words, gives the departed the tribute due from the living to the dead. And, although no voice speaks it, our resolution is to prepare to meet our God. During the last year, the Rev. Mr. Van Horne, the Rev. Eli Baldwin, the Rev. David S. Bogart, Rev. Isaac Fisher, and Alvah Neal have been called to give an account of their stewardship. The places which once knew them shall know them no more for ever. Another year, and some of us may have our names announced for the last time in this assembly from the roll, not of the living but the dead-transferred from the church on earth to the assembly of the first born in heaven.

It was the dying words of the eminently useful Richmond, "We are but half awake." It is even so. The desolating tide of sin is sweeping by us, carrying with it its myriads to eternal woe. The energies of earth and hell are combined for man's destruction, We, as watchmen and soldiers, are to alarm the unwary, to stem the current of sin; to resist the adversary. Our influence must be decided for good or ill, and yet how imperfectly we fulfil the duties of our high vocation. Our cry to the church is, " Brethren pray for us;" pray that we may be more devoted, more self-denying, more courageous than we have hitherto proved ourselves to be in the mighty contest against the God of this world.

It becomes us all to keep constantly before us the loftiest aims and hopes of the gospel. The shadows of earth are fading around us. Even while we sit here in deliberation, tidings of sickness and death call one and another of our number from their places here to attend the dying bed or funeral of some member of their congregations. But, these events should only serve to raise us above. transient things. The unfading joys of the upper sanctuary are before us. The latter day glory of the church appears to be rapidly hastening on. Fathers and brethren, ministers and people, let us, by patient continuance in well doing, secure, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour, eternal life."

G. ABEEL, Chairman,

Ministers without charge-Rev. J. V. C. Romeyn, J. Ennis.