the Gospel be more illustrious. Infidelity may despair of raising the embruted tribes of the fallen race, because it sees not the relations in which they stand to God, their Maker and Redeemer; but the Christian knows that they are both men, and redeemed men; and that those branches of a disobedient family which have wandered into a far country,' and have been reduced to the most degrading servitude, shall at length come to themselves,' and say, 'I will arise and go to my father.' It is true that in all attempts to benefit such a people, the agents must eminently 'walk by faith, and not by sight;' yet is the one as certain as the other, when it grounds itself upon the word of God. That word has commanded the Gospel to be 'preached to every creature;' and as the natives of New-Holland are thus included in the care of their Saviour, we doubt not this attempt to benefit them will meet with his blessing. The case of these wretched men has been laid upon the hearts of the pious in the colony, and earnest appeals have been made in their behalf, with a view of producing a systematic effort for their religious instruction; and, in consequence, some means have been adopted for that purpose. With those who have thus commenced the benevolent work, the missionary sent out is instructed to co-operate, and to follow any plans which may appear most conducive to the end. His first effort will be among those who lie nearest the settlements, whose children especially he will endeavour to bring under a course of useful and religious instruction. As this will come in aid of the anxious and benevolent attempts of the governor, to extend to them the advantages of civilization, we doubt not but that it will receive his encouragement."

This benevolent project failed for the time, in consequence of the unfaithfulness of the missionary to whom the work was assigned. Instead of pursuing the objects of his mission in the spirit of faith and prayer, and keeping steadily in view the salvation of the people for whose instruction in Christianity he had been solemnly set apart, he contracted a passion for farming; and left the people to perish in ignorance and sin, while he devoted his attention to the breeding of cattle! It is needless to add, that the noble character of a Christian missionary was soon laid aside. The course pursued by this unhappy man gave Mr. Watson no small degree of pain and sorrow.

This report announces the commencement of the mission to NewZealand, under the direction of Mr. Leigh, who had already visited that region, conversed largely with the natives, and had excited an interest in their favour by the statements which he had made respecting their manners and habits at various public meetings in England. Special instructions," it is said, "have been given by the committee to the missionaries appointed to New-Zealand, to direct their conduct in a new and trying situation, as far as the probable circumstances in which they may be placed could be anticipated: especially they have been instructed to avoid any interference with the civil affairs of the natives, except to promote their industry and civilization by teaching them useful arts; and a peremptory rule has been enforced upon them, on no account to make use of warlike weapons of any kind, as articles of barter.

"These new enterprises the committee commend to the earnest prayers of the society; that the brethren and their intrepid wives, now VOL. I.

17

on the great deep, may have a prosperous voyage by the will of God;' that they may be preserved from the violence of savage and lawless men, and that a great and effectual door may be opened among the Gentiles, for the reception of that Gospel which will humanize their manners, change their ferocious dispositions, and plant among them the great principles of public justice, peace, and order, and of private and domestic happiness."

In regard to Western Africa, it is said, " A scene more delightful to humanity is scarcely exhibited through the vast extent of the missionary field than the colony of Sierra-Leone. Here the interesting spectacle is presented before the nations of the earth, of a Christian colony calling the attention of the inhabitants of a vast continent, whose commerce has been for ages the flesh and the bones of men, and those men their brethren, to the peaceful arts, and the cultivation of the ground; and opening its friendly shores, and extending its protection and care, to those unhappy negroes who, seized by their own oppressive governments, and purchased by the avarice of Europeans, have been arrested on their voyage by British cruisers, and liberated from their floating prisons. But these triumphs of hallowed power and Christian justice are surmounted by the triumphs of religion. Among these pagan negroes missionaries have most successfully taught the principles of Christianity, and many interesting societies of true Christians have been raised up among a people who, by an overruling Providence, have been rescued from slavery, and brought within a Christian colony. What the ultimate results may be on the spread of religion in Africa, cannot well be estimated; but the effects must be great. The light will not be confined to Sierra-Leone. Those who have obtained mercy will not hide this truth within their hearts; and into those various and distant regions where their affairs may conduct them, they will carry the name and the truth of Christ."

Concerning another part of the African continent it is added, “Every thing in South Africa is hopeful as to those glorious results which form the subjects of the prayers and hopes of the friends of missions, and of this quarter of the globe in particular. Among the interesting circumstances of the missions in that part of the world, is the harmony of affection and effort which exists among the missionaries of differ ent societies. In the past year two or three journeys have been made by some of our own missionaries and those of the London society in connection, for the purpose of exploring the condition of distant tribes, and to search for new fields of difficult labour. A moral scene more truly sublime and impressive can scarcely be contemplated, than a few missionaries of different denominations, rising above the jealousies of mere party, and intent only upon enlarging the boundaries of light and mercy, traversing the dreary desert, cheerfully submitting to heat and cold, weariness and hunger, and joining themselves to the society of men in the lowest state of cultivation, unelevated by intellect, and uncorrected by moral influence, in order to offer them benevolent assistance. Such was the nature of these journeys; and every where access to the heathen was found practicable. The hallowed name of missionary of Jesus Christ had travelled across the desert with honour, and was their introduction to a friendly though rude hospitality. What is more, through what the committee think they have reason to con

sider the preparing influence of God, those heathen, to whom the face of a white man was a strange sight, earnestly desired the residence of missionaries among them, and an eager desire for Christian instruction. New calls for missionaries are heard from tribes long hidden from the compassionate eye of the Christian Church; and it remains for the religious public to determine, by its subscriptions, whether this call from 'regions beyond,' where Christ is not named, "Come over and help us,' shall be made in vain. Southern Africa is now presenting its population before the Christianity of this country. Every traveller confirms the account of immense numbers of people totally involved in pagan ignorance and superstition; yet docile; willing to receive the help which may be afforded; and, in some instances, anxiously imploring it. No difficulty exists, but which the heroism of devoted missionaries is ready to surmount; no labours or privations are too severe for them to submit to, in order to accomplish their glorious object. Shall there then be, on the one hand, men willing to carry out the light and consolations of the Gospel, and, on the other, numerous people willing to receive them; and, above all, does this their willingness bear marks of the Divine hand, thus opening a great and an effectual door; and shall the messengers of the Churches' be prevented from proclaiming peace on these mountains, and crying to the inhabitants of their valleys, ' Behold your God?' The committee cannot indeed doubt, that additional exertions among the friends of Christ will enable them to support the work begun, and to embrace those new openings and opportunities for the spread of our Divine religion which Africa, now so eminently remembered by her God, presents:"

According to this report eleven missionaries, several of whom were married, were sent out by the committee in the course of the year; and the income of the society for the same period was £26,581. 14s. 8d.; yet it is added, "Notwithstanding the above liberal contributions, which have considerably exceeded those of any former year, the expenditure of the society has been so large as to leave a balance due to the general treasurers, amounting to £7,568. 5s. 10d.: a large sum, which might create some uneasiness, had not the committee the utmost confidence that this extending work will not be suffered to want that aid which shall not only support it on its present scale, but greatly enlarge it into the dominions of darkness and misery.

"For the liberality of the past year the committee offer their grateful acknowledgments to the friends of the society. To the exertions of the collectors, the officers of the auxiliary and branch societies, and to those ministers who have in so many instances exerted themselves to plead the cause of our Lord and Saviour, and to supply the means of sending forth his everlasting Gospel, their best thanks are due, and are here rendered.

"The interests of the society are again left in their hands, and laid upon their hearts, with all those urgent claims upon their compassion and efforts which have been adverted to. More blessed have they felt it to give than to receive; and like their great Master they have, through his grace, determined not to faint, nor be discouraged, till judgment is set in the earth, and the isles shall wait for his law.' Many congregations and societies have not yet taken their full share

in this work; but when the appeal is made to them, we doubt not that it will be successful. Every principle acknowledged in the very profession of Christ forbids us to anticipate the contrary; for can it be, that any member of a Christian society, in the full enjoyment of 'all the statutes and ordinances of the Lord,-of all the means of saving health, and consolation, and hope,-can be indifferent to so many millions entirely destitute of all these blessings; and that he should decline to be employed in the work for which his Saviour died and rose again, when in so many ways missionary societies offer to his liberality, his influence, and his efforts, the opportunity of proving the truth of his own Christianity, and, in the highest sense, of blessing his fellow creatures? It cannot be; and if ministers and people make the trial, they will find in every circuit hearts to answer the call, when it is once sounded in the ears of the Churches, and hands to pour into the common fund a cheerful and a constant charity. Again those circuits where societies have not been formed are entreated to come up to our help; and to have confidence in God and his people, that they shall not fail to accomplish the formation and support of important auxiliaries and branches which shall attach the religious societies by which they may be conducted more intimately with the general Church of Christ, and bring upon them that special blessing which is promised to faithful and labo

rious servants.

"In conclusion we commend all our efforts to the blessing of God. In the spirit of prayer and dependence upon him let every part of this sacred work be conducted; and by the word of God and prayer it shall be sanctified. Whether we labour in private, or on these high occasions assemble in public, ever be it remembered by us, that without him nothing is wise, or strong, or holy. To him be glory in the Church throughout all ages. Amen."

As the spring of this year advanced, and about the time at which this report was published, Mr. Watson visited the principal towns in Cornwall, attended by the Rev. Messrs. Reece and Joseph Taylor, preaching, and attending missionary meetings. He commenced his tour about the middle of February, and returned to London in March. The attendance in all places was exceedingly crowded; the collections at the public services were liberal; and the sums reported, as the contributions of each society, exceeded those of any former year. In some instances the increase was very large. The interest manifested by the vast congregations who assembled to sympathize with the miseries of the heathen world, and to hail the multiplying triumphs of the Gospel, was evidently deep and ardent, and gave an encouraging pledge that the cause of missions would never want warm and liberal friends among the people of Cornwall, who had been among the first to espouse the cause, and whose numerous and spacious places of worship, and large religious societies, were proofs of the efficacy of the Gospel. Such were the sentiments with which Mr. Watson returned from this laborious excursion. He found the Cornish preachers and people of one heart in this blessed work.

On his return from Cornwall he began to prepare for a journey into the north, for the purpose of attending missionary anniversaries at some of the principal towns of Lancashire and Yorkshire; but he was again assailed by disease in a somewhat new form. The following letter

describes his situation with a degree of playfulness, which those persons will well understand who are just recovering from the complaint in question:

To Mr. William Walton Wakefield.

London, April 1st, 1822. MY DEAR FRIEND,-Two reasons have delayed an answer to your kind letter: first, it arrived when I was in Cornwall; second, that since the day after my return, I have been laid up with the gout; and the attack has been so sharp, that for near three weeks I have been confined to the sofa, not being able to take a step. I am now, however, so rapidly improving, that I begin to feel it a matter of tolerable certainty, that I shall be able to set off on my journey to Manchester at the latter end of the week; or that, at all events, I shall reach Wakefield on the Wednesday before the meeting.

You will probably smile at my having the gout; but so it is; and no pleasant companion, I assure you, though kings and nobles so often make acquaintance with it. My general health, I thank God, is much better.

I shall again be most happy to see my old and beloved friends; and trust that we shall not meet together at the anniversary of your society in vain.

Our accounts from abroad are generally favourable. The work of God appears to his servants, in many parts of the heathen world; and his glory will, we trust, descend upon their children. Sickness and death have, however, made great inroads in many of our stations. We have lost seven missionaries in the West Indies, during the year; and four are disabled in India.

Present my kind regards to Miss Walton, and to Doctor and Mrs. Ellis,-friends always valued, and to Mr. Woolmer.

CHAPTER XVI.

Mr. Watson's spirit at Missionary Anniversaries-Anniversary of the Missionary Society in 1822-Speech of the Rev. George Collison-Instruction of Missionaries-Letters to Dr. Ellis-Letter to the Rev. Elijah Hoole-Missionary Report for the year 1822-Letter to Dr. Ellis-Mr. Watson publishes the first part of his Theological Institutes-Anniversary of the Missionary Society in 1823-Letter to Dr. Ellis-Letter to Mr. Walton-The Rev. Messrs. Sargent and Lloyd killed on their way to the Conference-Letter to Mr. Walton-Letter to Miss Walton, on the Death of her Sister-Death of the Rev. William WardProjected Mission in Palestine-Letter to Dr. M'Allum-The Rev. Charles Cook's Visit to Jerusalem-Mr. Watson writes in Defence of the Witness of the Spirit -His Sermon on “Man Magnified by the Divine Regard”—Letter on Organs in Methodist Chapels.

WITH Mr. Watson the anniversaries of missionary societies were not seasons of unhallowed levity, but were often connected in his mind with deep and solemn feeling. That so large a portion of the human race remained unevangelized, and that millions of mankind, redeemed and immortal, should be hastening to their final account under all the guilt and corruption of their fallen nature, aggravated by the intellectual