^> ^7^^,31 <>, IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) / /. // /. ^?^. / ^^ % (/. 1.0 I.I 1.25 B^ 112.8 u y4 IM 1^ IIIIIM 1.8 6" 1.4 IIIIII.6 V] <^ /] ^;. :> ? '^ij^^ V >^ Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 ' ,rcscnt appeal, is with all possible )>ievity and sini})licity, to '.ilolv oust rate that a steadfast adherence to the course to'uhich t.ie synod is solemnly pledged, by lU own public nji'd reiterated d( elaration<, is the only one consistent 'wit.Ii Christian principle and Kound ecclesiastical policy, wliicli iolei't open topdoption, and attbrds the only groai/d of hope, that tiie irnnudiale disruption, perhaps tiie ufli.'ijate dissolution and fuIfi of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, can be efl'ectu- • * ally prevented. ' ' " That we mav exhibit a cls-ar a!)d coinprehcn'^ive view of the whole subject, in si!.c.ll a form and order, as to bring within a moderate compass, all the main facts and arguments involved in the question, anil whiclj must be borne in mind in forming a sound judgment of its merits; it will be proper first of all to expound, briefly, the great jrineiples which lie at the foundation of the controversy, to ascertain how far their trutii and importance, their conformity to scripture, and their essential bearing upon the vital interests of the Cuiis- tian Church, impose upon all a moral obligation to de- fend and maintain them, and to sympathize and eo- op'^rate with those who may be called in the providence of God to stiivc and to suffer in their vindication. — We shall next show that the synod are called by a 6 iegani, to digMifud consistency, to gooil faith, and the most sacred moral obligatiun:-*, to hold fast tlieir prin- ciples as set f'Tlh irj the n >o]utions of 18 H, 1812. &c., and upon I he ba^is oi' tlie.^e principles, to a^sert and maintain the entire and ab-f God, must admit that Christianity is a purely divine insiitutiow, having its own peculiar economy and goverrlhient, its i/wn laws and odinance?, unlike those of the king- >) i (lonis of this worM — '; But \c aru'' Miys l\^^^ Aj-o.-ili' IVter, *' a chosen g( iit'i'ution, a rowil piicsthood, an holy nation, a peculiar pc( )lt'." All then arc calU d to co-Oj)crate in maintaining the purely spiiitnal char- acter of this divine institute — King-^, Mitgistrato, Patrons, Pastors, and I'eoplc — Notliing can be dwiifc by all or any of them, itj opposition to the great end and design ol" tiiat kingdom, \vl.jeh •' is not of this world,"' ivithoiU resisthf.g the (uithoritu of d'od's word and will. As the visible Ciuirc-.i has bt en establishtd to preach the gospel to the j)ot)r, to pr(\>i(rve, prop.agute, arid perpetuate the kncnlvdgt and iribiencc of divin*' truth, to athnijiister the ordirianccs and discipline, by which Christians are mtui,e wisd unto salvation — the paramount importance of,a faithful anib!e every hazaril of the intrusion of sucji'as.are uneirialiHed, unsuitable, unacceptaljle, or even less worthy and (ihctive, than it \\as possible to have instalh d. V\ iiile it is due to the State, that none should be permitted, under its peculiar sanction and patronage, to fill the otrice of a public teacher of religion and morals, mIio is not a loyal sub- ject, a good citizen ; and while it biiongs to the Clergy and other diviiiely apptdnted rulers of the Church generally, in their proper judicatories, to try and prove the qualifications of every Candidate for tiie < thee ol' the holy ministry, so far as science, literature, aj)d theo- logy are requisite elements of the sacred profession ; who shall deny that theie is a third party not the least iuteicstcd in the result — the People the immortulsoulsy 8 »)f V Mch he is called to be the ovoivcor, to watch for ihcMii as one tliat must give account unto God ; since it isi for their edification and salvation, tiiat the gospelniinistry, and tlie Churclj itself, have been ordained of God. And as it is essential to this end, that " he be suited to their capacities," as it is well expressed in the language of the popular call, and be perfectly qualified to fulfil the work of an Evangelist ainong them, (i. e.) to speak in a language -.vhich they can understand, which is capable of winning the attention, Ui(} confidence, the hearts of his hearers — interesting, edifying, comforting, and re- freshing their souls; and; li.sl the modes of instruction are as diver>iiied as the J?apacities and conditions of the hearers, it is undeniable tliat the hearers themselves arc the only competent judges of the suitableness of the pastor to their capacities — that main qualifica- tion, without which, he ^[^ altogether unlit to l)e their pastor — and that tlie-ir decided opposition on thin ground, if the great end. of the gotipel be not ut- terly disregarded, must be held an insurmountable bar to his admission. Bes,ides it is plain that none but a renewed inmi can discern spiritual things — can savor, the things that be of God — a plain, illiterate peas- ant therefore, who has been enlightened in the saving knowledge of divine truth, and is practically i?iibued with the spirit of the gospel, must be a better judjrc than the wise and the learned, after the flesh. And as the people are the ovdy competent judges of this part of his qualifications, on whicli the usefulness of the pas- tor mainly depends it appears to be one of the most certain and self-evident truths, that the call or the con- sent at least, of the majority of the people — who are to form the members of his fliock — to his appointment, is the most indispensible of all requisites to constitute the ai ti cat! ble gos 1 for ! it i» stry, And their Te of 1 the i. ill a lyable rts of d re- ction ns of solves 1 ss of ifica- i) be 11 this t ut- tabie none -can peas- aving biiod And s part e pas- most 2 con- are to ent. ii* te th» lof^itimate title and standing of a Christian pastor. There does not seem any reason for excluding tlie popular call or veto, save those spurious or infichi max- ims of worldly wisdom, state expediency, or {)ri(stiy policy, which to admit, would be to exterminate genuine religion out of the world, to sub>titute priestly and po- litical craft for the simplicity of tlie go.^pul — " tiie pure and peaceable wisdom from abuve,"and to open a door to unbounded corruption" — to sacerdotal and secular tyranny in the Church. '•• •' The very fact that a call* however it niav. in these latter days of our Churctlst di^cline from h(!r first love and pureness of faith, dis'cipUfie and government, have become no more than a iiiritie, a shadow, demonstrates 4 O beyond all controversy -'vhat was the mind and will of the first fathers and fourvjers of the Church of Scot- land. They felt that the, peered boiiJ beLween pastor and flock, by which the miuister, in the popular and pithy phraseology of ScOthuul, i^ said (o be married to his C/iurc/if is one, which implies the mutual free will, the equal consent of t^ie 'two contracting parties, is one, therefore, in which any force, coercion, or violation of freedom, especially when exercised against the Mcaker party, the bride, is worse than ini(|uitous, it is cruel it is sacrilegious. Surely in the dread responsibility of that sacred and solemn contract, by which one is united to a Christian flock as the shepherd and bishop of souls, "to cherish them," in the language of the apostle, "as a nurse cherisheth her children," there must be im- plied the undoubted right of a christian people, to have that minister who, with literary and theological qualifi- cations, unites the not less essential merit of being suita- ble and acceptable to those whom " he is to serve in the gospel of Christ." 10 Let me not be supposed unfaithful to the cause of my order, in the maintenance of all our just rights and inte- rests, when I protest, with all emphasis and solemnity, a<5ainst the absurd and abominable doctrine, that ihe Iwinf/, as it is called — the temporal provision for the minister, or his temporal interests and prospects, in any view, ought to be for a moment weighed against tlie |>a- ramount consideration of^'tlfv; spiritual interests of his tlock. I challenge that jtiVftiister, who is obnoxious to all the loss and damage ofjiis temporal prospects and })rofessional credit, by the decided refusal of a congre- gation to accept him as theilr. pastor, to satisfy his own conscience, or the mind of any impartial Christian, who believes the Gospel, and^ knows the vast responsibility ol' him who is put in trusf with the cure of souls, that it can be lawful fcjr liim, as the ambassador of the meek, lowly, and self-df^tiyed Saviour, even to suffer himself to be intruded into that charge — to be forced, by the civil power, it may .be y.t the point of the bayonet, upon a reclaiming protesting people. He cannot, he dare not lay his hand upon ]ii« heart and say, that he is acting in the spirit of his Divine Master. He c ui- not, without a misgiving of heart and a faultering of the tongue, invoke the blessing of God upon his self- obtruded ministry. Even were he sure that he niigh soon render his mini^t.y a l>lessing, and make himself i)ersonally accepLJ !o and beloved by all, he cannot di.'uy that this \\ ould only be a rare exception to a general rule, and that the example of his intrusion is of such evil hillu- ence as to outweigh all the good that lie can do, even granting, what never can Ix^ proved, that his assiu'ance of ultimate usefulness is well founded, or that he could not have done as nuich in any other sphere. In answer to the objection ngjintjt tlie non-intrusion I 3 of mv ind inte- ilemnitv, that the . for the s, in any tlie pa- s of his (xious to ects and , congre- his own ian, who onsibility of souls, ssador of to suffer e forced, bayonet, nnot, he , that he He cm- Itering of lis seif- le niigh himself inot deny leral rule, i^vil inllu- tlo, even ;urance of eould not • intrii!>lnn 11 principle, (upon which a very undue stress is laid), that it tends to produce in Christian congregations animosities and schisms, it is sulficient to state the simple undeniable fact, that one minister who is un- faithful, unblessed in his ministr}', is chargeable with greater guilt in the sight of God and mai than the incendiaiy who kindles up civil war, and sets the hand of every man against his brother ; for the one only causes the loss of mortal litb-«-the death of the body • • • » — the other is the fearful agr'nt of ruin, to what is better than life, to the soul whicli* cajinot die — which worlds could not purchase or redecjiji. Try it by airy test you please, look at either time oy, eternity, and it is impos- sible to deny that a faithful Gospel ministry is the greatest of all blessings to a people — to a nation — that its iuduence even in one parish or vilh|go,» in the most sequestered nook or corner of the land, can* »icver be sulliciently prized. If so, there can be no greater* good or evil, and there- fore no gi*eater desert or li\?rnt3rit than to secure or to sacrifice this bles^^ing. No aiWantag-^ can compensate, no evil can outweigh its loss. vWmay confidently conclude, therefore, that the system, however excellent in other respects, which gives any wan-ant or aObrds any occasion for such a sacrilegious violation of God''s Holy Sanctuary, and of the rights of a Christian people is wholly abhorrent to the genius and tenor of the gospel, it is a flagrant vio- lation of the most sacred obligations of all (whether civil or ecclesiastical authorities) who are called to preside over the interests of the Church. All who exercise such vio- lence are guilty of high treason against the crown rights of the Great Head of the Church. The principle of non-intrusion therefore is vital, essential to \\ic beinff no less than to the well-being and icell-working of the Churchy which is called in scripture the Body of Christ, t 12 the Spouse of Christ. What less, therefore, shall we say, than that it is the first of duties on the part of the state, the church rulers, and the people, to defend and main- tain to the uttermost the purity and inviolability of these fundamental laws of the constitution, so to speak, of Christ's Kingdom, the Church. But further, in an established Church, like that of Scotland, where there is opej'ied to the Candidate the prospect of a secure indepei)t1,ent, honorable living, and if he choose to make it so, ?! very easy and indolent one-— a temptation is presented v/hi»ih no one acquainted with human nature, will deny, to be formidable to the purity and prosperity of k Christian Church, alluring those to enter it, who are h6t actuated by a spirit corres- ponding with the solemn responsibilities of the Gospel Ministry, and tending, therefore, without extraordinary circumspection and vigilance on the part of the eccle- Biastical Rulers, by a process neither slow nor uncertain in its operation, to debase and corrupt that orders on whose character and faithfulness mainly depends the prosperity of a Church. To the consideration of the dan- ger which such an establishment presents add the con- current tendency of the law of patronage, and who can hesitate for a moment to justify the conduct of those who advocated the po«!sing of tlie veto law in mitigation op counteraction of the deteriorating ivjiuence of these two concurrent causes upon the character of our mother Church. These views are amply confirmed by the testi- mony of history, for it is undeniable that,from the period of the enactment of the law of patronage, soon after the revolution, tlie Church of Scotland underwent a process of rapid deterioration. Whatever she retained of spiritual purity and power, from that date down to thtt % I com^ to i\\ triau jUStl] who! the with I CatlJ \a shall we say, of the state, d and main- ilily of these o speak, of ike that of ndidate the living, and olent one— . ainted with )Ie to the h, alluring )irit corres- the Gospel raordinary the eccle- uncertain order ^ on aends the f the dan- i the con- d who can those who igation or these two r mother he testi- he period after the a process tained of m to tho commencement of the present centary must be placed to the account of the continued influence of the lierv trials through which she had passed in what may be justly regarded as her palmy days, filling up nearly the whole peiiod of her history, from the Reformation to the Revolution. Then^ all the population of Scotland with the exception of a few Quakers and Roman Catholics, were gathered under her maternal wings. Dissent can scarcely be said to have been felt, until the hnlcyon days of pationage and moderatism, and the sunshine of state favor and endowment had caused a change to pass over the spirit of our Clergy. Then he process of exhaustion commenced. The first seces- ion led by the Erskines, drained the Church ultimate- y of one third of her members; farther inroads were made upon her, by other (fenominations of dissenters. \nd lastly, the non-intrusion question has reduced her a mere fraction of the population of Scotland, robably not exceeding one third of the whole :nd that too, iii a downward progress of dailv ecrease. ' The testimony of history thus concm's with every view )f enlightened principle and sound ecclesiastical policy to ■rove the wisdom, nay the necessity of the reformation M> the advocacy of which the non-intrusionists have sac* rillced their connection with the state, ond all their tem- jwral endowments. While not a word can be said in extenuation of the conduct of the opposite paily in aban- cioning the cause of principles of the most vital moment fo the purity of ihe church, and betraying to the ambitious usurpation of the civil power the ancient rights of Scot- liind and her Church, dearly bought and magnanimously lolended for iiges, the worst that can be said of the Y\^QQ Church is thht she deferred too much to the prcten- 14 I 1^ «>on3 of the Civil power — that she was too moderate in her demands. The remedy she sought was far too lenient for tlie disease. But it will be said what has all this to do with the Church of Canada ] Have we not the most ample liberty that we can desire, and are we to sacrifice, or even to peril our ecclesiastical unity, or our temporal en- dowments for the sake of Utopian, or, at least, purely abstract principles, which have no immediate bearing, or j)ractical application in a land where there is no state connection, no church patronage, but the voluntary prin- ciple as it is called, may be said to be in universal opera- tion, and the will of the people to be all in all ? We answer, that the obligation of bearing our testimony to great. truths, of asserting and vindicating great principles, and of sympathizing and co-operuting, whenever we are so called in the providence of God, with those who are contending for them, even should it be at the most immi- nent peril of the loss of worldly goods, of temporal advantages, or of life itself, is of a moral nature, sacred and inviolable as the laws of the moral world, universal, eternal, and immutable as truth itself, and can never be .suspended or relaxed by any change or diversity of time, place, or circumstances. It is bad logic, and worse morality, to reason from con- vsiderations of expediency against the claims of truth and duty. To set up the calculations of our personal interests as ministers, or of temjwral provision or endowment as a church, against the supremacy of God's moral law, is nothing less than sacrilege and impiety. In all the reasonings of the advocates of adlierence to the Es- tablished Church it is of special importance to be noted, that they argue upon tlie plea of expediency, that they reason not as Christian men and Christian Ministers on % ■fl^'-^^ammmSSSi^'SS^mriQa'--^'^' ite in her o lenient with the ►le Hberty even to oral en- purely taring, or no state aiy prin- lal opera- .11 ? We imony to rinciples, r we are who are Dst immi- temporal acred and universal, never be jr of timey rom con- truth and \ interests dowment I's moral r. In all the Es- be noted, that they nisters on 15 I I i?'- principles of sound Ethics and Scripture truth, but as d ciples of the ancient schools of Epicurus and Aristippus, or of the modern Utilitarian philosophy of Jeremy Benthair;. Tliey place the question in fact upon a false ground, (*r rather they mistake wholly its nature ; forgetting that in every question which is to be determined on the ground of principle^ the plea of expediency cannot so much as he listened to. Their reasoning, therefore, is altogether inapplicable and worthless, it is worse than illogical, it involves a moral as well as a theological heresy. For unless it can be shewn that the principles of this contm- vevsy do not involve the idea of moral obligation, thnt they do not touch and affect, and that vitally too, the spiritual interests of the Church of Christ, or the glorious- indivisible sovereignty of its Supreme Head, or that in other words, as elements indispensable to her purity andetticiefi^ cy, to her well-being and well-working, they are not funtla- mental laws or principles of Christ's Kingdom or Church — they have done nothing to the purpose — they have left untouched the main question on which the whole controversy is suspended. The cause of the advocates of moral principle and consistency remains standing in all its strength, supported by the Omnipotent force of truth, the intallible will and word of God. It would serve as ;t very apt illustration of the absurdity of our opponents, and it is no fault of ours if it wears a ludicrous aspect, were w^e to propose to them so curious a problem tor their solution as this — What amount of moral truth and righteousness, in their estimation, may be warrantably sacrificed or bartered in exchange for temporal endow- ments, or merely secular considerations 1 Let them shew us their balance, their scales and weiglits, in which phy- sical and metaphysical elements, moral and material interests are to be weighed against each other, and the I f 10 balance of comparative value ascertained — and above all Jet them remember that we shall rigidly exact from them the evidence of their being stamped with the Divine seal and authority. The task imposed upon the learned Sorbon- nist, to twist a rope of sand, was reasonable compared with t.hat to which our opponents have virtually applied them- selves. When the mathematician can tell us how many lengths of hours, days ani^ weeks vvould be required as equi- valent in dimensions to miles, Jeagues, and degrees — when the very > see that if ibracc and if Scotland, n to disturb tiurch, and s and Statp . make out no bond of s, and the make their lat at the upon the ks a secret 3stion will exposed to L is at all to ciple ; for l fast our )rudent, it ice them, own pub- lished and reiterated declarations they themselves ha\e swept away ever' ground on which such a plea could now be established. We desire no better or strong-jr evidence for their conviction than their own testimony. Constituting themselves judges, juiy, and witnesses, in their own cause, out of their owm mouth we shall con- demn them. The following resolutions were passed unanimously, in the Synod, which met at Kingston, in 184'1 : — The Syno'l called for the Report of tho Committee appointed to prepare an Expression of Sympathy with the purent Church, which was given in by Mr. M *Gill, and read. After reascjnin^, the following resolutions, drawn up by the Committee were unani- mousl}' adopted by the Synod : 1. That this Synod, in view of the trials through which the Established Church of Scotland is passing, and the eventful crisin at which iljcse have arrived, do record our most afJ'cctionate sym- pathy with her, and our earnest prayer for her success in herstrug. gle against every encroachment of the civil power on her spiritual independence and jurisdiction, and that she may be a faithful witness to all Christian nations of the true principles according to which the civil magistrate shv»uld support the visible k'ngdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2. That this Synod, enjoying, as we do, peculiar opportunities for witnessing the great evils that befall a nation when the true rehgion is not duly countenanced and maintainrd by the civil au. thoritics, evils which have long in the Divine goodness been aver- ted from Scotland, regard it as a great calamity, that collision hus occured between the ecclesiastical and civil tribunals in Scotland, and record our fervent hope that such steps may be taken as shall restore the interrupted harmony, so that the Church may be s'lp- ported in her labours in her own sph-'re, and the state, as liereti». fore may have increasing evidence tliat the Church is the best bulwark of order, improvement, and happiness among tlie j'eoplc. 3. That this Synod experience the highest gratification in olt. serving the enlightened and holy spirit that animates the Parent Church, her advancing internal purity and zeal, tho removal of hindrances which stood in the way of the return of such of her cliildren as had seceded from her communion ; and we d6 sin- cerely trust tliat the Scottish National Church, adhering to her primitive and scriptural standards, will ere long exhibit to Chris- tendom such a spectacle of unity iu the faith and such an exam- ple of scriptural connexion with tlie state, as shall give assurance, that the Lord Jesus Christ for whose Crown and Sovereignty she is contending will nake the land an heritage that the Lord ha:* blcsfacd. B* . i 18 i 4. That this Synod petition Her Majesty the Queen, and the Imperial Parliament, in support of all the just rights and claims of the Church of Sco< land, and in particular that the wishes of the people be duly regarded :n the settlement of their Ministers, and that the secular courts bo prevented from all interference with the spiritual concerns of the Church.* By order of the Synotl, a letter from the pen of the Moderator, Mr. George, was addressed to tlie General Assembly of the United States, from which the following paragraph, bearing upon these resolutions, is extracted. It is dated July, 184^1: — At a crisis like the present in the history of tlie Church of Scot- land when we are looking with anxious solicitude for the develope- ment of the divine purposes regarding her, we cannot but be deeply affected with the expressions of your kind sympathy in her behalf. In her assertion of spiritual independence, in her strug- gles against injurious usurpations of secular power, she is once more revived to the spirit which actuated her in the best periods of her history. But when we consider the principles which govern those who desire to retain licr in bondage, and the power which they can wield to accomplish their end ; and when we look at the Popish and semi-infidel liberalism so eagerly combining with the Erastianism of the State to work her overthrow, we cannot altogc - therjsuppress the apprehension that momentous changes will result i ii some of her external relations. But for her suffering in such a cause and its :9sue we give way, no not for a moment either to fear or despondency ! ! ! On the contrary, we cherish the hope that she will come out of the trial as gold purified by the fire, and that her martyr-testimony will awaken a reforming spirit in those lands where the domination of the civil power has long subverted tho liberty and corrupted the purity of the Church of Christ. These sentiments were confirmed by the Synod at Montreal, in 1842, in the words of the following reso- lution: — , , , ... That the Synod, continuing to cherish the sentiments recorded by them during last Session respecting the struggle which the Pa- rent Church is at present maintaining against the encroachments of the Civil power, and cordially concurring in the great principles asserted in the resolutions passed by the Commission of the General Assembly, at their meeting held on the 25th of August, 1841, and communicated to this Synod, instruct the Committee of Cor- respondence to gire unequivocal expression to the views of the Synod in this respect in the letter which is now to be transmitted to the Colonial Committee of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. * See Appendix, No. 1. « Gale agrl 19 cen, and the 8 and ciaima he wishes of eir Ministers, irfcrence with pen of the the General le following extracted. urch of Scot, the develope- nnot but be ipathy in her n her strug. is once more eriods of her govern those which they look at the ing with tJie annot altoge . rca will result ng in such a snt either to the hope that fire, and that in those lands ubverted tho rist. Synod at wing reso- nts recorded «^hich the Pa- croachments eat principles f the General St, 1841, and ittee of Cor- riews of the transmitted nbly of the i I I % M ^M Resolutions of a similar tenor were moved by Mr. Gale, at the Synod held at Toronto, 1843, and passed by a great majority, 28 to 11.* All these declarations bear the stamp and seal of the Synod ; and all, with the exception of those passed last year, after the disruption of the Church of Scotland received the imanimous sanction of its members. Three years hove elapsed since the mind of the Synod was first proclaimed to the world in its printed minutes ; and, till last session, no one entered rny dissent, protest, or complaint, or so much as hinted a desire f qualifica- tion in the matter, or in the terms of the resolutions. Never was the deliberate, solemn, and unanimous sense of any body of men more clearly uttered and emitted forth to the world. It is certain that the Synod is bound hand and foot — svery minister, and every member, not only those who were present voting and voicing, but those who were not, since ample time had been afforded them of giving in their protest and dissent, had they been so minded. It is impossible now to !etract with a good grace — no, not with any kind of decency or consistency. " There is no place for repentance — none for pardon left ' ' I hesitate not to challenge our opponents them- selves to say whether it will not lay open the cha- racter of a body which in all matters of faith, integrity, and honour ought, like Cesar's \ ife, to be above sus- picion, to the heaviest reproach — ^the most overwhelming condemnation. And what practical contradiction can bo considered more palpable and emphatic than that which is exemplified in the proceedings of the ministei-s and judicatures of the Church, who, in the most irregular anC unpresbyterial manner, have given in their adherence to the Established Church, in defiance of all ecclesiastical order, in contempt of the authority of the one only su- * See Appendix, No. 2. 20 preme court or tribunal of our Church ? This is, with a witness, setting practice and action in contradiction to pro- fession. Either the fervent c ni'st of sympathy with tlie glorious strivings of the Free C\u , and our indignant pro- test against the Civil power, end the Civil Courts, were a solemn farce, our professions mere cant, the oflspring of adulation and sycophancy, or of falsehood and hypocrisy, or we are now under tlie influence of interested calcuta- tion, or pusillanimous and sordid fears of temporal loss, and the spoiling of our worldly goods, recanting the generous and united tribute which we spontaneously olfered. Such conduct the world would stigmatize in one of its own chil- (ken as dishonour, baseness, treacherj'. What is it then in a bh;dl l neither d silver.' ' rit, saitli our sy- posed to s of ad- le in its e all de- IV estab- ur sister reiuind- 'f>ok on 3iJtment Church Ulster, ionaries sen ting ablish- uncing Europe, 5 Free alified tier in Chris- rd of lurch, is left mem- I 23 bers? What a mighty corroboration of the truth, of the view8 and principles above stated, that so many Churches throughout the whole Christian world with- out any bias or collusion, should thus simultaneously unite with one heart and one voice, in bearing testimo- ny in favor of the cause for which we plead ? And how shall we appear, coming forward late and loath to place ouiselves under the banner of a Church thus univer- sally abandoned by the Christian world, attaching our- selves as her ally or vassal, after we had pledged our faith, by vows and protestations of sympathy, to her rival ? What construction can possibly be given to such a course, at such a time and in such circumstan- ces, but, that it is the result of selfish calculations and sordid fears ? It will not be difficult to prove the value of an adherence thus extorted from us out of season — at the eleventh hour; even the Established Church of Scotland herself, must in her secret soul despise such selfishnesss and shulHing. A body more fallen, more despised, more shorn of all that can give honour or estimation in the sight of God or man, than our Church would be in this position — it is impossible for me to imagine. Her debasement and humiliation would be complete almost without precedent or parallel. The Parent Church has not at least incurred the guilt and infamy of deserting and betraying a cause which she once warmly espoused, and sacredly vowed to support. The Synod of Canada, like the renegades from the Free Church, stigmatized ^^ the forty Thieves would share all her obloquy with the unspeakable aggravation of the dereliction and betrayal of the cause to which she had pledged herself as it were but yesterday. The Churches which now disown and stand aloof from her and feel themselves precluded by the sacred obligations of principle from all communion with her, how will they regard the Synod of Canada? They will shun __— -wm:'^ 24 ''.'^«^'>- and Church MopTjjL """""'^ Christian ^-n-as an ecclesiastical „„„'!' '' "^ P^^^e' sole- "'« ^'Stance of three thousand^ T " ^'""'='>' " '-".stuntion, an,, circumstances a..^'u T''"^" ^P'"'- ;■"'. those ofthe ChurcCs o„T"r''''''"''^=°"'™«' W.n,s.ers are dependent i„ a "r J ' """"*"'• '^''«^« ••'^ >vo can see, must ever W ,o .T'"""'*' ^"-J »» fe^ '■'--'.and voluntary offeril oV^L't' ^'''■''''" '""""'- "' ^'« an utter incompatibilt L ""■ ^'•«^« " -"'everyba.is„po„,'^,.S2^ '"''^«" °"*' P"^'"'""- - «'ate Es,abli»h„ie„e. Such a '■• "'''^•'"•' "'-'"f "P- ".c shoeing of its advo atr"";""'":' "''"^' ^^- ;; "<"'"%'. of no conceivable Id^ ""'"'"'''"'""'' •he l.artios~„ould be in the 1, . "^^ '" '='"'«' "f ".- -' -barrassing^iliT-'f "'=°"»-"- fooo of ne,v cloth on an old '^ ^'''' '"'''"? « ■"»'« Porhaps, early "C [fTT'' "'"' ""= "'^i- " '^ '•-"•,>• clear tha[ sS t uJ ,^, "'^ '^"' -o'se. '■'•>«-. "ot fo,.„,led ..po^'lrr- '■''« => forced mar- ""•'• «<■ circun^tances oV sin il'T °?'''""' -""- "P"" -"•■'■«ted ealeulation/oTa 7 °' "'""•''«'«••. but "" 'ondency to further t! ""''""''8''. could have '■'"-"-'.or ..„, „ ; :„T ?■"""' ^"'^ <"• ^ " "■"•"'• '"•"• the chu.:.h of f :?^- ^""^ '^'"'« " """''' '"■"•»? lior uo "■"'>■ ^'"'e^ant world. '"p''"""' "'"' ■"«• i" all p2: b r^.''""' '"' •""• "'•■"■- 'i*''"H.nt. I"rM,o.,|.oi f ' '? '" "■« E.'ab- (> 25 stand forth 'al Christiaii perfect sole- '' is almost ^^'"ich, at liose spirit, ute contrast ^ent, where and so far ^^>il attach- There is position- '"fi that of ^hile, even >ea name, either of ficongru- ewing a the ulti- t worse, ^d mar- simili- -er, but M have fi of a I while lunio.i world, essary r dis- iction 'vStab- 'cates iition sym- pathy of all other Protestant Churches in the old and in the new world ; in following it, we should be canning counter in fact, to universal sentiment and practice, we should be fighting against the spirit of the age. But we should not do justice to the cause of truth and right principle, in this controversy, if we did not scan a' little more narrowly the conduct and course of the party with whom we are dealing. The real schismatics — the men who are following divisive courses — who are seeking to destroy the unity of the Church, not only violating their own solemn pledge, but, should they succeed in their present aim, bringing down upon their own heads, and inflicting upon our Synod and clergy an indelible stigma of moral reproach — are at the same time, trampling upon all Presbj-terial order, by giving in their ad- lierence, either as individual ministers, or subordinate judicatories to the Estabhshed Church, in utter defiance of the authority of our Supreme Ecclesiastical Tribunal. Nothing could have been more wanton or presumptuous than such a proceeding. Such irregularity and insub- ordination, especially when we look to its possible and even probable consequences, is more than censurable — it is absolutely criminal. There was nothing to occasion all this precipitation — all this violation of order and decency. Why not wait for the meeting of our Synod ? Or why not make a requisition to call an early and extraordinary meeting? Why did they not protest, and appeal to next meeting, and forbear meanwhile to take any decided step in a matter so momentous in its con- sequences, which could not fail to create infinite embar- rassment to themselves and to the Synod ? They have much to answer for to God and man. I do not envy those individuals and bodies the renown which they 26 11 ": I I I! il Ml r- ^\ .1 ■ 1 1 i, have purchased for themselves. They will take their place in history by the side of the Presbytery of Strathbogic, or the patron and presentee of the Presby- tery of Auchterardcr. They vrill have their fame, and let them rejoice in it ; but far be it from me and from my friends ! . • - • . : ' ;. ? But this is not all. The shame and mischief of this wanton and unpardonable breach of all order and respect for constituted authority does not lie wholly, or perhaps even chiefly, at the door of the ministers or presbyteries of Canada that have given in their adherence. They, it would seem, are only one of the parties. These pro- ceedingtS within our Church have been originated and instigated by the very unaccountable method which the Established Church and her functionaries have adopted, in their intercourse and correspondence with the Colo- nial Church, subsequently to the disruption, — a course which contrasts very unfavourably with that of the Free Church, and may be the means of entailing as much dis- honour upon its authors as it may unhappily create mischief in a church, which was, at the time, all but unanimous on the question. Instead of following the only regular and legitimate course of addressing a letter, according to their former practice, to the Moderator of the Synod, circulars were sent to all the ministers individually. The event has shown how well the stratagem was con- reived, for it has sown division, and paved the way, in all probability, to disruption. And should this inglorious triumph crown the device, its authors no doubt will be visited with that measure of righteous indignation, on the part of the Christian world, which is due to those who cause the most deplorable divisions, by means the most dishonorable. In this view of the spirit and cha- racter of this most mischievous proceeding, I am borne out, I Ixilieve, by subsequent acts of like nature. i bot bet S7 II take their resbytery of the Presby- • Tamo, and le and from shiefof this and respect or perhaps presbyteries ce. They, These pro- ;inated and wliich the e adopted, the Colo- — a course fthe Free much dis- )ily create le, all but )vving the g a letter, itorofthe lividually, was Con- way, in all inglorious oubt will ation, on to those cans the md cha- m borne At the meeting of tlie Presbytery of Montreal, precede InK that in which the question of adherence or connection came under discussion, two letters from leading nieniberi>- of the Colonial Committee were laid upon the Table, in which the prospect of pecuniary aid from the Colonial Funds of the Establish me nA, was held out to those who were willing to receive it on the prescribed condition ot bona fide adherence. It became evident in the interval between this and next meeting, that several of our minis- ters had been in correspondence with the Colonial Com- mittee of the Establishment, and had either applied for, or accepted aid on this condition. How many more may lie influenced by the promise, at least by the hope or expec- tation of such aid it is not for me to conjecture. One thing I will say that it is not easy for poor human nature to stand strong and unfaultering, when plied with such temptations. It is not a little remarkable, that in this single Presbytery, in which the resolutions of adhe- rence to the Establishment were carried by an overwhelm- ing majority, three of the members had accepttxl livings in the Et^tablishment, one of whom, then on his way to Scotland, voted with the majority in favour of Dr. Mat- thieson's overture and resolutions ; two who were pre- sent and voted, had accepted the allowance, and Wei's l)ledged of coiu-se by that act to adlierence. Time, the great revealer of secrets, will lay open perhaps, the whole extent and magnitude of the influence which has created already a revolt of two Presbyteries and not a few indi- vidual Ministers against the authority of the Synod, and paved tlie way, asi I fear, for a far more formidable and fatal defection of the people, from Ministers and Church judi-^ catories who, to use the gentlest terms, by such ii;regular and ill-timed proceedings, have rendered themselves ob- noxious to very natural and plausible suspicions, of nia- I .4* I Mi' $: 28 iing merchandise of tlie r „l,„ >•■ • "'«- Church, and eI 'f ';.'^'*"^' ='"»' '"'cn^sts of vve contemplate the pecJiZZ fl ^'^"'"- ^^^^•'^ ■^umstances i„ vvh,!h tl!^ T^ *''' *™'' ""'' ">« cU- «tood ,0 each other, it^^, '"' ^"'''""''' Churche, tj.e„ °':-. that woud :3;tr'«.P'--ti„a„ypoine ft"- and honourable So. T '"'* ""''<^« <"• policy. Whether we Sti ' "^""^ ^"'"''"a" ■•'>?> or the t..ndencjrrf"S' ''™"'"'' '"■*^ ^^'i' but be fores3e„, it mul, e4" ^'"'"'' '^'"^''' " -ouldnot Colonial Clergy in the ^^ ''°" '"""^ "* '^'' <"• Ae C"-". it is iSpoLirS.rf f "^ "T ^'"^™' •••ensure, a.s ill-ti^ed and in^ "^ "'" ^"^^erest -PC the far heavier ZTZTT"' ' "" ''''" ^ '■al'zmg policy. Such a mT t """^P' «"'' ^emo- ecclesiaMical 'connec o„ ^ , '"""^"^ ''^' ''-'ending to ^ the least, exh^^ :X^' ""l'^^^^^ ^•icrSl nrSlf:Sf ^^^^ ofdete^^ni^- W>.o an, c„,ati„g «c2 ti^^"^'"^ -livi^ive coul.. and thereby paviitJl^^^'a^'flg ecclesiastical order 0"^lj- for dir,„ptii , ■ S"*' r"'""'^ and indust^i- Synod ah«uiy.qi.,;ted, and tt t V "^""""""^ "'' *« -Oerjudgevvl.lhe^.c^SSi'r'-^ fiance of ^1 Presbvfc;,,'^.'?^'^""! mutter de- o.-ainatioi,;and'^,jJJ™;,,';^«'>- ecclesiastical stib- 'ion of H, raosti^^^SS^.";--'^- ext,.„,e viola- f-ewhoa^ niStS^^'t'^^: I^haJlenge I and the,b„3thre„' vvlf holJ tl '■'"«""<:()? es for which tending, to say whiclf^M'^/'^.^?'':?^^^^ a^ con- • ■ ' ' '^■. .' r> If^ "^^^^^« conflicting nnr^^'"' , .„„ ,. ,, . "bJbienc} —are going fowar te actin_ Gaining i # ■« 'jiii.; the ii'i.'i 'H and interests of 'r divine bijih- ^^'«"- Whetiier e an(f the cir- * Pfoce, or the Churches ihen ^ It in any point ^«t notions of ^»»^ Christian ^t^hepi-Dceed- i? it could not f least, of the the Colonial the severest ^an even es- t and demo- ^J extending "fence. Is. , !■ ^nnining on i^e courses. !tical order ul induslri- ans of the [ impartial fi utter de- tfcal siih- nie viola- phaJIenge ^r which are con- (Ties ^re ^e main- rtl in the vy^^ 29 straight path of duty, unshaken by apprehension of con- Fequences, and in fine, are giving the best of all pledges, that however they may be supposed to err in judg- ment, they are not chargeable with the guilt of sinning against principle. In conclusion, I feel the most confi- dent persuasion that the principles for wliich we contend, nmst obtain a speedy and triumphant ascendency in the minds of the great body of the Presbyterian population ; and I am still more firmly assured, that the course which we have adoi)ted, must be approved by all candid and right-hearted men, as the only one consistent, with the regards which are due to character and moral princi- ple. We resolve to adhere unswervingly to the path of duty, as we unhesitatingly embraced it when there was nv immediate bias of hope, or fear to disturb the balance of judgment or conscience. We have not changed ; let the public — let our opponents themselves, account for the change which has all at once, not in the happiest season or circumstances for a favourable construction, come over their spirit. They J not we, are summoned to the bar of j)ui)lic opinion, impleaded there, and put upon their defence. The course which we now seek — which we have :^l- ways sought to follow — is not extreme, like that of our antagonists. We have not even contemplated the pro- ject of adherence to the Free Church. If we l)e obnf>x- ious to any reprehension, it is that rather of having fallen short in our manifestation of zeal and devotedness to her and to her glorious cause ; it is that of having gone too f;tr on the side of peace, conciliation, compromise. We seek simply independence, as necessary to maintain that diameter of integrity and honourable consistency, with- out which we are as salt without the savour, our respecta- bility and usefulness as a church are gone for ever, and Ichabod may be written upon the gates and walls of our 30 I \ 1 Zion. The course which we regard as tlie only one which can preserve the peace and unity of the Canadian Church, while it is the only one that is at all consistent with the glory of God and tlie plainest obligations of conscience, is, at the same time, the safest, the one in which, if we are unanimous, wc shall incur the least ha- zard of the forfeiture of temporalities and endowments. We believe, in maintaining the absolute indqiendence of our church, we do no more than assert a right which can be clearly ascertained and demonstrated ; and while we holil that we actually possess this independence, in the most absolute and unlimited sense of the term, even our antagonists do not, and cannot deny, that practically and substantially we have always enjoyed and exercised to the uttermost the riglits and liberties of an Independeat Chm'ch. In holding fast, with this independence, faith and a good conscience, in the full and steadfast recogni- tion of the principles of the resolutions to which we have set our seal as a Synod, all that we require is fully ab- solved ; and wlio daresay that less will satisfy the righte- ous demands of principle ? Indeed I cannot surticiently express my astonishment to find some, of whom I would have hoped better things, wlto will not, cannot deny, that thev have been silent until tlie moment, when the Svnod was called to encounter peril, for the principles to which thei/, not less than we, had set their seal, now pi'esuming to inveigh against us, as if we were the trouWers of Israel — as if we were men not sinned against ])iit sinning, because wc will not now consent to a dis- honourable retreat. They contributed to bring the vessel of the Church into the midst of storm and peril, and would have us now concur with them in throw- ing principle and honour overboiuxlj to save the freight •■(rdm shipwreck, .-^.-■h-.. >- m. :.i.., .'iiK:,!;; -.i;; i^- v-- But wo come now to the most important and interest- ing view in which this question can be contemplated, ■I 31 only one Canadian consistent gations of ie one in least ha- owirients. idence of* ich can ivliile we c, in the even our cally and erciseii to lependent nee, faith t recogni- we have fully ab- le righte- fficiently I would eny, that e Svnotl ■o which 'esuniing iWers of nst but a dis- ing the id peril, throw- freight nterest- iplated, I l ^-t ' and one in which, if we can arrive at any clear and well- ascertained conclusion, no room will be left for future hesitation or discussion. Let us inquire what eflcct the connection proposed will have upon the spiritual inten^sts 'of the Church — upon her character, progress, and pros- perity. And since the spiritual interests of the Church cannot long be separated from her external and secular well-being, the argument will be like a two-edgjd sword, ■ taking hold of those who reason on the gi-ound of expe- ' diency, as well as those who look to the higlier considera- tion of principle. In order to prepare t!ic way for a satisfactory determination of this enquiry, I shall premise a few observations on the great recpiisiles which are im- plied in the spiritual prosperity of our Colonial Church. The work of an Evangolist, in this land, it cannot he denied, is one which demands the mo-;t exalted (pialifica- tions and endowments of the most devott^l missionary. The minister who fulfds all the (piiet and regular routine of pastoral functions and parochial services among a po- pulation previously leavened and trained under a faithful ministry, it is easy to imdei'stand may be found altogether unequal to the efficient discharge of labours, and the patient einhirance of hardships, privations, and sacrifices, in- cident to the Missionary, and which none are ca- pable of enduring but those who, like the apostle, '' count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, who count not their lives ■'dear to them, if so be they may win souls to Christ." The rhinisters of that Church, — which would prove an "efficient organ for the evangelization of the scattered population of this vast wilderness, where religion will l)e found, to a lamentable extent, to be half ileadened in the case of the fathers and first settlers, and almost extinct . ii> the minds of their children, destitute as the latter are of all education, and both of them shut out from gospel , .*ir^^_- >-**tMb«l 32 i' ordinances — onght to have in them the spirit of the most self-denied and devoted missionaries tliat go out to preach the gospel in heathen lands — ought to comhine the fervour of the saint with the heroism of the martyr. We have only to appeal to our familcr knowledge and experience of the comparative success of the vai*ious re- ligious denominat'ons in this land, in their several mis- sions, to determine, with all the resistless evidence of fact, the truth of this position. The missiimaries and evangelists wlio have been crowned with the most signal and uniform success — who have been most for- ward in pressing into the dej.ths of the forest, to make the wilderijgss and its solitary and spiritually destitute inhabi- tants to be glad for them, have l)een sent forth, just as might liave been expected, from the bosom of those sects and churches, which are most distinguished by a missionary spirit, such as the Methodists, Baptists, Congregationali«ts. And how is their success to be accounted for ] Is it in any measure the fruit of State connection, or of the posses- sion of clergy lands and Church endowments ] No, none of these. I am fully persuaded that nothing has more tended to paralyze the spiritual energies, and to retard the progress of our Church, than the undue stress which I fear has been laid by too many of our clergymen on those very endowments and emoluments which are de- rived from clergy lands, or from the bounty of Govern- ment. These have operated with a double influence, adverse both to the spiritual and temporal interests of our Church: first, in leading the clergy to look away to tliese foreign sources of support, when it would have been better in every respect that they had cast more their burden on the Lord, and, under him, on the people, and striving to entrench themselves in their hearts and aflections had thereby seciired far better and nobler resources, more ap- 33 he most preach fervour Jgc and ious re- al mis- 3Jice of ies and e most ost for- ake the inhabi- s might :ts and sionary nalists. in any josses- ), none I more ird the iich I en on re de- )vern- lence, of our ly to been urden riving s had ■e ap- I propriate to tlie spu-it and character of a Christian Church. The same cause has operated to make the peoj)le cold and listless J and in tlje opinion that their minit^ter, in this enjoy- ment of State patronngo and provision, was made mmily independent of their sympathy and support, they had nothing to quicken their attachment to him, or their inter- est in the cause of the Church at Inrg?. The natural and melancholy result has been a prevailing and grovving inditTerence, extremely unnropitious both to its temporal and spiritual prosperity. However paradoxical it may seem to those who do not reflect, it is certain, that money which has so potent an influence and agency in the con- cerns and among the votaries of the world, has a very limited power in the service of tlie Church, and in the furtherance of its peculiar and most important interests. I have no doubt, therefore, that were all other sources and means of provision for our Church taken away? or dried up, and the people cast wholly upon their unaided energies and resources, the eff*ect would be, in the first place, to drive away out of the field altogether those whom the purity and strength of Christian love and missiondry zeal did not inspire, but in constraining the peo- ple, arid the better part of their pastoi-s, to throw them- selves and the catise of divine truth 'inore entirely upon God, and in quickening, uniting, purifying, and invigorat- ing all the better elements of a chiinrch's spiritual Hfe and expansiVeness, to lay the broad^ and deep, and endu- ring fbundatioi^s of a growing prosperity, external and internal. I have no dvubt,' without intfehdihg to depreci- ate the ' value ind importance of tem?f)oral endowments, that the worid^^nd its spirit and influence have enervated and deadened iw 'some degree our Churcli in time past— kNwe weighed down and oppressed her spiritual strength and energies, hindering at once their full developement and free exercise ; and I look forward without any fear 34 or dismay to the prospect of that impending revolution, which threatfiis our Church in this land, assured that, — should it phrase providence to sweep away all other sour- ces of our hope and confidence, save those which never fail and never make ashamed — the loss of" the hundred talents of silver" will be more than compensated, if we are thereby led to take faster hold of Him who hath promis- ed to be witii his Church always to the end of the world, relying with full assurance of faith on his word, " the Lord is able to give thee much more than this." If we look back to the history of the Parent Church, in those periods when she was most pure and flourishing, we shall find that they were without exception, those in which she was cast into the furnace of adversity and persecution ; she was never more mighty, more trium- phant in all that constitutes the real power and glory of a Church, than when she was deserted by earth, im- poverished and oppressed by the principalities and pow- ers of this world, and driven from every other hope and confidence, save those of faith, prayer and patience, manifesting their divine powerand efficacy, in the abun- dance of her works and labours of love, and suffer- ings and fiery trials, proving and perfecting the martyr spirit. If we partake in any measure of this spirit and would emulate the zeal, energy, and enterprize of those missionary sects, whose exertions have been crowned with most signal success in thi"? land, we will begin by sympathising with and seeking the communion and co-operation of those religious bodies from whom we can derive such men as Duff and Wilson, such men as are now reviving Religion in the waste and desolate places of Scotland's Church and recalling the purest and palmiest days of her past history. What hope is there for the future if we adhere to the established Church, destitute as she appears to be of the mission- ^ 35 jlution, that, — jr sour- 1 never unci red ' we are pro mis- world, 1, " the !)hurch, fishing, hose iD ty and triuna- jlory of th, ini- id pow- »r hope atience, e abun- sutfer- martyr irit and >f those rowned 1 begin munion I whom 3h men lesolate purest it hope blished iiission- ary spirit. An exdusive connection with lier (and ex- clusive it must be if it exist at all,) while it could im- part no now infusion of spiritual life, vigour, or ex- pansiveness, would as we have already seen, divide us from the communion of all other othei evangelical denominations and would inevitably deprive us of the sympathy and patronage of the Free Church without which, judging of the future by the past, we should be like a stream cut off from the fountain, a branch lopped from its parent tree. For it cannot bo denied that, to this section of the Church we owe nearly all that we now are — all that we have won in this land ; they planted, watered, and nourished us, and taking us up, when we were helpless and neglected — have watched over us with paternal and fostering care, and have reared us up to the magnitude and matu- rity of a National Church. Our best missionaries and ministers have come forth from them, and if there be too much of the elements of Erastianism, I fear that they have been derived from the nether spring of that luke-warm Laodicean party from which they have separated, and with which some amongst us are blindly and perversely seeking an exclusive connection, which would cut us off from all communication with the upper spring of the Evangelical and missionary portion of the Church of our Fathers. If we separate our cause from that of the Free Church, we take away our vital influence and com.mit a suicidal act. The day that we conclude our union with the establishment, will sound our death knell. It is almost certain that the Church in this land without any sufficient spring, internal or external, of renovation and expansion, would soon wither and die — lingering and languishing through a few years of decline; she might live on dyingly, through the present generation, when her place would 3G h t I know her no more forever. The Free Church and Frotestdnts of other Evanj^elical dcnoniinations would grow by her decrease, would strengthen by her decay, until they filled the whole spliere which she now occu- pies ; " The House of David waxir)g stronger and stronger," and " the hou"«e of Saul weaker and weaker.** Thefollovvingractsprovehow vain is any hope of spiri- tual benefit from such connec^tion. Not fewer than forty clergymen were withrawn from the Presbyterian Church of England to supply the vacant pulpits in Scotland after the disruption. Ail the Colonial Churches ha/e been robbed or relieved of ministers, who have returned to Scotland, allured by the prospect of livings within the Establishment. Three have already been withdrawn from the single district of Montreal, and long, long may their deserted flocks look to the Church which has taken from them what she never gave, to replace the loss. For she has not one missionary, at this moment, either among Jews or Gentiles. Tell U3 not thai this is no indication of her spiritual condition. She has buildings, funds^ every thing in her hands, at the present moment, but men. She only lacks the spirit, the quickening spirit. The very mould and leaven of which missionaries are formed seem wanting to her ; for with all the wealth of an Establishment, an! the patronage of the State, she cannot, after a whole year's suspension of her missions — a whole year's search — find one man to take up one of those posts which have, for conscience vsake, been relinquisbed by those who renounced, with the Connection, all their temporal provision, all their worldly prospects. Is this the nursing mother we are to choose for our infant Church — "a nursing mother with a barren womb and dry breasts ?" This connection would be like a millstone hung about the neck of the Canadian Church. It reminds one of the old Greek pleasantry concerning the simpleton who in the storm lashed him- of to it the 37 h and would decay, occu- r and ;akcr.'* f spiri- n forty Ilhurch 1(1 after robbed Gotland, hment. district ks look e never iionary, Tell us ndition. 1, at the (irit, the f which or with )nage of ision of man to ^science ■d, with all their ,^eare to r with a n would anadian easantry ed him- self to the anchor. It is passing Strang/* to think how a little petty interest, near at hand, like a small object cloj^t* to the eye, will cover, and intercept from view one transcendently greater at a distance. So it is in the pre- sent controversy. A great number of ministers seem to be blind to the impending ruin wi\ich awaits tlie Church — the whole Church — if, to retain a paltry pension, they sacrifice her dearest liberties, rights, and interests. We come now to the concluding inquiry, what are the adherents to principle and consistency called to do in the present emergency, either, to prevent disruption, or if that cannot be, to organize a new church upon an indepen- dent basis. I shall not presume, indeed it were prema- ture at this moment, to trace out any course of action founded upon the anticipation of disruption. I shall rather say what we should not do. Let us first of all do nothing to compromise principle, to prejudice the spiritual inter- ests of the church, to dishonour the faith of the Synod, already engaged to maintain inviolate the basis of absolute independence and spiritual freedom on which the well- being of the church depends. Nothing can be more plain or simple than the course of wisdom and safety, in which, should we all become happily of one mind, we may confi- dently hope by the blessing of God, to steer the afllictcd vessel of our churcn, out of the midst of darkness and ^^torm, into a haven of peace and sunshine. The evi- dence of the church's independence seems to me to be complete and incontrovertible. It rests upon the most solid groimds of both testimony and fact. First the testimony of our own records, especially those which have reference U) the proceedings at the first formation of the Synod, for it will be found by the recorded correspondence that the Committee of the General Assembly disclaim all juris- diction or controul ovci our ecclesiastical courts, while the fact that we have actually enjoyed and exercised all the D 38 jv.nvers and rights of inelependence must be admitted on all iiands. The words " in connection with the Church of Scotland" on which so great stress has been laid by the advocates for adherence were assumed, without any war- rant or sanction from the Parent Church, and as I believe, intended to convey no other meaning than that of our i>eing in communion with that church, and having for the jnost part come out from her bosom. This adjunct to t he title of the Synod involves not the relation of depen- dence on the one side, or the right of jurisdiction on the other. It implies nothing more than tlie relation of origin and derivation.* Indeed this controversy upon the import of these very harmless and insignificant words, reminds me verj" forcibly o.f a passage in the novel of the Antiquar\^, which my Headers I am sure will not have forgotten, and can scarcely !ail to perceive the striking and ludicrous similitude. I refer to Edie Ochiltree's version of the inscription on the ladle found in a ruin, which the Antiquaiy would have exalted into the dignity of a Roman Pratorium. '' Pra^- torium here, Pra^torium there," says Edie, " I mind the ])iggin o' it." To calm the fears of the alannists, let me say, for, like Eddie, I wd^ present at the first meeting of Synod, and took part in the discussions, that I can divine nothing in these words more formidable or more venerable than the A. D. L. L., Aiken Drum's Lang Ladle "Parturiunt montes, nascitur ridiculus mus." In these circumstances it will be the height of folly, and madness, should the Synod or any part of it insist upon making a wanton sur- render of our undoubted right of independence, and there- by render a disruption inevitable. But should that dis- ruption take place, the advocates of principle and consis- tency, will have nothing to fear. It remains to be seen * Sec Appendix, No. 3. C( fii !l( 39 ed on rchof y the ' war- ilieve, of our or the net to ilepen- on the if origin je very forcibly ich my scarcely lude. I n on the lid have " Pra^- nind the nists, let t meeting an divine venerable ^artiiriunt imstances lould the .nton siir- ,nd therc- that dis- id consis- ;o be seen and proved whether, even in the event of their being iik the minority, they would necessarily incur the legal fui- feiture of temporal property and endowments. Granting"- that they did, the loss is not irreparable, nay it is one which when viewed more narrowly, appears to be little worthy of the mighty alarm which it has created, i believe that the whole amount of the revenues wliich could ' made available in the most favourable circum- stance J by our Church would not give every minister niore than .^60 per annum. Increase the number of our clergy, and you diminish in the same proportion the amount of salary to each. Should a disruption take place, the nc.v Church would rise up upon a basis of freedom and Ca- tholicity of spirit which could not fail to render her po- pular. She would, no doubt, tread in the footsteps of the Free Church of Scotland, by uniting the parochial and the missionary character, entering into union with all other evangelical Presbyterians, making com- mon cause, in co-operative union, with all evangelicaf Protestants, seeking aid and patronage from all the churches in Europe and America that spmpathize with her, and going forth boldly into the Gospel field to do the work of evangelization with all her soul, anJ strengtfi, and mind, I am strong in the faith and confidence liiat the Lord would give her much more than all that sh^' could lose — that her last state would be better than her first. And if I durst rely upon my own understanding and judgment, in a matter so much beyond the com- pass of human wisdom and sagacity, I should say tliat it. was the issue most to be desired. It is our duty, how- ever, not to seek but to shun change and revolution — God, who knoweth all things, only knovveth what is best, luu! will, no doubt, in his own good time and way, bring us io that issue whii^h is most for his glory and ihealvuncf- 40 1' ' 1* " ment of the Redeemer's kingdom — It is ours meanwhile to wait for God in faith and prayer, and using all the means which our best wisdom can devise, and doing with all our might, whatsoever our hand fmdeth to do, let us rest in the assurance that God will provide for his people and for his Church what is meet. Let this be our motto, " Jehovah-jireh." The Lord will provide, and "* Jehovah Nissi" — the Lord is our banner. Should we be called in the Providence of God to choose between two parties, and two antagonist creeds and courses of ecclesiastical faith and practice, the solemn responsibility will then devolve upon us, both ministers and people, to decide this choice on Christian and scrip- tural grounds, that we may do nothing that is not conformable to the w^ili, and conducive to the glory of God. Be assured that if any of us act on any other prin- ciple, in any other spirit, in this momentous crisis, his sin will find him out. The responsibility is great, even as the mighty interests of the Church and of religion that m-e involved in the issue. The guilt and condemnation will of consequence be proportionate to that responsibility. Let us solemnly determine, in the presence of that God who searcheth the heart, that whatever others do, we will act with a single eye to the glory of God ; and let us be specially careful to guard ourselves against the most subtle of all snares, that of looking more to earth than to lieaven, to man than to God. Let our decision he formed not upon the calculations of worldly wisdom or carnal policy, but upon the eternal truths and infallible rules of God's Holy Word. Let the only question we ask be, what does God require of me ? What is due to my conscience, to my Chm'ch, to the principles of moral and religious duty, turning from this straight-onward path neither to the right hand nor to the left, nothing ti II 41 taultering, nothing swerving. Let none of us slirmic from making, if need be, personal sacrifices, in order to remove out of the way, whatever would obstruct the work and the will of God, in bringing about, as I be- lieve He is doing, a general and vital reformation — rt ~ constructing our Church upon a new and better foun- dation. Let us all therefore be ready to place ourselves at the disposal of Providence, and to serve in any place, function or capacity, however humble, prayinf.r that God would give us grace and strength, to embrace, if need be, poverty and reproach for his name's sake and the Gospel's, s ■ h.. , . And what is the duty of the laity to thcmsthes, to their families, to their Church, to present and future generations in this land? It is for tlip laity to judge in this crisis, what confidence may be diw. to the opinion and the example of the Clergy who in this storm, are the pilots of the ark of the Church. Have they or have they not temporal inter- ests personal and professional, to blind and to pervert their minds, and to lead — it may be, in some instancfs, to the sacrilegous betrayal of the spiritual well-being t)t our Church, of great truths and vital princi|tlt's to secure temporal prosperity, and aggrandizcnivni f Arc there not some who, in the face oftiieir solemn protestin^s ngainst the principles and proceedings of the E.-3talj|l;>h('ii Church, have accepted benefices within licr p;ilo. and thereby identified themselves with all that she lias done from first to la!^t ? Are there not some vvlio have ac- cepted saltU'ies or pensions on the express cunditioM pre- scril)ed arul imposed, o{ hotia Jide adherence \ Ave there not more among tiie residue who expect \o receive calls to congregations in Scotland, or sidaries uul ol'the fimds, which, in the total absence of either missions oi missiiui- 42 aries, are applied in a way which it is not possible in my mind to reconcile with incorrupt and uncorrupting integ- rity, with the advancement of the spiritual good of the Colonial Church, or the legitimate exercise of the influence of the Mother Church ? In these circumstan- ces, the hope of the Church at this crisis rests in a great measure upon the spirit, wisdom, energy, and unity of her lay members. It is for them to say whe- ther this is like fair and honourable dealing, or whether they will permit the rights, liberties, and interests of the Presbyterian Church in this land to be made merchan- dize of. Certain it is that such practices are in palpable and gross violation of the professions which have gone forth to the world from our supreme judicatory and legis- lature. The ministers who have accepted these livings, and these salaries or pensions have given a practical contradiction to the decisions of our Supreme Court, and to the principles vindicated and promulgated under its sanction. You have a duty to God, to your Church, and to your country, which is paramount, and great will be your guilt and shame if you do not stand forth with Christian zeal and boldness to emulate the spirit of your godly and enlightened forefathers. It is your duty to embrace that cause and to hold it fast, which vou believe on diligent and impartial enquiry will best provide for the great interests of the Church, and the great ends of religion, by introducing and spreading throughout our land a body of godly and faithful min- isters and zealous missionaries. You are called, in this crisis, to form connections with all the Churches of Christ in Britain, Ireland, and America, whose sympathy and co-operation are most likely, under God's blessing, to further his cause, and to encourage and strengthen our infant Church, in this tho day of 43 small things, to go forward in tiie work of the Lorci with all holy boldness, having a pledge of his all-present help — his all-sufficient grace, in the united sympathy r d hearty co-operation of all the Churches of Christ, more especially those who enjoy the most abundant and une- quivocal tokens of his favour. " By their fruits yc shall know them." Cultivate a communion with tho^e Churches, and let all your delight be in them, which have distinguished themselves by the abundance and success of their labours, in the conversion of souls, b^ the num- ber and zeal of their missionaries at home and abroad, by the extent of the field of their evangelical enterprizes, the liberality of their contributions for the spread of the gospel and the triumphs which in all departments of the work of the Lord they have won, demon- strating that it is his spirit in theniy that counsels and di- rects, and his hand that icorks with them "according to the working of His Mighty Power, whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.'^ I have al- ready said that in the event of the Synod's adherence to the established Church, cut oif, as in this case, we must be from the communion of the Free Church and all other evangelical Churches, T see no hope of revival, no, not even of continuance of life for our Church in this land. I see no possible source whence we can find a supply of missionaries or means to provide for our des- titution J nothing in fine, to arrest or retard the rapid de- cline and final and not far distant dissolution, and death of a body even now faint and languid, and possessing so far as I can see, no resources within itself for its regen- eration. I avow most unreservedly my heart-felt persuasion that God has a great work to accomplish among us which is now iiecr, and at the very door. It may be 44 h Ihal such a fiery trial is about to pass over us, as that, which in the Mother Country has subjected so many to the sternest of ordeals, to lest how far the spirit of God, as contra-distinguished from the spirit of the world, was in them — whether they were willing to sacrifice expe- diency and interest to truth and duty, and for con- science sake renouncing all their temporal endowments — with simple faith commit themselves in well-doin^^ unto a Merciful Creator and Father. 1 do not say that all, who, in such a trial, may have been found to resist the temptations of worldly interest, are men of God and faithful ministers ; but sure I am, that it is a very strong pledge of their being such, and that the majority of those, who are capable of making such a sacrifice, are worthy of all honour and confidence in the sight of God and man. I will say that I cannot conceive any method more effectual to sift and purify a Church, to winnow and purge thoroughly the floor — separating the chaff from the wheat. I have no doubt that in the body who come out in such fi process of probation, you will find faith and piety and spiritual mindedness in more than ordinary measure ; and no true Christian would have a moment's hesitation in deciding, that a preference was due to them. I have no doubt that the spirit of God and the blessing of God will rest in double measure, on a Church com- posed of elements thus sifted, thus refined. Such a body, I believe the Free Church of Scotland to be — and such in some measure I doubt not will be the new ecclesiastical organization which may be expected to be formed in this land, should disruption be the resuU of the present differences. In the event of such a revolution being wrought, at this time in our Cliurch, let us realize nd of Him who is " like a refiner's fire, and jn it the like fullers' soap," and who, in a season of spiritual d 45 oni- ch a anii new be .f the lition kalize and 1 df' cline and backsliding in His ancient Churcli of Israel, speaking by the mouth of the Prophet Malachi, to the Priests, the sons of Levi, said, " He shall purily the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may olfer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness, then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be plea- sant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years." Should our Synod unhappily prove false to those principles, to which, on the ground of their intrin- sic truth and paramount importance, it has pledged its laith before God and all the world, it is not possible for rfle to conceive, how any Christian man could continue in connection with a body, who had thus manifestly for- feited all title to the blessing of God, and even to the common respect of mankind. This, it will be said, is strong language. I know it is ; but is it not true ? And ought it not to be spoken now ere it be too late ? The Rubicon is not yet passed. I would adjure and beseech my brethren, not only as they fear God, but as they re- gard man, to remember tliat at this moment all eves are upon them, that they will be subjected to a rigorous scrutiny — to an unsparing severity of judgment betore the tribunal of the world — and happy will it be for those who can say, with the heroic monarch of France, after his defeat, " all is lost but honour." I speak after the man- ner of men ; but there is a higher tribunal than that of the world, a more dread retribution than its condemna- tion ; and I would conclude by pointing to the solemn and appalling language of the Great Head of the Church, the Judge of all tiie earth : " And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto tiiem, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny him- self, and take up his cross and follow me. For whoso- ever will save his life shall lose it j but whosoever shall 46 Jose his life for my eake and the gospel's the same shall Have it. For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul ? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul ? Whosoever there- fore shall be ashamed of me, and of my words, in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he comeih in the glory of his Father, with the holy angels*" Mark viii. 34-38. I have thus endeavoured to show, with what success my readers must judge, that the principles — which lie at tlie foundation of the Free Church controversy, we are bound to maintain, as much as in us lie, at whatever cost, unless we are prepared to resist the clearest and most certain evidence of truth, nay the eternal and immuta- ble obhgations of moral duly — unless we are prepared to violate the faith of our public, solemn, ami united pledge as a Synod — unless we are prepared to blast all the hopes of general and permanent prosperity, tem.po- ral and spiritual, which human wisdom can build upon, in estimating the future prospects of our Church, and what is more than all, unless we are prepared to ex- pect the blessing of God, which alone can make or mar, can save or destroy, upon a Church whose ministers have trampled upon their vows and pledges, and whose foundations will therefore be laid in a sacrifice of prin- ciple to expediency, of faith and a good conscience to maxims of worldly wisdom, carnal policy, and selfish calculation. ■4 APPENDIX. to [No. I.J PETXTTUN TO TflE QUEEN, IN BEHALF OF THE RIGHTS OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. To the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty. The Petition of the Ministers and Elders of the Prosuyterian Church of Canada, in connection with the Church of Scotland, in General Synod assembled, Humbly Siieweth : That your Petiticacrs, Your Majesty's fuitliAil and loyal subjects, crave leave to approach the throne, to represent to your most gracious Majesty, tlio h\(i\\ veneration entertained by them for the established Church of Scotland, and their atllctiou- atc sympathy with her, in those painful trials to which she is ex- posed, from tho collision that has occurred between the ecclcsiu;i tical and civil tribunals, and to express their apprehension tiiat unless a speedy termination be put to them, b^ LejxislaVive authority, the most disastrous consequences must inevitably ensue. May it therefore please your Majesty, in conjunction with the two Houses of Parliament, to give effect to such measures as shall maintain and secure all the just rights and claini:^ of the established Church of Scotland, and in particular that the wishes of the people may be duly regarded in the settlement of their Ministers, and that the secular courts be restrained from all inter- fercnce in the spiritual concerns of the Church. In namo, prerfencj and by appointment of the Synod at King- ston, Jr'y 5, 1841. (Signed) JAMES GEORGE, Moderator. [No. 2-] Tho Synod having maturely considered the (n'crtiirc from the Prcsbylory of liamilLou, respectin'r a testimony bv this Church conccrnuig tho great questions whicii have been recently agitatinir the Church and Kingdom of Scotland, and the rights and privilcires of the Church of Christ involveri therein, and the 1 earing winch the recent detcrminatiou r !" these questions in i B 48 Scoiliind may have on the condition and relations of this Churcli, Resolved , — 1 . That this Synod record their solemn testimony on hchalf of the Supreme Headship of Clirist over His Church — the rights which he has conferred on its duly constituted office-bearers to rule tnd minister in it independently of all external control — and the privileges he has bestowed on his people of excrcismg a free con- currcnce in the ajipointmcnt of such office-bearers ; as these vari- ous principles have recently been contended for by the Church of Scotland ; — The Synod having heretofore entertained an assured conviction that these rights and privileges were substantilly re. cognized in the C(»nstitution of the Church of Scotland, as well as in those Acts of the Civil Government by which she has enjoyed the advantages of an Establishment, and firmly believing that they have full warrant in the Word of God, and that the main- taining them in their integrity is essential to the well being of the Church, and -^o far from being incompatible with, is indispensable to a right and salutary alliance between the Church and the State. 2. That this Synod regard with the utmost pain and alarm the conduct of the supreme authorities in the State, in rejecting the claims recently made by the Church of Scotland for a more dis- tinct recognition of the spiritual independence of her Judicators and the privileges of her members, and in refusing her the protec tion she has been constrained to demand against recent encroach, ments of the civil courts on that spiritual province so distinctly recognized in the Word of God, as belonging to His Church, and for the maintenance of which many of the Scottish Reformers and Confessors in difTerent ages, and of all ranks have testified unto the death. And the Synod record their earnest prayer to Almighty God, that He would of His grace, and by His good Spirit so turn the hearts ot all concerned, that the deep wound which, throu^rh these encroachments has been inflicted on the venerable and honoured Church of our Fathers, and the grievous breaches which have thereby been occasioned, may be healed and repaired, and that the full benefits of a National Establishment constituted and administered on Scriptural principles, may ever be enjoyed by the people of Scotland. 3. That hohiing the aforesaid principles and views, — feeling specially called in present circumstances to renew their former testimonies in regard to them, — and trusting that they shall ever be enabled at all hazards faithfully to maintain them, even if call. ed to resist any actual encroachment on them, in their owneccle. siastical administration ; tliis Sj'nod have yet to record their gra- litudc to God that He in His <;Ood Providence does not call on them to enter on the discussion or decision for themselves of the practical bearings of those principles in respect either to any in. fringement of the spiritual independence of this Church, or of the privileges of its members, or fo the connection which subsists be. twcen the Church of Scotland and this Synod, — that connection neither implying a spiritual jurisdiction on the part of the former 3 of this Church, any on behalf of rch— the rijrhts it'-bcarers to rulo ontrol—and the sing a free con. ; as these vari- ' the Church of led an assured substantilly re land, as well as lie has enjoyed believing- that hat the main- ^11 being of the s indispensable lurch and the and alarm the ' rejecting the •r a more dis. »er Judicators ler the protec- ient encrcich. so distinctly Church, and sh Reformers lavc testified st prayer to His good deep wound ied on the le grievous ! healed and tablishment may ever be tvs,--feeling leir former shall ever vcn if call, ownecck'. tlieir gra. lot call on ves of the to any in- , or of the ubsists be- onnectiou he former 49 tver the latter, nor iiivolvintj the laller in a. rttdponsibilitv for anv actings of the furmer. And this Synod do now, us ahvu'ys, i-ecojf nize the imperious obligiitiona laid on thetn of seeking the peace and well-being of the Presbyterian Church of Canada.- at the expense of any sacrifice, save that of coiiBistency and principle. 4. That this Synod, while viewing with humble thankfulnese the favourable circumstances in which the members, ofllce-bearoitf, and Judicatories of this Church arc placed in regard to their per- fect exemption from secular interference with their Spiritual pnvilegfl or functions, and the absence of the temptations which such mterfercnce might occasion to discord and disunion in the Church do yet regard with the deepest concern the present condi- tion and prospects of the Church of Scotland ; and do hereby re- cord their deep and affootiona c sympathy witii those of her rul- ers and members, who, leaving the Establisluneut at the biddinjr of conscience, have thereby sacrifiod temporal interests and per- sonal feelings to an extent < liat must ever command the respect and admiration of the Christian Cnurch. The Synod had long reasoning, and oftcr having engaged in prayer for the Divine Blessing and direction, the vote was taken. First, on the Resolutions of Mr. Gale ?tnd those of Profcss. :