amidst poverty and reproach, confessing their own sins and the sins of their people, and looking upon Him whom they have pierced, and mourning and in heaviness on account of their long-continued obduracy, and seeking an interest in that Redeemer who has come to turn ungodliness from Jacob.

Of the existence of such characters there is abundant evidence; of their progressive increase no careful student of the word of God can doubt. The duty of contributing to their spiritual wants is clear; and though the extension of pecuniary relief, to those who have lost all for Christ, is attended with exceeding difficulty, and has, in fact, in former instances, opened the door to serious evils, yet, if strictly confined to indispensable necessaries, it may eventually produce a salutary effect.

But, after all, what do ye more than others? "The utmost that we can do towards the conversion of the Jews to Christianity, is unquestionably," says Mr. Norris, amongst the most obvious of those duties which we owe to aliens from our own household of faith." Now, what has any society, or any indivi. duals, attempted for the performance of this duty, within the memory of man, except this very so ciety which Mr. N. assaults? Let every charge which Mr. N. has advanced be for the moment conceded, and what follows? It follows most clearly, that, however rash, or foolish, or enthusiastical, or erroneous, the London Society may be, it has honestly attempted to discharge a MOST OBVIOUS duty. Whatever may be the case with its professed converts, or with the people whom it attempts to benefit, no man will dare to say that the conductors of the London Society have been actuated by any sordid or interested motive. Their sacrifices have been

immense their time, their talents, their money, have been largely contributed to what they conceive an obvious duty. And what have others done? They have sat by, and sneered at the attempt, and rejoiced at every failure, and retailed every mistake, and published every slander. Well may we say to such, "Thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother, in the day that he became a stranger; neither shouldest thou have rejoiced in the day of their destruction; neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress."

The societies which Mr. N. advocates have strong claims for support; but it is mere drivelling to speak of the money applied by Churchmen to other objects as the alienation of the children's bread. The Society for promoting Christian Knowledge might thus be censured for establishing its missions in Tranquebar, or printing many years ago Tracts with reference to the Jews. The Societies for the Propagation of the Gospel and for the Building of Churches have no paramount, no exclusive claims upon the charity of Churchmen. The Society for Propagating the Gospel is really a new society erected on an old foundation : its claim, therefore, to veneration on account of age, is not universally conceded; and many will wait to observe its proceedings before they come forward to its support. The building of churches commends itself to every friend of our Establishment; but the firm stand which is made against allowing those who contribute their money to the erection of places of worship from possessing any share in the patronage, checks and discourages multitudes who would otherwise be most zealous in this good work.

Mr. Sumner stated, that he had selected this passage as containing in a short compass, when considered in a general rather than a literal sense, the basis of missionary exertions. The disciples were to go forth to heal the sick, &c., and were to receive no remuneration for their service; but to enter into the spirit of the inquiry, Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow-servant, even as I had pity on thee? If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. You have not been appointed unto death, but God hath set before you a covenant of life and peace: Freely ye have received; freely give.' The force of this argument would of course depend upon our sense of the obligation our feelings are apt to become dull; we are prone to speak of Christendom geographically, and of the superstitions of Paganism without entertaining any lively view of the awful state of the heathen world as without Christ. But in proportion as the case is desperate it is cruel to neglect the remedy; and therefore it is important not merely to excite, but to invigorate, our feelings upon the subject, and to provoke each other to love and good works, in dependence on the Spirit from on high; ever remembering that the Gospel is as important to the Heathen now as it was in the time of our Lord.

Mr. S. proceeded to consider

1. Our Lord's commission to his Apostles; and, II. The labours and sufferings the Apostles underwent in executing that commission.

In discoursing on the first head, Mr. S. remarked, that the peculiar disposition of our Lord was tenderness and compassion; he felt for the temporal wants of

men ;

his miracles were all miracles of mercy; he refused to satisfy his own hunger by miracle, yet wrought miracles for the relief of his followers. When he saw the grief of the sisters of Lazarus, though he knew how soon that sorrow would be turned into joy, yet he wept in sympathy. Hence he would not have sent forth his disciples to the hardships and dangers he foretold, unless the object proposed was one of paramount importance, and which could not otherwise be attained. Unless the state of mankind JUNE 1825.

was that to which no worldly destitution was equal, he would not have exposed his Apostles to such imminent perils; he would have done that, to which we are sometimes advised and disposed, and waited for more favourable appearances; but he knew the state of the heathen, and therefore enjoined his servants to go forth. Here let us sit at Jesus' feet, and learn his will.

Our Lord's representations had such effect on those who most frequently heard them, that they set out to encounter the very evils which he had foretold, to bear the message of salvation to the world. Though men of like passions with ourselves, they yet gave up all in which nature delights, to deliver the heathen from those evils and crimes to which they had been accustomed; that the Jews might submit to the righteousness of Christ; and that the Greeks might no longer worship an unknown God. Can we conceive of any considerations to circumscribe our exertions which might not have affected the Apostles. When we advert to the Law which the Jews had received, to the elegant mythology of the Greeks, or the fables or errors received from their ancestors, we may conceive of various circumstances which might induce the Apostles to hesitate; yet they endured, and, though in every city bonds and imprisonments awaited them, yet they counted not their lives dear unto themselves, that they might finish their course with joy.

Here contemplate what ye have freely received. What labours and sacrifices and sufferings the Apostles encountered in their day, to convey to us the light of salvation. The soul is not less precious now than 1000 years ago: there is no less blessedness in heaven; no less awe and horror in the blackness of darkness for ever: God is still the same; the Saviour is still the same; and the only difference is in ourselves, in the low and unworthy sense of the blessings which we possess.

We are not called to rash and inconsiderate measures; but let us not mistake indifference for prudence, or inactivity for discretion: let us not hesitate to contrive; let us be prompt to execute. Who can contemplate past opportunities and neglects, and not earnestly pray, "Remember not our offences, nor the offences of our forefathers."

In attempting to bring our minds to a more just appreciation of our obligations, we should recollect that we are not all called to exercise the same duty. Let every man do as he is disposed in his heart. Freely ye have received; freely

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give."-Some may give their money, influence, ability. Our charities should be regulated by calculation, not by enthusiasm; and each must consider what he can afford. The affairs of our empire require different, though not higher, talents than are here necessary. Knowledge of character, observation, prudence, discretion, patience, and advice, and influence, are all of the utmost importance. Here no man need stand all the day idle.-Others are called to more difficult sacrifices. Freely give your friends and relations to the furtherance of this holy cause. A reluctance to spare relations is a great obstacle to missionary exertions. While men eagerly catch at worldly situations for their friends, who, almost, does not regret that a young member of their families is going forth as an ambassador for Christ? There is enough of talent and enterprise in our land. Men are crying out from the east and the west, Come over and help us. God will not withhold his Spirit to bless; but too often the ardour of enterprise is checked, or divided into different channels. The sacrifice, say some, is greater than we can bear. The very disposition which inclines for missionary exertions endears our offspring to us at home; we have reared the plant, and are not allowed to witness its perfection. Such feelings are natural, but we must resist them on our knees; we must pray, Lord, increase our faith in thy promises of heavenly blessings. Where is the faith of Abraham? Where that of Hannah, who lent her child to the Lord for ever? Where that of the Apostles, who left all and followed Him that was despised and rejected of men. "He that giveth sparingly shall reap also sparingly.' Shall we offer to the Lord that which costs us nothing? shall we pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth more labourers into his harvest, and then grudge those labourers and withhold those instruments whom he is calling from amongst us?

Freely give yourseives, your lives, to this work. Sit down and count the cost: we wish you not to engage rashly; but have respect to the magnitude of the object, and the recompence of the reward. "Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, who shall not receive manifold more in this present time." And as far as we study the biography of Missionaries, we find this promise fulfilled in the lively hopes and abundant consolations with which they are supported. They are drawn closer to God, and amidst painful trials experience the peace of God passing all understanding.

Freely give your prayers. This all may bestow, and this will bring down a blessing from Him, who alone can give the in

crease. Let all inquire, What have 1 done towards fully imparting to others the blessings of salvation. How guilty must indifference in such a cause be in the sight of the Son of God! He did not think it unworthy to leave his Father's throne in glory, for us men and our salvation; he regards every soul taken from the king. dom of Satan as a jewel added to his crown. He accepts your co-operation, and deigns to employ you as his instruments. O devote yourselves to this work, ever remembering that the time is short.

The Anniversary Meeting of this Society was held on Tuesday, May 3, in the Freemasons' Hall, when the room was crowded to excess with a brilliant assem blage of nobility and gentry of both sexes. The chair was taken by Lord Gambier, President, at eleven o'clock, and his Lordship opened the business of the day by an excellent address, invoking the Divine blessing upon the meeting. He adverted to the feelings of gratitude with which a retrospect of the proceedings of the Society should be viewed, and expressed his hope that the labours of those pious men engaged in the missions abroad might be crowned with greater success. He added an instance of the effects of these labours, from Hopetown, Westmoreland, in Jamaica, where a school of Negro children is making rapid progress in the elementary branches of instruction and in genuine religion. The Missionary describes the great desire of the Negroes for Christian instruction, above 300 of whom attend the occasional exposition of the Scriptures. His Lordship then read a letter from Mr. Wilberforce, expressive of his unabated attachment to the Society, and regret that illness prevented his attendance.

The Reverend Edward Bickersteth, Secretary, then read the Report, which stated that the income exceeded that of any former year, being 45,0001. The legacies were 4,000l. There were thirty. four new associations formed. Sixty Missionaries have offered themselves; sixteen were received; twenty-nine declined, and fifteen still under consideration; twentyone students are now at Islington Seminary, opened January 31, 1825, under the superintendance of the Rev. J. N. Pearson. Under the head of West Africa, the Report stated that the arrangement with Government for a more effectual supply of clergymen for Sierra Leone had been completed, and that the whole expense would now devolve on the Society; that it was highly important to maintain the ground already gained; and that a considerable falling off in the schools, congregations, and communicants had taken place, for want of more teachers and ministers;-that, notwithstanding, this mission presented most encouraging cir

cumstances, and the faith and devotion both of the missionaries and native teachers and converts were most conso

latory. "Tell them," said a native, referring to the Committee, "not to vex themselves because people die in this country, but send out more missionaries, as more men are sent out to fight the King's enemies when soldiers die." The Society are about to send forth five Lutheran clergymen to the Mediterranean, to proceed after a short time to Jerusalem, in hopes of penetrating into Abyssinia. Most encouraging accounts have been received from India, of the female schools at Calcutta, and of the Society's schools generally throughout India. From Palamcotta, especially, it is stated, that, of thirty-one students, twenty exhibit signs of devoted piety. The Society's missions in the West Indies, at New Zealand, and on the Red River in America, afford a hopeful prospect, though no very decisive success has yet been produced.

John Thornton, Esq., Treasurer, read the statement of accounts, and adverted to the impressive and apostolical manner of Mr. Sumner, in delivering the sermon, at which the collection was 1687. He anti

cipated increasing success. Patriotism, however laudable, is confined in its operation to temporal things; but the spirit of religion extends to a scene of unfading and eternal glory.

Lord Bexley said, that every man must rejoice on the rapid improvements now visible in the regions of ignorance and idolatry. It was peculiarly gratifying to observe the Church of England now coming forward. Formerly no provision was made for our colonies. With much difficulty the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, and that for Propagating the Gospel, provided for the foreign wants. He adverted now to the Episcopal establishment for the West Indies, and augured, both politically and civilly, the advantage to this empire, and to the Established Church itself, from their efforts. Looking now at the map of the world, we see it studded with missionary stations. They resemble the stars in the galaxy, and shed a mild and genial light over the globe.

The Very Rev. the Dean of Salisbury (Dr. Pearson) felt much impressed by the contrast between the former and present state of the Society. Formerly, we rather felt supported by the promises and predictions of the Gospel, than cheered by any actual success. Without flattery, and without arguing from its present bright prospects that future and earnest efforts are unnecessary, he congratulated the meeting on the marks of Divine blessing now resting on the labours of the Society. Thousands of children now receive Christian instruction, who must else have been reared up in ignorance and vice. He ad

verted to the awakened spirit of the Established Church, and directed their attention to the wide field now opened in India, under the learned and pious prelate lately settled there; and he hoped that the effects of that dignitary's exertions might continue, when he should be withdrawn from this earthly scene.

Lord Calthorpe, in noticing the female schools established in India, said that they derived additional importance from the connection of that immense territory with this country. England being above all countries favoured with civil and religious advantage, is therefore the more imperatively called on to minister to the miseries of the world. The command of God and the promise of his word further animate us in this cause, and the success already vouchsafed is surely taken as earnest of future, and more enlarged, triumphs over sin, ignorance, and superstition. The alteration forcibly strikes us in the state of Sierra Leone. Of that place, at length, we may hope "violence shall no more be heard in the land, nor wasting and destruction within her borders." How must the venerated name of Wilberforce impress our tenderest recollections, when we look to that once unhappy region, now rescued, by his heroic and Christian_perseverance, from the curse of the Slave Trade! To him is due the praise of being a missionary on the mighty scale of promoting glory to God, peace on earth, and good-will towards men. Though now withdrawn from public life, he deeply sympathises with every feeling of joy or hope entertained by this Society; his spirit is present with us, and his prayer ascends that our work may be blessed.

Lieut.-Colonel Phipps (from Calcutta) bore testimony, as an eye-witness, to the degrading misery of the females in India. The contrast was great between them and the females who live under the benign influence of Christianity. He. instanced several instances in India, Egypt, and Arabia, of the tyranny exercised towards females; many being put to death on the most frivolous and unjust pretences. Every where is that sex held in degradation where the Gospel is unknown; it is only the Gospel that can raise them to their proper level, as the "helpmate for man. The female schools in India had sensibly abated the prejudices of the Hindoos. He mentioned the gracious reception given by Lady Amherst to a converted Hindoo (a disciple of Schwartz). Her Ladyship is patroness of the Association of Ladies for the cause of education, and she expressed it as her Christian privilege and duty to lend her assistance to that good cause. He concluded by recommending the text which was adopted by the reverend preacher (Mr. Sumner) yesterday-viz. "As ye have freely received,

so freely give;" for "it is more blessed to give than to receive."

Rev. J. W. Cunningham (Vicar of Har row) would draw aside the attention from the great general views of good now doing in every part of the globe, to a more confined but not less important object, viz. What part each individual has taken in promoting the cause. "Little things become little men ;" and in the conduct of all great enterprises, whether in science or arts, the success must much depend on the attention bestowed by the patient and laborious operator in the minutest details. We should also look to what we require in the Missionary character. We are

not certainly to send them forth in absolute destitution. In the apostolic days, they went" without scrip or purse," but they had the power of working miracles. We must now provide them with the neeessaries of life. Neither let us suppose that a character below the ordinary level may be suitable. Much of the influence of such men as Martyn or Schwartz may be ascribed to their high talents and extensive acquirements. They must be also men of true piety and well-tried tempers and habits. It is, therefore, essential to ascertaining these points, that the Missionaries should be brought under regular instruction, previously to their being sent forth; and for this purpose he recommended the admirable institution lately opened at Islington, under the auspices of the society, in all its arrangements calculated to produce the happiest results.He concluded by warning against treating grave subjects in a tone of levity. He adverted to the mischiefs done to religion by the scoffs of infidels, to the genius of one of whom though willing to render due homage, he would only say that he hoped he had died to his own benefit, but yet he feared that he had died to the benefit of his country.

The Rev. C.J. Hoare, Vicar of Godstone, being very unexpectedly called on to second the resolution, would say but little, lest he should weaken the impression made by the preceding speaker. He had the happiness, however, of once being an intimate friend of that admirable Henry Martyn, and he recollected his departure from this country on his missionary career. He then witnessed the force of true religion, in enabling him to overcome the severe struggles and trials of nature which opposed his setting forth. The Institution at Islington was eminently calculated to prepare suitable Missionaries. The College of the Propaganda at Rome had done much, but its great failure must be traced to its restricting the use of the Holy Scriptures. But our Missionaries are fully armed with this spiritual sword, and we may rest assured they cannot ultimately fail.

The Right Hon. Sir G. H. Rose could entirely concur in the sentiments already expressed, as to the identifying of such institutions as these with the best interests of the country. An ambitious man of former times took for his motto, " Quo non ascendam"-" Whither shall I not arise?" A better spirit, though equally ardent, must animate our efforts in the cause of Christ. The travellers in Alpine regions experience sensations not dissimilar to ours in contemplating the progress of this Society. Like them, our first steps were slow and painful; but as we ascend, the air becomes purer, and the prospect expands and brightens. He had heard it stated by the people of Saltzburg, in Germany, that Missionaries from Scotland had first introduced the Gospel amongst them. Christians cannot justify to them selves the withholding the bread of life from the perishing nations of the earth. Africa peculiarly claims our attention. The state of that country, physical and moral, has ever been an exception to all the world. In the time of the Roman empire, it was observed that" something new was always to be learned from Africa." If we were to argue a priori, and merely ask what length of time was required to civilize such a country, and were told that, as in other regions, above three centuries were requisite to produce the change, we might retire in despair, and fear to put our hands to a work of such tedious progress. But we have in those latter days, such wonderful instances of rapid alteration and improvement, even in the case of Western Africa-we have seen there so wondrous a metamorphose effected in the short space of even two years, that despondency and apathy give way, and hope cheers and animates our Christian toils.

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The Rev. R. P. Beachcroft expressed the peculiar pleasure with which he heard the Rev. Preacher on the preceding evening, when he dwelt on the toils and the encouragement of the Missionary. He once had doubted the expediency of sending good and holy men to such certain death as awaited them in Africa. These doubts were removed by the answer which he received from an eminent character; “1 think," said that person, "that nothing so plainly shews a disinterested character in Englishmen, as sending Missionaries to Sierra Leone. The French say, that Englishmen never do any thing without an interested motive; but surely Missionary efforts are an exception to the general rule, and a refutation of the calumnious charge."

The Earl of Rocksavage yielded to the wishes of the Committee, and, however painful to his own feelings, could not refuse to give his public testimony to the excellence of this cause, and his warmest wishes for its success. The lateness of