have been added to the church, being at the rate of Two congregations every half-year! An average increase, double of that which occurred at any former period of our history.

These late erections are distinguished from those that took place during the preceding century, not more by the rapidity of their increase, than by the superiority of the motives in which they have originated. The congrega tions that were erected during that period, generally owed their origin to faction and party spirit, excited at the choice of a minister, or at the defeat of a party in a congregation: a cause, which though ultimately productive of good, was in itself highly discreditable and injurious to the church. Only five or six sprung purely from the desire to enjoy an evangelical ministry; while almost the whole of the remaining thirty arose out of the improper sources to which we have alluded; the existence and prevalence of which, mark a declining, rather than a flourishing state of the church. On the other hand, not one of the late erections, so far as we know, can have its origin attributed to any but the most just and commendable motives. Some arose out of the division of what had formerly been joint charges, consisting of two congregations, worshipping in separate and distant houses, though under the ministry of only one pastor; by which division, made by mutual consent, two ministers were appointed to what was previously the charge of one, and an additional congregation was thus formed. Some sprung from the laudable desire of enjoying, with greater regularity, the services of a pastor residing immediately among themselves, and of possessing a convenient meeting-house, that they might be enabled to attend more punctually on divine ordinances. Others have been erected in the South and West of the kingdom, consisting of families previously destitute of religious worship or instruction in that form to which they were conscientiously attached, and situated in places where Presbyterianism had been hitherto unknown. While others again have originated in the noble principle of "confessing Christ before men," by the operation of which, the people have been induced, though at considerable sacrifices, to abandon an Arian ministry, and place themselves under the guidance and teaching of Orthodox pastors.

To render the statements we have here made respecting the increase of congregations under the care of the Synod,

R

more accurate, and we hope thereby more interesting to our readers, we shall subjoin a list of erections since the separation of the Antrim Presbytery to the present time, compiled as accurately as our materials would permit; with the years annexed, in which the first minister of each congregation was ordained.

In the year 1725, the Synod, as yet undivided, consisted of one hundred and forty-eight congregations. Since that date, the following additions have been made to this number:-2d Dromore, 1726-Portglenone, 1727-2d Coleraine, 1728-Glentubret, 1728-2d Holywood, 1729 2d Antrim, 1730-Cullybackey, 1730-Faughanvale, 1732 -Bally-James Duff, 1733-St. Johnson, 1734-Greyabbey, 1736-Magherafelt, 1738-2d Newtownards, 1739Drumbanagher, 1740-2d Donagheady, 1741-Drumachose, 1742-Mountnorris, 1742-2d Glendermot, 1744-Tober more, 1744-Clady and Douglass-bridye, 1746-Knowhead, 1749-Clogherney, 1752—2d Omagh, 1754-Dunluce, 1755 -Banagher, 1756-Buckna, 1756-after an interval of fifteen years, Ardmoy, 1771-Millisle, 1771-Dungiven, 1774-Kirkcubbin, 1778-after an interval of twelve years, Stewartstown, 1790-Turlough, 1790-Cross-roads, 1791 -4th Belfast, 1792-Stratford, 1803.

By the addition of these thirty-five congregations, the total number belonging to the Synod of Ulster, and Presbytery of Antrim, amounted, in the year 1803, to one hundred and eighty-three congregations, of, which one hundred and seventy-five were under the care of the former, and eight under the latter. All these were included in the final arrangement that was then adopted relative to the Royal endowment, Two congregations, however, existing at this time, were not included in this arrangement. These were, the congregation of 2d Keady, erected in the year 1800, and having a minister ordained in 1803; and the congregation of Newton-Stewart, erected in 1802, and having a minister ordained in 1804. Both of these, however, have been long ago endowed.

For many years after this period, not a single congregation was added to the one hundred and seventy-seven, already existing under the care of the Synod. About the year 1814, however, the first indications of that Missionary spirit, which has been since more fully developed, became perceptible in our church. From that period to the last meeting of the Synod, the following congregations, to the number of thirty-nine, have been erected, and mints

ters ordained over them according to the annexed dates: Magilligan, 1815-Drumlough, 1819-Carlow, 1820Anaghlone, 1821-Carlingford, 1822-Maguire's Bridge, 1822-Portadown, 1822-Mullingar, 1823--Westport, 1823-Sligo, 1824.-Grange, 1824--Ballytrain, 1824. These congregations have been endowed by Government; and with the exception of Carlow and Mullingar, which enjoy the second class Regium Donum, they have all been placed on the third class list. Balteagh, 1824 -Richhill, 1824-Orritor, 1825-Glenwherry, 1825Newton-Crommelin, 1826. These five congregations, it is confidently expected, will be endowed during the current year. The claims of the remaining unendowed congregations will, doubtless, be submitted to Government, according to the dates of ordination annexed to each, viz.—` 2d Downpatrick, March 1827-Hilltown, June 1827—Killetur, 6th February, 1828-Pettigo, 7th February, 1828Lismore, May 1828-Kingstown, June 1828-Fisherwickplace, Belfast, Nov. 1828--Dundrod, 2d March 1829Ballycastle, 4th March, 1829-2d Newry, June 18292d Bangor, July 1829-Portstewart, September 1829May-street, Belfast, November 1829-Tandragee, December 1829-Dunfanaghy, January 1830-Croaghmore, February 1830. The following congregations, erected prior to the last meeting of Synod, have not yet obtained fixed ministers: Ramullan-2d Ballymena-2d BanbridgeUpper Cumber-2d Drumbo-and Swatteragh In this enumeration we have not included Tipperary, which, though erected several years ago, never obtained a minister, and may now be considered as extinct.

The total number of congregations, therefore, belonging to the Synod in July, 1829, was two hundred and sixteen, not two hundred and thirteen, as erroneously stated by the clerk in the last Minutes of Synod. The schism which has been caused by the separation of the Arian ministers, will reduce this number a little, but by no means to the extent which is generally reported. For in several of these congregations, the Orthodox members, having previously abandoned their ministry, had formed in the same parish separate congregations in connexion with the Synod; while in others, the majority having abided by the Synod, and preserved the identity of these congregations, no reduction can be said to have taken place in either of these cases. It is only a very few of

their congregations, that, having been weakened by the gradual removal of the Orthodox portion, to join neighbouring congregations, and being thereby reduced to a small number of Arian members, have accompanied their ministers in their secession, without leaving Orthodox representatives on the Synodical roll. But in the room of these mutilated and decaying societies, new congregations are springing up under the most favourable auspices, in various parts of the Province, which will soon far more than compensate for the slight and temporary reduction in the number of our congregations, that has been caused by the late schism.

Having thus put our readers in possession of some of the most striking facts, relative to the increase of congregations under the care of the Synod, we shall, in our subsequent numbers, occasionally lay before them detailed accounts of some of the newly erected congregations. These accounts, we hope, may not only prove interesting to the members of our body at large, but may tend to show our more timid and distrustful brethren, whether lay or clerical, how much can be done towards the support of the Gospel, and the extension of our church, by those who are really earnest in this great and good work.

DEATH OF A CHRISTIAN.

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; and thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."-PSAL. xxiii. 4.

As he who beheld the prophet of God about to mount the chariot of fire, and ascend into glory, prayed then for a "double portion" of that spirit which had enlightened and sustained him here below, so he who witnesses the closing scene of the Christian's life, is he who best can estimate the value of that hope which cheers him, and of that faith which giveth him the victory. The "death of his saints is dear in God's sight," and their memories are cherished in the hearts of his people. While standing by the bed of the believer, who is laying aside this mortal to be clothed with immortality, we feel as though the breath of paradise were breathing round us, and the voice of "angel min

strelsy" were heard at distance, welcoming a spirit to the skies. Believing that even a description of such scenes. may be profitable to the church of Christ, and especially to the younger members of it; and hoping, that well authenticated accounts of death-bed testimonies to a Saviour's faithfulness, may both tend to put to silence those who speak of such things as enthusiasm, and lead those who have endeavoured to glorify the Lord in their lives, to glorify Him in their deaths also, I forward for your Magazine the short account of one who was early ripe, and early gathered.

In the end of the summer 1826, I visited my esteemed young friend, Miss M-G-y, having heard of her ill health for some time previous. I found the report of her illness too true. Her cheek was already marked by that hectic glow which is but the mournful announcement that life's short day day is wearing to its close, and the eye had that unusual brightness which seems to intimate that its light is wasting, and will soon be extinguished. It was manifest that she was sinking rapidly beneath the influence of that insidious disease which had, a few months before, robbed us of her brother, in the commencement of his ministry, while the promise of his usefulness was great, and the "dew of his youth," was upon him.

From that time the cloud of sorrow seemed to have rested over the dwelling; but there are flowers whose fragrance is exhaled only in the dews of evening, and there are persons whose piety and worth can be best appreciated in the season of darkness and of tears. Called to watch over her brother's sufferings, she appeard to have caught his mild and gentle spirit. Soon after his removal, she was summoned to attend the sick-bed of another of her family. Unwearied in her attendance, want of sleep, or want of rest was apparently not felt by her; night after night she watched, and day after day she ministered. Often has she been found, when retired to her own cham ber, not upon her bed, but upon her knees. When, having poured forth her soul to God, she returned, refreshed, to her former station, by the bed of the sufferer. Her labours were just beginning to be repaid, by the restora. tion of a sister's health, when her own began to decline. And now, also, she was to bear a still heavier trial in the death of her father, who having consigned his child to the dust, was soon to follow him.