the Members present increased their former Annual Subscriptions, or became Subscribers to the Fund for providing for Disabled Missionaries &c. The following Resolutions were unanimously adopted : I. That it appearing from the “ Address" which has just been read, as well as from the Report of the Committee appointed Feb. 2, 1829, to review the Expenditure and Finances of the Society, that its present Income is unequal to the maintenance of its present Expenditure, and it being impracticable to diminish the Home Expenditure beyond what has been already decided, without serious injury to the Society, it is imperative on the Committee to take immediate and efficient steps, either to reduce its Foreign Expenditure, or increase its In come. II. That this Meeting, encouraged by the measure of the Divine Blessing which has been already granted to the Society's Labours, and unwilling to abandon any of its Stations in Heathen Lands without an appeal to the love of Christians at Home, recommends that a Subscription be now commenced, meet the present exigencies of the Society; and affectionately invites its Members to increase the amount of their Annual Contributions, for the purpose of augmenting its Permanent Income. III. That, adverting to the importance of making Provision for Disabled Missionaries, the Widows of Missionaries, and the Education of Missionaries' Children both with a view to relieve the mind of the Missionary himself, and to enable the Committee to apply as large a portion as practicable of the Annual Income to Missionary Operations-the separate Fund, which has been opened for the object above mentioned, be earnestly recommended to the support of the Members and Friends of the Society throughout the Country. IV. That Copies of the "Address," and of the above Resolutions, with an account of the Proceedings of the Day, be transmitted to the Committees of the different Associations; with an earnest request, that they will give them as full effect as possible, in their respective Neighbourhoods. Bickersteth, Rev. E (through Watton Association)2....£?(3) 3 05 Noel, Hohel Phipps, 0 20 0 0 3 0 a Pownall, Henry, Esq;lipeas.zi. ...........1212 0 10 10 01910, 0, it Pratt, Rev. J. 5 5 0 20 25 Raikes, Rev. Henry, ubbish,«ppuraprodefoonde 8 19:03 sobi voo of: " Thompson, Rev. W. (through St. Barnabas' Association).. 25 50 0 0 90 25 Edward Norton, Esq.13. ubad grounded Oft gurteix are Whiting, J., M.D.. Woodrooffe, Rev. Thomas........ 2 2 0 COMMITTEES OF ASSOCIATIONS, AND TO CLERGYMEN CONNECTED WITH THE SOCIETY. THE difficulty and importance of providing for the wants of the Associations, at their various Anniversaries, have induced the Committee to submit the subject to the attention of the Society's Friends, in the hope that the arrangement which they propose will obtain their cordial sanction. The Committee of the Church Missionary Society are desirous of again calling the attention of the Association Committees to the difficulty of providing the assistance which has been usually required for their Annual Sermons and Meetings. This difficulty has been increasingly felt from year to year; and, in order to obviate it, some further measures are become indispensable. From the solicitude of the Committee to comply with the desire frequently expressed by Associations, that several persons should compose the Deputation from the Parent Committee, they have not hitherto strictly adhered to the system marked out in the Letter to the Secretaries of Associations of Dec. 19th, 1827: (XXVIIIth Report, pp. 138, 139.) The position, however, in which the Society is now placed, compels the Committee to adopt a more decided course than has hitherto been pursued: and, in taking this step, they confidently rely on the co-operation of the Association Committees, under the deep impression that the means of maintaining the present operations of the Society in its different Missions depend, under God, on the zeal and energy of the Associations in carrying the intended arrangements into effect. The Rev. Edward Bickersteth's relinquishment of his official connection with the Society will deprive the Associations of those very valuable and important services which, by his visits to them, he has during so many years rendered to the Society. Under this arrangement, the Clerical Secretary will not be required to visit the Associations; his undivided time and attention being called for by the business of the Office. To provide for the lack of service occasioned by this arrangement, and for the attendance of a Representative of the Parent Society at the Association Anniversaries, a Second Clerical Visiting Secretary will be appointed, whose whole time and attention will be devoted to the business connected with the Associations. Two Visiting Secretaries, together with the Lay Agent already appointed-whose more peculiar province is, the re-organization and enlargement of existing Associations, and the formation of new ones-is, in the opinion of the Committee, the least provision that can be made duly to maintain that intercourse with the Associations which is requisite for their efficiency. The Committee trust, however, that this arrangement may prove sufficient to supply one Official Representative at the Anniversaries of the principal Associations, to furnish correct and detailed information of the Society's Proceedings. While, however, the Committee have made this arrangement to meet the wants of the Associations, they desire most earnestly to impress on their Clerical Friends the importance of their continuing to render voluntary aid, and that on a combined and systematic plan, in order to meet the present exigencies of the Society. The Committee are strongly disinclined to increase the number of their Official Agents for Association Purposes; but unless Local Clerical Assistance be called in, and applied on a well-arranged plan within convenient Districts, they are per Mr. Bickersteth's retirement led to a revision of the arrangements previously made for conducting the affairs of the Society; and it appeared advisable to separate the business relative to As-suaded that it will be impracticable to sociation Anniversaries from that of a more general kind. A Successor to Mr. Bickersteth in the Secretaryship will not therefore be appointed; but the general business of the Society will be devolved on the present Secretaries, with an additional Clerk. maintain that interest in the great objects of the Society which the exertions of its various friends, in past years, have been the means of cherishing. The Committee earnestly hope, that, within the Districts that may be formed, such an interchange of pulpits may be arranged, as would, without inconvenience, be completely effective for the objects of the Society, at a material saving both of time and expense and they would further suggest, that, where this interchange cannot be effected, it is very desirable that the Clerical Friends of the Society should plead its cause in their own pulpits, rather than omit the usual Sermons. They have reason to believe, that, in those cases where either of the above-mentioned plans has been adopted, the result has been eminently beneficial. The Committee beg, further, to remark on this head, that their Clerical Friends will render aid of a most valuable kind, if they will from time to time associate themselves with one of the Society's Representatives, in their visits to the principal Associations and Districts of the Country. Unless this species of assistance be afforded, to a considerable extent, further increase of the Officers of the Society will be unavoidable. The Committee cannot take leave of this part of the subject without tendering their thanks to those Clergymen who have kindly accompanied the Secretaries in their visits to the Associations, and who have pleaded the cause of the Society in many of the most important places in the Kingdom. By the blessing of God on the labours of these friends, that Missionary Spirit which so happily exists in the Country has been in a great measure called forth and maintained. In order to give effect to the contemplated arrangements, the Committee are of opinion, that the Plans of Journeys, for visiting the several Districts and Associations, should be formed very early in the year; and should be finally completed before the Anniversaries of the Associations commence. They therefore most earnestly request, that their friends will, if practicable, inform them, in the course of the month of January next, what will be the most convenient time for holding their respective Anniversaries; and for what length of time the assistance of the Deputation will be required in each neighbourhood. When this information is obtained from the dif ferent Associations, the Plan for visiting the whole of them will be formed, with a view to general convenience. The Plan, thus drawn out, will then be communicated to the parties concerned, and their remarks and suggestions obtained. After these have been carefully considered, the General Plan will be finally settled: and the Committee will deem it unadvisable, subsequently to depart from it, unless on minor points, not affecting the general arrangements. In digesting this Plan, the convenience of all parties will be consulted, to the utmost practicable extent. It is however manifest, that, in forming an arrangement so extensive, and which is to be adapted to so many circumstances and local peculiarities, it will not be possible to meet the views and wishes of all. In those cases where this cannot be accomplished, the Committee confidently rely on the kindness of their friends, to meet the inconvenience in the best mode that their circumstances will permit, that the interests of the Society may not suffer. It has been the endeavour of the Committee, for many years, to settle the Plans for visiting the different Associations, by a Correspondence carried on all through the Summer, and continued almost up to the moment when the Meetings were actually to take place; and they have found it impracticable to accomplish the object in a manner satisfactory, either to themselves or to the Associations. They trust that the course which they now propose to take, though it may involve partial inconvenience, will, on the whole, be acceptable to their friends, and beneficial to the Society; and preclude that perplexity, confusion, and disappointment, which, heretofore, they have not been able to prevent. In adopting an arrangement, however, so materially affecting, in its results, the general welfare of the Society, the Committee most earnestly solicit the serious attention of all its friends, in its different affiliations, to the measure; considering it to be, under the Divine Blessing, of vital importance to obtain their concurrence and cordial co-operation in carrying it into effect. By Order of the Committee, EDWARD BICKERSTETH, Secretaries. Church Missionary House, Dec. 13, 1830. RECENT INTELLIGENCE. Mediterranean Mission.-We regret to state that Mr. Jowett's Third Residence in the Mediterranean has been but of short duration. He found his health so much debilitated by many years' labour in that climate, that, after a residence at Malta of a little more than twelve months, he has been compelled to revisit his Native Country, and arrived in London on the 3d of December. Australasia Mission- The Society's Schooner, the "Active," arrived at Port Jackson on June 20th; and, after taking in some flour and other supplies for the New-Zealand Mission, sailed, on the 19th of July, with the Rev. W. Yate, and Mr. and Mrs. Chapman, Mr. Yate, while at Sydney, had carried through the Press some Portions of Scripture, and some Hymns, which had been translated into the New-Zealand Language. He also took with him a Printing Press, and a Lad named Smith to assist him in the use of it. The Corresponding Committee, after noticing the return of the Rev. S. Marsden from his visit to New Zealand, make the following remarks: The information which we have received from our friend Mr. Marsden, of the progress of the work of faith among the New Zealanders, is cheering. We know it may be said, "What are the few which believe, to the many in New Zealand." But we rejoice that improvement is manifest-that a very few are inquiring after the way of holiness. The work having begun, the Master of the work will carry it on, for His own Glory, and His people's good. ***The Committee thankfully acknowledge the receipt of two Paper Parcels from Mrs. A. Williams; and one from Mrs. Crow, of Durham. 22, 68, 239 Bishop, Greek, 102,104 24 Blackbourn, Mr... 60 Bulmer, Mr H.... 24 .... 72 C. C.. .191 96 Davy, Mr Attarra, J. 6, 9, 58,152 Bochari, Hanna...164 Chester, Po 120, 263 Deacon, J. esq.... 96 6 Bowen, Mrs James, 120 144 Attarra, Mrs 72 168 22 24 Brainerd.....281 Chippendale, R.esq.167 176,279 I 133 |