and sometimes amusing anecdotes, which had come under his notice during his visit to Jamaica, illustrative of the progress of the negro population in civilization and religion. The chairman then stated that as it would be improper to protract the meeting to a very late hour, he hoped that some of the brethren who had come prepared to address them would excuse him if he did not call for their speeches; and he would only request the Rev. Mr Robertson of Stow to favour them with a few words before they separated. Mr Robertson having spoken, the Rev. Mr Nichol of the Free Church concluded with prayer. Various pieces of sacred music were excellently sung by the vocal band in attendance during the intervals of the addresses; and the company, which might consist of between five and six hundred persons, was dismissed about eleven o'clock, seemingly highly pleased with their evening's entertainment. The new church, erected at a cost of upwards of L.900, is rather a handsome structure, containing about 720 sittings. The congregation, which has for some years past been growing in numbers, has entered it with encouraging prospects of increasing prosperity. It was noticed in the course of the evening that about eight or nine years ago, when the government commission was employed in investigating into the amount of church accommodation in Scotland, Galashiels was one of the places where a want in this respect was really felt. Since that time, a part of the town and adjoining district of Melrose parish has been erected into a quoad sacra parish, and a large and handsome church built for it. A Relief congregation has been formed, and a neat place of worship, containing, we suppose, about 600 sittings, provided by them. More lately, two new places of worship have been built for the Free Church. So that there is at present a superabundance of the accommodation referred to; but as the town has been rapidly increasing in its population, and is likely to go on increasing if its trade continue to prosper, as it has been doing for some time, this enlarged church accommodation may yet be all required. Dennyloanhead, Nov. 20, 1844.-The annual meeting of the missionary societies, in connexion with this congregation, was held here this evening. The attendance, both of young and old, was large, and deep interest, apparently, was manifested in the proceedings. Besides devotional exercises, with which the meeting was opened and closed, short addresses on topics connected with the missionary cause were delivered by the Rev. Mr Gilfillan of Stirling, and the ministers of the congregation. The funds raised throughout the year were allocated as under:

There have been raised besides, throughout the year, for
religious purposes not congregational, the following sums:

For Synod Fund,

L.4 10 0

35 10 0

6 13 83

46 13 8

L.167 14 11

Edinburgh, Cowgate.-Total amount raised by the congregation for the year ending October 1844.

Scat Rents,

Collections at the Church-doors for Congregational and
other purposes,

Collected for Missionary purposes,

Collected by Benefit Society, and expended in Sick and
Funeral money amongst the Members,

L.360 11 9

361 17 11

84 11

139 18 0

L.946 18 9

Urr.-During the past year, this congregation has contributed the sum

of L.35, 10s., which has been appropriated as follows:

Synod's Liquidation Fund,
Bibles and Tracts for Poor,

Sabbath School,

Scottish Missionary Society,

Synod's Fund,

Synod's Missions, equally,

On Monday the 9th December 1844, the United Associate Congregation of Comrie gave a unanimous call to Mr John Brown Johnston to be their pastor. The Rev. William Pringle of Auchterarder, preached and presided.

OBITUARY.

JOHN ADAMS.-In the present day, whilst biographies of Christian ministers and of public characters abound almost to superfluity, those of individuals who move in humbler walks of life and less prominent spheres of usefulness, are less attended to, however instructive may be the manner wherein, and the events by which, the characters of such have been formed, developed, and sustained. To contribute somewhat in this line of things, the following sketch is given.-May those who at present occupy, or are speedily to occupy, a similar position in society, receive from its perusal some degree of encouragement and edification.

John Adams, the son of poor but pious parents, was born at Ratho on the 24th of November 1771. After receiving such education as was then to be had in our country parish schools, he entered on farm service under his father, and continued in it for several years subsequent to his marriage in 1795. Though, up to the period of his marriage, his moral conduct was unimpeachable, still he had experienced nothing of the sanctifying influence of the truth as it is in Jesus. Like too many hearers of the gospel, his heart remained unimpressed by the word as he heard it from Sabbath to Sabbath. It was not till the summer of 1796 that he was aroused from the deadness of formality. In detailing what to the Christian is a "thing ever to be remembered," the first stirrings of conviction within him, and his progressive exit from darkness to light and life, it may not be uninteresting to do so in the words of his diary "Before the Lord in his sovereign mercy opened my eyes' to see Jesus in the preciousness of his salvation, I was under deep convictions and concern about my state as a sinner. I was led to labour at the oar of duty-to pray to God-to be devout-to read the scriptures and religious books-all with a view to work out a righteousness of my own in order to commend myself to God. Hard work, however, I found it to be: Cursed

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is every one that continueth not in all things written in the book of the law to do them' (Gal. iii. 10) sounded louder and louder in my ear, and also that other passage, 'By the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight.' I was led then almost to despair, and was tempted to think that mine was the unpardonable sin, Matt. xii. 31, 32. Under this apprehension I laboured long at length my fears in that respect were allayed by reading an account given in one of the London Missionary Magazines, of the conversion of Mr Stephens, a stage-player in London. Now it was that I thought that, as the Lord had shown mercy to him, there might also be forgiveness for me; and I did find peace, for the Lord by his word and spirit shone into my heart, and showed me the value of the atonement of Christ, the freeness and fullness of the satisfaction he rendered, and its exact suitableness to my condition as a sinner. Oh! the wonder and delight which filled me! the eagerness with which I was led to forsake all my past refuges-refuges of lies-for so sure a shelter as the Rock of Ages!"

"When God thus revealed his Son to me, both by day and by night, redeeming love captivated my heart, and sweetly was I constrained to approve of Jesus as my Saviour, my portion, my all. Oh! how precious was he then to my soul; how lovely in his person, and how worthy of love in his work! I remember that for three days, whether I was in the body or out of the body, I could hardly tell, so much did redeeming love occupy my thoughts, that frequently where I was, and what I was doing, were forgotten." The closing words to this description will illustrate his unfeigned humility, and child-like dependence. "Alas!" says he, when I compare my present feelings with what they were (thirteen years previously), what cause have I to humble myself before God, and to blush at my present deadness to divine things. O Lord! pour out of thy quickening Spirit upon me, that he may quicken me, that I may be alive to thee." The infirmity by which he was afterwards tried, he seemed to regard as paternal chastisement, for his "better improvement of the advantages he enjoyed." So much was this his feeling, that it led him to present, and oft times to repeat the prayer, "Show me, O Lord, wherefore thou art contending with me! Heal my backslidings, love me freely, fit me either to do or to suffer what is thy will concerning me." So deep were his impressions of the happy and hallowed change within him, at the date we speak of, that many years after, we find him looking back to it with feelings of vivid and joyful remembrance. "This month (July) brings back to my recollection the wondrous love and grace of God to me. If not self-deceived, this month may be called the month Abib to me; for, thirtyfour years ago did the Lord, at this time, teach me, in some measure, the knowledge of himself, as a just God, and yet a Saviour; and then, too, had I free access to him through faith in Christ, crying Abba, Father. Oh! to grace how great a debtor am I?-and yet, how poor returns from me in the way of living in him, and to him, and for him, to whom I owe all!" The study of divine things he now prosecuted with diligence and ardour. No uncommon thing was it for him to be found sitting at his cottage-door, in the cool of a summer evening, or at his winter's fire-side, poring over the sacred page. In forming clear views of divine truth, he seems to have been much assisted by the perusal of Ebenezer Erskine's sermons, which appear also to have influenced him in his resolution to quit connexion with the Church of Scotland, for one where the headship of Christ was more distinctly recognized, and his finished work exhibited. He accordingly ceased to attend the parish church, where all his friends were wont to worship, and joined the East Calder Secession Church (at that time under the pastoral care of the late Mr Primrose), under the conviction that the time occupied in going there (four miles), would be more than compensated by the spiritual benefit accruing from the change.

He continued to enjoy, as a member of this congregation, the ministrations of the Rev. Mr Primrose, and to adorn the doctrine of his God and Saviour, in all things, by a life and conversation becoming the gospel, till the year 1806, when, having accepted a situation in a mercantile house, he removed to Leith. In Leith he was in spiritual labours abundant. Having united himself to the congregational church there, and afterwards, in 1835, returned to the communion of the Secession Church in connexion with the congregation of North Leith, he, in conjunction with like-minded brethren, by prayer-meetings, exhortings, and conversations, sought to advance the cause and glory of his Master in heaven, and bring others to share in the joy and peace in believing he so much prized. His heavenly Father, however, in the dispensations of his all-wise providence, saw fit to assign him other and more trying work, for, on the 26th October 1818, he lost the use of his limbs--a disablement from which he never-except very partially-recovered. Patience seemed to have "its perfect work" in him; shall I receive good at the hand of the Lord, and not receive evil also?" was the language of his heart. In 1820, he thus lays open his feelings, "I still need the same lesson repeated to cease from myself, and in great mercy my master and teacher is so hedging up my ways as to teach me that my will ought to be absorbed in his; how woeful a propensity have I still to have matters my own way, and to carve out my own lot, though in times past he has again and again taught me that it is not in man to direct his steps. Sometimes I am even led to regard myself as a useless drone in society, and that I might as well be out of it altogether; yet I am truly never stronger than when I do not presume on my own strength. Since then the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength, rest thou, O my soul, on his promises. When unbelief begins to murmur at his dealings with me, let him who is the author be also the finisher of my faith." And again, two years subsequently, "I have reason to believe that the design of my infirmity has not been accomplished, that I have not improved under it as I ought to have done, for we know that the Lord sends no needless afflictions, nor does he continue them a moment longer on any one than he knows to be for their real good. The Lord tries his people by affliction that they may be purified, and that the grace of the Spirit may be brought into richer exercise. Alas! then for the little progress in the school of affliction made by me. Oh! for higher help that the trial of my faith, which is more precious than gold that perisheth, may be found unto the praise and honour of God. Lord, make thy grace sufficient for me, that I may in no wise fret against thee, but, waiting patiently on thee, may share in the blessedness of all those who do wait on thee. Raise me to such a mount of vision that I may see all the way thou hast led me these years past, that I may be more and more constrained to say to thy praise and glory, "The Lord hath done all things well."

What he felt to be the sorest deprivation of all was that of Sabbath privileges and communion with the congregation of the saints. "A prisoner at home, much do I feel the want of sacred ordinances, as they are to be enjoyed in the sanctuary, where my soul has often been refreshed and received fresh discoveries of the glory and love of God as exhibited in the person and work of Christ. Yet I am not alone, for God is surely with me in my solitude, neither am I altogether deprived of sacred privileges, for his throne of grace is as open to me here as it would be in his house his word is in my hands, and his Spirit with the word is promised." Some particular passages of scripture usually occupied his attention, during Sabbath services especially, and not unfrequently he, the better to improve himself and that it might be useful to others, committed his reflections to writing. Of these there are many remaining, illutrative at once of his character as a man, and of his attainments in christian knowledge."

In 1822, he recovered partially the use of his limbs, and with the help of crutches was able to move about ;-with the exception of occasional relapses, this may be said to have been his condition up to the day of his death. Yet, though thus far disabled, he was no "useless drone," for the little strength he had, he sought to devote to his Master's service; so eager indeed was he to improve every opportunity, that from one end of the week to the other, he found something to do for Christ, and occasions to Once a week did he speak of him to all with whom he came in contact. hold a meeting in his own house for exposition and prayer; and not this alone; he was also to be seen moving about among the careless in his neighbourhood, doing the duties of a christian visiting agent from house to house. All disabled as he was,—his limbs powerless to bear him to the nearest door,-yet if he could only use his crutches, out went he into the narrow closes and dens of misery, that abound in the town, to preach Christ to the perishing. It was truly a touching sight-that of the good old man moving feebly along, as he contrived, while grasping his crutches, to hook his little lantern on one finger and hold his bible in the other hand, and thus, however dark the night or narrow the stairs, wend his way on his errand of mercy. Generally, he finished his round of visitations by collecting all, on whom he had called and who would come, in one of their houses, and engaging in prayer with them and for them. Even in cases where there existed disinclination to hear the gospel, his amiable expostulations, and, we doubt not, the very circumstances connected with the visit of such a man, his personal infirmities and his anxious desire for their welfare, attracted their notice and fixed their attention. The following are notes from his diary of one week's visitations.

"Dec. 21, 1841.-This evening visited four families,-read 1 Tim. 3d chapter, to three single women whom I brought together, made a few remarks on it, and joined in prayer with them; with another family, consisting of a widow woman and her two daughters, I had only some conversation; this evening, on coming home, Mrs M., an aged widow, was waiting for me, she was in much distress of mind about her soul, and refused to be comforted,-endeavoured to preach Christ to her, read to "Dec. 22.-Visited six families her 2 Cor. iv., and prayed with her." to-night; in one of them, consisting of an aged widow and her granddaughter, I read 1 Pet. v., had some conversation on the chapter, and prayed with them. 23.-Prayer meeting night at his own house. 24.— This evening visited three families; read to two families in a garret-room a chapter, invited them to look to Jesus, and joined in prayer with them; in another room was an aged widow, in whom nature was fast failing,spoke to her particularly of the love of Christ, and the necessity for looking to him, and prayed with her. 25.-This evening visited four families,read to them from scripture, and made some remarks in course of reading; two elderly women in one of the families, both much diseased and very infirm, rejoiced me much by their lively faith and meekness under their sufferings: I felt happy to hear of their love to Christ; it alone seems to support and comfort them. 26.-Visited four families to-night; in the first I conversed chiefly with a stranger, who happened to be calling at that house. He seemed to be a careless man; I asked him if he believed in Christ.' On his answering affirmatively, I asked him 'how he came to know that he believed.' He wished to be away; but the question was too important to allow him to change the subject. After half an hour's conversation with him, I offered up a prayer for the family and their friends and the stranger, that the Lord would lead him to the knowledge of Christ. He thanked me kindly, and I left, hoping that the Lord would give efficacy to his own word. As I was going up to the next flat, one of the neighbours advised me not to go, for some were drinking, and others I went first to the dancing. I thought it my duty to go in, and did so.