§ MR. M'LARENasked the Secretary of State for the Home Depart- 1843 ment, Whether the Professor of Church History in the University of Edinburgh accepted his commission to that office on the condition that the charge held by him as a Minister of the Church of Scotland would be relinquished by him before Whitsunday 1879; and, if so, whether any sufficient reason has been assigned for his still holding the office and performing the duties of parish minister in a populous and important charge in the Church in contravention of the conditions referred to?
MR. ASSHETON CROSSSir, the duties of the Professor of Church History, if rightly performed, are quite sufficient, in my opinion, to occupy the whole time of the Professor. Accordingly, when the present Professor was appointed, it was made an express condition that he should resign his Presbyterial charge before Whit Sunday, 1879. He has complied with that requirement by resigning the office which he holds as parish minister, and his resignation has been accepted by the Presbytery of Edinburgh. No successor has as yet been appointed to him; but that is due, not to any neglect on the part of the Professor of Church History, but to the fact of some of the parishioners having appealed to a higher court. All I can say is that of course the Professor must give up his charge if he intends to keep the Chair.
§ MR. M'LARENMight I ask, If the only person who has appealed is a solicitor, and whether he is not supposed to be acting in accordance with the wishes of the Professor?
MR. ASSHETON CROSSI have only had a short conversation with my right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Advocate; but I understand that the Professor is quite willing to carry out the arrangement that was come to.