Some time ago a subscription was set on foot by several of the leading members of this congregation for the purpose of presenting the minister of tho parish, the Rev. M. S. S. Johnstone, on the occasion of the fortieth anniversary of his induction as their minister, with some evidence of the love and esteem in which he is held by his people. Money came in rapidly-all grades, we learn, gladly contributing; and after consideration, it was agreed by the committee that the testimonial should take the shape of a portrait, and that Sir Francis Grant, President of the Royal Academy and the first portrait painter of the day-should be entrusted with the work.

The presentation took place in the Albert Hall, at four o'clock, in the presence of a large number of the subscribers and their friends, the hall being completely filled. The Earl of Galloway was accompanied to the platform by the Countess of Galloway; Mr Stopford Blair of Penninghame; Sheriff Rhind; Major Colvin Stewart; Mr Waugh; and the Rev. Mr Barclay.

The Earl of Galloway presided, on the motion of Major Stewart, and An appropriate prayer having been offered up by the Rev, J. Barclay.

The Chairman said-I have been honoured by being invited to take the chair on this occasion; and I understand that I shall best perform my duties by addressing the Rev. Mr Johnstone on behalf of the sub-scribers. Rev. Sir,-I have been invited by my, cosubscribers-and f am thankful to say they are a large number-to ask you to accept at our hands a work of art, in proof of the deep respect, warm regard, and sincere affection which we entertain for you. I may hero mention that in order to satisfy the claims of the sub-scribers, which will no doubt be numerous, %,has been arranged that the portrait which we ask you In accept shall be engraved by Mr James Feed, the eminent artist, and himself a Galloway man; so that any one who feels disposed can obtain a copy in some shape or form. (Applause.) But, sir, in asking you to accept the portrait, I feel bound to state why we do so. It is, sir, on account--if I may be allowed to say so-of the eminent abilities and the exemplary character which you have evinced during the 40 years since your induction to the parish of Minnigaff. (Applause.) I may say, sir, that whether it be counsel to the rich or comfort to the poor, your aid in such circumstances has never been withheld. (Applause). I think I may also be permitted to allude to the fact that you have been the first in this neighbourhood to introduce instrumental music in-to your church. By doing so, you have boon enabled to add harmony to the praise of God; and I am glad to say that this example of yours is being followed by many around you. (Applause.) One reason of your being so esteemed as to be thought worthy of having this present is, as has been well said, and as we are all aware, that never has there been found lurking in your heart any feeling of sectarian jealousy--you never had any sympathy with lovers of discord. (Applause), In this you prove yourself a bright and noble example to your brother pastors, as well as to those of other religious denominations. (Applause). It now only remains for me to ask you to take home this portrait with you. That it may long adorn the walls of Minnigaff Manse, and that God may long spare you to continue your labours of love, is the sincere hope and fervent prayer of all here present, who with pride and felicity, through me, now ask you to accept this evidence of their affection and estseem. (Applause), he portrait then unveiled, and the buzz of admiration which arose from the, crowded assembly showed their appreciation of the beautiful likeness. The Rev. M. S. S. Johnstone, in acknowledging tho gift, after some preliminary observations, said - It will be 41 years in April since I first found myself .on the banks of the Cree. There was a hot contest for the vacant parish of Minnigaff, the result of which was that in due course I was presented to it by the Crown; and I may remind you that I am the last minister of Minnigaff who will ever be presented by the Crown. The next minister will fall to be elected by the congregation; and I can only wish for him, should he be permited to number 40 years of an incumbency, that the Mini Minnigaff of that future day may be so satisfied with their choice as to present him with his portrait, painted by the then President of the Royal Academy. (Applause.) What changes have taken place since my ordination day-Thursday, September 1st, 1836. Of those who were at that time ministers in tho Synod of Galloway, two only survive, of whom I am one. The other is my old friend, Mr Urquhart, now minister of the Free Church, Portpatrick. Of the eight heritors of the parish then, all are gone except one venerated and beloved gentleman, Mr Stewart of Cairnsmore, who is prevented by the state of his health from being with, us to-day. I was ordained, as I have said, on the 1st Sept., 1836. On the following Sunday, I preached my first sermon as an ordained minister, from the text, ".I have a message from God unto thee;" and though in weakness and fulness, I think I can say I have endeavoured to deliver that message according to my understanding of it, and to the best of my ability. (Applause.), I have done what I could to preach the unchangeable Gospel--

The grand old story, Of Jesus and his love,

the Gospel of Salvation through a Divine Substitute; of sanctification through a Divine Spirit; of the glorious appearing of the great God, our Saviour Jesus I Christ.' (Applause.) how many during the long years of my ministry have I baptised ? How many have I admitted to the Holy Table of the Lord ? How many have I united in marriage ? How many of my congregation, esteemed and loved, have I helped, as well as I could, through the deep waters? I am thankful to God for the numerous friends who are still around me, for my older and my later friends-for those who were in the parish when I came to it, and for those who have since made it their residence. But I cannot but recall the images of the departed, for with 'increasing years. my acquaintance with the dead seems larger than with the living. I often sigh:

Oh for a touch of the vanished hand,. And the sound of the voice that is still.

I am deeply grateful to the subscribers to the testimonial. The rev, gentleman then cited a long roll of - the past ministers of Minnigaff, and their terms of service, and concluded an eloquent speech as follows :- From 1788 to the end of 1835 the parish possessed the ministry of my respected predecessor, Mr John Garlies Maitland, so that Mr Maitland was for 47 years minister of Minnigaff. My own ministry, which succeeded, may not he destined to cover so large it space, but whenever it may terminate, by the will of God, it will have been, so far as the relation between us is concerned, a happy ministry. (Applause.) We have been, and we are, united, not only as minister and people, but I flatter myself as brothers and as sisters. (Applause.) Very pleasant our intercourse has been, and though I may not always have been able to obtain the unanimous support of the congregation, as in the matter so kindly, referred to by Lord Galloway, yet no difference in opinion has ever ruffled the course of our friendship. (Applause.) The tie that binds us must one day be broken, but only, I humbly trust, through our glorious Redeemer to be re-knit in a brighter land.

No partings yonder, Time and space never Again shall sunder ; Hearts cannot sever, Dearer and fonder Hands clasp for ever!

(Loud applause) Mr. W. McGuffog - I beg to move a vote of thanks to the Committee for the satisfactory manner in which they have discharged their duty. (Applause.)

Mr Waugh replied at some length, and referring to the labour of the Committee as very light, said-I can hardly say with whom the first audible expression of the idea of a testimonial originated : I believe it was with a lady in Creebridge; but this I know, that no sooner was the chord struck, than it received a hearty response from every heart, and hand, and purse. (Applause.)

Sheriff Rhind. as one of Mr Johnstone's congregation as a member of the Kirk Session, and as one who considered it one of the greatest blessing to have heard the Gospel preached from Mr Johnstone's lips, congratulated them on that day's happy ceremony. Before parting he begged to more a vote of thanks to Lord Galloway for presiding, who, he might say, was following the example of his revered father in his being ready to give his services for the forwarding of every beneficient purpose. (Applause.)

The noble Chairman thanked the learned Sheriff for the too-flattering terms in which he had proposed the vote of thanks, and said that it was very gratifying to him to have been allowed to take a leading part in that day's ceremony. If they had gone there only for their own satisfaction, they had been amply rewarded in hearing the very beautiful speech they had listened to from the lips of Mr Johnstone. (Applause.) The proceedings then ended; many of those present remaining to have a look at the portrait.

[The Rev. Mr Johnstone has not done himself justice. He should have told (or some one should have told it for him) that he received the Gold Medal for the Session's Prize Poem in Professor Wilson's Moral Philosophy Class-beating not only Sheriff Gordon, but Mr Edmonstone Aytoun, author of "Lays of the Scottish Cavaliers," &c.: but he threw aside even a higher honour-the presentation to the parish of Newton-on-Ayr the same week he had the offer of Minnigaff, when his acceptance of the .former must certainly have been only a stepping-stone, to the leadership of the General Assembly. -Ed, A,A.]