DEATH OF THE REV. DR. ROSS OF SYDNEY.

THE character and services of this servant of God have been so long identified with the cause of Christian Missions, more especially in connection with the Islands of Polynesia, that we cannot forego the present opportunity of testifying our high respect and honour for his memory.

The late Dr. Ross having been educated in Edinburgh for the Christian ministry, accepted a laborious and difficult sphere in the Russian Empire; and to enable him to prosecute his work with greater efficiency, he went through a course of medical studies, and took his degree as a doctor in medicine, rendering in that capacity signal services during the prevalence of cholera. Being compelled to relinquish this Mission, Dr. R., on returning to England, became Pastor of the Congregational Church at Kidderminster, where he laboured assiduously for the space of twelve

years.

In the year 1839, at the urgent solicitation of the Colonial Missionary Society, he proceeded to Sydney, New South Wales, in order to occupy an important sphere as Pastor of the Independent Church and Congregation, assembling at Pitt Street in that city. In combination with that appointment, our friend also undertook the office of Agent for the LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY'S Missions in Polynesia; and we have much pleasure in certifying to the intelligence and efficiency with which he discharged the duties of this responsible office for the space of twenty years, and to the uniform kindness with which he welcomed the Missionaries on their visits to Sydney.

About eight or nine years ago the health of Dr. Ross suddenly failed, when he was compelled to resign his pastoral engagements. He was succeeded by the REV. WILLIAM CUTHBERTSON, who also at a later period undertook the office of agent for the Society. Having lived in comparative retirement during his later years, our excellent and honoured friend was at length called to his rest on the 25th October, 1862, in the seventyfirst year of his age, of which nearly twenty-four had been spent in the colony.

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From the "Sydney Morning Herald" of the 4th November, we might, space permitted, have given some highly interesting extracts, illustrative of the life and labours of Dr. R., but we must conclude this brief notice with the following passage from that journal.

"All that sympathy and love could do to soothe his last hours, was of course supplied by his congregation and by his friends. Many times during the last few weeks, in the intervals of self-possession, his faith as a Christian and his affections as a man, resumed their wonted power, and shed their gentle influence upon the circle about him. No man has gone down to the grave with a purer reputation, and around no man's last resting-place will gather sweeter or warmer recollections. Dr. Ross had a work to do, assigned by his Master, and he performed it well. He lived the threescore years and ten, and so long as the circle of which he was the ornament and chief shall survive, he will be mentioned with the veneration due to the memory of the just."

SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING ON BEHALF OF MADAGASCAR.

A SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING

Of the Members and Friends of the London Missionary Society, will be held at

FREEMASONS' HALL, GREAT QUEEN STREET, On the Evening of TUESDAY, the 17th instant,

With a view of diffusing information on the past labours of the Society in Madagascar, and especially to promote the Erection of the proposed MEMORIAL CHURCHES in the City of Antananarivo.

The Right Hon. The EARL of SHAFTESBURY, K.G.,

WILL PRESIDE.

The Revs. SAMUEL MARTIN, of Westminster; W. B. MACKENZIE, M.A., of Islington; WILLIAM ARTHUR, M.A., Secretary of the Wesleyan Missionary Society; and other gentlemen, will conduct the proceedings of the Evening.

Admission by Ticket, which may be obtained by Members of the Society on application at the Mission House, Blomfield Street, on Friday, Saturday, and Monday, the 13th, 14th, and 16th instant, between the hours of 11 and 4 o'clock each day.

The Meeting will commence at half-past 6 o'Clock Precisely.