his ministry. It happened about the same time that the father of the late Rev. William Jameson of Kilwinning, who was a seafaring man, had occasion, in the course of his business, to visit the place. From the well-known sympathies of kindred minds, he soon found himself in intercourse with some of the religious people of the town. He reported to them the determined resistance which had been made in the General Assembly in Scotland, and the Secession which in consequence had taken place. In little more than three months after Mr Patton's induction, a memorial, signed by no less than 280 heads of families residing in Lisburn, was presented to the Associate Presbytery craving to be taken under their inspection, and to have a supply of preachers afforded with a view to the choice of a minister. To this memorial the Presbytery gave an encouraging answer, but could not at that time comply with its request.

A similar application to the above was made in 1742, by people in Lylehill, a place in the neighbourhood of Lisburn-the movement originating, in this case, not from unfaithful preaching, nor improper influence exercised by the more wealthy members of the congregation, but from disaffection to the Synod of Ulster, in consequence of their having refused the applicants a petition to be erected into a separate congregation. This time the application was granted, and a preacher was sent to Ireland to labour there for three months. He was succeeded by another, whose visit was followed by one from the Rev. James Fisher, formerly of Kinclaven, but then of Glasgow. Nothing more was done towards the furtherance of the Secession cause in Ireland till March 1745, when the Synod into which the Associate Presbytery had now merged, sent Mr John M'Ara, minister at Burntshields, and Mr Isaac Paton, probationer, to itinerate a few weeks in that country. Mr Paton was invited by the Seceders in Templepatrick to settle among them. Having accepted this invitation, he was ordained pastor of the congregation there, and so became the first Secession minister in Ireland.

The Breach divided the Seceders in Ireland as elsewhere. Nevertheless, both divisions prospered. In 1750 the Associate (Burgher) Synod had three, and the General Associate (Antiburgher) Synod had four congregations in that country. In 1784 there were 37 congregations belonging to the two Synods, and their ministers were deemed of sufficient importance to merit royal patronage and support in the form of a Regium Donum. In May of that year, the two Synods in Ireland tried to unite, but were prevented doing so by the Synods of their respective denominations in Scotland, to which they were still in subordination. This union, however, after several other attempts to effect it, and as frequent interference on the part of the Church at home, was consummated at Cookstown in July 1818. At that time 78 congregations belonged to the Associate (Burgher), and 32 to the General Associate (Antiburgher) Synod. Altogether there were 110 congregations, of which 104 had settled ministers-the remaining 6 being vacant.

In 1840 all grounds of separation between the United Associate Synod in Ireland, and the Synod of Ulster, were removed, and a union was effected. At the time of this event 136 congregations belonged to the Seceders. During the first year of the union 15 Secession ministers adhered to a protest they had made against it, and withdrew from attendance upon meetings of Presbytery. In 1841, 9 of these dropped their protest, and were received into connection with the Assembly. Six continued to protest, but after the death of some, and the resignation of others, the congregations they represented also acceded.

As already stated, the Seceders accepted the Regium Donum. This grant was

voted annually by Parliament, and was unaccompanied by any conditions whatever. About the year 1800 the Synod of Ulster obtained a large addition to their grant, but clogged with conditions which were disapproved of by many of the recipients, and which were denounced by both classes of Seceders as involving a surrender of the liberties of the Church, and the honour of Christ. And yet these same Seceders in 1809 accepted an enlargement of their grant on precisely the same conditions. One minister, however, of the General Associate Synod, the Rev. James Bryce of Killaig, persisted in refusing the grant, and to his resistance is to be traced the origin of “The Associate Presbytery of Ireland."

A deputation of the United Associate Synod in Scotland visited Ireland in 1840, and expressed to a deputation of the Associate Presbytery which met them, an anxious desire that a union should take place between the two bodies. On their return, they made a recommendation to the same effect in their report to their own Synod. Little more was done in this matter till May 1847, at which time a union had been effected between the Secession and Relief Churches. A deputation of the Associate Presbytery of Ireland waited at that time upon the United Presbyterian Synod then formed, and craved to be included in it. The Synod resolved, "that as close a connection should be immediately formed with the Associate Presbytery as circumstances will admit; and in particular (1) that ministerial and Christian communion should be cultivated between the ministers and congregations of the two Churches, as between the congregations and ministers of the United Presbyterian Church; (2) that the licentiates of the Associate Presbytery should be eligible to the ministry by the congregations of the United Presbyterian Church, and that licentiates of the United Presbyterian Church should be eligible to the ministry by the congregations of the Associate Presbytery; and (3) that ministers and Presbytery elders of both Churches, when present in presbyteries or synods of either Church, should, without being entitled to a vote, be regarded by said presbyteries and synods as corresponding members; and that measures should be forthwith taken to draw closer the bonds of Christian fellowship and affection between the two bodies."

The Associate Presbytery of Ireland having expressed a desire for union with the United Presbyterian Church, the Synod of 1855 remitted the question to the Presbytery of Glasgow with instructions to correspond with the Irish Presbytery, and report to next meeting of Synod. At the Synod of 1856, progress was reported, and the matter was again entrusted to Glasgow Presbytery, with instructions to send the same down to the several presbyteries and sessions of the Church, with such information on the subject as they might consider needful and desirable. The information desired was presented in the shape of returns from presbyteries and sessions to the Synod of 1857. Two representatives of the Associate Presbytery, Rev. Drs Bryce and Macintyre, were heard on the subject, and a committee was appointed to meet with these brethren, during the session of Synod, to consider the terms on which the Irish Presbytery should be received as a constituent part of the United Presbyterian Church. That committee gave in their report, to the effect" that the most advisable form of accomplishing this incorporating union would be by this Synod receiving and recognising the Associate Presbytery of Ireland as a presbytery of this Church." The committee found that the subordinate standards of both denominations were the same, and that on other points there was substantial agreement. It was then resolved, "that the report of the committee be sent down to presbyteries to consider and report; and that Dr

William Johnston and Messrs William Marshall and Andrew Robertson, as a deputation, visit the congregations of the Associate Presbytery of Ireland to express the fraternal regard cherished towards them by this Church." At the Synod of 1858, the returns from presbyteries and the report of the deputation were considered. The deputation reported "that there are at present 5 ministers in connection with the Irish Presbytery, and 8 congregations; that the deputies spent three weeks in visiting the congregations, and that all they saw and heard tended to confirm the accuracy of the judgment already come to by the Synod, that the United Presbyterian Church and the Associate Presbytery of Ireland are agreed in all essential parts of Christian doctrine, discipline, and observance, and that the points on which they differ admit either of being adjusted, or of being made matters of forbearance; and to increase and deepen their earnest desire for the prosperity, spiritual and temporal, of the small but interesting body that has so long testified in Ireland, in the midst of many temptations and discouragements, on behalf of a pure and free Gospel, and of a Church untrammelled by State support or State control." After reasoning, the question as to immediate union was put to the vote, when it was carried that the Synod do now receive and recognise the Associate Presbytery of Ireland as a presbytery of this Church. The union was accordingly consummated on the 6th May 1858, and the moderator gave the brethren of the Presbytery who were present the right hand of fellowship.*

THE SECESSION CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES.

As early as the year 1736, many families belonging to the Secession Church in Scotland had emigrated to America. These settled generally in the States of Pennsylvania and New York. In that year those of them resident in and about Londonderry, Chester County, State of Pennsylvania, addressed a letter to the Associate Presbytery, containing an urgent request to send them a probationer or ordained minister, in order that they might have a dispensation of Gospel ordinances after the manner of their fatherland. They offered at the same time to pay all the necessary expenses thence arising. To this letter the Presbytery sent a friendly answer, but were necessitated by scarcity of preachers to defer complying with its request. Before a renewal of this application could be made, the Breach had taken place, which was the occasion of further delay. After the Breach, in August 1751, an application was made to the General Associate (Antiburgher) Synod by Mr Alexander Craighead, minister at Middle Octarara, Pennsylvania, along with a number of persons in the province, earnestly beseeching the Synod to appoint some ministers to that part of America. The Synod took immediate steps to comply with this request, but it was not till the summer of 1753 that they were able to accomplish anything. Mr Alexander Gellatly, probationer, who had been licensed for the purpose, was then sent out, to continue if required; and the Rev. Andrew Arnot, minister at Midholm, to return home in a year, or remain if inclined. These ministers met with a cordial welcome on their arrival in America, and soon after, according to instructions given them, constituted themselves, along with two elders, into a presbytery, which they designated THE ASSOCIATE PRESBYTERY of PENNSYLVANIA. Applications from America, to both branches of the Secession, for supply of sermon now multiplied; and in compliance with these, Messrs James

* At the Synod of 1871 the Presbytery of Ireland consisted of 10 congregations, two of which were vacant.- -EDS.

Proudfoot, Matthew Henderson, John Mason, and John Smart, were sent by the General Associate (Antiburgher) Synod prior to 1765. In that year the Rev. James Clark, of Ballibay, in Ireland, proceeded thither, under the sanction of the Associate (Burgher) Synod, with a part of his congregation, and joined the Presbytery of Pennsylvania. He was followed by Messrs Telfar and Kinloch from the same body in 1769. They also united with the Presbytery of Pennsylvania without being required to renounce their relation to the Associate (Burgher) Synod. In a few years, however, Messrs Telfar and Kinloch returned to Scotland. Mr Gellatly was removed by death. Messrs John Smith and John Rodgers were sent out in 1770. The Presbytery of Pennsylvania in 1776 consisted of 13 ministerial members, and, for greater convenience, was then divided into two Presbyteries, that of Pennsylvania and that of New York. These two Presbyteries had entirely separate jurisdiction, and were held to be in connection only by the subordination of both to the General Associate (Antiburgher) Synod of Scotland.

In 1774, three ministers of the Reformed (Cameronian) Presbytery who had gone out to America, at the request of persons formerly of that communion in Scotland, but then settled in Pennsylvania, formed themselves into a Presbytery, under the designation of THE REFORMED PRESBYTERY. A union of these three Presbyteries was projected in 1779, and carried into effect in 1788, and the united body took the name of THE ASSOCIATE REFORMED CHURCH. Against this union, two ministers of the Associate Presbytery of Pennsylvania—namely, William Marshall and James Clarkson-protested, and continued a separate organisation, under the original title of the Associate Presbytery of Pennsylvania. In this act they were sustained and approved of by the two Synods in Scotland, which immediately sent out other ministers to aid them to supply the vacant congregations which adhered to them. Thus originated "The Associate" and "Associate Reformed" Churches of America, which, ever since that time, have pursued a separate course, having no ministerial communion with each other, though holding nearly the same doctrines, and agreeing very closely in worship and discipline.*

By the fostering care of the General Associate (Antiburgher) Synod in Scotland, the Associate Presbytery of Pennsylvania increased in numbers, and spread over a vast extent of country. This soon rendered it necessary to constitute three Presbyteries—namely, the Presbyteries of Philadelphia, Cambridge, and Chartiers. These, together with a presbytery previously constituted in Kentucky, were formed into one Synod, styled the Associate Synod of North America, which met for the first time in Philadelphia, May 20, 1801. This Synod kept up a friendly intercourse with the General Associate (Antiburgher) Synod in Scotland till 1820, when communications ceased, on account of the union of the two great branches of the Secession in that year. Respecting the merits of that union great diversity of views existed among the ministers of the Associate Church in America; and the question, whether the American Church should join in that union, was negatived by the casting-vote of the moderator.

The Associate Synod of North America continued to increase till 1838, when nine ministers, who, for a series of years, had contended against a course of maladministration in the Synod, were thrust out by a majority, as the original Seceders had

These two Churches were happily united in 1858, and now form the United Presbyterian Church of America. At the Union, the United Church had 4 Synods, 49 Presbyteries, 419 ministers, 66 licentiates, 14 foreign missionaries, 660 congregations, 54,789 communicants, 4 theological seminaries, 6 colleges, and 6 weekly or monthly periodicals.-Eds.

been driven from the Established Church of Scotland. The ministers thus expelled protested against the proceedings, and formed themselves into three Presbyteries— namely, Cambridge, Albany, and Vermont, under one Synod. A minister in the Presbytery of Maine was soon after cut off for the same reason; and, as he was followed by another minister, and a considerable portion of their people, they formed themselves into a Free Presbytery. About the same time, two others were expelled in Virginia and Carolina, for not acceding to the Synod's new terms of communion on the subject of slavery. These amounted in 1844 to 15. Previous to the separations in 1838, the Associate Presbytery of North America consisted of 15 Presbyteries, having 100 ministers, and more than 200 congregations. In 1844, it had 14 Presbyteries, with 103 ministers and 208 congregations.

A Theological Seminary was established by this Church, under the Rev. Dr Anderson as professor, in 1794, being the first institution of the kind in the United States; that of the Associate Reformed Church, under Dr John Mason, in 1805, being the next. This seminary had, in 1844, two able professors and 30 students.

The Associate Reformed Church, formed as above stated, consisting of three Presbyteries, met in Synod immediately after the union in 1784. The three Presbyteries were soon after subdivided into seven. In 1802 the Synod was divided into four Provincial or "Particular" Synods-namely, New York, Pennsylvania, Seiota, and the Carolinas. After this division, the first General Synod met by delegation in May 1804. In 1805 the Theological Seminary was instituted, under Dr Mason. This institution, which had been long effective, fell under pecuniary embarrassment in 1820, and was discontinued. In the same year the Synod of Seioto withdrew from the General Synod, and in the year following (1821) the Synod of the Carolinas also withdrew; so that the General Synod now consisted of the Synods of New York and Pennsylvania. In 1822 a resolution was passed by this body to unite with the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. This was effected by a majority of the delegates that year (16 in all), being in favour of the union, though a majority of the Presbyteries voted against it. By this division the valuable theological library, belonging to the seminary, was transferred to the General Assembly, but was afterwards recovered. The result of this union also was, that about 12 congregations withdrew from the Synod, and united with the General Assembly. Thus was the General Synod of the Associate Church in a few years dissolved, and three separate and independent Synods were formed, which continue to this day-namely, the Synod of New York, the Synod of the West, and the Synod of the Carolinas, each of which has its theological institution. Though independent of each other, they still hold friendly intercourse as sister Churches. The Synod of the Carolinas in 1844 formed a union with the exscinded brethren of the Associate Church in that region; and the Synod of the West formed a union with the Associate Synod, and with one of the two branches into which the Reformed Presbyterian Church was a short time before divided. In 1838 the Synod of New York had 4 Presbyteries, 40 ministers, and 44 congregations; the Synod of the West had 7 Presbyteries, 68 ministers, and 145 congregations; and the Synod of the Carolinas had 2 Presbyteries, 19 ministers, and 28 congregations. In all, 13 Presbyteries, 127 ministers, and 217 congregations.