The Sun.
London, England, 1825-09-29 00:00:00

MONUMENT TO JOHN KNOX.

On Thursday last the foundation stone of a
Monument to be erected to the memory of Joule Rzrox, in the
Merchants' Park, Glasgow,, in view of the Cathedral, was laid
by the Rev. Professor Mac Gill, with the solemnities. At half-
past 12 o'clock the Committee of Management and a number
of the subscribers met in the Trades' Hall, whence they went
in procession to St. George's Church, where a sermon was
preached by the Rev. Dr. Chalmers, from Jeremiah, chap. vi.
verse 16, " Thus saith the Lord, stand ye in the ways and see,
and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk
therein, and you shall find rest for your souls."
After divine service, the Committee and upwards of 300 of
the subscribers walked in procession from the church to the
-Merchants' Park. On the arrival of the procession at the site of
the Monument, the Committee and Master-masons, &c. as-
cended a platform prepared for thetti, and as soon as the sub-
scribers had occupied the places assigned them, silence was pro-
claimed, when the Rev. Dr. Burns, 3linister of the Barony
parish, offered up a suitable and highly impressive prayer. At
the conclusion of the prayer, Mr. Rodger deposited a glass
bottle, hermetrically sealed, containing specimens of the•gold,
silver, and copper coins of the present reign, and another glass
bottle, containhlg six Glasgow newspapers, viz.--journal,
Herald, Courier, Chronicle, Free Press, and Scots 'Times ;
a Scotch Alrnanack,-and a Glasgow Directory.
The following extracts from Cleland's Annals and Statistical
Tables of Glasgow were also enclosed in the bottle :
" Population Tables for Glasgow progressive, from the days
of Knox to the present time. Periodical division of the city
into parishes, from the year '1592, when it was formed into
two, till the year 1820, when it was divided into ten parishes.
A list of the names of all the parochial Presbyterian. clergy-
men who have been settled in Glasgow, from the Reforma-
tion to the present time, with dates of induction. An outline
of the famous General Assembly which was held in the Cathe-
dral of Glasgow on the 21st November, 1638, (the Marquis of
Hamilton Lord High Commissioner.) This Assembly, which
•was attended by the greater part of the Nobility and influential
persons in Scotland. decreed the abjuration of Episcopacy, the
abolition of the High Commission, the deposition of the Arch-
bishops and Bishops, the. approval of the Covenant, and the
rendering of churchmen incapable of sitting .in Parliament.'—
Also an extract of the declinature and protestation by the Dig-
nitaries of the Church of scotland. This notable document
was signed by the Archbishops of St. Andrew's and Glasgow;
and by the Bishops of Edinburgh, Galloway, Ross, and Bre-
.chin. A paper was also deposited, giving a view of" the com-
parative state of society in Glasgow at various times. from the
Reformation to the present time; together with certain excerpts
from M`Crie's Life of Knox; and a list of the subscribers to
the monument."
Mr. Cleland then read the inscription on a metal plate, -as
follows :
To testify Gratitude•for inestimable Services
In the Cause of Religion, Education, and Civil Liberty.
Ts awaken Admiration
Of that integrity, Disinterestedness, and Courage,
Whiclestooti unshaken in the midst of Trials,
And in the Maintenance of the highest objects.
Finally,
To Cherish unceasing Reverence for the Principles and
Blessings of that Great Reformation,
By the influence of which our Country, through the
Midst of Difficulties,
Has risen to Honour, Prosperity; and .Happiness.
This Monuthent is Erected by Voluntary Contribution,
To the Alemory of
JOHN KNOX ;
The Chief Instrument, under God,
Of the Reformation of Scotland.

By the Favour of Almighty. Gad,
The Foundation Stone was laid by
•
Stevenson Mac Gill, D.D.
Professor of Theology in the University of Glasgow,
On the 22d day of September, MDCCCXXV.
And Sixth year of the Reign of our Most Gracious 'Sovereign
George the Fourth,
In the. Presence of the Committee of. Management, viz..
(Here follow the names.)
The plate having been deposited over the bottles, and • the
dperatives and master masons having completed their part
of the ceremony, the Rev. Professor Mac Gill laid the foun-
dation-stone. After which the surrounding crowd gave three
cheers:
• Dr. MAcGz.r.r. having advanced to a table in front.of
and
the
platform, addressed the subscribers rtt considerable. length,
with much ability, in 'commendation Of the design of the monu-
ment, and the blessings which had accrued to the nation since
the Reformation.
The ceremony was followed by a dinner in the Black Bull,
H. Monteith, Esq., M.P., in the chair, and James Erring E , sq.,
croupier.