responding Secretary, the Rev. Dr. Matheson. This lamented event occurred on Monday, the 26th of January, after an illness of but a few days. His connection with this Society, though only extending to a period of less than six years, has been of incalculable benefit to the Institution in all its varied operations. Devoted from the commencement of his public life to Home Missionary labours, and influenced more than most by an earnest desire to promote the moral and spiritual well-being of "Our Country," he was eminently fitted for the important office he sustained. His whole time and energies were assiduously employed in advancing the interests of the Society. Every department of its labours was watched over with deep solicitude, and directed with great wisdom and prudence. The result is that the Society, it may be safely affirmed, was never in a more healthy and prosperous condition than at the present time. The Directors feel this sad event to be a great loss to the Institution. Their only consolation arises from the belief that the great Head of the church, by whose Spirit and grace their lamented friend was so eminently qualified for the duties devolved upon him, can raise up, and endow with equal capabilities, some other brother, who shall enter into and carry on the labours of their departed friend, who "rests from his labours, and whose works shall follow him."

This

The Directors, at a special meeting of the Board, held on Wednesday, January 28, unani. mously resolved to request the family to allow them to take on themselves the arrangement and expense of the funeral solemnities. was proposed as a small token of the sincere respect they entertained for their deceased friend, and the strong affection they cherished for his memory. The bereaved widow and her sorrowing family offering no objection to the proposal, it was carried into effect. The mortal remains were interred in the Abney Park Cemetery on Saturday, the 31st. The Directors appointed a deputation from their Board to attend on the mournful occasion as their representatives, whilst many besides those so appointed manifested their esteem for the deceased by following his remains to their appointed resting-place. The funeral service was conducted in the chapel of the Cemetery by the Rev. T. James, and prayer offered at the grave by the Rev. W. S. Palmer. The following day a funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. A. Wells, at Union Chapel, Islington, the place of worship at which the family attended. A crowded congregation listened with deep interest to the discourse, which was founded on Philippians i. 21, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Funeral sermons were delivered at other places by ministers to whom the deceased was known and greatly esteemed.

At a meeting of the Directors, held on Tuesday, February 3, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:

I. That this Board would record on its minutes, with deep feelings of sorrow, mingled with humble submission, the sudden death of its late lamented Corresponding Secretary, the Rev. Dr. Matheson, who was called to his eternal rest by a wholly unexpected stroke, after a short illness, on the morning of Monday, the 26th of January, 1846, in the fifty-third year of his age, and in the sixth year of his official connection with this Board.

II. That the Board feels bound to connect with this record of the solemn event that has

deprived it of the services of its lamented coadjutor, a unanimous testimony to the excellence of his character and the efficiency of his services, Every member of this Board regarded its Corresponding Secretary with respect, confidence, and affection. His sound judgment, large views, courteous manners, laborious diligence, thoroughly evangelical sentiments and spirit, and entire devotedness to the important work of Home Missions, rendered Dr. Matheson at once a most valuable officer of the Society, and a beloved associate in council and in labour; and this Board does, therefore, truly lament his loss and honour his memory.

III. That the Board would tender to the bereaved and sorrowing widow of its departed Secretary assurances of its deep sympathy, and of its earnest prayer that such consolations of the gospel and such interpositions of Providence on behalf of herself and her numerous children may be granted as will cheer her heart with the surest proofs of God's paternal love. And in order to convey to Mrs. Matheson a just view of the sentiments of the Directors on this afflictive occasion, it is directed that a copy of this and the foregoing resolutions of the Board be forthwith transmitted to her in their name.

The numerous and pressing nature of the duties discharged by the late lamented Secretary rendered it absolutely necessary that provision should be immediately made to supply the deficiency occasioned by his unexpected removal. An offer was made by the Rev. Messrs. Ainslie, Ashton, T. James, Palmer, and Wells, that they would undertake unitedly to fulfil the duties of the office until the next Annual Meeting, provided the remuneration for such services was appropriated to the benefit of the family of their deceased friend. This was readily assented to by the Board, and they have entered on their labours. The Directors would respectfully entreat the numerous friends of the Society, and especially the ministers and missionaries intimately connected with it, to bear them in remembrance at a throne of grace, and to pray of the great Head of the church that he would graciously guide them in the present crisis of the Society's affairs, and lead them to the adoption of such measures as shall tend to the advancement of that cause to which they are devoted.

EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNALS OF THE MIS

SIONARIES.

Encouraging Prospects of a New Station. "It is with great pleasure I forward a brief outline of the results arising from three months' labours on this newly adopted station. To God be all the glory for what has hitherto been accomplished. There are two places which I constantly supply, and as His the one in which your agent resides, it may be well to state first what is doing here.

"To prevail on persons to attend our place of worship, we have not only had to contend with that spirit of indifference so fatal to the progress of truth, but of opposition arising from various grounds; but in spite of all, God has prospered his work, and up to the present period exceeded our most sanguine expectations. We have many under the sound of the gospel now who have not attended a place of worship for years; and one affords special ground for rejoicing, who has held infidel and socialist principles, but who has

taken a sitting, and become a constant attendant. The congregations have been steadily increasing; and on the sabbath evening we muster about two hundred hearers, and on the week evening service, which formerly was attended by 10 or 12, we have now from 50 to 60.

"A deep and earnest attention has been manifested whenever the word has been proclaimed. It was evident that in the hearts of some God was working, and that the truth was effecting the great object for which it was sent. The anxious countenance and the tearful eye, told that impressions were being made on hearts that had long resisted the claims of God. This anxiety being manifested, it was deemed advisable to set apart a certain evening for seeing and conversing with those who felt the burden of sin, and who were desirous of closing with the offers of mercy, and finding peace through the blood of the cross. At the appointed hour I went to our vestry, where I engaged to meet such; but they had anticipated the hour, and earnestly desirous concerning the one thing needful, had come to speak of what God was accomplishing in their hearts. Never shall I forget the feelings with which I entered the vestry,-full of the deepest humiliation, and yet rejoicing when I saw five persons, who had come for the purpose of yielding themselves up unto God and his church. Oh! it was an emotion of gladdening joy which pervaded my heart, such as my pen is unable to describe, when I saw how God had honoured my feeble labours in so short a period; whilst not unfrequently the seed is sown, by God's spiritual husbandmen, for months and years without any fruit being gathered. That meeting was deeply solemn; and when I left the house of God, it was rejoicing for the past, amidst many discouragements hoping for the future, and vowing more than ever to consecrate my service to that God who has done such great things for us. Besides those who actually met me, I afterwards learnt, there were others deeply anxious, who had left their homes for the purpose of coming, but who could not summon resolution for the meeting, and again returned. These I trust to see, and to place before them such directions as, under the blessing of God, may chase away every fear, and cause them to go on their way rejoicing. We have not yet met as a church, but hope shortly to do so, when those who have offered themselves for fellowship, after frequent meetings and conversations, will be proposed; and may they all prove an ornament and great blessing to the little hill of Zion which is here reared.

"At S-we have great cause for thankfulness and encouragement. The attendance has been most encouraging on the sabbath and during the week, through these winter months, so unfavourable for numbers in an agricultural district, where there is a distance to be travelled and the roads are so bad. It has been seldom the chapel has not been well filled. We held a church meeting the first time last week, when two members were proposed for Christian fellowship. One of them, who is an aged man, and engaged in the Preventive Service on this coast, informed your agent that he had frequently felt much under the preaching of the truth; and that, as his conduct had been highly moral, others, judging by his outward conduct, had been desirous of his becoming connected with different branches of the professed church; but that he had always

declined, not feeling that he was a fit person, whatever the opinions of others might have been. But he said, 'you preached a sermon, sir, from these words, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." That subject produced a feeling I have never been enabled to shake off, and for which I have now no desire; it has led me by the grace of God to determine to be no longer almost, but altogether a Christian.' These are circumstances calling for great gratitude and rejoicing.

"Amidst this success we are not, however, without opposition: the very progress of truth, as it has ever done, calls forth enemies. In S there is a National Church School recently opened by - whose Puseyite sentiments are pretty well known. Since its opening every effort has been made to obtain the children who attend our sabbath-school. But the Church is at low-water mark in this place, and therefore unable to exert that power which it otherwise would. Prior to the opening of the school, many of the farmers, who are Dissenters, had been canvassed for subscriptions, assured the system of instruction would be eminently liberal in its principles. But, knowing how much ambiguity is frequently involved in the words 'liberal principles,' they desired to see a practical exhibition of them before giving in their subscriptions. The school is opened, and now, consistently with the Jesuitry frequently manifested, it turns out that these liberal principles are such, that whilst they do not compel the children who receive weekly instruction to attend the Church sabbath-school, they are yet compelled to attend the church whenever the doors are open. common-sense logic of those who had promised their subscriptions, soon led them to see through the whole design, and come to the very wise conclusion of withholding the amount promised. Determined to show what authority they possessed, (those who were connected with the Church,) they resolved to exclude from the dayschool all who would not attend the church. Here was a severe trial to numbers connected with our little interest, who had their children's instruction defrayed during the week by sending them to the Church-school, but who, from principle, desired the continuance of their attendance at our school on the sabbath, but who had not the means of sending their children to any other school.

The

"At this critical juncture it was with no ordinary feelings I ascertained that certain of our warm-hearted friends who had the ability to do so were resolved to stand by those who were poor, and who adhered to their principles. I hailed the announcement with delight. The result is, the intolerant spirit of the Church party has led them to exclude between 10 and 20, who have to be provided with instruction elsewhere. These are, indeed, trials of principle. But we trust, He whose cause it is will not withhold his blessing on our efforts."

Persecuting Spirit of the Church Party. "In this parish we have two infant schools in connection with the Church of England. The teachers, who have lately come from Gray's-innlane, attended at our place on a Lord's day evening. The clergyman heard of it, and set a watch. This issued, of course, in detection, and forthwith both the teachers were lectured and threatened.

'The young person at W- school yielded at once to the unrighteous interference of the vicar. The young person at H-- has remonstrated with Mr. W, and has inquired why she should be subject to such cruel interference when she does her duty, and attends the church every time the doors are open. I have visited several of the more liberal members of the committee, but what the result will be I cannot say at present, though I fear it will either be her expulsion or yielding. Poor thing! she is in great distress of mind, is under deep convictions of sin, and can get no food (to use her own expressions) for her soul when she attends at the parish church. How lamentable is this state of things! and how long shall it continue ?"

Great Encouragement, notwithstanding the
Opposition just narrated.

"On the first night in the new year it was our privilege to receive into the church three members, the fruit of our labour in the new chapel. On reviewing the year we have much for which to praise our God. His arm has been made bare amongst us, and his grace has triumphed. We have received into the church during the past year 13 persons, all of whom are walking worthy of their high vocation. This number does not, however, satisfy us. It yields us pleasure to see any brought from the world to the church, but our prayer is, that MANY may be pricked to the heart, and be converted.

"It is gratifying to know, that on several minds deep impressions are made, and that several are enquiring the way to Zion. O that they may not turn back, nor look back, having once set their hand to the plough !"

IRISH EVANGELICAL SOCIETY.

It is the intention of the Committee occasionally to give in greater detail the circumstances and present condition of their stations; by which the subscribers and friends of the institution will be enabled more accurately to see the character and extent of the labours of our brethren, the difficulties with which they have to contend, and the measure of success which has attended the operations of the Society. It has always been an object of solicitude with the Committee to introduce their agents to the cities and large towns, conceiving that, by the blessing of God on their labours there, centres of action would be secured, from which the gospel might more advantageously be propagated in the regions beyond. The city of Londonderry was very early in the history of the Society regarded as an important post, where an agent might be usefully employed, both in the city itself, and, to a great extent, over the whole northern portion of the kingdom. The following statement will enable the reader to form an accurate judgment of its present condition:

The city of Londonderry became the sphere of the operations of the Irish Evangelical Society in the year 1817. The first minister permanently settled there was the Rev. J. Radcliff, -an excellent, pious, laborious, and self-denying man. His character and labours commanded for him the unfeigned respect of all classes and denominations.

In the year 1821 the friends of Independency were enabled to complete a neat and commodious place of worship, which was opened the 21st of June, in the same year, by Dr. Cope and the Rev. W. Cooper. On the 2nd of November following a church was organized, which then consisted of only six persons.

During the greater part of Mr. R.'s ministry the chapel was well attended. His warm and stirring preaching excited considerable interest. It was just the kind that was needed. Great deadness in reference to Divine things prevailed: cold orthodoxy was, generally speaking, the order of the day. Mr. R. not only spoke the truth, but spoke it warmly from a warm heart. Many individuals who belonged to other denominations preferred his ministry to that of their own teachers, and constantly heard the truth from his lips; yet many of them never became Independents, but returned to their own denominations when they got better or more evangelical ministers.

When Mr. Radcliff first came to Derry there were only two Presbyterian meeting-houses in the city, and in one of these the light had become darkness. The teaching, if it did not cause to err, or confirm in error, would certainly never have guided into the way of truth the benighted soul. A dry, barren morality was preached-not the gospel. The same may be said of the Episcopal ministry. Besides these places of worship, there were also the Covenanting and Wesleyan meeting-house's. In these the gospel was preached; but the Wesleyans were few and weak, nor was Methodism popular among a Presbyterian population.

At the time referred to there existed no Sunday-school in Derry, except one called the Deanery Sunday-school, which was not of much importance, nor well attended. When, therefore, Mr. R. began a Sunday-school, it was regarded as a novelty. It flourished exceedingly, and became, in fact, the parent of all, or nearly all the Sunday-schools now existing in the town. Nor was Mr. R. satisfied with establishing a Sunday-school in the town: he also exerted himself to get up similar institutions in different parts of the country round about. These were of vast importance in training up young people in the knowledge of the Scriptures. He, too, was the first to put religious books and tracts into anything like circulation in the city and the immediately surrounding district.

Such is a brief outline of the state of things in Derry when Mr. Radcliff first visited it, and of the efforts which he made to promote the interests of true religion in and around it.*

Things, however, have greatly improved. A very striking change has taken place. There are now four Presbyterian meeting-houses in the city, three Episcopal, two Covenanting, and two Wesleyan,-in all of which the gospel is preached. With nearly all of these places of worship there are sabbath-schools connected; some of them large and flourishing. Considerable activity is displayed both in connection with these schools and in pastoral visitation.

Still it must, in honesty, be said, that there exists great apathy among professors of religion;

Mr. Radcliff left Derry, regretted by many, about May, 1841. He was succeeded by Mr. Gordon the same year. Mr. Gordon removed to Ballyby, March, 1845, and was succeeded the same month by Mr. Jennings, who is still pastor.

The

a great deal of form, but little of vital, warm Christianity. It is greatly to be feared that very many are resting satisfied in their orthodoxy and cold formality, and thinking nothing about the power of religion in the heart. sabbath-day is observed with great external decorum and strictness: the very children, that on other days swarm the streets, are scarcely to be seen on the sabbath. In this respect Derry presents a perfect contrast to southern towns and cities, where often the labourers may be seen in hundreds on Lord's days, with their spades over their shoulders, waiting to be employed, and where all sorts of sport and diversion are carried on. It is pleasant to observe such respect paid to the day of God as Derry exhibits; but it must be confessed that this cannot be taken as an index of the spiritual state of the piety of the inhabitants. It is a proof that popery is not predominant, but affords no evidence that the Protestant population are possessed of a fervid religion. There is far more of the warmth and power of true godliness among professing Christians in the south.

But it is now time to give some account of the state of things in connection with Indepen. dency in Derry. The church is small, consisting of between thirty and forty members. The congregation bears a pretty exact proportion to the church. Few of our churches in Ireland are large except in the metropolis, and two or three other places. But small as they are, they are generally faithful witnesses for God; and their ministers the heralds of salvation to thousands of perishing sinners, who do not attend on their stated ministry, but are brought under their instruction in different parts of the surrounding country. In Derry, besides the two services on Lord's day, there is a prayer meeting held on Monday evenings, and a lecture on Thursday evenings. There is a Sunday-school also kept up. This was declining some time ago; but it is now reviving, and promises to do well. There are about forty children in attendance. They come together twice on the Lord's day. The minister teaches a Bible-class. The children are regularly supplied with books from the Sunday-school library. An infant school, also, is maintained on week day. To this the Hon. the Irish Society contribute £10, and to the sabbath-school £5 yearly.

Mr. Jennings, the present pastor, constantly visits different out stations in the country about Derry. These are now nine in number. In the winter he is not able to visit them, with the exception of two or three, so regularly or so often as in summer. Many careless sinners are brought under the sound of the gospel as preached by him; and it is to be strongly hoped, that by the power of the Holy Spirit accompanying the word, some good is effected, some sinners are being brought to serious reflection on their lost condition, and their need of a Saviour. The out stations are, in general, very well attended. The people listen very attentively to the truth; and, on the whole, great encouragement is afforded. It must here be remarked, however, that very seldom do Roman Catholics, in the city, or in the country, enter a religious meeting. Sometimes this occurs, but

very unfrequently.

It may now be well to furnish a few statistical tables, exhibiting, in small compass, the religious condition of the city.

Besides these, there is "Groyn's Institution," which educates, clothes, boards, and apprentices out (when old enough) a large number of boys. Boarding and other schools, designed for the education of the more respectable classes, are numerous. To these must be added, "Foyle College," which holds a very respectable position as a classical school. There are three newspapers published in Derry, one Conservative, one Liberal, and one Presbyterian. These are all respectable, and have a good circulation. There are also two reading rooms, and two public libraries, and four booksellers. On the whole, Derry possesses many advantages, both literary and religious.

The Covenanters and Independents are reckoned with the Presbyterians; the Wesleyans with the Episcopalians.