character denominational, and to connect it with the Congregational Union of England and Wales, constituting it one branch of British Missions, and thus devolving its future support on the Independent churches of this country. Soon after this an arrangement was entered into, by which, on condition of the Irish Congregational Union foregoing its right to send deputations to England, this society agreed to pay the Irish Union double the amount of all sums it could raise, from any source, in Ireland. The working of this plan was found to be unfavourable to the Irish Evangelical Society, and eventually felt to be unsatisfactory by all parties, and was dissolved some months since by mutual consent; leaving a burden of several hundred pounds on the society, as claimed by the Irish Union, in addition to £976. 9s. 7d. already paid to its Treasurer.

The Committee of the Irish Evangelical Society are deeply convinced, that instead of two organizations for Congregational Missions in Ireland, there ought to be but one, and that the direction of that one should be in London; and this opinion they could support, if necessary, by a reference to many particulars; but waiving this point, as they have no wish to interfere with the operations of their brethren of the Irish Union, they feel it due to themselves to state it as their decided opinion, that the necessity for supporting this society, is undiminished by the changes that have passed over it; but that on the contrary, the debt now entailed on it, the altered position in which it has been placed by the vote of the representatives of the British churches in their annual assembly, and the new and promising fields of usefulness opening before it, as well as the strong claim which its devoted servants, engaged in the work of teaching and preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, have upon the future support of this society, present powerful reasons for its steadily augmented support. At the present time, it is pledged to the maintenance of thirty agents, who, as pastors, missionaries, or Scripture-readers, are engaged in disseminating Divine truth in the English and Irish languages, with an amount of zeal and self-denying diligence which entitles them to the sympathy and affection of British Christians. It is for the Independent churches of this country, with their pastors and deacons, to say whether they have confidence in their own society,-in their own publicly recognised agency for bringing the Gospel to bear on the millions of Ireland. This confidence, if indulged, and the Committee do not doubt its existence, will be appropriately and opportunely expressed, by donations and subscriptions for the special purpose of liquidating its debt, and by Congregational and other collections in aid of its general

purposes.

Signed on behalf, and at the unanimous request of the Committee,

7, Blomfield Street, Finsbury, London.

THOMAS JAMES,
GEORGE SMITH,

} Secretaries.

COLONIAL MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

SAFE ARRIVAL OF THE REV. JAMES PORTER AT SHEFFIELD, NEW BRUNSWICK. MR. PORTER safely reached Sheffield in September last. Early in October he commenced his public labours among the people there. After eleven Sabbaths of probationary service, he received a cordial and unanimous call to undertake the pastoral oversight of the church, to which he assented, and has entered on this permanent labour with encouragement and hope. The Congregational church of which Mr. Porter is now the pastor, is the oldest organised religious body in the province of New Brunswick. The people are not numerous, but their position is important; the influence of their principles is most valuable; there are many out-stations scattered round the mother-church, in all directions, which will require and receive

the attentions and labours of its pastor. The field of labour is highly interesting, and promises to repay whatever culture may be devoted to it. The people hope to be able to sustain their pastor in comfort; and the work at Sheffield, and our dear brother who has devoted himself to it, and the people of his charge, should engage the interest and the prayers of the churches at home, in the midst of their easy circumstances, and abundant privileges.

SAFE ARRIVAL OF THE REV. J. C. GALLAWAY AT ST. JOHN, NEW BRUNSWICK.

On Wednesday, the 4th of October, Mr. Gallaway reached St. John in comfort and safety. Mr. Kennear, of that city, with kind and Christian hospitality, received Mr. and Mrs. Gallaway into his house, till they could be comfortably settled in a residence of their own. On Lord's-day, the 8th of October, Mr. Gallaway opened his public ministry in St. John. A chapel, formerly belonging to the Baptists, had recently been sold to a body of Presbyterians, who, sympathizing with their brethren of the Free Protesting Church in the parent land, had separated from the kirk connexion in St. John, with the view of forming themselves into a branch of the Free Church in that city. Not being as yet supplied with a minister, these brethren offered the use of the building they had purchased to Mr. Gallaway, who has engaged it for six months. Thus a very advantageous opportunity for immediately commencing his public labours was presented. In his opening labours, Mr. Gallaway is much encouraged, and is gathering round him the first elements of a church and people. His reception by the pastors and Christian brethren of St. John has been very cordial and respectful, and our excellent brother may be safely confided in, as prompt and watchful to cultivate harmony and co-operation as far as possible with evangelical Christians of other communions. But Mr. Gallaway's chief anxiety and difficulty is, of course, to obtain a chapel in which to gather a people, to form a church, and to establish securely a permanent interest. The building commenced by Mr. Ambler, may be purchased for £600. To purchase some necessary addition of ground, and to complete the chapel, will require £900 more. Thus for £1500 currency, a respectable building, in a very eligible position, may be obtained. Mr. Gallaway looks across the Atlantic to the wealthy brethren in the churches of his native land, which he has left to spread their principles and faith, for help in this enterprise. If they will contribute £500 sterling, Mr. Gallaway hopes to be able to struggle through the other, and heavier part of the effort, in time, from the resources he may obtain in St. John, or in the United States. One serious disappointment met Mr. Gallaway on his arrival in St. John. He found Mr. Smithers, a Christian brother of Congregational principles, on whose counsel and co-operation he had placed great expectation of important advantages, just about to embark for England for the winter. Mr. S. has safely arrived in this country, and hopes to find opportunity for soliciting contributions in aid of the erection of a chapel in St. John's, and thus to compensate to Mr. Gallaway for the loss of his personal services at the outset. It is hoped that the appeals of Mr. Gallaway, and of his friend Mr. Smithers, will meet from many affluent Christians a kind and liberal response. Any donations in aid of the chapel of St. John will be thankfully received, by the Secretary of the Colonial Missionary Society, at the Congregational Library.

The following extract from a letter of Dr. Ross, giving an account of the results of his third year's labours in Sydney, is most satisfactory and encouraging. Amidst severe commercial depression, and general distress, his people have exerted themselves with exemplary liberality, for the support of their beloved pastor, and for the erection of their intended new chapel. They continue united, peaceful, affectionate : while temporal distress has prevailed, spiritual prosperity and comfort have been enjoyed. There is great scope for usefulness, great need of additional labourers in the

fine colony of New South Wales. There should be ministers to help our brethren at Sydney, and at Adelaide, in Van Dieman's Land, and in Port Philip-to labour in the colonies, to be prepared for entering on any important stations that may in providence be vacated. There should be an Australian college to train a rising ministry, native-born in the colonies. The openings for effort in those wide regions are most extensive and encouraging. The prospects for the future rise into unspeakable importance. Now is the time for comparatively easy efforts, and for advantages never to be obtained, if not now; yet the contributions to the society are so scanty and inadequate, that grievous as the conclusion is, there is no other to be entertained— the work cannot be done.

Sydney, 6th March, 1843.

My dear Sir, On the 25th ultimo, I finished my third year's residence in this colony; and on looking back upon the whole of what has occurred since my arrival here, I feel constrained to say, "Surely goodness and mercy have followed me." He hath led me by a right way, and done all things well. My health has been good upon the whole, and my vigour and power of exertion equal to what it was in England, with two interruptions that occurred during the past year. The first was in the month of May, when, in consequence of being thrown out of a phaeton, along with Mrs. Ross, and our youngest child, I was laid aside from preaching two Sabbaths. We all mercifully escaped with bruises more or less severe, and although I suffered most, I feel none of the bad effects of it now. The second was an inflam. matory attack at the close of the year, by which I was prevented from engaging in my public duties for about a month, and from which I now seem to be perfectly recovered. Very providentially, Mr. Pritchard was here at the time, and two young missionaries, Messrs. Chisholm and Moore, on their way with him to Tahiti, who very kindly and efficiently supplied my lack of service. On both of these occasions, while graciously supported by the presence of my redeeming God, and a realising faith in his promises, I was much comforted and encouraged by the ardent prayers and kind sympathy of my flock. May I be stimulated by these warnings to greater zeal, and fitted for more devoted and extensive usefulness. The thought occurred to me, I understand it occurred to many, should I be removed by death, how will my place in Sydney be supplied? This is an important question. I submit it for your consideration. There should be some one near, otherwise all or much that I have been the means of effecting, will be lost or undone, should it please God to call me home, without a successor ready to step into my place.

In my letter of 3rd March, 1842, I informed you of the resolution of my people to recommence operations for the erection of the new chapel, by making monthly collections, and preparing articles for a bazaar. I am happy to say that they have nobly carried their resolution into effect, and that at a meeting of the church, holden Tuesday evening last, to celebrate the anniversary of my arrival among them, it was reported that the sum of £798 had been collected by monthly contributions and donations during the year; that the ladies of the congregation had prepared articles for the bazaar, which was holden September last, and which produced, after expenses were paid, £127, making the total sum raised in the year, £925. During the same period, a new gallery had been put up in the present chapel, capable of seating one hundred persons, while the roof has undergone extensive and expensive repairs; and all this by a mere handful of people, during a season of almost unparalleled depression in all departments of business. This will give you some idea of the spirit of my people, and furnish evidence, at the same time, that the Gospel is not preached among them in vain.

Respecting my pastoral labours, I have nothing particular to communicate. I go on as formerly reported. The ordinary congregation is as large as it has ever been :

and the church has greatly increased (I speak by comparison,) in numbers. On my arrival, there were only thirty members on the church books. I have admitted, from the world and the church, seventy-four more. One has died, some have removed; but with those who stand proposed as candidates, we amount to nearly one hundred. On one evening, I had the pleasure of admitting three sisters of one family, and a brother and a sister of another. The occasion was exceedingly interesting. We are united and peaceful, and, I trust, enjoying some measure of spiritual prosperity. Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name we give glory. Mr. Threlkeld continues to officiate every Sabbath in the little chapel at South Head, with much acceptance to the congregation. Our preaching station in Parramatta Street is doing good. The attendance, morning and evening, is very encouraging, especially in the evening. Mr. Humphreys is indefatigable as a preacher, although labouring for his support as a carpenter; and, aided by his excellent wife, will be a blessing to the poor people of that neighbourhood. Could we have a larger place, I have no doubt the congregation would greatly increase. The grant of the present house will expire at the end of the year, and may not be renewed. The people are contributing small sums monthly to purchase a piece of ground, on which to build. The weekday-school is exceedingly well attended, and so is the Sunday-school.

TRANSACTIONS OF CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.
CONFERENCE ON GENERAL EDUCATION.

INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS BY THE COMMITTee.

In presenting to the Congregational churches a record of the proceedings of the Conference on general education, it has been deemed appropriate to preface the resolutions adopted by a brief address, explanatory both of the views of the assembled brethren, and of the course to be now pursued for promoting the great object of the whole movement.

It would be inappropriate to offer a single remark on the numbers and respectability of the brethren convened on this occasion. The list of their names here given, will speak for itself, and will best enable the churches to judge what weight their known characters and sentiments may impart to their conclusions.

The meeting thus constituted, adopted as the basis of all its further proceedings, a resolution, "that there are considerations special to the present state of this country, demanding immediate efforts for the better instruction of the people." These considerations are as evident as they are strong. The extensive deficiency of schools, and the most unsatisfactory nature of the instruction given in most existing schools in all parts of England-the consequent prevalence among the uninstructed or the ill-instructed portions of the people of affecting immorality, degradation, and wretchedness-the peculiar peril, in a free, populous, and commercial country such as this, of permitting numerous classes of the people to continue in a state so degraded-the obvious importance of taking advantage, for promoting the great work of national education, of the attention and interest now so extensively directed to the subject— the close connexion between education and religion, and the value of sound intelligence among the most numerous classes of the people as the best preservative of an enlightened Protestantism from all the perils on the one hand of papal superstitions, and on the other of fearful infidelity. These and similar considerations could conduct patriotic, Christian, and intelligent men to no other conclusion.

The meeting next resolved that Congregational efforts for general education are indispensable in the present state of this country; that is, that the Independent

churches should act as a denomination for this object. By adopting this plan it was perceived that churches possessed of adequate resources, and placed amidst dense populations, might connect with them greatly extended and improved means of education, that the labours and influence of ministers for promoting the object would be on this plan far more available than on any other, that much more ample resources for the work would be thus obtained, and that there would be no obstacle in the way of employing funds obtained by denominational efforts in the support of schools, assisted also by Christians of other communions, whenever this was seen to be necessary or most advisable for advancing the common object.

The Conference then followed up these resolutions by the practical movement of determining to enter on a subscription adequate to the work. A central fund was seen to be necessary for the assistance of feebler churches and neighbourhoods, to be supplied from those able both to sustain their local schools, and to assist where aid is needed. That the central fund might not be attended with excess of central action and influence, and that the contributors of money might retain the most complete control of its application, it was agreed that " every donor should determine the appropriation of his donation to local efforts, to the central fund, to the British and Foreign School Society, or to such other institution for the training of teachers, as he may approve." A subsequent resolution recommends "that the donations to the general fund be considered payable in five years from the 1st of January, 1844, and that it be permanently sustained by simultaneous annual collections in all the churches; and though all local funds and efforts will be, of course, entirely under local management, yet that all monies contributed by Congregationalists for such local efforts, shall be eligible for publication in the lists of the central committee, their specific appropriation being distinctly stated." This was done with the design of vindicating the Congregational body from the charge of apathy and feebleness in the great work of national education, by bringing into view the actual amount of effort put forth by the churches for this object.

On the delicate and important subject of government aid for educational purposes, the Conference arrived at a resolution, advising that no such assistance be accepted for schools in connexion with Congregational churches, on the clear and strong ground, that it utterly repudiated money raised by taxation and granted by government, for promoting the Christian religion, and that schools established by Congregational churches must needs impart a religious education. And further to preserve the Independent churches clear from any course or acts that might even seem to involve them in proceedings inconsistent with their principles as the known and marked advocates of the voluntary system, it was also agreed, that the central committee shall vote no grant from the fund entrusted to it for distribution, to any school not entirely sustained by voluntary contributions. Yet there was no design in this to preclude an individual donor from appropriating his contribution in aid of a school that may have received government assistance. Should that in any instance be desired, it may be effected through the British and Foreign School Society. Any sums transmitted to the committee of that institution with a special appropriation, will be employed strictly as directed, and the central committee of the Congregational churches will be open to hand over any sums to that of the British and Foreign School Society, whether specially appropriated or not. Thus was it carefully endeavoured to harmonise private liberty and public consistency.

The fifth and ninth resolutions adopted by the Conference, will vindicate its proceedings from every thing of an exclusive and sectarian character. They recommend vigorous support of the British and Foreign School Society, and cordial co-operation with Christians of other communions in the work of general education, whenever united efforts are seen to be necessary or most advantageous for its advancement.