But, beloved brethren, the history of the last thirty years affords many subjects for grateful and humbling review to yourselves, as well as to your pastor. You have erected a noble chapel, which will be, I trust, during future years, as it has been during the past, the spiritual birthplace of immortal souls; you have had a Christian church formed among you, in which “one is your Master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren,” and which, through the power and grace of the Holy Spirit, has increased, from fourteen, to nearly seven hundred members; you have enjoyed, amidst the services of the sanctuary, many a time of sweet and heavenly refreshing; you have, in connection with your own place of worship, many valuable institutions, conducted by zealous and laborious individuals, and which are the salt and savour of the church; you have two very important and interesting village stations under your care, in one of which you have built a chapel, and in both of which you support a worthy missionary, preach the gospel, and teach Sunday Schools; you have cheerfully and sufficiently supported your own minister; you have paid your own congregational expences; and you have contributed to various religious objects and institutions the noble sum of twenty-two thousand five hundred pounds; and now, at the close of the first thirty years of your ecclesiastical history, you have assembled together, to review the past with humble gratitude to God; to testify your unabated attachment to the pastor of your voluntary choice; and to enter upon another thirty years, which, as they roll along, will bear away many of you, and me also, into the eternal world. “LET THY WORK, O LORD, APPEAR UNTO THY SERVANTS, AND THY GLORY UNTO THEIR CHILDREN. AND LET THE BEAUTY OF THE LORD OUR GOD BE UPON US; AND ESTABLISH THOU THE WORK OF OUR HANDS UPON US; YEA, THE WORK OF OUR HANDS ESTABLISH THOU IT.” THE GOOD PASTOR. THIRTY years have rolled away, Since that holy, happy day, When amongst us first he came, In his Master’s cause and name, Hearts to gladden—souls to win From the power of death and sin. Thirty years their dews have shed On his loved and honoured head, Since, in all the glow of youth, Champion of celestial truth, He his hallowed task began, Holiest work of fallen man. Since that holy, happy day, Many a soul hath passed away— Many a soul that listened long, To the pleadings, soft, yet strong, From his kindled lips that fell, For the Lord he loved so well. Since that holy, happy day, Who amongst us all can say— Say how many hearts have felt Stubborn pride within them melt, As, with tenderness and love, In the Saviour’s cause he strove? Who shall say how many a mind, Erewhile erring, weak, and blind, Hath, beneath his guiding hand, Sought and found “the better land,”— Seen its darkness flee away In the blaze of gospel-day?