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 ^0VASC0TI4 
 
 PROVINCE HOUSE 
 
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 PRQOEEDINGS 
 
 IM THE TORffilATXOM 
 
 OF THE 
 
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 GLASGOW SOCIETY 
 
 FOR PBOMOTINO 
 
 THE INTERESTS OF RELIGION AND OF LIBERAL EDUCATION, 
 
 .Js^r AMONO 
 
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 IN THE 
 
 Kort^ 5ar etican 
 
 
 WITH AN 
 
 ADDRESS 
 
 BY THE COMMITTEE. 
 
 ^LASGOW, 
 
 I'RINTED BV ANDREW YOUNG, 96, TR0N9ATE. 
 1827. 
 
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 PROCEEDINGS, 
 
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 At a Meeting held in tJie Session-house of Greyfriars Chapel, 
 Glasgow, on Friday the Twenty-ninth day of September, 
 One thousand eight hundred and twer^^^^/ears. 
 
 The Rev. Db. FERRIER, of Paisley, was called 
 
 the Meeting by Prayer, 
 
 totfiWht 
 
 air; wlio opened 
 
 An Extract from the Minutes of the United Secession Church, relative to 
 the formation of a Society in aid of the Pictou Acrdemical Institution, and of 
 the Presbyterian Church of Nova Scotia, was then read by the Rev. William 
 KiDSTON, of Glasgow ; and, after some observations from Mr. Kidston, and 
 from Dr. Macculloch, 
 
 It was Resolved unanimously, on the Motion of the Rev. Hugh Hecgh 
 of Glasgow, seconded by William M'Gavin, Esq. Banker, That a Society 
 be formed in Glasgow, according to the recommendation of Synod. 
 
 A Draught of a Set of Regulations for the Society was then read ; when 
 it was moved by Mr. Kidston, seconded by the Rev. Robert Muter of Glas- 
 gow, and Resolved una.iimously, That these should form a Basis for the Laws 
 and Regulations of the Society, but should be referred to the Committee of 
 Management of the Society after nominated, to revise, and approve, after such 
 alterations as might appear to them proper. 
 
 The following Board of Direction was then read and approved of; and it 
 was agreed that the persons named should form the Directors and Managers 
 of the Society for the first year. 
 
 '\ 
 
 / 
 
J^l 
 
 Will li^Wii— p I la^li 
 
 ROBERT HOOD, Esq. Merchant. 
 WILLIAM SNELL, Esq. Manufueturer. 
 WILLIAM M' GAVIN, Esq. Banker. 
 WILLIAM lilDDELL, Esq. Merchant. 
 ANDREW MITCHELL, Esq. Write-. 
 
 Commfttee o£ ;^ana3cmcnti 
 
 Rev. Drs. Dick, 
 Ewing, 
 Wardlaw ; 
 Rev. Messrs. Muter, 
 
 Campbell, 
 
 Macfarlane, 
 
 Brodie, 
 
 Barr, 
 
 Thomson, 
 
 Heugh, 
 
 Brash, 
 
 Beatt] 
 Jo 
 Str] 
 Tur 
 
 eatti^^ 
 
 Messrs. John M'Gavin, 
 Andrew Brocket. 
 William Flemin^^ 
 Matthew Anderson, 
 Thomas Hart, 
 Thomas Mitcl.ell, 
 Robert M'Lellan, 
 Robert Thomson, 
 William Nelson, 
 John M'Innes, 
 Malcolm M'Callum, 
 Robert Moncrieff, 
 William Gilfillan, 
 John Gibson. 
 
 Rev. WILLIAM KIDSTON, JOHN MITCHELL, D. D. 
 
 Cr^aiiurer, 
 
 WILLIAM LIDDELL, Jun. Esq. 
 
 JOHN MITCHELL. 
 
 The Meeting then nominated the Chairman, and the Rev. Mr. Elles, of 
 Saltcoats, (a Clergyman pres.»nt,) to become corresponding Members of the 
 Society. 
 
 A Committee was appointed to furnish the Rev. Dr. MacCuUoch with an 
 authentic Extract of this Minute. 
 
 On the Motion of Mr. Heugh. it was unanimously and cordially agreed, 
 that this Meeting express their high esteem and regard for their visitor, Dr. 
 MacCulloch.-unite in wishing him a safe and prosperous return to the scene 
 of his usefulness,-and in earnestly desiring the advancement of religion and 
 literature throughout Nova Scotia, and the other British Provinces of North 
 America,— which was accordingly done from the Chair. 
 
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 The Chairmain was then asked to leave the Chair, which wa« taken by 
 William M'Gavin, Esq. ; when, on the Motion of Mr. Muter, the Meeting 
 expressed their cordial thanks to Dr. Ferrier, for his excellent conduct in the 
 Chair, so much in accordance \vith the object of the Meeting, and with the 
 happy spirit of all present. 
 
 The Meeting closed with Prayer by Mr. M'Gavii). 
 
 Within the Grcyfriar's Session-house, on Friday the twenty-seventh 
 day of October, eighteen hundred and twenty-six. 
 
 Met several of the Members of Committee, called by Circular. 
 The Rev. Mr. BRODIE in the Chair. 
 The Minutes of last Meeting were read over. 
 'T'he Committee appointed at last Meeting reported that Dr. MacCulloch 
 hi6 ?-jefi furni')hed with an authentic Extract of the procedure, regularly sub- 
 
 Tib 
 
 I'hc Meetintf, cons'iJering that it would be proper, for the purpose of hav- 
 ing: the Regulations i)ronosed at last Meeting, more fully before the Members 
 0*" Committee, ere tliey wtre called upon to sanction them, that this Meeting 
 be adjouinsu fur a shoil ii.no, — Therefore they agr^^ktdjourn the same ac- 
 cording'/, Mr.:^l Mordf.y fhe thirteenth day of Novefl^Bext, at two o'Clock, 
 P. Ivi. And Lhe Secretaries are instructed, in the i^^^ff, to get 50 copies of 
 the Draugi.t of the Laws thrown off by the Lithographic Press, and to circu- 
 late these amonj- the Members of Committee, in order that they may, each 
 for himself, go over these, and come prepared, at next Meeting, with what 
 may occur to them by way of addition or amendment. 
 
 With these copies, the Secretaries are instructed to intimate the adjourn- 
 ment to thi Members, and request a full attendance on the above day. 
 
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 Within the Grey friars Session-house, on Monday the thirteenth 
 of November 1826. 
 
 Met the following Members of Committee — Rev. Dr. Dick, Rev. Messrs. 
 Macfarhuie, Heugb, Johnston, Struthers; and Messrs. Wm. Fleming, Matthew 
 Anderson, Lauchlan Muchart, Robert Thomson, John M'Innes, Malcolm 
 M'Callum, and John Gibson, — with the Secretaries and Clerk. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Ewing (Partick) was also present, and took a part in the 
 proceedings. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. MACFARLANE in the Chair. 
 
 The previous Minutes of Meetings were read ovei by the Clerk 
 
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 ""^^el^SiflWt^ii^wK^iMWSrt*^- 
 
• 
 
 1 
 
 The Meeting then proceeded to the consideration of the Regulations of the 
 Society, for the purpose of revising and approving which they had been called 
 together,— when, after observations from several Members, and some discui- 
 sion, it was unanimously agreed that the Laws and Regulation." of the Society 
 should stand as follow; and that, in conformity lo them, the business of the 
 Society should be carried on, at least till the first Public Meeting— viz. 
 
 I. This Society shall be called " The Glasgow Society for Pbomotino 
 THE Interests of Reuoton anh Liberal Education among the Settlers 
 IN thb North American Provinces." 
 
 II. The special object of the Society, in the mean time, shall be to coun- 
 tenance and assist the Missionary labours of the Presbyterian Church in Nova 
 Scotia, and the Academical Institution of Pictou, in their endeavours to pro- 
 mote the best interests of the British Settlers of the North American Provinces, 
 by supplying them with Native Preachers, and the means of liberal and religi- 
 ous instruction. 
 
 III. These objects shall be accomplished by correspondence and intercourse 
 with the Church in those parts, and with the Trustees of the PiOtou Academy; 
 by sending grants of Bibles, as well as books on religion and general education; 
 by pecuniary contributions; and by such other means as to the Society shaU 
 seem proper. 
 
 IV The Society JB^reafcer have at least one President, and two Vice- 
 Presidents, who, witlSfcss than five Clergymen, and five from the laity,- 
 Secretary, or Secrctaries,-Treasurer and Clerk, shall form the Committee of 
 Management,-Five of their number being a quorum. The Committee to 
 meet on the second Monday of January, April, July, and October. 
 
 V The Design of the Society being to promote the interests of all classes 
 of Christians in the Provinces, the Society shall be open to the fiiends of re- 
 lision and Liberal Education of all denominations; and the Grants of the bo- 
 ciety shall be communicated through the Committee of Missions of the Neva 
 Scotian Church, and the Trustees of the Pictou Academy. 
 
 VI. Every Subscriber of Ten Shillings and Sixpence annually to this Soci- 
 ety, and every Donor of Books of the value of One Guinea annually, shall be 
 a member of the Society; and a Subscriber of Two Guineas annual y, or of Ten 
 Guineas at one time, shall be an Honorary Member of the Committee of Man- 
 agement. 
 
 VII. The existing Committee of Management shall summon a General 
 Meeting of all friendly to the objects of the Society, as soon as this sh.U seem 
 Tr per; and, thereafter, such a General Meeting shall be held an-al y, ^or s 
 often a circumstances may seem to require.) called by the ^ecretaiy i beue- 
 taries; at w^iich a Report of the Society's procedure '^^ '"^^ l^^ l^^^^^, 
 exhibited, and Office-bearers chosen for.the following year by vote of the mem 
 bers present. 
 
 4 
 
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 -i i4iii iii <iii i i t i « 
 
 i- 
 
VIII. Ministers of Congregations, whether Members or Office-bearera of 
 the Society or not, shall be requested, so far as may seem to them practicable 
 and expedient, to make occasional Collections in aid of the Society, and the 
 Ministers who do so shall be accounted Members of Committee for the years 
 in which such Collections are made; and both Ministers and laymen shall be 
 solicited to aid the Society, and extend the sphere of its operations, by procur- 
 ing Subscriptions and Donations of Money or Books, and by endeavouring to 
 form local corresponding Societies, or to procure grants of Money or Booki 
 from Religious and Educational Associations already existing. 
 
 The Meeting then Resolved, and order that the foregoing Laws and Regu- 
 lations, as now amended and approved, be printed and prefixed to Subscription 
 Papers, one copy of each to be given to every member of Committee, with an 
 earnest request that he would use his best exertions to procure Subscribers, 
 or Donors of Money or Books, in aid of the Society. 
 
 The Meeting, farther, considering that it might promote the general objects 
 of the Society, and was in accordance with its Rules, that the procedure at 
 these Meetings should be, as far as possible, rendered public,— not only as an 
 example and encouragement to the friends of the cause in other places, to or- 
 ganize similar Societies, either auxiliary to, or independent of, this Society; but 
 for the purpose of procuring Grants'of money or books from Associations already 
 existing,— recommend to and instruct the Secretaries to get copies of the fore- 
 going Laws and Regulations printed, which should Jw circulated among the 
 various Ministers and Congregations throughout Jms^"^' interested in the 
 cause of Religion and liberal Education among theTolWiists of Nor*h America, 
 —coupled with a short Address, explanatory of the objects and design of the 
 Society. 
 
 The Secretaries are appointed to draw up such Address, which they under- 
 take to do. 
 
 The Meeting was closed with prayer by Mr. Heugh. 
 
rm 
 
 H 
 
 
ADDRESS. 
 
 There are aome considerations, which, it would seem, are al- 
 most Beif-evident, and will cone home, at once, to the coinnion 
 sense, and to the common feelings of mimkind. 
 
 One of these is, that those " who have borne thu burden and 
 heat of the day," in any useful vfork, particularly in any great an i 
 holy enterprise, should be the ^'i o exneri»mce the favour of 
 their friends, and of the public. — A .iothor is, that they who have 
 laboured long' in any country, especially iu any newly-settled 
 Colony, where the state of soc" 'y is peculiar and perpetually 
 ehifting, are the most competent judges of what is best adapted to 
 promote the interests of its inhabitants; and that their opinion, 
 being the fruit of matured experience, ought to have the great' '^i 
 weight in deciding upon any measures, which may be intended 
 to ameliorate the condition of the inhabitants. — A third posi- 
 tion of this character is, that liberal education is, of inestimable 
 advantage to any community; and, in order that all clitsses may 
 enjoy the benefit of it, it is desirable, that it be entirely unfettered 
 by religious tests, or by civil and political restrictions. — And tii^ 
 last of them is, thut Missionaries born and trained up in any 
 country, especially in any new settlement which may have been 
 formed under a climate of particular temperature, are best fitted 
 for that (5cene, — for meetinff the exigencies of that community, 
 and for evangelizing Its members. 
 
 Of these maxims hai'dly any one, we believe, will be questioned, 
 for a moment, by any candiii or rei!ecting mind. The first h a 
 dictate of justice and equity. The second is a rule of wisdo n and 
 prudence. The third is founded upon sound policy, and all exper- 
 ience; for learning, as the heathen poet says, liberalizes the mind, 
 and polishes the manners; — leariing led the way to tiie blessed 
 Reformation, and followed in IiS train; — learning exalts the char- 
 acter of man, opens new sources of the most refined gratifi< iion 
 
 }~ 
 
10 
 
 »,o the mind, accelerates the career of improvement in civil society, 
 ministers to the propagation of the gospel, and enlarges the pros- 
 pects of the human heing to an indefinite extent. Nor is the 
 fourth principle less obvious, or incontrovertible. By adopting 
 this rule, the cost of the Mission is, in every case, greatly di- 
 minished ; many of che contingencies, which deeply affect its in- 
 terests, are avoided; the waste of human health and life is spar- 
 ed; and an agency is obtained, which,— being founded upon an 
 intimate krowledge of the localities of the country, as well as of 
 the manners and customs, the tempers and habits, the opinions, 
 arrangements and associations of the people, — is both more appro- 
 priate, and promises to be more efficient. ^ 
 
 On these views this Society is founded, and on these it^sts its 
 claim to the support of liberal men, and of the christian public of 
 all denominations. Nor will it be necessary to say much, in or- 
 der to illustrate their application to its scene, and to its objects. 
 
 It has, we think, been justly remarked concerning Nova Scotia, 
 in the latest account of that country which is now before ns, 
 that, of all the foreign dependencies of the British Empire, it is 
 the one of which we know least. Situated between the 43 and 
 46 degree of northern latitude, it is necessarily subjected to great 
 rigour of cold in winter; and, like countries which have been re- 
 cently occupied, and are but partially cleared and cultivated, it 
 is also liable to extreme heats in summer. No accurate enum- 
 eration of the inhabitants of the whole Province has yet been 
 taken; but, from the census of one portion made by Government, 
 we may conjecture, on probable grounds, that the population 
 amouuts to betwixt 3 and 400,000. And, as happens in all new 
 settlements where the means of subsistence are easily obtained, 
 it is augmenting in a ratio of which we have no example in the 
 old countries of Europe; and that, not chiefly by the influx of 
 emigrants, bi^t by the extraordinary increase of the native inhab- 
 itants. The Established religion is Episcopacy. All the inhabi- 
 tants who do not conform to its rites, although they constitute 
 by far the majority of the community, are regarded, (not except- 
 ing even those who profess to belong to the Church of Scotland,) 
 as dissenters, and made to feel that thev are less favoured. Beside 
 ample funds for their own ecclesiastical institutions, the adherents 
 of the dominant party are possessed of the only Collegiate Semi- 
 nary in the Province which is permanently endowed, and which, 
 
while it commixnds a large revenue, is, at the •amc time, exclu- 
 sive in its statutes, and of course, must be comparatively circum- 
 scribed in its operations and benefits. For it is not to be expected, 
 that honourable and conscientious parents will consent that their 
 children, in the very beginning of their literary course, shaU, 
 openly and solemnly, renounce their religious profession and 
 connections for a privilege, which ought not to be so restricted; 
 which may perhaps be had elsewhere, though with less tempting 
 prospects of preferment; and which, at any rate, can be wanted. 
 The Head of the favoured Church and Seminary, however, if we 
 may judge from a casting vote, which he is reported to have lately 
 given, in the presiding Council of the province, against the Pictou 
 Institution, seems determined to maintain the ascendancy which 
 both have acquired, and to oppose the establishment of a system 
 of unfettered education. The legislative assembly, indeeu, whose 
 members are chosen by the suffrages of the pubUc, as well as 
 many of the leading civilians, are both liberal and impartial, and 
 disposed to befriend the free system of the College of Pictou; but 
 they have found themselves opposed, in all their decisions of this 
 sort, by party feeling, and the prejudices or partialities of the few 
 have thwarted the liberal designs and the enlightened pohcy of 
 the many, while they have also counteracted the wishes of the 
 great majority of the inhabitants. 
 
 Canada, as every one knows, is a much larger Province; 
 and as the stream of emigration, from this country as well as from 
 the United States, has, of late years, been almost entirely directed 
 to this quarter, it is filling up faster. Of the amount of its popu- 
 lation, we dare not hazard even a conjecture, although there can 
 be no question, that it far exceeds the other. The greater portion 
 of its inhabitants is Roman Catholic; but here, as in the other 
 Colony, Episcopacy is the religion of the State, though its ad- 
 herents, we believe, aie also compar iively few. 
 
 That the minds of Britons, and of christians, should have been 
 powerfully turned to the improvement of the condition of their 
 countrymen in these distant regions, and particularly to the pro- 
 pagation of the gospel among them, is not surprising. But this 
 entei-prise, while it is benevolent and patriotic in a high degree, 
 is attended with considerable difficulties, arising from the nature 
 of the climate, from the character of the society, and f om the 
 state of the population, dispersed as it is in cottages, in hamleti, 
 
12 
 
 and in villages, far remote from each other, situated amid dense 
 woods and trackless wilds. 
 
 In conducting this labour of love and of mercy in Nova Scotia, 
 many have deserved well of their country, and of the cliurch of 
 God. But, while every idea of invidious distinction is disclaimed, 
 it mny be useful to select one or tico evamples for illnstration. The 
 Rev. Dr. M'Gregor, a nativ i of the north of Scotland, who, with 
 the concurrence of persons of different denominations in this 
 country, went forth, at an early period of the history of the Colony, 
 to carry the glad tidings of salvation to his countrymen, particu- 
 larly to the Highlanders settled there, and has been labouring 
 among them for about forty years, — may be regarded as, in 
 some respects, the Apostle of the Province. Few can realize 
 distinctly, and perhaps none can fully estimate, the hardships 
 with which he has struggled, as well as the christian heroism 
 and patience he has displayed, in traversing the forests of that 
 distant and then uncultivated land; in visiting the scattered 
 habitations of those " who dwell solitary in the woods ;" in draw- 
 ing, by the exercise of an holy ingenuity, into relig ous conversa- 
 tion, or alluring- to the sound of the gospel, those Avho had been 
 long unaccustomed to the former, and of whom not a few, we 
 may presume, had ceased to take interest in the latter. But he 
 persevered, amid discouragements v/hich would have overcome 
 almost every other man; he has seen of the fruit of his " sore tra- 
 vail;" and though " the beginnings were small, yet the latter end 
 has greatly increased." And, by the consent of all enlightened 
 and impartial men, of all denominations in the Province, Dr. 
 M'Culloch, wl at an early period of his residence there, success- 
 fully pled the cause of the Protestant faith, and lias since benefit- 
 ted the Colony in various ways, both by his writings, and by his 
 efforts in the cause of liberal education and evangelical truth, — is 
 accounted one of its best benefactors; while, in point of learning 
 and of worth, he is, doubtless, also one of its brightest ornaments. 
 The College of Pictou is the offspring of the united wisdom, and 
 the object of the ardent wishes of both these eminent characters; 
 and we may add, (as appears from the documents which have been 
 lately laid before the British public,) of the friends of unrestricted 
 education, and of liberal policy, among all classes of the community 
 in that Province. Nor is this wonderful. For, formed upon the 
 model of the University op Glasgoav, which is so justly regard- 
 
 iiniwimwiiilWl 
 
 npMw 
 
18 
 
 ed by our citizena with partiality, it opens to all, without distinc- 
 tion or exception, the paths of science; and presents to men of all 
 persuasions in religion, the means of obtainin j a complete classical 
 and philosophical education, uncircumscribed by religious disabili- 
 ties, and untainted by the spirit of party. The theological cIms, 
 connected with this institution, may be regarded as a Home-Mis- 
 sioTtartj Society, in which those who are about to be sent forth to 
 preach the gospel to their countrymen, receive an appropriate, 
 and an evangelical education. The Presbyterian Church of Nova 
 Scotia, to which both the above estimable men belong, and which 
 consists of about 30 settled congregations, with a more than pro- 
 portional number of stations and of vacancies, holds the public 
 standards, and of course the constitutional principles of the Church 
 of Scotland, both in point of order and of doctrine, excluding 
 those unhappy causes, which have produced such wide and last- 
 ing division in this our native country. Founded upon a broad 
 scriptural basis, it was formed to bring into happy concord evan- 
 gelical Presbyterians of all denominations, without compromising 
 any principle, or wounding any conscience; and, in point of fact, it 
 embraces ministers who formerly belonged to the Church of Scot- 
 land, as well as to different dissenti-ig Associations in this coun- 
 try. Indeed, at first, so extensive and almost entire was the har- 
 mony, that it included all the Ministers of our national Church in 
 the province except one; and stili comprehends all, except a few. 
 And to this Church there is attached a Mission-Committee, which 
 is expressly designed to provide, by domestic supplies, for domestic 
 wants ; aad to arrange the means of evangelizing the province. So 
 liberal, it may also be remarked, is the spirit of this Committee, 
 that provision has been made by them, several years ago, for assist- 
 ing even those Presbyterians, whose scruples may not allow them 
 immediately to join the communion of the Nova Scotian Church, 
 in obtaining ministers from their own connections in the mother 
 country.— an arrangement founded, no doubt, upon the wise prin- 
 ciple, and che affectionate hope, that they who may thus be engag- 
 ed to go over, will enter the province with kindly feelings towards 
 those who are already there ; and may be induced, upon seeing 
 the state of matters, either to join their brethren who so liberally 
 aided their mission, or at le: * to carry on their evangelical work 
 in the spirit of holy amity, without that bitterness of party feeling 
 and that animosity, which are usuaUy connected with the prosecu- 
 
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 tion of religious division upon the scene where it originated, even 
 when the views of persons, or of societies, greatly approximate. 
 We shall only add, that, as Nova Scotia lies contiguous to Canada, 
 and as the transition from the one country *.o the other by sea is easy 
 and txpeditious ; this Mission-Committee and the Church to which 
 it belongs enjoy the best facilities for diffusing the gospel among 
 the inhabitants of that province also ; and doubtless, were liberal 
 support afforded from this country, they would soon aid mightily 
 in this good work also, while to advai.ce it, we are assured, would 
 be their joy and their glory. Bidding *' God speed" to all others 
 who carry the gospel of salvation thither, they would seek, by con- 
 curring in the holy enterprise, to share, themselves, in the hap- 
 piness, and the honour, which belong to its successful execution. 
 
 Such briefly are the history, and the character, and the hopes, 
 of those Institutions, on behalf of which this Society has been formed. 
 Of the capability of the Pictou College to give a liberal education 
 to those who attend its various classes, and especially to fit its 
 Theological Students for the work of Evangelists, the literary hon- 
 ours, and the public acceptance, which several of its licentiates ob- 
 tained lately in this country, are satisfactory proofs ; — and to shew 
 the importance of employing native preachers in that country, as 
 well as their peculiar adaptation to the state of society, to the se- 
 verity of the climate, to the fatigues, and occasionally to the dan- 
 gers attendant upon the diffusion of f\e gospel in that settlement, 
 we shall, in conclusion, quote a passage from the authentic journal 
 of one of these interesting, able, and devoted yoimg Heralds of the 
 cross, addressed to a friend in this country, — and, beside other 
 inferences, which the perusal will suggest to the reflecting reader, 
 we are assured, it will convince him of the propriety of encourag- 
 ing such Missions, and supporting such Missionaries. 
 
 " On the 12th October 1825, sailed from Pictou, in a small 
 schooner deeply loaded with fish. After getting on a ledge of 
 rocks at the N. W. Cape of Prince Edward's Island, in a heavy 
 gale of wind, at midnight, and being almost miraculously saved 
 by Providence from being dashed to pieces by a heavy surf on a 
 lee shore, arrived on the 24th at Carlile, a small settlement near 
 the mouth of the bay on the Canadian side. Mr. Hough, here, 
 an Episcopalian, is the only Protestant Clergyman of any descrip- 
 tion in the bay, from Gaspe, the extreme point of land on the 
 
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 Canadian side, to Point Miscore, on the New Brun^mck side, a 
 circuit little short of 300 miles. In that distance, however, there 
 are 7 or 8 Catholic Priests, and perhaps nearly double that number 
 of Chapels. The greater part of the English settlers in the Bay 
 call themselves P eshyterians; but, except Mr. Rodgson, former- 
 ly of our Synod, who had been wandering for some time around 
 part of its coasts, I Avas the first preacher, calling himself Pres- 
 byterian, that had visited them, since Mr. Dripps was there, up- 
 wards of 20 years ago." — " Preachea during the Mission 3 weeks, 
 Sabbaths and Wednesdays, at Carlile, to an audience of from 70 
 to 90 persons. One Sabbath, and one week-day, at New Rich- 
 mond, 10 leagues farther up the same side of the bay, to a most 
 attentive audience of 60 or 70 persons, principally emigrants 
 from .he West of Scotland." " Preached 3 weeks. Sabbaths and 
 Wednesdays, at Restijouche, 60 miles farther up than Richmond, 
 and at the head of the Bay, to an audience oi' nearly 100 of most 
 attentive hearers. One day at Eel river, 30 miles down the New 
 Brunswick side, to about 14 persons. Three sabbaths, and a 
 number of other days, at Bathurst, or Nipissighit, to 50 or 60 
 hearers, 50 miles below Eel river. One sabbath at Rocheshaw, 
 or new Banden, 20 miles farther down, to about 40 persons- 
 baptized 25 children. — Travelled on the coasts of the Bay, chiefly 
 on foot, toith a man hired for the double purpose of carrying my lug- 
 gage, cmd condticting me through the woods, about 200 miles; and on 
 my return to Pictou, in Uie end of January, about 350 more— in all 
 afier my landing in die Bay, betuxen 5 and 600 miles, all either im 
 foott or on horseback. On one part of my route, viz. fi-om the 
 bay to Miriamichi, /travelled through the forest, toith the snoto about 
 14 inches deep, from Monday morning till Wednesday afternoon, 
 without seeing a house, and camping in the woods at night. In these 
 days, we travelled 80 miles. With all its difficulties, however, I 
 never performed a Mission with more true satisfaction. My la- 
 bours were most gratefully received; and I never before saw so 
 many persons listening with tears in their eyes, to the precious pro- 
 clamations of the gospel of Christ, as I repeatedly saw at Chaleur 
 bay. The private conversations, likewise, which I had with ma- 
 ny, particularly with those who applied for baptism, were such as 
 I trust I sJmll remember, unth much interest and gratitude to God, 
 while my recollection lasts. The Mission has, I think, been blest 
 to myself, and I hope it has been to them also. May the Lord 
 
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 «f the vineyard multiply the number, the endowments, and biic- 
 ceas of his labourers, till the wilderness and these solitary places 
 be all made fflads uud till our American, as well as other deserts, 
 * rejoice and blossom as the rose.' " 
 
 WILLIAM KIDSTON, \ ^ , . 
 JOHN MITCHELL, \^^^^*- 
 
 In a few day.', you will be waited on for a Subscription. 
 
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