that, for several years, the number of members had gradually diminished; and I think I can give you the solution of the unsuccessfulness of those men of God who have preceded me here. I will state things as they really are, and as they have been.

The principal part of the property in and about T- belongs to Sir E- D. who is absent from this country, and has left the whole management of it in his absence to his two brothers,-the Rev. Mr. D, Rector, and Wm. D -, Esq. These two men have the greatest amount of influence in T-—, and are very zealous on behalf of the Established Church, permitting no one to occupy lands, or houses, or property over which they have control, who will not attend exclusively its services. Methodism they abhor, and Dissent they hate, but are somewhat disposed to patronize Presbyterianism, because none but Scotchmen who have come into Ireland, with one or two unimportant exceptions, attend the services of a "Scots' Church.' You see, therefore, from the circumstances in which the D- family are placed, that they compel many to attend the Establishment who, perhaps, would worship elsewhere. And then they have collections for the poor every Sabbath morning in the church, and there are other gifts at their disposal, which draw the poorer class who are not Catholic to their services. In a word, they are well paid to go to church. When I have been in their cottages, I have invited them to our chapel, and they have replied that they must go to church, or they would lose their shilling or more per week, which they cannot afford to do. The rector keeps three curates and two Scripture-readers, who, beside himself, do their very utmost to injure us, as well as the Papacy. I will give you, briefly, an instance of their malice which has recently occurred: On Sabbath last, a lady, a Church-goer, who has ever been kindly disposed towards our little cause, sat down with us, after the morning service, at the table of the Lord; and was reported the next day to the rector, who sent two of his curates to wait upon her immediately, and show her her SIN in doing so: amongst other things that were said to her was the following:-"It is a sin to receive the Sacrament from a layman (meaning myself), because he was not in the Apos tolic succession, as he had not been consecrated and ordained by a bishop!" The rector, some short while ago, withdrew the support of the Protestant Orphan's Society from a widowed mother, because she sent her only daughter to the day-school connected with our church, and which is under the patronage of the London Ladies' Hibernian School Society.

And then another great hindrance to our prosperity is the Papacy-the religion of Antichrist. There are twelve priests located in this town; and sometimes, I understand, there are not less than twenty-four, who are constantly on the watch, night and day, lest any of their wretched dupes should be bought over by the Protestant rector. Their visits to their flock are as regular as the rising and the setting of the sun; and, if they cannot be everywhere, they employ spies, so that nothing can possibly transpire

that comes not beneath their cognizance and to their knowledge. A few days ago, I heard that Dr. M'K, the principal priest, offered a Protestant thirty shillings, and a cottage to live in rent free, if he would attend Mass; and there are very many families who live free on the property belonging to the Papists, who have, by these and other means, been bought over to Catholicism. Had I the means of buying the people over to our church, as the Establishment and the Papacy have, I have no question or fear but my chapel would be as crowded as the places of worship of either.

Methodism has been established here for very many years, and once they boasted a flourishing church; but now it is the sad reverse. Though they have a very commodious chapel, with a spacious gallery in it, yet the bottom is only scantily filled. The Wesleyan minister called on me the other day, and during the course of our conversation, told me he had no hope of succeeding in T--. The Presbyterians have a church here, which will seat about 200 people, but it is only attended by Scotchmen who have commenced business in the town, or taken farms in the neighbourhood. Presbyterianism has been established here about eleven years, and I know not that during the whole of that time they have had one single conversion, the church being composed of Scotchmen, with one or two exceptions: so that our cause is not the only one that has been in a languishing state.

COLONIAL MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

THE truly wonderful events which have occurred during the past year in the Australian Colonies, have engaged, as might be expected, the attention of the Committee, and awakened the deepest anxiety to provide for necessities which have so unexpectedly arisen. In discharging this duty, they have not been unmindful of other regions in which their brethren are labouring with evident tokens of the Divine presence and blessing. If British North America has not the attraction of gold, there are other features which characterise it as a field of Missionary enterprise, which entitle it to a place in the sincere respect and warm affection of the British Churches. Letters have been recently received which have afforded much satisfaction to the Committee, as they show the devotedness of the agents, and the blessing which has attended their labours. In the city of St. John, New Brunswick, Mr. Mackay writes encouragingly. His chapel has undergone repairs; the expense of which was at once discharged by three individuals, together with the collection at the re-opening. In addition to which, the congregation have entered into arrangements to pay off the debt on their chapel, which with the assistance they hope to receive from friends in Britain and elsewhere, they expect to do in the course of a short time. When this is accomplished, there is every reason to anticipate a measure of prosperity for the church in that important city, which will not fail to gladden the hearts of all the friends of the society.

Mr. Mackay writes, "Our congregations continue to increase, our Sabbath-school was never in a more prosperous condition. Nearly 200 children attend, and the number keeps gradually augmenting. I have acted on the wise suggestion of Dr. Campbell, and appointed a young gentleman, a member of the church, who is looking forward to the work of the ministry, as an Officer of Literature. He has entered on his duty with commendable zeal; and the result has been an order for nearly double the number of the CHRISTIAN WITNESS, and other periodicals, than we have been accustomed heretofore to take; and I believe that next year the order will be trebled. I have laboured to inculcate on my people this fact; viz., that the less a church does, the less it thinks it can do; but that the more a church does, the more it is disposed to do. And I know of no better way to make a church a thriving church, -a working church, a giving church, - a missionary church, than thoroughly to imbue it with our periodical Congregational literature." The Committee feel assured that all who may read these lines will sympathise with them in the joy they feel, that such men are to be found labouring with such zeal and such success, in stations of such commanding importance as St. John.

The adjoining province of Nova Scotia, with the neighbouring island of Cape Breton, present a field of strictly missionary labour, which, whilst in many respects it is singularly inviting, is attended with peculiar and all but insuperable difficulties. There are scattered throughout the entire district small gatherings of people attached to Congregational principles, and earnestly desiring an evangelical ministry. To their residence scarcely any roads are to be found. The Missionary in his visits must traverse rocky mountains; which he must frequently do on foot, almost at the risk of his life. The following extracts from a journal of Mr. J. Whitman, recently received, will amply confirm and illustrate these remarks:

"On the 28th of October I left Halifax in the Guisborough packet, and sailed as far as Pope's Harbour, where we anchored for the night. The next day we reached Liscombe's Harbour, and at midnight started for Cape Canso, where we arrived on the 30th. I remained two Sabbaths, and found a few warm-hearted friends contending earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. Had their late pastor acknowledged himself a Congregationalist, and remained with them, they would by this time have been in a flourishing state. I preached twice on each Sabbath; and whilst I remained held prayer-meetings and visited many families. The friends here are building a new place of worship; they have the outside finished, and something accomplished towards completing the interior. They have done great things, considering their numbers, and the many discouragements they have had to encounter. I left Cape Canso on the 13th November for Cape Breton, in a small fishing vessel. The wind changing, we were obliged to anchor at Bear Island, eight miles from the harbour. I succeeded

in getting on shore, and travelled that distance on foot. Part of the way there was no road, and where there was, it was exceedingly wet and muddy. I found the travelling in Cape Breton exceedingly difficult. On Monday it snowed all day, but I walked on, and after journeying nearly thirty miles, I reached Port Hood, where I spent the Sabbath. On Monday I proceeded to Margarie, on horseback. The roads were so bad, I could not make the journey in less than two days. I was welcomed by the Rev. J. Hart on Tuesday evening, and spent two days with him. I could preach but once, it being one continual storm of snow and rain. Mr. Hart has been preaching to the people of Margarie for the last twentyfive years, amidst much discouragement. He has travelled and preached the gospel in different places, and often with great difficulty and suffering. I was anxious to remain a Sabbath with Mr. Hart, to visit some of the families and to inspect their Sabbath-school, but was obliged to proceed. I wished also to have paid a visit to the friends at Grand Tanse, a neighbourhood farther north, but was under the necessity of returning, for the sake of paying a visit to Manchester."

After travelling on foot for many miles, "the snow being five inches deep, and the mud in some places seven,' our friend reached Manchester. He then continues, "Preached on Friday evening, on Saturday examined the condition of the Congregational chapel, called on as many of the friends as I could, and gathered what information could be obtained respecting the state of the church. Preached twice on the Sabbath. In former years there was a flourishing church in Manchester; but for a considerable time past it has lost its visibility, and now spiritual desolation reigns all around."

These extracts are sufficient to show the nature of the agency necessary for the evangilization of this remote corner of the British Empire. The Committee would gladly send some Evangelists to this district, which they hope ere long to do. An active zcalous missionary stationed at Cape Canso, might advantageously labour in that vicinity, and during the summer months could take missionary tours throughout Cape Breton. There are in that island about 70,000 souls, who, to a great extent, are as sheep having no shepherd. Many formerly professed Congregational principles, and small churches were organized here and there; and still the cry is heard, "come over and help us?" Shall the appeal be made in vain? Will not our British churches enable the Committee, by their timely contributions, to send some devoted labourers to this field, which is so manifestly white unto the harvest? Districts of a similar character to that now described are to be found in Canada. Were the state of the Society's funds equal to the work, a dozen zealous devoted Missionaries would at once be employed in these northern regions. And when this is considered, in connection with the pressing necessities of the Australias, it must be evident to all, that if the Society's income was £10,000 per annum, it could be well employed. And why should it not be?

THERE is something very startling to the Jewish mind in the universality of the phraseology. The feast is to be made for "all people." The covering to be destroyed, is that which is cast over "all people." The veil to be torn, now darkens the vision of "all nations.' Tears are to be wiped "from off all faces." The rebuke of God's people is to be taken away from "all the earth." Whatever be the import of these various expressions, one thing is clear; the benefits are not to be confined to any one people or nation. But, brethren, we know that the blessings here described, are those of the everlasting Gospel, which is set forth under figures of the most instructive and affecting character. The prophecy is now become history. These blessings, for well-nigh two thousand years, have been enjoyed by men of many nations, kindreds, tongues, and peoples.

The condition of man, by nature, is here set forth under the figures of hunger -ignorance-mortality-sorrow and affliction ; and the Gospel is represented as a remedy for these disasters.

I. THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST FURNISHES A BOUNDLESS SUPPLY FOR THE SPIRITUAL NECESSITIES OF THE WHOLE HUMAN RACE.

It is here assumed that such necessities always and everywhere do exist. That they do so is matter of fact; all history, all experience testifies it. The universal mind is everywhere in search of felicity; but it always eludes the grasp. There is, in every walk of life, a want, which nothing earthly can satisfy -a void which nothing known among men can fill. The desire of happiness leads to an endless variety of pursuits; but all such pursuits end only in disappointment. Man goes through the earth now as in the days of the psalmist, crying "Who will show us any good?" He who offers to do this is hailed as a benefactor. That offer has been often made, and as often accepted; but never realized in the experience of the unhappy seeker. "The misery of man is great upon him." From pole to pole, nothing is heard but the wailing voice of prostrate millions, crying, making signals

VOL. X.

By

of distress, and looking for help to a world whence help can never come! Sensual gratification, wealth, power, fame, can these communicate bliss? They have been the source of the most intense misery! Happiness can be found only where it exists, and it exists only in God. Man was made in his Creator's image, destined to promote his Creator's praise, and intended to find his heaven in his Creator's smile. From this very simple arrangement he was to derive full, perfect, and everlasting happiness. This is the happiness of angels, and of the whole celestial world. their nature they are shut out from all sensual delights, and they are, perhaps, equally debarred from all the loftier and more intellectual means of gratification which men enjoy. They have no wealth such as men prize; they exercise no power such as men possess; they are utter strangers to the voice of fame. Their felicity results exclusively from the enjoyment of the Divine approbation in the performance of the Divine will. Nothing more than this is essential to the happiness of the human soul. Everything short of this must eventually and utterly fail.

What is the present condition of man? What is his relation to God? The Scriptures declare that he is" without God, and having no hope in the world." How does the Gospel meet the case of Adam's miserable race? By providing for his return and restoration to the favour and service of God. "His favour is life, and his loving kindness is better than life.' "In his presence there is fulness of joy, and at his right hand there are pleasures for evermore. God is everything that the creature requires. His love and favour constitute this wondrous feast. All flesh need it, and all may enjoy it. The Gospel provides for pardon of all that is past; it shows how God can be just, and yet the justifier of the ungodly; it is a publication of peace on earth, and good will towards men.

In

object in the universe. It is employed as the emblem of the most exalted attributes even of Deity: "God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all." The Messiah is often designated a light; His Gospel is proclaimed to be a light: "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined." Nowhere is the idea, in relation to Christ, brought out more beautifully than by Simeon; the reverend man took up the infant Saviour in his arms, and said, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people,-a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel," Luke ii. 29-33. The Redeemer himself appropriated to his office the same term: "I am come a light unto the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness." Paul before Festus declared that the united testimony of the Prophets and Moses was, that "Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles." The same Apostle, in the account he gives of his own mission, declares, that Jesus sent him to the Gentiles, "To open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they might receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith which is in Him.” All this shows, that the covering which was cast over all people, and the vail spread over all nations, was darknessspiritual blindness-ignorance of God, and of themselves.

All these Scriptures suppose, or rather describe, a case of real and terrible calamity. It involves distress, and misery, exceeding all calculation. Then its universality is not its least dreadful feature. Each is a sharer, and has more to bear than he is able to sustain. Where all are fallen, none can lift up his fellow. No man could dissipate his own darkness. The clouds which wrap the sky and blot out the sun, moon, and stars, are not more beyond the power of man to remove them, than is the darkness of which we are discoursing. For anything that man could do, it must have remained for ever, or so long as our race survived.

Now, such is the world to which the Gospel comes in all its light, and

splendour. With a fulness, an explicitness, a certainty altogether astounding, it illumines heaven, earth, and hell! There is no point in which man is interested that is not clearly irradiated by this wondrous system. The character of the Godhead, the creation of the world, with all that appertains to it,-the fall of man, and the evil to which it has exposed him, the method by which the Divine mercy has effected his recovery, the resurrection, the judgment, the world to come, all these subjects, with whatever they imply, have been clearly revealed to man. The vail is not merely rent, but removed; the covering is utterly "destroyed!" It may appear to us who never knew the darkness of heathenism, that the figures are somewhat stronger than the facts will warrant. The truth is, we are wholly unable to form any just estimate of the mournful condition of the human race, previous to the appearance of Christ. Men who read, and reflect, may entertain some faint notion of their state, but it is far short of the truth.

They who understand anything of the Gospel will see at once the propriety of the Scripture phraseology upon the subject. That small book, the New Testa ment, comprises such a body of facts and doctrines, as suffices to enlighten the whole of the marvellous subject. This small, this despised volume, is like the sun in the heavens, enlightening all nations. There is no truth of the slightest practical moment to us, which is not contained here. It comprehends the words of Christ, and of his servants, -words not very abundant, but, such words! Words clothing and setting forth such truths! The entrance of them gives such light! It proves itself to be, indeed, the word of God, quick, and powerful, and sharper than a two-edged sword. Its influence proves its origin. It is the only book in the wide world that "pierces even to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

When once this book shall have filled the world, and when God, "who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, shall have shined in the hearts of all its possessors, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ," such an effect will be produced upon the inhabitants of our disordered world as will fill the universe with rejoicing.

III. THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST ANNOUNCES A COMPLETE TRIUMPH OVER DEATH TO THE WHOLE HUMAN RACE.

It distinctly assures us, that both the righteous and the wicked shall all rise again from the dead. This is one of the most marvellous of its communications; and this will be one of the most astounding displays of the mighty power of God. Among the doctrines of the book there is not a more remarkable one than this; none that more staggers human credibility,-none more full of peace, hope, and joy, to those that fear the Lord, and that look for his mercy, at that day. This doctrine alone suffices to give a celestial stamp and character to the whole of the evangelical communication. This wonderful truth made no part of the wisdom of the wise. It never entered the heart of man, that he, and all his race should, after a rest of thousands of years, rise again, and, in that risen capacity, be judged, and continue to exist for ever.

This sublime communication gives a completely new aspect to the whole of human existence, and especially to that most dark and sorrowful dispensation which we denominate death. It has greatly divested this event of its horror. Man now knows, that he only sleeps, once more to wake; that he, like the sun, descends only to rise again, and after that rising, to stand at perpetual noon. Death shall be fairly annihilated, -absolutely swallowed up! Death was to assail even the Son of God himself, but in the conflict to be destroyed for ever!

IV. THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST IS A SYSTEM OF BOUNDLESS CONSOLATION.

"The Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces." The prophet, who supplies the text, has fully set forth the object of the Christian Mission in chap. lxi. 1-3, where Jesus says, "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion; to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning; the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness." Was there ever mission like this? Did human ears ever listen to such words?

The Gospel proposes to do for man the

very thing that is necessary to make him happy. This was finely expressed by the Apostle Peter, when he first addressed his countrymen: "God," said he, "having raised up His Son Christ Jesus from the dead, hath sent him to bless you;" that is, to make you blessed, or happy, "by turning every one of you from his iniquities." The Gospel smites sin in its roots, and thus removes the causes of sorrow. First, it reconciles man to God, and then to his fellow. It establishes "peace on earth, and goodwill among men!" Wherever it is received into the heart, it never fails to make man a new creature. This renovation is the most impressive proof of its Divinity. May, 1853.

RUFUS.

THE BIRTH-PLACE OF SOULS. "And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her."-PSA. lxxxvii. 5. BISHOP HORSLEY'S translation of verses 4-6 runs thus: "I will remember Egypt and Babylon; they shall be among them that shall acknowledge me. Philistia and Tyre, with Ethiopia: this man shall be born there. And every one shall say of Zion, He was born there and He, the Highest, shall establish her. Jehovah shall record in the Scriptures of the people, that this man was born there."

Extreme stress is here laid upon being born in Zion. It is mentioned thrice. Places boast of men; men boast of places. All such boasting is vain. The question of questions is, Are men born of God? On this will depend the happiness of eternity.

The great thing contained in these words is the prediction of a fact. In New Testament times multitudes of mankind will become the subjects of a spiritual change, and by that means the subjects of a new kingdom. It is, therefore, proper to inquire into

1. The necessity of this change.-This necessity arises from the present state of human nature. Man is essentially corrupt. His mind is deeply depraved. The standard of rectitude is God. Man hates his Creator! He shows this hatred in all possible ways. He resents the reverential mention of the Divine name; he shuts out all thoughts of the Divine presence; he withholds all worship of the Divine Majesty; he pours contempt on the Divine authority; he cultivates the society only of those who rebel against the Lord! This man is; this he does; because of these things he is wicked;