The Reformed Presbyterian magazine. Jan. 1855-July 1858, 1862-76

News of the Church.

AGED AND INFIRM MINISTERS' FUND.

MR R. G. FINLAY requests us to acknowledge the receipt of £5, received since the accounts for last year were closed, from Messrs John Robertson and Co., for the Aged and Infirm Ministers' Fund.

OPENING OF THE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN THEOLOGICAL HALL.

The Reformed Presbyterian Theological Hall held its first meeting for the Session in Martyrs' Church, Rev. Dr Goold's, George IV. Bridge, Edinburgh, on Tuesday, 1st ult. Among those present were-Rev. Professors Goold and Binnie; Revs. T. Martin, Strathmiglo; J. M'Dermid, Glasgow; W. Symington, Glasgow; M. G. Easton, Darvel; J. Morrison, Eskdalemuir; T. Easton, Stranraer; J. H. Thomson, Eaglesham; Robert Naismith, Chirnside; J. Whyte, Carnoustie; Messrs T. Rowatt, J. Towert, etc. Rev. W. Symington, Moderator of Synod, presided, and opened the proceedings by praise and prayer. Rev. Professor Goold gave the introductory lecture on "The Canon of Scripture." After the lecture the students were examined by the members of the Hall Committee on the subjects of intersessional study. Twelve students are in attendance.

STUDENTS IN ATTENDANCE AT THE HALL.-SESSION 1869.

Fifth Year.-Alexander Baird; Nathan Cosh; Allan M‘Dougall, A.M. ; Alexander Bryce Muir.

Fourth Year.-George Laurie; John Towert, A.M.

Third Year.-Allan Bayne; George Hay Stuart Campbell.

Second Year.-Thomas Patrick.

First Year.-William Boal; William Clow; James Ewing.

PRESBYTERY OF PAISLEY.

This Presbytery met pro re nata on the 8th ult., at Paisley-Rev. J. H. Thomson, Eaglesham, moderator. The clerk read the requisition calling the meeting. The conduct of the moderator in summoning the Presbytery was approved of. A petition from West Shaw Street Congregation, Greenock, praying for a moderation in a call, and appointing Messrs W. Henderson and Robert Locke commissioners, was read. After conversation, the 23d ult. was appointed as day of moderation-Rev. G. Clazy to preach and preside.

The next meeting of Presbytery takes place at Paisley, on Tuesday, 6th inst., at 11.30 A.M.

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE OF THE SCHEMES OF THE CHURCH.

The following statement has been compiled from the appended accounts, as well as from the Report of the Aged and Infirm Ministers' Fund, in our last number, page 225.

Hall and Synod Fund.-Balance from last year, £57: 11: 1. Income, £154:03. Total, £211 : 11 : 4. Expenditure, £163: 12:10. Balance on hand, £47: 18: 6.

Home Mission.-Balance from last year, £107: 2:4. Income, £80: 12: 7. Total, £187: 14:11. Expenditure, £121: 4: 8. Balance, £66:10: 3. Foreign Mission.-Balance from last year, £757: 5: 9. Income, £508: 33. Expenditure, £516: 12: 7. Balance, £748: 16: 5. Mission Ship.-Balance, £22:16:9. Income, £326: 13: 101. Total, £349: 10: 73. Expenditure, £273: 1: 83. Balance, £76: 8:11. Total Foreign Missionary Income, £834: 18: 13. Total Expenditure, £789: 14: 33. Total Balances on hand, £825: 5: 4.

Ministerial Support.-Balance, £307: 8: 2. Income, £269: 8: 9.

Total Income, £576: 16: 11. Expenditure, £295 58. Balance,

£281: 11: 11.

Aged and Infirm Ministers' Fund.-Income, £251: 1s. Expenditure, £90. Balance, £161.

Kelso Fund. (Now first reported on) £558: 6s. Total Income for all the Schemes, £1590: 3:53. Total Expenditure, £1459: 16: 91. Total Balances on hand, £1382: 6s. If the Kelso Fund, first reported on as realised this year, be included, the total income for the year will be £2148: 9:51. Eight congregations-Ayr, Chirnside, Eaglesham, Girvan, Salisbury Street, Laurieston, Lochgilphead, Port-Glasgow-show a small increase in their contributions, with the exception of Salisbury Street, which is up £18: 13: 6 on the year; one-Newton-Stewart-is the same, and thirty have decreased. The dulness of trade throughout the country has, doubtless, been the cause of this falling off. The balances on hand at first sight may seem large, but they are the sums by which the Schemes are to be carried on during the present year. It is worthy of consideration, if it would not be better to close the accounts at the end of March, so as to enable the funds to be apportioned before Synod, and thus the conveners and treasurers would be able to include the receipts and expenditure of the year in their reports, and tell better what was really needed in the course of the next twelve months.

REV. JOHN INGLIS IN OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND.

During Mr Inglis's short stay in Otago and Southland, he was most actively engaged in stirring up the interest of the people in the missionary work in the New Hebrides. Besides preaching in three churches in Dunedin, in Port Chalmers, Lawrence, Waitahuna, Tokomairiro, Wallacetown, Invercargill, Kaikorai, and Anderson's Bay, he addressed meetings in Dunedin, Oamaru, Otepopo, Waikouaiti, Green Island, East Taieri, Inch Clutha, Balclutha, Puerua, Warepa, Popotunoa, Oteramika, and Riverton. Through the sailing of the steamer for the North earlier than he expected, he was prevented from fulfilling the engagements he made to hold meetings at Waihola and West Taieri.-From "The Evangelist, a monthly magazine devoted to the advancement of Evangelical Religion. Edited by Rev. James Copeland, M.A., M.D., Ph.D., Tuapeka, Otago." The numbers for January and March of this useful magazine, connected with our friends in Otago and Southland, have reached us. We wish it all success.

GLASGOW.-LIBERALITY OF GREAT HAMILTON STREET CONGREGATION.

Rev. J. Kay, Foreign Mission Secretary, writes:-"The congregation of Great Hamilton Street have very liberally furnished a steel bell for Mr Copeland's station, Futuna. The contribution expected from each congregation for the bell, will now be expended upon a box or boxes of mission goods for Futuna. It is hoped that the various congregations will send in their contributions without delay.

LATEST NEWS FROM THE MISSIONARIES.

Letters have been received from Rev. T. Neilson, Tanna, of date Dec. 25, 1868, all well, from Rev. J. Inglis, Auckland, 15th March 1869. Mr Inglis says:-" All our mission party are well. Mrs Captain Fraser had a son on the 25th ult. We hope to complete the £3000 for the 'Dayspring' Insurance Fund before we leave New Zealand. The third thousand is being raised in New Zealand. We sail for the islands, D.V., on the 29th inst. The Dayspring' will return to Auckland in June, to meet Mr and Mrs Milne. Mr Morrison and his family have arrived from Sydney. They intend paying a visit to the islands, and returning to Auckland with the 'Dayspring.' His medical advisers consider that he is not yet equal to the risk of commencing labours on the islands."