James Adams, Esq. Mrs. Darling John Spottiswoode, Esq. Rev. Horatius Bonar, D.D. Dr. MacLagan Rev. George Robson, United Presbyterian, Lauder Robert Brewis, Esq.. Rev. Thomas Waters, Free Church, Lauder Andrew Haldane, Esq. Mrs. Shillinglaw 900 5 15 "I am, dear sir, yours very truly, Contributions may be sent to the Rev. P. Valence, to Mr. James Paxton, or Mr. Mark Thompson, Horncliffe, Berwick. ST. PAUL'S, MILLWALL.-This handsome new church was opened for public worship on Sabbath, the 3rd of June. The Rev. W. Keedy, of " John Knox," Stepney, preached in the morning; and the Rev. W. Ballantyne, of Trinity, De Beauvoir Town, in the evening. Notwithstanding the very 0 unfavourable state of the weather, the church was filled to overflowing at both diets, and the interest exhibited by the congregations O afforded good promise of the ultimate suc 500 5 5 0 3 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 10 cess of that important undertaking. The 0 Rev. Robert Thom, lately licensed by the 0 Presbytery of London, is in the meantime O appointed to labour in the locality, and is 0 doing so with much acceptance. A considerable number of the sittings of the church are already taken; and it is an additional source of satisfaction to know that, last Sabbath, there were upwards of one hundred O children in the Sabbath School, taught by a 0 small but zealous band of teachers. There O being still a considerable debt to be extinguished on this, which may be truly called a missionary church, it is hoped that the 207 4 0 liberality of our Christian friends will not be wanting to aid the efforts of those who, in addition to many years of contribution towards sustaining and raising the station to its actual position, have become responsible for the cost of the erection. Remit 0 0 0 200 00 £407 4 0 "We beg, also, to convey our thanks to the following gentlemen in the neighbourhood, who so kindly aided us in driving materials -namely, Messrs. Clay, Hood, Wilkinson, Scott (Broadmeadows), Smith (Ancroft), Dunbar, Scott (West Ord), Moore, Cleghorn, Black, McLeod, Mather, Trotter, the Trustees for Mr. Munery (late of West Ord), and the representatives of Messrs. Laidler and Noble, lately deceased. We have still liabilities to the amount of £24, which we are unable at present to meet, but which must be met speedily, that the contractors may be fully paid. We are £200 in debt already, and we are very unwilling to contract more. I am perfectly aware of the urgent applications continually made from all quarters to the wealthy and liberal in our Church, and nothing short of the stern pressure of necessity could have induced me to add another to the number. I hope they will take our case into their favourable consideration. You were so kind as to insert an appeal on our behalf a considerable time ago. I trust that the present statement tances for this purpose, by Post-office orders Archibald T. Ritchie, Esq., 26, Poultry, or otherwise, may be made to the Treasurer, London, E.C., who will thankfully acknowledge them. OUR SABBATH SCHOOLS. ON the evening of the 12th of June, a very interesting meeting of Ministers, Officebearers, and Sabbath School Teachers, connected with our Church, in London, was held at Radley's Hotel. About 160 were present. After tea, Dr. Hamilton was called to the chair, and prayer was offered by the Rev. Mr. Armstrong. Dr. Hamilton stated that the present meeting was an extension of the usual quarterly meeting of Office-bearers, with the view of including the Sabbath School Teachers, and giving special prominence in the Conference to the subject of Sabbath Schools. A Special Committee had been appointed to visit the Sabbath Schools in the Presbytery, to com municate with the officers of the Sabbath Schools throughout the Church, and collect such information as could be obtained respecting their present position and prospects. He expressed a hope that the meeting might be not only pleasant but of practical benefit, where useful hints might be obtained, and the labourers in the same field, though belonging to different congregations, might, by this reunion, be encouraged in their work of faith and love. Mr. William Ferguson, who acted as Secretary to the Committee, gave an interesting report, of which the following is an abstract: The total number of congregations and stations of the English Presbyterian Church, as printed in the official actings of the Synod for 1859, was 99. From these congregations, returns of the statistics of 75 Sabbath Schools have been received. Two (St. Andrews, Manchester, and Etal) declined to give the returns, two reported their schools as broken up, and four reported that they had no Sabbath Schools; sixteen signed no report. Estimating the latter, the statistics of the English Presbyterian Sabbath Schools may be safely taken to be nearly as follows:-1,376 teachers; 13,434'scholars, of which 1,465 are above 15; 12,472 volumes in libraries; £355 17s. 1d. contributed for missionary purposes during 1859; 384 teachers now in the schools, who have been themselves pupils; 136 members added to the Communion Rolls of the Church during the last year. The returns show that Prayer Meetings are frequent, but not universal, in the schools. In those which are most flourishing, these Prayer Meetings are the most frequent, and sustained with the greatest vigour. Where it is at all possible it is desirable that both teachers and scholars should meet for prayer during the week. Missionary collections are all but universal in the schools; and it is a good sign for the future of our Church when its children are thus early embued with the spirit of giving to the Lord's cause. Let the Churches' prayers ascend for her 1,300 Sabbath school teachers, and their 13,000 scholars, that in this day of revival the Spirit may be given largely to them, quickening the teachers to watch for the souls committed to their care, and awakening the scholars to remember their Creator in the days of their youth, and give themselves to Him who loved them and gave himself for them. Mr. James E. Mathieson, and Mr. T. D. Thomson, reported on the schools in the Presbytery of London visited by the Committee; they found one spirit pervading all the teachers, the schools well-conducted, and the children orderly. They spoke of the importance of separate services for the children-of which there is a very successful specimen at Marylebone-of classes for senior scholars, teachers' classes, &c. Mr. Bell, of Marylebone Church, gave an interesting account of the infant and adult classes so successfully carried on there. At the request of the Committee, the Rev. J. D. Burns, of Hampstead, delivered a very beautiful address to the teachers present, which, through the kindness of Mr. Burns, we are enabled to give in another part of our columns. Addresses were delivered by Mr. Burchell, of New York, Professor Levi, and the Rev. Dr. McLeod, of Cape Breton, after which the meeting was closed with prayer. OUR DOMESTIC SERVANTS. We believe it is not without reason the complaint is so generally heard, that it is the most difficult of all difficulties to procure good domestic servants; but it might be said with equal truth, on the other hand, that, even amongst Christian people, it is equally difficult for servants to find good, considerate employers. We present the following, not on account merely of the information it conveys, but also in the hope that it may lead others to follow so good an example. In a letter, dated June 18, 1860, a gentleman in Liverpool writes : Liverpool, June 18th, 1860. 11, Lawson Street, Grove Street. DEAR SIR,-The favour of inserting the contents of the enclosed "paper" will greatly oblige the parties named in the paper, as it might be the means of doing good, by stimulating other congregations of our body to take a special interest in the well-being of the many respectable young women that come from Scotland as domestic servants in England. It is ascertained that, in Canning Street congregation, there are 150 Scotch servants, who come from every shire in Scotland, from the extreme North to the South, including the Western Isles. At the beginning of this year, Mr. Welsh, who has all along felt a deep interest in the temporal and spiritual welfare of these young women, finding it extremely difficult to visit them at their respective families, invited them all to tea; and a most interesting meeting it was, and most highly appreciated by the young women. A friend also enabled us to give a copy of "Deborah; or, the Faithful Servant," by Rev. Norman M'Leod, to each servant. This, together with a Bible-class, held every Sabbath evening in the vestry expressly for them, has been of great good. This class has now been in operation for three years, and, as I have the privilege of conducting it, I can speak of the happy results. There is a happy Christian sympathy among them, helping one another, watching over, and encouraging one another. And as I have ample opportunity of knowing the history of many of the inmates in our penitentiaries, often has my heart been grieved to find that many of these unfortunates were once respectable female servants, but I am the more happy to say that I have never known one of the servants in our congregation who has fallen into temptation, but that all of them have conducted themselves with Christian decorum. Not only have they been a credit to themselves, but, knowing as I do much of their private history, there are many of them who support their aged parents, give much to the various schemes of the Church, and take a deep, prayerful interest in the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom. The presentation noticed in the paper was their own spontaneous effort; all the part I took in the matter was the making the necessary arrangements, which they asked me to do. At Canning Street, Liverpool, on June 1st, Mr. Gillespie, in the name of the female servants of Canning Street Church, presented Mr. Welsh with a handsome timepiece, bearing the following inscription:"Presented to the Rev. Joseph Roger Welsh, by the Female Servants in his Congregation, as a Token of their high Esteem for him as their Pastor, and in Testimony of his kindness and attention to them. Liverpool, 1st June, 1860." The following letter accompanied the pre sentation: Liverpool, 1st June, 1860. of Life to the flock over whom the Lord hath made you overseer; and that your own soul may be refreshed in seeing many seals | to your ministry among us. 4 (Signed) ALEX. GILLESPIE, In the name, and by special request, of the Female Servants in the Congre- | gation. The following letter was received in reply from Mr. Welsh: Liverpool, 5th June, 1860. DEAR FRIENDS, I have long felt, as a minister, that the exceeding and undeserved | kindness of the congregation to me was best shown by their attendance on the preaching, and sympathy with the great works of use | fulness in which we are engaged, and that all other testimonials were undesirable. But the beautiful, useful, and valuable Timepiece you have sent me I gladly and thankfully receive, because it is a token of kindly feelings which I greatly value, and which, if they were to pervade our whole congrega tion, would make our Church-home warmer for strangers, especially the young coming from Scotland. I wish I had made fuller proof of my ministry among you by personal intercourse, Warning every one, and instructing every one, that we may present every one perfect in Christ Jesus" (Col. i. 28). But let me be permitted, as a pastor, to send you not only a word of acknowledgment of your kindness, but of spiritual advice on this interesting occasion. What happy days those were, when, in some rural home, with contentment, religion, and friends about you (for I have seen the representatives of three generations dwelling under the same roof), you enjoyed Rev. Joseph R. Welsh. buoyant health, and, perhaps, "first love to Christ!" You may often think of those DEAR SIR,-We have long appreciated days in this the place of your sojourn. But, and trust have benefited by your ministry, dear friends, they cannot now be recalled. and are not insensible to the deep interest No day can be spent a second time; and you have in our spiritual and temporal well- this time-piece faithfully tells us that the being. We fully understand the many diffi- moments are flying, never to be repeated. culties that attend pastoral visitation amongst "Now, however, is the accepted time;" us. We sympathise with you in the widely-now, let every day be spent, so that you will scattered character of your congregation, not have reason to fear the resurrection of that makes such visitations almost impos- the past in that world where opportunity to sible. But we know you have a watchful" redeem the time" is gone for ever. care for our souls, and we know your desires and efforts for our good. So, cherishing these views of the difficulty of your labours, and yet having a high esteem for you as our pastor and friend, we desire to express the same in asking your acceptance of the accompanying Time-piece. And our prayer is, that our Heavenly Father may long bless you with health and strength to labour among us, rightly dividing the Word That this may be your happiness, the great thing is to keep the heart right with God, through Jesus Christ. Neglect not your bodily health, until, in the language of an old minister, 66 you can serve Christ without a body;" but above all, prayerfully, diligently, and believingly, watch the soul's health. Is the memory filled with texts of Scripture and the things of God? Is the imagination sobered and kept in check? Is the conscience sprinkled with the blood of Jesus, responding to our acquittal in the court of heaven, and indicating it to us? Is this done, not only daily, but hourly? What a business! To make a time-piece so that it shall go with the sun, and to adjust it daily, is a difficult thing, but it is nothing in comparison with the keeping of our hearts warmed, lightened, and regulated by the "Sun of Righteousness rising with healing in his rays.' I have already said that the gift of this time-piece is the result of feelings which we hope may knit us, as members of the Church, closer together. And, if it should have led you to form Christian acquaintanceships, neglect not these, as a means of keeping the heart right. (Malachi iii. 16.) A pious man used to say that as his watch needed the regulation of a town clock, so his heart needed the regulating influence of Christian friendships. But, after all, it is direct contact with the Saviour himself that regulates the soul. Many of you may be far from such friends, but He is ever near, ever loving, ever wise, ever powerful, to make and keep you right. Perhaps some may have contributed to this gift from mere love to a nation, or a church, or a ministry, represented by me in this sphere; well, even from these motives, let us have your sympathy. But remember, and solemnly consider, that there is no religion except that which begins with conversion, a change of heart, a true sense of our utter need of Jesus, and a happy consciousness that he is ours. I trust I can say that to keep this before you is the Sabbathly object of my preaching. Now, for you, and for all under my poor ministry, humbling me as they do by seeming to love what in itself is so imperfect, my prayer is, that "Christ may be found in the heart the hope of glory." I am, dear friends, Your affectionate Pastor, BIBLE PRINTING. In the evidence given during the early part of this Session before the Select Committee on the Queen's printers' patent, the annual production of Bibles in this country is estimated by Mr. Knight, at between 2,000,000 and 3,000,000 of copies. The books for which there is the next largest permanent demand are said to be "Shakspeare," and, perhaps, "The Pilgrim's Progress;" but it is not considered that more than 20,000 copies of "Shakspeare" are sold in a year. It appears that there was, until of late years, much carelessness in printing the Bible. So recently as 1851 Principal Lee stated, "I do not know any book of which it is so difficult to find a very correct edition as the English Bible." The Bibles now issued from the Universities and by the Queen's printers are very accurate; the Oxford printers offer a guinea for the discovery of any mistake. But some of the Bibles allowed (on account of having notes) to be printed by private printers have verbal inaccuracies, and there are errors in some Bibles which have been published in Scotland, where Bible printing is free to all, but under supervision. In the United States a preference is given to English editions printed by authority, because it is considered a greater security for the correctness of the text; and the preference cannot be wondered at, when we find a printer stating before this Committee that an edition of the Bible with notes was issued by a private printer in England and got into extensive circulation, and it was proposed to print it in Scotland under the authority of the Bible Board; but they found so many errors in it that they rejected it, and so the "copies had to be exported!" Printers state in their evidence that there is great difficulty in attaining correctness with regard to the italics; one improvement proposed has been that of printing within brackets the words neces⚫ sary to make up the sense, instead of printing them in italics. A London publisher told the Committee that he anticipates that stereotype plates of the Bible will, on the repeal of the paper duty, be sent hence to Germany, and the Bibles printed there for importation into this country; the inducement being the cheapness of paper in Germany, in consequence of the practical prohibition of the exporta tion of rags. The Sustentation Fund.-Dr. Buchanan | pared the last year by the late Rev. W. A. (the moderator) read the Sustentation Fund Macy, it is stated that 'the total period of Report. It stated that the whole sum col- labour of the thirty-nine who have died in lected was £109,172 188. 7d., and that, after the work is two hundred and forty-one deductions, the equal dividend to be given to 723 ministers was £135. years, or an average of six and one-fifth years to each.' 'The total period of labour of the sixty-nine who have retired is three hundred and seventy-eight years, or an average of five and one-half years to each.' "These are startling results; but figures tell a plain story, and the weeping hearts of their fellow missionaries, and of many loved friends in our native land corroborate their truth. Within the short space of five months Mr. Macy, who prepared the list above referred to, and Rev. W. Aitchim, his associate in labour at this port, were both cut down while in the prime of life, and in the early morning of their missionary labours. They had learned the language in a sufficient degree to be very useful. Their armour was girded on, and they were ready and eager, if so the will of God was, to serve the Master in publishing his Gospel among these heathen. Their hoped God would have wrought much by their hands for the redemption of China. Alas! our strong rods are broken and withered. We remember also the yet recent deaths of Mr. Quarterman of Ningpo, of Mr. French of Canton, and of Mr. Sandeman at Amoy. All of these were in the prime of life and in the midst of useful Ar the recent meeting of Synod, in Edin-death is an occasion of grief to all. We burgh, Mr. M'Gill read a Report on Denominational Statistics. It stated that four new congregations had been added to the 533 reported last year, making the entire number under the care of the Synod 537. The aggregate income of the Church for strictly congregational purposes was £145,932; of which there had been paid for the liquidation of debt £19,151; the income for missionary and benevolent purposes was £44,119-making the total income for all The average purposes £190,052. paid by each member of the Church was £1 38. 5d. sum MISSIONARY LIFE IN CHINA. A very important letter on this subject was written for the New York Observer, in November last, by a resident at Shanghai. The statements therein made respecting the short lives of missionaries who go to China are very startling and very sad. He says, labours. "While recalling so many early deaths which, sad as they are, are no strange thing among us in the history of Chinese missions, it is not unnatural to inquire whether all from Western nations suffer in like manner? It may be interesting to some of your readers to note a few statistics, which I have collected from the tombstones of a company of Roman Catholic Priests from European nations, mostly from France. There is without the South gate of the city of Shanghai a little enclosure, where from time to time these "It is well known to those interested in priests have been interred. I have been China Missions that this climate is un- curious to read the inscriptions and to favourable to foreigners, rendering the observe the time of their labours in this average term of missionary labour very land, as compared with those of Protestant short. In connection with a list of 'Pro- missionaries. There are two groups of testant Missionaries to the Chinese' pre-names; one of those who died during the |