look for miracles, and the heathen, in the uttermost ends of the earth, are given to Christ-given in a promise, to the fulfilment of which, it will be admitted on all hands, the universal knowledge of God's revealed will is essential. In this great concern our country has been the first to engage; and for some time to come, it seems that we must engage single handed, as foreign aid has not yet been granted, where it has been asked. Let this only serve to stimulate us to gird ourselves to the mighty enterprise with greater ardour and a firmer determination; for if we are successful, we shall obtain a wreath of glory that will be bright and verdant, when the military laurels of Alexander, and Cæsar, and Napoleon, shall be blasted and withered forever, and the splendor of all the unhallowed conquests of heroes and chieftains, of whatever name, shall go out in eternal darkness. Possunt quia posse videntur-they are able, because they seem to be able-In the spirit of this maxim the Romans conquered the world; and in the same spirit we may achieve a conquest infinitely more glorious. To prevent the evil effects of delay and inaction, a period for the completion of the great undertaking has been prescribed; for who is ignorant, that the thought that a duty may be performed at any time, is often the cause that it is performed at no time?

It is not to be disguised, however, that mighty exertions are demanded -indispensably demanded-to success in this arduous work. Without such exertions we do not act worthily of our cause, by making our means correspond to the end in view; and of course, not in such a manner as to secure the approbation and smiles of the God of providence and grace, without which the plan contemplated will certainly prove abortive, and with which, let earth and hell oppose as they may, it will as certainly issue in a complete and glorious triumph-There must be much and fervent prayer, and much strenuous and unceasing effort, and much cheerful liberality.

The Bible Society of Virginia, with a member of which the plan in view originated, have taken a noble lead in carrying it into effect. They have appointed the Rev. William M. Atkinson, to traverse their bounds, to make collections, and to stir up their fellow Christians to prayer, exertion, and prompt contribution; and his success has been most encouraging. His whole heart appears to be in the work; and we know not how we can better contribute our mite of assistance, than by laying before our readers an extract of a letter we have lately received from him. We know that we have not the influence which this partial young brother-once a beloved pupil-seems to suppose we possess. But if our influence were a thousand times greater than that of any man on earth, we should rejoice to employ it all in forwarding this holy cause. The extract to which we have alluded, is as follows:"Now there are two ways in which you may aid this great cause, as it appears to me. One is by sustaining it through the pages of the Christian Advocate-an occasion for this might offer in reviewing our Virginia Annual Report, and that of the American Bible Society.

"The other, is by inducing your Synod to pass resolutions, urging it upon the next General Assembly to support the enterprise, by all their influence at home and abroad. I have prepared resolutions to be offered to our Virginia Synod, somewhat of this kind:—

1. "Expressing approbation of the object.

2. "Recommending to the churches and Christians under the care of the Synod, to support it by all proper means.

3. "Recommending to the General Assembly to take such order on

the subject, as may best tend to enlist all the energies of the Presbyterian church in this great cause.

4. "Requesting our Assembly to bring before the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, before the highest judicatory of every other orthodox Presbyterian church in this, or any other country, and before all other ecclesiastical bodies, domestic or foreign, in correspondence with our Assembly, an enterprise so congenial with the true spirit of the gospel, and therefore, as we believe, with the true spirit of Presbyterianism.

"This syllabus is presented to let you see what is the sort of action which I desire from the Synods. Is it not dignus vindice nodus? Is it not an enterprise worthy of your age and experience? Would not 'thy will be known, that it may be done on earth, as it is in heaven,' be a dying speech as worthy of the aged Christian, as 'save my country,' of the expiring patriot?

"In asking you to co-operate with me on this subject, I do not at all feel that I am treading on ground before untouched by us, jointly. You may not recollect it, but I shall never forget, that twenty years ago, (when, though in other respects a thoughtless youth, I had learned that it was a good thing to distribute the word of God,) I, as a manager of the Nassau Hall Bible Society, carried on a correspondence, under your superintendence, on a branch of this same subject, with the late venerable Governor Langdon, of New Hampshire.

"I hope you will pardon all inaccuracies, for I have not time to copy my letter; and I have written it surrounded by my wife and children, whom, in one short hour, I am to leave for a three months' tour."

We only add, that in place of the Review, which Mr. A. has suggested, we substitute this article, as better adapted than a Review, to answer his wishes; and that we hope, and earnestly request, that every reader may lay this subject seriously to heart, and use all his means and influence, both in the private circle, and with bodies either ecclesiastical or civil, for the promotion of the great and glorious undertaking of giving the Bible to the world.

THE EDITOR OF THE CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.

Review.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, IN MAY AND JUNE, 1834.

Among the subjects, of no small interest to the Presbyterian church in the United States, which were discussed and decided on by the last General Assembly, there were three of pre-eminent importance, viz. The appeal and complaint of the second, or elective Presbytery of Philadelphia; the memorial from the West; and the motion for bearing testimony against certain doctrinal errors prevalent in our country, and dangerous to our church. On the first of these, our remarks were concluded in our last number; we now proceed to the consideration of the second.

A copy of " the Memorial" was inserted in our June number, and we hope our readers have given it an attentive perusal. It was originally issued and signed by nineteen ministers and twenty-three elders; and was addressed To the moderator and members of the Presbyterian church in the United States, to meet in the city of Philadelphia, on the 15th of May, 1834." It had been previously printed in a pamphlet

form, and pretty widely circulated; and had been taken up, acted on and adopted, according to the report of the committee of Overtures, "by eight Presbyteries, eleven church sessions, fifty-two ministers, and twenty-four elders, and in part by other Presbyteries." The Presbyteries of Philadelphia and Miami, and we believe a third, the name of which we do not recollect, had not put their reports into the hands of the committee of Overtures; and of course these Presbyteries are to be added to the number of those that had adopted the memorial-the Presbytery of Philadelphia, unanimously. The memorial was committed, on the second day of the session of the Assembly; was reported on, the third day afterwards; and on the 5th day subsequently, Saturday morning, May 24th, we find the following minute of the Assembly:

"Overture, No. 6, viz. "A memorial from a number of judicatories and individual ministers, and ruling elders in different parts of the church, was taken up and committed to Mr. Leech, Mr. James Morrison, Mr. Platt, Mr. Thomas T. Scott, and Dr. Hawes." This committee made its report on the 27th of May.

We shall insert the proceedings of the Assembly, as the several articles of the report came successively under discussion.

Tuesday Morning, May 27th.

The Committee to whom was referred Overture No. 6, viz. "A memorial from a number of judicatories, and individuals, ministers and ruling elders, in different parts of the Church, on the present state of the Presbyterian Church," made a report, after which a motion was made indefinitely to postpone the whole subject, which was discussed at some length. Adjourned till 4 o'clock.

4 o'clock, P. M.

The order of the day (the memorial of certain judicatories) was postponed, and the unfinished business of the morning resumed, viz. "The motion indefinitely to postpone the whole subject of the memorial on the present state of the Presbyterian church;" and after some discussion it was decided in the negative.

It was then moved that the report of the Committee, and the points it embraces, be postponed, with a view to take up in their place the articles in the memorial, on which the memorialists earnestly request a decision. This motion, after considerable discussion, was also decided in the negative.

Wednesday Morning, May 28th.

The Assembly resumed the unfinished business of yesterday, viz. "The report of the Committee on the Memorial on the present state of the Presbyterian church," and having decided to consider the same by paragraphs, discussed at length the first resolution.

4 o'clock, P. M.

The Assembly resumed the unfinished business of the morning, viz. "The report of the committee on the memorial on the present state of the Presbyterian church," viz. "The first resolution was further discussed at some length, when the vote was taken on adopting said resolution, which was carried in the affirmative. This resolution is as follows, viz.

Resolved, "That this Assembly cannot sanction the censure contained in the memorial against the proceedings and measures of former General Assemblies."

The yeas and nays on adopting this resolution were ordered to be recorded, and are as follows.

Yeas-S. Aiken, Perry, Chase, Fisk, Chancey, Backus, Keeler, Tracey, Tucker, A. Fitch, Gardiner, Hitchcock, Coe, Sawyer, Johnson, Robinson, S. C. Aiken, A. Crane, Coolidge, Astrom, Wilcox, Walker, Waterbury, Penfield, Mills, S. Smith, Shafer, Mersereau, Squier, E. Phelps, D. W. Forman, May, Dunning, Matthews, Cawles, R. G. Armstrong, E. Scofield, M. Smith, Condit, E. King, Woodbridge, Lansing, Halstead, B. King, Fairchild, Thomas, Kellogg, Ely, F. Scofield, How, Bredell, Skinner, Lyon, Bowman, Leslie, Bissell, Judson, Stimpson, Monteith, R. Armstrong, Shedd, M Cracken, Dewitt, Graves, Brainerd, Boal, Kemper, Remley, Proctor, Hovey, Ellis, Farnham, Barnes, J. F. Cowan, Hinkley, Philips, S. B. Wilson, Fitzgerald, Wm. J. Armstrong, Kirkpatrick, Leach, Morrison, Watts, Hawes, W. A. Shaw, J. Brown, Hoyt, Mandeville, Hoss, Eagleton, Cassells, White, R. W. Bailey, T. F. Scott-94.

Nays-S. Hunter, Manning, Hotchkiss, C. Smith, A. M. Cowan, Platt, Remington, J. Green, Mason, Boyd, Beers, Snodgrass, Wallace, Williamson, B. M'Dowell, I. V. Brown, W. Wilson, Candee, Love, Davis, Harris, A. Green, Woodward, J. McDowell, Magraw, Latta, Mustard, Morris, Watson, Agnew, M'Kinney, Hepburn, Young, J. W. Scott, M.Combs, Henry, H. Campbell, Coon, Vanhorn, M'Kennan, M.Faren, Marshall, M-Ferran, Craig, Vandyke, Donaldson, W. Wylie, S. H. Crane, C. Johnston, A. M'Farlane, Dunn, A. Wylie, Carnahan, Sickles, Blake, Spilman, Posey, Bernett, Bayless, Breckinridge, Price, F. M'Farland, Allen, D. L. Russell, D. Lindley, Preston, A. A. Campbell, Harrison, Snowden, Hagaman, Cunningham The second resolution of the report was then taken up, and after some discussion, the assembly adjourned till to-morrow, at half past 8 o'clock.

-71.

Thursday Morning, May 22.

The Assembly resumed the unfinished business of yesterday, viz. "The report of the committee on the memorial on the present state of the Presbyterian church." The second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth resolutions, after being separately discussed, were severally adopted. Adjourned till half past three o'clock.

Half past 3 o'clock, P. M.

The Assembly resumed the report of the committee on the "Memorial on the present state of the Presbyterian church." The seventh resolution was then discussed and being amended, was adopted.

From this decision Mr. Carver Hotchkiss entered his dissent.

The eighth resolution was then discussed at some length.

The Assembly had a recess until eight o'clock, when the Assembly met, and resumed the consideration of the report on the "Memorial on the present state of the Presbyterian church." The eighth resolution of the report was further discussed, and after some amendment, was adopted. The ninth resolution also was amended and adopted; and the tenth was adopted without amendment.

Adjourned till to-morrow morning, at half past eight o'clock.

Friday Morning, May 30th.

The Assembly resumed the unfinished business of last evening, viz. "The report of the committee on the memorial on the present state of the Presbyterian church." The question was then taken on the whole report, as amended and adopted by paragraphs, and the whole was adopted, and is as follows:

The committee to which was referred the memorial complaining of sundry griev ances abroad in the church, beg leave to report, that they find said memorial adopted either in whole or in part, by about nine Presbyteries, and eight sessions. It is also signed by about eighteen ministers, and ninety-nine elders, asking of this Assembly to apply such remedies as may be necessary to correct the evils of which they complain. Your committee, after the most careful investigation, and mature deliberation that they could bestow on this subject, have concurred in the following resolutions, which they recommend for the adoption of this Assembly.

Resolved, 1. That this Assembly cannot sanction the censure, contained in the memorial, against proceedings and measures of former General Assemblies.

2. That it is deemed inexpedient and undesirable to abrogate, or interfere with the plan of union between Presbyterians and Congregationalists in the new settlements, adopted in 1801.

3. That the previous action of the present Assembly on the subject of ordaining men is deemed sufficient.

4. That the duty of licensing and ordaining men to the office of the gospel ministry, and of guarding that office against the intrusion of men who are unqualified to discharge its solemn and responsible duties, or who are unsound in the faith, is committed to the Presbyteries. And should any, already in that office, be known to be fundamentally erroneous in doctrine, it is not only the privilege but the duty of the Presbyteries constitutionally to arraign, condemn and depose them.

5. That this Assembly bears solemn testimony against publishing to the world ministers in good and regular standing, as heretical and dangerous, without being constitutionally tried and condemned, thereby greatly hindering their usefulness as ministers of Jesus Christ. Our excellent constitution makes ample provision for redressing all such grievances, and this Assembly enjoins in all cases a faithful compliance in meekness and brotherly love with its requisitions: having at all times a sacred regard to the purity, peace, and prosperity of the church.

6. That the Assembly have no authority to establish any exclusive mode of conducting missions; but while this matter is left to the discretion of individuals and inferior

judicatories, we would recommend and solicit their willing and efficient co-operation with the Assembly's Board.

7. That a due regard to the order of the church and the bonds of brotherhood, requires in the opinion of this Assembly, that ministers dismissed in good standing, by sister Presbyteries, should be received by the Presbyteries which they are dismissed to join, upon the credit of their constitutional testimonials, unless they shall have forfeited their good standing subsequently to their dismissal.

8. That in the opinion of this Assembly, to take up and try and condemn any printed publication as heretical and dangerous, is equivalent to condemning the author as heretical; that to condemn heresy in the abstract, cannot be understood as the purpose of such trial; that the results of such trial are to bear upon and seriously to affect the standing of the author; and that the fair and unquestionable mode of procedure is, if the author be alive and known in our communion, to institute process against the author, and give him a fair and constitutional trial.

9. That in receiving and adopting the formularies of our church, every person ought to be supposed, without evidence to the contrary, to receive and adopt them according to the obvious and known and established meaning of the terms, as the confession of his faith; if objections be made, the Presbytery, unless he withdraw such objections, should not license, or ordain, or admit him.

10. That, in the judgment of this Assembly, it is expedient that Presbyteries and Synods in the spirit of charity and forbearance, adjust and settle, as far as practicable, all their matters of grievance and disquietude, without bringing them before the General Assembly and the world, as in many cases, this tends to aggravate and continue them, and to spread them over the whole church, to the great grief of its members, and injury of the cause of religion.

The Rev. I. V. Brown gave notice, in behalf of himself, and those who may choose to unite with him, that they claimed the privilege of entering their protest against the above resolutions.

PROTEST.

The undersigned protest against the proceedings of the General Assembly, relative to the memorial complaining of sundry grievances abroad in the church

1. On account of the manner in which said memorial was treated, in bringing it before the Assembly. It was committed to a committee who brought in a report in nearly all respects adverse to the memorial, before it was read in the house; so that when it was read, it was heard under the influence of all the prejudice created against it by the adverse report and prejudgment of the committee. It is believed that this method of procedure is without precedent or parallel, in the proceedings of any of the ecclesiastical judicatories of our church, or of any well ordered deliberative body, of whatever kind.

2. On account of the adoption by the Assembly of the first resolution submitted by the committee aforesaid, viz. "Resolved, that this Assembly cannot sanction the censure contained in the memorial, against proceedings and measures of former General Assemblies." If the proceedings and measures of the General Assemblies of our church are not to be regarded as infallible and immutable, then their equity and expediency are fairly open to the investigation and remarks of the members of the church; nor is it perceived how the redress of grievances, arising from the acts of the General Assembly, can be obtained by an aggrieved party, if such a party may not state, freely and fearlessly, the ground of complaint, although this should imply, as indeed it must, in most cases, necessarily imply, a censure of the proceedings which are the subjects of complaint. We fully recognise the obligation of memorialists and petitioners to address the General Assembly in respectful language; and such language we do conscientiously think was used, in an exemplary manner, by the memorialists, and that they could not have laid open their grievances, fairly and fully, with a greater reserve than that which they maintained; and therefore, that this decision of the Assembly goes to abridge the liberty which every member of our church, and every freeman and Christian in our country, ought to enjoy and maintain.

3. We protest against the second resolution, as going to render permanent, "the plan of union between Presbyterians and Congregationalists in the new settlements," which we consider as plainly and palpably unconstitutional. We do not wish for an abrupt violation of this plan, on the part of the Presbyterian church; but for the commencement of measures which shall result in a return to the ground of the constitution; and this without injury to, perhaps with the consent and approbation of, both the parties concerned. But regarding the second resolution as calculated, and probably intended, to perpetuate an unconstitutional transaction, we decidedly protest against it. 4. We protest against the fifth resolution, because we view it as interfering with the liberty of speech, the liberty of the press, and with Christian duty. For any abuse of this liberty, we are not advocates. But to prohibit, in all cases, the naming of authors Ch. Adv.-VOL. XII. 3 N