LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. TWENTY-EIGHTH REPORT. MANY of the circumstances stated in this Report relative to the Society's Missions have been anticipated in our last Survey. We shall endeavour to find room, in the present Volume, for some details relative more particularly to the South-Africa and South-Sea Missions: every thing else of importance will find its place in the next Survey. We shall here extract some passages in reference to the Domestic Concerns of the Society. State of the Seminary. The Directors have received from the Deputation, appointed to visit the Missionary Seminary at Gosport, a very favourable report of its present state. The examination of the Senior Students in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, was highly satisfactory: of this class, a few appear to be prepared to go forth immediately as Missionaries to the Heathen. The Junior Students, also, according to their standing in the Seminary, have made commendable progress; and promise, in due time, to be qualified for the important work to which they have solemnly devoted themselves. The knowledge that all of them seem to possess of the great doctrines of the Gospel, and the experience which they appear to have of the influence of these doctrines on their own hearts, together with the zeal and decision of mind with which they look forward to Missionary Labours, afforded the most cordial pleasure to the Deputation, who could not but indulge the hope of their becoming useful Missionaries of Jesus Christ to the Heathen World. This hope was much strengthened by the favourable report, which their venerable Tutor gave of their consistent deportment and general character. The Rev. Thomas Eastman has succeeded Mr. David Bogue, as Classical Tutor. Labourers sent out during the Year. During the past year, the following Missionaries proceeded from the Seminary for the several Stations annexed: Messrs. James Hill, Micaiah Mr. Alexander Fyve Mr. Edmund Crisp Appointed to Calcutta. Surat. Malacca. Madras. The following have been also sent out in number, and were as follows: : 6,000 Annual Report and List for 1821. 15,750 Abstract of Ditto. 6,000 Sermons, Annual Meeting, 1821. 19,000 Quarterly Chronicle, Nos. 19, 20, 21, and 22. 188,000 Ditto Sketches, Nos. 13, 14, 15, and 16. 13,000 Monthly Chronicle. 60,000 Addresses, &c. Necessity for Increasing Funds. On the disparity between the late Income and Expenditure of the Society, the Directors make some remarks which have an important bearing on all Missionary Institutions. The Reports of several past years have presented a disparity of a similar kind, though by no means to an equal extent but such as to produce, since the Report for 1819, inclusive, a deterioration in the pecuniary resources of the Society, to the amount of 18,500. It has been, however, during the year just concluded, that by far the greater part of this defalcation has taken place: and this becomes the more important, as it is found that, although considerable expenses have been incurred by the extraordinary occurrences of that year, (such as the sending of the Deputation to the South Seas, the Mission to Madagascar, &c.) yet it has chiefly arisen from the increased local charges of the established Missions in India and other quarters, and from additional means sent for the purpose of strengthening and extending those Missions -measures which will again cause an augmentation of the PERMANENT EXPENDITURE of future years. 2 S Until Missions become self-supported in the countries where they are established, the Societies to which they are related cannot be relieved from an EXPENDITURE INCREASING FROM YEAR TO YEAR, which will inevitably reduce them to distress or inactivity, unless that expenditure be met by AN INCOME ENLARGING IN THE SAME RATIO. The justice of this principle cannot be doubted: for its operation is already most severely felt by more than one or two Missionary Societies; and it is ad examples; but it is not less likely, that, in every age, the totality of such gifts will fall greatly short of the aggregate formed by the almost innumerable though smaller free-will offerings of the multitude of those in inferior ranks, who will press forward to sustain this cause. in that day of His power. vancing with alarming certainty upon In reference to the most likely means of attaining the object in view, the Directors add It is probable, that, in providing the needful resources, much may be done by the activity and zeal of your future Directors, in obtaining additional aid from Individuals capable of affording it: but it will more probably be from the due extension of that system, which calls forth and combines the contributions of THE MANY, that this Society, and the larger Societies, in general, will derive their most efficient support. The copious effusion of the Holy Spirit, essential to the desired spread of the Gospel, will, no doubt, with its other effects, produce a measure of liberality among the Noble and the Rich, of which the Church has hitherto seen only rare The Directors enumerate Thirtysix Societies and Associations formed, in support of the Institution, inthe course of the year; and earnestly urge it on their friends to promote this efficient system. Necessity for the Abundant Effusion of the Holy Spirit. While the Directors are thus urgent for an augmentation of resources and means, they are not less earnest in looking for the outpouring of those gracious influences by which alone success can be ob tained. IN VAIN were the riches of the world cast upon the altar of Christian Mis all the sions, or the imperial patronage of its mightiest sovereigns engaged in their support-IN VAIN might talent put forth energy and persuasiveness of rea- · soning, and genius shed around it all the brilliance of a most exquisitely diversified and splendid illustration—IN VAIN * might philosophy impart the useful principles and maxims of a sage and practi- . cal wisdom, science hold forth her lights, and literature unfold her treasures, in order to recommend the claims and advance the interests of this Great Cause -IN VAIN might the Christian Advocate, emulating the purity of a seraph's zeal and the attractions of an angel's eloquence, lift up his voice in its behalf yea, IN VAIN might the Missionaries themselves, in distant regions, address, in the language of compassionate entreaty, the invitations of mercy to thronged and listening audiences, and the sacred pages of the Word of Life circulate throughout a reading and inquisitive population-if the enlightening and sanctifying influences of the HOLY SPIRIT be not dispensed. Without these, no motives, however holy; no zeal, however ardent; no patronage, however extensive; no sacrifices, however costly; no labours, however unremitted; no prospects, however flattering, can in the least degree avail: for it is written, Paul may plant, and Apollos may water, but God giveth the increase. Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts. Let us, then, Beloved Brethren, be instant in prayer, that those influences, so essential to success, may be bountifully poured forth on the Society-on every kindred Institution-on Christendom at large-wherever, among the Heathen, the voice of the Missionary is. heard, or the Volume of Inspiration is unfolded; firmly persuaded, that if, in this spirit of faith and supplication and charity, we abound in this great and good work, our labours will NOT BE IN VAIN in the Lord.. Amen. SCOTTISH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. Fourth Anniversary. THE Annual Meeting was held on Friday, the 17th of May, in the Assembly Rooms, in George-street; George Ross, Esq., President, in the Chair. Movers and Seconders. Rev. John Lee, LL.D., one of the Ministers of the Canongate Church; and John Campbell, Esq. of CarbrookRev. John Hunter, of Swinton; and Alex. Murray, Esq. of Ayton-Rev. Robert Gordon, of St. Cuthbert's Chapel; and Captain Coutts Crawford, R.N.-Rev. Alex. Brunton, D.D. Professor of Oriental Languages in the University of Edinburgh; and Captain Tait, R.N.-Rev. James Foot, of LogiePert; and Captain Wauchope, R. N.Rev. Andrew Thompson, M. A.; and Rob. Scott Moncrieff, Esq. Advocate and the Rev. David Dickson, one of the Secretaries; and Rob. Hepburne, Esq. of Clerkington. The following Resolutions will shew both the view which the Directors take of the present Mission of the Society, and their intention to enter on a new field of labour:That the deplorable bigotry which so remarkably characterizes all Mahome dan Nations, and especially the Mahomedans of Tartary-and the continued opposition which they manifest to the truths of the Gospel, laid open to them in the New Testament and in other Christian Publications, and enforced by the Missionaries of this Society-ought not to create despondency; but are rather calculated to stimulate its Members and its Missionaries to more strenuous exertions in their behalf, and to more fervent application to God for an effectual blessing. That the Meeting hails, with much satisfaction, the prospect of the speedy establishment of a Mission to India by this Society; and that it enters cordially into the views of the Committee, with reference to the particular claims which the Natives of India possess to the good offices of this country, and into the reasons which led to the choice of the Presidency of Bombay as the scene of the operations of the Society, in preference to either of the other divisions of our Indian Empire. The Earl of Breadalbane was elected President of the Society; and the late President, G. Ross, Esq., was appointed one of the Vice Presidents and Chairman of the Committee. AMERICAN BAPTIST MISSION. Proposal for the Ransom and Education THE arrival in this country of of Burman Slave Girls. Mrs. Judson, wife to the American Missionary at Rangoon, was stated at p. 258 of the Number for June. The following Proposal has been circulated by some friends: in support of the object proposed, Subscriptions will be received by Mrs. Gutteridge, Denmark Hill; Mrs. Shawe, New Street, Spring Gardens; and Miss Thomas, at the house of Joseph Butterworth, Esq. M.P. Bedford Square. It may not be generally known in England, that, about nine years ago, the Rev. Mr. Judson engaged in a Mission to the Burman Empire, under the direcMissions, and settled at Rangoon, on tion of the American Board of Baptist the Eastern Coast of the Bay of Bengal After encountering many difficulties and privations, during the first six years of his residence in that country, he acquired a thorough knowledge of the language; and has since translated a considerable part of the New Testament, which has been printed at Serampore, and circulated among the Natives. Much inquiry has been thus excited; and several ge nuine converts have formed a Christian |