Yesterday being the day appointed for laying the foundation stone of St. Peter's Church, about three hundred persons assembled upon the site chosen for the building, anxious to witness the interesting ceremony. Most of the aristocracy of Melbourne were present, and there was also a strong sprinkling of the fairer portion of creation, whose presence tended to preserve that good order to which the sacred nature of the proceedings were entitled.

The Rev. Adam Compton Thomson occupied a position immediately contiguous to the foundation stone, which was suspended in the air, a height of about four feet above the ground. On the right hand of the reverend gentleman, stood the Rev. Ebenezer Collins, from Geelong, and on the left, His Honor, the Superintendent of the Port Phillip District (Charles Joseph La Trobe), James Simpson, James Denham Pinnock, Alister McKenzie, Esquires, and Major George Frederick Berkley St. John, his Worship the Mayor (James Frederick Palmer), occupying a position immediately opposite the officiating clergyman.

The ceremony was commenced by the Rev. Mr. Thomson, and the audience, repeating by alternate verses, the one hundred and thirty-second psalm -

The Rev. Mr. Collins then read the 55th chapter of Isaiah; after which, Mr. Thomson read in a most impressive manner the third chapter of St. Paul's epistle to the Corinthians. Subsequently, the collect for St. Simon and St. Jude's Day was read by the Rev. Mr. Collins, when the usual deposit having been made in a niche formed in the key stone, the trowel was handed to His Honor the Superintendent, with which the mortar was properly adjusted, when the signal was given to lower the foundation stone, which is situated at the north-east corner of the building, to the spot for which it was designed. The stone slowly descended, and on its reaching the key stone, his Honor assumed the mallet, and striking the stone several times, said,

This portion of the ceremony had a very pleasing effect, which was considerably heightened by a number of young Sunday School children, who had been previously tutored, taking a prominent part in the singing. The Apostle's Creed was repeated by the Ministers and those assembled:

"Oh most glorious Lord God, whose throne is in the Heaven of Heavens, and the earth thy footstool, look down we beseech Thee from thy dwelling place on high and bless the undertaking of Thy humble servants. We know O Lord that without Thee our works are vain; and that unless Thou build the house their labor is but lost that build it. Prevent us therefore in all our doings with thy most gracious favour, and further us with Thy continual help, in carrying on the work which we desire this day to begin in Thee, and in the name of Thy blessed Son. Bring it, if it be thy good pleasure, to a happy completion; and so send down Thy grace and benediction upon all who shall engage in or promote it, that thy sanctuary may be to them the House of God and the Gate of Heaven. Graft in our hearts the love of thy name: increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness, and of thy great mercy keep us in the same; in the Communion of thy Church, and of all true believers who have pleased thee in their several generations from the beginning of the world. Give us grace we beseech thee so to follow the good example of these thy servants, departed this life in Thy faith and fear, that with them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom, Grant this O merciful Father, for the sake of Jesus Christ; who with thee and the Holy ghost liveth and reigneth ever One God world without end. Amen."

The following inscription to be placed upon a plate on the foundation stone, having been read by Mr. Laing, the architect -

The Reverend Mr. Thomson then said: -

"Dearly Beloved - The occasion of our assembling together this day is one of very great interest. We are met to commence an edifice in which the Great God our Saviour is to be worshipped, - and in which the glad tidings of salvation are to be made known. We have laid the foundation stone of a Church, in which, let us hope and pray, that many of us and of our children, and children's children, may receive the consolations of religion, and taste that the Lord is gracious. Within the walls to be erected on the foundation this day laid will also be celebrated those ordinances of religion which are associated with the most interesting periods and events in life. The children whom God gives, will be here presented to Christ, to be made his, by being taken and adopted into the family of God. The young will here be taught how they may be undefiled in the way and walk in the law of the Lord. Here they will come to ratify and confirm the Baptismal covenant, and to ask for the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge, and true godliness. Here too will the truth of pure love and affection be mutually pledged and God's blessing be given, when hearts are united and made one in the fear and love of God. And here will the feast of love be duly spread, for the strengthening and refreshing of our souls in the holy communion. By these, and by all the public ordinances of religion, to be administered in the edifice which we have now assembled to commence, the welfare of ourselves and of our children is promoted; and by attending to these ordinances, and using them as means which God vouchsafes to bless, we the better and more beneficially discharge all the relative and social duties of life, and advance towards and become fitted for the services of the glorious Temple above. On such an occasion as this, therefore, the thoughts may be profitably directed to these things, - and the consideration of the value and importance of having religious ordinance within your reach, will naturally prompt you to exert yourselves to see the edifice soon completed, and to make also such other provisions as may be required to obtain a clergyman to officiate, and to take charge of the Parish which will be allotted to the Church. I need hardly remind you that God, in spreading the salvation of the Gospel, works by means; and that therefore you are to use the means that God's providence has put in your power, to promote his glory, and to further the salvation of yourselves and neighbours. The building of this Church is calculated and designed to promote true religion and godliness, and thereby to manifest the power of the Gospel, and redound to the praise and glory of God, and consequently it is your duty to assist in bringing the design to completion. That a church is needed in this locality will be readily be admitted - the population of Richmond and Collingwood is very great: and the east end of the town of Melbourne will also greatly profit by a church being erected, and a clergyman supplied, for this locality. You, therefore, who reside in this neighbourhood see the duty that lies upon you, more particularly and especially, of giving of your substance to complete the church, the foundation of which has this day been laid. The amount in the hands of the Treasurer is a little above £100; it will require another £400 to be raised by subscription, so as to prepare the building for the becoming performance of public worship. The Colonial Treasury will grant to the amount of £1,000, provided an equal sum is raised by subscriptions; but you ought to remember that this amount granted by government is designed for assisting in the erection of a parsonage as well as a church. This ought not to be overlooked or kept out of sight; for great inconveniences sometimes arise from being forgotten or unprovided for. The church is calculated to cost £2,000 to finish it, and about £1,300 of this amount will be required to bring it so far forward as to have divine service performed within its walls. You, see, therefore, dearly beloved, what duties you have to perform in this respect; and I trust that God will incline your hearts to give liberally of that substance with which his Providence has blessed you. As members of the reformed Church of England, you are bound by duty and affection to establish her ordinances and ministrations. Remember, I beseech you that we are to be fitted by the gospel, and duly dispensed ordinances for the beneficial discharge of our duties in this life, and for an entrance into the felicity of life eternal. By our most Holy Faith and its institutions and means of grace we are to be rooted and built up in Christ; in and by these ordinances we are to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and are to be fitted and prepared for becoming living stones in the spiritual temple above, which is gradually rising from the spirits of just men made perfect, those who while in this life sought for a city having foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Be it your delight, then, as it is your duty, to promote the ordinances of the Christian Faith as professed and taught by the pure and reformed branch of Christ's Holy Catholic Church, to which you belong; use these ordinances to your soul's welfare, and bring up your children to love them, that so you and they may at last praise God the Saviour for ever and ever, in the temple of his glory above, where no sorrow enters, and where God is the portion of the soul for ever and ever."

The Rev. Mr. Collins made a few observations which were universally admitted to be ill-chosen and irrelevant to the purpose.

A collection was made upon the spot, but we fear the exertions of Messrs. Simpson and Pohlman who undertook this somewhat important office, were not attended with that success which the well wishers of the undertaking could desire.

The ceremony was concluded by the Rev. Mr. Thomson delivering the following blessing:

"The peace of God which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord: and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you and remain with you always. Amen."