to hear the "good things" that were said by the minister. In another letter, is the history of a poor Roman catholic woman, who, after having with her husband frequented Mr Girod's church for a few months, finds herself shunned by her family and deserted by her customers; but who in the midst of all her persecution, tries to give her husband new courage, by saying to him, " We have not grown richer since we have known the gospel, but we are much happier." Another letter speaks of some Roman Catholics, living in a distant village, and walking several miles every Sabbath for the purpose of hearing the gospel, and this, notwithstanding a strong opposition on the part of their neighbours.

The place of worship in which Mr Girod's congregation assembled, has been found for some time past, to be too small to contain the number of persons frequenting his services. The Lord has already provided for this necessity. A room capable of containing 400 persons, has been hired and fitted up for divine worship.

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The following extract from Mr Girod's letter, 14th of June, will be read with pleasure. The person spoken of, is the aged grandfather above alluded to, as having been brought to attend the house of God by his grandchild :—“ When the Lord begins to work in a heart, he can accomplish much in a short time. About a fortnight before, we became acquainted with an old man, once a soldier under Napoleon; this veteran said, * I am now old, I cannot live much longer, I must think about my salvation, for I am not at ease in my present state.' And indeed, God would not permit him to finish his course, without first bringing him to the knowledge of his name. After he had followed my preaching about three or four months, it pleased the Lord to take him to himself. His illness only lasted about a week, but during the whole time he manifested great confidence in his God, and his experience was truly Christian. I saw him the evening before his death. He expected his end with calmness and resignation. I read to him the parable of the good Shepherd,' to which he listened with great attention, and asked me several questions, which proved that he understood what I read. When I came to I give my life for my sheep,' I heard him in a low tone of voice, as if speaking to himself, say, 'Yes, certainly. I asked him if he trusted exclusively on the Lord Jesus Christif he renounced his works as a means of salvation. He replied in the affirmative. I asked him, if the Lord took him from this world, whether he felt he should go to him. He replied, 'Yes.' This was my last conversation with him. At one o'clock in the morning, I was called to go to him, but when I reached his house, he was no more. Those who were with him, assured me that he died in the same frame of mind as I had left him in. I greatly feared that his wife would have been discouraged by the death of her husband; but the Lord has hitherto supported her in an extraordinary manner. She has had to bear with a great deal more from her children, who are grown up. They objected to my interring their father, saying, it was a dishonour, what will the world say! But the widow did not permit herself to be shaken in her resolution. The children would not attend the funeral."

The last letter received from Mr Girod, gives an account of the death of another convert to the gospel, who quitted the Roman catholic church about two years ago. She was a person who took a great interest in Mr Girod's work, and was active and zealous in labouring for the temporal and spiritual welfare of those around her. She was the Dorcas of the church at Liege.

A Sunday school has been opened, and great hopes are entertained that it will prove a blessing to the church. It will be remarked with pleasure, that the subscriptions received from this station during the year, have greatly increased, amounting to L.25,-a large sum of money, taking into consideration that nearly all the congregation is composed of converted Roman catholics. An idea may be formed of their zeal, from the following extract of Mr Girod's

journal for October. "A poor woman, the mother of several children, obliged to work for her daily bread, went to visit another poor woman who had just been confined. Seeing her poverty, she said to her with much simplicity, I am sorry I live so far away from you. If I lived nearer you, I would help you to do your work. I have brought you nothing, because I did not know what you would wish to have; but here is a small sum of money to buy what you like; and she gave her a franc and a half (about fifteen pence.) Other members of my church, who also are not rich, joined their mites together to supply two orphans with clothing.”

It may not be uninteresting to extract from Mr Girod's report for November, a few particulars about the little boy who induced his grandfather and grandmother, with whom he lived, to attend the church. "His mother, who is much opposed to the gospel, took her child home for a few days, caressing him very much, and promising him many fine things, if he would quit our church. The poor child promised his mother to do so. God so overruled circumstances, that the imprudence of the mother caused her to fail in her object. She said to the child rather hastily one day, you must go to mass and confession to-day.' The lad was struck with his mother's manner; he reflected a little, and he refused, retracted his promise, and has attended our worship ever since. No doubt he will have many more such temptations; he is but fourteen years old. I trust the Lord will keep him by his powerful arm in the way of his truth."

Louvain. This station has experienced some remarkable changes. When first established, it was in great anxiety that Mr Van Maasdyk began his labours. The small number of protestants who were once to be found in this town, had been diminished by the influence and powerful domination of the Roman priests, and the want of a protestant place of worship. It may be easily imagined that the preaching of the gospel would meet with violent opposition in a town where there are so many priests zealous for human traditions congregated together, and where they have their most important university. Mr Van Maasdyk commenced with a very small auditory; but soon after, the chapel was so crowded, that the greater part of those who came could not gain admittance, and the police were obliged to interfere to maintain order. Some evil-disposed persons attempted to injure the room and furniture. His adversaries seeing that Mr Van Maasdyk was not to be silenced, nor even intimidated by their persecutions, changed their mode of attack. They threatened those who attended his services, with the punishment of Roman catholic discipline. They called up the anathemas pronounced against Luther and Calvin. The pulpit and the confessional were in constant use, for the purpose of pointing out the wolf which had got into the sheepfold. About this time, through the efforts of the enemies of the gospel, the tumult occasioned at the services by those who came on purpose to disturb the meetings, and the disappointment of hypocrites, who came from worldly motives, the crowd ceased to attend. The multitude thus drawing off, the few that remained being still exposed to persecution, felt discouraged, and the moment came when it appeared as almost impossible to continue the work. But on this occasion God gave an evident proof that if he permits the wicked to go to certain lengths in their unrighteous counsels, he maintains the light of truth wherever he pleases, in spite of the most artful machinations of Satan. Mr Van Maasdyk has been enabled to continue his preaching, and has at least twenty persons present at either one or the other of his services on the Lord's day.

In addition to his labours at Louvain, he has preached the gospel in two villages about six miles from that town, where several persons have had their minds awakened by the reading of the holy Scriptures.

The following is from Mr Van Maasdyk's journal, in which he gives an ac

count of his visit to one of these villages. "I went to Blast Wednesday. There were several members of the family of the person I visited, assembled to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. The daughter-in-law appears to take an interest in the truth. More than once I observed tears fall from her eyes. I afterwards visited two other families. I had some very serious conversation in the first house I entered, especially with a shepherd. The conversation I had with the mistress of the house, also gave me great pleasure. In the second house I found several persons collected together. I spoke to them out of the abundance of my heart. They thanked me affectionately for my visit. To-day I have received a letter from one of the persons, who invites me to visit them again. When there I had an oppportunity of preaching the truth to about twenty persons."

Speaking of his visit to the second village, he adds, in the same letter—“ I have often spoken to you about a man with a wooden leg. This man, notwithstanding the efforts and machinations of the priests, continues to walk in the ways of the gospel; and even more, he does the work of an evangelist in his parish. He begged of me to visit him. I did so yesterday, after my morning service. I expected to find no more than eight persons, who are in the habit of attending my preaching at Louvain; but great was my surprise to find the house full. They assured me there were at least sixty persons pre

sent."

Interesting communications have also been received from Mr Van Maasdyk, relative to the death of an old lady, who after having lived in a state of cold formality for many years, was brought under the sound of the gospel by Mr Van Maasdyk's preaching. It was blessed unto her; she received the knowledge of the living word, and died in that peace which passeth all understanding. Mr Van Maasdyk is exerting himself to get some children together, to give them religious instruction.

Charleroy.-Mr Dupont having been appointed to begin the work of evangelization in this town, visited his new field of labour in the month of October 1841, accompanied by the secretary of the society. Their efforts during the first week to find a convenient room for a place of worship, were all in vain. Nor had they better success in their researches after some who loved the gospel. They learned that there were several German and English protestant families living in the neighbouring villages; but on visiting them, it was found that several of the English families had renounced protestantism, and joined themselves, parents and children, to the Roman catholic church. When asked what induced them to do so, their reply was, "What could we do here without a minister, where all are catholics ?" On the other hand, they learned that several Roman catholics who had bought and read the Scriptures, showed a desire to receive religious instruction.

After a week had been spent in useless efforts, the secretary was obliged to quit Mr Dupont, leaving him without auditory or chapel. It will be easily conceived that such a position was discouraging to Mr Dupont, and that he would be desirous of quitting a place where he saw the door shut, to returu to his beloved flock at Taintignies. However, the Lord did not permit him to do so, but detained him at Charleroy, to show that the "right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly,” and that "the voice of rejoicing and salvation might be heard in the tabernacles of the righteous." Soon after, a room capable of containing an hundred persons, was hired, an auditory assembled, and on the 6th of December, Mr Dupont wrote "What consolation did I feel a short time since, in reading these beautiful words of our Lord, 'In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.' I must tell you, to the glory of God, that on Sunday the chapel was too small. There were at least 120 to 130 persons present, who listened with the greatest attention to my preaching. In the afternoon I held a meeting at Couillet.

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There were about thirty English and Belgians present. They were also very attentive, and their seriousness shows me that they are interested in the reading of the Bible. Although suffering from fatigue, I was much pleased with my meeting."

Thus Jesus Christ will be preached in a neighbourhood, where before there was no messenger of good news within thirty miles. Up to this date, these prospects have not been blighted. The villages of Gosselies, Jumet, Roux, Couillet, &c., have been visited by Mr Dupont and a tract colporteur, where they have assembled different persons around the word of God, and meditated with them on its holy contents. Speaking of some persons who visited him, inhabitants of one of the above villages, he says-"I have another proof to add to the many already given, that the holy Scriptures bear with them the evidence of their inspiration. Last Saturday was a sort of holiday for the coal miners. Three men from Roux spent a part of the day with me. I felt great pleasure in learning, in the course of conversation, that instead of joining in the follies of the day, they preferred passing their time with me, for the purpose of speaking on better things. When they came in, I was perusing a book containing the opinions of the primitive pastors of the church on the reading of the Scriptures. I read some extracts to them. They were quite astonished at the language, and said, if those pastors were to come back, and to hold such language now, they would soon be driven away. I said, ، well my friends, how do you find the Bible when you read it ?' One of them replied, I have heard that there were books by which a person could tell what another was thinking of. I have read many books, but never found anything of the kind. But in reading the Bible, I was astonished and frightened; -astonished to see that it told me everything that passed in my heart; all that I had thought, and all that I had done.' I asked him what frightened him. He replied, every time I read the Bible, it told me I was on a bad road, and it troubled my mind. I used to put it on the shelf, saying I will not read it again; oh, that I had never known it; yet I returned to it again and again.' It was delightful to see the simplicity with which this poor man recounted the above."

In another letter, speaking of the very violent opposition made to his labours by the enemies of the gospel, he adds-" Thus you see, I am pressed on every side; but do not trouble yourselves too much. You know I have a famous two-edged sword, which is mighty to the pulling down of strongholds. Pray for me that I may wield it skilfully."

More labourers wanted.-There are two other places which anxiously wait for a minister to be sent to them. Those who make the demand, implore the society earnestly to appeal to Christian liberality in their favour.

Schools. The second branch of the society's labours, is religious instruction by means of schools. The four schools mentioned in former reports, have all been continued, and above 200 Roman catholic children are daily taught the Scriptures in them.

ECCLESIASTICAL INTELLIGENCE.

SYNOD OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN ENGLAND.

The Synod commenced its annual session on Wednesday the 20th April, in the Scotch Church. The proceedings were opened by public worship, conducted by the moderator of last year, the Rev. Alexander Munro of Manchester, who preached an able sermon from 1 Cor. iii. 11. The religious services being concluded, the roll of ministers was called, and a committee appointed to revise the commissions of elders; after which the number of members present was found to be about seventy.

The Rev. Dr Patterson of Bishopwearmouth was then chosen Moderator. The minutes of last year's session were read and passed.

COMMITTEES.

On Overtures, &c.-Rev. Messrs Campbell (convener), Park, and Murdoch.-On Presbytery Records.-Rev. Messrs Park (convener), Rennison, Watson, and Alexander Gillespie, Esq.

A diet for prayer was appointed to be held next day at ten o'clock, to be conducted by the Moderator, and the Rev. Messrs Murdoch, Grant, and Hamilton.

At the request of the Synod, the Moderator returned thanks to Mr Munro for his excellent sermon, and requested its publication.

APPLICATIONS FOR ADMISSION.

The report of the committee on admissions to the synod was called for and read. Two applications were brought before the court. With regard to the first, from the Presbytery of Northumberland, a good deal of discussion arose. Questions having been put by various members, and satisfactory auswers returned, it was resolved," That the Synod having heard the application from the Presbytery of Northumberland, and an explanation of its constitution, agree to admit, and hereby do admit, the said presbytery, on the basis of a subscription of the Westminster standards, as adopted by our church." The Rev. Messrs Brown of Morpeth, Kirton of Galton, and others of the presbytery present, were then addressed by the Moderator, and formally admitted to the Synod.

The application from the north-west of Northumberland presbytery was next considered. The Rev. Mr Graham of Newcastle stated that the presbytery consisted of six congregations, and gave a full explanation of the points proposed. After a short discussion, the said presbytery was admitted as a constituent part of the Synod, in terms similar to the former resolution.

DEPUTATIONS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLIES OF SCOTLAND AND IRELAND.

The Rev. Mr Park of Liverpool, as convener of the deputation which was appointed last year, to appear before the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, begged to report that the deputation, with the exception of William Grant, Esq, of Springside, and Major Anderson, had waited upon the Assembly, and had been, individually and collectively, received with every mark of respect and attention by that venerable body. He presented a copy of the minute of the Assembly, recording the presentation of the deputation.

THURSDAY, April 21.

The Synod assembled this day at ten o'clock for devotional exercises, which were conducted by the ministers appointed on the preceding day.