Dumfries, the young minister, M. Thomas of the United Presbyterian Church, Lockerbie, J. Goold of Newton-Stewart, Messrs Matthew Fairley, J. M. Robertson, D. Taylor of Glasgow, W. Roddick (who stated that the Rev. Mr M'Gill, their late pastor, had kindly presented the Congregation with a pulpit Bible and Psalm-book), and M. Blacklock, Lockerbie, afterwards addressed the meeting. On the following Sabbath Mr Brown was introduced to his people by the Rev. W. Symington of Glasgow, who preached in the forenoon and evening, and Mr Brown in the afternoon. We are indebted to the Annandale Herald, of 13th ult., for the following sentences in the close of Mr Symington's forenoon discourse :— "I am here to-day to introduce my young friend, whom you have chosen to be your pastor. After an unusually brief interval of vacancy, your eyes behold your teacher; and I trust your feelings at such a time are in unison with the sentiment of the prophet, How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace. He succeeds one who has for many years been planting and watering in this part of the country, and towards whom at this time many hearts must turn with strong yearnings, see ing his voice echoes no longer through this building. I am sure you will go after him with feelings of the deepest gratitude and respect, and with the hearty prayer that his Lord may bless him still, and make him a blessing more than ever in the new sphere of usefulness into which, in Providence, he has been guided. Both pastor and people have been already told their respective duties by the Lord's servant on the occasion of the solemn act of ordination, and I am not here to repeat or supplement charges which were delivered in your hearing on the ordination day, but would simply express my sincere good wishes for the welfare and prosperity of both. Your young minister I have intimately known for many years as a member of a highly respected family, in the congregation of which I have the charge; and, as a student of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, I have watched his progress with the deepest interest as he passed through the various stages of his curriculum. I have found him helpful to myself in various ways, and ever ready for any good work; and I believe that, in the present field of labour which God has opened for him, he will set himself with all ardour and diligence and faithfulness to the doing of his great Master's work, seeking not yours, but you ever studying to prove himself a workman not needing to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Of your own appreciation of his character and abilities you have given the highest proof by asking him to minister among you. Receive him as a gift of God. Be kind to him; encourage him; pray for him; do not expect too much of him, he is but a planter and waterer, an earthen vessel; but the excellency of the power is of God, and not of man. And, on the other hand, do not expect too little of him; for he is God's servant and ambassador, sent to speak to you in Christ's great name, and according to your expectations, and your faith, and your prayers, will be the benefit you may expect from his ministrations. Now that the tie has been so auspiciously formed between him and the congregation with which my own and my father's dear and valued friend was so long associated with you, I offer you my most hearty congratulations, praying that God, who is able to make all grace abound towards you, may cause you to abound in every good work, and that He that ministereth seed to the sower may both minister bread for your food, and multiply the seed sown, and increase the fruit of your righteousness!' PRESENTATION TO REV. MATTHEW BROWN OF HIGHTAE. On Friday evening, 12th ult., a few friends met in the house of Hunter Finlay, Esq., Windsor Terrace, Glasgow, and presented Rev. Matthew Brown of Hightae with a gold watch and chain," in token," as the subscription upon it bears, "of their esteem and good wishes." SCHEDULE SHEWING STATE OF CONGREGATIONS UNDER REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD, SCOTLAND, MAY 1865. 262 200 0 0 F. B. 10 00 220 200 0 0 F. B. 0 F. B. 150 0 0 Castle-Douglas, 250 140 0 Renton, Manse 0 Manse 2911240 160 0 0 Manse F. B. Stranraer, 237 150 0 0 Darvel, 0 160110 0 0 Manse F. B. * F. B.-Congregations marked thus participate in the Ferguson Bequest Fund. Collection at Synod, ,, Dundee R. P. Sabbath School, Travelling Expenses overpaid, per Mr James M'Nair, The late Miss Wither, Lochines, per John Adair, Esq., Stranraer, £20, less expense of discharge, 12s. 6d., Mr Kilpatrick, Bargs, £10, with Interest, paid by Dr Ross's Trustees to the Rev. A. Buzacott, Sydney, Dr Ross's Trustees, per Rev. A. Buzacott, Sydney, Thomas Binnie, jun., Esq., Transfer from Captain Anderson's Acct., Thank-Offering, Collected by Miss M. Christie, Milliken Park, Contribution of the Churches, Kirkaldy, on a Sabbath Evening, Great Hamilton St. R. P. Sabbath School," Peter Walker, Esq., Return Premium, Rev. J. G. Paton's Life Policy, per Scottish Widows' Life Insurance Fund, James Dalziel, Esq., by request of late James Dalziel, Esq., Druid Hall, Penpont, P. Robson, Esq., Coldstream, Mrs Robson, Coldstream, Collection at Rev. James Niven's ordination, . Miss Drysdale, per Dr Goold, Matthew Mowat, Esq., W.S., per Rev. John Kay, " A Friend, Ettrick, " Matthew Craig, Esq., Airylands, A Friend, per Rev. John M'Dermid, Interest, HALL AND HOME SYNOD. MISSION. £ s. d. 103 9 10 39 18 8 25 8 7 500 40 0 0 FOREIGN MINISMISSION. TERIAL £ 8. d £ s. d. 278 17 0 258 4 4 344 9 10 25 8 7 165 11 31 25 8 7 500 £ 8. d. 50 0 4 114 15 2 25 88 500 19 19 0 19 9 9 0 15 72 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SCHEMES OF THE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN SCOTLAND, FROM MAY 1864 TO MAY 1865, WITH CORRESPONDING AMOUNT FOR PREVIOUS YEAR. HUNTER, & Co., at their Warehouse, 2 Melbourne Place, Edinburgh. Printed by CHARLES GIBSON, at his Printing Office, 18 Thistle Street, and Published by JOHNSTONE, |