A great revolution has taken place in Scotland. A greater has been
threatened. Nor is that danger even yet certainly gone by. Upon the
accidents of such events as may arise for the next five years, whether
fitted or not fitted to revive discussions in which many of the
Non-seceders went in various degrees along with the Seceders, depends the
final (and, in a strict sense, the very awful) question, What is to be the
fate of the Scottish church? Lord Aberdeen's Act is well qualified to
tranquillize the agitations of that body; and at an earlier stage, if not
intercepted by Lord Melbourne, might have prevented them in part. But Lord
Aberdeen has no power to stifle a conflagration once thoroughly kindled.
That must depend in a great degree upon the favourable aspect of events
yet in the rear.
Meantime these great disturbances are not understood in England; and
chiefly on the differences between the two nations as to the language of
their several churches and law courts. The process of ordination and
induction is totally different under the different ecclesiastical
administrations of the two kingdoms. And the church courts of Scotland do
not exist in England. We write, therefore, with an express view to the
better information of England proper. And, with this purpose, we shall
lead the discussion through four capital questions:--