137 present day revert to those bug-bears, tbe offsprings of ignorance and fraud, which kept our fathers at variance for so many ages.” Twelve collectors were appointed, with Mr. Bodecin as Treasurer. A wooden building was commenced upon an allotment. But when the Catholics got a promise of ground at the corner of Lonsdale and Elizabeth Streets, they removed their little frame work up into the hush, as it was then called. At a meeting, held June 22nd, thanks were tendered to Capt. Lonsdale for his kindness in permitting occupation of the site until the grant could be obtained from Government. Thanks also were presented to Mr. Hogue and to Mr. R. H. Browne of Heidelberg for the old place of Worship. The Lonsdale Street temporary chapel cost ,£100, and was opened July 28th. It held 400 persons. The material of which it was composed may still he seen, as it now forms the floor of St. Francis Cathedral. An advertisement notified the times of worship on the day of opening as follows ;—Short Service, half past 8; Parochial Service, 11; Exhortation on Social Duties, 4 o’clock. In an address to the Catholics of Port Phillip, in June, 1839, the Rev. P. B. Geoghan thus beautifully expresses himself; “ To recognize the right of every one to Worship God according to his conscience, is a noble and enlightened principle ;—it alone can give a permanent basis to society, because upon it alone can he combined the various forms of Christian worship into a structure for the common good.” In September an effort was made to raise £300 in order to secure the Government aid. Only £43 were in 1 • .1. At the meeting was obtained the amount of £106 19s. in cash and £22 in promissory notes. One of the resolutions passed was as follows ; “ That our thanks are gratefully offered to the esteemed individuals of other persuasions, who have so generously aided us in erecting a place to Worship God, ac cording to our conscience ; and we pledge c ’ rselves to maintain, to the uttermost of our power, the liberal Christian spirit which at present distinguishes the district of Port Phillip.” This resolution was pro posed by one clergyman and seconded by the other. The Presbyterians.—In the primeval days of worship in the little wooden box, when Mr. James Smith read prayers in the morning, the Presbyterians had service in the afternoon, early in 1838. This was conducted by the Rev. James Clow, formerly a chaplain in the East India Company’s establishment, who retired on his pension. The Rev. Mr. Forbes arrived in Melbourne, January 28th, 1839. His
