righteousness of the Lord's planting. I have no longer to preach on a week evening to a congregation of seven or nine, for it has increased to upwards of fifty attentive hearers. Opposition appears, for a season at least, to have ceased, and the people are permitted to come to the chapel without interruption; prejudice has partly relinquished its hold upon the mind, and many who would not deign to look upon a dissenting place of worship now come and hear for themselves, and go away impressed; and even the obduracy of the human heart seems incapable of resisting the influence which appears to accompany the preaching of the truth as it is in Jesus. The fixed attention, the penitential tear, and the altered conduct of the people, prove that the Gospel has come to them not in word only, but in power, and in the Holy Ghost.'

"The last accession to the church was from H- —, and there are several others manifesting the deepest concern for their souls, and ardently seeking the Saviour. 'Is anything too hard for God? If God work, who shall let it?""

IRISH EVANGELICAL SOCIETY.

CONNAUGHT MISSION.

THE Committee have great pleasure in announcing that their plans for carrying into execution this important enterprise are nearly completed. They are greatly encouraged by tokens of approval from many friends both in England and Ireland; and by some few donations which have been received to be specially devoted to the object. Fully to adapt the entire measure contemplated, a larger amount of contributions is absolutely necessary, which the Committee cherish the hope will be furnished when the importance of the undertaking is duly considered.

The Committee have determined to select some eligible spot from which all the agents employed, whether missionaries or Scripture-readers, may diverge as opportunities offer, and seek to spread, as widely as possible, the knowledge of Christ, and salvation through him. This plan has been preferred, as it avoids the discouragments our brethren often feel from their isolated position, when scattered over a wide extent of country, and cut off from fraternal intercourse, and mutual countenance and co-operation. The place to be selected being a matter of great importance, the Committee are availing themselves of the opinion and advice of those friends who are most intimately acquainted with the province; and have instructed one of their missionaries to make a tour of inspection, in order that all the circumstances of each locality which has been named may be fully before them ere they finally determine the spot to be chosen.

The Committee have placed the conduct of the mission in the hands of their devoted brethren the Rev. Messrs. Jordan and Murray. Their intimate acquaintance with the district of the country which is to be the sphere of operations ;-their knowledge of the native Irish language, in which they have for many years announced to their countrymen the glad tidings of salvation;-and their sincere attachment to the Society under which they have so long laboured, point them out as eminently qualified for the work assigned them. The Committee have also. engaged the services of Messrs. T. O'Hara, O'Conor, and H. Deane, concerning whom they have received the most satisfactory testimonials of their personal piety, and their adaptation for the work in which they will be employed. As natives of Connaught, thoroughly acquainted with the language and habits of their countrymen, it is expected they will be found a valuable auxiliary to the mission; especially as they were, for many years, employed as inspectors of schools under the Hibernian Society, and have become thereby well known to, and greatly esteemed by, the people.

To these will be added two or three of the Scripture-readers, or colporteurs, already employed by the Society, and whose services, it is hoped, will be increasingly useful in this new enterprise. There will be, therefore, six or seven individuals, who, at the commencement, will comprise the mission band. Compared with the greatness of the object contemplated, and the extent of country to be traversed, they will be, notwithstanding their individual excellence, but a feeble band. But they will go forth in the strength of Him, who can employ the weak things of the world to confound the mighty: and the Committee would entreat the prayers of their friends, that God would graciously give His sanction and blessing to the undertaking, and success will be sure to ensue.

When sufficient time has elapsed to enable the Committee to form an accurate judgment on the plans adopted, and so soon as adequate funds are obtained, it is their intention to engage another missionary to labour amongst the English-speaking portion of the population, thus leaving the brethren who are qualified to preach and to teach in the native Irish language to devote themselves principally, if not exclusively, to that department of labour.

This is a brief outline of the plan which the Committee, after much anxious and prayerful consideration, have adopted for the spiritual benefit of the most necessitous portion of the entire country. They are themselves deeply impressed with the great importance of the enterprise. They enter upon it with mingled feelings of hope and fear. The obstacles which present themselves are many and great: but the circumstances which excite their hopes are greater still. They would, therefore, earnestly appeal to the friends of the Society, and to the churches of Britain generally, to aid them with their prayers and their contributions. The blessing of God, so essential to success to the effort, they believe will be granted in answer to the fervent and believing supplications of the church. And surely, if we are concerned for the conversion of distant lands, we ought not to be unmindful of the myriads who are perishing in ignorance within the limits of our own United Kingdom.

Additional and more liberal contributions are indispensably necessary to sustain the effort. The present income of the Society is barely sufficient to meet its expenditure. The Committee would gladly curtail their present expenses, and thus enable them to meet the additional outlay which this new mission will involve, if any method of doing so could be devised; but having always conducted the affairs of the Society on the most economical principle, this is impracticable. They cannot hope, therefore, successfully to pursue their projected efforts, unless a more generous scale of contribution is adopted by the friends of Protestant truth in this land. They would not conceal the anxiety they feel on this subject. Should they fail to obtain adequate pecuniary support to sustain them in this measure, the undertaking must, after all, be abandoned; and failure in this case would be an effectual hindrance to every future effort, however pressing the necessity, and however hopeful the prospect. But they cannot suffer themselves to believe that their appeal will be in vain. They will still cherish the hope that those who have the ability will not want the inclination to help forward a work which they believe to be of God.

COLONIAL MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

UNION-STREET CHURCH, ST. JOHN'S, NEW BRUNSWICK.-"The basement story of this building was opened for public worship on Wednesday evening last. The service commenced with singing the 185th hymn of the Congregational Hymn-book. The Rev. J. C. Gallaway then read the 67th, the 122nd, and the 133rd Psalms, and implored the Divine blessing upon all the religious uses to which that room might

be appropriated. The Rev. Mr. Wishart then delivered an address on the work of the Holy Spirit. After the congregation had sung the 190th hymn, a second address, on the fruits and evidences of the Spirit's work, was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Robinson. The 99th hymn was then sung, and the Rev. Mr. Wood addressed the assembly on the duty and privilege of a religious life. At the close of the third address, Mr. Gallaway, the pastor of the church, made a few observations expressive of the peculiar gratification which the exercises of the evening had communicated to himself; his earnest desire that all the uses to which that room may be hereafter devoted, might be in harmony with the scriptural sentiments which had been then expressed; and his fervent hope, that the Christian union which had been exhibited on that occasion, might be increasingly manifested by the members of different sections of the church of Christ in this city, and throughout the world. The room, which is capable of accommodating six hundred persons, was crowded in every part; fixed attention was maintained throughout, and all seemed impressed with the appropriateness and importance of the subjects which had been discussed by the different speakers."-The New Brunswicker.

LETTER FROM THE REV. JAMES DRUMMOND, BROCKVILLE, CANADA WEST. Brockville, Canada West, Nov. 12, 1844.

My dear Sir,—I avail myself of the opportunity of Mr. Freeland's voyage to England to send you a few lines, to inform you of what we are doing. possible that another year has gone its circle since I last wrote you? the fact.

Can it be But such is

"Our sanctuary is erected; the church is organised, and has been a little increased; our Sabbath-school is full of enco ragement and hope; and the neighbourhood around has been acted upon by itinerant and stated ministrations. Our congregations on the Sabbath, considering the population and the variety of denominations, are respectable. I have originated a Christian Instruction Society, with a view to obtain the attendance of those who go no where; for there are many of this description among us, as well as with you. My little stock of tracts which I brought with me is exhausted; and I shall have considerable difficulty to keep going until I hear from secretary Pitman whether he can assist our aggressive efforts by a supply of ammunition from head-quarters.

“I am persuaded, moreover, that our principles are gaining gr und in various directions; and, indeed, God himself is preaching them in the startling events of his providence. In their power, and their ultimate triumph, whatever forces they may yet have to encounter, we may cherish entire confidence.

"We are beset here with High-churchism and Puseyism in our measure almost as much as you are. The same spirit which actuates the Establishment at home, is made to appear in all its bitterness among us, as far as it can go. They are moving heaven and earth to re-establish the popular superstitions of the Papal church. They are endeavouring to put out the light of Gospel truth by drawing around the dark clouds of tradition and formalism. And what would you think of some in Canada, of the Scottish Establishment, prating about dissent, and denouncing others as schismatics? But so it is. Many, since the Free Church movement, have quietly gone back to the resting-place of Erastianism. The soil on which we have to work, you see, is still the corrupt heart of man, uniformly pre-occupied, and generally hardened by the prejudices which have been brought from the parent country, and which seem to multiply and strengthen in proportion to the distance they are removed from the scenes and circumstances which originated them. The work in which we are engaged here is indeed a work of faith, which requires much of the patience of hope. It is not to be done in a year, nor, indeed, in our life-time.

Confidence in the Divine faithfulness is our only support. God is able to make all grace to abound toward us. And when our labour is done, and we have gone to our fathers, the work will pass into other hands, and be carried forward towards its consummation, when Jerusalem shall become a rejoicing, and her people a joy. Trusting, then, in our Divine Zerubbabel, we are assured, that the mountain of error and prejudice and opposition that rises up before us shall become a plain.

"I may mention, that a young man, who came out in the ship with us, and was employed here in a situation, has directed his views to the ministry. I asked him to give an address to our people on a week evening, from a text which I presented to him. He did so with considerable ability and acceptance; and has since been recommended and received into the Theological Institute at Toronto, where his parents reside. He is a young man of education and talent; and we hope he will prove an accession to our strength. With every sentiment of esteem and confidence, "I am, my dear Sir, yours faithfully, JAMES DRUMMOND."

"To the Rev. Algernon Wells.

TRANSACTIONS OF CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.

FIFTEENTH ANNUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE CONGREGATIONAL UNION.-The Meetings of the Fifteenth Annual Assembly of the Union will be held in London, (D. v.) as follow:

Monday, May the 12th, at four o'clock, p.m., at the Congregational Library.— Meeting of the Distributors of the Fund in aid of Aged Ministers, derived from the profits of The Christian Witness. At this meeting the treasurers and secretaries of all associations connected with the Union are entitled to attend.

Tuesday, May the 13th.-The meeting of the Congregational Union of England and Wales, consisting of delegates and other brethren, will be held in Crosby-hall, Bishopsgate-street. Chair to be taken at nine o'clock, a.m., by the Rev. J. Burnet, of Camberwell.

Friday, May the 16th.-The adjourned meeting of the Assembly of the Union will be held, also in Crosby-hall; chair to be taken at nine, a.m., by Mr. Burnet. At twelve o'clock, the business of the Board of Education will be transacted, when all contributors to the Educational Fund are invited to attend.

On each day the meeting will close at half-past two o'clock, that the brethren may assemble at three in the Congregational Library for refreshment.

CONGREGATIONAL BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Conferences.

Ir will give pleasure to the friends of education to learn, that measures are in progress by the Board, which, it is hoped, will lead to the increase of knowledge among ministers and churches as to the extent of education in separate localities, and awaken an enlightened and permanent interest in the instruction of the poor. If we are strangers to the condition of a neighbourhood, we are unprepared judiciously to provide for it. Knowledge of facts will often move the heart, and create determined and vigorous efforts to accomplish a good work; while, at the same time, it increases and fixes our personal responsibility. It is one object of the Board to collect together for conference both ministers and lay gentlemen in every county; and, if possible, in every district of England; and also, as a first movement, for Wales to congregate the ministers and lay gentlemen of the southern part of the principality, to know what can be done in behalf of that interesting portion of the British empire. These things cannot be done in a day, nor in a week, nor even in a year. The beginnings, however, are encouraging. Essex has taken the lead. It has

long been distinguished as a county for its numerous and flourishing Congregational churches; and we hope it will not be less so for its schools for the education of the poor. On Tuesday, March 18, the ministers and lay gentlemen met for conference. A similar meeting was held at Warminster, for Wiltshire, on the 25th of March, and one for Norfolk will be held (D. v.) on the 22nd of April. This meeting will be held at Norwich. A similar meeting is appointed at Guildford, in Surrey, at an early period, but the day is not fixed. A large meeting is expected of ministers of various denominations at Llandovery, on the 9th and 10th of April, in behalf of South Wales. A deputation from the Board will attend all these meetings, and we hope to give our readers a report in our next. Some important information will have been collected before these meetings as to the educational state of these counties, and of the southern part of the principality, and will be submitted to the various conferences.

Statistics.

Every Congregational minister in Essex has had the statistical paper published by the Board. All of them have not been returned. Some of them the Board has received; and they are highly creditable to the industry and perseverance of those ministers and friends who have filled them up. The Rev. Mr. Davis, of Colchester, has formed a statistical committee, and obtained, not only the statistics of Colchester, but of several villages around it. Colchester has a population of 17,790; 6,093 of that number are under fifteen years of age; and nearly 4,000 of that number ought to be receiving daily education in infant and other day-schools. Now, it appears, that including every grade of school, from such as grammar and boarding-schools, to infant and dame-schools, there are on the books, 1,717 boys, 1,446 girls; together, 3,163; but the average daily attendance does not probably exceed 2,600, or 2,700. Out of the 3,163, there are no less than 989 belonging to dame-schools. How many of the gross number attend Sunday-schools, who have no daily education, and who attend day-schools, but not Sunday-schools, it is difficult to learn. The gross number on the books of Sunday-schools of all denominations is 1,893; but by far the greater part of these are included in the daily schools.

The Rev. Charles Riggs, of Tiptree-heath, who has always taken the deepest interest in education, and whose success in this department at Wivenhoe and Tiptree-heath is well known, kindly undertook to obtain the statistics of Winstree Hundred, containg thirteen parishes. The population of the hundred is 4,850, and 514 children are receiving daily education. At Tiptree-heath, the British day-school contains eighty children, and the Sunday-school 160. Every dame-school, and all other schools in the thirteen parishes, are included. Besides the 514 in day-schools, there are probably (suppose they all attend Sunday-schools) about 200 more receiving Sunday-school instruction who have no daily education.

Teachers.

The Board has resolved on the education of twelve persons, six male and six female, as teachers. As soon as it was made known, there were twenty-four applicants, and many of them persons whom it is hoped will make first-class teachers. Besides the training at the Borough-road, they will have weekly examinations and lectures at the rooms of the Board of Education. Every attention will be paid to the piety, character, and qualifications of the candidates for this important work; and it is hoped, that the Board will thus be the means of raising up a body of superior teachers, who will be a blessing, not only to the Congregational body, but also to the rising generation of other denominations educated in schools conducted on the plan of the British and Foreign School Society.