what art thou, but the gate of life, the portal of Heaven, the threshold of eternity!

Thanks be to God-let us say it, Christians, in the comforting words of Holy Scripture, "Thanks be to God who giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ." What hope can be so precious as the hope in him? What emblems can speak to bereaved affection, or to dying frailty, like those emblems at once of suffering and triumph, which proclaim a crucified and risen Lord which proclaim that Jesus the Forerunner, has passed through death, to immortal life? Well, that the great truth should be signalised and sealed upon our hearts in holy rites! Well, that amidst mortal changes, and hastening to the tomb, we should, from time to time, set up an altar, and say, "by this heaven-ordained token do we know that we shall live for ever!" God grant the fulfilment of this great hope;-what matter all things beside? God grant the fulfilment of this great hope, through Jesus Christ.

BELFAST UNITARIAN SOCIETY FOR THE DIFFUSION OF CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE.

OUR readers will be glad to learn that the management of the af fairs of this Society has been undertaken by a committee of lay-men, who have entered on their duties with zeal, and will, we are assured, discharge them with efficiency. The object at which they at present aim, is the circulation of Books and Tracts in explanation and defence of Liberal Christianity; and for this purpose they have a Depository in Rosemary-street, where such publications are offered for sale. It will be seen by an advertisement on the cover of our present number, that a considerable addition has just been made to their stock; and among the books lately introduced, we perceive some of the standard volumes of the American Theology and Literature. We would particularly notice The Love Token for Children, Live and Let Live, and The Rich Poor Man, by Miss Sedgwick. This interesting and instructive writer may be called the Miss Edgeworth of America, and her books may be read with profit by all ranks and classes of society. We also observe in their catalogue, the three volumes that have been published of the Sunday Library, edited by Dr. Henry Ware, viz.: The Life of the Saviour, The Life of Howard, and The Holy Land; and Scenes and Characters illustrating Christian Truth, edited by the same gentleman, among which is "Home," the most delightful tale that Miss Sedgwick has written. All these volumes, with many others in the depository, are well adapted for Christmas and New Year gifts.

While we do not pretend to particularize even the most excellent of the publications lately received, we cannot avoid noticing Dewey's two volumes of Discourses, which must rank among the most eloquent and impressive Sermons of the present age, and will deserve a place beside the Discourses of Dr. Channing. From the last published of these volumes, we extract the article on the "Effects of Wealth,' which appears in our present number.

The committee have lately made an appeal to their Unitarian brethren in behalf of their funds, soliciting subscriptions from individuals, and annual collections from congregations. In Belfast their success has surpassed their expectations, and we trust that the friends of the good cause in the country districts will not be found wanting in liberality. Ministers should regard it as their paramount duty to exert themselves in behalf of this Society, as it may so materially aid them in the establishment or extension of congregational libraries, and may furnish them with useful tracts for circulation.

We trust that by the liberal aid of the Unitarian community, the committee may be enabled to imitate the American Association in the publishing of Tracts suited to the times, and in their gratuitous distribution where it may be prudent.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION HOLYWOOD

On Sunday, the 16th ult., the following Address from the Members of the First Presbyterian Congregation, Holywood, to their Minister, was read by A. H. Haliday, Esq., immediately after Divine Service.

TO CHARLES JAMES M'ALESTER, PRESBYTER, MINISTER OF THE FIRST CONGREGATION, HOLYWOOD. Rev. and Dear SIR,-We, the Members of this Congregation, are assembled on a very pleasing occasion, to testify our attachment to you as our Minister, and our esteem for you as a most exemplary member of society. This expression of our respect is more immediately called forth (in conjunction with other circumstances of the same nature) by your having very recently declined accepting a unanimous call to the Pastoral Charge of another Congregation, which would have been much more advantageous, in a pecuniary view, than Holywood. Regarding your conduct, on this occasion, as a particular instance of generous attachment to your flock here, we embrace the earliest opportunity of presenting this public Address, as an hum

ble, though very inadequate, expression of our mutual and affectionate attachment to you as our Pastor. We would, especially, declare our high approbation of your unceasing endeavour to enforce the duty of living (as far as lies in us) peaceably with all men, of every religious denomination; and the obligation of extending, without reserve, to others, the privilege which we claim for ourselves, in exercising the right of private judgment, and estimating the sufficiency of the Scriptures as the Rule of Faith. We gratefully remember your services of kindness and consolation to the sick and sorrowful, and your zealous efforts to animate domestic piety, to provide the most efficient means for our improvement, generally; and, in par¬ ticular, to elevate the moral and religious character of the young, by the establishing of a Sabbath- School, and a select Congregational Library.

It is our hearty desire and prayer to God, that he will bless you and your people more abundantly with wisdom and spiritual understanding, so that we, thankfully receiving the protection of equal laws, and the religious liberty which we enjoy, may give testimony of our faith by peaceable and godly living; and that you may find a present reward of your labors in winning many souls to Christ. And, in affection and sincerity, we commend you to the favor of God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Signed on behalf of the Congregation,

Holywood, Dec. 16, 1838.

JOHN GREENFIELD, Chairman.

REPLY.

MY DEAR FRIENDS, I highly value the Address with which you have presented me: while it greatly overrates any exertions I have been enabled to make for your spiritual improvement, it convinces me that I possess your esteem.

I could have wished, that the circumstance to which you refer, as more immediately calling forth this expression of your respect. had not transpired beyond the friends to whom it was mentioned; but I do not value the less on this account, the kind feeling which has prompted you to notice it. I consider the regulation of our Church, which permits a Minister, when he has the opportunity, to improve his worldly circumstances, by removing to another congregation, most proper; but I do not think that the prospect of a small increase of emolument should be a sufficient inducement to break up a cônnexion between a Pastor and his people, which has been strengthened

by frequent intercourse, and cemented by mutual confidence and regard.

You are pleased to notice, with approval, my endeavours to cultivate a spirit of charity and forbearance towards persons of other denominations. You thus recognize a duty which is incumbent on every follower of the blessed Saviour; a duty which I trust we, my brethren, shall strive uniformly and religiously to observe. As a Christian Church, we glory in maintaining the two great principles of the Reformation, THE BIBLE IS A SUFFICIENT RULE OF FAITH; and, EVERY MAN MUST INTERPRET THE BIBLE FOR HIMSELF;-and whenever we injure, insult, or even coldly salute a neighbour, because he differs from us in opinion, we trample on these sacred principles, and do violence to the cause of Christian Liberty.

We cannot too highly estimate the importance of domestic piety. Home is the place where the feelings and affections are most successfully cultivated; if piety be carefully trained and cherished there, it may gain a hold on the heart, which the world with all its temptations will not be able to overcome: and therefore would I diligently labor, that, in every family of our little society, an altar may be reared for the daily worship of our Father in Heaven.

The Congregational Library, established last year, contains upwards of two hundred volumes; and, in this age, when education is almost universal, I trust that it may prove a powerful instrument for the extension of religious knowledge and piety among us. In this, as in every thing else that is calculated to improve our society, I am happy to acknowledge your cheerful and efficient co-operation.

I am gratified by your notice of the Sabbath-School. I honestly confess, that, if there be one portion of the congregation for which I feel a more lively interest than another, it is the "lambs" of my flock; and I cherish a reasonable hope, that the various means adopted for their religious improvement may, by the blessing of God, be attended with great success. I rejoice to add, that an interest in the cause of Sunday-School education is rapidly increasing in our Church. Finally, brethren, I join, with all my heart, in your prayer, that God may bless us more abundantly with wisdom and spiritual understanding; and I fervently hope, that, by His grace, we may be "steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as we know, that our labor is not in vain in the Lord."

Holywood, Dec. 16, 1838.

CHARLES J. M'ALESTER.

ORDINATION AT RAVARA.

ON Wednesday, the 12th ult., the Remonstrant Presbytery of Bangor met at Ravara to ordain the Rev. John M'Caw to the Pastoral charge of the new Remonstrant Congregation in that place. The Rev. W. H. Doherty preached from Matt. xvi. 24., “If any man will be my disciple, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me." The Rev. David Whyte, in a lucid and eloquent address, defended Presbyterian ordination; and the Rev. F Blakely delivered an appropriate and very instructive charge to the congregation and the newly elected minister.

The members of the congregation entertained the clergymen at a plain aud comfortable dinner in Mr. Stewart's Inn, Ballygowan." About eighty persons were present, Dr. Gordon of Saintfield in the chair, and Mr. Bingham, Kilmore, acting as croupier.

OBITUARY.

Died, On Friday, the 21st ult., near Holywood, Thomas Byers, in the 79th year of his age. This good old man died full of years and full of hope. Throughout his life he was distinguished for integrity, benevolence, and piety. He possessed the confidence and esteem of the neighbourhood in which he lived. In religious opinion he was a Unitarian, and was a consistent advocate of religious liberty. For many years he was an Elder in the First Presbyterian Congregation of Holywood, and took a lively interest in the affairs of that religious Society.

Died-On the 10th ult., at the house of his father, Holywood, Captain Hugh Stewart, only surviving son of Mr. Hugh Stewart, in the 23rd year of his age. For some time he had been at sea, and had visited the East Indies, South America, and other countries.— During an illness of some weeks, he exhibited much patience in suffering, and derived peace and joy from those exercises of devotion in which he held communion with his Father. His life, though short, was exemplary, and adorned with many good dispositions, which we had fondly hoped would have been matured on earth, but they are transplanted to a more congenial soil.

Died, On the 4th of December, at his house in George's-street, Belfast, Mr. James Harper, aged 50; of amiable feelings, upright character, and religious habits, and distinguished for his indefatigable attention to the interests of the poor.

Died,--On the 4th December, John C. Cunningham, aged 25, leaving a regret that one, whose opening prospects were so encourage ing, should be so early removed.