STATISTICS OF THE CHURCH FOR 1885-'86. 437

by 171 American ministers, 117 native ministers, and 158 native licentiates,-in all 446; besides 1,114 lay missionaries. The educational institutions embraced Princeton, Auburn, Western, Lane, Union, Danville, Northwestern, and San Francisco theological seminaries; Blackburn University; Northwest and Newark (N. J.) theological schools (German), and Lincoln University and Biddle University theological departments; whose real estate aggregated $2,114,897; endowments, $2,420,586; scholarships, $586,558; income, $253,287; and expenses, $248,607. There were also 21 colleges and institutes under the control of the General Assembly.

In the above narrative a number of important historical events are purposely omitted, because, as they resulted in the organization of new churches that have lived and are now doing a large work, they are deserving of special mention as independent bodies. These will be separately considered.

CHAPTER XXX.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The Associate Presbyterian Church-Its Origin in Scotland and Establishment in the United States-The Associate Reformed Church-Founding of the United Presbyterian Church—The Articles of "The Testimony."

THE ASSOCIATE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

HIS church originated in a separation from the Established Church of Scotland, in the year 1733. Corruptions in the doctrines of the church and tyranny in her government were the grounds alleged for the action. In the above year the causes which had long been increasing in strength, were brought to an issue by the presentation of a protest to the General Assembly against certain acts, by Rev. Messrs. E. Erskine, Wilson, Moncrieff, and Fisher. This protest excited considerable ill-feeling in the Assembly, and having refused to withdraw it, these four ministers were "suspended from the exercise of the ministerial functions. and all parts thereof." This occurred in August.

In the succeeding November it was found that the four brethren had continued to exercise their ministry, and the order of the Assembly then was to proceed to a higher censure. The remarkable proceedings of the ecclesiastical courts, and the undaunted bearing of the accused, awakened a wide-spread sympathy for them. Seven synods sent up communications in their favor, and some presbyteries sent petitions of a like character.

Finally it was decided, by a large majority, to "Loose the