In earlier numbers [No. 5, No. 15, No. 16] it has been my pleasing task to record the arrival of the first ministers of religion of three denominations, viz., of the Church of England, of the Independents, and of the Wesleyan Methodists, and to speak of their untiring exertions in the fulfilment of their missionary, duties, and of them as examples as men of true Christian charity in their walk and conduct.

Next in order I come to the arrival of the Rev Ralph Drummond, the first minister of the United Presbyterian Church, who arrived in this colony in June, 1839, in the ship Charles Forbes.

After passing his studies, under the celebrated Dr. Lawson of Selkirk, and at the Divinity Hall at Glasgow, he settled at Crail, in Fifeshire, where he was held in high esteem, as testified by several members of his then congregation, who afterwards became colonists of South Australia, W.W. Hughes, Esq., being one of that number.

Mr. Drummond commenced the services of his church in a small chapel in Angas-street, still standing. In the performance of his first duties to the scattered members of his Church here he had to take many long and toilsome journeys on foot about the Finniss, Strathalbyn and Mount Barker Districts, in order to visit wide apart members of his flock and scattered settlers of other communions whom he desired to benefit spiritually. He continued to officiate as pastor of the Church he had opened in this colony till the year 1856, when he had toiled here 17 years, and at that date had completed the 50th year of his ministry.

On the expiration of this term of his fixed official duties an address was presented to him by the Revs. Jas. Lyall and J. Davidson on behalf of the Presbytery, expressing most cordial congratulations on his having attained his jubilee as a minister of the Gospel, and regret that his then state of health would not admit of a public celebration on such an interesting occasion. Mr. Drummond expired at Mitcham on 26th April, 1872, at the age of 80 years. He was interred at the West-terrace Cemetery, when there was a large attendance, not confined to members of the Church over which he had so long presided, but embracing numerous friends of other denominations, to evince their esteem for him as a faithful and devoted Christian minister.

The first minister of the Established Presbyterian Church of Scotland who came to the colony to gather together a flock of members of his Church was the Rev. Robt. Haining, who landed at Port Adelaide at the end of 1841 from the ship Orissa, of London. It is gratifying, as showing true Christian union, to be able to give in the narrative of his work in the colony, that the opening services he held, on the first Sunday after his arrival, were in Trinity Church, North-terrace. The Rev. C. B. Howard, the Incumbent, in a spirit of Christian courtesy, gave the use of his Church on that occasion, offering no objection to the whole of the services being carried out according to Presbyterian form, but himself giving aid in leading the psalmody.

I would here remark how much more in accordance with our Saviour's example and precepts it would be if such Christian liberality could be recorded as the rule of action, and not merely the pleasing exception, in the practice of those who profess to be Christ's disciples and followers.

Then, for two Sundays Mr. Haining preached in the Congregational Church in Freeman-street [now Gawler Place], Mr. Stow taking advantage of this opportunity to pay missionary visits to several districts a day's ride or more from Adelaide. Arrangements were at the same time being made by the Presbyterians of the old Kirk for hiring a small place of worship which had been erected by the Wesleyan Methodists, and was afterwards sold to the Baptist body and used by them. It stood in Hindley-street, immediately west of the site of the present Theatre. (In this small building the Rev. Mr. Playford subsequently for some time ministered to the members of the "Methodist Baptists," so that it had been used as the first meeting-house of three districts of Christians before it ceased to be applied to religious purposes, and has been only recently removed).

Here Mr. Haining gathered his first congregation around him, and herein continued to officiate until a larger edifice was erected in Grenfell-street in 1844, which in its turn was abandoned to secular purposes on the erection of the present church in Wakefield-street, known as St. Andrew's Church, of which he continued minister until the infirmities of advanced years induced him to retire from ministerial work. Besides regular morning and evening services in the city, Mr. Haining for some time took part in maintaining a Sunday afternoon service at Port Adelaide in the original wooden church, on the site where now stands St. Paul's Anglican Church, which was erected with the understanding that it should be available for divine service alike for the Anglican and Presbyterian forms of worship, an arrangement which was carried out in a most brotherly spirit by the Rev. (after wards Dean) Farrell, and the Rev. Mr. Haining officiating alternately, each according to the form of his own Church, the congregations embracing with few exceptions the same individuals at either service. A pleasing instance this of Christian union.

Mr. Haining also held services at Dry Creek, Morphett Vale, Mount Barker, Strathalbyn, &c., and in his journeyings to these outlying places many indeed were his struggles and those of his poor horse Badger over the unmade and rough tracts of the primitive bush districts in all weathers. He would frequently hold services under the wide-spreading branches of giant gumtrees, many of his hearers arriving by families in bullock-drays. In the first years of his service in the colony he was assisted in his income by an allowance from the Foreign Mission Fund of his Church. Such were the labors of our first missionaries.

I have also great pleasure in devoting space in this number to give the history from the small beginnings to the successful establishment of the missionaries of the Roman Catholic Church in this province, greatly advanced after the beneficial appointment of Bishop Murphy. I am indebted to the present, liberal and truly Christian head of that Church, the Right Rev. Bishop Reynolds, for copious extracts from their records, as follows: —

"Amongst the very first settlers in South Australia the number of Catholics was proportionally great. The spiritual wants of those who settled about Adelaide, Brighton, and Morphett Vale were attended to by Mr. Phillips, whose house served as an oratory, where as many as wished assembled each Sunday for prayer, reading, and for catechism. Early in 1839 the Catholic inhabitants deputed Messrs, Phillips, Johnson, and Counsell to make known the great need of a priest in their midst and through them a petition was sent to Archbishop Polding (then Vicar Apostolic of New Holland), who sent his Vicar-General, the Very Rev. William Bernard Ullathorne, D.D. to visit the little flock in South Australia. He arrived in June, 1840.

As soon as the Catholics heard of the arrival of a priest they mustered in goodly number, and many not of his Church were also glad to welcome him. The house on East -Terrace was too small in which to open services. Dr. Ullathorne applied to the then Manager of the South Australian Company, to allow him the temporary use of a schoolroom, which was used at times as a chapel. Although this room was vacant at the time, Dr. Ullathorne's request was refused, and in a manner and language bigotted, rude, and uncalled for - in words taken from the Rev. Dr.'s report, "He would not aid me in my Popish practices". This unseemly conduct, as well as that exhibited by the representative of royalty, who forgot his duty on that occasion, was represented by Dr. Ullathorne to the authorities in Downing-street. Many of the non-Catholics expressed their indignation at such narrow bigotry.

Lord Glenelg (Colonial Secretary) some time before having heard of the need of a Catholic priest to be connected with the convict establishment in Sydney, had dispatched Dr. Ullathorne as a Government Chaplain, to administer his sacred office, and to exercise his influence on the banished population of Roman Catholics in bond or as expirees in the Province of New South Wales, which at the time of his appointment extended over the portion of New Holland which was afterwards assigned to South Australia. Bearing this in mind it will be allowed that the policy displayed by our Governor and the Manager of the South Australian Company was open to censure, and justified the representation Dr. Ullathorne felt called on to make to Her Majesty's Government. Mr. Neal, who had at that time a large store in Waymouth-street, placed it at the disposal of the Catholics as Dr. Ullathorne says in his report:- "A very large room was given us by a liberal Protestant gentle-man where I erected a temporary altar, where surrounded by crockery, hardware, and miscellaneous articles, I preached my first public sermon in the capital of South Australia." He also says:- "I had previously met a few of my people in a cottage at East-terrace, where also I offered the sacrifice of the Mass for the first time."

After organising the Catholics to collect the means to erect a place of worship and to pay the passage of a priest, whom he promised to procure for South Australia, Dr. Ullathorne returned to Sydney per ship Indus on July the 10th, 1840. The Rev. Mr. Benson was duly appointed by the Vicar Apostolic, and left Sydney by the brig Dorset February 14, 1841, for his mission in South Australia. He was a quiet, delicate gentleman, and scarcely ever left the city. He hired a wooden building which stood near the corner of Topham and Waymouth streets, and lived in a small slab hut in rear of his temporary chapel. The building will be remembered by old colonists as having previously served for a time as a Police-court. Father Benson's health completely gave way during the heat of January, 1843. He returned to Sydney in the following April, and afterwards left for England, and died at Wolverhampton in 1868 at the ripe age of 73.

In 1842 Pope Gregory XVI. raised Sydney to an Archipiscopal See, and gave to the first Archbishop, the late Venerable John Bede Polding, O.S.B., Hobart Town, Perth, and Adelaide, as suffragan sees. The choice of the Pontiff compelled Dr. Murphy, Vicar-General of the Archbishop, to become first Bishop of Adelaide. The Rev. Edmund O'Mahony was sent pro tem. to Adelaide by the Metropolitan, to prepare for the coming of the Bishop. Father O'Mahony was rural Dean at East Maitland. He was a most amiable gentleman, and, notwithstanding his delicate constitution, was most energetic and laborious. He visited every district where he heard of any of his flock residing. He had for some time to work alone, as Father Benson had left via Sydney for New Zealand, and was single-handed until November 9, 1844, when the Right Reverend Francis Murphy, D.D., first Roman Catholic Bishop of Adelaide, arrived per ship Mary White, accompanied by Father Michael Ryan, whom the Bishop subsequently appointed as his Vicar General. The good Bishop and his two priests found that the ' harvest was indeed great, and the laborers very few,' yet he was not discouraged, but set about the work at once, although he accepted the highly onerous office with great reluctance, knowing the uphill work he would have to encounter. He hired a building from a Mr. Walshe, in Pirie-street, known as the Brewery, and this served as his pro-cathedral until the opening of St. Patrick's Schoolhouse at West-terrace. The Episcopal residence— or, as they were accustomed to call it, the Brick Cottage (the Palace) — was in Wakefield-street, and became in after years the Dublin Arms. Incongruous changes !

Bishop Murphy took on himself the sole charge of the city, and dispatched Fathers O'Mahony and Ryan to distant districts. They visited Catholic families about the Gilbert, the Dirty Light, and Armagh village, or, as it was then called the Hutt River Special Survey.

The spreading gum trees on the Gilbert, and the late Patrick Butler's barn, served those good missionaries as churches. Distant shepherds' huts were also visited, and the consolations of their religion brought to many bush in homes.

On one of their return trips to Adelaide they were ' bushed,' having lost their way somewhere about the head of the Wakefield. The night turned out wet and cold. Father Ryan, who had a robust constitution, did not suffer from any ill effects of that miserable night, but poor Father O'Mahony's weaker constitution was not able to sustain the strain put upon it, and here he caught a severe cold which brought on a rapid consumption. He left Adelaide for his deanery at East Maitland towards the year 1845. Before he left he made a census of the Catholics in South Australia, who then numbered only 1,273, the entire population being at that time but 19,317. On his return to New South Wales his people saw with grief the sad change in his health, and were somewhat prepared for his death, which occurred a few months afterwards. His mild urbanity and charity, together with his unflagging exertions, won from all the highest esteem and veneration. When he left Adelaide people of all denominations assembled to bid him farewell. As a preacher he was mild and persuasive, though by no means an eloquent man. His preaching had that sweet simplicity and earnestness about it which always made its way to the hearts of his hearers, and was calculated to make a lasting impression. In private life he was cheerful and agreeable, an ardent friend, and his hand and heart were ever open to assist the indigent wherever met with. On Sunday, the 20th of April, he burst a blood vessel. Spiritual and medical assistance were promptly rendered. A second rupture took place on the evening of the 24th, which terminated his useful and holy life. He was buried outside his church by the Archbishop of Sydney, and a handsome marble monument was erected by the Protestant and Catholic people of Maitland, which marks his last resting-place.

The first church erected in South Australia by the Catholics was St. Mary's Morphett Vale, on a site given by the late Mr. A. Anderson. This was solemnly dedicated by Bishop Murphy on the 8th of December, 1844. St. Patrick's, West-terrace, was originally intended as a school, and first served the double purpose of school and pro-Cathedral. The first stone of the building was laid on the 12th December, the same year.

It will be necessary to continue the history of the progress of the Roman Catholic Church in the colony to avoid a loss of interest in the recital, as the struggles encountered extended into the term of Colonel Robe's government. Father Ryan was deputed by Bishop Murray to make a visitation to the Tatiara district, and left the central station about November 1845. About the same time Father Jas. Watkins, on his passage to Adelaide was wrecked on that fatal beach to the east of the sea-mouth of the River Murray, in the brig Mariner. The whole of the passengers and crew reached the sand dunes without loss of life, and were soon visited by a large number of natives, whose anxiety to exercise their wrecking propensities led them to display such manners as to excite in the unfortunate shipwrecked people great dread, and fear for their personal safety. The brig was carried high and dry, and divested of masts, so that much of the passengers' luggage and cargo was soon scattered along the sandhills. Communication was forwarded to Adelaide of the wreck and the doubtful position of the people.

The following particulars I obtained from Messrs. Tolmer and Alford: Inspector Tolmer was aroused one night in November 1845, after he had retired to his bed. On getting up he found Mr. Levi, who informed him that a wreck had occurred on the south coast towards Maria Creek, near the same spot where the unfortunate passengers of the Maria met their cruel fate at the hands of the ferocious natives, as recorded in their history. Mr. Levi further said the information he had received was to the effect that the natives were using threatening signs and language towards the wrecked people, who considered their lives in danger. The Inspector, without a moment's delay, called up Sergeant-Major Alford and desired him to select two troopers, and with them to start at once to the rescue of the wrecked people, offering his own celebrated horse Bucksfoot to Mr. A., and leaving him to choose two of the best horses in the police stable for the two troopers, such as could be depended on for a gallop of a little short of 100 miles to the spot where the wreck was said to have happened. The horse Bucksfoot was purchased from Mr. Hawden, being one of those sterling horses which we received from Sydney in those days. This little horse carried Mr. Hawden on his first trip with cattle from New South Wales down the River Murray.

Sergeant-Major Alford, with Sergeant Lamb and Private McLean, left the barrack yard about midnight. A short stay was made at Willunga to bait. The crossing of the Goolwa channel was effected at Hindmarsh Island, and then from the south-east end of it they crossed the Coorong, landing on the neck of land between that channel and the sea.

They now continued at full speed along the sandy beach until they came to the wreck, a mere dismasted hull, which had been carried up so that they were able at low water to ride round it. No people, blacks or whites, were in sight. The beach and sandhills were strewed with cargo. Numerous footprints of natives were seen and followed over the sandhills, until they arrived at an encampment on the bank of the Coorong formed of spread sails, around which a great number of natives were seen, who on perceiving the quick approach of the three horsemen, and recognising them as police, immediately scattered, some of them dropping plunder from the wreck.

On their disappearance the wrecked people showed themselves. The first person who spoke to the arriving party was Father Watkins, who in his joy at their opportune visit dropped on his knees and said, 'Thank God we are saved.' Then the captain presented himself to the police; saying " You have found me hard at work making a punt to get the passengers across the Coorong, as we were frightened the blacks intended mischief. I have only one gun with a broken lock, and they have used used threatening signs and language to induce us to abandon cargo, &c. to their undisturbed plunder."

The rescuing party arrived soon after 4 o'clock p.m., accomplishing the distance, including stoppages to wind the horses, in about 16 hours, over a rough country and many miles of sand. The passengers, men, women and, children, could not speak for joy, many shedding tears, The Sergeant-Major informed them that he had been dispatched by the Government to render them every assistance, and to carry that out he would in the morning take one man with him, leaving the other trooper as their guard and make his way to Encounter Bay, and dispatch boats to remove them and their luggage down the Coorong, from whence they would be conveyed to Adelaide. The blacks did not after this show themselves in any number. They had not for-gotten the punishment which had been inflicted on them by Major O'Halloran for the murders which had been committed a few years before.

The Sergeant-Major on arriving at Encounter Bay dispatched boats and necessaries, and then made a hasty ride to the city and reported at headquarters what he had accomplished. He was then ordered to return to the wreck and superintend the removal of passengers and luggage to Adelaide. The wrecked people were quite aware of the horrid fate of those unfortunates from the wreck of the Maria who fell into the hands of the murdering natives of this district. The captain had very nearly completed his punt when the delivering party arrived.

About the same time that Father Watkins was cast on our shores by the wreck of the Mariner, Father Ryan left the central station in Adelaide on a visitation to the scattered flock of Roman Catholics in the Tatiara district, and had a very dangerous encounter with the natives in the Maria Creek country, but was not injured.

I purpose in a future series to continue the history of that eminent Christian the late Bishop Murphy. I had the privilege of many pleasing and instructive interview with him. On all such prized occasions I was deeply impressed by his unreserved and truly Catholic and Christian utterances to me, an Anglican Churchman. (To be continued).