The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-09-25 00:00:00

NORWICH GRAND MrSICAL FESTIVAL.

The first perfortnance of Sacred Nlusie during the Fes-
tival, took place on Wednesday morning. and the selection
was in every way excellent. The absence of Mr. Sapio
would have been most severely fdt but fur the kindness of
Mr. Vaughan, who lertook all the parts that were to
have been performed by that gentleman. The Concert
commenced with the opening and first chants of the
" llettingeu re. Demo, • which was executed in a very
masterly manner. This was followed by an air from the
" R•slemption," sung by Miss Carew, accompanied by a
grand chorus, which was effivtively given by the members
of the different choirs that had been engaged for the Fes-
tival. Mrs. Salmon sung " Holy, holy, holy, Lord God."
Miss Stephens gave, " In sweetest harmony they lived,'
from Ilandefa Saul. The Concert ctmcluded with a grand
chorus, arranged, with instrumental accompaniments, ex-
pressly for this occasion, by Mr. Edward Taylor. His
Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex expressed his gratifi-
cation in the wannest terms throughout, and his feelings
were strongly participated in by all presynt.
In the evenmg of Wednesday, every seat was taken at
an early hour, and numbers were obliged to Ftantl during
the whole of the performance, happy if they could do even
that in a spot which would afford them any conveniente for
seeing as well as hearing theperformers. The piece se-
lected fur the commencement was one of Mozart's 'yin.
phonies, which was immediately followed by the " Battle
of flohenlinden," sunglby Mr. Bellamy, in a very fine and
impressive manner. Miss Stephens, Miss Carew. Mr.
-fermi), Mr. Vaughn's, and Mr. Bellamy, gave the Quin-
tette, " Blow Gentle tales," front The Shire, in which they
were most deservedly encored. Mrs. Salmon afterwards
sung a little song, to afford Mr. Nicholson the opportunity
of a second time astonishing and delighting everybody by
his performance on the flute. Signor de Begnis gave
scemt and aria front " II Fanatic° per la Musica," with
infinite comic humour and effect, and was utmost rapturously
encored. The overture to The Freisehutz, played most
excellently, concluded the performances for the evening.

Tits (haves Assoctarto:47-IThe Dublin Patriot
nays—" A few secrets have trausrired, which in due time
must be laid before the public. fhe faction has divided,
and must rapidly fall to pieces. A certain knot of the
gentry convened a meeting to consider the conduct of a
certain lo films which they were excluded ; and the
reason assigned, although in any Miler community a very
silly one, was in perfect acconlance with the history of the
Association's fracas and disunions."
otEmrst.—The nutrtiq Slur gives an account of the
elopement of a young and beautiful wife from Dublin,
with a man named Vitch, who has a wife (now on a bed of
sickness), and three children. The injured husband. a
Mr. Carlile, followed the fugitives to Belfast, where he dis-
covered them, and *as grossly insultasl by the adulterer
and adulteress. The former stepped forward,- and said that
he would only part with the lady with his life, and the
husband was then forcel by his friend from their presence,
to pn.vent any set:ous consequerces. Mrs. Carlile, imme-
diately on her limband retiring, sent him her welding
and desired he should be informed that she had left
her locket and other trinkets (the pledges of their mutual
faith) behind her in Dublin. This Mr. Vitch had lately
a property in the comity of Westmeath, which he contrived
to dispoac of, together with all his p7ate and furniture, on
rretenee of meting his establishment to Dublin, for
which it was, he said, necessary to have a new service of
plate. It is supposed Mr. Vitch has 7,000/. in money, he.
side: f.ve or six trunks containing property to a consith.7-
aide amount. His family is highly respectable, and two
of his brothers were on the eve of matrimony previously to
this distressing occurrence.
A notice was on 'Thursday issued from the Post Office,
flirt mails will, in furore, be regularly made up on the
first Wo.litcs,Lv iu c:wh tottoth, for Cartha.mtia, in Co-
lombia, and for Vera Cruz or Alvarado. in Mexico, to be
taken out by the Jamaica packet ; and that on the third
Wednesday in every month, a mail will be made up for
Lagnavra, in Colombia, to go from Falmouth by Ahe
ward Island packet.
The total number of assessments in the parish rate-book
this year, is viostitri; the amount atetocii. ; being an in-
crease in the former of 609. in the latter of 11.66;/. We i
observe by a notice on the Church thaws, that the new rate
of Is. 64. in the pound, Stated to he fin the poor. &c.,
311. fur the county, and Id. fur the CitUrclicv and Clergy,
was allowed on 141turday last by the Magistrates.—Liere-
pod (*.wrier.
Another smuggler has been captured by the revenue
cutter atationol off Ikarton. &c. under the command of
Lieut. Botcher • she was loaded, and was towed into Dia-
tun on Wedneray evening, together with her crew, who
are loZgeil in linton gaol.

SUSPENSION OF THE REV. ALEXANDER
FLETCHER.

UNITED ASSOCI•tTE SYNOD.

The Synod of the United Secession Church met on Tuesday in
the Reverend Dr. Hall'. Church, Waveform Place and was
opened with an elegant sermon by the Reverend Hr. Itel:ragc of
alkirk, the Nlitlerator, descriptive of the grulual progress and
diffusion of Christian knowledge, from Isaiah xi. 9. After the call.
ing of roll, the Synod proceeded to make choice of a new :Wale-
razor. whit tlic We trend „lames flay of Alyds was chosen. The
evening sedermit was principally employed in devotional exercises.
after which the various committees uu bills, overtures, &c. were
appointed.
On It'ealnesilay the Synod took up an appeal from the Reverend
Alexander Fletcher, Minister of the Albino I duped, Ltmtlon, from
a decision pf the Associate Presbytery of London, refusing to, put
into distinct propositions the charges which they had substantially
adopted against hint ; and also a reference of the whole cause by
the Presbytery, in respect to the firma against Jlr. Fletcher, that
he had violated :I promise of marriage which he had plighted to the
daughter of a highly respectable member of the Secession Church ;
and also a complaint to the Presbytery, against 51r. Fletcher, by
several cf his elders, that lie had dispensed the Lord's Supper in
opposition to the trill of the session.
_ . _ .

A civil action, &rising out of the first charge, had previiiitely been
determined by the Coort of King's Bench. The short-hand writer's
reports of that cause, and a mass of incidental documents, conse-
quently became evidence in this ; and the reading of them occupied
the Coutt the whole of the early sederunt, which lasted fr,mi II
A.M. till half-past 4. P.M. as also some part of the evening, when
the Synod again vie at io'clock, fur the purpose of bringing this
important case to a conclusion.
A petition (Own the members and seatholders of Mr. Fletcher's
Congregation having been read, Mr. Reid, one of the Coe ..... ission-
era trims the Plesbytery of London, said, that havinA become at.
'ainted with the circumstances under which this petition had been
prepared, he dished to know whether it was to be received by this
Court or not, because it was considered by die Presbytery of Lon-
don as a gross libel.
lie. HALL said, it had already been agreed that all the papers
timid be read, and that it would then be high time to determine
whether this or that document should by received or not.
A petition, of the same tenor as that front the members and mu-
holders of the Albion Chapel, and containing the saute number of
subscriptions, was presented as the petition of the seatholders of the
same congregation. A petition of the same nature was presented
from members and seetholders of the %Veil's-street (London) cen-
gregation. All these petitions prayed that the cause rhould be dis-
missed by this venerable Court.
Alter 11.1411Miliscumion as to the proper time for reading it, a peti-
tion was then read from the Rev. Alexander, Fletcher himself, who
apologised for his not appearing, in obedience to the synodial sum-
mons, trusting that the Court would eifend their usdlilgence to
him on indelicate an occasion, when he could not be present With-
out violence to his feelings. It complained that the Lady's father
hail submitted hie cause to he tried by strange lawyers, instead of ,
sulimitting it to be judged by the brethren, as enjoined by their '
holy religion ; that, after putting hint to die eepense of 500 f. for
law expenses, It: had excited his kirk-session against him, and as a
consequence the ordinances of religion had been interrupted, and
dissensions stirred up among his congregation; whence the present
charges against hint, It concluded by iwaying, that if this refer-
ence and complaint should be entertained by the Court, they would
be pleased to refer the whole case to a committee to ascertain the
specific charges against him, and that he may be allowed until the
neat meeting of the Synod, to prepare his writhe% defence, which Ise
trusted would be received. and that his personal appearance would
not he required. Bated London, Sept. 7.
Among the papers transacted by the London Presbytery, there
was a letter limn Mr. Fletcher to the Clerk of that Presbytery, in
which lie charges die elders of his session with having violently op.
posed and obstructed the administration of the (seed's Rapper, and
also with sacrilege in taking away the communion plate ; there was
also a letter front one of the elders, stating that the plate had been
meowed, for the purpose of preventing the irregular administrations
of the Lord's Supper, lint that he had subsequently offered to re-
store it to Mr. Fletcher, and on his refusal to receive it back, It laid
been deposited ate hanker's.
Mr. KMI[AI.I/y, of hondon.l come fotwani at this early stage
of the business because I think it necessity to furnish infiteuratiun
with regard to IMAM points, or. which the most of this court will be
necessarily ignorant. Some members of the court may usk why no
decision 11141 'actin given by the Presbytery. With regard to this
question, Ire hail to say, that the number of enders who could
meet in the Presbytery were few, two ministers exclusive of Mr.
Fletcher, and four elder. were all that could Attend independent of
the nioderater; three of the members of court appeared to have
made up their minds en the decision which ought to be given--one
appeared undecided, and the other was attention that the husiness
should stop altogether, for, if nut, he would assure the Coto t that
the congregation of Albion Chapel would not he repreaented again,
and Mr. Fletcher instead nut make his appearance at the Synod.
The decision to which the Court must have come, involves such
important consequences, that the majority of the Presbytery voted
that the papers should be sent as they were to the Supreme tourt
for their decision, In addition to this, it may be remarked that
Mr. Fletcher did not deign to attend several meetings or Presby-
tery, though rigularly summoned so to do—when be ippeaiied his
conduct was invarialdy extravagant and oufrigeons; it was hoped
that before the Scared he would manifest a behaviour more repel.
ful and better Mud to promote the ends of justice. The next
point in which the Members of this Court may require information,
will be regarding the petitions from part of the congregaiions of
Albion end Well Street, which have been read along with the oilier
partite. 11'ith regard to these petitions I have to observe that they
come from only a part or each of these congregations; 4.aths of
the Session of Albion Chapel, and a considerable number of the
most respectable members of that congregation, are in open and
decided opposition to their minister on this subject, and this is the
portion who alone are in possession of the facts of the case. lam
credibly informed that the most unwarrantable means were had re.
course to in order to procure names. Tho same statement applies
to the petition from Well Street, Sate ml y that in Well Street, the
&mann% is more equally ihilded. The last point on which it may
be necessary to furnish information to this Court, is the state of
public feeling in London on this question, and the consequences
likely to ensue from the decision which may at this dine be given.
Ainong all persons acquainted with the subject., the strongest feel-
ings prevail against Mr. Fletcher, and I tear much if he remain
longer in the connection with our body. it till deeply injure the
cause of Presbytery and the Secession in London.
Mr. Itirce tr. wished to know, whether Mr. Fletcher was here
as a party, or not, and whether he might nut be considered as pre.
sent Ly has letter.
MI. LOTH tat said he saw no ground or excuse whatever for Mr.
Fletcher's not appearing here, if he abides by his protest and ap-
peal, and his absence showed that he had no standing in that part
of the cause. If he had sent a medical certificate of his ihability to
attend--if he had been arrested by the hand of Providence, that
would have been L sufficient reason for putting off the cause. But
under the existing circumstances, the case comes on without any
appeal, and must be decided in the absence of the ACCUSC*I, because
he was Aunt onetime-lonely and unconstitutionally.
Mr. Toon eso st, of Culdstteam, said if they allowed an indi-
vidual three or four months to prepare his defence, after the trial
hail commenced. they would do what no other Court ever did.
Mt. 11AT thought to grant Mr. Fletcher's request would appear
like a stating aside or blinking of the question. If they were to
appoint a week or two hence fur his appearingp, here, it would only
be so much time lost, for they would then only receive from him
some fresh :vindication, and perhaps on account of his weak nerves,
he would demand leave to appoint conimissioners to whom he I
might entrust his defence.
Mr. Et.Litt—air. Moderator, I think that the road is now clear
for entering on the discussion of this business. It is evidently a
complex business. but vou must take it up in the complex shape
in which yon have it ; I believe you must view the conduct of dlr.
Fletcher in several branches of it. There is-Ist, The charges rt,
leered against him by the Presbytery, on the information furnished ;
to them by the family of the young laxly. There is, 2d. The
charge against hint arising from his uneonstitutiottal and disor.
derly conduct in the Presbytery, which obliged the Presbytery to !
fist their procedure; and there is, lastly, the complaint of 'his own
session against him, for most disorderly and unconsiitutional
duet in trampling upon every thing like Presbyterian order and
church government. So far as I have been able to attend to the
business of this day. I think the case is comprehended in these
particulars. It is just the airgtaeated ease of sinful duplicity, and
dishonesty. and a departure front the most solemn obligatiens.
I There is also contemptuous conduct towards his elders. etc. by .
setting aside that influence and authority which he owes his ac.. I
' %ion ; and, upon the whale, the mincer in which he has conducted
his proceedings wake.' this a insist atigrevated ea.e. It is,
a very complex case, and you must just take it up as it stands. I
do not see how you could take it up better than ae the reterence
by itself.
Mr. Titus. ',sox, of 'ohlstream, conceived that the mtestion as
tenthe protest had fallen to the ground, and that row to be eonei.
tiered was, whether Mr. Fletcher was guilty of the charges bought ,
against him in that statement or not. If any members who heard
I hum entertained any doubt on this subjea. let them rise and give
their opinion. For his part, he hail no doubt on the marzr. It
was necessary to the existence of the Secession in L tadon, that
they should art decidedly, and come to a conclusion on this mica-
;ion. It might seem presumptuous in him to say how they should
decide it ; but if no other member proposed any measure, after all
agreed in t'te truth of the charges. he would move that they ex-
press their high disapprobation of such cenduct, and pronounce a
suitable COMM.! on the individual. %net should distinguish the
Secession from the Established Church, if it was not a mine rigid
and a stricter discipline.
Mr. Commie. of Pennyeuick—Suppose Mr. I'letclier's bre•hcr
had gone in.td, was that a Laved reason foe rooting out a well.
grounded affection ? Ile 1.3i.1 no. La belch.)
lit. Ilata. was of opinion that the charges were fully sobstan- I
I timed. and Mt satisfaction from having expressed his opinion to
that effect, in two letters which he had addressed to Mr. Fletcher,
and in which he hail urged him to make a suitable cenfeasion. In
the first instance he alwahl propose only a rebuke, and to suspend
further proceedings until Mr. Fletcher hail an opportunity of 1.. X.•
pressing his penitence. On the of the rebuke would depend
whether it would he neceoetry or not to pronounce a higher degree
of CMIACM at the next meeting of the Synod.

311 r. OTLeitOIST of 111.Inie, said, the interest of the Lyndon
Secession was connected with their decision this erentng. With
what consistency evn it Assume its high gmund as a seceding
Church. if it should be found •o cheriAh such gnus faults in its own
bosom ? f.w it would be lint:, betty than fostering the vice which it
censures, if it st.tre to visit them with so light a sentence. It was

time for' his theorem, Cart to passe, and otorider, whether she
has not relaxed her discipline, 0041 whether chi dem not gawp in
her own bosom the evil which she abjures, and Thisbe gha boo pot
admitted into her bulwarks the damp which ball sup hev Iredada.
tinns. The errors. the faults. and the vices of the Church were to
he checked Isere. If, in this Assembly. which was the standard ut
the Church, they appeared to treat such condoct ea a light aline:,
what would be the effect? Sense were fur priposneing al ordinary
rebuke, . a hinder expression of disapprobation t but he hoped
none were for dismissing the case shorfieirer. Ilion could such •
proposal be iustified ? Not solely by his kering given satisfaction
to the remiplainer in a civil action ; dot was mot satisfying the
I touch. Nor was it on the small degree of moral Ruck that such
a ticience could be rested ; for the charge implied repeated depar-
tures from the truth. In the character of a Ilmg.tried and deviled
admirer, he proetises on the unsuspecting disposition of a fellow-
ereeture. The character of the young lady was not hurt, hut her
feelings, and all those expectations and idens ell are formed in
that interesting and enxioua season of life, must have been cruelly
sported with. She receives from hint alto bad ransacked there.
gams of fancy and of feeling fur the ittot ardent expreesions of att.
miratien, a letter without any word dl' kindness or allecion, rn
which he ;toys 'she retinni be his wire yet; for it is true diat mar-
tinge is only delayed by his letter ; out then he immediately turns
round and nada, ** serer," at least, while her venerable and notch
valued father lives : such wag the import of his commuuticatiou to
the sister. The excuse assigned for this change was not the co. -
duct of the yolimg lady, but the oftrageutis conduct of his own
brother. Rut this engagement 1/.01 entered into when these ono-
rages, or similar mats, were w;11 known, and the young lady does
nut rest satisfied with this pretence. Mr she replies that she was
aware of the hrtolier's conduct, and mill °fees the solace of her at-.
feetion. When Zeprived of this excuse, arid lie neglects to atone
for his coldness, and the lady's father, oar discovering the muse of
her uneasiness, addressee a letter to him who is the cause of her at -
fiction. lie tleterininos to cut all connexion with such a (entity.
And all this proceeded from the violence of his brother ! IVhat
had the conduct of Race' to tin with thou of Alexander Fletcher?
and why was the lady to be blamed for the letter from her fader,
granting it to have been severe, though the Court would rot think
it so ? The Inconstancy was indeed without the shadow of an ex-
cuse. As to the sentence, 14 as he presumed, they would not
du -
miss the case st,,,eficitite. there were three courses open is We Toy nod :
A solemn rebuke, eitspenefon, or deposition. The first Might be
sufficient If there wit any evidence of hit being truly penitent. A 4
to his apology in the Court of King's !tench, that wits merely to
serve a present purpose, and it enabled him to escape the sweeping
damages with which he teas threatened. (In the petitions in favour
of Mr. Fletcher, lie need'unly say. &it they were irrqtelat. Alter
aasetiahling a iimmisenous audience, without the consent of 1114
session, this man harangued them fur the purpose of inducing
them to sign petition's in his favour. Ile asked if fatale justice
could he answered by merely calling Idni before the Synod, and re-
buking his conduct. Without any suepaision ? Why, he would re-
tort, to lamdon, and say, no censure had been pronounced on Ins
conduct, in the same manner as he represented his trial to have
been compromised in the Court of King's Bench. Ile thoOght the
Rev. Oentleman should be suspended until he exhibitOd an in.-
proved temper of mind.
Mr. Yuman, of Perth, Said, this question occupied the minds
of tht Secession Church, nut only in lainddit, but la Edin-
burgh, rid he triisted that it would he decided towelling to the
real facts and merits of the fame. Resting on what he knew to
be the discipline of the Church, he saw in the whole frame or
Mr. Fletcher'e correspondence, a cold. blooded Indifference to that
heart which he had first interested, and then Wounded. If he
had been a young man of 29, he could have better aecounted
for such conduct ; but this is the condect of • man and a mi-
nister of mature age—condact at since ko cruel arid so dellberou.
that I am perfectly confounded by it. A think of this kind muse
not be 'initiated. The ministers of religion were like cities set
upon hills, and what they do their people will imitate.
Rey. Mr. l%tusrux, of lilasgow—l shall not occupy notch
of your time to going over what 111/14 been 'stated. There or;
two questions before us. The Pest Is, his Mr. Yktcher been gui -
ty of an offence which deserves censure ? it appears to m,.front his own leeers. that he is guilty of a breach Of promise of
marriage, and that hie conduct has been aggravated by dupli-
city aCtee he had confealeil himself guilty. Ile has besides been
guilty of contempt of Presbyterian Order in dispensing the Lord's
Supper, In express opposition to the decision of his session. These
are the two Cille4tloll,lTof your consideration, arid when these are Jr.
tided, the only question which remains is, what censure ought to
be inflicted. I propose, with same degree Ef hesitatioo, to the
ma .y other objects which you hare in view, that you elan appoint
the Presbytery of ',melon to meet upon • day to the sporihed by
you, to ordain Mr. !':etcher to appear at the liar of the Presbytery.
and be there solemnly rebuked tar the offences of which he hest
been guilty, and upon his contumacy or refusal us listen to such
admonitions, that they ehall forthwith suspend him, and fCUII: to
this Court to inflict a higher punishment.
Rev. Mr. Mar, of Kinross, tnoVVIt, that this Court hold Mr.
Fletcher guilty. and suspend hint from his ministerial functions.
aye, and until he give us eridettee of his reoentante.
Mr. Tooateeott, of Coldstream—Would you nut specify a
time ?

lIICIIitDSON, of Freuchie—l rcund the motion of my
brother, Mr. flay. I "timid any a wittl eh two ow the evidence of
Mr. Fleteher's pilt. I tun persuaded that every person in this
Court wi'l be fully convinced that the charges that have Ertel
brought against him have been proved—the censor of which he ills
been guilty Is a crime accompanied with no smolt tppiravalellt. It
is impossible for me to give you any idea of the a tiering' of th•s
lady—though he had met lire on the highway am: robbed her. an.(
left her halt dead on the road, her feelings would not perhaps have
been so much injured, and the pun ;intent would have heels duct
by the laws of the country. Now I put it to you and any other
member to say fairly the punishmeot that should be inflicted up.'tt
him. I second the motion of Mr. llay. that Mr. Pletcha ought
to he suspended from the communion of the Church to which h •
belongs, and nut relgored till he give evidence of his repentance—
this is the slightest censure that you can inflict upon so tgregieer
a crime.

Ain FiLtariso of Went Caller—The motion that 11 *mild
submit to this Cmirt is, that Mr. Fletcher has been guilty of the
crime charged or libelled ; and that the raid Aletsnder Fletcher
be solemnly admonished anal rebuked et the bar of t'iis Meeting
In May next, and that he be regularly summon:l to appear. and
that he be suspended till that time, of until +twit time .is he disco-
ver signs of repentance fur the crimes alleged to be libelled against
him.

Mr. Loris lASI, of FAlinburgh-1 conaider this mate of para-
mount importanee. not only as it respects the conduct end charm:.
ter of a Minister of the metropolis of the empire. the son of x mnst
venerable father and mother, It nephew to a most honourable mere.
bee of this Church, and otherwise connected with the most vener-
able men and distinguished ornaments in it. I therefore feel
grieved in my mind tinit I am obliged to speak against his ion.
duct ; but in judgment we must know no man after the flesh, Kit
must consider the merits of his case. There has been a great deal
said, and well said upon this subject of censure; and such is the
complexion of the case before us, that there has not been one voice
raised against it. I believe there are from two to three hundred
members present, and I have not heanl one sun that this Minister
ought not to be censured, notwithstanding the feelings of relation.
sympathy. and acquaintance, that must exist in his favour. Such
Eft the effects produced on Vie minds, both of 31:rfs'ers and people.
by breach of promise of marriage, and the unconstitutional
conduct of which he has been guilty. .tlr. Lothian concluded by
moving that lie I suspended front his office, and from Church
fellowship, till next meeting of Synod, and that ire shall be sum.
mooed to attend said meeting, in order that he may be rebuked at
the bar of this Court, and hardier dealt with as they drill ate
cause. according to the rules of the Church.
Dr. HALL arguesd in favour of Mr. Kidston's motion.
Mr Ficastit, of Neanoway, proposed that he should be sus.
vended fur three menthe: if he is penitent, then restore him t it he
is impenitent, the n depose him.
311 t.i.. of tilasgow.—l regret that 3n. Fletcher is not
here, but he has hints •If to blame. Of the Curdy ha has in.Mred.
I will venture to !nos that there is not one more excellent or honour-
able within the whole circle of nay acquaintance. The fame of that
family is beyond the reach of enemies, and the praise of friends.
I am acquainted with the lady herself; she is endowed with a most
eteellert understanding, and possessed of as honourable a mind le
any of her sex : and if there is any thing that family have reason
to regret more than another, it is the listening to the solicitations
of Mr. Fletcher. whose conduct is entertain aggravated by his
being a Minister of the everlasting Carpel, and by the slur he has
thrown on religion, by employing scriptural language to cover Lis
unhallowed and criminal cotidue. with the garb of piety. This.
Conceive. is one of the most aggravated train, of his conduct. Ile
is also charged with the commission of acts which ought not to be
tolerated in a Presbyterian Church t that is, of dispensing the
liaceameat in the fare of repeated decisions of a majutity of his
session, to the nu...trail annoyance of Christian feeling. Ile has
also added to the disgrace of this nciinn by taking a Minister of
another connexion to assist in :he perfontiatice of it. Wiles I con.
eider all these e ircunus:ances. nod tha! the order and discipline of the
Church ought not to he relaxed. anti considering the peculiar local
situation (lour Society in London. I en of opinion that suspension
ought to be the pumsaintent inflicted ; bat I harlot the propriety it
extending it to next meeting, and feel eiepoatel to agree that Mr.
Fletcher be suspended, by authority .f this Court: aye, and until
he appear before the Presbytery of London, and make satisfaction
for his past cot:fires, and rewire to art a urn wonity pest in future;
and in the meantime, I hope the wisdom of this Court will provide
some supply tire die eaigencies of this congregation.

'fr. lion•Linintr, of Dundee.—Were we to comply with this
motion, and say that we Impend 31t. Fletcher omit he satisfies the
Presbytery. we would lust be sending the matter back to them to
grapple with the difficulties a Inch they implore us to decide. My
opinion is, tint he be suspended now, had at all events. that thit
suspension continue till next meeting.

Mr. Biowm. of 1141kcith.-1 sce no reason why we should not
remit m the Presbytery of London to execute the suspension ; I beg
to call the attention of the Court to this fact. You are per.
haps not .ware of the danger that will follow if you Frocerel waft
extreme rigour. I think, at pres:nt the best way s, that the Pres-
bytery of London should h• assisted by tire or is members from
this Court. Ido not kit is requisi eto push the matter too far,
and considering the confessions Mr. Fletcher has already made.
think three months' suspension is quite sulkient, and then we
might consider Cie matter wi:h the report of Pr.sbytery ut Leaden:
before us.

31r. rstonsox, of l'oldstream. What I w:tuld propene sou
should do is, to suspend him tn..) of three titonths-1 °said say
two inonths—and I t hint then appear before • Committee spe:ially
appointed for the purpose or a meeting of the Senate called ail
'bow .-licePoie. and thrat.if he has anythicg to say in psiiis:••
of his irulLet, let hi:n do so, tr. appeal there wilt