OFFICE

No. 116.

CANADA.

LAKE ERIE MISSION. TO THE REV. J. H. ROBINSON. Haldimand Parsonage. Dear Brother,-I trust it will be gratifying to you, and the lovers of our Zion, to learn that the above parsonage is already completed, and that we are now occupying it. Some of our friends may be ready to conclude "that it must be a poor thing, or it could not have been built in such a short time." To such I would just say,-the facilities for building are greater here than I have ever seen elsewhere, lumber, &c., can be procured at the mill, dressed and ready for use, consequently, if a person has the pounds, shillings, and pence, he can soon build.

It is true, our parsonage is a small one,-one large room and two bed-rooms; but we had to build in accordance with our means. It will be borne in mind that we have only eight or ten male members to assist in these matters, and some of them are poor, and not any of them rich; and yet their liberality exceeds that of many who are more wealthy.

We have made arrangements to build (as soon as possible) a back kitchen, study, and woodhouse; this being done, I think our parsonage will compare favourably with any other we have in Canada, all things considered.

The noble ladies of Haldimand and Rainham have furnished us with paint, -and we have painted the body a very pretty white, the casings and cornice a light slate. It is supposed that when it is fenced, &c., it will be worth at least one hundred and twenty-five pounds, which shall be wiped off this winter, so that at next Conference we may present our parsonage free from debt. Yours, in Christ,

J. A. MILLER.

OPENING OF WATERFORD
CHAPEL.

Dear Brother,-You will be gratified to learn a few particulars relative to the opening of the new Church in Waterford village, in which services I was privileged to take a part.

I left Hamilton by the one o'clock train on Saturday, the 25th of August, and on my arrival at the Paris station, found our good brother, Oliver Blake, Esq., waiting with his team and buggy to convey me to his own house at Waterford, a distance of 23 miles. On our reaching Brantford we took tea with one of "the excellent of the earth," lately removed from Waterford to Brantford, and who deeply laments her being thus cut off from her own loved Church and people, and who would do more than rejoice to see one of her own people's ministers placed in this important centre of population and improvement; she seemed like a bird away from her nest, a lonely, restless one; it may be yet found that God has placed her here, for the very purpose of planting one of the fair standards of our Zion in Brantford; if so, I shall rejoice.

It was a dry, dusty, warm evening, We had a heavy load of four grown and two little ones, yet we easily reached Waterford, without any whipping, in three hours; although so late as 9 o'clock, all was busy at the chapel; the choir practising, led by a fine-toned peolin, while our unwearied friend, Mr. Green, and family, were busy in every part of the house with both head and hands. We stayed so long here, that, on our reaching home, the family were all retired to rest; yet some wakeful one soon gave intimation of our being expected and welcome, by lighting a candle, and placing it for our convenience. The horses being cared for, I was soon unconscious of weariness and anxiety, enjoying a sound, refreshing sleep.

The Sabbath morning was so beautiful, the azure heavens so deep and transparent, the atmosphere so pure, balmy, bracing, the trees in the gardens so bowed down with fruits, and in the woods with such gorgeous foliage; those elms, how graceful are their feather-like, pendants, so fondly, so luxuriantly' encircling and waving around their massive stems; then those oaks, sturdy, wide-armed, noble, generous-looking trees, standing out from their neigh bours, in the midst of those broad fields, where the wheat ripens, or the kine so quietly ruminate beneath their ample, grateful shadows. How pleasing to the senses is this combination of art and nature! In the trellis and posts of my friend's stoup the woodbine wraps his arms so gratefully round the posts, and sends out his fingers in all directions through the trellis, while on the joint of each finger now shine forth such clusters of crimson trumpets, still gemmed with the dew-drops, and breathing such exquisite odours into the bosom of the morning! And these sweet flowers don't reveal all their treasures to the looker-on; for poised, as if standing on the air, before their open lips, those agile humming birds, covered with tints outvying the very flowers themselves, reaching their long beaks with unerring precision down into hidden depths, draw thence delight, and strength, and life. Alas, how often do I skim the surface, and leave to others the life-giving nectar, which only can be reached by a particular, steady, skilful investigation. My old fault has found me out even here; I came out here to think over my sermon, and forgot all about it, and now I am summoned in to breakfast. At ten o'clock we left for the opening of a "house of God, a gate of heaven." The place was crowded to overflowing; more than one hundred persons could not get even inside the doors.

Brother Goldsmith opened the service by singing and prayer. I preached with some liberty, under a very solemn sense of the value of the soul and God's abounding grace to sinners, from Psalm 27th and 4th verse-"One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple." A more earnestly attentive congregation, from beginning to ending, I never addressed; nor could I fail to recognise, in the countenance of many, the strong evi. dences of divine power, as they were now lit up by holy joy, or again bathed in tears of sorrow, and gratitude, and love. As I stood at the church door after the service, curiosity led me to count the number of teams just then

taking up the congregation, and in sight, when I counted upwards of 50.

At three o'clock the house was again filled with an equally attentive congregation; on which occasion Elder Slatt, the regular Baptist minister of Waterford, preached an appropriate and excellent sermon from Exodus 20th chap., 24th verse-" In all places where I record my name, I will come unto thee and bless thee." Our brother is a very earnest preacher, much beloved by his people, and delighted to see the Lord's work advancing in every Church, where Christ is the only foundation of the sinner's hope.

At half-past six in the evening, I was surprised to see the house again filled to overflowing. Brother Goldsmith took for his theme, Zechariah 6th chapter, 12-13th verses-" Behold the man whose name is the Branch: and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord. Even he shall build the temple of the Lord; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both." While brother G. unfolded, arranged, illustrated, and applied his text with his usual earnestness, it was most gratifying to see the deep attention of the audience, and the unflagging interest both young and old manifested in the service of God. There is a most hopeful people here, and while I looked on their manly, in. telligent forms and features, I could not but covet every one of them, for my Lord Jesus Christ.

And now how pleased the friends were with the complete success of the happy day! They shook hands so cordially, and seemed so solemnly impressed with the goodness of the Lord to them, their families, and the works of their hands, that it did my heart good to look at and listen to them.

On the Monday morning, refreshed by rest, I was again inhaling woodbine odours, and watching their faithful visitors, the humming birds. These tiny creatures were more than usually active, the nectar was abundant, and they had time and mind for sport; and how they did career and chatter, now poising themselves within a few feet of my face, intently gazing into my eyes, then off like a thought. No creature I know of can fly so quickly. I had just succeeded in securing a few seeds of a rare kind of the hollyhock, when breakfast was ready, an opportunity not to be neglected. After which the blessed Bible was opened, and gave its holy utterances, when we gave ours, with humble gratitude to Him by whose unmerited grace we are saved.

We now hastened off to Waterford there was much work to be got forward

there. Mr. Green and family were before us, and we found them busy as bees. And now I found leisure to look over the chapel, outside and inside. I can only guess at dimensions, not being able to learn them accurately. It is a frame building, 40 feet by 60, side wall 28 feet in height, tower 50 feet, terminated by a cupola of tin. There is a good basement, its floor on a level with the street, entered by a door on each side of the tower. You reach the chapel by steps outside, of easy ascent, the width of the front of the tower; in the porch to the right an enclosed stair leads to the gallery; on the left to the basement. The whole church is neatly pewed, and capped with black walnut. The pulpit is reached by three steps, is furnished with good hair cloth sofa, before which a neat stand is erected, the book board covered with a crimson velvet, on each side of this a pillar is placed for lamps; and you enter the railing in front, at each side of the desk, between the desk and the pillar. The front of the gallery is lightened in its appearance by openwork, a succession of circles, bisecting each other in their centres, where panels are usually placed. The pulpit, communion platform, and aisles are all carpeted, pulpit and pews painted white; the sides and ends of chapel are boarded -a four-foot up, and the whole finished with great taste and neatness.

To give character to the house, the straight lines of the clapboarding are interrupted by the introduction of pilasters, one at each corner, and between each pair of windows; these start from the top of the basement story, their tops reaching the eave cornice; the basement windows are square, the chapel windows pointed, the angular form of the window heads does not produce a pleasing effect.

At four o'clock the company had assembled, and we proceeded from the chapel to the basement, where tables were spread out with great care and effect. Abundance of good things was there, associated with the varied products of the flower-garden, skilfully arranged. Two hundred guests sat down to tea, and enjoyed themselves heartily, to the no small delight of our courteous attendants.

On returning to the chapel, W.Green, Esq., was called to preside, when three Baptist, and three Methodist ministers were successively called on for addresses. This was a very effective meeting, although my pleasure was considerably lessened by being the last called on; when at least four good speeches are delivered before you get a chance, if you have any nerves at all, the chance is, you make a bad one.

The cost of erection was about £500; Sabbath collections £16 5s, proceeds of

tea party £20, debt still remaining £150 There are sittings for about 400 people. The site of the chapel is nearly opposite Mr. Green's dwelling-house; the lot was given by Mr. Green, whose untiring interest in securing a house of prayer for our society here is above all human praise. After an affectionate leave-taking, on Tuesday I left for Hamilton, arrived safely, and found all well. Yours, affectionately,

W. McCLURE.

WATERLOO CIRCUIT. [TO THE SUPERINTENDENT.] Dear Brother, -Our New Chapel in Brother David Ellice's neighbourhood, was opened for Divine worship on the 29th July last. Previous to the opening services I corresponded with four of our ministers, whose aid I earnestly solicited, but failed to secure the assistance of any, other duties preventing their attendance (and here I cannot refrain from expressing a regret that we have no man at liberty whose services are available to our circuits on such occasions). It was not till after the arrival of the cars in Galt on the Saturday evening previous that we resigned hope of assistance from some of the brethren. We held two services on the Sabbath in connexion with the chapel opening; the first at 10 a.m., the other at 24 p.m. In the forenoon we spoke from 2 Chron. vi. 18; "But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth," &c.; in the afternoon from Isa. lvi. 7-" My house shall be called a house of prayer for all people." The chapel was crowded at both services, many being unable to obtain admission; and, though disappointed of the services of those brethren, whom we expected to be with us, the language of many hearts was," the best of all is, God is with us." The collections amounted to over £4. The chapel is a good substantial building, comfortably fitted up, and on all ordinary occasions will afford ample room for the congregations meeting in it.

Great praise is due to Brethren David Ellis and Archibald Vance, who have, at considerable sacrifice, pushed the work to its completion. O! may it be said of the chapel now dedicated to the worship of God, "This and that man was born there, and the highest himself shall establish it."

ARRIVAL IN CANADA OF MESSRS. BIRKS & KERSHAW.

The friends of the Mission will rejoice to learn that Messrs. Birks and Kershaw have arrived in Canada, safely and in good health, and have entered on their respective spheres of labours.

IRELAND.

BELFAST.

TO THE SECRETARY OF THE METHODIST NEW CONNEXION MISSION.

Great George St., Nov. 12th. Dear Brother,-I could not but regret that my last communication was too late for the October Notice, arising from my detention in Scotland; as you have the contents of that paper on hand I shall only preface it with a few remarks on events of a more recent character.

Never, Sir, was there a period when it was more desirable to enlist the sympathies and prayers of Protestant Churches on behalf of Ireland and Irish missions than at the present. Rome is struggling as in a fit of desperation, and in addition to ordinary difficulties, the missionary has now to contend with a substratum of jealousy, suspicion, fear, and hate, which the emissaries of the Papacy have, in an extraordinary degree of late, infused into the minds of their numerous and deluded victims. When we find Dr. Denvir arraigning the Protestant Ladies of the Belfast Frederick Street Industrial School under an Order from the National Board, on a fabricated allegation of proselytism, which broke down after six days' inquiry, and resulted in the Board, passing a resolution of exoneration. When we find Dr. Cahill, in his letter to Lord Palmerston, speaking of the Protestant Bible as a "corrupt Bible;" of her clergy as publishing "tracts of blasphemy, fomenting rebellion, and collecting tens of thousands of pounds from the gullable English, to turn the gospel into revenge and to worship God by a lie;" of the British Generals as being swaddlers to a man, all old Bible-readers, tract distributors, street-preachers, and psalm singers ;" and predicting that a period will come when "the mania of lies and swaddling and Biblical bazaars, and Protestant lace and Lutheran hoisery and Evangelical needle work shall cease to be a national necessity." When we find brutal assassinations committed or attempted; and when we find the "Redemptorist Fathers," after holding a series of services in Kingston, and erecting a red cross in the yard for adoration, reaching the climax of their blasphemy by procuring a whole load of Bibles, and other sacred works, and burning them to ashes at mid-day amid a crowd of spectators. When all this is done publicly what may we suppose to be the private influence exerted, the very influence with which the missionary has to contend, and which constitutes one of his heart-breaking impediments. When we look at these facts in all their bearing we may adopt the language of Dr. Cahill, with another interpretation, and say "O Lord, how long ?"

66

You will be pleased to hear that our anniversary services at Salem went off well. Mr. Stacy has made an impression by his visit not easily to be effaced. The collections amounted to £16. The schools are still doing well, and on Friday morning last I had the honour of receiving a letter and remittance of £2 from His Excellencythe Earl of Carlisle, Lord Lieutenant. I am at present greatly in advance for the schools-somewhat inconveniently so, as the time for obtaining the annual subscriptions has not yet arrived, and six schools with 400 children cannot be carried on with all the requisite appendages, without considerable funds. I have been repeatedly urged to place the schools under the "National Board," but the late "inquiry" has inspired me with an unalterable determination to do no such thing. If a few of our English Friends would render a little assistance-as the schools have not a proper and legitimate claim on the Mission Funds-it would greatly relieve the pressure upon me individually and enable me to make some addition to our educational apparatus, which at present I should not feel warranted in doing. Mr. Stacy was present at a lengthened examination of the elder children, and expressed himself highly delighted.

Last night in Salem we had a powerful Prayer Meeting. Two found peace, and three the Sabbath evening previ

Great George Street,
Sep. 13th, 1855.

Dear Brother,-I have this morning arrived in Belfast from Glasgow, having been there upwards of a fortnight on anxious and arduous duties; but as you request a communication for the "October Notice," I hasten to meet your wishes, and hope that the subjoined details will be read with interest and profit, although written in great haste. I begin with Salem, our Belfast interest, and am gratified in being able to say, that though our numbers do not rapidly increase, there are indications of improvement, visible both to our own immediate friends and to others who are only occasional spectators. Since Conference we have made about a dozen square family pews, most of which are now let, and some of them are neatly cushioned. Our congregations are not only larger, but they are steadier, and if we improve as much the next 12 months as we have during the past, Salem will present a very pleasing and encouraging aspect. We have been greatly inconvenienced by the sickness of my esteemed colleague, who for six or seven weeks has been seriously ill; also by the sickness of one our Leaders, who