Lord would fend labourers to the har. veft. The prefbytery confefs, the harvest is extenfive, in bad condition, and likely to be loft; but they urge, that it belongs in property to two people; and to fave any part of it, though otherwife to be loft, would be to commit a theft on their property.

The appellants (fay they) have made every offer which can in reafon be defired. Their fubordination to the churchjudicatures, and to them only, their fubmitting to the common mode of making and difpofing of the collections for the poor, or to any other equitable mode of managing them that fhall be dictated to them, their offers to take their requeft only on giving fecurity for a moderate ftipend to their minifter during his incumbency,- are all specific offers; and, befides, they offer, in general, any other reasonable condition which it is thought proper to require. On the other hand, they afk only the choice of their minifter, and an opportunity to hear preachers, that they may chufe an able minifter.

There is nothing (add the donors, &c.) in the erection of chapels of eafe, where circumftances like thofe in the prefent cafe occur, unfavourable to the interefts of religion, of the church, or of the ftate. It is well known, that almost the only circumftance which preferves any confiderable fects in existence, is the pleasure that their followers find in chufing their paftor. This privilege compenfates for the mediocrity of his talents, and the imperfections of his education. Hence both the ilock and the fhepherd are expofed an eaty prey to fanaticifm, the established church is deprived of her members, and the ftate is lefs certain of its fubjccts. If chapels of cafe are grant ed with prudence, and on proper terms, they afford the higheft probability of redreffing thofe evils. Let the heads of families have the choice of their pastor, but let him be less comfortably provided than in the establishment, the following advantages feem to be the neceffary confequences. The fectaries lofe the diftinguishing prerogative that fupports them; and the dignity and weight of an eftablished church, with the natural affection of moft Scotimen to Prefbytery, muft foon altogether crush them. The people thus, in place of being expofed to teachers without education, who muft preach fchifm, and abufe against the

church, for bread, will have the benefit of obtaining minifters of a regular edu cation, who are members of the church. And these minifters, having neither feats in the church-judicatories, nor livings fo comfortable as in the establishment, will naturally wish to obtain such advantages; and will therefore take care, while they cultivate popularity, to preserve that dig. nity of character that may recommend them with men of fense to preferment. The church again, while the recovers her ftrayed children, will acquire an additional body of clergymen, who muft become a useful fource for fupplying advantageously the livings that confer a feat in her judicatories: and, as the prefbytery have obferved, the ftate will grow ftronger from the ftrength of the church. It is not enough, as the prefbytery ar gue, to drive fanatical enthufiafm out of the church; it ought, if poffible, to be drove out of the land. It is moft true, that the fectaries have favoured rebellion in America: feize, then, the opportunity to take measures which may fap the existence of fectaries at home. It is faid, Better to have open fectaries than change them into fanatical congregations. But is there good fenfe in this? Change the meeting-houfes of fectaries into chapels of eafe, and, of course, the people get well-educated teachers, with motives to inculcate attachment to church and state, in place of wild enthufiaftic declaimers, who have, in general, powerful motives to the contrary. This is a moft material change to the better, and probably will: be attended with the still further change, that where the populoufnefs of the country does not require it, the chapels of eafe will gradually be dropped, as the people lofe fight of their fondnefs for po pular elections, and acquire that culti vated ftate of manners which prepares the ear to relish the fimple words of truthi and foberness.

Parties were heard in the affembly and, after long reafoning, a motion was made, "That the general affembly fhould reverse the fentences of the prefbytery of Dunfermline, and grant the defire of the petitioners, of erecting a chapel of eafe: but whereas fome of the conditions and provifoes mentioned in the petition feem to want explanation, the affembly should appoint a committee, to confider whether any of these conditions should be varied, or others annexed; and to report their opinion to the

affembly

affembly to-morrow." Which was unanimously agreed to by the affembly; and a committee of ten minifters, and one ruling-elder, was appointed to confider the conditions and provifoes mentioned, and to report next day.

Thursday, May 27. The before-mentioned committee gave in their report; which was read and reafoned upon; and the affembly unanimously agreed to these conditions and provifoes, viz.

1. "The general affembly allow and authorise the petitioners to employ any licentiate or minifter of the church of Scotland, to officiate occafionally in the meeting-house now to be used as a chapel of eafe, until a ftated minifter be ap pointed; it being always understood, that previous to their employing any minifter or probationer, they fhall lodge a lift of the names of fuch perfons as they intend to employ, before they preach in the chapel, and every probationer fhall Jodge his licence, and other certificates, in the hands of the moderator of the prefbytery, before preaching in the chapel.

2. The petitioners fhall proceed to the election of a stated minister on or before the rft of May next.

3. When the petitioners refolve to proceed to an election, they fhall intimate their refolution to the presbytery of Dunfermline, requesting them to appoint one of their number to prefide at that election and the prefbytery is hereby injoined to comply with that requeft, with in a fortnight at fartheft after it is made. if the prefbytery make no appointment within the time limited, or if the perfon nominated by the prefbytery does not attend, the petitioners are authorifed to proceed to the election by themfelves.

4. If the perfon elected fhall be a probationer, the prefbytery is appointed to proceed to ordain him to the office of a minifter according to the rules of the church. If the perfon elected fhall be an ordained minifter of the church of Scotland, it fhall be competent for any of the minifters of the parish to preach along with the perfon elected, and introduce him to the chapel of eafe; or if they hall decline that fervice, when application is made to them, it fhall be competent for any other minifter of the prefbytery.

5. It fhall not be competent for the petitioners to elect any minifter or probationer to be minifter of the chapel of cafe, but one entirely of the principles of

the church of Scotland with regard to worship, doctrine, difcipline, and government, and who fhall fubfcribe the ftandards and formula injoined by the church: it being alfo understood, and provided, That the petitioners and others who fhall form the congregation that meets in the chapel of ease, shall remain fubject to the jurifdiction of the church of Scotland, and her different judicatories.

6. That collections fhall be made regularly at the doors of the chapel, and the fums arifing therefrom shall be applied as part of the common fund for the maintenance of the poor of the parish.

7. That before the prefbytery ordain a probationer, or introduce a minifter, to the faid chapel, the petitioners fhall lay before the prefbytery a fecurity which appears to the prefbytery fufficient, for a fum not lefs than 501. Sterling, as his yearly ftipend, fo long as he shall continue to officiate in that congregation: And if the prefbytery entertain any doubt concerning the validity of the fe curity which is offered, the fame shall be tranfmitted to the procurator of the church for his opinion; and the prefbytery is appointed to proceed according to that opinion."

On a reprefentation, that many parishes had neglected to make the collection for the fupport of the charity-schools, ordered [36. 276.] by preceding affem. blies, the affembly recommended it to the fociety for propagating Chriftian knowledge, to fend a new copy of the at of affembly appointing this collection to be made, with a lift of thofe that are deficient in making the collection, to the moderator of each prefbytery; and renewed the appointment upon deficient prefbyteries or parithes to make the collection betwixt and next affembly.

Friday, May 28. On report of the committee for overtures, the affembly retranfmitted to prefbyteries the overtures refpecting the licenfing of probationers, and the ordination of elders; and as to the overture respecting perfons going out of the bounds of the church to obtain licences and ordination, it was. found to be approved of by forty-two prefbyteries, and the affembly passed it into an act.

Affirmed the fentence of the fynod of Perth and Stirling, which was complained of by Peter Lumfden tenant in Pee'. This man was accuted of adultery with Jancs

NB 2.

prefbytery and univerfity; and it fhould be printed in octavo, and fold at so small a price that every contributor might furnih himself with a copy. The report was ordered to be recorded. On a motion by Principal Robertfon, which was unanimously agreed to, the moderator gave the thanks of the affembly to Dr Webster for the care and attention with which he had executed this important bufinefs; and alfo to his Grace the Commiffioner, for the assistance which he had been pleafed to grant in carrying it on; and he was appointed likewife to exprefs their thanks to Mr Dundas of Caftlecary for his attention in that affair.

In the report of the truftees of the widows fund to this affembly, because it will be fome time before the act can be printed, five particulars contained in it are mentioned, viz. 1. That any anuitant who fhall marry a contributor, will henceforth retain the half of her anuity till the capital of L. 100,000 is made up, and her full annuity after the me is completed. 2. That the loans of L. 30 to intrant contributors are now difcontinued. 3. That any contributor who has the loan of L. 30, may repay the fame at any term of Candlemas or Whitfunday, upon giving the collector three months previous notice. 4. That the rates due out of vacant benefices and falaries are now payable to the collector, with legal intereft, in the manner fpecified by the new ftatute. 5. That to prevent in future the undue methods whereby perfons obtained, in feveral instances, payment of the annuities of widows, without proper evidence of their having furvived the term when they were due, the truftees clerk is not to iffue the warrants for their payment, until the certificate referred to in the faid warrants is produced to him."

On petitions for Mr James Lawfon tudent in divinity [40. 275.], appealing from a fentence of May 4. current of the prefbytery of Auchterarder, and for that prefbytery, the affembly remitted the caufe to the prefbytery of Auchterarder, and appointed them to take Mr Lawson upon trials before the meeting of next affembly; and in cafe any objections are offered to his difcourfes, or to his conduct, they fhall give him an opportunity of being heard on these objections before paffing any judgement upon them.

Saturday, May 29. It having been the

practice for a courfe of years past, to write out fix copies of the annual proceedings or regifter of affembly, to be repofited in the different univerfities, &c. which occafioned a confiderable expence; and looking upon it now as unneceffary to have fo many copies, the affembly appointed, that in future only two copies of the faid regifter be yearly made out, one for the university of St Andrew's, and the other to remain in the office.

On report of a committee appointed to confider an overture relating to chapels of cafe, the affembly appointed a committee of twelve minifters and fix ruling-elders, to prepare an overture on that fubject, to be laid before next af fembly.

The report of a committee appointed to confider an overture concerning new erections, was given in, agreed to, and a copy of it ordered to be put into the hands of the Commiffioner; by which his Grace is requested to use his good offices towards obtaining fuch an alteration in the grant for the royal bounty, as may authorife the affembly to apply part thereof towards making fuch erections.

Monday, May 31. The affembly renewed the committees on new erections and on the window-tax.

On report of a committee to whom a petition of Mr James Dickfon, printer for the church, had been referred, the affembly refolved, that in place of taking 100 copies of the acts of affembly from the printer, that they fhould for the fu ture take 200 copies annually, viz. one for the moderator and one for the clerk of each prefbytery, and that a copy fhould alfo be delivered annually to each fynod and university, and for the Advo cates library and to prevent expence to the fund, it was ordered, that the acts fhall for the future be left at the Society-hall; and prefbyteries, fynods, and univerfities, are defired to fend for their copies on or before the first day of December annually; on failure of which, the copies will be fent by poft at their expence; and when they fend for their copies, they are to fend receipts, that the clerks may have evidence of the delivery of the copies.

The affembly was concluded in the ufunt manner, and the next affembly is' appointed to be held, in the fame place, upon Thursday, May 25, 1780.

MAR

MARRIAGES. Jan. 24. At Barbadoes, the Hon. Edward Hay, Efq; governor of that island, to Mifs Barnwell.

April 10. At New York, Lord Cathcart, to Mifs Elliot, daughter of Andrew Elliot, Efq; fuperintendant-general of the police of that province.

29. James Baillie, Efq; lately from Calcutta, to Mifs Helena Douglas, daughter of Charles Aytoun Douglas of Kinglaffe, Efq;

May 21. At London, Hugh Baron Percy, fon of the Duke of Northumberland, to Mifs Frances Julia Burrel, fifter of the Duchefs of Hamilton, and alfo of the lady of Lord Algernon Percy. [166.]

22. The Earl of Harrington, to Mifs Fleming, a lady with an independent fortune of 100,000 l.

BIRTHS.

« Antwerp, April 17. We hear from Zomergen in the Auftrian Flanders, that the wife of Martin Sierens was delivered, on the 20th inftant, of five children, three girls and two boys. The girls died foon after they were born; but the boys, who have been baptized, are still living and well, as is the mother alfo. This extraordinary fact is attefted by Mr Vergaurven, the curate of the parish."

May 1. At London, the Marchioness of Granby, of a fon.

8. At Edinburgh, the lady of James Townfhend Ofwald, Efq; of Dunnikier, of a fon.

DEATHS.

Feb. 1. In the province of Georgia, George Munro of Culcairn, Efq; captain in the 71 regiment.

5. In the province of Georgia, Dr Trail, where he practifed phyfie for feveral years. 7. At Mornfendue, Granada, William Agnew, Efq; only brother of Nathaniel Agnew of Ochiltree, Efq;

April 24. At Florence, aged 108, Maria Dominica Philipps Giali.

28. At Maxwelton, Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwelton, Bt. He is fucceeded by his fon, Lt-Col. Robert Laurie, of the 19th light dia

10. At Newington, aged 107, Mr Oakes, formerly a tobacco-merchant in London.

10. At Corstorphine, Mrs Mary Barclay, relict of John Gordon, Efq; of Buthlaw Advocate.

11. At Edinburgh, Mrs Anne Stirling, wi dow of John Erskine of Carnock, Efq; Ad vocate.

11. At Airthry, Mrs Haldane, relict Robert Haldane, Esq; of Gleneagles. 11. At Edinburgh, Mr John Balfour, fur geon in that city.

12. Mr James Carlyle, fon of Mr John Carlyle merchant in Glafgow. He was view ing a newly-erected mill; and, ftanding too near the wheel, it caught hold of him, and inftantly crushed him to death.

18. Mrs Elifabeth Balcarras Hay, fponfe of Mr William Barclay, fecretary to the board

of annexed eftates.

20. At Edinburgh, Archibald Stewart Stewarthall, Efq;

20. In Rotherhithe workhouse, Mary Long ton, aged 108.

21. At his houfe on Epping foreft, age 101, Mr Wilbraham, formerly page Q. Anne.

fon, in the 114th year of his age. At Idridge-Hay, Derbyshire, James Simp

24.

Fletcher of Salton, Efq; Auditor of Exche At Saltonhall, Eaft Lothian, Andrea quer in Scotland.

24. At Hoxton, raving mad, Mrs Broxell, fore by a favourite cat. a widow lady, who was bit a fhort time be

14. At Edinburgh, Mr Simon Frafer, cap tain of the tolbooth.

26. At Quarry-holes, Mrs Agnes Moual fpoufe of Robert Rutherford, Efq;

27. At Edinburgh, in an advanced age Mr Robert Hunter, profeffor of Greek in the university of Edinburgh. [35.112.]

27. Mr Humphrey Fulton, of Paifley, whe introduced the filk-manufacture into Scot land. [268.]

29. At Knightsbridge, aged 84, John Man ners, Duke of Rutland, Marquis of Granby Lord Lieutenant and Cuftos Rotulorum Leicestershire, P. C. and K. G. a Governor of the Charter-house. His Grace married Bridget, only daughter and heir of Robert Sutton, Lord Lexington; by whom he had ifue: 1. John Marquis of Granby, who, in 1759, was appointed commander in chief of all the British forces ferving in Germany, in the room of Lord George Sackville [21.445and died in 1770 (32. 575.]; 2. Lord Robert Sutton, who died fome years before the faid Marquis; and 3. Lord George Sutton, now living. His Grace was defcended, in a dis red line, from the family De Albini, Lords of Belvoir; which ancient flock hath, in its progrefive courfe, by its feveral intermas riages, enriched and united itfelf with the

Families