The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1886-06-09
CoRRESP PoNDENCE.
European Letter.
EDINBURGH. SCOTLAND. May L


MeSSrS. Ed5tors,-It was our privilege
to attend the meetings of the Synod OF
the United Presbyterian Church, which
was recently held in this city. The Syn
cd is the highest court of this branch OF
the Presbyterian Church in Scotland.
They have the same officers and nearly
the same committees as we have in our
General Assembly, and, notwithstanding
the gowns worn by the officers, the body
resembled our highest Church court so
much as to show their common origin and
faith. But there are some differences
The members come in and go out without
much let or hindrance from the Modera-
tor; they express their approval by
stamping their feet, or the peculiar eac-
ulation OF hear hear p and sometimes
their disapproval by Kisses. Motions are
not always formally put to the house by
the Moderator, for vote, though they
are carefully read aloud and often re-read,
but are passed by common consent which
is expressed in the words" agreed,
agreed, which come from various parts
Of the body. There is not so much sys-
tenn as in our General Assembly, though
they do get through with their business
with efficiency and despatch, perhaps
with more Of the latter than we do. There
is not much attempt at fine speaking,
though there is fine speaking I observed
no talking for bunc0mbe"
There were delegates present from the
Irish Presbyterian Church, who came to
stir up their brethren in Scotland against
Mr.: Gladstone's proposition for giving
Ireland Home Rule" The Presbyte,
rlans of Ireland are nearly all opposed
to this scheme, and their church courts
as well as public assemblies, have spoken
out on the subject. The Scotch Synod
listened to The earnest and eloquent ap-
peals of the Irish delegates, some cheer
ing and some Kissing the speakers. l was
told by prominent members that the
misses meant that many of the members
were opposed to the bringing of this,
political matter, before church court,
as, In their opinion, such bodies ought
only to deal with spiritual matters. A
resolution most carefully prepared and
wisely worded, presented by DIR. Calder
wood, and seconded by Dr. Cairns, was
adopted; in which sympathy was ex-
pressed for the Irish Church in it's pre-
sent anxiety but endorsement given to
neither party in the current heated 20
litical contest.
The missionary meeting on Wednesday
night is considered the eUent of the Syn
cd. This meeting was crowded one.
fully two thousand persons being present.
1t was a model meeting. There were
tour or FIVE short speeches the reports OF
treasurer and secretary were mere out
lines, the full text of these papers being
printed. A great deal Of interest is taken
In this missionary demonstration, and
many who are coming from the country
or nelghboring towns, time their visit so
as to be present at 1T, and one must 90
early to get a seat. The United Presby
terlan Church Of Scotland gives about two
hundred thousand dollars per annum to
Foreign Missions, which is more per mem.
Der than is contributed by any other OF
the great churches Of Christendom- The
total number of communicates is 181 600
They have 10 foreign missionaries, OF
whom 81 are ordained ministers. There
are l2,7I1 communicates in their native
churches In heather lands, and they have
So native candidates for the ministry.
In the native Sabbath Schools there are
j. 900 pupils, and 1900 in the ordinary
day schools The percentage of growth
is vastly greater in the foreign congrega-
uons than in those at home, and is in.
creaslng rapidly every year.
The total contributions Of the United