The Sun.
London, England, 1823-07-11 00:00:00

PRESBYTERY OF GLASGOW.

At an Ordinary Meeting of the Presbytery, held on 'Wed-
nesday se'rinight, after some routine business of minor import-
ance, Mr. (humor moved, that Principal M'FtRLANE be
inducted in the High Church in the usual form.
Dr. Bunxs rose and stated, that he had the very highest re-
spect for the worthy Principal, but he had on a former occasion
conscientiously found it to be consistent with his duty to move
that the presentation lie on the table for deliberation; and the
more he considered the matter, he was the more deeply impress.
ed with its paramount importance. He wished it to be parti-
cularly understood, that he did not by any means call in ques-
tion the right of the Crown to make this presentation, and he was
not in the lean actuated by personal motives. He acknowledg-
ed and admired the great talents and perseverance of Dr. M'Far-
lane, and would frankly acknowledge that his promptitude and
activity were such that he might do as much business as four
like him could do ; nay, be might do as much as ten like
him could accomplish ; but still Dr. M'Farlane . would find
the important duties of the two offices far beyond what even
he could perforin. The Principal of the College is a member
of the Presbytery; the Minister of the High Church is also a
member of the Presbytery,
.and by confirming the presenta-
tion and uniting the two offices in one person, the Presbytery
is deprived of a member, which is,a great loss, for a high au-
thority has declared that " in the multitude of counsellors
there is safety." He decidedly disapproved of a person hold.
ing a civil charge, while he had an ecclesiastical office. He
concluded with stating, however great the talents of the Prin-
cipal might be, they should take more time to deliberate before
they Inducted him to the High Church.
Dr. TAYLOR said, great as his esteem was for his Reverend
Brother who had just spoken, he entirely differed from hhn on
this subject. Among the reasons he had given, he saw none
sufficient to induce them to delay the steps necessary for ad.
mitting Dr. M'Farlane into' the High Church. He was greatly
disappointed when they did not proceed last day, and he
trusted that, these cavils, it they might be so called, would
have no weight on the good sense of the Presbytery ; but they
would instantly receive this able man, this' stranger, with open
arms, and induct him into the High Church. He considered
this double charge quite agreeable to the law of Scotland, and
it existed in a variety of places,. in St. Andrew's' and Edin-
burgh, for instance. There was much trouble in a dia..
charge of the duties of a minister ; but the office of Principle
had very little trouble—it is a mere sinecure--a matter
of amusement to a person who has other duties to dis-
charge. They all knew with what fidelity the late Principal
had discharged his pastoral duties. When people have much
to do they become active and attentive ; but when they have
' little to do they torn slothful and careless. He would go out
of the Church and instance Lord Karnes as a proof; he would
I
come back to the Church and instance Principal Robertson.
He trusted the Presbytery would on the present occasion do
their duty with their usual justice,•liindness, and urbanity, and
delay no lOnger to induct the worthy Principal into the High',
Church.
Dr. RANKINE said, they lied a presentation on their table
against which there was no objection from the lieritors, magis--
trates, or frOm any quarter, anti why should it be longer on the
table ? The law is, that pluralities may exist within boroughs.
Glasgow might indeed be properly excepted, as tire Professors
had all good livings fully adequate for their maintenance. But
seeing there is a law, and that the gentleman had not thought
proper to decline one of the offices, he would re6ammend that
the Presbytery delay no longer, but proceed forthwith to the
settlement of the minister.
Professor M‘GliL next rose, and, In an able speech, ob-
served that the present subject of discussion was one of the
highest importance to Religion, to the University, and to the
Church of Scotland. 'When he saw a parish of great extent—a
parish in which provision,- far above what was usual in other
parishes*, was-made for the support of the Pastor i. when he saw
duties which could hardly be discharged by two men laid upon
one ; when he, as a ntemberof that Presbytery; was called upon
to give effect to a measure at once fraught with consequences
hurtful and dangerous, it would be Contrary to' his principles,
and the labours of his past.life, if he ware to attituesce or sit
silent, while he firmly believed that the Presbytery have the
' power to prevent the evil, and by their decision gave a tone to
the Church of Scotland so as to prevent Its repetition. The
duties of public men were frequently not only disagreea-
ble, but painfhl ; but were they not to proceed on that ac-
r count ? It is their duty to go forward and leave the event to
an all-wise Providence. Pluralities arc evidently contrary to
the whole law and statutes of the Church of Scotland. In the
progress °Peva, country livings cone to be joined to Professor-
ships, and some noble-minded men arose, who honourably
and boldly brought' thb'lliatter before the General Assembly ;
they were unsuccessful in their first attempt ; they were
ordered to fix on some particularly strong case ; they did so,
they were unsuccessful again ; but their discussion excited
general interest, aroused the attention of the people, and even-
tually produced that act to which Dr. Rankine has Abided, and
of which, in my opinion, he has given a very erroneous ex-
planation. For it does not declare what particular cases are
compatible, and what are incompatible, but leaves every
particular case to be exclusively argued on its own parti-
cular merits. Here the Professor read the various clauses of the
Act in question which bore on the point at issue. The plurali-
ties at Edinburghl had been mentioned, but if there is a scarcity
of funds in that city, ft would be much better that money
sufficient were raised by the people, than that the funds rais-
ed for ecclesiastical purposes should be seized, and applied
to the aggrandizement of a Professor. The important dunes of
a Minister arehis
attention, and diligence, are necessary in the important de.
talents, and allant 1114 energiesy sufficientof u
his occupysoul Lookhisw
whatholc cline,
exertion,
' pertinent of public instruction, that they be enabled to ad-
monish the young and encourage them in the ways of well-
doing : Look to the no less important duties of visiting,
catechising, instructing, and comthrting the sick, and pour.
ing consolation and hope into the minds of the dying. And
arc those important duties to be neglected or omitted for the
sake of more secular concerns? They had been told that the
office of Principal was a sinecure,—nay, it had been said it
was a mere matter or amusement. Here the Reverend
Doctor read the duties of the Principal as they were lain
down in the charter. It had been said that those who opposed
the present presentation were actuated by adisposition to oppose
the wish of the Crown ; and here, continued the Professor, in
a strain of'
great eloquence and animation, I would at once ap-
peal to the history of my past life, and confidently ask it' ever
I have been considered a factious person, or ever in the least
stood opposed to the intentions of his Majesty's Government.—
But is it to be supposed that I shall on any account tamely
forego my right as a British subject—as 4 free-born man, to
declare my mind on an important question ? and I am firmly
persuaded that his Majesty's Ministers will think nothing the
less of those who do not silently acquiesce with them in every
measure. After some farther observations, he concluded by
reading a motion framed by Dr. Burns, the purport and object
of which was, that taking into consideration Dr. M'Farlane's
presentation laid before them, they were of opinion, that to in-
duct him into the Iligh Church would deeply injure the inte-
rests of both, the College and the Church. The Presbytery,
therefore, considered him as an unqualified person ; and di-
rected that this their decision should be transmitted to the
Crown Officer, in order that a new presentation might be
made out.

Mr. LAPVLIE spoke for a few minutes with great warmth.
He stated that he had opposed pluralities with all his might ;
but was overtuled,,,and he must submit to the law of the land.
He was certain the General Assembly would confirm the pre-
sentation, and Dr. 111,`Farlane hid good grounds for an action
of damages against them for delaying to put the presentation
in force.

Mr. Dow moved that the Ptesbytery express their decided
disapprobation of a union of officwi, and proceed to the settle-
ment of the Principal with all convenient speed. Ile concluded
with reading a motion to that effect.
Dr. Ginn thought the Presbytery should go on, as delay
might occasion many evils, and could not possibly do any.
good.
Dr. Cita', lit En s said, they could not support plurality with-
out giving up a portion of their own usefulness; it was in fact
doing as much as in them lay to bring down the priesthood in
public estimation. In the fulfillment of the duties of minister,
every man would find full scope for his talents, and all the
energies of his soul. It had been observed that variety acted as'
a stimulus to exertion ; he had lived all his life on an island,
covered with solon geese, the Bass. It was said The flesh of these
birds promote appetite--a certain person to whom this was ob.
served, said that it could not be true, as he had eaten a wing and
a part of the breast of one of them, and he was not a wit more
hungry when he had done than when he began.—(l,oud laughter.)
—lt might be just so with the College of Glasgow. Some-
thing had been said about the capabilities of the Presbytery
for taking up this case. There are many things relating to
the Church, not regulated by the statute book ; on the same
ground as they could reject any person who was totally unfit
for the duties, so could they reject an unqualified person,
though nominated by the hand of patronage. With all due
respect for the' talents, qualifications, and gentlemanly accorn.
,plishments of the Principal, actuated solely by a sense or duty,

he gave his most cordial and unqualified support to the mo•
tion of his friend, Professor
Dr. Al`LEart disapproved of the union of two offices when
the emoluments of each were fully adequate to maintain one
man.

Dr. BURNS, of Kilsyth, also disapproved of the union of
offices, and considered that he could not do his duty without
giving his negative to this presentation.
SMITII, of St. Geoe's said, he was intimate with Dr.
M'Farlane and family. lie knew he was possessed of great
talents and a wonderful facility in the dispatch of business;
and he came there firmly resolved to support his presentation ;
but by the able speech of Dr. M'Gill he was convinced that
the Crown, in laying two such offices on the shoulders of Dr.
M'Farlane, were Investing him with duties which even he could
not perform. With a sincere sense of public duty, and the
deepest anguish, he went into the motion of Dr. MbGill.
The Presbytery then divided, when nine voted for the mo.,
tion of Mr. Dow, and thirteen for the motion of Dr. M‘Gill.

The following are the precise words of the two motions on
the High Church question, and also the state of the votes :

ruin MOTION.
" The Presbytery, having considered the peculiar circum-
stances attending the case of the presentation to Dr. Dun-
can Macfarlan, Principal of the College of Glasgow, to be
Minister of the High Church of Glasgow, Find, that the
parish of the High Church of Glasgow contains a popula-
tion of inhabitants requiring the undivided time 'and exer•
tions of the most active Minister. That the duties of the.
Principal of the University are of great extent and importance
and, if faithfully perfinmed, also require the undivided talents'
and labours of the most diligent individual. That the union
of the office of Principal with that of the Minister of the High
Church of Glasgow, while it is injurious to the interests of
learning and religion in the University, is incompatible with
the full and successful discharge of the duties of Minister of
the High Church parish. That both offices being well pro•
vided for, and having ample funds, from which an augment-
ation may be obtained if judged to be necessary, and no want
existing in this church of rninistets and preachers to fill each office
with respectability and success, there exists not the slightest plea
of necessity for so injurious a union of office in the same person.
That farther, the Minister of the High Church is one of the
three visitors to-whom the superintendence of the finds, and
conduct of the College of Glasgow is entrusted ; the only
visitor not elected by the University appointed to be a
clergyman, and more especially interested in its spiritual
and ecclesiastical concerns : that therefore to induct the Prin-
cipal to the charge of the High Church is to destroy this imp
portant provision, as no person can superintend his own ad-
ministration ; to render the meetings of visitors generally nu-
gatory ; to deprive the College of its only ecclesiastical super-
intendent; and to remove one of its most important secu-
rities-. That though the late Principal was in possession of
both offices, it is to be remembered on the one hand, that the
Presbytery had no controul over his admission into the College,
and on the other, that it would have required a much more diffi-
cult process to have made him demit a pastoral charge to which
he had been previously inducted, than to resist a presentation
for the same charge when it Is legally vacant. And farther, that
this is the first time on which the Presbytery has been called to
carry into effect a measure which in their opinion is dangerous
to the interests of both religion and learning. On theseFrounds,
joined to a deep sense of the general danger arising from
pluralities of office in this Church, the Presbytery judge it.
.to be both inexpedient and incompetent to proceed on the pre-
' sentation laid on their table to Dr. 3lacfarlane, in respect tl7 at he
appears to them in hoc datu an unqualified Presentee ; and they
did and hereby do refuse to proceed on the said presentation,
and appoint intimation to be given of this sentence to the Officers
of the Crown, that a new presentation may be issued in favour
of a qualified presentee. •