cess, Anniversaries and Proceedings. FOREIGN. THERE is scarcely a more delightful spectacle upon earth, than is now witnessed in London every year, when, at all the great anniversary meetings, the principal speakers are selected from different denominations of Christians. On these occasions they meet to rejoice in the sucwhich may have attended any of their labors; to sympathise in any disappointments, occasioned by the death of faithful missionaries, or other causes; and to encourage each other in their labors of love, by an assurance of the divine favor, and of ultimate triumph. All denominations of Christians, who engage with any spirit in sending forth missionaries, unite in believing, that men are naturally in a lost condition; that the Gospel alone can restore them; that the atonement of Christ is the very essence of the Gospel; that men must be born again, before they can be fit for heaven; that the blessed Agent in converting the soul is the Holy Spirit; and that, relying on the grace of God, there is the greatest encouragement to send forth missionaries into every part of the world. I it is in vain to expect that the heart of stone will become a heart of flesh. Where, however, that idolatry is put away, we feel a sympathy for our fellow-men who are in darkness; and our money is employed for their good. For this reason, congratulate you on the enlarged means you possess for carrying on this work, by which such great things have been effected; and I come here with extreme satisfaction to show, at least, the participation which is taken by so humble an individual as myself, in a work so blessed as yours. These have long been my feelings, which are always strengthened in meetings of this nature, when coming from the bustle, and toil, and nonsense of this world; I can unite with those who are carrying on the cause of Christianity throughout the world; and being called upon by my honored and respected friend, I feel that I have a duty to discharge, and so has every man who is qualified at all to estimate the motives and the value of this Society,-in bearing testimony in its behalf.. I am aware that while you are thus making most disinterested exertions for the benefit of mankind, you have drawn upon yourselves, perhaps, more than any other class of men engaged in the missionary work, a degree of odium, which has given great pain to every one of right feelings, to whatever denomination of Christians he may belong; and I feel it my duty to bear a testimony to the conduct of this Society, which your piety and humility will not allow you to bear for yourselves, though you know it to be true. I know of no set of men who have sought more the glory of their Creator, or who have endeavored more to spread the knowledge of Jesus Christ upon earth; or who are more zealous in maintaining the institutions of their country, whether they be religious or civil. I feel it an important duty to state this, as one feeble means which is in my power, to endeavor, by repeated exertions, to The resolution for receiving the report of the put down that ill-will which has repeatedly manifested itself with respect to your missions. And Committee was offered by the Right Hon. G. I feel it my duty to do so now at a greater H. Rose, from whose speech the following selec-length than I intended, in consequence of a cirtions are made. ANNIVERSARY OF THE WESLEYAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY, LONDON, MAY 4, 1829. THE Earl of Mount Cashel presided. The meeting was crowded, and the report of it states, that "a holy and delightful influence pervaded it." cumstance which has just been communicated to me; and to state my conviction with respect to this Society, that, where every thing is pure, moral, and religious, at home, it is impossible that its chosen servants abroad should allow themselves to be led from the cause of holiness to unholiness, and to lend themselves to that which is dishonest and impure. It is extrava falsify the whole tenor of their lives; and, after My Lord, Ladies and Gentlemen, I feel that I owe to you an apology for not having arrived at an earlier hour; which was occasioned by an accidental mistake as to the time when the meeting would begin: but I have an indemnification for myself for this mistake; as I came in at that period of the report when,-if it is pos-gant to suppose that those good men should so sible to make a distinction among the various causes of satisfaction which that report has pre-exposing themselves to every danger to which sented to my mind,-such special proofs were given of the spirit of unity which animates this Society. While that spirit exists among you, through God's blessed Spirit in your hearts, I fear not that the abundance of that blessing which God vouchsafes to those who faithfully serve his cause in the earth will be withheld. I have heard with satisfaction of the state of your funds; and though I do not consider money as the best proof of the spirit by which you are actuated, still I take it as a good proof of the feeling which animates you in the exertions you are making in this cause. We know there is no idolatry more powerful in the human heart than that of Mammon; and where that idol set up, human nature is liable, yet be actuated by any other motives than such as are excited by the word of God. I consider it, Ladies and Gentlemen, an instance of God's mercy towards myself, that I should be led to what I hope I may call, a right understanding on these matters. For I well know how much such works as those you are now pursuing, for the benefit and comfort of mankind, may be, and too often are, misestimated, by the prejudiced view which many take of them. I would, however, say, that if false and unbecoming motives are attributed to the generous exertions which you are making, you must be contented to bear the unmerited reproach; and I do not think you will shrink from the warfare for such a cause. But turning neither man, nor woman, nor child,-were pourfrom these considerations, I shall beg to expressing down in thousands on your stations, the the extreme satisfaction with which I have read hand of God interposed; the danger was avertthe achievements of your Missionary Society ed; and now an opening is made among that through the past year: my friends having fur- people for the introduction of the Gospel. nished me with your Notices, which I always gratefully receive, and attentively read. From If there is a man living, who is entitled to be the various information which they contain, heard with respect, and candor, and confidence, there are two circumstances in particular which I think it right to notice, occurring in two differ- by all classes of individuals, that man is Mr. ent countries,-I mean amongst the New-Zeal-Wilberforce. For nearly forty years he stood anders, and on the east coast of Africa. It is forth, in the British House of Commons, the gratifying to see that mankind are often brought to acknowledge that the works of God, unlike champion of oppressed Africa, and the friend of those of men, are beautiful and complete; and every good design, and of all benevolent efforts that no work of this nature can be promoted for the relief of the wretched, in every part of without effects resulting from it beyond the conthe world; and, as Sir James Mackintosh forcitemplation of those who undertook them. Thus your missionaries are furnishing the most useful information respecting various branches of the family of mankind, which the merchant, the warrior, or the traveller, could not have afforded. With respect to the New-Zealanders, great interest exists with regard to them, as a distinguished branch of that great South-Sea family, if not miraculously, at least wonderfully, spread bly said, "his eloquence has never, never, been degraded to any inferior object." In the following speech, delivered before a Missionary Society of a denomination different from his own, Mr. Wilberforce bears a testimony, which deserves the attentive consideration of all, who admit Christianity to be a blessing. over a vast extent of ocean. The character of their superstitions had been softened before re- My Lord, I am sure it is unnecessary for me ligion was introduced; but the key to them was to state that I have, in common with the whole never found, till it was obtained by the Church of this assembly, felt the deepest interest in the and Wesleyan Missionary Societies: and it is affecting details which have been given by the only now that an opening appears to be made gentleman who has just sat down. It is always among that furious, energetic, and able people, with peculiar pleasure that I hear those who are to introduce among them the knowledge of the themselves warriors in the field and laborers in Redeemer of mankind. Nothing can more the work; men who have exposed themselves to prove the spirit which the Lord is pleased to the labors, and dangers, and sufferings, of which put into the hearts of the missionaries in that we can only speak at home as of what others country, than the heroism with which these pious have undergone. But I confess my mind was men have exposed themselves to the extremest strongly drawn to one particular topic of his addangers, and even to martyrdom itself, in their dress, in which he stated that the missionary of endeavors to render to these misguided savages twenty years' standing, the first missionary to the most important services for this world and that country, was carried privily over, like smugfor that which is to come. After anxiously look-gled goods. Ah, my lord, the society he was ing forward from one number of the Notices to the next, during that period when we could scarcely hope but to hear that they had furnished a horrid meal to those cannibals whom they were endeavoring to instruct, I could not but admire the dispensations of God's providence, whereby these very savages were involved in such circumstances, that their only means of escaping a bloody war, which they were desirous of avoiding, were to beseech these very missionaries whom they had driven away, that they would mediate between the two parties, and prevent the effusion of blood. With respect to the east coast of Africa, I shall merely allude to the knowledge which you are giving to mankind of a nation which has been long sought after, but of which we had no knowledge, except from the imperfect accounts of the Mission of the Jesuits to Abyssinia, many years back. And not only have we gained an accurate knowledge of the people, but there is at this day a great triumph of the faith; for some of them are so desirous of receiving Christian instruction, that there is now contention between this marked and peculiar people to which nation the pious missionary shall belong,-not how he shall be got rid of; and some of them are gravely and ably arguing who has the best claim to those strange white men whom the sea had cast up among them but a short time before. Another instance of God's special mercy to you has been, that, when those desolating tribes of barbarians, the people of Chaka,-who, when they make war, spare connected with well knew the value of the commodity they were thus smuggling. This circumstance was interesting to me, as it brought to my mind that long and perilous conflict which took place about fourteen years ago between the friends and opponents of missions; when, degraded as the Hindoos are, there were those among Christians who stood up, and brought forward extracts from their learned books, to describe their happiness, and to show the beauty of their system. Whilst all who are here know, that it was a crime punishable with the most cruel death, for the lower castes of the people to read any one of these books. O, what a contrast did such a spirit exhibit to that Christianity whose glory it is that to the "poor the Gospel is preached." I well remember that time, though I would have you to pass it by. But a man is naturally led, at my age, to go back to past events; and I cannot suffer this topic to drop without just noticing, that while the Scriptures were to be proscribed, that grand crime of Hin dooism was perpetrated, the degradation of the whole female sex in one undistinguished mass. They were insulted in their personal character, and kept in a state which prevented them from resuming, by their own buoyancy, the rank which they ought to sustain. But what a triumph is there now in the state of the female character there. I remember Lord Teignmouth, who himself wrote a pamphlet in behalf of missionaries at the time I have alluded to, and of which I reminded him but a few weeks ago; Į remember, I say, Lord Teignmouth saying, that VOL. XXV. conquests. We live in great and extraordinary times; and had any one told me, forty or fifty years ago, that, upon my life being spared so long, I should see what I have seen, I might have spoken of it as visionary, or as impossible. I am not now speaking of our splendid victories, and the national triumphs we have obtained. I value them at their proper estimate; but we have to do with greater triumphs which we have gained in the great contest in which, to the true honor of our country, we are engaged. But let us remember that we have a greater responsibility upon us. We are bound to promote the spiritual interests of mankind, and to do it largely. And when we consider how trifling an act of self-denial would enable an individual to give such a blessing to mankind, I feel only more and more convinced of my duty, and ashamed that I have done so little. It has been one grand discovery of the present day, that large amounts are raised, not from the affluence of the rich, but from the efforts of the multitude; and how it must raise a poor man when he is told, that however little he has to give, yet he may be really and powerfully active in the extensive good it may accomplish. Christians are assured, by the highest of all authority, that they have to do with One who looks at motives, who searches the heart, and to whom to will is the same as to do. This is, indeed, expressed in language of more striking preciseness, when it is said, in reference to the building of the temple, which David wished, but was not permitted to accomplish, that honor being reserved for Solomon, "Thou didst well that it was in thine heart to do it." So here, how many a poor contributor,-and I know there are many such belonging to this very Society,-how many a poor contributor is there, who may humbly look up, and think that he has been rendered the blessed instrument of diffusing the light of the Gospel into the dark corners of the earth. This raises a poor man in the scale of being, and shews him the value of life and liberty. The resolution in my hand points out that Providence which has in a signal manner given its support and blessing in the circumstances which have attended the missions; and I allude strongly to this very Society, as a proof of it; for I well remember that great, and good, and truly active man, Dr. Coke, who died like a true soldier in the field of conflict. When he went to Ceylon, he carried out with him six missionaries; and, as I was told by the governor himself, each of them would have been an honor, not only to the choice of the most pious and fervent man, but to the wisest and most prudent man, that ever was employed in that work; and how great is our encouragement to carry on our designs, when we see how this good man was guided in his choice of instruments for his undertaking, so as to effect what no earthly power could have done. But I have in view more particularly the simple and astonishing history of Dr. Carey. Let the meeting look at a poor, humble man, while working with his own hands,—and working, by the way, not very well,-and at the same time conceiving the vast design of converting the eastern world. Milton, sitting in a dark chamber to compose Paradise Lost, was not to be compared to him. But when he and his friends had formed their plan, their exchequer was so low that it excited the contempt of many; and with the utmost that three or four of them could collect for it, they could only raise 1.13. 10s. in the world. This was a destitute exchequer truly. But how was 37 it afterwards? when these men were enabled, by the blessing of the Almighty, to become, Carey especially, some of the most learned men this country ever produced, in eastern literature; and he and Mr. Ward pursuing their studies in the Chinese and other languages, contributed so much by their learning, and even by the money which they collected to this cause, that in a few years they had raised 1.50,000 to pour into the treasury of the common fund. I would only state, in conclusion, that it is with the deepest pleasure I witness the successes of this Society; and may God prosper their endeavors to the fullest extent of their desires! desires which will live as long as they exist, and much longer than they exist in this world; for they will never feel them so strongly as when they stand before the throne of God. The third resolution was seconded by the Rev. Mr. Newton, who made the following pertinent observations. My Lord, I find in this Society an argument for the divinity of that religion which it is our duty to circulate to the boundaries of the habitable globe. If we had met to propagate error, we could not have had these delightful feelings; but the religion we circulate is truth, and nothing but the truth, as it is in Jesus Christ; and it is because the religion which we wish to make known to the utmost parts of the earth is divine, that those divine feelings are in our hearts when we combine our efforts to give it the widest circulation. You remarked, my Lord, that though we met within these walls as the friends of missions; and perhaps there are none under this roof who do not deserve that denomination, as we seem to be of one heart and of one mind, yet still there are those without who are of a different opinion. This we regret; but, again and again, while we have been listening to the addresses which we have heard, I could not but desire that some of them might be induced to come in: and I almost fancied that I saw some of them looking in at the window; and when they heard such manly sentiments as were uttered by the proposer [Sir G. H. Rose,] of the first resolution, and the enchanting and overflowing eloquence of the reverend gentleman who seconded it; and listened to the still mellifluous tones of the liberator of his species, [Mr. Wilberforce,] with whose presence we have been favored this morning, and with the sight of whom, those who could not hear his voice have been delighted: these feelings found their way to their hearts; and I fancied I saw one of them coming in at the door, with the fetters of prejudice on him; but as he came near to this holy fire, it melted down his fetters, and he is now set at liberty, and exclaims, "I will go with you, for I have heard that God is with you." Though there are many causes for Christian and devout thankfulness to the Author of all good, still there was one fact in the report which rests on my mind with very serious weight, That the Committee have determined to send forth twelve additional missionaries in the course of the year. Now I think the doctrine of consequences ought to be taken into the account here; and I see, or think I see, on the one hand, consequences the most important, consequences the most animating and cheering: twelve additional laborers sent forth to cultivate the foreign field, to employ the ploughshare of the Gospel, and to scatter the seed of divine truth. And though they may go forth weeping, yet they will go bearing precious seed; and I look forward to the time of barvest, when they shall come forth with rejoicing, bringing their sheaves with them. The readers of the Missionary Herald will be gratified in seeing the remarks of the Rev. Jabez Bunting, delivered on the fourth resolution, at the same meeting. The business-like manner in which several important subjects are discussed, and the plain common sense every where manifest, cannot but secure attention. Let American Christians bear in mind, that the Methodist Missionary Society in Great Britain received for the support of its missions last year no less than 1.50,000, which is $222,000, reckoning exchange at par, but which is really worth about $250,000; and that Mr. Bunting proposed it, as the unquestionable duty of the Methodists, to raise 7.100,000, or about $500,000 annually for missionary purposes. And how was this to be done? Simply by inducing the members of that communion generally to contribute. Unless we are greatly mistaken, the people of the United States should give good heed to these calculations of their fellow Christians in the old world. My Lord, Giving way to my feelings, I will consider the joyful circumstances under which we have met this year, compared with those of the last. We had then to listen to an account of a failure in our funds, but this year we find that they have increased from forty-three to fifty thousand pounds; and I, as an individual, may be allowed to feel especially interested on this occasion; for in 1818, when that excellent and venerable individual, whose name and character have been so honorably mentioned in the report to-day, the late Mr. Thompson, presided, we amounted to 1.18,434. This was a great and were informed that the income of the Society mighty advance upon our average income for some years before, and it was thought perfectly romantic for any man to attempt to excite our friends to efforts much more considerable than we had that year realized. The humble individual before you, did, however, think it right to make the romantic attempt; and for the purpose of inducing others to think as he did, though not without some opposition from his friends, he stated that he did think it possible that the income might be raised to 1.42,000; and the argument he used was, that this is a Society specially designed and calculated to embody in it all the members of the Methodist connexion: and the calculation was, that if every member of that connexion savings, or to beg from some Christian friends could be induced to give out of their earnings or connected with their own congregation, or from some other denomination,-if they would give or beg the easily raised sum of one penny per week, our income would be 7.42,000. Some of the meeting did not like it; and a friend told me, in rather coarse language, that had made a ceedingly impudent to talk to them of the possimost impudent speech. I was told it was exbility of raising the income of 1.42,000. But, my Lord, I am glad that this impudence proved to be infectious; that the income has gone on in- upon those who have the Gospel, to send it to creasing from that time to this, (with one single those who have it not. It is not now thought so exception,) till now we hear it gravely an- extravagant a thing to send ambassadors of the nounced that 7.50,000 has been raised. But Gospel to those who are destitute, as it was when there is cause in this for serious reflection; for Carey first threw out the idea at a meeting of the meeting has not had the whole case of this Baptists in Northamptonshire; and the most ven1.50,000 fully brought before it. Our numbers erable minister present was on the point of interhave greatly increased since 1818; and if at this rupting him, by saying, "You talk about a mistime every member of our Society could be in- sion to India, you might as well make a turnpike duced, one with another, making allowances for to the moon." But now, my Lord, though we those who are lazy, and those in peculiar cir- may hear of infidel declamation, there are no cumstances, and those who cannot go about sober arguments against it; and there is not a collecting yet if every member, on an aver- Christian minister who would say, or think of age, one with another, could be induced to give saying, what I have now referred to. Another or to beg one penny per week, instead of having advantage which I think we have gained within 1.50,000, we should have the larger sum of these thirty years, is, that we have acquired 1.53,125; so that our contributions have not kept much valuable and profitable experience, which pace with the goodness of God to us as a con- affords great assistance and guidance in our funexion, and we are yet upwards of 1.3,000 in ture operations. Many persons had formerly debt to Almighty God, without taking into the adopted the idea that little permanent good was estimate the 22,760 members in Ireland, nor the to be effected in any heathen country, without 36,917 who are connected with us in the mission some miraculous effort of Almighty power, or stations. When I heard, my lord, that 1.1,700 extraordinary influence of the Holy Spirit; and had been received from the Hibernian Missionthat we ought to wait for them before we atary Society, I rejoiced in the honor which the tempted to carry the Gospel to any people: but Methodists in your country had acquired, and I we have learnt most completely and practically somewhat blushed for the honor of England, be- that miracles are not necessary for the propagacause I know that our means are comparatively tion of the Gospel, but that the same usual and much greater, than those possessed by our peo- ordinary means which God has appointed, and ple in Ireland: and I must acknowledge that the blessed among ourselves at home, will, if put amount of our contributions from the West In- into exertion, he owned by him for accomplishdies, (which are greatly swelled by the liberalitying the same designs abroad. I will not dwell of the poor slaves,) and the contributions from other parts abroad, as denoting a much greater spirit of ardor than we exhibit,-do put me, and ought to put us all, to the blush. I trust the intimation which our friend from Lancashire has given us will be gradually realized; and that if we do not in one year arrive at a hundred thousand, we shall in a few years; and that in this respect, as well as others, we shall not cease to forget the things which are behind, and reach forward to the things which are before. I own, however, that greatly as I rejoice in the promising state of our funds, I rejoice more when I hear how it has pleased God to bless the labors of our missionaries in the past year, and that in twelve months we have had an increase of more than 2,000 members in our foreign stations. Surely, while God is thus working, we are called not to relax our exertions, but to use double diligence, and to send forth more laborers into the field which the Lord has condescended to bless. I could not but join in those feel-spirit of prayer will, ere long, put honor upon it, ings expressed by Mr. Wilberforce, when he by effecting the object they have in view. How told us, "that those who had but lately come different also is the state of things abroad. into the missionary field could scarcely conceive What a variety of processes are in operation, the change which has taken place in the general which I may designate, properly, auxiliaries to feeling on this subject within the last few years." the direct evangelization of the nations. MisThe public mind is, indeed, materially altered; sionary posts have been taken possession of in the interior of paganism has been thrown open every portion of the globe. Schools have been in a way it never was before. Men, well in- established in heathen countries; and, in our own formed on other subjects, were uninformed or missionary schools alone, twenty thousand chilmisled at that time by false reports, or mistaken dren are taught to read the Scriptures; and are statements, as to the depth of that degradation training up in these nurseries for the church of which is the true characteristic of pagan idola-Christ, and will, in future life, we trust, not only try. But now, in consequence of Missionary Notices, and Missionary Registers, &c., even our children generally have much more accurate information of the true state of the heathen world, than was possessed thirty years ago by well informed and well read persons. But what is of still more moment is, the public conscience has been, to a great extent, awakened; it is now generally admitted, by those who talk about moral obligation, that there is a duty incumbent on the greater facilities we have at present, than we had then, for procuring missionaries. Missionaries who are ready to encounter any danger, to make any sacrifice, to endure any personal suffering, nay, even loss of life itself, if they may be the means of "saving souls from death." I will, however, observe, that in another point of view we have the vantage ground over what we had then. Far more prayer is offered to God by individuals, and by the Christian church, and by the members of our Society in particular, on this subject, than used to be offered twenty-five or thirty years ago: never a month passes but meetings among all denominations are held to pray that God would be pleased to send forth his truth; and within the last twentyfive or thirty years more prayers have been put up on this subject than for three hundred years before. These prayers are accumulating, and are before the throne. They are gone up for a memorial to God, and he, who inspired the be partakers of Christianity themselves, but agents to spread that Christianity among others. Into how many languages also has the Bible Society translated the Scriptures; languages in which the Bible was unknown twenty-five or thirty years ago; but now is to be found. And if I had no other answer to give to those who oppose our exertions, I would say that a modern missionary, with the Bible translated into the language of the people he goes to instruct has |