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ment Scheme. He was there advised by his physician Dr. Morell
McKenzie to remain in Europe six month longer and go to a warmer
climate, and having resolved to do so, intimated to the Trustees, that
he would abide by any arrangements which might be made in
his behalf in respect of obtaining and remunerating a Substitute
for him during this Session. The Trustees while "deeply regretting
the unsatisfactory state of the health of Professor Mackerras agreed
to grant him leave of absence for the present Session in the earnest
hope that the Medical advice which he is following would speedily
prove to his benefit." They at the same time, appointed the
Revd Donald Ross, B.D., who had expressed his willingness to do so,
to discharge the duties of the Professorship of Classical Literature
during the absence of Professor Mackerras.
It has been already mentioned that negotiations were
being carried on for a Union of the Presbyterian Churches in British
North America, a movement destined to have an important bearing
on the future relations of the University. It was initiated by a letter
of the Revd Mr. Ormiston of Hamilton, Moderator of the General Assembly
of the Canada Presbyterian Church, dated 18th April 1870,
to the Revd Dr. Jenkins, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of
Canada in connections with the Church of Scotland.
The letter stated, that it was written after consultation with
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