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the two years preceding, gave a total of 151,000 volumes put into circulation in the course of only four years.

The following were the chief resolutions: "That this meeting is deeply impressed with the magnitude of the work carried on by the Baptist missionaries at Calcutta, in the preparation and circulation of so large a number of copies of the Holy Scriptures in the languages of the East, and perceiving this work continually to exhaust the funds which are available for its support, attaches great importance to the steady augmentation of the society's funds."

"That the second rule of the society do henceforth stand as follows;

"That it shall be the object of this society to aid in printing and circulating those translations of the Holy Scriptures, from which the British and Foreign Bible society has withdrawn its assistance, on the ground that the words relating to the ordinance of baptism have been translated by words sig. nifying immersion; and further to aid in producing and circulating other versions of the Word of God, similarly faithful and complete."

The speakers were the Revds. E. Steane; J. Jackson, of Taunton; J. Soule, of Battersea; Dr. Carson; R. Stephens, of Newport; W. F. Burchell; W Knibb; and Dr. Cox.

WESLEYAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of the Wesleyan Missionary society was held on Monday, May 2, at Exeter Hall. Colonel Conolly in in the chair. The Rev. Dr. Bunting read the report, from which it appeared that the receipts amounted to £101,688 2s. 4d., and the expenditure to £98,745 7s. 9d.; leaving a surplus of £2,933 14s. 7d. The net increase of the year, as compared with the preceding, is £11,505 13s. 8d. The present number of principal or central mission stations, called circuits, occupied by the so

ciety in the several parts of the world, is 261;

the number of missionaries employed, exclusive of catechists, 368; the number of full and accredited Church members, exclusive of those under the care of the society's missionaries in Ireland, 87,258; and the number of scholars in the mission schools is nearly 60,000.

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of the Church Mis. sionary society was held the first week in May, at Exeter Hall. The Earl of Chichester took the chair, supported by the bishop of Ripon, the bishop of Chester, the bishop of Norwich, and a large body of the

clergy of the church of England. The report detailed at great length the operations of the society in various parts of the world during the past year. The labours of the missionaries have, it appears, been highly succesful in India and Africa, as well as in New land, and the other colonies of Great Britain. The total amount of the receipts for the year was £90, 821, and of the expenditure £110, 808, leaving a deficiency of £19,987. The reading of the report occupied nearly two hours. It was adopted, on the motion of the bishop of Ripon, seconded by the Rev. J. Cumming.

LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

The forty eighth anniversary of this in. stitution was held at Exeter Hall, on Thursday, May 19th. The attendance was very numerous. The Hon. W. F. Cowper, M.P., in the chair.

The Rev. A. Tidman read an abstract of the report, which contained numerous facts, showing that the state and progress of the society in the past year, both at home and abroad, had been most encouraging, and the substance of which is embodied in the first resolution. The total amount of income received during the year had been £80,874 Os. 2d.; the total expenditure, £87551 9s. 11d.; leaving a deficiency, as compared with the outlay, of £6677 9s. 9d.

The following were the principal resolustract has been read, be approved, printed, tions:-"That the report, of which an ab. and circulated. That this meeting reviews, with hallowed joy, the progress of the missionary cause, through the agency of the London Missionary society, during the past social happiness, among tribes and nations year, in the advancement of civilization and once the victims of gross ignorance and hateful passions; in the extended education of the young, both in useful and sacred knowledge; in the translation and circulation of the Holy Scriptures in the dialects

of Polynesia, India, and Africa; in the numerous striking conversions of the heathen to the faith of Christ; and in the general purity, order, and activity of the mission ble that such glorious results of an agency, Churches. But this meeting, deeply sensifeeble and imperfect, must be attributed exclusively to the grace of the exalted Saviour, through the power of the Holy Spirit, humbly and gratefully ascribes to him the honour and the praise."

"That this meeting, considering the general and unprecedented commercial depression which has long prevailed, cannot but receive the announcement of an increase in the society's income with unusual satisfac

tion.

It marks with pleasure and with hope the liberal offerings of the young, especially of those in Sabbath-schools; and above all, it is gratified and encouraged by the zeal and liberality of the mission Churches, from which nearly one-fourth of the society's income has been derived. Nevertheless, contemplating the misery, degradation, and guilt of hundreds of millions of unin. structed heathens; regarding also the won derful facilities afforded by Divine Provi. dence for enlarged christian efforts, and solemnly recognizing the unalterable command of the Lord Jesus, that his Gospel should be preached to every creature, this meeting urges on all the friends of the society, both at home and abroad, the imperative duty of persevering, systematic, and enlarged liberality, while it trusts that their most generous efforts will be sustained and sanctified by the spirit of devotion."

The speakers were the Right Hon. Sir George Grey, Bart., M. P.; Rev. Dr. Byrth; Rev. A. F. Lacroix, of Calcutta; William Evans, Esq., M. P.; Rev. Dr. Fletcher; Rev. W. G. Barrett; Rev. George Pritchard, missionary from the South Seas; Rev. R. Moffatt; and F. E. Smith, Esq.

RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.

The anniversary meeting of the Religious Tract Society was held in Exeter Hall, on Friday evening, May 6th, and was most numerously and respectably attended. The right hon, the Earl of Chichester, presided on the occasion, and was supported on the platform by the Rev. Dr. Byrth, the Rev. Mr. Garwood, the Rev. Robert Monro, the Rev. Francis Cunningham, Mr. Henry Pownell, Mr. Jones, the Honorary Secre. tary of the Society, &c.

The Secretary (Mr. Jones) then proceeded to read the forty third annual report, from which it appeared that although the warlike operations in China had somewhat interfered with, it had not stopped the circulation of the society's publications in that interesting field, where new channels for distribution had been opened, and were prospering under the auspices of the Rev. Mr. Gutzlaff. In Aracan 40,000 tracts had been distributed in fifteen days. In India the circulation had been a great means of advancing the kingdom of Christ. In the Mahratta country, Dr.Wilson and Mr. Mitchell reported that they found many who had been lead into a belief of the Christian faith solely by the perusal of the religious tracts and publications of the society. In Australia and Van Dieman's Land 161,006 publications, value £2,638, had been trans

mitted and put into circulation. In Western Africa the education of the negroes was rapidly progressing, and letters have been received from the society's missionaries, desiring to be furnished with 2,000 more copies of the Cottage Hymn Book which had been sent out, and another letter received for 3,000 copies more. The whole of the first issue had been purchased by the people in the short space of nine months. The gates of Spanish America were comparatively closed against the admission of scriptural truth, but still 11,600 Spanish publi. cations had been granted to different corres. pondents of the society in that quarter. To the West Indies, 55,000 books and tracts, without including publications sent for sale, had been granted. In British North America, 163 religious circulating libraries, valued at £852, had been established, and 206,900 tracts, books, and publications, had been sent out. The intelligence received from Montreal, Quebec, Kingston, and Toronto, was of the most cheering and interesting character. In France the work of the Lord was evidently advancing, though it encountered much opposition. The circulation in France amounted to 600,000 copies. In Hungary, 40,000 copies, printed in the German language, had been distributed. In Belgium the society went on prosperously, though strongly opposed by the priests of the Romish church. The number of new publications during the last year 220; the total publications was 16,469,551, which, published in eighty-six different languages, gave a total circulation of 357,000,000 different works. The total benevolent income for the year was £5,826 being an increase beyond the preceding year of £164; the total sales of the society's publications was £45,635. The gratuitous issues for the year was £8,329, and the society's total receipts, including the proceeds of sale, was £56,014 18s. 1d.

The following were the resolutions:"That the meeting hear with satisfaction that the grants made during the past year for the circulation of divine truth among the inhabitants of India and China have amounted to nearly 3,000l., and rejoice that the Holy Spirit had blessed the society's publications to the turning of many from their idolatries to serve the living and true God."

"That the zealous and persevering efforts now made in Great Britain and Ireland, in our colonies, and among many nations, to spread popish and anti christian principles, are loud and imperative calls on all protestants to promote the widest circulation of the truth as it is in Jesus."

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THE JUBILEE OF THE BAPTIST MISSION.

The substance of a Discourse delivered at Dover-street Chapel, Leicester, June 5th, 1842.

I WAS privileged in the course of last week* to attend the celebration of the Jubilee of the Baptist Mission, and as I was myself deeply interested and I hope benefited by the novel and delightful services of that season, I have thought it would not be unsuitable to deliver a discourse the main object of which should be to lay before you the most important facts which were then set forth, as well as to give you a brief sketch of the manner in which the joyful solemnities of the occasion were conducted.

I have three reasons for doing this. The first is the fact that there subsists between us and the major part of the Baptist denomination a very considerable affinity of sentiment and practice. They believe, or at least profess to do so, that Christ died for all. This, which a short time prior to the Rev. A. Fuller, was a truth denied by most of the Particular Baptist Churches, and professed only by our own people among the Baptists, is now very generally admited by them.-They adopt the independent order of Church government as well as we.-They baptize by immersion-on profession of faith, as we do.-Apart from the metaphysical, calvinistic theory of eternal and unconditional election, and its dependencies, there is between us and them an entire agreement. While I am not one of those who believe it would be well for the two denominations to become one, because I consider our peculiar views too important to be abandoned, I do most cordially cherish towards them the respect and kindness of christian brotherhood. Before we had a mission of our own, some of our friends subscribed to their mission, and when the fire at Serampore burned down their premises and printing presses, many of our congregations collected to assist in making up the losses thus sustained.

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Another reason is the entire friendship and fraternity which has ever subsisted between our missionaries and theirs. When our missionaries in 1821 went to Hindustan, they accompanied the late Mr. Ward, and were received and counselled by the Baptist brethren at Calcutta and Serampore: and when Orissa became their province, they ever found in the Baptist *May 31st, June 1st and 2nd. 2 C

VOL. 4.-N. S.

missionaries those who were ready to help and encourage them. Our stations were in a large region in which they had none, but our successes were identified with theirs. If our Mr. Sutton was instrumental in saving the first Hindoo widow from burning with the dead body of her husband, and thus virtually was the chief means of abolishing the dreadful rite of suttee in the British empire of the East: if our Mr. Peggs by his writings has contributed more than any other individual, to the abolition of infanticide and other dreadful evils existing in the East, they have aided in the fight, and share in the triumph.

And when we had a mission in the West Indies, which began in 1826, where Mr. Alsop was a martyr, and Mr. Hudson a most devoted labourer, Messrs. Knibb, Burchell, and Coultart, Baptist missionaries, were their friends. Our own stations were occupied by the Baptist missionaries when our funds compelled us to relinquish them, and though broken up in the general wreck ten years ago, are now flourishing Churches.

A third reason why this Jubilee should be noticed by us, arises from the signal favours God has conferred on them, and on their mission, and through it on the world at large-both christian and heathen; and the glorious fact that while they have thus been labouring for the world they have enjoyed more abundant prosperity at home. We should "rejoice with them that rejoice," we should join with them in praise and thanksgiving, and give glory to God. We should feel, as one said to me at the meeting, that in this "

we are one."

The words which I purpose to make the motto of my discourse, are in Psalm cxxvi. 2, "The Lord hath done great things for them."

These words and this psalm were written, most probably on the proclamation given by Cyrus for the return of the Jews from captivity, the rebuilding of their temple and city, and the restoration of their rights and privileges. This was so wonderful and glorious an event, that the people could hardly believe their senses, and they gave vent to their feelings in what Isaac Barrow calls " the most triumphant demonstrations of delightful alacrity." We were like them that dream, then was our mouth filled with laughter and our tongue with singing." Even the heathen acknowledged the hand of God, and said The Lord hath done great things for them."

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All I shall attempt on the present occasion will be 1st., A hasty recapitulation of some of the chief facts which were brought under our review at the Jubilee meeting. 2nd., A sketch of the manner in which the Jubilee was celebrated, and 3rd. I shall offer a few general practical reflections.

Let me call your attention to the origin and direct results of the society. Its origin is to be ascribed under God mainly to Dr. Carey, formerly of Leicester. His first mention of the subject of preaching the Gospel to the heathen was frowned on by some elder brethren, but some younger ministers like himself imbued with zeal and enterprize encouraged him, and at length he preached at an association of Baptist Churches, held at Nottingham on May 31st, 1792, when he exhorted his brethren to expect great things from God, and attempt great things for God. In the same year at Kettering, a society was formed, to be called The Particular Baptist Society for propagating the Gospel among the heathen. Their first subscriptions amounted only to £13 2s. 6d. This, little and insignificant as it was, was the beginning of the first Society regularly formed for the evangelization of the heathen. "Who hath despised the day of small things?"

About that time the chief friends of the society, viz Carey, Fuller, Sutcliffe, Riland and Pearce, became acquainted with a pious gentleman, Mr. Thomas, who had been to Bengal in the capacity of a surgeon and who was deeply anxious for the conversion of the Hindoos. He was baptized, and as the society became known many contributed to it, and he and Mr. Carey were ordained at Leicester in March 1793 and they set sail for India in the following June. They went in the spirit of faith and prayer, and arrived in about six months. The little society at home had many struggles, and the missionaries abroad encountered innumerable difficulties. But the mission lived and now after fifty years have elapsed, it is with wonder and astonishment and gratitude that we exclaim, The Lord hath done great

things for them."

What has he done in the East?

46

Without attempting to mention even the names of the excellent and devoted and talented men God has raised up for his service in this mission, let us notice a few results.

He has enabled them to effect the translation of the Holy Scriptures into most of the Eastern languages; any one of which has been stated by competent authorities to be as difficult to learn, as six European tongues. The entire Bible is translated into seven or eight languages; the entire New Testament into thirty; and portions of the Scriptures into ten more. From the press in Serampore have issued near three hundred thousand volumes of the Holy Scriptures: and from that in Calcutta last year alone nine thousand copies of the Sacred Volume. And then tracts, Gospels, and important portions of the Divine Word have been issued almost without number. Mr. Thomas once said he would give a million of money, if he had it, for a Bengallee Bible. That is now printed, with references in the completest form. And besides all this, grammars, lexicons, and the whole apparatus for the more facile acquisition of many of these languages have been prepared. An old minister frowningly said to Dr. Carey when he first mentioned the subject of missions, "Young man do you expect a second day of pentecost."* Here we have what seems almost equal to it effected under the blessing of God in fifty years. When the missionaries went to the East, females were a neglected and despised race, but now they are very generally instructed-education was comparatively unknown, but now it is extensive. Infanticide and the suttee have been abolished in British India and amongst those nations over whom we have control. The chain of caste has been broken, and the whole fabric of Eastern idolatry has been so shaken, that all its friends anticipate its fall. Many christian Churches have been formed, and thousands of happy converts have been brought "from darkness to light, and from the power of satan to God." Many are already arrived in heaven, and many others are on the way. Christianity has obtained such a footing in India that it will never be rooted out, but like the progress of civilization, it will go on until the "old wastes are all recovered-and "the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose." What has been done in the West?

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Mr. Knibb stated this in a few words. "When I went to Jamaica seventeen years ago," (the mission begun twelve years before, in 1813,) "there was not one school for the instruction of Negroes, and there was a penalty of £50 against any person who should teach a Negro to read.

* This incident rests on the authority of the late Mr. J. M. Morris.

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