The Sun.
London, England, 1858-12-04 00:00:00

The Banffshire Journal reports the following ex 7
traordinary proceedings that took place at Buckle
on Sunday last. For some years prior to the Dis-
ruption in 1843, there laboured in the village of
Buckie the Rev. Robert Shanks. He laid out a
good deal of money, mostly raised by his own exer-
tions, in the construction of harbour works, which
were for many years of very. great benefit to the
fishermen, who chiefly comprise the population of
the village. About two years ago some of the mem-
bers of Mr. Shanks' congregation became dis-
pleased with what they considered certain irre-
gularities or neglects in connection with the
Church management. At the meeting of the
Synod of Aberdeen in April last, a deputation was
appointed to meet with the Presbytery of Fordyce
at Buckie, on the sth of May, and inquire into
the matters of complaint, and the relations of Mr.
Shanks and the congregation. Mr. Shanks gave
in a letter tendering his resignation, which the
Presbytery agreed to accept, agreeing also that the
resignation should not take effect till Martinmas.
The congregation, or a large majority of them,
were dissatisfied with the proceedings on the
part of the Presbytery, holding that the pastoral
tie should not have been dissolved without their
concurrence, which was not asked. A peti-
tion, said to be signed by 800, was got up,
and presented to Mr. Shanks. Mr. Shanks regu-
larly preached in the church until the arrival of the
term of Martinmas, on the 22d of Nov. The ordinary
half-yearly meeting of the Presbytery fell to be
held on Wednesday last, at Cullen. The Presbytery
simply announced that Mr. Shanks' resignation
having taken effect, the petition was too late, and
declared that to take cognisance of it was ultra urea.
The members of the congregation present could not
see the distinction, and manifested their dissidence
in protests and argumentation, and (by the women)
in tears. The Presbytery, following up their views,
appointed one of their number, Rev. Mr. Smellie, of
Banff, to preach at Buckie on Sunday last, and de-
clare the church vacant. The majority of the con-
gregation, in the belief that if Mr. Smellie gained
admission to the edifice all would be lost, made up
their minds to prevent this. Some 40 of 50 con-
vened on Saturday evening, and the most of then'
remained all night, attacking every one that came
near—friend and foe. By half-past ten on Sunday
morning, the streets near the church were in a state
of great commotion. Mr. Smellie and Mr. Hector
camz about twenty minutes to the hour, and, with
other friends, waited beside the church till it was
nearly up. Mr. Hector and Mr. Dow, merchant,
Buckie, and some of the other members of the con-
gregation, tried the doors of the church and vestry
for admission, but found them all fastly locked, and
the key-holes of each filled with gravel and small
stones. Admission to the school, to conduct the
public worship there, was next thought of. Mr.
Bremner, inspector of poor, as a trustee of the
school, got the key from the teacher, and ho
thought to get in unawares. He was at the door
in an instant, bat the women suspected what was
up, and came upon him in full flight, crying " the
villain, the villain," and immediately seized him.
Active as he was they got between him and the
door before it was unlocked. Mr. Bremner's efforts
to regain the key led to a strife, and in the scuffle
he had the breast of his coat torn half-way down
to the bottom. Returning to the principal en-
trance to the church, Mr. Smellie asked if they
would hear the word for an open-air service ;
immediately upon which Mr. M'Donald, jun., read
a declaration by Wm. M'Donald, James Smith,
Alex. Flett, and J. Cowie, as trustees of the church,
that the Presbytery has no authority to proceed
in the face of the protest and appeal lodged at
Cullen on Wednesday, until that protest and
appeal are finally settled ; and that they, as trus-
tees, on these grounds, cannot give admission into
the church. Mr. Smellie, as soon as this was con-
cluded, read the document declaring the church
vacant, and intimated that Divine Worship would
be held at Mr. Hector's farm at Hilton at two
o'clock, and that the ordinance of baptism would.
be administered at Barrhill on Monday, where
there would be a prayer meeting. Mr. Smellie
and Mr. Hector then left. About the time
Mr. Smellie left, some one had waited upon Mr.
Shanks, with a request that he would conduct a
service amongst them. He consented, and Mr. and
Mrs. Shanks came up to a field near the church,
where the whole crowd gathered round them,
except a few who still remained to keep the church
doors. Mr. Shanks said he would lot preach, as
that might be misunderstood, but he would read a
chapter; and a psalm was sung and a prayer
offered up. Till dark, crowds of people hung
roung the church, and the devoted females stuck
to the doors, fearful lest further attempts might
be made to gain possession of the church. Though
repeatedly advised to leave by elders and mem-
bers of the congregation, they refused, until Mr.
Shanks came and persuaded them to go home.