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MISSIONARY MAGAZINE

AND

Chronicle.

FORTY-NINTH GENERAL ANNUAL MEETING

OF THE

London Missionary Society.

AGAIN the friends and members of the Society have been permitted to unite in the hallowed and delightful engagements peculiar to the season of our Anniversary Meetings. Those important events of the year, to which public attention had been previously directed, had conspired to produce the deepest solemnity, and the liveliest interest among the devout multitudes who attended the annual services. The several sermons and public meetings were such as to impart augmented force to these feelings, while the multitudes by whom they were attended supplied a delightful proof that the cause of Missions continues to stand high and immovable in the affections of its friends. The number of collections on the following Sabbath exceeded, by nearly one third, that of the preceding year; and the amount contributed presents a proportionate increase. The Sacramental Services, forming a solemn and suitable conclusion to the Anniversary, were, as usual, productive of holy interest and delight to all by whom they were attended.

MONDAY, MAY 8th.

ST. BARNABAS' CHURCH, KING'S-SQUARE, GOSWELL-STREET. The Prayers were read by the Rev. Mr. WALSH; and the Rev. E. H. ABNEY, Vicar of St. Alkmund's, Derby, preached from Matt. xxi. 3.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 10th.

SURREY CHAPEL.

The Rev. JAMES SHERMAN read the Prayers of the Church of England, after which the Rev. JAMES HILL offered Prayer.

The Rev. ROBERT VAUGHAN, D.D., preached from Dan, ix. 25, and the Rev. B. S. HOLLIS concluded with prayer.

TABERNACLE.

The Rev. GEORGE SMITH read the Scriptures, and offered prayer.

The Rev. A. F. LACROIX, from Calcutta, preached from Matt. ix. 36, 37. The Rev. JOSIAH BULL, M. A., concluded with prayer.

MONDAY, MAY 15th.

SACRAMENTAL SERVICES were held at Sion Chapel; Craven Chapel; Falconsquare Chapel; Surrey Chapel; Claremont Chapel; St. Thomas's-square, Hackney; Stockwell Chapel; Abney Chapel; Tottenham Court-road Chapel ; Hanover Chapel, Peckham; Trevor Chapel, Chelsea.

VOL. XXI

2 D

THURSDAY, MAY 11.

THE ANNUAL PUBLIC MEETING,

EXETER HALL.

THE Forty-Ninth Annual Meeting was held at Exeter-hall, on Thursday, the 11th of May. The weather was propitious, and at an early hour the large hall was occupied by a highly respectable audience. The chair was taken at Ten o'clock, by the Right Hon. Sir GEORGE GREY, Bart. The proceedings commenced by singing the 84th hymn, Missionary Collection, and the Rev. Dr. PATERSON implored the Divine blessing.

The CHAIRMAN then rose and said,My first feeling, in entering this hall, and in looking round on the crowded assembly which it contains, is one of heartfelt grati. fication, that, after the Society has been established for nearly half a century, there exists an undiminished interest in the prosecution of that great object which it was established to promote. I am assured, that the numerous friends now present will not be wanting in their efforts to maintain the Society in the position it now occupies, and to enable its Directors to avail themselves of the new openings which the providence of God is presenting, for making known the glad tidings of salvation to populous parts of the world, hitherto almost entirely closed against the reception of the truth. The lead which this Society has taken in availing itself of the opening to China, will, I hope, be followed by measures corresponding in some degree to the importance of the object. I trust, that in answer to the prayers offered up, and the exertions made by this and kindred institutions labouring in the same cause, for the advancement of the same philanthropic and truly Christian object, we are not too sanguine in anticipating that the millions of China may, at no distant day, become partakers of the benefits arising from Christianity in this country, and join us in singing hosannas to our common Lord. I cannot, however, omit referring to one other peculiarity attaching to this Society-its catholicity; and in noticing this I would only say, that I do it not in the slightest degree to depreciate the efforts of any kindred institution; for I am sure there is not an individual here who will not bid God speed to every society which has the same great object in view, and who would not hold out the right hand of fellowship to the Missionary, of whatever denomination, who goes forth with the Bible in his hand and the Gospel in his heart, to preach the glad tidings of salvation to the world. Here we are net upon common ground; and I rejoice to know that there are upon this platform the representatives of other Societies, who are labouring with zeal, diligence, and true Christian philanthropy in their respective spheres, but who are here, as I am, to bear

testimony to this great truth-and I think it is a truth which cannot be too boldly stated in the present day-that the great object of missions should be that which this Society, in its fundamental rule, sets before you, namely, to preach the simple Gospel of Christ.

The Rev. A. TIDMAN then read an abstract of the report, which commenced by noticing the Society's proceedings in the South Sea Islands. After referring to the French aggression upon Tahiti, it stated, that, in the islands where the Gospel had been introduced in later years, and which had hitherto been preserved from the evils of Popery, the rich reward already realized had been abundant, and the prospects of extensive success were most cheering. In the island of Tanna, the spot on which the enterprising Williams planted the Christian standard on the day before his martyrdom, two Missionary brethren from England were now stationed. It had been decided to send to China, as soon as possible, ten or twelve additional labourers; and the best endeavours were now being made to engage men duly qualified for the enterprise. Though still called to mourn over the obstacles to the progress of the Gospel in India, presented by the debasing idolatries of the country, the Directors were permitted to rejoice in the progressive diminution of the difficulties with which their brethren had to contend. In South Africa, the desert had begun to blossom as the rose. The stations north of the colony had been visited with gracious manifestations of Divine mercy. Madagascar still remained under the cloud of that dark and mysterious dispensation which deprived the people of their teachers, and exposed them to the cruel vengeance of their inveterate and powerful enemies. Additional martyrdoms had taken place during the year. The Directors had sent forth to various parts of the world, Missionaries with their families, amounting (exclusive of children) to twenty-three individuals. The total amount of receipts had been 78,4507. 18s. 8d.; the expenditure, 85,4427. 58.

C. HINDLEY, Esq., M.P., then rose and said,-The resolution with which I have been intrusted is as follows:

"That the Report, of which an abstract has been read, be approved, printed, and circulated. That this meeting, in receiving the cheering intelligence which the report embodies from the various scenes of the Society's labours, and in the efficiency of its diversified means of operation, feels constrained to present its humble tribute of gratitude to Almighty God, to whose love and power all real success in Christian Missions ought exclusively to be ascribed. And while this meeting would regard every instance of success both as an encouragement and a claim for extended effort, it would also cherish increasingly a deep and prayerful sense of dependence on the energy and grace of the Holy Spirit, as equally essential to the acceptance and efficiency of Missionary labours."

I have been struck with the varied features which the report exhibits. On the one side you have the bright view of China open to Missionary enterprise; and on the other, you have the sufferings and persecutions of our fellow-Christians in Madagascar. Here you have India-a vast field, calling for extended effort; and there you have Tahiti, which at present seems to be snatched from your possession. I feel that in reference to Tahiti, a great duty devolves both on you, Sir George, and myself, in our places in Parliament. I trust we shall do our duty there. It is to be regretted that the French have recognised the act of Admiral Thouars. It is a stain upon the honour of France; but at the same time I do hope there will be such a demonstration of feeling as will prevent this measure on the part of the French Government from inflicting that injury on our Missionary exertions which at first we might fear. I congratulate you most sincerely in having such an advocate of this cause in the House of Commons as Sir George Grey. He has a motion on the paper for to-night, for the production of papers to show the correspondence which has taken place between the English and French Governments. It may not be in his power to bring the motion on to-night, but I trust that on an early occasion we shall have an opportunity of seeing whether our Government have taken a firm stand against France, and contended that such an aggression upon our aily should not have been allowed. And I hope the time will soon come when the moral feelings of the whole world will stamp that act of a mighty nation with such a character of injustice, as shall prevent the domination to which it has led from being continued. In all the efforts, Sir George, which you are making in Parliament with your usual discretion, you shall have my humble and feeble assistance.

I was delighted to hear from the report, that the Missionaries in Tahiti have not acquired possession of any land. They have thus shown the Tahitians that they desired not the land, but them. They have followed the maxim of the apostle Paul, when he said, "I seek not yours, but you."

I can assure you this is not a trifling matter. I know well that when the New Zealand Company was formed, insinuations were thrown out againt the Missionaries, as if they had sought to possess themselves of land, and went to foreign countries for selfish purposes. Let us avoid the very appearance of evil. Sincerely did I rejoice when I found that declaration in the report. The resolution which I have to move states, that, notwithstanding all the success which has attended Missionary labour, this Society desires to recognise in it the great hand of God. Let us always live in this dependence on Divine energy. We may plant and water, but unless God gives the increase, our efforts will be in vain ; and when our labours are crowned with success, we ought to be grateful to Him. I trust we shall show our gratitude, not merely by passing a formal resolution, but by using those means which God has placed at our disposal, in order to carry out the great work intrusted to us.

The Rev. EDWARD BICKERSTETH, in seconding the resolution, said,-Sir George, we have laboured together in promoting the cause of Missions almost from our early years. I ought, therefore, to rejoice in doing what in me lies to support a beloved friend in presiding on this occasion; and, amidst the pressure of many engagements on every side, I do rejoice to come forward and give the testimony of a clergyman of the Church of England to our sense of the value of the labours of the London Missionary Society. I have been a member of this Society, I think, for twenty-five years; and in a period when heathen darkness covers our earth to such a vast extent, I have always felt that while the great doctrine of a crucified Saviour, and of salvation by grace through faith unto holiness, is proclaimed by the Missionaries of this Society, I can rejoice in aiding its efforts. But the French aggressions on Tahiti have especially stirred me to come forward and testify my sympathy with your trials, and my hearty prayers to God that it may please him, by those trials, to give a more abundant blessing to your labours. I deeply feel that this is one of those schemes by which Popery is now seeking to spread itself through the world. We feel its influence over all our Missions, and it has become more and more necessary for us to rally round our common Protestantism, and to unite in defence of the great principles of the Reformation. I feel the unutterable importance of our uniting in the promotion of those great objects in which the members of all denominations who love our Lord Jesus Christ are agreed. May the God of all grace give us more and more to walk in those things in which we agree.

Rev. J. J. FREEMAN then rose, and spoke to the following effect :-It has been my privilege since the last annual meeting of this Society, to visit its stations in the West Indies, and I feel quite aware that on the present occasion it is reasonably expected of me that I should endeavour to render some report of that visit. A chasm has been purposely left in the valuable report just read, which it is my task to try and fill. I shall be forgiven for the expression of a wish, that I could do it in a manner somewhat equal to the rest of that work which my efforts are designed to complete. Yet, important as I feel our Missions in the West to be, and ample as that field is for the ambition or discursiveness of any speaker, I could not forgive myself if, in supporting a resolution for the adoption of the report read, and containing a devout recognition of the hand of God, I wholly omitted a reference to some other themes which that report embraces. My deepened interest in the churches in the West cannot make me feel the less for bleeding Madagascar, amidst whose thousand hills and fertile plains I passed some years, and with many of whose honoured martyrs I have been personally intimate. They are men whose names I love, whose memory I cherish, and whose memorial is on high. It is a long dark cloud that continues to roll over that beautiful but afflicted land; and even the patience that adores the hand which, for inscrutable purposes, suffers the wicked to triumph there, and the blood of the just to flow, may be permitted to ask, with the cry of many souls beneath the altar, "How long, Lord?" White robes are given them, and we, their fellow-worshippers, are commanded to wait till the noble army of martyrs is completed, and the time of vindication shall come. Then He for whom they counted not even their lives dear to themselves shall come forth-the Prince of the kings of the earth -wearing by right his many crowns, before whom every knee shall bow in homage, and every voice of a wearied but regenerated world shall shout, "Come, Lord Jesus." After referring to the state and prospects of other parts of the heathen world, Mr. F. continued:-I now solicit the indulgence of the meeting, while I bear my humble testimony to what I have witnessed and examined in the West. So long had our Missions been established in one portion of that field, British Guiana, and so rapidly and largely had they increased in another portion, Jamaica,-so complicated were some of the details of our operations, and so desirous were our Missionary brethren themselves, of a visit from the direction at home, that the Directors of the Society deemed it wise to resolve on

sending a deputation to those regions, and their hope was that I might in some measure fulfil their wishes. I have cheerfully made the attempt. How far I have succeeded, remains yet to be ascertained by the results of the visit. But I may be allowed to say at once, that everything I saw and heard confirmed in my own mind the strong conviction I felt as to the wisdom of the abstract measure of a deputation. I am thoroughly satisfied, that it is a sound measure for Societies at home to visit occasionally their spheres of labour, and the labourers in those spheres, abroad, by such a means as that which a deputation affords. And I strongly commend to our Society again, and to other kindred institutions, the adoption, from time to time, of a similar measure. It was with inexpressible delight, that, having been safely conveyed, within little more than three weeks, by a noble vessel, across the Atlantic, I found myself first on the luxuriant plains of British Guiana, and then amidst the magnificent scenery of Jamaica, mingling with congregations of men so lately in bondage, and now so free, so happy, so grateful, so capable of appreciating the blessings they enjoy, so worthy of all that humanity, justice, and religion have done for them, and so manifestly affording the earnest of the future prosperity of those countries as the industrious, sober-minded, and increasingly intelligent and religious peasantry of those portions of the British Empire. To have witnessed the gratifying and rising condition of those people, was an ample reward for the toils and anxieties of the voyage and the tour, and the absence from family and home. To me it was perhaps more deeply interesting, for I had seen slavery. I knew it as it exists in Madagascar. I saw it in Mauritius, and the Colony of the Cape; and in both I had seen apprenticeship too-that anomalous thing which neither masters nor apprentices ever comprehended, but of which the poor negro himself has often said in his perplexity," Dem say we slave no longer, and yet we no free. Ah, dem Buckra!" And so having seen both slavery and its twin-sister, Apprenticeship, I rejoiced to be permitted to see freedom, and examine its working and bearing among those same people, and to watch among them the progress of Christian institutions.

I cannot but advert to this subject, and on this occasion, because it is so intimately blended with Christian Missions; and although this is not, in one sense, an antislavery meeting, I am sure in the highest sense it is. How could I but feel and entertain strong convictions too, as, in my visit to Jamaica, I passed along the shores, and quite in sight of Cuba, Porto Rico,

and Hayti? The last, indeed, is free, but without the Christianity of Jamaica, and so without its peace or its prosperity. Cuba and Porto Rico have neither its freedom nor its Christianity. Tyranny, oppression, fear, anguish, and death are there the doom of the wretched captive. While slavery lasted, Christianity could not flourish in our colonies, and now that slavery is abolished, Christianity does flourish. Often when I entered the wellfilled Mission-chapel, and from the pulpit surveyed the crowded audience, and saw the attention of the listening throng of men and their families, well clad, well behaved, eager to listen, to understand, to believe and be saved, I have felt the tear of grateful joy burst forth in the recollection that these men, these women, these children, were lately chattels in law; but now free, grateful, industrious and happy -many of them pious and devout, an honour to any community-the joy of our Missionaries, and the destined crown of their rejoicing in the great day. I loved my country the more, because she had set them free, and the blessings of them that were ready to perish came upon her. The emancipation of her slaves was, indeed, a gem in the diadem of Britain. May the glorious example soon be imitated by other lands !

It will not be expected of me to touch, on this occasion, the question of the commercial aspect of the experiment of emancipation. My business is with its social, moral, and religious consequences. There is its great and all-sufficient, and, I would say, its triumphant vindication. I will leave to others to discuss, and perhaps on other occasions, the property-interests of the question; but of this I am certain, that if that be good which brings the largest amount of happiness and morality to the largest number of men, then the measure has succeeded - wonderfully succeeded. That some individual proprietors have suffered loss, cannot be denied; but the vast masses have been the gainers, and it was high time they should be. If a general view be taken of the results of the change -the happiness which it has poured into the bosoms of tens of thousands-the peaceful cottages and hamlets that are rising, many of which I visited-the new scenes of domestic and social peace and enjoyment I witnessed-the multiplying signs of intelligence, comfort, and improvementthen there bursts before us, not the fictions of a poet, but the sober and delightful realities of Christian truth, which not the pen even of a Montgomery could fully describe, though it once told well the darker scenes of the picture. For how much of all this they are indebted to the efforts of

the humble Christian Missionary teacher, no man can calculate. Happily, when freedom came, the restraints of the Gospel and the moral influence of the Christian teacher were there; and now the wide experiment, such as the world had never witnessed before, may challenge an impartial investigation by any government or society on earth. One feature in the character of the churches-the Mission-churches-made up of those emancipated men, is their liberality. They have speedily learnt the great lesson of Christian liberality. I look with admiration on the large amounts they have so cheerfully contributed, and are contributing, towards the support of the institutions of religion. They have received freely, and they give freely. I know not the sum total raised by them since 1834, alone, in connexion with the Missions of the various denominations in Jamaica and Guiana; but surely it cannot be less than the magnificent sum of 250,0007.! A magnificent voluntary effort for Church extension! Of course I am not now speaking of our Society alone; I include all, and I think I am far within the limits. But so far as this Society is concerned, there is one fact I must name; it proved to me the liberal spirit of the people, under the judicious guidance of their Ministers. They cheerfully paid, and more than paid, all the expenses connected with my visit as a deputation, so that no portion of it should fall on the funds of the Parent Society-a circumstance which, I flatter myself, proves tolerably well that the measure of a deputation was acceptable, both among the people and their pastors. And here may I express one word, for it deserves many, as to the gratification I felt in the courteous and fraternal manner with which I was welcomed, not by our own Missionaries alone, but by those of all kindred institutions and other denominations. The Baptists, the Wesleyans, the Presbyterians, and our brethren from America, with these I had much important and delightful intercourse; and to their homes and their congregations I found a cordial welcome.

To give a public and definite opinion on the religious state of the Mission churches, would be a delicate and a difficult task. Yet I must confess, that my full conviction is, that a large amount of real, though not of highly enlightened piety exists among them. As a whole, I am not impressed with the belief that there is any extraordinary piety, anything approaching to the miraculous, either in our own or any other religious community there. The one characteristic feature is, attachment to religious ordiThe vast majority seem to act as if under some common and powerful impulse, as though they must have their own

nances.

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