of their number, Mr. Cox, labours amongst the Canton-speaking inhabitants of Singapore. Of the American missionaries formerly at Canton, Dr. Parker is now minister-plenipotentiary from the United States in China, and Mr. Wells Williams is secretary of the Legation. Many of the other missionaries are now located at Macao, which has a Chinese population of 15,000; they find full occupation there, and see persons by whom they can send books into districts of the surrounding country where they cannot themselves go.

Miss Magrath, of the Ladies' Association, in connexion with the Chinese Evangelization Society, was expected to arrive in Hong Kong on the 26th of November.

DEPARTURE OF THE LIVINGSTONE EXPLORING EXPEDITION.-The Pearl, screw steamer, having on board Dr. Livingstone, her Britannic Majesty's consul for Quillimane, Tete, and other places on the southeast coast of Africa, has sailed from Liverpool. There were also on board Mrs. Livingstone and her son; Captain Bedingfield, R.N., Government surveyor and nautical commander of the expedition; Dr. Kirk, of Edinburgh, botanist and medical officer; Mr. Thornton, geologist; Mr. Rae, engineer of the launch; and Mr. T. Baines, artist, who now goes out for the purpose of sketching the country passed through, and the inhabitants, animals, and plants met with in the research in Africa. The Pearl will proceed up the Zambesi as far as her draught of water will permit, and, after disembarking her passengers, stores, and launch, steam direct for the island of Ceylon, whither she will be employed by the East India Company for the purpose of carrying the mails from the mainland to the steamer contract boats at Point de Galle. She has been fitted up with a lifting screw, and every other recent invention, for the purpose of procuring speed. The launch which the Pearl takes out is for the purpose of facilitating the navigation of the shallows of the river Zambesi.

NATIVE CONVERTS.-A few Sabbaths ago seven adult natives were received into church communion at Chanday, one of the stations of the Ahmednuggur Mission. It is not a little remarkable that there should have been a larger number of additions to the churches connected with the above mission, during the last year, than there had been in any previous year. The number of church members now exceeds 230, being about fifty in advance of the number reported at the commencement of last year.

COLONIAL RECORD.

NEW SOUTH WALES.-The New Congregational Chapel has been opened at West Maitland. The sermon was preached

by the Rev. W. Cuthbertson, of Sydney. The chapel was filled with a most attentive auditory.

A tea meeting was held on the following day, at which about 400 people were present. Mr. John Fairfax, of Sydney, took the chair, and expressed the satisfaction he derived at seeing another building erected for the worship of God. He then called on the

Rev. Mr. Griffith, who said the chapel was commenced in 1854, the foundation stone being laid Dec. 7th. The cash collected in Maitland in 1854 and 1855 amounted to £361 2s. 3d.; the Congregational Chapel Building Society of New South Wales advanced £2,331 7s. 2d. The cash paid for land was £750; for building, previous to 1857, £1,942 9s. 5d. There was a balance due to the architect of £77 178.-making a sum of £2,770 6s. 5d. on the other side. That year they advertised for tenders for the completion of the chapel, and in February the contract was signed. They had collected in Maitland before the flood in 1857, £300 5s.; in Sydney since the floods, £324 18s. Mr. Hopkins, of Hobart Town, gave them £50; the sale of the old chapel realized £535 6s. 9d.; the opening services of last night £60 9s. The whole cost was £4,700, and it was a great thing to be able to say that £4,000 had been paid. Before he sat down he had to thank first the Sydney committee for the large sum which they had contributed. He had to thank the Maitland contributors for the cordial and kind way in which they had received him when he entered their houses with his subscription book. They had not asked him to what denomination he belonged, and the names in his book testified that all bodies of Christians liberally came forward to help in the erection of this house of prayer. His journey to Sydney and visits were confined to those of his own denomination, and to those warm friends he rendered thanks. He wished the Rev. Mr. Kent had been there, that he might thank him for the trouble he had taken to advance his object in Sydney. He had also to render his warm thanks to the friends of other denominations whom he saw around him. It was with great difficulty he was able to say anything, but he could almost rise from a sick bed to witness the interest which they had exhibited towards the chapel, and which, he took it, was not so much for himself as for the preaching of the word of God. When he mentioned to a friend more conversant than himself with finance, that £660 was due, he said, "Pay it off to night;" he told him his faith was not so strong; "Begone, unbelief," was his reply. He hoped they would say so to-night. Mr. Fairfax was the first Australian dweller

he had ever seen, not in Sydney but in England, and to that gentleman was it to be traced, if he had been of any use in New South Wales. From his first interview with him was to be traced his standing there that night. He had another thing to say. The old chapel was the first place of worship in this town; it was for sale in 1851, and Mr. Fairfax purchased and presented it to them as a denominational body. The modesty of Mr. Fairfax had led him to conceal that fact, but his duty compelled him to tell them. In 1851 Mr. Warricker came there to preach the Gospel, and laboured amongst them, gaining their affections, preaching the same Gospel which was to be proclaimed within those walls. He would be pleased and delighted to hear they had raised such a building, and had had such a meeting.

The Chairman, referring to Mr. Griffith's allusion to their meeting in England, said he thought the result had justified him in the conclusion he drew, that the rev. gentleman was precisely the man for the colonies-the right man in the right place. He had no doubt that as years passed over Mr. Griffith's head in that part of God's vineyard, he would be more and more convinced, as would also this church, and the religious public of New South Wales, that the choice then made was a right choice, and that God had blessed and would continue to bless him. With regard to the purchase of the old chapel, which after being used for four or five years produced 300 per cent. upon the original price, he felt grateful in being the humble instrument of purchasing a building which had been so useful in the erection of the building in which they were now met.

The Rev. J. G. Turner then addressed the meeting, and congratulated them upon the completion of so neat and commodious a place of worship. He rejoiced in the opening of the chapel, since the words of truth would be proclaimed within its walls. He hoped the desire of Mr. Griffith would be realized, and that the chapel would be placed out of debt that night.

Mr. Nott, J.P., said it was with the deepest thankfulness and gratitude he was there that night to witness the termination of Mr. Griffith's mental toil and physical labour. He hoped the debt would be wiped away that night.

Mr. Fairfax, before calling on Mr. Jones, explained that that gentleman had been one of the largest contributors to the chapel, since the land, for which he could have obtained £1,500, he had sold to the trustees for £750.

Mr. David Jones was most gratified to see so many of the young present, and hoped the rising generation would form

the greater number of attendants in that chapel.

The Rev. Mr. Gibson said tea meetings were refreshing both to the moral and physical man. He had had much to do with building of chapels, and when he was in Jamaica they built them there quicker than in Australia. The foundation stone of the Newcastle chapel was laid the day after the Maitland one, and it was finished a year ago. He built a chapel in Jamaica in six months upon the voluntary principle, assisted by the negroes, who felt the necessity of a place of worship. When finished it was free of debt, although it cost £1,000. The rev. gentleman concluded by a fervent appeal to those present to aspire to be worshippers in the temple of immortality.

The Rev. W. Cuthbertson felt delighted at being present at such a meeting. He rejoiced in the erection of such a sanc tuary, not so much as a Congregationalist, but as a Christian. God had left it for his own children as a privilege to erect such structures. They were representa tives of great truths, and external evidences of the truth of their common religion. The rev. gentleman made a speech of great length, characterized by much earnestness.

A collection was then made, which amounted to £24 9s., and the tickets sold for the tea meeting made up the sum to £60.

Mr. Fairfax said he had no doubt that after the appeal made next Sabbath, and from the excitement that would be created in Maitland, the anxiety of Mr. Griffith respecting the debt upon the chapel would be allayed.

GENERAL RECORD.

PAYMENT OF CHAPLAINS IN THE ARMY.According to a Parliamentary return lately issued by order of the House of Commons, of the distribution of the sums voted in the army estimates for allowances to offi ciating clergymen for performing Divine service to the military at home and abroad, stating the religious denomination of the various clergymen, and the service in virtue of which the allowance was paid, it appears that the officiating chaplains of the army in the Crimea received-Of the Episcopalian Church, in 1855, £3,828; in 1856, £8,850. Presbyterians, in 1855, £1,600; in 1856, £3,110. Roman Catholics, in 1855, £1,500; in 1856, £2,250. The total sum paid to officiating clergymen of the Episcopalian denomination at home and abroad was, in 1855, £19,650; and in 1856, £30,440. Of the Presbyterian denomination, in 1855, was £2,477; and in 1856, £4,592. Of the Roman Catholic denomina tion, in 1855, £4,397; and in 1856, £6,375.

In 1854-55, 4,115 Bibles and 2,585 Prayers and Services were supplied to the army for the use of the Protestants and Presbyterians, and 993 Douay Bibles for the use of the Catholics, at a total expense of £556 14s. 2d. In 1855-56, 29,298 Bibles and 22,275 Prayer-books, with large Bibles for the use of chaplains, were supplied for the use of the Protestants; and 1814 Douay Bibles for the use of the Catholics; the total expense on account of religious books for the army during the year being £4,376 10s. 5d. In the year 1856-57, 26,672 Bibles and 23,228 Prayer-books, with large Bibles for chaplains, were supplied for the use of the Protestants in the army, and 8,372 Douay Bibles for the use of the Catholics; the total expense of which was £4,914 5s. 9d.

SUSTENTATION FUND OF FREE CHURCH. -During the nine months ending 15th February, 1858, the fund amounted to £77,288 148. 10d., being an increase of £569 10s. 5d. over the same period of the previous year. The increase consists of £73 1s. 7d., from associations, and £496 88. 10d. of donations. The sum applicable to the equal dividend for the same period is £69,682 10s. 11d., being a decrease over the previous year of £597 15s. 2d.,-met by the above donations, however, to the extent of £496 8s. 10d., leaving the total decrease on contributions to equal dividend, £101 6s. 4d. The decrease on the Education Scheme for the nine months is £39 168. 11d.

WHAT IS PREACHED AT SOUTH PLACE, FINSBURY.-The following advertisement will give our readers an idea of the sort of stuff preached at this advanced outpost of Unitarianism :- Finsbury Chapel, South Place.-Mr. Henry N. Barnett, of Bristol, having been elected to the pulpit of this chapel, will deliver the following course of lectures:-Theism,-the Worship of Spirit; Pantheism,-the Worship of Life; Polytheism,-the Worship of Ideas; Atheism, the Worship of Law; Supernaturalism, the Worship of Miracle; Idealism, the Worship of Mystery; Revelationism, the Worship of Literature; Ceremonialism, the Worship of Art; Theologism, the Worship of Creed; Spiritualism, the Worship of Consciousness; the Glory and the Weakness of Dogmatic Christianity; the Church One and Universal." These tokens of progress are entitled to the notice of more than one party. Mr. Barnett was but lately a Nonconformist minister. Let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall!

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INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC IN PUBLIC WORSHIP. Dr. Guthrie thus expresses his dissent from the views of the Edinburgh Free Church Presbytery, with regard to the use of the organ in public worship :

"I cannot regard the worship of God as

impure because an organ is employed to lead and guide the psalmody. There is nothing in the New Testament to warrant such a judgment. The Directory for public worship of our own church does not forbid the use of an instrument in conducting the praises of the sanctuary. And, although it did, why might not the same liberty of departing from the Directory be allowed in that as in other things? Although organs may be abused, so may those other means which we employ for directing the psalmody. I have been present in Presbyterian churches, where the singing was very much left to the precentor and his band. On the other hand, I have worshipped in many Congregational and Methodist churches, where, along with the use of the organ (some would say by means of the use of the organ), the people joined more fully in singing God's praises than they are in the habit of doing in many of our own churches. It is a vulgar error to suppose that the principles of Presbyterian church government are to any degree mixed up with this question about organs. Although an organ, it is not organic question, so far as Presbytery is concerned. In the Pope's chapel at Rome no instrumental music is employed, while the grandest organ in the world is in the Presbyterian church of Haarlem; and it is an undeniable and well-known fact, that the number of Presbyterian churches throughout Christendom which use organs is much larger than the number of those which do not use them. In these circumstances, although I have no desire to introduce organs into our churches, and would, for reasons of expediency, vote against their introduction, I think that every Christian congregation is entitled to judge in this matter for itself. Surely the people may be allowed this power, who are considered competent to elect their own pastors. And as I would, on the one hand, resist any attempt to force an organ on a declaiming congregation, I would consider it, on the other hand, a matter of Christian liberty not to withhold the use of that instrument from any congregation who felt that it aided them in singing the praises of God. Paul allowed differences both of opinion and of practice in the primitive church on matters far more important than any involved in this organ controversy; and it appears to me that the churches of Christ cannot be too careful not to multiply, unnecessarily, tests, terms of communion, and causes of division."

ROTHERHAM COLLEGE.-We are informed that the Senatus Academicus of the University of Glasgow, at their meeting on Monday, the 8th instant, unanimously conferred the degree of D.D. on the Rev. F. J. Falding, M.A., Principal of the Rotherham Independent College. Dr. Falding was a student of the University of Glasgow, and the

diploma thus conferred is the spontaneous and unsolicited testimony of the Senate to his successful career in that capacity, no less than to the eminent ability with which he discharges the duties of his present office.

A NEW SECT has been formed in Wurtemburg under the name of "Friends of Jerusalem," and with the object of reconstructing the Temple of Jerusalem, so as to fulfil the prophecies. It has already sent out a commission to undertake the rebuilding of the temple of Solomon, but it has only been able to raise 5,420 florins for the purpose.

THE REV. GEO. E. L. COTTON, master of Marlborough College, has been appointed to the Bishopric of Calcutta, vacant by the death of the late Dr. Wilson.

REFORMS IN CHURCH WORSHIP.-The Bishop of Oxford has given permission to his clergy to postpone the Litany to the afternoon or evening on those Sundays when the Lord's Supper is administered. When there are afternoon and evening services, the Litany alone may serve as one of them. Thus the clergy will be delivered from repeating the same service, lessons and psalms, twice in the space of two or three hours.-Oxford Chronicle.We are informed by a correspondent that many clergymen in the diocese of Worcester omit the Litany when the Sacrament is administered, and with the permission of the bishop.-Record.

A MUNIFICENT OFFER.-A meeting of the inhabitants of Bishop Wilton, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, was lately held in the vestry of the parish church, for the purpose of laying a rate for the restoration of the church, when it was most unexpectedly announced to the meeting that Sir Tatton Sykes, of Sledmere, was unwilling that any rate should be laid, it being his intention to restore the edifice entirely at his own expense. It is expected to cost between £2,000 and £3,000.

SUNDAY TRAINS ON SCOTCH RAILWAYS. -At their meeting on a recent day the shareholders of the Edinburgh, Perth, and Dundee Railway, once more rejected, by a large majority, a motion to stop Sunday trains on the line. An amendment on the motion was proposed by the directors and adopted to the effect that at the next halfyearly meeting they should take the sense of the shareholders on the subject, the directors being authorized to issue proxies to all of them previous to the meeting.

BRISTOL OPEN AIR SERVICES.-There was a meeting of ministerial brethren held at the Religious Tract Depository, on Monday, the 22nd ult., for the purpose of making arrangements for united " open

air services" on Sabbath afternoons for the ensuing summer. The ministers are

required to specify what number of services they will undertake, and what months will be most convenient to them.

ARISTOCRATIC AND ANGLICAN PERVERSIONS.-The Univers says that the number of converts to Popery in England within the last few years includes three duchesses, one marchioness, two countesses, eight right honourable ladies, ten baronets, two archdeacons, eighty-five clergymen, and two hundred and seventy-two distinguished members of the aristocracy. In order to enhance the value of these conversions, the organ of the Jesuits observes that "titles in England are not usurped by the premier venu, as they are in France. They are, therefore, real countesses and viscountesses who have quitted the Established Church, and incurred the displeasure of their Queen for consciene sake."

CESSATION OF THE ALHAMBRA PALACE SUNDAY DESECRATION.-The Lord's Day Observance Society having called the attention of the lessee of the Alhambra to the Act of Parliament (21 Geo. III., cap. 49) prohibiting the sale of tickets for admission to places of entertainment on the Sunday, that gentleman has informed the committee that the musical performances shall be henceforth discontinued on the Lord's day.

THE INDIAN MUTINY.-A memorial to the Queen has been signed by 649 clergymen. in the diocese of Lichfield. They say :

"We humbly represent that your Majesty's Indian Government has hitherto exhibited a neutrality between Christianity and false religions which is dishonouring to God and inconsistent with the obligations of a Government and people professing the Gospel of Christ; that we have not, as a Government, duly endeavoured to raise the standard of national morality upon the foundation of the Christian religion; and that the many millions of your Majesty's Indian subjects have been permitted to remain under the pernicious influence of evils of the most debasing character. That the system of religious neutrality thus pursued has signally failed of producing the expected result of reconciliation, has been fearfully proved by the revolting cruelties of the recent rebellion.

"We humbly beseech your Majesty to embrace the opportunity which the blessing of God upon your arms in India is preparing, in order to impress upon your Majesty's heathen and Mohammedan subjects that this neutral policy will no longer be pursued, but that the countenance and aid of the Government will be cordially given to every legitimate means of bringing the Christian religion under their notice. We venture especially to refer to the duty of a Christian Government in encouraging

sound education, and we beseech your Majesty to have it declared that in all Government schools and colleges the Holy Bible will be constantly used as the basis of all religious and moral teaching. While we desire for every man the free exercise of his conscience in matters of religion, and would by no means have any steps taken to force Christianity upon the people of India, we, at the same time, pray that whatever rites and usages of the Hindoos and Mohammedans are at variance with humanity or public decency may be suppressed as offences against the law; and that if, in any instance, the practice or custom of your Majesty's Government gives support or countenance to the rites of the Hindoo or Mohammedan religion,

such practice or custom shall at once and for ever cease.

"Above all, we would humbly submit to your Majesty that the late calamitous events in India call loudly upon the British Government and British nation to adopt much more energetic measures than heretofore for the diffusion of Gospel truth in that benighted land, by means of the full and efficient exercise of the Christian ministry throughout its length and breadth. We humbly submit to your Majesty that there can be no fitter time for the introduction of these necessary changes than when, through the blessing of Almighty God, the British rule in India shall have been restored in its full strength and consciousness of power."

ALL other events, whether Home or Foreign, are merged and lost in the glorious intelligence which has been received from the United States, touching what appears to be the greatest work of God in modern times. It did not reach us till our pages were full, so that we are now shut up to this limited space. We have had a variety of accounts, as set forth in all the chief journals, which are perfectly harmonious in their representations. The following epitome will furnish a glimpse, if nothing more, of the marvellous movement, and serve to encourage the people of God to look for a share in the Parental benediction. The writer is Dr. J. P. Thompson, minister of the New York Tabernacle, and editor of the Independent.

"The first manifestation of the present general awakening was in New England, particularly in Connecticut and Massachusetts, from which the spirit of the revival spread rapidly through the Middle and the Western States, or rather broke out almost simultaneously in all. Everywhere the number of conversions and of additions to the churches has been unprecedented. No similar revival has passed over the country since the 'great awakening' in New England, in the days of Jonathan Edwards. And the present far exceeds the former, in the extent of the work. It is not marked by the same intensified enthusiasm and excitement that followed

the preaching of Whitefield, or the revivals at the beginning of the present century, in which various physical convulsive demonstrations were witnessed among persons under conviction of sin. On the contrary, the present awakening everywhere gives evidence of calmness, and freedom from wild and unregulated excitement. An unusual enthusiasm prevails, but we hear of no violent and extraordinary demonstrations anywhere.

"In this city the progress of the work is most encouraging. The Methodist churches, particularly, have been greatly stirred. A Christian of this denomination remarked to us recently that there was hardly a Methodist church in New York or Brooklyn that was not in the full tide of a revival, Their ministers say that they have never witnessed an equal work of grace. In the Congregational churches, extra prayer-meetings are held in the Broadway Tabernacle in this city, the Church of the Pilgrims and Plymouth Church, Brooklyn; and in Dr. Cheever's, services are held every night in the week. Nineteen persons have been proposed to be received into this church next Sunday, on profession of faith. In the Reformed Dutch churches, revivals are in vigorous progress, with fruits already gathered. Among the Old School Presby terian churches, we have heard of no special indications of awakening, while in