advantage we have already derived from having a delegate from your body amongst us, we trust that we shall enjoy that advantage in all our future meetings. We have experienced the blessedness arising from Christian intercourse. Such intercourse is highly important, inasmuch as it presents to the world the exhibition of union. There is no disguising the fact, that numbers regard our denomination as a disjointed body, but such appearances of union will tend to dispel that prejudice. I may perhaps be expected to say something with respect to the controversy which has made so much noise of late in Scotland—I refer of course to the non-intrusion question. The truth is, that that question has come to its present position in consequence of the voluntary controversy. The wedge, in some way or other, has got in, and it has been driven home as with a sledge-hammer. The voluntary principle has got among our friends of the establishment: they are acting upon it in many quarters, and in some cases they are acting nobly upon it. In regard to the non-intrusion party, let me observe that there are men in that body who would be an ornament to any church. There are men among them who are noble and faithful preachers of the doctrines of the cross. They have been led to more simple views of the kingdom of Christ than those which they once entertained. They still cling to the principle of a religious establishment, but they wish to get clear of what they consider to be the inconveniences which have arisen from certain extraneous circumstances rather than from the principle itself. In this I apprehend they are wrong; but it is a delightful thing to see the progress which truth is making among them. When I recollect the gradual way in which the mind of Luther himself was enlightened; when I remember that at a time when he preached the great doctrine of justification by faith with scriptural clearness, he had no idea of renouncing the jurisdiction of the pope, but still revered him as the vicar of Christ; when I observe how gradually he was led from one step to another, how he was guided by a gracious providence from one truth to another, I wish, in the spirit of candour, to hope the best of our non-intrusion brethren. They think that did they but get clear of the yoke of patronage, and of some other things, they might maintain the liberty and independence of the church while still connected with the state; but if they do not obtain deliverance from the yoke of patronage and from the evils connected with it, and shall feel it their duty and their privilege, shall I say, to abandon their connexion with the state, and practically to act upon the voluntary principle, although they should still retain theoretically the principle of an established religion, I have no doubt they will soon feel themselves called upon to go further. They will be placed in a new position, and prejudices which now fetter them will give way. If men of God, as I trust they are, they will be led on from one degree of truth to another, until they fairly act out the voluntary principle. I am aware they fancy that even if they were separated from the state, they will be able to act to a certain extent on their old principles; but when I look to facts, when I observe the fathers of the Secession church of Scotland leaving that body, not because they renounced the principle of a civil establishment of religion, but because of certain evils which arose out of that principle, though they had no conception of the fact; when I observe the progress of light in that body--a progress which commenced very early; when I remember the conduct of the founders of the Secession body, and particularly of Adam Gib, of Edinburgh, when standing up to address the synod, I see that individuals and communities often act upon principles which, at the time, they do not fully understand. He avowed sentiments from which the voluntary principle has been brought out in all its extent, though he himself did not discern it. That body, too, have been led by a way they knew not, and now they stand forth as the distinguished champions of the voluntary principle. It is to be expected, then, that still greater results will ere long be witnessed. I must at the same time state, that fears are entertained that not a few of those who are friendly to the non-intrusion party will fail in the day of trial. I should be deeply sorry, not merely for the sake of the principle

of dissent, nor yet from regard to any party whatsoever, but for the sake of religion itself, if, after the stand which they have made, after what they have said and published, and after what, in trying circumstances, they have done, they should prove recreants. In that case the mouth of the enemy will be opened, their own moral weight will sink, and religion itself will receive a deadly wound. Many will then be led to exhibit themselves as opponents, not only of the voluntary principle and of the abolition of patronage, but as the enemies of every thing like principle; every thing will be seen with a jaundiced eye, and the enemies of Christ will have a great triumph. I dread the effects of such an apostacy, of such a departure from right feeling. In regard to the party commonly called the moderate party, it becomes me to say, that we should not do even that party justice, by confounding them in all respects with the moderate party in the days of Principal Robertson and his coadjutors. There are amongst them men who preach the Gospel, men of very high religious character. The truth is, they have better views of what a state church is than their non-intrusion brethren; they are more decided and clear in their notions; they distinguish, and distinguish well, between the church of Christ as such, and a church established by the state. I should say, in regard to these two parties, that the non-intrusionist party are ecclesiastically right, but politically wrong; whilst the moderate party are politically right, but ecclesiastically wrong. Passing from the clergy to the people, I must say, that the progress of the voluntary principle among the people is quick indeed; every day it is making progress. The truth is, that numbers of them are voluntaries without being in the least aware of it. They have not read-many of them, at least-our publications, or they would have discovered that the things which they are now urging, and are delighted to publish, are the very things for which we have long been contending. One good effect has already resulted from the controversy, namely, the erection of several voluntary churches, and many having been led to see that the church is not so entirely dependant upon the state as they had formerly imagined, are becoming imbued with the principles of dissent, even whilst they still remain in the established church. Let us hope that the result of the present dispute will be, that that good confession which the great Head of the church made before Pilate, will find its way into all the churches ;—that good confession which Paul enforced upon his beloved Timothy, and which he bade him to remember with the judgment-seat in view. Tell us not that the voluntary principle is a mere party question; tell us not that the doctrine of the spirituality of Christ's kingdom is a mere denominational doctrine. It is that doctrine on which Christ dwelt before Pilate; that doctrine which the apostle Paul enforced on his beloved Timothy; that doctrine which he charged him to maintain in the prospect of that day when Zion's King shall come to judge the quick and the dead. Let us regard it, then, as a great religious question. I am aware that it is connected with certain political questions, but I speak of it now as a religious question. When we contend for our principles, let us do so because we feel that they are necessary to maintain purity of doctrine and purity of fellowship. I regard not the Independent form simply as a particular polity. No; I regard it as a means to an end; and I value it because I think it is the best means of securing purity of doctrine and purity of fellowship; and where I find the pure doctrine of Christ and purity of fellowship maintained-in other words, where I see the undoubted Gospel, I shall not be a bigot about means. Many a time have I seen Christians on the bed of death, who were agreed as to the end, the promoting of the spiritual kingdom of Christ in the hearts of men. Though they had differed through life as to the means, yet each gave the other credit for sincerity, each gave the privilege himself claimed, and on the bed of death, while candour was exercised by both parties, they were of one heart and of one mind, as to the ground of a sinner's hope, and the way in which he becomes meet for the inheritance of the saints in light. Allow me to

congratulate you on the success which has hitherto attended your Union. My fervent prayer is, that your Union may continue to extend; that your spiritual prosperity may continue to advance; that you may be honoured in your position, to fight the good fight of faith, to contend with error in its diversified forms, and to extend the knowledge of the Gospel of the grace of God; that you may have many as your joy, and your crown on the day when Christ shall come; and that through distant ages, the effects of your labours may appear in the continued diffusion of truth, and in its continued influence upon the world. Yes, there are practical lessons to be learned from the long reign of anti-Christian error. In the days called the Millenium, the churches of Christ shall look back to the rocks on which their father's barks have split, and be warned against our errors, our heresies, and our mistakes. Thus shall the lessons learned in the days of anti-Christian domination, under the blessing of God, be the means of securing the glory and the spiritual prosperity of the churches of Christ, till he comes again.

The CHAIRMAN-Will you allow me, brethren, in your name, to reciprocate all the fraternal sentiments which Dr. Russell has uttered on behalf of his brethren in Scotland, and to say that we feel a lively satisfaction in the residence of himself and such as he is in that country, sympathising with them in their present position, and thanking God for their able advocacy and defence of our principles by their works, by their opinions, and by their lives. There is a name almost identified with the voluntary principle, and the owner of that honoured name has wished, in consequence of what he has felt during the speech which has just been delivered, to address a few words to the meeting. I am sure you will allow him the desired opportunity.

Sir C. E. SMITH, Bart. said, I cannot suffer the subject of the controversy in Scotland to pass from your minds without making a few observations. I thank God for the noble, the generous, the candid, and the kind sentiments which have been uttered. It is in this way, by recognizing principle, wherever we find it in operation, that we shall ensure its final triumph. My dear friends, on behalf of the non-intrusionist body in Scotland, allow me, as one who has passed throngh many of those phases of sentiment through which they are passing, and who knows what a battle it costs a man to part with his personal friends, who knows what a man must suffer when he follows out what he believes to be the leadings of Scripture, allow me earnestly to bespeak your sympathy, kind feeling, and forbearance, on behalf of that respected party. I believe that your kindness will neither be misapplied nor unreturned. I hold in my hand a letter from a gentleman, whose name is respected throughout our country, and throughout the world; and with the permission of the Chairman, I will read the following passage. He says "Matters are fast hastening to a crisis in our church, but I desire to hail it as a token of good, that the returns to our present assembly promise a larger majority, by twenty or thirty, then we had last year." By the "majority," he of course refers to the adherents of the non-intrusion party. There is another sentence, which I think particularly applicable to the times in which we live. God is, I think, pointing out, by the crisis which is prevailing around, that the Presbyterians of Scotland, and the Independents of England, should endeavour to see what is right in each other, and to work out the great problem of how Christian men, whilst they differ on points of discipline, may combine for the spread of truth, and for the defence of the Gospel, against all attacks. I will conclude with reading from the letter this one sentiment; and if nothing else which I have said will secure your tender consideration for the non-intrusionist party, I am sure this will not fail to produce that effect:-"May your Christian aspirations, after a closer unanimity among all who profess the Gospel, be speedily realized. Till this effect, Christianity will still have a place in the wilderness, and not till her genuine disciples be more extensively one, will she become the mistress of the world."

The Rev. S. ROBERTS, of Llanbrynmair, delegate from the United Associations of North Wales, said, It is almost unnecessary for me to state, that the interests of our denomination are making steady progress in North Wales. In some districts, amongst which I might mention Merioneth, our churches contain twice the number of members that they contained three years ago. Nearly all our places of worship have been built within the last twenty years. In reviewing the past, we cannot say that every thing has been done in the best way, on every occasion, and in every place. In some instances, perhaps, our chapels have been built too small; in others, a better situation might have been chosen; and perhaps, many chapels might have been built upon a better plan. The cautions and counsels which have been issued by this Union, have been the means of effecting much good already, and we trust that they will be still more extensively beneficial. I refer to the cautions and counsels in reference to the introduction of young men to the ministry,-to the selection of church officers, in reference to the education and ordaining of ministers, and to other topics of equal interest to us as a body. I think great good may be effected by the circulation of your tracts, and I trust that we shall all feel the importance of circulating them as widely as possible. Our next meeting will be held at Carnarvon, when we hope to be favoured with a delegation from this Union.

The Rev. J. A. JAMES wished to ask the respected delegate from North Wales, whether the churches there were at all troubled with teetotalism. Although he was himself in practice a teetotaler, he was rather anxious about the operation of the system in the churches; and having been informed that the principle had been introduced into our churches, and subscription to it had been almost made a pre-requisite for the ministerial office, he would be glad to be informed whether that was actually the case?

The Rev. S. ROBERTS said, there were many teetotalers in Wales, but he trusted that they were becoming more and more liberal in their sentiments. At first, some of their Welsh friends were characteristically warm on the subject. He had done every thing in his power to prevent the introduction of the total pledge as a term of communion. There might be some few instances where such a principle was adopted, but he believed the cases were very rare, and that the evil was gradually subsiding. The Rev. JOHN ROAF, of Toronto, delegate from the West Canada Congregational Union, then spoke as follows:-Mr. Chairman and brethren, It cannot be necessary for me to state, that the cordial reception which you have given me has afforded me very great pleasure, but it may be necessary to say, that I have as much gratitude as I feel gratification. I cannot but feel that I am thus received on account of the Gospel, that had I been a skilful and patient adventurer, or an eloquent orator, you would not on account of such considerations have extended to me your kindness, or if you had, I trust I should not have valued them. It is, I trust, for the sake of th truth, and for the sake of evangelical holiness, that we are united, and that we exercise reciprocal esteem and confidence. Sir, I feel the more in reference to this object, because I have been called upon, not without anxiety on my part, to represent you in circumstances trying and critical. I have often felt, in common with my brethren in Canada, that we had to consider the effect of our proceedings upon your feelings, upon your reputation, and also upon other colonies, and in several instances where we might have kept ourselves from blame and suspicion, so far as calumny was concerned, we avoided certain courses of procedure, lest what we did might involve you in the necessity of painful explanations. We are thankful for the expression of your approval and confidence. For myself, I can deliberately and honestly say, that next to the favour of God and the promotion of his cause, I value the respect of my brethren in the ministry, and feel that it is the greatest honour which I can receive. We all feel that we are honoured by the expression of your kindness and we receive it as a

reward for what ye have suffered in promoting the cause in the colony. The brethren whom I have left in Canada deserve your sympathy, and I take this opportunity of recommending them to your support. They are good men-they are evangelists indeed. We have a Union in Canada which is a miniature of this. We take your formularies, not as the standard but the expression of our faith; we receive your declaration of church order; we worship our God through the medium of your hymn book; we refer to the Declaration put forth by this Union in drawing all the trusts of our chapels, for we have a chapel deed for the purpose of preventing such disputes as you have had with the Socinians, having no desire that our property should come into such hands: not only in principle, but in usage, we are entirely actuated by your views, and follow your lead. I refer to these things not because my brethren are Congregationalists. They are Christian ministers; their second and subordinate character is that of Congregationalists. I do not undervalue Congregationalism-I look upon it as a part of Christ's will; I regard it as the appropriate means of extending Christianity; I consider it as a system that is most consistent with the religion. Our brethren in Canada are the advocates, the maintainers, and the promoters of all the moral and religious movements of the day. I have heard it said by the agents of the Bible Society, that there is not a single Congregational minister who is not ready to forward the objects of that Society. The same may be said with respect to the Tract Society, the Temperance Society, and other benevolent and Christian associations to which service is rendered by our brethren when the occasion demands it. It is not only by ourselves, but by our churches, that I trust our proceedings are useful. I could relate facts in illustration of this, if delicacy and your bad practice of publishing did not forbid it. It is of this body that I appear amongst you as the representative this morning. I have been directed by them to express to you our filial feelings. We look to you with sentiments of tenderness, with sentiments of gratitude, and with sentiments of esteem. We rejoice in all your proceedings, so far as they have yet been reported to us, and we most earnestly pray that success may continue to attend all your efforts. We are, I trust, doing your work, both evangelical and Congregational, in the colony. Of that work there is very urgent need, and I am directed to commend the cause of the colonies to the brethren here assembled, though I hope to do it at greater length on the platform of the Colonial Missionary Meeting. The communities which are being raised up by Britain, and spreading themselves over the earth, afford fine fields for the establishment of your principles, and through them for the prevention of many evils which you are now suffering in this country. By selecting ministers who are able to expound and advance your denominational sentiments in the colonies, you may prevent worse establishments. Not that we have any fear of that in Canada. There are peculiar circumstances which must prevent the promotion of any ecclesiastical establishment. My Lord Ashburton spoke the truth when he said in the House of Lords, that any one who visited those regions would at once see, that they might as well attempt to establish a church in the moon as there. Therefore there is no danger that here Sampson will ever be permitted to lay his head in the lap of Dalilah and be shorn of his locks. A great desire has been manifested by certain denominations for political aggrandisement; but it has been firmly rebuked. We feel the importance of not sowing the seeds of mischief in the colony in its early days. Why, even the formation of the phraseology of the people is itself of vast importance. Much of the evil of Puseyism has arisen from the phraseology which is current among ourselves. There is a great deal of sacerdotal phraseology amongst us which has in fact been derived from the church of Rome. When you have talked about your "temples," and used the words "priests" and "altars"-words which have not had reference to Jesus Christ-I maintain that you have been fostering Puseyism. I believe that if we were to use the word