ordination as a missionary to China, which were received with approbation; and his ordination was appointed to take place or the evening of Monday the 16th, in Trinity Church; Mr. Alexander, of Chelsea, to preach the sermon, and Mr. Ballantyne, of Trinity Church, to conduct the ordination Mr. Johnstone reported, that at a congregational meeting of Trinity Church, Prince'spark, it was agreed that, with the consent of the Presbytery, the congregation will take upon themselves the mortgage debt of £800; and further, release the gentlemen who guaranteed stipend to Mr. Johnstone at the date of his ordination; and he requested accord-service, and give the charge. ingly. Mr. J. C. Paterson moved, and Mr. Robinson seconded, as follows:-"The Presbytery, feeling a difficulty in coming to a decision in this matter, in the absence of the members of the Building Committee of the church, delay consideration of the question till next meeting of Presbytery; request the clerk to send extract of minute of Presbytery of 4th March, 1857, and of this minute, to James Burt, Esq., chairman of the committee, and to inform him that the matter will be considered at next meeting of Presbytery." Mr. Blyth moved, and Mr. William Henderson seconded, "That the request of the congregation of Trinity Church be granted." After discussion, and the hearing of a statement from Mr. Lockhart, a member of the Building Committee, Mr. Robinson, with the leave of the Presbytery, withdrew his seconding of Mr. Paterson's motion, which was not seconded, and therefore fell to the ground, and the Presbytery decided in terms of Mr. Blyth's motion. PRESBYTERY OF BIRMINGHAM. THIS Presbytery met at Broad-street, Birmingham, on December 6th, 1859. The minutes having been read and sustained, Dr. Mackenzie laid on the table a letter from Miss James, and one from Rev. R. W. Dale, expressing in cordial terms their grateful acknowledgment of the resolution passed at last meeting, relative to the late Rev. J. Angell James. It was agreed that these replies be inserted in the minutes. The Presbytery adjourned, to meet in Manchester on 7th March next. PRESBYTERY OF LONDON. THIS Presbytery met in the College Hall, on the 10th January, 1860. The members present, were Mr. Macmillan (moderator), Drs. Hamilton, Lorimer, and Weir; Messrs. Kimmitt, Keedy, Alexander, Duncan, Fisher, Burns, Wright (Southampton), Wright (Alderney), Thompson, and Ballantyne (ministers); Messrs. Mackay, Tullock, Anderson, Scadlock, Macdonald, and Dr. Macaulay (elders). A memorial was read from a number of persons at Maidstone, craving supply of ordinances and formation into a regular charge in connection with the Presbytery. After deliberation, the Presbytery agreed to grant them supply of preaching, and appointed a committce to inquire more fully into their circumstances, and report. Dr. Lorimer gave a favourable report as to the attendance and condition of the school at Southwark. On the motion of Mr. Wright, of Southampton, Drs. Hamilton, Lorimer, and M'Crie, and Messrs. Wright and Duncan, were appointed a committee of inquiry on Foreign Presbyterian churches in London. Mr. Wright also gave notice of an overture to the Synod on union with the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists. Mr. Mackenzie delivered his trials for Reasons of protest and appeal by Mr. Rankin, and of dissent and complaint by Mr. Craig, against the resolution of the Presbytery in re Smethwick, together with the replies of the Presbytery thereto, were laid on the table. The clerk having read a communication from the Home Mission Committee, declining, for reasons assigned, to renew the grant to Smethwick, it was agreed that the minute of the Home Mission Committee be intimated to the congregation at Smethwick, on Sabbath next, by the officiating minister; and that a meeting of the congregation be summoned for Thursday, the 22nd December, at seven o'clock, to take the same into consideration. A committee of Presbytery was appointed to examine Broad Street day-school. Session records and congregational books were directed to be presented, as usual, at next ordinary meeting in February. A special meeting of Presbytery was appointed to be held at Broad-street, Birmingham, on the first Tuesday of January, at three o'clock, for devotional exercises, private conference on the state of religion, and special prayer for the outpouring of God's Holy Spirit; and it was arranged that a public meeting should be held on the same evening, at seven o'clock, in which ministers of other denominations should be invited to unite. The next ordinary meeting of Presbytery to be held at Broad-street, Birmingham, on first Tuesday of February, at eleven o'clock. January 3rd, 1860: the Presbytery met (in hunc effectum) as appointed. Sederunt: Revs. Dr. Mackenzie (moderator pro tem), Messrs. Steel, Macpherson, and Lewis (ministers), with Messrs. Young and Craig (elders). The meeting was exclusively devoted to religious services, to addresses by several of the brethren appropriate thereto, and to special prayer, that the work of the Lord might be revived in the various congregations and throughout the world. In the evening, as previously arranged, a public meeting, which was very well attended, was held in Broad Street Church; several ministers of other denominations were present and took part in the services; addresses were delivered, and earnest prayers offered for a larger bestowal of the gifts and graces of the Holy Ghost. The meeting closed with the Benediction. PRESBYTERY OF NORTHUMBERLAND. Tax quarterly meeting of Presbytery was held at Alnwick, on the 10th January, 1860, and duly constituted. Sederunt: the moderator, Mr. Benvie; Messrs. Anderson, Huie, Edwards, Fergus, Edmonds, Forsyth, Davison, Douglas, Fotheringham, and the clerk, ministers. Reasons of absence from Mr. Hoy were given in, read, and sustained. The Presbytery deeply sympathised with their brother, Mr. Cathcart, on the mournful occasion of his absence. Messrs. Huie, Edmonds, and Davison assigned reasons for their absence at former meetings, which were satisfactory. Minutes of last quarterly meeting and subsequent meeting were read and sustained. The Presbytery then took up the consideration, as a Presbyterial exercise, of the best means of promoting a revival of religion within the bounds; when several membere in succession having expressed their views, and made suggestions thereanent, and the time allotted for the exercise having expired, the Presbytery agreed to resume the important subject at next meeting. In regard to Framlington, Mr. Anderson gave in a report to the effect that he had duly provided for the supply of the pulpit, and made other necessary arrangements. The Presbytery agreed to receive and adopt said report, and to reappoint Mr. Anderson to moderate in the session till next quarterly meeting. Mr. Anderson, resolve, in the absence of a report from the Presbyterial Committee, to postpone the further consideration of the matter till next quarterly meeting." It was also moved by Mr. Anderson, and seconded by Mr. Fergus, "That the Clerk be instructed to intimate to Dr. Reid the receipt of his communication addressed to the Presbytery, and to certify him that in the event of the present probationer at Newbiggin leaving or being incapacitated by sickness from the discharge of his ministerial duties, no other shall be employed without the sanction of the Convener of the Committee asked and obtained." The roll being called and votes marked, eight voted for Mr. Anderson's motion, and two for Mr. Huie's. The Presbytery therefore resolved in terms of Mr. Anderson's motion. The Presbytery then proceeded to take up the consideration of an application from Mr. Bannatyne, of Aberdeen, requesting to be put in possession of the calls formerly presented to him from the congregations at Warenford and Park-gate, respectively, as of right belonging to him; when it was moved by Mr. Anderson, and seconded by Mr. Edmonds, "That inasmuch as all papers given into a church court, accepted by it, and action having been taken thereon, become de facto the property of the court, which has a right to claim and retain possession of the documentary evidence of the grounds on which its decision was rested, parties interested being only entitled to certified extracts of the same, duly craved and granted, therefore the Presbytery repudiate the claims preferred by Mr. Bannatyne; but inasmuch as he has expressed an earnest desire to obtain possession of said calls, the Presbytery from a regard to the feelings of their much-respected brother, agree to surrender the calls, but only ex gratia, and with the distinct understanding that this act of theirs shall not be drawn into a precedent for complying with any future application of a similar kind." It was also moved by Mr. Fergus, and seconded by Mr. Davison, "That Mr. Bannatyne's request be complied with, inasmuch as he is legally entitled to these documents;" where. upon the roll being called, and votes marked, Mr. Anderson's motion was carried by the casting vote of the moderator. Messrs. Blythe and Huie declined to vote. The Presbytery, therefore, resolved accordingly; from which deliverance Messrs. Fergus, Edmonds, and Davison craved leave to enter their dissent. A letter was read from Dr. Reid, in reference to Newbiggin, stating that it was not the wish of the managing committee | there, that their case should be carried forward to the Synod, inasmuch as they had the prospect of procuring competent resources for the maintenance of divine ordinances during the current year, without the necessity of having recourse to any appeal for aid from the funds of the Church during that time. Mr. Anderson made a statement in regard to the Newbiggin station, confir- Home Mission schedule from Felton matory of that contained in Dr. Reid's was given in, along with a guarantee on the letter. Whereupon it was moved by Mr. part of the managing committee, for the Huie, and seconded by Mr. Edmonds, payment of a stipend to the minister for "That the Presbytery having considered three years, of which the Presbytery in the the letter of Dr. Reid, and the statement of circumstances of the congregation approved, and ordered the same to be attested by the moderator, which was done accordingly. Reports of school examinations from Wooler, Morpeth, Warenford, Glanton, and Bavington were given in, read, and sustained. leaf. After the tea-service, an unprecedented step was taken-viz., an adjournment from the overcrowed hall to their new church in Pottergate Street, where addresses were delivered to a comfortablyseated audience, and the choral performances of the evening were also given with greater effect. School schedules from Branton, Glanton, Morpeth, Bavington, Wooler, Crookham, and Warrenford were given in, read, and sustained, and ordered to be attested by the moderator, which was done accordingly. Former committees were re-ton, Rev. James Anderson, of Morpeth, Rev. appointed with the following alterations: Mr. Fotheringham was appointed a member of the committee to examine the school at Crookham, and Mr. Douglas, in the place of Mr. Edmonds, was appointed a member of the committee to examine the school at Warenford; Mr. Douglas's name was added to the committee for Morpeth; Messrs. Benvie, Douglas, and Fotheringham were appointed a committee to examine the school at Glanton; Mr. Fotheringham to be convener. The meeting was ably and appropriately addressed by the Rev. James Benvie, of Warenford, Rev. D. Fotheringham, of Glan- i Messrs. Anderson, Benvie, Blythe, Davison, Douglas, Edmonds, Edwards, Fergus, Forsyth, Fotheringham, and Huie, reported that they had taken up collections for all the schemes of the Church. Mr. Fergus gave notice of his intention to move at next meeting a modification of the rule in regard to the absence of members. Mr. Douglas gave notice that at next meeting he would move "That the Presbytery take into its consideration how it may best supplement the present efforts of the Home Mission to raise the standard of ministerial income." The Presbytery appointed next quarterly meeting to be held at Alnwick, in St. James's Church, on the 2nd Tuesday in April, at 12 o'clock. Closed with prayer. Jutelligence. ALNWICK.-A public soirée, in connection with the St. James's Presbyterian Church, was held in the Town Hall, Alnwick, on Tuesday night, when nearly 600 were present. The Rev. Mr. Douglas, minister of that church, was in the chair. The committee of management exerted themselves with so much goodwill that such a congregation of tea-drinkers, perhaps, never assembled within the walls of the borough hall before. In fact, it was densely, inconveniently crowded; and what with the excited quickened pulse and steaming souchong, the temperature of the "congregate" would soon be considerably above "blood heat." But all passed off well at the teatables, and it must have delighted a Chinese mandarin, whose olfactory sensibility is said to be proportionably quickened, to have inhaled the fragrance of his favourite Mr. Stewart, of Warkworth, and the Revs. Mr. Lamont and D. Donaldson, of Alnwick. The ladies of the congregation deserved great praise for their free offerings, in the form of abundant tables; and altogether the evening passed most harmoniously, and was but a reflex of that love and goodwill which subsists between Mr. Douglas and his people. The proceeds, after paying all expenses, amounted to £30.-Northern Daily Express. ANCROFT MOOR.-The annual soirée and social meeting in connection with this congregation was held in the church on the evening of Tuesday, the 10th ultimo. The Rev. J. K. McLean, the recently-appointed pastor, presided. A large company assembled, including not a few belonging to other religious denominations, and several friends from a distance, who embraced this opportunity of showing their interest in the congregation. After tea, and a few introductory remarks by the chairman, the meeting was addressed successively by the Rev. John Fraser, of Lowick; the Rev. Mr. Thompson, of Berwick; the Rev. Mr. Scott, of the United Presbyterian Church, Berwick; the Rev. Mr. Wright, of the Free Church of Scotland, Swinton; the Rev. Mr. Robinson, of Etal; and Mr. Bailes, Superintendent of the Shoreswood Colliery. The Shoreswood Hall vocal choir, under the leadership of Mr. Peter Hay, sang at intervals several pieces of sacred music, chiefly anthems, which contributed largely to the interest of the evening's proceedings. On the same evening, the chairman, in a few remarks, presented to Mr. Fraser, of Lowick, an elegant gold guard, as a small testimonial of the gratitude of the congregation for his many services as ad interim Moderator of Session during their late protracted vacancy. The proceedings were of an interesting and cheering character; and a brief financial statement, submitted by the chairman in the course of the evening, showed that the congregation is at present financially in a healthy and vigorous condition. Thus the good work so happily begun, and for a season hopefully carried forward "through the self-denying labours of one of our preachers," continues to advance. From this statement, it appeared that the income of the congre JOHN KNOX CHURCH, LONDON. THE annual meeting of the Association for the liquidation of the debt on this church was recently held, when the members and friends thereof took tea together in the school-room, the Rev. William Keedy presiding. After tea, the chairman made a few observations on the desirableness of getting rid of the debt on the church as speedily as possible, and then called on Mr. Dundas, who reported the object of the association, and what it had been doing during the past year, stating that the sum of £82 148. 2d. had been raised in monthly collections by the assiduity of the lady collectors of the association. The report was unanimously adopted. gation for the year 1859 had exceeded that | lection having been subsequently made to for 1858 by £24 68. 74d. Both the week- defray expenses, there was contributed a day and Sabbath schools exhibited an in- surplus of £3 10s., which, it was announced, creased attendance during the past year. would go towards the fund for the erection After the usual votes of thanks to the parties of galleries in the church. Although sufwho had interested themselves in the ar- fering considerably from temporary indisrangements, the meeting broke up, highly position, the Rev. P. Miller presided, and delighted with their evening's entertainment. expressed the pleasure he felt in meeting On Wednesday the children of the week-day so respectable an assemblage that night, school and Sabbath-schools connected with and in wishing them and their families, in the congregation assembled in the church, the deepest and truest sense, "A happy to the number of about 200, for their annual New-year." He trusted that there were treat. They were suitably addressed by the tokens for good-for the highest good-in Rev. Mr. McLean, assisted by the Rev. the midst of them as a congregation. He Mr. Fraser, of Lowick, and the Rev. Mr. had often told them that it was his earnest Cant, of Tweedmouth; and after having wish to see every member of that church been served with cake and tea, they dispersed a missionary. He knew there were some in the happiest mood. who were missionaries, and were becoming more and more so; and he believed their many meetings for prayer had been blessed to some, and would be blessed yet more fully. Every one had a duty to discharge, and a season in which to perform it; and his heart's desire was that the Spirit of love and power from heaven should descend on them all. Mr. Laws submitted a financial statement of the affairs of the church, which showed a very prosperous state of things. Mr. G. Angus read the official report, which was of a similarly gratifying nature. The office-bearers, it said, had during the past year under their consideration different projects to improve the church for the comfort of the congregation. Many complaints, which had been made by parties who were unable to hear the preacher, induced them to put a temporary soundingboard over the pulpit, but this proving inadequate to the purpose, it had been found that the deficiency could only be entirely removed by the erection of two galleriesone at the west and the other at the north side of the church. In support of this additional accommodation, many arguments were adduced; and the chairman intimated that they had already been promised, by ten individuals, £105, and the galleries would cost a little over £200; so that there was no difficulty if they would only set their hearts to the work. Addresses, having reference principally to the project in question, were subsequently delivered by Mr. Walker, the Rev. Mr. Thompson, of Berwick, and other friends. On the following evening the children attending these schools to the number of 170, were entertained with tea by some of the ladies of the congregation. Addresses were delivered by the Rev. Messrs. Miller and Thomson, and other friends. The children had collected about £7 for the "Children's Missionary in China," which amount will be remitted to the Treasurer in a few days. Several beautiful hymns were sung during the evening. The Rev. Dr. McLean, from America, being present, delivered an excellent address, in which he stated how a number of the churches in America had been paying off their debt, especially since the recent revival of religion amongst them. The cordial thanks of the Association were accorded to the lady collectors for their very efficient services during the past year. Messrs. Guild and Woods severally addressed the meeting on the importance of the liquidation of the church debt, suggesting various plans for its speedy extinction. Mr. Cotterill, the conductor of the congregational psalmody, assisted by an efficient choir, having greatly contributed to the enjoyment of the meeting, by singing a few select pieces of music at intervals during the proceedings; the thanks of the Associa tion were awarded to them. A vote of thanks was also tendered to Mr. Keedy for his conduct in the chair, and to Dr. McLean for his interesting address. And thereafter the meeting was closed with praise and prayer. JOHN KNOX CHURCH, NEWCASTLE.The annual social meeting of this congregation was held in the lecture-room of Bewick Street Chapel, 2nd Jan., 1860. The tea was gratuitously provided, but a col MISSIONARY BOXES FOR OUR DAY AND SABBATH SCHOOLS. A generous member of the Presbyterian, postage-stamps for the amount, to be sent Church in England has offered to supply to Mr. A. Fraser, 8, Queen's Terrace, Witha limited number of Missionary Boxes, ington Road, Manchester, who will give neatly done up in crimson and gold, with instructions to forward them as requested. covers for several years' use, as under, to any of our schools who wish them. Price, in packets of twelve, only Six Shillings, which is less than half their value. Orders for one or more packets, enclosing Applications must be from a Day or Sabbath-school connected with the Presbyterian Church in England, and certified by the minister of the church. The front of the box is as follows: THY KINGDOM COME.-MATT. VI. 10. AND HOW SHALL THEY PREACH, EXCEPT THEY BE SENT?-ROMANS X. 15. Presbyterian Church in England, CHINA, INDIA, HOME. JUVENILE MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION. .PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, President: Treasurer: M is the holder of this Box, which must be returned to issued 186 Secretary. FREELY YE HAVE RECEIVED, FREELY GIVE.-MATTH. x. 8. GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE.-MARK XVI. 15. |