for ages observed. And to that mode of worship, until altered by constitutional authority, whatever Dissenters may do, the members of the Establishment are bound to conform.

In former times, the inhabitants of Glasgow stood forward, the steady supporters of civil and religious freedom. And although firmly attached to the simple and unadorned form of worship, handed down to them by their forefathers, I am convinced the Gentlemen, who at present compose the Magistracy and Council, are, at least, as anxious, as any of their predecessors ever were, to promote every rational and liberal improvement. But zeal for improvement, ought to be tempered with prudence. And I own, I should be sorry indeed, were the Magistrates and Council of Glasgow to commit themselves so far, as to sanction, authorize, or approve, in any capacity, directly or indirectly, expressly or tacitly, what, it is possible, the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, in the exercise of its constitutional functions, may afterwards disapprove and prohibit.

Upon the whole, then, my opinion is, First, That the Magistrates and Council, as representative Heritors, are bound to take such measures, as may prevent the funds of the community from sustaining any injury by the introduction of the proposed Organ; and, Secondly, That the Magistrates and Council ought to recommend it to the Gentlemen subscribers, and to the able and learned Pastor of that most respect

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able congregation, before proceeding farther, to apply for the permission and sanction of the Ecclesiastical Branch of our Constitution. If the measure be expedient and salutary, there will surely be the less difficulty in obtaining that sanction. And whatever may be the result, the measure will be fully and fairly discussed by that deliberative assembly, whose province it is, to take cognizance of such matters.

I have to apologize for trespassing so much on the time of your Lordship. And I have the honour to be, with much respect and esteem,

In a conversation which took place in a company where I was yesterday, it was mentioned by a member of your congregation, that it was intended to make use of the Organ at present in the St. Andrew's church of this city during Divine service, to-morrow, or on some Sunday soon. I beg to know if such really is your intention, because, if so, I shall consider it my duty to enter a solemn

I have this moment had the honour of receiving your Lordship's letter, relative to what you have heard about the intention expressed by the congregation of St. Andrew's church, to employ an Organ in public worship. I shall embrace the first possible opportunity of laying the Lord Provost's letter before the committee of that congregation to whom the business of the Organ has been committed, that they may know at what risk such an attempt as that which they have in view must be made. They will, as becomes them, pay all due deference to your Lordship's declaration*.

I have the honour to remain, &c.

Miller-Street,

22d August, 1807.

(Signed)

WILL. RITCHIE.

• The Public may judge of the deference Dr. Ritchie paid to the Lord Provost's declaration, when they are informed, that the Organ was used in St. Andrew's Church in the public worship of God, the very next day after he had received that letter. Indeed, it appears from Dr. Ritchie's own account, that he did not lay that letter before his Musical Committee till the 26th.

(COPY.)

Second Letter the LORD PROVOST to Dr. RITCHIE.

REV. SIR,

Glasgow, 26th August, 1807.

After the answer returned by the Magistrates and Council of this city in the month of September last, to the application of the Minister and various members of the congregation of St. Andrew's church for permission to introduce an Organ, it was not expected that you or any of the members of that congregation would have placed an Organ in that church, or would have authorized performance on such a musical instrument on Sunday, and at the time of Divine service, without having previously obtained the sanction of our Ecclesiastical Legislature for such a proceeding.

That an Organ has lately been introduced into St. Andrew's church, and was used on Sunday last, while the congregation were engaged in Divine service, I have received information from different quarters, and I have not yet learned that the Ecclesiastical Branch of our Constitution has, in any shape, approved or sanctioned so material an innovation in our external form of worship.

Whether such an innovation be an improvement, or the reverse, it is not the province of the Magistrates and Council to inquire, or to determine. And I conceive I shall discharge the legal duty incumbent on the Civil Magistrate in a religious or ecclesiastical point of view, by merely giving intima

tion of the event to the Rev. Presbytery within whose bounds this city is situated.

But while the Magistrates and Council thus leave entirely to the Ecclesiastical Judicatories, whose province it is to take cognizance of such matters, the superintendance and regulation of our external form of worship, I think it necessary on the part of the Patrons of St. Andrew's church, and of the Heritors of the parish, as notified in my letter of Saturday, thus formally to protest, and intimate to you as Minister, and through your medium to the other members of your kirk-session, and to the individuals of whom the congregation is composed, that, in the event of the measure which you have thought fit to adopt, without the approbation of the Patrons and Heritors, proving detrimental in any respect to the pecuniary interests of the city and community of Glasgow, the Patrons and Heritors hold you, and the other members of your kirk-session and congregation as legally liable for the consequences, whatever they may be.

Farther, on the part of the Magistrates of this city, I feel myself called upon to give you this formal intimation, that although determined, as in duty bound, at all times to preserve peace and good order among the inhabitants, the Magistrates hold you and the other members of the kirk-session, and congregation of St. Andrew's church, as responsible for the consequences of any breach of the peace which may

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