minister, their own chapel, and be identified with a religious party, and do something to sustain it by personal effort and sacrifice. With many, I fear, this is all. There is, however, a large average amount of good moral character,-a surprisingly happy amount, considering under what disadvantageous training they had been placed. My conviction also is, that the present condition of the churches is not permanent or final. The transition-state is not yet completed, but the changes are working favourably. As intelligence spreads among some, others begin to seek it for themselves, and these again act on others, and thus the influence will be augmented, and a favourable issue anticipated. He After these general observations on the state of the Missions, may I be allowed to advert very briefly to a few particulars. I commenced my tour in Demerara, where I found springing up an important institution for the training of native teachers and catechists, under the diligent care of our respected and devoted Missionary, Mr. Wallbridge, and where a new chapel is immediately wanted, to meet the growing demands of an increasingly populous city, and the desire of the people to hear the word of God placed before them with fidelity and simplicity. In George Town, also, I had the delight, and it was great delight, of visiting my old friend Mr. Ketley, formerly this Society's faithful and laborious agent there. occupies a large field of labour, and is indefatigably and successfully occupying it. Few Missionaries have been more honoured in doing good; and there are few stations, in my opinion, of greater usefulness in Great Britain, or any part of the world. It was a cheering Sabbath which I spent with and among his schools and people. His wife, too, is among those who are fellow-labourers in the cause, and worthy of great esteem. I commend him and his flock to the affectionate sympathies of the friends of the Society and the churches at large. His people showed much kindness with reference to Madagascar. Among other things they contributed 501. for a boat to be employed in aiding the escape of the persecuted native Christians from Madagascar. I felt a deep interest, too, in visiting the congregation formerly under the charge of our devoted, but martyred, Missionary Smith, of Demerara. Many of his old friends came around me, with expressions of the liveliest joy and gratitude in the recollection of his faithful and incessant labours on their behalf, Among these were men who had oft travelled all Saturday night, that they might obtain his instructions on the Sunday morning; then hasten back to the estates where they were slaves; cut their How due portion of grass in the afternoon, and reach home by the allotted time; and yet, on the Monday morning, were flogged and placed in the stocks, for having dared to attend the Missionary. And here may I state a fact honourable to the negro character? I conversed with many who had suffered this harsh treatment, and on whose backs are still the marks of the lacerations they suffered, for no other crime than such as that I have named; but I have never heard one vindictive syllable escape their lips. They often recur to the history of the past, but only to thank God for the happy change which they now experience in their privileges and condition. changed the scene! Now they can assemble in broad day-light, and bring their wives and children, and call them their own, as they never could before; they crowd to the sanctury, listen to the sounds of mercy, none daring to make them afraid. On the West coast, our excellent Missionary, Mr. Scott, is rearing a suitable and substantial place of worship at the estimated cost of 2,000. This sum the people are raising by their own effortsevery dollar the result of personal labour. We held a Missionary meeting there during my visit; and when the people had heard our plain statements respecting the demands made on the Society from various quarters where the people are less able to contribute than they are, they at once responded to the appeal of the minister, and offered to relieve the Society from the promise of its donation of 1007. to help them in building their new chapel. By an additional effort, said they, we can raise the sum ourselves, and we waive our claims for the 1007.; "yes, massa, we able-we will." It would be long and tedious to specify every case. I pass to Berbice. In the principal town there, I found a great and glorious Missionary work in progress. Few men are more abundant in labours-persevering and systematic labours-than our Missionary in New Amsterdam. There, also, the people are raising an excellent chapel. Within two years, they contributed specifically for it, 2,5007. It will cost double that sum, and they will raise it all. The people determined on building, not a slight flimsy structure, just to last their own lifetime, but for their children too-such a one as a poor pious sufferer, Fitzgerald, (of whom you heard a year or two ago, as remarking, when he paid his money, "God's work must be done, and I may be dead,") described to me: want build chapel, massa, large, strong, make him last for ever and ever-amen. It displays also the liberality of the people, that at another station, Rodboro', in Ber "We bice, a chapel has been reared at an expense of 3,500., including school and dwellinghouse. Others are also in progress, and others are completed, of which I could find much to say, but time would fail me. From British Guiana and its vast alluvial plains, I crossed to Jamaica-the beautiful, magnificent, and salubrious island of Jamaica-with its stupendous mountain-ranges, and luxuriant plains of rich colonial produce. If the success attending a Missionary enterprise be a legitimate proof of the Divine approval of the measure that introduced it, and the means that have carried it forward, that proof is incontrovertible there. I do not mean that I would try every individual station by that test, but I speak of our Jamaica Mission as a whole. And I do not fear to say it has been a blessing to Jamaica, and will be a blessing still. Possibly, if all the other Societies which were there before ours obtained a footing in the island, had doubled their energies, everything might have been done for Jamaica that could have been desired. But Episcopalians who were there, left ample room for Nonconformists -Moravians left ample room for Wesleyans-Wesleyans for Baptists--Baptists for Presbyterians, and Presbyterians for Independents; and still there is work enough to be done, and ample space for all, without any party wishing another to be out of the way. Few spots exist in the. world more favoured with a zealous Christian ministry than Jamaica; and I am sincerely thankful for it. In the progress of the great cause of emancipation in the world-for onward that cause must proceed -many eyes will turn towards Jamaica. Its prosperity will accelerate the freedom of other lands, and that prosperity is identified with the progress of pure and enlightened Christianity. May I add, that I think, for the religious interests of Jamaica; for truth, peace, and prosperity-one great desideratum is, a visit from some of our wealthy, intelligent, and religious lay gentlemen. Just let them pass the winter months there-a delightful escape from English inconveniences, as I found it. Instead of taking a tour of mere gratification along the Rhine, just let them cross to Kingston, pass Mont Diavolo, and feast on the rich and varied scenery of those enchanting regions, and the good they would effect is incalculable, even though it might not be all they wished. But, by advice to churches and pastors, the expression of sympathy, and mingling with the congregations, they would, under the circumstances I have alluded to, do more good than all the speeches made on the platform of Exeter-hall, or the pamphlets that issue from Paternoster-row. One important thing I must be allowed to add in relation to our Mission churches in the West. I anticipate their being in a position to support themselves ere long, without pressing on the funds of the Parent Society. Many of them have become so already. Some resolved on it while I was there, others are approaching to it, and all are honourably desirous of it. With few exceptions I think they will shortly be selfsustained; so that the resources hitherto expended on them will henceforth be available for other fields. In conclusion, I would say, this Society has ample reason for devout acknowledgment in the manifest blessings which God has bestowed on the labours of its agents in all that portion of the Missionary field which I have been permitted to visit. Had the Society existed for nothing else than to do what it has done in Guiana and Jamaica, it has existed for great and noble objects; it has accomplished a service worth existing for; and it may at this moment turn from the dark and afflictive scenes of Tahiti and Madagascar, and rejoice over the bright and prosperous scenes of the West,-there, thank God, and take courage. The Rev. W. BUNTING said,-I have the pleasure of moving the following resolution: "That this meeting most cordially unites with the Directors of the London Missionary Society in thanksgiving to God for the termination of war between China and Great Britain, and for the greatly enlarged facilities secured by the treaty of peace for the introduction into that vast empire of the multiplied blessings of Christianity. It reviews the various preparatory labours of the Society on behalf of China through a period of nearly forty years with sincere satisfaction, and it hereby records its hearty approval of the measures adopted and contemplated by the Directors for strengthening and extending its Chinese Missions." The resolution states that you regard with peculiar interest particular fields of Missionary labour, in which God has especially honoured your Society-I look upon many of them with very pleasing, or, at any rate, with very stirring emotions. Whether we look at their religious state and prospects, their geographical position, their political relations, or at any other secular considerations, I cannot but view them with feelings of the deepest interest. For instance, I turn to Africa, and though the Missionary stations in the south of Africa are but specks in comparison with the vast territorial possessions of Mahomedanism and heathenism beyond, still they are very important, as being next to the interior of the most neglected quarter of the globe. I associate Africa, not only with the prospective reformation of the greatest national wrong which man ever endured from his fellow-man, but also with the most interesting enterprises of civilization and of disco very which have been undertaken during the last few years; and there it is remarkable that those two objects are in a fair way of being accomplished in direct subserviency to, and in connexion with, your religious missions: not the light of enterprise, not the light of science, but chiefly the Gospel of Christ is penetrating the darkest population of the earth; dark as to themselves, ignorant, dark, and unknown as to us: there civilization, agriculture, and letters, and social order and happiness, are progressively and triumphantly being established. I cannot but advert, with peculiar alarm, to the spirit and progress of Popery, as exhibited in its aggressions upon Tahiti. Why do I sympathise with the feelings of the fathers of this Society, in relation to the outrage upon that island? Not, I candidly confess, so much for the sake of liberty and peace, as for the sake of truth, and holiness, and salvation. What is to become-I do not say of your devoted Missionaries, nor of their well-earned rewards -but what is to become of evangelization -the great end about which we are of one and the same mind what is to become of Christianity? what is to become of the safety of souls in that great archipelago, if Popery is to supplant the Gospel?-if, I say, your faithful and effectual preaching of salvation by grace alone, is to be superseded and set aside by the wretched, Christless, soulless, sacerdotalism of Rome? For the constancy and stedfastness of your converts in Tahiti, I have confidence in God; especially when I remember the martyrs of Madagascar. But when I think of the myriads who occupy unrecognised and unreclaimed territory-of the myriads of Polynesia, China, and elsewhere-the myriads of heathen whom the ministry of pure Christianity, through the instrumentality of this and of other Societies, was in a fair way to have reached and reclaimed-when I think of them; when I behold them stolen upon and circumvented by a Christianity falsely so called, just as the word of God was hovering over these heaps of slain humanity, and the Spirit of God coming from the four winds of heaven to breathe upon these slain, that they may live-when, instead of hearing of this delightful work, I hear of a sort of galvanic process, by which a system that makes no use of the truth, and which has no promise of the Spiritwill cheat men into the mockery of a kind of convulsive devotional life, and yet leave them as it has left the papalized masses of Europe, in spiritual death and in real corruption-when I think of all this, my feelings are not those of hope and confidence; I am rather disposed to take alarm, not merely for the liberty of Noncon formity, or the liberty of Protestantism, but for the salvation of the souls of men. I sympathise with this meeting, and congratulate you, Sir George, for your promised interference in behalf of this noble Society. I trust that all evangelical Christendom, uniting on those higher grounds which I have ventured to express, will combine in the adoption of all proper, and especially all spiritual means, for resisting the aggressions of Popery. There is one thing which is necessary in order that we may be successful in resisting the intrusions of Antichrist. I believe we all, with one and the same mind, yearn for Christian union; and while yet we yearn for it, blessed be God! this morning we have it. This platform, like many others which we have had the privilege of treading during this genial month of May,-this platform affords an earnest of that practical catholicity of which, I trust, some may be spared to witness the full and glorious fruition. And on what principle do we agree? On what principle do we unite on these occasions? I always look upon the Missionary platform as a step higher into the light of heaven than even the platform of a Bible meeting; because, in associating to promote one particular scheme of usefulness, we virtually recognise each other's specific teaching and ministration, as containing all that is vital and saving in the Christian system. We unite on this occasion, to show that the principles on which we differ are, in our solemn and deliberate estimation, subordinate, admitting of postponement without compromise; and that, on the contrary, the principles on which we agree are supreme and essential. The Rev. JAMES PARSONS rose to second the resolution, and after some prefatory remarks, said,-In order that such a resolution as that which I now hold in my hand may be properly and intelligently carried, let it not be forgotten by us, that we are contending, in connexion with this, and kindred institutions, against the greatest evil that has ever yet afflicted and deformed the world. I mean the apostacy from God under the title of heathenism. There was, only some little time ago, a very imperfect apprehension on the part of Christian men respecting the nature and results of heathenism; but religious Missions have effectively dispelled that delusion. They have removed the veil with which heathenism was shrouded; they have exhibited features of sullen and monstrous deformity, and placed before us a series of attributes which can be contemplated only with loathing, disgust, and hatred. And, therefore, however modified and various may be the external forms of heathenism, its essential features are invariable, whether we view it in the elaborate system of Hindooism in the empire to which the resolution alludes, or whether we view it in the wider or more savage regions of Australasia, and Tartary, and Africa. We find that, after all modifications, the characteristics and results of it are the same. We do not declaim-we only describe-when we say there is not one truth which it does not oppose, or one falsehood which it does not promulgate; that there is not one virtue which it does not banish; that there is not one vice which it does not cherish; that there is not one blessing that it does not destroy, or one curse that it does not inflict. It spreads its withering blight over both worlds; and after having inflicted upon the present the elements of bitterness and pain, its consummations reign beyond the grave, amid the souls it has placed in destitution, darkness, and despair. This is the apostasy which now reigns over at least six hundred millions of beings, immortal selves. as our Again, in order that this resolution and others of a kindred nature may properly be passed, we must fix it further in our minds, that in attempting to communicate evangelical Christianity, we are attempting to communicate that which will precisely remove the evils incident to man, and restore him to the enjoyment of happiness. What is the evidence from the West Indies, from South Africa, from Hindostan, and from the South Sea, of which we have heard this morning? What is the evidence from those islands where our Society unfurled its earliest banners-where it endured its earliest toils, and where it has achieved its largest triumphs, and around which such an intense and fearful interest is now gathered, lest their fair and beautiful manifestation should be blighted by the touch and breath of that spoiler, who never moved but to exterminate, and never lighted down but to destroy? In each and all of these have been accomplished results, in which not to rejoice would be an insult not only to religion, but to philanthropy. The Mission ary in his humble guise has far outstepped, and will far outstep, the philosopher, and the lawgiver, and the statesman, in the strength of his Divine Master. He is the emancipator, the benefactor, the great deliverer and restorer; and blessings follow in his train. Where he is, the wilderness and the solitary place are glad, and the desert rejoices and blossoms as the rose; and when he shall have completed his progress and closed his career, then he will have realised the beatific vision of the prophetic poet, and have given back to the disordered earth the splendours of her golden age. May I, in connexion with the order of thought upon which almost of necessity I have entered, remind you of the reason which we have for abounding and devoted gratitude on account of the facilities with which we have been favoured for extend ing among the nations the Gospel of the grace of God? But let us remember that all these facilities must be regarded as opportunities committed to us by the universal Governor, the neglect and abuse of which constitutes a guilt beyond measure flagrant, a guilt which will expose the nation and the church to overwhelming judgments. Let us know the day of our visitation, and let us acquit ourselves as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Then we shall exhibit a practical patriotism and I speak it most respectfully in the presence of one who has consecrated high senatorial eminence by the spirit of vital godliness and piety-we shall exhibit a practical patriotism far greater than can be manifested in the senate or the field. We shall stay the sun of our national glory at its meridian; we shall create around it new elements of prosperity and of honour; and, moreover, beyond local and temporary benefits, we shall have acted as the almoners of Heaven. Heaven has opened the blessings of mercy to mankind; let the infidel deny, and let the indolent postpone, the time to favour Zion is now-the time to build the house of the Lord is now. I think of the duties which are incumbent upon the whole body of the faithful, and which the whole body of the faithful are now awakening to fulfil. I remind you of them as follows. The study of the claims of Christian Missions is your duty; to indulge, to cherish, and to display all the emotion which rightly arises from your connexion with the claims of Missions, is your duty. To contribute largely and cheerfully of our pecuniary property is a duty. The necessity of pecuniary contribution is obvious; there is now a demand yet more urgent still, to take our stand as generous supporters of the cause. The East Indies pleads for it; the islands of the South Sea plead for it; India pleads for it; China, especially, with her 360 millions, pleads for it; and we must learn to contribute not merely out of our abundance, but out of our poverty; not only out of our luxuries, but out of our conveniences and comforts, rejoicing if we can make sacrifices for Christ and for souls. Again, to exhibit fraternal kindness and goodwill towards the exertions of other Christians, is our duty, as well as to pray earnestly for the enlarged bestowment of Divine influence. Let the spirit of prayer be carried into every domestic circle, and into the deep and holy recesses of the closet, and, retiring, let us determine that we will give God no rest, till he make his Jerusalem a praise and a joy in the earth, and at length we become armed with his omnipotence. Then He will bid the seventh angel sound his trumpet to tell that the mystery of God is finished, and we shall hear the Eternal speaking from his shrine, and saying, "As I live, the whole earth shall be filled with my glory." The consummation to which I have adverted is one which I conceive we are not, by scriptural principles, permitted to doubt. There is, indeed, much that is adverse; there are many foes that bar the entrance to wide and effectual doors; on various occasions we have to lament falsehood and treachery among those who should have cheered us on; and from other causes there may be some labouring under the depression of fear, while not a few have announced their conviction that the interests of the church of Christ are now in jeopardy and in peril. What! the church of Christ in jeopardy and peril! No. False systems which have usurped the name may be in danger; but the true church never! The preservation of the church is pledged for the purpose of its universal empire; all its movements are intended for the salvation of the world. If there be occasionally retrograde steps taken, they must be regarded to use the elegant language of a friend who still remains a glorious memorial of the generation of the ministry that has well nigh passed away-" they are but like the stepping back of a giant, that he may strike the weightier blow." Every movement, apparently insignificant in our Missions, is to be regarded thus, as the fore-shadow of the future, precisely as the root is the promise of the tree-as the bud is the promise of the flower-as the first tender streaks of the dawn are the promise of the meridian day. The word hath gone forth, and it is the promise of the Father to the Son, that he shall have the heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession. Here, then, is our great end-an end to promote which we have convened ourselves, under the Divine permission, this day, and this meeting cannot but resolve to advance it. There is not a Christian word, there is not an expression of principle, but will advance it. There is not a thought that enters and illuminates the understanding of a Christian man or woman but will advance it. There is not an emotion which throbs, or kindles in any bosom, but will advance it. There is not a resolve of more determined dedication for the future but will advance it. There is not a gift that shall be dropped into the treasury of mercy, however small and insignificant, but will advance it. And so we have not assembled in vain! Lord Jesus, we offer ourselves to thee. Thou hast made us already thine agents, in propelling the progress of the chariot in which thou art going forth, conquering and to conquer. This is our recompense and our joy. I have great pleasure in seconding the resolution. The resolution having been put and agreed to, The CHAIRMAN said,-Other duties will now compel me to withdraw. I cannot, however, leave without expressing my gratitude for having been permitted to take the chair, and to associate, for a brief time, with these honoured men, many of whom have devoted their lives and best energies to the prosecution of this, the highest object to which the energies and the talents of the Christian can be devoted. W. A. HANKEY, Esq., then took the chair. The Rev. JOSEPH ANGUS (Secretary of the Baptist Missionary Society) rose to move "That this meeting hereby records its solemn protest against the violent and unjust proceedings on the part of France, by which the Queen of Tahiti and the native government have been deprived of independence. It reprobates, as it deplores, the forcible establishment of Popery among an unwiliing but defenceless people; and it presents to the Missionaries and churches in the island the assurance of its deep sympathy and fervent prayer under this severe trial of their faith and constancy." I have much pleasure in taking part in the proceedings of this meeting. Though not prepared, perhaps, to subscribe to all that was said by a preceding speaker, (the Rev. W. M. Bunting,) I heartily agree with him in attachment to this Society. Though not quite agreeing with my friend, the Secretary, in all his views of Jamaica, and thinking that some of the "negative qualities" of the churches there are better than some of our "positive" ones, I yet join in his prayer for their prosperity, and cannot yield even to him in wishes for your success. Nor can I claim credit for this avowal. In the honour of your agents we feel that we share. The learning, the diplomatic talents, the perseverance of a Morrison-the self-sacrificing energy and holy ingenuity of a Williams-the noble, magnificent purpose, and simple-hearted piety of a Moffat-honourable as they are to you, are still more honourable to our common Christianity, for it was Christianity that formed their characters, though you sent them into the field. Their names are ours, as well as yours; and in rejoicing over them, we manifest no heroism, no noble, romantic disinterestedness of charity. We rejoice with you, too, in your success: while heartily thankful if there be conversions in connexion with our Society, we are thankful none the less that there are conversions in connexion with you. Conver |