before, in not going over the whole list of cases, which are already sufficiently familiar to the public and the Assembly; but I may mention that they divide themselves into two classes. There are, first, sites which are absolutely refused, and no reason given; and the second class is those where sites have not been refused absolutely, but where they have been offered in situations where they were utterly and totally unsuitable, and I have to state most certainly, that in these cases, if I was to choose with which opponents I should prefer to deal, I would say, give me the fair and honest open enemy, who says at once I will not give you sites at all. (Applause.) I can understand that man, and know how to deal with him; and of that man I have a much higher opinion morally, and in every other respect, than for the man who offers a site which he knows cannot be received, and attempts to show that our congregations, by their conduct in refusing, are discontented and unworthy of encouragement. Of these two cases, the one I look upon as an open and fair position-the other mean, disingenuous, and unprincipled; and if there are any cases such as those to which I have last alluded, in the course of next year, I think we shall expose the advantages of the kind of sites which they say have been offered to us and refused. (Laughter and applause.) I have stated that I am willing, for my own part, and on the part of the Assembly, to forgive and forget any thing that is past in regard to the refusal of sites, if the proprietors will now retrieve their errors; and I trust that the proprietors will now see that it is useless to continue in a hostile position any longer. If they refuse sites in order to weaken the attachment of our congregations, and drive them back to the Establishment, they have found it hopeless; because I believe it is a fact beyond all doubt, that there is not one of those congregations who have suffered in this cause that has diminished in the least degree; but in every instance where our congregations have been exposed, they have remained steady and rather increased than otherwise. Now, whether we shall or shall not succeed in overcoming the difficulties that have been opposed to us in this matter, it is not for me to say; that is in the mind of Providence. I can only judge from the past, that these contests are drawing near a conclusion. But in case I may be disappointed in the realisation of this remark, I am sure it is unnecessary in me to inculcate on this Assembly to maintain this contest, not only whether there are ten or a dozen sites refused, but as long as one congregation of this Church is refused the means of worshipping in a decent manner the God of their fathers. I would say, further, that if this contest shall not be decided in our day, and congregations be still compelled to worship on the hill side, because of their adherence to the principles of the Free Church of Scotland,—if that, under Providence, should be the result, I trust we shall bequeath to them that may come after us this important subject as the most sacred bequest and legacy of those who have been honoured in laying the foundation of the Free Church, and call upon them never to give up the battle until their cause is triumphant. (Applause.) I think I have now stated the more direct business of the Site Committee, and I will now revert to the second part of the subject. It will be in the recollection of the House, that last year we laid upon the table of the Assembly the copy of a bill that had been introduced into Parliament by the Honourable Mr Fox Maule, for compelling proprietors, on reasonable terms, to grant sites for churches; and that bill obtained the approval of the House. When it came on for discussion, it was objected to on two grounds, so far as I recollect. One of these grounds was this, that there was no necessity for legislation, because no grievance had been proved. Our statements regarding the refusal of sites were denied, and we were told then, as upon subsequent occasions, that it was all our own fault,-that the proprietors were perfectly willing to give sites,-only that we would not accept sites, unless they were next door to the Establishment; and that, in fact, our object in asking for sites was not so much with the view of building churches, preaching the gospel, and administering ordinances, as for the purpose of annoying the Established Church. That was the statement that was made in London; and if it excited surprise there, where our representatives are accustomed to hear strange statements concerning Scotland, it must, I think, have sounded to Scotch eyes and ears very strangely. (Laughter.) But these statements did receive some credit: and there were many well-meaning and godly people who, in these representations, believed that we were a set of factious and discontented people, who did not wish so much to build houses of our own, as to pull down the house of our neighbour. Under these circumstances, there was no need of G g proceeding farther until the public mind was disabused of these statements. It was quite clear that we were asking a remedy for an evil of a certain kind, and that de pended upon the existence of the evil. (Hear, hear.) Then there was a good deal of discussion on the bill; and then it had to go through a second reading; and then when it should have gone through a second reading, there was a change of Government; and certainly it was not to be expected that, while more engrossing, although not more important matters were being discussed, it should receive the attention it deserved. Accordingly, by our friend Mr Fox Maule, and other friends in London, it was thought best to withdraw the bill to see what concession would be made in another session of Parliament. Between the withdrawal of the bill, and the meeting of the session of Parliament, we have obtained five sites, which shows that our policy was not bad. We were not in a very advanced state; and then the question came to be, what steps should be taken. Previous to the opening of Parliament there was a meeting of the Site Committee held, at which it was resolved that, having regard to the misapprehensions, and misstatements in point of fact, in regard to our position, the more expedient course would be to move that a Committee in Parliament should be appointed, to inquire into our allegations in regard to sites. Accordingly, that Committee was moved for by Mr Bouverie,-not a member of this Church, but a representative of Scotch burghs; and although not a friend of the Free Church, a friend to free toleration; and, for the privileges which Christians ought to enjoy, he took upon himself kindly to move for the appointment of this Committee. It was strenuously resisted, and resisted by those from whom we are accustomed to meet with opposition in these matters, and in all other matters. I rejoice to say, however, the Committee was carried, and Mr Bouverie was appointed Chairman. It has been sitting since the month of March, and its sittings are not yet concluded. The position in which, as the Free Church, we stand, is this, that our allegations regarding the refusal of sites are, sub judice of the Committee of Parliament-sub judice of a Committee of our own seeking and our own getting. And now, Sir, I lay upon the table of the Assembly the only two Reports of the proceedings of the Committee. There is a third Report yet coming out, and along with that Report will be presented, I anticipate, the opinion of the Committee on the facts; and therefore, as I said before, the matter is still sub judice of the Committee of the House of Commons. I am quite satisfied that no person can be more aware of how much this Report contains that is calculated to excite, and which ought, I think, at some future time, to give rise to discussion. No person is more fully aware of that than I am; but if there was no other reason for not going into that discussion, I would urge, as a reason, that I think we might not discuss this Report with all the temper that is necessary to be displayed under the circumstances. There is a great deal in this Report to provoke discussion, and a great deal, which appears to me to reflect a clearer light upon the causes of the Disruption than I could have imagined would have heen shed upon it. But, Sir, I refrain, and purposely refrain, from entering upon these Reports; and I have only, in conclusion, to say, that having taken a considerable share of the burden of these operations on myself (applause)—and having had opportunities of communicating with parties on the subject with whom the Assembly have not had the opportunity, I do entreat the Assembly, by a regard to its own dignity, honour, and position, to refrain from entering upon these Reports. (Applause.) Mr MAITLAND MAKGILL CRICHTON.-I agree with the suggestion that we ought not to deal with matter contained in these Reports at this time, seeing the investigation is not concluded. The proper period for discussion will be when the result is before us. But I must, at the same time, express my opinion, that while this investigation is so far seasonable, that it will publish more widely to the world the true state of this case, I do not expect any great result from it, that might not have been obtained without it. I still regret that when the bill was introduced into the House of Commons last year, the opinion of the House was not taken on the bill. (Hear, hear.) Our case is very strong out of doors; and I believe that, next to the exhibition of our strength without the House, would have been the expression of our weakness within the house; and, as a desideratum, the country should have been tested on this point at the next election. That time is gone by, and now it is better to lok forward than backward; but this I will say, knowing as I do the feeling on this subject which prevails in Scotland,-the feeling which prevails in the manufacturing heart of England, and in her midland counties,-I do regret to think that this will not be made a testing point at next election. Since the committee on sites commenced its sittings, one case there is that was not brought out before it. In the Presbytery of Aberdeen, the case of Inveraven was a most important one. It has been before the House of Commons, with the evidence of our respected friend Mr Shepherd of Kingussie; but Mr Shepherd himself, not being personally acquainted with all the facts on which he was examined, was consequently unable to give that evidence which was essential to the right understanding of the case. Mr Tulloch should be called to give evidence; and if so, he would be able to shew, by facts that could not be controverted, that instead of there having been no persecution in that parish, he held in his pocket the interdict served on him in the name of the Duke of Richmond, and by which he had been obliged to leave the school which he had occupied since the Disruption. And also, that instead of the sites offered by the Duke of Richmond being convenient, the one was ten miles from the centre of the parish, where the Roman Catholics chiefly resided, and the other seven. (Hear.) To offer sites in such circumstances, and say they were conveniently situated, was like offering a stone for bread, and a serpent for a fish. And it should also be known, too, that when one site was obtained in what I admit to be a convenient locality, and a question asked as to how long it might be had, the official of the Duke answered," Build your church so that you can take it down in half-an-hour." Was there no persecution there? But I must not go into the Report; if I did, there is much that might be held up to call forth our reprobation. I have no wish to invest the Free Church with enamel; but this I will say, that considering the cool and deliberate persecution to which our suffering brethren have been exposed in these site-refusing districts, it is not surprising that they have exhibited some virtuous indignation, galled as they have been by that oppression which drives even wise men mad. (Hear, hear.) Dr CANDLISH moved that the Report be adopted, and the thanks of the Assembly be given to the Committee, and Mr Sheriff Speirs, for his very able services as convener. He quite approved of the suggestion that they should not enter on the discussion of the contents of these Reports, although, if any man was entitled to have a breath out on these Reports, it was himself.-Agreed. Mr Sheriff SPEIRS would propose also that a vote of thanks should be given to Mr Bouverie, whose devoted services, courteous conduct, and continued urbanity and accessibility at all times, and under all circumstances, entitled him to the lasting gratitude of the Free Church of Scotland. (Applause.) The Rev. Mr SHEPHERD of Kingussie, and Rev. Mr BEITH of Stirling, who had given evidence before the Committee, both seconded the motion, and cordially concurred in every word which Mr Speirs had so properly said of Mr Bouverie's conduct and acquirements. "The Assembly approve of the Report, and record their cordial thanks to Sheriff Speirs, and through him to the Committee, for their valuable labours; and they reappoint the Committee with their former powers. It was also unanimously agreed, that the Assembly express the deep sense which they entertain of the interest taken by the Honourable E. P. Bouverie, chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on the subject of the Committee's investigations, and for the important service which he has rendered to the Church in reference to this matter. And farther, the Assembly request their Moderator to communicate to Mr Bouverie this expression of their thanks." MEMORIALS OF THE DISRUPTION. Dr CANDLISH rose on behalf of Mr Lorimer of Glasgow, to present the Report of the Committee appointed to collect memorials of the Disruption. The Committee deeply regretted that only thirty-five returns had been received in answer to the circulars sent down by the Committee, requesting a detailed statement of the history of the Disruption in their neighbourhood. The object of the Committee, he said, was to lay open the documents for the encouragement of the Church, and for the information of the Christian people in days yet to come. Various" efforts had been made," says the Committee, "to prevail upon the brethren to send the returns in.. Meanwhile, the solemn changes of time were depriving the Committee of information which could not be recalled. There have been no returns from the late Dr Brown of Glasgow, Dr Brewster of Craig, Dr Muirhead, and Mr M'Bryde of Roth 1 say," these fathers and brethren had gone to their rest; others had taken their places, and it was sorely to be regretted that the Church had not the memorials which they might have prepared. Such accounts as these holy men might have given of their experience, as well as of the experience of their people, in the momentous event of the Disruption, were lost for ever. "In regard to the returns," the Report goes on to say, "which have been received, they are deeply interesting, and, even as they stand, would form a valuable volume. The object carried out (which might easily be accomplished), would form one of the ways of perpetuating and extending the Testimony of the Free Church, in behalf of which so many overtures have been sent up to the General Assembly." The object of these overtures, in directing the attention of the Assembly to that subject, was, to keep alive in the Church the facts of the event of her Disruption, and to stimulate her ministers and people to hold out and to hold on in the good way of the Lord. "It is plain," continued the Committee," that some active and aggressive means must be employed to obtain the returns which are sought, instead of waiting longer, till a larger number be sent in, which, at the present rate of progress, seems hopeless, it is suggested that an agent might be employed to collect them. The object is of deep historical importance to the Church, so valuable for the present, as well as future generations, that it is humbly apprehended it would fully warrant the adoption of such a proposal." And in following out that suggestion, it seemed absolutely necessary, if these memorials were to be gathered together, some literary person must be entrusted with the charge of them. The Committee might do well enough to direct and superintend the work; but, if left to carry out the details, it was plain that the work could not be done, Now it had occurred to him that, as the very able services of the editor of the publications of the Church, Mr Thomson, might, in part, be secured, he would propose that, in adopting the Report, they should engage Mr Thomson for one or two years. (Applause.) Mr TWEEDIE felt that unless that proposal was approved of, those valuable memorials would never be collected, and he knew of no other better qualified for such a work than Mr Thomson. (Applause.) Dr BROWN of Aberdeen expressed himself to the same effect, after which the Report was adopted, and Dr Candlish's motion agreed to. "The Assembly approve of the Report, particularly of the suggestion therein made of the appointment of an agent to obtain the desired information; and they re-appoint the Committee, with instructions to them to endeavour to secure the services of Mr Thomas Thomson, editor of the works of the Publication Committee, in so far as he may be able to render his services available." DEBT OF THE CHURCH. Mr J. G. WOOD reported that, from the sums remitted by congregations during the past year, in terms of the Resolution of last Assembly, for the liquidation of the debt of the Church, the Committee had been enabled to pay all the expenses incurred by the members of the Church in the actions in the courts of law, to which they were forced to be parties, except a balance of about L.300, and that the sums which they were receiving, and had still to receive, would, they believed, soon enable them to pay off this balance. The Assembly approved of the Report. The Assembly appointed Messrs Smith of Greenock, Gillies of Edinburgh, and M'Cosh of Brechin, to conduct the services of next Sabbath. EVENING SEDERUNT. REPORT OF THE MANSE COMMITTEE. Mr ROBERT PAUL, Convener, then gave in the Report of the Committee on Manses. The Report stated that the collection of the Fund had been commenced immediately after the rising of the last Assembly. The amount received during the year in the different Synods is as follows:Glasgow and Ayr, and part of Argyle, Moray, : 0 Carry forward, £10,849 19 1 539 11 £11,389 10 1 The amount of the whole fund collected by Mr Guthrie's agency, as stated in last year's Report, was Whereof paid in the year 1846-7, as above, Paid in the previous years, 1844-5 and 1845-6, Paid in all, Leaving, £116,370 14 £28,485 2 7 4,000 0 0 32,485 2 7 £83,885 11 6 4,000 0 0 From which deduct the sum of £4000, included therein as the value of manses to be erected by the Marquis of Breadalbane, There remains to be allocated during the four following years, the sum of £79,885 11 6 Abstract of the Treasurer's Account for 15th May 1846 to 17th April 1847. Received. 1. Balance due by the Treasurer, 15th May 1846, 2. Subscriptions received, 3. Interest on account with Commercial Bank to 17th April 1847, 4. Miscellaneous, 1. Grants paid for 95 manses, Total, Paid. 2. Subscriptions specially allocated to particular manses, 3. Interest paid to 15 ministers, who could not otherwise, owing to special circumstances, avail themselves of grants, this year, 4. Expenses, viz.,— Paid for designs for manses, and lithographing £792 0 0 28,485 2 7 462 11 10 11 18 1 £29,751 12 6 £14,178 11 1 380 0 0 75 0 0 £45 8 0 73 10 0 £118 18 0 19 8 0 64 16 0 £50 0 0 21 0 4 71 0 4 64 13 7 10 0 0 Printing, Stationery, and miscellaneous expenses at Edinburgh, Rent of Committee Rooms, |