PRESBYTERIAL PROCEEDINGS.

Banffshire. This presbytery met at Banff on the 4th December. The Rev. Mr. Smith, of the presbytery of Buchan, being present, was asked to correspond. Mr. Rogerson, convener of presbytery's Committee on Missions, gave in a report containing a series of recommendations. These were discussed, along with allied subjects brought before the presbytery from convener of Synod's Committee on Sabbath Schools, and from the Foreign Secretary. A decision was deferred till next meeting. This presbytery met at Keith on the 8th January. A call from Tarkastad, Caffraria, was presented to the Rev. Alexander Miller, Cabrach. Messrs. Watt and Taylor, commissioners from Cabrach, urged the earnest desire of the congregation for Mr. Miller to stay amongst them. Thereafter, Mr. Miller intimated his decision to decline the call, and it was set aside. Authority was granted for the election of four elders at Findochty. Resumed consideration of recommendations by Mission Committee, which were adopted in the following form:-1. That a missionary association be formed in every congregation. That the system of monthly collections be adopted where practicable. parties desiring the Missionary Record should be supplied by the collectors, the expenses to be defrayed in such manner as each association may determine. That requests for prayer made by missionaries be attended to at the prayer meeting or during public worship. That ministers, at least once annually, exchange pulpits for the purpose of having the claims of foreign missions presented to their congregations by other voices as well as their own. 6. That a brief statement be printed and distributed among members giving accounts of missionary fields and those who cultivate them. 7. That, if practicable, a presbyterial conference be held in connection with the annual meetings of the missionary as

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sociations. It was agreed that deputations from the presbytery visit the churches and deliver addresses on Sabbath schools, missions, the schemes and principles of the Church, and finance. Messrs. Macfarlane, Simmers, and M'Raith were appointed a committee for carrying out these visits. Next meeting to be held at Portsoy, on 1st Tuesday of March.

Berwick.-It having pleased God in His providence to remove by death the Rev. John Stark of Horndean, on the 14th of December, in the 53d year of his age, and the 29th of his ministry, the presbytery met at Horndean on the 19th December, on the occasion of his funeral-the Rev. A. B. Robertson, moderator. The Rev. Gilbert Meikle, of the presbytery of Paisley and Greenock, and the Revs. W. Limont, J. Rutherford, G. H. Main, and B. Brodie, of the Presbyterian Church of England, being present, were associated with the presbytery. Mr. Stark's name was taken from the roll; and the Rev. D. Kerr was appointed to conduct the devotional exercises in the church, and to give the funeral address. The Rev. Dr.

Ritchie was appointed to preach the funeral sermon on the Sabbath following, and declare the charge vacant. The Rev. P. Mearns was appointed moderator of session during the vacancy; and the supply of probationers was fixed to begin on the second Sabbath of January. After the impressive services in the church, the funeral, which was a very large one, left for the burial-place of the family at Chirnside. The presbytery met again on the 8th of January-the Rev. A. B. Robertson, moderator. Dr. Ritchie reported that he had preached at Horndean, as appointed by the presbytery, and declared the charge vacant. The late Rev. John Stark having been appointed at ordinary meeting to represent the Presbytery at the Mission Board of the Synod, the Rev. P. Mearns was chosen in his room, and intimated his acceptance of the office. The Rev. A. B. Robertson was

last

appointed to dispense the communion at Horndean on the last Sabbath of February. Collections for the Synod Fund were reported. The committee in correspondence with congregations in the south having not yet finished their business, Dr. Ritchie's name was substituted for that of the late Rev. John Stark, and the Rev. D. Kerr was made convener of this committee. The Rev. R. C. Inglis was chosen treasurer of the presbytery, in room of the late Rev. John Stark. A petition was read from Middlesborough congregation praying for disjunction from this presbytery, with the view of their joining the Darlington presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of England. After some consideration of the proper mode in which this petition should be granted, it was agreed to comply with the prayer of the petition, and report this fact to the Synod. The Rev. A. B. Robertson, convener, gave a report of the proceedings of the Mission Committee, from which it appeared that a majority of the congregations of the presbytery contribute monthly, through collectors, for missionary purposes. Arrangements were made for a conference on missions, at Ayton, on the 8th of April; and it was agreed to invite all the elders to be present. The Rev. W. Wilson's name was added to the committee, in room of that of the late Rev. John Stark. Arrangements were made for further supply of the Rev. James Harrower's pulpit at Eyemouth, as he is still requiring relief.

Edinburgh.-A meeting of this presbytery was held on Tuesday, 8th January, in the hall of the Young Men's Christian Association. Mr. David Marshall, EastCalder, was appointed moderator for the ensuing six months, and took the chair. Mr. Watt, probationer, Kilmaurs, to whom a call had been addressed by the congregation of Infirmary Street to be come colleague and successor to Dr. Bruce, intimated his acceptance of it, and the induction was fixed to take place on the 13th February, at twelve o'clockMr. Armstrong Black to preach, Dr. Bruce to preside, and Mr. Gardiner to address pastor and people. Mr. Robertson (Bread Street) reported that at a meeting of the new South Side Congregation, it had been agreed to call the Rev. John Kay, Free Church, Coatbridge, to the pastorate of the church. The call was signed by thirty-four members and eight adherents. It was sustained. Mr. Ronaldson laid on the table a call from the congregation of West-Calder to the Rev. James Wardrop, Craigend, Perth. The call was sustained. Mr. Dewar requested the presbytery to give its approval

to an application to the Home Mission Board for aid towards the support of a missionary at Musselburgh, stating that the population in and around it was some 10,000, and that there were only about 2000 church-goers. The presbytery approved of the application.

on

Glasgow. This presbytery met Tuesday, 8th January-Rev. Dr. Black, moderator. Dr. Edwards gave in an interim report in reference to Mr. Ferguson's case, and stated that correspondence had been held with Mr. Ferguson in reference to the basis of the proposed conference; and this having been agreed on, it was expected said conference would be held in a day or two. The report was approved. Dr. Scott made a statement in reference to the financial position of the Church. The total income of the Church, he said, for missionary and benevolent purposes, was in 1876, £104,011, 2s. 5d., and in 1877, £91,832, 14s. 2d., showing a deficiency of £12,179, 8s. 3d.; which was accounted for in this way, that while in 1876, £17,954 had been received for the Hall Capital Fund, in 1877 only £3014 had been received, showing a decrease of £14,940; and as that exceeded the deficiency on all the others put together, they would understand that the funds were, on the whole, in a prosperous state. The income for foreign missions last year was £38,552, 2s., and the expenditure £38,401, 18s. 3d.; but there must be carried over from the reserve fund created by the late Mr. Alexander Paton, according to the terms of his trust-deed, £3025, so that there was a surplus of £2974; and this was independent of the sum of £2766 contributed for the Indian Famine Fund, of which only £44 had as yet been expended; so that altogether the Foreign Mission Fund had a balance at its credit at the present time exceeding that of the previous year by somewhere about £5700. In relation to the Augmentation Fund, the balance at 1st January 1877 was £6725, 10s. 10d., the income for 1877 was £16,236, 18s. 3d., the interest on the fund was £300, and there must be carried from the reserve fund £768, 15s., so that the total income was £24,031, 6s. 1d. for the year. The expenditure was as follows:Supplement to stipends, £7657, 6s. 9d.; grants to congregations, £457, 13s 11d.; subsidy to England, £1214, 2s. 6d.; expenses, £876, 11s. 5d.-in all, £10,205, 14s. 5d., leaving a balance of £13,825, 9s. 6d.; from which had to be deducted £6500 for the working balance of 1878, and consequently the amount available was £7325, 9s. 6d., or £144, 18s. 1d. less than last year. Only, as that deficiency could be fully made up by the proportion of a

The

legacy set apart during the year as an addition to the reserve fund, there was no doubt a value of a share in the surplus fund would be as before £40, and consequently the minimum stipend £200, with manse, or allowance of £20 for house rent, would be made up as in former years. The Church owed a deep debt of gratitude to Mr. Morton, of Greenock, for his most generous and untiring services in this matter. Of the Evangelistic Fund, the income had been £5968, and the expenditure £5806. The Aged Ministers' Annuity Fund had an expenditure of £2343, and an income of £2038. The Theological Hall Fund had had an expenditure of £3745, and an income of £3419, 6s. 9d., the expenditure having been increased by the changes effected on the hall. The presbytery awarded Dr. Scott a special vote of thanks for his statement. clerk (Dr. George Jeffrey) intimated that on the re-arrangement of the presbytery thirty-three sessions had reported-fourteen in favour of a division of the city, eleven in favour of maintaining the integrity of the presbytery, six in favour of remaining unchanged so far as they themselves were concerned, and two in favour of a presbytery of Dumbarton, in the event of a re-arrangement being considered expedient. The above classification being objected to by several members as inadequately representing the sessional returns, a committee was appointed, with Mr. Roberts as convener, to prepare a report on the subject. It was agreed to ask the Synod Committee for an extension of the time within which the returns must be lodged. The presbytery agreed to moderate in a call to an assistant and successor to Dr. Edwards in Greenhead Church on 21st inst. The Rev. Mr. Carstairs intimated his resignation of the convenership of the Sunday Schools Committee, an office to which Mr. Corbett was elected. The committee on Stornoway and the Isles, stated that the pulpit of Stornoway had been supplied during the summer months, and that the congregation of Portree was ready to moderate in a call. Mr. Andrew Morrison was also recommended for appointment as catechist for Lismore. The clerk afterwards read requests for moderation from the congre. gation of Stornoway and Portree, which were agreed to be laid before the Mission Board. The report of the committee was agreed to.

Kirkcaldy. This presbytery met at Kirkcaldy on the 4th December-Rev. R. Dick, moderator. Intimation having been made that the Rev. A. F. Forrest, Stirling, had declined the call addressed to him by the congregation of Bethel

field, the call was accordingly set aside. A petition from the congregation of Bethelfield for a moderation was granted, and the Rev. Mr. Thomson was appointed to preach and moderate in a call on the evening of Monday the 17th December, worship to begin at half-past seven o'clock. Agreed to recommend the proposal of an exchange of pulpits for the purpose of advocating the claims of missions. The remit of Synod regarding the formation of elders' associations was taken up, and the scheme approved of. This presbytery again met at Leven on 11th December. A petition from Crail for a moderation was granted, and the Rev. Mr. Smith appointed to preach and moderate in a call on the evening of Monday, 17th December, worship to begin at seven o'clock.-The presbytery met again at Kirkcaldy on the 8th January. Mr. Thomson reported that he had preached and moderated in a call in Bethelfield Church on the night appointed, and gave an account of his procedure, which was approved of. The call, which was addressed to the Rev. Isaac E. Marwick, Loanends, Ireland, was subscribed by 263 members in full communion, and 60 adherents. The presbytery agreed to sustain the call, and to forward it to the presbytery of Ireland, along with the reasons for translation. Mr. Smith reported that he had preached and moderated in a call at Crail. call was addressed to the Rev. J. C. Jackson, Elgin Street Church, Glasgow, and subscribed by 92 members. Mr. Smith's conduct was approved of, and the call sustained. It was also agreed to forward the call and relative documents to the presbytery of Glasgow.

The

Orkney. This presbytery met at Kirkwall on the 7th January-Mr. Allardice, moderator. The clerk read a letter from the Home Mission Board announcing that a grant of £30 had been made to the Shapinshay congregation in aid of expenses incurred during the vacancy. The receipt from the Shapinshay treasurer for the amount was also laid on the table. A petition was read from the Shapinshay congregation asking for a moderation in a call, and stating that the congregation were prepared to give £100 of stipend, with a manse and garden, and four weeks' holidays. It was unanimously agreed to grant the prayer of the petition. Mr. Webster was appointed to preside at the meeting to be held on Tuesday, the 22d, at 12 o'clock noon, or the first favourable day thereafter. The presbytery unanimously agreed to the following petition to Parliament:-That, taking into consideration the present position of the Eastern Question, the despotic

character of Turkish rule, and the disastrous character of such government on the causes of civil and religious liberty, no steps be taken in the way of giving either moral or material support to the Turkish Government.' The petition was signed by the moderator and clerk, and sent to Mr. Laing for presentation to Parliament. Mr. Kirkwood then submitted a scheme of evangelistic meetings to be held within the bounds of the presbytery during the next three weeks. He also reported that the Home Mission Board had appointed two evangelistsMessrs. Ruddocks and Mundle-to cooperate with the presbytery in this work. The scheme was cordially approved of, and the thanks of the presbytery were given to Mr. Kirkwood for preparing it. The presbytery then met in private.

Perth. This presbytery met on the 18th December-Mr. Lyon, moderator. Received from Balbeggie a petition for a moderation, with a request that the presbytery apply, on behalf of the congregation, for a second hearing of Messrs. Robertson and Laurie, probationers, before the moderation took place. Appointed Mr. M'Neil to moderate in a call at Balbeggie on Monday the 28th January 1878, public worship to begin at two o'clock afternoon. Instructed the clerk to correspond with the Distribution Committee about a rehearing of the probationers named. The presbytery's Committee on Missions reported on the paper on foreign missions handed to it at last meeting, recommending, 1st, the adoption of the Synod's suggestions as to an exchange of pulpits when the cause of said missions is pleaded; and 2d, a presbyterial conference on foreign missions, to which all the elders within the bounds of the presbytery shall be invited, as also the office-bearers of congregational missionary committees. Agreed to wait for a report from this committee on the matters of Church extension, etc., remitted to it; and, on the request of the convener, associated the committee on the state of religion with this committee in the business remitted. Mr. Wardrop was nominated to serve on the Synod's Mission Committee for the four years ending May 1882. Appointed next meeting to be held on the 12th February

1878.

CALL.

Street Church, Glasgow, inducted January 3d.

Alexandria.-Rev. James Alison, of Boston Church, Cupar - Fife, inducted January 8th.

OBITUARY.

Died, at Brooklyn, New York, on 15th December 1877, Rev. David Inglis, D.D., LL.D., formerly of Penrith, England, latterly pastor of the Reformed Church, Brooklyn Heights. Dr. Inglis was born in Greenlaw, Berwickshire, in 1824, entered the University of Edinburgh in 1837, was licensed as a preacher in 1845, and after a short ministry in Penrith, went to America, and there had a distinguished and successful career as a faithful and eloquent preacher of the interesting biographical sketch of Dr. gospel. Mr. Parker, Sunderland, in an Inglis, given in a sermon preached on the occasion of his death, says :-'He was one of seven preachers brought up in his father's Church. Only three survive, Dr. Education, Rev. P. Landreth, and my Taylor, secretary of the Scottish Board of self. The late Rev. John Riddel, of Moffat, an amiable and accomplished minister; Mr. Alexander Lockie, who lived and died a preacher; his brother James, and now Dr. Inglis too, have passed away.'

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN THEOLOGICAL HALL MIS

SIONARY SOCIETY.

INDUCTIONS.

Kilmarnock (King Street). Rev. Thomas Whitelaw, A.M., of Cathedral

that the interest taken in these, the liberality with which they were supported, the number and ability, and the zeal and piety of the men who undertook the work, and, above all, the great success which had been achieved, were amongst the most hopeful and encouraging signs of the times. After pointing to the success which had attended missionary operations in Samoa and the neighbouring islands, and also in Madagascar, India, China, and elsewhere, he went on to say that, notwithstanding the work done, they were still in the day of small things, and they must not forget the sacred obligations under which they lay to make known the gospel to every creature. In regard to home mission work, he was glad to say that as divinity students the members of the United Presbyterian Theological Hall engaged in this work themselves. Having given a short account of the mission in Arthur Street, Edinburgh, he stated that it had been resolved to devote towards that object a sum of between £100 and £150 every year; and when they next came before the Church to advocate the claims of Biddle University, North Carolina, with a view to provide a native ministry for Africa, he hoped the liberality of the people would show the interest taken by them in the home operations carried on by the students.

The meeting was afterwards addressed by Rev. Dr. M'Ewan, London, Rev. Wm.

Edinburgh, contains upwards of 12,000 volumes, and is accommodated in three rooms,-one 55 feet by 16, another 20 feet by 13, and the third 16 by 14.

In addition to the present library, the library of the late Professor Eadie has to be accommodated in the new premises. It consists of 9000 volumes, and would require a separate room for itself. Other additions are likely to be made to the library, and provision must be made for this.

The whole front of the first floor of the present building towards Castle Terrace will be set apart for the library, and a room on each side in case of further extension, which meanwhile may be made available for other purposes, such as committee rooms.

III.-Synod Hall.

1. A new Hall, to be seated for 2000. The court reserved for members will be seated for 750, the public to be accommodated in a gallery or galleries. The seats will be something like those in the Free Assembly Hall, but to be a little wider and more comfortable. Connected with the Synod Hall will be provided

2. A room for the Moderator of Synod; 3. A Synod Clerk's room; and 4. A voting clerk's room-all on the ground floor; and

5. Three or four committee rooms. There will be accommodation for voting

Geelong, and Professor Cairns.

As this was the first meeting of this society held in Glasgow, a special interest attached to it. The audience was large, and listened with marked attention to the addresses of the various speakers.

NOTE OF ACCOMMODATION TO BE PROVIDED FOR THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN THE NEW PREMISES, CASTLE TERRACE, EDINBURGH.

I.-Theological Hall.

1. Five class-rooms for students. 2. Five professors' rooms.

One of the class-rooms to be large enough to hold 120 students; and the other four class-rooms to accommodate 50 students each.

One of the professors' rooms to be large enough for the meetings of the Senatus. 3. In addition to the above, a room is to be provided for an Elocution class, large enough to hold about 150.

II.-Library.

At present, the library in 5 Queen Street,

as that in the Free Assembly Hall.

IV.-Synod's Treasurer.

1. A public office will be provided for the Treasurer of the Church on the ground floor, in which his clerks will be accommodated; and

2. A private room connected therewith for the treasurer.

V.-Mission Board.

1. A Board Room, sufficient to accommodate 50 members.

2. A room for the Foreign Secretary. 3. A room for the Home Secretary. 4. A room for the Foreign Secretary's clerk.

VI.-Refreshment Rooms and Lavatories.

VII.-A Fire-Proof Safe Room. VIII.-Sufficient accommodation will be provided for the Hall Officer and his Family.