in Green Street, of which, we trust, the record is written in heaven, but the outward sign of their success we see around us. At first, much labour seemed to produce little fruit. The former children of the mission had settled down in various ecclesiastical connections, and the future Church had to be built up from the very foundation. Many kind friends from Great Hamilton Street laboured to awaken an interest in spiritual things in the surrounding district, and to their labours some of the earliest fruits of the mission can be traced.

About the beginning of 1863 it was found that a considerable number of the regular attendants upon Mr Edgar's ministrations were desirous to become members of Christ's Church. They held several meetings, and having, in January, approached the Reformed Presbytery of Glasgow by petition, the Session of Great Hamilton Street Congregation was instructed to meet the petitioners, to admit to the membership of the Church such as they found worthy, and thereafter to organise them as a separate congregation. This was accordingly done. Of the sixty-six petitioners sixty were admitted to Church membership, and on the 9th March 1863 they were formally recognised as the Green Street Congregation. The congregation was immediately joined by ten other persons certified from various congregations of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. Of these, the original members of our little church, some have already joined the Church above, some have wandered from the fold, but many remain with us, and to-night rejoice in the far more than full accomplishment of their fondest hopes. Among those who joined the congregation by certificate in March 1863, two were shortly afterwards chosen to be ruling elders. The Session, by subsequent additions, has gradually been increased till now it numbers eleven members, exclusive of the pastor.

Mr Edgar having been licensed in the month of January as a preacher of the Gospel, by the Presbytery of Dumfries, the congregation, immediately upon its organisation, took steps to have him called to the pastorate of the Green Street Congregation; and to this office he was ordained upon the 3rd of June 1863-fully more than six years ago. At that time the new congregation was able to do very little in the way of supporting a minister. During the first year the congregation could only give £30 of stipend, in addition to defraying some other trifling expenses. The first Sabbath after the congregation was organised, the collections at forenoon, afternoon, and evening services, were 13s. 74d.; and the seat-rents for the first quarter were £3 14 9. This was the day of small things with us; but the friends in Great Hamilton Street continued to give their hearty support, tempering their aid to our wants, and only withdrawing altogether their aid in this kind, when the congregation was able to more than make up to their minister for the withdrawal of extraneous aid.

We need not now trace, step by step, our progress. The history is well known to many of you. It is one of steady advancement, unmarked by anything startling or novel.

Some years before any steps were taken to secure a site, it became evident to some of us that we must be preparing to face that serious undertaking— the erection of a new church. We had little strength, but we began to use it early, and had in bank, for our building fund, £112, before the munificence of the Messrs Burns put us in possession of the property upon which this church is built. When we did begin to look out for a building site our task was an arduous one. Many a curious eye was turned to likely properties, many an anxious consultation took place, and many fruitless inquiries were made, ere Providence led us to Landressy Street. In November 1867 we obtained possession of this property, and immediate steps were taken for the preparation of plans and collection of funds for the building. We ourselves could do little, but many kind friends were raised up to aid us.

Our old friends in Great Hamilton Street contributed over £500; a new friend, the Rev. Robert Howie, whom we never can thank enough, was the channel through which Free Church liberality flowed. From this source have come £1030 in money, and all the gas-fittings in this church. Other friends, too, near and remote, have been forward to help the good work. Till the present date £343: 9:3 have been contributed by members of the congregation; £90: 3s. were received at the church door at the various opening services; and £1844: 9: 6 from other sources—in all, £2333: 18:9. A grant of £350, contingent upon the discharge of all debt upon the church, has been promised by the Trustees of the Ferguson Fund. But after all this liberality we still require about £300, to enable us to clear off our present obligations, and about £700 further will be needed to pay for the site of, and to erect, suitable mission halls. This sum is large, and we ourselves can give little; but in view of what has been done for us, distrust would be criminal. "The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof,” and if the work in which we are engaged is His, as we trust, this needed aid will be given. We have had seasons of despondency; even now we cannot always keep fear and distrust quite out of our hearts; but we do not harbour such feelings there, for it has been our happiness to be made practically to know that patience worketh experience, and experience hope, even the hope which maketh not ashamed.

In the seventh chapter of the Book of Numbers we read of the dedication of the Tabernacle in the wilderness, and at the close of the long list of contributions by the princes of the congregation, we are told Moses entered into the Tabernacle, and when he entered, he heard the voice of One speaking unto him from off the mercy-seat. We, too, have erected our Tabernacle in the wilderness: we have presented unto the Lord our dedicated things; let us hereafter diligently wait upon the Lord's ordinances here; and if, as we enter in to worship, we listen with reverent fear, we, too, will hear the voice of God speaking unto us from off the mercy-seat.

Contributors to the Building of Landressy Street Church.

James Burns, Esq., and John M.

Burns, Esq., per the Rev. Mr
Howie,

Messrs John Robertson & Co.,

James Young, Esq.,

James Stevenson, Esq., per the Rev.

Mr Howie,

Patrick Playfair, Esq., per do.,

George Martin, Esq., per do.,

Messrs P. & W. Maclellan (Gas-fittings),
Rev. William Symington,

William Strang, Esq.,

James Reid, Esq.,

M. S. Tait, Esq.,

James Cowan, Esq.,

£5 5 0

Thomas Mathieson, Esq.,

500

£650 0

0

Messrs John & Daniel Taylor,

500

Mrs Murray,

100 0

0

James Lang, Esq.,

0

William Hunter, Esq.,

100

00

100

5 0

0

0 0 Besides the Gas-fittings, gifted to the Congrega5 5 0 tion.

NOTE. The Names of Subscribers, Members of the Congregation, are not given.

Collection on opening days,

90 3 0

£2334 18 9

Total amount subscribed by Stran

gers-£5 and upwards,

News of the Church.

PROBATIONERS LICENSED.

On the 31st of August, Messrs Alexander Baird and Alexander Bryce Muir, by the Presbytery of Kilmarnock.

On the 1st ult., Mr Nathan Cosh, by the Presbytery of Paisley.

CALL TO PORT-GLASGOW.

On the 15th ult., the congregation of Port-Glasgow gave a call to Mr Alexander Baird, probationer, to be colleague to Rev. William M'Lachlan. Rev. John Hamilton preached and presided.

PRESBYTERY OF KILMARNOCK.-UNION.

This Presbytery met at Kilmarnock on the 6th of July.

The Presbytery took into consideration the decision of Synod on the subject of Union, and having had brought under their notice the resolutions adopted by the United Presbyterian Presbytery of Kilmarnock on this subject, transmitted to them by direction of that Court, resolved

"That the Presbytery cordially reciprocate the sentiments embodied in the minute of the United Presbyterian Presbytery, and would very gladly avail themselves of any opportunity of enjoying Christian and ministerial intercourse with the brethren of the United Presbyterian and Free Churches.

"That the sessions and congregations under their charge be recommended to cultivate Christian intercourse, in whatever way may seem suitable to them, with neighbouring sessions and congregations of the Churches now negotiating for union, in the spirit of the decision of the Supreme Court.

"That a copy of this minute be forwarded to the United Presbyterian Presbytery of Kilmarnock, the Free Presbytery of Ayr, and the Free Presbytery of Irvine."

This Presbytery met again at Kilmarnock on the 31st of August.

Extracts were read of minutes of the United Presbyterian Presbytery of Kilmarnock, the Free Presbytery of Ayr, and the Free Presbytery of Irvine, respectively, cordially reciprocating Presbytery's sentiments anent Christian and ministerial intercourse among the several bodies now negotiating for union. The Court gladly received these, and appointed Messrs Ramage and Lang a committee (Mr Lang, convener), to meet with any committee which may be appointed by Presbyteries of the other Churches in the district, to consider and report as to joint meetings for prayer in connection with the present state of the Union movement.

Messrs Alexander Bryce Muir and Alexander Baird gave in the rest of their pieces of trial, which were cordially sustained, and they were licensed to preach the Gospel.

PRESBYTERY OF PAISLEY.-INDUCTION OF REV. ANDREW SYMINGTON.

This Presbytery met at Greenock on the 1st ult.-Rev. J. H. Thomson, Eaglesham, moderator.

The moderator reported, that he had moderated in a call at Rothesay, and that the choice of the congregation had unanimously fallen on Rev. Alexander Davidson, Stromness. The call, signed by 44 members and 16 adherents, as well as reasons for translation, were laid upon the table. Messrs A. M'Pherson, Neil M'Lean, and Hugh Morrison, were named as commissioners to prosecute the call. The call was sustained, and the moderator and Rev. J. Hamilton, or Rev. G. Clazy, to represent the Court in its prosecution before the Presbytery of Edinburgh.

A petition was presented from Port-Glasgow, praying for a moderation in a call to one who may act as junior pastor. The prayer of the petition was granted, and the moderation appointed for the 15th ult.

Mr Nathan Cosh delivered trials for license, which were cordially sustained, and he was licensed to preach the Gospel.

In the evening the Presbytery met for the induction of Rev. Andrew Symington to the pastoral charge of West Shaw Street Congregation, Greenock. There was a large attendance. Besides the members of Presbytery, there were present-Rev. James Goold, Newton-Stewart; Rev. Richard Leitch, United Presbyterian Church, Newcastle; Rev. Mr Simpson, Free Church, Polmont. Rev. G. Clazy preached the sermon, which he has kindly given as the opening paper of this number. Rev. J. Hamilton narrated the steps, and put the questions of Formula; Rev. William M'Lachlan offered prayer; and Rev. J. H. Thomson addressed the newly inducted minister and the people.

On the following Sabbath, Mr Symington was introduced by Rev. W. M'Lachlan, Port-Glasgow, who preached from Acts x. 33-" Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God." In the afternoon, Rev. A. Symington preached from 1 Tim. i. 18-" This charge 1 commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare.” And in the evening, Rev. Andrew M'Farlane, D.D., United Presbyterian Church, Greenock, preached from 2 Kings vii. 9—“Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace." The church was well filled at all the diets of worship, and the collection amounted to £39.

PRESBYTERY OF EDINBURGH.

A pro re nata meeting of this Presbytery was held at Dundee on the 20th ult.-Rev. W. Whyte, moderator. The clerk laid on the table the documents in the call to Rev. A. Davidson, Stromness, from the congregation of Rothesay. It was agreed that the call be presented to Mr Davidson at the ordinary meeting of the Presbytery, in Edinburgh, on the 19th inst., at 11 A.M.

OPENING OF THE NEW CHURCH, CUMBERLAND STREET, GLASGOW.

On the 5th ult., the South Side Congregation, that for fourteen years has met in Salisbury Street, entered their new place of worship in Cumberland Street. Rev. Professor Goold, D.D., preached in the forenoon, from Rev. v. 6—“ And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth." Rev. J. M'Dermid, in the afternoon, from Gen. xxviii. 17—"This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven." And Rev. Dr Black, United Presbyterian Church, Glasgow, in the evening, from Psalm cii. 13-"Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come." The collection amounted to £71.

OPENING OF THE NEW CHURCH, LANDRESSY STREET, GLASGOW.

On Sabbath, August 29th, the congregation that for several years past has met in Green Street Chapel, under the pastorate of Rev. John Edgar, A.M., held its last meeting, previous to their entering the new church. Rev. Mr Edgar preached from John xiv. 31-"Arise, let us go hence;" by a curious coincidence, the same text which Mr M'Dermid, at the same time, and with the same object in view, was discussing in Salisbury Street, when looking forward to worshipping next Sabbath in the new church, Cumberland Street. On Wednesday evening, 1st ult., the church in Landressy Street was opened. The services were conducted by the Rev. Sir Henry Wellwood Moncreiff, Bart., Moderator of the General Assembly of the Free Church.

The attendance was large. Sir Henry preached from Hebrews i. 3— "Who, being the brightness of the Father's glory, and the express image of his person, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high,"-and delivered an able discourse, that was listened to with much interest. The church is a plain Gothic structure, with a gable end to the street, surmounted by a neat belfry, rising 65 feet above the level of the pavement. There is a large entrance door in the centre, and two additional doors for exit, one for each gallery. One large window, filled with tracery, lights the end of the church, while four other windows give light to the staircases and entrance lobby. The church is seated for about 900, and is divided by two rows of iron columns, surmounted by Gothic arches, into a nave and two aisles, and is abundantly lighted by windows upon three sides. On Sabbath, 5th ult., Rev. Wm. Symington, Rev. Robert Howie, A.M., Free Church, and Rev. J. Edgar, preached in the new church. On the 12th, Rev. R. Buchanan, D.D., Free Church, Rev. J. Edgar, and Rev. J. Wells, A.M., Free Church; and on the 19th, Rev. W. Anderson, LL.D., and Rev. J. Edwards, United Presbyterian Church, and Rev. A. N. Somerville, Free Church. collection at all these opening services amounted to £90.

The

The opening soiree was held in the new church on the evening of 21st ult. The spacious building was crowded to overflowing. Among those present were Rev. Messrs M'Dermid, W. Symington, Torrance, and J. Hunter, of Glasgow; Thomson, Eaglesham; Howie and Wells, of Free Church; Barlas, United Presbyterian Church; J. Robertson, Esq., W. Symington, Esq., W. Curr, Esq., J. M. Robertson, Esq., A. M'Keith, Esq., etc. Rev. J. Edgar occupied the chair. Mr T. Binnie, treasurer, read a deeply interesting report of the steps taken to secure the new church. It will be found on page 394 of this number. The chairman then moved a vote of thanks to the Rev. R. Howie, of the Free Church, Glasgow, for the generous, and disinterested, and noble service he had done the congregation, in raising £1030 to aid in the building of the church. Mr Howie replied, and expressed his hope that they would go on and prosper, retain their missionary character, and continue to do their utmost to be a source of evangelisation in the district. Mr Binnie read the following letter to the Great Hamilton Street Congregation, in expression of their gratitude for their long-continued kindness:

"To the Minister, Session, and Members of the

Reformed Presbyterian Congregation,

Great Hamilton Street.

GLASGOW, 21st September 1869.

"CHRISTIAN FRIENDS,-Having now taken possession of our new church in Landressy Street, we desire to express our obligations to you for your great kindness since the organisation of our congregation. We will only name the material aid given for the support of our minister, the accommodation gratuitously provided for us in Green Street till now, and the substantial aid given for the building of our new church. But we cannot forget the sympathy and advice so kindly given, when we so much needed it, at the commencement of our career.

"That you may receive a full reward for all that you have done to us, and for us, is our earnest prayer.

"In name of the Session, Managers, and Members of the Eastern Reformed Presbyterian Congregation, THOMAS BINNIE, Session- Clerk."

Rev. W. Symington acknowledged the letter, and expressed his high satisfaction at the success of the new congregation. The Great Hamilton Street congregation had not exhausted their strength by this effort. They had been so encouraged by its success, that he doubted not, that ere long they would think of starting afresh a similar enterprise in Green Street. Mr James Morton, preses, expressed the gratitude of the congregation to