The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 20
Proceedings of the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland, 1867, on Union, — Referred to in the Following Statement
Proceedings of the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland, 1867, on Union,
Referred to in the Following Statement.
[As we believe that great ignorance prevails throughout the Church in regard to the actual proceedings of last General Assembly of the Free Church on the subject of Union, caused partly by the fact that these proceedings were not fully or fairly reported in the Home and Foreign Missionary Record, we give the following account of what actually took place.]
For Dr Rainy's motion, | 346 |
For Mr Nixon's, | 120 |
Majority for Dr Rainy's motion, | 226 |
Dr Begg then rose and said,—"Moderator, I wish to lay on the table of the General Assembly the following Protest:—'We, the subscribers, for ourselves, and on behalf of all others who may page 5 adhere, do hereby protest against the resolution now adopted by this Assembly, and that on the following, among other grounds:—1st, Because the resolution, as adopted, implies an abandonment and subversion of an admittedly constitutional principle of the Free Church of Scotland. 2nd, Because the resolution, as adopted, is ultra vires of this Assembly. For these and other reasons, we protest that we, and all other office-bearers and members of the Church, shall not be committed by the said resolution, to any action that may be taken thereupon, and shall be at liberty to oppose all such action by every competent means. (Signed) James Begg, D.D.; Peter Denny; John Forbes, D.D.; James Galbraith; Jas. Gibson, D.D.; Robt. M'Corkle, minister; James Julius Wood, D.D.; D. Thorburn, M.A.; Robt. Gault, minister; Wm. Balfour, minister; John M'Millan, elder; Patrick Borrowman, minister; A. Macbride, minister; John Irving, elder; D. Crichton, elder; Alexander Cameron, minister; D. Macdonald, elder; Wm. Moffat, minister." The Assembly appointed this Protest, with reasons, to be kept in retentis. The following Dissent, with reasons, was also given in and read, and ordered to be inserted in the minutes:—"We, the undersigned, for ourselves, and on behalf of all others who may adhere to us, dissent against the resolution now adopted by this Assembly, for the following, amongst other reasons:—1st, Because the resolution, as adopted, implies an abandonment and subversion of an undoubtedly constitutional principle of the Free Church of Scotland. 2nd, Because the resolution, as adopted, is ultra vires of this Assembly. (Signed) James Begg, D.D.; James Gibson, D.D.; John Irving, elder; James Julius Wood, D.D.; Robert Gault, minister; Thomas Gardiner, minister." To this Dissent Mr Borrowman, minister at Glencairn, and Mr M'Corkle, minister at St Ninian's, intimated their adherence. The following Dissent was also given in and read—"We dissent, because we deem the resolution come to by the Assembly as fitted to hinder, instead of furthering, the proper union of the Churches. (Signed) William Nixon, Thomas Main, James Stark, Alex. Ferguson, Thomas Hislop, John Fraser." Dr J. J. Wood, Dr Begg, Dr Gibson, Mr Nixon, Mr Main, and Captain Shepherd, then resigned their places as members of the Union Committee. A number of members afterwards adhered to the above Protest and Dissents.