The working of the measure of the past session, denominated the Church
of Scotland Benefices Act, will soon be tested, and is now undergoing
the ordeal of proof, in consequence of objections lodged by the
parishioners of Banff, with the presbytery of Fordyce, against the
presentation, induction, and translation of the Rev. George Henderson,
now incumbent of the church and parish of Cullen, to the cure and
pastoral charge of the church and parish of Banff.
The Rev. Mr Grant, formerly parochial minister of Banff, ceased to hold
his _status_ in the Established Church of Scotland, having signed the
famous deed of secession, and voluntarily resigned his living with his
brethren of the non-intrusion clergy. A large portion of his
congregation left the establishment along with him, and a free church is
now in course of being built for their accommodation. The patronage of
the vacant benefice is in the gift of the Earl of Seafield. The Rev. Mr
Henderson, of Cullen, has accepted the presentation to the parish church
of Banff.
On the day appointed for "moderating on the call," very few names were
given in, in favour of the presentee, and the presbytery having fixed a
day for receiving objections, a series of reasons and objections was
lodged in the hands of that reverend body, and published at length in
the _Aberdeen Herald_, against proceeding with the collation of Mr
Henderson. The objections are set forth under no less than fourteen
different heads. "The approaches and manners" of the reverend gentleman
are not considered such "as to attach and endear his congregation to
him." He is reported to be subject "to an occasional exuberance of
animal spirits, and at times to display a liveliness of manner and
conversation which would be repugnant to the feelings of a large portion
of the congregation of Banff." Others of the objections assert, that his
illustrations in the pulpit do not bear upon his text--that his subjects
are incoherent and ill deduced; and the reverend gentleman is also
charged with being subject to a natural defect of utterance--a defect
which it is said increases as he "extends his voice," which is of a
"very harsh and grating description," and renders it difficult to hear
or follow what he says in the church of Banff, which we are informed "is
very large, and peculiarly constructed, with an unusually high pulpit,
to suit the high galleries;" and moreover, "the said Rev. George
Henderson is considered to be destitute of a musical ear, which prevents
the correct modulation of his voice!"
ARGYLLSHIRE ELECTION.--- The election of a member of Parliament for the
county of Argyll, in the room of Alexander Campbell, Esq., of Monzie,
who has accepted the Chiltern Hundreds, took place at Inverary on Friday
week. The Lord Advocate (Mr Duncan M'Neill), the only candidate in the
field, was accompanied to the hustings by a great number of the county
gentlemen; and no other candidate having been brought forward, a show of
hands was consequently taken, which being perfectly unanimous, he was,
of course, declared duly elected.--_Glasgow Saturday Post._
The Speaker of the House of Commons, Mr Shaw Lefevre, has been on a
visit at Glenquoich, the shooting quarters of Edward Ellice, Esq., M.P.,
in this county. The Right Hon. Edward Ellice, M.P. for Coventry, the
Baron James de Rothschild, and other members of the Rothschild family,
were also at Glenquoich.--_Inverness Courrier._