Yesterday, at about half-past eleven o'clock, the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the Baptist Chapel, in Collins Street, was performed in the following manner: -

The weather was most propitious, and in allusion to this favourable circumstance the Rev. John Saunders opened the proceedings by saying - "Truly with such a brilliant sky above us 'the heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament sheweth his handywork': to this great Being let us on the present occasion address a hymn of praise."

The assembly then sang with great solemnity the 117th Psalm -

The Rev. Alexander Morison read Solomon's dedicatory prayer, I Kings viii, 22-6:

(22) And Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven:
(23) And he said, Lord God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart:
(24) Who hast kept with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him: thou spakest also with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thine hand, as it is this day.
(25) Therefore now, Lord God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him, saying, there shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel; so that thy children take heed to their way, that they walk before me as thou hast walked before me.
(26) And now, O God of Israel, let thy word, I pray thee, be verified, which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father.

and the Rev. William Schofield supplicated the Divine blessing upon the enterprise in a very appropriate manner.

Mr. Saunders then proceeded to read a brass plate prepared by Mr. Ham, son of the Rev. J. Ham, which was boldly inscribed with these words: -

The plate, having been deposited in a recess beneath the stone, it was covered over and adjusted in the most approved fashion. Mr. Gill then produced the plan and read off the dimensions, 50 feet by 23. Mr. Saunders offered a short thanksgiving and prayers and having pronounced the benediction, the company separated, apparently well pleased with the day's proceedings. A few very acceptable offerings were made, and many persons present departed with an intention of prolonging this festal occasion by a tea meeting in the evening.

On Wednesday last, the foundation stone of the new Baptist Church was laid in the presence of a numerous and respectable assembly of persons of all denominations. The ceremony commenced with the singing of the 117th Psalm; the Rev. Mr. Morison read that portion of the Old Testament relating to the dedication of Solomon's Temple from the eighth chapter of the First Book of Kings, with a clear and impressive voice. Mr. Schofield next offered an impressive prayer, and Mr. Saunders then addressed those assembled, saying that this spot now about to be dedicated to the living God was eight years ago a portion of barren waste: could any person look up to the sky above and not feel that there was a God, and this God was entitled to the adoration and worship of all his intelligent creatures.

The clergyman who laboured amongst them was absent, but they all knew that he knew nothing but Christ, and him crucified. He must also express his satisfaction at the concurrence of his brother clergymen in this ceremony, and all had the same duty to perform, not to preach natural but revealed religion, the gospel of Christ, which if believed in would make men happy both in this world and the next, for if he had not risen then they would be of all men most miserable. He was happy to see that the size of the new church was in close proximity to the other places of worship as all had co-operated with him since his arrival from Sydney, and the clergyman of the Presbyterian Church would have been there that morning but was unavoidably absent at a funeral, he had sent an apology with his best wishes, which when expressed he knew to be sincere. And why should they divide? - the only matter in which the Baptists were at issue with the Presbyterians was on the one point of baptism; the Congregationalists were the same as themselves except in their church government, and the Methodists differed with them but very slightly. He expressed his sorrow at the manner in which the Church of England had held aloof, there were so many points on which they agreed that it was a pity they should be divided. The Baptists had often wished to co-operate with them but no friendly token had ever been given in return. But he was confident in the cause of religion which would triumph over every obstacle. After prayer he proceeded to lay the stone in the usual manner.

The plate contained the following inscription: -

After a most eloquent prayer by Mr. Saunders, the ceremony concluded.