The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has opened
its deliberations for the season with no mitigation of vehemence. Under the leadership of Mr. CUNNINGHAM, it has taken its stand, not merely against the " intrusion " of ministers, but against the institution of patronage. An object as far beyond present reach as the abolition of the Peerage : for it is England, not Scotland, which is the dominant country—England, not Scotland, which legislates; and the large concourse of English patrons which com- pose the two Houses of the Legislature will not soon be persuaded to teach the English people by example how their patronage may be abolished. When it comes to that, the substitution of Voluntary- ism for Establishment, or at least for State endowment, will De at hand : for the logic which satisfies Nonintrusionists that the com- municants of the Church, and they alone, should have the appoint- ment of pastors, would satisfy those who are not of the Church that they should have no share in paying for those pastors. The leaders of the Assembly are pla)ing a bold but a dangerous game.
