worship, he would always be at his post. I feel great pleasure in writing thus, because I believe he is one of those respecting whom we cannot say

too much.

During his illness he manifested christian composure, and many times shouted aloud the praises of his God. Christ and religion were the chief topics of his conversation; he was often heard to "It is heaven, and glory say all around me!"

While afflicted I visited him, and invariably found my visits to be of great profit to my own soul. Never shall I forget the hallowing influence which we realized together while in that sick chamber.

Were we as ministers of Christ to visit those places more generally, should we not enjoy the benefit in our own souls ? What can be more cheering and encouraging, than to see a servant of God finishing his earthly career in possession of that faith which supported him through life.

The morning before he died, his wife entering the room he said, "Oh! mother, let us have a mighty shout once more," exclaiming, "Hallelujah." He then commenced singing,

"Oh! for a breeze of heavenly love, To waft my soul away, &c."

After he had finished singing, he said, "Now, mother, I shall sing no more, until I sing in the upper regions of glory." Shortly after this he fell asleep

to awake no more until the morning of the resurrection.

May our last end be like his. Amen.
J. TREMELLING.

2. DIED, at Newport, Monmouthshire, on Sep. 23rd, 1855, JOHN HOLLAND, aged 56 years.

The

About three months before his death he went to America to see a son, in company with another son who had come from that country to see him. But being very unwell, and the son he went to see having removed he knew not where, he returned to England again, in company with a daughter who went out with him. He reached Newport the Wednesday preceding the Sabbath on which he died. friends speak of him as a man of thorough piety. He united with the church almost as soon as it was formed, to which he was led by Br. Hoidge, I believe. I heard of his return, illness, and desire to see the minister of the chapel where he was wont to worship, on the Friday evening, and on the Saturday morning I visited him. He was very ill-much disquieted in his feelings, through having had to return home without seeing his son-having spent the little money he had-and being unable to work. He had, nevertheless, a peace of soul and a hope of heaven. I was with him when he expired. His death was tranquil-his home is heaven.

J. ASHTON.

Kapunda, South Australia,
July 17th, 1855.

DEAR BROTHER.

Nine months have taken their flight, no more to return, since I wrote you last. During this time I have frequently thought about writing to you, and sincerely desired to have an opportunity of so doing; but a missionary in Australia has but very little leisure time, and especially a young man in the ministry who, having no subjects on hand, or having preached them all away, has to get up every sermon as he preaches it. He finds that when he has made the necessary visits, and spent that time in studying the word of God so essential to a right preparation for the pulpit, the time left him to

write to the magazine is indeed very short. Time is precious to all, and should be bought up and improved by all. We not only see this in the Australian bush, but are also led to feel it in the superlative degree. Here our journeys are many, and some of them very long. They must be taken, or the people will perish for lack of divine knowledge; but head-strong Time will ' not wait, it sweeps along with great rapidity, and forward to action it bears us, whether we are prepared for it or not. Missioning in the bush is nothing but action, action, ACTION. Hundreds of souls in the bush as well as elsewhere, are living in their sins; we are sent to inform them of this, to point out their danger, and to show

them the way of escape. In order to do this, we must go where they arewe must travel the hill and dale, the forest and the scrub; following the footsteps of our Redeemer, we must go to seek and to save those that are spiritually perishing-those that are lost to virtue, to piety, and to God. To do this takes away our time. Could my poor old horse, Peter, write, he would doubtless address you as follows:"For a Bible Christian missionary's horse to be allowed to walk, generally speaking, is out of the question. It is nothing but onward, onward, onward; trot, canter, and gallop; or the preacher cannot get to his appointments in time. I have no doubt of the kindness of my rider, but he has more mercy for the people to whom he preaches than for me. He tells me that he must preach at three places to-day, which are at a great distance from each other, and that I must carry him to those places without having either much time to feed, or allowing any grass to grow under my feet by the way. This is the way I am constantly treated. More than one quarter I have carried him from five to six hundred miles to his Sabbath appointments alone. And now the Mission is divided, I have to carry one of the preachers thirty miles almost every Sabbath, except when it is convenient for him to go part of the way on the preceding Saturday. hope you will, in mercy to your poor old horse, send out more preachers, that there may be more of my race to share with me the arduous duty of a missionary's horse: then I shall have a chance, at least sometimes, of being permitted to walk."-But, dear Brother, amidst the multiplicity of engagements that are flowing in upon a mis sionary, I am happy to have now an hour or two to write you.

I

In my last letter I informed you that a Sabbath School had been established in connexion with our chapel at Kapunda, and I now proceed to give you an account of the first Anniversary of its institution. The Anniversary was held on the 17th and 18th ultimo. On the Sabbath, in the morning Br. Ridel ft preached; in the afternoon, Br. Oldham delivered an address to Parents and children; and in the evening, Br. Rowe preached. The Sermons and the address were very interesting, impressive and appropriate; and they were listened to with deep and marked attention. At the close of each service a number of interesting pieces

were recited by the children, in a man ner which reflected the highest credit upon the superintendents and teachers of the school, as well as upon the attention and perseverance of the children. The recitation was truly good, and two little girls, the daughters of Mr. Richards, school-master, from Cornwall, surpassed all that we have ever seen or heard, in correctness of elocution, and gracefulness of action. We hope their future career will correspond to their commencement, and that they may excel in virtue and piety, even as they have excelled in recitation. The recitation was conducted by the writer.

On the Monday, at three o'clock P.M. the children were regaled with cake and tea, after which they were treated with sweetmeats. Their sparkling eyes and smiling faces evidenced the satisfaction they felt, and their good behaviour testified that they had not been to school in vain; although they were young in years, they were capable of appreciating kindness. At five o'clock a public tea-meeting was commenced, which was well attended. The Tea being over, a public meeting was held in the chapel, at which our worthy and esteemed friend, Mr. C. Smedley, congregationalist, presided. Singing and prayer being over, the chairman remarked on the necessity and blessedness of giving the young a Scriptural education, which he said was the great object that Sabbath schools had in view. On the platform were the following speakers ;- Messrs. Oldham, Fawcet, Barnden, Williams, Ridclift, Rowe, and the writer. Some good stirring addresses were delivered. Br. Rowe's speech on the excellency of the christian religion appeared to make a deep impression on the minds of some. Throughout the services the chapel was crowded, and a gracious influence rested upon us. Praise the Lord. I hope much good has been done by the serviees of the Anniversary. The receipts are as follows ;

the Lord will continue to smile upon it, so that by the next anniversary its numbers may be doubled.

At Butcher's Gap we have recently held a meeting, when the desirableness of erecting a Chapel there was discussed, and the erection of one agreed to. Mr. Rollings has kindly given an acre of land for its site; a Subscription List has been set on foot, and upwards of £70 in work and money has already been promised. It is likely that we shall commence to build in about a month.

At Shen-Oak-Log, on Friday last, we held a meeting to consider the propriety of building a chapel there also. It was unanimously carried that one should be erected, and two acres of land have been kindly given for the site and grave-yard, by Mr. Job, from Cornwall. A Subscription List has been opened; upwards of £60 in work and money has been promised; and much more is expected. But it is not likely that we shall commence to build here before next harvest, as there is scarcely any money in the district, in consequence of last harvest being a failure. I have no doubt that after harvest things will take a change for the better. There has been more wheat sown in the colony this year than has ever been sown here in one year before, and lately we have had some refreshing rains-thank God-and the crops are beginning to look healthy and strong, so that the next harvest is likely to be a good one. Our congregation at Shen Oak Log is increasing, and the dwelling house in which we preach at present is too small to hold the people that are commencing to attend. May the Lord soon give us the means and the WILL to put Him up a house in that destitute locality.

From Sydney we have recently had a loud call to go over and help them. About three weeks ago I received a very pressing invitation from Mr. Roseby and Mr. Jones, two very pious men, open air preachers. They want the Bible Christian flag to be unfurled there immediately. Br. Roseby writes;

"I think your way was never so plain to come to Sydney as it is now. We are seven of us who are still going on in the old way," preaching in the open air, "Jones, Winters, Sims, Thompson, Burgess, Waters, Wroeington, and Roseby," (eight.) "We have got a tent, and open parks, market places, streets, and lanes, and the love of God burning in our hearts, and

60,000 souls of all kinds want converting. The harvest truly is ripe, but the labourers are few. We have been out to-day and held six out-door services; we have got a blessed influence among us, and more are coming to our out-door meetings. I have been about fourteen years labouring in Sydney and about it, and I have exercised in 5,000 out-door meetings. Dear Brother, I hope that the Lord will guide you aright. I would call to you as they did to Paul from Macedonia, Come over and help us.' The Lord is with us, and our meetings are getting better, and the influence is increasing; but we want a Gideon to lead us forth against the host of the Midianites." Brother Jones says that there are many waiting and willing to assist us "to raise the Bible Christian flag in Sydney." What is to be done? Sydney is the London of all the colonies in this part of the world. It is important that we should get a footing there. Here am I, send me, with a more experienced man. I am well acquainted with New South Wales, and should have no fear of raising a good cause there, by the blessing of God. will of the Lord be done.

.Yours affectionately,

DEAR SIR.

The

W. FURSMAN.

North Kapunda,

South Australia,

25th June, 1855. To the Editor.

Allow me in taking up my pen once more to write you a few particulars relative to the cause of God from these distant shores, to express my thankfulness for the insertion in your useful Magazine of my brief and simple correspondence about two years sincefrom which I feel encouraged again to make another attempt, with the conviction that yourself and all our Bible Christian brethren and friends in dear "Old England" feel deeply interested in the prosperity of the work of God in Australia (that though it be at best but feeble indeed) yet it will be received by all with a kind and christian spirit. It is truly pleasing and encouraging to a christian to witness the spread of religion and increase of its subjects, precious souls seeking and finding Christ the sinner's friend, Chapels successfully reared up and devoted to the service and glory of God, the institution of Sabbath Schools, &c., in connection with any christian community whose

faith is based upon the doctrines of God's holy word; but especially do we feel our bosoms inspired with holy emotion, gratitude and praise breaks forth from our hearts to God in active expression, when we are favoured with the unspeakable privilege of witnessing the progress of the Redeemer's kingdom in that section of the church with which we are personally identified. Thus when Zion, clothed with power and endowed with wisdom from on high, arises and looses the bands from off her neck, and puts on the beautiful garments of righteousness, shining forth in the resplendent likeness of her Lord, all that love her are enabled to rejoice with the prospect of seeing her go forth as brightness, and becoming a praise in the earth. I feel exceedingly thankful to the God of all grace and the "Father of lights," from whom descendeth every good and perfect gift, that to the present time, through infinite mercy, I hold my connection with that section of His Church called Bible Christians. Its discipline I believe to be constitutionally good; its Ministers as a body are men of evangelical principles, whose minds are well stored with scriptural knowledge, and their judg ments swayed by the principles of God's truth they are pious, praying men, zealously and faithfully devoted to the work of preaching Christ and him crucified, to a lost world; and in the spirit of their Divine Master have exerted a great and good influence upon the minds of many of the people of this colony, and by their instrumentality precious souls in different parts of the land have been brought from darkness to light, and from the power of sin and Satan to God. Indeed it is truly worthy of remark that the Great Head of the Church has abundantly succeeded the efforts of the Bible Christian ministers since their arrival in this Colony, and considering the period of their missionary labours, comparatively short, the amount of good effected, and work accomplished, is certainly astonishing, and calls loudly for expressions of heartfelt gratitude and praise to Zion's King, from the bosom of every Bible Christian. The increase of our Missionaries, from two to nine; the many classes which have been established, and members added to the church; number of commodious and respectable chapels which have been erected; be sides the building of others contemplated; the opening up of new localities; the loud calls of the people, "come

the

over and help us ;" and what is best of all, souls have come and are coming to Jesus the world's Redeemer, and many connected with our society are now the happy possessors of true religion and rejoicing in hope of the glory of God; all which cheering facts unitedly furnish us with the gracious evidence that the steps first taken by the Society and friends at home to send Missionaries to Australia, and thus to establish it as a Mission in connection with the Bible Christian church, which is extending its borders far and wide in the earth, was by divine direction, and under the approbation of God.

Although there were Churches of Christ established here before they came, which had very considerably extended their labours and set up the ensign of the Gospel in many places, yet the Lord of the vineyard had reserved a place and a work for the Bible Christian connection in this part of the world-so far distant from the land of our fathers-for when the voice of the few friends who had emigrated to these shores was heard by their brethren on Britain's favoured isle, saying, Come over and help us"-send us Missionaries"- -so far as the christian sympathies of many a heart were concerned at home, this important call was respon ded to; but would they have come without the kind interposition of God's mercy and providence? Ah No! the brethren sought the Lord in prayer, and said, "Lord shall we go?" and he answered and said, "Go, and I will be with thee.". This we feel assured is not saying too much, for we are convinced that God sent his servants by disposing their hearts and providing the means; he came with them for he preserved them amidst the dangers of the mighty deep and brought them hither in safety; he has been with them through all their toils in the past, and has prospered the work in their hands, and when we think for a moment of all his gracious dealings with us as a christian society, we are constrained to exclaim, "What hath God wrought!"

Brethren in England, pray for us in Australia, that the word of the Lord may be proclaimed here with power among the people, and be glorified in the salvation of the thousands by whom we are surrounded; and may our God and Saviour grant by his almighty grace that as a church we may become in this world proverbial for piety, holiness, and usefulness, and finally when the Lord shall gather his elect from the

four winds, and his saints shall come from the east, west, north, and south, and shall return and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads, may we all be of that redeemed and glorified multitude, and with them tune our harps and eternally celebrate the Saviour's praises, and cast our crowns at his feet, lost in wonder, love, and praise-world without end. Amen. JAMES HENRY BARNDEN.

ANNIVERSARY OF KAPUNDA SUNDAY SCHOOL.

Among all the means of instruction which have been instituted in connection with the church of Christ, (the preaching of the gospel excepted) none arc of more importance than Sabbath Schools. The vast amount of moral and spiritual good which has been effected by them, the gracious influence which they have exerted upon christian societies, and the incalculable benefits they have conferred upon thousands of the rising race, justly classes them among the most efficient auxiliaries which have been established to aid in promoting the best interests of the church, and extending the Redeemer's kingdom in the earth. It was a blessing of no small magnitude which the Almighty conferred on our much loved native isle, when he raised up that great apostle of Sabbath Schools, ROBERT RAIKES, whose memory will be immortalised. The mighty efforts which he made to better the condition of the rising generation in his day, have been supported and carried out by his benevolent successors, and thus through the mercy of God the church and the world are blest with an invaluable boon. From these excellent nurseries, ministers of the gospel are supplied, who at home and abroad proclaim Jesus Christ the Saviour of sinners to a ruined world.

In

our Sunday schools these young immortals are taught to read, understand, and appreciate the word of life, and thus are trained for God, who by his grace frequently prepares them to fill vacant places in the church, once occupied by his servants and handmaids who have been removed by death to their heavenly reward. We believe eternity alone will unfold the vast benefits which have been conferred on children, parents, the church and communities, nations, and the world, by the means of sabbath school instruction. The writer desires to be ever thankful to God for the good he has personally derived from them, and for the privilege of making himself useful in con

nection with these good institutions on the shores of Australia, and would ever pray that the Lord by his Spirit and his word may quicken, convert, and raise up many efficient teachers, who shall labour with untiring zeal, to cultivate and render fertile this interesting part of God's vineyard; and may the wilderness, and solitary place be glad for them, and the desert rejoice and blossom as the rose.

The first Anniversary of the Bible Christian Sabbath School, Kapunda, was held on Sunday, the 17th of June, 1855, under very pleasing and encouraging circumstances, particularly so regarded by the few teachers who had unitedly struggled through many difficulties, and who in the course of the year laboured hard to keep the school in existence and to promote its interests, toiling to make head way as the mariner frequently does against wind and tide, but though the prospects of the School had been somewhat gloomy some three or four months prior to the anniversary, yet as the time appointed drew near, things began to brighten considerably, and many of those difficulties which had made the minds of the teachers so extremely anxious were overcome. As there is another sabbath school in this neighbourhood of several years' standing, and of course far more in numbers, both of teachers and scholars, than the one connected with this society, much care was taken in the selection of the pieces suited to the children's capacities,-several weeks were occupied, and much labour bestowed in training them to recite them in a manner that would reflect credit on themselves and their teachers; considering ourselves quite justified in endeavouring to vie with our christian neighbours in these good things, desirous only of co-operating with them in extending the Redeemer's cause, while we seek to maintain this holy rivalry. The time appointed for our festival being in the midst of the winter season, we often feared that the state of the weather on the occasion might militate against the financial interests of the institution; but in this we were favourably disappointed, for when at length the long expected time arrived, it was hailed with grateful hearts by all who truly loved that little Sunday School, and the few dear children who were there taught to read and understand the precious word of life by those who love their souls. The Sabbath morning broke upon us with a clear and salubrious atmosphere, the glorious orb