inhabitants. During these eight years two new Presbyterian churches have been organized, and the membership of one of the others has more than doubled. In that city of only forty thousand inhabitants there are seven Presbyterian churches, with an aggregate membership of two thousand eight hundred (2,800) communicants. There are, besides, eight Methodist churches, several of which are large; seven Episcopal churches, of like size and strength; one or two Baptist churches, with two or three missions; a Congregational church, with one mission; two large Roman Catholic churches; a Jewish synagogue-and, in short, all the religious denominations are fully represented. If you ask me how it is that there are so many flourishing churches in that city, I need only say it is because there are many. Religion is contagious. Churches are mutually helpful. Like trees in the forest, they draw each other heavenward. Plant one church in a city, and it will not have influence enough to advertise itself and its work so as to command the support of the community. Plant another,

and church life and work will be more spoken of, and, therefore, better advertised, to say nothing of more important spiritual results. But still there may be need for another, and another, and another, up to the limit that is reached when the whole population has been overtaken. Six Presbyterian churches in this

city should flourish better than four, and perhaps eight better than six. There are beautiful new streets and avenues, with no Presbyterian church or Sunday school within easy reach. Already you have recognized the fact that this state of things must be remedied. I have said that this edifice is very sacred to me. Yet if it were necessary that this dear old church should be removed, to be within more convenient reach of the new homes of the great majority of its members, while I could not but regret to see it pass away, who would allow any sentiment of attachment to either the building or its site to stand in the way of the advancement of Christ's Kingdom! But it may, perhaps, not be necessary to have this church removed. Let the congregation divide, amicably and on equitable terms, so that those going out would take with them the blessing of the mother church, and while the new organization would soon grow strong, sacred associations would help to gather new members to the old church to take the places of those who had gone. This we have seen take place elsewhere, and why not here? But I have confidence in your wisdom and zeal, and know that this question will receive the attention it demands, and will be answered in the way that will best serve the interests of Presbyterianism, and of religion in general in this large and prosperous city. Should we be permitted to meet

again in coming years, I trust it may be to look back with devout gratitude to this memorial day, bearing our testimony that it was the day on which a fresh impulse was given to the progress of the Presbyterian cause in this city, resulting in the planting of new churches, or of old churches in new fields, where their growth will be vastly greater and more gratifying than could be possible under the continuance of present circumstances.

I have made these remarks unsolicited by any of my brethren, and without their knowledge of my intention to speak as I have spoken, for I have spoken without premeditation, using the liberty of a friend in remembrance of your kindness to me in the first years of my ministry, and the kindness of your pastor in urging me to come to rejoice with you on this interesting memorial occasion.

MONDAY SERVICES.

Again Monday evening a goodly congregation joined in the commemoration services of the occasion.

The pastor spoke of the lessons of the hour, and the many reasons for thanksgiving and gratitude this congregation had; and especially that eighty years ago the Lord had His servant, James Hoge, to organize a church in the wilderness, and plant the vine which had borne in the past, and was continuing to bear, such abundant fruit.

The following hymn, used in the service thirty years ago by the congregation which assembled to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the organization of the church, was read by the pastor, and sung:

[From Sternhold & Hopkins' Collection (1609). Tune: "Coronation."

Attend ye people, heare and learne,

E'en of our fathers old,

And which for our instruction
Our fathers have us told,

That they and their posteritie
That were not sprung up tho'
Should have the knowledge of the lawe,
And teach their seede also-

That they may have the better hope
In God that is above,

And not forget to keep His lawes,
And His precepts in love.

Friends and pastors of neighboring churches were present with their greetings. Rev. Drs. Trimble, Gladden, Mullenix, Craft, and Rev. Mr. Aylesworth and Laidlaw, took part in the service.

After prayer, and singing the hymn,

"Oh, God of Bethel, by whose hand
Thy people still are led,

Who through this weary pilgrimage
Our fathers all were led,"

Rev. Joseph M. Trimble, D. D., the Nestor of Methodism among us, was introduced, and responded in these words:

My Dear Friends of the First Presbyterian Church: I am glad to be with you to-night to share with you the pleasure of your eightieth anniversary greetings. I have known something of your history, especially of the ministers who have served you in the Lord. It was my privilege to know the venerable Dr. James Hoge, the founder of the church, who served it so long and so well. I heard my Grandma Trimble speak of entertaining him in her log cabin before I was born. I met him first in Hillsborough, on a visit to his brother, the Rev. Samuel D. Hoge,