The Express.
London, England, 1864-02-03 00:00:00

EXTRAORDINARY SCENE IN A CHURCH.

For a oonsiderable time past an unhappy state of
matters ham existed in the Free Church enegregithon of
Hopeman. On Thw sday a presbyterial visitation of the
congregation was held thaa. It was appointed that the
Bev. Mr. Heinle, of A 1,., the moderator, should preach to
the oongregatioc at 1 o'clock. At that hour • goodly
company were aseenibled, and Mr. Gentle entered the
pulpit to conduct the usual services. During the time the
first psalm was being sung, the Rev. Mr. Corbel, (the
minister) mitered the churl, and went at once into the
pulpit to stop Mr. Gentle from preaching. In order to ac-
°mallets this more effectually, he thresteued to eject that
gentleman by force from the place. As • hint of the
course he should follow, we believe he pitched
Mr, Goalie's hat mid manuscript to the foot of the
stairs, and seised the pulpit bible. declaring that it was his
property. This strange proesedieg was followed by a
prayer of oonsiderable length, he having beforehand sum-
moned the promoter to stop singing. After prayer ha
opened the Bible, and commenced to read the 12th chap-
ter of the Epistle to the Romans ; but before going
over !okay sense, he was interrupted by the
hubbub which by this time had bees excited, as may
well be supposed, among the audience. He exhorted
the people to dismiss Ia quietness, and to respect the
authority of her Majesty's representatives. This allusion of
Mr. Corbet bad reference to the presence of three pOliC••
men who were in atteadance and did their best to maintain
I order. After Mr. Gentle had left the pulpit, Mr. Corbel,
standing in his place. demanded of rim of the poliormers
he would Dot help him to clear the church. The 0160 et re-
byteried that he took no orders from any roe except the Pres-
y
. ."But," exclaimed Mr. Carlin, "do you not
respect private property!" "Ye ,"added the other, " bat
I regard this church as the property of the Free Presbytery
of Elgin." The scene of excitement and coofasion pre-
sented by the oongrmption during such altercations ma these
may be well imagined. Soon after this Mr. Corbel retired,
and the Presbytery having reassembled to recall what had
occurred, they adjourned, to meet in Elgin on Tuesday, to
consider further this painful cent—Elgin Cburier.

The Bordeanz journals mention a report to the
effect that the Ages& family have sold their Chateau
Margaim w►ses to Malmo Cleric sad Sons, of Leedom, for
a term of ten pore.

--- - .
Adrian from the Sandwich Islands, by the way
of San Francisco, announce the death of King Kamehameha,
at the age of 29 years. Having no children, he will be ear
°aided by his brother Prince Lot.
DEATH OF THE DUCHESS OF GORDON.—The
Duchess of Gordon died at Huntly Lodge, Aberdeenshire,
on Sunday evening, the immediate came of death being
gout in the stomach. The deceased was in her 70th year.
She we the daughter of Hr. Brodie. of the Burn, '
cardieeshire, and was married to the fifth Duke of Gordon '
in 1813. The duke died in IEO6, and, as he left no lime,
the title became estioct. The Duke of Richmond now suc-
ceeds to the Aberdeenshire estates. The Duchess of Gordon
has for some years past lived in a very retired manner at
Huntly Lodge, doing a great deal of good among the poor,
promoting education, sod otherwiseworking for the goad
of the district. She was the main founder sad a great sup-
porter of the outdoor religious meetings that have taken
place duds; the last few years is fluidly. —Scotsman.
THI RECENT DTEAPITZES TO THE AMERICAN
SHIPS HONE, SEA DEIST, AND LIZZIE Hogaz.—A letter
was received in Liverpool yesterday from Cork,oonieborating
the stetemset that the American ship Lizzie Homo, Capt.
Draper, bound from Liverpool to New York, which put
late Qi;essatown on the 21st January with redder carried
away, and adds that a large portion of 'her cargo bed been
thrown overboard. The vessel was being repaired, and
would sail in a fee days. The same letter abo states the
Americas ship Home, Capt. Taffy, bound from Liverpool
to Bodo, and which was aleo obliged to put into Queer).
town leaky, and with rudder split, had been surveyed end
would be obliged to discharge. Another letter, dated Fayal,
January 12, informs us that the ship Sea Crest, booed from
Liverpool to Philadelphia, had put into that port In a
damaged state. A portion of her cargo was leaded, mid a
large
leak discovered and repaired. She wouldat once re-bid
end proceed on her voyage.
The competition of vinedressere of the BEE.
Nide; instituted for the purposes of abeertaieing the men
Most worthy to prune the vines of that celebrated district,
took place on Sunday last, in the views:lie of M. Ctoniant,
at C.hateauneuf. Deer Impure (Girecide). Eighteen candi-
dates presented theasaelms, and satisfied the lodges of
their proficiency, some receiving premiums. A similar
conipstitios is to take place nest Sunday for the Haut,.
Make.