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Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 till sfir Dr Be M( Gr do; W M( M( J. Jui Til EI( we of mi del aft I to Asi api REPORT OF COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO MATURE MEASURES FOR THE NEXT GENERAL ASSEMBLY. This Committee (conBisting of 06 Ministers and 22 Elders) met, by appoint- ment of General Arfsembly, within St. Paul's Church, Montreal, on Wednesday, the lit day of September, 1875, at noon, and was constituted with devotional services, by Dr. A. Topp, the Convener. Forty-eight Ministers and twelve Elders were present, viz : Rev. Dr. Cook ; Dr. Topp ; Dr. Snodgrass ; Dr. Mc Vicar ; Dr. Caven ; Dv. Taylor ; Dr. Jenkins ; Dr. Bell; Dr. Bayne; Dr .Waters; Dr. Patterson ; Dr. Cochrane ; Dr. McNish; Prof. McKerras ; Prof. Gregg ; Prof. McLaren ; llev. Messrs. P. G. McGregor ; G. M. Grant, M.A.; W. Reid. M.A.; W. Fraser; D. J. Macdonnell, B.D. ; D. M. Gor- don, B.D.; J. G. llobb, B.A.; J. M. King, M.A.; J. Smith; R. Campbell M. A. ; W. Moore; J. Patterson; K. McLennan, M.A.; P. Wright; D. H. Fletcher; J. McCall ; J. Laing, M.A. ; T. Sedgwick ; J. McTavish ; J. K. Smith, M.A. ; T. McPherson; J. Middlemiss; R. Ure; E.Torrance; J. Scott; J. Burton; A.Young; J. Hastio ; J. Fowler, J. Gray, B.A., Ministers ; and the Hon. J. McMurrich ; Judge Stevens ; Messrs. R. Bell ; G. Hay ; A. Gordon, M.P. ; T. McCrae ; J. C. Thomson ; Warden King ; J, L. Morris ; D. Morrice ; J. SterUpg ; J. Croil, Elders. The Rev. P. G. McGregor, of Halifax, and the Rev. John Gray, of Orilli|i, were appointed Joint Clerks of the Committee. The Committee continued in Session till the evening of Wednesday, the 8th of September, and adopted the subjoined recommendations. Generally, each subject was first considered fully and carefully by the Com- mittee, and then remitted to a sub-Committee to frame a deliverance. This deliverance was submitted tc the Committee, maturely considered, and there- after adopted as a whole, or mih such amendments as were deemed desirable. The Committee agreed, as in accordance with the instruction'' of Assembly, to print the results of their deliberations for the information of Members of Assembly and Presbyteries. Dr. Topp, Rev. W. Reid and Re/. J. Gray were appointed a Committee for this purpose. The following are the recommendations of iiio Committee ; — 2 I.— MODE OF ELECTING THE MODERATOR OP THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. Four plans woro considered by the Committee — 1. Open nomination r.nd vote of the General Assembly. 2. Norainati Ml by Presbyteries. ;J. Open vote of General Assembly, with the understanding that the retiring Moderator shall have the lirst nomination. 4. Committee of ox-Moderators, the ex-Moderators of the Supreme Courts, of the late tour uniting Churches, with the present Moderator, to constitute, iu the meantime, said Committee. T.ho fotirih proposal was withdrawn, and they?;r/ was carried by a majority of votes in the follo\ving terms : That in the opinion of this Committee, the method of electing the Mode- rator of the General Assembly, shall,/);- the present, bo that of open nomination and vote at each succossivo mooting of the General Assembly. II. -CLERKSHIP OP THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, PERIODICALS, AND AGENCY. After the Report had been received by the sub-Committee on these subjects, the Committee agreed to recommend as follows : I. CLERKSHIP OF OE.VERAL ASSEMBLY. 1. That tlie Rev. Wm. Reid, M.A., and the Rev. Professor J. H. Maekerras, M.A., 1)0 .Toint Clerks of the General Assembly, and that the salary of each be two hundred and lifty dollars per annum, exclusive of incidental expenses. 2. That in c. n\ uu u- ition of the long and faithful services of the Rev. W. I'Vaser, he be appointed one of the Clerks of the General Assembly, with his former salary of one hundred and fifty dollars per annum. II. PERIODICALS. 1. That thftrfl 1. bat one Periodical for the whole Church, to be called " The Preshyterin Record:'' 2. That tlie same be published every month in the City of Montreal, at thn rate of twenty-five cents per copy per annum, when liaken in quantities. 3. That -lames Croil, Esq., bo appointed Editor, at an annual salary of six hundred dollars, and that a Committee be appointed to arrange for the publication of said periodical at the commencement of next year. in. AGENCY. It is recommended that the services of the Rev. Wm. Reid, M.A., and the Rev. P. G. McGregor, be retained in connection witli the general work of tlie Church, that the salary of each be two thousand dollars per annum, and that a small Committeo b(^ appointed to define their respective duties. At a subsequent aed 'runt, the following Committees on Agency and Periodi- cala were appointed : r-s^sgi.'SEBMUtfiJ 8 I. COMMIITRR ON AGENCY. Dr. Topp, ConvGiier, rdncipal Caven, Dr. Cochrane, Professor Gr>^{?R, Pro- fessor McLaren, Messrs. D. J. Macdonnell, and D. H. Fletclier, Ministars. ami the Hon. J. McMnrricli, Elder. Messrs. Thomas Sedgwick, Vice-Convener, John Campbell, and John Forrest, Ministers, and Mr. Charles Robson, Elder. II. THE " PRESnTTERUN RECORD." Dr. Jenkins, Convener ; Princpal Mc Vicar, Vice-Convenor ; Dr. Taylor, Pro- fessor Campbell, Messrs. R. Campbell, J. Scrimg(>r, and W. M. Black, Ministors ; and Professor Murray, Messrs. J. L. Morris, Warden King and W. I) McLaren, Elders; v.loh the following as corr(!Bponding members : —Principal Snodgrass, Principal Caven, Dr. Cook, Dr. Topp, Pi-ofosdor Mackerras, Profesfior Pollock, Messrs. W. Reid, W. Fraser, and P. G. McGregor, Ministers. The same Committee was appointed to obtain full information respecting the publication of a Children's Record, and to Report to next General Assembly. in.— PARLIAMENTARY LEGISLATION. At the first diet of the Committee, this subject was fully considered, and after reasoning, a sub-Committce was appointed to consider whether any legis- lation should be sought from the Dominion Parliament, and whether also any modification of the legislation obtained from the Local Parliaments should be applied for, and to report to this Committee. On tills Report being presented, diversity of opinion was found to exist as to the expediency of incorporating the Church, and as to whether the Church, as a whole, or the General Assembly shouW be the incorporated body. Ultimately the question resolved itself into this, shall there be any application to the Do- minion Parliament, at its next meeting, for such legislation as may be necessary ? or shall the advice of counsel bo simply secured as to the advantage!! of such leg- islation, and the result repoitcd to the Committee in June next ? After reasoning, the following deliverance was agreed to by a raajojity of votes. That it be referred to the same sub-Committee to obtain, under the advice of Counsel, such Legislation of the Dominion Parliament as may be deemed necessary to confirm the Acts of the several Local Legislatures under which the properties held by the uniting Churches passed to tlie Presbyterian CJhurch in Canada ; but that in reference to the question of incorporating the General As- sembly or the Church, this uuestion be referred to the General Assembly at its next meeting. The Committee on Parliamentary Legislation was appointed as follows : Principal Snodgrass, Convener ; Mr. Thos. W. Taylor, ce-Convencr ; Mr. J. Croil, Vice-Convener ; Dr. Jenkinf?, Principal Caven, Professor Mackerras, Professor McLaren, Messrs. A. Young, R. Campbell, W. Reid, Mitiisters ; and Judge Stevens, and Messrs. J. L. Morris and J. Cross, Elders. IV. HOME MISSIONS. This Hubjprt wrs carpfiilly confliderod, and oecupiod a larRo portion of the time of thf> f'nuimittpp. Tho chiof pointB of differciico wmo the tliree following : 1. Shall tliero bo a Central Committee for Homo Missions? 2. Rhnll tJioro he one fund for Homo Mission purposes, and for supplcmentinp tho Stipends of Ministers ; or sliall there he two separate Funds,-ono for Home Mission work and tho other for SuppleniOntinR Stipends ? 3. Sliall the appointment of a Mission Apent ho recommended ? ^ The decision on the first point was, that there shall he a Central (Jommittee, dividing itself into two sections, the one embracing the Maiitime Provinces and the other the rest of tho Church. In regard to the second question, the Committee was nearly equally divided, —tho former plan being first adopted, and ultimately the hitter, by a maioritv', as embodied in Section IV. of the subjoined Keport. " ' ' As regards the appointment of a Mission Agent, the following deliverance was passed : — That the Committoe does not see the way at present open to recommend to tlie General Assembly the appointment of a Mission Secretary. The following is the scheme for carrying on the woik of Home Missions, and of Supplementing Stipends, which the Committee have resolved to recommend to the General Assembly : I. That the Assembly shall appoint nnnually a Home Mission Committee consistmg of 45 Members, of whom one-thud shall be from the Maritime IVo- vnices, a.:d two tiards from the rest of the Church ; that each of these division- Bhall constitute a sub-committeo for the transaction of business in its own district. II. That each section shall be empowered tu act separately in conducting the business of its respective district. III. The operations of the Committee shall have respect to— 1. Missmi S/ations, which, having been recommended ly Presbyteries and approved by the Committee, shall be placed on the list of Aid-Eoceiving Sta tions and Mission Stations, directly under the care of the H. M. Committee • provided always that no application for aid shall be entertained by tho Com' mittee on behalf of any station, unless the Presbytery of the bounds shall have made arrangements with the people for paying, according to rheir ability, the salary of the missionary ; and the Presbytery shall see to the implementing of such engagements. And tho Committee shall make like arrangements in the case of stations under its care. 2. Mission Stations reported by Presbyteries, but not receiving aid. ;5. Not self-sustaining, but prepared to contribute at least «400 per annum at the rate of at least USm) per communicant, or U per family, and in which in' tho judgment of the Presbytery, a fixed pastor is desirable. Such congt ...ration^, having made application to the Presbytery of the bounds, and fumishod sati^^ factor, information in regard to their statistics, and financial position nnd pro Hpects, and having rocoivcd tlio iippicviil ot tin, l'.eHb,ytury, (which u|.,.hc.itioa and iufonnatiou shall als-.. bo laid bcluro tiio sub CummiUue,) may bo placud on tho litit of oon|,'rcgalio!iH loceiviug supplcr^ont. I'rov.dod alwayw, that cougiogaticiis at proKcnt locoivinf,' aid oh .11 cuiilinue on thohHt m the moa.itimo, but that IVesbytorioH bo instnicKHl t.. uho dili-'ouco m order to bnng up such cougrogatious to tho rate of i^alary and coutributiou required by tho noxt regulation. •1. Tuat tho minimum stipend, exclusive of manKo, to he paid to tho min- istors of supplcaiontod congregations, from all sources, shall bo seven hundred dollars per annum. In accepting the foregoing Resolution, it is carne.itly recommende.1 that during tho term that must intervene before that recommeiidatiou can he adopted and enforced, strenuous exertions should be made, by thn Presbyteries through- out tho Church, to bring the stipends of all congregations, nut supplemented, up to, at least, tho same standard. ■f ^'i; IV. MISSIONARIKS AND FUNDS. i; ih .t Missionaries shall consist of ordained Ministers and Licentiates ircl- ; and Students of Divinity, and Catechists, duly iipprovcd as the •a,, ai.\,';t. Eaoh of these Missionaries shall be recommended to the u;- jomt Tresbytury. lUei. shall ho two Central Funds.-oue for the support of Mission Stations un.i for Homo Mission work gouerally, tlie other for tho assistance of congreg,-,.ionb rcnuring supplement, -to be known rcspeotivoly as tho Home Mission lundand the Bupplemcutal Fund. These fiuds shall consist of all moneys contributed for their support, whether by contributions from the Con- gregations, Mission Stations, and Sabbath Schools of tho Church, or by grants of money from Foreign Churclies, or of moneys accruing from other sources, such as legacies, donations and other kindred contributions. V. THE DUTIES OP THE COMJllTTEE SUALh liE— 1. To prepare and send down to Presbyteries and Missionaries, blank forms for tlioir reports, so as to ascertain the peculiar circumstances, necessities, and generally the state of the Mission Stations and Supplemented Congregations throughout the Church. 2. The sub-Committejs shall consider the lleports thus i-cndored by I'res- bytories, and distribute the Missionaries among the Presbyteries, as, in view of the detailed information before them, may be deemed advisable. 3. The sub-Committoes shall give such aid to Mission Stations and Supple- mented Congregations, in paying their Missionaries or Ministers, as, in view of tho detailed information before them, may be deemed advisable. 4. The General Committee shall prepare a full Annual lleport of all the Home Mission and Supplemontal oporathms of the Church, to bo submitted to the Assembly, and to publi.ih, from time to time, such information as may serve to call forth the interest and liberality of the Church. 6 '). The Hiib-CounuitttOH hIiuII be empowered, in tlmso parts of the Dominion which iiro not within the hounds of any Prenhytery, to estahUBh Mipision Stations nnd conihint Missionuiy oporiitions duoctly. fj. Tliiit, in Mission lioidn ]ilaueil directly under the Home MiuHion Com- niittues, and in now and dostitntu lieldi^ of wide extent witliiu tlie boundH of I're.shyteries, the Hub-CommitteeB bliull be empowered — acting i" tlie latter cane in conciit with tlie rreHl'"tery of the bounds— to sccxuc the services of suitable Missionaries, who may bo willing to occupy them for a term of years, and to pay them in excess of the ordinary salary i)aid to Missionaries. 7. 'J'he Committee shall not be resjionpible for the salary of Missionaries beyond the amount of aid promised to the Stations or ConKrefjations by it, and for the time during which they may have laboured iu said Stations or Congre- gations. 8. 'riie amount of salary to be ))aid by each Congregation, Station or group of Stations, shall be determined by the Presbytery ot the bounds, and specified to the sub-Committees, and it is recommended that a minimum be aimed at by the Presbytery and sub-Committees conjointly, of eight dollars ($8) per Sabbath for an ordained Minister or' a Licentiate, with board ; for a Student of Divinity, dur- ing the summer, at the rate of six dollars {%(>} per Sabbath, with board and travelling expenses to the field of labour ; and for a Catechist, five dollars (l.l) per Sabbath, with board. 9. The amount of aid granted to any Congregation receiving Supplement, shall in no case exceed the amount necessary to make the salary of the Minister seven hundred dollars. But the sub-CommitteoB are empowered to supplement till' salaries of ordained Ministers, engaged in ^fission work in towns and cities, beyond that amount. 10. That tlie Supplement of all aid-receiving Congregations shall be calcu- lated from the ili\t day of the ecclesiastical year, and that the Presbyteries be instructed to make thek reports accordingly— supplements being payable half- yearly. 11. That Presbyteries bo instructed, at an ordinary meeting previous to the first of October in each year, to revise the list of Mission Stations and Supple- mented Congregations, and make sucii changes as they may deem necessary, reporting the amended lists to tlie Bub-Committee, and that the lists thus amended, form the basis of the operations of the Committee for the then ciureut year. VI. GENEIUL UE6ULATI0NS. 1. Presbyteries are enjoined to furnish information to the eub-Coramittees in uccordancc with the reciuirements of the above scheme, and to co-operate with the Committee. 2. All Congregations and Mission Stations shall be enjoined to make an annual contribution to each of the funds. ;{. The travelling expenses of Members of Committee shall be borne equally by the two funds, and the cost of all exploring and aggressive Missionar}' work, undertaken and sanctioned by Presbyteries, shall be defrayed out of the Home Mission Fund. " 4. In regard to arrears due l»y Supplemented Congregations to their Mia- istefK, tluso cou},'r('(;atioiib Khali be re(iuir«'d to report to this Committee. through the Presbytery, in the form provided, before the beginning of each eccleBiastioal year, the amount paid by thorn au stipend dnring the previmis twelvemonths; and that in casoB where the iimount fulls t-hurt of the stipend promiHtul by them, power be given to suspend the payment of tlie supplement until the arrearages are liipiidated. vn. I'RonATioNEns and vacancies. 1 . That the distribution of Piobationers shall bo left in the hands of a .sub- Committee, appointed from the Homo Mission Committee, 'i'he roll of Proba- tioners shall consist of Preachers who have been Uconsed less than five years, and Ministers who have been loosed from their charges, or who have been receiving appointments from the Committee less than four years, (reckoning, in both cases, from the date of their admission to the roll.) 3. Preachers who have been on the roll for five years, and Ministers for four yoiirs without settlement, shall have their names remo. ed from the list : allow- ance being made in all eases of sickness, leave of absei'.ce, or time occupied in the public busiueas of the Church or Mission work, apart from fulfilling regular appoiutraeats. Provided, also, that the Assembly aUtne may order the retention of a Prjbationer's name on the list beyond thi; a>)ove specified times. 1. That Ministsrs or Probationers, who have retired from tho Ministry and entered on some other calling lor a time, shall not have their names put on the list of distribution without the perjnission of the General Assembly to that eilect. 5. Probationers, concerning whom complaints of inelliciency have been received from their Presbyteries by the Committee, may h:ive their appointments withdrawn till a deoisitm of the Assembly shall bo given in the case. G. As soon as a Preacher is licensed, the Presbytery reports the fact to the Committee on Distribution, to whom is entrusted the distribution of Probationers among the Presbyteries of the Church. 7. When a Congregation desire a hearing of a particular Probationer, cr a f uither hearing of one formerly heard, they shall communicate theu' desire to the Presbytery, and if the Presbytery see it expedient to concur in it, tl application is transmitted to the Convener of the Distributing Committee, and as soon as practicable, ellcct is given to the rci^uest ; it being understood that in case any extra expense is incurred by the probationer, it is to be defrayed by the Congre- gation in addition to tho ordinary allowance. 8. When a preacher accepts a call, he shall give notice to the Convener of tho Distributing Committee, and no further appointments ore made to him ; but ho shnll bo reciuired to fulfil the appointments already made, unless relieved by tho Presbytery to whoso bounds he has been designated. 9. Missionaries and Pi'")bationers shall be required to labour in the localities and discharge the duties assigned to thom hy the Presbyteries, at whose disposal tuey may have been placed by the Home Mission Committee, 8 via. llEOOUMENWriONS. V. TOllElUN MIHSIONS. hor work «b.vll bo sustuinod -md alUhl r , T''^'' '"" d..p.:tmoMt ..f to tbiH 1 .md. ''^ '"'^""■"^ '" ""''^^ «" annual coutribati^m duty of Haul Bu..;d-1. To aluiiniZZ , ''^' ''"''^^ '^^^^ ^" ^^'^ i.urpo«o.s. .ud .ndo. ^^ ::^:^ t^j:!:^\:zT ^!-"^«»^'-^- Annual Meeting. 2. To take tbo over.Lb of bo ul^" "° ^^^"'"^7 at its or wbo may hereafter be engaged in the servL If the n T'"' ""' '''''' ''^' tano to time, to .aid Mis.ionaA,. such onW ! . "''"^'' ^"'^ '" "■^^^«' ^r"*" "ocossary. ..To seek out ;ch M :^^^^^^^^^ undertake Foreign Mission work t j ^^ o ^t^^^^^^^^ '^ ^"^-S *« necessary, to conduct their «,■«.„».« . 'luahhcations, and, where ticular Holds of "ab"L ' ' '"'^ '™""^' "'^^^ '"^ "PP*^-* ^hom to their par- i. -luc tiavolhng expenses of Members of f1.« p.>..„- nr- . ' ^^^^°™'^'3 • witli tlio tnui;uction of tho businoaH ontruHtua to it, shall bo ilofrayod from the Foroign MiHHion Fund, KIlENOa KVANOELIZATION. On thi-i mivttor boiac brought up, tlio followiuj,' tlelivoranco was adoptod : "That, imwmuch as tho Gunoral Anrtumbly has takou doUnito action on this .Hiibjoct, tho Committen ia not oullod upon to considi ■•• it." VI. COLLBUES. EDUCATION FOU THb MINISTUY. AND EXAMINA- TION OF STUDENTW. Tho UoUoKon, ro«ardiug whoso state and pronpocts information was ob- tiuno 1 by tho Committoo. woro Diilhouaio (Joliogo ; J lalifax Tlioolo-icai Hall • Monutota (Joliogo. I'Uo priiicipal subjoot of disoac was thu modo of sup port- whether tliore Hhonld bo a com.non Collogo Futa ... bo raided under the direction of the Uouoral Assembly, und from which tho various Theological Hills should be Hustamod, a:j far as necessary, or whoiher there should bo an assignment of territory to each College. If waf .und thai a majority voted for the lorr-.r whilst several decliu.a to vote. But in tlio meantime tho following r.-port of a sub-Committee, appointed to consider tho whole subject, was adopted as ', .. ^ commtMdutiou of tho Commltteo to the General Assembly. 1. TUKUIiOOICAL UAUiS. The following statements were made regarding the present equipment and necessities of Theological Halls. 1. Knox Oollkoe iius a stall of three Prefossort,, one Lecturer, two Tutors and one Lootuier on Elocution. ' „,, '^'^" *'f"""^'''* expenditure (including portion of retiring allowance to Dr Willis) is ele-on thousand dollars (»J 1,000). Tho amouut invested is aix thou- sand two )iuu8,000), of which the sumofhfeen hundred dollars :»1,500) is provided by endJwm Lt, 1 a ng dx thousand hve hundred dollars («G,50t)) to be raised by coUections. i. MonitiN College asks no aid at present from the Church. 6. The Theological Hall at Halikax has three Professors. Th. «alary l^r 'fT '' ^T'T""'^ ^"' " """^ ^y "^" ^^»'«1^ «f Scotland, in the ex pectation that an early effort will be made to endow the Institution 10 Estimiitiiig the salariofi of Piofcpsora at two thonsand dollarfi eacli amount re(r...rc(l to be raiKed by collection is live thousand dollars (»5,00(>). The total sum nniuiicd in order to maintain ilio existing ntate of tliingH is, tlieroforc, about tweuty-five thousand dollars (»25,()00). Should an additional Professor be appointed in (Queen's College and Montreal College respectively, tl amount would bo increased to about $30,000. the le II. BECOMMENDATICNb. 1. It is exi)editut that the territorial principle should, for the present, be adopted in the mhenie for sui)portinK the Theological Institutions of the Church. 2. The congregations in Maritime Provinces shall be the constituency for the support of the Theological Hall at H.ilifax. 3. The congregations in the Province of Quebec, and those in the Province of Ontario, on the east side of the St. Lawrence and Ottawa Kailway, shall con- tribute towartls the support of the Presbyterian College at Montreal ; and those congregations west of the St, Lawrence and Ottawa Railway, shall contribute towards the sujjport of Queen's College and Knox College. ■1. Inasmuch as iMorriu College seeks no aid from the Church at present, the C mmittue make no recommeudatioji couceruiug the mode of its support. in. TUEOLOUICAL, EDUCATION AND E.'CAMI.'^ATION OF STUDKNl'S. After some conversation on the practice of the several Churches regarding Education for the ]\linistry and Examination of Students, it was agreed to appoint a small sub-committee to draft regulations on these subjects. IV. MANITOBA COLLKGE. With reference to Manitoba College, as no opportunity had been afforded to the sub-Committee on Colleges of meeting with the sub-Committee on Home Missions, as had been directed, it was agreed that the resolution of the Com- mittee, given below, be curried out, and that Manitoba College continue to be oui)i)orte(l in the meantime from Home Mission funds. After lengthened deliberation the following was adopted as the recommenda- tion of the Committee. 1. " That Manitoba College should be maintained in efficiency. 2. " That, while in the meantime it is necessary that the funds of the Home Mission Committee shall be drawn upon for the support of this Institution, it is not desirable that this College shall continue to be a i)crmaueut charge upon the Home Mission Fund." VII. (1.) MINISTERS' WIDOWS' AND ORPHANS' FUND. This subject was, after explanations had been given regarding the Furd-i of the several Churches, referred to a Sub Committee, who brought in a Report, which, after certain amendments hail been made, was adopted, as fol- lows, and the Committee resolved to recommend accordingly :— 1. That one Fund be created for the whole Church. 11 2. That tho terms of the Act of the Province of Quebec, 38 Victoria, chap- ter Ixi., reliitinj,' to tho MiiufiterF,' Widows' and Orphans' Fund of tho late Pres- byterian Churcli of Canada in connection with the Church of Scotland, provid- ing, that in the event of tho amalgamation of that fund with the- funds of the other ChurchoH that were particK to the recent Union, " no widow or orphan of a niiniHtor who had formerly belonged to +',ie Presbyterian C:hurch of Canada in connection with the Church of Scotland, shall receive less annuities from the fund of the United Church than would have pertained to them in terms of the bcale in force by this 13o&rd at the date of Union, if the said Churches bad not iinittd," bo accepted ; and an amalgflmation of the four funds be etfeoted. ii. That in addition to tho revenue derived from the capital sum, formed by tho uniting of the four funds presently existing, the fund shall be maintained by an annual contribution from each minister and congregation. 4. That the rate of ministerial contributions shall be as follows: — Ministers of this Church at present not connected with any fund, and any ministors who after this date shall bo admitted to participate in the benefits ol the fund, under 35 years of ago, shall pay into tho fund annually *8.00 ; such as are between 35 and 40 years of age, »10.00 ; those who are between 40 and 50 years of age shall pay »1C.00 per annum. The appUcation of any minister over 50 years of ago to be admitted to the beuetits of the fund shall bo made the subject of special consideration. 5. That the allowances to widows from tho common fund be equal ; the case of the widows of tho ministers formerly belonging to the Presbyterian Church of Canada in connection with the Church of Scotland, as already pro- vided for, only excepted ; proviiled also that no widow at present receiviug an annuity from any of the funds, nor the widow of any minister of the united Church, who had formerly belonged to the Presbyterian Church of Canada in connection with the Church of Scotland, shall receive a less allowance than $150 a-year. G. That the following be tho scale of annuities payable to widows and orphans :— Each widow sliall receive $150 per annum. If a widow have children, in addition to her own anuuity, she shall receive for one child $20 per annum, for two children $3(5 per annum, for three children $50 per annum, and $10 per annum for each additional child ; but she shall not receive anything from the fund for boys over 18 years of age, or for girls over 21 years of age. 7. In tho event of the decease of both parents, if there bo only one orphan, the Board slmll pay for the benefit of such orphan $150.00; if there are two orphans, $20.00 shall be added to the allowance made for one; if there are three orphans, $16.00 more shall be paid on their behalf ; and if there are four orphans, $11.00 shall bo added to the allowance; and $10.00 shall be given for each additional orphan ; but no allowance shall oe made for boys over 18 years of age, or for girls over 21 years of age. 8. That, on behalf of Profeanora, Foreign Mi.-iBionarica, Missioaaric-B under the French Evangelization Committee, Ministers on the Aged and Infirm Miuisters' Fund, or who have retired from active duty, with permission of tho 12 Chnrch, ana for whom no aid is sought from the fund for Aged and Infirm Minis or« and tho Agents of the Church, who shall ho on the fund of the U S Church, ho sum of wolvo doUars shall, in addition to the personal ratc!;^ aft h amalgamatror. of the funds, be paid to this fund, from the funds with vhicl they are respectively connected. ri.ht!"i.t;^f-^^""f''"''^/''''"' ^'"^""'^ ^'^'"•^^' ''^'^^ continue to enjoy his rights m this fund on condition of his paying annually into tlie fund such sum as an actuary may determine to be equitable ^'n addition to personal r.tos. 10 rhat It be an instruction to I'reshv .eries to use all lawful endeavours to TonnTf f Ti^ T''.'"'' ""^'^^ ^' '' ^^^"'"^^^ ^"t" ^ ^'l^^^K'^. «I^aU become connected with the fund. 11. That any Mhiister, who may at the time of his induction decline to join the fund, may be allowed to do so within four years from the date of his inch^ction. on condition of his contributing a sum equivalent to the total pay- ments he should have made, provided he had connected himself with the fund at his induction together with an addition of one dollar a year for each yeai ho has dechued to contribute to the fund after his induction. 12. The rates of payment may bo revised once in every five years 13. That an actuary be employeil to examine the funds presently cxistin.- and report to the committee as to the most equitable way in which the amalga- mation can be effected, and that the Treasurers of the several funds bo instructed to lurnish the data which such actuary may requke. • li. That the General Assembly bo asked to appoint a Committee to obtain the legislation necessary to amalgai.ate the four funds now in existence in the l^nurch, on tue terms that may be agreed upon. VII. (2). AGED AND INFIRM MINISTERS' FUND. The same sub-Committee submitted a Report on this fund, which, after being considered, was adopted as the recommendation of the Committee to the Assembly. 1. That there shall be a fund for the whole church. 2. ^hat it shall be sustained by annual congregational contributions, dona- ions and bequests. scale"!' ^^"* ^''^'"*" """* ""' "'" ^"""^ '^*" ^' """"^^ ^''""^•^•"^ t° ^^' *«li«^^i"(^' (1). When a Minister is allowed by the Assembly to retire after ten years permhs " '"""' "' '° '"'" ^""•^' '''''''' " "^« ''^'^ "^ "- ^""-i (2). The case of a Minister permitted to retire after less than ten years' service, shall be made the subject of special consideration by the Assembly i. That It be an instruction to rresbyteries, when accepting the resignation of .iiiiHters, permitted by the Assembly to retire, to secure, when practicable, Tad ser'ved ''""' ^" '''"^ ^""'*''"' ^'""^ ^^' congregations which they 18 Vni. ECCLESIASTICAL PROCEDURE, &c. Under this head were included Ecclcsinstical Procednrc, Synodicnl Fnnc tionH and Business, Standing Orders for the conduct of business in the Chnreh Courts, Regulations ancnt tho IJecords of Cliurch Courts, the Fomula and Questions to office-bearers, and admission of Ministers from other Churches. These several matters were entrusted to a Subcommittee, whose Repojt was, after certain changes had been made, adopted as the recommendation of the Committee, and is as follows :— T. That the questions to bo put to office-bearers at their Ordination or Induction be — 1. Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and Ne v Testaments to be the Word of God and the only inf alible rule of faith and manners? 2. Do you believe the WeBtminster Confession of Faith as adopted by this Church in the Basis of Union, to be founded on and agreeable to ihe Word of God. and in your teaching will you faithfully adhere thereto? 3. Do you believe the Government of this Church by Sessions, Presbyteries, Synods, and General Assemblies to be founded on and agreeable to the Word of God, and do you engage as a minister of this Church to maintain and defend the same? 4. Do you own the purity of worship at present authorized by this Church, and will you conform thereto ? 5. Do you promise to give a dutiful attendance in the Courts of this Church, to submit yourself in the spiiit of meekness to the admonitions of this Presby- tery, to be subject to it and the superior judicatories, to follow no divisive course, but maintain according to your power the unity and peace of tho Church. ,6. Are zeal for the glory of God, love to the Lord Jetius Christ, and desire of saving souls, so far as you know your own heart, your great motives and chief inducements to enter the oifice of the holy ministry. 7. Have you directly or induectly used any undue moans to procure this -all? 8. Do you engage in the strength and grace of the Lord Jesun Christ to live a holy and circumspect life, to rule well your own house, and faithfully and diligently to discharge aU the duties of the ministry to the edification of the body of Christ? QUESTIONS TO BE PUT TO CANniT>ATES FOB LICENSE TO PBEACH THE OOSPEI,. Numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, as above. 5. Do you engage in the strength and grace of our Loi-d Jesus Christ to live a holy and circumspect life, and faithfully to preach the gospel, as you may have opportunity ? C. Do you promise to nuhmit yourself in the Lord to the several judicatories of this Church? J 14 things showing yourself a pattern of good work. > ' " *" QUESTIONS TO na PHT TO PKACONS BEFORE ORDmATION Numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, {^«toV.r .,*«/«„,//,.) ,aop.a .. this Church a. the hasi.of Unio.. ^M::^":::ZZ ^^SLI by Sos ions, Presbyteries, Synods and General Assemblies, to be founded on and agreeable to the Word of God: that I own the nuritv of W.Vi 7 authorised by this Church : and that I engage tlVd^ fll^'h d^t^ of the said Confession, to maintain and defend the said Government, to con o3 to the said worship, and to submit to tlie discipline of this Church, ami to follow no divisive course from the present order established therein." m. That the Standing Orders of the Supreme Court be-— 1. Reports of Ordinations. Inductions. Licensure, Deaths. Demissions Sus - portions, Depositions of Mininters, a,„l of th , erection or dissolution of coLgre gations within the respective Syn . Is, shall be sent up by Clerks of these Courts so as to be m the hands of the Cku'.c of Assembly at least eight days before the Assembly meets. A large portion of the second Sederunt, and such portions of other diets as the Moderator of Assembly may think proper, shall be spent in devotVonal r . t ?!r '^" *"' "" ^**'''^"° Committee on Business, consisting of the Clerks of the Assembly, and of Synods and Presbyteries, who may be Com mis^oners. who shall arrange all such business as may be requisite previousTo the first diet of the anuual meeti*ig of the Assembly. This Committee to gether with fifteen members to be appointed by the Assembly, shall constitute he Committee on Bills and Overtures. The Assembly Cle;ks shall be oi^t Conveners of these Committees. After the arrangement of business has been reported by the Committee of Bills and Overtures, and sanctioned by the Assembly, he Clerks of the Assembly shall cause a docket of business to be printed for the information of members. 3. All papers shall be transmitted to one of the Clerks of the Assemblv af east eight days before the meeting of Assembly, and all such papers shall pass sembly ^"'"^^"^^ «' ^^^' ^^^ Overtures before presentation to thaTs 16 4. In ordei that all documontfl coming before the Assombly may bo prosorved in a form convenient for reference, Reports, Overtures, References, Appeals, Extract Minutes, and nil other matters \^hatsoever, intended to be submitted to the Assembly, shall be writtiMi on foolscap paper, with sufficient margins so as to admit of their being bound in volumes; and, for the sake of securing fully the ends of Justice, parties who have causes to bring before the Assembly, are recommended to print copies of the same in numbers suiTicient for the use of members, and in a shape suitable for binding along with <,he printed Minutes of Assembly. 5. The Conveners of Standing Committees shall give in their annual reports to the Committee of Bills and Overtures, if possible, not later than the second sederunt of the meeting of the Assembly. If these are in printed form they shall bo in a shape suitable for binding along with the printed Minutes of Assembly. G. The Assembly shall appoint a Committee, of not less than two from each Synod, and not more than four from any one Synod, to nominate members for the Standing Committees of the Assembly. IV. THAT THE REGULATIONS ANENT THE RECORDS OP CHURCH COURTS BE— ? , The pages shall be numbered in words at length as well as in figures. 2. Every page shall be signed by the Clerk, and the Record of each sederunt by the Moderator and Clerk. In case of the death or removal of the Moderator or Clerk, the Record shall afterwards be signed by the then acting Moderator or Clerk, cum nota of the cause, in presence of the Court. 3. The time and place of meeting shall be minutely stated in words. 4. Every page shall have a suitable margin on which tlxe itemp oi recorded busmess, etc. shall be indexed. 5. The place and date of each meeting shall be shortly indicated on the margm at the top of the page. C. Church Courts shall take special care that their Records are carefully and correctly written. All erasures or other changes in tlie Record shall be noted on the margm with the initials of the Clerk's name. 7. All sums of money shall be given in words as well as in figures. 8. No unnecessary vacant spaces shall be left between the Minutes of Sederants. v. THAT THE BARRIER ACT SE— ). No proposed law or rule relative to matters of doctrine, discipline government, or worship, shall become a permanent enactment until the same has been submitted to Presbyteries for consideration. Such consideration shall be given by each Presbytery, at an ordinary meeting, or a special meeting hold for the purpose; and an extract minute of the I 'rosbytery's judgment shaU be sent to the Clerk of the General Assembly, b.fore the next meeting of that .16 «r Jn/^l"^""*^^'^' '' '* IT "*"'^' '°'y' ^y * '"*J'*"*y «' two-thirds of those present, pasa such proposed law or rule into an Interim Act, which shall possess the force of law until the Presbyteries have, as heroin required, reported their judgment upon it to the next General Assembly. 3. Ifampjorityof the Presbyteries of the Church express their approval the Assembly may pass such proposed law or rule into a standing law of the Church. If a majority of the Presbyteries express disapproval, the Assembly s.iall reject such proposed hiw or rule, or again remit it to the Presbyte ies. 6. That the Sub-Committee be continued, with power to divide itself into sevora parts, for the mature consideratiou of the matters entrusted to it. and that the name of Rev. G. M. Grant be added to the Committee. n _'^,^« S'^^-Committee on Ecclesiastical Proceduife, etc., is as foUows :-Dr. O. Bell, Convener ; Principal Snodgrass, Principal Caven, Dr. Waters, Dr. Pater- son Professor Mackerras, Professor Gregg, Messrs. T. Sedgwick. J. Middlemiss, J. Laing, W. Re,d, R. CampbeU, W. Fraser. J. G. Robb, and G. M. Grant Ministers, and Mr. T. W. Taylor and Judge Stevens. Elders. IX. MEMORIAL FUND. ■ This matter was remitted to a Sub-Committee, consisting of the Rev W Fraser and the Rev. J. Gray, to mature a scheme to be submitted to the next meeting of the General Committee, when it could be fully and carefully con- . X. TRAVELLING EXPENSES OP MEMBERS OF COMMITTEE. The matter of paying the expenses of the members of Committee was brought up for consideration, and the Committee, while agreed as to the equitv of such payment, decided to leave the whole subject in the hands of the General Assembly. The Committee agreed to holdjts next meeting at the call of the Convener Dr. Topp. ' After singing the last three verses of the 122nd Psalm, the Convener pro tent., the Rev. T. Macjiherson, closed the proceedings with prayer, at eleven o clock, p.m. P. G. MACGREGOR, ) ^ . , ^, , ^^ JOHN GRAY, I •/"'"'^ Clerks of Committee. Sbptbmbir, 1S7F>. ; J ^