are adorning the doctrine of God their Saviour, by a life becoming his gospel."

The motion was seconded by Rev. J. Leifchild, who said, "When Henry Martyn left his native shores, and broke through all the ties of interest and affection that bound him to this land, to preach Christ among the heathen, with what propriety could he repeat these lines, when stepping into the vessel--lines which have so often been sung under this roof

'I all on earth forsake,

Its wisdom, fame, and power;
And Him my only portion make,
My shield and tower.'

"When we compare our conduct with his, and with that of some of your own missionaries, what is it we do or can do for the missionary cause? As far as my observation extends, and certainly as far as my experience goes in my own neighbourhood, I must express the conviction I feel, that your cause is much indebted to the zealous efforts and unwearied assiduities of Christian females. The lower classes sometimes stimulate the higher. At a village in the county, where it fell to my lot to advocate the cause, a female servant was so much affected with what she had heard of the condition of the heathen, that she could not sleep all night; and in the morning deposited her savings on the breakfast table, with cries and entreaties that I would accept of it. Her mistress assured me she should be no loser, and was stimulated by the conduct of her servant to double her own contribution. Sir, if there be a heart here unaffected by your report, assuredly mine is not that heart. O what glorious days has it made us to feel that we live in! The destruction of heathenism and idolatry in the earth is actually begun. Speedily may it be consummated! May what took place recently, at a village near Amboyna, be soon repeated all over the heathen world! At the advice of a Christian in high station, they sailed from the shores with their idols in the box where they had usually been committed during the night for repose, and attaching an immense weight to it, they sunk it like lead in the mighty waters! And as it sunk, they sung, 'O give thanks to the Lord, for his mercy endureth for ever. So perish all the gods of the heathen!"

The Rev. Mr. Smith, of Rotheram, said, "Enoch prophesied of the last day, and Noah preached righteousness for 120 years. The scriptures were read in the Jewish synagogues every Sabbath-day, and priests and prophets instructed Israel to fear the Lord and keep his commandments. Jonah, and other prophets, made occasional excursions to preach the preaching that God had bidden them; but the genius of Judaism was seclusion. And well and wisely was it so appointed; for the light of the gospel was too feeble to bear expansion, and it would have been extin

guished by extension; the Jewish people never came into con tact with idolatry without being contaminated by it; and thus the salt of the world lost its savour, and the light of the world was quenched in darkness.

"But when the predictions of the Old Testament were fulfilled in the coming of the Messiah, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, the ministry of mercy was not confined to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, but God made his name glorious to the ends of the earth. The harbinger of it came preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and the character and work of our Lord is expressed in one important sentence-he went about doing good, he taught in the synagogue, and he preached the gospel. He did indeed confine his ministry principally to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, but he rejoiced in spirit when men came from afar to hear him; and considered it as a pledge that his Heavenly Father would give him the ends of the earth for his possession-that he should see the travail of his soul and be satisfied.

"The last orders he issued to his disciples as he was about to be taken up, were, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature;' and all who would avoid his power or share his mercy, ought to pay much attention to his last command."

Joseph Butterworth, Esq. M. P. for Dover, seconded the motion. He began by congratulating himself and the Wesleyan congregation usually assembling there, on their meeting the London Missionary Society in that chapel, observing with pleasure, that the prejudices on both sides, which would once have prevented such meeting, had subsided. He remarked that the great power and influence now possessed by this country ought to be employed for the promotion of some great object-such as the society, then assembled, had in view; and that the colonies belonging to this country, which had been sadly neglected, ought now to be considered. He adverted particularly to the East Indies, and the cruel superstitions which still prevail there, and which had lately increased rather than diminished, 900 women having been burnt in the last year, which exceeds the number of preceding years. It was however consoling to learn that some of the prejudices of the natives were giving way, and that there were various symptoms of improvement.*

Mr. B. then recommended liberality in the support of the society, and, noticing a hint which had been put into his hands advising persons to remember the institution in their wills, he exhorted them rather to become their own executors, and to do as much good during their lives as they possibly could; but if not able to do this as they wished, then to do some good at their death.

The Rev. Richard Watson (a minister of the Wesleyan con

• See remarks on "Prospects of Christianity in India," in C. H. for July 16th, 187. Vol. VII.

nexion) then moved the third resolution, viz." That as the most important benefits have resulted to this and other institutions from the formation of Auxiliary Societies of associations in congregations, and of associations among ladies and young persons ; the further formation of such societies and associations, wherever practicable, be most earnestly recommended to the friends of this society in every part of the united empire, and in other countries."

Mr. Watson commenced by observing that he laboured under the disadvantage of a cold, but said, "On such an occasion as this, I should think there is criminality in silence, and while a man has a voice to speak, however harsh or dissonant that voice may be, he ought to lift it up in praise to God, and in exhortation to his people, to prosecute this glorious work. It has been said, there is no rivalship among the missionary societies, I think what we have seen to-day, is a proof that there is at least no rivalship at head quarters; nor is there any at the different stations to which the missionaries have been sent, but they all exhibit a most edifying example of Christian love and unity; thus constraining the heathen to say, 'See how these Christians love one another,' and I do think that the spirit now displayed by the missionary societies, is the most encouraging proof of the coming of the kingdom of our God and Saviour. If that kingdom have originated from the God of love, and is carried into effect by Jesus Christ, who so loved us that he gave himself for us, then its most prominent feature will be the love of the brethren."

Afterwards adverting to the South Sea Mission, he said, "We find, in every connexion, persons ardent to carry on this great work; and ardent minds are too frequently impatient minds. There are persons who suppose that we have only to go into the land to possess ourselves of it; but there are many circumstances to try the patience and faith of the saints. The ultimate success of this mission may therefore encourage future missionaries patiently to persevere, though early success may not attend their labours."

In the course of this address, Mr. Watson noticed the objections which some persons urge-one of which is that of novelty. In answer to which, he observed, that although there may be some novelty in the mode of our proceedings, yet that the very same principle which has produced these exertions in our day operated in the minds of our predecessors; but they had other employments; they were called to settle the churches, and to establish them in their faith: but who that reads the spirit of the fathers of the Christian church does not see that that same spirit would have carried them as wide and as far as the various institutions among us. I remember Baxter says that he should not have regretted that so many godly ministers had been turned out of their churches, if they could have found access to the heathen

world; and with respect to the sweet singer of our modern Is rael, Dr. Watts, I will appeal to you who are best acquainted with him, whether he ever strikes his lyre with so vigorous a hand as when he pours out, in the full tide of his verse, the sublimity of his hopes on this subject. Poets were once called prophets, and there are two lines of Watts which occur to my mind that seem to be almost prophetic

"The islands of the southern sea

Shall stretch their grateful hands to thee."

The Rev. Dr. Collyer, who seconded this motion, referring to the future prospects of the society, said, "Whilst some who have been ardent in the missionary cause have fallen, how pleasing is the hope that others are rising up to fill their places! And whilst we perceive on the faces of some around us the rapid advances made by time, and every year seems to go for more than one with them, we cannot see, without regret, the chariots descending, which shall bear away our fathers; but this is the strongest argu ment, if there be one argument stronger than another, that those who may survive should prove themselves worthy to tread in their steps, and to follow their example."

Rev. Mr. Knill, a missionary who laboured in India, but was oblig ed to return on account of his health.

"My dear Christian friends,-I would wish to transport you, in the feelings of your mind, from this sacred place, to that land of idolatry whence I came. In Madras there are 300,000 precious souls all given to idolatry: but I was forced to quit that interesting field of labour for one which was considered more salubrious. As I was travelling, about 200 miles from Madras, I halted one evening at a place where I intended to remain that night. All around me was favourable to meditation, and my heart was drawn out to the Father of Spirits. I took a walk along a path which led to a temple; the officiating priest was performing the duties of his office-lighting the lamps, and decorating the image, to receive the adorations of the people; the image, which was stone, was the figure of a bull; it was painted black, and adorned with flowers. I stood amazed to think of the awful state of apostate man; and while I was thus meditating, I heard a great noise; and turning my eyes towards the place whence it came, I perceived the element as it were all in a blaze! I soon saw that it proceeded from a multitude of persons who were approaching that place. There was a great number of men, women and children, ten or twelve thousand, I think; some leading sheep, some goats, and some lambs. I immediately discovered that they were going to sacrifice in another, a larger temple, which exhibited at once every thing grand in its formation, and every thing that could degrade the mind. There they sacrificed the animals which they had brought, and then returned to their families, who had kindled about a thousand fires on this large VOL. VII. 2 L

plain. There they took their victims, that they might eat and drink, and rise up to play.' I felt for them; I prayed for them; and I vowed to the Lord that if health and strength were afforded to me, I would labour with ten-fold diligence to make known to this people the riches of the grace of Christ. Oh, my friends, we must go to some idolatrous country to see the value of the gospel and its effects upon the character of man. I know not that there was one Christian within 200 miles of this place."

Mr. Knill proceeded to give an interesting account of the schools at Travancore, of the reflections of some elder people, who said there were none of these good things when they were young, and of the happy death of a converted indoo. And then added, "O I have seen enough to fill my soul with rapture till the day I shall close my eyes on all terrestrial scenes. Col. Munro has been a great friend to Mr. Mead and the mission, and I rejoice in it. We mentioned to him that we were desirous of increasing the schools, but we could not do it without assistance. A piece of ground was pointed out as being desirable, and he kindly obtained it for us. This will be sufficient, when drained and cultivated, to support a great number of children. And were it in my power, I would gladly lay down £100 to carry this design into execution, and think it the happiest moment of my life; but for my part, I must say, 'silver and gold I have none,' but if I had 1000 lives I would consecrate them all to this work. Perhaps, my friends, I shall never see you again. Oh pray that God may keep me humble, make me useful, and fill me with love to precious souls."

Rev. Mr. Collison then read a letter from a gentleman, who having perused an article in the Missionary Quarterly Chronicle, referring to the above donation of land, and the need of money to cultivate it, had most generously sent to the society that very sum which Mr. Knill had mentioned. A bank note for £100 was then presented by Mr. Collison, from his friend, to the Treasurer. This information being totally unexpected, produced a very delightful effect on the meeting, and a vote of thanks was given with heartfelt gratitude to the unknown benefactor.

(To be concluded in our next.)

REVIEW.

A SERMON in vindication of the Religious Spirit of the Age; preached April 9th, 1820, in the Middle Dutch Church, NewYork, on the Anniversary of the New-York Missionary Society. By ALEXANDER MCLELLAND, M. A. Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Rutgers'-street. New-York: published by the Society, 1820. pp. 35. 8vo. 25 cts.*

To administer keen, sarcastic, and deserved rebuke to that class of the community whose officious effort it is to cramp the exThe profits arising from the sale of this Sermon, are to be devoted to Missionary purposes.