-the last General Assembly.

to the world, before the irrevocable step

secessionist secrets. -

‘44:..—

PAPERS BY THE COLUMBIA. DrsRUPTioN or THE CHURCH or SCOTLAND.

MEETING OF TIIE ASSEMBLY.

~ Enixnunou, Mar 18, 1843.

The great excitement which prevailed in Edinburgh from the beginning of the week, regarding the near Meeting of Assembly, was on Thursday increased to the utmost inten- sity. Thousands arrived from all parts ofthe country on Wednesday, and during the morning of Thursday; and from an early hour, the crowich state of the streets, espe- cially from the High—street down' to the North Bridge, and ‘along to St. Andrew’s Church, showed that something of wide-spread, all-engrossing interest, was about to take place. The demands for admission to St. Andrew’s Church could not be supplied to one-tenth oftlieirextent—grcat numbers, oven ofthe ministers and elders, being unable, owing to the crowded state of the building, to obtain admission. The public gallery was filled to overflowing at an early hour,— many, principally ladies, having been there so soon as at. fourand five o’clock in the iriorriing,-——and, long before the proceedingscommenced, \vas ci‘trmriied to sufi'bcaiion’r—the pressure from the multitude at the door, unable to get_rn,_rerr- during the position of those standing inside anything but agreeable. The whole house was in fact filled from the floor to the very ceiling. The seats round the throne were. also occupied by India: at an early hour.

Botbre proceeding to the High Church, the Most Noble the Marquis of Bitte, her MajcSty’s Lord High Commissioner, hold his first levee in the Throne Room ofthe ancient Pa- lace of Holyrood, which was thronged with a large assem- blage ofnoblemen and gentlemen, naval and military offi- cers, &.c. '

Exactly ata quarter past twelve, the trumpets announced the approach ofthe Lord Iliin Corr‘iinissioner, who took his seat intho state carriage with his chaplain, (the Rev. M r. Lee,-) the hand then struck up “ God save the Queen.” The court in front ofthe Palace at Holyrood was guarded by a detachment ofthe 66th regiment, now iii the Castle, and a troop of the 6th dragoon guards. The prOL'Pssinn pro» ceodcd round the Calton Hill, up the North Bridge and High Street. .

', Abdiit a quarter to one, his Grace and his attendants en- tered the high church. After the usual animations, divine service was- corumenced‘ by Dr. \VELSH, the Moderator of The rev. gentleman took his discourse from the latter clause of the 5th verse ofthe 14th

’ chapter ofthe Romans,—“ Let every man be fully persuaded

in his own mind.” The Rev.docmr, in cor‘nn'ieiicinfj to elu- 'cidate his text, said, it had been arranng by the wisdom and pier ofo'ur forefathers that tho office—bearers of our church, before proceeding to the fulfiliirsnt of their functions, should Join in public worship. This was a practice which would be approved of by every christian mind, for it was obviously of the utmost importance that those who were to hold rule in tltolrousehold offaitlr should enter upon the discharge of their elevated duties with hearts strengthened and enlight- ened by the influence ofreligious exercises. The controversy which hadw long distracted the Church of Scotland, he. continued, must now be bronghtto an issue; a schism ap- peared to be inevitable; a rent appeared in the house where in and our fathers have so long worshipped, and which

, had been so long ii glory and a defence in our land; and it

would be his' duty on the present occasion to refer to the extraordinary circumstances in which we were placed. The schism was too great to leave any beyond its influence; tho actual collision, when it took place,wonld reach so far that all would be involved in it; the result ofthe struggle must solid an influence ofgood or evil to all future ages. In cir— cumstances so momentous, it ,became his duty to proclaim was taken, the

‘ scriptural rules by which they should be guided on this oc-

,cns‘ion.

He went on to explain that it was not his inten- tion to allude to the special reasons which should incline

~them to one course in prefiarence to another, but to refer

shortly to those principles which were held in common by every individual who professed to regulate his conduct by the Word ofGodr The New Testament dispensation, unlike the Mosaical, allowed of great latitude with regard to niat< tors of christian practice, not considered essential to salva- tion ; but whenever wuscicnce interfered, it was necessary to have recourse to the principle laid down in the text, namely, that every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He next alluded to the different ways in which this princi- ple might be abused, and concluded an eloquent discourse by urging upon the office-bearers and members of the church the right appljcation ofthe text to theirown indivi— dual circumstances in the present crisis. Ile closed by a few observations as to the glorious results which might be expected to arise, at some future period, out of the difficul- ties and dangers in which the church was placed.

Immediately on the conclusion ofthe service, the Assam- bly adjourned to St: Andrew’s church, going down by the Mound, through Hanover-street, and George—street.

Very few ofthe Moderate party appearcd'to have been hearing the Moderator’s sermon, as they Were almost all in ‘tlieir placesin St. Andrew’s church before it was firiislie in the High church. '

At’twenty—five minutes to three o’clock, the Moderator (Dr. Welsh) arrived, and took the chair. Lord Belliaven eu- tercd about 'tho same time, and occupied one of the chairs

» it the clerk’s table.- A few minutes afterwards, the playing

by the band ofthe “Queen's Anthem” announced the arri— val of his Grace the Commissioner, who accordineg entered immediately, accompanied by the Lord Provost and others, —the whole assembly and audience standing to receive him. Dr. Welsh opened the proceedings by a very appropriate and solemn prayer. After which, a number of members entered who'had been unable to obtain admittance before, .nmotig whom were Dr. Chalmers, Dr. Gordon, and Dr. Mac- farlan of Greeriock, who were received with bursts of ap- plausa, and took'tlrsir seats on the left ofthe Moderator. Silence having been shortly afterwards obtained—

Dr. Wanu, Moderator, rose and saith-According to the usual form of procedure, this is the time for making up the roll; but in consequence of certain proceedings affecting our rights and pi'iviIngram—proceedings which have been sanctioned by her Majesty’s Government and by the Legis- lature ofthe c0untry,—arid more especially in respect that there has been an infringement on the liberties of our Con- stitution, so that we could irotnow constitute this Court without a violation of the forms of the union between Church and State in this land, as now authoritativelv decla- red,—l must protest againgt our proceeding Illl‘lllél‘. The reasons that have led me to come to this conclusion are fully let forth in the document which I hold in my hand, and which, with permission ofthe House, I shall noiiv proceed to road. The Rev. Dr. their read the Protest, which want of sufficient space prevents us from inserting.

‘ lmmediaiely after reading the protest, (which was signed by nearly 120 Ministers and 73 Elders, and was listened to with breathless attciition,) Dr. \Valsh handed it to the Clerk, left the Chair, and proceeded to the door of the Assembly, followed by Dr. Chalmers, Dr. Gordon, Dr. Macfarlan of Greenock, Dr. Brown of Glasgow, Dr. Macdonald of Ferin- tosh, and the whole body of adhering ministers and elders. The “Test of their movement on the audience was striking,— aloud cheer burst from the gallery, which, however, Was suddenly hushed, and the whole audience stood gazing in- tently on the scene'below, very many in tears. Whenever Dr. Welsh, Dr. Chalmers and Dr. Gordon made their up- pcarance outside, they Were received -with a tremendous burst of applause from the masses assembled in George Street, which was continued and reiterated with the most extraordinary enthusiasm as they went along. All the win- dows and staircases were filled with ladies; my, every avail- able space,—the verv house—tops were covered with groups of spectators,—-ariizl the universal waving of hats and hand-

,kerchiefs from all quarter's, mingled with the shouts below,

had a very imposing effect. The whole body formed into it

her of windows along’the line being, as in George Street, filled with ladies waving their handkerchrcfs. \Vlien they reached Tanfield, they Were greeted with it loud and con— tiuiied burst of cheering from the multitudes which had as- sembled to receive them; and on entering: the Hall, the part of it assigned to the public was foundfillcd to overflowing.r with a large and mostrespcctable company. Those parts ofthe Hall’devoteil to ministers and elders were soon also filled, and when the business commenced, the sight of the immense mass of people congregated, upwards of 3000 persons, hail a most magnificent effect.

GENERAL (Resrnuami) ASSEMBLY.

After the Evangelical party had left the house, Principal Macfarlane was elected Moderator. ‘

The Commission of the Lord High Commissioner was tl.en read formally by the clerk, with the usual marks ofrel- pect. After which his lordship presented

H ER. MAJ ESTY’S LETTER. “VICTORIA. R.

“Right t'thrend and well-beloved, w greet you well. Faithful to the solemn engagement which binds us to main- tain inviolate the Presbyterian Church of Scotland in all its rights aiiil privileges, We gladly renew the assurance that we desire to extend to you the continuance and support which the general assembly has long received from our Royal an- cestors.

“In other circumstances it might have sufficed to adhere to the forms which have been generally observed iii our for- mer communications to you, and to express our anxious hope that christian charity will, as licrtoforc, abound among you, and restrain all aiiiinosities; but iii the present state ofthe church, and adverting to the discussions which of late have so unhappin disturbed its peace, we desire to address you with more than usual earnestness and anxiety.

“ It liehoves you to remember that unity in the church is the bond ofpeacc, but that schism and its pernicious effects may tend seriously to endanger that religious establishment fr’oni which Scotland has derived inestiiiinble benefits.

“The faith ofoiir Crown is pledged to uphold you in the full enjoyment ofcvcry privilege which you can justly claim; but you will hear in miird that the Rights and Property of an Established Church are conferred by law ; it is by law that the Church ofl Scotland is united with the State, and that her endowments are secured; and the Ministers ofRe- lip-ion, clairiiing the sanction of law in defence ofthcir pri- vileges, are Specially bound”, by their sacred calling, to be'ex- arnples of obedience.

“ The act ratifying the Confession of Faith and settling Presbyterian Church Government in Scotland was adopted at the Union, and is now the act of the British Parliament. The settlement thus fixed cannot be annulled by the will or declaration ofany number of individuals.’ Those who are dissatisfied with the terms oftiiis settlement may renounce ii for themselves, but. the union of the Church of Scotland with the State is indissoluble, while the statutes remain un- rvpealed which! recognise the Presbyterian Church as the Church established by law within the Kingdom ofScotland.

“We cannot doubt that your anxious consideration will be given to 'arious important matters connected- with the welfare ofyour Church, wliichrreqiiirc immediate adjust- ment.

“The Act of Assembly passed in the year 1834, on the subject ofcalls, has come under the review ofcompetent tri‘ burials, and various proceedings, taken in pursuance of this act, have been pronounced by solemn judgments to be illegal. l It has not yet been rescinded by the Assembly; and a conflict of authority between the law ofthe land and an act ofthe Church, in a matter where civil rights and civil juris- diction are concerned, cannot be prolonged'without injuri- ous consequences.

“The Church ofScotland, occupying its trite position in friendly alliance with the State, ispistly entitled to expect the aid of l'arliamcut‘in removing any doubts which may have arisen with respect to the right construction of the‘sta- tutes relating,r to the admission ofniinisiers. You may- safe- ly confide in the wisdom of Parliament; and we shall rea- dily givo otir niSent to any measure which the Legislature may pass, for tlie_purposé' ofsccuriiig to the people the full privilege ofobjection, and to the Church Judicatories the exclusive right ofjudginent.

“ There is another matter, not less important—the present position of ministers in unendowed districts. The law, as confirmed by a recent judgment, has declared, that new parishescnnnot he created by the authority ofthe Church alone, and that ministers placed in such districts aro'not en- titled to act in Church Courts.

“Ifit shall appear that the efficiency ofthe Cliiirh is there— by impaired, nud that the means ofexteitiliug her useful- ness are curtailed, the law, to which such effects are ascrib- ed, may reqiiirc consideration and amendment; but until it be so considered by the Legislature, and while it remains un- altered, lVe are persuaded that it will be implicitly obeyed by the General Assembly.

“You will deliberate on such ofthose matters as fall with- in your cognisai‘icc, attentively and calmly; and we com- mend you to the .guiilance.ot Divine Providence, praying that you may be directed to the adoption of.wise counsels, which shall promote the permanent interests and honour of the Church, and the religious peace and moral Welfare of our people. '

“We have again constituted and appointed our right trusty and entirely beloved cousin, John, Marquis of Bute, K. T., to be the Representative of ()ur Royal person in this As- sembly; and \V6 are certain that his prudence and approved rvierits,'aud his tried attachment to the Church ofScotland, will render him acceptable to you in the execution ofthe du- ties ofhis high office. -

“He possesses our full authority for the exercise ofoiir Royal prerogative in all matters relating to the present As- sembly, in which, in obedience to our instructions to hirri, he may be called upon to act for us, or on our behoof.

“ \Vc implore the blessing of God on your deliberations, trusting.r that He will overrule all events for the good of His Church, and for the spiritual welfare ofthe people committed to your charge; and we feel assured that Divine grace will not be Withdrawn frotri tlic labours ofthe ministers ofthe Church established in this part ofthe United Kingdom, and so we bid you heartily farewell.

“Given at our Court at St. James’s, the'lSth day of May, 1843, in the sixth year offour reign. .

“By Her Majesty’s Command, (Signed) “James GRAHAM.”

IRELAND.

REPEAL MOVEMENTs.—Mr. O’Connellvisitod Cliarleville on Thursday last week. Tronps had been stationed in town to preserve the peace. Mr. O’Connell slept at Nenagh on the \Vcdnosday night; and, accompanied by Mr. Steele and another gentleman, he started at ten o’clock in the morning: His journey was it triiirnpl‘ral progress. At Brufl‘he was joined by hundreds of the peasantry on horseback, with a Tcetotal band playing “ See the conquering hero comes.”

“From liruffto Kilmnllock,” says the Limerick Reporter, “the whole Country round poured forth its tens and hundreds of thou- sands of men, women, and children, whom the terrors ofa coer- cion bill could not prevantfroni joining in the magnificentdemon- straition in favour of Repeal. From Kilinallock to Cliiirleviilo the scene along the roadwas of the must animating description. As far as the eye could reach, a vast in‘ass ofhuman beings presented itselfto the View, carrying laurels and bniiglis oftreas in their hands, so as to present the appearance ofa moving forest, so dense was the crowd \vlricli filled the road."

The numbers grew as he proceeded: from Brufi'to Char- leville his carriage went at nwalking-pace, in consequence of the crowd.‘ He entered Clrarlevillc with a train of 200 000. The house-tops were cr‘owded; ladies waved handkercl‘riefs from the windows. I\Ir. O’Connell tirade a long speech fi'orn the dicky of his carriage, He told the people that he came to ask them to petition for Repeal ofthe Union. Within the fortnight he had addressed a million ofpeople ; within a week he would address another million. With some compliments

‘ i'i'ieetings.

secure while Ireland was in chains.

Dr, Croke presided, and 35 gentlemen sat down to diime

sympathy. —

made at Cork.

.Legislativo Independence of Ireland.”

carriage.

at which 900 persons sat down to dinner. From the canop

his place at the table. The chair was occupied by Alderman

were amongst the guests.

will be the consequence? ' ‘hree—aiid-a-liiilf' per Cents !

ofn stcair'iér to Manchester or St. Giles’s, and collected- numberof Irisbuien about him, and one would-ask hu man, or your sister—but I will not say what has happene

would blaze out in the iiianiifactories of England.”

grins and the Irish Routish clergy, them of‘peijury—perpiry in his teeth, the filthy brute!”

dismissal from the magistracy ofthose gentlemen holdin

cliolas Boylan. Esq., Richard A. Fitzgerald, Esq. Lor

Ffi‘encli presided at a meetini.r at Caltra, County Galway, held on the same day asthe‘ Cork meeting, and said, amidst

many similar things, that “ fi'nm that spot be told the hairght aristocracy of England, as well might they think to stop th flowing of the tide,

not be slaves”)

that civil War is not far distant.—Drogheda Conservative.

Constitution.

——_'.'.'-_' FEE-FE:

NOVA SCOTIA. Tar. INDIANS AT DARTMOUTH.—Il) rambling through th sacred music. To disturb the devotions ofthe children oftb ble dwelling, for the sake of satisfying an idle curiosity, w

side till the singing had ceased. we found seven or eight persons sitting around, on sprue hand a music book,-containing the evening service of th Catholic Church. and it was our impression, that the Indian, who was appn

not able to understand one letter.

tish statesman would refuse .their just demands? France knew that England was weak as long as Ireland was pistly discontented——Arnerica knew it-'-Russia learned, and all Europe was aware ofit; and heaven forbid she should be

After the meeting there Bias a dinner, at which the Rev.

Letters were read from the Roman Catholic Archbishop of 'I‘riam, and the Bishop of Cork, cordially declaring their

On Sunday, the 21m, a great repeal demonstration was The Cor/t Examiner has avoluminous a6- count ofit, headed “Unparalleled Demonstration—Cougre- cation of Five Hundred Thousand Persons in favour of the l The procession is said to have occupied three hours in passing Mr. O’Connell’s A splendid banquet was given at Batty’s Circus,

above the chair was suspended the representation of a dove, Which was caused to alight on O’Connell’s head as he took

Lyons; and Mr. Roche, M. P.,and7Mr. Callaghan, M. P., Letters were read from several of the Rornish bishops, expressing sympathy in the objects ofthe meeting. Mr. O’Connell spoke in his usual strain. Referring to the commercial distress of England, he sard,—-— “Take from my profane lips this warning voice—the puu-' isliinent of heaven will one day lidl on guilty England; and lreliirid, for her past sufferings, will be prosperous and hap—

v.” Again, he exclaiined,-—“ Let them attack iis, and what I What would be the state of the Ifthey (lid arcick us, and that' some ponniless, shoe-less Irisluirairfound his way on thedeck

‘\Vhat news ?’ to which he would reply, ‘Your father was cut down by a (lragoori,—-y0iir mother was shot by a police—

to her,’—let him say that, and I will ask Peel how many fires (Tre- mendous cheering.) Next day there was another meeting, at. which Mr. O’Connell attacked the English Roman Catho- lics, especially Lord Beaumont, for his censure ofDr. Hig- cxclaiming, “ lle accuses

The most active step on the part of Government is the the commission ofthe peace, who have taken part in repeal Writs of supersedsas have been sent to the

Hon. Thomas Ffrencl'r, the Hon. M. J. Ffreni'h, Daniel O’Connell, Esq, M. P., Maurice O’Connell, Esq, M. P., Ni-

as to arrest the movement of repeal ti‘otn spreading over the land.” (Cheers, and cries of “ We’ll

All the Irish forts, castles, and buttiements, have been in- spected by a Government engineer, and ordered to be re-

paired and placed in a state of perfect utility. Indeed, the preparations of the Government are such as would indicate .

woods” at Dartmouth, on Sunday last, we heard the sound ‘ of voice: at a distance,-siriging what was evrdent to us,

forest, while thus worshipping their Maker in their hum-

knew. would have been very improper, so we remained out-- On entering the Wigwam,

bushes; one, however, to our great surprise, having in his The words of the psalms were printed,

rentiy reading, hail the words stored in his memory, and was “’43, however, were

_.

from the General Assembly, and have convened a meeting oftheir own, over which the celebrated Dr. Chums“ ha. been called to preside. All the deposed ministers h". been reinstated. Seven hundred and tlirrty-thrge.pa,,,h ministers and 102 ministers of chapels still adhere to th. stablish‘nienf.

r. EThc following summary—hastily collected from various sources—will be found to embrace every item ofmw.“ general interest 2—- . .

Ireland absorbs, at thI prcflem’ momemg lhe "Chm" Ct- tention ofthe British Ministry and the British people: Th. Repeal movement continues to ,mako the most gigami. strides; the whole country IS in a fearlulstiite'of silencing“, and Mr. O’Connell, after visrting Cork and yarioup other put.“ of lreland, has returned to Dublin. During his colours ,3 the Provinces, hundreds ofthousands of his countrymen Em- gregated at his back, and his progress resembled a comma- y ous ovation from his outset until his return. Ho address”; them on every occasion, in the most inflammatory alum, condeninatory ofthe British conricxron, while he. pony“; outthe most unmeasured vituperatiOa and ridicule against Sir Robert Peel, the Duke of Wellington, and Lord Broug- barn. The great bulk of the Catholic clergy have thrown themselves into the mommeirt, the rent comes pour— ing in by thousands of pounds per week, and all clan“ seem to. regard a crisis as at hand. Troops are daily pour- ing into the country. Government steamérs are constantly Engaged between the tower ofLondon and the Pigeon house, Dublin. in ct‘il'l'ying and landing arms, the Castle in the lino ter city is being placed in a state ofdefence, and every thing shows that the Government anticipates an immediate on:- break.