GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 788, 2 November 1853, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.

[From the "Scottish Guardian," June 7.] report of colonial and continental committee. Australasia. In obedience lo the instructions of last General Assembly, the committee have during the past year directed special attention to the spiritual wants of Australia. Feeling it lo be their duly lo provide for I heir emigrant countrymen, not only after they had settled in that land, but also during the voyage, they opened a communication with Government, with the view of making an arrangement for supplying with religious teachers the emigrant ships which were employed in conveying their countrymen, especially (hose from the Highlands. It was the wish of the committee lo furnish such ships with both a minister and a teacher, but the Emigration Commissioners thought themselves warranted lo send only one religious instructor in each ship, except in the case of the Hercules, to which both a minister and a teacher were appointed. The commillee could not do as they wished in this respect, but they did not hesitate to do what they cuuld. They endeavoured lo procure, on the one hand, ministers or preachers who could teach; and on the other, leachers W l io were able and willing regularly to maintain public worship. They have not been without s >mc success in this: and the following persons have gone out with emigrant ships, who, though they did not receive special appointments, yet t >ok charge of the religious instruction of the emigrants with whom they sailed: — Mr. William Ross, teacher al Innerleithen.

Mr. John Mclver, teacher at Moulart. Mr. John McGlaslull, teacher at Slrondc, Harris.

The following teachers, received not only the commission of the committee, but also the sanction of Her Majesty's Land and Emigration Commissioners to take charge of the Emigrants during the voyage:— Mr. Charles McKay, leac'ser at Criech. Mr. Simon Morrison, from Beauly. Mr. Alexander Nicholson, from Portree. The following ministers also engaged to devote part of their time to educational labours among the emigrants during the voyage: — Rev. Allan McVcan, appointed to Victoria. " 1). McDonald (probationer) do. " John Barnet, do. " John McTavish, do.

Besides these, the following have left in ordinary passenger vessels without any special charge of emigrants by the way, although, it is believed, that they have availed themselves of every opportunity of conducting religious exercises on board: — Rev. Alex. Mclnlyre, for Ahalton, New South Wales.

Rev. Andrew Maxwell, for New England, New South Wales.

Rev. Wm. Grant, for New South Wales Ucv. Arthur Paul, lor New South Wales. The following are appointed, and about to proceed to their several destinations: Rev. Win. Henderson, for Victoria. " Arch. Simpson, do. " Alex. Adam, do. " James Cameron, for New South Wales. " Arch. Cameron, do. " Hugh McKail, do. " G. Divorty, do. " John S. Moir, for South Australia.

To these younger brelhreu Ihe committee have been enabled to add two of the most experienced and able of the ministers of the Church; and while they rejoice in the devotedness to the cause of Christ which has led these brethren to surrender themselves to this service, they deeply feel the loss which both the Church at large and Ihefr respective congregations are called to sustain. These brethren are the Rev; Dr. McKay of Dunoon, who will devote himself chiefly to the Gaelic-speaking population, and Dr. Adam Cairns, of Cupar, who goes to Melbourne to form a new congregation from the immense number of our countrymen now crowding into that city. Still more recently we have been able to appoint another esteemed brother in the ministry, the Rev. Mr. Logan, of Papa Westray, to the necessitous district of Gipp's Land, in Victoria, and we fondly anticipate thai, as in the other two cases, the Presbytery and congregation which at presmt enjoy his services, will not refuse to confirm the choice which he has himself made of spending the rest of his life in that distant field.

Besides these, they have, in answer Jo an earnest application, appointed Mr. William Matthews as assistant to Mr. Lawson, the successful teacher of the academy at Melbourne. Various other teachers of good standing and high character have gone out with the recommendation of the committee.

In all, they have appointed, besides teachers and catechisls, twenty ministers and probationers to Australia, of whom six. possess the Gaelic language. To meet the emergency which rendered these appointments so urgently necessary, the General Assembly authorized us to take steps for raising an extra fund. It is but a small part of Scotland we have as yet visited with this object, but the call has in every place been willingly responded to, and a sum of 15Q0J. has already been realized. The Australian Churches have been at the same lime providing the means for bringing out spiritual instructors to themselves. There has already been remitted from New South Wales, Ihe 6um of 89U., and from Victoria 52f.Z., making altogether no less a sum than 1217 J. sent home to assist us in sending out help to this inleresting and important field. Important and seasonable assistance has been afforded by other parlies. Not only the Government Commissioners, but also private companies and ship proprietors, have given passages, either gratis or at greatly reduced rates. In some cases, the whole expense of sending out labourers has been borne by private parlies. Large contributions of books for synodical, for congregational, and for ministerial libraries have also been given by kind and judicious friends. Besides Australia itself, the neighbouring colonies of New Zealand and Van Diemans Land, which are of growing importance, have demanded a considerable share of the attention of Ihe committee. We rejoice, therefore, to be able to stale that, with regard to New Zealand, Ihe congregation at Auckland, its capital, after a long vacancy, has been happily supplied by the appointment of the Rev. David Bruce; and that lo the congregation of Wellington, after a still longer vacancy, we have been able lo appoint the Rev. John Moir of Menmuir, a member of this present Assembly, who will leave in the course of a few weeks. We have received most gratifying intelligence of the arrival and labours of Mr. Dron at Hull River. An application for a minister, with a guarantee for a portion of the stipend, has been received from New Plymouth. Mr. Burns continues to labour amongst an increasing congregation at Dunedin, in Ihe Free Church settlement at Olago. In order to provide adequately for that part of the population which is beyond the reach of Mr. Burns's ministry, a plan has been suggested and approved by the committee for providing a suitable income for a second minister, without entailing any burden on the Church's funds. Trusting that this plan will meet with a requisite support, the committee are anxiously endeavouring to secure the services of a well qualified labourer. To Van Diemen's Land, the committee have appointed Mr. L. Campbell lo occupy a station alOallands, intermediate between Hobart Town and Launceslon, and are in daily expectation of hearing of his arrival.

In order, however, to carry out this plan, there is required, in the first instance, a sum of money sufficient to slock the farm, to put it under crop, and to maintain the minister for the first year. In order to this, judging from the statement already referred to, and after deducting the cost of the land, which in this case is not required, it appears that ahout 400/. is necessary for the purposes of the farm, or that in all about GOO?, or 700/. must he raised for effectively carrying out this plan. The sum, it is evident, must be raised elsewhere than in the colony. It is not proposed, however, that it be given as a donation to the settlers, but merely advanced as a loan, due security being taken for its gradual repayment with interest within a limited period. Before the money is touched, a bond is to be executed by the trustees securing this, and also providing that even after the congregation shall have become self-sustaining, the proceeds of this farm shall be applied to strictly religious purposes within the colony, and in accordance with the principles of the Free Church.