From Kent. "The want of education I find to be a serious obstruction to the success of the Gospel, on this station: the number of adults who cannot read (or read very indifferently) is truly surprising, considering that the schoolmaster is abroad.' This inability to read is, as a natural consequence, associated with a dulness of apprebension and mental indolence, exceedingly unfavourable to the reception of the Gospel: however plain in language, or pointed in appeal, a sermon may be, but little of it is understood, and that little is soon forgotten. The want of a day-school at F E has been long felt: last year I made an attempt to raise a school upon the British system; but there appearing little probability of raising a teacher's salary, the plan was given up. As an imperfect substitute for a day-school, I have this winter commenced with some members of my congregation an evening school: we have at present in attendance thirty persons, youths and adults-learning either to read or write; among that number we have a married couple, whose minds have been seriously impressed under the word preached, and who are exceedingly anxious to learn to read, that they may be able to instruct their rising family." It is gratifying to know that all the hostility and opposition directed against our efforts, have not succeeded in closing one of the chapels occupied by our agents, nor half a dozen of the rooms in which worship had been regularly held. During the past month, some interesting additions have been made to ten of the missionary churches; several new Sunday Schools have been formed, and at six stations, entered upon during the last six months, the missionaries are prosecuting their labours with enconraging success. In Worthing, Tamworth, Brixham and Lincoln, and other towns, the agents of the society are much encouraged, by an increase of hearers, and by the conversion of sinners. The first named place will soon cease to require the nursing care of the society, and sustain the ministry of the Gospel by the efforts of the people. In the second named town, one of the students who has left Cotton End is labouring with zeal and acceptance; and a greater interest has been excited than at any former period. At Brixham active exertions are making to erect a chapel, capable of containing seven or eight hundred persons, there being no room to accommodate those who wish to attend. The ministers and churches around have entered warmly into the matter; have contributed liberally; and are now appealing to the Christian public for assistance, which we hope will be obtained. At Lincoln, our zealous agent has preached in Mr. Bergne's old Chapel, which he wished to be so occupied, during the last twelve months. In that time our agent has collected a congregation of three hundred persons, many of whom were unaccustomed to attend any place of worship regularly; besides a Sunday School, containing nearly 100 children. A number of individuals have been brought to the knowledge of Christ; so that it was deemed proper to form a Christian church a few weeks ago. The directors are thus encouraged to help towns where evangelical instruction is needed, either from the number of the inhabitants, the desire of the people themselves, or the absence of the Gospel in the National Church. IRISH EVANGELICAL SOCIETY. EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL OF REV. J. GODKIN. May 30, 1841.-Preached in George Street Independent Chapel, Cork, where 1 had been repeatedly invited to lecture, by my highly esteemed friend, Mr. King, the gifted pastor of that interesting church. The congregation was large and respectable. June 1.-Commenced a course of lectures in George Street. The attendance was very encouraging. June 2.-Lectured in the Baptist chapel, at the request of the esteemed pastor, Mr. Trestail. The place, aisles, vestry, and all approaches were densely crowded. The Roman Catholics in the vestry, were quarrelling with one another, to get a sight of the lecturer. One of the deacons counted 330 persons going out, besides those standing at the door. June 3.-This evening, the meeting was in the Presbyterian church kindly offered for the purpose, by the Rev.Dr. Dill. It was nearly filled; but the changing from place to place was injurious to the attendance, though affording a pleasing exhibition of Protestant unity, so much needed in this country to meet one of the strongest objections in the Roman Catholic mind. Here, as I was preparing to enter the pulpit, I received the first of a course of letters from, "a steady catholic,"-I read it to the meeting and replied to it instanter, which excited a very lively interest. This writer continued to send a long letter in defence of every doctrine, announced for discussion, to the end of the course, which was regularly read, and answered. I could not find out the author, but there is no doubt, that these letters contributed much to bring out such numbers of Roman Catholics, who attended throughout a long course of long lectures, after their daily labours, with unwearied attention, and apparently, with the deepest interest. June 4th.-In George Street again, where all the subsequent lectures were delivered. During the month of June I lectured here eleven times, besides preaching six times, on five successive Sabbaths. From the members of the Independent church with their pastor, I received the kindest and most hospitable attentions. They encouraged me in my arduous work by their constant attendance. and earnest prayers, in which they were cordially joined by Christians of other denominations, who merged all distinctions in zeal for our common Protestantism, and in their approval of the kind and conciliating spirit in which it was defended. Persons of high distinction occasionally attended, and some who never entered a dissenting chapel before, did not miss a single lecture. The Sabbath meetings also were very numerously attended, and the interest did not abate till the end; there seemed to be a general persuasion on the people's minds, that God was blessing his truth, and this diffused around a feeling of joy and gratitude, which was exceedingly gratifying to me, who commenced my mission in the capital of the South with fear and trembling; but I never met a more intelligent, candid, or friendly audience, and so I thanked God and took courage. June 30th. Arrived in Limerick and lectured in the Rev. Dr. Townley's chapel. But as the elections were approaching, and political excitement was at its highest, the friends did not think it prudent to give any public notice of controversial lectures; especially as the Rev. Mr. Crotty's proceedings had created a disturbance there before ; hence the attendance was of course small. I conducted the lectures, however, successively on several evenings; the attendance increased every day, the last being best of all. On July 11th, I preached in Limerick for the last time, and had a crowded and respectable congregation, morning and evening. The very interesting church at Limerick, which the truly estimable Dr. Townley has left as the living and lasting monument of his usefulness, was, if possible, more ardent in the cause than the people of Cork. I can only say that I am deeply sensible of their Christian kindness. July 25th. Contrary to the feelings of many Protestants, I ventured to preach in the open air, at three o'clock, in Tralee, to-day. Indeed, considering the proceedings that had taken place during the election; considering that they regard every Protestant as a Tory, and every Tory an enemy to their creed and country; and also that I had been announced as lecturing on Roman Catholic doctrines during the week, it was rather a hazardous experiment. A few respectable Protestants had courage to join me. Accompanied by the Rev. I. Jennings, an esteemed brother minister, I commenced by singing. This attracted attention-crowds assembled. I gave out my text and preached, and might have continued unmolested for hours, only for a few children and a drunken woman, who kept up a noise at some distance, to the great annoyance of my Roman Catholic hearers, most of whom were deeply attentive and serious. Besides the people who were standing in the street, a number of Roman Catholic gentlemen and ladies had an opportunity of hearing, both from the adjoining houses, where they opened the windows, and also as they passed into the Green, which is the fashionable promenade. At the conclusion I announced a lecture on the Eucharist. The consequence was that we had the chapel crowded, and more then half the audience, probably, were Roman Catholics. I believe God supported me very much on that occasion; for I never delivered a more powerful lecture on Transubstantiation and the Mass, contrasting them with the Gospel and its simple institutions. I could hardly believe I was in Kerry during a general election, so still was the audience, so breathless the attention. There was scarcely a whisper even from the Roman Catholic children. Many a time it was said to me, that the Roman Catholics in the south would not hear me, that if they came out at all, it would be only to disturb and give annoyBut I have gone into the very heart of the south, the very head quarters of Catholicism. Roman Catholics in great numbers have come to hear, the same persons have attended night after night; and I have not met a single case of interruption. July 26th. Preached at Kilkenny to about two hundred people; and this, for the present, terminated my labours in the south. I trust God has been with me of a truth, and that I have not been labouring in vain. To his name be all the praise. Had it been the winter season, we should have had treble the number of Roman Catholics. ance. COLONIAL MISSIONARY SOCIETY. APPEAL ON BEHALF OF CANADA by the ministers who have gone forth from this country, and are labouring in that province in connexion with the Colonial Mis sionary Society. To the Congregational Churches of Great Britain and Ireland. Beloved Brethren in the Faith of Christ.-We (now preachers and pastors in Canada) were formerly amongst yourselves-to you under the Shepherd and Bishop of Souls we are indebted for our principles and characters-to carry into effect your views we came forth into this colony-and having ascertained its moral and religious condition, and the measures required for its welfare, we are resolved to lay the case before you. This country (the surveyed portion of which is said to be about three times as large as Great Britain,) is likely, through its productiveness, its salubrious climate, and its thorough intercommunication by water, to become populous, wealthy, and powerful. Its present population, of about a million, may thus be considered almost patriarchal-the basis of a large superstructure to last for numerous generations, and materially influence the future state of the world. It annually absorbs and assimilates to itself multitudes of the overflowing British races, and amongst them numbers of your own churches and families. The moral and religious condition of this population cannot therefore but be interesting. And what is that condition? Besides Indians (many of whom are uncivilized heathens, and the remainder in general but very partially enlightened) there are about 600,000 Roman Catholics and 600,000 Protestants. It cannot be necessary for us to remind you how many classes that come under the designation of Protestants, are far from being in truth followers of Christ. All the errors and corruptions prevalent around yourselves are brought amongst us, to be added to those which have reached us from the United States, or have sprung up here. This population (increasing with a rapidity with which only the most enlarged and systematic Christian efforts could keep pace,) is excluded from the attentions of the churches in the neighbouring States by prudential considerations, and is thus left to its own scanty resources, and the missionary benevolence of Great Britain. That benevolence we are sorry to have to say has done, has attempted but little for this country. Not that there have been no evangelical efforts;—we rejoice to say that some denominations have done much in proportion to their abilities-one in particular-we wish we could add that that denomination is our own, which, however, truth obliges us to say has been the last, and done the least, in this work. Most of the larger sections of the Christian world are to be seen in this colony, some of them in considerable numbers and strength. We gladly acknowledge too, the usefulness of some of them, both in the earlier days of the colony, and at the present time; for the most ardent desirer of their increased purity, so far from wishing them weakened, must be ready to bid them "God speed." It is however to be deplored that others of these bodies exhibit but few symptoms of vitality, and the religious influence exerted by their ministers and congregations is comparatively small. To an extent to be deplored, the bond of connection, is not any concern for peculiar religious views or practices, but merely national, or political, or denominational sympathies. In few cases, indeed, does there appear to be an active concern, either for purity of communion--"the Communion of Saints," or for catholicity of communion-a regard to all Christ's disciples: church-membership is thus very commonly rather a denominational partizanship, than an allegiance to Christ, and an alliance with the general body of his people. The sovereignty of Christ over every part of religion is seldom maintained; additions to his appointments are therefore readily admitted, so as not only to corrupt the services of the churches, but to divert their deference from the object of all proper religious regard. One painful symptom of this state of things is the very irregular, and careless use of the Holy Scriptures, as a means of devotion, or standard of belief. Where also there is vitality, there are wanting those scriptural safeguards which are essential to its preservation, and a willingness by the acceptance of state endowments, to come into contact with the world, that cannot long continue without jeopardizing all that is spiritual. We therefore consider it most important to the future welfare of the existing religious communities here, that the system prevalent amongst British Congregationalists should be established through the country. We understand that system to combine those doctrines which produced the reformation, sustain Christian Missions, and are the means of regeneration; with the rendering to the Holy Scriptures (and to Jesus Christ through them) not merely complimentary, and theoretical acknowledgements of supremacy, but constant, and universal, and practical attention ;—and maintenance of a worship, at once free from gloom and superstition, yet tender, deep, subdued, in which there is simplicity without coarseness, and feeling without boisterousness; together with a fellowship admitting all that are known to be disciples of Christ, and rejecting all that are not so known. Defective as are the religious systems to which we refer, even they are not extended to the whole of the country. So scattered is a large portion of the population, that where there are Christian ministrations they can be enjoyed by but few, and consequently though even the meanest, and most powerless agents are often employed, immense numbers of the people are living, (and, alas, dying too) without being brought under any religious influences. In some neighbourhoods, the Lord's day is not observed; in others, it is observed, only to be used for field and forest sports, and we have met with white children, who did not know what the word sermon, or church, or Sabbath means. In many cases where things are not so bad as this, there is an entire ignorance of the truths that are saving. We have often been affected in looking upon settlements, where, though God loves them, the people know it not,-hastening to eternity, they are not aware of the principles by which their destiny will be decided; not knowing, in fact, what is good or what is evil,of whom God makes requirements, and his will is not known; to whom the good Shepherd calls, and his voice never reaches. In some of these desolate spots there might be souls and churches communing with God, if we did our duty. Do we not in fact consent that God shall be dishonoured, and the people ruined, while we wilfully withhold the needed instructions? Allow us then to urge upon you the claims of this colony, and beg that whilst you do so much for foreign nations, you will not let your own countrymen, and perhaps many of your own children here, "perish for lack of knowledge." Every native of Britain must prefer the religious literature and institutions of her colonies assuming a British form and character, and would wish to bow to the political necessity that deprives this people of the attentions of the churches in the neighbouring States, but while this is the case, if the people of Great Britain do not aid them, they will be more neglected, than even heathen nations. The Colonial Missionary Society has bestowed a large share of its attention, and benevolence upon this colony; but altogether inadequate are its exertions. We cannot but state, that when we came forth from you, we certainly expected to have had far more co-operation in the work here, than you have rendered us. A beginning (we hope a good beginning) has been made; and we feel gratitude to God, and to his servants for what has been done. But it must be told you, that our churches, our ministerial academy, all that is done, must be lost, become extinct, if the operations be not much enlarged, and if they be, they will eventually be carried forward without a continuance of your aid. You require us (and very properly too) not to accept of public property for our ecclesiastical purposes; such property is here offered to us, and is accepted by most of the religious communities; and our rejection of it is, we believe, the first instance in the empire of an actual refusal to accept of such endowments. It is however evident, that if you require this of the brethren in Canada, you should be prepared to aid them in bearing the sacrifice. When you ask the cessation of legislative intermeddling with religion, your object is to provide by Christian liberality, an efficient substitute. Should you in earnest undertake the real evangelization of this country, you will not only be providing for the European races, which are filling it, and for a rapidly increasing body of fugitives from United States' slavery, but laying a foundation for the subsequent propagation of the Gospel, through the immense region, of which Canada is but the eastern extremity. Indeed, in our feebleness, besides aiding the cause of education, and temperance, and Bible distribution, we have already commenced a work amongst the aboriginal inhabitants of this continent, and have planned systematic proceedings. In conclusion, we offer you our entire powers and lives, for the prosecution of your objects in this land, and we entreat you to do something worthy of our common country, and of your own name. For your prin. ciples the very best blood of Britain and the Christian church has been shed; your literature and your organizations are a costly apparatus, all ready to be easily extended to this country; and your country churches contain many intelligent and devoted youths, who, if they come not to this work, may never be useful. Send them hither; send also for them, and our native ministers, donations of books;and then you may send into the localities where they will be placed your emigrating people and children, and feel that they are still in British Congregational churches, and that you are blessing your countrymen, your government, the churches, and the population of Canada, and the whole of this vast continent. JOHN ROAF, Toronto. JAMES NALL, Burford. WILLIAM HAYDEN, Cobourgh. H. DENNY, Oakville. W. P. WASTELL, Guelph. That portion of the province of Canada, formerly known as Lower Canada, is in circumstances slightly different from those represented above. A part of our popu |