clear cool weather which has set in. We have had an early frost, which is not liked by the natives; but after a whole month's sirocco in October, with scarcely an hour's variation, we are too glad to have the hot, clammy feeling that was over us, and everything else, dried up. I regret much to say, that the olive crop, the mainstay of the inhabitants, whether | rich or poor, is after great'promise an utter failure. Owing to the hot south wind in October, a worm was generated, which gnawed the tendril that unites the olive to the branch, and of course made it fall to the ground. That worm is a curious insect: if generated by two or three hot days, it merely bites the fruit, and is then destroyed by a cold propitious wind from the north; the quantity of oil is said to be increased, and the quality improved; but if this wind from the north do not blow in time, the crop is destroyed. This will show you how precarious the subsistence of the people of these islands is. It depends greatly upon the oil crop. They are still enjoying the advantage of a very rich one of 1857, and are, I hope, the better prepared to bear the entire loss of the one of this year. They also cultivate more of their excellent soil now than when I first came to the island. Still, if it be true that the Irishman will walk ten miles to sell a head of cabbage, the Corfiot will go as far to buy one. They are a sober and yet improvident people. (Signed) W. CHARTERIS. Correspondence. To the Editor of the English Presbyterian Messenger. ¦ DEAR SIR,—It is evident that those who feel an interest in the prosperity of our Zion are becoming more and more alive to the necessity of vigorous measures to arrest the continuous flight of our ministers from the wintry inclemency of our church to the more genial regions of the colonies; and thus, to prevent the many and great evils to which this never-ceasing emigration gives rise. I believe there is an undeniable necessity for the adoption of more thoroughgoing and comprehensive measures than have as yet been openly spoken of; at least if the church mean to fulfil her high duty, and fully avail herself of the resources and energies which she possesses, but which, because of culpable remissness, lie latent and unemployed within her. There is an urgent necessity for a complete overhauling of our whole existing system of financial administration-for the institution of a system by which all our resources and energies may be called forth and fully employed. At present we are not doing our duty as a church; the talent, or part of it, which the Lord has given us to trade with, we are husbandling in a napkin; as is plain from our published accounts, and as would become plainer still were there, as there ought to be, submitted to the inspection of the church at large a statement of the number of members and seat-holders, the rates of sittings, and the sum raised by seat-rents, in every congregation, rich as well as poor. We do not occupy that position which is open to us, nor do we exert that influence for good upon the country which we might, but which we cannot exert, because we are destitute of any system fitted fully to develop our resources, give us more of a corporate unity, greater vigour of internal administration, and greater power of aggressive action. The Synod proposes to raise the stipends of our ministers to £150; and, with this view, it adopted at its last meeting the regulations now in force for the better administration of the Home Mission Fund. This is, no doubt, a step in the right direction; but it is only a very short step, and leaves the church far from reaching the end she seeks to gain. An adequate maintenance for the ministry is an object which the church is imperatively bound to aim at; but her duty to her ministers is not the only thing which in this matter she ought to contemplate: she ought to look beyond that, and regard the discharge of it as not merely a good in itself, but as a means for the attainment of a higher and greater good—the advancement of Presbyterianism--the promotion of the cause of Christ in this country. She cannot reasonably hope to effect this in any tolerable measure, without first securing an adequate maintenance for her ministers; for, failing this, her efforts must always have more of the character of a struggle for her own existence, as has been hitherto, and is still, too much the case, than the manifestations of an abundant, vigorous, aggressive life. But even the inferior of these objects is beyond her power to attain under the pre sent system. For, let the new regulations by the present system; so that the church be worked as zealously and conscientiously has only one of two alteratives before her: as the most earnest and sanguine of their either to devise and adopt another and supporters could wish, you will never by more effective system- a system really means of them secure to every minister fitted to gain the ends so much desired; or £150 a year, or anything like it; and then to make up her mind patiently to endure what becomes of the higher and ultimate the evils so loudly complained of, and say object? You must either give it up, which nothing more about them-to continue a you dare not do, or struggle after it un- church accused, and justly, of starving successfully, which you are bound to seek to her ministers," while, by her own confesavoid. These rules proceed upon the sion she abounds in wealth - a church, supposition that our aid-receiving congre. whose ministers continue always young men gations are at present able, or will by-and- of small experience or weight-a church by, by means of the stimulus now applied to regarded as a miserable sect, despised or them, become able, to raise annually by pitied by the powerful establishment, their own exertions about £134, or nearly. powerless to improve the splendid opporThis is an expectation which is perfectly tunities ever opening up to her, because her Utopian, and could never be entertained present domain, small as it is, is beyond her for a moment by any one sufficiently ac- strength or her skill properly to cultivate. quainted with the actual capabilities and prospects of many of our poorer congregations. Congregations raising about £100 by seat-rents may be in a position, under the present regulations, to come more or less nearly up to the proposed mark: some of them, were they only to contribute according to their ability, might actually reach it without the aid of the Home Mission Fund at all; while some might even go beyond it; and this just shows the necessity of another and more effective system for turning our neglected capabilities to account. Others again, because their resources have already reached their full development, or very nearly, must still remain a considerable way short of the mark; while, perhaps, the great majority of our aid-receiving congregations, especially in rural districts, raising £80 or £70 or less by seat-rents, will be condemned under the present system to remain very much as they are at present as regards the ministers' income. Many of them are already in the position of settled congregations: they have no prospect of any considerable increase of numbers or of wealth; their resources are already nearly taxed to the utmost; and to expect that they will be able, under any regulation whatsoever, to increase their annual contributions by an additional £50 or £60, or more, is perfectly absurd. An additional £10 or £12 per annum upon an average would be a much more reasonable expectation; and whether you will ever in such congregatious reach anything like an adequate maintenance for the ministry, is a question which under the present system it is unnecessary to ask. And it were superfluous also to ask, at least with the hope of obtaining an affirmative answer, whether, under the same system, the so much deplored flight of our ministers to the colonies will be put an end to, and the evils which it causes remedied. The plain truth is, that these evils will never be remedied But why choose the latter alternative ? You have the means-you have people ready to contribute, if you only set a proper object before them, and a proper way to reach it; and all that is necessary effectually to remedy the present evil state of thingsto heal the evils within the church, and to enable her to act with effect on the evil that lies around her-is a system fitted to draw forth and rightly employ the wealth which the church possesses. And such a system is ready formed to our hand. You see it existing in vigorous and effective operation in the Sustentation Fund of the Free Church of Scotland. Let a Sustentation Fund be instituted on the principle of the equal dividend, with duly adjusted provision for proper supplements to ministers of large and wealthy congregations, and you will put a speedy end to the evils so feelingly deplored; you will be able to give an adequate maintenance to the ministry; the flight to the colonies will be arrested; you will by-and-by have a fair proportion of venerable fathers to counsel and guide the more juvenile brethren; the church will attain to a posi tion and a standing in the country, and acquire an influence incalculable for good, and be put in possession of a power of which at present she is utterly destituteof extending her boundaries, and preserving her conquests. the I can hardly imagine that any will be so weak or so sorely prejudiced as to object to a Sustentation Fund because the idea is borrowed from the Free Church. Should it unfortunately be so, a sufficient answer to such a miserable objection is, that wise men will adopt that institution which is best fitted to gain their end, without inquiring or caring in what country it had its origin. Should it be said that the fund is still on its trial in the Free Church, it may be answered, and with truth, that it has stood a most severe and lengthened trisl, has been most thoroughly tested, and convinced that such an institution, by is now demonstrated to be possessed of a enabling ministers to feel that their efforts vitality and vigour absolutely indestructible, for the prosperity of their own congregaso long as its managers possess an average tions would operate directly upon the prosshare of common sense-so long as true perity of the whole church, which at prereligion shall flourish, and the distinctive sent they do only very feebly and remotely, principles of the Free Church be known would act as a most powerful incentive to and prized in Scotland. If it be objected diligence. It would enable them also to that by means of it the minimum of £150 enforce with effect the great duty of suphas not been reached, it may be replied porting the gospel, which now they are that the Free Church has been able to fur- deterred from doing by the fear of being nish something much more nearly ap- thought by the people to have only in view proaching an adequate maintenance to the their own private interest. The disgraceful ministry by means of the Fund, than we, spectacle of members of one large congreor perhaps any other unestablished church, gation contributing about 1s. 6d., or little have been able to furnish without it. She more, for the support of the gospel, and of has not been disgraced by the flight of her members in another sending their contribu ministers to the colonies in search of better tions elsewhere, because our own church things; the maximum would have been neglects to furnish them with a proper reached long ago, had her zeal in length-channel for their liberality, would be done ening her cords not outrun her discretion away. Should any one say that the fund in strengthening her stakes; she has, in spite of all the drawbacks that may have arisen from mismanagement, gone in and possessed the land in its length and breadth, preached the gospel to thousands who would otherwise have been left to heathenism, and attained a position and an influence in the country and the world that may well be regarded with amazement; and which, without the Sustentation Fund, could never have been reached even by the Free Church. No doubt the piety, ability, and learning, the energy and wisdom of her office-bearers and members, have greatly contributed to secure her present high position of power and usefulness; but the most illustrious exhibition of their wisdom and sagacity is precisely their adoption of the Sustentation Fund; and it is this fund chiedy which, under God, has made the Free Church what she is. Should it be feared that a fund on the equal-dividend principle would be an encouragement to idleness on the part of ministers, I would remark that it has not been so found in the Free Church. And I trust no one imagines that our ministers, as a body, are so void of love to Christ and his cause, and so regardless of the interest of the church to which they belong, as in any circumstances to act in the manner supposed. Instead of being a premium on idleness, I am firmly TEACH CHILDREN TO LOVE.-A father had better extinguish his boy's eyes than take away his heart. Who has experienced the joy of friendship, and values sympathy and the affection of the soul, and would not rather lose all that is beautiful in nature's scenery, than be robbed of the hidden treasures of the heart? Who would not rather follow his children to the grave than entomb his parental affection? Cherish, then, your heart's best affections. could not be worked satisfactorily among us because of the smallness of our numbers, I say that smallness of numbers, instead of creating a difficulty, is a positive advantage, because it immensely facilitates the collection of the revenue and the administration of the fund, and renders more easy a vigorous and effective system of supervision. The truth is, the practicability of such a fund in any church does not depend in the slightest degree upon the number of congregations: a large number may, and certainly does, render it more difficult to manage, while a small number renders it more easy; but it depends entirely upon the wealth and willingness of the people, and the practical good sense of the officebearers. It was said by some one in the last Synod, if I recollect rightly, that no church in the land was more wealthy in proportion to its numbers than ours. The wealth exists then; the only question is, Does the will exist? It remains to be seen whether the present evils are to be allowed to remain for want of will to remove them. I believe that, when the matter is fully brought before the church, there will be no hindrance on that score. In the mean time let the matter be prayerfully considered, and, if need be, openly and fairly discussed. I am &c., A COUNTRY MINISTER. Indulge in the warm and gushing emotions of filial, parental, and fraternal love. Love God-love everybody and everything that is lovely. Teach your children to love the rose, the robin, and their parents. Let it be the constant object of domestic culture to give them warm hearts and ardent affections. Bind your whole family together by these strong cords. You cannot make them too strong. Religion is love to God, and love to man. Presbyterian Church in England. THE MESSENGERS. WILL our friends have the kindness to remember the claims of the only two periodicals established for, and representing the interests of our Church, at the commencement of a New Year? They are not expensive: the largest may be obtained for three shillings, and the other for sixpence, a year. They have, especially the larger one, been useful in many ways in promoting the interests of the Church; and from the outset till now, they have owed their existence to the generosity of a few individual members of the Church, who have in no case assisted them with the view of promoting their own objects and views, but solely for the welfare of the Church generally. We trust, therefore, that our readers will have the kindness to give us all the help they can at the commencement of a new year ministers by recommending the magazines from their pulpits, and others by introducing them to their friends. And will parents-all who have children under their care-arrange to take in the Juvenile Messenger? 57 3 Mr. Bell 2 0 0 30. Collection, Alnwick, per If all Dec. 3. Donation, Dr. Dill, Brighton, per H. M. Matheson, Esq. . in the Church who, we think, ought to patronise this little publication, would do so, our circulation would be more than trebled. It cannot surely be the expense-only sixpence a year -which deters them. We fear very many do not know even of its existence, and therefore cannot subscribe for it. Will our kind friends therefore try to remedy this by speaking for it and about it on all suitable occasions ? 3. Collection, Marylebone, by W.D. Anderson, Esq. 50 0 0 24 14 8 5. Collection, Trinity Church, Manchester, per Mr. Morton 11 10 0 5. Collection, Horncliffe, per Mr. Paxton 1 00 6. Collection, Lowick, per Rev. Mr. Frazer 1 8 6 7 5 7 11 12 6 Terras ,, 10. Collection, South Shields, per Mr. Stevenson 12. Collection, Belford, per Rev. Mr. 15. Collection, Woolwich, per Dr. Rutherford Annual Subscription, 12 7 0 115 0 £6 0 0 100 0 10 0 1 1 0 7 10 0 1 10 1 10 COLLEGE FUND. Nov. 3. Students' Fees 3 12 6 115 0 150 1 10 0 The Treasurer takes this occasion to mention, that the contributions towards this very serviceable fund have, as yet, fallen considerably short of the outlay, moderate as this has been, and almost inadequate to the requirements of the students; and suggests, whether that the holiday season may not present a good occasion for additional liberality in behalf of those who are studying so sedulously for the ministry. ARCH. J. RITCHIE, Treasurer. , Poultry, E.C. £7 5 0 44 5 10 Presbyteries' Proceedings. PRESBYTERY OF LANCASHIRE. THIS Presbytery met at Manchester on the 2nd November. Present: Rev. J. R. Welsh, moderator pro tem.; Dr. M'Lean, Messrs. Lundie, J. C. Paterson, James Paterson, Wood, M'Caw, Robinson, Johnstone, Belloch, Davidson, Brown, Henderson, John Clelland, and Inglis, ministers; and Messrs. John Sutt, Robert Lockhart, James Halliday, Thomas Wightman, and William Brown, elders. The committee appointed in reference to the clerkship gave in a report, which was adopted. By a majority of votes, Mr. Inglis was appointed clerk for three years. The committee appointed to examine Mr. Samuel Dickinson, student, reported that they recommended his trials to be sustained. The Presbytery adopted the report, and instructed the clerk to give the usual certificate. The overture sent down to Presbyteries by the Synod, about the establishment of a fund for aged and infirm ministers, was approved of, on the motion of Mr. J. C. Paterson. Mr. Inglis gave notice of a motion for next meeting to the following effect :-That at each ordinary meeting of Presbytery, two ministers shall give some account of their congregations, more especially as regards the state of religion in them, and any 0 14 0 hopeful appearances of the prosperity of 115 0 |