we thought unsafe, and drove to a smaller inn at the further end of the town, of which, as they expected no visitors, they had filled the upper story with grain. They soon cleared two rooms-one for the four gentlemen, and a smaller one for the lady. The Deniarch of the town and several respectable individuals, to some of whom Mr. Lowndes had letters, immediately appeared and treated us with great kindness indeed. The Deniarch sent his best mattresses to be laid on the floor-for the Grecian khans are not provided with such luxuries-also fish, eggs, bread, &c. Until our viands should be prepared we went, accompanied by a crowd of people, who, however, did not press upon us, but behaved very respectfully, to see the most ruinous parts of the town. I can convey to you no adequate idea of the deso lation. We were pointed to a line of houses diverging from the main street, every one of which was levelled to the ground, excepting the one next to the market-place, which had been one of the best, of three stories. Every floor of this, as well as the roof, had fallen; the whole of the plaster was shaken down or hanging in mere patches; the walls were rent in every direction, many of the largest stones broken transversely, and not merely shaken apart from one another. Throughout, the whole town, which is inhabited by probably 4,500 inhabitants, was injured less or more; not a house had escaped being damaged to some extent. One of the gentlemen pointed with a sad look to the ruins of his own house, level with the street. He told us that he himself was providentially in the street at the time of the earthquake; that he saw his house in a moment tumble to the ground, burying in its ruins his wife and twin children of eight months old, whom she was rocking in one cradle; that he succeeded in rescuing his wife who, strange to say, was very little hurt, but that both his tender children were found dead before they could extricate them. In the course of one minute about twenty souls were thus hurried into eternity, and the mortality must have been much greater had it not occurred in the daytime, when most of the people were on the plain attending to their fields or flocks. As it was, the event had been of a most appalling nature,-all the more so, because it was quite unexpected. There had been no earthquake at Thebes for many years previously. Having inquired of many their varied casualties and dangers, and offered such consolations as their cases required, we retired to our inn to supper; after which we again went out, and under the bright moonlight traversed the main and back streets of the town. We found the greater number of the people sleeping out of doors, under tents, fearing a repetition of their dangers in the night; and they had abundant reason, for during the whole time we were there we were sensible of a tremour of the ground beneath our feet, resembling that of a steamer, though to a slighter degree. The people told us that motion had not ceased from the time of the first shock, about six weeks previous." 1181128743 85 10 8 80 2 6 10023 73 00 00 Mr. Robt. Stephenson 1 Regent's-square, Church collection Congregational Associ ation Brampton Church, collection. Whitehaven, ditto.. ditto... ditto.... ditto...... ditto..... ditto.. ditto.. Newcastle, Groat Market, ditto.... Trinity, ditto.. 10 0 0 Mr.W. C. Mar shall Bavington, Church collection... 5 0 20 0 12 0 1 14 Birdhope Craig, ditto.... 3 4 Felton, Harbottle, ditto.... 3 1 4 7 Thropton, ditto.... 110 5 Warrenford, Wooler, ditto.. £571 8 0 LEEDS CHURCH BUILDING FUND. THE Committee of this fund wish us to intimate to their subscribers that they have purchased an eligible site for a church; and, as they purpose commencing building operations at an early date, they will feel greatly obliged by parties forwarding the amount of their subscriptions to the treasurer, S. R. Mathers, Esq., Rudstrode, near Leeds; or, to their bankers, Messrs. Beckett and Co., Leeds. A list of sums received will appear in an 114 9 early number of the "Messenger." Presbyteries' Proceedings. PRESBYTERY OF LONDON. The Rev. Dr. Turs Presbytery met at 51, Great Ormond- Dr. Hamilton reported that the station at Dalston was opened on Sabbath, November 13; that up to the present time the attendance had been very encouraging; that forty-five sittings were let; and on last Sabbath the collection amounted to 16s. Mr. Hugh M. Matheson was added to the temporary Session at Windsor. [For account of the progress of the congregation, see "Local Intelligence."] in the Committee's report. Mr. Stewart moved, Mr. Fraser sceonded, and the Presbytery unanimously adopted the following Resolution, of which a copy was ordered to be transmitted to Mr. Wilson: "The Presbytery having heard the Report of the Committee appointed at last ordinary Meeting to consider a letter from Mr. Wilson, requesting steps to be taken for restoration to ministerial status, received the Report, approved the diligence of the Committee, and agree to adopt its recommendations, viz., 1st, That in all the circumstances of the case, while the Presbytery would throw no obstacles in the way of Mr. Wilson's regaining his former status, in accordance with their former sentence, they deem it desirable both for little longer time be afforded to render the Mr. Wilson's sake and their own, that a way of both clear in the matter. 2d, That both his position and theirs would be more favourable after time shall have been given to fulfil his determination to remove all pecuniary difficulties. Presbytery recommend to Mr. Wilson 3d, The first to apply for admission as a member of the congregation in which he worships, as an indispensable preliminary. The MoCommittee on Session Records and Dea derator, Mr. Terras, as Convener of the cons' Court's Books, gave in a Report to the effect that these books had been proMr. Keedy reported that an effort was in progress for re-opening the congrega-cliffe and Etal, and some of the Deacons' duced with the exception of those of Horntional school at John Knox's Church, books; that those which had been produced were examined and found neatly and correctly kept, with slight exceptions, noted, to be corrected; and in the case of Information was given that the Communion Rolls of the congregations in the Presbytery would be called for at next Meeting. Collections for the College were reported to have been made in several congregations: others were about to be taken. Professor Lorimer again introduced the subject of school extension; and a conversation arose with regard to the congregations within the bounds, that are yet unprovided with schools. stepney. Mr. Ballantyne stated, that in connexion with his congregation at London-wall, a district-school had lately been opened in Golden-lane, a wretched district in the vicinity of the church, and that they expected shortly to have a lay missionary employed upon it. Mr. Matheson reported on the state of the congregation at Brighton. The communion was dispensed recently to ninety communicants, being thirty more than on any occasion since the vacancy. The pulpit had been supplied for some weeks by the Rev. Mr. Burns, late of Madeira. The church had recently been cleaned and repaired, and the aspect of the congregation was encouraging. Mr. Duncan gave notice of a motion for next Meeting, that the records of sessions should be regularly produced for revision and attestation. The Court adjourned to meet on the second Tuesday in January. PRESBYTERY OF BERWICK. The the Deacons' Court book of Bankhill con- regular order, and produced so attested at A day of humiliation on account of the deficiency of the last harvests, and the existence of pestilence in the land, and of war abroad, was appointed to be held in the congregations of the Presbytery on the second Thursday (or the following Sabbath) of December. Next Meeting to be held at Berwick on the last Tuesday of February. Moor Session, as requested by Mr. since been adopted for carrying out the sugRyder. gestions respecting young men.] BRAMPTON.-A social Meeting of this conon Tuesday evening, gregation was held the 1st of November. Upwards of 300 sat down to tea in the large lecture-room under the Wesleyan Chapel. Parties were present from the various Churches in the town, and a most friendly feeling prevailed throughout the evening. The Meeting afterwards re-assembled in the Presbyterian Church, when addresses were delivered by James Mitchell, Esq., of Howgill Castle, who kindly officiated as Chairman; the Rev. Sir Henry Wellwood Moncrieff, Bart., Minister of Free St. Cuthbert's Church, Edinburgh; the Rev. Robert S. Drummond, Minister of the United Presbyterian Church, Carlisle; the Rev. William Gordon, Worthington; the Rev. Hugh Railton, Wesleyan Minister, Brampton; and the Rev. P. R. Crole, Minister of the congregation. Never has there been a more successful Meeting of the kind in Brampton. The church was filled to overflowing, and many had to go away who were unable to gain admission. The church here has lately been renewed, and a new vestry built; and we are glad to say the remaining debt has been cleared off by the surplus funds realized by the soirée. Jutelligence. LONDON-WALL YOUNG MEN'S SOCIETY. -On Friday evening, the 4th of November, a very interesting social Meeting of the members and friends of the Young Men's Association, in connexion with the Scots Church, London-wall, was held in the Guildhall hotel, Gresham-street, the Rev. William Ballantyne in the chair. The company consisted principally of young men, and the interest natural to the occasion was considerably enhanced by the attendance of representatives from the Young Men's Societies of Regent-square and Albion Chapel, and also of Mr. T. H. Tarleton, honorary secretary to the Young Men's Christian Association. After tea the chairman delivered a brief but encouraging address, in which he bore testimony to the advantages that had flowed, and which, he confidently anticipated, would still further flow, from the operations of the Society; and added some counsels calculated to impress and animate the minds of the members. Mr. Thomas Younger, secretary to the Association, then read a Report, embodying the leading principles of the Society, and a statement of its proceedings since April last. In this Report the great object of the Association was stated to be "the mutual improvement of its members in religious, literary, and scientific knowledge;" while another highly important end was that of "putting themselves in communication with similar societies in Scotland, by means of a corresponding secretary, and thus obtaining, as far as such means would avail, an acquaintance with young men arriving from Scotland, who, instead of the risk of being thrown among a dissolute class, were, as far as possible, kept within the range of those privileges which they enjoyed at home." The reading of the Report was followed by addresses from several members of the Association, and the gentlemen forming the deputations, and many excellent practical suggestions were interchanged. One point specially dwelt upon by almost all the speakers, was the importance of "laying hands," when ever the opportunity presented itself, upon those who are found neglecting their eternal interests, and especially on young men from Scotland, who may be in danger of losing their church-going habits: this was indeed the great practical lesson of the evening, and there is reason to hope that it may have produced an abiding impression upon those present. [We understand that special measures have YOUNG MEN'S SOCIETY, GROSVENORSQUARE CHURCH, MANCHESTER.-This Society held its twentieth anniversary in the Lecture-hall of the Church, Grosvenorsquare, on Monday evening, November 28, when there was an unusually numerous attendance, upwards of four hundred ladies and gentlemen being present. Mr. John Porteous, the President of the Society, occupied the chair. The Secretary read the Report for the past session, from which it appeared that the Society continues in a flourishing and prosperous condition. The Rev. Mr. Munro then delivered an admirable address, as on similar occasions in preceding years, "On the capture of Constantinople by the Turks in 1453, and its effects on the subsequent history of Western Europe." He recapitulated the antecedents of the army under Mahomet the Second, and described, with considerable effect, his last and successful attack on Constantinople, on the 29th May, 1453, when Hassan succeeded in mounting its walls, and waving his victorious signals, was mainly instrumental in effecting its capture. The city then became the capital of the Turkish power. He also referred to the richness of its libraries, both in ancient and succeeding authors; and said that in Constantinople literature took refuge, and retained its purity, till the Mussulman Sultan entered, brandishing the sword in the one hand, and the Koran in the other, when the monks, those custodiers of learning, necessarily had to disperse themselves, and flee from their academic bowers, on the banks of the Bosphorus, and find a refuge in fair Italy. He enlarged on this part of his subject, and pointed out the connexion between the conquest of Constantinople, and the reformation of religion-the spread of literature and science-the discovery of America, the passage to India by the Cape, &c. Mr. Munro concluded his eloquent address, which was received with frequent marks of applause, by adverting to the probability of Constantinople being again threatened; and hoped, if that seat is to change masters-if fall it should, it might not, at all events, be into the embrace of a beast having the paws of a bear. In the course of the evening excellent addresses were delivered by Mr. Lawson, Mr. Gow (vice-chairman), Mr. H. Sandeman, Mr. Lonsdale, Mr. Young, Mr. Cowan, Mr. King, Mr. Barbour, and the Rev. A. F. Kemp. the resuscitated spirit and the pleasing unanimity that have visited St. John's. Those who remembered the old celebrity of the place, the prosperity that once dwelt within its walls, felt a grateful satisfaction that the 'winter of their discontent' was passed away, and a glorious summer bursting upon them. A larger company sat down to tea than had for many years been witnessed in the place. W. K. Walmsley, Esq., was called to the chair, and on the platform were the Rev. Jos. Wood, Rev. P. P. Carpenter, Dr. Smith, Thomas Dakin, Esq., and C. Bowcock, Esq. After some remarks from the chairman, touching the delight he felt at witnessing such an assembly, Mr. Bowcock being called upon, expressed his gratitude to God for enabling him to enjoy the continued preaching of His Word in that time-honoured edifice, stating that, while twelve months ago their prospects were gloomy-they were now brighter than they were then foreboding; and they had every reason to believe that great things were yet in store for them. A vote of thanks, was passed unanimously to Robt. Barbour, Esq., for his munificent liberality towards St. John's. WINDSOR.-On Sabbath, December 18, the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was dispensed in the English Presbyterian Church here, being the first occasion since the ordination of the Rev. Henry Gamble as its minister. The services of the morning were conducted by him in a very able and impressive manner; in the evening the Rev. John Blakely, of Monaghan, late Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, preached a most appropriate and powerful discourse from Exodus xiv. 15, "Speak unto the children of Israel that they go forward." There were about forty communicants. Mr. Gillespie and Mr. Matheson officiated as elders. It was pleasing to see thirty soldiers present, more than half of whom remained during the whole service, and four joined the Church as members. A communion thus celebrated under the shadow of Windsor Castle, and with the Royal Standard waving over our heads, the worthy soldier (a native of Dunse,) having the care of that Standard, a member of our congregation, and some of the household of our gracious Lady the Queen sitting with us at the Lord's Table, is in wonderful contrast to the circum-taining four hundred persons. It is a Gothic stances under which our persecuted forefathers had so often to celebrate theirs. ORDINATION AND INDUCTION SERVICES. -The Reverend the Presbytery of Lancashire met upon Thursday, the 24th Nov., in the Presbyterian Church, Chapel-lane, Wigan, for the purpose of ordaining the Rev. David Blyth to the pastoral charge of the congregation worshipping there. The services were conducted in a solemn and impressive manner by the Rev. D. Blellock, of Crewe; an excellent charge was delivered to the newlyordained minister and his people by the Rev. T. Robinson, of Salford. Notwithstanding the very unpropitious state of the weather the attendance was good. On Sabbath, the 27th, the morning and evening services were conducted by the Rev. James Hamilton, D.D., of Regent-square, London. Mr. Blyth conducted the afternoon service in a very able and appropriate manner. Collections were made at the three diets of worship on behalf of the fands of the Church, which amounted to the sum of 191. 3s. 6d. ST. JOHN'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, WARRINGTON. The following interesting notice we have abridged from the "Warrington Guardian:"-" On Monday evening last, the congregation of St. John's, and their friends, assembled in the School-room adjoining the church, to enjoy a social re-union, and to give expression to the cordiality and confidence that now, by the blessing of God, pervade their ranks. And well, indeed, did the appearance of the room, and the beaming faces of the crowded assembly, bear testimony to HORNCLIFFE.-On Tuesday, December 13, the church at Horncliffe was opened by the Rev. Dr. Bonar. Notwithstanding an unfavourable day there was a large attendance, to whom the Gospel of the Lord Jesus was earnestly preached, from Rev. iii. 4. Among the ministers present were the Rev. Messrs. Murdoch, Fraser, Ryder, Bannatyne, Terrass, Robinson, Cant, and Ketchan, of Mordington. The building is capable of con structure, and was designed by Mr. Gray, of Coldingham, to whose taste and economical management it does great credit. Including the site, it will cost about 550., which sum has been nearly gathered. This church is dedicated unto God, with the earnest prayer that He would make it as the place of his feet, glorious in the conversion of souls. Obituary. IT is with deep regret we have to record the |
