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ence the whole church of Christ, under are they, through God, to pull down the its different names, and united in com- strongest holds, and to abase every exmon zeal and love, is aroused to justify alted and proud form of idolatry and its original and proper character, as the superstition, which has defied our Salight of the whole world, the great result viour, and deluded, oppressed, and ravto which all our wishes and exertions aged his redeemed creatures. In the tend, cannot be far off. Girded by his name of the Lord, then, let us lift up might who has given them the commis- our banners, and on this sacred day sion, the spiritual Israel will be able to consecrate ourselves to efforts which go up and possess the whole land. Be- shall never relax, and to a contest fore communicated light, the darkness which, spurning all compromise, shall must flee away; and before weapons of fix our steady eye upon complete and celestial temper, wielded by those, the universal victory through the blood of arms of whose hands are made strong the Lamb, and by the word of his testiby the hands of the God of Jacob, all mony. To him be glory in the church opposition must be scattered. Mighty throughout all ages. Amen."

From the Wesleyan Methodist Magazine.

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE WESLEYAN METHODIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

THE Sermons before the Society were preached by the Rev. R. WATSON, one of the General Secretaries of the Society, at City-Road Chapel, on Thursday Evening, April 29th; by the REV. ROBERT NEWTON, of Manchester, in Great Queen-Street Chapel, on Friday Forenoon, April 30th; and by the REV. JOHN ANDERSON, of Manchester, at China-Terrace Chapel, Lambeth, on Friday Evening. Sermons were also preached, and Collections made, in all the Chapels in London, and its immediate vicinity, on Sunday, May 2d.

The Annnal Meeting of the Society was held on Monday, May 3d, at eleven o'clock in the Forenoon. The Chapel was crowded, by persons holding tickets of admission, at an early hour.

The Meeting was opened with singing and prayer by the REV. HENRY Moore, President of the Conference; after which JOSEPH BUTTERWORTH, Esq., M. P., was called to the Chair.

THE CHAIRMAN remarked, that it Missions, he should be excused for say. was highly gratifying to observe, by the ing a few words respecting them. He crowded attendance on so unfavourable had great pleasure in observing, that the a morning, that the great work in which general state of the Mission Cause in they were engaged had not lost any of the West Indies was never more prosits interest in the public mind; and in- perous than at the present time; that it deed, when they considered the moral never received sanction from so many waste which so large a portion of the planters; and that it never derived so world still presented, and that they by much help from the public, whether the mercy of God had the means of cul- connected or unconnected with the West tivating at least a part of it, it would Indies. Indeed so truly sensible were be very extraordinary if any Christian many Proprietors of the singleness of could remain indifferent. He trusted heart, and the honest sincerity of purthat that light which had so long pose, by which they were actuated in shone upon our own land, was begin- sending forth men to preach the Gospel ning to shed its influence throughout of Christ to their benighted slaves, that the world; and that it was advancing upon the whole earth. In a very cheering manner it was displaying itself in the various quarters where Missionaries were stationed. It was not necessary for him to go over the various Stations occupied by the Wesleyan Missions, of which they would hear an account in the Report; but as considerable anxiety had prevailed respecting the West India

they had come forward to assist in their undertaking. He had that morning received a letter from a West India Proprietor, inclosing a donation of £50, which, the writer said, was in consideration of the extensive benefit he had received from the labours of the Wesleyan Missionary Society, by their having taught the negro slaves on his estates the Christian religion.-He thought

The Report of the Committee, which stated many instances of the success and prospects of the various Missions, and that the income of the Society had advanced in the last year to the sum of £35,830. 14s. 8d, being an increase of £4082. 4s. 9d, was read by the REV. R.

MR. ALDERMAN KEY addressed

it proper to state that, so far as relates this, feeling, as he did a great respect for to His Majesty's Government at home, the Society with which MR. SMITH was every protection might be expected. connected; a Society which he was The Meeting were aware that, without sure would never encourage revolt, or any sort of provocation, the Mission- violence, or disaffection. With regard Chapel and dwelling-house at Barbadoes to their own Society, they had much to had been destroyed, and that the Mission- be thankful for; God was giving us sucary, a most excellent man, had been cess in every quarter; we had an inobliged to flee from that island. But he crease of Missionaries; an increase of had been received with affection in a Missionary Stations; a large increase of neighbouring Colony, the Island of St. Missionary Funds, the income of the Vincent; and they had the best answer past year amounting to several thousand to all that had been said against him, in pounds more than the year preceding; what had been lately done there,-a sum and a very considerable number had of upwards of £600 currency having been added to the Societies in the Misbeen recently subscribed by the princi- sionary Stations; they had, therefore, pal gentlemen of that island towards the reason to thank God, and take courage. erection of a Wesleyan Chapel. This was the best answer that could be given to the accusations brought against the Missions in Barbadoes. No other Colony had followed their example: and they ought carefully to distinguish between the outrageous colonists of ore island, and the conduct of other West India WATSON. Islands. With regard to the unhappy affair at Demerara, our Society there the Meeting to propose the First Resohad suffered considerably in the slaves lution. It was with great pleasure that being restrained from attending public he availed himself of the opportunity of worship during the existence of Martial raising his feeble voice in favour of the Law: but as the Wesleyan Society were exertions of that Society. He had by not the immediate and chief sufferers, many been charged with inconsistency; probably he ought not to enter parti- but he thought that he might indeed be cularly into that affair. However, he justly so charged, if, when be professed thought common justice required him to himself a follower of Him who went say thus much, that, greatly as he la- about doing good,-if, while he declared mented the improper conduct of certain himself a member of the Established slaves, who, instead of waiting for the Church, he should refuse to unite with improvement of their condition contem- Christians of every denomination, as plated by His Majesty's Government at long as they followed His precept who home, took the law into their own hands, had said, "Go and preach the Gospel since Christianity ever taught subordi- to all nations." This was a work which ation, and discountenanced violence; might make the lame walk with vigour, yet this never could justify the conduct and the tongue of the stammerer speak of the local Government of Demerara plainly an extensive field lay open betowards the late Mr. SMITH, the Mission- fore them, and the work to be done was ary of the London Society. He had big with the fate of millions of immortal read the trial with deep attention, and souls. Let this Society be looked at did not hesitate to declare his own from any point of view, and it would opinion, and that of several legal friends, claim respect and support from all who altogether unconnected with any Mis- sought the benefit of mankind, and were sionary Society, that a more unjust and concerned to promote the glory of God. illegal proceeding never met with the In such beneficent labours their zeal sanction of any Government whatever. ought to be constantly kindled into new It was now generally admitted that Mr. ardour. These very Anniversaries, as SMITH was entirely innocent with re- the calendar of their proceedings, might gard to the revolt of the negroes: and afford them topics for serious considerathe seizure of his private papers, written tion; they might serve to remind them for his own use, and with no view of of the swift lapse of years, and bring to meeting the public eye, and which, after their imagination that period when time all, did not criminate him, but showed should be swallowed up in eternity. him to be a pious and respectable cha- The night was coming when no man racter, was a most unjust and unwar- could work; and therefore they ought rantable proceeding. He mentioned to exert themselves whilst it was called

"to day." But more particularly such Anniversaries should remind them to be grateful to God for the success that he had given to the exertions of this and other Societies,-Societies which were going on to give spiritual emancipation to those who as yet were walking in the valley of the shadow of death. Let them look at the vast plains of India, at the neglected shores of the Mediterranean, at the Northern tribes of America, and let them think how much there still remained to be done; though there was no cause for despair, for it was written,-"They shall come from the East and from the West, from the North and from the South, and shall sit down in the kingdom of heaven." It was true, indeed, that many years, perhaps ages, must elapse before all this could be accomplished,-before the mistaken inhabitants of China, Tartary, Japan, and all those on the shores of the Pacific, should hear the glad tidings of Christ. They were not, however, to flag in their exertions, or to stay to argue the point; while they were doing that, all these would be gradually descending into eternity. Cold and callous hearts might suppose the case hopeless; but they should remember that all was in the hands of God. The knowledge of the Gospel had not been given us to hide under a bushel, but to disseminate to the most distant portions of the globe. The worthy Alderman concluded by moving, "That the Report now read be received and printed; and that the Meeting unites in thanksgivings to Almighty God, for the success which he has been pleased to vouchsafe to the efforts of the Society throughout the past year."

The REV. ROBERT NEWTON, who seconded the First Resolution, spoke as follows:

"I cheerfully rise, and, with unaffected cordiality, second the Resolution, which the worthy Alderman has just proposed; and I do this, not with less pleasure because I am associated in it with a member of the venerable Established Church of our country.

"It is indeed Mr. Chairman and christian friends, no low or unworthy design you contemplate, no frivolous or inglorious object that you wish instrumentally to promote. The widest possible diffu sion of the light and benefits of our Common Christianity; the communication of the knowledge of the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent to perishing millions of our race, who are sitting in darkness and the region of the valley of the shadow of death; this is the object you wish to

realize; a lower object you do not, you cannot, contemplate. A design more glorious, more momentous, surely cannot possibly engage the attention or occupy the thoughts, or interest the feelings, or call forth the energies, of human beings in the present world. I have, however, Sir, within a few weeks, met with some persons who, while they admit the importance of the object, and applaud the zeal and liberality of those who are engaged in promoting it, and even themselves profess to be firmly attached to the Missionary work, have yet repeatedly adverted o difficulties; and to difficulties, in their estimation, all but absolutely insuperable. That there are even formidable difficulties connected with our object is most readily admitted; still, in the great work in which we are engaged, we distinguish between difficulties and impossibilities. Difficult the work may be; difficult it will be; but impossible it is not. On this subject, let it not be forgotten that there is a previous question. We are not to ask what is attended with difficulty; but what is duty. That duty is determined by law; and if it is from law that we are to learn duty, the law has already been stated by the worthy Alderman who moved the Resolution. Sir, we ought never to forget the language of our great Master, which is imperative, and which renders obedience indispensable. Go,' is the language he addressed to his disciples, under circumstances of peculiar solemnity; standing on the threshold of this world, and addressing his disciples, as he was about to re-ascend his throne in heaven; "Go ye,' said he, into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.' This is language into which he has infused a portion of his own sacred energy; and which our hearts still feel, while its accents vibrate on our ears. This great command has never been revoked; it is still binding on the Minis-ters and people of Jesus Christ; as his law is express authority, our duty is clear; and were difficulties ten thousand times more numerous and formidable than they are, still because the Great Head of the Church has commanded us to engage in them, it would be our duty to do so with all our might; because the greater the difficulty, the greater necessity for diligence, and activity, and zeal. Sir, it is dastardly to desert a cause because there are difficulties in it; true zeal and true courage will always rise with those difficulties which become the occasion of calling them into exercise; besides, what are the difficulties that will ultimately stand against perseverance;

against persevering faith, persevering patience, persevering charity, and persevering prayer? This kind of perseverance will surmount all the difficulties which may now look us in the face. Besides, were we left to encounter those varied difficulties, to which reference has been made in the Report, in our own strength, then, indeed, it would be time to pause; then indeed we might despair; but, Sir, he who calls us to this work, engages to be with us in it; he who says, 'Go into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature,' promises his presence with his servants, Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.' The REV. H. TOWNLEY, Missionary from Bengal, in moving the Second Resolution, said,

"You have heard that in India the inhabitants are divided into a variety of castes. When two Hindoos meet for the participation of food, one diligently inquires of the other, To what caste do you belong?' He replies, perhaps, 'I belong to the Catre.' The inquirer then rejoins, 'I am a Brahmin; stand away from me. The Catre asks another, 'To which caste do you belong?' 'I am a Vadri.' 'Then stand away from me.' The Vadri asks another, To what caste do you belong?' 'I am a Sudri.' Then stand away from me.' We have not so acted to-day, for I perceive on this platform, and in this assembly, that we have amongst us Christians, if I may use the term, of all castes. We are met together to participate in a celestial banquet, and I find that at this table there are those who belong to the caste of Baptists, of Independents, and of Churchmen, and I find also that Wesleyans have prepared the feast This puts me in mind of the field of JUGGERNAUT. There was a Brahmin in Calcutta who asked a European Gentleman, What is your order of So ciety in Great Britain; are you divided into castes, or do you eat and drink to gether according to circumstances?' The European Gentleman replied,' We deem it our honour to demean ourselves as brethren in the participation of food at one table, as Providence permits.' The Brahmin replied,' That appears to me to be an offence against good morals and good conduct.' The Gentleman rejoined, 'I think I can prove to you by a practice of your own, that you are in error. How do you act in the field of JUGGERNAUT? Do you not eat there with the lowest caste of India? There you know no distinction of caste, but all feed at one board.' The Brahmin answered, 'I can screen myself from the imputation you bring against us, for there we are in

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the presence of our God; there JUGGERNAUT is in our midst, and there we can feast together.' Ah,' said the Gentleman, And I can justify the Christian practice on your own principles, for we are every where in the presence of OUR God.' Sir, that is a blessed precept of the divine volume, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.' I have found the advantage of that precept in India: I have found it adapted to overthrow some of the strongest holds of Hindoo superstition. I was conversing with a Brahmin one day respecting the relative morals of Hindoos and Christians; and he said, 'Our religion is superior to yours what excellent fruits our religion produces; see what saints we have amongst us Hindoos. Such a man was actuated by the principles of Hindooism; he left wife, and children, and family, and extensive property; he left every thing, and spent his life in a wood. Can you produce such a saint as that?' I replied, that we should call him a very great sinner. Upon what principle?' said be. I answered, God has given us two commandments, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength, and thy neighbour as thyself;" and your Hindoo saint, who went to live in a wood, as long as he lived there, was violating the second great commandment: for, forsaking his neighbours, and kindred, and friends, he could not render them any assistance; he had no longer the opportunity of administering food to the hungry, and relieving the miserable; and can a man who is living a life of continued disobedience to one of God's commandments be deemed a saint!'—I can abundantly confirm the statements which have been made respecting the wretched condition of pagans, whether as connected with this world, or destined to stand associated with the world to come. With regard to this world, having seen a variety of their sufferings, I have often had that passage of Scripture recalled to my attention, 'Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another God.' They practise upon themselves a variety of tortures, and abound in the perpetration of mutual deeds of cruelty and bloodshed. Hindoos meet together to have iron hooks thrust into their backs, to be drawn up into the air, and to be swung round with great velocity. You may see in Calcutta Hindoos dancing about with iron spikes run through their tongues; others with living snakes_run through their sides and tongues; and endeavouring to outdo each other in those

deeds of iniquity. But they do not stop in these minor acts of cruelty; but go on till they deprive each other even of life itself. Every year, thousands of them find a watery grave; others are buried alive; others are crushed to death by the car of JUGGERNAUT; and the most numerous class of all are put to death by the flames. It fell to my painful lot to see one woman burned alive; and the deed was committed by her own daughter, with whom I remonstrated as well as with her mother, but to no good effect. The answer the young woman made was, 'It is the custom of the country, and what can I do?' But it may well aggravate the poignancy of our sensibility, when we learn that these horrors are customary. Thus it appears by the official returns, that one widow is burned alive every twelve hours; and this, Sir, has reference merely to British India, but does not include a great number of similar victims who escape the observation of the police, or are not included in the returns. I should suppose that the real truth of the case is, that, taking the whole of India into the account, ONE is burned every FOUR HOURS. Surely, Sir, it is high time for us to be up, and doing some thing, to send to them the knowledge of that Gospel which says, 'Do thyself no harm. It is the Gospel, Sir, and that alone, which can save the soul; and this is the grand consideration upon which Missionary Societies must proceed I saw a Hindoo in his dying moments; he had been brought to the margin of the Ganges to breathe his last. I said to him, 'Have you a good hope? Do you think of going to heaven? Do you think that the sight of the Ganges obliterates your sins, and that the worship of your gods has blotted out your transgressions?' He said, 'I have no confidence in all these things.' 'Do you then know,' said I, 'of any mode satisfactory to your own mind by which your transgressions can be forgiven?' 'No, I know of none." 'Then what is the necessary consequence? Do you know you have sinned?' 'Of that I have no doubt.' 'Do you know that God punishes sin in hell?' 'Yes.' What then is the inference?' 'I am going to hell,' he replied. I could not but drop a tear, when standing by the entrance of that dying man's tent, who had been brought to the river of their watery god, vainly hoping for salvation.-In India God has marvellously opened a door to our exertions, and no man at present has an arm strong enough to shut it. The magistracy of Calcutta surpasses the magistracy of some places in the West. I never met with the slightest opposition in India in

the whole course of my ministry. The Governor-General of India, and other Governors, have repeatedly interfered in some parts of our operations; but always in a friendly manner; and since I left India, I have heard with great satisfaction, that the Government have resolved to augment the measure of their liberality with reference to Hindoo schools. It is well known that the Government have given leave to the Missionaries of varions Societies to administer instruction to the rising population; and lately, they have resolved to devote one hundred thousand rupees for that work; which sum (about ten thousand pounds sterling) they have given freely, to enlighten British India. I could add many things to confirm the statement of our having access to millions of pagans. I travelled, for about a month, with a converted Brahmin who had given himself to the promotion of the Gospel. We went to all the cities, and towns, and villages in our way up the river, and took our stations near marketplaces. and other public situations, and preached the Gospel to every creature' who would listen, none daring to make us afraid. We delivered our Tracts, which were received with considerable avidity. When we came to one village, we found ourselves in the neighbourhood of an idol-temple; and even there, perceiving by the countenance of the people that they were willing to hear us, we took our station, the Brahmins and other Hindoos amounting to fifty or a hundred. One of them said, while I was speaking, 'Pray, Sir, why do not you ascend the flight of steps leading up to the idol? There you will have a better station.' I replied, 'I could not think of doing it, because, peradventure, some might disapprove. They replied, 'We shall not disapprove.' I said, 'You have Brahmins among you, and if one individual disapprove, I will not ascend the stairs.'

Sir,' said they, we approve of it.' Thus, from a situation close to that occupied by the idol, I preached to them the cross of Christ." MR. TOWNLEY concluded by moving,-" That the still benighted and wretched condition of the greater part of the world, together, with the access to many millions of its pagan inhabitants which Divine Providence has given to Missionary Societies, as well as the good already effected by their collective exertions, strongly call upon the friends of Missions, generally, to persevere, not only with unabated, but with quickened seal, in the great work of diffusing the knowledge of Christ throughout all nations."

(To be concluded in our next.)

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