while the means by which, in the event of her husband's removal, she was fondly hoping to accomplish it, are snatched from her. It is gratifying to hear, that on making known her case to the BISHOP OF BATH AND WELLS, his lordship signed it and gave a guinea, and his lady added her name with the same sum; other respectable inhabitants have followed ther example, which it is now hoped will be followed by the friends of humanity in every part of the kingdom. We have only to add that MR. JOHN WOODHILL, of Birmingham, has, with an intrepidity and zeal which reflect the highest credit upon him, volunteered his services in behalf of this destitute family, intending, if his life and health permit him, to devote some of the ensuing months to the laudable purpose of making a personal canvass in their behalf throughout the country. To such as know Mr. Woodhill, it is needless for us to say one word on the subject of his respectability; but as this appeal may possibly come under the inspection of some who do not know him so well as we do, it may not be improper to add, that he has been for many years, and still is a Deacon of the Baptist church in. Bond-street, Birmingham, a person of unimpeachable integrity, and, what every Christian ought to be, uniting in his character the highest sense of honour with ardent zeal for promoting the glory of God and the happiness of his fellow creatures. May success attend EDITOR.

him!

STATE OF RELIGION IN CANADA. [From the Rev. W. Bell's Letters from Upper Canada, just published.]

"THOUGH religion in Canada is at a low ebb, it is evidently upon the advance; and when the want of faithful labourers in different parts of the country is supplied, by the blessing of God, we may expect a great reformation to take place. The people are not so destitute of speculative knowledge, as of moral habits and religious principle. I have met with many of the old settlers, who have lived from twenty to forty years in the country, and who could talk fluently, and even correctly, in praise of religion, and yet they would drink, swear, profane the Sabbath, and neglect the duties of religion as much as the most ignorant of their neighbours. Occasional instruction will not suffice: there must be line upon line, and precept upon precept, before we can expect to see vice wither and religion flourish. Professing Christians must be collected into congregations, and superintended by pious, active and faithful ministers. But how is this to be effected? The people are neither able nor willing to support ministers at their own expense, and there is no provision of a general nature made for them, either by public authority or private exertions. The few ministers that are here are making every effort to disseminate the good seed of the word, but what are they

in such an extensive country? A hundred, or even two hundred ministers, might find ample employment in Upper Canada, had they the means of support. Previous to the late war, the number of ministers, of all denominations, was very small. Since 1815 they have greatly increased.

"The church of England claims an establishment here, and meets with a decided preference from the members of government. The bishop of Quebec has the over-sight of all the inferior clergy in both provinces. All the ministers belonging to that communion, in the two provinces, are missionaries from the Society for the propagation of the Gospel, and receive their salaries from the funds of that institution. You will be able to form a tolerably correct idea of the extent of their congregations, from the following extract from the Society's Report for the year 1821, which is the latest I have at hand.

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"LOWER CANADA.-At fifteen stations there are fifteen missionaries; one has £215; thirteen have £200 each, and one £100. The visiting missionary (Hon. and Rev. Dr. Stewart) has £300 per annum, Marriages 87,-baptisms 266,-communicants 210,-burials 57.

"UPPER CANADA.-At seventeen stations there are seventeen missionaries: of whom, one at York has £275 sterling per annum, fifteen have £200 each, and one £50. The missionary at Ancaster has £20 in addition, as visitor to the Indians; and there is a schoolmaster to the Mohawks at £30, and a catechist at £10 per annum. Marriages 118,—baptisms 348,—communicants 118,-burials 57.

adheres to the doctrines, discipline, and "The Presbyterian church in Canada mode of worship of the church of Scotland. In the lower province there is one presbytery, but it has not, of late, held any regular meetings. In the upper province there are three presbyteries, which meet in general synod once a-year. The number of the congregations in the lower province, with which I am acquainted, is eight; namely, one in Quebec, which has been established many years, and is both numerous and respectable. The Rev. Dr. Sparks, their former minister, died in 1818. The Rev. Dr. Harkness, their present pastor, has been settled among them about four years.-Two in Montreal, the one under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Sommerville, the other under that of the Rev. Mr. Easton. They have both been established a good number of years, but how many I have not learned. These three have all large and commodious churches, and support their ministers both respectably and comfortably. -St. Andrews, on the Ottwa, forty-five miles above Montreal, of which the Rev. Mr. Henderson is minister. The Rev. Mr. Taylor, formerly of Stenhouse, came out with me in 1817 as the minister of this congregation, but did not fix his residence among them. Mr. Henderson, their present pastor, (formerly of Carlisle) came out in the following year, and has laboured successfully among