2. The importance of recognising, under well-defined circumstances, the possible Independency of Foreign Churches, and of defining the powers of the Society's Repre sentatives abroad. 3. The question as to the best means of promoting a more cordial understanding between Missionaries abroad, and the Society at home. 4. The desirableness of inquiry into the extent and operation of Government Grants for Colonial Education. 5. The possibility and propriety of constituting the Quarterly Meetings of the Town and Country Directors the supreme legislative body in the London Missionary Society. 6. The inquiry, Whether anything further can be done to promote the more complete organization of the Society? 1. In relation to the inquiry, "Whether it would be, on a large consideration, an advantage or a disadvantage to the Society to maintain its Fundamental Law,"— although the Committee were aware that the opinion of counsel had been sought on the legal points connected with this question, they were, nevertheless, of opinion that it would be more satisfactory to postpone the consideration of this view of the case, and to confine their attention, in the first instance, to its moral and religious bearings. To enable them to form a satisfactory conclusion, it was deemed desirable to ascertain, as far as possible, what had been the operation of this principle, both upon the resources of the Society and upon the Christian freedom of Missionaries and Mission-Churches. And in order to accomplish the latter, the Committee found it necessary to anticipate, in part, inquiries which more strictly belonged to the second subject,--the Independence of the Mission-Churches. In this investiga tion they derived much assistance both from the Foreign Secretary, and from Missionaries, then in London, who had laboured in the East and West Indies, and who freely supplied such information as they had obtained from their own experience, and from intercourse with their Brethren. After protracted deliberation, in which no important aspect of the subject was overlooked, it was RESOLVED, That, having given their careful and lengthened attention to the moral and religious considerations involved in the Fundamental Law of this Society, and having endea voured to ascertain the operation of that law upon its interests, its labours, and its Missionaries, the Committee are convinced that, irrespective of any legal question involved in a change, such change would be inexpedient and injurious, an! ought not, therefore, to be made. Subsequently to the adoption of the foregoing Resolution, the opinion of E. J. Lloyd, Esq., Q. C., on the legal consequences of a change in the Fundamental Principle of the Society, was read to the Committee, from which it appeared, t at such change would invalidate the title of the Society to a large amount of Reversionary Property, unless protected by an Act of Parliament, which it would be scarcely possible to obtain. 2. "The importance of recognising, under well-defined circumstances, the possible Independency of Foreign (Mission) Churches, and of defining the powers of the Society's Representatives abroad." Anxious to ascertain whether any, and, if any, what grounds exist for an investigation which appeared to imply that some Mission-Churches connected with the Society were not possessed of that perfect independency which is required by its Fundamental Law, the Committee, at considerable length, inquired into the practice of the Society and the actual position of the Churches which had been formed by its instrumentality; and, upon these points, they were supplied with ample information, which satisfied them, that, although few Mission-Churches were as yet self-supported, their dependence on the Society for pecuniary aid did not affect their freedom and self-government, and that, in all ecclesiastical matters, their liberty had been most scrupulously respected by the Directors, and held as inviolate as that of any Churches in this country. The Committee were conducted to this conclusion by the concurrent testimony of several Missionaries, who, in terms the most unqualified, declared, that, to their knowledge and belief, no instance had occurred in which the Directors had interfered in the slightest degree with the Independence of the Churches over which they presided, or of those of the Brethren with whom they had been associated. This statement was confirmed by various important facts, which, in the view of the Committee, clearly evinced the honour and integrity with which the Directors had respected the rights and recognised the freedom of the several MissionChurches. To prove that provision had also been made for recognising, not only the Independency of those Churches, but their entire separation from the Society, should they desire it, the following Regulation of the Directors, together with evidence that it had been acted upon, was laid before the Committee:— "Assuming the numbers and pecuniary resources of any Church and Congregation to be adequate for the maintenance of the Ministry, and all other purposes of self-support, the Society most readily recognises the right of such Church and Congregation to form its own constitution, and conduct its own affairs. It must, moreover, be understood, that in the event of any Church and Congregation wishing to be separated from the Society, such desire must be formally expressed by the members assembled for that purpose; at which Meeting at least two Agents or Representatives of the Society, nominated by the Directors, shall be present, for the purpose of giving friendly counsel and reporting the proceedings to the Board; and, in case the Society has made pecuniary advances for such Church and Congregation, by way of loan or otherwise, the same shall be the subject of equitable adjustment." Whereupon it was RESOLVED, That, from the information now given, this Committee is convinced that the Society does not interfere, and, in consistency with its Fundamental Principle, never can interfere in any way, with the self-government of the Mission-Churches. 3. "The question as to the best means of promoting a more cordial understanding between Missionaries Abroad and the Society at Home." For the purpose of ascertaining whether any disagreement existed between the Directors of the Society and its Missionaries, which called for the employment of new methods for promoting a more cordial understanding between them, the Committee directed to this subject their special attention. They discovered, however, no case which could sustain such a supposition; on the contrary, they obtained satisfactory proof that it had been the custom of the Directors to give to complaints from their Missionaries (which had rarely occurred) the most careful consideration; and, on different occasions, to permit the parties deeming themselves aggrieved to submit the points in dispute to a tribunal of their own selection. On this subject, also, the Committee had the advantage of making inquiries from Missionaries who had long laboured in different parts of the Mission-field, from whom they learned, that, although on some matters involving expenditure, as might have been expected, the judgment of the Directors and the Missionaries had not always coincided, those differences had been so few and so slight as not to disturb the general harmony be tween them. So far as they could judge, and considering the number of the Missionaries connected with the Society, with their diversity of character and circumstances, the Committee were convinced that these honoured Brethren generally approve of the proceedings of the Directors, and cherish towards them their cordial esteem. In conclusion, therefore, they RESOLVED, That this Committee sympathises with the Directors in cases of difficulty which must occasionally occur in their correspondence and intercourse with the Missionaries, and, after the statements which have been made, are convinced that their course has been distinguished by justice and Christian kindness, and that the plans they have devised are well adapted to settle satisfactorily any matter of dispute. 4. "The desirableness of inquiry into the extent and operation of Government Grants for Colonial Education." Having directed to this subject their very careful and minute attention, and having, by examination, ascertained what had been the invariable practice of the Directors, the Committee RESOLVED, That while the Society has not sought to restrict its Missionaries in the use of that freedom which is claimed by Christian brethren at home in reference to Government Aid for Education, it has never, as a Society, received such aid, but, on the contrary, has repeatedly declined it—a course to which the Committee feel perfectly assured the Board of Directors will inviolably adhere. 5. "The possibility and propriety of constituting the Quarterly Meetings of the Town and Country Directors, the supreme legislative body in the London Missionary Society." In relation to this point, the Committee RESOLVED, That this Meeting deems it desirable to call the attention of the Country Directors, and of the Auxiliaries generally, to the Quarterly Meetings of the Society, for the purpose of securing at them an increased and continuous attendance, as on those occasions the most important business of the Society is usually transacted; and that, in order to afford sufficient time for due deliberation, those Meetings shall for the future begin at Two o'clock. 6. Convinced of the great importance of Organisation, as a means of sustaining the Missionary spirit and augmenting the resources of the Society, and also that, in many Congregations and Districts, it is very defective, the Committee RESOLVED, That, deeming the subject of Organisation to be, in the present circumstances of the Society, of special and peculiar importance, this Meeting urges upon all County and other Auxiliaries to meet, at as early a time as possible, for the express purpose of fully considering the whole subject, and of inquiring what alterations they may make so as best to secure the great object. That the following suggestions be specially commended to their notice: 1. The importance of Annual Collections, and a Public Meeting in each Congregation. 2. The desirableness that these Collections and this Public Meeting shall, as nearly as possible, succeed each other in each Congregation, and in the several localities. 3. The inquiry in each Congregation, whether there exists a Missionary Association, and whether a re-canvass, especially among the juvenile part of it, be desirable. 4. The closing of all Financial Accounts before the 31st of March, in each year. THAT a letter be sent, accompanying this recommendation, signed, together with the Officers, by Ministers and Gentlemen most known as friends of the Missionary cause, recommending the subject to the attention of the County Auxiliaries, and to the regard of County Congregations in general. Before separating, the Committee considered it to be but an act of justice to place upon record the following Resolution: That this Meeting cannot separate without expressing its deep conviction, as the result of the present investigation, of the integrity and efficiency of the Directors and Officers of the Society generally, and especially of the Rev. Arthur Tidman, their honoured and invaluable Foreign Secretary. THOMAS RAFFLES, Chairman. The Rev. Dr. Raffles having vacated the chair, it was occupied, at the request of the Committee, by the Rev. J. N. Goulty, and it was RESOLVED, That the very cordial thanks of the Committee be presented to the Rev. Dr. Raffles for the kind and valuable service he has rendered to them while presiding over their proceedings. AT a QUARTERLY MEETING of Town and Country Directors, (very numerously attended,) held on the 24th of October, 1849, in the absence of the Chairman, the Rev. Dr. Raffles, the foregoing Report was presented by the Rev. J. N. Goulty of Brighton; whereupon it was RESOLVED, That the Report now presented be printed and circulated, under the direction of the The Rev. Arthur Tidman having, on the 25th of June, announced that, in consequence of the state of his health, he would be unable to continue the labours both of his Pastoral Office and of the Secretaryship, the Directors felt deeply impressed with the importance of securing his undivided services in that relation to the Society which he had hitherto so efficiently sustained; and, at a QUARTERLY MEETING OF TOWN and Country Directors, held July 10, 1849, an urgent invitation to this effect was unanimously adopted. As the result, the Directors are happy to state that, after mature deliberation, their honoured Friend has acceded to their request. In consequence of the increased labour and attention henceforth devolving upon the Foreign Secretary, his future Salary will be 4001. per annum, but no increase will be made thereby to the expenses of the Foreign Departinent, which will continue to be less than they have been for the last Twenty years, although the dutie of the office have, during that period, been more than doubled. Signed, by order of the Board of Directors, Mission-House, Blomfield-streeet, Nov. 1st, 1849. ARTHUR TIDMAN, Secretaries: aries: JOS. J. FREEMAN THE GOSPEL IN THE MYSORE COUNTRY. THE general condition of the people in this part of India under the light of the Gospel, and its varied effects upon their minds in awakening a spirit of religious inquiry, disturbing their confidence in idols, and bringing many of them near to the kingdom of God, are well described in the following statement forwarded by our brother, the Rev. B. Rice, from Bangalore, in the month of August last: In publicly proclaiming the Gospel in the thoroughfares of the native town, the reception I have met with has been varied-sometimes cheering, at other times very discouraging; and yet interesting facts have not unfrequently come to light, even in connec tion with those occasions when I have felt most cast down by the manner in which the people treated the Gospel-message. A case of this kind occurred about two months ago. I had been preaching near one of our school rooms; and, after having obtained an attentive hearing for a short time, was rudely interrupted, and most violently opposed, by two or three individuals, who persisted in turning almost every thing that was said into ridicule, and in repeating the most frivolous objections, sometimes accompanied by vulgar remarks and allusions. I returned home sad at heart, on account of the awful demonstration of human depravity, wilful rejection of the truth, and blasphemy against the Most Holy One, which I had witnessed, and could not but think my labour, that morning at least, entirely lost. Not so, however. A respectable Brahmin, with whom I am acquainted, who is himself half a Christian, was present at the time, and has since told me that, after I left, one of the people stood up in my defence, and told the assembled crowd that, notwithstanding all that had passed, the padre (Missionary) was right; and then himself addressed his fellow-countrymen at some length on the absurdities of Hindooism. I met, not long ago, with an illustration of what I believe to be the state of mind of very many of the natives in this vicinity—a state of doubt with reference to their own system; of inquiry with regard to Christianity-a state in which they are feeling after God, if haply they may find him-combined with a half-formed persuasion that, perhaps, after all, Jesus Christ is the only true Saviour. I copy the note which I made of the circumstance at the time it occurred: Two men from Ossoor came to converse with me, both of whom seemed half disposed to make a public profession of Christianity. One of them asked many questions, such as "Do you ever pray?" I inquired. "To whom?-to idols?" "To whom, then, do you pray?" I was much struck with his answer. He said, "I pray thus:-0 thou who madest all worlds, whoever thou art, I adore thee! Give me thy blessing!" "Did you ever pray in the name of Christ?" I asked. "Yes," he said. "I have, sometimes, done so, when I have been in trial and afflic tion." He seemed to have a secret hope, that, at a time when human help was inadequate, Christ might afford the necessary aid. Another interesting case worth mention. ing occurred only a few days since. When sitting in my study, the door being open, a native, who has often called on me for books, abruptly entered the room, seated himself, and immediately exclaimed, “If you will conceal me for a year somewhere, I will join you." Somewhat startled at his sudden appearance and abrupt exclamation, I hesitated at first what to say to him, but upon inquiry found him really in earnest, and wishing to make a profession of Christianity. The abruptness of his manner seemed to arise entirely from trepidation. He appeared like a man who had forced himself to make a declaration, from the consequences of which he shrunk while he made it. He said, that |