many. Her aged mother and her sister were the subjects of her intense solicitude. Often has she spent a great part of the night in trying to lead them to Christ; nor have her prayers and her instructions been in vain.

"Seeing her end was near, I visited her the more frequently, and it was delightful to witness the increasing light that was breaking in upon her mind; every visit showed that she was growing in the love and knowledge of Christ. Requesting her one day, in the presence of her mother, to tell me the grounds of her hope, she looked at me for a time, and then said, 'Jesus, thy blood and righteousness,' &c., after which I said no more, but commended her to God in prayer.

"One Sabbath morning her sister called on me before the service, and said Jean was anxious to see me after preaching. After service I hastened to her. On entering her room I saw her sitting up in the bed, supported by the arm of her mother. She turned her head to see me, and faintly said, 'Oh! Sir, I am glad you came. My battle is nearly over; but Jesus is with me, thanks to his holy name!' At her desire I united with her in prayer; and a few minutes after she said faintly, ‘Jesus is mine,' and again, Into thy hands, Lord Jesus, I commend my spirit,' and breathed her last in the arms of her mother. Not a voice at this moment broke the deathlike stillness of the room. We all looked at the body of Jean, but her happy spirit had fled beyond the reach of earthly woe. At last her mother, whose heart was too full to weep, said, 'And this is death!' I followed her to the grave, and read that

her years were nineteen! I spoke to those around that open grave of the blessedness of serving the Lord when young, and on the succeeding Sabbath preached to a large audience on the necessity of seeking the Lord in youth; and I trust the word spoken was blessed."

From this narrative the friends of the Society will perceive that the labours of their agents are not in vain, but are blessed by Him who has graciously promised to be with his people wherever they are convened for the purposes of Divine worship. Other instances of a similar nature might be recorded. But though they never meet the public eye, they are regarded with complacency by Him whose grace is equally conspicuous in the conversion of the sinner in the secluded village or the populous city.

COLONIAL MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Or the various movements of this Society none have been more important than the mission of Dr. Ross to Sydney. It has been from the first greatly prospered and successful. Each successive anniversary of our beloved brother's arrival in that remote city has been commemorated by suitable public proceedings. The following letter details the services of the fifth of these interesting occasions, and will prove at once encouraging to the friends of the Society, and interesting to the many personal friends of our honoured brother.

66

"Sydney, February 26th, 1845.

My dear Brother,—The annual meeting for the celebration of my arrival in this colony having been held last evening, I take the earliest opportunity of apprising you of our proceedings, and at the same time of most cordially thanking you for your interesting, encouraging, and affectionate letter of the 16th of August, received a few weeks before. Our meeting was, I think, the largest that has ever assembled on a similar occasion. It was distinguished by the cheerful and kindly feelings that prevailed, and the spirit of thankfulness, zeal, and hope which it exhibited. We had present with us Mr. Mansfield, as usual, two Wesleyan ministers, and Mr. Quaife, each of whom gave utterance to the most Christian and affectionate sentiments. We were also honoured with the company of the mayor of the city, and some of the

members of his family. Mr. Saunders would have been present but for an unavoidable engagement made in ignorance that the meeting was to take place. The topics dwelt upon by the visitors were, the importance of union, the expression of kind feeling towards myself, and hearty good wishes for the prosperity of my church, and the cause of Christ in general. The topics touched upon by me were the unbroken peace and harmony that had existed during the last five years, peace among ourselves, and peace with other bodies of Christians, with whom we have ever endeavoured to cultivate good fellowship, and with whom we have always been ready to co-operate in works of faith and labours of love; the encouraging attendance upon the public services of the sanctuary; and the extraordinary pecuniary efforts of the people for the erection of the new chapel, (we intend to call the building, The Congregational Church,') whilst bearing the ordinary expenses of the church, and contributing to a variety of useful institutions, and all this during times of unexampled loss and depression. A grateful feeling seemed to pervade all hearts, while we were not without a sense of imperfection and deficiency, humbling us to the dust, but at the same time encouraged to go on, deriving confidence from the past, trusting to the grace and the promises of God for the future, and relying for the acceptance of all we do on the merits of that great Sacrifice which is all our hope.

"Since I last wrote to you the building of the new chapel has been going on, and its walls are nearly up. My people are paying in monthly contributions towards its erection-last month no less a sum than £100. Of course we do not expect this rate to be continued. On new year's day the young men of my Bible-class invited the congregation to take tea with them, and to witness their presentation to me of a new year's gift. The whole affair was got up without my previous knowledge. A very large party assembled, and to my surprise, along with a very excellent written address, they presented me with a valuable and handsome gold watch, having a suitable inscription engraved upon it. The address has since been printed, and I enclose a copy. At the same meeting one of our friends proposed to the members of my female Bible-class, that they also should do something, and suggested their collecting money to purchase an organ for the new chapel. A very handsome one had been offered to be built in the colony for £200, and he thought that if twenty of them would engage to collect the amount in shillings, they might easily accomplish it. The suggestion was immediately taken up, and at the first monthly meeting thereafter the young ladies paid in £23. 148. as the result of their first month's efforts.

"Mr. Quaife is going on well at Paramatta. He is indefatigable in his labours, although his means of support are very scanty. He subsists on a mere pittance. A few of my friends are so highly pleased with his talents and character, that, notwithstanding they have so much to do at home, they have agreed to subscribe among them £5 a-quarter towards his support. He certainly is a man of very considerable acquirements, and of devoted and active piety. I am not ashamed to own him as a brother minister. I am glad to have such a neighbour. He is evidently making an impression. Dr. Lang invited him to supply his pulpit last Sabbath. His friends in Paramatta, although few, and most of them poor, are exerting themselves to get a weather-boarded chapel put up for him. It will cost about £100. I do sincerely hope that your Committee will be able to comply with the request contained in my letter of the 5th of October last, and to allow him £40 or £50 for a year or two. "Receive the assurance of the sincere affection with which I continue to be, my dear Sir,

"Yours most faithfully,
"ROBERT Ross.

"To the Rev. A. Wells."

TRANSACTIONS OF CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.

THE CONGREGATIONAL UNION OF ENGLAND AND WALES. - The following arrangements for proceedings connected with the Seventh Autumnal Meeting of the Congregational Union have been made by the Committee of the Union, and the brethren at Manchester conjointly:

1. The Meetings to be held at Manchester, commencing on the evening of Monday, the 13th, and closing on that of Thursday, the 16th of October.

2. All brethren intending to be present on the occasion are particularly requested to announce their design by letters addressed to "Joseph Grave, Esq., solicitor, 1, Bond-street, Manchester," on or before Saturday, the 4th of October, in order to facilitate arrangements for their accommodation. The Committee managing this department cannot hold itself responsible for the reception of any gentleman not giving the notice thus requested.

3. On Monday evening, the 13th of October, the proceedings will be opened with a public prayer-meeting, to be held in Moseley-street Chapel, the Rev. Dr. Halley's, commencing at seven o'clock.

4. Morning meetings of delegates and visitors will be held in the Roby Schoolroom, Grosvenor-street Chapel, the Rev. Richard Fletcher's, on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, the 14th, 15th, and 16th of October, to commence precisely at half-past nine, and to close with the same punctuality at half-past two o'clock on each day. Chair to be occupied by the Rev. John Burnet, of Camberwell.

5. Tuesday evening, a public meeting to promote education, popular, ministerial, and lay-collegiate, will be held in Chapel-street Chapel, Salford, the Rev. Dr. Massie's. Wednesday evening, a public meeting in aid of British Missions will take place in Grosvenor-street Chapel. And on Thursday evening a public meeting, to set forth and support the principles and operations of the Congregational Union of England and Wales, in Moseley-street Chapel, will close the proceedings. At each of these three evening meetings the chair will be taken precisely at half-past six o'clock, and it is intended that, at the latest, these services shall close by half-past nine.

6. Collections in aid of British Missions will be made in the several chapels in Manchester and Salford, on the Lord's-day following the meetings now announced, namely, the 19th of October.

SOUTH DEVON CONGREGATIONAL UNION.-The annual meetings of this Association were recently held at the Rev. T. Stenner's Chapel, Dartmouth, and were of a highly interesting character. On Tuesday evening, July 8th, the Rev. W. Spencer preached on "Family Religion." On Wednesday evening, July 9th, a public Home Missionary Meeting was held, when one of the secretaries, the Rev. W. Tarbotton of Totness, presented the annual address, and several ministers advocated the claims of "Home Evangelisation." On Thursday morning, the Rev. E. Jones, of Plymouth, preached. On the evening of the same day, a public devotional meeting was convened. At ten o'clock on the forenoon of Wednesday and of Thursday, the ministers and delegates met to transact the business of the Union. In future the annual meetings are to be held in the spring, and the district meetings in the autumn of the year.

The annual meeting

ANNIVERSARY OF THE OLD COLLEGE, HOMERTON. of the subscribers to this institution was held at the college on Thursday, the 26th of June last, when the report for the past year was read and the business of the society transacted. Two able essays were then read by two of the

students, the senior students were examined in divinity and its allied subjects, and the meeting was concluded by a solemn and affectionate address to the students by the Rev. Dr. Redford, of Worcester, who presided on the occasion. The gentlemen present expressed great satisfaction with the condition of the college, which is such as calls for the gratitude of all its friends. The attainments of the students had been also previously tested by the close examinations of three days, carried on chiefly by writing, which had been conducted by the Rev. Dr. Redford, the Rev. Robert Redpath, M.A., and the Rev. Dr. Alliott. The following are a few sentences from their written reports :-Divinity and allied subjects. "It is with high satisfaction, that the examiner offers his testimony to the constituents of the college, upon the general character of the students. Their proficiency is such as to afford promise of future usefulness, and even eminence in the ministry of the word. Most of the questions were answered fully and with great ability. Among a number of students, considerable variety, both of natural talent and of attainments, is to be expected. But, among the race of students at present in Homerton College, the examiner is delighted to observe signs of ability, application, and proficiency, which justly merit the warmest commendations he can bestow."-(Dr. Redford.) Classical Literature, Hebrew, and German. "I have much pleasure in stating to the Committee my firm belief, that the classical education in Homerton is, this session, in a more efficient state than I have ever seen it; and that, both in the intellectual character of the students, in the attention and steady application which they appear to exhibit, and in the zeal and great success which distinguish the labours of their excellent tutor, there are solid grounds of anticipating the most pleasing and useful results. I had also the pleasure of hearing the two Hebrew classes. They translated very difficult chapters quite successfully, and reflected much credit upon their tutor and their own diligence. German: with scarcely an exception, quite accurately.'-(Mr. Redpath.) Mathematics and Natural Philosophy. "I have the pleasure to state that the result is, on the whole, very satisfactory, and a decided improvement on that of the last year."-(Dr. Alliott.)

The only discouraging feature in the proceedings of the day was the large balance due to the treasurer, to whom the institution is in debt nearly £400. The Committee, however, confidently believes that this fact has only to be made known in order to call forth the liberality of the many friends of this the oldest of Dissenting colleges.

The subjects of the essays were, "The Beneficial Tendencies of a Classical Education to the Theologian," by Mr. John Hamilton Davies, B.A.; and "The Importance, in the present day, of being well acquainted with the Principles of the Protestant Reformation," by Mr. Thomas Thomas.

AIREDALE COLLEGE-EXAMINATION OF STUDENTS.-On Monday and Tuesday, the 16th and 17th instant, the annual examination of the students of Airedale College took place at the institution. The Rev. B. B. Haigh, of Bramham College, presided in the classical, and the Rev. A. Ewing, M.A., of Halifax, in the theological department, assisted by J. Munro, M.A., of Silcoates, the Rev. J. Glyde, and the Rev. J. Stringer. The following are extracts from the reports :—

The examination of the students in the classical department commenced about nine o'clock on Monday morning, and was continued almost without intermission until eight o'clock in the evening. It was searching and comprehensive, being conducted both viva voce and by writing. The examiners have much pleasure in stating that the answers supplied to the various questions proposed were prompt and accurate, indicating at once great diligence and success on the part of both tutor and students. Copious answers were written to more than one hundred questions, constructed on the authors read during the session; and were analysed,

translated, and scanned in such a manner as to reflect great credit on the skill and assiduity of the classical tutor.

The committee appointed to conduct the theological examination have to report to the constituents of this college, that they have devoted nearly an entire day to the duties of their office. The examinations, as formerly, have been carried on partly in writing, and thus a better opportunity has been afforded of testing the attainments of every student in the different branches of study to which his attention has been devoted during the session.

The classes were examined on the Hebrew of the Psalms, Job, and Isaiah, when a variety of interesting questions were proposed in relation to the construction of the language, the nature of the Hebrew poetry, and the differences which occur between the original language and the Septuagint version.

Questions were proposed in theology, ecclesiastical history, and in mental philosophy.

The students were prepared for examination on a variety of other subjects of biblical criticism, systematic theology, &c., which your committee, for want of time, found it impossible to enter upon; but which, from the specimens of the extent and accuracy of their acquaintance with other departments of study, inspired the confidence that they would have acquitted themselves equally to their satisfaction, had opportunity been afforded for pursuing the examination. On the whole, the examiners have no hesitation in expressing their conviction, that the results of this examination have been such as to reflect high honour on the students and their respected tutor. They are fully satisfied that sufficient proof has been afforded of highly commendable diligence during the past year, and warranting gratifying anticipations as to the future ministerial career of the students now in the college. On Wednesday morning the committee met at a quarter before ten o'clock, for the transaction of business, in the college chapel; H. Forbes, Esq., in the chair. At eleven o'clock, after singing and prayer by the Rev. J. Ewing, of Halifax, two of the senior students read excellent essays-Mr. Lewis, on "Christian Union,” and Mr. Robinson, on "The Immortality of the Soul;" after which a very impressive, suitable, and eloquent address was delivered to the students by the Rev. S. T. Porter, of Darwen. The constituents then adjourned to the library of the college, when, Mr. Forbes being called to the chair, the report was read by the theological tutor, and the business of the institution transacted. Owing to the heavy rain which fell during the day, the attendance was not so numerous as on some former occasions, but the proceedings were of a most harmonious and encouraging character. In the evening a sermon was preached in the college chapel, by the Rev. J. Robertson, of Knaresborough.

NEW CHAPELS.

OPENING OF THE NEW INDEPENDENT CHURCH, LITTLE LONGSTONE, NEAR BAKEWELL, DERBYSHIRE.-This neat and commodious edifice was dedicated to Divine worship on Tuesday, the 18th of December, 1844, by the Rev. T. Raffles, D.D., LL.D., of Liverpool, who preached two most appropriate sermons on the occasion. The Rev. T. M. Necours, of Matlock Bath, and the Rev. J. Sargeant, of Tideswell, also took parts in the interesting services. On the following Lord'sday, the opening services were continued by the Rev. J. Spencer, of Bakewell, and the Rev. J. Sargeant, by whose conjoint ministrations the pulpit will be supplied. The congregations were good, and the collections liberal, amounting to more than £30. The building cost £300, the greatest part of which has been raised by local efforts, generously aided by distant friends. This village sanctuary is constructed