welcome meffage of redemption. Others have been commiffioned to vifit the remote and new formed fettlements of nominal Chriftians, and with great encouragement and fuccefs are difpenfing the word of life to them; thefe commendable inftances of attention to the falvation of those who would otherwife have been without the means of grace, have been rewarded by an unusual degree of divine influence, and converting grace in their own diftricts. The well attefted accounts recently received from America, lead us to believe that at this time the work of God is in a course of greater profperity than at any preceding period-thus it appears that a remarkable fan&tion has been impreffed univerfally on the well-meant endeavours of Chriftians to introduce the gospel in heathen countries, and that its uniform influence has been beneficial, in the first instance, in promoting, in their refpective vicinities, the establishment or increase of the work of God. Who, that confiders the facts to which we have now adverted, can entertain a doubt whether the Miffionary Society has been the occafion of enlarging the kingdom of Christ, or not? Who can fay that its ufefulness has not far exceeded his utmoft expectation's? It has been, indeed, in a way different from our anticipations, and not directly proceeding out of our plans; and thus it appears to be the work of God rather than of man, and refts for its fupport, not on human weakness, but on divine power. Let then the defponding minds of those be cheered, who inferred from the partial failure of the mission to the South Seas, that the inftitution was not likely to answer the valuable purposes they expected—we fee no ground for despair even as to that object, but cherish the hope that the abundant prayers of the people of God will yet be gracioufly anfwered in the establishment of our Saviour's kingdom in those diftant islands. But the fuccessful introduction of the gospel into one ifland, or country, is not an advantage which can admit of comparison with the magnitude of the bleffing which God has been pleafed actually to confer upon us; he has made our Society the occafion of exciting the compaffion, and rouzing the zeal of Chriftians, in every quarter of the world, towards the perifhing heathen, and in this principle we perceive the germ of univerfal miffions. The energies of thoufands, perhaps of millions, are actively engaged in offering up fervent fupplications, in contriving or executing plans connected with the enlargement of our Saviour's empire, and tending to acceJerate his approaching triumphs. This brief furvey of the influence of our inftitution, under the Divine bleffing, on the general interefts of Chriftianity, is intended, and we hope will fucceed, to remove the gloomy apprehenfions of many of its fincere friends, who, on miftaken principles, and partial views, have judged inaccurately of its effects; to us a review of what God has already done for us, appears full of encouragement, and we are ready to invite the defponding friends of this caufe, or the exulting enemy, if fuch there be, to produce an inftance fince the Chriftian era, in which any other plan or inftitution, has in the fame fpace of time, been made the inftrument of more extenfive usefulness to the church of Chrift. An important practical inference very naturally arifes out of the preceding obfervations. If it be indeed fo clear a fact, that the bleffing of God has already given its fanction to, and fo greatly diftinguifhed the Miffionary Society, by render ing it the inftrument and occafion of promoting and enlarging the kingdom of our Saviour in different parts of the earth, furely it becomes the members thereof efpecially, not only to be thankful on this account, and encouraged to perfevere in fupporting it; but also to confider more fres quently and seriously what are the means within their reach, by which this good good work may be carried on. Is it not the duty of minifters especially, to endeavour to awaken a deeper concern in their own hearts, and among their bearers, for the falvation of the heathen? Is it an honourable or creditable circumstance, that fo few congregations produce men well qualified for the work, who are defirous to venture their lives in heathen countries for the fake of the Lord Jefus? It is the earnest wifh of the Society that Chriftians, poffeffing the radical qualifications of miffionaries, may come forward, and receive that inftruction in the nature of the work before they engage in it, which may render their future fervices more extenfive. The Society naturally expects, from the number of the minifters connected with it, that a fupply of miffionaries will arife out of their congregations, and till their entrance on the work, receive from them the advantage of appropriate inftruction, or be recommended to the feminary which is to be eftablished for that purpofe. Let this misapprehenfion which fome may entertain be removed, that we must first point out a ftation, and then invite miffionaries to fupply it; on the contrary, our plan is, first to invite men to offer themfelves to the fervice of Chrift among the heathen, and after communicating to them fuch inftruction as may be needed, the particular place in which they may labour will be the fubject of future determination. The interefts of the Society require that we should have a numerous body of miffionaries always in readiness to be called forth to fituations, to which their talents may appear adapted; and in the mean time,that in general they fhould continue in their prefent ftations, and follow their callings, improving, however, the intervals of leifure which they may have, in acquiring, or increafing their miffionary qualifications. We close this addrefs with earnestly fupplicating the great Head of the church, to whom the heathen belong as an inheritance, that he would pour forth abundantly on his people thofe gifts and graces, which may qualify and incline them to become his heralds, and announce, in the dark parts of the earth, his approach as the Sun of Righteoufnefs. By order of the Directors, JOHN EYRE, SECRETARY, Collections, &c, received from 25 April, to 25 May, 1800. Rev. Mr. Taylor and congregation, Colchester Mr. John Dobson, Secretary. Rev. Mr. Harris and congregation, Fordham Mr. A. Laird and friends, Greenock, North Britain £. 13 5 9 9 19 17 8 6 12 14 12 6 60 13 7 ΤΟ G RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY. AT feven o'clock on Thursday morning (the 14th), was held a general meeting of the above Society at the St. Paul's Coffee-house. Rev. Mr. Burder, of Coventry, in the chair. A report was read by the Secretary, ftating the rife and progress of the Society, and the number of Tracts difpofed of, amounting fince the commencement of the Society in 1799, to near 800,000. Several accounts were read of the great utility of the Tracts, and fome M m 2 pleafing pleafing inftances of converfion by their means. The Treasurer's statement of accounts was also read, by which it appeared the Committee has printed at a great lofs, and that the Society is confiderably in arrears, partly owing to a great rife in paper, &c. and partly owing to the neceffity of fupporting a fufficient stock at the Depofitory. The meeting was then adjourned to the following Tuesday morning, when it was refolved, that, on account of the Society's finances, the latter part of the fifth rule of the Society's plan* be refcinded, viz. That fubfcribers may "receive Tracts to the amount of two-thirds of their subfcription." Sunday afternoon (the 17th), the Rev. Mr. Cockin, of Halifax, preached for the benefit of the Society, at Mr. Buck's chapel, Princess-street, Finsbury-fquare, from Ifaiah lxii. 1. The following is the Committee in London for the present year: W. Allers, Efq. Rev. J. Brooksbank, R. Cowie, Efq., W. Davidson, Efq., Mr. J. Duthoit, Mr. G. Gouger, Mr. E. Gouldsmith, J. Hard. caftle, Efq., Rev. R. Hill, M. A., Mr. T. Hodfon, Rev. J. A. Knight, Z. Macaulay, Efq., S. Mills, Elq., Rev. W. Newman, Mr. T. Pellat, Mr. T. Proctor, Christian Sundius, Efq., Mr. T, Saddington, W. Shrubfole, Efq. Mr. J. Tarn, Rev, J. Townsend, Mr, W, Townsend, Rev. M. Wilks, T. Wilfon, Efq. J. REYNER, Eq. Treasurer, Duck's-foot-lane, Thames-ftreet, Lon. don; Rev. J. HUGHES, A. M. Secretary, Batterfea, Surrey; Mr. Row. Wilks, Collector; T. WILLIAMS, No. 10, Sationers' Court, Depo. fitory. PROTESTANT UNION. AT the annual meeting of the members of this Society, held on Monday, the 18th of May laft, the Rev. Dr. Hunter in the chair. After the state of the funds was reported, the amount of which is 1650l. in the five per cents, befides a balance in the Treasurer's hands; it was intimated, that many minifters were defirous of joining the Society, but were prevented, from not knowing, when the time for the admiffion of those who had been above two years in the ministry, expired; the Society thought it proper to grant an indulgence to fuch, therefore unanimously Refolved, That the time for admiffion be extended to the 1ft January, 1802, provided the age of fuch ministers, do not exceed forty years.† From the donations and annual fubfcriptions, &c, of friends that have been received (whole families will derive no other advantage, than that of reflecting, that their fathers have been the means of cauling the widows and orphans of their Redeemer's fervants to blefs them), which amount to upwards of 640l, there is no doubt but it will be the best inftitution that ever was formed, for the comfort of the widow and fatherlefs. A generous public will soon, it is hoped, raise the fund to such a state, as to render it capable of affording much more than the present plan engages to provide. N. B. The plans may be had gratis by the members and friends of the Society, at the Religious Tract Depofitory, Sationers' Court, * See Evangelical Magazine for June, 1800, page 256. i..... SOCIETY SOCIETY FOR MISSIONS TO AFRICA AND THE EAST, On Tuesday, May 26, this Society held their first anniversary meeting, when the Rev. T. SCOTT (of the Lock) preached a fermon before the Society, at Blackfriars church, after prayers were read by the Rev. Mr. Goode. Mr. S. introduced his difcourfe (which was founded on Ephef. ii. 12.) by controverting and refuting the opinion of those who would per fuade us that the heathen are in a fafe ftate, and gave an affecting reprefentation of their wickedness, impurity, and cruelty. He pointed out the duty of Chriftians to endeavour to promote their falvation, and he lamented the criminal neglect of this great work. He then fuggested fome hints, cal culated to stimulate and excite the friends of the institution to union, zeal, and liberality; and particularly ftated that this Society withed rather to be confidered as coadjutors than competitors with other Societies. He detailed the steps already taken by the committee, who have adopted the ob ject recommended in Mr. Mofeley's Memoir, viz. the Tranflation of the Scriptures into the Chinese language, and their circulation in that immense empire. The preacher was an hour and forty minutes in his difcourfe, which made all evident impreffion on a ferious and refpectable congregation. The friends and fubfcribers held their firft meeting for bulinefs, at the New London Tavern, immediately after the Sermon, which we are happy to learn will be printed, ·BEDFORD UNION. THE Union of Chriftians, held their fifth General Meeting at Bedford, on Wednesday May 6th. The public worship, both in the forenoon and the evening, was at the old meeting-house. The venerable Mr. Denny, of Long Buckby, in Northamptonshire, introduced with prayer; Mr. Fuller, of Kettering, preached from Numbers xiv. 8; and Mr. Higgs, of Banbury, in Oxfordshire, concluded with prayer. The ufual conference in the afternoon was held at the new meeting house. Mr. Raban, of Yardly Haftings, in Northamptonshire, prayed. The report was then read by the fecretary, Mr. S. Hillyard, ftating that the exertions of members of the union had in every quarter been increased, and in moft places were attended, either with evidence of fpiritual fuccefs, or with encouragement to hope for it. A comniencement had been made of the itinerancy propofed laft year, chiefly in Huntingdonshire, which had been favoured with happy effects. It appeared from the treasurer's report, that additional íupports, by members and friends of the union, during the last year gave room for hope, that its funds would equal the demands of their enlarged calls to usefulness. An affectionate letter from the Rev. Mr. Heinrick, of Riebersdorf, in the name of the ministers' conference, held the last year at Herrnhut, was read, and afforded great fatisfaction. A letter from Mr. Rutton Morris, a member of the union, who is about to fail for St. John's Newfoundland, alfo yielded gratification to his numerous friends. Good news was communicated from Mr. John Hillyard, likewise a member of the union, on the miffion at Twillingate, in Newfoundland; and from various parts of England, and the continent of Europe; tending, with the fermon which had been delivered, to animate to farther efforts in diffufing the gospel. We understand that the discourse will fhortly be published, at the general defire of the hearers. Several resolutions, relative to future proceedings, were then adopted; and 1 and the former officers were unanimously rechofen for the following year Mr. Bull, fenior, prefided, and clofed the conference with prayer. In the evening, Mr. Weft, of Wantage in Berk fhire, engaged in prayer; and Mr. Burkitt, formerly of the new meeting at Bedford, preached from James v. 19, 20, and concluded the fervices of the day; which, for the numerous attendance of minifters, and of private chriftians in refpectable fituations, and for the folemn and animating impreffions which appeared to be produced, equalled at leaft any former occafion. ASSOCIATIONS. The LINCOLNSHIRE Affociation was held at Mr. Clark's meeting at Brigg. The minifters met at nine ja the terring for prayer, and the arrangement of the bufinefs. At half paft ten, the Rev. Mr. Richards, of Hull, began the worship, by reading 2 Sam. chap. iv. and prayer. Mr. Thomfon, of Billinghay, preached from the 2 Cor. v. 19, and concluded the fervice. Mr. Smelle, of Grimfby, gave out the hymns. At half paft two, Mr. Atterby, of Killinghome, prayed; Mr. Roulands, of Gainf borough, preached from If. xiv. 19. After which all the minifters engaged at the Lord's table. In the evening, Mr. Thomson prayed, and Meffrs. White, of Mablethorp, and Richards, preached from Matt. xi. 28. and Rom. ii. 6. Mr. Clark, minifter of the place, concluding with prayer. The whole was attended both with pleafure and profit. The next meeting is to be held at Gainsborough, September 2, 1801. Meffrs. Richards, Smelle, and Clark to preach. April 7, was held at the Rev. E. D. Jackfon's meeting, Warminster, the Half Yearly Meeting of the WILTS, SOMERSET, and GLOU. CESTERSHIRE Affociation, when the following minifters engaged. Mr. W. Prieftly began by reading the prayer. Mr. Jay preached from Here is the patience of the faints." Mr. Marfton con Rev. xii. 10. cluded in prayer. After the morning fervice the ordinance of the Lord's fupper was adminittered to a numerous affembly of the members of the affociated churches. Mr. Dunn introduced the facramental fervice, and the elements were difpenfed by Meffrs. Ball, Lewis, Mantell, and Sloper, during which Meffis. Sibree and Hey addreffed the communicants, Mr. Hyart concluded with prayer. Mr. Moffer in the afternoon engaged in prayer. Mr. Williams, of Shaftfbury, preached from John xii, 31. "Now is the fon of man glo̟rified, and God is glorified in him." Mr. Barret concluded. Prayer was offered in the evening by Mr. Stevenfon, of Trowbridge. Mr. Lowell preached from Job. ii. 10. "Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and fhall we not receive evil." Mr. Bagnell concluded, after which minifters and people united with great delight in finging bleft be the dear uniting love." Mr. Jackfon read the hymns morning and evening, and Mr. Bagnell in the afternoon. The collections for village preaching were liberal. The next meeting will be at Mr. Lowell's, Bridge-street, Bristol, upon the fecond Tuesday in October. The diffenting minifters of WEST KENT united for propagating the gofpel, met at Mr. Ralph's meeting house, Maidstone, on Tuesday, April 28 laft, when the bufinefs of the Affociation was tranfacted. Two fermons were preached on the occafion, the former in the afternoon by Mr. Pilcher, of Hollingbourn, from 2 Tim. iv. 2. "Preach the word," &c. The latter in the evening by Mr. Slatterie, of Chatham, from Act x, 38. "Who went about doing good.' The brethren Knot, Kent, Podmore, Jones, and Arnold engaged in prayer. |