delight they cannot fail to inspire; while we reflect, with complacency, on the honour this country has acquired in the estimation of foreign nations, by an institution which has gained their respect by the piety, and their affections by the benevolence of its object; while we rejoice in the distinguished privilege of being ourselves the almoners of the bounty of heaven, and in the assurance so well substantiated, that by the distribution of the imperishable treasures of divine truth and knowledge, we have been the means of enriching those who were poor, of communicating instruction to the ignorant, and consolation to the afflicted: it behooves us, with your committee, to ascribe the origin and the whole success of our institution to Him alone, to whom the glory is due and to say, with devout gratitude, Not unto us, O Lord, but unto thy name, be the praise.'

ing them a guide, which will show them the way, the truth, and the life.' Look round on countries over which the Sun of Righteousness once diffused its lustre, but which are now enveloped in the mists of spiritual darkness and ignorance. Join your endeavours with ours to restore to them the long-intercepted light. Look round also on your numerous brethren, who are suffering affliction. Unite with us in bestowing upon them that which will give them real and abiding consolation. The charity in which we invite your participation, is sanctified in its means and its end. We distribute not the meat that perishes, but that spiritual food which will gladden and invigorate the soul. The effects of your benevolence, thus applied, may extend to generations yet unborn; and the prayers of those who are benefited by it, may draw down blessings on yourselves, your children, and your country.'

"These sentiments, which I trust are too deeply engraven on my heart, ever to be obliterated, will afford a test of my unabated devotion to the cause in which we are engaged; and I offer them as the most acceptable return in my power, for the honour conferred on me by your resolution.

THE TWENTY-FOURTH GENERAL
MEETING OF THE MISSIONARY
SOCIETY,

"Our joy thus chastened may be freely indulged; it springs from a pure source; it is no selfish gratification, but that which arises from the successful accomplishment of a sacred duty, combining, in its object, the glory of God, and the advancement of human happiness through time and eternity. "I shall not expatiate on these topics before the present assembly, as motives to perseverance in our great undertaking; those who have tasted the luxury of beneficence, will want no inducement to continue their repast. But if my voice could reach any who have not associated themselves with us, I would affectionately say Held in London, on the 13th, 14th, and to them, borrowing an expression of my 15th days of May, 1818. right honourable friend, the Chancellor of We have now the pleasing task of prethe Exchequer, "Come, my Christian bre-senting to the friends of missions to the thren, enjoy with us this feast of benevo heathen a summary account of the late lence; unite your endeavours with ours, to Anniversary of the Missionary Society, the give refreshment to the weary and heavy-first public meeting of which was held as laden pilgrims of the earth, to dispense usual at that light which was graciously revealed to cheer the despondency of a benighted The prayers of the Established Church world. Behold, and pity many millions of were read by the Rev. Rowland Hill, miyour fellow-creatures, who are wandering nister of the Chapel. The prayer which in the mazes of idolatrous superstitions; preceded the sermon was offered up by the partake with us the duty and delight of giv- Rev. Mr. Morrell, of St. Neots.

SURREY CHAPEL.

The Rev. Ralph Wardlaw, of Glasgow, who little imagine that they are at all then preached a truly missionary discourse, chargeable with any thing of the kind. on Acts xvii. 16. "Now, while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry."

Our present bounds admit of no more than a mere outline; for the filling up of which we must refer our readers to the Sermon itself, which, with the other sermons will, we hope, speedily be printed.

The Rev. W. Roby, of Manchester, concluded by prayer.

TABERNACLE.

This place being filled at an early hour, notices were distributed at the doors, in

Having introduced the subject by a brief sketch of the general state of ancient Athens, and particularly noticed the point of light in which the great apostle of the Gentiles, consistently with his character as a Christian Missionary, chiefly regarded it, Mr. W. proceeded to observe, how much room there still exists for the exercise of the same feelings as those by which his spirit was stirred; so very large a propor-forming those who could not gain admittion of the population of the world being at tance, that a sermon would forthwith be this day, after the lapse of eighteen centu- preached at Albion Chapel, in the neighries, "given to idolatry." To keep alive, bourhood, which had readily been granted and stimulate the missionary spirit, (the on the occasion, by the Rev. Alexander great design of these Anniversaries) he Fletcher, minister of that place. proposed to consider the sentiments, feelings, and desires, which the contemplation of the idolatries of the heathen is calculated to awaken and to cherish. He illustrated the four following particulars. Such contemplation ought to inspire-1st, Indignant grief for the dishonour done to God;-2dly, Amazement at human weakness and folly; -3dly, Abhorrence of human impiety; and 4thly, Compassion for human wretch

edness.

At the Tabernacle the Rev. Mr. Maslen, of Hertford, prayed before the sermon, and the Rev. Mr. Johnson, of Farnham, after it. The Rev. William Cooper, of Dublin, preached on Isaiah lxii. 6 and 7.

After viewing the text and its connexion as the words of Jehovah Jesus to his people, and as referring with a peculiar emphasis and force of application to Gospel times, he divided its contents into a promise and an

exhortation.

I. THE PROMISE. He remarked, that Having endeavoured, by the illustration the form of expression "I have set,” was a of these interesting topics, to rouse the spirit Hebraism frequently used in the prophetic of missionary zeal, Mr. W. in concluding, parts of Scripture, probably to denote the pressed upon the attention of his audience absolute certainty of the future event thus the following observations in the way of predicted:-That the Church was here further practical improvement:-1. That designated Jerusalem, because it is really, all the sentiments and feelings described as Jerusalem nominally was, a city of ought to be principles of active and zealous peace; because it is a place of safety, the exertion-founding this remark on the ex-residence of God, and the scene of his ample of Paul, as recorded in the imme- worship-that her ministers were called diate context:-2d. The necessity and Watchmen, to indicate the vigilance, value of Divine revelation :-3. That the fidelity, and boldness, which ought to feelings expressed in the text imply the op- characterize preachers of the Gospel-that posite emotions of delight in witnessing the God gave such ministers, and in his infinite contrary scene-and, 4. That the guilt of wisdom appointed the stations of each, idolatry, it is to be feared, attaches to many often contrary to their own wishes, and the VOL. II....No. 5.

15

yet always in a manner calculated to show prayed before, and the Rev. Mr. Turnbull, that he did all things well-and, lastly, late of Ottery, after the sermon.

The Rev. Mr. Johnston, of Edinburgh, preached on Matt. xxiv. 14. "This Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and II. THE EXHORTATION. He observed, then shall the end come." In the introthat it was addressed to Christians, who duction, Mr. J. viewed the passage as a alone are men of prayer, and therefore de- prediction of the extensive promulgation of scribed, in the text, as those that make the Gospel previous to the destruction of mention of the Lord; and that it was here Jerusalem, and pointed out its exact fulfilenforced upon them as a solemn obligation, ment. He then proposed to consider the that they should pray earnestly and con- text as pointing to the universal diffusion of stantly for the universal spread of the Re-Christianity previous to the second coming deemer's kingdom.

diligent preparation for this great event-to | Pyne, Towne, Vautin, Williams, and T. be as those that wait for the coming of the Williams. Addresses were delivered by Lord.

The Rev. Mr. Whitridge, of Carlisle, prayed before the sermon; and the Rev. Mr. Harrison, of Woburn, after it.

the Rev. Messrs. H. Cox, Greenwood, and
J. Hyatt. Hymns were given out by the
Rev. Messrs. Forsaith, Roberts, Aldridge,
Watson, and Platt. The Rev. Matthew
Wilkes concluded with prayer.

AT. ST. BRIDE'S CHURCH. The Rev. Dr. Halloway preached at St. Bride's Church, the use of which was liberally granted by the Rev. Vicar and the Churchwardens of the parish. Text-Acts viii. 29, 30, and part of the 31st verse. "Then the Spirit," &c.

After an introduction, relative to the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch, and the honour which God was pleased to put on the ministry of the word in his case, the preacher proceeded to show, 1. What are the evidences of that knowledge which bringeth salvation; and 2. The means through which this saving knowledge is to be communicated, the principal of which he showed to be the preaching of the Gospel, which is so remarkably adapted to the genius of Divine truth, and suited to the natural constitution of man. From hence, 3. He recommended the diligent use of these means as a Scriptural and Christian obligation—as an obligation of gratitude-as the claim of Christian philanthropy-and as enforced by the signs of the times.

MISSIONARY COMMUNION.

SION CHAPEL.

SILVER-STREET.

The Rev. Mr. Ray, of Sudbury, prėsided. The communicants were addressed

by the Rev. John Burder, and Rev. T. Turnbull; and the spectators by Mr. Wray, Missionary, from Berbice. The hymns were given out by Messrs. Goode, Raban, and Thomas. The elements distributed by Messrs. Gore, Davies, Jones, Richards, Purkis, and Brown; and the service con cluded by the Rev. S. W. Tracy.

ORANGE-STREET.

Dr. Collyer presided. Prayer was offered by the Rev. Jos. Slatterie, J. Townsend, Dr. Winter, and Rowland Hill. Hymns given out by Messrs. G. Townsend, Blackburn, Chapman, Yockney, and Roby. Addresses by Dr. Collyer, Rev. Messrs. Struther, Philip, and Reynolds. Elements distributed by Messrs. Lewis, Roby, Townsend, Winter, Chapman, Dunn, Shepherd, Eccles, Thomas, Griffin, Haslock, Yockney, Day, Pinchback, Turner, Smith, Morison, Sloper, Blackburn, Wood, Rayson, Kiness, Washbourn, Gilbert, Jackson, Cloutt, Johnson, Harrison, &c. &c.

SPA FIELDS CHAPEL

Rev. Dr. Bogue presided. The Rev. Mr. Brook prayed. The elements were distributed by the Rev Messrs. Britain, Bryan, Coulson, Creake, Emblem, Hockley, Hopkins, C. Hyatt, Langford, Lockyer, Lloyd, Was much crowded on Thursday morn M'All, Sanderson, Sturtivant, Warr; and ing, when the Annual Meeting of the Sociby the Rev. Messrs. Brooksbank, Browning, ety for the despatch of business was held. Cadoret, (from France) Evans, Gale, William Alers Hankey, Esq. the treasurer, Knight, Macdonald, Mummery, Oates, was requested to take the chair; a hymu

was sung, and the Rev. Mr. Browning earth. And I trust there has been many a prayed for the presence and blessing of prayer offered up, that a double portion of God on the Society and its operations. the Holy Spirit moy be poured out upon us, The plan of the Society, agreed upon at its first establishment, was then read by the Rev. Mr. Platt, together with the fundamental principle of the Society, disclaiming all party and sectarian views.

Mr. Robert Steven then stated, that several other Missionary Societies having been formed since the institution of this in 1795, some confusion had arisen for want of a title more distinctive than that which was then adopted; and that other Societies, at home and abroad, having generally given us the appellation of the London Missionary Society, he proposed, and it was unanimously agreed, that hereafter in all the publications of the Society, its title shall be thus expressed;"The Missionary Society, instituted in the year 1795, usually called The London Missionary Society."

and that we may speak, and hear, on subjects relating to Missions, with all that solemnity, and with all that ardent zeal for advancing the cause of Christ, which those who are redeemed by his blood, ought to feel.

We met in this place at the commencement of the Society, in the year 1795. Those of us that were then present, may recollect what were then our feelings. And what are they now? Have we been disappointed? No; far from it. We have reason to adore the goodness of God, that the Saviour has smiled upon our undertaking, and displayed his highest approbation of it. What has been contained in the Report presents to us a most delightful scene. And, that Report is strengthened by letters which I have received from the Missionaries themselves; and when I read of their diligence in learning languages, of their zeal in preaching, of their pains in translating the Scriptures, and their care to circulate tracts, and to establish schools; and of their interesting journeys to distant places to preach the Gospel; I count it a matter of the liveliest joy. I have no fear relating to ultimate success. Here are the

The Report of the proceedings of the Directors for the past year, but considerably abridged, was next read by the Secretary, assisted by his son, the Rev. H. F. Burder. The Treasurer then presented a detailed account of the Receipts and Disbursements of the Society for the year ending March 31, 1818. Not having room for particulars, we can now only state the gross amount of the receipts from Subscriptions and Collec-means employed and the promise of God tions, &c. which is 22,132. 18. 64d.

Dr. Bogue then moved, that the Report be received, approved, and printed, according to the discretion of the Directors.

has secured to us his blessing.

Some think there is nothing done until they hear of success. But suppose a ship were lying at anchor in the harbour, day after day-a ship that is seaworthy, and well manned, and laden with a cargo of the

The Doctor began by expressing that he felt a difficulty in speaking on a subject, part of which related to himself; he there-finest wheat, for a distant part of the world, fore moved, that "Every other part of the Report should be received." I doubt not, said he, that what you have heard, relating to the progress of the Gospel, will fill every heart with the liveliest joy. We are met on a most solemn occasion, and should consider ourselves in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, engaged to promote his cause in the world, and to extend the borders of Gospel. his kingdom to the remotest ends of the we may

to feed the needy inhabitants-an ignorant landsman might say, "Why continue here so long? She will never be able to reach the destined port." A sailor might reply, "Do you not know, that the wind has been contrary?-by-and-by it will be favourable, and then we shall make progress." Now, thus it is with respect to the success of the Where its ministers are labouring expect, with confidence and as