of stating my plans for the furtherance of blessed, and he is much esteemed and the Redeemer's cause, in connection with beloved.

our denomination in the Australian colonies. "His labours are not confined to Hinton, A considerable number of the members of but extended to Morpeth and other places. the church freely expressed their views; the Leaving Hinton on Friday morning, Mr. unanimous decision was in favour of a Voller and myself reached Sydney in the united effort on behalf of the colonies, but evening. On Saturday, 19th, visited Parait was deemed inexpedient to send any matta; here a church has existed since 1850. money home at present, or to make any Under the brief pastorate of Mr. W. Carey, effort for the general objects of the British grandson of the late beloved Dr. Carey, the Missionary Society' until the wants of the church enjoyed a large amount of prosperity; colonies had been in some degree at- in the allwise providence of God, Mr. Carey tended to. A resolution was however was removed to a nobler state of existence, unanimously passed, pledging the friends in in September, 1852, and since that time the Sydney to aid me in the various plans sub-church has been in a very low condition. mitted to their consideration-viz., the There is, however, a neat chapel and a popuestablishment of a sustentation fund-a lation in this town and neighbourhood of chapel-building fund-and the support of a about 15,000. A devoted and earnest magazine, as early as possible. On Tues- minister might be eminently useful; the day evening, 15th September, the annual church promises at present £50 per annum meeting of the Colonial Missionary Society towards his support, and from the 'Colonial was held in Bathurst Street Chapel, and Mission funds this amount would be suplargely attended; a fine feeling of earnestness plemented considerably. On Sabbath, 20th pervaded the meeting, which was attended September, I preached morning and evening by most of the Congregational ministers in Bathurst Street Chapel, for Mr. Voller, of the city. and in the afternoon for Mr. Whiteford, in

"I left Sydney accompanied by Mr. Goulton Street Chapel; and at all the Voller, for Hinton, situated on the River services the congregations were large and Hunter, and nearly one hundred miles attentive. The friends in Sydney with their distant from Sydney. We reached Hinton usual kindness to strangers, gave me a day's on Wednesday morning, and received a rest and recreation on Monday, 28th Sep. kind and cordial welcome. In the evening tember; a steamer was engaged, tickets of that day, preached at Morpeth, a rising issued, and upwards of 200 friends gathered town on Hunter river. Thursday visited together, including many of the ministers Maitland, about six miles from Morpeth, and in the city, and the entire day spent returning in the evening, preached at Hinton. in visiting the various points of interest The origin of the church at Hinton may be in the surpassingly beautiful harbour shortly stated. Mr. Voller visited the dis-of Port Jackson. In the evening I trict in the beginning of the year 1856, and bade the friends an affectionate farewell at preached in a house belonging to Mr. New- their usual prayer meeting, and leaving the man, a member of the church at Sydney; beautiful city on the following day, reached Mr. Lane, then preaching at Paramatta, my home on Friday evening, having been afterwards visited Hinton, and God gra- mercifully guided and protected on my ciously blessing his labours, the friends journey of nearly fifteen hundred miles. resolved to make an effort to erect a chapel. The state of the Baptist denomination in A portion of land in a fine elevated position, New South Wales is very far from being was obtained free, through the kindness of what it might have been, had a deeper inone of the proprietors in the district, and terest been felt by the churches of England. a small brick chapel erected, which was The census returns for 1856 now lay before opened July, 1857. The chapel is forty me. The population of Sydney and neighfeet in length, by twenty-four in breath, bourhood is 79,581. In various parts of and very neat and comfortable; it cost £630. the city and neighbourhood large and The average attendance is 200, exclusive of prosperous churches might soon be Sabbath scholars. At our visit a church gathered; but it is utterly impossible for was formed, consisting of nine members, the friends in Bathurst Street Chapel to two brethren were chosen deacons, and Mr. send home money to bring out ministers, Lane was recognised as pastor. This new supplement the salaries of ministers for a cause in New South Wales is the offspring time, and erect chapels. Help must be of the British Colonial Missionary Society. given by noble, generous spirits in England, The church ere this has doubtless been in- or the needed work must remain undone. creased considerably, as a number of friends The suburb of Woolloomoolloo, Sydney, were to be admitted after the formation of one of the largest and finest suburbs of the church. Mr. Lane the pastor is an the city, is regarded by the church in earnest and hardworking brother; his Bathhurst Street with profound interest. labours in the district have been much Gladly would they send for a minister

for that district, erect a chapel for him, has been promised to aid in carrying out and grant half towards his support for a the project. Meanwhile an effort will be time, but they are quite unable to do all made to obtain one of the theatres or large this. If the society would send out a buildings in the city for the evening service. minister, and the friends in England aid The Sabbath school and Bible class are proin the erection of a large and commodious spering, and the attendance at the weekly chapel, worthy of the district, temporary prayer meeting very cheering. The friends aid would be cheerfully given from the in Albert Street keep well together, and are Colonial Mission Fund. You have no finer waiting anxiously for a pastor. The Sabsuburb in any city in England than the bath services are conducted by Mr. Hoskins suburb of Woolloomoolloo, in Sydney. and the young brother mentioned in my "Not to weary you with statistics, let former letter. The Sabbath school is well me just give a few items:-In Goulbourn, attended. I am thankful that I am still the population is 7,028; Brisbane, 5,844; able to conduct the week-evening service, Bathurst, 12,005; Ipswich, 4,558; Mait- which is encouragingly attended. Fitzroy land, 15,290; Windsor, 8,431; Wollon- Street church moves on as before reported, goug, 4,506; total population of New South and the week-evening service I am still Wales, 266,189-number of Baptists not happy to continue. I have not yet made given in the census, but so far as I have any beginning at North Melbourne, as the been able to ascertain, the number of work already on hand presses heavily on Baptist churches, of all sections, is time and strength. I think all here will under twelve, and nearly all extremely cheerfully testify that a very happy change small. Will the friends in England has occurred in connection with our let such a state of things continue? surely churches here. There is more love and not. In the colony of South Australia, the unity, and a nearer interest in each other's state of our denomination is very low. prosperity and peace than heretofore. The census returns give the Baptist churches "The church under the pastoral care of of all sections as nine; chapels, eleven. Mr. Mr. D. Allan are about to erect a new Stonehouse, of Adelaide, who has been chapel, and the foundation-stone will be twelve years in the colony, has furnished laid next week by Robert Rew, Esq., me with full information. His own church one of the deacons of Collins Street. I am in Adelaide numbers ninety members; his thankful for this step towards union, and regular congregation is about 300. He trust it will be productive of good results. has a good chapel, free from debt. Mr. S. At Prahran a new chapel has been erected, has been instrumental in the formation of a and will be opened (D. v.) on Sept. 18th church at Uleg, near Gauler Town, of which inst. I have engaged to preach in the the Rev. J. Buttfield is pastor. Mr. B. afternoon; the evening service will be conwas formerly Baptist missionary in Hon- ducted by Mr. Sprigg, an enterprising duras. There is another church at young merchant of this city, and son of the Gurnmeraeu, of which the Rev. J. Tuck, Rev. Mr. Sprigg, of Ipswich, and son-informerly of Stepney College, is pastor. Both law of your honoured J. H. Hinton. have good chapels, and are going on well. "At Brighton, God has so blessed the Another church has been formed in South labours of Mr. Collins, that the chapel is Adelaide, under the sanction of Mr. Stone-crowded; the friends there have resolved house, of which the pastor is Mr. Dewhirst, immediately to enlarge, and have subscribed formerly an Independent minister, and a upwards of £200 already. At Forest Homerton student. There is now an Inde- Creek Gold Diggings the Baptists have pendent church at Angaston, with a Bap- bought a wooden building, and fitted it up tist minister-Rev. J. Hannay. The other as a chapel. It is to be opened on Sept. churches called Baptist have no connection 18th inst. At Sandhurst, near Bendigo, the or fellowship with those just named. Mr. Stonehouse states, that none of the Baptist churches in South Australia are able to support their pastors, and that they are unable to aid in any movement for the extension of the denomination. They promise me a hearty welcome, and I purpose, God willing, to visit them ere long.

Baptists have rented the Mechanics' Institution, a good building, and opened it last Sabbath, the 11th inst., for divine worship. I purpose leaving this on the 19th, on a visit to Forest Creek and Sandhurst; and will give you further information respecting those large and deeply interesting fields of labour in my next letter. In the large and very flourishing town of Ballarat the friends are ready to make a start, and very likely my next letter will contain information of a gratifying character in reference to that district.

"In the colony of Victoria our prospects are brightening. To begin with Melbourne, the chapel in Collins Street is now com pletely full in the morning, and crowded in the evening of each Sabbath. The friends have decided either to enlarge the present "The impression grows deeper and chapel or to build a new chapel; nearly £1,000 deeper in my mind that if the scattered

population of the Australian colonies is and travelling here is something very difever to be reached and benefited, a few ferent to what it is at home. A hundred warm-hearted, devoted men must be em- pounds here is not equal to forty pounds ployed as evangelists, sustained, at least in at home. You will be glad to learn that part, for a few years by the churches at my own health and that of my family conhome, well supplied with Bibles, tracts, tinues excellent. The sooner help comes, and other publications. Let me implore however, the better for me. An average of the Committee to take this matter into seven meetings every week, visiting, correearnest consideration. A thousand pounds spondence, and travelling, is rather too much a year will do much; but bear in mind that for me; and I shall be truly thankful for the expense of food, clothing, house-rent, help."

HOME PROCEEDINGS.

MR. SMITH during the past month has visited Dublin, where his addresses, and a lecture on India, delivered in the Rotunda, excited great attention. Much larger contributions have been received from our friends in the Irish metropolis than we ever remember before. Mr. Smith has also given a lecture to the Young Men's Missionary Association in the Library of the Mission, and visited Windsor, Wraysbury, Staines, and Colnbrook, where the meetings were unusually crowded and interesting. Mr. Denham has attended services on behalf of the Society at Faversham and Harrow; and Mr. Underhill has lectured on India before the Young Men's Missionary Association in the Mission House, and given addresses on the same subject at Battersea, Regent's Park, and Brixton Hill Chapels.

SACRAMENTAL COLLECTION FOR THE FUND FOR WIDOWS AND ORPHANS OF MISSIONARIES.

THE Circular directed by the Committee to be addressed to the Churches of Great Britain has been sent out, and will be in the hands of the pastors and deacons before this present "Herald." Yet there can be no impropriety in calling attention to the subject; and to repeat the request which it contains, that it may be earnestly presented to the brethren, and acted upon as far as practicable.

PETITIONS ON INDIA.

WE had the pleasure of attending an important public meeting, held at Commercial Street Chapel, a short time since, called by Mr. Stovel, in which the present aspect of Indian affairs, and the future relation of the British Government to religion in India, were discussed. A very deep interest was manifested by the large congregation present, and a petition to the Legislature was

adopted. That petition is drawn with great care. The facts necessary to be

stated are briefly but forcibly stated, and the principles of future action laid down with great clearness and accuracy. It will appear in the Magazine; and should any of our friends wish to take action, they will do well to consult that document.

IMPORTANT NOTICE.

A PUBLIC MEETING will be held in Exeter Hall, on Tuesday morning, January 5th, 1858, to consider the relation of the British Government to Religion in India. The Chair to be taken at Eleven o'clock, by the Right Hon. the EARL SHAFTESBURY.

Tickets of admission may be had at Messrs. Nisbet's, Dalton's, Mudie's Library; Ward's; Jackson's, Islington; and at the Mission Houses in Blomfield Street, Moorgate Street, and Bishopsgate Street.

Pastors of our Churches in London are respectfully requested to give publicity to this note on Lord's-day, the 3rd, so that our friends may be informed of this proposed meeting, which will be one of unusual interest and importance.

FOREIGN LETTERS RECEIVED.

AFRICA-CAMEROONS, Diboll, J., Oct. 30.
CLARENCE, Diboll, J., Nov. 1.
AMERICA PHILADELPHIA, Hanna, J.,

CONTRIBUTIONS,

Received on account of the Baptist Missionary Society, from November 21 to December 19, 1857.

Subscriptions and Donations in aid of the Baptist Missionary Society will be thankfully received by Sir Samuel Morton Peto, Bart., Treasurer; by the Rev. Frederick Trestrail and Edward Bean Underhill, Esq., Secretaries, at the Mission House, 33, Moorgate Street, LONDON; in EDINBURGH, by the Rev. Jonathan Watson, and John Macandrew, Esq.; in GLASGOW, by John Jackson, Esq.; in DUBLIN, by John Purser, Esq., Rathmines Castle; in CALCUTTA, by the Rev. James Thomas, Baptist Mission Press; and at NEW YORK, United States, by Messrs. Colgate and Co. Contributions can also be paid in at Messrs. Barclay, Bevan, Tritton, and Co.'s, Lombard Street, to the account of the Treasurer.