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the pulpit and in the parlour, in the sanctuary and by the fire-side, children should be made acquainted with it; so that when God touched their hearts, they might be led to say, "Here am I, send me." There was a close connection between the prosperity of the Missionary enterprise and the spirituality of their churches. At

their very doors there was a large population drifting away from their influence; and besides that, the whole world was lying in the wicked one. The means, however, were in their hands, by which their conversion might be effected, and yet there was a want of men to consecrate themselves to that work. Many, who only give that others might go, ought to go themselves. It might be their vocation to do more than simply give their money. He saw not why those who were already engaged in the work of the Gospel should not hold themselves in readiness to follow the guidance of Providence. If, when China was opened, there had been fifty men ready to say, "Here we are; we will abandon our flocks, and count all things but loss for the kingdom of Christ in that country," he was satisfied that there would have been no want of funds.

He charged fathers and mothers to place before their children the probability that they might be called personally to promote this cause. Mothers should teach their sons that no position was so important as that of a Christian Minister; and sisters should inculcate on brothers, that the highest post of honour was that of being engaged in fields of foreign Missionary labour.

The Resolution was then put and carried. The Rev. J. KENNEDY said, that the Resolution which he rose to move, like the last, appealed to the young. It was as follows:

"That the present urgent claims of the Missionary cause are affectionately commended by this Meeting to the most serious attention and generous support of the youthful classes throughout our country, on whose warm attachment and entire devotion its future extension and prosperity must, under God, depend; and the Meeting therefore urges upon all friends of the Society to combine in every practicable form of association for aiding the triumphs of the Saviour in the salvation of the heathen."

There was a most intimate connection between the appeal in the two Resolutions. Had they ever heard of young boys uniting in a right spirit to collect funds for the Missionary cause without some of them giving themselves personally to the work. If twelve youths would combine in forming a Juvenile Association, he had no doubt that at least one of them would be found offering himself as a Missionary. He could go back in recollection twenty years, and remember a small company of youths--very boys-uniting to form such an Association.

They felt that their meeting should be opened by prayer; one of them led the devotions; and he could trace them now-two or three had been removed to eternity, one occupied an important station in India, and there were two or three others who could scarcely resist a personal application to the work. He hoped that every child would, in some way or other, become connected with the Missionary Society.

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The Rev. Dr. MASSIE, in seconding the Resolution, said that the cause of Missions was one to which his life had been consecrated; and while reference had been made to boys identifying themselves with Missionary interests, he had been led to reflect on former days. A youth mentioned to his father his desire to become a Missionary. The father said to him, When you were born the bells were ringing for the people to go to church, and I then consecrated you to the service of Christ, if he should touch your heart by his grace; but I will never consent that you should become a Missionary." While that young man was studying for the Ministry it pleased God to remove his father to heaven. He afterwards wrote to his mother on the subject, stating that if she were opposed to it he would not engage in a foreign field of labour. The mother in reply said, "That she knew that he had determined to give himself to that department of Christ's vineyard, and she would never stand between him and Christ." That mother was still alive, and, although advanced in years, had never regretted it. The position of a Missionary was the most honourable that could be sustained. What had produced the moral revolutions that had taken place in India? They were all attributable to the influence of Missionaries. There were thousands now alive in India who, but for Missionary influence, would have entered eternity with their blood in the skirts of their garments. Last year the young took up the case of the Missionary Ship, and purchased it. Could they not, this year, take up China? It might seem absurd; but the Sunday-school, with which he was connected, raised 201. per annum for the Missionary cause; and, if that example were followed, the required sum of 6,000l. or 7,000l. might easily be raised. trusted that Sunday-school Teachers would press the subject on the consideration of those committed to their charge. Let the young be active and energetic; and let them remember, that, however poor they made themselves, they would not render themselves so poor as Christ did to redeem them.

He

Rev. C. RATTRAY (Missionary from Demerara) rose to support the Resolution. The engagements of the evening had brought to his remembrance events that had transpired

many years ago, when he was a youth. He remembered a young man who, entering a place of worship, found it a time of love. He left it a converted character, and subsequently became a Missionary. He endured much persecution in carrying on his work; but when his enemies thought that they had gained a triumph by his death, the knell of the accursed system of Slavery was rung. He alluded to the late JOHN SMITH, of Demerara. He felt warmed when he heard the name of that devoted man on the morning of the day, and still more warm on being in the presence of his spiritual Father that night. He would not attempt to enforce the Resolution, but leave Ministers to carry it out in their respective spheres of labour.

The Resolution was then put and carried. The Rev. W. ALLON rejoiced in bearing testimony to the confidence he placed in the Society. He wished to avow himself a believer, to a large degree, in men, and especially in Christian men. He had chosen as his household gods these three-Faith, Hope, and Charity; and was resolved through life that he would always believe, hope, and love, wherever he could. He

would, as far as possible, eschew all faultfinding, and choose rather to commend men than to condemn them to their injury. He concluded by moving :

"That this Meeting is deeply convinced of the value and importance of Congregational and other Associations for the purpose of augmenting the Funds of the Society; and it trusts that the system of District Agency which has been partially adopted, may prove so powerfully beneficial, as to justify its more extended application."

The Rev. J. C. DAVY (of Wells), in seconding the Resolution, said, that it was their privilege to know that the Missionary Enterprise was no experiment. Great were the difficulties of the Founders of the Society; but great, they were assured, would be the ultimate success. They had the promise of God, that the world should be converted to Christ; let them, therefore, energetically consecrate their energies to this enterprise.

The Resolution was then put and carried.

Rev. J. J. FREEMAN briefly moved :— "That the cordial thanks of this Meeting be presented to the Rev. Dr. Leifchild, for his kindness in presiding on this occasion."

Rev. Dr. REDFORD, in seconding the Resolution, reminded the Meeting that the Missionary Services in the Metropolis were about to close, but those who had to return to the country must continue to plead the cause throughout the year. He trusted that they would all carry with them the energy which it demanded. Nothing had rejoiced his heart more than to see the young Ministry taking so deep an interest in the welfare of the Institution. For the last three or four years he had been much engaged in examining the Students in the Colleges, and he believed that they were characterized by a spirit of devotedness to their Master's cause.

Dr. Redford having concluded, the Resolution was put and carried by acclamation.

He

The CHAIRMAN, in acknowledging the vote, remarked that it had been observed that evening, that they should endeavour to enlist the youngest in their Congregations in behalf of the Missionary cause. had done so. He had a Society which he called the Youthful Branch Society; and some children, not more than eight years of age, belonged to it, and understood its objects. One child connected with it went to his mother, and said, "We have some superfluities in the course of the year; may we put them in the Box for the Missionary Society, and call it the Self-denial Box ?" Every Anniversary of that Branch brought forth the Self-denial Box. He was quite sure that those who had been present at this meeting, and the one held that morning, could say that they were two of the best Annual Meetings of the London Missionary Society they had ever attended. He thought that from this moment forward, they might adopt as their motto, "Thank God and take courage!"

A verse having been sung, the Benediction was pronounced, and the Meeting separated.

ARRIVAL OF THE "JOHN WILLIAMS."

WE have much pleasure in announcing the safe arrival of the Missionary Ship, JOHN WILLIAMS, Captain Morgan, after a prosperous passage of ninety days from the Islands, viá Cape Horn; having on board as passengers, the Rev. C. Barff and Mrs. Barff, from Huahine; Rev. A. Buzacott, and Mrs. Buzacott, from Rarotonga; and the Rev. W. Mills and Mrs. Mills from Samoa; with a number of the children of the Missionaries, sent home for education. Our brethren confirm the intelligence, recently received in this country, of the return of Queen Pomare to Tahiti, and the surrender of the patriots to the Forces of the Protectorate.

Tyler and Reed, Printers, Bolt-court, London.

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EVANGELICAL MAGAZINE,

AND

MISSIONARY CHRONICLE.

FOR JULY, 1847.

MEMORIALS OF THE LATE REV. JOSIAS WILSON,
Minister of the Presbyterian Congregation, River-terrace, Islington.

THE removal from the midst of us, by death, of this catholic-spirited and devoted minister of the cross, has created a deep sensation in many circles beyond | the limits of his own denomination. Few men have more endeared themselves to their brethren of all evangelical communities, than the deceased; and fewer still have acquired such an amount of influence in the metropolis during a ministry so comparatively brief. His work was to be accomplished speedily, and therefore it was that the adored Head of the church endowed him with a more than ordinary share of attractive

ness.

We have been favoured with a perusal of the "Memorials" of our deceased friend, including the Sermons and Funeral Addresses delivered on occasion of his death, by the Rev. James Hamilton, the Rev. Dr. Morgan, and the Rev. Messrs. Nicolson and Chalmers. They are all very interesting and instructive records of a life peculiarly devoted to God. We propose, therefore, to furnish our readers with a few extracts from the Discourses of Mr. Hamilton and Dr. Morgan, that they may see with us how much the memory of Mr. Wilson deserves to be cherished.

"Our acquaintance commenced in boyhood, at the University, where he was well known and loved, as an affectionate, hearty, and joyous youth. From that period to the present, we never lost sight of one another, but lived in habits of great intimacy and friendship.

"Though at all times pure and circumspect, he began to discover unusual progress in knowledge and piety in the last year of his college course, before he obtained the license of his Presbytery to preach the gospel.

"He had scarcely obtained that license and begun his work, when his popularity was spread far and wide. I remember at that time to have heard it remarked, that there was no vacant congregation in the church which would not thankfully receive him as its minister.

"His first settlement was in Tassagh, a rural district in the county of Armagh. His period of continuance there was short. And, although his removal was not of his own seeking, but by the express desire of his brethren in the ministry, who wished him to undertake a new and more difficult station, yet I have often heard him speak of the singular mercy of God in separating him from that quiet and easy settlement. He

Dr. Morgan thus speaks to the be- thought it probable, he said, had he reaved church of the deceased: remained there, that he would have fallen 2 D

VOL. XXV.

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