The Sun.
London, England, 1825-05-24 00:00:00

EDINBURGH, MAY 21.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF .THE, CHURCH OF
- *SCOTLAND.
The General Assembly of the Church of Scot-
land commenced its sittings on Thursday. About a quarter
past eleven, the 72d regiment marched from the Castle, and
lined the streets and entrance to Hunter Square, where his
Grace holds his Levee; and at the same time, the' 6th
dragoon guards, under the Command of Major Ruttlidge, lined
the High-street, from the Tron Church to St. Giles'. Soon after,
Lord Forums, his Majesty's Commissioner, arrived at the
rooms in Hunter Square, escorted in his state carriage by a guard
of the dragoons. Ills Grace was dressed in the full uniform
Of a Lieutenant-General, and • looked uncommonly well.
He proceeded shortly afterwards to hold • his Levee, which
was numerously attended. Among the Noblemen, Gentlemen,
Officers, and Clergy present, we observed the following :
The Right Hon. the Lord Provost and Magistrates ; Lord
Robert Kerr, Lord Blantyre, Right Hon. Sir John Sinclair, Sir
M. S. Stewart, Sir Wm. Forbes, and Sir John Hay, Barts :
Lord Chief Commissioner ; Lord Chief Baron; Barons Clerk
Rattray, and Sir-P. Murray; Sir Henry Jardine, King's Re-
membrancer ; Sir John Connel, Procurator for the Church ;
the Moderator; Rev. Principals Nicoll and M'Farlan ; Rev.
Drs. Inglis Grant, Brunton, .Lee, Singer, and Bryce, and a
number of other Clergymen ; the Solicitor-General ; Mr. She-
riff Duff; Generals Scott, Campbell, . and Duff ; Admired:
Fraser ; Governor Main Commissioners Sir John Mortlock and
Ferrier • Lieut.-Colonel Thackeray, R. E. ; Lieut.-Colonel
WildtriWo,,.isiu Pipe% antkother-- officers of the oth Dra;
goon Guards ; Major NVilsorrand a number of the officers of
the 72d Regiment ; Captains Spiers, Duff, Hay, Hope John-
ston, and Deans, of the Royal Navy ;—Lieut.-Colonel Sir R.
Moubray (Fifeshire Yeomanry) Majors Pringle, Brownlow,
Al'Donald, M'Gregor, Brook and Sinclair ; Captain Chalmer
and other officers of the Royal Artillery ; ,Lieut.• Nunn, N. B.
Staff; Mr. Trotter of Dreghorn, Mr. M'Leod of Harris, Mr.
Abercromby of Birkenbog, Dr. Stewart; Dr. Rogers, Mr. Den-
niston' Mr. Brown, Mr. Murray, Mn-Sinclair, Mr. Bell, Mr.
Paul, Mr. Hope Johnston, Mr. Hay, Mr. Howison Crawford,
Mr. Stewart, Mr. Wishart, surgeon, Mr. Gordon, Alr. Gre-
gory, &c. &c.—At twelve o'clock his Grace walked is pro-
cession to the High Church, accompanied by all the persons
above mentioned. Lord Robert Kerr was - on his Grace's
. right, and Lord Blantyre on his left. • The day being fine,
'the spectators were very - numerous ; the windows in the
line of the procession, and the roof of the front of the
Royal Exchange, were filled by well dressed persons.—
Thoßev. Dr. Duncan of Ratho, the Moderator, preached an
impressive sermon from John viii. 12, " I am the light of the
world." After divine service the Moderator and Members of
Assembly proceeded to the Aisle, where the Lord High Com-
missioner soon after entered, and-took his seat on the throne.
The Assembly having been constituted by prayer, the roll of
Meinbers was read over.
Dr. DUNCAN then rose and stated, that the next thing the
Assembly had to do was to make choice of one of their number
do supply his place in the Moderator's chair. He then pro-
posed that Dr. George Cook, minister of Laurencekirk, should
be appointed to that office. In naming that gentleman, Dr.
Duncan expressed his persuasion that he had. named one who
would be most acceptable to the General Assembly, and would
meet with their unanimous support. Dr. Cook, he observed,
had been long distinguished in the republic of letters by his
theological-writings, and by his labours in the high department
of history. His History of the Reformation of Religion in
Scotland, and his History of the Church of Scotland, did great
credit to himself, and reflected honour upon the church of which
he was a member. And the large share which Dr. Cook had
often taken in the proceedings and debates of the. Assembly,
and his acquaintance with the constituation, the laws, and the
practice of she Church, afforded every reason to believe that he
would discharge the duties of the Moderator with great-ability;
and from what he knew of Dr. Cook's principles and character,
he was confident he would discharge them with impartiality.
Principal NICOLL observed, that Dr. Cook was so well
known, it would be useless in him to say a word. He begged
simply to second the motion of the Moderator. The motion
was unanimously agreed to.
Dr. Cook was then called in, and the Moderator intimated
to him that the. Assembly had appointed him to fill the chair,
the duties of which, he was confident, he would perform with
credit to himself and the Assembly. His Majesty's Commis-
sion appointing Lord Forbes his representative, was presented
by his (trace, aad read by Dr. Duncan with all due respect.—
His Majesty's
,gracious letter to the Assembly was then read.
It was, as nearly as we could gather, to the following purport :
That the constant proofs his Majesty had annually received of
their affectionate loyalty to his person and Government, and of
.their unremitting zeal in the great cause of religion, had pro-
duced in his Majesty's mind the most entire confidence .that
they would persevere in the same course of piety and loyalty.—
It was, therefore, with unqualified satisfaction, that his Ma-
jesty renewed. the assurance of his unalterable determine-
don to uphold the Presbyterian Church of Scotland in the
full enjoyment of all its rights and privileges, and to counte-
nance the General Assemblies of that Church with the same
favour and authority which they had ever enjoyed. His Ma-
jesty was convinced that they would bring to this present
Assembly; an ardent and sincere desire for the advancement of
true religion and pure morality, and would direct all their
counsels to the general good of that part of his Majesty's Em-
pire which was committed to their pastoral care ; and that their
zeal for these laudable purposes would be tempered with the
candour and moderation calculated to insure the success of
their endeavours, towards which end they might rely on his
majesty's firm and hearty co-operation. The message further
stated that his Majesty having understood that in some parts
of Scotland there was a great deticiency of accommodation for
his good and religiously disposed subjects, he should recom-
mend that subject
ybjbeetttheeitrhedeelageyraatte wisdom,tentionofa Parliament;
d b
wnaoutlhinge
icallruoitieng tha
d fbr so serious an evil. After stating that his Majesty
'having eeperienaztil,pniindoetnhceerabfra.Lnacrhdesroorfbhesis, service, fide-
lity,jethateyhadhis representative to the Assembly, the letter
apwnmpolisifiunrdtorue:rilaelejniseistllhdree usual manner.
Zit_ then addreette4 the Assem.
bly. • His Majesty having been pleased to confer on him the

high honour of representing him in this_ venerable ,Assembly,
he had to congratulate them on the present state ofpublic affairs,
and the tranquillity and good order which existed in all parts
of the kingdom, and the happiness enjoyed throughout the
country ; in no portion of which, he trusted, were these bles-
sings more apparent than among the inhabitants of this our na-
tive country. It gave him the highest satisfaction to convey
to the. Assembly the expression of his Majesty's •sense of their
zeal in his service, and their determination to preserve the Pres-
byterian form of Church Government, and it was not the least
gratifying part of his duty to acquaint them that his Majesty
had been graciously pleased to place at their disposal the sum
of 2,0001., for the purpose of being employed in propagating
Christian knowledge in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland,
for which sum he now presented the Royal warrant. In open-
ing the proceedings of this Assembly, which he had no doubt
would be conducted with that propriety for which the proceed-
ings •of the Assembly of the Church had hitherto been diStin.
guished, if he could flatter himself that, in course of these pro-
ceedings, any-suggestion of his could be of use to them, it
.should not be withheld. But he mast recollect that lie was
'speaking to an Assembly composed. of nten eminent for their
learning a and talents, to whom such proposition-might justly
appear presuming. Ile had only farther to assure them, that
in all respects he should do everything in his power to promote
their convenience in this Assembly.

Dr. COOK then addressed his Grace as follows—" May it
please your Grace,—We have heard, with every sentiment of
respect and of grAiturie, the 'assurance which your Grace has-
a-new conveyed to us, of his Majesty's gradous determination
to maintain inviolate the Church of Scotland, as by law esta-
blished. It shall be our earnest endeavour to. persevere in the
conduct which has happily acquired for us the approbation and
the favour of our venerated Sovereign, and, more particularly,
by superintending education, and labouring to disseminate the
influence of our holy religion, to strengthen the virtue, and to-
confirm the loyalty of his people.—We consider as a most
gratifying proof of his Majesty's attention, the nomination of
your Grace to represent his Royal person in this General As-
sembly. Descended from one of the most ancient of our Noble
families, attached to the land of our fathers, the gallant de-
fender•in the season of danger, of all which, as Britons, is dear
to us, and by the exemplary tenor of private life, reflecting
lustre on hereditary rank, we repose in your Grace implicit con-
fidence, we offer the expression of our profound respect, and we
resrin the full assurance that, whilst we strive to treat the impor-
tant matters to which Our attention may be directed, with the
ierriper, impartiality,an d Christian spirit whichhave characterised
the procealings of former General Assemblies, we shall be counte-
named and assisted by your Grace is the wise and in the consci-
entious discharge of our public duties. We join with your
Grace in viewing With unmingled satisfaction, and with the
strongest sense of the goodness of the 'Almighty, the present
unexampled prosperity of our beloved Country, and the tran.
quillity, godd order, and consequent happiness of all classes of
the community; evincing, we trust, in the most delightful
manner to the inhabitants of this highly. favoured Wand, how
eminently' we are blessed in that admirable form of Govern-
ment under which so great a degree of public felicity has. been
attained. We receive with becoming thankfulness the munifi-
cent donation of our Sovereign for promoting Christian Know-
ledge, and the principles of the reformed religion in the jligh•
lands and Islands ofScotland, an object which has long been
regarded by us with deep interest, and the vast importance of
which every additional inquiry more strikingly illustrated.'..'
A letter was read from Dr. Macknight, the sub-clerk of As-
sembly, stating his continued inability to attend to the business
of the Assembly, and requesting that the Rev. Mr. Simpson,
of Kirknewton, may still be allowed Meet for him. An instance
was cited, in Which the Assembly had formerly extended the
same indulgence to one of its servants. • .
Dr. Fo RIMS said, he sincerely regretted the continued indis_
position of the Reverend 'Doctor, who had so long acted.as the
sub-clerk of this Assembly ; but lie must, at the same time,.
express his surprise at the contents of the letter, which had just
been read. Ile had hoped, that, on considering the delicacy of
the case, the Reverend Doctor's own feelings would have
prompted his declining to be brought into this situation,, and
he (Dr. Forbes) was convinced, that the Reverend octor
would not have persevered in this request, it lie had been aware
of the objections, that were -entertained against it last year.
Every one must feel, that, if this gentleman should .becalled
on, year after year, to act gratuitously, as the substitute of
Dr. Macknight, he would acquire some claith to be brought
forward as his successor, at seine future period, when the
Reverend Doctor might resign. It certainly had this aPpear-
ance_; and, after this gentleman had done the business of Dr.
Machnight for a series of years, how would that Assembly be
able to withstand his claim to the reversion of this office ?
(Hear, hear !)—Re (Dr. Forbes) had expected, that the Re-
verend Doctor (Macknight), on making this request would
at least have allowed them the alternative of either appoint-
ing Mr. Simpson, or any other gentleman, whoin the Assembly
might deem more fit for the office. The gentleman whom he
(Dr. Forbes) would have proposed to fill this situation, if it
had been vacant, was Dr. Lee--( Hear, hear !)—a gentleman
who had paid great attention to the literature of the Church,
and, he would add, that a gentleman, who had paid so much
attention and devoted so 'much time to the preservation of church
literature, ought to have the countenance of the church. Very

_ ...
little opportunity occurred for the church to testify its gratitude.
to those, who distinguish themselves in, its service, and, 'there-
fore, he thought, they ought. tole the more particular in avail-
ing themselves of one, wheneirer it did occur, He had ascer-
tathed of Dr. Lee his perfect willingness to perform the duties
of the office gratuitously for Dr. Macknight, Se.beg as he may
be required to do so, and, therefore, be thotighi; that no objec-
tion could be suggested to this gentleman, and that, 'frym his
long experience in examining church records, from his; great
merit, and from some other circumstances, whiclfhe'could men-
tion, Dr. Lee ought • to be appointed to the office.' , He had a
great respect for Dr. Macknight ; but he did not think, that he
would have persevered in his request, if he could have foreseen
the unpleasant discussion, to which it gave rise ; neither. did
! he thitik, that the Assembly would be justified in a second time
' acceding to that request. The reverend Doctor concluded by
moving, that Dr. Lee be requested to act as sub-clerk, daring
the unavoidable and regretted absence of Dr. Illacknight.
Dr. A. THODISON seconded the motion:
Lord MEAnownAwx rose to rupport the original motion.;
but, in doing so, must, as an individual, disclaim any inten-
tion of reserving the succession to the office in favour of the in-
dividual who might, during the absence of Dr. Macknight, be
called on to perform its duties. He (Lord Aleadowbank)
thought the Rev. Gentlemen (the mover and seconder of this
amendment) were exactly going to get into the, situation which
they wished the Asiembly to avoid, for they wanted to carry
the sense of the Assemby in favour of Dr. Lee, under the im-
pression that they would be obliged to nominate him as the suc-
cessor to I)r. Macknight, whenever the latter Rev. Doctor
should retire frem the office.—(hear, hear !)—To vote for I)r.
Lee upon this understanding, they would be pledging them-
selves to support that Rev. Doctor at some future time, when
the situation should become vacant bu`,e by acceding to the
request of Dr. Macknight,,they would be pledging themselves
to nothing, but merely . conferring a personal favour on Dr.
Macknight, whom he thought entitled to this incluigence, un-
der the circumstances of the case. To vote for Dr. Lee now,
would be to give hint a sure pledge, that uillenahe did something
very flagrant and improper, he would be' the successor of Dr.
Macknight. He (Lord Meitlowbank) should give his vote
under that impression. Dr. Macknight could not have acted
in any other way than lie had clone; if lie was unable to et-
tend, and still desirone of retaining the situation, lie was bound,
to name some friend who would gratuitously perform the du-
ties for him. This was his Lordship's feeling; and wishing to
commit the Assembly to nothing, and thinking it would be
most unfair to oppose the arrangements of a faithful servant of
the Church, while he bad not the means of performing his duty
in person—it was solely on that ground that he gave his sup-
port to Dr. Macknight. -
Principal NICOLL felt that, by his personal solicitation, lie
resume his duties in the
occasion,hi under the hope
thata p
had prevented this motion from being made last year, by pre-
vailing on his Reverend Friend, Dr. Lee, not to permit his
mupon nthtao un
that
present Assembly ;
.but being disappointed in that expectation,
e tro,
a broughteknightforwardwoulwould
b te l
ablehe now, felt pledged to give the motion his 3uPPorc—(Henr !)
He did not think it. propor to oppose the request of the Reve-
rend Doctor in the fiTAI year, and lie was glad that Dr. Lee
had acted as he. had done on . that occasion, and, he (Dr.
Nicoll) was confident that the Reverend Doctor (Lee) had for-
feited no pareof the esteem and favour of the Church by so doing.
He regretted that, if !Jr., Lee had been inclined to act gratin t_
(tinily for Dr. Mackme tilt he shot ive withheld his services,
Doctor fir
at the time when that Reverend stood in
need
of
them, and when he applied to him, ferlis valuable assistance:
however, now that he had come forward, lie should give him
his cordialaupport, ..He who !could never
muster nerve enough to set aside..ii man who had gratuitously

done the duties of this house • and therefore, with all iss-
spect to the Learned Judge who bad just spoken, he thought
the house would be in some measure pledged to nominate, as
the-successor to Dr. M'Knight, any person who should be
permitted to perform his dudes gratuitously for any length of
time. He had no disrespect for Dr. Macknight; on the con-
trary, he had always acted with !dm on the most brotherly
terms in that house it would not be disrespectful to Dr. Mack.
night, for that Rev. Doctor had shown that he had confidence in
the ability of Dr. Lee, because he was the very man he had ap-
plied to at the first. Neither did he entertain any disrespect for
Mr. Simpson. That Rev. Gentleman, with whom he was not
personally acquainted, would not be offended with him (Dr.
Nicoll) for giving his vote to a personal friend whom he loved
and respected. Be was intimately acquainted with Dr. Lee,
and he thought no man was better qualified to discharge die
duties of the office. On these accounts. tied without gividg of-
fence to any man, lie should vote for Dr. Lee, considering that
it was their duty to support that individual on the present oc-
casion, by which means lie would acquire an introduction to the
favour of the house.
Principal 3PFAit LANE, in the disagreeable situation of hav-
ing to make a choice btitween two (;entlenien, both of-whom-ha
considered well qualified for the office, was desirous of stating ,
the ground of his vote. He felt that, by voting for Mr.
aiinp-
son, he should be giving no pledge of support to him for any
future period when the office should become really vacant ; but
with the respect he entertained for Dr. Macknight, tae did hot
say .that he possessed the nerve at present to contradict his
wishes. -
Mr. DUNCAN M‘NEri.x. wished to explain the grounds of
his vote. Dr. Nicoll had given two reasons for voting in favour
of Dr. Lee; one was, conceiving both candidates to be suffi-
ciently qualified, he gave die palm to his personal friend ; and
the other reason was, because he wished to obtain for Dr. Lee
a favourable introduction to the Church. Now, it was because
he (11r. would not give a prospective vote for any
candidate, that he should vote for Mr. Simpson in compliance
with the request of Dr. Macknight. This he thought to be the
fair impartial course, which it was his main reason for adopt-
ing it. Add to this his personal friendship for Mr. Simpson
to which the house would attach as much weight as it thought
proper.
Principal NIcoLL explained, that lie voted-for Dr. Lee to
give him a fair footing and a favourable introduction similar to
what Mr. Simpson already enjoyed.—(Hear !)
Dr. DAVID RITCHIE had not the least doubt, that the in-
tention of both parties was, that their favourite candidate should
acouirea kind of claim to the office, by being appointed to of.
ficiate for Dr. Macknight. On the same ground, he should vote
for Dr. Lee.—(Hear !)
A MEMBER disclaimed all connexion with party, and pro-
fessed to act from a different view of the question from that
which had been so candidly avowed by the Rev. Doctor.
Lord MEADOWBANx also protested against the Reverend
Doctor being considered as his spokesman,. as lie should vote
from a different motive from that which had been ascribed to
the parties, which had been alluded to.
JAMES WALictn, Esq., said he also wished to state the
grounds of his vote, and he believed he should act as impar-
tially as any man. If the House thought it was time to call
upon Dr. Macknight to resign his situation, let it do so in a
direct and manly form ; they would then be at liberty to enter
fully upon the merits of a successor. What, lie would ask,
was the language of, those who came forward to support Dr.
Lee? He contended, that it was only not a direct avowal that`
it was time for Dr. Macknight to retire,—it was at least an an-
ticipation of that event.
Mr. WHIG max also explained the views with Which he re-
garded
the question. - If he were called Upon to vote either for
Dr. Lee or Mr. Simpson, he believed he could vote for neither
after what had been said ; because he should feel that, by
'electing either candidate, the house would . stand pledged to
support the successful candidate whenever the future opening
should occur, He therefore suggested the propriety of leaving
it to the Chair to appoint a Sub-clerk, during the indisposition
of Dr. Macknight.—(No, no—Vote.)
Mr. PAUL felt greatly relieved by what had been stated by
the Rev. Doctor (Principal Nicoll.) For Mr. Simpson he en-
tertained great friendship ; lint; 'finding that an infereree would
be drawn from the circumstance of his acting for Dr. Mac.,
knight, he thought it was but fair to put Dr. Lee upon an
equal footing in that respect.—(flear !)
Mr. WALTZR Coox certainly felt, as his friend Dr. Lee
had been mentioned in this House, that he could not help
giving him his vote. He was not- personally acquainted with
Mr. Simpson ; but he had discharged the duties of his office
last year in a manner that had given him a good title to the
support of his friends. But when Dr. Lee's name was men-
tioned in competition with his, he (Mr. Cook) felt that he
would not be giving his vote merely on the ground of personal
friendship, if he were to give his suffrage to Dr. Lee; for lie
knew that Reverend Doctor to .have laboured indefatigably in
collating the church records, and he recollected to hare heard
his services-several times acknowledged with the thanks of that
house.

Dr. ANDREW Timama:sr said, some of the gentlemen on
the other side had given their vote for Air. Simpson, as being
equally well qualified for the office, but he would vote for Dr-.
Lee, because he knew him to be a great deal better qualified
than 'Mr. Simpson, In doing this, he did not pledge hitriself
to vote for the ultimate appointment of Dr. Lee, if any 'person -
better qualified should appear. But then they were called on
to appoint Mr. Simpson out of delicacy to the feelings-of Dr.
Alacknight ; that was very well the first time, but that very
circumstance most undoubtedly called on them to look- about
them, antlitee'if any one better qualified could be found. They
were nOt'there'tO consult the feelings of Dr. Macknight, or of
any indiiintial ; they were there to perform a public duty, and
he (Dr. T.)`iiould perform his boldly:and fearlessly. He could
not believe, notwithstanding what was disclaimed on the-other
side, that it was intended that the present appointment should
confer no claim on the Assembly. A person comes for-
ward and holds himself out as performing their duties year
after year, and they did not know how many years this
was to last, and would any one say that such a person
had not established a claim to the office ? If they did not ap-
point hips, and put another in his place whom they had before"
v
in their power to elect, they not only reflected on the indi-
vidual they superseded, but they also reflected on themselves
for putting out one whom they had allowed to do their duty so
many years—in fact they could not oust hint from the situation.
After a few words from Mr. FLEMING of Neilston, the vote
was put, when there appeared for. Dr. Lee 112—for Mr.
Situp-
son 54—Majority for Dr. Lee bB. Dr. Lee was then called in,
and after the oath of office was administered to him, took his
place at the table.
. The usual Committees to examine Commissions, &c. were
then appointed.
Dr. lin unTox reported verbally from the • Committee ap-
pointed last year to endeavour to procure better acconimodation
for the meetings of the Assembly • their first object was to in-
quire whether any better accommodation could be provided an-
der the roof of the preseritbuilding, of this there was little chance
while it remained as it now was; but a bill is at present before
Parliament which provides that very material alterations shall
be made on St. Giles' Church, and when these alterations do
take place, there will be ample accommodation for this As-
sembly. The Lord Provost lied said, that as far as r,2garded
him,. every thing ,should be done ; and the' architect had in-
formed thern.that the plans would not be proceetiod with until
a ca„,i,,,,limtion was made to this Assembly or its Commis-
sion. The Committee recommended that the former regula-
Tnomsox said, it was too mduureihngtbleasetayseearto,
tions. for maintaining good order in this Court .should be strictly
Fbnliya.dea,nadn'd the consequence
ere than. they were forgotten.
sttahnecepsetrhsenysw
enpforzexl-ND
RE
w.
onlyished
mwaa sk et
thwaot verbaltiwritten
w e reportsr
reports
inwot
rots
sosooner
thehnne
had been
Assembly,
ey
He wished the substance of reports to be, in all cases
:embodied
making
them
com-
municate.
ifnrowmristitangtingwia)incyh andetelditinoontalpciervcuenmt
Dr. BRITNTON thought it better, in the present instance, to
make a verbal report,: because the Committee, he presumed
would he re-appointed.
Dr. Too mso24 explained that his remarks were not intend-
ed to bear on this particular case.,
The Committee was re-appointed, and the proceedings of the
Assembly were closed' who the usual solemnity. -

afotltlwowoinog'cloteekrillemen were ap-
pointed the Commissioner; viz: the
.
in the forenoon. of to-morrow,
After prayers
in the afternoon ;
the Rev. Henry Grey of St Mary's, Edinburgh, in the fore-.
noun of to-morrow week, and• the Rev. Richard- Nitipon a
Aliddlebie, in the afternoon. The Assembly then, adjourned
apaßnnorvldidn''ettsieoginierhilte:lioevnrapolYar.u:Gttaiiii‘nrheeoleirgAzibboueefrCoißnreealbigsvhilierattraGhoeraef: .Kilwinn ins,
till this day, at 12 o'clock noon.