On the other hand, other systems are assuming a bold front, and seeking to force themselves into prominence, becoming all the more bold when they find that they are met by little intelligent resistance.

It is all-important in such circumstances that effectual means should be adopted for expounding and vindicating our Presbyterian system as truly founded on the Word of God, and agreeable thereto.'

In regard to practical measures to be adopted, your Committee are of opinion that, in addition to the instructions given in regard to Presbyterianism in our different congregations, in connexion with the ordination of Elders, Deacons, and otherwise, advantage should be taken of the services conducted in connexion with the moderating in of calls, to give some special instruction to the people in regard to the scriptural authority of Presbyterian Church-government. Although the congregation which assembles on such occasions is not always very large, it generally embraces the most influential and intelligent of the people; and it seems appropriate that in proceeding to perform a solemn presbyterial act some explanation should be given of the authority on which such acts rest, especially as that authority is at present openly called in question. Your Committee are also of opinion that the examination of the students in their trials for license ought to have a more special bearing than at present upon the question of the authority of Presbyterian government, and probably that each student should be required to prepare a written statement on the subject. They are further of opinion that advantage should be taken of the next public collection for the Pre-Disruption Ministers, to prepare a pretty full statement on this subject, to be circulated in the pews of all our Churches, and to be followed by a special sermon on the subject by all our ministers. The authority of Presbyterian Church-government was of course assumed in the whole Disruption struggle; but it may be well to take such an opportunity as that indicated, of scattering widely over the whole Church a knowledge of the grounds on which it rests. Your Committee are further of opinion that arrangements should be made against next winter, to have a course of lectures delivered in Edinburgh, and if possible also in Glasgow and other leading towns, upon the subject. These lectures might embrace a full view of the question in all its bearings, and especially in its doctrinal and historical aspects, including the present state of the

controversy; and they might afterwards be printed both separately and in a volume, for the instruction of such as desire detailed information on the subject. The execution of this proposal, of course, may imply some labour, but it is worthy of the labour; and if it is approved of, means will no doubt be found for carrying it into effect. The Presbytery of Stirling have further suggested that a small Catechism on the subject of Presbyterianism should be prepared for general use throughout the Church—a suggestion of which your Committee cordially approve.

The following overture on the subject of the collection for this year for the Pre-Disruption Ministers has been unanimously sent by the Presbytery of Edinburgh :-'It is humbly overtured by the Free Presbytery of Edinburgh, that the General Assembly, in making arrangements for the next collection in behalf of the Pre-Disruption ministers, shall instruct all the Ministers of the Church to direct the special attention of their people to the scriptural authority of Presbyterian government on the day on which this collection is made, and that the Assembly shall consider the propriety of issuing a carefully prepared statement, having special reference to the same subject, to be circulated in all the pews on the previous Sabbath.'

In name and by appointment of the Committee,

JAMES BEGG, Convener.

APPENDIX.

In the Synod of Angus and Mearns, and in the Presbytery of Dundee, this subject has been taken up with peculiar energy. At the late meeting of the Synod of Angus and Mearns, an admirable address was delivered on the subject by Mr. Nixon of Montrose, which might with great advantage be widely circulated over the Church. Dr. Murray Mitchell has also taken up the subject with great energy in the Presbytery of Dundee, and the following Report will be read with interest :

:

At Dundee, 9th January 1867;

Which day and place the Free Presbytery of Dundee having met and been constituted-Inter alia:

Dr. Mitchell, as Convener of the Committee anent diffusing a knowledge of Presbyterianism, reported as follows:

'Your Committee are of opinion-1. That it is desirable that Ministers, in their expositions of the Word of God, take occasion from time to time to bring before their flocks the true Constitution and Government of the Church of Christ; and, at the present time especially, when dangerous error is circulated on this important subject, it is needful that Presbyterian Church Government be fully explained and vindicated, as founded on, and agreeable to, the Word of God, not only in the services of the pulpit, but more especially in instructing Bible classes.

2. When Students are on trials for license to preach the Gospel, it is highly desirable that they be examined on the subject of Church Government. They should be directed to master some standard book on the question, such as Cunningham's Historical Theology, or Anderson's Defence of Presbyterian Church Government. A view of the subject, brief, but highly satisfactory, is given in Dr. King's Book on Presbytery, and in the Plea for Presbytery.

3. It may sometimes be expedient to have this matter brought forward on the occasion of the ordination and induction of Pastors; and it will almost invariably be expedient that it be treated with some fulness on the appointment of Elders and Deacons.

4. It seems also desirable that this topic be taken up in connexion with meetings of Synod. The ordinary business of the Synod might generally be disposed of in sufficient time to have the evening free for a meeting, to which the public might be invited, and in which the principles of Presbyterianism might be fully discussed in the light both of Scripture and history.

5. It is desirable to have from time to time public lectures delivered on the subject, and your Committee think that the influence of these for good might be greater, if the lectures were not exclusively of our own Church. Should the Presbytery be of this mind, they might remit the matter to the Committee, empowering them to draw up a syllabus, and obtain the co-operation of other Presbyterian bodies.'

The Presbytery approved of the Report, and adopted the suggestions it contains.

Extracted from the Records of the Free Presbytery of Dundee by

WILLIAM WILSON, Presbytery Clerk.

Free Church of Scotland.

REPORT

OF THE

COMMITTEE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

IN REGARD TO THE

INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF PROBATIONERS.

MAY 1867.

YOUR Committee continue to be impressed with a sense of the great importance of the subject remitted to them, and of the practicability of doing much, by the Divine blessing, to bring about a better state of things than at present exists. In accordance with the instructions of last Assembly, your Committee sent down their Report to all the Presbyteries, and they sent a copy to all Ministers at the same time. They have reason to know that the subject has since engaged a fair measure of attention throughout the Church, although it is most worthy of much more serious consideration. A number of suggestions have been made, more or less important, especially in connexion with existing obstacles which deter and prevent many young men from studying for the ministry, and the possibility of removing these. Your Committee have maturely considered these suggestions, and they venture now to submit, for the serious consideration of the Assembly and the Church, those which they reckon most important.

'First, They are of opinion that all the obstructions which stand in the way of teachers in receipt of Government grants studying for the Church ought to be, if possible, removed. All difficulties which exist in the way of city and other missionaries studying for the Church should also, if possible, be got rid of. By this means alone a large additional supply of probationers might be obtained. 'Second, A higher class of schools, with highly qualified teachers, should, if possible, be obtained in all parts of the kingdom, in

which young men could be fully trained to enter the universities. It is remarked that those districts of the country in which a high style of local education exists, as for example, Aberdeenshire, Banff, and Moray, furnish a large proportion of probationers.

Third, Ministers ought to have their eye upon talented and pious young men in their congregations, especially such as are connected with Sabbath-schools and fellowship-meetings, and should give them, if they think it right, all prudent encouragement to go on to the ministry, whilst parents should also be encouraged to devote talented and pious sons to the same important office.

'Fourth, Inasmuch as one prominent difficulty which at present exists is connected with the long period of time over which the curriculum of study extends, it is suggested that the theological curriculum might be reduced to three years by means of a summer session, and this they would regard as a decided advantage. It is, of course, understood that by the existing law any young man who can take a degree in Arts in any University may at once enter our theological halls, and that special cases of exception are dealt with upon their own merits by the Church, where men possess the necessary qualifications, no matter how these have been obtained.

'Fifth, It is suggested that in every Synod, and probably in some of the larger Presbyteries, there ought to be a bursary fund for the encouragement of deserving students. Your Committee are aware that considerable danger exists in connexion with the administration of such funds, and probably in connexion with the theological colleges themselves these bursaries may already be sufficiently numerous, whilst in smaller Presbyteries the adminis tration of them might be liable in some cases to the suspicion of favouritism. But these difficulties will be considerably removed in the case of bursaries in large Presbyteries and of Synodical bursaries, whilst these might be instrumental in gleaning out and encouraging hopeful young men to study for the ministry in all parts of the kingdom.*

'Sixth, Every exertion should be made to increase the incomes. of our ministers, both by means of the Sustentation Fund and otherwise.

'Seventh, A special conference on the whole subject of this Report should be held at this General Assembly.

Finally, Your Committee are deeply impressed with the conviction that it is only the great Head of the Church Himself who can supply suitable and effective ministers. They regard the want of such men for both the home and foreign field as a serious indication, which ought to lead to deep humiliation and earnest prayer in all our congregations and families. It is for consideration whether a special Sabbath should not, as in some of the Churches of America, be annually set apart for this purpose. A * See Appendix.