band of fellowship, and appropriate addresses are then delivered to minister and people. These sen ice- being concluded, the moderator accompanies the newly or- dained pa- tor i,. some convenient place, where the mem- bers of the congregation may acknowledge him as their minister by taking him by the right band. The Pres- bytery then returns to its place of meeting, when the newly ordained minister's name is entered on the roll, and be takes bis seat as a member of the Presbytery, on which the commissioner- lor the congregation crave extracts. \ membi r of Presh\ ti ry i- also appointed to
* The form of edict is as follows: "Whereas the Pres- bytery of of the United Presbyterian ('lunch have
received a call from this congregation, addressed to A. P>., preacher (or minister) of the Gospel, to in- their
minister, and the said call lias been sustained as a regu- lar Gospel call, ami been accepted by the -aid A. ]!.. and be lei- undergone trials for ordination ; and whereas the
said Presbytery, having |udged the said A. I'., qualified for the ministry or the Gospel and the pastoral charge of this congregation, have resolved to proceed to his ordination
on the day of , unless something occur which
may reasonably impede it. Notice is hereby driven to all concerned that' if they, or any of them, have anything to
object "In the -aid A. It. should not he onlai 1 pastor
Of tin- congregation, they may repair to the Presbytery
which i- to meet at — -'on tlie said day of ;
with certification that, if no valid objection be then made, itery will proceed without further delay. By order of the Presbytery. A. B., Moderator.
C. I>., Clerk."
PRESBYTERIAN" CHURCHES 521 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES
constitute the session of the congregation and introduce the minister to his seat there. The whole procedure of the day is entered on the Presbytery's record.
The formula put to ministers on their ordination is as follows:
"1. Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, and the only rule of faith and practice?
"2. Do you acknowledge the Westminster Confession of Faith, and the Larger and Shorter Catechisms, as an exhibition of the sense in which you understand the Holy Scriptures ; it being understood that you are not required to approve of anything in these documents which teaches, or is supposed to teach, compulsory or persecuting and intolerant principles in religion ?
"3. Are you persuaded that the Lord Jesus Christ, the only King and Head of the Church, has therein appointed a government distinct from and subordinate to civil gov- ernment? And do you acknowledge the Presbyterian form of government, as authorized and acted on in this Church, to be founded on and agreeable to the Word of God?
"4. Do you approve of the constitution of the United Presbyterian Church as exhibited in the Basis of Union ; and, while cherishing a spirit of brotherhood towards all the faithful followers of Christ, do you engage to seek the purity, edification, peace, and extension of this Church ?
"5. Are zeal for the glory of God, love to the Lord Jesus Christ, and a desire to save souls, and not worldly inter- ests or expectations, so far as you know your own heart, your great motives and chief inducemeuts to enter into the office of the holy ministry ?
"C. Have you used any undue methods, by yourself or others, to obtain the call of this Church?
"[The Members of the Church beinij requested to stand vp, let this question be put to them :
"Do you, the members of this Church, testify your ad- herence to the call which you have given to Mr. A. B. to he your minister? And do you receive him with all glad- ness, and promise to provide for him suitable mainte- nance, and to give him all due respect, subjection, and encouragement, in the Lord?
"An opportunity will here be given to the members of the Church of signifying their assent to this by holding up their right hand.]
"7. Do you adhere to your acceptance of the call to be- come minister of this Church ?
"8. Do you engage, in the strength of the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 'to live a holy and circumspect life, to rule well your own house, and faithfully, diligently, and cheerfully to discharge all the parts of the ministerial work to the edifying of the body of Christ ?
"9. Do yon promise to give conscientious attendance on the courts of the United Presbyterian Church, to be subject to them in the Lord, to take a due interest in their proceedings, and to study the things which make for peace?
"10. All these things you profess and promise, through grace, as you shall be answerable at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints, and as you would he found in that happy company ?"
The Church has one theological institution, with a staff of seven professors, including the principal. The number of students for 1876-77 was 107. and the average for the ten preceding years 136. Students have to pass through a full course of arts at the university before joining the theological hall, and the theological curric- ulum is over three years, with a session each year from the beginning of November to the middle of April. Very recently a change was made in the management of the theological hall, with a view to the more efficient train- ing of the students. It was agreed that the means of maintaining the hall should be partly h\ a capital fund and partly by annual contributions, and the capital fund of £40,000 has already been nearly realized. In con- nection with the theological hall there is a scheme of scholarships, and a committee who have charge of the distribution of these on competitive examination of ap- plicants. In 1876 eleven special scholarships were awarded of the aggregate value of £275 ; and from the ordinary fund two of £20 each, ten of £15, and forty- one of £10. In 1876 the number of young people under religious instruction in Sabbath - schools and Bible- classes was 103,750.