shores. "But, sir, we are by no means exhausted. We have not yet parted with superfluities, much less trenched upon necessaries to the making of sacrifice. I see the Israelites in the desert, impatient at the delay of Moses, and impelled by their furious passions, calling for a god of gold. Where shall they get the materials? They pluck the rings from their ears, and from the ears of their wives, and from the ears of their sons and their daughters, and cast them into the fire. They did this for the honour of a false god: which of us have done this for the honour of the True One? Some few among us indeed have done more: not only their ornaments, their property have they given up, but themselves. And not only men, but women, tender and delicate women, some of whom were now pining away in this country from the effect of their labours, but with no regret. Go, devoted men and women, to the heathen; objects of my admiration, but exciting my self-reproach for not having had sufficient zeal to do as you have done.---Sir, our country is in distress; our starving manufacturers need support; and Christians should exceed the world in general benevolence. Let them give to that cause; but let them give still more to the cause of Christ, which involves the dearest interests of men, and the honour of him to whom they are inconceivably and will be eternally indebted. It was the praise of some, that, in a time of deep poverty, their liberality abounded; and when I recollect the period of distress and alarm at which this Society arose, and burst into vigorous existence, I can never fear a decay of its funds from any temporary pressure. Temporary, I trust, it will be; and that as it sometimes is in the body natural, so it will be in the body politic,--the unhealthy corpulence, and apparent show of health, being reduced by painful measures, there will come a more regular beating of the pulse, a more even, and steady, and vigorous acting of the powers, and a lengthened duration of life. But this must be by the favour of Providence, and that is not to be secured by drawing back from his cause, but by going forward. It is the voice of Satan, of cupidity, that cries, Backward---the voice of our Great Leader, and of our best principles, call upon us to advance." The Chairman here submitted to the meeting the following Resolution, which was unanimously adopted. "Resolved, that WILLIAM ALERS HANKEY, Esq. be appointed the Syndic of and for this Society, to take probate and administration of the last Will and Testament, made or to be made, of such persons as have appointed no Executor, or no Executors thereof, in the United Kingdom." The Rev. ROBERT STEPHENS M'ALL moved the fourth Resolution, viz. IV. "That this Meeting cherishes the most kindly and Christian feelings towards all kindred institutions; sympa thises with them in the trials which some have experienced, rejoices in the prosperity of the common cause, and distinctly avows its deep conviction of the necessity of Divine Influence to render successful their respective and combined energies." Mr. M'All then spoke to the following effect:-- Sir, in reference to those kindred Institutions with which we stand connected, and towards which the Resolution calls upon us to exercise Christian sympathy and regard, I beg leave to say that our great principles, motives, spirit, and interests, are the same. He who duly feels that our grand design is one; that whatever be our differences, we must all point to one great sacrifice for the salvation of mankind, that we must all depend upon the influences of the same Spirit, for the success of our work, that that Spirit, though divine in his operations, is one and the same Spirit, one in aim and end, in bringing sinners to immortal bliss, will be prepared to look, with a kind and affectionate sympathy upon all who differ from him in minor things, but who agree with him in those that are essential; and will in those lesser points only find an increased stimulus to exertion. Sir, were it possible to melt down all our different denominations into one, I doubt whether it would promote the good of our common cause. Were any one Institution capable of amalgamating all the powers and the principles of the church of Christ, I doubt whether that institution would be found a benefactor to it. has prepared as as we are for what he has called us to do. He has given to one man judgment, to another imagination, to another a determined resolution and fervour of soul, according to his good pleasure. God I regard the assembly which I now address as an illustration of this sentiment. Here are diversities of feeling, but one heart; variety of character and countenance, but one spirit. Indeed, Sir, I know not that even from heaven, where there will be the most perfect harmony, that all conceivable diversity will be excluded. There may be the happiness of him who dwells near the throne, that he may gaze and wonder, and to him an eternity of bliss may be an eternity of contemplation; whilst another, not so deeply absorbed in the contemplation of that glory, may lift his voice in exclamations of triumph to Him who sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb for ever and ever. Some may be formed to penetrate the future evolutions of eternity, whilst others are reviewing with wonder the history of the ages that are past. But, sir, if on earth the period be not come for absolute union of sentiment, the period for unity of heart and feeling is come; yet still there is diversity. One melts into tenderness, and another glows with fervour, and another is fired with energy; but each proceeds in his course, one with the loveliness of John, and another with the ardour of Peter, and another with the sublimity of Paul, but all working that one great work which belongs to their one great Master. I love, sir, to see Methodists and Baptists, and Independents and Members of the Church of England, united together. Though I am myself a Protestant Dissenter, yet I can, in a sense, rejoice in those differences which do not alienate us from each other; and I can imagine, had it pleased the Almighty we should have been one in system rather than one in heart, that the Bible would have been a Creed and not a Revelation; that we should have had to have taken up fact after fact, and inference after inference, established upon such data, and drawn from such premises, as would have rendered it impossible to have drawn more than a single inference. But God has been pleased to make a Revelation, and so to make it, that though sincere Christians may differ on minor points, it is impossible they should differ on those which are essential to eternal salvation. Therefore, sir, I love the fact that there are Missionary Societies rather than one Missionary Society, and Societies of other kinds, numerous as the various denominations to which they belong. All these Societies agree in promulgating the great principles of our common Christianity; and therefore, sir, I rejoice in the success that has attended this and every other Society, bearing perhaps a different denomination, but engaged in the same object, animated by the same fervor, and proceeding onward in the same career. I will say no more, sir, on the second part of this motion, than that I consider the spirit which pervades all parts of the church to be an evidence not only that we shall hereafter enjoy the influences of the Holy Spirit, but that we enjoy them now. To Him, sir, I render all the glory and all the praise for what he hath already accomplished, and is now accomplishing in the world. We feel ourselves quite unable to do justice to Mr. M'All's speech, which, from the striking manner also of its delivery, made a very powerful impression on the auditory. The Rev. WILLIAM COOPER, of Dublin, seconded the motion, and spoke to the following effect: Sir, That the gospel of Jesus Christ is destined universally to triumph, no one who believes in the inspiration of the Bible, and is acquainted with the prophecies it contains, will be disposed to deny. Probably at no very distant period the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdom of our Lord and his Christ. There are in the present day many pleasing indications of the approach of this kingdom; and, perhaps, none greater than the union subsisting amongst the different denominations of Christians. That such union shall precede the latter day glory, seems to be intimated by our Lord in the 21st verse of the 17th chapter of John. And we are instructed not only to strive earnestly, but to strive together, for the faith. But this topic has been so ably illustrated, and in a manner so entirely to my satisfaction, by the mover of the resolution I have the honour to second, that I consider it quite unnecessary to say more upon this subject. In a preceding resolution, Ireland was alluded to, and I regret that the contributions from that country have not been tenfold greater; but you, Sir, and many here, are aware, that Ireland is a considerable contributor to the Scottish Missionary Society. Protestantism has its seat chiefly in the north of Ireland, and those who have it in their power to contribute, reside principally in that quarter, and being connected by the ties of blood with Scotland, are naturally attached to that Society. But, sir, you are disposed to rejoice in the success of all other kindred Institutions, and, therefore, will not regret any contribution made to the Scottish Society. However, in proportion as the gospel spreads in the sister kingdom, I am persuaded the funds of your Society will be augmented from that country. Many have not the means of manifesting the spirit of Christian liberality beyond the sphere of their immediate neighbourhood. Still, Ireland has contributed to this Society. We sent you two of the first Missionaries (Mr. Henry and his wife) who I went to Otaheite; and the church I now serve, has sent you another, (Mrs. Hill, of Calcutta ;) and we have also contributed a little of our worldly store, and, I anticipate, that every year we shall contribute more and more, as the gospel diffuses the odour of the Redeemer's name throughout the land. The latter part of the Resolution recognises one of the most important doctrines of the Bible, viz.---that without the outpouring of the Spirit of God we can effect nothing. He must raise up Missionaries, or they will not deserve the name, must qualify them to speak, or they will preach in vain. Not only might Paul and Apollos plant and labour in vain, but even the highest archangel, unless he gave He the increase. And let us never forget, that he must be inquired of by the house of Israel to do those things for us, which we desire to see accomplished. A preceding speaker, whom I have long revered, and heard with delight, has spoken of Closet Missionaries. Yes, all may do much by prayer for the prosperity of this cause. We are encouraged by the word of God to believe, that our prayers of faith will not remain finally unanswered, and though we may not now know how many have been saved, in answer to our prayers, yet we may know hereafter, when the books are unfolded by Him who shall sit upon the throne, before the assembled universe. I am happy to say, that the spirit of prayer, as well as the spirit of union, is diffusing itself in Ireland, in Dublin especially, where we are united as the heart of one man, and publicly, as well as privately morning and evening, pray for the Spirit of God to rest upon your labours. The Rev. EUSTACE CAREY, Baptist Missionary from India, acknowledged the preceding Resolution, and spoke to the following effect :-- My respected friends, I regret much that a very depressed state of health prevents me from being present, and sharing the pleasures you enjoy at the numerous meetings, which are now taking place in this Metropolis. I however see, and hear enough, to comfort my own spirit, and to deepen my conviction that the kingdom of our blessed Lord is advancing. We may esteem ourselves happy that we live in a period so interesting--a period in which there is so unexampled a conjuncture of moral, intellectual, and civil advantages, for the furtherance of the great work in which we are engaged. Time was when our forefathers were obliged to weep in secret, and to remain in silence, but now the inhabitants of Zion are permitted to issue forth; to put off their sackcloth, and array themselves with gladness. But what ought chiefly to be matter of delight to us, is that God has so poured out his Spirit on the Christian world, that it should unite together in such Institutions as that, whose anniversary we this day celebrate, and that the people of God, of different denominations, should be striving to emulate each other, in labours so benign, and so much in unison with those prophecies, and promises which relate to the coming of Christ's Kingdom. I am ready to think, that if such men as Owen, and Baxter, and Howe were permitted to leave their tombs, they would hardly believe that this was the same world in which they traced their pilgrimage, that this was the same metropolis, in which they wept midnight tears, and poured forth their prayers for the prosperity of Zion. I have thought that if my dear relative* were to return to this country, which * The Rev. Dr. Carey, of Serampore. I anticipate not, he would scarcely believe, that this was the same land where the first Missionary Meeting, his zeal could collect, assembled, and where the largest sum that could be raised, amounted only to about 147. or 167. So mighty indeed hath this great work since grown and prevailed, that I suppose the language of many venerable Ministers, and others on this platform and elsewhere is--- Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation. We live in days, the very anticipation of which 200 years, or 50 years, or even 30 years ago would have kindled the hearts of the people of God into extacy, And now what remains but that all true Christians, those who are indeed the friends of this and such-like Institutions, should persevere with new zeal with enlarged philanthropy and liberality, and endeavour to get their own souls imbued with the faith, and love, and zeal with which they desire to enrich, and bless the most distant parts of the world. It is when our own minds, and spirits are assimilated into the true resemblance of that mercy, which we wish to make known to the heathen, that we may expect a large, and blessed increase both at home and abroad. There is only one topic more on which I am desirous for a moment to solicit your attention, and that relates to our prayers for the Missionaries abroad. Do not let your solicitude on their account, and your Christian sympathies cease when they have arrived at their appointed stations. It is then that their trials and difficulties and dangers commence, rather than terminate; make then, I beseech you, more earnest intercession in their favour, when they have entered on their labours. When worn out by our toils, and the heat of the climate, we have reflected that in Britain, and in other parts, there are Christians praying for us, the thought has cheered our hearts, and we have fervently repeated the apostle's request, Brethren pray for us. Indeed, we need your prayers, we need your sympathies; not that I wish this auditory to suppose that missionary labour is severe labour: far, very far, from it. It is truly a blessed work to us; but still there are trials to be encountered, and labours to be performed, which require more than common piety and ardour. As there may be some present disposed to enter the missionary field, I repeat it, we are not discouraged; though cast down, we are not destroyed; though persecuted, we are not forsaken. And Though in some sense we may be said to be crucified with Christ, yet nevertheless we ive even a life by the faith of the Son of God, who loved us, and gave himself for us. if there be any here who have thoughts of making choice of the missionary work, I would say to such, Come ye forth, offer your services to this Missionary Institution, or any kindred Society, ready to go whithersoever you may be called, and say with the late Dr. Coke, when he went on his mission,-- Should [heaven] command me to the farthest verge In the void waste as in the city full, And where he vital breathes, there must be joy. The Rev. WILLIAM ELLIS moved the fifth resolution: V. "That the thanks of this Meeting are most cordially presented to the Ministers and Trustees of Great Queenstreet Chapel for their renewed kindness in affording the use of this commodious place to the London Missionary Society, on the present occasion." Mr. ELLIS spoke to the following effect:The motion I have the honour to submit to this Meeting, recognises in a most pleasing manner, the liberality and catholicism which distinguish the Missionary cause, and, after the lucid illustratrion of those principles to which we have just listened, it is only necessary for me to read the resolution, in order to ensure its unanimous adoption. More than ten eventful years have rolled away since I was privileged to meet the friends of Missions at this hallowed festival, held yearly in my native city. But, Sir, though absent in body, I have ever been present in spirit, and I will venture to affirm, that you have not a Missionary labouring in any quarter of the globe whose spirit is not this day with us. Even at our antipodes, in the distant islands of the Southern Sea, we have participated in the sacred joy of these assemblies. The winds of heaven have yearly wafted across the seas some of that fragrant spirit of harmony and love which here perfumes your feast, and it has been to us sweeter than odours from Arabian groves, and more refreshing than the breath of morn. Your proceedings at these seasons powerfully affect the mind of every Missionary. We hail the tidings of the gospel's progress with no common joy, watch the advancement of the cause at home with peculiar interest, and when we hear that its friends increase in number, in efforts, and in prayers, we are encouraged to go forward. We reiterate the echo of your songs when God has given success in any part; and we mingle our tears with yours, when a distinguished leader in the council or the field is called away. Yes, the death of David Bogue, will, as the melancholy tidings travel round the world, produce the deepest sorrow in many a Missionary's heart. Although we have not been privileged to join with you on these occasions, we have had our public meetings in the South Sea Islands, where thousands meet for purposes similar to those which have convened us here. Shortly after their reception of the gospel, the natives of those islands were convinced it was their duty to extend it to islands around, and aid its universal promulgation. In May, 1819, the first Auxiliary Missionary Society was formed at Eimeo. I never shall forget the day. It was fair and the sky cloudless, and long before the hour of meeting came, the house of God was thronged, and multitudes could not approach the door. A spacious row of lofty cocoa-nut trees grew near, and underneath their shade the people were directed to assemble. An elder brother preached on this occasion, and afterwards the King, Pomare, addressed the thousands of his subjects who were seated around him on the grass; compared their present with their former state; called their attention to the means which had produced the change; reminded them of the labour, cost, and suffering they and their forefathers had endured under the influence of idolatry, and asked if they did not think they could do something towards sending the gospel to those who yet were strangers to its blessings; saying "Let each man determine for himself; let there be no compulsion but that of duty, and of sympathy, but if we think we can devote a part of the fruit of the trees to send the gospel to the ignorant, let us have a Society." And when at the close of his address he said, "Shall we contribute a little of our time, and a little of what we enjoy, to cause the word of God to grow in every land." The listening throng instantly elevated in the air, amidst the rustling of their matting-dresses, upwards of two thousand naked arms, to signify assent from as many generous and willing hearts. In the succeeding year a similar Society was formed in Huahine, where I laboured several years, and every island now has its Auxiliary Missionary Society, and the second week in May, when their anniversary is kept, the natives hail it as a time of jubilee. Their ordinary avocations are suspended, and for the public meetings, I have known them take down their chapel walls, and from the edges of the roof, which was supported by pillars, spread out a shade of platted leaves that the assembled multitudes, who sought in vain admittance to the area of the building, might participate in the pleasures of the day. The walls were not indeed so solid as the sides of that in which we now are met, but were formed of large bamboos or slender poles. To these meetings all repair; the parent takes his child; the son conducts his aged parents thither, and on the day of public meeting I have seen the halt, the lame, the blind, and many an aged and withered form, on which the sun had not shone for many a long day, carried by their friends or children to be present at the annual meeting of their Missionary Society. On those occasions I have often been delighted to see kings, and chiefs, and priests, and warriors assembled, and to hear them in bold and affecting strains proclaim their gratitude and joy, at the success of the word of God, and animate each other to greater interest, and to increased fervent prayer for its more wide diffusion. Silver and gold they have none but have hearts that feel, and hands that labour willingly; they have fertile lands and fruitful trees, and when their annual missionary festival is over, they repair to their respective lands and climb the lofty cocoa-nut tree, and with its juicy fruit manufacture oil, or dig the arrow-root which grows indigenous throughout the island, or cultivate the cotton, and at the time appointed, bring the produce of the soil, in oil or arrow-root, or cotton, as their subscriptions to be sent to England, as they express it, "to buy money with," that missionaries may be sent to heathen lands. I have often been delighted to see a family carrying their subscriptions. Perhaps the father has led the way, and has paid his five bamboos of oil. His son has followed, and the mother bearing on one arm a lovely babe, another standing at her side, has paid in her subscription, and then has held out, with extended arm, a bundle of arrowroot, wrapped in the matted fibres of the cocoa-nut, exclaiming, Here! Here! take this for my child. I wish my child to subscribe to the Missionary Society, for if the mothers of Beritani (Britain) had not given of their money to send the gospel here, my child would have been murdered! They stop not here, but have sent native teachers from their several churches to the islands of Raivavai, in the south, to the Sandwich islands in the north, the Palliser islands and the Marquesas in the east, and to the isles, called Harvey islands, in the west, most of whom are highly useful in their work. O it was an animating sight to see a young, intelligent, and active native, leaving the cottage of his fathers, the bread-fruit grove, the plantain bower, the spot, where, over his head, in infant days, the lofty cocoanut had waved its plumes, with every passing breeze, and go to distant islands to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Mr. Ellis then related several anecdotes in reference to the Society and Sandwich islands from which we select the following: "In the autumn of 1822, the queen of Tahiti, the widow of Pomare visited Huahine. Her attendants, who followed in her train from Tahiti, requiring on one occasion a piece of timber, she directed them to cut down a bread-fruit tree, growing in the garden of a poor man on the opposite side of the bay, near which her own residence stood. Her orders were obeyed, and the tree carried away. Teuhe, the owner of the spot on which it stood, returning in the evening to his cottage, saw the spoiler had been there, the stump was bleeding, and the boughs lay strewed around, but the stately trunk was gone. Informed by his neighbours that the queen's men had cut it down, he repaired to the magistrate of the district, and lodged a complaint against her Majesty the queen. The magistrate directed him to come to the place of public justice the following morning at sun-rise, and substantiate his charge. He afterwards sent his servant to the queen, and invited her attendance at the same hour. The next morning, the Missionary residing there went down to witness the proceeding, and as the sun rose above the horizon, Ori, the magistrate, was seen, sitting in the open air beneath the spreading branches of a venerable tree; on a finely-woven mat before him, sat the queen, attended by her train, beside her, stood the native peasant, and around them all, what may be termed, the police officers. Turning to Teuhe, the magistrate inquired for what purpose they had been convened. The poor man said, that in his garden, there grew a bread-fruit tree, whose shade was grateful to the inmates of his cottage, and whose fruit, with that of those which grew around, supported his family for five or seven months in every year, but that yesterday some one had cut it down, as he had been informed, by order of the queen. He knew that they had laws, he thought that those laws protected the poor man's property as well as that of kings and chiefs; and he wished to know whether it was right that without his knowledge or consent the tree should have been cut down. The magistrate turning to the queen, asked if she had ordered the tree to be cut down; she answered, yes; he then asked, if she did not know that they had laws; she answered, yes, but she did not know that they applied to her. The magistrate asked, if in those laws, (a copy of which I now hold in my hand) there were any exceptions in favour of chiefs or kings or queens; she answered, no, and despatched one of her attendants to her house, who soon returned with a bag of dollars, which she threw down before the poor man as a recompense for his loss;-Stop, said the justice, we have not done yet. The queen began to weep. Do you think it right that you should have cut down the tree without asking the owner's permission? continued the magistrate. It was not right, said the queen. Then turning to the poor man, he inquired, what remuneration do you require? Teuhe answered, if the queen is convinced that it was not right to take a little man's tree without his permission, I am sure she will not do so again; I am satisfied--I require no other recompense. His disinterestedness was applauded, the assembly dispersed, and afterwards, I |