Rev. James Forbes's opening address to the Synod at its late Meeting in Geelong has been published in the "Christian Herald." We select the following passage as exceedingly appropriate to the occasion.

We have been brought together in the Providence of God, to break up the fallow ground in a new country, in a state of society very different of Britain; we have been called to witness for the precious truth that the Lord Jesus Christ is the only Head of His body the Church, her only King, and her only Lawgiver; and we are surrounded by many, who throw contempt not only on this blessed principle, but upon everything that is practical and purifying, and elevating, in the religion of Jesus.

We trust that God hath placed us here, that we have not run unsent, but that He hath summoned us to this work. This, of itself, should suffice to keep us, from either shrinking from the work, or being discouraged in it. If we are really God's servants, the Lord will make the darkness light before us, crooked things straight, and rough places plain. "The Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee; fear not, neither be dismayed." (Deuteronomy xxxi:8)

It is of the greatest consequence, both to our comfort, and to our usefulness, that we cherish a lively confidence in the strength and in the blessing of God. Timidity and faint-heartedness never yet accomplished anything for the cause of Christ. They have often retarded its progress, and done the work of the enemy. When Gideon went forth to battle against the Midianites the Lord commanded him to proclaim in the ears of the people, saying "Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from Mount Gilead." (Judges vii: 3)

Indeed it was a standing precept in Israel, that when they went out to battle against their enemies, the officers should say, "What man is there that is fearful and faint-hearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren's heart faint as well as his heart." (Deuteronomy xx:8)

"Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green, and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit." (Jeremiah, xvii: 7,8).

Unbelief is the sin which, the Apostle says, doth so easily beset us. Let us guard against it dear brethren, and when perils encompass us, let us do as Luther did, - sing the 46th Psalm: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."