We had received the following interesting letter, and the accompanying illustrations from Miss S. K. Sweetman, B.A. as pendants to the article published in this Supplement on Saturday last:-

I was interested in the article on early Methodism which appeared in "The Age" on Saturday 28th September, and thought that some of your readers might be interested to see a picture of one of Melbourne's pioneer Wesleyan preachers. My grandfather, Rev. Edward Sweetman, was minister of Collins Street Wesleyan Chapel from 1845 to 1850. He was born at Aynhoe, Northamptonshire, and in 1834 sailed in the "Sir Thomas Munro" to preach the gospel in New South Wales. The vessel was wrecked off the Cape Verde Islands. The voyagers' lives were spared, but all their possessions were lost. After enduring much hardship the passengers were taken back to Plymouth by the American brig "Maine."

In 1839 he embarked on the "Union" at Portsmouth. The Revs. Henry Gaud, Jonathan Innes and William Webb were his fellow passengers. After 147 days on her passage, the "Union" entered Sydney Heads on 24th February, 1840. A pilot came off to the ship. He was rowed by tattooed New Zealanders. After laboring in Sydney and Parramatta from 1840-1845 Rev. Edward Sweetman was sent to Port Phillip to take charge of the Wesleyan Chapel in Collins Street. His diary shows the following entries:-

August 12, 1845. - "Embarked on board the "Martha and Elizabeth" for Melbourne, Port Phillip, and arrived in safety on the 26th."

October 31, 1845.- "We moved into the new mission house, Bourke Street West."

During Rev. Edward Sweetman's ministry in Melbourne the first Wesleyan chapel in Richmond was opened. The building was situated in Brougham Street, and Rev. E. Sweetman conducted evening service at 6.30 p.m. on 8th November, 1846. A notice of the opening of this chapel appears in the "Port Phillip Gazette," Saturday, 7th November, 1846.

A book containing preaching appointments shows that in addition to the services held in Collins Street Wesleyan Chapel, Rev. E. Sweetman also preached at the gaol; Brighton; Little Brighton; Collingwood; Richmond; Williamstown and Geelong.

The "Port Phillip Gazette" of 13th May, 1846, records an address given by him at a meeting held in the Baptist Chapel for the purpose of laying before the public a statement of an experimental committee formed for the purpose of educating the aboriginal children of both sexes of the Yarra tribe at the Merri Creek.

On the eve of his departure from Melbourne to Launceston, Rev. E. Sweetman's Collins Street congregation presented him with a set of scientific works. The inscription on the front page of one of the volumes is as follows:-

On loan to the McAllan Gallery, Historic Section of the Melbourne Public Library, is Rev. E. Sweetman's notebook, containing entries of prices paid for items of work in connection with Collins Street Wesleyan Chapel; also an interesting document, bearing the seal and signature of the Lord Mayor of London, William Taylor Copeland (1836), allowing Edward Sweetman to preach in Australia, on condition that he confined his work to preaching and teaching. (Act of 52nd year of reign of George III.)

Owing to ill-health, he left for England on 1st May, 1854. His wife died on the home journey, and was buried at sea near the spot where the "Sir Thomas Munro" was wrecked.

He settled in Sampford Peverell, Devonshire, where he died in 1856, and was buried in the churchyard of the parish church.

Rev. John Christian Symons paid a tribute to his colleague in the following words:-

"Mr. Sweetman was a preacher of a very superior order, and would have taken high rank in any place. There was a thoughtful vigor and elegance of diction in the pulpit performances of Mr. Sweetman which gave a great charm to his sermons. He had a noble presence,a most kindly heart, and a winsome piety, so that the man commended the message which he delivered in the name of his Master."

I have in my possession my grandfather's ordination Bible, dated 1834.

Yours, &c.,

S. K. SWEETMAN.