Bible-class was formed by the pastor, the average number of which has been about sixteen young persons. November 1st, one was received by profession, and in December, one by letter. Three presented testimonials of regular church-membership, and requested occasional communion during their stay in Simcoe. During the year, seven members have been called in the providence of God to remove from us. We trust, however, that these dear friends will be preserved as the called and faithful of God, and that many will be added to us who shall honourably and consistently fill up their places. The total number received into the church is forty-six; removed, seven; leaving thirty-nine, and three occasional communicants; thirty received during the past year. “During the year, your house of worship has been advancing, and through the good hand of the Lord being upon us, has now arrived nearly at its completion. On the 15th inst. it is purposed to open it for Divine worship. Oh, may it be said, 'This and that man was born there! This has engaged a large share of your pastor's attention. He has taken two tours of four weeks for the purpose of raising funds, as the result of which he has paid into the hands of your treasurer in cash 480 dollars, besides a set of lamps to the value of 25 dollars, and a bell to the value of 120 dollars, making a total of 625 doilars. In the month of July, it was resolved to erect a vestry at the back of the church, the members generally promising their contributions and aid. This room, which is sixteen feet by twenty-four, has been built, and will soon be ready for your convenience and use, and for the glory of God. In addition I have to inform you, that the communion-service, which was received some time since from Montreal, is nearly paid for, a few dollars only remaining. Surely, as a church, it becomes us to be thankful; and let us, on this first Sabbath in the year, and around the table of our beloved Lord, feel our obligations. Come, and let us take a stone, and inscribe on it EBENEZER,' for hitherto the Lord hath helped us.' 6 "And let our gratitude be succeeded by all the gratifying evidences of a lively, consistent, and devoted walk. Let us give the most decisive proof that we left the world before we joined the church. Let us declare plainly that this is not our rest, that our home is in the skies. Let us do this by diligently attending the means of grace; not only the public ministry of the word, which ought especially to be observed on the opening of our church, but the meetings for prayer and church business. Thus will you promote your own edification, hold up the hands of your pastor, and fulfil the holy and sublime purposes of your church-organisation, which are the perpetuation and extension of the religion of the cross. "There is another subject to which I would affectionately beg your serious attention. It is the duty of aiming to support your own pastor. It must not be concealed that this has been done to a large extent by the Colonial Missionary Society. That Society sent you a minister, and has generously given you its aid; and I am satisfied will continue to do so, so long as it is really needed. But for your own honour, and the relief of the Society, now embarrassed with debt, you will feel it your duty and interest to become less and less dependent every year. I make no complaint. The Society does not complain; for, considering your infantile state, and your subscriptions for your building, and other objects, you have done nobly; but, brethren, Congregational churches are called Independent churches, and I ask you to aim at the independence of the Home Society. "Brethren, accept my wishes for your individual and collective prosperity. May you be presented faultless before the throne of God with joy, washed and sanctified and saved through the blood of the Lamb!-I am, your affectionate pastor, "WILLIAM CLARKE." TRANSACTIONS OF CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES. AUTUMNAL MEETING OF THE CONGREGATIONAL UNION OF ENGLAND AND WALES. THE Seventh Autumnal Meeting of the Union will take place in Manchester, on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, the 14th, 15th, and 16th days of October next. The Committee of the Union is anxious to keep these anticipated proceedings prominently before the attention of the friends of the Union. Former autumnal meetings have proved seasons of great pleasure and benefit, and it is desired to render that now anticipated still more delightful and beneficial. The place of meeting inspires hope and expectation. The times require our best counsels. There must be every effort to promote real union. A rare combination of energy, suavity, and spirituality, of strict adherence to principle blended with expansive charity, is required of Congregationalists in these days of their difficulty, yet of their hope. The Committee of the Union, in correspondence with brethren in Manchester, is devoting its best efforts to make adequate arrangements and preparations for the occasion. Subject to further consideration, it is at present proposed 1. To open the services with a public meeting for prayer and suitable addresses on the evening of Monday, October 13th. 2. To secure three entire morning sessions, of about five hours each, for the consideration of important subjects affecting the general interests and prosperity of the Independent churches, introduced by written papers prepared for that purpose. These morning proceedings to be held on the Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday following. 3. On the evenings of the same three days to obtain public meetings. That on the Tuesday evening for education at large,-first, popular or general; second, ministerial; third, higher secular education. On each topic a short paper to be read, and a single resolution to be proposed. The meeting on Wednesday evening to be in favour of British missions. That on Thursday evening to be a public meeting of the Union itself, to set forth openly its principles, objects, and claims. The Committee cannot but mingle its labours and prayers to secure a prosperous meeting at Manchester, with hopes of cheering results: and fully anticipates the cordial co-operation of many tried and honoured brethren in efforts which must otherwise prove abortive. MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. ADDRESS OF THE DISSENTING DEPUTIES TO THE MINISTERS OF THEIR SEVERAL CONGREGATIONS, WITH OTHER MINISTERS WITHIN HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN'S DOMINIONS. BELOVED PASTORS AND FRIENDS,-Your candid and prayerful attention is invited to this address, proceeding from a body which, though composed of classes somewhat diversified in practice, is yet one with yourselves in the main principles of Protestant Nonconformity, and in the enjoyment of rights which they desire to transmit unimpaired to their latest posterity. Suffer us in our collective capacity to put you in mind that the moment is arrived when no faithful man should sleep at his post,—and when neutrality is unfaithfulness; for if he be not unceasingly vigilant, the "strong man armed" will find that "a stronger than he" has come upon him before he is aware, and, divesting him of the armour wherein he trusted, will, with as much impunity as license, reduce him from his wonted freedom to a bondage as retributive as hopeless. The measures in progress tend to impart animation and succour to that embodiment of errors which constitutes, in our belief,-that system which we are told the Lord himself shall eventually "consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming." Apart from those other strenuous efforts which are being made in your name and on your behalf, to obstruct the widening and strengthening of that constant source of national discord-state interference with religion-by which its free and undefiled course is impeded; we take upon ourselves to solicit your concurrence in another mode of stemming the evil we so earnestly deprecate. The anniversary of a day-a Sunday-is approaching, doubly memorable in the records of turpitude and all unrighteousness. We suggest to you, therefore, most respectfully, that occasion be taken to enlighten the minds and refresh the memories of those who, with ourselves, esteem it their honour and glory to have borne, and to continue to bear, the appellation of "Protestant," upon the great distinctive principles which that name imports; and not the less, to instil into the minds of the rising generation, on the ensuing 24th of August, which, by a remarkable coincidence in this year of peril, falls upon a Sunday, sentiments in accordance with the Divine precepts concerning injuries and the forgiveness of them. In the massacre of Paris, begun on the eve of Bartholomew's-day, Sunday, August 24th, 1572, was seen, according to Hume, "the result of that general conspiracy formed for the extermination of the Protestants," when, says an early authority, "above a myriad of Hugonots" were miserably butchered in that city alone. And are not the signs of our times awfully portentous? Shall we not heed the warnings presented by events even now passing in Switzerland, in Germany, and in France, and far off in Polynesia? These events call aloud for special notice, in circumstances when our fears are being awakened by the movements of enemies alike enduring and implacable! Moreover, are we not beset by foes whose aim is to ensnare us and our countrymen after another manner; to reduce us to mere machines in body and mind, by the rigours of cunningly-devised forms and frivolous ceremonies? It was not enough, it should seem, that had been done to signalise Bartholomew's-day, but this day was again selected-a Sunday too-in the year 1662, to perpetrate that other deed, when, according to the chief historian of that event, "more than two thousand" ministers in England and Wales, were driven from their charges and deprived of their livelihoods, rather than barter their consciences, and betray the sacred interests of their flocks! Under the sense of the deep and lasting impression these facts and sentiments have produced in us, we submit to your consideration the following resolution, passed at the last annual meeting of the Deputies, December 27th, 1844, John Remington Mills, Esq. in the chair: That it be a respectful recommendation from this body to the Dissenting Ministers in the metropolis and throughout the empire, to preach a Sermon on or near to St. Bartholomew's Day next, August 24th, commemorative of the principles of Dissent; and that the Deputies be requested to use their influence in seeing this resolution carried into effect, and to procure either a public or private collection in aid of the funds of this deputation." The Deputies have no selfish ends in soliciting your aid; they have not only bestowed their energies efficiently, but have disbursed for the benefit of the whole body of Nonconformists, to go no further back than the year 1826, and ending with the year 1844, no less than £12,824; towards which, only £1,360 were contributed from the funds of kindred societies, and but £245 received from churches and individuals beyond the limits prescribed as "within twelve miles of London." That so large a sum, unequalled, so far as we know, by the capabilities of any other society of a like nature, has been expended in protecting, and happily in extending the "civil rights" of Protestant Dissenters, need not excite unusual notice, when it is considered that, in the period named, the abolition of the Test and Corporation Acts was procured mainly through the exertions of this body, instituted for that purpose, in the year 1732; and which body has continued, unostentatiously, but not the less successfully, to pursue its objects by addressing the Crown, petitioning Parliament, memorialising the Government, procuring the delivery and the circulation of lectures; publishing resolutions and addresses; and also by obtaining the Marriage and Registration Acts, besides judgments of courts of law in matters affecting the rights of Protestant Dissenters, and in other ways aiding and protecting the feeble against the strong. Hence it is evident that the interests of those to whom this appeal is addressed, have formerly been directly benefited, and are at the present time most weightily concerned. But without replenished funds, similar benefits are not likely to be obtained; and consequently, the reputation which this representative body has acquired, will be lowered, and that vigilance and efficient protection which have been hitherto enjoyed will be diminished at a time when they are increasingly required. From all these premises we trust, beloved friends, that you will be induced to preach upon the occasion mentioned; and we recommend that contributions, made by yourselves and friends, be transmitted by Bankers' or Post-office orders, addressed to the Secretary, or in any more convenient way; and they will be duly acknowledged. HULL TERRELL, Secretary. Yours, with every testimony of respectful regard, 30, Basinghall Street, London, June 4th, 1845. BRIEF NOTES ON PASSING EVENTS. NEWS has reached this country during the past month from almost every part of the world. Much of it is humiliating and afflictive; scenes of calamity and violence, treachery and bloodshed, have been witnessed in many lands, "because of the wickedness of them that dwell therein, and as the fruit of their doings." From the PACIFIC, we learn that our once hopeful colony in New Zealand, by the scandalous and wanton neglect of the Colonial Office, and by the feeble administration of the governor, has been brought to the verge of ruin. The natives, encouraged by the evidence of our weakness, have attacked and burned the town of Kokorarira, broken the English flag-staff, and dishonoured our flag. That a battle had been fought in which about twenty colonists, and one hundred of the natives were killed or wounded. The behaviour of the French in Tahiti is still insolent towards British officers, and oppressive to poor Pomare and her loyal people. Information has indeed been received at the Mission House of the seizure of the island to which the Queen had fled, but the particulars have not yet been published. In the EAST Some gleams of light and hope have appeared amidst pagan darkness. The Emperor of China has read the Holy Scriptures, first translated for general use by our lamented brethren Drs. Morrison and Milne, and has issued an edict permitting their introduction into the five ports named in the treaty with England, and from which doubtless they will find their way into all parts of the empire. A sin and a reproach have been happily removed from our nation, by the orders of Lord Stanley sent out to Ceylon forbidding the British Governor to exhibit the stupid relic of Buddha's tooth, or to retain in his custody the keys of the shrine; no longer to join in the religious processions of the people, nor to appoint their chief priests, as aforetime, but to leave all these abominations to be managed by a committee of Buddhist priests and laymen. In AMERICA there are also events transpiring of painful interest. The government of Mexico proposed to make peace with Texas and to recognise its independence, if the Texans would maintain their separate national existence. This overture the extraordinary Congress of Texas has refused to accept; and on June 18, 19, voted their annexation to the United States, and applied to their President for troops to defend them, which were already on the frontier, to resist any attacks on this newborn sister of the federal states. The Mexicans will be indignant, and probably appeal to arms; but the poverty and distractions of their government, their great distance from the scene of affairs, together with the advanced state of the season, and the overflow of the river Neuces, that has flooded the country through which their army would have to pass, render it highly improbable that war will arise, though both France and England, and indeed the friends of humanity throughout the world, must regret this consummation of the crafty policy of slave-holding Americans. In Eastern Canada, Quebec, the ancient capital of the colony, has, within the short space of one month been visited by two dreadful conflagrations, so extensive that, should another occur, Quebec would be blotted from the list of cities. The first happened on the 28th of May, when one-third of the place, and that the most populous, was destroyed. 1650 houses were reduced to ruin, covering a space one mile in length, and half a mile in breadth, and left 12,000 people without a home. On that day month, strange to say, a second fire broke out in another quarter of the city, raged through 30 streets, burned 1300 houses, and left 6000 more of the inhabitants without a shelter. They were so paralysed by terror at this second calamity, as to be unable to resist the ravages of the cruel element, and its progress was stayed by the vigorous efforts of the military. Subscriptions for their relief have commenced in London, and we hope may be extended to all the towns of the empire. AFRICA has been troubled on both sides; in the south by some insurrectionary movements by the Boors; and in the north, at Algeria by the French troops under the command of Col. Pellissier, who have perpetrated one of the grossest acts of fiendish barbarism, that ever disgraced the history of mankind. The Arab tribe of Ouled Riahs had successfully resisted the invasion of the French, till driven into their mountain fastnesses, they thought themselves secure in their huge caverns. But no! With infernal ingenuity, faggots were placed at the mouth of the caves, and 500 men, women, and children were stifled, or roasted alive, amidst cries that might have pierced the rocks, but did not move the stony heart of this slaughterman of his species. It is due to France to say, that this massacre has excited universal execrations-but why do the French people continue to sacrifice their wealth and their army on such a hopeless enterprise? The TURKISH EMPIRE continues to be the theatre of strange scenes, all admonitory of its rapidly approaching fall. The Grand Duke Constantine has recently visited CONSTANTINOPLE, and has been permitted to enter mosques, hitherto untrodden by the feet of "infidels." On his going into the mosque of St. Sophia, crowds of Greeks rushed in, and actually threw the duke down by their violence. Their joy was frantic on finding themselves there, and they kissed the pavement and the oldest parts of the edifice with superstitious eagerness. The mosque of Eyoub, which is accounted "the holiest of all," was also accessible to the Russian Constantine ! SMYRNA, one of the most thriving cities of the empire, has suffered from the calamity of fire. Four thousand houses, with mosques, churches, convents, and hospitals, have been laid waste, and 5000 people are said to be without a dwelling-place. In SYRIA, the conflict between the Druses and Maronites has somewhat abated, but not till 100 villages and 17 convents have been burned to the ground; and 30,000 Christians, men, women, and children, are encamped near Beyrout, in the most frightful state of destitution. The armistice between the chiefs only extends to one district, and the allied powers will be compelled to interfere, if the Turkish government continue to prove their imbecility by permitting these fanatical barbarities to continue. A concordat has been concluded by the government of SPAIN with the court of Rome, which provides, amongst other things, that the Catholic religion shall be exclusively and for ever professed in the dominions of the Spanish monarchy; that the bishops shall have the exclusive right of watching over the education of the young in public schools; that existing monasteries and convents shall be preserved, |