church for the PreBbyterians at Sydney, — it being under- stood that they, and not the public, would be responsible for its completion. But Lang suggested that a salary for hiiuself wonld be more advantageous than a grant for building a cburch. Mr. Wilmot Hurton asked bini whether it would be more satisfactory to the Presbyterians. He wrote CiSth Jan. 1825):^^ l beg to express ray decided opinion Lbat it would be much more satisfactory to the Presbytorians , . . and I feel confident tbat on the alternative being proposed, they would unanimously prefer the appoiritinent of a salary for their clergyman, even at the risk of liaving their churcli encumbered-^ with a load of debt for a series of years. Lord Bathurst consented- Brisbane was informed (Feb. 1825) :
- n'he Rev% Mr. Lang having represented that it would be more aatiafac:-
tory to the Presbyterians of the colf>ny that a salary ahonhl be aUowed a clergyman in connection with the Church of Seothiml, tlittn that they shonid receive u grant for the erection of 4^ church, Lurd Bathurst orders £:i(jO for tlitj purpose in lien of the as^iiatauce it was proposed to afford to the Presbyterians of New South Wales for the erection of their chi^rch,** Lang returned triumphantly with a salary, and treasured the comidiance with his own suggestions as a giievance to be used in after time. On arriving in Sydne^^ (Jan, 1B26), he found that Brisbane had already advanced 24(X) dollars for the buildijiig of the church : and witlj linaiicial ingenuity he evaded repayment. Though the church trustees after some years executed a mortgage to secure the repayment, by various arts and contentions it was eluded. The curious may read Lang's narrative in a pam[)hlet published in Sydney in 1828 ; and learn how his mother '* could not commend iier son** for wi'iting a libellous letter about Wemyss ; how in that letter lie reviled Wemyss, to whom
- ho was indebted for the salt of his hospitality and the
-" New South Wales Legislative Council Proceeduigs, 1843, p. 566. -'- In 1843, twenty -six trustees, elders, and committee- men petitioned the Legislative Council for relief. They required £14S() to liquidate the debt. They denounced the *'paliml>le iiijuatice" of the alternative {origin- ally 8Ugge«ted by T^ang and) aaoctioned by Lord Ratbutstt by which salary was exciiauce<l for a buildiiiggtant- It was only ** tacitly acquiesced in by the PresDyteriftn« '* iSefortj a Select Gomuiitteo Lnng was asked how he reconciled* t!je petition with hia owu letter to Wibuot Hortoii. He rejjlied, *' 1 had to eudmiueone of two alteniatives, and I cliose that which I conceived to be the beat/*
