been appended to an edition of the forms of procedure, published in October last." No deliverance is recorded on these general directions. They are neither approved of nor rejected.

Not having been present, I am ignorant of what took place, or of what was the mind of Synod in regard to them. As I regard the titles of congregations to their property to be a matter of the very greatest importance, I very naturally turned to the appendix where they were to be found, and read them with care. I am not a lawyer, and therefore may have failed to apprehend their meaning in some instances, but the greater part of the members of Synod I believe in this respect are like myself. Some of them may have met with the same difficulties in reading them that I have.

The object of the general directions is to assist congregations to take advantage of Act XIII. Vic. cap. 13, as to the mode of their holding their property. Formerly it could only be held by a feudal tenure, but now they can hold it by their "office-bearers and their successors in office." This is a very great improvement, and several excerpts from the "Act" are given, but I cannot see how these excerpts can be of any very essential benefit unless the congregation is in possession of the Act itself. The object is to enable congregations to put themselves under this new Act, and yet it is not stated, so far as I can perceive, in so many words how this can be done, nor an example given. Their titles being properly framed, and an infeftment having passed upon them, I could have wished a form had been given how, at a congregational meeting, the congregation by a minute, without any legal expense whatever, could have simply placed themselves under this new Act, and taken advantage of it. The thing may be done by persons acquainted with law, but scarcely by such untutored individuals as myself.

It may be contrary to law for us to print in our minutes a whole Act of Parliament, but as the Act referred to is very short, means should be taken to

ignored. Formerly, the old titles were difficult of change, but now we can conceive of a meeting intimated on Sabbath, held on Monday evening, the trustees changed, and the church itself declared out of connection with the body, and the church courts know nothing of it.

In the directions of 1848, the matter is expressed at somewhat greater length, but to the same effect-"declaring that the acts and deeds of a majority of the persons properly qualified as members, and assembling in virtue of a call as aforesaid, except in those cases in which it is hereby provided that a larger number must concur, shall be held to be valid and binding as the acts and deeds of the said congregation."

In the "directions" now issued, there are three separate occasions when a larger number must concur than à bare majority. One of these refers to a split taking place in the congregation, when three-fourths carry the property along with them, "whatever may be the religious principles they may adopt, or the denomination with which they may connect themselves."

The next refers to a split taking place in the Synod. Then if one-third or anore adhere to the majority of the Synod who voted on the occasion, they carry the property with them; but if less than one-third adhere, then the subjects go to the majority, whatever their principles may be.

The third case in which a bar is put to a bare majority at a single meeting acting authoritatively, as the congregation, is in reference to "the reckonings," &c., of the trustees of the congregation, when two consecutive meetings must be held, and three-fourths of the members present must come to a decision before it can be held valid and binding as the act of the congregation.

At the bottom of page 121, it is said that the articles on the provisions for a split in the congregation and a split in the Synod, may be "omitted if it is thought proper altogether," and then it appears to me there is no barrier specifically provided to prevent a meeting

called on Sabbath, and held on Monday, by a bare majority deciding questions of the most vital interest as to the holding of the property of the congregation. Even allowing these two articles to be introduced, and they are rather discountenanced as otherwise, mere numbers decide the whole matter. Though the church was set up and all its debt cleared off, and the institution made free of all money obligations, that it might diffuse certain doctrines and principles, these are never to be taken into account. This appears to me to be so novel, that it deserves serious consideration before it can be sanctioned and become an essential element in the titles of a religious denomination.

The existence of the United Presbyterian Church, and of the Presbyteries thereof, as being in any way so connected with the congregation that they require to be informed of what is going on before a radical change takes place, is not, so far as I can observe, referred to. It is indeed said, in the form of disposition, "that the congregation is in connection with, and under the inspection of the Synod of the United Presbyterian Church and Presbyteries thereof, but this gives them no locum standi in the case of an alienation of the property. Mere numbers of the congregation and trustees decide the thing though it may so have happened, and according to the present plan of paying off the debt of churches, may not unfrequently happen that the greater part of the debt may have been liquidated by Synodical grants. This last circumstance should surely have been provided against in the directions given.

If these remarks draw attention to the very important subject of the titledeeds of property belonging to churches, and of the form of disposition, &c., by which they should be held, the writer will have gained his object. Others may have much clearer apprehensions upon the subject than he has, and amid "a multitude of counsellors there is safety."

G. S.

To the Members of the United Presby

terian Church of Annan. DEAR BRETHREN,—As you have now, very properly, acceded to the request of the Synod's committee, calmly and conscientiously to consider the possibility of raising our minister's stipend to £130, and resolved to make a strenuous effort to do so, the joint meeting of elders and managers feel it to be their duty to put you in remembrance

1st. That this proposal did not, in the remotest degree, originate with our minister, as an individual. This should be kept in view by all of us.

2nd. That it did not take its rise from ourselves even; although many of you know that we were beginning to feel that, in mere self-protection, some thing ought to be done, to render any change on his part undesirable.

3rd. That, on the other hand, the suggestion came from the highest court of our Church, which, for years past, has had its earnest, praiseworthy attention directed to the necessity of a more liberal support of its ministers.

4:h. That, in giving effect to your resolution, every one of you is left at perfect liberty to select your own mode of doing so; whether by an addition to your weekly contributions,—as suggested in the managers' recent statement,-to your extraordinary collections, seat-rents, or other sources of yearly income. Let only a choice be made.

5th. That, provided a cordial unanimous effort be made, the important object will, with the Divine blessing, be perfectly attainable, without in the least degree burdening a single individual -the membership now extending to 250 persons, exclusive of adherents, some of whom contribute liberally to the support of ordinances.

Having reminded you of these things, we do not deem it necessary to say much to induce you zealously to co-operate in this matter. The very fact, that the recommendation came to us from the Synod of our church, and has been urged by a large majority of its presbyteries and sessions, is enough to insure it attention on our part. But when, in addition to this, you consider some of the valuable purposes served by the effort:

such as the setting free from worldly anxiety, in some measure, him whose office it is statedly to minister to you in spiritual things,-the enabling him to assume and maintain such a position in the religious, charitable, and literary movements of the day, as every enlightened minister should occupy,-to go out and in among the sick and poor of his people, as their sympathizing friend and counsellor, and to promote the liberal educating, and suitable upbringing, of his interesting, rising family

we cannot for a moment believe that any of you will be found otherwise than most anxious for the complete success of the present movement. “The liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand."

We know well that since Mr. Gardner came among us, in sufficiently trying circumstances, not a few of you have exerted yourselves creditably, both in a pecuniary point of view and otherwise. Let these exertions be continued, and only in a very slight degree extended, as the Lord may be pleased to prosper us, and there will be little difficulty indeed in accomplishing all that is now proposed, at once for the more ample sustenance of our minister, as an evidence of our sense of duty and gratitude, and for the upholding of our honour as a Christian congregation.

We might have dwelt on our pastor's very evident diligence in the study, his faithfulness and earnestness in the pulpit, his prudent and manly character, his anxiety and exertions for the prosperity of our common cause, as well as his increasing acceptability, both among ourselves, and others occasionally enjoying his ministrations. We have said enough, however, we think, to make apparent our obligations in reference to this good work, for the thorough success of which many of you are already very solicitous.

On the 10th of October, the sandy beach and welcome town of Port Elizabeth greeted our eyes, after having crossed the Atlantic without much to interest or to record. The Norfolk, in which Mr. Niven and myself were the only passengers, sailed so well, that every vessel in her course she left behind, and yet, from unfavourable winds, she did not reach her destination till the 80th day of her sailing from London. The only incident worthy of record was the storm we encountered upon the Agullas bank, in the Indian Ocean, east of the Cape. I never witnessed so sublime a sight as when, with two small sails to steady the vessel, she fled before the wind and the frantic waves, that seemed only to be maddened at our escape. They came towering behind, with so determined an aspect, frowning upon us all, that even the captain, who had weathered many a raging sea, expressed his fears respecting the result.

fame has reached the ends of the earth. In the Rev. Mr. Thomson's church I preached to the English congregation, and in the afternoon of the same day the Caffres meeting in the Rev. Mr. Smith's church listened to my first discourse in their own tongue since my departure from the land so many months ago. Mr. Niven arrived, during the course of the same week, and although it was said that the atmosphere was not entirely free from its former electrifying influence, it was gratifying to know that conductors of another kind had led it forth without coming to a foolish or a dangerous explosion.

"While standing at the market-place two days after, I was delighted to greet Mr. Pringle, hale and hearty, who had the day before left Glenthorn, a distance of about eighty miles, in order to welcome me once more to my adopted country. In company with him, I turned my face thitherward, and could not divert my mind from the peaceful symptoms which seemed everywhere to pervade the country through which I had passed, and still was passing. InInstead of the arms with which every traveller I met on my former journey to the Bay seemed to be bristling, the fear of lurking foes had given place to a confidence in the present state of tranquillity, that has banished all warlike weapons from the view. No scrutinizing, jealous looks are now directed to spots along the road, which formerly excited the liveliest apprehensions. Even Grahamstown can indulge in the magnanimity of allowing suspected rebels to mingle in their midst, or pass on to the very focus of what was considered the cause of all the troubles through which the land has recently passed. Nature herself seems to have joined in diffusing this harmonious feeling which apparently prevails amongst all classes, except a few, who have harped so long upon war and native treachery, that they know not how to remove their fingers from the chords. If there are any vestiges of the recent desolations and rapine, they are only to be seen in the dilapidated walls of an occasional house by

the wayside. All others are concealed from view, by the luxuriance of the pastures that cover the hills and plains on every side. Fragrant and balmy the air with the sky serene, the only feeling of regret awakened in the mind, at this scene of a distracted country restored to order and to peace, was the want of the bleating flocks or of the lowing cattle. Instead of merely regaling the senses of the passing traveller, we would have preferred these plains to have been covered with flocks, and the hills with herds of cattle.

"On reaching Glenthorn, which partakes much of the description which I have now given, there was much to fill the heart with gladness for the lovingkindness of the Lord. Long separations were renewed, and joy and peace beamed in every countenance. The little chapel has been rethatched and repaired after standing so long unoccupied. The last sermon preached in it was by myself during the war, when the service was in a measure interrupted by the male worshippers being called away to retake the cattle which the enemy had swept awaywhich in a remarkable way was done. The first on the present occasion was also by myself. But no fears disturbed our meeting together. Although fewer inhabitants are in the surrounding districts than before, the several services which I have already held have been seasons of encouragement. There are English as well as Caffres who rejoice in the sound of the gospel once more in the midst of them. Of the latter, there are eleven members in the neighbourhood-though the congregation of last Sabbath numbered nearly seventy persons. I keep school for the present during the day, and visit around as I have opportunity. Those tribes that engaged in the war are poor in cattle. The others are rejoicing in their abundance in this respect. Whatever may have been the result of this war upon their temporal circumstances, I trust it will have prepared the minds of all for the reception of the glorious doctrines of the gospel. Manoah's angel did wondrously when ascending in the flame that burst from