It seemed like an ocean of oil, flowing on with unbroken surface. But though we were so favoured, I cannot say that I had a pleasant sojourn with old Neptune. According to the general testimony, he dealt with us most propitiously, but I was unable to appreciate his favours. Others appeared to be very happy under his reign, but his trident was a terror to me, and my devotions at his shrine were far from pleasurable. Nearly all on board seemed to enjoy the many luxuries that were from time to time spread before them, but the name of these things produced inexpressible loathing in me. My worst fears as to that most horrible of all the horrors sea-sickness -were fully realized during six or seven wearisome days and nights, which seemed as if they would never end. Others might find their dreams of poetry and romance accomplished; but during this time there was nothing poetical or romantic in "the deep blue sea," or the azure skies, for me. At length, however, (and O what a length it was) I recovered from this awful distress and began to enjoy life a little on the ocean wave. On the afternoon of the second Sabbath, I was wonderfully revived and prepared for the enjoyment of one of the most enchanting scenes I ever beheld. Long shall I remember that Sabbath evening. The mighty change which had come over my own sensations, the delightful tranquillity of the air and sea, the golden glories of the west as the sun was finishing his course, and the exquisitely purpled clouds of the east, cannot easily be forgotten. This was a scene eminently fitted to feast the painter's eye, and to fire the poet's soul. I am thankful to say, that Mrs. Cocker suffered much less from the voyage than I did, and that our little Willie was as merry as a lark all the way. On the Monday morning about four o'clock, the guns of the ship went bang, bang, and on asking the steward what these explosions meant, I was told that they were the signals of our arrival at Halifax. This was glorious news, though it was rather early to be roused from one's slumbers after a somewhat restless night. Between five and six, I was on deck, and got my first look on the shores of the new world. Thoughts of home, now so far away, and thoughts of this land of Columbus, passed rapidly through my mind, and produced emotions which I should attempt in vain to describe. I went on shore, taking our little boy with me, and the planting of my feet for the first time on this western continent was an event of intense interest to me. Here, the Rev. George Scott, whose companionship has been very pleasant, left us for duties awaiting him in New Brunswick. me We resumed our voyage about eleven in the forenoon, and at two in the afternoon of next day, we had the magnificent harbour of Boston, with its many forts and islands, in full view. I felt a special interest in looking on Fort Warren, where Mason and Slidell, those vile traitors to all the rights and interests of humanity, were confined. We stayed in Boston till the Friday, and had the opportunity of seeing the city in all its main features. It is a large and splendid place, and for its regulations seems to be a model city. I visited the senate-house, and had the honour of an introduction to several senators and representatives. They shewed the utmost courtesy, and knowing that I had just come from the old country, they seemed determined to impress me by their kindness. I was equally pleased with their patriotism and their politeness. We left for Toronto, by the New York Central Railway, on the Friday, at 2.30 p.m., with the not very agreeable prospect of having to remain on the rail till five o'clock the following afternoon. While the daylight lasted, there was much to interest us in the scenery. For an immense distance, the line runs by the Springfield River, and beside this river there is a chain of rocks and mountains remarkably bold and romantic, and, in some parts, exceedingly beautiful. When night was dropping its sable shroud on all these interesting scenes, I expressed my regret to the guard who was sitting near me, and to my surprise he very gravely said, that the country was 46 as pretty in the night as it was in the day." It required the wits of a genuine son of the Emerald Isle to comprehend this, and I did not attempt to dispel from his mind an illusion that would have been so delightful to my own. We looked into their sleeping cars, but they would not tempt us to spend the night in places where we suspected there might be many more passengers than had paid their fare. We therefore kept our seats, and made the best terms we could with Morpheus. Our little fellow slept soundly till the break of day. At 1.30 p.m., we reached the far-famed suspension bridge over the river that separates the States and Canada. Here we got a hasty glance at the world-renowned Niagara Falls, which we hope to see some other day at our leisure. We arrived at Toronto at 5.30, and were immediately cheered by the sight of our old friend, Mr. Robinson, who had kindly come to meet us. We felt it a great advantage to be received by friends from fatherland, and we cannot too gratefully acknowledge the cordiality and kindness with which Mr. Robinson and his family have entertained us. If we had been closely related to them they could not have treated us with more affection. Well, here we are, with abundant cause for thankfulness that we have been preserved amidst perils by sea and by land, and permitted to reach our destination in safety. It was no small trial to leave dear old England, with all its loved associations. It was indeed hard to part with the valued friends in Sheffield, and to say good bye to those kind friends who ac companied us to the ship in Liverpool. We owe special thanks to our esteemed President, to Messrs. M'Curdy and Stokoe, and to several lay friends, for their tokens of friendship up to the moment of our departure, and indeed after our departure, for as long as our vision could reach them they symbolized their good wishes and feelings by the waving of hats and hands. The great kindness shewn to us by our friends in England, on the occasion of our leaving, has left impres sions that neither time nor distance will efface. Above all, would we render thanks to the Giver of all good for these and other tokens of his lovingkindness. I write in haste, and have not time to say more. I shall be with you in spirit during your approaching Conference, and shall not fail to pray that the God of all grace may abundantly bless you in your deliberations. Please to present my very affectionate regards to all the members of the Committee, and to the Conference when assembled, accepting the same yourself. WM. COCKER. AUSTRALIA. OPENING OF A NEW MISSION AT HOPE VALLEY, NEAR ADELAIDE. of Hindley-street, when appropriate and excellent speeches were delivered by the Rev. J. Maughan and other gentlemen. It was clearly shown that the erection of a new chapel was not only necessary but feasible, and in proof of the latter about £75 was subscribed at the close of the meeting. It was stated that the foundation-stone would be laid without delay, and that the new chapel would be supplied regularly by the Methodist New Connexion Church, now under Mr. Maughan's superintendence, and in connection with which a branch Society has already been formed. The meeting, after passing votes of thanks to the ladies for the bountiful refreshments, to Mr. Maughan and the Adelaide friends, and lastly to the excellent chairman, who had so well conducted the business of the meeting, separated about ten o'clock, apparently delighted with the manner the evening had been spent." HOPE VALLEY.-" On Tuesday evening last, Feb. 20th, an agreeable gathering took place at Hope Valley, for the purpose of considering the 'ways and means' likely to be available for the erection of a chapel in that place, for the worship of Almighty God and the holding of a Sabbath School. The Rev. J. Maughan, with about forty or fifty members of the Adelaide Church and congregation, attended the meeting. Immediately after their arrival, they went in a body to inspect a beautiful site of land given by Captain Stephenson in furtherance of the contemplated erection, and then returned to the little log chapel, where a bountiful spread of tea, cake, and fruit had been gratuitously provided by the ladies of the neighbourhood. Upwards of one hundred sat down to the pleasing repast, and the utmost harmony and generous feeling prevailed. After these preliminaries had been gone through, a public meeting was held, presided over by Mr. James Smith, NOTICE.-Missionary Boxes, Collecting Books and Cards, may be had by application to the Clerk of the Book-Room. NEW CONNEXION MAGAZINE. SEPTEMBER, 1866. Theology and General Literature. THE PRAYER MEETING: ITS IMPORTANCE, AND THE BEST MODE OF CONDUCTING IT. (Published by request of Conference.) ALTHOUGH, on many accounts, it was with much reluctance that I yielded to the resolution of our last Annual Conference appointing me to this situation, yet than the subject committed to me there is none connected with Christ's kingdom among men on which I have deeper or more cherished convictions, or convictions which I am ordinarily more willing to avow. In approaching a theme so spiritual and so vital, a suitable frame of mind and of heart is obviously of high importance. Whatever concerns the cultivation of devotion demands devotional consideration. I take leave to suggest this, without in, the least desiring to discourage vivacity and freedom in the ensuing discussion. Justly may our subject be called vital, for whoever could tell us why, as a people, we do not pray more, would, in doing so, tell us also why we are not more prosperous. There is no principle of theological, belief more openly acknowledged among us than thisthat the power which saves souls from death is power from on high. The success of our efforts to administer religion absolutely depends on the blessing of the Almighty. The Gospel itself, blessed and glorious as it is, is of none effect without the promised gift of the Holy Spirit. From first to last, from the hour in which a human spirit seeks admission into the kingdom of God on earth to the hour of its ascension into the kingdom of glory in heaven, the work of salvation is, so far as efficiency is concerned, wholly and solely the work of God. All Christendom could not induce even a child to love God. We can no more awaken souls to spiritual life than we can bring about the last general resurrection of the dead. "It is the Spirit that quickeneth." And yet we are in constant danger of forgetting this great, Godglorifying truth. It has been forgotten, or greatly obscured to us, whenever we have sought to account for our scanty spiritual harvests by inquiring in what respects we have mismanaged the processes of tillage and culture, without turning our thoughts to the heavens, without thinking whether the rainfall has been as abundant as might have been hoped. As if we supposed there was nothing |