Rev. Dr Somerville, Honorary Member of the Board. Mr David Paton, Honorary Member of the Board. Mr James Peddie, Honorary Member, and Vice-Chairman of the Mr James Morton, Vice-Chairman of the Board for the Home Committee. The Members suggested by the Board, as above, to constitute the Mission Finance Committee. runt. Mission Board; Home and Foreign Com mittees. ships; Called for Report of the Committee on Synod Clerkships, which Synod Clerkwas presented by Dr Young, Convener, and being printed among Synod papers, was held as read. After reasoning, the Synod received the Report, and in terms of recommendations by the Committee, unanimously resolved: 1. That an additional Clerk of Synod be appointed. Additional Clerk ; 2. That the salaries of the Clerks be increased as the Synod shall Salaries. determine. runt. on Bills. May 12, 1874. 3. That the Committee on Bills and Overtures be composed of one Second Sede- member (minister and elder alternately) from each Presbytery of not Reconstruction more than fifteen congregations; two members (a minister and an of Committee elder) from each Presbytery of more than fifteen, but not more than thirty congregations; and three members (the balance between ministers and elders being preserved, from year to year, as evenly as possible) from each Presbytery of more than thirty congregations. orary Con vener. Clerkship on The Committee having recommended, 4th, "That the office of Bills discontinued-Hou- Clerk of the Committee on Bills and Overtures be discontinued, and an Honorary Convener of said Committee appointed to take charge of the preparation and introduction of the Synod's business, the Synod Clerks rendering the Committee and the Convener all the clerical assistance that may be required," it was moved and seconded, that this recommendation be adopted. It was moved and seconded, in amendment,-That instead of an Honorary Convener being appointed, the Committee of Bills shall appoint one of their number to introduce the business of the Synod. A vote being taken, the motion was preferred, and the Synod decided accordingly, adopting the 4th Recommendation. Day for Missionary Business. Adjournment at 10 P.M., not imperative. Time of meeting at First Sederunt. It was then moved and seconded-That the whole of Wednesday of the first week be set apart for missionary business, the annual Missionary Meeting, and the hearing of Foreign Deputies; and that a small Committee be appointed to define the nature of the business to be taken up on the day mentioned. It was moved and seconded, in amendment,-That instead of Wednesday, Thursday be the day for holding this meeting. A vote being taken, the motion was preferred, and the Synod decided accordingly in terms of the motion. It was agreed that the part of Rule 10, Sect. III., Chap. I., which requires the Synod to adjourn at 10 o'clock P.M., unless it be carried otherwise by a special vote, be, and the same hereby is, rescinded. In regard to the last Recommendation of the Committee referring to the time of the Synod's meeting at first sederunt, it was moved and seconded-That the meeting on first Monday of the Session be held at one o'clock P.M. It was also moved and seconded-That the hour of meeting be two o'clock. It was moved and seconded. as a third motion-That the hour of meeting be half-past six o'clock P.M., as heretofore. The three motions being put to the vote, it was found that the number voting for the third motion was greater than those voting for both the others, and therefore the Synod determine that the first meeting on the first Monday evening of the Session be held at half-past six o'clock. It was further agreed that the Synod's meeting on the second May 12, 1874. Monday of the Session be held at one o'clock P.M. to It was remitted to the same Committee to define the duties of the Clerks respectively, and the amount of their salaries, and report without delay. Agreed further, that the election of an additional Clerk take place on Friday first, at two o'clock P.M. It was unanimously agreed, that the thanks of the Synod be given to this Committee, especially to Dr Young, the Convener, for their valuable labours. Thanks were accordingly conveyed to the Committee by the Moderator. The Synod took up the following communication addressed to them by Mr James Peddie, resigning his office of Synod Treasurer:To the Reverend the Moderator and other Members of the Synod of the United Presbyterian Church, to meet at Edinburgh the 11th May next. Edinburgh, April 27, 1874. MODERATOR AND BRETHREN,-I have respectfully to request you to release me from my duties as Treasurer of the Church, to which I was appointed, first by the Synod of the United Associate Church in September, 1834, and subsequently by the Synod of the United Presbyterian Church at its first meeting on the 13th May, 1847. I make this request to you with regret, seeing it is surrendering an honour which I have much prized, and an office in the discharge of the duties of which I have felt much pleasure. But increasing years, and the consequent infirmities which they bring, make it expedient that I should do so while still able to give such explanations to my successor as may be necessary in regard to the many matters under my charge, and thus avoid the inconvenience which might result in other circumstances. An opportunity may perhaps be afforded me of expressing to you orally my feelings on this occasion, but in the meantime I have to tender to the ministers and elders of the Church my warmest thanks for the courtesy and kindness with which I have been uniformly treated by them individually and in successive Synods, and which have encouraged me much in the discharge of my duties. And trusting that you will find no difficulty in filling the office I now vacate by one who will fulfil its duties in a manner acceptable to the Church, and conducive to the advancement of the grand objects for which it exists,-I am, your obedient Servant, JA. PEDDIE. Second Sede- ing on Second Mr Peddie's Synod Treas urership. Resignation of sion Board, and with Finance In relation to this letter, an extract was read from the Records Minute of Misof the Board of Missions, together with a Minute of Conference of Conference on the Synod Treasurership, held by the Board with the General Committee; Finance Committee. Dr M'Gill was heard in support of the Mission Board's Minute; and Mr Balleny in behalf of the Finance Committee. Mr Peddie was heard, stating the reasons which made it imperative on him to adhere to his resignation of office. After reasoning, it was moved, seconded and unanimously Resignation resolved-That the Synod, having heard the letter and address Accepted. May 12, 1874. of Mr Peddie, resigning the office of Synod Treasurer, and having Second Sede- also received the Minutes of Conference on the Synod Treasurership runt. Mr Peddie's Qualifications and Duties of Successor. Salary and Re- urer; How to be between the Mission Board and the General Finance Committee, accept Mr Peddie's resignation, without prejudice always to Mr Peddie's continuing to hold and exercise all the duties of the office until a successor shall be appointed in the manner to be hereafter determined by the Synod, and said successor be inducted into his office: And that a Committee be appointed to prepare a suitable Minute expressive of the sentiments with which the Synod regards the services and retirement of Mr Peddie. The Synod appointed Mr Renton, Dr MacGill, Dr Scott, and Dr Ritchie, ministers; with Mr Balleny, elder, to prepare and bring in a Minute expressive of the Synod's sentiments in relation to Mr Peddie's services to the Church. On recommendation of the Finance Committee in reference to the appointment of a successor to Mr Peddie, the Synod resolved :— 1st, That the person to be selected should be skilled in accounts, and in the prime of life, and that he be required to devote his whole time to the duties of his office. 2d, That the amount of salary to be paid to him should be fixed before making the selection; and that the sum of £400 would be an adequate salary, leaving the allowance for clerks to the discretion of the Synod's General Finance Committee. 3d, That he shall be held responsible for all the cash transactions; that he find security in terms of the Synod's rules; and that he keep clear accounts of his intromissions, subject to the direction of the General Finance Committee, whose duty it shall be throughout the year to see that all the accounts are properly kept and vouched. 4th, That the appointment shall be during the pleasure of the Synod. It was moved and seconded-That the Synod appoint a large Special Committee, all the members of which need not be members of Synod, to take all the measures which they may consider proper for selecting a properly qualified person for the office of Treasurer as successor to Mr Peddie; to appoint to the office, and make all the arrangements necessary for his entering on his duties, declaring that the person so appointed shall have the powers which belong to the Treasurer of this Synod, and that an extract of this Minute, signed by the Moderator and Clerk of Synod, with a Minute thereon by the Committee, signed by the Convener and Clerk, shall be sufficient evidence of the appointment. It was moved and seconded in amendment,-That the Synod appoint a Special Committee to consider the steps to be taken in filling up the office, and to report at an early sederunt. A vote being taken, the first motion was preferred, and the Synod May 12, 1874. decided accordingly, agreeing that a large Special Committee be Second Sedeappointed, with powers to elect a Treasurer in the manner set forth in the first motion. runt. Selected. ber of Mission The Synod agreed further,―That Mr Peddie be asked to accept Mr Peddie, an honorary seat at the Mission Board, and also on the General honorary memFinance Committee; that he be requested to give such advice and Board and Finassistance as the new Treasurer may require; and in respect of this, mittee. that he be asked to accept a year's salary from the date of his resignation. ance Com Dr Cairns intimated that the Rev. James Johnston of Glasgow Book presented to Synod. had kindly offered to present to the Synod a copy of his work recently published, on the Ecclesiastical and Religious Statistics of Scotland. Agreed to accept Mr Johnston's offer, with thanks. On recommendation of the Committee of Selection, the Synod COMMITTEES ; appointed the following Committees: COMMITTEE ON PROTEST AND APPEAL OF REV. J. H. S. HUNTER: :- On Rev. J. H. S. Hunter's Dr Peddie, Edinburgh; John Tannahill, Penrith; William M'Donald, Appeal. Burnhead; Charles Jerdan, Dennyloanhead, ministers; with J. B. Kidston, Glasgow; Robert Sumner, Liverpool; George Walker, Aberdeen, elders; Dr Peddie, Convener. : COMMITTEE ON PETITION IN RELATION TO COMMUNION WINE:- On Communion Wine QuesDr Edwards, Glasgow; Dr Cairns, Berwick; John Rankine, Cupar: tion. James Towers, Birkenhead; William Aitken, Lynturk; Dr Duff, Helensburgh; Dr Davidson, Edinburgh; Peter M'Dowall, Alloa ; Dr Eadie, Glasgow ; Dr Brown, Glasgow; Dr Harper, Leith; James L. Murray, Kilmarnock; Robert W. Orr, Brechin; William Hutton, Moffat, ministers; with David Anderson, Glasgow; Walter Graham, Birmingham; F. J. Horniman, London; Thomas Hepburn, Newcastle; John Polson, Paisley; George Paterson, Burntisland; Samuel Stitt, Birkenhead, elders; Rev. Peter M'Dowall, Convener. COMMITTEE ON PETITION OF EAST CONGREGATION, CERES:-Dr On Petition of East CongreAikman, Glasgow; Alex. M. Jarvie, Dunfermline; George Deans, gation, Ceres. Portobello; George Robson, Lauder; Adam Lind, Elgin; James Fleming, Whithorn; James Buchanan, Glasgow; Peter Leys, Strathaven; Alexander Scott, Ballyfrenis; William Ramage, Glasgow; Alexander Sorley, Arbroath; J. B. Smith, Greenock; John Kirkwood, Troon, ministers; with Forrest Frew, Helensburgh; David Yellowlees, Stirling; Gilbert Robertson; Robert Porteous, Haddington; David Stewart; George Johnstone, Dumfries; George Birrell; Joseph Scott, Norham, elders; Dr Aikman, Convener. On Petition of COMMITTEE ON PETITION FROM WEMYSS BAY CONGREGATION Dr Hamilton, Brighton; Dr Edmond, London; William Blair, Dun- Congregation. |