The Sun.
London, England, 1861-05-13 00:00:00

VOTING A.AD VOLUNTEERING.

There is a body of Presbyterians in Scotland,
who, adhering to the
generally Sole
m n
L ecaagl lueed
aCn admce
or
vo ne
Covenant,
aatinst, and to the doctrines
of Presbyterian supremacy, have, since the Revolu-
tion of 1688, refused, and to this day refuse, to take
the oath of allegiance to the reigning Monarch.
Their doctrine is that Monarch and nation are alike
pledged by the Covenant to the establishment of
Presbyterianism in the three kingdoms, and to the
extirpation of Popery, Prelacy; and Erastianism,
and they therefore refuse to acknowledge a consti-
tution which associates the State with an uncove-
nanted and prelatic Church. This peculiar sect,
which takes the name of the Reformed Presbyterian
Church, numbers about 700 members, and prevails
chiefly in the south-west of Scotland, and amid the
scenes of the great persecution of the 17th century.
Their views have hitherto excluded them from all
the civic privileges that have since 1821 been con-
ceded to the Dissenting bodies, it being against
their principles and testimony not only to sit in
Parliament or burgh council, but even to exercise
the elective franchise, which last they declare un-
lawful on the irregular
ground that the voter be-
comes an accessory
to all the evils of the British
constitution. Their views also disqualify them
from joining in the volunteer moveinent, on account
of the oath of allegiance administered. It will
not be deemed wonderful that in days when the
franchise is so much prized, and when the youth of
the country are fired with zeal to defend it,
numbers of even this strictest sect should be
found breaking through the straitlaces that re-
strain, them. It was accordingly reported to the
Reformed Presbyterian Synod which met in Edin-
burgh last week, that the law and testimony of the
Church had been broken both by members exercis-
ing the elective franchise and joining volunteer
corps. A lengthened discussion took place as to
what should be done, and numerous reverend mem-
bers urged the modification of the testimony as re-
gards the assumed identity of the representative
and the voter, and as regards the interpretation of
the oath of allegiance. Highly patriotic and almost
loyal views were expressed on the volunteer ques-
tion, and warm expressions of admiration and
love for her Majesty were uttered, and of will-
ingness to defend her person and protect the soil
from invasion, so far as their service could be given
apart from rendering fealty to the constitution.
Another party in the Synod denounced the pro-
posal to modify the testimony as a backsliding
and defection from the testimony. It was ulti-
mately resolved, by 30 to 11, to appoint a com-
mittee to inquire into the soundness of the views
contained in the testimony on the points mooted,
and to relieve kirk sessions from the obligation to
expel members who entertained doubts and difficul-
ties on these matters, but meantime to recommend
members of the Church to abstain from voting at
elections. No similar recommendation having been
made as to holding aloof from the Volunteer move-
ment, it may be
presumed that that point has been
conceded.