill eight months after we joined them, when Dr. Burns preached the Synod sermon of which we expressed our disapprobation in the open court, stating that it contained, amidst much excellent matter, sentiments in our view •onsistent neither with Christ's headship over the Church, nor over llie nations : and at the same meeting of Synod we stated generally the very views of Christ's lieadHhip which we afterwards published. This subject was never touched by the Presbytery at the time of our admission, or if it hnd it is likely we would have been as i)lain with them as with the Synod. Ihe views we liold on this subject were tuught in the Divinity Hull at Edinburgh, under Dr. Paxton. whose orthodoxy will not be questioned by the Free Church, nnd who is by some of her mniisters m Canada, as well aa by those of the United Presbyterian Church, justly venerated. Mr. Stark tries to make much of alleged, "conferences nnd conversa- tions" at our admission, and of himself and others being appointed to con> verse on the subject of Christ's headship. It is all misrepresentation. We had no interview with any Committee on that ncciision: and with the Presbytery at large we had only one meeting, and one conversation lor {lerhaps two hours, when, without adjournment, we Were unanimously nnd •ordially received. The subjects of couversatirfn were simply the Morisou- ian and the Voluntaiy controversies,— on the former of which we ngrord with them, and on the latter we diilered. The conversation on this second subject, as we well remember, was chiefly about men in their collective oapacities, being under similar obligations to God as when considered indi- vidually, — about which we differed nothing till, as we thought, they uppenr- od to X)re8s some notions implying, or seeming to imply, a losislative inter- ference of the civil magi..' "ate with the christian church, when we plainly intimated onr dissent from all such views, und our exception to the Con- fession of Faith where they are implied : and, ns stated in the preface to the Tower of Babel, declared that "if the Presbytery could not receive ns as we were, and had been for nearly thirty years, we must bo contented to remain without." It was this very declaration of ours that put n stop to the conversation, nnd brought on the vote by which we were admitted: and soon afterwards we were told, on unquestionable authority, ihat some •f the ministers of the Presbytery hud said, to some brethren of the United Presbyterian Church, that we had not given in to them in one iota from the views held by the Church with which we were originally connected. This, however, was when union was negotiating, and when it wus expected it Would soon take ])lace : und perhiips it was said with a view to indicate a readiness or anxiety to accomplish union with the United Presbyterian lihurch. But after all what are om* views of Christ's headship over the nations, to which the Free Church can object? '• We are not denying the supremucy •f Christ over the whole world : we are not denying that the nUairs of nations, whether sacred or secular, are under his control nnd direction, and that he overrules and manoges them for the interests of his Church : nor •re wo wishing to set nations free from the obligations which nil men in them are under to acknowledge and embrace Christ for sulvation, and to conduct their duties of whatever kind in subservience to his glory." Such M our language in the very book where otir errors are said to be contained. But what more than what we have now quoted can be said, or could be wished, by the Free Church 7 Nothing except that f hey would wish us t« ■ay, — «' The magistrate may endow the Church." This is "the bone of con- tention." Opposition to this is our only error, — an erro •, surely, *• on vi>v tae's side," — an error only according to the Free Churcn; but, according tn •very principle of justice and Christianity, a solemn scriptural truth. If w* :r». F.W---K ^■i* w^^l^mnw Ki PREFACE. Itnvo .publish peoplo of Mordocni." Ho presents a series of charges agunist tlio United I'rcsbytcriiiu Church at large, and says, that thoKO uru pohits on which the I'lce Church .nro not satistied with our views and those of onr brethren. Thcae, it hiis been said, ''are slanderous niisreprescutations of tho princi- l)iP8of thu United Presbyterian Church," ajid wo hopo, us is hiuteil, they will afterwards be refuted. So far as they are referred to ua, we know of nothing wo have said or published which can support tlienccusationii. Fivo (iilforeut topics arc mentioned, on each of which, in order to prove ttiem iuiipplicablo, we shall take the liberty to quot« from printed documents uf our own. I. The duty ot tho civil magistrato nnder tho christian dispensation. " If tho magistrate bo a christian ho will have new light, new motives, and iiovv cuds, in tho discharge of his civil duties, and especially he will seek thereby to glorify God, as well as to do good to men." II. The magistrate taking God's word for his rule and guide in legis- lation. " All tho public affairs of nations shntild be cniulucted according to God's will, and under tho direction, so fnr as applicable, of God's wonJ. Tho duties of nations and rnlrrs must always coincide with the dictates of reason ftJid the principles of scripture. If tlioy an; not pointed out in God's word in express language, yet still tiio grand scriptural priucijdes of truth and- righteousness, and a regard to tl>o glory of G>d and the good of men, should' regulate and stimulate every national action." ' III. The civil legislation for tho Sabbath. " The magistrate is bound by tho moral law, to which tho observance of the Sabbath belongs. Ho is bound by this precept to keep tho Sabbath spiritually as a christian, and in this to be a pattern to others : and so far as becoming external tranquillity and order are necessary, and their enlorcc- »»ent can be considered as included in his civil duties, ho should consider himself bound by this precept to exercise his authority in preventing tho Sabbath from being openly desecrated." TV. Providing religions instruction for the yoinig. "Closely connected with every seminary for liberal education, if not in- enrjiorated with it, there should be provision for tho religious improvement of the studentji, and for administering to them an acquaintance with Christi- anity, which is of heavenly origin, character, and tentlency, and tho grand nnd of whiuh is to fit us for that world where the human taculties, vastly invigorated, shall have exhaustless scope for exercise. The teachers and ]>rofe! portant part of their duty, by their example and precept, to promote tho in- terests of divine truth. Occasionally it may bo expedient for them to deal in private with the youth committed to their care, and they should do so not nnly with enlightened wisdom, but with scrupulous fidelity. Let me only add, that as all human agency for the improvement of men and manuera, and for the advancement of the interests of solid and practical knowledge, will be vain without the divine blessing, so it must be the duty of all con^ cerned in any institution for education, whether as preceptors or disciples, whether as patrons, benefactors, parents, guardians, or friends, to seek oa c-verv effort that is made, the enriching blessing of God. And as all learn- ing would bo vain without the knowledge of God, " vyhom to know is, eternul life," as all wisdom is folly without that wisdom which cotnelh^ do^u from above, as all philosophy is destitute of its highest charms whicb doea not elevate the mind, and turn tho heart to God, so let us seek that tiuistianity may be outwi))ed iu uU our delibera;iuna and measnrei fta«i nUETACl. yU tereJ,. o inn»t. ii'deciti). United ich the 9tlireii. iiici- they DUW oi' Fivo ttuem (?nta uf ■■i«TMiM«i, and that the and of all ow pkof, Md MdMTOiin, uid^atltli* oiMtt, may be glory tu God." And V. The duty of the magiitrate to pray for Qod'i bUsMing on their adainittration. " The magiitrate ai a chrittiari, if •oeh he be, can do mneh : and the Tory fact of hi* being a magistrate will vastly increase his inflnenee as a ohriatiaa by his connsel, prayers, and example. He will thus becomn in the scriptnre sense,— a nursing rather to the Church. We shall appland the magistrate although he somewhat outstep the precise line of civil prerogative, and add his ooansel, his prayers, and nis general influence as a christian, to the eip forcemont of civil laws.^' Having made these remarks and quotations, we ask again where are ewt sentiments on the headship of Christ, or an^ other point, '* directly contrary to the word of Qod, and highly pernicious m their character and tendency,*' on wb'ch the reckless commission foanded their anomalous and tyiaanical precodure t Te this edition a few additional documents are given in Notes. Wo direct the attention of readers in particular to the resolutions on Government grants, and our reasons of dissent from them, in which the whole stir began ; and also to the honourable example to others, presented by the Rev. Thomas Dickson, Preacher of the Gospel, in withdrawing from a Church where scriptural principles are condemned, and where worse than Jesuitical craft and oppression are practised. In sending forth this edition wo humbly and earnestly implore the divine blessing on its use. To those whom it reproves may it be " an excellent oil which shall not break their head :" and may it happily excite those who are opou to light, and those who have received " the truth as in Jesus," te " eentand for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." A. F €mhthmti, Ut April, 1891. tli(» (f M"- ' « irKmrm'—'^mm OIEISTWODNDEDintheHOUSEof HIS FRIENDS, Aad OM ahall rar onto the him, What MW th«M wounds In thins hand* t Then ha ', Thoaa wla which I waa wonaded te the houte ofay Mends.— ZaeJUriaA XIIl. C DiflTarent fiewst on which we do not enter, have been suggested, m Intended, by the Spirit of Inspiratbn, in this passage. We do not ioaiM dMt it dUrectljr refers to Christ, although, as an accommodation of Scripture language, its truth as stated by us on the title, is indisnutable. Christ eamejto His own, and His own received Him not. Neither did Hie brethren believe on Him. One of His disciples dHuied, and another betrayed Him. On one memorable occasion they all forsook Him and fled. We read, too, on a particular exhibition of truth being made bj Him, (humbling, indeed, to human pride though honouring to God) thai firom that time many went back and walked no more with Jesus. In these and other instances Cluist might literally be said tn bn wounded in the house of His friends. But in subsequent ages, the sentiment has often found illustration in the imperfections and backslidings of Christians, which iiuve brouf;ht dbhonour on religion; andeven when seeking to serv^ ind ginrify Christ, His Ministers have sometimes, by ignorance and (:. ujudices, been the means of ; r' rding His cause ; — and hence Christ has been wounded in the house of his friends. These thoughts have occurred in connexion with n certain course of procedure, by the Presbyterian Church of Canada, which must ever be a •tain upon its early history, and which, believing its represeatutiTeB to be sincerely devoted to the cause of true religion, must be acknowledged and deplored as a woundins of Christ in the house of bis friends. For friends to Christ doubtless the Ministers of this Church are — mostzealoue and genuine friends — although it is to be feared that in matters to b* noticed, they have not been honoured to serve his cause with as much wisdom as sincerity. It was in 1845, a year after this Church was first constituted, that we were brought into contact with it. We did not join it rashly, nor till every reasonable assurance had been reiterated of entire forbearance on •11 circumstantial points, and of their having ao, hesitation about receivinc us, although we held all the views, as we stated to them, of the United Presbyterian Church, and, so far as we saw, would continue to hold them ; nay, till the brethren of the Presbyterian Church declared them- selves open to light on all points, and their earnest desire to conform in •11 things to the principles of the word of Qod. We had just come from the United States, where we had been connected with the Old School General Assembly, and the professions of our friends of the Presbyterian Church of Canada, were so similar to the views of the large and enlight- aned Denomination we had left, that they gained, perhaps unduly, on onr confidence. They assured us that their new Denomination was not Ihlly organized, but that it was their intention to consolidate it oc tlw most liberal principles, to make it a Presbyterian Church for the ProvincOr liaving no necessaiy connexion with Foreign Churches, not even witk Ibe Free Church of Scotland, whose name, on that account, they refused f kot that, entirely independent of Ihem all, their association was to b« based on such general termsof communion as that not only we, originallr fl£the United Secession Church of Scotland, and of voluntary ■enti' 10 CHRIST WOUNDED IN THE inents, butasthat all evangelical danominations of Presbyterians, withont ccmpromising their pecuHar views, might> in the exercise of Christian foibearance, have freedom to unite with them. These profebaio'ns, made by^hose who l^ew well our sentiinents, werii gratifying and enticing. A Presbyterian Denomination to be tlius constituted was a noht) object of contemplation, and exactly what ('anada needed, for* every where, in the Province, it was found that Christians, especially Presbyterian Christians, from all denominations oTthe fatherlands, harmoniously commingled, and, merging their little differences, co-operated with zenl to sustain a regular dispensation of gc<>pel ordinances, thus presenting a pattern which their Ministers would do Well toiraitnte.* It was not th 9 people but the Ministers who had hitherto stood aloof, and contended about sectaiian peculiarities. A Christian Church organized in the manner proposed, was therefora likely to present an attractive aspect, and to bid fair to be the centre of union among Evangelical Presbyterians. At all events, as the United (Recession never made n renunciation of the Establishment principle a term of communion ; these professions were sufficient to convince ua that union between the Presbyterian and United Presbyterian Churches might very soon be accomplished. ■ Alas, in whom are we to place confidence if the Ministers of Religion can fawn and flatter to make proselytes to their cause, and if, with fair professions of liberality, they are, it may be unknown to themslves, under the baneful influence of a proud and unconquerable sectarian spirit! Alas how often in such circumstances is the Saviour wounded in the house of his friends ! Having boon Inducted at Caledonia in April 1846, taking exception to tho passiiges in the Confession of Faith, which teach, or may be 8upi)0sed to teiicli, compulsory and persecuting principles in Religion, it was not long till we began to fear that we were not likely to be altogether com- fortable with our new brethren, that they were far behind the age, and unprepared to follow an enlightened course of ecclesiastical policy, and, in fact, that they were in danger of proceeding in a narrow and selfish course, and enshrining themselves in all the sectarian peculiarities which they had professed their determination to renounce. In the month of Juno, 1846, the Synod was opened at Hamilton with a Sermon by Dr. Burns, in which, in a manner the most indecent and outrageous, he made slanderous and gratuitous charges against tha United Presbyterian Church, grossly misrepresenting their sentimentSi when several of their Ministers, and not a few of their Members, had com* with conciliatory feelings to hear him. His railing language, of immeasured severity, was not taken notice of by the Synod. They silently permitted Christ to be wounded in the house of His friends. — ■ VVo now felt reproved and ashamed in being united to such a Church, and we acknowledge that this blunt and uncharitable attack, never challenged by any but ourselves, produced a distaste to the denomination which wa have not yet got over, and made us wish that Providence had so ordered i| that we had never connected ourselves with such a body. At this Synod too,' on the suggestion of the same Minister, a minut* was passed, when the report of tlie Union Committee was given i^, which, although as harmless as it was unnecessary, went on the suppo-i * It is much to De regretted that whiht tho people are thus intermiiiRled the minister* •t«iid aloot'and contend abont the eectnrian peculiarities by which their friends at home tarn roipectively distinsuishcd. Is it not evident that the moro this is done they are the leas tta* correct representatives uf their peoplo.and thus create and augment an unseemly discrepaney l itwecn their courts and congregations ? Without union in this country, the Chrutian' people, who are fur before their Wnistors in Christian forbearanca and charity, will ncT* Itare a proper repreeentaticn in the ecclesiastical courts. HOUSE OF HIS FRIENDS. n out iao iU8 hat hat 908 uitionthat some very formidable error e.xistecl iu the other body, of whick if was necessary they should beware, and was intended to reflect on th« United Presbyterian Church. This minute bore that " the Synod Te8oh%« ta record their conviction of the vast importance of iho prmoirilo- thai'* men in their national as well as their individual capacity are bound io-i honour (iod, and to regulate their proceedings by the rules of Ilia Word* -' apd that Christ is King of nations, as well as Head of the Church." Of this minute, to which it is believed every Minister of the United Presby- terian Church would subscribe, its autnor made an unnecessary noiao afterwards, insinuating that if it had not gone amlssing, but been pro- duced at a particular lime, it would have put a stop to all further ne]»o-t ciations for union, as it would be rejected by the United Prpsbytenun Church; and its author also expressed his astonishment that we should^ have voted for it. Since such were his views, one would think it had been introduced for the purpotse of creating difficulty, or producing strife. « But it only shows the ignorance of the Presbyttnian Church, nt that timo of the sentiments of the United Presbyterian Church, for it exhibits doc- trine in which the two Churciies perfectly coincide, and shews how easy it would be to keep by such general principles as to preserve ^ harmony and secure uuion. Finding that this general statement v*as insutTicient to prevent th« Union, as it is now belioved the zealots of the Establishment principlo wished, it has been supposed that further steps were contrived to arrest the negotiations, or to render tliera nugatory. It was long, indeed, be- fore the nature and position of these negotiations iu Coinniittoo were fmblicly known. They seem to have been purposely concealed, like leathen mysteries, from the knowledge of the people, who were kept in wonderment about what was going on, and in anxiety and suspens* about the results.* The Mare Magnuvi controversy, which began in September, 1817, and «Mided in Mav, 1848, brought the diii'ereuce between the Presbyterian and United I'resbyteriun Churches in some measure before the public ; and disclosed enough of the spirit of some who hold tlie principle of aa »atablishrnent to produce the conviction that they alone are the sectarians, and that they alone prevent the union by persisting in misrepresentation and slander, whereby they deceive even many of their own brethren who are favourably disposed, and whereby they wound Christ in,th« house of His friends. Yes, it was at the laying of the found ation-ston« of Knox's Church, Toronto, that the great out-breaking was made, alto- fether out of place, uncalled for, and uncharitable, as the Rev. Mr. Rin- tQul remarked ; yet by this the public soon got some insight into the cha-., racter of the aegociations for union. This Mare Magnum controversy ■ did no honour to the Presbyterian Church. It brought out some ugly features of calumny which are current among the friends of the Establish- ment Principle, and which they have neither the manliness to attempt to prove, nor the honesty to retract ; and which, with all the ingenuity and plausibility they are able to command, they seem to delight to circu-., late. The intelligent public know how to estimate these misrepresen- , tations, as well as the cause which requires or employs them for its •upport. • In 1849 an nccount of tho proceodinsfs of tlio Committees on TTnion was publit^hed by •rrtor of the United rresbyterian f^ynod which, nltho' from courtcHy to tho other Synod, wm broited to tlio pu'.ilirntlon cf tho minute.", conveys much va'.ualilo information. Tbm PreHbyterioii Syno 1 resolved iit their meetin^r in 3848 to publieh " tho pnpera of th«ir ow» •ommittee with eucli cj ^ianations as might appear necessary :" but. so liir as wo know, tfato was never done, which we regret, as it pccms to indicate n feor on their part of telling tb» world plainly whai their principles really are. Were they to be more explicit we trust it would be sotn that there is not ho much ot error in their views as their usually vngn* , •tatoments eometimes lead us to suspect. We hold nonu cf the errors they impute to «m ' •nd wi»h they would detiist from their uncharltaWe inferences. It would bo well that they piaii. ' represented their own principles, and cca£cd to make miFrcnresentations of oura. we would say to them, " Physician huul thyself." "First cast out the Wimi out of thiutt owii« 0f«, and then ihalt thou lec clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother'! eye." n CHRIST WOUNDED IN THE This controversy, with all its ungraoiousnefls and absurdity, with all Hi railing accusations, was conducted on the Establishment side entireljT if Dr. Burns. The public know that by a course of blustering lettenv thinking to expose the Voluntaries, he exposed himself to ridicule, if not to censure. Thinking to cry down and extirpate their principles, he wai but the instrument of bringing them into greater publicity. Nothing «Du!d be more outiageous than the reveries of>Dr. Bun:'- in this matte?. He knows., or ought to know, that his accusations are inapplicable, but by the flexibility of his imagination he brings himself to assert, and in •ome instances to make others believe, that there is a vast and momen- tous difference between the principles of the Presbyterian and United Presbyterian Churche8,.and at the same time he occasionally narrow* it into next to nothing, or, as he expresses it, into the compass of ** a nut ■hell." The difference between the Churches is simply on the power of ttii «tvil magistrate in matters of religion. The Presbyterian Church saying that legislative interference is lawful, and the United Presbyterian ChurcM saying that it is not lawful. Especially does the Presbyterian Church believe it. to be lawful, ia •ome circumstances, for the civil magistrate to endow the Church, whereat Uie United Presbyterian Church believes that in no circumstances caa this be lawful. Now, as this is never likely to become a practical ques- tion in tliis country — as every day proves that it will soon be hopeless is this Province to think of an endowed church — every unprejudiced chris- tian must admit that it is a difference which ought never to keep evan- gelical Presbyterians asunder for a day. This should have been mad* a matter of mutual forbearance at the very outset of intercourse betweeo the committees. This omission was sounding the trumpet of war at once, and not like " men who had understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do." But whose fault is it that this theoretical sen- timent should prevent union? Not that of the United Presbyteriaa Church, for they forbear with all among themselves who hold the princi- ple of an establishment, and are willing to forbear with all other Chris- tians who only differ from them in this. The fault lies entirely with the Presbyterian Church, which, by a course of sophistry and calumny ha* been for years endeavouring to make it believed that this difference is a- miffhty matter, having ramiticatioiis and references of essential moment to the interests of religion. In what manner and with what success thi* has been done, will appear as we proceed, but we hold that these are all groundless inferences, and that the real difference between the Churches IS resolvable into the civil establishment principle alone. At length the synopsif? of points on which difference of opinion had been found was published in some of the periodicals ; and from this it appeared that after two or three years cprrespondence, the committee* had done nothing to promote union, but much to prevent it. It has eight articles, but they all bear on the Establishment principle ; so that after •U, this is the only point of difierence between the Churches. A unioa might be concluded at once by making this Establishment principle a matter of mutual forbearance. But so it is, there are those who are m much under the influence of deadly prejudice that this principle is cher- iflhed by them as one of essential moment. It was thought by some, that at the Synod of 1848, Dr. Burns would Ihive been called to ar^oount for the slanderous statements he had made, ■t least, that the Synod by some minute or resolution would shelter tiiemBelves from all blame as having sympathized with the slanderer, bat there was never a word on the subject. Not a single expression of fagret was uttered, and although Dr. Burns' ofliciousness alone had given a dash to the prospects of union, yet the Synod so far from giving aaj •a sly STB, not vtm Jig bat ia sa- ted HOUSE OF HIS FRIENDS. It •heck to such impnidency wore ittady to allow a repetition of all Hm mseemly and at)usive statements. They hailed an overture which ■prung out of the Mare Ma^um controversy for adherence to the stand- ards, and by their deliberations and decisions on two other causes wnick 0ame before them, in both of which it seemed to be their only aim ^ fortify the Establishment Principle, they did all in their power to put a* end to further negotiations for union ; saying virtually to their brethren — * Here are our sentiments on the disputed points, if you can come over to these, which we know you cannot, we snail fraternize with you, if not, there is no use f^r discussing further the desirableness and practica- bility of union.' The two causes referred to, were, The question about government grants, and the Report of the Union Committee. As the former of thew causes seemed to involve points that would belong to the latter, it waa thoujrht by several wise, prudent, and conciliatory members of Court, that before they proceeded to give their sentiments about government grants, they should hear the report of the Union Committee, and giva their deliverance thereon. This, however, was overruled, for what rea- son we know not : but it was more and more felt, in the progress of the discussion about these grants of government, that the Synod erred in the arrangement, for it was in danger of committing itself on points which would be barriers to union with the United Presbyterian Church. It ap- peared to us a most injudicious thing, and a want of proper courtesy, to begin with this question, as that was likely to commit the Synod on th« other, or to shut them up from an unfettered consideration of it. If thew was any chance of union, or any great wish for it, it might have beeA •een that a rash deliverance about Government grants, might possibly render it impracticable. And so it turned out, for, in disposing of thi« auestion, instead of simply declaring that it was unseasonable to receiw* xese grants, which (without approving or disapproving of the Establish- ment principle) would have given universal satisfaction, and left the door open lor union, and even made union easy, they accompanied a deliv- erance of the same amount with a series of resolutions on the Establish- ment principle,* and, afterwards, even elevated some points fcontained • To all who reject the Establishment possibly these resolutioTis will nppcRr to te iKoeedingly foolish, as well oa contradictory and unwarranted. The following is thflr tenor:— 1. " That this Synod holds unchanged the principle which has heretofore formed ««• aUtinpiishing part of its testimony for {:lirist as King of nations, viz;, that it is tJiu duty 9t civil rulers as such, as being under law to Christ, not only to prot<^ct, but tu countcoam* ■od favour the Churcli. 2. " That it is the opinion of the Synod that the question of endowments, or in oflM* words the question whether the civil magistrate oujrlit, in shewing countenance and favutir to the Church, to npiircprinte a portion of the public funds for itH support, ia one of swbordinate importance ; and on which dilf'erenccs of opinion may e^ist among those whw are, nevertheless, sound afi to all that is essential in the doctrine of Christ's Ileodehip ot»r ttic nations. U. " That tho endowment of the Church by the civil magistrate is held to bo lawful ; hot ■Jilt the question aa to tho duty, at any given time, of granting such endowment on the uart m the civil magistrnte, or of its acceptMnuo on the part of the Church, ought to be detcrmiiiMl on the grrmnds of Chiistiiiu expediency. 4. "That, however justifiable the retention of endowments rcceivsd under different alrcamstancr.s may be, the .''ynoil. looltine to the conduct of the govrmment of this country in now ottering cndowmonts to religious bodies without reference to the distinction between tiruih and error, to the divisions and jealousies which the' accep^ancc of ondowments in prodcnt circumstances would occasion, to the stronif feeling which prevails throughout tbs Church— Ihiit tlieir accepti.nco would tend to diminish flie ufefnliieiis of ministers and tha epti, and to the evil iufiuenca ndenco upon tho State, wbick , .... .^iiuu IB ui opinion that it would tli d«eply injurious to tho interests of the Presbyterian Church of Canada, and to tha cause of tho Redeemer in this land, to accept in present circumstancos of any grant of pablic money from the GoTemmeut. 3. '• That in these circumstances tho Synod reflises to entertain tho overture or grant tta* prayer of tho petitioners now before it, prohiUta and discharges all uiinistera and ontigregaiions from taking independent action in u matter so important, and enjoins dicm to submit, as constitutionally bound, to Im> guided by tho action of this Supreme Courts— and ftirther, the .^ynod inetruct all Pretbyterioa to see that theio retolutiuna uo baoMOij •Id fViIly earried out." r.t H4 CHRIST WOUNDED IN THE *in these, of very doubtful disputation, into terms of Ministerial felloif-« ifcjp ;* thus not only preventmg union with others, but creating disunioa iM^ng themselves. Now this was done at the very time when, wha^- '^•ver their private sentiments were, which none would v;ish to disturb, it was evident that common policy, and common civility, would say that it was improper and inexpedient to make any judicial declaration about the Establishment principle — especially doin^ it as an essential artick oif their creed. Had there been any thing Ifke a thorough conciliatory spirit, had there been any sincere desire for union with the other Church, they would have said on this occasion-, * We have been negotiating for «nion with a Church the most of whose Ministers are knowii to condema the Establishment principle in every shape, but which, notwithstanding, 'leaves every one to think as he pleases. Let us, therefore, imitate their example, and, although it is true that most of us hold this principle, yet without enactments thereon, let us leave every one to think as he pleases. This will shew our brethren our willingness to meet them without committing ourselves. This will present us to them in the same attitude of forbearance in which they piesent themselves to us. This ia the only way in which we can ever expect the union with our brethren to be consummated.' But instead of inis, which was reasonable, they nettle the (question of union by deciding against it in resolutions on a dif- ferent subject ; and after the matter is thus settled— ^after they had got almost the whole Synod committed on points which render union impo«- «iHe, they were to proceed in a day or two, to hear the Report of ths Union Committee. We now felt that Christ was wounded in the house of His friends ; feh that a severe blow was given to the interests of the Church ; that a dash was put to all those hopes we had fondly cherished of seeing this Pres- byterian Church united with another, of equal rank in Christian purity, nnd of longer experience in Christian action, a union prevented by whic)i the Presbj'terian Church would havt chained much, whilst it would hav« lost only what it would have been gain to lose. We remember after the deliverance on the Government grant question, to have said to soiww brethren. * Do you know what you have done by these resolutions so in- considerately carried ?' No, they said. ' Well,' said We, < you have d«- p to mtirfy c-flB(li(latc.° for licence thnu thi«. Indeed the Synuil Bcotncd to bo uitder iuve been guilty of i>nch i-n.'hnei>6 iu the mUUt of I'cseyterian Church. It wciuld feem na it'hke Um "The Synod," says the iniimtc. "cnjuiud unc« tht-inKclves fuHy ns to the Hoiindrosd cf the view* of nil nnd ordiimtidU, iind idl R])i)licontH for udnn:i«Hi()U into tiiM Church, whether Rs I'rQbatimi«r!< or Ordained Minieter&onthc«u1)Ji'etof Christ'ti Ileadtltiy t>ver the nations, wiMi i-};ecinl refeicDcc to the ^'tundnrds of the C'hur('h,itud the deliveriiuiM* of this r..nod durhig the present setinion, relative to this great doctriiic." t Tltc foUowing ii the tenor cfourdiFicnt:— ''Concurring in the gt nernl design of tba /. lunioa rhaV- iturb, that Taboiit rtick [atorj lurch, lema 5* yet 18 be J them jsame lis 'iB thfen the a< HOUSE OF HIS FRIENDS. IS^ otherwise in conBistency with oar own retified terms of our connexion with this well that we could not join them in » inconsistently with our uniformly avowi dlent they would have had just ci and sincerityi We would rather lews, and with the solemnly hurch ?* The brethren knew h proceedings , with out acting 'sentiments. If we had been to que(L'.!)n our rectitude- injure only ise beajr any thing, , ^ it ourselves, than complain. We caminot, ho>v«ver, be si}ent when we see Christ wounded in the houo'e of His friends. We \sannot glide down in the current of procedure Vhereby the independence^tbe Church is sacriflced, and, principles putlforward which, although as tftere llieones they may be harmless, yet, if reduced to practice would, in son* circumstances, involve the people of God, in the loss of all their Christian rights and privileges, and subject them, as they have often done, to the violence of persecution. In oppositipn to the dogmas of men, of which the prejudices of education conceal the danger, and to sophistries so artfully arranged that even'those who use them are scarcely ,if at all aware, we would, through evil report and good report, still cling with firmness and serenity tothe immutable standard of the word of God. After such a deliverance on the question of Government grants, i t wne •nd last resolution, passed by the Synod on the evening of the 23rd June, 1846, vvhich rcfuMa toentertain the prayer of the overtureg, and prohibits ministers and congregations of thi* Church from taking government grants, the subscriber dissents from the four resoIutioiM preceding it for Uic following reasons: — He dissents from all Uiese resolutions, because the general decision of the Synod contained- IB the last resolution, mighthave been carried unanimously had it been disencumbered ot then ted because the passing of these preliminary resolutions, which were very unscnsonaLly in- troduced, and hastily carried commits the members of court, not dissentini;. to the approval" itfithe principle of« civil establishment of rcIigion,which there isfrciison tothtnk manyof them,' MWell as the dissenter, regard ns anti-Chri.'^tiun, and as hrvingbeeu for mnny ajrcs, when- ever reduced to practice, the fertile source of turmoil and strife in civil society, and of serious ■idinoalculableinjury tn the interests of religion. More uarticularly ho dissents from the first res olution, because the sense in wliich thi» Rynod holds Christ to be King of nations is unwarranted by Clod's word, — as the term nations both in the Old Testament and in the New, where used in connexion with4b» flaviour's Kingly ollioc, is the fame with what is translated Gentiles or heathen, and MUinot bo understood of the gcogrnnhical divisions of the earth into Nations or Kingdoms^ M the resolution supposes, but of the world as distinguished from the Church. In prooP of whicheven Knglish readers, butmoro especially Hebrew and Greek renders, are refen-e4: to the following passages, viz.: — .Icr. x. 2---7; xiv. 2:2. I'salm ix. 19, 20: xxii. 28; xlvii. B, lrioU8 destinies of the Christian Church; and because the civil eetiibliabment of religion at any ]ieriod, by the magistriitc, is an iuvadion by him on the royal p:e-.'cg.itiveB of Chr<«t whil'-t the aeccptnnoe in i. ;y circnmptanccs, of countenance of this description, from the ,. miigi^trate, by the Church, is to supercede and violate an express ordinance of Christ iihd, at once, toinvolve herself in scriuus guilt and peril. He disseuts from the third resolution, because the endowment of the Church by the ch'U magistrate is unscriptural, ajid, therefore unlawful at all times, and because, in no give*, drenm^itances can it be his duty to grant such eudowinent,or theChuroh's duty to accept of it, and becHUF.e this grave question ought net to bo determined on grounds of Cbriatiut ocpedieiicy, but entirely by th« Word of God. Hedisnents from the fourih resolution, because all the reasons assigned for not acoapttof Oldowmeutsin present ciicumstances, which reasons are, howevoif^more or less applicable t« •II times, the principal rcaroiLs why endowments rhonld now t)^, and should have always been rejected and repudiated by the Churcli, are entirely overlooked, namely, that they ■re (nibversive of the civil rights und liberties of men, that they are contrary to' the geniiw and requisitions of the Gor^pcl. that thev have uniformly proved the source of nersecutioD fiir con icience' sake, that they have alwas tended to weaken, corrupt and degrade the Church, and that they have ever been highly derogatory to tho honour and glory due !• Cbrist as the great King of Zion." •Tlift is in lonnistency with our having joined thia Church with the exceptions mentioned, 9d of course with the understanding that tho question of Establichmchts wat to be k matter ti^ forbearant'o, which these resolutions refused. if: €HKIST WQUND£D IN THE ti frir. «■«!»'•- mocfltery to Intradncelhe subjeel; of union wilb tiie United Preabyterhn . II leech House of his friends. iV |iew« and \\ tuny be long before they make their escape. What the Head of thtt Church, iu His mystei-ious suvereiunty, may intend by permitting this it is Dotfor ua even to conjecture. But we hope and pray that light may brenk in upon them, as suddenly and unexpectedly, as this cloud has «omeover them, and that erelong at least the vaiious Presbytenan. denominations among us may sen eye to eye.* Where are now the prot'assionsof the PresbyteriaU Church of eatholic principles, and their re8oluti||is to organize a Church adapted to Canada 7 Where now those aeutimetits of forbearance by which ihey entice strangers, whom they would atterwards deprive of Christian liberty, o^ threaten with their soverost vengeance, if they ventured to express their conscientious convictions and suytiiin them by the Word of (iod. Bigotry, prejudice, and sectarianism are fur more powerful than reason or sound princi()le. Those who are under the influence of such baneful feelings are strangers to thf nisolvcss, and not aware how far they are misled; and how much they are blinded, by tlieir pre-cODceived notions. Accustomed to cherish forbearance with Christians of every name, ou points of subordinate character, we nover imagiued that men of a spirit «o seemingly exoollent as the Ministers of the Presbyterian Churcn of Canada, could materially ditl'ei even in circumstantials from what Mre liad been accustomed to consider sound views of divine truth. We con- ceived, and still think, that it is only in words and phrases, to which different shades of meauing are attached, that the (titi'erences lie. No- thing after all is necessary for complete and immediate union but for* bearance on the Estal)lishment principle. Vet it is too soon, it seems, from these recent deliverances, to expect this from a Church which has so lately emanated from the fetters of the State. It was now the Synod proceeded to further illustration of its sectarian- ism, and to show, by coinnienciu^ a process against us. that freedom of speech is denied in their Court, unless it be in supporting and reiterating the narrow and selfish views of a few who assume the lead in its admin* istrations. It is not necessary to go over that course of procedure, and of attempt* ed inquisitorial scrutiny, wliich the Synod now instituted iu reference to r^ur views. First of all it was unnecessary, for, ou the subject, our mind had been long matured, aiul wo considered every endeavour to shake us . from our principles as but the fighting of one that beateth the aii. Again, it was uncalled for, seeing the question of union was before the supreme court, and we had an equal right to give our sentiments with the others. If we had acted the hypocrite, by expressing concurrence in their views, they would have caressed us. It was our honesty and conscientiousness that exposed us to their hostility. We knew of no limit in a fkeb CHUBCii where our sentiments were known, by which we should either have been restrained from speaking, or have no: spoken as we thought. We did not know that this Court would threaten its members with cen- sure if they happened, in expressing their candid sentiments on any " * On this occaaiou we proposed Uie t'oUowing motion in the Hynod, which although lost, may be preecnted here an it exhibits the only terma ou which union is ever likely to take place between the.«c Churches : "That the riynod approve of the diligence of their commit- tee in this cause, luid express their sincere tuunks for the long and faithful attention they ' have given to the subject ; and timt they now relieve them from this service, and appoint another Committee to meet any Couunittce of the United Presbyterian Church, with Instructions to them to propose that all points reij^nrdinaf tho power of Uie civil magistrata iihould be matters uf mutual forbearance, and to form a basis oftinion to be submittM to the dilteront Synods on the ^reut points of Christian doctrine and duty on which they are ninreed : end that this Synod pledge tliumselves thnt wluttuver views they may entertain as inuividii^ els, on the subject of the maj^istrato's power, they shall not divide the church by roduoiaf theih to practice, and, in particular, that they shall act im tho principle that it la inexpedient ' in Ac present state of the Church aad the World for mioistera to occept of any aid from oivll GovenunQnta." 18 CHRIST WOUNDED IN THE subject which carae before them, to difTer from their brethren. But it was especially uncalled for in the present instance, where it appear^ evident tlxat the Synod were trying to force ou the church principles which had no existence in the standards,, and to overlook, if not oppose principles which these standards contain. Again, it was a breach of good laith with us. We had entered the church on the general principles, already mentioned, not intending to controvert or expose the Establish- ment principle, which we knew the most of them held, but certainly, at the same time, not expecting that they would misrepresent and ridicule any principle held by us, or by the United Presbyterian Church. If the views of that church, and our ovyn views, had been fairly stated, we would have had no occasion to say a word ; but the matter was very different when the Presbyterian Church did justice neither to the United Presbyterians nor to themselves. It would be found on enquiry, that in the resolutions and deliverances they had now given, they were not only fighting against the Uiuted Presbyterian Church, but were palpably de- parting from their own standards.* We have never done more than stood on the defensive, as we would think it wrong when wo were in connection with this Presbyterian Church to make any attack upon its peculiarities. But the conscientious resistance, which we were surely entitled to make to the misrepresenta- tion of views held by ourselves, has brought on us the hostility of the rabid defenders of tho Establishment principle. By blunt hints, and harsh language, some of them endeavored to provoke us to withdraw from their Church of our own accorti — a step, however, in which we determined not to gratify them. We knew well that they wished this only to save themselves the odium of our ejection. But that odium, or honour, if tl.ey think it s:.ch, we resolved to give them, and there- fore wo have uniformly endeavoured to follow the course whinh Pro- vidence opened. Before it broke up, the Synod of 1848 appointed the Hamilton Pres- bytery to enquire into our views. Had this Presbyteiy acted honourably they would iiave declined the appointment. They would have told the Synod that they had admitted and inducted us on our own principles ; tHat they knew these and forbore with us ; that it was too late for them to interfere ; that if we held views which the Synod could not tolerate they must blame the Presbytery of Hamilton for it ; but that seeing we hacl been admitted not only with the consent and approbation of this Presbytery, but of all the P'resbyteries of the Church, it would be better to let the matter drop. The enquiry came to nothing ; and having from time to time presented garbled and unintelligible Reports of their procedure i«i the Ecclesiastical Record, they at length remitted the whole matter to the Synod. In the meantime, from the misrepresentations which had been made, we felt it necessary for our own vindication to publish our views, and we endeavored to do so in the Christian spirit. The Synod condemned our Pamphlet without reading it, and it was remaiked by many after it was read, they found nothing in h to condemn. But it was apparent that aUhough they could do nothing in the way of positive accusation, for they could fix on no expression, and on no senii- inent which they could deliberately challenge as unscripturaU yet havia^ gone so far in this matter it was necessary to do somethmg in the way" of vindicating themselves from the charge of absurdity, or of undue or pre- * Ree Towisr of Babel, where it is shown that the doctrine of Christ's Headship orar tha Mtiona U not specitically mentioned in tlieConfessiun of Faith; bnt.Ht variance wiu tba view* of the Free Church, is summarily and orthodoxly presented, and brought down to the caps- dty of children, in the answer to th« question in our shorter Catechi sm,— How doOi OlKiit execute the oflice of a king t ' HOUSE OF HIS FRIENDS. 19 cipitato rigour. After a few speeches, therefore, in which much eloquence was expended, without tc johing the plain subject before them, they pretended to come to a deliverance whereby certain extravagant findings are alleged against us, and the matter was devolved on the Commission to meet in October 1849, with power to them to bring it to a final issue. Whether by these alleged liudings they intended tp frighten us, as well as blind the public is unknown. But desirous to make another effort to bring us round to their viev/s, they appointed a Commit- tee of their number to go to llamiiton to meet us before the time of the Commission. The following are the findings of the Synod : — " The Synod find that the views set fo/th by Dr. F. are in various particulars inconsistent with the doctrine of Christ's supremacy over nations and civil governments, as held by this Church,* and that any exception taken by him to the usual formula at his Induction, and which, it appears, so far as conceded by the Presbj'tery, was understood by them to respect only the legal or compulsory maintenance of a Gaspel Ministry,! cannot be allowed to cover the latitude he claims in impugning the great principles of national duty and responsibility,t in its other niumenlous bearing. But as he disclaims any desire to disturb the harmony of the Church, the Synod with a view to all possible removal of misunderstanding, appoint a Com- mittee turther to deal with him, and to repoii the result to the Commis- sion, that shall meet in Octobei, who are hereby empowered, if they deem it for the intei-ests of truth, and for edilifation, to bring the matter to a conclusion, having respect to the harmony of the Chur'.h and to the testimony to whicli thu Synod adiieres for the principles of divine reve- lation, and of the Christian law, as of authority to men in their collective and national, as well as private relations and actings." In regard to this document, to which we shall altervvards have occasion further to refer, it is all gratuitous assertion without a shadow of proof, and it could easily be shown to be all contrary to fact. How unworthy ot a Court of Chri-«t, and how severe a wounding of Christ, in the house ot His friends, was it for this Synod to imitate the Saviour's enemies in laying to our charge things whicii we knew not ! Why wrap themselves up ill a cloud of obscurity, in their attempts to criminate, when the only crime, which even tiiey are ashamed to call a crime, is that we are of voluntary sentiments, and only wnat they know us to be when they received us; and when we adhere in every iota to the Westminster standards, with the single exception of the power there given to the civil Magistrate in matters of religion, from which this Church as might be shown now take exception in a more excep: lonablc form.^ Why thus * We hold the eupremacy of ChriBt over imtious and civil governments to the utmost •stent, but we deny tliut it U held correctly by rlie Kroe Church ; for, f)rofedBing to hold this doctrine, they iieutrulize and vitiute it by rcuuiving entire the ConfesHion which ascribes to nations and civil ^overnmeuts a buporiurity ovur Chriet uud His church. t How could that bo when eccordinj; to them this is not even mentioned in tho Standards t I What are these great principles, and wherein have they been impugned by us 1 They cannot tell. § The United I'resbyterian Church gives no explanations of the obnoxious passages in the Confession, l>ut leuving every individunl to judfjU vf their meaning for himself, tney taka their exception to the cliiu.-ui in ijoraeihiug like the modest form which follows : — " We re- tain the Weetininster Coiifttii^^iou cf I'uiih, with the Larger and •^hi;rter Catechisms, as the eonfesiion of our faith, expressive of the scuRe in whicli we understand the Holy jr^criptures; it being always undcr^toud. however, that we do nut approve or require an approbatiun of any thing in \iieio booJit*. or iu any other, which tenches, or may be thoifffht to tt»ok, compulsoryor port^ecuting and intulcnint principle.-* in matters of leligion." But the i'rciibyterinn Cliurch explain the passages tu answer themselves, forgetting that we have no right by any explanation of ours tu put other meaning on language than what its author meant. Tlte Confession says, " The civil maglBtrate hath authoritv, and it is his duty to take order that unity and poace be pre.-crved in the church, that tho truth of God be kept pure aBcfeutiro, that all bla»phcmi3s and Imretiei be suppressed, all corruptions and abuses ia 90 CHRIST WOUNDED IN THE >. *■ \t keep by vague generalities, and accuse and condemn us, for something ■which they cannot name, which they cannot describe, which thoy can- not point out, and which probably has no existence but in their own imagination? Never condescending to toll what our alleged errors really were, the Synod seemed by a blaze of words, and by this fortnid- able array of findings, not from anything we said or published, but fA)in their own imaginations to determine to make the most graceful escape from the awkward predicament into which they had brought them- BeJves. The Synod's findings are perfectly ridiculous. Where did they find them ? Was it in any paper of ours ? No. Was it in our Pamphlet ? No, for that had not been considered ; and that Pamphlet disproves tho npplicalion of every one of the findings. Wtis it by a compaiison of our seotimeDtB with their standards that the findings were obtained ? No, for the stnodurds are all held by us excepting the compulsory power assigned in them to the civil INIngistrate, which the Presbyterian Church also professes to refuse to him as nppenrs by the preceding note. Where then was it that these fiudnigs were found ? It was only in their own heated imagination. Of course it would never have done to have condemned us without finding something, and therefore because they could find nothing that was tangible in anything said or done by us, they create findings to suit their purpose by the vagaries of their own fancy, and the flights of their digressive eloquence. Is this worthy of a Court of Christ ? Is this like conscientious and hon- oarable Judges in the alTairs of the Church 1 Was not this a wounding of Christ in the liouse of His friends ? Of the Committee appointed to meet in Hamilton none came hut four of the strenuous defenders of the power given in the Confession to the Civil Magistrate, and who probably thought that the lower of Babel was erected to assail their bulwarks. It was of no use to converse with men almost all of whom were under the influence of unconquerable prejudice. The October Commission came next, but for reasons assigned, instead woiyhip and discipline prevented or reformed, and all the ordintoico* of God duly settled, i tdndniatercd, and observed." The Presbyterian Chiirch of Canada explain the sense in vi'hich thoy receive this by iay- ing :— " We hold that the ci\-il magistrate has no supremacy over the church, nor any power therein." U'liis is just telling ua that Yea means Ko. Again, the Confession gaya : — " The magistrate hath power to call Synods, to bo present at them, and to provide that whatsoever is trunt^actcd m them be according to the word of God." Explaining this, the Presbyterian Church says : — " Wo hold that the civil magistrate hath BO right to convoke, or fireside in, or dictaro to. the Atsenibliet- of the (,'huroh, or to regulato or review their proceedings in matters ecclesiastical." Tliis again is litcrqlly contradicting the meaning of language. Now theiM aUe(;ed explanations contain what we think correct views. — the views said to be held by the Presbyterian (,'hurch, and the views itolly held by the United Presbyterian Ctturcll. But we deny that they are explanetidns of the jia.-"Hages in the l.'onfefsion 1'hey are liie substitution of other sentinientB in their place. They are the aii<)j)ticn of ^what is ci trutb-for what is error. 'I'hey are an attempt to liiid the vciy peiitiuicnis ol the Voluntarica (as if they were not their sentbnents) where they are not to be found liut in doing thi», they proceed in a way of which we cannot approve. It ie done by eva^ivCf we might say' bydiihonoBt, means ; and those who silently aesent to the second question of the formula under such interpretations appear to us to act either without judgment or hypocritically. We can subscribe to the general i^entiments contained in these alleged cxplanmions of the ' Confeflsion. But to call them explanations, and to reqnire an astent to them ae tuch, appears ' to tis lo be a very fraudulent and culpable way of getting over a difficulty. If this is to bo practited in the Presbyterian Church of Canada, well may other churches speak of them as time-senrers and hypocrites, and hold them up to scorn and ridicule. The Unitarian might ■ aubscril>e to the Confession on the same princijile ; for we have only to allow him to expl^n the sense in which he receives those pascages which present difficulties, as lor instance bjr dedaiing that the passage which ttuiches the doctrine of the Trinity, does not mean thai'' there are three distinct persons in the Godhead, and that those which teach the divinity aud^' atonement of Christ, are not to be understood as teaching Uiat Christ is a Divine person, cir tiiat His death is a vicarious sacritice. HOUSE OF illS FRIENDS. «f or goins to Toronto, we preferred sending a letter, nnd lonving the mAt- ter in tneir hands. As this letter has been wron{(i'uIly kept back, and its Ittain meaning made the subject of unnecessary diflicvlty nod dispute,' li I proper to give it a place here. The following is a copy : — Caledonia, 18th October, 1849. BRBTHRRTf,^ — In partings with the Moderator in Hamilton, I asked 'if he thought it would be necessary for me to be in Toronto at the meet- iog of the Commission. He siiid he thought not, but added that it would be more respectful to be there if possible. It is quite inconvenient for me to be there at present, yet I would have overcome this inconvenience but fbr the impression that I could transact with more apparent respet!t for the Commission by being absent. For whilst, whether present or absent, I bear them the most profound respect as a Court of Christ, I could not be present without very decidedly expressing my refusal of every finding against me in the Synod's motion, and more strongly still my disapproval of the tenor of the Committee's report to the Commis- eioo. 1 shall reserve nil this, however, till afterwards, should it be necessary, which I hope it will nut, tor I am di^jjosed to forget and for- give what is past, and I fear that I might say something in the Conuiiis- eion were I there, which would rather widen than heal the breach, and tl)is I am yory unwilling to do, when I see so much of a conciliatory epirit from ditferent quarters of the Church. There seeihs to be some profdigious mistake iu the whole ot this matter in magnifying our real or flupposed differences to an unreasonable degree, when the fact is I agree to every iota of the Standards, with the single and slight exception of refusing to the Civil Magistrate the compulsory and persecuting power which they seem to me and to many to give him, and which power even the Presbyterian Church of Cnnadn seem as strongly to object tOj aa myself, with the only (HiTerence ihiit they think it not in the standards': of Course the difference one would think must after uU be only In V^ords. From the kind conciliatory stntemeuts in some late numbers of t^^ Record, and I trust the exidteneo of a growing desire in both the Fr^- hyterian and the United Presbyterian Churches for Union, I am now moi^ than ever disposed, and I trust the Commission are equally disposed to waive the further prosecution of this vexatious discussion, which should never liave begun, and which would sooner or later end only where it begun. I simply present to them the following statements and for tiiu prt'!>i>nt leave the mutter in their hands, reserviug the privilegp of ussonliiig to, or dissenting from any deliverance to which th.,^ may come. 1. That in joining this Churcli it was plainly declared and tuHy undeiV Btood l)y the Subscriber, and he thought perfectly known to the Presbjl- tery ot Hamilton, and others, that he held the principles of the United Secession Church of Scotland, in which he was reared, and of ooorsb the views of that Church on the power of the Civil Magistrate in mattere of Piiligion, and it was in particular distinctly stated that he was opposed, like must of that Church, to civil establishments of religion in evirjr form, and to the very principle on which they nre based ; and iiiMj'to prevent all possibility of future misunderstnnriing, he wishes it to bio publicly known, us he here most solemnly declares, that his priocipl^e ore the same as ever, and that the longer he lives he is the more COJJ- firmed in the belief that they ore thoroughly sound and scriptural;. ■"'. 2. That as he fully understood the Presbyterian Church of Canada, to m CHRIST WOUNDED IN THE with them on the grAnd doctrines of Ginco. nnd hnd no intention to insist on his own pecMliiiritics, he concuivpd tliiit Union with tiieni wap practicnblo, not only an fni* as hu was cuiicornud, but with uii of siiuilur sentiments with himself. 3. TImt it appoiirs from recent proceedinfiR thnt the difference between the Presbyterian nnd United Pictbyteriiiii CliurclieH is, nfter nil, more in words than in sentiincutB: iuid tlint ii Union niiglit very f>Hsi)y b6 eflected, to theunspealiiible ndvuiitii^^e of llio Province, were both pnrliee to lool( to the gretit yeneiul piiiicipleB on mIJcIi tliey ii^ire, itnd out cf some of which wiicn unneceitstiiily produced, their ditl'erences Hrife; and he hereby dechires his cordial mid lull nsuent to tiie views of Dr. Stevensun> hs given in the Record for August lust, and proposed th«ress a resting pliice where all parties might InirnioniouHly unite, uod lie nlio declares his assent in general to tlie explanation of the obnoxious . passa- ges of the Confe«8ion ut° Faith, given by our Committee uii Union, with this understanding that he coiibidert* it no explanaliun of these passages, but an independent decliiraliuu of the genuine sentiments of tliis Church. 4. That he has no wish, and no intention, to diifturb the harmony of this Church by broaching Imm own peculiarities, which he has never yet done but in repelling tlie obtruuinn of upposite views, hut it. must bo understood that if tho Hiimu system uf midrepiesuntation of any views held by him, or by the United Presbyteiian Chuich, shall bo practised by individuals of this Clinrch, or if tliis \h countemmced in any measure by this Ohurch, he will feel liiiiiself iit perfeet liberty, if not in duty bound, to expose and re|>ei all such uucharilable pruceedingii. And 5. That having for four years employed all hia time, energies and influence, such as they are, \;\ promoting the interests of the Presby- terian Church of Canada, he v/ill continue to du !io, and is willing to, co- operate with them in harmony and love on all the great principles of Christianity, agreeing to differ as they nniy un liie circumstaniiala of religion, nnd seeking diligently nnd fuitlifully with them the glory of Christ and the peace, purity, progiL'ss, and i)ruspurily of his Church, A F. How absurd was it to contend about the monnin;,' of this letter, which is quite plain and simple, and how unciinJid to present their quibblingu and opposite viewa about it, witliout giving it to ttie public at once us it is, and as we understand oue ol tiie liberal members of the Comaiission proposed, and thus havo put a stop to the uurio,- w 1 1 that Christ is Head over the Nations : and that if there b^ any question it jdoes not respect the fact, but only the mode of His rule. It might be conceded liiat supposing the twenty-third chapter of the Con- * Some ofthe bretbreii were much surprised when we told them that their vit-w of Christ^! HoMthip wa«not in the .Standards; others actually eearchcd tor it there. b\it could not find it ; others have acknowledged that wo are perfectly right. One learned brother pointed to th« twenty-third chapter of the Coiifei^eiun, and said " There it is." But if it be there, which we deny, it must be the vary principle of compulsion and persecution from which wr diiMUt. No, it is not there, the rovorae is there. There we liave the Headship of tl|a Nations in uieir civil rulers, over Christ, and Ilis Church, not the Headship of Christ over the Nittloiis, The truth is, that what the Presbyterian Church of Canada calls the Headshipl of.CMst over the Nations, is neither more uor less than the Cstablii-hment Principle qader •nothar name. ' We do not think that by such a subterfuge any one of them i* capable of wiahing'by good words and ^ir speeches to deceive the licarts of the aimple, and we are ghid Uiat our esteemed friend, the Kev. Professor Esson has lent his valuable aid, by hie Jnidttdotti and aeAaonable pamphlet, last year, to put tho Church right in 1M» particular, as waU as OB other pointa to which they have too long been etrangcri. t l!' *ii CHftlST WOUNDED IN THE fesaioti should admit of a good ineaniog, it ia injadiciously and MngdBto* '■- ediy worded, and that a good opportunity is hence alforded tor bringing / the whole subject of it under review. It might appear that if neither tbi> EstHbiishment Principle nor the Voluntary Principle were made a term of office, a mutual forbeartmce respecting them, would not obstruct the ; discharge of any present duty."* A The deliverance of the Commission in October 1849, was considered^ ^ by us and all our friends as final, and although it was by no means satis- factory, and might have been remonstrated against as unworthy of the Court, yet all thoughts of tliis were abaudoiieu in consequence of a new*^ ^^ arid extraordinary turn being given to the v/holo matter, and one which has both to ourselves and the Congregation brought about what we trust is an auspicious revolution in Ecclesiablical connexion. The occurrco- / oes which fall now to be noticed, have rendered this revolution in no res- pect our own doing, but entirely His work who can bring good out of evil. In the whole course of events we have the satisfying consciousnoss of having never out-stepped,but always followed tlie openings oil'rovidence; and. so unexpected and surprising has the cliange been, yet so accopta- , ble, that we were ready to say with the returning Jews, — " When the Lord4urned again tlie captivity of Sion we were like them that dream." This event, although of little importance to any but guraelves, yet, from the causes aud occurrences which have led to it, is entitled to tlie candid attention of the Christian Public, especially of ♦ho.so who boluag to the .Presbyteiian and United Presbyterian Churches, as strikingly il- lustrating the narrow, sellish, hurtful and unchristian policy, of tiie for- mer, or what is comraonlv, though very improperly, called the Free,^ Church ; and the superior adaptation of the United Presbyterian Cliurcii, ■ (from the perfect security it a'Tords for civil and religious liberty, as well, as its thoroughly Scriptural constitution,) lo the condition aud necessities of this rising Province. We have been cut off from connection with the PresbyteriL.i Church of Canada in a manner the most arbitrary and tyraunioaJ, merely, it would seem in one view, to gratify tlie pride and spleen of a faction of our Congregation, deserving of the scorn and reprobation of the C'luuch Courts, which our Session, in the conscientious and faithful diticharge of duly, had treated with the greatest tenderness when they incurred the censures of the Church ; and this has been done, as will appear, under. j a false pretence, and on grounds entirely beyond the powers with which the Commission that brought about the crisis was entrusted by Ihe Sy- nod, by which it v/ill appear, in another view, to have been a purpose, if not a plot, of the Chnip.h judicatories. The history of the faction, and the unmerited patronage it received from the Ecclesiastical Courts, in opposition to all truth and justice, to- gether with the narrative already presented, are not honourable to tliis Presbyterian Church ; and certainly, wherever they are known, are suf-- ' ficientto lower it in public estimation and confidence, to make its min- isters feel that they are in danger when, with impartiality and faithful- ness, they endeavour to discharge their duty, and to occasion tegret uniong the godly that, by the reckless procedures of this Church, Christ should bo so seriously and so often wounded in the house of Hi» friends. But for the better understanding of the matter, it may here be remark* ed in general that certain leaders in the Synod, seemingly determinedr if possible, to keep back the progress of liberal sentiments, appeared to be exceedingly anxious to find some pretext for excluding us tiom their Church, and to have felt that as this had not been accomplished by the * fiee E«uy oa Christian Uuiuu by tho Bcv. David King, L.I1.D., Grey FrUra Church, Qlasgoir, Scutlaud, I HOUSK OF HIS PRiEiVDS. •25 jed lis- Iha -n-V iS- of ^ Sapreme Court in June 1849, nor by their Commission in the October following, there was little chance of attainin;:» it without some underhand pl-ocedure. With this view '' some members of Presbytery in Hamil- ■Tdh>" we are informed, although we are unwilling to believe it, encour- aged the faction, advishig and directing their leader in the course he {iUtsued,* in which he had the vanity to believe, and to make them be- ieve, he would r(;adilv bring the wiiole Congregation to concur ; and this 'it was thought would be an excn.se for sepuratnig us from om flock, and in consequence, pei"hap.s, Irom the Presbyterian Church. With this view the Congregation v.ere to be assembled to pass a vote of w^nt of contitlence, bc^cunse we did not, like most of the Synod, hold 'the principte of an Establishment. On this, it is understood, was to be • founded a complaint to the Presbytery, with a view to revive proceed- i'ings against us; and because they had not succeeded by fair means to 'bring ua over to their sectarian notions, to accomplish, if possible> by this new scheme, our ejection froui the Church. What secretly induced the Faction-leader to move in this matter is .test known to himself. But whatever it was he seems to have felt it ne- ^cessaffy to fix on some reason, not real but ostensible, that might have ! weight in some quarters, or perhaps, we should say, to have found it con- ;.venient to adopt readily the course suggested by his friends, the *• mem- , bers of Presbytery." The independent course which had been uni- formly pursued by the Minister, in the dil'^jent discharge of his Pastoral 'duties, made it impossible, we trust, for this disturber -f the Congrega-' tion's peace, or his advisers, to start opposition b)' an honest and hon- ourable course, and, therefore, like the Presidents and Princes of the Court of Persia, in leference to Daniel of old, they perhapi^ felt that they could find no " occasion" against the Minister except they found it, ♦'concerning the law of his God." It would never have done for the agitator to go forward to this cour»<» nbruptlyt or«ven avowedly, as nothing was known in the CongregHMon btit prosprtrity and peacef ; and therefore, lie attempted it by double- dealiag and deception — for so it is with corrupt human nature that that of which we are ready to accuse our neighbour is very often something of which we are guilty ourselves, t Acfcordingly in the month of January, 1850, pretending to wish to nrrnnge pecuniary matters before enteringthe new Church, which could have been finished in a week, but the finishing of which had been purposely delayed, he proposed a meetinj^ of the Congregation. At this public meeting, which sooti took place, to the astonishment of those present he burst upon thein with a series of unmannerly resolutions, cHlumuiating the Minister, and especially wishing to carry the motion of want of confitJenco, to get them to disown him, and to withhold their * Vr'e would be llie last to f-u-pect uiiy of our brotlireii of sue. boMeness, and we still cndenvour to biinisih tho lUouglii from our mind. Hut it whi» the Faction-losder who cbart|sd thcin, and it If not chhv to explain, on any other uuppoHitiou, the contidence of finocei!! always indicated by tliis individual, when all knew him to be guilty, and the uianner in which the rft i4un i.iui (;on!,'rcOTfioii were treated, tirst by tho Pro-sbytcry, and atterwards by tho Commission of t^ynod. The hii.guage of this individual both in the public meeting of th«i Congregation, and to persons in private, was to the crt'ect that he haa not taken his coune " unadvisedly," but had tlie lulvico of " ^Members of tho Presliytery." It .8 said that tlie Trosbytery and l-^ynod were led to believe that Caledonia congregation would stand or full with this individuiil, and that he had the vanit}' and assurance to boast of this. At all events it is supposed that he cherished the idea, and led others to believe it true, that he could easily turn the people to auy purpose he might suggest, as they wer6 all Blraplc minded nicn.led by a Baptist and an Episcopalian. 1 It ought to be distinctly noticed that »ill .lanuary, IP.'jO, nothing but harmony and love p revailed, when witli the suildennoss and fury ot a volcanic eruption, audwitnuut any visible cause, the attempt was made to sow the seeds of animosity and strfe. * This was the nccuuation which the Faction-leader brouaht against his Minister, double- dealing and insincerity, because be held Voluntary principles, and yet wa« a ftioister of die Presbyterian Church. 26 CHRIST WOUNDED IN THEf support because beheld the priociples of the United Presbyterian dnHtth on the Magistrate's power in matters of religion. But to his great mortification, the good sense and christian feeling of the people spurned at his proposed resolutions, and they were all put down by the iadigninf and almost unanimous voice of the assembled Congrdgation.- He and his adherents had further determined to diseontintte theiir' a ttendance on ordinances ; in short, had determined virtually to cut themselves off, thinking that their example would be ftilloWed by all. li' ' they had quietly done this without attempting to pollute the minds of the people with their contemptible gossip and slander, it Would have been df comparatively little consequence. But from their subseqacst conductt' it became necessary, for the satisfaction and peace of the congresatioot that the Session should take up the whole matter. Never w«(> tliere af clearer case of necessity for exercising Church disciplinoir This 1001 of ''members of Presbytery," with two who joined hint,- ilvere dearly " foundguilty, though in different degrees, and becanse they Would make' no concession, but showed contumacy of behaviour, and eontempt for the Court, and likewise expressed their determination to persist hi theif unchristian conduct, were, in the meantime, suspended frotn their' privileges."^ The Faction-leader, however, was notshakeil. He seemed to know that his friends, ''the members ofPresbyteiy," WOOld bear him 6ut of this difficulty ; and although the honest >\nd unsuspeeting Session^ having done only their duty; considered that they had nothing to fear, and nothing could they possibly have to fear from any upright Coiirt,' whieh took the trouble to examine the case, yet this Faction-Header,- although they know it not, aad oven after they were told believed it notf was before them, and had full assurance that he would be sustftitaed. — He and his two supporters appealed of course to the Presbytery.- The Faction mixed up their reiisons of protest with false and sctknilous' matter, for had their cause been judged as it oughtr by itv oWn ikieritSt' it would not have stood a hearing. They insinuated that dissatisfisetion had been growing in the Cotigregation since we hadpublished our pamphlet,' and also that we had since obtruded our sentiments oi ihe Congregation^ both in public and ])i'ivate, not keeping good faith with .be (.-httreh.- Body these charges^are directly contrary to truth ; andallthe people]wereready^ had nn opportunity been given, to shew their utter falsehood.- But these f.nd other slanders, which the Session thought beneath their notice, were seized by the Presbytery. Our Faction-leader, who most successfully played u|)on the crodnlity of the Court, was hailed and encouraged there as the redoubtable champion of Free Church peculitoritiesr and as the' decided opponent of Voluntary Principles ; and although we hate reason to know that he was not acquainted with the distinctive prineiples either of one Church or another, yet now to serve an iniquitous purpose he' pretends to wondrous zeal for the principle of a civil Establfehriienti of Religion ; nay, from the correspondence he hod held with hib friends' the "members of Proshytery," ho could predict all that would take place.; Well might those who know him say, '"We never saw iton thisianhibn.'' " Is Saul also a:nong the Prophets ?" It WHS the (.jiiiiion of the Session, igtiornnt inagrbat rtVeasUrdV iWfhey were, that this movement was a deeply laid conspiracy agai^Rt the' Minister, that the cuuso appealed would never obtain a hearing in the higher Court, and that it would be remitted to the Setefon with instruc- tions to preserve the usual order of the Church ; and* such we know would have been the case in any Court that was impartial and uncom- * This wuit considered the most lenient cenf»uve, iind it wnd not till every endeavour to* avoid even this had i'uilod, that it wae inflicted. All that the Seieioii roquired Waa on) acknowledgment from these individuals that they had acted wrong, and a ]^rbiiulM to j^fvMrvv licace in future, and thcso they obstinately refused. great bunted! ligDAAtf HOUSE OF HIS FRIENDS. 27 nitted. But when it is known that the case was prejudged, and that members of^the Court^were themselves implicated, what justice was to be expected ? It was heard on all sides except the true one, but wherever truth would have unfolded itself, and exposed the iniquity of the Faction it was aot beai-d.* To the astonishment of the Minister and his Elder, and several judicious members of the Cnngrogntion who were present to bear testimony to the false representations of the protesters, but were I'efused a hearing, the Presbytery never looked at the case at all, but on the contrary seemed to h^^ perfectly prepared not only to vindicate the canning and guilty protesters.f and tobear down the honest Session, but to take the opportunity, from false and irrelevant matter, of again con- tending with the Minister. The following was their deliverance ; — " It was moved by Mr. Bayne, and seconded by Mr. Kobb, that the Presl.ytery sustain the Protest and Appeal, refuse the decision of the Jvirk-Session appealed from ; but inasmuch as the documents and pleadings which have come before them in the consideration oftiiecase, Imvo revealed the existence of evils in the Congregation urgently calling for itivestigation with a view to a remedy : and inasmuch also as these evils appear in a groat measure to have originated in the result of the PrHsbytery's longdealing with Dr. F., on the subject of his views on the Headship of Christ, and tliut the carrying out of the investigations and dealings necessary, would be better conducted by parties who have not beei' directly involved in the proceedings referred to, the Presbytery submit the case of the Congregation to the Synod with a recommendation that they would appoint a commission of Synod for the purpose specified and further the presbyteiy appoint the Moderator, and the Rev. John Bayne, to state the reasons of this recom- mendation to the Synod." No protest was takent against the restoration of the three individuals, because however unreasonable the reversal oftheSession's sentence was, yet if this recommendation of the Presbytery had been faithfully followed out. as was expected, all that the Session and Congregation could desire would have been secured, as the only remedy for the alleged evils in the Congregation was the excision of these disturbers of its peace, or their submission to order. The representatives of the Session and congregation present, knew that if an impartial and honourable Commission were appointed by the Synod they would have no difficulty to discover where alone thd evil lay, and that the Presbytery were under the delusion of prejudice in tracing it in any degree to the cause they did. In short, they were hopeful that the Commission, if appointed, would do justice to the Minister and Session, as well ns to the Congregation in this matter, by detecting and putting down this overbearing faction by which they had been agitated. * It ii not easy for strangers to form the least conception of the manner in which the adherents of this Pution hod been conducting themselves before the session interfered, as It wu less apuareM to the public eye. But after that it became more and more visible •nd it is painful to state that during the three months before the Presbytery met. as many of the congregation ein testify, they might be observed coming to the House of God, not to worship but to mock, they might be seen indecently pushiT>^ themselves forward in the time of prayer, aitting like statues during the whole service, evidently not onlv uninterested but holding divine ordinances in contempt, and exposing them to derision, they might bo •een conducting themselves in various ways with studied levity in the sanctuary, so as to 4irt«rb the worship of the godly, uud give occasion to the careless cr protane to speak nproaehfully. t AeeonUng to this Hamilton Presbytery, a Session has no right to challenge its member! for alander and deceit, for disrespect to God's servants and God's ordinances, for contempt of • aiHrltntl Court, and for a prood and obstinate determination to break up the peace of a prmperous ooagregatioB. X ttUhadbaea Aougbtthatthe Commission would have taken advantage of this, most auuiedly a Protest would have been entered. But the proposal of a Gommiasion to enquiro iato the itato of the eoagregation seemed to make this unnecessary. 28 CHRIST WOUNDED IN THE The following is the Report of the Presbytery Elder on this deliverance as nriHde to the Session of Caledonia and vicinities : — "The Superior ('ourt instead of summoning the Session before it» which a cause of such importance required, as it aifected the \vhbJ9 Congregation, and which their own, and the Congre.i;iition8' represeqta-^ tives were present to require, proceeded in the most purtial and sunmiary manner, without ever looking at the merits of the case at all, excepting where the protesters had distorted it, to give judgment ; that the Presbytery seemed determined at all hazards to bear down the SessioOt and shelter the Protesters ; that whilst they blamed the Session for b9ing. hasty and cruel in their sentence, for which there was no foundation, they seemed to be hasty and cruel themselves in reversing it ; that some leaders, of the Presbytery appeared evidently to have committed themselves to the Protesters in private, and had prejudged the cause ; that they took for granted that the Congregation was divided, and would not hear its Com- missioners who were present for the express purpose of shewing it to bd otherwise; that the slang and gossip presented by the protestors, which the Session considered beneath their notice, were eagerly seized on by the Presbytery as an excuse for pursuing an object with which this cause has no connection, excepting what the Pi'otesters by their misrepresentations had forced on it ; and that the Elder and commissioners, who were disgusted at the Presbytery's proceedings, and looked on it as an humbling spectacle for Christian Ministers to exhibit, could scarcely fait to be convinced that there must be truth in what was before reported that the Protesters had been stirred up by individuals connected with the Presby- tery itself to the course they had taken, and had acted under their advice. In short, such was the manner in which the case was treated, that the Session's representatives, as well as the congregation's Com mission erv, felt that it was far better to yield to circumstances, than to honour such disgraceful proceedings with an appeal to the Supreme court; and there- fore they left the whole matter open to the proposed Commission, from which justice was surely tobe expected, if it could be found at all in this denomination." The Synod appointed n Commission, as suggested by the PresbyterV, The folk>wing is their minute on this matter : — ;(*'';' ' "The Synod took up the reference from the Presbytery of Hamilton , respecting the congregation of Caledonia. Several Members addressed the House, when, on the motiou of Dr. Willis, seconded by Mr. McDowell, it was agreed, — ., , "That the Moderator, Dr. Burns; Mr. Harris, Mr. Ball, Mr», McMurray, Mr. McLeod, Mr. McKenzie, Ministers ; Mr. Osbpriie* Mr. McLellan, and Mr. Blain, Elders; be appointed as a Commission of Synod to visit the congregation ot Caledonia, and authorise them to meet with the Minister, Session, and Cnngregation there, to enquire into the evils alleged to be existing there to the hindrance of unity, mutual confi- dence and edification, authorise them tu act with the usual powers of a Synodical Court of Review, and if they fail in their endeavours to estab- ■'■ lish harmony in consistency with the finding of the recent Commission , Hs authenticated by this Synod, power is hereby granted to proceed to > final judgment, according to the laws of the Church, notwithstandiufB; any appeals that may be attempted to be taken from their finding. If they see cause for libel, they shall commit the proceedure into the.hands of the Presbytery of Hamilton, who are empowered, assisted by the Committee, or any three of their number, to proceed to a judgtnen^lo,, the case, staying nevertheless a final sentence In the case of appeals.'* " )" On this deliverance, although it is rather obscure, and in sonrie parta ' unintelligible, the following remarks may be made; — . ■ ■ ,,^\,>.,.„„., HOUSE OF HIS FRIE.\DS. 99 lit. larj ting (the Ion, i^ere . I. It was passed in total ij^norance of facts, and, not.ody so,but ^ind^r impressions which were precisely the reverse of truth, — it being after- wards allowed, by some of the Commission, that the, Synod were u^der the impression that the whole congreo-atiou at Caledonia were onthe sidt^ of the faction, and that the resolutions of tlie I'uction-leader had, all carried.* n. That there was no hindrance to mutual coiilidence and edificaln!Dii' where the Hubject is understood. . , -f X In tbie, and many other manifestations, there was abundant evidcnco tlpat^abefaoi.' in PrnahTtcrv imd tliR Faction were iu correiilHDltiiO:.i the Preibytcry and tlie Faction were in correxpondence. 80 CHRIST WOUNDED IN THE k<< yield to its influence. 1 ideed, it was a complete and signal tiiu*nph over the faction, inasmuch as it should have silenced their clamour, Bhould have undeceived the Synod's Commission, und should have led to the very opposife course from that wiiich had been meditated. The meeting of the Commission took place on the 9th of July 1850, at Caledonia. There were only four of them present, two ministers and two Elders, (all, though from different causes, vt^ry incompetent judges.) But such a meeting was never before witnessed by any who were present, and it has sunk the Presbyterian Church in the estimation of many. It was felt then, what it has siuce literally proved to be, as another Mare Magnum^ headed by Dr. Burns like rbe former, in the luying of the foundation of a New Church in Caledonia. The meeting, indeed, baffles all description, but it has left impressions on the public mind which will require a generation to erase. The Coramission were authorized to meet the Minister nnd Session, and then the Congregation. But instead of following the instructions ?iven them, not the Minister and Session merely, but the Building lommittee and other parties were called in, und it was with difficulty they would adniiS- the very elders who had been judges in the cause. It was understood, it was reasonably and necessary to understand, that the commission were to converse privately with the Session and Minister, with the spiritual overseers ot the Congregation, who from their position should have been confided in, an^l who from their thorough acquaintance with the subject would have been able to set the matter in a clear light before the minds of the Commissioners, and prepared them to come to a righteous decision, showing that the Session nnd Congrega- tion at large were only standing on the defensive, and seeking to discharge their duty with fidelity. But this opportunity was not afforded, any disposition by them, to speak on the subject was met by rude opposition and false statement, and the Commission were no wiser when they ended than when they began. It was perfectly evident that tbs Commission bad made up their tninds to a course which they were determined if possible to follow, nnd that they were unwilling to receive any information or hear any argument, which might drive them from that course. It was quite apparent that they studiously shut their eyes to every fact nnd particular which might have shown them that they were favouring the disturbers of the Congregation's peace at the expense of the orderly, the peaceable, and the conscientious. In this preliminary meeting the Commission, with nil their deeply rooted prejudices, with all their seeming eagerness to entrap and snsnare with all their visible terror to look at the real grounds of difliculty and agitation in the Congregation, and their manifest determination to turn aside from the straight course, and take up irrelevant matter, entered not on the object for which they were sent at all, but endeavoured to quarrel anew with us on points which should have been settled elsewhere, and which it was the Synod's own fault that they were not tully settled. When the private meeting was over the commission adjourned to the plats of worship. Dr. Burns opened the meeting with prayer. Soma papers were read as before, one with a variety of questions of no impor- tanoti and trifling charges all founded on gossip and misrepresentation ; •nd inother about the Sabbath School, which the Faction had lately got npt and seeming to be a piece of deception from beginning to end. Dr. Bums then proceeded with an Address in which he stated what had been done at the private meeting, and then went on with a long harangue, . in which it was his evident design to tty to draw off the affections of the yople from their Minister, and to endeavour to produce a want of confidence, as if almost convinced already that the allegations of want of HOUSE OF HIS FRIENBS. 31 iph |our, led sion, lions Idirig bulty Confidence were false, and thus indicaring also his learniag to tljp lide of the disturbers of the Congregation's peace, and his desire to support and bear them out. He had taken fur g'-anted, liko the Presbytery, that those disturbers had a good cause, and must be vindicated, and his great aim seemed to be to divide the ranks of the people, and to draw them over to thesideofthe Faction. Instead of trying to investigate the causes of strife or division alleged to exist, Dr. Burns' objection seemed to be to stir up strife and division where there were none. As the people justly remarlied it seemed to be his intention to induce them to quarrel with their Minister. His design was so marked that the people felt themselves insulted, and the very opposite effesta were produced from what were intended.— He made, and could make no impression of the kind he wished. The people saw his drift and despised it. They thought he took ■ most extraordinary method to discover the causes of trouble in the Congrega> tion. for finding them sn fumly united to their Minister, and to each otheiri he seemed to try to create trouble and discord among them in order to have the merit of discovering it. The whole purport of his speech, as in his Mate Magnum reveries* Was to make it believed that we held very exceptionable sentiments on the Establishment Principle ; and, in particular, as connected therewith on the Headsliip of Christ, which according to recent developemonts of the Synod, is only another name for the Establishment Principle. He further attempted to show that our views on this subject Were widely different from those of the Brethren of the Presbyterian Church, and asserted that there was not a man &> ng them throughout the length and breadth of the hind, who held thb.>. but ourselves. Thbis known to be incorrect. Not to sny that a good many of the Ministers hold similar views, we have the Pamphlet of the Rev. Mr. Essoo. The same ciews are exhibited there by this learned and excellent Professor in Knox's College.'* It is an outrage on cool judgment and reasoning, it is a disgraceful violation of the principles of integrity and truth, for any man to present us, and hundreds of thousands who think with us, m holding principles opposed to the Word of God, or even to the West* minster Standards, with the solitary exception always understood. Did Dr.Burns really suppose that he,a stranger,and not presenting himself in a prepossessing attitude, would mislead or deceive the people of Cal- edonia Congregation by such extravagant representations ? What did the people care about him, or his uncourteous and extraneous declarations, in comparison witli a righteous adjustment of the grounds of alleged strife in the congregation, which the Commissioners .were there to inves- tigate, but on which they never en<^ered ? This harangue had no con- nexion with the business assigned to the Commission. The Congrega- * We regret thnt this valuable iVnct is not better known. It presents our viewa witll power and plaiuness, anil in a spirit the most conciliatory. How the Synod can consiatently forbear with this author and others who advocate our principles, they arc best able to explain The following are u few quotations:— " The mighty heresy, the Magnum Mare of voluntary unbelief, seems to be neither mure nov less than the inssting upon the previous necessity of imparting faith and spirituid belief to the souls of men of the world— men out of (.'hrist— before we go on to exact from Go; el rovelntion. whose language is 'believe and live'— ' believe and do* — 'believe and profess ; but to reverse this order and fay, first profess and then believe,— recognize the IIcad.»hip of Christ over the Clmrch and over the nations, before ye have known Him whom the Father hath sent, or believed in Him, and mbraced Him as the one mediator between Go andman, is absnrd, is a real practical contradiction. Here, letit be observed, lies Uie whole ground and stress of the heavy charge of social infidelity, of unchristinnizlng nations and rulers — that has very unwarrantably, and, we must add, somewhat rudely and indecently been thrown upon the volimtaries. Do they oppose the conversion of the world t Do they frown upon Vne cause of Miisions t Are they less zealous than their breOiren who hold tlie 3(2 CHRIST WOUNDED IN THE tjqn. had been insulted, ami unjustly used by a, facitioii headed by onef rn^g.. , T^lH' CorumiiiHiun came to unqun'e itilo the facta uf the case, and ta^elUne distuibiinye; but instead of tiyiiii^ to do this, which would hai,Vij byen aii or.tiy mattur, thoy trit;d all tliuy could to divide and stir up st^'jifo wlii^re thtifo was none, and to oncouiii'^o and patronize this one ra^, aaul tliose who, with hina, had attempted to injure or destroy the (^'ongregation. '.When it was ufiirnicd tliat want of confidence existed towards the IVJinister, in the absence of all proof, T?nd in the face ot multifarious and powerful disproof, and when tliero cuuUI not be more than tliree persons presjent,, in a very crowded mnetiii^r, who would venture to maintain it, ity,ppeared to bo believed by the C^omrnission, and although the whole Cpngregation besides denied tiie fact, and called for proof, and offered fuvliief refutation, they v/ere disregarded. ,Frt>m the commencement of the meeting the people had both visibly and audibly indicated their firm adherence to the Mniister, in opposition to this paltry faction ; and had the Commission not been blinded and iniitfiiated by prejudice, they would not only have acknowledged it, but liav© thereby been restrained from tlieii procedure ; and they would ha,vt(fi-vetl at once on the true and only originator of the alleged strife, and d«alt out to him the faithful and indignant reproof which he deserved. The Comrtiission, indeed, weie obliged at times to a;^knowledge the aii«)utionate and faithful manifestations of the people — '* 0, we like to see* and cannot restrain such indicalions," said the Chairman, "of attaoli^ment to your Minister. He is worthy of them all. But, but, but he;i3: a Voluntary !■'* f-A^ain tind again it was asked, in wliat were the sentiments of their Minifeter, ditierent from what they were when he w-as received and iu- (incted. Again and again it was affirmed by persons present that they had hea»d him take exception to the Confession of Faith when the second question of the Formula was put, and ihat the Presbytery had ex|>i'es8ed' their approbation of the answers he had given. Again and again ^ was affirmed that there was no want of confidence, but the reverse, and that they had never heard a word, either in public or private^ from hiin of his views as diiierent from those of this church. Again and again it was stated that from the vory time that want of confidence was said to: Dfegin, the Congregation had doubled its strength and had been ever since steadily and progressively increasing. Again and again it wis stated that the Congregation was collected from Presbyterians' of all denomihations, and were cliiefiy from the United Presbyterian Church. And again and again it was declared that they had not come there to discuss the Voluntary Question, but to have the cause of division, if division existed, ascertained, and the distubers of their peace detected, exposed, and, punished as they deserved, and that it was known, and visible to a demonstration, where alone the evils liad originated, and to Avhorn they were confined. But all these efforts of a generous insulted people missidn. were met with evasion and disrespect by the but Com- * We do liotvouch fur the exact words, but this was tlic spirit of them. KstWblighment principle in Reeking to win boiiIb to Chriat ? Is this the Magnum Mare ol their infidelity, tbnt thoy believe that t'^c (JoBpcl of Chr:st is tkepower as well as the teitdom o/O0«I unto «ai«ataon, to every one ttiai. jelievoth? That its own spiritual energy, andttw mijflity power of (lod's tipirit workiiis tkeftin, thrreteith, thereby, is Hbleexcccdiu^abiindMltly to ovorcoiue the world — to become more thim victorious over it and all the enemieB of Ohristt That its ownspiritnal armoury is an eshaustless mairazino of itself, abundautly suflieientfor tlie aubievcmeiit of its final iiud universal triumph ) ('onvert the princes, rulers, and law-,«?S^" ^-^ "''''^P'thlir Vi^converted state, what is it but teUr mere i- 01 t e w ^^^ ^tate . ' ^^^a or patrc at least, ^l"'* ^^ft^e m'S'^^'"*'^' ''^'^^^MrtMonaUt and. r^M. J^^^ it»holy pre««P«J Tule antt sta»d»r* corrupt her puvuy , -^- ^^,,g to ^avm, ■.-■■;- -^ ^f ciod tj>e.«\'P^''Sere there i« «« "S,"!! at least, ^l"'* ^^ft^e r^'S'^f'"*'^' ^° ''jro^etftir rea*o»«W« ««/ '^cLoraXe it»holy pre««P«J •• To require ol ttie "" ? ^ions, is ot'oi?*'" „,,i,.p of him to ""'°'^P „"i.-„rce by hw offloiw Tuthp'iJin.c recepti^^^^^ Divine ord.nu.cc.. capacity, or M «,ei:rto?L coinmon-^^^^^^^ „„, , «,"e' »ue trti of a chri^;^ »nd ^^ heads^p in pV«. Mahomrnda". "^j^^^io*;,, and ahcve a -^. ^ i««='r„'',^''a free «nd abundant en»an« 34 CHRIST WOUNDED IN THE The following aie copies of the Address and Reply :— ADDRESS. CALED0NiA,|5th June, I860. Rev. Sir,— We, the undersisrned communicants, ronnected with the Con'rregation in Caledonia and vicinities, are of opinion that the present posifion of the affairs of the Congregation, connected with recent event* (which are now in a great measure familiar to all of us), think this tt Huitable time to come forward and express what we believe we will be borne out in stating, by the community at large, that we have the most implicit confidence in you as a Minister oflhe Gospel, and we bear willing testimony to your laborious zeal in the cause of Christ, and to the great measure ot success that has, by the blessing of God, attended yo&r ministry among us. We would also avail ourselves of this opportunity of expressing to yoil our heartfelt sympathy with yourself and family, in the very trying cir-,, cumstance^ in which you have been placed by the acts of a few Individ- , uals, with whom wo have Ihtle in common ; and to assure you that you may calculate on our adherence and support, irrespective of denomina- tional peculiarities, as heretofore, as long as it may please the great Dis- poser of events to permit your Ministry among us. We, the undersigned, adherents of the Congregation of Caledonia and vicinities, wholly concur in the statements expressed above, and we have reason to believe that similar sentiments are held by the community at large. '" REPLY. Salem Cottage, Near Caledonia, 5th July, 1850. Dear Brethren and Friends, — With much pleasure lihAve hetened to your very kind and encouraging Address, and I beg to assure yoj that I nighly estimate the cordial expressions of respect and coutidence in ■which so many have combined, and the affectionate assurances you give of your co-operation with me on principles so congenial to the spirit of christian charity. Your appropriate and seftsonable communicaticn is the more valuable and comlortiug, both as it is unmerited, and as it was unexpected. It is indeeil matter of regret that a root of bitternese should have sprung up in the Congregation, and this is the more my^te- ■> rious as we cannot possibly conjecture what is its real origin, and how ' it should have so suddenly and unexpectedly burst out amongst us, and presented so many features dis-similar to the Gospel of the meek and lowly Jesus. But if that God who can make the wrath of man to praise him, overrule these things for uniting us more together in the bonds of Christian love, although we cannot but mourn over the fall of some who ■were once our friends, .and if he thereby prompt us to more combined and zealous efforts for his glory, and our own salvation, there will be abundant reason tor us to bJess and magnify His holy name. Dear Brethren and Friends, I am sensible of many defects in dischar- ging my ministerial duties, especially from the extent of the sphere over wiiich you are scattered, and I seek your continued indulgence, and an increase of your prayers. Bnt I can assure you that my heart is alwaye whh you, that ray supplications are daily directed to God for your salva- tion, and that I have much pleasure in my endeavours to labour, as grace enables, for your spiritual good. May God unite us more closely by spiritual ties on earth, and may we all at length meet around Immanuel'» Ihrone in Heaven. " The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. The Lord make His faee to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up His couii- I tenanco upon thee, and give Ihee peace." HOUSE OF HIS FRIENDS. id With much gratitude lor yuur kind atttiutions lieretoforu, and for th« encouraging a8surancL>8 you now express, and which I beg you will communicate to thuae wiioin yuu represent, I remain, Yuur airtictiunute Pa^tor. ANDREW FERRIER. The Addresss, with its lonaf list of names, was startling to the Commis- sion. They were not prepared lor any thing of the kind, and appeared not to know what to do. For, supposmg as they did, from the oHicious niisrepresentationii of the leader of t!ie fuction, whom they had been too willing to belieVe, that he was supported in ids attempt to carry his Hcheme by almost the whole Congregation, this document ^as a com- plete destrnclion of the hypothesis. fnd(!ed it presented the matter as being precisely the levcrse of what they had suppo.-^d. The Address, with 80 many signatures, should have sisted ail further procedure, and turned at once the attention of the Commissioners to the real origin of the supposed strife. Yes, if they had been sufHciently iionest, just, and generous here — if they had not beoa determined on a purpose of their own — they vV-ould immediately have turned upon the faction-leader and liave said — '* Ah, Sir, you have deceived us, you alone are the cause of strife in the Congregation, you would 3et us up against the Minister and people, who are united in lore his as firmly as any Congregation in the Church, when you yourself are the dctcctecl agitator of all this strife." Biit no, this was too much, if not for the understandings and the hearts of the Commissioners, yet too much for their prejudices. Yes, prejudice — prejudice to the Establishment Principle — a principle not ot God but of man — a principle not of religion but of the world — a principle not of reason but of pride — prejudice destroys the generous feelings of the heart, and the honest convictions of the mind. It was almost amusing to look at Dr. Burns' countenance and manner,- and at his dexterous management, when he read this address and reply. *' Oh ! yes, yes" said he, •' this is very true. Your Minister is all that is here slated. He is a sound divine. He preaches Calvinistic doc- trine. He is no Morisonian. He is evangelical. But, but, he is a Voluntary. He holds doctrines on the Headship of Christ which are dilierent from us, and we consider our views on tiiis point as of essential importance." There was hefe a no\*^, an artful, a strenuously wrought atfem:pt to' shako the conhdence of the people in their Minister, and to t«rn their affections from him. But the people were firm like the rock, and mani- fested an eagerness and resoluteness to bring tiie matter to a point— to test by a vote their opposition to the faction, and they declared themselves' certain that nineteen-tvventieths, even of Caledonia Congregation, were determined to adhere to their Minister. This they indicated with an interest and eainestnoss which, had the Commissioners not been under the stjongest prejudice, and the deepest delusion, they would have rejoiced to acknowledge. Theto' was not a whisper of want of confidence at the time it wag saiid! to begin, but on the contrary the place of worship was, every Sabbath, then and thereafter, ct'owded to excess. Many had occasionally to retire for want ofroom.bnt never did a single person withdraw from' want of confidence. The idea was never heard of till nearly a year after the publication, when it was expressed by the faction -leader, who, if he felt It sooner, had been concealing it urider the mask of frieildship, to' whom, till the time of expressing it, it was. so far as it was kndwn. erttirely confined, yet who had the vanhy to think he could speak- for the* whole congregation with the certainty of obtaining a pusillanirrious fei- ponse. In opposition, nowever, to such an insinuation, arising ■v*'©know, not from truin, but from deceit, not from principle, but from spleen, we 86 CHttlST WOUNDED IN THE have the spontanoouii Addrflits of hundrHcLs, who unito with heart and hand in expressing their full confiilpiico, and Iheir warmest love.* One would have tiiought that with this palpable evidence every attempt tg shutHo and to tamper would have (UMiNtnl, and that the Com- missioners woold have turned the ed{jfo of their weiipoui* on the Hmall faction creating thu» uniteecssarily so great a tumult to i(ratify only their own caprice^ or rather, to teed and flatter the pride of one v.'orldly man, for whom the unity, the streiifrth, and even the (existence of the C^jn-^re- gation must bey sacriliced. Uut ito : although every thing they now did appeared constrained and unnatural, yet the faction, eouHistinjr of, wo may say, Residuaries, and even Voiuntariet*, and we (picHtion if there be a genuine Free Church-man among tliem, art; regarded as the Synod's friends, and the whole Congregation bosiiled inuat liave their rights and liberties invaded. Seeing now it was impossible to finish their business, the Commission seemed disposed to wind up the matter the best way they could, and close the meeting. The place had been crowded, and many had stood at the door and windows who could not get in, but now there were not more than twenty or thirty present, the mass of the people having by this time retired in disj^ust. The few remaining became mipatient, and wished the opinion of the house to be le^sted by ii vote. Uut this the Commissioners had the policy to refuse, by adojiting in preference a counter-motion, which the loader of the faction made, and who seemed much afraid at tho proposal, being already greatly humbled and morti- fied. The meeting was closed, although nothing was done: imd here onded tliis extraordniaiy scene, the like of which Caledonia, and perhaps no other place, ever witnessed before ; and which few, if any, would ha\e anticipated from a Presbyterian court. It is hoped for the credit of the Ministry, for the honour of the Church, and for the glory of Christ, that such a transaction will never be witnessed hero or elsewhere again. O! if it could be prevented we would say, — "Tell it not in Gath, pub- ^ lish it not in the streets of Askelon, lest the daughters of iho Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph. Many remarks weie made about Dr. Burns, and his manner of con- ducting the meeting. When any of the faction spoke, ho was all atten- tion 5 but when any rose on the Congregation's side, he began to shuffle among his papers, anc' to seem to take no notice. It was was well re- marked tjjat he acted in the whole scene as judge, jury, and witness. He both put and answered the questions, lie listened indeed to the faction, but he paid little or no attention the people. H« was almost continually sjreaking himself, according to his well known foible ; and in this case he was evidently desirous of kili-ng time by speaking. At length the whole evening was spent, wilii'jii entering on the object for which the Commission was sent. *' '''!ie'» Ministers," it was said, " are excellent at special pleading, and \V( uld make capital lawyers." — ', ♦< Dr. Burns," it was remarked, ''was like an advocate who had the' wrong side of the case, but who, having got a good fee, was determined ii> opposition to all reason and justice, to gain the cause of his client." Certainly such proceedings were unworthy of Ministers, or of any man pretending to christian principle, or even what would bo considered honoutabie conduct by the world. With one of the best opportunities of giving an impulse to the interests of religion, and of infusing vigour into their Congregation in this place, it was not embraced, and they did all they could to bring discredit upon themselves, and expose the denom- ination to which they belong. Many congregations, like our own, which are greatly made up of United Presbyterians, may well take warning. [ from the overbearing; treatment which the Congregation here have re- ceived from this reckless Commission of the Presbyterian Synod, a nd * It is not denied that eome who subscribed the Address proved unfaithful— I. John, it 19 nOUSEOFUlSFlUENm ^^^^^^^^^^^^^.^ embassy to C'f ^" " 'V^^^^^^^^ in CakHlouiu, «''»^^' ^jX K°"'«'''^'' Aft«r tho «''^\^Xl Com. ssiou Ull tho Au«u-t "^""^V "\ ;'fi^^^Uton ou liual Recoi-a uppeuioU, wiw J , uutliofiiy to mcoi m or to meetut all i^ ^J^^/^J ,^,^ ,^,p,m.tcd ^^^^''^ ^^-Cfthey wer« here. irt. ,va« culled. Ihcy ^^i .,i,\i,,y hud ""^^" 'Ji^^^^'^e m to have been Calodo»ia Cougregauo j^^.^.^ ^,|,^.. But tftcy « jjjtioiml facta and wUicU could bo dono n ^^^ ^^^^ ^?1 'Sato t\ieir siniater alvaid to venture ^"Xcrn? which would tend t" ^^ f ='\\*;f/^^,nmi98ioa might bo l-oed;i^ou them, ^^^^^^^^^'J;^ there, by . purpose. Ihtv ;7" . jestiuo meotiuu a ll-i'^J^'"' L Popish than a y.ethor, arvdjje d ^^^^^^ J"t^f t^^n than nnv'^deliveranc «, an impious str«tcho l.o ^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^ ^''^'fion he v proceeded iu ' Protestant Court, lilv«r I H. ^^ could sanction, y^^P J(\,axt\, who n 'ill „\Srand especially of *°P™M»S-4iiU SnSlu' *-••• -",«™ *t 1;:. a MluUler of .heir Church. "•• This '-fi— ::;ssary.rere.heca.^-^^ timents aie uiatters ot p ^^.^^ ^^ ^"•"•« .IW-That the sentiments in ^"estion^ are, in J^ ^^ ^^^ «i Second y—ii^a*-, contrary to the 7°^^ "t-eir character and , the^ Commissioner ^^..,^^1^ pernicious, m their en r,fendency! jj ^^f ^^^^ Srr\'ur'?i^to''Xr^^ !' .. Thirdly-That Dr. ^^ Standards ot that Churcti be considered as adherin« has sworn allegiaiice.l; ^ ^ .^o jeclare, ^hat "r- ' < Caledonia, next Lora s uay , ^j^ ; of Canada. *T^tbey dare not quote t^em. ^,^ ^^^a. t What are tho sentimentB In q*^"^"; ' ^„^^ „„ ^legUnce to th> ^ „ MA 5» this BtBtement 1 . We "Wo™ „ b^ j^^ ^„, --^ r 2S CHRIST WOUNDED IN THE " They further appoint a copy of these minutes and iastructions to bo sent to Dr. F., duly subscribed by the Chairman and Clerk, in name of the whole Commissioners."* This deliverance, with accompanying mis-representations, wns indus- triously circul;ited,and acted on by the Commission and Presbytery, in all the Congrej^utioiis of our charge, and published in the Record, batore it was announced to ourselves.t When wo first heard of it we said in the words of our venoraleJ counexion, that illustrious martyr, the Rov. Jamen Guthrie of Stirling, when his sentence was announced to him — ^' May this deliverance never aftect the Commission more than it does us." * As soon PC tliia dcliverouce wan publicly known, the Kev. Tlioinas UickHon, a re8r»»''.t«. Me, honourably minclud, and conscioutious I'reucher of the Free Church, addressed '. letter to the Clerk of the Presbytery in whoso bounds he was, of which the following is t\e tenor— "To the Rev. J.W. Smith, (irafton. Dear .Sir. In common vyith the United Presbyterian Church 1 continue to hold '-that Christianity fhoulil be loft to maintain and propiigato itself in the world through the rnediii'Ti of the unrestrained exertions of those who belieye it, nccom- pnuied by the pracious intluenoes of the Holy Spirit, exactly in the same way as it did during ihe fir.^t three centurie!>, bcl'uro any civil establishment existeil." (Dr. McKorrow's history of the Secssion Churoh.) The decision of the Hynod's Committee in the case of Dr. Ferrier dehor.? nie froin continuinar in my present connexion. I therefore hereby withdraw from your communion, and decline taking any further appointments iij the Presbyterian Church of Canada. You will have the goodness to lay tUis letter before the Preshytery at your farliest convenience. 1 R^?muiu, Rev. Sir, Cobourg, 27th AugUFt, 1830. Your.^ faithfully, (Signed) THOMAS DICX30N." Mr, Dickson was sonn after this received into the United Prcbytorinn Church, in connexion with which he now labours with great acceptance and elficiuncy. lie is now under call to CaledoT., where a wide field of labour is presented, and whore,"through GoC'b ble 'nfj, he may bo tho instrument of good to many souls. It may be proper to mentioa that prior to this he had hesitation about continuing in tbo Free Church, into which it appears that, like ourselves, he had been I'dmitted taking exception to the clauses in the Confes.iion which gives unwarranted power to the civil inagistratc in matters of religion. Accordingly, he had addressed a lot» jr to the Synod at its meeting in June, 1$,50, which was reported there, but owing to coriciliatory persua.-iions, and hopes expressed by brethren, that t'le existing agitation on tlie question of the njagistn.te's power would soon be satisfactorily settled, ho deferi-ed actinj.- on it till the deliverance of tho Caledonia Commission was announced. The foUo" .j^ is a copy of the letter referred to : "To the Moderator and other members of'iie Synod of the Presbyterian Church of Canada, (« meet at Toronto on the 5th June, ISr J. RkvjCrend Fatiiehs and Bkethren, It is well known to many of the members of Synod, that I have been always strongly attached to the great principle of perfect rcliarious liberty. I need scarcely say tliat Ihava never concealed or compromised my principles in regard to this matter. Before receiving license I stated to the Presbytery v^f Kingston that I could not approve of those parts of the ■Westminster Confession of Faith, which seemed to me to teach jompulsory, or persecuting ■J. ': intolerant principles in religion. I then felt, and I now f jel more strongly than eyer, that my position in the Prcsbj lennn Church of Canada, is somewhut anomalous. 1 therefors beg leave, with the greatest deference, to state to your reverend body, that Ifeel conatrained, by the most solemn convictions of duty, to seek the renewal of ray connexion with a Church [viz., the United Presbyterian] where harmony will not be disturbed by the expression of my views. For these reasons, and others which might have been assigned, I hereby humbly request that you would be pleased to furnish me with a certificate, or stacenwDt of my •tanding in the Presbyterian Church of Canada. ' I nm, Rev. Fathers and Brethren, Faithfully yours, [SigncdJ THOMAS DICKSON." Toronto, C. W., 5th June, 1850, These docunaents are most hononrnble to thnir writer, and shewhinj to be, what all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance know, — a preacher of the Gospel of enliishtened viewa and sterling consuientiousness. ITiero are others in tho Presbyterian Church, holding th* same sentiinonts^ who would honour themselves and bonoui their Divine Master, by imitating this example. Christ has ol late been so grievously wounded in this House of His friends that It seems to he no saf'i or comfortable rosidence iWr the^e who, rejecting the anti-Christian doctrine of a eiril establishment of rcligii>n, would retain unsullied the Royal Prerogatives of Chrtst« ■ad the spiritual"" purity, and glory of His Kingdom. 1 W« exeulpats Dr. Sums here. He wrote a private letter annnuncins what wm i0M, which prMbab'." he intended should reach us before the Sabbath, bur wnieh did not .«rHt« till tho Wednesday following. E'jEfiiasite HOUSE OF HIS FKIENDS. 39 tail Dry ier am It appears from this deliverance that we are exelndcd from the Pres- Jiyterian Church entirely on account of certain published sentiments, "whicli are said to be contrary to the Word of God, and highly pernicious in their character and tendency. Now let it be noticed that neither tuis Commission, nor the Presbytery, nor the Synod, have ever pretended to specify what these sentiments are, and that, judging from the vague generalities in which they have ever wrapt up their meaning, they are no» able to point out one sentence or expression, published by us, whi'^h is not thoroughly sound and scriptural. We might well call upon then*, to quote our words, and to do it fairly ; but this they cannot do, or the •vtf'hole of enlightened Christendom would reprobate their conduct. We are thus c ndemned without being convicted, and without even knowing what it is, in our published sentiments, that this Church can possibly challenge. We simply hold Voluntary sentiments. They knew this when they received us. We an not diM'erent in any one sentiment now, and they have exceeded their ^prerogative, and stultilied themselves by excluding us from their Church for this. The Pn sbyterian Church would be stigmatized as unjust and tyrannical were they to acknowledge this to bo the ca.se, atid although it is nothing else, yet they try to mystify the matter by a multitude of words, and to make it supposed that wo hold pernicious errors. Some of their Ministers, in consequence, have been warning our people to beware c f permitting their affection to their Pastor to interfere with the Salvation of their souls. Really this is allow- ing fondness for the Establishment Principle to upset their judgment, and to pervert the best feelings of their hearts. We have ever been acknowledged as a thoroughly Evangelical Minister, seeking to know nothing save Jesus Christ and him crucified ; and it would be honourable for this Presbyterian Church, it would shelter it in some measure from the charge of wounding Christ in the house of His friends, to disclaim its sympathy with the Commission in such groundless accusations, and in the deliverance to which they have come. We defy every one of them to show that we ever published error on any one occasion, except it be an error to maintain that the Redeemer's Church is absolutely free and independent, and that the civil Magistrate has no right to interfere in his official < rapacity with its doctrines and administration. In the minutes which accompany the report of this deliverance there are several false statements, which nre not worthy of notice. But as immediately aiuv this deliverance copies of these minutes, in a printed circular, were industriously distributed throughout the difl'ercint Con- gregations and Stations of our charge, being the same report of the case . that is presented in the September number of the Ecclesiastical Record, it is necessary to make a few remarks. We can conceive of no good runson for dispersing these, but if it were from any desire to justify the Commission in their "strnnge act," it seems to us to have been the worst method of doing it. No document could have been brought befuru the public better iitted to condemn their procedure, and none more .; calculated to vindicate us and our Congregation. A passing view of its principal references, so f.ir as not already noticed, will throw odditional light on tho v-uole subject which it is the object of this Tract to , present. Tbe.Sftbbaru School Teachers are exhibited as disapproving of our > vnnttments. This is not true ; nor is it true that the Sabbath School "'''•achers gave in any paper. They had a paper but did not give it in, for the matter about the Sabbath School, like that on other Congre- gational points, was not taken up. If it had, the commissioners might .have been confo in Jed and ashamed at having been imposed upon by the insolence of those calling themselves Superintendent and Teachers of the Sa'obath School. These were the Faction, or their folio wsrs, who had 40 CHRIST WOUNDED IN THE seized the SHbbnth School Library, and in n profnne nnd disorderly manner had formed on oiiposition Sabbnlh School of thoir o'vn, whilst the regular Cougregntionul L''\bbath School was going nr. nnd flourishing. At the close of the next puvhjraph it is said that we could not give the persons concerned a place in our :\frections. This 13 not true. We nre icommaoded by Christ to 'Move our enemies and to bless them that curse us," and this we would wish to exemplify. We only said we would read a document at the instance of the CLmmission, but, as we could uot approve of its tenor, so we could not read it 'vith cordiality. The Comaiissioner'a "opinion thntthe main cause of difl'erence in the congregation was to be found in the publication of certain viewti of doctrine by us, and our subcoquent actings tliere-ah^^nt," was completely disproved, nnd their eagerness to hold this utter iaisehood, seems' to show their settled determination to dart upon us on account of our views on the civil magistrate's power in matters of religion. On the next paragraph, referring to a letter to the Commission in October 1849, it may be vema^Iied that that letter, which is inserted,* is plain enough, and r. quired no such explanation as was sought. It expresses no wish on our part to assert our views on the subject of differ- ence, for we are not in the practice of doing this even in private, and we have never done it in public. But as the Synod permitted the principles of the United Presbyterian Church to bo attacked and mis- represented (which we have never on any year been there without witnessing) we hold it as our right, if not our duty, to repel and expose all such uncharitable conduct. Was this not perfectly reasonable? And does it say much for a Church which needs thus to be kf pt in check, or which should think i^ mig'^be permitted to slander other denominations equally honourable with their own, without being called in question. Tbje next paragraph is true, and it is enough to condemn the Commis- sion, We joined this Church, and were inducted, avowedly holding the same views we have held for tliirty years. We could not certainly unite with tnem, as they know well, where they differ from the United Presbyterian Church on the power of the civil magistrate, and where we conscientiously believe they are in darkness and error — although, as we have always said, we do notregnrd their vit?ws of sufficient importance to divide the christian Church. To hold their principles as far as they are in unison with those of the United Presbyterian Church, is to go veiy far with them, as far as was satisfactory at the time, and should be •o still. The Commission seem to be at a loss for matter of accusation, when they bring in the Thanksgiving day appointed by the Governor, especially at the instance of the disturber of our congregational peace. The Congregation had held a Thankf^giving day, throughvirtUeof the Synod's appointment, on the very week before, and we then presided in the services ; but we never considered it our duty to obey civil rulers in spiritual things. The Governor might os well appoint us and oi|r Congregation to keep the Lord's Supper r.s to engage in Thanksgiving. If, in future, he will simply recommend, wo shall promptly respond.-i- The day in question was expressed as an appointment in the paper we read. Some of those who brought forward this matter had their Stores open all that day, and were known to be elsewhere giving orders to their workmen in prosecuting their usual labour. We were lieard, it is said, at great length on all the bearings of the case. This is not true. We were not restrained from spenkiny, but we sajd little, and scarcely a word on the bearings of the case ; for it was nevei* tak^u up. The main drift of the Commission being to criminate us, we prjs- Sea p. 20. HOUSE OF HIS FRIENDS. -41 ferredtu imitate our Divine Master, wlio, when by fulse wittiesfies, lie ";wa8 nccused of nmny thiugs, yet '• answered notliing." '' Tlie Commissioners were ail of one mind on every point*' So mtidh ihe more to their disgrace, that not one of them had candour and ..'spirit to dissent from sucli sinister proceedings, which .any nu(|i njut , Vlbt^'^i' debasing prejudice, and with but a spark of bonourdble dedisi^u, '. would have scorned to sanction. ' Next in the ciicular we have the quotation from the minutes of Preis- bytery in 1845 and 1846, referring; to our ndmistton into the Plesbj- terian Church, and our induction into our pastoral charge. The comnii's- ■ sion could not have taken a more elFectual method, than by these quotn- tions, to vindicate us, an J to expose and condemn the Presbytery ftiid themselves. It appears that the Presbytery at our admission, recorded •» their fbll satisfaction ^yitb our Theological views, and that though we dift'ei-i^d 'somewhat as to the duty of nations and governments in regard to tlie . support of tho Oospel, there was nothing in our opinion which Bhoijijd prever, our being admitted." Here, then, there is distinctly 'finent'jned the quintessence of tlie Voluntary Question, in which we differ from this Presbytery. We deny that it is rlie duty of nations ond governments to make u cunipulsory provision for the Ministers of Clirist, I'tecause this is the duty of the Church, anu not of the nation — that is we .■■tlissent,as we told them, from those parts of theConfession of Faith which would warrant this, and ofcoHrso as they well knew, from all the ciVil ■ interference with the Church which the sages allow to the Magistrate ; and as Dr Burns told the Synod in 1849, it only showed the ignol'nnte •of the IIcMulton Presbytery, if they did not know that tiiis involved the whole question between tho friends and opponents of the civil establish- jnents of religion. In nothing else did we differ, it it said, from thid Presbytery. It ought to have been said, in nothing else did we diiSer from the Westminster Standards. This was true then and is equally true «U11. Again • it appears, that the same Presbytery sooii afterv-ards lecorded ■ that there were '' satisffictory" answers obtained to the Formula. Now the Presbytery know, the Congregation know, and the Synod in thedr minute quoted in the circular allow, that we took exception to the usual formula on the second question, which requires an unqualified assent to the whole doctrine of the Confession of Faith, by saying distinctly in the hearing of the members o*' Presbytery, and of the whole Congregation, tnat we received tho Wet'tmiuster Standards as the Confession of our Faith, "excepting wlji^ie they taught, or might be supposed to teach, -.ompulsory and persecuting principieri in religion." And y^t, accord- . i. g to this minute, satisfactory answers were obtained from us. This is ti 'rfectly ccnclusive. The two minutes of Presbytery are sufficient to vindicate ns in preserving our consistency atthese times, and ever since, Iwith our o.iginal ordination vows ; and ihi'y expose and condemn tho Presbytery and this Commission, iu their laboured yet fuitless attempts to throw blame on us. These minutes are viumphan*. at once in vinui- which they are adduced to expose, nnd in exposing the Com- mission, which they i! re now brought forwatd to v Indicate. More might ' be said on this subject were it necessary. Bm now for tho Synod minute as quoted in the circular, ia which these Commissioners expre-s their entire concurrence.* \' ; We claim no latitude, as it supposes, in impugning great principles of any description that are agreeable to reason, and the word of Ood, and BO far t.s we know wo have never done this, and it is notorious that nei* • Bn P«g« 19, where it is giren in full. ,42 CHRIST WOUNDED IN THE fertile Synod nor.the Commission Imve ever siiown l)y any of our words or sentiments tiiut we htivo. But we claim every lalilude in declaring on nil pi'ope:' occasions the wliob counsel of God. It seems from this , ininute that the compulsory ninintenancc of a Gospel Ministry is n mo- , jiientousbenrlag of the great principle of national duty and responsibility. V^lxii, its otVier momentous bearings are we are not informed. But if jliey rank no higher than the one specified, if like this they have tHe characteristics ot injustice and oppression, the sooner they areimpugned nnd repudiated so much the better, God forbid that we should impuga any good thing entitled to the great epithet of momentous. We have call- ed for proof. The Syrodhave given none, we believe, because they can give none. We have no fear of being thus challenged by a portion of what may be considered enlightoned Christendom. As to theinterpre- tiition put upon our exception to the Confession, we have only to reniark, that we are not in the habit, like some interpreters of the Standards, of Buying o«?e thing and meaning another.* Wo meantonly what we said, /and the Presbytery had no riglit to understand it in any other way, — That we receive these documents, excepting where they teach or may be suppQsed to (each, compulsory and persecuting principles in ,'religioa. "",''.7,7,,,;. I lu the preamble to the i iolution the Commission refer, the second time, to the letter we of date 9tli August. It is strong, indeed, but not more so than circu.,ibtapces warranted. Those Who h'sard ,it before it was sent, and liad witnessed the unparallelled scene of jnjustice which it describes, declared it to be a faithful representation. Tne following is a copy : — To the Rev. Dr. IJurns, Toronto. My Dear Sir :^ — Although L saw the notice iu the Record of the meet- ing to which you refer, I did not mean to attend it, as I was not aware of having any, pergonal case, as is tlieEo stated, the Commission being ap- pointed foivthu Congreiiiition. By your saying that a few lines from mo will serve nearly the same purport! as my bein<5 forward, I infer that my presence is not leeessary, and }jerhap8 not wi.shed.f It would bo we'x that the Commissipn had taken a deliberate view before speaking ot taking •< a deliberate re-view of the whole matter.'* For whatever may bo their opinion as to w.';;.t passed at Caledonia, it is viewed by all the serious and conscientous among us, as one of the most disgraceful proceeding'* in which any Commission could engage, who acted in the name, of Christ; it is considered a.« a gross violation of all justice, and a perfect burlesque on all religion. With one of the best opportunities^of vindicating an injured Session, and an uisulted Congre- gation, and tliereby giving an impulse to the interests of religion iu this place, for a generation, you trampled upon, and were :eady ito sacrifice^ tiie rights of a (>hri»tian people, as firmly united to each other and to their Minister as any Congregation in the whole Church, and this only to gratify the pride, spleen, and malice, of a mere worldling, who, tvithall his hypocritical: and decHitlul etibrts to injure us, has been able to mus- ter but twenty, names of his own dependents and friends, against hun- dreds who would steadily adhere to you, and not a few of whom have fiuffeiedfor consci« ice sake, in siippdrt of your principles. You shame- fully overlooked fa^ts which were brought foiward, and would not listen to Others as startling, which the people were ready to adduce, and you grasped at the falselioods of the whole case, by which the Presbytery . and yourselvds have been hoodwinked. I speak not of myself, although rtone could have desired to preserve good brotherhood more etaCredly* ' ' * f**i9 p. p. lA. fWftiot K'fito. t See copy of ihe Utter to which this ia a reply in Note Tnge 50. HOUSE OF HIS FRIENDS. 43 nince the subject of dilierence with the Synod has never once been hint- ed at either in public or in private, and forms no part of ministerial intercourse, although the contrary has beeji j^raluitousiy supposed. But ■ it may not be amiss to hint, in particular, thai the idea by which the Presbytery and you have been so easily, yet so e^nej^ioasJy duped, cf this stir having arisen out of dealings with mo about the Headship of Christ, as il' our faction wore concerned about this, appears to us as one of the most solemn pieces of mockeiy and ridicule that can well be con- ceived, estpecially as the solitary disturber of our Congregational peace, is not supposed by the public here either to know or care any thin, about the doctrine of Christ's Headship, but Is believed, as has b quaintly, yet perhaps justly rernrtrked, by oiip of your friends ii Hamilton, to be seeking not Chrisk's Headship at all, but his own being ambitious only to lord over and oppress thi^s pc^tion of God heritage. ,. r request, in tlic namo of my Session and Congregation, a ■copy of the minute of your meeting hero, and a copy of your minute of the cbntem> plated meeting in Hauiiitou. We wish to know exactly how things stand, for this is a matter on ^vhich, if necessary, a strong remonstrance will be made, and which, if not brought to a speedy and honourable con- clusion, must become a stigma on the Synody ou represent, and an indel- ible stain on your section of the Presbyterian Church, I am, my Dear Sik, Vours faithfully, A. F. Caleio-Via, 9th August, 1850, This letter is said to indicate defiance of all Prcsbytcrial order and control. There was nothing of the kind meant ; and it is easy to put constructions on letters and other documents to serve a purpose, especi- ally in seeking to escape from diliioulty and blame. The letter is strong, indeed, but it is an unvaniiaheil, and, after all, a very imperfect description of Avhat hap,,v;/ic'd ; and all who witnessed the meeting of the Commission at CakHloiha, aiitl their actings there, if perhaps we except the faction, will attest us truth. We wish we had a copy of the letter sent to this Commission by the two individuals referred to in their report, as it would seive further to show the state and feelings of the Congregation; but a copy was not preserved by its authors. There was, however, a third letter forwarded, being addressed to Dr. Burns, which, by some mistake, there is reason to thmk did not reach him. But in order to show that the views pre- sented by us are no exaggerated description, it is entitled to a place here. It was written by a professional gentleman, who has the best opportu- nities of knowing the mind of the people, and is well able to form an accurate judgmeut of what has passed among us. The tenor of this letter is as follows : — Calkdonia, l2th August, 1850, Rkv. Sir, — Your late visit to Ciiledonia must have convinced you tbnt thft private and ex fctrte statements of individuals, however respectable may lead to very wrong conclusions, and I have no doubt that you, and every member of Commission, will in future rocmve similar testimony cum grano snlis. You must now be satisfied that the members of this Congregiition, who support and sustain their Pastor against the .irtachiDations of a party among them, are not a set of ignorant and simple Minded men, led by a Baptist and an Episcopalian. You must be con- vinced ihat the celebrated resolutions, of a certain individual, wer« not unanimously adopted by the CongregHtion, but on the contrary wers mmnimously dipnpprovcdof. You must b«» sfttiaued that the fnctioB,aot- '44 CHRIST WOUNDED IN THE e.li withstanding their great influence, could only muster twenty odd naiiie» whilst the liiiptiAjt uud E])iticopuliuii ;>>>.: cy had enrolled three hundred atid fifty. No doubt you were tujually surprised and i)ained to find your pre- conceived opinions so signally at iiiult in many other particulars, which it will not now bo necessary tu enunierato. I shall therefore at ouce proceed to intbr:;: you of a few facts, whicli I think it is of some importance thot you should bo made aware of, and which I am sorry to Bay are not very cumplimentary to yourself. In the fust place you aro considered by the people here to have been the last member of Synod who should have been appointed to the Commission, and in our judgment you jhoald have declined. No decision given by you can curry any moral weight here, as it is well known that, on a former occasion, you wer^ u 'principal in a controversy in which our Minister had some participation, And we have intelligence among us to be satisfied that the judgment delivered, let it be what it may, will dilfer materially from that given by the public in the controversy alluded to. Wo consider, from the little pains taken to elict the truth by the Presbytery of Hamilton, from their evident, and ill concealed prejudice against Dr. F., that we have not the slightest shadow of a chance of obtaining a righteous decision, or a fair hearing from the Comnussion ns constituted. We would wish you ' and the other members of Commission, distinctly to understand that we are a united and pi'osperous congregation, who love and esteem our Pastor, who has gained golden opinions from the community at large by his luild and christian deportment, and by the firm stand he has lately taken against a faction who have signally failed in their intentions of sowing the seed of discord among his people. We also tell you, that after your' signal failure in obtaining such testimony against Dr. F., as you were too Bure of obtaining, previous to coming here, it would be in vain for you to ciome again on the same errand. Take Dr. F., up at once on thqse points in which you differ. Try him, and expel him from your body and a great majority of us will be obliged to you for so doing. But do ^ot expect hereto obtain anything to justify such a high-handed proceeding in the eyes of the religious community. No Sir, we aire well aware that yoiK expected to fmd sufllicient matter of accusation against Dr. F.,.to justify you in removing him frop' his charge here, without falling back upon the Tower of JJabel. You have signally failed in your expectations and as far as my opinion is concerned, and that of those with whom I have conversed, the Tower of Babel is your last resort. From your extraordinary proceedings, it was obvious to every person who listened to you, that the cause had been decided before you en me here, which was made the raoi'o apparent by your invariable attempts to make it appear* that discord arose with the publication of the Tower of Babel. Thid we emphatically deny ; and the Faction signally fiiiled in their attempts to prove it true. For months after its appearance none of the Congre- gation absented themselves from ordinances, but on the contrary the Congregation has continued since then, as before, steadily to increase ; and even now, with the exception of the faction whom it was evident you delighted to lionour, it continues united, as heretofore, in supporting, k)ving, and esteeming their Minister, as a fui:.hful and zealous servant of the Redeemer. We hurl back with scorn the foul insinuation of the Com- missiou, as to the motive which influenced some of Dr. F's. friends. — They are worthy of the individual with whom they originated, aud they have signally failed in the eii'ect intended. ;. We have thus far, in an honest and straight-forward manner, charnc- terised proceedings unpreredented in the annals of justice, not to mention the annals of the Church. And, Rev. Sir, if t>^ v language is such as you are qotia the habit of hearing, it is nevertheless true. You must hear it, and io another shape it will be heard from Gaspo to Sandwicb* ojtxi it HOUSE OF HIS FRIENDS. 45 mny be farther. Why have the Presbytery, why have the Commission listened to ex parte statements ? But iibove all, why have they acted upon these statements ns if they were liierally true? And why have you unmindful of your sacred office, ns a Judge in Israel, expressed astonish^* inent when contradictory and true srutemonts were told j'ou on a lBt«» occasion in Hamilton ? How much more in harmony with justice would it have been, had you taken the trouble to have privately lieard the other side of the question, previous to meethig parties in public, or better still, tp^. have shut your earstti what had been proven in your hearing to be utterly without foundation 1 Are there not such things in the world as wounded self-esteem, and over-weaning pride, combined with arrogance, repelling by their offensive prominonte in some the food on whiv'; they delight — the flattery and applause of men ? Might not some of the above amiable^ qualities, in full bloom, have something to do with the origin of strife jn H peaceful community ? Yes, Sir, in the above category is to be found the root of bitterness — not in Babel. W. McP. On the three final resolutions in which tlie deliverance of the Commis* eion is contained, we have already commented. We have only to notice the parngriiph respecting the opening of th* New Church. By this arrangement the Commission became guilty of an act of deliberate and shameful ccclosinstical robbeiy, of which, in less glar- ing form, their Church have often been heard loudly nccusing cthere.* It should be known in this case as a warning to congregations like our own, made up of Presbyterians of every name, to beware of deeding their Cotigregntional property to the Presbyterian Church of Canada. For the time mr.y ouo:: cfi'iie to them, as it has come to us, when they shall bitterly regret such folly, and sufi'er. as the result of it. All the subscrip- tions for our Church were given for a Presbyterian Church, which, although to be occupied by a congregation in this connexion, was not necessarily to be permanently connected with it, but would go with the majority in case of a division. But our Faction-leader, advised, it is be- lieved, by some Ministers zealous for the model-trust-deed scheme, which vfB have been always opposed to, of investing all property to the Synod, ort exclusive principles, got the congregation, on a sudden, without know- ing what they were about, to agree to a change of tii's original arrange- ment, whereby they bound their property to the Synod, and now twenty individuals, and these mostly the censure-deserving faction, carry the Church against all the rest ; and observe, that in our case the peaceable majority liave paid for a ('hurch which they have never occupied and which the Commissioners of Synod unjustly, ungenerously, and reck- Icisdly give to the unworthy few, in opposition to the orderly and consci- entious mnjority. This is a species of ecclesiastical robbery which shotild brand with infamy nil who act in it, for which the supremp <,'ourt ernploying such a commission are bound in honour to make reparation, ntod from which every member of Synod should dissent, who does not Wish to be charged with that from which even heathens vindicated the first ministers of Christianity, (Acts xix, 37.) The preceding arbitrary, unjust, and tyrannical deliverance, affecting otir relation to the Presb yterian Church of Canada, waa concluded by a * Not later than in the R'?cord for AngU't 1850, we hnve the follo\ving notice. "PfcKdEctJTroN. — The adherents ot the •Scottish Eatablishment have driven the Rer. Mr. • M9Vroet of Manchester, (England) and his Congregation, from their Church, which they had built at n cost of about ifiOOO. The prosecutors :n this case had not contributed £57 totJitehuHding which they hove seized, and number only bIx communicants. Mr. M.'s Con- gregation, when driven out, amounted to 550. They are now upwords of 600 communi- cants, worshipping in the Mechanics' Iniititute. How monstrous, how unhallowed the injus- tlceof exactinffsuch a riacriflco I" ■Triie Free Church of Canada should scarcely expose others for what they do themselves. Tho scale jnay be smaller, but the principle in the same. If the case noted was persecution, which we do not deny, they are themselves, by their Commission, in the case of Caledohia, tnoatvtDlent and cruel persecutors. \ / 1. / 46 ClilllST WOUNDED IN THE Commission which had given evidence of utter incapneity for the bUfV-' neas assigned them, nnd which, suiting that business aside, proceeded in their mad career to thin abrupt and unwarranted issue — disgraceful onlj' to themselvea, and of which tlieir own constituents, when they review the matter, must necobsarily bo ashamed. Was it ever heard of* tliRt when disappointed by finding it not true that there was serious division in the congregation, a Commission appointed to enquire into thiH, instead of rejoicing to (ind out their mistake^ and at finding it unne- cessary to do more than bring the disturbers of tlie Congregation's peace to due subjection and order, should take it upon tliemsolves, in oppoaitiott to all reason, justice, and religion, to pr^end to vindicate the guilty ring- leaders of misciiief at the expenan of llio peacofii! congregation, and besides, should take up ground already abandoned by their constituents, and at all events not assigned to them, as an excuse for a deliveranco' affecting the minister, which although evidently the object of their ambi- . tion, waa not within the limits of their Commission, and which, suppos. . ing it had, was done in a manner not only incapable of satisfactory explanation, but desei-ving of universal execration ? Was it ever known that a Commission of scarcely a quorum of incompetent and partial judges, should cut off a Minister from their connexion for alleged errors on the civil magistrate's powers, which th^iir Synod had passed over after sufTicient opportunity of judging, nnd evon do this without specifying; in any one particular, the language in which the alleged errors were expressed — when the Minister himself, nnd the whole Christian publio are unable to conjecture what is meant, and when these Commissioners; cannot give visible sha{5e to the grounds of their outrageous deliverance 7 The deliverance is indeed of little consequence except as it affects them- selves and the Church for which they acted. To them alone can it be injurious. To many it is the cause of rejoicing. As for us, though we sought it not, yet we simn it not ; though we did nothing, so far as is known, to bring it on, yet it is a consummation no way unpleasant, but the reverse. It elevates our standing by freeing us from the trammels of a Church still incapable of enjoying the liberty wherewith Chi-ist ha0> uiac*e them free, nnd by preparing us for ro-inining a Church venerable by age nnd experience, whitih has been signally distinguiahed' for purity of doctrine and faithfulness and efficiency in administration, nnd which probably approaches neo-er than any other to the apostolic model. It is thus like the opening of Babylon's gates to enahle the i captives of Slon, with joy and gladness, to return. . " Upiight men shall bo astonied at this." For the deliveitmce of the Commission is one in support of which no specific reason has been given ; and for which it is believed no just and competent cause can be' assigned. The whole matter was in our being a Scriptural Voluntary,- which they knew we always were, nnd always plainly acknowledged ourselves to be ; holding, as we conscientiously do, and have always done , the very principles which are held by the whole United Presbyteria»» Church, not only here, but in Scotland, nnd in all parts of the world where' it is planted, and the principles too of all American Presbyterians, and uf almost nil evangelical denominations throughout the world; and tov shelter themselves from the reproach of enlightened Christendom, they pretend, with consummate arrogance, to find these wholesome principles contrary to the Standards, and evento the Scriptures; and by digressiTflT' words they vainly attempt to make them appear very diflferent from what they are. But let the plain and simple language in which they are couched be duly estimated and they will appear, notwithstanding all that has been said and done, to be the very doctrines of Jesus Christ, by* refusing which he is wounded in the houseof His friends. In short nothing alleged against us can be proved by them* ThejE HOUSE OF HIS FRIENDS. il tidvef nttempt a proof. Thoy keep by diuk myslicnl insinuntion*, for which there is iio fouinli'ition, but they will not condescend to specify. Tlie Popisli bulwark of kenpiiii; the pooplo in ignorunce is tlielv bv t Bepurity. but it ia one which ciinuot jirotoct thoni long. They indeed state some things, not in our laiigungo but in thc-ir own, us alleged to be held by us, all of which, howpvor, wo deny. They, tfil, in the tvny that best suits their purposo. wliat thpy pretend our errors are, but tte deny tliem nil, and miiintiiin tliut wo do not lioM fhono errors. Our sentiments are all published on llio points of diflerence. It should certainly be expected that irtiptritial and ngliteous judges should pfesent these errors in our own words. Ijiit this) the}' never venture to do. This they cunnot do. Not one of them is ahlo at this niomeb't to shew that we hold any sentiment contrary to the Bible, or even contrary to the Standards when properly understood. They speak of the Headship of Christ as held by us; but were they to report whnt'^e say on that subject in niiv own words, they would be obliged to admit, ftt any rate tho public would soe, that our views, and not theirs, are in precise accordance with the Standards, and with the Scriptures. — The fact is, that our exclusion by this Commission is, so far as they ' can make it, the exclusion of tlio whole Presbyterian Church of Canada from all practical allianco with enlii^litoned Chrislendoui. It ia the concession by themselves, that they and their Churdi, so far as it Sihall sanction such a deliverance, are nunuw and exclusive in their policy, and in the strongebt sense — n Sectarian Church. It is as an attempt to uncliurcli Christendom, whilst it only unchurches themselves. Itia an arrogant assumption, in w)>ich none can second them, that they alQne «• are the people, and that wisdom shall dio with them.'' In tlie present sUito of the Christian world, when the evils of Eatab- lisliments'*' are so extensivety discovered, iuid when these, where tliey exist, are tottering to their fall, it appears most unreasonable and foolish to be contending for tho principle, for if the practice be wrong, so must be the principle. One would almost fear that there is in the Free Church still, "a longing, lingering look" for ondov«^ments, a hope that the time may come when they, if not exclubiv?Iy, yet with equal patrona$;e shall enjoy the Government aid in tho support of their ministry. On any other supposition wo can liardly account for the maV<7eIlous tenacity with which they adhere to this their favourite principle. Entering this Church as wo did wi'.Ii all the views wo ever had, and still entertain, on the subject of the Magistrate's power as limited by the nature of his ofiico to things civil, and as having no official diities td perform towards the Church, being not only tolerated, but welcomed by the brethren on our own principles, we certainly cannot but look npon ~ all the petty eklrmishinjf they have exhibited on this subject as a wast- ing of their ammunition in vain. It sliould surely not be considei^ed wonderful that they could make no impression on our understanding, and that their endeavours, whether by flattoiy or menace, could no wty alter our course. Accustomed as wo have been to think differently, and perhaps to attach different meaning to the same words and phrases, born and reared in the atmosphere of Ecclesiastical freedom, is it surprising that their arguments seesn fallacious, their reasonings inconclusive, their inferences illegitimate, and tlieir eloquence powerless, in working con- viction ? It had been better that they had employed tlieir time, and turned iheh* energies on some more liopeful subject. How deeply * It has lieen justly said thnt the ElctaWinhment Principle, pregnant with so tnsny evQ*, te , tlmt which has kept the Roman Catholic Church united for Twelve Hundred «nd .Sixty . vears; and that it is the very same nnti-Christian principle which keeps Evnugelical Pre*- bytflrians from nnitinij with each other, iu our own day. O, when will this enuumitg rpofc i of Popery cease to be the instrument nia, could not fail to mark the contrast between the Presbytery by which they were now received, and the Courts from which they have been excluded. It was like the unrufHed calm after the furious tem- pest. From being treated with harshness, injustice and disrespect, by those from whom they had sought and had' a right to. expect, to be protected and vindicated, they now found an honourable Court which would take no advantage of thaothers, but weighed the whole matter with scrutiny, with impiutinlity, and with nfTecironnte wisdom, and after a thorough and patient invesiigntion, gave it ns theii' deliberate and unani- mous voice, that wo should be cordinllj admitted. The United Prosbyterinn Congregntion of Caledonia and vicinities is now our designation: and we shall never forget the overpowering emo- tion of delight we fait when our beloved Commissioners, after being kindly recogniKed by this Presbytery, spontaneously turned to their Minister and affectionately congratnlnted him on - being restored to the Church of his fathers and of his fathers' fathers. The United PresbyterianCongregationnt Caledonialiave now to express their gratitude to those gentlemen and friends in the neighbourhood and elsewhere, who liave^ by spontnneous ofi'ers of sites, pnd materials, and money, put it in their power to proceed, without delayi to the erection of a commndiuus place of worship ; iii the progress and completion of which they are liopeful Ihnt, from- the peculiar circumstances in which they are placed, ns they will require, so will they obtain the countenance and aid of Chvistiim friends. . Tliey rejoice in their deliverance fi'om trouble and from troublers, and whilst they would bear no grudge to those whb have fdrsakeu them, but would rnther rejoice in their epiritunK welfare, they' trnst that being now blessed with the enjoyment of perfect tranquillity air'.v i'r; . .(;il:;Ki,r',.ui J,. ROBERT BURNS, .•ni^-.-nT: '!. /. ■i'> U-ii,y • 1 ' " ■ ,; •...-r., -•I' ;.■> v< '^ii tyt;, oii." k; ■" ■1 ••fmmmiF^mtv 'S \W nil UMi^ « Tw-r- ■^V" APPENDIX. It i« onr intention in a short Appendix to dixabnae n portion o? the public no Church ns yet; but there our nanus have been strengthened by the iMidxpected tind seasonable be- auest, already known to many, of the late p&motic and liberal Rinded >avid Thompson, Bsq M.P.P., who has giVb'tfbs (Hfe elegant place of wor- ship recentlyereoted by himself in Indiana, VtlifeU iu4iononr ot the lamented donor is called— -Thompson 'Church, and which isJbrthwith to be occupied by our members and adherents, in and around llflH|^ce, who. have been already organized by the Presbytery into a distMHHnnregation with £n& couragins prospects of success. /'^Verily the limHp^^lioiie ^reat things /or us, whereof we ai'e glads wr 62 APPENDIX Dr Burna' " restless iron toiigus " is out upon us once more in the March Becord. He seonis to be incapable of speaking or writing anything on this subject that is true. For the present wo leave him t.» others wlio may per- haps animoilyert o^i spm^ of his statements. When he comes forward in a discreet and candid manner, although he may be as much under mistake as in the p^per referred to, we may think of answering him. Under his pres. eut delusions it would be wiser for hiui to look to his own concerns, and let ours ainne. By making fonlish and causeless oqgreBsiiins, abroad, he may endanger the peace and safety of his own citadel, and may. require on ,| sudden to be re-called, — like Saul on oup occasion in tlio pursuit of David when »i messenger came to him saying, "Haste ihuc, and come for tbe'. Philistines have invaded the land." On the whole wo would (jay thut the positioii of tlie Free Church, in this Country, in iheir rigid adherence to the Staijlard^. where the Standards tc'ich intolerant and persecuting [U'inciples, is one on wliich it is impossible . they can long continue; aiiii the sooner they renounce it the better for them- selves. After all it is not u reaJ but n nominal alherouce that they make; and as soon as a few ministers of cool and deliberale judgment, free from the . prejudices of eii,ii:id, of party, and of sterling rectitude and honour, Avitii siiTiicieiit (irniness* bohlgess, and £nt(.'r[)ri.#Vch feelings of celestial joy, to> " uook upon Ziim the city of KiW: our eyes pdinll see Jerusalem a quiet habiiati'tu, n taber* _^--,' th&^ibiiH not be tak;jii down, «ot one.of the stakes thereof shall ever be 'Tf((ibveA, i^ither shall any of the curds thereof be broken." >U'i»t • ERRATA. (From the hurry of the Press and the absenca of the Author, the fpUowing have opciirred, which the reader will pleose to ccr.ect.) — — 0- — - Page 4, line 8, for, "TiDuJur^ble," read •' iticurable." — — 13, — 1 of Note, foi:,<* pQssibly," read " principle." 15, — H,from foot of NotQ< insert "besides," after "because." 30, — 20, for « reawfiably," read " reasonable." - — 33, — 26, from foot-of foot Note, for •♦in all its acts," read " all its nets.*' -rrr? 36, — 16 and Id, from foblt> for « without, entering on the^object ' for which the Commisiin was sent," read *< whilst the Commissiptii had never entered on the object for which they wej*#ejBl." — — 40, — 10, for " Coajiniwiioner'si" read "Commissioners'." _ 40, _ fool Nqt«*,fcf,*« p. 20 • read " p.p. 21, 22." 41, — 1 , for " oDpbOt'V read "opinions." -— - 41, — 2^, for "tfi^eifin.^' read " these passages." -c- 44, — 17, for "«Ucli^*gfad ••elicit." .•*, . i - ,^ 1 TTT?T3^W .. ....,;: X .•^-- ^»' .,.-,„.',.ii»f*i3 mHJc- ff *■ T!.r ZuH '^^ i^cla'■^;'^ f-l'^'l y^^. f« j . , w ». „^X-v.J; :.r-' ?! . .;*:■■ m- fc''^'**.# r \'v L-.jKM|^ira»MW?» us-f.^iA^jiM)^, y/> f ^m WORKS PUBLISHED BY THE SAME AUTHOR. MEMOTRSof tlie PtEV. WILLIAM WILSON, A. M , Perth, ScotlatuI ; OiK' ol'tlns "Fduc IJr(ttliieii." the FuU'idor.s of llio Secession Cliuvoli, nni' Pro/essor ol"Tlit'olo