The many friends of the Rev. John Christian Symons in Beechworth and elsewhere, will regret to learn that his recovery from the severe illness from which he has long been suffering is considered hopeless.

The reverend gentleman was connected with the religious life of Beechworth in the very early days, being its first Protestant Minister, close upon forty years ago, a position in which he gained universal respect by the earnestness and zeal displayed by him, not only in relation to the members of his own denomination, but in every matter tending to assist the religious, moral or social welfare of the town.

Before coming to Beechworth the Rev. J. C. Symons was a minister in South Australia. He then transferred himself to Castlemaine where he took part in the erection on Wesley Hill of the first church established on the Victorian gold fields.

His life altogether has been an energetic one, and there are few in Victoria who have done more to help the cause of religion. He has latterly been on the supernumerary list and has devoted himself to the book department of his church. There are none who know him who will not regret that his illness is of such a nature as to preclude all hope of recovery. And we are sure there is not one who does not feel that he has not earned the reward which is waiting him.

The death of the Rev. J. C. Symons took place on Wednesday, as was anticipated, and whilst the loss sustained by the church of which he was so devoted and worthy a member will be greatly felt and deeply, there will be compensating reflection that after nearly half a century of unremitting labor he has earned the rest and the reward which follow a career of arduous toil in the service of the Creator.

The reverend gentleman was in his 74th year. The funeral took place yesterday (Friday) afternoon, moving from Wesley Church, where a short service was held, to the place of interment, the Melbourne General Cemetery.

The remains of the Rev. J. Symons, acting president of the Australian Wesleyan Conference, and founder of the Young Men's Christian Association(**), were interred yesterday (16 February) in the Melbourne General Cemetery. The funeral left the deceased's residence, Glenferrie Road, at 2 o'clock, and proceeded to the Wesley Church, Lonsdale Street, where a service was conducted by the Revs. Martin Dyson, William Poole Wells and William Abraham Quick. The cortége then resumed its course to the place of interment. There was a very large attendance, and the donations of flowers were profuse. The pall bearers were the Revs. John Watsford, D. Danniel, S. Williams, and Messrs. Edward John, J. Johns, J. Callaghan, Samuel Grey King, J. Jamieson and Dr. William Henry Cutts. The funeral was conducted by Mr. Herbert King, undertaker, Richmond.

The Rev. Edward Thomas Cox conducted the morning service, and delivered one of his characteristic sermons. The pulpit cushion and communion table were draped with black cloth, out of respect to the memory of the Rev. John Christian Symons, acting president of the general conference, and the 'Dead March' was played on the organ by Mr. C. Eyres.

In the evening the Rev. Samuel Knight, pastor of the church, preached a sermon to young men from Ephesians v. 18. "And be not drunk with wine, which is excess; but be filled with the Spirit." The reverend gentleman said he would first remind the congregation of the decease of the Rev. John Christian Symons. In 1849 the deceased gentleman was on the staff of the London Y.M.C.A., and was one of its founders. He came to the colonies in 1850, labored in South Australia, became editor of the connexional paper, and subsequently manager of the worn-out ministers' fund. Six years ago he was president of the Australian general conference. He was a splendid administrator, and his advice was priceless in their councils. He has gone to his reward. He did not make as much sensation as some popular preachers, but we shall scarcely look on his like again. May God grant that man may be raised up to take the places of those who are dropping out of the ranks.

In dealing with the text, the Rev. Mr. Knight said that £23 per household was spent for drink. He referred to the recklessness of drinkers, to the evil example, the hereditary tendency which took years to drain out of the blood, society, low vitality, late hours, and desire to drown pain and care was the cause of excessive drinking. It was a surprise to him (the preacher) that in this Ballarat, with its exhilarating air, people were so foolish as to take stimulants. The consequence of using stimulants was impaired health. Dr. Fitzgerald, of Melbourne, said "the greatest curse of this country was alcohol." The working men of this country cannot afford the magnificent hotels they support. We should come to our senses for economical reasons and raise us from our moral chaos. He (the preacher) was three years in Moonta, South Australia, and there were no drunkards, no larceny, no disorder, and no public houses. It was the withdrawal of the facility made the model community. The people must have the right to veto, and the women of the colony must have the vote on the question, and that vote was coming. The reverend gentleman concluded an earnest discourse by urging the congregation to full consecration to Christ.

(**) In a paragraph which appeared in our columns on Saturday last it was stated that the late Rev. J. C. Symons was the founder of the Young Men's Christian Association. We are requested by the family of the deceased gentleman to state that he did not claim to be the founder of the association. He claimed, however, to have been one of the founders. He was one of the first secretaries. He drafted the resolutions which were considered at the meeting of young men who met in London half a century ago. The result of that meeting was the formation of the society, which grew into the London Young Men's Christian Association, the germ out of which have sprung the Young Men's Christian Associations of the world.