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might be the deficiency after the receipts of | substantiated by a reference to churches the present meeting, he would undertake to planted, the Scriptures translated, schools obtain a fortieth part of the amount. It established, and thousands receiving instrucwas a matter of considerable importance tion in the Christian faith in places, where that the meeting should constantly keep in but a short time ago the land was darkness, view the most affecting appeal made in the and that darkness the thick shadow of death. report to the best feelings of the heart. It Above all, there was the descending influwas impossible to meet that appeal by any ence of the Holy Spirit acknowledging the other means than making additions to the efforts that were made, and turning the sums customarily subscribed. Surely the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of appeal from the East Indies, where the the just,-making many to acknowledge Society's missionaries were labouring and Christ as the only Saviour, who once knew dying, and willing to labour and die in the him not, or if they knew him were disposed service, would not be made to the meeting to deride him. He was fully aware that too in vain. Surely the appeal from the West much might be expected, and that the friends Indies, where Christ was making bare his of Missions might be too sanguine in their arm-where he was so extraordinarily dis- hopes. It was pleasing, however, to conplaying his power-where thousands and sider that the Omnipotent hand of God was tens of thousands of poor negroes were say-upon their side, and that to all objections ing, Come over and help us!"-surely that appeal the meeting would not, and could not resist. He was exceedingly gratified by a circumstance that occurred on the preceding day. When he presented his plate at the table, containing the collection after Mr. Murch's sermon, he found a paper containing 137, 14s. 6d. accompanied by a note, stating the sum to be the product of the amount of the sale of needless plate. If the friends present were inclined to dispose of every article both of forniture and plate, that was unnecessary, money enough would be obtained to meet the appeal from the East and West Indies, without making a sacrifice of the least comfort now enjoyed.

that might be raised either, by avowed enemies or lukewarm friends, they were able to reply, "The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this." O may that meeting be animated to renewed and increased exertions in the cause with which they were that day identified; may they be earnest that the best blessings of heaven might come down upon the operations of the Society; may they be particularly anxious for a more abundant effusion of the Holy Spirit ; and he would venture to say, that many more years would not roll away ere the sun of righteousness should arise in the horizon in all his glory, and the kingdoms of this world having become the kingdoms of God and of his Christ, he should reign for ever and ever. With those convictions, feelings, and prayers, he cordially seconded the resolution.

The Rev. W. Orme (Secretary of the London Missionary Society,) said he rose with great pleasure, but at the same time with a considerable degree of reluctance, to address the meeting. He rose with pleasure, because some of the most gratifying associations of his life were connected with the cause of the Baptist Missionary Society. Yet be felt considerable reluctance to rise

The Rev. Josiah Wilkinson (of Saffron Walden) said, that in seconding the resolution he could not but express the satisfaction he felt, in common with his Christian friends present, at the statements contained in the report. It must be pleasing to every friend and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, to hear that his glory was spreading, that his kingdom was advancing, and that He who had a right to universal empire was grasping in his mighty hand that sceptre, with which ere long he should govern the whole world. There was a time when the engagements of Missionary Societies ap-at so early a period in the business of the peared a strange work,-when infidels were ready to deride them on the one hand, and the apathy and lukewarmness of many who professed Christianity, formed great obstacles on the other. Arguments were then necessary to convince the former, that the supporters of Missionary Societies were not actuated by enthusiasm, and the latter that it was not their design to go beyond the purposes and providence of God. That time, however, he was happy to say, had to a considerable extent passed away. The Christian world, wielding vast and varied machinery, was now combined against the common foe. The appeals that were made were not mere theory for they could be

day. He had not arrived in time to hear all the report, and could not, therefore, speak in detail to the particulars which were therein stated; still he felt it his duty on such occasions to do as he was required, and having been requested by the respected secretary (Mr. Dyer) to move the second resolution, he (Mr. O.) should address himself to it in the best manner he could. The rev. gent. then read the resolution, and remarked, that at a very early period he enjoyed the high gratification of listening from time to time, as he visited the country to which he (Mr. Orme) belonged, the instructive, the animating, the powerfully exciting addresses of the first valuable secretary of

the Baptist Missionary Society. It was his | the remedy was adapted to their condition high gratification on many occasions to lis- and calculated to reach their case, and fitted ten to his details of the infant, but even to raise them to the rank of men, the digthen, promising efforts of this institution, nity of Christians, and the honour of the and to feel the zeal of his own breast warmed sons of God; it would be their reproach, it towards those exertions which were begin- would be their eternal disgrace, if they did ning to make some impressions upon the not employ every means in their power, and church and upon the world; and which he every energy they could exert, in order to trusted were destined to make a still greater communicate those blessings to all, and esand more lasting impression than they had pecially to those who were miserable, not yet produced. It was gratifying at a sub- only in the prospect of the world to come, sequent period of his life to receive that but miserable in this world. When the respected individual and others who suc- friends of missions considered the blessing ceeded him, as the advocates of the Baptist God had poured out on their exertions, it Missionary Society, in that church over was a great encouragement to proceed in which he had the privilege of presiding for the glorious work. It was delightful to many years in his native land. During that hear of such numbers being added to the period, he must honestly confess, that he was churches in the West Indies. This was really better acquainted with the operations doing more for them than even conferring of the Baptist Missionary Society than he that emancipation, which by some persons had been since his removal to the metro- was considered the greatest blessing they polis. That acquaintance interested him could enjoy. Whatever might be their cir very highly in the Serampore translators, to cumstances, however degraded their condiwhom he could upon no occasion refer but tion, their minds were set free, and they with feelings of very powerful interest. Al- were put in possession of immortal hope. though those translators no longer stood in Another part of the resolution referred to immediate connexion with this institution, the Society's labours in the East Indies. It it was his prayer that they might continue was impossible to advert to that part of the to the last moment of their lives to carry world without very powerful emotions; inforward those exertions by which they had deed it was impossible to refer to what was long been honoured to promote the diffusion going on there, without adverting to what of the word of the Lord Jesus Christ over he would call the hazardous situation in the east-that their hoary hairs might be which Christian exertions were now, placed to them as a crown of glory-that before in that quarter of the world. He almost their sun set in this world their prospects trembled to hear of success in the East; might be brighter and brighter in the land for if once the work of God began to tell in which they had long laboured; and brighter upon the mass of the population-if hunand brighter respecting that glory which dreds of converts were added to the churches they would go to receive as a reward-not that were formed there and the Christian of merit, or exertions, or 'sacrifice, but of world were not prepared to make far greater mercy through the merits of the Lord Jesus sacrifices and exertions than they had ever Christ. The resolution called the attention yet made-the work would speedily come of the meeting to the extraordinary measure to a close, because the individuals engaged of the Divine blessing that had accompanied would, as it had been justly stated in the the labours of the missionaries in the west-report, fall martyrs to their own exertions, ern hemisphere. It rejoiced his heart to and it would be impossible to supply their hear of the success of those labours. When place. While Christians prayed for a dithe meeting thought of the wretched condi- vine blessing, and rejoiced in the success tion of the individuals who were the sub- that was taking place, he must be allowed jects of the Society's instruction in that to call the attention of the meeting to the quarter; when they reflected on the de- probable effects of that success, and to congraded state in which they had long been sider how far they were prepared to cokept-kept by British power; when they operate in the great and glorious work reflected on the miserable state of their should the divine blessing be more abunminds, as well as the wretched condition of dantly manifested than it now was. The their bodies; when they knew that the only friends of Missions did not hear of many cure for all human misery was that liberty converts in the East Indies-they did not with which Christ made his people free; hear of remarkable conversions taking place, that the means of conferring this blessing but they were every where told that the was in their own possession; that they were people were more and more impressed with commanded to send it as a boon from hea- the folly of idolatry-that they had less ven to every creature that stood in need of and less reliance on their own systems— it; and when they found that wherever they that they were beginning to discuss the sent the blessing, however degraded, or bru- claims of Christianity-that they were pretalized the inhabitants of that spot might be,pared to hear with less of apparent preju

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dice, and with more of apparent readiness, | took place in the metropolis, when he passed many things which a few years ago, were along the streets, and observed their splenthought to be quite out of the question for dour, and entered the houses of those that a Hindoo to submit to. All these were but professed the faith of Jesus Christ, and saw the droppings before the shower, faint in- the circumstances in which they lived, he dications of what was by and by to take apprehended they were not entitled to speak place in that important region, over which of sacrifices at all. the benevolent sway of Britain had been proceeds of the plate reminded him of an The donation of the exercised for a considerable number of years. anecdote of Oberlin, the venerable pastor He called upon the meeting then to look at of the Ban de la Roche. When that indithat success with joy, to look at it with gra-vidual heard of the formation of a Missiontitude; but at the same time to look at itary institution at Basle, he sold the whole with holy reverence and awe, and in the of his plate, with the exception of one spoon, spirit of prayer, and fervent entreaty, that the product of which he sent to the instituGod would continue to bless the efforts of tion, and on his death bed he bequeathed all the missionaries who were employed in his last spoon to the Society. Now if his that interesting portion of the world. He friends present were prepared to enter upon called upon the meeting especially to con- the work under such motives and princisider what they were expected to do, in ples, he doubted not they would enjoy the circumstances in which God was so evi- divine blessing, and be instrumental in condently going before them. answering his people's prayers by terrible farther advancement of the Redeemer's He was not tributing in some humble degree to the things in righteousness. Though Mission- glory. When he heard that the funds of ary Societies had been waiting long, and the Baptist Society were in a state of deexpending both money and men upon the pression-when he heard that the annual work in which they were employed; they amount of their funds was only about 10,0007. had not been so long engaged as to despair or 12,000l. and that it was difficult to obtain of producing an universal effect even in that sum, he exceedingly regretted the -India. Christians had not yet made those statement. sacrifices which they would be called to of that body over the country, (though perWhen he thought of the extent make, before the earth was filled with the haps not the greatest of our Christian comknowledge of the Lord, as the waters co-munities) he could not help saying that the vered the sea. A subject of this kind must amount they collected was not to their honot be looked at as a question of pounds, nour, though it certainly was a great deal shillings, and pence; it must be looked at compared with former times. in a different aspect. While Christians remark would equally apply to other inThe same prayed for the heathen, it became them to stitutions. He believed, however, that the pray with increased earnestness for them- time was coming, when Societies, instead of selves, that they might have more of the reckoning by hundreds and thousands, would spirit of the Redeemer, and of Apostles calculate by hundreds of thousands. In the and Confessors; more of the spirit of those Society with which he had the honour to who understood what God had done for man be connected, a similar degree of depresin the redemption of his beloved Son; who sion had been felt relative to its financial knew something of the value of immortal operations. The Society made a simple spirits, and who looked forward to eternal appeal to persons interested in its proceedglory as the reward of faith and patience in ings, and contrary to the expectations of the service of their Almighty Redeemer. the Directors, and far beyond any views Missionary labour must be looked at under they entertained, without saying any thing those aspects. In proportion as the Chris- calculated unwarrantably to excite the Christian church made its exertions in the faith tian public, they had received contributions that God would not withhold his blessing in the course of a few days, exceeding 30001. while they acted in dependence upon his He begged to state this as a matter of fact, Spirit, in that proportion he apprehended for the encouragement of the present meetsuccess would be realized. He was grati-ing. Let the Directors of the Baptist Sofied to hear the reference that had just been made to an individual who bad sacrificed some unnecessary plate. He believed that the Christian church had scarcely yet come to what might be termed the point of sacrifice in the service of the gospel. Christians were scarcely entitled to speak of the sacrifices they had made. When he looked around upon such an assembly as the present, when he looked upon meetings of kindred institutions that from time to time

ciety make their statements in the emphatic
way they had done that morning, and he
was sure God would not desert them, but
bless them far beyond what they could either
ask or think.

Jamaica, said it would be impossible to
The Rev. Joshua Tinson, missionary from
give him a motion in which he could more
cordially agree, than the one he rose to se-
cond, because it spoke of the meeting as
contemplating with unfeigned pleasure the

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with attentive worshippers. Much of the success of the missionaries was owing to this system. He must also inform the meeting, that the Baptist missionaries had in some measure adopted the system of their Wesleyan brethren, in forming classes in the churches, and appointing the most intelligent and consistent characters as class leaders. Each one took twenty, thirty, and sometimes as many as one hundred under his care. They met once or twice a week, and the method adopted by the best leaders was somewhat similar to that pursued by the persons who first brought them to the chapel. He must also remind the meeting, that there was another class, who might be termed catechumens. These met every

success that had attended the Society's la- | them to the sanctuary on the following sabbours in the West Indies. Having been bath. Thus the house of God was filled connected with the missionary stations there between seven and eight years, and feeling a deep and lively interest in every thing that concerned them, he might be permitted briefly to allude to them. The report referred to the opposition which the missionaries had experienced. He would say little on that subject, because if nothing good could be said respecting those with whom they came in contact, the less that was said the better. There were, however, humane masters; there were humane proprietors, who were desirous that the slaves should receive religious instruction. It was lamentable to think that some of the slaves suffered much on account of the observance of religious duties; but, as it had been stated in the report, the more the churches had been af-week, and the leader instructed them. All flicted, the more they had multiplied and that those individuals were entitled to for grown. His friends in England had heard their connexion with the church, was burial of the great increase that had been made to in case of their own death or that of their the churches; himself and fellow-labourers children. By the mode of instruction he had witnessed it; and while their hearts had described, much good was effected, and rejoiced at the circumstance, they could only though it might not seem to suit a polished in astonishment exclaim, What hath God and enlightened congregation, he thought wrought!" It might appear strange to something of a similar plan might be adoptthose unaccustomed to witness such evidented; for if the congregations were more poeffects of the outpouring of the Spirit; and lished, the deacons and office-bearers were he was sure the meeting would bear with more polished also. He would relate how bim if he occupied a few moments in relat- the candidates gave an account of the work ing the manner in which members were re- of God upon their hearts, that the meeting ceived into the church, and the discipline might not suppose they were hastily admitted that was exercised among them. He felt into the church. Notice was given, that at the more anxious to make that statement, a particular time there would be a meeting because he had heard that there was some for experience. Some individuals bad been suspicion that the missionaries had been too under instruction for months, or perhaps a hasty in receiving into church fellowship in-year or two. If the Spirit of God bad dividuals who were not truly converted to God. He could assure the meeting, that if the missionaries had erred, it was not in receiving the candidates into church fellowship too soon, but in keeping them out too long. It might be supposed that slaves could have bat little influence; but the moment they felt the love of Christ in their own souls, they were immediately concerned that others might feel it also. Instances had occurred in which slaves had brought seven or eight others to the church, and over whom they exercised a sort of patriarchal or parental authority. The mode the slaves adopted was the following: they went to their companions in bondage, and asked them to attend the missionary chapel, telling them that they would find room, or if not, they would give ap their own seats. When the services were over, they went home with them, and inquired what the missionary talked about-if he said any thing that came home to their feelings, any thing to make them feel that they were sinners, or any thing to comfort them? They conversed with them during the week, and brought

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wrought powerfully on their hearts, and led
them to seek closer intimacy with his peo-
ple, they came before the deacons, and then
before the church, and related their experi
ence before as many members as were pre-
sent, which was generally a large number.
Thus it would be seen that the missionaries
were desirous to receive none who did not
furnish evidence of the new birth.
would mention the discipline pursued, in
order to know how each individual was
living. There were deacons appointed to
watch over the flock, before whom the
leaders must appear, and give an account of
themselves. In order to simplify the prin-
ciples for the government of the church of
God, as contained in the New Testament,
and bring them down to the capacities of
their hearers, the missionaries had drawn
up rules for the guidance of the members,
in doing which they had conscientiously kept
within the limits of the word of God, and
had supported each rule by a passage of
Scripture. Those rales were passed at a
leader's meeting once a month, and then
brought before the members of the church.

1

The rules prohibited washing, ironing, or going to market on the Sabbath day; quarrelling between man and wife, and a variety of other small matters. It was impossible to escape the observance of the rules, because the persons who attended the chapel, not only appeared before the leaders once a week, or gave an account why they did not, but both members and catechumens appeared every three months before the minister. That appearance could not be avoided, because a ticket was given to each of the attendants, which ticket was known by the leaders. The tickets could not be forged, and therefore there was no alternative but the parties making their appearance. Thus the minister had an opportunity of knowing the state of their minds, and how they were living. From that statement, the meeting would perceive that the missionaries were not making great exertions to add members to the church, without taking proper means to ascertain the fitness of those who were admitted. He felt persuaded, that in the missionary churches there were a great number of the real children of God. He must beg permission to call the attention of the meeting to the condition of the poor negroes, and he would almost say to the meeting, imitate their liberality. He was not ashamed to acknowledge their liberality, because the missionaries inculcated upon them that they were not to rob their masters to feed them-nor to do evil in order to bring their money to the church. The missionaries told them not to do more than they were able, but at the same time they told them it was their duty to do what they could. Some of the gentlemen who had addressed the meeting, had spoken of sacrifices being made; but oh, those poor negroes had no plate to sell; the only commodity they had to part with was eggs, for they were allowed to keep fowls. The negroes rose up early, they sate up late; he would not say they ate the bread of carefulness, for they had no bread to eat, but lived on yams, plaintains, &c. But notwithstanding this, their zeal for God led them to give some trifle to aid the missionary cause. The Secretary well knew that the cause could not have been carried on in the West Indies, had it not been for the contributions of the negroes. He would entreat the meeting to have compassion upon the missionaries, or some of them must give up their stations. They were willing to labour, and they merely wanted to live. He himself could not return to the station he had occupied for six years, unless some relief were afforded to the missions. The friends in the West Indies had done all they could, and they now called upon the people of England to assist them. Hoping the meeting would do all they could, he most cordially seconded the resolution.

The Rev. J. Dixon, of the Wesleyan Connexion, in proposing the next resolation, spoke nearly as follows:-The note of invitation which I received from your Secretary, urged upon me the duty of attending this meeting to-day, on the ground that the Secretaries of our (the Wesleyan) Society are absent from town. I regret that I am obliged to appear before you this morning, as, in some sense, the representative of our Society. This task ought to have fallen on one of the Secretaries. I fear it will be but badly performed; I feel that I cannot properly represent their good will, their kindly feelings, their high regard for this Institution and its supporters. If, however, you will allow me to represent myself, instead of them, I promise you my warmest advocacy, and my most zealous efforts, to promote your interests; and if it be possible for me to say any thing to obtain for your cause greater co-operation, and to excite in its behalf greater energy and zeal, I shall most cheerfully do so. I trust that Jehovah will ever be the shield of your protection, and that the God of the armies of Israel will render your exertions in his service pre-eminently successful. I have observed that the arguments of your speakers this morning have generally turned upon duty and obligations. We have been told that it is the duty of the meeting to support missionary exertions, and to send the Gospel into all the world. "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to all nations," is generally our maxim on these occasions; and this being the command of the Redeemer, we are urged promptly and efficiently to support this cause. I allow that it is as much our duty to promote the preaching of the Gospel as to receive its truths, and therefore I urge you to send it to every part of the world, that wherever the bright beams of heaven's luminary break forth, there the Sun of Righteousness may arise, with healing upon his wings. But when I regard this great work merely as a duty, my heart remains cold, and I feel as though I bad got into the frigid regions of the law. I am just reminded of the late excellent Mr. Cecil, who said, that when he was requested to perform a work as a mere matter of duty, he felt cool and unmoved; but when he was urged to do it by motives of love to Christ and his people, he went to bis work with cheerfulness and delight. Now, I ask, is there in this employment nothing but duty? I ask those who have received the grace of God, who have tasted that the Lord is gracious, and who have left the regions of the law, whether there is not something more in this service than mere duty? I ask those persons if there is in religion, and those employments which are connected with it, nothing else but the per formance of obligating service? They

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