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be excited in favour of the Gospel. Inceived a liberal education, not only theoOctober last, Mr. Fraser received a visit logical but literary and medical, and of from the Chief of the horde, who roam whose Missionary qualifications there is between the Uralsk and Astrachan, and every reason to form the most satisfactory entered into conversation with him; when opinion, has lately been licensed and orhe seemed unwilling to mention the name dained to the work of the holy ministry, of Mahomed even as a Prophet, and said, by the Associate (Burgher) Presbytery of that Jesus was the most excellent; ear- Edinburgh, to whose kindness, as well as to nestly solicited Mr. Fraser to go along with that of their Synod on this occasion, the him, and instruct his people, to which he Directors cannot but express their deep assured him they would most gladly at- sense of obligation. Mr. Gray, of whom, tend; took away with him a copy of the in the department which he is to occupy as New Testament and Psalms; and promised a Catechist and Teacher among the Kirto send him a supply of any thing in his ghisians, the Directors entertain no less power, which he might choose to request. favourable sentiments, is the second; and It was with much regret that Mr. Fraser the third, viz. Mr. Selby, it is proposed, was obliged to decline accompanying this shall make the experiment of combining, Prince to his horde. But how could he with the means which he may enjoy of leave a Station, at which he was the only conversing with the natives, a professional Missionary, with the exception of Walter business, the establishment of which, in Buchanan, who himself needs both pro- Orenburg, is likely to be of most essential tection and instruction; and give up, not advantage both to the inhabitants and to only the opportunities which he enjoys of the Mission. conversing with inquirers after the truth among the Kirghisians around him, but the revisal of the New Testament, which he is carrying on for their more general and permanent edification in godliness.

"No particular intelligence has reached the Directors concerning the

CRIMEA,

since Mr. Paterson's visit to it in 1816; "He, however, promised the Prince and of which an account was given in last most cheerfully to comply with his request, Report. Additional copies of the New as soon as one or two companions should Testament and Tracts have, indeed, been join him a promise which, the Directors sent to it from Karass, and they were contrust, he will ere long be able to fulfil. For, veyed thither by Shellivy, a Tartar Effendi, not only has Mr. Fraser advanced in the whose name at least is not unknown to revisal of the New Testament, in the Oren- those who are acquainted with the Misburg Dialect, as far as the 2d Epistle to sionary Transactions at that Settlement. Timothy, so that in a short time this work Of the book of Psalms in Tartar, 150 copies will be finished; but the Directors have now have likewise been sent from Astrachan to to mention, that they have the prospect of the Bible Committee at Sympheropol, for being able, so early as next month, to send distribution among the Tartars in the out three young men to this Station, who, Peninsula; and 100 of the same part of the they hope and pray, may go forth in the Old Testament Scriptures, with an equal name and the strength of the Captain of number of the Gospel according to Luke, salvation, to unfurl the banner and proclaim to Taganrog, in Little or Crim Tartary, the triumphs of his cross, to the still en- for the Mahomedans, under the Governslaved and deluded worshippers of images ment of Count Mezon. But, with regard or votaries of the false prophet, in that to the effect which the reception of these central district of Russian Asia. One of may have had on the minds of any among them, Mr. (now Dr.) Ross, after having re- whom they have been circulated, the Di

rectors have as yet had no information. The Crimea, however, presents too important a sphere for Missionary labour, to be kept longer out of view than is absolutely necessary to enable the Directors to provide some suitably-qualified Missionaries, to sow the seeds of Divine truth among its varied population. As soon, therefore, as the Karass branch of the Mission is strengthened by additional labourers, if God shall continue to prosper their exertions, they will lose no time in detaching one or other of the Brethren, who are at present there, on this work of love, to the inhabitants of Taurida.

there, and others going to or coming from Astrachan. Almost all the Persians, indeed, in coming from their native country to this place, take shipping at one or other of these ports.'

"Such is the statement, with regard to their Foreign Operations and Plans, which the Directors have conceived it expedient to submit to the Society at this Anniversary. At all the Stations, at Karass, and Astrachan, and Orenburgh, the light of day is breaking in on the darkened natives. The work of God is in progress. The means of commencing it have already received his "Nor is this the only new Station which the approbation and blessing; and the means Directors are solicitous to occupy. Fully of carrying it forward are at this moment according with the sentiments of their Mis-in operation. His influence appears to be sionaries at Astrachan, contained in the descending on these means: and, if He following extract from one of their latest will it, the period is not far distant, when a letters, they present it to the public with the shout shall be heard, from the mountains of same design for which it was drawn up; Caucasus to the entrance of Siberia, and and leave it to those whose support they throughout all the intervening districts, and equally hope to receive and earnestly all the regions around and beyond them, solicit, to say whether they will allow the that the arm of the Lord is revealed, and object which it holds out to remain unful- the glory of the cross displayed in the subfilled. Perhaps it is premature to mark jection of their scattered tribes, and settled out new Stations, till the old ones are more villages, and moving tents, and populous suitably supplied with Missionaries, and cities, to its power, as the power of God the funds are in a more flourishing condition: but as a view of the country, not yet taken in, may stimulate the friends of religion to put it into the Society's power to make the attempt, we submit to your con "The Directors have no reason now to sideration the propriety of keeping the following places in your eye; namely, Der- complain, as they once had, that none or bent and Baku, on the shores of the Caspian; but few are willing to come forward and and Vladikavkas, on the road leading offer themselves for Missionary Service. through the mountains of Caucasus to Teflis, In addition to the four Missionaries who are the capital of Georgia. Vladikavkas is, soon to embark for Russia, there are at perhaps, the most favourable position of any present nine, either under their tuition as for acquiring the language of the Moun- Students, or accepted as Candidates; and tain Tribes: it is a Russian Fort, where the who, they hope, will, ere long, be qualified Missionaries could live secure, while prose- for following these their Brethren to the cuting this indispensable object. Derbent same or similar Stations, where the openand Baku possess the double advantage, of ings may be most favourable, or the call being near the mountains, and of being for exertion most loud and urgent. So frequented by a great many Persians and numerous have been the applications from Mahomedans, some of whom are resident other young men, that the Directors were

unto salvation."

HOME PROCEEDINGS.

reluctantly obliged, some time ago, not only | riety of languages, or by the voice of living to decline accepting any more, but to enter instruments, been made to resound in couninto a resolution to refuse every new offer, tries and districts once deemed as inaccessiin the present state of the funds, unless it ble as they were remote; and till its power should come from candidates who have has been seen and felt, in the conversion and made considerable progress in their educa-salvation of many who once were children tion, before they require to be taken under of disobedience, and heirs of wrath, even as the care of the Society. It is not the want others :-this is the pledge that God is inof inclination, therefore, but of pecuniary deed remembering his covenant with Abraresources, that prevents them from provid- ham and his promise to his Son, and the ing more proportionately for the instruction earnest of the approaching accomplishment and conversion of the multitudes in the of every word that hath proceeded out of south and east of Russia, &c. who are still his mouth as the Lord of Hosts and the sitting in moral darkness, and in the region God of Love, whose power will effect what and shadow of spiritual and everlasting his faithfulness has declared; that nations death." shall be born in a day; that the islands shall wait for his law; that the wilderness of Kedar shall become a fruitful field; that the cities shall no longer be termed desolate and forsaken of his presence; and that the knowledge of his glory shall cover and fill the whole earth, as the waters do the sea.

An urgent appeal is then made to public benevolence, and a grateful acknowledgment of the support already received.

From the statement of the Funds, it appears that the Income of the Year has been 27621. 4s. 3d.; and its Expenditure, 26811. 16s. 4d.

CONCLUSION.

"And shall we be lifeless and inert?While we lift up our eyes to contemplate this scene of attractive beauty and com"In conclusion, the Directors would only manding interest, should we not likewise farther say, that, while times and events are open our hands and stretch them forth, to in the hands of the Lord, the period in be fellow-workers with God in producing which it is our happiness to live, and the it?-raising our hearts, with our voices also, events which it has brought forth, and with to the throne of His glory, in fervent and which it is now teeming, appear to afford unremitting and persevering supplications no unequivocal presages of its approach to for the universal diffusion of that spirit of the expected and promised revelation of inquiry, of faith, and of prayer, which that latter-day glory, in the brightness of which all nations shall rejoice, with all who dwell on the face of all the earth. The accelerating march of those godlike institutions, which commenced their career in this island of the sea within the memory of the present generation; and which, under the same divine influence that raised them into existence, have been every year advancing in the energy of their exertions, and extending the sphere of their movements, till the Word of the truth of the Gospel has, by its translation and distribution in a vast va

must precede, and which will usher in, the recall of the outcasts of Israel from their long-cherished and deep-rooted unbelief; the subversion of Mahomedan delusion and antichristian superstition, wherever they exist; the emancipation of every slave of fearful, or frantic, or licentious idolatry ; and the general subjugation of the world to the rightful authority and peaceful rule of Him, to whom every knee shall at length bow, and every tongue confess, that he Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Amen, and Amen.

IMPORTANT ECCLESIASTICAL

UNION.

Extract from the Minutes of the Proceedings of the Associate Synod of Ireland, at Cookstown, 7th July, 1818.

Read a communication from the committee appointed last year to make such additions to the common testimony of Seceders as might adapt it to the circumstances of the Secession Church in Ireland. Approved of the conduct of the Committee.

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The communication of the Committee respecting coalescence is as follows.

and to condemn: especially when, in addition to this, we consider what scrupulous care and attention are required in compiling what the church is to exhibit to the world as a part of her public and standing testimony. We have, however, collected the materials from which we humbly hope that such an addition to the testimony might be formed, and we unanimously recommend to the Synods, that, inasmuch as they have agreed to take as a basis of Union the Westminster Confession of Faith, Larger and Shorter Catechisms, Directory for Worship, and Form of Presbyterian Church Government, with the original Se"WE the Committee appointed by the cession Testimony, they should forthwith Associate Synods to make such additions to unite, leaving the adaptation to be afterour common testimony as may adapt it to ward digested, adopted, and exhibited to the circumstances of the Secession Church the world. But to inspire with mutual conin Ireland, beg leave to state, that, in obe-fidence, both Ministers and people in condience to the injunction of the Synods, we nexion with the respective Synods, and to have had several meetings since our ap- remove every vestige of suspicion and jeapointment, at which we have, after prayer lousy that may unhappily be entertained by to the Father of lights for direction and aid, any on either side, that the Synods should given to the very important subject commit- determine on the following things. ted to us, the most serious and extended deliberation. Papers have been drawn up by several of our members, which, in their judgment, might serve as a display of the "present truth," and as a testimony against the many errors and evils which abound in our day, and in the land wherein we dwell. These have undergone respectively calm and dispassionate, but close and accurate discussion. We have not, however, been II. That as they unite under the banner able to frame one which we could with of a Testimony, they are determined, in all confidence recommend for adoption as a time coming, as their forefathers have set part of the testimony of the United Body. them the example, to assert the truth when Nor will this, we are persuaded, appear it is injured or opposed, and to condemn, surprising to the Synods, when they consider the numerous and dangerous errors with which we are surrounded, and the manifold and pernicious evils that exist as well in our own as in other communities; both of which errors and evils, fidelity to our Lord and Master, regard to the interests of truth, and love to the souls of those committed to our pastoral inspection and care, make it necessary for us to testify against,

I. To declare their constant and inviolable attachment to their already approved and recognized standards, namely, the Westminster Confession of Faith, Larger and Shorter Catechisms, Directory for Worship, and Form of Presbyterian Church Government, with the original Secession Testimony.

and testify against error and immorality whenever they may seem to prevail.

III. To cancel the name of Burgher and Anti-burgher for ever, and to unite the two Synods into one, to be known by the name of "the Presbyterian Synod of Ireland distinguished by the name Seceders."

IV. To declare their independence of any superior ecclesiastical court, while, at the same time, they shall esteem it their

pleasure to hold occasional communion with | and John Reid. The clerk was directed to all branches of the Secession, as circum-furnish this deputation with the necessary stances will offer. extract. Agreed to hold an Interlocutor at

V. To let all the Presbyteries and Con-6 this evening. gregations in their connexion, bear the same name, and, in the mean time, stand as they were before the coalescence.

VI. Carefully to preserve all the public records of the two Synods from their formation in the kingdom till the present day.

The Committee would also recommend it to the United Synod to publish a history of the Secession in Ireland, containing a faithful narrative of the proceedings and success of both Synods, so soon as the materials necessary for such publication can be conveniently and accurately collected.

The Committee have only further to state, that should the United Synod see meet to reappoint them to complete the adaptation resolved on, they do not shrink from the task, while they will cheerfully communicate the result of their labour and experience to any others whom the Synod may please to nominate in their room." Signed in the name and by order of the Committee.

JOHN REID, CHAIRMAN.
DAVID STUART, CLERK."

The Synod expressed their unanimous approbation of the preamble to the paper from the Committee.

Articles 1, 2, 3, of the proposed Union were unanimously received. For article 4, the following article was adopted. “To declare their independence of any ecclesiastical court; while at the same time they do hereby signify their hearty inclination to hold a correspondence with their sister Church in Scotland or elsewhere, for their mutual edification: but think it expedient not to lay themselves under any restrictions as to the manner of said correspondence.” Articles 5, 6, were unanimously adopted.

A Deputation from the brethren of the other Synod, namely, Messrs. Rentoul, Craig, and Wm. Carr, waited on this Sy nod, and presented the following communication.

"July 9th, 1818, 3 o'clock, P. M. "Synod proceeded to consider the subject of coalescence with the brethren of the other Synod, and directed the Clerk to read the proceedings of both Synods last year in that matter, with the result. They then directed that the, report of the conjunct Committee, as also the Formula of Ques. tions authorized and in use by the other Synod be read. The Union, on the basis already agreed upon by both Synods, then came to be considered. The Synod approved of the conduct of the Committee, and the preamble of their communication. Articles 1, 2, 3, were approved of, and in place of Article 4, the article contained in the communication from the other Synod, substituting the words 'insubordination to' for independence of' was adopted. Articles 5, 6, were adopted.

"Agreed to transmit this communication immediately to our brethren now sitting; and appointed Messrs. Rentoul, Craig, and Wm. Carr for this purpose. Extracted by

THOS. WHINNERY, Clerk."

From the above communication it appeared that on the Articles of Coalescence for warded to the brethren, they had made no change, save the substitution, in Article 4, of the words “insubordination to” for “independence of" The Synod heartily and unanimously agreed to this alteration. The Synod also declared that "there is now no obstruction to the formation of the coalesAgreed to transmit these articles imme-cence between the two Synods;" and with diately to the Brethren sitting in Rev. Mr. a view to carrying it into effect, agreed to Davidson's Meeting-House; and for this meet our brethren in Rev. Mr. Davidson's purpose, appointed Messrs. Rankin, Millar, Meeting-House this evening at 8 o'clock

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