Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1843-08-01

change entirely the relative strength OI
parties in the Assembly.
These tive parties had been organized
with reference 10 the general question,
the Non,intrusionists, OF. those oppos
ed TO this interference from the civil
courts, with DR.. Chalmers at their head,
having very decided majority. They
have, however, without objection, suffer,
ed the Lord High Commissioner, the
Representative ofthe Sovereign in the
General Assembly, to be present at its
session; but he had no voice or vote in
its proceedings, took no part in its bus>
ness, and his presence was not even
deemed necessary 10 the validity Of the
Assembly's transactions.
These were the principal questions
which had caused the difficulty between
the Church Of Scotland and the civil pow
ers. Minor points had increased it, and
for few days previous TO the last meet
ing on the 18th Of May, the excitement
had been very great. Thai body met at
st. Andrews church in Edinburg, with
all its usual pomp and ceremony, the
Marquis of Butte, Lord High Commits
sioner, being escorted by a splendid
military array and the nobilt, and gen.
try attending in great numbers, and amid
a displ play ofunusual brilliancy The church
was excessively crowded, and the num-
Der of members in attendance was much
greater than usual. After the Marquis
of Butte had taken his seat, the Modera'
tor, DR.. Welsh, rose and said that the
proper time, according to usage, had ar
rived for making up the roll; but there
had been so great an iuroad, so decided
an infringement, on the Constitution Of
the church, that they could not proceed
to organize the Assembly without a vic.
Iation Of the terms of the Church and
State, as authoritativsiy defined. He
then proceeded 10 read the "Protest Of
the Church, " brief, calm, decided state
ment Of the wrong the Scottish church
had suffered in the subsection Of her
courts 10 the civil courts in the exercise
Of their spiritual functions, in the inter>
ference Of the civil courts with the prsa-
ching Ofthe Gospel and administration
of the church ordinances, and in general
in the encroachments upon her authors
ty, which we're deemed inconsistent with
christian liberty, and with the rights con,
ferred by the Head of the church alone.
When he had finished reading this
document, and amid the breathlass at
tentiOn and tears with which it was heard
he laid II on the table, rose up in his
robe and cap of Office, and calmly walk
ed out, followed by Drs. Chalmers, Cor
don, Macfarlane, and others of the most
powerful and influential members of the
Scottish Church, including the whole
body OF adhering members and elderS.--
For moment loud cheer burst from
the galleries, but it was Immediately
hushed, and the assembled multitude
looked on in solemn silence and admra.
tiOn. They proceeded four ARREST
through the street, the windows and
housetOps being filled with curious and
interested spectators, and moved in abo,
dy to toTanfeld, Cannonmills. Thus, with
a heroism and self-denying nOblenessIof
heart seldom equaled in the world, they
turned their backs upon Royalty, upon
all that secured them worldly honor and
distinction, upon their incomes, their
very means of subsistence, and proceed
ed, unattended by troops, marshalled on,
ly by consciences void of offence and
hearts filed with the spirit of HIM in
whose name they had taken this great
and mOmenlous step; to the Hall, whore
they were welcomed by tumultuous apS
pIause. They Immediately organized
by the applauded election Of DR.. Chal>
mers, as Moderator, who then addressed
the meeting, briefly vindicating, the dc.
cision of the Assembly, and most ear
nestly protesting against being consider.
ed Dissenters or VOluntarIes. They
still believed, he said, in the union Of
church and State, and if they left the
Establishment, they wished it understood
that they went out on the Establishment
principle. Committees were then aP
pointed, and the business Of the Assem-.
bly, was entered upon. The number oil
Ministers who had joined the Free AS,
ssmbly was 454, and the attendance up
on its session was very numerous. Il is
to meet at Glasgow again in October.
In all respects, except with reference to
the ProPriety of Church Establishment
there is free communion between Dis
senters aud members ofthe Free Chur,
ches, aAd The former, in several instan.
csss have opened chapels for the use Of
the latter till their own can be completed
One has already been finished for DR..
Candish, who leaves the church of st.
George, the most magnificent in EdM.
burgh, for small, plain edifce, erected
within six weeks. The dePutatiOn from
tbs Presbyterian church, of Ireland fol-
flowed the SepSrptistS, and acknowledged
them as the Church. The Marquis Of
| BFeadalbane has subscribed GlO,OOO and
bis lady ElOOO for the ssCeders. The