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Walker, and that arrangements had been | The session records and congregational

made for supplying the pulpit there for several months. On the motion of Dr. Lorimer, seconded by Mr. Wright, the committee on that station was reappointed, with instructions to obtain all requisite information concerning it, and to communiIcate with the Home Mission Committee, with a view to its recognition as a full charge in connection with this church.

Mr. Wright introduced the following overture, and concluded a speech in support of it, by moving its transmission to the Synod: "Whereas there is a body of Christians, chiefly located in the Principality of Wales, commonly known by the name of Welsh Calvinistic Methodists, whose doctrine, discipline, government, and worship agree in many important respects with those of this Church; it is humbly overtured by the Presbytery of London to the Synod of the Presbyterian Church in England, to take such steps as in the wisdom of the Synod may seem best for promoting a more intimate intercourse between the two churches." The transmission of the over

ture was unanimously agreed to.

The school schedules of Southwark and Woolwich were attested for the Synod's School Committee.

The congregational schedule from Rochester was attested for the Synod's Home Mission Committee.

account books of Dudley, Cheltenham, and Smethwick, were examined and attested. Committees were appointed to examine those of Broad Street, and New John Street.

The Presbytery agreed to recommend to the different ministers within the bounds, to call the attention of their congregations on a special day, to be appointed at next meeting, to the importance of seeking an increased amount of religious revival, and to warn against prevalent forms of sin calculated to retard the work of the Holy Spirit; and a committee, consisting of the moderator, and Rev. R. Steel, with Mr. Hunter (elder), were appointed to preface a short address on the subject, to be approved of at next meeting.

The Presbytery agreed to use their influence promptly in opposition to Sir John Trelawny's motion, in reference to the Sabbath. Mr. Crowe, as moderator of the Smethwick Session, reported that a congregational meeting had been held there, as previously appointed; and that after considering the minute of the Home Mission Committee, the congregation had nevertheless unanimously resolved to persevere, and were encouraged to do so by various local circumstances, and that at present they had no further application to make to the Presbytery.

The Presbytery adjourned to meet at Broad Street, Birmingham, on the 1st Tuesday of April, at 11 o'clock.

PRESBYTERY OF BERWICK.

Dr. Lorimer brought up a reference from the temporary session of the Harrow Road congregation, which entered fully into the circumstances of that congregation, and craved the advice of the Presbytery. The reference having been heard, it was moved by Dr. Hamilton, seconded by Mr. Ballantyne, and agreed, that the Presbytery recommend the session to convene a meeting of the congregation for the purpose of ascertaining whether they are ripe for the settlement of a minister, and, if so, what provision they are willing to make for his support. On the suggestion of Dr. Lorimer, Dr. Hamilton, Mr. Ballantyne, and Mr. Mackay were appointed a committee to co-operate with the session in carrying out the Presby-sustained. tery's recommendation.

PRESBYTERY OF BIRMINGHAM.

THIS Presbytery met at Birmingham on February 7th, 1860. The meeting having been constituted, and minutes sustained, a commission from Cheltenham in favour of Mr. John Hunter, as Presbytery's elder, was sustained.

The examination of Broad Street dayschool on December 22nd, was reported, and that the committee were well satisfied therewith, and the usual schedule was attested by the moderator.

THIS Presbytery met in Bankhill Church. Present: Rev. D. Terras, moderator; Messrs. Fraser, Cant, Thomson, Valence, Haig, and McLean, ministers; Messrs. Tennant and Hooper, elders. The minutes of last ordinary meeting, of a pro re nata meeting at Berwick on the 22nd September, and of two adjourned meetings at Berwick on the 5th, and at Ancroft Moor on the 27th October, were read and

The session records and deacons' court books from Ancroft Moor, Belford, Berwick, Horncliffe, Lowick, Norham, and Tweedmouth, were produced, examined, and attested. Collections for the College Fund were reported. Home Mission schedules from Ancroft Moor and Tweedmouth were produced and read; and the Presbytery being satisfied with the amounts proposed to be raised towards the support of the ministers, ordered them to be attested. The Presbytery having taken into consideration the subject of the Revival of religion at home and abroad, and their duty with reference to the call which such Revivals so

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At Bankhill Church, Berwick, December 14th, 1859, the Presbytery met, in hunc effectum, as appointed. Present: Rev. Mr. Fraser, moderator pro tem.; Messrs. Cant, Thomson, Valence, and McLean, ministers; Mr. Henry Cowe, elder. Each of the members engaged in prayer-specially pleading for a large share of the grace of the Spirit, for themselves, and the people under their charge; and gave a short account of the state of religion in their congregations. Several suggestions were also made as to the best means for promoting the work of God within the bounds of the Presbytery.

Obituary.

THE REV. W. H. DOUGLAS,

LATE OF HORNCLIFFE.

THIS amiable and devoted young minister is gone. He has been taken away in the prime of life. Even so, Father, for so it seemeth good in thy sight."

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went to London to study theology in our own Institution. Here he remained the usual time prescribed by the Church; and his course of study being now completed, he returned to the North, and was licensed

to preach by the Presbytery of Berwick in the summer of 1856. A few months afterwards he received and accepted a unanimous "call" from the vacant congregation at Horncliffe, and was ordained there by the above-mentioned Presbytery on the 29th of January in the following year. But, alas! the pastoral tie on that day so happily formed was destined soon again to be severed! In a short time the arduous work of the ministry began to tell severely on a constitution naturally never very strong; and, before the year closed, he was obliged, by what proved to be pulmonary consumption, to ask permission of the Presbytery to resign his charge. His resignation was not accepted then, as his deeply attached flock, and his brethren also, were very anxious to retain him, if possible; and six months' leave of absence was given him, in the hope that a little rest and change of air might be the means of restoring him again to health and strength. This hope, however, was not to be realised. A winter's sojourn in Torquay, although it partly arrested the progress of the insidious disease for a time, failed to remove it; and he returned the following summer to his father's house, where, after lingering till the 8th of December last, he died, rejoicing in the full assurance of a blessed immortality.

Mr. Douglas was one of those whom to know is to love. He was a pleasant Mr. Douglas was born at Howtle, a companion, a kind and faithful friend, a little village pleasantly situated among the sincere Christian, and an attractive and hills, a few miles south from Coldstream, impressive preacher. At an early stage on the 21st of January, 1830. When in his college career his faith was very but a boy, he gave evidence, it appears, much shaken by metaphysical speculathat he was possessed of excellent natural tions; but by the Holy Spirit's gracious talents, and that there was also "some aid, he was enabled, ere long, to obtain good thing in him towards the Lord God solid and settled peace in believing. of Israel." This led his parents to form During the short time he was permitted the design of dedicating him-if his life to labour in Horncliffe, he gained the should be spared, and his way afterwards affectionate regard of all with whom he made clear to the work of the Christian came into contact. His congregation, ministry. Accordingly, after receiving a especially, in whose spiritual welfare he good elementary education in his native took the deepest interest, soon learned to village, and at his father's school, he was esteem him very highly, not only for his sent to Edinburgh to study those pre- work's sake, but also for his own. He liminary branches of knowledge which was ardently devoted to his profession; are required of candidates for the sacred"it was as his meat and his drink," as office. Having finished his under-graduate he expressed it in the last pastoral letter course there, partly in the University and he wrote to his sorrowing flock, to preach partly in the Free Church College, he the glorious gospel; and strong indeed

was the desire which he occasionally felt, ness, of the Rev. Thomas Whyte, Minisduring his illness, to be spared to preach ter of our Church, in Dalston. The that gospel again. But, notwithstanding tidings have reached us just before going all this, he was perfectly resigned to his to press.

heavenly Father's will. There was no

mourning, no repining.

Far from it.

He could say with meek submission,

It was thy will, my Father,

That laid thy servant low;
It was thy will, my Father,
That dealt the chastening blow.

His hopes for eternity, it is scarcely

Jutelligence.

CHELTENHAM.-The annual social meet

January, in St. George's Hall; the Rev.
Robert Steel in the chair.
There was a
numerous attendance. The chairman stated
that he had now been a year among them,
and that he had been much encouraged in
his labours. The attendance on ordinances
had been good; seventy communicants
had been added to their roll; there had
been a number of anxious inquirers, and
class, a Missionary Association, and a
prayer-meetings had increased. A Bible-
Library had been instituted; while special
meetings had been held with servants and
mothers, and a monthly sermon had been
preached to children and parents.
Young Men's Society was about to be
formed. He congratulated the congrega-
tion upon the success which had attended
the year.

Α

necessary to add, were all built on the Re-ing of this congregation was held on the 18th
deemer's great atonement. Looking away
from himself, he kept the eye of his faith
steadily fixed on Him who "died the just
for the unjust that He might bring us
unto God." Great, therefore, was the
peace and joy which, for several months
previous to his departure, he experienced!
-It was a "
peace which passeth all un-
derstanding, a joy unspeakable and full
of glory." "I never knew," he said on
one occasion to a ministerial friend who
frequently visited him, "the depth and
fulness of the peace of God till now;"
and often, at night especially when sleep
had forsaken his pillow, he spent hours
in holding sweet and intimate communion
with his God and Saviour. He had of
course, just as all the children of God
have, severe conflicts with Satan, and
seasons of spiritual depression; but these
were comparatively few, and never of very
long duration. A day or two before his
death, feeling evidently that his end was
approaching, he called his aged father to
him, and said—“ Father, you are now far
advanced in life, and cannot expect to
survive me many years; perhaps I may
be deputed to be the first to welcome you
to Immanuel's fair shores." He also
whispered to his brother, who was stand-
ing near-"Jesus is precious, all is well."
His last words, in answer to the inquiry
how he felt, were" Happy, happy,
happy; come, Lord Jesus ;" and his ran-
somed spirit took its flight to that blessed
world for which, there can be no doubt,
he was fully prepared. May his early
removal teach us the importance of work-
ing the works of Him who sent us into
the world while it is day; for the night
cometh, and may come soon, when none
of us can work!

T. R.

THE REV. THOMAS WHYTE. Ir is with deep regret we have to announce the death, after a prolonged ill

He

Mr. Ward, treasurer, read the
report of financial affairs. This was most
encouraging, and showed an increase of
£150 over last year's income; £33 16s. 9d.
had been sent to the schemes of the Church,
and £19 13s. 6d. collected for the Sunday-
school.
Elliott seconded, the adoption
Dr. Hastings moved, and Mr.
of the
report, which was supported by W. D.
Wills, Esq., of Bristol, one of the trustees
of the church, and a long-tried friend of
the congregation. Mr. Williams addressed
the meeting on the Sabbath-school.
was followed on the same subject by Mr.
Jermyn and Mr. Nutt. A vote of thanks
to Mr. Keen, the precentor, and the mem-
bers of the choir, for their able and gratui-
tous services, was proposed by Mr. Work-
man, seconded by Mr. Ewens. The chair-
man stated that this vote of thanks took a
in presenting, on the part of the committee,
tangible shape, and he had much pleasure
of his last work on "Samuel the Prophet;"
a Family Bible to Mr. Keen, also a copy
and one to each member of the choir. Mr.
Keen replied. The meeting was also ad-
dressed by the Rev. J. Kernahan, of Glou-
cester, in a very able, impressive, and
brotherly speech. A vote of thanks to the
strangers was moved by Mr. Hunter,
seconded by Mr. W. Esson, B.A., of St.
John's College, Oxford; and thanks to the
ladies who had decorated the room, which

1

"

INTELLIGENCE.

presided.

Mr. Currie read was done in a most tasteful manner-to agreeable party, over which the Rev. Mr. those who had collected the Sustentation Duncan report detailing the satisfactory The officeFund-and also to Mr. C. P. Howard, and the his Tonic Sol-fa class, for their lively operations of the past year. musical services during the evening, were bearers and committee for the ensuing year proposed by Dr. Hastings, and seconded were then appointed. Mr. Roxburgh, in the by Mr. Byrant. At the conclusion of the name of the ladies, presented Mr. Duncan meeting, Mr. Wills, of Bristol, generously with a copy of the illustrated quarto edition offered to head with £20 a subscription of Conybeare and Howson's "Life and list for new schools proposed to be erected. Epistles of St. Paul," in two volumes, handOn reviewing the year, the Presbyterian somely bound, and bearing the following congregation of Cheltenham have great inscription:-"Presented to the Rev. George cause for gratitude to God, and for encou- J. C. Duncan, Minister of St. Mark's Presragement to labour as minister and people byterian Church, Greenwich, by the Members for the glory of God and the good of of the Ladies' Working Association, as an souls, in the town where room has been expression of their esteem and affection." Mr. Duncan, in acknowledging the gift, made for them so providentially. expressed his sense of the value and suitableness of the volumes. As a minister he had tried to set Paul before him as his model; and his constant endeavour would be to declare the simple truths of the gospel, which that great apostle delighted to make known. He concluded by drawing attention to several branches of congregational work. Other addresses were delivered, and the proceedings of the evening were closed with praise and prayer.

RISLEY.-The weekday school in connection with the Presbyterian Church in this place, was examined on the 2nd day of January, in presence of the parents of the children, and a number of other friends. The examination, which was for the most part conducted by the ministers of the congregation, was such as to reflect the highest credit on both teachers and scholars. Before the examination commenced, tea was served in the school room, which was tastefally decorated for the occasion, children and friends, to the number of about a hundred and twenty, sitting down together. The proceedings of the evening, in which all seemed to feel deeply interested, were terminated by a congregational meeting, when a review was taken of what had been done in and by the congregation during the past year.

PRESBYTERIAN GROSVENOR SQUARE CHURCH SABBATH SCHOOL, MANCHESTER. -On Monday evening, 2nd January, the annual Sabbath-school tea-party was held in the Lecture Hall. The Rev. Dr. Munro presided on the occasion, and delivered an appropriate address; after which, the proceedings of the evening were varied by recitations from the children, and addresses from the teachers. At the close of the evening, a timepiece, of elegant and chaste design, was presented to Mr. McEwen, by Mr. Porteus, in the name of the teachers and scholars, as a token of their esteem, and of their grateful sense of the service he has rendered to the school for a long series of years.

The timepiece bore the following inscription:-"Presented to Robert M'Ewen, Esq., by the teachers and scholars of Grosvenor Square Presbyterian Church Sabbath-school, as a token of appreciation of his long and faithful services as their superintendent."

GREENWICH.-The annual meeting of was the Ladies' Working Association lately held in the class-room adjoining the church. The members of the Association and their friends formed a numerous and

The annual meeting of the congregation was held in the church on the evening of the 1st of February; the Rev. George J. C. Duncan in the chair. From the reports it appeared that the revenue for the support of ordinances had increased; that the debt on the building was reduced to £295; while the fund for school building now amounts to upwards of £300. The Ladies' Working Association, in its clothing and visiting sections, was favourably noticed; as was also the Young Men's Christian Association, in connection with which a congregational library is being established. The Sundayschool had been well maintained, notwithstanding some fluctuations; and it had been agreed to maintain a native girl at the Free Church Boarding-school, Bombay, under the superintendence of Mrs. Nesbit-an arrangement into which the children, as well as the teachers and friends of the school, heartily entered.

Excellent addresses were delivered, among others, by the Rev. W. M. Thomson, Woolwich, who gave an interesting account of the Revival at Eyemouth; by the Rev. W. Keedy, John Knox Church, Stepney, on the necessity of earnest prayer for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit; by Mr. George Duncan on the claims of the Synod's Home Mission Scheme; and by Mr. A. T. Richie, on the claims of the College.

TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN CHUrch, DudLEY.-The annual congregational meeting was held in the school-room on January 25th, and was of a very interesting and gratifying character. Tea was provided at six o'clock, the

great proportion of the congregation being then present. Subsequently, the Rev. G. Lewis was called to the chair, and the committee of management presented their annual report. The congregation, it was stated, had suffered much during the past year through the removal of an unusual number of tried and valued friends; but, notwithstanding this drawback, the report was highly encouraging; the most important and interesting feature presented being the statement that, by a purely congregational effort, £250 had been last year paid off from the building debt, and it was anticipated that a similar sun would be raised for this object during the present year. The report expressed the hope that liberal friends at a distance would now aid them in this hearty effort for the removal of their debt.

The meeting was subsequently addressed by the office-bearers and others, and a very cordial vote of thanks was given to their pastor, between whom and the congregation there has always existed the utmost harmony and mutual regard.

greatly to be wished that all our congregations would avail themselves of an agency which has never been tried and judiciously worked without success.

WOOLWICH. On the evening of Friday, the 17th February, the annual congregational meeting of the church was held. Upwards of 200 sat down to tea in the new school-rooms. After devotional exercises, and a very appropriate address from the pastor, Mr. Thompson, in which he referred to the events that had signally characterised the past year; Commissary Mutch, R.E., read the annual report, which gave many interesting details of the work done by the congregation since last meeting. The adoption of the report was moved and seconded by Mr. Blest and Sergeant Rae, R.A., and cordially agreed to by the meeting. In the absence of Dr. Weir, of London, and Mr. Duncan, of Greenwich, who, but for unavoidable engagements, would have been present, addresses were delivered by Mr. Dingwall and Mr. Renwick. Two or three other friends shortly and effectively moved votes of thanks to those who had discharged the labour of love in arranging the meeting. The proceedings throughout were of a pleasing and most edifying nature.

CARLTON HILL CHURCH, LONDON. The annual congregational meeting was held on the 1st of February, to receive the financial report of the congregational com- NORTH SUNDERLAND. - James Hood, mittee, which presented a very gratifying Esq., a respected office-bearer of our church view of the progress which has been made in Morpeth, delivered a lecture on "Atmoduring the past year. In all the branches spherical Phenomena " to a numerous of revenue there was an increase reported, audience, in the English Presbyterian comparing the income of 1858 with that of Church here, on the 10th of 1859. The several items stood as February. The lecture was illustrated by follows::

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tions for the four Schemes of the Church

1859. £126 19 3

85 7 5 40 19 4 179 11 3

41 1 2

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76 18 8 The whole income of the church for all objects in 1858 was £553 11s. 4d.; and, for 1859, was £638 8s. 10d.

Particular attention was called to the exertions which had been made during the year by the Ladies' Missionary Association, which, by dividing the congregation into districts, and paying regular quarterly visits to the members, had succeeded in raising the goodly sum of £55 15s. 8d. in aid of the Home and Foreign Missions of the church; of which sum a moiety had been paid to the treasurer of the Home Mission, and the other moiety had been divided equally between the China and the India Missions. The success of this association during the first year of its existence is an instance of the great advantage and power of the associational principle, as an organ for stimulating and concentrating the Christian liberality of our people; and it is

several interesting experiments, and was listened to with marked attention and interest. Mr. Hood was accompanied from Morpeth by two other members of our church-W. Annandale, Esq., and Mr. Wilkinson; the former of whom was called to the chair, whilst the latter assisted Mr. Hood in the management of his experiments. At the conclusion of the lecture, Mr. Glover, of the United Presbyterian Church, who was present, together with many of his hearers, moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Hood, which was seconded by Mr. Munro, and unanimously carried.

GLANTON. The congregation of the Presbyterian Church of this place have been engaged for some time past in enlarging ̋the manse attached to their place of worship; and as the work is nearly completed, a public soirée was held there on the evening of Monday, the 9th January, for the joint purpose of warming the residence of the new minister, and of raising funds to defray the expenses incurred by the building operations. The weather was extremely favourable, and as there was a kindly feeling prevailing towards the congregation, both in the village and in the adjoining neighbourhood, the population turned out en

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