ediately under the present murmurs against
that distribution. There are two funds: one subscribed expressly for the
building of churches, the other limited to the "sustentation" of
incumbents. And the complaint is--that this latter fund has been invaded
for purposes connected with the first. The reader can easily see the
motive to this injustice: it is a motive of ambition. Far more display of
power is made by the annunciation to the world of six hundred churches
built, than of any difference this way or that in the comfort and decorous
condition of the clergy. This last is a domestic feature of the case, not
fitted for public effect. But the number of the churches will resound
through Europe. Meantime, _at present_, the allowance to the great body of
Seceding clergy averages but L80 a-year; and the allegation is--that, but
for the improper interference with the fund on the motive stated, it would
have averaged L150 a-year. If any where a town parish has raised a much
larger provision for its pastor, even _that_ has now become a part of the
general grievance. For it is said that all such special contributions
ought to have been thrown into one general fund--liable to one general
principle of distribution. Yet again, will even this fund, partially as it
seems to have been divided, continue to be available? Much of it lies in
annual subscriptions: now, in the next generation of subscribers, a son
will possibly not adopt the views of his father; but assuredly he will not
adopt his father's zeal. Here however, (though this is not probable,)
there may arise some compensatory cases of subscribers altogether new. But
another question is pressing for decision, which menaces a frightful shock
to the schismatical church: female agency has been hitherto all potent in
promoting the subscriptions; and a demand has been made in
consequence--that women shall be allowed to vote in the church courts.
Grant this demand--for it cannot be evaded--and what becomes of the model
for church government as handed down from John Knox and Calvin? Refuse it,
and what becomes of the future subscriptions?

But these are evils, it may be said, only for the Seceders. Not so: we are
all interested in the respectability of the national teachers, whatever be
their denomination: we are all interested in the maintenance of a high
standard for theological education. These objects are likely to suffer at
any rate. But it is even a worse result which we may coun