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The Rev. John Kennedy, of Aberdeen, in seconding the adoption of the Report of the Committee, said, There was no department of the labours of the Union without its peculiar claims. The first, although the least ostentatious, was not the least interesting,-the aid rendered to weak churches. He never regarded it a reproach to their denomination, that they had so many weak churches, and never felt disposed to hide them as the less honourable parts of their body. Small in membership, and poor in possessions, they called them weak; but their weakness was that by which God often confounded things which are mighty. So far as temporal weakness was concerned, their Lord had provided for it. It was his law, not merely that the churches should maintain the institutions of his house among themselves, under the influence of love to him, without the necessity of "a carnal commandment," but that they should bear one another's burdens. And we would not, the speaker said, that any of man's devices should supersede this obligation, by rendering the weak independent of the strong, or by coercing the strong to support the weak, by motives under whose influence it should no longer be more blessed to give than to receive. We would not that those channels were cut off, by which the christian ordinance provides for the communication of temporal and spiritual blessings together from church to church, and a mechanical substitute found, by which even the most abundant supply of temporal wants might be administered, without fostering the graces of the givers, or the graces of the receivers. This Institution, Sir, performs the most honoured office in communicating of the temporal strength of the strong, to the temporal weakness of the weak. Its treasury is not an exchequer containing wealth that has been wrung from reluctant contributors, to be dispensed among unthankful recipients; nor is it an alms-box filled with the superfluities of the heartless rich, to be distributed among the equally heartless poor; it is replenished year by year, from the graces of a christian people, and the administering of its gifts redounds, through the thanksgiving of many, unto the glory of God. Our Treasurer is not an extortioner, nor an almoner. He receives the fruits of the faith and love of the churches, and ministers them to the necessities of the saints, so uniting them, that they weep and rejoice together. The churches were not the only objects of the care of the Union. The Report spoke of itinerancies in the Lowlands and Highlands. It must have been humbling to all, that tales of destitution should be told of the Lowlands; and yet it was to be feared that an accurate survey, not indeed of buildings called churches, nor of men called ministers, but of the moral and spiritual condition of the people, would not show so wide a disparity between the Lowlands and Highlands, as is too often assumed to exist. The inhabitants of many a well-watered plain were as ignorant of spiritual truth as the poor tenants of the most distant glen. There was one feature of the Highlands often referred to, the extent of many parishes; but he feared that the ministrations of very many of these were as unprofitable as the parishes themselves were unwieldly. He did not say this as a matter of accusation against the Established Church, but as a reason for increased exertion on the part of the Congregational Union. You may go, he said, from parish to parish, and hear "no certain sound," till your very soul is sick with looking on a people untaught and unblessed, by the ministry of reconciliation. And who are they who lie in this sad state? Your neighbours,-your countrymen. You may say they are a rude and barbarous tribe, and I have no objection to be accounted a barbarian with them, if I may thereby excite a deeper interest in their salvation. There are recollections connected with their name and history, which command an interest in them; and you cannot visit their hills without feeling an elevation of soul which will convince you that there is truth, as well as poetry, in the idea that their "rocks yield founts of courage," and that their boldness and daring have been drawn by sympathy from the grandeur and sublimity with which they are surrounded. But to think of their spiritual state will depress you more than you have been raised by the magnificence of their natural abodes. All the glories of their hills have shone for ages; but generation after generation has come and

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gone to judgment in fearful succession, in ignorance of the very God who has encompassed them by the tokens of his presence. It has been the privilege of this Institution to reclaim many a barren spot, and cover it with the fruits of holiness, fruits now maturing as in other parts, watered by the same rain and cheered by the same sun,-the rain of the grace of God, and the Sun of Righteousness. It has been our privilege to light many a beacon on the tops of the mountains, and, I trust, it will continue to be our privilege to make successive inroads upon the empire of darkness, till light is universal. We have not waited, Sir, till we have been invited; nor have we retired from our labours when bidden. Our system is aggressive, but we wrong no man. Our warfare is exterminating, but we destroy only that which Satan has quickened, and give life to that which Satan has destroyed. Entering on the term of a future Report, we ought now to survey our position, our work, and our weapons. Our position is one of promise, but of difficulty; our work is one of honour, but of toil; our weapons are fashioned and tempered by a divine artificer. All things are ready; we wait not till we be clothed with purple, we wait not till the sceptre of kings be put into our hands,-we wait not till the treasury of provinces be opened to us. We have already more wealth than piety,-we have more means than heart to use them; our ornaments of gold and silver are more conspicuous than our graces of faith and love. What we need is, that we be baptized with the fire of the Holy Spirit; that we be filled with the ambition of conquest; that we go forward in the name and strength of our God. Then, devoted to one high calling in person and property, led by the Captain of salvation, and blessed by the Spirit of all grace, we shall soon " possess the land." The gospel we preach will bring down every high and haughty imagination,-it will overcome every power that opposes it,-it will purify every sphere it occupies,-until it reign alone, the monument of its own success, the bearer of its own trophies the symbol of a present God, and the sign of an approaching heaven.—Mr. Kennedy's address was received throughout with cordial approbation and applause. James Douglas, Esq., of Cavers, was next called on to address the Meeting, and was warmly received on his rising; and after a few introductory remarks in reference to his position, in being called upon to support the resolution, he said that, considering the motion well supported by the other speakers, he would merely direct their attention to some of the points contained in the Report. In the first place, a solemn reflection was presented to them in the shortness of time. How many of those who have met here on former Meetings of this kind have gone to the grave,-have passed that bourn whence no traveller returns ; and then came the awfully solemn reflection, whether all of these were the true people of God, or if there were not among them those who obey not God, and did not believe in his gospel. He spoke solemnly of the duty imperative on all to look to their own salvation; while they were talking of sending the gospel to the benighted and destitute parts of the land, they should endeavour to discover if the Saviour was entering their own hearts, and if they were giving assurance of true repentance. He would advert to another part of the Report. In one passage, the objects of this Society were said to be of a missionary character; in fact, that the Congregational Union was a missionary society. Now, he begged to tell them, that it was on this ground-because of this particular feature in it, that he was here. He was here on that ground alone. He came not as an Independent, but only as a Christian, and because he considered no denomination was better constituted for spreading the influence of the Redeemer's kingdom, than the Congregational Union and the Congregational churches. He had rejoiced that God had raised up such a body of men amongst us, whose labours had been so eminently blessed. Remove the Congregational Union from among us, and what a gap would it not cause! and what an incitement would it not withdraw from other denominations to spread the truths of religion among their countrymen! The report has, in another part, alluded to the subject of revivals. Mr. Douglas entered into this subject at some length, and argued that the Scriptures clearly and expressly sanctioned them, and we could

see, from the relations of them in the Scriptures, that good results would flow from them. In fact, their final results were not a matter of the least doubt. The whole history of both the Old and the New Testament was a history of revivals, from the days of Enos, when, we are told, men first began to call on the name of the Lord, down to the present time. Religion was nothing more than a few simple truths, setting forth the depravity of man's nature, his justification by faith, sanctification by the Spirit, and salvation by grace. They were commanded to propose these truths to mankind universally. All were invited to come. But what was the effect of this offer? All, of one consent, began to make excuse. This disinclination did not arise from any want of intelligence, nor from a want of special attention to the truths thus proclaimed; for we often find that many there are who can speak about the subject well, display nothing in their life and character corresponding with the gospel, showing that the first step in their regeneration had not taken place. He then went on to show, that it was only by the Spirit imparted to men, that this change can be effected, and that they must ask for this Spirit by prayer. Bunyan, the author of the Pilgrim's Progress, relates of himself, that, in addressing a congregation, the sermons with which he felt most pleased with at the time of their delivery, displeased him, most afterwards, because they brought the fewest decided effects, while those which he himself thought little of, were the means of doing most good. Again he had felt that those parts which he had not considered useful, or looked upon as irrelevant, had been most useful in the conversion of souls. It was a primary duty of a christian community to spread religion; nothing was better fitted for this purpose than prayer. There were two kinds of prayer, definite and indefinite prayer. There was an absurdity in some prayer,—such, for instance, as in the prayers of the Church of England. They had prayed for the conversion of the Jews, Infidels, &c., for two hundred years, before they had taken any interest in the conversion of these people. Mr. Douglas inculcated the duty of definite prevailing prayer at considerable length, and went over several of the more striking and successful results as recorded in the Old and New Testament. It was the first step in the progress of the disciples, who, with the first believers, met on the day of Pentecost, to receive the Holy Spirit. It was by such means that the Church would increase in numbers. It was by such means that the living principle was to be maintained; they had abundant evidence that, without such means, religion in the soul would not be permanent. He next alluded to the Revival Meetings in the south of Scotland, and mentioned, with particular emphasis, that, in conversation the day before with a man who was one of the brightest ornaments of the Church of Scotland, his age, or the world, he was asked by him, with whom these revivals had originated? and when he, (Mr. Douglas,) answered the Independent churches, he laid his hand on his head, seemingly in prayer, and exclaimed, "I am heartily delighted to hear it.” Mr. Douglas, after a few further earnest remarks on the same subject, concluded by expressing the hope, that they would go forward from strength to strength, and from glory to glory.

The resolution was then put from the chair, and carried unanimously.

The Rev. Dr. Russell, of Dundee, moved the second resolution-" That this meeting, while it contemplates with gratitude and pleasure the exertions of different bodies of Christians for the spiritual benefit of our country, feels itself called upon, at the same time, to express its peculiar confidence in the Congregational Union, as being eminently adapted, by its simplicity of constitution, the character and zeal of its agents, and the scriptural purity of the views it seeks to propagate, for the great end of spreading a pure and primitive Christianity over the land."-He rejoiced in the fact, that different bodies of Christians were awakening to a sense of their duty, to propagate the gospel in every direction; and it was a matter of gratification that, in spite of the differences existing on particular points, all of them could, and did unite, in the great and good work. In spite of these differences, the great truths of the gospel united them together, for this greatest and best of purposes. To whatever church they

professed adherence, whether Episcopalian, Presbyterian, or Independent, among whom there might be a difference of opinion on questions of church government, it was sufficient to know that they were the friends of Christ, and the faithful followers of his cross. Many of his most esteemed friends were to be found among the Episcopalian and Presbyterian bodies, and along with them he rejoiced to act, and, agreeing with them on the great truths of the gospel, to take sweet counsel together. It was to him a matter of great joy to look upon the efforts which several bodies of Presbyterians were now beginning to put forth; and wherever he found a faithful body of labourers in the missionary cause, he was constrained to bid them God speed, and this was not his own opinion alone, for he believed that such was the feeling of one and all of them-and with heart and soul, he gave utterance to his earnest wish, that wherever the gospel was preached, the labourers in the cause might be blessed with every blessing. The Doctor then touched upon the question of church extension. He spoke of it as a subject which, on various grounds, they ought to regard with favour, so long as it was carried on on scriptural grounds. Let them multiply chapels throughout the length and breadth of the land. So long as the words of eternal life were preached within these churches and chapels, let us rejoice and continue to rejoice. While he advocated the principle of Independency, which was the constitution of their churches, he did not value it for its own sake, or as a piece of mere external machinery. His regard for it arose from the conviction, that it was best calculated to preserve the purity of Church fellowship and of Christian doctrine, and for extending the Church over the world; and although in those matters in which we differ we cannot co-operate, it was no reason that, in those we were agreed upon, we should refuse our co-operation. He could sit down at the Communion Table of the Lord with the Episcopalian, &c., because that table was not the table of a sect, but the Lord's Table. The Doctor here then went over the different peculiarities of the Congregational churches,-the power which each possessed in the management of its own affairs. He considered their system admirably adapted to secure purity of church fellowship, and the best safeguard of the church's purity. To the want of this purity of fellowship, he had no hesitation in attributing the progress of error in the Established church. There the good and the bad were mixed with those who were true believers, and those who had a form of godliness, but denied its power. Let every one feel that he has a talent committed to him, and that it must not remain unemployed. After stating that he could bear his willing testimony to the zeal and persevering self-devotion of the missionaries of the Union, and the great exertions they made for fulfilling the objects of the Union to the utmost of their ability, he concluded by expressing a hope that they would long continue in their labour of love, that their agents would be multiplied, and that their liberality would be greatly increased, and that the blessing of God would fall on them a thousand fold.

Rev. Mr. Dewar, of Avoch, seconded this resolution. In doing so, he stated that he was in the habit of going over a great extent of country during his peregrinations,--the scene of his labours was from Fort William as far as John o'Groats. Although it was true that the gospel was now more faithfully preached in many Highland parishes than formerly, still when they took into consideration the fact that there were four hundred thousand people scattered over the surface of the Highlands, that the parishes were often forty miles in length, and fre quently the parish church situated at one end of the parish, they would have some idea of the destitution which prevailed there. He knew one parish in which at least thirteen hundred of the population was far removed from the usual sphere of the parish minister's labour; and it was frequently the case with some of the more remote districts, that they were not visited above once a-year. They had manifested great anxiety to have the visits of the Union's agents, and would frequently make arrangements on their coming amongst them at a certain time, so that they could attend upon us a whole week. The difficulties and

privations they had to encounter were not small, but they had got accustomed to them. They had often witnessed the people in a state of great famine. The agents did not complain of the trials they had to undergo in their itinerancies. They merely mentioned these facts to show that they had trials to encounter, and with the view of increasing their liberality. It was a fact he could not omit to mention, that nothing could do in this quarter of the country but itinerating. You may build as many churches as you like, but you must itinerate; for although churches were built, you would always find a few scattered families here and there who were far from church, and would require to be visited. He hoped he and his fellow-labourers would never be found wasting the money they got from the Congregational Union, or abusing the "charity of those who gave them so liberally. In conclusion, he exhorted them to go on in the good work in which they were engaged, and the Lord would prosper them.

The resolution was carried with acclamation.

The Chairman, in introducing the Rev. W. L. Alexander, of Edinburgh, rẻmarked, that the Meeting would rejoice to know that he would still continue with them in his present sphere of labour.

Mr. Alexander moved the third resolution-"That though deprived of the pleasure and advantage, this year, of receiving a delegate from the Congregational Union of England and Wales, this Meeting continues to regard with sincere fraternal affection, the brethren comprising that body, as well as those comprising the Congregational Union of Ireland,—to rejoice in the prosperity which both of these institutions are enjoying, and to implore the divine blessing upon all their deliberations and efforts for the extension of the Redeemer's reign." He remarked, that he had, three years ago, had the honour devolved on him of introducing the Rev. Mr. Scales, of Leeds, as a delegate from the Congregational Union of England to the Congregational Union of Scotland. On the present occasion, it was a matter of regret to him and to the Meeting that there was no delegate from England present, which arose from the circumstance of our and their meeting taking place on the same week. But it was agreeable to think that the Union would be ably represented at the meeting in London, by their esteemed friend, Dr. Wardlaw-whose reception there would show us that the feelings of interest in us, on the part of our brethren in England, were not in the least diminished, but greatly increased. The resolution he held in his hand expressed their feelings of regard to their brethren in England, and their joy in the prosperity which had attended their labours. It became us to entertain feelings of affection and regard to all our brethren of the Congregational churches of England, who composed so large a portion of the religious community of that country. They were constituted on the same principles of church government with ourselves-those great and important principles which had been so well illustrated by Dr. Russell. They stood up for purity in church fellowship, and maintained the same great principles of Christian doctrine with ourselves. It was true that a suspicion of difference between English and Scotch theology was entertained by many; but there was no such thing; their theology was essentially the same as ours; and we ought not to forget how much we owed to the labours of the Howes, the Owens, the Baxters, and the Fullers, who had left behind them monuments of their piety and learning, which would bring down their name to future ages.

Mr. Peterson of Walls, Shetland, was then introduced by Mr. Alexander, who gave an interesting account of the work of God in that part of the empire. We regret that we cannot insert his valuable address. The other resolutions were proposed and supported by Rev. Mr. Law of Forfar, Mr. Myrtle of Glasgow, Mr. Muir of Geeenock, the Rev. J. Watson, and Rev. Mr. Knowles of Linlithgow.

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