now 126 amount to £108 13s. 5d., to which may be added £9 38 5d. collected at the last annas meeting. This makes in all £117 16s. 10d. collected in this district since the publication of the last balance-sheet. This, bearing in mind the difference of the time during which as two collections were made (eleven months being embraced in this report and eighteen in the The issue of bibles and testiprevious one) contrasts favourably with the £150 of the last report, the more so districts have at present made no return for the last quarter. In free ments has also kept up. Against 174 bibles and 33 testaments, mentioned in the last report, there have been issued during the last eleven months, 113 bibles and 46 testaments. subscribers the past year shows an improvement, though many are reported to have fallen off. What, however, we have lost in one quarter we have gained in another, for there are While in all the main points the labors 95 free subscribers against sixty in the last report. of the Society have been thus successful the Committee can record with less regret than they otherwise could have done the loss sustained by them during the terrible fire which broke out in the Port, on the 9th of November last, when the whole stock of books to the value of £30 was destroyed. The depôt, however, has since been replenished, and the sum of £79 10s. 6d. has heen remitted to the Parent Society for books since the last annual meeting. The result of this loss has been that the Committee have not been able to give this year more than £30 as a free contribution to the Parent Society. In concluding this report, the Committee would simply remind the friends and subscribers of the object of the British and Foreign Bible Society, in which this branch is supposed to take a share-namely, of supplying the whole In mentioning this, it is hardly necessary to add how, though world with the Word of God. much has been done in the way of translating and circulating the Scriptures, still more remains to be done. The work is only yet in its infancy. Successful, then, as this Branch has been, it is not for us to relax our efforts; we cannot yet rest, as if our work was done either at home or abroad. Our donation is but a particle of a drop in the ocean. The Committee would, therefore, urge every Christian about them to take care that the donation from this Branch Society shall never be less; and, while praying for God's blessing on so good a cause, to be sure to bear his share of the burden-if it can be called a burden-of joining to bring about the time when 'knowledge (the true knowledge of God) shall be increased, and when they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord."" CHURCH AND CHAPEL EXTENSION.-The work of Church and Chapel building is progressing with every symptom of healthy action on the part of the different denominations, The same healthy tone also characterises our but we have no general reports to make. scholastic movements, but there have been neither examinations, statements, nor reports since our last summary.-South Australian Advertiser, Summary for October, 1858. BIBLE CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY.-A numerously attended meeting of this Society was held on the 21st Sept., in the Bible Christian Chapel, Bowden, Mr. Pickering in the chair. The meeting was addressed by Messrs. J. Rowe, T. E. Keen, J. Ashton, and Crabb. The good already done by this and kindred societies, and the large amount of work still remaining to do, were dwelt upon; while the former afforded much encouragement, the latter called for redoubled exertion. The condition of the aborigines of this colony was referred to Mr. Keen considered the Christian Churches of South Australia guilty of neglect of the aborigines, and spoke highly of the speeches made at the meeting held recently in Adelaide, on their behalf; but he thought one thing had been overlooked, viz., the manner in which attempts were made to evangelize the natives. Why not deal with the natives of this country as with those of Africa and other places? Why bring them into institutions and subject them to a regimen and style of living altogether uncongenial to their natural disposi tions? Why not carry the Gospel to them in the bush and to their wurleys? In this matter let the missionary copy the example of the indefatigable Mr. Moffat. In order to civilize the natives let them first evangelize them. Three sermons preparatory to this meeting were preached on the preceding Sunday, to large audiences, by Mr. J Counter and the Rev. Mr. Wilson, Congregational Minister. An excellent tea was provided on the afternoon of the 21st, which was well attended and decidedly enjoyed. The proceeds of the above services were, in cash, £27 78. 104d, in promises, £4; total, £31 7s. 10 d. SOUTH AUSTRALIAN BUSH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.-A meeting of about 40 or 50 of the friends of this Society was recently held in White's Committee Room. Amongst those present were the Hon. Captain Bagot, in the chair; Hon. Captain Scott, Revs. Schoales, Evan, Wilson, Cox, Howie, Dixon, Cheetham and Scott; and Messrs. Tomkinson, J.P., Moulden. Peacock, S. Bakewell, H. Gill, J. Smith, C. Bowen and C. Sabine. The Chairman briefly stated the objects of the meeting, which were the spreading of the Gospel in those distant and thinly populated portions of the colony where places of worship could not be erected, nor a settled ministry maintained. The Secretary read the report, from which it appeared that the receipts of the Society from January, 1857, up to date were £442 11s. 9d., and the expenses £441 18s., leaving a balance of 13s. 9d. The agents were in the habit of visiting the sheepstations, woolsheds and shepherds' huts, not confining their attention to those places only where considerable numbers of people could be got together, but ministering to the spiritual wants of small knots of men-generally met with in the evening It was also stated that the agents generally met with a hearty welcome, and that in no case had a room Some instances were mentioned of the usefulness of the been refused them by the overseers. agents. The Secretary, in answer to an observation from a gentleman present, made a statement, which he believed was approximately correct, showing the number of persons visited by the agents (about 25 daily), the number of miles travelled, and the number of times the same individuals were met with. The last was the least satisfactory part of the statement It appeared that the agents of the Society did not come into contact with the same individuals oftener than about once in six weeks. A resolution was passed, commending the Society to the sympathy and support of the Christian community. A question arose as to the best means of collecting the £300 which it was said would be necessary for the ensuing year. No plan was finally decided on, but the following gentlemen were added to the already existing committee, and it is to be hoped they may be able to make all necessary arrangements as to funds:-Messrs. Abbott, Bakewell, Josh. Gurr, A. Macgeorge, Monk, D.A.C.G., Murray, Prince, Smedley, Bowen, Faulding, M. Good, Harvey, Morcom, Peacock, and J. Smith. Votes of thanks were then passed to the original Committee and the chair, and the meeting separated. He THE REV. THOMAS BINNEY.-The great event in the religious world of South Australia during the last few weeks has been the arrival of the Rev. Thomas Binney, of London. The reverend gentleman has been followed from place to place by admiring crowds, from the Governor downwards, wherever he has announced his intention of preaching or lecturing. The following notice refers to his lecture on St. Paul, delivered in Adelaide on the evening of October 7:-This far-famed preacher delivered on Thursday evening a lecture at White's rooms, on the "Character and Ministrations of St. Paul." With regard to his lecture we shall merely say that it was a masterpiece of oral biography. Mr. Binney has deeply drank into the spirit of "the chiefest of the Apostles.' Whether in analysing the apostolic character, in elucidating the apostolic writings, in tracing the apostolic journeys, or in weighing the apostolic labors, Mr. Binney is equally at ease. speaks of Paul as of a master from whose lips he has learned wisdom, as a friend at whose side he has stood, and with the lights and shades of whose innermost soul he has by long acquaintance grown familiar. He speaks of Paul reverently, as of one to whom he looks up, and affectionately, as of one with whom he has communed. Mr. Binney's views of Paul are not rash speculations, not superficial enconiums, but deep, true, manly conceptions. Nothing can be finer than the manner in which the lecturer exhibits to his hearers, first the human, next the divine, and thirdly the combination of both in the character of the great Apostle. Mr. Binney's forte is not rhetoric. He wins his way into the hearts of his hearers. It is not eccentricity; it is not pathos; although there is something of each. The flashes of humor with which Mr. Binney sparingly lights up his addresses, though they relieve the more massive portions, do not explain the secret of his mastery over his audience. That mastery is nothing more than the combination of the faith and simplicity of the speaker. Believing what he says, he scorns adventitious aids. He knows it is true, and he utters it, leaving the truth to do its own work Of course something is attributable to Mr. Binney's cultivated mind, to his stores of knowledge, to his emphatic manner, even to his noble personal demeanour and bearing. But he conquers by faith and simplicity. Where the mere rhetorician, doubting of his theme, overloads it with ornament, Mr. Binney, "full of faith," yields himself to the genuine impulses of his own heart, and pours forth simple words of vital truth. And those words are words of power. The lecture was a complete success, although we have heard Mr. Binney under more favorable circumstances and in happier moods. Early in the morning of the day the tickets sold at 1s. 6d. each, were exhausted; they then speedily rose to a premium; 10s. was offered, and we are told that, at evening, as much as £1 1s. was tendered for a card of admission to the room. But after all precaution, numbers rushed in without tickets, It will be readily conceived that it was needful to place a limit to the admission of the public. The safety of life and limb required it. As it was, the room was densely crowded; a thousand or twelve hundred persons at the very lowest estimate being present, notwithstanding the oppressive heat of the weather. Multitudes went away disappointed; whilst during the evening groups of persons lingered about the entrance of the building, which they would gladly have entered had it been possible. Mr Binney has reaped a harvest of golden opinions from the South Australian public, and from that portion of the public to whom the eloquence of a Chalmers, a Hall, a M'Neill, a Melville, a Raffles, and a Newton was known. We trust that Mr. Binney will yet afford to the people of South Australia other opportunities of hearing his voice; and that when he returns to his native land he may be long spared to prosecute the great and glorious career on which he is embarked.-South Australian Advertiser, Oct. 9th TASMANIA. SPECIAL SERVICES OF THE EVANGELICAL UNION, HOBART TOWN-A series of special and united Meetings for Prayer and brief Addresses, with a view to the advancement of Religion, were held on successive Tuesday Evenings, during the month of September, 1858, in the following order :-September 7-Congregatioual Chapel, Daveystreet. Address: Subject-"Self Examination," by Rev. W. Lelean. Sept. 14-St. John's Church, (Presbyterian) Macquarie-street. Address:-"Walking in the comfort of the Holy Ghost," by Rev. W. Law. Sept. 21.-Brisbane street Chapel. Address:-"The Christian Motive to glorify God," by Rev. R. McClean. Sept. 27-St. Andrew's Church (Presbyterian) --Ordinary Meeting of the Union. Address:- "The Quickening Spirit," by Rev. J. G. Macintosh. Sept. 28.-Melville-street Chapel. Address:-"The Indwelling Spirit," by Rev. G. Clarke. VICTORIA.-BALLAARAT.-The Rev. Wm, Alexander Lind, formerly of Tahiti and the Austral Islands, South Pacific, having received, and accepted, a unanimous call to the pastorate of 128 the Congregational Church in this town, commenced his regular labors there on Lord's Day, October 10. On the following Tuesday evening, a members' tea-meeting was held in the chapel, for the purpose of welcoming the new pastor, when an interesting and profitable season was enjoyed by all present. BRIGHTON.-The new Independent Church at Brighton, mentioned in our last as being nearly completed, was opened for divine worship on Sabbath, October 17th. The Rev. R Bowman preached in the morning, and the Rev. I. New in the evening, to full congregations. George Rolfe, On Tuesday the 19th a social meeting was held in the church, when the attendance was so large that it was necessary to have a second course of tea for the overflow. Esq., presided, and the Rev. W. Moss offered prayer. An interesting report of the proceedings in connection with the building, including a brief history of the cause from the beginning, was read by W. Wisewold, Esq. The commencement was made in 1853 by the Rev. H. Kidgell when a piece of land was given by Mr. Were, and a small temporary chapel erected. In 1854 a christian church was organised, the Rev. R. Fletcher presiding. Mr. Kidgell labored here till the early part of 1857, when he removed to Flemington. The chapel was then closed for a time, except when an occasional supply could be obtained. In July, the Rev. R. Fletcher and his son the Rev. W. R. Fletcher undertook to conduct between them the forenoon service for six months. During this time another piece of land, in a more central and eligible situation, was purchased, with a view to the erection of a more commodious chapel. In January of the present year an opportunity was presented of securing the services of a resident pastor, by the arrival of the ministers sent out by Mr. Poore. The Rev. W. R. Lewis was accordingly requested to make trial of the place, with aid from the Home Mission of Victoria, for six months. His labors have been successful, and the erection of the present commodious chapel upon the piece of land previously purchased is the result. The church is built of wood, but is much superior to most structures of that kind, being in the Gothic style, furnished with buttresses outside, and plastered within, and having an elegant open timbered roof of grained oak. It will accommodate about 300 persons. The cost of the land was £375, and of the building £800, total £1,175. Prior to the opening, subscriptions amounting to £375 had been received and a mortgage obtained of £500, leaving a floating debt of £300. The meeting was addressed by the chairman, by the Revs. W. B. Landells, T. Odell, W. R. Lewis (the pastor), Thomas Fulton, Esq. Revs. R. Bowman, R. Fletcher, H. Kidgell (former pastor), and E. King (Wesleyan). In the course of the evening a collection was made, and cards containing promises for the next six months were given in. In this way, including the Sunday collections, the whole of the sum immediately required (£300) was raised. COLLINGWOOD.-The foundation stone of the new Wesleyan Church, Fitzroy-street, was laid on Tuesday, August 31st, by the Rev. William Butters, President of Australasian Wesleyan Conference, assisted by the Rev. D. J. Draper, Chairman of the District, and the The proceedings were commenced by Rev. T. Williams, Superintendent of the Circuit. devotional services, and the stone was laid with the usual formalities; and then the assembly was addresed by the President and Mr. Draper. After the benediction was pronounced, a tea. meeting was held in the old chapel, Rose-street; Trays being gratuitously provided by the ladies presiding. In the evening, the Rev. J. Dare, of Sandhurst, preached a sermon in the Brunswick-street Chapel to a large and attentive congregation. The church is to be built of bluestone: length, 45 feet; width, 30 feet; height, 18 feet; estimated cost, including land £630. REV. A. M. RAMSAY.-It will be gratifying to the friends of this clergyman to learn that, by the Emeu, R. M. steamer, news was received here of his safe arrival in Britain. He arrived at Southampton, per Cambria, on the 20th June, in company with the Rev. Mr. Poore. On the day following (Monday), they started for London, where they arrived at 11 A.M. Mr. Ramsay's stay in London extended over about a week, and he was received with great kindness by Mr. Westgarth (late of this city), and numerous other friends in the great metropolis. On visiting Scotland, he also received a most cordial and Christian welcome from many friends in the ministry and others, and has since been actively engaged in preaching and endeavoring to excite a deeper interest in the Australian mission than at present exists. In the town of Hawick, in the south of Scotland (where he labored for a period of thirteen years, prior to leaving for this country about twelve years ago), he met with a hearty welcome, and preached three times in some of the different churches to large audiences. A soirée was arranged to be held on the last day of August, in commemoration of his visit, which in other respects is likely to be greatly blessed. REV. J. L. POORE having arrived in England from Australia, on his return mission for additional ministers, the committee of the Colonial Missionary Society passed the following resolution in reference to his demand:-"That this committee, after hearing the statement of Mr. Poore, are both surprised and delighted to hear that in so short a time new openings for ministers should present themselves in the Australian colonies; and finding that those who were sent last year have all been auspiciously settled, cordially welcome their friend on his return to this country, at the request of the committee in Melbourne, for an additional number; and hereby appoint a special sub-committee to confer with him on the best method for carrying out the object which brought him to England." W. FAIRFAX AND CO., STEAM PRINTERS, COLLINS-STREET, EAST, MELBOURNE. |