see so many of his friends taking part in this meeting, and hoped all would be benefited. He trusted that peace and happiness would reign among them all. After a very interesting speech, which was much applauded, he called on the Rev. D. Hewitt, who expressed his great pleasure in being present, and earnestly hoped that the congregation would revive again, and that we may be able to overcome all the difficulties which may arise. He hoped the people would remember their minister at the throne of gracethat there the true secret of success lay. After many kind remarks, the reverend gentleman resumed his seat amid great applause. Mr. W. Chudley also addressed the meeting. He spoke of the time he had been connected with the little church, aud although a man of much business, and often very much tired at the end of the week, it was a source of great comfort to him to look forward to Sunday and the church, and especially the Sunday-school, of which he took an humble part. He said that some supposed that religion made people gloomy, melancholy, and unhappy; but the contrary was the effect of true religion. He showed that true religion made us more fitted for the great business of life; made us more considerate, kind, and willing to make others around us happy. He concluded by warmly urging on all the necessity of supporting the Free Church cause in Exeter, where Ritualism is so prevalent. Several other excellent speeches were delivered, among others by the Rev. J. Mann, Rev. J. Macfarlane, and Mr. G. L. Dinsford. The choir sang anthems, &c., between the speeches. At the close, a vote of thanks to the speakers, the ladies who provided the tea, and the choir, was proposed and unanimously carried.

BASINGSTOKE.-The seventh anniversary of the Rev. J. Trotter's settlement over the church in Oat-street was celebrated as follows: On Sunday, Oct. 20, the Rev. Thomas E. Thoresby, of London, preached both morning and evening. Prayers were read by the Rev. H. Young in the morning, and by

Mr. S. Attwood, superintendent of the Sunday-school, in the evening. In the afternoon Mr. Thoresby held a special service for children and young people, which was highly appreciated by them; and on the Monday evening he delivered his lecture on "Sammy Hick, the Village Blacksmith," to a crowded audience, in the school-room, which was a wonderful exhibition of the power of divine grace. The lecture will long be remembered. On the following Wednesday evening, the Rev. R. Bulmer, of Castle-street Chapel, Reading, preached in his usual thoughtful and impressive manner to a most attentive congregation. The collections towards the support of the ministry amounted to about 167. On the following Sabbath the Rev. J. Trotter improved the death of one of his Sunday-school teachers to a large gathering of sorrowing young people, from the words, "The maid is not dead, but sleepeth." At the close of his address, he fulfilled the dying request of the sainted teacher by publicly presenting in her name to every member of her class a copy of the Holy Scriptures, as a pledge of her undying love to them. It was a solemn service. It may be said of dear Ellen Palmer, as it was said of the first young saint who tasted death, she, "being dead, yet speaketh." Mr. Trotter has just commenced his usual winter Sabbath evening sermons; the subjects are, "Life Lessons from the History of the Holy Redeemer." May they yield fruit to the glory of God! A box of goods is being prepared for West Africa; if any friends are disposed to assist in filling up the box, an opportunity is now offered. Packages for Africa to be forwarded as early as possible to the superintendent of the mission, the Rev. John Trotter, Parsonage, Basingstoke, Hants.

CALNE.-The very interesting ceremony of laying the memorial stone of the Free Church was performed before a very numerous company on Tuesday, October 29. In connexion with it we may mention that since the

death of the late Rev. Canon Guthrie, many of the most respectable of the Church people of Calne have had reason to regret his loss, and particularly so in the change of doctrine which his successor, the Rev. J. Duncan, has inculcated; and the result has been that many of them left the church, and have been for a long time holding services for Divine worship in the Town-hall. Feeling, meanwhile, that there was little hope of their beloved church ever becoming again to them what it had been, they concerted plans for the establishment of a Free church; and, after much difficulty, obtained a site on the ground formerly occupied by the Bear Inn, where some commodious and excellent schools have already been built, and where the walls of the new church already appear breast high. We believe that Messrs. Smith and Light, of Chippenham, are the builders; and the total cost of church and schools will be nearly 6,000%.

At three o'clock in the afternoon the ceremony of laying the stone was commenced by the Rev. Edwin Edwards, B.A., the pastor elect of the new church, who read suitable portions of Scripture-viz., 1 Chronicles xxix. 6, Haggai ii. 6, Zechariah iv. 6, and vi. 12, St. James iv. 14, Ephesians ii. 19, after which

Mr. GEO. HARRIS, addressing Mr. R. Henly, sen., said he had been requested to ask him to lay this stone. A bottle was then deposited beneath it, containing a brief history of the reasons which had originated the erection of the edifice, and a few coins of the present currency. Mr. Henly then laid the stone in its place, repeating, as he did so, "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."

The stone contained the following inscription :

This Memorial Stone was laid by Robert Henly, Esquire, of this Town, on Tuesday, October 29th, 1867. Rev. E. Edwards, Pastor. Mr. Stent, Warminster, Architect.

Mr. R. HENLY, jun., said that his father had to apologize for not addressing the assembly, but as he felt unequal to the task he had penned a few remarks, and requested him to read them, as follows:

We

"In compliance with the wish of the Calne Free Church Building Committee, I have laid this memorial stone, though I could wish some one better able than myself to address you had been chosen for the office. I have performed that duty with mingled feelings of sorrow and gratitude sorrow for the cause which has led us to take this step; gratitude to Almighty God that he has not only inclined our hearts to build a home for his name, where, I trust, nothing but the simple truths of the Gospel, and our Lord Jesus Christ, as set forth in his Holy Word, will be taught, and for his also having helped us thus far in our undertaking. can truly say, 'Hitherto the Lord hath helped us.' He has helped us to find a spot on which to build; He has helped us with kind friends who have promised us their support towards the expenses of building; He has also helped us in His choice of a pastor, who has been sent us in answer to many prayers-one who will, we believe, preach that same glorious Gospel which so many of us have often heard in that noble old church close by from the lips of one whose memory is justly dear to the hearts of most now present. I am sure you will all unite with me in offering prayer to Almighty God, who, according to His promises, has laid in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, declaring that he that believes on Him shall not be confounded, that He will give his blessing to this work, 'that the little one may become a thousand, and the small one a strong nation.' May those who minister in this building lay no other foundation than that which is laid, even Christ Jesus. Here may many dead souls be quickened, and become living stones, built on Christ, the Rock of Ages; here may be fervent prayer

offered and answered; and may God's people be built up in the faith and hope of the Gospel. On the work of instructing the young in our schools may a rich blessing rest; there, too, may many young hearts be brought to the Saviour, and become the lambs of His fold. I cannot close without again asking all to unite with me in earnest prayer that God will pour His Holy Spirit upon us, and direct us in our future course. May He bless this and every undertaking which has for its object the setting forth His glory and the salvation of our fellow

creatures; and to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we will ascribe all the glory."

Mr. R. HENLY, jun., added that the bottle contained a short description of the circumstances which gave rise to the erection of the building, and also a few coins to show the date of laying the stone.

After a prayer by the Rev. E. Edwards, the whole assembly adjourned to the newly-erected school-rooms, which were quickly filled, and a most interesting meeting followed.