Education Scheme. — Till recently a large proportion of the congregations had day-schools, for which grants were given. Most of these are now absorbed in the na- tional scheme of educat ion. There are still some schools receiving grants; but (he chief remaining part of the scheme is the Normal Schools, of which there arc two — at Edinburgh and Glasgow. The instructors receive a salary from a general fund, which is raised by monthly contributions in all the congregations, and which is di- vided at the end of the year according to a certain scale, proportioned to the qualifications of the respective teach- ers. The number of normal students, male and female, for 187(5 77 was i:>|.
College Scheme.— This provides for the support of the three theological institutions, partly by interest of en- dowments and partly by an annual collection at church- door, donations, legacies, etc. For 1876 77 the rei enue was a total of £8995. There are large Bursary ami Scholar-hip Funds for the encouragement of students, from £10 to £100 annually.
Continental Scheme, — For aiding stations, societies, ami churches on the continent of Europe. Revenue about £4000.
Colonial Scheme. — For sending out ministers to the colonies and aiding colonial churches, especially in their earlier stages. Revenue about £4000.
The Foreign Missions Scheme. — The late Rev. Dr. Duff, the first missionary to the heathen from the Church of Scotland, went to Calcutta in 1829, and founded the India Mission of the Church of Scotland. In the previous year Dr. Wilson went to Bombay, and later, tin- Rev. John Anderson to Madras. In 1843 all ■ the missionaries in India adhered to the Free Church,
and the old localities were continued. The Foreign
Missions of the Free Church embrace India, Africa, Syr- ia, and New Hebrides. In India, there are 0 principal
and 12 branch stations in Bengal; 3 principal ami lo
branch Stations in Western India; 2 principal and .'! branch Stations in Central India; and 1 principal and 7 branch stations in Southern India. In South Africa there are 6 principal and .".I branch stations in Kaffra- ria: -J principal and 2 branch Btations in Natal; and l principal station at Livingstonia. In New Hebrides, where the Reformed Presbyterians (who joined the Free Church in l.s7t',i had their held, an' ' I stations, on three islands; and in Syria, tin- headquarters are at Shweir, aboul twenty miles from Beyrut. In all. the Free Church missions embrace 107 stations, 38 European missionaries. :! European medical missionaries, -Jl gu.
ropean teachers. 19 European artisans, l"> native mis- sionaries, 327 Christian teacher.-., and Christian laborers
of various sorts. In the native churches are 3350 com- municants, and about ."'""i baptized adherents. The number of institutions and schools is 223, and the total number of scholars is 13,109. In the principal Indian station- many of the pupil- an- undergraduates of the universities. The revenue of this scheme for 1876 77 was £51,217.
Mission l<< Jews. This mis-ion was begun in 1839, and in 1843 it was continued by the Free Church, all the missionaries having adhered. At present it has stations at i I) Amsterdam, (2) Prague, (3) l'esth, (4) Breslau, (5) Constantinople. Tlie Pesth mi— ion has been especially blessed. The amount raised for the scheme in L876 77 wa- £13,468.
The following i- a summary of the contributions of the Free Church for 1*70 -77 :
Sustentation fund £170,809
Local buildings fund 66,291
Congregational fund 176,2! o
Missions and education 104,325
Miscellaneous 2s,n7'J
Total i:£iG5,l»4
In all its operations, indeed, whether at home or abroad, the Free < Sburch exhibits a vitality and energetic power which have gained tor it a high place anion- Christian
churches. See Scotland, Chi r< hes in.
4. Reformed Pki sbi ri im vnChi ri h oi Scoi t \m>.
— This is the only Church which claims lo be legiti- mately descended from the Covenanted Church oi Scot- land in her period of greatest purity, that of the Se d
Reformation. It was that memorable period of Scottish history between 1638 and 1650 which formed the sera of the Solemn League and Covenant, of the Westminster Assembly, of the revolution which dethroned the first Charles and assi rted those principle- of civil and relig- ious liberty which all enlightened Christian- and states- men are now ready with one voice to acknowledge and to admire. For their strict adherence to these principles Cameron. Gargill, and Renwick shed their blood, and lo these principles the Reformed Presbyterian Church glo- ried in avowing her attachment. As has already been noticed in i he article Covenanters, on the day after the execution of Charles I was known at Edinburgh, his son, Charles II. was proclaimed king at the public cross by the Committee of Estates, with this pro\ iso, however, that "before being admitted to the exercise of his royal power, he shall give satisfaction to this kingdom in the things that concern the security of religion according to the National Covenant and the Solemn League and Covenant." This condition or proviso was considered as so necessarj t>> the maintenance of the constitution of the country, as well a- the promotion of the great principles of civil and religious liberty, that it was en- acted both by the Parliament and the General Assem- bly. The document issued by the latter body exhibits, in the clearest manner, their design in insisting upon the subscription by the king. It is dated July 27, 1649,