was the din of the Chinese workmen employed as usual close to my lodging in fitting up a Roman Catholic Foundling Hospital! The friends of the Gospel | here have generally welcomed me very cordially, and are ready to aid me by every means in their power. But, in regard to my first days in Hong Kong, I may refer you for further particulars to Mr. Gillespie, of the London Society, who, with the family of another missionary (Mr. J. Stronach), left us a day or two ago in the "Monarch," for London. Their departure was an affecting scene, and to me not the least affecting part of it was the missionary's closing address in Chinese to the inmates of the Missionary Institution, and the closing prayer of an esteemed native Christian teacher. In regard. to future plans of labour I can, as yet, determine nothing. The field which is here open to me among the British population, and the facilities which I here enjoy for acquiring the Canton dialect determine my stay for a season at least in Hong Kong. Further light will, I trust, be given as we advance. Dr. Balfour has corresponded with you about a medical missionary's work. I feel at a loss, after much thought and conversation with him, what I ought to say on the subject. Happy should I be to see one capable of speaking Chinese, and employed as a good physician, ministering to the wants of the people, temporal and spiritual; but I believe he is right in thinking that without at least one minister permanently conjoined with him in his medical arrangements, he could effect little good of a spiritual kind; and I do not feel at liberty to bind myself in such a way to a particular spot of this interminable harvest field. I may see reason-it may be even soon-to alter this view; but this is all the light I have at present. It will be a cause of thankfulness when the Lord of the harvest sends any of His own servants from among you to join us here. But I need not say, send none under the idea of strengthening us by numbers. The natural and spiritual difficulties of the field will try the faith and patience even of those who are most clearly called of the Lord to enter on it. I say not this to discourage any one. The grace of our covenant God and Saviour is all-sufficient, and is ever equal to the necessities of His people; but it is right that we should count the cost; and living in this atmosphere of death we have need to

know, and have access to the fountain of spiritual life. Scotland, as you and we both feel at present, is slow to part with her Gospel ministers; and for this I am thankful on her account, while I must lament it for the sake of other less favoured lands. May the Lord soon multiply His own servants among us so greatly, that the gain of the foreign shall not be the loss of the home field, and may He deliver my dear countrymen from the sin and the curse of cleaving to ministers while they reject the Divine Master!

I am very conveniently situated; and at no great expense as a boarder with a Mr. and Mrs. Power, having beside me within a range of a hundred yards, Dr. Balfour's house and the Mission premises of the London Missionary Society. I enjoyed good health during the voyage, and our late arrival here has brought us at a season when the climate is delightful, and quite invigorating. I am agreeably surprised by the appearance of Hong Kong-both the town and the situation. The lofty encircling hills and placid enclosed bay, studded with British shipping, give the whole scene a picturesque and a home aspect.

I shall not write further at present, but with Christian regards to all friends and trusting to be continually borne on the hearts of God's people at the Throne of Grace, expecting also to hear from you, I remain,

Ever yours, affectionately, WM. C. BURNS. P.S.-I omitted to mention the solemn fact, that before we reached the Cape, during a dark and rainy night one of the ship's crew, a young lad from Rothsay, fell overboard and disappeared! This, with many other circumstances, made our voyage a very solemn one.

W. C. B.

WAIT for Christ's appearing. He shall come as certainly as the morning, as refreshing as the rain.- Wilcox.

with all thy weight upon Christ's rightDo as much as thou willst; but stand eousness. Take heed of having one foot on thy own righteousness, and another on Christ's.-Ibid.

THE sin of man filled the creature with vanity, and the vanity of the creature fills man with vexation of spirit.

FREE grace calls for full duty.

THE BISHOP OF NORWICH ON THE DEATH OF THE REV. MR. INNES, OF CANOBIE.

WHEN the late Mr. Innes, minister of Canobie, was examined before the Committee of the House of Commons, on the refusal of sites in Scotland, the question was put to him, suggested, no doubt, by his appearance,—whether he himself had not suffered in his health from the exposure to which he had been subjected? His reply was truly a noble one, breathing the spirit of a Christian confessor or martyr. "That," he said, "is a question which others may be more competent to answer. I would rather decline replying to it. A minister of Christ has no right to complain of his own sufferings."

Before the rising of Parliament, as no notice had been taken of the Sites Commission Report, it seemed to us that the death of this devoted minister would afford a good opportunity for the subject being introduced. We accordingly sent the notice of his death to the Bishop of Norwich, as a man of Catholic and liberal spirit, suggesting that a question might be put to the Government, in the House of Lords, relative to this case in connexion with the refusal of sites. The following is his Lordship's reply, which there can be no harm in publishing, as it contains a generous testimony to Mr. Innes' worth, from one in a position to judge without partiality :

Palace, Norwich, Dec. 8, 1847. Rev. Sir,-The memory of such a man as Mr. Innes, of Canobie, must be

held in hallowed estimation by Chris: tians of all denominations; and, without entering into the intricate question of the present state of the Scotch Church, I can sincerely assure you, that the noble and unselfish sentiments he expressed call for my unfeigned respect. As, however, I shall not be in town for some time, no opportunity will occur for putting the question you mention in the House of Lords. I would, therefore, recommend you to apply to some other Peer. I return the printed extract.

I remain, yours faithfully,

E. NORWICH.

Rev. J. M—, London. Before applying to any other quarter we thought it right to send the extract to the Duke of Buccleugh, believing it possible that his Grace might not have heard of the circumstances of Mr. Innes' death, and that it might therefore not

be fair to have such a question put without the intention to do so being notified. No reply was received until after the rising of Parliament, and then merely an acknowledgment of the letter, with the remark, that his Grace "did not referred to of Mr. Innes' death. The remember having seen" the account time for putting the question thus passed; be brought before Parliament by petition but, as we observe that the matter is to from the Presbytery of Lockerby, we trust that this case of injury and oppreswould have been by the Bishop of Norsion will be laid before the country, as it wich, had there been opportunity of his doing so.

upon

On whose head rests the blood of this martyred man of God we do not presume to say; nor of the many aged and infirm people who have been hurried to the grave by being compelled to worship God the bleak moors and stormy mountains of Scotland during the rigours of these northern winters. There may be differences of opinion as to the general questions either of Scottish Church controversy, or the rights of property; but surely, in a country of political liberty and religious toleration, it is the part of a good Government to protect loyal and peaceable subjects from oppression so cruel, and from persecution so unfeeling,

as that with which the Duke of Buccleugh is visiting his poor tenants who conscientiously differ from him in matters of religion.* They who own no

touching appeal to the Duke of Buccleugh, concerning these poor people of Canobie. His Grace had not the courtesy even to acknowledge receipt of that letter! We well remember the feeling of surprise and pain which this Chalmers. It showed the difference between caused to the noble and sensitive mind of Dr. one of nature's noblemen, and one merely noble by riches and title. About the same time application for a site was made to another Peer, then in England, who was as hostile to the principles of the Free Church as the Duke of Buccleugh was. But the conduct of this nobleman was very different. He wrote to say, that they might have any site that his factor agreed to give, and that he was glad to find that his people had the spirit to act up to the principles they conscientiously held. When his Lordship was in Scotland next he was much interested with the progress of the Church; and, like an honourable man, showed his respect for the feelings of those whose opinions he nevertheless thought erro

* Dr. Chalmers wrote a most earnest and

neous.

forget the blowing up he got, when asked, to His Lordship's keeper will not soon whom he had been sending game that season,

argument but compulsion towards others, ought themselves to be compelled by law to be just, or at least by law prevented from being cruel, to their fellowmen. Property has its duties as well as its rights. The poor also have rights, as well as the proprietors of the soil.

Presbyteries' Proceedings.

PRESBYTERY OF LONDON. THIS Reverend Court held its ordinary Monthly Meeting at 16, Exeter Hall, on the 11th January, and was constituted with praise, reading of the Scriptures, and prayer, by the Rev. William Chalmers, Moderator.

a

Professor Campbell, Convener of the Westminster Committee, gave in verbal report of the circumstances of the congregation there. The following supplies were then appointed for the Westminster pulpit, viz:-Professor Lorimer, January 16: Professor Campbell, January 23, Mr. Macaulay, January 30; Mr. Ferguson, February 6; Mr. Cousin, February 13.

It was farther agreed that the Committee be re-appointed with former instructions, and that they be further instructed to put themselves in communication with the managers of the Westminster congregation, and with the Home Mission Committee, upon the subject of the means of support for the Licentiate, whose services may be obtained

for the station.

The communion rolls of the different congregations were then called for, and the rolls of the following congregations were given and attested accordingly, viz.:-Regent-square, John Knox, London-wall, River-terrace, and Hampstead.

The Kirk Sessions of the remaining

on account of omitting to send any to the Free Church minister. The man had supposed that his master would have shown towards the Free Church adherents the same sort of feeling that many of the shabby little Scotch lairds around had done. But his Lordship told him to send a double portion to the Free Church minister, because he had now twice as much need of it, and it would be doubly acceptable. How paltry, after this, appears the conduct of those noblemen and proprietors in Scotland, who, by dismissal of servants, and turning tenants out of their farins, and compelling people to worship in the open air, are trying to coerce the consciences and trample down the religious convictions of those under their power!

congregations were instructed to have their rolls forwarded by next meeting of Presbytery.

Mr. Macaulay gave notice that, at next meeting of Presbytery, he would bring forward a motion on the subject of the sustentation of the ministry.

A communication was received from the London Jewish Committee.

The Presbytery adjourned to meet at 16, Exeter Hall, on the second Tuesday of February, at three o'clock, p.m., and the Sederunt was closed with prayer.

PRESBYTERY OF LANCASHIRE. LIVERPOOL, Nov. 29, 1847.-This Presbytery met by appointment, and moderated in a call from the congregation of St. Peter's Church, Liverpool, to the Rev. Walter Smith, Minister of Half-Morton, Free Church of Scotland, to be their Pastor, which call was unanimously sustained, and the Rev. W. Forster and Mr. Wm. Wilson, elder, were appointed Commissioners to prosecute the translation of Mr. Smith before the Free Presbytery of Lockerby. The Sederunt was closed with prayer.

MANCHESTER, JAN. 5, 1848.-The Presbytery held its ordinary monthly meeting, and was constituted with praise, reading the Scriptures, and prayer, by the Rev. V. M. White, Moderator, p.t.

The Presbytery agreed to hold a pro re natâ meeting at Manchester, on the 26th curt., at two, p.m., to take up the cases of translation to Chalmers' Church, Manchester, and St. Peter's, Liverpool, and make the necessary arrangements and appointments prior to induction.

The Communion Rolls of Risley Church and Trinity Church, Manchester, were produced and ordered to be attested by the Moderator, which was accordingly done.

Commissions of Elders from the sessions of Birkenhead and St. Andrew's Churches were presented and sustained. On the Commission of the elder from the session of Canning-street Church being presented, it was moved "That it be not by Mr. Gardner, received, because it did not come up in the printed form enjoined by the Synod." It was moved by Mr. Munro, and seconded by Mr. Forster, "That the said Commission be received, as there are no printed copies of Commissions remaining,

and as this written Commission is substantially good." The Motion of Mr. Gardner not having been seconded, fell to the ground. The Commission was, therefore, received. From which finding, Mr. Gardner dissented, on the ground "that the Commission did not testify to the elder's being, bonâ fide, an acting elder in his session."

Mr. Gardner gave notice of his intention to bring forward at next ordinary meeting an overture to the Synod on "the propriety and necessity of having a full declaration of the principles held by this Church, with a special reference to the Established Church of Scotland."

Mr. White gave notice of an overture to the Synod, to discontinue the Commission of Synod.

The Presbytery adjourned to meet at Liverpool on the 1st of March, at eleven, a.m.-Closed with prayer.

PRESBYTERY OF BERWICK.

AT Hide Hill Church, on Tuesday, the 18th ult. the Presbytery of Berwick met pro re nata, to receive a call from the congregation at Norham. Messrs. Wm. Steel, and Wm. Allen, elders, appeared as commissioners from the congregation, and presented a call in favour of Mr. James Stewart, preacher of the Gospel, signed by nearly four hundred persons connected with the congregation. This most cordial and unanimous call was received and sustained by the Presbytery, and was accepted by Mr. Stewart (who was present) in the same spirit in which it was given, most cordially.

The Presbytery then appointed subjects of trial to Mr. Stewart, with a view

to his ordination.

Arrangements were made in reference to the other vacant or unsupplied congregations, until the ordinary meeting of Presbytery in February.

PRESBYTERY OF BIRMINGHAM.

THIS Reverend Court met at the Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, on Tuesday, 4th ult. Present, Rev. Messrs. Lewis (Moderator), Mackenzie, Speers, and Bryson, and John Henderson, Esq., elder. The roll having been called, and the minutes of former meeting read and sustained, Mr. Mackenzie was chosen Moderator till the meeting of Synod.

Alex. Thompson, Esq., of Banchory, an elder of the Free Church, being present, was associated.

The Presbytery having called for the report of the Statistical Committee, the

following was handed in-"The Statistical Committee having met and maturely considered the business assigned to them, report that in order to obtain full and satisfactory information, they have found it necessary to prepare a list of queries with an accompanying schedule, which shall be forwarded to all the congregations within the bounds of the Presbytery in the course of a few weeks." Whereupon it was unanimously agreed, that the Committee be re-appointed with former instructions, their diligence approved, and the report sustained.

Mr. Mackenzie reported that the Session of the Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, had provided temporary accommodation for an infant-school in the gallery of the church, that they had secured the services of a competent teacher, and that the average attendance of children was sixty. Whereupon it was moved, seconded, and unanimously agreed to, that the Presbytery approve the diligence of the Birmingham Session, in opening a day-school under the superintendence of Mr. Hossack, an experienced teacher, commend the school bourhood, for whose children it is to the notice of the parents in the neighintended, and rejoice in the prospect of suitable school buildings being speedily erected. And, under all the circumcommodation provided, and remit their stances, approve of the temporary acapproval thereof to the Synod's School Committee for their favourable consideration of the teacher's claim to their support, persuaded, that, in the circumstances, the objects of the School Committee will be more fully realized by such temporary accommodation, than by any hired room which could at present

be obtained.

Attention having been directed to the desirableness of combining devotional exercises, as far as practicable, with the ordinary business of the Court, arrangements were made for inviting the members of the Birmingham congregation to meet the Presbytery next month, and the following members appointed to deliver addresses, Mr. Speers, of Stafford, on the necessity for the revival of religion; Mr. Lewis, of Dudley, on the means to be used for promoting revivals; and Mr. Mackenzie, of Birmingham, on examples of revivals.

The Presbytery then adjourned to meet at the Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, on the first Tuesday of February.

THIS Reverend body met on Tuesday the 4th January, in Trinity Church, Newcastle. There were present the following ministers, viz. :-P. L. Miller, Moderator; J. L. Porter, Clerk; G. J. Duncan; J. Storie; J. Lister; J. Fisher; J. Gordon; T. K. Anderson; and W.

Blackwood.

The minntes of previous meeting having been read and confirmed, the Rev. Robert Henderson, late of Westminster, having accepted the call to Seaton-Delaval, appeared and delivered his trials for ordination, which were sustained. The Rev. P. L. Miller gave notice, that, at next meeting of Presbytery, it was his intention to move that the Presbytery petition Parliament against the bill for removing the Jewish disabilities; and the Rev. J. Storie gave notice that at the same meeting he would move that the Presbytery memorialize Her Majesty's Government relative to the religious persecutions in Switzerland.-Adjourned.

Ecclesiastical Notices.

RIVER-TERRACE CHURCH, ISLINGTON. -On Monday, Dec. 27, the children of the Sabbath-school assembled at two o'clock, agreeably to previous announcement, when a discourse was preached to them by the Rev. John Weir; the subject was, "The way to heaven," as described in Isaiah xxxv. 9, "And a highway shall be there," &c. The preacher's address was distinguished by simplicity, and was interspersed with questions, to which the children gave ready answers, and by anecdotes appropriate to the subject, by which their interest was excited in the strongest manner. After the delivery of the sermon, rewards were distributed to the children, consisting of books of a suitable character. At four o'clock the children were entertained at tea; and at six o'clock, a crowded meeting was held in the school-room, composed of the teachers and friends of the Sabbath-school. After tea, the Rev. J. Weir was called to the chair, and eloquent and appropriate addresses were delivered by the Chairman, the Rev. Jas. Hamilton, the Rev. Mr. Thorsby, the Rev. O. Clarke, and the Rev. Mr. Porter, Missionary from India. Letters of apology for non-attendance had been forwarded from the Rev. Messrs. Nicholson,

Marylebone Church. The proceedings on this occasion were truly animating and delightful. We rejoice to learn, that the Sabbath-school at River-terrace is in the most prosperous condition. It appeared from the report read by Mr. Hill, the superintendent, that whereas

there had been an attendance of about

135 children in June last, now there were 330 on the books, with an average attendance of 290. We believe that the teachers pursue their labours in an earnest and prayerful spirit, and trust that their labours may be crowned with spiritual fruit in rich abundance, to the glory of the Redeemer and the salvation of many souls.

SOMERS TOWN SABBATH-SCHOOL.This school, conducted by teachers from Regent-square Presbyterian Church, is one of the most interesting fields of Christian labour in this great metropolis. It is held in the midst of a dense population, a large proportion of whom are unconnected with any Christian Church, and living without God in the world. In addition to the Sabbath-school, which is very numerously attended, and might be increased to any extent, if adequate accommodation and a sufficiency of teachers could be procured; there has also been, for some time past, an eveningschool kept in the same place by Mr. Hardy, who has been very successful in getting a large attendance of young people, eager for improvement. Mr. Mackay, the zealous superintendent of the Sabbath-school, and his brother deacons of Regent-square, have resolved on an additional effort in this destitute locality during the present year. They have determined to hold weekly meetings on Wednesday evenings in the schoolroom, for prayer and exposition of Scripture. On the first Wednesday of the year, this station was opened by the Rev. James Hamilton, who delivered an address to the parents of the Sabbathschool children, which was characterized by his usual felicity of illustration, and peculiarly adapted to interest and impress the audience before him. He enforced, with faithfulness and affection, the duty devolving on parents to second the efforts of the teachers in sowing the good seed in the youthful mind, lest their labours should be counteracted by the neglect of domestic discipline, or the exhibition of an ungodly example, in their own homes. Some of the children, who had come