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of twenty-one years' standing, I have seen the cause of Christ gradually rise on the voluntary principle in different parts of our beloved country. At A, in Cumberland, and at my present station, the principle for which we contend will, with proper arrangement, succeed to a considerable extent, and I have ever found that where the people are made willing to do all they can for the support of the Gospel, there the prosperity of the cause is secured. We therefore need no Government grants from the public funds, and we have felt it our duty to petition against them."

Tendency to Popery in the Clergy more than in the Laity-Instance of this.

"There has been a very considerable increase in the attendance at V this month: it has been occasioned by the use of the surplice in the pulpit, and various innovations, to the annoyance of the people, who having expressed their disapprobation, were met by a refusal to comply with their wishes; they waited patiently for several weeks, having intimated that if those things were continued they should withdraw; but, from report, they were assailed from the pulpit most uncourteously for presuming to express their dissatisfaction with the manner in which the services were conducted; they have now left the church and come to chapel, and thus afford an additional instance that the disposition to return to Popery is rather on the part of the clergy than the laity. Whether this change may be permanent, or what may issue from it, time will show, but it is possible that the erection of this new church for the purpose of crushing dissent may strengthen our hands. Our hope and prayer is, that it may be overruled for good-very much good; that the opposition offered to superstitious rites may lead to the discovery of principles that will not fail to promote the glory of God and the salvation of the soul; and that we may have a large measure of wisdom that is from above, which is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits.'"

Consequences of Confirmation not good.

"We have lately had a confirmation in this neighbourhood, and the consequences are truly awful. Many have been persuaded to take the sacrament of the Lord's supper who give no evidence whatever of a change of heart. First and foremost in this awful delusion, I am sorry to say, is Mr. - of New Church, called by some, as you are aware, evangelical. His efforts to get people confirmed, and then to the sacrament, have been most untiring. In every instance, however, he has not met with complete success. He visited, a week or two ago, a poor woman who has been brought to very serious reflection through the ministry at our chapel Addressing himself to her son, he asked whether he was not going to be confirmed on the ensuing Friday or Saturday? The young man, who had heard me preach on the theme the Sabbath previous, assured him that he would go to the confirmation if two things could be proved to him. First, that it was commanded in the Scriptures; second, that it was necessary to salvation. The clergyman was amazed, and expressed his sorrow at such views-turning to the mother, he reminded her that he had not seen her at church lately, and wished to know why it was. She replied that she was far from well, and the chapel being nearer she generally went thither. He told her that he was exceedingly sorry, and that her conduct was very wrong.' 'But why, Sir?' said she; 'there is but one way to heaven, and I hope that you and Mr. L- do not teach two ways.' He was displeased, when she assured him that she had learnt more the value of true religion at chapel than ever she had done at church, and would follow out the convictions of her own conscience. The following case is in mournful contrast:-Another poor woman was much impressed under a

sermon preached by Mr. K- in our chapel; for a time she attended; soon, however, she was decoyed away, and through the minister's persuasion, became a candidate for confirmation. Her concern for her soul has gone, she has been well-nigh forced to the sacrament. It appears that the poor woman had some scruples, but on mentioning them to this pseudo-evangelical curate, he assured her that the Lord's supper would do her no harm if she did not commit any great sin after it; and thus the souls of the people are lulled to sleep, and thus they perish. Death is extremely busy among us. One of our church members has lost two children in a fortnight by the fever, which is raging dreadfully. I am happy to say God has mercifully supported her."

Successful Labours, as shown in Additions to the Church.

"During the past month local circumstances have somewhat made against our village services; but we hope, under the Divine blessing, that extra efforts will be productive of something more encouraging.

"Our Sunday-school is doing well. Anniversary services were held on the 18th. The Rev. J. Alexander, and Rev. W. Brock, from Norwich, attended. In the afternoon, the parents, teachers, and children were addressed by Mr. Brock. An excellent feeling pervaded the meeting. In the evening, Mr. Alexander preached from James v. 20. Much interest was excited, and the collection far exceeded our expectations. Mr. A. was so delighted with his visit, that he has kindly promised to repeat it in two or three months. The Directors will be gratified to hear that six persons, four of whom are the fruit of my village labours, have been received into Christian communion. At the ordinance yesterday, we experienced a very special season of refreshing from the presence of the Lord.

"Thanks to his name for mercies past,

And promises for days to come.""

Bigotry defeated-Revels opposed.

"I hope I can say with a degree of certainty that good is doing on this station. Besides several conversions, there is evidence of a growth of grace in the members. They have often inducements to leave the chapel, and were it not for the grace of God, no doubt they would do so. I shall mention one case of the kind. At P―, the poor of the parish receive annually a little money, the interest of some land, left to them by a gentleman two or three hundred years ago. The dissenters, from time to time, have been given to understand that they are not entitled to any part of it, because the gentleman who gave it was a churchman, and they do not belong to the church; but if they would return to the church they should share with the rest of the poor. In consequence of their refusing to return, the farmers have had several meetings, to see if they could confine the benefit to the members of the church. Two or three of them very strongly urged it, but I am happy to say all were not agreed on the subject; and at the last vestry meeting, many of the farmers (to their honour be it spoken) took the part of the dissenters, and said they were a part of the poor of the parish, and had as good a right to it as had those who were members of the church. They then agreed, that whether churchmen or dissenters, there should be no difference made; that they should equally share alike, as before. But for this decision, in order to do justice to all, I should have felt it my duty to have recourse to legal means in behalf of the injured. I rejoice, however, that our poor friends have those within the parish to plead their cause, without any interference on my part. Indeed, I wish to live in peace with all; my war is with sin, error, &c., and not with men. I mention this to show that my poor people would rather give up their worldly privileges, and even their rights, than they would leave the place of worship where they have derived their spiritual good. Monday, the 12th, we held a public meet

ing at S

to counteract the revel. On the following Monday we held a similar one at S. At the former place the Rev. J. Pinkstone, of North Petherton; at the latter, the Rev. H. Quick, of Taunton. At S it has been the means of almost destroying the revel; but at S, Satan has still a very strong hold. At Cwe shall receive three members at our next ordinance."

IRISH EVANGELICAL SOCIETY.

MISSION TO CONNAUGHT.

THE Committee have great pleasure in announcing to the friends of the Society, that, by the time this number is in the hands of its readers, this important enterprise will be commenced. After mature consideration it has been determined, for the present, to make the town of Castlebar, in the county of Mayo, the centre of operations. From thence the brethren engaged in the undertaking will be able to travel north, through that county and Sligo, east to Roscommon, and south to Galway. There will be engaged in this mission at its commencement, the Rev. Messrs. Jordan and Murray, missionaries, who will be able, as opportunity offers, "to teach and to preach" in the native Irish language, their mother tongue. Messrs. T. O'Hara, O'Conor, and H. Deane, also Irish-speaking brethren, as missionaries and Scripture-readers; together with Messrs. Jackson and Hart, who have laboured for some years, with great acceptance, in the service of the Society. Besides these, the committee have accepted the offer of Mr. T. Arnold, a student in Rotherham College, to be employed during the collegiate vacation. Their young brother is himself a native of the sister country, and being partially acquainted with the Irish language desires to be employed in a district where he may perfect himself in that tongue, and thus prepare himself for future usefulness in preaching the word of life to his superstitious countrymen.

The Committee have commenced this enterprise with some "fear and trembling," but with greater hope. There will be many difficulties to encounter; but there are many sources of encouragement. They appeal with confidence to the churches of Britain, and ask for their liberal contributions, which will be absolutely requisite to sustain the effort, and especially for their prayers, that God may be pleased to vouchsafe his blessing.

COLONIAL MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

WORKS OF GRACE IN THE CANADIAN WILDERNESS.

FIFTEEN years ago, the writer was introduced, by the late venerable Greville Ewing, of Glasgow, to a stalwart highlander-a man of God-a deacon of a Congregational church, who was about to embark for Canada, as the leader of several hundreds of the Duke of Hamilton's tenantry, from the island of Arran, in the Frith of Clyde. It was then mentioned that a few of the intended emigrants were disciples of Jesus, and were anxious in respect of the ordinances of religion, in that "lone and rugged wilderness" where they expected to spend the remainder of their days. Some weeks after this interview, I learned that they had sailed for this portion of her majesty's dominions. A year or two subsequently I visited Arran, spent several days with the excellent pastor of the Congregational church there, the Rev. Mr. McKay, and learned that still another body of the people had gone forth to join their fellows, and, accompanying them, there had sailed a father in the ministry, the Rev. Mr. Henry. They obtained a township of land on the south side N. S. VOL. IX. 4 B

of the St. Lawrence, fifty miles from Quebec; and by their steady industry, the mighty forest speedily yielded to their efforts, and the wilderness became a fruitful field.

No sooner, however, had they obtained for themselves habitable tents, and supplied their more pressing physical wants, than my friend the deacon, above alluded to, formed the youth into a Sabbath-school and Bible-class, and commenced a course of enlightened scriptural instruction. In this good work he was aided, after his arrival, by the venerable minister who followed. As a large proportion of the immigrants were Presbyterians, and as Mr. Henry was identified with a different body of Christians, namely, the Congregational, it was not thought expedient to form a Christian church; but he continued his regular ministerial labours among the people generally; and my friend the deacon, his Sabbath-school and Bible-class. Nearly all the young people of the settlement enjoyed the advantages of his kind, enlightened, and able instructions. His influence was in every point of view great. As a magistrate,—an intelligent agriculturist,-a captain of militia,—a person well known by government, and highly esteemed,—my friend was looked up to by the community, who naturally sought from him good counsel and friendly aid in their temporal affairs; while, at the same time, his consistent and intelligent piety told powerfully for good on all the people; so that Captain McKillop (I may now mention his name) was a public blessing to Inverness, the township already described. A few years since a Presbyterian minister, in connexion with the church of Scotland, was sent thither; a place of worship was erected on land given for the purpose by my friend; and public service was regularly conducted, though no church was organised. Some time since the Presbyterian minister left, without any one having succeeded him. A very neat, plain building has been erected by the captain and his friends for the use of the congregation more particularly connected with Mr. Henry, though it is cheerfully opened to Episcopalian and Wesleyan ministers, who occasionally preach there.

During the vacation of our Theological Institute, in the autumn of 1844, one of our beloved young brethren was requested to spend some weeks amongst the people at Inverness. The result was very happy. A spirit of hearing was manifested by the people, and crowds listened to our young brother's scriptural and faithful instructions. It was quite plain that the Lord was opening the minds and hearts of the multitude, and that they must not be neglected. My beloved brother Atkinson, of Quebec, spent a Sabbath with them afterwards; they crowded to hear him, and manifested deep interest in "the things spoken." Soon afterwards, in the good providence of God, a brother came out from Scotland, who had for some years been employed as schoolmaster; he is a member of an Independent church, and had been accustomed to preach in the villages around the town in which he lived. On his introduction to me, and his expression of his desire to be useful, I directed his attention, after examining his testimonials, to the necessities of Inverness, and advised a visit there. He went. He found a people among whom the good seed had been long sown. He preached the Gospel simply and faithfully. He gathered the young men and young women, on separate evenings, for Bible-class instruction, and it soon became evident that the Spirit of God was verily in that place. One and another of those who had been well instructed, but who had never yielded themselves to God, now inquired, in an agony of sorrow, what they must do to be saved. The place of worship was crowded on the Lord's-day. On Monday evening the female class would assemble, from forty to sixty, many of them coming four, five, and six miles, through the snow; and, although the exercise was confined to a simple exposition of the word of God, in a catechetical form, yet, such was the power of the truth as accompanied by the Holy Spirit, that

the entire company has been melted into tears, and found unwilling to leave the place. Similar remarks might be made concerning an equally numerous class of young men.

Learning, from time to time, that such a blessed work was in progress, I determined to visit the locality, in the course of my winter journey as agent of the Colonial Missionary Society. Moreover, deeming it very needful that a brother of large views and much experience should spend some time amongst this interesting people, I made arrangements with one of the oldest missionaries in the field, (though not the oldest man,) the Rev. Mr. Parker, of Shipton, to meet me at Inverness. It was not an easy journey, as twenty miles of uninhabited forest have to be passed, when it is approached from our eastern townships in the quarter in which I happened to be. But I shall not dwell on the dreariness of such a scene. After getting through the woods, I found Captain McKillop waiting for me, who drove me twelve miles to the place of worship, crowded with attentive worshippers. Oh, it is refreshing to one's own soul, to address a multitude manifestly under the solemn and blessed teaching of the Holy Spirit! I found Mr. Parker there, and our brother whose simple ministry had been so much blessed. There, too, I found the venerable Mr. Henry, whose strength has for some time quite failed, and who can only attend occasionally the services of the sanctuary. Withal, the new generation, on the whole, receive instruction more readily in the English than in the Gaelic language; and in the former (our native tongue) good Mr. Henry does not preach.

The next forenoon we found a yet more numerous congregation of hearers, to whom it was again my privilege to proclaim the Gospel of salvation. There was much and solemn feeling. No noise, no outward parade; but here and there might be heard the deep-drawn sigh of anxiety; and now and again the silent tear would drop from the eye, indicating the deep feeling of the contrite heart. We agreed to call together in the evening those and those only who hoped that, through grace, they had been recently brought out of darkness into the marvellous light of the Gospel, and those who were in a state of deep anxiety concerning their soul's welfare; the object being to confer with them and with the few Christians of long standing in the place, on matters concerning future procedure. The invitation was so misapprehended by a number of the young converts, that they supposed they were not invited, and went home. We expected about thirty or forty persons in the evening; but judge of our delighted surprise, when, on entering the house, we found between a hundred and a hundred and twenty persons awaiting us! This prevented all attempts at conference, and I addressed them with counsels adapted to their supposed circumstances, inviting them also to meet Mr. Parker individually during his stay. He also addressed them in a very judicious and solemn strain of remark. During the day, and after service in the evening, we were visited by a number of anxious persons. One or two specimens may afford an idea of the work. An old woman, all whose sons and daughters are grown up, expressed to me her humble hope in Christ, but desired to have some not uncommon doubts removed. I learned that her entire family, with the exception of her aged husband, were the subjects of this gracious work; and on that day even he had been awakened. A man and his wife, of much respectability, about forty-five years of age, exhibited much concern, and a trembling hope in the Redeemer. With much emotion, he said, after a pause, "How thankful I am that I have been spared thus far! Oh! if I had been cut down before I had felt thus." His emotion choked his utterance; he did not finish the sentence. Another remarkably fine-looking Highlander was distressed, but in great darkness. We explained to him the nature and evil of sin, the excellence of the law, the rectitude of God's government. Every word seemed to tellthe barbed arrow went deeper into his heart. We pointed him to Christ, explained

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