§ The Marquess of Breadalbane, in presenting a petition from Members of the Free Church of Scotland, against the proposed grant to the College of Maynooth, said, as evidence of what could be done by the voluntary principle, the petitioners stated that within the last three years the Members of the Free Church of Scotland had built and occupied 530 churches, at the cost of 335,980l., leaving a debt remaining upon them of 50,000l.; that 70 new churches were still in the course of erection; and that the number was expected to be shortly increased to 700. They further stated that in 1843 and 1844 they collected the sums following:—For the Sustentation Fund for the relief of their ministers, 62,468l.; Building Fund, 237,836l.; Congregational Fund, 41,340l.; Mission Fund, 31,790l. legal expenses, 1,105l.; and Assembly Accommodation Fund, 1,853l. From 1844 to 1845 they also collected — for the Sustentation Fund, 75,468l.; Building Fund, 122,148l.; Congregational Fund, 78,851l.; Mission Fund, 68,805l.; legal expenses, 3,385l.; and Assembly Accommodation Fund, 707l.; making the total sum collected since their secession 725,452l.