§ On the Motion of the Earl of Rosebery, the Ministers of Churches (Scotland) Bill was read a third time.
§ On the Motion, that the Bill do pass,
The Earl of Haddingtonproposed an additional clause, the first part of which provided, that in any parish in which the patron had built or endowed a chapel at his own expense, the law should remain as it stood, with reference to the appointment of a minister; and the second part provided, that where a patron and heritors united in building and endowing a chapel, there the law should stand as it did, unless heritors who had contributed to the amount of a fourth part of the money expended should object, in which case the appointment of the minister should fall under the operation of the new measure.
The Earl of Roseberyhad no objection to the first part of the noble Earl's proposition; but maintained, that the adoption of the second part would produce very injurious effects to the general working of the Bill. The distinction it would create would be a great evil, and would excite dissatisfaction, by separating the higher and the lower classes. He therefore could not agree to the second part of the clause.
The Earl of Haddingtonhad no wish to sow dissension, as his noble friend said would be the effect of his clause; what he wished was, to prevent the unnecessary interference of Church Courts which, though necessary in large towns where the contributors were numerous, would be injurious in country places where the chapels were built by a few score persons.
§ The first part of the clause was agreed to. On the second part their Lordships divided—Contents 33; Not Contents 43. Majority 10.
§ The Bill was passed.