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a Presbyterian minister here, although many of the white people about are from Scotland, or the North of Ireland. The arrival of one among them has been hailed with joy; and we have reason to hope it will be a blessing to many. Mr. Patterson is getting subscriptions for a Church, which he means to commence building immediately. In the mean time, as his present dwelling-house is large, he occupies one-half; the other half is used for a Church or school-room, as may be required. The district around is thickly populated, and it seems the very situation most desirable for a school. We have nearly forty free children of apprentices, already. Seventeen of these remain here altogether; and as soon as a large school-house (which Mr. Patterson is building,) has been finished, we expect to have as many as we can find room for. The apprentices themselves are as willing to be taught, as they are anxious to have their children instructed. You may judge of this, by their attending here for an hour and a-half, after their labour during the day. Three evenings every week, we have, on an average, two hundred apprentices learning to read, and perhaps fifty more who are glad to join, when Mr. Patterson teaches them altogether their catechism and hymn. They have made astonishing progress already. This is a degree of labour we could not have undertaken in the Lowlands; but we are almost at home here, the climate is so good. We are in the school-room from 9 until 1, from 2 until 4, and from 6 until half-past 7 o'clock. Mr. Patterson is indefatigable in his labours, and has been greatly favoured by having good health. Last Sabbath-day, he had much satisfaction in administering the ordinance of Baptism to an aged African female, whom he had been instructing since he came here. There are several others in training; and he has, also, had some of the apprentices to marry. These are encouraging appearances; and I trust he may be long spared among the interesting people, over whom God has placed him. You will easily see that this is a place where there is much to be done, and will not wonder that I have agreed to remain here, where there are no helps to be expected but from the Mission family. The district around us would require many more labourers; but there seems to be no prospect of any addition from home, just now. We are far from our Presbyterian friends,—at the least, two days' journey, and this is the greatest, indeed the only objection we could find; but this is nothing. There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother, and He is with us always. In Mr. and Mrs. Patterson I have found a bro

ther and sister, and kind friends for my little girl. They belong to the Secession Missionary Society, and are sent by Dr. John Brown's congregation, in Broughton-Place, Edinburgh. Mr. Patterson has become responsible for my being paid £40 sterling, per annum. Mr. Blyth and Mr. Waddell had proposed to Dr. William Brown, that I should be paid by the Scottish Missionary Society; but, as we have heard nothing of it, I dare say it was not perhaps thought good, Mr. Patterson not being one of their Missionaries.

And now, my dear friend, are we not to see any more of our brothers and sisters from Ireland,-from our Synod,come out to cultivate this long neglected field? Truly, the harvest is plenteous, but the labourers are very, very few. I scarcely know whether I ought to wish for more from Ireland. It is itself an important field, at present. Every succeeding account becomes more and more interesting to her friends at a distance; and I only regret that I hear so seldom. But, if she cannot send forth Missionaries, she can help those who are here already, by prayers for their success in their arduous, but delightful employment.

I cannot conclude my letter without begging. I know there are many ministers in the Synod, who would, if I were able to ask them, contribute something towards the building of our Church. Perhaps my letter may reach you before the meeting. May I employ you to state the matter to some of them, and use your influence to send some help from Ireland? We want a Church,-we want a number of school-houses. Their subscriptions they have given already do not reach to us here. They will not object that it is for the Secession. I have not left myself room to beg, at length; but must just leave it in your hands to do as you best can;-but, I pray you, do not refuse me. I could not bear that my first petition to Ireland, for Jamaica, should be rejected. May I beg you, also, to write me at your convenience, after the receipt of this very hastily written letter. Remember me in Christian love to

and all other friends. Tell them I have experienced the benefit of having their sympathy and prayers, in a large measure, and would give to God all the glory. Farewell, my dear brother in Christ. May you ever enjoy the light of His countenance, who is our life and joy.

Yours, in Christian love,

ELIZA LESLIE.

To the Rev. James Morgan, Belfast.

SYNOD OF ULSTER'S HOME MISSION.

(From a Correspondent.)

We are rejoiced to see that our Church has taken a prominent station in the field of Missionary labour:-as yet, however, its exertions have been confined to this country, and chiefly to our own people.

An Agent has been employed, whose chief business is to itinerate through the congregations, in order to lay before them a statement of the object which the Synod has in view,namely," the revival and the extension of vital religion," and the means which it has adopted for that end.

In order to render the services of the Agent effectual, and to lessen his necessary expenses, we are of opinion that some of the ministers of each Presbytery should accompany him through their congregations. This could be done without much inconvenience, by dividing the congregations into districts. The Newry Presbytery, acting on this principle, have made a circuit lately of their congregations, visiting, with the Agent, Rathfriland, Donaghmore, Warrenpoint, Kirkeel, Hilltown, Drumbanagher, Port Norris, Dundalk, Ballyroney, and Loughbrickland.

As we consider this to be the best mode of working, we hope that the example of the Newry Presbytery will be followed by the rest. The presence of our ministers, and their earnest addresses, cannot fail to awaken the sympathies of our people, for the spiritual destitution of their Presbyterian brethren, in the North, and other parts of this country.

Since the last meeting of Synod, upwards of thirty auxiliaries have been formed; and although, from the straitened circumstances of many of our congregations, much pecuniary assistance cannot be expected, we do hope that a desire, at least, of offering the Gospel to others has been excited.

Again we would rejoice in the Missionary aspect of our Church, and call upon every member to take an active part in the work, reminding them of the Divine prophetic command,-"Feed thy people with thy rod, the flock of thine. heritage, which dwell solitarily in the wood, in the midst of Carmel. Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old." Micah vii. 14.

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

History of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.-By J. S. REID, D. D. Vol. II.

OUR readers will be gratified to learn, that the second volume of Dr. REID'S History is ready for the press, and may be expected to appear in a few months. It will embrace a period of time, the most important and interesting to both Church and State; bringing down the history from the termination of the first volume, to the battle of the Boyne, and the first General Synod, in 1690. It behoves every lover of literature, and every friend of religion, but especially every right-hearted Presbyterian, to further the circulation of such a work as that of Dr. REID. His brethren in the ministry ought to spare no pains in endeavouring to spread it among their people. It is painful to us to think that their exertions are necessary, but they are necessary, and this ought to be remembered. His last work is universally allowed to be one of the greatest merit; and yet we doubt whether the author did more than cover his expenses. For his immense and useful labours he had no recompense, save what honour attaches to his name, and good to the Church. How humbling to think that the veriest trash will meet with the most rapid sale, and fill the pockets of its author with money; while a work of real merit and permanent usefulness will be allowed to remain unsold. It will not be always So. Scott had to lie in gaol for the expenses of his Commentary; but it has since produced above £100,000, for the benefit of the booksellers! And, although Dr. REID may gain nothing, in a pecuniary sense, by his labours, yet his book will be handed down, and prized, and be productive to some one, while history shall be read, or literature endure. We call upon the Ministers and people of the Synod to give the forthcoming volume that hearty patronage to which its predecessor entitles it.

A Defence of Presbyterianism against the charge of Persecution and Intolerance, preferred by a Member of the Synod of Ulster.-By S. EDGAR, Author of "The Variations of Popery." J. M'WATERS, Armagh. 1836.

WE agree with Mr. EDGAR, in thinking, that the author of the pamphlet which he reviews is not a Member of the Synod of Ulster. He may be a member of the Church of Rome, which allows falsehood for the benefit of the Church; but our conviction is, that he is not a member of any Church. He may have been born of parents connected with the Synod of Ulster; but we venture to affirm, he never sought, and has never been admitted to her membership. What a hypocrite he must be! Professing himself a member of a Church, against which he publicly brings the charges of persecution and intolerance; while, did he believe them just, as it is clear he does not, he would first have laboured privately to convince his Church of them, and induce her to forsake them. As might be expected of such an author, his work is a tissue of misrepresentation and falsehood. Either he is ignorant of the history of Presbyterianism, or he garbles and perverts it. Mr. EDGAR has ably exposed his deceivings. His Defence is

the production of one who both knows the history of his Church, and is capable of reasoning upon it. It is a clear exhibition of the intolerance of Popery, contrasted with the indomitable spirit of freedom that has ever been found inseparably allied to Presbyterianism.

The Church Review, and Scottish Ecclesiastical Magazine. FRASER & Co., Edinburgh. No. I.

Three Letters to the Popish Priest of Paisley.By the Rev. J. MacNAUGHTEN, A. M. A. GARDNER, Paisley.

Two Letters to the same.-By H. CAMPBELL, Charleston. A. GARDNER, Paisley.

A Plea for State Churches.-By R. BURNS, D. D., Paisley. A. GARDNER, Paisley

POPERY and Voluntaryism are the prominent enemies of the truth in Scotland, at the present time. It is remarkable how closely they have been allied, considering how heartily they hate one another; but a common cause unites them. It is their onset that has effectually roused the friends of God's Church and truth in Scotland, and much good is daily resulting from the controversy. Among other things, the press is teeming with such productions as are here enumerated, besides works of a more weighty and extended character. These are carried throughout the length and breadth of the land, and are travelling, also, to distant lands. So that if this be a day of rebuke and blasphemy, we trust it is also a day of revival. Good will be brought out of the evil; and Scotland's Church will, we doubt not, pass through another passage of her history, that will still more confirm the justness of her ancient motto," the bush burning, but not consumed."

The Irish Preacher,—a Collection of Original Sermons, by Evangelical Ministers. JOHN ROBERTSON & Co., Dublin. 1836. p.p. 304. THE Volume consists of thirteen sermons, furnished by as many ministers of various denominations. They present a pleasing specimen of variety, as far as holding the Head Jesus Christ is concerned, while yet the writers are connected with not less than seven different communions. In expounding the way of salvation, they exhibit an unbroken harmony of sentiment. In point of ability, as well as Orthodoxy, the volume is fully equal to any of a similar kind that has come under our observation, issuing either from the Churches of this land, or any other. They are all characterized by plainness, perspicuity, and soundness. If there is any point in which we could desire a change, it is in the want of pointed and rousing addresses to the conscience. The discourses must be allowed to be faithful; yet, we apprehend they would tell more upon the heart and life, were they imbued somewhat more with the penetrating style of Baxter or Alleine. We have often thought this fault is one that generally pervades the various sections of the Church in this country, that are unconnected with the Establishment. And herein there is a marked difference between the discourses of their ministry, and those of the evangelical clergymen of the Establishment. The latter are distinguished by a

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