MISSIONARY NOTICES, Reluting principally to the FOREIGN MISSIONS carried on under the direction of the METHODIST CONFERENCE. ABSTRACT OF THE SPEECHES AT THE GENERAL MEETING OF THE WESLEYAN MISSIONARY (Concluded from our last Number.) The REV. H. F. BURDER, A. M., of Hackney, on seconding the Resolution proposed by MR. ARMSTRONG, said, If every association for doing good be worthy of honour, it is difficult to find words sufficiently expressive of the honour due to a Society which has sent forth nearly one third of the whole number of Christian Missionaries now engaged in spreading Christianity in different parts of the world. If there had been no instances of success attending the labours of such a Society, or if that success had been not at all commensurate with the grandeur of its operations, still it would have been entitled to the best wishes and fervent prayers of the Christian world. What then shall be said of a Society which GOD has himself so highly honoured, by rendering it his own instrument in accomplishing, in so great a degree, his glorious purposes of mercy to the world? But it is not to me at all extraordinary that the Wesleyan Missionary Society should take a prominent part in this high and holy enterprize, and be crowned with signal success in aiming at the conversion of the human race; for, if I am not mistaken, (and I am sure I shall not be suspected of speaking under the influence of prejudice on this point,) the very spirit of the Wesleyan Methodists is the spirit of enterprise, in other words, a Missionary spirit. I conceive that your work throughout our own country is eminently of the nature of a Missionary work, and that your ministers are in a high state of moral and spiritual discipline for the holy efforts of missionary zeal. Perhaps I should not be much mistaken if I attributed this, under the divine blessing, to the spirit of the venerable Founder of your body. The spirit of that holy and reverend man certainly contributed in an extraordinary degree to rouse the slumbering energies of the professors of Christianity in this country; and if I were called to advert to any individual who had by his own efforts effected perhaps more than any other individual, who had, at the expense of time, strength, and fortune, engaged in this work, and gone forth with all the ardour of a missionary of JESUS to distant lands, anxious to propagate the gospel of the SAVIOUR, I should name the excellent DR. COKE. The motion which I have the honour to second, has reference to that neglected portion of our fellow-creatures to whose best interests DR. COKE'S wishes, prayers, and labours were so particularly directed---I mean the slave-population of the West-Indies. There we see the lowest degrees of human degradation and depravity, and the most heart-gladdening instances of the blessed effects of the Gospel of the Redeemer. What would have been thought a few years ago, if it had been predicted that this day, within these walls, it should be reported to us, not only that 50 Missionaries from your Society have been sent to the West-India Colonies, but that 23,000 Negro Slaves have been received into religious communion? Perhaps one of the elements of that deep and glowing interest which we feel on such occasions as this, on the anniversaries of these noble Institutions, arises from our being able to trace, in the occurrences of the preceding year, some marks of progress, either in actual success, or in those tendencies to it which authorize us to anticipate a success, greater by far than can be at present related. The Reverend Gentleman then adverted to several circumstances stated in the Report, which he considered as highly gratifying. He dwelt emphatically on the cessation of open opposition to the West Indian Missions, on the invitations received by the Society from generous and benevolent Planters to send Missionaries for the instruction of their negroes, and on the formation of Auxiliary Missionary Societies, on liberal principles, in two of the Islands, as indicative of future results more glorious than could till lately have been anticipated. And what, he asked, is the nature of that encouragement which arises from these reports? They are only specimens of the display of divine power on the hearts of men, in counteracting that opposition which would otherwise be made to the progress of the REDEEMER'S cause. Now the very same influence which has induced these Planters, on calm and deliberate consideration of the facts and principles which ought to guide their decisions on such a case, to become the friends of Missionaries, has only to exert itself in a yet greater degree, * 3 R* VOL. XLIV. JULY, 1821. in order to accomplish all the objects which our respective Missionary Societies propose, and to subdue all the obstacles of which we have heard in India, in Java, în the very heart of China, and in all other places. The very instruments, by which the world is to be eventually elevated, have begun their operation; and the divine power by which they are to be rendered successful, has been partially displayed. So that we see, in the circumstances now reported, the commencement of that exertion of gracious influence, the larger operations of which are to gladden our hearts, and crown all our exertions.---After forcibly urging this consideration, Mr. B. observed that it is one part of the pleasure which we enjoy on these occasions, to cast into the shade our little distinctions, and to feel that the points of attraction are incomparably more numerous and important than the points of separation, which indeed are very few. Some persons who occasionally co-operate with others of views somewhat different from their own, take great credit to themselves for their noble and generous spirit, and expect in return that we should comply with some of their own peculiarities; though perhaps while they thus act, they dread the animadversions of others who are still more sectarian in their sentiments. But here we feel that we are borne onwards by the full tide of public feeling; and we begin to think it strange that it could ever have been otherwise, and that Christians should ever have felt any difficulty in meeting on common ground for the purpose of promoting the religion of JESUS throughout the World. What has the Churchman to do, when he unites with the Wesleyan Missionary Society, but to say, "Much as I am attached to the Church of England, I feel the Church of CHRIST at large has higher claims even than the Church of England?" What has the Dissenter to say, but that he feels the great principles of Christianity to be superior in importance to all others? As to myself, I must be excused for saying, that I feel the honour conferred upon me on this occasion a greater one than I ever before enjoyed; and I trust it will be my increasing desire and prayer, in every possible way within the circumscribed limits of the station in which I move, to promote the great objects which you have at heart, and which I trust we all have at heart, the honour of our SAVIOUR and the good of mankind. I warmly second the motion. BENJAMIN SHAW, ESQ. of London, moved a Resolution of thanks to the Gentlemen connected with the Auxiliary Missionary Societies lately formed in the West Indies. He observed that we might properly recollect, in unison with what we had heard that day, that when the Apostle PETER went up to Jerusalem, he gladdened the hearts of the Disciples with the tidings that "the Gentiles also had received the Gospel;" for we have indeed lived to see a day that Prophets, and Kings, and Apostles never saw. Missionary Exertions might well be demanded from the inhabitants of a country like this, which has so long been benefited by the light of the Gospel. We should recollect that every talent brings with it the obligation of its proper application; and, if we have received freely, freely we ought to give.--This feeling was perhaps never more strongly marked than in the respected character already alluded to,---the Founder of this Society. His progress through life, and the success which attended his labours, have proved the proper exercise of those powers which the Divine Being had bestowed upon him, and set an example to this Society, not to confine themselves to the shores of Britain, but to extend the Gospel to every quarter of the world, till every country and every land shall be blessed with its light.---If there was one part of the information that day received from our respected Missionary friend (MR. WARD,) more affecting than another, it was that he was 30 soon about to leave us, and that we shall no more see his face, or the face of those who have so long laboured with him in the Gospel of peace in India. Yet we can by our prayers testify our best wishes for him, for them, and for every Missionary concerned in the propagation of the Gospel.---Having made some striking observations on the increasing good-will of the planters in the West Indies towards Missionaries, Mr. S. said that he particularly congratulated this Society on the appropriation of a part of the Funds of the Auxiliary Societies recently formed in Nevis and St. Christopher's to the aid of their objects, because that appropriation was a strong and practical testimony in favour of the Wesleyan Missionaries, by those who had the best local opportunities of ascertaining the effect of their labours. He then stated a circumstance which came to his own knowledge a few days ago, respecting a poor slave whose master was strongly opposed to his attending the prayer-meetings. This slave once went to him, and begged him to let him go to a prayer-meeting, but was refused. Well, Massa, (said the negro,) will you sell my liberty?"I have no objection to that." Well, Massa, how much? "Two hundred and fifty guineas" was the reply. This was a great sum; but, such was the effect which had been produced on the poor slave's mind by attendance on religious ordinances, that by dint of self-denial and hard working, he amassed the money, paid the two hundred and fifty guineas, and became a free man. MISSIONARY NOTICES. JOSEPH CARNE, ESQ. of Penzance, seconded the motion, and rejoiced in the almost total cessation of that opposition which the cause of Missions had met formerly, in our own and foreign countries. J. VANDER SMISSEN, ESQ. of Altona, near Hamburgh, moved the fifth Resolution, (containing thanks to Auxiliary and Branch Societies, domestic and foreign, Ladies' Associations, Juvenile Societies, &c.) and said, Never accustomed to speak in public, it is with difficulty I venture to address you in foreign accents; but, with I could not beall this difficulty, I feel happy in having an opportunity of expressing to this audience the satisfaction I have had in witnessing the scene now before me. hold in every eye the tear glistening, and on many a lip the smile of satisfaction quivering, without feeling in my own bosom those emotions which I fondly believe every one in this assembly has experienced. There is such a spirit of unanimity pervading this Society, that I can hardly think of any place more amiable than this.--I have read, in the account of one of the most important scenes of Missionary labours, that one of the opinions of the heathen there, is, that their supreme God dwells in the twenty-sixth heaven. Now it is exactly this circumstance which makes the great difference betweeen the Christian's happiness and that of an Heathen. He has the misery of knowing a god who is far from him; but he does not know the GOD who is not far from any one of us, who numbers the very hairs of our head, and We have the happiness of knowing a who searcheth the heart and trieth the reins. GOD who watches over us through this life, and will be our GOD to all eternity; and I think there needs no other argument to induce us to do all we can to make this GOD known to others. The REV. T. LESSEY, of Weymouth, seconded the resolution. He observed, that the Missionary Cause in this country, like the glorious Gospel, centres in itself all that is great, and takes to it all that is fair. The spirit of this Cause now spreads itself over the whole nation; it does more, it goes into distant nations, and, in almost every part of the world to which we turn our eyes we see Auxiliary Societies. The members of such Institutions deserve our thanks; but they have a reward greater than we can bestow by any thing we can say. We see the same spirit displayed in our Juvenile Societies. Even little children have learned to forget the gratifications of their childish appetites, and feel more pleasure in throwing their last sixpence into the Missionary-box, than they formerly did in taking it to the confectioner's shop. These Juvenile Societies have done much, and the Motion conveys our thanks to them. It also mentions the zeal and influence of Ladies; but on that part of it he would not say much; for he knew that christian females love to weep in secret over the vices and miseries of our fellow-creatures. They look abroad, and when they hear the account of mothers tearing their children from their breasts, and throwing them into the mouths of aligators, or of widows walking, or rather dragged, to the funeral pyre of their husbands, and connect each of these perishing victims with an eternal world, (for it is ETERNITY that impresses upon all our Missionary pursuits the importance they possess,) they first go in silence, and mourn over them; their tenderest feelings are touched; and then they go about on the errand of mercy, and collect the silver and the gold, and so our funds are replenished. Thus, among all classes, this is an age of decision. We do not now sit down and say, "Shall we go? Shall we do right in attempting to convert the heathen world?" The great deep of Christian benevolence is already broken up, and bursts out in a thousand streams, which are flowing forth to fertilize the world. Paganism has long been the grand instrument of the prince of darkness in accomplishing human destruction; and how does it gladden our hearts to hear that his empire is coming to its close, and that GOD is giving to the whole human race the blessing of his saving Gospel! After various other remarks, Mr. L. referred to the liberality of the Subscribers in general, as mentioned in the Resolution, and exclaimed, What cannot divine grace effect when it can conquer the heart? And we shall this day have a proof of its effects on all who really love our SAVIOUR; they will be ready to fill the coffers of this Missionary Society, while the man who does not love CHRIST may perhaps be unwilling to give even a sixpence to the cause. This reminds me of a circumstance that occurred in a place where a charity sermon had been preached. One of the persons who stood at the door in the usual way to receive the collection, observed a man who appeared very uneasy; and yet he could not bear to part with his money, for he was a miser. He stood some time considering what he should do; at length he put his hand into his pocket for the smallest piece of money he could find, took out a sixpence, held it in his hand a few moments, looked at it with great affection, kissed it, laid it on the plate, and said with a sigh, "Farewell! I shall never see thee any more!" When we see a human being thus hugging his money and kissing a sixpence, one cannot but smile; but should we not * 3 R 2 * rather pity him, when we remember that this degraded being has an immortal soul, and must soon stand at the bar of GOD? But I will relate a more pleasing oceurrenee which took place in Jersey. We lately had there a very charming MissionaryMeeting; and while I was in the pulpit I perceived a venerable old man come in, dressed in the French costume. He sat down in a pew, and seemed to be exceedingly attentive. His countenance interested me in a remarkable manner, and after the service I made some inquiries concerning him, and was informed that he and his wife had come to the French preaching, in the morning of the preceding Sunday at 9 o'clock, for the first time he ever entered that place of worship; they were both at that time impressed by what they heard, and the old man in particular was led to serious reflections on his own spiritual concerns, and to prayer. He went from one service to another, (we had four services, two in French and two in English,) and on Tuesday evening the anecdote, related by Mr. SCHWARTZ, was repeated, concerning a poor Hindoo, who had been directed to walk on spikes of iron, driven through his sandals, in order to atone for his sins, but hearing a Missionary preach on "the blood of CHRIST cleanseth from all sin," cried out, "This is what I want," and threw off his torturing sandals. The poor old Frenchman, 70 or 20 years of age, was encourged by this anecdote to look for pardon and peace through the same cleansing blood of JESUS CHRIST, and went away rejoicing in GOD. We know not what blessed effects may follow these Missionary Meetings. While we are doing all this to spread the Gospel abroad, we are at the same time spreading it at home. The REV. J. BUNTING moved a Resolution of thanks to the General Treasurers. He said he did this with very peculiar pleasure, having often witnessed with much gratitude their great zeal and diligence in the cause of that Institution; and he was sure the Meeting would cordially unite in the expression of a wish for the continuance of their valuable services.---On the general subject, he dared not, at that late period of the Meeting, allow himself to enter; but the Secretaries had told him, that he must say something, because he stood there as the representative of the Methodist Ministers. And what (said Mr. B.) can I say, on behalf of that Body whom I have the high honour, however unworthily, to represent, but that I believe it to be their full determination to go forward in this great cause, "thanking GoD, and taking courage." Go forward, Sir, we must! My own mind, during the course of the present Meeting, has been powerfully impressed with this sentiment, that either we have done a great deal too much already for the cause of Missions, or we have as yet done far too little; for if it be true, that 600 millions of heathens are still destitute of the Gospel,---if paganist be indeed that dark and gloomy and horrid system which we have heard this day described by gentlemen who have seen it with their own eyes,---if it be the command of GOD,---his revealed will,---that we should take measures for sending the Gospel to every creature,---and if souls be indeed perishing for lack of that knowledge which we possess,---then I maintain, that even the large sum of Twenty-three Thousand Pounds, raised last year, is not a sum so large as this Society ought to raise in future, for objects so extensive and so unspeakably important. Every principle of piety or of benevolence, which proves our past exertions to have been wise and necessary, will if followed out to its just length, equally prove the wisdom and the necessity of yet more vigorous efforts. Our Treasurers are now responsible on behalf of our Institution, for much more than they have yet received, notwithstanding the very liberal contributions of our friends during the year. There has, in fact, been a Meeting of a Sub-Committee on that subject; and they were not a little staggered by the report which your Treasurers laid before them, that they had of late been obliged to borrow considerable sums of money, from time to time, to defray the expences of the Missions. It was then asked whether they could not give up some of our Missionary Stations? the list was laid before the Sub-Committee; they went through them one by one, but found it much easier to talk of a plan of retrenchment, than to execute it. There were, indeed, one or two Missions, which it was proposed to abandon, because it was said, we had not funds any longer to support them. It is my firm opinion, that there is One in the heavens, who laughs to scorn all those projects for restricting Missionary operations, however well-meant and plausible, which his servants may devise, when alarmed by temporary difficulties, and labouring under the effects of unnecessary panic. So we found it. When the Sub-Committee made, their report on the proposed abandonment of one Mission, established in a country teeming with a heathen population, we found one of our excellent Treasurers (and as he is absent to-day, I mention it to his honour,) the first to object to the suggestion: And the SubCommittee themselves, when it came to the point, could not find it in their hearts to urge their own proposition. It brought to my recollection a circumstance which is said to have occurred in one of the provinces of Germany, many centuries ago, during a time of famine. A poor man, his wife, and four children, were on the point of being starved. They at length agreed to sell one of their children into slavery for MISSIONARY NOTICES. their support. The propósition was made by the husband, and the wife with very great reluctance at length acceded to it. The question now turned on which of the children should be given up. The first was a fine boy, and both agreed it was impossible to part with him, because he was their first-born. The second also was a charming boy; but the mother objected to selling him, because he was so much like his father. The third was a girl, but the father would not even hear of parting with her, she was so much the image of her mother. The fourth appeared to be equally out of the question, for he was their youngest,---their Benjamin. They therefore gave up the scheme as, on trial, quite impracticable. And so it proved, lately, with our Committee. We began to think what Mission we could give up, and the result was the same as it would be if it were to be proposed to this assembly, that is, we could not make up our minds to abandon any, while there was a prospect of eventual success. Had the question been proposed at the commencement of this Meeting, perhaps some might have said, "Give up your expensive Missions in India, or Ceylon;" but the statements we have heard to-day have put that quite out of the question with all persons of conscience or of humanity; and I believe it would be the same with all our other Missions, if examined one by one, however costly, or however fatal to the health and lives of our beloved Missionaries. We really cannot listen to propositions for withdrawing the light and hope and comfort of Christianity from those to whom we have once imparted the heavenly gift. It follows then that we must go forward; and we look to you with confidence for the means of doing so.--A statement of receipts, disbursements, &c. &c. was then read. The REV. R. NEWTON seconded the Motion, and, after some other excellent remarks, said, If, Sir, the manner in which my name was announced to this Meeting be correct, as coming from every where, where any concern is excited for the Wesleyan Missions or Missionaries," I must then come from the four quarters of the world, as in each of the quarters of the world friends to this cause may be found. I am happy, however, to meet with such friends in any country, or city, or town, or village. I deem it one of the highest honours of iny life to be assembled with such persons, and engaged in such high and holy work. This is the Anniversary of what we call the Parent Society," and perhaps it will afford you pleasure to hear, that in the course of the last four or five months I have had the honour of paying my respects to fifteen or twenty of her children, and I am happy in being able to say that they are very well. They are not sleepy, dull, or disobedient children, but are all active, dutiful, and affectionate, and determined more than ever to exert themselves according to the will of their parent, to promote the glory of their SAVIOUR, and the salvation of their fellow-creatures. I am sorry the Committee in "Go on, Sirs; London have had any panic. If we had heard of it in the country, I am sure where ever I might have been, we should all have been ready to exclaim, go on, Sirs; what? are you in London talking of acting the coward's part?"---I will relate one circumstance to show the way in which some part of your Fund has been obtained. At one Missionary Meeting a man came with the intention of giving 28.; but when the plate was handed round, he saw several well-dressed persons around him put pence into the plate; and he thought, if so many persons, who seem to be my superiors, or equal to myself, give only pence, one shilling will do for me to give. Accordingly he put 1s. on the plate, instead of the 2s. he had intended. The meeting closed; it had been an excellent one; and all were dispersed except a few friends who were engaged in summing up the collection. This man came into the vestry to them, with a countenance I shall never forget, advancing slowly to the table, laid down his other shilling, and said in his provincial dialect, "Tak it! Tak it!" The friends were naturally desirous to know the history of this shilling. "Why, to tell you the truth," said he, "I came to give two shillings to the collection; but seeing many genteel people give pence, I thought one shilling would do for me; but in going down the street my conscience smote me, and I could have no peace without returning and bringing the second shilling. There it is; Tak it! Tak it!"---On another occasion a letter was put into my hand, enclosing a one-pound note. The person from whom it was received had attended the Missionary services, and, I dare say, had not neglected to give at the collections. But he said in the letter, "On returning this evening, and reflecting on the' interesting services of the day, it occurred to me, have I done all that I could? I could not answer this question in the affirmative, and therefore I must beg you will accept of this trifle in aid of the collection to-day." I was particularly pleased with this, because it was the effect of calm and deliberate reflection, and was not produced merely by the warmth of the feelings of the moment,---such feelings as we have felt this day. Another case I would mention is of a most affecting nature. At Liverpool there is a young woman totally blind, who had been instructed at the Blind Asylum. After leaving the School, she got her bread by making baskets and 2 |