During the past quarter, brother Gibson and myself made a missionary tour of almost two hundred and fifty miles. I went from Rathkeale to Milford, where we met. Had preaching in Milford and then went to Mallow; spent a few days at Mallow your agent had the pleasure of fellowship with the brethren. Preached on Thursday and Sabbath; on the intervening Friday visited Cork, gave an address in the chapel, and your agent made the trip subservient to his grand object, by getting introductions to Galway, which he had been long looking for. On the Monday we started from Mallow; had an interesting extra service that evening in Charleville; next day proceeded to Milford, where we had service again; then on to New Castle, but here we were so thoroughly drenched, that we had to spend the time in drying ourselves, that might have been occupied in inquiring about the place. However, I have since visited it, and have some hope of a station there shortly. From New Castle we went down to Rathkeale, but the severity of the day had kept us so late, that we could not then have service, which had been arranged for; next day we journeyed on to Tarberts, an interesting village on the Shannon-here a Baptist Scripture reader, previously written to, had arranged for a service in a room in the principal inn, the Methodists also offered their chapel; this we fixed upon, and held service, when a good congregation was collected; next day we passed on to Listowell, knowing but one protestant in the town, and, alas! he proved steeple high; so we failed here for this turn; our next place was Tralee. Much pleased and benefitted by the trip, on Saturday we parted, brother Gibson returning to Mallow. Your agent passed the Sabbath in Tralee-preached on that day, and also on the Monday, in Tralee. On Tuesday I left, taking my course back here through Castle Island, which I found a pretty large village, Abbyfeale, also a neat little place, New Castle, before mentioned, Rathkeale, and Adare, former stations, and reached here on Wednesday evening, in time to preach in Prospect-Place. On the whole, in addition to the services we held, your agent has gained much information, as to localities, persons, &c. &c., which will be useful to me in itinerating through that part of the country; and I trust to be able to effect an object, more than once mentioned-that of opening a chain of missionary stations with the assistance of the brethren in Mallow and Tralee, that will occupy the entire intervening country between them and Limerick. The tour occupied me fifteen days. Such visits occasionally would, I am sure, be very beneficial, both in animating the brethren, stirring up the congregations in different stations, and opening new ones. The extra trifle which it cost, is well spent. I only wish some of the English brethren enjoyed personally the benefit of it, and assuredly they would coincide with me.

To-morrow, God willing, I start for Clonmel, where I have arranged for preaching on the Sabbath. Bansha, I am pretty sure to have a service in also. On my return home, I purpose visiting Caher, county Tipperary, and again the town of Tipperary, and some other places. I expect to be back by Saturday next-the trip which I have laid out being about one hundred miles. The week after, I set off, through Feakle, to Galway, and, I suppose, by that time, I shall have heard from you the wish of the committee respecting Maryborough.

Many thanks for forwarding the application to the Tract Society; a few days back I received a very liberal supply, which will greatly assist in my summer campaign.

COLONIAL MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Nothing will more effectually preserve the purity, and promote the interests of societies organized for the spread of the Gospel, than to lay before the public statements calculated to give a really accurate view of their operations and affairs. When our institutions are such, that they cannot be better served than by declaring the exact truth concerning them in all respects, then will their prosperity be built on solid grounds, and the lasting approval and support of the religious public may be confidently expected. The following letter is made public with this view. It was not intended for publication. The writer gives an artless account of himself, his views, his labours, and his position. He appears the faithful, diligent missionary -worthy the sympathy, confidence, and support of the churches. But let his communication speak for itself:

To the Secretary of the Colonial Missionary Society, England.

A report from August 1st, 1840, to February 24th, 1841, by the Rev. J. S. Byrne, of L'Original, Lower Canada.

DEAR SIR,-I proceed, as usual, to give a report of my proceedings since I last wrote. It would gladden my heart, could I report great success in my ministry. I ardently long to be useful, and endeavour, in various ways, to win souls to Christ. I say, in various ways, because I conceive that Christians are not tied down to certain means, although bound to use such as harmonize with the principles and genius of the Gospel. I know that Divine truth is the great instrument of conversion; but there are many ways in which we can gain a moral influence over the people, which, by the blessing of God, may result in great good. Whether right or not, I feel that it is my duty, as a Christian minister, to befriend every institution and effort likely to promote mental culture and general improvement. It is on this ground that I have given a portion of my time to the press, and have thrown my influence into every channel affecting the good of the district where I am located. Respecting politics I am cautious; and say little or nothing about party matters. I endeavour to act the Christian and minister every where, and in every thing; feeling that no change of circumstances or place can justify forgetfulness of the great purpose of our holy and heavenly calling. I wish to act upon the sublime sentiment, "For me to live is Christ," and this I recommend to my people, and pray that we may both live to him more than we have done.

Since I last wrote, the Congregational Chapel here has been opened for public worship. We commenced it in June, and opened it on Lord's-day, November 8. Brother Wilkes officiated the whole day, and glad we all were to see him. As he has written, I need not add more, than that the building is neat and commodious. It is not yet completed, but, by aid from abroad, we hope to finish it ere long. It has cost about £380 currency, and, to complete it, and pay off all debts, about £250 are required.

By a reference to my note-book, the following is a summary of the principal of my engagements, since my last report:

Some of my engagements have not been attended to, owing to sickness in myself and family, or to bad roads and weather, so that my list is not so extensive as it would

otherwise have been. Much of my time, too, has been occupied with general business, writing letters, publishing tracts, &c. The chapel here has taken up a very great por. tion of my time, and, as we have another Congregational Chapel preparing, about six miles from this place, that, too, will engage my attention to a considerable extent. I trust the tracts distributed are doing good. One woman, to whom I gave several, called them "little travelling preachers."

As I have occasion to be away from home frequently, either to beg for the chapel, or on other business, I make my visits religious, and endeavour to do as much good as possible. I have lately induced two pious persons at Petite Brule to start a Bible class and Sabbath-school; and shall occasionally visit or write to them, that they may not faint.

I have recently formed a Branch Tract Society in L'Original, which promises to be useful. In various ways I have befriended the temperance cause; procured medals, addressed meetings, written articles, &c. I am encouraged in this benevolent work, although occasionally opposed by dealers in alcoholic poisons. The more I reflect upon this subject, the more I am convinced, that a bold and unflinching stand should be taken by Christians, in support of entire abstinence from all intoxicating liquors. I have been the agent of reclaiming several drunkards, who are completely reformed; were examples desirable in your report, I could furnish a few interesting

cases.

I am called, of course, occasionally to perform marriages and baptisms, when I have an opportunity of communicating truth.

I have been endeavouring to draw attention to the French Canadians in our neighbourhood. This effort has not been in vain, and I expect assistance will be afforded by the French Canadian Missionary Society.

I thank God that I have no faults to find with my little church. We have above thirty members, and I hope they are all growing in grace; I am looking forward to an increase, seeing many are under religious impressions.

I have been brief and hasty in this report, owing to a multiplicity of engagements. I trust, however, the Society will look upon me as desirous to act in harmony with the principles of the body to which I am attached, and to promote the general good of those among whom I dwell. I am, dear sir, yours in Christian love, L'Original, March 1st, 1841.

JAMES BYRNE.

TRANSACTIONS OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES. ELEVENTH ANNUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE CONGREGATIONAL UNION OF ENGLAND and Wales.—The following are the arrangements proposed by the committee of the Union for the proceedings of the approaching annual assembly. All the meetings, thus announced, to be held in the library, Blomfield-street, Finsbury.

Monday evening, May the 10th, at five o'clock, an open meeting of the committee, preparatory to the assembly on the morrow, at which the attendance of ministers and delegates arrived from the country is invited.

Tuesday morning, 11th of May, at eight o'clock, breakfast will be, as usual, provided. And at nine o'clock precisely the chair will be taken by the Rev. RICHARD ELLIOTT, of Devizes, and the assembly opened with devotional exercises, at which the punctual attendance of all the brethren is respectfully requested.

The regulations at the doors will be similar to those of preceding years, with which compliance will be necessary in order to admission. The delegates for the respective county and district associations are earnestly requested to bring with them their reports, and to be prepared to state with brevity the present position of the bodies they represent.

At two o'clock precisely, the adjournment of the meeting to the morning of Friday, the 14th of May, will be moved.

On Friday morning, the president will resume the chair, and commence proceedings with devotional exercises at eight o'clock precisely; and at half-past ten o'clock adjournment will be moved for attendance on the public meeting of the Colonial Missionary Society, which will be held in Finsbury Chapel, chair to be taken by the treasurer, J. R. Mills, Esq., precisely at eleven o'clock. After which, at two o'clock, the annual dinner of the delegates and other brethren will take place in the library.

MEETINGS OF COUNTY ASSOCIATIONS.

DORSETSHIRE ASSOCIATION.-The Spring Association of the Congregational churches in the county of Dorset, was holden at Blandford, on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, April 14, 15, and 16.

On Tuesday evening, the Rev. Thos. James, of Woolwich, preached. On Wednesday morning, seven o'clock, a prayer meeting was held at the Rev. R. Keynes' meeting. At eight, 230 Sunday-school teachers, ministers, and other friends, sat down to breakfast in the assembly rooms. Several warm-hearted addresses were delivered, with judicious brevity, and the interval between each was filled up with a spirit-stirring, or solemn strain of praise.

The association sermon was delivered by the Rev. Morton Brown, A.M.; the subject,

lay agency.

After the morning service, more than 120 ladies and gentlemen partook of a cold collation in the assembly rooms. The arrangements of which, we hope, will be adopted as a model for future meetings of the association. After dinner, the duty of our churches with reference to American slavery was introduced by the Rev. Thos. Durant, which, together with the subject of tradition in its modern form, was the theme of much animated discussion.

In the evening, a public meeting was held in the chapel, when the County Sunday School numerical report was announced, an address read by the secretary, and several interesting speeches delivered.

On Thursday morning, a prayer meeting at seven o'clock-at half-past ten county business commenced, which lasted till half-past two.

The Rev. Alfred Bishop, and Rev. Morton Brown, A.M., having been delegated to visit our villages and home missionary stations, deeply interested the brethren by their report. The moral and religious destitution of many districts, and the means contemplated to remedy it, were the subjects of amicable, devout, and unrestrained conference--had thousands been present, they would have listened with delighted mournful emotion.

In the evening of Thursday, Rev. Messrs. Gill, of Charmouth, addressed church members; Guinett, of Weymouth, the young; Jones, of Lynn, the congregation; and, with a solemn strain of mingled prayer and thanksgiving, the Rev. R. Keynes closed the services of this hallowed season.

It was, indeed, "a solemn assembly," "Master, it is good to be here," was the spontaneous utterance of every heart. Never before have we seen such "a multitude that kept holy day." Never before have we beheld so many brethren in conference on the second day; and never before have we witnessed the excitement of interest so lengthened, so pleasing, and so deep.

SURREY MISSION.-The forty-fourth anniversary of this society was held at the Rev. J. Burnet's chapel, Camberwell, on Wednesday the 7th of April. The Rev. J. Hill, of Clapham, commenced the morning service by reading the Scriptures and prayer. The Rev. J. Harris, D.D., of Cheshunt, preached a most impressive sermon from Luke xii. 50. The Rev. E. Steane, of Camberwell, concluded with prayer.

The annual meeting was held in the evening; Thos. Piper, Esq. in the chair: addresses were delivered by the Rev. Messrs. G. Clayton, T. Jackson, S. A. Dubourg, W. Jackson, J. M. Soule, J. Burnet, J. E. Richards, J. Mirams, and W. B. Gurney, Esq.

The report stated, that an amicable arrangement had been entered into with the Home Missionary Society, for combined effort in the evangelization of the county, which, it is hoped, will issue in most beneficial results.

During the past year, in connexion with the London Christian Instruction Society, thirteen open-air services have been held in the lower districts of the county, which were well attended, and have led to the opening of a new station, in a village hitherto deemed inaccessible.

The society employs five missionaries, and assists pastors of churches in itinerating services. The agents preach in thirty villages, to about 2,000 persons, 145 of whom are in church fellowship; there are nine Sabbath schools, and thirty-five teachers; 2,500 tracts have been distributed during the past year.

Numerous villages are yet destitute of the faithful preaching of the gospel, and three new districts might at once be occupied, could the requisite funds be obtained, but for the third year in succession the treasurer is in advance.

The ministers and churches of Christ are earnestly solicited to unite in prompt and vigorous efforts, proportionate to the wants of the benighted villagers of Surrey, that no individual, in the most remote hamlet, may have occasion to say, "No man careth for my soul."

Contributions will be thankfully received by the treasurer, Mr. Hickson, Wandsworth; the secretaries, Rev. J. E. Richards, Wandsworth; Rev. J. M. Soule, Battersea; Rev. R. Connebee, Dorking, or by any member of the committee.

OXFORD AND WEST BERKS ASSOCIATION.-At a meeting of ministers and delegates of churches held at Abingdon, on the 8th of December, 1840, it was resolved, “That an association of Independent churches and ministers of Oxfordshire, West Berks, and their vicinity, be now formed, with an especial view to the extension of the Redeemer's cause in this division of the kingdom; and that the objects of this association be fraternal intercourse between the several ministers and churches; the evangelization of needy places; assisting weaker churches; the extension of religious education; and, by every practicable means, the promotion of truth and righteousness throughout their sphere." The association consists, at present, of fourteen churches and seventeen ministers. On the evening of the day on which it was formed, the Rev. Eliezer Jones, of Oxford, preached, "On the nature and advantages of religious association.”

The first public meeting of the association was held at Oxford, on the 5th and 6th of April. On the evening of the 5th, the Rev. J. Blackburn, of London, preached, and afterwards baptized the infant son of the Rev. E. Jones. On the 6th, a public meeting for prayer was held; at seven, a meeting of the ministers for prayer and conference; at half-past nine, a meeting of ministers and delegates of churches; for business, from eleven till two, and from half-past three till five. This meeting was open to all members of the associated churches: letters were read, or verbal statements by the representatives of the churches made, respecting each church in the union. Among other important resolutions passed, were the two following.

That this association apply immediately to be received into connexion with the Congregational Union of England and Wales;" and,

"That it be recommended to each church of the association, to make an annual collection on the last Sabbath in October for the British missions, which comprise the Colonial Missionary Society, the Home Missionary Society, and the Irish Evangelical Society. The Rev. H. March, of Newbury, preached in the evening, "on the connexion between the influence of the Holy Spirit and Christian efforts." At the close, the Lord's supper was administered to above 200 communicants.