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Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction rstioa. Thoae too large to ba entirely included in one expoaure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand comer, left to right and top to bottom, aa many framea aa required. The following diagrams illuatrata the method: Laa cartes, planchas. tableaux, etc., pauvent dtre fllmte & dea taux de rMuction diffirants. Lorsque la document est trop grand pour itre reproduit en un saul clichi. ii est fVmi i partir da i'angia supArieur gauche, de gauche i droita. et de itaut en baa. en prenant le nombre d'Images niceaaaire. lies diagrammes suivants illuatrent la m^thoda. ta ure. ] 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 ■«£9«*ii'3S \^v4 TheG of religi in the > 18S6; a the obje objects Rule of Societj' the Pres Academ vours to settler*" i plying tl of libera] Jt thu; which th voted; I interests medium and, nex fusion o means of the Soci brought public, tl that, in t ■&<^m "^ REPORT. J HE Glasgow Society for promoting the interests of religion and liberal education among the settlers in the North American Provinces, was formed in 18S6; and the designation of the Society suggests the objects contemplated in its formation. These objects are distinctly mentioned in the following Rule of "^he Society: " The general objects of the Society' shall be, to assist the Missionary labours of the Presbyterian Church in Nova Scotia, and the Academical Institution of Pictou, in their endea- vours to promote the best interests of the British settler*" in the North American Provinces, by sup* plying them with native preachers^ and the means of liberal and religious instruction," J j^< i' Jt thus appears, that the objects to the support of which the humble efforts of this Institution are de- voted; are, first, the promotion of the religious interests of the American Colonies, through the medium of the Presbyterian Church of Nova Scotia j and, next, as closely connected with these, the lif- fusion of the blessings of liberal education, by means of the Academical Institution at Pictou. As the Society is in its infancy, and has not yet brought its claims in any written form before the public, the Committee presume it will: be expected, thiit^ in this Report, these claims should be clearly A I 9^mmm'i! mtmmism » g^t^ ^^»m , ^ 4 stated. In presenting this statement, in the most succincf. manner they can, your Committee shall advert to the two objects referred to, in the order in which they have been mentioned. I. The Provinces of Nova Scotia and New Bruns- wick, including the Islands of Prince Edward and Cape Breton, contain a population of nearly 300,000 souls, of which about 145,000 belong to Nova Scotia. With the exception of a few aboriginal Indians, who still remain like many of their unfor- tunate brethren in the American States, in a con- dition of barbarism; and some descendents of those French settlers, who possessed Nova Scotia before it fell under the dominion of Britain, the inhabit- ants of these districts are nearly all of British origin ; and many of the existing generation are natives of this empire, who have more recently or remotely emigrated thither. In Pictou, Sidney, and Cape Breton, districts in the goverment of Nova Scotia, the popula^'on is chiefly Scotch. And it may be remarked o£ these Colonies in general, that whether we consider their extensive dimensions, Nova Scotia alone being about 300 miles in length, by about 100 in breadth, New-Brunswick being still larger, and the Islands mentioned, of very consi- derable extent— or their susceptibility of cultiva- tion, a great proportion of the uncultivated districts being as capable of improvement, as those which are already cleared— or the rapidity with which their numbers are increasing, and may be expected still to increase, we see in them akeady the founda- » y I 5 tions of a great and powerful State, which may one day rival in numbers, in opulence, and in strength, the country from which it originated, and may prove ultimately, either the means of great tempo- ral advantages, or a mighty engine of evil to Great Britain. Of what importance must it be to watch over the interests of this community, connected with us, as it is, by so many ties; and to secure to it in its infancy the blessings of religion and educa- tion, by the lasting influence of which its future character may be determined. The differences of religious sentiment which are found in the parent country, have been imported, as was to be expected, into the Colonies. According to the most authentic accounts which the Committee possess, the religious parties in the province of Nova Scotia are the Episcopalians, who, although a small sect in that quarter, amounting to not mo»- j than 26,000 souls, are endowed with all the privileges cf an exclusive civil establishment— The Presbyte- rians, amounting to about 45,000— the Baptists to about 22,000— the Wesleyan Methodists to about 11,000— and, we regret to add, the Roman Catho- lics, who still number about 23,000. It is now 60 years since the fir^t Presbyterian Mi- nister appeared as a Missionary in Nova Scotia. He was soon after, however, joined by others; and from that period, at least 30 have been sent from this country, or have gone out of their ov ^ accord. A few of these belonged to the Church of Scotland; but the greater proportion by far were from the two bodies of the Secession Church, now united. The privations to which the earlier labourers in this field were subjected-the complicated and formid abIe^d,fficuWes with which they had long to s™!' dUy. and ardent benevolence, which, under the sun portmg .nfluence of Divine Grace,' sustain dthX wMe ;. '"''"'""' "'^'■' '^•«'"" ■■" ">at remote ^ derness. are greatly unknown in this coun"^! iNova bcotia, and have earned for them the .rJti tude, not of these settlers onlv but nfZljJ' ;;■ ">- country, by whom they Urel jo ^d P '' the exertions of those devof/,1 ™ ™"»'0"ed. Py were gradually formTd orrpreZ:^^^^^ Presbyteries were established; anla^ enl™„ ,t ' strongly dTctateS and T f *''"'' '^-'^""'^''•"ces ^astinfbiesitt £ ^:::^:^^r ' ono^the^hreeP^sbyterianLILwIo: n'rvl" wofiat^prh^sTrri^^^^^^^^ a^^Thr/r'^'^r^''"''--'' was'estabbs ^dty *"S ^uinisters to vacant chnrrliAe. *k« known difference, of sentimenuro^Sl^"!" ^ ThewhoI^SesbS;^^^^^^^^^^^^ doctrine, worship"^ gove^Sl^^t^^^^^^^ lescedinto one chLT C^Ih th^ T""""' "'"'• "uicn, with the single exception I if* HP formid- o strug- intrepi- he sup- ;d their remote >untry; ing in ^rati- 'iiends I. Py atior/s lodel 5 in the on, a ances ove a 5 uni- Vova t the hich isted ihy sted ent- no ters an- Se- 3re. • r in oa- ion of one Presbyterian Minister and congregation, the terms of the constitution of that congregation forbid- ding its union with any other body of Christians what- ever. Its pastor., however, expressed and retained cordial good-will to the United Presbyterian Church, and continued in habits of Christian intercourse and friendship with many of its Ministers and members. Even prior to this union, the Presbyterian Churches in Nova Scotia were essentially mission- ary. The pastoral labours of a Minister were not long limited to his own congregation; and sometimes singly, sometimes in company, Ministers went spon- taneously, or were formally sent by Presbyteries, on itineratuig tours, more or less extensive; and wherevex they went, they were cordially welcomed, and t'leir labours highly valued by the forlorn set- tlers, many of whom looked back with regrets and tears to the privileges they had left behind them in their native land. Missionary exertions now form a very leading object in the meetings of the Presbyterian Synod of Nova Scotia. They appoint a Committee for this object, denominated the Committee of Mis- sions — they raise funds by individual or congrega- tional contributions — they send probationers to the most necessitoua places — when, as happens now, they are in want of probationers, they apply to this country for a supply, and, in the mean time, m'ssion such of their own Ministers as can, with least injury to their congregations, leave them for a season. The Synod of Nova Scotia seem to feel strongly the importance of their situation — are alive to the loud call addressed to them by the destitute cir- !ir cumstauccs of many of their countrymen around — and seem eager to accomplish by contribution and exertion, the more extended evangelization of their country, and its wide vicinity. Beside interesting private letters, ynur Commit- tee have an official communication from the Com- mittee of Missions ; and a long and very interest- ing Journal from a pious and enterprising young Minister, full, apparently, of the ardour and zeal of a Christian missionary. The Committee express themselves thus: — i The Presbyterian Church was originally planted in Nova Scotia, by ministers of the Church of Scotland, and of the ditfer- ent branches of the Secession. But though these clergymen harmonized in their doctrinal sentiments, they long maintained sepai ate communions. Finding, however, that such a state of things marred their comfort, and enfeebled their exertions, they, about ten years ago, formed themselves, with the cordial concur- rence of their people, into one body, represented by a Synod, , and assumed the name of The PRKsnvTERiAN Church of Nova Scotia. In this union all the Presbyterian clergymen at that time resident in those Provinces, with one exception, vere com- prehended. The United Church was divided into thi-ee Presby- teries, to which a fourth has since been added. The Synod \v ere, from the first, anxiously concerned to spread the knowledge of religion in settlements which had never, or but very partially enjoyed the dispensation of gospel-ordinances. Many such settlements there Avere, and still are, in these Pro- vinces: and the population are, in general, disposed to give a hearing to the gospel when it comes within their reach, and to contribute also, Ibss or more to the support of those who preach it. And in a number of such places, could frequent opportunities of hearing the gospel be afforded them, congregations would, in all probability, be in a short time formed, able and willing to se- cure to themselves the permanent enjoyment of an evangelical ministry. Missions, therefore, have been frequently appointed, I 9 in different directions; and the labours of the Missionaries have beea highly prized, and a renewed enjoyment of Missionary la- bours eaniestly solicited. But having none to mission but settled Ministers who could not be much, or often absent from their own congregations, the system of itinerating could not be very exten- sively practised. Or if a preacher from Britain occasionally joined us, he could not be long employed as a Missionary, the most forward settlements beiiig anxious to appropriate his labours to themselves. The Synod, therefore, felt their inability, through the want of preachers, to occupy to any considerable extent, the wide field for missionary exertion which providence had spread before them. But aware, at the same time, that native preachers, other things being equal, are best calculated for usefulness, and that a church which depends upon distant countries for men qualified to fill its pulpits, must necessarily labour under grievous disadvantages, instead of directing their eyes to the churches of Britain, they were solicitous to make an attempt to provide, fr< m among their own youth, an increase ond a succession of gospel ministers. And the establishment, about the same time, of t.He Pictou Aca- demy, furnished them with the means of carrying their plans in some measure into efl'ect. A number of young men of respect- able talents had finished their classical and philosophical course at that Institution; and being disposed to prosecute their studies with a view to the holy ministry, the Rev. Dr. M'Culloch, in addition to all his other duties, was requested to take them under his care as Piofessor of Divinity. These young men having made a ompetent proficiency in Theological knowledge , were about three years ago, regularly licensed as preachers of the gospel. The entrance of these young men into the ministry was a great relief to the Synod. They laboured extensively through these Provinces; and through their means, it hath been deeply impress- ed upon the minds of the people, that men reared and instructed in Nova Scotia, may be as acceptable and as useful preachers as those who have been born in Britain, and taught in seminaries of long established and acknowledged reputation. But these young men are now settled in congregations, and so tlieir missionary Ubours may be said to have come to a close. A number of young . ^^** ■*"' '^'I'Wippp'W" 10 men are now prosecuting their «tudio« with a view to the minis- Zy. but of these only six have yet entered on the study of d.- vinity ; and none are yet ready to enter upou trials for hcense. Beinff at present destitute of preuchers, little missionary work can be undertaken, iiU such time as we find it expedient to license Bome of our students of divinity. But we mdulge the hope that we shaU be able in the mean time, to do what may prove highly beneficial. There are some of oiu: Ministers who have smaU congregations, and but a scanty income; we propose, therefore to employ such Ministers, with the consent of theu- vespec tve congr^rations, for a part of the year as missionaries, and to ahow them pecuniary recompense in proportion to their services. Another method of augmenting the ' aiber of our preacne^ engages our attention ; but the aid that may be derived from itis considerably more distant. There ave many youths in the com- „.on schools throughout the country who ^l^l:* ;^"-« ^ ^^^^^^^ upon a cours. of study peparatory to the mimstry, but wh,se parents being poor, are not .ble to carry them forward ; we pro- pose, therefore, to give some pecuniary encouragement to youths I such circumstances, who give evidence of piety, .-"^ "lore espe- cially to such of them as may be intimately acquainted with the G»lic tongue. For in many settlements the G«lic language is much better understood than the English ; and many individuals understand no Englii^h at all. , , , , j v *i. „ From what has been said you will see, dearly beloved brethren, that we stand much in need of your assistance. The means m 1^ poLsion are very inadequate to the object which we have in view; and we have formidable opposition to encounter. But we r esolved to prosecute, according to the abdity which may Te vichsafed us, tL work which hath been committed to our trust And we will thankfully receive yom- counsels, and your contributions, and earnestly solicit an interest in year prayers, that the pleasure of the Lord may prosper m our hands. From the Journal referred to, the Committee make the following extracts:— In keeping this diary, my principal object is to ftrnish the Committee and friends of missions, with such a sketch of the *^ I- i i ^ t -^^^' m^^' ■»,:**-*»5a^*«tJ !.-**^&** topography, local diatnnc^s, and modes of travelling, and of the moral condition and religious wants of that remote section of the provinces, as may guide them in the appointment, and facilitate the ends <vf missions to it in future. To subserve this purpose,' minuteness of detail is indispensably nece&ea-y. It is hoped, there- fore, however tedious it may prove, that the tnd to be gained will apologize for the means used for its attainmont. August IGth. Left Richibvcto for Miramichi at 2 o'clock p. m. on horseback, passed Uirough a conUnuation cf small senleraenta of French Roman Cathci; -or Q -nilcs, and crossed thi*-e riverB or arms of the Bay, in tiu aal mido of ferrying here, which is as follows:— Two wood or log canoes are floated side by side; across the top or gunnels of these, a number of boards are laid, and upon these boards, ^' horse j.nd passenger are stationed, till the wiiole is paddled over, frequently by a French womai ..id her child. Here at the end of 6 miles I left my horse, not be^.g able on account of the state of the road, to use him further, and took the woods on foot. Travelled 6 or 7 milee without a hour.e, the greater part of the way through a deep cedar swamp, and arrived at Kouchibonguack river, (a station at which I preach 6 or 7 Sabbaths annually to a part of my congregation) at 7 oVlock. nth Friday, Left Kouchibonguack at 7 o'clock, a. m. on horseback. Found that my horse as I proceeded, instead of faci- litating my progress, actually in many places greatly impeded it. The country coastwise here for 100 or 150 miles, is nearly a dead level, and much of it a mere swamp, in general covered den lely with spruce, fir, pine, and cedar, and dl adapted for the purposes of agriculture. Like the Ia«t stage of the preceding day s journey, my road now consistec* merely of a pathway cleared of tlie wood which once covered it, but yet untouched by a spade. Much of it I was forced to walk, and in much of it my horse wallowed up to the saddle in mud. 26M, Sabbath. Unable to procure a horse here or any where in the vicinity, I gave up the idea of reaching Bathm^t in time to collect an audience, and sent up an early notice to M^ew Ban- den, 4 miles distant, a small settlement principally of Wesleyan Methodists from the south of Ireland, that I would preach to them at 11 o'clock. Found them as far as the notice extended, B i mm [ 12 assembled at the hour, and very attentive. Instead of standing in time of praye-, they all kneeled, and many of them left the house with their cheeks bedewed with tears. The audience was about 40 in number, and a few more might have been collected had there been time to give them notice. Upon enquiry I found that they had been well supplied with Bibles by the Ladies' B. Society of Miramichi, and also that they liad once organized a Sabbath School among them, but that through mismanagement it had fallen into decay. I endeavoured to show them the importance of such an Institution among them, and urged them strongly to revive it, which they promised to do. Septanber 2d, Sabbath. Preached to an audience of about ISO persons, which is nearly the amount of the Protestant population of Bathtirst, as the audience in the Episcopal church consisted of but nine individuals. Baptized 2 children, and gave notice that I had brought with me a few copies of the Assembly's Shorter Catechism, and Brown's First Catechism for children, for sale or gratuitous distribution, and also a few Tracts. I also intimated that in consequence of the Preachers lately employed by the Com- mittee as Missionaries, being now all entrusted with the pastoral care of congregations, tlie Committee would be unable to send the Bay any further supply, till the beginning of next Summer, when they expected to have two young men out from Scotland, but that when these arrived, they might rest assured one of them' would immediately l- missioned to them and the adjacent settle- ments. With this information they expressed themselves much pleased. In the evening, by a previous appointment, I went up the Tatagouche river (distance 3^ miles) and baptized the six youngest children of Hugh Munro, Esq. the eldest an adult, the remaining five not. Bathurst is not, anu will not likely fo. a number of years, be capable of supporting a Presbyterian clergyman. The French population are the most numerous, and they are all here (as in every settlement round the Bay) Roman Catholics. They have a chapel and resident priest. The exterior of a small Episcopal church has been nearly completed here, and a person in deacon's orders, has been sent on by the bishop of Nova Scotia, to offici- ate m it; but had we an acceptable Presbytorian clergyman esta- blished here, the former would not have at an average one dozen tmfKimmim li 13 -<"■' ••*' , hearers. As tliis side of the Bay has lately been erected into a county called Gloucester and Bathurst, constituted the site for the shire town, there can be little doubt that an Episcopal clergy- man will be continued here, however small his audience. The Presbyterian population are able, and would, I think, be wijling to remunerate the Committee for a preacher's labours one fourth of the year. Many of them anxiously look for some arrange- ment of this kind. They have yet done nothing towai-de erect- ing a church, and probably will not, till they have some pros- pect of a permanent supply of preaching. 8#/«, Saturday. Arrived at Ristigouche in time for breakfast, and was very cordially received at the house of Robert Ferguson, Esq. where the Missionaries sent hither generally lodge. Wi, Sabbath. Preached two sermons, as usual, to a very atten- tive audience of about 130 persons. Here let mo record the goodness of God, and say, thus fai- hath he helped me. After being confined to bed in sickness the greater part of Satui'day and Sabbath moniing, and having feared that I would be unable to prosecute my mission farther, I was enabled to go through the labours of the day with greater ease, and to return from the pulpit less exhausted, than I have some timas done when in my uf.ual health. Aftor sermon, intimated that I would preach in the same place on the Wednesday following, at 3 o'clock, and on the following Sabbath at 11. Also that I had a few Catechisms and Tracts for distribution. lath, Monday. Disposed of about 1 dozen Catechisms, and distributed a number of Tracts, but was forced, on account of my limited supply, to send those who applied away in every instance, with fewer than they solicited. Here and at Bathurst, copies of the Westminster Confession of Faith, were frequently called for, but I had none to give. I2th, Wednesday. Preached at 3 o'clock, to an audience of 70 or 80 persons, (the day was blustry and wet,) and conversed with a few individuals, who applied for baptism for theii- child- ren. Distributed a few Tracts. 13^, Tlmrsduy. Spent a considerable part of the day in con- versation with parents, who called to solicit baptism for their children. IM, Friday. Distributed u few more Catechisms and Tracts. ■ ^ .^!e- 14 I6t/i, Sabbath. Preached two sermons to an audience of about 165 persons, and baptized 7 children; of the above number of hearers, many came either on foot through the woods, or in canoes and boats, 15. 18 and 20 miles, to the place of woi-ship, and numbers of them left home on Saturday, Besides these also, some attended who could not get within the doors, the hous'. being small and crowded, and not being able to stand without, on account of a drenching rain, were forced to retm'n home with- out hearing any of the services of the day. Nc^v Richmond. September 20th, Thursday. Preached at 12 o'clock in a private house, to an audience of about 45 person.., and intimated that I intended again to preach to them the follow- ing Sabbath. 23d, Sabbath. Preached two sermons to a very attentive au- dience of 76 persons, chiefly from the west of Argyleshire, (Scot- land.) This is nearly, or quite, the amount of the Protestant population of this settlement, as there were few indeed absent within ten miles of the place of worship. Numbers during the time of divine service, were melted in tears, and all after the as- sembly was dismissed, seemed reluctant to leave the place, where, it is to be hoped, some at least had enjoyed an interview wi^'i God their chiefest joy. A recollection seemed to be awakened among them, generally of the time when they went up together, Sabbath after Sabbath, to the sanctuary of God, and encompas- sed his holy altar in the land of their fathers. And the parting effusion of every heart as they returned to their homes, seemed to be, " Oh that we could thus enjoy the public ordinances of divine grace every week, our other privations in this wildeiness would be comparatively easily borne.'' From these extracts, and many others which might have been quoted, it appears that a wide and inviting field of missionary labour opens to the Presbyterian Church of Nova Scotia, in which, your Committee trust, the members of this Society will cheerfully come forward as liberal coadjutors. It has often been objected to Scottish Presbyterians and other dissenters, that they have hf^herto done 4 I mmfn 15 almost nothing in the way of direct missionary la- bour. And it is readily conceded, that in the guilt which unquestionably attaches to the Christian Church generally, of most disproportionate libera- lity, zeal, and labour, in the great work of evan- gelizing our dark world, Presbyterians and other Dissenters in our country have an ample share. But while there are Missionary Institutions among us, deriving their chief support from our own countrymen; and while we feel ou selves at liberty to appeal to the contributions which have come from Scotland into the treasury of almost every British Missionary Society in existence; we may also appeal to Nova Scotia, and other districts, as presenting the happy fruits of our missionary un- dertakings. These undertakings, indeed, Lave been conducted without noise; but, by the blessing of God, their results present an amount of Christian worshippers brought and kept together in a church state, equal, perhaps, in number, and superior, pro- bably, in intelligence, and general Christian cha- racter, to those of the most extensive and success- ful Missionary Institutions, who have limited their exertions to heathen lands. And when the prior claims of those residing within our own empire, speaking our own language, and who have emigrat- ed from our own shores, are considered; and the facilities which their circumstances afford to the Christian Missionary over those of heathens, in the most promising condition, it cannot be anticipated that an appeal in their favour can be made in vain. It may be thought by some, that as a Society has been formed in this place by members of the B i6 Established Church of Scotland, for the purpose of imparting to the North American Colonies of Great Britain the blessings of religious instruction, there can be no good reason for the interference of this Society, as far at least as missionary undertakings are concerned. On this somewhat delicate sub- ject, your Committee will express themselves in few words. The Society, then, with whose affairs they are entrusted, is not to be understood as hostile or rival to the Institution to which they have alluded. They believe that that Institution is under the di- rection of good men, whom they regard as brethren in Christ Jesus; they believe that they have at heart the spiritual interests of the Colonies; they are persuaded that theii Missionaries will be the friends of evangelical truth, and will be placed un- der the most express engagements to teach no other doctrine ; and as the harvest in these provinces is large, and the labourers few, they cannot but desire and pray, that this Society may be directed to a wise selection of the fittest scenes of labour, and may be employed as honoured instruments by the Lord of the harvest, to send forth many faithful la- bourers into his harvest. At the same time, your Committee must remark that they are in some degree precluded from co- operating with that Society, from the exclusive cha- racter which it assumes, providing by its regula- tions, '* That no Minister shall be sent out under the patronage of the Society, who has not been li- censed and ordained by one of the Presbyteries of the Established Church; and no teacher or cate- ngn^ chist, who is not a communicant with the Establish- ed Church." But their chief difficulty arises from the effects which it is probable will result to the Church in Nova Scotia from the labours of the Missionaries of that Society. It has been remarked already, that about ten years ago, Presbyterians of all deno- mmations in Nova Scotia formed themselves into one church, and that, as no local causes of separa- tion among Presbyterians exist in that Colony, the Presbyterian Church welcomes into its communion evangelical Ministers, and private Christians, from every body of Presbyterians in Scotland, those of the Established Church equally with those from the Dissenters. Your Committee cannot but regard this united Presbyterian body as the fit and obvi- ous medium through which Presbyterians of every denomination in this country should act, in their efforts to evangelize more fully Nova Scotia, and its immediate vicinage— and that any thing tendino- to revive or promote division in this body, is an evil which Presbyterians in this country should cautious- y avoid. Did the Society connected with the Esta- bhsiied Church send out Ministers and other Mis- sionaries to enter into the communion of this church, with which they harmonize in every thing not local to this country, and to co-operate with it in its efforts for the spiritual interests of the Colony, it would re- ceive our cordial approbation and warm support. This, as far as we see, without any sacrifice of prin- ciple, and in the spirit of a scriptural charity, united with inflexible regard to truth and agood conscience. It might do, with the good hope of lending its influ- 18 ence to the cause of Christian union, in a quarter where this is so preeminently necessary. But as tlie Missionaries of this Society go out to Nova Scotia as members of the National Church, to form congre- gations of that communion exclusively, we cannot but dread, that animosities and fresh divisions may be excited in the Colony, that separations without cause may re-appear, that the hearts of those men who have borne the burden and heat of the day may be afflicted, and their hands weakened, and that the great common cause may suffer. Sure we are that our brethren of the other Society have no such vicA^s or wishes, but such may be the results. Our own apprehensions may be disappointed, and the Missionaries sent out may breathe a spirit so pacific and paternal, as may prove an effectual antidote to unchristian strife, and may even induce them to seek the communion of a church from which they are not excluded by any difference of religious sen- timent, and which will gladly open her doors to re- ceive them. But if that land of unity and peace shall assume the appearance of a field of division and strife, we trust that even that evil, however much to be deplored in itself, and for its immediate ef- fects, the Lord of the church will ultimately over- rule for good; that notwithstanding every way Christ shall be preached; and that in spite of the errors incident even to good men, these things will fall out for the furtherance of the gospel. In the mean time, as this Society, as far as its mission- ary exertions in Nova Scotia are concerned, pro- poses to act only through the medium of the church ■i^p 19 there, it has an object well defined, and which, at present, the other Society does not contemplate. ' 11. Your Committee will now pass to the claims which the Academical Institution at Pictou has on the kindness and liberality of the friends of religion and liberal education in this country. The Academy was founded about 10 years ago; and has the high sanction ofaRoyalCharter, obtained in consequence ot long deliberations in the Colonial Legislature, bv whom a bill was passed, with the usual formalities, m order to the incorporation of the Academy. It was natural that in projecting the plan of this establishment, its friends should turn their eyes ^o the parent country; and accordingly the Pictou Academy is avowedly formed on the plan of the Scottish Colleges. The same branches of literary and philosophical education— the same course and order of study— the same unrestricted access to the advantages of education which distinguish the Uni- versities of Scotland are provided for there. We do not presume to place that infant seminary, but starting in its course, on a level with those matured and highly efficient institutions of our native land, any more than we would compare the community scattered through the woods of the new country, with the advanced society of the old. But Rome herself was once a rude village; and, we trust, the interesting Institution at Pictou, is the auspicious commencement of a great future University. This is neither the age nor the place in which it IS necessary to plead the cause of improved and free c 20 education. The advantages of science and litera- ture are now only doubted by fools, and dreaded by bigots J and that any man who has leisure, capacity and pecuniary means of acquiring those advantages, should be excluded from them for an hour, on ac- count of the sect or party to which he may belong, is a sentiment which most men would blush to avow, and which can find abettors only in some interested friends of ancient abuses, or in minds in which the opinions of the dark ages have entrenched them- selves, in defiance of that fulness of light by which they are now surrounded. Your Committee are per- suaded, therefore, that you will rank among the be- nefactors of those Colonies, the enlightened men who have laboured through good report and bad report, to open to their countrymen the avenues to the highest departments of useful knowledge j and they are also convinced, that if a case can be fairly made out in their favour, they will appear deserving of the libe- ral support of the friends of education in this country. There is another College in Nova Scotia. At Windsor, situated about 100 miles from Pictou, an Institution called King's College has existed for many years. It is a Government Institution, form- ed on the model of Oxford, and consequently quite exclusive in its spirit and rules. To use the lan- guage of a *« Memorial," containing an authentic statement of facts on the subject of education in Nova Scotia, — The only other Seminary of the same description, in that or any of the adjacent Provinces, is King's CoUege at Windsor. This is an establishment of co nparatively hng standing, and nc Uy endowed, by the munificence of the British Government --by the liberality of the Society in England for the Propaga- tion of Christian Knowledge in Foreign part8,~and by in-ants from the Provincial Government;— altogether amounting to un- wards of £2000 per annum. With this splendid revenue it mamtains only two Professors, besides a Master and Usher'for the tuition of a Grammar School connected with it. The average of its Students, too, is only about twenty-five; and its rules, like those of Oxford and Cambridge, are exclusive; so that, though It IS supported, in a great measure, by the common funds of this Countvy and of the Colony, yet by far the majoriM' ''^ the Set- tlers, not belonging to the Ecclesiastical Establishment of Eng- land, are shut out from the benefit of its education, unless they choose to sacrifice their religious principles. As a specimen of Its restrictive spirit, and to shew how far it is carried into prac tical life, the following is the language of one of its statutes an- ticipating that it would become a University:—" No Member of " the Uni^ ersity ehall frequent the Romish Mass, or the Meeting. " Houses of Presl^yterians, Baptists, or Methodists; or the Con- I' venticles or Places of Worship of any other Dissenters from the Church of England; or where Divine Service shall not be " pciformed according to the Liturgy of the Church of England." From this quotation it must appear, that the peo- ple in Nova Scotia were reduced to the necessity of attempting another Academy. The College of Windsor derives part of its revenue from the com- mon taxes; but so closely is that seminary connect- ed with Episcopacy, that the great body of the in- habitants must either violate their conscientious convictions, or exclude themselves from its advan- tages. It is enough that such an evil should exist in England, where it is met by many very effectual antidotes; but it is intolerable that m Nova Scotia, without any antidote, tliis virus should be injected ■MMMiliaiiiiii ^) 2^ into that infant community, and made to rankle in all its veins. But there is another and a higher view of the case The fate of the Pictou Academy is connect- ed with the rehgious interests of the whole Protest- ant part of tlie Province, the Episcopalian handful excepted. The notion that any country can now be effectually and permanently evangelized by fo- reign influence has been universally abandoned. I he enormous expense connected with the fitting out of many Missionaries from distant countries- the impossibility of finding either funds or men iu sufficient abundance to provide for the complete and abiding religious instruction of a foreign coun- try of any considerable extent-the inaptitude in many views, of foreign, compared with native la- bourers-the prefence extensively shown for the latter— and the small comparative expense at which they can be reared and sent forth, all go to prove that although foreign Missionaries must often com- nience, and may be long employed as valuable aux- ilianesin carrying forward the work of Christian in struction, yet if that instruction is to be general and permanent, natives must be the agents in imparting It. Foreigners may set the example of clearing some patches of the forest, breaking up some por- tion of the soil, sowing the proper seed, and watching over ,t til lit reach maturity; but if the gigantic forest Itself is ever to be swept away, and the soil which It covered to be cultivated and rendered fertde, men at home, who feel for their country's barrenness and desolation, and have interests around them that move their hearts, must flock to the work, •' ■j f' ^ \h '^•'mtrjimi in le t- t- il V }- ■ ■ ! ■ t 23 lIlT?"'*' "" S''"' undertaking. Bnt how shall the Protestant Dissenters of Nova Scotia rear a native m.n.stty? Episcopal Windsor indignantly shuts Its gates against them. In the vocabulary of that estabhshment. those holy assemblies in which the gospel of salvation is heard, where the Re. deemer of men vouchsafes his presence, where im. mortal SOU.S are trained for glory, are net churches, are but meeting-houses or conventicles; and he who ventures within their precincts, is inadmissible to the learned abodes of Windsor. Our dissenting brethren of Nova Scotia (and members of thf Church of Scotland are her^, as in all the Colonies >n all England, and all Ireland, every where t' deed, except in this Scotsish nook of the empire" dissenters as well as we) must, therefore, e the; content themselves with an uneducated ministry always a great evil-or send their studious youth either to the free States of America, or to thi. TT2w. "'"""'''• "'*'■■ °^ ^'>'<=h "■= <^'q"al to a prohibition m most cas.>s-or they must have what they ought to have, and shall, we trust ely —an Academy of their own. ■' But your Committee are persuaded that they have yet to state a still stronger claim on behalf of iet^l/ri '"""°"'"^'='°"- '(^persecuted. Let t^t be known; and Scotsmen, especially Scot- tis Presbyterians, above all Scottish Dissenters will not, cannot desert it. The model of the go! vernment of Nova Scotia, like that of Canada I essentially British. It has a House of Assembi; consisting of the representatives of the petl^' chosen by as free and extensive suffrage as in Eng in 34 ^ land, and corresponding with our House of Com- mons — a Council of twelve, having powers in regard to the other House, similar to our House of Peers, in relation to the other House of Parliament- while the Governor represents the King. The claims of the Pictou Academy have been brought very often before these bodies; and in the House of Assembly numbers and talent have been trium- phantly on their side. In any division on a question connected with the interests of the Academy, and there have been many, the friends of the Institu- tion have for the most part come off with more than two t" one in th«ir favour. Under this patronage, and its consequent influence on the Council, they have obtained, till lately, an annual grant of £400 currency. In the Council, however, in which the in- flue^ ce of the Bishop predominates, by whom the Academy is dreaded as the rival of Windsor,* and as securing to Dissenters those educational advantages which Windsor denies them, because they are Dis- senters, the majority were never cordially with them; direct opposition is now powerful; and evarj^ pre- tence is employed to counteract the wishes of the representatives of the Colony. — Your Committee regret to add, thai :i new influence has appeared. The Missionaries^ of the Society connected with the Established Church here have never shown an un- friendly spirit; but two Ministers, correspondents of that Society, and of the same communion, who 4 * The Bishop has recorded his opinion in the following Avords ; on its riie or decline, depends the depression or advancement " of the College at Windsor." n "K I r''%M r , 25 came to the Co-lor^ subsequent to the union of the Presbyterians, and who possess influence chiefly from their suemir.g connexion with the Society here, have employed their utmost influence in op- position to the Institution, and have along with other opponents petitioned the Legislature against it The Bishop and his faction have thus the pre- text of saying, " The Presbyterians are at variance on this question; one class supports the Academy, another opposes it. — Let Goveiiiment withhold their support till the Dissenters are agreed ainong them- selves." Let it not be thought that we mean to in- sinuate that the Glasgow Society gives the least countenance to this opposition. They have declar- ed, and they have recorded their declaration, that chey wish well to the Institution at Pictou. But by these combined influences the proposal, often brought forward by the Hoube of Assembly, to make the annual grant of £400 permanent,^ has been invariably negatived in the Council, on one occasion by the casting vote of the Bishop j and recently even the annual grant has been denied. Shall the enlightened friends of this Institution, then, b^ suffered to struggle alone? Shall this cry of oppression find no response in the breasts of Scotsmen? Shall we not come forward with tem- porary relief to our Trans-Atlantic frliow subjects, and endeavour to sustain them in the crisis of a conflict, in which, if they can only be sustained for a while, public opinion, and j.ubiic spirit in the Colony, will soon bring them off in triumph, and render them permanently independent of aid from Britain? . ^6 It is, however, but fair to inquire, whether, after all, this Academy be so conducted as to merit sup- port? and whether the opposition to which we have alluded, may not be well founded? Some members of your Committe might speak with pleasure, and with perfect consciousness of the truth of their statements, of the character and acquirements of the respected individual who presides over the In- stitution. They might mention examples of the successful tuition conducted in the Academy, in the case of three preachers of the Gospel who re- cently visited this country, and v/hose pulpit ap- pearances placed them on a level with the mass of preachers educated here. They might appeal to the Memorial formerly alluded to, in which the merits of the Institution, and of the gifted and in- defatigable person at its head, are not only attested by twenty-nine out of the forty-one members of which the House of Assembly consists, including the Spealver of the House, a man of talent, and holding the offices of Solicitor-General of Nova Scotia, and Ch'ef Justice of Prince Edward Island; by the Chairman and Clerk of the Annual Meeting of the Methodists, and by the Moderator and Clerk of the Baptist Association of the Province; and in which the following recommendation is subscribed by the Principal, and several of the most eminent Professors in the University of Edinbuigh, by seve- ral Advocates, among whom are the names of Mr, Jeffray, and Sir James MoncriefF, and by several Professors of the University of Glasgow: — We, the Subscribers, having considered the above Representa- tion; and being satisfied both tint the Seminary to which it re- mimmm -3am 27 fers, was called for in the Province of Nova Scotia, and that it ia calculated to diffuse the blessings of a liberal education among a great majority of the Colonists, who, it appears, by the restrictive statute of the College at Windsor, would otherwise be excluded from it, do concur in recommending it to the Public in this Country. We might appeal to the speeches in the House of Assembly, some of them distinguished by an eloquence which would be respected in the British House of Commons, in which the most influential even of the Episcopalian members of the House, give their powerful testimony to the Institution, and to its conductors. But your Committee content themselves with quoting the following document, being the formal Report of a Committee of the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia, made in the year 1824. Mr. Fairbanks, Chairman of the Committee appointed to examine into the Petition of the Trustees of the Pictou Academy, brought in the following Report : — The Committee appointed to examine into and report upc^n the merits of the Petition of the Trustees of the Pictou Academy, have agreed to report — That, in discharge of the duty assigned to them, it became ne- cessary to receive evidence in support of the Petition, and in regard to the character and progress of that Establishment. This evidence has been afforded by the Rev. Dr. M'Culloch, Mr. Patterson, Mr. Blanchard, the Speaker, and others, who have attended before the Committee and been examined. The minutes taken are herewith returned. That the Commiitee, upon consideration of the subject matters of the Petition, and the general result of this evidence, are of opinion, that the Pictou Academy is a highly useful Institution, D mmmmm 28 conducted on an exrsilent system— tliat of the Scotcli universities, and peculiarly adapted to meet tlio wants, and accord with the sentiments of the majority of the la'mbitatits of tl»e AKastern Di- vision of the Provi, e in regard to the higher branches of Edu- cation. That its establishment and support has been, and will continue to be, a favourite object with the greater part of the body of Dissenters in the Province, on account of its total exemption from any disqualifications to Students originating in religious distinctions, and for the careful attention which its conductors have manifested for the morals of those who attend it. That the expense of attendance and instruction is reduced to a very low rate, and thereby the attainment of a sound classical education, and of a competent knowledge of the other Branches of Scierce, commonly taught in the higher Schools, is brought down to tiie means and ability of those, who, if the Academy did not exist, would be wholly unable to provide for these advantages for their Children. And, lastly, that the support wlijra tlie Institution has received from private sources iias been on a most liberal scale, and justifies the opinion the Committee entertain, tliat it will con- tinue to increase in numbers and usefulness, if under moderate encouragement. The Committee have also to state, that the first difficulties of an establishment of this nature, appear now to be overcome ; an appropriate building has been erected at a considerable expense ; and a philosophical apparatus and small library are provided. Tlie course of instruction has received and detn-ved the sanction of several years success, and the teachers are established. Of these the Principal, Dr. M'Culloch, whose literary and other qualifi- cations are universally admitted, is now, and has for some time past, been devoting his time and care exclusively to the duties of the Academy ; and attached himself entirely to its fortunes. AH those circumstances are pledges that the establishment, although in some degree of a local, is not of a private or temporary nature, but calculated to extend its usefulness, and enlarge with the pro- gress and advancement of that impoitant division of the Province; and the Committee refer to the list annexed, of the Gentlemen who have been Students at Pictou, for the best proof of what has already been accomplished in this Academy. To this they will - . — ■ ! nMn i i^ tmJa ■II imtm%tJ - «i.. 29 .^? add, that the Institution possesses decided advantages, in many respects, to those students who are destined to the Ministry iu the Presbyterian and other dissenting Churches, and is for this object indispensably necessary if these are to be supplied by the youth of the Province; and further, that class of men, competent by their literjiry acquirements and moral conduct, to supply the numerous English Schools, now imperiously required throughout the Province, is chiefly to be obtained from the Students of Pictou. Referring to the exclusively Scotch character of the population of the Eastern part of the Province, and to their known, and per- haps laudable partiality and attachment to the Institutions of the country whence they have originated, and regai-ding also the great and rapidly increasing population of that quarter, the Committee consider that there exists a fair claim on the part of Pictou, for support to the Academy, for which so decided an in- terest is there manifest, out of that general revenue to which they so largely contribute ; ant as from the evidence before them, and other considerations, the Committee are obliged to believe that this Institution will be attended by a class of persons who, on various accounts, are, and w^U be incapable of prosecuting their studies at King's College, Windsor, or in the Institution of doubt- ful and uncertain stability, now forming in Halifax; they have deemed it their duty, under the cleai^est conviction of the invalu- able benefits which Education confers on a country, to recommend the Pic' lu Academy to the continued support, and fostering care of tlie General Assembly; and believing the honorary Collegiate distinctions to be useful as incitements to the emulation and diligence of Students, and to be the means of extending the re- spectability, and character, and influence, of the Institution, while the incapacity to grant them, possesses a tendency injurious and perhaps discreditable to it, the Committee cannot perceive any substantial reason for refusing to allow these privileges to the Academy. The Committee therefore repc. t, that, in their opinion, it is expedient to provide by an act of the General Assembly for a permanent allowance to the Trustees of the Pictou Academy, of the sum of Four Hundred Pounds from the Treasury; and for bestowing upon it, with full exemption from all tests now required 30 of its Trustees, tJte name, distinction, and privileges of a College, as known and enjoyed in Scotland. These, the Committee believe, will remove all impediments to the advancement and prosperity of that Seminary, give it stability and consideration, and justify its supporters in bestowing that assistance which the doubt of its permanence now renders it prudent to withhold. In closing this Report, your Committee will not express, because they do not feel, a doubt, that the interests of the Academy at Pictou, will awaken in the breasts of those whom they represent, a gener- ous and an efficient sympathy. From the causes which have been mentioned, it is needless to dis- guise it, the affairs of the Academy are in cir- cumstances somewhat critical. We trust it will survive all the perils with which it is now encom- passed, and will soon be established on a basis on which it may defy the efforts of its most powerful foes. But f the Academy is in danger of falling; if the efforts >fthe enlightened friends of the Colony should thus be frustrated, and the blessings of liberJil education be withheld from the hopeful youth of Nova Scotia, we at least ought not ^o look to the hazard without emotion, and without prompt and ad- equate exertions to prevent these evils. Before the influence of an unscriptural, unjust, and therefore of necessity, an insecure and temporary Episcopal as- cendancy, the Pictou Institution, and the important interests connected with it, if unprotected by Scottish aid, may fall for a season ; but we will not shut out from our minds the re'' mg expectation, that the hostile influences with wiuch that seminary has now to conflict, having been swept away, some kindred 4 1 HxpmttM ' m ummimm* ' * ' '\ i-~rn MMMll liberal Institution, will at last arise; for, doubtless, the period shall arrive, when the reign of our God and of his Christ, having reached their predicted extension, his Almighty arm shall bring down every where to the very dust, that spirit which now af. flicts that infant Colony, and which has wrought so long and so mischievously in the Church of Christ, and in the civilized world— a spirit of proud, lordly, intolerant domination. f 32 1 -\^ i^ieniptitng anir iSmuitione. I Collection by the Nicholson Street Congregation, Greenock, per the llev, Wm. Wilson, £5 Contribution from the Society for Religious PuJ'poses, connected with the Associate Congregation of Cumnock, i)er the Rev. Robt. Brown, 5 Mr. A. Mitchell, Merchant, New York, 3 Robert Hood, 2 Andrew Mitchell, 2 Robert Henderson, , John Henderson, Makom M ' Call um, James Sommerville, Robert Bartholomew, , David Wilkie, John Crum, Robert Thomson, Mrs. Wm. Stenhouse, Ml'. James Finlay, - Wm. Neilson, Wm. Menzies, 1 Robert Aikman, Henry Knox, jun Alex. B!'rlas, Rev. H. Heugh, . Mr. Thomius Mitchell, 1 A Lady, per Rev. H. Heugh,... 1 Mr. Robert Knox, 1 William Dunn, 1 Matthew Anderson, Rev. W. Kidston 1 Dr. Dick 1 5 5 3 2 2 I 1 1 1 1 1 10 1 1 1 10 6 10 6 5 10 6 10 6 1 1 1 10 6 1 1 Rev. G. Struthers, £0 10 6 Mr. John Mitchell, Manufact.... 110 Robert Brand, 1 1 Patrick Mitchell, 1 1 William Blackwood, 1 1 W. G. MitcheU, 1 1 Rev. R. Muter 110 Mr. Thomas Muter, 10 6 - Wm. M'Gavin, 1 1 William Si.eU, 1 1 Alexander Mein, 110 Jolm M'Gavin, 1 1 Rev. Robert Brodie, 10 6 Dr. John Mitchell, 1 1 Mr. George Stevenson, 1 1 John Hart, 10 6 John Dalziel, 10 6 George Barlas, 10 Samuel Dow, 7 6 Murdoch, 10 6 James Graham, 7 6 John Harvey, 110 D. Robertson, Bookseller,... 5 Thomas Grahame...... 110 John Mitchell, Writer, 1 1 John M'Innes 10 6 James Mitchell, 110 Andrew Brocket, ^ 110 Wm. Diudop, 1 1 A Friend, 10 6 Do 1 1 Do 1 1 Mr. Robert Moncrieff, 110 Rev. J. Macfailane, 10 6 Abstract of Treasurers Account. Cr. To amount collected from 1 7th July, 1S27, till 29th April, 1828, £6G U C £66 14 6 € By expensr if printing Proceed- ings and Address, &c. ... j614i 16 6 expense of Collecting, and other incidentfil expenses, ... 18 6 Remitted to the Trustees of th" Pictou Academy, and the Committee of Missions of the Presbyterian Church of Nova Scotia, equally, ... 50 19 6 J:66 14 6 .\ I x. ''^ n MHM HUH 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 10 6 7 6 1 5 10 G 1 10 6 1 APPENDIX. The Committee beg leave to subjoin the following extracts;— that the two first of them may show, upon impartial authority, that in Canada (and Nova Scotia is in the same situation) the Ministers and members of the Church of Scotland, and of the Secession and other Dissenting bodies, are identified in doctrine, discipline, and worship, and ought, therefore, to be united in fel- lowship and operation ; and that *he last of them may plead, in the words of an able Editor, for the free Institution at Pictou, while he pleads for a similar Institution in Canada. No. I. Extract of a Letter which appeared in the Glasgow Chronicle o/SOthJamiari/, 182S. Besides the two tables in the Doctor's (Dr. Strachan) Chart, giving an account of the Clergy of the Churches of Scotland and England, to which I have shortly alluded ; there is a third, which professes to enumerate the Ministers, not in connexion with the Church of Scotland, or as he calls them, " Ministers of the In- dependent or Presbyterian order." Now there is a notorious want of candour in this very title. The word " Independent" as it is understood as distingnishihg a religious sect, has no more ap- plication to the Ministers or Congregations on whom he has be- stowed it, than to the Reverend Doctor himself, and his brother Episcopalians. The fiict is, they are both. Ministers and people, Presbyterians, and nothing but Presbyterians. They are Mini- sters of the Secession Church, which in this country where patron- age does not exist, differs in no one respect from tlie Church of Scotland. They believe the same Creed, subscribe the same Con- fession of Faith, teach the same Catechisms, use the same Psalms, conduct their worship by the same Directory, dispense the same Sacraments, in the same manner, and under the same regulations; have the same Church Courts, and in fact, differ in no respect from the Clergy of the Church of Scotland. Tiieir hearers too, were most of them, members of the Church of Scotland, before they came to this country; and because they found that the Presby- terian Clergyman, nearest to the place where they were settled, had been ordained by a Secession Presbytery, did not imagine, that in attending his ministrations, they were departing in one \ ■ M 34 iota from the Church in which they had heeii bred. In fact, these Churches, so far as they go, are proofs of the prevalence of the doctrine and discipline of the Church of Scotland in Upper Canada, quite as strong, as if each of their Clergy had been born, educated, and ordained in her communion. The Doctor knew well that this was the real state of the matter. He knew also that by so stating it, his object in the drawing up of his Chart, would be much impeded. — Hence his gratuitous addition of the word Independent, in the name he gives them — a term they have never taken themselves. They distinctly declare themselves to be Presbyterians according to the Church of Scotland, and have expressed a desire to be nominally, as they are in reality, one with her. r»-^^»<^'^i»^ **»/v*<v»t»#»^i»^ Sir, No. II. (from the GLASGOW CHRONICLE OP 25th JULY, 1828.) Perth, Ujyp&r Canada, 8th May, 1828. Though I have begun to wi'ite, I scarcely know whp.t topic will best suit your taste; whether domestic improvement, or for- eign policy; whether politics, or religion. In these peaceable times, things go on so uniformly, that we have few incidents of a domestic nature to record. All our settlers, who are contented and industrious, are happy and prosperous; for in all ages, and in all countries, the hand of the diligent mo,keth rich, in comfort, if not in v. ealth. Your Glasgow politicians, now Canadian free- holders, have a more interesting subject to attend to than the af- fairs of the nation — namely their own affairs. To cut down trees, root out weeds, and cultivate wheat, " the staff of life." But passing these things, let me tell you about the state of the Church. Strange as it may appear to you, parties in Canada are nume- rous, and raore zeal is displayed about the form, than the power of godliness. Here we have all the sects you ever heard of, and some of which you have no knowledge. The disputes among them of late, however, have been more of a temporal than of a spiritual nature. One-seventh of land in this province, you know is devoted to the support of a " Protestant Clergy," the Clergy of the Church of England supposing themselves to be the only Prctestant Clergy in the world, have laid their paws upon the whole. To this procedure, however, the Presbyterians have de- murred, and put in their claims for a share. The subject is now before His Majesty's Governm^ent, and we anxluusly wait the result. In the mean time, it may be proper to give Presbyterians them- selves a hint. In this country, as in Scotland, some distinction is made between the Established Church of Scotland Pud the \- ^v^-N ^ 'A.__...s., 1 35 ^cv Secession Church; althoiigh the distinction is in reality without a difForence. Claiming connexion with the Kirk, there are six Ministers and their Congregations ; while those favouring the Se- cession, are twelve «it least ; and strange as it may appear, these last have always recommended a union of the whole. During this state of things, an event happened, which, it is to be hoped, will have a good effect in healing divisions, and producing unanimity. A meeting was he^'' .t Montreal to promote tJie interest of the Presbyter'an Church general- ly. Resolutions of a liberal character were also passed, and an application to the General Assembly was agreed on, with a view to a gener.il union or all the Presbyterians in the two pro- vinces. The news of these proceedings were received with joy all over the country, and most of our Ministers and their Con- gregations, not only got up petitions, but raised subscriptions for defraying' the expense of an application to both the British Go- vornment and the General Assembly. What the result will be we cannot tell, but hope it will lead to a union of all Presby- terians in the Canadas, so that, as there is but one Shepherd, there may be but one fold. We sincerely tnist, that all the friends of liberal measures and of true religion in Scotland, which we love as our native land, will aid this design both by their countenance and their prayers. It may surprise you *o be informed, that even in these circum- stances, two or three unluippy men here, who, by their improper conduct, have thrown themselves out of all church fellowship, are trying to sow discord amongst brethren ; and, under the pre- tence of zeal for the Church of Scotland, are procuring names to an application to the General Assembly for a Minister from that body. But it is hoped that neither the Church courts at home, nor candidates for the ministry, will be deceived into a measure, originating in party-spirit and personal animosity. The Presbyterian Church in this place still prospers, in spite of the numerous attempts that have been made to accomplish its ruin. Hitherto these attempts have only covered its enemies with disgrace ; and I still trust that no weapon formed against it shall prosper. Its beginning at first was small; but it has waxed stronger and stronger, till it is now inferior to none in Canada. :\ No. III. (from the SCOTSMAN OP AUGUST 27th, 1828.) In a country like Canada, the government which lends itself tp the views of a sect, goes perpetually wrong. Last year, it seems, '-atim MpM \\ r 36 A \..r H,P Rritish Parliament, for establishing ii an Act was passed l>y ^ f .f "^J {rp^er Canada. This shouhl CoHege at York, the tq»'t.d ot L p >e ^^^^ Minister. ..ave been a boon to the P--"-^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ X'hat has been the listened to the coun^..ls ot ^^J- ^*^'^;;';'^' i.eed nnder the control con.o(i«once? The Senunary ''^ J^^^^'^J^ ^ ....er word., it has of " the Church," and the Arch-deacon m ^^ . been made the College of one sect,^f--^ ^te Privince, has been and what ^'-"^^ 'l"'^^'*'* '''^T " \!" • 'it' into a fresh source of turned by the alchemy of F^ > '^l 'W^; Township Resolutions rlivioin'i and discontent. Many oi uic x t;:;; stroL^ly on this subject; we subjom one. Besolr.lAtk, That by tlu, most ^^^^1^^^:;:^. pvese,.tations, the Rev. A-hdeacon Su^l- aM^ ^^ l^^^^^^^^ If this Meeting,) got %* .^J^^.^^^S^^^^^ underthe ^^'^ ^l^^'^^^ ^I'^^y^^^^^^ before me«- BesoLea ,tn, That the tendency of^ol^e f«m« on^ucl. principles, and of all the t^"'^;"^' «. ^^ ^phdon of this n.eeting, [end i dominant Church, ^^'^-f'.^f.^i^^X literary, civil and is contrary to the wishes, .'^"^V"' ?'J2/^,;^ter portion of the religions liberty and happiness, ot tU^ g^eaie i Canadian population. ^ ^ Sesok^im. That in c^er to P^-'Jl^rCl^^al^^ resulting from a aominant Olmrrfi, J^'' '» V" ;«,,„ „,,ni,,, House ^representations, .t .. ^'J --/;^^^^^^^^ ,„a„,v a College of Commons, and our ^.oionirti au b , ^ appropriate Vally free for all veUg.ou. ^eno. "aUon^ -;d ^^ J^P ^_P ^^^ the C/ero?/ Besen^es, for the purposes u g the improvement of our highways. To this we ^all^dth^^TthR^u^n^-^^^^ ship, (Markham) and an extract ^^^^^^ J"« ^ ^ ^^^.^^^ i^st. voted by the House of ^-7%^^^^ and offering « That a University free t^o'^^/^"^^,, , ^^f Cliristians, literary honours and distinctions alike to all classes o is much wanted." n . the Petition)^' While we fully -d^^^^^^^^ ^^i - Jtt ,our Majesty s gracious mte^^^^^^^^ Charter ^or the establishment of an ^mje^^^^^^ ^s the great Mre would beg mostrespectfuly to r^^^^^^^ bodvofvour Majesty's subjects in this rrovuicj' o tLclurchof^EnVand, ^W ^a^ f "^ J^?^^^^^^ th. rwter contains provisions which are calc«iaiea^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^ Institution subservient to the paiiiculur .u-.v.-.- - - - ^1 "^ •v,-^ rWs ^ mm 37 X 4 ^'? and to exclude from its offices and honours al'. who do not be- long to it. In consequence of these provisions, its benefits will be confined to a favoured few while others of your Majesty's subjects, far more numerous, and equally loyal and deserving of your Majesty's pateriud care and favour, will be shut out from a participation in them. Having a tendency to build up one particular Church, to the prejudice of others, it will naturally be an object of jealousy and disgust. Its influence as a seminary of leai-ning, will, upon these accounts, bo limited and partial. We, therefore, lumibly beg, that your Majesty will be pleased to listen to the wishes of your Majesty's people in this respect, and to cause the present Charter to be cancelled, and one granted free from the objections to whi<;h, emboldened by a conviction of your Majesty's paternal and gracious feelings to your loyal subjects in this Province, as well as by a sense of duty to the people, and a knowledge of their anxiety upon the subject, we have prejuuieu to advert. " Wc woidd also beg leave to state, that it is the gene- ral desire of yoiu* Majesty's subjects in this Province, that the monies arising from the sale of any of the lands set apart in this Province for the support and maintenance of a Protestant Clergy, should be entirely appropriated to purposes of Education and in- ternal improvement — we Avould most humbly represent, that, to apply them to the benefit of one or two Christian denominations, to the exclusion of othe»*s, woiUd be unjust as well as impolitic, and that it might perhaps be found impracticable to divide them among them all. We have no reason to fear that the cause of religion would srffpr materially from not giving a public support to its jNIinisters, and from leaving them t«^be supported by the liberality of their people." "^