The Sun.
London, England, 1841-12-31 00:00:00

REVELATIONS

(From the Edinburgh Observer.)

Thus companioned together, the letter of Mr. Hamil-
ton and the Statement by the Committee, are circu-
lated far and wide among the elect in all parts of the
Church—but the Statement alone (of course) sent to
the Government, and among Members of Parlia-
ment—and all this was done without the knowledge or
consent of the Committee from which it professes to
emanate! It was taken for granted by the dictators,
that all was sure, safe, and right, and that none of the
members of Committee would think of questioning
the " absolute wisdom" of the whole concern. A
meeting was held at which it was proposed to ap-
prove of the Statement ; but this was a little too
much even for Non-Intrusion stomachs. A rebellion
arose—a warm discussion—a dissent taken by one
or more—and quite a hurricane has been raised
throughout the ranks, both in the Committee and be-
3ond it. What the issue of the schism may be we
neither know nor care ; but we are well assured that
this same Statement has gone forth as the approved
document of a Committee who had never been con-
sulted about it, and some members of which highly
disapprove of it.

As to Mr. Hamilton's letter, we opine that it is the
handiwork of the Seiect Committee—and that some
members of the General Committee will see it for the
first time when they read it in our columns. And with
these explanatory remarks, we leave the epistle to tell
its own tale :

(PRIVATE.)
"3, Northumberland-street, Edinburgh, Dec. 14.
" Dear Sir—l inclose a copy of a Statement' which
as just been despatched to the members of the Cabi-
net, and which we are anxious should be put into the
hands of all our brethren and friends as speedily as pos-
sible. It has been prepared with the utmost care, and
we hope that it will meet the views of all our friends,
and that they will be ready to take up their ground,
upon the basis which it lays down, and there stand firm
and united. When you have read it, pray write me
your opinion, and consider of the means of having it
forthwith in the hands of all in your quarter of the coun-
try. Copies will be sent in any number, and on that sub-
ject you may either write me, or to Messrs. Dalmahoy
and Wood, 69, Queen-street.
" With respect to the intentions of Government, we
have no official information. %Ve have, however, strong
reasons to apprehend, Ist, That their present intention
is to propose and force through a measure having all the
essential defects of the measure which you will find de-
scribed
in the Statement,' pp. 17-20 ; and, 2dly, That
they may peremptorily insist on the re.toration of the
Strathbogie ministers, &c. In these circumstances you
will see the absolute necessity of losing no time in, Ist,
uniting all the brethren as one man, and, 2,dly, securing
for ourse!ves the intelligent and steadfast support of
the people.
With regard to the union of the brethren, we hope
the Statement' may be of essential service, and, corn•
Lined with occasional meetings for conference, may effec-
tually attain the object.
" An to the people again (who are not less important)
the plan is to avoid, unless where necessary, the hold-
ing of any public meetings for mere excitement, but that
each individual minister, supported by his friendly
elders, should summon for a week-day or week-day
evening a meeting of the congregation, and there explain
quietly to them the great principles and interests at
stake in the present controversy ; and invite them to
form themselves into an association in support cf the
Church, and of her great principles. Previous arrange-
ments having been made, and the proper collecting-
books (which may be furnished in any quantity) having
been provided, the people are then invited to become
subscribers of a penny a fortnight (or more if they can
afford it) to the good cause ; and the association is im-
mediately set to work. In order to keep alive and in-
crease the intell:gent interest, arrangements must also
he made for circulating to every hand, all the tracts and
other publications that are found suitable. ; and still
farther, the minister should give a short series of two,
three, or four lectures, expounding the principles out of
Scripture, and by Scripture history and example, very
much as he would expound any other essential doctrines
of the Bible. In these exercises, as well as at the forma-
tion of the Association, he may, if necessary, have the
assistance of one clerical friend. Besides the tracts
already published, others will soon follow, and there will
be no lack, in a short time, of abundance of exciting in-
formation and discussion. But it is of great importance
to have all the Associations formed, and the principles
calmly expounded to, and instilled into, the people,
before the excitement and agitation have commenced.

" Tke formation of thosa associations is going on ra-
pidly here. Dr. Gordon and Mr. Buchanan arc to form
one in the High Church next week ; and all the others
who have not preceded will immediately follow. lam
told by those who have already formed them, that no-
thing can be simpler. Besides the friendly elders, a se-
lection should be made of other steady and intelligent
individuals, including some labourers and working men,
to be members of the Committee, so as to diffuse the in-

terest more effectually throughout the mass. ^ The peo-
ple are found to go into the scheme heartily and at
once ; and, independently of still more important ob-
jects, a very large aggregate sum will be collected to
defray the local and general expenses. I understand it
is considered an essential part of the scheme that
(whatever it may cost) some paid individual must he
secured to look after the reguhr distribution of the
tracts, and the collection of the money.

" I ern not aware what is the state of organization in
your district, but you have already received communi-
cations on the subject from this quarter. I have
written in similar terms to various individuals in differ.
ent parts of the country ; and I have ventured to ad-
dress you among others, in the hope that you will see
the importance of getting the brethren in your quarter
together, and taking instant steps for carrying out the
above plans. Pray, have the goodness to write me what

...
occurs to you, and what you contemplate doing. -Messrs.
Dalmahoy and Wood will take charge of all details ;
but anything you mention to me I will communicate to
them. I4wave marked this letter private that you may
not communicate its contents to any but assured friends,
and to let you understand that all publicity is to be
avoided, and that it is not to be.considered on any part
as official.

" I beg you to excuse my employing the hand of an-
other, as l had no choice, but either to do so or omit
writing these letters altogethetrA copy of the ' State-
ment' will be despatched in ,a few days, by post, direct
to every friendly clergyman throughout the country;
but you may have copies in any quantities you may de-
sire. I have written in similar terms to and —,
'Jut not to any other person in your quai ter of the
country. Hoping to hear from you,—l remain, dear
Sir, your's very faithfully,
(Signed) " J. HAMILTON.
" P.S. The only effectual means for setting the plan
into immediate operation in all places, is that a few in-
fluential ministers, at each central point, should divide
the surrounding country into districts, each containing a
Presbytery or more, and that each of these individuals
should devote a week (from Sunday to Sunday) in going
over his allotted district, and visiting every Minister at
his :fl'in house, or several at a time, if they can be con-
veniently got together, and thus infuse into the minds
of each the proper spirit, and explain the proper mode
of procedure."

DIED.—At Newton-Stewart, on the 20th inst.,
Mr. A. M'Dowall, well-know in Galloway, as " Will
Wander," the poet of Cree, the father of Dr. P. M.
M`Dowall, the great advocate of the " People's Charter."
—Ayr Observer,

Ttie leaders of the Non-Intrusionists (as Ise ha; e
often asserted) have long • cherished a scheme of mar-
shalling the masses into a power which, under their
guidance, they anticipated would enable them to carry
into effect their schemes of clerical ambition, by over-
awing and bullying the constituted authorities of the
land. Amongst the many devices to which they have
resorted for this pious purpose, some of these leaders,
who are officials of a Committee of the General As-
sembly, recently concocted a " Statement respecting
t the. Non-Intrusion principle," &c , and along with this
a circular letter for the special information of their own
devoted supporters and tools all over the country ;
and this letter was intended only and exclusively for
the initiated. By some strange mistake, however, one of
these circulars, along with a copy of the statement (to
which we shall advert anon), was addressed to a Reve-
rend Gentleman who happens to be decidedly opposed
to the said clique—was transmitted through the Post
Office—and duly delivered as addressed, at the quiet
rural manse of a Moderate Minister. He opened the
packet, and, with more of indignation than surprise,
perused the contents ; and, being completely unfettered
by any obligation to secresy—(which could not without
his consent be imposed upon him)—he felt it his duty
to give it publicity in a wider circle than seems to have
been intended by its authors. Hence we are enabled
to lay the subjoined document hetbre the public ; and
of its contents, we doubt not the public will judge
righteous judgment.
Its object is the formation of a formidable and
widely ramified conspiracy against the peace and good
order of society ; and if proof were needed of the
perilous objects of these ecclesiastical revolutionists,
that proof is fully afforded in the Jesuitical production
which is subjoined. It bears the signature of Mr.
John Hamilton, advocate—the Secretary of the Non-
Intrusion Committee of the General Assembly, and
the select Ambassador and Coryphteus of that party
in all their " negotiations " and " centendings," and
may, therefore, be regarded as emanating from the dic-
tators in that cabal. So much for the letter ; and now
for the statement sent along with it.
This " Statement respecting the Non Intrusion prin-
ciple of the Church of Scotland, and the modes of its
legislative recognition," purports, on its title-page, to be
" respectfully submitted to the Members of her Ma-
jesty's Government, by the Non-Intrusion Committee
appointed by the General Assembly of the Church ; and
at the end it is said to be " Signed by appointment, Ro-
bert Gordon, D.D., Moderator of the General Assem-
bly of the :Church of Scotland, and Convener of the
Non-Intrusion Committee."