On Wednesday last the 27th November, the corner stone of the Wesleyan Chapel was laid in accordance with the usages of the Wesleyan body. It had been announced that Mr. Sidney Stephen, barrister, would perform the ceremony, but in consequence of urgent business, he was under the necessity of returning to Melbourne by that morning's steamer.

At eleven o'clock the service was commenced with singing, after which prayer was offered by the Rev. Andrew Love (Presbyterian), after singing another appropriate hymn, an excellent and impressive address was delivered by the Rev. William Schofield, of Melbourne, embodying references to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as the chief corner stone of the Church, together with illustrative notices of the leading doctrines of the Gospel as believed and taught by Wesleyan ministrations. The foundation stone was then lowered to its position and adjusted in the usual form. The congregation then united in singing - and the solemn and interesting service was concluded by an earnest and appropriate prayer offered up by the Rev. Francis Tuckfield.

The weather being delightfully propitious, a large number of persons were assembled, who conducted themselves with as much decorum as if a consciousness of the Divine presence rested upon them. It was delightful also to witness the orderly behaviour of the children of the Day and Sunday Schools - about a hundred of whom were present, and whose neat and cleanly appearance evinced the interest which they and their parents had taken in the occasion.

The site selected for the building commands a pleasant view of our harbour, and is conveniently situated, fronting to Yarra Street, the most central thoroughfare of our beautiful town. The Chapel is to built of stone, in a plain gothic style; its inside measurement will be thirty feet by forty-five, and will accommodate upwards of three hundred persons.

At six o'clock in the evening, upwards of a hundred and twenty persons partook of a well-ordered and bountifully-supplied tea, gratuitously furnished by a number of the ladies, whose personal superintendence extended comfort to those who shared in their attention, and inspired the whole with social pleasure and unanimous and cordial good will. The proceeds of the sale of the Admission Tickets were applied in aid of the building fund.

The public meeting followed, when, after singing and prayer, Dr. Alexander Thomson was called to the chair, who opened the business in a neat and appropriate address; and then called on the Rev. William Schofield to move, and the Rev. Andrew Love to second the first Resolution, viz.: -

"That this meeting regards the establishment and efficient supply of the ordinances of religion as especially conducive to the good order and happiness of the people, and rejoices in the commencement of a permanent Wesleyan Chapel in this town, where enlarged accomodation will be afforded to such as sincerely desire to worship God."

The second Resolution was moved by the Rev. Francis Tuckfield, and seconded by Mr. O'Farrell - and was as follows: -

"That this meeting gratefully acknowledges the kind and liberal assistance afforded by the generous contributors of christian friends of other denominations - and regards this co-operation as a legitimate exhibition of that charity which is the prominent characteristic of our Holy Religion!"

The third Resolution: -

"That this meeting feels an anxiety that the Funds necessary to complete the chapel should be realised as early as possible, and engages to render its cordial assistance for the accomplishment of that object."

was moved by Captain William Fordyce of the Brig "Athens," and seconded by Mr. Dredge.

A collection having been made - and thanks to the chairman, and to the ladies who provided the tea, voted; praise was sung, the benediction pronounced - and the meeting separated, cheered by this further illustration of the truth of the scripture -