MY DEAR FRIENDS, - The crisis which has for some time been expected in our Colonial Presbyterian Church has arrived: and I have to request your attention to a few remarks relative to it.

During the last few days, intelligence has reached me of the proceedings of the recent meeting of the Synod of Australia, and of its separation into two, if not three parts. The information which I have received, is in several respects incomplete. It is, however, quite sufficient to enable me to decide as to my own course, and is fully in accordance with the anticipations which I have already expressed to you. By a deliberate vote, the Synod have resolved to retain the designation which has formed the most palpable subject of contention during the last two years, and have virtually, though not in express terms, rescinded the Resolutions adopted at their general meetings in these two years. They have determined that they shall be known by a name, which, according to the lowest view of it that can be taken, implies a preference for, and approbation of the Established Church of Scotland, above all other Churches.

The removal of this name was formerly sought in a regular and constitutional manner, for the purpose of shewing that there was no such preference, and no such approbation; and it was well known that some members attached so much importance to this absence of preference and approbation being made clearly and unequivocally apparent, that they had resolved to peril all the temporal advantages of their respective positions, rather than be parties to its retention. It was known that several ministers, regarded the words "in connexion with the Established Church of Scotland," as like the mark of Cain on the forehead of the Colonial Synod, proclaiming it to approve of erastionism in another body, and as looking on the spiritual Independence of Christ's Church as of slight value. Had a vote like the present been come to in 1844, or 1845, the Synod would have been divided then; but in each of those two years, a change of designation was resolved upon. The abandonment of such resolutions so adopted, would alone in my opinion, have formed a valid ground of separation, implying, as it does, a wanton trifling with the conscientious convictions of good men, and a breaking of promises solemnly made in an Assembly met in the name of the Lord Jesus.

But in the proceedings of the late meeting, there is another aggravating feature. There is not only a declaration of preference for, and approbation of the Scottish establishment, erastian as its constitution now is; in addition to this, there is a pusillanimous yielding to the threats of that Establishment, which, you are aware, has claimed the right of determining that the members of the Colonial Church have forfeited the privileges assured to them by law. There is thus a virtual admission, that the Scottish Establishment has the right which she claims, inasmuch as they have followed the course she has prescribed, - an admission likely to pave the way for still further invasions and encroachments.

Had the Synod been faithful to themselves, and to their people, we feel confident they might have repelled this attack on their freedom; for the entire Independence of the Colonial Church was made a distinct condition of the formation of the body in 1840. As to the privileges secured to us by law, by which are meant no doubt our Churches and Stipends, and manses where they exist, - every one who knows the facts of the case, is well aware that they have been secured, not through any descent from the Church of Scotland, or through any aid she has rendered, but through the labours of the very men from whom they are sought to be withdrawn, assisted by the contributions of Colonial Presbyterians. By succumbing to this foreign invasion, we hesitate not to say, that the Synod have departed from a fundamental principle of their own constitution, - have been guilty of a dastardly surrender of their own liberties, - and have broken faith with the people, who have contributed to the erection of Churches and other buildings under their superintendence, in the belief that there was no foreign interference to be dreaded.

But the deed is done. Without exactly saying to the Scottish Establishment, we will meekly do all you bid us, the Synod has done as it was bid. Its independence is betrayed; and in all time coming, its ranks must be recruited, and its Churches filled, by men drawn from the Scottish Establishment, - of all bodies the one least fitted to supply suitable labourers for a missionary field. The numbers by whom this vote has been come to, are as decisive, as can be conceived. All the ministers in the Middle District, eighteen in number, took part in the proceedings; and of these thirteen either voted for the Resolution adopted, or what is practically the same thing, have acquiesced in it, by remaining in the Synod. Three out of the four ministers in this District are known to wish this issue.

For these reasons, and for others, which cannot now be mentioned, I renounce from this time forth, all connexion and communion with "the Synod of Australia, in connexion with the Established Church of Scotland," and I relinquish all privileges and advantages of a temporal kind which I enjoy as a member thereof. I mean, if spared, to make a similar announcement to the local Presbytery, through their Moderator, in the course of the present week; and I shall also cease drawing the income which I have hitherto received from the Colonial Government, from the end of this month.

I am desirous that you should understand what are, and what are not, my reasons for this last step. They are not because this income belongs in any way to the Established Church of Scotland, or because I am indebted to her for it, either directly or indirectly; - nor because the principles of the Free Church repudiate such endowments, which they do not. The reasons by which I am influenced, are the two following:-

1. Because all clerical incomes are paid on the condition, that the superintending ecclesiastical authority be satisfied with the conduct of those under its care. The Synod will undoubtedly be highly displeased with my present conduct. Their displeasure will only be the deeper, because if they had generally acted agreeably to their past professions, they would be in the same position with my brethren and me; - or rather, this disruption could not have happened at all. Deserters and renegades have ever been the sternest persecutors of the cause they have abandoned, and it grieves me to say, two-thirds of the Synod of Australia are both.

2. There is another reason. Clerical incomes are granted in the first instance, and continue to be paid, in virtue of the adherence of a certain number of the Queen's subjects in the colony. I have never expected that all who have hitherto adhered to me, would concur in the step I am now taking. On this ground likewise, my rights are extinguished.

I have been thus explicit on this secular point, because there exists a good deal of misconception respecting it, among those who do not understand the facts of the case, and because there has been a good deal of misrepresentation by parties who understand them well. There is another small matter, which has in like manner been misconceived and misrepresented. I refer to the erroneous imagination that "Free Church principles," are identical with what are known in the Mother Country as Voluntary Church principles. This point is very fully elucidated in the Protest of the Free Church and in Dr. Chalmers' Address at the opening of the first Free Assembly, - documents which are both well worthy of an attentive perusal on many accounts.

I will not attempt at present, any formal vindication of the step I have now announced to you, a step which will no doubt be branded as Schismatic, disorderly, violent, and everything evil. I am constrained to it by a desire to maintain the principles and testimony of the Free Church of Scotland, - principles, which I believe to be the olden principles of the National Church of Scotland,- principles which I vowed to maintain, when ordained to the office of the ministry, - principles for which many blessed martyrs have in other days shed their blood, - principles which I am firmly persuaded are taught and inculcated in the Word of God. As long as there was the shadow of a hope, that the Synod of Australia would be faithful to these principles, I continued in it, though there was much in it that I lamented, and much wanting that I desired to see.

I am not one of those who regard religious dissensions as slight matters. I believe that the maintenance of the unity and peace of the Church is a duty, second only to the maintenance of purity and truth, - of fidelity to her only King and Head. That I may be faithful to Christ, I separate from those whom I consider disloyal to Him, who in words acknowledge Him as pre-eminent, but in works deny Him. The consequences will be painful; for they involve the loss of every temporal possession, and of the temporal results of the labours of my entire public life. Yet I feel it as a great relief to have done with such timid and hesitating, such "fearful and unbelieving" men. I have felt for a long time, like one surrounded by icebergs. The "narrow views, timid counsels and cold Christianity" of such associates, is almost enough to freeze one to death.

As I have said, I mean at the very earliest period to send a formal act of separation and demission to the Presbytery of Melbourne. How long I may be permitted to officiate here, I of course cannot say. That it will not be long is certain; for this Church and the buildings connected with it, form too tempting a prize for Erastian cupidity not soon to attempt to seize. That such seizure will be morally unjust, I have no hesitation in saying, for the Synod have, by the betrayal of their independence, fallen from a fundamental principle of their own constitution. But it would be both vain and injurious, to engage in any contention with them. The majority of the Synod opposed to the views which I hold, has been so overwhelming, that I must either submit, or sacrifice every advantage dependent of the continuance of the connexion. I cannot submit. I therefore withdraw, appealing from the judgement of men, to Him, who judgeth righteously, and before whose dread tribunal, we shall anon all stand; and by whom the actions and the motives of all men will be scrutinised, without partiality and without passion.

The brethren in the Middle District, who adhere to the principles and testimony of the Free Church of Scotland, have formed themselves into a Synod, called the Synod of Eastern Australia. Whilst I go along with them in leaving the old body, in which we have hitherto been associated, I do not think it expedient to join myself to the new. Experience has painfully convinced me of the undesireableness of the Church here being under the rule of a body meeting in Sydney. The objections felt by every colonist to a political connexion with New South Wales, apply with tenfold force to an ecclesiastical connexion of Presbyterians.

Australia Felix is in every way, sufficiently important, to constitute a field for an independent Synodical body, and Providence appears to be opening up the way for its formation, at a period not very remote. The exertions of the Presbyterian Church Society are likely to secure the introduction of two labourers. One of them, the Rev. Thomas Hastie, may be expected, if the Lord will, in two or three months. The parent Church, the Free Church of Scotland, publicly announced to their people in March last, their desire to make an extraordinary effort in our behalf, and in reply to an application for Missionaries to labour in our neglected interior, they have assured me of their disposition, "to give me every encouragement and assistance in their power."

I therefore purpose, in humble dependence on the help and guidance of the alone Head and King of the Church, with the assistance of such Christian people as may be willing to cooperate with me, - no matter though they should be few in number, and humble in condition, - to attempt laying anew the foundation of a Scriptural Presbyterian Church in this province, - a Church adhering to all the principles of the Scottish Reformation, - to the Westminster Confession of Faith, as understood by the Free Church of Scotland, - a Church however entirely independent of all transmarine control and interference whatsoever. There seems in some minds a confusion of ideas on this subject of independence; they cannot distinguish between independence and neutrality. Now we cannot be neutral respecting the questions which have rent asunder the Church of our Fathers, questions of whose rending and dissevering influence, on both Churches and States, we have yet seen only the beginning. We are constrained to take a decided position on one side, but we must be careful to retain our independence likewise, and reserve full liberty in all matters that may hereafter arise, to act, judge, and determine freely and finally for ourselves.

I am deeply sensible of the difficulty of this undertaking, and of my own insufficiency for it; but I feel I am in the path of duty, which is ever the path of safety. Conscience is quiet within, and I rely on the support of an all-sustaining God. The Lord hath been mindful of us, He will bless us; He will bless the house of Israel, He will bless the house of Aaron.

I have made this statement, without asking any man's advice or opinion. I have solicited no man's assistance. I have not communed with flesh and blood. Had I followed human counsel, or depended on merely human co-operation, I should act otherwise. May the Lord overrule all events for the advancement of his own cause; may he bring good out of evil, and render every change in the Church, and in the world, subservient to the promotion of His glory, the salvation of sinners, and the edification of the body of Christ. Brethren pray for us, that the things which have happened to me, may fall out rather into the furtherance of the Gospel, that they may turn to my salvation through your prayers, and the supply of the spirit of Jesus Christ. Pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course and be purified; and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men, for all men have not faith; but the Lord is faithful, who shall establish us, and keep us from evil. Now to Him who is Head over all things, to His Church, to the only wise God, our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power. Amen.