“The above service was conducted in the presence of a very numerous and attentive congregation, and evidently in the enjoyment of His presence, who says to his ministers, ‘Lo! I am with you always to the end of the world.’ It was indeed a time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord; and never may the minister, and never may the people forget the vows which they then formed, nor lose the impressions which they then received. May the union, thus solemnly and publicly recognised, continue uninterrupted and unbroken till terminated by the stroke of death; and may the pastor and all the people hereafter meet and dwell together in that holy and happy world, where sin, and death, and sorrow, shall be known no more.” A church needs however not only a Pastor, as its Bishop, who is to “give himself continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word,” but Deacons also, to superintend its temporal affairs, and “to serve tables.” The church therefore, in the first instance, chose two of its members to that office; a number which has been increased again and again, as the necessities of the church required. In addition to the meetings of the church for devotional purposes, it has always held a meeting once a month for general business, and these meetings have been chiefly occupied in the reception of members. Sometimes, when a member has been going to reside in some other town, we have had to grant him a letter of commendation and dismission to the church with which he has wished to unite, and on which that church has received him. Sometimes, we have had to discuss questions relative to the best mode of proceeding in the election of officers, and in the transaction of other business. And sometimes, we have had to investigate charges against character, and solemnly to exclude an unworthy member. And when a church can keep “the spirit of the world” from mingling with its proceedings, its very discussions, as well as its devotions, are highly beneficial, and contribute to the acquisition of “manly piety,” and to the exercise of holy wisdom and of brotherly love. On such occasions, when every brother is free to hold, and free to express his own convictions, it is a degree of liberty which, though liable to abuse, is one of the invaluable privileges of the church of Christ; and when used in his spirit, and in accordance with his directions, is one of the sources of its strength and security. Amidst the great variety of proceedings in which, as a church, we have had to engage, it has been our mercy “to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” The people have been “kindly affectioned one towards another, and towards their pastor, in brotherly love;” so that, amidst our many imperfections and infirmities, God has dealt very graciously with his servants, and the cloud of his glory has continued to rest over our assemblies. Our church meetings, from the beginning, have