the Word of God, and giving His sanction to and prescribing the arrangements of the Church in this matter; and that, from the beginning, the practice of those portions of the Secession Church, of which the United Associate Synod is composed, has been in uniform accordance with these statements. Agreeably to these views, the Synod hereby declares that every minister ordained to the pastoral office in the Church binds and obliges himself to submit, in the matter of temporal support, as well as in all other matters connected with his office, to the decision of those spiritual overseers, to whom he has promised subjection in the Lord, and disclaims all right to prosecute for stipend in courts of civil law, acknowledging that the high and sacred claim which Christ has given him on the conscience of his people, is a security which he feels perfectly adequate. In emitting this declaration, the Synod is to be understood as simply giving expression to the consuetudinary law of our Church, and feels assured, that so far from weakening, this declaration will strengthen and consolidate the hold which her ministers already have on the conscience and the affection and the liberality of their flocks."

The Lord Ordinary (Fullerton) found, 27th November 1838, "That this action is laid on the alleged application by the defenders to the United Associate Presbytery of Edinburgh and the call to the pursuer, subscribed by said defenders; that these steps of ecclesiastical procedure are founded on by the pursuer as constituting a valid civil obligation to pay the sum now concluded for; that the pursuer was, at the time when that procedure took place, a licentiate of the United Associate Secession Church, and may be presumed to have been aware of the sense in which such steps are understood by the congregation and church of which he was a minister; that in these circumstances the legal import of the documents and procedure libelled, as constituting a legal obligation, may be materially affected by the evidence of the understanding; and therefore in respect the allegations in fact of the pursuer and defenders differ essentially in this particular, as well as some others which it would be desirable to ascertain; that some investigation of these facts, as respectively averred on the record, must be entered into."

Mr Arniel reclaimed against this interlocutor, contending that the proceedings and call formed in themselves a legal obligation, and that it was incompetent to enter into investigation of the averments as to the understanding of the Secession Church. On the reclaiming note being advised, the Judges of the First Division were equally divided in opinion, and in consequence, ordered the opinions of the other judges to be taken. Seven of the consulted judges were of opinion that the interlocutor ought to be adhered to, and that the effect of the ecclesiastical procedure could only be decided upon according to the understanding of the Church: while two concurred that the documents of themselves formed legal evidence of an obligation, and that the interlocutor should be allowed and decreet pronounced in favour of Mr Arniel. In consequence of these opinions, the Court (6th July 1841) adhered to Lord Fullerton's interlocutor.

Mr Arniel died in 1842, and his widow took up the case as his executrix, and the following issue was therefore sent to a jury: "It being admitted that on the 8th February 1826 the late William Currie Arniel was ordained pastor of the United Secession Congregation, Portobello, and officiated as such from the said day to the 8th of February 1833, and that the pursuer is executrix of the said W. C. ArnielWhether at the time of his said ordination it was understood and agreed that the said congregation should pay unto the said W. C. Arniel the sum of £180 as stipend or salary, and £5 for sacramental charges on each sacramental occasion,

or any part of the said sums; and Whether the said congregation failed to perform the said understanding and agreement; and Whether the defenders, or any of them, were parties to, or acceded to, the said agreement, and are conjunctly and severally indebted and owing to the pursuer, as executrix of the said W. C. Arniel, in the sum of £, or any part thereof, with interest thereon, as the arrears of the stipend salary, and charges aforesaid." The case was tried before a jury on the 26th December 1842. The Lord President, in his address to them, remarked "that the documents in themselves did not support the action; that a joint and several liability was not to be presumed without very distinct evidence that the parties meant to undertake it; that the documents founded on formed part of the ecclesiastical procedure for the formation of an ecclesiastical connection between him and his people; and in considering the effect of these, the object for which they were required, and the understanding and constitution of the Church which used them, must be kept in view; and that these, according to the evidence laid before them, were proved to be opposed to the construction put on them by the pursuers." A verdict was returned for the defenders, in consequence of which they were assoilzied from the action, with expenses.

After Mr Arniel's resignation, the congregation dispersed, and the property was sold.

RELIEF (Now EXTINCT).

The Rev. David Crawford resigned his charge at Earlston on 28th July 1834. He was induced to seek a residence in a locality better suited to his constitution than that in which he had been labouring, and Portobello, then an increasing place, and having no congregation either of the Secession or of the Relief, was chosen by him. A church there being unoccupied and exposed for sale, he acquired possession of it, and subsequently, with his own means, purchased it. After he had preached for some months in Portobello, and gathered around him a sufficient number of people to warrant the prospect of a good and efficient congregation, the usual steps were taken in getting the church congregated, and he was called to be their minister. The church was afterwards acquired by the Free Church in 1843. 1st Minister.-DAVID CRAWFORD, D.D., formerly of Earlston. Inducted at Portobello in 1834. Resigned in 1843. Lived privately in Edinburgh. Clerk of the Relief Synod till 1847, and afterwards joint-clerk with Rev. D. Ronald of the United Presbyterian Synod, together with the office of sub-treasurer of the Church. signed his clerkship in 1860. Had the degree of D.D. conferred upon him by the University of New York in 1863. Was entertained at a public dinner, and received a presentation of plate, as well as a portrait of himself, in celebration of his jubilee, 14th December 1864. Died 18th July 1869, in the 76th year of his age, and 54th of his ministry. Dr Crawford published a sermon which he had preached as Moderator of the Relief Synod in 1832, entitled "The Interference of the Civil Magistrate with the Religious Concerns of his Subjects." A volume of his sermons, with an Introductory Memoir by Rev. William Beckett, was published in 1870.

UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION.

This congregation was formed by persons previously belonging to the First Secession congregation in the town already noticed, who, from the time of its breaking up, had been attending public ordinances in other churches of the denomi

nation, chiefly in Leith. Notwithstanding the disasters which attended their first attempt to raise and maintain a Secession congregation in Portobello, they were persuaded that another might yet succeed. With this hope, they applied for and obtained supply of sermon from the United Associate Presbytery of Edinburgh, 1835. They met in a schoolroom till 1838, when they took possession of a place of worship they had erected for themselves in Bath Street, containing 450 sittings. 1st Minister.-GEORGE DEANS, from Ford. Ordained 28th June 1836.

SHETLAND.

LERWICK.

A seaport and principal town on the mainland of Shetland.

The Rev. Dr Johnston, Limekilns, was sent on a mission tour to Shetland by the Secession Synod, and the formation of a congregation in that connection in Lerwick was the result. A church, accommodating 500, was erected in 1838. In 1840, the East Church, Dalkeith, took the congregation under its fostering care. substantial manse was built a few years ago.

1st Minister.-PETER M'GUFFIE, formerly of South Ronaldshay. Admitted to Lerwick 1841. Died 18th July 1849, in the 43d year of his age, and 19th of his ministry.

2d Minister.-ANDREW M'FARLANE, from Glasgow (Hutchesontown). Ordained 30th June 1851.

MOSSBANK.

The parish of Delting occupies the north-east portion of the mainland of Shetland, and the church of Mossbank stands in the north-east of Delting. Mossbank is one of the largest fishing stations in the Shetland Isles, and the surrounding district contains a considerable population, consisting chiefly of fishermen and their families. Previous to the formation of the congregation these poor people were very destitute, both as to education and the means of grace. For a time the educational wants of the locality were partly supplied by students, who were successively engaged as tutors in the family of Mr Hoseason, the principal merchant of the place. Compassionating the spiritual destitution which prevailed, these young men held prayer meetings and taught Sabbath classes, both of which were numerously attended. A desire was thus created for something higher, as well as a more uniform supply of ordinances, till at length an application was made to the United Secession Presbytery of Orkney for permanent supply of sermon. The application was favourably entertained, and the congregation of Mossbank was formed towards the end of 1842. The congregation met for some time in a large warehouse. But in 1846 an excellent and commodious church was erected, containing 236 sittings. The church was not furnished with seats till 1857. A manse was built in 1861, and a few acres of land attached to it as a glebe.

1st Minister.-DUNCAN MILLER, from Perth (North). Ordained 24th August 1859.

BURRA ISLES.

In 1863 a revival of religion took place in different parts of Shetland. The Burra Isles shared in the wave of spiritual excitement. The Rev. A. Macfarlane,

Lerwick, in May of that year, was invited to evangelise amongst the people. His labours were much blessed. Regular supply of sermon was forthwith asked, and obtained, from the Presbytery of Edinburgh. In the summer of 1865, a deputation from that Presbytery, along with Rev. H. M. M'Gill, Home Secretary, visited the Isles; and the result of their visit was the formation of a congregation on the 30th September 1865. Up till this date the meetings for worship had been held in the Old Free Church Station; but in November 1865 the roof was blown off by a gale, which rendered it imperative to secure a better place for public worship. The work of Sabbath teaching, and other means of usefulness, were then going on favourably, and the people entered into a subscription for building a manse. The proprietor of the Isle generously presented the congregation with half-an-acre of ground for the proposed building. The foundation-stone of the church was laid on 25th September 1866; and the church was opened on 14th April 1867, by Rev. A. Macfarlane, and on the following Sabbath the communion was dispensed for the first time to fifty members. On 22d October a call was given to Mr W. B. Melville, preacher, but he preferred a call from Barrow-in-Furness. On 21st July 1868, Mr Thomas Cockburn was called, but he declined the call, and accepted one from Hawick. In May 1869 a call was given to the present minister, and his ordination took place soon after.

The Burra Isles have a population of 700, and this is the only church where there is constant service. Members and adherents of the church are in Lunda, Oxna, Hildersay, and Linga to the north; and in Haverna to the south. The church holds 250.

1st Minister.-JAMES CRAIG, from Edinburgh (Bristo Street). Ordained 26th August 1869.

OLLABERRY.

In the autumn of 1853, the Rev. Andrew Macfarlane of Lerwick visited Ollaberry, preached in the warehouse there, and invited, after sermon, the friends present to express their feelings in regard to the location of a missionary in connection with the United Presbyterian Church. Steps were thereafter taken for securing the warehouse as a place of worship, and the services of a missionary to carry on the public ordinances of religion in the district. The gratuitous use of the warehouse was given by Gideon Anderson, Esq., proprietor of Ollaberry; and supply of sermon was cordially granted by the Presbytery of Orkney, and the Home Mission Board of the United Presbyterian Church.

A station was opened in July 1854 by Mr Macfarlane, who introduced Mr William Stewart, now of St James' Park, Burntisland, as the first missionary. The cause under Mr Stewart and his successors prospered, and the people were congregated by the Edinburgh Presbytery in March 1859, with 37 members.

The church, seated for 288 (with room in the pulpit for eight), together with the manse, cost £1148, 9s. 3d., of which £45, 2s. 6d. was raised in the locality. Built in 1864.

In connection with Ollaberry there is a mission chapel in the western part of the parish, the walls of which were reared during the incumbency of Mr Baillie, and which has since been finished. Service is conducted there at least one Sabbath a month.

In 1869 a commodious school and dwelling-house, costing £450, were erected at Ollaberry. The site was granted by Mr Gideon Anderson on very liberal terms.

The Home Board granted £200 towards the expense of building, and £230 were raised among friends. The teacher's salary is £50 per annum.

1st Minister.—Andrew BailliE, from Stow. Ordained 18th September 1861. Resigned in 1867, having accepted the charge of Ebenezer, Jamaica.

The congregation called the Rev. James Wardrop, Craigend, but he declined the call.

2d Minister.-JAMES Y. THIRDE, from Dundee (Tay Square). Ordained, 10th July 1868.

ABERLADY.

Aberlady is a village in the parish of the same name, East Lothian, 5 miles north-west of Haddington, and 5 south-east of North Berwick.

The United Presbyterian congregation in this place originated in a sermon preached in a schoolhouse in 1840. A desire was then felt, and afterwards expressed, by a number of persons resident in the district, to have regular sermon in the village on Sabbath or week-day evenings. This wish being communicated to the United Associate Presbytery of Edinburgh, it adopted Aberlady as one of its preaching stations. The attendance was encouraging, and the persons taking interest in the cause were thereby led to seek to be organised as a congregation, which was done in January 1842. They purchased a building which had been occupied as a granary and malt-barn, and had it fitted up as a place of worship, 1843. The Rev. David Hogg, previously of Rattray, supplied the station for three years as a located missionary, and retired from it in 1844.

1st Minister.-ROBERT WATT, previously of Inverary. Admitted 30th September 1846. Died 8th October 1858, in the 49th year of his age, and 24th of his ministry. 2d Minister.-DAVID NICOL, from Methven. Ordained 23d January 1860.

PRESBYTERY OF ELGIN AND INVERNESS.

A Presbytery of Elgin was formed by the General Associate (Antiburgher) Synod in 1755, under the designation of the General Associate Presbytery of Elgin and Montrose. It was dissolved in 1758, and re-annexed to the Presbytery of Perth. It was revived again in 1770, and then included all the Secession congregations north of the Dee. A Presbytery of Aberdeen was formed out of it in 1780, and a Presbytery of Inverness, 1851. There are now five Presbyteries of the United Presbyterian Church within its original boundaries. The two Presbyteries of Elgin and Inverness were, on petition, united in one Presbytery by the Synod in 1859.

ELGIN.

Elgin is the county town of Morayshire, 17 miles west-north-west of Keith, 631 miles north-west of Aberdeen, and 38 east-north-east of Inverness.

SOUTH STREET.

The charge of the parish of Elgin is collegiate, and in 1734 a vacancy occurred by the translation of Mr Winchester, one of the incumbents, to Jedburgh. The