in 1866 a few persons in Preston with a predilection for the ancient form of Presbyterianism held a consultation, and decided to start a “church.”  They had a sprinkling of serious blood in their arteries—­a tincture of well-balanced, modernised Puritanism in their veins—­and they honestly thought that if any balm had to come out of Gilead, it would first have to pass through Presbyterianism, and that if any physician had to appear he would have to be a Calvinistic preacher.

They, at first, met privately, and then engaged the theatre of Avenham Institution—­a place which had previously been the nursery of Fishergate Baptism and Lancaster-road Congregationalism.  From the early part of January, 1866, till September, 1867, they were regaled with “supplies” from different parts of the kingdom.  When they met on the second Sunday—­it would be unfair to criticise the first Curtian plunge they made—­14 persons, including the preacher, put in an appearance; but the number gradually extended; courage slowly accumulated, and eventually—­in September, 1867—­the Rev. A. Bell, a gentleman young in years, and fresh from the green isle, who pleased the Preston Presbyterians considerably, was requested to stop with them and endeavour to make them comfortable.  Mr. Bell thought out the question briefly, got a knowledge of the duties required, &c., and then consented to stay with the brethren.  And he is still with them; hoping that they may multiply and replenish the earth, and spread Presbyterianism muchly.  From the period of their denominational birth up to now the Preston Presbyterians have worshipped in the theatre of the Institution, Avenham—­a place which everybody knows and which we need not describe.  There is nothing ecclesiastical about it; the place is fit for the operations of either lecturers, or preachers, or conjurors; and it will do for the inculcation of Presbyterianism as well as for anything else.  The leaders of the Presbyterian body are looking out for a site upon which a new chapel may be erected, but they have not yet found one.  By-and-bye we hope they will see a site which will suit their vision, will come up to their ideal, and, in the words of Butler, be “Presbyterian true blue.”

The members of “the church” number at present about 112; and the average congregation will be about 200.  It includes Scotchmen, Irish Presbyterians, people who have turned over from Baptism, Independency, Catholicism, and several other creeds, and all of them seem to be theologically satisfied.  There ought to be elders at the place; but the denomination seems too young for them; as it progresses and gets older it will get into the elder stage.  There is no pulpit in the building, and the preacher gets on very well is the absence of one.  If he has no pulpit he has at least this consolation that he can never fall over such a contrivance, as the South Staffordshire Methodist once did, when in a fit of fury, and nearly killed some of the singers below.  The congregation consists principally of middle and working class people.  Their demeanour is calm, their music moderate, and in neither mind nor body do they appear to be much agitated, like some people, during their moments of devotion.