The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-07-05

ing sight. Had the eminent Chalmers aris-
en- alone to abandon the Church of which
ne has been the greatest ornament, such an
occurrence would have been inexpressbly
mournful and calamitous. But, then, to
see the whole mass of the most devoted and
Jealous Ministers of the Church-holy men,
whose piety, and labors, and talents, have
endeared them TO their countrymen, and
given such an impulse to the progress ofre-
Lyon that not only Scotland, but the most
distant coutries in the world, have expert
enced its effects-to see all these. with the
distinguished Welsh and Chalmers-the
venerable DR.. Gordon-Macbonald, "the
Apostle of the Highlands" the lofty mind
ed notwithstanding forth simultaneously
from their places in the Assembly, and de-
parting in solemn separation, from the
Church they loved but in which they could
no longer continue, must indeed have been
strangely exciting and heart rending
spectacle.
No wonder Mr.. Welsh stated that the
effects of Thursdays proceedings would be
felt over the world. In Scotland they will
excite thousands of hearts that will not be
soon Gained. We know what depth and
intensity of feeling they will produce in
Ulster; and that throughout Europe they
will attract universal and serious attention
is certain, for the Protestant Churches on
the Continent and in America have been
eagerly watching the progress of events in
Scotland.
We are greatly mistaken ifthe Govern.
ment do not even now lament their past
and fatal course of procedure toward the
Church of Scotland. We believe Sir Rob
ert Peel has been, all along, deceived by
parties who had no other desire than to see
the Church Frustrated. The falsehoods that
were SO widely circulated, in England and
elsewhere, about the alleged insignificant
numbers of those who really intended to re.
tire from the Church, had, no doubt their
effect upon the Cabinet. The fathlessness
and treachery of those who were looked
upon as the best friends of the Non-Intru-
sionists. had, also, in all likelihood, an I'M
happy influence with her Majesty's advi.
sers. But in whatever way swayed, the
conduct of the Government in relation to
the Church of Scotland has been inconsid-
crate, ill>advised, impolitic.
The consequences which have already
attended the mistaken policy of the Gov
eminent are of uncomfortable importance.
Virtually, the Church of Scotland is over
thrown. 1t has lost all IFS Ministers of a.
ny piety and worth. 1t will now be to
tally useless thing in the land. The fabric
of the National Church may stand for a
Iime-that its existence will be brief is plain;
but the vast majority of the Scottish people
will mournfully gaze upon it, as the sad and
dismantled remains of once noble and be-
loved Institution.
We have not space to dwell further on
this subject at present. 1t makes US trem-
Bile to think of all the consequences that
may ensue from the disruption Of the Scot
fish church. These are serious times
Error is fast spreading, and it may be that
the troubles and connections in Scotland
are but the precursors of others, even more
severe and affective, which the Churches of
Christ, generally have yet to endure on the
earth.
The Free Presbyterian Church of Scot
and has been formed. 1t contains no.
Bile and devoted band of worthless, having
At their head that great and good man of
whom Sir George Sinclair has truly declar>
ed that it may be said :-"Wherever Thom-
rs Chalmers is, there is the Church of Scot. |
and mot indeed the Church of Scotand's
The Church of Scotland's PEG.
,le--of Scotland's influential and middling
;lasses-of Scotland's pious peasantry-the
centre of their hopes, their confidence, their
owe, their veneration." Once these dis.
inguished men are scattered over their
country, it may be that their success shall
'e even greater than before in spreading
ind unfolding the Truth. God speed them!